The
BCS fell into mayhem with the top two teams in the standings losing on
the eve of the bowl bids being handed out. Everyone is crying out for a
playoff and the format I laid out last week is almost too simple for
the NCAA to implement it. Now that we know the champions of each
conference I can seed the tournament of 11 and play it out.
One argument against it will certainly be that people would rather see
at-large teams, but if you don’t win your conference how can you
complain about not getting a shot to win a national title? These five
champions outside of the major conferences have a little spunk to them
as well. Central Michigan was touched up pretty good by Kansas (52-7)
Purdue (45-22) and Clemson (70-14) so they would be the easiest target.
Florida Atlantic played five BCS teams this year, beating Big Ten
doormat Minnesota and testing South Florida before losing 35-23. UCF
went 1-2 against BCS opponents and BYU split two meetings against the
Pac-10. Hawaii closed their season by beating Washington to give this
group of teams a 4-10 record against BCS teams. That’s not great, but
it’s not 0-14 either.
The first round would be played in the higher seeded team’s stadium.
The quarterfinals could be held in regionally friendly venues slanted
towards the higher seed. The semifinals and finals would rotate among
high profile, predetermined venues. Here is how I see the playoffs.
Opening Round
#11 Central Michigan (MAC) @ #6 Virginia Tech (ACC)
#10 Florida Atlantic (Sun Belt) @ #7 Hawaii (WAC)
#9 UCF (Conference USA) @ #8 BYU (Mountain West)
Quarterfinals
#1 Ohio State (Big Ten) vs. #8 BYU – St. Louis, MO
#2 LSU (SEC) vs. #7 Hawaii – Atlanta, GA
#3 USC (Pac-10) vs. #6 Virginia Tech – Pasadena, CA
#4 Oklahoma (Big XII) vs. #5 West Virginia (Big East) – San Antonio, TX
Semifinals
#1 Ohio State vs. #4 Oklahoma – Glendale, AZ
#2 LSU vs. #3 USC – Jacksonville, FL
Championship
#3 USC vs. #4 Oklahoma – New Orleans, LA
You can decide who might win that dream title game. This week’s poll
has quite a bit of movement. In some cases I had to evaluate various
conferences and that led to even more shuffling.
Last week’s ranking in ( )’s. NR = not ranked. W = watch list. (AP,
USA, Harris, BCS)
#1
(6) USC (10-2): How good is their defense? Ask UCLA. The Bruins
had 167 total yards while going 0/11 on third down with 4 sacks and 4
turnovers. They had the ball 15 times and only twice did they move it
over 13 yards. The Trojan offense wasn’t great, but a trio of backs had
at least 12 carries and 67 yards as they simply ran over their rivals.
Maybe a few people need to show some guts and rank them #1 because now
at full health this is the best team in the country. Unfortunately it
is looking like a trip to the Rose Bowl against an at-large team,
probably Georgia.
#2
(8) Oklahoma (11-2): It is hard to fathom this team blowing a
24-7 lead to Colorado and letting Texas Tech roll up 34 on their
defense. Right now they look like smooth and absolutely overwhelmed
Missouri in the second half. One thing that kept them in control was
never giving up field position which is easy to do when you have no
turnovers or sacks. Missouri’s best starting position was their own 32
and the average was 20.4 over 11 possessions. Oklahoma’s average start
came at their 37.3 including a crucial interception leading to a 7 yard
touchdown “drive”.
#3 (9) LSU (11-2): Losing Flynn could have been a killer, but
Perrilloux’s play prior to injuring his finger made that a non-issue.
The unsung hero was Jacob Hester with 23 tough carries for 118 yards.
Their title was made possible by Ainge’s two ill advised throws
including the game winning interception return. Truth be told, they
should have wrapped this game up early. Instead they drove 63, 59 and
56 yards only to wind up with 6 points. Three move drives of 78, 76 and
50 yards produced only 7 more points. That’s 382 yards for 13 points.
One thing they did was possess the football with eight drives of at
least 2:51. Now their fate is in the hands of the voters.
