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Upon reflection of the first two months of this season, it is apparent that Penn State is not only the best and strongest team but, also the most complete squad in the country...

The 11 Best 11s of College Football, Week 10: Penn State Tightens Grip on No. 1

by BabyTate (Senior Writer)

85

1698 reads

Rankings/List

October 26, 2008


Upon reflection of the first two months of this season, it is apparent that Penn State is not only the best and strongest team but, also the most complete squad in the country.

Unlike inconsistent Alabama or one-man team Texas, the Nittany Lions are more well rounded, more balanced, and more dependable. Joe Paterno's 2008 edition of Penn State appears to be head and shoulders above the rest of the teams in America.

While there is still the matter of the upcoming rugged match with Iowa, there is no doubt that Penn State is currently the No. 1 team in the country and stands to have the best chance of winning the BCS championship this season.

What makes this a hands-down decision concerning the Nittany Lions? Well, I've been ranking them No. 1 in the country for some time now so it is not a new idea from my standpoint.

However, it is plain to see that very few (One? Two?) teams could have gone into the Lion's Den (no pun intended) of Columbus last Saturday night and survived the Ohio State onslaught.

One has the feeling watching this great Penn State team that we are witnessing royalty in the making.

                                           THE 11 BEST 11s

                                                                                                               Rank Last Week

1. PENN STATE                             #1

2. ALABAMA                                  #3

3. TEXAS                                       #2

4. GEORGIA                                 #7

5. FLORIDA                                  #6

6. SOUTHERN CAL                       #4

7. TEXAS TECH                           #10

8. OKLAHOMA                             #9

9. BOISE STATE                         #11

10. UTAH                                    N/R

11. OHIO STATE                         #5

ON THE PORCH: TULSA, MINNESOTA, LSU, OKLAHOMA STATE

Author Poll

Given That Penn State Finished #1, Who Would Their BCS Title Game Oppponent Most Likely Be?

  • Alabama
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Sou Cal
  • Texas
  • Texas Tech
  • Oklahoma
vote to see results
Author Poll Results

Given That Penn State Finished #1, Who Would Their BCS Title Game Oppponent Most Likely Be?

  • Alabama

    25.6%

  • Georgia

    5.0%

  • Florida

    11.0%

  • Sou Cal

    5.0%

  • Texas

    39.5%

  • Texas Tech

    10.0%

  • Oklahoma

    3.9%
  • Total votes: 281
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85 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. BabyTate 8 months ago

    Bow to Penn State, Kings of the East,
    Where ever one views them, they seem to be part beast

    Hail The Mighty Conqueror Of The Big 10,
    For you may never see their like again

    North and South, East and West,
    By far in this land, the Nittany Lions are best

    And now it has been said and the story was told,
    About the great Penn State team of '08, a behemoth to behold

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  2. Joe G 8 months ago

    That PSU-OSU game last night was a slugfest. Penn State now has the easiest route to an undefeated season, much easier than Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State or Alabama. They've got an excellent shot at the BCS title game.

    Texas Tech should be scaring a few people too. They swatted the Jayhawks away like flies yesterday. Going to be hard to stop that offense if its clicking on all cylinders.

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  3. evan m 8 months ago

    this poll make me want to stop watching college football (or get other people to start). Texas played the toughest opponent this weekend and got the third best win behind Tech and Georgia. The explosive offense we've seen from the Nittany Lions all season didn't show up for the big game and Bama looked just decent against a 5-3 team.

    PSU is certainly a lock to win out but they don't control their own destiny due to SOS. By season's end the winner of Tech and Texas as well as Bama will have won about four times as many marquee games as the Lions.

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    • evan m 8 months ago

      a few edits;
      this poll makes me want to stop watching...
      the Vols are 3-5 if my point wasn't good enough already

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    • Isaac Luber 8 months ago

      Evan, just for the record. Our coaches drew up the same old game plan as every time we go to the 'Shoe. We didn't play the spread, we played conservative and not to lose. Usually, we lose that game, but we won because we were the much better team. Winning that game of that magnitude, while playing a conservative game and playing not to lose shows that we are the best team in the country. We will not play conservative in any other game, we just do that against OSU, and its always a slugfest. I probably should've predicted a defensive game in my article, but I was to dumb to know our usual conservative play call against Ohio State. Also, Clark got injured and we still won! If McCoy got injured early in the 4th, Texas would've lost. That also shows how complete of a team and how good we are.

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    • Jon Luzader 8 months ago

      Um, you won by less than a touchdown? Texas almost lost that game, and they are ranked #1? Should have been alot easier for them. OSU and PSU have some of the best defenses in the country, and Penn State probably has the #1 defense. They held Beanie to 55 yards, in his own house, on homecoming, and held Pryor to 6 yards. We also didn't let them score a touchdown. Texas has been getting scores ran up on them, in the last 3 games their defense has allowed over 22points per game. Yea they have an explosive offense and win out, but their defense still needs alot of work. Sorry but PSU is the most well rounded team in the country.

