Oh what could have been. Had Arkansas held on versus Alabama, my week would have looked SO much better. Still 15-5 through four weeks is a good record. Hopefully, it will turn into 20-5 this week!
Florida at Alabama-The Gators finally found their offensive after looking flat for their first three games. Freshman back-up quarterback Trey Burton has proven to be a fantastic red zone weapon. He is very similar of a young freshman back-up quarterback the Gators had around four years ago. Still, Tuscaloosa is never an easy place to win and the Crimson Tide looked extremely strong against Arkansas, especially in the second half. There probably isn't a defense in the nation that can shut down the tandem of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson and Florida doesn't have the explosive offensive necessary to match them blow for blow. The game will be close but the Tide will keep on rolling. Alabama 27, Florida 21
Georgia Tech at Wake Forest-The Yellow Jackets have been very disappointing this season, but there is no way they lose this game, especially on the road. There were times in last week's game that Georgia Tech's offense looked very good. However, there were other times it looked utterly hopeless. Wake Forest's offense is almost non-existent. Their starting quarterback is completing less than half of his passes and struggles with throwing the ball down the field. The Jackets' struggles will probably continue in some capacity, but hopefully they take this week to right the ship. Regardless, they will win this game. Georgia Tech 31, Wake Forest 6
Florida State at Virginia- The Seminoles finally seem to be back on track after the Oklahoma debacle. The offense has been good but has yet to truly reach its potential. The defense has been great over the past two games. They've allowed less than 200 yards of offense to BYU and Wake Forest and had their first shutout in 28 games last weekend. The loss at Norman will provide Jimbo Fisher with enough fire to keep this team motivated on the road. Virginia has been one of the hardest teams in the nation to understand. They have looked good but not great in wins against FCS teams Richmond and VMI. But they also went to the Coliseum and played USC very closely. This Cavaliers' team is better than they have been in year's past, but it won't be enough to hold off the balanced attack of the Seminoles. Florida State 33, Virginia 14
Texas vs Oklahoma (at JerryWorld)-Before last weekend, this game seemed to be a national showdown between two title contenders. Now, the only impact Texas can have on the national title race is as a spoiler. The Longhorns would love nothing more than knock their arch-rivals out of the race. The problem is that Texas may not actually be very good. It is common knowledge that their offense is in shambles. They can't run the ball effectively and their "dominate" defense had some gaping holes exposed last weekend by UCLA. Oklahoma has had a very up-and-down season so far, playing well against big-time programs and struggling against inferior opponents. The Longhorns are the biggest game on the Sooners' schedule and they will be ready. The Texas defense will show up to prove last weekend was an aberration, but it won't be enough. Oklahoma 28, Texas 17
Upset Special: Stanford at Oregon-The Pac-10 has looked fantastic thus far this season and this game is the first in a series that will determine who wins this very deep conference. Oregon is the front runner for the conference crown and Stanford is the primary contender. The Ducks offense has been lighting fast and totally unstoppable this year. They seem to start slowly and then explode for 35 points in the third quarter of every game they play. However, their defense, particularly their pass defense, was exposed last weekend. They allowed 597 yards to an average Arizona State team. Stanford's offense has been balanced and potent thus far. They have blown out all of their opponents and their star quarterback Andrew Luck hasn't even played his best game yet. Winning in Corvallis is going to be tough, but this Cardinal team is fundamentally sound and up to the challenge. Stanford 39, Oregon 36
Week 4 Record: 3-2
Overall Record: 15-5
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Watching the Heisman: Week 4
Here is the Watching the Heisman for week 4:
10. (Last Week: 4) Ryan Mallet- Through three quarters last Saturday, Mallet looked like he was going to be the new Heisman front runner. Then, he came apart in the 4th quarter as Arkansas blew their upset bid. Mallet isn't eliminated from the Heisman race, but he needs to be flawless from here on out.
9. (Last Week: 7) Andy Dalton- Dalton is still on this list because TCU remains undefeated. He has put up average numbers and has done very little to impress the voters. He has time to turn his season around, but he needs to start producing better statistics.
8. (Last Week: 10) Patrick Peterson- Peterson became a serious Heisman contender after a punt return this last weekend that he followed with the Heisman pose. Peterson also had a blocked field goal during the game. He has put up ridiculous special teams and defensive numbers, but may need to maintain his torrid pace all year to have a shot at the trophy.
7. (Last Week: 8) LaMichael James- James had his worst performance of the season last weekend, but he still went well over 100 yards. This weekend's match-up against Stanford will go along way to determining how serious of a candidate James really is
6. (Last Week: 9) Mark Ingram- After two weeks, I thought Ingram was very replaceable between Trent Richardson and Alabama's offensive line. I was absolutely wrong. Ingram was the main reason the Tide won last weekend and he has thrust himself back into the thick of this race.
5. (Last Week: 6) Andrew Luck- The Cardinal looked dominant at Notre Dame, but Luck's game was only average. He will remain a contender as long as Stanford does well, but he needs to cut down on his mistakes in victory. If he can lead his team to victory in Corvallis this weekend, he should jump up this list.
4. (Last Week: 5) Cameron Newton- Newton has developed a habit of starting slowly and then leading the Tigers' to huge comebacks. Ultimately, Newton's candidacy is tied to how long Auburn keeps winning and whether he can lead them to victory in Tuscaloosa.
3. (Last Week: 3) Denard Robinson- Robinson only played nine minutes last Saturday, but he still finished with well over 100 yards rushing. To move up this list, Robinson needs to stay healthy and the Wolverines need to keep winning.
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore- The tough part of the Broncos' schedule is over and Moore has firmly established himself as a Heisman contender. Now he needs to put up huge numbers every week against the soft part of Boise State's season.
1. (Last Week: 1) Terrell Pryor- Pryor was electric in the Buckeyes blowout win over Eastern Michigan. He had a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown and accounted for six scores overall. Pryor is firmly entrenched as the Heisman front runner.
10. (Last Week: 4) Ryan Mallet- Through three quarters last Saturday, Mallet looked like he was going to be the new Heisman front runner. Then, he came apart in the 4th quarter as Arkansas blew their upset bid. Mallet isn't eliminated from the Heisman race, but he needs to be flawless from here on out.
9. (Last Week: 7) Andy Dalton- Dalton is still on this list because TCU remains undefeated. He has put up average numbers and has done very little to impress the voters. He has time to turn his season around, but he needs to start producing better statistics.
8. (Last Week: 10) Patrick Peterson- Peterson became a serious Heisman contender after a punt return this last weekend that he followed with the Heisman pose. Peterson also had a blocked field goal during the game. He has put up ridiculous special teams and defensive numbers, but may need to maintain his torrid pace all year to have a shot at the trophy.
7. (Last Week: 8) LaMichael James- James had his worst performance of the season last weekend, but he still went well over 100 yards. This weekend's match-up against Stanford will go along way to determining how serious of a candidate James really is
6. (Last Week: 9) Mark Ingram- After two weeks, I thought Ingram was very replaceable between Trent Richardson and Alabama's offensive line. I was absolutely wrong. Ingram was the main reason the Tide won last weekend and he has thrust himself back into the thick of this race.
5. (Last Week: 6) Andrew Luck- The Cardinal looked dominant at Notre Dame, but Luck's game was only average. He will remain a contender as long as Stanford does well, but he needs to cut down on his mistakes in victory. If he can lead his team to victory in Corvallis this weekend, he should jump up this list.
4. (Last Week: 5) Cameron Newton- Newton has developed a habit of starting slowly and then leading the Tigers' to huge comebacks. Ultimately, Newton's candidacy is tied to how long Auburn keeps winning and whether he can lead them to victory in Tuscaloosa.
