College Football - Week of 10/14

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Auburn has wins over South Carolina (barely), Miss St, Buffalo, and Washington St. If they beat Florida, that's their only good win.

Tennessee has dominated Cal, put up 50 on a good defense at Georgia (granted their offense isn't real good), and beat Memphis, Marshall, and Air Force (barely).

The Vols' resume is much better than Auburn's.

Also, let me say I'm not arguing UT should be #2, just hypothetically if you put an SEC team there, it should be Tennessee.

 

Why didn't you list the win against LSU? Florida is more highly rated than Cal, and LSU and Georgia are similarly ranked. The rest are cakewalks, and even then Auburn winning at USC is probably better than winning at home v. Air Force.

 

Honestly, I forgot about LSU. Also, Memphis is probably nearly as good as Air Force, if not better. We have horrible problems with mobile quarterbacks and have for years, that's the main reason we struggled against Carney and the Falcons, and Matt Mauck, and DJ Shockley, etc.

Memphis would give USC a run, if not beat them. That leaves Buffalo and Wash St for Auburn and Marshall and Cal for UT.

Still an advantage for the Vols.

 

Memphis? 1-4 Memphis? Who lost to Ole Miss, East Carolina, and UAB? Who have yet to beat a 1-A team this year? They're terrible, no way are they better than Air Force, or USC.

[dew1679666265]

Matchups between Top 25 teams

------------------------------------

(11) Auburn at (2) Florida (7:45 pm, ESPN)

 

That game is at Auburn.

 

I look forward to seeing Auburn winning and going right back to #2. The SEC is just that darn good.

 

If Florida loses (please, I'm begging), and an SEC team moves to #2 it better as heck be Tennessee. We are far more proven than any other SEC team. Which seems strange to say after last season, feels good to say it though. :)

 

If Florida were to lose to Auburn, I don't see how Tennessee would be far more proven than Auburn. I guess Tennessee's loss is a "better" loss than Auburn's, but on the other hand Auburn would have beaten the team UT lost to. I'm not saying Auburn would deserve to be ranked ahead of UT, but I don't think anyone could be too upset with either being in front of the other.

 

This is why it's foolish to even have teams outside of the SEC ranked so high. The SEC teams play such a tough out of conference schedule and then beat up on each other I just don't see any other way to say it but to just hand them the title.

 

WV plays at Miss St and wins 42-14 and is called for 13 penalties by the SEC refs and they drop in the polls...yeah, good ole boys just sticking together.

 

I am a proponent that if you play a tough conference schedule, it's ok to play nobody non-conference. If you play nobody in conference, you should play some teams in conference.

Tennessee plays some decent to bad non-conference each year and typically one good to very good team. For example, this year we play Cal and then Air Force (one of the better mid majors), Memphis (usually decent), and Marshall (bad). We've also played Miami and ND, and upcoming we have Oregon, UCLA, Oklahoma, etc.

Other SEC teams that have or will play tough non conference foes, Florida (Fl St), LSU (AZ St, Va Tech), Bama (Fl St, ND, OK, Nebraska).

There's a reason the SEC is respected, we've earned it over the years. I don't have too much of a problem with the Big East, they've got a great future. But when the best teams in your conference leave, you've got to go out and earn respect. You won't by beating up on teams that have not been historically good, UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati.

I respect Louisville for going out and taking on Miami, but West Virginia hasn't gone out and gotten anybody. When they had the chance, they got the weakest SEC team, Miss St.

 

I don't deny that UT plays the toughest out of conference in the SEC but LSU plays or played La-Lafayette, Tulane, Fresno St, and Arizona. WV has played a tougher schedule than most think but it is weak and they have everyone back from last years team that beat the SEC Champ in the Sugar Bowl, since you added history to the debate. Let me add that BE is tougher than any conference top to bottom. Last place Syracuse goes to OT with Iowa and beats Illinois in Illinios, UConn beats Indiana, and Louisville, who I think is the best team in the country, played at Kansas St and beat them there.

