AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 16
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Can South Florida go the distance?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Every team in the Associated Press preseason Top 10 now has a loss. So there is no reason to believe that we’re going to go the rest of the season without some more upsets. If I were still voting in the polls, this would be my top five. Each one still has some stumbling blocks along the way.
1. South Florida (6-0): To those who don’t want the Bulls in the BCS championship game because they are not a “traditional” power, shame on you. This is a team that was good enough to go on the road and win at Auburn and beat West Virginia when it was ranked No. 5. USF has a short week and must go on the road to Rutgers Thursday night. Home games against Cincinnati (Nov. 3), and improving Louisville (Nov. 17) won’t be easy.
2. Ohio State (7-0): The Buckeyes are the champions of Ohio (Youngstown State, Akron, Kent State) but that’s about it. Their 23-7 win at Purdue, when the Boilermakers were leading the Big Ten in scoring, is worthy of note. Ohio State still has to play at Penn State (Oct. 27) and at Michigan (Nov. 17).
3. Boston College (7-0): The Eagles have two quality wins over Wake Forest (38-28) at home and Georgia Tech (24-10) in Atlanta. Those who doubt BC will soon get their answer. If the Eagles can go to Virginia Tech on Oct. 25 and win, then they deserve their lofty ranking. After that BC sill has to play Florida State, Maryland, Clemson, and Miami.
4. LSU (6-1): Despite the triple overtime loss at Kentucky, I still think the Tigers may be the best team in the country. After two tough, emotional games (Florida, UK), LSU will have its hands full Saturday night against Auburn. If LSU can win, it will get a week off to get ready for the stretch drive that includes Alabama, Ole Miss, and Arkansas.
5. Oklahoma (6-1): The only potential loss for the Sooners is a Nov. 17 trip to Texas Tech. Unless Oklahoma can get some luck, it will be on the outside of the BCS championship looking in because of that 27-24 loss to Colorado on Sept. 29.
Five others to consider:
Kentucky (6-1): After what I saw Saturday (against LSU) I will not doubt this team again. But the ‘Cats will have a tough time beating Florida on Saturday in Lexington.
Oregon (5-1): This is a really good team that could easily be undefeated now. The Ducks host Southern Cal on Oct. 27.
South Carolina (6-1): Sure, it’s a long shot for the Head Ball Coach. But if South Carolina goes 12-1 and wins the SEC championship against that schedule, the Gamecocks deserve to be in the big game.
Virginia Tech (6-1): Notice how everybody has just forgotten about the Hokies? Their only loss was on the road at LSU (48-7). If they beat BC on Oct. 25, it might get interesting.
West Virginia (5-1): The Mountaineers still have the most explosive offense in the country when everybody’s healthy.
