If you've lost once, you're still second-rate …
1. USC – The Trojans held serve with a 30-point win over Wazzou. Pretty good effort, showing Wazzou to be better than Nebraska, in essence (if you want to play that game, and I’m not sure I do). Of course, things get tougher (maybe?) for USC, but clearly, they may be the only Pac-10 team who can play any defense.
2. LSU – I think this win was their best one, by far. Crafty opponent, etc., but again, can this team play away from home? Thanks to a ridiculously lame schedule and fortuitous BCS rotation, we may never find out. And that’s the shame about college football. If they had to play in L.A., they’d get smoked by the Trojans. If they had to play in the Horseshoe, they’d lose. If they get to play in Louisiana, probably only USC can hang with them. I wonder how they’re going to fair in the SEC title game; or is that in New Orleans this year, too?!
3. Oklahoma – I think we may see another 2004 here, with three undefeated teams at the end of the year. Oklahoma absolutely whipped a decent Tulsa team, and it was ugly. I like Patrick Allen a lot, by the way.
4. Ohio State – They finally delivered the type of ass-kicking that had been missing from their resume this season. Up by 28 after the end of the first period? Is Northwestern still in the Big Ten? Should they be?
5. Florida – Everyone is allowed a hiccup, but this one drops the Gators a bit this week. Even for a road game in the SEC, you must dazzle more than that.
6. Rutgers – Byes are nice, especially when some of your conference mates drop the ball. Maybe this is too high, because they haven’t really played anyone yet, but at least they’ve been dominating those schlubs.
7. West Virginia – All I heard was how Skip Holtz’ defense was so good at limiting WVU’s running attack the past two years. Whatever.
8. Boston College – I keep thinking they’re in the Big East, but you’re probably looking at the new ACC champs. Probably shouldn’t have given up 17 points to Army, but 20-point wins are expected in games like this.
9. Oregon – I guess they’ve played a “tougher” schedule than some of the teams below them, but when you’re behind at Stanford at halftime, I don’t care if you rip them a new one in the second half on the way to a big win. You suck, and like most Pac-10 teams on this list, the Ducks can’t play defense (and that says A LOT about Michigan’s offense, by the way, and the quality of the Big Ten this year).
10. California – Why am I putting them below Oregon? Because I have been pointing out their defensive deficiencies since the first week of the season. They might be able to score as well as USC and Oregon, but like the Ducks, anyone can score them in return. Predictions for the big game in Eugene next weekend? How about 51-45? 65-61? 78-71 in 2OT? Should be a fun game to watch, unless you’re a defensive maven.
11. Wisconsin – Winning ugly, for sure. A formula that worked for Oklahoma in 2000 and Ohio State in 2002. Am I really comparing the Badgers to those teams? No, not really. But they’re not going to win a lot of style points this season.
12. Kentucky – Their win over Louisville lost some luster, and a two-loss Arkansas team isn’t as good as we thought, either. But you have to give them credit for beating both those teams nonetheless.
13. Arizona State – Fell behind 19-0 in the first quarter at home to an average Beaver squad, but they rallied for the win. Again, there’s a team in the Pac-10 for teams other than the Trojans: No Defense!
14. South Florida – So I heard a funny anecdote from a USF administrator last night. He said all the previous campus presidents had opposed football, until this one president made an off-the-cuff comment, on the record, that if the football supporters could raise $10M, they could start a football program – never thinking the $10M could actually be gathered. Then in a matter of weeks, the money was raised. The guy had to keep his word, and there you have it: USF football. I really think stories like this are great for college football. Maybe the Big East can give us a fourth undefeated BCS team this year; maybe it will be USF.
15. Clemson – Dominating road win in ACC play. With BC, they seem to be the cream of that crop.
16. Cincinnati – Their SOS is not great, but I think they’re right up there with USF. Why did their coach leave? He could have had an Urban Meyer 2004 Utah-like season this year and parlayed that into the MICHIGAN job.
17. Hawaii – I don’t think too many teams would want to play Hawaii on a neutral field. Hopefully, they will run the table, and we’ll get to see them matched against the ACC champ (yawn).
18. Texas – Who friggin’ made this schedule? At least the ‘Horns finally got a blowout win, but they had to play Rice to get it. Seriously, I have major doubts about this team. I suspect Oklahoma will eradicate them easily.
19. Michigan State – Interestingly, Sagarin has them rated as the worst of the remaining Division 1-A unbeatens. Putting them behind a team like Kansas, however, Mr. Sagarin, is unfair, since the Spartans at least tried to schedule some good teams. They’ve faced some adversity in each of the past three weeks, and they’ve won all three games. It may be an interesting game in Madison next weekend.
20. Purdue – Do I think Purdue is better than Michigan State? Yes. The offense seems to be working well enough, as a Tiller O should. Giving up 31 points to Minnesota, however, is not good. That knocks you below Sparty for a week, though. Have fun with the Irish chew-toy next week, Boilermakers!
21. Missouri – Big win over a pancake this week. Will they give Nebraska a run for Big XII North title? Or will Kansas sneak in and take it while no one’s looking? Okay, you can stop laughing now.
22. Connecticut – Beating Pittsburgh was a surprise to me, as they stayed unbeaten for another week. Their SOS is better than Kansas’, so that’s why they’re here.
23. Kansas – Play a real friggin’ team, already – PLEASE. Amazing how you can stack a schedule to get you to a bowl game, huh? When teams like Michigan are 2-2 and this team is 4-0, it makes you realize why college football still has a lot of issues. But it’s my rule to penalize teams severely for losses (especially to Division 1-AA teams, Wolverines), so get over it.
24. South Carolina – Certainly, there was NO shame in their loss to LSU. If they played on a neutral field, it might be a much closer game, too. And if LSU played at USC (either one), the Tigers would be kittens.
25. Georgia – They get the edge over Alabama for obvious reasons. Impressive fortitude to hold on for the OT win last night. And everyone loves it when Saban loses …
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment