Oh, college football…what would I do without you? What a
beautiful Saturday for all of us fans that do not have a team in the hunt. I
could not be more thrilled with Oregon’s defeat at the hand of Stanford. Kansas
State was a great story, but number one going down is always welcome. Next week
is going to be insane. Stanford is playing UCLA, where if Stanford wins, the
teams will have a rematch the next week for the Pac-12 title. If UCLA wins and
Oregon wins, Oregon will be play the Bruins the next week for a spot in the
Rose Bowl or possible the BCS Championship in Oregon’s case. Florida needs a
win against Florida State to stay in the national championship hunt, which won’t
happen. South Carolina could be looking at an at-large bid if they beat
Clemson, which won’t happen. Georgia needs to withstand their rival Georgia
Tech to make the SEC championship mean something nationally. Kansas State has a
week to sit in its own sorrow before having to suit up against Texas with another
shot at the Big 12 Title. Everyone else is just sitting there, watching, and
rooting for teams above them to continue to go down. Notre Dame playing USC is
a clash of styles and intriguing for sure. The Heisman Trophy race is wide open
like never before. I love college football!!!
Top 25
Others receiving votes: Kent State, Louisiana Tech,
Mississippi State, Oklahoma, San Jose State, USC, Wisconsin
Dropped from the rankings: Louisiana Tech (16), Oklahoma
(20), USC (21)
25. (25) Boise State (9-2) – No one really wants to talk
about the Broncos, but they continue to plug away and basically dominate a
decent MWC.
24. (24) Texas (8-2) – This team has really gotten better
over the last few weeks. They can break the heart of every Wildcat fan in two
weeks, but watch out for TCU on Thanksgiving Day. Those guys can spring an
upset any week.
23. (NR) Oklahoma State (7-3) – After a dominant effort
against a Texas Tech defense that people have praised all season, the Cowboys
set their sights on officially ending the season of their arch rival Oklahoma.
22. (19) South Carolina (9-2) – This was the team that
most struggled with its FCS opponent, tied at 7 going into the 4th
quarter. Nicely done SEC. Way to represent the “best” conference in football.
21. (NR) Utah State (9-2) – That win against Louisiana
Tech was great for their cause. Only losses were 6-3 to BYU and 16-14 to Wisconsin.
This team might be for real, despite losing their two best players to the first
few rounds of the draft in April.
20. (22) Washington (7-4) – They can complete the
toughest schedule in the nation with 8 wins next week in the Apple Cup. That is
an impressive feat, and they have done it with defense.
19. (NR) Michigan (8-3) – They have three losses, two to
top 5 teams and one at Nebraska. Everyone wants to write them off, but they are
still alive in the Big Ten. Watch out, Buckeyes. This team has found new life
with Devin Gardner at quarterback.
18. (23) Rutgers (9-1) – They continue to prove that no
one can score on this defense.
17. (13) Florida (10-1) – I keep moving them down
(perhaps a bit too far), but how did this team beat those teams early on? They
are a mess. They follow up a near embarrassing loss to Louisiana-Lafayette with
an embarrassing effort against Jacksonville State. Wow.
16. (18) Nebraska (9-2) – The team has run its gauntlet,
and now they get to basically relax until that rematch with the Badgers for a
spot in the Rose Bowl.
15. (15) Northern Illinois (10-1) – The Huskies finally
got a chance to show off their relentless offense on national TV Wednesday
night. How is this team not getting more votes?
14. (14) Louisville (9-1) – The open date will help the
Cardinals retool for their last couple weeks, including trying to find a way to
score on Rutgers.
13. (17) UCLA (9-2) – Aside from a confusing loss to the
Golden Bears, The Bruins have put together an immensely impressive debut season
for Coach of the Year candidate Jim Mora.
12. (12) LSU (9-2) – They were able to squeak out a
hard-fought game at home against the mediocre Rebels, followed by a funny rant
by their offbeat head coach. They still have to be the favorite for that SEC at-large
bid.
