1. LSU 9-1 (Last week: 2)

That’ll teach me to buy into what everyone else says. The Tigers are here until they lose again.

2. Oklahoma 9-1 (3)

or until the Sooners win the Big 12 Championship by four touchdowns.

3. Oregon 9-1 (4)

I’m like all the other AP and Heisman voters, weighing in on Dennis Dixon without having watched him, or his team, play.

4. Kansas 10-0 (5)

I don’t care if you’re playing Brothers of the Perpetually Destitute every week. Ten-and-zip is ten-and-zip.

5. Missouri 9-1 (8)

Not sure you can win a national title with a quarterback named Chase, but nevertheless.

6. West Virginia 9-1 (6)

No team in the country is so contingent upon two players showing up and playing well.

7. Georgia 8-2 (9)

Absolutely clobbered a very good Auburn team.

8. Ohio State 10-1 (1)

Where they belonged in the first place. Next time, lose earlier in the season, please.

9. Arizona State 10-1 (10)

Game with USC on Thanksgiving weekend will determine where the Sun Devils spend Christmas and New Year’s.

10. Southern Cal 8-2 (14)

Ninety other I-A schools would sell their soul to have such a “disappointing” year.

11. Florida 7-3; 12. Texas 9-2; 13. Virginia Tech 8-2; 14. Clemson 8-2; 15. Virginia 9-2; 16. Tennessee 7-3; 17. Boise State 9-1; 18. Boston College 8-2; 19. Cincinnati 8-2; 20. Illinois 8-3; 21. Hawaii 9-0; 22. Wisconsin 8-3; 23. Michigan 8-3; 24. Kentucky 7-3; 25. Penn State 8-3.

Dropping out of Top 25: Auburn, Alabama, Connecticut, California, Arkansas.

Flatline Five

5. (tie) Notre Dame/Duke – The loser won’t get off this list until next October, at the earliest.

4. SMU – SMU, UAB, UTEP choose your poison in this battle.

3. North Texas – How do you score 62 points and get blown out?

1. (tie) Utah State and Florida International – Forget closing down the Orange Bowl. If somebody schedules an FIU-Miami game, I’m convinced the place will collapse on its own.