1) Oregon State (3-0, 2-0, +12) Results: W @ Arizona, 38-35. Next Game: vs. Washington State. Good Wins: vs. Wisconsin, @ UCLA, @ Arizona.
I almost jinxed the Beavers last night. I was at the Pygmalion Music Festival with Robyn, when I checked my phone and saw that the Beavers were up on Arizona 17-0. "Don't tell anyone," I said, "But the Beavers might actually be very good." As soon as I said that, Arizona scored a touchdown, and started a comeback that would see them up 35-31 with 1:09 left in the game. Oregon State bounced back, though, when QB Sean Mannion threw his third touchdown pass of the game, and then Rashaad Reynolds intercepted Arizona to seal the win 30 seconds later.
2) Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0, +10) Results: W @ Iowa State, 24-13. Next Game: vs. Oklahoma. Good Wins: vs. Texas State*, vs. Iowa State
I want you to think of TT as the Big 12's "placeholder." We're pretty sure that there is an elite team or two in the Big 12, but we're not sure who it is, so we'll just say it's Tech until evidence proves us otherwise, which may happen next week when the Oklahoma Sooners come to town. (* Texas Tech got extra credit for beating this WAC team because Texas State had just beaten Houston, who last year finished 11-1, but this year kind of stinks.)
3) Oregon (5-0, 2-0, +10) Results: W @ Washington State, 51-26. Next Game: vs. Washington. Good Win: vs. Arizona
The Ducks are doing that thing where they have flashes of brilliance interrupted by long periods of mediocre football. Against the Cougars, they let an early 20-3 lead shrink to 23-19 at halftime, before turning on the engines and winning by 25. They also may have been the greatest beneficiaries of Stanford's loss, but let me ask you this: Will the Civil War game end up having more Rose Bowl implications this year than Stanford-Oregon?
4) Notre Dame (4-0, 0-0, +9) Results: Bye. Next Game: vs. Miami (FL). Good Wins: vs. Michigan, @ Michigan State
Catholics versus Convicts next week. (I hate that saying. Kind of racist, right?) Don't look now, but supposedly hapless Miami is coming to South Bend at 4-1, on top of their division, and their only loss coming against K-State. Their schedule is about to get more difficult, though, with Notre Dame, Florida State, and Virginia Tech all on the docket. Still, how awesome would it be if Miami and Duke (4-1, 1-0) were playing for the division title in their season finale on Nov. 24?
5) Florida State (5-0, 2-0, +9) Results: W @ South Florida, 30-17. Next Game: @ North Carolina State Good Win: vs. Clemson
6) Rutgers (4-0, 1-0, +7) Results: Bye Next Game: vs. Connecticut Good Wins: Getting to beat South Florida before FSU got there; Arkansas after they got steamrolled by Alabama.
7) Alabama (5-0, 2-0, +7) Results: W vs. Mississippi, 33-14. Next Game: @ Missouri Good Win: vs. Michigan.
Alabama looked mortal for about 15 seconds yesterday, when they trailed Ole Miss 7-6 at home in the second quarter. Christion Jones then returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. The Tide were one of a few elite teams who looked off their game on Saturday, allowing Ole Miss to get 16 first downs, 10 of which came on third or fourth down. Still, I see no reason to panic in Tuscaloosa.
8) UCLA (4-1, 1-1, +7) Results: W vs. Colorado 42-14. Next Game: @ California. Good Win: vs. Nebraska
9) Florida (4-0, 3-0, +6) Results: Bye. Next Game: vs. LSU Good Win: @ Tennessee
Next week is going to be an epic one in the SEC, with Florida hosting LSU and Georgia visiting South Carolina. The winners of both those games will get huge boosts here, probably up to the top 5, and even the losers should have enough cache to remain in the top 25. I'm going to want to think about this longer, but if I had to pick right now, I'd go with LSU over Florida and South Carolina over Georgia.
10) Ohio (5-0, 1-0, +6) Results: W @ Massachusetts, 37-34. Next Game: vs. Buffalo Good Win: We gave them too much credit for beating Penn State in the first week.
11) Georgia (5-0, 3-0, +6) Results: W vs. Tennessee, 51-44. Next Game: @ South Carolina Good Win: vs. Tennessee
Another week, another opportunity to be underwhelmed by the Georgia Bulldogs. Tennessee scored 44 points against Georgia, which means that the Bulldogs did better against Tennessee than both Akron (47) and Georgia State (51). Georgia's defense is 6th in the SEC and 47th in the FBS in points allowed per game, tied with Maryland and Vanderbilt but just behind UCF and Western Kentucky. In other news, how unfair is it that Tennessee has to play at Georgia, at Mississippi State, vs. Alabama, and at South Carolina while Georgia gets to trade in Alabama and Mississippi State for Mississippi and Auburn?
12) Kansas State (4-0, 1-0, +5) Results: Bye. Next Game: vs. Kansas. Good Wins: @ Oklahoma, vs. Miami (FL)(?)
13) LSU (5-0, 1-0, +5) Results: W vs. Towson Next Game: @ Florida Good Win: vs. Washington
Uh-oh. For the second straight week, LSU looked vulnerable against an inferior opponent. They fumbled 5 times, losing it 3 times. They allowed four sacks. They gave up 4.7 yards per rush. Against Towson.
14) South Carolina (5-0, 3-0, +5) Results: W @ Kentucky, 38-17. Next Game: vs. Georgia Good Wins: Still waiting. They got four future opponents in the AP Top 25, though.
15) Northwestern (5-0, 1-0, +5) Results: W vs. Indiana 44-29. Next Game: @ Penn State Good Wins: umm... Syracuse? ....
Northwestern's victory means that Indiana passes them as the losingest FBS team of all time, with a record 633 losses. I'm afraid that this might be Northwestern's high point of the season, though, as they still have to play at Penn State, at Michigan, and at Michigan State.
16) Louisville (5-0, 0-0, +5) Results: W @ Southern Miss 21-17. Next Game: Oct. 13 @ Pittsburgh Good Wins: vs. Kentucky, vs. North Carolina. If we were playing basketball. But the Big East as a conference is 19-10 against all other conferences, and 4-2 against that lyin', cheatin', stealin' ACC.
17) Ohio State (5-0, 1-0, +5) Results: W @ Michigan State 17-16. Next Game: vs Nebraska Good Win: @ Michigan State
Alright, I've finally figured out the Big Ten divisions: You've got the Mnimnm Division and the P-Powii! Division. The problem is that two of the teams from P-Powii! are banned from the Big Ten Championship: Ohio State, for having players trade BCS swag for tattoos, and Penn State, for decades of institutionally sanctioned child rape. Because those two are totally equivalent crimes. So that means that one of Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1), Purdue (3-1, 0-0), Indiana (2-2, 0-1), or Illinois (2-3, 0-1) will be playing in the Big Ten Championship in December, with a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line.
We are also facing the first time in 8 years that the Big Ten will only have one BCS representative, and the first time since the BCS expanded from 8 teams to 10 in 2006.
