Sorting out the bottom of the rankings is a challenge

Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez is averaging more than 300 yards per game and has led the Wildcasts to a 5-2 record. Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

Prior to becoming an AP voter this season, these Power Rankings consisted of just the top 16 teams.

Oh, how I miss those days.

You think deciding between No. 1 and 2 is hard? Try sifting through the mess toward the bottom of the poll as the season progresses.

Take this week, for example. Once I got past No. 16 Oregon (7-1), the top contenders for No. 17 were:

• A 5-2 Florida team that had a bye last weekend and whose offense was struggling with the concept of forward movement the last time we saw them.

• A 5-2 Northwestern team that is unquestionably on fire, but lost 52-21 earlier in the season to an Arizona State team that is now 3-4. Moreover, Northwestern's defense is ranked dead last nationally.

• A 5-2 Auburn team that was ranked one spot lower last week and lost.

• A 5-1 Fresno State team that pulled off a real statement win against Idaho last week.

• Or a 6-1 West Virginia team that, to its hindrance, plays in the Big East.

These being power rankings -- i.e. who's playing the best right now -- I went with the red-hot Wildcats. Next week, however, I may go out and buy a dartboard.

NCAA Football Power Rankings Rank LW Team 1 1 USC Trojans (7-0) The Trojans' revolving secondary will have another new look this weekend with recently converted safety Josh Pinkard likely to start at cornerback in place of the injured John Walker. As anyone who watched the Notre Dame game would agree, this could be a positive development. Next game: Saturday vs. Washington State. 2 2 Texas Longhorns (7-0) Let the BCS computers' love affair with the 'Horns be a lesson to other national-title aspirants: Scheduling a marquee non-conference opponent (Ohio State) is a good idea, because it sure comes in handy when several of your conference foes simultaneously go in the tank. Next game: Saturday at Oklahoma State. 3 3 Virginia Tech Hokies (7-0) Did Marcus Vick have a good game or a bad game last Thursday night against Maryland? The quarterback threw three interceptions -- one more than he had all season -- but he also ran for a career-high 133 yards, which, with the help of a dominant defense, lifted the Hokies to a 28-9 victory. Next game: Thursday vs. Boston College. 4 6 UCLA Bruins (7-0) In two years, the Bruins' offense has gone from one of the nation's worst to one of the most dangerous. It's pretty tough to defend Drew Olson when he's spreading the ball around to five receivers -- especially when you still have to worry about RB Maurice Drew. Next game: Saturday at Stanford. 5 5 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0) The Tide made two extremely clutch plays to beat Tennessee. First, with the score tied 3-3 late in the fourth quarter, Roman Harper stripped Vols RB Cory Anderson to avoid a possible touchdown. Then, on a third-and-8 on the game-winning drive, Brodie Croyle hit D.J. Hall for 43 yards. Next game: Saturday vs. Utah State. 6 4 Georgia Bulldogs (7-0) How many times do you think Joe Tereshinski has dreamt of this moment? His father played on Georgia's 1976 SEC title team. His grandfather played for two UGA title teams in the '40s. Now, Tereshinski III will make his first start as the Dawgs' quarterback against arch-rival Florida. Next game: Saturday vs. Florida. 7 8 LSU Tigers (5-1) Nothing about LSU's hurricane-impacted season has been normal, with the latest oddity being its schedule over the next two weeks. Fresh off a big divisional win over Auburn, the Tigers now play consecutive non-conference cupcakes North Texas (rescheduled from Sept. 3) and Appalachian State. Next game: Saturday vs. North Texas. 8 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-2) QB Brady Quinn's staggering success this season is all the more remarkable when you consider he lost his top receiver, Rhema McKnight, in the Michigan game. Jeff Samardzija's emergence has been well-documented, but last Saturday's star was senior Maurice Stovall (14 catches, 207 yards). Next game: Nov. 5 vs. Tennessee. 9 11 Penn St. Nittany Lions (7-1) Was it really just a month ago that QB Michael Robinson was widely viewed by many (myself included) as the Nittany Lions' biggest question mark? Against Illinois, the senior threw four touchdowns in the first quarter and scored two more on the ground to tie an 88-year-old school record. Next game: Saturday vs. Purdue. 10 10 Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes (5-1) The Hurricanes' nickname is becoming a little too fitting. Last weekend's Georgia Tech postponement marked the fourth time in seven years a hurricane has forced Miami to reschedule a game. Between that and D-line coach Greg Mark's dismissal, it was an unusual week in Coral Gables. Next game: Saturday vs. North Carolina.

Read on for teams 11-20 ...