Time to take another look at the top teams in the country and label them their true status of pretender or contender...
Oklahoma: Contender. Sure, they played Baylor, but so what? They put on another dominating performance.
Alabama: Contender. While they struggled mightily against a Kentucky team that always seems to show up in big games, can we assume the Tide was just a little hung over from their win against Georgia?
LSU: On the fence. The Tigers were on a bye, but I'm still not impressed with their QB play. This is the one area that may do them in next week against Florida. I have them dropping in the rankings this week. Byes can be a killer when Mizzou is playing lights out.
Mizzou: Contender. Heck, the Tigers look just as strong as the Sooners, and actually have played stronger teams than the Sooners. They should move up.
Texas: Contender. Finally, Colt McCoy has officially recovered from his sophomore slump, and the Red River Rivalry all of a sudden looks to be the new "game of the century."
Penn State: Contender. The Nits look better than LSU, and I don't understand why they are ranked below the Tigers. Big Ten backlash?
Texas Tech: Pretender. The Red Raiders have a prolific offense, but the D will not be able to hide anymore when the Red Raiders play Texas on Nov. 1. Until that date, they will probably be undefeated.
BYU: Contender. Yeah, OK, big deal, they beat Utah State 34-14, and next week they play New Mexico. The soft part of the schedule comes up, and they may actually get dropped down a few notches if they don't start dominating these cupcakes more.
USC: Contender. Was the Oregon State game a hiccup? Or was the Oregon game a hiccup for the Ducks? Hard to tell. If the Trojans play ASU like they did the Ducks, then it's the former, not latter. The fact that the Trojans bounced back big after the Beavers loss means they are mad.
South Florida: Pretender. Grothe simply hasn't lived up to the potential he showed in his freshman year.
Georgia: Pretender. They were exposed in the 'Bama game, and really, the signs were there before that game. This week they get the Vols, and if the Dawgs don't beat them by 18+, they may actually drop in the rankings, even if they win.
Florida: Hesitant Contender. The Gators' O just isn't jelling, but they are winning, aren't they? This week they host LSU, and even though it's not a divisional game, the magnitude of its importance is not overlooked; the pretender will get exposed.
Auburn: Pretender. The spread isn't working, and Auburn fans have to be pretty ticked at the OC right now. Even though the Tigers have only one divisional loss (to LSU) they struggled against Missy State and Tennessee before finally getting exposed at Vanderbilt.
Ohio State: On the fence.
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3 months ago
While I was writing this, the rankings came out, and Ball State is #25. Hooray!
3 months ago
Javon Ringer might have 6,000 carries this season. Sooner or later Hoyer is going to have to make some plays.
from 3 months ago
marcus-
Well, so far he hasn't been needed, but yes, the passing game is unsettling.
from 3 months ago
Hoyer's been making plays the last couple of weeks. His numbers aren't flashy but he's been effective. Stays away from sacks, and has very few picks this season.
3 months ago
Great article, it's good to finally see some love for my Michigan State Spartans. Great article. Ringer is the carry load for the Spartans and as proven this past week against a good Hawkeye team, he had a "decent" game with 25 carries for just 91 yards, the rest of the team stepped up especially on the defensive side of the ball. Hoyer is nothing great but he does just enough for the offense to give them a chance. We'll see more of that now with the tougher part of the schedule coming up.
from 3 months ago
crossing my fingers for ya Marcus!
3 months ago
"Utah- Pretender. They beat Oregon State in a last second field goal, but the Beavers game is the only real competition they have faced..."
They beat Michigan @ the Big House. I know it's not a normal Michigan team, but the defense at UM is still fairly solid. Utah has done just as much - if not more - to impress than BYU, so I don't understand why BYU is a contender and Utah is a pretender, unless you're just looking at preseason rankings.
"Michigan State- Contender. Sparty is the second best team in the Big Ten- behind Penn State. You heard it here a few weeks ago, and I'm sticking to it."
MSU fans don't even believe that. They have a decent schedule getting OSU and Wisky at home, but they beat Iowa at home by a mere field goal. There's a lot of weakness with the passing game and it's bound to be exposed in one game of the next four, if not two.
from 3 months ago
BYU has the more difficult schedule. That's all. I have watched both teams play, and BYU looks much better to me, even with that close call in Seattle.
