The Collegian ranks college football's Top 25

Rankings by Darrell Copeland III
The Collegian

1.Ohio State (4-0)

Next: at No. 14 Iowa

Last week: Won 28-6 over No. 24 Penn State

Buckeyes will not get away with another poor offensive performance against Iowa.

2. Auburn (4-0)

Next: Thurs. at South Carolina

Last week: Won 38-7 over Buffalo

Tigers continue to glide on cruise control.

3. USC (3-0)

Next: at Washington State

Last week: Won 20-3 over Arizona

Wildcats showed glimpse of future in loss to Trojans.

4. Louisville (4-0)

Next: Oct. 6 at Middle Tennessee State

Last week: Won 24-6 over Kansas State

Nice win in tough place for Cardinals despite the absence of starting QB Brian Brohm.

5. Michigan (4-0)

Next: at Minnesota

Last week: Won 27-13 over Wisconsin

If the Gophers can run the ball, this one will be closer than it looks.

6. Florida (4-0)

Next: vs. Alabama

Last week: Won 26-7 over Kentucky

Crimson Tide will be hungry for a victory after tough loss to Arkansas

7. West Virginia (4-0)

Next: Oct. 7 at Mississippi State

Last week: Won 27-10 over East Carolina

WV took its game with ECU lightly and still cruised to victory.

8. LSU (3-1)

Next: vs. Mississippi State

Last week: Won 49-7 over Tulane

Tigers would win this game even if they didn’t get the ball on offense.

9. Texas (3-1)

Next: vs. Sam Houston State

Last week: Won 37-14 over Iowa State

Doesn’t take a genius to figure out this game will be a lot to a little, in favor of Texas.

10. Virginia Tech (4-0)

Next: vs. Georgia Tech

Last week: Won 29-13 over Cincinnati

Are Hokies prime for the upset? Yellow Jackets will bring the wood.

11. Georgia (4-0)

Next: vs. Mississippi

Last week: Won 14-13 over Colorado

Dawgs near slip-up against Buffs would have been unacceptable.

12. Notre Dame (3-1)

Next: vs. Purdue

Last Week: Won 40-37 over No. 25 Michigan State

Boilermakers bring in another tough offense for Irish to defend.

13. Oregon (4-0)

Next: at Arizona State

Last week: Idle

Sun Devils always pose problems for Ducks, although they have been staggering of late.

14. Iowa (4-0)

Next: vs. No. 1 Ohio State

Last week: Won 24-7 over Illinois

Iowa has a realistic chance of pulling out an upset based on the Buckeyes’ performance last week.

15. Florida State (3-1)

Next: Oct. 5 at N.C. State

Last week: Won 55-7 over Rice

Seminoles will put N.C. State back in its place when the time comes.

16. TCU (4-0)

Next: vs. BYU

Last week: Idle

Horned Frogs still looking to crash BCS party.

17. Clemson (3-1)

Next: vs. Louisiana Tech

Last week: Won 52-7 over North Carolina

Tigers have looked good since loss to Boston College. May claim ACC title.

18. Oklahoma (3-1)

Next: Oct. 7 vs. No. 9 Texas

Last week: Won 59-0 over Middle Tennessee State

Sooners will need bye week to prepare for Longhorns. Game will be coin toss for first time in years.

19. Nebraska (3-1)

Next: vs. Kansas

Last week: Won 56-0 over Troy

’Huskers will be a title contender within two years.

20. Tennessee (3-1)

Next: at Memphis

Last week: Won 33-7 over Marshall

Volunteers seem to be the forgotten team in a loaded SEC conference.

21. Boise State (4-0)

Next: at Utah

Last week: Won 41-34 over Hawaii

Interesting match-up between two of the most dominant mid-major teams in recent years.

22. California (3-1)

Next: at Oregon State

Last week: Won 49-21 over Arizona State

Cal QB Nate Longshore has finally started to show some life. If he plays well, Bears become instant contender for Pac-10 title once again.

23. Rutgers (4-0)

Next: at South Florida

Last week: Won 56-7 over Howard

The birthplace of football has finally made the long journey back into the top 25. Scarlet Knights actually have some decent talent and a very good running game.

24. Penn State (2-2)

Next: vs. Northwestern

Last week: Lost 28-6 to No. 1 Ohio State

QB Anthony Morelli is way too inconsistent. Nittany Lions were a touchdown and two points away from a tie in the final two and a half minutes before his two pics went for TDs.

25. Michigan State (3-1)

Next: vs. Illinois

Last week: Lost 40-37 to No. 12 Notre Dame

Spartans have nobody to blame but themselves. Thirty-one points in the first half and only six in the second half.

Others receiving thought: Missouri, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Miami (FL), Boston College, Washington

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