 

I don't disagree that your worst may be better than most others' worst. The question I have is what has WVU done to be handed a top five spot? And that's what early polling is, what have you done in the past for the pollsters to hand you a spot. I hate the polls and desperately want a playoff system, until then though, there is a respect factor that is built up over time that WVU hasn't done enough to earn yet. Beating UGA was a good step, but even I'll admit the SEC was very weak last year with Fla having three or four losses, UT going 5-6, etc.

WVU plays Marshall, Miss St, Eastern Washington, Maryland, and East Carolina non-conference. Maryland is the best and they are a weak ACC team. Even LSU has a better schedule than that, though barely.

[dew1679666265]

Auburn has wins over South Carolina (barely), Miss St, Buffalo, and Washington St. If they beat Florida, that's their only good win.

Tennessee has dominated Cal, put up 50 on a good defense at Georgia (granted their offense isn't real good), and beat Memphis, Marshall, and Air Force (barely).

The Vols' resume is much better than Auburn's.

Also, let me say I'm not arguing UT should be #2, just hypothetically if you put an SEC team there, it should be Tennessee.

 

Why didn't you list the win against LSU? Florida is more highly rated than Cal, and LSU and Georgia are similarly ranked. The rest are cakewalks, and even then Auburn winning at USC is probably better than winning at home v. Air Force.

 

Honestly, I forgot about LSU. Also, Memphis is probably nearly as good as Air Force, if not better. We have horrible problems with mobile quarterbacks and have for years, that's the main reason we struggled against Carney and the Falcons, and Matt Mauck, and DJ Shockley, etc.

Memphis would give USC a run, if not beat them. That leaves Buffalo and Wash St for Auburn and Marshall and Cal for UT.

Still an advantage for the Vols.

 

Memphis? 1-4 Memphis? Who lost to Ole Miss, East Carolina, and UAB? Who have yet to beat a 1-A team this year? They're terrible, no way are they better than Air Force, or USC.

 

Wow, I hadn't looked close at their schedule recently. It's strange too because they've got some nice young talent (Martin Hankins, Joseph Doss, a few good young receivers). But I'll grant you their not very good now.

Even then, the schedules shake out as:(wins in order of how good they are)

Auburn

Florida

LSU

S Car

Wash St

Buffalo

Tennessee

Cal

UGA

AF

Mem

Marshall

Florida is better than Cal, LSU over UGA, AF is slightly better than USC (very similar schedules thus far), Memphis over Wash St, Marshall over Buffalo or Miss St.

Still an advantage for Tennessee, plus as you said Tennessee lost to a better team than Auburn and looked significantly better doing it.

When it comes down to it, though, you can't just look at schedules. Auburn has been very unimpressive, UT has played very well so far.

[Mark_R]

The two pollsters who didn't vote for OSU should have their ballot removed from them. And especially voting for WVU over them. I could at least understand if they voted for Florida. But WVU? What a joke.

[Jon]

"Stolen Auburn Playbook Returned With Spelling, Grammar Corrected"

 

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Auburn-Playbook-R.article.jpg

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Sigh. Ben Olson tore his MCL, at least he won't need surgery. I guess he might be back for the USC game - if he is, hopefully he'll get a few in-game snaps.

 

Quarterback Ben Olson underwent an MRI on Monday and it shows a tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The injury does not require surgery and he will be sidelined approximately four to six weeks.

 

I hate Arizona.

[Andy]

The two pollsters who didn't vote for OSU should have their ballot removed from them. And especially voting for WVU over them. I could at least understand if they voted for Florida. But WVU? What a joke.

Actually, if you really wanted to look at it, Florida probably has just as good a case for being ranked No. 1 as Ohio State does.

 

I'd still rank OSU first if I had a vote, but it warrants mentioning.

[hawkeyecub]

The two pollsters who didn't vote for OSU should have their ballot removed from them. And especially voting for WVU over them. I could at least understand if they voted for Florida. But WVU? What a joke.

