I waited until after the second week of games, which fortunately gave us some interesting games...
1) BYU - You know it pains me to say it. But this is the best team from a non-BCS conference this year. Bar none, I don't even think it's close. Even you Boise State (that part does not pain me to say). BYU enjoys the kind of home schedule that Utah enjoyed last year, with TCU, Utah, Colorado State and Florida State all coming into Provo. No comment even needs to be made about their first two games. Masterful.
2) Boise State - Statement game played and statement made at home on the smurf turf vs. Oregon. Although I think BYU is the better team, Boise State is much more likely to run the table this year. Tests will include at Fresno State and at Hawaii, plus Tulsa at home...otherwise who's gonna beat 'em?
3) TCU - I was extremely impressed by the victory over Virginia...keep in mind the Horny Toads led 30-0 until UVa scored twice in what was essentially garbage time in the fourth quarter. Will keep BYU honest (and Utah, although I doubt it will be needed LOL!)
4) Houston - Was the victory over Okie State the most impressive victory this year? Or BYU over OU? Either way the Cougars will be tough this year. They shoot straight to the top of CUSA, but it doesn't get any easier vs. Texas Tech this week...but it's at home.
5) Tulsa - Absolutely no love from the mainstream polls, but this is still one of the best non-BCS programs and trounced both Tulane (but not as bad as BYU) and New Mexico. Has an opportunity to validate this ranking by going into Boise a month from today.
6) Notre Dame - Non-BCS? Uhh...yeah! Has made great strides since last year, but Jabba the Hutt still cannot stop himself from saying STOOPID things that make opponents wanna kick mud in his face. "We're farther along in our progress than Michigan is, and should win this game." Genius. I hope he stays the head coach at Notre Dame for a long time.
7) Utah - NOT impressive vs. San Jose State (or Utah State, for that matter). Huge question marks on offense and in the secondary. This freshman quarterback is no Matt Barkley, and has a tall order this coming Saturday vs. Oregon in Eugene.
8) U La La - I just wanted to be able to write it that way. K State might not prove to be much of an opponent in the long run but for now this looks really nice. Does this put the Ragin Cajuns in the driving seat of the Sun Belt? It's early but for now they are the one to watch.
9) Central Michigan - OK I'll admit it, I turned Saturday's game off after they missed the two-point conversion, chalking it up to a great effort fallen short. My bad! That's why I never leave games early!! You always end up missing the good stuff.
10) Hawaii - Yes Washington State is the doormat of the Pac 10, which is why Hawaii isn't higher. But winning on the road (keep in mind Hawaii usually plays eight home games a year) by 18 is nothing to sneeze at.
Thoughts? Concerns? Rebuttals?
Ill RepUTE
Full Version: Non-BCS Top Ten
QUOTE(Ill RepUTE @ Sep 14 2009, 02:52 PM) 
I waited until after the second week of games, which fortunately gave us some interesting games...
1) BYU - You know it pains me to say it. But this is the best team from a non-BCS conference this year. Bar none, I don't even think it's close. Even you Boise State (that part does not pain me to say). BYU enjoys the kind of home schedule that Utah enjoyed last year, with TCU, Utah, Colorado State and Florida State all coming into Provo. No comment even needs to be made about their first two games. Masterful.
2) Boise State - Statement game played and statement made at home on the smurf turf vs. Oregon. Although I think BYU is the better team, Boise State is much more likely to run the table this year. Tests will include at Fresno State and at Hawaii, plus Tulsa at home...otherwise who's gonna beat 'em?
3) TCU - I was extremely impressed by the victory over Virginia...keep in mind the Horny Toads led 30-0 until UVa scored twice in what was essentially garbage time in the fourth quarter. Will keep BYU honest (and Utah, although I doubt it will be needed LOL!)
4) Houston - Was the victory over Okie State the most impressive victory this year? Or BYU over OU? Either way the Cougars will be tough this year. They shoot straight to the top of CUSA, but it doesn't get any easier vs. Texas Tech this week...but it's at home.
5) Tulsa - Absolutely no love from the mainstream polls, but this is still one of the best non-BCS programs and trounced both Tulane (but not as bad as BYU) and New Mexico. Has an opportunity to validate this ranking by going into Boise a month from today.
6) Notre Dame - Non-BCS? Uhh...yeah! Has made great strides since last year, but Jabba the Hutt still cannot stop himself from saying STOOPID things that make opponents wanna kick mud in his face. "We're farther along in our progress than Michigan is, and should win this game." Genius. I hope he stays the head coach at Notre Dame for a long time.
7) Utah - NOT impressive vs. San Jose State (or Utah State, for that matter). Huge question marks on offense and in the secondary. This freshman quarterback is no Matt Barkley, and has a tall order this coming Saturday vs. Oregon in Eugene.
