Dave's Power 10

1. Penn State (9-0) - After getting the week off to watch previous #1 Texas fall in Lubbock, the Nittany Lions travel to Iowa City for the final road test of their regular season. Iowa is 4-1 at home this year, having only lost to Northwestern in a close game where the Hawkeyes led 17-3 late in the second quarter. Four costly Iowa turnovers kept Northwestern alive until a fourth quarter touchdown sealed the loss. Keep an eye on this game. Penn State's top-ranked defense needs to limit Iowa opportunities in order to allow the offense to score points.

2. Alabama (9-0) - Playing Tennessee and Arkansas St. can only help your defensive statistics (#2 Rushing; #4 Total; #6 Scoring). Now comes the game every Bayou Bengal fan has been salivating for since Saban's return to the SEC. LSU needs to establish Charles Scott and the running game if they hope to have any chance of beating Bama. Without a running game, the Tide will smother LSU and play ball-control with Glen Coffee (99 yds/game). Can there be magic in Tiger Stadium at 2:30 CST?

3. Texas Tech (9-0) - Fantastic game by the Red Raiders against a visibly unfocused Texas squad. Graham Harrell (#1 Total Offense with 402 yds/game) and Michael Crabtree (8 rec, 102 yds/game) continue to impress, and now have a signature victory on their resumes. The bad news is that it doesn't get any easier this week with Oklahoma State's offensive juggernaut (#7 Total Offense with 512 yds/game) visiting Lubbock. The good news is that this game should prove easier than next week's matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners (#3 Total Offense with 538 yds/game).

4. Florida (7-1) - The mission was clear: destroy Georgia and restore Gator dominance in the rivalry. Mission accomplished. In fact, it's apparently carried over to the entire SEC. Since Florida's loss to Ole Miss on Sept. 27, no team has come within 30 points of the Gators. The last month has showcased a punishing display of football from Florida, and they look poised to collide with Alabama in the SEC Championship game.

5. Southern California (7-1) - Playing any team from Washington this year is equivalent to scrimmaging Dean Road Elementary. The Trojans have actually outscored the two Apple State teams 125-0! Since losing to Oregon State on September 25, USC has allowed only 20 total points in 5 games, including 3 shutouts. Really?! That's the level of competition in the PAC-10 this year? This is quickly turning into a Michael Jackson/Jackson 5 power relationship.

6. Oklahoma (8-1) - ESPN tried desperately to market the OU-Nebraska game as a legitimate way to spend your Saturday evening in front of the TV. But once the Sooners hung a Tecmo-like 35 points on the Huskers IN THE FIRST QUARTER, I stopped checking in. We should get another yawner this week as Texas A&M's feeble defense (427 yds/game; 32 pts/game) tries to withstand the inevitable beat-down.

7. Texas (8-1) - Valiant comeback against Texas Tech, but it seemed fitting that the Red Raiders pulled that game out in the end. The Longhorns appeared sluggish and out-of-sorts throughout the game, including Heisman candidate Colt McCoy. Despite the loss, Texas retains hope of a BCS birth since the difficult part of the schedule has passed. Once OU, Texas Tech and Okie State finish beating each other up, UT could reemerge at the top of the heap.

8. Oklahoma State (8-1) - The Fightin' T. Boone Pickens recovered from the close loss to Texas by overwhelming Iowa State 59-17. If the Cowboys can put up a solid, 4-quarter effort against Texas Tech, they could pull off the upset. It will a matchup of gunslingers in Lubbock as Graham Harrell faces off against OSU QB Zac Robinson (#2 nationally in Pass Efficiency). With the high-profile aerial display expected this weekend, don't forget about Okie State RB Kendall Hunter (136 yds/game), a lightning fast runner who should balance the Cowboy attack. If Tech can't contain Hunter, I predict an OSU upset.

9. Boise State (8-0) - The Broncos currently sit at #10 in the BCS polls, with no real threat to lose another game this season. The only possible challenge will come from Fresno State in the season finale. That game will be played on the blue turf in Boise where the Broncos have won 44 straight games.

10. Utah (9-0) - BIG game against TCU this Thursday night as the Utes attempt to legitimize their lofty ranking. The Horned Frogs have already handled previous Mountain West contender BYU 32-7, and boast the #1 rushing defense. The game is in Salt Lake City, and will be only the fourth ever matchup for a ranked Utah team against another ranked opponent. The last one came in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl as #4 Utah beat #19 Pittsburgh.