Football Handicapping

College Football Top 25

The Top 25 saw a number of big changes last week with plenty of teams flying up the rankings and even more hurtling down.

The Top 2 spots remain the same, with Ohio State at No. 1 and Michigan at No. 2, but that's pretty much it. Florida maneuvered into the No. 3 spot, USC is up to No.4 and Arkansas took a six-spot leap up to No. 5.

The biggest gainer of the week was Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights upset Louisville in a Big East showdown to climb eight spots to No. 7. Aside from Arkansas' six-point jump, other big gainers included Wisconsin and Wake Forest, both up four places.

The biggest loser of the week was Auburn. The Tigers were in the Top 5 last week, but plummeted 10 spots to No. 15 after an upset loss to Georgia. There were a ton of other big drops as well, including California and Tennessee both down nine spots, and Louisville and Texas, who both dropped seven.

Two new teams re-entered the rankings this week. Nebraska found their way back in at No. 24, while Clemson rejoined at No. 25.

Leaving the rankings to make room were Oregon and Texas A&M.

1. Ohio State (1) 11-0 - The Buckeyes slammed Northwestern 54-10 last week to hold on to the No. 1 spot. Ohio State finishes out the regular season this week with their biggest game of the season versus No. 2 Michigan.

2. Michigan (2) 11-0 - The Wolverines whipped Indiana 34-3 last week, but are still stuck at No. 2. Michigan heads to No. 1 Ohio State this week and should be headed to the BCS if they can pull off an upset.

3. Florida (6) 9-1 - The Gators edged South Carolina 17-16 last week to grab the No. 3 spot. Florida should have no trouble with 2-8 Western Carolina this week.

4. USC (7) 8-1 - The Trojans knocked off Oregon 35-10 to move up three spots. USC hosts No. 17 California in an important Pac-10 battle this week.

5. Arkansas (11) 9-1 - The Razorbacks got past Tennessee 31-14 last week. Arkansas should be able to keep their nine-game winning streak going this week versus 3-7 Mississippi.

6. Notre Dame (9) 9-1 - The Fighting Irish kept moving up the rankings after defeating Air Force 39-17 last week. Notre Dame's military tour continues this week versus 3-7 Army.

7. Rutgers (15) 9-0 - The Scarlet Knights flew up the ranks after shocking Louisville 28-25 last week. Rutgers gets another Big East opponent in 5-5 Cincinnati this week.

8. West Virginia (10) 8-1 - The Mountaineers started climbing back up the rankings after dropping Cincinnati 42-24 last week. West Virginia heads to 6-4 Pittsburgh this week.

9. LSU (12) 8-2 - The Tigers doubled up on Alabama last week to get back into the Top 10. LSU takes on 3-7 Mississippi this week.

10. Louisville (3) 8-1 - The Cardinals took a dive in the rankings after a 28-25 upset loss to Rutgers last week. Louisville needs to rebound this week versus 7-3 South Florida.

11. Texas (4) 9-2 - The Longhorns couldn't handle Kansas State in a 45-42 loss last week and fell seven spots in the rankings. Texas is off this week before finishing up the regular season versus 8-3 Texas A&M on November 24. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy could be questionable after leaving last week's game with a shoulder injury.

12. Wisconsin (16) 10-1 - The Badgers beat Iowa 24-21 last week to make a four-spot jump. Wisconsin gets 2-8 Buffalo in their regular-season finale this week. Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco missed last week's game and is listed as questionable due to the same shoulder injury.

13. Boise State (14) 10-0 - The Broncos maintained their perfect record after defeating San Jose State 23-20 last week. Boise State has an easy game against 1-9 Utah State this week. Boise State running back Ian Johnson is questionable this week after suffering a collapsed lung.

14. Wake Forest (18) 9-1 - The Demon Deacons blanked Florida State 30-0 last week. Wake Forest has a big ACC test versus No. 19 Virginia Tech this week.

15. Auburn (5) 9-2 - The Tigers dropped the ball in a 37-15 loss to Georgia last week to plummet in the rankings. Auburn heads to 6-5 Alabama this week to finish out their regular season.

16. Oklahoma (17) 8-2 - The Sooners defeated Texas Tech 34-24 last week. Oklahoma heads to 4-7 Baylor this week. Sooners' running back Allen Patrick is listed as questionable after leaving last week's game with an ankle injury.

17. California (8) 8-2 - The Golden Bears were knocked out of the Top 10 after a 24-20 loss to Arizona last week. California has their toughest game of the season this week at No. 4 USC.

18. Georgia Tech (19) 8-2 - The Yellow Jackets held off North Carolina 7-0 last week. Georgia Tech should be able to score a lot easier this week versus 0-10 Duke.

19. Virginia Tech (20) 8-2 - The Hokies shut out Kent State 23-0 last week. Virginia Tech has an interesting ACC matchup with No. 14 Wake Forest this week.

20. Boston College (22) 8-2 - The Eagles soared past Duke 28-7 last week. Boston College gets No. 21 Maryland this week.

21. Maryland (23) 8-2 - The Terrapins edged Miami (FL) 14-13 last week. Maryland needs a win at No. 20 Boston College this week.

22. Tennessee (13) 7-3 - The Volunteers lost their second straight last week, 31-14 versus Arkansas. Tennessee visits 4-7 Vanderbilt this week. Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge and receiver Robert Meachem are both expected to play through ankle injuries this week.

23. Brigham Young (25) 8-2 - The Cougars blasted Wyoming 55-7 last week. Brigham Young takes on 5-5 New Mexico this week.

24. Nebraska (-) 8-3 - The Cornhuskers moved back into the Top 25 after slipping past Texas A&M 28-27 last week. Nebraska gets a break this week before hosting 2-9 Colorado on November 24.

25. Clemson (-) 8-3 - The Tigers stopped their two-game losing streak with a 20-14 win over N.C. State last week. Clemson is off this week and returns to the field on November 25 versus South Carolina.

Out: Oregon (21) Texas A&M (24)