McMisanthrope's Top 25 - November 25, 2007

Where no top team is safe from the Curse of Mianderson ...

1. Hawaii (11-0): After watching them play with such passion on Friday night, I just can't see them losing this last game to Washington. At home. With all their marbles at risk. Nope. I just can't see it. Sorry, Ty; you may have killed Notre Dame's season, but you're not going to kill the Rainbow Warriors this year, especially if you can't even beat Wazzoo.

2. Missouri (11-1): The QB was 40-for-49 last night. Nice. They looked good; they beat a good team. I just don't think they're as good as the Buckeyes, but for now, they get the nod. Why? They have a loss to a "better" team. But can they beat Oklahoma this time around? It should
be a fun game to watch. I notice Sagarin has them third, behind WVU and tOSU, though.

3. Ohio State (11-1): They're loving this, they really are. And I feel that if they get a crack at the title this year, they won't cough it up so easily (if at all). That's the beauty of getting a second
chance, like Florida did last year. (Let's just forget the other examples, like Florida State in 2000 and Nebraska in 2001, though.)

4. West Virginia (10-1): I don't think they're as good as Ohio State, either, and while they looked very good yesterday and control their own destiny in the BCS, I still wonder sometimes. Maybe they're focused now. I figure they're in the BCS title game, since Pitt isn't going to stop them anytime soon. Congrats to the Mountaineers. Maybe Slaton and White will leave early if they win the MNC.

5. Kansas (11-1): Well, they came up short, but they acquitted themselves well enough. Nothing to be ashamed of here. They should still get a BCS at-large bid. If they don't, this system is
ridiculous. If they end up in the Holiday Bowl like K-State did that one time (or the Alamo like K-State did that other time), it would be a shame. They deserve better.

6. Georgia (10-2): They will get a BCS at-large bid, I suspect. They're done, they have a good SOS, and they're hot. No matter what happens in the SEC title game, Georgia is playing like the best team in the SEC right now.

7. USC (9-2): If the Trojans lose to UCLA next weekend, I will eat my Avaratec PC laptop. Seriously. Piece by piece. With no condiments. I just can't see them blowing it two years in a row against UCLA.

8. Arizona State (9-2): Let's see, they only lost to Oregon and USC. Not a bad slate for this crazy 2007. They deserve a BCS at-large slot if they beat Arizona, which they better or else they really were frauds. Where will Dennis Erickson go in 2008? Does that mean the four BCS at-large spots will be taken by Hawaii, Kansas, Georgia and ASU? Stay tuned for another exciting episode of "As the BCS Implodes".

9. LSU (10-2): Does Michigan still want Les Miles? Well, with the Mighty (Mouse) SEC humbled again, LSU fans can still play the "We only lost in OTs!" card. Don't know where it will get them. It will be just like Les to lose to Fat Phil, too, next weekend. Oh, I really don't
care which team wins the SEC. They all suck.

10. Boston College (10-2): I bet they won't beat Virginia Tech twice. But for now, they're ahead of the Hokies because they beat them the first time out.

11. Virginia Tech (10-2): I'd actually put them ahead of LSU, the way they're playing right now, but that wouldn't be right, would it? This is also about the whole season, but the Hokies would probably beat the Tigers right now if the game was in Blacksburg (and/or on a neutral field).

12. BYU (9-2): They've won eight in a row very quietly. Does anyone outside of Utah care? I don't.

13. Boise State (10-2): Deep down, you know they're happy for Hawai'i. They just wish it hadn't come at their expense this week. Not a bad season to follow up their dream 2006, though. Hawaii looked faster than the Broncos on Friday night. And I do feel if that game had been
played on the Blue Turf, the result could have been reversed. Oh well - dem's da breaks.

14. Oklahoma (10-2): Boise goes ahead of them, because, well ... you know why. I suspect the Sooners will be ready to ruin Missouri's season. That would be a shame, too. Then again, watching Chase Daniel toy with Stoops' defense will be fun. If Tech could do it ...

15. Florida (9-3): Their SOS isn't as high as Cal's or UCLA's, but they have a better record, don't they? Lucky THEY didn't lose their starting QB. Tebow is an MVP candidate, but as well we all know, the Hypesman ain't an MVP Award, is it? Someone needs to remind the voters of that.

