5. STANFORD
Okay, theses guys beat USC, er.....barely. I will give them credit for that, er.....barely. Here comes Oregon. My hunch is with the Ducks.

4. OREGON
This team has been rolling since it got beat by LSU (not a bad thing, everyone LSU has played has lost, too). I think they take out Stanford this week. It won't help a playoff come around quickly, but I don't believe in the Cardinal.

3. No one good enough.

2. No one good enough.

1. LSU
A 9-6 overtime win over Alabama is boring? Wrong. A 9-6 overtime win over Alabama is a 9-6 overtime win over #2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa - that proves these Tigers are the best in the country.

5. KANSAS STATE
The Wildcats are 7-0. This week they host Oklahoma. Then go to Oklahoma State. Then they host Texas A&M. Then they travel to Texas. KSU has it all in front of them. Let's watch...

4. OREGON
The Ducks are still alive. They are also continuing to roll people. Oregon is fourth in the nation in Rushing Yards Per Game (323) and in Points Per Game (48.1). Stanford is approaching.

3. CLEMSON
The Tigers keep on keeping on and find themselves thick in the BCS mix. I still think no one wants to play this team. They win games by an average score of 41-25. Pretty good.

2. ALABAMA
The Tide keep rolling. The have beaten their five SEC opponents by a combined score of 199-37 so far this season. We all know LSU is coming to town on November 5th. 

1. LSU
These Tigers still look like the best team in the country. I don't think anyone doubts that. LSU has put it on their five SEC opponents 178-41. This gang has no worries traveling to Tuscaloosa.
=====================================================================
Conspicuously Absent: Boise State, Stanford and Oklahoma State.
Boise State's schedule is not going to impress me this year.
Stanford is not going to impress me unless they beat both Oregon and USC.
Oklahoma State is not going to impress me until they beat Oklahoma.
Right now, Clemson could take all three of these teams.
- LoudMouth told ya' so.

Yes, it's that time of year. The official BCS Poll has been released.
This means no one will care about the AP/USA Today/Coaches Polls any more.
With that in mind, I don't care any more about any team below the Top 5 in the country and in my mind - not that I like the BCS (I don't).

With no further hesitation, the LoudMouth Top 5 for Week #8.

5. CLEMSON
No one wants to play the Tigers - the Tigers from the state of South Carolina. I am really hoping this gang makes some noise and makes a dent in the major BCS games.

4. WISCONSIN
The Badgers are mean and growling. No one wants to play these guys, either. The Badgers want to play anyone, anytime, anywhere.

3. ALABAMA
The Tide are hosting Tennessee this week. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it's to warm up the field, the parking lot and the fans for the Saturday in two weeks when LSU comes calling.

2. OKLAHOMA
The Sooners will have to travel to Oklahoma State for the last game of the regular season. That just gives the covered wagon time to get completely revved up and fine tuned.

1. LSU
The Tigers host Auburn this week before going to Alabama in two weeks. I do not think the Tigers are looking past Auburn at all - but, if LSU slips before 'Bama, this could be the week.
=====================================================================
Conspicuously Absent: Oklahoma State and Boise State
I don't buy into the Cowboys at all. We'll see what Oklahoma has to say about them.
I can't buy into the Broncos because of their schedule, but we all know that is weak.

10. HOUSTON
This got your attention. The Cougars are 6-0 and in the Top 25. They lead the nation in Passing Yards Per Game (435.5) and are 5th in Points Per Game (47). A 56-3 win over East Carolina helps a bit because they haven't beaten anyone else - well, 35-34 over Louisiana Tech...

9. MICHIGAN
The Wolverines keep coming after beating Northwestern. It could all come crashing down this week after a tilt with Michigan State in the Big House.

8. STANFORD
The Cardinal still doesn't impress me. Oregon is in a few weeks. Prove me wrong, please.

7. ILLINOIS
The Illini are still hanging in there. Games with Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin are still ahead. Wait a minute - the Illini get ALL of these at home in Champaign. Hmmm.

6. OREGON
The Ducks keep marching on. They are second in the country in Points Per Game (50) and their only loss (and close game) was to #1 LSU. Their running back, James, is hurt though.

5. CLEMSON
The Tigers are a good team - really good. Their coach is good - really good. No one above them in the polls wants to play this crew. The ACC looks locked up for them.

4. WISCONSIN
The Badgers had a week off after crushing Nebraska. Look out Indiana.

3. ALABAMA
The Tide are impressive. They too keep rolling on no matter who lines up against them. I am impressed with them, but not as impressed as I am with Oklahoma. LSU is up in three weeks.

