Jim
11-23-2008, 01:20 AM
Central Michigan (+6.5) over Ball State
Washington (-7.5) over Washington State
Fresno State (-2.5) over San Jose State
Brigham Young (+2.5) over Utah
Air Force (+18.5) over TCU
Northwestern (+3) over Illinois
Oklahoma (-7) over Texas Tech
Tennessee (+3) over Vanderbilt
Arkansas (-1) over Mississippi State
LSU (-3.5) over Mississippi
West Virginia (-7) over Louisville
Boston College (+2) over Wake Forest
N.C. State (+11) over North Carolina
Syracuse (+19.5) over Notre Dame
Pittsburgh (+5) over Cincinnati
Above: Dark Green is a win, Dark Red is a loss. Got close on two of the losses. Picked largely against home teams this week. Some of my curious upset picks actually occurred – imagine that!
In many ways what happened to the Washington Huskies today, in their overtime upset loss to an equally poor Washington State, should be quickly forgotten. In all probability they’ll lose the season finale to California next week and wind up 0-12 – the worse BCS level record in 2008. For the next coach to arrive on the Montlake and Washington’s gorgeous campus bordering Lake Washington to the East along and with a huge forested area basically embedded within the campus, coming into a program having gone 0-12 the previous year, is an enviable position. What the president, athletic director and boosters/alums need to do is not settle on a middle-of-the-road coach (Willingham was fired from Notre Dame after his teams lost more and more for three years). They need to pay a coach around $1.5 million a year – the perks and bennies with TV, radio, endorsements etc. will probably double that salary. Get an offensive coordinator from USC as your head coach. Get the DC from Penn State. Hell, pay him $800K/year. Give them full control over the team with the understanding that these folks are in charge. If I was a successful coach I’d welcome this opportunity as you could build a “new” program from the ground up. In five years, you’d be challenging for the Pac Ten title. Stoops, Saban, Mack Brown, Meyer etc. are clear examples of coaches who know how to motivate, generate a loyalty and a focus. Willingham’s main “problem” is that he tried to recruit students as well as athletes. No bloods and krips and problem children on his teams. There were plenty of those in times past at the UW and the blotters are full of former stars who are basically criminals – but they won. At one time this was demanded and now they’ve backed off and it has cost them dearly. I feel for the players who are disgusted with themselves and in a fit of total embarrassment this evening. Go national for your next coach. His motivations and recruiting styles will bring them in. Everybody wants to be with a winner. And the ride to becoming one is where most of the fun takes place as jaws drop, cheers roar from the dejected as they now begin to believe once again. Winning is great but as upset wins accumulate the thrill of victory is much, much sweeter. So long Ty. Now UW fans, embrace your next head man. He will lead you back to the “promised land”. After all, it can’t get worse can it?
In another part of the country, Syracuse’s players won the Orange’s “bowl game” for relieved Coach Robinson with a last minute score over host Notre Dame on the Irish’s “Senior Day” in South Bend, 24-23. They came in a 20 point underdog. Congratulations to Syracuse as they played with a winning attitude and out-muscled their way over the Irish. Congratulations are also in order for Phil Fulmer at Tennessee. For the first time I can ever recall, Vanderbilt came in as the favorite. Since they’re bowl eligible perhaps a bit of relief arrived after their hard fought win over Kentucky this past week and it affected their preparation for their arch-rival. But Tennessee, even at 3-7, has overall better talent than do the Commodores. Not an insult as the ACT/SATs of the Vandy players are collectively much higher and most players there don’t plan on an NFL career after football. They came to Nashville for not only the great music but to get the outstanding education made available to them at Vanderbilt. What is next for Phil Fulmer? Is he just going to retire or possibly try for a media position as the straight detail man on broadcasts? We’ll find out in the near future. And finally, Houston Nutt makes it two-in-a-row over Les Miles (Arkansas last year and now Ole Miss). Looks like the Bayou Bengals, now 3-4/7-4 are out of the Cotton Bowl running and Ole Miss might very well be headed to Dallas if they can win the Egg Bowl next week over MSU. They are a formidable team and will present a real challenge for the Big 12 representative.
In the Big 12 the game of the day took place in Norman. Like OU’s last three opponents, the Sooners won handily, 65-21. The Sooners deliberately didn’t put it into the 70s and Texas Tech drove 99 yards for their last cosmetic TD. The game was decided by halftime as 14 quick points were set up with defensive plays. Now “strangeness” happens. Texas has to root for Oklahoma over Oklahoma State and Tech has to root just the opposite. If OU wins we have a three-way tie and BCS rankings (that will include style points) will come into play. If Texas can stay ahead of Oklahoma with style points (who they did beat), the Longhorns will face Missouri if they can beat A&M. If OU loses to the Cowboys, Texas Tech gets the nod for the title game. Baylor could hand it to Texas by beating Tech.