16. Illinois (9-3): They don't rate a BCS spot in my mind, since the Big Ten was sort of weak this year. They did beat a Top 3 team, though. Cannot knock that; the sky is their limit next year, right? Which means they'll choke/Zook it away. I suspect they get the Citrus Bowl, but you never know.

17. Wisconsin (9-3): They're not this good, but neither is any team below them in my rankings.

18. South Florida (9-3): I suspect they want those 180 minutes of their playing lives back. But hey, they were merely bit by the Curse of Two this year. No shame in that. Small steps, man, small steps. I just hope they can establish a regular level of success from this experience. And no, I'm not running for Mayor of Tampa.

19. Clemson (9-3): Lame win against a weak South Carolina team. Another season of mild disappointment? Seriously, who does Clemson think they are? What year do they think this is? 1981?

20. Virginia (9-3): Blew THAT one, didn't they? Id0ts. It's weird how a nine-win season can be viewed as a disappointment, but I guess everyone thinks they have a chance, right?

21. Oregon (9-3): See Florida above. Dennis Dixon is actually the real MVP. But he's not the Hypesman winner, either.

22. Cincinnati (9-3): They could have been better this year, and the Big East played some good football in 2007. Coincidence? I think not. The ACC is the new weak sister of the BCS, especially with Florida State and Miami down.

23. Texas (9-3): I've been telling you since Week One this team sucked. Well, I was right. But it's pretty pathetic that they can go 9-3 in a season where they suck. What does that say about college football? It says class mobility is limited. What does that say about the Big XII? It says nothing, except it sucks.

24. Tennessee (9-3): Ridiculous. Their losses were embarrassing. Yet here, they are, with a chance to win the SEC. But in the end, who cares? The SEC is out of the BCS title game, which means LSU will win the SEC, of course. Les Miles will see to that.

25. Connecticut (9-3): They finally crashed, and they crashed hard. Why keep them here over Air Force? BCS affiliation and SOS. Nothing more.

Also considered firmly: Air Force, Troy

McMisanthrope’s Top 25 – November 18, 2007

Fasten your seatbelts; it's going to be a bumpy ride! ($1 to Margo Channing)

1. Kansas (11-0): I have a theory. When people whine about Kansas’ SOS, they’re right. They haven’t played good teams. But you know what? They’re obliterating those not-good teams. They’re not squeaking out cheesy wins like other teams we know and hate. The MOV factor is huge when the SOS is weak. It tells you all you need to know. Sure, they had a couple close road wins over teams which were playing well at the time, but road wins are road wins, no matter what. Have they faced a team as good as Missouri this year? No, but the Jayhawks will be at home. Their MOVs at home? 45, 62, 32, 52, 48, 37, 38.

2. Hawaii (10-0): First, they’re at home for the rest of the regular season. Second, they need Colt Brennan healthy to beat Boise. Third, if Brennan is healthy, I like their chances to go 12-0. Yes, the schedule is weak, but you cannot penalize the student-athletes for decisions beyond their control. All you can do is give them credit for beating the teams their AD put in front of them. For that reason, more than any other, college football needs a tournament to decides its champion. By the way, their SOS is better than Boise’s right now. If Brennan wasn’t hurt all the time, he’d be a Heisman Candidate.

3. Arizona State (9-1): Funny how the cookie crumbles. I like Sagarin, of course, and if he has their SOS higher than LSU’s this week, that’s good enough for me. LSU may have more quality wins, but ASU’s schedule is slightly better. Of course, this will be meaningless when the Sun Devils take it up the ass from USC on Thursday. But hey, not many teams get a second chance (wait, this is 2007: maybe they do?), so perhaps Erickson and Co. will take advantage – and they are at home. Wow, this could be huge for ASU … must take more time to determine a winner here.

4. LSU (10-1): Not much to say here. As that baseball guy once said, you’d rather be lucky than good. And LSU has been more of the former, although in the latter category, they’re clearly the only decent team in the SEC (except maybe Georgia?). If they lose either of their next two games, they’re id0ts. By the way, if they’re really the best team in the country, where is their Heisman Candidate?

