NCAA Football 2008 Discussion - It All Starts Here.
- Thread starter Turbo
- Start date
Me. The spread on Yahoo! was a full 24 points, which I thought was ridiculous. I knew it would be close.. but not this pleasing.
(That's what she said)
Michigan Over Wisconsin. Wow. I picked that spread to be closer too.
But, the spreads can be so stupid that it's actually highly probably you'll get most of them right just by picking the underdog every time.
Nice game. Too bad they couldn't beat Cal's margin.
Glad to see Cal and Oregon handle business this week.
I'm just happy the Ducks won without any more QB injuries. They pulled their starter (the third stringer) at halftime. Next up for Oregon is USC (at USC) and Cal doesn't have it a whole lot easier with Arizona State. I hope we'll both be this happy again next week.
JM's Top Twenty-Five, Week Ending September 27th, 2008
1 – Alabama (4-0)
Got to give them the edge over OU: At this point, the resume is just too good to deny, in that a triumph in Athens is thus far the marquee win of the year
2 – Oklahoma (4-0)
The second-best offense I've seen this season
3 – Louisiana State (4-0)
Sloppy, but nevertheless victorious
4 – Missouri (4-0)
The hopefully inevitable matchup with Oklahoma promises to be a fireworks display rivalling that at Bilbo's Farewell Party
5 – Penn State (5-0)
The Lions with an offense? Now I can die, having seen it all
6 – Brigham Young (4-0)
The best offense I've seen this season
7 – South Florida (5-0)
I'm not sure there's a significant challenge on their schedule
8 – Auburn (4-1)
Like a bad penny, they're back in the Top Ten
9 – Georgia (4-1)
I give 'em credit for goin' down swinging, but ... Alabama handled them with relative ease
10 – Utah (5-0)
And only number two in their own state, ironically enough
11 – Texas (4-0)
Does anyone really think they can beat OU? I didn't think so
12 – Southern California (2-1)
I pity their next opponent
13 – Florida (3-1)
Tebow's gonna have to pull a Grover Cleveland, because he ain't winnin' the Heisman this year
14 – Texas Tech (4-0)
I don't believe in these guys yet
15 – Ohio State (4-1)
I'll never believe in these guys
16 – Kentucky (4-0)
Their latter part of the season swoon is probably about to begin
17 – Virginia Tech (4-1)
Along with the Hokies' latter part of the season surge
18 – Connecticut (5-0)
Defense and a running back is all you need
19 – Ball State (5-0)
Without Love, they'll have to win with heart
20 – Boise State (3-0)
Once again, despite all the Fresno State hype, they're the lone unbeaten in their conference
21 – Vanderbilt (4-0)
I'd just love to see these guys come out of nowhere and contend for the SEC title; probably ain't gonna happen, though
22 – Northwestern (5-0)
See #21
23 – Wake Forest (3-1)
Suddenly Rutgers' loss to Navy doesn't look quite as bad
24 – Oregon (4-1)
I understand prospective Oregon quarterbacks are now choking on their umbilicals in the womb
25 – Florida State (3-1)
The least of the one-loss evils
1 – Alabama (4-0)
Got to give them the edge over OU: At this point, the resume is just too good to deny, in that a triumph in Athens is thus far the marquee win of the year
2 – Oklahoma (4-0)
The second-best offense I've seen this season
3 – Louisiana State (4-0)
Sloppy, but nevertheless victorious
4 – Missouri (4-0)
The hopefully inevitable matchup with Oklahoma promises to be a fireworks display rivalling that at Bilbo's Farewell Party
5 – Penn State (5-0)
The Lions with an offense? Now I can die, having seen it all
6 – Brigham Young (4-0)
The best offense I've seen this season
7 – South Florida (5-0)
I'm not sure there's a significant challenge on their schedule
8 – Auburn (4-1)
Like a bad penny, they're back in the Top Ten
9 – Georgia (4-1)
I give 'em credit for goin' down swinging, but ... Alabama handled them with relative ease
10 – Utah (5-0)
And only number two in their own state, ironically enough
11 – Texas (4-0)
Does anyone really think they can beat OU? I didn't think so
12 – Southern California (2-1)
I pity their next opponent
13 – Florida (3-1)
Tebow's gonna have to pull a Grover Cleveland, because he ain't winnin' the Heisman this year
14 – Texas Tech (4-0)
I don't believe in these guys yet
15 – Ohio State (4-1)
I'll never believe in these guys
16 – Kentucky (4-0)
Their latter part of the season swoon is probably about to begin
17 – Virginia Tech (4-1)
Along with the Hokies' latter part of the season surge
18 – Connecticut (5-0)
Defense and a running back is all you need
19 – Ball State (5-0)
Without Love, they'll have to win with heart
20 – Boise State (3-0)
Once again, despite all the Fresno State hype, they're the lone unbeaten in their conference
21 – Vanderbilt (4-0)
I'd just love to see these guys come out of nowhere and contend for the SEC title; probably ain't gonna happen, though
22 – Northwestern (5-0)
See #21
23 – Wake Forest (3-1)
Suddenly Rutgers' loss to Navy doesn't look quite as bad
24 – Oregon (4-1)
I understand prospective Oregon quarterbacks are now choking on their umbilicals in the womb
25 – Florida State (3-1)
The least of the one-loss evils
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I was glad to see Michigan get a win today. I thought they were toast after the first half, but they showed some actual grit in pulling that game out. Coming back from a 19-0 halftime deficit is tricky. But I'm glad they pulled it off.
