iggymcfly

So has anyone registered FireSteveKragthorpe.com yet? It's amazing how quick Louisville has fallen off without Petrino.

LOL. Still think having Miami at #31 last week was ridiculous? They'll almost certainly be moving into my real Top 25 after the stomping of Texas A&M.

Yeah, I'm projecting that USC picks up their only loss against Oregon. The talent level's really close, and with the game being in Eugene, I think the Ducks pull it out. I think Oregon beats Cal too, but probably blows the UCLA game on the road. With both Oregon and USC having 8-1 records, UO would get the tiebreaker and the Rose Bowl. Florida, I have losing at LSU and at South Carolina. I think the Gators are better than the Cocks, but it's another case where home advantage can be the difference in a close matchup. That would likely leave both South Carolina and Florida 6-2 in conference play and SC would "win" the tiebreaker to be Tiger Bait and pick up a third loss in the SECCG, knocking them out of BCS consideration.

Was kinda bored and figured I'd do some early BCS projections: National championship game LSU (13-0) vs. Oklahoma (13-0) Rose Bowl Oregon (11-1) vs. Ohio State (11-1) Sugar Bowl USC (11-1) vs. Florida (10-2) Fiesta Bowl Penn State (11-1) vs. Texas (10-2) Orange Bowl Clemson (10-3) vs. Rutgers (11-1)

Actually, I think Brennan's seen as more legit because he's a 1st-round NFL prospect and has a better arm, better touch on his throws, etc. The Heisman voters don't know this from actual observation, but seem to have got the impression 3rd-hand.

OK, these are some weird rules you've got. One-loss teams are automatically out, but two loss teams are OK? If Auburn had gotten by Mississippi State, would they be disqualified from the Top 25? In all seriousness, for a thrown together Top 25, it's not bad. I don't agree with the "don't rank a team with a loss" theorem. Either a team is one of the Top 25 or it isn't. Would you drop Texas out of the Top 25 when they lost to Ohio State last year? Still though, if you're ranking the Top 24 undefeated teams (throwing out the obvious Auburn mistake), it's at least reasonable throughout. The only thing I'd really complain about is Hawaii at 22, because they really don't deserve to be ranked at all right now. I'd put Air Force, Texas Tech, and Michigan State all ahead of them for starters, especially if you're working on the "this season counts above all" theory.

USC was my preseason #1, yeah. I briefly dropped them after LSU stomped Virginia Tech, but then when the Trojans got a win that was just as impressive, I moved them back up. I feel Nebraska and Virginia Tech are really comparable in talent and the fact that LSU blew out Virginia Tech worse is mitigated by the fact that USC had to play on the road. And actually, it was probably just as impressive, since Nebraska's only TD in the first 3 quarters came on a ridiculously silly penalty. I see Miami as almost the same as Virginia Tech. Both looked like Coastal division contenders coming into the season, both got blown out by a Top 3 opponent, and neither has been really impressive in their other two games. Virginia Tech gets the nod for now due to a higher preseason ranking, but I didn't have them ranked that much higher than Miami in the preseason anyway. (Maybe #15 vs. #21.) At home, I'd actually expect Miami to beat Texas A&M, but yes, if they lose, they'll be out of the Top 32 for the foreseeable future. As for Oregon, yes, I'm really sold on them. I think that not only will they beat Cal at home, they'll also beat USC, but will drop a road game somewhere along the way to either Washington or UCLA on the way to an 11-1 record. Oh, and on West Virginia, yes they performed better than Texas this year. That's why they deserve a #6 ranking. However, no way in hell should they be ahead of USC, Oklahoma, LSU, or Florida, all of whom have been completely dominant, and all of whom have beaten better teams than Maryland.

OK, just saw your Top 25 now. Not be a dick, but not only is this not better than mine, it's frigging horrible. Where do I begin? First off, West Virginia at #1? WHY? WHY? WHY? I'm really curious why you'd possibly have them that high. Their pass defense has been really bad this year (they rank 71st in the country in pass efficency D), they gave up over 20 points in both of their first two games and they trailed Marshall at the half. Where in all that, did you get the impression that they were better than LSU or USC? All I can guess is that it's a preseason impression based on their skill guys that you stuck with, but I think their offense should actually be slightly worse this year as they lost their two top linemen including a first-team All-American at center who's being replaced by a converted tight end. Next off, Virginia Tech at #10? What the hell? They haven't played one good game all year and currently rank 102nd in the country in total offense and 103rd in scoring offense. Yeah, they have a good defense, but they still gave up 48 points to LSU and I don't see how you can have them ahead of a balanced team that's actually beaten someone like South Carolina. Do you really think the Cocks will lose to LSU by 41 points this week? I'd be shocked and amazed if they did. If they do, all it means is that LSU is just that good and should be ranked #1 instead of #3 behind West Virginia and Florida. You can't have it both ways saying LSU's good but not great if the team they beat by 41 is still in the Top Ten after losing to them. You'd think I'd be getting bored writing this much, but then we come to the most ridiculously overrated team on your list. Hawaii at number FOURTEEN! OMGWFTBBQ! Are we sure you didn't accidentally post your preseason rankings here? Have you been paying any attention to what's been going on at all? In Week 2, Hawaii played Louisiana Tech who is one of the very worst teams in the country. They're coming off of a 3-10 season and were picked to finish last in the WAC. What happens in that Louisiana Tech/Hawaii game? Hawaii gives up 410 yards and 44 points en route to a one point win in overtime. Yeah, that's a real national title contender all right. Maybe you were impressed by those tough wins over Northern Colorado (1-10 in I-AA last year) and UNLV (2-10 last year) though. Seriously, Hawaii's defense looked terrible against La. Tech and they shouldn't be within sniffing distance of a Top 25 until they play someone who's at least in the top half of I-A. (Not going to happen until Nov. 10 against Fresno State.) Also, Oregon's way too low (best yardage differential in the Pac-Ten last year, dominating wins over good teams in Michigan and Fresno State), Missouri's too high (no good wins, nearly lost to Illinois), and South Carolina should at least be Top 15 if not Top 10 (very good win on the road vs. Georgia, 17 starters back from a team that went 8-0 last year vs. teams outside the Top 12.) P.S. Don't take this personally. I just really enjoy arguing about college football, and with no Dama around or anything, you provided a pretty ripe target.