18) Texas-San Antonio (5-0, 1-0, +5) Results: W @ New Mexico State, 35-14. Next Game: Oct. 13 @ Rice. Good Wins: Give 'em a break, they just got here, OK?
The Fightin' Roadrunners! UTSA got their first ever FBS victory over New Mexico State. QB Eric Soza passed for 269 yards and 3 TDs, and has a season QB rating of 159.1, with 10 TDs and 1 INT on the season.
19) West Virginia (4-0, 1-0, +5) Results: W vs. Baylor 70-63. Next Game: @ Texas. Good Win: vs. Baylor
West Virginia QB Geno Smith's stat line from the Baylor game: 45/51, 656 yards, 8 TDs, 0 INTs. The man had 8 touchdown passes and 6 incomplete passes.
20) Washington (3-1, 1-0, +5) Results: W vs. Stanford 17-13. Next Game: @ Oregon. Good Win: vs. Stanford
Of my four Pac-12 teams in the Top 25, this is the one that I feel least comfortable with. The Huskies played really well in upsetting Stanford at home, but I just can't shake that shaky win against San Diego State or that blowout loss to LSU out of my mind. Washington gets the "trifecta" treatment in the Pac-12, playing at Oregon next week and hosting USC the week after. If they're 4-2, then I'll start treating them as a serious Top 25 team.
21) Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0, +4) Results: Bye. Next Game: @ Kentucky Good Wins: None.
22) Texas (4-0, 1-0, +4) Results: W @ Oklahoma State, 41-36. Next Game: vs. West Virginia. Good Win: @ Oklahoma State
How many games were there on Saturday where the favored team looked like they were in trouble until pulling it out to win the end? I was rooting hard for OkSt., but, in the end, Texas was able to rally back from down 33-28 in the fourth quarter and get a big conference road win. They host West Virginia next week, and the winner of that game will get a big boost in the race for the Big 12 championship.
23) TCU (4-0, 1-0, +4) Results: W @ SMU 24-16. Next Game: vs. Iowa State. Good Wins: None, really. In fact, you could make the case that each game for TCU gets progressively harder this year, from Week 1 against Grambling State to Week 14 against Oklahoma.
24) Louisiana Tech (4-0, 0-0, +4) Results: W @ Virginia 44-38. Next Game: vs. UNLV. Good Wins: None.
25) Cincinnati (3-0, 1-0, +3) Results: W vs. Virginia Tech, 27-24. Next Game: vs. Miami (OH). Good Wins: None.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
My Top 25 - Sep. 30
1) Oregon State (3-0, 2-0, +12)
2) Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0, +10)
3) Oregon (5-0, 2-0, +10)
4) Notre Dame (4-0, 0-0, +9)
5) Florida State (5-0, 2-0, +9)
6) Rutgers (4-0, 1-0, +7)
7) Alabama (5-0, 2-0, +7)
8) UCLA (4-1, 1-1, +7)
9) Florida (4-0, 3-0, +6)
10) Ohio (5-0, 1-0, +6)
11) Georgia (5-0, 3-0, +6)
12) Kansas State (4-0, 1-0, +5)
13) LSU (5-0, 1-0, +5)
14) South Carolina (5-0, 3-0, +5)
15) Northwestern (5-0, 1-0, +5)
16) Louisville (5-0, 0-0, +5)
17) Ohio State (5-0, 1-0, +5)
18) Texas-San Antonio (5-0, 1-0, +5)
19) West Virginia (4-0, 1-0, +5)
20) Washington (3-1, 1-0, +5)
21) Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0, +4)
22) Texas (4-0, 1-0, +4)
23) TCU (4-0, 1-0, +4)
24) Louisiana Tech (4-0, 0-0, +4)
25) Cincinnati (3-0, 1-0, +3)
Arizona (3-2, 0-2, +3)
Western Kentucky (4-1, 1-0, +3)
Iowa State (3-1, 0-1, +2)
San Jose State (4-1, 0-0, +2)
Boise State (3-1, 1-0, +1)
Miami (FL) (4-1, 3-0, +1)
Duke (4-1, 1-0, +1)
Michigan (2-2, 0-0, 0)
USC (3-1, 1-1, 0)
Stanford (3-1, 1-1, 0)
Clemson (4-1, 1-1, 0)
Nebraska (4-1, 1-0, 0)
Oklahoma (2-1, 0-1,-1)
Minnesota (4-1, 0-1, -2)
Michigan State (3-2, 0-1, -2)
Purdue (3-1, 0-0, -2)
Arizona State (4-1, 2-0, -2)
Utah State (4-1, 1-0, -2)
Nevada (4-1, 1-0, -2)
Northern Illinois (4-1, 1-0, -2)
Toledo (4-1, 1-0, -2)
Tulsa (4-1, 2-0, -2)
Baylor (3-1, 0-1, -3)
Louisiana-Lafayette (3-1, 2-0, -3)
Kent State (3-1, 2-0, -3)
Middle Tennessee State (3-1, 1-0, -3)
Texas A&M (3-1, 1-1, -3)
Ball State (3-2, 0-1, -4)
Mississippi (3-2, 0-1, -4)
Central Michigan (2-2, 0-1, -5)
Missouri (3-2, 0-2, -5)
Texas State (2-2, 0-0, -6)
Tennessee (3-2, 0-2, -6)
Fresno State (2-2, 0-0, -6)
Louisiana-Monroe (2-2, 1-0, -6)
East Carolina (3-2, 0-0, -7)
Iowa (3-2, 1-0, -7)
Indiana (2-2, 0-1, -8)
Utah (2-2, 0-1, -8)
Auburn (1-3, 0-2, -8)
Northern Iowa (0-2, 0-0, -8)
Troy (3-2, 2-1, -8)
North Carolina (3-2, 0-1, -8)
Virginia Tech (3-2, 1-0, -9)
Wake Forest (3-2, 1-2, -9)
Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1, -9)
North Carolina State (3-2, 0-1, -9)
Oklahoma State (2-2, 0-1, -9)
Missouri State (0-2, 0-0, -9)
Brigham Young (3-2, 0-0, -9)
Connecticut (3-2, 0-0, -9)
North Texas (2-3, 1-1, -9)
Penn State (3-2, 1-0, -9)
UCF (2-2, 0-0, -10)
South Florida (2-3, 0-1, -10)
Maryland (2-2, 0-0, -10)
San Diego State (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Miami (OH) (2-2, 1-0, -10)
Pittsburgh (2-2, 0-1, -10)
Air Force (2-2, 1-1, -10)
New Mexico (2-3, 0-1, -11)
Arkansas State (2-3, 0-1, -11)
Washington State (2-3, 0-2, -11)
Temple (1-2, 0-0, -11)
Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2, -11)
Houston (1-3, 1-0, -12)
Syracuse (1-3, 0-0, -13)
Hawaii (1-3, 0-1, -14)
UTEP (1-3, 0-0, -14)
Marshall (2-3, 0-0, -15)
Buffalo (1-3, 0-1,-15)
Arkansas (1-4, 0-2, -15)
Florida Atlantic (1-4, 0-1, -15)
Georgia Tech (2-3, 0-2, -16)
Virginia (2-3, 0-1, -16)
Illinois (2-3, 0-1, -16)
Boston College (1-3, 0-2, -16)
Western Michigan (2-3, 0-1, -16)
