AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat the BCS rankings should look like
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Okay, the BCS has spoken for the first time this season. But now it’s our turn. Like you, I have my own opinion about where the teams should be ranked based on performance and not on perception. So here is the first edition of the TB Top 10 for 2008. Included is a breakdown of the remaining schedule for each and their relative chances of getting to Miami on Jan. 8. Take a look at this and then give me your top 10. Then give me who you think WILL be in the BCS title game.
1. TEXAS (7-0)
Remaining schedule: After beating Oklahoma and Missouri the past two weeks, the Longhorns are halfway through a four-game gauntlet. Texas hosts No. 6 Oklahoma State this Saturday and travel to Texas Tech (7-0) on Nov. 1. There is a trap game at Kansas (5-2) on Nov. 15. Then there will be a rematch with Kansas or Missouri in the Big 12 championship game.
Bottom line:If quarterback Colt McCoy, who is completing an unheard of 82 percent of his passes this season, keeps playing like this nobody is going to beat Texas.
2. ALABAMA (7-0)
Remaining schedule: I don’t care what the records say, Saturday night’s trip to Tennessee will not be easy for the Crimson Tide, especially with NT Terrence Cody out of the lineup. The Nov. 8 trip to LSU will likely be for the SEC West title. Then Alabama would get Georgia or Florida in the SEC championship game on Dec. 6.
Bottom line: It concerns me that Alabama seems to sag after halftime. And if Cody can’t get back for the LSU game that could be a problem. Still, this is a hungry football team that has is playing with an edge. They just need to do it for four quarters to win it all.
3. PENN STATE (8-0)
Remaining schedule: Get by Saturday night’s visit to Ohio State, where the Nittany Lions have lost seven straight, and it’s a piece of cake. Only Iowa (5-3), Indiana (2-5), and Michigan State (6-2) remain. Of those three games only Iowa is on the road.
Bottom line: If Texas and Alabama are both 13-0 they get into the BCS championship and Penn State gets left out. But if either drops a game, the voters will not miss out on a chance to put Joe Paterno, 81, in the national championship game.
4. FLORIDA (5-1)
Remaining schedule: The trip to Jacksonville next week to play Georgia will be a war but if Florida survives the Gators should be 11-1 going into the SEC championship game on Dec. 6 against Alabama or LSU.
Bottom line: After watching Ole Miss take Alabama to the limit in Tuscaloosa, the Gators’ 31-30 loss to the Rebels should be viewed in a different light. They have a scary collection of fast players. If Florida finishes 12-1 and beats Alabama in Atlanta, the Gators should be considered the best one-loss team in the mix.
5. OKLAHOMA (6-1)
Remaining schedule: The Sooners should breeze through Kansas State, Nebraska, and Texas A&M the next three weeks. After a week off they finish with a home game against Texas Tech (7-0) and a road game with Oklahoma State (7-0).
Bottom line: If Oklahoma wins out and Texas stumbles once, the Sooners could be in the mix for the BCS title without winning the Big 12 conference. Now that would be fun.
6. GEORGIA (6-1)
Remaining schedule: The Bulldogs’ schedule is as tough as it gets starting with Saturday’s trip to LSU (5-1). Even if it wins in Baton Rouge, Georgia will be beat up when it goes to Jacksonville to play Florida (5-1). Then there are consecutive roads trips to Kentucky (5-2) and Auburn (4-3) before hosting an improving team from Georgia Tech (6-1). Survive all that and Georgia could meet No. 2 Alabama (7-0) in the SEC championship game. Wow.
Bottom line: Georgia is a good team but hasn’t looked like one capable of running the table against that schedule. But if the Bulldogs do finish 12-1 and there is an opening for a one-loss team in the BCS championship, it has to be them.
7. SOUTHERN CAL (5-1)
Remaining schedule: Pete Carroll knows that his schedule is the weakest of any team in the TB Top 10. That’s why he beat Washington State 69-0 nothing last week. The Trojans have six games remaining with Arizona (5-2), Washington (0-6), California (4-2), Stanford (4-4), Notre Dame (4-2), and UCLA (3-4). None are ranked.
Bottom line: The computers have the Trojans at No. 10 but the humans put them at No. 4 and No. 5. The computers rankings do not take margin of victory into account. If USC is going to get into the big game, the humans will put the Trojans there.
8. OKLAHOMA STATE (7-0)
Remaining schedule: The Cowboys will get a stern test on Saturday at No. 1 Texas. There is a trip to Texas Tech (7-0) on Nov. 8 and the season finale when it hosts Oklahoma on Nov. 29. Oklahoma State is a good team but winning all three will be difficult.
Bottom line: After two straight losses it appears that Missouri, the best team Oklahoma State has faced, is overrated. But if the Cowboys can run the table and win the Big 12 championship game, they deserve to be in the BCS championship.
9. LSU (5-1)
Remaining schedule: The Tigers’ two toughest remaining games are at home against Georgia on Saturday and Nov. 8 with No. 2 Alabama. This LSU team has some flaws but is capable of beating just about anybody at Tiger Stadium.
Bottom line: People shouldn’t write off LSU because of their 51-21 loss at Florida on Oct. 11. The Tigers are capable of getting to the SEC championship game where they could have a rematch with the Gators. If the Tigers can get to Atlanta at 11-1 then anything can happen. They proved that last season.
