AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 15
Monday, October 15, 2007
South Florida should be No. 1
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five things we learned over the weekend.
1. South Florida actually should be No. 1: I agree with those who have a problem with South Florida being No. 2 in the BCS standings. The Bulls should actually be No. 1. The BCS standings should be about who you play and who you beat. USF beat Auburn on the road and West Virginia at home. Ohio State has played non-conference games with Youngstown State, Akron, and Kent State and its best win to date is over Washington (2-3).
2. It ain’t easy being No. 1: Southern Cal couldn’t handle it at home (against Stanford). LSU couldn’t handle it on the road (against Kentucky). California was in the middle of a game with Oregon State when it learned that LSU had lost and it was going to be No. 1. But the Bears had a brain freeze and ran out the clock to lose 31-28. Now it’s Ohio State’s turn in the barrel. The Buckeyes have tough road games at Penn State and Michigan down the stretch.
3. Kentucky is not a finesse team any more: The Wildcats beat LSU last Saturday because they matched LSU hit for hit, especially in the fourth quarter. LSU pounded Kentucky in the third quarter and the Tigers thought they would wear the Wildcats down like they did Florida. But Kentucky would not wilt. I promise you that LSU is a sore football team today.
4. LSU not out of it: Having said all that, LSU is good enough to win the rest of its games and play for the BCS championship. A 12-1 record in the SEC, which is the only BCS conference with no undefeated teams, should get a lot of respect from the voters. Is it good enough to jump over a 12-0 team from South Florida or a 13-0 Boston College? We’ll see. LSU has got to get past Auburn first.
5. Hawaii does not deserve a BCS bid: Fun team to watch. I like June Jones. Quarterback Colt Brennan will be a pretty good pro. But the Warriors play a ridiculously easy schedule and have trouble every time they come to the mainland. The BCS rules were relaxed in order to give deserving teams (like Boise State in 2006) access to the big bowls. But if a team like Hawaii gets in and gets embarrassed, then it will undermine the intent of the rule.
