History will repeat itself if we don't learn from it.
Apparently Chris hasn't read enough history. You can't have Texas Tech outside your top 10, in a game people across the country were picking as an upset, and who you took to cover in our pick em' they demolished Kansas State. Is Kansas State a top 10 team? Of course not, but they won by 30, we aren't talking like 10 or 14 but 30, this game was never close after the 1st quarter. Texas Tech is the best team in the Big XII South and I can't wait til November when they prove it when they beat the Oklahoma Sooners.
Other things:
LSU overrated @ #5
USC at #6, beating an Oregon team with its new QB is not impressive
How can you have Florida above UGA, Florida lost to an unranked team at home, and struggled with Arkansas for 3 quarters?
Cal at #19, they lost to Maryland who lost 31-0 to UVA... point proven
My Top 25- Explanations will come later in the week
1) Oklahoma
2) Missouri
3) Alabama- played to their real ability vs Kentucky
4) Texas Tech
5) BYU
6) UGA
7) Penn State
8) USC
9) Florida
10) Texas
11) Vanderbilt
12) LSU
13) Auburn
14) Boise State
15) Wake Forest- The Navy game was just a bad bad game...i'll give them a mulligan
16) Ohio State
17) North Carolina
18) South Florida
19) Michigan State
20) Utah
21) Virginia Tech
22) Tulsa- vastly underrated team
23) Northwestern
24) Cal
25) Ball State
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Top 25 10/5
After a few weeks off, here is my updated top 25:
1. Alabama (6-0)- That first half against UGA was complete domination...they let up a little and UGA got back into the game, but at this point Alabama has to be considered the top team. Survived a letdown game with Kentucky this week.
2. Oklahoma (5-0)- Another blowout win, this time over Baylor, heading into the Red River Rivalry game against Texas in Dallas. Though unlike in other years, this game may not decide the South title, with four undefeated teams in the division.
3. Missouri (5-0)- Got their first win in Lincoln since 1978 in blowout fashion, and Chase Daniel continues to put up Heisman numbers. Next two games should test them more, with undefeated Oklahoma State at home and then a huge game at Texas the following week.
4. Texas (5-0)- The third consecutive Big 12 team here has 5 blowouts, but only one against a somewhat decent team (this week at Colorado). We still don't know too much about them, but with so many teams losing early in the season and/or looking less than impressive against inferior opponents, Texas benefits and moves up. We will see about this team against OU next week.
5. LSU (4-0)- After a bye this week, the Tigers embark on a ridiculous schedule for the next 5 games, with trips to Florida and South Carolina and home games against Georgia and Alabama sandwiched around the annual game with Tulane. Going 3-2 in that stretch would not even be too bad, but if the Tigers have national title aspirations, 4-1 would be better for them.
6. USC (3-1)- The Trojans blowout of Oregon after the shocking loss at Oregon State proves that the loss was more of a fluke than anything. The Trojans should win every game remaining on their scheudle, and if they do they will have a decent shot at a title game appearance
7. Penn State (6-0)- Clearly the best team in the Big Ten right now, whatever that might be worth. The Lions still have to go to Madison and Columbus but it seems very plausible that they could run the table, which should guarantee them a spot in the BCS title game.
8. BYU (5-0)- Though the Cougars might fall into relative obscurity in the next few weeks because of the lower profile of the Mountain West, nobody should forget about them or Heisman candidate Max Hall. They do, however, have the toughest MWC schedule as they have to travel to both TCU and archrival Utah. An undefeated BYU should garner as much consideration as anyone to play in the title game.
9. Florida (4-1)- A blocked extra point kept them from being undefeated and perhaps ranked #1 this week. Though losing to Ole Miss at home certainly wasn't a good thing, one loss in the SEC by no means elminates them from anything...and it helped that UGA also lost to an SEC West opponent on the same week...
10. Georgia (4-1)- And they looked bad doing it. Though Alabama is much better than Ole Miss, Georgia still was losing 31-0 at halftime and didnt look like a national title contender for most of the game. Nevertheless, both of these teams are now looking up in the standings at...
11. Vanderbilt (5-0)- The surprising Commodores. Vandy, 5-0 for the first time since they played just 5 games in 1943 due to World War II, proved that they werent a product of their somewhat soft schedule by coming back from down 13-0 to beat Auburn 14-13. They are now the only undefeated team in the SEC East, and 3-0 in the SEC for the first time since 1950.
12. Texas Tech (6-0)- They rolled up a lot of points on another outmatched team, but this time it was a Big 12 opponent on the road. Being probably the third best team in probably the nation's best division shouldnt let them drop from this spot if they go 2-2 during their four game stretch later in the season of at Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State, at Oklahoma.
13. Auburn (4-2)- They let a 13-0 lead slip away and watched Vandy pull of their biggest win in school history, and they still don't really know how to run the spread, but their 2 losses are to teams in the SEC with a combined record of 9-0, and theyve been by a combined 6 points. Auburn's chance to win the SEC West probably disappeared on Saturday however.
14. Utah (6-0)- That win against Oregon State looks a lot better than it would have if it had occured two weeks earlier, and Utah is now in position to possibly run the table, with at TCU their biggest test until the Holy War, at home against BYU on the last day of the regular season. Both teams could be 11-0 at that point.