Florida buried The Citadel. Now, you’ll notice that I have Oklahoma jumping from #5 to #2. The reason, Tech beat Texas by 6, Oklahoma beat Tech by 51 (the same as Florida did over a weak Div-IAA foe). Texas took the week off. My new #1 team, Alabama, is unbeaten and displaces Texas Tech who clearly is not. Utah pounded a 10-1 BYU while USC took the week off as well. Penn State moved up because they won a conference-championship game over Michigan State rather handily as well. Boise State struggled against a now 6-5 Nevada. Ohio State crushed a poor Michigan team. I feel Tech dropping from #1 to #10 is legitimate as they are now 10-1 and could still win the Big 12 south.
TCU, finishing 10-2, crushed Air Force who went 8-4 this year in an impressive fashion, 44-10. Missouri took the week off and will host Kansas in Kansas City next week followed by the Big 12 title game, also in Kansas City. Georgia has won two close games since getting crushed by Florida. Oklahoma State at 9-2 will host Oklahoma next week. They can clear up a lot of confusion in the Big 12 south with an upset win over the Sooners. Ball State fought a very spirited game at CMU on Thursday, 31-24, in what amounted to the divisional title game. Host a solid Western Michigan next week. If they take WMU they’ll also be undefeated at 12-0 and probably play Buffalo for the MAC title. Out on the left coast, Oregon State is marching along on a potentially unexpected road to a Pac Ten title and Rose Bowl berth. Oregon would like nothing better than to beat their arch-rival and destroy their Rose Bowl hopes. This might be more difficult as the game will be played in Corvallis.
Northwestern was a major pleasant surprise in the Big Ten as was Michigan State - and Minnesota for several weeks a while back. The Wildcats went 9-3 and will probably play in either the Capital One or Blockbuster Bowl down in Florida. Even though Michigan State beat Iowa, 16-13, in mid-season, the Hawkeyes seem to have played far more impressively than the Spartans (crushed by Ohio State and Michigan State). Iowa upset previously unbeaten Penn State two weeks ago and have pounded most teams since. The Hawkeyes might be preferred by the tier-two Florida bowls over MSU. It appears that either Iowa or Michigan State will head to the Alamo Bowl to play the Big 12 – probably Nebraska. As we all know Minnesota got embarrassed by this same Iowa, 55-0, in their finale. Penn State flattened Michigan State, 49-18 and the Buckeyes buried Michigan in the “House”, 42-7.
Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh – clearly the most marquis in-conference in the Big East this year. If the Bearcats can beat Syracuse next week, they win the Big East and probably the Orange Bowl berth. Florida State crushed Maryland making it an automatic for Boston College to win the division if they can also beast Maryland next week. If they lose the ‘Noles will take the Atlantic. If Virginia Tech beats Virginia and Miami beats NC State we’ll have a similar three-way tie between Georgia Tech- Miami – VPI. Georgia Tech will move up in the real polls as previously #23 Miami will fall (loss to Georgia Tech). Will depend on whether or not VPI is higher ranked than GT – hard call to make. Probably go with VPI to take the Coastal.
Other teams usually not known for their football prowess are: Buffalo and Rice. They’re doing well - also Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Stanford and Duke. Congratulations on your successful turnaround seasons in 2008.
My Top 50:
1. Alabama – Crimson Tide had a bye week. Try to snap a six game losing streak to Auburn next week.
2. Oklahoma – Sooners crush #2 Texas Tech but it be for naught if Texas gets more style points vs. A&M.
3. Florida – Gators crush Citadel by an identical 51 spread as did Oklahoma vs. #2 Texas Tech.
4. Texas – Longhorns had a bye week. Hope for an Oklahoma win next week vs. Okla. State.
5. Utah – Utes crush BYU, 48-24 to go undefeated and secure a BCS bowl bid to Fiesta or Sugar.
6. Southern California – Like Alabama and Texas have a bye week. Host Notre Dame next week.
7. Penn State – Came in favored over Michigan State but routed the Spartans. Secure a Rose Bowl berth.
8. Boise State – On the verge of posting a 12-0 record. Might be odd man out as MWC more impressive.
9. Ohio State – Hand Michigan its worst loss since 50-14 loss in 1968. Might get an at-large BCS bid.
10. Texas Tech – Came in #2 and undefeated in Norman. Totally obliterated by the Sooners, 65-21.
11. TCU – Crush Air Force in the final for both teams, 44-10. Horned Frogs headed to Las Vegas Bowl.
12. Missouri – The Big 12 north champions have a bye week in preparation for hosting Kansas next week.
13. Georgia – Had a bye week in preparation for a what will be a very good game vs. Georgia Tech.
14. Oklahoma State – Had a bye week as well as the Cowboys prepare to host Oklahoma next week.
15. Ball State – Won a very hard fought game at CMU. Can secure an unbeaten season next week vs. WMU.
16. Oregon State – One win away from having the head-to-head advantage over USC and the Rose Bowl.
17. Northwestern – Came in as the underdog to Illinois but won 27-10. Finished 9-3. Bowl bound Wildcats.
18. Cincinnati – A game away from Big East title. Defeated Pitt, 28-21. Win one more and it’s the Orange Bowl.
19. Brigham Young – Clobbered by undefeated Utah in the Holy War. Cougars are now bowl bound at 10-2.
20. Florida State – Completed beat Maryland, 37-3. A BC loss to Maryland will give FSU the Atlantic division title.
21. Oregon – The Civil War next week can have a double helping of sugar. Ducks win and Beavers not in Rose Bowl.
22. Georgia Tech – Ran up 472 rushing yards on Miami. Need for Virginia to beat VPI to clinch the Coastal division.
23. Boston College – Eagles keep in the Atlantic division hunt by edging out Wake Forest, 24-21. If they win at Maryland, they’re Atlantic champions.
24. Iowa – What happened to Minnesota? Hawkeyes trounce the Gophers in Minneapolis, 55-0.
25. California – Win the Big Game over Stanford, 37-16. Fighting for Holiday Bowl berth.
Ranks: 26-50.
Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Mississippi, LSU, North Carolina, Houston, Central Michigan, South Carolina,
Tulsa, Arizona, Maryland, West Virginia, Nebraska, Connecticut, Western Maryland, Rice, Miami (Fla.), Nevada, Western Michigan, Fresno State, Wake Forest, Air Force, Troy, Buffalo.
Washington (-7.5) over Washington State
Fresno State (-2.5) over San Jose State
Brigham Young (+2.5) over Utah
Air Force (+18.5) over TCU
Northwestern (+3) over Illinois
Oklahoma (-7) over Texas Tech
Tennessee (+3) over Vanderbilt
Arkansas (-1) over Mississippi State
LSU (-3.5) over Mississippi
West Virginia (-7) over Louisville
Boston College (+2) over Wake Forest
N.C. State (+11) over North Carolina
Syracuse (+19.5) over Notre Dame
Pittsburgh (+5) over Cincinnati
Above: Dark Green is a win, Dark Red is a loss. Got close on two of the losses. Picked largely against home teams this week. Some of my curious upset picks actually occurred – imagine that!
In many ways what happened to the Washington Huskies today, in their overtime upset loss to an equally poor Washington State, should be quickly forgotten. In all probability they’ll lose the season finale to California next week and wind up 0-12 – the worse BCS level record in 2008. For the next coach to arrive on the Montlake and Washington’s gorgeous campus bordering Lake Washington to the East along and with a huge forested area basically embedded within the campus, coming into a program having gone 0-12 the previous year, is an enviable position. What the president, athletic director and boosters/alums need to do is not settle on a middle-of-the-road coach (Willingham was fired from Notre Dame after his teams lost more and more for three years). They need to pay a coach around $1.5 million a year – the perks and bennies with TV, radio, endorsements etc. will probably double that salary. Get an offensive coordinator from USC as your head coach. Get the DC from Penn State. Hell, pay him $800K/year. Give them full control over the team with the understanding that these folks are in charge. If I was a successful coach I’d welcome this opportunity as you could build a “new” program from the ground up. In five years, you’d be challenging for the Pac Ten title. Stoops, Saban, Mack Brown, Meyer etc. are clear examples of coaches who know how to motivate, generate a loyalty and a focus. Willingham’s main “problem” is that he tried to recruit students as well as athletes. No bloods and krips and problem children on his teams. There were plenty of those in times past at the UW and the blotters are full of former stars who are basically criminals – but they won. At one time this was demanded and now they’ve backed off and it has cost them dearly. I feel for the players who are disgusted with themselves and in a fit of total embarrassment this evening. Go national for your next coach. His motivations and recruiting styles will bring them in. Everybody wants to be with a winner. And the ride to becoming one is where most of the fun takes place as jaws drop, cheers roar from the dejected as they now begin to believe once again. Winning is great but as upset wins accumulate the thrill of victory is much, much sweeter. So long Ty. Now UW fans, embrace your next head man. He will lead you back to the “promised land”. After all, it can’t get worse can it?