Virginia Tech has yet to play a good football game all season. They were only up by 3 in the 4th quarter against ECU, they got destroyed by LSU, and they were tied at the half against Ohio. Nebraska's not a lot better and I was thoroughly unimpressed with their performance against USC, but they did at least have one complete game against Nevada and had a legitimate (if somewhat unconvincing) win on the road at Wake. Also, Nebraska looks like they at least have potential on both sides of the ball while Virginia Tech's offense is just miserable. The Hokies have the better defense, but I don't think it's enough to make up for their offensive incapabilities.

I don't think Louisville being ahead of Kentucky is necessarily unfair. It took a miracle TD with under a minute left for the Cats to win at home, and Louisville historically plays much, much, much better at home than they do on the road. If that was in Papa Johns, the Cards would have won by double digits. Anyway, here are my rankings this week: (Previous week's rank in parenthesis) 1. USC 2-0 (2) 2. LSU 3-0 (1) 3. Oklahoma 3-0 (3) 4. Florida 3-0 (12) 5. Oregon 3-0 (7) 6. West Virginia 3-0 (9) 7. Ohio State 3-0 (16) 8. Texas 3-0 (4) 9. South Carolina 3-0 (11) 10. Boston College 3-0 (22) 11. Penn State 3-0 (14) 12. California 3-0 (13) 13. Rutgers 3-0 (15) 14. Alabama 3-0 (17) 15. Louisville 2-1 (8) 16. Wisconsin 3-0 (10) 17. Kentucky 3-0 (NR) 18. Cincinnatti 3-0 (NR) 19. Texas A&M 3-0 (19) 20. USF 3-0 (21) 21. Missouri 3-0 (25) 22. Clemson 3-0 (NR) 23. Georgia 2-1 (24) 24. Georgia Tech 2-1 (5) 25. Nebraska 2-1 (18) Close: Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Air Force, Texas Tech, Arkansas, Miami, Tennessee

Yeah sure, try to chase off another entertaining member. THE DEMISE OF TSM IS ON YOUR HEAD!

Wow, that's weird. My birthday's the day before Leena's. Anyway, even if it's a little late, I agree with the whole thread. Bring back Leena and Dama. (WP, I could still do without.) Honestly, outside of the cute picture thread and Bored's college football contest, there's not one thing on the board that really interests me. I'm on the internet like 8 hours a day and I still hardly ever post here any more.

I originally thought that Texas would beat OU since the Sooners looked like more of a running team and Texas's run defense is much better than their pass defense. However, after watching Bradford throw the ball all over the field against Miami, I'm not seeing it any more. Texas will probably lose to OU and Texas A&M and finish 10-2. As for OU though, if they beat Texas, I don't see who stops them from going undefeated. They get A&M and Missouri at home and they skip Nebraska altogether. Their toughest road game is at Texas Tech who's only returning 10 starters this year and isn't going to be in contender mode. They even get OSU at home to keep something crazy from happening in the rivalry game. I think with their schedule, the Sooners have a better shot to go undefeated then either USC or LSU.

THURSDAY West Virginia at Maryland SATURDAY Virginia at North Carolina Tennessee at Florida Notre Dame at Michigan Ohio State at Washington Southern Miss at East Carolina Arkansas at Alabama Mississippi at Vanderbilt Louisville at Kentucky Boston College at Georgia Tech Wyoming at Boise State USC at Nebraska Hawaii at UNLV Florida State at Colorado Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the USC/Nebraska game? 67 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will Tennessee's Erik Ainge have against Florida? 276

FYP. Look, I'm totally on the LSU bandwagon as evidenced by my Top 25, but Virginia Tech's really not that good. Sean Glennon should be backing someone up in the Sun Belt and the Hokies' running game's really isn't that good either. As a Georgia Tech fan, I'm much more worried about BC and Clemson than Virginia Tech in the ACC.