15. Ohio State (5-1)- Terrelle Pryor has now taken the starting job and is maturing week by week, which is great news for OSU. His keeper with a minute left last night in Madison may have saved the Buckeyes season, as they still have an outside title shot if something similar to last season happens. They'll have to get around that 35-3 loss to USC though.
16. Boise State (4-0)- Don't forget about the Broncos as BCS busters after their huge win over Oregon. With Fresno losing to Hawaii it looks like Boise has a fairly clean road to a 12-0 record and a possible BCS berth.
17. Virginia Tech (5-1)- They still dont really have an offense, although Tyrod Taylor makes them more dangerous, but they continue to win, and have already beaten their two main competitors for the ACC Coastal crown (North Carolina and Georgia Tech) meaning they would have to lose twice to not appear in the title game if both of those teams ran the table in conference.
18. North Carolina (4-1)- Butch Davis is ahead of schedule and couldve had this team ranked close to the top 10 had they managed to pull out the Virginia Tech game in Chapel Hill. The Heels are on the verge of becoming an ACC power.
19. California (4-1)- It's hard to believe they lost to Maryland, who was just pounded by UVA, but they also beat Arizona State and Michigan State. The Bears and Arizona are the only teams left undefeated in the Pac 10.
20. Michigan State (5-1)-Since their opening loss at Cal, the Spartans have looked pretty good, starting 2-0 in the Big Ten as well as handing Notre Dame their only loss. Will Javon Ringer be able to keep up his current load all season, or will Brian Hoyer be counted on to win a game eventually?
21. Wake Forest (3-1)- Hopefully that bye week was enough for them to get over their home loss to Navy, because the biggest game of the season, a home game vs Clemson, is now approaching. The winner of this game is still the odds on favorite to win the ACC Atlantic, especially if its Wake.
22. South Florida (5-1)- What to make of the Big East now? It is still fairly simple in that USF has to beat WVU to win the conference anyway, but now Pitt is also undefeated in the league and has taken down the league favorite. I think the smart money is still on the Bulls to win the league.
23. Oklahoma State (5-0)- The end of this ranking begins my tribute to the remaining undefeateds that arent getting any respect. Oklahoma State has many chances to prove that its legit in the perilous Big 12 South.
24. Northwestern (5-0)- The Wildcats are just one win away from being bowl eligible...but they were also eligible last year and were not selected. This year, with the down Big Ten, it seems almost certain that Northwestern will get to a bowl game.
25. Ball State (6-0)- Ball State could very well go 13-0, including the MAC title game, but I doubt they have any chance of busting the BCS, especially considering how many non BCS teams are ranked above them here.
1. Alabama (6-0)- That first half against UGA was complete domination...they let up a little and UGA got back into the game, but at this point Alabama has to be considered the top team. Survived a letdown game with Kentucky this week.
2. Oklahoma (5-0)- Another blowout win, this time over Baylor, heading into the Red River Rivalry game against Texas in Dallas. Though unlike in other years, this game may not decide the South title, with four undefeated teams in the division.
3. Missouri (5-0)- Got their first win in Lincoln since 1978 in blowout fashion, and Chase Daniel continues to put up Heisman numbers. Next two games should test them more, with undefeated Oklahoma State at home and then a huge game at Texas the following week.
4. Texas (5-0)- The third consecutive Big 12 team here has 5 blowouts, but only one against a somewhat decent team (this week at Colorado). We still don't know too much about them, but with so many teams losing early in the season and/or looking less than impressive against inferior opponents, Texas benefits and moves up. We will see about this team against OU next week.
5. LSU (4-0)- After a bye this week, the Tigers embark on a ridiculous schedule for the next 5 games, with trips to Florida and South Carolina and home games against Georgia and Alabama sandwiched around the annual game with Tulane. Going 3-2 in that stretch would not even be too bad, but if the Tigers have national title aspirations, 4-1 would be better for them.
6. USC (3-1)- The Trojans blowout of Oregon after the shocking loss at Oregon State proves that the loss was more of a fluke than anything. The Trojans should win every game remaining on their scheudle, and if they do they will have a decent shot at a title game appearance
7. Penn State (6-0)- Clearly the best team in the Big Ten right now, whatever that might be worth. The Lions still have to go to Madison and Columbus but it seems very plausible that they could run the table, which should guarantee them a spot in the BCS title game.
8. BYU (5-0)- Though the Cougars might fall into relative obscurity in the next few weeks because of the lower profile of the Mountain West, nobody should forget about them or Heisman candidate Max Hall. They do, however, have the toughest MWC schedule as they have to travel to both TCU and archrival Utah. An undefeated BYU should garner as much consideration as anyone to play in the title game.
9. Florida (4-1)- A blocked extra point kept them from being undefeated and perhaps ranked #1 this week. Though losing to Ole Miss at home certainly wasn't a good thing, one loss in the SEC by no means elminates them from anything...and it helped that UGA also lost to an SEC West opponent on the same week...
10. Georgia (4-1)- And they looked bad doing it. Though Alabama is much better than Ole Miss, Georgia still was losing 31-0 at halftime and didnt look like a national title contender for most of the game. Nevertheless, both of these teams are now looking up in the standings at...
11. Vanderbilt (5-0)- The surprising Commodores. Vandy, 5-0 for the first time since they played just 5 games in 1943 due to World War II, proved that they werent a product of their somewhat soft schedule by coming back from down 13-0 to beat Auburn 14-13. They are now the only undefeated team in the SEC East, and 3-0 in the SEC for the first time since 1950.
