Resurrecting the Raiders (and Tide)

"Time is running out on Alabama and Texas Tech."

Aside from Homerism's weekly picks, if you need any further evidence that I know not of what I speak, I give you last week's proclamation regarding the Crimson Tide and Red Raiders. 

Yes, Tennessee is no good, but a convincing road win in a night game in the SEC still speaks to the Tide's bonafides. 'Bama closes Arkansas State, at LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn. After seeing what Georgia and Florida did to LSU, think Nick Saban is shaking over his triumphant return to Tiger Stadium? Of course, there's also the matter of the SEC championship, and Florida looks tough.

Meanwhile, Tech rolled into Lawrence and demolished a very good KU team, made even more impressive by the fact that the Longhorns were on the Raiders' horizon. Looking ahead, the Raiders have a much taller order than the Tide when it comes to closing the season out: Texas, Oklahoma State, at Oklahoma and Baylor. If Mike Leach's air show makes it through that stretch, there's the prospect of a shootout with Missouri for the Big XII title in Kansas City.

Even though both 'Bama and Tech did some good work over the weekend, it wasn't enough to cause much of a stir in this week's power rankings. When Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson's desperation heave fell short as time expired Saturday afternoon, Texas had secured its grip on the top spot. The loss makes OSU the best once-beaten team in the country for the time being, elevating Penn State and Tech one spot from last week.

I love the Sooners, but I can't raise OU's ranking in good conscience for beating up on lowly Kansas State. 

 

Blatant Homerism Power Poll Week Nine
1. Texas
2. Alabama
3. Penn State
4. Texas Tech
5. Utah
6. Oklahoma State

7. Oklahoma

8. Boise State
9. USC
10. Tulsa