8) U La La - I just wanted to be able to write it that way. K State might not prove to be much of an opponent in the long run but for now this looks really nice. Does this put the Ragin Cajuns in the driving seat of the Sun Belt? It's early but for now they are the one to watch.
9) Central Michigan - OK I'll admit it, I turned Saturday's game off after they missed the two-point conversion, chalking it up to a great effort fallen short. My bad! That's why I never leave games early!! You always end up missing the good stuff.
10) Hawaii - Yes Washington State is the doormat of the Pac 10, which is why Hawaii isn't higher. But winning on the road (keep in mind Hawaii usually plays eight home games a year) by 18 is nothing to sneeze at.
Thoughts? Concerns? Rebuttals?
Ill RepUTE
Great post, lotta fun to read. Great to see the non-BCS schools getting more press and respect year after year. BCS needs to expand the automatic bids to include more of these teams, esp since we'll never get a playoff system.
Not going to try and make an alternative list, but a couple of other teams worth mentioning:
Navy - very close loss to Ohio State
Bowling Green - an easy win over Troy and a tight loss to Missouri
Navy - very close loss to Ohio State
Bowling Green - an easy win over Troy and a tight loss to Missouri
After this last week of games:
1) Boise State - The Broncos' performance this week isn't what truly keeps them at the top of this list...it's Oregon's shellacking of Cal. Now I'm not one of those fans who determines the best team by comparing scores and scoring margins...that's the duty of BYU fans everywhere
But if Oregon is for real...and they sure seem to be...them Boise State is REALLY for real.
2) TCU - Solid, impressive victory over Clemson in front of 80,000 in Death Valley...and apparently collected a cool million for the privilege. Has a much harder road than Boise (naturally) with a trip to Colorado Springs to face Air Force followed in two weeks at BYU. Utah has to come to Fort Worth, however.
3) Houston - The darling of the mainstream rankings, and well deserved after beating Texas Tech at home. Not nearly as impressive on the surface as the OSU win, but any win over a Big XII team in Big XII country is solid. Trailed by eight deep in the third quarter, then held the Red Raiders scoreless in the fourth and coming up with a big score in the last minute to steal the victory. Nice!
4) BYU - Is this the USC of non-BCS programs? I still think they're the most talented team here, and Max Hall ought to be in the Heisman conversation. Apparently their defense sucks though...in other news, the Florida State loss looks even worse now.
5) Notre Dame - I will say one thing: the Irish have certainly figured out how to win the close games, which is something they never seemed to be able to do the last couple of years. Has Charlie matured? Is he giving credit to his players now? Not likely. The upcoming schedule, outside of USC, looks very winnable. 10-2 is not out of the question.
6) Central Michigan - Appears to be the class of the MAC early on here. I didn't see any of their game vs. Akron but a conference victory is a conference victory, and the prior victory over Michigan States seals this spot until somebody comes and takes it away.
7) Southern Miss - I don't believe in dropping a team in these rankings automatically if it's not warranted, and it's not warranted here. I actually did see a good chunk of the Kansas game, and I kept expecting the Jayhawks to start pulling away, well at least until So Miss tied it up at the end of the third LOL! I'm not big on style points but they looked pretty tough on Saturday.
8) Utah - The Utes always play a lot better at home...and this ranking is justified in my opinion after a nice victory over Louisville...but the Utes lost their best player, Matt Asiata, for the season. With a Bye coming this week, they have two weeks to retool an offense that had "75% of the plays going through Asiata" (according to my brother).
9) Middle Tennessee - OK, I admit it. I haven't watched one play from scrimmage of a Middle Tennessee game this year (and believe me I'm glued to college football every Saturday). They lost to Clemson...no biggie...and beat Memphis, Maryland, and North Texas in their first conference game. This seems about right.
10) Tulsa - In my opinion, a stair step below Houston and Southern Miss in the CUSA race. A goose egg against OU? OK so the Sooners were pissed and had to take it out on somebody. The Golden Hurricane can certainly put up some points against "slightly" lesser defenses. A murderous schedule has Boise and Houston coming to Tulsa, with So Miss. on the road.
Waddaya think?
Ill RepUTE
1) Boise State - The Broncos' performance this week isn't what truly keeps them at the top of this list...it's Oregon's shellacking of Cal. Now I'm not one of those fans who determines the best team by comparing scores and scoring margins...that's the duty of BYU fans everywhere
But if Oregon is for real...and they sure seem to be...them Boise State is REALLY for real.2) TCU - Solid, impressive victory over Clemson in front of 80,000 in Death Valley...and apparently collected a cool million for the privilege. Has a much harder road than Boise (naturally) with a trip to Colorado Springs to face Air Force followed in two weeks at BYU. Utah has to come to Fort Worth, however.