10. OHIO STATE
Remaining schedule: If the Buckeyes can knock off No. 3 Penn State Saturday night they have a pretty good shot at finishing 11-1. Ohio State’s final three gams are at Northwestern (6-1), at Illinois (4-3) and at home against woeful Michigan (2-5). Illinois was the only team to beat Ohio State in the regular season in 2007.
Bottom line: If there are multiple one-loss teams on Dec. 7, I think the odds are against Ohio State because voters will remember the 35-3 loss to USC on Sept. 13. After watching the Buckeyes get beat badly in the last two BCS championship games, the voters will figure it’s time to give someone else a chance.
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Comments
By spike
October 22, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this
Oh, please. Not Ohio State again. Will they ever learn?
By What IF?
October 22, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
TONY,
I really do enjoy your articles and blogs.
However, there is no point to this blog.
By No Buckeyes
October 22, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this
tony, You laid out the best case scenario for the Buckeyes. They get left out in favor of 2 other one-loss teams. This way those arrogant loud mouths can talk about how they should have been in the big game, they are the best team in the land blah blah blah and then won’t have to get their pants pulled down and exposed as the fraud they are like they have the past 2 years.
By OSU is out
October 22, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
With any luck, Penn State will put a stop to any NC hope Ohio State is still clinging to on Saturday.
Rise up Volunteers! Forget your hatred for your coach. Beat Bama! Texas vs Penn State for the National Championship!
By SlickWillie
October 22, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Texas and Southern Cal.
By William R. Smith
October 22, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
I guess the ACC is too far down on the list…An ACC team that could run the table and finsh 12-1 in a BCS bowl would not have a pollster’s chance in Hell of getting the bid… have to wait until next year, coach Johnson…everyone else would need to have 1 or 2 losses for an ACC tem to get into the top ten.
By Sautee Dawg
October 22, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
Texas vs Penn St. or USC. Don’t see Texas losing, and don’t see Penn. St. losing Tony. Even if Alabama goes undefeated the voters and the media could put Penn. St. or USC. ahead of the Tide. Happened to Auburn.
By Gator Nation
October 22, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
Early predictions Georgia beats LSU by 10. You heard it here first. LSU is not the LSU of the last two season.
Oh……and Kentucky loses but covers against the Gators. 23 points is crazy.
Go Gators!
By 78 DAWG
October 22, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
Anybody that has the gayturds ahead of the DAWGS is crazy! We should be co #2 with crybamy, one bad half doesn’t decicide who the best team is. Toughest conference, Toughest Schedule GEORGIA BULLDAWGS!
By m
October 22, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Tony, you just don’t get it. Your opinion, or anyone else’s, should not matter one bit. Only what happens on the field. Give me one legitimate reason that ugag should be ranked ahead of Tech, or any other one loss team. There is no reason…just your idiotic opinion. And what possible reason should ugag be ranked ahead of undefeated teams like Oklahoma St. There is no reason…except your idiotic opinion. College football should be about what happens on the field. Not how teams are ranked preseason. The BCS is the worst system ever devised and it lets idiots like Tony, who may be is the worst prognosticator in history, to try to wield some power over a game that should be decided on the field….IN A 16 TEAM PLAYOFF.
By David
October 22, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Tony, not on perception? How can you rank Oklahoma that high when they play nobody out of conference. They get waxed every year in the bowl because they win an overrated offensive (no D) conference. TX and Oklahoma are good teams but not any better than Florida or Georgia.
By saint nick
October 22, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Bama and Penn State in the BCS game! Penn State will get embaressed. Big 12 is all pass offense with no pass defense! No big 12 team is in the top 30 in defense. Texas gets beat this weekend, Penn State will run the table, Bama will win convincingle in the 3 big games left( LSU, AU, SECCG) and squeek by in the other 3, but does enough to get in.ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!
By hold em
October 22, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
The reason SEC defenses look so great to you all is cause the SEC offenses are terrible, the opposite goes for the BIG 12
By Gator Nation
October 22, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
78 DAWG
I won’t disagree with you about who is better Florida or Georgia. I would pick the dawgs slightly right now. Thankfully it will be decided on the field.
But it ain’t just one bad half. You got whipped by bama and have not looked great against Tennessee or Vandy or any of your games for that matter. Stop whining and grow a pair. Then you might be able to have an objective look at your team.
By saint nick
October 22, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
78DAWG,
NO not one half, THE SCOREBOARD AFTER 4 QUARTERS DECIDE THE GAME!!!!!STOP WHINING ABOUT THE BAMA GAME, A CRAP ST TOUCHDOWN WITH 18 BLOCKS IN THE BACK AND AND GERBAGE TOUCHDOWN WITH LESS THAN 2 MINUTES, FLUKE ONSIDE KICK, YEAH YOUR SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Mike the Tiger
October 22, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
The Tigers will put an end to this silly speculation for everyone but the most disillusioned, and Florida will be the nail in the coffin. No conference championship this year and perhaps a bowl game in Atlanta.
By TommyP
October 22, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Hasn’t this article been written 3 times already?
By m
October 22, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
The ACC has 3 teams ranked in the TOP 5 in total defense. The sec has NONE. The comment that the sec plays defense is bullshiiite. The ACC plays much better defense than the sec. The sec is ALL hype. They are the Chan Gailey of conferences. And Thank God and Greyhound that he is gone forever.
By Eric1
October 22, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
The hardest thing about being a Georgia “Bulldawg” is having fans who use words like “gayturds”. Grow up already.
By SC Rules!!!