5. West Virginia: (9-1): With their last two at home, I think they will win out. They’ll be watching the Big XII shootouts with great interest. I think they’re chances of reaching the title game are good; they need someone to lose, of course, but there’s a higher probability of that than losing themselves. However, even if they make the BCS title, I still can’t see their defense being good enough to win it all. Pat White? My Leading Heisman Candidate This Week.

6. Missouri (10-1): Truthfully, I probably know the least about Missouri than any other team in my Top 25. Does Brad Smith still play QB here? No matter; I will still be tuning in next Saturday to watch the game.

7. Ohio State (11-1): If Mike Hart thinks Sparty is his “Little Brother”, then tOSU must be his “Abusive Stepfather”. Ouch. It really must suck to give up a year of your life and fail miserably at tasks you set yourself. But hey, this is about Ohio State. It’s weird to think that a few more upsets and the Buckeyes could be right back in the fray, eh? At least they’re done with the season and can rest to watch everyone else scramble. And Rose Bowls are never a bad thing, unless you’re a Michigan coach, of course. Then you lose them most of the time. Tressel? The MAN.

8. Boise State (10-1): This is another game I won’t miss. I think Boise can win, of course, and they’ll been ROLLING the past few games. Would mianderson bet against them? Put this one in your weekly betting post, pla. At least we know they can beat Oklahoma; we know no such thing about Hawaii.

9. Georgia (9-2): Everyone’s favorite “hot team right now”, which means they’re going to lose to Georgia Tech, huh? It’s irrelevant, I guess, for the SEC East purposes. It comes down to a shitty Tennessee team versus Kentucky at home on Senior Day. Anyway, the Bulldogs have another nice season going. They’re the SEC’s saving grace; otherwise, the SEC would just be another Big Ten.

10. USC (8-2): I wonder what Pete Carroll’s been doing for the past week. Probably getting ready to shred ASU. When I think about it, Carroll’s a better X&Os guy than Erickson is, so I will go with USC on the road. Do the Trojans win the Pac-10 if they win out? A Ohio State-USC Rose Bowl would be fun … it’s been too long. January 1985, I think, no?

11. Boston College (9-2): Got up off the mat last night, didn’t they? Surprised me. Good for them. I suspect they will be kicking themselves, though, for a long time. But hey, an ACC title is a good consolation prize for this team.

12. Virginia (9-2): I will give them the edge, because they’re at home. But I have absolutely no interest in watching them play the Hokies.

13. Virginia Tech (9-2): I think I would root for the Hokies to win, simply because of the tough year it’s been in Blacksburg. But I have absolutely no interest in watching them play the Cavs.

14. Oregon (8-2): I dropped them this far because with Dixon, they’re not as good of a team. And they’re not the same team that beat USC, either, so … again, proving the maxim that you’d rather be lucky than good. And the Ducks in 2007? Unlucky. First that fumble against Cal and then the injury to their Heisman-leading QB. Maybe it’s time to simplify the jersey schemes.

15. Oklahoma (9-2): I told you this team sucked, but again, a QB injury kills a team. Then again, Sam Bradford doesn’t play defense, does he? I thought Stoops was a defensive guy. I bet they’ll still win the Big XII title game, though, since that will be par for the course in 2007.

16. Texas (9-2): Another overrated, mediocre team that somehow has found its way to a good record. Michigan’s jealous, still.

17. BYU (8-2): Quietly putting together a nice season. But does anyone outside Provo care?

18. Connecticut (9-2): After they lose at WVU next week, they can still be proud of a nine-win season no one saw coming.

19. Florida (8-3): The SEC is down this year.

20. South Florida (8-3): The Big East is up this year.

21. Tennessee (8-3): This team just sucks. I mean, you need a 16-point fourth quarter at home to beat VANDY?! I know the Vols always seem to struggle with Vandy, but come on. Either way, Michigan is still jealous.

22. Illinois (9-3): How many of you predicted a nine-win season for the Illini? Sit down, mianderson.

23. Clemson (8-3): Morons.

24. Cincinnati (8-3): As I was watching multiple TVs showing the WVU-Cincy game and the OU-Tech game side-by-side, I got the unis for the Bearcats and the Red Raiders confused. One team? Was winning. The other? Not so much.