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    • evan m 8 months ago

      Sorry Jon but OSU's offense if flat out anemic. USC did a better job than PSU but even then almost any respectable defense in the country would hold the Buckeyes to single digits. I was expecting PSU to win by 3 touchdowns and they thoroughly disappointed me. As it stands now, Texas has beaten three teams better than OSU and Penn State has beaten zero. Easy number one.

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    • Shane Olesen 8 months ago

      I'll give you the Texas game, but Tech and Georgia? I don't think so. The Lions offense was present, but unfortunately so was a stout Ohio State defense, backed by 105,000 rowdy fans. Penn State is the most complete team in college football, which is the reason they were victorious. Not only do the Nittany Lions have an explosive offense, who scored the necessary points to win the game, but they also have a solid defense and a great special teams unit. There isn't another team in the country that is as well rounded as the Penn State Nittany Lions! Anyone who predicted the Buckeyes to win this game either knows nothing about the game of football or hasn't been watching the brilliant play of this Penn State team all season long. We'll see ya in Miami!

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    • evan m 8 months ago

      The stout ohio state defense that let up 30+ to the Trojans who Arizona did a better job against?

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    • Isaac Luber 8 months ago

      Stop with the BS transitive property. "Oh, Arizona played well against USC and USC crushed Ohio State, but PSU barely beat Ohio State, so Arizona is better than Ohio State and PSU!!! hahahaha!! I'm so smart!" Come on! Don't use that lame excuse. Arizona and USC always play each other, and Arizona plays them well. When Ohio State and PSU play, they play each other well, they always have and they always will. PSU is the most complete, balanced, and best team in the Nation. Also, by your opinion the stout Oregon State defense who shut down USC is the same one as the one that got blown out by PSU? Teams have good games and bad games!!! PSU had a bad game against Ohio State, who to their credit played well against us. USC had a bad game against Oregon State, who beat them, but if they played them again USC would probably win. Let's not use the lame arguments here, please! Unless your making a joke or kidding around, of course.

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    • evan m 8 months ago

      In that case, Texas and PSU have each had a bad game in that case and all that is left to evaluate is Texas's other too great wins. No matter how you slice it. PSU has done almost nothing this season relative to Texas. There IS a reason that Texas is a unanimous number one. All of America is not wrong.

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  4. BabyTate 8 months ago

    Thanks Joe, I appreciate the comment. I agree that Penn State beat the strongest opponent they will see on the way to the BCS Title this year in powerful Ohio State. I would give Alabama a good chance to be Penn State's opponent in the natl title game but, Sou Cal could be in the best position to end up playing Penn State for the national title. And don't forget Georgia and Florida.

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  5. 12 8 months ago

    BT, this Penn State looks like some of the Penn State teams of yesteryear, as does Alabama. Defense rules for these two contenders, and that is especially apparent when they oppose good defensive teams. This season is shaping up to be a great one, and I am looking forward to a possible match up between these two teams. Roll Tide!

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      12, you are right. I've said for weeks the national title will be a rematch of the '78 national title between Alabama and Penn State with Sou Cal looking on from outside.

      Tide was impressive in disposing of Tennessee.

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  6. T H 8 months ago

    Alabama and Penn State know how to play defense....a concept completely foreign to Big 12 teams.

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Oh I dismiss the WAC 12 out of hand as an arena league football conference. They can't play with the SEC, Big 10, or even PAC10.

      Bob Griese said Saturday that Texas is a one man team that can't run and can't play defense. They do have some nice statistics for their quarterback since they don't ever face any real defenses. I'm certain he'll win some player of the year awards like that Eric Crouch and Jason White did when they played in the Big 12.

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    • Steven Swanson 8 months ago

      Bama knows how to play defense in the first half. Did you see how bad they are outscored in the second half this season?

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  7. Mitch at sportschatplace.com 8 months ago

    Iowa will be no Gimme for PSU. No one has ever won the National Tile in October and no one has even wrapped up an undefeated season by then. Alot can and will change. As longg as a 1 loss team gets in ahead of USC i'm ok with the process this year.

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Penn state is more likely to lose to Iowa than to lose the BCS title game. If they get past the Hawkeyes, I see nothing standing between them and the BCS Championship Trophy.

      Iowa is the dangerous one. Beware of Iowa.

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  8. RedRaider Red 8 months ago

    Good to know we're back! :-)

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  9. Gray Ghost 8 months ago

    My I remind everyone that there is still a bit of football to be played? Ain't nobody going to Miami....yet!
    Penn State still has games to play, and Texas and Bama don't have a cakewalk ahead of them. There are still some major curves in the road ahead.

    If the media has their way - USC will be there! What a ting performance by their defense to stop the high-powered Arizona scoring machine!!!!!!! The greatest team............never. Nope. They don't belong in the Top Ten! Outta here!

    The eyes of the nation will be in Jax on Saturday. The winner of that game will be waiting on a slip up from one of the teams up top.

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 8 months ago

      GG-

      You first paragraph is accurate as can be.

