This Week in College Football 10/26 - 10/29

[Guest Princess Leena]

Why did Oregon cheer that USC lost. I mean, they're already dead in the Pac-10 race.

[Fökai 0]

You know, I didn't mind USC losing, I'm just angry at a potential Ohio State/Michigan re-match for the national championship. What if the first game ends up with a lopsided victory for one team? Unless USC just curbstomps the rest of their schedule, I don't see any other scenario that doesn't expose the BCS...again.

[Guest Princess Leena]

USC running the table and beating mighty Notre Dame on national TV would be just as bad with exposing the BCS.

[Art Sandusky 0]

I know Florida keeps winning, but they won't be national championship material until Urban Meyer starts getting more and more of "his" players into the system. Hopefully the SEC will move out of the stone ages with him, because if not the Gators going to be fuckin' unstoppable for a long time. It looks like they're going to win out in the SEC East this year, but I'm cool with watching Auburn beat them again.

 

It also opens up the (slim) chance of Tennessee making it into a BCS bowl as an at-large. It's intensely satisfying to see Spurrier as frustrated as he was tonight at times. In case anyone didn't notice, Gamecock fans are trash. After getting two very generous calls, they had the nerve to start throwing shit on the field when the refs gave a couple to Tennessee. There were also a couple of questionable clock stoppages late in the game that allowed South Carolina to hang around, but the USC fans are such a fairweather group that many left before their final touchdown was scored to keep it at least winnable. Thank goodness Syvelle Newton's a senior, because the dude's multiple dimensions scare me, and should at least give Florida some cause for concern.

 

LSU comes to Knoxville next week. Get your popcorn and spittoon, that's going to be some old school three-points-a-drive football. I can't wait, it'll be on hell of a game. LSU's been under the radar since their Florida loss but are still extremely dangerous. I'd also wager they want to avenge the incredible 21-point comeback Tennessee made in Baton Rouge last year.

[dh86 0]

You know, I didn't mind USC losing, I'm just angry at a potential Ohio State/Michigan re-match for the national championship. What if the first game ends up with a lopsided victory for one team? Unless USC just curbstomps the rest of their schedule, I don't see any other scenario that doesn't expose the BCS...again.

I seriously doubt that OSU-Michigan will be more than a 7 point ballgame....they have combined to give up 20 points once all year and that was Notre Dame when they scored 21

[dh86 0]

They're going to pass USC this week, and a lot more teams will lose before the final BCS rankings. Also, even though Pitt's "unranked" right now, they're also the best team West Virginia's played this year, so they'll most certainly help them. When combined with Top 15 computer teams in Rutgers and Louisville, WVU will have no trouble moving up.

 

WV hasnt played Pittsburgh yet so are you saying the Panthers are the toughest team on their schedule?

 

I was saying that they're better than anyone WVU's played thus far, so when they do play them, it will help their SOS tremendously. I apologize if I worded it awkardly. Anyway, if your still in doubt, look at it this way: West Virginia's currently ranked 4th in the BCS. The team directly above them lost, and one of the other two teams ahead of them will lose as well. Also, WVU has the three toughest games on their schedule all left to play. Do you really think that if WVU wins out , their three toughest games of the year won't be enough to put them ahead of teams that pick up a loss? Of course it will. The only way there's not a Big East team in the title game is if all three undefeateds pick up a loss.

I personally would not consider Pittsburgh or Rutgers better than Maryland but I see where you are coming from but your problem is that you are not thinking ahead...the most WV can move up in the polls is only 2 spots...lets say WV beats Pitt...they would then have three losses and be out of the top 40...lets say they beat Louisville and Rutgers..Louisville drops and Rutgers drops...and lets say Louisville beats Rutgers...Rutgers would now have 2 losses and WV would be left with one quality win as Pitt and Rutgers wouldnt even be top 35 at that point...thats why I say it will be very tough for WV to make up that much ground with the computers because even their toughest conference foes still have losses to pick up no matter how you scramble it..the same goes for Louisville ...now Rutgers is 7th in computers before facing WV and Louisville....but jumping 14 spots in the polls this late in the season as well as the before mentioned scheduling issues will make that tough for them to be in the title game

[iggymcfly 0]

Here's what your missing: Right now, before playing Louisville, Rutgers, or Pitt, West Virginia is ranked #4 in the BCS. After USC loses during their bye week, they're going to move up to #3. That leaves one spot for them to move up while Ohio State or Michigan loses, and they play their three toughest opponents. Not 15 spots. One.

 

They will easily be able to do that. It would be one thing if they were trying to jump an undefeated Michigan team, but with Michigan picking up a loss they're golden. If it's Louisville instead of WVU, they'll move up to #2 overall just as easily. The only team that might get passed if they go undefeated is Rutgers, but even so, if they go 12-0, I think they're in.

