THE POST’S TOP TEN

1. Ohio State (2-0) (Last week: 1)

Circle Nov. 21 on your calendar. It’s the next Ohio State game, against Michigan State, deserving your attention. The Buckeyes won’t be challenged until then.

2. TCU (2-0) (2)

The opponent, Stephen F. Austin, was a patsy, but it still must have been reassuring for TCU fans to see their Horned Frogs put up 70 after their opening-week struggles.

3. Alabama (2-0) (3)

All eyes will be on Tuscaloosa on Saturday as Alabama hosts Ole Miss in a rematch of the Rebels’ upset a year ago. Don’t think Nick Saban won’t mention that loss a few hundred times this week.

4. Michigan State (2-0) (7)

The Spartans defense sealed the early-season statement victory over Oregon, the kind of win that will boost Michigan State in the eyes of the playoff committee. 5. USC (2-0) (6) We begin to find out about the potent Trojans this weekend, starting with their annual showdown with Stanford. Don’t read anything into routs of Arkansas State and Idaho. 6. Baylor (2-0) (4) Another year, another joke of a nonconference schedule, featuring cupcakes SMU, Lamar and Rice, put together by Art Briles.

7. Ole Miss (2-0) (10) The good news: Ole Miss is averaging 74.5 points per game. The bad news: The opponents, Fresno State and Tennessee-Martin, were hardly scrimmage-worthy.

8. LSU (1-0) (NR) Our sleeper pick to reach the playoff survived at Mississippi State, but LSU will need better play from quarterback Brandon Harris to make our prediction stand up.

9. UCLA (2-0) (NR) Lost amid the Jake Rosen hysteria, UCLA is a legit playoff contender. The defense has allowed just 19 points in two weeks and Paul Perkins is one of the more underrated running backs in the country.

10. Auburn (2-0) (5) We all overrated Auburn, which was lucky to escape against FCS program Jacksonville State, a 41-point underdog. Dropped out: Oregon (1-1) and Florida State (2-0)