Like all things football, I probably gave this too much thought, but here goes:

1. Auburn
2. USC
3. Oklahoma
4. Texas
5. Cal
6. Georgia

Here's why...Auburn plays in the SEC, maybe the toughest conference in the NCAA. They have four teams (Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee and LSU) with great records (9-2 or better). They have seven of twelve teams with winning records (58%). Auburn has played three teams currently in the top 10 and won them all by a combined score of 68-25. I think that is the best resume' any team brings to the table. And they are undefeated doing it.

USC plays in a relatively weak conference, but that shouldn't be held against them (although see below). They played only two teams currently ranked in the top 20 (as opposed to three top TEN teams by Auburn). USC played both of these games at home. They won by a combined score of 68-24. The knock on them? They played only one team in the top 10 (Cal at #7). The game was at USC and they won by six points. And Cal beat them everywhere but the scoreboard in that game. I know, the scoreboard is the only things that count. But when you start picking teams apart for BSC rankings, that stuff matters.

Oklahoma plays in the Big 12, which is top heavy with them and Texas, but dwindles after that. They played only two top 20 teams (one top 10) and won by a combined 50-35. Not really that impressive. And the top 20 team they played on the road was Oklahoma State. A road game in name only. I'm just not impressed with Oklahoma all that much.

Texas, while also in the Big 12, only lost once (at Oklahoma). If you rank Oklahoma high, you almost have to rank Texas up there also. They are, in may respects, the same team. (Common opponents, etc). If that game had been in Austin, things may be switched.

Cal is to USC as Texas is to Oklahoma. Cal lost only to USC. In that game, Matt Leinart (USC QB and Heisman hopeful) went 15 of 24 for 164, 2TD and 1 INT. Very un-Heisman like. They were held to 45 yards rushing. Cal, by comparison, had their QB Aaron Rodgers, go 29 for 34 for 267 and a TD. Not great, but better that Leinart. They rushed for 169 yards (J. J. Arrington for 112 alone). Much better than USC. If that game is played at Cal, things may be different.

Georgia is sixth for many of the same reasons Auburn is #1. SEC is the toughest place to play. If they had squeezed out one more win, they may be 4th or 5th.

Why not Utah? NO, None, zero top 10 teams. No top 20 teams. No top TWENTY-FIVE teams. By all accounts, an easy schedule. Give this schedule to Georgia, and they are #1. Give this schedule to one third of the SEC or Big 12 teams and they would be #1. I don't like to penalize teams for playing a weak schedule, but I'm not going to award them for it either. You want my respect, Utah? Put a top 20 team on your non-conference schedule next year. Maybe two. Then talk to me...

Just my opinion.

(Why don't I get paid for this kind of information?)