As far as MSU....if you have a strong running game, then u don't need a strong passing game unless you fall behind. So far, MSU looks good.
from 3 months ago
"MSU fans don't even believe that. They have a decent schedule getting OSU and Wisky at home, but they beat Iowa at home by a mere field goal."
Most of the Sparty fans in my office have a 'reserved hope'... The comment from one of the more avid officemates was "I'm not making any predictions this year, we don't have any depth."
I think the Big Ten is on its way up... Unless the Buckeye defense (playcalling?) steps it up a few notches soon, Michigan State and Penn State could spoil the B10 championship hopes.
from 3 months ago
I'm an MSU fan and I believe it. The Iowa win didn't show me a struggling team, it showed me a team that has finally learned to make big stops at the end and win close games. I think they've made the leap from "pleasant surprise" to "new year's day bowl contender".
3 months ago
Finally some UNC love, great game to be at and can't wait to sit in the stands for the ND game!
from 3 months ago
Hey...this a big game for both programs! Good luck.
3 months ago
Lisa , I am glad to see you have joined the"dark side". Roll Tide!
from 3 months ago
Haven't joined any side....lmao! I just call 'em like I see 'em.
The teams listed were mostly in order on how they were ranked last week. I noticed some changes. I would have had ND in top 25, but they are suffering from the same backlash as Ohio State.
3 months ago
Thanks for the props to Bama, Lisa. Everyone who was anyone was saying the Kentucky game could be a trap game for the Tide, and they were correct. There have been two telling games for Alabama this season thus far: Tulane and Kentucky. Both were after victories few thought Bama would achieve, Clemson and Georgia. CNS has much to work on, but this team has made me a happy man this year so far. Roll Tide!!!
from 3 months ago
Good to see happy Bama fans....but I'm concerned about Missy State. It's tough with a bullseye on your back, and I see that game as a tough slug fest. Hope Nick keeps them focused.
from 3 months ago
Bama has drawn a target of their own on Ms. State's back...they've beaten us two years in a row. Not gonna happen this year.
from 3 months ago
Just a side note, if I may - Nick Saban had the Miss State score posted on every player's locker entering this season to remind them of what happened last year. If they lose to State, Saban may possible explode, literally, right there on the sidelines.
3 months ago
Michigan State is a contender for what? The very down and bad Big Ten? Only Penn State looks good.
Finally, don't forget Texas Tech has beaten Oklahoma two of the last three. Ok, I don't think we will win in Norman, but it wouldn't be a shock.
14 points given up this week weren't the fault of the d. Tech's first team d held a very good KState offense to 14 points at home.
from 3 months ago
Bry-
The reason why I have Tech as a pretender is that their sked doesn't really get interesting until Nov 1st. And I think they lose that game against Texas and the one against OU. The Red Raiders also had two FCS teams....UMass and E. Wash as non-conf games while MSU had Cal and Notre Dame.
MSU is a contender because they have played some good teams. I think the word "bad" is not appropriate to describe the Big Ten. Maybe a bit down, but bad? Hardly.
from 3 months ago
Not sure if you can compare T-Tech's non-conf games to the practice games MSU had against Cal and Notre Dame. Cal was good for just over a year, and lets face it......the Irish are a joke with a highly overpaid coach. Lets let the standings show us the best teams so far, and pray for a playoff type system soon! Until then GO BIG RED, and if they cant..then VIVA LA BIG XII!!!!
from 3 months ago
Tech only had UMASS until TULSA took the easier game and backed out (so they could make more money and play a much weaker Arkansas team..... yes the coach of Tulsa Todd Graham is a huge D-bag.. just ask Rice and anyone else that has worked with him or met him)on Tech after last season was over. It was very, very, late.. in fact so late that most people don't have the gall or the bad manners to back out at such a late date. But Todd has no scruples...
Surprisingly on short notice there weren't a lot of D1 teams that wanted to or even had the open date to come play Tech in Lubbock. AD Myers tried to get a better team. Now actually Eastern Washington is better than SMU and might be able to beat Nevada also. They almost won in Colorado the week after playing Tech.
3 months ago
Good list as usual.
