Thoughts:
1. Sooner or later people are going to realize the Big XII teams are overrated. I truly hope Missouri wins the Big XII title game, because any Big XII team that makes the BCS title game is going to pull an Ohio State on us.
2. I am pulling for Alabama in the SEC title game. I want at least one spot in the BCS title game to be without controversy.
3. So the mighty SEC began the year with four teams in the Top 10, and now they really have shown themselves to be a two-team “juggernaut”. Why the voters haven’t clued in on this is again mystifying. This is just like the Big Ten in 2006.
4. I am sick of that Ozzy Samsung phone ad on the telly. Really sick of it.
Rankings:
1. Boise State (12-0): Talk about halftime adjustments. Pat Hill still doesn’t know what hit him.
2. Alabama (12-0): That’s how you treat a rival with everything on the line, Rich-Rod.
3. Utah (12-0): Sucks to be idle. What have you done for me lately?
4. Ball State (12-0): Like ‘Bama, they ain’t done yet.
5. USC (10-1): UCLA awaits. Can The Rick do it?
6. Florida (11-1): Both the Trojans and the Gators would beat any of these teams above them. But the losses have to count for something.
7. Texas (11-1): See above Alabama comment.
8. Penn State (11-1): The Big Ten really needs to add a 12th team and play deeper into the season if they want to re-establish themselves in this BCS era. Ohio State has really done the conference wrong.
9. Oklahoma (11-1): Not impressed at all.
10. Texas Tech (11-1): Not impressed at all.
11. Cincinnati (10-2): The only two-loss conference winner goes to the top of the third tier.
12. Ohio State (10-2): No BCS for you, Buckeyes.
13. TCU (10-2): Not a lot of two-loss teams.
14. BYU (10-2): Ditto.
15. Tulsa (10-2): Yawn. Can you tell I am tired of this season already?
16. Oregon (9-3): Nice offense.
17. Georgia Tech (9-3): Bragging rights are nice.
18. Georgia (9-3): No shame in the loss.
19. Michigan State (9-3): Whatever.
20. Missouri (9-3): Whoops. This loss may actually prime them for an upset next week. Watch.
21. Northwestern (9-3): Quietest 9-3 season ever?
22. Pittsburgh (8-3): Two years in a row, Pat White can’t get it done in the BYB.
23. Boston College (9-3): Was there a Flutie on the field yesterday? Ask ESPN.
24. Western Michigan (9-3): I hear they open in Ann Arbor next year.
25. Oklahoma State (9-3): Couldn’t get a defensive stop to save their lives.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
McMisanthrope's Top 25: November 23, 2008
Thoughts:
1. How could Oklahoma lose to Texas?
2. Since no one, single game can determine a team’s worth, it’s even more important to have a tournament.
3. Coaching decisions in-game are quite amusing to watch.
4. Maybe Mississippi is better than Iowa, but I doubt it. So does Jeff Sagarin. Either way, Oregon State is better than them both.
5. Teams that lose from here on out? Choke artists.
Rankings:
1. Utah (12-0): They beat Oregon State, TCU and BYU. I don’t if any other team has three such quality wins.
2. Alabama (11-0): Their singular impressive win (Georgia) is slightly better than Boise State’s singular impressive win (Oregon), but at least they play a BCS schedule.
3. Boise State (11-0): On paper, they don’t look at good as the 2006 team, but the talent on this 2008 team is greater than that of two years ago. And if two years ago, they could beat a big boy in a BCS bowl, they could do it again this year. I am afraid they won’t get the chance, and that’s just pure ridiculousness.
4. Ball State (11-0): They have no impressive wins over anyone notable.
5. Oklahoma (10-1): They played like thugs on Saturday night, and Bob Stoops just lost a lot of respect in my corner. But they ambushed a Tech team that should have been able to play better after a bye week. So again, how did the Sooners lose to Texas?
6. USC (9-1): Why does their loss to Oregon State hurt them more than Florida’s home loss to Mississippi? I have yet to understand why the pollsters currently and conveniently ignore realities they demanded as fact last year.
7. Texas (10-1): How did they lose to Tech when Oklahoma was able to score 65 points on them?
8. Penn State (11-1): Again, a road loss should always be weighted less than a home loss. Always. But the SEC can do no wrong, evidently. By the way, does Paterno even coach from the box? Every shot ABC showed of him yesterday, he looked like he was drooling. Does he even speak into the faux headset he was wearing?
9. Florida (10-1): I am going to echo the thought that even scheduling The Citadel shows how pathetic the SEC is as a conference. But the pollsters moved Florida up after they pounded a nothing team. Oklahoma pounds an undefeated team? It doesn’t matter. But I am sure it will matter when Florida pounds Alabama. This subjective favoritism toward the SEC will end the BCS up in court; watch.