      But you fell off your bike on the second one. Many in the media have dug a hole to bury USC in, they just can't drag the team into the grave. The USC C/L Paul, Lisa Horne and myself all expected a very close game.

      I can understand why those not close to the situation could misread it. Stoops has played the Trojans tough most of the time he's been in Arizona. Even when Leinart & Co. were tearing up and down the field they had tight games.

      While I don't appreciate BT dropping USC a couple of spots, I do understand his long distance confusion.

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    • Gray Ghost 8 months ago

      J.C. Don't take offense at me. I love to joke about USC because the ridiculous media has opened the past two seasons hinting that they could be the greatest college team ever. That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. Let them play ball and see how they do - then talk about what kind of season they had. The week before the Oregon State game people were already giving them the crown. It was: who is going to play USC in Miami. It's crazy. Too much can happen in a season to hold the coronation before the games are played.

      I respect the coaches and young men on every team that line up week after week and give their best on the field, and I mean that. I am being humorous about Pete being the most brilliant coach of all time etc... I really do like Pete Carroll's get back to work attitude.

      My Dawgs have not been the media darling at all this year. This Saturday will prove what we are made of. When all is said and done - this has been a VERY fun year.

      Finally, your "fell of your bike" remark was especially painful as it brought back some traumatic memories from my childhood. I need not tell you how I landed on the cross frame and the pain it caused me. Thanks for the memory!

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Ghost, I had to drop Sou Cal from #4 to #6 after watching the Arzona game, I have put both Georgia and Florida ahead of them. This is to take nothing away from the great Trojan defense, I just feel we need to settle this Ga/Fla situation and then let the survivor fight it out with Sou Cal for a possible BCS position. Have a lot of respect for the job the Trojans did to Arizona as well as what they did to Ohio St.

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 8 months ago

      GG -
      Irresponsible media types who try and crown champions or proclaim teams the best ever before the season begins should be jailed and their column inches given to members of B/R, whom would never make outrageous statements 8^D

      However, your comment:

      "They don't belong in the Top Ten! Outta here!"

      hurt me almost as much as your unfortunate encounter with the cross frame. After showing love to the Dawgs, to be bitten by one, oh what a cruel twist of fate.

      BT -
      Hmm, rather Machiavellian of you with your ranking machinations. I sense plans within the plans that are within plans. You just can't trust anybody with a beard ;^]

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    • Gray Ghost 8 months ago

      J.C., I retract my statement and will send you a bottle of Georgia Cane Syrup as a token of my humbleness! :)

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 8 months ago

      Sweet!!!

      Oh, and GO DAWGS, beat them nasty Gators!

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  10. Jared Cox 8 months ago

    Sorry Penn State, but ya'll need help to make it to the championship game. To jump Bama or Texas one of them is gonna have to loose. Considering you have the easiest path to go undefeated is great until you factor in the fact that Bama and Texas could do the same. In that position, why would anyone place Penn State in Miami other than the JoePa factor. Sorry guys, but ya'll better start rooting for someone to knock Bama or Texas off, otherwise I see ya'll playing the Trojans out in Pasedena.

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  11. GeorgiaDawg 8 months ago

    I love seeing UGA move up BT. Going into Baton Rouge and winning by 2 td's tells me that the Dawgs may be fixin' to hit their stride... If things go well in Jacksonville, we should be in a good place.

    All I really care about is winning the SEC Championship. Until we have a playoff the polls give us nothing but a beauty contest. USC and their 69 points a couple of weeks ago, is disgusting.

    If that is what the polls reward, then give me the SEC championship.

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Georgia is ready to roll.

      Lock and load because Florida says you made fun of them last year by celebrating and they want revenge.

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  12. Chase Dunagan 8 months ago

    Texas a one-man team??? Week after week, BabyTate gets a little closer to that insane asylum.

    If my Horns beat Tech this weekend, you can chalk us up for that NC game...

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  13. Joe G 8 months ago

    I hope you're right about that Penn State-Alabama match, Babytate. I'd love to see JoePa cream Nick Saban's squad. There's still no love for him in East Lansing.

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      It's going to be awesome if we have Penn State vs Alabama for the national title. Penn St is a good opponent for any of the top contenders, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Southern California, as they all have great defenses and tremendous balance. And don't overlook Texas Tech, they aren't a one man team like Texas or a one man defense like Oklahoma was until Reynolds got hurt and forfeited that game to Texas. There is a fly in the ointment however, that is the conference title game for SEC and Big 12 teams. It could be the national title will be Penn State vs Sou Cal simply because they are finished playing after the regular season and don't have the extra opportunity to lose a conference title game.

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  14. Colin Flosi 8 months ago

    Can't really complain too much, but I don't understand how UT fell below Alabama.
    It was a close game, but they beat a top-ten team.
    Alabama beat a team with a losing record.
    Why the jump?

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    • Colin Flosi 8 months ago

      Good to see your support for Tech though.

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Texas is unimpressive except for the one player at quarterback. No running, no defense. Rushing defense? Has anyone run the ball in the BIG12 this year? That's like saying sharks have never bitten anybody on Mount Everest. Let's see if Texas Tech takes care of them this week and we can get down to the real business. Alabama is a complete team like Penn State.