I don't know much about Vanderbilt, but do they have any real rivals? I can see Tennessee maybe because they are in state. But aren't they just everyone's whipping boy? That's different from a rivalry.
from 3 months ago
The Vols are Vandy's rivalry, and this year, yes, the Vols are down. However, as a USC fan, I remember UCLA beating the Trojans when the Bruins were in a down year. ANYthing can happen in rivalry games.
3 months ago
I finally got a chance to see a bit of Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri this weekend. Looks great, but I want to see them score points when there is a defensive line coming at them and some speed in the defensive secondary. All of sudden those guys aren't wide open all the time, or if they are you can't find them. Then all of sudden you aren't up by 28 points. Now they're coming out you and you have to start trying to force the ball into places it doesn't belong. Turns around quickly on these guys, you watch.
3 months ago
Lisa,
Thanks for the Michigan State love, but I must admit next Saturday's game in Evanston has me sweating bullets.
3 months ago
I have to somewhat agree with you Lisa about Ohio State being on the fence. I think they get a step better each week but until they (hopefully) beat Penn State on October 25th I won't be completely convinced.
It is hard to believe that last year was supposed to just be a warm up for this year. The O and D lines just haven't gelled yet. Beanie is for real and Pryor is well on his way.
from 3 months ago
Doug-
Don't get me wrong. The Bucks are a good team. A very good team. But I don't think they get past Penn State, Michigan State and dang it, there's always Michigan. Three losses should keep them out of it. :(
from 3 months ago
Multiple omissions of Illinois. People seem to forget about the ole Fightin' Illini. Granted, we are 3-2, with two are our wins being against Louisiana-Lafayete and Eastern Illiniois, but out two defeats are against Mizzou and Penn State.
Our Big 10 schedule didn't help us any, starting back-to-back road games at Penn State and Michigan. Not to mention, we destroyed Michigan. Behind Penn State, I could easily argue the point that Illinois has the best offense in the Big 10. The defense is lackluster, but slowly improving, or else it seemed to be improving during the Michigan game.
In the context of this specific thread, Ohio State could very easily lose to Illinois. We went into the Horseshoe last year and upset OSU, then ranked #1. This year, they come to Champaign. Easily looking at another loss for OSU.
Furthermore, don't be surprised to see the Illini run the table the rest of the way in the Big 10. Home games against Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio State. Road Games at Wisconsin and Northwestern with a non-conference game squeezed in at Detroit against Western Michigan. Three scary games left, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Northwestern. I already addressed OSU, Wisconsin is falling apart offensively, and lost to Michigan. Their QB is not able to get the job done effectively. Finally, Northwestern is tough, but definitely winnable. Don't count us out...atleast not yet.
3 months ago
I would say that Oklahoma is a pretender seeing how they haven't played anyone with talent yet this year.
3 months ago
Lis, youre contradicting yourself here... once you say Tech will be unbeaten till they play the Sooners (which means they beat Texas) and then you say the Longhorns will beat Tech (Tech plays Longhorns BEFORE they play the Sooners).
So which one is it?
from 3 months ago
I said they will be unbeaten until Nov 1st....that's when they play Texas. They will lose to Oklahoma AFTER that Texas game. They play the Sooners on Nov. 22nd.
from 3 months ago
I see where I made you confused.
In the article, I said they would be unbeaten until Nov 1st. But I had the Sooners listed as that game, when it was Texas. My bad. I corrected it. I have the Red Raiders being unbeaten until Nov 1st, when they play Texas, and then the Sooners later. Hope that clears it up- had the right date, but wrong team. My bad.
3 months ago
Just keep in mind, Boise State is in the WAC, and their toughest competition this year was playing Oregon when Oregon had their something-ith string quarterback. I think it was 2nd string against Boise State. Wisconsin and Ohio State play in the Big 10. Wisconsin lost a close game to Ohio State, so I wouldn't put them as a pretender yet. Even when Penn State most likely kills them next week, PSU is great, so you can't put Wisky as a pretender, unless it is a 31-0 shutout.
I think Boise State is no better than Utah. I completely agree with you about Kansas, and dropped them to 25 in my rankings after almost losing to Iowa State, and they should've lost that game to.