October 22, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
It is funny to me how “indignant” SEC fans get when it is supposed that their “birth right” to be in the NC game is in danger. Please; yes the SEC is a very strong conference top to bottom and YES, the PAC-10 is WAY down this year, but we (USC & FANS) NEVER take the approach that we are “entitled” to be in the NC game JUST because we are SC. Far from it, we know we have to “earn” it! Seems like y’all need to get “that” clue too! Win and don’t Whine, you’ll have nothing to worry about; don’t and yes you’ll have to cry in your soup sandwhiches over it. Fight On!!!
By hold em
October 22, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
SC Rules!! I agree with you and you are right. However, this is SEC county and SEC fans don’t care what anybody else thinks, they are very ignorant. You are wasting your breath
By Got 12?
October 22, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Sautee Dawg,
Auburn was left out in 2004 because they are not nationally respected. No one outside the SEC cares whether Auburn wins or loses. We, BAMA, don’t have that problem. Much like our coach, everyone either hates us or loves us. There are several other college teams like that, but Auburn is not one of them.
By 78 DAWG
October 22, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
Eric 1 You’re obviously a yech fan, ya’ll are gayturds as well if you know what I mean! DAWG fans are the only ones on here with any class or objectivity! Oh yea Miller doesn’t return punts that require thinking.
By Jack G
October 22, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
M
Cant you disagree without being disagreeable??
By SC Rules!!!
October 22, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Tony,
I have said several times in this blog that I enjoy your columns and loved your book. That being said, I have to take issue with your comment at the top of this blog regarding Texas, I must remind you that just a few weeks ago you wrote: USC is far and away the best team in the country, everyone else is just playing for #2. Seems as if either there has been a new world order develop in the last few weeks or you are just as fickle about this issue as most fans are. I look forward to your next blog and seeing your commentary Saturday morning on CBS. Fight On!!
By SC Rules!!!
October 22, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
hold ‘em;
I hear ya! Thanks.
By El Cubismo
October 22, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
LSU is a good team, but…
No team that gets absolutely waxed during the season should ever make the championship game. Period.
What if VT had made it last year? Voters did the right thing, and put LSU ahead of them despite a late-season loss.
Bottom line: if they earn it, they deserve a BCS bowl—but definitely not the championship game.
By Ole P** sucks
October 22, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Tony: stop drinking the Kool-aid.
Maybe you missed the memo: OLE MISS SUCKS!!
Also: you SEC honks need to understand one thing: people are comparing BIG XII to SEC this YEAR!!!
Put away your history books and keep the discussion CURRENT FOR THIS YEAR!!
SEC offenses are AWFUL. The QBs in the BIG XII are the difference.
By Dave-SD
October 22, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Tony, it looks to me like you’re propping up the SEC teams based on their future schedules, not what they’ve actually done so far.
Alabama has played one half of dominant football vs. a good team this year, and hasn’t dominated average to bad teams. There’s no way they should be #2 ahead of Penn State.
And it’s just not possible to rationally rank Florida ahead of USC. Both have a bad loss and an a pretty good win. But Florida’s loss was worse (Mississippi at home vs. Oregon State on the road), their win wasn’t as good (last year’s BCS title game notwithstanding, Ohio State is better than LSU this year), and USC has been far more dominant in their other games.
But it’s even more bizarre to rank LSU above Ohio State. There’s not much reason to think LSU should be in the top 20, let alone top 10. Their only win over a then-ranked team is a five-point win over an Auburn team that has since lost two more games, barely won another, and fallen completely out of the rankings with no hope of recovery. Whereas Ohio State just blew out #20 Michigan State, and while that knocked Sparty out of the rankings, there’s at least a good chance they’ll be back. LSU hasn’t beat a BCS team by more than 10 points all year — and that was Mississippi State.
By Fleischman
October 22, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Three early predictions for the weekend: 1. Tony picks his beloved dawgs to win; 2. Tony picks Tennessee to upset his least favorite team; 3. Tony eats a sackful of double decker cheese krystals.
By murfdawg
October 22, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
How about OKST vs UGA in the bcs championship game as the last game of the 2008 season for #1. And then the rematch will take place the first week in 2009 for #1 to start the season.
This would be a lot more interesting than SoCal vs Ohio St.
By Got 12?
October 22, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
For the Big 12 vs SEC, offense vs defense argument, let’s look back at a recent bowl game between the two conferences.
Bama (SEC) played Texas Tech (Big 12) in the 2006 Cotton Bowl. Bama had the nation’s second-ranked defense with virtually no offense. Texas Tech had the nation’s number two offense. Bama won 13-10 on a last-second field goal.
That’s generally what happens when a legit-defense meets a high-powered offense. I believe the saying goes “Defense wins championships.”
By No How, No Way
October 22, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
UGA is NOT going to the NC game this year.
Too many injuries to the o-line and general ineffectiveness will doom the Dogs, Dawgs, Bulldogs, GoDawgs, blah, blah, blah.
Reality will set-in during the next few weeks.
Don’t take GT for granted or you’ll get stung.
BWAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
By WE ARE USC
October 22, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
I believe USC is the most balanced team in the country. I honestly feel if we are playing to our potential we can beat anyone.
That said, we lost to Oregon State and if that cost us a spot in the NCG, we only have ourselves to blame. So be it.
If we win out we‘ll play in a BSC bowl, I think everyone would agree on that. If we don’t play in the BCS NCG, I hope we get Penn State in the Rose Bowl. I think that USC matches up good against them, and that would be a great game.