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  15. Scott Pusich 8 months ago

    Playoff. ;-)

    Six BCS conference champs (the ACC and Big East should be demoted to mid-major soon...) and two at-large.

    At this moment (with four or five games to play), the quarterfinals are:

    Rose Bowl: USC vs. Penn State
    Fiesta Bowl: Texas vs. at-large (South Florida)
    Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. at-large (Utah)
    Orange Bowl: Florida St. vs. at-large (Oklahoma)

    The Big East (South Florida) doesn't have a fixed bowl affiliation, so I've plugged it in where it would be most amenable--to the opponent. Currently the Big East "leader" is ranked lower than the ACC "leader".

    Mid-major at-large (Utah), using a stricter requirement (top 10 instead of top 12), will go to the next highest-ranked opponent.

    "non-conf. champion" at-large (Oklahoma), the highest-ranked team which is not a conference champion, will be assigned to the weakest affliated bowl opponent.

    Of course, this is all moot.

    If anyone would like to see actual end-of-season examples, I've gone back and done the entire ten years of BCS bowl games in one of my articles. It's not perfect, but it allows for more sharks in the pond to go at it ;-)

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Scott, you know that I enjoy your reasoned input each week. But this playloff system is skewed against Penn State. I have Penn State #1 in the country and you want them to open the playoffs with Southern Cal while Alabama draws the Utah Utes and Texas gets the South Florida Bulls?

      Texas fans claim they are #1, let them start off with Southern Cal. Ha, that will be the last 2 hours we would hear about Texas this season. They'll go back to where they were hiding out from 1969 to 2005.

      It would be interesting to see some of your work of some past years, particularly the bizarre 2003 season which resulted in the last split natl title. If you get a chance how about giving us a couple of your favorite breakdown years. I am interested in how Notre Dame 2005 would factor into the mix.

      I believe you are on to something positive with your playoff view. That would be interesting to put into action.

      As always, thanks for your well thought out input.

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    • Scott Pusich 8 months ago

      BT, here's my 2003 rework:

      2003

      Actual pairings:

      * Sugar Bowl: (1) Oklahoma (at-large) vs. (2) LSU (SEC)
      * Orange Bowl: (7) Florida State (ACC) vs. (9) Miami (Big East)
      * Rose Bowl: (3) USC (Pac 10) vs. (4) Michigan (Big 10)
      * Fiesta Bowl: (10) Kansas State (Big 12) vs. (5) Ohio State (at-large)

      Quarterfinals:

      * Rose Bowl: (3) USC (Pac 10) vs. (4) Michigan (Big 10)
      * Fiesta Bowl: (10) Kansas State (Big 12) vs. (5) Ohio State (at-large)
      * Sugar Bowl: (2) LSU (SEC) vs. (9) Miami (Big East)
      * Orange Bowl: (7) Florida State (ACC) vs. (1) Oklahoma (at-large)

      "Losers": (6) Texas, (8) Tennessee, (11) Miami, OH

      This is from my article,
      http://bleacherreport.com/articles/51983-broken-championship-system-heres-how-to-fix-it

      It's based on the assumption that the six BCS conference champions would receive automatic bids to the playoffs (if the conferences feel slighted by their "best" team not getting in because it lost the conference title game, then they should ELIMINATE the title game). The two at-large berths are for the highest-ranked teams in the BCS rankings who (a) aren't conference champions, (b) mid-major champions ranked 8th or higher (I could use 10th, but oh well), or (c) Notre Dame, with same requirement as (b), 10th or higher.

      Notre Dame makes it in 2005:

      2005

      Actual pairings:

      * Rose Bowl: (1) USC (Pac 10) vs. (2) Texas (Big 12)
      * Fiesta Bowl: (4) Ohio State vs. (6) Notre Dame (both at-large)
      * Sugar Bowl: (7) Georgia (SEC) vs. (11) West Virginia (Big East)
      * Orange Bowl: (3) Penn State (Big 10) vs. (22) Florida State (ACC)

      Quarterfinals:

      * Rose Bowl: (1) USC (Pac 10) vs. (3) Penn State (Big 10)
      * Fiesta Bowl: (2) Texas (Big 12) vs. (11) West Virginia (Big East)
      * Sugar Bowl: (7) Georgia (SEC) vs. (6) Notre Dame (at-large)
      * Orange Bowl: (22) Florida State (ACC) vs. (4) Ohio State (at-large)

      "Losers": (5) Oregon, (8) Miami, (9) Auburn, (10) Virginia Tech

      I always have the Big "11" and Pac-10 champions meeting in the Rose Bowl for one quarterfinal; that may not seem fair, but it's one of the compromises I foresee that would allow an eight-team playoff to occur; that is, the traditional bowl affiliations of the conference champions would remain. Note that there is a separate agreement between the Big "11", the Pac-10, and ABC already; that could be incorporated into a playoff format with little or no change. The Big East champion doesn't have a fixed bowl affiliation, so it functions more or less as another "at-large".

