My Top 25: Week 13

What a week!  Auburn's rally against Alabama is the stuff champions are made of.  And Nevada's upset of Boise State was one of the most excruciating and exciting games I 've ever watched.  Due to this outcome, Nevada rises all the way to #9 and Boise State drops to #10.  It pains me to drop Boise so low because I still believe they would beat any team in the nation on a neutral field.  However, we can only judge football teams based on the results on the field, so for at least one week, they must be lower than Nevada.  On a related note, congratulations to the WAC for having two Top 10 teams.  I had an extremely hard time trying to decide who to rank #1, Auburn or TCU. The Horned Frogs have won every game this season in impressive fashion and look the part of a #1 team.  However, Auburn's comeback on the road against the defending national champions was extremely impressive.  Currently, TCU rises to #1 and Auburn to #2.  However, if the Tigers win the SEC next week in Atlanta, they will replace TCU at the top heading into bowl season.


Elsewhere in the rankings, rivalry week caused some movement.  Alabama dropped all the way to #20 after blowing their lead against Auburn.  Florida State jumped to #17 on the strength of their blowout of Florida.  LSU and Oklahoma State both dropped due to losses to other Top 25 teams.  And North Carolina State and Iowa both fell from the Top 25 after being upset.  Replacing them are Hawaii and Northern Illinois.  Hawaii is 9-3 and gave new Top 10 team Nevada their only loss.  Northern Illinois is 10-2 and is riding an 8 game winning streak.  Here is this week's Top 25 (Be sure to vote in this week's poll about upsets):


25. (Last Week: 23) Arizona (7-4)
24. (Last Week: NR) Northern Illinois (10-2)
23. (Last Week: NR) Hawaii (9-3)
22. (Last Week: 24) Mississippi State (8-4)
21. (Last Week: 21) Utah (10-2)
20. (Last Week: 11) Alabama (9-3)
19. (Last Week: 19) Texas A&M (9-3)
18. (Last Week: 18) South Carolina (9-3)
17. (Last Week: 20) Florida State (9-3)
16. (Last Week: 10) Oklahoma State (10-2)
15. (Last Week: 16) Oklahoma (10-2)
14. (Last Week: 15) Missouri (10-2)

13. (Last Week: 14) Nebraska (10-2)
12. (Last Week: 7) LSU (10-2)
11. (Last Week: 13) Virginia Tech (10-2)
10. (Last Week: 12) Arkansas (10-2) 
9. (Last Week: 1) Boise State (10-1)
8. (Last Week:17) Nevada (11-1)
7. (Last Week: 9) Michigan State (11-1)

6. (Last Week: 8) Ohio State (11-1) 
5. (Last Week: 6) Wisconsin (11-1)
4. (Last Week: 5) Stanford (11-1) 
3. (Last Week: 4) Oregon (11-0)

2. (Last Week: 3) Auburn (12-0)
1. (Last Week: 2) TCU (12-0)

Dropped Out: Iowa, North Carolina State

College Football Pick-Em: Week 13

What an unbelievable comeback by Auburn!  Cam Newton was beyond unbelievable in this second half.  Here are the picks for Week 13:

Georgia Tech at Georgia- I've picked the Jackets every game this year so there is no reason to change now.  Tech will push their winning streak in Athens to two and deny the Bulldogs bowl eligibility.  Georgia Tech 35, Georgia 32

Florida at Florida State- One program is on the upswing and the other is fading.  The Seminoles will end their six game losing streak to the Gators.  Florida State 29, Florida 17

Boise State at Nevada- Nevada will play the Broncos closer than any team since at least Oregon State, but Boise's defense is the best in the nation.  Boise State 44, Nevada 29

South Carolina at Clemson- This game is remarkable similar to the Gamecocks' upset of the Tigers last year.  However, Marcus Lattimore is a game changing talent and he will make sure the Gamecocks come out on top heading into their showdown with Auburn.  South Carolina 28, Clemson 24

Upset Special: North Carolina State at Maryland- This pick is more hopeful than anything else, but if the Terrapins knock off the Wolfpack, Florida State will play for the ACC title.  Go Turtles!  Maryland 21, North Carolina State 17


Week 12 Record: 4-1
Overall Record: 39-21

My Top 25: Week 12

Here is my Top 25 for week 12:


25. (Last Week: 25) Iowa (7-4)
24. (Last Week: 24) Mississippi State (7-4)
23. (Last Week: 23) Arizona (7-3)
22. (Last Week: NR) North Carolina State (8-3)
21. (Last Week: NR) Utah (9-2)
20. (Last Week: 20) Florida State (8-3)
19. (Last Week: 19) Texas A&M (8-3)
18. (Last Week: 18) South Carolina (8-3)
17. (Last Week: 17) Nevada (10-1)
16. (Last Week: 16) Oklahoma (9-2)
15. (Last Week: 15) Missouri (9-2)

