COLLEGE FOOTBALL

[strike wolf]

Tennessee played Alabama and Florida on their turf and gave them tough games only to get blown out by Mississippi, who faltered badly against both the SEC leaders. Alabama definitely looks like the team to beat in the conference and Florida will get their chance.

If Ingram and their defense is healthy, I cannot see Florida beating Alabama this year. And I personally feel that Keenum (Houston) and Ingram have to be the Heisman favorites at this point in the season.

[oVo]

Tennessee played Alabama and Florida on their turf and gave them tough games only to get blown out by Mississippi, who faltered badly against both the SEC leaders. Alabama definitely looks like the team to beat in the conference and Florida will get their chance.

If Ingram and their defense is healthy, I cannot see Florida beating Alabama this year. And I personally feel that Keenum (Houston) and Ingram have to be the Heisman favorites at this point in the season.

I agree that 'Bama looks ready to handle all competition, including the Gators this year.
As far as Heisman Candidates go... Colt McCoy is doing OK too.

Week 11
1 Florida 10-0
2 Alabama 10-0
3 Texas 10-0
4 TCU 10-0
5 Cincinnati 10-0
6 Boise State 10-0
7 Georgia Tech 10-1
8 LSU 8-2
9 Pittsburgh 9-1
10 Ohio State 9-2

Week 11
RECORD PTS
1 Florida 10-0
2 Alabama 10-0
3 Texas 10-0
4 TCU 10-0
5 Cincinnati 10-0
6 Boise State 10-0
7 Georgia Tech 10-1
8 Pittsburgh 9-1
9 Ohio State 9-2
10 LSU 8-2

[strike wolf]

I think overall I have to favor the AP poll on this one. Give the 1-loss teams credit over the 2 loss teams. Though considering LSU has only lost to teams that were #1 and #2 respectively in fairly close tough games, I don't think OSU should be ranked ahead of them.

[Optimus Prime]

At the moment I think TCU deserves to be ranked ahead of Texas. Looking at the rankings Texas has only beaten one Top 25 team and TCU has beaten 3 current Top 25 teams. I think that speaks for their schedule as well as the strength of the Mountain West.

Texas is surviving in that #3 spot by prior reputation only, which I think is ridiculous.

[muy_thaiguy]

At the moment I think TCU deserves to be ranked ahead of Texas. Looking at the rankings Texas has only beaten one Top 25 team and TCU has beaten 3 current Top 25 teams. I think that speaks for their schedule as well as the strength of the Mountain West.

Texas is surviving in that #3 spot by prior reputation only, which I think is ridiculous.

True. And I also think that the game against the Cowboys on Saturday will play a factor into it, as we played Texas earlier this year. Making us a common opponent. That said, I don't think the Cowboys are ging to roll over like they did for BYU. Actually, from what I have read, Wyoming and TCU are tied in the overall record against eachother. Anyways, I will stop rooting for TCU and continue my support of the Cowboys, as it is team first, conference second. After the game, I will then resume rooting for both teams. Results be damned!

[oVo]

At the moment I think TCU deserves to be ranked ahead of Texas. Looking at the rankings Texas has only beaten one Top 25 team and TCU has beaten 3 current Top 25 teams. I think that speaks for their schedule as well as the strength of the Mountain West.

Texas is surviving in that #3 spot by prior reputation only, which I think is ridiculous.

TCU - Wins @ #16 BYU 38-7, #16 Utah 55-28 and @ Clemson 14-10
Texas - Wins @ #20 Oklahoma 16-13, @ #14 Oklahoma State 41-14 and @ Missouri 41-7
and has the tougher overall schedule. So their #3 ranking isn't just by prior reputation.

[Optimus Prime]

At the moment I think TCU deserves to be ranked ahead of Texas. Looking at the rankings Texas has only beaten one Top 25 team and TCU has beaten 3 current Top 25 teams. I think that speaks for their schedule as well as the strength of the Mountain West.

Texas is surviving in that #3 spot by prior reputation only, which I think is ridiculous.

TCU - Wins @ #16 BYU 38-7, #16 Utah 55-28 and @ Clemson 14-10
Texas - Wins @ #20 Oklahoma 16-13, @ #14 Oklahoma State 41-14 and @ Missouri 41-7
and has the tougher overall schedule. So their #3 ranking isn't just by prior reputation.

