COLLEGE FOOTBALL

[ser stiefel]

int!!!!!

[ser stiefel]

5 turnovers for mich. and we still only squeeked by. but it is still a W!

[strike wolf]

I agree with your top 5 teams but not the order.
1. Florida- They're number one until someone can beat them in my opinion, no matter how good bama is playing
2. Alabama- Big wins and playing good
3. Texas- Colt Mccoy is looking good but they haven't been anyone
4. Va Tech- Close loss to Bama and very good wins . Offense looked good today against a boston College team that normally has one of the best defenses in the nation
5.LSU- Will have to prove themselves tonight.

I think theres a huge gap from those 5 to the next tier of undefeated or 1 loss teams. I feel USC can get back in their and Iowa if they can get some big wins in the Big 10.

This is a pretty good order considering the pre-game stats. I don't think my current list differs much from what the AP poll will look like except maybe who's at the top but:

1. Alabama-Still say they are playing better than anyone.
2. Florida-I still don't feel they have earned that number 1 spot in my eyes.
3. Texas-can't justify them being any farther down.
4. VT-best 1 loss team out there.
5. Boise State-Udefeated and beat a good Oregon team. BCS BUSTER!

[strike wolf]

I'd also like to say my top 5 currently looks like this:
1. Alabama-Playing as well as anyone right now with the best defense in teh country
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. VT-Despite being a one loss team, their only loss came to Alabama in what despite the score was a very well played game with good defense and they have looked impressive over everyone they have played since.
5. LSU-simply for still being an undefeated team in the SEC.

I'd probably have to agree with these also, seems to be the prevailing opinion. But my wishful thinking would like to see Iowa on that list (I admit to it being wishful, ok?) or at least with Ohio State representing the big 10. Truth be told, we are just happy to be in the top 25 when it happens.

Simply because they are undefeated and they beat Penn St. I would say that Iowa would probably be between 7-9 in my rankings. If they can continue to win I think they could move up a bit though.

[oVo]

We know who the better teams are but the jury is still out on who is the best. There will be plenty of evidence presented in the coming weeks to help sort that puzzle out.

1. Florida - has Arkansas, Miss.State, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida State
and quite possibly an SEC Title Game rematch with Alabama.

2. Texas - has Oklahoma, Missouri, OK State, Kansas, Texas A&M
and possibly a Big 12 Title Game with Nebraska.

3. Alabama - has South Carolina, Tennessee, LSU, Miss.State, Auburn
and a potential date with Florida in their future.

( ? ) LSU - How much Ranking damage does losing to the #1 team 13-3 inflict?

( ? ) VA Tech - I still have doubts about, but getting dominated by Nebraska in week 3 definitely seems to have woken them up. The Cornhuskers settled for 5 red zone FGs and the Hokies salvaged the win with a desperation bomb that allowed them to score a TD with 21 secs remaining. Two big games remain for them, Georgia Tech and the ACC Title Game.

( ? ) Boise State is 5-0 and opened the season with a quality home win against Oregon 19-8. That's the only challenging game on their schedule. So how good is this team? After Oregon the teams they beat have a record of 6-15 and even those 6 wins are against the cupcakes of the cupcakes. It's hard to rate these guys highly with no tough games on their schedule. The only thing that makes them look good now is Oregon doing well.

( ? ) USC is 4-1 After slipping past Ohio State then letting a vastly improved Washington team slip past them with a game ending field goal. They stomped a ranked Cal team and have Notre Dame and Oregon coming up.

( ? ) Cincinnati is 5-0 but haven't really played a significant opponent, with South Florida, West Virginia and Pittsburgh on the horizon.

( ? ) TCU is unbeaten, with BYU and Utah ahead, but their strength of schedule isn't a killer either.

( ? ) Iowa is also unbeaten with good wins over Penn State (in Happy Valley) and now Michigan. We'll find out in the coming weeks if the Hawkeyes are for real as they go on the road against Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State. Hard to figure is how Arkansas State hung close with this team at Iowa a week ago?

( ? ) Ohio State is 4-1 with big games remaining against Penn State, Iowa and Michigan.

Kansas and South Florida are also unbeaten... with their biggest games yet to be played...
and Nebraska is easily one of the best 1 loss teams after letting the Hokies off the hook.

[strike wolf]

( ? ) LSU - How much Ranking damage does losing to the #1 team 13-3 inflict?

Considering a 20-13 loss landed #18 Georgia out of the top 25 after losing to the #4 team (not that Georgia would still be in the top 25 after this week anyways ), I imagine it lands them outside the top 10 at least.]

