McMisanthrope's Top 25 -- October 28, 2007

Where the going's starting to get tough ... too tough to rank 25 half-decent teams, that's for sure!

1. Ohio State (9-0): Can there be a debate now? Sure. But that was an impressive win. After yielding a TD on Penn State's opening drive, the Buckeyes pretty much flattened the Paterno Boys the rest of the way. Dominate!

2. Boston College (8-0): It wasn't exactly textbook, but it was a pretty good win for the Eagles. Maybe they are charmed. But here's the rub - if they go undefeated, would the BCS still put a one-loss SEC team (ahead of the undefeated ACC champs) into the title game? THAT's what I am waiting for: a true BCS implosion, and I hope Boston College can bring it about.

3. Arizona State (8-0): Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in ... Dennis Erickson, in the spotlight again. Of course, beating Cal doesn't mean much anymore, does it? Who would have figured the Pac-10 would come down to ASU and Oregon? Where's Beauchamp when you need him? Road trip to Eugene, anyone?

4. Kansas (8-0): Not a huge win, but a solid one. Without meaning to be rude, does anyone else think Mark Mangino should get his stomach stapled? He looks like a bad caricature on the telly. What a season ... I hope it lasts, because I like feel-good stories.

5. Hawaii (8-0): I couldn't even get their game on the telly last night. I hate that. I want to see the Fun & Gun live. But yeah, the schedule is a joke. So what? It's not the kids' faults. Yet another reason to bomb the BCS and institute a playoff in the FBS. Their next three games might move their SOS up into the Top 100, but they also might lose two of them. Stay tuned.

6. Oregon (7-1): The Pac-10 is really theirs for the taking now. But if USC hadn't been playing a green, backup QB, the Trojans could have won the game. Oregon's offense won't face a defense like USC's again until maybe their bowl game, though, so ... good for the Ducks. And, in a stroke of good fortune, they get ASU at home next week, too. The Pac-10 may have their champion.

7. LSU (7-1): The SEC and the Pac-10 were all the focus in the preseason, and look at them now -- decimated by the TJBEOU syndrome. Can LSU win on the road against Alabama? If they do, they still won't pass Oregon in my rankings. They're just lucky all the mediot voters like them so much. Which is all the more reason to hope they lose next week (which means they'll win, just to spite me).

8. West Virginia (7-1): Fuckin' Rutgers. Two years in a row, they ruin the Big East's best shot at the BCS title game before folding like a cheap house of cards soon thereafter. Good to see Slaton & Co. back to form somewhat, though. Their SOS will never get them into the title game, but they're fun to watch.

9. Missouri (7-1): A win's a win, but it wouldn't it be fun to see an undefeated Kansas take on one-loss Mizzou at the end of the Big XII season, for the Big XII North title and the right to beat Oklahoma in the Big XII title game with a possible BCS title berth on the line? Yeah, it doesn't do much for me, either.

10. Connecticut (7-1): Well, they have survived longer than a lot of other teams have in this crazy race. I bet Rutgers ruins their season, too, next week, though. Fuckin' Rutgers.

11. Oklahoma (7-1): Some computers have UConn's SOS rated higher than Oklahoma's SOS, which made me laugh enough to keep OU out of my Top Ten.

12. Boise State (7-1): If that Hawaii/Boise game isn't on national TV, I'm going to be pissed.

13. Georgia (6-2): Quietly, they lead the SEC East. Can they beat LSU if it comes down to it?

14. Wake Forest (6-2): Winners of six straight, the defending ACC champs probably can't win their ACC division, but they can make a fun run at the Top Ten. A showdown of sorts looms at Virginia next week.

15. Virginia (7-2): They need to beat Wake to stay in control of the ACC Coastal division. Says here Wake handles them next week, though.

16. Virginia Tech (6-2): That was a BAD loss. Not a BAD loss like the one at LSU earlier, which was predictable considering the offseason and the situational hype at the time. But at home, up 10-0 late and botching the onsides kick? What happened to Beamer's special teams' prowess? Shameful.

17. Alabama (6-2): With both teams having two weeks to prepare for their upcoming battle, I suspect it will be quite fun to watch LSU take on the Tide next Saturday. Alas, I have a wedding to attend (who gets married on a Saturday in the fall? Gay men?), so it's all TiVo for me.

18. Clemson (6-2): They're not this good, but the world of college football sucks this year. But I noticed Sagarin has them at #14 in his BCS/ELO rankings. So maybe I'm stingy after all.