3. (Last Week: 3) Denard Robinson- Robinson only played nine minutes last Saturday, but he still finished with well over 100 yards rushing. To move up this list, Robinson needs to stay healthy and the Wolverines need to keep winning.
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore- The tough part of the Broncos' schedule is over and Moore has firmly established himself as a Heisman contender. Now he needs to put up huge numbers every week against the soft part of Boise State's season.
1. (Last Week: 1) Terrell Pryor- Pryor was electric in the Buckeyes blowout win over Eastern Michigan. He had a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown and accounted for six scores overall. Pryor is firmly entrenched as the Heisman front runner.
Monday, September 27, 2010
My Top 25: Week 4
Saturday started with a lot of promise, but in the end very few upsets actually happened. The one notable exception is Texas. Even before this week, Texas had done nothing to deserve their Top 10 ranking. After an awful home loss versus a below average Pac-10 team in UCLA, the Longhorns have no business being in the Top 25. With their next two games being against Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout and then at Nebraska, things could get very ugly for the Longhorns. The only other Top 25 to drop out of the rankings was West Virginia, which lost 20-14 at LSU. The Mountaineers' loss leaves the Big East without a Top 25 team (the WAC and MWC each have 2). Michigan State and North Carolina State both entered the Top 25 after impressive wins. Stanford rose 5 spots into the Top 10 after a dominate win at Notre Dame. Their showdown versus Oregon in Corvallis will reveal a lot about this year's Pac-10 race. Auburn jumped 4 spots to #6 after rallying to beat a very strong South Carolina team. Arkansas, Oregon State, and South Carolina all remained ranked after losing because they all lost to Top 10 teams. Here is the Top 25 for week 4 (also vote in this week's poll):
25. (Last Week: NR) Michigan State (4-0)
24. (Last Week: NR) North Carolina State (4-0)
23. (Last Week: 21) Penn State (3-1)
22. (Last Week: 25) Florida State (3-1)
21. (Last Week: 23) Nevada (4-0)
20. (Last Week: 20) Miami (2-1)
19. (Last Week: 22) LSU (4-0)
18. (Last Week: 19) Iowa (3-1)
17. (Last Week: 18) Michigan (4-0)
16. (Last Week: 17) Florida (4-0)
15. (Last Week: 11) Oregon State (1-2)
14. (Last Week: 16) Wisconsin (4-0)
13. (Last Week: 9) South Carolina (3-1)
12. (Last Week: 15) Utah (4-0)
11. (Last Week: 14) Oregon (4-0)
10. (Last Week: 12) Arizona (4-0)
9. (Last Week: 6) Arkansas(3-1)
8. (Last Week: 13) Stanford (4-0)
7. (Last Week: 7) Oklahoma (4-0)
6. (Last Week: 10) Auburn (4-0)
5. (Last Week: 5) Nebraska (4-0)
4. (Last Week: 4) TCU (4-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Ohio State (4-0)
2. (Last Week: 2) Boise State (3-0)
1. (Last Week: 1) Alabama (4-0)
Dropped Out: Texas, West Virginia
25. (Last Week: NR) Michigan State (4-0)
24. (Last Week: NR) North Carolina State (4-0)
23. (Last Week: 21) Penn State (3-1)
22. (Last Week: 25) Florida State (3-1)
21. (Last Week: 23) Nevada (4-0)
20. (Last Week: 20) Miami (2-1)
19. (Last Week: 22) LSU (4-0)
18. (Last Week: 19) Iowa (3-1)
17. (Last Week: 18) Michigan (4-0)
16. (Last Week: 17) Florida (4-0)
15. (Last Week: 11) Oregon State (1-2)
14. (Last Week: 16) Wisconsin (4-0)
13. (Last Week: 9) South Carolina (3-1)
12. (Last Week: 15) Utah (4-0)
11. (Last Week: 14) Oregon (4-0)
10. (Last Week: 12) Arizona (4-0)
9. (Last Week: 6) Arkansas(3-1)
8. (Last Week: 13) Stanford (4-0)
7. (Last Week: 7) Oklahoma (4-0)
6. (Last Week: 10) Auburn (4-0)
5. (Last Week: 5) Nebraska (4-0)
4. (Last Week: 4) TCU (4-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Ohio State (4-0)
2. (Last Week: 2) Boise State (3-0)
1. (Last Week: 1) Alabama (4-0)
Dropped Out: Texas, West Virginia
Thursday, September 23, 2010
College Football Pick-Em: Week 4
Last week's pick went pretty well, expect for the upset special. This week features some huge SEC games and an important home stand for Boise State (your 2010 BCS National Champions). Here are the picks for Week 3:
Wake Forest at Florida State-These two teams had opposite showings last week. The Seminoles bounced back from their loss in Norman with a strong victory over BYU. The Deamon Deacons were utterly dominated by Stanford and have yet to show any ability to stop a good offense. The Noles have a great offense and should be able to win this game easily. Florida State 37, Wake Forest 21
North Carolina State at Georgia Tech- The Wolfpack have looked very strong this year and should make a real game out of this one. Russell Wilson is an excellent quarterback and has yet to throw an interception. However, the Yellow Jackets are still trying to forget their loss at Kansas and Paul Johnson will not allow another slip-up against an inferior opponent, especially one in-conference. Joshua Nesbitt and Anthony Allen finally got the option running properly last week against North Carolina and they should continue their stellar play this week. Plus, the game is a white-out and Bobby Dodd Stadium should be rocking. Georgia Tech 27, North Carolina State 21
South Carolina at Auburn-This SEC showdown will be a match-up of strength versus strength. The Tigers have the SEC's #1 rushing offense and the Gamecocks have the SEC's #1 rushing defense. The key to the game for the Tigers will be whether Cam Newton can break free and run on the Gamecocks. On the flip side, South Carolina will need to feed freshman phenom Marcus Lattimore the ball as much as they did in their win against Georgia (37 carries). I like both of these teams and have gone back and forth on this pick more than a few times. Ultimately, the winner will be whichever team's Heisman candidate produces more, Cam Newton or Marcus Lattimore. Auburn 19, South Carolina 16
Oregon State at Boise State- None one in the country scheduled a more difficult early season out-of-conference schedule than the Beavers. They opened the year against TCU in Jerryworld and now they travel to Boise to play the Broncos on the Smurf Turf. I really like Oregon State and think they will win the Pac-10, but they just aren't as good as TCU or Boise State. The Rodgers' brothers will get their yards, but the Broncos will win the game. They know this is their last, best chance to show the voters they are worthy of a national title shot. Plus, Boise State simply doesn't lose at home. Since 1999, the Broncos are 71-2 at home! Boise State 36, Oregon State 24
Upset Special: Alabama at Arkansas- The Tide have looked outstanding thus far and they will certainly be the more talented team in Fayetteville. Their defense is suffocating and their running game appears unstoppable. However, the Razorbacks have a secret weapon the Tide can't counter, Ryan Mallet. Mallet is arguably the best quarterback in the country and he should still be able to sling it against Alabama. The Crimson Tide have shut down many different types of offenses since their return to dominance but they haven't played a great stand-in-the-pocket-and-throw-it-down-your-throat team like Arkansas. Alabama's secondary is very young and will be tested heavily. This is the biggest home game in Fayetteville in at least 5 years. The crowd will be rowdy and the team will be excited. It will take some 4th quarter heroics by Mallet, but Arkansas will pull the upset. Arkansas 29, Alabama 27
Week 3 Record: 4-1
Overall Record: 12-3
Wake Forest at Florida State-These two teams had opposite showings last week. The Seminoles bounced back from their loss in Norman with a strong victory over BYU. The Deamon Deacons were utterly dominated by Stanford and have yet to show any ability to stop a good offense. The Noles have a great offense and should be able to win this game easily. Florida State 37, Wake Forest 21