12. Texas Tech (6-0)- They rolled up a lot of points on another outmatched team, but this time it was a Big 12 opponent on the road. Being probably the third best team in probably the nation's best division shouldnt let them drop from this spot if they go 2-2 during their four game stretch later in the season of at Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State, at Oklahoma.
13. Auburn (4-2)- They let a 13-0 lead slip away and watched Vandy pull of their biggest win in school history, and they still don't really know how to run the spread, but their 2 losses are to teams in the SEC with a combined record of 9-0, and theyve been by a combined 6 points. Auburn's chance to win the SEC West probably disappeared on Saturday however.
14. Utah (6-0)- That win against Oregon State looks a lot better than it would have if it had occured two weeks earlier, and Utah is now in position to possibly run the table, with at TCU their biggest test until the Holy War, at home against BYU on the last day of the regular season. Both teams could be 11-0 at that point.
15. Ohio State (5-1)- Terrelle Pryor has now taken the starting job and is maturing week by week, which is great news for OSU. His keeper with a minute left last night in Madison may have saved the Buckeyes season, as they still have an outside title shot if something similar to last season happens. They'll have to get around that 35-3 loss to USC though.
16. Boise State (4-0)- Don't forget about the Broncos as BCS busters after their huge win over Oregon. With Fresno losing to Hawaii it looks like Boise has a fairly clean road to a 12-0 record and a possible BCS berth.
17. Virginia Tech (5-1)- They still dont really have an offense, although Tyrod Taylor makes them more dangerous, but they continue to win, and have already beaten their two main competitors for the ACC Coastal crown (North Carolina and Georgia Tech) meaning they would have to lose twice to not appear in the title game if both of those teams ran the table in conference.
18. North Carolina (4-1)- Butch Davis is ahead of schedule and couldve had this team ranked close to the top 10 had they managed to pull out the Virginia Tech game in Chapel Hill. The Heels are on the verge of becoming an ACC power.
19. California (4-1)- It's hard to believe they lost to Maryland, who was just pounded by UVA, but they also beat Arizona State and Michigan State. The Bears and Arizona are the only teams left undefeated in the Pac 10.
20. Michigan State (5-1)-Since their opening loss at Cal, the Spartans have looked pretty good, starting 2-0 in the Big Ten as well as handing Notre Dame their only loss. Will Javon Ringer be able to keep up his current load all season, or will Brian Hoyer be counted on to win a game eventually?
21. Wake Forest (3-1)- Hopefully that bye week was enough for them to get over their home loss to Navy, because the biggest game of the season, a home game vs Clemson, is now approaching. The winner of this game is still the odds on favorite to win the ACC Atlantic, especially if its Wake.
22. South Florida (5-1)- What to make of the Big East now? It is still fairly simple in that USF has to beat WVU to win the conference anyway, but now Pitt is also undefeated in the league and has taken down the league favorite. I think the smart money is still on the Bulls to win the league.
23. Oklahoma State (5-0)- The end of this ranking begins my tribute to the remaining undefeateds that arent getting any respect. Oklahoma State has many chances to prove that its legit in the perilous Big 12 South.
24. Northwestern (5-0)- The Wildcats are just one win away from being bowl eligible...but they were also eligible last year and were not selected. This year, with the down Big Ten, it seems almost certain that Northwestern will get to a bowl game.
25. Ball State (6-0)- Ball State could very well go 13-0, including the MAC title game, but I doubt they have any chance of busting the BCS, especially considering how many non BCS teams are ranked above them here.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Week 5 Pick Recap
Good: Knowing Michigan would take out Wisconsin at home
Bad: Thinking Colorado was actually good... i fell into the trap
Horrible: Was that the UGA JV team in the 1st half...like what was that, my HS team woulda been UGA in the 1st half
Overall: 4-3
Top 25 to come later today
-CJ
Bad: Thinking Colorado was actually good... i fell into the trap
Horrible: Was that the UGA JV team in the 1st half...like what was that, my HS team woulda been UGA in the 1st half
Overall: 4-3
Top 25 to come later today
-CJ
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Week 5 Picks
I told you all so about USC... okay now thats over lets make some picks for this weeks big games:
(AP Ranks used here...not mine)
#8 Alabama @ #3 UGA- I think Alabama might be the most overrated top 10 team since USF last year, they beat a bad Clemson team to get to this ranking. I look for UGA to dominate and show why they were picked Preseason #1
Score: UGA 34 Alabama 13
North Carolina at Miami (FL)- I was on the UNC bandwagon and then they play like that vs a horrific VT team... Miami really hasn't done anything either so this isn't an easy decision... but I'll take the superior talent at Miami over Butch Davis's return
Score: Miami 35 UNC 27
No. 9 Wisconsin at Michigan - Everyone hates Michigan, and they've looked terrible but this is the perfect trap game scenario. An overconfident Wisconsin team walks into the Big House on their B game and gets upset by a team that needs the big win
Score: Michigan 27 Wisconsin 21
Purdue at Notre Dame- Another tough game to predict, this game had a pickem spread most of the week. Something tells me Notre Dame will show up to play today and show Purdue why some people (Not me... have ND as a 10-2 team)
Score: Notre Dame 42 Purdue 31
Colorado at Florida State- If someone can explain to me why Colorado is a 5 point dog please email me cause I can't figure it out at all, Colorado has the more offensive talent and their defense is playing the FSU offense so they will have a great week by default.
