It’s been two weeks since we had a new No. 1, so it only makes sense that yet another upset would bring about a new king of the hill. At least for this week.
If there was ever going to be a season that would bust up the BCS, this would be it. None of the remaining undefeated teams are terribly convincing, and nobody saw this coming. Of the 6 perfect teams that remain, all of one of them (Ohio State) was in the preseason Top 15. In fact, none of the rest were even “on the fringe.”
There’s a very real possibility of one or even zero unbeaten teams going into the final poll of the season. With multiple one-loss teams at the top, we may have another situation like USC-Oklahoma-Auburn in 2004, except there could be six or seven by the end of this year.
Before we start panicking though, everybody needs to take a deep breath. There are six undefeated teams right now, five in BCS conferences. This crazy season may make sense when it’s all said and done, and I’m not ready to declare a state of emergency until we get there.
This weeks rankings are brought to you by the number six: the number of teams in the current poll who were in my preseason poll almost two months ago. Now all I want to know is why I’m pointing out how little I know about college football in my own column.
No. 1 – Ohio State Buckeyes
(7-0, def. Kent State 48-3) Last Week: 3
While the Buckeyes’ schedule has been soft, it’s difficult to argue with the results. In a season ripe with upsets and close calls, OSU has won every game by at least 16 points. That game (Purdue) was a shutout until ten seconds remained.
No. 2 – USF Bulls
(7-0, def. UCF 64-12) Last Week: 4
No superlative can describe this season for the Bulls. They joined Division 1-A in 2001, never had a national ranking before this year, and if the season ended today, they’d play the Buckeyes for the National Championship.
No. 3 – Boston College Eagles
(7-0, def. Notre Dame 24-14) Last Week: 5
I’m not completely sold on the Eagles given their struggles against Notre Dame, but this is one of those teams that always seems to find a way to win, so you’ve got give them credit.
No. 4 (tie)– LSU Tigers
(6-1, lost to Kentucky 43-37) Last Week: 2
They avoid the punishment other teams have felt for a first loss given their resume (wins against South Carolina and Florida) and the team who beat them (Kentucky). What happened to Glenn Dorsey and the Tigers D?
No. 4 (tie)– Kentucky Wildcats
(6-1, def. LSU 43-37) Last Week: NR
I was too quick to count out the Wildcats. Andre Woodson showed the poise and leadership that make teammates believe. With such a big win, he’s also the established Heisman frontrunner.
No. 4 (tie)– South Carolina Gamecocks
(6-1, def. North Carolina 21-15) Last Week: 6
The LSU-UK-S.Car. trifecta have beaten each other, so it’ll take the rest of the season to determine which of these teams is best. Either way, they’ve established the SEC as the premier conference to this point.
No. 7 – California Golden Bears
(5-1, lost to Oregon State 31-28) Last Week: 1
Hard to come down on a team losing by three with a back up quarterback. USC and Arizona State will provide ample opportunity for the Bears to prove themselves as the year moves on. Besides, the Beavers seem to do this every year about this time.
No. 8 – Oregon Ducks
(5-1, def. Washington State 53-7) Last Week: 8
Not only did Oregon not collapse after their first loss as they have in recent years, they dominated the Cougars from start to finish. Dennis Dixon (21 total TD, 2 INT) has emerged as and could lead the Ducks to their first Pac 10 title since 2001.
No. 9 – Oklahoma Sooners
(6-1, def. Missouri 41-31) Last Week: 10
Despite their look-ahead loss to Colorado, the Sooners are a good team. So long as Sam Bradford stays healthy, I’d expect to see these guys in a BCS bowl come January.
No. 10 – West Virginia Moutaineers
(5-1, idle) Last Week: 11
The only good team they played beat them, but it was close. It’ll gets interesting in two weeks. After Mississippi State this weekend, they’ve got Rutgers, Louisville and Cincy.
No. 11 – Arizona State Sun Devils
(7-0, def. Washington 44-20) Last Week: 14
I don’t really think they’re that good, but at this point of the year, being undefeated earns you a spot this high in the rankings. Given all the craziness this season, you’ve gotta tip your cap to anybody who hasn’t been upset.
No. 12 – Kansas Jayhawks
(6-0, def. Baylor 58-10) Last Week: 15
Look at the schedule. No Texas, no Oklahoma, no Texas Tech. This team is one miracle upset in the Big XII title game away from the BCS.
No. 13 – Florida Gators
(4-2, idle) Last Week: 13
Next week they play Kentucky. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I’m spent.
No. 14 – Auburn Tigers
(5-2, def. Arkansas 9-7) Last Week: NR
Held Arkansas to 67 rushing yards. They held Arkansas to 67 rushing yards. I felt it needed to be repeated. They get an angry LSU team this weekend, on the road no less.
No. 15 – Hawaii Warriors
(7-0, def. San Jose State 42-35) Last Week: NR
A non-BCS conference school cracks the Top 15 for the first time since week 1. Did they deserve it? Probably not. But like I said with Arizona State, undefeated is undefeated, and that’s impressive no matter who you play.
Dropped from the top:
No. 7 Missouri Tigers, No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini, No. 13 Cincinnati Bearcats
On the Fringe:
Cincinnati Bearcats (6-1), Michigan Wolverines (5-2), Missouri Tigers (5-1), Virginia Tech Hokies (6-1),
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Heisman Spotlight
Another shake up, and the return of Andre Woodson to the top spot.
1. Andre Woodson, Kentucky
Sometimes the numbers don’t capture the whole story. Make no mistake about it, despite a subpar day (250 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT), Woodson is why the Wildcats beat mighty LSU. That touchdown pass in triple-overtime is one of those signiture Heisman moments.
2. Mike Hart, Michigan
As the Wolverines climb back into Rose Bowl contention, old No. 20 is the only reason why. If his injury is serious, this season is over for Big Blue.
3. Matt Ryan, Boston College
The Irish were believing, having closed the game to 20-14 in the third quarter. That’s when Ryan decided to send a message. Five plays later, the Eagles had a 13-point cushion and Notre Dame was deflated.
4. Dennis Dixon, Oregon
After losing to Cal only a week ago, the Ducks are back in the driver’s seat for a share of the Pac 10 title. Dixon is the reason why. As long as No. 10 is in uniform, the boys in Eugene believe they’ve got a shot.
5. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Subpar day for Crabtree. No touchdowns and only 170 yards. I just said that with a straight face by the way. This guy is good.
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And lastly, a note from me. There will be no analysis of OSU-Kent State this week, and here’s why. Kent State “kent” play football so well, and OSU used backups pretty much all game. So instead we’ll have an Ohio State football midseason report on Tuesday or Wednesday. That’s all everybody, have a great week.
Tags:
ncaa football,
ohio state football
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