At the moment, only Oklahoma State is ranked out of the previous teams Texas has faced. The current rankings are what matter, not the ones from weeks ago. Oklahoma got beat by BYU, who TCU man-handled. Clemson is ranked now, and Utah remains ranked as well.

Missouri could get beat by any of the top 3 teams in the Mountain West this season, I'm sure of it.

Sorry, but TCU has the better schedule at this point of the season, not Texas.

If TCU played in the Big 12 North they would still be undefeated and I would put my money on them defeating Texas at this point if they were to face off in the Big 12 title game.

[strike wolf]

At the moment I think TCU deserves to be ranked ahead of Texas. Looking at the rankings Texas has only beaten one Top 25 team and TCU has beaten 3 current Top 25 teams. I think that speaks for their schedule as well as the strength of the Mountain West.

Texas is surviving in that #3 spot by prior reputation only, which I think is ridiculous.

I personally think I have to agree with you. I hadn't really thought much about it before you said this but yeah they have played a tougher schedule than Texas and probably the only things that keep Texas ahead are prior reputation and "being in a tough conference". I know I might sound hypocritical saying that as an SEC fan but we have won 3 straight NC titles and 4 this decade.

[oVo]

College Football Power Rankings

1 Texas (10-0)
2 TCU (9-0)
3 Alabama (10-0)
4 Florida (9-0)
5 Cincinnati (9-0)
6 GA Tech (9-1)
7 Oregon (8-2)
8 Clemson (6-3)
9 Stanford (7-3)
10 Pittsburgh (8-1)

1 Miami (FL) (6-3) highest: 1
2 Florida St (4-5) highest: 2
3 N Carolina (5-3) highest: 3
4 Clemson (6-3) highest: 1
5 VA Tech (7-3) highest: 1
6 Wake Forest (3-7) highest: 5
7 Connecticut (3-5) highest: 7
8 Miss State (3-6) highest: 7
9 Baylor (3-6) highest: 5
10 USC (7-3) highest: 3
13 Georgia (5-4) highest: 5
14 Oklahoma (5-4) highest: 1
15 Georgia Tech (9-1) highest: 2
> 18 Alabama (10-0) highest: 3
24 LSU (8-2) highest: 2
> 28 Texas (10-0) highest: 8
> 30 Florida (9-0) highest: 3
46 Cincinnati (10-0) highest: 13
> 49 TCU (10-0) highest: 5
50 Pittsburgh (8-1) highest: 15
60 Ohio State (9-2) highest: 2
84 Wyoming (4-5) highest: 14
86 Boise State (10-0) highest: 7

1 SEC
2 Big East
3 ACC
4 Pac-10
5 Big 12
6 Big Ten
7 Mountain West
8 CUSA
9 WAC
10 Independents
11 MAC
12 Sun Belt
unchanged from last week

[king sam]

At the moment, only Oklahoma State is ranked out of the previous teams Texas has faced. The current rankings are what matter, not the ones from weeks ago. Oklahoma got beat by BYU, who TCU man-handled. Clemson is ranked now, and Utah remains ranked as well.

Missouri could get beat by any of the top 3 teams in the Mountain West this season, I'm sure of it.

Sorry, but TCU has the better schedule at this point of the season, not Texas.

If TCU played in the Big 12 North they would still be undefeated and I would put my money on them defeating Texas at this point if they were to face off in the Big 12 title game.

I think this to be untrue as well. Texas has dominated everyone that they have played this year, and yes this is a down year for the Big 12, but Texas has a national top 5 offense and defense and is continually getting it done every week. And muythaiguy before you chime in about your cowboys need I say it again, our offense has not showed up to play all year until the 2nd half. And in that game we still went into halftime with the lead.

Same thing for last year, tis the reason why we screwed ourselves out of the Big 12 championship and NC, had we not horsed around in the first half with Tech then maybe Crabtree's hellacious last second TD wouldn't have been that game deciding factor.

Either way, back on point, BYU got overhyped by a lucky situation that was presented to them which was Bradford getting hurt and a red shirted Freshman getting his first in game experience. So TCU blowing BYU out doesn't impress me all that much, the whole argument about BYU beat Oklahoma is null and void because Oklahoma lost their Tebow. Now has Landry done good since then, sure, but he couldn't do squat in his first real time game action against BYU. And Oklahoma is not the powerhouse run team of yester years.

TCU is playing good ball dont get me wrong, and for the unfortunate fact that this year your probably going to have at least 4 teams go undefeated, them being one, but only 2 can play in the NC, and I cant see you taking it away from the SEC Champ and Big 12 Champ unless huge upsets come to play.

