JM's Top Twenty-Five, Week Ending Saturday, October 18th, 2008
1 – Texas (7-0)
They're looking as close to invincible as any college team I've ever seen. The big question: Could they do this to an SEC defense?
2 – Alabama (7-0)
Only now, despite what it said in the coaches' and media polls, have the Longhorns passed them on merit.
3 – Penn State (8-0)
We'll have the answer as to whether they're truly for real soon. I'm inclined to think they are: Michigan punched them in the mouth; their response to was to get up off the canvas and pummel them mercilessly, which is what a championship team must do.
4 – Oklahoma State (7-0)
Who'd have thought that Texas-Oklahoma State might be bigger than Texas-Oklahoma? It will be if the Cowboys win.
5 – Utah (8-0)
And then there were three: Boise State is licking its chops, because the Utes still play Texas Christian and Brigham Young.
6 – Texas Tech (7-0)
That offense is terrific: A&M scored on five of its first six possessions, and still led only 23-20 at the half. On the other hand, if they win even three of their next four, I'll be absolutely stunned.
7 – Oklahoma (6-1)
The sign of a contender: They already dream of another shot at UT. TCU's blowout of BYU also says something about the Sooners—who handled the Horned Frogs with relative ease.
8 – Georgia (6-1)
They're sneaking back into the conversation.
9 – Florida (5-1)
The Ole Miss loss really doesn't look so bad as it did.
10 – Southern California (5-1)
Washington State is starting to look like the Temple for the New Millennium.
11 – Ohio State (7-1)
As I expected, the Bucks exposed Michigan State as the palooka-disguised-as-a-player they always are. I shall (unfortunately) not be able to justly holding OSUout of the top ten if they defeat Penn State. This one means everything to both: The national championship aspiration wheels fall off the loser, because a one-loss Penn State ain't goin' anywhere near a game like that.
12 – Boise State (6-0)
I have a sneaking suspicion these guys, and not Utah, may end up crashing the BCS party. They've got San Jose State and Fresno State remaining as genuine threats. Not much of a rogues gallery, is it?
13 – Louisiana State (5-1)
Some sage commented that Miles is starting to run out of Saban recruits. Wonder if we'll see a sudden drop in the Tigers' fortunes next year?
14 – Texas Christian (7-1)
Could you make a case for them as a BCS buster if they run the table, assuming Boise loses one? Their 11-1 record would include wins over BYU, Utah, and Air Force—a quality win, that last—along with a loss to OU in which the Sooners did not score 857 points.
15 – Pittsburgh (5-1)
They've just about recovered from their loss to Bowling Green—in time to lose to 2-5 Rutgers.
16 – South Florida (6-1)
I think the Big East winner will have at least two losses,, maybe three, and meet the Boise State/Utah/Ball State/Texas Christian survivor in a BCS bowl.
17 – Georgia Tech (6-1)
Suddenly they're the class of the ACC carousel.
18 – Ball State (7-0)
Their schedule actually heats up a bit, with a few two-loss conference foes in their future. Would 12-0 get them into my top ten? Yes ... barely.
19 – Missouri (5-2)
Once again, the Tigers have a taste of the Promised Land, and are then cast back onto the Sinai.
20 – Boston College (5-1)
Fortunately, the ACC always has another brace of contenders to replace the fallan.
21 – Cincinnati (5-1)
Struggling against Rutgers looks marginally less pathetic now that the Knights have briefly roused themselves to beat UConn.
22 – Florida State (5-1)
Papa Bowden will be nipping at Joe Pa's heels if the Lions falter at Ohio State.
23 – Tulsa (7-0)
And what about a 12-0 Tulsa? What consideration do they deserve? They'd have to hang their hat on a win over Arkansas. That wouldn't be sayin' enough this year, IMO.
24 – Brigham Young (6-1)
I couldn't even watch it got so ugly.
25 – Minnesota (6-1)
Now how long before they pull a Michigan State and I have to regret ranking them?
That's two Jekyl & Hyde teams for my money.
In all seriousness. that was a good performance in the second half by your Lions. They never got down but stepped it up. I'm not a big fan of the way your QB carried the ball a few times, holding it out liek a loaf of bread. But still.... eveyr sucked it up and played strong.
- I need "high five" smilie here.