They may actually start putting things together now...
They may actually start putting things together now...
This Saturday illustrates what is great about college football... a ton of upsets. It was so entertaining. 
JM1776, how can you put Florida and Georgia over Vanderbilt? Vandy served up both USC and Ole Miss on a platter. At this rate, they're going to easily win the SEC East. (And I think I just saw a pig fly past my window.)
I agree that Bama should be #1, without question. They've now destroyed Clemson, Arkansas, and Georgia. They also have the best record in the nation (5-0; 2-0 conference). LSU and Vandy should be low top ten. LSU is in a similar situation as Vandy. Auburn shouldn't even be in the Top 15; they barely beat Miss State and Tennessee, two of the worst teams in the SEC this year.
Let's see...here's my top 25:
1. Alabama
They've destroyed Clemson, Arkansas, and Georgia. They also have the best record in the nation (5-0; 2-0 conference).
2. Penn State
3. Oklahoma
4. Missouri
They all have huge margins of victory so far this season, but only Penn State has played a conference game.
5. Utah
The only other team with a record equal to Bama's, but it's in the Mountain West. They should win it, though.
6. Northwestern
Started hot; slowing down quickly.
7. Vanderbilt
8. LSU
Two SEC wins each. Vandy's on top because they should win the East.
9. Connecticut
10. Brigham Young
Undefeated with conference victories. Connecticut could win the Big East, and Brigham Young might go undefeated until they play Utah at the end of the season.
11. Oregon
Lost to Boise State, but they should be the Pac-10 champions. They shouldn't have problems with USC. (Shouldn't being the key word.)
12. Texas
13. Texas Tech
14. South Florida
Texas, Texas Tech, and USF are all undefeated, but haven't played conference games yet. South Florida needs to step it up, too.
15. Maryland
They may be the best the ACC has to offer this year.
16. Georgia
17. Florida
Both had big conference losses this weekend, but are still good teams.
18. Ohio State
Pretenders. Always have been, always will be. Nevertheless, they're still 4-1.
19. Kansas
20. Michigan State
Both are good, but have lost to teams they shouldn't have lost to.
21. Virginia Tech
22. Pittsburgh
23. Georgia Tech
24. Arizona
25. California
Mixed starts, but looking better every week.
Just missing the cut:
Ole Miss, East Carolina, Oregon State, Nebraska, Kansas State
Should not be ranked under any circumstances:
USC (Southern Cal) - They've played three games, and beaten two very overrated teams. And Oregon State, who beat them, isn't even ranked.
Kentucky - They haven't started their conference schedule, and barely beat Middle Tennessee State.
Auburn - Possibly the most overrated team in the SEC; they're 2-1 in the conference and the 2 came from beating the two worst SEC teams this year (Tennessee and Miss State)
I agree that Bama should be #1, without question. They've now destroyed Clemson, Arkansas, and Georgia. They also have the best record in the nation (5-0; 2-0 conference). LSU and Vandy should be low top ten. LSU is in a similar situation as Vandy. Auburn shouldn't even be in the Top 15; they barely beat Miss State and Tennessee, two of the worst teams in the SEC this year.
Let's see...here's my top 25:
1. Alabama
They've destroyed Clemson, Arkansas, and Georgia. They also have the best record in the nation (5-0; 2-0 conference).
2. Penn State
3. Oklahoma
4. Missouri
They all have huge margins of victory so far this season, but only Penn State has played a conference game.
5. Utah
The only other team with a record equal to Bama's, but it's in the Mountain West. They should win it, though.
6. Northwestern
Started hot; slowing down quickly.
7. Vanderbilt
8. LSU
Two SEC wins each. Vandy's on top because they should win the East.
9. Connecticut
10. Brigham Young
Undefeated with conference victories. Connecticut could win the Big East, and Brigham Young might go undefeated until they play Utah at the end of the season.
11. Oregon
Lost to Boise State, but they should be the Pac-10 champions. They shouldn't have problems with USC. (Shouldn't being the key word.)
