Conference Power Rankings: Week 7

2008-10-20T11:29:36-04:00

2008-10-13T15:01:58-04:00

180

2008-10-13T15:01:58-04:00

2008-10-20T11:29:36-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/974/59/thumb/jagsgators.jpg 943 FL

Jagator

Gator Country 97759

180 I love it. Every year people bash on the SEC saying that the conference is over rated and has a bunch of crappy offenses and every year as soon as an article comes out like this everyone is all over it. The SEC produces more talent than any other conference in the nation, they DO have good defenses. Not one team in the Big 12 has a defense that would scare anyone, Oklahoma State is probably the best and they gave up 37 to Houston. Live it up, enjoy being called the best conference while it lasts. When it comes down to it, the national title game will probably be Big 12 vs. SEC, then we'll all see how "great" that Big 12 offense is. The National Champion will come from the SEC just as it has the last 2 years, because of good defense. Everyone thought Ohio State's offense was unstoppable until they played Florida in the national title game 2 years ago. In the last 10 years the Big 12 is 2-3 in national title games. The SEC is 4-0, by far the best record. So like I said, enjoy the spotlight Big 12. You have more than 2 good teams this year, congratulations. You better bring your "A" game in the title though because the SEC will, just like it always does. 3097932

2008-10-20T10:04:06-04:00

txilscwavaga

Lawrenceville 588346

179 It's interesting to see, on almost every sports blog, the masses of SEC fans defending their league...as they should. Historically speaking, if you take the overall records of each team in the Big 12 and the SEC, the SEC's overall winning percentage is .019 points higher than the Big 12's (.592-.573). Still a close call, but the SEC comes out on top. Historically speaking. However, this year undoubtedly shows that the Big 12 is a much more potent force over the SEC. SEC fans claim that their defenses are what make the league so tough, and rightfully so, as the SEC's collective defenses can be downright stifling. But consider this simple analogy: if you are going up against an armada of 1,000 fighter jets and you only have 500 very potent and effective anti-aircraft missiles, IDEALLY you will only take down 500 fighter jets. That still leaves 500 jets to lay waste to your civilization. The way it looks, the Big 12 has the offenses to pick apart even the stingiest defenses, and if not that much, then they have enough to at least squeak by. Put the strongest Big 12 teams up against the strongest SEC teams, and odds are that the games will be close. The lack of dominating defenses in the Big 12 would allow for a decent amount of scoring on the SEC side, but not as much as witnessed in the Big 12 simply because the offenses in the SEC cannot hold a candle to the ones in the Big 12. The Big 12 would, almost undoubtedly, figure out a way to get around the defense of the SEC, and proceed to put up numbers in excess of what the SEC would produce. The players for the Big 12 offenses are fast, strong, and passionate, but couple that with genius play calling, and the possibility of overcoming the offensive onslaught is almost nil, barring a couple of turnovers and penalties. Flawless and precision execution with the ball is what has given the Big 12 the publicity it has garnered recently, and I do not expect much to change for the rest of the season, and it just isn't something I see much of in SEC football these days. The SEC is still a remarkable conference, though, and if they can improve their offenses a bit and couple it with the already stellar defenses, they will truly be the most dangerous conference in college football. Until that time, it would be nice, and quite sportsmanlike, if the players, coaches, and fans of the SEC would just concede and come to grips with the fact that, statistically and visually speaking, the Big 12 is the better conference this year. There's no shame in being second fiddle...all the other conferences in the country can deal with it. Why not let someone else bask in glory for a little while? No one, trust me, NO ONE will EVER forget about how prolific the SEC is. It's simply the Big 12's turn to shine, that's all. 3096774

2008-10-20T01:29:23-04:00

LIFETIME BAMA FAN 1946

Huntsville 554064

178 didn't read all replies too many---too long-------what happened when the bowl dust settled last year-----defense wins, a good offense compliments a great defense---by giving the d time to rest-----that is the only offense needed----it wins championhips. a great offensive team has to be on the field to win, not on the sidelines---an offense that can put together a long sustianed drive[[6-8 minutes---example--bama 4th qt. against Ga.] combined with outstanding d will win 90% of the time. the great o teams with no d will not win championships---it's the history man-it's the history. 3095096