Actually, if you really wanted to look at it, Florida probably has just as good a case for being ranked No. 1 as Ohio State does.

 

I'd still rank OSU first if I had a vote, but it warrants mentioning.

 

I don't think so.

Florida won by 1 at Tennessee and won a close game at home against LSU. Ohio State won by 3 scores at Texas and at Iowa. The competition level is about the same, but OSU won their games more decisively and they were both on the road.

[Andy]

The two pollsters who didn't vote for OSU should have their ballot removed from them. And especially voting for WVU over them. I could at least understand if they voted for Florida. But WVU? What a joke.

Actually, if you really wanted to look at it, Florida probably has just as good a case for being ranked No. 1 as Ohio State does.

 

I'd still rank OSU first if I had a vote, but it warrants mentioning.

 

I don't think so.

Florida won by 1 at Tennessee and won a close game at home against LSU. Ohio State won by 3 scores at Texas and at Iowa. The competition level is about the same, but OSU won their games more decisively and they were both on the road.

Florida beat LSU by 13 and forced 5 turnovers (3 picks) against a team that almost never has problems taking care of the football. And Tennessee and LSU would both plaster Iowa.

[soccer10k]

The two pollsters who didn't vote for OSU should have their ballot removed from them. And especially voting for WVU over them. I could at least understand if they voted for Florida. But WVU? What a joke.

Actually, if you really wanted to look at it, Florida probably has just as good a case for being ranked No. 1 as Ohio State does.

 

I'd still rank OSU first if I had a vote, but it warrants mentioning.

 

I don't think so.

Florida won by 1 at Tennessee and won a close game at home against LSU. Ohio State won by 3 scores at Texas and at Iowa. The competition level is about the same, but OSU won their games more decisively and they were both on the road.

Florida beat LSU by 13 and forced 5 turnovers (3 picks) against a team that almost never has problems taking care of the football. And Tennessee and LSU would both plaster Iowa.

 

I agree in that Ohio State and Florida could be considered 1 and 1a right now. You can't really go wrong with either.

[Jon]

Well poop. Brewer gets another start. And Thiry is out, although maybe that means we'll be spared two false starts on Saturday. 0-3, here we come.

 

And I was going to predict a Northwestern victory if Bacher got the start. Not only would that give Purdue nothing to study on film, but a pocket passer would also actually give Sutton and Jordan something to do. And Purdue's defense would be the best time to put a non-mobile QB back behind this crummy offensive line.

 

At least Jordan Mabin committed yesteday. He was down to Northwestern and Pitt. He should be a big addition for the secondary. And this after Sorenson decommitted for Wisconsin late last week. Sounds like he didn't get an offer from them until very recently and that was his favorite school. Still have his fellow linebacker and teammate Bryce McNaul, though.

[hawkeyecub]

The two pollsters who didn't vote for OSU should have their ballot removed from them. And especially voting for WVU over them. I could at least understand if they voted for Florida. But WVU? What a joke.

Actually, if you really wanted to look at it, Florida probably has just as good a case for being ranked No. 1 as Ohio State does.

 

I'd still rank OSU first if I had a vote, but it warrants mentioning.

 

I don't think so.

Florida won by 1 at Tennessee and won a close game at home against LSU. Ohio State won by 3 scores at Texas and at Iowa. The competition level is about the same, but OSU won their games more decisively and they were both on the road.

Florida beat LSU by 13 and forced 5 turnovers (3 picks) against a team that almost never has problems taking care of the football. And Tennessee and LSU would both plaster Iowa.

 

JaMarcus Russell doesn't have problems taking care of the football? The guy I've seen does. Regardless I don't know what your point is there. OSU forced Iowa into 4 turnovers (3 picks) when Drew Tate turns the ball over less than Russell.

 

As far as your last comment, I'm guessing you've only seen Iowa play once this year. In that case I wouldn't be impressed either. But remember that we were banged up and Tate hadn't practiced 10 times since the beginning of fall camp and mid-week they didn't know if he would be able to go. We also made a tremendous amount of mistakes that killed us, including a turnover in OSU territory with 10 minutes left down by 14.

