Power 22

This week's Real Analysis Power 22 has some interesting changes. Most notably, I remembered to include UCLA in it. Just a reminder, this poll is based on how well the team is playing right now. If you disagree with a ranking, plead your case in the comments.

1. USC - The Trojans have handily dispatched thier last two opponents. However, excluding Stanford, the home stretch is pretty rough--Cal, Fresno State, and UCLA. For once, I feel like USC might actually earn its ranking.

2. Virginia Tech - I almost considered dropping them a spot for the ugly uniforms, but good sense won out. The win over Boston College was solid, and it was about what I expected from VaTech. Its lack of offensive explosiveness may cost it against Miami, though.

3. Texas - Texas struggled against Oklahoma State, as usual, but turned in the best second-half performance I have seen in a long time. They drop because it's so tight at the top, but I have a feeling they may move up after VaTech gets a visit from Miami.

4. Notre Dame - The schedule appears to be cake from here on out. QB Brady Quinn should be able to outscore Tennessee by himself. Then the Irish get Navy, Syracuse, and Stanford (who is still not any good, and I'm sticking to it).

5. Ohio State - Very solid win over Minnesota. The offense appears to be clicking for the home-stretch. Good thing, because they may need it against Northwestern and Michigan.

6. Penn State - They offense and defense are playing as good as anyone in the country. Saturday's showdown against Wisconsin could have the Big Ten Championship on the line.

7. Wisconsin - RB Brian Calhoun plays a major role in Wisconsin's offense. If he gets the best of Penn State, the Badgers should win out. One game to look out for, though, is the Iowa game. Iowa's been a disappointment, but this game screams trap.

8. LSU - Yes, yes, they have the most talent in the SEC...blah, blah, blah. I'm tired of hearing about it and would like to actually see it. This team is good enough to beat anyone, but they can't get over the hump. The rest of the season is cake except for the Alabama game. If LSU can manage 21 points, they should win easily.

9. Michigan - I still think this team could beat any team outside of the top three. They did nothing to contradict that opinion in a good win over a hot Northwestern team.

10. UCLA - If you trail to Stanford, you deserve to be this far, even if you are undefeated. What's the deal with this team? Is it a lack of first-half motivation? Whatever the reason, you have to respect the explosiveness and heart of the Bruins.

11. Florida State - The Seminoles beat a pretty solid Maryland team who had the upset going for a while. They keep finding a way to win, but the defense just doesn't appear to be living up to early-season hype. I would not be surprised if NC State, Clemson, or Florida knocked off FSU.

12. Georgia - Georgia should be back in the top ten next week once QB D.J. Shockley returns from injury. That they were so close to beating Florida with an offense that had all the flare of tofu is a statement to how could this team could be.

13. Bama - Twenty-seven points against Utah State does nothing for me. That offense will not be enough to beat LSU or Auburn. But it's been a good ride, right Bama?

14. Miami - The first half against UNC was horrible, horrible football. The second half, though, showed what Miami can do when it gets some momentum. I get the same feeling from Miami as I do from Virginia Tech. When the juice gets flowing, nobody is standing in their way. I hope both teams are feeling it on Saturday, because it should make for a hell of a game.

15. Auburn - Good win over a physical Ole Miss defense. This weekend provides one more practice game before Amen Corner--UGa and Bama. The Tigers still have a chance at defending their SEC championship in Atlanta, but ironically, they need archrival Bama to knock off LSU. That's not who most fans would like to have to depend upon.

16. Fresno State - Fresno is still quietly creeping up the polls. We won't know if its for real until November 19th at USC.

17. West Virginia - Apparently these guys still have a team, and they are 6-1. They should coast through the rest of the schedule.

18. Oklahoma - I have been disappointed two weeks in a row picking against the Sooners. I guess when they have RB Adrian Peterson in the backfield they don't like to lose. Go figure. In hindsight, though, the Sooners' losses have been to respectable teams with combined records of 24-1. That ain't so bad.

19. Texas Tech - The win over Baylor was far from impressive in my book. Yes, a shutout is always good, but Baylor did take a field goal off the board. Texas Tech should have put Baylor away long before they did. They have some chance of redemption left with Texas A&M (I don't know if it's the good A&M or not) and Oklahoma still on the schedule.

20. Northwestern - That loss stings, but Michigan is good...really. While winning the Big Ten is virtually impossible now, this team is still a very good-looking bunch. I hope the emotional let-down isn't that bad, because Iowa is playing good enough to win. With Ohio State after that, this game screams trap.

21. Boston College - I continue to be unimpressed with Boston College. They aren't bad, I just don't think they are as good as their ranking. The regular season finale against Maryland should be a good test.

22. Florida - They beat Georgia, yes, but it probably wasn't very fulfilling. This season has been a disappointment, even though Florida could likely find itself in Atlanta and playing for an SEC championship. We all know they don't deserve it.

Honorable Mention: Iowa State, TCU, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota