2012 College Football Power Rankings – Top 10 Teams Midseason: Following a wild week of college football when three teams ranked in the top five went down, there is no better time to revisit the top contenders for the national title. Needless to say, the rankings are going to look a lot different than they did a week ago, and there are a few surprise teams that have worked their way into the top 10. With that in mind, here is a look at the top 10 college football teams in the country following Week 6 in the latest addition of Power Rankings.
2012 College Football Power Rankings: Top 10 Teams
1. Oregon Ducks (6-0, 3-0 Pac-12)
Chip Kelly’s offense is as good as ever with Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas torching defenses on a regular basis. The Ducks rank fourth in the country in rushing, averaging more than 300 yards per game. They also rank fourth in scoring at 52.3 points per game. More importantly, the defense has been forcing turnovers and has been rock solid in the red zone. Oregon has faced a pair of top-25 teams thus far and won by a combined score of 101-21. There are tough teams left to come, but the Ducks’ offense looks unstoppable.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0 SEC)
Alabama’s running game is rolling behind the best offensive line in the country to the tune of 40.2 points per game, and quarterback A.J. McCarron has carried over the momentum from his big performance in last year’s BCS title game. More importantly, the revamped defense is still the best in the country, allowing just 7.0 points per game. The Crimson Tide look more than capable of repeating as champs, but since their wins against Michigan and Arkansas have been devalued a bit by the struggles of both those teams, Nick Saban’s bunch slips to No. 2 for now.
3. South Carolina (6-0, 4-0 SEC)
After absolutely dismantling a Georgia team that was averaging almost 50 points per game, there is no doubt South Carolina’s defense is for real and that this team is a national title contender. The Gamecocks are allowing the fourth-fewest points in the country and rank second in sacks per game. Meanwhile, the power running of Marcus Lattimore and scrambling of quarterback Connor Shaw is providing more than enough offense.
4. Florida Gators (5-0, 4-0 SEC)
Welcome back, Florida. After a few lean years after Urban Meyer’s departure, the Gators are back. Florida is winning in the trenches on offense and defense, resulting in an excellent power running game and a stout defense. Running back Mike Gillislee is emerging as a dark horse Heisman candidate, and after holding LSU to just six points in an upset win last weekend, the Gators are allowing the sixth-fewest points in the country. With two road wins in conference play and the victory over the Tigers, Florida’s resume measures up.
5. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Quarterback Geno Smith is the engine powering the most explosive passing attack in the country. With 24 touchdowns and no interceptions, Smith has become the frontrunner to win the Heisman, and the Mountaineers are a legitimate national title contender. After outscoring a pair of ranked opponents in the last two games, including a big road win against Texas, West Virginia just might be able to cover up its porous defense and outscore any team standing in their way.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-0)
Offensive guru Brian Kelly has figured out a new winning formula in South Bend, and it starts on the defensive side of the football. Notre Dame currently owns the second-best scoring defense in the country, allowing just 7.8 points per game. Meanwhile, a three-headed monster at running back behind an improved offensive line has provided enough offense to keep the Fighting Irish undefeated. With Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State and Miami (FL) among the Fighting Irish’s victims thus far, this team has proven it is the real deal.
7. Kansas State Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Even after a 10-win season last year, quarterback Collin Klein remains the best player most college football fans don’t know about. He is the definition of dual threat QB and has 13 career games with at least one rushing and one passing touchdown. Klein is the power back for a running game that ranks ninth in the country at 262.8 yards, and the Wildcats rank 11th in scoring offense at 43.6 points per game. With a big road win against Oklahoma already under its belt, Kansas State could make a run in the Big 12.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten)
There have been some growing pains with Urban Meyer’s new offense, but the Buckeyes are undefeated and are coming off back-to-back victories against ranked opponents. Thanks mainly to the play of quarterback Braxton Miller, Ohio State owns the 10th-best rushing attack and is averaging 38.5 points per game. Miller has already thrown for more than 1,000 yards, rushed for more than 700 yards, and scored a combined 17 scores. The Buckeyes aren’t eligible for postseason play, but as long as Miller is healthy, they will be playing the role of spoiler in the Big Ten all year.
9. Oregon State Beavers (4-0, 3-0 Pac-12)
Quarterback Sean Mannion is leading the eighth-best passing attack in the country, and the Beavers also own a top-25 scoring defense. The end result has been a strong start that features two wins against ranked opponents, including a big out-of-conference win against Wisconsin. Oregon State’s defensive line has been dominating opponents, and a very interesting regular season finale against Oregon could be brewing.
10. USC Trojans (4-1, 2-1 Pac-12)
The surprising loss to Stanford can’t be overlooked, but the Trojans still own one of the best offenses in the country, and the defense is underrated. USC is allowing less than 20 points per game, and with Matt Barkley, Silas Redd, Marqise Lee and Robert Woods on offense, it is only a matter of time before this team starts hitting its stride.
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