Kentucky (1-4, 0-2, -16)
Bowling Green (2-3, 0-0, -16)
SMU (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Navy (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Kansas (1-3, 0-1, -17)
Akron (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Wyoming (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Tulane (0-3, 0-2, -18)
New Mexico State (1-4, 0-1, -18)
Colorado (1-4, 1-1, -19)
Southern Miss (0-4, 0-1, -20)
South Alabama (1-4, 0-1, -21)
Florida International (1-4, 0-1, -22)
UAB (0-4, 0-1, -22)
California (1-4, 0-2, -23)Colorado State (1-4, 0-1, -23)
Rice (1-4, 0-1, -23)
UNLV (1-4, 0-1, -23)
Army (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Memphis (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Eastern Michigan (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Idaho (0-5, 0-0, -27)
Massachusetts (0-5, 0-1, -27)
2) Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0, +10)
3) Oregon (5-0, 2-0, +10)
4) Notre Dame (4-0, 0-0, +9)
5) Florida State (5-0, 2-0, +9)
6) Rutgers (4-0, 1-0, +7)
7) Alabama (5-0, 2-0, +7)
8) UCLA (4-1, 1-1, +7)
9) Florida (4-0, 3-0, +6)
10) Ohio (5-0, 1-0, +6)
11) Georgia (5-0, 3-0, +6)
12) Kansas State (4-0, 1-0, +5)
13) LSU (5-0, 1-0, +5)
14) South Carolina (5-0, 3-0, +5)
15) Northwestern (5-0, 1-0, +5)
16) Louisville (5-0, 0-0, +5)
17) Ohio State (5-0, 1-0, +5)
18) Texas-San Antonio (5-0, 1-0, +5)
19) West Virginia (4-0, 1-0, +5)
20) Washington (3-1, 1-0, +5)
21) Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0, +4)
22) Texas (4-0, 1-0, +4)
23) TCU (4-0, 1-0, +4)
24) Louisiana Tech (4-0, 0-0, +4)
25) Cincinnati (3-0, 1-0, +3)
Arizona (3-2, 0-2, +3)
Western Kentucky (4-1, 1-0, +3)
Iowa State (3-1, 0-1, +2)
San Jose State (4-1, 0-0, +2)
Boise State (3-1, 1-0, +1)
Miami (FL) (4-1, 3-0, +1)
Duke (4-1, 1-0, +1)
Michigan (2-2, 0-0, 0)
USC (3-1, 1-1, 0)
Stanford (3-1, 1-1, 0)
Clemson (4-1, 1-1, 0)
Nebraska (4-1, 1-0, 0)
Oklahoma (2-1, 0-1,-1)
Minnesota (4-1, 0-1, -2)
Michigan State (3-2, 0-1, -2)
Purdue (3-1, 0-0, -2)
Arizona State (4-1, 2-0, -2)
Utah State (4-1, 1-0, -2)
Nevada (4-1, 1-0, -2)
Northern Illinois (4-1, 1-0, -2)
Toledo (4-1, 1-0, -2)
Tulsa (4-1, 2-0, -2)
Baylor (3-1, 0-1, -3)
Louisiana-Lafayette (3-1, 2-0, -3)
Kent State (3-1, 2-0, -3)
Middle Tennessee State (3-1, 1-0, -3)
Texas A&M (3-1, 1-1, -3)
Ball State (3-2, 0-1, -4)
Mississippi (3-2, 0-1, -4)
Central Michigan (2-2, 0-1, -5)
Missouri (3-2, 0-2, -5)
Texas State (2-2, 0-0, -6)
Tennessee (3-2, 0-2, -6)
Fresno State (2-2, 0-0, -6)
Louisiana-Monroe (2-2, 1-0, -6)
East Carolina (3-2, 0-0, -7)
Iowa (3-2, 1-0, -7)
Indiana (2-2, 0-1, -8)
Utah (2-2, 0-1, -8)
Auburn (1-3, 0-2, -8)
Northern Iowa (0-2, 0-0, -8)
Troy (3-2, 2-1, -8)
North Carolina (3-2, 0-1, -8)
Virginia Tech (3-2, 1-0, -9)
Wake Forest (3-2, 1-2, -9)
Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1, -9)
North Carolina State (3-2, 0-1, -9)
Oklahoma State (2-2, 0-1, -9)
Missouri State (0-2, 0-0, -9)
Brigham Young (3-2, 0-0, -9)
Connecticut (3-2, 0-0, -9)
North Texas (2-3, 1-1, -9)
Penn State (3-2, 1-0, -9)
UCF (2-2, 0-0, -10)
South Florida (2-3, 0-1, -10)
Maryland (2-2, 0-0, -10)
San Diego State (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Miami (OH) (2-2, 1-0, -10)
Pittsburgh (2-2, 0-1, -10)
Air Force (2-2, 1-1, -10)
New Mexico (2-3, 0-1, -11)
Arkansas State (2-3, 0-1, -11)
Washington State (2-3, 0-2, -11)
Temple (1-2, 0-0, -11)
Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2, -11)
Houston (1-3, 1-0, -12)
Syracuse (1-3, 0-0, -13)
Hawaii (1-3, 0-1, -14)
UTEP (1-3, 0-0, -14)
Marshall (2-3, 0-0, -15)
Buffalo (1-3, 0-1,-15)
Arkansas (1-4, 0-2, -15)
Florida Atlantic (1-4, 0-1, -15)
Georgia Tech (2-3, 0-2, -16)
Virginia (2-3, 0-1, -16)
Illinois (2-3, 0-1, -16)
Boston College (1-3, 0-2, -16)
Western Michigan (2-3, 0-1, -16)
Kentucky (1-4, 0-2, -16)
Bowling Green (2-3, 0-0, -16)
SMU (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Navy (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Kansas (1-3, 0-1, -17)
Akron (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Wyoming (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Tulane (0-3, 0-2, -18)
New Mexico State (1-4, 0-1, -18)
Colorado (1-4, 1-1, -19)
Southern Miss (0-4, 0-1, -20)
South Alabama (1-4, 0-1, -21)
Florida International (1-4, 0-1, -22)
UAB (0-4, 0-1, -22)
California (1-4, 0-2, -23)Colorado State (1-4, 0-1, -23)
Rice (1-4, 0-1, -23)
UNLV (1-4, 0-1, -23)
Army (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Memphis (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Eastern Michigan (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Idaho (0-5, 0-0, -27)
Massachusetts (0-5, 0-1, -27)
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Justice and Vindication
Per Andy Staples, here are the current Top 5 from Kenneth Massey's computer rankings:
1. Oregon State
2. Stanford
3. Notre Dame
4. Iowa State
5. Texas
And here are Wes Colley's computer rankings:
1. Stanford
2. Notre Dame
3. Oregon
4. Florida
5. Oregon State
And here are mine:
1. Oregon State
2. Notre Dame
3. Oregon
4. Texas Tech
5. Florida State
7. Stanford
9. Florida
All I'm saying is that my rankings are a much better gauge of where teams stand right now than the AP or Coaches. The AP has Nebraska 22nd and UCLA unranked, the Coaches at 20 and NR.
