1. Boise
After the beatdown of Fresno, people are starting to realize how good this team is. If they beat Nevada they'll be ready to take on Oregon once Auburn stumbles.
2. Oregon
A week off was well earned after gutting out a victory at Cal without any offense. Now preparation for Arizona, which hasn't looked as good as it's ranking indicates. Oregon should win out, but Oregon State's win over USC means there may be two more tough games ahead on the road to the NC.
3. Auburn
Cam Newton's dad asked for money for his son to play football. This theory is gaining a lot of believers. Whether any money was ever given... unclear. Whether Auburn can fend off the distractions and a great Alabama squad? Doubtful.
4. Wisconsin
Some kind of roll this team is on right now. I'm not terribly impressed with anyone scoring on Michigan, but Wisconsin gave up 28 points on the road and still rolled to an easy win. If I'm Boise, I don't know if I'd rather play Oregon for a national championship or Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, the Badgers may just finish the season in the top 3.
5. LSU
An underwhelming effort against Ole Miss. How does this team only have one loss? Is there any magic left to play a good Arkansas team?
6. Ohio State
Is Terrelle Pryor a savior or a scrub? Depends on the quarter, I guess. Sometimes even depends on the play. Led a great drive to take the lead, threw a bad pick to give up the lead, then led a final drive (with a run on 4th and 10 to pick up a first) to win it.
7. TCU
This team dropping in my rankings is just residuals from the Utah game against Notre Dame, as well as another big loss by Baylor (TCU's best win, arguably).
8. Stanford
Looked a heck of a lot better than Oregon when playing Cal. Oregon State up next - are the Beavs making their late push? There's no chance they could win the Pac 10, but they can definitely spoil a couple of special seasons with back-to-backs against Stanford and Oregon.
9. Alabama
This is it. No SEC championship, no national championship. Just the Iron Bowl. Alabama has one game to come out and prove that they really were the best team in the NCAA this year.
10. Oklahoma State
This spot belongs to Texas A&M for two wins over top 10 opponents in the last 3 weeks, but since these rankings are comprehensive and not just based on the last couple weeks of play, I give Ok State the nod with the head-to-head win and two less losses (though of course, Ok State didn't play Missouri or Arkansas...)
Next five:
Arkansas, Texas A&M, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Nebraska
Not considered:
South Carolina
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
WGRF College Football Power Poll
Without discussing what pollsters will think of the teams this week, here is my top 10:
1. Boise
Looks like Boise might have a pretty tough couple of games coming up, though neither Fresno nor Nevada can play any defense. This team continues to blow through (an admittedly awful schedule). The next two games will be two of the tougher ones and should give some insight into this team. A couple of one td games won't impress anybody - Boise has to continue to be dominant. Virginia Tech makes this team look good.
2. Oregon
Struggled mightily with Cal on the road. Shouldn't have that issue with Arizona or Oregon State, though you never know in the Civil War. Only 3 Pac 10 teams may go to bowls this year (USC is ineligible). For a league that I thought was the best, that's just awful.
3. Auburn
Cam Newton cheated. Probably. Maybe? Doesn't matter in terms of how this NC or the Heisman race should shape up. If Auburn finishes with wins in the Iron Bowl and SEC championship game, they're in. Cam Newton should win the Heisman with the way he is playing. The distractions may do this team in, however, against Alabama.
4. LSU
The Tigers get this spot for the win over Alabama (a team which I still think will beat Auburn). The body of work is impressive even if the final scores were not always decisive.
5. TCU
I was wrong about Utah and I can admit it. Actually pretty glad I missed last week (and gained some perspective with Utah's loss to ND) otherwise I may have bumped TCU all the way to #1/2 with the way they dominated the Ute's. TCU is fresh off a bit of a struggle with San Diego State (a good football team) and no longer has a quality win. With only one game left against one of the worst teams in FBS football, I think they've reached their peak in the BCS and expect Boise to pass them.
6. Wisconsin
83 points? It was against Indiana, so I understand how it happened. Except for the fact that Wisconsin doesn't pass too terribly often. Was the clock working right? This team may be better than LSU (and I would love to see that game) but I don't think their resume is as good.
7. Ohio State
Pretty much played out their game as I thought they would. They kind of fooled around for the first half before turning it on. I thought the game would end with 17-14 victory when Pryor threw a foolish interception in the red zone. Little did I know that Ohio State would tack on tds on a tipped pass, an interception return (2nd of the game for a TD) and another drive.
8. Nebraska
The Big 12 doesn't make any sense this year. At least Nebraska keeps winning to hold it together. Oh, they're leaving next year? Wouldn't be surprised if A&M beats them next week. Or if Nebraska dominates.