14. (Last Week: 10) Nebraska (9-2) 
13. (Last Week: 14) Virginia Tech (9-2)
12. (Last Week: 13) Arkansas (9-2)
11. (Last Week: 12) Alabama (9-2)
10. (Last Week: 11) Oklahoma State (10-1)
9. (Last Week: 9) Michigan State (10-1)

8. (Last Week: 8) Ohio State (10-1)
7. (Last Week: 7) LSU (10-1) 
6. (Last Week: 6) Wisconsin (10-1)
5. (Last Week: 5) Stanford (10-1)
4. (Last Week: 4) Oregon (10-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Auburn (11-0) 
2. (Last Week: 2) TCU (11-0) 
1. (Last Week: 1) Boise State (10-0)

Dropped Out: Northwestern, San Diego State

College Football Pick-Em: Week 12

Due to the lack of any change in the standings, there will not be a Heisman watch this week.  Basically, Cam Newton will win if he is eligible and someone less worthy will win if he isn't.


Last week, I had my best showing in a while, going 4-1.  The only game I missed on was Miami's domination of Georgia Tech.  There is no upset special this week because I expect the favorites to win in all of this week's big games.  Here are the picks for week 12:


Florida State at Maryland- Florida State 27, Maryland 21


Duke at Georgia Tech- Georgia Tech 34, Duke 18


Virginia Tech at Miami- Virginia Tech 21, Miami 18


Ohio State at Iowa-  Ohio State 26, Iowa 22


Nebraska at Texas A&M- Nebraska 32, Texas A&M 29


Week 11 Record: 4-1
Overall Record: 35-20

My Top 25: Week 11

Here is my Top 25 for Week 12:

25. (Last Week: 16) Iowa (7-3)
24. (Last Week: 18) Mississippi State (7-3)
23. (Last Week: 15) Arizona (7-3)
22. (Last Week: 24) San Diego State (7-3)
21. (Last Week: NR) Northwestern (7-3)
20. (Last Week: NR) Florida State (7-3)
19. (Last Week: NR) Texas A&M (7-3)
18. (Last Week: 22) South Carolina (7-3)
17. (Last Week: 21) Nevada (9-1)
16. (Last Week: 20) Oklahoma (8-2
15. (Last Week: 19) Missouri (8-2)
14. (Last Week: 17) Virginia Tech (8-2)
13. (Last Week: 14) Arkansas (8-2)
12. (Last Week: 13) Alabama (8-2)
11. (Last Week: 12) Oklahoma State (9-1)
10. (Last Week: 11) Nebraska (9-1) 
9. (Last Week: 9) Michigan State (9-1)

8. (Last Week: 8) Ohio State (9-1)
7. (Last Week: 7) LSU (9-1) 
6. (Last Week: 6) Wisconsin (9-1)
5. (Last Week: 5) Stanford (9-1)
4. (Last Week: 4) Oregon (10-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Auburn (11-0) 
2. (Last Week: 2) TCU (11-0) 
1. (Last Week: 1) Boise State (9-0)

Dropped Out: Utah, Florida, Kansas State

College Football Pick-Em: Week 11

Here are the picks for Week 11:

Clemson at Florida State- Florida State 34, Clemson 21

Miami at Georgia Tech- Georgia Tech 27, Miami 24

Mississippi State at Alabama- Alabama 17, Mississippi State 16

Virginia Tech at North Carolina- Virginia Tech 31, North Carolina 27

Upset Special: South Carolina at Florida- South Carolina 35, Florida 33


Week 8 Record: 1-4
Overall Record: 31-19

Watching the Heisman: Week 10

I am cutting the Watching the Heisman list down to five this week due to the season winding down and a generally lack of strong candidates.  Unfortunately, this year's race has taken a nasty turn and it seems that it will mostly be decided off of the field.  Overwhelming frontrunner Cam Newton has been accused of two separate transgressions that could affect his eligibility and the voters.  Last week, the story broke that the Newton family is under investigation for asking for money with regards to Cam's recruitment.  And early this morning, it is being reported that Cam left Florida after his freshman year because he was on the verge of being expelled due to three separate cases of cheating.  


The first accusation will ultimately have a much bigger impact on whether Cam Newton and Auburn's 2010 seasons are considered "eligible".  However, the investigation will not be completed for a long time, possibly several years from now.  Both the BCS National Championship Game and the Heisman vote should take place well before the Cam Newton investigation is completed.  Therefore, Cam should still be considered the overwhelming frontrunner for both.  The Heisman's voting standards state the voters are supposed to vote for "the most outstanding player in the nation."  It adds that "in order that there will be no misunderstanding regarding the eligibility of a candidate, the recipient of the award MUST be a bona fide student of an accredited college or university including the United States Academies. The recipients must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA student athlete."  Cam Newton has almost indisputably been the most outstanding player in the nation and as of right now, he is eligible. Therefore, based on the information we have now, he deserves the Heisman trophy.