North Carolina State at Georgia Tech- The Wolfpack have looked very strong this year and should make a real game out of this one. Russell Wilson is an excellent quarterback and has yet to throw an interception. However, the Yellow Jackets are still trying to forget their loss at Kansas and Paul Johnson will not allow another slip-up against an inferior opponent, especially one in-conference. Joshua Nesbitt and Anthony Allen finally got the option running properly last week against North Carolina and they should continue their stellar play this week. Plus, the game is a white-out and Bobby Dodd Stadium should be rocking. Georgia Tech 27, North Carolina State 21
South Carolina at Auburn-This SEC showdown will be a match-up of strength versus strength. The Tigers have the SEC's #1 rushing offense and the Gamecocks have the SEC's #1 rushing defense. The key to the game for the Tigers will be whether Cam Newton can break free and run on the Gamecocks. On the flip side, South Carolina will need to feed freshman phenom Marcus Lattimore the ball as much as they did in their win against Georgia (37 carries). I like both of these teams and have gone back and forth on this pick more than a few times. Ultimately, the winner will be whichever team's Heisman candidate produces more, Cam Newton or Marcus Lattimore. Auburn 19, South Carolina 16
Oregon State at Boise State- None one in the country scheduled a more difficult early season out-of-conference schedule than the Beavers. They opened the year against TCU in Jerryworld and now they travel to Boise to play the Broncos on the Smurf Turf. I really like Oregon State and think they will win the Pac-10, but they just aren't as good as TCU or Boise State. The Rodgers' brothers will get their yards, but the Broncos will win the game. They know this is their last, best chance to show the voters they are worthy of a national title shot. Plus, Boise State simply doesn't lose at home. Since 1999, the Broncos are 71-2 at home! Boise State 36, Oregon State 24
Upset Special: Alabama at Arkansas- The Tide have looked outstanding thus far and they will certainly be the more talented team in Fayetteville. Their defense is suffocating and their running game appears unstoppable. However, the Razorbacks have a secret weapon the Tide can't counter, Ryan Mallet. Mallet is arguably the best quarterback in the country and he should still be able to sling it against Alabama. The Crimson Tide have shut down many different types of offenses since their return to dominance but they haven't played a great stand-in-the-pocket-and-throw-it-down-your-throat team like Arkansas. Alabama's secondary is very young and will be tested heavily. This is the biggest home game in Fayetteville in at least 5 years. The crowd will be rowdy and the team will be excited. It will take some 4th quarter heroics by Mallet, but Arkansas will pull the upset. Arkansas 29, Alabama 27
Week 3 Record: 4-1
Overall Record: 12-3
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Watching the Heisman: Week 3
Here is the Watching the Heisman for week 3:
10. (Last Week: 10) Patrick Peterson- Peterson continued his stellar play with two interceptions against Mississippi State. Unfortunately for his candidacy, he is going to need to put up gaudy numbers every week to stay in the rankings.
9. (Last Week: 5) Cameron Newton- Newton had another up-and-down performance against Clemson but he did lead Auburn to a big 2nd half rally. Newton and the Tigers need to win against Auburn this weekend to maintain their high rankings.
8. (Last Week: 9) Mark Ingram- Ingram has really only played a half of football this year, but what a half it was. He rushed for 151 yards on just 9 carries against Duke. He probably can't repeat due to his early season injury, but the defending champion has made a statement that he is not to be forgotten.
7. (Last Week: 8) LaMichael James- For some reason I don't like the Oregon Ducks and have avoided giving them credit for as long as possible. However, it is impossible to ignore how explosive James has been so far this season. In 2 games this year, James has rushed 30 times for over 10 yards per carry.
6. (Last Week: 7) Andy Dalton- The Horned Frogs dominated Baylor and Dalton looked great in the victory. TCU's schedule is much easier from here on out and as long as they keep winning, Dalton will remain a Heisman contender.
5. (Last Week: 6) Andrew Luck- Luck played 8 possessions against Wake Forest and led the Cardinals to 8 touchdowns. That is as much as a quarterback can be asked to do. The Pac-10 race is incredibly tight and Luck has a chance to push himself into the upper echelon of quarterbacks with some wins.
4. (Last Week: 4) Ryan Mallet- Round 1 of the Razorbacks' murderer's row is complete and Mallet came out of Athens looking brilliant. If he can lead Arkansas to an upset of Alabama this weekend, Mallet will become the new front runner in the Heisman race.
3. (Last Week: 3) Denard Robinson- Robinson played the whole game last weekend due to Michigan's awful defense. However, this move actually enhanced his Heisman prospects because he gained over 350 yards of offense. Robinson needs a signature win over a better opponent than Notre Dame to really enhance his candidacy.
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore- Moore did exactly what he had to do by hanging huge numbers on Wyoming. This weekend game against Oregon State is Moore's best remaining chance to impress the voters against a quality opponent.
1. (Last Week: 1) Terrell Pryor- Pryor was unusually accurate against Ohio, breaking the Buckeyes consecutive completions record with 16. Ohio State is beginning the easiest part of its schedule and Pryor needs to pad his numbers against the inferior competition he was be facing.
10. (Last Week: 10) Patrick Peterson- Peterson continued his stellar play with two interceptions against Mississippi State. Unfortunately for his candidacy, he is going to need to put up gaudy numbers every week to stay in the rankings.
9. (Last Week: 5) Cameron Newton- Newton had another up-and-down performance against Clemson but he did lead Auburn to a big 2nd half rally. Newton and the Tigers need to win against Auburn this weekend to maintain their high rankings.
8. (Last Week: 9) Mark Ingram- Ingram has really only played a half of football this year, but what a half it was. He rushed for 151 yards on just 9 carries against Duke. He probably can't repeat due to his early season injury, but the defending champion has made a statement that he is not to be forgotten.
7. (Last Week: 8) LaMichael James- For some reason I don't like the Oregon Ducks and have avoided giving them credit for as long as possible. However, it is impossible to ignore how explosive James has been so far this season. In 2 games this year, James has rushed 30 times for over 10 yards per carry.
6. (Last Week: 7) Andy Dalton- The Horned Frogs dominated Baylor and Dalton looked great in the victory. TCU's schedule is much easier from here on out and as long as they keep winning, Dalton will remain a Heisman contender.
5. (Last Week: 6) Andrew Luck- Luck played 8 possessions against Wake Forest and led the Cardinals to 8 touchdowns. That is as much as a quarterback can be asked to do. The Pac-10 race is incredibly tight and Luck has a chance to push himself into the upper echelon of quarterbacks with some wins.
4. (Last Week: 4) Ryan Mallet- Round 1 of the Razorbacks' murderer's row is complete and Mallet came out of Athens looking brilliant. If he can lead Arkansas to an upset of Alabama this weekend, Mallet will become the new front runner in the Heisman race.
3. (Last Week: 3) Denard Robinson- Robinson played the whole game last weekend due to Michigan's awful defense. However, this move actually enhanced his Heisman prospects because he gained over 350 yards of offense. Robinson needs a signature win over a better opponent than Notre Dame to really enhance his candidacy.
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore- Moore did exactly what he had to do by hanging huge numbers on Wyoming. This weekend game against Oregon State is Moore's best remaining chance to impress the voters against a quality opponent.
1. (Last Week: 1) Terrell Pryor- Pryor was unusually accurate against Ohio, breaking the Buckeyes consecutive completions record with 16. Ohio State is beginning the easiest part of its schedule and Pryor needs to pad his numbers against the inferior competition he was be facing.