3) Houston - The darling of the mainstream rankings, and well deserved after beating Texas Tech at home. Not nearly as impressive on the surface as the OSU win, but any win over a Big XII team in Big XII country is solid. Trailed by eight deep in the third quarter, then held the Red Raiders scoreless in the fourth and coming up with a big score in the last minute to steal the victory. Nice!
4) BYU - Is this the USC of non-BCS programs? I still think they're the most talented team here, and Max Hall ought to be in the Heisman conversation. Apparently their defense sucks though...in other news, the Florida State loss looks even worse now.
5) Notre Dame - I will say one thing: the Irish have certainly figured out how to win the close games, which is something they never seemed to be able to do the last couple of years. Has Charlie matured? Is he giving credit to his players now? Not likely. The upcoming schedule, outside of USC, looks very winnable. 10-2 is not out of the question.
6) Central Michigan - Appears to be the class of the MAC early on here. I didn't see any of their game vs. Akron but a conference victory is a conference victory, and the prior victory over Michigan States seals this spot until somebody comes and takes it away.
7) Southern Miss - I don't believe in dropping a team in these rankings automatically if it's not warranted, and it's not warranted here. I actually did see a good chunk of the Kansas game, and I kept expecting the Jayhawks to start pulling away, well at least until So Miss tied it up at the end of the third LOL! I'm not big on style points but they looked pretty tough on Saturday.
8) Utah - The Utes always play a lot better at home...and this ranking is justified in my opinion after a nice victory over Louisville...but the Utes lost their best player, Matt Asiata, for the season. With a Bye coming this week, they have two weeks to retool an offense that had "75% of the plays going through Asiata" (according to my brother).
9) Middle Tennessee - OK, I admit it. I haven't watched one play from scrimmage of a Middle Tennessee game this year (and believe me I'm glued to college football every Saturday). They lost to Clemson...no biggie...and beat Memphis, Maryland, and North Texas in their first conference game. This seems about right.
10) Tulsa - In my opinion, a stair step below Houston and Southern Miss in the CUSA race. A goose egg against OU? OK so the Sooners were pissed and had to take it out on somebody. The Golden Hurricane can certainly put up some points against "slightly" lesser defenses. A murderous schedule has Boise and Houston coming to Tulsa, with So Miss. on the road.
Waddaya think?
Ill RepUTE
Wow, is this board dead this year or what??? At any rate...
1) Boise State - Didn't do themselves any favors against UC Davis (BTW didn't Davis beat San Diego State or somebody last year? That's a tough FCS program!) Boise pulled it out but it wasn't pretty for most of the game. Just goes to show you anybody can have a hiccup or a down week. You just aren't allowed to have one as a non-BCS school.
2) TCU - Continues to march, and impressively against Metroplex rival SMU. I'd love to see a rematch of last year's bowl game with Boise, but that's not gonna happen of course.
3) BYU - Not unimpressive (apparently Utah State's offense is better than usual) but certainly not the offensive explosion I would have expected. Max Hall is in the Heisman conversation courtesy of the OU win (and let's be honest, BYU's reputation for quarterbacks) but is no farther along than he was last year at this time. Two practice games (SDSU, UNLV) before TCU comes to town.
4) Notre Dame - Has learned how to win the close ones this year. And Washington is no slouch. Clausen looked poised and polished, even in the downpour. Kudos to the defense for the huge stop on the goal line at the end of the quarter...other than that it was the offense's day.
5) Central Michigan - Keeps marching, although Buffalo is not the opponent of a year ago. I initially thought the non-conference schedule was over but it looks like they're squeezing in a trip to BC on Halloween. Still, if they play as they have, they'll have their ticket to the MAC Championship game.
6) Houston - Well...I guess I bought the hype, huh? The big loss to UTEP really hurts, especially in conference, as well as the division where Tulsa is looking so strong all of a sudden. Missed opportunities, called back touchdowns, and 262 yards rushing by Donald Buckram sank the Cougars. The conference championship game is not out of reach, but BCS dreams are done.
7) Tulsa - Outside of the OU game Tulsa has looked very strong. The same thing happened to TCU last year vs OU, and TCU ended up 11-2, so I'll give the Golden Hurricane a pass for now. Boise State comes to town a week from Wednesday...the fact that it's a midweek game tells me it'll be on ESPN. I'll be glued, unless the Dodgers have not been eliminated yet :-)
8) Utah - Bye week, and not a moment too soon. The conference schedule looms. We'll see.
9) Middle Tennessee - Ditto.
