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
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