Like SC Rules said, nobody is entitled to play for a championship, you have to earn it. Whoever earns it Good Luck; enjoy your “day in the sun”.
We’ll see you next year.
WE ARE USC
FIGHT ON
By HELLO!!!
October 22, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Hey GOT 12…
2006 is HISTORY.
COMPARE TODAY, EINSTEEN!!!
SEC vs. BIG XII TODAY. 2008.
Thanks for your support
By John
October 22, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
I live in Ohio and am a GT alum - ouch. I too am not a big fan of the Big Ten. I guess that is because all I ever get to see here are Big Ten games. But, you people need to lay off OSU. Coach Tressel is the real deal. He went on the road last week and beat a ranked team 42-7 - I think. When UGA goes on the road and beats ranked teams by that score, pls feel free to blog about how much better you are then them. OSU has a tough time against faster teams from other conferences but if they played those types of teams every week, you can take it to the bank that Tressel would beat them regularly.
Now to the poster dogging the ACC. I would wait until after the UGA - GT game to dog the ACC. And, coach Johnson, along with coach Tressel are the real deal. Anyone who knows college football knows that. GT has already surpassed any expectations those gave Johnson. What he has done in such a short time with a super complex offense is astounding. And, apparently, our offense isn’t even close to where it will be. If you listen to any of the announcers or guys in the ESPN studio (including Holtz, May, etc.), you would know that he is highly regarded.
Tony, because of that, I would like GT put in your listing at #11 !!!
By USC and Pac 10 are jokes
October 22, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
USC is a great team. However their schedule is a joke compared to UF or UGA’s and it’s not even close. A 1 loss UF or UGA would jump a one loss USC. And beating Ohio State is so easy a caveman could do it so I wouldn’t say it’s something you can hang your hat on. Ole Miss is better than Oregon State and so is Bama. Beating LSU, UGA/UF, Bama (SECC) South Carolina, Miami, FSU, Georgia Tech UK & Vandy is much more impressive than one win vs. OSU with a bunch of wins vs. terrible Pac 10 teams and a very mediocre Notre Dame team. This is a fact.
By Got 12?
October 22, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
hello,
First, let me stoop to the usual blogging depths:
I don’t see any SEC vs Big 12 match-ups scheduled for today. And I’ve checked ESPN’s and TV Guide’s line ups. Who is your cable provider, Moron?
Now, back to logical debate:
My example represented a top-notch Big 12 offense against a top-notch SEC defense (at a neutral site with both teams full-rested). If you prefer speculation to real-life, on-field results, that’s fine. I guess that’s the foundation upon which blogs are built.
By IM4BAMA
October 22, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Okay Tony, since you asked:
I hope it’s Texas and either Alabama or Florida in the big game. Even if Texas loses one or Bama loses one. I still believe a one loss SEC team (Bama/Florida) and one loss (Texas/OU) should play for the BCS games. I think everybody would like to see who has the best league and those match up’s could sort of decide it.
Sorry Penn State, even if you don’t lose a game, you don’t play tough enough teams or have a league championship game to warrant a shot at the title in my book. The same goes for USC with one loss.
By jason
October 22, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Top 10: UT, UA, PSU, UO, UGA, UF, OKST, Texas Tech, USC, OSU. Texas i believe will go undefeated. I see UA, and PSU with a loss. Now let the crying and begging begin. My guess would be the winner of te cocktail party, or maybe Oklahoma against Texas in the Orange Bowl.
By Hey John
October 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
John I read your post and I think your comments are reasonable. The problem is, you won’t find many reasonable fans on this blog.
OSU lost to the #1 ranked team in the country, and as you said are winning regularly now by respectful margins, by the way I like their chances against Penn State. The fans on this blog will discredit what you are saying, yet they will tell you Georgia loss to Bama was different even though they are eeking out wins against middle of the road teams. That’s called talking out of both sides of their month. If someone will give me 7 points this weekend I’ll take LSU.
By Tommy Trojan
October 22, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
What, Tony puts Florida and UGA ahead of USC, so after they play someone stays in front of the Trojan’s? Why not put LSU ahead of them to? Cover all your bets, you lame F%$k.
By Hey USC and Pac 10 are jokes
October 22, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
You seem to fear the Trojans. What would you think about a SEC Champion against the USC Trojans in the BCS NCG. The last time I checked conference don’t play for championships, teams do, so please insert whoever you think the SEC champion will be, Bama, UGA, Florida, LSU?.
By Bullschlitz
October 22, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
The way Texas and Penn State are playing and looking at their schedules they should run the table and be in the BS bowl. Alabama will lose one down the road and be out of it because of there schedule. If Tex or PSU loses one the sec champ, assuming one loss, should be the team.
This weekend will really sort it out with Tex, PSU, UGA, LSU, Bama in big games. If Tex and PSU win Sat I think it is over. Bama can not win out and then beat the winner of the cocktail party. This weekend we will find out if UGA with all the injuries are going to be a big time team. If UGA keeps that team together without major injuries next year is their year and will be a lock.
By G8R
October 22, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Thank you, TB for returning the Gators to their rightful place in the pecking order. UF got screwed - 10th in the BCS standings - Are you kidding? The reason Big 12 QB’s efficiency ratings are so high is that the teams in the Big 12 have no defensive secondaries! Try throwing those kind of numbers in the SEC!
