College Football: Pretenders or Contenders?

The Bucks lost big to USC but bounced back to beat Wisconsin, who struggled to beat Fresno State. Beanie and Pryor are giving the team more punch, but for some reason, the projected excitement factor hasn't impressed me yet. It's more of a slap than a punch.

Utah: Pretender. They beat Oregon State on a last-second field goal, but the Beavers game is the only real competition they have faced. In fact, the Utes don't face any competition until Nov. 22nd, against BYU. With a No. 99-ranked schedule, I'm just not sold on them.

Kansas: Pretender. When you barely beat lowa State, you have serious problems ahead of you. Next seven games for the 'Hawks are: Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas, and Mizzou. I see only two or three wins in there.

Boise State: Contender. They beat Louisiana Tech soundly, and all of a sudden, the Broncos look for real.

Wisconsin: Pretender. Looks like another Capitol One Bowl for the Badgers.

Vanderbilt: Contender. Beating a mediocre Auburn team is still impressive. Vandy has finally gotten over their loser mentality, which is good because their No. 4 SOS is a killer: they still have Georgia, Florida, Tennessee (rivalry games are never gimmees), and Wake Forest to contend with.

Va. Tech: Pretender. They may be 5-1, but beating Western Kentucky 27-13 impresses no one, not in October, anyway. They could win outright and win the ACC, but I don't see them being serious competition in the Orange Bowl.

Oklahoma State: Pretender. Next week they get Mizzou, and any lingering questions about the Cowboys will be answered.

Fresno State: Pretender. Losing to a Brennan-less Hawai'i does not bode well for the Dawgs. After already losing to Wisky, this second loss puts them in the doghouse.

Oregon: Pretender. It's not their fault that almost every QB who has put a Ducks uni on since last November has been hurt. They have seen at least six quarterbacks take the snap from center; it's hard to keep your focus with all the changes.

UConn: On the fence: The Huskies lost to a good Tar Heel team. If they lose to Rutgers next week, then their status will change to pretender.

Wake Forest: Pretender. They were on a bye and play Clemson next week; the Tigers may have some surprises for them.

 

Some other notable teams worth mentioning....

Notre Dame: On the fence. They are 4-1, but they really have only played one very good team, Michigan State, and they lost. This Irish team feels like Hawai'i from last year in that their record may be indicative of a soft schedule. Next week, they travel to North Carolina, and that game is the litmus test for the Irish. Beat 'em, and their status will change.

Ball State: Contender. Quite possibly the most underrated team in the country, and they are doing it without Dante Love. Why aren't they ranked?

Cal: Contender. They aren't receiving any love from the pollsters...yet. But they will. The Bears had that one hiccup at Maryland, but after that, they have looked solid.

North Carolina: Contender. They lost to Va Tech a few weeks ago, and it could be that they just don't have that winner mentality yet. But the Heels look good and will be a problem for ND this week.

Michigan State: Contender. Sparty is the second best team in the Big Ten- behind Penn State. You heard it here a few weeks ago, and I'm sticking to it.

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