The Key Games in College Football : The Times’ Ranking : Top 25

Capsules and Rankings

Team: 1. Nebraska (12-0)

Opponent: Idle

Comment: Huskers’ crown until someone knocks it off.

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Team: 2. Florida State (10-2)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Dig that cushy schedule and nine games in state.

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Team: 3. Florida (12-1)

Opponent: SW Louisiana

Comment: A factor so long as Wuerffel stays injury-free.

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Team: 4. Tennessee (11-1)

Opponent: UNLV

Comment: Want to leap-frog the Gators? Beat ‘em Sept. 21

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Team: 5. Colorado (10-2)

Opponent: Washington St.

Comment: Great skill players and a coach who will gamble.

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Team: 6. Penn State (1-0)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Win over USC gives Nittany Lions a big bounce.

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Team: 7. Notre Dame (9-3)

Opponent: idle

Comment: It’s now or never for quarterback Ron Powlus.

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Team: 8. Ohio State (11-2)

Opponent: idle

Comment: No one seems to mind Buckeyes lost top four playmakers.

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Team: 9. Texas (10-2-1)

Opponent: Missouri

Comment: Big recruiting classes starting to pay off.

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Team: 10. Syracuse (9-3)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Gator Bowl blowout of Clemson (41-0) will carry over.

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Team: 11. Miami (8-3)

Opponent: at Memphis

Comment: Can Butch Davis play traffic cop and coach? Yes.

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Team: 12. Northwestern (10-2)

Opponent: idle

Comment: It was no dream. Should go 4-0 in September.

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Team: 13. Michigan (9-4)

Opponent: Illinois

Comment: New tailback’s name, Chris Howard, much easier to spell.

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Team: 14. Alabama (8-3)

Opponent: Bowling Green

Comment: Off-season purging of coordinators has Tide fans wondering.

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Team: 15. BYU (1-0)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Cougars for real after air raid of Texas A&M.;

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Team: 16. USC (0-1)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Still haven’t tackled Curtis Enis.

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Team: 17. Virginia Tech (10-2)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Quarterback Jim Druckenmiller makes Hokies legit again.

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Team: 18. Auburn (8-4)

Opponent: Ala. Birm.

Comment: Eight wins doesn’t cut it in this program.

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Team: 19. Texas A&M; (0-1)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Is this another season of unfulfilled promises?

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Team: 20. LSU (7-4-1)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Gerry DiNardo has the program on the upswing.

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Team: 21. Kansas St. (10-2)

Opponent: Texas Tech

Comment: Don’t look for 10-2 repeat in new Big 12.

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Team: 22. Iowa (8-4)

Opponent: idle

Comment: How many teams get 17 starters back?

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Team: 23. Virginia (9-4)

Opponent: idle

Comment: Tiki (tailback) & Ronde (cornerback) Barber are double trouble.

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Team: 24. Kansas (10-2)

Opponent: Beat Ball State

Comment: Glen Mason, is it too late to take the Georgia job?

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Team: 25. Texas Tech (9-3)

Opponent: at Missouri

Comment: Red Raiders have good team but killer schedule

THE POLLS: Associated Press and USA Today/CNN--C17