The reason I think that Alabama is #1 is who they have played and beaten. they played and beat a very impressive VT team (ranked 7 at the time #5 this week and probably #4 once the newest standings come out) and an Ole Miss team that was ranked as high as #4 was #20 this week and a team that I believe is top 25 caliber if not top 20 in a game where Alabama really beat them on every side of the ball, making plays on offense, defense and special teams. I haven't seen any other undefeated team that's played that tough of a schedule yet as the closest would probably Florida who played what was in my opinion an overrated LSU team. Also, just watching Alabama compared other teams in the top 5 they just look better than them. the biggest problem I saw with Alabama was a lack of great play calling when they get into the red zone. I can understand they want to get it to Julio Jones their best playmaker, but they are by nature a tough physical running team and they should have ran it more on first and goal or even second and goal so they don't end up puttin themselves in situations where they would pretty much have to try for a pass to get the touchdown.

[oVo]

You have to give Mississippi's defense some credit for Bama's red zone failings.
It's amazing that they kept their team in the game for as long as they did with
the miserable start their offense had. Ole Miss had their backs to the wall and
the offense, particularly their receivers did them no favors at all.

To Alabama's credit their defense really kept Mississippi bottled up and the
offense never got close to finding any momentum until the third quarter. The
pace and energy of the game played right into the Crimson Tide's hands and
the forced turnovers were huge preventing any chance of a comeback.

Florida whupped up on Kentucky (who took South Carolina right down to the wire)
held Tennessee at bay and handed LSU their first loss in Death Valley...
so they are nothing to sneeze at and have also earned their high marks.

While Terelle Pryor at Ohio State has been underwhelming for the most part, the
Buckeyes are still a team to be reckoned with... like so many of the one loss
teams out there. Va Tech, Nebraska, Oregon, USC, LSU

There are still some defining games to be played by the best programs out there
and I think it is unfortunate that Boise State has no challenges coming up. It would
have been so much better if they had the strength of schedule to prove they are
deserving of their rank and justify their position in the pecking order.

Both Tennessee and Missouri are loaded with underclassman starters and while they
aren't likely to finish on top this year, should terrorize their respective conferences
in the near future.

[strike wolf]

You have to give Mississippi's defense some credit for Bama's red zone failings.
It's amazing that they kept their team in the game for as long as they did with
the miserable start their offense had. Ole Miss had their backs to the wall and
the offense, particularly their receivers did them no favors at all.

I do give them some credit, but any time Julio Jones is triple covered in the endzone...someone has to be open. Ole Miss played great defense in the red zone, I just happen to think that Alabama should have scored one touchdown while in it but didn't capitalize.

To Alabama's credit their defense really kept Mississippi bottled up and the
offense never got close to finding any momentum until the third quarter. The
pace and energy of the game played right into the Crimson Tide's hands and
the forced turnovers were huge preventing any chance of a comeback.

that's another reason I think Alabama's the #1 team. Only one of those interceptions was right to the defender, two of the others were circus style catches with all the bobbling and a great diving catch by I think one of the safeties (not to mention that Alabama contended passes very well in that game, making great efforts to keep the receiver from gaining out right possession even when they were not in position to knock it away before the receiver caught it, a sign of good coaching). Even that one that was right to the defender was a great job of reading th play and falling into the right area to make the interception. Alabama's great at making the big turnovers and don't give up the ball very often (Ingram has never fumbled in over 200 carries) amd that can be a huge difference maker in games.

Florida whupped up on Kentucky (who took South Carolina right down to the wire)
held Tennessee at bay and handed LSU their first loss in Death Valley...
so they are nothing to sneeze at and have also earned their high marks.

Florida is definitely a top 3 team and in my opinion currently the number 2 team in the country. I just happen to feel Alabama is better.

I don't know about Missouri this year, I haven't followed them but as for Tennessee. if they could find a truely competent QB I think they would be in good shape.

[oVo]

Only one of the Bama INTs was the Rebel QB's fault and as you said it was a great read on defense to make that happen. The others were mishandled balls by receivers, who have to do a better job on the field if they expect to compete with the likes of Alabama. Ingram did fumble once yesterday, but the Tide maintained possession.

I do believe there's enough SEC and Big 12 matchups on the schedule to sort the rankings out by New Years Day.