Ohio State will probably lose to Penn State, and Michigan State should be a good game, but I don't think they are on the fence, they are a contender. Ohio State was just unable to exploit the weaknesses in USC like Oregon State did.
Also, don't be so quick to call UGA a pretender. They are still a very good, very talented, and very capable team. They showed some fight in the second half of the Bama loss, and I expect no more than 2 losses this season for them. I believe that Florida is a pretender, and could not beat Georgia. I'm not sure about Florida beating LSU, as LSU doesn't seem that great either.
Also, Mizzou has the same problem that the Red Raiders have. TTU doesn't have a defense, and neither does Mizzou, although they both have very talented offenses.
3 months ago
Lise, the Dawgs do have some problems, and we shall soon see if they can correct them. With our schedule there is no place to hide. We either have it or we don't. If USC could have a hiccup game against an unranked team, maybe the Dawgs had one against a very good Alabama team.
I am a Tebow fan, but I am not sure that the Gators belong as a "contender" yet. Tebow and Harvey can't do it all. It's getting good!
I always enjoy this article!
from 3 months ago
GG...good point on hiccups. But I thought Georgia looked vulnerable before the Bama game, and got flak for it. I'm leaning towards Florida as a contender, but it's hesitant. The best of luck to both teams...they have great fans! :)
from 3 months ago
GG,
If Tebow and Harvin can't do it all neither can Moreno and Stafford. ;) we had 2 freshmen rush for 103 yards each. Both teams are contenders. If either of them win out they will be in.
from 3 months ago
Micah, I couldn't agree with you more! Srafford and Moreno can't do it all. Thats why we have AJ Green!!! In all honesty, I haven't been impressed with Florida's running backs. Not saying they aren't a good team, I just think that both teams have something to prove down the stretch.
from 3 months ago
Micah, I couldn't agree with you more! Srafford and Moreno can't do it all. Thats why we have AJ Green!!! In all honesty, I haven't been impressed with Florida's running backs. Not saying they aren't a good team, I just think that both teams have something to prove down the stretch.
from 3 months ago
How dare you! lol yah I have not been impressed. But in '06 we looked average until the end of the season. Concerning the RB stuation we have 893 yards Georgia has 807. Tebow and Harvin are our 3 and 4 yards wise. I know injuries are a "cheap" excsue but e. moody has been injured alot. And don't worry I'm not comparing against Moreno. He's the best RB.
3 months ago
Lisa:
What difference is there between Utah's schedule and BYU's? BYU has beaten I - AA Northern Iowa, winless Washington (by the slimmest of margins), 2 - 3 UCLA, 2 - 4 Wyoming, and 1 - 4 Utah State. It is irksome how the media is positioning BYU as a western entrant into the title game in case USC does not make it.
from 3 months ago
Gerald...it's just an overall impression. I thought the Georgia Bulldogs looked beatable after two games and got serious heat from their fans when I called them pretenders. Can't explain it logically, it's just there.
BYU looks good. Scary good. USC has nothing to do with BYU's entrance into the title game...I don't understand that at all.
3 months ago
Hearing about ND's weak schedule is really getting old. Here's a comparison of USC and ND's schedules sorted by opponent strength. I don't see much of a difference.
Ohio State USC
Oregon UNC
ND Pitt
Arizona MSU
Cal BC
ASU Michigan
OSU Purdue
Stanford Stanford
UCLA Navy
WSU SDSU
Virginia Syracuse
UW UW
from 3 months ago
Good comparison...and now with the latest AP poll ranking USC, UNC, Michigan St. and Pitt, hard to keep harping about a weak schedule.
from 3 months ago
If you think UW is weaker than WSU, the Apple Cup is going to be a surprise. WSU is terrible this year.
from 3 months ago
You're dead wrong if you think MSU is weaker than both UNC and Pitt.
from 3 months ago
Where did I say it was weak? I said it may be indicative of a soft schedule. /but since you brought it up...go to the ND message boards...even their own fans admit their schedule is soft. Why is it that ND fans get all excited over a soft schedule and think 9+ wins is a probability, but as soon as someone else mentions it, it's a reason to become defensive? It is what it is.