25. Wisconsin (9-3): I don’t think the Badgers are this good, but they ain’t no Mountain West team.

Also receiving some due consideration: Utah, Air Force

McMisanthrope’s Top 25 – November 11, 2007

It’s getting close to crunch time … want some?

1. Kansas (10-0): The process of attrition is almost complete. They have a gimme next week at home, before facing Missouri at home on Thanksgiving Saturday. And THEN they have a Big XII title game looming if they’re still undefeated. Wow. A lot of work left to do, but the fact they’re #1 in mid-November is still amazing. Sure, the SOS isn’t impressive, but they’re the last undefeated BCS conference team. You just can’t slight that, no matter how hard you try – because if you do, then the whole system is worthless.

2. Hawaii (9-0): If Colt Brennan is hurt, all bets are off. And they have three tough tests to finish the season: at Nevada, home against Boise, home against the Willinghams. If they beat Nevada, I think they’re good, because they’re hard to beat on Oahu.

3. Oregon (8-1): All three of their remaining games are trap games (at Zona, at UCLA, and home for the Civil War). But if they win out, they’ll be in the BCS title game. If they finish 11-1 and don’t make the title game, it’ll be just like 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, etc., for the Pac-10: the East Coast Media Bias will have struck again. But until then, the Ducks had a bye this week. Must have been nice to sit back and relax, while watching Ohio State blow it. Oh, and their current SOS is better than LSU’s, by the way. That will change, but for now …

4. LSU (9-1): They’re big Tennessee fans right now, because I guarantee you they’d much rather play the pathetic Vols in the SEC title game than face Georgia in Atlanta. Does the road game at Ole Miss scare them? I doubt it. Does the home finale against the Fading McFaddens worry them? Probably not. So again, they’re big Phat Phil Phans right now.

5. Arizona State (9-1): If ASU wins out, they should get a BCS bid, period. Either they would win the Pac-10 with an Oregon loss or they’d be 11-1 themselves. Heck, what if Kansas and LSU lose while Oregon and ASU win out? Would we get an all Pac-10 title game? Surely not. Either way, they have a home date with the Trojans on Turkey Day, and I cannot see Pete Carroll taking three losses. Then again, I didn’t think Urban Meyer would go there, either, so … anything’s possible.

6. West Virginia (8-1): They have a slightly better SOS than the next two teams, and they’ve become the team to beat in the Big East. The SOS should rise in the next two weeks as they face Cincy on the road and UConn at home. If they win both, they’ve probably put themselves in the “one-loss title game team” argument. Which brings another question about: will Slaton and White return for a senior season, knowing they’ve really blown it these last two years? Do they want glory’s last shot ($1 to the PGA Championship)?

7. Missouri (9-1): First, outside of Missouri and Kansas, the Big XII North sucks. Second, I predict right here, right now, that K-State will beat Mizzou next week. Maybe holding Texath Tech to ten points was their best achievement this year, and the clock is about to strike midnight for the Tigers. Of course, if they do lose to K-State next week, that just means they’ll beat Kansas in two weeks. Watch.

8. Ohio State (10-1): How do you blow that game? I mean, sure, Illinois isn’t a bad team, especially with a healthy Juice Williams at QB. But it’s SENIOR DAY, for Christ’s sake. How does Tressel and Co. lose this game? Just a shock to me, actually. But hey, it probably saved us from another BCS title game blowout, so maybe it was a good thing. Since all the Buckeyes have to play for now is the Big Ten title, you can bet they’ll be FOCUSED next week. Either way, the Big Ten sucks: we now have definitive proof for those non-believers.

9. Oklahoma (9-1): They have a really weak SOS, and losing to Colorado, only beating Iowa State by ten, and Texas by seven haven’t been impressive benchmarks. Of course, the voters don’t care: it’s Oklahoma! Lest we forget 2003, 2004, etc. This team has no business being in the title game discussion until all these other teams above it lose. How did they lose to Colorado?! They must KICKING themselves. And geez, how did they ever lose with Adrian Peterson in the backfield?!

10. Boise State (9-1): It’d be a shame if they ruined Hawaii’s season. They had their moment last year. But here they are again. They, too, must be kicking themselves, over that Willinghams loss. Every season, there are a handful of teams who must be just pissed that they lost that one game that kept them from greater glory. The beauty – and the horror – of college football, in its essence.

