Hard to believe the holidays are here. And before we know it, bowl season will be upon us.
This college football season has been the gift that keeps on giving—or taking away, depending on your perspective.
For the programs in this week’s BR Top 25, it’s time to give thanks.
One-loss teams like Missouri and West Virginia are grateful that upset losses have become the trendy gift idea of 2007. LSU offers thanks for Les Miles’ testicular fortitude, and hopes he isn’t too high on Michigan’s Christmas List.
Speaking of the Wolverines, the Buckeyes want to personally thank Lloyd Carr for all the bragging rights he’s bestowed on them throughout his tenure with the Maize and Blue.
Personally, I’m thankful for the nine healthy, Heisman-worthy weeks that Dennis Dixon
gave us. Thankful for the Pac-10 and ESPN working together to disseminate West Coast football east of Tucson. For Tim Tebow going 20-20, and for Charlie Weis’ new-found humility.
Most of all, I’m thankful for gratuitous pictures of Mark Mangino.
Enjoy the Thanksgiving spread, pollsters. But go easy—remember what happened to Troy Smith?
Voting totals in parentheses. Strength of schedule based on cumulative record of past opposition.
#1 LSU 10-1 (303)
Previous: 2
Strength of Schedule: 32
Last Week: Beat Ole Miss 41-24
This Week: Arkansas (+12)
If there’s any program more upset to see Lloyd Carr go than Ohio State, it’s LSU.
With the Michigan clause in Les Miles’ contract, there will be no end to the rumors that he’s leaving for Ann Arbor.
Let it rest, says Miles—which is like asking Jim Tressel to sew sleeves on his sweater.
The Hat is in a no-lose situation. He’s at the top of the most competitive conference in college football, with an open invitation to relocate to his alma mater.
With two games standing between them and a BCS championship berth, though, the Bayou Bengals stand to lose a lot more than just their head coach.
#2 Kansas 11-0 (298)
Previous: 3
Strength of Schedule: 105
Last Week: Beat Iowa State 45-7
This Week: Missouri (+1.5)
11 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Steve Tutaj about 1 year ago
I had Oregon at #19, do we really think a Brady Leaf led team is top 10 worthy? Great season out of the Ducks, but the team as composed now, and for the rest of the season, is not a top 10 team. Who really thinks that Oregon w/out Dixon is better than USC now, or Florida, etc...?
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Dave Finocchio about 1 year ago
I agree with Steve. Oregon is toast.
I think an LSU vs. West Virginia National Championship is the most likely scenario. The odds of the Missouri v. Kansas winner beating Oklahoma are pretty damn low.
But what happens if LSU loses to Georgia or Tennessee AND West Virginia blows one against UConn or Pitt? We'll have a National Championship game with 2, two-loss teams?
What if this happens AND Hawaii beats Boise State in Boise and goes undefeated? Don't they then deserve a chance at the whole schabang?
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
That's a bit unfair to the Ducks. Shouldn't you vote the Ducks on what they've accomplished this year?
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Steve Tutaj about 1 year ago
The Ducks have done well and accomplishe a lot this year, but when it comes down to it, they've lost to two mediocre teams in Cal and Arizona, and they don't appear to be very formidable without Dennis Dixon. I feel bad for the kids in Eugene that their season has turned for the worst on one play, but at the same token, I can't imagine that they'd win right now against many of the teams in the top 20. If they come back this week and surprise me with a win, then I'm more than willing to start moving them back up. Maybe Oregon just needs a week to gameplan to Leaf's strengths...
Hawaii was 6th on my ballot. Schedule has been terrible, but they at least won a road game without their starting quarterback against a decent opponent. The same can not be said for Oregon, West Virginia, and Oklahoma. I'd much rather see Hawaii get a shot over a 2-loss team or 1-loss Ohio St (if you can't run the table in this year's Big 10, you don't deserve a 2nd chance).
If Hawaii finishes the year undefeated (including a bowl win) while a 2-loss team wins the BCS national championship, have we really crowned a national champion? At least give Hawaii a chance if none of the other teams can take a hold of their own destiny (KU, LSU, WV, Mizz, ASU in my ballot). Additionally, I'd be much more intrigued by a Hawaii - LSU game than a LSU-Ohio St game.
And Trey has right, if LSU wins the SEC, their home game for the national championship will be a near impossible game for any opponent. Les Miles distractions may be an opponents' only hope.
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
Somebody ranked Hawaii 5th. They have the easiest schedule in the nation! What have they done to deserve that ranking! They've almost lost to Louisiana Tech, San Jose State, and Nevada. Only Nevada is halfway decent! And why is Cal still receiving votes. Cal is now and just lost to 6-5 Washington by two touchdowns. And finally, why is Virginia Tech ahead of Florida! Compare who and how each team has played and then give me a reason, please!
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
That should read Cal is now 6-5 and just lost to a 4-7 Washington team by two touchdowns.
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Trey Bradley about 1 year ago
I was thinking about writing a separate article about this, and still might... but I say, send Hawaii to the Superdome if they run the table. Why not? Assuming LSU is the opponent, it will be a glorified home game and the Warriors (or any opponent) will probably be a sacrificial lamb anyways.
If the Bayou Bengals go 12-1 with their schedule... that's all I need to see. Give 'em the national title and lets stack the other BCS games with good match ups. I really have no interest in seeing Oklahoma-Hawaii. We saw that last year in the Fiesta Bowl, and there's no living up to Boise State's performance.
Anyways, it's a moot point. Broncos will beat them the way San Jose State and Nevada should have.
Steve- I agree. I had the Ducks almost as low as you.
Erick- As you can tell, I'm not the one giving Hawaii love. Same with Cal. Maybe you and Robert H. can commiserate about the DeSean Jackson Heisman votes.
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
DeSean Jackson on a Top 3 Heisman ballot: Instant facepalm
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
tech has lost 2, florida 3. that's why.
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
So are you ranking BYU ahead of Florida? They only have 2 losses. And is Hawaii number 2 in your rankings? They're undefeated. I'm sure Boise State is in the Top 7 as well as they have only lost one game.
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Robbie Munroe about 1 year ago
By the way...I forget who was mocking me about putting West Virginia at #1 last week, but my comment stands behind my arguement. If you take out the starting QB from any team, they are bound to falter and lose. West Virginia's only lost because Pat White went down and was unavailable for most of the game against South Florida. I still don't think the other top tier schools can stop West Virginia's speed. Although I feel bad that Oregon and Oklahoma had to lose that way, I feel it really proved my point. My roomate, an Oklahoma fan, is regreting laughing at Oregon for losing Dennis Dixon and the game now.
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