Four weeks ago, AccuScore analyst Wailele Sallas predicted Ohio State would lose.  Well that prediction came to fruition, and now with just two undefeated teams left in college football, the BCS rankings are getting tighter, as are this week's edtion of AccuScore's Top Ten.

It happened again. 

Nine times this season a top five team has fallen to an unranked school.  Last week it was Ohio State and now only Kansas and Hawaii remain unbeaten.

The past weeks have seen us accept Ohio State as the number one team despite spending a lot of time not looking like it. Many have stated the Big 10 was having an off year, but because Ohio State was Ohio State and 10-0 record, the pollsters looked beyond the conference impotency.

So with Ohio State done, why has is Kansas being denied the same recognition?

The Jayhawks are in a stronger conference and have played equal competition.  But because Kansas is Kansas and their rankings have suffered.  After learning their lesson with South Florida, the pollsters afford these upstarts nothing and are waiting for the Jayhawks to lose.

Experts will say experts “It is because of the Big 12 North” or “Kansas’ ranks 97th in strength of schedule,” but I am not buying it. If Kansas State or Nebraska were undefeated, we know who would be number one. 

I am in the minority in thinking a team should not be ranked number one just because of record.  This was my thinking with Ohio State and it’s my thinking with Kansas.  One would think the pollsters had finally learned their lesson after Boston College, South Florida and Ohio State all lost at the hands of lesser opponents.

I, on the other hand, believe the pollsters rely on tradition, and it is because of that alone that Kansas stands third in the BCS and fourth in the AP and USA Today.  Next year an underperforming, traditional power house will start the year off strong, and the pollsters will make the same mistake they did this year with Ohio State.  If you are going to crown one team for the record you should do it for all.

As for AccuScore, we throw out tradition to give you this week’s top ten.

10) Hawaii – While the mighty continue to fall, the little school that could continues to win.  The Warriors scored 24 first quarter points and held on to beat rival Fresno State 37-30.  The game was never really in question and the win makes Hawaii one of two schools with unblemished records.  They continue to get no respect around the nation, another example of the man keeping the little ones down.

9) Georgia – I get pumped every time I hear about a game “Between the Hedges” and the Bulldogs recent play has added to the excitement. Two weeks after sending his entire team onto the field to celebrate an early touchdown against Florida, master motivator Mark Richt was at it again as Dawgs went all black against Auburn and then beat up the Tigers 45-20. Led by running back Knowshon Moreno, Georgia is getting stronger as the season goes on and is holding onto a half game lead in the SEC East.

8) Arizona State – I don’t know how the Sun Devils continue to do it, but they picked up another big win on the road against UCLA.  On Thanksgiving, ASU gets another shot to prove they are worthy of their standing as USC comes to Tempe in a game that has big time BCS implications.
7) Ohio State – As much as I have stuck with my guns in downplaying the greatness of the Buckeyes, they still are in a power conference and have only one loss.  That being said, I hope we can finally put to rest the idea of Ohio State being one of the best teams in the nation.  If all parts stay come back, the Buckeyes will start next season close to the top of the polls.  This year turned out to be a combination of a weak non-conference schedule, a weak conference, and a great defense.

6) West Virginia – The Mountaineers continue rise as the rest of the rest of nation falls.  Pat White and company still need a lot of help, but crazier things have happened.  White and Steve Slaton are ‘Eers the biggest offensive threat in college football with both players able to go to do the distance at any time.  WVU took a hit when Connecticut failed to stay unbeaten in the Big East and that will hurt their chance to jump the one-loss teams ahead of them. But if West Virginia wins out, the worst that can happen is an Orange Bowl berth.

5) Missouri – It seems the Tigers made the most of their missed opportunity against Oklahoma.  Since the Sooner loss, no team has been within 14 points of the Tigers at game’s end.  Mizzou quarterback Chase Daniels has led the offense to higher heights lately, the offense has scored 30 or more in all 10 of its games, and 40 or more in the last four games.  If Missouri gets past Kansas State this weekend, the Tigers have the possibility of leap-frogging everyone into the number 2 spot with big wins over Kansas and the Big 12 South Champ.

4) Oklahoma – The Sooners look like the conference’s South champ and will be banking on the Big 12 Championship game as their lone chance of making it to “The Big Game”.  The Sooners were outplayed in the first half against Baylor, and if the Bears had any athletes, it could have been really ugly for Oklahoma.  This seems to be a trend with the young Boomer Sooners.  One week, they look like the top team in the country, the next week they lose to Colorado. 

3) Kansas – More credit needs to be given to the Jayhawks and the job Mark Mangino is doing in Lawrence.  I think it’s a shame that the pollsters continue to ride on their high horse and not give Kansas the credit they deserve.  I’ve said my peace above, so I’ll just say, that if Kansas hopes to get what they deserve, they’ll have to prove it on the field.  Beat Iowa State, Missouri, and Oklahoma, and the Jayhawks, as the only undefeated team in a BCS conference, still might get left out because they are Kansas.  This is why I hate the polls and the BCS.

2) Oregon – For the Ducks to hold this spot, they are going to have to win big in their last three games against Arizona, UCLA and Oregon State.  That’s the only hope they have.  Oregon must show everyone that they deserve to play in the national championship game by blowing out the last two opponents.  If they leave any doubt, the Big 12 winner will have an easy time in jumping the Ducks.  In addition, Duck fans need to hope Arkansas or the SEC’s East representative takes down LSU, because all signs look to an SEC vs. Big 12 national championship.  No offense to the Ducks, I believe Oregon and LSU are the two best teams in the country, but the pollsters are stupid.

1) LSU – A triple overtime defeat is the only thing standing in the way of LSU already making reservations down the road at the SuperDome.  The Tigers have finally swayed all to realize they are the best team in the nation.  They are just three wins away from playing in their backyard for the crystal ball and their top-ranking puts them above style points. Win and you’re in.  But can LSU rise above the chaos in a year that’s seen nine top five teams lose to unranked schools?

Questions of Comments.  Email Wailele Sallas at wsallas@accuscore.com