We've Got Random Facts Today About The New ACC

Random fact of the day:
Since the ACC-Big 10 Challenge began in 1999, the Big 10 has gone 2-10 while no Big 10 team has a winning record in challenge play.


With the recent additions of Syracuse and Pittsburgh (as well as discussion of Connecticut following suit), the ACC has just made a coup in the game of conference expansion roulette.  In terms of football impact, which is the most important element of conference expansion, the move is ho-hum.  Syracuse and Pittsburgh each have good football history but neither are any longer relevant, nor do they carry strong markets on their own (Penn State is bigger in Pennsylvania and New York).  They are, however, monsters on the hardwood and have solid academics that fit right into the ACC mold.  Speaking of basketball, the ACC will now have three of the top coaches in action today (with Boeheim to joing coach K and Williams).  Add Uconn, and the ACC will arguably have the top 4 college basketball coaches residing in their conference.  As dominant as the SEC has been in football for the last half-decade, I don't know if we've ever seen a conference more stacked than what the new ACC basketball line-up could be.  The Big 10 may never win another game in the ACC-Big 10 challenge.

As promised:
Most Surprising Undefeated Teams:
5. Baylor
Defeated: TCU, SF Austin
Likely defeat: Oct 15 @ Texas A&M
Baylor is now ranked, so perhaps this team is better than the school's history would suggest, but the win over TCU was a real shocker.

4. South Florida
Defeated: Notre Dame, Ball State, Florida A&M
Likely defeat: Sep 29 @ Pittsburgh
After Notre Dame's dismantling of Michigan State, South Florida's victory is even more impressive.

3. Iowa State
Defeated: Northern Iowa, Iowa, Connecticut
Likely defeat: Oct 1 v Texas
Iowa State could've (and arguably should've) lost all of these games, but has so far shown the resolve to pull out tough victories.  Games against 5 ranked teams upcoming suggests they'll be the first to fall from the ranks of undefeated.

2. Illinois
Defeated: Arkansas State, South Dakota State, Arizona State
Likely defeat: Oct 1 v Northwestern
Illinois already has a big win under their belt and has the kind of schedule that may mean a special season (10-2 is incredibly possible).  Considering Zook is still the coach... even getting this far is a hell of a surprise.

1. Clemson
Defeated: Troy, Wofford, Auburn
Likely defeat: Sept 24 v Florida State
Clemson trailed Troy at the half and only led Wofford by 1 point going into the 4th quarter.  They ended up winning both of those games, but how that translated to the superb ending Clemson had in the Auburn game, I will never know.

Apologies to FIU (who some may say would belong here), but I am in now way impressed by a win over Louisville, and thus find no reason to include the Panthers.

Rankings tomorrow, best of luck to all Big East and Big 12 fans as your conferences crumble before you.

We've Got Random Facts Today About Iowa State Undefeated After Three Weeks

Random fact of the day:

After Iowa State's win over Connecticut they have moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2005.  In 2005, Iowa State lost their next three games, but finished 7-5.

In celebration of Iowa State's three come-from-behind wins (by a combined 8 points), I have decided to start a segment on most surprising undefeated teams which I will begin on Monday.

As noted by several commentators, today is a very big day for the ACC.  In addition to receiving applications for membership from Pittsburgh and Syracuse, the ACC has four very big home games to hopefully establish itself as a premier conference this season.  Maryland hosts West Virginia in a very interesting matchup of undefeated teams.  Wearing much more palatable uniforms this week, Maryland is a team I'm looking forward to watching more this year, as they appear to have good talent.  Today I see West Virginia as road victors.  Prediction: WVU 35-20.

Clemson hosts Auburn, looking to stop their NCAA leading winning streak of 17 games.  Either way the Tigers are going to win this game, but I think it will be the Clemson variety that (finally) wins a high-profile game.  Prediction: Clemson 40-37.

Miami will play host to Ohio State in the game most likely to be vacated due to NCAA violations.  It's possible that neither of these teams will be permitted to play in a bowl game this year, so for now let's temper the excitement of whichever team wins.  It will be interesting to see if Ohio State plays a less conservative offense than they showed against Toledo - which almost cost them the game.  For Miami, if Jacory Harris can limit his turnovers, they will probably win this game.  Prediction: (three Harris picks) Ohio State 28-17.

Florida State hosts Oklahoma in the game of the week and a matchup of two top five teams.  I've been hearing chatter about Florida State upsetting Oklahoma by more than a touchdown - I don't see it.  Oklahoma has looked stellar and is the most balanced team in college football.  Despite Oklahoma's poor road record over the last few years, I see them winning this game.  Prediction: Oklahoma 37-30.

Enjoy the games today!  Good luck to all your teams (besides Michigan and Notre Dame, of course).

-Jabari