Score: Colorado 28 FSU 10
Mississippi State at No. 5 LSU - This game like the Michigan-Wisconsin game smells like a trap game. Mississippi State has a very good defense but the question is will their offense move the ball at all vs LSU? Look for MSU to bring out the trick plays to keep this one close but LSU squeaks by in the end
Score: LSU 14 MSU 13
No. 22 Illinois at No. 12 Penn State- UI is not a good team and Penn State will show that tonight.
Score: Penn State 45 UI 20
-CJ
(AP Ranks used here...not mine)
#8 Alabama @ #3 UGA- I think Alabama might be the most overrated top 10 team since USF last year, they beat a bad Clemson team to get to this ranking. I look for UGA to dominate and show why they were picked Preseason #1
Score: UGA 34 Alabama 13
North Carolina at Miami (FL)- I was on the UNC bandwagon and then they play like that vs a horrific VT team... Miami really hasn't done anything either so this isn't an easy decision... but I'll take the superior talent at Miami over Butch Davis's return
Score: Miami 35 UNC 27
No. 9 Wisconsin at Michigan - Everyone hates Michigan, and they've looked terrible but this is the perfect trap game scenario. An overconfident Wisconsin team walks into the Big House on their B game and gets upset by a team that needs the big win
Score: Michigan 27 Wisconsin 21
Purdue at Notre Dame- Another tough game to predict, this game had a pickem spread most of the week. Something tells me Notre Dame will show up to play today and show Purdue why some people (Not me... have ND as a 10-2 team)
Score: Notre Dame 42 Purdue 31
Colorado at Florida State- If someone can explain to me why Colorado is a 5 point dog please email me cause I can't figure it out at all, Colorado has the more offensive talent and their defense is playing the FSU offense so they will have a great week by default.
Score: Colorado 28 FSU 10
Mississippi State at No. 5 LSU - This game like the Michigan-Wisconsin game smells like a trap game. Mississippi State has a very good defense but the question is will their offense move the ball at all vs LSU? Look for MSU to bring out the trick plays to keep this one close but LSU squeaks by in the end
Score: LSU 14 MSU 13
No. 22 Illinois at No. 12 Penn State- UI is not a good team and Penn State will show that tonight.
Score: Penn State 45 UI 20
-CJ
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Chris, Your Top 25 is way off -CJ
I don't think we've ever disagreed on a top 25 this much. I'm going to post about a few of the terrible misseedings and at the bottom put the Top 25 as I see it.
Texas @ #6- I'm sorry but the fact your name is Texas and you blow out schools I've never heard of doesn't get you a spot this high in the polls. Especially because they are the 3rd best time in their division and might be only the 5th best team in their conference.
Florida @ #2- Sorry but playing a young Hawaii team even through the 1st half at home shouldn't get you a #2 ranking. This team is vastly overrated by most pundits in the country. They will finish 2nd alright...in the SEC East. This team doesn't have the running game offensively or defensively to handle the all-around speed of UGA. I've said it from day 1, UGA will win the NCAA title.
LSU @ #7- Their Starting QB played JV at Harvard last year... this is all i should write but this is so horrific I can't stop myself. They've played no one and this team is too young and has a loose cannon in Les Miles, in the past his teams' talent made up for his bonehead coaching but without it, LSU will freefall.
Alabama @ #8: Repeat after me... Clemson is not good... lets try that again...Clemson is not good... okay good now that we understand this fact of life (they never play up to their potential...ever) Alabama might be the 2nd best team in the division and surely deserving of a spot in the top 25 their is no way they should be ranked higher than Auburn or even have a top 13 spot.
Texas Tech @ #16: Yes Chris this team isn't putting up the numbers they normally have but its orchestrated. Whats the point of winning 70-20 when you can win 45-20 and cut down the plays your top players play and rest them up for conference play. Texas Tech is getting smarter. Michael Crabtree is the best player in America. Its laughable that Texas was ranked 10 spots above the best team in their division... yes this team is better than Oklahoma and will show it.
Utah @ #17: How can Utah get in for dominating Michigan for 3 quarters then almost choking but an Irish squad that dominated them for 60 minutes doesn't? Utah is the most overhyped non-BCS team... when BYU plays Utah look for a similar score to BYU-UCLA.
I'm also not a fan of TCU or Florida State being ranked, there are more deserving teams than these 2... I'm also not a fan of UNC but after their drubbing of overrated Rutgers I'll let them have a spot for a week.
CJ's Top 25
1) UGA- You start at the top you stay there til you lose and the Bulldogs haven't lost yet and won't have a chance til they go to Auburn
2) USC- Very talented and deep, but they beat a vastly overrated Ohio State team with or without Beanie Wells. They better not get too full of themselves cause they will have multiple tough tests in the Pac-10 and from the Irish
3) Missouri- Got the talent, but do they have the experience?
4) Oklahoma- Texas Tech is the better team but they have to show it first before I put them over the Sooners
5) Florida- I'd put them lower but i'll let them lose a couple games first
6) Texas Tech- One of the more unappreciated teams in the country...when they are in a BCS game in January maybe they'll get their due respect
7) Wisconsin- Are they and Fresno good or are they both overrated... I say good for now
8) Auburn- "You play to win the game"- Herman Edwards, sure the 3-2 win over Miss St. wasn't pretty but they lost to this team last year at home, the fact they won this type of game is crucial for their SEC hopes. Auburn's spread will work, it will just take another 2-3 weeks to gel but regardless they have to hold onto the ball.