2008-10-18T09:56:10-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/215/620/thumb/Hello_Jerry.jpg 45 CA

UTRocket

Stockton 215920

177 Toledo 13 Michigan 10 in the BIG HOUSE. It's not like Toledo was 5-0 they were 1-4. MIchigan 2-3. Bowling Greeen of the MAC has beaten Big East leader Pitt @ Pittsburgh as well. Neither of these MAC programs come close to Ball St. 3087398

2008-10-18T00:03:55-04:00

DLS141

Stafford 185409

176 ACC?? - OOOHHHHH Yeah they beat that powerhouse "BCS" school Notre Dame. And don't forget that impressive win over that top 5 UCONN team. You guys must be smoking something. Clemson, FSU, Cryami.... Uhh Yeah. OK. Sure. MWC over the Big 10? So you would take the MWC teams over the Big 10 top to bottom. Hmm That's a good one. SEC #2? Based on what? Alabama and Florida? OK I'll give you those two - plus LSU who is mediocre. Just who else in the SEC is worth a crap? Who? Mississucky? Mississucky State? Tennesuck? Kensucky, Vandersuck? Aufulburn? Arkansuck? Chokeorgia? South Suckolina? I guess if you can be a media darling you can hold your swagger even when there's no substance - sounds familiar. 3086401

2008-10-17T18:55:47-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/558/952/thumb/Pie2.jpg 15 MO

competitionisgood

Saint Louis 559432

175 Judson22, it's too bad that's what happened last year. Seeing OU, MU, KS, and TX line up against LSU, GA, TN, and FL would have been pretty good football, much better than the actual bowl season last year. It even would have made the Rose Bowl better, allowing USC and Ohio State to have their mythical Pac-10/Big Ten showdown. Hopefully this year, the Big 12 and SEC champs will meet in the national title, and with any luck, maybe the SEC will send a team to the Cotton Bowl that has a chance. 3084799

2008-10-17T15:12:13-04:00

Judson22

Norfolk 583557

174 We can all talk. Let's just wait for the BCS game and, God willing, there will be a two loss SEC team that makes a fool out of some undefeated poser. 3082352

2008-10-13T23:42:45-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/417/502/thumb/target_bullseye.jpg 1652 VA

silars

Ashburn 417942

I'm confusing myself.....How was the USC-Texas NC Game won...was it defense? offense? Vince Young?

108 Defense. 4th and 2. Nuff said. Biggest play of the game. 3042721

2008-10-16T18:03:06-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/122/135/thumb/KANSAS_Signs.jpg 245 KS

JayhawkRock

Lawrence 122434

Defense. 4th and 2. Nuff said. Biggest play of the game.

173 If Texas doesn't score that last touchdown, the 4th and 2 doesn't matter. Yes, one defensive play may have changed the game, and defense coming up in big moments can and has won games, but to say that game was won because either defense outplayed the opposing offense would be to completely overlook the 79 points scored in that game. I do not deny that defense can win championships, and has. However, the phrase is overused. Any defense can come up in big moments, it just depends on the time and who wants it more. That game was not won by a shutdown defense. It was won by one of the most dominant offensive performances in national title history (and that would have been the case had the final score gone the other way) combined with one crucial stop that, in reality, didn't determine anything other than the fact that Texas had a shot to win it if its offense could score (and, as we all know, it did). 3072931

2008-10-14T03:50:00-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/417/502/thumb/target_bullseye.jpg 1652 VA

silars

Ashburn 417942

Texas will play Missouri, Ok State, Tex Tech, Baylor & Kansas, in that order, as well as a rival game against Texas A&M to end the season. Then, if they survive, they will probably play Missouri again in the Big XII Title Game. That is the toughest stretch of any team in the country by far. Who is USC playing? Who is Bama playing? or Penn State? These teams schedules are a joke.The National Championship Game should be played between two Big XII teams the way things are shaping up.

