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Intro
Hey kids! The letters of the week are "S", "E", and "C." As in the strongest conference in college football. As in the conference that has a couple teams that could challenge for the AFC South title if they played on Sundays. It's got five of the 16 teams on this list, including four from just one of the SEC's divisions. But here's the rub: will the strength of conference prevent one of its members from making the BCS Championship Game? If they all pick each other off, could that open up a lane for Boise State to play for the national title? We've actually figured out one scenario where that's possible. But you'll have to read on to find out how it could go down in our Week 7 College Football Power Rankings.
Nebraska
16. Nebraska
Last Week's Rank: Not Ranked
Record: 5 - 1
This Week's Game: Idle
Up Next: @ Minnesota
Trending: Neutral
Up to this point, the Cornhuskers have been propelled by a ridiculous rushing attack and a fairly spongy schedule. QB Taylor Martinez has carried the ball 100 times compared to only 129 passes and has nine ground TDs, while RB Rex Burkhead has almost identical stats of 107 rushes for 635 yards and nine TDs. The children of the corn have one more simple game against a 1 - 5 Minnesota team before they finally reach the meat of the schedule against ranked Big 10 opponents. — Tony Markovich
Auburn
15. Auburn
Last Week's Rank: Not Ranked
Record: 5 - 2
This Week's Game: W vs. Florida, 17-6
Up Next: @ LSU
Trending: Up
Wait, wasn't this the defending national champ that nearly lost its first game to Utah State at home? Isn't this the same team that had the worst defense in the country a few weeks ago? There's nothing really special about this War Eagle team—except for the fact that they win ugly (except on the road), and they're the one team with the best chance of putting the BCS on its head. They head to Baton Rouge this Saturday as early 22-point underdogs (not a typo). They've also got Alabama at home to end the season. The Tigers are officially the favorite non-blue turf playing team in the state of Idaho right now. —Jack Erwin
Michigan State
14. Michigan State
Last Week's Rank: Not Ranked
Record: 5 - 1
This Week's Game: W vs. Michigan 28-14
Up Next: vs. Wisconsin
Trending: Up
The Spartans have claimed the Michigan crown after taking down Denard Robinson and the Wolverines for the fourth consecutive year. They looked as fierce as the Nike Pro Combat uniforms they were wearing as they shut down Robinson, partially because he couldn't put a pass on target, and held the potent offense to only 14 points. Surprisingly enough, the 14 points was the most this team has allowed this year, owning the nation's fourth best defense by allowing only 10.8 points per game. Homegrown Michigan man Edwin Baker was the star of the day as he pumped out 167 yards on only 26 carries. The Spartans face a huge home test this week, as they face a top-ranked Wisconsin team that's coming off a bye. —Tony Markovich
Kansas State
13. Kansas State
Last Week's Rank: 15
Record: 6 - 0
This Week's Game: W vs. Texas Tech, 41-34
Up Next: @ Kansas
Trending: Neutral
Why are we letting Kansas State fool us? Yes, they are undefeated but they're nothing more than a middle class guy's Boise State. They've only played one ranked team in Baylor, who is no longer ranked. The Wildcats have the Sooners, Cowboys, Aggies and Longhorns left on their schedule. We'll see how good they are once they stop playing scrimmages. —Richard Boadu
Texas A&M
12. Texas A&M
Last Week's Rank: Not Ranked
Record: 4 - 2
This Week's Game: W vs. Baylor, 55-28
Up Next: @ Iowa State
Trending: Up
The Aggies and Philadelphia Eagles have one thing in common. Neither can hold a lead to save their lives. Well, the Aggies got on the right track this weekend against Baylor. Yeah, that Baylor team that fought tooth and nail to keep them from leaving for the SEC next season. They still have a chance for the BCS if they can defeat OU and have OSU lose two games down the stretch. — Richard Boadu
South Carolina
11. South Carolina
Last Week's Rank: 10
Record: 6 - 1
This Week's Game: W @ Mississippi State, 14-12
Up Next: Idle
Trending: Neutral
For what it's worth, South Carolina controls its own destiny for the SEC East chip and a spot in the conference championship game. That's not worth too much though since a) they've got two top 10 teams left on their schedule (Arkansas and Clemson), and b) they just lost their stellar sophomore running back Marcus Lattimore for the season after a knee injury against Mississippi State on Saturday. So now the Gamecocks are playing with a true freshman running back and their backup quarterback. They could hang around for a couple weeks, but that's not gonna fly against Arkansas in three weeks. —Jack Erwin
Clemson
10. Clemson
Last Week's Rank: 6
Record: 7 - 0
This Week's Game: W @ Maryland, 56-45
Up Next: vs. North Carolina
Trending: Down
Teams that begin the year unranked but have magical, BCS bowl seasons nonetheless, typically have a couple games like this. That is, games they're lucky to win. Clemson trailed Maryland 35-17 in the third quarter on Saturday, and only a late touchdown kickoff return and the video game offense of quarterback Tajh Boyd and co. prevented the Tigers from picking up their first L of the year. A berth in the ACC Championship Game and the chance to play for the Orange Bowl are Clemson's for the taking, but they'll have to earn it in the next month and half with games against good, not great opponents like North Carolina, Wake Forest, and South Carolina. —Jack Erwin
Arkansas
9. Arkansas
Last Week's Rank: 7
Record: 5 - 1
This Week's Game: Idle
Up Next: @ Ole Miss
Trending: Neutral
