SteveDeace
Well-Known Member
Weekly Big Ten Crystal Ball
Projecting how things will finish based on what we know so far.
1. Iowa (8-0, 11-1)…Rose Bowl
2. Ohio State (6-2, 10-2)…BCS at-large
3. Michigan State (6-2, 10-2)…Outback Bowl
4. Wisconsin (6-2, 10-2)…Capitol One Bowl
5. Michigan (4-4, 8-4)…Gator Bowl
6. Penn State (4-4, 7-5)…Insight Bowl
7. Illinois (4-4, 6-6)…Texas Bowl
8. Purdue (3-5, 5-7)
9. Northwestern (2-6, 6-6)…Dallas Football Classic
10. Indiana (1-7, 5-7)
11. Minnesota (0-8, 1-11)
Weekly Top 25
If I had a vote in the AP Poll this would be my ballot based on how good I think the teams are right now.
1. Boise State (6-0)…The Broncos finally reach the mountaintop in the rankings, and they’re now the third different team ranked #1 in as many weeks.
2. Oregon (6-0)…Bye week probably came at a good time given the shoulder injury to starting quarterback Darron Thomas.
3. Auburn (7-0)…Tigers are threatening the traditional mantra that defense wins championships but so far it’s working.
4. Oklahoma (6-0)…Basically coming off two bye weeks given the path of least resistance Iowa State provided on Saturday night.
5. Michigan State (7-0)…Off to their best start in 44 years it appears these aren’t the typical let-you-down Spartans.
6. TCU (7-0)…Horned Frogs have now surrendered a grand total of only three points in their last three games.
7. LSU (7-0)…It wasn’t pretty against FCS foe McNeese State, but this was clearly a sandwich game for the Bayou Bengals.
8. Alabama (6-1)…Suddenly with a little help courtesy of a few upsets the defending national champs are right back in the BCS hunt.
9. Wisconsin (6-1)…First time Bret Bielema has won a Big Ten game despite losing the time of possession, and it came in school’s first victory over a No.1-ranked team since upsetting Michigan to open the 1981 season.
10. Ohio State (6-1)…Many across the nation are ecstatic they’ll likely be spared another Buckeye appearance in the BCS title game.
11. Missouri (6-0)…Most thought Missouri’s offense would be pretty good, but it’s the defense that has vaulted the Tigers up the rankings.
12. Arizona (5-1)…Coming off a crushing loss the previous week the Wildcats didn’t exactly look great against lowly Washington State.
13. Iowa (5-1)…Survived what is likely its last tough road test of the season and now has consecutive big games at home.
14. Nebraska (5-1)…Crushing loss for Husker Nation that also revealed some chinks in Taylor Martinez’s armor.
15. Stanford (5-1)…Gets almost a second bye week again on Saturday since Cardinal is playing hapless Washington State.
16. Florida State (6-1)…Struggled more than expected against Boston College because Christian Ponder kept throwing interceptions.
17. Utah (6-0)…Still not sure how good the unbeaten Utes are since they haven’t beaten anybody with a better than .500 record.
18. Oklahoma State (6-0)…Mike Gundy is probably the early leader in the clubhouse for Big 12 Coach of the Year.
19. South Carolina (4-2)…Typically inconsistent Gamecocks beat top ranked team one week, then blow a 28-10 lead to Kentucky the next.
20. Arkansas (4-2)…Razorbacks had high hopes but they lost their star quarterback and probably any chance of winning the SEC West.
21. Virginia Tech (5-2)…Frank Beamer has proved he still knows how to coach after getting his team to rebound from 0-2 start.
22. Texas (4-2)…Went into Lincoln and upset the Huskers in very difficult circumstances on straight up tradition and fortitude.
23. Mississippi State (5-2)…Dan Mullen making his mark on the Bulldogs, who should be favored the next two weeks as well.
24. West Virginia (5-1)…Noel Devine is not putting up the huge numbers many expected, but Mountaineers are third toughest defense in nation to score on.