By shane#1
October 22, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
M, I too favor a playoff system but calling Tony an idiot is beyond the pale. The ACC is considered down this year, Clemson didn’t do You guys any favors by getting blown out by Bama, neither did UVa by being stomped by SC. Wins over those two teams and Duke are considered suspect at best, not by Me and not by Tony, but then, We Don’t Vote! You Tech guys can brag on being in the top ten if You win out, win the conference, and beat UGA. Untill all that happens be content to be ranked at all!
By Got 12?
October 22, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
For all those looking forward to next year:
The NFL plans to put a cap on rookie salaries starting with 2010’s draft. So this is the last year for rookies to get $30 million contracts. A lot of underclassmen will turn pro this year.
Stafford is listed very high on the mock draft boards. I believe Stafford will forgo his senior season. Moreno might follow suit.
We, Bama, will lose Andre Smith early. And, once he gets an idea of the kinda money he can make, Cody may be gone as well.
At the conclusion of this season, I predict a record number of early departures. It’s gonna look like college basketball (but just for this one offseason).
By Bullschlitz
October 22, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
I think these are the best teams and if there was a playoff these would come out on top on a neutral field. USC, Fla, UGA. I handicap all the top teams against each other as if I was putting money on the game and then rank them according to how they come out. Has nothing to do with their record and I have no biases.
I am not ready to buy into the big 12 and can’t see an untested big ten team winning it in a playoff. The big 12 teams are paper tigers with high scoring offenses against weak defenses. Against top sec defenses those offenses would be shut down and a UGA or Fla would ring it up against those big 12 defenses. Big 12 defenses look like they are playing in slow motion compared to the sec games I get to watch out here.
I guess sitting way out here watching all the games around the country with no bias I have a different perspective.
By MisterT
October 22, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
First, TB, I guess this was more of a “reporting” piece than an actual editorial. You basically only pointed out the facts…how it is completely wide open at the top and really anyone in the top 10 now has a shot. It that was your point, then it was made. However, you didn’t make any picks that I saw.
78Dawg, on what planet were you when “crybamy” exposed uga’s drug problem…they drug them up and down the field. You are the prime example of some of the uga fanbase that is completely without objectivity.
Win out the rest and get your rematch with Bama. Then you will have an opportunity to talk. Right now you are completely off base. uga has not shown anyone they deserve the lofty ranking they had preseason.
By WE ARE USC
October 22, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
I’m not sold on Penn State yet, they still have to get by OSU. I think there may be an upset in the works. If they lose to OSU they should drop big time. The more OSU plays the better the mugging at the coliseum looks. I think Bama and Texas are in the driver’s seat.
By USC and PAc 10 are jokes
October 22, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
No fear of the Trojans at all here. They are a heck of a football team in a very mediocre conference this year. It is a Fact their schedule doesn’t compare to UGA, UF, LSU’s or Bama’s. It would be a great matchup to see the SEC Champ vs. USC, a game in which could go either way. My point is if it’s between a 1 loss USC team and a 1 loss SEC team USC’s body of work doesn’t compare in deciding who gets the nod to play for it all.
As far as who will win the SEC at this point it’s hard to pick against Bama. Obviously the winner of LSU/Bama will probably play the winner of UF/UGA. If UF plays the way they did vs. LSU I don’t see anyone beating them including USC. Whether or not they can do that remains to be seen.
By WE ARE USC
October 22, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Bullschlitz:
I saw the Florida LSU game and I saw what Florida is capable of, so I can’t argue with your assessment. They play solid defense and can score in bunches.
I have watched all of UGA’s games against Div 1A teams; they have done what they had to do to win, I give them props for that. They had a bad half against Bama, but played better in the second half, that can happen. I don’t see what you must be seeing. They give up points and they aren’t an overpowering offence that can score in bunches. What are you basing your assessment on?
By Gen Neyland
October 22, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Moving Cody off the line is the equivalent of rooting up a 200 year old oak stump by hand. It takes two mules to root the stump…maybe…Hate to see the guy injuried but with UT’s lack of rushing offense, he may not be needed. Matter of fact, his absence just gives Alabama another pass rusher on the D-Line, plus the field judge won’t count him as two players, thereby thwarting the 12 men on the field penalty to UT’s advantage…Hope he mends by LSU…
By OS Who?
October 22, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing how so many people feel Ohio State is going to beat Penn State on Saturday. All of a sudden Ohio State is a great team. However, I wouldn’t be surprised after Penn State wins 45-17 that the same people will claim Ohio State is weak and Penn State doesn’t deserve a shot at one of the “mighty” Big 12 or SEC teams in the NC game.
The only upset I see this weekend is Tennessee beating Bama. Fear the Fulmer!
By OS ain't no cherry
October 22, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Do you think Ohio States some cherry PSU is about to pop? Don’t think so, see: USC v OSU 38-3. Been there, done that. Your just there for the left-overs.
Of course now you have to back up the smack. Come back Sunday and tell us all about it.
By Bullschlitz
October 22, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
We are USC, I understand you questioning me on the UGA pick. I even question myself on that one. I am gambling that by playoff time the young replacement UGA lines will become more polished and will have gelled. The talent is there on that team. They just dominated the last two opponents and the games were not even close to what the final score indicated. They are making some young mistakes that are keeping them out of the endzone and senseless penalties that change momentum. I am gambling those will correct themselves as the season progresses. UGA’s season though is the next two weeks so they had better get corrected in a hurry.
After Saturday we will know about UGA and a few others. After that UGA team gelled last year the only team that would have had a shot at them would have been USC. It was a great travesty the college football world never got to see that game.
