There are few stories, if any, better in college football than Jarrett Lee. A guy booed off the field in 2007 for his INTs, including a game where he got crushed in the Swamp, comes back to lead LSU to come from behind wins against Tennessee and then again at the Swamp. The Mad Hatter is 6-0.
Mad props to South Carolina. Used the bye week to perfection and embarrassed a team last week had their fans booking trips to Glendale.
Finally, some real chaos. Bama’s lost their margin for error. Ohio St., Oregon, and Nebraska look like the favorites to finish undefeated in their conferences. LSU & Auburn remain undefeated in the SEC. Oklahoma and Michigan St. also remain underdogs to win out their conference. And the BCS Busters remain undefeated (Boise St., TCU, & Utah). Apparently, Boise St. is likely to be #1 when the BCS comes out next week but truly only LSU & Auburn control their own destiny.
So who gets #1? Is a one-loss Bama team better than an undefeated BCS Buster? This is a week to fight over the rankings, so let’s get to them after this reminder that LSU inspires its fans to pursue holiness!
The rankers were the usual, as MJ returned from paternity leave to give us his thoughts.
- Ohio St. (3) (6-0)–The Buckeye’s 24-13 win over Illinois isn’t looking so bad now after the Illini’s tomahawking of the Nittany Lions. A career day against Indiana for Terrelle Pryor, who completed 80% of his passes for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns, coupled with Denard Robinson’s stumble against Sparty, puts Pryor back in the mix for the Heisman race. But a big test awaits this week at Camp Randall. (J) [4]
- Oregon (1) (6-0) – Perhaps a Rose Bowl rematch a la the National Championship game? (DH) [2]
- Boise St. (1) (5-0)– There, I said it. (PZ) [3]
- Nebraska (5-0)-Texas week coming up. A big win over the Longhorns by a sizeable margin could propel them over Boise State.(J) [6]
- TCU (6-0)-When the semblance of a quality win is against an overrated Oregon State team, you rise no higher than 5.(MJ) [5]
- Oklahoma (5-0) –That victory over Florida State earlier this year is looking even better. But the Sooners will stumble somewhere along the way (J) [7]
- Alabama (5-1)– What a terrible weekend. Not only did they get whipped in Columbia, but their best wins got tarnished (Penn St. & Florida). With LSU & Auburn still on the schedule + a possible rematch with the Gamecocks, winning out with their defense is anything but guaranteed. (MD) [1]
- Utah (5-0)– Don’t count Utah out of the championship game. They have a chance to knock off Air Force and TCU late in the season (MJ) [8]
- Auburn (6-0) (TIE w/ Utah)– Still not sold on the Faux Tigers as they give up too many points. However, Arkansas is known for offense too, so expect a points-a-palooza this weekend. (MD) [10]
- LSU (6 & eaux)- National disrespect + an amazing defense + consistent improvement of the offense = hopes in Baton Rouge, even if they are only whispered in secret. (MD) [11]
- Michigan St (6-0).-Just damn. Sparty may prove to be the team to challenge Ohio State for the Big Ten title. Too bad they don’t play each other this year. What a load of crap. That would be a great match-up. (J) [12]
- South Carolina (4-1)– W/ Florida’s loss, South Carolina becomes the clear favorite to rep the SEC East in Atlanta. Would need a lot of help to be playing for anything more than a Sugar Bowl berth though, (MD) [22]
- Stanford (5-1)- A huge bounce-back win against USC for Jim Harbaugh’s team. But, the game was probably closer than it should have been. (J) [14]
- Arkansas (4-1)– Wasn’t the most impressive win ever against the Aggies, but can erase memories of the Bama loss by beating the other team in Alabama. (MD) [15]
- Iowa (5-1)– Tough, stingy defense is what’s keeping the Hawkeyes in the mix. But for a couple of lapses against Arizona a few weeks ago, this would be a top 5 team. This week they further expose Denard Robinson and hand Michigan their second loss. (J) [18]
- Oklahoma St. (5-0)– They had trouble with the Rajun’ Cajuns’ of the Southwestern Louisiana University at Lafayette. Not exactly a good sign (MD) [20]
- Florida St. (5-1)– The Seminoles are back. And they proved that the Hurricanes are probably not. (J)[NR]
- Wisconsin (5-1) – A big home game coming up this Saturday night against the Buckeyes. The Game Day crew will be in Madison, which means that at least the folks at ESPN believe this match-up is shaping up to be the game of the week. (J) [23]
- Arizona (5-1)– On behalf of the AQ conferences, thanks a lot for giving Boise & TCU ammo by boosting their Oregon St. win. I hope you lose every game except the one to Oregon. (MD)[9]
- Nevada (6-0)– Help us, wolfpack-kenobi. You’re our only hope. (MD)[19]
- Missouri (5-0) – On the 20th anniversary of the infamous “5th down” that Colorado – the absolute WORST and most UNDESERVING National Champion EVER in the history of college football – procured in order to beat them, the Tigers improve to 5-0. (J)
- Air Force -(5-1) A 3-point loss against #6 Oklahoma is the only blemish on the Academy’s record. This team is for real. (J)[NR]
- Michigan (5-1)- Sparty exposed the Wolverines as Big Ten pretenders, and in the meantime may have exposed Denard Robinson as a Heisman pretender. Word of warning to RichRod. You can win 8 or 9 games every year (something you thus far haven’t proven you can do at Michigan), but unless you can beat Michigan State and Ohio State, your days with the maize and blue are numbered. (J)[13]
- Oregon St. – Every win for the Beavers moves us closer to the a playoff. Yuck. (MD)[NR]
- Florida – It sucks! to be! a Flooooorrriiidddddaaaa Gator! It sucks! to be! a Flooooorrriiidddddaaaa Gator! Ah blackened gator dishes will taste a little better all year. (MD)[17]
Others receiving votes: West Virginia, Cal, NC State, UCLA, and Miami
Dropping out: Miami, Northwestern, Kansas State, USC.