11. (9) Georgia (10-1) – Nice win against Georgia
Southern…not. The SEC has flirted with disaster the last two weeks…and not one
of the upsets happened. Karma will eventually come their way…
10. (11) Oregon State (9-2) – The Beavers continue to
impress each and every week. Their only losses are Stanford and Washington.
Basically, they are as complete as any team. Pac-12 North is probably the best
division in football.
9. (8) Texas A&M (9-2) – One of the many SEC teams
playing cakewalk teams, and their defense certainly had some holes, but Johnny
Football did his thing. At-large is certainly possible after they rape Missouri
next week.
8. (10) Clemson (10-1) – They continue to put up video
game numbers on everyone, including during their lone loss to the Seminoles.
All they have left is the shaky Gamecocks in a rivalry game. Sugar Bowl, get
ready the fighting Dabos!
7. (2) Oregon (10-1) – I knew they were not unbeatable,
but the only way they scored was off turnovers. Stanford was just a better
team. I never would have thought I would see another game where Oregon plays
that poorly offensively under Chip Kelly. Look out, Ducks. The Beavers are
rolling too.
6. (1) Kansas State (10-1) – How did Baylor spring that
monumental upset? Was that not the same defense that gave up 70 to West Virginia?
Weird. Gut check time for the Wildcats over the bye week.
5. (6) Florida State (10-1) – The computers hate them,
and for good reason. But this team is just whipping teams week in and week out.
I actually wouldn’t have a problem if they are playing for it all after they
torch the overrated Gators next week.
4. (7) Stanford (9-2) – I indirectly called their upset
last week. They are such a good team. They have one loss to number one in
overtime and one loss at Washington, a place where everyone loses. They might
be the most compete team out there.
3. (5) Alabama (10-1) – They had a nice practice game
against FCS laughing stock Western Carolina this week. All they have is FBS laughing
stock Auburn left on their schedule. Roll Tide…
2. (4) Ohio State (11-0) – It seems like every year it is
Ohio State that benefits from everyone else taking each other out. Good thing
we don’t have to worry about seeing the Luckeyes in the title game this year at
least.
1. (3) Notre Dame (11-0) – It pains me that they are now
number one, but they deserve it. That schedule was a daunting task at first look,
and even though it has proven easier than we thought, they are just one win
away from a shot at the title. We all knew Brian Kelly would get them there
eventually, but this soon? Best coach in America. By far.
Heisman Trophy Watch
7. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama – Now that they are on track
to play in the championship again, McCarron has got to be the wildcard in the
voting. It would be a very boring Jason White-type of winner, but he has had a
really nice season.
6. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson – When they lay 40 on South
Carolina next week, people will start talking about Boyd as a possible finalist
for this award.
5. Marqise Lee, WR, USC – They continue to lose, but he
continues to shatter records. He is the best all around player in the country
not named Tavon Austin.
4. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
– I cannot see a freshman ever winning this award, but this year is just weird.
He is probably going to get his share of votes after his brilliant game under
the national spotlight last week.
3. Colin Klein, QB, Kansas State – He was exposed on
Saturday against a terrible defense. Everyone has an off game, but against that
team? I cannot stick up for him after that.
2. Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame – A win against USC might just
clinch this for him, the first true defensive player to really get this close
to winning it. Everyone else have taken themselves out, so why not the best
player on the best team?
1. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State – He is arguable the
best player in the country, and being undefeated is only going to help his
cause. Take him off that team, and they are almost nothing.
BCS Projections
Rose Bowl – Nebraska (Big Ten) over UCLA (Pac-12)
Orange Bowl – Florida State (ACC) over Rutgers (Big East)
Sugar Bowl – LSU (At-large) over Clemson (At-large)
Fiesta Bowl – Kansas State (Big 12) over Notre Dame
(At-large)
BCS Title Game – Alabama (SEC) over Oregon (At-large)
What do you think? Give me your rankings in the comments!
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