19. USC (6-2): I think Mark Sanchez will be a good QB someday soon. The Trojans should start him the rest of the year, in order to stack their deck for 2008. Booty? He dropped the Palmer/Leinart ball.

20. Wisconsin (7-2): They might give Ohio State a small fight next week, and they'll probably beat Michigan the week after that since they'll be at home. Overall, they can't complain about their season, though. Can they?

21. Texas (7-2): Weak win over Nebraska. What happened to Colt McCoy in the offseason? Has Mack Brown lost his edge? Was Vince Young really THAT good?

22. BYU (5-2): Their season is barely beginning. Many teams' seasons are already over.

23. Cincinnati (6-2): Did Rutgers ruin their season, too? Fuckers.

24. South Florida (6-2): Teams on two-game losing streaks, especially games they could have won, are not good teams. But alas, this is the state of the Top 25 this year.

25. Appalachian State (6-2): Hey, they beat the 26th team on my list. And that 26th team beat the 27th team, so ... have to keep these rankings sane in this insane season of 2007.

Also receiving minute consideration: Michigan, Purdue

McMisanthrope's Top 25 -- October 21, 2007

Where the BCS is just another college football disgrace ...

1. Ohio State (8-0) -- That was a funny game against Sparty. Offense is going to have problems against a GOOD defense; the defense should be fine and may carry them all the way to the BCS championship game. But can they win on the road at Michigan? Irony: the Big Ten is so bad, the Buckeyes are the only team in my Top 25.

2. Boston College (7-0) -- They have played a tougher schedule than tOSU so far, believe it or not. Taking that under advisement, their big test comes in a few days. They may be yet another #2 team to take the tumble.

3. Arizona State (7-0) -- They have played a tougher schedule than tOSU, too, but we all know they's just pretending. They won't even make the Holiday Bowl, as they're probably the 4th-best Pac-10 team; well, maybe third-best since Cal has decided to be teh suck again.

4. Kansas (7-0) -- They just keep winning, and slowly their SOS gets better. Can they keep it up? Is their coach bigger than Charlie Weis pre-surgery? Has basketball season begun in Lawrence? Does anyone care? Bill Self?

5. Hawaii (7-0) -- The fact Sagarin has them way behind Northern Iowa (FCS) and only one spot ahead of I-AA North Dakota State says a lot about Hawaii's SOS. I think if they finish 12-0, they'll be in the Top 12 or whatever the BCS requires, though. That road game at Nevada looms large, though, especially after seeing that Boise/Wolfpack score.

6. South Florida (6-1) -- That was a tough loss, but it was almost predictable seeing all the media focus on them. And that's what makes it a shame.

7. LSU (7-1) -- Again, another close shave at home. As the last SEC team with a single loss, they're going to join the ranks of the two-loss SEC teams when they visit Alabama. They're barely good enough to win at home against good teams, and against good teams on the road, they'll lose. The SEC will whine a lot about their two-loss champion belonging in the BCS title game, but it'll serve Les Miles proper to be on the outside looking in.

8. Virginia (7-1) -- I say this every week, but that Wyoming loss ruined their miracle shot at the BCS title game. The SOS is better than Oregon's, but most people would be hard-pressed to know anything about this team. Stay tuned to the ACC; it could get FUN down the stretch.

9. Oregon (6-1) -- They can score, but like Cal, the question is their defense. They control their own destiny in the Pac-10, of course. And Les Miles was wrong, since the Pac-10 is better than the SEC. But Belotti's an old college QB, and he used to have a defensive whiz on his staff (Bob Foster). What happened, Mike? Why did you let him leave you for Cal?

10. USC (6-1) -- Are the Trojans back on track? Could be, even if it was just Notre Dame. But with the other QB starting at home, I figured the Irish would put up a better fight than that, especially based on USC's previous three games. I believe they, too, control their own destiny in the Pac-10. Can they win out? That should be a fun game in Eugene.

11. Virginia Tech (6-1) -- They're here, because they can play defense. And defense wins championships, and the ACC, as noted, is looking like a load of fun over the next month or so.

12. West Virginia (6-1) -- They don't control their own destiny, and it's their own fault (I sound like a broken record). But they are still in the mix. Maybe no one in the Big East wants it bad enough ... sit down, Louisville.

13. Boise State (6-1) -- Same as last year? Only with a loss this time. But hey, last time I checked, they beat the Sooners.

14. Oklahoma (7-1) -- This team just doesn't impress me like it did earlier this season. The Big XII sucks, anyway. Whichever team survives will get torched in their BCS game against a-large Notre Da -- wait, I mean, LSU.

