Welcome back to The Sports Focus, where I talk sports so you can sound smart at the water cooler.
It was another crazy week in college football...and I had a down week in my predictions, as far as I'm concerned...so let's find out what happened.
My Prediction Record Last Week: 20-7 (74%)
My Overall Prediction Record: 48-9 (84.2%)
My Prediction Record is made up of my featured game previews along with my predictions for all the games in the top 25.
All rankings are according to the top 25 JC Poll.
#15 Rutgers: 41
Navy: 24
There isn't much to say about this game, really...I just love the fact that Navy lost. Rutgers was a better all-around team, and Navy doesn't look as sharp this year as in the past. Watch out in a few weeks, Navy—the boys in blue are coming to town. SINK NAVY!
#1 LSU: 48
#11 Virginia Tech: 7
I knew LSU would win this game...but I didn't think it would be so bad of a blowout. What LSU did to Virginia Tech is illegal in at least 42 states.
You can't blame Virginia Tech—they don't rank themselves. They were overrated, as evidenced by their struggles versus ECU in Week One. Many thought that was just a minor emotional hiccup. They were wrong.
Virginia Tech will still compete for the ACC title, but the loss is evidence of just how weak the ACC is this year.
LSU's defense is ridiculous. The fact they aren't #1 in the polls yet is an abomination, exposing the media's obvious bias toward USC and the Pac-10.
#5 Oklahoma: 52
Miami: 13
As evidenced by the display on the field, Bob Stoops has NO class. With two minutes left in this game and Oklahoma up by 30+ points, the Sooners were not only passing the ball—but aiming for the end zone.
Why? Bob Stoops knows how to work the poll voters. High scores gets more votes.
Oklahoma is a good team, but the lack of class is horribly disturbing and disgusting. Miami's defense hung in as long as they could, but with the offense stalling on the ground, the Canes couldn't hang with the Sooners.
#12 Texas: 34
#16 TCU: 10
I was right about TCU's defense...for three quarters. Texas finally decided to start looking like the Texas we all know seven quarters into the season.
TCU's defense held Texas to 10 points in three quarters, and the Horned Frogs were up 10-0 at halftime...but Texas proved to be too much in the end. It was the Horns' running game, not their passing game, that saved them in the second half. The fact that TCU didn't score an offensive touchdown could be worrisome for the Horned Frog faithful.
#8 California: 34
Colorado State: 28
I've said it once, and I'll say it again: California has no defense. They outscored Colorado State to win this game—and they barely did so at that.
On paper, Colorado State should be nowhere NEAR California. Colorado State is on an eight-game losing streak stretching back to last season, and this score is proof that Cal won't be able to stay among the undefeated.
On a better note for Cal, WR DeSean Jackson may arguably be the frontrunner for the Heisman at the moment.
#9 Georgia: 12
South Carolina: 16
Coach Spurrier has learned a few tricks in his time away from Florida. Offense is great, but defense wins ball games.
The scoreline might suggest the offensively-minded Spurrier was comatose during the game—but no, the Ol' Ball Coach was indeed the mastermind behind this defensive showdown.
Georgia QB Matt Stafford didn't have a bad game, but the South Carolina defense, which gave up 14 points to Louisiana Lafayette, didn't allow the Bulldogs into the end zone.
Florida, Tennessee, and the rest of the SEC better be on the lookout—Spurrier's prediction of an SEC title may not be so unrealistic.
#10 Penn State: 31
Notre Dame: 10
I almost got this prediction right down to the exact score (I called it 35-10).
Notre Dame is as bad advertised—the Irish haven't scored an offensive touchdown in 10 straight quarters, dating back to last season. They were held to 0...ZERO...rushing yards in the game.
Charlie Weis may be on the hot seat after this season, as his team may do as poorly as 1-9 in their first 10 games. At this point, even Navy is licking their chops at the chance to put the nation's longest losing streak to a halt. And to be honest...they have a legitimate shot.
