So with the final few games coming up, I figured it was about time for me to post something again. Actually, with work wearing me out and getting ready for baby, there's been no time for blogging. So, it's time to post now that I woke up at 4:30 A.M. on my day to sleep in. Ok, it's 5 hours later than normal, but still...ok no more rambling about my personal life, time for my playoff predictions for the final few weeks.
AFC East - The Patriots HAVE to be the AFC Super Bowl favorite after last week's drubbing of the Jets. Tom Brady is your MVP (sorry Vick, but you can have Comeback Player of the Year) and he is playing so well right now. Deion Branch has found a fountain of youth in New England, but where was this the last few years in SEATTLE?!?!? Anyways, the Jets are reeling after said loss, and I am not sure what to think of this team. I want to think they're not a Super Bowl contender, but with their run game and defense they *can* be. I think both those teams make the playoffs, and New England as the #1 seed.
AFC North - The Steelers have the 1 game lead, and I think it stays that way. Both them and the Ravens have a tough game and 3 easy games left on the schedule, and I don't see the Ravens overtaking the Steelers. But something in me trusts the Ravens to make a deeper playoff run than the Steelers. Maybe it's because they've played a schedule where all their toughest games were on the road? I don't know, but something in my gut likes the Ravens more than the Steelers.
AFC South - If you had told me that Peyton would be needing to win out to win the AFC South this year, I would've laughed in your face. With all the injuries, they have had a rough year. I don't think the Super Bowl Loser Curse will happen, but it's in serious jeopardy of happening. I like how the Jaguars have been winning, and next week's matchup will determine who goes on to lose vs. the Jets/Ravens. MJD has to be an MVP Candidate as he is running SO well right now, but I think Peyton is back on track and will lead the Colts to the division title...again...
AFC West - Is there any less predictable division in the AFC? No. The Chiefs had the hold on the division, then Matt Cassel has an emergency apendectomy. Brody Croyle now is the one taking over, hoping to outduel Philip Rivers and all but seal their division title. I don't know how this pans out, but I want to think the Chargers miss the playoffs after everyone gift wrapped them as division winners before the season started.
NFC East - The Eagles and Giants will battle for the division title next weekend, but both have what could be tough games this weekend. The Eagles are facing a hot Dallas team, and the Giants are playing Minnesota, if they can even get there?!? Philly's road to the playoffs is much easier than the Giants, and less injury riddled, so I give Philly the division.
NFC North - The Bears? Yuck...I hope they miss the playoffs. They have a rough road to get there though, with NE, NYJ and road games in Minny and GB. That last game will determine the division winner, which will be the Packers (PLEASE GOD LET IT HAPPEN!!!) I am hoping the Bears miss the playoffs. This weekend's game at home against the Pats will show us what they are really made of. Meanwhile the Pack can tie up the division with a win over the Lions.
NFC South - The Falcons are the NFC's best team, more so when they're at home. The Saints are playing well with the semblance of a run game with Ivory. Both teams will make the playoffs, and I like both of them to make good runs once there too. I think Tampa will be the team left out, but I think that they are a team that will make a push for the playoffs for the next few years.
NFC West - Of course I am going to say the Seahawks will be in the playoffs. But this isn't (completely) me not being a homer. I think that they will beat St. Louis in Week 17, and that's what it will come down to. Neither team will be above .500, and that is pathetic. But someone has to lose to either the Giants or Saints in the first round.
Ok, a breakdown -
AFC - #1 Patriots, #2 Steelers, #3 Chiefs, #4 Colts, #5 Ravens, #6 NY Jets
NFC - #1 Falcons, #2 Packers, #3 Eagles, #4 Seahawks, #5 Saints, #6 NY Giants
Wild Card Round - Jets over Chiefs, Ravens over Colts, Eagles over Giants, Saints over Seahawks
Divisional Round - Patriots over Jets, Ravens over Steelers, Packers over Saints, Falcons over Giants
Championship Round - Falcons over Packers, Patriots over Ravens
Super Bowl - Patriots over Falcons
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Championship week predictions
Not a ton of games today, but we got a lot of good ones and I think we're going to see a lot happen.
SMU @ UCF - This is the C-USA title game and should be a fun one, bummed I don't get to watch. What a job these two coaches, June Jones and George O'Leary, have done at these schools. Both are legitimately good and have had really strong seasons, but I like the Knights (that's UCF) to win as the more rounded team here.
Big East - There are a trio of games today that should all have a hand in deciding who goes to the BCS for the bowl game that no one will watch. Is UConn to a big bowl game a great story? Sure I guess, for about 20 seconds, til you realize you don't want to watch UConn play Oklahoma in January unless it's on a 94 foot court. Early today we have Pitt and WVa in action, both still in the running. WVa has been the best Big East team this season and they will handle Rutgers. I don't think Pitt wins, but it doesnt matter if WVa already does since they've got the tiebreaker. Then in the evening UConn travels to USF which is just not the Big East team you want to play with everything on the line if history is any indication. I think the refs do a little bit on their part, USF does the rest, and UConn goes down... sending the not-deserving-but-most-deserving-in-the-Big-East to the BCS. Are we sure we can't just send TCU in this spot preemptively?
Nevada @ La Tech - As emotional and difficult a game that was for Boise last week, they are going home for seniors day and a chance for their fans to show their support for the incredible run this seniors group has had. Yes, the entire seniors group including kicker Kyle Brotzman. Should be one of those ovations that makes the hairs on your neck tingle. In the meantime Nevada has to fly halfway across the country, emotionally drained after the biggest win in school history, to face a high flying La Tech attack that is scoring 30-40 points a game and needs this one for a bowl win. I smell upset. La Tech wins it and gives Boise one last outright WAC title.
Wash @ Wash St - Oh the Apple Cup. This game actually matters because right now that Pac 10 has only four bowl eligible teams, sadly enough, unless Washington or Oregon St (both 5-6) win today. Washington would be, in my humble opinion, one of the least deserving bowl teams ever. They snuck through two fluke wins by 1 point and lost to their four best opponents by 30 or more each time. And the clock struck midnight on Jake Locker forever ago. I like Wazzu building off its momentum last week and taking the win here to keep the Huskies home for the holidays.
Oregon @ Or St - This Beaver team is hardly a 5-6 squad. They have already played and lost to both Boise St and TCU by a respectable 22 points combined. They had to play #4 Stanford already too. They beat pretty solid Pac 10 squads Cal and USC by a combined score of 71-14 at home, and all while missing their stud receiver and kick returner and getting nothing really from the QB position. These Beavers play very well at home and coach Mike Riley usually squeezes one big upset out of his squad every year (normally against USC) and Jacquizz Rodgers is one of few players in America who could shred a defense all on his own. Meanwhile Oregon has really struggled the last two weeks, could've lost in either of them, and this one is going to be interesting. I think Oregon St is close or even leading at the half, but the key is the 3rd quarter. That seems to be when Oregon really pulls away from a tired competition. If Oregon St's defense has the willpower and conditioning to hang in there, this will go down to the wire. I want to believe they do. But I have Oregon winning and headed to the title game.
Florida St vs Va Tech - These are actually both really pretty quality teams, and they've both been playing very well down the stretch. It's an interesting QB matchup as well. I'm going to side with the coach and defense I'm most comfortable with and the team I actually like, so VT it is for me.
Oklahoma vs Nebraska - This is being billed as a giant rivalry, and I'm sure it is, but I don't think this one is going to be pretty. OK and the Big 12 refs are going to have one big giant eff you to send Nebraska off, and I think the Sooners are going to roll. They don't lose these Big 12 title games. I got em by at least 20, maybe more.
Auburn vs SC - This is a really talented and really good SC squad who has really only played one bad game all season, against Arkansas. Ironically a win today would knock that same Arkansas team right out of the BCS, unfairly and all. If the nation doesn't know Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore yet, I have a feeling they will today. These are each one of the top 5 most talented in the nation at their position (that's WR and RB) and each has had some monster games. I think today could be a day where both actually do. Jeffery can torch this secondary, and Lattimore should do plenty of damage as well. But Auburn is Auburn, and they win the close games, and Cam Newton is a megasuperduper star. Auburn has already won six games this season by one possession. I think you can see where I'm going on this one. 13 times in the last 12 seasons, one of the top 2 BCS teams had lost in the final weekend. All the Cam Newton talk, all the emotions, all the pressure, I think it finally catches up to this team today. I've been saying all season that Auburn had a shot at the title, and when everyone finally caught up to me, I've been saying ever since that they didn't have the defense to actually get there. This is my last chance to be right... and I'm not backing down. SC springs the upset and Auburn goes down. Oh my.
ND St @ Montana St - Sorry Bisons, I think our run is over. I'll root for ya though.
SMU @ UCF - This is the C-USA title game and should be a fun one, bummed I don't get to watch. What a job these two coaches, June Jones and George O'Leary, have done at these schools. Both are legitimately good and have had really strong seasons, but I like the Knights (that's UCF) to win as the more rounded team here.
Big East - There are a trio of games today that should all have a hand in deciding who goes to the BCS for the bowl game that no one will watch. Is UConn to a big bowl game a great story? Sure I guess, for about 20 seconds, til you realize you don't want to watch UConn play Oklahoma in January unless it's on a 94 foot court. Early today we have Pitt and WVa in action, both still in the running. WVa has been the best Big East team this season and they will handle Rutgers. I don't think Pitt wins, but it doesnt matter if WVa already does since they've got the tiebreaker. Then in the evening UConn travels to USF which is just not the Big East team you want to play with everything on the line if history is any indication. I think the refs do a little bit on their part, USF does the rest, and UConn goes down... sending the not-deserving-but-most-deserving-in-the-Big-East to the BCS. Are we sure we can't just send TCU in this spot preemptively?
Nevada @ La Tech - As emotional and difficult a game that was for Boise last week, they are going home for seniors day and a chance for their fans to show their support for the incredible run this seniors group has had. Yes, the entire seniors group including kicker Kyle Brotzman. Should be one of those ovations that makes the hairs on your neck tingle. In the meantime Nevada has to fly halfway across the country, emotionally drained after the biggest win in school history, to face a high flying La Tech attack that is scoring 30-40 points a game and needs this one for a bowl win. I smell upset. La Tech wins it and gives Boise one last outright WAC title.
Wash @ Wash St - Oh the Apple Cup. This game actually matters because right now that Pac 10 has only four bowl eligible teams, sadly enough, unless Washington or Oregon St (both 5-6) win today. Washington would be, in my humble opinion, one of the least deserving bowl teams ever. They snuck through two fluke wins by 1 point and lost to their four best opponents by 30 or more each time. And the clock struck midnight on Jake Locker forever ago. I like Wazzu building off its momentum last week and taking the win here to keep the Huskies home for the holidays.
Oregon @ Or St - This Beaver team is hardly a 5-6 squad. They have already played and lost to both Boise St and TCU by a respectable 22 points combined. They had to play #4 Stanford already too. They beat pretty solid Pac 10 squads Cal and USC by a combined score of 71-14 at home, and all while missing their stud receiver and kick returner and getting nothing really from the QB position. These Beavers play very well at home and coach Mike Riley usually squeezes one big upset out of his squad every year (normally against USC) and Jacquizz Rodgers is one of few players in America who could shred a defense all on his own. Meanwhile Oregon has really struggled the last two weeks, could've lost in either of them, and this one is going to be interesting. I think Oregon St is close or even leading at the half, but the key is the 3rd quarter. That seems to be when Oregon really pulls away from a tired competition. If Oregon St's defense has the willpower and conditioning to hang in there, this will go down to the wire. I want to believe they do. But I have Oregon winning and headed to the title game.
Florida St vs Va Tech - These are actually both really pretty quality teams, and they've both been playing very well down the stretch. It's an interesting QB matchup as well. I'm going to side with the coach and defense I'm most comfortable with and the team I actually like, so VT it is for me.
Oklahoma vs Nebraska - This is being billed as a giant rivalry, and I'm sure it is, but I don't think this one is going to be pretty. OK and the Big 12 refs are going to have one big giant eff you to send Nebraska off, and I think the Sooners are going to roll. They don't lose these Big 12 title games. I got em by at least 20, maybe more.
Auburn vs SC - This is a really talented and really good SC squad who has really only played one bad game all season, against Arkansas. Ironically a win today would knock that same Arkansas team right out of the BCS, unfairly and all. If the nation doesn't know Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore yet, I have a feeling they will today. These are each one of the top 5 most talented in the nation at their position (that's WR and RB) and each has had some monster games. I think today could be a day where both actually do. Jeffery can torch this secondary, and Lattimore should do plenty of damage as well. But Auburn is Auburn, and they win the close games, and Cam Newton is a megasuperduper star. Auburn has already won six games this season by one possession. I think you can see where I'm going on this one. 13 times in the last 12 seasons, one of the top 2 BCS teams had lost in the final weekend. All the Cam Newton talk, all the emotions, all the pressure, I think it finally catches up to this team today. I've been saying all season that Auburn had a shot at the title, and when everyone finally caught up to me, I've been saying ever since that they didn't have the defense to actually get there. This is my last chance to be right... and I'm not backing down. SC springs the upset and Auburn goes down. Oh my.
ND St @ Montana St - Sorry Bisons, I think our run is over. I'll root for ya though.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Nov 28th
1. Oregon (1)
2. Auburn (3)
3. TCU (4)
4. Stanford (5)
5. Boise St (2) - I'm still ill over the way that turned out. This team lost a road game by a few inches on a heartbreaker against its top conference opponent. How far would Auburn have fallen with a field goal loss in Alabama? How is this much different? This is a top 10 team and should still be in the BCS. I still think they'd be neck and neck with any team in the nation.
6. Wisconsin (6)
7. Ohio St (7)
8. Arkansas (11) - Still loving this team and have been all season. They have an outstanding shot at a BCS berth now. Definitely Ohio St and TCU will get 2 of the 4 at larges, and then it seems to be between Stanford, Boise St, and Arkansas for the final two. I don't see how you leave Stanford out even with a lower fanbase, and I think they finish #4 in the BCS and guarantee a spot anyways. So who will the BCS take... everyone's favorite darling Boise St? Or an SEC team with a giant fanbase that will load up the Sugar Bowl? I think Boise may be out of luck.. but in a bad Pac 10 year (plus the top two headed to BCS bowls) only Arizona and maybe Washington or Oregon St will be bowling at all. How about a Boise trip to the Alamo Bowl to take on the Big 12 title game loser? I'd definitely tune in for that one.
9. LSU (9) - Funny, they didn't actually drop in my poll after a loss. Could Les's boys still be in line for a Sugar bid? Would the Sugar Bowl pick the home team after they just lost to Arkansas? Man, Paulus would be piiiiissed.
10. Nevada (17) - Proved they belong. Why not top 10? Only one worthy loss, and which team below them definitely should be ranked higher?
11. Virginia Tech (12)
12. Oklahoma (16)
13. Oklahoma St (8)
14. Missouri (13)
15. Texas A&M (14) - Lost in all the Big 12 shuffle, this might be the best team of them all right now and they won't even have a tiebreaker shot.
16. Nebraska (15) - Should be a fun final Big 12 title game with OU and Nebraska going at it one final time.
17. South Carolina (19) - Really chugging along now. And again I tell you, this is a real threat to Auburn's perfect season, especially only a week after the huge emotional road trip in the Iron Bowl. Look out for SC. They just destroyed Clemson on the road in a giant rivalry. They are firing on all cylinders.
18. Alabama (10) - What a gag job this year overall and in that game. Terrible coaching. How do you have 2 of the best 5 RBs in football and just not run the ball up 24-0? Unreal. They should be going to a BCS game but they just keep on blowing it.
19. Michigan St (18) - One loss. Big 10 co-champs. I still don't care.
20. West Virginia (20) - Still hoping for a UConn loss just to save the BCS game. Come on, nice story and all, but who is going to watch UConn get blown out in the Fiesta Bowl against the Big 12 champ? WVa is clearly by far the class of the Big East this year and most years. Btw, can't wait for UConn to start getting votes this week just so the voters can feel better about themselves. Retarded.
21. Florida St (22) - Should at least be an entertaining ACC title game and give us a legit team in the BCS. Still an underdog, but either FSU or VT in the Orange Bowl against Stanford will be an odd matchup but an intriguing one.
22. Utah (23)
23. Navy (24)
24. Miss St (NR)
25. Northern Illinois (NR) - Been keeping my eye on the Huskies for awhile now and it's time. They've put up 195 points in their last three and are just destroying MAC opponents right now. Fifth longest active win streak in the nation too. This week they ran the ball 35 times for 544 yards, over 15 yards per carry, and 8 TDs. Yeah, that'll do...
BCS predictions (I feel like predicting an Auburn loss right now)
Title game - Oregon vs TCU
Rose Bowl - Stanford vs Wisconsin
Sugar Bowl - Auburn vs Ohio St
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma vs West Virginia
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Arkansas
(or more realistically, without the upsets)
Title - Oregon vs Auburn
Rose - TCU vs Wisconsin
Sugar - Arkansas vs Ohio St
Fiesta - Oklahoma vs UConn
Orange - Va Tech vs Stanford
2. Auburn (3)
3. TCU (4)
4. Stanford (5)
5. Boise St (2) - I'm still ill over the way that turned out. This team lost a road game by a few inches on a heartbreaker against its top conference opponent. How far would Auburn have fallen with a field goal loss in Alabama? How is this much different? This is a top 10 team and should still be in the BCS. I still think they'd be neck and neck with any team in the nation.
6. Wisconsin (6)
7. Ohio St (7)
8. Arkansas (11) - Still loving this team and have been all season. They have an outstanding shot at a BCS berth now. Definitely Ohio St and TCU will get 2 of the 4 at larges, and then it seems to be between Stanford, Boise St, and Arkansas for the final two. I don't see how you leave Stanford out even with a lower fanbase, and I think they finish #4 in the BCS and guarantee a spot anyways. So who will the BCS take... everyone's favorite darling Boise St? Or an SEC team with a giant fanbase that will load up the Sugar Bowl? I think Boise may be out of luck.. but in a bad Pac 10 year (plus the top two headed to BCS bowls) only Arizona and maybe Washington or Oregon St will be bowling at all. How about a Boise trip to the Alamo Bowl to take on the Big 12 title game loser? I'd definitely tune in for that one.
9. LSU (9) - Funny, they didn't actually drop in my poll after a loss. Could Les's boys still be in line for a Sugar bid? Would the Sugar Bowl pick the home team after they just lost to Arkansas? Man, Paulus would be piiiiissed.
10. Nevada (17) - Proved they belong. Why not top 10? Only one worthy loss, and which team below them definitely should be ranked higher?
11. Virginia Tech (12)
12. Oklahoma (16)
13. Oklahoma St (8)
14. Missouri (13)
15. Texas A&M (14) - Lost in all the Big 12 shuffle, this might be the best team of them all right now and they won't even have a tiebreaker shot.
16. Nebraska (15) - Should be a fun final Big 12 title game with OU and Nebraska going at it one final time.
17. South Carolina (19) - Really chugging along now. And again I tell you, this is a real threat to Auburn's perfect season, especially only a week after the huge emotional road trip in the Iron Bowl. Look out for SC. They just destroyed Clemson on the road in a giant rivalry. They are firing on all cylinders.
18. Alabama (10) - What a gag job this year overall and in that game. Terrible coaching. How do you have 2 of the best 5 RBs in football and just not run the ball up 24-0? Unreal. They should be going to a BCS game but they just keep on blowing it.
19. Michigan St (18) - One loss. Big 10 co-champs. I still don't care.
20. West Virginia (20) - Still hoping for a UConn loss just to save the BCS game. Come on, nice story and all, but who is going to watch UConn get blown out in the Fiesta Bowl against the Big 12 champ? WVa is clearly by far the class of the Big East this year and most years. Btw, can't wait for UConn to start getting votes this week just so the voters can feel better about themselves. Retarded.
21. Florida St (22) - Should at least be an entertaining ACC title game and give us a legit team in the BCS. Still an underdog, but either FSU or VT in the Orange Bowl against Stanford will be an odd matchup but an intriguing one.
22. Utah (23)
23. Navy (24)
24. Miss St (NR)
25. Northern Illinois (NR) - Been keeping my eye on the Huskies for awhile now and it's time. They've put up 195 points in their last three and are just destroying MAC opponents right now. Fifth longest active win streak in the nation too. This week they ran the ball 35 times for 544 yards, over 15 yards per carry, and 8 TDs. Yeah, that'll do...
