#1 Notre Dame (12-0)

Notre Dame comes to LA and leaves with a ticket punched for Miami after RB Theo Riddick carries the ball 20 times for 146 YDS and 1 score to beat an ailing USC team. At 12-0 the Irish defeated the odds and came away perfect for the first time since 1988, as they rode the great play of Heisman candidate LB Manti Te’o past touchdown Jesus and into the sunset. Now the real challenge comes and thankfully the Irish have plenty of time to prepare for the BCS National Championship January 7^th, 2013.

 

TT= Total Tackles 

Offense: QB Everett Golson 2,135 YDS, 11 TD; RB Theo Riddick 880 YDS, 5 TD; RB Cierre Wood 740 YDS, 4 TD

Defense: LB Manti Te’o 103 TT, 7 INT; DB Bennett Jackson 61 TT, 4 INT; S Zeke Motta 61 TT

#2 Alabama (11-1)

Alabama is business as usual and the Tide had no problem completing a stellar 2012 season with a 49-0 victory over Auburn (AJ McCarron had 216 YDS, 4 TD). The Tide must now prepare for a hot #3 Georgia team that is looking for their 7^th straight victory and a chance at the National Title Game.

Offense: QB AJ McCaron 2,507 YDS, 25 TD; RB Eddie Lacy RB 1,001 YDS, 14 TD; RB T.J. Yeldon 847 YDS, 10 TD; WR Amari Cooper 767 YDS, 8 TD

Defense: LB C.J. Mosley 92 TT, 2 INT, 2 Fum Ret; LB Trey DePriest 52 TT; LB Nico Johnson 52 TT

#3 Georgia (11-1)

The Dawgs are playing as well as anyone in the country and senior leader QB Aaron Murray (30 TDs) continues to impress playing at the highest level of his career. The Bulldogs boast 11 wins for the first time since 2007 and the good news for the Dawgs is that the biggest game of the season is ahead. With an upset win over the Tide a trip to Miami would be in the cards.

Offense: QB Aaron Murray 3,201 YDS, 30 TD; RB Todd Gurley 1,138 YDS, 14 TD WR Tavarres King 704 YDS, 8 TD;

Defense: LB Alec Ogletree 87 TT 1 INT, 2 Sacks; LB Jarvis Jones 71 TT, 10.5 Sacks

#4 Ohio State (12-0)

Ohio State remains perfect beating rival #19 Michigan and is 12-0 for the first time since 2002. Despite not being able to play in a bowl or the Big-10 Championship game, the Buckeyes made a statement in 2012, and could compete with any team in the country. QB Braxton Miller had an epic season and next year will be the Heisman frontrunner. (2,039 YDS Passing, 15 TD, 1,271 YDS Rushing, 13 TD)

Offense: QB Braxton Miller 2,039 YDS, 15 TD; RB Carlos Hyde 970 YDS, 16 TD; WR Corey Brown 669 YDS, 3 TD

Defense: LB Ryan Shazier 114 TT, DB Christian Bryant 70 TT, DB Bradley Roby 62 TT

#5 Gators (11-1)

The Gators more than likely will be headed to the Sugar Bowl after what was an awesome 2012 season. With new life in Gainsville, this season marks a year in which new QB Jeff Driskel established a solid foundation in parallel to a stingy defense. Oklahoma should be a solid challenge in the Sugar Bowl if a few things fall into place.

Offense: QB Jeff Driskel 1,471 YDS, 11 TD; RB Mike Gillislee 1,104 YDS, 10 TD; TE Jordan Reed 552 YDS, 3 TD;

Defense: DB Josh Evans 79 TT, 5 TFL; DB Matt Elam 65 TT, 10 TFL, 1 Sack; LB Jon Bostic 61 TT, 6.5 TFL, 3 Sacks

#6 Oregon (11-1)

Oregon is a sad case especially after such a promising run. Down the stretch the Ducks have proved that a late season conference loss can ruin everything, as defeat to #8 Stanford diminished any hope of playing for the crystal football or the Pac-12 Championship. A trip to the Fiesta Bowl will give coach Chip Kelly plenty of time to think about his future.

