BCS Rankings Week 2: Who's Overrated and Who's Underrated
The BCS rankings were released for Week 2. Upon first glance, there is a lot to like about this week's edition. But as with any rankings, there will be rumblings from all over the place.
I have my own issues with the latest installments. Here I will delve into those that are placed too high and those that deserve a bit more recognition. Please note that these ratings are a bit nit-picky. All of these teams deserve to be considered among the best in the nation.
10: Wisconsin Underrated
1 of 10
What we have seen among the BCS elite is an inability to win big games. Wisconsin just showed that they were able to do so.
The Badgers had the hardest two weeks of anyone in football. They came out of that fortnight 2-0. They defeated then No.1-ranked Ohio State. To show that it was no fluke, they fought a hard battle with No. 15-ranked Iowa.
As bigger programs fall to fate, Wisconsin has taken care of their own with a tight running game.
9: Oklahoma Just Right
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A No. 1 team has to drop significantly when it loses to a lesser team. But the BCS got this one right.
Oklahoma should not be considered in the run for the title game for the time being. You need to stick them in the back of the top ten. However, they are a better team with more quality wins than Wisconsin. If they were stuck playing catchup in the ten spot, it would have been a travesty.
8: Utah Overrated
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If smaller programs like Boise State and TCU get knocked for their strength of schedule, then Utah must as well.
Utah boasts one of the best point discrepancies in football. The Utes score 48 points a game while only allowing 13. But you have to look at their schedule to find that they really have not played a single quality team. Their only ranked win is to No. 15 Pittsburgh. That was an extremely close match that went to overtime. They also gave up 24 points that game.
Earlier this year they gave up 27 points to Iowa State. Their defense may not be what it is cracked up to be. I guess we will see when they play TCU in a couple of weeks.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7: Alabama Overrated
4 of 10
The Crimson Tide are still haunted by their loss to South Carolina. They should be. Shame on them losing to a team that followed their win with a disgraceful loss to Kentucky. As South Carolina goes, so does Alabama.
The Tide have ample time to prove me wrong. They play LSU next, followed by No. 22 Mississippi State. We all know how they do with teams ranked at the bottom of the top 25.
6: Missouri Just Right
5 of 10
This was a tough one for me. I had the same feelings about Missouri that I have about Utah. Sure they beat the No. 1 team this week. But any time a team is going head-to-head against a top team, they play a little more inspired football.
But knocking off the Sooners has to get you in the argument. I may be a little shaky on their ability to hold this momentum. We will find out soon though, as they head to Nebraska next week.
5: Michigan State Underrated
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Sure they faltered this week. They still won. In the end, that is all that should matter. With top teams succumbing to lethargy every week, it is nice to see a program that is tested come out with a win.
No one really took notice until they beat Notre Dame this year. But what really cemented the Spartans is the inspired play of Kirk Cousins and their back-to-back wins against Wisconsin and Michigan.
With a win against Iowa next week, I do not see the Spartans relinquishing the five spot.
4: TCU Overrated
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Now we get to the conundrum. TCU is a smaller program that does not have anyone of note on the schedule.
What we are forced to do is extrapolate what the Horned Frogs have done against their lesser opponents. They blew out Baylor who just beat No. 22 Kansas State. Then they pummeled the once-ranked Air Force and their exquisite rushing attack alowing a single touchdown.
I am at a loss and reserve judgment until November 6, when they play Utah. Until then, I really do not know how Andy Dalton and his offense will translate against a tough defense.
3: Boise State
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Boise State on the other hand has scheduled wisely. They have key wins against notable opponents. Granted their opponents are not the world-beaters Oklahoma or Nebraska play on a weekly basis, but they are enough to make me comfortable where they are.
The Broncos beat Virginia Tech, who was No. 10 at the time, and then beat No. 22 Oregon State a couple weeks later. They may face another test in Hawaii in a couple of weeks. Hawaii's air attack may be able to match Boise State point-for-point.
2: Oregon Underrated
9 of 10
I had a feeling that Oregon would not crack the top spot. They played a much less significant team in UCLA. But what they did show on Thursday is their ability to completely annihilate an opponent's game plan.
They have a nice schedule, as well. They have the tough Stanford game behind them and should pick up some momentum with the games ahead.
They have tougher opponents that should be seen favorably in the eyes of the BCS computers, but nothing in the way of a real threat. They should beat Cal, USC, and Arizona handily.
1: Auburn Just Right
10 of 10
While I could see Oregon on top of the heap, I must admit that I like Auburn here as well. The Tigers have quality wins against fierce opponents. I think the LSU victory was enough for me to believe they were one of the best teams, if not the best team, in the land. Whenever they needed yardage, they just ran around LSU as if the LSU defenders were stuck in mud.
It also helps if you have arguably the best college player in Cam Newton.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