Kill all humans!
1. Oregon State
2. Stanford
3. Notre Dame
4. Iowa State
5. Texas
And here are Wes Colley's computer rankings:
1. Stanford
2. Notre Dame
3. Oregon
4. Florida
5. Oregon State
And here are mine:
1. Oregon State
2. Notre Dame
3. Oregon
4. Texas Tech
5. Florida State
7. Stanford
9. Florida
All I'm saying is that my rankings are a much better gauge of where teams stand right now than the AP or Coaches. The AP has Nebraska 22nd and UCLA unranked, the Coaches at 20 and NR.
Kill all humans!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
BCS Prognostications
BCS - Alabama vs. Florida State
Alabama's a no-brainer. I'm picking FSU as their opponent because a) I don't think voters will tolerate another all-SEC championship, and b) If both Oregon and FSU go unbeaten, I think the markets will decide. And pick the Seminoles and their huge TV ratings.
Rose - Oregon vs. Michigan State
What happens when the Big Ten submits a 10-3 champion to the Rose Bowl? In 2008, 10-2 #7 USC beat 9-3 #13 Illinois 49-17. That sounds about right.
Fiesta - Oklahoma vs. USC
This is a tough one. I do think that enough Big 12 teams will lose to let Oklahoma slip back into the BCS. But their at-large opponent is equally problematic: Notre Dame would be the ideal partner, but they will have already played against Oklahoma. The nod then goes to USC, but this is contingent on Stanford losing at least two more games (Oregon and Notre Dame) and USC beating Notre Dame, but losing the Pac-12 championship to Oregon.
Sugar - LSU vs. Notre Dame
A rematch of the 2007 Sugar Bowl, in which LSU beat the Irish 41-14, Charlie Weis got an extension at Notre Dame, and JaMarcus Russell embarked on his long and successful NFL career.
Orange - West Virginia vs. Louisville
So, West Virginia, you thought you could escape the Big East, eh? This is actually, geographically, a better fit for the Mountaineers than the Fiesta Bowl. I had been saving a second BCS spot for Michigan, who any bowl would jump for, but I just don't think they'll be able to overcome their 2-2 start.
Who gets robbed? Stanford, who watches a USC team they beat get to the BCS, and Clemson, who will finish with a better record than both Notre Dame and Louisville, but not have the traveling fan base to justify another big money game.
Alabama's a no-brainer. I'm picking FSU as their opponent because a) I don't think voters will tolerate another all-SEC championship, and b) If both Oregon and FSU go unbeaten, I think the markets will decide. And pick the Seminoles and their huge TV ratings.
Rose - Oregon vs. Michigan State
What happens when the Big Ten submits a 10-3 champion to the Rose Bowl? In 2008, 10-2 #7 USC beat 9-3 #13 Illinois 49-17. That sounds about right.
Fiesta - Oklahoma vs. USC
This is a tough one. I do think that enough Big 12 teams will lose to let Oklahoma slip back into the BCS. But their at-large opponent is equally problematic: Notre Dame would be the ideal partner, but they will have already played against Oklahoma. The nod then goes to USC, but this is contingent on Stanford losing at least two more games (Oregon and Notre Dame) and USC beating Notre Dame, but losing the Pac-12 championship to Oregon.
Sugar - LSU vs. Notre Dame
A rematch of the 2007 Sugar Bowl, in which LSU beat the Irish 41-14, Charlie Weis got an extension at Notre Dame, and JaMarcus Russell embarked on his long and successful NFL career.
Orange - West Virginia vs. Louisville
So, West Virginia, you thought you could escape the Big East, eh? This is actually, geographically, a better fit for the Mountaineers than the Fiesta Bowl. I had been saving a second BCS spot for Michigan, who any bowl would jump for, but I just don't think they'll be able to overcome their 2-2 start.
Who gets robbed? Stanford, who watches a USC team they beat get to the BCS, and Clemson, who will finish with a better record than both Notre Dame and Louisville, but not have the traveling fan base to justify another big money game.
Power Rankings - Sept. 23
1) Oregon State (2-0, 1-0, +10) - I swear, you guys, these rankings are completely unbiased. Oregon State's #1 because they have two wins over ranked opponents. They held star UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin to 45 rushing yards on 12 attempts in their 27-20 win in the Rose Bowl. I always chuckle whenever commentators are surprised at the speed of Oregon State's defense. You know they play the Ducks every year, right? Next game: at Arizona.
2) Notre Dame (4-0, 0-0, +9) - The biggest difference between this Notre Dame team and their past teams is the current version's ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Against Michigan, they sacked Denard Robinson three times, had five interceptions, and forced two fumbles. Remember, Michigan is not actually that good. But the Irish may be at the point to upgrade their expectations from 8 wins to 10. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Miami (FL)
3) Oregon (4-0, 1-0, +9) - It's always strange to watch your team in the local bar after the home team has just lost to Louisiana Tech by four touchdowns. It tends to end up with you bar-hopping with a group of folks from out of town, running into former co-workers, finding a ride home for the drunken bartender, going to the house of a guy who just graduated from your program and drinking - I don't know, like, amaretto and Dr. Pepper? - and then walking home the wrong way for about a mile before you give up and call a cab. All-in-all, a good night. Also, um, Oregon has a good defense. Next game: at Washington State.
4) Texas Tech (3-0, 0-0, +8)
5) Florida State (4-0, 2-0, +8) - Florida State-Clemson was probably the game of the night. I really wanted Clemson to win, but still came away genuinely impressed with Florida State. They had 667 yards of offense in their 49-37 victory, averaging 8.9 yards per play. However, I am still unimpressed with their defense, which probably won't get tested again until the season finale against Florida. In terms of non-SEC teams, right now I would go: 1) Oregon, 2) Notre Dame, 3) Florida State. I've got them all losing to Alabama. Next game: at South Florida.
6) Rutgers (4-0, 1-0, +7) - Please raise your hand if you put down on money at the beginning of the season on Arkansas losing at home to UL-Monroe AND Rutgers. The Big East is better than advertised this year, and may go out with a bang on November 29th when Rutgers hosts Louisville, with a potential Orange Bowl berth on the line. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Connecticut.
7) Stanford (3-0, 1-0, +6)
8) Alabama (4-0, 1-0, +6)
9) Florida (4-0, 3-0, +6)
10) UCLA (3-1, 0-1, +6) - One thing I noticed in UCLA's loss was the speed of their receiving corps. This, combined with a pretty good defense, has me thinking that the Bruins are one or two gimpy Trojan linemen away from winning their division. Next game: at Colorado. (As the Buffaloes go for two in a row!)