#4
(5) Georgia (10-2): Let the debate begin. Few teams have had a
tougher schedule. The Bulldogs have gone 8-2 against bowl eligible
teams. Vanderbilt would have been had Georgia not beaten them leaving
Western Kentucky as the only “dog” on their entire schedule. Yes, it
hurts to have lost the SEC East by getting spanked at Tennessee.
Unfortunately we didn’t see if in reality they were in fact the best
team in the conference. They did roll up Florida, Auburn and Kentucky
by 11+ points over a four week stretch after all.
#5
(7) Ohio State (11-1): BCS title game here they come, and it
reveals one of the biggest flaws in the system. If you’re going to
lose, just be sure to lose earlier than other teams. Can you imagine if
Kansas and Missouri had met weeks ago? The Jayhawks might be their
opponent in the national championship. As it is, the Buckeyes played a
slate filled with mediocre opposition in a clearly down year for the
Big Ten. This time they couldn’t fall back on beating Texas because
their only BCS opponent outside the conference was Washington. Their
best defense is having won convincingly over three of their four
toughest opponents, Wisconsin, Michigan and Penn State.
#6
(2) Missouri (11-2): Their head coach pointed out how the
difference was his team kicking field goals it seemed silly in a game
that ended 38-17, but I tend to agree. The offense had field goal
marches of 57, 75 and 65 yards while also driving 53 yards only to
punt. Those 250 total yards produced just 9 points and when Oklahoma
was scoring touchdowns on five out of seven drives at one point they
just couldn’t keep up. Still, down the stretch this team steamrolled
the rest of the Big XII and is deserving of a spot in the BCS.
#7
(3) Hawaii (12-0): In their only meeting with a BCS team the
result was a needed victory, but not the type of performance that
leaves everyone wondering how they might fare in the national title
game. They couldn’t hold the ball in the first quarter with 3 fumbles
leading to a 21-0 deficit, but drove 73+ yards for touchdowns five
times to pull it out. Another key was their defense holding Washington
to 1/9 on third down which kept the Huskies from longer drives.
#8
(4) Kansas (11-1): The final two weeks of the season proved
they are the third best team in the Big XII. They had their chance, but
the loss to Missouri has the Jayhawks trying to prove they are more BCS
worthy than a team who just beat them on a neutral field. I would
freeze out the Jayhawks because they played no one outside of
conference play and didn’t face Oklahoma, Texas or Texas Tech who were
the best teams in the Big XII South. The top two teams they beat in
conference play both finished 4-4 (Colorado, Texas A&M). Kansas won
those games 19-14 and 19-11. Both were on the road, but the final
scores were unimpressive.
#9
(10) Arizona State (10-2): The Sun Devils engaged in a typical
scrap with their rivals from Arizona who were playing as if it was
their bowl game because they needed a win to become eligible. They
survived a mistake prone game in which they gave the Wildcats the ball
in their territory five times. Of those possessions the defense gave up
only 14 points. Meanwhile Arizona State’s average starting position was
their 27.6 yard line and only three of their drives went for more than
36 yards. As disrespected as this team has been they finished 4-2
against bowl eligible teams and knocked two others (Washington State,
Arizona) out of eligibility.
#10
(1) West Virginia (10-2): It will be easy for people to blame
this loss on Pat White’s injury, but all they had to do was score
another touchdown before he was hurt and the BCS title game would be on
their schedule. Or how about flexing their muscles by running the ball?
Steve Slaton finished with 9 rushes for 9 yards. The team had 186 total
yards and 3.3 yards per offensive play. Pittsburgh can play some
defense, but aren’t these the guys who gave up 44 (Virginia) 48 (Navy)
and 48 (South Florida) at various times this year? The Navy game stands
out for me. If the Midshipmen can average 4.7 yards rushing on this
team with no threat of a pass then why couldn’t the Mountaineers?
#11
(12) Virginia Tech (11-2): This time there would be no comeback
from Matt Ryan. Xavier Adibi’s interception return for a touchdown
sealed the ACC title for the Hokies who now probably wish they hadn’t
scheduled LSU. If not for that loss they might be in the national
championship. In this one their defense made just enough plays, mostly
when it mattered most. Boston College had drives of 54, 58, 59, 40 and
58 yards result in a grand total of 3 points.