Offense: QB Marcus Mariota 2,511 YDS, 30 TD, 690 YDS, 4 TD; RB Kejon Barner 1,624 YDS, 21 TD, RB/WR De’Anthony Thomas 686 YDS, 11 TD, 385 YDS, 4 TD; WR Josh Huff 467 YDS, 7 TD

Defense: LB Michael Clay 92 TT, 8 TFL, 2 Sacks; LB Kiko Alonso 75 TT, 12 TFL, 4 INT

#7 Kansas State (11-1)

Kansas State was off this week, but will take on #16 Texas December 1^st, 2012. After 52-24 loss to Baylor, the Wildcats remain in control of the conference however, have lost the all-encompassing hype they once claimed a few weeks ago. Either way this game is crucial if Kansas State plans to head to a BCS bowl game and get a piece of the Big-12 title.

Offense: QB Collin Klein 2,311 YDS, 14 TD, 792 YDS, 20 TD; RB John Hubert 831 YDS, 12 TD; WR Chris Harper 727 YDS, 3 TD

Defense: LB Arthur Brown 80 TT, 6 TFL, 2 INT; DB Jarard Milo 68 TT; DB Nigel Malone 45 TT, 4 INT

#8 Stanford (10-2)

Stanford looks to win its’ 7^th consecutive contest as another battle against the revamped #17 UCLA Bruins waits this Saturday. With QB Kevin Hogan and RB Stepfan Taylor turning in solid performances the first time around, expect another close win by the Trees in the Pac-12 Championship Game. A trip to the Rose Bowl most likely waits.  

Offense: QB Kevin Hogan 1,643 YDS, 10 TD; RB Stepfan Taylor 1,364 YDS, 11 TD; TE Zach Ertz 818 YDS, 6 TD;

Defense: LB Shayne Skov 63 TT, 6 TFL, 2.5 Sacks; LB Chase Thomas DB 61 TT, 13 TFL, 5 Sacks; DB Terrence Brown 58 TT, 2 TFL;

#9 LSU (10-2)

LSU has yet another double-digit win season however, things in the Bayou couldn’t be more depressing as rival #1 Alabama ended any hope of a great season. Despite two losses in 2012, LSU should continue to progress as several youngsters will return on both sides of the ball. If coach Les Miles can coach up QB Mettenberger in the offseason and LSU can get back their flare in the passing attack, 2013 holds plenty of promise.

Offense: QB Zach Mettenberger 2,489 YDS, 11 TD; RB Jeremy Hill 631 YDS, 10 TD; WR Odell Beckham Jr. 673 YDS, 2 TD

Defense: LB Kevin Minter 111 TT, 13.5 TFL, 3.0 Sacks; LB Lamin Barrow 92 TT, 5.5 TFL, 1 Fum. Ret; S Eric Reid 81 TT, 2 INT

#10 Texas A&M (10-2)

Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel once again goes on a tear with (372 YDS, 3 TD, 12 CAR, 67 YDS, 2 TD) to beat a solid Mizzou team. In my opinion Manziel will win the Heisman with ease and next year should be stronger than ever. With only one season in the SEC, Texas A&M is on the rise, as their first 10-win season in 14 years is quite a feat. They could become a serious contender in the next few seasons, as The Capital One Bowl will suffice for this year only.

 

Offense: QB Johnny Manziel 1,181 YDS, 19 TD, 1,181 19 TD; WR Mike Evans 1,022 YDS, 5 TD

Defense: DL Damontre Moore 80 TT, 20 TFL, 12.5 Sacks; LB Jonathan Stewart 72 TT, 2.5 Sacks; LB Steven Jenkins 70 TT, 5 TFL, 2 Sacks