10) Idaho - I never ever thought I'd be writing this name in any rankings...although ESPN has been including them in their Bottom Ten for years now. They play in a barn with fewer seats than most NBA arenas, they play some of their home games in Pullman, Washington, and if any decent players do grow up in this freezing corner of the world then Boise State recruits them. Wins over two MWC teams seal the deal.
Ill RepUTE
1) Boise State - Didn't do themselves any favors against UC Davis (BTW didn't Davis beat San Diego State or somebody last year? That's a tough FCS program!) Boise pulled it out but it wasn't pretty for most of the game. Just goes to show you anybody can have a hiccup or a down week. You just aren't allowed to have one as a non-BCS school.
2) TCU - Continues to march, and impressively against Metroplex rival SMU. I'd love to see a rematch of last year's bowl game with Boise, but that's not gonna happen of course.
3) BYU - Not unimpressive (apparently Utah State's offense is better than usual) but certainly not the offensive explosion I would have expected. Max Hall is in the Heisman conversation courtesy of the OU win (and let's be honest, BYU's reputation for quarterbacks) but is no farther along than he was last year at this time. Two practice games (SDSU, UNLV) before TCU comes to town.
4) Notre Dame - Has learned how to win the close ones this year. And Washington is no slouch. Clausen looked poised and polished, even in the downpour. Kudos to the defense for the huge stop on the goal line at the end of the quarter...other than that it was the offense's day.
5) Central Michigan - Keeps marching, although Buffalo is not the opponent of a year ago. I initially thought the non-conference schedule was over but it looks like they're squeezing in a trip to BC on Halloween. Still, if they play as they have, they'll have their ticket to the MAC Championship game.
6) Houston - Well...I guess I bought the hype, huh? The big loss to UTEP really hurts, especially in conference, as well as the division where Tulsa is looking so strong all of a sudden. Missed opportunities, called back touchdowns, and 262 yards rushing by Donald Buckram sank the Cougars. The conference championship game is not out of reach, but BCS dreams are done.
7) Tulsa - Outside of the OU game Tulsa has looked very strong. The same thing happened to TCU last year vs OU, and TCU ended up 11-2, so I'll give the Golden Hurricane a pass for now. Boise State comes to town a week from Wednesday...the fact that it's a midweek game tells me it'll be on ESPN. I'll be glued, unless the Dodgers have not been eliminated yet :-)
8) Utah - Bye week, and not a moment too soon. The conference schedule looms. We'll see.
9) Middle Tennessee - Ditto.
10) Idaho - I never ever thought I'd be writing this name in any rankings...although ESPN has been including them in their Bottom Ten for years now. They play in a barn with fewer seats than most NBA arenas, they play some of their home games in Pullman, Washington, and if any decent players do grow up in this freezing corner of the world then Boise State recruits them. Wins over two MWC teams seal the deal.
Ill RepUTE
1. Boise State - clear #1 in terms of best win and history of success. I've been arguing on other boards that they should get in the NC game if they go undefeated even though their schedule is as soft as a baby's bottom.
2. TCU - best results in the best non-BCS conference. Can't imagine they will go undefeated though.
3. Notre Dame - these are the kind of wins that show either that a team has heart or that it is mediocre but lucky. For Charlie Weis' sake I hope it's the former, especially when the Irish play the University of Spoiled Children.
4. Utah
5. BYU - that loss to Florida State looks less hot by the week.
6. Central Michigan - am I really putting a directional Michigan school on a top 10 list?? Awesome win at MSU.
7. Navy
8. Houston
9. Tulsa
10. Idaho
Honorable mention: Fresno State, which went 0-3 against an absolutely brutal lineup before whipping UC Davis 51-0. By contrast, Boise State limped past the Aggies 34-16. You can't help but think that playing @Cincinnati, Boise State, and @Wisconsin, all of them competitively, will pay dividends later in the season.
2. TCU - best results in the best non-BCS conference. Can't imagine they will go undefeated though.
3. Notre Dame - these are the kind of wins that show either that a team has heart or that it is mediocre but lucky. For Charlie Weis' sake I hope it's the former, especially when the Irish play the University of Spoiled Children.
4. Utah
5. BYU - that loss to Florida State looks less hot by the week.
6. Central Michigan - am I really putting a directional Michigan school on a top 10 list?? Awesome win at MSU.
7. Navy
8. Houston
9. Tulsa
10. Idaho
Honorable mention: Fresno State, which went 0-3 against an absolutely brutal lineup before whipping UC Davis 51-0. By contrast, Boise State limped past the Aggies 34-16. You can't help but think that playing @Cincinnati, Boise State, and @Wisconsin, all of them competitively, will pay dividends later in the season.
QUOTE(Ill RepUTE @ Oct 6 2009, 12:15 PM)
Wow, is this board dead this year or what???
