BG College Football Pick Em / College Football Thread

[Gregorio]

New AP poll is out. BCS coming soon.

AP Top 25
1. Texas (39) 6-0 1,599
2. Alabama (26) 6-0 1,582
3. Penn State 7-0 1,492
4. Oklahoma 5-1 1,306
5. Florida 5-1 1,284
6. USC 4-1 1,247
7. Texas Tech 6-0 1,210
8. Oklahoma State 6-0 1,184
9. Brigham Young 6-0 1,131
10. Georgia 5-1 1,081
11. Missouri 5-1 984
12. Ohio State 6-1 908
13. LSU 4-1 893
14. Utah 7-0 834
15. Boise State 5-0 714
16. Kansas 5-1 620
17. Virginia Tech 5-1 540
18. North Carolina 5-1 416
19. South Florida 5-1 397
20. Michigan State 6-1 371
21. Wake Forest 4-1 330
22. Vanderbilt 5-1 258
23. Pittsburgh 4-1 182
24. Ball State 7-0 166
25. California 4-1 115
Others Receiving Votes
Tulsa 84, TCU 61, Minnesota 48, Florida State 38, Georgia Tech 25, South Carolina 9, Kentucky 7, Oregon 4, Northwestern 3, Notre Dame 1, Cincinnati 1.
Dropped From Rankings
Auburn 20.

[Gregorio]

I didn't think Texas would jump Alabama this week. Doesn't really matter though, if Texas was at 2 and wins next week they would have jumped Bama then. Texas has a rough couple weeks comin up...if they win out they'll definitely be one scary team. On paper, Bama's only real test left until the SEC championship is @LSU in a few weeks. But you never know with the SEC.

[Plow]

I didn't think Texas would jump Alabama this week. Doesn't really matter though, if Texas was at 2 and wins next week they would have jumped Bama then. Texas has a rough couple weeks comin up...if they win out they'll definitely be one scary team. On paper, Bama's only real test left until the SEC championship is @LSU in a few weeks. But you never know with the SEC.

It's cuz Bama was not impressive at all vs Kentucky, who lost to a below expectations SC team.


Glad to see OSU getting their props, Tech I'm sure will get themselves ahead of a couple of those 1 loss teams against A&M next week, which should set up a situation for KU to have an opportunity to move into top 5 for sure if they're able to get through a demoralized OU team and then beat Tech.

Pretty solid poll this week, can't really argue for Tech ahead of any of those teams after that performance against Nebraska, and while I would argue OSU has accomplished just as much as Bama had when Bama got into top 5, they have a good chance of rolling up 60 on Baylor after their bye week to step up there.

Big 12 schedule is about to go insane.

Next week we have 16 KU @ 4 OU and 11 mizzou @ 1 texas.

Week after that is 8 OSU @ 1 Texas.

Then 1 Texas @ 16 KU.

Then 7 Texas @ 4 OU.

Then finally a couple meh weeks before 4 OU @ 8 OSU and 16 KU @ 11 Mizzou.


And then, of course, is the possibility that KU or Mizzou actually wins their big games, and the championship is 2 1 loss teams ranked in the top 5.

[Akiyama]

Glad to see OSU getting their props, Tech I'm sure will get themselves ahead of a couple of those 1 loss teams against A&M next week, which should set up a situation for KU to have an opportunity to move into top 5 for sure if they're able to get through a demoralized OU team and then beat Tech.

What? So.. you think if Texas Tech rolls a big one up on A&M and beats em by 50 or something, you think they should move ahead of a couple of those one loss teams? Assuming the teams above them all win this week, they shouldn't pass them with a win against a dogshit team like A&M. No way. And with the way Tech performed against a Nebraska team that is still giving up points to Mizzou I believe... no way. Tech still hasn't impressed me, and I know my opinion doesn't mean a thing, but still. I didn't like their game against the Cornhuskers just like I didn't like Bama's performance against Tulane/Kentucky.

Also, if you think OU is completely demoralized after the loss to Texas, and it opens up a chance for KU... then that's just the Kansas in you talking. KU once again started god awful slow, and had to turn up the heat against a Colorado team that got destroyed by FSU (who has little to no offense, btw). From what I've seen of Texas Tech (I watched the Tech/Nebraska game Saturday), I think if Kansas starts quicker than they have the last two weeks, they do have a chance of keeping up, and pulling out a win against Texas Tech. Do I think they have a chance @ Norman against a rebounding Oklahoma team though? I don't, honestly. Sorry. That's my opinion. Kansas can not start slow and let Oklahoma jump up a couple TDs, especially on the road.

