AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLSU, Oklahoma the best two teams in the country
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m not a handicapper. I don’t even play one on TV. But based on what I’ve seen the first two weeks, here is just one man’s guess on who will play for the BCS championship on Jan. 7 in New Orleans:
1. LSU, 2-1: I have not seen a more dominant team in years than the Tigers were against Virginia Tech Saturday night. LSU didn’t just win 48-7, they dominated in every phase of the game. LSU didn’t have a three and out all night and when QB Matt Flynn got dinged up, Ryan Perrilloux came in and didn’t miss a beat. Florida comes to Baton Rouge on Oct. 6 and the toughest road game is at Alabama on Nov. 3.
2. Oklahoma, 2-1: Bob Stoops has won four Big 12 championships with four different quarterbacks. It looks like Sam Bradford will be the fifth. The Sooners have scored 130 points in their first two games and 51 were against a very good Miami defense. Oklahoma gets Texas in Dallas on Oct. 6 and the toughest road game is at Texas Tech on Nov. 17.
3. Southern Cal, 3-1: The Trojans were taking last Saturday off while LSU and Oklahoma were winning impressively. Suddenly the schedule looks a little different. Southern Cal has to go to Washington (Sept. 29) and that now looks like a much better game. They have to go to Oregon (Oct. 27) which is doing some nice things with the spread offense. They have to go to California (Nov. 10) which has enough athletes to beat anybody. They have to go to Arizona State (Nov. 22) where Dennis Erickson is quickly building a team.
4. West Virginia, 3-1: In the preseason, the Mountaineers appeared to have a schedule built for 12-0. But now I’m not so sure. They get Louisville at home (Nov. 8) but they have to go on the road to play Rutgers (Oct. 27) and South Florida (Sept. 28).
5. Penn State, 5-1: If any team in the Big Ten is going to go undefeated, my pick is the Fighting Joe Paternos. The Nittany Lions get Wisconsin (Oct. 13) and Ohio State (Oct. 27) at home. They go to Michigan on Sept. 22, but I don’t believe anybody is scared to play in the Big House any more.
The rest:
Florida, 7-1: The Gators’ youth on defense will eventually catch up to them. They have to go to LSU on Oct. 6.
Texas, 8-1: Don’t think the Longhorns have enough firepower to beat Oklahoma.
Wisconsin, 9-1: Badgers will stumble either at Penn State (Oct. 13) or at Ohio State (Nov. 3)
California, 10-1: Good team, but the road schedule will catch up to them. The Bears play at Oregon (Sept. 29), at UCLA (Oct. 20), at Arizona State (Oct. 27), and at Washington (Nov. 17).
Georgia Tech, 15-1: A long shot to be sure. But let’s see how Techsters do against their first quality opponent in Boston College.
Comments
By Roswell Ed
September 11, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
There is but one Roswell Ed
The other is I can only guess jealous of my acumen.
I make no excuses for AU.
The impostor will using my handle.
If there are sharp witty barbs then it is me. Anything else is a cheap imitation of the king of AJC blogs.
War Eagle!
Tony: PENN ST?
By mricht
September 11, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
tech??? really they should not even be in your artical,it is about possible national championship teams correct? or did I read the title wrong. they will fall apart like they always do 8-4 with a big lose on november 24th to knock them out of a new years day bowl. Tony please, I thought you were better than to pander to the locals by throwing in tech in your artical like this,you just get the techies all excited for nothing.
By MURPHY
September 11, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
I love the Sec,but Oklahoma is the best team-thier defense is awesome.I dont think the LSU offense would stand a chance against the OU DEFENSE.
By MP
September 11, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Notre Dame was (and still is) a quality opponent. I don’t get it. They were a 3 point favorite, it was on their beloved home field and now it was not a “quality opponent”. Horse crap! Tech has the equipment to win 8-10 this year. Anything less than 8 and Gailey should be gone.
By Eric
September 11, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
I’m scared to death of Florida, LSU, Arkansas, Georgia and Alabama. And I’m worried about Vandy, Ole Miss and State. But I will forever bleed Orange and Blue. War Eagle!!!
By Randyt
September 11, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Tony,
Last week (after App State), you held the position that Lloyd Carr would not be fired. Do you still think he will survive?
Do you think the Vols might “man up” and beat FL?
By Randyt
September 11, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Tony,
Ignore my last post about Michigan, I just saw your blog from yesterday. Sorry.