11. USC (8-2): They should have beaten defenseless Cal by more last night. Is Carroll slipping? Or is it just mediocre QB time in LaLaLand? I think the new kids on the Trojan block haven’t learned the lessons from the old kids on the Trojan block. The turnovers and the penalties are evidence; it’s like the Trojans just expect other teams to roll over for them. Carroll, in the end, is responsible for that problem. They have a big test coming at ASU on Thanksgiving. Given 12 days to prepare for that game, I’m still giving the edge to USC.

12. Georgia (8-2): First, Auburn really sucks. How did they ever go 13-0 in 2004? This maddening inconsistency must drive Auburn fans to drink excessively. Second, Georgia was drinking a bit to lose to Spurrier and Fulmer in the same season, thereby blowing their best chances to win the SEC East. Id0ts!

13. Virginia Tech (8-2): Okay, the ACC is now officially the worst BCS conference this season. This is their highest team in the rankings, and this team lost 48-7 to LSU. If the Big Ten sucks, the ACC sucks more. What if Michigan ends up winning the Big Ten? Then you have two BCS leagues with absolutely ridiculously-bad –horrible champions. Where did all the talent in the FBS go?!

14. Virginia (9-2): Ouch, they really ruined Miami’s Orange Bowl swan song. That was painful to watch … then again, no. They have a winner-take-ACC-Coastal match with the Hokies in two weeks, and you have to like their chances at home with two weeks’ prep time. But until they beat the Hokies, I am not putting them above the Hokies: wear it.

15. Clemson (8-2): They’re on a roll right now, which is more than I can say for #16 below. And they have a winner-take-ACC-Atlantic match against #16 next week (sort of). And they’re at home for that game, so … here they are. The Best Bowden in 2007? Uh huh.

16. Boston College (8-2): Lame asses. Talk about punting away your season. Id0ts.

17. Cincinnati (8-2): Put UConn in its place, that’s for sure. However, that’s not saying much. The Big East is weird; it’s like SEC North up here. I mean, Louisville is 5-5 and 2-3 in conference. Second-to-last place, only a game ahead of Syracuse – who whupped them! Anyway, this is about Cincy. I am uninspired to write much about them, so they’re here by default.

18. Texas (9-2): How is this team 9-2? This may be Mack Brown’s best coaching job ever. This team just isn’t that good. Proof? A three-point home win over NEBRASKA. ‘Nuff said.

19. Connecticut (8-2): I still hate spelling out C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-C-U-T, just as much as I did in grade school. And they finally cashed out yesterday. I suspect the free fall will begin in earnest now. When does basketball season start in Storrs?

20. BYU (7-2): Sometimes I think they’re still in the WAC. That’s not a good thing. The Mountain West has four bowl-eligible teams, though (seven wins or more).

21. Florida (7-3): Is it mathematically possible for Florida to still win the SEC East? I hope so. If Tebow gets a month to heal, however, this is a team I would NOT want to face in a bowl game.

22. South Florida (7-3): Nothing like a Slice o’ Orange to heal what ails ya, eh? They should win out against Louisville at home and Pitt on the road, but no matter what happens, what a season for the Bulls …

23. Illinois (8-3): Hey, look! Another Big Ten team finally makes the Top 25! Zook’d, indeed.

24. Kentucky (7-3): With a road game at Georgia and a home date against Tennessee, the Wildcats will have a lot to say about the fate of the SEC East – and ultimately the SEC. What if they win both games? Will that get Florida into the SEC title game? Oooo, the possibilities!

25. Wisconsin (8-3): I don’t know what to say. They should have beaten Michigan, and they did beat them. Ho-hum.

Also receiving consideration: Tennessee, Michigan, Penn State, Utah

McMisanthrope's Top 25 -- November 4, 2007

Where it's becoming more clear the BCS is fixt ... and this season sucks.