BCS predictions (I feel like predicting an Auburn loss right now)
Title game - Oregon vs TCU
Rose Bowl - Stanford vs Wisconsin
Sugar Bowl - Auburn vs Ohio St
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma vs West Virginia
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Arkansas
(or more realistically, without the upsets)
Title - Oregon vs Auburn
Rose - TCU vs Wisconsin
Sugar - Arkansas vs Ohio St
Fiesta - Oklahoma vs UConn
Orange - Va Tech vs Stanford
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wowwwwwwww
What an unbelievable day of football and a crazy crazy finish in Boise. I think I'm gonna be sick. Kyle Brotzman is the sickest man in the entire state of Idaho right now.
I'm literally positive he made the field goal. I'm just sick right now. I can't believe it.
I went 1-4 today. Awesome. I just bought a Boise St hoodie four hours ago and put it in a bag with a Vikings hoodie. I think I stained them. This is my fault.
So where does this leave the BCS bowls, assuming the top 3 win out? Does Boise still get an at large, any shot at one? I really doubt it. They might be playing at home in their bowl game. Sorry Boise students, no new student center for you, how do you feel about a statue of Kyle Brotzman instead, something to pee on every time you walk past?
Title game - Auburn vs Oregon
Rose Bowl - Stanford vs Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma or Okie St vs Ohio St
Sugar Bowl - LSU or Arkansas vs TCU
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Connecticut (gross)
I don't think Boise is getting their BCS bid. There are four at larges. One goes to TCU, and one would certainly go to 1-loss Stanford and another to a 1-loss Ohio St (or Mich St, but probably OSU). That leaves one spot left. It would almost certainly go to 1-loss LSU if they win tomorrow against Arkansas. But if they lose, then what happens? Do you take Boise, or Nevada for that matter? Or do you go with a 2-loss Arkansas team? Or maybe a 2-loss Mizzou squad (unlikely)? To me Boise is still the pick there, but I think Arkansas might get the spot. I believe that suddenly makes LSU-Arkansas tomorrow afternoon something of a BCS play-in game almost.
If Auburn loses to SC...
Title game - TCU vs Oregon
Rose Bowl - Stanford vs Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma or Okie St vs Boise St
Sugar Bowl - Auburn vs Ohio St
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Connecticut (gross)
If Oregon loses to Oregon St...
Title game - Auburn vs TCU
Rose Bowl - Oregon vs Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma or Okie St vs Stanford
Sugar Bowl - LSU or Arkansas vs Ohio St
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Connecticut (gross)
Looks to me like Boise needs to root for SC to take down Auburn. If they do, then Auburn goes to the Sugar Bowl and it's the Fiesta that needs an at large team, and I think they can get more Boise fans out there than Arkansas or Mizzou. If Oregon loses I think they and Stanford still get their spots for sure, but this time the extra bid is in the Sugar Bowl and I think New Orleans wants an SEC squad.
Still can't believe all that just happened. Or that any of this matters so that we can send UConn to a BCS game to take a spot away from one of these teams tonight.
I think Boise St is still ranked in the top 10 at the end of this week. Right around the Nebraska / Michigan St range. They shouldn't be penalized hugely for an overtime road loss against a top 20 opponent - how far would Auburn have fallen for a 3 point loss in Alabama today? Top 7 or 8 still for sure. No reason to penalize Boise more. Especially when he made that field goal.
I think I need to return that sweatshirt tomorrow. I feel sick.
I'm literally positive he made the field goal. I'm just sick right now. I can't believe it.
I went 1-4 today. Awesome. I just bought a Boise St hoodie four hours ago and put it in a bag with a Vikings hoodie. I think I stained them. This is my fault.
So where does this leave the BCS bowls, assuming the top 3 win out? Does Boise still get an at large, any shot at one? I really doubt it. They might be playing at home in their bowl game. Sorry Boise students, no new student center for you, how do you feel about a statue of Kyle Brotzman instead, something to pee on every time you walk past?
Title game - Auburn vs Oregon
Rose Bowl - Stanford vs Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma or Okie St vs Ohio St
Sugar Bowl - LSU or Arkansas vs TCU
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Connecticut (gross)
I don't think Boise is getting their BCS bid. There are four at larges. One goes to TCU, and one would certainly go to 1-loss Stanford and another to a 1-loss Ohio St (or Mich St, but probably OSU). That leaves one spot left. It would almost certainly go to 1-loss LSU if they win tomorrow against Arkansas. But if they lose, then what happens? Do you take Boise, or Nevada for that matter? Or do you go with a 2-loss Arkansas team? Or maybe a 2-loss Mizzou squad (unlikely)? To me Boise is still the pick there, but I think Arkansas might get the spot. I believe that suddenly makes LSU-Arkansas tomorrow afternoon something of a BCS play-in game almost.
If Auburn loses to SC...
Title game - TCU vs Oregon
Rose Bowl - Stanford vs Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma or Okie St vs Boise St
Sugar Bowl - Auburn vs Ohio St
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Connecticut (gross)
If Oregon loses to Oregon St...
Title game - Auburn vs TCU
Rose Bowl - Oregon vs Wisconsin
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma or Okie St vs Stanford
Sugar Bowl - LSU or Arkansas vs Ohio St
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Connecticut (gross)
Looks to me like Boise needs to root for SC to take down Auburn. If they do, then Auburn goes to the Sugar Bowl and it's the Fiesta that needs an at large team, and I think they can get more Boise fans out there than Arkansas or Mizzou. If Oregon loses I think they and Stanford still get their spots for sure, but this time the extra bid is in the Sugar Bowl and I think New Orleans wants an SEC squad.
Still can't believe all that just happened. Or that any of this matters so that we can send UConn to a BCS game to take a spot away from one of these teams tonight.
I think Boise St is still ranked in the top 10 at the end of this week. Right around the Nebraska / Michigan St range. They shouldn't be penalized hugely for an overtime road loss against a top 20 opponent - how far would Auburn have fallen for a 3 point loss in Alabama today? Top 7 or 8 still for sure. No reason to penalize Boise more. Especially when he made that field goal.
I think I need to return that sweatshirt tomorrow. I feel sick.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving week predictions
Thursday
#14 Texas A&M @ Texas - The Aggies are still hanging onto slim Big 12 title hopes while it's Texas who must win to go bowling. But this Longhorn team is a disgrace. They don't deserve to even sniff a bowl bid, not for all the Florida Atlantic and Wyoming blowouts in the world. Aggs roll.
Friday
Arizona @ #1 Oregon - Sorry, but no. Ducks will roll and put up plenty of points along the way.
#3 Auburn @ #10 Alabama - I've been on the Auburn bandwagon all year. I started it, that and the Cam Newton lovefest, and I've been undercutting the Tide all year too. But the BCS was meant for chaos, and Bama is simply a different team at home where they have allowed under 7 ppg this year. I hate that everyone else is picking this too, but I've been saying it for awhile now and I'm sticking with it. Auburn's defense isn't good enough to win a title, and Mark Ingram is the only actual Heisman winner on this field. I love Ingram to have a monster game, and I'm going Roll Tide on this one.
#2 Boise St @ #17 Nevada - Make no mistake about it, this is a real road test for the Broncos. Nevada is good, and Colin Kaepernick has given them trouble over the years. I think Nevada hangs close or even has a halftime lead, but Boise responds one more time and wins by a couple scores. Do they get enough style points in so doing while TCU is running up the score on New Mexico? I dunno but this is getting ridiculous. If Auburn really does go down early on Friday and leaves the door open, things are going to get crazy, and Boise will be playing with the pressure no small school has ever had on them before.
Colorado @ #15 Nebraska - These are two teams going in opposite directions.. and not what you'd think. Nebraska has barely survived recent Big 12 patsies and scored just six last week, while the Dan Hawkins-less Buffs are averaging 41 ppg over their last three. The Big 12 hates Nebraska and would love nothing more than to shut them out of the Big 12 title game and send Colorado bowling. Colo has been absolutely terrible on the road this year, but I'm going with the heart on this one and picking the giant upset.
#20 West Va @ Pitt - Can't believe one of these two teams is probably going to the BCS for a big bowl instead of someone like Stanford or Alabama. Give me a break. At least they'll meet an ACC team there so I can tune out again. Anyway WVa upon a closer look just hasn't really done that much. A win here could open up the door for a potential UConn BCS berth which would be awesome, but I like Pitt at home.
Saturday
#16 Oklahoma @ #8 Oklahoma St - Expect plenty of passing in this one. OU has a slightly better defense but hasnt been great on the road, giving up over 30 ppg. The Cowboys appear legit to me, and this could be a coming out party and farewell for Kendall Hunter to the nation. I've backed Okie St all year and I'm not changing now.
#9 LSU @ #11 Arkansas - The winner keeps slim BCS hopes alive, though much slimmer if Bama does indeed beat Auburn. I don't think either of these teams heads to the BCS, but I have loved what I've seen from Arkansas all season and this team basically doesn't lose in Little Rock. I like the Hogs and a Happy Thanksgiving for Paulus.
#18 Mich St @ Penn St - This shouldn't come as a huge shocker considering I've ranked Sparty so low with only one loss, but I'm not a fan. I like JoePa to finish off this boring Cinderella story where the clock struck midnight on my interest about two months ago.
#25 Oregon St @ #5 Stanford - The Cardinal have been rolling and taking names, and I don't think they slow down too much here at home. Look for another big win and a great 11-1 season while they await what would almost certainly seem to be a BCS destiny.
Michigan @ #7 Ohio St - Sorry Big Blue, not happening, not under Rich Rod.
Florida @ #22 Florida St - This Gator team simply hasn't been very good against legit opponents, and I'm going to count FSU as that. Noles win.
#21 NC State @ Maryland - A win here sends the Wolfpack to the ACC title game for the first time in quite awhile, and I like them to beat the surprisingly solid Terps on the road here.
#19 South Carolina @ Clemson - This is one of the more ugly rivalries out there. This one will be fun but ugly to watch and you never know what you'll get from SC this year, but I'll pick them.
Georgia Tech @ Georgia - These Bulldogs deserve to go bowling, and they will. They are the anti Texas at 5-6, and GT isn't the same without Nesbitt under center.
Notre Dame @ USC - Which team is less interesting this year? Hard to say. I don't even care who wins this. I'm not picking someone, so there.
#14 Texas A&M @ Texas - The Aggies are still hanging onto slim Big 12 title hopes while it's Texas who must win to go bowling. But this Longhorn team is a disgrace. They don't deserve to even sniff a bowl bid, not for all the Florida Atlantic and Wyoming blowouts in the world. Aggs roll.
Friday
Arizona @ #1 Oregon - Sorry, but no. Ducks will roll and put up plenty of points along the way.
#3 Auburn @ #10 Alabama - I've been on the Auburn bandwagon all year. I started it, that and the Cam Newton lovefest, and I've been undercutting the Tide all year too. But the BCS was meant for chaos, and Bama is simply a different team at home where they have allowed under 7 ppg this year. I hate that everyone else is picking this too, but I've been saying it for awhile now and I'm sticking with it. Auburn's defense isn't good enough to win a title, and Mark Ingram is the only actual Heisman winner on this field. I love Ingram to have a monster game, and I'm going Roll Tide on this one.
#2 Boise St @ #17 Nevada - Make no mistake about it, this is a real road test for the Broncos. Nevada is good, and Colin Kaepernick has given them trouble over the years. I think Nevada hangs close or even has a halftime lead, but Boise responds one more time and wins by a couple scores. Do they get enough style points in so doing while TCU is running up the score on New Mexico? I dunno but this is getting ridiculous. If Auburn really does go down early on Friday and leaves the door open, things are going to get crazy, and Boise will be playing with the pressure no small school has ever had on them before.
Colorado @ #15 Nebraska - These are two teams going in opposite directions.. and not what you'd think. Nebraska has barely survived recent Big 12 patsies and scored just six last week, while the Dan Hawkins-less Buffs are averaging 41 ppg over their last three. The Big 12 hates Nebraska and would love nothing more than to shut them out of the Big 12 title game and send Colorado bowling. Colo has been absolutely terrible on the road this year, but I'm going with the heart on this one and picking the giant upset.
#20 West Va @ Pitt - Can't believe one of these two teams is probably going to the BCS for a big bowl instead of someone like Stanford or Alabama. Give me a break. At least they'll meet an ACC team there so I can tune out again. Anyway WVa upon a closer look just hasn't really done that much. A win here could open up the door for a potential UConn BCS berth which would be awesome, but I like Pitt at home.
Saturday
#16 Oklahoma @ #8 Oklahoma St - Expect plenty of passing in this one. OU has a slightly better defense but hasnt been great on the road, giving up over 30 ppg. The Cowboys appear legit to me, and this could be a coming out party and farewell for Kendall Hunter to the nation. I've backed Okie St all year and I'm not changing now.
#9 LSU @ #11 Arkansas - The winner keeps slim BCS hopes alive, though much slimmer if Bama does indeed beat Auburn. I don't think either of these teams heads to the BCS, but I have loved what I've seen from Arkansas all season and this team basically doesn't lose in Little Rock. I like the Hogs and a Happy Thanksgiving for Paulus.
#18 Mich St @ Penn St - This shouldn't come as a huge shocker considering I've ranked Sparty so low with only one loss, but I'm not a fan. I like JoePa to finish off this boring Cinderella story where the clock struck midnight on my interest about two months ago.
#25 Oregon St @ #5 Stanford - The Cardinal have been rolling and taking names, and I don't think they slow down too much here at home. Look for another big win and a great 11-1 season while they await what would almost certainly seem to be a BCS destiny.
Michigan @ #7 Ohio St - Sorry Big Blue, not happening, not under Rich Rod.
Florida @ #22 Florida St - This Gator team simply hasn't been very good against legit opponents, and I'm going to count FSU as that. Noles win.
#21 NC State @ Maryland - A win here sends the Wolfpack to the ACC title game for the first time in quite awhile, and I like them to beat the surprisingly solid Terps on the road here.
#19 South Carolina @ Clemson - This is one of the more ugly rivalries out there. This one will be fun but ugly to watch and you never know what you'll get from SC this year, but I'll pick them.
Georgia Tech @ Georgia - These Bulldogs deserve to go bowling, and they will. They are the anti Texas at 5-6, and GT isn't the same without Nesbitt under center.
Notre Dame @ USC - Which team is less interesting this year? Hard to say. I don't even care who wins this. I'm not picking someone, so there.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Nov 21st
Well I'm a little late on this one. Better late than never though. A shorter version this time with not a ton of changes needed:
1. Oregon (1)
2. Boise St (3)
3. Auburn (2)
4. TCU (4)
5. Stanford (5) - Awfully impressive Cal beatdown, especially in The Game, especially a week after Cal basically beat the #1 Ducks.
6. Wisconsin (6) - Apparently a three-way Big 10 tie actually goes to BCS standings, which means Wisky is in good shape... so long as OSU doesnt lose and leave them stuck losing their H2H tie to Mich St. What a mess.
7. Ohio St (8) - All they need is a home Wisconsin loss to Dan Persa-less Northwestern. Not
happening. Starting to look likely this team could sit out the BCS this year just by default of having been there too often and everyone getting bored.
8. Oklahoma St (9) - A chance to earn their spot this week against OU, but the Nebraska loss last week hurts them and probably costs any shot of a long shot BCS title game berth.
9. LSU (7)
10. Alabama (11)
11. Arkansas (12)
12. Virginia Tech (15) - I think they'd win and be favored against any team ranked below. So there.
13. Missouri (14)
14. Texas A&M (20)
15. Nebraska (10)
16. Oklahoma (16)
17. Nevada (17)
18. Michigan St (13) - Yeah you're darn right I went there.
19. South Carolina (18)
20. West Virginia (22)
21. NC State (NR)
22. Florida State (NR)
23. Utah (NR)
24. Navy (NR) - Three losses by only 12 combined points. How high could an unbeaten Navy squad have climbed? We'll never know. They haven't beat anyone yet who will definitely finish over .500, so probably not too high. Maaaaybe lower top 10. Doubtful.
25. Oregon St (NR) - A pity vote for the poor Beavers, who have already faced 2 of my top 5 teams (Boise and TCU) and get 2 more of them (@Stanford, Oregon) to finish out their season. Now *that* is a schedule. This poor squad, Jacquizz Rodgers and all, is 5-5 and has to WIN one of those two games to even make a bowl appearance. But Mike Riley always gets his team up for one big upset each year. Don't be shocked to see Oregon St in both of these final games and wrapping up the upset still in one of them.
1. Oregon (1)
2. Boise St (3)
3. Auburn (2)
4. TCU (4)
5. Stanford (5) - Awfully impressive Cal beatdown, especially in The Game, especially a week after Cal basically beat the #1 Ducks.
6. Wisconsin (6) - Apparently a three-way Big 10 tie actually goes to BCS standings, which means Wisky is in good shape... so long as OSU doesnt lose and leave them stuck losing their H2H tie to Mich St. What a mess.
7. Ohio St (8) - All they need is a home Wisconsin loss to Dan Persa-less Northwestern. Not
happening. Starting to look likely this team could sit out the BCS this year just by default of having been there too often and everyone getting bored.
8. Oklahoma St (9) - A chance to earn their spot this week against OU, but the Nebraska loss last week hurts them and probably costs any shot of a long shot BCS title game berth.
9. LSU (7)
10. Alabama (11)
11. Arkansas (12)
12. Virginia Tech (15) - I think they'd win and be favored against any team ranked below. So there.
13. Missouri (14)
14. Texas A&M (20)
15. Nebraska (10)
16. Oklahoma (16)
17. Nevada (17)
18. Michigan St (13) - Yeah you're darn right I went there.
19. South Carolina (18)
20. West Virginia (22)
21. NC State (NR)
22. Florida State (NR)
23. Utah (NR)
24. Navy (NR) - Three losses by only 12 combined points. How high could an unbeaten Navy squad have climbed? We'll never know. They haven't beat anyone yet who will definitely finish over .500, so probably not too high. Maaaaybe lower top 10. Doubtful.
25. Oregon St (NR) - A pity vote for the poor Beavers, who have already faced 2 of my top 5 teams (Boise and TCU) and get 2 more of them (@Stanford, Oregon) to finish out their season. Now *that* is a schedule. This poor squad, Jacquizz Rodgers and all, is 5-5 and has to WIN one of those two games to even make a bowl appearance. But Mike Riley always gets his team up for one big upset each year. Don't be shocked to see Oregon St in both of these final games and wrapping up the upset still in one of them.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Nov 20th predictions
ACC - I like #15 Va Tech on the road against a banged up Miami squad, and I think they survive in a very good game and get the win. I've got NC State falling on the road early in the day against UNC setting up tonight's FSU-Maryland showdown for a spot in the ACC title game. Home just isn't enough, and Florida State is still a far more talented team. Looks like we'll have Va Tech and FSU heading to the ACC title game.
Big 12 - I don't like #16 Oklahoma on the road, but I've lost my faith in Baylor and I do think OU will find a way to win... this time. Then you also have a more important game than you think with #10 Nebraska travelling to #20 Texas A&M who has been incredibly hot the last few games. I think the Black Shirts slow down the Ryan Tannehill momentum and keep their run game moving, and I think they get a big road win to put themselves back on the map a bit and keep slim title hopes alive.
Big 10 - I'm not going to pick a winner in the Illinois-Northwestern game at Wrigley Field, but I do want to point out how utterly embarassing that whole thing has to be for everyone involved. Really, you planned this years in advance and weren't smart enough to get the engineering right? Can we have a schoolyard pick'em draft before the game to choose sides? I'm so confused. As for the game that actually matters, that would be #8 Ohio State travelling to #21 Iowa and I can freely admit I have given up whatever personal hope I still had in the Buckeyes team. They're very talented but they can't win when the chips are on the line. They're way better at home, but OSU is one of the most dominant teams in the country and one that people just aren't talking about, and I think that may change a bit today. I'd love to pretend like Wisconsin could be due for a letdown after 83 points, but not at Michigan, not today.
