I love all of you. Work was a killer today and I am starting this at 1:20am, Tuesday morning (update: I'm publishing this at 2:51am)
25. Connecticut
Everyone thought I was crazy when I had the Huskies here two weeks ago, but I was ahead of the grain.
24. Boise State
The blue Broncos are finally back. I'm not sure what else to say...big win over La. Tech? I'm not thrilled about this ranking, so don't get comfortable.
23. Alabama
The Tide is 4-1 in the conference and Nick Saban is the state's finest son. Actually, that title should go to DJ Hall, who has been tearing people apart this year: 50 catches, 764 yards and 5 TDs. Cal's DeSean Jackson wishes he could have numbers like that (41 catches, 453 yards and 4 TDs).
22. Rutgers
The team that showed up in the second half is who everyone was hoping to see all 12 weeks this year. Ray Rice was dominant, the defense was swarming and the receivers made plays on the edges. Can they keep it up against West Virginia this weekend? It's going to get ugly all around in Piscataway this weekend. Get ready for a dogfight.
21. Cal
And just like that. Three interceptions from Nate Longshore and it'll be tough to beat anyone. Don't forget this team was No. 2 in the country just two weeks ago. Microcosm of the whole season, if you will.
20. Georgia
Inconsistency has this team up and down more than Oprah's weight. Time to get it together...but with the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party on the docket, that won't be easy.
19. Penn State
The Nittany Lions had lulls on Saturday against Indiana that just reminded me of their overall inconsistency this year. I think this is a good football team, but we'll find out how good in just a few days. I'm not ready to put this team in the Top 15 until their quarterback proves he's a gamer.
18. Kansas
Yes, the Jayhawks remain undefeated, but a 19-14 win over Colorado just doesn't do it for me. Reminder, this was their second-toughest game to date. Let's see how they do in College Station and against Nebraska and we'll talk. If they win both of those games pretty easily, we'll start talking about the potential of an 11-win season.
17. Michigan
No Mike Hart? A dinged up Chad Henne? No problem. This team is finding itself at the right time and is in position to be 9-2 (7-0) come the Ohio State game. However, this team needs Mike Hart. Not every team will let Carlos Brown run all over them the way a free-falling Illinois did.
16. Auburn
They're staying in the same spot this week. The Tigers do not deserve to be dropped after losing on a last-second play to one of the country's top teams, on the road. This defense is phenomenal and coordinator Will Muschamp is insane. I love it.
15. Missouri
The Tigers can easily play themselves back into the Top 10 with a few wins. They were able to bounce back tremendously after the Oklahoma loss by shutting down Texas Tech's insane offensive attack. Do that the next few weeks and a regular season finale game with Kansas could determine who plays in the conference championship game.
14. South Carolina
Completely shut down. It took 15 minutes, but the defense that had been so good all year finally woke up. But it was too late. The young quarterback Smelley couldn't get it going, nor could the veteran Mitchell -- the two combining to throw three picks. I guess it was a matter of time, but to Vanderbilt? OK, maybe in Tennessee. But at home??
13. Kentucky
This is probably a little high, despite who their two losses have been to. But I really think a team with a quarterback as good as Andre Woodson has a fighter's chance in any game. Winning out is not a crazy thought, but it won't be easy.
12. Texas
I'm being very kind after a very mediocre win over Baylor. It's safe to say that McCoy is having a sophomore slump, having already thrown more interceptions than last year. But I think that 10 wins is a goal for this team within reach.
11. Virginia Tech
Yeah, the Hokies are 7-1, but their offensive bread -- the running game -- has been stale all year. And the butter? That's freshman QB Tyrod Taylor and he hurt his ankle against Duke two weekends ago. Obviously if Tech proves it can move the ball on Thursday night and win against Boston College, I'll put the Hokies in the Top 10.
10. West Virginia
Right now a loyal reader of mine is not happy seeing this. I will be watching Saturday's game closely and if WVU plays a complete game of football, teams will not have to lose in order for the Mountaineers to move up in the rankings. I promise.
9. South Florida
Quite an interesting way to lose a football game, but it was due. It's time to see what this team is made of...a little adversity. Chance to beat a team atop the conference standings on the road. USF better hope the injury bug has moved on because I have a feeling there isn't a lot of depth in Tampa.