Monday, September 20, 2010
My Top 25: Week 3
There wasn't too much movement in the Top 25 this week because there were just a couple match-ups between top teams. However, there were a few big risers in the poll this week. This biggest jump belonged to Arizona who pulled off a huge win over Iowa. The Wildcats seem to be very real contenders for the Pac-10 title. Bunched between 11 and 14 are the Wildcats and their fellow Pac-10 contenders: Oregon State, Stanford, and Oregon. Houston and California fell out of the Top 25 based on their losses. Nevada entered the poll at #23 with their dominate win over California. And Florida State jumped back in to the rankings because of their strong victory over BYU. The 'Noles should be able to prove that their loss at Oklahoma was a one week apparition. Their wasn't much movement in the Top 10 because everyone but Iowa had a strong win. Without further ado, here is the Top 25 for Week 3:
25. (Last Week: NR) Florida State (2-1)
24. (Last Week: 24) West Virginia (3-0)
23. (Last Week: NR) Nevada (3-0)
22. (Last Week: 22) LSU (3-0)
21. (Last Week: 20) Penn State (2-1)
20. (Last Week: 19) Miami (1-1)
19. (Last Week: 9) Iowa (2-1)
18. (Last Week: 18) Michigan (3-0)
17. (Last Week: 16) Florida (3-0)
16. (Last Week: 13) Wisconsin (3-0)
15. (Last Week: 14) Utah (3-0)
14. (Last Week: 15) Oregon (3-0)
13. (Last Week: 17) Stanford (3-0)
12. (Last Week: 23) Arizona (3-0)
11. (Last Week: 11) Oregon State (1-1)
10. (Last Week: 10) Auburn (3-0)
9. (Last Week: 12) South Carolina (3-0)
8. (Last Week: 5) Texas (3-0)
7. (Last Week: 8) Oklahoma (3-0)
6. (Last Week: 7) Arkansas(3-0)
5. (Last Week: 5) Nebraska (3-0)
4. (Last Week: 4) TCU (3-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Ohio State (3-0)
2. (Last Week: 2) Boise State (2-0)
1. (Last Week: 1) Alabama (3-0)
Dropped Out: Houston, California
25. (Last Week: NR) Florida State (2-1)
24. (Last Week: 24) West Virginia (3-0)
23. (Last Week: NR) Nevada (3-0)
22. (Last Week: 22) LSU (3-0)
21. (Last Week: 20) Penn State (2-1)
20. (Last Week: 19) Miami (1-1)
19. (Last Week: 9) Iowa (2-1)
18. (Last Week: 18) Michigan (3-0)
17. (Last Week: 16) Florida (3-0)
16. (Last Week: 13) Wisconsin (3-0)
15. (Last Week: 14) Utah (3-0)
14. (Last Week: 15) Oregon (3-0)
13. (Last Week: 17) Stanford (3-0)
12. (Last Week: 23) Arizona (3-0)
11. (Last Week: 11) Oregon State (1-1)
10. (Last Week: 10) Auburn (3-0)
9. (Last Week: 12) South Carolina (3-0)
8. (Last Week: 5) Texas (3-0)
7. (Last Week: 8) Oklahoma (3-0)
6. (Last Week: 7) Arkansas(3-0)
5. (Last Week: 5) Nebraska (3-0)
4. (Last Week: 4) TCU (3-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Ohio State (3-0)
2. (Last Week: 2) Boise State (2-0)
1. (Last Week: 1) Alabama (3-0)
Dropped Out: Houston, California
Friday, September 17, 2010
College Football Pick-Em: Week 3
Unfortunately, I am leaving for the weekend so I have to pump this out really quickly. This week there will be no analysis, just picks. And here they are:
Arkansas at Georgia- Arkansas 29, Georgia 14
Georgia Tech at North Carolina- Georgia Tech 33, North Carolina 24
BYU at Florida State- Florida State 41, BYU 23
Clemson at Auburn- Auburn 31, Clemson 24
Upset Special: Maryland at West Virginia- Maryland 34, West Virginia 32
Week 2 Record: 3-2
Overall Record: 8-2
Arkansas at Georgia- Arkansas 29, Georgia 14
Georgia Tech at North Carolina- Georgia Tech 33, North Carolina 24
BYU at Florida State- Florida State 41, BYU 23
Clemson at Auburn- Auburn 31, Clemson 24
Upset Special: Maryland at West Virginia- Maryland 34, West Virginia 32
Week 2 Record: 3-2
Overall Record: 8-2
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Watching the Heisman: Week 2
Here is the Watching the Heisman for week 2:
10. (Last Week: 9) Patrick Patterson- Patterson led the way as LSU suffucated the Vanderbilt passing attack. He will need gaudier return statistics in order to remain a Heisman candidate.
9. (Last Week: NR) Marcus Lattimore- Lattimore is the first freshman on the board after his dominant performance against Georgia this weekend. He is already being hailed as the second coming of Adrian Peterson.
8. (Last Week: NR) Landry Jones- Jones helped himself tremendously with the Sooners' dominating win over Florida State last weekend. He played almost perfect and should have a very strong season.
7. (Last Week: 7) Andy Dalton- Dalton padded his stats in the Horned Frogs' 62-7 beat down of Tennessee Tech. As long as TCU keeps winning, Dalton will remain a serious Heisman candidate.
6. (Last Week: 6) Andrew Luck- Luck led his Cardinals to a blowout victory over UCLA in Los Angeles. If he continues at his torrid pace, he could be moving up this list in a couple weeks.
5. (Last Week: 5) Cameron Newton- Newton got his first big victory last Thursday in Starksville. Right now, Cam is the entire Auburn offense and is accumulating great stats for his campaign.
4. (Last Week: 4) Ryan Mallet- Mallet has racked up great numbers against inferior competition so far. This week's game at Georgia will reveal a lot about how the rest of Mallet's season will go.
3. (Last Week: NR) Denard Robinson- Last week I didn't want to rank Robinson. This week I'm worried I am ranking him too low. Robinson has stormed onto the scene and currently leads the nation in rushing.
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore- Moore didn't play last week and remains just behind Pryor in the race. After VT's loss, Moore's game against Oregon State in two weeks is crucial to his candidacy.
1. (Last Week: 1) Terrell Pryor- Pryor's numbers weren't fantastic but he led a strong win against a top-20 team. Marquee wins are the backbone of a Heisman campaign.
10. (Last Week: 9) Patrick Patterson- Patterson led the way as LSU suffucated the Vanderbilt passing attack. He will need gaudier return statistics in order to remain a Heisman candidate.
9. (Last Week: NR) Marcus Lattimore- Lattimore is the first freshman on the board after his dominant performance against Georgia this weekend. He is already being hailed as the second coming of Adrian Peterson.
8. (Last Week: NR) Landry Jones- Jones helped himself tremendously with the Sooners' dominating win over Florida State last weekend. He played almost perfect and should have a very strong season.
7. (Last Week: 7) Andy Dalton- Dalton padded his stats in the Horned Frogs' 62-7 beat down of Tennessee Tech. As long as TCU keeps winning, Dalton will remain a serious Heisman candidate.
6. (Last Week: 6) Andrew Luck- Luck led his Cardinals to a blowout victory over UCLA in Los Angeles. If he continues at his torrid pace, he could be moving up this list in a couple weeks.
5. (Last Week: 5) Cameron Newton- Newton got his first big victory last Thursday in Starksville. Right now, Cam is the entire Auburn offense and is accumulating great stats for his campaign.
4. (Last Week: 4) Ryan Mallet- Mallet has racked up great numbers against inferior competition so far. This week's game at Georgia will reveal a lot about how the rest of Mallet's season will go.
3. (Last Week: NR) Denard Robinson- Last week I didn't want to rank Robinson. This week I'm worried I am ranking him too low. Robinson has stormed onto the scene and currently leads the nation in rushing.
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore- Moore didn't play last week and remains just behind Pryor in the race. After VT's loss, Moore's game against Oregon State in two weeks is crucial to his candidacy.
