College Football 2010

[muy_thaiguy]

Woodruff will go with TCU and Oregon for a total of 8.

I'm looking pretty strong. I figure Oregon is good for one loss at some point, and TCU won't lose the rest of the season.

I think about the only team that will actually give them a challenge will be Utah, who just smoked my Pokes for probably the last time. Not sure if I should be happy or sad about that.

But the SEC is a joke. They complain how no one has to go through a tough schedule? Bullshit. Wyoming has played Texas (top 5 at the time), BSU, TCU, Air Force, and Utah. And with Texas' win over Nebraska (sorry Woodruff), Texas should pop back up in the top 25.

Eh, Nebraska deserved to lose that game. WRs need to learn how to catch the damn ball when they're wide open.

And ACS seemed to either be scared of, or refused to throw down field to our wide open recievers who can catch.

But also, it can be hard to run the option offense if a defense is in man coverage and has the fast and athletic players that Texas does. Against most other teams, it works if done right, like Air Force, but if in proper position, the other team's D' will just clog it up.

I still think they win the Big 12 North, and have a decent shot at winning the conference if they learn what to fix when they go against OU, otherwise, it will end up being the same.

[muy_thaiguy]

I'm late to the party for this game. But I hope we have a Boise State vs. TCU championship. That would serve the BCS right. But it looks like Oklahoma is poised to run the table and so poor TCU will be left out again.

Depends on the Big 12 CCG, and if Oregon drops one, because if they do, they won't have a CCG to catapult them back up.

[Woodruff]

I'm late to the party for this game. But I hope we have a Boise State vs. TCU championship. That would serve the BCS right.

Would be a great game, actually. Though TCU would win it.

But it looks like Oklahoma is poised to run the table and so poor TCU will be left out again.

They could, but Missouri is dangerous, and that's next Saturday. They're looking pretty dang strong so far this season.

[Doc_Brown]

But the SEC is a joke. They complain how no one has to go through a tough schedule? Bullshit. Wyoming has played Texas (top 5 at the time), BSU, TCU, Air Force, and Utah. And with Texas' win over Nebraska (sorry Woodruff), Texas should pop back up in the top 25.

I don't think SEC people complain that no one else has a tough schedule. I think if Boise State had Wyoming's schedule and managed to go undefeated most SEC fans would happily put them in the NC game. But it's a mistake to say the SEC is a joke. Take Arkansas' schedule: #1 (at the time) Alabama, #7 (at the time - currently #4) Auburn, #21 (who previously beat Alabama) South Carolina, #24 (and will probably be much higher by the time the game occurs) Mississippi State, and #6 LSU. The SEC west has 5 teams in the top 25, and they all play each other.

Since the BCS system was put in place there have been 12 NC games. The SEC played in 6 of them and won all 6. No other conference can boast more than 2 wins or even a better than 50% record in the NC game. The SEC has sent 4 different teams (and Auburn could have gone back in 2004, which would have made a 5th), whereas conferences like the Big10 have largely been dominated by a single team (at least as far as the NC picture is concerned).

SEC people are so much complaining that no other teams have a difficult schedule as it is that some teams, like Boise State this year, don't have a strength of schedule comparable to an average SEC team (who end up playing 4-5 ranked teams in conference play alone most years plus 1-2 out-of conference games against decent teams). It's also frustration at the silly comments that obviously SEC teams can't be that good when signature wins include victories over Arkansas who has now lost twice (to top 10 teams!) or South Carolina (yes they lost to Kentucky, but even Kentucky would be a highly competitive team in most conferences, and SC can't be that bad to have knocked off #1!).

[muy_thaiguy]

But the SEC is a joke. They complain how no one has to go through a tough schedule? Bullshit. Wyoming has played Texas (top 5 at the time), BSU, TCU, Air Force, and Utah. And with Texas' win over Nebraska (sorry Woodruff), Texas should pop back up in the top 25.