The Razorbacks had a week off, but they're still a top 10 team—and third in their division in their conference. Arkansas is a lot like the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East: They'd be the cream of the crop in just about every other conference in the country, but they happen to play in the same division as LSU and Alabama. They've still got the Tigers on the schedule, and if LSU and Auburn can both beat Alabama, the Razorbacks could land in the SEC Championship Game. —Jack Erwin
Oregon
8. Oregon
Last Week's Rank: 9
Record: 5 - 1
This Week's Game: W vs. Arizona State, 41-27
Up Next: @ Colorado
Trending: Neutral
Who the hell needs LaMichael James? OK, maybe the Ducks will when they take on Stanford in a few weeks but they fared quite well against the respectable Sun Devils this past weekend. Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas combined for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Also, quarterback Darron Thomas completed 13 of 17 pass attempts before leaving with a minor leg injury in the third quarter. Despite leaving the game, the Ducks QB is expected to start this Saturday. Not that Oregon will need him or anything against the 1-5 Buffaloes. Gotta love the Pac-12! —Ralph Warner
Boise State
7. Boise State
Last Week's Rank: 11
Record: 6 - 0
This Week's Game: W @ Colorado State, 63-13
Up Next: vs. Air Force
Trending: Up
Another week, another opponent torched by the Broncos. You play the teams on your schedule, and Boise State seems intent on thumping the shit out of the remaining opponents on their schedule. They're 5th in the first BCS Rankings that were released last night, and they won't get to No. 2 (and a spot in the BCS Championship Game) without a lot of help. But indulge us for a moment. Let's start with Alabama running the table, including beating LSU November 5. Kansas State tops Oklahoma State that same day, but the Cowboys bounce back to claim a place in the Big 12 Championship Game by upsetting Oklahoma December 3 (which drops the Sooners out of the national title picture). Just to be safe, Oregon beats Stanford, Clemson takes an L (it's still got North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and South Carolina on the schedule), and Wisconsin loses this week at Michigan State. Sure, that's a lot of "ifs." But that's the state of things for Broncos fans until they move up to a AQ conference (and please let that be the Big 12 and not the Big East. Please?). —Jack Erwin
Stanford
6. Stanford
Last Week's Rank: 8
Record: 6 - 0
This Week's Game: W @ Washington State, 44-14
Up Next: vs. Washington
Trending: Neutral
Stanford continued their conference dominance by putting another shellacking on a mediocre Pac-12 team on Saturday. Andrew Luck racked up 336 passing yards and threw for four touchdowns despite opening the game with an interception. Though the final score was lopsided, at halftime, the Cardinal only led 10-7. Perhaps a sign that Stanford still has some things to work on despite a 34-point victory margin average in six games this season. That being said, the victory extends the school's win streak to 14 games and things continue to roll along smoothly for the team as they enter the second half of the season. —Ralph Warner
Oklahoma State
5. Oklahoma State
Last Week's Rank: 5
Record: 6 - 0
This Week's Game: W vs. Texas, 38-26
Up Next: @ Missouri
Trending: Neutral
The Cowboys looked poor against Texas. They were clearly in cruise control and probably expected a repeat of their 70 point output against Kansas a week prior. The Longhorns have talent, they're just young and it showed as they put up a good fight but still lost by 12. The Boys should win their next three, but if they keep up the sloppy play they showed against the Longhorns and their national championship hopes are over. —Richard Boadu
Oklahoma
4. Oklahoma
Last Week's Rank: 1
Record: 6 - 0
This Week's Game: W @ Kansas, 47-17
Up Next: vs. Texas Tech
Trending: Neutral
Fresh off a Red River Rout it's understandable that the Sooners came out flat against the Kansas Jayhaws. The Sooners won by 30, but the game was closer than it looked. The main concern for the Sooners is their All-American WR, Kenny Stills, who went down with a knee injury Saturday night. If he can't go for the Sooners they are in big trouble. —Richard Boadu
Wisconsin
3. Wisconsin
Last Week's Rank: 4
Record: 6 - 0
This Week's Game: W vs. Indiana, 59-7
Up Next: @ Michigan State
Trending: Up
As expected, the Badgers manhandled an Indiana team that probably couldn't score a touchdown against five defenders, let alone a full Wisconsin team that is only allowing 9.7 points. Wisconsin has absolutely rolled everybody it has come across and holds the nation's best offense at 50.2. QB Russell Wilson even caught a 25-yard pass from RB Montee Ball in the contest. This team simply looks unstoppable right now. —Tony Markovich
Alabama
2. Alabama
Last Week's Rank: 3
Record: 7 - 0
This Week's Game: W @ Ole Miss, 52-7
Up Next: vs. Tennessee
Trending: Up
Like their SEC West rivals LSU, 'Bama led just 17-7 at the half Saturday against a lesser conference opponent. And like the Tigers, the Crimson Tide then took their poorer SEC sister to the woodshed in the second half. Here's the stat of the week: total rushing yards on Saturday: Alabama, 389, Ole Miss, 28. —Jack Erwin
LSU
1. LSU
Last Week's Rank: 2
Record: 7 - 0
This Week's Game: W @ Tennessee, 38-7
Up Next: vs. Auburn
Trending: Up
Ho hum. LSU let Tennessee hang around for a half on Saturday, and then absolutely dominated the Vols in the second half with a methodical attack that should put every other team in the country on notice: three drives of 60 yards or more, each with at least 10 plays, averaging 7 minutes a piece. They host Auburn this week before visiting Alabama November 5. Ain't the SEC fun? —Jack Erwin
