FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Another exciting week of college football is in the books (I watched at least 5 or 6 heart stopping finishes)... and we look to have yet another one on our hands this weekend. I decided to use a weighted type scale to break down how the teams should rank from here on out in order to better separate the ranking log jams that exist between all the one loss teams who still have conference/ national title hopes. I use the NCAA provided SOS for reference.

(25% = record and head-to-heads)
(25% = SOS compared against results)
(25% = available talent and coaching)
(25% = "intangibles" - the "it" factor)
Bonuses and/or detriments = "big" wins and "bad" losses

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#1 - Texas Tech. Compared to Alabama and Penn State, they have played a tougher rated SOS. Who would have thought that, with all the heat they received for scheduling "powder puffs". I'd be surprised if they ran the table to the BCS title game, but that win over Texas was something special. Texas Tech didn't offer Leach an extension why?

#2a - Alabama. Once I looked at Alabama's schedule - in hindsight, it's really not all that impressive. The biggest win remains at Georgia (who Florida just walloped 49-10....) - everything else really leaves a lot to be desired. Tennessee? Clemson? Kentucky? Ole Miss? None are slouches (well... the last 3 anyway...) but they aren't exactly juggernauts this year. The SOS is also just a slither weaker than Penn State's. I don't think anyone has noticed that though...

#2b - Penn State. By virtue of being undefeated. The schedule leaves a lot to be desired - but they would be buoyed if both Oregon State and Ohio State win out (which would mean they both would meet in the Rose Bowl, should Penn State win out and make the title game...). I've seen a lot of Florida - Penn State predictions for the title game. Horrifying thought.

#4 Texas. I still think Texas is a BCS title contending team. There aren't many who could survive the gauntlet they have unscathed. Mind you, they still could have WON the game (a dropped game sealing interception notwithstanding). Let the Big 12 South chaos begin.

#5 Oklahoma. Oklahoma's offense is absolutely scary. The defense leaves a lot to be desired, but it has flashes of greatness (see Nebraska, 21-0 within 6 minutes). I kept Oklahoma over a scary good Florida for one reason - Oklahoma's loss (Texas at the Cotton Bowl) is a lot better than is Florida's. If the Sooners win out (and whatever the Big 12 South's tiebreakers may be agree) - the Sooners should be right back in the title game. Maybe even over an undefeated Penn State - if they win out in a big way and make the Big 12 title game.

#6 Florida. Ditto for Florida what I said about Oklahoma. Win out, and they COULD make a case for the title game over undefeated Penn State. Moreover - Oklahoma would have more of a case. There is no excuse in Florida's loss to Mississippi at home. NONE. It's staggering to comprehend considering their play the last few weeks. How Urban, HOW!??!!

#7 Oklahoma State. Poor Iowa State. Watch out Texas Tech, this team is forreal - their only loss is a 24-28 setback at Texas. The game should be competitive, and send the Big 12 South into the all out BCS type anarchy everyone hates to love but loves to hate.

#8 USC. The Trojan's defense has been absolutely absurb. But wait a minute... nevermind. The Pac-10 is a disheveled mess. I think all, yes, ALL, of the top teams would roll similarly through the so hence played Pac-10 schedule as USC has. Is USC good, sure. Are they the best? Quite possibly. Should they get a break for having to play in-conference teams who are I-AA... (AAAA) awful (Wazzu, UW) when it's not in their control? NO. Why? Because other team's have paid for it, too. Was it really 21-0 Oregon State at the half? How?

#9 TCU. Sans Oklahoma, TCU and their potent defense have rolled. I expect them to fully throttle Utah this Thursday who has occasionally struggled mightily. The Horned Frogs, ladies and gentlemen. My BCS buster pick for 2008 (even with a loss...).

#10 Boise State. It's ok Coach Peterson, you KNOW this team favors that miraculous 2006 team that finished 13-0, won the Fiesta over Oklahoma and shocked the world.

#11 Ohio State. This is what I call, a "void" ranking. No one else to put here - so you simply move the next available team up. The wonders of a bye week.

#12 Utah. See, #11 Ohio State (sans bye week, plus horrendous performance)

#13 Missouri. That lousy performance over Baylor cost them a spot (or two).

#14 Georgia. See, #12 Utah and multiply "horrendous performance" by 10.

#15 LSU. If for nothing more than "intimidation" factor. Host, title contending Alabama this week - with the perfect opportunity to "make a statement". The game is at 3:30 however (why, I'll never know...) - and LSU struggles mightily during day time kick-off games (remember, I picked Georgia over them for that very reason - a sub .500 record in the day is peculiar).

#16 BYU. They keep surviving by the skin of their teeth. Every since the throttling at TCU, the BYU defense has not looked the same. It could cost them big in the long run. 

#17 Michigan State. Saturday against Wisconsin, is why I've always been on the Mark Dantonio bandwagon. He had how many games like that as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State earlier this decade? At least half of them, and a national title to boot.

#18 Georgia Tech. What Paul Johnson has done at Georgia Tech (with a new system, take that Rich Rodriquez) is absolutely miraculous. Imagine once he is fully established with his recruits. There could be several ACC titles and BCS trips down the road.

#19 Florida State. The Seminoles are good, just still prone to mistakes. Face it - they were an "act-of-the-football-gods" type play away from coming back to beat Georgia Tech at home, so they'll get credit where it is due. Still could play for all the ACC marbles.

#20 North Carolina. Butch Davis is also working magic in Chapel Hill. The winner of North Carolina - Georgia Tech assumes the proverbial driver's seat in the ACC Coastal.

#21 West Virginia.
#22 Maryland.
#23 California.
#24 Ball State.
#25 Northwestern.

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Coming next - Week 10 Review.
Coming next - Week 11 Picks.

Results, Week 10 (22-9) ... 71% percentile
Overall Results, 2008 (154-84) ... 65% percentile