College Football: Breaking Down the Contenders

College football is in full swing and through six weeks, favorites have begun to emerge. We'll break each contender down and give them a rating on a scale of 1 to 10 crystal footballs. (The rankings being used are the USA Today/ Coaches Poll)

1. Oklahoma (5-0 overall, 2-0 Big 12): The Sooners crushed rival Texas this weekend 55-17 and have not had significant trouble with an opponent all season. The Big 12 is a bit down as a conference and if the Sooners keep playing at the high level they have been playing at they should find themselves in New Orleans competing for the national title.
Potential Slip-ups: vs. Texas A&M, November 5th. @ Oklahoma State, December 6
Crystal Footballs: 9.5/10





2. LSU (6-0, 3-0 SEC): The Tigers are shaping up for a deep run in the toughest conference in the country and  with the return of athletic quarterback Jordan Jefferson, they are looking even better. LSU is allowing a mere 12.8 points per game and has seemingly coasted through all six of their games thus far and must keep their focus on the games at hand or they could easily lose a throwaway game.
Potential Slip-ups: vs. Auburn, October 22nd. @Alabama, November 5th. vs. Arkansas, November 25.
Crystal Footballs: 8/10

3. Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC): Another strong SEC team, the Crimson Tide runs over opponents on a weekly basis, averaging 229.8 yards per game on the ground. The Crimson Tide also boasts the best defense in the nation allowing just 8.4 points per game. The Tide must be careful not to overlook Ole Miss and Tennessee in anticipation of the showdown with LSU on November 5th.
Potential Slip-ups: vs. LSU, November 5th. @Aubrun, November 24th.
Crystal Footballs: 8/10

4. Wisconsin (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten): The Badgers have rolled over weaker competition all year and with the Big Ten down across the board don't expect the Badgers to slow down all season. The Badgers only issue with reaching the title game, will be the lack of a marquee win, the Badgers could luck out if conference rival Michigan also reaches the Big Ten title game undefeated, but don't count on it.
Potential Slip-ups: vs. Michigan State, October 22. Big Ten Title Game, December 3rd.
Crystal Footballs: 7/10




5. Stanford (5-0, 3-0 Pac-12): Andrew Luck has led the Cardinal to five easy wins thus far, dispatching foes left and right with ease. The closest win the Cardinal has had all season was by 26 points against conference foe UCLA. However, the Cardinal will run into the same problem as Wisconsin, they need two of the top three to lose, and even then the voters may still give the edge to a one-loss SEC team.
Potential Slip-ups: vs. Oregon, November 12. Pac-12 Title Game, December 3rd.
Crystal Footballs: 7.5/10




6. Boise State (5-0, 0-0 MWC): The Broncos are once again up against the challenge of being a small school. Their non-conference victory against Georgia was the highlight thus far, but the Broncos, as usual, need help to achieve their national title dreams.
Potential Slip-ups: None
Crystal Footballs: 6.5/10














7. Oklahoma State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12): The Cowboys love to rack up points and lead the nation on points per game with 51.4, including dropping 70 points on Kansas this past weekend. However, the best team the Cowboys have played, Texas A&M, was able to keep up and only lost 30-29. The Cowboys have to be wary of the conference schedule and make sure to avoid giving easy games away.
Potential Slip-ups: @Texas, October 15. vs. Oklahoma, December 3rd.
Crystal Footballs: 6.5/10

8. Clemson (5-0, 2-0 ACC): Clemson looks to be the class of the ACC after defeating Florida State 35-30 and crushing defending champions Virginia Tech 23-3. If they can remain undefeated in conference play and defeat in-state rival South Carolina on November 26, the Tigers have an outside shot to play in New Orleans for the title game.
Potential Slip-ups: @Georgia Tech, October 29. @ South Carolina, November 26. ACC Title Game, December 3rd.
Crystal Footballs: 7/10




Other Teams to Watch: #9 Oregon (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12), #10 Michigan (6-0 2-0 Big Ten), #12 Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0 ACC), #15 Illinois (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten), #16 West Virginia (5-1, 1-0 Big East), #22 Houston (6-0, 2-0 Conference USA)