NCAA Football 2008 Discussion - It All Starts Here.

[JM1776]

As I predicted, Rutgers has crushed #17 Pittsburgh, 54-34.

Even eight days ago, saying "bowl bid" in reference to this edition of the Scarlet Knights might have earned you a psych eval ... but it has again become a real possibility: RU's remaining games are against Syracuse, Army, Louisville and South Florida. Since the first two are near guaranteed wins, they need only split with the Bulls and Cardinals to go 6-6. After starting 1-5, a stretch run with victories over UConn, Pitt and either USF or Louisville would be extremely impressive, and their resurrection would be a great story—almost certainly sufficient to earn them a lower tier bowl nod.

And all unlooked for, we have had a Mike Teel sighting! He went 14–21 for over 300 yards, and threw six touchdown passes against a Panthers defense that hadn't given up 28 points all year.

If Teel really has his swagger back, 8-5 and a run at the Top Twenty-Five (or, more realistically, a place in the "Also receiving votes" section of the poll) is not beyond the realm of possibility.

 

[Mallory]

Congrats on Rutgers win JM. I thought about you when I saw that score. Also when I saw that USF lost to Louisville.

 

[Commander Vaughn]

Michigan loses again...

This is pretty sad.

 

[Mallory]

Texas beat Oklahoma State, Alabama beat Tennessee and Penn State beat Ohio State, so I don't see any change in the Top 3 this week. Ohio State's national title hopes are gone for this season, but they could still play in the Rose Bowl if things work out right.

 

[mimic]

Yay, Pittsburgh lost.

I watched the Minnesota-Purdue game, and Purdue is really talented at shooting themselves in the foot. The Golden Gophers get some credit for causing turnovers, but so many times Purdue would be driving only to give the ball away.

Good game between PSU and OSU, if you like defensive battles. Maybin and Bowman were awesome. Both running games were pretty thouroughly shut down. I'm obviously glad to be 9-0 and controling our fate in the Big Ten.

 

[Starbreaker]

Texas beat Oklahoma State, Alabama beat Tennessee and Penn State beat Ohio State, so I don't see any change in the Top 3 this week. Ohio State's national title hopes are gone for this season, but they could still play in the Rose Bowl if things work out right.

I don't know... those computers REALLY love Ohio State.

 

[1001001]

Here we go, Trojans!
Here we go!



I'm telling you, that was a very good road win against a very good Arizona team.

USC's offense had trouble in the first half, but seriously, this defense is sick. It's incredible what they're doing. 20 points in the last 4 games.

 

[Cyrus]

The USC-Arizona game was a lot closer that I would have liked. I expected to sweat this one out, and I did. SC defense is playing lights out.

Seems like JoePa is headed for the NC game.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Wow, good day

 

[Mallory]

Oregon won big over Arizona State, although that's becoming less and less impressive with each passing week. At least we get Arizona at home this year.

 

[Commander Vaughn]

Congrats on the Ducks win Mallory. And a win is a win, so I wouldn't get too down over how impressive it is.

And good job Penn State, beating the Buckeyes. It's never easy to go to Columbus and win.

 

[JM1776]

JM's Top Twenty-Five, Week Ending October 25th, 2008

1 – Texas (8-0)

The unquestioned, but certainly not unchallenged, number one. Texas Tech has invited them to Lubbock for a discussion on the matter.

2 – Penn State (9-0)

While I'm certain Alabama can regain the number two spot simply by running the table, right now Penn State's win over Ohio State looms largest for having been either school's most recent impressive victory. They looked terrific: Disciplined, determined and completely unintimidated by a hostile crowd. I'm now officially a believer.

Who would have imagined when the season started, though, that not playing Northwestern and Minnesota might just cripple Penn State's BCS championship game hopes? Both would be quality wins this year, and would help offset their pathetic non-conference slate.

3 – Alabama (8-0)

If both Texas and the Tide run the table (which includes wins in their respective conference championship games), the Nittany Lions should definitely be on the outside looking in at the BCS title game.

4 – Texas Tech (8-0)

If the Red Raiders' offensive line protects Harrell, they will beat Texas. That, however, is a very large "if."

Oh, and ... if Texas Tech defeats Texas and runs the table, they should definitely leapfrog Penn State in the standings.

5 – Utah (8-0)

Can you get any more under the radar than these guys?

6 – Oklahoma State (7-1)

After a performance like that, they don't deserve to drop any more than this. They may well have the edge against OU.

