About half-way through the season, and we’ve yet to see a signature upset (Miami over Florida is probably the closest), though Northwestern, Washington, and Tennessee nearly sent the Top-10 head over heels this weekend. Don’t worry. It’ll happen. It always does. And it always comes out of nowhere. The giants will fall – it’s just a matter of when, to whom, and who’s left standing at the end. I insisted early on that there were going to be multiple undefeated teams at the end of the season, and we’re still at 17 right now. But, we still have Oregon/Stanford/UCLA all playing each other, Alabama/LSU, Clemson/Florida State, Michigan/Ohio State, and Oklahoma/Texas Tech/Baylor all playing each other. But, Louisville still doesn’t play anyone (though they could be playing an undefeated Houston team soon) so even if they go undefeated they can’t get into the Top-2.
Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 6 Top-10 recap:
1. Colorado took a page from the Autumn Wind and threw everything they had early at the Ducks. On-side kicks, gimmicks, etc. and actually jumped to a quick lead over Oregon. The problem is Colorado isn’t very good and Oregon is great. Oregon has a dangerous game this weekend at Washington, but UW is coming home after nearly pulling off the upset at the Farm against Stanford. Look for Oregon to roll again.
2. Notre Dame’s defense looked much better against ASU, with six sacks, but they still gave up 34 and needed a strong game from Rees to outscore ASU. Up next, after a bye, is USC. Glad I’ll be hunting that weekend; not sure I can stand the pain of watching Notre Dame lose to a Kiffin-less USC.
3. Georgia is living dangerously because of their defense. It cost ‘em the Clemson game. And, needed a last minute TD to beat LSU is one thing; but needing a last second TD to tie Tennessee is another thing. I still think Georgia is the best one loss team in the country, but that defense has to improve.
4. Ohio State looked a little sluggish in the first half against Northwestern. Not surprising, considering the battle they had last weekend with Wisconsin. Northwestern is a good team, and a win is a win for the Buckeyes. Unlike Louisville, if Ohio State finishes undefeated, they probably deserve to be in the Top 2, unless there’s an unbeaten from the SEC and PAC-12.
5. Anyone that had Florida State on upset alert against Maryland needs to have their college football credentials revoked. 63-0 against an undefeated Maryland team is a statement game. Nice job FSU.
6. We know Oregon’s offense is incredible, but what Baylor is doing is just ridiculous. More than 69 points every game, and something like 700+ yards of offense. Granted, they haven’t played anyone, but the still aren’t gonna play anyone considering they’re into their Big-12 schedule now. Regardless, those offenses are fun to watch.
7. Iowa State got screwed out of a victory over Texas by the replay officials. My two biggest pet peeves in college football right now are defensive pass interference calls when the offensive player is doing as much, if not more than, hand holding with the defense back; and instant replay calls that are clearly missed even after review. If they’re going to waste all of that time, get the right call made. With the technology and dozens of cameras out there, I haven’t seen many, if any, calls that aren’t clearly obviously. Yet mistakes are still made, and in the case of Iowa State this weekend, it cost them the game.
8. There’s been some grumbling that Condi Rice is on the NCAA playoff committee. I don’t get it. She’s smarter than most, very analytical, and is a huge football fan. No sooner than we get rid of the old system and people are already complaining about it. Should we go back to the system where a big percentage of the BCS is determined by a coaches poll where no coaches actually vote in the poll?
9. We’re about mid-way through, so let’s look at the conferences: SEC still reigns supreme, the PAC-12 is climbing, as is the ACC, the Big 10 is about what we thought it would be, the Big 12 is struggling, and the AAC is dead as expected (outside of Louisville). I actually give the nod to the ACC with how well FSU, Clemson, and Miami are playing (including two big wins over Georgia and Florida). SEC a close second, and PAC-12 a very close third. Of course, there’s lots of football to play.
10. Sarkisian definitely has Washington’s program moving in the right direction. Blowing out Boise State and UofSuck and nearly pulling the upset at the Farm in another memorable game of the week. But after a tough, late, loss to Stanford, they have to regroup for Oregon coming to town this weekend. And then heading to ASU the following weekend. Sark’s gotta hold the ship together the next couple of weeks if they’re going to try to stay in the picture in the PAC-12 North.
Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:
Top-10:
#1 Oregon (4-0) – One of these days, the starters are gonna have to play in the second half. How’s their conditioning?
#2 Ohio State (6-0) – Survived a scare against a very good Northwestern team on the road.
#3 Stanford (5-0) – Yikes. Washington’s supposed to play like crap away from home.
#4 Alabama (5-0) – I know, I know, I’m nuts for having them at number 4.
#5 Louisville (12-0) – You’re toughest remaining game is Houston?
#6 Clemson (5-0) – Outta be scared about that FSU game next weekend.
#7 Georgia (4-1) – Yet another Top-25 opponent on the schedule.
#8 Florida State (5-0) – Okay, maybe you are legit this year.
#9 Oklahoma (5-0) – Is the Red River Rivalry even a rivalry anymore?
#10 LSU (5-1) – Your schedule doesn’t get any easier.
Rising Fast:
Virginia Tech – After losing to ‘Bama in week 1 everyone wrote off Beamer and company. They’ve rattled off five straight wins, and their schedule is favorable with only a road trip to Miami in November looking like a challenge. 10+ wins for this Va Tech team would be impressive.
Falling Faster:
Texas – They needed help from the refs to beat Iowa State, and they still have Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Baylor; not to mention games @ TCU and @ West Virginia. I’m not sure Mack Brown survives the season, and if another blow out happens in the Red River Rivalry, he may be done this weekend.
Heisman Watch:
Tajh Boyd, Clemson – I still like Boyd, but it’s gonna come down to how he does versus Florida State versus how Mariotta (Oregon) does versus Stanford. Mariotta has yet to need to play in a fourth quarter, and that’s hurt him – but 7 TDs in 2.5 quarters never hurts.
BCS Title Game Prediction:
Oregon v. Ohio State – Or give me Oregon versus an SEC team. Oregon wins either way.
Week 7 Big Games:
Missouri @ Georgia – Missouri comes in at a surprising 5-0, and Georgia’s defense continues to show big holes. But, they’re back in Athens and Missouri won’t be able to keep up with the Dawgs offense. Georgia 45 Mizzou 27.
Oklahoma v. Texas – The Red River Rivalry has gone from a BCS-playoff-esque matchup to seeing how bad Oklahoma can beat Texas. Mack Brown needs a miracle to keep his job. Ain’t gonna happen this weekend. Oklahoma 52 Texas 38.
Oregon @ Washington – Washington probably has the best chance other than Stanford to beat the Ducks this year. But, Washington is going to be flat following the emotional loss to Stanford. And you can’t spot Oregon any points and expect to catch up. Ducks keep rolling: 52 to 31.
Week 7 Game of the Week:
Florida @ LSU – LSU’s offense versus Florida’s defense in this one. LSU’s scored 35+ and racked up 400+ yards in their first six games for the first time ever. But Florida’s defense is only giving up 217 yards/game and 12 points/game. But that’s come against Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Not exactly LSU or Alabama or A&M offenses. LSU doesn’t lose at home, winning 28 outta 29 (losing to Alabama last year), and their offense just has too many weapons. LSU 24 Florida 13.
Until next time…
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