Power 22

This is the Real Analysis Power 22, ranking the top twenty-two teams according to how well they are currently playing. Why 22? Well, I had to be different.

1. Texas - No one is playing better ball than Texas. Do I think they could lose? Of course, if they didn't play in the Big 12.

2. USC - They are still a very good, dangerous team. However, a number one shouldn't have to make that many comebacks.

3. Virginia Tech - The Maryland game wasn't pretty, but this team gets a chance to show what it can do with Boston College and Miami as its next opponents.

4. Notre Dame - I'd put Notre Dame up against any team in the country right now. QB Brady Quinn is tearing up secondaries like it's his job...oh wait, it is.

5. Ohio State - The Buckeyes are a high quality team. With a couple of breaks, they could have been sitting on top.

6. Penn State - Blowing out Illinois hardly proves anything, but it probably was good for morale. The loss to Michigan stings, but Michigan is no slouch.

7. Alabama - The defense is great, but the offense is lacking. If the two come together, look out.

8. Georgia - QB Shockley won't be around for the Gators, but hopefully UGa won't need him. If backup QB Joe Tereshinski can avoid mistakes, the Bulldogs can ride RBs Danny Ware and Thomas Brown, as well as the stellar D, to a victory.

9. Florida State - The loss at Virginia was an anomaly. The offense is getting better and the defense is still pretty good.

10. Northwestern - Three good wins in a row get Northwestern the final spot in the top ten. The schedule is brutal, but if they get past Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio State, they deserve some serious attention. Let's start with Michigan.

11. Wisconsin - RB Brian Calhoun is still tearing it up on the ground, and Wisconsin followed up its miracle against Minnesota with a victory over a better-than-their-record Purdue.

12. LSU - LSU's defense is solid, but the offense is still too inconsistent for the Tigers to be considered among the best. Though they won against Auburn, that game could easily have gone the other way.

13. Auburn - Auburn found a running back in Kenny Irons, who shredded the LSU defense for 218 yards. Unfortunately, they could rarely find the endzone and recievers dropped passes all night. The defense looked good, but rarely did the pressure get to LSU QB JaMarcus Russell, and twice wide-open LSU recievers dropped TD's. Throw in the poor performance by kicker John Vaughn and Auburn shows that it can play with anyone in the country, but it's not quite there yet.

14. Miami - Miami hasnt' played anyone since September and won't until it meets VaTech on November 5th.

15. Boston College - Ditto. But their date with the Hokies is this weekend.

16. Oregon - The Ducks could run the table, but a close win over Arizona has me doubting. We'll see if they have what it takes when they host Cal in two weeks.

17. Michigan - Michigan can beat any team, outside of the top three. Yes, I know they lost to Notre Dame too, but I'd like to see that matchup played best of seven. The defense is good, but the offense is still young.

18. West Virginia - West Virginia has not exactly been dominating, but by virtue of their schedule, we don't know how good they really are. Barring a fluke, they should win out, but that fluke might be South Florida, the regular season finale.

19. Fresno State - That close loss at Oregon is looking pretty good right about now. Fresno hasn't had a game decided by less than 30 points since then. They'll get their shot at the big-time on November 19th, at USC.

20. Colorado - Colorado was playing well until it met Texas, but that happens (see Texas Tech). They seem to be the frontrunner in the Big 12 North, but really, what does that amount to?

21. Tennessee - Still doesn't have an offense. Defense looked good against an average Bama offense. In short, the Vols have some work to do.

22. California - The 4th quarter collapse against UCLA hurt and the hangover led to a loss to Oregon State. Washington State played them tough, and now everyone thinks they can beat the Bears. Cal is not playing horrible football, but they better get it together before Oregon and USC roll around.

Honorable Mention: Idaho (in the spirit of the Harris Poll), Missouri, Texas Tech, and Florida.