THE POST’S TOP TEN

1. Alabama (5-0) (Last week: 1)

Alabama has hung up 50 points on consecutive SEC opponents for the first time in 72 years. Nick Saban may actually be pleased at the moment.

2. Clemson (5-0) (2)

The Tigers have faced three ranked teams, and allowed just 44 points in those matchups. The Clemson defense, which forced three Virginia Tech turnovers in a 31-17 victory, is getting better each week.

3. Oklahoma (4-0) (4)

Look for a lot of cakewalks as Oklahoma faces the have-nots of the Big 12 over the next four weeks.

4. Penn State (5-0) (5)

One game stands between Penn State and its two-week Michigan-Ohio State gauntlet. After Northwestern, the Nittany Lions will show us if they’re as good as their gaudy numbers.

5. TCU (4-0 (6)

The nation’s second- and fifth-ranked scoring attacks meet Saturday when TCU hosts West Virginia. Take the over.

6. Washington (4-0) (7)

While USC has received all the hype, the Huskies have been the far better team, posting another rout, 42-7 over Oregon State on Saturday night to remain undefeated.

7. Michigan (4-0) (8)

Michigan State should be a stepping stone to bigger games for the Wolverines, but, remember, the Spartans lost by just nine points a year ago, and they are improved from the three-win team Michigan saw last season.

8. Georgia (5-0) (9)

The Bulldogs have emerged as Alabama’s one true threat in the SEC, after winning their first two conference games, over Mississippi State and Tennessee, by a combined 71-3.

9. Washington State (5-0) (NR)

Luke Falk was the other quarterback on the field Friday night against USC at kickoff, but the better one after 60 minutes, leading Washington State to its first upset of a top-five team in 25 years.

10. Wisconsin (4-0) (9)

The underwhelming Big Ten West may be decided Saturday in Lincoln where Wisconsin meets Nebraska, the only teams in the division without a conference loss.

Dropped out: USC (4-1)