[iggymcfly 0]

While we're at it, since I'm home, and (somewhere remotely near) sober, here's my Top 25:

 

(Previous week's ranking in parenthesis)

1. Ohio State 9-0 (1)

2. Michigan 9-0 (2)

3. Florida 7-1 (4)

4. Tennessee 7-1 (6)

5. Texas 8-1 (7)

6. West Virginia 7-0 (8)

7. Louisville 7-0 (9)

8. Auburn 8-1 (5)

9. California 7-1 (11)

10. Notre Dame 7-1 (12)

11. LSU 6-2 (13)

12. Rutgers 7-0 (14)

13. Boise State 8-0 (15)

14. USC 6-1 (3)

15. Arkansas 7-1 (16)

16. Boston College 7-1 (17)

17. Oklahoma 6-2 (21)

18. Wisconsin 8-1 (18)

19. Texas A&M 8-1 (22)

20. Clemson 7-2 (10)

21. Georgia Tech 6-2 (25)

22. Washington State 6-3 (NR)

23. Wake Forest 7-1 (23)

24. Alabama 6-3 (24)

25. Maryland 6-2 (NR)

 

No close teams this week. 25's enough.

[AboveAverage484 0]

At the beginning of the year, I decided that I would experiment with a ranking system myself. Based on magazines, the polls, etc. I ranked all 119 teams and awarded them points, based on their preseason ranking. Throughout the year, points were either rewarded (for example, 12 pts for beating a top 10 team) or taken away (13 points lost for losing to a 1-AA). Looking at it after week 9, I'm pleasantly surprised. The only problem I see with it is it rewards points based on how good the team they beat is perceived to be at the time. For example, a win over Miami in the first week will net more points than it would if they were to beat them this week. Hopefully I haven't confused yu too much, here are my top 25:

 

25. Penn State

24. Iowa

23. Miami, FL

22. Nebraska

21. Arkansas

20. Oregon

19. Missouri

18. Wisconsin

17. Boston College

16. Georgia Tech

15. Virginia Tech

14. West Virginia

13. LSU

12. Clemson

11. Oklahoma

10. Louisville

9. Notre Dame

8. Tennessee

7. Texas

6. California

5. Auburn

4. Florida

3. USC

2. Michigan

1. Ohio State

 

There are a couple blurbs (Cal over UT, VaTech over GaTech, Fla over Auburn) but overall I'm pretty pleased and will probably do it again next year.

[Guest Princess Leena]

How do you get Miami in the Top 25, when their only decent win is Houston.

[cabbageboy 0]

Oh man, I almost want to see that one doomsday scenario happen. If an undefeated WVU or U of L gets fucked over so that Michigan and Ohio St. can have a rematch that might finally be the last straw. In years past it was always two unbeatens vying for 1 BCS spot, or a bunch of flawed 1 loss teams vying for that 2nd spot. Or maybe an unbeaten team from a small conference that no one cared about. But this? It would be a team from a major conference that is unbeaten being screwed in favor of a team with 1 loss.

 

Here's another oddball scenario that I'll toss out there since I'm a Louisville fan: Hypothetically speaking let's say U of L goes 12-0, but gets screwed out of the title game in favor of Michigan/OSU II. We'll say OSU beats Michigan in the first meeting, but Michigan avenges the loss in the title game. U of L beats someone in their own BCS game and ends up being the only unbeaten team. What happens then? Share of the title?

[cabbageboy 0]

Double post.

[Guest Princess Leena]

There isn't a realistic shot OSU/Michigan ends up #1 vs. #2. No matter how one of the teams loses, they're going to be dropped behind other "big name" 1-loss teams. Because the highly intelligent voters base their rankings on who lost first.

[Bored 0]

Here's another oddball scenario that I'll toss out there since I'm a Louisville fan: Hypothetically speaking let's say U of L goes 12-0, but gets screwed out of the title game in favor of Michigan/OSU II. We'll say OSU beats Michigan in the first meeting, but Michigan avenges the loss in the title game. U of L beats someone in their own BCS game and ends up being the only unbeaten team. What happens then? Share of the title?

You'd get a 2003 scenerio, Louisville would be declared the national champs by the media but the BCS champion would be who wins the BCS title game of course.

 

Personally I think the only way a Ohio State/Michigan rematch happens is if you get a Oregon/Oklahoma type of ending to the game where who should have won ends up being highly and the pollsters decide to keep them at #1 and #2.

[AboveAverage484 0]

How do you get Miami in the Top 25, when their only decent win is Houston.

 

Because their losses have been to relatively high-ranked teams. They will probably start to drop big, since I can see them losing to all four of the teams remaining on their schedule, although with how the ACC is, I can see them winning out as well

[Urban Warfare 0]

New Coache's Poll

[CanadianChris 0]

AP poll:

 

1. (1) Ohio State

2. (2) Michigan

3. (4) West Virginia

4. (5) Texas

5. (6) Louisville

6. (7) Auburn

7. (9) Florida

8. (8) Tennessee

9. (3) USC

10. (12) California

11. (11) Notre Dame

12. (13) Arkansas

13. (14) LSU

14. (15) Boise State

15. (16) Rutgers

16. (18) Boston College

17. (17) Wisconsin

18. (19) Oklahoma

19. (10) Clemson

20. (21) Georgia Tech

21. (22) Texas A&M

22. (24) Wake Forest

23. (NR) Virginia Tech

24. (25) Oregon

25. (NR) Washington State

 

Dropping out: Nebraska (20), Missouri (23).