10. Texas Tech (10-1): All lubricant jokes aside, I don’t know what Mike Leach did to prepare his team for that game, but such coaching incompetence is just shocking.
11. Ohio State (10-2): If Michigan isn’t careful, they’re going to find themselves on the wrong side of an eight-game losing streak in this series in November 2011.
12. TCU (10-2): Their only losses are to Oklahoma and Utah. Heck of a season that deserves more than the crappy bowl they’ll end up in.
13. Georgia (9-2): Yawn.
14. BYU (10-2): Only losses are to Utah and TCU. Again, a heck of a season that deserves more than the crappy bowl they’ll end up in.
15. Cincinnati (9-2): Is someone finally in the driver’s seat for the Big East title? And Brian Kelly is doing it all with someone else’s recruits. I guess he can coach his way to Tennessee if he wants, but I wouldn’t touch the Vols job with a ten-foot pole.
16. Oklahoma State (9-2): An overrated team that still beat Missouri.
17. Missouri (9-2): An overrated team that still lost to Oklahoma State.
18. Tulsa (9-2): Yawn.
19. Oregon State (8-3): They didn’t go down due to a missed extra point, and you have to winder if Mike Stoops is really a worthy coach. Arizona blew this game, big-time.
20. Michigan State (9-3): The only two games they played this year against good teams? They got hammered by a combined 94-26. Has Sparty really turned a corner? In 1999, they lost two games by a combined 92-38 but still finished 10-2 and launched Little Nicky to stardom elsewhere. Will history repeat?
21. Pittsburgh (7-3): Doh.
22. Boston College (8-3): At some point on TV yesterday, the talking heads noted that unranked ACC teams were 11-3 against ranked ACC teams this year. They really do just beat each other up.
23. Georgia Tech (8-3): Did I stutter?
24. Oregon (8-3): They have a big game coming up next week in the Civil War. It’s going to be hard for the Beavers to get to Pasadena, but if they do, they will have done it the old-fashioned way.
25. Northwestern (9-3): Nice season under the radar for the Wildcats. It’s always good to see the smart kids in purple win a lot of games.
Also considered for a starring role this week: Connecticut, Florida State, West Virginia
1. How could Oklahoma lose to Texas?
2. Since no one, single game can determine a team’s worth, it’s even more important to have a tournament.
3. Coaching decisions in-game are quite amusing to watch.
4. Maybe Mississippi is better than Iowa, but I doubt it. So does Jeff Sagarin. Either way, Oregon State is better than them both.
5. Teams that lose from here on out? Choke artists.
Rankings:
1. Utah (12-0): They beat Oregon State, TCU and BYU. I don’t if any other team has three such quality wins.
2. Alabama (11-0): Their singular impressive win (Georgia) is slightly better than Boise State’s singular impressive win (Oregon), but at least they play a BCS schedule.
3. Boise State (11-0): On paper, they don’t look at good as the 2006 team, but the talent on this 2008 team is greater than that of two years ago. And if two years ago, they could beat a big boy in a BCS bowl, they could do it again this year. I am afraid they won’t get the chance, and that’s just pure ridiculousness.
4. Ball State (11-0): They have no impressive wins over anyone notable.
5. Oklahoma (10-1): They played like thugs on Saturday night, and Bob Stoops just lost a lot of respect in my corner. But they ambushed a Tech team that should have been able to play better after a bye week. So again, how did the Sooners lose to Texas?
6. USC (9-1): Why does their loss to Oregon State hurt them more than Florida’s home loss to Mississippi? I have yet to understand why the pollsters currently and conveniently ignore realities they demanded as fact last year.
7. Texas (10-1): How did they lose to Tech when Oklahoma was able to score 65 points on them?
8. Penn State (11-1): Again, a road loss should always be weighted less than a home loss. Always. But the SEC can do no wrong, evidently. By the way, does Paterno even coach from the box? Every shot ABC showed of him yesterday, he looked like he was drooling. Does he even speak into the faux headset he was wearing?
9. Florida (10-1): I am going to echo the thought that even scheduling The Citadel shows how pathetic the SEC is as a conference. But the pollsters moved Florida up after they pounded a nothing team. Oklahoma pounds an undefeated team? It doesn’t matter. But I am sure it will matter when Florida pounds Alabama. This subjective favoritism toward the SEC will end the BCS up in court; watch.
10. Texas Tech (10-1): All lubricant jokes aside, I don’t know what Mike Leach did to prepare his team for that game, but such coaching incompetence is just shocking.
11. Ohio State (10-2): If Michigan isn’t careful, they’re going to find themselves on the wrong side of an eight-game losing streak in this series in November 2011.
12. TCU (10-2): Their only losses are to Oklahoma and Utah. Heck of a season that deserves more than the crappy bowl they’ll end up in.