9) BYU- I knew they were a lock to cover 8 vs UCLA... and i expected a 3-4 TD win...but 59-0...geez
10) ECU- Have played the better schedule than BYU but 59-0 shock gives them the slight advantage
11) USF- Best team in the Big East by far, but can they play with the bullseye on their backs?
12) Ohio State- They still have talent and are the 2nd best in a weak Big X, can they rebound after the beating?
13) Penn State- If these guys can stay on the field they could surprise people. Speed on offense and defense makes them very scary
14) LSU- Beat someone good then I'll move you up until then you stay in the middle of the pack where you belong
15) Kansas- Yes they lost at USF but they did get a big lead, it was a great learning experience and they will be back stronger than before
16) Texas- Might be 3rd best team in their division but they will be better than the ACC Champ
17) Alabama- Beat one of the big boys (no an overrated Clemson doesn't count) and you'll fly up...but since that won't happen your more likely to fall out then move up
18) Oregon- 3rd string QB leads you on a TD drive in 20T... impressive but can they stay healthy enough to compete with USC?
19) West Virginia- Didn't show up to play ECU and the question remains will they show up to play the Big East Schedule with no NCAA title hopes?
20) Wake Forest- Too bad they are in such a bad conference no one will ever give them respect, this team is an example of why playing a marquee non-conf game is important
21) Nebraska- Cupcake wins (check), beat a big time BCS Team (Virginia Tech) will be done Saturday night... i'm just on the bandwagon a week before
22) Illionis- I don't know why they are ranked but I also have no good reason to not rank them so they go here
23) Fresno State- Not sure if both they and Wisconsin are great or are both bad...for now I'll say they are both good but I need to see things out of them for them to keep a Top 25 spot
24) Boise State- Just cause they lost to a supertalented ECU team last December makes them bad? This team somehow inexcusably is flying under the radar again, when we are talking BCS busters in December their name will be on the list
25) Arizona State- Just cause they got eaten up by the trap game curse doesn't mean they don't have talent, these guys will play UGA and USC close speaking of which... why does no one give these guys credit for scheduling UGA even with a Pac-10 schedule thats brutal...props and you might stay if u lose to UGA
Just Missed: ND (if they beat the Spartans in decent fashion they will get a spot), Vandy, Florida State, Utah
-CJ
Comments posted here or emailed to ccsportsblog@yahoo.com
Texas @ #6- I'm sorry but the fact your name is Texas and you blow out schools I've never heard of doesn't get you a spot this high in the polls. Especially because they are the 3rd best time in their division and might be only the 5th best team in their conference.
Florida @ #2- Sorry but playing a young Hawaii team even through the 1st half at home shouldn't get you a #2 ranking. This team is vastly overrated by most pundits in the country. They will finish 2nd alright...in the SEC East. This team doesn't have the running game offensively or defensively to handle the all-around speed of UGA. I've said it from day 1, UGA will win the NCAA title.
LSU @ #7- Their Starting QB played JV at Harvard last year... this is all i should write but this is so horrific I can't stop myself. They've played no one and this team is too young and has a loose cannon in Les Miles, in the past his teams' talent made up for his bonehead coaching but without it, LSU will freefall.
Alabama @ #8: Repeat after me... Clemson is not good... lets try that again...Clemson is not good... okay good now that we understand this fact of life (they never play up to their potential...ever) Alabama might be the 2nd best team in the division and surely deserving of a spot in the top 25 their is no way they should be ranked higher than Auburn or even have a top 13 spot.
Texas Tech @ #16: Yes Chris this team isn't putting up the numbers they normally have but its orchestrated. Whats the point of winning 70-20 when you can win 45-20 and cut down the plays your top players play and rest them up for conference play. Texas Tech is getting smarter. Michael Crabtree is the best player in America. Its laughable that Texas was ranked 10 spots above the best team in their division... yes this team is better than Oklahoma and will show it.
Utah @ #17: How can Utah get in for dominating Michigan for 3 quarters then almost choking but an Irish squad that dominated them for 60 minutes doesn't? Utah is the most overhyped non-BCS team... when BYU plays Utah look for a similar score to BYU-UCLA.
I'm also not a fan of TCU or Florida State being ranked, there are more deserving teams than these 2... I'm also not a fan of UNC but after their drubbing of overrated Rutgers I'll let them have a spot for a week.
CJ's Top 25
1) UGA- You start at the top you stay there til you lose and the Bulldogs haven't lost yet and won't have a chance til they go to Auburn
2) USC- Very talented and deep, but they beat a vastly overrated Ohio State team with or without Beanie Wells. They better not get too full of themselves cause they will have multiple tough tests in the Pac-10 and from the Irish
3) Missouri- Got the talent, but do they have the experience?
4) Oklahoma- Texas Tech is the better team but they have to show it first before I put them over the Sooners
5) Florida- I'd put them lower but i'll let them lose a couple games first
6) Texas Tech- One of the more unappreciated teams in the country...when they are in a BCS game in January maybe they'll get their due respect
7) Wisconsin- Are they and Fresno good or are they both overrated... I say good for now
8) Auburn- "You play to win the game"- Herman Edwards, sure the 3-2 win over Miss St. wasn't pretty but they lost to this team last year at home, the fact they won this type of game is crucial for their SEC hopes. Auburn's spread will work, it will just take another 2-3 weeks to gel but regardless they have to hold onto the ball.
