'For Who? For What?': JoePa FTL!

This wrap-up of the weekend in both college and pro football is named after the classic post-game quote immortalized by all-time favorite whipping boy Ricky Watters.

A couple of week's back, I predicted Penn State would make the National Championship game. I underestimated their ability to implode. I never thought the Nittany Lions were the best team, or one of the best for that matter. I just thought their schedule gave them a significant advantage over the other unbeatens in major college football. I still believe that -- that advantage just wasn't enough to overcome Penn State's shortcomings. Alabama and Texas Tech, on the other hand, each survived the first of three obstacles on their path to a clash in the National Championship game.

Here's the latest Top 10 from yours truly:

1. Texas Tech (10-0)
2. Alabama (10-0)
3. Florida (8-1)
4. Texas (9-1)
5. Oklahoma (9-1)
6. USC (8-1)
7. Penn State (9-1)
8. Utah (10-0)
9. Boise State (9-0)
10. Oklahoma State (8-2)

Meanwhile, in the NFL this week, some things became a little clearer:

--The Patriots are re-emerging as a contender in the AFC -- something I predicted a few weeks back. At 6-3, they're tied atop the AFC East with the Jets, who they square off against this Thursday night. The winner emerges as the top team in that division (especially if it's the Pats, who would then hold the head-to-head tie-breaker), and joins the second tier of teams in the conference behind the Titans -- a group which could include the Steelers, Ravens, Dolphins, Chargers, and Colts.

--Speaking of Indy, they seem to be picking up speed as they head down the back stretch. They followed up a tight victory versus New England last Sunday night with a big road win at Pittsburgh this week. Suddenly, they appear poised for a stretch run along with the Pats. Could we see another big Indy/New England tilt in the AFC playoffs come January?

--The Giants are good. Like really good. You know they won the Super Bowl last year, right? Despite that, it's been easy to ignore them this year. First, even when they won the Super Bowl the big story was more about the Perfect Pats lost. Then they started the year in the shadow of rival Dallas, who prognosticators already had going to this year's Super Bowl. Then, when Philly and Washington looked strong early, the big story was how great their entire division was great -- they were just among the best. As the season stretched on, and they established themselves as clearly the best team in the NFC, they still found themselves in the shadow -- this time of Tennessee, the league's only undefeated team. But it's time people start to say it: The Giants have to be the favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champs.

With all that said, here's my take on the current hierarchy of the top teams in the NFL:

Elite
New York Giants
Tennessee Titans
Carolina Panthers

Flawed But Dangerous
Arizona Cardinals
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Jets

Never Underestimate Experience
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New England Patriots
Indianapolis Colts

On The Upswing
Washington Redskins
Baltimore Ravens
Atlanta Falcons