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BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S PACKING UP THE GRILL REVIEW BY THE TAILGATER CREW!

#1 Florida (Last Week: #1)

Last week: W vs. Troy 56-6

Next week: vs. Tennessee

Chris Capcara: Tim Tebow threw for four touchdowns and ran for another as the Gators trounced Troy 56-6.  More importantly, Florida only surrendered 139 yards of total offense, a much improved statistic from last week.  With SEC play starting next week, the Gators are firing on all cylinders.

#2 Texas (Last Week: #2)

Last: W @ Wyoming 41-10

Next: @ Texas Tech

Matt Strobl: The Horns struggled with a scrappy Wyoming team in the first half.  They looked sloppy and bored before turning on the jets and blowing the Cowboys out after the break.  Texas needs to put full games together if they want to avoid upsets.  The upcoming matchup against Texas Tech should offer plenty of motivation to do so.

#3 USC (Last Week: #4)

Last:  W @ Ohio State 18-15

Next: @ Washington

Zach Bigalke: The Trojans, despite losing tons of talent in the offseason, is plugging right along as one of the top teams in the nation. USC went to Columbus this weekend. Playing most of the game down against Ohio State , freshman QB Matt Barkley engineered a game-winning touchdown drive capped by Stafon Johnson's second 2-yard plunge of the evening. The Trojans open their Pac-10 schedule next week when they travel to Washington to face former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and his revitalized Huskies.

#4 Alabama (Last Week: #3)

Last: W vs. Florida International 40-14

Next: vs. North Texas

John Mitchell: Alabama struggled a bit in the first half of their game with FIU, but came out strong when they needed to in the 2nd half. Greg McElroy looked strong, and Bama has one more tune up before SEC play begins.

#5 Penn State (Last Week: #7)

Last: W vs. Syracuse 28-7

Next: vs. Temple

Frank Zhang: Penn State played a great game against Syracuse and won  28-7. Darryl Clark played fantastic after passing for 240 yards and three touchdowns. This Penn State team can be very dangerous, and has a strong chance of appearing at the National Championship Game IF they get past Ohio State .

#6 Brigham Young (Last Week: #8)

Last: W @ Tulane 54-3

Next: vs. Florida State

Ian Morris: The Cougars avoided any sort of a letdown after taking down the mighty Sooners against Tulane. A much tougher test looms this week, as Florida State visits Provo , looking to gain some respect after losing to Miami in dramatic fashion. Will the Cougar secondary be able to contain Christian Ponder? Will Max Hall be able to get the best of an athletic Florida State secondary? We will see on Saturday.

#7 California (Last Week: #10)

Last: W vs. Eastern Washington 59-7

Next: @ Minnesota

This team has impressed not only because they've won but also how they've won. Jahvid Best has been his usual dominant self, but this year is complemented by consistent passing from Kevin Riley, which makes the offense quite scary. They face pesky BCS foe Minnesota on the road before entering their Pac-10 schedule, where they should assert themselves as a serious contender.

#8 Boise State (Last Week: #9)

Last: W vs. Miami (OH) 48-0

Next: @ Fresno State

Chris Capcara: The Broncos defended their blue turf by trouncing Miami (OH) 48-0.  Kellen Moore went 16 of 26 for 307 yards and four touchdowns as Boise State recorded its 100th victory of the decade joining Oklahoma as the only two teams to do so.

#9 Ole Miss (Last Week: #6)

Last: IDLE

Next: vs. SE Louisiana

Matt Strobl: The Rebels were idle in week 2 and have a cupcake in week 3.  It will be another couple of games before their schedule heats up, but once SEC conference play begins we should get to see what this team is made of.  The big matchup is October 10th when Ole Miss hosts Alabama .

#10 LSU (Last Week: #13)

Last: W vs. Vanderbilt 23-9

Next:

Zach Bigalke: The Tigers, after pulling off the opening-week win against Washington , came home to host Vanderbilt. Until Keiland Williams ran the ball in from 14 yards out with 6:01 remaining, the Commodores were within striking distance of LSU all game long. The 23-9 score was indicative of a tight SEC contest. Next week they face the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette, who did pull off their own upset last week with a 17-15 victory over Bill Snyder's Kansas State Wildcats. Les Miles must make sure his team is not looking ahead to Mississippi State and Georgia in the coming weeks.

#11 Oklahoma (Last Week: #15)

Last: W vs. Idaho State 64-0

Next: vs. Tulsa

John Mitchell: The Sooners took out their frustration from the opening season loss to BYU on Idaho State , as they routed them by a tune of 64-0. The game against Tulsa is probably the last game they won't need Bradford to win.

#12 Georgia Tech (Last Week: #12)

Last: W vs. Clemson 30-27

Next: @ #19 Miami (FL)

Frank Zhang: Georgia Tech played great in the first half, but could have played a little better in the second half. They gave up a huge lead to a Clemson team, but were able to get the win. I was very impressed in Jonathon Dwyer, but they must improve their defense if they want to win the ACC. I will be looking foward to their next week game against # 19 Miami .

#13 TCU (Last Week: #14)

Last: W @ Virginia 30-14

Next: vs. Texas State

Ian Morris: TCU dominated Virginia to open their season, scoring 30 unanswered points to open up the game. Quarterback Andy Dalton looked solid, completing 15-21 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown, amassing a 159.75 passer rating. While Texas State is a quality FCS team, TCU should have no trouble taking care of them.