11) Ohio (4-0, 0-0, +5)
12) Georgia (4-0, 2-0, +5)
13) Kansas State (4-0, 1-0, +5) - The Sports Illustrated headline this morning reads: "Kansas State stuns Oklahoma." Who, precisely, was stunned? Despite being outgained by Oklahoma 386-362, the Fightin' Snyders forced three timely turnovers in their 24-19 win. They still have tough trips to West Virginia and TCU on the docket, but Kansas State would be selling themselves short if their ultimate goal were not a Big 12 championship. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Kansas.
14) LSU (4-0, 1-0, +4) - LSU's defense pitched a second half shutout against Auburn to win 12-10, meaning that they are definitely better than Louisiana-Monroe. LSU's offensive shakiness continues to make Alabama's march to the BCS seem inevitable. But remember, that's what I was saying last year about LSU. The Tigers are at Florida on Oct. 06, and then host South Carolina the week after. If they reach 7-0, then we can start talking championships again. Next game: vs. Towson. NB: Don't let me use mixed sports metaphors. Ever.
15) South Carolina (4-0, 2-0, +4) - I still don't have a grasp on what the SEC pecking order is. Alabama is clearly top elephant, with LSU second tiger. (We're the Republican Party and Tammany Hall!) But then what? Florida's pretty good, and I've still got South Carolina ahead of Georgia, because I am afraid of Jadeveon Clowney. We'll find out soon enough, as the Gamecocks get Georgia, LSU, and Florida in October. Next game: at Kentucky.
16) Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0, +4)
17) Northwestern (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Northwestern hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1996, a 41-32 loss to USC. Next game: vs. Indiana.
18) Louisville (4-0, 0-0, +4)
19) Minnesota (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Minnesota hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1962, a 21-3 win over UCLA. Next game: at Iowa.
20) Ohio State (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Another week, another disastrous outing for the Big Ten. After trailing early, Ohio State was able to pull away from winless Alabama-Birmingham. Michigan State was able to squeak past winless MAC team Eastern Michigan, but Iowa was not so lucky, falling to powerhouse Central Michigan 32-31. Michigan and Illinois also suffered non-conference losses. Overall, the Big Ten is 33-13 in non-conference games. Against the BCS+Notre Dame, however, they are 5-9. Next game: at Michigan State. If Ohio State were bowl eligible, this would be a big game.
21) Texas-San Antonio (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Congratulations UTSA Roadrunners! In their first year in the FBS, the Roadrunners have notched wins against fearsome opponents South Alabama, Texas A&M-Commerce, Georgia State, and Northwestern Oklahoma State. They open WAC play next week at New Mexico State.
22) Arizona (3-1, 0-1, +4)
23) Texas (3-0, 0-0, +3) - My problem with the Big 12 is that they pad their stats by playing patsies in their non-conference schedule, which leads to a necessary agnosticism about their conference strength. In non-conference play, the Big 12 is an astounding 26-2. But against BCS opponents, they are 5-1. (By contrast the Pac-12 is 23-9, 6-3, and the SEC is 28-7, 4-5. Which is why the SEC isn't getting much love in these pages.) So what do we know about the Big 12? We think that West Virginia is pretty good, based on their wins against Maryland and James Madison. Texas is better than the 11th or 12th best team in the SEC. Oklahoma State is not as good as Arizona, which means they're double ungood when compared to Oregon, unless, of course, they turn around and beat Texas next week. Iowa State beat Iowa, so they're at least as good as Central Michigan. And Oklahoma, the pre-season Top 5, just lost to Kansas State. Anyone else want to get on the TCU Fiesta Bowl bandwagon? Next game: at Oklahoma State.
24) Iowa State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
25) Baylor (3-0, 0-0, +3)
2) Notre Dame (4-0, 0-0, +9) - The biggest difference between this Notre Dame team and their past teams is the current version's ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Against Michigan, they sacked Denard Robinson three times, had five interceptions, and forced two fumbles. Remember, Michigan is not actually that good. But the Irish may be at the point to upgrade their expectations from 8 wins to 10. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Miami (FL)
3) Oregon (4-0, 1-0, +9) - It's always strange to watch your team in the local bar after the home team has just lost to Louisiana Tech by four touchdowns. It tends to end up with you bar-hopping with a group of folks from out of town, running into former co-workers, finding a ride home for the drunken bartender, going to the house of a guy who just graduated from your program and drinking - I don't know, like, amaretto and Dr. Pepper? - and then walking home the wrong way for about a mile before you give up and call a cab. All-in-all, a good night. Also, um, Oregon has a good defense. Next game: at Washington State.
4) Texas Tech (3-0, 0-0, +8)
5) Florida State (4-0, 2-0, +8) - Florida State-Clemson was probably the game of the night. I really wanted Clemson to win, but still came away genuinely impressed with Florida State. They had 667 yards of offense in their 49-37 victory, averaging 8.9 yards per play. However, I am still unimpressed with their defense, which probably won't get tested again until the season finale against Florida. In terms of non-SEC teams, right now I would go: 1) Oregon, 2) Notre Dame, 3) Florida State. I've got them all losing to Alabama. Next game: at South Florida.
6) Rutgers (4-0, 1-0, +7) - Please raise your hand if you put down on money at the beginning of the season on Arkansas losing at home to UL-Monroe AND Rutgers. The Big East is better than advertised this year, and may go out with a bang on November 29th when Rutgers hosts Louisville, with a potential Orange Bowl berth on the line. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Connecticut.
7) Stanford (3-0, 1-0, +6)
8) Alabama (4-0, 1-0, +6)
9) Florida (4-0, 3-0, +6)
10) UCLA (3-1, 0-1, +6) - One thing I noticed in UCLA's loss was the speed of their receiving corps. This, combined with a pretty good defense, has me thinking that the Bruins are one or two gimpy Trojan linemen away from winning their division. Next game: at Colorado. (As the Buffaloes go for two in a row!)
11) Ohio (4-0, 0-0, +5)
12) Georgia (4-0, 2-0, +5)
13) Kansas State (4-0, 1-0, +5) - The Sports Illustrated headline this morning reads: "Kansas State stuns Oklahoma." Who, precisely, was stunned? Despite being outgained by Oklahoma 386-362, the Fightin' Snyders forced three timely turnovers in their 24-19 win. They still have tough trips to West Virginia and TCU on the docket, but Kansas State would be selling themselves short if their ultimate goal were not a Big 12 championship. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Kansas.
14) LSU (4-0, 1-0, +4) - LSU's defense pitched a second half shutout against Auburn to win 12-10, meaning that they are definitely better than Louisiana-Monroe. LSU's offensive shakiness continues to make Alabama's march to the BCS seem inevitable. But remember, that's what I was saying last year about LSU. The Tigers are at Florida on Oct. 06, and then host South Carolina the week after. If they reach 7-0, then we can start talking championships again. Next game: vs. Towson. NB: Don't let me use mixed sports metaphors. Ever.
