Posted by ESPN.com’s Graham Watson
1. TCU: Something has changed in TCU the past few weeks and it’s showing on the field. Whether it’s an increased dedication or seeing hard work pay off, TCU is playing like a dominant team on both sides of the ball. The Horned Frogs defense has been unbelievable the last couple weeks, holding teams to season-lows and giving their offense opportunities to shine. The Horned Frogs are a scary team right now.
2. Boise State: The Broncos got off to a slow start this weekend, but then quickly showed why they are one of the more dominant teams in college football. The Boise State defense has been playing with increased confidence since the Tulsa game and it’s allowing Boise State to blow out its opponents.
3. Notre Dame: The Irish probably won’t crack the top 8 of the BCS standings and gain an automatic bid, but there’s still hope that they could finish with 10 wins, ranked in the top 14 of the BCS standings and eligible for an at-large berth. It is a longshot. The Irish don’t have the strongest schedule, which makes winning out a possibility, but they’ll get tough games against their remaining competition.
4. Utah: The past couple weeks, the Utes have played just well enough to win, which has kept them in the hunt for a BCS bowl berth, but doesn’t necessarily prove that they’re ready to conquer TCU or even BYU. Freshman Jordan Wynn looks like he’ll be the new starting quarterback, which actually might make the offense a little more dynamic than it was under Terrance Cain. At the very least, it will help the passing game.
5. Houston: There are few players in the country who have been more clutch this season than quarterback Case Keenum. He led the Cougars on yet another game-winning drive late while putting up video game-like numbers. He’s not getting a lot of credit because he plays in Conference USA, but Keenum is the real deal and he’s part of the reason Houston is still in the BCS bowl hunt.
6. Central Michigan: The Chippewas winning streak came to an abrupt end against Boston College this week, but I think that’s the last game CMU loses all season. The Chippewas were overmatched, but I still think they’re one of the top programs among the non-AQ schools and should win their division running away.
7. BYU: The Cougars had a much-needed bye this week and the players were encouraged to get away from football and come back this week fresh. While the BCS is out of the picture, BYU is still playing for a possible conference title and yet another 10-win season. Several other programs would kill for those kinds of results.
8. Fresno State: The Bulldogs continue to push their way to the top of the WAC standings with wins, but they will face a formidable opponent this week in Idaho. Idaho’s defense has been suspect the past couple weeks and will have trouble with running back Ryan Mathews, who continues to be the nation’s leading rusher.
9. Temple: The Owls have been flying below the radar most of this season, but their win over Navy put them firmly on the map. The Owls have won six straight, are now bowl eligible for the first time since 1990 and continue to have a stronghold on the MAC East. One more victory would all but assure the Owls their first bowl game since 1979.
10. Navy: The Midshipmen’s passing game has taken a noticeable hit the past couple weeks without Ricky Dobbs in the lineup and they’ve got to get him back if they want to move forward. The positive was that Dobbs played in the final possession against Temple and didn’t appear to be struggling too much with his busted kneecap. They need him against Notre Dame this week if they want to pull off the upset.
1. TCU: Something has changed in TCU the past few weeks and it’s showing on the field. Whether it’s an increased dedication or seeing hard work pay off, TCU is playing like a dominant team on both sides of the ball. The Horned Frogs defense has been unbelievable the last couple weeks, holding teams to season-lows and giving their offense opportunities to shine. The Horned Frogs are a scary team right now.
2. Boise State: The Broncos got off to a slow start this weekend, but then quickly showed why they are one of the more dominant teams in college football. The Boise State defense has been playing with increased confidence since the Tulsa game and it’s allowing Boise State to blow out its opponents.
3. Notre Dame: The Irish probably won’t crack the top 8 of the BCS standings and gain an automatic bid, but there’s still hope that they could finish with 10 wins, ranked in the top 14 of the BCS standings and eligible for an at-large berth. It is a longshot. The Irish don’t have the strongest schedule, which makes winning out a possibility, but they’ll get tough games against their remaining competition.
4. Utah: The past couple weeks, the Utes have played just well enough to win, which has kept them in the hunt for a BCS bowl berth, but doesn’t necessarily prove that they’re ready to conquer TCU or even BYU. Freshman Jordan Wynn looks like he’ll be the new starting quarterback, which actually might make the offense a little more dynamic than it was under Terrance Cain. At the very least, it will help the passing game.
5. Houston: There are few players in the country who have been more clutch this season than quarterback Case Keenum. He led the Cougars on yet another game-winning drive late while putting up video game-like numbers. He’s not getting a lot of credit because he plays in Conference USA, but Keenum is the real deal and he’s part of the reason Houston is still in the BCS bowl hunt.
6. Central Michigan: The Chippewas winning streak came to an abrupt end against Boston College this week, but I think that’s the last game CMU loses all season. The Chippewas were overmatched, but I still think they’re one of the top programs among the non-AQ schools and should win their division running away.
7. BYU: The Cougars had a much-needed bye this week and the players were encouraged to get away from football and come back this week fresh. While the BCS is out of the picture, BYU is still playing for a possible conference title and yet another 10-win season. Several other programs would kill for those kinds of results.
8. Fresno State: The Bulldogs continue to push their way to the top of the WAC standings with wins, but they will face a formidable opponent this week in Idaho. Idaho’s defense has been suspect the past couple weeks and will have trouble with running back Ryan Mathews, who continues to be the nation’s leading rusher.
9. Temple: The Owls have been flying below the radar most of this season, but their win over Navy put them firmly on the map. The Owls have won six straight, are now bowl eligible for the first time since 1990 and continue to have a stronghold on the MAC East. One more victory would all but assure the Owls their first bowl game since 1979.
10. Navy: The Midshipmen’s passing game has taken a noticeable hit the past couple weeks without Ricky Dobbs in the lineup and they’ve got to get him back if they want to move forward. The positive was that Dobbs played in the final possession against Temple and didn’t appear to be struggling too much with his busted kneecap. They need him against Notre Dame this week if they want to pull off the upset.
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