By MillionairecafeLA
October 22, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
hello all,
SC will win the rest of its games with 1 loss hanging on.
Texas will most likely go undefeated and deserve the championship game.
As for the other top 5 teams, most of them will end up with 1 loss, and none of them are as dominant on defense as USC, period.
Lastly, and as I say every year - USC blows out its high ranked bowl opponents every year no matter what conference they come from.
USC’s offense is now clicking well and with less penalties.
bottom line - USC should be ranked 4 or 5 now, and by the end of October as some teams drop out of top 5, USC should slot into 2nd or 3rd based on their out right dominance and improvement.
Carrols one loss to Oregon was a fluke, not a tale of the teams true superiority which analysts are aware of.
Penn St. is very good, but will loose to USC. OU and OU will loose to USC. Alabama & Florida would loose as well.
So as a fan of NCAA football and with perspective;
USC should meet Texas or Alabama in BCS bowl.
Its not that Penn won’t go unbeaten, which they would have to in order to make the bowl, its just that USC is a better overall team.
If Texas looses they would remain a top seed, if Alabama looses they are out of it all together.
There you go folks, enjoy the season and good luck.
T - MillionairescafeL.A.
By Last Word
October 22, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
MillionairecafeL.A.:
Learn how to spell moron.
By Will
October 22, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
It’s going to be Penn State-Texas in Miami without a doubt. Texas is a very good team and PSU’s schedule is right there with Valdosta State’s as far as strenth of teams remaining. So there you go…….USC will be a close third however. And SEC fans: A very good 1-loss team is going to be on the outside looking in. My prediction is UF after beating an overrated Bama team in the championship game. Urban Crier will truely earn his name.
By Pac 10 is WEAK
October 22, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
MillionairecafeLA
If Oregon State was taking it to that so-called dominant Defense with their small speed guys imagine what Florida would do to them.
It’s easy to say USC is dominant when they play a WEAK schedule.
Regardless of how good you think USC is or even if they are that good. A one-loss USC team would be jumped by a one-loss SEC team because there is SO much disparity in the schedules.
Just watch because if that’s the scenario you will be crying plenty about it and going on and on to deaf ears about that “dominance” vs. the weak PAc-10.
By G8R
October 22, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Will:
And why wouldn’t UF deserve a shot at the BCSCG? I Bama runs the table and goes into the SEC Championship game undefeated and ranked 2nd, and UF beats them, then they should be a serious contender. I’d love to see any Big 10 team (and Big 12 team, for that matter) play a season in the SEC without at least one loss.
By Erk
October 22, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
If Penn State loses one they are out. Southern Cal should already be out. A one-loss SEC or Big 12 team should automatically be chosen ahead of any team whose conference doesn’t even play a championship game. Let’s at least make it even from that standpoint. USC, you play in a weak conference AND you don’t play a conf. championship game, so unless you go undefeated you have no dog in this hunt.
By millionairecafeLA
October 22, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
hello Pac 10,
Pac 10 is not by any means the strongest conf., that was not my point, however it is considered in my evaluation.
I did not say that Florida was weak or any other team or conf. was terrible or lame - I didn’t badger a team, I compared them in my analysis and foretold what I think the end game may be.
FYI: To all those who have some perspective and show respect with your comments, I enjoy reading what you write.
now back to pac 10 guy - The loss was a fluke in my book , better at beginning of season then later. I don’t believe you have the right perspective on things, but I respect your view.
USC can beat anyone, USC will improve thru out the season with dominance as it should and people would expect. As for the SEC teams, they are tough group no doubt, its there bowl to loose. Some top ranked will fall no matter which conf., but that does not change my views.
Just a little note: Fans who have perspective and consider all things when making an evaluation don’t need to live and die by that team, injuries,etc happen.
I also consider USC may loose therefore I just fight on without the need to be-little others.
As I said before, good luck to all the teams.
By G8R
October 22, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Attaboy, Erk!
By voice of reason
October 22, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Hey USC and Pac 10 are jokes, that’s exactly what should have happened last year. Did you hear anyone from the Bulldog Nation complaining because we got stuck playing Hawai’i instead of USC? Of course you did. Just be glad you didn’t have to play us and you got stuck playing Illinois by the sorry a* rose bowl committee because they wanted to uphold your paper tiger status. You didn’t want any then and you damn sure don’t want any now! No matter who the SEC champ, they’d kill you. Play some real teams on a regular basis and see how tough you look. You’d get your feelings hurt real quick. Hell, you can’t even beat unranked teams on a regular basis.
By GT
October 22, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Penn State will take the place of Ohio State, which is still a mess because Penn State is not as good as the southern teams either. What you do is spin things to suit the population. The same hot air that is working in presidential politics was invented by PR firms for college football. You control the ventues you play in, the opponent you play, you take the player coming out of high school with the most pub, you have the cable spinning you because it sells beer, the only thing that messes you up is reality. You say you want parity but not true, you have the “Bradley” effect when polled for these questions because you don’t want to sound swallow and certainly pulling for a team to kill not just beat another team is not a good answer. So you get Mary Poppins when off the field and Halloween on it, because millions of dollars are invested in the perception that the school 100,000 buy tickets and 10 million watch on television should be better that a Wake Forest or T.C.U. If we could only turn the economy around wishing that way.
By voice of reason
October 22, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Any big 10 or pac 10 team that doesn’t go undefeated should have absoloutely ZERO shot at any bcs bowl period. They play no conference championship game. But hell, what’s the point when they don’t play anyone anyway? At least the big 12 has 4 or 5 decent teams and they do play a conference CG. o s who and USC should already be thrown out of the picture!