That's not an excuse at all because OSU played flawless and just beat us up, but when you're evaluating a team you should take that into consideration.

 

They would both plaster Iowa? First of all you missed the point. Going into Kinnick and beating Iowa by 21 is equivalent to beating LSU at home by two scores. Winning those two games on the road is more impressive to me than what Florida has done.

 

You also ignore that we beat Purdue 47-17 last week. How did Notre Dame do with them the week before? Tate was finally able to practice for a full week and it showed. We'll be 6-1 heading into the Michigan game and we'll see how that goes.

[adamb0719]

You also ignore that we beat Purdue 47-17 last week. How did Notre Dame do with them the week before? Tate was finally able to practice for a full week and it showed. We'll be 6-1 heading into the Michigan game and we'll see how that goes.

 

What does the ND/Purdue game have to do with any of this? People get mad that ND takes over the threads, yet they are still being mentioned in a debate that involves Florida and OSU--by the non ND fan!

[SouthSideRyan]

You also ignore that we beat Purdue 47-17 last week. How did Notre Dame do with them the week before? Tate was finally able to practice for a full week and it showed. We'll be 6-1 heading into the Michigan game and we'll see how that goes.

 

What does the ND/Purdue game have to do with any of this? People get mad that ND takes over the threads, yet they are still being mentioned in a debate that involves Florida and OSU--by the non ND fan!

 

I don't think he was trying to take a knock at ND. ND was the only other ranked team to play Purdue this year, and Purdue looks to be Iowa's best win thus far, so he was attempting to compare the two.

 

Not that that would matter cause the SEC crew has ND finishing 6th in the SEC this year.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Is it Saturday yet? I'm so pumped for this Mizzou-A&M game, but as time goes on, the more nervous I get. Maybe it's because between the Bears, Cubs, and Mizzou, I always get set up for disappointment. I can't wait for this weekend.

[adamb0719]

You also ignore that we beat Purdue 47-17 last week. How did Notre Dame do with them the week before? Tate was finally able to practice for a full week and it showed. We'll be 6-1 heading into the Michigan game and we'll see how that goes.

 

What does the ND/Purdue game have to do with any of this? People get mad that ND takes over the threads, yet they are still being mentioned in a debate that involves Florida and OSU--by the non ND fan!

 

I don't think he was trying to take a knock at ND. ND was the only other ranked team to play Purdue this year, and Purdue looks to be Iowa's best win thus far, so he was attempting to compare the two.

 

Not that that would matter cause the SEC crew has ND finishing 6th in the SEC this year.

 

I don't care if he was trying to say anything bad about ND. There are plenty of bad things to say about them at this point. I just didn't see how that was relevant to anything in the discussion they were having. Perhaps I just misunderstood it. My apologies if so.

[Andy]

The two pollsters who didn't vote for OSU should have their ballot removed from them. And especially voting for WVU over them. I could at least understand if they voted for Florida. But WVU? What a joke.

Actually, if you really wanted to look at it, Florida probably has just as good a case for being ranked No. 1 as Ohio State does.

 

I'd still rank OSU first if I had a vote, but it warrants mentioning.

 

I don't think so.

Florida won by 1 at Tennessee and won a close game at home against LSU. Ohio State won by 3 scores at Texas and at Iowa. The competition level is about the same, but OSU won their games more decisively and they were both on the road.

Florida beat LSU by 13 and forced 5 turnovers (3 picks) against a team that almost never has problems taking care of the football. And Tennessee and LSU would both plaster Iowa.

 

JaMarcus Russell doesn't have problems taking care of the football? The guy I've seen does. Regardless I don't know what your point is there. OSU forced Iowa into 4 turnovers (3 picks) when Drew Tate turns the ball over less than Russell.

