Week 12 Poll: Close But Not Close Enough

Last weekend was a close call for many teams around the country, but in the end the favorites pulled out the victory. With three of the top four sitting on the sidelines there wasn't much in the way upset alerts that affect the national championship directly. This weekend on the other hand could make for a great poll next week. But check out this week's anyways...

Who's Up!

Virginia Tech
The Hokies have been on the up-kick since losing their first two games of the season. Now the Hokies are starting to look like the team that we thought they could be coming into the season. While the national championship was lost in September, the ACC championship was not lost by any means. The Hokies remain undefeated, and have locked up a spot in the ACC championship game with a win over Miami this past weekend. While the score may not show it, the win was impressive in many ways. Not only was Virginia Tech able to win a close one on the road, but they were able to do it in impressive fashion.

Who's Down

Nebraska
The Cornhuskers have fallen a long ways from national championship contention in recent weeks. The loss to Texas hurt, and the loss to Texas A&M hurts even more. Saturday's loss to the Aggies has shown some offensive flaws that weren't there early in the season. Not to mention an offense that seems to be struggling scoring points. At the same time the rest of the teams seem to be getting better with every week, but the Cornhuskers appear to be on the downslope. Even though Nebraska has a shot at the national title it doesn't look like the Huskers are the best in the conference. Give that one to Oklahoma State.

Who's Out!

USC
If you asked Laine Kiffin if he wanted the job what would he say now? That could be a great question to ask him. In his first season as head coach, Kiffin has watched his Trojans receive sanctions from the NCAA, and has suffered some heart breaking losses. Unfortunately Saturday's loss to Oregon State wasn't a last second hear-breaker...it was a whoopin'. The Trojans at times this season have looked impressive, but this past weekend they looked like a team with nothing left to play for, and that's why they are out of our poll.

Who's In!

Florida State
Talk about an up and down season in Tallahasse. In a conference that could be just as bad as the Big East, if you take out Virginia Tech, the Seminoles at times this season have looked great, and at others like mediocrity. While in a competitive race in their division the Seminoles remain alive after their outstanding victory over Maryland. Florida State may not make a ACC championship game this year, but last Saturday they finally got the one thing they needed....a signature win. Resulting in their return to the top 25.

The Poll

1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. Boise State
4. TCU
5. Wisconsin
6. Stanford
7. Ohio State
8. Oklahoma State
9. LSU
10. Virginia Tech
11. Alabama
12. Michigan State
13. Arkansas
14. Oklahoma
15. Nebraska
16. Nevada
17. Texas A&M
18. South Carolina
19. Missouri
20. NC State
21. Northern Illinois
22. Mississippi State
23. Utah
24. Florida State
25. Iowa