25. Miami, Fla. (4-2)…I didn’t feel really strong about any of the candidates for this spot, so I went with the one with the most talented personnel.
Honorable Mention:
26. Hawaii (5-2), 27. Nevada (6-1), 28. Baylor (5-2), 29. Kansas State (5-1), 30. Michigan (5-2).
Cheers & Jeers
Cheers to…Kentucky, which got its first win over a top 10 team since upsetting #1 LSU in 2007 by overcoming a 28-10 halftime deficit to stun South Carolina a week after the Gamecocks had just beaten the #1 team in the country for the first time in their history. The win snapped a 17-game losing streak to Steve Spurrier-coached teams and earns the Wildcats this week’s Bon Scott Award for testicular fortitude.
Jeers to…The aforementioned Steve Spurrier. One week after giving himself the game ball following the big win over Alabama, and no I’m not making that up, he presided over a total team-wide meltdown that may end up costing Spurrier his elusive return to the SEC Championship Game.
Cheers to…The Hawaii defense, and when was the last time you could say that? Against previously unbeaten Nevada, the Warriors held the Wolfpack to only 293 total yards, forced four Colin Kaepernick turnovers, and held WAC leading rusher Vai Taua out of the endzone for the first time this season in the victory. Nevada hasn’t won a game at Aloha Stadium since 1948.
Jeers to…Several potential Heisman campaigns. Imaginary first half of the season winner Denard Robinson is done as a candidate, as is Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez just as his was getting started. Both were pulled for different reasons on Saturday. And once and for all can we just admit to ourselves how overrated Terrelle Pryor is? He’s not a pro-style quarterback, and while he’s won a lot of games because of the talent around him the reality is that quarterbacks with a lot less talent than he has have won just as much playing for Jim Tressel.
Cheers to…Let’s acknowledge a former Michigan Man at San Diego State. Former Michigan Offensive Line Coach Brady Hoke led the Aztecs to their first win over a ranked team since 1996 in an upset of Air Force on Saturday night. Hoke previously did a fine job at Ball State, and so far this season San Diego State ranks in the top 40 nationally in passing yards, rushing yards, scoring offense, and scoring defense.
Jeers to…Nebraska, which was absolutely punked by Texas yet again. The Huskers were looking for their first win over the Longhorns in Lincoln since FDR was in the White House, and the oddsmakers had installed them as more than a touchdown favorite to do so. However Texas, which hadn’t won a game since September 18th, played terrific defense despite losing three starters on that side of the ball to injury. The Longhorns got the win despite the fact their starting quarterback was just 4-for-16 passing for 62 yards. Nebraska had been pointing to this game the entire offseason, blaming favoritism towards Texas as the reason for the breakup of the Big 12. But it’s Texas that will get the last laugh. The Longhorns finished 9-1 against Nebraska as a conference rival.
My Heisman Ballot
Our weekly rankings of the top three contenders for college football’s most coveted award.
1. Cameron Newton, Auburn…He has Terrelle Pryor-like size and ability, but unlike Pryor he has embraced who he is and is putting up huge numbers as a result.
2. Andrew Luck, Stanford…The entire offense for the Cardinal goes through him, but will he be on television enough down the stretch?
3. LaMichael James, Oregon…Putting up huge numbers despite missing the first game of the season due to suspension.
Big Ones
A look at the top five games this week in college football.
LSU at Auburn...Two unbeatens with a total contrast of style. One team plays tough defense, the other likes track meets. Should be fun.
Oklahoma at Missouri…Two unbeatens meeting in what could be a preview of the last Big 12 Championship Game.
Wisconsin at Iowa…Hawkeyes have just dominated the Badgers the past two years and this could be an elimination game in the Big Ten race.
Nebraska at Oklahoma State…Tough spot for Huskers to rebound, and Cowboys have momentum after first win in Lubbock since before Pearl Harbor.
Purdue at Ohio State…Who would’ve guessed a month ago it would be the Boilermakers undefeated in the Big Ten heading into this matchup?
