THE POST’S TOP TEN

1. Georgia (7-0) (Last week: 1)

Saturday is the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” otherwise known as the annual Georgia-Florida showdown. We’re calling it something different this year: A trap game, with undefeated Tennessee looming the following week to likely decide the SEC East.

2. Ohio State (7-0) (2)

Prediction: Ohio State could face some fourth-quarter drama at Penn State for the first time since Week 1. Three of the last four games in this rivalry played at State College have been decided by one score.

3. Tennessee (7-0) (3)

Smart scheduling by the Volunteers, lining up UT Martin after the big Alabama game. An emotional letdown was natural, and Tennessee could afford one against this opponent.

4. Michigan (8-0) (5)

The Michigan-Michigan State rivalry is as predictable as the weather. Records and rankings rarely matter. Not this year. The Wolverines are too solid across the board, and the Spartans are too soft against the run.

5. Clemson (8-0) (4)

Clemson was asking to lose on Saturday, basically pleading with Syracuse. Four turnovers, a punchless passing attack and a slow start from the defense, and the Orange instead gave the game away. Orange fans will be having nightmares of this game for years.

6. Alabama (7-1) (6)

A needed, one-sided bounce-back victory at home against Mississippi State, but Alabama has not looked the same on the road, where it fell to Tennessee and nearly lost to Texas, and now the Crimson Tide have to go to LSU and Ole Miss in their next two games.

7. TCU (7-0) (8)

TCU spotted Kansas State an 18-point lead, then proceeded to score the final 28 points. The never-say-die Horned Frogs, with their second-straight comeback from a double-digit deficit in the second half, are nothing if not dramatic.

8. Oregon (6-1) (10)

That’s now six straight wins by an average of 23.3 points for the Ducks, who looked every bit like a playoff contender in their 45-30 rout of UCLA on Saturday.

9. Oklahoma State (6-1) (NR)

After allowing 58 points in their previous four quarters, the Cowboys defense stood tall, holding Texas to just three second-half points in a rousing comefrom-behind victory that was essential to their hopes of reaching the Big 12 title game.

10. USC (6-1) (NR)

The loss to Utah was disappointing, but just consider where USC was at this point last year, 3-4 and headed to a four-win campaign. The arrow is clearly pointing upwards.

Dropped out: Ole Miss (7-1) and UCLA (6-1)