Indep - Notre Dame is 5-5 with today's spectacle at Yankee Stadium against Army left before a road trip to USC, who I'm sure would love nothing more than to end the Irish season short of a bowl. That makes today a bowl game, and a pretty epic and memorable game between the two squads. For all the injuries and everything that's gone on with the team and school, going to a 6-6 bowl game just doesn't sound so bad for Notre Dame this year. I think they play inspired, and I think they get this one.
MWC - I think we all know by now how I feel about #... oh wait I dont even rank them anymore, Utah Utes. They were media darlings and a top five team just two weeks ago right now, but that was before losing 75-10 in these last two. I think the bleeding continues today on the road against a team that almost took down TCU last week and one I still rank, #23 San Diego St. I like the Aztecs to win this one with relative ease and officially end the meaningfulness of TCU's big win over Utah. That combined with another Boise spanking (a home game, sure, but 51-0 against an always good well coached Fresno St squad, just ridiculous) may move Boise ahead of TCU for good in the polls.
Pac 10 - There's just one big game out west today, but it's The Game with Stanford taking on forever rival Cal. I do believe the Cardinal struggle, but they'll hardly overlook this big game, and Cal has to be crushed after what they did to Oregon last week and couldn't finish the job. I like Stanford to keep their Rose hopes alive with the win.
SEC - Here we have just our third matchup of ranked teams, with #12 Arkansas travelling to face barely ranked #24 Miss State. The Bulldogs have done well this season and still have that big win against Florida, but it's starting to look like a good 7 or 8 win season with one "marquee" win instead of real contenders ehre. They're tough at home, but I don't think they've played a passing offense quite like this one. I don't have a real big upset pick of the day, and this seems like the most likely highly ranked team to fall, but I just think Arkansas is playing too well and is one of the hottest teams in the nation right now. A win would set up a fantastic Black Friday showdown with LSU, a fitting appetizer to the incredible Iron Bowl later that day. Yes please.
Overall, a very weak slate of games and I didnt even pick any big upsets but I don't care because I'll be travelling all day HEADING TO MINNEAPOLIS FOR THE VIKINGS-PACKERS FAVREPALOOZA TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:)
Big 12 - I don't like #16 Oklahoma on the road, but I've lost my faith in Baylor and I do think OU will find a way to win... this time. Then you also have a more important game than you think with #10 Nebraska travelling to #20 Texas A&M who has been incredibly hot the last few games. I think the Black Shirts slow down the Ryan Tannehill momentum and keep their run game moving, and I think they get a big road win to put themselves back on the map a bit and keep slim title hopes alive.
Big 10 - I'm not going to pick a winner in the Illinois-Northwestern game at Wrigley Field, but I do want to point out how utterly embarassing that whole thing has to be for everyone involved. Really, you planned this years in advance and weren't smart enough to get the engineering right? Can we have a schoolyard pick'em draft before the game to choose sides? I'm so confused. As for the game that actually matters, that would be #8 Ohio State travelling to #21 Iowa and I can freely admit I have given up whatever personal hope I still had in the Buckeyes team. They're very talented but they can't win when the chips are on the line. They're way better at home, but OSU is one of the most dominant teams in the country and one that people just aren't talking about, and I think that may change a bit today. I'd love to pretend like Wisconsin could be due for a letdown after 83 points, but not at Michigan, not today.
Indep - Notre Dame is 5-5 with today's spectacle at Yankee Stadium against Army left before a road trip to USC, who I'm sure would love nothing more than to end the Irish season short of a bowl. That makes today a bowl game, and a pretty epic and memorable game between the two squads. For all the injuries and everything that's gone on with the team and school, going to a 6-6 bowl game just doesn't sound so bad for Notre Dame this year. I think they play inspired, and I think they get this one.
MWC - I think we all know by now how I feel about #... oh wait I dont even rank them anymore, Utah Utes. They were media darlings and a top five team just two weeks ago right now, but that was before losing 75-10 in these last two. I think the bleeding continues today on the road against a team that almost took down TCU last week and one I still rank, #23 San Diego St. I like the Aztecs to win this one with relative ease and officially end the meaningfulness of TCU's big win over Utah. That combined with another Boise spanking (a home game, sure, but 51-0 against an always good well coached Fresno St squad, just ridiculous) may move Boise ahead of TCU for good in the polls.
Pac 10 - There's just one big game out west today, but it's The Game with Stanford taking on forever rival Cal. I do believe the Cardinal struggle, but they'll hardly overlook this big game, and Cal has to be crushed after what they did to Oregon last week and couldn't finish the job. I like Stanford to keep their Rose hopes alive with the win.
SEC - Here we have just our third matchup of ranked teams, with #12 Arkansas travelling to face barely ranked #24 Miss State. The Bulldogs have done well this season and still have that big win against Florida, but it's starting to look like a good 7 or 8 win season with one "marquee" win instead of real contenders ehre. They're tough at home, but I don't think they've played a passing offense quite like this one. I don't have a real big upset pick of the day, and this seems like the most likely highly ranked team to fall, but I just think Arkansas is playing too well and is one of the hottest teams in the nation right now. A win would set up a fantastic Black Friday showdown with LSU, a fitting appetizer to the incredible Iron Bowl later that day. Yes please.
Overall, a very weak slate of games and I didnt even pick any big upsets but I don't care because I'll be travelling all day HEADING TO MINNEAPOLIS FOR THE VIKINGS-PACKERS FAVREPALOOZA TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Nov 14th
1. Oregon 10-0 (1) - Not impressive in victory, but sometimes you just gotta take the W however you can get it.
2. Auburn 11-0 (3) - They just keep pulling away in second halves. Now the big question - as good as they've been so far, does a loss to Bama or SC keep them out of a BCS berth in favor of a team like Wisconsin or Ohio St who lost much earlier in the season?
3. Boise St 9-0 (4) - The Broncos pass the eye test. They look like a man among boys as an entire team. Yesterday could've been better, had UO or Auburn gone down, but it was otherwise pretty great as Nevada won to provide what may be a marquee matchup alive while TCU had the double whammy.
4. TCU 11-0 (2) - This was the day TCU simply couldn't afford to have. They didn't pass the eye test, struggling to put away San Diego St with 35 points allowed (more than the last month combined), and Utah got demolished by a weak Notre Dame team and basically left TCU without any real marquee win for the year. Ouch. We'll see what the computers think. If Boise is even close, they should have enough left to pass TCU.
5. Stanford 9-1 (6) - The Cardinal still have work to do, but with another impressive win in the books, they move into my top 1-loss team spot. I don't think they're in a national title hunt but they will have a great shot at the Rose Bowl spot if Oregon vacates it for the title game.
6. Wisconsin 9-1 (7) - I don't care who you play, 83 points is ridiculous, and without their best offensive player John Clay too. Today's a day to be grateful that the Big 10 has cannibalized itself with its top teams. They may eat up a BCS at-large spot, but they won't annoy us with another 20 point loss in a title game.
7. LSU 9-1 (5) - Tough to win in a 50+ point shutout and drop two spots, but schedule a real team and maybe I'll care.
8. Ohio St 9-1 (8) - The Suckeyes continue to roll. They'd need both Wisconsin and MSU to lose in order to actually win the conference at this point, but more importantly is a tough road game in Iowa this weekend.
9. Oklahoma St 9-1 (10) - The Pokes dominated at Texas, but that is starting to feel like a recurring theme. Still they're top 3 in the nation in passing offense and points, and they now get a Kansas tuneup before a huge showdown against their rivals.
10. Nebraska 9-1 (9) - Not a lot of style points lately for the Huskers, where Taylor Martinez seems to have lost his early season magic. Still plenty of Ws though, and Nebraska appears set up to face one of the Oklahoma teams in the Big XII title game.
11. Alabama 8-2 (13) - Solid if unspectacular home win against a solid if unspectacular Miss St squad.
12. Arkansas 8-2 (14) - Another very impressive win the the Hogs, who still keep a very longshot hope at a BCS berth.
13. Michigan St 9-1 (12) - Sparty is still rolling. That crushing loss to Iowa looks a bit worse, but ironically that Iowa loss this week has opened the Big 10 door for MSU. They now control their fate and will win the conference if they can win the final two games.
14. Missouri 8-2 (15) - Impressive home win against K State.
15. Virginia Tech 8-2 (21) - Yeah you're darn right I'm putting them in the top 15. VT is two last second finishes away from 10-0, no matter who those losses are to. Win in Miami this weekend and it will be a 9 game win streak and a spot in the ACC title game.
16. Oklahoma 8-2 (16) - Yeah sure another 40 point win at home, but what can they do on the road? We'll find out at Baylor and Okie State these last two weeks. It could still be a BCS game and a great season, or it could get ugly quickly.
17. Nevada 9-1 (19) - Whew. Survived against Fresno St and a pretty strong year overall now. They'll provide a top 15 matchup for Boise yet.
18. South Carolina 7-3 (NR) - Welcome back. This team is schizo. They have huge dominating wins against Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, but then a few bad losses too. Can these guys beat Auburn in the SEC title? They can beat them, and they could dominate them.
19. USC 7-3 (NR) - Very nice road victory, and the Trojans can still finish with a really nice season and maybe even a shot at a top 10 ranking.
20. Texas A&M (NR) - Decided to wait on ranking the Aggies last week, and I'm ready now after that impressive victory at Baylor. These guys have three good losses and they now have impressive back to back wins over Oklahoma and at Baylor and are one of the hotter teams in the nation under new QB Ryan Tannehill with Nebraska coming to town.
21. Iowa 7-3 (11) - I knew that Northwestern trip could be a trap game, but this is still a team that is a handful of plays from a magical season and I still think they're going to beat Ohio St at home this weekend.
22. West Virginia 6-3 (NR) - *shrug*
23. San Diego St 7-3 (23) - Can't blame them for a 5 point road loss to an unbeaten top five team, can you? I like them over Utah, and I think they've done more at this point.
24. Miss St 7-3 (20) - No impressive wins, but they're only losing the games thought ought to. That makes this weekend interesting with Arkansas coming to visit.
25. Arizona 7-3 (18) - I don't know why they're still ranked. They won't be after they go to Oregon next week.
2. Auburn 11-0 (3) - They just keep pulling away in second halves. Now the big question - as good as they've been so far, does a loss to Bama or SC keep them out of a BCS berth in favor of a team like Wisconsin or Ohio St who lost much earlier in the season?
3. Boise St 9-0 (4) - The Broncos pass the eye test. They look like a man among boys as an entire team. Yesterday could've been better, had UO or Auburn gone down, but it was otherwise pretty great as Nevada won to provide what may be a marquee matchup alive while TCU had the double whammy.
4. TCU 11-0 (2) - This was the day TCU simply couldn't afford to have. They didn't pass the eye test, struggling to put away San Diego St with 35 points allowed (more than the last month combined), and Utah got demolished by a weak Notre Dame team and basically left TCU without any real marquee win for the year. Ouch. We'll see what the computers think. If Boise is even close, they should have enough left to pass TCU.
5. Stanford 9-1 (6) - The Cardinal still have work to do, but with another impressive win in the books, they move into my top 1-loss team spot. I don't think they're in a national title hunt but they will have a great shot at the Rose Bowl spot if Oregon vacates it for the title game.
6. Wisconsin 9-1 (7) - I don't care who you play, 83 points is ridiculous, and without their best offensive player John Clay too. Today's a day to be grateful that the Big 10 has cannibalized itself with its top teams. They may eat up a BCS at-large spot, but they won't annoy us with another 20 point loss in a title game.
7. LSU 9-1 (5) - Tough to win in a 50+ point shutout and drop two spots, but schedule a real team and maybe I'll care.
8. Ohio St 9-1 (8) - The Suckeyes continue to roll. They'd need both Wisconsin and MSU to lose in order to actually win the conference at this point, but more importantly is a tough road game in Iowa this weekend.
9. Oklahoma St 9-1 (10) - The Pokes dominated at Texas, but that is starting to feel like a recurring theme. Still they're top 3 in the nation in passing offense and points, and they now get a Kansas tuneup before a huge showdown against their rivals.
10. Nebraska 9-1 (9) - Not a lot of style points lately for the Huskers, where Taylor Martinez seems to have lost his early season magic. Still plenty of Ws though, and Nebraska appears set up to face one of the Oklahoma teams in the Big XII title game.
11. Alabama 8-2 (13) - Solid if unspectacular home win against a solid if unspectacular Miss St squad.
12. Arkansas 8-2 (14) - Another very impressive win the the Hogs, who still keep a very longshot hope at a BCS berth.
13. Michigan St 9-1 (12) - Sparty is still rolling. That crushing loss to Iowa looks a bit worse, but ironically that Iowa loss this week has opened the Big 10 door for MSU. They now control their fate and will win the conference if they can win the final two games.
14. Missouri 8-2 (15) - Impressive home win against K State.
15. Virginia Tech 8-2 (21) - Yeah you're darn right I'm putting them in the top 15. VT is two last second finishes away from 10-0, no matter who those losses are to. Win in Miami this weekend and it will be a 9 game win streak and a spot in the ACC title game.
16. Oklahoma 8-2 (16) - Yeah sure another 40 point win at home, but what can they do on the road? We'll find out at Baylor and Okie State these last two weeks. It could still be a BCS game and a great season, or it could get ugly quickly.
17. Nevada 9-1 (19) - Whew. Survived against Fresno St and a pretty strong year overall now. They'll provide a top 15 matchup for Boise yet.
18. South Carolina 7-3 (NR) - Welcome back. This team is schizo. They have huge dominating wins against Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, but then a few bad losses too. Can these guys beat Auburn in the SEC title? They can beat them, and they could dominate them.
19. USC 7-3 (NR) - Very nice road victory, and the Trojans can still finish with a really nice season and maybe even a shot at a top 10 ranking.
20. Texas A&M (NR) - Decided to wait on ranking the Aggies last week, and I'm ready now after that impressive victory at Baylor. These guys have three good losses and they now have impressive back to back wins over Oklahoma and at Baylor and are one of the hotter teams in the nation under new QB Ryan Tannehill with Nebraska coming to town.
21. Iowa 7-3 (11) - I knew that Northwestern trip could be a trap game, but this is still a team that is a handful of plays from a magical season and I still think they're going to beat Ohio St at home this weekend.
22. West Virginia 6-3 (NR) - *shrug*
23. San Diego St 7-3 (23) - Can't blame them for a 5 point road loss to an unbeaten top five team, can you? I like them over Utah, and I think they've done more at this point.
24. Miss St 7-3 (20) - No impressive wins, but they're only losing the games thought ought to. That makes this weekend interesting with Arkansas coming to visit.
25. Arizona 7-3 (18) - I don't know why they're still ranked. They won't be after they go to Oregon next week.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Nov 13th predictions
Pretty weak day of college football overall tomorrow.
Somehow, GameDay decided that going to Columbus for Penn State @ Ohio State would be a really terrific idea even though the Buckeyes will win by at least 3 scores. That should prove my point just fine. Iowa needs to be careful on the road in Northwestern, where the Wildcats always seem to get one big win each year, but I like the Hawkeyes to survive and set up a Buck/Hawk showdown next week for a potential Big 10 title.
I like TCU and Utah to both take care of business against #23 SD State and Notre Dame, and sadly the Irish are by far the worst of those four teams.
The ACC (sadly) has some of our better action tomorrow. There are three matchups of teams all at .500 or better in conference, so tomorrow will go a long way toward determining which team gets to steal a spot from someone far more deserving at BCS bid time. Clemson goes to FSU for the Artist Formerly Known as the Bowden Bowl. I love the Noles in that one. Miami @ GT should be an interesting one, and with both QBs out I think it hurts Tech more. I'll take Miami. One of the best games of the day should be at UNC where Va Tech comes to town, both teams starting out awful in September but playing some really good football now. Logic says take the home team in a tight game, but I just think VT is the better squad and wins a nail biter.
Tomorrow is a big day for Boise St really. And they play their game today and should win by 40. But tomorrow they see that tough VT road game and also in their own conference #19 Nevada hits the road to Fresno St, an underrated but always tough opponent. Boise desperately needs VT and Nev as strong as possible to give them any shot at a title. I like the Wolfpack to survive this one as many lone wolves continue to form together a Wolfpack of lone wolves.
Some interesting games in the Big 12 as well. KSt at Mizzou will not be one of them; Tigers roll. Oklahoma St travels to Texas in a game that's pretty interesting for both teams. Okie St is in line for its first ever BCS trip and is still a longshot title contender. Meanwhile Texas has lost four of five, somehow beating Nebraska on the road in that span, and a loss in this game would leave them 4-6 and needing to win out just to make the CrappityCrap.Com Bowl. Still I think the Cowboys score too much for Texas to keep up. An underrated great game on Saturday, especially if you like the points, will happen in west Texas when A&M travels to Baylor. I wouldn't be shocked to see each team put up 50 points in this one. I still believe in the Bears so I'll take em.
There are a pair of SEC games tomorrow pitting nationall ranked teams. I don't think that makes them good games. SC shouldn't be ranked anymore and they won't be after they lose in Florida tomorrow. And Miss St has had a nice under the radar year for Dan Mullen, but they're going to get dumped pretty bad when they hit the road to face a pissed Alabama team that is still really good at home. Roll Tide. The best game of the day is one you might not expect - Georgia hitting the road to take on #3 Auburn, where the Tigers are a win away from wrapping up a surprising SEC west title and are getting ready for the historic Iron Bowl in a few weeks while the Bulldogs have had a disappointing 5-5 year and could actually miss a bowl game. But as Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend!! Auburn's defense has not been great by any stretch, and Georgia has scored 43 ppg over their last five. I think all this fuss catches up a bit with Newton and he has a pretty average day, I like the Dawgs to put up plenty of points, and I'm picking Georgia to hit the road and stun Auburn with a win.
The day's best action will be out west though, out in the Pac 10, where I smell upset city. First of all, I am feeling a USC road upset at Arizona as the Wildcats slowly start to slip out of relevancy for the season and the Trojans have played tough all year. But the two more important games are with my #1 Oregon and my #6 Stanford both hitting the road to take on Cal and Arizona St respectively. Neither of those teams is great... and that's precisely the problem. It's a Pac 10 trap week, where both these teams are good, fighting for bowls, and even better at home. Cal is averaging 48 points a game at home and has the firepower to keep up with the Ducks. They've been truly terrible at home with three losses by a combined 11 TDs against Nevada, USC, and Oregon St. But this feels like one of those weeks where no one thinks anything big happens, and then the biggest happens. I'm going with my gut on this one. I think Stanford survives, but I'm picking #1 Oregon to go down in Cal this weekend in the upset of the season that throws the national title picture into a big tizzy.
#1 and #2 both go down on the same Saturday? TCU and Boise St are the only unbeaten teams remaining? Kellen Moore as a sudden Heisman favorite? Oh my. Let's see what happens.
Somehow, GameDay decided that going to Columbus for Penn State @ Ohio State would be a really terrific idea even though the Buckeyes will win by at least 3 scores. That should prove my point just fine. Iowa needs to be careful on the road in Northwestern, where the Wildcats always seem to get one big win each year, but I like the Hawkeyes to survive and set up a Buck/Hawk showdown next week for a potential Big 10 title.
I like TCU and Utah to both take care of business against #23 SD State and Notre Dame, and sadly the Irish are by far the worst of those four teams.
The ACC (sadly) has some of our better action tomorrow. There are three matchups of teams all at .500 or better in conference, so tomorrow will go a long way toward determining which team gets to steal a spot from someone far more deserving at BCS bid time. Clemson goes to FSU for the Artist Formerly Known as the Bowden Bowl. I love the Noles in that one. Miami @ GT should be an interesting one, and with both QBs out I think it hurts Tech more. I'll take Miami. One of the best games of the day should be at UNC where Va Tech comes to town, both teams starting out awful in September but playing some really good football now. Logic says take the home team in a tight game, but I just think VT is the better squad and wins a nail biter.
Tomorrow is a big day for Boise St really. And they play their game today and should win by 40. But tomorrow they see that tough VT road game and also in their own conference #19 Nevada hits the road to Fresno St, an underrated but always tough opponent. Boise desperately needs VT and Nev as strong as possible to give them any shot at a title. I like the Wolfpack to survive this one as many lone wolves continue to form together a Wolfpack of lone wolves.
