Hockey / College Football Top 25: 11/2/2011

College Football Top 25: 11/2/2011

Date:  Source: Armchair Report

By ACR Contributor Jarrod Argobright (twitter: @jargobright) | Photo By Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America 11/7/2009

Week 9 of the 2011 college football season saw another shakeup in the rankings, in part due to a couple of upsets by home underdogs. Wisconsin and Clemson saw their stock take a hit, while teams such as Nebraska and Georgia Tech saw their stock climb.

At the top of the rankings, Alabama and LSU remained the top two teams, while debate would ensue about the order of the next three, even though the consensus is that Boise State, Oklahoma State, and Stanford round out the top 5.

So, without further ado, here is my revised Top 25 list as of 11/2/2011:

1 Alabama: Crimson Tide were idle last weekend, as Nick Saban's crew used the extra week to prepare for their tilt Saturday. Trent Richardson's heisman campaign likely rests on his performance against the Tigers. Next game: Saturday vs. LSU

2 LSU: Tigers were also off last weekend, and they continue to be ranked no. 2 despite being the top ranked team in both the BCS and the AP Top 25. In my opinion, Crimson Tide are more balanced team, but Tigers have chance to prove doubters wrong this weekend. Next game: Saturday at Alabama

3 Stanford: Andrew Luck  and the Cardinal showed guts in toughing out a triple overtime win over USC in the Rose Bowl.  Stanford still holds the nation's longest active winning streak. Next game: Saturday at Oregon State

4 Oklahoma State: Cowboys are ranked in the top 5 for the first time since... well since I can remember. Whether they can stay there depends on if they can beat the Sooners at the end of the year. Next game: Saturday vs. Kansas State

5 Boise State: Broncos were idle last weekend, they will need help to make a leap in the rankings, as their remaining strength of schedule is not very tough. Next game: Saturday at UNLV

6 Oregon: Ducks handle Washington State rather easily despite inconsistent performances from Darron Thomas and LaMichael James. A showdown with Stanford for Pac-12 supremacy looms. Next game: Saturday at Washington:

7 Oklahoma: Sooners bounce back from loss to Texas Tech by trouncing Kansas State.  At this point they still control their own destiny in the Big 12, but they will need some help if they are to make it to the BCS National Championship.

8 Arkansas: Razorbacks remain third in SEC West after Tyler Wilson's impressive display leads them to a 31-28 win over Vanderbilt. Hogs might find points harder to come by this weekend. Next game: Saturday vs South Carolina

9 Nebraska: Impressive win over Spartans have Big Red as favorite to win the Big Ten; Cornhuskers must be kicking themselves for losing to the Badgers earlier this season, as they could have been in BCS Championship discussion. Next game: Saturday vs Wisconsin.

10 South Carolina: Gamecocks defense once again carries the day for the 'Ole Ball Coach against Tennessee. Offense must reappear, however, if they are to have any chance of winning SEC championship. Next game: Saturday at Arkansas

11 Clemson: Loss to ACC rival Georgia Tech probably eliminates Tigers from national title hunt. Tigers try to focus on winning ACC and helping Tajh Boyd win heisman. Next game:   Nov. 12 vs Wake Forest

12 Virginia Tech: Hokies win unimpressive game versus unranked Duke squad, yet still remain on course to play for ACC title against Clemson. Next game: Nov. 10 at Georgia Tech

13  Houston: Cougars are in the top 15 for the first time in, well, a while and Case Keenum is now a sleeper candidate for Heisman. Next game: Saturday at UAB

14 Kansas State: Previously unbeaten Wildcats brought back to earth by angry Oklahoma squad.  Bill Synder's squad will look to get back to winning against high flying Cowboy offense. Next game: Saturday at Oklahoma State

15 Michigan: Wolverines pounce on inconsistent Purdue squad last weekend, improving to 7-1 on the season.  Yet it remains to be seen whether junior Denard Robinson can become more consistent as UM enters the meaty part of its schedule (at Illinois in two weeks, then vs Nebraska and Ohio State).  Next game: Saturday at Iowa

16 Penn State: Joe Pa surpassed Eddie Robinson as all time winningest coach in FBS history. Now Nittany Lions look to win Leaders Division of Big Ten.  Next game: Nov. 12 vs Nebraska

17 Michigan State: Spartans were humbled in Lincoln against Cornhuskers, they now need help to win the Legends Division of the Big Ten. Next game: Saturday vs. Minnesota

18 Wisconsin: Badgers season starting to unravel, but they aren't as bad as their ranking would suggest. Back to back losses means Wisconsin needs a lot of help to win Big Ten's Leader's Division. Next game: Saturday vs Purdue.

19 Georgia: Bulldogs gut out ugly win versus Gators.  They need help to make it to SEC title game. Next game: Saturday vs New Mexico State

20 Arizona State:Sun Devils on pace to meet Oregon- Stanford winner for Pac-12 Championship. Next game: Saturday at UCLA

21 Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets prove that triple option is still relevant in college football. Next game: Nov. 10 vs Virginia Tech

22 Texas: Freshmen David Ash and Malcom Brown starting to come around for Mack Brown's offense. Next game: Saturday vs. Texas Tech

23 USC: Trojans just missed upset of the season. Next game: Thursday at Colorado

24 Auburn: Tigers are learning to move on after Cam. Next game: Nov. 12 at Georgia

25 West Virginia: Mountaineers trying to avoid exiting the Big East with a whimper.  Next game: Saturday at Louisville