Bankroll Sports Top 25 Rankings As of October 13, 2006

1.  Ohio State – The Buckeyes continue to roll, and with no true test on their schedule until Michigan, expect that to continue.  Jim Tressel simply does not lose games he shouldn’t. So the Buckeyes should be undefeated heading into their battle with the Wolverines.

2. Florida – The Gators got their most impressive victory of the year on Saturday, shellacking the LSU Tigers.  With two great quarterbacks in Chris Leak and Tim Tebow, there are some big expectations in Gainesville.  Next stop…Auburn.

3.  Southern Cal – USC got another tough test at Washington last weekend.  The Trojans only won by one score; and Washington had a chance to tie late in the game as time expired.  The key, however, is that the Trojans continue to win in the Pac 10, and if this continues they may be playing in their third consecutive National Championship.

4.  Michigan – The Michigan Wolverines got another very impressive win against in-state rival Michigan State on Saturday.  Michigan came out firing and never looked back, beating the Spartans by three scores.  The Wolverines travel to Penn State this Saturday night and will be without playmaker Mario Manningham, so this will be another true test in the Big 10.

5.  West Virginia – The Mountaineers remain undefeated, and until their trip to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium with Louisville, they will continue to roll.  Louisville will be their next true test, so there won’t be much mention of the Mountaineers until then.

6.  Texas – The Texas Longhorns were simply dominant in the Red River Shootout on Saturday.  The Horns did it in every facet of the game…offense, defense, and special teams.  Colt McCoy showed that he could perform well in the big game as Texas looks to be heading to the Big 12 Championship and a BCS Bowl.

7.  Notre Dame – Notre Dame rolled up an easy win over the dreadful Stanford Cardinal on Saturday in South Bend.  The Irish should continue to roll and, if they want to have any shot at a National Title, will have to beat undefeated USC in the last game of the season.

8. Louisville – The Louisville Cardinals got some good news early this week as it was mentioned that quarterback Brian Brohm may be ready to go vs. Cincinnati.  If Brohm comes back earlier than expected and get in some good work before West Virginia comes to town it would be a huge boost to their National Title hopes. 

9.  Tennessee – The Tennessee Volunteers impressed the nation Saturday night, proving to the college football world that they are back.  After trailing 24-7 against Georgia late in the first half they went on a tear, beating the Dogs by 18 inside the hedges.

10.  Auburn – The Auburn Tigers were trounced on their home field on Saturday to the Arkansas Razorbacks, knocking them from the un-beaten's and down to the 10th spot.  The Tigers will have a chance to bounce back, however, Saturday night in the Swamp against the 2nd ranked Florida Gators.

11.  California – The Cal Bears continued their dominance Saturday night, taking it to the Oregon Ducks in Berkley.  After losing the first game of the season in Knoxville, the Bears are proving they are worthy of the top 10 ranking they started the season with. 

12.  Georgia Tech – Although the Yellow Jackets got a scare from un-ranked Maryland on Saturday, the etched out a win and remained un-beaten in ACC play.  Tech has one of the best overall defenses in the country, as well as undoubtedly the best all around wide receiver in D-1A.  If the Jackets can get consistent play from their quarterback they will be heading to a BCS game.

13.  Clemson – The Clemson Tigers got huge come-from behind victory Saturday against undefeated Wake Forest.  Will Proctor and the offense turned the ball over and were virtually non existent in the first three quarters, but they all came together in the 4th, sparked by a field goal block for a touchdown. The Clemson Tigers are most likely headed for a spot in the ACC Title Game.

14.  Missouri – The Missouri Tigers are undefeated and playing great football.  They got another big win on Saturday against in-conference rival Texas Tech.  Not only is Chase Daniel and the Tiger offense gelling, but the defense has been great as well, holding the Red Raider offense to 21 points in a 17 point blowout win.

15.  Iowa – The Iowa Hawkeyes bounced back Saturday after their loss to Ohio State last week.  Drew Tate and the Iowa offense will continue to put up big numbers, and as always, Iowa has a hard nosed defense.  If Iowa continues to play they way they have been they will contend with Michigan for the 2nd spot in the Big 10.

16.  LSU – The LSU Tigers got trounced to Chris Leak and the Florida Gators on Saturday.  After a very promising start, the Tigers muffed a punt which led to a touchdown and fumbled inside the Gators’ one yard line.  While this is a very talented team, if they don’t pick it up soon they may not even sniff a New Year’s Day game. 

17.  Nebraska – Zac Taylor and the Nebraska offense continue to roll as they beat a very talented Iowa State Cyclone team to get to 5-1 on the year.  Bill Callahan’s new offensive system is really paying its dividends in Lincoln, and if Nebraska can continue to play near the level they are at now, there is no doubt they will be playing in the Big 12 Championship.

18.  Georgia – The Georgia Bulldogs got dominated on their home field Saturday Night, blowing a 24-7 lead and losing to the Volunteers by 18 points.  None of Georgia’s three quarterbacks have been impressive this year and if the Bulldogs don’t find a solution soon, the season may slip away from them.

19.  Arkansas – The Arkansas Razorbacks got one of the most impressive victories in College Football this year, dominating the Auburn Tigers from start to finish in a 27-10 victory.  Freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain continues to impress the country as he is undefeated as a starting quarterback.  If Mustain can continue to come up with wins like this, he will make Fayetteville a very happy place to be for years to come.

20.  Oregon – The Ducks’ undefeated season came to an abrupt end Saturday night in Berkley, and the Bears rolled up a 45-24 victory.  While Mike Belloti claims this is his best team ever, if they don’t find away to stop opposing offenses they are not going to win many more games in the Pac 10.

21. Boise State – Jared Zabransky and the Boise State offense continue to roll in the WAC.  The Broncos are 6-0 and headed for yet another bowl game, their only wish this year is that it will be a BCS Bowl.

22.  Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Badgers are 5-1 on the season with their only loss coming to the Michigan Wolverines in the Big House.  Tailback P.J. hill leads the Big 10 in rushing in the usual vaunted Badgers’ rushing attack. If Wisconsin continues to play the way they have been, they may be once again heading to the Citrus Bowl.

23. Rutgers – The Scarlet Knights remain undefeated behind their two headed monster of a Raymell Rice and Brian Leonard.  Rutgers visits Annapolis this weekend for their toughest test of the year against a team with just as potent of a rushing attack.  If Rutgers isn’t careful, their undefeated season will come to an end vs. the Midshipmen. 

24.  Virginia Tech – Virginia Tech has one of their biggest games of the year Thursday Night at Boston College.  The Eagles are very tough at home and if the Hoakies don’t play a great game, they will have two losses and knocked out of the top 25.

25. Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Sooners got trounced Saturday in the Red River Shootout.  While Adrian Peterson had another strong game, the defense has continued to be poor.  If Oklahoma doesn’t start stopping some offenses, a team that once had National Championship aspirations will be just looking to make it to a good bowl game.