I waited this long to make a poll for a reason, and that reason is that it takes a few games to get a feel for how good teams are. Mine is a no nonsense approach to making sure the best teams finish at the top when all is said and done. #1 USC (2-0): Losing 10 votes in the two polls is criminal. This team has earned the unanimous nod until they lose.

#2 Texas (3-0): Things are turning around in Austin, especially with OU in disarray and the rest of their conference piss poor.

#3 Florida State (3-0): With two wins over legitimately ranked opponents there is no doubt they deserve this spot.

#4 Virginia Tech (3-0): They have two shutouts that can't be ignored regardless of who they played.

#5 Florida (3-0): I have my doubts, but after beating Tennessee it should be smooth sailing to 6-0 when they hit LSU.

#6 California (3-0): Champions win when guys are hurt and overcome mistakes. They have done both with 3 routs.

#7 Louisville (2-0): Ugly start but they wound up rolling past Oregon State in what might turn out to be their toughest test all season.

#8 Georgia Tech (3-0): This positions them for a big game against Virginia Tech. Lose and they drop big, win and they pretty much hold.

#9 UCLA (3-0): Three Pac-10 teams in the top 10? Yeah, it's not the Big-10 or ACC so I must be crazy. Their offense has rolled.

#10 Georgia (3-0): If they fall to Tennessee they plummet, but until then they get the benefit of a high rank.

#11 Michigan State (3-0): This is posturing them for their Michigan/Ohio State set starting in two weeks when they drop big or hold.

#12 LSU (1-0): It is tough to calculate how much of an effect Katrina took on their play, but they only beat ASU on a bad TD call.

#13 Oregon (3-0): You better believe I'm going back to the Pac-10 and with USC on their doorstep they will have to earn a longer stay.

#14 Virginia (2-0): In two weeks they will be 4-0 heading into Boston College with Florida State on deck and all will be revealed.

#15 Texas Tech (2-0): Rolling over helpless opponents does not impress me, but they should be 6-0 team when they visit Texas.

#16 Purdue (2-0): Very unimpressive 31-24 win over conference bottom feeder Arizona. No Michigan or Ohio State. How does that happen?

#17 Ohio State (2-1): New rule, when you lose you have to play your way back up the rankings past the teams who have not lost.

#18 Miami, FL (1-1): Losing to a good team doesn't make you good but they rebounded nicely to scrap by Clemson.

#19 Arizona State (2-1): Sam might be breaking some records before his stay in the desert is over. USC and Oregon are coming up fast.

#20 Notre Dame (2-1): Was the Michigan win impressive or the Michigan State loss ugly? Purdue and USC games will clear that right up.

#21 Michigan (2-1): After 3 at home we'll see how they travel to Wisconsin and Michigan State. They haven't shown a thing yet.

#22 Iowa State (2-0): King of the Big XII North and with no UT, OU or Texas Tech it looks like an easy ride up the ladder for them.

#23 Alabama (3-0): It is too early to tell what we've got here, but they draw Florida, Tennessee and LSU (all at home) so they won't sneak in.

#24 New Mexico (3-0): They haven't won impressive games or beaten good teams, but that little won/loss marker is all that matters.

#25 West Virginia (3-0): I'm not ready to make a firm decision on them either way. Home games against Virginia Tech and Louisville will help.

#26 Colorado (2-0): I figure why not show them a little love as they head into a tough trip to Miami.

#27 Minnesota (3-0): I'm rewarding wins at this point, but I am not impressed by them in the least right now.

#28 Washington State (3-0): They haven't beaten good teams but the offense is clicking and they could be 5-0 heading into the tough games.

#29 Vanderbilt (3-0): Seriously, how often do you get to rank the Commodores in a poll? They haven't lost yet so why not?

#30 Toledo (3-0): The MAC always has one team that makes a pretty good run. If they win in Fresno State they might be that club.