As a Cam Newton fan, the second accusation is a lot more disappointing.  I am a realist about college football and I recognize that some, if not most, talented players received some sort of kickback/compensation for attending their current school.  However, as a current college student, it is upsetting to learn that one of my favorite players has shown a disregard for the academic process.  It is a strong reminder that athletes are neither role models nor heroes; they are just people like you and me.  However, Cam Newton's transgressions his freshman year at Florida have absolutely nothing to do with this year's Heisman race.  They don't affect his eligibility and they don't change the fact the he has been the nation's most outstanding player.


Here is this week's Watching the Heisman:

5. (Last Week: 7) Andy Dalton 

4. (Last Week: 3) LaMichael James

3. (Last Week: 4) Andrew Luck
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore
1. (Last Week: 1) Cameron Newton

My Top 25: Week 10

After 10 weeks, there a barely enough worthy teams to fill out a Top 25.  I almost left Florida State or North Carolina State ranked despite their losses because they both would beat Kansas State on a neutral field.  However, there is something fundamentally wrong about the #24 team losing to an unranked, undermanned squad and not dropping out of the Top 25.  San Diego State debuting in the rankings at #24 means that the Mountain West has three ranked teams, which is better than the ACC (which has one) or the Big East (which has none).  The WAC also has two ranked teams.  LSU jumped all the way to #7 because of their big win over Alabama.  LSU hasn't played like the #7 team for much of the season, but they have won all of their games but one in the toughest conference in America.  They will stay in the Top 10 until they lose.  Michigan State made a big jump, as promised, all the way to #9.  Like LSU, the Spartans don't also win pretty, but they do almost always win.  Here is this week's Top 25:


25. (Last Week: NR) Kansas State (6-3)
24. (Last Week: NR) San Diego State (7-2)
23. (Last Week: NR) Florida (6-3)
22. (Last Week: 14) South Carolina (6-3)
21. (Last Week: 25) Nevada (8-1)
20. (Last Week: 9) Oklahoma (7-2)
19. (Last Week: 13) Missouri (7-2)
18. (Last Week: 19) Mississippi State (7-2)
17. (Last Week: 18) Virginia Tech (7-2)
16. (Last Week: 17) Iowa (7-2)
15. (Last Week: 11) Arizona (7-2)
14. (Last Week: 15) Arkansas (7-2)
13. (Last Week: 8) Alabama (7-2)
12. (Last Week: 22) Oklahoma State (8-1)
11. (Last Week: 12) Nebraska (8-1) 
10. (Last Week: 5) Utah (8-1)
9. (Last Week: 21) Michigan State (9-1)

8. (Last Week: 10) Ohio State (8-1)
7. (Last Week: 16) LSU (8-1) 
6. (Last Week: 6) Wisconsin (8-1)
5. (Last Week: 7) Stanford (8-1)
4. (Last Week: 4) Oregon (9-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Auburn (10-0) 
2. (Last Week: 2) TCU (10-0) 
1. (Last Week: 1) Boise State (8-0)

Dropped Out: Florida State, North Carolina State, Baylor

College Football Pick-Em: Week 10

Last week's results were better but still not the 5-0 week I have been seeking.  FSU's choke job at NC State was especially painful to watch since it has happened before (Miracle on North Ave).  Here are the picks for Week 10:


TCU at Utah- It is a testament to how far college football really has come that a Mountain West conference game is also a showdown between two Top 5 teams.  The winner of this game will actually have the inside track to the National Championship Game, ahead of Boise State.  That is because they both own signature non-conference wins in addition to their domination of the MWC schedule.  TCU beat Oregon State 30-21 and Baylor 45-10.  Utah beat Pittsburgh 27-24 and Iowa State 68-27.  Both teams look very similar on paper.  Utah is third in the nation in scoring offense while TCU is tenth.  TCU is first in scoring defense while Utah in sixth.  However, Utah cannot match TCU's overwhelming athleticism and depth.  This game will be a classic, but the Horned Frogs will prevail.  TCU 28, Utah 27


Alabama at LSU- This game should truly reveal if Les Miles has sold his soul to the devil.  If he can luck his team to victory against a locked-in Alabama team, then maybe we should all stop mocking him for fear of ending up dead.  Alabama is a well-rounded team with a strong defense, a solid passing game, and a dominate running game.  LSU has a good defense, a gifted kick returner, a semblance of a running game, and zero passing game.  The Tigers are 113th in the nation is passing, out of only 120 teams.  Since this game is in Tiger Stadium, LSU does have a puncher's chance.  Unless Beelzebub has something to do with it.  Alabama 24, LSU 10


