It was hyped as Separation Saturday, a day when most ranked teams faced ranked opponents. However, when the dust settled things looked surprisingly similar atop the leader board. The most noticeable changes were Notre Dame and Florida State dropping out after losses and the additions of Louisville and Michigan off impressive wins. As the season progresses this list will most definitely continue to change but let's take a quick look at the teams that make up the top ten this week.

1. Ohio State

The Buckeye's started the season ranked number one in the polls and after rolling over Cincinnati 37-7 last week they easily retain that spot. Ohio State has now defeated their first three opponents by a combined score of 96-26 including a 24-7 thumping of then number two Texas in Austin. The Buckeye's still face several hurdles in their quest for a perfect season. Next week's match-up with number 24 Penn State, the following week at number 14 Iowa then a season ending battle with one of their biggest rivals current number six Michigan. As of now the Buckeye's are the cream of the crop but escaping this schedule without one blemish on their record will be a difficult task.

2. Auburn

The Tigers can thank Michigan for their move from number three to number two this week. Although they looked impressive defeating Washington State and Mississippi State by a combined score of 74-14 to start the season their 7-3 win over LSU last weekend didn't inspire much confidence. With SEC battles against number five Florida and number nine Georgia yet to come a prolonged stay at number two is doubtful. The Tigers also have to go to Alabama 3-0, and South Carolina 2-1 as well as a home date with Arkansas 2-1 this season. As talented as this Auburn squad is an undefeated season just won't happen.

3. USC

At 2-0 off an impressive 28-10 win against then number 19 Nebraska the Trojans appear to be picking up right where they left off last season. This week they move up a spot to number three thanks to the pounding Michigan put on Notre Dame. However, with a new cast of characters on offense, the off-field distractions thanks to Reggie Bush and a four game stretch against Oregon, California, Notre Dame and UCLA to finish the season there won't be a BCS Championship game this year. The Trojans will be hard pressed to escape the last month of the season with only one loss and should consider themselves lucky with a split. Enjoy the number three ranking now it won't last.

4. West Virginia

The Mountaineers have rolled through the first three weeks of the season outscoring Marshall, Eastern Washington and Maryland 139-37 enroot to a 3-0 record. The Mountaineers lead the nation in rushing, averaging nearly 349 yards per game, and are scoring nearly 47 points per game, second nationally to Louisville. Steve Slaton is third in rushing with an average of nearly 168 yards, and Patrick White is 8-0 as a starting quarterback. Impressive, but you have to remember the caliber of opponent they have faced so far. With Pittsburgh, Louisville and South Florida coming up in conference play we will see how good this team really is.

5. Florida

Ok, Urban has the Gators looking good. After drilling Southern Mississippi and UCF by a combined 76-7 to start the season they escaped potential disaster last week in Knoxville with a 21-20 win over Tennessee. Jumping them up tow spots to number five. Don't let the score fool you. The Gators held Tennessee to minus-11 yards rushing, and Ainge struggled going 17-of-32 for 183 yards passing. As it looks right now the Gators are for real but with number 10 LSU, number two Auburn and number nine Georgia scheduled in October along with in-state rival number 18 Florida State to wrap up the season Florida will have their hands full. Survive October and Urban could have the Gators playing for the championship in his second season.

6. Michigan

At number six in the country the Wolverines up from number 11 made the biggest jump in this week's poll. After defeating Vanderbilt 27-7 and Central Michigan 41-17 to start the season no one knew how good this Michigan team could be. Then a completely dominating performance against Notre Dame; handing them a 47-21 defeat, their worst since 1960, proved the Wolverines are for real. Don't get too excited. The road through the Big 10 is a tough one. With trips to Minnesota, number 24 Penn State, number one Ohio State and a home contest against number 14 Iowa a perfect season is nearly impossible. With this schedule I see two possible losses. If Ohio State remains undefeated they still have an outside shot at the Rose Bowl.

7. Texas

So far this season Texas pounded North Texas 56-7 and Rice 52-7 but when they faced a quality opponent the outcome was quite different. In their second game of the season number one Ohio State defeated the Longhorns 24-7 in Austin. Their remaining schedule reads like a who's who of Big 12 elite. With home games against Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M and road games against number 17 Oklahoma, number 23 Nebraska, Texas Tech and Kansas State a one loss season is out of the question. This isn't the same Longhorn team that won it all last season. If they aren't careful they could easily end up with a two losses and end up out of the BCS picture completely.

8. Louisville

The Cardinals jumped four spots from number 12 to number eight after an impressive 31-7 win over then number 17 Miami (FL). Louisville will have to rely on the arm of backup quarterback Hunter Cantwell to keep their national championship hopes alive after losing starter Brian Brohm in the third quarter against Miami. Brohm is expected to miss at least the next month after injuring his throwing hand. Cantwell led the Cardinals to a Gator Bowl victory over Connecticut last season throwing for 216 yards and three touchdowns after having his nose broken in the first half. The only remaining ranked team on their schedule is number four West Virginia but they also face conference rivals Pittsburgh and South Florida who are putting together solid seasons. Cartwell has the ability to keep one of the nation's most potent offensive units cruising. If they can survive West Virginia the Big East is theirs.

9. Georgia

Score on this defense! I dare you! At 3-0 and number nine in the AP the Bulldogs are content to ride their defense while freshman quarterback Matthew Stafford, who inherited the job when senior Joe Tereshinski was injured during the So Carolina game, matures. The Bulldog defense pitched back-to-back shutouts for the first time since their national championship season in 1980 and have outscored Western Kentucky, South Carolina and UAB 100-12. Unfortunately for Stafford he will have to mature soon. With number 15 Tennessee, number five Florida and number two Auburn on the schedule the defense can't do it alone. The Bulldogs season hinges on their signal caller. If he can handle the heat they will contend in the SEC. If not there is always next year.

10. LSU

LSU was the only top ten team to lose last week and remain in the top ten. Thanks to a 7-3 performance to then number three Auburn. After matching 45-3 blowouts against Louisiana-Lafayette and Arizona we got to see what the Tigers were really made of against Auburn. Poor officiating, particularly a bad non call on obvious pass interference at the goal line with 2:43 remaining. A tipped fourth down pass, and a victory saving tackle a few yards from the goal line on the final play of the game were the difference. Any one of these go LSU's way and they are the number two team in the country. It was that close. Luck is a big part of this game. With trips to number five Florida and number 15 Tennessee LSU's luck better change. In the very competitive SEC the Tigers can't afford another loss. Unfortunately I don't think they will survive the October 7^th match-up against the Gators.

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