Comment of last week: They haven’t played anyone, but get the chance to prove it against Nebraska. It’s a nice story-but they’ll lose big. (MD on Kansas State)
If Tito keeps ranking Ohio State #7, I’m going to have to even it out by ranking Oregon at #7. Dude’s rankings are skewing the results.
😉
My Boise St comment is probably hard to figure unless you realize I ranked them number one and also listen to the Mark Levin Show.
And Jay, ditto times a hundred on your Missouri comment. The only championships that are even in the same league as CU’s bogus split title are the back-to-back “lets give it to a an old ball coach who hasn’t won it before” titles for Nebraska and FSU in the early 90s.
If Tito keeps ranking Ohio State #7, I’m going to have to even it out by ranking Oregon at #7. Dude’s rankings are skewing the results.
It ends up evening out, but I flipped out when I saw he ranked Nevada over LSU.
Oh, and I seriously considered striking Tito’s votes for UCLA and Cal by putting them in a “got votes by tito” category. Fairly absurd that 3 loss teams got votes in Week 6.
I consider Tito’s rankings to be some kind of performance art.
The good thing about 6 voters is that one doesn’t skew too bad. Since it came up, I took Tito’s votes out of the excel program. Tito did hurt a few teams (Arkansas & Florida St) and super helped Nevada but most are relatively the same. The top 25 without Tito:
1. Ohio St. 2. Oregon 3. Boise St. 4. Nebraska 5. Oklahoma 6. Alabama 7. Auburn 8. LSU 9. Utah 10. Michigan St/South Carolina 12. Arkansas 13. Stanford 14. Iowa 15. florida St. 16. Wisconsin 17. Okie St. 18 Arizona 19. Mizzou 20. Air Force 20. nevada 21. Michigan 22.Florida 23. West virginia 24. Oregon st. 25. Nc State (Receiving votes: VT, Miami)
Michael, from a tried-and-true blue-and-orange-blood-bleeding Gator, I can honestly say that that game was exciting. In the end, I think a really poor call by officials on the forward lateral after the fake field goal attempt literally kept LSU alive and nearly gave them the game. I give it to Miles and the LSU players that they did pull off an awesome last-second TD there, but they should have never even had the chance to do it. Then again, if my Gators would have actually played any offense at all in the first half, then this discussion wouldn’t be happening. Alas, I must admit it’s a “rebuilding year” this year for the Gators!
East Coast dribble and babble.
😉
In the end, I think a really poor call by officials on the forward lateral after the fake field goal attempt literally kept LSU alive and nearly gave them the game
While I think it’s close, the sportscenter after the game put up this black line that was parallel and the ball followed it pretty closely. It was tight, but I think the refs made the right call. Moreover, they didn’t have the video evidence to overturn it.
East Coast dribble and babble.
Ok, but explain to me your thinking behind Nevada, UCLA, and Cal. B/c that blows my mind.
Beware of Spartans rising…
…although, more likely, given the Law of Post-Big Game Letdown and Crashing Expectations, it’s quite possible that Illinois will bump off MSU this Saturday.
Being a Michigan State alum has prepared me to never get my hopes raised in life. It came attached to my diploma.
Ok, but explain to me your thinking behind Nevada, UCLA, and Cal. B/c that blows my mind.
You’re the one complaining about how horrible LSU is.
You’ve answered your own question.
That’s what you get with a third grade degree.
You’re the one complaining about how horrible LSU is.
You’ve answered your own question.
That’s what you get with a third grade degree.
