Month: November 2006 (Page 4 of 29)

Here’s an un-computerized look at the top 10 teams in college football:

1. Ohio State (12-0)
Previous Rank: #1
All right Buckeye fans, here’s your chance to tell me whom you want to face come January 8th. Post now or forever hold your piece.

2. USC (10-1)
Previous Rank: #4
It took a lot for me to jump the Trojans up two spots from four to two, but after watching what USC did to the Irish last Saturday, I feel good about the decision. I honestly think that the Trojans just got caught sleeping against Oregon State. USC has a quarterback that is playing great football, two NFL-caliber wide receivers (Dwayne Jarrett is a beast) and a hard-nosed defense. Plus, Pete Carroll always has his boys ready to play in a big game.

3. Michigan (11-1)
Previous Rank: #2
I don’t know if that vaunted Wolverine defense could stop USC for four quarters. The Ohio State game proved that I think. Although something tells me Michigan beats Florida at a neutral site.

4. Florida (11-1)
Previous Rank: #3
This probably isn’t fair to the Gators to move down one spot after a win. But what has been fair to Urban Meyer’s group? Florida would have benefited from Arkansas staying at one-loss, because now a win over the Razorbacks doesn’t look as impressive. Either way, Florida is a very good football team that will probably not get the chance to show the nation what it could really do.

5. LSU (10-2)
Previous Rank: #8
Boy, did the Tigers come full circle or what? I had these guys ranked high all year and even had LSU beating Auburn and Florida earlier in the season. They muffed both of those contests and still find a way back into the top five. I’ve called LSU the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NCAA all year and I think the comparison fits.

6. Arkansas (10-2)
Previous Rank: #5
I’ll highlight the positive in the Razorbacks’ loss to LSU, because everybody knows what the negative was out of the defeat. Darren McFadden is an outstanding player. He completely kept Arkansas in that game with his impressive runs and deserves heavy consideration for a Hesiman. What an athlete.

7. Notre Dame (10-2)
Previous Rank: 6
The only way to explain what happened to the Irish in Southern Cal is that a better team flat out just smoked them. Brady Quinn is sizing up his Lions jersey right now. Start the Joey Harrington nightmares now please.

8. Wisconsin (11-1)
Previous Rank: #10
Good deal for the Badgers. Wisconsin doesn’t even play and it moves up two spots in the rankings. I know the two programs have no relation, but I get a feeling that Urban Meyer and the rest of Gator Nation is upset with this injustice as I type.

9. Oklahoma (10-2)
Previous Rank: Unranked
It took the Sooners all season to make a push back into the top ten after a ref completely shot their season against Oregon. Too bad it’s the end of the season and Oklahoma isn’t fighting for too much these days but a decent bowl. The Sooners must feel like they arrived late to a killer party because they got screwed with bad directions. But as they pull up to the party they see all the action is virtually over. Heal soon Adrian Peterson.

10. Boise State (12-0)
Previous Rank: Unranked
It’s tough to leave out a team that goes undefeated in college football. I don’t care what conference you play in, staying unbeaten is an impressive feat for any program.

Here are your college football players of the week.

Remember, if you feel that another player was worthy of higher honors than the two I chose, post the athlete and let me hear why you think he or they were more deserving.

Here are your top performers of the week:

Offensive Player of the Week: Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC
While there were plenty of solid offensive performances to choose from, I’m always partial to the athlete who does it on a national stage. Jarrett was phenomenal in the Trojans 44-24 victory over Notre Dame. The receiver caught seven passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns and helped propel USC into the #2 spot in the BCS rankings. There might not be a better receiver in the NCAA that uses his size to gain an advantage on a defender than Jarrett.

Defensive Player of the Week: Ben Moffitt, LB South Florida
Moffitt was great in the Bulls 24-19 upset over previously ranked No. 8 West Virginia. The linebacker recorded seven tackles and recovered a Steve Slaton fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Moffitt was also part of a defensive effort that held Slaton and Pat White to only 60 rushing yards.

With the Trojans convincing 44-24 victory over Notre Dame Saturday night, USC has leapfrogged Michigan in the BCS standings. The Trojans now claim the number two spot behind Ohio State and now USC controls its only destiny. Beat UCLA next week and the Trojans will take on the Buckeyes in the national championship.

Given the current BCS situation, Florida is on the shakiest ground for playing for a national title. A one-loss Gator team being the odd man out won’t sit too well with Florida head coach Urban Meyer and his plea for a playoff system either. The Gators would have plenty to argue about too. Not only does Florida play in one of the toughest conferences in college football, the SEC, but also the Gators only loss was to Auburn. The Tigers were ranked No. 11 when they upset Florida, while USC’s only loss would be to an unranked Oregon State program.

Of course, one thing could fix all of this mess, but it also makes the most sense. That’s why we may never see a playoff system in college football.