Projecting how things will finish based on what we know so far.
1. Iowa (8-0, 11-1)…Rose Bowl
2. Ohio State (6-2, 10-2)…BCS at-large
3. Michigan State (6-2, 10-2)…Outback Bowl
4. Wisconsin (6-2, 10-2)…Capitol One Bowl
5. Michigan (4-4, 8-4)…Gator Bowl
6. Penn State (4-4, 7-5)…Insight Bowl
7. Illinois (4-4, 6-6)…Texas Bowl
8. Purdue (3-5, 5-7)
9. Northwestern (2-6, 6-6)…Dallas Football Classic
10. Indiana (1-7, 5-7)
11. Minnesota (0-8, 1-11)
Weekly Top 25
If I had a vote in the AP Poll this would be my ballot based on how good I think the teams are right now.
1. Boise State (6-0)…The Broncos finally reach the mountaintop in the rankings, and they’re now the third different team ranked #1 in as many weeks.
2. Oregon (6-0)…Bye week probably came at a good time given the shoulder injury to starting quarterback Darron Thomas.
3. Auburn (7-0)…Tigers are threatening the traditional mantra that defense wins championships but so far it’s working.
4. Oklahoma (6-0)…Basically coming off two bye weeks given the path of least resistance Iowa State provided on Saturday night.
5. Michigan State (7-0)…Off to their best start in 44 years it appears these aren’t the typical let-you-down Spartans.
6. TCU (7-0)…Horned Frogs have now surrendered a grand total of only three points in their last three games.
7. LSU (7-0)…It wasn’t pretty against FCS foe McNeese State, but this was clearly a sandwich game for the Bayou Bengals.
8. Alabama (6-1)…Suddenly with a little help courtesy of a few upsets the defending national champs are right back in the BCS hunt.
9. Wisconsin (6-1)…First time Bret Bielema has won a Big Ten game despite losing the time of possession, and it came in school’s first victory over a No.1-ranked team since upsetting Michigan to open the 1981 season.
10. Ohio State (6-1)…Many across the nation are ecstatic they’ll likely be spared another Buckeye appearance in the BCS title game.
11. Missouri (6-0)…Most thought Missouri’s offense would be pretty good, but it’s the defense that has vaulted the Tigers up the rankings.
12. Arizona (5-1)…Coming off a crushing loss the previous week the Wildcats didn’t exactly look great against lowly Washington State.
13. Iowa (5-1)…Survived what is likely its last tough road test of the season and now has consecutive big games at home.
14. Nebraska (5-1)…Crushing loss for Husker Nation that also revealed some chinks in Taylor Martinez’s armor.
15. Stanford (5-1)…Gets almost a second bye week again on Saturday since Cardinal is playing hapless Washington State.
16. Florida State (6-1)…Struggled more than expected against Boston College because Christian Ponder kept throwing interceptions.
17. Utah (6-0)…Still not sure how good the unbeaten Utes are since they haven’t beaten anybody with a better than .500 record.
18. Oklahoma State (6-0)…Mike Gundy is probably the early leader in the clubhouse for Big 12 Coach of the Year.
19. South Carolina (4-2)…Typically inconsistent Gamecocks beat top ranked team one week, then blow a 28-10 lead to Kentucky the next.
20. Arkansas (4-2)…Razorbacks had high hopes but they lost their star quarterback and probably any chance of winning the SEC West.
21. Virginia Tech (5-2)…Frank Beamer has proved he still knows how to coach after getting his team to rebound from 0-2 start.
22. Texas (4-2)…Went into Lincoln and upset the Huskers in very difficult circumstances on straight up tradition and fortitude.
23. Mississippi State (5-2)…Dan Mullen making his mark on the Bulldogs, who should be favored the next two weeks as well.
24. West Virginia (5-1)…Noel Devine is not putting up the huge numbers many expected, but Mountaineers are third toughest defense in nation to score on.