1. Ohio State (10-0): Slightly tense moments there in Columbus, I suspect, but then the Buckeyes woke up and laid the wood to Bucky. Clearly, they are the best team in the country, no mater what you say about the schedule. And the way Michigan played on Saturday, you have to like Ohio State's chances to go 12-0 again. Knowing as we do how much the Big Ten sucks (seriously, if both conference leaders struggle to beat Sparty, you know it's a bad conference), are we looking at a repeat of last year's BCS title game? Is Ohio State the new Florida State? Or the new Oklahoma?

2. Kansas (9-0): Wow. I think I was more surprised by the Nebraska suckitude than I was about Kansas' domination. They're getting close enough to taste it, and all that stands in their way is Missouri. Who would have thought it? Kansas and Missouri, fighting for the Big XII North title.

3. Hawaii (8-0): Getting to the nitty, ain't it? Three unbeatens left, and Hawaii is one of them. I like the "feel good" stories, as you know. June Jones qualifies, as does Colt Brennan. Wins are wins, though, no matter what.

4. Oregon (8-1): Sagarin has their SOS higher than LSU's, although I suspect that's fleeting considering the SEC title game looms for LSU. If the Pac-10 gets screwed by the BCS yet again this year, though, it's going to be a shame.

5. LSU (8-1): Not sure how much luckier the Tigers could get last night. But hey, maybe they're living a charmed life in 2007. Was it Durocher who said, "I'd rather be lucky than good"? Les Miles should be a believer at this point, but he's too arrogant and smug. I wonder why?

6. Arizona State (8-1): No shame in losing on the road to Oregon. If they can run the table, maybe they'll get a BCS reward. But I suspect USC will teach them a lesson when the time comes.

7. Boston College (8-1): Wow, how could they blow THAT one at home? So much for the computers knowing anything. One of the larger choke jobs this season, that's for sure. I mean, what was the point of winning last week if you were just going to turn around and cough this one up? Id0ts.

8. Missouri (8-1): Knowing the way the college football world works, the Tigers will ruin Kansas' season later this month. Nothing else would make sense.

9. West Virginia (7-1): Four games left to prove 2005 was no fluke, Mr. White and Mr. Slaton.

10. Oklahoma (8-1): If Missouri doesn't get Kansas, Oklahoma probably will. I hate college football; I really do. Because this year's Oklahoma model isn't this good, AT ALL. But they'll be good enough to win the Big XII, sadly enough.

11. Connecticut (8-1): Slowly turning into my favorite surprise of the season. The Big East? TJBEOU.

12. Boise State (8-1): How did they lose to U-Dub? Shame, because the upcoming game against Hawaii would have REALLY been an important one.

13. Georgia (7-2): I don't even really want to rank any more teams, since all the two-loss teams suck and are irrelevant.

14. Virginia Tech (7-2): They rebounded nicely from that blown game last week.

15. USC (7-2): It'll be weird to see the Trojans in the Sun Bowl, when you know they could beat LSU on a neutral field.

16. Cincinnati (7-2): It's been a few weeks since I made this comment, but I'll say it again: Mark Dantonio is dumb.

17. Clemson (7-2): Yet another example of why it's just a waste of time to rank two-loss teams.

18. Virginia (8-2): Ibid.

19. Texas (8-2): I am sure Mack Brown will find a way, still, to secure the Longhorns a BCS bid.

20. BYU (6-2): Only here because they didn't lose to a FCS team.

21. Michigan (8-2): The Wolverines are specializing in getting other teams to gift them wins late in the game this year: Penn State, Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan State. Too bad Appalachian State didn't buy in, huh, Lloyd? Seriously, has any team benefited more this season from the stupidity of its opponents? Oh yeah, LSU has! No wonder Michigan wants to hire Les Miles. They're a match made in a landfill. This is a .500 team at best, yet somehow Carr has them positioned for a shot at the Big Ten title. Why do Michigan fans complain? They're worse than Red Sox fans.

22. California (6-3): Now we're really chumming for chumps to round out the Top 25.

23. Penn State (7-3): It'll be just like them to lose to Sparty in two weeks. Watch.

24. Florida (6-3): I'm rewarding them with this spot because of SOS.

25. Wake Forest (6-3): Considering the surprise they were last year, they've done alright in a follow-up act.

Also receiving meager consideration: Kentucky, South Florida, Alabama, Florida State, Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois, Purdue, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Utah, Central Florida, Troy, Air Force