      As you can see, in some years the BCS conference champions aren't "pulling their weight" or "pulling their rank", but I don't see a playoff scenario happening without the agreement of the BCS conferences, so that will be one of the flaws. 2005 was one of the rare years that there were two clear teams for the title game, but I consider that one of the exceptions that proves the playoff rule. ;-)

      It's not perfect, but then again, nothing would be! Particularly the BCS.

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  1. Timothy Croley 8 months ago

    Well, to be honest, BT, I'm as nervous as ever. Everyone is falling in love with PSU, and Texas is holding strong at the #1 spot. Bama didn't get a single first place vote this week after playing one of their better games this year. Sure it was against a 3-5 squad, but it was a rivalry game where all records are thrown out the window. For one time this season we controlled all four quarters, yet we probably got as little respect as we have since the Tulane game. What do you think are the possibilities of PSU jumping Bama even if both teams win out? And do you think Bama having a championship game, considering they win out, will help keep them at number 2?

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Timothy, I don't worry about Texas. They are as close to the Holiday Bowl as they are to the BCS Title Game. Penn State and Alabama are the two best teams and things will work out like the past two years and we will have a great championship game. I would rank Sou Cal, Georgia, and Florida as better teams than the one man team of Texas. After watching the WAC12 action of Texas-Okla St and then seeing Sou Cal's defense in the desert against Arizona, I would say Sou Cal is 20-30 points better than Texas, about the same as they beat Ohio State, so it would be a shame and a disgrace if this Texas was allowed into the BCS title game ahead of Southern Cal much less teams that are balamced and complete like Penn State and Alabama.

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  2. Anonymous 8 months ago

    Alabama is the most complete team out there. You have Javier Arenas and Rashad Johnson in secondary, Mount Cody and Chapman on the D-line. Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell on the O-line. Julio Jones, Marquis Maze, Nikita Stover, Nick walker, and Travis McCall catching the ball. Coffee, Ingram, Upchurch and Grant running the ball. Then you have a senior JP Wilson. That makes playmakers on both sides of the ball, all over the field. This team is just young and it makes people not trust them for some reason. This defense is the best I've seen in years. Do you really think PSU could take this 'Bama team like it's playing now? I would like to see McCoy try 91% on 'Bama's secondary. Have you seen them play? They have one of the best pass defenses I have seen, and the pass rush and run defense isn't so bad either. Also, Texas has a big problem against the run and that's 'Bama's strong suit. I really just see 'Bama stomping PSU.

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Penn State is the most complete and balanced team with no weakness and has the winningest coach who has ever lived. That gives Penn St the advantage over Alabama in the BCS Title Game.

      Thanks for the comment Anonymous.

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  3. Nick The Only 8 months ago

    BT - Penn State had to beat 1 good (not great) team all season and they barely got by (thanks to a Pryor fumble). I doubt that Penn State could hang with of the top teams from other conferences. Florida, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, USC and a few others would wipe the floor with Penn State.

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Penn State has played a tougher schedule than Alabama. I doubt if Alabama would be undefeated at this point if they played in the Big10.

      Thanks for the input Nick, and the opportunity to set you straight.

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    • Chase Dunagan 8 months ago

      No, Penn St has NOT played a tougher schedule than Alabama.

      Are you serious BT? You used to be logical, now ur just attacking Texas and Bama at every chance you get. Mostly Texas.

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    • Isaac Luber 8 months ago

      Whoa there. Let's not forget that the top teams play in the WAC 12 and the Southeastern Lack of Offense Conference. Penn State plays teams who have a good offense and defense, while PSU has a great offense and defense. Sure, they played a bad game, but came out with a tough win at the 'Shoe. Still impressive. Just because we don't have shootouts like Texas and TTU and Oklahoma State do in the WAC 12 doesn't mean we aren't a great team. We get good quality wins the old fashioned way...right BT? Bama hasn't played anyone but Georgia, who almost came back and beat them. We've played Ohio State, a few decent non-conference games, and conference games where we've faced adversity, and different types of teams...unlike the WAC 12 who only has offense and the SEC who has only defense. We are the most complete and balanced team in the Nation, which is why we are the best. Great article, BT.

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    • Colin Flosi 8 months ago

      Why did Isaac steal Baby Tate's name for the Big 12 and try to start using it? Not very original.

      Texas Vs. Oklahoma St- 52 total points.
      Georgia Vs. LSU- 90 total points.

      Texas is better than Penn State. Oklahoma & Texas Tech could be as well. Alabama and Florida are better than Penn State. But for the moment, there are 4 undefeated teams. Penn State is still alive, and it will be down to three after the Texas/Tech game. (I don't care about mid-majors).

      Penn State has played 2 winning teams. So has Alabama. So has Tech. Texas has played 3 top ten teams., (2 of them still in the Top 10 despite losing). Texas is the only team that has proven they are an elite team so far. Penn State has a good win, and so does Penn State, but they have nothing else.