???
I think LSU is very good this year, though improvements are needed if they are to survive the brutal SEC schedule on top. However, LSU has made moves towards making those improvements, and I’m excited to see how the season progresses.
To compare LSU to Nevada is quite simple. LSU has 6 wins over BCS opponents. 2 of those opponents are currently ranked; one more was ranked when LSU played them. Nevada has no wins against currently ranked teams; one win over a team ranked at the time they played. Their other opponents are homecoming fodder for the BCS.
UCLA has 3 losses already. 2 of which were blowouts (Stanford & Cal), one to a Kansas St. team that just got smacked around in Manhattan. They beat Houston with a third string QB and an overrated Texas club (a quality win). Cal has beaten no one of quality (unless you count UCLA).
I could maybe buy UCLA at 25 if they hadn’t gotten crushed this weekend. I don’t get Cal being over Arkansas and Florida St. the Seminoles just creamed Miami at Miami to become an ACC contender and Arkansas has a Heisman contender-led Offense.
I’m not trying to be insulting, I’m just trying to figure out your reasoning.
And I would respond to the third-grade quip, but I’m too busy writing my article for the law review at the top-tier law school I’m currently attending to give it adequate treatment. 😉
When LSU, Alabama, and Ohio State stop dodging Boise State and TCU on their schedule, I’ll start listening to how “tough” the SEC is.
I’ve worked in college athletics and I know the politics behind scheduling.
Boise State deserves a shot at the national title only because alleged heavyweights are too scared to play against them, even on their own home field!
It’s what the FBS and BCS deserves, a Boise State-TCU national title game.
Your reasons are empty until LSU schedules a Boise State or a TCU.
When LSU, Alabama, and Ohio State stop dodging Boise State and TCU on their schedule, I’ll start listening to how “tough” the SEC is.
A) This is an argument for Boise St. to be ranked higher than them. I don’t have a huge problem with Boise over Ohio St., as VT & Oregon St. have looked better of late. I put Ohio St. 1st b/c they’ve looked good, beating Miami handily. I had Oregon over them last week, but I’m worried they’ll suffer if their starting QB remains a little injured.
B) LSU ain’t dodging anybody. Last year we traveled to Washington. We signed up for West Virginia (Big East contenders; good bowl record), North Carolina this year (ACC favorites until the suspensions hit). We signed up to play at Oregon (your current #1 team) next year. Ohio St., to its credit has scheduled series with USC & Texas recently. Alabama played Penn St. this year. While there are teams that load up on cupcakes, these teams generally aren’t doing that.
And while there are politics behind scheduling, there are also economics. TCU’s own fans don’t come out-at TCU. Travel costs to Idaho are expensive for most teams (especially the SEC squads). It makes it difficult for many teams to justify losing the money just to give Boise or TCU a chance at the title game.
And finally, Boise’s played Oregon, Oregon St., and Virginia Tech. It’s not like they’re being shut out. They’re playing top teams from BCS conferences. TCU played Oregon St.
LSU is not under a moral obligation to go out of their way to schedule TCU or Boise St. LSU gives itself a healthy non-conference schedule that is competitive (with a few easier games to be sure-usually against the WAC teams Boise St. has feasted on the past few years). There are many good teams worth scheduling-teams that bring in national attention, lots of fans, and excitement both before, during, and after the game. No one is obligated to play one team more than any other.
C) Speaking of dodge, what happened to our conversation about Nevada, Cal, and UCLA? I wasn’t talking about Boise
Somewhat off-topic but not totally, Joe Posnanski has a point counter-point on the BCS. The latter was written by the executive director of the BCS, and I have to say he would make most politicians blush with his over-reliance on hackneyed cliches and talking points.
“… it’s quite possible that Illinois will bump off MSU this Saturday …”
Definitely. And not just because of an MSU let-down. The Illini are better than their 3-2 record indicates. Still, I pick Sparty to win in a close game.
I have to say he would make most politicians blush with his over-reliance on hackneyed cliches and talking points.
Heh. Couldn’t get past the first few sentences:
College football is flourishing. Eager fans are flocking to stadiums across the country. Folks are watching on television like never before.
The sport is decidedly healthy. There’s no reason to monkey with it.
Seriously?
“Joe Posnanski has a point counter-point on the BCS.”
I wish sportswriters would quit going on and on and on ad infinitum about a damned playoff. It’s not going to happen. More importantly, it SHOULDN’T happen.
Posnanski is full of it when he says Division 1-A college football doesn’t have the most meaningful regular season in all of sports. Of course it does. It may not be meaningful to HIM because HE doesn’t get to see the match-ups HE wants to see week in and week out. But so what? College football has always been about the rivalries and the conference match-ups. An Alabama-Auburn game or a Texas-Oklahoma game or a Ohio-State Michigan game is FAR more important than whether a bunch of top-10 teams play one another every week, giving Joe Posnanski a thrill up his leg.
