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| Published: Oct 19, 2009 1:07 PM EST |
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Incredi-Hull rankings: Who really deserves to be called NCAA's best |
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The first round of the BCS standings are out and there's little surprise at the top of the rankings as Florida, Alabama and Texas take up the first three slots.
The shockers of the college football world come next with Boise State, Cincinnati and Iowa being ranked ahead of media-darling USC.
Let the debates begin. That's what we get with the BCS, although I have to admit I don't think it's all bad.
Sports talk show pundits and columnists alike can make a living just from discussing the conundrum that is the BCS. Allow me to join those ranks.
It was about this time last season when Florida and Oklahoma, following a loss to Texas, started playing like they were superhuman. No one was going to stop those two forces from meeting in the BCS title game as they humiliated opponent after opponent.
There isn't a team like that this year. Before the start of the season, it was a given that Florida, Texas and Oklahoma would be the main contenders for the BCS title. Those three teams were 1-2-3 in everyone's mind, only the order might differ.
Oklahoma has fallen by the wayside due to its inability to protect Heisman QB Sam Bradford. Florida has had to deal with an injury setback to its own Heisman signal-caller Tim Tebow and misses Percy Harvin more than they'd like to admit. And Texas hasn't gotten the championship-caliber performance from QB Colt McCoy. In fact, all three players aren't even top Heisman contenders at this point in the season.
Every team appears vulnerable this season. No one has separated from the pack.
Seeing all the debate surrounding the BCS and the other two major polls -- the Coaches and Associated Press -- I'd be remiss if I didn't add my two cents.
Let me make a disclaimer on including the AP poll. I often hear how the AP rankings don't matter since it is no longer affiliated with the BCS. That's completely false.
The AP voters still get to name a recognized national champion at the end of the bowl season, meaning there still can be two national champions named each year if the AP doesn't feel the winner of the BCS Championship is the rightful champ.
With that out of the way, here's how my Top 25 would look if I had a vote.
1. Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC)
Polls: BCS - 2; Coaches - 2; AP - 1.
Last week: 20-6 over South Carolina; This week: vs. Tennessee.
There isn't a more physical defense in the country. Nick Saban has made that this team's identity. There is a incredible combination of speed and power on the Bama defense and no player emulates that more than LB Rolando McLain, who plays with a major nasty streak. On offense, the Crimson Tide are still capable of being shut down, but RB Mark Ingram has emerged as a Heisman candidate and QB Greg McElroy is going to be one of the best QBs in the nation next season.
2. Florida (6-0, 4-0 SEC)
Polls: BCS -1; Coaches - 1; AP - 2.
Last week: 23-20 over Arkansas; This week: at Mississippi State.
Florida opens the BCS standings at the top of the rankings, which is the first time Florida has been in that slot. That came as a surprise to me. This team is simply missing something from last season. Maybe it's Tebow's injury that's holding it back. I think it has more to do with losing Percy Harvin, who provided Florida with a weapon in every facet of the game. The Gators are yet to replace him and look very beatable right now. They have to feel fortunate to escape from Arkansas.
3. Texas (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)
Polls: BCS - 3; Coaches - 3; AP - 3.
Last week: 16-13 over Oklahoma; This week: at Missouri.
Speaking of looking vulnerable, Texas has gotten off to a slow start in every game this season except one. It's been the defense and special teams stepping up with big plays to lead the Longhorns to victory. In fact, no player has made a bigger difference for his team this season than WR Jordan Shipley, who deserves more Heisman consideration than McCoy. Although, Shipley was shut down by Oklahoma, which would hurt his stock tremendously in voters' eyes. Texas better be careful. There are teams still on the schedule it cannot look past, start slow against and hope to walk out with a win. That includes Missouri this coming Saturday.
4. Cincinnati (6-0, 2-0 Big East)
Polls: BCS - 5; Coaches - 5; AP - 5.
Last week: 34-17 over South Florida; This week: vs. Louisville.
OK, I'm going to admit something. I've got a bit of a man-crush on Tony Pike. Pike is the most impressive QB I've seen play this season. He's got the size (6-6, 225), mobility, accuracy and arm strength to be a fantastic pro QB. He's been consistent and deserves to be in the Heisman race. However, the most impressive feature about Cincy is the way it handled a good South Florida squad last week despite playing without Pike in the second half. The Bearcats are in no way a one-man show. They're a complete team capable of running the table in the Big East and worthy of BCS Championship consideration.
5. USC (5-1, 2-1 Pac-10)
Polls: BCS - 7; Coaches - 4; AP - 4.
Last week: 34-27 over Notre Dame; This week: vs. Oregon State
Yes. USC over Boise State and Iowa. While this Trojans squad isn't as impressive as past versions, its one with loads of potential. Matt Barkley is the next Heisman winning QB at USC. I am, however, unconvinced the Trojans will win the Pac-10 title. I can foresee another loss in the conference coming soon. For right now, they hold this spot, but it's a shaky grip.
6. Iowa (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten)
Polls: BCS - 6; Coaches - 8; AP - 7.