9) BYU- I knew they were a lock to cover 8 vs UCLA... and i expected a 3-4 TD win...but 59-0...geez
10) ECU- Have played the better schedule than BYU but 59-0 shock gives them the slight advantage
11) USF- Best team in the Big East by far, but can they play with the bullseye on their backs?
12) Ohio State- They still have talent and are the 2nd best in a weak Big X, can they rebound after the beating?
13) Penn State- If these guys can stay on the field they could surprise people. Speed on offense and defense makes them very scary
14) LSU- Beat someone good then I'll move you up until then you stay in the middle of the pack where you belong
15) Kansas- Yes they lost at USF but they did get a big lead, it was a great learning experience and they will be back stronger than before
16) Texas- Might be 3rd best team in their division but they will be better than the ACC Champ
17) Alabama- Beat one of the big boys (no an overrated Clemson doesn't count) and you'll fly up...but since that won't happen your more likely to fall out then move up
18) Oregon- 3rd string QB leads you on a TD drive in 20T... impressive but can they stay healthy enough to compete with USC?
19) West Virginia- Didn't show up to play ECU and the question remains will they show up to play the Big East Schedule with no NCAA title hopes?
20) Wake Forest- Too bad they are in such a bad conference no one will ever give them respect, this team is an example of why playing a marquee non-conf game is important
21) Nebraska- Cupcake wins (check), beat a big time BCS Team (Virginia Tech) will be done Saturday night... i'm just on the bandwagon a week before
22) Illionis- I don't know why they are ranked but I also have no good reason to not rank them so they go here
23) Fresno State- Not sure if both they and Wisconsin are great or are both bad...for now I'll say they are both good but I need to see things out of them for them to keep a Top 25 spot
24) Boise State- Just cause they lost to a supertalented ECU team last December makes them bad? This team somehow inexcusably is flying under the radar again, when we are talking BCS busters in December their name will be on the list
25) Arizona State- Just cause they got eaten up by the trap game curse doesn't mean they don't have talent, these guys will play UGA and USC close speaking of which... why does no one give these guys credit for scheduling UGA even with a Pac-10 schedule thats brutal...props and you might stay if u lose to UGA
Just Missed: ND (if they beat the Spartans in decent fashion they will get a spot), Vandy, Florida State, Utah
-CJ
Comments posted here or emailed to ccsportsblog@yahoo.com
NCAA Football top 25 (Games Ended 9/13)
Now that we have made it through the first three weeks of the season, I will publish my first top 25 of the season, free from the bias of preseason polls:
1. USC (2-0)- Trojans have outscored their first two opponents, both of BCS conferences, 87-10. The scariest part is that they made Ohio State look almost as bad as UVA.
2. Florida (2-0)- My preseason national championship pick is only not ranked #1 because of USC's sheer dominance. Florida has looked impressive in holding their first two opponents to a combined 13 points. The secondary looks much improved from last season despite playing two very weak offensive teams.
3. Georgia (3-0)- Handled South Carolina, which they hadn't been able to do for the past three seasons. Offense doesn't appear to be explosive against SEC level defenses, but it may be enough to get them to a BCS bowl with their stellar defense.
4. Oklahoma (3-0)- Sam Bradford and the offense have put up ridiculous numbers against inferior competition, and contributed to sealing Ty Willingham's fate at Washington. The Big XII title game could be a real shootout because...
5. Missouri (3-0)- No player in the nation has looked better than Chase Daniel in the early season, who is putting up staggering numbers and becoming the early favorite in the Heisman race. Missouri is a real threat to reach the BCS title game, with a fairly soft Big XII schedule that doesn't include OU or Texas Tech. They do play Texas in Austin, however.
6. Texas (2-0)- Completes a trifecta of Big XII teams in the top 6. We dont know too much about them after two blowouts of inferior opponents, but they appear to be bouncing back from a disappointing season last year. The brutal Big XII South schedule makes an appearance in the title game unlikely, however.
7. LSU (2-0)- Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch has won his first two games at LSU, and now the going gets tough against a great Auburn defense which held Mississippi State to under 130 total yards and no points if not for their offense. LSU also has a great defense which will keep them in every game, as well as the fastest player in the SEC Trindon Holliday.
8. Alabama (3-0)- I hesitated to move the Tide up this far from what I thought of them in the preseason, which was a fringe top 25 team, but there arent too many more impressive wins out there than Alabama's 31-10 rout of Clemson in Atlanta. They have shown a more capable offense than Auburn as well as a defense capable of shutting down perhaps the nations best backfield.
9. Wisconsin (3-0)- Props to the Badgers for going out to Fresno and taking on the Bulldogs, and for coming away with a hard-fought 13-10 win. I don't know if Wisconsin is better than Ohio State, but after OSU's debachle in LA, it certainly appears they are the current Big Ten favorites
10. BYU (3-0)- Wow. Raise your hand if you saw BYU 59, UCLA 0 coming? After UCLA's defeat of Tennessee I actually thought they had a better than average chance of winning, but Max Hall threw for 6 TDs in the first half to emerge as a legit Heisman candidate, and BYU emerged as a legit BCS buster with the rout.