OK, have a new Top 25 for this week. Feel a lot better than I did about last week's, although it's still pretty fluid and I'm not 100% sure about everything: (Previous week's ranking in parenthesis) 1. LSU 2-0 (2) 2. USC 1-0 (1) 3. Oklahoma 2-0 (4) 4. Texas 2-0 (11) 5. Georgia Tech 2-0 (7) 6. UCLA 2-0 (8) 7. Oregon 2-0 (19) 8. Louisville 2-0 (3) 9. West Virginia 2-0 (6) 10. Wisconsin 2-0 (5) 11. South Carolina 2-0 (22) 12. Florida 2-0 (9) 13. California 2-0 (10) 14. Penn State 2-0 (13) 15. Rutgers 2-0 (14) 16. Ohio State 2-0 (12) 17. Alabama 2-0 (21) 18. Nebraska 2-0 (16) 19. Texas A&M 2-0 (18) 20. Tennessee 1-1 (NR) 21. USF 2-0 (NR) 22. Boston College 2-0 (NR) 23. Washington 2-0 (NR) 24. Georgia 1-1 (17) 25. Missouri 2-0 (NR) Close: Cincinnatti, BYU, Arizona State, Clemson, TCU, Iowa

Of course, teke gets the LSU score perfect. I guess to win this week, I needed to grow some balls and pull the trigger on South Carolina. I predicted them to upset UGA before the season started, but then I wussed out and took the favorite when making my picks.

Yeah, I've been watching since about 6:00 left in regulation. Ridiculous game. McGee's option for the first down there was pretty huge too.

Yeah, I definitely won't have the Cardinals at #3 this week. Probably won't be in the Top Ten even unless everyone plays bad below them. Really, there are very few teams that look really good right now. As far as teams that actually look like they could win a championship, this would be the complete list: USC LSU Oklahoma Texas was actually closer to losing to a Sun Belt team than Louisville was. Florida's got no defense. Wisconsin gave up a bunch of yards to WSU and while they're schedule could get them to 12-0, they'd get rolled by anyone with a legit passing game. West Virginia's pass D is also really vulnerable and would get shredded by a good team. Georgia Tech can't throw the ball. Honestly, outside of that Top 3, everyone else has huge weaknesses and there isn't one team from 4 to 25 that would shock me if they finished 8-5 or something.

There were tons of tough games to pick out there. Give us Toledo vs. Central Michigan! Give us Ohio vs. Louisiana Lafayette! Give us Memphis vs. Arkansas State! Who needs these yawnfests like Virginia Tech/LSU?

THURSDAY Oregon State at Cincinnati SATURDAY Nevada at Northwestern Nebraska at Wake Forest Miami at Oklahoma Alabama at Vanderbilt Oregon at Michigan Boise State at Washington South Carolina at Georgia Missouri at Mississippi North Carolina at East Carolina TCU at Texas Indiana at Western Michigan Virginia Tech at LSU Colorado at Arizona State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Virginia Tech/LSU game? 40 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will Texas' Colt McCoy have against TCU? 198

If you want my end-of-week Top 25, you can just take Florida State out and plug in Clemson at #20. I'm still not really sold on the Tigers yet though. FSU was just missing their blocking assignments and dropping passes all night. The Tigers will probably end up at 8-4 or something, but that actually might be enough to make the ACC championship this year. BC is probably going to be their best competition in the Atlantic division as the other top ACC teams (GT, VT, Miami) are all in the Coastal.

Sorry, I'm just not buying into Arkansas at all this year. As good as McFadden is, the rushing game's not going to be the same this year losing 3 first or second-team all-SEC linemen. And the defense which wasn't all that great last year lost a lot too. If you want to say Auburn doesn't belong in the Top 25, I won't argue with you though. It was about a 5-way tossup for the last spot and I gave Auburn the benefit of the doubt based on their past history. As for Michigan, I think we all know they're not as bad as they played last week. They're favored by 7 against Oregon this week who I have at #20 and they've still got a great shot to win the Big Ten. I'm trying to weight the performance on the field heavily and that's why Michigan's not in the Top 25, but honestly I'd probably have to take the Wolverines over TCU or Auburn on a neutral field.

OK, I've got a Top 25 together. It's pretty rough and honestly the difference between #5 and #20 is tiny, but it will be a good starting point to go off of for the rest of the season. 1. USC 2. LSU 3. Louisville 4. Oklahoma 5. Wisconsin 6. West Virginia 7. Georgia Tech 8. UCLA 9. Florida 10. California 11. Texas 12. Ohio State 13. Penn State 14. Florida State 15. Rutgers 16. Virginia Tech 17. Nebraska 18. Georgia 19. Texas A&M 20. Oregon 21. Alabama 22. South Carolina 23. Miami 24. TCU 25. Auburn Close: Missouri, Hawaii, Tennessee, Oregon State, BYU, Michigan

Georgia Tech's looking frigging awesome today. The passing game could still use a little polish, but the running game and defense have been amazing. After the way Virginia Tech struggled this morning, I think the Jackets have to be considered the favorite to win the ACC at this point.