In another part of the country, Syracuse’s players won the Orange’s “bowl game” for relieved Coach Robinson with a last minute score over host Notre Dame on the Irish’s “Senior Day” in South Bend, 24-23. They came in a 20 point underdog. Congratulations to Syracuse as they played with a winning attitude and out-muscled their way over the Irish. Congratulations are also in order for Phil Fulmer at Tennessee. For the first time I can ever recall, Vanderbilt came in as the favorite. Since they’re bowl eligible perhaps a bit of relief arrived after their hard fought win over Kentucky this past week and it affected their preparation for their arch-rival. But Tennessee, even at 3-7, has overall better talent than do the Commodores. Not an insult as the ACT/SATs of the Vandy players are collectively much higher and most players there don’t plan on an NFL career after football. They came to Nashville for not only the great music but to get the outstanding education made available to them at Vanderbilt. What is next for Phil Fulmer? Is he just going to retire or possibly try for a media position as the straight detail man on broadcasts? We’ll find out in the near future. And finally, Houston Nutt makes it two-in-a-row over Les Miles (Arkansas last year and now Ole Miss). Looks like the Bayou Bengals, now 3-4/7-4 are out of the Cotton Bowl running and Ole Miss might very well be headed to Dallas if they can win the Egg Bowl next week over MSU. They are a formidable team and will present a real challenge for the Big 12 representative.
In the Big 12 the game of the day took place in Norman. Like OU’s last three opponents, the Sooners won handily, 65-21. The Sooners deliberately didn’t put it into the 70s and Texas Tech drove 99 yards for their last cosmetic TD. The game was decided by halftime as 14 quick points were set up with defensive plays. Now “strangeness” happens. Texas has to root for Oklahoma over Oklahoma State and Tech has to root just the opposite. If OU wins we have a three-way tie and BCS rankings (that will include style points) will come into play. If Texas can stay ahead of Oklahoma with style points (who they did beat), the Longhorns will face Missouri if they can beat A&M. If OU loses to the Cowboys, Texas Tech gets the nod for the title game. Baylor could hand it to Texas by beating Tech.
Florida buried The Citadel. Now, you’ll notice that I have Oklahoma jumping from #5 to #2. The reason, Tech beat Texas by 6, Oklahoma beat Tech by 51 (the same as Florida did over a weak Div-IAA foe). Texas took the week off. My new #1 team, Alabama, is unbeaten and displaces Texas Tech who clearly is not. Utah pounded a 10-1 BYU while USC took the week off as well. Penn State moved up because they won a conference-championship game over Michigan State rather handily as well. Boise State struggled against a now 6-5 Nevada. Ohio State crushed a poor Michigan team. I feel Tech dropping from #1 to #10 is legitimate as they are now 10-1 and could still win the Big 12 south.
TCU, finishing 10-2, crushed Air Force who went 8-4 this year in an impressive fashion, 44-10. Missouri took the week off and will host Kansas in Kansas City next week followed by the Big 12 title game, also in Kansas City. Georgia has won two close games since getting crushed by Florida. Oklahoma State at 9-2 will host Oklahoma next week. They can clear up a lot of confusion in the Big 12 south with an upset win over the Sooners. Ball State fought a very spirited game at CMU on Thursday, 31-24, in what amounted to the divisional title game. Host a solid Western Michigan next week. If they take WMU they’ll also be undefeated at 12-0 and probably play Buffalo for the MAC title. Out on the left coast, Oregon State is marching along on a potentially unexpected road to a Pac Ten title and Rose Bowl berth. Oregon would like nothing better than to beat their arch-rival and destroy their Rose Bowl hopes. This might be more difficult as the game will be played in Corvallis.