Some interesting games in the Big 12 as well. KSt at Mizzou will not be one of them; Tigers roll. Oklahoma St travels to Texas in a game that's pretty interesting for both teams. Okie St is in line for its first ever BCS trip and is still a longshot title contender. Meanwhile Texas has lost four of five, somehow beating Nebraska on the road in that span, and a loss in this game would leave them 4-6 and needing to win out just to make the CrappityCrap.Com Bowl. Still I think the Cowboys score too much for Texas to keep up. An underrated great game on Saturday, especially if you like the points, will happen in west Texas when A&M travels to Baylor. I wouldn't be shocked to see each team put up 50 points in this one. I still believe in the Bears so I'll take em.
There are a pair of SEC games tomorrow pitting nationall ranked teams. I don't think that makes them good games. SC shouldn't be ranked anymore and they won't be after they lose in Florida tomorrow. And Miss St has had a nice under the radar year for Dan Mullen, but they're going to get dumped pretty bad when they hit the road to face a pissed Alabama team that is still really good at home. Roll Tide. The best game of the day is one you might not expect - Georgia hitting the road to take on #3 Auburn, where the Tigers are a win away from wrapping up a surprising SEC west title and are getting ready for the historic Iron Bowl in a few weeks while the Bulldogs have had a disappointing 5-5 year and could actually miss a bowl game. But as Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend!! Auburn's defense has not been great by any stretch, and Georgia has scored 43 ppg over their last five. I think all this fuss catches up a bit with Newton and he has a pretty average day, I like the Dawgs to put up plenty of points, and I'm picking Georgia to hit the road and stun Auburn with a win.
The day's best action will be out west though, out in the Pac 10, where I smell upset city. First of all, I am feeling a USC road upset at Arizona as the Wildcats slowly start to slip out of relevancy for the season and the Trojans have played tough all year. But the two more important games are with my #1 Oregon and my #6 Stanford both hitting the road to take on Cal and Arizona St respectively. Neither of those teams is great... and that's precisely the problem. It's a Pac 10 trap week, where both these teams are good, fighting for bowls, and even better at home. Cal is averaging 48 points a game at home and has the firepower to keep up with the Ducks. They've been truly terrible at home with three losses by a combined 11 TDs against Nevada, USC, and Oregon St. But this feels like one of those weeks where no one thinks anything big happens, and then the biggest happens. I'm going with my gut on this one. I think Stanford survives, but I'm picking #1 Oregon to go down in Cal this weekend in the upset of the season that throws the national title picture into a big tizzy.
#1 and #2 both go down on the same Saturday? TCU and Boise St are the only unbeaten teams remaining? Kellen Moore as a sudden Heisman favorite? Oh my. Let's see what happens.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Nov 7th
1. Oregon 9-0 (1) - Still cruising at 55 ppg, but next up is a potential trap game in Berkeley where Cal has scored 48 points a game themselves.
2. TCU 10-0 (2) - TCU responded to my rise in the rankings last week by proving my point. 47-7! On the road! Against a top 5 team!! Ridiculous. TCU has only allowed more than seven points three times the entire season. They need to avoid a letdown now with SD St coming to town.
3. Auburn 10-0 (3) - With Alabama struggling, people seem ready to put Auburn into the title game, but I still think there's trouble ahead with this very average defense. Even the home game against Georgia this week will be trouble if they don't take it seriously, and Bama is still a totally different team at home.
4. Boise St 4-0 (4) - Very impressive win against Hawaii, absolutely dominating one of the hottest passing offenses in the nation, and Boise is now 2nd in both offense and defense nationally. It's just hard to imagine that being enough. It seems like they'll need all three teams ahead of them on this list to lose. Even if Auburn and Oregon lose, which is possible, I still don't see folks letting TCU and Boise play for a national title. Is that fair? Most will say no, but I sorta get it. I don't want those two to play and then people always doubt that they were a "real" champion. I want Auburn OR Oregon to play against Boise OR TCU. Two unbeatens, one big, one small. And I tell you what, I'll take either of the little guys in both of those matchups.
5. LSU 8-1 (10) - Welcome back to relevancy, other Tigers. I didn't even think they'd hang in there against Bama, yet now they may be the top 1-loss team in the nation with only a road loss at #3 Auburn as a blemish. They are not a real title contender though - they'll need Auburn to lose both games in order to make the SEC title game, and I can't see them playing for a title without that. Right now though, that Thanksgiving game against Arkansas is all that stands in the way of a great shot at a BCS bowl. If Auburn were to lose the finale in Bama and finish 11-1, would the BCS take them coming off a loss or these other Tigers? History would say LSU.
6. Stanford 8-1 (12) - The Cardinal absolutely crushed Arizona this week but there are still three tricky games remaining. Navigating them all could send Stanford to the Rose Bowl as long as Oregon keeps winning.
7. Wisconsin 8-1 (8) - The Badgers haven't done much in the rest of their games, but the pair of wins against Iowa and Ohio State including one on the road is as good a pair of wins as anyone in the nation.
8. Ohio St 8-1 (9) - Outside of the loss in Wisconsin when everything went wrong, the Buckeyes have destroyed everyone in their path, though that hasn't been much. Even still, is this week's game against Penn St really a GameDay destination? Really??
9. Nebraska 8-1 (6) - They escaped this week and that cost them some love in my rankings, but the road wins in Okie St and K St look a little better each week and this team should still be playing in the Big XII title game for a shot at 12-1. That might make them the biggest 1-loss title threat.
10. Oklahoma St 8-1 (17) - Ok Cowboys, I'll bite. I've been enjoying the Weeden/Hunter/Blackmon ride all year. Probably not a better 3-headed offensive monster in the nation. Coming off their best win of the season against Baylor, could this team be a longshot title contender? The only loss is to Nebraska, and they'd have a shot for revenge in the Big 12 title game. Doubtful, but still.
11. Iowa 7-2 (14) - While I still like what I see from this team, they've been struggling on the road in the conference and didn't do much in nonconference. It's all on the Ohio St game in a couple of weeks.
12. Michigan St 9-1 (16) - They get to move up this week just by default I guess.
13. Alabama 7-2 (5) - Wow, didn't see that coming. This team really just can't get up for road games. Then again, they won't leave home again now until bowl season so that helps. But at this point, well out of the SEC title race and a BCS bid, they'll have to settle for the unlikely role of spoiler.
14. Arkansas 7-2 (19) - Very impressive win at SC this week, and it's easy to forget that this team is not all that far off from being undefeated. Still a real wildcard with some big games left.
15. Missouri 7-2 (11) - It's not a terrible thing to lose at Texas Tech, and the other other Tigers should win out and finish 10-2 now, but they blew their chance at a BCS game with that one.
16. Oklahoma 7-2 (15) - Two ugly looking losses on the road now in Missouri and A&M and another that should've happened at Cincy. They could still right the ship and actually control their own BCS destiny, but it could go very awry with roadies in Baylor and Okie St still too.
17. Utah 8-1 (7) - Yeah... that was embarassing. It could get a lot more embarassing soon if they struggle on the road in Notre Dame or San Diego St. It's not too outlandish to see people discounting that TCU beatdown in a few weeks if Utah gets another loss or two.
18. Arizona 7-2 (13)
19. Nevada 8-1 (NR)
20. Miss St 7-2 (22)
21. Va Tech 7-2 (21)
22. Florida 6-3 (NR)
23. San Diego St 7-2 (NR)
24. Navy 6-3 (25)
25. Central Florida 7-2 (NR)
Dropped out - South Carolina (18), Baylor (20), NC St (23), Hawaii (24), Army (25)
2. TCU 10-0 (2) - TCU responded to my rise in the rankings last week by proving my point. 47-7! On the road! Against a top 5 team!! Ridiculous. TCU has only allowed more than seven points three times the entire season. They need to avoid a letdown now with SD St coming to town.
3. Auburn 10-0 (3) - With Alabama struggling, people seem ready to put Auburn into the title game, but I still think there's trouble ahead with this very average defense. Even the home game against Georgia this week will be trouble if they don't take it seriously, and Bama is still a totally different team at home.
4. Boise St 4-0 (4) - Very impressive win against Hawaii, absolutely dominating one of the hottest passing offenses in the nation, and Boise is now 2nd in both offense and defense nationally. It's just hard to imagine that being enough. It seems like they'll need all three teams ahead of them on this list to lose. Even if Auburn and Oregon lose, which is possible, I still don't see folks letting TCU and Boise play for a national title. Is that fair? Most will say no, but I sorta get it. I don't want those two to play and then people always doubt that they were a "real" champion. I want Auburn OR Oregon to play against Boise OR TCU. Two unbeatens, one big, one small. And I tell you what, I'll take either of the little guys in both of those matchups.
5. LSU 8-1 (10) - Welcome back to relevancy, other Tigers. I didn't even think they'd hang in there against Bama, yet now they may be the top 1-loss team in the nation with only a road loss at #3 Auburn as a blemish. They are not a real title contender though - they'll need Auburn to lose both games in order to make the SEC title game, and I can't see them playing for a title without that. Right now though, that Thanksgiving game against Arkansas is all that stands in the way of a great shot at a BCS bowl. If Auburn were to lose the finale in Bama and finish 11-1, would the BCS take them coming off a loss or these other Tigers? History would say LSU.
6. Stanford 8-1 (12) - The Cardinal absolutely crushed Arizona this week but there are still three tricky games remaining. Navigating them all could send Stanford to the Rose Bowl as long as Oregon keeps winning.
7. Wisconsin 8-1 (8) - The Badgers haven't done much in the rest of their games, but the pair of wins against Iowa and Ohio State including one on the road is as good a pair of wins as anyone in the nation.
8. Ohio St 8-1 (9) - Outside of the loss in Wisconsin when everything went wrong, the Buckeyes have destroyed everyone in their path, though that hasn't been much. Even still, is this week's game against Penn St really a GameDay destination? Really??
9. Nebraska 8-1 (6) - They escaped this week and that cost them some love in my rankings, but the road wins in Okie St and K St look a little better each week and this team should still be playing in the Big XII title game for a shot at 12-1. That might make them the biggest 1-loss title threat.
10. Oklahoma St 8-1 (17) - Ok Cowboys, I'll bite. I've been enjoying the Weeden/Hunter/Blackmon ride all year. Probably not a better 3-headed offensive monster in the nation. Coming off their best win of the season against Baylor, could this team be a longshot title contender? The only loss is to Nebraska, and they'd have a shot for revenge in the Big 12 title game. Doubtful, but still.
11. Iowa 7-2 (14) - While I still like what I see from this team, they've been struggling on the road in the conference and didn't do much in nonconference. It's all on the Ohio St game in a couple of weeks.
12. Michigan St 9-1 (16) - They get to move up this week just by default I guess.
13. Alabama 7-2 (5) - Wow, didn't see that coming. This team really just can't get up for road games. Then again, they won't leave home again now until bowl season so that helps. But at this point, well out of the SEC title race and a BCS bid, they'll have to settle for the unlikely role of spoiler.
14. Arkansas 7-2 (19) - Very impressive win at SC this week, and it's easy to forget that this team is not all that far off from being undefeated. Still a real wildcard with some big games left.
15. Missouri 7-2 (11) - It's not a terrible thing to lose at Texas Tech, and the other other Tigers should win out and finish 10-2 now, but they blew their chance at a BCS game with that one.
16. Oklahoma 7-2 (15) - Two ugly looking losses on the road now in Missouri and A&M and another that should've happened at Cincy. They could still right the ship and actually control their own BCS destiny, but it could go very awry with roadies in Baylor and Okie St still too.
17. Utah 8-1 (7) - Yeah... that was embarassing. It could get a lot more embarassing soon if they struggle on the road in Notre Dame or San Diego St. It's not too outlandish to see people discounting that TCU beatdown in a few weeks if Utah gets another loss or two.
18. Arizona 7-2 (13)
19. Nevada 8-1 (NR)
20. Miss St 7-2 (22)
21. Va Tech 7-2 (21)
22. Florida 6-3 (NR)
23. San Diego St 7-2 (NR)
24. Navy 6-3 (25)
25. Central Florida 7-2 (NR)
Dropped out - South Carolina (18), Baylor (20), NC St (23), Hawaii (24), Army (25)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Oct 31st
1. Oregon 8-0 (1) - So much for doubting the Ducks. Fresh off a 53-32 road drubbing, the Ducks look unstoppable especially once the second half hits and teams are sucking wind against this offense.
2. TCU 9-0 (4) - TCU has been absolutely invincible in five home games, allowing just 5.4 ppg including a 45-10 thrashing of potential Big 12 champ Baylor that looks more impressive each week. On the road they allow a mere mortal 13 ppg, and now they hit up Utah for the last matchup of unbeatens in the regular season. Have to wonder if they'd beat Boise in last year's bowl if they would be the team getting the love.
3. Auburn 9-0 (2) - Still five wins by one score and they haven't actually dominated a good team yet, not even Arkansas where the score was misleading. Is this defense good enough to make a stop when the game is on the line? These Tigers are great on offense, but we'll see how good their defense is against Georgia, Bama, and potentially SC or Florida. I just don't see them surviving all three unscathed.
4. Boise St 7-0 (3) - Time to start wondering if it will be TCU that beats out Boise St and gets to a national title game, and how upset the big AND little guys would be at that point. This team is top 3 in offense and defense, but before they get too overconfident, Hawaii comes to town this week and that is a heckuva passing attack to deal with. Better be careful, Boise.
5. Alabama 7-1 (7) - The Tide have really struggled on the road this year with a loss @SC and another should've been loss @Arkansas, and now they travel to face LSU's top defense this week, a defense that was shredded against Auburn and has had that bitter taste in their mouths for two weeks.
6. Nebraska 7-1 (12) - That home loss to Texas gets more embarassing every week, but they've been dominant in the rest of the games including comfortable wins at Kansas State and Oklahoma State and then this week against Missouri. The Huskers should be 11-1 heading to the Big XII title game and still have a real backdoor title shot.
7. Utah 8-0 (5) - The Utes are undefeated but five of the wins are against teams that are a combined 9-35. The other three are against three lower tier bowl teams that each scored at least 23 points. Is it possible this team is a bit overrated due to the non-BCS love out there?
8. Wisconsin 7-1 (9) - Three wins by one score but two of those are against Iowa and Ohio St, and they are in great shape to finish 11-1, but that one loss to Michigan St may haunt them. They probably need a loss by both MSU and OSU to head to the Rose Bowl.
9. Ohio St 8-1 (10) - They just have to be kicking themselves, just crushing all comers outside of the loss in Wisconsin. Perhaps the Buckeyes could still create a little Big Ten BCS controversy of their own. If they, Wisconsin, and Michigan St all win out and force a three way tie, it should be these Buckeyes heading to the Rose over a Wisconsin team that beat them head to head, and that won't sit well with folks nationwide.
10. LSU 7-1 (11) - They've been sorta forgotten in everything, but that can change in a hurry once Bama comes to town this weekend. Did they discover an offense on the off week?
11. Missouri 7-1 (6) - So they lost at Nebraska but beat Oklahoma at home. Can they rebound and win at Texas Tech this weekend? They're still in for a great 11-1 season if they can.
12. Stanford 7-1 (14) - The Cardinal don't actually have a win yet against a team that will be bowling (sorry USC) and their final four games now are against four bowl teams from the conference. Reality check time with Arizona coming to town?
13. Arizona 7-1 (15) - They still have that win over Iowa but they enter a brutal stretch now at Stanford, home USC, and then Oregon. QB Nick Foles is supposedly healthy again. He better be.
14. Iowa 6-2 (17) - They lost those two heartbreakers, but they've allowed 7 points or less in five other games including the thrashing of previously unbeaten Michigan State this weekend. However they'll still need an unlikely Wisconsin loss to have a shot at the Rose.
15. Oklahoma 7-1 (13) - Not so great on the road, exposed at Missouri and should definitely have lost at Cincy. Folks think this team has a backdoor title shot, but I'm not even sure they get past A&M, Baylor, and Okie State all on the road and make it to the Big 12 title game.
16. Michigan St 8-1 (8) - Much better.
17. Oklahoma St 7-1 (19)
18. South Carolina 6-2 (18)
19. Arkansas 6-2 (21)
20. Baylor 7-2 (24)
21. Va Tech 6-2 (23)
22. Miss State 7-2 (22)
23. NC State 6-2 (NR)
24. Hawaii 7-2 (NR) - This Hawaii team won at Army, at Fresno, and over Nevada and they are pretty legit, piling up 40 points a game. Now they take the show on the road again where they'll have a real shot at Boise St this weekend, definitely the toughest pass team Boise will face all season, where they may really miss Kyle Wilson. Danger?
25. Army/Navy 10-6 (NR) - All six losses are only by one score, and this is starting to have a real retro feel to it with the armed force teams doing so well. It's entirely possible that if these squads get past tough matchups this week, they could actually be 8-3 when they face each other in the classic.
2. TCU 9-0 (4) - TCU has been absolutely invincible in five home games, allowing just 5.4 ppg including a 45-10 thrashing of potential Big 12 champ Baylor that looks more impressive each week. On the road they allow a mere mortal 13 ppg, and now they hit up Utah for the last matchup of unbeatens in the regular season. Have to wonder if they'd beat Boise in last year's bowl if they would be the team getting the love.
3. Auburn 9-0 (2) - Still five wins by one score and they haven't actually dominated a good team yet, not even Arkansas where the score was misleading. Is this defense good enough to make a stop when the game is on the line? These Tigers are great on offense, but we'll see how good their defense is against Georgia, Bama, and potentially SC or Florida. I just don't see them surviving all three unscathed.
4. Boise St 7-0 (3) - Time to start wondering if it will be TCU that beats out Boise St and gets to a national title game, and how upset the big AND little guys would be at that point. This team is top 3 in offense and defense, but before they get too overconfident, Hawaii comes to town this week and that is a heckuva passing attack to deal with. Better be careful, Boise.
5. Alabama 7-1 (7) - The Tide have really struggled on the road this year with a loss @SC and another should've been loss @Arkansas, and now they travel to face LSU's top defense this week, a defense that was shredded against Auburn and has had that bitter taste in their mouths for two weeks.
6. Nebraska 7-1 (12) - That home loss to Texas gets more embarassing every week, but they've been dominant in the rest of the games including comfortable wins at Kansas State and Oklahoma State and then this week against Missouri. The Huskers should be 11-1 heading to the Big XII title game and still have a real backdoor title shot.
7. Utah 8-0 (5) - The Utes are undefeated but five of the wins are against teams that are a combined 9-35. The other three are against three lower tier bowl teams that each scored at least 23 points. Is it possible this team is a bit overrated due to the non-BCS love out there?
8. Wisconsin 7-1 (9) - Three wins by one score but two of those are against Iowa and Ohio St, and they are in great shape to finish 11-1, but that one loss to Michigan St may haunt them. They probably need a loss by both MSU and OSU to head to the Rose Bowl.
9. Ohio St 8-1 (10) - They just have to be kicking themselves, just crushing all comers outside of the loss in Wisconsin. Perhaps the Buckeyes could still create a little Big Ten BCS controversy of their own. If they, Wisconsin, and Michigan St all win out and force a three way tie, it should be these Buckeyes heading to the Rose over a Wisconsin team that beat them head to head, and that won't sit well with folks nationwide.
10. LSU 7-1 (11) - They've been sorta forgotten in everything, but that can change in a hurry once Bama comes to town this weekend. Did they discover an offense on the off week?
11. Missouri 7-1 (6) - So they lost at Nebraska but beat Oklahoma at home. Can they rebound and win at Texas Tech this weekend? They're still in for a great 11-1 season if they can.
12. Stanford 7-1 (14) - The Cardinal don't actually have a win yet against a team that will be bowling (sorry USC) and their final four games now are against four bowl teams from the conference. Reality check time with Arizona coming to town?
13. Arizona 7-1 (15) - They still have that win over Iowa but they enter a brutal stretch now at Stanford, home USC, and then Oregon. QB Nick Foles is supposedly healthy again. He better be.
14. Iowa 6-2 (17) - They lost those two heartbreakers, but they've allowed 7 points or less in five other games including the thrashing of previously unbeaten Michigan State this weekend. However they'll still need an unlikely Wisconsin loss to have a shot at the Rose.
15. Oklahoma 7-1 (13) - Not so great on the road, exposed at Missouri and should definitely have lost at Cincy. Folks think this team has a backdoor title shot, but I'm not even sure they get past A&M, Baylor, and Okie State all on the road and make it to the Big 12 title game.