12. Texas
13. Texas Tech
14. South Florida
Texas, Texas Tech, and USF are all undefeated, but haven't played conference games yet. South Florida needs to step it up, too.
15. Maryland
They may be the best the ACC has to offer this year.
16. Georgia
17. Florida
Both had big conference losses this weekend, but are still good teams.
18. Ohio State
Pretenders. Always have been, always will be. Nevertheless, they're still 4-1.
19. Kansas
20. Michigan State
Both are good, but have lost to teams they shouldn't have lost to.
21. Virginia Tech
22. Pittsburgh
23. Georgia Tech
24. Arizona
25. California
Mixed starts, but looking better every week.
Just missing the cut:
Ole Miss, East Carolina, Oregon State, Nebraska, Kansas State
Should not be ranked under any circumstances:
USC (Southern Cal) - They've played three games, and beaten two very overrated teams. And Oregon State, who beat them, isn't even ranked.
Kentucky - They haven't started their conference schedule, and barely beat Middle Tennessee State.
Auburn - Possibly the most overrated team in the SEC; they're 2-1 in the conference and the 2 came from beating the two worst SEC teams this year (Tennessee and Miss State)
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Vandy is having a stellar season so far. I am really rooting for them to make it to six wins and beyond.
Because Vandy's quality wins are against overrated South Carolina and inconsistent Mississippi. I gave them the credit they're currently due. That will change once they have an upper echelon SEC win. Until then, you have them overrated.
Don't get me wrong: I'd love to see Vanderbilt give the conference fat cats a huge shit sandwich. We still have to see if they have what it takes.
Arkansas is by no means a quality win. They suck.
Auburn's ranking is largely based on the fact that they were right there with LSU before falling. I credit quality losses a great deal, and rightly so.
Believe me ... I'll drop Auburn the minute I have an excuse. I can't stand 'em.
I certainly agree that one can make a decent argument for Penn State at number two. Sometimes it boils down to your instinct as to who would win a straight-up battle ... and I don't yet see the Lions taking out Missouri, let alone LSU or OU.
I rate quality wins much higher than conference games, which I consider often a false indicator of a team's strength.
I consider both Michigan and Air Force quality wins, but not to the extent that perhaps you do.
I've seen them both at length. If each brings its "A" game, BYU wins a hard-fought game by ten points or so.
You have nothing to back this highly entertaining
claim just now. In addition, Oregon's already laying the groundwork for this season's excuses with their quarterback woes. I feel for them, but ... them's the breaks. Rutgers wouldn't be 1-3 if Rice had stayed for his senior season, either. Woulda shoulda coulda.And they DID lose to Boise State, which means that ranking them above the Broncos is borderline moronic, especially when BSU is unbeaten.
In addition, a largely paper tiger Purdue team took 'em to overtime, and shoulda (there's that word again) beaten Oregon. The Ducks will qua– er, crack, dude. It's just a matter of time.
Actually ... no, they don't. They just need to keep winning. They spotted Kansas a 20-3 lead, and then simply turned on the jets.
Uh ... they lost to Middle Tennessee State, yet you have them ranked above Kentucky. Um ... no.
Georgia lost to arguably the best team in the country. You don't overly penalize them for that. Florida lost to an Ole Miss team that's turning it around pretty rapidly under Houston Nutt. Neither is an unmitigated tragedy.
Nice try, but ... the better team won in Tampa. Accept it.
OK ... this is clearly one of those beyond preposterous comments that doesn't even need to be refuted.
[Jack Sparrow]Ah, but they did beat them—which is more than the Terps can say.[/Jack Sparrow]
Auburn looks horrible every year, and continues to win ugly. They're well known for playing up or down to the level of their competition, and an insightful pollster needs to take than into account. That's just Auburn.
There's no way Georgia will be bounced out of the Top 10. Georgia lost to a ranked team. I say they'll switch places with Alabama. They'll be either 8 or 9. Florida lost to Ole Miss. They may stay in at 10, but probably will be 11 or 13. Alabama may be #1. They certainly deserve it, but something tells me, it'll be Oklahoma. In other words, I agree with JM1776, except I'll switch 1 and 2.
I think you're being a bit harsh there.
USC didn't look very good against Oregon State, I grant that. But in the end it was a 6 point loss on the road to a conference team. Hardly the end of the world.
The Trojans deserve to fall in the rankings, no question. But from #1 to completely out in one week?
I'd put them at 11 or 12. Something in there.
We'll see what happens against Oregon on the 4th.
Rankings aren't really relevant until about half-way through the season anyway. Teams don't really build up a big enough body of work to judge them by until about 6 games into a season.
As much as I love the Ducks, I don't see them beating USC on the road. The team is still too young and still sorting things out offensively (especially the QB situation). Even the secondary, with three of the four on the Jim Thorpe watch list, has been underwhelming so far.