I couldn’t get past the first few sentences in that either.
But I do have a problem with the arguments made against the BCS he presents
Arg #1: It leads to teams scheduling cupcakes-This doesn’t go away in a playoff. If rankings what matter, then you schedule cupcakes and let your season revolve around one or two big games. In fact, I think the incentive is higher to schedule cupcakes in a playoff b/c if you have a harder schedule, you have less energy to get through an additional 3-4 weeks tacked on at the end of the year. The only way to increase good non-conference games is make them not count. However, to its credit the BCS has given strength of schedule an important role, so that many teams are trying to get a marquee non-conf game to improve their chances in case of equal records, as well as getting the buzz about the team early.
2. The BCS is illogical-there isn’t a magical formula about the rankings. Unless you say playoffs are limited to conference champions, then rankings matter and will continue to be kinda crazy. I could only accept a playoffs if they were limited to conference champions-allowing wild cards just perpetuates the problems of the BCS while diminishing the value of the bowls.
Which isn’t to say I defend the guy at the BCS, either. I despise the BCS, but think a playoff would be worse.
College football has always been about the rivalries and the conference match-ups. An Alabama-Auburn game or a Texas-Oklahoma game or a Ohio-State Michigan game is FAR more important than whether a bunch of top-10 teams play one another every week, giving Joe Posnanski a thrill up his leg
This is true. The conference schedule is what counts.
Excuses, excuses, excuses.
LSU and many, many other heavyweights are dodging the TCU’s and Boise States.
Fresno State is famous for “taking on all comers”.
LSU?
Bring on McNeese State!
Whimps.
LSU and many, many other heavyweights are dodging the TCU’s and Boise States.
Except for Oregon, Oregon St., and Virginia Tech.
LSU has played Fresno. We beat the snot of them in 2006.
This week is the first non-BCS opponent we’re playing. They’re in an in-state school, so we’re giving the money to a local team. We only have one non-BCS team left-ULM of the Sun Belt (another state school). Not sure why playing UNC & West Virginia isn’t good enough but oh well.
And Boise just finished playing Toledo and Wyoming. Don’t give me your nonsense. (And Boise is scheduled to play at Ole Miss next year, so don’t pretend the SEC has completely shut off Boise).
Still no answer on why Nevada, Cal & UCLA are where they are in your rankings.
Michael,
Boise is playing Toledo because LSU refuses to play them… in Baton Rouge!
Pretty lame, but par for the course for the biggies in college football, full of excuses when their arguments run out.
When you start scheduling the mid-major powerhouses, then you have an argument, until them, eat your roadkill and smile.
McNeese State for crying out loud!
Sheesh.
Boise is playing Toledo because LSU refuses to play them… in Baton Rouge!
Do you have any evidence that LSU said “screw you” to Boise?
Pretty lame, but par for the course for the biggies in college football, full of excuses when their arguments run out.
LSU doesn’t need to schedule flash-in-the-pan programs like Boise St. that have no fan base when it can schedule schools with bigger fan bases and more consistently good football teams like UNC & West Virginia that allow for neutral-field or home & home options. This allows LSU guaranteed better football games, guaranteed media exposure, and guaranteed money for the school and program.
If it becomes feasible (as it was when LSU scheduled Fresno St.), LSU will do it.
When you start scheduling the mid-major powerhouses, then you have an argument, until them, eat your roadkill and smile.
So LSU is terrible & cowardly for scheduling major conference powerhouses instead of mid-major ones. Ok.
McNeese State for crying out loud!
LSU undertook a commitment to play in-state schools so that its dollars would go to help boost the programs of the smaller LA schools. It’s a fun weekend, as everyone from that area comes in. For example, when LSU played ULL last year a lot of my wife’s family came in. It makes for a great weekend for Louisiana families. Doing it twice a year is not a crime. LSU has far more interest in helping boost up McNeese, Tulane, ULL, and ULM than it does for some school in Idaho.
Nuf sed.
Nuf sed.
YOU STILL HAVE SAID NOTHING ABOUT NEVADA!
We started this off by asking you why you ranked Nevada above LSU, and why you ranked UCLA & Cal where you did.
I proudly serve as TAC’s token Air Force fan. The Falcons lost some key defensive personnel this past week. They might actually fall out of the rankings after a tough trip to San Diego –thanks to the job Brady Hoke’s doing, these aren’t your older brothers’ Aztecs. I still think they’re going to knock off either Utah or TCU later in the season though.
Where is the NFL rankings? 🙂
Robert:
I’ve been swamped; expect them tomorrow.