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    • Jared Cox 8 months ago

      Isaac, Southeastern lack of offense conference? LOL, our lack of offense as you call it is a direct result of AWESOME defense in the conference, I put the last two National Championship games up for evidence on that one. If you Big Ten and Big 12 fans wanna watch the national championship, it'll be in Atlanta in December. The game in January in Miami is almost pointless, an SEC team hasn't lost a National Championship since Nebraska was good, and one lack of offense Peyton Manning played in that game.

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    • Isaac Luber 8 months ago

      PSU has allowed 24 points once all season. Colin, please. They average 40 ppg, and allow 10 ppg. PSU is the BEST team in the NATION! We'll prove that to Texas, or whoever we see in Miami for the National Championship game!

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  4. Robert 8 months ago

    Although I do think that Texas is a "one man show", I don't think that Penn State is better than them.

    Other than that, the top 10 looks pretty good. I'd put Oklahoma State in front of Ohio State, the Bucks just looked pathetic against a Penn State-type defense. At least OkSt was hanging in with Texas until the end...

    The Georgia-Florida game looks to be as spirited as ever...great.

    Go Dawgs!

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    • BabyTate 8 months ago

      Penn State is the best team in the nation. Maybe they'll have the opportunity to prove it again against Georgia like 1982 when the Nittany Lions won the national championship over Georgia in Herschel Walker's last game. The Bulldogs could say they were out for revenge ! Maybe Herschel could come to the game, and Todd Blackledge could interview him. Remember, Blackledge was the QB of that Penn State team.

      Thanks for the comment Robert.

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  5. Sooner03 8 months ago

    "Alabama is a complete team like Penn State"

    Wow, NOT SO FAST BT

    With that statement...my Sooners are the greatest team ever to play the game! You do realize Bama has struggled to put teams away late. PSU has had struggles of its own. Geez...at least call a spade a spade.

    Didnt Flordia lose at home to Ole Miss...and didnt USC lose to the Beavers? Ohio State has struggled all season and has 2 loses ...but Okie state out of the poll? I must be taking crazy pills because you have Tech ranked BELOW the Dawgs, Trojans, and Gators, but above the Sooners? Now the Tech love to "make your prediction come true"? Tech should be 4 unless they lose. The Sooners have the "best" loss right now, but still behind the above mentioned teams??? come on.....something smells funny here.....but....then we get..........

    Statements like "Oh I dismiss the WAC 12 out of hand as an arena league football conference. They can't play with the SEC, Big 10, or even PAC10.". Make me wonder if you watch any College Football outside of the SEC?
    Look man I read your bio and all but that statement alone makes it very easy for people to not take you seriously.

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  6. Kent Moore 8 months ago

    I just don't see Penn State jumping Alabama or Texas, if they all remain undefeated. Alabama would have to barely get by its opponents whereas PSU would have to destroy the rest of the teams on their schedule. And if Texas Tech were to go undefeated, I think they would jump over Penn State and it would be Texas Tech vs Alabama. Now that PSU has beaten OSU, I'll be cheering for them...but if Texas or Texas Tech goes undefeated AND if Alabama goes undefeated and beats a Georgia or Florida team in the SEC Championship, then Penn State will be the 2008 version of the 2004 Auburn Tigers.

    Its unfortunate...

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    • Chase Dunagan 8 months ago

      It may be unfortunate, but it's the right call.

      Penn St would have 2 loses by now if it had played Texas' schedule.

      The truth is, the Big 10 conference is a joke. And the Big 12 and SEC are by far the best conferences. So if two teams are undefeated from those two conferences that HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, then they should play for the National Championship.

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    • Kent Moore 8 months ago

      Chase,

      I agree that the Big XII and SEC are the better conferences right now. But that will change with time. It wasn't that long ago that the Big XII was a two team race with Texas and Oklahoma battling for the top. Now the wealth has been spread out. Conference Supremacy changes from year to year. I bet in the next couple of seasons, a new conference will begin to assert itself as being #1.

      And if anything is a joke...its Conference Championship games. I see you are a Texas fan. Lets use the longhorns as an example to explain the stupidity of a conference championship game.

      Lets say Texas goes undefeated through the regular season. No one from the North Division is undefeated right now. If Texas goes undefeated they will have beaten the top two teams in the North Division...so why on Earth do they have to play a conference championship game? Especially if that game is against Missouri or Kansas. THEY ALREADY BEAT THEM!!! They are the only undefeated team in the conference. The should be crowned champions without the championship game. Then...what happens if Texas and Missouri face off and Missouri ends up beating them??? A potentially 2-Loss Missouri (who already lost to Texas in the regular season) beats an undefeated Texas in the conf. championship game and is crowned the Big XII Champions????? If that happened it would cause Texas to miss an opportunity to play for a NC. Seems totally unfair don't you think? Same thing could happen to Alabama should they play Georgia in the SEC championship. If you ask me, the Big 10 has it right. Currently, Penn State is undefeated and if they win out, they don't need another meaningless game to prove they are conference champions. It would have been decided during the regular season.