#19 Auburn: 23
South Florida: 26
The second week in a row without their top two running backs finally caught up with Auburn.
In the second quarter, freshman RB Mario Fannin ran for nearly 60 yards, and helped the offense put up 14 points. A series of fumbles landed the rookie back on the bench, and the running game proceeded to stall like my Aunt's '78 Oldsmobile.
Auburn needs to play Fannin, despite his tendency to fumble.
The defense was stellar for the Tigers, allowing USF to convert four Tiger turnovers into just three points. But it wasn't enough—and won't be in the future unless Auburn can turn things around on offense.
Air Force: 20
Utah: 12
What a game by the men in blue!
The offense showed it can click against a decent defense, and the running game looks to be as dominant as ever. That said, Air Force shot itself in the foot too many times with costly penalties, and that part of the game must improve if Air Force is to keep winning.
The defense played the game of their lives, with two interceptions, key sacks, and a huge goal line stand on the one-inch line to deny Utah the chance to tie. Air Force will go bowling this year.
#25 Oregon: 39
Michigan: 7
Michigan is digging themselves into an inescapable hole.
The defense struggled as I expected—but much to my dismay, the offense looked terrible! Oregon's defense dominated the game, and the Ducks offense moved the ball with ease.
Lloyd Carr is done, I'm afraid—this will be his last season as Michigan head coach. (Perhaps he'll be a target for Tennessee or even Alabama, given the way they go through coaches...).
Michigan needs a boost, and they're lucky next week to play one of the teams truly worse then they are...Notre Dame. QB Chad Henne is out for the Notre Dame game, however, and his absence could complicate the situation.
Cincinnati: 34
Oregon State: 3
So Oregon State was supposed to be one of the top four teams in the Pac-10. Cincinnati is supposed to be the fifth-best team in the Big East.
Look, the Pac-10 has been doing better than I usually give them credit for, but this game was embarrassing. The Beaver loss was either an indication of the Pac-10's lack of depth beyond USC, California, UCLA, and Oregon...or proof that the Big East has surpassed all expectations...or maybe a combination of both.
The Top 25 JC Poll, Week Two
1. LSU
2. USC
3. Florida
4. West Virginia
5. Oklahoma
6. Penn State
7. Wisconsin
8. California
9. Texas
10.UCLA
11.Louisville
12.Ohio State
13.Rutgers
14.Georgia Tech
15.Nebraska
16.Arkansas
17.Oregon
18.Boston College
19.South Carolina
20.Alabama
21.Texas A&M
22.Virginia Tech
23.Clemson
24.Hawaii
25.Georgia
Others: Tennessee, Auburn, Washington, South Florida, TCU, Boise State
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about 1 year ago
Let me first say good info, but here's my issue:
-If Stoops has no class, by that logic wouldn't Les Miles or any coach whose team racks up 50-some odd points have no class either? You're right in that OU beating up on a team like North Texas would be considered an unnecessary blowout. But I wouldn't feel sorry for Miami at all. They have top recruits just like OU does, but OU plays much better as a team and is stronger up front. Miami just had a bad day and OU had a good one. The Canes were right in the game for the half, so to tell the Sooners to ease up at any point would be opening themselves up for a comeback.
from about 1 year ago
You bring up a good point, David. Here's the the difference. When LSU runs up the score, their starters are out of the game and they *usually* do it on the ground. LSU took Flynn out in the third quarter, but OU was taking shots at the endzone with under 2 minutes left, up by 30+, with their starters. Miami can't score 30+ in 1:50, and even YOU know that!
from about 1 year ago
This was the first time OU beat Miammi since the 70s after being spanked for years by the Hurricanes. This isn't a natural rivalry but they played several times before then. Stoops was sending a message by keeping his starters in. It wasn't necessarily classless, its just payback for getting whooped by the Canes for a couple decades. You see this in natural rivalry games all the time, or with Steve Spurrier teams. If you play for a major D-I program and you happen to be having a bad day, don't ever expect sympathy from a team you destroyed for two decades! It's like if Michigan blew out Ohio trying to gain redemption for all of the losses in the past 5 years and suddenly they take pity, put in their third stringers and run the ball three and out. Backup LSU QB Perrilloux has thrown 3 Touchdowns already and he's the backup! Sounds exactly what OU was doing. Throwing to the end zone is the same whether its a starter or a backup.