1. (Last Week: 1) Terrell Pryor- Pryor's numbers weren't fantastic but he led a strong win against a top-20 team. Marquee wins are the backbone of a Heisman campaign.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
My Top 25: Week 2
Rather than write about each individual team, I am going to move to a system where I talk about the big movers of the week, both up and down.
Four teams dropped out of the poll this week, three with embarrassing losses and the fourth (BYU) because #25 teams don't stay ranked when they lose. Florida State didn't look like anything close to a top team this past weekend against Oklahoma and doesn't deserve to be ranked. The Noles will inevitably be back because they didn't play near their potential and are still the class of the ACC, but right now they must be unranked. The story is basically the same for Georgia Tech, who suffered a close loss to a bad Kansas team. Virginia Tech looked awful against James Madison, but I attribute their miserable play to a lack of recovery from the Boise State loss. The Hokies will probably be back as well. The lone ranked ACC team is Miami, who suffered their own defeat against Ohio State this weekend. However, there is no shame in losing to the #2 team in the nation.
There were also four teams to enter the poll this week. California, Arizona, and LSU are all ranked based on their 2-0 records and wins against quality opponents. All 3 teams have upcoming games against ranked competition that will reveal if their spots in the Top 25 are deserved. I didn't want to rank Michigan after another quick start, but it is hard to ignore Denard Robinson's play. If the Wolverines keep playing the way they have, the Big Ten may have another title contender.
Finally, there were a couple big risers this week. Stanford jumped 5 spots on the strength of their dominating victory over UCLA in Los Angeles. Oregon jumped 7 spots by scoring 45 unanswered points on Tennessee in Neyland Stadium. And Oklahoma jumped 4 spots because of their annihilation of the Seminoles.
Here is this week's Top 25:
25.(Last Week: NR) California (2-0)
24. (Last Week: 21) West Virginia (2-0)
23. (Last Week: NR) Arizona (2-0)
22. (Last Week: NR) LSU (2-0)
21. (Last Week: 25) Houston (2-0)
20. (Last Week: 18) Penn State (1-1)
19. (Last Week: 15) Miami (1-1)
18. (Last Week: NR) Michigan (2-0)
17. (Last Week: 22) Stanford (2-0)
16. (Last Week: 14) Florida (2-0)
15. (Last Week: 24) Oregon (2-0)
14. (Last Week: 20) Utah (2-0)
13. (Last Week: 17) Wisconsin (2-0)
12. (Last Week: 19) South Carolina (2-0)
11. (Last Week: 14) Oregon State (0-1)
10. (Last Week: 11) Auburn (2-0)
9. (Last Week: 10) Iowa (2-0)
8. (Last Week: 12) Oklahoma (2-0)
7. (Last Week: 7) Arkansas(2-0)
6. (Last Week: 5) Texas (2-0)
5. (Last Week: 9) Nebraska (2-0)
4. (Last Week: 5) TCU (2-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Ohio State (2-0)
2. (Last Week: 2) Boise State (1-0)
1. (Last Week: 1) Alabama (2-0)
Dropped Out: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, BYU
Four teams dropped out of the poll this week, three with embarrassing losses and the fourth (BYU) because #25 teams don't stay ranked when they lose. Florida State didn't look like anything close to a top team this past weekend against Oklahoma and doesn't deserve to be ranked. The Noles will inevitably be back because they didn't play near their potential and are still the class of the ACC, but right now they must be unranked. The story is basically the same for Georgia Tech, who suffered a close loss to a bad Kansas team. Virginia Tech looked awful against James Madison, but I attribute their miserable play to a lack of recovery from the Boise State loss. The Hokies will probably be back as well. The lone ranked ACC team is Miami, who suffered their own defeat against Ohio State this weekend. However, there is no shame in losing to the #2 team in the nation.
There were also four teams to enter the poll this week. California, Arizona, and LSU are all ranked based on their 2-0 records and wins against quality opponents. All 3 teams have upcoming games against ranked competition that will reveal if their spots in the Top 25 are deserved. I didn't want to rank Michigan after another quick start, but it is hard to ignore Denard Robinson's play. If the Wolverines keep playing the way they have, the Big Ten may have another title contender.
Finally, there were a couple big risers this week. Stanford jumped 5 spots on the strength of their dominating victory over UCLA in Los Angeles. Oregon jumped 7 spots by scoring 45 unanswered points on Tennessee in Neyland Stadium. And Oklahoma jumped 4 spots because of their annihilation of the Seminoles.
Here is this week's Top 25:
25.(Last Week: NR) California (2-0)
24. (Last Week: 21) West Virginia (2-0)
23. (Last Week: NR) Arizona (2-0)
22. (Last Week: NR) LSU (2-0)
21. (Last Week: 25) Houston (2-0)
20. (Last Week: 18) Penn State (1-1)
19. (Last Week: 15) Miami (1-1)
18. (Last Week: NR) Michigan (2-0)
17. (Last Week: 22) Stanford (2-0)
16. (Last Week: 14) Florida (2-0)
15. (Last Week: 24) Oregon (2-0)
14. (Last Week: 20) Utah (2-0)
13. (Last Week: 17) Wisconsin (2-0)
12. (Last Week: 19) South Carolina (2-0)
11. (Last Week: 14) Oregon State (0-1)
10. (Last Week: 11) Auburn (2-0)
9. (Last Week: 10) Iowa (2-0)
8. (Last Week: 12) Oklahoma (2-0)
7. (Last Week: 7) Arkansas(2-0)
6. (Last Week: 5) Texas (2-0)
5. (Last Week: 9) Nebraska (2-0)
4. (Last Week: 5) TCU (2-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Ohio State (2-0)
2. (Last Week: 2) Boise State (1-0)
1. (Last Week: 1) Alabama (2-0)
Dropped Out: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, BYU
Friday, September 10, 2010
College Football Pick-Em: Week 2
Last week's picks could not have gone any better. I nailed all five of my picks and didn't do a terrible job on the spread. If you would like to pick alongside me, please include your picks in the comment section. If enough people get involved maybe we can make some sort of game out of it. Here are my picks for week 2:
Miami at Ohio State- As an ACC fan, I want to pick the U to go into the Horseshoe and win but I can't. There are two factors that separate these teams. The first is the superiority of the Buckeyes defensive line over the Hurricanes' offensive line. It doesn't matter how many playmakers the U has if Jacory Harris is spending his whole day on his back. The second factor is Terrell Pryor. Like Vince Young in 2005, Pryor is a dynamic talent that can't be stopped. Ohio State 28, Miami 21
Penn State at Alabama- What a great week for outstanding non-conference match-ups! The Nittany Lions have both components that lead to a road upset: a strong defense and a powerful running game. However, beating the defensing champions in Tusculoosa would be difficult even with a seasoned veteran quarterback. Throw in the fact that Penn State is starting a true freshman and it seems that the Tide will roll. Alabama 31, Penn State 17
Georgia Tech at Kansas- The Turner Gil era is Kansas has gotten of to a rough start. Last week the Jayhawks were embarrassed in a 6-3 loss to North Dakota State and this week the Yellow Jacket's powerful triple options runs in to town. The Jackets rushing attack is powerful enough to put this game away early. Hopefully, Paul Johnson will take some time to work out the kinks in their anemic passing attack before the conference schedule begins. Kansas will play much better than they did last week, but it won't be nearly enough. Georgia Tech 38, Kansas 17
Upset Special I: Georgia at South Carolina- This game is match-up between an overrated and an underrated team. Georgia has not done anything to warrant their ranking. Their biggest asset is an experienced offensive line. But a strong O-line means nothing when you are starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback. The Gamecocks are in a very different situation. This year is probably Steve Spurrier's last and he will go out on top. Carolina's talent has been greatly upgraded by Spurrier and in Steven Garcia, they finally have a strong, veteran quarterback. Games between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks are always close and this year will be no different. South Carolina 17, Georgia 14
