Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
Top 25 Teams - Week Three
Ranking / Team / Record
Photo - Ryan Mallett - Arkansas
Draft Insiders' - Top 25 Teams
1. Ohio St (3-0)
2. Alabama (3-0)
3. Texas Christian (3-0)
4. Florida (3-0)
5. Boise St (3-0)
6. Oregon (3-0)
7. Oklahoma (3-0)
8. Nebraska (3-0)
9. Texas (3-0)
10. LSU (3-0)
11 Auburn (3-0)
12 Stanford (2-0)
13 Wisconsin (3-0)
14. Arkansas (2-0)
15. Utah ((3-0)
16. South Carolina (3-0)
17. Arizona (3-0)
18. Michigan (3-0)
19. Iowa (2-1)
20. USC (3-0)
21. Miami (11)
22. Missouri (3-0
23. West Virginia (3-0)
24. Penn St. (2-1)
25. Northwestern (3-0)
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards
AP Top 25 Teams
Rank / Team / Record / Points (1st) / Previous Week Ranking
1 Alabama (3-0) 1492 (53) 1
2 Ohio State (3-0) 1435 (5) 2
3 Boise State (2-0) 1333 (1) 3
4 TCU (3-0) 1280 4
5 Oregon (3-0) 1238 5
6 Nebraska (3-0) 1175 8
7 Texas (3-0) 1164 (1) 6
8 Oklahoma (3-0) 1114 7
9 Florida (3-0) 1044 10
10 Arkansas (3-0) 903 12
11 Wisconsin (3-0) 803 11
12 South Carolina (3-0) 739 13
13 Utah (3-0) 703 14
14 Arizona (3-0) 663 24
15 LSU (3-0) 654 15
16 Stanford (3-0) 606 19
17 Auburn (3-0) 600 16
18 Iowa (2-1) 482 9
19 Miami (FL) (1-1) 472 17
20 USC (3-0) 414 18
21 Michigan (3-0) 291 20
22 West Virginia (3-0) 258 21
23 Penn State (2-1) 198 22
24 Oregon State (1-1) 75 25
25 Michigan State (3-0) 45 NR
Others: Air Force (44) , Nevada (41) , Florida State (40) , Pittsburgh (40) , Fresno State (35) , Missouri (30) , Oklahoma State (22) , Clemson (14) , Georgia Tech (14) , North Carolina State (14) , James Madison (8) , Kansas State (4) , Northwestern (3) , Arizona State (3) , California (3) , Temple (1) , Houston (1) , Texas A&M (1) , Notre Dame (1)
Coaches Poll -Top 25 Teams
Rank / Team / Record / Points (1st) / Previous Week Ranking
1 Alabama (3-0) 1470 (55) 1
2 Ohio State (3-0) 1410 (3) 2
3 Boise State (2-0) 1291 3
4 Texas (3-0) 1251 4
5 TCU (3-0) 1188 5
6 Oregon (3-0) 1181 6
7 Nebraska (3-0) 1135 (1) 8
8 Florida (3-0) 1092 7
9 Oklahoma (3-0) 1060 9
10 Wisconsin (3-0) 884 11
11 Arkansas (3-0) 846 13
12 LSU (3-0) 801 12
13 Utah (3-0) 693 14
14 Auburn (3-0) 655 15
15 USC (3-0) 612 NR
16 Arizona (3-0) 610 18
17 Stanford (3-0) 541 19
18 Iowa (2-1) 463 10
19 Miami (FL) (1-1) 418 17
20 Penn State (2-1) 335 20
21 West Virginia (3-0) 315 21
22 Michigan (3-0) 255 22
23 Michigan State (3-0) 125 NR
24 Missouri (3-0) 123 25
25 Oklahoma State (3-0) 103 NR
Others: Nevada (58) , Florida State (56) , Oregon State (53) , Pittsburgh (30) , Georgia Tech (24) , Clemson (17) , Northwestern (15) , Air Force (15) , Boston College (12) , North Carolina State (7) , Houston (7) , Fresno State (7) , Temple (5) , Kansas State (4) , Texas A&M (4) , Virginia Tech (2) , Texas Tech (2)
Draft Insiders & AP - Top 25 Teams
Ranking / Team / Seasons’ Record
Photo - DE Adrian Clayborn - Iowa
Draft Insiders' - Top 25 Teams
1. Ohio St (2-0)
2. Alabama (2-0)
3. Texas Christian (2-0)
4. Florida (2-0)
5. Boise St (2-0)
6. Iowa (2-0)
7. Oklahoma (2-0)
8. Nebraska (2-0)
9. Texas (2-0)
10. Oregon (2-0)
11. LSU (2-0)
12. Wisconsin (2-0)
13. Auburn (2-0)
14. USC (2-0)
15. Utah ((2-0)
16. South Carolina (2-0)
17. Stanford (2-0)
18. Arkansas (2-0)
19. Michigan (2-0)
20. Miami (1-1)
21. Georgia (1-1)
22. Houston (2-0)
23. West Virginia (2-0)
24. Penn St. (1-1)
25. Pittsburgh (1-1)
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards .
