Rob Rochholz is a Fresno State (TheOtherFSU) alum and San Francisco Giants fan who works in graphic design and lives in San Francisco. He's a former sportswriter at The Fresno Bee, where he covered the WAC, Pac-10 and Big West conferences. A fan of snowboarding and reality TV, Rob correctly predicted in his August 2004 Outsports.com College Football Preview that USC would defeat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl some five months later. 

Richie Weldon has been following college football since 1995, his freshman year at Virginia Tech.  An avid Hokies fan, Richie tries not to let that influence his opinions on other teams (most of the time). Seattle is the place he calls home now, and almost every Saturday during the fall he gets together with other Hokies to watch the games.  Richie is a software developer. 

1.  Hawaii 12-0 (Last week:  3)

In a season where almost every team has lost to an unranked opponent, there is no way of truly knowing who’s best.  Only one team remains unbeaten, and Colt Brennan proved why he’s deserving of the Heisman trophy in the dramatic comeback win over Washington.  Hawaii finished 12-0 and its most impressive non-conference victory was over the Huskies.  Ohio State finished 11-1 and its most impressive non-conference victory was over the same team of Huskies, yet Ohio State will play for the national title.  Yes, the BCS is unfair.    

2.  USC 10-2 (Last week:  4)

No team is playing better than the Trojans right now, and if it were up to me, we’d see a USC-Hawaii national championship game.      

3.  LSU 11-2 (Last week:  9)

The Tigers defeated Tennessee to win the SEC championship and could make a case for playing for the national title.  LSU’s two losses were both in triple overtime.  In a bizarre twist of an even more bizarre season, two of the best teams at the end of the year were the two that began the season at the top – LSU and USC. 

4.  Ohio State 11-1 (Last week:  5)

The Big Ten was very down this season and do we really want to see a team that was beaten at home by Illinois late in the year playing for it all?  Nope.  But that’s what we’re going to get.  In a wild season of upheaval, we’re going to get a milquetoast national championship game. 

5.  Georgia 10-2 (Last week:  6)

The Bulldogs didn’t even reach their league championship game, yet a lot of people are mentioning that they deserve the national title.  Nope.   

6.  Oklahoma 11-2 (Last week:  10)

The Sooners knocked off Missouri twice this season and were impressive in the Big 12 title game.  But Oklahoma also lost to Colorado and Texas Tech, neither of whom finished with a winning record in league play.  

7.  Virginia Tech 11-2 (Last week:  11)

The Hokies played well in the ACC championship game against Boston College.  But should a team that lost by 41 points to LSU play for it all?  I don’t think so. 

8.  Kansas 11-1 (Last week:  7)

The Jayhawks, to their credit, took advantage of a Big 12 scheduling quirk that meant they wouldn’t face Oklahoma or Texas this season.  Winning 11 games for this program is huge. 

9.  Missouri 11-2 (Last week:  1)

The Tigers beat everyone they played except Oklahoma this year.  How ridiculous is it that Missouri had to face the Sooners twice, yet Kansas didn’t play them once. 

10.  Florida 9-3 (Last week:  12)

The distinction of being the nation’s best 3-loss team has to count for something.  Tim Tebow will win the Heisman trophy whether he deserves it or not.   

 11.  Boise State 10-2 (Last week:  NR)

The country’s second-best non-BCS team was close to being in a major bowl for the second straight season.  Watch out for the Broncos next year because they will be loaded. 

12.  West Virginia 10-2 (Last week:  2)

Now that was just sad.  The Mountaineers looked pitiful against Pitt, and refused to accept the victory even when a lousy group of referees tried to hand it to them in a gift-wrapped box.  That embarrassing loss will go down as one of the biggest blunders in the history of college football.         

Dropped out:  Boston College (8). 

Just missed:  Illinois. 

1. Ohio State (11-1) (Last Week 3)

In a down year for the Big Ten, the Buckeyes were able to with only one loss, and that is to 9-3 Illinois. Do the Buckeyes really deserve to play in the national title game?  They do have the best record out of any BCS conference team, but I'm still not convinced.  If there was ever a need for a  "Plus 1" bowl system, this is the year.

2. LSU (11-2) (Last Week 7)

Two reasons why LSU belongs at the #2 spot: 1, they beat a really good Virginia Tech team by 41 and their only losses this season were in overtime.  Oh, yeah, they also managed to win the SEC title game, albeit not by much.

3. Oklahoma (11-2) (Last Week 8)

The Sooner get a big jump up this week after taking Missouri out behind the woodshed and spanking those Tigers like the naughty little kids they are.  How dare Mizzou think they can win the Big 12?! That's just absurd.  Stoops' Sooners brought a little reality back to the football world by winning the conference title.

4. Virginia Tech (11-2) (Last Week 5)

If it wasn't for that miracle comeback Matt Ryan put together in Blacksburg, the BCS discussion would be over with VT and Ohio State playing for the national title. So do you think the Hokies are satisfied with the victory over BC? Another ACC Championship is nice, but you know Frank Beamer wants that elusive national title.

5. Hawaii (A perfect 12-0!) (Last Week 4)

Congratulations to Colt Brennan and his Warriors!  There is so much buzz and excitement surrounding this team in Oahu right now, you can't go anywhere without seeing #15 or people wearing green and black shirts.  The only question left: Will Hawaii stay unbeaten in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia.

6. Georgia (10-2) (Last Week 6)

Sorry, Dawgs.  I still like your team and all [even after putting a whopping on my Hokies last year in the Peach Bowl], but I can't move you up if you didn't win your conference.  Heck, you didn't even play for your conference title!

7. Southern Cal (10-2) (Last Week 9)

Ho, hum. Another Pac-10 title for Pete Carroll and his Trojans.  Does anyone care?

8. Missouri (11-2) (Last Week 1)

Whoops.  The coach let that one go.  It was close for 41 minutes, but then the better, more skilled players for the Sooners outshined those on the Tigers roster.  Chase Daniels had a sub-par day, throwing one INT and zero TDs, and it seemed to affect the rest of his team.

9. West Virginia (10-2) (Last Week 2)

Seriously, a loss AT HOME to Pitt?  Way to stink up the house, Mountaineers.  With the victory, Pitt moves to five wins for the season.  At least your other loss was to a team with a winning record. (South Florida, 9-3.)

10. Kansas (11-1) (Last Week 10)

The Jayhawks are suffering from the same affliction as the Georgia Bulldogs.  Not playing for your conference title really hurts, especially when you lost your last game of the regular season.  Still, an 11-1 record was good enough for an at-large BCS bid this year.

11. Florida (9-3) (Last Week NR)

Tim Tebow won't have a chance to play in a BCS bowl game this season, but he still should get some respect for the Heisman Trophy.  After all,, his Gators have lost their 3 games by a combined 19 points, with two of those losses coming to Top 5 teams (LSU, Georgia).

12. Boston College (10-3) (Last Week 11)

BC played a good game for 56 minutes and then things unraveled in the Big East title game.  If the Eagles won the game, it would be their first conference title in school history.  As it stands, the Eagles will have to wait a few years while coach Jeff Jadgodzinsky rebuilds in Boston.

Dropped Out: Tennessee (Last Week 12) (11-4)

Just Missed: Illinois (9-3), Arizona State (10-2), Boston College (10-3), Tennessee (9-4), Clemson (9-3)