The Best Damn Poll In The Land

Non-AQ

                         TOP 10

                         Week 8

1. TCU (8-0)…The Horned Frogs lead the poll this week after a 38-7 blowout of a good Air Force team.  TCU actually gave up a first quarter TD after not giving up one the prior three games.  The Frogs head to UNLV this week in a trap game before going to Utah for a Top 10 matchup on Nov 6.

2. Boise State (7-0)…The Broncos hosted Louisiana Tech on Tuesday and promptly beat them back by 29 points to run their regular season home record since 1999 to 56-1.  They have a few extra days to prepare for a hot Hawaii team.  Junior QB Kellen Moore has kept up his amazing stats this year by throwing for 18 TD’s and only 2 INT’s.        

3. Utah (7-0)…The Utes just quietly take care of business.  Their offense is humming, scoring over 50 points in 4 of the past 5 games.  They head to the Air Force Academy this week hoping not to have a letdown before their big matchup with Utah on Nov 6.  This may be the last time Utah and Air Force matchup because of the pending move to the PAC-12.

4. Hawaii (6-2)…to be honest, I don’t know if Hawaii is this good, but they deserve this spot after waxing Fresno State in Fresno, handing Nevada its only loss and blowing away Utah State.  The Warriors are looking at a great record this year with a chance to upset Boise on the road on Nov 6 to claim the WAC title (although, see Boise’s home record).  

5. Nevada (6-1)…the Wolfpack have got to be itchin’ to get back on the field after a week off to soak in their close loss at Hawaii.  Nevada will have to run the table in the WAC now to have any chance at a crown.  Don’t be surprised to see them lose a couple of games down the stretch here and drop down the poll.

6. Navy (5-2)…hey all you Domers, how about giving Navy some credit.  The Midshipmen had to delight in the opportunity to not only beat Notre Dame but also blow them out.  With 4 of the next 5 games at home, Navy should stay up in the poll for the rest of the year.

7. East Carolina (5-2)…As of this week, ECU is the best team in CUSA.  Of course that may change when the Pirates head to Orlando to face UCF and George O’Liar.  After losing more seniors then any program and replacing its coaching staff, the Pirates are the surprise of the year to be in this position.  After UCF, the Pirates host Navy where the fans will set the world record for dressing up as a Pirate in the baseball stadium.  Of course its’ fitting the Pirates go against Navy.

8. Central Florida (5-2)…The Knights have been taking care of business since a tough loss at K-State in a weird game delayed by lightning.  They have a three game stretch that will dictate whether they can win CUSA starting with hosting ECU this week.  UCF has their work cut out for them in stopping the Pirates offense.  The Pirates own an 8-1 record all time against the Knights.

9. San Diego State (5-2)…a few weeks ago, I mentioned SDSU as a team to watch.  Coach Brady Hoke has them developing a winning mindset and they are doing what it takes to win games.  I won’t be surprised if they lose a few down the stretch, but Hoke has down a great job in bringing the program to a respectable level.  With the changes in the MWC coming and a fertile recruiting area, there is no reason SDSU can’t become a major player.

10. Northern Illinois (6-2)…The MAC represents in the poll.  The Huskies have manhandled the conference to date and look headed toward a showdown with Toledo at home on Tuesday November 9th.  This might be the de facto MAC championship.