COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Rankings

By BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Friday, November 28, 2008 5:55 PM PST ∞

1. Alabama (11-0): Needs a win over its top rival (Auburn) to set up epic showdown in SEC championship game.

2. Florida (10-1): Needs a win over its top rival (FSU) to set up epic showdown in SEC championship game.

3. Texas (11-1): Oklahoma on track to vault 'Horns in BCS standings despite losing Red River Shootout.

4. Oklahoma (10-1): Scoreboard operator gets fatigued when Sooners (53 points per game) are playing.

5. USC (9-1): For second time in four years, Trojans will put final nail in coffin of a Notre Dame coach.

6. Utah (12-0): Take notes, Aztecs ---- if Utes can go undefeated, you can certainly win more than two games.

7. Penn State (11-1): Lions are Pasadena-bound after trouncing Michigan State in season finale.

8. Texas Tech (10-1): Red Raiders left red-faced by their humiliation in Norman.

9. Boise State (12-0): Take notes, Aztecs ---- if Broncos can go undefeated, you can certainly win more than two games.

10. Ohio State (10-2): Buckeyes' request to bowl selectors ---- please not an SEC opponent.

11. Georgia (9-2): Bulldogs console themselves with knowledge that two losses were to nation's two best teams.

12. Oklahoma State (9-2): Cowboys' offense had better be prepared for a track meet against high-octane Sooners.

13. Missouri (9-2): Is anyone giving the Tigers a chance against Texas/Oklahoma in Big 12 title game.

14. Ball State (12-0): Will be a big favorite against 7-5 Buffalo in the MAC championship game.

15. Texas Christian (10-2): Does any team do more with less annually than the Horned Frogs?

16. Cincinnati (9-2): Bearcats' rise to new heights has made Brian Kelly a hot coaching candidate.

17. Oregon State (8-3): With everything at stake, Beavers must play Civil War minus star RB Jacquizz Rodgers

18. Georgia Tech (8-3): Jackets go for first win over Georgia in Bulldogs coach Mark Richt's eight-year tenure.

19. Oregon (8-3): Ducks relish the chance to spoil in-state rival's Rose Bowl dreams.

20. Brigham Young (10-2): Good season turned sour when Cougars were dominated in the Holy War.

21. Michigan State (9-3): RB Javon Ringer finally ran out of gas ---- only 42 yards against Penn State.

22. Boston College (8-3): Beat Maryland on Saturday, and the Eagles will wrap up the ACC Atlantic crown.

23. Florida State (8-3): Good luck, 'Noles ---- Florida is winning games by an average of 35 points.

24. Northwestern (9-3): Pat Fitzgerald has stabilized the program since coach Randy Walker's death in 2006.

25. Pittsburgh (8-3): Panthers fans rejoiced when standout RB LeSean McCoy announced he wouldn't leave for NFL.

---- Brian Hiro