I didn't care where Alabama landed. #1, #2, dropped a spot.. didn't really bother me. They need to come out and flex their muscles against Ole Miss next week. Either way, Texas has another tough game coming up, so we'll see if the Top 5 stays the way it is next week, because the last two weeks, it sure hasn't.

As far as Mizzou @ Texas.. if Texas runs on Mizzou like Texas ran on OU at the end of the game, then I like Texas's chances. Chase Daniel had a good passing accuracy day, but accuracy doesn't lead to wins. He had those key turnovers, and when given over two minutes to lead a Heisman-like drive, he did not. I'll be interested in watching that though. Hope for another shootout.

[Kirin]

The BCS better give UGA some credit. Its bullshit that they win and dont move up even ONE spot after the top 3 teams choke in one day.

[Plow]

I see KU having a decent chance at Oklahoma just because their pass rush is really coming on, and knowing how big 12 national championship competitor teams, especially Stoops teams, tend to play after a big loss.

Oklahoma is still beating their opponents 110-6 in the first quarter, and they still have a loss to show for it. Not only would them looking lethargic early not really surprise me, but even if they come out fast, they've done it for years and still lost games.


Also, I don't think you realize just how much I hate Stoops and Venables lol.


Oh, and Tech has a good chance at moving up because of the potential for a 5v8ish matchup with KU the next week if KU wins.

[Akiyama]

Yeah, but huge if for KU moving up. They still have to beat a pissed off Oklahoma team.

Also, as far as UGA moving up... they didn't move up because they didn't look impressive. Sure, they won. But Tennessee is a bad football team. Leaving those points on the field instead of putting them up on the scoreboard hurt UGA. Teams below them (like Florida), and above them obviously played well enough to move up and such, while the top 3 dropped out. They were just replaced. UGA did good to stay where they are.

[Plow]

Did you see Stoops and co after the game? Pissed of doesn't describe the mentality they were carrying at all.


Stoops looked like he wanted to cry, it was classic.

[BarthelloSylph]

UNC #18, I like it

[Bregor]

A lot of one-loss teams have reason to gripe. If you go by the strength of the teams that beat them, LSU and Ohio State could easily be in the top 10. It's just that you look at those lop-sided scores and tend to rank them lower, and Georgia kind of fits into that category too, since the Alabama game was already over by halftime despite the fact they only lost by 11. I think that the teams that beat Florida and USC are much weaker, which is why having USC #4 in USA Today is complete bullshit. But I also think every team is vulnerable at this point, you could conceive three BCS-conference teams going undefeated, or two two-loss teams playing for the championship.

I just can't wait to see how it unfolds, Mizzou/Texas this week is obviously going to be good but no other games scream "upset" to me. Then the 25th is going to be even better, if OSU beats Penn State, and Texas loses either of its next two, it could get very messy at the top. I also see going to Tennessee as a trap game for Bama, they almost always play close games no matter how they're ranked. And if they get too focused on LSU and Auburn at the end of the year, they could be tripped up like they almost were against Kentucky. As far as rankings for right now, I would go:

1a. Texas
1b. Alabama
3. Penn State
4. Texas Tech
5. Oklahoma
6. Florida
7. Oklahoma State
8. USC
9. BYU
10. Georgia
11. Ohio State
12. Mizzou

[Akiyama]

I do think going to Knoxville will be dangerous for the Crimson Tide, but Bama, unlike previous years in trap games, have been bending, but not breaking. Saban will keep em in check I'd think. Only thing I think gets to them is their being young, and not used to the media coverage. They've been underachievers for a long time now (other than the 10-2 season in 2005 I believe where they won the Cotton Bowl).

[Stiker]

USC still being in the top 10 is a crime.

[Mizango]

UNC #18, I like it

Score!

[Akiyama]

Tommy Bowden fired @ Clemson.

[Plow]

lol USA Today poll is terrible


and I just realized Ball State's toughest games left are...


...


Central Michigan, and Western Michigan...

[Akiyama]

Why is the poll terrible? and who cares about Ball State. They won't get to the BCS.