122 I think Georgia might want to challenge you on the "toughest stretch" part. So, I don't think it is "by far". There are a lot of assumptions on the value of OkSt and TT. Baylor and Kansas are bland, middle of the road teams this year. Using the SEC's aged old argument of "we're beating up on ourselves" doesn't really hold water. Big-12 folks have argued against that for years. Now, when it's to their benefit, they bust out the big guns. USC has played the 3rd most difficult SoS according to Sagarin. Oregon State is #2 and Washington is #1. So, the Pac-10 teams have played the 3 toughest SoS this year. Not to mention, Stanford, Arizona State, and Washington State are included in the top 10. That's 6 of the top 10 SoS in College Football. And, conference play is not what folks really key into for quality wins. OOC plays a fairly large role. In this facet, the Big-12 hasn't really done a good job this year. The best Big-12 SoS is Oklahoma at 32. Texas is 43 with Missouri, TT, and OkSt all above 80. The statistics appear to argue with your case. 3043325

2008-10-16T17:48:32-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/122/135/thumb/KANSAS_Signs.jpg 245 KS

JayhawkRock

Lawrence 122434

I think Georgia might want to challenge you on the "toughest stretch" part. So, I don't think it is "by far". There are a lot of assumptions on the value of OkSt and TT. Baylor and Kansas are bland, middle of the road teams this year.Using the SEC's aged old argument of "we're beating up on ourselves" doesn't really hold water. Big-12 folks have argued against that for years. Now, when it's to their benefit, they bust out the big guns.USC has played the 3rd most difficult SoS according to Sagarin. Oregon State is #2 and Washington is #1. So, the Pac-10 teams have played the 3 toughest SoS this year. Not to mention, Stanford, Arizona State, and Washington State are included in the top 10. That's 6 of the top 10 SoS in College Football.And, conference play is not what folks really key into for quality wins. OOC plays a fairly large role. In this facet, the Big-12 hasn't really done a good job this year. The best Big-12 SoS is Oklahoma at 32. Texas is 43 with Missouri, TT, and OkSt all above 80.The statistics appear to argue with your case.

172 The SEC plays their OOC in the middle of the year to give themselves bye weeks without having to actually schedule a bye, so to argue the Big 12 SoS numbers at this point doesn't make sense. Yes, we've played a lot of cupcakes, but that's because the SEC hasn't played all theirs yet, and when those games happen, the Big 12 teams will jump a lot higher in those rankings. So you have to understand the situations, because otherwise statistics can lie. Statistics don't argue against someone's case, people using statistics do. To say Georgia has a harder stretch run than Texas is just ignorant, especially if you're going to use numbers in your argument.Using the AP Poll... Texas plays teams currently ranked 7, 8, 11 and 16, and all of that's AFTER beating (and knocking down from #1) #4 OU. Georgia plays teams currently ranked 5, 13 and 22, and that's after losing to (and helping push from #10 to #2) Alabama. Not only does Georgia play fewer ranked teams down the stretch than Texas, all four of Texas' opponents are in the top 16, while only two of Georgia's are. And to say Kansas is a "bland, middle of the road team" is to deny the factual evidence. KU is ranked #16 at 5-1, and they rank 14th in total offense, 34th in total defense, 24th in points scored and 27th in points allowed. Those are numbers of a well-rounded top-25 or better team, not a "middle of the road" team, and the offensive numbers signify something other than a "bland" team. Baylor has stats ranging from 38th to 69th in those statistical categories, so I'll give you that, but I wouldn't personally consider them "bland", especially with the 17 TDs accumulated by QB Robert Griffin so far. 3072787