      The only time a conference championship is needed is if there are two teams in the same conference with the exact same record! That also means they can't have played each other during the regular season. So if Nebraska was undefeated and Texas was undefeated...then yes...a Big XII Championship game is needed.

      But most of the time the Conference Champion is clear cut after the season. Those games are just a way to make money.

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    • Kent Moore 8 months ago

      Another thing...how do you know that PSU would have 2 loses if it played Texas' schedule?

      How do you know Texas wouldn't have lost a game playing in the Big 10?

      You can't say for sure.

      Anyone with a brain never would've picked Stanford to upset USC last. Or App. State to upset Michigan. Or Oregon State to upset USC this year. You just don't know.

      Those arguments are very speculative.

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    • Chase Dunagan 8 months ago

      I agree with you about when to have a conference Championship game, but look at the SEC this year. Bama will most likely play a one-loss Florida in the Conference Championship, even though Florida has one loss, they haven't played Bama and therefore could very well be the best team in the SEC. (I think they are). Without a Conference Championship game, we would never know if Florida was better than Bama, we would only know that Bama was undefeated and Florida was not. But that is not a very accurate scale of who is a better team.

      I think Texas shouldn't have to play Mizzou again in the Conference Championship game, but rules are rules. I think it is unfair how some years Penn St doesn't have to play Michigan or Ohio State, don't you? Then what happens if both teams go undefeated? no one will ever know who is better.

      The Pac 10 actually has fixed this by everyone playing everyone in a sort of round robin regular season.

      And ur right, I don't know that PSU would lose 2 games on Texas' schedule., I was just trying to piss off BT. He has really made me dislike PSU, and I used to love PSU. I just can't deal with him taking all these shots at Texas. It's ridiculous. So for just this season, I'm rooting against PSU just so BT can get demolished by USC in the Rose Bowl and then still for some reason put PSU at #1 at the end of the season.

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    • Kent Moore 8 months ago

      Chase,

      Yeah I think Florida probably is the best team in the SEC...but they lost to Ole Miss. I actually think USC is the best team in the nation but they lost to Oregon State. They may be the best teams in the country, but you can't forgive them for losing to teams they were heavily favored against. That's just the way college football is. I would be fine with crowning Bama the SEC Champs if they win out and Florida were to only have one loss.

      You are right about the PAC-10...the only way to truly find out who the best team in the conference is, is to play everyone in the conference.

      By the way...Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan play each other every year. They switch the other teams around year after year. But the "Top 3" teams in the Big Ten play each other every season. Ohio State doesn't play Indiana or Iowa this year. Penn State doesn't have Minnesota or Northwestern.

      The way I'm seeing it right now...If Texas gets past Texas Tech, they are on easy street. Alabama will have to play either Georgia or Florida in the SEC. Don't count Iowa or Michigan State out against Penn State.

      JUST ONE IDIOT'S OPINION HERE---

      -Texas loses 1 game
      -Alabama loses in the SEC Championship
      -Penn State will stay undefeated
      -USC stays at one loss
      -Oklahoma loses again
      -USC vs Penn State in the NCG
      -USC becomes the National Champions

      -Texas vs Boise State in the Fiesta
      -Ohio State vs Alabama in the Rose
      -Georgia vs Oklahoma in the Sugar
      -Florida State vs WVU in the Orange

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    • Chase Dunagan 8 months ago

      OK, I didn't know the Big 3 in the Big 10 play each other every year. That's good. I guess I was thinking about Wisconsin a couple of years ago.

      I hope Javon Ringer and MSU can beat Penn St, but I would love to play Penn St or Alabama in the National Title game over Florida or USC.

      And if you think Texas loses one game, I'm guessing u think it's this weekend in LBK?

      Sorry to tell you, but The Texas defense has been looking forward to this game all year. I wouldn't be surprised if we hold Tech to under 30 points.
      And there is no way in hell they hold us under 40

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    • Kent Moore 8 months ago

      I think their loss will come against either Tech or Kansas. But I see Texas winning the Big 12 and playing in the Fiesta. Utah will beat TCU but lose to BYU. That knocks them out. I see Georgia beating Florida and going to the SEC Championship and knocking out Alabama. USC has an easy road so you gotta expect them to win out...but whenever the nation gets behind USC...they seem to choke. Oklahoma may not lose again but it won't matter because they won't make it to the Big XII championship and therefore will be left out of the NC discussion. Boise State looks like they will cruise except for that game against Fresno State. The ACC and Big East won't have two teams available for BCS bowls...I would love to see Penn State lose to Iowa and Michigan State to give OSU the Big Ten Title. I just don't see that becoming reality. Their toughest test in MSU will be at home.....sooooo

      NCG - USC vs Penn State - USC wins
      Rose - Ohio State vs Alabama - My heart says OSU while my gut says Bama
      Fiesta - Texas vs Boise State - No miracle comeback this time for Boise
      Sugar - Oklahoma vs Georgia - What a game this would be. Gotta go with OU
      Orange - Florida State vs WVU - WVU wins another BCS bowl

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    • Sooner03 8 months ago

      Kent,

      No way the Sooners go to a BCS bowl if they lose again.....and we shouldnt...I would take a Tech, OKSU, or Texas. Basically, of the three mentioned (after this weekend), which ever two win out go to a BCS bowl.