AP Top 25 Teams
Rank / Team / Record / Points (1st) / Previous Week Ranking
1 Alabama (2-0) 1466 (52) 1
2 Ohio State (2-0) 1410 (5) 2
3 Boise State (1-0) 1306 (1) 3
4 TCU (2-0) 1235 4
5 Oregon (2-0) 1172 7
6 Texas (2-0) 1150 (1) 5
7 Oklahoma (2-0) 1123 10
8 Nebraska (2-0) 1083 6
9 Iowa (2-0) 1037 9
10 Florida (2-0) 1036 8
11 Wisconsin (2-0) 855 11
12 Arkansas (2-0) 755 14
13 South Carolina (2-0) 642 24
14 Utah (2-0) 627 20
15 LSU (2-0) 595 19
16 Auburn (2-0) 538 21
17 Miami (FL) (1-1) 530 12
18 USC (2-0) 481 16
19 Stanford (2-0) 446 25
20 Michigan (2-0) 437 NR
21 West Virginia (2-0) 197 23
22 Penn State (1-1) 171 18
23 Houston (2-0) 169 NR
24 Arizona (2-0) 138 NR
25 Oregon State (0-1) 75 NR
Others: Pittsburgh (62) , Fresno State (48) , Air Force (46) , California (45) , Georgia (42) , Florida State (41) , Missouri (37) , Georgia Tech (35) , Clemson (25) , North Carolina (23) , Texas A&M (18) , Texas Tech (17) , Michigan State (15) , James Madison (11) , Kansas State (10) , Oklahoma State (10) , Maryland (6) , East Carolina (4) , Nevada (2) , North Carolina State (1) , Boston College (1) , Northwestern (1) , Baylor (1)
Top 25 Clubs Enter Bowl Season
Team of the Week - Rutgers
Player of the Week – WR Mohamed Sanu – Rutgers
Photo – Mark Ingram – Alabama (Heisman Trophy Winner)
Team / Ranking / Record
1. Alabama (13-0) – Tide beat their nemesis Florida in SEC title game and preps for Texas in BCS Championship matchup.
.
2. Texas (13-0) – Longhorns prepping for title clash with Alabama after completing perfect ’09 season.
3. Cincinnati (12-0) - Bearcats finished a perfect regular season but lose their HC Brian Kelly for tough bowl matchup with Florida.
4. Florida (12-1)– Gators lost a tough SEC title contest with Alabama but look to fTim Tebow’s college finale vs Cincinnati to finish with big win.
5. Texas Christian (12-0) – Horned Frogs finish with a perfect regular season and face an undefeated Boise St club that will leave What If questions vwith Bama/ Texas winner.
6. Boise St (13-0) - Broncos look to TCU bowl matchup to continue to climb the charts.
7. Ohio St (10-2) – Buckeyes won the Big Ten and face a great foe in Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
8. Oregon (10-2) – Ducks win Pac 10 and may be the most exciting club in the nation to watch.
9. Georgia Tech (11-2) – Tech won the ACC title and look to tack momentum for their Orange Bowl matchup with Iowa.
10. Iowa (10-2) – The Hawkeyes face a tough matchup with Georgia Tech in one of the more interesting bowl games.
11. LSU (9-3) – Tigers hope for better than the Capital One game with Penn St but look to redeem themselves with an impressive victory.
12. Penn St (10-2) – Nittany Lions finished strong and hope to maintain that vs a tough LSU club in New Years Day matchup.
13. Virginia Tech (9-3) – Va Tech completed a fine season and get an improving Tennessee club on New Year’s eve.
14. Miami (9-3) - Canes earned Champs Sport bowl bid in Orlando vs a gritty Wisconsin club.
15. BYU (10-2) – Cougars won their finale vs Utah that earned them a bowl game with Oregon St. in one of the best matchups of the bowl season.
16. Oregon St (8-4) – Beavers lost a tough finale to Oregon and face another pass happy club in BYU in Las Vegas bowl.
17. West Virginia (9-3) - WV want bowl win to complete season with matchup vs Florida St. in Bobby Bowden’s finale as head coach.
