SteveDeace
Well-Known Member
2010 College Football Report – Week 11
Weekly Big Ten Crystal Ball
Projecting how things will finish based on what we know so far.
1. Wisconsin (7-1, 11-1)…Rose Bowl vs. Stanford
2. Ohio State (7-1, 11-1)…Sugar Bowl vs. Auburn
3. Michigan State (6-2, 10-2)…Capitol One Bowl vs. LSU
4. Iowa (5-3, 8-4)…Insight Bowl vs. Missouri
5. Penn State (5-3, 8-4)…Outback Bowl vs. Florida
6. Illinois (4-4, 6-6)…Texas Bowl vs. Baylor
7. Michigan (3-5, 7-5)…Gator Bowl vs. South Carolina
8. Northwestern (3-5, 7-5)…Dallas Football Classic vs. Central Florida
9. Purdue (3-5, 5-7)
10. Minnesota (1-7, 2-10)
11. Indiana (0-8, 4-8)
BCS Crystal Ball
Projecting how things will finish based on what we know so far.
National Championship Game—Boise State (12-0) vs. Oregon (12-0)
Rose Bowl—Stanford (11-1) vs. Wisconsin (11-1)
Sugar Bowl—Ohio State (11-1) vs. Auburn (12-1)
Orange Bowl—Alabama (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Fiesta Bowl—Pittsburgh (7-5) vs. Nebraska (12-1)
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. Auburn (11-0)…Top two teams in the country are remarkably similar, but Tigers get the nod for #1 because they’ve played the tougher schedule.
2. Oregon (10-0)…Word is star running back LaMichael James was wearing a protective boot following the narrow victory at California.
3. Boise State (10-0)…This was a good weekend for the Broncos with Utah losing at Notre Dame and TCU struggling with San Diego State.
4. TCU (10-0)…Horned Frogs had surrendered a total of 23 points in previous six games before giving up 35 to the Aztecs on Saturday.
5. LSU (9-1)…Sugar Bowl would love to have home “hometown†Bayou Bengals, but they’ll have to beat pesky Arkansas to get there.
6. Wisconsin (9-1)…Put up 83 points on Indiana, which is the most points scored by a Big Ten team since Ohio State when Harry Truman was president.
7. Stanford (8-1)…Cardinal probably hasn’t been ranked this high this late in the season since Jim Plunkett was winning the Heisman Trophy.
8. Michigan State (9-1)…Thanks to Hawkeyes’ now annual loss to Northwestern, Sparty controls his own destiny in the run for the Roses.
9. Ohio State (9-1)…Still not really sure how good this team is given the lack of quality wins and Terrelle Pryor’s inconsistent play in the Big Ten.
10. Oklahoma State (9-1)…Mike Gundy should get serious consideration for National Coach of the Year given how much Cowboys lost from last’s season squad.
11. Nebraska (9-1)…Huskers were 35-point favorites over lowly Kansas, but didn’t even score 35 points in the game.
12. Arkansas (8-2)…Finishes the regular season with two games against ranked opponents that could be tough to win.
13. Alabama (8-2)…There will be a new national champion this year, but Crimson Tide still has a shot at a BCS bowl.
14. Missouri (8-2)…Got some fortuitous turnovers from visiting Kansas State, including one at the one-yard line, to avoid a three-game losing streak.
15. Oklahoma (8-2)…Sooners again routed somebody at home, but their last two games are both on the road against bowl-eligible opponents.
16. Virginia Tech (8-2)…Again clearly the class of a weakened ACC, which wouldn’t be saying much except Hokies overcame a 0-2 start to get there.
17. South Carolina (7-3)…Won at the Swamp for the first time since 1917 to win their first ever SEC East Division title.
18. Texas A&M (7-3)…Mike Sherman’s risky quarterback switch has paid off, and the Aggies have won four straight since he did it.
19. Nevada (9-1)…Won a thriller at Fresno State to set up what could be the biggest home in school history against Boise State in two weeks.
20. Arizona (7-3)… Wildcats are the only Pac-10 team to never have played in the Rose Bowl because each year they lose a game or two they’re not supposed to.
21. Iowa (7-3)…An inexplicable five losses in six seasons to Northwestern is a blight on Kirk Ferentz’s otherwise stellar career.
22. Northwestern (7-3)…Spoiled the Hawkeyes season for the second straight year, but the loss of its star quarterback in the win spoiled there’s, too.
23. Miami, Fla. (7-3)…A freshman quarterback may have saved their season, which means a quarterback controversy is just around the corner.
24. Michigan (7-3)…One week after surrendering a school record 65 points the defense then doesn’t allow the opponent an offensive touchdown.
25. Mississippi State (7-3)…First game of a tough, three-game stretch to close the season was a reality check in Tuscaloosa.
Honorable Mention:
26. Utah (8-2), 27. Maryland (7-3), 28. N.C. State (7-3), 29. Florida State (7-3), 30. Penn State (6-4).
My Heisman Ballot
Our weekly rankings of the top three contenders for college football’s most coveted award.