Yeah, I REALLY want to participate on the CFB threads, especially when I read stuff like...Ummm...University of Spoiled Children.
...especially given the fact that I grew up in the inner-city.
QUOTE(SCTrojan @ Oct 6 2009, 11:17 PM)
Yeah, I REALLY want to participate on the CFB threads, especially when I read stuff like...Ummm...University of Spoiled Children.
...especially given the fact that I grew up in the inner-city.
Come on SC, what's college football without a little inter-school ribbing
Yep you're right...
I forgot that Chokelahoma may or may not play w/ Bradford this weekend...Ooopppsie!...Did I just say 'Chokelahoma?'
I forgot that Chokelahoma may or may not play w/ Bradford this weekend...Ooopppsie!...Did I just say 'Chokelahoma?'
As of games through 10/17/09:
1) Boise State - I won't move them off this spot for a weekday, nationally televised close call with Tulsa. They didn't look invincible, but this looked like the toughest game they had remaining on the schedule, since the WAC sans BSU is even more awful than usual. Could their rival Idaho be the one to knock them off?? Nah!
2) TCU - Spotted Colorado State a six point lead then took off for the races. Come on though guys, 33,000 attendance for a top ten program in the state of Texas? What gives? In other news, looks like college game day will be broadcasting from Provo for the BYU/TCU game this Saturday. Pardon my bias, but it certainly does look like one of the most, if not THE most, compelling matchup this weekend.
3) BYU - Absolutely deserves this spot, but wow they do give up a lot of points to some otherwise woeful offenses. But winning is winning and BYU knows how to do that. This Saturday's game should really be a track meet. There will be some worn out defensive linemen come the fourth quarter.
4) Houston - It looks like the hiccup against UTEP is behind them. They are in the drivers seat in CUSA for sure, and are the only non-BCS team to have defeated two of the current Top 25 (Texas Tech is ranked now). Tulsa looks tough in three weeks (and it's on the road).
5) Notre Dame - Do I credit Jimmy Clauson or USC's STOOPID penalties for Saturday's near upset? I was convinced they were gonna punch it in there at the end, and was thinking how much that missed extra point would have come into play. At any rate, kudos to Clauson for a great comeback, and even kudos to Weis for a terrific fake earlier on (if that was his call...)
6) Utah - Terrance Cain is coming around, and the Utes just may benefit from meeting the middle of the pack MWC teams early, allowing Cain and the woefully thin running attack to develop and retool. They really need to win the next three games (all at home) for any hope of staying in the conference race.
7) Central Michigan - Should keep on marching, with a MAC plus Boston College schedule remaining. The tougher division teams (Toledo, No Ill) still remain to come too. Not unrealistic to hope to win out.
8) Navy - Needed overtime to beat SMU, but a win is a win, and the schedule doesn't look too threatening. Could also give Notre Dame a scare.
9) Idaho - WTF! They came out of nowhere this year. They aren't blowing anybody away, and I give them a 0% chance against Boise, but they certainly look bowl bound, which they haven't done since 1998 when they played in the Humanitarian Bowl (don't you love google??)
10) Tulsa - A game effort against Boise State, and a nice chance to show your program on national TV without any conflicts (there wasn't even any baseball on Wednesday). A typical sandwich of great beginning and strong end, but when Boise struck in the middle, they struck fast and strong.
Ill RepUTE
1) Boise State - I won't move them off this spot for a weekday, nationally televised close call with Tulsa. They didn't look invincible, but this looked like the toughest game they had remaining on the schedule, since the WAC sans BSU is even more awful than usual. Could their rival Idaho be the one to knock them off?? Nah!
2) TCU - Spotted Colorado State a six point lead then took off for the races. Come on though guys, 33,000 attendance for a top ten program in the state of Texas? What gives? In other news, looks like college game day will be broadcasting from Provo for the BYU/TCU game this Saturday. Pardon my bias, but it certainly does look like one of the most, if not THE most, compelling matchup this weekend.
3) BYU - Absolutely deserves this spot, but wow they do give up a lot of points to some otherwise woeful offenses. But winning is winning and BYU knows how to do that. This Saturday's game should really be a track meet. There will be some worn out defensive linemen come the fourth quarter.
4) Houston - It looks like the hiccup against UTEP is behind them. They are in the drivers seat in CUSA for sure, and are the only non-BCS team to have defeated two of the current Top 25 (Texas Tech is ranked now). Tulsa looks tough in three weeks (and it's on the road).
5) Notre Dame - Do I credit Jimmy Clauson or USC's STOOPID penalties for Saturday's near upset? I was convinced they were gonna punch it in there at the end, and was thinking how much that missed extra point would have come into play. At any rate, kudos to Clauson for a great comeback, and even kudos to Weis for a terrific fake earlier on (if that was his call...)