Having SDSU, Syracuse, and Navy is a soft schedule, and any BCS team who had that as their non-conf game would be accused of the very same thing.
from 3 months ago
Sorry Lisa, I didn't mean to critique you're article as much as I wanted to make a quick point. It just seems that ND is the new poster child for flimsy schedules even though there's evidence to suggest otherwise. Right now there are 5 teams on the schedule that reached the top25 at some point, and if BC stays on course they will also. If you measure SOS based on the three worst teams, the Irish are facing murderer's row compared to LSU's worst opponents. If you measure SOS based on the three best teams, the Irish schedule is comparable to the Pac-10, Big-10, Big East, and ACC. ND's opponents are 32-24 in games not involving ND, which is clearly better than average.
from 3 months ago
There's no question that the schedule is not what it was last year...that's the comment being made on ND boards. If you base the schedule's rating on the weakest 3 teams...USC's slate of UW, WSU and Virginia is as bad as ND's.
3 months ago
Pretty good list can't really argue with anything. I will say though still that I think in a big game when it's on the line and you got to put your money on it Florida and USC are the two best teams. But as far as who is playing best it's Alabama mainly because of who they have beaten and where they won those games. Missouri probably is second but just like last year it'll come down to whether or not they can beat the Sooners.
3 months ago
Lisa, you say Tech is a pretender, and will be undefeated until then...
So, 11-1 is pretending?
That is still national championship worthy depending on how the cards fall...
It is a joke that you say Texas Tech will beat Texas, and be 11-1, yet, whoever loses the RR Shootout, will be AT BEST 11-1, yet they are both contenders?
You say Texas has the better defense than Tech? In a Big 12 where passing reigns supreme, UT gives up 11 more yards per game, and has given up 5 passing TDs to only 2 interceptions, while Tech has given up 4 passing TDs to 10 interceptions... The UT secondary is weak.
Graham Harrell is better than Colt McCoy, Crabtree is better than any receiver that Texas has, and Tech finally has a running game to at least change things up.
So how can you pick Tech as a pretender, yet UT has to also play Missouri, another game that can, AND will, make Texas a 9-3 team at season's end, as a contender?
from 3 months ago
Can you clear this up for us, Lisa?
from 3 months ago
Colin....remember Hawai'i from last year? Soft sked and undefeated. Till they played a tougher opponent in Georgia.
Look, I understand why you like Tech, but you are arguing in Tech's favor because Texas has to play Mizzou? So that makes them a pretender if they lose? What if they win?
TT had two FCS teams on their sked. That undefeated status, while noteworthy, is not exactly indicative of a great team. Two of those wins were layups.
from 3 months ago
The only time you can bring up the schedule part of it is if we're comparing stats.
Texas had nobody on their schedule who would challenge them, Texas Tech would have gone undefeated against UT's schedule. Tech got stuck with an extra FCS team, true, but it's not like Tech would have lost to Rice, FAU, UTEP, or Arkansas. You could say that all 4 of Tech's OOC wins were layups, but the same with UT.
Arkansas almost lost to Western Illinois, and LA-Monroe, and got blown out in all their games against real teams. Tech would have done to Rice exactly what they did last year. FAU is a BAD 1-4, and UTEP lost to Buffalo and New Mexico St. Don't say that Tech hasn't played anybody when UT played the same level of competition.
And yes, I was arguing in Tech's favor because I was under the impression that you said Tech would beat UT... But, regardless, I still find the same schedule argument used against Texas Tech to be ignorant. The same with the passing defense argument. A
3 months ago
Auburn doesn't even deserve to be on this list.
from 3 months ago
It's not my list, it was the AP from yesterday.
from 3 months ago
Ha. I know. Nothing against you. Just me being bitter. :) Can you blame me? Great article, by the way.
War Eagle
Chris
3 months ago
Lisa I love your story. I have read most of your's storys and I cant find any that I didnt dislike.
Keep it up
from 3 months ago
thanks ff!
3 months ago
Wow, quite a list there. I'd have to say it is pretty accurate. This is the time of the year where one can finally start looking towards how the conferences will pan out. Good stuff as always.
3 months ago
Hey Lisa - Enjoy reading your articles. Its been mentioned a few times on here - but have a question for you on the Tech pick. I know K-State is the first BCS team they've played, so I'm hesitant to give them a lot of praise right now as well - but you say they will probably be undefeated before they play Oklahoma. This means they'll have beaten Texas, yet you list Texas as a contender. Was hoping to get your thoughts on this.
from 3 months ago
Aaron...I had OU as their opponent on Nov 1st, I goofed...it was Texas. Sorry.
