Ranking the Top 25: Week 12

1. Oregon (10-0)Last Week: Thought: Ducks won’t be stopped in conference play. Their offense is too powerful, and they are coming off of a bye week. Chip Kelly has the national title in his sights in only his second season.

 2. Auburn (11-0)Last Week: Thought: I am still not sold on the Tigers’ defense. Can they shut down Alabama. On the other hand, the offense led by Cam Newton can roll with the best of them. Will the season count when the NCAA investigation is done?

3. Boise State (10-0)Last Week: Thought: Boise’s defense is suffocating. Teams in the WAC can’t move the ball on them. If Auburn loses to Alabama, Boise may finally get their shot at winning a national title. Their home record is astounding. 

4. TCU (11-0)Last Week: Thought: If TCU remains in the MWC, the debate over TCU and Boise St. will be settled in the regular season. Much like 2009, the two teams appear to be very even and very good.

5. Stanford (10-1)Last Week: Thought: Jim Harbaugh led Stanford to its first win in Berkeley since 2000. How long will he be around? Is Andrew Luck leaving after his redshirt sophomore year?

6. LSU (10-1)Last Week: Thought: Never count out Les Miles and the LSU Tigers. They never make it easy, but they almost always make it. Jordan Jefferson continues to progress as a quarterback

7. Wisconsin (10-1)Last Week: Thought: The Badgers are a tough, physical team with John Clay running the ball. They started off the season playing close games, but they are picking up steam every week. Seeing them against Boise State in the Rose Bowl would be epic.

8. Ohio State (10-1)Last Week: Thought: The Buckeyes showed grit by battling back to beat Iowa. Pryor hasn’t turned in incredible performances, but the Buckeye defense locks teams down. The disappointing aspect of the season is that Ohio State doesn’t play Michigan State. The Big 10 title won’t necessarily be decided on the field.

9. Oklahoma State (10-1)Last Week: Thought: Mike Gundy is a man and he is (over) 40. His offense is one of the most prolific in the nation, and the Cowboys are at home against Oklahoma for the right to play in the Big XII title game. This may be their best chance to get to a BCS bowl. 

10. Michigan State (10-1)Last Week: Thought: If Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin win out, Sparty will likely go to the Alamo Bowl despite turning in one of the best season in school history. Despite beating Wisconsin, the Spartans may lose out on a BCS bid in favor of the Badgers.

11. Alabama (9-2)Last Week: Thought: Nick Saban won’t be leading the Crimson Tide to the SEC title game, but he can play spoiler by upsetting Auburn. The Iron Bowl should be a dandy.

12. Arkansas (9-2)Last Week: Thought: Arkansas was my pick to win the SEC West, but they have fallen a little short. Nevertheless, Ryan Mallet has improved his draft stick while throwing for a ton of yards and touchdowns.

13. Texas A&M (8-3)Last Week: Thought: Texas A&M upset Nebraska and took another step towards a resurgence. Junior Ryan Tannehill has come in at quarterback and provided the consistency Jerrod Johnson couldn’t deliver.

14. Nebraska (9-2)Last Week: Thought: Bo Pelini could use some anger management classes. In fairness to him, the penalty discrepancy in Saturday’s contest seems statistically impossible. 

15. Missouri (9-2)Last Week: Thought: The Tigers’ inability to beat Nebraska will be their undoing. By virtue of the head-t0-head, Mizzou won’t go the the Big XII championship game. Given that, they have had a good season, but not a great one.

16. Oklahoma (9-2)Last Week: Thought: Can “Home Game Bob” Stoops pick up a win on the road in Stillwater and take the Sooners to the Big XII title game against Nebraska. 

17. Nevada (10-1)Last Week: Thought: Only Nevada stands between Boise State and a BCS bowl bid. Can the Pistol offense rack up points against Boise’s staunch defense. The Wolfpack have a huge advantage playing in Reno. 

18. Virginia Tech (9-2)Last Week: Thought: Frank Beamer has instilled resiliency in this team. The Hokies could have folded after losing to James Madison, but they have won 9 straight and are on pace to be in a BCS bowl.

19. South Carolina (8-3)Last Week: Thought:  20. Utah (9-2)Last Week: Thought: The Utes had a hangover against Notre Dame, but they found their groove again and dispatched an underrated San Diego State team.

21. Arizona (7-3)Last Week: Thought: Tough assignment for the Wildcats this weekend. They have’t fared well against quality teams as of late. Autzen isn’t a friendly place to play.

22. North Carolina State (8-3)Last Week: Thought: One of the touchdown catches against North Carolina was miraculous. The Wolfpack aren’t the model of consistency, but they have racked up some quality wins in the ACC.

23. Florida State (8-3)Last Week: Thought: Bobby Bowden probably would have the same record right now. Florida State should have let him leave on his own accord since he made the Seminoles what they are. 

24. Air Force (8-4)Last Week: Thought: 3 of Air Force’s losses are quality. This service academy deserves love for hanging tough in a deep conference such as the Mountain West.

25. Navy (8-3)Last Week: Thought: Despite a few bad losses, Navy has 8 wins and their offense is a refreshing style to watch. The pickings are so slim in terms of ranked teams that any team with 8 wins deserves to be ranked.