Random Fact of the Day:
Since Texas A&M joined the Big XII in 1996, they have gone 0-6 against the SEC in non-conference play, including an 0-4 record in bowl games, while maintaining a winning percentage of 53.3% in conference play with Big XII opponents. (They are also 0-3 against the Big 10 and 0-2 against the Pac 10, all in bowl games).
Now, I don't consider the college football elements of this blog to be focused on conference expansion. I'd rather talk about the games on the field, but in light of the fact that Texas A&M was accepted only this morning by the SEC, I figure I should make a mention.
(for better insight on conference expansion, I implore you to seek out frankthetank.wordpress.com)
Subjectively, I like this move for everyone involved. Texas A&M needs to be away from Texas, the Longhorn Network has made that painfully obvious. In the SEC, I'm not sure how well they'll compete at the outset, but with time the Aggies should blossom into a perennial SEC west contender. I've never considered Texas A&M to be a top tier program, but with the benefit of playing on the big stage every week (as the SEC will afford them) and the significant recruiting leverage they will now hold in Texas, A&M could reach the precipice of the second tier of college football programs (without spending much time on this, that would put them in the same category as an Auburn, Georgia or Tennessee, but not Alabama, LSU or Florida). For the SEC, they grab another big name in college football, a fine university and the benefit of playing 4 guaranteed games per year in the state of Texas. I imagine the added revenue from adding more (high profile) games will be great too, however, as I've read elsewhere, the SEC is locked into their most recent TV deal for quite some time, so they payout will not come quickly.
The losers of this deal are the Big 12 (as Oklahoma and OK State will almost certainly bolt West, Texas Tech and Texas could too, and Missouri will likely be grabbed by some conference) and more specifically Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State who may all be left without BCS status. I'm assuming that Kansas finds a home considering its basketball prowess (Big East w/ TCU?), but it could be left out to dry as well.
If I had to guess what will happen (and realizing I may be way off), I would say the Pac 16 deal comes to fruition with UT, Texas Tech, OU and Ok State heading west. I'm not sure what will happen with Missouri - I think its equally likely that they end up in the SEC or Big 10. Kansas could go Big 10 or Big East.
Likely this subject will go over-discussed in the coming weeks, so that's all the prognostication I am willing to indulge at this time. Now for the rankings:
1. LSU. I think these rankings should usually serve as a guide of who I think would win in a game on a neutral field, but there is something to be said for earning one's keep and LSU took on a quality opponent on a neutral field and pushed them around for 60 minutes. Now, this was one of the few games I got to take in this past weekend, and I realize that LSU did not overwhelm Oregon with their offense, and in fact, had it not been for turnovers on successive touches by an Oregon frosh, the game would have been much, much closer. On the other hand, Oregon has an incredibly talented roster, particularly on offense, and LSU was able to suffocate them for much of the game. That's impressive enough to me to give LSU the #1 ranking, even if only for one week.
2. Oklahoma. This is the most complete team in college football, imho. More to come once OU plays somebody worthy of discussion.
3. Alabama. Pretty big game with Penn State this week, however, Alabama should win going away. If its closer than expected, that may be a sign of trouble in Tuscaloosa.
4. Boise St. I kept Boise State at the top of my rankings for much of last year, and this is almost the same team, so clearly I have a bias to keep them so highly ranked. For the time being, the polls agree with me, and while Georgia may have been severely overrated, winning on the road in the SEC is a big feat. Kudos to the Broncos.
5. Texas A&M. I realize the hoopla surrounding this team has as much to do with the conference move as with their talent, but I really liked the way the Aggies turned it on at the end of last year and expect them to have a monster season. Is a Big 12 championship in the making? Not sure, OK State and Missouri will be tough outs, Texas and Baylor may be too, plus OU and Arkansas on the schedule makes for a heck of a slate. Given the one game against SMU, however, A&M looks solid.
6. Wisconsin. This team is just powerful. I expected UNLV to give them a little bit of a game, not because I think UNLV is particularly talented, but because I figured Wisconsin was the type of team that needed a few games to get rolling. I was wrong on that one. Badgers are clear favorites to win Big 10, though Nebraska and Ohio State will make it difficult.
7. Nebraska. Speaking of the Cornhuskers, I've gone back and forth on how I think they're going to fare in the Big 10, considering that this will be the first season playing against new personnel, coaches and schemes. I'm thinking they're going to do quite well, maybe a loss along the way (Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa the most likely games imho), but a trip to the conference championship game is likely in the cards.
8. Stanford. This team is very good, but I'm concerned about their balance on offense. Not sure if it matters with their schedule, Oregon might be the only game in which they're challenged, but somebody needs to step up in the backfield to take the pressure off of Luck.
9. Oklahoma State. I'm not sure where to place this team. I believe their offense is going to be stellar, but can they defend? For now I give them a top 10 slot, but I realize they may just have their hands full when matched with Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
10. Oregon. I'm not ready to give up on the Ducks after one loss to a quality opponent. I still think they're loaded on both sides of the ball. So long as injuries don't become a factor, as this team is not incredibly deep, the sky is the limit from here.
What we're watching today:
US Open Tennis, assuming the weather allows for it today.
Likeliest upset today: Tsonga over Federer (again...)
Least likely upset that I would like to see anyways: Young over Murray.
I like Roddick too. I know that rooting for Roddick to win a big match is completely pointless, as he always disappoints, but I have him pulling it out today - won't get any further than that, but that's ok.
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