3 months ago
Great article.
I think you are the only person besides me who isn't sold on LSU, at least that I know of. I just think it's too early to tell whether they are for real or not. As for Vandy, everyone I talk to keeps knocking them, saying that they have no shot at winning the SEC East. If ever it was their year, this year is their year. After 6 weeks, they are contenders in my book.
from 3 months ago
Jeff-
Vandy looks good! LSU has won all of their games, but, and this is a huge but, they haven't sold me. They need a signature win, then all will be well!
from 3 months ago
Actually, it's too early to tell for *everyone* at the moment... the season is only halfway through, and for some teams *cough*, only a third complete.
I suppose the idea of the BCS to start its ranking table in mid-October has some merit.
3 months ago
Can't really argue with a lot of these picks Lise... we're on the same page pretty much here... though I guess when you say "contender" it's a loose term and not just title... could be conference title, bowl game, whatever...
from 3 months ago
Contender means minimum conference champ. :)
from 3 months ago
Was this defined in the B/R football dictionary for dummies and I missed it?! =P
3 months ago
Nice! I disagree a little on some teams. I think LSU is for real, their O-line and D-line play puts them ahead of Florida (young o-line, had problems with Miami) and just behind Alabama in my opinion. As far as the Big 10 goes, the whole league is an enigma.
Penn State - Looks good but has traditionally struggled on the road (20 pts. at Purdon't?!). I wanna see them handle Wisconsin on the road before I think they'll beat OSU in the Shoe.
Illinois - Didn't make your list but could be 2nd best in the Big 10. Their offense is second only to Penn State's.
Mich State - 'Could' be #2 in Big 10 but I really doubt it, they're too one dimensional on offense. I think they're an 8-9 win team, tops.
Ohio State - Still a work in progress, they've shown flashes but Penn State has more talent. I think they'll beat Mich State, the game to watch out for is Illinois (running QB, on the road, week before Michigan).
from 3 months ago
Hey Cullen....re-LSU...which game of the ones they played impressed you? My problem is that I can't find one yet. Things may change, as last year was evidence of that, but so far...I'm on the fence. Again, things may change, but right now, I'm on the fence.
I noticed that LSU dropped one in the polls (didn't they?)...did I read that right? The pollsters may have had the same impression as I did.
3 months ago
I love how FINALLY people are seeing Texas for what we are, a contender!!
Last year's bad pass defense is gone, teams cannot score at will against our secondary. Most Texas fans will say that last years team was our worst in 4 years... and we only lost to OU by 7....
This year our team is so much better and even though OU's team looks to be better, we'll have to wait and see.
If we can hold their first quarter surge, then the game will be in our favor.
Texas 28
OU 24
Then we come home for Mizzou.... This is awesome! I love college football!
3 months ago
Lisa.. enjoyed the article. A few comments:
How are schools like Vandy and MSU contenders while teams like Georgia are pretenders? Do you believe that Vandy would beat Georgia?
I agree with OSU. I really think its a different and better team with Pryor.
Unti ND demonstrates they can beat a top 25 team, they should remain pretenders. They are playing really good and have some stud playmakers on offense, but they need to do it against UNC, PITT, U$C. Earn it one game at a time.
3 months ago
Lisa, Lisa, Lisa.... I must protest...
Georgia a pretender? Georgia will rebound and get back in the hunt... see last years lost to Tenn, and the weeks that followed.
and if Georgia is a PRETENDER..... how on earth can you say:
1) Florida (Hesitant Contender... they are winning right?) NO... they lost AT HOME to UNRANKED Ole MISS who then turned around and lost to SCarolina !!!
2) Vandy a contender? For what? They beat SC and Auburn (who can't score any points)... BIG DEAL!!
3) Boise State contender? A WAC team is, and a one loss Georgia team is not.... the logic escapes me.
I know I'm a homer for Georgia.... but UGA is better than what they showed against Bama. Hopefully the rest of the season will bear that out...
from 3 months ago
1.) What are you talkin' about???? We beat Arkansas. We haven't played S. Carolina yet. Get the facts.