By SW
September 11, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
You could not have been more correct by putting LSU as the most dominant team at this point. You must have started doing lines thereafter because there is no way that Oklahoma’s performance thus far justifies your claim. They beat a weakling in their first game and Miami…not the 99, 00, 01, or 02 version. Miami is only strong in memory. 50% of the teams in DivI could beat them and yes, OU had a short field to work with so the Miami D argument goes out of the window. You can also go ahead and remove Penn St., Texas, and Georgia Tech. Penn St. and Georgia Tech beat Notre Dame, who similar to Miami, only exists in name. Texas has struggled horrendously. As of now, I see a USC (or Cal) vs. LSU finale. You continue to disappoint me Barnie…you continue to disappoint me…
By toby young
September 11, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Ilove ya man and playing to the home town team i can see but ya,ll need to take a ride up I85 cause baby bowden is putting together a pretty nice team in Clemson and its time for them to be a force in Collage ball again.and Tony they have great nicknames too..
By dawgman
September 11, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
Tony, are you blind? The Dawgs are obviously going to be national champs this year. We’ve got the greatest quarterback ever and speed speed speed on defense. Everyone is jealous of the dawgs because we are the greatest! You all wish you could get commitments from players that can’t graduate from high school! Heck we haven’t even had anyone arrested this week, so Mark Richt doesn’t have to waste time pretending to care and then not suspending taking any significant disciplinary action. We have been national champs every year, but the press won’t report that kind of good news.
By Buck Strickland
September 11, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
From what I’ve seen so far this season: 1. L-S-U 2. OK 3. Gators 4. USC (Trojans not Cocks)
GT is a question mark. If they play well against BC I’ll pay attention to them. ND was a 3 point favorite not because odds makers thought they were that good, just thought GT was that bad.
UGA still ok in the east. If they lose to UT or UF the SEC is usually out of reach but SC should lose a couple with their tough schedule.
I hate the gators but they are in a great position, no one is talking about them and reloading on defense is not that hard. Backups play A LOT during a regular season, so to lose starters is not that big a deal. Lots of weapons on offense - it all comes down to Tebow. Sounds crazy but UF is a dark horse this year. Ridiculous.
Go Dawgs.
By Ralph
September 11, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
Oklahoma will probably surprise some folks, like their 2000 team did (unranked preseason; eventual national champions). Their young qb keeps getting better, and their receiving corps, RBs, and defense are stocked.
By rustybanks
September 11, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
No Big East team with one loss will make it. I see USF beating WVU.
5-0 this past Saturday. 9-1 Overall!
http://www.rustybanks.com
By Buck Strickland
September 11, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
The front page of AJC sports section today is HI-larious. They’ve analyzed what’s going right for Tech and wrong for UGA. Could have saved them some time by summing it up in one word: SCHEDULE!!! Pretty obvious that they’ve been starving for something good to write about with Tech. It’s week 2 AJC… GET A GRIP!
By wes
September 11, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
Did someone put acid in my coffee or did Tony Barnhart, the biggest SEC homer of all-time, just put Georgia Freaking Tech on his list?!?!?
I’m freaking out, man!!!!
By Eric
September 11, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Tony doesn’t read this garbage.
By YeahBuck
September 11, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
5 SEC East losses in a row buddy. It’s funny how before Saturday, Georgia was going to blow SC out of the water. Now that Georgia has been exposed, the Ugagers say it’s because they’ve played a tougher schedule. Good luck with Western Carolina this week.
By Buck Strickland
September 11, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
That’s ok GT, we can argue all season about the weak ACC, let’s just wait until Nov. 24 for the annual GT reality check. Talk about weak schedules, good luck with Duke, Army, Miami and VT buddy! Pathetic.
By Matthew
September 11, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Notre Dame was a push-over. In fact, with how they played, I thought they took the field with reasonable cardboard facsimiles of themselves. To call them a quality opponent is a joke.
Samford was a joke, and I like how the classy guys from the North Avenue Trade School ran up the score.
But this week is Boston College and the whole nation will see that Taylor Bennett is the weak link on that team.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the first two weeks of the season, gnats. Keep congratulating yourselves on a fine season thus far. Keep puffing yourselves up, because pretty soon reality is going to pop your unrealistic expectations of withered (ACC) glory.
By War Eagle
September 11, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
Hey Eric, it will get better, we have young players a weak QB, Auburn is not playing with desire, but CTT will hopefully change that course…
By War Eagle
September 11, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
Am I just state of Georgia prejudice, but Tech is better than Penn State? Tech has played two weak teams, but they seem to be very prepared and has solid talent.
By GT
September 11, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Vince and ball control would have won Saturday night. You didn’t have to throw the ball and you certainly didn’t have anyone that was catching it. Vince and a lot of good coaches just don’t lose games like that.