11. Auburn (3-0)- Well, we know that the Tigers have a great defense, but their offense looked as if it was extremely confused the first time running the spread against an SEC defense. Can they ride that great defense to an SEC title?
12. South Florida (3-0)- A great game Friday night against Kansas ended with a game winning FG as time expired. USF's defense has taken a hit since last year, and DE George Selve's sack numbers are down, but Matt Grothe and the offense are explosive for the clear Big East favorites.
13. East Carolina (3-0)- The comeback win against Tulane was equally as impressive as their wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia, because it shows that this team is disciplined and won't let an inferior opponent sneak up on them at least for a whole game. They should be favored for the remaining games on their schedule, including games vs ACC bottom feeders NC State and Virginia.
14. Ohio State (2-1)- I guess I have to put them here somewhere, right? A total thud in LA followed up a bad performance against Ohio U a week earlier, and it is not all because Beanie Wells is hurt. OSU could very well run the table, but I really hope the voters will keep them out of the title game if they do.
15. Penn State (3-0)- The signs have been encouraging on offense for PSU, and the Oregon State rout was nice, but I wont be convinced until they do it against a decent defense. Theyll have their chance playing games at Wisconsin and OSU. This is a dark horse candidate to reach the Rose Bowl
16. Texas Tech (3-0)- The offense, though it is putting up decent numbers, isnt up to last years level right now. Harrell, Crabtree and company showed some signs of waking up vs. SMU, and their defense also played well which is cause for optimism, but in the Big XII South they will need consistent offense and defense to stay afloat.
17. Utah (3-0)- It is very possible that one of the biggest games of the year will be the Holy War between Utah and BYU, which could be for a berth in a BCS game. If Brian Johnson stays healthy, Utah has a very good chance of being 11-0 at that point, with their biggest test being TCU. Dominated Michigan for three quarters before almost letting it slip away.
18. Wake Forest (2-0)- Escaped with a last second FG against Ole Miss and now goes to Tallahassee for huge ACC Atlantic showdown. A win, and Wake is the clear favorite to appear in Jacksonville. Kicker Sam Swank may be the ACC player of the year if that happens.
19. Kansas (2-1)- Todd Reesing is probably not 6 feet, but he certainly is a top NCAA quarterback. He nearly orchestrated a great comeback Friday night at USF, and should be in the Heisman conversation.
20. Fresno State (2-1)- If not for three missed FGs, Fresno might be in the top 15 if not the top 10 after beating Wisconsin...instead theyll have to win out, which includes a trip to the Rose Bowl as well as a season ending game on the Blue Turf in Boise, for an outside BCS shot.
21. West Virginia (1-1)- Were blown out at East Carolina, but still this team has so much talent its hard to not have them in the top 25. Pat White and Noel Devine in the backfield make them a threat to score on every play, and all they have to do is defeat USF to reach another BCS game.
22. Oregon (3-0)- Nice come from behind win at Purude, but injury issues at QB continue to haunt the Ducks. At this point they may be the second best team in the weaker-than-expected Pac-10 however, meaning that they could be ticketed for Pasadena after USC takes its spot in the title game.
23. TCU (3-0)- A solid win over a much improved Stanford team gives the MWC 3 teams in the top 25. They must go to Norman to face OU in two weeks.
24. North Carolina (2-0)- Butch Davis has quickly turned UNC around and made them a legit contender for the ACC title. They get Virginia Tech in Chapel Hill this week and a win perhaps makes them the favorites in thge Coastal division.
25. Florida State (2-0)- It's hard to imagine that FSU has a key game against Wake Forest in which they hope to overtake the Deacons as the favorite in the Atlantic division. How things have changed in three years. FSU is lucky to be here, but they have dominated their first two opponents and are now starting to get some of their suspended players back.
-Chris
1. USC (2-0)- Trojans have outscored their first two opponents, both of BCS conferences, 87-10. The scariest part is that they made Ohio State look almost as bad as UVA.
2. Florida (2-0)- My preseason national championship pick is only not ranked #1 because of USC's sheer dominance. Florida has looked impressive in holding their first two opponents to a combined 13 points. The secondary looks much improved from last season despite playing two very weak offensive teams.
3. Georgia (3-0)- Handled South Carolina, which they hadn't been able to do for the past three seasons. Offense doesn't appear to be explosive against SEC level defenses, but it may be enough to get them to a BCS bowl with their stellar defense.
4. Oklahoma (3-0)- Sam Bradford and the offense have put up ridiculous numbers against inferior competition, and contributed to sealing Ty Willingham's fate at Washington. The Big XII title game could be a real shootout because...
5. Missouri (3-0)- No player in the nation has looked better than Chase Daniel in the early season, who is putting up staggering numbers and becoming the early favorite in the Heisman race. Missouri is a real threat to reach the BCS title game, with a fairly soft Big XII schedule that doesn't include OU or Texas Tech. They do play Texas in Austin, however.
6. Texas (2-0)- Completes a trifecta of Big XII teams in the top 6. We dont know too much about them after two blowouts of inferior opponents, but they appear to be bouncing back from a disappointing season last year. The brutal Big XII South schedule makes an appearance in the title game unlikely, however.
