We expect some strong opinions after the weekend saw the Longhorns fall victim to the gunslinger from Texas Tech. We also bumped Florida to #4 as we think they are the best of the one-loss bunch.
We're still not sure where Boise State and Utah truly belong but we're confident they aren't the 9th and 10th best teams in the country so where should they be?
Once again, a host of teams previously in the 16-25 slots got ran so the back half of the poll is another crap shoot. We're honestly tired of trying to evaluate that crop of teams as they are all mediocre in their own special way.
Anyway, same deal as always...Give us your thoughts so we can reshape the poll before submission of the final ballot on Wednesday.
 | |||
| 1 |  |
Bye week. Next up: Iowa |  1 |
| 2 |  |
'Bama blitzed Arkansas State 35-0 to record their first shutout since '95 in a tune up for next week's trip to LSU. Freshman RB Mark Ingram went over a hundo for the first time ever (113, 2TD) but JPW was a pedestrian 15/28 for 152 yards and a pick. | 1 |
| 3 |  |
We hadn't believed the hype - until now. Crabtree is a menace and Harrell can flat out sling the rock. He went 36/53 for 474 and 2 TD making a believer out of us. What we wouldn't give to see a big game effort like that in Columbus (ie: Beanie '07 Michigan). No rest for America's new darlings, however, with Oklahoma State up next. | 5 |
| 4 |  |
Tebow of Nazareth jumped back into the thick of the Heisman race with 5 TD (2 pass, 3 rush) in the Gators' 49-10 demolition of annual pretender Georgia. Tebow is now Florida's all time rushing TD leader with 39 (Emmitt 36). | 2 |
| 5 |  |
USC picked up their 3rd shoutout of the year with a 56-0 shank of Washington. CJ Gable paced the offense going 10/108 with 2 TD. Trojans have won 42 of last 43 at home. Next up: Cal. | -- |
| 6 |  |
A questionable defense finally caught up to the Longhorns. They allowed 31 first downs, 579 total yards and 474 yards passing in a 39-33 loss at Texas Tech. Even with the loss, Colt McCoy's Heisman hopes could still be in decent shape. He was sacked four times going 20/34 for 294 yards with 2 TD and a pick but still had Texas in position to win engineering an 11 play, 80 yard drive giving them a 33-32 lead with 1:29 to play. |  5 |
| 7 |  |
The Sooners took advantage of three 1st qtr turnovers building a 35-0 lead en route to a 62-28 spanking of once proud Nebraska. Oklahoma is now 59-2 at home under Stoops. They play A&M next week before with Texas Tech and @ Oklahoma State. Expect the D to get exposed in at least one loss out of the next three. | 3 |
| 8 |  |
Prepping for this week's showdown with Texas Tech, the Cowboys got 4 TD receptions from Dez Bryant in a 59-17 beating of Iowa State. It's the 5th time the Cowboys have scored at least 50 points this season. Dare to dream... | 1 |
| 9 |  |
Another wack opponent, another blowout for Boise State. The particulars: New Mexico State, 49-0. Boise is now 9-0 against these bums outscoring them 107-0 in last two games while scoring at least 40 points in eight of of the nine. Why do we have them ranked so high again? | 1 |
| 10 |  |
Utah barely squeaked by a then 4-5 New Mexico squad 13-10 at home. Time for a little poll correction. Brian Johnson picked up his 22nd win as the Utes starting QB, passing Alex Smith for most W's in school history. Next up: TCU. | 1 |
| 11 |  |
Bye week. Next up: @ Northwestern. | 2 |
| 12 |  |
Mizzou blew a 21-7 halftime lead but got a FG with 2:31 left to escape with an unimpressive 31-28 win over 3-6 Baylor. Chase Daniel was up and down going 30/38 for 318 with 3 TD and 2 INT. | -- |
| 13 |  |
The Horned Frogs moved to 9-1 with a 44-14 win over UNLV. TCU's strong defense prepped for Utah creating 3 TO while holding the Runnin' Rebels to 175 total yards, only 67 through the air. | 1 |
| 14 |  |
Another season, another collapse - at least Ohio State waits until the bowl season (depending on your preference, I guess). Matt Stafford threw 3 picks while Moreno fumbled and was held to 65 yards. The UGA defense has given up 90 points in their 2 losses. | 7 |
| 15 |  |
LSU went out of conference to gain some much needed confidence registering a 35-10 win over Tulane. The D held the Green Wave to 163 total yards while the LSU offense was paced by 114 yards rushing and 1 TD from Charles Scott. Unfortunately for LSU, QB Jarrett Lee is still crap. He went 8/20 for 99 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Next up: Alabama. | -- |