15) South Carolina (4-0, 2-0, +4) - I still don't have a grasp on what the SEC pecking order is. Alabama is clearly top elephant, with LSU second tiger. (We're the Republican Party and Tammany Hall!) But then what? Florida's pretty good, and I've still got South Carolina ahead of Georgia, because I am afraid of Jadeveon Clowney. We'll find out soon enough, as the Gamecocks get Georgia, LSU, and Florida in October. Next game: at Kentucky.
16) Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0, +4)
17) Northwestern (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Northwestern hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1996, a 41-32 loss to USC. Next game: vs. Indiana.
18) Louisville (4-0, 0-0, +4)
19) Minnesota (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Minnesota hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1962, a 21-3 win over UCLA. Next game: at Iowa.
20) Ohio State (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Another week, another disastrous outing for the Big Ten. After trailing early, Ohio State was able to pull away from winless Alabama-Birmingham. Michigan State was able to squeak past winless MAC team Eastern Michigan, but Iowa was not so lucky, falling to powerhouse Central Michigan 32-31. Michigan and Illinois also suffered non-conference losses. Overall, the Big Ten is 33-13 in non-conference games. Against the BCS+Notre Dame, however, they are 5-9. Next game: at Michigan State. If Ohio State were bowl eligible, this would be a big game.
21) Texas-San Antonio (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Congratulations UTSA Roadrunners! In their first year in the FBS, the Roadrunners have notched wins against fearsome opponents South Alabama, Texas A&M-Commerce, Georgia State, and Northwestern Oklahoma State. They open WAC play next week at New Mexico State.
22) Arizona (3-1, 0-1, +4)
23) Texas (3-0, 0-0, +3) - My problem with the Big 12 is that they pad their stats by playing patsies in their non-conference schedule, which leads to a necessary agnosticism about their conference strength. In non-conference play, the Big 12 is an astounding 26-2. But against BCS opponents, they are 5-1. (By contrast the Pac-12 is 23-9, 6-3, and the SEC is 28-7, 4-5. Which is why the SEC isn't getting much love in these pages.) So what do we know about the Big 12? We think that West Virginia is pretty good, based on their wins against Maryland and James Madison. Texas is better than the 11th or 12th best team in the SEC. Oklahoma State is not as good as Arizona, which means they're double ungood when compared to Oregon, unless, of course, they turn around and beat Texas next week. Iowa State beat Iowa, so they're at least as good as Central Michigan. And Oklahoma, the pre-season Top 5, just lost to Kansas State. Anyone else want to get on the TCU Fiesta Bowl bandwagon? Next game: at Oklahoma State.
24) Iowa State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
25) Baylor (3-0, 0-0, +3)
My Top 25
1) Oregon State (2-0, 1-0, +10)
2) Notre Dame (4-0, 0-0, +9)
3) Oregon (4-0, 1-0, +9)
4) Texas Tech (3-0, 0-0, +8)
5) Florida State (4-0, 2-0, +8)
6) Rutgers (4-0, 1-0, +7)
7) Stanford (3-0, 1-0, +6)
8) Alabama (4-0, 1-0, +6)
9) Florida (4-0, 3-0, +6)
10) UCLA (3-1, 0-1, +6)
11) Ohio (4-0, 0-0, +5)
12) Georgia (4-0, 2-0, +5)
13) Kansas State (4-0, 1-0, +5)
14) LSU (4-0, 1-0, +4)
15) South Carolina (4-0, 2-0, +4)
16) Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0, +4)
17) Northwestern (4-0, 0-0, +4)
18) Louisville (4-0, 0-0, +4)
19) Minnesota (4-0, 0-0, +4)
20) Ohio State (4-0, 0-0, +4)
21) Texas-San Antonio (4-0, 0-0, +4)
22) Arizona (3-1, 0-1, +4)
23) Texas (3-0, 0-0, +3)
24) Iowa State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
25) Baylor (3-0, 0-0, +3)
West Virginia (3-0, 0-0, +3)
TCU (3-0, 1-0, +3)
Louisiana Tech (3-0, 0-0, +3)
Cincinnati (2-0, 1-0, +2)
Michigan State (3-1, 0-0, +2)
Ball State (3-1, 0-0, +2)
Western Kentucky (3-1, 0-0, +2)
Central Michigan (2-1, 0-0, +1)
San Jose State (3-1, 0-0, +1)
Michigan (2-2, 0-0, 0)
Washington (2-1, 0-0, 0)
Boise State (2-1, 0-0, 0)
USC (3-1, 1-1, 0)
Texas State (2-1, 0-0, 0)
Miami (FL) (3-1, 2-0, 0)
Duke (3-1, 0-0, 0)
Clemson (3-1, 0-1, -1)
Oklahoma (2-1, 0-1,-1)
Nebraska (3-1, 0-0, -1)
Mississippi (3-1, 0-0, -2)
Purdue (2-1, 0-0, -3)
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1, -3)
Arizona State (3-1, 1-0, -3)
Virginia Tech (3-1, 1-0, -3)
Utah State (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Wake Forest (3-1, 0-1, -3)
Wisconsin (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Nevada (3-1, 1-0, -3)
North Carolina State (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Northern Illinois (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Toledo (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Tulsa (3-1, 1-0, -3)
Indiana (2-1, 0-0, -4)
Oklahoma State (2-1, 0-0, -4)
UCF (2-1, 0-0, -4)
Louisiana-Lafayette (2-1, 1-0, -4)
Kent State (2-1, 1-0, -4)
Middle Tennessee State (2-1, 1-0, -4)
Marshall (1-1, 0-0, -4)
Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1, -4)
New Mexico (2-2, 0-0, -5)
Arkansas State (2-2, 0-0, -5)
Fresno State (2-2, 0-0, -6)
Missouri (2-2, 0-2, -6)
Louisiana-Monroe (1-2, 0-0, -7)
East Carolina (2-2, 0-0, -8)
Hawaii (1-2, 0-1, -8)
Utah (2-2, 0-1, -8)
Auburn (1-3, 0-2, -8)
Northern Iowa (0-2, 0-0, -8)
UTEP (1-2, 0-0, -8)
South Florida (2-2, 0-1, -9)
Buffalo (1-2, 0-1,-9)
Troy (2-2, 1-1, -9)
Arkansas (1-3, 0-1, -9)
Florida Atlantic (1-3, 0-0, -9)
Missouri State (0-2, 0-0, -9)
North Carolina (2-2, 0-0, -9)
Brigham Young (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Georgia Tech ( 2-2, 0-2, -10)
Maryland (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Virginia (2-2, 0-1, -10)
Illinois (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Iowa (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Connecticut (2-2, 0-0, -10)
North Texas (1-3, 0-1, -10)
San Diego State (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Washington State (2-2, 0-1, -10)
Boston College (1-2, 0-1, -10)
Penn State (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Miami (OH) (2-2, 1-0, -10)