2.) Vandy leads the East right now.
3.)your right.
from 3 months ago
I ran back to my computer when I realized what I did lol. I apologize for #1 lol But I think both Florida and Georgia are contenders. My b.
from 3 months ago
Ouch!
from 3 months ago
Apology accepted. I don't expect a Gator fan to read the whole comment. They usually just pick and choose what they want to WHINE about. ;-)
3 months ago
You doubt LSU because you still aren't sure of the quarterback situation. Yet, you remain on the USC bandwagon when they have repeatedly shown a lot of weakness in the middle of their defensive front. I don't see either situation as a huge drawback at this point, but your bias might be from the fact your favorite has lost out on the title twice recently to LSU. Does it really bother you so much?
I think this weekend will show where the LSU defensive secondary stands and where they have to go for the long haul. They don't absolutely have to win this one to win the SEC, but they need to show improvement. SC is going to need another team capable and willing to take it up the middle from the first quarter to the fourth before we will know if they have improved. Oregon was certainly successful when they chose to do that, primarily in the first quarter.
Does the phrase "defense wins championships" mean anything to you? That is the perspective needed to determine pretenders and contenders. Your list looks more like an appraisal of offenses.
We will see.
from 3 months ago
Roy-
If you are asking whether or not I am a fan of USC, then yes, I am. You know that. But if I were a Sooners fan, and ranked them #1, would that make me a homer or bandwagoner? No. I call it like it see it. I had USC ranked #9, and it looks like most pollsters moved them up one spot past BYU to #8. I am very confident and fair of my analysis in college football teams. I happen to think PSU should be ranked higher than LSU.
LSU has a quarterback (Lee) ranked #82. That will spell trouble if the Tigers are in a hole or need to score quick points. The D looks great, but the offense looks troublesome.
Re-the lines at USC..the rushing defense is ranked #12 nationally, #16 in passing defense, and overall, #4 in the country. In the Oregon game, USC held the Ducks to 60 yards rushing....prior to the game they averaged 300 yards.
Yes, defense wins championships. Who knows if LSU can play in Sugar Bowl or beyond? I'm on the fence with them. They haven't sold me. Bama has sold me completely. Florida and LSU probably will be contenders, but "probably" isn't the name of the game her
from 3 months ago
I didn't mean to infer LSU should have a higher appraisal. I was inferring USC should be lower. Both have defensive issues. Regardless of yearly average stats, I have seen USC three times, and the average gain up the middle on them looked pretty high to me. OSU and Oregon both seemed to abandon that approach whereas Oregon State did not.
If USC winds up in a bowl game with a good offensive line and running backs (like LSU), they will be in trouble. If LSU winds up in a bowl game with a very good passing attack (like USC) they are in trouble. Both situations can still get a lot better, but at this time they both look iffy to me.
3 months ago
My 2 cents. Texas gets beat down by Oklahoma and Missouri, edges Ok State and faces an undefeated Texas Tech team in Lubbock. Tech beats Nebraska at home, Texas A&M on the road and an under performing Kansas team in Lawrence. Advantage Texas Tech. Tech over Texas at the Jones. Maybe then you can change them from pretender to contender
from 3 months ago
faunchin:
Texas Tech goes from pretender to contender when they start beating elite teams on a consistent basis. As much as Mike Leach and before him Spike Dikes accomplished at Texas Tech, that is not something that this program has done in quite awhile.
3 months ago
Lisa:
"Gerald...it's just an overall impression. BYU looks good. Scary good."
Give Texas Tech that same schedule and they'd look just as good. BYU is a mid - major in the top 10 and people are hyping them for a national title bid despite the fact that they have not played a single team with a winning record. I am sorry, but that really puts the grief that folks give SEC teams for their weak nonconference schedules into context.
Let's check out the rest of their schedule, shall we? New Mexico, TCU, UNLV, Colorado State, San Diego State, Air Force, and Utah. Pardon me, but how many of these teams will even be ranked at the end of the season? Can you name a single contender that wouldn't easily go 12 - 0 or look "scary good" against this slate? TCU and Utah maybe. Also, what on earth makes Utah's schedule weaker than BYU's? Utah played Michigan and Oregon