2012 Week Nine Top Four: Florida, Alabama, Kansas State and Oregon
By Rich Lynch
The SEC is holding down the top two spots in this week’s rankings after Florida and Alabama dominated their last opponents. Kansas State and Oregon round out the top four, also coming off dominant conference wins.
1) Florida(7-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Rank: 1 | Next Opponent: Georgia Bulldogs
Florida CLOBBERED South Carolina in the Swamp. Next up for the Gators is arch-rival Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville for the World’s Largest Cocktail Party. At some point, it seems like Florida is bound to have a bad game. If it can beat Georgia though, then the schedule softens for three weeks until the rivalry game against Florida State Look for Florida to give up more points to Georgia than it has to any other opponent this season to date.
2)Alabama(7-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Ranking: 2 | Next Opponent: Mississippi State Bulldogs
The season starts in earnest for Alabama on Saturday night against No. 11 Mississippi State. If the Crimson Tide can win at home on Saturday, then it has highly ranked Texas A&M and LSU to look forward to, while Florida’s schedule gets easier. The two could be on a collision course for Atlanta and the SEC championship. Look for Alabama to destroy Mississippi State.
3) Kansas State (7-0)
Trending: Up Previous Rank: 4 Next Opponent: Texas Tech Red Raiders
Collin Klein and the purple Wildcats destroyed West Virginia in Morgantown on Saturday, a feat not easily done. Klein dominated the game offensively and is a lock for the Heisman Trophy at this point. The Wildcats take on Texas Tech in Manhattan this weekend. Expect Kansas State to dominate an overrated Texas Tech team.
4) Oregon (7-0)
Trending: Sideways Previous Rank: N/A Next Opponent: Colorado Buffaloes
Oregon beat Arizona State on the road handily last week. The Ducks scored 43 points and easily could have scored 60 points if Chip Kelly hadn’t let off the gas. The Ducks fly over the Buffaloes in Autzen Stadium this week.
On the Outside Looking In:
LSU (7-1)
Trending: Up Previous | Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: Alabama Crimson Tide
LSU beat a solid Texas A&M team in College Station this past Saturday by causing FOUR turnovers. LSU gets two weeks to prepare for its next game against Alabama. If LSU can cause three turnovers against the Crimson Tide, then it will have a good chance of upsetting its SEC West nemesis.