Who knows though? That why they play the games.
Some thoughts on Penn State vs. Illinois...
-Stadium-wide White-Outs rock. I was in the 'S-Zone' and just missed being one of the few sanctioned non-white t-shirt wearing people by one seat. But it looks pretty awesome.
-I usually hate the wave, but we had this awesome thing going in the third quarter where we did the wave at the usual speed, then a slow wave, and then a super fast wave.
-Beaver Stadium sure likes to sing. I'm pretty sure we sing the most of any college football stadium.
-They need to show replays on the big screen. I couldn't see the second Illini TD from my seat and desperately wanted to see a replay while it was getting reviewed, but they never showed it. Same went for the Daryll Clark fumble that was overturned.
-Penn State impressed me with how they didn't seem fazed by the Illini putting up some points. Last year I think we'd have folded under the pressure, but this team stepped up. That said, the offense left some points on the board and the Stephfon Green fumble could have been more costly than it was. The offense was missing our top receiver of the season in Jordan Norwood (pulled hamstring) so we should be even better once he's back against the Boilermakers.
-Derrick Williams is The Man. Career day for him.
-Penn State's D isn't the vaunted unit of years past - Bowman and Sales are decent, but we miss the likes of Dan Connor and Sean Lee. The cornerbacks also tend to get beat. Still, we stopped the Illini after their first two drives, with the exception of that big TD pass to Benn in the second half and the 43-yd FG off Green's fumble.
I'm not sure PSU should be ranked #6 right now, but then again I don't know who I'd put ahead of us, either. Bucky and OSU on the road make me nervous.
-Stadium-wide White-Outs rock. I was in the 'S-Zone' and just missed being one of the few sanctioned non-white t-shirt wearing people by one seat. But it looks pretty awesome.
-I usually hate the wave, but we had this awesome thing going in the third quarter where we did the wave at the usual speed, then a slow wave, and then a super fast wave.
-Beaver Stadium sure likes to sing. I'm pretty sure we sing the most of any college football stadium.
-They need to show replays on the big screen. I couldn't see the second Illini TD from my seat and desperately wanted to see a replay while it was getting reviewed, but they never showed it. Same went for the Daryll Clark fumble that was overturned.
-Penn State impressed me with how they didn't seem fazed by the Illini putting up some points. Last year I think we'd have folded under the pressure, but this team stepped up. That said, the offense left some points on the board and the Stephfon Green fumble could have been more costly than it was. The offense was missing our top receiver of the season in Jordan Norwood (pulled hamstring) so we should be even better once he's back against the Boilermakers.
-Derrick Williams is The Man. Career day for him.
-Penn State's D isn't the vaunted unit of years past - Bowman and Sales are decent, but we miss the likes of Dan Connor and Sean Lee. The cornerbacks also tend to get beat. Still, we stopped the Illini after their first two drives, with the exception of that big TD pass to Benn in the second half and the 43-yd FG off Green's fumble.
I'm not sure PSU should be ranked #6 right now, but then again I don't know who I'd put ahead of us, either. Bucky and OSU on the road make me nervous.
Thespeckledkiwi
Vice Admiral
Texas has been great this year. Definitely top 10 if not top 5 ranking. They are going to have their hand full these next few weeks but McCoy looks totally different than he did a year ago.
I can't but laugh at how people thought Arkansas was going to give Texas a test. Texas blew them out of the water.
I can't but laugh at how people thought Arkansas was going to give Texas a test. Texas blew them out of the water.
espn game day is coming to nashville this saturday.
the place is going to be a zoo.
there is a bit of a nervous happiness around.
vandy for the long losing record has come so close before.
like the time they got a win taken from them by a bad call in a florida game.
considering that auburn just got by ole miss they should have a chance but when the carpet has been yanked out from your feet for so long./
i do like the vandy coach whatever happens.
he has done what has almost been impossible.
in the past vandy would come out strong and then fade.
this season they have reserved their best for the second half.
by the way does anyone know why georgia decided to do a blackout.
i can see it with vandy since black is one of their primary colors.
the place is going to be a zoo.
there is a bit of a nervous happiness around.
vandy for the long losing record has come so close before.
like the time they got a win taken from them by a bad call in a florida game.
considering that auburn just got by ole miss they should have a chance but when the carpet has been yanked out from your feet for so long./
i do like the vandy coach whatever happens.
he has done what has almost been impossible.
in the past vandy would come out strong and then fade.
this season they have reserved their best for the second half.
by the way does anyone know why georgia decided to do a blackout.
i can see it with vandy since black is one of their primary colors.
Georgia has succumbed to the latest "fad" with college football fans, but it doesn't seem as effective as Penn St.'s "white out". Purdue tried it lsat season, but the "black out" just doesn't seem to have the same effect. It's not as noticeable, especially at a night game.