2. OKLAHOMA
I don't understand the AP Poll slotting the Sooners at #3. Right - the AP is off its rocker. This gang is 9th in Points Per Game (45) and 12th in Points Allowed Per Game (15.6). Did I mention they beat Texas 55-17 last week?

1. LSU
There is not much to say about these Tigers. They are #1 and are not moving from their perch.
Oklahoma might give them something to move for in January, but that's in January.

(Conspicuously Absent: Boise State.
I usually don't have a problem with season schedules, but the Broncos play absolutely no one. See for yourself right here. 
This team doesn't have a leg to stand on when arguing or even winning for a BCS bid.)

10. MICHIGAN
At 5-0 the Wolverines have taken care of business so far this season. They beat Big Ten foe Minnesota 58-0 last week - Minnesota. Who'd have thought a date with Illinois would be a big deal in five weeks?

9. ILLINOIS
I looked up and the Illini were 5-0 and in the AP Top 25. They have (gulp) Wisconsin late in the year along with Michigan. My Dad graduated from Illinois, and this is for him...

8. STANFORD
The Cardinal still don't impress me, but they are unbeaten still and still have to reckon with Oregon in six weeks. Good luck, guys.

7. OREGON
The Ducks have it rolling now, scoring 56, 56 and 43 points in their last three games. Only Stanford stands between them and the Pac-12 title. Stanford...

6. BOISE STATE
The Broncos only beat Nevada 30-10 last week. To get respect from the NCAA football know-it-alls, they have to do better than that. Boise State stays in the Top Five only because I am pulling for them.

5. CLEMSON
They are unbeaten after beating Auburn, Florida State and Virginia Tech back-to-back-to-back. No Big 12 team can compete with that, or this team - okay, maybe Oklahoma.

4. WISCONSIN
The Badgers destroyed Big Ten newbie Nebraska 47-17, and it wasn't even that close. These guys can make a run at the Top Three. Look out.

3. OKLAHOMA
The Top 3 are a toss-up. I have to put the Sooners here because they have only played one real game this year. The Red River Rivalry with Texas is this week. I bet the Sooners win it.

2. ALABAMA
Beating Florida 38-10 in Gainesville almost gets you the nod for No.1. Not quite. Just wait - the Tide host #1 LSU in about a month.

1. LSU
Beating three ranked teams handily so far this year means you get to keep the No.1 spot. When you beat everyone you play with a sledgehammer, that means you keep your two-handed grip on the top spot. Alabama on the road does not scare these Tigers, either.
=====================================================================
LoudMouth Told Ya So
Clemson over Florida State. Yep, I was right.
Oklahoma State and Texas A&M - nobody cares about these teams even now.

10. WISCONSIN
A win 49-7 over Northern Illinois. Wow. Look out Badgers, South Dakota (of the Great West Conference) is next.

9. STANFORD
Still not doing anything for me in a 37-10 win at Arizona. I keep asking the same question: This is an elite team, right? Five weeks until USC and seven weeks until Oregon.

8. OREGON
Take it out on Missouri State (of the Missouri Valley Conference) 56-7 and get no props here. I can't wait until this team plays somebody good. Wait, they did already (LSU) - and lost. 

7. GEORGIA TECH
768 yards total offense and 604 yard rushing against a (still) Big 12 team, Kansas. These guys deserve to be here.

6. FLORIDA STATE
Their starting QB and 2 WRs go down and the Seminoles were still tied with #1 Oklahoma in the Fourth Quarter. That counts for something. So does a loss. The team drops down.

5. SOUTH FLORIDA
The Bulls keep rolling. A 70-17 win over FAMU is an attention-getter. We are talking about South Florida, here.

4. LSU
You are under the lights in a nationally televised game on a Thursday night and you only beat #25 Mississippi State, 19-6? You're the crew that took out Oregon, remember - Oregon.

3. BOISE STATE
You had a chance at the No. 2 spot but Toledo put up 15 points on you and you only scored 40. South Florida ran up 70 points and Georgia Tech ran up 604 yards on the ground. Get with it, Broncos.

2. ALABAMA
If your season schedule wasn't so tough, you might have tripped a bit by shutting out North Texas (of the Sun Belt Conference) 41-0 on your home field. Call this #2 with a whimper because nobody else below you did anything, either.

1. OKLAHOMA
Beat then #5 Florida State in their tee-pee in front of the biggest crown in their stadium ever during a prime time nationally televised game and you earn the #1 spot here. No doubt about it.
=====================================================================
LoudMouth Told Ya So
Conference schedules start up this week. For the SEC, BIG 12, BIG 10 and the ACC this will mean some beat-downs of some ranked teams. Watch out South Carolina (overrated, anyway), Florida State (Clemson in Clemson at night) and Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.