6) Utah - Terrance Cain is coming around, and the Utes just may benefit from meeting the middle of the pack MWC teams early, allowing Cain and the woefully thin running attack to develop and retool. They really need to win the next three games (all at home) for any hope of staying in the conference race.
7) Central Michigan - Should keep on marching, with a MAC plus Boston College schedule remaining. The tougher division teams (Toledo, No Ill) still remain to come too. Not unrealistic to hope to win out.
8) Navy - Needed overtime to beat SMU, but a win is a win, and the schedule doesn't look too threatening. Could also give Notre Dame a scare.
9) Idaho - WTF! They came out of nowhere this year. They aren't blowing anybody away, and I give them a 0% chance against Boise, but they certainly look bowl bound, which they haven't done since 1998 when they played in the Humanitarian Bowl (don't you love google??)
10) Tulsa - A game effort against Boise State, and a nice chance to show your program on national TV without any conflicts (there wasn't even any baseball on Wednesday). A typical sandwich of great beginning and strong end, but when Boise struck in the middle, they struck fast and strong.
Ill RepUTE
QUOTE(Ill RepUTE @ Oct 19 2009, 01:01 PM)
5) Notre Dame - Do I credit Jimmy Clauson or USC's STOOPID penalties for Saturday's near upset?
In my subjective opinion it was definitely the STOOPID penalties.
1. Boise State -- in line for a national championship spot no matter what the pundits say, especially with some Pac 10 carnage. They would make it over a 1-loss Texas, Iowa, or Cincinnati.
2. TCU -- haven't watched them play but 6-0 is 6-0.
3. Notre Dame -- I think they could handle anyone below them on this list.
4. Utah -- will probably lose to BYU but at least their loss wasn't embarrassing.
5. BYU
6. Houston -- nice recovery after the UTEP disaster.
7. Central Michigan
8. Navy
9. Fresno State
10. Idaho -- this little run has to end at some point. Wouldn't be surprised to see them lose three of the next four.
2. TCU -- haven't watched them play but 6-0 is 6-0.
3. Notre Dame -- I think they could handle anyone below them on this list.
4. Utah -- will probably lose to BYU but at least their loss wasn't embarrassing.
5. BYU
6. Houston -- nice recovery after the UTEP disaster.
7. Central Michigan
8. Navy
9. Fresno State
10. Idaho -- this little run has to end at some point. Wouldn't be surprised to see them lose three of the next four.
After Halloween games...
1) Boise State - I know my MWC cronies will argue with this til the cows come home (and are...just go to mwcboard.com) but as far as I see it, the Broncos still have the most impressive win of any non-BCS team this year. Oregon's victory on Saturday over USC further bolstered BSU's case.
2) TCU - This may be the best team in our group, and week in week out they play a much tougher schedule than BSU (now I'm using an SEC-style argument...UGH). But so far their marquee win has been over BYU. If Utah wins next week then TCU will have another top 15 opponent which will help, especially in the computers, but I don't see an Oregon left on the Frogs' schedule.
3) Houston - Looks to be in the drivers' seat in CUSA, and will be favored all the way through the conference championship game. Tulsa could give fits this week (they were a former favorite of mine) but they haven't been the same since almost beating Boise State.
4) Notre Dame - Clicking on all cylinders, Clausen is a mature, confident leader, but Wazzou sucks. San Antonio was an interesting choice, it was no where near full in the Alamodome and they couldn't possibly have made as much money as a home game.
5) Utah - Had to pull it out of their a** against Wyoming--at home no less. Also changed quarterbacks at halftime (the sub was much more effective). Still, this is a program that knows how to win games (unlike Indiana...did anybody see that game? WOW!)
6) BYU - Bye this week. If they were playing Utah this weekend the Cougars would be clear favorites at home. Has Wyoming on the road (BYU usually handles them), then a vacation weekend in Albuquerque and toughies at home vs. Air Force and the Utes. Max Hall's confidence and ball control will be the things to watch here.
7) Central Michigan - BC was a pretty tall order... they lead their division in the ACC and have some tough wins. No style points but no precipitous drop either, and they seem to have the MAC figured out. A potential matchup vs. Temple in the conference championship would be interesting...OK I'm getting a little ahead of myself.
8) Troy - Quietly marching through the conference. The opening loss to Bowling Green is deep in the rearview now. The remaining conference schedule doesn't look to daunting, but a nice showing against Arkansas would be nice.
9) Nevada - This team has really come along. Really walloped Idaho and are undefeated in the WAC. Two of the losses are not so bad (Notre Dame, Mizzou) but Colorado State was a hiccup for sure. Need to stay healthy during the next three games to have any chance on the smurf turf the day after Thanksgiving.
