AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 23
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
We’re not done with the “upsets”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If this college football season has taught us anything, it is that preseason rankings mean absolutely nothing. Here is what has happened to the rankings in the past four weeks:
Four weeks ago: Seven of the top 13 in the AP poll lose so the rankings are reshuffled and we get a new Top 10.
Three weeks ago: Four of the Top 10 lose. Another shuffling. Surely this time we got it right.
Two weeks ago: On the eve of the first BCS Standings, No. 1 (LSU) and No. 2 (California), both lose.
Last week: The BCS Standing have now set the field and then No. 2 (South Florida), No. 6 (South Carolina) and No. 7 (Kentucky) all lose.
So no one in anybody’s top five should feel comfortable right now because no matter where a team is ranked, the schedule says they can take a hit before the season is over.
Here is my top five and the opportunity all have to lose down the stretch.
1. LSU (7-1): After that miracle last Saturday night against Auburn, LSU looks like a team of destiny. They also have more good football players than anybody else. But the Tigers, who have this week off, have to go to Alabama on Nov. 3. Then they will probably have to play Florida in the SEC championship game.
2. Ohio State (8-0): Really good defense. So-so on offense. That formula worked in 2002 when the Buckeyes won the national championship. Ohio State has to go to Penn State this Saturday and Michigan on Nov. 17. They also play Illinois in the Horseshoe on Nov. 10.
3. Boston College (7-0): The Eagles have to go to Virginia Tech Thursday night and winning in Blacksburg won’t be easy. There are also road game with at Maryland and Clemson left.
4. Oklahoma (7-1): Don’t read too much into the fact that the Sooners struggled with Iowa State (17-7). The Sooners have the easiest path to running the table but a Nov. 17 trip to Texas Tech could be interesting.
5. Oregon (6-1):I like the Ducks and quarterback Dennis Dixon. Their only loss was to Cal (31-24) and in that game Oregon fumbled on the one-yard line and lost a chance to tie. We’ll find out in the next two weeks if the Ducks get to stay here as they host Southern Cal and Arizona State.
