Oregon loses to Stanford and Alabama beats LSU. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Oregon’s loss creates quite a bit of havoc in the BCS. Sure, if Alabama and FSU win out, they’re in. But with the Ducks losing, Stanford’s stock is rising, up to #4 in the BCS. As much as I love Stanford (especially those seven lineman formations when everyone in the world knows they’re running off-tackle right and they still get 5+ yards), that means we’re only two upsets away from Stanford getting into the #2 slot. I’m sorry, but we can’t have a team in the championship whose loss was to a team with one conference win. Let’s just live with a Stanford-Ohio State Rose Bowl and call it good. There are some happy folks about Oregon’s loss though – the state of Florida is all cheers, as FSU is now likely to get in, and the Orange Bowl is likely to wind up with Clemson and Oregon.
Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 10 Top-10 recap:
1. Notre Dame’s loss to Pitt wasn’t shocking. Remember, Pitt should’ve beat Notre Dame last year if they can make a simple field goal. And, the Irish were only 5.5 point favorites, which should’ve given anyone pause as Vegas usually over-inflates Notre Dame point spreads anyways. What is shocking is how lifeless this Irish team is. I don’t think you recognize the value of leadership until you lose a Manti T’eo on defense and a Tyler Eifert on offense. I was laughing when folks were still saying that Notre Dame was going to a BCS game. Were they actually watching this team? I predicted 7-5, and that’s likely to happen with them closing with BYU and Stanford.
2. When Baylor fell behind 5-3 early on, I thought that they were indeed overrated. Then they scored three TDs in just a couple of minutes and ended up blowing out Oklahoma. The more impressive thing for me about Baylor is their defense. Usually these high powered offensive teams lack defense because they end up having their defense on the field for so long that they tire out. But there’s Baylor, #1 in the country at 61 points/game and #6 at scoring defense, only giving up 15/game. But, they gotta turn right around and play Texas Tech, and not falter against TCU before what’s looking to be a defacto Big-12 Championship on December 7th against Texas.
3. It’s worth noting that despite Stanford absolutely dominating Oregon on both sides of the ball for 50 minutes; Oregon was one on-side kick away from likely winning that game. That’s how explosive Oregon’s offense can be, and that’s why Stanford isn’t undefeated and going to the National Championship game. Their style just lends itself to close games.
4. What’s been a bigger surprise, how well Missouri has done in the SEC or how poor Florida has done? Losing to Vandy at home for the first time in nearly 70 years is a bad thing. What’s worse is Florida is now, at best, the fourth best team in the state.
5. Nebraska scored late, and the Blackshirts showed up, and Pelini keeps his job for another week. The stat out of this game is how horrible Michigan’s rushing has been the last two week: -69 yards rushing. Sure, a lot of that is because Gardner is slow and turns 5 yard sacks into 15-20 yard sacks, but still, for a program built on a solid ground game, two straight games with negative rushing yards (especially against Nebraska’s suspect defense) is pathetic.
6. Yet another week, yet another 21-point blow-out for Alabama. We’re watching what may wind up being the greatest college football dynasty in history, and we’re bored. That’s a shame. Even after the A&M and LSU wins, pundits were talking about how they exposed Alabama’s weaknesses. Well, here we are, 11 weeks in, and Alabama will likely be doing something they haven’t done the last two years. Finishing the season undefeated. I just wonder if the Saban to Texas distractions are going to continue to grow; especially with how much Texas just paid for their new Athletic Director.
7. With how good Alabama is, I still think Florida State is an all-around better team right now. #2 in offensive and #4 in scoring defense (and would be flirting in Alabama territory if not for giving up 34 to Boston College). The story lines are building for a FSU-‘Bama championship. I just hope they don’t screw it up.
8. Minnesota has been a good story this year – winning eight games already. But, the Big 12 is down overall, and their schedule has been fairly manageable. Of course, they close with Wisconsin and Michigan State. But, 8-4 is not a bad season for the Gophers.
9. Arizona State is off to a quiet 7-2 start and they control their destiny in the PAC-12 South. Take care of business against Oregon State, battle it out against UCLA, and don’t suck it up against UofSuck, and they get to be clobbered again by Stanford. But hey, at least ASU beat Utah.
10. So the Heisman race is wide open now; many have Winston as the top pick now with Johnny Football sneaking up behind. If I had a vote, I’d put McCarron at the top. Folks will say that it’s not about a career’s work, or reserved for someone who’s on a great team. But the Heisman criterion is vague: “The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.” If that’s not McCarron, I don’t know what is.
Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:
Top-10:
#1 Florida State (9-0) – I think your offense is a bit better than Alabama’s.
#2 Alabama (9-0) – I think your defense is a bit better than FSU’s.
#3 Ohio State (9-0) – I think your schedule is the reason you can’t crack the Top-2.
#4 Baylor (8-0) – Still no love.
#5 Clemson (8-1) – You lost to FSU so you deserve to be here.
#6 Stanford (8-1) – You lost to Utah so you don’t deserve to be above Clemson.
#7 Oregon (8-1) – Too bad you can’t avoid Stanford on the schedule.
#8 Oklahoma State (8-1) – Remember us?
#9 Auburn (9-1) – The Iron Bowl approacheth.
#10 Fresno State (9-0) – Have fun at the Fiesta Bowl!
Rising Fast:
Baylor – Ok, I’m a believer (which of course means you’ll lose two outta your next three)
Falling Faster:
Notre Dame – There’s just nothing there. Nothing. Could end the season on three game skid.
Heisman Watch:
A.J. McCarron, Alabama – It would be deserving. He holds that team together without flashiness, cockiness, or arrogance.
BCS Title Game Prediction:
Alabama v. Florida State – I could live with this match-up.
Week 12 Big Games:
Oklahoma State @ Texas – Defacto Big-12 Championship v1.1 (Texas/OU was the first), and the first of three for Oklahoma State – having Baylor next, and then finally Oklahoma. Texas has rattled off six straight since losing two out of their first three, but Oklahoma State has looked strong since that odd loss @ West Virginia (who took Texas to O.T. by the way). I think we’re in for close game, and more than likely a shootout as both defenses are pretty sketchy. I picked OSU to win the Big-12 in the preseason, so I gotta stick with them: 41 to 38.
Texas Tech @ Baylor – Baylor is on the upswing, and Tech has dropped three straight (soon to be five). Baylor’s defense is almost as impressive as their offense. They still really haven’t played anyone, but I’m a believer: Baylor 55 Texas Tech 24.
Week 12 Game of the Week:
Georgia @ Auburn – Georgia beat LSU by 3; Auburn lost to LSU by 14 (but they were on the road and Georgia was at home). Georgia’s defense is still a liability (which is the reason their margins of victory/loss against real teams has been 3, 11, 3, 3, 15, 4, and 3), and that doesn’t bode well against an Auburn team that is running the ball very well and will control the clock. And no look ahead to the Iron Bowl for Auburn, as they’ve a bye week to get ready for that. Tigers knock out the Bulldogs 45 to 38.
Until next time…
No comments:
Post a Comment