| NCAA Football Power Rankings |
| Rank |
LW |
 |
Team |
| 1 |
1 |
 |
Auburn Tigers (11-0)
The Tigers' offense had to scratch and claw for every yard in their 21-13 win at Alabama (they trailed 6-0 at halftime), a potentially troubling development until you remember the Crimson Tide have the nation's second-ranked defense.
Next game: Dec. 4 vs. Tennessee.
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| 2 |
2 |
 |
USC Trojans (10-0)
With Jason White and Adrian Peterson off this weekend, USC Heisman candidates Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush will have the stage to themselves when they host Notre Dame. It was this game two years ago that clinched Carson Palmer his trophy.
Next game: Saturday vs. Notre Dame.
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| 3 |
3 |
 |
Oklahoma Sooners (11-0)
How does one decide between White and Peterson anyway? On the one hand, White has been just as superb as he was in last year's trophy-winning season. On the other, Peterson has run for 100 yards in all but one game, 200-plus in three.
Next game: Dec. 4 vs. Big 12 North champion.
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| 4 |
4 |
 |
California Golden Bears (9-1)
The BCS is going to make Cal sweat its Rose Bowl berth. Not only must the Bears hope hated USC wins its last two games, but they must root for Texas this weekend, too. Otherwise, Boise State may slip into the top six and hog that second at-large berth.
Next game: Dec. 4 at Southern Miss.
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| 5 |
6 |
 |
Utah Utes (11-0)
As a trio of Utes not named Alex Smith arrived at a postgame news conference Saturday, an out-of-town reporter asked, "Who are these guys?" To which one replied, "That's been the theme all season." We'll all know who they are Jan. 1.
Next game: Bowl game TBA.
|
| 6 |
7 |
 |
Texas Longhorns (9-1)
The 'Horns just can't buy a BCS break. Their Fiesta Bowl berth went up in smoke in the 11th hour last year when Oklahoma lost to Kansas State, and now it appears Cal and Utah will relegate even a 10-1 Texas team to the Cotton Bowl.
Next game: Friday vs. Texas A&M.
|
| 7 |
9 |
 |
Louisville Cardinals (8-1)
The Cardinals may be overshadowed by BCS darling Utah, but their offense is every bit as scary. Louisville has put up at least 55 points in each of its past three games and hasn't been held below 500 yards in a contest since Sept. 25.
Next game: Saturday vs. Cincinnati.
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| 8 |
10 |
 |
Iowa Hawkeyes (9-2)
Raise your hand if, back on Sept. 25, you watched Michigan beat Iowa 30-17 and said, "I bet that ends up costing the Hawkeyes the Rose Bowl." Having finished the season as Big Ten co-champs, Iowa is most likely headed to the Capital One Bowl.
Next game: Bowl game TBA.
|
| 9 |
5 |
 |
Michigan Wolverines (9-2)
Ohio State's Horseshoe was unkind to Chad Henne and Michael Hart, who looked like actual freshmen for the first time since the Wolverines' last loss at Notre Dame. They'll get a chance to redeem themselves, though, on an even bigger stage.
Next game: Rose Bowl, Jan. 1.
|
| 10 |
-- |
 |
Virginia Tech Hokies (8-2)
It's been a different kind of season for the Hokies, who instead of starting out 6-0 or 7-0 and collapsing down the stretch, are playing their best football in November. They've still got two huge games, though, that will determine their fate.
Next game: Saturday vs. Virginia.
|
| 11 |
11 |
 |
Boise State Broncos (10-0)
A Boise State-Louisville Liberty Bowl might be the second-most interesting game of the entire postseason. It would be a matchup of two of the nation's top three offenses and would represent the biggest challenge by far to the Broncos' 21-game win streak.
Next game: Saturday at Nevada.
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| 12 |
13 |
 |
Georgia Bulldogs (8-2)
Saturday will mark the final home game for beloved Georgia seniors David Greene and David Pollack, best friends who have had tremendous careers but who unfortunately were never able to recapture the magic of their 2002 sophomore season.
Next game: Saturday vs. Georgia Tech.
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| 13 |
16 |
 |
Miami Hurricanes (8-2)
From the depths of a two-game losing streak that motivated some fans to call for Larry Coker's head, the 'Canes stand one win away from capturing their first ACC title, which would give Coker four BCS berths in four seasons as a head coach.
Next game: Dec. 4 vs. Virginia Tech.
|
| 14 |
12 |
 |
Tennessee Volunteers (8-2)
Rick Clausen did an admirable job in his first career start, going 19-of-30 against Vanderbilt, though he did throw two interceptions. The Vols, however, nearly blew a late 18-point lead and haven't looked sharp their past couple of games.
Next game: Nov. 27 vs. Kentucky.
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| 15 |
14 |
 |
Boston College Eagles (8-2)
Not only do the departing Eagles have a chance to tick off the Big East by clinching the league's BCS berth, but they would do it against Syracuse, a school that originally planned to join them in the ACC before getting passed over for Virginia Tech.
Next game: Saturday vs. Syracuse.
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| 16 |
15 |
 |
Arizona State Sun Devils (8-2)
It wasn't that long ago Sun Devils fans were looking to get rid of Dirk Koetter. They're loving him now that they're on the verge of a nine-win season and a Holiday Bowl berth, though there's still a wide gap between ASU and Pac-10 leaders USC and Cal.
Next game: Friday at Arizona.
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