Wait - Texas A&M and Oklahoma State play each other.
Whoever wins this game may start to become relevant - ehh, maybe. The loser of this game was never really noticed enough to be missed anyway.

10. WISCONSIN
A 35-0 win is usually good enough to at least stand your ground in the Top 10. When that win is against Oregon State at home in front of your home fans, you slip down a spot. Why? Oregon State lost their first game to Sacramento State at home. It gets worse - this week Sacramento State lost to Utah State at Utah State 35-14. Utah State is in the Big Sky Conference. Oregon State is in the Pac-12 Conference. Wisconsin is in the Big 10 Conference - they should act like it.

9. NEBRASKA
The Huskers won a game over Fresno State last week by a score of 42-29 - at home in Nebraska. The Bulldogs put up 29 points on Big Red in front of the home fans. Fresno State is in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). You have to bring it better and stronger if you want to make a dent in the Big 10 this years. Nebraska slips a few notches.

8. STANFORD
The Cardinal beat Duke 44-14 last week at home. Right, but the score was only 17-7 at halftime. You guys are an elite team, you say? Duke lost to Richmond of the Colonial Conference 23-21 in their first game. The Blue Devils gave you a go in the first half. Try that with Oregon.

7. SOUTH FLORIDA
The Bulls crushed Florida A&M last week, 37-7. It was 37-0 going into the Fourth Quarter. South Florida took care of business, and impressively enough. They move up two spots after to big dogs go soft.

6. OREGON
A win is a win is a win, and a 69-20 win over Nevada is still a win. This proved the Ducks can hang it on teams - especially Nevada. Still not elite and in the midst of NCAA problems, Oregon moves up.

5. FLORIDA STATE
Charleston Southern has only had a football team for about 20 years. Going into Tallahassee takes some guts. Getting beat down 62-10 is no fun. Not much fun for the Seminoles, either. This was a tune up for when someone their own size comes to town next week - #1 Oklahoma.

4. BOISE STATE
Boise State had no game last week. This week they are at Toledo, then play Tulsa and Nevada at home. Wow. I like this team too, but I can't get behind that schedule.

3. OKLAHOMA
The Sooners had a week off last week. I guess they are getting ready for #5 Florida State. In this poll, you can't get props if you don't play, so Oklahoma tumbles down some.

10. SOUTH FLORIDA
On the road, the Bulls took down #16 Notre Dame in a game that wasn't as close as the 23-20 score makes it seem. Notre Dame was/is overrated, but it was a great win for USF.

9. OREGON
The Quack Attack got thumped in Dallas - and by an SEC team, again. Though not able to hang with the elite Top 5 teams in the country, the Ducks are certainly Top 10 worthy.

8. WISCONSIN
The Badgers buried UNLV 51-17 and didn't score a point in the 4th Quarter in doing it. The 4th Quarter is also when UNLV scored 7 of it's 17 points. 

7. NEBRASKA
The Huskers beat Chattanooga 40-7. That's not saying much. Nebraska is still my favorite to win the Big Ten, so they inch up a few spots.

6. STANFORD
Andrew Luck and....the rest of the Cardinal team took care of San Jose State 57-3. I would have moved this crew up a little more but I want to see how they play when the target on their backs gets bigger and bigger each week.

5. FLORIDA STATE
The Seminoles blanked Louisiana-Monroe at home. Snore. I know they are looking forward to #1 Oklahoma in Week 3. Still, FSU has more experience in big games than say, Stanford.

4. ALABAMA
A 48-7 win over Kent State at home is nothing to get fired up about. LSU beats Oregon in Dallas, Boise State beats Georgia in Athens and the Tide fall to #4.

3. BOISE STATE
Beating Georgia in Athens 35-21 in beat-down fashion like they did, should put the rest of the BCS contenders on notice. Besides LSU, the Broncos had the only quality win in Week 1.

2. OKLAHOMA
The Sooners allowed Tulsa to score two touchdowns in Norman in their 47-14 win over the Golden Hurricane. For now, this team has enough umph to stay at #2, but with their weak schedule, Boise State or Alabama could overtake them.

1. LSU
The Tigers pushed around flashy/quick #3 Oregon and came out with a 40-27 win on a neutral field - with their second-string QB, and didn't allow the Ducks an offensive play longer than 18 yards the entire night. With their Week 1 win and their killer schedule, LSU gets the #1 nod.