By Georgia Tech=JOKE
September 11, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
I bet Georgia Tech’s strength of schedule really took a boost when Samford rocked West Alabama 23-21. That’s what we call SARCASM for the verbally challenged lab geeks.
By GreenJacket
September 11, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
I love reading the Dawg fans trying to make themselves feel better by bashing Tech. They are terrified that Tech may be the better team this year. I guess if Tech beats BC this week that BC is weak in their eyes.
By Buck Strickland
September 11, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
GreenJacket (Augusta?) If GT beats BC I’ll start paying attention to them. I like how the tech fans are saying the dawg fans are delusional. We can tell you from experience, don’t read too much into early success against mediocre teams. I personally think you guys have a much better team than in years past but will wait too see - unlike the AJC who wants to anoint you the best team in the state after week two. (I know they do the same thing to the dawgs every year if we go 2-0 but what can you do. I’m blaming the AJC here, not tech fans)
GT does have a helluva helluva deal going on for tickets though. I guess not everyone is jumping on the bandwagon yet. Had to throw in at least one jab.
By Historian
September 11, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
Nobody expected GT to make a run in 1990, but things are different now. Even if Tech went undefeated, their strength of schedule would keep them out. In addition, there could be as many as three other undefeated teams. It’s a nice dream, but it won’t happen. This is their year for them to get in the top ten. You’ve got to be there a while before anyone will take you seriously.
By G8TR
September 12, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
“I have not seen a more dominant team in years…” Um, Tony…Can you not recall all the way back to, say, earlier this year when UF played Ohio State for the NC? Maybe VT isn’t very good, just like the rest of their conference. Take a breath. This is the kind of hyperbole that gives us so-called “Games of the Century” like UMich v. OSU.
By Buck Strickland
September 12, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
G8TR, well put. I thought the same thing when I read that. UF last year and USC/Auburn a couple of years ago come to mind. Tony seems to have a short memory. You would think someone as seasoned as him would know statements like that can’t be made this early in the season. Selling newspapers I guess. LSU may go undefeated but, like any championship team, they will need some luck getting to the big game. Especially in the SEC. I think UF pounds UT this weekend. Hope its a good game though.
By NeptuneGT
September 12, 2007 4:21 AM | Link to this
Oh man it is always fun to see these UGAy fans with no lives come on here and spew their same old garbage.
How was that C** game for you last weekend?
By SamBuzz
September 12, 2007 7:06 AM | Link to this
Matthew,
If you mean running the ball on EVERY play with our 3rd and 4th string teams for the entire 3rd and 4th qtrs., then yes we ‘ran up the score without class’.
In probably one of the few games those guys get to play in all year, you want those guys to just take a knee?? Get a grip.
I guess the thing that stings the most for you and Bucky is that Tech still has a chance for a NC this year after week 2 (not a good chance, I’ll add) Yet your beloved Dawgs have NO CHANCE at a NC.
Stay classy Athens…. against Western whoever this weekend.
By DoggieStyle
September 12, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this
mricht, ARTICLE, not ARTICAL you….
By Mark
September 12, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Oklahoma is a really good football team, but what makes them good is their offensive and defensive lines. It all starts right there. they’re just dominant up front.
By azcat225
September 12, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
People always notice Southern Cal but this year could shape up to be a banner year for the PAC10. Problem is they will suffer from SEC-itis and take turns knocking each other off. When the NCAA added the 12th game to the schedule, the PAC10 told its members they would be playing every one else in the conference, rather than adding a fourth non-conference game. That will ultimately make the conference stronger but may hurt all of them this year, unless USC/Oregon/Cal/UCLA can run the table. Man, there is nothing better than college sports!! I quit watching the pros a few years ago.
By Randy
September 12, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
Two words will make the difference this year, again: Pete Carroll
By Cuz
September 12, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
Finnally, CHAN gets his props.
Proud to be a member of the Noble and Sacred Order of the FANS OF CHAN.
By wes
September 12, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this
ok, dawgs are young,will winsome not supposed to and lose some as well. GT is good solid team with plenty to gain and prove, (see BC). Auburn is pretty good defensively, horrible offensively. Bama still trying to validfy paying a coach that much money to win one game. BCS championship game: LSU vs. Cal. Winner, please LSU
By cj
September 13, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this
SW is braindead if he doesn’t think Oklahoma is the real deal, their offensive and defensive lines are absolutely stacked and deep and are extremely deep at rb. Yes North Texas is not very strong but neither is USC’s first opponant, Idaho, but they are both division one schools, and Miami’s defense is still very good reguardless of their offense. I agree that LSU deserves the number one spot after laying waste to Tech, but Oklahoma deserves number two just the same.