7 – Georgia (7-1)

I have no idea who's going to win this 'Dawgs-Gators tilt. My instinct says Florida, but UGA's done more and deserves the higher rank—for now.

8 – Oklahoma (7-1)

There's so little separating these teams that one could easily shuffle four through eleven and not get many arguments.

9 – Southern California (6-1)

The 'Cats gave 'em ... well, a catfight ... but USC now has fairly clear sailing to a game with dangerous Notre Dame.

10 – Florida (6-1)

How good are they? This weekend will answer that.

11 – Boise State (7-0)

They really have to hope Oregon continues to win. It's their signature victory.

12 – Texas Christian (8-1)

I think they'd love to play Oklahoma again, this time at home or even on a neutral field.

13 – Florida State (6-1)

Quietly, the Seminoles have assembled a pretty decent resume, with wins over Miami and Virginia Tech.

14 – Ohio State (7-2)

Thank God this team's status as a pretender has been confirmed. I couldn't have borne another BCS title game massacre. Still, they have the two best quality losses in the nation, and deserve a top fifteen ranking.

15 – Missouri (6-2)

Despite the pair of losses, a 12-2 finish is not beyond them.

16 – West Virginia (5-2)

I don't think anyone was expecting them to pummel Auburn. They seem to have righted the ship.

17 – Ball State (8-0)

Craig James was whining about their schedule. Talk about not getting it.

18 – Louisiana State (5-2)

Don't look now, but ... the Tigers have given up an average of 40 points over their last three games.

19 – Tulsa (8-0)

There is no need to add a touchdown with seven minutes left when you already lead 70-35. That's 'straight ahead to the fullback' time.

20 – North Carolina (6-2)

I don't like what they did to Rutgers a month ago, but ... I do like that it's become clear RU was manhandled by an excellent team.

21 – Connecticut (6-2)

Wins over Virginia, Louisville and Cincinnati coupled with losses to UNC and a resurgent Rutgers constitute a much more impressive portfolio than initially appears.

22 – Brigham Young (7-1)

They still haven't fully recovered from that shellacking TCU laid on them, as evidenced by their performance on Saturday.

23 – Minnesota (7-1)

So far, so good.

24 – Maryland (6-2)

They're the little girl with the curl ... and no one can tell which version will show up any given Saturday.

25 – Michigan State (7-2)

It doesn't matter if Michigan sucks. That was a huge psychological hurdle. They may actually give Penn State a game in a few weeks.

 

[Mallory]

Congrats on the Ducks win Mallory. And a win is a win, so I wouldn't get too down over how impressive it is.

The won 54-20, but they looked sloppy a lot of the time and they shouldn't have. None the less they are bowl eligible now and since the PAC-10 has deals with seven bowls they will be going somewhere in December. Now it's just a matter of where. Technically they still have a shot at winning the PAC-10, but the odds are pretty good that isn't going to happen.

(Edited to add the following)

Oregon is ranked again! Woohoo! This is the third time this season and hopefully it really will be a charm. Only Number 23, but I'll take it.

 

[Quo Vadimus]

23rd, to match the string of your quarterback, right?

There were some great games on yesterday. Got to hand it to Penn State. At least Ohio State won't make the BCS championship game this year. Right?

 

[Mallory]

Next week Oregon plays Cal. Either tomalak301 or I are going to be disappointed in the outcome.

 

[Neroon]

Purdue 48, Michigan 42.

Vaughn, I am definitely NOT trying to rag on the Wolverines, but there are a couple of notes that have to be made here. With the loss today, two incredible streaks by Michigan are ended: 1.) 33 straight bowl appearances and 2.) 40 straight winning seasons. That's some serious success and consistency.


Now it's on to the Florida/Georgia game.....

 

[Mallory]

God damned Ducks are playing like crap again. Tomalak has got to be happy so far.

 

[tomalak301]

God damned Ducks are playing like crap again. Tomalak has got to be happy so far.

I've had so much going on that I haven't even followed this game. It is nice to see Cal winning though. Now if only USC could somehow lose again.

 

[Neroon]

It's hard to say who's beating Georgia more: the Gators or the Bulldogs themselves. You can complain all you want about the two non-calls: a should have been defensive interference, and a should have been offensive interference. But this fumble on the bad pitch back to Moreno.... the Dawgs are self-destructing.

 

[mimic]

That last Purdue TD should be a Pontiac Game Changing Performance if I ever saw one.

My parents went to the Army-Air Force game, so they have officially seen football games at all football-playing military academies.