There is no way you bump any team ahead in that top 3 unless Florida or Alabama lose one of these remanding games and the other wins out in the SEC giving them both 1 loss.
"Bama loses to Auburn, Bama beats Florida in SEC title game"

Leaving it Texas vs TCU/Boise/Cinncy. But even still I think the case can still be made for a one loss Bama or a one loss Florida team to face Texas for the title.

As long as Texas doesnt do something stupid and lose to Kansas, A&M or Nebraska in the Big 12 title game they got a ticket to the show.

[king sam]

Quick fact:

Besides OU (rivalry game) which was won by 3 points & Tech which was won by 10 points the closest differential this year has been 24 points.

The defense is giving up an average of 12.6 points a game.
The offense is producing an average of 41.6 points a game.

Thats dominating on every level.

[oVo]

A very unlikely scenario will have to occur for 2 of the current top 3 ranked teams
not to meet for the Mythical NCAA Football Championship.

IF... Florida State beats Florida and Florida beats Alabama for the SEC Title
then it's possible TCU would meet Texas in the big game.

IF the above happens... but Nebraska upsets Texas for the Big 12 Title
then it's possible TCU vs Cincinnati is the big game matchup.

But those are some very big IFs.
Of course anything is possible, remember last year?

[Optimus Prime]

Either way, back on point, BYU got overhyped by a lucky situation that was presented to them which was Bradford getting hurt and a red shirted Freshman getting his first in game experience. So TCU blowing BYU out doesn't impress me all that much, the whole argument about BYU beat Oklahoma is null and void because Oklahoma lost their Tebow. Now has Landry done good since then, sure, but he couldn't do squat in his first real time game action against BYU. And Oklahoma is not the powerhouse run team of yester years.

I could not disagree with you more. The claim that OU lost that game because Sam Bradford got hurt is ludicrous. Sam Bradford was playing in the first half and BYU's defense had shut him down over the first 30 minutes. There is no reason to believe that they would not have continued to do so in the second half. The only difference Sam Bradford makes at the end of that game is that they go for it on that one play and have a bit better of a chance of converting.

Sorry, but to say that the loss of Bradford gave that game to BYU is completely wrong.

[muy_thaiguy]

our offense has not showed up to play all year until the 2nd half. And in that game we still went into halftime with the lead.

1. If your offense cannot show up until the second half, a team like TCU would take advantage of that as they play start to finish. Air Force came the closest to tying TCU, but Air Force has the #1 passing defense in the country and highly ranked running defense as well. And like Texas, has only had 1 or two other close games. Otherwise, they have been blowing teams out of the water each time. Even beating Utah, which was ranked #16 and has an excellent defense by nearly double the points. And BYU, who was ranked #25 by 35-7. A second half offense is a weakness.
2. Wyoming had made a touchdown, taking the lead by 3, the Texas got in one last touchdown to be up by only 3 points at the half. Wyoming had both Texas (the team) and the fans on edge going into half time. The only problem with Wyoming is that they have not played consistently for an entire game, mainly the offense. However, they are improving.

[Woodruff]

Either way, back on point, BYU got overhyped by a lucky situation that was presented to them which was Bradford getting hurt and a red shirted Freshman getting his first in game experience. So TCU blowing BYU out doesn't impress me all that much, the whole argument about BYU beat Oklahoma is null and void because Oklahoma lost their Tebow. Now has Landry done good since then, sure, but he couldn't do squat in his first real time game action against BYU. And Oklahoma is not the powerhouse run team of yester years.

I could not disagree with you more. The claim that OU lost that game because Sam Bradford got hurt is ludicrous. Sam Bradford was playing in the first half and BYU's defense had shut him down over the first 30 minutes. There is no reason to believe that they would not have continued to do so in the second half. The only difference Sam Bradford makes at the end of that game is that they go for it on that one play and have a bit better of a chance of converting.
Sorry, but to say that the loss of Bradford gave that game to BYU is completely wrong.

Yeah, I watched that game and I agree with Optimus. Bradford being there certainly would have given them a better opportunity to win, no doubt...but with him in there for a significant portion of the game, and the game was very much in doubt at the point of his injury. And I'm a Big Twelve homer, to boot.

[oVo]

Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oklahoma State were all ranked when they played Texas.
BYU & Utah were ranked when they played TCU and Clemson is ranked now.