Upset Special II: Florida State at Oklahoma- I have saved my greatest pick for last. Like the Bulldogs, Florida State has a very experienced O-line. Unlike the Bulldogs, FSU also has an elite quarterback in Christian Ponder. When you combine his talents with the terrible pass defense the Sooners showed against Utah State, it is obvious the Noles will score a lot of points. The Sooners will also get their points behind the running of DeMarco Murray, but it won't be enough to keep their 31-game home winning streak alive. The Noles are back! Florida State 34, Oklahoma 27
Week 1 Record: 5-0
Season Record: 5-0
Miami at Ohio State- As an ACC fan, I want to pick the U to go into the Horseshoe and win but I can't. There are two factors that separate these teams. The first is the superiority of the Buckeyes defensive line over the Hurricanes' offensive line. It doesn't matter how many playmakers the U has if Jacory Harris is spending his whole day on his back. The second factor is Terrell Pryor. Like Vince Young in 2005, Pryor is a dynamic talent that can't be stopped. Ohio State 28, Miami 21
Penn State at Alabama- What a great week for outstanding non-conference match-ups! The Nittany Lions have both components that lead to a road upset: a strong defense and a powerful running game. However, beating the defensing champions in Tusculoosa would be difficult even with a seasoned veteran quarterback. Throw in the fact that Penn State is starting a true freshman and it seems that the Tide will roll. Alabama 31, Penn State 17
Georgia Tech at Kansas- The Turner Gil era is Kansas has gotten of to a rough start. Last week the Jayhawks were embarrassed in a 6-3 loss to North Dakota State and this week the Yellow Jacket's powerful triple options runs in to town. The Jackets rushing attack is powerful enough to put this game away early. Hopefully, Paul Johnson will take some time to work out the kinks in their anemic passing attack before the conference schedule begins. Kansas will play much better than they did last week, but it won't be nearly enough. Georgia Tech 38, Kansas 17
Upset Special I: Georgia at South Carolina- This game is match-up between an overrated and an underrated team. Georgia has not done anything to warrant their ranking. Their biggest asset is an experienced offensive line. But a strong O-line means nothing when you are starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback. The Gamecocks are in a very different situation. This year is probably Steve Spurrier's last and he will go out on top. Carolina's talent has been greatly upgraded by Spurrier and in Steven Garcia, they finally have a strong, veteran quarterback. Games between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks are always close and this year will be no different. South Carolina 17, Georgia 14
Upset Special II: Florida State at Oklahoma- I have saved my greatest pick for last. Like the Bulldogs, Florida State has a very experienced O-line. Unlike the Bulldogs, FSU also has an elite quarterback in Christian Ponder. When you combine his talents with the terrible pass defense the Sooners showed against Utah State, it is obvious the Noles will score a lot of points. The Sooners will also get their points behind the running of DeMarco Murray, but it won't be enough to keep their 31-game home winning streak alive. The Noles are back! Florida State 34, Oklahoma 27
Week 1 Record: 5-0
Season Record: 5-0
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Watching the Heisman: Week 1
Week 1 is in the bag and here are the top 10 Heisman contenders:
10. (Last Week: 7) Mark Ingram- Ingram has did not play last week and has done nothing this season to warrant being on this list. However, he is the defending champion and must be considered a contender until he proves otherwise.
9. (Last Week: NR)Patrick Patterson- Patterson is this week's defensive contender for the award. Unlike Suh or Clayborn, Patterson is a more traditional candidate because he is a dynamic kick returner as well. Last week, he returned kicks for the first time since high school and had an 87-yard punt return touchdown.
8. (Last Week: NR) Tyrod Taylor- Taylor had the best all-around game of his career against the Broncos on Monday. The Hokies' huge comeback was largely his doing and his ability to scramble was what finally jump started VaTech's game. If Taylor can sustain his performance through the ACC season, both his and the Hokies' prospects will be much brighter.
7. (Last Week: HM) Andy Dalton- Dalton looked good but not great against Oregon State and will need better statistics if he wants to compete for the stiff-armed statue. However, he did lead his team to a signature win which is an important point to Heisman voters.
6. (Last Week: HM) Andrew Luck- Luck looked as strong as expected against Sacramento State. This week's game at UCLA kicks off a brutal two months that will make or break Stanford and Luck's seasons.
5. (Last Week: HM) Cameron Newton- Newton exceeded all expectations against Arkansas State. Unfortunately, the Tigers' schedule turns difficult very quickly. If he can lead them through the next three games (tonight at Mississippi State, vs. Clemson, and vs. South Carolina), Newton could emerge as another serious dual-threat contender.
4. (Last Week: 6) Ryan Mallet- Mallet feasted upon the FCS defense of Tennessee Tech. He has one more game to pad his stats before a brutal four game stretch (at Georgia, vs. Texas A&M, vs. Alabama, and at Auburn) that will make or break his year.
3. (Last Week: 4) Christian Ponder- Ponder was his usual accurate self against Samford. If he can lead the Noles to victory in Norman, his candidacy will receive a huge boost.
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore-Unlike many of the other candidates, Moore already has his signature win and signature moment wrapped up. Going forward he needs to keep his stats high and his team perfect to have a shot at being the first non-BCS conference winner in many years.
1. (Last Week: 1) Terrell Pryor- Pryor put up great numbers with his arm against Marshall, which should bode well with more difficult games down the road. This week's game versus Miami will go a long way towards deciding his Heisman potential.
10. (Last Week: 7) Mark Ingram- Ingram has did not play last week and has done nothing this season to warrant being on this list. However, he is the defending champion and must be considered a contender until he proves otherwise.
9. (Last Week: NR)Patrick Patterson- Patterson is this week's defensive contender for the award. Unlike Suh or Clayborn, Patterson is a more traditional candidate because he is a dynamic kick returner as well. Last week, he returned kicks for the first time since high school and had an 87-yard punt return touchdown.
8. (Last Week: NR) Tyrod Taylor- Taylor had the best all-around game of his career against the Broncos on Monday. The Hokies' huge comeback was largely his doing and his ability to scramble was what finally jump started VaTech's game. If Taylor can sustain his performance through the ACC season, both his and the Hokies' prospects will be much brighter.
7. (Last Week: HM) Andy Dalton- Dalton looked good but not great against Oregon State and will need better statistics if he wants to compete for the stiff-armed statue. However, he did lead his team to a signature win which is an important point to Heisman voters.
6. (Last Week: HM) Andrew Luck- Luck looked as strong as expected against Sacramento State. This week's game at UCLA kicks off a brutal two months that will make or break Stanford and Luck's seasons.
5. (Last Week: HM) Cameron Newton- Newton exceeded all expectations against Arkansas State. Unfortunately, the Tigers' schedule turns difficult very quickly. If he can lead them through the next three games (tonight at Mississippi State, vs. Clemson, and vs. South Carolina), Newton could emerge as another serious dual-threat contender.
4. (Last Week: 6) Ryan Mallet- Mallet feasted upon the FCS defense of Tennessee Tech. He has one more game to pad his stats before a brutal four game stretch (at Georgia, vs. Texas A&M, vs. Alabama, and at Auburn) that will make or break his year.
3. (Last Week: 4) Christian Ponder- Ponder was his usual accurate self against Samford. If he can lead the Noles to victory in Norman, his candidacy will receive a huge boost.
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore-Unlike many of the other candidates, Moore already has his signature win and signature moment wrapped up. Going forward he needs to keep his stats high and his team perfect to have a shot at being the first non-BCS conference winner in many years.
