Top 25

Every college football website has its own top 25, and why should I be different? However, I am attempting to do my poll differently than most. Now that one week of games has been played, I intend to rate teams based on how impressive they have been this season. This means that teams that play weak opponents will not be ranked highly in my rankings until they have beaten someone of significance. Pasting North Texas, for example, is not very impressive when you consider that there are probably thirty teams that could do the same. Below are my top 25 following this week's games.

1. USC (1-0) The Trojans did something that know major contender, other than Notre Dame, dared to do. They opened with a decent, BCS conference opponent, Arkansas, on the road. Final Score: USC 50 Arkansas 14

2. Notre Dame (1-0)- See Trojans. Final Score: ND 14 Georgia Tech 10

3. Auburn (1-0)- Washington State is similar caliber to Arkansas, but Auburn played them at home. Final Score: Auburn 40 Washington State 14

4. Tennessee (1-0)- Jeff Tedford's Cal teams always play exceptional offense, but they looked like crap against UT's defense. The Volunteers even appeared to have an offense of their own on Saturday, which once again proves that David Cutcliffe is an excellent offensive coordinator. Final Score: Tennessee 35 California 18

5. Florida (1-0)- The Gators put up 34 against an excellent defense. Final Score: Florida 34 Southern Mississippi 7

6. Ohio State (1-0)- Norther Illinois is one of the best teams in the MAC, and OSU made them look like a high school team in the first half. Texas will be an even better test. How will OSU's rushing defense hold up? They allowed 4.7 yards per carry against NIU Final score: OSU 35 NIU 12

7. Pittsburgh (1-0)- I am sure they will fall later in the year, but they deserve this ranking based on handily beating a quality opponent. Final Score: Pitt 38 Virginia 10.

8. Florida State (1-0)- Miami has not been typical Miami recently, and FSU narrowly beat them. However, Miami is still above average and this game was on the road. If FSU's poor offensive line had not been exposed on national television, they would be ranked higher. Final Score: Florida State 13 Miami 10

9. UCLA (1-0)- Utah has been a pretty good team over the past few years, but they were no match for the Bruins. Final Score: UCLA 31 Utah 10

10. Oregon (1-0)- Oregon played Stanford this week, and Stanford has been terrible recently. However, Walt Harris is a good coach, and the Cardinal should be improving. Assuming that they are, Oregon's home win over them was impressive. Final Score: Oregon 48 Stanford 10

11. Texas (1-0)
12. Michigan (1-0)
13. Louisville (1-0)
14. Georgia Tech (0-1)
15. Miami (0-1)
16. West Virginia (1-0)
17. LSU (1-0)
18. Penn State (1-0)
19. Arizona (1-0)
20. Nebraska (1-0)
21. Texas Tech (1-0)
22. Mississippi (1-0)
23. UTEP (1-0)
24. TCU (1-0)
25. Northern Illinois (0-1)

I realize that this top 25 is not very accurate. However, these are the teams that have proven something this year. In other words, they either won against a division I-A opponent, or they played well despite losing to a good team. My top 25 will sort itself out as the better teams play against stiffer competition.