2008-10-14T14:50:12-04:00

Avatar13

Gahanna 365810

145 Hard to argue with the SEC in bowl games, in the last 5 yrs: 2003 3-0 vs Big 12, 2-1 vs Big Ten, 0-1 vs ACC = 5-2 vs BCS 2004 1-1 vs Big 12, 1-2 vs Big Ten, 1-1 vs ACC = 3-3 vs BCS 2005 1-1 vs Big 12, 1-1 vs Big Ten, 1-0 vs ACC, 0-1 vs Big East = 3-3 vs BCS 2006 1-1 vs Big 12, 1-2 vs Big Ten, 2-0 vs ACC 1-0 vs ND, 1-0 vs CUSA = 5-3 vs BCS 2007 1-1 vs Big 12, 2-1 vs Big Ten, 2-0 vs ACC, 1-0 vs CUSA, 1-0 vs WAC = 5-2 vs BCS 21-13 vs BCS, although the Big Ten, who'd have thunk it? is 7-7 vs the SEC in Bowl Games 3049064

2008-10-16T17:14:49-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/122/135/thumb/KANSAS_Signs.jpg 245 KS

JayhawkRock

Lawrence 122434

Hard to argue with the SEC in bowl games, in the last 5 yrs:2003 3-0 vs Big 12, 2-1 vs Big Ten, 0-1 vs ACC = 5-2 vs BCS2004 1-1 vs Big 12, 1-2 vs Big Ten, 1-1 vs ACC = 3-3 vs BCS2005 1-1 vs Big 12, 1-1 vs Big Ten, 1-0 vs ACC, 0-1 vs Big East = 3-3 vs BCS2006 1-1 vs Big 12, 1-2 vs Big Ten, 2-0 vs ACC 1-0 vs ND, 1-0 vs CUSA = 5-3 vs BCS2007 1-1 vs Big 12, 2-1 vs Big Ten, 2-0 vs ACC, 1-0 vs CUSA, 1-0 vs WAC = 5-2 vs BCS21-13 vs BCS, although the Big Ten, who'd have thunk it? is 7-7 vs the SEC in Bowl Games

171 Hard to argue that this is 2008. Stop living in the past, SEC fans. Yes, you were best last year and a lot of years before, but these rankings are (finally) about this year. 3072523

