2010 College Football Power Rankings: Regular Season Final

Size. Strength. Brutality. These are the things that separate Auburn from Oregon. Though much of the attention paid to the Tigers this season has been focused on Cam Newton (and understandably so), the reality is that this team, while not in any way "dominant" on defense, is nonetheless very physical on defense. In that respect, at least, they fit the SEC stereotype perfectly. Combine that punch-you-in-the-face mentality over on defense with the greatest player in the nation and you’ve got a No. 1-quality squad. Yes, Oregon is very, very good. But Auburn is just a little bit better—and physicality is the reason why.

I’ve already received a few emails from angry Oregon fans who are upset with my proclamation that Auburn is going to cruise to victory in the title game. And, hey, I understand that. But I assure you, Ducks fans: It’s not that I don’t respect your team. It’s not that I’m biased against the Pac-10. It’s not that I’m turned off by the goofy uniforms. It’s just that, from what I’ve seen over the past few weeks, Auburn is playing better football than your team is right now. Look, I hope your Ducks prove me wrong. I really do (college football really could use a non-SEC national champion for a change). I just don’t see it happening.

In the end, it all worked out just fine for the Horned Frogs. Yes, it would have been nice to get a shot at the national title. But you’ve got to admit, TCU faithful: The Rose Bowl is a pretty nice consolation prize—even though lining up against big ole' Wisconsin doesn't figure to be all that enjoyable. The big questions here are obvious: Can that Froggie defense slow down Wisconsin’s surprisingly potent offense? Can TCU match up physically with the Badger’s monster offensive line? I’m not so sure. But I know this much: If TCU wins this one, they’ll earn a whole lot of respect. This is a big, big game for Gary Patterson and gang.

Like TCU, Stanford didn’t get what they really wanted—a Rose Bowl bid—but also like TCU, the Cardinal can hardly be disappointed with the reward they did get: A trip to Miami for an Orange Bowl showdown against Virginia Tech. This has been a dream season for Jim Harbaugh and the Stanford faithful, and barring some kind of Cardinal meltdown, it’s going to end on a high note. There's no question in my mind: The Hokies are about to get blitzed.

The Big Ten’s best offense will face its toughest test of the season out in Pasadena. The Badgers ran roughshod over their opponents this year, but the yards will likely be harder to come by against the Horned Frogs. Yes, the Badgers are putting up more than 43 points per game. And yes, that's very impressive. But TCU, the stingiest team in the nation, is giving up less than 12 points per game. Should be interesting, huh?

The final BCS standings have Broncos at No. 11. The Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls have them at No. 10. Give me a break. This team is one missed chip-shot field goal from an undefeated season and Top 3 ranking. They’re explosive on offense, solid on defense and tremendously well coached. The Broncos will finish their season in the Las Vegas Bowl against Utah. And I’ll say this much: I don’t envy the Utes. Not one bit.

Well, the Buckeyes have been given yet another chance to improve their (dreadful) bowl record against the SEC. After yet another Big Ten title run, the Buckeyes are headed back to their personal house of horrors (the Louisiana Superdome) for a showdown with Ryan Mallett (a former Michigan Man!) and Arkansas. Let's just say I like the Buckeyes’ chances.

Even after laying claim to their share of the Big Ten crown, the Spartans still aren’t getting the respect they deserve; in the final BCS rankings, they are ranked 9th—behind two-loss Arkansas and two-loss Oklahoma. The voters clearly aren’t all that impressed with Sparty right now, though that would certainly change if State can knock off Alabama in the Capital One Bowl. It will be one of New Year’s Day’s most interesting matchups, not to mention the biggest game in recent Michigan State history.

The Sooners struck a blow for the Big 12 with their 23-20 win over longtime rival but soon-to-be-Big-Ten-member Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Sooners have been inconsistent this season, and this is not one of Bob Stoops’ best teams, but they’re still conference champions—and still deserving of a spot in the Top 10. Their last hurdle? Well, it’s hardly a hurdle at all. The Sooners will finish up with a very “blah” matchup with UConn in the Fiesta Bowl. Stoops, who has been awful in bowl games, has to win this one. Right? Right?

What a season for the Hogs. Though Ryan Mallett and gang couldn’t get a win over the Alabama continent of the SEC West (they got outgunned by Auburn, 65-43, and lost a heartbreaker to ‘Bama, 24-20), it’s hard to complain about a 10-win season and a Sugar Bowl bid. All of SEC Nation will now be pulling for Arkansas to keep up the league’s dominance over Ohio State. It's that whole SEC solidarity thing, you see.