McMisanthrope's Top 25: October 18, 2009

Thoughts:

1) Going to echo a lot of the "overrated" comments on RSFC from Saturday. Not a lot of really impressive teams out there right now. All the more reason for a playoff, because when the BC$/E$PN combo chooses their best TV matchup and argues its the "title" game, 95% of college football fans are getting jobbed. How anyone can argue this system "works" just defies common sense and logic;

2) I found the USC-ND game to be quite interesting. The Trojans never should have been in that position at the end, and the "home" timekeeper difference between this game and the ND-Michigan game was clearly apparent. Notre Dame didn't get that last second in Ann Arbor, but they got it at home -- same kind of play, etc. Another reason why college football just can't be taken seriously;

3) Texas could have won their game by three touchdowns if they had a decent coach. Hasn't this always been the story with Mack Brown? Great recruits, underperformance on the field. If this team makes the "title" game, no way in hell they win it. The Longhorns just aren't that good;

4) At this point in the season, I really do think Alabama is head and shoulders above everyone else. My rankings don't reflect that below, but I can't tweak my system in the middle of the season, either. So be it.

Rankings:

1. Iowa (7-0): Not sure what to say here. Winning ugly? But with 11 straight wins, you can't argue with the results, can you? It seems they start slow and finish strong, so we'll see.

2. Alabama (7-0): See above comments. Mark Ingram is pretty good, too.

3. Boise State (6-0): Any road win against a good team is valuable, but the Broncos don't seem to be blowing teams out like they should. Even against Oregon, they could have won that game 45-7, but they shot themselves in the foot repeatedly. I don't think we've seen the best of this team yet.

4. Florida (6-0): Dodged a bullet. I've always maintained that a good K is worth his weight in gold to a college football team.

5. TCU (6-0): Plugging along under the radar.

6. Texas (6-0): See above. Ugly.

7. Cincinnati (6-0): I feel they should be higher, but the numbers don't say so.

8. Georgia Tech (6-1): They've played a pretty good schedule so far, the best one of the one-loss teams.

9. USC (5-1): They've played four games on the road so far, so they have a second-half edge here. But look at their road wins: @ Ohio State, @ California and @ Notre Dame. Can any team in the country boast better quality road wins? Nope, mostly because most teams are too cowardly to schedule tough road games.

10. Oregon (5-1): Yeah, the Pac-10 and the SEC should have an annual OOC competition. I'd love to see Oregon play Florida and USC play Alabama. Fun times.

11. Miami-FL (5-1): I know they beat Georgia Tech, but my system doesn't do H2H very effectively. Sorry.

12. LSU (5-1): Still an enigma to me.

13. Utah (5-1): If the superconference is the direction to go for the Pac-10, then it's BYU and Utah.

14. Idaho (6-1): Impressive SOS and results, although I must confess I don't think I've seen a down of one of their games this year. Must make sure to watch them this next game.

15. Pittsburgh (6-1): Perhaps Cincy's only remaining roadbloack.

16. BYU (6-1): Losing to 2-4 FSU so badly really killed their credibility.

17. Houston (5-1): Seriously, UTEP?

18. West Virginia (5-1): Can it last?

19. Penn State (6-1): Considering they lost to the only good team they played, I have no idea what to make of Penn State. But did anyone see that clip of Paterno at the press conference before the Minnesota game? That was funny.

20. Oklahoma State (5-1): At least the Cougars are still "good" on paper, making their one loss half-credible.

21. Central Michigan (6-1): Again, maybe the only good team they played they lost to, but the State of Michigan champs look good.

22. Kansas (5-1): No way they should have helped Dan Hawkins out there. Bad loss, considering what's to come on their schedule in the next month.

23. South Florida (5-1): You just can't lose a home game when you're undefeated, even if the opponent is undefeated, too. I mean, why else does home-field advantage matter? This team teases almost every year. Getting stale.

24. Virginia Tech (5-2): I thought they were a bit too high for the one-loss crowd, because they never seem to be able to play consistent ball all season long. Not that many can, mind you, but ...

25. Arizona (4-2): They've played a Top 10 schedule according to my numbers.

Also considered this week: Notre Dame, California