16. Michigan St 8-1 (8) - Much better.
17. Oklahoma St 7-1 (19)
18. South Carolina 6-2 (18)
19. Arkansas 6-2 (21)
20. Baylor 7-2 (24)
21. Va Tech 6-2 (23)
22. Miss State 7-2 (22)
23. NC State 6-2 (NR)
24. Hawaii 7-2 (NR) - This Hawaii team won at Army, at Fresno, and over Nevada and they are pretty legit, piling up 40 points a game. Now they take the show on the road again where they'll have a real shot at Boise St this weekend, definitely the toughest pass team Boise will face all season, where they may really miss Kyle Wilson. Danger?
25. Army/Navy 10-6 (NR) - All six losses are only by one score, and this is starting to have a real retro feel to it with the armed force teams doing so well. It's entirely possible that if these squads get past tough matchups this week, they could actually be 8-3 when they face each other in the classic.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Oct 30th predictions
A lot of people are predicting tomorrow to be a day full of upsets and I tend to agree, though I don't really consider some of them upsets... teams lose so other teams that haven't done as much yet move up in the rankings and then it's their time to lose too. It's how it works. So let's play a little buy or sell with the big upset picks...
#2 Auburn loses at Ole Miss - SELL
Look, I get the trap road game concept and no SEC opponent is easy, but Newton is too good to not get past Ole Piss.
#1 Oregon falls at #16 USC - BUY
If you've been paying attention, I've been waiting on this for a few weeks. I really feel like this is USC's bowl game, plus they're coming off an extra week to prepare for the speed of this Oregon offense. The Ducks are better, but the Trojans take down #1.
#8 Mich St gets first loss at #17 Iowa - BUY
But it's not an upset. If I was Vegas and had to make a line for this one, I'd put Iowa as a favorite, probably by at least a TD.
#6 Mizzou gets dumped by #12 Nebraska - BUY
Again, I don't feel like this is an upset. And I like Missouri a lot too. But I like Nebraska too, and this awesome pass defense led by Prince Nakawasakamara or whatever his name is not going to let Mizzou come to town and take the Big 12 North in their last season. If I was setting a line for Vegas, I'd put Nebraska at -9.5 and I'd take the points.
So those are the big games people are talking about. Should any of these other teams be on upset watch?
#5 Utah @ Air Force - YES
Air Force is a legit team and Utah faces a mega trap game on the road that could really derail hype for next week's TCU-Utah showdown. Utah has put up killer numbers so far but has only played one even moderately good team, and they barely beat Pitt. I think AF takes them down in a close one.
#14 Stanford @ Washington - NO
Yeah, yeah, Jake Locker and all, but Washington is two points away from 1-6 and Stanford is one quarter away from a top five ranking. I love the Cardinal.
#15 Arizona @ UCLA - YES
Arizona is also a field goal away from a top five ranking, but it's been a lot more smoke and mirrors and they haven't really gone on a tough road trip yet. UCLA could win or lose this game by 21 though. I'll take the win this week.
#19 Oklahoma St @ Kansas St - YES
All world Justin Blackmon is suspended this week, and I'm worried Weeden won't be able to do much. Should be a fun game to watch great running backs, with Kendall Hunter and Daniel Thomas running up and down the field. I like the home team.
#24 Baylor @ Texas - I THINK SO
Texas is absolutely embarassing. It's the names of these two schools alone that make me pick the Longhorns to win. They've fallen pretty low, but losing at home to Baylor? Too much pride to do that.
And last but not least, the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party pitting Georgia and Florida, two teams still vying for the SEC East title and a shot to get destroyed in the SEC title game. This is always a good game and should be again. I like the Gators to win this one and right the ship after a month of losing, still on track to get their shot at Bama (or Auburn?).
Big day of games! I'm excited.
#2 Auburn loses at Ole Miss - SELL
Look, I get the trap road game concept and no SEC opponent is easy, but Newton is too good to not get past Ole Piss.
#1 Oregon falls at #16 USC - BUY
If you've been paying attention, I've been waiting on this for a few weeks. I really feel like this is USC's bowl game, plus they're coming off an extra week to prepare for the speed of this Oregon offense. The Ducks are better, but the Trojans take down #1.
#8 Mich St gets first loss at #17 Iowa - BUY
But it's not an upset. If I was Vegas and had to make a line for this one, I'd put Iowa as a favorite, probably by at least a TD.
#6 Mizzou gets dumped by #12 Nebraska - BUY
Again, I don't feel like this is an upset. And I like Missouri a lot too. But I like Nebraska too, and this awesome pass defense led by Prince Nakawasakamara or whatever his name is not going to let Mizzou come to town and take the Big 12 North in their last season. If I was setting a line for Vegas, I'd put Nebraska at -9.5 and I'd take the points.
So those are the big games people are talking about. Should any of these other teams be on upset watch?
#5 Utah @ Air Force - YES
Air Force is a legit team and Utah faces a mega trap game on the road that could really derail hype for next week's TCU-Utah showdown. Utah has put up killer numbers so far but has only played one even moderately good team, and they barely beat Pitt. I think AF takes them down in a close one.
#14 Stanford @ Washington - NO
Yeah, yeah, Jake Locker and all, but Washington is two points away from 1-6 and Stanford is one quarter away from a top five ranking. I love the Cardinal.
#15 Arizona @ UCLA - YES
Arizona is also a field goal away from a top five ranking, but it's been a lot more smoke and mirrors and they haven't really gone on a tough road trip yet. UCLA could win or lose this game by 21 though. I'll take the win this week.
#19 Oklahoma St @ Kansas St - YES
All world Justin Blackmon is suspended this week, and I'm worried Weeden won't be able to do much. Should be a fun game to watch great running backs, with Kendall Hunter and Daniel Thomas running up and down the field. I like the home team.
#24 Baylor @ Texas - I THINK SO
Texas is absolutely embarassing. It's the names of these two schools alone that make me pick the Longhorns to win. They've fallen pretty low, but losing at home to Baylor? Too much pride to do that.
And last but not least, the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party pitting Georgia and Florida, two teams still vying for the SEC East title and a shot to get destroyed in the SEC title game. This is always a good game and should be again. I like the Gators to win this one and right the ship after a month of losing, still on track to get their shot at Bama (or Auburn?).
Big day of games! I'm excited.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Oct 24th
I did these on Saturday night, just didnt have time to post yet. Off we go...
1. Oregon 7-0 (1) - How's 60 points in that first game as #1? Better enjoy it while it lasts. USC awaits in their own personal bowl game.
2. Auburn 8-0 (4) - I gave you this Tigers team weeks before the rest of the nation noticed. I wasnt right about a lot last week, but Cam Newton makes me look better and better every time he suits up. What a ridiculously talented player.
3. Boise St 6-0 (2) - I actually did some extra research, intending to write a scathing "come ON people, stop letting other teams pass Boise" note. But here's the deal. They beat Va Tech and Oregon St, good but not great wins. They beat Toledo, a likely low bowl team. But the other three teams they beat are a combined 4-19... and the 4 wins are against Toledo, the worst team in NCAA at 0-8, and two wins against the same division I-AA team. I'm not even sure if those count. So Boise has NO shot at looking good in the computers. They're relying solely on the eyeball test and enough other people losing. At this point, even the TCU-Utah victor is going to end up well ahead of Boise in the computers and threaten to knock the Broncos out of a title game, yes, the same TCU team that Boise *just beat last year*. Can we PLEASE get a playoff?!?
4. TCU 8-0 (6) - They finally allowed their first TD in a month but still thoroughly dominated a very solid Air Force team. Honestly, might be a more impressive win than anything Boise has done. Air Force is good enough to hang with VT and Oregon St, not necessarily better, but they lost 38-7. Trust me, Air Force is good, good enough to mess things up this weekend by getting a big home win over...
5. Utah 7-0 (7) - So how good does that whole putting up 68 at Iowa State a few weeks ago thing look about now? That's the same team that just dominated Texas on the road. Of course, UCLA did that too. Texas in a BCS bowl? Woops. Maybe not. Utah better be careful this week. Air Force will be ready and angry after last week's embarassment, and it is the perfect trap game with TCU looming next week.
6. Missouri 7-0 (12) - All but one win by these Tigers has been by two scores this season, including a surprisingly dominant performance against Oklahoma this weekend. Can they avoid the letdown on the road this week in a final battle against Nebraska? It certainly won't be easy. Looks like another undefeated Tigers team may fall from the unbeaten ranks soon, but if not then Mizzou could coast to 12-0 and an Oklahoma rematch in the Big XII title game.
7. Alabama 7-1 (8) - Outside of the disaster against SC, the Tide have allowed under 9 ppg, a ridiculous figure. I still feel this is the best team in the nation, and they still control their destiny. They can prove it with a statement win against LSU this week.
8. Michigan State 8-0 (10) - Still just not quite convinced. Win in Iowa this weekend and I'll finally believe. But they won't. :)
9. Wisconsin 7-1 (13) - Ok, so this team went from out of my top 25 two weeks ago to in my top ten now. Impressive back to back wins against Ohio St and Iowa will do that. Still, they've won two times this season from a missed extra point. Lucky, or just good enough?
10. Ohio State 7-1 (13) - They've been completely dominant in every game this season, as much as any team other than Oregon, except for the one game vs Wisconsin. That may haunt them, or it could cause a crazy 7-1 tie atop the Big Ten for one final crazy finish before they add a 12th team.
11. LSU 7-1 (5) - Hard to believe this defense really gave up 450 rushing yards, even to Auburn. Alabama has to be drooling this weekend. It's put up or shut up time for Les and the boys.
12. Nebraska 6-1 (15) - That loss at home to Texas is looking very ugly at this point, but Nebraska could end up being the saving grace in the Big 12. They could well beat Mizzou this weekend to knock them out, and then Oklahoma in the title game as well, and there's no way a team with a loss like that to Texas is touching a title game. This Huskers team is GOOD.
13. Oklahoma 6-1 (3) - Dominated FSU but had four one-score wins against average teams. Dominated Mizzou in yardage while the offense looked unstoppable at times, but mistakes and turnovers cost them any shot at victory. Still can't believe Bob Stoops kicked a FG down 12 with only six minutes left, and then punted from the 10 with only a few minutes left. YOU ARE THE #1 TEAM IN THE NATION AND THIS IS YOUR ONLY SHOT AT A TITLE!!! Sadly, Stoops was worried about how ugly a 12 or 20 point loss might look instead of giving his team a shot to win. I lost any respect I had left.
14. Stanford 6-1 (11)
15. Arizona 6-1 (17) - Both teams continuing to win but both could be due for a letdown soon.
16. USC 5-2 (19) - The Trojans are two last minute field goals away from 7-0 and what would've been billed as the matchup of the season with Oregon coming to town. They could've been the #1 BCS team after this week with no shot at at even a bowl game. You think they're a little upset about that? I'm telling you, Oregon. You better watch yourselves.
17. Iowa 5-2 (9)
18. South Carolina 5-2 (21)
19. Oklahoma State 6-1 (16)
20. Florida State 6-1 (18)
21. Arkansas 5-2 (23)
22. Mississippi State 6-2 (22)
23. Virginia Tech 6-2 (NR)
24. Baylor 6-2 (NR) - Congratulations on going bowling, Baylor Bears!!! Robert Griffin III, I can't wait to watch you there. I heart Baylor sports teams finally being good this year.
25. Appalachian State 7-0 (NR) - Because I think they might really be better than the other teams I didnt feel like ranking here. And because Appalachian State is hot-hot-HOT!!!
1. Oregon 7-0 (1) - How's 60 points in that first game as #1? Better enjoy it while it lasts. USC awaits in their own personal bowl game.
2. Auburn 8-0 (4) - I gave you this Tigers team weeks before the rest of the nation noticed. I wasnt right about a lot last week, but Cam Newton makes me look better and better every time he suits up. What a ridiculously talented player.
3. Boise St 6-0 (2) - I actually did some extra research, intending to write a scathing "come ON people, stop letting other teams pass Boise" note. But here's the deal. They beat Va Tech and Oregon St, good but not great wins. They beat Toledo, a likely low bowl team. But the other three teams they beat are a combined 4-19... and the 4 wins are against Toledo, the worst team in NCAA at 0-8, and two wins against the same division I-AA team. I'm not even sure if those count. So Boise has NO shot at looking good in the computers. They're relying solely on the eyeball test and enough other people losing. At this point, even the TCU-Utah victor is going to end up well ahead of Boise in the computers and threaten to knock the Broncos out of a title game, yes, the same TCU team that Boise *just beat last year*. Can we PLEASE get a playoff?!?
4. TCU 8-0 (6) - They finally allowed their first TD in a month but still thoroughly dominated a very solid Air Force team. Honestly, might be a more impressive win than anything Boise has done. Air Force is good enough to hang with VT and Oregon St, not necessarily better, but they lost 38-7. Trust me, Air Force is good, good enough to mess things up this weekend by getting a big home win over...
5. Utah 7-0 (7) - So how good does that whole putting up 68 at Iowa State a few weeks ago thing look about now? That's the same team that just dominated Texas on the road. Of course, UCLA did that too. Texas in a BCS bowl? Woops. Maybe not. Utah better be careful this week. Air Force will be ready and angry after last week's embarassment, and it is the perfect trap game with TCU looming next week.
6. Missouri 7-0 (12) - All but one win by these Tigers has been by two scores this season, including a surprisingly dominant performance against Oklahoma this weekend. Can they avoid the letdown on the road this week in a final battle against Nebraska? It certainly won't be easy. Looks like another undefeated Tigers team may fall from the unbeaten ranks soon, but if not then Mizzou could coast to 12-0 and an Oklahoma rematch in the Big XII title game.
7. Alabama 7-1 (8) - Outside of the disaster against SC, the Tide have allowed under 9 ppg, a ridiculous figure. I still feel this is the best team in the nation, and they still control their destiny. They can prove it with a statement win against LSU this week.
8. Michigan State 8-0 (10) - Still just not quite convinced. Win in Iowa this weekend and I'll finally believe. But they won't. :)
9. Wisconsin 7-1 (13) - Ok, so this team went from out of my top 25 two weeks ago to in my top ten now. Impressive back to back wins against Ohio St and Iowa will do that. Still, they've won two times this season from a missed extra point. Lucky, or just good enough?
10. Ohio State 7-1 (13) - They've been completely dominant in every game this season, as much as any team other than Oregon, except for the one game vs Wisconsin. That may haunt them, or it could cause a crazy 7-1 tie atop the Big Ten for one final crazy finish before they add a 12th team.
11. LSU 7-1 (5) - Hard to believe this defense really gave up 450 rushing yards, even to Auburn. Alabama has to be drooling this weekend. It's put up or shut up time for Les and the boys.
12. Nebraska 6-1 (15) - That loss at home to Texas is looking very ugly at this point, but Nebraska could end up being the saving grace in the Big 12. They could well beat Mizzou this weekend to knock them out, and then Oklahoma in the title game as well, and there's no way a team with a loss like that to Texas is touching a title game. This Huskers team is GOOD.
13. Oklahoma 6-1 (3) - Dominated FSU but had four one-score wins against average teams. Dominated Mizzou in yardage while the offense looked unstoppable at times, but mistakes and turnovers cost them any shot at victory. Still can't believe Bob Stoops kicked a FG down 12 with only six minutes left, and then punted from the 10 with only a few minutes left. YOU ARE THE #1 TEAM IN THE NATION AND THIS IS YOUR ONLY SHOT AT A TITLE!!! Sadly, Stoops was worried about how ugly a 12 or 20 point loss might look instead of giving his team a shot to win. I lost any respect I had left.
14. Stanford 6-1 (11)
15. Arizona 6-1 (17) - Both teams continuing to win but both could be due for a letdown soon.
16. USC 5-2 (19) - The Trojans are two last minute field goals away from 7-0 and what would've been billed as the matchup of the season with Oregon coming to town. They could've been the #1 BCS team after this week with no shot at at even a bowl game. You think they're a little upset about that? I'm telling you, Oregon. You better watch yourselves.
17. Iowa 5-2 (9)
18. South Carolina 5-2 (21)
19. Oklahoma State 6-1 (16)
20. Florida State 6-1 (18)
21. Arkansas 5-2 (23)
22. Mississippi State 6-2 (22)
23. Virginia Tech 6-2 (NR)
24. Baylor 6-2 (NR) - Congratulations on going bowling, Baylor Bears!!! Robert Griffin III, I can't wait to watch you there. I heart Baylor sports teams finally being good this year.
25. Appalachian State 7-0 (NR) - Because I think they might really be better than the other teams I didnt feel like ranking here. And because Appalachian State is hot-hot-HOT!!!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Oct 23rd predictions
Three sets of picks today. First some unranked team matchups that are interesting, then my ranked upset picks, and on to the 5 games of the day...
Could it be the changing of the guard in the C-USA today, and will anyone actually noticed? I say yes and no. June Jones has SMU ballin and they take down Houston as the new top dog. The ACC actually has some interesting games on the slate today between 4 contenders to the current FSU/VT throne, but two of them will be pretenders after today. I think we'll have a pair of field goal games. I like Miami to outlast UNC at home in what looks like it will definitely be the last Butch Bowl. I think the triple option escapes on the road as GT takes down Clemson. That offense is just so tough to crack.
I don't have Kansas State ranked (they shouldn't be even close right now), and Baylor has a shot to get their 6th win today and qualify for a bowl game for the first time in forever. I like Robert Griffin III and the Bears to get it done. I think Spurrier's boys continue to slide and drop an ugly game in Vanderbilt who will actually control their SEC destiny if they win this. I've got Michigan State at #10 with an undefeated record but still think they're pretty overrated, and even though it's become a popular upset pick, I really like Dan Persa and Northwestern to defend their turf at home and get the win. And then there's the late game between Washington and #17 Arizona that should be a great one, with both teams having several crazy late finishes. I don't have a good reason but I like JJ's Huskies to get the road upset.
#25 Notre Dame and #25 Navy (remember, I ranked the "independents" at 25 together haha) meet today in the new Giants stadium and I'm sad I have to miss this one. But I have the Irish getting a new win streak going, assuming Michael Floyd plays and is able to have a big game.
#9 Iowa takes care of business with relative ease at home against #13 Wisconsin. The real polls have that as an upset, but the Badgers are due for a big letdown after last week's big home stand against the overrated #1 Buckeyes.
I've really gone back and forth on both of the huge Big 12 games today. Between Nebraska, Ok St, Mizzou, and Oklahoma, these four teams play a big role in our national title picture moving forward. Oklahoma may well have to beat all three of those teams to make the title game, and as high as they're all ranked right now, there looks to be no way they wouldn't stay easily ahead of Boise if they survived.
I really do think #16 Oklahoma State can keep the dream alive with a home victory over #15 Nebraska. Nebraska is the better team, but they're reeling after getting embarassed by Texas and I think Bo Pelini really messed with Taylor Martinez's head by pulling him last week. Ok State has a terrible pass defense, but the run defense is stout enough to keep them close, and even Nebraska can't shut down Justin Blackmon. I like the Pokes to stay undefeated.
I'm just going with my heart on the other game and I'm picking #12 Mizzou at home against the visiting #3 (#1 in the BCS) Sooners. I really do think Oklahoma is overrated, not playing complete games yet, but they did play their one best game against their best opponent. Still Mizzou's defense has played really well and I like everything they're doing except the lack of a run game. I think the home GameDay crowd is amped and they get off to a quick start. We'll see if that is enough to outlast the Sooners.
The real game of the day has to be the Tiger Bowl at Jordan Hare though. LSU and Auburn is always a wild ride, and it seems like it almost always has some title implications. This year both teams have used smoke and mirrors to get to my top 5, and the winner today will make a strong case for my #2 spot (please, you're not passing Oregon after that Thursday night UCLA beatdown). What happens when the amazing offense meets the amazing defense? Defense usually wins. But unless LSU's defense plans on scoring a TD or two, I just don't see how LSU's pitiful offense can do enough. Les may find a way, and I have a bad feeling about this, but I'm sticking with Auburn at home for the win that propels them toward and 11-0 Iron Bowl finale against Alabama.
Happy game day!
Could it be the changing of the guard in the C-USA today, and will anyone actually noticed? I say yes and no. June Jones has SMU ballin and they take down Houston as the new top dog. The ACC actually has some interesting games on the slate today between 4 contenders to the current FSU/VT throne, but two of them will be pretenders after today. I think we'll have a pair of field goal games. I like Miami to outlast UNC at home in what looks like it will definitely be the last Butch Bowl. I think the triple option escapes on the road as GT takes down Clemson. That offense is just so tough to crack.