8. Arizona State
Twelve in both polls but four in the BCS? I think the BCS computers were at a Tempe party on Saturday night and were hungover. Either way, the fun for the Sun Devils has ended and it's time to play serious football. It starts with Cal this weekend, then a trip to Oregon followed by a trip to UCLA then a date with USC. Three out of four would be swell. Two would be a victory in my book. Either way, the offense is as fun as that party the BCS computers hit up on Saturday. And I'm glad Rudy Carptenter is getting it done there, he deserves it.
7. Southern California
After the South Bend tune-up, it's go-time back in Los Angeles as the Ducks come to town. Do the Trojans have enough to out-sprint Oregon? Five weeks ago it wouldn't even have been a question...
6. Florida
What I said about Woodson above applied to Tebow and the Gators. The glaring difference, as we saw on Saturday, is that UF has a much more skilled team than Kentucky. The tendency to be streaky really keeps this team from being in the Top 5.
5. Boston College
"The big stadiums don't faze these guys at all. Or how loud it is. We went down to [Georgia] Tech, it didn't matter. Went to Notre Dame, they had 80,000 last week, it didn't matter." That was said by Jeff Jagodzinski, coach of the Eagles, on Mike Tirico's radio show. It wasn't smart. Blacksburg isn't an easy place to play on Thursday night. I was there last year when Clemson came in and was upset. I've been to the aforementioned Georgia Tech for a night game. It pales in comparison. The quote is circulating on the VT message boards and throughout the student body. The Blacksburg crowd doesn't need any added incentive to get insane. All I know is that I'll be there for BC's first big test. West stands, 50-yard line, Row G.
4. Oregon
The nation's No. 2 offense is very close to being undefeated. There's a huge road test against USC this weekend, but hurdle that and things are looking way up for the Ducks. If you watch any game this weekend, make sure it's Oregon-USC and see what the offense in green is all about.
3. Oklahoma
I was ready to say Oklahoma had been playing some of the country's best football, but the Sooners were pretty sluggish against a bad Iowa State team. However, in addition to Sam Bradford's outstanding play, I had a chance to see a lot of DeMarco Murray and I came away extremely impressed. Talk about a bright future with those two...
2. LSU
I'm not talking about anything here except the call. It was gutsy. It was also idiotic. It's clearly a play you practice with the mantra "If you can't catch it, you MAKE SURE nobody else can." But what if you have to commit pass interference to break up the play? You're out of field goal range. I don't get it. Alright, I can't just talk about the play...LSU better not let teams hang around like it has if the Tigers want to play for the national championship.
1. Ohio State
The first of two huge tests comes this Saturday night. The score last Saturday (24-17) isn't a great indicator of the game, but the turnovers against Michgian State have to be great cause for concern. Do that against a half-legit team and there could be some major problems.
Comments (10)
Three out of the next four, heck, where do I sign up for that? Shoot, if they win the last game of the season, I would take two out of four. Adam, if at the start of the season that ASU was going to be 10-2, I would have asked you where do I sign. I was skeptical of hiring Dennis Erickson, but I am sure glad to seem to have been wrong.
Arizona State moves up six slots on a bye week?
They must have had some impressive practices Adam.
And two loss Florida at number 6? They lost to Auburn who you have ranked #16.
Meanwhile, WVU who is 6-1, who has won their six games beating their opponents by an average score of 31 points, who's only loss is to a team that was ranked #2 in last weeks AP/USA Today, is ranked 10th?
WHAT?
I guess once a Hookie always a Hookie.
Come on Adam, I know you're stretched thin between college football and the Yankees but you can do better than that.
Black N Gold,
I don't normally post here (although I'm an avid reader), but I have to stick up for my buddy Adam with where he has WVU ranked. The Mountaineers have yet to show us that they can beat a good team because the only team they've played is USF (Maryland is mediocre at best).
My fiance Rob, a WVU alumnus, chalks the South Florida loss up to the Mountaineers making stupid mistakes and not playing well. He continually tells me that the Bulls didn't win that game, WVU lost it. Personally, I get sick and tired of the excuses. I believe that good teams force the other team to make stupid mistakes and not play well. That's what happened in this case. The Bulls were able to intimidate the Mountaineers into not playing well, winning the game fair and square. The same thing happened in Louisville last season on a Thursday night in October.
