In the time it takes you to read this sentence, someone, somewhere in cyberspace is complaining that the SEC is "overrated." This will invariably elicit a passionate response from someone in Florida or Tennessee citing any number of supportive statistics, which will in turn cause the original poster to cite data pumping up his own favorite conference, and so on and so forth, until it becomes no mystery why so many of our more pressing world crises remain unsolved.
I would imagine many of those debates got a whole lot murkier this week, because it's no longer possible to use the polls as definitive evidence of anything.
The SEC has dominated both my ballot and the polls in general for much of the season, boasting as many as seven ranked teams in any given week. Meanwhile, for most of the season the ACC had just two entrants (Boston College and Virginia Tech), and at one point the Big Ten was down to just Ohio State.
Things have begun evening out, however, as the season reaches its crescendo. With Alabama and Auburn playing themselves out of my ballot last weekend and Illinois and Wisconsin playing themselves back in, the dispersal among this week's top 25 is as follows:
SEC: five (with Kentucky needing to win at Georgia this week to avoid falling out)
ACC, Big Ten and Big 12: four
Big East and Pac-10: three
WAC: two
Not only does the Big 12 have four teams on my ballot, but all four are currently ranked in the top 10. No other conference has more than two.
A Big 12 fan could rightfully point to that as evidence that his league reigns supreme this season.
An SEC proponent could justifiably counter that it only proves the rest of that conference is garbage.
And on and on they would go, until everyone's heads were ready to explode.
Thankfully, my colleague Bill Trocchi has the unenviable task of ranking the conferences. Personally, I'm quite content to stick to my team-judging duties.
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The bad news: Matt Flynn threw two more interceptions against Louisiana Tech, his seventh straight game with at least one pick. The good news: LSU still won 58-10. The Tigers have more talent than anyone they will face the rest of the way, but their QB leaves them susceptible to an upset.
Last game: Beat Louisiana Tech, 58-10.
Next game: Saturday at Ole Miss.
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Speaking of QBs, Dennis Dixon gets another Heisman showcase opportunity Thursday night, but talk about your classic "trap" game. The Ducks now carry that dreaded "No. 2" label, while Mike Stoops' Wildcats have upset a ranked team at home in November each of the past three seasons.
Last game: Beat Arizona State, 35-23.
Next game: Thursday at Arizona.
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He's produced Kansas' best three-year run since the '60s, its first 10-win season since 1899, and he's done it with a cast of largely unheralded players. San Antonio Express-News writer Tim Griffin raises a valid question: Why isn't Mark Mangino mentioned among the nation's hottest coaches?
Last game: Beat Oklahoma State, 43-28.
Next game: Saturday vs. Iowa State.
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The Sooners continue to move up in the human polls and down in the computer ratings. Why? Because of that Sept. 29 loss at Colorado -- the Buffs have slipped from 4-2 to 5-6. Oklahoma's road struggles cause no shortage of nervousness heading into Saturday's trip to Lubbock.
Last game: Beat Baylor, 52-21.
Next game: Saturday at Texas Tech.
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The Mountaineers endured a scare from Louisville last week due in large part to QB Pat White's two second-half fumbles -- and they survived the scare thanks to White's electrifying 50-yard touchdown run with 1:36 remaining. White & Co. can't afford to be as sloppy against Cincinnati.
Last game: Beat Louisville, 38-31.
Next game: Saturday at Cincinnati.
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How frustrating must it be for Tigers fans right now? Their team is enjoying its greatest season in decades -- and it's getting overshadowed nationally by their arch-rival. Mizzou will have a chance to change that Nov. 24 in Kansas City, but they can't afford to "look ahead" this week.
Last game: Beat Texas A&M, 40-26.
Next game: Saturday at Kansas State.
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The Dawgs' second-half onslaught against Auburn was nothing short of remarkable. The Tigers led 20-17 midway through the third quarter before Georgia rolled off four consecutive touchdown drives while picking off three passes and holding Auburn to 39 total yards the rest of the way.
Last game: Beat Auburn, 45-20.
Next game: Saturday vs. Kentucky.
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For all the Buckeyes' recent dominance, they last played in the Rose Bowl in 1996. (Twice they've moved up to the BCS title game, and three times they've earned invites to other BCS bowls.) Beat Michigan, and they'll not only go to Pasadena, they may get another matchup with Arizona State.
Last game: Lost to Illinois, 28-21.
Next game: Saturday at Michigan.
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It wouldn't be a 2007 Sun Devils victory if they didn't have to come from behind. They trailed at UCLA 10-0 in the first half and 13-10 at halftime before pulling out a 24-20 victory, their fifth of the season after trailing at the half and fourth in which they overcame a double-digit deficit.
Last game: Beat UCLA, 24-20.
Next game: Nov. 22 vs. USC.
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If you believe Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, the 'Horns 59-43 win over the Red Raiders was the result of crooked officials. Texas would presumably point instead to Colt McCoy's six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) and another huge day from RB Jamaal Charles (23 carries, 174 yards).
Last game: Beat Texas Tech, 59-43.
Next game: Nov. 23 at Texas A&M.
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Click below for teams 11-20
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