My take on Herbstreit’s Top 5 after Week 3

1. USC
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. Oklahoma
5. Penn State

1. USC
Why he’s right: Loads of talent on both sides of the ball, they absolutely destroyed Nebraska at home, and Pete Carroll
Why he’s wrong: Pac-10 is a two horse race at best with USC and Cal, AGAIN…maybe Oregon can make some noise, but the Trojans’ road ahead is looking pretty soft, esp. with ND still looking for its first win…and offensive TD and UCLA getting trounced by the Utes. The Bruins’ loss has to be just as bad for USC as the Louisville loss was for WVU.

2. LSU
Why he’s right: They’re the best team in the best division in the nation’s best conference. They’re efficient and lethal on offense and the D is just sick. Not to mention one of their best defensive players, Glen Dorsey, is back in the line up. Their first true test is this weekend. Can they sustain their dominance against the Ol’ Ball Coach and the Gamecocks?
Why he’s wrong: They should be #1.

3. Florida
Why he’s right: Reigning champs, Tim Tebow and the spread offense. Hugh conference win against arch-rival Tennessee, although the Vols are quite what they used to be…still an impressive win.
Why he’s wrong: Not sure there’s much competition in the SEC east.

4. Oklahoma
Why he’s right: Potent offense mixed with a fast, dominant Defense.
Why he’s wrong: OU probably has one of the softest schedules of the top ranked teams. The Big 12 is the fourth best conference, barely a step above the ACC. Their toughest game MIGHT be against Texas, but I think they won’t be challenged until Texas A&M.

5. Penn State
Why he’s right: Got to have a Big 10 team in the top five, otherwise it just wouldn’t be right. Right?
Why he’s wrong: 3 Reasons: 1. Schedule, schedule, schedule… FIU (120), Temple (119), and Buffalo (109) plust Notre Dame, whose offense is ranked near the bottom of Div. I. 2. Schedule, schedule, schedule…Their toughest games are at home with OSU and Wisconsin. 3. West Virginia, Ohio State and Boston College.

Notables:
Herbstreit says WVU misses out of the Top 5 because of their Defense. I can’t argue with the too much, we’re giving up too many Red Zone TDs and passing yards…but HOLD THE PHONE…I saw something different with the D in the second half of the Maryland game. After allowing Maryland to pass at will in the first half, the Defense made adjustments and shut them down in the second half. We’ll see if this carries over into the ECU game. The D should be up for the challenge against a far better QB than what MD had.

What are your thoughts? Agree/Disagree?

Who’s your Top 5?