15. Missouri (6-1) -- Does Quin Snyder still coach the basketball team? Another Big XII contender, another Big XII pretender.

16. Connecticut (6-1) -- I am surprised they're still atop the Big East. Louisville sucks.

17. Florida (5-2) -- Best two-loss team in the country! Tebow for the Hypesman!

18. Kentucky (6-2) -- Second best two-loss team in the country! Woodson for the Hypesman!

19. California (5-2) -- Chokers. Period. Since UCLA doesn't have a chance in hell of making my Top 25 with a loss to Notre Dame, Cal will have to do for the two-loss Pac-10 entry.

20. Wake Forest (5-2) -- They're back! Solid SOS, too.

21. South Carolina (6-2) -- THAT was a dumb loss, Spurrier.

22. Georgia (6-2) -- Okay, maybe Les Miles is right.

23. Rutgers (5-2) -- When do their fans stop rushing the field?

24. Alabama (6-2) -- They have a chance to really cripple the SEC's national championship hopes. But does Saban hate LSU enough?

25. UCLA (6-2) -- Okay, so they do have a chance. They have a high SOS and losing to Notre Dame is still better than losing to App State.

McMisanthrope’s Top 25 – October 14, 2007

Where there really are no great teams left …

1. South Florida (6-0) – They get the edge on everyone else, because they’ve actually beaten a decent team or two. What does anyone really know about this team? (Sit down, Jaros.) This is just … strange. Has there ever been a more random Top 3 team? I mean, at least since World War II? Their schedule is somewhat favorable, since they have their tough games spaced out. If they win at Rutgers next week, they have a really favorable shot at running the table. Of course, that’s probably the kiss of death for them …

2. Ohio State (7-0) – Now the Buckeyes are poised for redemption. Will they beat Michigan again? They should be 11-0 at that point, again, but in this year of topsy-turvy fun, who knows what will happen? They have Sparty next, and Sparty can score. Of course, Sparty can’t stop anyone from scoring, either, so tOSU’s scoreboard-challenged offense might have a field day.

3. Arizona State (7-0) – Well, Les Miles, the Pac-10 still has an unbeaten team. And the SEC does not. But more on that later. I don’t want to deflect any attention from Dennis Erickson’s most recent turnaround performance. The guy can coach; who wants him next? Texas A&M?

4. Boston College (7-0) – They beat Notre Dame. So what? Now their schedule finally gets interesting. I suspect Gameday will be in Blacksburg again next week; I’ll go with the home team in that one, so the Eagles should enjoy this while they can.

5. Kansas (6-0) – Last undefeated team in the Big XII. How many of you had this one in your elimination pool? Uh huh. They have four interesting games coming up in Colorado, A&M, Nebraska and Oklahoma State (with only the Huskers at home). I’m guessing this won’t last, either.

6. Hawaii (7-0) – Our final undefeated team for this week survived an OT scare this weekend. They should win their next two games at home, so they’ll be here for a few more weeks. Then they have one last road trip to Nevada before closing with Boise and Washington at home. BCS Crashers? Definite possibility, which makes any win a good win for them.

7. West Virginia (5-1) – With their only loss coming to #1, they get the top one-loss spot. They don’t control their own destiny in the Big East, although if they run the table, you’d have to think their chances at a BCS berth would be pretty good. But after a visit from MSU-South next week, they face Rutgers, Louisville and Cincinnati on consecutive weekends. When did the Big East get so good?!

8t. South Carolina (6-1) – There’s no way to separate these three teams, since they have a circle of defeat connecting them all. I really think Spurrier’s gang is the best of the bunch, though, so I’m talking about them first. Lackluster win against UNC, but Butch Davis is a good coach so any win is a good win there in a non-conference matchup.

8t. Kentucky (6-1) – My new favorite team. Thank you, Wildcats. Not only did you get revenge for that ridiculous finish in 2002, but you beat down Little Les for us all. Fantastic! They didn’t quit when they fell behind, and they didn’t shrink away from the challenge. They played like a team with nothing to lose, while LSU played like a team with a lot to lose. I don’t care if Kentucky loses the rest of their games: they are GREAT in my eyes in 2007.

8t. LSU (6-1) – Poor Little Les. Fourth-and-two, in OT, needing a TD to tie/win, he calls a running play up the middle. Talk about cowardly … This serves Miles and all the LSU fans just desserts for their glee at USC’s loss last week. What comes around goes around, bitches. Hope you enjoy the Peach Bowl, because ‘Bama’s gonna beat you, too.