#14 Ohio State (Last Week: #11)

Last: L vs. USC 15-18

Next: @ Toledo

Ethan Calof: They may have lost to USC, but they didn't look as terrible as everybody expected while doing that. Terrelle Pryor had a weak game with 11/25 passing, but most quarterbacks wilt facing the USC D. At least the defence looked great, with Brian Rolle showing himself as a star. Next week they face dangerous Toledo with mobile quarterback Aaron Opelt, but they should be fine for the game and ready to reassert their standing as a top Big 10 team.

# 15 Virginia Tech (Last Week: #18)

Last: W vs. Marshall 52-10

Next: vs. #21 Nebraska

Chris Capcara: The Hokies bounced back from their opening loss to Alabama by gaining 605 total yards of offense en route to thumping the Thundering Herd 52-10.  The Hokies ran for 444 yards as both David Wilson and Ryan Williams ran for more than 160 yards each.  Next week pits the Hokies vs. #21 Nebraska in Blacksburg .

#16 Oklahom a State (Last Week: #5)

Matt Strobl: The Cowboys let their opening victory go to their heads, and the result was a very disappointing upset at the hands of the Houston Cougars.  The game started slow for OSU, but after being down 24-7 at the half, the Cowboys turned it on.  Unfortunately some late mistakes allowed Houston to take control.  If they want to be a Top 10 team, they're going to have to be more focused, especially against teams with the firepower that Houston has.

#17 Cincinnati (Last Week: UNR)

Last: W vs. SE Missouri State 70-3

Next: @ Oregon State

Zach Bigalke: The Bearcats are on a tear this season, looking to repeat as Big East champion. Brian Kelly has both the offense and the defense going full steam ahead, and QB Tony Pike is among the best in the nation at his position. Cincinnati has outscored opponents in two games 117-18, beating Rutgers in Piscataway and SE Missouri State this week in the home opener. They face another test this week when they travel to Corvallis to face the Beavers of Oregon State.

#18 Utah (L ast Week: #17)

Last: W @.San Jose State 24-14

Next: @ Oregon

John Mitchell: Utah was on cruise control in their first two games, but this Saturday they will face their first true test as they head to Autzen to face off with Oregon . They'll have to play better against them than they did against San Jose State as they look to remain unbeaten..

#19 Miami Hurricanes (Last Week: #23)

Last: IDLE

Next: vs. #12 Georgia Tech

Frank Zhang: Miami earned this spot, because they defeated a great team in week 1. This upcoming week they will face an even tougher opponent, #12 Georgia Tech. If they defeat G-Tech than I believe they should be a top 10 team.

#20 Houston (L ast Week: UNR)

Last: W @ Oklahoma State 45-35

Next: vs. Texas Tech

Ian Morris: Quarterback sensation Case Keenum and the Houston Cougars strolled into Stillwater and shocked the world by toppling Dez Bryant and Okie State . Keenum, who carries a ridiculous 180.26 passer rating into Saturday's contest, will face another stiff test in Mike Leach's Red Raiders. While down on talent, Texas Tech always seems to have a few tricks up their sleeve.

#21 Nebraska (Last Week: #19)

Last: W vs. Arkansas State 38-9

Next: @ #15 Virginia Tech

Ethan Calof: Nebraska seems to be one of those teams that slips under the radar, but they are a very strong team. New QB Zac Lee seems to have adjusted nicely to the offense, after torching Arkansas State for four touchdowns. Next week will be a key test as to whether they are for real, as they travel to Blacksburg to play a very tough Virginia Tech team. The Hokies have a far better defence than Nebraska 's previous two opponents combined.

#22 North Carolina (Last Week: #16)

Last: W vs. Connecticut 12-10

Next: vs. East Carolina

Chris Capcara: The Tar Heels dropped 6 spots in our ranking after eking out a victory over the UConn Huskies.  Trailing 10-0 heading into the fourth quarter, North Carolina scored 9 points in the final 2:36 to quiet the Huskies upset bid.  The Tar Heels mustered only 35 yards on the ground, down from the 260 they put up in Week 1.  With East Carolina coming to town next week, North Carolina hopes to be 3-0 heading into a showdown at #12 Georgia Tech on Septermber 26th.

#23 Georgia (Last Week: #22)

Last: W vs. South Carolina 41-37

Next: @ Arkansas

Matt Strobl: Despite a week one loss and an unimpressive win over South Carolina , Georgia is hanging around our Top 25 on the strength of its preseason reputation.  The Dawgs haven't looked good, although the offense did manage to post some points against the Gamecocks.  Unless Mark Richt is able to make some adjustments, the better SEC teams are going to have an easy time taking care of his Bulldogs.

#24 Missouri (Last Week: UNR)

Last: W vs. Bowling Green 27-20

Next: vs. Furman

Zach Bigalke: The Tigers were supposed to have a letdown after Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin left school after last season. But with Blaine Gabbert stepping in at QB, Gary Pinkel's squad has rattled off two straight victories. After a rousing win over Illinois , the Tigers came home and survived a scare against MAC visitor Bowling Green 27-20 this Saturday. Next week they face FCS foe Furman before traveling to Nevada in Week 4.

#25 Kansas (Last Week: #20)

Last: W @ UTEP 34-7

Next: vs. Duke

John Mitchell: Kansas has rolled through their first two games with relative ease, and shouldn't have too much trouble with Duke, nor their three games that follow that. Their first true test does not come until they play Oklahoma on October 24th.

Submitted 9/16/09

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