Northwestern was a major pleasant surprise in the Big Ten as was Michigan State - and Minnesota for several weeks a while back. The Wildcats went 9-3 and will probably play in either the Capital One or Blockbuster Bowl down in Florida. Even though Michigan State beat Iowa, 16-13, in mid-season, the Hawkeyes seem to have played far more impressively than the Spartans (crushed by Ohio State and Michigan State). Iowa upset previously unbeaten Penn State two weeks ago and have pounded most teams since. The Hawkeyes might be preferred by the tier-two Florida bowls over MSU. It appears that either Iowa or Michigan State will head to the Alamo Bowl to play the Big 12 – probably Nebraska. As we all know Minnesota got embarrassed by this same Iowa, 55-0, in their finale. Penn State flattened Michigan State, 49-18 and the Buckeyes buried Michigan in the “House”, 42-7.
Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh – clearly the most marquis in-conference in the Big East this year. If the Bearcats can beat Syracuse next week, they win the Big East and probably the Orange Bowl berth. Florida State crushed Maryland making it an automatic for Boston College to win the division if they can also beast Maryland next week. If they lose the ‘Noles will take the Atlantic. If Virginia Tech beats Virginia and Miami beats NC State we’ll have a similar three-way tie between Georgia Tech- Miami – VPI. Georgia Tech will move up in the real polls as previously #23 Miami will fall (loss to Georgia Tech). Will depend on whether or not VPI is higher ranked than GT – hard call to make. Probably go with VPI to take the Coastal.
Other teams usually not known for their football prowess are: Buffalo and Rice. They’re doing well - also Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Stanford and Duke. Congratulations on your successful turnaround seasons in 2008.
My Top 50:
1. Alabama – Crimson Tide had a bye week. Try to snap a six game losing streak to Auburn next week.
2. Oklahoma – Sooners crush #2 Texas Tech but it be for naught if Texas gets more style points vs. A&M.
3. Florida – Gators crush Citadel by an identical 51 spread as did Oklahoma vs. #2 Texas Tech.
4. Texas – Longhorns had a bye week. Hope for an Oklahoma win next week vs. Okla. State.
5. Utah – Utes crush BYU, 48-24 to go undefeated and secure a BCS bowl bid to Fiesta or Sugar.
6. Southern California – Like Alabama and Texas have a bye week. Host Notre Dame next week.
7. Penn State – Came in favored over Michigan State but routed the Spartans. Secure a Rose Bowl berth.
8. Boise State – On the verge of posting a 12-0 record. Might be odd man out as MWC more impressive.
9. Ohio State – Hand Michigan its worst loss since 50-14 loss in 1968. Might get an at-large BCS bid.
10. Texas Tech – Came in #2 and undefeated in Norman. Totally obliterated by the Sooners, 65-21.
11. TCU – Crush Air Force in the final for both teams, 44-10. Horned Frogs headed to Las Vegas Bowl.
12. Missouri – The Big 12 north champions have a bye week in preparation for hosting Kansas next week.
13. Georgia – Had a bye week in preparation for a what will be a very good game vs. Georgia Tech.
14. Oklahoma State – Had a bye week as well as the Cowboys prepare to host Oklahoma next week.
15. Ball State – Won a very hard fought game at CMU. Can secure an unbeaten season next week vs. WMU.
16. Oregon State – One win away from having the head-to-head advantage over USC and the Rose Bowl.
17. Northwestern – Came in as the underdog to Illinois but won 27-10. Finished 9-3. Bowl bound Wildcats.
18. Cincinnati – A game away from Big East title. Defeated Pitt, 28-21. Win one more and it’s the Orange Bowl.
19. Brigham Young – Clobbered by undefeated Utah in the Holy War. Cougars are now bowl bound at 10-2.
20. Florida State – Completed beat Maryland, 37-3. A BC loss to Maryland will give FSU the Atlantic division title.
21. Oregon – The Civil War next week can have a double helping of sugar. Ducks win and Beavers not in Rose Bowl.
22. Georgia Tech – Ran up 472 rushing yards on Miami. Need for Virginia to beat VPI to clinch the Coastal division.
23. Boston College – Eagles keep in the Atlantic division hunt by edging out Wake Forest, 24-21. If they win at Maryland, they’re Atlantic champions.
24. Iowa – What happened to Minnesota? Hawkeyes trounce the Gophers in Minneapolis, 55-0.
25. California – Win the Big Game over Stanford, 37-16. Fighting for Holiday Bowl berth.
Ranks: 26-50.
Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Mississippi, LSU, North Carolina, Houston, Central Michigan, South Carolina,
Tulsa, Arizona, Maryland, West Virginia, Nebraska, Connecticut, Western Maryland, Rice, Miami (Fla.), Nevada, Western Michigan, Fresno State, Wake Forest, Air Force, Troy, Buffalo.