By WE ARE USC
October 22, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Bullschlitz:
Yeah I would have like to see UGA v USC last year. That would have been a good game. They were the best teams by the end of the season (IMO)
I thought maybe we might see it this year and they lost, dropping both teams. Now neither is in control of their destiny. With the Rose Bowl tie-ins I’m afraid of a USC/OSU repeat, Blah.
I would still love to see a USC/UGA game. I do think USC has the balance and talent to win but the only way to know would be to play.
By MillionairecafeL.A.
October 22, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Erk has some valid foundation to speak on, but porous analysts will agree.
voice of reason, that you are not. Look i hear you, I disagree with you.
SEC is strong I’ve stated that time and time again, you have a think skull with not much in between.
Big 12 is strong, but that discount how strong USC is. Stop talkin about all the teams in other conferences, lets talk about who exactly is going to be in the shot.
USC will beat who they need to when they need to, period. I’ve already gave my opinions/ scenarios.
They are the only team of the past 6 years to claim “best overall team in NCAA.” They earned their position/rankings every year will continue to do so for lets say the next 4 years…, I can’t look to far ahead.
its going to be one hell of a wknd folks!
thats is from the coastline…, take care all. Fight on!
T- MillionaireCafeL.A.
By WE ARE USC
October 22, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Ya gotta love sarcasm, voice of reason.
Ok you’re a Georgia fan and you don’t respect the Trojans, who cares.
The Sec has beaten OSU the last two years in the NCG so you feel you have a right to disrespect them, Ok. What’s that have to do with USC.
We play the members of our conference; you play the members of yours. We have 6 consecutive conference title’s (nobody has more LOOK IT UP), what does a CCG have to do anything?
We schedule OOC games against Div 1A teams and always have (NEVER PLAYED A Div 1 AA TEAM, LOOK IT UP). You played a Div 1 AA team this year. I am saying our OOC game schedule is as tough as yours.
USC plays whoever is across the field, and we usually win. When we don’t we don’t lose by much.
If Georgia would have been in the Rose Bowl Last year we would have played, I would have put my money on the Trojans, They are (5-1) in BSC Bowls (Nobody is better LOOK IT UP). Nobody knows who would have won.
We are pretty good; we have two NC this decade to show for it (Nobody has more).
What’s your problem?
WE ARE USC
FIGHT ON
By BCS should look like this
October 22, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
1.- TEXAS ,2.-ALABAMA, 3.-PENN STATE,……4.-GEORGIA…………………….YOU CAN’T LOSE TO SORRY TEAMS LIKE OREGON STATE and OLE MISS and be taken seriously.
By USC is weak
October 22, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Any SEC team would go undefeated in the PAC-10.
By SC Rules!!!
October 22, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
USC is weak, Really???? You are sniffin’ something y’all ought not be. Yes, the PAC-10 is way down this year but we are overall most years a very strong conference that fills its Bowl allotments with ease. True this year we will go without but again that is an aberation NOT the norm. I find it funny how y’all keep making excuses for how/why we have in the 00’s been able to beat y’all head to head inspite of how “weak” we are??? Whether it is USC or CAL or UCLA y’all just don’t seem to have an answer for “Cali” football! Sorry but I’ve got a wave to catch so catch ya on the flip side. Later cool breeze!
By millionairecafe
October 22, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
to my friend USC is Strong…
Any SEC team would not go undefeated in PAC 10, SC would eliminate that thought.
poof !!
PAC 10 is the premier conference and lets look at some facts - USC is now hooked some of the best players from other regions of the east, midwest - up and down.
Why? Because USC is the best overall team, period. USC loves its players like family and we promise that those players that once played in your hometowns a chance at showing the nation how good they are.
Carroll’s coaching style is to be admired by the nation. not like some of those foul mouth, back of woods folks….
If anyone has visited L.A. they would know this areas population consists of people from all over the U.S. and beyond, why, because this is where its all at. And for all those great high school players, you should definitely be on the SC campus for a few weeks, you’ll know you arrived to the big house!
SEC & Big 12 people are so upset with the fact that the new kid in town owns the streets now.., for some 6 years and there is no denying that consistency.
Say what you will, but once you come to Los Angeles you wont be going back… Thats just the beauty and enjoyment of life we have here. Trojans live it up and play it out!
That might have been an issue off tangent but I went that route anyway. You know, to cause mis-match…
By gregodawg
October 22, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
How about this. Next guy who spells lose-loose- is off to prison.
I do not care about spelling, esp on a blog, but this is outta control!
To dang often. Just stop it.
It is still OK to spell grammar, with an er. Could happen to anyone.
But loose-unless speaking of my wife, or a screw, means you are a retard.
By millionairecafeL.A.
October 22, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
I like that humor…
and I would probably say Im guilty of a few lost words…
thats what you get when your in between this blog and china business…
hey, I’ll try to get the spelling right for you, and lets not bring up loose wives…lol
By Denver Dawg
October 22, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
My opinion is that your opinion, along with other “experts” opinions, sucks. Playoffs is the only way to make Div 1-A (now renamed FBS - Football Bull Sh1t) legitimate. It’s so simple - 16 teams, inclusing the Champion of each Conference (totaling 11) + the Conference Championship Game losers (totaling 5). This might even get some of the pus conferences to creates championship games (hhhhmmmmm…Pac 10 and Big 10). No input from humans or computers needed - just on-the-field peformance.