Last week: 20-10 over Wisconsin; This week: at Michigan State.
It's hard to jump on board the Iowa bandwagon because they simply haven't posted an impressive victory over anyone, including teams the Hawkeyes are obviously more superior than. The 20-10 win over Wisconsin was impressive. The Badgers have a solid squad, but Iowa can't afford a loss. The Hawkeyes' only way into the BCS is to win the Big Ten. They aren't going to get much one-loss love.
7. Miami, Fla. (5-1, 2-1 ACC)
Polls: BCS - 10; Coaches - 9; AP - 8.
Last week: 27-7 over Central Florida; This week: vs. Clemson.
Miami's only setback of the season came in a torrential downpour at Virginia Tech. The conditions and atmosphere set the Hurricanes up for a letdown. The biggest problem for Miami right now is one that has faced teams in the Big 12 South for several seasons. All of the Big 12's major powers play in the South. The same can be said of the ACC's Coastal division which features the league's top three teams -- Miami, Va. Tech and Georgia Tech.
8. TCU (6-0, 2-0 MWC)
Polls: BCS - 8; Coaches - 7; AP - 10.
Last week: 44-6 over Colorado State; This week: at No. 17 BYU.
There isn't a more impressive potential BCS buster than TCU. The Horned Frogs' best win is over a 3-3 Clemson squad, but I count the rest of the schedule stronger than anything Boise State has or will face. TCU plays in the biggest game in the nation this week against BYU. Last year, the Frogs ruined BYU's BCS bid and the Cougars would love nothing more than to return the favor.
9. Boise State (6-0, 1-0 WAC)
Polls: BCS - 4; Coaches - 5; AP - 6.
Last week: 28-21 over Tulsa; This week: at Hawaii.
I'm not understanding the hype surrounding Boise State. Or well, maybe I am. They're a familiar name so many just automatically hook onto the Broncos like they do with USC and Notre Dame. Boise State's season-opening win over Oregon is starting to look more and more impressive as the Ducks start to climb the polls. However, Oregon wasn't ready to play against Boise State and that loss served as a major wake-up call. If those two teams met tomorrow, Oregon would easily win. Boise State doesn't have the schedule to be an elite BCS busting team. If the Broncos go undefeated, which they should, then they'll easily qualify for a BCS game. However, TCU going undefeated is much more impressive than Boise State achieving the same feat.
10. Virginia Tech (5-2, 3-1 ACC)
Polls: BCS - 14; Coaches - 15; AP - 15.
Last week: 28-23 loss to No. 16 Ga. Tech; This week: Idle.
Too high for a two-loss team? I don't think so. In many ways, I expected Va. Tech to lose to Georgia Tech. I wrote this in my Incredi-Hull Picks column Friday. I picked Va. Tech because I believed it could get some good crunch-time play from QB Tyrod Taylor. This is the type of game Frank Beamer-led teams lose, though. It was in the midst of the season and on the road. The Hokies are allowed to get overconfident at times. Don't expect them to lose again.
11. Penn State (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten)
Polls: BCS - 13; Coaches - 11; AP - 13.
Last week: 20-0 over Minnesota; This week: at Michigan.
I loved Penn State's philosophy in Saturday's win. Feed Evan Royster. It's an almost fail-proof plan. Royster can carry a heavy load and his success makes QB Darryl Clark's job much easier. I'm interested to see how the Nittany Lions respond to a big game at the Big House this week.
12. Oregon (5-1, 3-0 Pac-10)
Polls: BCS - 11; Coaches - 14; AP - 12.
Last week: Idle; This week: at Washington.
Oregon is in a great spot to steal the Pac-10 title from USC this season. The Ducks are rolling and playing as well as anyone in the conference. Washington is a tough challenge because of QB Jake Locker, but the Ducks should be able to muster enough defense to fend him off. I didn't think Oregon could even sniff this spot after the season-opening loss to Boise State. The team looked confused and uninspired. This is a great turnaround story and a fantatic bit of coaching being done by Chip Kelly.
13. Georgia Tech (6-1, 4-1 ACC)
Polls: BCS - 12; Coaches - 13; AP - 11.
Last week: 28-23 over No. 10 Va. Tech; This week: at Virginia.
The Yellow Jackets grabbed a great win over Va. Tech as they continue to prove games can be won with the triple option offense. Ga. Tech's schedule sets up nicely for a chance to run the table, giving Paul Johnson a one-loss season -- and potential ACC title -- in his second season at the reins of the program.
14. LSU (5-1, 3-1 SEC)
Polls: BCS - 9; Coaches - 10; AP - 9.
Last week: Idle; This week: vs. Auburn.
This still might be a bit too high for the Tigers, who I firmly believe will drop at one more, if not two more games this season. That could start with Auburn Saturday, but the game being in Death Valley forces me to lean toward the Tigers.
15. Oklahoma State (5-1, 2-0 Big 12)
Polls: BCS - 15; Coaches - 12; AP - 14.
Last week: 33-17 over Missouri; This week: at Baylor.
