College Football - Week of 11/18

[Andy]

Matchups between Top 25 teams

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

(2) Michigan at (1) Ohio State (3:30 pm, ABC)

(17) California at (4) USC (8 pm, ABC)

(19) Virginia Tech at (14) Wake Forest (7 pm, ESPN2)

(21) Maryland at (20) Boston College (12 pm, ESPN)

 

Good Top 25 games

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

(8) West Virginia at Pittsburgh (7:30 pm Thursday, ESPN)

(15) Auburn at Alabama (3:30 pm, CBS)

 

Top 25 mismatches

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

W. Carolina at (3) Florida (12 pm)*

(5) Arkansas at Mississippi State (2:30 pm)

Army at (6) Notre Dame (2:30 pm, NBC)

(7) Rutgers at Cincinnati (7:45 pm, ESPN)

Ole Miss at (9) LSU (8 pm)*

South Florida at (10) Louisville (7:30 pm, ESPNU)

Buffalo at (12) Wisconsin (12 pm, ESPNU)

Utah State at (13) Boise State (3 pm)

(16) Oklahoma at Baylor (12:30 pm)

Duke at (18) Georgia Tech (1:30 pm)

(22) Tennessee at Vanderbilt (12:30 pm)*

New Mexico at (23) BYU (4 pm)

 

Other games of interest

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

Ball State at Toledo (7 pm Tuesday, ESPN2)

C. Michigan at N. Illinois (8 pm Friday, ESPNU)

Iowa at Minnesota (12 pm)*

Connecticut at Syracuse (12 pm)*

Michigan State at Penn State (12 pm, ESPN2)

Indiana at Purdue (12 pm, ESPN Classic)

Mid Tenn State at S. Carolina (12:30 pm)*

UL Monroe at Kentucky (1 pm)

Illinois at Northwestern (1 pm, ESPN360)

Missouri at Iowa State (2 pm)

Houston at Memphis (2 pm)

Kansas State at Kansas (3:30 pm)

UCLA at Arizona State (10 pm)

 

 

Sacramento State at UC Davis (4 pm)

S. Utah at S. Illinois (4 pm)

Edited November 16, 2006 by Andy

[Flames24Rulz]

A win for SIU should lock up a playoff spot. Southern Utah is not that good of a team, so SIU should be playoff-bound. That game coincides with Thanksgiving break though and we'll be lucky if we get 3000 people to show up for the final regular season game of the year.

 

NIU probably will get blown out by Central Michigan. I'm just hoping to see Nicholson get some time. There's really no point at all for Horvath to play now since NIU is eliminated from MAC contention and it's very unlikely that they'll get a bowl berth.

[Andy]

Fearless prediction: Michigan will beat Ohio State, and it won't be all that close.

[imb]

What are Florida's claims to fame? They lost to a 2 loss Auburn and beat a 3 loss Tennesse and 2 loss LSU.

 

This is something that Cuse said in last weeks thread, but i wanted to bring the discussion over here.

 

This is one of my main problems with the polling system. Earlier in the season, Florida's wins over Auburn, Tennessee and LSU looked really, impressive (not that they still arent quality wins, just some of the shine has been taken off.)

 

Anyway, those wins look great, so Florida is highly ranked. Now, those teams lose a few more games, and the wins don't look as good. But what can you do if Florida doesn't lose? Florida's ranking is based on the strength of those wins, and they won't fall in the rankings unless they lose, no matter if Auburn, Tennessee and LSU lose every remaining game.

 

Now, I'm not singling out Florida here, just using them as an example.

[SouthSideRyan]

Can anybody clarify something I thought I heard earlier in the season. I rememberred hearing that no 6-6 team could get invited to a bowl unless all 7-5 or better teams were invited first? Is that true, cause if it is people making a big deal about a team being bowl eligible with 6 wins isn't really true. This may only apply to conference tie in games though, or I may have just completely made it up.

[Andy]

What are Florida's claims to fame? They lost to a 2 loss Auburn and beat a 3 loss Tennesse and 2 loss LSU.

 

This is something that Cuse said in last weeks thread, but i wanted to bring the discussion over here.

 

This is one of my main problems with the polling system. Earlier in the season, Florida's wins over Auburn, Tennessee and LSU looked really, impressive (not that they still arent quality wins, just some of the shine has been taken off.)

