Top 25 Poll
Others receiving votes: Florida, Houston, Georgia Tech,
Nebraska, UCF, Wisconsin
Dropped from the rankings: Wisconsin (20), UCF (22)
25 (NR). Maryland
(4-0) – IDLE. Next week: at Florida State. That blowout/shutout win over
West Virginia looks pretty good now. This could be a bonehead inclusion after
they play in Tallahassee next week, but they have been strong so far this
season. Randy Edsall has his boys believing.
24 (19). Arizona
State (3-1) – The Sun Devils could score at will against USC, but they also
gave up some 41 points to a team that was struggling offensively. That does not
bode well for their chances in the South division.
23 (NR). Northern
Illinois (4-0) – After blowing out Purdue on the road, they are the first
MAC team with two wins over the Big Ten in the same season. They are going to
threaten another potential BCS bowl appearance.
22 (21). Michigan
(4-0) – IDLE. Next week: vs Minnesota.
21 (17). Mississippi
(3-1) – They were the latest shutout victim by Alabama, which there is no
shame in, but for a team talking as much trash as they were, that has got to be
discouraging and humbling.
20 (14). Oklahoma
State (3-1) – Just when you want to count out West Virginia, they take out
the #1 team in the conference. The Cowboys looked a bit lost throughout the
game for the first time. Morgantown isn’t exactly the most hostile of crowds in
the Big 12. They are going to need to get it together and soon.
19 (24). Fresno
State (4-0) – They had one of those classic 9:00PM pickoffs in Hawaii that
a team could sleepwalk through. Their offense was as on fire as it has been all
year.
18 (18). Northwestern
(4-0) – IDLE. Next week: vs Ohio State.
17 (25). Miami
(4-0) – The Canes looked fantastic against the worst team in the nation,
the South Florida Bulls. At some point, you have to think they will not show
up. That hasn’t happened yet. Morris and Johnson have been scary good early on.
16 (15). Texas
Tech (4-0) – IDLE. Next week: at Kansas.
15 (16). South
Carolina (3-1) – They were down at the half and had lost their starting
quarterback. They could have folded, but instead they came out furiously and
took control of the game immediately on the road. Impressive effort by the
Cocks.
14 (23). Oklahoma
(4-0) – Here we go again…the Sooners look unbeatable early in the year,
only to probably disappoint down the stretch again. Same story for the Bob
Stoops-era Oklahoma squad.
13 (12). LSU (4-1)
– The Tigers have now shown that they can put up the monster numbers in the
SEC, and that Cam Cameron has suddenly turned Mettenberger into a top 5 QB in
the conference.
12 (11). Texas
A&M (3-1) – Johnny Football and company were able to escape with
another shootout victory, this time at Arkansas in front of a ruckus crowd.
11 (13). Georgia
(3-1) – The win against LSU proved that they still do not have a defense,
but that offense can score on anyone. They have a terrific chance of not losing
any SEC games.
10 (10). Louisville
(4-0) – IDLE. Next week: at Temple.
9 (9). UCLA (3-0) –
IDLE. Next week: at Utah.
8 (5). Florida
State (4-0) – There is something always missing with hyped-up Florida State
teams. The defense just decided it was ok to give up 34 points to a lame duck
Boston College offense. They are going to need to get a lot better to contend
for an ACC title.
7 (8). Ohio State
(5-0) – The Buckeyes had an impressive win over a tough Wisconsin squad.
Braxton Miller looked terrific in his return to the lineup. They are starting
to look like the preseason #2 team in the country.
6 (7). Baylor
(3-0) – IDLE. Next week: vs West Virginia.
5 (6). Washington
(4-0) – They were able to blow out Arizona, who isn’t a great team, but one
that came in rolling. The Huskies are for real, and with Stanford and Oregon
coming up I consecutive weeks, they could prove to be the nation’s best team if
they are able to spring the upsets.
4 (4). Clemson
(4-0) – The Tigers jumped out to a big lead early and never let up. When
they are hitting on all cylinders, I do not know who can beat them.
3 (3). Stanford
(4-0) – They had the most impressive result of the week with a hammering of
a confident and improved Washington State team in front of a crazy crowd at the
Seahawks home stadium. They looked like the Stanford teams who pushed around
the entire conference two years ago.