[Guest Princess Leena]

No close teams this week. 25's enough.

Give my Mormon team some love.

[Art Sandusky 0]

New Coache's Poll

Okay man, you do this every week. "C-o-a-c-h-e-s' poll."

 

Will Charlie Weis bitch and moan about not moving up again? Tune in next week.

[Bored 0]

Just a heads up, there is a decent shot Florida is going to be #3 in the BCS but that will change next week if West Virginia beats Louisville.

[Bored 0]

And...I was wrong, Mountaineers edge the Gators by seven one-thousandths of a point.

 

1. Ohio State

2. Michigan

3. West Virginia

4. Florida

5. Louisville

6. Auburn

7. Texas

8. USC

9. Notre Dame

10. California

11. Tennessee

12. Rutgers

13. Arkansas

14. Boise State

15. Boston College

16. Wisconsin

17. LSU

18. Oklahoma

19. Clemson

20. Georgia Tech

21. Texas A&M

22. Oregon

23. Washington State

24. Wake Forest

25. Virginia Tech

[Art Sandusky 0]

But all they did was drink cocktails!

[Guest Princess Leena]

I think those rankings pretty much lock up that if WVU or Louisville finishes undefeated, they're playing in the National Title game.

[Fökai 0]

I don't know the actual value of this, but Hawai'i being ranked in front of teams like Penn State, Miami and Florida State makes me giddy.

 

I really hope Brennan isn't brainwashed into declaring this year, because he could make an ever bigger impact in college next season. A passer rating of 185, nearly 3,000 yards, 33 TDs compared to 5 INTS at a 74% completion percentage? That's a line that even pessismists of Hawai'i's offense can't ignore.

 

EDIT: Correction, I shouldn't use the term brainwashed. He is 23. I just hope he returns for his senior season, but more power to him if he leaves.

[naiwf 0]

There isn't a realistic shot OSU/Michigan ends up #1 vs. #2. No matter how one of the teams loses, they're going to be dropped behind other "big name" 1-loss teams. Because the highly intelligent voters base their rankings on who lost first.

 

If Michigan wins by 3 or less, or in OT, I don't think OSU drops lower than # 4 or 5 in the polls and since they were ahead, the #2 thru 6 in the BCS would be thisclose. They would need some help to get back into the BCS title game obviously, but it's possible for them to end up at 2 even if they lose on the 18th. A Michigan loss unless it's by 2 in 4 OTs or something would kill them dead.

[cabbageboy 0]

I think U of L can certainly move into a strong #3 position with wins over WVU and Rutgers, two unbeaten teams.

 

You know what's truly a deranged thought? If Rutgers beats U of L they seriously are gonna be 11-0 when WVU stomps their asses in the final game of the season. I can buy Rutgers at 10-2 with losses to WVU and U of L, but an 11-1 Rutgers? What the fuck?

[ANKLELOCK 0]

Florida's ranking has my stomach groanining in regret of not having a healthy Tennessee tailback to run out the clock November 16.

[iggymcfly 0]

I know we've kinda hammered it already, but I was thinking, it's kind of interesting how college football sort of has tiers right now, in terms of who's likely to play for the national championship.

 

Tier I: Guaranteed to go to the title game if they win out; will have a decent chance of getting there even if they pick up a loss

Ohio State

Michigan

 

Tier II: Will very likely go to the national title game if they win out, but not guaranteed to do so.

West Virginia

Louisville

Rutgers

 

Tier III: Still have a good chance of reaching the title game if they win out, but likely will need all three Tier II teams to pick up losses

Florida

Auburn

Arkansas

 

Tier IV: Very outside shot. Will need all Tier II teams to pick up losses and will have to get lucky with the Tier III teams as well.

Texas

California

Notre Dame

Tennessee

USC

 

 

OK, it fits a little better at the top. It's really hard to say who'd get in between a one-loss Texas team and an Arkansas team that had just beaten Auburn, LSU, Tennessee, and Florida, and it's hard to predict what would happen with one loss Notre Dame or Cal teams against Arkansas either.

 

Basically though, it looks like the national title game will pit the winner of Tier I and Tier II against each other. If there's a tie in Tier II (which I think there will be), then it reverts to Tier III and the winner of that tier faces the OSU/Michigan winner. If all the teams in Tier II and Tier III pick up losses, then the most impressive Tier IV team would get in. No one outside of these 13 teams has any chance at the championship as if all teams from Tiers II-IV pick up losses, there will be an OSU/Michigan rematch in the title game. Oh, and how cool is it that Rutgers is one of five teams that basically controls their own destiny to win a championship?

[Bored 0]

Rutgers isn't exactly lighting the world on fire tonight, now only up 17-13 on a very mediocre UConn team.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Unless the voters purposely rank an undefeated Big East winner down, they're going to be in the title game. All of them, including Rutgers (who are 8th in the computer ranking, for reasons that baffle me).

 

As far as the 1-loss teams go, it's a huge mess. And will probably come down to whoever the voters rank the highest, outside of Texas who's screwed with the computers.