Pittsburgh (2-2, 0-1, -10)
Western Michigan (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Air Force (1-2, 0-1, -11)
Temple (1-2, 0-0, -11)
Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2, -11)
SMU (1-2, 0-0, -11)
Navy (1-2, 0-0, -11)
Tulane (0-2, 0-1, -12)
New Mexico State (1-3, 0-0, -13)
Syracuse (1-3, 0-0, -13)
Kentucky (1-3, 0-1, -13)
Houston (0-3, 0-0, -13)
South Alabama (1-3, 0-0, -15)
Southern Miss (0-3, 0-1, -16)
Florida International (1-3, 0-0, -16)
UAB (0-3, 0-0, -16)Kansas (1-3, 0-1, -17)
Akron (1-3, 0-0, -17)
California (1-3, 0-1, -17)
Bowling Green (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Colorado State (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Rice (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Colorado (1-3, 1-0, -17)
UNLV (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Wyoming (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Army (0-3, 0-0, -18)
Idaho (0-4, 0-0, -21)
Memphis (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Eastern Michigan (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Massachusetts (0-4, 0-0, -24)
2) Notre Dame (4-0, 0-0, +9)
3) Oregon (4-0, 1-0, +9)
4) Texas Tech (3-0, 0-0, +8)
5) Florida State (4-0, 2-0, +8)
6) Rutgers (4-0, 1-0, +7)
7) Stanford (3-0, 1-0, +6)
8) Alabama (4-0, 1-0, +6)
9) Florida (4-0, 3-0, +6)
10) UCLA (3-1, 0-1, +6)
11) Ohio (4-0, 0-0, +5)
12) Georgia (4-0, 2-0, +5)
13) Kansas State (4-0, 1-0, +5)
14) LSU (4-0, 1-0, +4)
15) South Carolina (4-0, 2-0, +4)
16) Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0, +4)
17) Northwestern (4-0, 0-0, +4)
18) Louisville (4-0, 0-0, +4)
19) Minnesota (4-0, 0-0, +4)
20) Ohio State (4-0, 0-0, +4)
21) Texas-San Antonio (4-0, 0-0, +4)
22) Arizona (3-1, 0-1, +4)
23) Texas (3-0, 0-0, +3)
24) Iowa State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
25) Baylor (3-0, 0-0, +3)
West Virginia (3-0, 0-0, +3)
TCU (3-0, 1-0, +3)
Louisiana Tech (3-0, 0-0, +3)
Cincinnati (2-0, 1-0, +2)
Michigan State (3-1, 0-0, +2)
Ball State (3-1, 0-0, +2)
Western Kentucky (3-1, 0-0, +2)
Central Michigan (2-1, 0-0, +1)
San Jose State (3-1, 0-0, +1)
Michigan (2-2, 0-0, 0)
Washington (2-1, 0-0, 0)
Boise State (2-1, 0-0, 0)
USC (3-1, 1-1, 0)
Texas State (2-1, 0-0, 0)
Miami (FL) (3-1, 2-0, 0)
Duke (3-1, 0-0, 0)
Clemson (3-1, 0-1, -1)
Oklahoma (2-1, 0-1,-1)
Nebraska (3-1, 0-0, -1)
Mississippi (3-1, 0-0, -2)
Purdue (2-1, 0-0, -3)
Tennessee (3-1, 0-1, -3)
Arizona State (3-1, 1-0, -3)
Virginia Tech (3-1, 1-0, -3)
Utah State (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Wake Forest (3-1, 0-1, -3)
Wisconsin (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Nevada (3-1, 1-0, -3)
North Carolina State (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Northern Illinois (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Toledo (3-1, 0-0, -3)
Tulsa (3-1, 1-0, -3)
Indiana (2-1, 0-0, -4)
Oklahoma State (2-1, 0-0, -4)
UCF (2-1, 0-0, -4)
Louisiana-Lafayette (2-1, 1-0, -4)
Kent State (2-1, 1-0, -4)
Middle Tennessee State (2-1, 1-0, -4)
Marshall (1-1, 0-0, -4)
Texas A&M (2-1, 0-1, -4)
New Mexico (2-2, 0-0, -5)
Arkansas State (2-2, 0-0, -5)
Fresno State (2-2, 0-0, -6)
Missouri (2-2, 0-2, -6)
Louisiana-Monroe (1-2, 0-0, -7)
East Carolina (2-2, 0-0, -8)
Hawaii (1-2, 0-1, -8)
Utah (2-2, 0-1, -8)
Auburn (1-3, 0-2, -8)
Northern Iowa (0-2, 0-0, -8)
UTEP (1-2, 0-0, -8)
South Florida (2-2, 0-1, -9)
Buffalo (1-2, 0-1,-9)
Troy (2-2, 1-1, -9)
Arkansas (1-3, 0-1, -9)
Florida Atlantic (1-3, 0-0, -9)
Missouri State (0-2, 0-0, -9)
North Carolina (2-2, 0-0, -9)
Brigham Young (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Georgia Tech ( 2-2, 0-2, -10)
Maryland (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Virginia (2-2, 0-1, -10)
Illinois (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Iowa (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Connecticut (2-2, 0-0, -10)
North Texas (1-3, 0-1, -10)
San Diego State (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Washington State (2-2, 0-1, -10)
Boston College (1-2, 0-1, -10)
Penn State (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Miami (OH) (2-2, 1-0, -10)
Pittsburgh (2-2, 0-1, -10)
Western Michigan (2-2, 0-0, -10)
Air Force (1-2, 0-1, -11)
Temple (1-2, 0-0, -11)
Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2, -11)
SMU (1-2, 0-0, -11)
Navy (1-2, 0-0, -11)
Tulane (0-2, 0-1, -12)
New Mexico State (1-3, 0-0, -13)
Syracuse (1-3, 0-0, -13)
Kentucky (1-3, 0-1, -13)
Houston (0-3, 0-0, -13)
South Alabama (1-3, 0-0, -15)
Southern Miss (0-3, 0-1, -16)
Florida International (1-3, 0-0, -16)
UAB (0-3, 0-0, -16)Kansas (1-3, 0-1, -17)
Akron (1-3, 0-0, -17)
California (1-3, 0-1, -17)
Bowling Green (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Colorado State (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Rice (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Colorado (1-3, 1-0, -17)
UNLV (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Wyoming (1-3, 0-0, -17)
Army (0-3, 0-0, -18)
Idaho (0-4, 0-0, -21)
Memphis (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Eastern Michigan (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Massachusetts (0-4, 0-0, -24)
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Power Rankings - Sep. 16
1) Texas Tech (3-0, 0-0, +8)
2) UCLA (3-0, 0-0, +8) - Do I think that the Bruins are the second best team in the nation? No, of course not. But the design of my ranking system is supposed to radically favor body-of-work over expectations or eyeball tests. Ideally, as the season progresses, these rankings should begin to more closely resemble the national polls. On the other hand, what if UCLA refuses to lose? My theory is: Until someone takes it from them, the Bruins deserve this spot.
3) Notre Dame (3-0, 0-0, +8) - You've done it now, Irish. Their 20-3 road win over Big Ten favorite Michigan State means that Notre Dame is for real this season. They play host to Michigan next week (AP #11 vs. #18), and a win then should officially start the BCS prognosticating. However, remember two things: 1) ND still has four more games against AP Top 25 teams, and 2) The Big Ten is really, really bad.
