ZN Top 25: Week 9

For what seems like the first time ever, I'm actually more upset with the PSU defense than the PSU offense. So, in the spirit of this week's loss, at home, in front of a jacked up crowd, on a national telecast, I'm going to put forth a lackluster effort in this week's ZN Top 25 Rankings. I'm going to give it a half-assed job this week, just like Tom Bradley's defensive playcalling. I ranked PSU lower than Wisconsin, more out of spite than team talent. Obviously, PSU waxed the Badgers, so I think PSU should be around 24-25 in the AP and Coaches polls. This just shows how flawed the poll system is in college football.

1. Ohio State (LW: 1) - PSU might be a bit overrated, but that's what OSU should have done if it's really the No. 1 team.
2. Boston College (2) - Great "Flutie" moment; a bad win, though.
3. Oklahoma (3) - OU will have plenty of chances to prove its BCS worth in coming weeks.
4. LSU (4) - I really think this team is overrated; many disagree, but it did lose, and how many more were too close for comfort. I'm just saying that this team isn't the world-beater it was made out to be.
5. West Virgina (5) - Watch out fellow BCS conferences, WVU could land itself in the title game.
6. Oregon (7) - When was the last time a Pac-10 team was this hot?
7. Arizona State (6) - Oh yeah, never.
8. Kansas (10) - I really like this team to win out, but then get crushed by OU in the Big XII title game.
9. Missouri (9) - This program has been known for its late-season breakdowns; but that may not happen this season.
10. Georgia (23) - This team is really scary; if it only played like that from day one, it'd be on a collision course with the championship game.
11. Michigan (16) - UM is only this high because so many other teams suck so bad.
12. Florida (8) - Do you think UF fans are getting antsy?
13. Hawai'i (15) - Another team that moved up by default.
14. Connecticut (NR) - UConn won't win the Big East, but it will scare a lot of people right up until the end.
15. Boise State (NR) - It was only a matter of time before I came around and ranked the Broncos up here.
16. Virginia Tech (13) - How could the Hokies prevent Matt Ryan's destiny? They couldn't, that's why it's called destiny.
17. USF (11) - Wow, what a turn for the worse; three weeks ago, everyone had this as the darkhorse national title team, now, they may not even win the conference.
18. Alabama (18) - This week against LSU will be the same as PSU vs. OSU; Bama has its entire season on the line right now.
19. Texas (NR) - I still don't like how this team is performing; I thought Colt McCoy was supposed to make people forget about Vince Young.
20. Kentucky (12) - Talk about falling flat on your face; if Rich Brooks doesn't get his team out of bed right now, they better start packing for the Music City Bowl.
21. Wake Forest (NR) - Very quietly, the Demon Deacons have crept back into the conference race; will anyone else notice before it's too late?
22. Wisconsin (22) - I don't like ranking the Badgers here, but you'll find out why in a minute.
23. USC (17) - I am so tempted to completely rid my Top-25 of the Trojans; but a loss to a great team is not as bad as losing to Stanford in LA.
24. Auburn (24) - That USF loss isn't so excusable now; a nice rest this week should help the Tiger's team health.
25. Tennessee (NR) - OK, so the Vols beat USC; just remember how close they were to giving a major choke job.

Dropped Out:
Virginia (14) - That loss to NCSU is inexcusable; if this team is truly a championship caliber squad, it would have won, hands down.
California (19) - The bears are falling faster than George Bush's approval rating.
Penn State (20) - This is really more out of spite than anything; PSU looked pathetic at home.
South Carolina (21) - This team got just a bit too hyped; but it's still a growing program.
Cincinnati (25) - Nice story for a while; getting to a bowl is a great accomplishment and a testament to Brian Kelly's abilities.