2) Alabama (4-0, 2-0, +9) - After an unusually large amount of talk about Alabama being on upset watch, the Tide came out and rolled Mississippi, 25-0. Alabama's offense took a while to get going, as they led at the half only 9-0. However, the defense was dominant, forcing three three-and-outs, two takeaways, and three turnovers on downs. 'Bama is now essentially on cruise control until they play LSU in November. Until then, they play No. 125 Georgia State (0-4), No. 107 Kentucky (1-3), No. 71 Arkansas (3-2), and No. 60 Tennessee (3-2).
3) Georgia (3-1, 2-0, +9) - Georgia beat LSU 44-41 in a game between two top-ten SEC teams that featured 85 points and 943 total yards of offense. Even with one loss, the Bulldogs are at the top of the rankings with wins over South Carolina and LSU. They also all ready have the inside track to their second consecutive SEC East title, although there are a lot of "trap" games left on their schedule, including next week at Tennessee, Nov. 2 against Florida, and maybe even at Auburn?
4) Michigan (4-0, 0-0, +8) - Michigan didn't play, which means that they didn't have to worry about getting upset by a team like Akron or Connecticut. They open Big Ten play next week at home against Minnesota, which just lost to Iowa. The Wolverines have two more opponents on their schedule in the AP top 25: #16 Northwestern and #4 Ohio State. With their big win against Notre Dame looking less impressive every week, Michigan will have very little margin of error if they want to secure a BCS at-large bid.
5) Clemson (4-0, 2-0, +8) - Clemson took care of business, crushing Wake Forest 56-7 and, in my opinion, continue to be the best team in the ACC. Tajh Boyd threw for 311 yards and 3 TDs, and rushed for 69 more yards and one more TD. Next week they travel to Syracuse, for what will be the Orange's first conference game as a member of the ACC.
6) Miami (FL) (4-0, 0-0, +8) - Miami also took care of business, defeating South Florida (one of the worst teams in the FBS this year) 49-21. Miami is now 3-0 in intrastate games this year, although the big one is Nov. 02 against Florida State. In the meantime, the Hurricanes start ACC play next week against Georgia Tech. Also, did you know that, although Oklahoma has played in the Orange Bowl 18 times, and Miami has played in it 9 times, they've only played each other once, a 20-14 win for Miami in 1988 that won them the national championship?
7) Stanford (4-0, 2-0, +7) - Stanford cruised in their second Pac-12 win, 55-17 over Washington State. Now, they get to prepare to host Washington next week for what will be the biggest Pac-12 game of the season, so far. My guess is that the Cardinal will try to establish the running game, and use their offensive line to punish Washington's defense. Against the Cougars - who have definitely been better this year - Stanford had 238 rushing yards on 6 yards per carry. The impressive part of that stat is that they had 5 different players rush for at least 30 yards, and none for more than 56. That is sharing the load.
8) UCLA (3-0, 0-0, +6) - I don't think that it's a stretch to imagine that the best part of UCLA's day off was that USC's coach Lane Kiffin was fired after the Trojans lost 62-41 to Arizona State. Without even playing a game, the Bruins are now tied atop the Pac-12 South, with every other team having at least one loss. The Bruins open up conference play next week at Utah, and I bet they're thinking that the division is their's to lose. One reason why? So far this season, the South Division is 0-4 against the North.
9) Ohio State (5-0, 1-0, +5) - Like Alabama, the Buckeyes were on upset watch playing at home against a good-not-great Wisconsin team and, also like Alabama, they prevailed. However, what was looking like a blow-out became close in the 4th quarter, when Wisconsin's defense stopped the Buckeyes on three straight possessions, cutting the lead from 31-14 to 31-24 in the process. However, they couldn't get a first down on their final drive, and eventually turned the ball over on downs. Things don't get any less interesting for Ohio State, as they travel to Evanston to take on undefeated Northwestern next week.
10) LSU (4-1, 1-1, +4) - It was a tough loss for LSU at Georgia, especially considering that Zach Mettenberger had a career day with 372 passing yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs in the loss. In the end, the difference probably was the 4 sacks that LSU allowed, including a huge one on 1st and 10 on their final drive. The Tigers now have a very steep path to get to the SEC Championship game; they may have to run the table, including winning at Alabama on Nov. 09. They play next week at Mississippi State.
11) Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0, +4) - Oklahoma is the highest ranked Big 12 team in the AP poll at 11, beneath at least one team from every other AQ conference and 4 SEC teams. Texas Tech is currently at #20, and, although they're 4-0, this includes wins over the likes of Stephen F. Austin and Texas State. The Red Raiders host Kansas next week, but probably won't be challenged until back-to-back trips to West Virginia and Oklahoma in October.
12) Northwestern (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Through their first four games, Northwestern has wins against Cal (Pac-12), Syracuse (ACC), Western Michigan (MAC) and Maine (FCS), whereas Ohio State has wins over Cal (Pac-12), San Diego State (MWC), Buffalo (MAC) and Florida A&M (FCS), and yet the Buckeyes are #4 and Northwestern is #16. Why? Defense. Ohio State is 18th in the nation by allowing 304 yards per game, whereas Northwestern is 88th, allowing 426 yards per game. I'll be rooting for the Wildcats next week, but if the Buckeyes blow them out, that's why.
13) Maryland (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Maryland is the big surprise of the ACC so far, whollaping West Virginia 37-0 last week and sneaking into the AP at number 25 this week. They'll get their big chance next week when they visit Florida State.
14) Louisville (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Louisville was last seen dismantling 0-4 Florida International 72-0, and will be traveling next week to take on 0-4 Temple. In fact, the combined records of Louisville's first four FBS opponents is 4-12. This is why people don't respect you, American Conference.
15) Oregon (4-0, 1-0, +4) - The rain did not slow down the Ducks, who jumped out to a 27-0 first quarter lead over California en route to a 55-16 win. I wonder if Oregon is ever tempted to score 100 points in a game, not to embarrass their opponents, but just to see if they could do it. One concern was the severely twisted/possibly broken ankle of De'Anthony Thomas. However, in his absence, Byron Marshall (130 yards on 19 carries) and Thomas Tyner (94 yards on 13 carries) were able to pick up the load. DAT could also probably rest next week against Colorado, before the Ducks visit Washington for a big showdown on October 12.
16) Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0, +4) -Oklahoma looked good in their 35-21 win at Notre Dame, especially their defense, which forced quarterback Tommy Rees into a 9/24, 104 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT day. The Sooners now look like the class of the Big 12 - especially with Oklahoma State's loss - but we may not know for certain until they visit Baylor and Oklahoma State later in the season. The Sooners are at home next week against TCU before the Red River Rivalry with Texas.
17) Fresno State (4-0, 2-0, +4)
18) Missouri (4-0, 0-0, +4)
19) Houston (4-0, 2-0, +4)
20) Northern Illinois (4-0, 0-0, +4)
21) Florida State (4-0, 2-0, +4)
22) Baylor (3-0, 0-0, +3)
23) Illinois (3-1, 0-0, +3)
24) Virginia Tech (4-1, 1-0, +3)
25) Iowa (4-1, 1-0, +3)
No comments:
Post a Comment