My point would be, it doesn't matter because Miami was good enough to do better than that performance. If they knew they were going to get blown out, they shouldn'tve scheduled OU.
from about 1 year ago
I see your point. I think LSU should ahve backed off, in hindsight. And I will agree with you, Spurrier loved to run up the score when he was at Florida, and I didn't like it then either.
OU seems to do it alot though, and I felt that in '04, Stoops' high scoring offense that scored 50+ against a horrible Colorado team in the Big 12 Championship got him into the BCS game against USC, when Auburn, who didn't run up scores but had a harder strength of schedule and beat a #11 Tenessee by 11 in their championship game, missed out on the BCS game. I suppose I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it if voters wouldn't be so quick to put them higher in the polls JUST because they can score alot of points. The ability to score alot doesnt mean you have the best team (OU lost that BCS game to USC pretty bad if I rememmber correctly).
from about 1 year ago
Until we have a playoff system and no offical rules on on running up the score, Stoops would be crazy not to. Besides, he understands how a midwest school like OU doesn't get as much fake media hype like the coastal teams do (USC, Florida).
Run'em up baby!
from about 1 year ago
I agree for the most part...though I still think USC gets way more hype than ANY SEC team...or any team, from any conference. We need a playoff system...pure and simple.
The fact that running up the score gets more votes is the root of the problem. Therefore, the voters have to change their mentality, so teams stop running up scores. SOS should play a larger factor than amount of points scored.
about 1 year ago
This is a really biased article. Notre Dame 1-9? By the looks of it, you'd think Air Force is the second coming. Obviously you go there...I would suggest you not ever use "lol" in journalism ever, especially when your statement isn't even funny. And spelling errors! The stuff on Bleacher Report is generally pretty good but I was disappointed in this one, certainly.
from about 1 year ago
Well hey, sorry to dissapoint. Can't make'em all happy. I write this for fun to get stuff of my chest, not to impress you. And gosh, I'm not expecting Air Force to go and win 10 games, just 6. I don't think it's biased to think that ND will do that bad. Yeah, they might win a few here and there, but they really have looked about as good as Samford...oh wait, Samford scored MORE points against Georgia Tech then ND did; my bad. I guess they look worse than Samford.
from about 1 year ago
A week later and my predictions are holding up there 'ananymous'. Notre Dame is 0-3, STILL has not scored an offensive touchdown this year, and expected to keep losing, and Air Force upset TCU and is looking prime for a bowl game this year.
from 10 months ago
ND IS 1-9...and that's right...you heard it from me first! Here's some crow so you can eat it...
about 1 year ago
"Virginia Tech will still compete for the ACC title, but the loss is evidence of just how weak the ACC is this year."
At this point, the ACC has 4 teams in the top 25; it has been a great season for the Atlantic. So what if LSU wiped the floor with VT, it only proves that LSU has put together an excellent program this year and that VT's is not as strong as it could be. My eye is on Georgia Tech or Clemson for the ACC title.
from about 1 year ago
You know, you may be right. Virginia Tech may be overrated, but the ACC could have a lot of strength as it is anyway. The winner of the Georgia Tech vs. Boston College matchup will emerge as the frontrunner I think.
about 1 year ago
I agree with you. I think BC has got the edge, though. They have a man at QB. He sees the field well and makes good decisions. He is primed for the NFL.
from about 1 year ago
Way to call it Ryan! BC looked impressive last weekend, and I think they're the frontrunners for the ACC title.
11 months ago
Yeah, I believe they will win the ACC, but i don't think they are the second best team in the country. I really don't think they could beat anyone else in the top ten but that's just my opinion.
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