I don't think SEC people complain that no one else has a tough schedule. I think if Boise State had Wyoming's schedule and managed to go undefeated most SEC fans would happily put them in the NC game. But it's a mistake to say the SEC is a joke. Take Arkansas' schedule: #1 (at the time) Alabama, #7 (at the time - currently #4) Auburn, #21 (who previously beat Alabama) South Carolina, #24 (and will probably be much higher by the time the game occurs) Mississippi State, and #6 LSU. The SEC west has 5 teams in the top 25, and they all play each other.

Since the BCS system was put in place there have been 12 NC games. The SEC played in 6 of them and won all 6. No other conference can boast more than 2 wins or even a better than 50% record in the NC game. The SEC has sent 4 different teams (and Auburn could have gone back in 2004, which would have made a 5th), whereas conferences like the Big10 have largely been dominated by a single team (at least as far as the NC picture is concerned).

SEC people are so much complaining that no other teams have a difficult schedule as it is that some teams, like Boise State this year, don't have a strength of schedule comparable to an average SEC team (who end up playing 4-5 ranked teams in conference play alone most years plus 1-2 out-of conference games against decent teams). It's also frustration at the silly comments that obviously SEC teams can't be that good when signature wins include victories over Arkansas who has now lost twice (to top 10 teams!) or South Carolina (yes they lost to Kentucky, but even Kentucky would be a highly competitive team in most conferences, and SC can't be that bad to have knocked off #1!).

You won't like hearing this, but I , and others believe that the SEC is overrated. Bama struggled with Arkansas and barely pulled out a win, then their rushing attack, their strong point, was stonewalled n their first loss. LSU has only won games by sheer miracles or bad luck for the other teams. Otherwise, they probably would not be ranked. And another point that not only bothers me, but many other people is that the SEC loads up on FCS opponents. Most other teams will have 1, usually as a warm up. The SEC will have 2 or even 3 at times and like to point out how many wins they have. Not to mention, the SEC has bottom feeders that are just as bad as bottom feeders from other conferences, but use "But we're the SEC!" schtik to counter it. I have come across fans of the SEC that think their shit doesn't smell because they're the SEC.

As for BSU, they are coming over to the MWC next year, but as you said, their conference pretty much sucks. But really, is that their fault? Outside of the Oregon schools and maybe 1 or 2 others, who among the "Big schools" schedules them for OOC? They have said they will play anyone, but no one really steps up to it. Especially from the SEC.

[strike wolf]

Georgia played Boise a few years back and kicked their asses. Other than that, Kentucky has played well in all of their losses and are 1 score away in multiple games from being a 1-loss team right now. Mississippi St. Usually one of the two weak teams in the conferences has two losses to the #6 and #4 teams in the country.

And 6 NCs in the last 12 years (regardless of what you think of the BCS rankings) doesn't lie and going back farther I think they have won 7 of the last 14 and oh yeah 4 out of the last 4 and no losses in the NC to date. Also, we have winning records in bowl games pretty much every year.

Is the SEC as infallible as some people seem to think? No. Is it the best conference? I think so and the stats agree.

[rockfist]

Boise would get dismantled and manhandled by any other top ten team. Who do they play in conference? No one.

The thing is other teams in top conferences have to prepare every week...there are some weeks where Boise could send their cheerleaders to play in their stead. Ohio State found that out against my Badgers as Alabama did a week ago.

If you have 1 or 2 big games every year and everything else is a walkover, its easy to prepare for those games and to have healthy players...The Pac 10, Big 10, SEC, or ACC teams have to bring at least their B+ game every week or they will lose.

[muy_thaiguy]

Boise would get dismantled and manhandled by any other top ten team. Who do they play in conference? No one.
The thing is other teams in top conferences have to prepare every week...there are some weeks where Boise could send their cheerleaders to play in their stead. Ohio State found that out against my Badgers as Alabama did a week ago.

If you have 1 or 2 big games every year and everything else is a walkover, its easy to prepare for those games and to have healthy players...The Pac 10, Big 10, SEC, or ACC teams have to bring at least their B+ game every week or they will lose.

But no top 10 teams schedule them except for Virginia Tech, but that obviously did not turn out well for BSU's SOS.

