McMisanthrope's Top 25: December 7, 2008

Thoughts:

1. If ever a year screamed for a Plus-One, this is it. I want to see another game to decide a real national champion after the Bullshit Bowls are done. When USC pounds Penn State and the other bowl game is a laughable shootout without defense, people will cry for a recount.
2. Alabama was better than I thought they’d be, but Florida didn’t impress me at all. The fact they were trailing going into the 4th quarter says it all: overrated.
3. USC dismantled another team Saturday, holding them to miniscule yardage and few points. This is probably the most understated story of the year: a truly dominant defense college football hasn’t seen in three decades. Giving up 93 points in 12 games is amazing.
4. Penn State has to be bitter. For two reasons.
5. Ball State learned a lesson about turnovers, didn’t they?

Rankings:

1. Utah (12-0): They have the best wins of any top team, period. And they’re undefeated.
2. Boise State (12-0): Undefeated and shafted by the BCS. Ridiculous. Luckily, they still have a shot at the McMNC for 2008, the only “real” award out there.
3. USC (11-1): Seriously, if Florida or Oklahoma went to the Rose Bowl to face USC, they’d lose. Period. And you can’t say the same about USC going to Gainesville or Norman.
4. Texas (11-1): They beat Oklahoma. Nothing else to say.
5. Oklahoma (12-1): Can’t rank them ahead of Texas, even if they did “win” the Big XII.
6. Penn State (11-1):
7. Florida (12-1): Look, I’m a Florida alum. Yes, it’s true. I have a law degree from Fredric G. Levin, and it’s enough to remind me of the SEC hyperbole. The SEC really was down this year, and it’s a shame they’re getting by on reputation alone in 2008. And no team that schedules The Citadel on purpose should ever be allowed to play for the MNC. Ever.
8. Alabama (12-1): What’s to say? They had the chance, and they blew it. Oh well.
9. Texas Tech (11-1): They beat Texas, but that ugly loss to Oklahoma matters more.
10. Ball State (12-1): You just can’t turn the ball over three times and let that turn into 21 points, can you? Even when you’re undefeated and playing a lame team, you still need to play hard.
11. Ohio State (10-2): They don’t deserve a BCS bid. Which is why the BCS is shit.
12. Cincinnati (10-2): Someone had to win the Big East.
13. TCU (10-2): I think if there were a 16-team tournament, TCU would win in the first round.
14. BYU (10-2): I think if there were a 16-team tournament, BYU would lose in the first round.
15. Georgia Tech (9-3): Best team in the ACC, and they don’t even get to the title game.
16. Georgia (9-3): I think if there were a 16-team tournament, Georgia would lose early. They seem to play best when the pressure is off them. Pathetic.
17. Oregon (9-3): They get the Holiday Bowl against Texas Tech, right?
18. Michigan State (9-3): First, UNC lays the wood on the hard court, and now Georgia’s gonna do the same on the turf. But hey, it’s better than being 3-9, right?
19. Northwestern (9-3): They’re going to win their bowl; I mia-guarantee it.
20. Pittsburgh (9-3): Nice turnaround for Dave Wannstedt. I still think it’s an anomaly, though. The guy has proven he can’t coach.
21. Oklahoma State (9-3): Considering they only lost to a trio of top teams, maybe they should be higher, but that 60-spot they gave up to Oklahoma still hurts my eyes.
22. Virginia Tech (9-4): Ugly.
23. Missouri (9-4): Gary Barnett survived for years by winning the Big XII North.
24. Florida State (8-4): Just go away, Bobby. Please?
25. North Carolina (8-4): I’ve said it before, but the Heels will rule the ACC from 2009 until Butch Davis leaves Chapel Hill.