Poll Talk

This is the first of weekly (or every other week) installment of the Heisman and Poll Talk. I will be representing a real opinion not based on preseason polls or media hype. Without further ado...

The REAL Top Ten
1. Alabama
- This, much like preseason polls has been absolutely correct. In fact, they may be (gulp) better than last year. They have not missed Mark Ingram one bit as Trent Richardson has emerged as a possible heisman candidate. The defense has been solid but is yet to really be tested.
Next:  @ Duke 3:30 ABC

2. Oregon
- The Quack Attack is back. After losing the Rose Bowl last year to Ohio State they have bounced back this season in a flurry. No Jeremiah Masoli? No problem. Darron Thomas has been solid at the QB position and LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner are a dynamic duo at running back. The defense is still a question mark that hasn't really been tested yet, but at this time no team is without questions.
Next: vs. Portland State

3. TCU
- The Horned Frogs have looked like a well-oiled machine in their first two games which included a strong non-conference win over Oregon State. The loss of Jerry Hughes and Daryl Washington hasn't slowed down the always tough defense and the offense has weapons all over the field. If they can survive tough games vs. BYU and @ Utah they will again be headed to a BCS game and this time maybe the national championship.
Next: vs. Baylor

4. Ohio State
- The Buckeyes looked every bit a top five team in beating Miami last week. The defense was fast, aggressive, and opportunistic and if Pryor can avoid mistakes this team could be deadly. DeVier Posey is a big play threat on the outside and Saine/Herron can be a good combo running the ball. But if the special teams don't improve (3 TDs allowed already) it could cost them a shot at the title.
Next: vs. Ohio

5. Iowa
- The Hawkeyes made easy work of Eastern Illinois and Iowa State in their first two games and now get their first real test at Pac-10 foe Arizona this week. The defense has allowed a combined 14 points and the offense has been efficient led by running back Adam Robinson. The Big Ten (and maybe a national title appearence) could come down to the meeting between Ohio State and Iowa in November.
Next: @ Arizona 10:30 ESPN

6. Oklahoma
-Oklahoma erased all doubts about how good they were in a 47-17 dismantling of Florida State. Quarterback Landry Jones established himself as a legitimate heisman trophy candidate and the defense shaking off losing a few draftees made the powerful FSU offense look confused and lost all afternoon. The Sooners have the longest home winning streak currently in college football and look to extend that next week.
Next: vs. Air Force

7. Arkansas
-The Hogs are for real. Quarterback Ryan Mallett has shredded subpar defenses so far (701 yrds 6 TDs) but will get his stiffest test this week between the hedges at Georgia. The running game has been a struggle so far but the receiving weapons are plentiful. The defense will also get it's first test to prove whether these Razorbacks are legit SEC contenders.
Next: @ Georgia 12:00 ESPN

8. Boise State
- Well, there goes any shot at Boise playing for the national title. With Virginia Tech's loss to lowly James Madison--Boise's big out of conference win isn't so big anymore. They do get a shot at Oregon State on the smurf turf and have a tough Nevada team to play but nothing that should elicit an "ooo or ahhh" from the pollsters. Kellen Moore is as good a Quarterback in the country and Chris Petersen as good of a head coach as any, however there just won't be enough to warrant a shot at the title.
Next: @ Wyoming

9. Stanford
- Quarterback Andrew Luck got better and better last year as a redshirt frosh. This season looks like much of the same. Harbaugh's Cardinal team has the look of a team that could make a BCS bowl behind not just Luck but a defense that shut out UCLA last weekend at the Rose Bowl. The upcoming weeks will tell us all we need to know (vs. Wake, @ Notre Dame, @ Oregon, vs. USC) about Stanford.
Next: vs. Wake Forest 11:15 ESPN 2

10. Texas
-Garrett Gilbert came into this season with a lot of hype for someone who threw four picks in his "breakout performance". And so far the results have not equaled the hype. The Horns' have built it more so around the running game with Tre' Newton, Foswhitt Whitaker, and Cody Johnson and less about the arm of Gilbert. The defense is up to usual texas standards, but if the offense doesn't start to heat up you wonder if they can hold up over the course of a long season.

Next: @ Texas Tech 8:00 ABC/ESPN 2