13. Georgia (9-2): Yawn.
14. BYU (10-2): Only losses are to Utah and TCU. Again, a heck of a season that deserves more than the crappy bowl they’ll end up in.
15. Cincinnati (9-2): Is someone finally in the driver’s seat for the Big East title? And Brian Kelly is doing it all with someone else’s recruits. I guess he can coach his way to Tennessee if he wants, but I wouldn’t touch the Vols job with a ten-foot pole.
16. Oklahoma State (9-2): An overrated team that still beat Missouri.
17. Missouri (9-2): An overrated team that still lost to Oklahoma State.
18. Tulsa (9-2): Yawn.
19. Oregon State (8-3): They didn’t go down due to a missed extra point, and you have to winder if Mike Stoops is really a worthy coach. Arizona blew this game, big-time.
20. Michigan State (9-3): The only two games they played this year against good teams? They got hammered by a combined 94-26. Has Sparty really turned a corner? In 1999, they lost two games by a combined 92-38 but still finished 10-2 and launched Little Nicky to stardom elsewhere. Will history repeat?
21. Pittsburgh (7-3): Doh.
22. Boston College (8-3): At some point on TV yesterday, the talking heads noted that unranked ACC teams were 11-3 against ranked ACC teams this year. They really do just beat each other up.
23. Georgia Tech (8-3): Did I stutter?
24. Oregon (8-3): They have a big game coming up next week in the Civil War. It’s going to be hard for the Beavers to get to Pasadena, but if they do, they will have done it the old-fashioned way.
25. Northwestern (9-3): Nice season under the radar for the Wildcats. It’s always good to see the smart kids in purple win a lot of games.
Also considered for a starring role this week: Connecticut, Florida State, West Virginia
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The McTop 25: November 16, 2008
Thoughts:
1. The SEC sucks. After watching Georgia struggle to beat Auburn (!) and watching LSU spot Troy a 21-point lead in the 4th quarter, who cares if they “won” the games? They lost face, and this conference is pathetic. Florida is good; ‘Bama is alright. Georgia is tolerable. The rest are barely worth mentioning.
2. The Pac-10 is better than advertised. One great argument for a tournament has always been about getting your team to peak at the right time, and the Pac-10 has two teams who are very hot right now.
3. The Big Ten isn’t good. 8-3 Northwestern struggles to beat 3-8 Michigan? And as someone noted, that Wisconsin-Minnesota game was just unwatchable. Sparty is vastly overrated, and we saw what USC did to Ohio State. Penn State: slightly the best of a mediocre bunch. It is a good thing they won’t make the title game.
4. The ACC is better than advertised; THEY are truly beating each other up this year. Six teams are 7-3. How do you separate them?
5. The Big XII is overrated. I am going to predict that the conference’s bowl record will be slightly embarrassing this year.
6. The Big East is the Big Least for 2008. Not much else to say there.
7. Yay, I don’t have to rank Tulsa anymore! Anyone who gives up 70 points in a single game won’t sniff my rankings.
Rankings:
1. Texas Tech (10-0): Good time for a bye week, eh? I think they’re the best of the undefeated teams, and I’d like to see them go undefeated, even if means Florida or USC misses their rightful spot in the BCS “title” game. And unlike Oklahoma, they can play a little defense.
2. Utah (11-0): Laid the wood to San Diego State. That’s what good teams do to bad teams. Take note, Alabama.
3. Boise State (10-0): Laid the wood to Idaho. That’s what good teams do to bad teams. Take note, Alabama.
4. Alabama (11-0): Seriously, a 12-7 halftime lead at home over Mississippi State? What a joke the SEC is if this is their “No. 1” team right now. Everyone knows this team is the equivalent of 2007 Kansas, right? Except because of the SEC bias, no one has noticed. But really, who have they beaten? Georgia and Clemson suck, as does LSU. Look at their SOS: not very good. They’ll lose the SEC title game and get an undeserved BCS bid, where they’ll get mauled by some ACC team.
5. Ball State (10-0): If they had beaten Miami-OH by more than two TDs, I’d have put them ahead of Alabama, too.
6. Texas (10-1): How many teams are going to be fighting for those BCS at-large bids? This will get ugly, especially if Mack Brown is involved in the politicking. But I think their defense is … suspect.
7. Oklahoma (9-1): After Texas Tech beats them, they’ll become irrelevant in this discussion. But for now, I need to keep them here to be consistent.
8. USC (9-1): Oregon State may win out. Do the Trojans even get an at-large BCS bid? My two favorite teams this year are ranked No. 8 and No. 10 in my own system. Sucks to maintain objectivity, doesn’t it?
9. Penn State (10-1): Since they’ve only been to the Rose Bowl once since they joined the Big Ten, this should be a nice reward for JoePA.