25. Miami, Fla. (4-2)…I didn’t feel really strong about any of the candidates for this spot, so I went with the one with the most talented personnel.
Honorable Mention:
26. Hawaii (5-2), 27. Nevada (6-1), 28. Baylor (5-2), 29. Kansas State (5-1), 30. Michigan (5-2).
Cheers & Jeers
Cheers to…Kentucky, which got its first win over a top 10 team since upsetting #1 LSU in 2007 by overcoming a 28-10 halftime deficit to stun South Carolina a week after the Gamecocks had just beaten the #1 team in the country for the first time in their history. The win snapped a 17-game losing streak to Steve Spurrier-coached teams and earns the Wildcats this week’s Bon Scott Award for testicular fortitude.
Jeers to…The aforementioned Steve Spurrier. One week after giving himself the game ball following the big win over Alabama, and no I’m not making that up, he presided over a total team-wide meltdown that may end up costing Spurrier his elusive return to the SEC Championship Game.
Cheers to…The Hawaii defense, and when was the last time you could say that? Against previously unbeaten Nevada, the Warriors held the Wolfpack to only 293 total yards, forced four Colin Kaepernick turnovers, and held WAC leading rusher Vai Taua out of the endzone for the first time this season in the victory. Nevada hasn’t won a game at Aloha Stadium since 1948.
Jeers to…Several potential Heisman campaigns. Imaginary first half of the season winner Denard Robinson is done as a candidate, as is Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez just as his was getting started. Both were pulled for different reasons on Saturday. And once and for all can we just admit to ourselves how overrated Terrelle Pryor is? He’s not a pro-style quarterback, and while he’s won a lot of games because of the talent around him the reality is that quarterbacks with a lot less talent than he has have won just as much playing for Jim Tressel.
Cheers to…Let’s acknowledge a former Michigan Man at San Diego State. Former Michigan Offensive Line Coach Brady Hoke led the Aztecs to their first win over a ranked team since 1996 in an upset of Air Force on Saturday night. Hoke previously did a fine job at Ball State, and so far this season San Diego State ranks in the top 40 nationally in passing yards, rushing yards, scoring offense, and scoring defense.
Jeers to…Nebraska, which was absolutely punked by Texas yet again. The Huskers were looking for their first win over the Longhorns in Lincoln since FDR was in the White House, and the oddsmakers had installed them as more than a touchdown favorite to do so. However Texas, which hadn’t won a game since September 18th, played terrific defense despite losing three starters on that side of the ball to injury. The Longhorns got the win despite the fact their starting quarterback was just 4-for-16 passing for 62 yards. Nebraska had been pointing to this game the entire offseason, blaming favoritism towards Texas as the reason for the breakup of the Big 12. But it’s Texas that will get the last laugh. The Longhorns finished 9-1 against Nebraska as a conference rival.
My Heisman Ballot
Our weekly rankings of the top three contenders for college football’s most coveted award.
1. Cameron Newton, Auburn…He has Terrelle Pryor-like size and ability, but unlike Pryor he has embraced who he is and is putting up huge numbers as a result.
2. Andrew Luck, Stanford…The entire offense for the Cardinal goes through him, but will he be on television enough down the stretch?
3. LaMichael James, Oregon…Putting up huge numbers despite missing the first game of the season due to suspension.
Big Ones
A look at the top five games this week in college football.
LSU at Auburn...Two unbeatens with a total contrast of style. One team plays tough defense, the other likes track meets. Should be fun.
Oklahoma at Missouri…Two unbeatens meeting in what could be a preview of the last Big 12 Championship Game.
Wisconsin at Iowa…Hawkeyes have just dominated the Badgers the past two years and this could be an elimination game in the Big Ten race.
Nebraska at Oklahoma State…Tough spot for Huskers to rebound, and Cowboys have momentum after first win in Lubbock since before Pearl Harbor.
Purdue at Ohio State…Who would’ve guessed a month ago it would be the Boilermakers undefeated in the Big Ten heading into this matchup?