10) Temple - Well they've found a home haven't they!! The Navy win was especially nice, not that it helped get them closer to the conference championship, but definitely got them the eensy bit of national notice. I saw a good chunk of this game on Versus or CBSCS or one of my triple digit cable channels. I do try to watch four or five games at once, doesn't everybody?
Ill RepUTE
1) Boise State - I know my MWC cronies will argue with this til the cows come home (and are...just go to mwcboard.com) but as far as I see it, the Broncos still have the most impressive win of any non-BCS team this year. Oregon's victory on Saturday over USC further bolstered BSU's case.
2) TCU - This may be the best team in our group, and week in week out they play a much tougher schedule than BSU (now I'm using an SEC-style argument...UGH). But so far their marquee win has been over BYU. If Utah wins next week then TCU will have another top 15 opponent which will help, especially in the computers, but I don't see an Oregon left on the Frogs' schedule.
3) Houston - Looks to be in the drivers' seat in CUSA, and will be favored all the way through the conference championship game. Tulsa could give fits this week (they were a former favorite of mine) but they haven't been the same since almost beating Boise State.
4) Notre Dame - Clicking on all cylinders, Clausen is a mature, confident leader, but Wazzou sucks. San Antonio was an interesting choice, it was no where near full in the Alamodome and they couldn't possibly have made as much money as a home game.
5) Utah - Had to pull it out of their a** against Wyoming--at home no less. Also changed quarterbacks at halftime (the sub was much more effective). Still, this is a program that knows how to win games (unlike Indiana...did anybody see that game? WOW!)
6) BYU - Bye this week. If they were playing Utah this weekend the Cougars would be clear favorites at home. Has Wyoming on the road (BYU usually handles them), then a vacation weekend in Albuquerque and toughies at home vs. Air Force and the Utes. Max Hall's confidence and ball control will be the things to watch here.
7) Central Michigan - BC was a pretty tall order... they lead their division in the ACC and have some tough wins. No style points but no precipitous drop either, and they seem to have the MAC figured out. A potential matchup vs. Temple in the conference championship would be interesting...OK I'm getting a little ahead of myself.
8) Troy - Quietly marching through the conference. The opening loss to Bowling Green is deep in the rearview now. The remaining conference schedule doesn't look to daunting, but a nice showing against Arkansas would be nice.
9) Nevada - This team has really come along. Really walloped Idaho and are undefeated in the WAC. Two of the losses are not so bad (Notre Dame, Mizzou) but Colorado State was a hiccup for sure. Need to stay healthy during the next three games to have any chance on the smurf turf the day after Thanksgiving.
10) Temple - Well they've found a home haven't they!! The Navy win was especially nice, not that it helped get them closer to the conference championship, but definitely got them the eensy bit of national notice. I saw a good chunk of this game on Versus or CBSCS or one of my triple digit cable channels. I do try to watch four or five games at once, doesn't everybody?
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1. Boise State -- worse schedule but better history
2. TCU -- a win over Utah puts them into national championship contention with Cincinnati and Texas losses. Pretty cool.
3-5. Houston/Utah/BYU -- seem pretty hard to distinguish. Put BYU at the bottom because of 2 losses.
6. Navy -- you get the feeling Notre Dame would pound them in a rematch but the Middies did win.
7. Notre Dame
8. Fresno State -- tough initial schedule paying dividends now
9. Air Force
10. Central Michigan
2. TCU -- a win over Utah puts them into national championship contention with Cincinnati and Texas losses. Pretty cool.
3-5. Houston/Utah/BYU -- seem pretty hard to distinguish. Put BYU at the bottom because of 2 losses.
6. Navy -- you get the feeling Notre Dame would pound them in a rematch but the Middies did win.
7. Notre Dame
8. Fresno State -- tough initial schedule paying dividends now
9. Air Force
10. Central Michigan
So according to the History leading to the creation of the BCS: "College football was extremely popular decades earlier, when travel was too time-consuming and expensive to support a post-season playoff."
So what would it cost now to actually have a playoff? And would it pay for itself in increased interest in the game?
More important, would it discourage conference refs from cheating to keep one of their teams at the top of the BCS at the expense of reputations of that team's players?
Not mentioning any names of course.
So what would it cost now to actually have a playoff? And would it pay for itself in increased interest in the game?
More important, would it discourage conference refs from cheating to keep one of their teams at the top of the BCS at the expense of reputations of that team's players?
Not mentioning any names of course.
As of games of 11/14/09...
1) TCU - I finally flip-flopped at the top here, and it's not solely due to the fact that TCU slaughtered Utah (but that's part of it). TCU overall has been more impressive, and more impressive recently, against more competitive teams...or at least teams that have been more competitive in general. Nobody has been very competitive with TCU this year.