18. Oklahoma St (9-3) – Cowboys go to Cotton Bowl in an expected shootout with Ole Miss.
19. Pittsburgh (9-3)- Panthers hope to redeem themselves in bowl game vs North Carolina after a few key late season losses.
20. Houston (10-3) - Cougars win CUSA West and face a savvy Air Force team in Armed Forces Bowl contest.
21. USC (8-4) – Trojans finish a disappointing season and go to minor bowl vs Boston College in Emerald Bowl.
22. Nebraska (9-4) – Huskers lost a tough Big 12 title game vs Texas, but look to redeem themselves vs Arizona in Holiday Bowl .
23. Stanford (8-4) –Cardinal completed a fine season and face an erratic Oklahoma club in Sun Bowl matchup.
24. Wisconsin (9-3) - Badgers face a young Miami club in Champs bowl matchup.
25. North Carolina (8-4) – Tar Heels are a talented young club who look to finish with big win vs Pittsburgh.
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards.
Final Week of Season & Conference Title Games
Team of the Week - Florida
Player of the Week – Tony Pike
Photo – QB Tony Pike - Cincinnati
Senior QB Tony Pike returned from a major injury to his non-throwing arm and had a record day Friday, passing for 6 TDs in a 49-36 victory over Illinois that kept 4th ranked-ranked Cincinnati unbeaten. Cincinnati ranks 5th in the BCS standings entering the final week of the season.
Cincinnati (11-0) remained one of six unbeaten Bowl Subdivision teams. The Bearcats finish their regular season next weekend in Pittsburgh, playing for their second straight Big East championship.
Pike had the biggest hand in the latest Bearcat victory. He hadn't played since Oct. 15, when he damaged a protective plate in his left arm. He needed surgery to replace the plate, and didn't start any of the last four games. He played in a 24-21 win over West Virginia for four snaps, and threw for a pair of TDs in his very limited role.
In the Illinois win, Pike threw a career-high four TDs in the first half alone while leading the Bearcats to a 35-20 lead. He was knocked to the ground twice by the Illini (3-8), the second time when he stayed in the pocket long enough to get off an 11-yard touchdown pass to Gilyard.
Pike finished 32 of 46 for 399 yards. On the season, he has thrown 23 touchdowns with only three interceptions.
Team / Ranking / Record
1. Florida (12-0) – Gators own the Seminoles with blowout win and prep for SEC title clash with Bama.
2. Alabama (12-0) – Tide just got by a stubborn Auburn team in season’s finale prior to SEC showdown with Florida.
3. Texas (12-0) – Longhorns offense behind Colt McCoy can light up any defense.
4. Cincinnati (11-0) - Bearcats are hoping for top BCS matchup with only Big East finale vs Pittsburgh on the schedule.
5. Texas Christian (12-0) – Horned Frogs finish with a perfect regular season and had a dominate performance over final two months.
6. Boise St (12-0) - Broncos face only WAC foe New Mexico St to complete undefeated season and BCS berth.
7. Ohio St (10-2) – Buckeyes finished their season and move into top ten after a few top clubs stumble.
8. Oregon (9-2) – Ducks face Oregon St in bitter rivalry this Thursday in the Civil War rivalry.
9. Iowa (10-2) – The Hawkeyes are hoping to sneak into the BCS equation if clubs above them lose key finales.
10. Penn St (10-2) – Nittany Lions finished strong and look for major bowl berth on their performance, reputation and traveling fans.
11. Oregon St (8-3) – Beavers looking to move into top ten with win over Oregon in what could be one of the great matchups of the season.
12. LSU (9-3) – Tigers got by a stubborn Arkansas team and look to receive a second tier bowl berth.
13. Virginia Tech (9-3) – Va Tech beat a disappointing Virginia team and wait for bowl invitation.
14. Georgia Tech (11-2) – Tech lost to instate rival Georgia in a game that cost them a top ten spot with ACC title game with Clemson on deck.
15. Miami (9-3) - Canes win their finale vs USF that probably earns them a good bowl bid most likely in Florida.
16. BYU (10-2) – Cougars won their finale vs Utah that moves them up the charts significantly and gains them a quality bowl invite next week.
17. Houston (10-2) - Cougars win CUSA West with another incredible offensive performance that makes them attractive to several major bowls.