#12
(13) Florida (9-3): Being the best team not involved in the BCS
is probably of little consolation to the Gators who also might see
their quarterback Tim Tebow win the Heisman. However, against the top
four in the SEC they went 1-3. Their biggest win, a 59-20 spanking of
Tennessee, came way back on September 15. The lone notable win since
was a 45-37 victory over Kentucky who finished 7-5.
#13
(11) Boston College (10-3): They probably lost this game in the
opening three offensive possessions when marches of 54, 58 and 59
points produced a total of 3 points. Instead of possibly leading by
maybe 17-24 points it was 10-0 when Virginia Tech’s offense woke up.
Neither team moved the ball much in the second half, but Ryan’s two
interceptions cost the Eagles any shot at coming back.
#14
(16) Tennessee (9-4): The SEC title was literally thrown away.
Ainge should have been thinking about holding the lead, but instead
delivered a strike to Zenon for a game changing touchdown interception.
This game was no masterpiece on either side mind you. However, up to
that point Tennessee had made no mistakes. The Tigers finished with no
sacks and the Volunteers were not flagged for a penalty all game.
Still, Ainge finished just 50% passing the ball and Foster had a 2.7
yard rushing average. Their offense never hurt an LSU defense that has
been touched up in recent weeks.
#15
(15) Clemson (9-3): Their season was defined by beating the bad
teams and losing in their biggest games. Even getting eventual division
champions Virginia Tech and Boston College at home didn’t help. They
lost their toughest road test as well, a 13-3 mess at Georgia Tech who
finished 7-5 with their coach on the unemployment line. Perhaps it is
an accomplishment just to have avoided upsets while recording 7 wins by
13+ points.
#16
(17) Cincinnati (9-3): Last year the Big East excitement
surrounded upstarts Louisville and Rutgers. This year it was South
Florida and Connecticut garnering attention. Mix in a little West
Virginia and it is no wonder people overlook the Bearcats even during
their 6-0 start. Close losses to Louisville and Pittsburgh proved just
how long a college football season can be. If they played those games
again I would take them in both by 10+. Unfortunately it cost them a
better finish and sent them to the PapaJohn’s.com Bowl against an
overmatched Southern Miss (7-5) from Conference USA. The Golden Eagles
lost both visits to BCS schools at Tennessee (39-19) and Boise State
(38-16) back in September.
#17
(18) Virginia (9-3): They finished 4-1 against bowl eligible
teams and played five other teams who finished 5-7 so their schedule
wasn’t terrible. It was the way they had to struggle with six wins by
no more than 5 points that hurt their reputation. They also didn’t have
to play the three of the four best teams from the ACC Atlantic,
recording close wins against Maryland (18-17) and Wake Forest (17-16)
while losing to N.C. State (29-24). I would have liked to see them
stack up against Boston College or Clemson.
#18
(27) Oregon State (8-4): Now that all of the dust has settled
this is the third best team in a very good conference. They are also
hot having won six of their last seven. Granted Oregon was without
Dixon, but their defense had stood tall in his absence. This week the
Beavers came in without their leading rusher and drove 67, 68, 75 and
51 yards on them among their opening five possessions. As rivalry games
go, they turned it over and missed a punt to end two of those marches
to lead just 14-7. Those mistakes led to Oregon being in the game and
this one going to overtime, but the Ducks were mostly contained when it
mattered. On their final 7 possessions including overtime Oregon drove
the ball over 13 yards just once, totaling 115 yards on 37 plays.
#19
(14) Oregon (8-4): The offense played their best game since
Dixon’s injury, but the defense fell down against rival Oregon State.
Jonathan Stewart bolstered his NFL draft stock by rushing 39 times for
165 yards with the defense knowing just what to expect from an offense
without a decent quarterback. Ultimately they were let down by poor
coaching as players rushed onto the field for a failed field goal in
the waning moments instead of simply killing the clock with a spike.
Clearly this is a tale of two teams because of Dixon’s injury, but how
do you throw out wins over Michigan, USC and Arizona State?