I've told Rob several times that for his sake, I hope the Mountaineers aren't going through a period like mine and Adam's Hokies went through in 2002 and 2003 seasons where there was all this hype and then a total let down. These next few weeks will reveal a lot about the Mountaineers. Win the remaining five games, and I believe Rich Rod and co. will be rewarded handsomely by the BCS and Adam's rankings (rankings sometimes forgive early season losses). Stumble, and I feel this is just another case of a team not living up to its pre-season hype. Sorry for the long post, just had to get my two cents in.
P.S. I don't think Pat White is as tough as everyone seems to think he is. For the past two seasons, he hasn't proven to me that he can stay healthy and win the big game.
Jana,
Great comments, shows a good understanding college football.
Let me take exception on a few points.
1) Yes WVU lost to USF, no debate there. I'm not even going to argue that it was by only eight points. Or that it was a close game, or anything like that. It was a loss. That automatically puts them behind Ohio State and BC. It also puts them behind teams with one loss to a tougher opponent.
Let's see, who's ranked higher than WVU who's lost to an opponent who has been ranked #2? or higher?
Not LSU, they lost to Kentucky (6-2).
LSU's margin of victory is 25 ppg against a tough schedule, that's impressive though so let's give them the nod here.
Not Oklahoma. They lost to Colorado (4-4), but they beat Texas and Missouri and won the rest of their games in virtual blowouts. So they get the nod as well.
Not Oregon? The lost only to Cal and have been impressive in their other wins. I'll rank them above WVU too.
So those teams deserve their rankings.
Florida? They're 5-2 with a loss to Auburn (who USF beat) for god sakes.
USC? If your going to crucify WVU for a loss to what became #2 USF, then USC's loss to a Stanford team that's never ranked is totally inexcusable.
Arizona State? This one is Adam's worst offense. He jumped them six position on a bye week!
So if you're tired of WVU's excuses, why do you give Florida, USC and Arizona State exceptions?
As for Pat White's durability, anytime you have a running QB and not a pocket passer you're going to have more injuries. But as a Hokie fan you already know that from watching the Vick boys.
But please don't lurk, I'm tired of having half the posts on this site.
Hey B&G, I understand your loyalty (laughing) but can you wait until ASU loses a game before you wonder why they are where they are. I mean it could happen this week, but at least wait until it does.
Paul, you have a point. If I hold true to giving undefeated teams (from major conf.) the benefit of the doubt, ASU has to be ranked ahead of WVU. Fine. But Adam still needs to justify moving ASU up six slots on a bye week. That's almost as insane as letting a punt returner call for a fair catch and then run it back for a touchdown. :-)
Black N Gold,
All of your points are well taken. My post was only to say that I don't doubt that there are nine better teams in college football than WVU. Maybe not the nine that Adam has in front of them in his rankings, but nine nonetheless. (Don't have time to research it and post them right now because I'm super busy at work).
I just needed a forum to take out my frustration on my fiance constantly second guessing the USF game.
In terms of the Hokies, they have me a nervous wreck this year. It's sad when you're more confident in your scoring ability when your defense is on the field than when your offense is on the field. Thursday night, we'll find out if VT has what it takes.
As for the Vick brothers, I think I'm the only Hokie who never was a fan of either of them. In fact, I was happy the year Marcus was suspended because I knew Bryan Randall was more of a team player and would do better without having Marcus breathing down his neck. Maybe that's why I don't appreciate Pat White's style of QBing.
Jana,
Tell that fiance to take a seat on the couch... what? He burned it? :-)
At least you won't have a boring marriage!
Comments!! What a way to fire me up.
Jana -- Good to hear from you no here.
BNG -- Thanks for the heads up about the typo. I can't say your stance is wrong. This is personally why I don't like the polls -- it's near impossible to make a flawless one. But, I have to follow suit or else I can't rip on the polls that everyone looks to.
Adam, Your welcome.
Many times my comments come across dismissively. It's really not that way at all. I'm prone to a bit of overstatement (Just ask Glauber).
I just don't think your giving the 'Eers enough respect. I have to admit though, I don't give UM, BC, or especially VT any credit because as a WVU Big East fan I'm way too biased.