| 16 |  |
BYU needed a TD pass from Max Hall with :22 left to sneak past Colorado State 45-42 in Fort Collins. Seriously, why do we even rank teams past 15? Hall blew up for 5 TD and 389 yards passing helping BYU to 551 yards of offense. | -- |
| 17 |  |
Bye week. Next up: Northern Illinois | 1 |
| 18 |  |
Sparty slipped past Wisconsin 25-24 thanks to a 44 yard FG with :07 left capping a 12-0 4th qtr scoring run. Ringer was held to a season low 54 yards on 21 carries but WR Blair White blew up for 164 yards. MSU is 8-2 for 1st time since '99. Penalties: MSU 2/30, Wisc 12/121. | 3 |
| 19 |  |
Bye week. Next up: Georgia Tech | 3 |
| 20 |  |
The Yellow Jackets ate their vitamins and said their prayers as evidenced by Florida State RB Marcus Sims fumbling into the end zone with less than a minute left helping Ga Tech to a 31-28 win. The victory was Ga Tech's first over FSU since Archie was rockin' the 'fro (ie: 1975). | NR |
| 21 |  |
The Mountaineers rolled favored UConn 35-13 behind Pat White's combined 230 yards and 3 TD. WVU moved into sole possession of first place (3-0) in the Big Least and won their 5th straight. | NR |
| 22 |  |
The Mildcats got a pick six with :12 left to win at Minnesota 24-17. Northwestern is 7-2 for the first time since 2000. Backup QB Mike Kafka went off rushing for 217 yards and passing for another 143 (12/16, 2TD, 2INT). | NR |
| 23 |  |
Bye week. Next up: @ Va Tech. Fear the Turtle? I say embrace the turtle. | NR |
| 24 |  |
Cal moved to 6-2 with a 26-16 upset win over Oregon despite their 5 turnovers in a game played in crazy rain storm. The teams combined for 8 turnovers and 11/37 on 3rd down. | NR |
| 25 |  |
We're throwing Kansas a bone slotting them 25th after a 52-21 win over rival Kansas State. We don't know why - I think we just like morbidly obese coaches. | NR |
DROPPED OUT: Minnesota (#17), Florida State (#19), Tulsa (#20), Oregon (#23), Louisville (#24), South Florida (#25).
Comments
Continuing my quest: I'm still looking for a good reason to rank Texas anywhere but as the best of the one-loss teams. They beat the #7 and #8 teams on your ballot, and lost to #3 on the road, at night, at the last second. Florida beat #14 and #15 and lost at home to Ole Miss. USC beat #11 and lost to Oregon State. I'll agree with you if you say that Florida's playing better right now, but we can't just forget about that bad loss, can we?
Agree, Sean. I'd put Texas above UF and USC.
Also, don't know if I'd have PSU at the 1 spot.
Agreed sean, the old adage of lose early is in full play here. It needs to be changed to, lose to a crappy team at home or get blown out and we will keep you out of the top 5. Texas was 1 second away from winning and if the CB could tackle the game was in OT and I was awake for another hour.
Re: Texas...We definitely had a hard time deciding where to slot Florida, USC and Texas. I think we mainly put Texas down to #6 because of their continued inability to stop anyone from scoring. Plus, we think Florida is the best one loss team right now. I think we'd be open to moving Texas ahead of USC, in fact, we probably should've had it that way to start with but we'd have a more difficult time putting Texas over Florida just because we think Florida would win head to head and they both have one loss. What do you guys think?
No way should u punish Texas for that loss on the road more than Florida for a unranked loss at home.
My opinion is that PSU is getting royally screwed in the real polls. Yes, Texas Tech won an amazing game, but the Big xii couldn't find defense if they looked under "D" in the dictionary. Kind of pathetic in my eyes, but I was a force linebacker for 8 years.
State Penn basically holds our bowl fate in their hands. If they go to the MNC then we can book a trip to Pasadena. If they get screwed, or don't win out, we are looking at the Capital One Bowl against a very good SEC team in either Florida or 'Bama, possibly Georgia (god that would be nice)
Bucksfanxc,
It's not about punishment. It's about who we collectively think the best teams are. We are amenable to changing to reflect the opinions of both ourselves and the readers. Are you saying you think Texas is better than Florida or just that we shouldn't "punish" Texas?
