Week 9 Poll: Down Goes Sparty

On a weekend that lacked the upsets the Spartans fall the most following their devastating loss to Iowa. The fact that the Hawkeyes defeated Michigan State was not a surprise, but the manner that they down the Spartans was surprising. While this weekend may not have resulted in a major shakeup of the polls...next weekend should.

Who's Down

Michigan State
The Spartans are not down just for losing to Iowa, but the way that they lost to the Hawkeyes is playing a major factor. As we said earlier it was the fact that it was a thirty point loss at Iowa that hurts the most. The Spartans looked completely over-matched throughout most of the game, and some could say they looked like an average football team. Not the top ten team that they were the week before. Although the unbeaten season is over for the Spartans don't expect them to disappear with the schedule they have remaining.


Missouri
The Spartans were not the undefeated team to go down this weekend, and not a surprising defeat as well. It's the oldest tale in sports. It's the let-down after pulling a big upset. The Tigers fell victim to that curse against Nebraska this weekend. While the loss came against a solid Cornhusker team, it was not the way to legitimize a big win over number one Oklahoma the week before. Add on the fact that the loss may keep the Tigers out of the Big XII championship game, and you have a significant defeat. The fact that the Tigers failed to rise to the challenge on consecutive weeks is the reason they drop in the the poll this week.

Who's Up!

Nebraska
Like Iowa the Cornhuskers dealt a key blow to a conference foe that was undefeated in Missouri. The Cornhuskers looked impressive in their win against the Tigers this weekend and at times looked like the top ten team they were earlier in the season. That's why they are back in the top ten. With an impressive young quarterback, and a defense that will keep them in any game; don't be surprised to see the Cornhuskers in a BCS game in January.


Iowa
While the Hawkeyes may have a long road to the Rose Bowl, and need a lot of things to go right...they took a big step this week against Michigan State. Not only was the win impressive because of the opponent, but the manner in which they dominated the Spartans. Took make the victory even more impressive add in the fact they lost by just one point to the Badgers the week before. The way they won, and the resilience that the Hawkeyes showed are major reasons they make a big move in this week's poll.


Who's In!

North Carolina State
Good teams find ways to win big games, and the Wolf Pack found a way to win a big game against Florida State. NC State may not have dominated the Seminoles in Raleigh, but they found a way to comeback and win. In a game that in a way was their season. The theme of this week seems to be resilience and the Wolf Pack proved they are a resilient team. That's why they make our poll this week.



Who's Out!

Miami (FL)
This year has not been exactly what the Hurricanes thought it could be. Since the loss to Ohio State Miami has not looked like the same team. Following the devastating loss to Florida State earlier in the year the Hurricanes almost exited the poll and the ACC championship race, but they still held on. That was until this weekend against Virginia. The Hurricanes looked completely out of sync against the Cavaliers, and their mistakes continue to comeback and haunt them. The Hurricanes are still a quality football team, but a football team that has greatly under-achieved this season.

The Poll

1. Oregon
2. Boise State
3. Auburn
4. TCU
5. Utah
6. Alabama
7. Wisconsin
8. Nebraska
9. Ohio State
10. Oklahoma
11. Iowa
12. Stanford
13. Arizona
14. LSU
15. Missouri
16. South Carolina
17. Michigan State
18. Oregon State
19. Virginia Tech
20. Oklahoma State
21. Mississippi State
22. Nevada
23. Baylor
24. North Carolina State
25. Hawaii