11. Virginia Tech (6-1) – All they do is keep winning. And now they get a good chance to jump back into the BCS fray next week when they host Boston College. As much press/hype as BC has received, it’s time for the Hokies to regain their rightful place in the ACC.

12. Oklahoma (6-1) – They, too, have re-asserted themselves somewhat, and they have a relatively soft three games coming up, before they close with two tougher ones. They control their own destiny again, and that’s all you can ask for, right?

13. Missouri (5-1) – No shame in losing to Oklahoma, but I think the party is over. They’re on their way down with the upcoming games they have left on the schedule. If they finish 3-3 in their last six games, they should be happy.

14. California (5-1) – Freshman QB brain lock aside, I have been warning you all about their mediocre defense all season. That’s what cost them more than anything. I mean, how can you take the field knowing LSU lost and you’re going to be #1 if you can win this game, and then lay an egg AT HOME? Cal, you’re just not ready for prime-time. Oh, and DeSean Jackson, your Heisman Hopes need to be returned immediately. Thankee in advance.

15. Oregon (5-1) – Do I think Oregon is better than Cal? Yes. But they blew that game, and now they’re KICKING themselves even more so. Oregon lost on a physical error; Cal lost on a mental error. Sad thing is they don’t even control their own destiny in the Pac-10, and they’re probably the best team out West. Hey Les Miles, take your LSU team to Eugene, please!

16. USC (5-1) -- The more I think about it, the more I think the Trojans were amazingly fortunate to have Leinart and Bush on the same team. They just haven’t been the same since, obviously. Squeaking a seven-point win against Arizona is Cal-like, not Trojan Territory. They could lose two more times this year, and I wouldn’t bat an eyelash. If Pete Carroll gets this team to run the table, it’ll be the best coaching accomplishment of his career.

17. Cincinnati (6-1) – Oops. Louisville is now playing spoiler, and the Bearcats were their first victims. I hear Brian Kelly is a very unlikable coach, in the style of Les Miles. If so, he got what he deserved. And, Kelly’s doing it all with someone else’s recruits. That 34-3 win over the Beavers looks REALLY good right now, huh?

18. Texas Tech (6-1) – I know this getting to be an over-hyped media story now, but has anyone looked at the frosh WR’s numbers? Seventy-eight catches, 1244 yards, 17 TDs – in SEVEN games. I don’t care what gimmicky offense you play in, them’s impressive numbers. Maybe Tech can win the Big XII. That’d be cool.

19. Boise State (4-1) – I don’t know what to say here. At least their loss was to a BCS conference team. Maybe that was a bad week, but with seven games left to play, they have a lot of ground to cover.

20. Virginia (6-1) – That loss to Wyoming is really sticking in their craw right now. Do they have a chance in the ACC? Why not? The ACC sucks.

21. Connecticut (5-1) – No shame in losing by a point to Virginia. Better than I thought they’d do, and it keeps them in the Top 25 for another week.


22. Auburn (5-2) – Ugly win over Arkansas, but they may have single-handedly take the Hypesman away from Darren McFadden. Schizophrenic Team of the Decade?

23. Florida (4-2) – Man, they’re pissed they let LSU off the hook last week, aren’t they?

24. Kansas State (4-2) – They have decent losses, and their SOS is strong. Why not put them here?

25. Illinois (5-2) – Disappointing loss, for sure, but they can still Zook it with the best of them.

Also receiving consideration: Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, UCLA

McMisanthrope’s Top 25 – October 7, 2007

Where two losses still gets you NO sympathy …

1. Ohio State (6-0) – Nice defense. Seriously, where was this defense LAST year? Strangely enough, they may be the most consistent team so far this season. Their SOS is fine, and they seem very comfortable. Perhaps the memory of that fiasco in the desert last January is driving them.

2. California (5-0) – DeSean Jackson may have been right when he said Cal was going to clean USC’s collective clock. The Bears must have been laughing their asses off when the Trojans lost to The Cardinal. But that same Cardinal team will be the Bears last hurdle, perhaps … stay tuned. By the way, their SOS is slightly better than Ohio State’s SOS, but I like the Buckeyes defense better.

3. LSU (6-0) – If that game last night had been played on a neutral field or in The Swamp, LSU would lose. I don’t know if there’s a more smug, unlikeable coach in college football than Les Miles, either. When Florida had the ball, up by 10 in the 4th quarter, I figured it was their game to lose. And they lost it; LSU didn’t win it. The Tigers better hope they don’t have to face anyone GOOD in the SEC title game. Oh, and their SOS is slightly better than Cal’s, too, but until LSU beats a good team out of The Bayou, I am not giving them ANY credit. It’s clear good teams can scare them too much in The Bayou; out of that comfort zone, these Tigers will crumble.