9. Stanford
Is Arizona State really that good? They have three of the best losses in the country and could've won match-ups with Oregon State and USC as well, but got waxed by Cal @ Berkeley. After how Oregon faired at Cal, I'm wondering if Stanford's struggles against ASU will carry to a loss next week.
10. Alabama
Once they beat Auburn I'll bump them up considerably. And if they don't... I clearly have a bias towards keeping this team high in the rankings because I think they can beat any other team (and can beat them soundly), so I don't know. It is interesting to me that an Auburn loss and South Carolina loss (nonconference) still would result in an Auburn v South Carolina SEC championship game. I also think it will probably happen that way.
Next five: Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma
Not considered: Virginia Tech, South Carolina
- Jabari
1. Boise
Looks like Boise might have a pretty tough couple of games coming up, though neither Fresno nor Nevada can play any defense. This team continues to blow through (an admittedly awful schedule). The next two games will be two of the tougher ones and should give some insight into this team. A couple of one td games won't impress anybody - Boise has to continue to be dominant. Virginia Tech makes this team look good.
2. Oregon
Struggled mightily with Cal on the road. Shouldn't have that issue with Arizona or Oregon State, though you never know in the Civil War. Only 3 Pac 10 teams may go to bowls this year (USC is ineligible). For a league that I thought was the best, that's just awful.
3. Auburn
Cam Newton cheated. Probably. Maybe? Doesn't matter in terms of how this NC or the Heisman race should shape up. If Auburn finishes with wins in the Iron Bowl and SEC championship game, they're in. Cam Newton should win the Heisman with the way he is playing. The distractions may do this team in, however, against Alabama.
4. LSU
The Tigers get this spot for the win over Alabama (a team which I still think will beat Auburn). The body of work is impressive even if the final scores were not always decisive.
5. TCU
I was wrong about Utah and I can admit it. Actually pretty glad I missed last week (and gained some perspective with Utah's loss to ND) otherwise I may have bumped TCU all the way to #1/2 with the way they dominated the Ute's. TCU is fresh off a bit of a struggle with San Diego State (a good football team) and no longer has a quality win. With only one game left against one of the worst teams in FBS football, I think they've reached their peak in the BCS and expect Boise to pass them.
6. Wisconsin
83 points? It was against Indiana, so I understand how it happened. Except for the fact that Wisconsin doesn't pass too terribly often. Was the clock working right? This team may be better than LSU (and I would love to see that game) but I don't think their resume is as good.
7. Ohio State
Pretty much played out their game as I thought they would. They kind of fooled around for the first half before turning it on. I thought the game would end with 17-14 victory when Pryor threw a foolish interception in the red zone. Little did I know that Ohio State would tack on tds on a tipped pass, an interception return (2nd of the game for a TD) and another drive.
8. Nebraska
The Big 12 doesn't make any sense this year. At least Nebraska keeps winning to hold it together. Oh, they're leaving next year? Wouldn't be surprised if A&M beats them next week. Or if Nebraska dominates.
9. Stanford
Is Arizona State really that good? They have three of the best losses in the country and could've won match-ups with Oregon State and USC as well, but got waxed by Cal @ Berkeley. After how Oregon faired at Cal, I'm wondering if Stanford's struggles against ASU will carry to a loss next week.
10. Alabama
Once they beat Auburn I'll bump them up considerably. And if they don't... I clearly have a bias towards keeping this team high in the rankings because I think they can beat any other team (and can beat them soundly), so I don't know. It is interesting to me that an Auburn loss and South Carolina loss (nonconference) still would result in an Auburn v South Carolina SEC championship game. I also think it will probably happen that way.
Next five: Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma
Not considered: Virginia Tech, South Carolina
- Jabari
Saturday, November 13, 2010
What We're Watching Today
Missouri over Kansas State.
I don't care who wins this game. I think Missouri has the firepower that they could blow out KSU, but if the Wildcats control the clock, it could be a real tight affair going into the 4th. Final score, 35-22
Ohio State over Penn State.
The Jim Tressel stat of being 2-4 after bye weeks is baffling. Penn State has looked better against lesser competition, Northwestern is pretty good, but let us not forget that they struggled to beat Vandy and fell to Purdue. Penn State should keep it interesting for a while before the Ohio State defense gets to that QB. Final score, 31-14.
Bonus: Over-under 10 times we'll hear PSU's QB called McLovin during the broadcast today?
Cal over Oregon.
I'm not the first to suggest this. Cal is superb at home (while rotten on the road) and Oregon has Arizona next week. The Ducks may be too good for this, and Auburn looks like an even more likely candidate to slip-up amidst the Cam Newton drama, but I get the feeling Oregon doesn't get out of Berkeley without being bloodied up a bit. Final score, 42-40
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