7. LSU (2-0)- Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch has won his first two games at LSU, and now the going gets tough against a great Auburn defense which held Mississippi State to under 130 total yards and no points if not for their offense. LSU also has a great defense which will keep them in every game, as well as the fastest player in the SEC Trindon Holliday.
8. Alabama (3-0)- I hesitated to move the Tide up this far from what I thought of them in the preseason, which was a fringe top 25 team, but there arent too many more impressive wins out there than Alabama's 31-10 rout of Clemson in Atlanta. They have shown a more capable offense than Auburn as well as a defense capable of shutting down perhaps the nations best backfield.
9. Wisconsin (3-0)- Props to the Badgers for going out to Fresno and taking on the Bulldogs, and for coming away with a hard-fought 13-10 win. I don't know if Wisconsin is better than Ohio State, but after OSU's debachle in LA, it certainly appears they are the current Big Ten favorites
10. BYU (3-0)- Wow. Raise your hand if you saw BYU 59, UCLA 0 coming? After UCLA's defeat of Tennessee I actually thought they had a better than average chance of winning, but Max Hall threw for 6 TDs in the first half to emerge as a legit Heisman candidate, and BYU emerged as a legit BCS buster with the rout.
11. Auburn (3-0)- Well, we know that the Tigers have a great defense, but their offense looked as if it was extremely confused the first time running the spread against an SEC defense. Can they ride that great defense to an SEC title?
12. South Florida (3-0)- A great game Friday night against Kansas ended with a game winning FG as time expired. USF's defense has taken a hit since last year, and DE George Selve's sack numbers are down, but Matt Grothe and the offense are explosive for the clear Big East favorites.
13. East Carolina (3-0)- The comeback win against Tulane was equally as impressive as their wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia, because it shows that this team is disciplined and won't let an inferior opponent sneak up on them at least for a whole game. They should be favored for the remaining games on their schedule, including games vs ACC bottom feeders NC State and Virginia.
14. Ohio State (2-1)- I guess I have to put them here somewhere, right? A total thud in LA followed up a bad performance against Ohio U a week earlier, and it is not all because Beanie Wells is hurt. OSU could very well run the table, but I really hope the voters will keep them out of the title game if they do.
15. Penn State (3-0)- The signs have been encouraging on offense for PSU, and the Oregon State rout was nice, but I wont be convinced until they do it against a decent defense. Theyll have their chance playing games at Wisconsin and OSU. This is a dark horse candidate to reach the Rose Bowl
16. Texas Tech (3-0)- The offense, though it is putting up decent numbers, isnt up to last years level right now. Harrell, Crabtree and company showed some signs of waking up vs. SMU, and their defense also played well which is cause for optimism, but in the Big XII South they will need consistent offense and defense to stay afloat.
17. Utah (3-0)- It is very possible that one of the biggest games of the year will be the Holy War between Utah and BYU, which could be for a berth in a BCS game. If Brian Johnson stays healthy, Utah has a very good chance of being 11-0 at that point, with their biggest test being TCU. Dominated Michigan for three quarters before almost letting it slip away.
18. Wake Forest (2-0)- Escaped with a last second FG against Ole Miss and now goes to Tallahassee for huge ACC Atlantic showdown. A win, and Wake is the clear favorite to appear in Jacksonville. Kicker Sam Swank may be the ACC player of the year if that happens.
19. Kansas (2-1)- Todd Reesing is probably not 6 feet, but he certainly is a top NCAA quarterback. He nearly orchestrated a great comeback Friday night at USF, and should be in the Heisman conversation.
20. Fresno State (2-1)- If not for three missed FGs, Fresno might be in the top 15 if not the top 10 after beating Wisconsin...instead theyll have to win out, which includes a trip to the Rose Bowl as well as a season ending game on the Blue Turf in Boise, for an outside BCS shot.
21. West Virginia (1-1)- Were blown out at East Carolina, but still this team has so much talent its hard to not have them in the top 25. Pat White and Noel Devine in the backfield make them a threat to score on every play, and all they have to do is defeat USF to reach another BCS game.
22. Oregon (3-0)- Nice come from behind win at Purude, but injury issues at QB continue to haunt the Ducks. At this point they may be the second best team in the weaker-than-expected Pac-10 however, meaning that they could be ticketed for Pasadena after USC takes its spot in the title game.
23. TCU (3-0)- A solid win over a much improved Stanford team gives the MWC 3 teams in the top 25. They must go to Norman to face OU in two weeks.
24. North Carolina (2-0)- Butch Davis has quickly turned UNC around and made them a legit contender for the ACC title. They get Virginia Tech in Chapel Hill this week and a win perhaps makes them the favorites in thge Coastal division.
25. Florida State (2-0)- It's hard to imagine that FSU has a key game against Wake Forest in which they hope to overtake the Deacons as the favorite in the Atlantic division. How things have changed in three years. FSU is lucky to be here, but they have dominated their first two opponents and are now starting to get some of their suspended players back.
-Chris
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Welcome Bryce onboard as a NCAA bball analyst
We'd like to welcome Bryce Durgin onboard as our 3rd member. Bryce who is a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame brings immense sports knowledge with his expertise being NCAA college basketball knowledge expecially in the bracket part (Although I did have all the teams in the field but he was missing 2 but I digress...)
Also this year we will be making more frequent posts so check back in often.
CJ and Chris
Also this year we will be making more frequent posts so check back in often.
CJ and Chris
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