10. Florida (9-1): They still have the worst loss of any of the BCS one-loss teams, and it should cost them. Oh, except for the SEC love affair currently en vogue. Complete hypocritical turnaround from 2007 if they end up in the title game, deserving or not. Every year, the criteria changes to whatever suits the SEC. Completely transparent and bogus. And I really LIKE Florida. But if the BCS was consistent, Florida would be NOWHERE near the title game. Why was South Carolina even ranked? Two words: SEC bias.
11. BYU (10-1): Can they spoil Utah’s season? Stay tuned.
12. TCU (9-2): Only two losses to Oklahoma and Utah. Not a bad resume.
13. Ohio State (9-2): Another team I don’t think anyone would want to play in a tournament right now. They’ll make it five in a row or whatever is now against Michigan. No sweat. It might even be ugly. Considering their only losses were to USC and Penn State …
14. Georgia (9-2): I’m only ranking them here, because based on their talent, they should beat the rest of the two-loss teams below. But this team is just not good. Matthew Stafford? Pathetic. How could they even let Auburn sniff a chance in that game? AUBURN! Both these teams had no business being ranked in the Preseason Top 10. This SEC crap is just laughable, and if the media had any shame, they’d admit their idiocy now. They look good on paper, but since they got HAMMERED in both their losses …
15. Michigan State (9-2): The quality in this poll dropped off at #10.
16. (tie) Cincinnati (8-2) & Pittsburgh (7-2): No, this isn’t the AFC Central, circa 1975. But they will break the stalemate atop the Big East this upcoming weekend when they face each other. That’s good enough for now.
17. Oklahoma State (9-2): I really don’t want to rank them, but their only losses are to Texas and Tech. Why are they so low? Because they gave up 50+ points. Sure, Sparty gave up 45 to Ohio State, but there’s a big difference at that 50-spot threshold.
18. Missouri (9-2): No defense. I have a feeling they will get smoked in the Big XII title game. But if they pull off the upset to put USC into the title game against Florida, I’d be happier than a clam. But are clams really happy? That is a fixed smile; nature has shafted the clam with a fake smile.
19. Oregon State (7-3): They have two tough games left. Winning in Tucson won’t be easy, and defeating the Ducks in the Civil War is never a cakewalk. Stay tuned.
20. Northwestern (8-3): They have an inexcusable loss to Indiana, but I’d still take them over LSU on a neutral field. Or in the snow.
21. Oregon (8-3): They lost to Boise State, USC and California. No shame there.
22. Miami-FL (7-3): Best combination of record, conference mark and SOS in the ACC.
23. Maryland (7-3): Second-best combination of record, conference mark and SOS in the ACC.
24. Georgia Tech (7-3): Here via virtue of their win over Florida State. Subject to change, week-to-week, in the topsy-turvy ACC.
25. West Virginia (6-3): Still have an outside shot at the Big Least title if Pittsburgh beats Cincy.
Others receiving acknowledgement: Florida State, North Carolina, Boston College, Connecticut, Air Force, LSU
1. The SEC sucks. After watching Georgia struggle to beat Auburn (!) and watching LSU spot Troy a 21-point lead in the 4th quarter, who cares if they “won” the games? They lost face, and this conference is pathetic. Florida is good; ‘Bama is alright. Georgia is tolerable. The rest are barely worth mentioning.
2. The Pac-10 is better than advertised. One great argument for a tournament has always been about getting your team to peak at the right time, and the Pac-10 has two teams who are very hot right now.
3. The Big Ten isn’t good. 8-3 Northwestern struggles to beat 3-8 Michigan? And as someone noted, that Wisconsin-Minnesota game was just unwatchable. Sparty is vastly overrated, and we saw what USC did to Ohio State. Penn State: slightly the best of a mediocre bunch. It is a good thing they won’t make the title game.
4. The ACC is better than advertised; THEY are truly beating each other up this year. Six teams are 7-3. How do you separate them?
5. The Big XII is overrated. I am going to predict that the conference’s bowl record will be slightly embarrassing this year.
6. The Big East is the Big Least for 2008. Not much else to say there.
7. Yay, I don’t have to rank Tulsa anymore! Anyone who gives up 70 points in a single game won’t sniff my rankings.
Rankings:
1. Texas Tech (10-0): Good time for a bye week, eh? I think they’re the best of the undefeated teams, and I’d like to see them go undefeated, even if means Florida or USC misses their rightful spot in the BCS “title” game. And unlike Oklahoma, they can play a little defense.