#20
(19) BYU (10-2): In a makeup game against San Diego State they
completed an unbeaten season in the Mountain West with a convincing
victory. Their offense went down the field at will with seven touchdown
drives of 54+ yards out of nine possessions before simply running out
the clock the final time they had the ball. The defense was a little
shaky at times, especially during three long touchdown drives, and the
Aztecs were 13/20 on third down. Next up is a trip to the Las Vegas
Bowl against a Pac-10 opponent.
#21
(20) Illinois (9-3): Even if the Big Ten didn’t have their
finest showing, this team had to deal with all of the best teams and
fared pretty well in going 6-2. The teams left off their conference
schedule were Michigan State and Purdue who both finished 3-5 in
conference and 7-5 overall. This is a team ready to stand up for the
Big Ten in the bowl season.
#22
(21) Connecticut (9-3): The dream season was blown up a bit
with routs on the road in Cincinnati and West Virginia, but they made
huge strides this season and finished second in a rugged Big East
conference. They also managed to win six times by 19+ points and for a
school known for basketball it was possibly a break through season.
#23
(22) South Florida (9-3): They came out of nowhere and
seemingly went back there by losing 3 in a row, but rallied with 3
routs to close the regular season. One of the overlooked wins was a
64-12 thrashing of Central Florida who won Conference USA. However,
they went 1-3 against the top of the Big East with the lone win being
the big one over West Virginia way back on September 28. They have
accepted a trip to the Sun Bowl against a Pac-10 opponent.
#24
(24) Wisconsin (9-3): This team is still a mystery to me, but
they certainly didn’t stand up well against the best of the Big Ten.
They were 2-3 against teams who finished 4-4 or better in conference
play, having avoided Purdue (3-5, 7-5 overall) due to a set rotating
schedule. They also won four games by a touchdown or less. Their
signature performance was a win over Michigan who looked to me like a
team resting up for Ohio State. Like the last three years they will
have a shot at the SEC in the Outback Bowl, possibly Tennessee or
Auburn.
#25
(23) Boise State (10-2): After their loss to Hawaii the biggest
wins are over Fresno State and Southern Miss. Neither of those teams
really strike fear into anyone, but the Broncos did steamroll a lot of
teams this season. Six of their wins were by 22+ points and nine came
by 10+.
#26
(25) Auburn (8-4): They managed a 3-3 record against teams who
finished 4-4 or better in SEC play, but it will be hard for them to
wonder what might have been with three tight losses on the season. The
first came 26-23 in overtime to South Florida of the Big East, then a
hangover the next week when they lost 19-14 to Mississippi State.
Finally they lost 30-24 to LSU during their stretch of cardiac
finishes. No one even remembers this team beat Florida and Arkansas.
#27
(26) Texas (9-3): The defense has certainly betrayed them of
late allowing 35, 43 and 38 points despite the fact that they won two
of those games. As I pointed out last week it was fortunate that the
schedule rotation kept Missouri and Kansas away from them because
Daniel and Reesing would have lit them up. Their biggest win was a
59-43 wipeout of Texas Tech who finished 8-4. Other than that the only
team they beat who finished with a winning record was Central Florida
who won Conference USA, a 35-32 battle in the Sunshine State.
#28
(28) Arkansas (8-4): When Auburn’s late field goal beat the
Razorbacks 9-7 and left their record at 3-3 many people forgot about
this team. Since then they are 5-1, but for the year they went only 2-3
against SEC teams who finished 4-4 or better in conference play and
didn’t have to deal with Georgia or Florida. The best two from the SEC
East they faced, Tennessee and Kentucky, both beat them convincingly.
#29
(29) Texas Tech (8-4): Their season was truly saved by upsetting
Oklahoma. They were 2-4 against teams who finished 4-4 or better in the
Big XII and lost convincingly to Texas and Missouri. However, their
offense is explosive to the point where you feel like they can score
against almost anyone. Ten times they put up 34+ points this season.
#30
(NR) Central Florida (10-3): There is something to be said for
winning a conference title and I’m recognizing that here. The Knights
won at N.C. State who finished 5-7 and lost a tough 35-32 game to
Texas. They have turned into an offensive machine with six games
scoring 44+ points and ten games of 32+ and closed the regular season
winning their last 7.
Dropped
Out: #30 Troy
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