[strike wolf]

Only one of the Bama INTs was the Rebel QB's fault and as you said it was a great read on defense to make that happen. The others were mishandled balls by receivers, who have to do a better job on the field if they expect to compete with the likes of Alabama. Ingram did fumble once yesterday, but the Tide maintained possession.

I do believe there's enough SEC and Big 12 matchups on the schedule to sort the rankings out by New Years Day.

Actually, two were mishandled by receivers, one was a player with a great read jumping in front of the pass and the third was a throw away pass on third and long that Snead tried to throw away and the defender was able to dive down and grab. As for the rebels early offensive troubles, a lot of that was good play calling by Bama's defensive Coordinator that kept them off balance.

Also, you have to remember that this is a Bama team that held a highly talented Arkansas offense to 7 points, the only time they have been held to below 40 all year (Arkansas is averaging 37.4 ppg over the course of 5 games, 45 ppg not including the Bama game, 30.6 ppg in SEC games (3) and 42.5 ppg in SEC games that were not against Bama so it's not like they were just beating up on cupcake teams.)

P.S. that was Richardson who fumbled not Ingram.

[strike wolf]

I'd like to correct myself. the first interception wasn't supposed to be a throw away pass. it was just well over the head of the intended receiver.

[muy_thaiguy]

Well, due to the Cowboys win yesterday, that makes us 2-0 in the MWC, making us, by default, in 1st. How long it will last, well, we face Air Force next weekend, so we'll see.

[oVo]

I believe Ingram fumbled earlier, his first in 250+ carries, recovered by Alabama
and it was Richardson who coughed it up in the Rebels red zone.

Enjoy the moment muy_thaiguy... it might be all downhill from here.

[muy_thaiguy]

I believe Ingram fumbled earlier, his first in 250+ carries, recovered by Alabama
and it was Richardson who coughed it up in the Rebels red zone.

Enjoy the moment muy_thaiguy... it might be all downhill from here.

Maybe, but the only way to see is when we play Air Force next weekend.

[strike wolf]

I believe Ingram fumbled earlier, his first in 250+ carries, recovered by Alabama
and it was Richardson who coughed it up in the Rebels red zone.

Enjoy the moment muy_thaiguy... it might be all downhill from here.

actually that might be right. What I meant to say is that he hasn't had a fumble lost yet. I don't remember him fumbling but I can't remember every single play that happened in that game.

[oVo]

Week 5 AP Rankings
1. Florida 5-0 vs Arkansas
2. Alabama 6-0 vs #22 South Carolina
3. Texas 5-0 vs #20 Oklahoma
4. Virginia Tech 5-1 @ #19 Georgia Tech
5. Boise State 5-0 @ Tulsa
6. USC 4-1 @ #25 Notre Dame
7. Ohio State 5-1 @ Purdue
8. Cincinnati 5-0 @ #21 South Florida
9. Miami (FL) 4-1 @ UCF
10. LSU 5-1 vs Auburn in 2 wks
11. Iowa 6-0 @ Wisconsin
12. TCU 5-0 vs Colorado State
13. Oregon 5-1 @ Washington in 2 wks
14. Penn State 5-1 vs Minnesota
15. Nebraska 4-1 vs Texas Tech
16. Oklahoma State 4-1 vs Missouri
17. Kansas 5-0 @ Colorado
18. Brigham Young 5-1 @ San Diego State
19. Georgia Tech 5-1
20. Oklahoma 3-2
21. South Florida 5-0
22. South Carolina 5-1
23. Houston 4-1 @ Tulane
24. Utah 4-1 @ UNLV
25, Notre Dame 4-1
UR. Wyoming 4-2 @ Air Force
UR. Georgia 3-3 @ Vanderbilt

dropped out: Auburn (5-1), Mississippi (3-2) and Missouri (4-1)

[strike wolf]

I really can't see any upsets happening in the top 5 this week or at least I feel they all have about the same chances of losing. I don't see Texas losing to Oklahoma as Oklahoma's struggling offensive line is up against a defense that has sucess with the pass rush. Arkansas should challenge Florida's defense but I don't see them winning a shoot out against Florida. I don't think South Carolina's clicking well enough on offense yet to deal with a stubborn Alabama defense. I think VT's defense should be good enough to stop Paul Johnson's triple option attack. And I don't see Boise losing to Tulsa.

I guess if I had to pick a team to be upset, I'd reluctantly say VT.