180

<div class="photo_container image_center"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://img.fannation.com/upload/si_blog_post_images/oklahoma-state.jpg" alt="Oklahoma-state" width="614" height="300" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: left;">By upending Missouri's drive for No. 1, Oklahoma State underscored the power of the Big 12.<br />G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images</div> </div> <p><br />I have warned the tech folks here at SI.com -- FanNation division -- that there could be an overflow of  comments on this particular Sweep post. I base that statement solely on the reaction last season when -- for one week -- <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/bill_trocchi/09/20/conference.rankings/index.html" target="_blank">I ranked the SEC second</a> in my conference power rankings. My inbox still has not forgiven me. But tell the truth I must. The Big 12 is the king of conferences right now. Quarterbacks, skill guys, and, yes, even defenses make this conference the tops in the land. <strong>Stewart Mandel</strong> says there is <a href="/si_blogs/the_sweep/posts/13521" target="_blank">no way anyone is going undefeated </a>in this league because there are too many quality teams. And this is a league that has already had three teams receive No. 1 votes, and two actually sit at No. 1.</p> <p><strong>NOTE:</strong> <em>The BCS+ notation reflects BCS conference teams, plus other teams ranked in the current AP Top 25.</em></p> <p><strong>1. Big 12 (38-10 overall, 7-8 vs. BCS+)</strong><br /><strong>Last Rank: 2</strong></p> <div><strong>The Good:</strong> It seems like the whole conference is improving week to week. Oklahoma State and Texas came up huge away from home this weekend, Oklahoma and Missouri still have to be considered national title contenders, and, oh yeah, Texas Tech is still unbeaten and in the Top 10. Wow.</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Bad:</strong> Colorado is about the only team not to put up even a decent showing the last two weeks, but remember, it already has a solid win over West Virginia on its resume.</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Verdict:</strong> Iowa State pushed Kansas to the limit last week, Baylor posted a big win over that same team this week, and Kansas State got a 14-point road win. Top, middle and bottom -- this league is the best.</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>2. SEC (26-4, 5-4)</strong><br /><strong>Last Rank: 1</strong></div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Good:</strong> The Gators' offense looked frightening against LSU, immediately making Florida look national title worthy again. Alabama appears able to turn it on when necessary and is sitting at the deserved No. 2 ranking. And just about every defense in the league is good-to-great (10 are ranked in the top 40 nationally).</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Bad:</strong> Too many bad offenses, especially when compared to the Big 12. Outside of Florida and Georgia, who <em>REALLY</em> scares you?</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Verdict:</strong> Vanderbilt, a team that mustered just over 100 yards on Saturday, leads the SEC East. That is a sign that something is amiss with what has traditionally been the nation's best conference.</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>3. ACC (31-10, 10-8)</strong><br /><strong>Last Rank: 3</strong></div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Good:</strong> A 5-0 non-league record since our last rankings, including 2-0 BCS+ (North Carolina beat UConn and Notre Dame).</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Bad:</strong> The Clemson-Wake Forest game on Thursday night was poorly played, which was not a good advertisement for what are supposed to be two of the league's best teams.</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Verdict:</strong> Quietly the third best conference, and making up ground on the SEC.</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>4. Mountain West  (23-11, 8-4)</strong></div> <div><strong>Last Rank: 5</strong><strong></strong></div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Good:</strong> Utah added an eighth BCS+ win to the league's ledger by edging Oregon State two weeks ago, and BYU and Utah are both in the Top 15.</div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Bad:</strong> Air Force's loss to Navy stings in Colorado Springs.<strong></strong></div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>The Verdict:</strong> The BYU-Utah game is still looking like one with BCS implications and millions of dollars on the line.<strong></strong></div> <div><br /></div> <div><strong>5. Big Ten (31-10, 6-9)<br />Last Rank: 4</strong></div> <div> </div> <div><strong>The Good:</strong> Penn State seems to fill up this spot every week, but the Lions are waxing <em>EVERYBODY</em>. Replacing fading Wisconsin, Michigan State appears to be in the elite group along with Penn State and Ohio State.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>The Bad:</strong> I'll let Michigan alum Gennaro Filice <a href="/si_blogs/the_sweep/posts/13382" target="_blank">fill you in</a>.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>The Verdict:</strong> The demise of Michigan and Wisconsin is offset somewhat by improvement from bottom-feeders Northwestern and Minnesota, plus I think I would take Penn State on a neutral field against anyone right now.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>6. Pac-10 (11-13, 6-11)</strong></div> <div><strong>Last Rank: 6</strong></div> <div> </div> <div><strong>The Good:</strong> USC is showing signs of recovering from that strange loss to Oregon State, but with so many teams seemingly in contention, it could be another year of <strong>Pete Carroll</strong> saying he wishes there was a playoff because his team is playing the best in January.</div> <div><strong> </strong></div> <div><strong>The Bad:</strong> After UCLA's <strong>Terrance Austin</strong> was carted off the field on a stretcher during the UCLA-Oregon game, another was needed to cart off a fan who had fallen to the turf during a fight in the stands. Austin and the fan were apparently okay.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>The Verdict:</strong> Arizona failed in its bid to become "the second best team behind USC" with a loss to Stanford. Applications are still being accepted.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>7. Big East (18-12, 6-9)</strong></div> <div><strong>Last Rank: 7</strong></div> <div><strong> </strong></div> <div><strong>The Good:</strong> Louisville beat former C-USA rival Memphis in a tough environment on Friday night.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>The Bad:</strong> Best team in the league (South Florida) is ranked No. 19 in the nation.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>The Verdict:</strong> How long ago was it that the Big East was basking in the glow of all of its bowl victories and top 10 teams? That was just <em>LAST</em> year?</div> 13901 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/425/01/thumb/trocchi_bill.jpg 0 GA

Bill Trocchi

Tucker 42721