Pretty much everything that needs to be said about what happened to the top five last week has been said. So without further ado, let us bring you this week's brand new top 10, with a visual explanation for each of our votes!
1. USC (1-0) (2 votes)
OK, the Trojans' 38-10 win against Idaho wasn't as completely ludicrous as one might have expected. But what Southern Cal did during the first quarter of the game after its first touchdown is easily one of the most touching moments we've seen on a field in a long time.
Beloved Trojan kicker Mario Danelo was found dead just days after his team's triumph against Michigan in January's Rose Bowl after a fall down a cliff, and USC chose to honor him in a unique and incredibly heartfelt way.
The picture describes the scene far better than we can:
2. LSU (1-0, 1-0 SEC)
The impressive 45-0 win helped LSU leapfrog West Virginia this week. Mississippi State managed to hang with the Tigers throughout the first half, but the following video pretty much describes what happened to it in the second.
Watch #42 Zach Smith get absolutely pwned:
3. West Virginia (1-0)
Our fears were semi-confirmed. The Mountaineers trounced Western Michigan, pouring on 62 points, and Pat White's aerial assault was relatively impressive. But the Broncos countered with 24 of their own, thanks to 277 yards of offense. WVU's defense ranked a mediocre seventh in the Big East, and it may run into trouble when some of the conference's heavy hitters roll into Morgantown.
Anyway, think WVU will have problems when Steve Slaton bolts for the pros? Think again. Check out true freshman Noel Devine's high school highlights, if you haven't already:
4. Florida (1-0)
Florida disposed of Division I-AA (we REFUSE to call it Football Championship Subdivision) Western Kentucky 45-3, but we're not gonna take those wins for granted anymore. The Gators looked impressive all-around, and jumpy quarterback Tim Tebow was impressive in his first start.
5. Louisville (1-0)
Heisman Trophy hopeful Brian Brohm threw for 375 yards in his season debut, but his stock took a hit when he started the second half with a 49-10 lead against Murray State.
Nah, not really. LOL.
West Virginia better look out.
The 73-10 thwomping is like a video game score. Here's some highlights:
6. Oklahoma (1-0)
Quarterback Sam Bradford - 21/23, 363 yards, 3 TDs
Running Back DeMarco Murray - 17 carries, 87 yards, 5 TDs
ATTN: Rhett Bomar
Sooner fans say it's OK to keep washing cars, or whatever it is you "did."
7. California (1-0)
Some say we reached putting Cal in our preseason top 10 last week. We would like to thank Nate Longshore (who we still believe to be a Heisman candidate) and DeSean Jackson for proving us right, for now.
The Golden Bears were also the only team in our top 10 to beat a top 25 team this week.
...
......
Or WERE they?
Anyway, imagine John Madden or Lee Corso going "WEEP! WOOP! ZOOM! SWISH!" when you watch this video:
8. Wisconsin (1-0)
The Badgers didn't do anything particularly wrong in their 42-21 victory against Washington State, one of the most legitimate victories in this poll this week. However, the entire Big Ten takes a hit for what happened.
Still, Tyler Donovan proved he could follow in the footsteps of one of the 672 unflashy yet reliable quarterbacks that came before him, and that's a great thing for Wisconsin.
After all, they just need a QB to hand the ball to this guy:
9. Georgia (1-0)
That Bulldog defense is absolutely stifling, and young stud Matthew Stafford played easily the most complete game of his career. According to ESPN analyst Bob Davie, the D printed out t-shirts mocking an Oklahoma State Web site claim that the Cowboy offense was the country's best. The result was a 35-14 dismantling of a good Oklahoma State team that should probably make a bowl this year.
Though Georgia seems to fizzle out year after year, this game was a really strong foundation for 2007.
10. Appalachian State (1-0)
They're eligible in our poll.
Dropped out: No. 4 Texas (unimpressive, lethargic win against should-be I-AA Arkansas State 21-13), No. 5 Michigan (mmmmhmmmm), No. 9 Virginia Tech (emotional but unconvincing win, 17-7 against East Carolina)
Until next week!
-Joseph Dolan and Mark Myers