And by the way, the WAC and MWC are currently doing better in the power ratings than the ACC. The Big Least is a bust. The PAC has a history of getting their butts kicked by MWC teams in overall performances.

While TCU and BSU have to blowout evey single opponent in order to even be in the top 10, the "Big 6" conference teams can have 1 loss, even 2, and still be there. Even when the #1 or other top teams play like shit each week. TCU has won big time, but dropped in the polls. BSU continues to win big and either gets jumped or stuck in the same position.

Back up what you say when top 10 teams DO play BSU and blow them out. Otherwise, all you have is opinions.

Georgia played Boise a few years back and kicked their asses. Other than that, Kentucky has played well in all of their losses and are 1 score away in multiple games from being a 1-loss team right now. Mississippi St. Usually one of the two weak teams in the conferences has two losses to the #6 and #4 teams in the country.

And 6 NCs in the last 12 years (regardless of what you think of the BCS rankings) doesn't lie and going back farther I think they have won 7 of the last 14 and oh yeah 4 out of the last 4 and no losses in the NC to date. Also, we have winning records in bowl games pretty much every year.

Is the SEC as infallible as some people seem to think? No. Is it the best conference? I think so and the stats agree.

It doesn't help that there already is that preconcieved notion of the SEC being in the top, year in and year out. Something that the Big 12, Pac, WAC, and MWC can all agree on, is the East Coast bias, no thanks to ESPN. Even if the top teams in the SEC play like garbage, we get the excuse "oh, but it's the SEC, so it doesn't look as good, but would destroy anyother team!" 3 examples I can think of right off the top of my head. Wyoming and Utah in 2008. Wyoming finished the year 4-8, but beat Tennessee in Neyland Stadium in front of 100,000 people. The 2008-2009 Sugar Bowl where Utah just destroyed Bama, the SEC runner-up. And then the 2004-2005 series between Wyoming and Ole' Miss. Wyoming swept the series. In 2005, Wyoming was a sub-par team, but still managed to beat one of the SEC teams in Mississippi.

And the stats agree because most teams in the SEC don't play tough teams OOC. Hell, UF hasn't left Florida for an OOC game in 20 years.

[strike wolf]

6 NCs.

[Doc_Brown]

Can you name any other team that plays six ranked teams as part of their conference schedule? No? What's average? Maybe 3-4? And as for SEC just adding cupcakes, Auburn played Clemson this year and Alabama played Penn State. Florida plays Florida State (who is never a pushover) every year. Alabama may not look fantastic week in and week out, but they have 7 ranked teams on their schedule. And you want them to play two more top tier teams??? So BSU should go the NC by blowing out bottom feeders of Division 1A football plus 1-2 ranked teams, but if Alabama slips up once running that gauntlet they should be out of the running?

I saw a story a couple weeks ago that did a statistical comparison of the difficult of BSU's schedule to Florida's. If I remember correctly, the statistical odds of Florida going undefeated for a single season is roughly equivalent to BSU playing their schedule three years in a row and going undefeated in every single game.

SEC is weak because the teams lose games to each other, but the ACC isn't weak even though the top teams lose games to Division 1AA teams? Why don't we try this: Rank the teams in any conference and pair them up against the equivalent SEC team. Right now, I'd say that of the other conferences Big12 has the best depth top to bottom. Going down the list, I think a lot of those would be good matchups (I'm not sure who I'd pick in a Vandy vs. Kansas game this year!), though I think the SEC would hold the advantage around the 3-6 spots. Above and below that you've got some really tough calls. Big10 really wouldn't even be a competition, nor would ACC or Pac10.

[muy_thaiguy]

Can you name any other team that plays six ranked teams as part of their conference schedule? No? What's average? Maybe 3-4? And as for SEC just adding cupcakes, Auburn played Clemson this year and Alabama played Penn State. Florida plays Florida State (who is never a pushover) every year. Alabama may not look fantastic week in and week out, but they have 7 ranked teams on their schedule. And you want them to play two more top tier teams??? So BSU should go the NC by blowing out bottom feeders of Division 1A football plus 1-2 ranked teams, but if Alabama slips up once running that gauntlet they should be out of the running?