=====================================================================
The LoudMouth Told Ya' So:
Notre Dame lost last week.
To unranked South Florida at home.
The Irish starting QB was yanked.
The head coach blew a few gaskets and changed a few facial colors.
Business as usual in South Bend.
..and they'll be 0-2 after Michigan dumps them in the Big House this week in the first ever night game in Ann Arbor.

The 2011 college football season started last night (Thursday September 1, 2011) with fourteen games.There are two games being played tonight (Friday September 2, 2011). The rest of Week One's games will be played this weekend and culminate on Monday September 5, 2011 (Labor Day). 

I have to toss out my thoughts in the preseason rankings -

Here is the Associated Press 2011 College Football Preseason Top 10 and my thoughts on each team.

10. NEBRASKA
The Cornhuskers enter the Big 10 (er, 11, er, 12) Conference this year with a schedule that includes all of the conference big boys: Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa and Michigan. I think the 'Huskers will give each one of these teams big problems. Nebraska will win the Big 10 this year.

9. OKLAHOMA STATE
Number 9? The Beatles, anyone? I don't get this placement. Maybe the Cowboys got some love because Texas is down, Nebraska left and only Texas A&M (overrated) and Oklahoma remain as actual really good teams in the Big 12 Conference. I guess someone had to be ranked #9.

8. TEXAS A&M
How did the Aggies get up here? The A.P. voters must not have wanted to put another SEC team in the Top 10. There are four teams ranked in the preseason top 25 on A&M's schedule, including #1 Oklahoma. There are also games with Kansas and Kansas State - and home games with SMU and Idaho. Yeah, great.

7. STANFORD
I'll give Stanford this one. A great quarterback in Andrew Luck and....? Hmm. Their schedule includes just two games with teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 - home games against #3 Oregon and #16 Notre Dame (I don't count USC as a preseason ranked opponent because USC is on two years of probation). I take it back, Stanford is ranked too high with that lame schedule. 

6. FLORIDA STATE
Speaking of lame schedules...The Seminoles host #1 Oklahoma in Week 3 and then are in Gainesville against the #22 Gators for the last game of the season. The games between those two tilts look about as exciting as their basketball schedule did when they were in the vaunted Metro Conference. Clemson on the road is a scare. The Seminoles join the ranks of the overrated/can't hang with the SEC crowd of wanna-be's.

5. BOISE STATE
The Broncos continue to get some respect - at least at the beginning of the season. Their schedule includes a big opening day at #19 Georgia and a home game against #14 TCU. Nothing impresses besides QB Kellen Moore and RB Doug Martin, but that is at least something. I still dare someone in the Top 5 of the final season poll to play this team in a BCS bowl - c'mon, I dare ya.

4. LSU
Finally, a good football team. Well, whoops, the Tigers just suspended starting senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson for his involvement in a recent brawl. Their schedule includes seven games against preseason Top 25 ranked teams, including home against #3 Oregon and away against #2 Alabama. The season depends on what happens to Jefferson, or maybe better put - on what Jefferson did to himself.

3. OREGON
I was laughed at once for wearing an Oregon Ducks ball cap. That was in 1992. The Ducks might be getting laughed at again if damage results from the video tape/recruiting trouble the team is in. Oregon's two-game schedule of LSU in Dallas, TX  and at #7 Stanford paves the way for them. We finally get to some good football teams and they (might) shoot themselves in the foot.

2. ALABAMA
A tough schedule (they're in the SEC) and a new quarterback could make it hard on the Tide. Still, I think this team is the second best in the country going into the season. That's not saying much because between the Tide, the Broncos, the Ducks and the Sooners, there are only four teams that can carry salt. Alabama can bring it, and they will, to the BCS title game.

1. OKLAHOMA
This is a foregone conclusion. The Sooners have a schedule that includes four games against preseason ranked opponents (err...one game, actually - we will remove #9 Oklahoma State, #8 Texas A&M and #21 Missouri from the worry list). Only one game is troubling, September 17th at #6 Florida State. A one-game regular season for the Sooners, the Big 12 championship game and then a date with #2 Alabama in the BCS title game, should do.
=====================================================================
The LoudMouth Told Ya' So:
USC should not be ranked #25 in the A.P. poll or another poll. The Trojans are on probation for two years. They should not be ranked in any poll for the duration of that probation.

Notre Dame is ranked #16 in this poll. I must have eaten too many Lucky Charms - I don't understand that. Charlie Weiss went back to be the offensive coordinator at the University of Florida, not Notre Dame. Does that clear it up for you?