Both these teams are really very good... and I hope they run the table,
the Horned Frogs have it easier from here on out.

Texas wins out and they'll be hard to catch by any team including TCU.

[king sam]

Wyoming had made a touchdown, taking the lead by 3, the Texas got in one last touchdown to be up by only 3 points at the half. Wyoming had both Texas (the team) and the fans on edge going into half time. The only problem with Wyoming is that they have not played consistently for an entire game, mainly the offense. However, they are improving.

Wyoming got a TD on a blocked punt and had "the lead" for a matter of 3 plays till McCoy found Shipley for a 40 plus yd TD, and from there on out there was no turning back.

The offense hasn't showed up for us in the first half, doesn't mean that were not playing ball and am giving the game away, just means we are keeping games closer then need be in some instances.

And yes that will be a problem in the NC when we get there. Hopefully we show up from quarter one, as Florida or Alabama will be tough competition.

I still don't see how you shrug off Bradford and say his injury wasn't a great contributing factor in that BYU game though. He is OU's offense as they have lost their line and distinctive run game and lost their impact WR as well last yr in the draft. A redshirt freshman coming in a game that is still on the table with those problems would definitely benefit BYU in my opinion. Just cause Bradford hadn't done much up to that point is mute, cause its still Bradford and he is the it factor to decide the game for them, and Landry obviously isn't, at least not at that point.

But that's the beauty of it u can have your opinion and I can have mine.

[oVo]

Knock the starting QB out of any game --especially the first game of the season-- and it's going to be a factor in the outcome. BYU beat the Sooners 14-13 and that was an accomplishment and a huge upset. Oregon opened the year losing at Boise State, which was also huge and Oregon has played really well since. Those things happen and a tip of the hat to both teams for winning two of the biggest games of their season. They are both really good teams who might just be capable of knocking off Florida, Alabama, Texas or TCU. Well maybe not BYU who got squashed on their home field by Florida State, but maybe Boise State might have a shot.

To Oklahoma's credit they've still had a winning season despite losing key players for the season on both sides of the ball. In the comparison game though, the Sooners without Bradford slaughtered a Tulsa Golden Hurricane squad that gave Boise State a big scare.

[oVo]

Top 25 Schedule
#1 Florida vs Florida International a fluff game
#2 Alabama vs Chattanooga more fluff
#3 Texas vs Kansas
#4 TCU @ Wyoming sorry taiguy... looks like a fluffer too
#6 Boise State @ Utah State
#8 LSU @ Mississippi
#10 Ohio State @ Michigan one of the biggest rivalries in football
#11 Oregon @ Arizona
#12 Oklahoma State vs Colorado 3rd string QB tosses 2 second half TDs and OSU prevails 31-28
#13 Iowa vs Minnesota
#14 Penn State @ Michigan State
#15 Virginia Tech vs North Carolina State
#16 Wisconsin @ Nortwestern
#17 Stanford vs #25 California
#19 Oregon State @ Washington State
#20 Miami vs Duke
#21 Utah vs San Diego State
#22 BYU vs Air Force
#23 Clemson vs Virginia
#24 Houston vs Memphis

[strike wolf]

A very unlikely scenario will have to occur for 2 of the current top 3 ranked teams
not to meet for the Mythical NCAA Football Championship.

IF... Florida State beats Florida and Florida beats Alabama for the SEC Title
then it's possible TCU would meet Texas in the big game.

IF the above happens... but Nebraska upsets Texas for the Big 12 Title
then it's possible TCU vs Cincinnati is the big game matchup.

But those are some very big IFs.
Of course anything is possible, remember last year?

Last year actually wasn't that big of surprise. they had 3 teams tied at the top of a conference and they gave it to the team that they felt had the best overall stats as they judged it. I understand why Texas feels robbed and yeah I would have rather seen them in the NC but sometimes stuff happens.

[strike wolf]

This year's Michigan-OSU game has a lot on the line. OSU wins they recover from the close loss to USC and their other loss (I can't actually remember the second team they lost to) and most likely find themselves in a BCS Bowl game. While Michigan on the other hand needs this game to become bowl eligible and Rodriguez would want it to hopefully keep his job (no guarrantee that he would even if he did win but a victory over the school's rival would do a lot to help). That being said, OSU wins and Michigan starts looking for a new coach.

[oVo]

I see Georgia has a warmup with Kentucky this weekend
before they resume their rivalry with #7 Georgia Tech.