My Cowboys. BSU, Texas, TCU, Air Force, Utah, and a San Diego State team that really should be undefeated right now. Unlike Bama, Wyoming's ranked schedule included 3 top 10 teams (Texas was ranked 5) and all of them in a 7 week period.
But like I said, with the bias, the SEC is going to be considered a top conference no matter how badly they perform.

I saw a story a couple weeks ago that did a statistical comparison of the difficult of BSU's schedule to Florida's. If I remember correctly, the statistical odds of Florida going undefeated for a single season is roughly equivalent to BSU playing their schedule three years in a row and going undefeated in every single game.

So, it's Boise's fault that they are stuck in the WAC and are not playing for the SEC title every year?

[/quote]SEC is weak because the teams lose games to each other, but the ACC isn't weak even though the top teams lose games to Division 1AA teams? Why don't we try this: Rank the teams in any conference and pair them up against the equivalent SEC team. Right now, I'd say that of the other conferences Big12 has the best depth top to bottom. Going down the list, I think a lot of those would be good matchups (I'm not sure who I'd pick in a Vandy vs. Kansas game this year!), though I think the SEC would hold the advantage around the 3-6 spots. Above and below that you've got some really tough calls. Big10 really wouldn't even be a competition, nor would ACC or Pac10.[/quote]
I was saying that the ACC sucked, and that the MWC and WAC are being rated higher than it this year.
As for the Big 12, they had Texas ranked way too high to begin with, and possibly OU and Nebraska. Iowa State just got pummeled by Utah who scored at will on them, yet were held to 30 points, and intercepted 3 times by a then 2-4 Wyoming team, not mention getting the first sack on their starting QB. CU has pretty much sucked over the last decade. Baylor hasn't been to a bowl game since the 90s (yet they've been in a BCS conference this whole time?). Ok State will always play second fiddle to OU and the Texas schools and always be "almost there!" The only powers in the Big 12 seem to be over rated (OU struggling against Utah State and almost losing to Air Force who gained over 350 rushing yds and Texas getting ran over by UCLA) or screw up big time (Nebraska blowing it against Texas).

[Neoteny]

My town is better than yours.

[oVo]

The SEC is tough... but they are not alone. It's all about the matchups
and speculation about who is better overall is total BS anyways. I attribute
Ohio State's bigger dive in the polls than Alabama's last week --after losing
their first game-- to extra respect being given to the SEC, even though South
Carolina just lost to UK. If Missouri beats #1 Oklahoma this week the Sooners
could drop even farther in the rankings.

Isn't the SEC all about DEFENSE? Wasn't a lot of that being exhibited in
Auburn Alabama last weekend... and btw, Arkansas is actually only a few
plays from being undefeated this year. My apologies to Strike Wolf...
but in spite of the Georgia Bulldogs' recent wins they aren't very good yet
and fortunately have a regrouping Tennessee and Vandy around to remind
them that it actually could be worse.

Remember a few years back Utah was absurd underdogs against one loss
Alabama... and the Tide was bowled over.

Only good thing about it all is there "should be" some great games this year.
Arkansas should have beaten #1 Alabama and then South Carolina did, only to
lose a week later to Kentucky, while Mississippi State beat Florida. Ohio State
goes to Wisconsin and loses opening the door for unbeaten Michigan State to
win the Big Ten since they don't play the Buckeyes. Texas sneaks past Nebraska
at Nebraska while East Carolina bumps off NC State in OT.

Boise State is #3 scoring, #3 scored against and has beaten both Virginia Tech
and Oregon State already this year. Regardless of schedules, much like TCU and
Utah they are a tough matchup for anyone. All we can do is sit back and watch it
play out. Strength of schedule will have an effect on BSU's final destination when
the bowl selections are announced and I don't expect them to reach the NC game...
even though I do believe they can compete with any team out there.

This week could easily produce more shuffles in the rankings as Oklahoma plays
Missouri, Oregon vs UCLA, Auburn vs LSU, TCU vs Air Force, Wisconsin vs Iowa,
and Nebraska vs Oklahoma State.

