1. Oklahoma (5-0): beat Texas 55-17.
The Sooners’ stomping reverberated a clear message throughout the college football world: We are still unbeaten and we are still deserving of that No. 1 ranking. Not only did Bob Stoops’ offense score at will against the Longhorns, but his defense did too. A fumble return and interception return yielded two scores as the defense held Texas to a season-low 259 yards. (Next week: @ Kansas)
2a. LSU (6-0): beat Florida, 41-11.
As usual, the LSU defense proved too dominant for a ranked foe. The Gators are the fourth Top-25 team to fall prey to Les Miles’ Tigers. Now the offense, which gained 453 yards, is starting to get in on the party. The only downer on the day for LSU: punter Brad Wing’s revoked touchdown run after he “taunted” Florida defenders. Even if it doesn’t count for seven, it should still sting Florida’s pride to know a punter ran away from its defense. Wing should have channeled his inner William Wallace to the refs: “They may take our touchdown, but they will never take…OUR VICTORY!” (Next week: @ Tennessee)
2b. Alabama (6-0): beat Vanderbilt, 34-0.
The tie between SEC West rivals Alabama and LSU continues for a second week. Both these teams look identical, though ‘Bama leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing 7 points per game. Nick Saban’s defense is so loaded that it lead an unnamed offensive coordinator who game-planned against it to tell Sports Illustrated, “I can honestly say they have no weak spots. Their linemen are monsters. Their linebackers look like linemen. Their safeties look like linebackers. Their corners are big. And all of them are incredibly fast—NFL fast.” (Next: @ Ole Miss)
4. Wisconsin (5-0): Idle.
Wisconsin is the only team in the nation to own a top-3 scoring offense and scoring defense, out dueling teams at an average rate of 48-10. There is no secret that the key piece to assisting the Badgers’ great running game is a talented quarterback. Enter Russell Wilson, who’s throwing completions at a 75 percent rate and has 13 touchdowns next to one interception. He has Madison thinking about more than just a Big Ten title this year. A national championship and a Heisman are still realistic dreams. (Next: vs. Indiana)
5. Stanford (6-0): beat Colorado, 48-7.
Our poor Buffs hopped into Stanford on one leg with a banged up secondary to take on the nation’s premiere quarterback. The visit resulted in a much-expected clinic, as Andrew Luck threw for 370 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. CU corner Terrel Smith put at least a blemish on the quarterback’s stat line. Find the victory wherever you can, no matter how small. (Next: @ Washington St.)
6. Oklahoma St. (5-0): beat Kansas, 70-28.
The nation’s top scoring offense padded its stats against the lowly Jayhawks. Quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon are making this pitch-and-catch routine look easier than Pop Warner football. It doesn’t matter who the defender is, no one has been able to stop Blackmon, last year’s Biletnikoff Award winner. According to Sports Science, he’s as big as a two-car garage. Err sort of. (Next: @ Texas)
7. Boise St. (6-0): beat Fresno St., 57-7.
Everyone knows about Heisman hopeful quarterback Kellen Moore. But Boise State’s defense is what could really propel this team to an undefeated season. The Broncos defensive unit is the best in the nation at stopping opposing offenses on third downs. Fresno State, which scored its only touchdown on a punt return, converted on only two of their 14 third downs. (Next: @ Colorado St.)
8. Oregon (4-1): beat Cal, 43-15.
Oregon gave Cal a beat down of the Duck degree, as the nation’s top rushing attack piled up 365 yards. However, tailback LaMichael James went down in the fourth quarter with a dislocated elbow. As of now, his expected return date is unknown and the Ducks host a top-20 team in Arizona St. this weekend. (Next: Arizona St.)
9. Clemson (6-0): beat Boston College, 36-14.
With each week the Tigers become more and more likely to play for the ACC title, which they haven’t won since 1991. Quarterback Tajh Boyd helped lead the offense to 500 total yards, despite being carted off the field with a hip injury. Luckily for the Tigers, he is expected to play next week. (Next: @ Maryland)
10. Arkansas (5-1): beat Auburn, 38-14.
Quarterback Tyler Wilson might be the SEC’s best quarterback. Unfortunately he won’t be on the SEC’s best team, barring an upset to the LSU-Alabama winner. If nothing else, the Hogs get the last place in CU:I’s Top 10 for this fan. (Next: Idle).
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Michael Kurmholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu.
