Week 7 Recap and Week 8 Preview

So Conference USA thinks if they merge with the Mountain West they will get an automatic BCS bid? That’s how asinine this realignment stuff is getting…that, and the Big East’s commitment to have 12 football schools or possible no football at all. That sounds like stability that their Commish is seaking. I still can’t see how Boise, Navy, and Air Force would want to join up in that conference. And now, Notre Dame to the ACC rumors are flying around, as is West Virginia and some others to the Big 12, or whatever they’ll be called. Blah, enough about that.

While I was only 2-2 in big games (21-7 overall), the Top-10 are really distancing themselves from the rest of the pack. The BCS initial rankings came out this weekend, and while we largely agree, I don’t think Stanford is getting enough love, and I think Boise is getting a little too much. But that’ll eventually sort itself out, as we know for sure that either LSU or Alabama, and Oklahoma or Oklahoma State are going to wind up with at least one loss. For the record, I’d take any of those one loss teams over Boise for a BCS bid…   

Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 7 Top-10 recap:

1. Did Ohio State really beat an undefeated Illinois team on the road while only completing one pass? What is this, 1906 when coaches were still figuring out how to implement the new-fangled forward pass?

2. In this week’s rendition of “how good are the top-10?” the nine teams that played scored no fewer than 38, only Clemson was at risk of an upset, needing to comeback from being down 18 points twice on the road at Maryland.

3. Once again, turnovers and mental mistakes cost Arizona State a chance at winning a big game. But, let’s keep in mind that while the Devils were in the game with Oregon, the Ducks were without their best player for the whole game, and their second best player for half of the game. I fear that a PAC-12 Championship Game re-match will be even uglier for the Devils than this one was.

4. The last two years, Wisconsin has hung 83 and now 59 on Indiana. In football, not basketball.

5. Texas A&M finally remembered how to play defense in the 4^th quarter, and shut down Heisman hopeful Griffin III. And, you’re pretty much always going to win when you put up 415 in the air and almost 300 on the ground.

6. Did I mention not to get too excited that Florida started out 4-0? Last I checked, they’re now 4-3.

7. Alabama and LSU continue to score a ton and give up very little. I can’t wait for November 5^th! What’s the over/under gonna be in that game? 6.5?

8. Speaking of overs…back to back kickoff returns in the Oklahoma State and Texas game to start the second half. That’s the dream of overs…

9. I still can’t decide if I’m buying what Kansas State is selling. Sure, they have wins @ Miami and @ Texas Tech; as well as over a quality Baylor team. But, there was that 10-7 home opening win against Eastern Kentucky that still has me skeptical. Oh, that and the fact they still have Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and Texas on their schedule.

10. There once was a time when Michigan would usually beat both Michigan State and Ohio State. A whole cohort of Michigan players would not have a clue what I’m referring to, and that makes me smile.

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (7-0) – With how much they’re destroying opponents this year, I’m amazed that they haven’t lost focus. Saban is worth every penny.

#2 LSU (7-0) – More off the field problems; but plenty of on the field success. Les Miles is also worth every penny, and I’m betting he’s glad he decided to pass on the Michigan job.

#3 Oklahoma (6-0) – The Big-12 got really lucky this year without a conference championship game: December 4^th, Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State is the championship game. Can we get Dr. Pepper to sponsor this one?

#4 Stanford (6-0) – Luck should be buying t-bones every night for his offensive line. He’s barely been touched this year.

#5 Boise State (6-0) – First Mountain West game. Same result as WAC games: blowout win. Records are going to start falling soon as Moore continues to put up huge numbers…

#6 Oklahoma State (6-0) – I’ll say it again: The Big-12 got really lucky this year without a conference championship game: December 4^th, Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State is the championship game. Can we get Dr. Pepper to sponsor this one?

#7 Wisconsin (6-0) – Leaving Wisconsin for the first time this weekend.

#8 Clemson (7-0) – Next time, try not to fall behind by 18 points. Twice. It’s easier to win when you don’t do that.

#9 Oregon (5-1) – Injuries could cause huge problems for the Ducks. Good thing it’s Colorado and Washington State the next couple of weeks.

#10 Arkansas (5-1) – As Corso would say – the Hogs are still sneaking around the hen house.

Rising Fast:

Kansas State – Didn’t see this one coming. 6-0, but your four games against D1 teams have been won by a total of 19 points. And, you still have a stretch of four against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and Texas. You’ll be lucky to finish 8-4.

Falling Faster:

The State of Florida – Zero teams in the BCS Top-25, and zero teams receiving any votes in the AP Top-25. Ouch.

Heisman Watch:

Andrew Luck, Stanford – 14 straight, and counting, for the Cardinal. As long as they keep winning, Luck’s chances for the Heisman keep going up.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oklahoma – I really want to see this game, mostly to see Stoops get completely out prepared and out coached by Saban.

Week 8 Big Games:

Auburn @ LSU – Will continued off the field problems eventually be LSU’s demise? Nah. LSU 31 Auburn 20

Washington @ Stanford – Stanford has struggled the last couple of weekends; in the first half. Here they finally get a matchup with a ranked team. But, it’s in Stanford, where they don’t lose, and Washington can’t beat a ranked team on the road. Stanford 37 Washington 20

Tennessee @ Alabama – I’m only putting this here so I don’t get hate mail from you “third weekend in October” freaks. Alabama 41 Tennessee 10

Week 8 Game of the Week:

Wisconsin @ Michigan State – A very intriguing match-up in Spartan Stadium. Russell Wilson of Wisconsin actually leads the nation in passer rating and Wisconsin is #1 in scoring, while Michigan State leads the nation in passing defense, and is second overall in total defense. Wisconsin’s been impressive in their first 6, but, they haven’t played outside of Camp Randall, and they haven’t played anyone (sorry Nebraska). However, Wisconsin is a ton better than Notre Dame (the only team to beat State so far), so I gotta go with the Badgers: 27-17.

Until next time…