[oVo]

It could be an interesting weekend, IF Mallett can put together another game like he did against Auburn, Florida might have their hands full. SC at Bama should be another defensive tug of war determined by special team play and who makes the fewest mistakes. The Longhorns handled the Sooners last year in Dallas and should take care of business again, but it's The Red River Shootout and anything can happen when these rivals meet. VaTech/GaTech should be a good one too. Boise State can only beat themselves now as they have no legit challenges remaining. USC at the Fighting Irish also has promise to be a good one. Cincy at S.Florida is for the Big East Lead and is also a good matchup that could knock the Bearcats out of the top 10 and Iowa will be tested traveling to Wisconsin.

I don't expect any top 5 upsets either, but only Boise State has a patsy game.

[strike wolf]

It could be an interesting weekend, IF Mallett can put together another game like he did against Auburn, Florida might have their hands full. SC at Bama should be another defensive tug of war determined by special team play and who makes the fewest mistakes. The Longhorns handled the Sooners last year in Dallas and should take care of business again, but it's The Red River Shootout and anything can happen when these rivals meet. VaTech/GaTech should be a good one too. Boise State can only beat themselves now as they have no legit challenges remaining. USC at the Fighting Irish also has promise to be a good one. Cincy at S.Florida is for the Big East Lead and is also a good matchup that could knock the Bearcats out of the top 10 and Iowa will be tested traveling to Wisconsin.

I don't expect any top 5 upsets either, but only Boise State has a patsy game.

True. I believe Florida will win because i don't think that the Arkansas defense is consistant enough to keep them from outscoring the Florida offense, SC and Alabama will likely be a field position battle as both have stubborn defenses. Though SC's defense isn't without it's cracks giving up 26 points to Kentucky and over 40 to Georgia. In the end, I expect it will come down to Alabama winning the turnover battle. Rivalry games usually are fairly hard to predict but in this situation I just don't see Oklahoma having enough going on to upset Texas. And like you said a patsy game for Boise. I admit I don't know enough about South Florida or Iowa to speculate on either the Cincy or Iowa-Wisconsin game, though it did appear that Wisconsin gave Ohio State a run for thei money in the first half.

[Serbia]

Michigan should get back on the winning track this week. They play Delaware State.

And if the Wolverines lose, I'll use an Ohio State avatar until after the National Championship game.

[oVo]

If MICHIGAN loses to Delaware State the Wolverines will be scheduling high schools next year looking for some wins. Playing the cupcake of cupcakes mid season at home is pretty much like have a bye week, and with everyone but Boise State playing "real" games is almost embarrassing. They lose this one and the coaching staff will be jumping off the top of the stadium when the clock zeroes out.

#8 Cincinnati won at Rutgers and at Oregon State while #21 South Florida won at Florida State
and the Bulls are at home for this one.

[Woodruff]

I believe Ingram fumbled earlier, his first in 250+ carries, recovered by Alabama
and it was Richardson who coughed it up in the Rebels red zone.

Enjoy the moment muy_thaiguy... it might be all downhill from here.

Maybe, but the only way to see is when we play Air Force next weekend.

BRING BACK FISHER DEBERRY, DAMNIT!!!! (I want my FlexBone back...)

[muy_thaiguy]

I believe Ingram fumbled earlier, his first in 250+ carries, recovered by Alabama
and it was Richardson who coughed it up in the Rebels red zone.

Enjoy the moment muy_thaiguy... it might be all downhill from here.

Maybe, but the only way to see is when we play Air Force next weekend.

BRING BACK FISHER DEBERRY, DAMNIT!!!! (I want my FlexBone back...)

Nah, no need for that.

[Woodruff]

I believe Ingram fumbled earlier, his first in 250+ carries, recovered by Alabama
and it was Richardson who coughed it up in the Rebels red zone.

Enjoy the moment muy_thaiguy... it might be all downhill from here.

Maybe, but the only way to see is when we play Air Force next weekend.

BRING BACK FISHER DEBERRY, DAMNIT!!!! (I want my FlexBone back...)

Nah, no need for that.

I can smell your fear of The DeBerry!

[muy_thaiguy]

I believe Ingram fumbled earlier, his first in 250+ carries, recovered by Alabama
and it was Richardson who coughed it up in the Rebels red zone.

Enjoy the moment muy_thaiguy... it might be all downhill from here.

Maybe, but the only way to see is when we play Air Force next weekend.

BRING BACK FISHER DEBERRY, DAMNIT!!!! (I want my FlexBone back...)

Nah, no need for that.

I can smell your fear of The DeBerry!

Didn't the Cowboys beat Air Force in 2005 when he was still head coach?