Why don’t you just admit that you and your colleagues are a power-hungry, control freaks who won;t give up your position for the betterment of college football?
By gregodawg
October 22, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Just playin LA. Great team out there-some guys think a road loss to a lesser team is OK in SEC- But in any other conf….!
By I LIKE THE SOUTH
October 22, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
I like the south. LA is a great place to live, He!! I was born in Long Beach I’m native, but I LOVE to eat a Georgia peach (and I ain’t talkin fruit) ;)
By millionairecafeLA
October 22, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Greg Dawg..
Lets just say it, SEC fans think they own college football. That’s over, its done, its been done and SC alone has wedged the SEC and Big 12 - that is my opinion.
Great teams in SEC, yes. But they really need to get familiar with SC’s greatness, look at the overall stats, longevity, and wins in past half decade.
All of us are going to stand tall on our beliefs, true. - Just watch SC take care of business, they usually do.
And you know, the screwed up and loss 1, well time to work there way back up legitimately. Others will fall. We shall see right?
To denver dawg - I agree with you on a playoff, totally. But your use of words to describe people is poorly said, though I understand your upset.
You’re bringing a negative energy on to the table rather than simply stating your case with respect for others..
Playoff, yes. USC, Texas, ALA, Penn should be around for the championship ??? And yes, there are other teams who could climb, you never know.
cheers!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
October 22, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
OHIO ST????
UGAG not losing another game…please!!!
Don’t act so shocked when they are 8-4.
Tony forget GT!!!!
When we run through this gauntlet, win the ACC Championship and finish 12-1. Why aren’t we in the NC Game!!!!!
HUH?
This is the most feared, focused, and well coached team in the nation!!! Remember it’s about TEAM. Not who can hurdle some no-name football player, or dance on someone’s logo, or has a segment on the AJC “get to know your fleabag”. It’s about TEAM. You don’t have to do what Cynthia Tucker tells you to do anymore. This is your last year.
The fleabags are scared. You should hear them on our blogs. They know it’s coming, like a locomotive down the tracked. You can’t stop it baby!!!
Theres this guy named Michael Johnson, he’s a beast. You should talk about him and GT’s defense (build up some creditability). Think about that and get back to me. It’s happening. I’m just giving you the scoop.
Break the chains, try and be objective. Just try.
By Klee Irwin
October 23, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this
What a typical Southern frontrunner ranking 4 SEC teams in the top 9, ahead of other unbeaten teams. What kind of pot are you smoking down there? You don’t rank a Florida team that lost to Mississippi ahead of a Oklahoma team that lost to Texas. You got Florida and Georgia ranked too high. You don’t rank teams based on your PERCEPTION of how good you think they will be, you rank them according to what they accomplished on the field.
God I hope you don’t have a media vote in the polls. This is exactly why too much weight is given to the media with obvious biases, and not enough to the computers, which don’t have bias. Which is why USC is ranked WAY too high. They should be 9th or 10th.
By Klee Irwin
October 23, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
Mr. College Football my assss.
By KneeJerk
October 23, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
Any SEC team would go undefeated in PAC10? How about Rocky Top? UCLA beat them and tony says that Saturdays game against Fulmer’s Floppers will not be easy for Bama. There are 4 top 20 quality teams in the SEC. The rest are a Kimbo Slice fraud.
By Fleischman
October 23, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
We all know how much much Fat Tony hates Alabama. If he picks them to beat the vowels I will be SHOCKED! I wont be shocked when Tony puts down a sackful Saturday night.
By tipical UGAy fan
October 23, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
The dawgs should be rank #1 come sunday after we beat LSU we beat alabammy in the 2nd half knoshon is god i love shopping for fancy clothes at walmart i have 11 tattoos and i drink budweeeser all week. sic them wof woof
By Planned Parenthood Trojan
October 23, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
U.C.L.A is ferocious,..hope they upset southern CAL like the BEAVERS did.
By John
October 23, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
I’m an ACC fan but all this negative talk about USC is funny. I just read that they have scored 138 unanswered points over their last few games. I mean come on - they deserve to be at or near the top.
And like I said before, when UGA goes on the road and beats a ranked conference opponent 42-7, then they can bark about how bad Ohio St is also.
By Whoshon
October 23, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
dont worry UGAy fans. I have sworn off white women all week, I’ll be ready to play Saturday afternoon. sic em
By blaine
October 23, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Tony,
You are such a SEC homer you’ve lost all credability with me. How can you put Florida at 4 ahead of OU when FLA lost at HOME to unranked Ole Miss. OU’s only loss was a close one to #1 Texas on a neutral field…..
By TexDawg
October 23, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
This is a down year for the SEC…no reason to be defensive about it…it’s just a fact. There are a few decent defenses, I guess, but no team has a truly great offense. And every SEC team i’ve seen looks very sloppy on both sides of the ball. Flip the channel between the SEC game of the week and whatever big 10 or big 12 game is on, and the difference in discipline jumps off the screen…i’m just sayin’…
By Klee Irwin
October 23, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
based on performance and not perception? LMFAO. Your whole article is EXACTLY your perception of where they should be ranked. 4 SEC teams in the top 9? Ahead of other unbeatens? Florida ahead of Oklahoma? YOU are the problem with the polls, and the media people like YOU are why people think the BCS sucks. Media BIAS shapes the BCS way too much and YOU are to blame. What a terrible journalist. Go back to selling used cars—-people might respect you more.