| NCAA Football Power Rankings |
| Rank |
LW |
 |
Team |
| 1 |
2 |
 |
Oklahoma Sooners (5-0)
If this were the NBA, Adrian Peterson would be playing for some hapless lottery team. Instead, the most gifted freshman running back since Herschel Walker is playing in the same backfield as a Heisman-winning quarterback. Unbelievable.
Next game: Saturday at Kansas State.
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| 2 |
1 |
 |
USC Trojans (5-0)
The Trojans are hanging on by a thin thread, their receiving corps decimated, their secondary struggling. But if they could survive Cal QB Aaron Rodgers the way he played Saturday, they can probably survive anyone on their schedule.
Next game: Saturday vs. Arizona State.
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| 3 |
3 |
 |
Auburn Tigers (6-0)
Following Georgia's loss to Tennessee, the Tigers may be the SEC's last remaining national championship hope. It won't be easy, what with a possible season-ending slate of Georgia, Alabama (in Tuscaloosa) and the SEC title game.
Next game: Saturday vs. Arkansas.
|
| 4 |
6 |
 |
Purdue Boilermakers (5-0)
History is in the air in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers are 5-0 for the first time since 1945, they just won at Penn State for the first time in history and receiver Taylor Stubblefield just broke the Big Ten's career receptions record (271).
Next game: Saturday vs. Wisconsin.
|
| 5 |
7 |
 |
Miami Hurricanes (4-0)
The 'Canes' defense has been dominant, allowing just 6.5 points and 216 yards per game, but it faces a significant challenge Thursday against a highly balanced Louisville offense that's racking up more than 500 yards per contest.
Next game: Thursday vs. Louisville.
|
| 6 |
8 |
 |
Virginia Cavaliers (5-0)
The Cavs' offensive line is a thing of beauty. After struggling to a 13-10 halftime lead against Clemson, Virginia came out in the second half and simply wore down the Tigers' defense with its ground game, ultimately winning 30-10.
Next game: Saturday at Florida State.
|
| 7 |
11 |
 |
California Golden Bears (3-1)
Rodgers gets the attention, and rightfully so, but the Bears' offense wouldn't be so efficient without RB J.J. Arrington, who became the first player in 13 games to break 100 yards against USC's defense.
Next game: Saturday vs. UCLA.
|
| 8 |
14 |
 |
Wisconsin Badgers (6-0)
QB John Stocco had his best game against Ohio State, completing 15-of-24 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns. A serviceable Stocco to go with a healthy Anthony Davis and the nation's top-ranked defense make the Badgers tough to beat.
Next game: Saturday at Purdue.
|
| 9 |
10 |
 |
Florida St. Seminoles (4-1)
Words you wouldn't normally expect to hear from Bobby Bowden: "Syracuse should have won the ballgame." The 'Noles were flat all night against the Orange. Then again, you try getting a heavily favored team pumped up to play in the Carrier Dome.
Next game: Saturday vs. Virginia.
|
| 10 |
-- |
 |
Tennessee Volunteers (4-1)
When you're as young as the Vols, you're going to get a little Jekyll and Hyde. Not only was freshman QB Erik Ainge back to his more poised self against Georgia, but the defense was worlds more aggressive than it was against Auburn.
Next game: Saturday at Ole Miss.
|
| 11 |
12 |
 |
Arizona St. Sun Devils (5-0)
Andrew Walter has the potential to pick apart USC's secondary just like Rodgers did, and ASU's receivers are better deep threats. The question, though, is whether the Sun Devils will have any kind of running game.
Next game: Saturday at USC.
|
| 12 |
4 |
 |
Georgia Bulldogs (4-1)
The Dawgs shot themselves in the foot repeatedly against Tennessee, committing 12 penalties, including one that wiped out a 90-yard kick return, dropping five passes and calling for an ill-advised fake punt that led to a Vols TD.
Next game: Saturday vs. Vanderbilt.
|
| 13 |
5 |
 |
Texas Longhorns (4-1)
As crushing as the annual Oklahoma losses would seem, the 'Horns do tend to bounce back well. The past four years, they've run off winning streaks of six, six, four and six games following the Red River Shutout ... er, Shootout.
Next game: Saturday vs. Missouri.
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| 14 |
-- |
 |
Oklahoma St. Cowboys (5-0)
Vernand Morency got his 165 yards against Colorado, but more significantly, QB Donovan Woods went 8-for-11 passing for 193 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first time all year OSU has done anything of note through the air.
Next game: Saturday vs. Texas A&M.
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| 15 |
-- |
 |
Michigan Wolverines (5-1)
Poor Matt Gutierrez might as well find a new team, because this one clearly is Chad Henne's for the next four years. The freshman had a couple of bad interceptions but looked like a seasoned pro in leading the Wolverines' game-winning drive against Minnesota.
Next game: Saturday at Illinois.
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| 16 |
15 |
 |
Utah Utes (5-0)
It's starting to sound as if the Fiesta Bowl is seriously interested in inviting the Utes if they finish the regular season undefeated. A lot of things have to go right, though, including taking care of a surprising UNC team this weekend.
Next game: Saturday vs. North Carolina.
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