1. Cameron Newton, Auburn…While something certainly smells rotten in the state of Denmark, we’ll keep him here until that scent can be verified.
2. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State…Every week every defense is geared up to stop him yet he keeps putting up video game numbers nonetheless.
3. LaMichael James, Oregon…Still the nation’s leading rusher after subpar effort against California that included an ankle injury.
Cheers & Jeers
Cheers to…Army, which has erased an atrocious 35-115 record the past 13 years by going bowling for the first time since 1996. The Cadets play at Notre Dame this weekend, and who would’ve predicted before the start of the season they would be bowl eligible before the Irish?
Jeers to…the Big East, which finally saw three of its teams become bowl eligible but one of them isn’t the one in first place in the conference.
Cheers to…Dan Persa, who made his last pass of the season count when he connected with Demetrius Fields for the winning touchdown pass in an upset of Iowa. Persa stood up to the rush and delivered a pinpoint pass, but also ruptured his Achilles heel on the play which means he’s done for the year. All season long Persa has carried the Wildcats and that’s why he wins this week’s Bon Scott Award.
Jeers to…the Iowa Hawkeyes, who once again are failing to deliver on high preseason expectations. Four times since 1997 the Hawkeyes have been ranked in the preseason poll but didn’t end up in the final rankings, and they’re close to that happening for a fifth time in 2010.
Cheers to…Washington State, which snapped a 16-game Pac-10 losing streak by routing Oregon State, 31-14, on the road. It was the first conference win for the Cougars since defeating instate rival Washington in the 2008 Apple Cup.
Jeers to…Texas, which one season removed from playing in the BCS National Championship Game is now 4-6 after losing its fourth straight home game to Oklahoma State, which is the first time the Cowboys have won in Austin since 1944. Texas was No. 5 in the preseason poll, but is now 97th nationally in scoring and needs to win its final two games to avoid its first losing season since 1997, the year before Mack Brown arrived.
Big Ones
Previewing the five biggest games of the next week.
Nebraska at Texas A&M…There is a chance these two teams could play again in two weeks in the final Big 12 Championship Game.
Ohio State at Iowa…Last week’s loss by Iowa has taken some of the luster off of this matchup, which many thought would decide the Big Ten title.
Wisconsin at Michigan…It would make quite a statement if new school Michigan could spoil old school Wisconsin’s run for the roses.
Arkansas at Mississippi State…Razorbacks still have a shot at a BCS bowl if they win here and upset LSU at home over Thanksgiving again.
Virginia Tech at Miami…Hurricanes flat out quit in this game last year in the rain so they have something to prove this go around.
Weekly Big Ten Crystal Ball
Projecting how things will finish based on what we know so far.
1. Wisconsin (7-1, 11-1)…Rose Bowl vs. Stanford
2. Ohio State (7-1, 11-1)…Sugar Bowl vs. Auburn
3. Michigan State (6-2, 10-2)…Capitol One Bowl vs. LSU
4. Iowa (5-3, 8-4)…Insight Bowl vs. Missouri
5. Penn State (5-3, 8-4)…Outback Bowl vs. Florida
6. Illinois (4-4, 6-6)…Texas Bowl vs. Baylor
7. Michigan (3-5, 7-5)…Gator Bowl vs. South Carolina
8. Northwestern (3-5, 7-5)…Dallas Football Classic vs. Central Florida
9. Purdue (3-5, 5-7)
10. Minnesota (1-7, 2-10)
11. Indiana (0-8, 4-8)
BCS Crystal Ball
Projecting how things will finish based on what we know so far.
National Championship Game—Boise State (12-0) vs. Oregon (12-0)
Rose Bowl—Stanford (11-1) vs. Wisconsin (11-1)
Sugar Bowl—Ohio State (11-1) vs. Auburn (12-1)
Orange Bowl—Alabama (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Fiesta Bowl—Pittsburgh (7-5) vs. Nebraska (12-1)
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. Auburn (11-0)…Top two teams in the country are remarkably similar, but Tigers get the nod for #1 because they’ve played the tougher schedule.
2. Oregon (10-0)…Word is star running back LaMichael James was wearing a protective boot following the narrow victory at California.
3. Boise State (10-0)…This was a good weekend for the Broncos with Utah losing at Notre Dame and TCU struggling with San Diego State.
4. TCU (10-0)…Horned Frogs had surrendered a total of 23 points in previous six games before giving up 35 to the Aztecs on Saturday.
5. LSU (9-1)…Sugar Bowl would love to have home “hometown†Bayou Bengals, but they’ll have to beat pesky Arkansas to get there.
6. Wisconsin (9-1)…Put up 83 points on Indiana, which is the most points scored by a Big Ten team since Ohio State when Harry Truman was president.
7. Stanford (8-1)…Cardinal probably hasn’t been ranked this high this late in the season since Jim Plunkett was winning the Heisman Trophy.
8. Michigan State (9-1)…Thanks to Hawkeyes’ now annual loss to Northwestern, Sparty controls his own destiny in the run for the Roses.