I don't have Kansas State ranked (they shouldn't be even close right now), and Baylor has a shot to get their 6th win today and qualify for a bowl game for the first time in forever. I like Robert Griffin III and the Bears to get it done. I think Spurrier's boys continue to slide and drop an ugly game in Vanderbilt who will actually control their SEC destiny if they win this. I've got Michigan State at #10 with an undefeated record but still think they're pretty overrated, and even though it's become a popular upset pick, I really like Dan Persa and Northwestern to defend their turf at home and get the win. And then there's the late game between Washington and #17 Arizona that should be a great one, with both teams having several crazy late finishes. I don't have a good reason but I like JJ's Huskies to get the road upset.
#25 Notre Dame and #25 Navy (remember, I ranked the "independents" at 25 together haha) meet today in the new Giants stadium and I'm sad I have to miss this one. But I have the Irish getting a new win streak going, assuming Michael Floyd plays and is able to have a big game.
#9 Iowa takes care of business with relative ease at home against #13 Wisconsin. The real polls have that as an upset, but the Badgers are due for a big letdown after last week's big home stand against the overrated #1 Buckeyes.
I've really gone back and forth on both of the huge Big 12 games today. Between Nebraska, Ok St, Mizzou, and Oklahoma, these four teams play a big role in our national title picture moving forward. Oklahoma may well have to beat all three of those teams to make the title game, and as high as they're all ranked right now, there looks to be no way they wouldn't stay easily ahead of Boise if they survived.
I really do think #16 Oklahoma State can keep the dream alive with a home victory over #15 Nebraska. Nebraska is the better team, but they're reeling after getting embarassed by Texas and I think Bo Pelini really messed with Taylor Martinez's head by pulling him last week. Ok State has a terrible pass defense, but the run defense is stout enough to keep them close, and even Nebraska can't shut down Justin Blackmon. I like the Pokes to stay undefeated.
I'm just going with my heart on the other game and I'm picking #12 Mizzou at home against the visiting #3 (#1 in the BCS) Sooners. I really do think Oklahoma is overrated, not playing complete games yet, but they did play their one best game against their best opponent. Still Mizzou's defense has played really well and I like everything they're doing except the lack of a run game. I think the home GameDay crowd is amped and they get off to a quick start. We'll see if that is enough to outlast the Sooners.
The real game of the day has to be the Tiger Bowl at Jordan Hare though. LSU and Auburn is always a wild ride, and it seems like it almost always has some title implications. This year both teams have used smoke and mirrors to get to my top 5, and the winner today will make a strong case for my #2 spot (please, you're not passing Oregon after that Thursday night UCLA beatdown). What happens when the amazing offense meets the amazing defense? Defense usually wins. But unless LSU's defense plans on scoring a TD or two, I just don't see how LSU's pitiful offense can do enough. Les may find a way, and I have a bad feeling about this, but I'm sticking with Auburn at home for the win that propels them toward and 11-0 Iron Bowl finale against Alabama.
Happy game day!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Bowl projections - Oct 18
Rose Bowl - Stanford vs Iowa
I have Oregon losing to USC in a week and then again in the Civil War game to end the season. I do think Stanford could lose again and if so then this is Oregon's spot, but I like Luck and the Cardinal to end up here. Iowa is clearly the strongest Big 10 team to me and has the best schedule by far. Easy choice.
Sugar Bowl - Auburn vs Utah
I like Auburn to win the game against LSU this weekend and head into the last weekend of the season 11-0 before losing to Alabama. Good enough to get them a surefire BCS berth though. I have them in the Sugar Bowl meeting the winner of Utah-TCU, and I give the edge right now to Utah not necessarily the better team but the home team in that game.
Fiesta Bowl - West Virginia vs Oklahoma
West Va clearly looks like the class of the Big East and I have nothing more to say about them. I tried to talk myself into someone other than Oklahoma here but I don't see them losing more than once (at either Missouri or Ok State hopefully), then beating Nebraska in the Big 12 title game finale. Tried to talk myself into Nebraska, Texas, or OK State here. Couldn't do it.
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Texas
I think the Hokies end up winning the ACC, the strongest team and on a pretty impressive win streak by then, still a definite marquee win for Boise State. And the other spot was a total question mark for me. I don't see any other one-loss teams (other than TCU) so it was choosing between two-loss teams like Texas, Ohio St, Mich St, and Oregon. Texas's losses were first so.. there ya go.
National Championship - Boise St vs Alabama
I like Boise State and Utah to finish the year undefeated but I just don't see any way they play each other for a national title. Not happening. I see people putting one-loss Alabama in the national title game after winning the SEC including a victory over top 5 undefeated Auburn to end the season, plus an SEC title as well. Boise State wins and wins the national title.... but only in theory because Utah also wins and remains undefeated, and we never actually know who the real champion was this year because Boise and Utah never got to play. :-(
THE END
I have Oregon losing to USC in a week and then again in the Civil War game to end the season. I do think Stanford could lose again and if so then this is Oregon's spot, but I like Luck and the Cardinal to end up here. Iowa is clearly the strongest Big 10 team to me and has the best schedule by far. Easy choice.
Sugar Bowl - Auburn vs Utah
I like Auburn to win the game against LSU this weekend and head into the last weekend of the season 11-0 before losing to Alabama. Good enough to get them a surefire BCS berth though. I have them in the Sugar Bowl meeting the winner of Utah-TCU, and I give the edge right now to Utah not necessarily the better team but the home team in that game.
Fiesta Bowl - West Virginia vs Oklahoma
West Va clearly looks like the class of the Big East and I have nothing more to say about them. I tried to talk myself into someone other than Oklahoma here but I don't see them losing more than once (at either Missouri or Ok State hopefully), then beating Nebraska in the Big 12 title game finale. Tried to talk myself into Nebraska, Texas, or OK State here. Couldn't do it.
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Texas
I think the Hokies end up winning the ACC, the strongest team and on a pretty impressive win streak by then, still a definite marquee win for Boise State. And the other spot was a total question mark for me. I don't see any other one-loss teams (other than TCU) so it was choosing between two-loss teams like Texas, Ohio St, Mich St, and Oregon. Texas's losses were first so.. there ya go.
National Championship - Boise St vs Alabama
I like Boise State and Utah to finish the year undefeated but I just don't see any way they play each other for a national title. Not happening. I see people putting one-loss Alabama in the national title game after winning the SEC including a victory over top 5 undefeated Auburn to end the season, plus an SEC title as well. Boise State wins and wins the national title.... but only in theory because Utah also wins and remains undefeated, and we never actually know who the real champion was this year because Boise and Utah never got to play. :-(
THE END
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Oct 17th
1. Oregon 6-0 (1) - My clear #1 at this point with all double digit wins and a video game offense, but road trips to USC and then the Civil War against Oregon State still stand in the way. Is it time to start thinking about a LaGarrette Blount helmet punch rematch for the national title?
2. Boise St 6-0 (2) - That early win over Va Tech creeps that much closer to being a big deal.
3. Oklahoma 6-0 (7) - Don't feel like this is the third best team in the nation but here by default. Better win (crushed FSU) than the other undefeated teams, but now they travel to Mizzou for a hyped GameDay crowd. Next top ranked team to fall?
4. Auburn 7-0 (6) - The Tigers continue to escape, and Cam Newton surely leads the Heisman race at this point. Will both of those trends continue with LSU coming to town? And in related news, how in the world is *that* game *not* the GameDay site next week?
5. LSU 7-0 (5) - The other Tigers couldn't even get their offense going against McNeese State. The defense is stellar but they're not going to shut Auburn totally down, so how will they score enough to stay undefeated? One of these teams cant escape the other's escape attack.
6. TCU 6-0 (9) - The Toads finally gave up three points after two shutouts and they have the #1 defense in the nation. That plus the wins over Oregon St, Baylor, and @SMU give them the edge over...
7. Utah 6-0 (8) - Only two teams in the nation are in the top 10 in both offense and defense: TCU and Oregon. They should certainly have the nation's attention on Nov 6 as the season's last matchup of unbeaten squads.
8. Alabama 6-1 (10) - The wins over Penn St, Arkansas, and Florida were all downgraded this week, and so was the loss at SC, but the Tide still control their fate. I still think if the chips were down, I'd pick Bama going to the title game to face Boise there.
9. Iowa 5-1 (12) - Not great in two road games so far but awful road opponents left. Instead it's Wisconsin and Mich St coming to visit the next two weeks, then Ohio St in a month. The road to the Rose Bowl clearly comes through the corn fields.
10. Michigan St 7-0 (14) - Can't believe Sparty is in the top 10, but the wins over Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and @Michigan are at least solid. The last hurdle to 12-0 could be @Iowa in two weeks. Would it be enough? I say no.
11. Stanford 5-1 (11) - Off week and they get jumped by a few teams. Starting to feel like that crazy last second win over USC could have big implications down the stretch.
12. Missouri 6-0 (18) - Didnt quite realize how good of defense this team has been playing, second in the nation in points allowed, but things get real when OU comes to visit this week and then it's a road trip to Nebraska after that.
13. Wisconsin 6-1 (22) - We saw it last week with SC and now with Wisconsin - beat a top ranked team and you move up a lot. But it's time for a letdown this week in Iowa, just like SC as well.
14. Ohio St 6-1 (4) - Really missed an opportunity with the loss this week. Thank God. Only other legit game left is at Iowa in a month. Time to stop paying attention.
15. Nebraska 5-1 (3) - Another team who really missed an opportunity. Shut down completely at home against Texas and now they hit the road for a tough game against...
16. Oklahoma St 6-0 (19) - Second in the nation in points, but still havent really played anyone. If they take care of Nebraska this week, I'll put their 7-0 butts in my top ten.
17. Arizona 5-1 (16) - Ready for a fall with QB Nick Foles out 2-3 weeks with injury.
18. Florida St 6-1 (17) - Looking like the class of the ACC. For whatever that's worth.
19. USC 5-2 (NR) - They're two last second field goals away from a 7-0 start that could only be disastrous in USC where they can't make a bowl this year. Now it's a week off before hosting #1 Oregon - expect this to be the Trojans' bowl game for this year. *gulp*
20. West Virginia 5-1 (21) - Class of the Big East!
21. South Carolina 5-2 (13) - Now that's the Spurrier we know and love. Still, at .500 they lead their half of the SEC right now with everyone else struggling.
22. Mississippi St 5-2 (NR) - The two losses to Auburn and LSU aren't so terrible, and how many teams actually win at Florida? Not bad, Dan Mullen. Not bad.
23. Arkansas 4-2 (15) - No great wins yet, but both losses excusable. Got screwed this week by both the refs and the Mallett injury.
24. Texas 4-2 (NR) - Impressive road domination at Nebraska, but equally unimpressive home loss against UCLA balances that out. Still, the schedule opens up and the Longhorns may not lose again this year, could even back door their way into a BCS spot.
25. Independents 12-8 (NR) - This has to be the latest in the season in a long time that Notre Dame AND Navy AND Army were all over .500. Good for our military guys.
Dropped from rankings - Michigan (20), NC State (23), Air Force (24), Nevada (25)
2. Boise St 6-0 (2) - That early win over Va Tech creeps that much closer to being a big deal.
3. Oklahoma 6-0 (7) - Don't feel like this is the third best team in the nation but here by default. Better win (crushed FSU) than the other undefeated teams, but now they travel to Mizzou for a hyped GameDay crowd. Next top ranked team to fall?
4. Auburn 7-0 (6) - The Tigers continue to escape, and Cam Newton surely leads the Heisman race at this point. Will both of those trends continue with LSU coming to town? And in related news, how in the world is *that* game *not* the GameDay site next week?
5. LSU 7-0 (5) - The other Tigers couldn't even get their offense going against McNeese State. The defense is stellar but they're not going to shut Auburn totally down, so how will they score enough to stay undefeated? One of these teams cant escape the other's escape attack.
6. TCU 6-0 (9) - The Toads finally gave up three points after two shutouts and they have the #1 defense in the nation. That plus the wins over Oregon St, Baylor, and @SMU give them the edge over...
7. Utah 6-0 (8) - Only two teams in the nation are in the top 10 in both offense and defense: TCU and Oregon. They should certainly have the nation's attention on Nov 6 as the season's last matchup of unbeaten squads.
8. Alabama 6-1 (10) - The wins over Penn St, Arkansas, and Florida were all downgraded this week, and so was the loss at SC, but the Tide still control their fate. I still think if the chips were down, I'd pick Bama going to the title game to face Boise there.
9. Iowa 5-1 (12) - Not great in two road games so far but awful road opponents left. Instead it's Wisconsin and Mich St coming to visit the next two weeks, then Ohio St in a month. The road to the Rose Bowl clearly comes through the corn fields.
10. Michigan St 7-0 (14) - Can't believe Sparty is in the top 10, but the wins over Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and @Michigan are at least solid. The last hurdle to 12-0 could be @Iowa in two weeks. Would it be enough? I say no.
11. Stanford 5-1 (11) - Off week and they get jumped by a few teams. Starting to feel like that crazy last second win over USC could have big implications down the stretch.
12. Missouri 6-0 (18) - Didnt quite realize how good of defense this team has been playing, second in the nation in points allowed, but things get real when OU comes to visit this week and then it's a road trip to Nebraska after that.
13. Wisconsin 6-1 (22) - We saw it last week with SC and now with Wisconsin - beat a top ranked team and you move up a lot. But it's time for a letdown this week in Iowa, just like SC as well.
14. Ohio St 6-1 (4) - Really missed an opportunity with the loss this week. Thank God. Only other legit game left is at Iowa in a month. Time to stop paying attention.
15. Nebraska 5-1 (3) - Another team who really missed an opportunity. Shut down completely at home against Texas and now they hit the road for a tough game against...
16. Oklahoma St 6-0 (19) - Second in the nation in points, but still havent really played anyone. If they take care of Nebraska this week, I'll put their 7-0 butts in my top ten.
17. Arizona 5-1 (16) - Ready for a fall with QB Nick Foles out 2-3 weeks with injury.
18. Florida St 6-1 (17) - Looking like the class of the ACC. For whatever that's worth.
19. USC 5-2 (NR) - They're two last second field goals away from a 7-0 start that could only be disastrous in USC where they can't make a bowl this year. Now it's a week off before hosting #1 Oregon - expect this to be the Trojans' bowl game for this year. *gulp*
20. West Virginia 5-1 (21) - Class of the Big East!
21. South Carolina 5-2 (13) - Now that's the Spurrier we know and love. Still, at .500 they lead their half of the SEC right now with everyone else struggling.
22. Mississippi St 5-2 (NR) - The two losses to Auburn and LSU aren't so terrible, and how many teams actually win at Florida? Not bad, Dan Mullen. Not bad.
23. Arkansas 4-2 (15) - No great wins yet, but both losses excusable. Got screwed this week by both the refs and the Mallett injury.
24. Texas 4-2 (NR) - Impressive road domination at Nebraska, but equally unimpressive home loss against UCLA balances that out. Still, the schedule opens up and the Longhorns may not lose again this year, could even back door their way into a BCS spot.
25. Independents 12-8 (NR) - This has to be the latest in the season in a long time that Notre Dame AND Navy AND Army were all over .500. Good for our military guys.
Dropped from rankings - Michigan (20), NC State (23), Air Force (24), Nevada (25)
NFL Week 6
While none of the NFL games really stand out other than Baltimore @ New England, this week has some games that could have some HUGE implications playoffs wise...
Baltimore @ New England - Baltimore has been GREAT on the road, and beat the Pats here last year in the playoffs. New England lost their best offensive playmaker. A recipe for an easy Ravens win? Not so fast, the Pats had the week off to prepare, and the football version of the Killer B's is not to be underestimated. I still like the Ravens in a higher scoring game than anticipated - 27-24
Dallas @ Minnesota - This game between 1 win teams feature arguably two of the more talented teams in the NFL. Which teams are we going to see? The Dallas team that rolled Houston or the one that lost to Tennessee? Are we going to see the Vikings team that was really good vs. the Jets in the second half, or the team that went to the NFC Championship game last year? Lose this game, and you're pretty much dead in the water as far as playoff hopes go. I like the Vikings in this game for the simple reason that they're the home team. 30-27
Miami @ Green Bay - Not really sure what to make of Miami. They have potential, but I don't trust them. Banged up Green Bay took a HUGE blow with the lost of Finley for the season. I think the Pack wins at home with Rodgers starting, but they need Clay Matthews back ASAP and have to find a red zone target to replace the Finley. 30-17
Atlanta @ Philly - My #3 ranked team travels to the City of Brotherly Love in a chance to prove themselves as the NFC team to beat. Philly can put themselves as the class of the NFC East with a win. I think the Falcons have the edge at QB, which is what makes the difference in this game. 20-17
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay - Who would've thought this game would be so important? The Bucs are 2nd in the NFC South, and the Saints REALLY need a win. I think Tampa is good, but not a playoff team...yet. But I still want to pick the Bucs, even though I could see Brees and the Saints coming in and blowing them out and outing them as a pretender. Takin' the Saints 24-16
Kansas City @ Houston - Never saw this game being of importance. More so for Houston than KC, but important for both teams nonetheless. KC played well in the road loss to Indy, and Houston is reeling after a huge loss to the Giants. I kind of like the Chiefs to pull out the road win and send Houston to 3-3. 17-14
Indy @ Washington - Time to see what these two teams are made of. The Colts are banged up, and Washington barely escaped with a win at home against the hurt Packers. A win for either team is huge, but I'm taking Peyton until he proves he's not good anymore. 34-24
Tennessee @ Jacksonville - The battle for the AFC South will be a good one. Two good RBs, and that's about it. I don't want to watch this game, but it has some big implications in the South. Win this game and you're in first place, and have momentum. I like the Titans because I don't trust Garrard in a big game at all. 30-17
The other, less important games...
Seattle @ Chicago - Bears win easily 24-13
San Diego @ St. Louis - Chargers win 30-20
Detroit @ NY Giants - over fast, Giants 30-10
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh - Colt McCoy is DEAD - 30-6 Steelers
NY Jets @ Denver - close, but no cigar Broncs - 20-16
Oakland @ SanFran - no one cares, 49ers get their first win 20-10
Baltimore @ New England - Baltimore has been GREAT on the road, and beat the Pats here last year in the playoffs. New England lost their best offensive playmaker. A recipe for an easy Ravens win? Not so fast, the Pats had the week off to prepare, and the football version of the Killer B's is not to be underestimated. I still like the Ravens in a higher scoring game than anticipated - 27-24
Dallas @ Minnesota - This game between 1 win teams feature arguably two of the more talented teams in the NFL. Which teams are we going to see? The Dallas team that rolled Houston or the one that lost to Tennessee? Are we going to see the Vikings team that was really good vs. the Jets in the second half, or the team that went to the NFC Championship game last year? Lose this game, and you're pretty much dead in the water as far as playoff hopes go. I like the Vikings in this game for the simple reason that they're the home team. 30-27
Miami @ Green Bay - Not really sure what to make of Miami. They have potential, but I don't trust them. Banged up Green Bay took a HUGE blow with the lost of Finley for the season. I think the Pack wins at home with Rodgers starting, but they need Clay Matthews back ASAP and have to find a red zone target to replace the Finley. 30-17
Atlanta @ Philly - My #3 ranked team travels to the City of Brotherly Love in a chance to prove themselves as the NFC team to beat. Philly can put themselves as the class of the NFC East with a win. I think the Falcons have the edge at QB, which is what makes the difference in this game. 20-17
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay - Who would've thought this game would be so important? The Bucs are 2nd in the NFC South, and the Saints REALLY need a win. I think Tampa is good, but not a playoff team...yet. But I still want to pick the Bucs, even though I could see Brees and the Saints coming in and blowing them out and outing them as a pretender. Takin' the Saints 24-16
Kansas City @ Houston - Never saw this game being of importance. More so for Houston than KC, but important for both teams nonetheless. KC played well in the road loss to Indy, and Houston is reeling after a huge loss to the Giants. I kind of like the Chiefs to pull out the road win and send Houston to 3-3. 17-14
Indy @ Washington - Time to see what these two teams are made of. The Colts are banged up, and Washington barely escaped with a win at home against the hurt Packers. A win for either team is huge, but I'm taking Peyton until he proves he's not good anymore. 34-24
Tennessee @ Jacksonville - The battle for the AFC South will be a good one. Two good RBs, and that's about it. I don't want to watch this game, but it has some big implications in the South. Win this game and you're in first place, and have momentum. I like the Titans because I don't trust Garrard in a big game at all. 30-17
The other, less important games...
