Top 10, Week 8

1. Florida (7-0) Tough win against Mississippi State. Lots of frustration with the offense, which produced two interceptions. Looks like Tebow and Meyer may not be getting along as well as in the past; I think their putting a lot of pressure on themselves. Their offense did get them in the end zone, jumping them this week to the top spot.
2. Texas (7-0) Strong showing in the first half for the first time this year. This was a road game and a homecoming at that; why Mizzou scheduled the Longhorns for homecoming is anybody's guess. They're starting to click.
3. Alabama (8-0) Yes, it was a win in a rivalry game. Yes, winning is ultimately the most important thing. However, they're not showing the offensive balance from earlier in the season; playing eight straight games with a large target on them each week has probably worn them down. We'll see how they look coming off a bye week against an improving LSU team.
4. TCU (7-0) Granted, Florida State also looked impressive playing in Provo, though not with a defense like this. I'll stay away from the obvious leap-frogging joke that they just pulled off from my Top 10 last week.
   
5. Iowa (8-0) Another survivor. Pulling out a win on a last-second touchdown pass on the road fits the bill for a magical season.
6. Cincinnati (7-0) Beat up on an outmatched Louisville team. 
7. Boise State (7-0) How nice would it be to take a midseason trip to Hawaii, especially since Hawaii isn't what it was a couple of years ago? Scheduling, which may not fully be the Broncos' fault (who's lining up to play them?), hints at being their doom. 
8. LSU (6-1) Uh oh. Their week off may have been the break they needed for the parts to start coming together. Tulane offers itself as an appetizer next week for the Nov. 7 showdown in T-town. 
9. Oregon (6-1) Losing to Boise State the first week of the season is much more forgivable than a loss to Washington, especially after Oregon showed up big on the same field USC failed to show up on. USC pays a visit on Halloween this Saturday; who walks away with the candy?
10. Georgia Tech (7-1) They've emerged as the team to beat in the ACC after Miami's overtime loss. Anyone wanting to steep up and deal with their option can take it.

Intentional oversight:
USC: The defense was a bit shaky against Oregon State and that was a home game. Can they pull together and take it to the Ducks? Losses matter (although I'll admit my forgiveness of them may be a bit more comprehensive depending on the team).

Apologies to:
Penn State: The loss to Iowa hurt, but with the way the Hawkeyes continue to play, doesn't look as bad.
Oklahoma State: Yes, that loss to Houston was quite an embarrassment, but they still control their destiny to the Big 12 championship game. Texas may be faced with the 2009 version of the Tech game on Saturday.
Houston: El Paso? Really? Being consistent with lack of forgiveness with losses keeps you out of the discussion.