9. Ohio State (9-1)…Still not really sure how good this team is given the lack of quality wins and Terrelle Pryor’s inconsistent play in the Big Ten.
10. Oklahoma State (9-1)…Mike Gundy should get serious consideration for National Coach of the Year given how much Cowboys lost from last’s season squad.
11. Nebraska (9-1)…Huskers were 35-point favorites over lowly Kansas, but didn’t even score 35 points in the game.
12. Arkansas (8-2)…Finishes the regular season with two games against ranked opponents that could be tough to win.
13. Alabama (8-2)…There will be a new national champion this year, but Crimson Tide still has a shot at a BCS bowl.
14. Missouri (8-2)…Got some fortuitous turnovers from visiting Kansas State, including one at the one-yard line, to avoid a three-game losing streak.
15. Oklahoma (8-2)…Sooners again routed somebody at home, but their last two games are both on the road against bowl-eligible opponents.
16. Virginia Tech (8-2)…Again clearly the class of a weakened ACC, which wouldn’t be saying much except Hokies overcame a 0-2 start to get there.
17. South Carolina (7-3)…Won at the Swamp for the first time since 1917 to win their first ever SEC East Division title.
18. Texas A&M (7-3)…Mike Sherman’s risky quarterback switch has paid off, and the Aggies have won four straight since he did it.
19. Nevada (9-1)…Won a thriller at Fresno State to set up what could be the biggest home in school history against Boise State in two weeks.
20. Arizona (7-3)… Wildcats are the only Pac-10 team to never have played in the Rose Bowl because each year they lose a game or two they’re not supposed to.
21. Iowa (7-3)…An inexplicable five losses in six seasons to Northwestern is a blight on Kirk Ferentz’s otherwise stellar career.
22. Northwestern (7-3)…Spoiled the Hawkeyes season for the second straight year, but the loss of its star quarterback in the win spoiled there’s, too.
23. Miami, Fla. (7-3)…A freshman quarterback may have saved their season, which means a quarterback controversy is just around the corner.
24. Michigan (7-3)…One week after surrendering a school record 65 points the defense then doesn’t allow the opponent an offensive touchdown.
25. Mississippi State (7-3)…First game of a tough, three-game stretch to close the season was a reality check in Tuscaloosa.
Honorable Mention:
26. Utah (8-2), 27. Maryland (7-3), 28. N.C. State (7-3), 29. Florida State (7-3), 30. Penn State (6-4).
My Heisman Ballot
Our weekly rankings of the top three contenders for college football’s most coveted award.
1. Cameron Newton, Auburn…While something certainly smells rotten in the state of Denmark, we’ll keep him here until that scent can be verified.
2. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State…Every week every defense is geared up to stop him yet he keeps putting up video game numbers nonetheless.
3. LaMichael James, Oregon…Still the nation’s leading rusher after subpar effort against California that included an ankle injury.
Cheers & Jeers
Cheers to…Army, which has erased an atrocious 35-115 record the past 13 years by going bowling for the first time since 1996. The Cadets play at Notre Dame this weekend, and who would’ve predicted before the start of the season they would be bowl eligible before the Irish?
Jeers to…the Big East, which finally saw three of its teams become bowl eligible but one of them isn’t the one in first place in the conference.
Cheers to…Dan Persa, who made his last pass of the season count when he connected with Demetrius Fields for the winning touchdown pass in an upset of Iowa. Persa stood up to the rush and delivered a pinpoint pass, but also ruptured his Achilles heel on the play which means he’s done for the year. All season long Persa has carried the Wildcats and that’s why he wins this week’s Bon Scott Award.
Jeers to…the Iowa Hawkeyes, who once again are failing to deliver on high preseason expectations. Four times since 1997 the Hawkeyes have been ranked in the preseason poll but didn’t end up in the final rankings, and they’re close to that happening for a fifth time in 2010.
Cheers to…Washington State, which snapped a 16-game Pac-10 losing streak by routing Oregon State, 31-14, on the road. It was the first conference win for the Cougars since defeating instate rival Washington in the 2008 Apple Cup.
Jeers to…Texas, which one season removed from playing in the BCS National Championship Game is now 4-6 after losing its fourth straight home game to Oklahoma State, which is the first time the Cowboys have won in Austin since 1944. Texas was No. 5 in the preseason poll, but is now 97th nationally in scoring and needs to win its final two games to avoid its first losing season since 1997, the year before Mack Brown arrived.
Big Ones
Previewing the five biggest games of the next week.
Nebraska at Texas A&M…There is a chance these two teams could play again in two weeks in the final Big 12 Championship Game.
Ohio State at Iowa…Last week’s loss by Iowa has taken some of the luster off of this matchup, which many thought would decide the Big Ten title.
Wisconsin at Michigan…It would make quite a statement if new school Michigan could spoil old school Wisconsin’s run for the roses.
Arkansas at Mississippi State…Razorbacks still have a shot at a BCS bowl if they win here and upset LSU at home over Thanksgiving again.
Virginia Tech at Miami…Hurricanes flat out quit in this game last year in the rain so they have something to prove this go around.
