The latest AP Top 25 Poll is out for NCAA football as conference showdowns now abound.  Like golf heading to the final round on Sunday, we’ll focus a bit more on the top of the leaderboard.  And, the top just got a lot more interesting.  It’s Monday, and it’s time for your Ten Piece Nuggets.  Properly place your napkin in your lap and get after them below.

1. LSU strengthened it’s hold on #1 with a Game of the Century, Part II, thrilling win over previously unbeaten Alabama in Tuscaloosa before a passionate sold out crowd. They received 54 of 62 possible first place votes.   BBR covered it live and can attest firsthand to the old world gladiator, last man standing feel.  President Trump and FLOTUS attended and were loudly cheered by 101k deplorables.  But, we digress for the first time today.
2.  Joe Burrow completed 31-39 passes for 393 yards and 3 TD’s against the minister of defense Saban and his talented starting 11 defenders.  He ran for an additional clutch 64 yards.  The 46 points scored are the most ever allowed in Tuscaloosa by any Alabama team in any game played there.  Joe Burrow for Heisman anyone?  Joe Burrow for Heisman everyone?  Burrow’s performance was brilliant, but RB Clyde Edwards-Heliare might have been the game’s MVP.  His run after catch and run after first contact yards at key moments make him an instant legend down on the bayou.
3. THE Ohio St. and Clemson stand at #2 and #3.  They garnered the other eight first place votes.  We can understand THE getting some love but how anyone would vote Clemson over these two at this moment befuddles the mind.  THE squeaked by Maryland 73-14, and travels to New Jersey this week to take on mighty 2-7 Rutgers.  Rutgers’ two wins are over UMass and Liberty.  Students at Liberty go to mass every week, but we digress.  Rutgers has been outscored by BIG 10 opponents by a total of 207-14.  THE has been installed as a 51 and 1/2 point favorite.  Do you really need the 1/2 when the whole number is 51?  We digress again.
4. How far did #2 Alabama fall?  They only fell to #4.  Clearly the voters see them as the best one loss team in all of the land.  And, they view them as better than some undefeated Power 5 teams as well.  The more important rankings come out tomorrow night when the second Playoff Committee Poll is released.  Does Bama hang in their top four?
5. Room in the top four was created when AP #5 and playoff ranked #4 Penn St. fell to now 9-0, and still undefeated, Minnesota.  Penn St. tumbled to #9 with the close 31-26, down to the wire, contest.  Penn St. still controls their own destiny in the BIG 10 East as they rumble with first place THE in two weeks.  That is, of course, assuming that THE gets by mighty Rutgers, but we digress.
6.  One game in the L column Georgia as well as Oregon occupy the #5 and # 6 spots behind Alabama.  Georgia blanked fast fading Missouri 27-0 while Oregon stirred the “Fire Helton” soup a week ago at USC 56-24.  Oregon is going to knock on the playoff door if they win out. Georgia has a tough road game this weekend at Auburn.  The early line is Georgia minus 2 and 1/2.  It’s a similar line to the Rutgers game as they both end in 1/2, ahem.  Oregon travels to Arizona and as 26 point favorites will stir the “Fire Sumlin” soup.
7. Arkansas said the soup was ready after watching Western Kentucky enjoy several helpings against the hapless Razorbacks.  W. Kentucky won 45-19 in Fayetteville.  Chad Morris lost.  He was mercifully relieved of his head coaching duties shortly after the pigs got slaughtered.  With Jimbo, Saban, Gus, and Coach O in the SEC West, coaching at Arkansas is a three year gig, tops.  Morris made it through 1 and 2/3rds.
8. Minnesota bounced up from unlucky #13 to lucky #7 in the AP.  It’ll be interesting what the playoff committee does with the Golden Gophers.  P.J. Fleck will/might sign a bigger contract mid week as Minnie likes what they see and want to see more of it.  Will other schools like what they see even more?
9. Baylor survived three overtimes to hang on at TCU 29-23.  They are 9-0.  Last Thursday they survived at home as big favorites over West Virginia 17-14.  The Bears might be running on fumes.  The Oklahoma Sooners come calling in Waco this weekend.  Baylor is #12 while the Sooners round out the top 10 at #10.
10.  Spots #10 through #20 were mostly unchanged.  Texas, Indiana and Oklahoma St climbed back in to the bottom of the 25.   They are at #’s 22,24, and 25 respectively.  Sandwiched between them is Iowa at #23.  Iowa’s offense scored 22 points against Wisconsin Saturday.  It’s the second highest point total for them in BIG 10 games this year aside from their 30-0 thumping of mighty Rutgers.  Iowa hosts Minnesota this week.  Is there a letdown coming for the Golden Gophers?  Can Iowa score enough?

You’ve been served.