This was a week with little national implications, and as I stated last week it was a bit boring. However, I come to this blog bearing many thoughts as I got a pretty good idea how a lot of things could play out the rest of the season.
I'll start off by commenting on my favorite teams, USF and Miami. From what I can see, USF has counted their losses (now 4) and given up on the season. I witnessed a team that has lost all of their heart and pride in the last three games they have played, especially in yesterday's 49-16 loss to a Rutgers team that came into the game 4-5. Head coach Jim Leavitt has lost complete control of a squad that many considered seasoned veterans. We returned 10 starters on offense and cannot move the ball. Quarterback Matt Grothe has been figured out by the all the defenses and his legs are as much a threat as his arm, and by throwing eight interceptions in the last three games you get a sense of how much of a threat that is. I am completely behind a change in the program's direction, and if that means canning the beloved Leavitt so be it. Unfortunately I do not think they will change a damn thing because he is already the highest paid coach in the Big East and the school will not be willing to fund a buyout and go for anyone better. This team does not deserve a bowl game, although it will be tough for the St. Pete Bowl to pass on us because of the proximity to the school.
Miami on the other hand looks to be headed in the opposite direction. It will not be long before The U is a top power again. They defeated a very respectable Virginia Tech team 16-14 on Thursday night, a game in which I felt would prove whether they were ready to compete for an ACC title this year. Sure enough they control their own destiny as the leaders of the Coastal division. Win out and they are in the conference championship. This coming Thursday at Georgia Tech will be another tough challenge. I am a bit nervous about this one since Tech is the 14th team in total defense and the Canes have struggled to move the ball (100th in total offense). Fortunately Miami boasts an even tougher defense, 10th, while doing particularly well against the run which is all the Jackets have. Should be a great, LOW SCORING, game. I say something in the realm of 25-30 points and either team can walk away victorious.
Staying in the ACC, Florida State shot themselves in the foot during a game they needed badly losing to Boston College 27-17. They now have to beat Maryland in College Park, and hope Maryland beats Boston College and Boston College beats Wake Forest for them to earn a bid in the ACC Championship (I stand corrected Matt). I'm hoping they can pull it off because I want Miami to get another shot at them. The problem with the Noles seems to be Rick Trickett's little offensive linemen philosophy clashing with Jimbo Fisher's game plan, and since Jimbo Fisher is the head coach in waiting it may be bye-bye for Trickett. When your punter is the leading rusher in a game you certainly have a problem. Quarterback Chrisitian Ponder is looking like the second coming Chris Rix.
The last team I am going to spend a little time on is the Florida Gators. Two weeks ago I said I expect to see this team in the BCS Championship, and after yesterday's beat down 56-6 of #24 South Carolina (a game that was supposed to be one of the week's best). They took it to the Old Ball Coach accumulating 351 yards on the ground. If Florida keeps riding this domination train, there is not a team in the nation that will be able to contend with them. As my friend Matt stated they reminded him of another UF team that dominated after losing a fluke game. Alabama will lose to them in the SEC title game, and the Gators will be playing in Miami on January 8.
There were another couple notable games, but the top half of the polls got through yesterday unscathed. As stated earlier, the ACC saw another shakeup this week with Maryland upsetting #17 North Carolina 17-15, and North Carolina State defeating Wake Forest 21-17 (FSU should be kissing the Wolfpack's asses right now). #23 Tulsa gets a taste of their own medicine, getting railed by Houston 70-30. Thought I was looking at a basketball stat line from the 80s. #13 Georgia Squeaked by an awful Auburn team 17-13. Guess the Dawgs are not the team we all thought they would be. How overrated is Matthew Stafford? LSU has been another SEC let down. Yesterday they had to come back from 28 down against...dare I say?...Troy to win 40-31. First time in quite a few years the SEC has not been the top conference in the land. The Big 12 will hold that trophy this season.
In news off the field, Syracuse coach Greg Robinson was unsurprisingly fired. I feel bad for the guy taking over that position. In a basketball dominated school with some of the worse weather it is remarkable the Orange were ever relevant in the college football world. How do you recruit anyone to go there? Not since the departure of Donovan McNabb has anyone cared about this team.
Stay tuned this week as we have several awesome games. The nation will be tuned in to Texas Tech at Oklahoma for a prime time match up, a game that will have the biggest national implications so far this season. Michigan State takes on Penn State in a game to determine the Big 10 Champion. If Penn State wins it is theirs. If Michigan State wins and Ohio State lays an egg against Michigan we will see the Spartans in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State can take the crown if they defeat Michigan and Michigan State wins. BYU and Utah will battle it out for the Mountain West Conference. A Utes victory almost guarantees them a BCS bowl. The top two teams in the Big East go head to head as Pitt visits Cincinnati.
Here is my new Top 25:
1. Texas Tech
2. Alabama
3. Florida
4. Texas
5. Oklahoma
6. USC
7. Utah
8. Boise State
9. Penn State
10. Oklahoma State
11. Missouri
12. Georgia
13. Ohio State
14. Michigan State
15. Ball State
16. Pittsburgh
17. TCU
18. Cincinnati
19. Georgia Tech
20. LSU
21. Maryland
22. Oregon State
23. North Carolina
24. Miami
25. Northwestern
No comments:
Post a Comment