Poll Position

Yeah, no reaction to the Louisiana-Monroe beat down. Not only was it a glorified scrimmage but Max also believes I was too emotional so I'll just keep my thoughts about that one to myself.

The more interesting observation after a week like that is Auburn's move to #8 in both major polls. Thanks to Florida's no-show in Tuscaloosa and Oregon's Auburn-esque come from behind win over Stanford Auburn moved two spots closer to... oh wait, nothing.

Nothing? Yeah, nothing. For Auburn, perhaps more than any other team in the country right now, the rankings mean nothing. And that's not just standard "its the beginning of October, we're focused on Kentucky" coach speak. Currently there are seven undefeated teams ahead of Auburn; let's take a look at their remaining schedules.

#7 Nebraska - The Cornhuskers sit at 4-0 and their biggest win so far was their thrashing of unranked Washington in Seattle. I'm really not sure what they have done to be ranked ahead of Auburn in the polls but the voters seem to like them. In week four Taylor Martinez turned the ball over three times but survived 17-3 against FCS foe South Dakota State. The only ranked teams remaining on their schedule are #22 Oklahoma State and #24 Missouri. The Big XII North is pitiful and Nebraska dodges both Texas and Oklahoma on the rotating schedule. Odds are Nebraska will meet up with Oklahoma in the Big XII Championship game.

#6 Oklahoma - Speaking of Oklahoma, after surviving the Red River Shootout against Texas' worst team in a decade the Sooners' only remaining ranked opponents are the same as Nebraska's. While the Cornhuskers have to play both on the road, the Sooners get their in state rival in Norman. Once again, all signs are pointing to the Sooners and Cornhuskers meeting for the Big XII Championship which should be both team's biggest hurdle to achieve an undefeated season.

#5 TCU - The Horned Frogs opened their season with a nine point win over then #24 Oregon State and hasn't been tested much since but they aren't in the clear yet. On October 23 TCU will get a visit from #25 Air Force who took Oklahoma to the wire in a three point loss in Norman. The Falcons aren't a great team but their offense is hard to prepare for and are more than capable of pulling off the upset. Two weeks later Gary Patterson's bunch will have to travel north to #10 Utah for what is shaping up to be the Mountain West Championship game.

#4 Boise State - The Broncos were leaning on two early out of conference opponents to boost their strength of schedule but neither Virginia Tech or Oregon State are currently ranked and the only ranked team remaining on their schedule is Nevada. The November 26 matchup should be a great game but Nevada is new to this type of attention while Boise has been in games much bigger than this many times over the past few years.

#3 Oregon - Perhaps the most dominating team thus far this season has been the Oregon Ducks. Their schedule has been questionable but Stanford appeared to be a legitimate opponent and despite trailing 21-3 in the first quarter, the Ducks outscored the Cardinal 49-10 in the remaining three quarters. The nation's best offense only has one ranked opponent left on their schedule when #9 Arizona visits Eugene on November 26.

#2 Ohio State - The Buckeye's home win over Miami in week two looks solid but squeaking past Illinois over the weeked cost them some points in the polls. October 16 OSU travels to to play #20 Wisconsin and a month later has to travel to #15 Iowa before hosting #19 Michigan the following week. The Buckeyes will have to play better not just to remain unbeaten but also to fend off Oregon who has already jumped three undefeated teams.

#1 Alabama - The defending champs now have dominating wins at home over Penn State and Florida and survived a road bout against #14 Arkansas. With road games against #19 South Carolina on October 9 and #12 LSU on November 6 before hosting #8 Auburn for the Iron Bowl on November 26 'bama is not in the clear yet. They deserve their ranking for now but they don't look unbeatable. If they survive the nation's hardest schedule there will be no doubt who the best team in the country is.

Looking at those schedules it is obvious that any hope for Auburn playing for the national championship is to defeat an undefeated 'bama team in Tuscaloosa. That is why our ranking means nothing right now. No other team ahead of Auburn plays a team ranked ahead of them which means all of those teams need their ranking and they need the style points. For Auburn it is entirely possible that we could show up in Tuscaloosa at 11-0 and still be ranked #8 but a win over 'bama (followed by a win in the SEC Championship game) and we're in.