The McTop 25: October 26, 2008

Thoughts:

1. Dave Wannstedt may have altered the future of college football without even realizing it. Say West Virginia wins that game against Pitt last year. Rich Rod stays at WVU and goes to the BCS title game; Les Miles goes to Michigan to replace Lloyd Carr. Who would have ended up at LSU? Miles’ world is going to start crumbling at LSU, now that his Saban recruits are gone. Rich Rod has single-handedly sunk “once-mighty Michigan”, as they were referred to yesterday. It’s interesting to ponder.
2. LSU sucks. They’re just as bad as they were last year, but they were gifted a BCS title last year. Ain’t gonna happen this year.
3. Florida may be the best team in the country, and if they don’t make the BCS title game with one loss, it might truly be a shame. But if Texas and Penn State run the table, the Gators are going to get left on the sideline.
4. At one point yesterday, Colt McCoy was 32-for-35 or something insane like that. WTF? His completion percentage this year is absolutely insane.
5. Lou Holtz really needs to be removed from the airwaves.

Rankings:

1. Texas (8-0): See above. If they get by Texas Tech, they will be in the BCS title game at 13-0. I’ve really been impressed with their ability to match up against everyone they play.
2. Penn State (9-0): It comes down to this – they just won a road game against Ohio State with a backup QB. ‘Nuff said.
3. Alabama (8-0): Considering how badly Florida beat Kentucky – a team Bama beat by three points – I don’t think the Tide can run the table. The winner of the SEC East will hammer them in the SEC title game.
4. Texas Tech (8-0): They have a decent defense, too. Seriously.
5. Utah (8-0): That early win over Michigan looks weak now, huh?
6. Boise State (7-0): Another tough road win over the Spartans of San Jose State. Ahem.
7. Ball State (8-0): I hear their schedule gets tougher now.
8. Tulsa (7-0): They play Sunday night, so I just stuck them here anyway.
9. USC (6-1): That early win over Virginia looks a lot better now, huh?
10. Florida (6-1): The Trojans still have an SOS edge on the Gators right now, but I expect that to change.
11. Georgia (7-1): As noted, they still have a chance to win the SEC title.
12. Oklahoma (7-1): They’re shooting for a BCS bid, obviously, and they’ll probably get it.
13. Oklahoma State (7-1): Unless Oklahoma State gets it instead? I was impressed with them in the loss, although I still can’t name a single player on their team.
14. Minnesota (7-1): Amen to junior college transfers as a stop-gap technique. Why didn’t Rich Rod think of that?
15. Florida State (6-1): Quietly sneaking up the rankings. Inconceivable!
16. TCU (8-1): One of two reasons Utah may not run the table.
17. BYU (7-1): The second of two reasons Utah may not run the table.
18. Ohio State (7-2): If this is a rebuilding year for the Buckeyes … watch out. Can Pryor top Leinart’s accomplishments before he’s done? I think he has a chance.
19. North Carolina (6-2): I love Butch Davis. I really do. He will be ruling the ACC before too long.
20. Michigan State (7-2): They tried to give it away with turnovers and FG mishaps, but in the end, Michigan just sucked too much for even Sparty to blow it.
21. Missouri (6-2): Chase who?
22. Connecticut (6-2): This is where the real drop-off in the rankings begin, so it’s good we’re almost to the end, anyway.
23. Pittsburgh (5-2): Finally brought back to Earth. Phew. I was worried I was going to have echo Lucy’s shock at any success by Charlie Brown: “Stop the world. I want to get off.”
24. Oregon (6-2): This helps USC’s SOS, doesn’t it?
25. Notre Dame (5-2): Since I cannot rank a team that’s given up 50+ points twice this year, it looks like the Irish get the final nod. I didn’t think they’d win six games this year. Color me surprised.

Also receiving consideration: LSU, California, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Cincinnati, Central Michigan, West Virginia, Boston College, Air Force, South Florida, Louisville, Troy, Western Michigan