1. (Last Week: 1) Terrell Pryor- Pryor put up great numbers with his arm against Marshall, which should bode well with more difficult games down the road. This week's game versus Miami will go a long way towards deciding his Heisman potential.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My Top 25: Week 1
They did it. The Boise State Broncos have completed the first leg of their march to the National Title. I initially was going to rank Boise ahead of Alabama in honor of their victory and because I truly believe they are the best team in the nation. However, the Crimson Tide have done nothing to show they aren't the best team in the nation and until they do I will leave them at the top. That being said, here is my Top 25 for Week 1:
25. (Last Week: NR) BYU (1-0)- I didn't take BYU seriously coming into the season and I still don't think they will remain in the Top 25. However, the beat a good Washington team with one of the best players in the country so they deserve their moment among the ranked.
24. (Last Week: NR) Oregon (1-0)- I didn't want to rank the Ducks, but its impossible to ignore 72-0 without either Jeremiah Masoli or LeMichael James.
23. (Last Week: 25) Houston (1-0)- Houston showed once again they can outscore any team in the nation. I believe they will trip up at least once, but an undefeated Cougars team could make the BCS debate even more interesting.
22. (Last Week: 23) Stanford (1-0)- Andrew Luck was just as good as advertised in the Cardinal's first game post-Toby Gerhardt. They have a brutal schedule over the next five games (at UCLA, vs. Wake Forest, at Notre Dame, at Oregon, and vs. USC) that will go a long way to showing what kind of team this is.
21. (Last Week: 21) West Virginia (1-0)- The Mountaineers looked strong across the board against Coastal Carolina. With Connecticut, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh all losing, they are now the front runners in a wide open Big East.
20. (Last Week: NR) Utah (1-0)- The Utes showed Thursday that TCU and Boise State aren't the only BCS Busters in the nation. With a few more wins, they could seriously enter the conversation.
19. (Last Week: 20) South Carolina (1-0)- The Gamecocks look fantastic in their win last Thursday and can announce themselves as contenders with a win against Georgia this weekend.
18. (Last Week: 19) Penn State (1-0)- The Nittany Lions got by last week with their first freshman quarterback in the JoePa era. This week's visit to Tusculoosa should reveal a lot more about Penn State's prospects for the season.
17. (Last Week: 15) Wisconsin (1-0)- The Badgers looked solid in their opener, but they didn't prove themselves like some of the teams in front of them. The Badgers have a light schedule until games at Iowa and versus Ohio State in October.
16. (Last Week: 14) Florida (1-0)- The Gators drop a couple spots because of their extreme offensive struggles against Miami of Ohio. They better be careful this week because South Florida has the talent to pull off the upset.
15. (Last Week: 17) Miami (1-0)- I don't like the Hurricanes this year and hate to rate them this high. Jacory Harris should come down to Earth this weekend in the Horseshoe.
14. (Last Week: 12) Oregon State (0-1)- The Beavers only drop two spots because teams shouldn't be punished for losing tightly to a superior team. They looked strong against TCU and have a great shot at winning the Pac-10.
13. (Last Week: 13) Virginia Tech (0-1)- Like Oregon State, the Hokies shouldn't be punished for losing to a superior team. Tyrod Taylor had the best game of his career, but Boise State is simply the team of destiny. Still, the season looks very bright for Virginia Tech.
12. (Last Week: 11) Oklahoma (1-0)- The Sooners got pushed to the limit by Utah State. Yes, by Utah State! They better get their act together before the Seminoles come to Norman this weekend.
11. (Last Week: 18) Auburn (1-0)- Auburn jumps because Cameron Newton looked FANTASTIC. I am very excited to see what he will do against an SEC defense.
10. (Last Week: 10) Iowa (1-0)- The Hawkeyes took care of Eastern Illinois easily. Their next two games should reveal a lot about this team before they begin their Big 10 schedule. They host in-state rival Iowa State at home and then go on the road at Arizona.
9. (Last Week: 9) Nebraska (1-0)-The Cornhuskers' freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez looked explosive against Western Kentucky. If he can give them an offense to match their defense, there are few teams in the nation that can hang with the Huskers.
8. (Last Week: 8) Georgia Tech (1-0)-The triple option looked good against South Carolina State but this offense has a long way to go before it hits full strength. Josh Nesbitt's passing looked awful to say the least.
7. (Last Week: 7) Arkansas(1-0)-The Razorback offense was as good as advertised against Tennessee Tech. And even though it should be taken with a couple grains of salt, the defense looked pretty good as well.
6. (Last Week: 5) Texas (1-0)-The Longhorns looked solid but not great against Rice. They need to get things fixed before the meat of the Big 12 schedule starts.
5. (Last Week: 6) TCU (1-0)-The Horned Frogs fulfilled all expectations in Jerryworld. They beat an excellent Beavers' squad and have a good shot at going undefeated.
4. (Last Week: 4) Florida State (1-0)-Jimbo Fisher's debut couldn't have gone better and the Noles offense looked as strong as expected against Samford. Their improved defense will get a much bigger test in Norman against the Sooners this weekend.
3. (Last Week: 3) Ohio State (1-0)-The Buckeyes continued their wide-open play against Marshall. This week's game versus the Hurricanes will go a long way to showing what kind of season they will have in Columbus.
2. (Last Week: 2) Boise State (1-0)-Last night, Boise showed they are a complete team. They jumped out to a huge lead in a hostile environment, blew that lead, and then went blow for blow with the Hokies. Kellen Moore was unflappable on their fourth quarter drive and the Broncos looked strong in all facets of the game. To quote a sign at the game last night, "The road to AZ [began] in DC."
1. (Last Week: 1) Alabama (1-0)- The Tide rolled without Mark Ingram. They look great right now and should be able to handle Penn State this week.
Dropped Out: Cincinnati, Mississippi, Pitt
25. (Last Week: NR) BYU (1-0)- I didn't take BYU seriously coming into the season and I still don't think they will remain in the Top 25. However, the beat a good Washington team with one of the best players in the country so they deserve their moment among the ranked.
24. (Last Week: NR) Oregon (1-0)- I didn't want to rank the Ducks, but its impossible to ignore 72-0 without either Jeremiah Masoli or LeMichael James.
23. (Last Week: 25) Houston (1-0)- Houston showed once again they can outscore any team in the nation. I believe they will trip up at least once, but an undefeated Cougars team could make the BCS debate even more interesting.
22. (Last Week: 23) Stanford (1-0)- Andrew Luck was just as good as advertised in the Cardinal's first game post-Toby Gerhardt. They have a brutal schedule over the next five games (at UCLA, vs. Wake Forest, at Notre Dame, at Oregon, and vs. USC) that will go a long way to showing what kind of team this is.
21. (Last Week: 21) West Virginia (1-0)- The Mountaineers looked strong across the board against Coastal Carolina. With Connecticut, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh all losing, they are now the front runners in a wide open Big East.
20. (Last Week: NR) Utah (1-0)- The Utes showed Thursday that TCU and Boise State aren't the only BCS Busters in the nation. With a few more wins, they could seriously enter the conversation.
19. (Last Week: 20) South Carolina (1-0)- The Gamecocks look fantastic in their win last Thursday and can announce themselves as contenders with a win against Georgia this weekend.
18. (Last Week: 19) Penn State (1-0)- The Nittany Lions got by last week with their first freshman quarterback in the JoePa era. This week's visit to Tusculoosa should reveal a lot more about Penn State's prospects for the season.
17. (Last Week: 15) Wisconsin (1-0)- The Badgers looked solid in their opener, but they didn't prove themselves like some of the teams in front of them. The Badgers have a light schedule until games at Iowa and versus Ohio State in October.
16. (Last Week: 14) Florida (1-0)- The Gators drop a couple spots because of their extreme offensive struggles against Miami of Ohio. They better be careful this week because South Florida has the talent to pull off the upset.
15. (Last Week: 17) Miami (1-0)- I don't like the Hurricanes this year and hate to rate them this high. Jacory Harris should come down to Earth this weekend in the Horseshoe.