18. USC (7-3) – Trojans are rested for final two games with UCLA and Arizona and a chance to move up the charts further.
19. Cal (9-3) – Bears look to complete season with winning trip to Washington that moves them in the top 15 teams.
20. Nebraska (9-3) – Huskers win Big 12 North division for conference title clash with undefeated Texas.
21. West Virginia (8-3) - WV win the Backyard Brawl that puts them in the top 25 again with Cincinnati in the finale. .
22. Pittsburgh (9-2)- Panthers lost a tough game vs rival West Virginia and must recover for finale with Cincinnati next up.
23. Oklahoma St (9-3) – Cowboys got trashed by Oklahoma for their 7th straight loss to their instate rival.
24. Stanford (8-4) –Cardinal won a thriller over Notre Dame and wait for a bowl matchup in their most impressive season in years.
25. Clemson (8-4) – Tigers have been hot and cold all season with loss in their SC finale with ACC title game up next week.
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards.
Top Six Undefeated Clubs Via for BCS Berths
Team of the Week - Oregon
Player of Week - QB Jeremiah Masoli - Oregon
Photo – QB Tim Tebow - Florida
Team / Ranking
1. Florida (11-0) – Gators ready for FSU finale as prep for SEC title game.
2. Alabama (11-0) – Tide faces in state rival Auburn in season’s finale prior to SEC showdown with Florida.
3. Texas (11-0) – Longhorns are coasting into Turkey Day battle with A&M.
4. Cincinnati (10-0) - Bearcats are well rested with only Illinois and Pittsburgh on the schedule.
5. Texas Christian (11-0) – Horned Frogs are just a win over a poor 1-10 New Mexico to finish with a perfect season.
6. Boise St (11-0) - Broncos face WAC foes Nevada and New Mexico St to complete undefeated season.
7. Georgia Tech (11-1) – Tech look to win instate rivalry with Georgia prior to ACC title game with Clemson.
8. Pittsburgh (9-1)- Panthers have difficult finish to retain their top ten ranking twith their two top rivals West Virginia and Cincinnati next up.
9. Ohio St (10-2) – Buckeyes complete their season by thrashing Michigan and prep for Rose Bowl classic.
10. Oregon (9-2) – Ducks won a dramatic victory over Arizona with finale vs Oregon St in bitter rivalry this weekend.
11. Oklahoma St (9-2) – Cowboys have a chance to win instate battle with Oklahoma on Saturday.
12. Iowa (10-2) – The Hawkeyes won season finale with shutout victory over Minnesota.
13. Penn St (10-2) – Nittany Lions finished strong with win over Michigan St to complete another fine campaign.
14. Ole Miss (8-3) – Ole Miss won a thriller over LSU in their most impressive victory in years.
15. Oregon St (8-3) – Beavers looking to move up further with Oregon rivalry contest in two weeks with winner take all in Rose Bowl bid.
16. LSU (8-3) – Tigers are still a very good club despite losing to their toughest three SEC opponents.
17. Virginia Tech (8-3) – Va Tech wins the games they are suppose to win annually.
18. Clemson (8-3) – Tigers are on a six game winning streak and peaking at the right time.
19. North Carolina (8-3) – Tar Heels are a hot club and dangerous to play in the postseason.
20. USC (7-3) – Trojans are rested for final two games and hope to salvage a rocky season.
21. Miami (8-3) - Canes looking to win finale vs USF to gain a good bowl bid.
22. BYU (9-2) – Cougars face tough finale vs Utah that could move them up the charts significantly with win next week.
23. Houston (9-2) - Cougars have put up incredible offensive numbers this season in CUSA.
24. Utah (9-2) - Utes can move up the charts with win in key MWC finale.
25. Cal (9-3) – Bears won huge matchup with Stanford that moves them back in the top 25 team.
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards.
Florida & ‘Bama Headed for Clash
Team of the Week - Ohio St.
Player of Week - Dexter McCluster
Ole Miss senior running back Dexter McCluster set a school record with 282 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns as the Rebels defeated Tennessee, 42-17. McCluster, who had 324 all-purpose yards, scored on runs of 15, 23, 32 and 71 yards as Ole Miss earned its first win against Tennessee since 1983 and off to their best start since 2003.
Photo – RB Dexter McCluster - Ole Miss
Team / Ranking
1. Florida (10-0) – Gators roll over SC and prep for SEC title game.
2. Alabama (10-0) – Tide won the SEC West with win over MSU and get ready for showdown with Auburn prior to Florida game in SEC title clash.