Oklahoma State has been mired this season by injuries and untimely suspensions. Dez Bryant shouldn't be suspended by the way. The NCAA needs to stop prying so much into the lives of athletes. Let the guy eat where he wants to eat. I understand why he lied. The NCAA punishes those who don't truly deserve it on a regular basis. With that rant out of the way, the Cowboys have a knicked up RB in Kendall Hunter, who hasn't been the same back he was a year ago at this season. They're holding on for now, but OSU could crumble at any moment.
16. Ohio State (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten)
Polls: BCS - 19; Coaches - 17; AP - 18.
Last week: 26-18 loss to Purdue; This week: vs. Minnesota.
The loss to Purdue was bad. Very bad. It's not a custom for Ohio State to drop games to teams it's supposed to beat. The Buckeyes aren't supposed to lose until a championship is on the line. Terrelle Pryor obviously still has some growing up to do, but all this talk of benching him is ludicrous. He is the present and future of Ohio State football. Stick with him and let him mature.
17. BYU (6-1, 3-0 MWC)
Polls: BCS - 16; Coaches - 16; AP - 16.
Last week: 38-28 over San Diego State; This week: vs. No. 9 TCU.
BYU is still holding on for an outside shot at the BCS. The Cougars lost at the right time -- early in the season -- and can go a long way to throwing their names back into the BCS buster hat with a win over TCU Saturday.
18. Houston (5-1, 1-1 C-USA)
Polls: BCS - 17; Coaches - 17; AP - 17.
Last week: 44-16 over Tulane; This week: vs. SMU.
Vegas needs to come out with a line on how long Saturday's game between Houston and SMU will take to complete. Both teams are going to air it out early and often. This one could approach five hours and I don't think I'm overexagerating.
19. Oklahoma (3-3, 1-1 Big 12)
Polls: BCS - NR; Coaches - NR; AP - 25.
Last week: 16-13 loss to Texas; This week: at Kansas.
Why drop OU out of the polls? Forget the record for a moment and realize who the Sooners lost to and the deficits of each game. OU has two 1-point losses to No. 17 BYU and No. 7 Miami. Now add a 3-point loss to No. 3 Texas. The Sooners have one of the best defenses in the country and are without a doubt a Top 25 team. The situation with Sam Bradford is just disheartening.
20. Texas Tech (5-2, 1-1 Big 12)
Polls: BCS - NR; Coaches - 24; AP - 21.
Last week: 31-10 over Nebraska; This week: vs. Texas A&M.
Tech has found its next great QB and it wasn't who coach Mike Leach thought it would be. Taylor Potts' reign as Tech's signal caller was short and Steven Sheffield has stolen the crown. Sheffield brings a different air of confidence to the entire squad. Players believe in him more. Tech now has a legitimate chance of running the table through the rest of its schedule and managing a 10-win season.
21. West Virginia (5-1, 1-0 Big East)
Polls: BCS - 23; Coaches - 22; AP - 22.
Last week: 24-7 over Marshall; This week: vs. UConn.
Fans of West Virginia are actually convinced the Mountaineers should be much closer to the Top 10. The rest of us are still waiting for a convincing win. It's hard to deny their success, though, and they have a stud RB in Noel Devine to rely on. The Mountaineers enter a trap game Saturday as UConn is going to be playing with a lot of emotions after the tragic stabbing death of starting CB Jasper Howard.
22. Pittsburgh (6-1, 3-0 Big East)
Polls: BCS - 20; Coaches - 19; AP - 20.
Last week: 24-17 over Rutgers; This week: vs. South Florida.
Pitt has a dominant defense and a very good RB Dion Lewis. If it wasn't for a second-half meltdown against NC State earlier this season, Pitt would be undefeated and place close to the Top 10.
23. Utah (5-1, 2-0 MWC)
Polls: BCS - 18; Coaches - 20; AP - 19.
Last week: 35-15 over UNLV; This week: vs. Air Force.
The Utes lost a lot last season and it's hard for me to buy they'll be able to compete with TCU and BYU once they get deeper into MWC play.
24. Notre Dame (4-2)
Polls: BCS - NR; Coaches - NR; AP - NR.
Last week: 34-27 loss to USC; This week: vs. Boston College.
The Irish have to be proud of their effort against USC, but it's easy to see how the rest of this season could be treated as a loss. Jimmy Clausen is still a Heisman candidate and he's going to have to Tebow-esque in motivating the rest of the squad to play to its capabilities after such a disheartening loss. I just get the feeling that everything was put on this USC game and it's going to be hard for the Irish to move on from here. Still, the Irish don't deserve to be moved out of the Top 25 for losing to a good USC squad.
25. Central Michigan (6-1, 4-0 MAC)
Polls: BCS - NR; Coaches - NR; AP - NR.
Last week: 34-23 over Western Michigan; This week: at Bowling Green
Central Michigan is as good as any other team I could put in this slot. The Chippewas are solid defensively, but QB Dan LeFevour is as talented as any QB in the country. LeFevour is capable of leading CMU into uncharted territory. |
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| Published: Oct 19, 2009 1:07 PM EST |
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