 

As far as your last comment, I'm guessing you've only seen Iowa play once this year. In that case I wouldn't be impressed either. But remember that we were banged up and Tate hadn't practiced 10 times since the beginning of fall camp and mid-week they didn't know if he would be able to go. We also made a tremendous amount of mistakes that killed us, including a turnover in OSU territory with 10 minutes left down by 14.

That's not an excuse at all because OSU played flawless and just beat us up, but when you're evaluating a team you should take that into consideration.

 

They would both plaster Iowa? First of all you missed the point. Going into Kinnick and beating Iowa by 21 is equivalent to beating LSU at home by two scores. Winning those two games on the road is more impressive to me than what Florida has done.

 

You also ignore that we beat Purdue 47-17 last week. How did Notre Dame do with them the week before? Tate was finally able to practice for a full week and it showed. We'll be 6-1 heading into the Michigan game and we'll see how that goes.

I didn't see Iowa play against OSU. ND's game against Purdue has no bearing on the discussion.

 

The Vols would plaster Iowa because Tennessee just scored 50 points on Georgia, a team that was giving up 6 points a contest, in Athens. I don't know a lot about LSU, but I feel fairly confident that the 3rd or 4th-best SEC team could take care of the 3rd-best Big Ten team this year.

[da bears]

Is it Saturday yet? I'm so pumped for this Mizzou-A&M game, but as time goes on, the more nervous I get. Maybe it's because between the Bears, Cubs, and Mizzou, I always get set up for disappointment. I can't wait for this weekend.

 

I'm with you man. I can't wait for Saturday. I'm nervous about this game, but no more so than I was against Texas Tech. I think Missouri can pull this one out IF the defense can stop the run.

 

M-I-Z!

[SouthSideRyan]

The Vols would plaster Iowa because Tennessee just scored 50 points on Georgia, a team that was giving up 6 points a contest, in Athens. I don't know a lot about LSU, but I feel fairly confident that the 3rd or 4th-best SEC team could take care of the 3rd-best Big Ten team this year.

 

Georgia was giving up 6 points a contest against Western Kentucky, South Carolina(The barely beating Wofford SC), UAB, Ole Miss, and Colorado.

 

Georgia is not good.

[adamb0719]

The Vols would plaster Iowa because Tennessee just scored 50 points on Georgia, a team that was giving up 6 points a contest, in Athens. I don't know a lot about LSU, but I feel fairly confident that the 3rd or 4th-best SEC team could take care of the 3rd-best Big Ten team this year.

 

Georgia was giving up 6 points a contest against Western Kentucky, South Carolina(The barely beating Wofford SC), UAB, Ole Miss, and Colorado.

 

Georgia is not good.

 

And if I remember correctly not scoring much more than 6 a game (which could be wrong). Georgia was barely beating some very weak teams.

[soccer10k]

The Vols would plaster Iowa because Tennessee just scored 50 points on Georgia, a team that was giving up 6 points a contest, in Athens. I don't know a lot about LSU, but I feel fairly confident that the 3rd or 4th-best SEC team could take care of the 3rd-best Big Ten team this year.

 

Georgia was giving up 6 points a contest against Western Kentucky, South Carolina(The barely beating Wofford SC), UAB, Ole Miss, and Colorado.

 

Georgia is not good.

 

And if I remember correctly not scoring much more than 6 a game (which could be wrong). Georgia was barely beating some very weak teams.

 

48-12 over Western Kentucky

18-0 over South Carolina

34-0 over UAB

14-13 over Colorado

14-9 over Ole Miss

[adamb0719]

The Vols would plaster Iowa because Tennessee just scored 50 points on Georgia, a team that was giving up 6 points a contest, in Athens. I don't know a lot about LSU, but I feel fairly confident that the 3rd or 4th-best SEC team could take care of the 3rd-best Big Ten team this year.

 

Georgia was giving up 6 points a contest against Western Kentucky, South Carolina(The barely beating Wofford SC), UAB, Ole Miss, and Colorado.

 

Georgia is not good.