[strike wolf]

The SEC is tough... but they are not alone. It's all about the matchups
and speculation about who is better overall is total BS anyways. I attribute
Ohio State's bigger dive in the polls than Alabama's last week --after losing
their first game-- to extra respect being given to the SEC, even though South
Carolina just lost to UK. If Missouri beats #1 Oklahoma this week the Sooners
could drop even farther in the rankings.

Isn't the SEC all about DEFENSE? Wasn't a lot of that being exhibited in
Auburn Alabama last weekend... and btw, Arkansas is actually only a few
plays from being undefeated this year. My apologies to Strike Wolf...
but in spite of the Georgia Bulldogs' recent wins they aren't very good yet
and fortunately have a regrouping Tennessee and Vandy around to remind
them that it actually could be worse.

No offense. Georgia's won the last two games but I'm not sure if that's due to their own improvement or just weaker opponents.

Remember a few years back Utah was absurd underdogs against one loss
Alabama... and the Tide was bowled over.

Only good thing about it all is there "should be" some great games this year.
Arkansas should have beaten #1 Alabama and then South Carolina did, only to
lose a week later to Kentucky, while Mississippi State beat Florida. Ohio State
goes to Wisconsin and loses opening the door for unbeaten Michigan State to
win the Big Ten since they don't play the Buckeyes. Texas sneaks past Nebraska
at Nebraska while East Carolina bumps off NC State in OT.

Boise State is #3 scoring, #3 scored against and has beaten both Virginia Tech
and Oregon State already this year. Regardless of schedules, much like TCU and
Utah they are a tough matchup for anyone. All we can do is sit back and watch it
play out. Strength of schedule will have an effect on BSU's final destination when
the bowl selections are announced and I don't expect them to reach the NC game...
even though I do believe they can compete with any team out there.

This week could easily produce more shuffles in the rankings as Oklahoma plays
Missouri, Oregon vs UCLA, Auburn vs LSU, TCU vs Air Force, Wisconsin vs Iowa,
and Nebraska vs Oklahoma State.

I will say this. BSU shouldn't have been passed in the polls twice already they should be the #2 if not #1 team right now they deserve it. As far as the SEC, let's just say the last 2 times I thought it was a down year for the SEC they came back to prove me wrong.

[oVo]

The jury is still out on the strength of teams and conferences,
but much of that will be solved soon. I'm really hoping Georgia
is pulling it together as they get more games under their belt,
but I attribute their recent success to the opponents. A few
good wins can certainly boost confidence and the Dawgs just
might have some surprises left.

I really didn't expect the Bulldogs to have it all going this year,
but like Tennessee and Michigan I do expect them to field a
very tough contender in the near future.

Auburn's QB was impressive against Arkansas and it brought
back memories of Tim Tebow watching him play. Something
that the rest of the SEC is aware of I'm sure.

[oVo]

Third week of Number Ones going down... USC gets a chance to extend that trend this week while hosting Oregon. Boise State has to be loving this while TCU has finally surrendered a TD to Air Force.

Three different conferences have held the top spot and now it's the PAC 10's turn.

[muy_thaiguy]

Third week of Number Ones going down... USC gets a chance to extend that trend this week while hosting Oregon. Boise State has to be loving this while TCU has finally surrendered a TD to Air Force.

Three different conferences have held the top spot and now it's the PAC 10's turn.

If USC's D can keep Oregon's offense in check, USC sould win. Boise should cruise through the rest of the schedule. Utah has both TCU (luckily for them, at home) and Notre Dame (at South Bend, not sure how that one will go) to go through. TCU just really has Utah left to deal with. However, a win over Utah would propel TCU pretty high as both are top 10 teams.

[HapSmo19]

If USC's D can keep Oregon's offense in check, USC sould win.

Not gonna happen.

Oregon - 48, USC - 28

[muy_thaiguy]

If USC's D can keep Oregon's offense in check, USC sould win.

Not gonna happen.

Oregon - 48, USC - 28

I'm not saying they will, but "IF" they can. If not, USC will go down.