2. Utah (11-0): Laid the wood to San Diego State. That’s what good teams do to bad teams. Take note, Alabama.
3. Boise State (10-0): Laid the wood to Idaho. That’s what good teams do to bad teams. Take note, Alabama.
4. Alabama (11-0): Seriously, a 12-7 halftime lead at home over Mississippi State? What a joke the SEC is if this is their “No. 1” team right now. Everyone knows this team is the equivalent of 2007 Kansas, right? Except because of the SEC bias, no one has noticed. But really, who have they beaten? Georgia and Clemson suck, as does LSU. Look at their SOS: not very good. They’ll lose the SEC title game and get an undeserved BCS bid, where they’ll get mauled by some ACC team.
5. Ball State (10-0): If they had beaten Miami-OH by more than two TDs, I’d have put them ahead of Alabama, too.
6. Texas (10-1): How many teams are going to be fighting for those BCS at-large bids? This will get ugly, especially if Mack Brown is involved in the politicking. But I think their defense is … suspect.
7. Oklahoma (9-1): After Texas Tech beats them, they’ll become irrelevant in this discussion. But for now, I need to keep them here to be consistent.
8. USC (9-1): Oregon State may win out. Do the Trojans even get an at-large BCS bid? My two favorite teams this year are ranked No. 8 and No. 10 in my own system. Sucks to maintain objectivity, doesn’t it?
9. Penn State (10-1): Since they’ve only been to the Rose Bowl once since they joined the Big Ten, this should be a nice reward for JoePA.
10. Florida (9-1): They still have the worst loss of any of the BCS one-loss teams, and it should cost them. Oh, except for the SEC love affair currently en vogue. Complete hypocritical turnaround from 2007 if they end up in the title game, deserving or not. Every year, the criteria changes to whatever suits the SEC. Completely transparent and bogus. And I really LIKE Florida. But if the BCS was consistent, Florida would be NOWHERE near the title game. Why was South Carolina even ranked? Two words: SEC bias.
11. BYU (10-1): Can they spoil Utah’s season? Stay tuned.
12. TCU (9-2): Only two losses to Oklahoma and Utah. Not a bad resume.
13. Ohio State (9-2): Another team I don’t think anyone would want to play in a tournament right now. They’ll make it five in a row or whatever is now against Michigan. No sweat. It might even be ugly. Considering their only losses were to USC and Penn State …
14. Georgia (9-2): I’m only ranking them here, because based on their talent, they should beat the rest of the two-loss teams below. But this team is just not good. Matthew Stafford? Pathetic. How could they even let Auburn sniff a chance in that game? AUBURN! Both these teams had no business being ranked in the Preseason Top 10. This SEC crap is just laughable, and if the media had any shame, they’d admit their idiocy now. They look good on paper, but since they got HAMMERED in both their losses …
15. Michigan State (9-2): The quality in this poll dropped off at #10.
16. (tie) Cincinnati (8-2) & Pittsburgh (7-2): No, this isn’t the AFC Central, circa 1975. But they will break the stalemate atop the Big East this upcoming weekend when they face each other. That’s good enough for now.
17. Oklahoma State (9-2): I really don’t want to rank them, but their only losses are to Texas and Tech. Why are they so low? Because they gave up 50+ points. Sure, Sparty gave up 45 to Ohio State, but there’s a big difference at that 50-spot threshold.
18. Missouri (9-2): No defense. I have a feeling they will get smoked in the Big XII title game. But if they pull off the upset to put USC into the title game against Florida, I’d be happier than a clam. But are clams really happy? That is a fixed smile; nature has shafted the clam with a fake smile.
19. Oregon State (7-3): They have two tough games left. Winning in Tucson won’t be easy, and defeating the Ducks in the Civil War is never a cakewalk. Stay tuned.
20. Northwestern (8-3): They have an inexcusable loss to Indiana, but I’d still take them over LSU on a neutral field. Or in the snow.
21. Oregon (8-3): They lost to Boise State, USC and California. No shame there.
22. Miami-FL (7-3): Best combination of record, conference mark and SOS in the ACC.
23. Maryland (7-3): Second-best combination of record, conference mark and SOS in the ACC.
24. Georgia Tech (7-3): Here via virtue of their win over Florida State. Subject to change, week-to-week, in the topsy-turvy ACC.
25. West Virginia (6-3): Still have an outside shot at the Big Least title if Pittsburgh beats Cincy.
Others receiving acknowledgement: Florida State, North Carolina, Boston College, Connecticut, Air Force, LSU
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The McTop 25: November 9, 2008
Thoughts:
1. I think it’s very possible we SHOULD end up with two Big XII teams in the BCS title game – if the powers that be let it happen. We’re headed in that direction. See below.
2. If Penn State runs the table, they’re going to feel like they did in 2005, too. That has to suck.
3. USC held another team scoreless in the second half. They have given up 60 points in nine games. Amazing. And they won’t sniff the BCS title game without a lot of luck. Just another reason why the BCS is a joke.