2) Boise State - Made Idaho look like their old selves. I guess the Broncos still don't have a problem getting up for their big brother (in the state of Idaho, BSU is still considered the little brother academically... football is a different matter). Previously had a much tougher than expected win over La. Tech.
3) BYU - Benefitted from several teams above them losing...but was NOT impressive against New Mexico, the winless doormat of the MWC. Just last week I was commenting that BYU never loses to teams when they're heavily favored...but they came close this week.
4) Navy - Wins over Delaware and (especially) Notre Dame have solidified this place. They have already accepted their bowl berth and even their losses (Pitt, Ohio State, Temple) look pretty good.
5) Central Michigan - Also benefitted from other teams' losses this week. Still needs to beat No. Illinois to reach the MAC championship game, likely vs. Temple, which would be a mighty interesting game. The Ball State game doesn't really come into play, although Central should win it easily.
6) Utah - No shame in losing to TCU but it wasn't even close...and not as close as the score looked. Big late 1st quarter/early 2nd quarter stretch sealed it early, and Jordan Wynn looked every bit the true freshman. Needs to beat San Diego State in Salt Lake, then faces BYU in Provo to finish the regular season. No easy task.
7) Houston - Wow. Went from a high top fifteen ranking to second place in it's own division (although they do have the tiebreaker with SMU). Doesn't look like they can stop the run much, although Case Keenum will keep them in pretty much any game.
8) Temple - Methodically winning. If they both win out, will Temple be the Vegas favorite vs. Central Michigan in the MAC championship? Signature win vs. Navy continues to sparkle.
9) Nevada - OK these last two could flip flop...OK probably should flip flop, since Notre Dame smoked Nevada 35-0 to open the season. But it's a classic case of two teams going in exactly opposite directions right now. Nevada is feasting on WAC chum but have not looked good on the road, which is where they finish in Las Cruces (no problem) and Boise (good luck).
10) Notre Dame - When you're Notre Dame, every team you play is up for their game with you. But what are you gonna do, you have your own TV contract with cheerleaders that call your games (I have to turn the sound off sometimes). Have played everybody tough but Stanford in two weeks can score the ball!! Be ready.
Ill RepUTE
1) TCU - I finally flip-flopped at the top here, and it's not solely due to the fact that TCU slaughtered Utah (but that's part of it). TCU overall has been more impressive, and more impressive recently, against more competitive teams...or at least teams that have been more competitive in general. Nobody has been very competitive with TCU this year.
2) Boise State - Made Idaho look like their old selves. I guess the Broncos still don't have a problem getting up for their big brother (in the state of Idaho, BSU is still considered the little brother academically... football is a different matter). Previously had a much tougher than expected win over La. Tech.
3) BYU - Benefitted from several teams above them losing...but was NOT impressive against New Mexico, the winless doormat of the MWC. Just last week I was commenting that BYU never loses to teams when they're heavily favored...but they came close this week.
4) Navy - Wins over Delaware and (especially) Notre Dame have solidified this place. They have already accepted their bowl berth and even their losses (Pitt, Ohio State, Temple) look pretty good.
5) Central Michigan - Also benefitted from other teams' losses this week. Still needs to beat No. Illinois to reach the MAC championship game, likely vs. Temple, which would be a mighty interesting game. The Ball State game doesn't really come into play, although Central should win it easily.
6) Utah - No shame in losing to TCU but it wasn't even close...and not as close as the score looked. Big late 1st quarter/early 2nd quarter stretch sealed it early, and Jordan Wynn looked every bit the true freshman. Needs to beat San Diego State in Salt Lake, then faces BYU in Provo to finish the regular season. No easy task.
7) Houston - Wow. Went from a high top fifteen ranking to second place in it's own division (although they do have the tiebreaker with SMU). Doesn't look like they can stop the run much, although Case Keenum will keep them in pretty much any game.
8) Temple - Methodically winning. If they both win out, will Temple be the Vegas favorite vs. Central Michigan in the MAC championship? Signature win vs. Navy continues to sparkle.
9) Nevada - OK these last two could flip flop...OK probably should flip flop, since Notre Dame smoked Nevada 35-0 to open the season. But it's a classic case of two teams going in exactly opposite directions right now. Nevada is feasting on WAC chum but have not looked good on the road, which is where they finish in Las Cruces (no problem) and Boise (good luck).
10) Notre Dame - When you're Notre Dame, every team you play is up for their game with you. But what are you gonna do, you have your own TV contract with cheerleaders that call your games (I have to turn the sound off sometimes). Have played everybody tough but Stanford in two weeks can score the ball!! Be ready.
Ill RepUTE
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