2 (2). Alabama
(4-0) – They had one of the more confusing results of the season. Their
defense had not been dominant, yet they were able to shut out perhaps the best
pure offense they have played yet. The Tide are gearing up for another title
run.
1 (1). Oregon
(4-0) – The played in stupid conditions in Eugene, but they were seemingly
unaffected by it when Cal looked like a bunch of fools. They did nothing to
lose the top spot.
Top 5 Games
for Next Weekend
5. BYU at Utah
State, Friday 5:00PM CBS Sports Network – The Utah in-state matchups are
all going to be amazing this year. It may be the best trio of teams the state
has ever had. Chuckie Keeton vs Taysom Hill. Should be electric.
4. Maryland (#25)
at Florida State (#8), 9:00AM ESPN – This is an intriguing matchup. Stefon
Diggs and company are going to be able to score, but can they slow up Winston?
No team has been able to do that yet.
3. TCU at Oklahoma
(#14), 4:00PM FOX – TCU has looked mighty impressive defensively since
losing to LSU on the opening weekend. This is the type of game that the Sooners
like to drop.
2. Ohio State (#7)
at Northwestern (#18), 5:00PM ABC – Northwestern is always a team that
pushes the top B1G teams. This time, the Wildcats have their best squad in
decades. Ohio State would be foolish to look any further than this game.
1. Washington (#5)
at Stanford (#3), 7:30PM ESPN – No real surprise here, right? The game in
Seattle last season, the last game that Stanford lost, was a hard-fought and
low-scoring affair. Look for some more offense this time around a terrific game
in front of a half-full stadium in Palo Alto.
Heisman
Trophy Watch
5. Lache
Seastrunk, RB, Baylor – So far, he has put up video game numbers. If he can
do the same in games against Oklahoma and his Texas state rivals, then he will
be invited for sure.
4. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – It doesn’t matter the venue or
situation he is in. He looks like a seasoned veteran. Next year may be his
time, but he is threatening this year.
3. Tajh Boyd, QB,
Clemson – He seems to get better and better each week. If they go unbeaten,
he could potentially take the first Heisman Trophy in school history.
2. Johnny Manziel,
QB, Texas A&M – He has led his team to victories in every way possible.
He is going to torch every SEC defense and probably win this thing again.
1. Marcus Mariota,
QB, Oregon – He will be the top contender all season, unless they lose a
game. That seems unlikely at this point.
BCS
Projections
Rose Bowl – Ohio State over Washington
Orange Bowl – Clemson over Louisville
Sugar Bowl – Texas A&M over Oklahoma
Fiesta Bowl – Baylor over Northern Illinois
BCS Championship Game
– Oregon over Alabama
What did you think of this weekend? Thoughts? Give me
your rankings in the comments!
1. Dude, Fresno St. almost blew a 39-point lead against Hawaii. I'm not sure what to think of that, but it's certainly worth noting. It's also worth noting that they really have a shot at going undefeated.
ReplyDelete2. The De'Anthony Thomas injury could sting the Ducks, even if he comes back vs Colorado or Washington. May not have the same speed bursts and could play a lot more cautious. We're still holding our breaths.
3. The SEC is such crap. They talk about their defensive integrity, and then have a 44-41 result between of its best teams. And Alabama doesn't even play Georgia or S. Carolina, and has a stretch of 6 of 7 at home. It's such BS. When Oregon/Stanford crushes Alabama in the National Championship game, the hypocrisy of the SEC will be exposed
I know. Fresno is going to struggle on D, but I did mention last week that undefeated seems likely for them.
DeleteThomas will certainly cost Oregon some explosiveness, but Marshall and company are great players. They will step up and be just fine. It just might cost Mariota some insurance for those check downs. Thomas is just too good in the pass game.
I am right with you on Alabama and the SEC. Obviously the Pac is the best conference in the land. I didn't really think any SEC teams were going unbeaten until Bama just dominated Ole Miss in what seemed like a trap game. They will lose to Oregon or Stanford or UCLA or Washington or whoever goes undefeated in the Pac. I just fear Ohio State-Alabama and the Tide dominate.