14. (Last Week: 12) Oregon State (0-1)- The Beavers only drop two spots because teams shouldn't be punished for losing tightly to a superior team. They looked strong against TCU and have a great shot at winning the Pac-10.
13. (Last Week: 13) Virginia Tech (0-1)- Like Oregon State, the Hokies shouldn't be punished for losing to a superior team. Tyrod Taylor had the best game of his career, but Boise State is simply the team of destiny. Still, the season looks very bright for Virginia Tech.
12. (Last Week: 11) Oklahoma (1-0)- The Sooners got pushed to the limit by Utah State. Yes, by Utah State! They better get their act together before the Seminoles come to Norman this weekend.
11. (Last Week: 18) Auburn (1-0)- Auburn jumps because Cameron Newton looked FANTASTIC. I am very excited to see what he will do against an SEC defense.
10. (Last Week: 10) Iowa (1-0)- The Hawkeyes took care of Eastern Illinois easily. Their next two games should reveal a lot about this team before they begin their Big 10 schedule. They host in-state rival Iowa State at home and then go on the road at Arizona.
9. (Last Week: 9) Nebraska (1-0)-The Cornhuskers' freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez looked explosive against Western Kentucky. If he can give them an offense to match their defense, there are few teams in the nation that can hang with the Huskers.
8. (Last Week: 8) Georgia Tech (1-0)-The triple option looked good against South Carolina State but this offense has a long way to go before it hits full strength. Josh Nesbitt's passing looked awful to say the least.
7. (Last Week: 7) Arkansas(1-0)-The Razorback offense was as good as advertised against Tennessee Tech. And even though it should be taken with a couple grains of salt, the defense looked pretty good as well.
6. (Last Week: 5) Texas (1-0)-The Longhorns looked solid but not great against Rice. They need to get things fixed before the meat of the Big 12 schedule starts.
5. (Last Week: 6) TCU (1-0)-The Horned Frogs fulfilled all expectations in Jerryworld. They beat an excellent Beavers' squad and have a good shot at going undefeated.
4. (Last Week: 4) Florida State (1-0)-Jimbo Fisher's debut couldn't have gone better and the Noles offense looked as strong as expected against Samford. Their improved defense will get a much bigger test in Norman against the Sooners this weekend.
3. (Last Week: 3) Ohio State (1-0)-The Buckeyes continued their wide-open play against Marshall. This week's game versus the Hurricanes will go a long way to showing what kind of season they will have in Columbus.
2. (Last Week: 2) Boise State (1-0)-Last night, Boise showed they are a complete team. They jumped out to a huge lead in a hostile environment, blew that lead, and then went blow for blow with the Hokies. Kellen Moore was unflappable on their fourth quarter drive and the Broncos looked strong in all facets of the game. To quote a sign at the game last night, "The road to AZ [began] in DC."
1. (Last Week: 1) Alabama (1-0)- The Tide rolled without Mark Ingram. They look great right now and should be able to handle Penn State this week.
Dropped Out: Cincinnati, Mississippi, Pitt
Friday, September 3, 2010
College Football Bowl Predictions
In order to celebrate tonight's college football kick-off, here are my bowl projections.
A few notes before they begin:
- A bowl is not obligated to pick the remaining team with best record. So, with the 2nd pick in the SEC, the Capital One Bowl doesn't have to pick the team with the 2nd best record. Rather, they get the 2nd choice of any bowl eligible SEC teams.
- USC is not listed because they are ineligible to play in the postseason.
The BCS:
1/10- BCS National Title Game: Boise State vs. Ohio State
1/4- Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Oklahoma
1/3- Rose Bowl: TCU vs. Oregon State
1/1- Sugar Bowl: Arkansas vs. Georgia Tech
1/1- Fiesta Bowl: Nebraska vs. Pittsburgh
The Other Big Bowl Games:
1/1- Capital One Bowl: Auburn vs. Iowa
1/7- Cotton Bowl: Alabama vs. Texas
1/1- Gator Bowl: LSU vs. Penn State
1/1- Outback Bowl: Florida vs. Wisconsin
12/31- Chick-fil-A Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina
12/30- Holiday Bowl: Washington vs. Missouri
12/29- Alamo Bowl: Stanford vs. Texas A&M
Everything Else:
1/9- Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: UCLA vs. Fresno State
1/8- Birmingham Bowl: South Florida vs. Ole Miss
1/6- GMAC Bowl: Troy vs. Northern Illinois
1/1- Dallas Classic: Illinois vs. Notre Dame
12/31- Sun Bowl: Clemson vs. Oregon
12/31- Meineke Car Care Bowl: Boston College vs. West Virginia
12/31- Liberty Bowl: Kentucky vs. Houston
12/30- Music City Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Georgia
12/30- Pinstripe Bowl: Baylor vs. Connecticut
12/30- Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force vs. SMU
12/29- Texas Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Minnesota
12/28- Insight Bowl: Kansas State vs. Northwestern
12/28- Champs Sports Bowl: Miami vs. Cincinnati
12/27- Independence Bowl: North Carolina vs. Temple
12/26- Little Caesar's Bowl: Ohio vs. Purdue
12/24- Hawaii Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Southern Miss
12/22- MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona vs. Utah
12/23- Poinsettia Bowl: Navy vs. BYU
12/21- Beef O'Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl: Rutgers vs. UCF
12/18- New Orleans Bowl: Middle Tennessee State vs. Marshall
12/18- Humanitarian Bowl: Nevada vs. Central Michigan
12/18- New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs. Florida Atlantic
A few notes before they begin:
- A bowl is not obligated to pick the remaining team with best record. So, with the 2nd pick in the SEC, the Capital One Bowl doesn't have to pick the team with the 2nd best record. Rather, they get the 2nd choice of any bowl eligible SEC teams.
- USC is not listed because they are ineligible to play in the postseason.
The BCS:
1/10- BCS National Title Game: Boise State vs. Ohio State
1/4- Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Oklahoma
1/3- Rose Bowl: TCU vs. Oregon State
1/1- Sugar Bowl: Arkansas vs. Georgia Tech
1/1- Fiesta Bowl: Nebraska vs. Pittsburgh
The Other Big Bowl Games:
1/1- Capital One Bowl: Auburn vs. Iowa
1/7- Cotton Bowl: Alabama vs. Texas
1/1- Gator Bowl: LSU vs. Penn State
1/1- Outback Bowl: Florida vs. Wisconsin
12/31- Chick-fil-A Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina
12/30- Holiday Bowl: Washington vs. Missouri
12/29- Alamo Bowl: Stanford vs. Texas A&M
Everything Else:
1/9- Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: UCLA vs. Fresno State
1/8- Birmingham Bowl: South Florida vs. Ole Miss
1/6- GMAC Bowl: Troy vs. Northern Illinois
1/1- Dallas Classic: Illinois vs. Notre Dame
12/31- Sun Bowl: Clemson vs. Oregon
12/31- Meineke Car Care Bowl: Boston College vs. West Virginia
12/31- Liberty Bowl: Kentucky vs. Houston
12/30- Music City Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Georgia
12/30- Pinstripe Bowl: Baylor vs. Connecticut
12/30- Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force vs. SMU
12/29- Texas Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Minnesota
12/28- Insight Bowl: Kansas State vs. Northwestern
12/28- Champs Sports Bowl: Miami vs. Cincinnati
12/27- Independence Bowl: North Carolina vs. Temple
12/26- Little Caesar's Bowl: Ohio vs. Purdue
12/24- Hawaii Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Southern Miss
12/22- MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona vs. Utah
12/23- Poinsettia Bowl: Navy vs. BYU
12/21- Beef O'Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl: Rutgers vs. UCF
12/18- New Orleans Bowl: Middle Tennessee State vs. Marshall
12/18- Humanitarian Bowl: Nevada vs. Central Michigan
12/18- New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs. Florida Atlantic
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