Week two was a relatively bland one for college football. The nation's top team, USC, was idle, and the biggest news of the week may have been the end of Boise State's 14-game winning streak and subsequent drop from the rankings. Auburn was the highest ranked team to lose to a team outside of the Top-25, dropping from 17th to unranked after an overtime loss to the underrated South Florida Bulls 26-23. The biggest jump in the rankings goes to the Oregon Ducks, who went from unranked to No. 19 after completely dominating a lackluster Michigan team. Let's see what this week is looking like for the teams in the top five conferences around the country:
1. SEC
Top Team: LSU
Other Contenders:
Florida, Arkansas
LSU looked like a team that could compete for a national championship with an amazing performance against the then No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies, a 48-7 victory. The defense looked amazing as expected, but the offense dominated the Hokies, putting up 48 points. If senior quarterback Matt Flynn and LSU's duo of running backs continues this way, they could give USC a real run for their money.
The Florida Gators have not lost a step from last year, beating up on their first two opponents. Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow has stepped into the full-time starter's role beautifully, compiling 536 passing yards and six touchdowns through the air to go along with 131 rushing yards and three touchdowns running the ball after two games. The SEC could be decided when these two top contenders, LSU and Florida, face off the first Saturday of October.
2. Pac-10
Top Team: USC
Other Contenders:
California, UCLA
USC was idle last week, but held their No. 1 ranking, despite losing a few first place votes to LSU. The team's capable offense and amazing defense makes USC the team to beat this season. They face their first major test this weekend on the road against the No. 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers.
The Bruins will need to play exceptionally well to win the Pac-10, but don't put it past them. UCLA looked good in their first two games, and have a favorable out-of-conference foe in the unpredictable Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Plus, UCLA gets to face USC, the team they knocked off last year, in the last game of the season. If the Bruins are undefeated up to that point, their visit will have huge national championship implications.
3. Big East
Top Team: West Virginia
Other Contenders:
Louisville, Rutgers
The duo of junior quarterback Pat White and junior running back Steve Slaton at West Virginia makes for a Heisman highlight reel by players on the same team. They also have the Mountaineers thinking about a national championship. The offense has had no problems the first two games, racking up a combined 110 points. However, their defense remains somewhat suspect. Showdowns with Rutgers and Louisville in consecutive weeks will show how serious the Mountaineers are about a national championship.
In Louisville, senior quarterback Brian Brohm is making a statement about his bid for a Heisman trophy. He has thrown for 776 yards and nine touchdowns in helping the Cardinals put up a whopping 131 points in their first two games. Like West Virginia, the defense is suspect at times, which should make for a huge offensive day when the two teams face off Nov. 8 in Morgantown.
4. Big 12
Top Team: Oklahoma
Other Contenders:
Texas, Nebraska
The Sooners have cemented themselves in the top five of the national rankings by displaying great offense and a stifling defense. Oklahoma had something to prove last weekend against Miami (Fla.), and did so by dominating the scuffling Hurricanes. Freshman Sooner quarterback Sam Bradford has been extremely accurate and has thrown for eight touchdowns, including five against Miami.
The Texas Longhorns haven't looked completely dominant, but are playing well enough to challenge for a conference championship. Sophomore quarterback Colt McCoy is maturing at his position, and the defense is always good. Beating a strong TCU team last week helps the confidence of this team, but the real test will be when the Longhorns face Oklahoma at home in a few weeks.
5. Big Ten
Top Team: Wisconsin
Other Contenders:
Penn State, Ohio State
The Badgers had a scare in Las Vegas last week, but it should be only a fluke. As long as sophomore running back P.J. Hill stays healthy and Wisconsin keeps pounding the ball with the ground game, the offense and defense should get it together and have a good rhythm going into Big Ten conference play. Playing at Penn State and Ohio State will be major tests of this team's resilience and strength.
Though Notre Dame isn't the team they were last year, Penn State looked fundamentally sound in defeating the Irish at home last week. Senior quarterback Anthony Morelli looks more comfortable at quarterback, and the defense has some of the best linebackers in the country. The Nittany Lions get their two toughest tests, Wisconsin and Ohio State, at home, so look for a dogfight for the Big Ten title.