3. Texas (10-0) – Longhorns are rolling through the Big 12 each week and headed for BCS title game.
4. Cincinnati (10-0) - Bearcats are looking to go unblemished with only Illinois and Pittsburgh on the schedule.
5. Texas Christian (10-0) – Frogs hoping to get into the top four by season’s end.
6. Boise St (10-0) - Broncos keep winning and looking to earn one of the premier matchups.
7. Georgia Tech (10-1) – Tech clinched ACC division and looking to advance higher when top clubs fall.
8. Pittsburgh (9-1)- Panthers are starting to believe in themselves with their two top rivals West Virginia and Cincinnati remaining.
9. LSU (8-2) – Tigers are still a very good club despite a struggling offense.
10. Ohio St (9-2) – Buckeyes took care of Iowa and Penn St that earns them a return to the top ten rankings.
11. Oregon (8-2) – Ducks jumped on Arizona St last weekend.
12. Oklahoma St (8-2) – Cowboys may have the best offense in the nation when right.
13. Stanford (7-3) – Cardinal shocked Southern Cal and Oregon in back to back victories.
14. Wisconsin (8-2) - Badgers won a key game with win over Michigan St.
15. Iowa (9-2) – The Hawkeyes have dropped two in a row with OT loss to Ohio St.
16. Penn St (9-2) – Nittany Lions clean up on soft Indiana matchup.
17. Virginia Tech (7-3) – Tech routed Maryland.
18. Clemson (7-3) – Tigers are peaking at the right time.
19. North Carolina (7-3) – Tar Heels have won three straight over Va Tech, Duke and Miami.
20. USC (7-3) – Trojans got ambushed by Stanford on Saturday.
21. Oregon St (7-3) – Beavers jumped on Washington with a bowl bye resting on the results.
22. Miami (7-3) - Canes came up short in Chapel Hill vs NC.
23. BYU (8-2) – Cougars just got by New Mexico last week.
24. Houston (8-2) - Cougars ran out of time vs Central Florida.
25. Ole Miss (7-3) – Ole Miss earned its first win against Tennessee since 1983 and clinched bowl eligibility for the second straight year.
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards.
Florida Retains #1 Ranking
Team of the Week – Stanford
Player of the Week –
Toby Gerhart - Stanford
Stanford running back Toby Gerhart set a school single-game record with 223 rushing yards (on 38 carries) as the Cardinal defeated 7th-ranked Oregon, 51-42. During the game, Gerhart scored three TDs as Stanford, 6-3 (5-2 in Pac 10) became bowl eligible for the first time since 2001.
Photo – Running back Toby Gerhart – Stanford
Team / Ranking
1. Florida (9-0) – Gators rolling to the SEC title game.
2. Alabama (9-0) – Tide won a tough battle with LSU that probably leads to showdown with Florida in SEC clash.
3. Texas (9-0) – Longhorns are getting better each week.
4. Cincinnati (9-0) - Bearcats can play with anyone in the nation.
5. Texas Christian (9-0) – TCU continue to pound opponents weekly.
6. Boise St (9-0) - Broncos keep winning, though not as impressive as expected.
7. Georgia Tech (9-1) – Georgia Tech got past a scappy Wake Forest team.
8. LSU (7-2) – Tigers lost a tough matchup with Bama due to struggling offense.
9. Pittsburgh (8-1)- Panthers are in the Top ten for the first time since 1982.
10. Houston (8-1) - Cougars are bombing teams weekly behind a high powered passing game directed by QB Case Keenum.
11. Ohio St (8-2) – Buckeyes took care of Penn St and hope to ride that momentum back into the top ten rankings.
12. Oregon (7-2) – Ducks got blindsided by Stanford last week.
13. Iowa (9-1) – The breaks caught up to the Hawkeyes last week.
14. USC (7-2) – Trojans back on beam with win over Arizona St.
15. Miami (7-2) - Canes are looking to finish strong to land in the top ten.
16. Utah (8-1) - Utes continue to win and head for key MWC games this month.
17. Oklahoma St (7-2) – Cowboys potent offense can play with anyone in the nation.
18. Arizona (6-2) - Wildcats have turned the corner.
19. Wisconsin (7-2) - Badgers know how to win close games.
20. Penn St (8-2) – Overrated Nittany Lions came up flat in Ohio St matchup.
21. Virginia Tech (6-3) – Tech coming off a Thursday night win over East Carolina.
22. BYU (7-2) – Cougars are hoping to run the table from here.
23. South Florida (6-2) – Bulls are in good position to gain a major bowl invite.
24. Clemson (6-3) – Tigers won a huge game with Florida St that puts them back in Top 25.
25. West Virginia (7-2) - WV are hoping their late season Big East matchups with Cincinnati and Pittsburgh moves them higher.
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards.
