Each week during the college football season, About.com college football writer Tim Hyland will rank the Top 25 teams in the country. His updated rankings—and his comments about each of the ranked teams—will be posted each Monday.
Weekly Recap: The first championship of the Nick Saban Era at Alabama is in the books. And with that SEC title in hand, the Crimson Tide will now go for the real prize: The 2009 national championship. The Tide manhandled defending champion Florida on Saturday to earn the SEC championship and a spot in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game. And so it’s no surprise that the Tide finish the regular season sitting atop every major poll in the country—including the About.com Top 25. As for the No. 2 spot? Well, here in our rankings, at least, that spot goes to the unbeaten TCU Horned Frogs, who got passed over for a spot in the national title game by unbeaten Texas. Which is a shame, because, simply put, the Horned Frogs looked a lot better than the Horns for most of the season. If I had my way, it would ‘Bama-TCU for the national title game. Unfortunately, I can’t wave a magic wand and make that happen, folks. So we’re stuck with Tide-‘Horns. And I think we all know how that one is going to turn out.
1. Alabama: Dominant performance over the Gators.
2. TCU: Deserved better than a matchup with Boise State.
3. Texas: Clock management, anyone?
4. Cincinnati: Knocked off Pitt in a snow bowl to clinch second-straight Big East title.
5. Boise State: Will have their hands full with the ‘Horned Frogs.
6. Florida: Just got out-hit by ‘Bama.
7. Oregon: Off to the Rose Bowl for the Ducks, where they’ll take on …
8. Ohio State: … Jim Tressel and that staunch Buckeye defense. Jeremiah Masoli, meet Cameron Heyward.
9. Iowa: Will be interesting to see how the Hawkeyes’ front four handles …
10. Georgia Tech: … the Yellow Jackets’ trip option offense in the Orange Bowl.
11. Penn State: Looking for a signature win for the season, will get one last chance against Les Miles and the Bayou Tigers.
12. BYU: Overshadowed by TCU.
13. LSU: Tigers will take on Penn State in the Capital One bowl. Nice matchup.
14. Virginia Tech: Mildly disappointing season for the Hokies.
15. Miami: Deserved bid to the Gator Bowl. Didn't get it.
16. Stanford: Gerhart for Heisman!
17. Nebraska: This program may be ready to turn the corner.
18. West Virginia: Will be Bobby Bowden’s last opponent.
19. Pittsburgh: Heartbreaking loss to the Bearcats. And now the Panthers drop all the way down to the Meinke Car Care Bowl. Ouch.
20. Oregon State: Another impressive season for Mike Riley and the Beavers. Just fell a little short against the Ducks.
21. Oklahoma State: They need a bowl win, just to prove they can beat somebody.
22. Utah: Another fine season in the book for the Utes. Just a very consistent program.
23. Wisconsin: After making the tough trip to Hawaii and knocking off the Warriors, Badgers get passed over for Outback Bowl bid. It’s the Champs Sports Bowl instead. Ouch.
24. Northwestern: Badgers’ loss is Wildcats’ gain. Off to Tampa for Pat Fitzgerald.
25. Central Michigan: Chippewas won third MAC championship in four years.
Knocking on the Door: Arizona, East Carolina