4. The ACC and the Big East really are afterthoughts this year, aren’t they?
Rankings:
1. Texas Tech (10-0): Believe it or not, they have played a tougher schedule than Alabama.
2. Alabama (10-0): Why couldn’t Alabama put up 50 on LSU, too? I don’t understand. Glass stilts here.
3. Utah (10-0): Very close to crashing the party. And heck, Utah beat Wyoming, 40-7. Wyoming beat Tennessee, 13-7. Florida beat Tennessee, 30-6. Utah is 15 points better than Florida. Urban Meyer must find that funny.
4. Boise State (9-0): If Utah loses to BYU, then Boise State is going back to the Fiesta Bowl.
5. Ball State (9-0): Undefeated is undefeated.
6. Texas (9-1): I think Texas will finish with the one loss. Even if they don’t get to the Big XII title game, it should be enough to get them into the title game. There is no way Florida should be ranked ahead of Texas, no matter which way you cut it. And if they are? We know the BCS is fixed.
7. Oklahoma (9-1): See above. If Texas or Texas Tech loses again, the Sooners move up.
8. USC (8-1): This may be one of the best college football defenses you’ve seen in recent years.
9. BYU (9-1): The Cougars beat Wyoming, 44-0. Wyoming beat Tennessee, 13-7. Florida beat Tennessee, 30-6. Do your own math.
10. Penn State (9-1): Whoops. Someone forgot to tell the Hawkeyes about Paterno’s Retirement-into-the-Sunset Plan.
11. Florida (8-1): How did they lose to Mississippi? That loss is absolutely inexcusable, especially when Texas lost to Texas Tech and Oklahoma lost to Texas. There is absolutely no logic for placing the Gators in front of Texas or Oklahoma. Or even USC, for that matter. When they win the SEC, and they will wipe the field with ‘Bama’s collective ass when the time comes, the corruption of the BCS will be complete.
12. Tulsa (8-1): Yes, sometimes I hate my own rules.
13. TCU (9-2): No shame in losing to only Oklahoma and Utah this year.
14. Georgia (8-2): That was an ugly win against Kentucky, but as usual, the SEC is overrated.
15. North Carolina (7-2): That was an impressive win for the ACC’s best team.
16. Ohio State (8-2): Oh, they’re bitter right now for letting that Penn State game get away from them, aren’t they? Not that it would mean the BCS title game, but it could have meant the Rose Bowl. And for all Tressel’s success, I don’t think he’s ever even gone to the Rose Bowl, has he?
17. Pittsburgh (7-2): Only because of their SOS are they here.
18. Missouri (8-2): No defense for these Tigers. Maybe that’s a pattern/theme this year.
19. Michigan State (9-2): I have no idea how this team is 9-2, but wins are wins.
20. Cincinnati (7-2): This is like Urban Meyer/Utah Lite.
21. Florida State (7-2): Nice to Bobby back.
22. Air Force (8-2): Weak schedule, but oh well. Air Force beat Wyoming, 23-3. Wyoming beat Tennessee, 13-7. Florida beat Tennessee, 30-6. But the Falcons have an extra loss, so I can’t put them ahead of Florida where they belong.
23. Western Michigan (8-2): Zook, indeed.
24. Oklahoma State (8-2): I really hate ranking any team which gave up 56 points, even when it’s to the No. 1 team in the country.
25. Wake Forest (6-3): Sagarin says they have played the 4th-toughest schedule in the country. Good enoughf for me, when it comes to picking a single, three-loss team for my Top 25.
Also-rans: Miami-FL, Virginia Tech, Oregon State, California, LSU, South Carolina, Connecticut, Oregon, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Navy, West Virginia, Maryland, Minnesota, East Carolina, South Florida, Boston College, Arizona
1. I think it’s very possible we SHOULD end up with two Big XII teams in the BCS title game – if the powers that be let it happen. We’re headed in that direction. See below.
2. If Penn State runs the table, they’re going to feel like they did in 2005, too. That has to suck.
3. USC held another team scoreless in the second half. They have given up 60 points in nine games. Amazing. And they won’t sniff the BCS title game without a lot of luck. Just another reason why the BCS is a joke.
4. The ACC and the Big East really are afterthoughts this year, aren’t they?
Rankings:
1. Texas Tech (10-0): Believe it or not, they have played a tougher schedule than Alabama.
2. Alabama (10-0): Why couldn’t Alabama put up 50 on LSU, too? I don’t understand. Glass stilts here.
3. Utah (10-0): Very close to crashing the party. And heck, Utah beat Wyoming, 40-7. Wyoming beat Tennessee, 13-7. Florida beat Tennessee, 30-6. Utah is 15 points better than Florida. Urban Meyer must find that funny.