 

Anyway, those wins look great, so Florida is highly ranked. Now, those teams lose a few more games, and the wins don't look as good. But what can you do if Florida doesn't lose? Florida's ranking is based on the strength of those wins, and they won't fall in the rankings unless they lose, no matter if Auburn, Tennessee and LSU lose every remaining game.

 

Now, I'm not singling out Florida here, just using them as an example.

ND in 2005 is probably the most blatant example of this, as they beat three Top 25 teams in the first 5 weeks of the season and none of them (save 7-5 Michigan) ended up being worth a crap.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Fearless prediction: Michigan will beat Ohio State, and it won't be all that close.

 

I came here to post the same thing.

[SouthSideRyan]

I was just going to pust what nd posted. You're absolutely right IMB. I believe it goes the other way as well(Beating a team not expected to do much in your first game, then they go on to be really good.(USC/Arkansas this year)

 

Though maybe pollsters are coming around in some ways. ND hasn't simply jumped everyone they were behind when they lost because voters looked back, saw that MSU, Purdue, and Penn St. aren't as good as some may have been thinking when ND played them. Additionally, if Rutgers beats West Virginia, I really think they'll go to #3 at worst.

[cubweiser03]

The Game is on. My poor liver is going to get its ass kicked this Saturday. Im going to pay for it Sunday but screw it this is the most unbelievable The Game has ever been. Im going to have to tune into ESPN Classic this week to get pumped even more.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Can anybody clarify something I thought I heard earlier in the season. I rememberred hearing that no 6-6 team could get invited to a bowl unless all 7-5 or better teams were invited first? Is that true, cause if it is people making a big deal about a team being bowl eligible with 6 wins isn't really true. This may only apply to conference tie in games though, or I may have just completely made it up.

 

6-6 teams shouldn't even get an invite. 7 wins should be the bare minimum with a 12-game schedule.

[SouthSideRyan]

Dear Michigan,

 

Blow out OSU by about 65 points. Oh and West Carolina and Mississippi St. Do your thing.

[Andy]

The last two 1/2 matchups this late in the season have resulted in the #2 team winning, and rather handily.

 

(1996 - Florida State beats Florida)

 

(1993 - ND beats Florida State)

[Andy]

Dear Michigan,

 

Blow out OSU by about 65 points. Oh and West Carolina and Mississippi St. Do your thing.

Haha. I don't think it will take that big a blowout, honestly. If Michigan wins by, say, 14 points or more, that should be enough, especially in the Shoe, to convince voters O$U doesn't deserve a 2nd shot. Florida still has Arkansas, and Arkansas still has LSU. Hope is alive.

[adamb0719]

The last two 1/2 matchups this late in the season have resulted in the #2 team winning, and rather handily.

 

(1996 - Florida State beats Florida)

 

(1993 - ND beats Florida State)

 

I wouldn't really say the ND won handily in that game.

[Derwood]

Ah crap, PSU vs. MSU is on ESPN2? I smell another Pam Ward/Mike Gottfried announcing team

[UMFan83]

Fearless prediction: Michigan will beat Ohio State, and it won't be all that close.

 

You just want Ball State's close loss to look better :)

[UMFan83]

Oh and BTW, I'm sure by Thursday or Friday there will be a thread in Rants about the overhyping that this matchup is going to get. I think this game deserves all the hype that it will get. Arguably sports greatest rivalry, with both teams undefeated and one win away from a National Championship game bid. This is going to be awesome! (unless Michigan gets blown out)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

What are Florida's claims to fame? They lost to a 2 loss Auburn and beat a 3 loss Tennesse and 2 loss LSU.

 

This is something that Cuse said in last weeks thread, but i wanted to bring the discussion over here.

 

This is one of my main problems with the polling system. Earlier in the season, Florida's wins over Auburn, Tennessee and LSU looked really, impressive (not that they still arent quality wins, just some of the shine has been taken off.)

 

Anyway, those wins look great, so Florida is highly ranked. Now, those teams lose a few more games, and the wins don't look as good. But what can you do if Florida doesn't lose? Florida's ranking is based on the strength of those wins, and they won't fall in the rankings unless they lose, no matter if Auburn, Tennessee and LSU lose every remaining game.

 

Now, I'm not singling out Florida here, just using them as an example.

 

Nice post, I think most (if not all) of us agree.