BuckeyeSki - Penn State "getting screwed" is really irrelevant at this point. If Texas Tech loses, PSU will move into the top 2. If Texas Tech wins out, they will deserve the title game infinitely more than PSU. This week's poll doesn't mean a thing, it will work itself out soon.
For that reason, I have no real problem with any order of the top 3. Each team has some good wins under their belt. If I was "Power Polling", which I know 11W does, I couldn't put PSU 1st. I don't think they could have won in Lubbock on Saturday.
I understand that 11W 'power polls' as Expat calls it. If we're power polling, I don't know that PSU should even be top 5 at all, but that's just me.
I'm personally not a fan of power polling. I just don't agree with the idea of excusing teams that are supposed to be one of the best teams in the nation losing to mediocre teams. I don't know, I just don't understand why you would reward a team for a good performance against a good team and not punish a team for a bad performance against a bad team.
Chris,
No argument that they're the best one-loss team right now. Heck, I don't think there's a team in the country playing better football right now than Florida. If you guys do your ballot power-poll style, then I'm cool with it. My only argument on Texas's behalf is that while they've given up a ton of points the past four weeks, they've done it against the teams ranked 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th in total offense. The best offense Florida has faced is Georgia's, ranked 23rd.
I think our intent is to combine a power poll approach while also recognizing records. It's difficult thing to do. It's definitely an inexact science, but I think our approach is to look at the undefeated teams and power poll them, next take the one loss teams and power poll them etc...that does raise the valid question as to whether or not PSU should really be #1. I think they'd school 'Bama on a neutral field, but admittedly I'm less convinced they would handle Texas Tech on a neutral field. We gave PSU benefit of the doubt since we already had them ranked so much higher than Texas Tech in previous polls.
Oh, and we consider Boise and Utah to be anomalies so they are excluded from this process, right or wrong.
If the idea is to put the two best teams in the country into the title game, then no way Penn St is in the top three. If the idea is to put the teams that had the "best seasons", which includes no bad losses, then yes they should be #2.
Last I saw, the point of the poll is to roughly calibrate who are the best teams in the country. if that is the case, then my answer / suggestion is:
1) FL - they look like the best team in the country at this point
2) Texas Tech
3) Texas
4) Bama
5) Oklahoma St
6) Penn St
Penn St did not look good against our very mediocre Bucks team. If we had had an offense, they wouldn't have been within single digits of us, and all the data says it has almost nothing to do with Penn St's defense given that other bad teams were able to hold us in check. I mean we are in the 90's in total offense, even mediocre defense should shut that type of O down.
bottom line - rank teams according to who is the best and that would be FL and Texas Tech at this point.
A bit off topic, but Gonzo deserves the Buckeye NFL'er of the Week hands down
1. Alabama
2. Texas Tech
3. Penn State
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. Oklahoma
7. USC
8. Oklahoma State
9. Boise State
10. Utah
That's how I see it.
I think Utah gets upended by TCU this week.
It'll be Florida and Alabama in the SEC champ game. Florida will win.
Texas Tech loses @ Oklahoma Nov. 22.
Texas beats Oklahoma, Texas Tech beats Texas, Oklahoma beats Texas Tech. All finish with one loss in conference. Who plays in the Big 12 championship game and why?
Here is the Big 12's tiebreaking procedure from the Big 12 rules book:
•Divisional champion: The (eligible) team with the best winning-percentage of all divisional members in its eight conference games is declared the divisional champion and representative to the Big 12 Conference Football Championship Game. A team ineligible under NCAA or Big 12 rules for postseason (bowl) competition shall not compete in the Big 12 championship game.
•Divisional tiebreakers: The following procedure will determine the representative from each division in the event of a tie:
If two teams are tied, the winner of the game between the two tied teams shall be the representative
If three or more teams are tied, steps 1 through 7 will be followed until a determination is made. If only two teams remain tied after any step, the winner of the game between the two tied teams shall be the representative.
1. The records of the three teams will be compared against each other.
2. The records of the three teams will be compared within their division.
3. The records of the three teams will be compared against the next highest placed teams in their division in order of finish (fourth, fifth and sixth).
4. The records of the three teams will be compared against all common conference opponents.
5. The highest ranked team in the first Bowl Championship Series Poll following the completion of Big 12 regular season conference play shall be the representative.