4. Boise State (9-0): If Utah loses to BYU, then Boise State is going back to the Fiesta Bowl.
5. Ball State (9-0): Undefeated is undefeated.
6. Texas (9-1): I think Texas will finish with the one loss. Even if they don’t get to the Big XII title game, it should be enough to get them into the title game. There is no way Florida should be ranked ahead of Texas, no matter which way you cut it. And if they are? We know the BCS is fixed.
7. Oklahoma (9-1): See above. If Texas or Texas Tech loses again, the Sooners move up.
8. USC (8-1): This may be one of the best college football defenses you’ve seen in recent years.
9. BYU (9-1): The Cougars beat Wyoming, 44-0. Wyoming beat Tennessee, 13-7. Florida beat Tennessee, 30-6. Do your own math.
10. Penn State (9-1): Whoops. Someone forgot to tell the Hawkeyes about Paterno’s Retirement-into-the-Sunset Plan.
11. Florida (8-1): How did they lose to Mississippi? That loss is absolutely inexcusable, especially when Texas lost to Texas Tech and Oklahoma lost to Texas. There is absolutely no logic for placing the Gators in front of Texas or Oklahoma. Or even USC, for that matter. When they win the SEC, and they will wipe the field with ‘Bama’s collective ass when the time comes, the corruption of the BCS will be complete.
12. Tulsa (8-1): Yes, sometimes I hate my own rules.
13. TCU (9-2): No shame in losing to only Oklahoma and Utah this year.
14. Georgia (8-2): That was an ugly win against Kentucky, but as usual, the SEC is overrated.
15. North Carolina (7-2): That was an impressive win for the ACC’s best team.
16. Ohio State (8-2): Oh, they’re bitter right now for letting that Penn State game get away from them, aren’t they? Not that it would mean the BCS title game, but it could have meant the Rose Bowl. And for all Tressel’s success, I don’t think he’s ever even gone to the Rose Bowl, has he?
17. Pittsburgh (7-2): Only because of their SOS are they here.
18. Missouri (8-2): No defense for these Tigers. Maybe that’s a pattern/theme this year.
19. Michigan State (9-2): I have no idea how this team is 9-2, but wins are wins.
20. Cincinnati (7-2): This is like Urban Meyer/Utah Lite.
21. Florida State (7-2): Nice to Bobby back.
22. Air Force (8-2): Weak schedule, but oh well. Air Force beat Wyoming, 23-3. Wyoming beat Tennessee, 13-7. Florida beat Tennessee, 30-6. But the Falcons have an extra loss, so I can’t put them ahead of Florida where they belong.
23. Western Michigan (8-2): Zook, indeed.
24. Oklahoma State (8-2): I really hate ranking any team which gave up 56 points, even when it’s to the No. 1 team in the country.
25. Wake Forest (6-3): Sagarin says they have played the 4th-toughest schedule in the country. Good enoughf for me, when it comes to picking a single, three-loss team for my Top 25.
Also-rans: Miami-FL, Virginia Tech, Oregon State, California, LSU, South Carolina, Connecticut, Oregon, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Navy, West Virginia, Maryland, Minnesota, East Carolina, South Florida, Boston College, Arizona
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The McTop 25: November 2, 2008
Thoughts:
1. Colt McCoy just lost the Hypesman Trophy, fair or not.
2. There are only 14 teams left in FBS who have one loss or fewer. This is just getting to be a joke with the BCS not-so-arbitrarily picking title game contestants. In this era of more parity than ever, FBS really needs to become the Senior FCS. Enough is enough.
3. There are only 32 teams left in FBS who have two losses or fewer. I hate ranking teams with three losses!
4. The Big Ten sucks. They may barely get seven bowl-eligible teams this season.
5. November will be another crazy month.
Rankings:
1. Penn State (9-0): Sometimes it pays to be idle.
2. Alabama (9-0): Florida beat Georgia by more than the Tide beat Arkansas State. Enough said.
3. Texas Tech (9-0): Great win, but it’s only one win. The teams above have more than one great win.
4. Utah (9-0): How long can they hang in here? Destiny calls on Thursday night.
5. Boise State (8-0): They may end up being the only undefeated FBS team at the end.
6. Ball State (8-0): Their final two games are against Michigan directionals (see below). Something’s gotta give.
7. Texas (8-1): They almost ran the gauntlet, and if that DB makes the interception, it’s over. How many times do you see a play like that ALWAYS comes back to burn you? Losing on the road in the final seconds is no disgrace.
8. USC (7-1): Why am I putting them here? They lost on the road to a good team, and they’ve give up 51 points ALL SEASON. LSU gives up more than that each week. Georgia almost gave up that in one game to Florida. The two best teams in the country? The Trojans and the Gators, and we won’t get to see either in the BCS title game.