Seattle @ Chicago - Bears win easily 24-13
San Diego @ St. Louis - Chargers win 30-20
Detroit @ NY Giants - over fast, Giants 30-10
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh - Colt McCoy is DEAD - 30-6 Steelers
NY Jets @ Denver - close, but no cigar Broncs - 20-16
Oakland @ SanFran - no one cares, 49ers get their first win 20-10
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Oct 16th predictions
Before I get to the predictions, kudos to ESPN for posting this, but man what a weekend of *awesome* sports match-ups across the board. I honestly didn't know which one to vote for between three different sports:
Roy Halladay vs Tim Lincecum
Cam Newton vs Ryan Mallett
Brett Favre vs Tony Romo
Yes please.
On to the picks, it's time for some teams that are ranked too high to take a dive on the road this week. Like.. a lot of them. I have my #23 ranked NC State going down in East Carolina and unbeatens #18 Mizzou and #19 Oklahoma State both fall on the road in A&M and Texas Tech. Tough week for my non-BCS ranked teams as #24 Air Forces loses in a close one at San Diego State, and undefeated #25 Nevada falls on the road at Hawaii in a game that will get over after all the coaches already voted and kept them ranked. Morons. I also smell a hangover game from #13 South Carolina and see them hitting the skids in Kentucky.
For all of those road upsets, the one road team I would love to see go down is #4 Ohio State at #22 Wisconsin... but I just can't talk myself into it. I'll hope for Wisky to win, but I won't watch it for a minute. What a gross game. Ohio State wins like 17-16 on some ridiculous late "Terrelle for Heisman" drive. Ugh.
I do like a couple of road underdogs to come out on top. #12 Iowa travels to #14 Michigan and further exposes Denard Robinson, opening the Heisman race wiiiide open. And the game I'm most excited for today, #16 Arkansas travels to #6 Auburn and faces their old offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. I think the defense is ready and I like the WOO PIGs to get the road upset, leaving LSU as the sole SEC unbeaten at day's end.
I'm also excited to watch the Texas @ #3 Nebraska game and see what happens with Taylor Martinez against a pissed off and rested Longhorns defense. I just don't see the Horns letting Nebraska leave the Big 12 without a nice big parting gift in the shape of a giant "L".
I have Denard, Martinez, and Newton all losing today and being exposed a little bit. Gross, does that make Terrelle Pryor the Heisman leader after today? Sick.
Roy Halladay vs Tim Lincecum
Cam Newton vs Ryan Mallett
Brett Favre vs Tony Romo
Yes please.
On to the picks, it's time for some teams that are ranked too high to take a dive on the road this week. Like.. a lot of them. I have my #23 ranked NC State going down in East Carolina and unbeatens #18 Mizzou and #19 Oklahoma State both fall on the road in A&M and Texas Tech. Tough week for my non-BCS ranked teams as #24 Air Forces loses in a close one at San Diego State, and undefeated #25 Nevada falls on the road at Hawaii in a game that will get over after all the coaches already voted and kept them ranked. Morons. I also smell a hangover game from #13 South Carolina and see them hitting the skids in Kentucky.
For all of those road upsets, the one road team I would love to see go down is #4 Ohio State at #22 Wisconsin... but I just can't talk myself into it. I'll hope for Wisky to win, but I won't watch it for a minute. What a gross game. Ohio State wins like 17-16 on some ridiculous late "Terrelle for Heisman" drive. Ugh.
I do like a couple of road underdogs to come out on top. #12 Iowa travels to #14 Michigan and further exposes Denard Robinson, opening the Heisman race wiiiide open. And the game I'm most excited for today, #16 Arkansas travels to #6 Auburn and faces their old offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. I think the defense is ready and I like the WOO PIGs to get the road upset, leaving LSU as the sole SEC unbeaten at day's end.
I'm also excited to watch the Texas @ #3 Nebraska game and see what happens with Taylor Martinez against a pissed off and rested Longhorns defense. I just don't see the Horns letting Nebraska leave the Big 12 without a nice big parting gift in the shape of a giant "L".
I have Denard, Martinez, and Newton all losing today and being exposed a little bit. Gross, does that make Terrelle Pryor the Heisman leader after today? Sick.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Oct 10th
1. Oregon 6-0 (2) - The Ducks strugled to put Wazzu away but I don't mind that after two rough games plus an injury to both Darron Thomas and Kenjon Barner. The timing for a bye week couldn't be much better.
2. Boise St 5-0 (3) - The Broncos were dominant against Toledo who might end up winning the MAC, and the wins against Va Tech and Oregon St should continue to look better each week. Bama's loss may have opened the door, but far enough? They'll still fall below an undefeated Pac 10, Big 10, or Big 12 team and I'm not sure Bama's loss does much. I think 1-loss SEC champ Bama still leaps Boise, and another 1-loss SEC champ would beat a top 5 Bama in the SEC championship and still make the leap. Boise still needs a lot of help.
3. Nebraska 5-0 (5) - The Huskers absolutely leveled K St in a trap game, and now they get the long awaited Horns visit 10 months after the Big 12 championship fiasco. Win this and the path is clear.
4. Ohio St 6-0 (4) - They've been completely in control so far but with Pryor banged up and a #1 national ranking, will the pressure and a road trip to Camp Randall this weekend end the fun?
5. LSU 6-0 (10) - At what point does escaping ridiculous situations every single week turn into finding a way to win against all the odds? This team could be 2-4 right now and Miles on the hot seat instead of looking like a genius. Now they get an off week (aka McNeese St) before things hit the fan with @Auburn and a visit from Alabama.
6. Auburn 6-0 (6) - The Tigers have four escape wins of their own without much of a marquee win other than a home victory over SC. Now Arkansas and LSU come to visit and we'll see if Cam Newton keeps things up.
7. Oklahoma 5-0 (12) - Those early season wins over Florida State and Air Force are starting to look pretty good right about now.
8. Utah 5-0 (8) - The overtime win against Pitt is no longer impressive, but putting up 68 on Iowa St sure is.
9. TCU 6-0 (9) - After questioning the Horned Frogs' defense two weeks ago, they've responded with a combined 72-0 victory the last couple games. Ok then.
10. Alabama 5-1 (1) - The Tide stay in my top ten and are still absolutely in the national title hunt. Yes they were dominated by SC on the road and probably should've lost at Arkansas as well, but they still have that win plus dominant wins against Florida and Penn St and will be playing angry now.
11. Stanford 5-1 (13) - I still can barely blame them for the loss against Oregon, but now they struggled to put away an overrated USC team at home and the defense is not looking as strong as it once was.
12. Iowa 4-1 (14) - The big win last week against Penn St lost some of its luster, and the loss at Arizona isn't as good anymore either. Still, win in Michigan this week and the road to the Big 10 title comes through Iowa as Wisconsin, Mich St, and Ohio St all still visit.
13. South Carolina 4-1 (NR) - Ok fine, no team should go from unranked to #13 halfway through the season, but I had apparently underrated the Cocks. The only loss was a close one in Auburn, and Lattimore and Jeffery showed they are huge young stars as SC rolled Alabama's defense this week.
14. Michigan St 6-0 (21) - Sparty should've probably lost to Notre Dame, but they took care of business against Wisky and dominated Denard's boys. With no Buckeyes on the schedule, it's time to start wondering about a longshot Cinderella run. But with no Buckeyes on the schedule, would it be enough?
15. Arkansas 4-1 (15) - Those wins over average UGa and A&M teams are looking a little tight. Are they ready for a trip to Jordan Hare?
16. Arizona 4-1 (7) - Time for a correction after two Houdini escapes against Iowa and Cal finally caught up to the Cats with a home loss to Oregon State.
17. Florida St 5-1 (24) - The Noles are the new class of the ACC. For now.
18. Missouri 5-0 (18)
19. Oklahoma St 5-0 (17)
20. Michigan 5-1 (11)
21. West Va 4-1 (NR)
22. Wisconsin 5-1 (NR)
23. North Carolina St 5-1 (NR)
24. Air Force 5-1 (23)
25. Nevada 6-0 (19) - I ran out of things to care enough about saying.
Dropped from rankings - Miami (15), Florida (20), Baylor (22), Northwestern (25)
2. Boise St 5-0 (3) - The Broncos were dominant against Toledo who might end up winning the MAC, and the wins against Va Tech and Oregon St should continue to look better each week. Bama's loss may have opened the door, but far enough? They'll still fall below an undefeated Pac 10, Big 10, or Big 12 team and I'm not sure Bama's loss does much. I think 1-loss SEC champ Bama still leaps Boise, and another 1-loss SEC champ would beat a top 5 Bama in the SEC championship and still make the leap. Boise still needs a lot of help.
3. Nebraska 5-0 (5) - The Huskers absolutely leveled K St in a trap game, and now they get the long awaited Horns visit 10 months after the Big 12 championship fiasco. Win this and the path is clear.
4. Ohio St 6-0 (4) - They've been completely in control so far but with Pryor banged up and a #1 national ranking, will the pressure and a road trip to Camp Randall this weekend end the fun?
5. LSU 6-0 (10) - At what point does escaping ridiculous situations every single week turn into finding a way to win against all the odds? This team could be 2-4 right now and Miles on the hot seat instead of looking like a genius. Now they get an off week (aka McNeese St) before things hit the fan with @Auburn and a visit from Alabama.
6. Auburn 6-0 (6) - The Tigers have four escape wins of their own without much of a marquee win other than a home victory over SC. Now Arkansas and LSU come to visit and we'll see if Cam Newton keeps things up.
7. Oklahoma 5-0 (12) - Those early season wins over Florida State and Air Force are starting to look pretty good right about now.
8. Utah 5-0 (8) - The overtime win against Pitt is no longer impressive, but putting up 68 on Iowa St sure is.
9. TCU 6-0 (9) - After questioning the Horned Frogs' defense two weeks ago, they've responded with a combined 72-0 victory the last couple games. Ok then.
10. Alabama 5-1 (1) - The Tide stay in my top ten and are still absolutely in the national title hunt. Yes they were dominated by SC on the road and probably should've lost at Arkansas as well, but they still have that win plus dominant wins against Florida and Penn St and will be playing angry now.
11. Stanford 5-1 (13) - I still can barely blame them for the loss against Oregon, but now they struggled to put away an overrated USC team at home and the defense is not looking as strong as it once was.
12. Iowa 4-1 (14) - The big win last week against Penn St lost some of its luster, and the loss at Arizona isn't as good anymore either. Still, win in Michigan this week and the road to the Big 10 title comes through Iowa as Wisconsin, Mich St, and Ohio St all still visit.
13. South Carolina 4-1 (NR) - Ok fine, no team should go from unranked to #13 halfway through the season, but I had apparently underrated the Cocks. The only loss was a close one in Auburn, and Lattimore and Jeffery showed they are huge young stars as SC rolled Alabama's defense this week.
14. Michigan St 6-0 (21) - Sparty should've probably lost to Notre Dame, but they took care of business against Wisky and dominated Denard's boys. With no Buckeyes on the schedule, it's time to start wondering about a longshot Cinderella run. But with no Buckeyes on the schedule, would it be enough?
15. Arkansas 4-1 (15) - Those wins over average UGa and A&M teams are looking a little tight. Are they ready for a trip to Jordan Hare?
16. Arizona 4-1 (7) - Time for a correction after two Houdini escapes against Iowa and Cal finally caught up to the Cats with a home loss to Oregon State.
17. Florida St 5-1 (24) - The Noles are the new class of the ACC. For now.
18. Missouri 5-0 (18)
19. Oklahoma St 5-0 (17)
20. Michigan 5-1 (11)
21. West Va 4-1 (NR)
22. Wisconsin 5-1 (NR)
23. North Carolina St 5-1 (NR)
24. Air Force 5-1 (23)
25. Nevada 6-0 (19) - I ran out of things to care enough about saying.
Dropped from rankings - Miami (15), Florida (20), Baylor (22), Northwestern (25)
NFL Week 5
What a crappy slate of NFL games this week. The KC-Indy game is one of the only games that intrigues me. Peyton taking on the undefeated Cheifs (wow, I said that?). It's time to see what the Cheifs (and Colts for that matter) are made of. I think if they win, on the road, they deserve a top 5 spot. I definitely didn't see it coming, the Cheifs being the only undefeated team in week 5. Now, I see them losing this game, losing next week, and it being just a team that's a fraud. I just don't see how they can do it. The run game will do well against Indy, but they will need Matt Cassel to make some plays on the road, and I'm not sure he can do it.
It will be fun to see Moss against the Jets again, and I wonder how he will hold up going 17 games this year. Him and Favre will open up some room for AP, but I still think the Jets D is too good. The matchup to watch in that game is LT vs. the D Line of Minny. The reason Sanchez has been so good is cuz LT has been so good. I see this as a low scoring game, the home team winning, and Minny reeling at 1-3. Where are the good ole days from last year when they couldn't lose?
But seriously, when you have Jax-Buffalo, Chicago-Carolina, St Louis-Detroit...who REALLY wants to watch ANY of those games? Thank GOD I'm not back in Illinois right now, or else I'd have to watch Tod Collins vs. Jimmy Clausen. Who else just threw up in their mouth? I did...couple that with my coffee taste in my mouth and no breakfast yet...pretty gross...
My picks for the week:
Jax over Buffalo
Cinci over Tampa
Atlanta over Cleveland
St Louis over Detroit
Indy over KC
Green Bay over Washington
Carolina over Chicago
Baltimore over Denver
Houston over NY Giants
New Orleans over Arizona (how fast will this game be over?)
Dallas over Tennessee
San Diego over Oakland (though I could see the Raiders keeping it close...maybe winning)
SanFran over Philly
NY Jets over Minny
It will be fun to see Moss against the Jets again, and I wonder how he will hold up going 17 games this year. Him and Favre will open up some room for AP, but I still think the Jets D is too good. The matchup to watch in that game is LT vs. the D Line of Minny. The reason Sanchez has been so good is cuz LT has been so good. I see this as a low scoring game, the home team winning, and Minny reeling at 1-3. Where are the good ole days from last year when they couldn't lose?
But seriously, when you have Jax-Buffalo, Chicago-Carolina, St Louis-Detroit...who REALLY wants to watch ANY of those games? Thank GOD I'm not back in Illinois right now, or else I'd have to watch Tod Collins vs. Jimmy Clausen. Who else just threw up in their mouth? I did...couple that with my coffee taste in my mouth and no breakfast yet...pretty gross...
My picks for the week:
Jax over Buffalo
Cinci over Tampa
Atlanta over Cleveland
St Louis over Detroit
Indy over KC
Green Bay over Washington
Carolina over Chicago
Baltimore over Denver
Houston over NY Giants
New Orleans over Arizona (how fast will this game be over?)
Dallas over Tennessee
San Diego over Oakland (though I could see the Raiders keeping it close...maybe winning)
SanFran over Philly
NY Jets over Minny
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Oct 9th predictions
Not our best slate of games this weekend, but a lot of times when we think we see that coming, we get a bunch of unexpected upsets. Will that be the case this time around?
GameDay chose to head to South Carolina to see the undeservedly ranked Gamecocks host #1 Alabama. The Tide are probably tired of marquee games and may start out slow in this one, but they'll roll and make sure GameDay doesnt come back to SC for a good while.
GameDay was probably counting on heading to the other Carolina for a tasty matchups of top 15 ACC squads, but the Clemson-UNC matchup has gone all wrong so far with both teams dropping two already and starting 0-1 in the conference. Loser is out of the ACC race, and I think that has to be UNC at this point. The real matchup in the ACC is one we've seen before, Florida State at Miami. These games are always good, and this one shouldn't fail us. Unfortunately Miami is coming off two draining road wins and I'm just not sure they have the energy to keep it up at home this week, so I have the Noles winning. Never an upset in this rivalry.
I don't think Stanford needs to be worried too much about being upset by visiting USC this week, and yes you just read that right. I wonder when the Cardinal were last the favorite in this one? Either way, it comes down to coaching and I will take Harbaugh over Lane Kiffin 7 days a week and twice on Saturdays.
So where are all of today's upsets? Well I think the Denard Robinson show may come to something of a screeching halt today. Both Michigan and MSU are (shockingly) overrated, and both should have lost to a now underrated Notre Dame team. The difference between the two is that the Spartans actually have a defense. I think they bottle up Denard, enough, and force him to beat them in the air, and I don't believe he can. Sparty gets the road victory. I also think #7 Arizona needs to be on upset watch this week. Even after a brutal stretch of schedule, I think the Rodgers brothers and Oregon State have what it takes to walk in and get the victory to stay in the Pac 10 race.
I like Florida at home against LSU in a battle of who-gets-to-double-digits-first. This one ain't gonna be pretty. It's possibly the top two defenses in the nation, but neither of them has called home much about their scoring offenses just yet. But at least Florida isn't making the mistakes that LSU so often does, and I'm not going to pick Les Miles to beat Urban Meyer unless I'm very compelled to. I'm not.
I'm compelled by the Pitt-Notre Dame game. The Irish are 2-3 but their losses are to both undefeated Michigan teams (and they should've won both), and a deserving loss to a far better Stanford team. Pitt's run game is sick but their style suits the Irish, and I think they can win it. It's a bigger game than you think. If the Irish can pull to 3-3, they'll have a superb chance of being 6-3 when top ten Utah comes to visit in November fresh off games against rivals Air Force and TCU and ripe for the upset. Before we know it, the Irish could be 8-3 heading to USC as favorites to win a game that *could* send them to the BCS. Just sayin.
And in the toilet bowl rivalry of the season, we get winless New Mexico facing off against winless New Mexico State. The two teams lost combined 131-0 against Oregon and Boise State if that tells you anything. It has to be the most empty worthless rivalry of them all. Neither team has much of a defense, but neither team scores a lot either. I miss the days when guys like Chase Holbrook were putting up ridiculous numbers for the Aggies. They're long gone. I'll take the Lobos on the road for possibly their only win of the season. :)
GameDay chose to head to South Carolina to see the undeservedly ranked Gamecocks host #1 Alabama. The Tide are probably tired of marquee games and may start out slow in this one, but they'll roll and make sure GameDay doesnt come back to SC for a good while.
GameDay was probably counting on heading to the other Carolina for a tasty matchups of top 15 ACC squads, but the Clemson-UNC matchup has gone all wrong so far with both teams dropping two already and starting 0-1 in the conference. Loser is out of the ACC race, and I think that has to be UNC at this point. The real matchup in the ACC is one we've seen before, Florida State at Miami. These games are always good, and this one shouldn't fail us. Unfortunately Miami is coming off two draining road wins and I'm just not sure they have the energy to keep it up at home this week, so I have the Noles winning. Never an upset in this rivalry.
I don't think Stanford needs to be worried too much about being upset by visiting USC this week, and yes you just read that right. I wonder when the Cardinal were last the favorite in this one? Either way, it comes down to coaching and I will take Harbaugh over Lane Kiffin 7 days a week and twice on Saturdays.
So where are all of today's upsets? Well I think the Denard Robinson show may come to something of a screeching halt today. Both Michigan and MSU are (shockingly) overrated, and both should have lost to a now underrated Notre Dame team. The difference between the two is that the Spartans actually have a defense. I think they bottle up Denard, enough, and force him to beat them in the air, and I don't believe he can. Sparty gets the road victory. I also think #7 Arizona needs to be on upset watch this week. Even after a brutal stretch of schedule, I think the Rodgers brothers and Oregon State have what it takes to walk in and get the victory to stay in the Pac 10 race.
I like Florida at home against LSU in a battle of who-gets-to-double-digits-first. This one ain't gonna be pretty. It's possibly the top two defenses in the nation, but neither of them has called home much about their scoring offenses just yet. But at least Florida isn't making the mistakes that LSU so often does, and I'm not going to pick Les Miles to beat Urban Meyer unless I'm very compelled to. I'm not.
