It has been a few weeks since I gave a top 25 write-up. Since that time there have been numerous upsets: We have seen USC, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Auburn, LSU, South Florida, and many other teams falter.
As of right now, no more than three BCS conference teams will run the table (and really, I think Penn State is the only team with a good shot at doing so). This is shaping up to be a college football season very similar to last season.
For a hypothetical, what happens if everyone has two losses except an unbeaten Penn State and an unbeaten BYU? Does BYU get a shot at the National Title? Will that scenario convince the major conference that a playoff is indeed necessary?
1. Texas
If you beat number one, you have probably earned your spot at the top of the rankings. Colt McCoy should be the early Heisman trophy favorite. Yesterday against Oklahoma he completed 80 percent of his passes, took care of the football, and rallied the Longhorns from 11 down.
I do not think Texas can make it through a very difficult upcoming stretch unscathed. I think eventually their suspect passing defense will catch up to them, but this team has to be the favorite to win the Big 12 South right now and could definitely be in the national title game.
2. Alabama
They may have a more complete resume than Texas at this point in the season. The Crimson Tide defense has been absolutely killing opponents this season.
The more I look at Alabama’s schedule, the more I think they could make it to the SEC Championship without a loss. Every week is tough in the SEC, no doubt about that, but I am not sure the SEC is as dominant as we all thought it was going to be.
Tennessee, Auburn, and Mississippi State are all games the Tide should win. Next week against a pesky Ole Miss is a big test, and then there is the trip down to LSU on Nov. 8. I still do not think Alabama will run the table, but their schedule really does set up nicely for them down the stretch.
3. Penn State
Is Penn State the third best team in the country? I do not know. I do think Penn State is the major conference team most likely to run the table and reach the national title game. The game at Ohio State in two weeks promises to be enormous and likely will decide the Big Ten.
I know Penn State has had problems beating Michigan in recent years, but something tells me that game is going to get ugly next week. Penn State was incredibly impressive against Oregon State and Wisconsin and looked very impressive against Illinois as well. If Penn State runs the table and makes the National Title game, it will be well earned.
4. Oklahoma
3 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Anthony D'Angio 8 months ago
I respect your article but I would have to say I disagree with a large portion of it. 1-3 completely agreed upon for the time being. 4-7 is where I have my argument. The problem is their record. They both have incurred a loss. Ok, this is the part where we generally start dissecting strength of schedule, quality wins and less than quality losses. I'll give Oklahoma credit since they did lose to a great UT football team and I still agree that they are probably the best team in the nation still. USC....certainly not. They beat up on a Beanie Wells-less and overhyped Ohio State team and lost to a dreadful Oregon State program. I'm sorry, but a 28-0 victory over Arizona State doesn't do anything for me, especially not warranting jumping Texas Tech or being ahead of BYU or Oklahoma State. Florida lost to Ole Miss, nothing against their program but if you lose at home to a sub-tier team of your conference, you certainly aren't worthy of a #6 ranking in my opinion. I know they beat LSU, but be true to yourself....exactly what quality victories have LSU accumulated this year? I still think the jury is out on LSU. Georgia is my biggest argument with your article. 7 weeks into the season and they have played one legitimate contender (Alabama) and low and behold, they get trounced....at home. Don't let the 41-30 loss full you that they were in a competitive dogfight, this game was over at halftime. I still think they are quality team, but Georgia isn't the 7th best team in the nation and certrainly don't deserve such a ranking. They should feel fortunate to be in the top 10 at all. Sorry Dawg fans....this team was way overrated at the start of the season.