4) Arizona (3-0, 0-0, +7)
5) Stanford (3-0, 1-0, +6)
6) Rutgers (3-0, 1-0, +6)
7) Alabama (3-0, 1-0, +5) - Watching Alabama crush their opponents is an almost painful experience. They play a kind of joyless style of football, but one that worked perfectly in dismantling pre-season Top 10 Arkansas 52-0. Unfortunately, Alabama doesn't get a boost in this poll thanks to a pesky team called UL-Monroe. The Tide may actually be punished for their schedule, ironically: As of right now, only two more of their opponents, LSU and MSU, are ranked.
8) Florida (3-0, 2-0, +5)
9) Oregon State (1-0, 0-0, +4) - Through accidents of weather and scheduling, Oregon State now enters Week 4 of the season having played exactly one game. They visit UCLA next week, however, and that game should give us a better picture of what the Beavers are made of. If they win, they're almost guaranteed to be a Top 5 team in these pages.
10) Clemson (3-0, 0-0, +4)
11) Ohio (3-0, 0-0, +4)
12) Georgia (3-0, 1-0, +4) - I'm working on a theory about the SEC. Alabama is far and away the best team in the nation, and LSU is probably #2. Then you have this untested middle group: Georgia, South Carolina, Florida. Every week I am unimpressed with Georgia: Coming out slow against Florida Atlantic (tied 14-14 in the 2nd quarter), letting Buffalo back in the game (24-16 at half after leading 24-3), trailing a decent Missouri team at half 10-9 before pulling away for the 41-20 win. I'm not saying they're not good. I'm saying they're not great.
13) LSU (3-0, 0-0, +3)
14) Oregon (3-0, 0-0, +3) - After sleepwalking through the first three weeks of the season, the Ducks finally get their chance to make a move at home against Arizona. They're going to have to clean up their act if they want to make another run at the Pac-12 championship, though: In their 63-14 win over FCS Tennessee Tech, they turned the ball over three times and had over 100 yards of penalties. Unacceptable.
15) Kansas State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
16) South Carolina (3-0, 1-0, +3)
17) Mississippi State (3-0, 1-0, +3)
18) Northwestern (3-0, 0-0, +3)
19) Texas (3-0, 0-0, +3) - Here's my final thought on the SEC hierarchy: The bottom third or so is bad. Kentucky is bad. (32-31 OT L to Western Kentucky) Mississippi is bad. (66-31 L to Texas) Auburn is not good. (31-28 OT W over UL-Monroe.) These weaknesses should temper some of the successes of the SEC's elite teams as they engage in conference play.
20) Louisville (3-0, 0-0, +3)
21) Florida State (3-0, 1-0, +3) - I've resisted getting on the Florida State bandwagon for over two years, but I am now willing to say that they are pretty good. They beat a not-good-but-really-not-that-bad Wake Forest team 52-0, and now have a big showdown with defending ACC champ Clemson next week. The winner of that game will have the inside track to the ACC Championship, the Orange Bowl, and maybe, just maybe, the BCS Championship.
22) Iowa State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
23) Minnesota (3-0, 0-0, +3)
24) Ohio State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
25) Oklahoma (2-0, 0-0,+2)
2) UCLA (3-0, 0-0, +8) - Do I think that the Bruins are the second best team in the nation? No, of course not. But the design of my ranking system is supposed to radically favor body-of-work over expectations or eyeball tests. Ideally, as the season progresses, these rankings should begin to more closely resemble the national polls. On the other hand, what if UCLA refuses to lose? My theory is: Until someone takes it from them, the Bruins deserve this spot.
3) Notre Dame (3-0, 0-0, +8) - You've done it now, Irish. Their 20-3 road win over Big Ten favorite Michigan State means that Notre Dame is for real this season. They play host to Michigan next week (AP #11 vs. #18), and a win then should officially start the BCS prognosticating. However, remember two things: 1) ND still has four more games against AP Top 25 teams, and 2) The Big Ten is really, really bad.
4) Arizona (3-0, 0-0, +7)
5) Stanford (3-0, 1-0, +6)
6) Rutgers (3-0, 1-0, +6)
7) Alabama (3-0, 1-0, +5) - Watching Alabama crush their opponents is an almost painful experience. They play a kind of joyless style of football, but one that worked perfectly in dismantling pre-season Top 10 Arkansas 52-0. Unfortunately, Alabama doesn't get a boost in this poll thanks to a pesky team called UL-Monroe. The Tide may actually be punished for their schedule, ironically: As of right now, only two more of their opponents, LSU and MSU, are ranked.
8) Florida (3-0, 2-0, +5)
9) Oregon State (1-0, 0-0, +4) - Through accidents of weather and scheduling, Oregon State now enters Week 4 of the season having played exactly one game. They visit UCLA next week, however, and that game should give us a better picture of what the Beavers are made of. If they win, they're almost guaranteed to be a Top 5 team in these pages.
10) Clemson (3-0, 0-0, +4)
11) Ohio (3-0, 0-0, +4)
12) Georgia (3-0, 1-0, +4) - I'm working on a theory about the SEC. Alabama is far and away the best team in the nation, and LSU is probably #2. Then you have this untested middle group: Georgia, South Carolina, Florida. Every week I am unimpressed with Georgia: Coming out slow against Florida Atlantic (tied 14-14 in the 2nd quarter), letting Buffalo back in the game (24-16 at half after leading 24-3), trailing a decent Missouri team at half 10-9 before pulling away for the 41-20 win. I'm not saying they're not good. I'm saying they're not great.
13) LSU (3-0, 0-0, +3)
14) Oregon (3-0, 0-0, +3) - After sleepwalking through the first three weeks of the season, the Ducks finally get their chance to make a move at home against Arizona. They're going to have to clean up their act if they want to make another run at the Pac-12 championship, though: In their 63-14 win over FCS Tennessee Tech, they turned the ball over three times and had over 100 yards of penalties. Unacceptable.
15) Kansas State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
16) South Carolina (3-0, 1-0, +3)
17) Mississippi State (3-0, 1-0, +3)
18) Northwestern (3-0, 0-0, +3)
19) Texas (3-0, 0-0, +3) - Here's my final thought on the SEC hierarchy: The bottom third or so is bad. Kentucky is bad. (32-31 OT L to Western Kentucky) Mississippi is bad. (66-31 L to Texas) Auburn is not good. (31-28 OT W over UL-Monroe.) These weaknesses should temper some of the successes of the SEC's elite teams as they engage in conference play.
20) Louisville (3-0, 0-0, +3)
21) Florida State (3-0, 1-0, +3) - I've resisted getting on the Florida State bandwagon for over two years, but I am now willing to say that they are pretty good. They beat a not-good-but-really-not-that-bad Wake Forest team 52-0, and now have a big showdown with defending ACC champ Clemson next week. The winner of that game will have the inside track to the ACC Championship, the Orange Bowl, and maybe, just maybe, the BCS Championship.
22) Iowa State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
23) Minnesota (3-0, 0-0, +3)
24) Ohio State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
25) Oklahoma (2-0, 0-0,+2)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)