My predictions are getting a bit better. I had ND over Michigan, Oregon over Arizona, Florida State over Clemson, and got the margin between Oklahoma and Kansas State pretty close, but picked the wrong winner. So goes it sometimes. But, we’re only four weeks in and already four of my preseason Top-10 teams have lost, in some cases twice. They should at least pay me a replacement referee salary to get this much wrong…
Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 4 Top-10 recap:
1. In the Thursday night game this week, we had a thriller between BYU and Boise State. Boise was 0-5 on 4th downs because they apparently still haven’t been able to recruit a FG kicker, and BYU turned it over five times. Once again, Boise State didn’t have an offensive touchdown. It’s gonna be a long year for Boise’s offense. And someone needs to tell BYU that you need to score more than one point more than the total number of turnovers you have if you’re going to win.
2. Florida State is a strong team this year, but when (if?) they finish undefeated, do they deserve a shot against the SEC Champion (I’m still making the assumption that the SEC Champion is in the BCS Title game) over an undefeated Oregon team? No, I say. FSU hasn’t played anyone (other than perennially overrated Clemson), and they don’t have another currently ranked foe on their schedule until the finale against Florida (and I doubt a soon-to-be three loss Florida team will be ranked by then). On the other hand, Oregon will have played at least five ranked teams. For crying out loud, the Big East has as many ranked teams as the ACC right now. Sorry Seminoles.
3. The strangest thing I saw over the weekend (no, it wasn’t LSU’s QB Zach Mettenberger’s mustache – if you haven’t seen it, look it up) was a guy in Eugene, Oregon sporting a chartreuse storm trooper costume. The coolest thing I saw was the “0” on the scoreboard next to UofSuck after Oregon destroyed them.
4. The only two things that didn’t go right in the Alabama game were 1) they didn’t get the shutout, and 2) they didn’t cover the 50 point spread. And I’m told by the Uncle Geno Sports Bureau of Obscure Statistics that when Alabama beats Ole Miss this weekend, they’ll only be the second team in college football (behind Notre Dame in the ‘40s) to start five straight seasons at 5-0, and they’ve been ranked #1 by the AP in at least one poll in the last five years (second only to the Miami machine of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s). I’ll say it now. Dynasty.
5. LSU struggled this weekend, and even with a win, dropped to #3 in the AP poll, but they did what you have to do to stay a contender: win road games in the SEC. And now, Mettenberger, you know what you have to do: shave that awful ‘stache.
6. Once again, Oklahoma pulls the “lets lose a home game to a good team, though one we should really beat if we even play average.” What is that, like six straight years this has happened? Remember when Stoops was known as Big Game Bob? Maybe that loss to Boise in the Fiesta Bowl a few years back has permanently scarred him.
7. Clemson was able to move the ball and score lots of points against Florida State, but I think we saw why many have FSU as the team to knock the SEC off the BCS Championship platform. A very solid team from top to bottom, and now they don’t play anyone ‘till Florida the last week of the regular season.
8. Once again, the Michigan/Notre Dame game came down to the wire; and once again, Denard had a chance. This time though, that Notre Dame front seven played solid from start to finish – lane assignment football, they didn’t over pursue, they allowed short games, and of course it didn’t hurt that Michigan had almost as many INTs as completions. I’m sad to see that Notre Dame opted out of this series, but I guess the writing is on the wall for Notre Dame to fully join the ACC when TV contracts and other big financial business allows for it. I think Anton and I need to go have a candlelight vigil in the parking lot where Ted’s Tasty Hot Dogs used to be. RIP, Michigan/Notre Dame football rivalry.
9. Oregon State is 2-0, with both wins against ranked teams. Didn’t see this one coming at all.
10. In this week’s rendition of “How bad is the Big 10?”: Michigan State was down at the half to Eastern Michigan, Illinois was destroyed at home by Louisiana Tech, Iowa lost at home to Central Michigan, and Wisconsin struggled at home with UTEP. As a couple others have said: It’s a good thing conference play is starting so the Big 10 won’t look as bad!
Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:
Top-10:
#1 Alabama (4-0) – Before their third string defense gave up that late 75 yard TD drive (which included two successful first downs), FAU had 35 total yards. This ‘Bama defense is so good, that if they score more than 10 points a game, they’ll win ‘em all.
#2 Oregon (4-0) – Who knew the Ducks could play a little defense?
#3 LSU (4-0) – November 3rd is all that matters.
#4 Florida State (4-0) – The defense finally had to play against the big boys. Let’s see how they respond getting into conference play (not that it matters if they keep scoring 50+).
#5 West Virginia (3-0) – How does a team in the first year in a new conference get Baylor, Kansas State, TCU, and Oklahoma at home?
#6 Georgia (4-0) – This may be Richt’s best team.
#7 Kansas State (4-0) – Off week, before getting to beat up on in-state rival Kansas.
#8 South Carolina (4-0) – One more cupcake, then it’s Georgia, @ LSU, and @ Florida.
#9 Texas (4-0) – Eventually some SEC teams are gonna lose, which is good for the Horns.
#10 Notre Dame (4-0) – I’m drinking the Irish Kool-Aid!
Rising Fast:
Oregon State – 2-0 versus ranked teams is good. And, the Civil War is in Corvallis this year. Keep an eye on that.
Falling Faster:
Arizona – Only five teams were shut out all weekend: Kentucky, Bowling Green, Tulane, Alcorn State, and UofSuck. How does Arizona get shut out by Oregon? My 7th grade flag-football team could score on Oregon.
Heisman Watch:
Geno Smith, West Virginia – Not the greatest game for Smith, but no one behind him in the Heisman race did anything to speak of, either. And now he gets a shot at Baylor which has the worst total defense of any team in a major conference.
BCS Title Game Prediction:
Alabama v. Oregon – In their last game, Alabama’s offense looked like Oregon’s in the first half against FAU, and Oregon’s defense looked like Alabama’s in the second half against Arizona.
Week 5 Big Games:
Tennessee @ Georgia – “Rocky Top is back!!!!” was all the noise when Tennessee started off 3-0. A blow out against Florida at home, and now they travel to Athens. Such is life in the SEC when fans’ hopes from high to low in just two weeks. Georgia 48 Tennessee 27
Wisconsin @ Nebraska – This was my preseason pick for week 5’s game of the week, but with Nebraska stumbling against UCLA and Wisconsin, well, just stumbling; I had to pull it. Still a big game for both teams though. Can Nebraska look good against a real team? Then again, is Wisconsin a real team? Without that solid running game, Wisconsin will struggle to stay in games. And this is in Lincoln, where the Blackshirts want revenge after last year’s loss. Nebraska 38 Wisconsin 17
Ohio State @ Michigan State – This is a “big” game, only because it’s two ranked teams. Ohio State is 4-0 under Urban Meyer (but let’s be realistic, they’re toughest opponent was Cal, whom they almost lost to), but ineligible for the postseason because Tressel got caught cheating. Michigan State’s offense is atrocious, but they’re at home, and Sparty needs a win to stay in the discussion in the Big 10. Michigan State 24 Ohio State 20
Week 5 Game of the Week:
Baylor @ West Virginia – Get out the extra bulbs for the scoreboard: this one could set some records. Baylor’s offense is actually averaging more yards and more points a game than West Virginia’s. But Heisman favorite Geno Smith is going to absolute light up the Bear’s defense, as Baylor is worst among the major conference teams in yards allowed, and that’s been against SMU, Sam Houston State, and Louisiana-Monroe. West Virginia rolls: 55 to 31
Until next time…
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