I'm compelled by the Pitt-Notre Dame game. The Irish are 2-3 but their losses are to both undefeated Michigan teams (and they should've won both), and a deserving loss to a far better Stanford team. Pitt's run game is sick but their style suits the Irish, and I think they can win it. It's a bigger game than you think. If the Irish can pull to 3-3, they'll have a superb chance of being 6-3 when top ten Utah comes to visit in November fresh off games against rivals Air Force and TCU and ripe for the upset. Before we know it, the Irish could be 8-3 heading to USC as favorites to win a game that *could* send them to the BCS. Just sayin.
And in the toilet bowl rivalry of the season, we get winless New Mexico facing off against winless New Mexico State. The two teams lost combined 131-0 against Oregon and Boise State if that tells you anything. It has to be the most empty worthless rivalry of them all. Neither team has much of a defense, but neither team scores a lot either. I miss the days when guys like Chase Holbrook were putting up ridiculous numbers for the Aggies. They're long gone. I'll take the Lobos on the road for possibly their only win of the season. :)
Friday, October 8, 2010
NFL Power Rankings
So, a panel of 3 voted...
Here's how we rank the NFL teams going into week 5:
1. Pittsburgh - Brandon's Super Bowl pick from the beginning, and we all agree getting Big Ben back is scary good for this team...
2. Baltimore - We all like their 2 road wins and think Flacco is a stud. Interesting battle atop the AFC North
3. NY Jets - With Santonio joining the fold, the defense looking good and Sanchez and LT moving the offense, this team is what we thought they might be going into the season (by the way: Ryan and I hate this because we hate the Jets)
4. Atlanta - With their only loss to the Steelers in OT, you HAVE to love the Falcons. The top NFC team in our rankings is Brandon's NFC Super Bowl rep...
5. Indianapolis - We all agree Peyton keeps them towards the top, some of us just have them higher than others. Interesting to see the undefeated Cheifs in town...
5. New Orleans - The schedule is easy the next few weeks, and I couldn't drop them too far because they are still the defending Super Bowl champs.
7. Kansas City - Undefeated? SERIOUSLY? The schedule gets tough, but there's something you like about this team maybe?
7. New England - We all think with no Moss, this team will suffer. But with BB and Brady how far can they truly fall?
9. Houston - Is this the year? With the injuries (AJ and Mario) I felt I couldn't put them too high, but the other 2 believe in Schaub and Foster...
10. Green Bay - Varied voting on the Pack. With Ryan Grant they're definitely a top 5 team. But I had a hard time putting them too high after giving up 26 to the Lions at home...
11. Dallas - Love the talent, but at 1-2 can we really rank them in the top 10? Someone does...
12. San Diego - The Chargers are hard to read, but when are they easy to read? Philip Rivers is a stud, making them a legit threat in the AFC West...
13. Minnesota - The offense has it's WR playmaker, and I think we're all believers. The D is good as always, now can Favre put his new scandal behind him and play like last year?
14. Washington - A QB makes a difference. Still not a believer as I feel this team is too old. Brandon differs, saying they're an NFC contender...
15. Chicago - The voting was all over the board on this one. I don't have more to say than that...
16. Miami - None of us find this team to be THAT good, but not that bad either...putting them in the middle of the pack
17. Philadelphia - The leadership of this team is what scares me, with Andy Reid not choosing a QB ever! None of counted on Vick being as good, but his injury makes this team mediocre at best.
17. NY Giants - Consistency is what we are looking for. They can be good (Chicago) or bad (Indy)
19. Tennessee - We all had them at 19. No real comment other than that.
20. Jacksonville - We are into the teams where they're interchangable (for me at least). Love the win over the Colts.
21. Cincinatti - I thought this team would be better this year. No D, rush offense not there, recipe for disaster.
22. Denver - Ryan likes what Orton's doing. Too bad the rest of the team didn't get the memo?
23. Cleveland - Brandon has them at 16. Neither Ryan nor I had them above 23. What the...?
24. Tampa Bay - Josh Freeman is a good QB. We all like where they're headed, just not sure they're top 20 worthy...yet...reel off a few impressive wins and they will move up.
25. St. Louis - Bradford is legit. They are the top team in the NFC West in our rankings...at 25...ouch
26. Seattle - Ryan and I voted them 25. At home they are a top 15 team, on the road they are TERRIBLE. Clearly this team is still in transition and rebuilding.
27. Detroit - Like the Bucs, moving in the right direction. Staying in games, the young talent is improving, gotta like them a little right? But they're still the Lions...
28. San Francisco - They are in disarray. We're all disappointed by this team (though not sad since they're in the NFC West with the Hawks), and safe to say that they need a QB...is Singletary on the hot seat?
29. Oakland - Not as good as I thought they would be, but not too bad either. After a bad Week 1, they aren't playing too bad. I think this team believes in Gradkowski...
30. Arizona - Does their collapse make a case for Kurt Warner to the HOF? A QB switch to an undrafted rookie is not good at all
31. Carolina - Where's the big-time running game? Seriously, DeAngelo and Stewart NEED more touches.
32. Buffalo - The Unanimous #32. Were you expecting a different team? A legit 0-16 shot here.
Here's how we rank the NFL teams going into week 5:
1. Pittsburgh - Brandon's Super Bowl pick from the beginning, and we all agree getting Big Ben back is scary good for this team...
2. Baltimore - We all like their 2 road wins and think Flacco is a stud. Interesting battle atop the AFC North
3. NY Jets - With Santonio joining the fold, the defense looking good and Sanchez and LT moving the offense, this team is what we thought they might be going into the season (by the way: Ryan and I hate this because we hate the Jets)
4. Atlanta - With their only loss to the Steelers in OT, you HAVE to love the Falcons. The top NFC team in our rankings is Brandon's NFC Super Bowl rep...
5. Indianapolis - We all agree Peyton keeps them towards the top, some of us just have them higher than others. Interesting to see the undefeated Cheifs in town...
5. New Orleans - The schedule is easy the next few weeks, and I couldn't drop them too far because they are still the defending Super Bowl champs.
7. Kansas City - Undefeated? SERIOUSLY? The schedule gets tough, but there's something you like about this team maybe?
7. New England - We all think with no Moss, this team will suffer. But with BB and Brady how far can they truly fall?
9. Houston - Is this the year? With the injuries (AJ and Mario) I felt I couldn't put them too high, but the other 2 believe in Schaub and Foster...
10. Green Bay - Varied voting on the Pack. With Ryan Grant they're definitely a top 5 team. But I had a hard time putting them too high after giving up 26 to the Lions at home...
11. Dallas - Love the talent, but at 1-2 can we really rank them in the top 10? Someone does...
12. San Diego - The Chargers are hard to read, but when are they easy to read? Philip Rivers is a stud, making them a legit threat in the AFC West...
13. Minnesota - The offense has it's WR playmaker, and I think we're all believers. The D is good as always, now can Favre put his new scandal behind him and play like last year?
14. Washington - A QB makes a difference. Still not a believer as I feel this team is too old. Brandon differs, saying they're an NFC contender...
15. Chicago - The voting was all over the board on this one. I don't have more to say than that...
16. Miami - None of us find this team to be THAT good, but not that bad either...putting them in the middle of the pack
17. Philadelphia - The leadership of this team is what scares me, with Andy Reid not choosing a QB ever! None of counted on Vick being as good, but his injury makes this team mediocre at best.
17. NY Giants - Consistency is what we are looking for. They can be good (Chicago) or bad (Indy)
19. Tennessee - We all had them at 19. No real comment other than that.
20. Jacksonville - We are into the teams where they're interchangable (for me at least). Love the win over the Colts.
21. Cincinatti - I thought this team would be better this year. No D, rush offense not there, recipe for disaster.
22. Denver - Ryan likes what Orton's doing. Too bad the rest of the team didn't get the memo?
23. Cleveland - Brandon has them at 16. Neither Ryan nor I had them above 23. What the...?
24. Tampa Bay - Josh Freeman is a good QB. We all like where they're headed, just not sure they're top 20 worthy...yet...reel off a few impressive wins and they will move up.
25. St. Louis - Bradford is legit. They are the top team in the NFC West in our rankings...at 25...ouch
26. Seattle - Ryan and I voted them 25. At home they are a top 15 team, on the road they are TERRIBLE. Clearly this team is still in transition and rebuilding.
27. Detroit - Like the Bucs, moving in the right direction. Staying in games, the young talent is improving, gotta like them a little right? But they're still the Lions...
28. San Francisco - They are in disarray. We're all disappointed by this team (though not sad since they're in the NFC West with the Hawks), and safe to say that they need a QB...is Singletary on the hot seat?
29. Oakland - Not as good as I thought they would be, but not too bad either. After a bad Week 1, they aren't playing too bad. I think this team believes in Gradkowski...
30. Arizona - Does their collapse make a case for Kurt Warner to the HOF? A QB switch to an undrafted rookie is not good at all
31. Carolina - Where's the big-time running game? Seriously, DeAngelo and Stewart NEED more touches.
32. Buffalo - The Unanimous #32. Were you expecting a different team? A legit 0-16 shot here.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Top 25 rankings - Oct 3rd
Well it was a weekend of big time matchups, but the home teams ran up the score in almost all of the big ones. My top two teams look stronger than ever, and the gap from there down is growing rapidly.
1. Alabama 5-0 (1) - This Florida team was overrated sure, but let's not underestimate the whooping of a 31-6 win against a team that has not lost a regular season game in over two years, not since Tim Tebow gave his epic speech. Roll Tide roll.
2. Oregon 5-0 (2) - And as dominant of a Bama win as that was, I'm so impressed with Oregon thus far that they pull even closer to #1 and away from the pack. Still averaging 56+ points a game, this team is video game fast.
3. Boise St 4-0 (3) - The Broncos won't even be sort of challenged again for another seven weeks. Will we forget about them by then?
4. Ohio St 5-0 (5) - That win against Miami is looking better and better by the week.
5. Nebraska 4-0 (4)
6. Auburn 5-0 (9)
7. Arizona 4-0 (8)
8. Utah 4-0 (10)
9. TCU 6-0 (11)
10. LSU 5-0 (7) - Last week I said there was no shame just surviving against West Va, implying that a win is a win. Well I'm not so sure. Struggling against a very mediocre Tennessee team is one thing, but giving the game away about five different ways in one of the most bizarre finishes I've seen is something else all together. Second and goal on the three, no timeouts left, but like 30-35 seconds, and LSU runs into the line and amidst many substitutions DOESNT SNAP THE BALL TIL 3 SECONDS LEFT and then it's a fumble to the QB. Time runs out, LSU loses at home, pandemonium... only Tennessee screwed up worse with 13 (yes 13) men on the field, LSU gets one more chance, and gets the win with 0:00 left. This offense is absolutely pitiful and the upcoming schedule gets brutal quickly.
11. Michigan 5-0 (16) - Ok so the defense sucks. Can you imagine putting Denard in an LSU uniform? Holy smokes. But yeah, I watched Denard play today and I'm a believer. Heisman rankings are all for 2nd place right now if he stays healthy.
12. Oklahoma 5-0 (19) - I don't really believe that the Sooners are one of the twelve best teams in the country, and they struggled to put away an overrated Texas team today. Landry Jones may have saved the season with his heady play to bat the ominous fumble out of bounds. But overrated or not, there's a pretty solid chance we are looking at OU and/or Nebraska facing one another in the final Big XII title game knowing that one or even either of them winning will knock Boise or Utah or TCU out of a title game. I'm not ok with that right now.
13. Stanford 4-1 (6) - I think the Cardinal are possibly one of the top five teams in the country, and what they did on the road in Oregon tonight was very impressive, but the whole thing unravelled on one fluke play where the receiver got knocked out and fumbled away a TD in a tie game, a punch to the gut and close to a 14 point swing. I can't discredit them too much for that. Andrew Luck is the real deal, and I hope they thrash USC next week. These #13-16 teams are all very close right now.
14. Iowa 4-1 (14) - The Hawkeyes allowed 27 points in one half on the road in Arizona when everything went wrong. This sick defense has allowed just 24 combined in their other nine halves, now including a Penn St beatdown just as dominant as the one Bama put on them.
15. Miami 3-1 (15) - Very impressive road wins in Pittsburgh and Clemson in back to back weeks. Neither of those places is easy to win at all, and the Canes won both with relative ease.
16. Arkansas 3-1 (13) - No game for a week and they drop three spots. Bummer.
17. Oklahoma St 4-0 (12) - I didn't see a lot but I was unimpressed with the overtime win against Texas A&M. I don't see any real reason they should be ranked higher than...
18. Missouri 4-0 (23) - ... Mizzou, who moved up five spots by doing nothing. That's what happens when numbers 17, 18, 22, 24, and 25 all go down. It's not always bad to have an off week.
19. Nevada 5-0 (21) - Top 20, really? For lack of other options... yes.
20. Florida 4-1 (20) - Unlike the real polls, I had the Gators about appropriately ranked going into this week. And a young top 20 team playing on the road at the #1 squad is going to lose. Florida's defense is still far too talented to drop out of the rankings, and next week when LSU visits, the first team to cross the goal line may well win.
21. Michigan State 5-0 (NR) - Hey look, it's the Spartans' annual foray into the lower part of the top 25 for a week or two before struggling to make a bowl game!
22. Baylor 4-1 (NR) - Yeah you better believe I'm ranking a one-loss Baylor team. So they lost by 35 at TCU, you would too. They also just destroyed Kansas 55-7 in an eye opener, and the defense looks as real as the offense with only 29 combined allowed in the four non-TCU games. The Bears could go as high as 7-1 before reality sets in.
23. Air Force 4-1 (NR) - Not a beauty pageant here in my rankings. The Falcons are looking good and average close to 400 rushing yards a game. The MWC is starting to look pretty strong to me, with Air Force and San Diego St looking like worth #3 and #4 teams. Both of them get the Utes at home after a road trip to TCU, and these are teams to pay attention to since those games will have a significant bearing on the title in 2010. The only loss was by 3 on the road to Oklahoma. Maybe not a fluke after all.
24. Florida St 4-1 (NR) - I guess #24 is where I put teams that I can't stand but can't keep out of the rankings any longer. Like USC this week, hopefully the Noles go down in Wide Right XVIII against the Canes next week.
25. Northwestern 5-0 (NR) - And they'll be 6-0 after Purdue next week! They don't have to play Ohio St either, and they get Iowa at home. Is there a story here??! .... Nahhhhh.
Dropped from rankings - Penn St (17), Wisconsin (20), NC State (22), USC (24), Texas (25)
Next week's biggest matchups...
#5 Nebraska @ Kansas State (Thursday)
#10 LSU @ #20 Florida
#24 Florida St @ #15 Miami
#21 Michigan St @ #11 Michigan (College GameDay destination?)
USC @ #13 Stanford
#1 Alabama @ South Carolina
1. Alabama 5-0 (1) - This Florida team was overrated sure, but let's not underestimate the whooping of a 31-6 win against a team that has not lost a regular season game in over two years, not since Tim Tebow gave his epic speech. Roll Tide roll.
2. Oregon 5-0 (2) - And as dominant of a Bama win as that was, I'm so impressed with Oregon thus far that they pull even closer to #1 and away from the pack. Still averaging 56+ points a game, this team is video game fast.
3. Boise St 4-0 (3) - The Broncos won't even be sort of challenged again for another seven weeks. Will we forget about them by then?
4. Ohio St 5-0 (5) - That win against Miami is looking better and better by the week.
5. Nebraska 4-0 (4)
6. Auburn 5-0 (9)
7. Arizona 4-0 (8)
8. Utah 4-0 (10)
9. TCU 6-0 (11)
10. LSU 5-0 (7) - Last week I said there was no shame just surviving against West Va, implying that a win is a win. Well I'm not so sure. Struggling against a very mediocre Tennessee team is one thing, but giving the game away about five different ways in one of the most bizarre finishes I've seen is something else all together. Second and goal on the three, no timeouts left, but like 30-35 seconds, and LSU runs into the line and amidst many substitutions DOESNT SNAP THE BALL TIL 3 SECONDS LEFT and then it's a fumble to the QB. Time runs out, LSU loses at home, pandemonium... only Tennessee screwed up worse with 13 (yes 13) men on the field, LSU gets one more chance, and gets the win with 0:00 left. This offense is absolutely pitiful and the upcoming schedule gets brutal quickly.
11. Michigan 5-0 (16) - Ok so the defense sucks. Can you imagine putting Denard in an LSU uniform? Holy smokes. But yeah, I watched Denard play today and I'm a believer. Heisman rankings are all for 2nd place right now if he stays healthy.
12. Oklahoma 5-0 (19) - I don't really believe that the Sooners are one of the twelve best teams in the country, and they struggled to put away an overrated Texas team today. Landry Jones may have saved the season with his heady play to bat the ominous fumble out of bounds. But overrated or not, there's a pretty solid chance we are looking at OU and/or Nebraska facing one another in the final Big XII title game knowing that one or even either of them winning will knock Boise or Utah or TCU out of a title game. I'm not ok with that right now.
13. Stanford 4-1 (6) - I think the Cardinal are possibly one of the top five teams in the country, and what they did on the road in Oregon tonight was very impressive, but the whole thing unravelled on one fluke play where the receiver got knocked out and fumbled away a TD in a tie game, a punch to the gut and close to a 14 point swing. I can't discredit them too much for that. Andrew Luck is the real deal, and I hope they thrash USC next week. These #13-16 teams are all very close right now.
14. Iowa 4-1 (14) - The Hawkeyes allowed 27 points in one half on the road in Arizona when everything went wrong. This sick defense has allowed just 24 combined in their other nine halves, now including a Penn St beatdown just as dominant as the one Bama put on them.
15. Miami 3-1 (15) - Very impressive road wins in Pittsburgh and Clemson in back to back weeks. Neither of those places is easy to win at all, and the Canes won both with relative ease.
16. Arkansas 3-1 (13) - No game for a week and they drop three spots. Bummer.
17. Oklahoma St 4-0 (12) - I didn't see a lot but I was unimpressed with the overtime win against Texas A&M. I don't see any real reason they should be ranked higher than...
18. Missouri 4-0 (23) - ... Mizzou, who moved up five spots by doing nothing. That's what happens when numbers 17, 18, 22, 24, and 25 all go down. It's not always bad to have an off week.
19. Nevada 5-0 (21) - Top 20, really? For lack of other options... yes.
20. Florida 4-1 (20) - Unlike the real polls, I had the Gators about appropriately ranked going into this week. And a young top 20 team playing on the road at the #1 squad is going to lose. Florida's defense is still far too talented to drop out of the rankings, and next week when LSU visits, the first team to cross the goal line may well win.
21. Michigan State 5-0 (NR) - Hey look, it's the Spartans' annual foray into the lower part of the top 25 for a week or two before struggling to make a bowl game!
22. Baylor 4-1 (NR) - Yeah you better believe I'm ranking a one-loss Baylor team. So they lost by 35 at TCU, you would too. They also just destroyed Kansas 55-7 in an eye opener, and the defense looks as real as the offense with only 29 combined allowed in the four non-TCU games. The Bears could go as high as 7-1 before reality sets in.
23. Air Force 4-1 (NR) - Not a beauty pageant here in my rankings. The Falcons are looking good and average close to 400 rushing yards a game. The MWC is starting to look pretty strong to me, with Air Force and San Diego St looking like worth #3 and #4 teams. Both of them get the Utes at home after a road trip to TCU, and these are teams to pay attention to since those games will have a significant bearing on the title in 2010. The only loss was by 3 on the road to Oklahoma. Maybe not a fluke after all.
24. Florida St 4-1 (NR) - I guess #24 is where I put teams that I can't stand but can't keep out of the rankings any longer. Like USC this week, hopefully the Noles go down in Wide Right XVIII against the Canes next week.
25. Northwestern 5-0 (NR) - And they'll be 6-0 after Purdue next week! They don't have to play Ohio St either, and they get Iowa at home. Is there a story here??! .... Nahhhhh.
Dropped from rankings - Penn St (17), Wisconsin (20), NC State (22), USC (24), Texas (25)
Next week's biggest matchups...
#5 Nebraska @ Kansas State (Thursday)
#10 LSU @ #20 Florida
#24 Florida St @ #15 Miami
#21 Michigan St @ #11 Michigan (College GameDay destination?)
USC @ #13 Stanford
#1 Alabama @ South Carolina
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)