[Mizango]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/spo...ry/251010.html


Yeah the Tommy Bowden thing was unexpected, sure they are underachieving but WOW! I wonder who the front runner is for that job.

[Plow]

First, you don't lose to an unranked team in week 3 and get back in the top 5 in week 6. That's just retarded. USC has nothing resembling a tough game left, putting them top 5 right now is saying "lawls enjoy free nc game berths just for being USC!"

If you are going to be stupid and put a team that lost to an unranked team a couple weeks ago up there, it should be Florida no question. (I know I said I can't really argue with Tech being behind, but that's only half true, undefeated should be ahead of 1 loss at this point in the year, even if they weren't impressive in their most recent win, and especially with the schedule they have coming up. USC has 7 scrub games left to prove they belong, Tech would have to knock off 2 top 10 quality teams on the road in a row to have a chance to move past them in these voters' eyes.)


Apparently they forgot that Oklahoma State was AT Mizzou, because if it were @ OSU I can see legitimately believing they were only a little better, the reality is them sitting 2 spots apart after that game is a joke.


Ohio State moves ahead of Mizzou, what? I'm sorry, did they not notice the part where Wisconsin is not even a top 25 team and Ohio State has shown nothing at all thus far?

Ohio State vs Wisconsin, 20-17. Penn State vs Wisconsin, 48-7.

Mizzou vs IU, 52-42. Penn State vs IU, 38-24.

Golly gee.

I could go on, but meh. turbl poll is turbl

[Akiyama]

Well, go on and on. I'll just pick it apart now.

Three top 5 teams have lost in the last two weeks. That makes it easy for a team at #10 to jump up like USC. I personally don't feel USC even played that great against a wounded ASU team.. beating em by 4 TDs and had 5 turnovers. Was a horrible game, but I can understand how they move up there.

Oklahoma State jumped what.. 9 spots? 17 to 8? I haven't looked at it. Is it around that area? Being @Mizzou causes you to jump that many spots. I personally think Missouri is overrated. Clearly you can't win with offense alone, or they would've beaten Oklahoma State. I do think Mizzou beats Texas this weekend though. That's my upset special. Also, I don't think Oklahoma State is that much better than Mizzou talent wise either. Chase Daniel had three costly turnovers in the second half. Turnovers fuck anyone over.

Ohio State moved ahead of Mizzou because Ohio State lost early in the season to USC and then went to Wisconsin and beat them. It's not that Wisconsin is down this year. It's the fact that Wisconsin was something like 18-0 at home in the Big 10. That's probably why Ohio State got a lot of credit for that win.

Penn State went from 6 to 3 because where else would you put them? There's not much room in the jumbled Top 6 or 7 right now.

I dont get the part you're golly geeing. Mizzou beat Illinois 52-42, Penn State beat em 38-24. What's your point? Minnesota beat em by a TD. Who cares? Missouri and Penn State's wins over them don't look as impressive right now. I don't think Minnesota or Illinois are that good either. Illinois is just prone to mistakes. Typical Zook ball.

I do think the Poll is shitty in some parts, but I don't think it's as retarded as you're trying to make it sound.

[Byrd]

If you are going to be stupid and put a team that lost to an unranked team a couple weeks ago up there, it should be Florida no question.

Why, exactly? USC and Florida have had remarkably similar seasons. They've both beaten the crap out a highly ranked opponent at home in a big game. They both lost a game they shouldn't have to an unranked team that's currently 3-3. And they've beaten up on everyone else they have played. Neither one of them has a second marquee win, but they've both beaten other teams that are respectable. Later in the season, you could say the SEC schedule > Pac-10 schedule, but this early in the conference season, their schedules are pretty identical. They're pretty close in the polls, which makes sense to me. I don't know how you separate them at this point.

I could go on, but meh. turbl poll is turbl

Polls are really pretty stupid in general, in particular preseason polls. Until November, it just gives people something to talk about. Reputation and past success has as much weight as the success of a current year. A team that starts highly ranked and finishes 9-3 can go to a BCS game if the cards fall right. The same team, if it starts unranked and finishes 9-3, doesn't sniff the BCS and might not even end up in the Top 25. Unfortunately, in college football (and only in college football), polls are very, very important. In basketball, for the most part, it's decided on the court. Same with every professional sport. In college football, perception is everything.

That's really both one of the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the college football system. It allows for endless discussion, which is good, but provides little in the way of concrete answers, which is (IMO) bad.