| NCAA Football Power Rankings |
| Rank |
LW |
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Team |
| 1 |
1 |
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Auburn Tigers (11-0)
Lest we get too caught up in the Orange Bowl discussion, the Tigers are going for another fairly significant prize this weekend: their first SEC championship since 1989. Lose to Tennessee, however, and they'll likely miss the BCS altogether.
Next game: Saturday vs. Tennessee.
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| 2 |
2 |
 |
USC Trojans (11-0)
Stud receiver Steve Smith didn't bother easing back into things in his first game since breaking his leg Oct. 9. The sophomore caught four passes for 96 yards against Notre Dame, including a 35-yard fourth quarter touchdown. Welcome back.
Next game: Saturday at UCLA.
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| 3 |
3 |
 |
Oklahoma Sooners (11-0)
We take it for granted by now, but Bob Stoops has reached the Big 12 championship game four of the past five seasons, and, even more remarkable, will make it to this third national title game in five years with a win over Colorado on Saturday.
Next game: Saturday vs. Colorado.
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| 4 |
4 |
 |
California Golden Bears (9-1)
The first threat to Cal's Rose Bowl berth, Boise State, appears to be out of the picture, but suddenly the possibility of Texas passing the Bears for No. 4 is very real. A tip for Jeff Tedford: unleash the hounds Saturday, and don't let up.
Next game: Saturday at Southern Miss.
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| 5 |
5 |
 |
Utah Utes (11-0)
It may turn out that Urban Meyer comes back next season, but the Utes lose both coordinators. Offensive coordinator Mike Sanford has interviewed for the UNLV job, while defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham will likely be a candidate at BYU.
Next game: Bowl game TBA.
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| 6 |
6 |
 |
Texas Longhorns (10-1)
The 'Horns may or may not reach the BCS, but they did provide an informative demonstration in last Friday's win over Texas A&M: How to score a one-point safety. That, and getting to beat your rival for a fifth straight year? Priceless.
Next game: Bowl game TBA.
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| 7 |
7 |
 |
Louisville Cardinals (9-1)
How scary is this team? The Cardinals hung 70 on Cincinnati last Saturday -- and star QB Stefan LeFors only threw for 79 yards. Their special teams blocked two punts for touchdowns, and Montrell Jones returned one 72 yards for another.
Next game: Saturday at Tulane.
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| 8 |
8 |
 |
Iowa Hawkeyes (9-2)
What a year it's been for sophomore quarterback Drew Tate. He entered the season as the Hawkeyes' biggest question mark and ended it as the All-Big Ten second-team QB after completing 62 percent of his passes for 2,499 yards.
Next game: Capital One Bowl vs. TBA, Jan. 1.
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| 9 |
10 |
 |
Virginia Tech Hokies (9-2)
Last season's team that included NFL first-round picks Kevin Jones and DeAngelo Hall couldn't get out of middle of the pack in the Big East, but this year's largely unsung group is a win away from capturing the ACC title in its first try.
Next game: Saturday at Miami.
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| 10 |
9 |
 |
Michigan Wolverines (9-2)
The only person in Ann Arbor who might not be thrilled with the way the season turned out is QB Matt Gutierrez, who got Wally Pipped by Chad Henne. It will be interesting to see whether Gutierrez takes another shot at the job next spring or transfers.
Next game: Rose Bowl vs. TBA, Jan. 1.
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| 11 |
11 |
 |
Boise St. Broncos (11-0)
Just call him Touchdown Helmandollar. A week after notching five TDs against Louisiana Tech, RB Jon Helmandollar scored on two of his four carries against Nevada. On the season, he has 13 touchdowns on 43 rushing attempts.
Next game: Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech.
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| 12 |
12 |
 |
Georgia Bulldogs (9-2)
Backup QB D.J. Shockley has performed admirably in spot duty, but in his most significant experience to date Saturday against Georgia Tech, he struggled mightily, going 5-of-16 and looking genuinely flustered. Not a good sign for next year.
Next game: Bowl game TBA.
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| 13 |
13 |
 |
Miami (FL) Hurricanes (8-2)
It's time to find out once and for all whether the 'Canes' offense is up to snuff as they go against the nation's No. 7 defense. QB Brock Berlin has looked great in recent weeks, but the question is whether Miami's battered O-line can protect him.
Next game: Saturday vs. Virginia Tech.
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| 14 |
-- |
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LSU Tigers (9-2)
The Tigers looked pretty wobbly there for a while, but they turned it on the last part of the season, capping it off with a 43-14 win over Arkansas -- in Little Rock -- in which all aspects of the offense, most notably QB Marcus Randall, were clicking.
Next game: Bowl game TBA.
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| 15 |
14 |
 |
Tennessee Volunteers (9-2)
Vols head coach Phillip Fulmer says Erik Ainge won't be able to play this weekend, and any contribution from fellow freshman Brent Schaeffer will be a bonus, so Tennessee's SEC championship hopes once again rest on the shoulders of a Clausen (Rick).
Next game: Saturday vs. Auburn.
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| 16 |
-- |
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Pittsburgh Panthers (8-3)
The Panthers get this spot largely by default -- who else are you going to go with? In fairness, Pittsburgh is a much different team now than it was early on when it lost to Nebraska and struggled with Furman. QB Tyler Palko is on fire.
Next game: Bowl game TBA.
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