Hard to believe Michigan could wind up out of the bowl games again.
That's a tough streak to accept for the Wolverines.

After letting USC off the hook in Columbus the Buckeyes turned over a game
to Purdue with three fumbles and two interceptions.

[strike wolf]

Well My hope for Georgia at this point of the season is just securing the best bowl game possible. Can we beat Tech? I have to admit it's highly unlikely but i'm hoping we will.

[72o]

Well My hope for Georgia at this point of the season is just securing the best bowl game possible. Can we beat Tech? I have to admit it's highly unlikely but i'm hoping we will.

I hope you do. I also hope you wear them out a little bit so we will have an easier time with them in the ACC Championship. I'd like to hang another 34-10 on them if possible. A trip to the Orange Bowl (and a possible rematch against TCU) would be pretty nice as well.

[TheMissionary]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/11/15/bowl.projections/index.html

BCS Bowls
Date Predicted Matchup
Jan. 7 BCS Championship: Alabama (BCS No. 1) vs. Texas (BCS No. 2)
Jan. 5 Orange: Georgia Tech (ACC champ) vs. TCU (BCS at-large)
Jan. 4 Fiesta: Iowa (BCS at-large) vs. Boise State (BCS at-large)
Jan. 1 Sugar: Florida (BCS at-large) vs. Pittsburgh (Big East champ)
Jan. 1 Rose: Ohio State (Big Ten champ) vs. Oregon (Pac-10 champ)
Non-BCS Bowls
Date Predicted Matchup
Jan. 6 GMAC: Ohio (MAC) vs. Louisiana-Monroe (ACC*)
Jan. 2 Alamo: Oklahoma (Big 12 No. 4) vs. Michigan State (Big Ten No. 5)
Jan. 2 Liberty: Houston (C-USA champ) vs. Auburn (SEC)
Jan. 2 Cotton: Oklahoma State (Big 12 No. 2) vs. Ole Miss (SEC)
Jan. 2 PapaJohns.com: West Virginia (Big East) vs. South Carolina (SEC)
Jan. 2 International: USF (Big East) vs. Temple (MAC)
Jan. 1 Capital One: Penn State (Big Ten No. 2) vs. LSU (SEC No. 2)
Jan. 1 Gator: Virginia Tech (ACC No. 3) vs. Notre Dame (Big East)
Jan. 1 Outback: Wisconsin (Big Ten No. 3) vs. Tennessee (SEC)
Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A: Arkansas (SEC) vs. Clemson (ACC No. 2)
Dec. 31 Insight: Missouri (Big 12 No. 6) vs. Minnesota (Big Ten No. 6)
Dec. 31 Texas: Texas A&M (Big 12) vs. Navy (Navy)
Dec. 31 Sun: USC (Pac-10 No. 3) vs. Texas Tech (Big 12 No. 5)
Dec. 31 Armed Forces: Air Force (MWC) vs. SMU (C-USA)
Dec. 30 Holiday: Stanford (Pac-10 No. 2) vs. Nebraska (Big 12 No. 3)
Dec. 30 Humanitarian: UCLA (MWC*) vs. Idaho (WAC)
Dec. 29 Champs Sports: Miami (ACC No. 4) vs. Northwestern (Big Ten No. 4)
Dec. 29 EagleBank: Middle Tennessee (ACC*) vs. Marshall (C-USA)
Dec. 28 Independence: Iowa State (Big 12) vs. Kentucky (SEC)
Dec. 27 Music City: Boston College (ACC) vs. Georgia (SEC)
Dec. 26 Emerald: Cal (Pac-10 No. 4) vs. Florida State (ACC)
Dec. 26 Meineke Car Care: North Carolina (ACC) vs. Cincinnati (Big East No. 3)
Dec. 26 Little Caesars: Central Michigan (MAC) vs. Connecticut (Big Ten No. 7*)
Dec. 24 Hawaii: Fresno State (WAC) vs. East Carolina (C-USA)
Dec. 23 Poinsettia: Utah (MWC No. 2) vs. Arizona (Pac-10 No. 6)
Dec. 22 Las Vegas: Oregon State (Pac-10 No. 5) vs. BYU (MWC No. 1)
Dec. 20 New Orleans: Troy (Sun Belt champ) vs. UCF (C-USA)
Dec. 19 St. Petersburg: Rutgers (Big East) vs. Southern Miss (C-USA)
Dec. 19 New Mexico: Northern Illinois (MWC*) vs. Nevada (WAC)