In the first weekend of October there were some fantastic games. There were impressive performances by the teams at the top of the poll. As we head into the second week of the month, there are some big time games, especially in the rough and tough SEC and Big Ten.
1. Alabama – The Crimson Tide stormed past Ole Miss 42-21 to make it 5-0. Too many people picked the Rebels, and Bama raced to a 28-0 first half lead. Next up is Texas A&M at Kyle Field.
2. Georgia – The Bulldogs were impressive in a commanding 37-0 victory over Arkansas to improve to 5-0. The grind of the Southeastern Conference continues on the Plains, as the Auburn Tigers host the Bulldogs.
3. Iowa – The Hawkeyes have one of those teams, and they feasted on turnovers in a 51-14 rout of Maryland last Friday night. The stage is set for an enormous showdown against Penn State in Iowa City.
4. Penn State – The Nittany Lions were a 24-0 winner over Indiana and are now 5-0. Now Penn State is off to Iowa for a huge game in the Big Ten race. The winner of this one, halfway through the season, is in a very good spot.
5. Oklahoma – The Sooners are finding a way, grinding through and chalking up the wins. Kansas State is always tough on Oklahoma, but the Sooners found a way 37-31. Oklahoma and Texas go at it in Dallas this week.
6. Cincinnati – It is one of the biggest wins the Bearcats have ever had, taking down Notre Dame 24-13 in South Bend. For Cincinnati to win under the Golden Dome is something they can forever cherish.
7. Brigham Young – The Cougars took care of Utah State 34-20 in a Friday night in-state battle to make it 5-0. BYU is playing great for a second straight season. Boise State heads to Provo Saturday.
8. Kentucky – The Wildcats are an impressive 5-0 and are coming off an enormous victory over Florida in Lexington. It’s back at home for LSU on Saturday. These Wildcats are right in the thick of the SEC race.
9. Michigan – Jim Harbaugh may have his best team in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines played really well at Wisconsin, dumping the Badgers 38-17. Now comes Nebraska in Lincoln. The Huskers aren’t what they were. But a lot of history is there with these teams.
10. Arkansas – The Razorbacks took it on the chin against Georgia in Athens this past Saturday, falling to 4-1 on the year. Arkansas has to flush it and head into a big battle with Ole Miss Saturday in Oxford.
11. Oregon – It was a tough loss for the Ducks, who fell to Stanford 31-24 in overtime. Oregon had the lead in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hang on. They try for a bounce back Saturday against Cal in Eugene.
12. Ohio State – The Buckeyes put a 52-13 beat down on Rutgers to improve to 4-1 on the year. Next up is a meeting with Maryland, which has played Ohio State tough a few times. The Terps got smoked at Iowa last week.
13. Oklahoma State – The Cowboys are 5-0 and looking good. Oklahoma State took care of Baylor 24-14. The schedule sets up nicely. Okie State is off this week, and then heads to Texas, which plays the Sooners this week.
14. Auburn – The Tigers won a thriller over LSU 24-19 in Baton Rouge to up the record to 4-1 on the season. Now comes the big battle with Georgia at Jordan-Hare, as Auburn aims to hand the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.
15. Michigan State – The Spartans beat Western Kentucky to make it 5-0. Mel Tucker is doing a tremendous job for Michigan State this season. Michigan State is right in the midst of a loaded Big Ten East. It’s off to Rutgers Saturday.