Both spotted their opponents a big first half lead. Both surged back and looked spectacular in doing so. Both gave up further scores to lose by double digits. Will Oregon fall next week? I doubt it, but it's possible.
My rankings last week featured a #1 and #2 that both took losses (Ohio State and Nebraska). In my case, I don't feel this invalidates the ranking - my goal is not to predict which teams will win out, but to order them based on games played up to that point. Each week is a new data-point, and each week the rankings get closer to being correct.
1. Boise State. What WGRF thinks: Boise is the best team in the country. Yes, Oregon State just lost and that hurts a bit. Yes, Nevada just lost, so there will be no marquee match-up late in the season. Should have ranked them number one a few weeks ago. What Pollsters will think: #2 (some will boost Boise to #1, I'd imagine especially in the AP poll) Team ahead of them loses, I will bump them up. Yes, they're at #2, but Oklahoma is on the rise and I can always put them or the winner of Auburn/LSU above Boise later in the season, citing schedule strength.
2. Oklahoma. What WGRF thinks: Should we jump all over this bandwagon based off of results against Iowa State? (who Utah hung 60+ on last week). Why not. I still think Landry Jones is going to foul up a game for the Sooners at some point, but for now the team is rolling. Two match-ups with undefeateds left (Mizzou this week and Ok State later). What Pollsters will think: #4. (I imagine it could be very close between TCU/Oklahoma) Strong Big 12 team, undefeated, big name - will continue to climb the rankings if they keep winning, even if teams ahead don't lose.
3. Oregon. What WGRF thinks: Love the offense, hate the defense. Plus, they play in the toughest conference in the nation. Played their only sure victory this past week (Bye). What Pollsters will think: #1. If you're #2 and #1 loses, I will bump you to #1. First time Oregon has ever been there. We won't vote them an overwhelming #1 because Oklahoma has been just as impressive and has a bigger name.
4. Alabama. What WGRF thinks: Back to power running, back to defense. I wanted to jump on the writing this team off bandwagon last week, but an Ohio State loss is an open door for Bama to get back in it. I'm betting on spirited football from this team down the stretch. But is the schedule too brutal? What Pollsters will think: #6. Not above Auburn, but above LSU. Doesn't matter what order with those three teams as they all will play.
5. Auburn. What WGRF thinks: Not exactly impressed with the video game performance against Arkansas - just awful defense all around. But like the resolve and how once they turned it on, they didn't stop scoring - 28 points in the 4th, wow. What Pollsters will think: #5. The world is right again with a top 5 SEC team. Cam Newton is the new Heisman front runner.
6. Michigan State. What WGRF thinks: Although I am fully prepared for them to lose a trap game this coming weekend at Northwestern, I reward this team for Wisconsin over Ohio State like I rewarded Auburn for South Carolina over Alabama. Get past Northwestern and there is still Iowa and a potentially dangerous Purdue. What Pollsters will think: #8. Jumping Utah and sliding up past Ohio State (who should fall further than Alabama did, considering voter perceptions of each team at the time of the loss).
7. TCU. What WGRF thinks: A little slow to start, but got to roaring. Still excited for the match-up with Utah. Love Dalton's poise. What Pollsters will think: #3 (reluctantly) Who did they play again? I am fully prepared to drop them below Oklahoma, Auburn/LSU winner next week.
8. Stanford. What WGRF thinks: The loss to Oregon featured an atrocious second half defense and the win against USC wasn't inspiring, but this is a tremendous football team. I would not be surprised if they close out with only one more loss (games at Washington and home v Oregon State and Arizona will be the tough ones) or even win out from here. What Pollsters will think: #12. Move up after the bye week, but either behind Nebraska or jumped by Wisconsin.
9. Wisconsin. What WGRF thinks: The impressive thing is not the win, but how the game was won. If they game had finished 21-18 with Wisconsin clinging to that lead they put up in the first half, I would not be impressed. Rather, Wisconsin pushed Ohio State around late in the 4th quarter to add 10 points and finish it off. That O-Line is something to behold. What Pollsters will think: #11. Florida State struggles and Arizona loss make this jump easier. Still behind Ohio State, which doesn't make much sense.
10. LSU. What WGRF thinks: Wins over UNC and WVU in the nonconference. Still the bulk of an SEC West schedule to go. This team will finish with 2-3 losses (unless Miles really did sell his soul), but for now are worthy of #10. What Pollsters will think: #7. Undefeated SEC team? Of course they deserve a top 10 ranking - doesn't matter that they have yet to play the meat of their schedule.
Next five: Utah, Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska, Missouri
Not considered: Florida State, Arizona
No comments:
Post a Comment