No. 1 USC Trojans (2-0)
Last Week: Beat Ohio State, 35-3, in Los Angeles
Next Opponent: Oregon State (Sept. 25)
Tidbit: The Trojans looked like a team that could play on Sundays in their victory over the Buckeyes. The defense, led by linebacker Rey Maualuga, has given up only a combined 10 points in two games.
No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners (3-0)
Last Week: Beat Washington, 55-14, in Seattle
Next Opponent: Texas Christian (Sept. 27)
Tidbit: The Sooners have slowly crept up the rankings with convincing victories over Washington and Cincinnati. Quarterback Sam Bradford and the Sooners have looked strong, putting up at least 50 points in all three games.
No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0)
Last Week: Beat South Carolina, 14-7, in Columbia
Next Opponent: at Arizona State (Sept. 20)
Tidbit: The Bulldogs won their first tough road game of the season, but have another tough test with Arizona State. The temperature at kickoff will be almost 101 degrees in the desert.
No. 4 Florida Gators (2-0)
Last Week: Bye
Next Opponent: at Tennessee (Sept. 20)
Tidbit: The Gators have talent all over the field and will face their first real test of the season in Knoxville. Quarterback Tim Tebow and the offense can take control of any game and will handle the Volunteers.
No. 5 Missouri Tigers (3-0)
Last Week: Beat Nevada, 69-17, in Columbia
Next Opponent: Buffalo (Sept. 20)
Tidbit: Quarterback Chase Daniel threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns against Nevada and the Tiger offense has been impressive thus far. They have averaged 57 points per game and Daniel could end up being the best quarterback this season.
No. 6 LSU Tigers (2-0)
Last Week: Beat North Texas, 41-3, in Baton Rouge
Next Opponent: at Auburn (Sept. 20)
Tidbit: The Tigers have looked strong against Appalachian State and North Texas. LSU will face SEC foe Auburn this week and a stingy defense could cause them problems.
No. 7 Auburn Tigers (3-0)
Last Week: Beat Mississippi State, 3-2, in Starkville
Next Opponent: LSU (Sept. 20)
Tidbit: The Tigers versus the Tigers, many are calling the LSU-Auburn game the game of the weekend. Two SEC powers will battle in a defensive-oriented game.
No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (3-0)
Last Week: Beat Fresno State, 13-10, in Fresno
Next Opponent: at Michigan (Sept. 27)
Tidbit: The Badgers barely squeaked out a win in Fresno, thanks to three missed field goals by the Bulldogs̢۪ kicker. Wisconsin now stands alone atop the Big Ten and should win in Ann Arbor.
No. 9 Texas Longhorns (2-0)
Last Week: Game versus Arkansas postponed due to Hurricane Ike
Next Opponent: Rice (Sept. 20)
Tidbit: Longhorns have been forgotten in the shuffle of the Big 12, especially with Oklahoma and Missouri ranked above them. Look for Texas to make a statement against the Rice Owls this week.
No. 10 Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-0)
Last Week: Beat Southern Methodist, 43-7, in Lubbock
Next Opponent: Massachusetts (Sept. 20)
Tidbit: The Red Raiders were not receiving much preseason attention, but Tech has been able to remain steady and could challenge for the Big 12 title. Quarterback Graham Harrell has thrown for over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns in three games.
Dropped out: Ohio State
Honorable Mention: East Carolina, BYU