Week 8 Top 25

So this is the week when the B(C)S rankings come out. Florida remains #1 but Alabama is close on their heels. The problem is that all the systems that feed the BCS rankings have been going on since the preseason. If we truly want to attempt to find a fair way of doing the rankings then no one should be producing rankings until this point or even later in the season. That would give everyone a chance to make their statements on the field and not have to climb a long ways up or have the unfair advantage of starting at the top.


Well, the HelmetNation Top 25 continues to buck the trend of the National talking heads and polls. Notre Dame was exposed again and is not a BCS caliber team. Boston College comes calling next and hopefully the Irish will continue to go quietly into that good night. We refuse to rank any Big 10 team above 15 in the country. Iowa is clearly the leader in that clubhouse, but their tendency to play to the level of their opponent will catch up to them at some point. Probably against a team you wouldn’t expect to beat them. We also believe that TCU is truly the best possible chance for a non-BCS team to bust into one of those bowl games.

Given all that, here is the Week 8 HelmetNation Top 25.


1) Florida – In the SEC, it is hard to stay focused and take everyone’s best shot and come out on top. The gritty win against Arkansas showed heart. Also, the BCS #1 in the rankings out this week. Up next: @ Mississippi St.
2) Alabama – Dominated again! Conventional wisdom says this team is better than Florida. Conventional wisdom said that last year too. Until they beat Florida in the SEC Championship game or Florida loses, they will remain ranked lower than the Gators. Up next: vs. Tennessee
3) Texas – Oklahoma put up a fight and had Bradford played, they may have won. I wasn’t as impressed with Texas as I should have been. Up next: @ Missouri
4) TCU – The Horned Frogs ran Colorado State. This next week will let us know if TCU is a real BCS-bustin’ contender or pretender. Up next: @ #16 BYU

5) USC – Held off Notre Dame. (Thank goodness) Barkley continues to improve. Up next: vs. Oregon State
6) Boise St. – Close win @ Tulsa last Wednesday didn’t impress the nation. They just need to keep winning including next week when they travel off the mainland. Up next: @ Hawaii.
7) LSU – DNP. Up next: vs. Auburn
8) Cincinnati – Went on the road, beat an undefeated USF squad handily and Pike hurt his arm again. Pike is getting used to playing with a cast on. Up next: vs. Louisville
9) Miami – Held off Central Florida to up record to 5-1. Up next: vs. Clemson
10) Oregon – DNP. Ducks season has turned around since opening loss to Boise State. Up next: @ Washington

11) Georgia Tech – Impressive win against Virginia Tech puts GT in strong spot in ACC Coastal Division. Up next: @ Virginia
12) Oklahoma State – Had a strong showing against Missouri. Seem to be dealing with loss of Dez Bryant okay. Up next: @ Baylor
13) Virginia Tech – Lost tough game vs YellowJackets of Georgia Tech. Up next: vs. North Carolina Oct. 29
14) Utah – Took down UNLV as they should. The Air Force option is coming to town next. Up next: vs. Air Force

15) Iowa – Came back to beat Wisconsin. They just keep playing one step above their opponents. Eventually, that will catch up with them. Up next: @ Michigan State
16) Brigham Young – Held off San Diego State in game that was closer than it should have been. Were they looking ahead? ESPN Gameday will be in Provo! Up next: vs. #4 TCU
17) Pittsburgh – Beat Rutgers in preparation for a tough test this weekend. Up next: vs. #24 South Florida
18) Penn State – The Big 10 doesn’t show us much beating up on each other. Up next: @ #23 Michigan
19) Houston – Continued coming back from loss to UTEP by pounding Tulane. Up next: vs. SMU
20) Texas Tech – Defense dominated Nebraska’s offense. Great road win for the Red Raiders. Up next: vs. Texas A&M

21) West Virginia – Workmanlike victory against Marshall. Up next: vs. Connecticut
22) Navy – Underrated Midshipmen beat SMU in OT. Should give Demon Deacons all they can handle. Up next: vs. Wake Forest
23) Michigan– Pounded the holy snot out of FCS opponent Delaware State. Up next: vs. #18 Penn State
24) South Florida – Didn’t look good at home in loss to Cincinnati. They face another stiff test this coming weekend. Up next: @ #17 Pittsburgh
25) Nebraska – Undressed at home by Texas Tech. Offense has work to do. Defense is Championship caliber. Up next: vs. Iowa State