[HapSmo19]

If USC's D can keep Oregon's offense in check, USC sould win.

Not gonna happen.

Oregon - 48, USC - 28

I'm not saying they will, but "IF" they can. If not, USC will go down.

I know, muy. It's gonna be a good game and that's just what I hope happens. I like the Ducks when they're winning.

[oVo]

#1Alabama at #19South Carolina was terrific... hard hitting, tight right to the finish
and took some exceptional plays for the Gamecocks to pull it off.

#1Ohio State at #18Wisconsin was also a tough one and statistically a toss up.
The Buckeyes spotted the Badgers an opening kickoff touchdown return and
that big special teams play was the difference maker. This week #13Wisconsin
was fortunate to escape #15Iowa with a 1 point win.

#1Oklahoma at #11Missouri was very different from the two previous #1 defeats.
The Sooners spotted the Tigers an opening kickoff TD as well and to make it worse
coughed up 2 turnovers in the red zone and ended up trailing by 3 at the half. The
second half was like watching an entirely different game. Missou stiffened on defense
and Oklahoma couldn't get any pressure on the Tiger QB... which allowed them to
just about dominate the rest of the game with the spread offense.

#1Oregon at (UR)Southern California has the potential for another upset. USC's QB has been
red hot lately and if that continues could be a problem... even for the high flying Ducks.
Also, the Trojans are the best non-bowl eligible team out there which may just make
this one their biggest game of the season outside of the UCLA/Cal rivalry. Only ranked
team left on the Ducks schedule is Arizona.

Boise State & TCU may get jumped in the polls because of their strength of schedule and
that doesn't improve a whole lot from here on out without a lot of help from outside.
Both the SEC and Big Ten have had a lot of high ranked teams and somebody has to
lose. Any team in those conferences that runs the table is in good shape to be at the
top of the rankings at the end of this season. Alabama has 6 ranked teams on their
schedule (3 in the top 10), BSU & TCU each have 2 and BSU's may not finish the year
in the top 25... TCU has Utah currently #9.

Utah worried about going to Notre Dame? Navy just stomped the Irish last weekend
at South Bend. 35-17 Ouch.

LOL at Texas... wtf dudes? Go to Nebraska and beat the Huskers with the help of three
dropped TD passes only to return to Austin and turnover a game to Iowa State? Sheesh.
Nebraska rebounds by squeeking past previously unbeaten Oklahoma State and they host
Missouri next week.

[Woodruff]

LOL at Texas... wtf dudes? Go to Nebraska and beat the Huskers with the help of three
dropped TD passes only to return to Austin and turnover a game to Iowa State? Sheesh.

Texas has definitely been weird this season. Beating Nebraska @ Nebraska...and then at home getting CRUSHED by UCLA and then beaten by Iowa Freakin' State. Seems like they just can't play at home...which is very odd for college ball.

[oVo]

I watched some of that UCLA/Texas fiasco... and most of the Longhorn's
problems in that game were self inflicted. Early on every time they made
something good happen it was called back with a penalty while the Bruins
were going nowhere. A muffed punt recovered by UCLA inside the Texas
three yard line in the first half changed all that... and in the second half
the Bruins did enough to seal the deal early.

[oVo]

Unbeaten Auburn jumps Oregon and Boise State to claim the BCS #1 with their 4th win over a ranked opponent. Their next game is against 3-4 Ole Miss so the current trend should end and the pressure is off of Oregon. Auburn hosts Georgia in two weeks and ends the regular season at Alabama, which will be the Tide's 7th game against a Ranked opponent and could also be for the SEC West's spot in the SEC Championship game.

[Night Strike]

#1Oklahoma at #11Missouri was very different from the two previous #1 defeats.
The Sooners spotted the Tigers an opening kickoff TD as well and to make it worse
coughed up 2 turnovers in the red zone and ended up trailing by 3 at the half. The
second half was like watching an entirely different game. Missou stiffened on defense
and Oklahoma couldn't get any pressure on the Tiger QB... which allowed them to
just about dominate the rest of the game with the spread offense.

That Mizzou game was awesome.