Now how can you possibly have Tech at nine? You actually have them moving down 2 spots? They should have moved up at least one since as I stated before, USC definitely does not deserve to be in front. Here's my problem with the BCS rankings: If a team (i.e Florida) loses to a team their supposed to beat by multiple touchdowns then redeem themselves with a win over a high ranking opponent, it seems to be forgotten. Let's not forget.....they have a loss. The season will play itself out, but it's not fair to put one loss teams ahead of TTU, OSU or even BYU. You can make the case for Utah or Boise State as well (obviously not Ball State with their easy schedule) but Utah and Boise State didn't have the luxury of a high preseason ranking, which matters alot. The win against Nebraska was ugly, but Texas Tech still one and any college football fan will tell you that the road to a great season is not a walk in the park. You will have bumps and bruises along the way and escaping those games with a win are what make you the team you are. Clearly USC and Florida couldn't do it, so why does Tech get no love when they win a close game against Nebraska? Their schedule has been light so far, but it heats up in the next couple of weeks and until they are dethroned of their undefeated record, they should be rated around 5th or 6th. Oklahoma State as well.....undefeated with a win over Missouri on the road. I'm sorry, but i'm not convinced that USC, Florida, Georgia or even Oklahoma are deserving of where they stand.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony D'Angio 8 months ago
By the way, I scrolled down and noted a VERY interesting #19. Cincinnati.....hmmm. Ahead of Boise State nonetheless. Ok, so your a Bearkat fan....that's fine, but out of curiousity, might I ask why you deem them the 19th best team in the country right now aside from fan loyalty? They get spanked by Oklahoma, beat a *gulp* 4-3 Eastern Kentucky team, a 1-5 Miami (Ohio) team, 3-4 Akron team, 3-3 Marshall team and a 1-5 Rutgers team who by the way has their lone win against *oh boy* Morgan State. What state do they even play in? Here comes the really hard fact to swallow: they beat Akron and a terrible Rutgers team by a combined *drum roll* 5 points. Now don't get me wrong, i'm not a hypocrite. I was giving kudos to Tech who hasn't played a very difficult schedule either, but Nebraska, Kansas and Nevada are all better teams than the competition Cinci has played (aside from OU). Even Eastern Washington and UMass in my opinion could give those teams a run for their money. Nothing against Cinci.....fun team to watch, my favorite in the awful Big East, but let's be real here. I'm hard pressed to agree, but you're going to have to seriously convince me why they are the 19th best team in the country right now.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Raines 8 months ago
All fine, solid points.
With Texas Tech... we'll have plenty of time to see. Having watched Oklahoma, USC, Florida and Texas Tech I just think Tech is the worst of that group. Texas Tech has some big games coming up. They will start to get more credit as I see more. As of right now...I am comfortable with them at number 9. They can leap frog all those teams if they keep winning. (And I would even say a 1 loss Tech team would jump a 1 loss USC team at the end of the year because USC plays in a very weak Pac Ten).
With BYU, Utah, and Boise State... I just think their records are going to be inflated. I watched BYU struggle against a dreadful washington team... I think they are good. I have them at 13...but i do not think they would get through any BCS conference without two losses... same with BYU, Utah and Boise State (that being said I am glad one of them will most likely make a BCS bowl... and I bet they'll be competative...much more so than Hawaii last year).
Now Cincinnati i can understand any argument people have with the Bearcats... I really can. This season they have not had the chance to show one way or the other whether or not they are a top 25 team. It comes down to this. The Bearcats are a better team than the one that finished number 17 last year. The defense is stronger (especially now that they have realyl gotten it together), the special teams is as good as any unit in the country(punter led the nation in net punting last year...probably will again, kicker has a huge leg, big time return game), and the offense has managed to be pretty good despite being down to their 4th string quarterback (they get healthy next week). This is a team that returned a ton from last year, but because they are CIncinnati no one really gave them any love going into the season. Without that they have not been able to play anyone so far to earn it. Anyone who watched the UC/ Oklahoma game saw a more competative game than the score indicated. It was 28-20 mid third quarter, before the Bearcats self destructed on a few plays and Oklahoma took advantage. UC's team had not adjusted to life without a few key defense players from last season (mainly replacing their starting defensive ends and their free safety who was the leader of defense). They have made the adjustment... and the talent now is even better than last season.
At this point in the season the difference between what these teams have done on field and what they can do is sometimes hard to differentiate. Personally I think the Bearcats are going to win the Big East and finish the season in the top 15. I know i have them ranked higher than anyone else as a result, but so be it.
As for Tech... if they take care of business in the Big 12...they will be where they need to be at seasons end.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.