 

And if I remember correctly not scoring much more than 6 a game (which could be wrong). Georgia was barely beating some very weak teams.

 

48-12 over Western Kentucky

18-0 over South Carolina

34-0 over UAB

14-13 over Colorado

14-9 over Ole Miss

 

Well you just blew that thought to hell. Thanks :D

 

I still stand by my belief that they are not good.

 

EDIT: and for the record the not scoring more than 6 was an obvious exaggeration. However I was suprised to see them put up 48 and 34. I must have never noticed those scores. It was mainly the Colorado and Ole Miss games that stood out in my mind.

[soccer10k]

The Vols would plaster Iowa because Tennessee just scored 50 points on Georgia, a team that was giving up 6 points a contest, in Athens. I don't know a lot about LSU, but I feel fairly confident that the 3rd or 4th-best SEC team could take care of the 3rd-best Big Ten team this year.

 

Georgia was giving up 6 points a contest against Western Kentucky, South Carolina(The barely beating Wofford SC), UAB, Ole Miss, and Colorado.

 

Georgia is not good.

 

And if I remember correctly not scoring much more than 6 a game (which could be wrong). Georgia was barely beating some very weak teams.

 

48-12 over Western Kentucky

18-0 over South Carolina

34-0 over UAB

14-13 over Colorado

14-9 over Ole Miss

 

Well you just blew that thought to hell. Thanks :D

 

I still stand by my belief that they are not good.

 

I'm with you though, I don't think Georgia is very good either. A good team shouldn't be shut out for 3 quarters and need a touchdown with less than a minute left to beat a still winless Colorado team in Athens. Colorado had more first downs and outgained Georgia on the day. And the score against Ole Miss was indicative of the actual game. Georgia had one less first down and only five more yards than Ole Miss. So it's not like Georgia gained more yards than both but committed a couple costly turnovers.

[SouthSideRyan]

The Vols would plaster Iowa because Tennessee just scored 50 points on Georgia, a team that was giving up 6 points a contest, in Athens. I don't know a lot about LSU, but I feel fairly confident that the 3rd or 4th-best SEC team could take care of the 3rd-best Big Ten team this year.

 

Georgia was giving up 6 points a contest against Western Kentucky, South Carolina(The barely beating Wofford SC), UAB, Ole Miss, and Colorado.

 

Georgia is not good.

 

And if I remember correctly not scoring much more than 6 a game (which could be wrong). Georgia was barely beating some very weak teams.

 

48-12 over Western Kentucky

18-0 over South Carolina

34-0 over UAB

14-13 over Colorado

14-9 over Ole Miss

 

Well you just blew that thought to hell. Thanks :D

 

I still stand by my belief that they are not good.

 

I'm with you though, I don't think Georgia is very good either. A good team shouldn't be shut out for 3 quarters and need a touchdown with less than a minute left to beat a still winless Colorado team in Athens. Colorado had more first downs and outgained Georgia on the day. And the score against Ole Miss was indicative of the actual game. Georgia had one less first down and only five more yards than Ole Miss. So it's not like Georgia gained more yards than both but committed a couple costly turnovers.

 

In fact in the CU game, I believe Colorado had to giftwrap that one for them by giving them the ball back allowing Georgia to score twice in a hurry.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Is it Saturday yet? I'm so pumped for this Mizzou-A&M game, but as time goes on, the more nervous I get. Maybe it's because between the Bears, Cubs, and Mizzou, I always get set up for disappointment. I can't wait for this weekend.

 

I'm with you man. I can't wait for Saturday. I'm nervous about this game, but no more so than I was against Texas Tech. I think Missouri can pull this one out IF the defense can stop the run.

 

M-I-Z!

 

Z-O-U!

 

I wasn't that nervous about Tech, mainly because I knew they were fairly one dimensional. I don't really know what to expect from A&M, but their giant RB scares me, and their home field advantage could benefit them greatly. We need a vintage Daniel-led first drive of the game to get them right out of it.