4. South Florida (5-0) – Ugly win, but for a program in their position, that’s all they needed: a win. FYI: Their SOS is slightly below LSU’s, so it’s not like they haven’t played anyone “good” yet.

5. Arizona State (6-0) – Is Bruce Snyder back in town? No, that’s just Dennis Erickson. Wonder where he will be coaching next year? Want a surprise? Their SOS is pretty high, just below Ohio State’s SOS, but I can’t name a single team they’ve beaten without looking it up. Don’t book those Rose Bowl trips just yet, Devil fans.

6. Boston College (6-0) – Beat down some bad team yesterday, as they should have. Since I’m on a SOS kick this week, their SOS is weak. Maybe that says more about the ACC than the Golden Eagles, though. Still, nothing wrong with a 6-0 start.

7. Hawaii (6-0) – Speaking of SOS, Hawaii has a horrible number. But they have Colt Brennan, the second-best HFA in college football this year after LSU, and their schedule stinks. BCS Crasher!

8. Missouri (5-0) – This is really the stretch of weaker undefeated teams, isn’t it? Big XII North, sitting pretty, though.

9. Cincinnati (6-0) – Let me again preface this by saying Mark Dantonio blew it. Also, even though their SOS is weak, I have bought into the hype. We’ll see if it holds as they face the tougher teams on their Big East slate.

10. Kansas (5-0) – There’s something to be said for scheduling cream puffs, isn’t there? I think K-State really believed their own press after beating Oklahoma. Beneficiary? The Jayhawks! Hey, is Glen Mason BACK?!

11. Connecticut (5-0) – No comment. This is the fly in my rankings’ ointment, for sure. But I must be consistent, for RSFC’s sake.

12. Purdue (5-1) – Their one loss is to my #1 this week, so get this spot (i.e., the top-ranked, one-loss team). I didn’t watch their game, since I was going back and forth between the Stanford/USC game and the Florida/LSU game, but every time I checked in, I was surprised they STILL hadn’t scored. Says a lot about Ohio State’s defense.

13. Oregon (4-1) – Maybe their bye week made them realize they could beat USC, too, and maybe they’ll get it together and run the table for a BCS at-large spot. Maybe. They’re still smarting from that Cal loss, though, and maybe the bye week helped them recover. Maybe.

14. South Carolina (5-1) – The Ol’ Ball Coach wants a second crack at LSU away from The Swamp, doesn’t he?

15. Virginia Tech (5-1) – Maybe they’re finally ready to play this season. If that’s the case, who could blame them? It’s almost unfair they had that LSU game when they did. If they played on a neutral field now? LSU would still win.

16. West Virginia (5-1) – Maybe if they run the table, they can have their BCS slot back.

17. Illinois (5-1) – With their only loss in OT to an undefeated team, the Zooker is BACK. Can they win the Big Ten? Let’s find out!

18. Wisconsin (5-1) – Ironic that the Big Ten still comes down to Michigan and Ohio State, huh? Oh, and ILLINOIS! So much for my theory about the Badgers being a team that just knows how to win … although, if LSU had to play in Champaign-Urbana, they'd lose, too.

19. Kentucky (5-1) – Andre’ Woodson, your Heisman Trophy Hopes need to be returned, please.

20. Indiana (5-1) – WTF is going on this year? I am seriously afraid when the Illini AND the Hoosiers somehow crack my Top 20.

21. Florida State (4-1) – How did THIS happen? Maybe they have a chance in the ACC after all.

22. USC (4-1) – Did anyone else get that sense of inevitability last night when Stanford stuffed the 4th and goal right before halftime? USC got exactly what they deserved. They can still win the Pac-10, of course, and Pete Carroll will have them focused, but this was another example of what happened when you let a well-coached team hang around too long. Side note: the Stanford WRs seemed to get away with A LOT of push-offs. I wonder how long it will take the Pac-10 crews to crack down on that one after Pete complains to them privately.

23. Oklahoma (5-1) – Ho-hum. Why they were even in a close game with Texas is beyond me. Maybe Stoops is losing it.

24. Boise State (3-1) – They get the edge over Wyoming, based on H2H victory.

25. Wyoming (4-1) – They get the edge over Virginia, based on H2H victory.


Others meriting consideration: Virginia, Texas A&M, Texas Tech