      I dont see us falling to Tech at home...right now. I worry more about OKSU on the road. The Cowboys nearly ran the ball out of the stadium on the Horns D last weekend, which says more to me of the Cowboys rungame then the Horns D. I do think Texas will be very tested this weekend and could very well lose if it dosent get some breaks (read turnovers). ...I think if Tech has time to throw at all....game over. Unlike years past, Techs D has been stepping up at times......will be interesting! Cant wait.

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    • Kent Moore 8 months ago

      Sooner03,

      I never said Oklahoma would lose again. I said they MAY NOT lose again but it won't matter. Their loss to Texas has pretty much shut them out of the Big XII Championship game and therefore the NCG. I would hope that the voters would not put a team in the NCG that didn't win their own conference. Especially if there are two 1-loss Conference Champions out there. That's why I see Penn State and USC. I don't see more than one BCS-Buster making it. The ACC and Big East won't have two teams that will be eligible for the BCS. That leaves 9 BCS Conference teams that will be going to BCS bowls.
      2 will come from the Big XII, SEC and Big Ten.

      SEC - Georgia and Bama -- Florida and LSU still alive
      Big XII - Texas and Oklahoma -- Missouri, Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State still alive
      Big Ten - Penn State and Ohio State -- Michigan State and Minnesota still alive
      PAC 10 - USC -- California has an outside chance

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  7. Edward Perez 8 months ago

    Look at that Penn State Picture . Male cheerleaders running to the Penn State player. come on no way Penn State is #1.

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  8. Nick The Only 8 months ago

    Penn State is this year's Ohio State. They will make the national title game and promptly get blown out by a vastly superior opponent.

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    • Isaac Luber 8 months ago

      Not really. We are a much better team...we are a complete team. Not all offense like the WAC 12, not all defense like the SEC, but a great offense and a great defense. We are a balanced team, we have speed and power and smarts, and we are a great team.

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    • Nick The Only 8 months ago

      Thats what OSU fans said in 2006 before UF held their Heisman winning QB to 86 total yards and shredded their all-world defense.

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    • Sooner03 8 months ago

      "Not all offense like the WAC 12, not all defense like the SEC, but a great offense and a great defense."

      Hmm.....cant agree 100%. Good and Great. The lions should have scored more on OSU...hands down no doubt about it. Some average teams had been puting up at least a couple of TD's on OSU...dont see why your "great" O needed a turnover and a short feild to score a TD. Your D seems pretty good though!

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    • Isaac Luber 8 months ago

      Sooner thank you. But, we average 40ppg and allow 10ppg. Also, our QB got hurt and this is our first game where our offense played bad. I can see why you think our offense is only good, but we still haven't unleashed it. We still have some great plays up our sleeves. :)

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  9. Ryan Raber 8 months ago

    BT-
    Your anti Texas campaign is somewhat vexxing. Penn State and Texas BOTH beat top 10 teams this week, yet they DROP in your poll? Texas did it the prior 2 weeks, and gets another shot THIS week. What is it about Penn State that suggests they are anywhere CLOSE to being battle tested in the same manner? I hope like hell that Alabama gets Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl.

    The Texas defense has 3 WEEKS IN A ROW held a top 10 team well below their season totals for both yards and points. There is little debate as to McCoy's importance to the team. Most great teams, usually have a central figure for both leadership and stats. You are starting to sound more and more like an Aggie with each nonsensical and illogical rant. I expect a little more from you.

    The traditional powers are all having superb seasons- in different ways, against different opponents. The WAC 12... not so clever. Embrace the horror, even a 12-1 Texas gets to Miami, and I will see you there. You comfortable with your enough Alabama love-fest to accept some manner of e-wager?

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  10. Tacoma Ute 8 months ago

    Baby Tate wrote:

    "Texas? They've got as much chance of being in the BCS Title game as that other WAC school, Utah."

    Ummm, I hate to break it to you but Utah hasn't been in the WAC for a decade. Utah has been in the MWC since the conference started. As a result they have much better wins than Boise St. and should be ranked higher.

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  11. Peter R 8 months ago

    There are three or four teams in the Big Twelve that would most likely embarrass PSU. After them, PSU may be the second best team behind Alabama. If they were better than USC, PSU would have handed OSU a bigger loss.

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  12. Jeff Contizano 8 months ago

    BT,
    Is JP Wilson the next Pat Trammel for the Tide?
    Gotta love PSU.. quite the team. Good picks!

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  13. Luke Dan 8 months ago

    Ohio State loses, their second loss, to Penn State. Oklahoma State loses by 4 to Texas. Why is Ohio State ahead of Oklahoma State?

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    • Ryan Raber 8 months ago

      I think it is perhaps because someone accidentally put on JoePa's coke bottle glasses at a recent sleepover. Prescription was different , so reading became difficult. Other than that, there is no explanation. Go Pokes from here out!

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