Arkansas at South Carolina- This game is one of the more difficult ones to pick this year.  Arkansas has been all but eliminated in the SEC West race and South Carolina will play Florida for the SEC East regardless of this week's outcome.  However, this matchup will go along way towards deciding the SEC's pecking order.  The winner will be perceived as an up-tier team while the loser will be a mid-tier team.  The Razorbacks matchup well with the Gamecocks.  Arkansas has the SEC's strongest passing attack while South Carolina has the conference's worst pass defense.  However, the Gamecocks have a strong pass rush and they should be able to get enough pressure on Ryan Mallet to contain him.  If they use Marcus Lattimore to control the clock and the game, they should be able to win.  South Carolina 34, Arkansas 32


North Carolina at Florida State- At the beginning of year, this game was picked out as one that could help decide both ACC divisions.  However, after the Tar Heels' suspensions, only the Seminoles still have a lot to lose.  By losing to NC State, FSU lost control of their own destiny in the Atlantic Division. However, if they win out and inconsistent NC State loses again, they will win the division.  The Tar Heels season has gone a very different way.  After playing extremely well the first month of the season, they seem to have lost their us-against-the-world mentality and have gotten worse as the season has gone along.  Last week, they needed 14 fourth quarter points in order to beat FCS team William and Mary.  If this game was in Chapel Hill, the Heels would have a shot.  In Tallahassee, they have none.  Florida State 34, North Carolina 21


Upset Special: Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech- Their is no real reason to pick the Yellow Jackets to win this game.  The weather is supposed to be awful, making the ball slippery and the triple option harder to run.  Virginia Tech is at home in one of the most difficult places to play in the country.  The Hokies are a team out for revenge after being upset in Atlanta last year.  And they are the hotter team after winning six straight, while Georgia Tech has had a very up and down season.  However, Paul Johnson is a master at getting his team ready for games like this one.  The triple option hasn't looked great this year except for brief stretches, but tonight in Blacksburg, it will all click.  Georgia Tech 27, Virginia Tech 24


Week 8 Record: 3-2
Overall Record: 30-15

Watching the Heisman: Week 9

Here is the Watching the Heisman for Week 9:

10. (Last Week: 9) Justin Blackom

9. (Last Week: 7) Taylor Martinez 

8. (Last Week: NR) Landry Jones

7. (Last Week: 6) Andy Dalton 

6. (Last Week: 8) Robert Griffin III 
5. (Last Week: 5) Terrell Pryor
4. (Last Week: 3) Andrew Luck
3. (Last Week: 4) LaMichael James
2. (Last Week: 2) Kellen Moore
1. (Last Week: 1) Cameron Newton

My Top 25: Week 9

The National Title race is beginning to clear up after both Michigan State and Missouri lost this past weekend.  These losses dropped the Spartans to #6 and the Tigers to #13.  They also propelled Nebraska up to #12 and Iowa up to #17.  Michigan State fell so far for two reasons.  First, I don't believe there is a team in front of them they could consistently beat.  That includes Wisconsin, who they did in fact beat early this year.  Second, Michigan feels a lot like LSU in that a lot of their wins don't feel deserved.  If the Spartans win out, they should rise quickly in the rankings as other teams continue to lose.  Both East Carolina and Miami fell out of the Top 25 after losing in games they should have won.  Nevada and North Carolina State both returned to the rankings after big wins last week.  Here are the rankings for Week 9 (also vote in this week's poll):

25. (Last Week: NR) Nevada (7-1)
24. (Last Week: 12) Florida State (6-2)
23. (Last Week: NR) North Carolina State (6-2)
22. (Last Week: 25) Oklahoma State (7-1)
21. (Last Week: 6) Michigan State (8-1)
20. (Last Week: 21) Baylor (7-2)
19. (Last Week: 20) Mississippi State (7-2)
18. (Last Week: 19) Virginia Tech (6-2)
17. (Last Week: 24) Iowa (6-2)
16. (Last Week: 18) LSU (7-1) 
15. (Last Week: 17) Arkansas (6-2)
14. (Last Week: 16) South Carolina (6-2)
13. (Last Week: 7) Missouri (7-1)
12. (Last Week: 15) Nebraska (7-1) 
11. (Last Week: 14) Arizona (7-1)
10. (Last Week: 13) Ohio State (8-1)
9. (Last Week:11) Oklahoma (7-1)

8. (Last Week: 10) Alabama (7-1)
7. (Last Week: 9) Stanford (7-1)
6. (Last Week: 8) Wisconsin (7-1)
5. (Last Week: 5) Utah (8-0)
4. (Last Week: 4) Oregon (8-0)
3. (Last Week: 3) Auburn (9-0) 
2. (Last Week: 2) TCU (9-0) 
1. (Last Week: 1) Boise State (7-0)

Dropped Out: East Carolina, Miami