[soccer10k]

What are Florida's claims to fame? They lost to a 2 loss Auburn and beat a 3 loss Tennesse and 2 loss LSU.

 

This is something that Cuse said in last weeks thread, but i wanted to bring the discussion over here.

 

This is one of my main problems with the polling system. Earlier in the season, Florida's wins over Auburn, Tennessee and LSU looked really, impressive (not that they still arent quality wins, just some of the shine has been taken off.)

 

Anyway, those wins look great, so Florida is highly ranked. Now, those teams lose a few more games, and the wins don't look as good. But what can you do if Florida doesn't lose? Florida's ranking is based on the strength of those wins, and they won't fall in the rankings unless they lose, no matter if Auburn, Tennessee and LSU lose every remaining game.

 

Now, I'm not singling out Florida here, just using them as an example.

ND in 2005 is probably the most blatant example of this, as they beat three Top 25 teams in the first 5 weeks of the season and none of them (save 7-5 Michigan) ended up being worth a crap.

 

This is why I like you even though you're a Notre Dame fan, because you can recognize and admit things like this. Plus then I didn't have to make the point.

[Andy]

The last two 1/2 matchups this late in the season have resulted in the #2 team winning, and rather handily.

 

(1996 - Florida State beats Florida)

 

(1993 - ND beats Florida State)

 

I wouldn't really say the ND won handily in that game.

Well, yes, FSU was driving at the end, but ND was up 31-17 for a good chunk of that second half. Of course, I was 7, so I don't really know what the emotions were. :wink:

 

You just want Ball State's close loss to look better :)

Not gonna lie, it's a nice motivation...but my hopes that UM's defense will expose Troy Smith for having not played well against any good defenses this year (see: Penn State) are even higher. :)

[Flames24Rulz]

<-- is anxious for the BCS rankings.

[FloridaCubbie]

What are Florida's claims to fame? They lost to a 2 loss Auburn and beat a 3 loss Tennesse and 2 loss LSU.

 

This is something that Cuse said in last weeks thread, but i wanted to bring the discussion over here.

 

This is one of my main problems with the polling system. Earlier in the season, Florida's wins over Auburn, Tennessee and LSU looked really, impressive (not that they still arent quality wins, just some of the shine has been taken off.)

 

Anyway, those wins look great, so Florida is highly ranked. Now, those teams lose a few more games, and the wins don't look as good. But what can you do if Florida doesn't lose? Florida's ranking is based on the strength of those wins, and they won't fall in the rankings unless they lose, no matter if Auburn, Tennessee and LSU lose every remaining game.

 

Now, I'm not singling out Florida here, just using them as an example.

Yea, the polls fail when there is ambiguity about which team is better than another.

 

UF-USC-Rutgers all have arguments for the #3 spot based of quality of wins/losses, but without playing eachother how do you choose?

Also Arkansas can't be #3 because they shouldn't be ahead of USC, but if USC were #3 Arkansas could (and probably should) be #4 ahead of UF/Rutgers.

 

I don't know how one can objectively choose when teams are so close.

[cubweiser03]

Not gonna lie, it's a nice motivation...but my hopes that UM's defense will expose Troy Smith for having not played well against any good defenses this year (see: Penn State) are even higher. :)

 

Troy Smith has had 2 great games against UM, so i wouldnt put anything past him this year. Hopefully the more aggressive Dline will change that this year. In the past he has killed them with his legs and he doesnt seem to do it as much this year, plus UM's defense is better suited at stopping the mobile QB this year. It will be a good test for both of them.

[snoodmonger]

That FSU/ND game was close to being a tie in the waning moments. Hardly an easy win for ND.

 

 

KSU at KU this week. After seeing them beat UT, I don't like our chances. Hopefully they'll let down.

[jjgman21]

Yea, the polls fail when there is ambiguity about which team is better than another.

 

UF-USC-Rutgers all have arguments for the #3 spot based of quality of wins/losses, but without playing eachother how do you choose?

Also Arkansas can't be #3 because they shouldn't be ahead of USC, but if USC were #3 Arkansas could (and probably should) be #4 ahead of UF/Rutgers.

 

I don't know how one can objectively choose when teams are so close.

 

I don't think the point is ambiguity about who is better. the problem is the polls are based more on incumbancy than on performance. if starting from scratch, with no knowledge of where teams were previously ranked and only looking at performance, the rankings would look nothing like what they do right now, with the exception of 1-2.