MAKE PLAYS

After taking a week vacation, we are back. Not much has changed at the top, but there are still some surprises in our Top 10.

As Mario would say in Mario 64, "Here we gooooooo!"

1. Ohio State (9-0) (2 votes)
This time the "White Out" didn't bother the Buckeyes. OSU might be the least talked about top-flight offense in the nation.

2. Boston College (8-0)
Matt Ryan solidified his trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy finals. The Eagles beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., which is pretty impressive. BC is now a legitimate title contender.

3. LSU (7-1)
May be the best team in the country, but the overtime slip-up against Kentucky may cost Les Miles a national title. But the Tigers can take solace that they will beat up on former head coach Nick Saban's Crimson Tide this weekend.

4. Oregon (7-1)
If two of the three teams above them lose, then the Ducks will go to the BCS National Championship game. It will take nothing less.

5. Arizona State (8-0)
Despite being ranked lower than Oregon, the Sun Devils have a better shot at a national title because they will get points for going undefeated, but it all starts with a win in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday.

6. Oklahoma (7-1)
Oklahoma is quietly the second best team in the country, but a loss to the Buffs has hurt thrm dearly.

7. West Virginia (7-1)
Pat White and Steve Slaton have pulled the Mountaineers out of their early hole, but they still need to beat surprising UConn -- a team on the fringe of this poll -- to finish the comeback.

8. Kansas (8-0)
The Jayhawks only stumbling block to the Big 12 title game will be their regular season finale against Mizzou in Kansas City.

9. Missouri (7-1)
Must beat Kansas. Must beat Kansas. This should be the only thing going through the minds of the players. But they do have a trap game against the other Kansas school prior to their biggest semi-road game.

10. Hawaii (8-0)
Colt Brennan. 'Nuff said.

-- By Mark Myers and Joseph Dolan

As the college football season winds down, things become more clear. Well, usually.

One surprise: the Big 12 has three teams in the Top 5, but that doesn't include Texas.

Like Gordon Bombay's Triple Deke, our Top 10 is unstoppable.

1. LSU (9-1) (1 vote)
Our top spot was a point of discussion, but even though we split on who should occupy it, the decision was made the only way college students should settle a dispute: Rock, Paper, Scissors. And thus, the Tigers are No. 1.
2. Kansas (10-0) (1)
Losers of a close RPS game (the avalanche always wins), Kansas bides its time at No. 2, but wins against Missouri and Oklahoma will slide it into the top spot.
3. Oregon (8-1)
The Ducks are in no-man's-land at No. 3. Only a loss by a team above them will give Dennis Dixon a shot at a national title.
4. Oklahoma (9-1)
Oklahoma controls its destiny. A win in the Big 12 championship game will send them to the BCS title game.
5. Missouri (9-1)
Ditto with Mizzou.
6. West Virginia (8-1)
The Mountaineers need a lot of help. With the way this college football season has gone, they may get it.
7. Ohio State (10-1)
A HUGE game at the Big House. They need a miracle.
8. Arizona State (9-1)
All but out of it. The Sun Devils are playing for a Rose Bowl bid if the Ducks squeak into the title game.
9.Virginia Tech (8-2)
The Hokies are the class of the ACC. Beamer's squad is a lot better than people think. They would be a dangerous team in a playoff.
10. Gerogia (8-2)
You know that friend that hangs with you, and you don't really know why, but every weekend he shows up at your party, and doesn't pay for beer. Yeah, Georgia is kind of like that guy.

After a week of no school work and eating way too much turkey -- something that also appeared to afflict Kansas -- we return with our Top 10.

Like the career stats of Pat Verbeek, our contributions to the world of sports will never be forgotten.

1. Missouri (11-1)
They beat Oklahoma their in the BCS title game. It's as simple as that. But the task itself is harder than it looks.

2. West Virginia (11-1)
Ditto for the Mountineers. But they have to deal with the Backyard Brawl. For those laughing, remember Stanford-USC.

3. LSU (10-2)
Possibly the best team in the country, would be extremely dangerous in a playoff. And Les Miles, a loss is a loss, so stop whining.

4. Kansas (11-1)
Needed QB Todd Reesing to step up. He didn't.

5. Oklahoma (10-2)
Only thing left for the Sooners is to play spoiler. Oh, yeah, that would mean a conference championship. Motivation, anyone?

6. Ohio State (10-2)
Buckeyes have yet to beat a legitimate Top 25, but I hear their band's pretty good.

7. USC (9-2)
If there was a playoff, the Trojans and LSU would be my best bet to win it. USC plays UCLA for a Rose Bowl berth. Also the Bruins are playing for a chance at a much better bowl game. Winning doesn't look so easy anymore.

8. Virginia Tech (10-2)
The Hokies have been the best team in the ACC all year, except for the last five minutes of the first meeting with Boston College. Guess what, coach Frank Beamer will make sure they play a full sixty-minute game. Good luck Matt Ryan, you will surely need it.

9. Hawaii (11-0)
Beat Washington. Say hello to the BCS. Lose to Washington and watch every analyst in the country say, "I told you so."

10. Georgia (10-2)
This is where they should be. Seriously, they shouldn't even be sniffing the Top 5.

By Mark Myers and Joseph Dolan