College Football Rankings Week 9

Well, several weeks have passed since last I've posted my rankings, and since then, much has changed in college football.  Here are my updated rankings. 

5. Arkansas 6-1 (2-1)
Arkansas is a dynamic offensive juggernaut that has outscored and/or outplayed all their opponents except a road game at Alabama.  With a solid win against A&M and a gritty victory over Ole Miss in Oxford, look for the Razorbacks to play spoiler in late November when they take on potentially undefeated LSU in the Battle for the Golden Boot.

4.  Oklahoma State 7-0 (4-0)
For once, the Cowboys are not playing second fiddle to their bigger brothers the Sooners.  Oklahoma State is a dangerous offensive team that can score with anyone in the country.  They have only really been tested once this year, against a good Texas A&M team, but look for them to face no real tests until they play Bedlam against Oklahoma late in the year.  If they can win out, they could very well play for the national title.

 3.  Stanford 7-0 (5-0)
Stanford has impressed this year, winning all their games handily.  Stanford has, by all accounts, the number one pick in next year's NFL draft in Andrew Luck, so they have a good chance at winning all their games.  They have a tough road game against USC this week (coming off a road win at Notre Dame) and a tough game against Oregon coming up, look for Stanford's Luck to be pressed.

2.  Alabama 8-0 (5-0)
Alabama is one of the best coached, defensive minded teams in the country.  With several top level draft picks on defense, and a Heisman candidate running back in Trent Richardson, Alabama can compete by outscoring opponents or destroying them with defense.  Unfortunately, the other team just like them is LSU, and they play each other on November 5th (my Christmas).  The winner of this game will very likely play for and win the national title.  Alabama can win it all, they just have to beat LSU.

1.  LSU 8-0 (5-0)
Possibly the only team that can beat Bama, and Bama being possibly the only team that can beat LSU, it is a shame they won't play each other in the title game.  LSU has a much improved offense with two quarterbacks playing well right now.  Additionally, LSU has a pro-ready defense that looks like it could and will dominate every opponent.  If LSU can beat Bama and Arkansas, they should win the national title, but those two opponents will be no small task.  Weird things happen in rivalry games, so you never know, but with the Mad Hatter running the show, I think it is LSU's year.