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
Saturday, November 27, 2010
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.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)