6. The team with the best overall winning percentage [excluding exempted games] shall be the representative.
7. The representative will be chosen by draw.
In the end the Big 10's rules are still better.
By punish, I mean count it against them. Regardless of who won in Lubbock (because someone had to), you have to say that both those teams looked good. Texas came out flat, but give them credit for coming back and getting into that game.
If a huge win over Georgia on a neutral field makes you think so highly of Florrr-ee-da then why not give 'Bama more credit for whoopin' them in Athens (with the black jerseys on no less).
Make Alabama #1 if you are going to put Florida over Texas, which I would do neither. I have it:
1) PSU
2) Bama
3) Tex Tech
4) Texas
5) Florida
6) Oklahoma
7) USC
8) Oklahoma State
9) Utah
10) Boise State
HA! Good point, XC - they did have the black jerseys on!
On the subject of Bama, I think it's just a matter of time before Florida exposes them. They did put it together against a big game choke artist (being OSU fans, we can spot those teams easily!) but haven't really looked impressive since. Hell, they needed brother Hartline's gift fumble to sneak past Kentucky. If they had one loss, we might have them at the tail end of the one loss squads.
Back to original question real quick - who do you like on a neutral field? Texas or Florida? I think that would be a hell of a game...I'll take Tebow, though.
Texas has shown me they could take Florida on a neutral field.
That is my firm belief. Texas isn't going to lose again this season, and if Tech lays an egg or two and Texas gets into the BigXII C game...look out.
Let me put this scenario out there for you Chris:
PSU wins out, Texas wins the Big12 with only one loss, Florida wins out.
Who's in the MNC? PSU, Texas, or Florida. Obviously one loss Bama is out because they aren't even conference champs. Not USC. Texas would have backed in, because Tech would have had to have "let" them in. So for that reason, I'll agree with ranking Florida over Texas.
The rankings should be based on who should get to play for the crystal ball.
Complete conjecture about who we think would win on a neutral field if they played, is too subjective in my mind.
These opinion polls should be logical, rational and unopinionated DAMNIT!
Other than hoping PSU plays for the title so the Bucks can go to Pasadena, they will be jumped unless they are the only undefeated. Alabama is the true number one(for now), and TTech at two shouldn't matter because if they win out, they will go anyway, if they lose, PSU will go.
I hear you XC...Every week we struggle to come up with a consensus on how to rank the top 8 or so...
Well all the "if"'s will fall off the map in a few short weeks, (excuse me while I tear up; Oh CFB, how I will pine for thee til August of yonder). Tech's schedule will tell us alot about them. I think Texas walked thru the fire and came out barely scorched, thus I gotta give them ranking props. The cloud of dust that is the Big12 will now shift to Lubbock and the state of Oklahoma.
Yeah...Big12 is definitely bringing the offensive firepower. I can't wait til the bowl games to see if the firepower is as strong as it appears to be or if it's not enhanced by some pretty mediocre defenses. One thing's for sure, it's tough to argue with the QB play in that conference with Harrell, McCoy, Bradford and Daniel, among others. I think all those cats are all easily better than anything the Big10 has to offer this year.
I don't think an argument can be made for Penn State at #1 ... and I note that you didn't make one. I'm a Big Ten guy - but I'm also a realist. They're not that good. Could they beat anybody in the country in a one-game scenario? Sure. But so could Boise State, and I sure as hell wouldn't put them #1 ... and the two teams' best wins -- OSU and Oregon, respectively, both on the road -- probably aren't that different, quality-wise.
I don't want to see a college football tournament just because there is no way you could do it and have any importance on bowl games, but I do want to see a legit crowning of a National Champion every year.
What if each confrence had to play 3 other confrences? For example: Each Big 10 school had to play at least one school from the SEC, Big 12 and Pac 10 every year. Each team from the SEC had to play at least one school from the Big 10, ACC and Big 12... etc.
Instead of schools filling there OOC schedules with Div. II or "Cup Cakes" and making teams play set confrences match ups, wouldn't it allow fans and media/voters to get a better feel of who the best teams in the country really are?
You're not adding any games, but you are forcing teams to find out who the best team in the country is... Not who the best team of each confrence and letting the media say this confrence is better than that one.
I'm not buying that the Big 12 is as bad ass as people are making them out to be. Texas and Texas Tech can point up points against each other and other Big 12 schools, but I would like to see how they can handle a real D.... Before Bowl season.