Monday, October 31
Road to Pasadena Halloween
We are down to just five unbeatens. And I think only three are for real. Another Saturday with limited upsets. Maybe we shouldn’t rank teams until October. Then we wouldn’t have so many surprises in August and September when teams are still trying to find their true identities. Anyway, USC, Texas and Virginia Tech all win and give us more to talk about for another week.
Tier 1—The Favorites
1. USC—cruised past Washington State at home. Leinart had an excellent game. Could he siphon enough votes from Bush for a Vince Young Heisman victory? Next up those pesky Stanford Cardinal before a tough stretch to finish the season with Cal, Fresno State, and UCLA.
2. Texas—it was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Texas played like two different teams on Saturday night. The Horns suffer slightly in both polls, but will still be in the top 2 in the BCS. Is anyone extremely uncomfortable with Lou Holtz’s pro-Texas babbling on ESPN? Next up a “road” game in Waco vs. Baylor.
3. Va Tech—got a half-statement win on national tv on Thursday night. The Hokies have another huge chance to impress voters and the computers when Miami visits this Saturday. Even if they get past the Hurricanes a perfect season is long from assured. Games with Virginia, North Carolina, and probably Florida State remain before bowl season.
Tier 2—The Contenders
1. Alabama—cruised past Utah State at home, 35-3. Another weak opponent in Mississippi State this week before the Tide face their true tests in LSU and Auburn. Still betting heavily against an undefeated season.
2. UCLA—won again in the fourth quarter at Stanford. Can someone please tell the Bruins when the game actually starts? Late game comebacks are fun to watch but too tough on the stomach. Bruins are correctly ranked below some one loss teams.
Tier 3—Need Help
1. 1 Loss Teams—Best one loss teams in order: Miami, LSU, Florida State, Georgia Penn State, Wisconsin, and Oregon.
2. 2 Loss Teams—Notre Dame: the computers still hate them. A BCS berth may rest in the land of computer code. The Irish should easily win out though. Anyone else shocked by a Charlie Weis’ ten year deal? Ohio State: gets Illinois this weekend after outscoring Minnesota on Saturday. Three more wins and the Buckeyes most likely grab a BCS berth.
--AW--
Tier 1—The Favorites
1. USC—cruised past Washington State at home. Leinart had an excellent game. Could he siphon enough votes from Bush for a Vince Young Heisman victory? Next up those pesky Stanford Cardinal before a tough stretch to finish the season with Cal, Fresno State, and UCLA.
2. Texas—it was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Texas played like two different teams on Saturday night. The Horns suffer slightly in both polls, but will still be in the top 2 in the BCS. Is anyone extremely uncomfortable with Lou Holtz’s pro-Texas babbling on ESPN? Next up a “road” game in Waco vs. Baylor.
3. Va Tech—got a half-statement win on national tv on Thursday night. The Hokies have another huge chance to impress voters and the computers when Miami visits this Saturday. Even if they get past the Hurricanes a perfect season is long from assured. Games with Virginia, North Carolina, and probably Florida State remain before bowl season.
Tier 2—The Contenders
1. Alabama—cruised past Utah State at home, 35-3. Another weak opponent in Mississippi State this week before the Tide face their true tests in LSU and Auburn. Still betting heavily against an undefeated season.
2. UCLA—won again in the fourth quarter at Stanford. Can someone please tell the Bruins when the game actually starts? Late game comebacks are fun to watch but too tough on the stomach. Bruins are correctly ranked below some one loss teams.
Tier 3—Need Help
1. 1 Loss Teams—Best one loss teams in order: Miami, LSU, Florida State, Georgia Penn State, Wisconsin, and Oregon.
2. 2 Loss Teams—Notre Dame: the computers still hate them. A BCS berth may rest in the land of computer code. The Irish should easily win out though. Anyone else shocked by a Charlie Weis’ ten year deal? Ohio State: gets Illinois this weekend after outscoring Minnesota on Saturday. Three more wins and the Buckeyes most likely grab a BCS berth.
--AW--