9. Oklahoma (8-1): They lost at a neutral site to a great team. That’s why they’re above Florida.
10. Florida (7-1): You just can’t lose a home game to a 5-4 team and expect to be ranked higher than this. The double-standard that sunk USC last year should sink Florida this year as well, but you know it won’t.
11. Oklahoma State (8-1): They will lose again, but for now, they stay here.
12. TCU (9-1): See Utah above.
13. BYU (8-1): Maybe the MWC is the best conference in the country this year?
14. Tulsa (8-1): I really don’t even want to rank them, but I have to be consistent.
15. North Carolina (6-2): The ACC is going to have to get used to the monster being birthed in Chapel Hill.
16. Ohio State (7-2): Nothing to say about the Buckeyes this week, except they can’t wait to play Michigan.
17. Georgia (7-2): Smart people knew they were overrated from Day One. Dumb people? Just figuring it out.
18. Maryland (6-2): The ACC has four two-loss teams fighting for respectability. It could be worse …
19. California (6-2): Nothing gold can stay.
20. Michigan State (8-2): Wisconsin really loves gift-giving in the state of Michigan this year, huh?
21. Missouri (7-2): Baylor?
22. LSU (6-2): The SEC sucks. It really does. It’s Florida, Mebbe ‘Bama and the 10 Stooges.
23. Northwestern (7-2): That was a fun ending, wasn’t it?
24. Minnesota (7-2): Bad loss to stomach at home. But still a good season for the Gophers.
25. West Virginia (6-2): Rich-Rod is wishing he’d stayed put.
Others receiving token musings: Georgia Tech, Florida State, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Air Force, Central Michigan, Western Michigan
1. Colt McCoy just lost the Hypesman Trophy, fair or not.
2. There are only 14 teams left in FBS who have one loss or fewer. This is just getting to be a joke with the BCS not-so-arbitrarily picking title game contestants. In this era of more parity than ever, FBS really needs to become the Senior FCS. Enough is enough.
3. There are only 32 teams left in FBS who have two losses or fewer. I hate ranking teams with three losses!
4. The Big Ten sucks. They may barely get seven bowl-eligible teams this season.
5. November will be another crazy month.
Rankings:
1. Penn State (9-0): Sometimes it pays to be idle.
2. Alabama (9-0): Florida beat Georgia by more than the Tide beat Arkansas State. Enough said.
3. Texas Tech (9-0): Great win, but it’s only one win. The teams above have more than one great win.
4. Utah (9-0): How long can they hang in here? Destiny calls on Thursday night.
5. Boise State (8-0): They may end up being the only undefeated FBS team at the end.
6. Ball State (8-0): Their final two games are against Michigan directionals (see below). Something’s gotta give.
7. Texas (8-1): They almost ran the gauntlet, and if that DB makes the interception, it’s over. How many times do you see a play like that ALWAYS comes back to burn you? Losing on the road in the final seconds is no disgrace.
8. USC (7-1): Why am I putting them here? They lost on the road to a good team, and they’ve give up 51 points ALL SEASON. LSU gives up more than that each week. Georgia almost gave up that in one game to Florida. The two best teams in the country? The Trojans and the Gators, and we won’t get to see either in the BCS title game.
9. Oklahoma (8-1): They lost at a neutral site to a great team. That’s why they’re above Florida.
10. Florida (7-1): You just can’t lose a home game to a 5-4 team and expect to be ranked higher than this. The double-standard that sunk USC last year should sink Florida this year as well, but you know it won’t.
11. Oklahoma State (8-1): They will lose again, but for now, they stay here.
12. TCU (9-1): See Utah above.
13. BYU (8-1): Maybe the MWC is the best conference in the country this year?
14. Tulsa (8-1): I really don’t even want to rank them, but I have to be consistent.
15. North Carolina (6-2): The ACC is going to have to get used to the monster being birthed in Chapel Hill.
16. Ohio State (7-2): Nothing to say about the Buckeyes this week, except they can’t wait to play Michigan.
17. Georgia (7-2): Smart people knew they were overrated from Day One. Dumb people? Just figuring it out.
18. Maryland (6-2): The ACC has four two-loss teams fighting for respectability. It could be worse …
19. California (6-2): Nothing gold can stay.
20. Michigan State (8-2): Wisconsin really loves gift-giving in the state of Michigan this year, huh?
21. Missouri (7-2): Baylor?
22. LSU (6-2): The SEC sucks. It really does. It’s Florida, Mebbe ‘Bama and the 10 Stooges.
23. Northwestern (7-2): That was a fun ending, wasn’t it?
24. Minnesota (7-2): Bad loss to stomach at home. But still a good season for the Gophers.
25. West Virginia (6-2): Rich-Rod is wishing he’d stayed put.
Others receiving token musings: Georgia Tech, Florida State, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Air Force, Central Michigan, Western Michigan
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