Tag: USC Trojans (Page 14 of 15)

      Georgia blows out CMU, USC doesn’t play – are Bulldogs No. 1 again?

      September 7, 2008 /

      Mark RichtLast week Georgia did nothing to lose its No. 1 ranking, yet they fell to No. 2 behind USC in the polls. This week, the Trojans were off (how convenient with No. 3 Ohio State coming to town next week) and the Bulldogs blew out Central Michigan 56-17.

      So will UGA claim their top spot again? If the voters take the same approach as they did last week, then the Bulldogs should be No. 1 again. Technically they outperformed USC on Saturday right?

      Some think I might be over blowing this situation and that Georgia falling last week despite winning isn’t a big deal. But if a program is good enough to be ranked No. 1 in preseason and they win their first game, why aren’t they good enough to be ranked No. 1 heading into Week 2? I still don’t understand it, even though I realize USC might be the better team with how young and inexperienced the Bulldogs’ offensive line is.

      If UGA reclaims the top spot, then somebody needs to cue the tunes because the NCAA appears ready to play musical chairs with the polls again this year.

      College Football

      USC leapfrogs over Georgia, Ohio State in latest AP college football polls

      September 2, 2008 /

      USC TrojansIn yet another example of how ridiculous college football polls are early in the season, the latest AP rankings have established USC as the top rated team in the nation. The previously No. 1 ranked Georgia is now No. 2, while Ohio State moves from No. 2 to No. 3.

      The Top 5:

      1. USC
      2. Georgia
      3. Ohio State
      4. Oklahoma
      5. Florida

      For the rest of the AP Top 25 poll, click here.

      So what, because Georgia only beat Georgia Southern 45-21, USC is now the better team because they crushed Virginia 52-7? And Ohio State’s 43-0 romp over Youngstown State wasn’t enough for them to keep the top spot?

      At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the AP needs to hold off on doing these polls until after every team has played at least four games. Because there’s no way the AP can suggest that USC is a better team this week than they were last week just because they beat a better opponent than Georgia did. (And I say that regardless of whether or not the Trojans really are better than the Bulldogs.)

      College Football

      Couch Potato Alert: 8/29

      August 29, 2008 /

      Labor Day has traditionally been the last weekend to wear white, but it is now time to don your school colors for the start of the college football season.

      – Al Groh wishes he still had Chris Long anchoring his defensive front this weekend. His Cavaliers could still give USC some trouble if they can exploit the young, inexperienced Trojan offensive line. University of Virginia will host Southern Cal on Saturday in front of a nationally televised audience on ABC beginning at 3:30 p.m. EST.

      – All eyes will be on The Big House on the University of Michigan campus, as the Rich Rodriquez era begins in Maize and Blue. This game might depend on whether or not Utah’s inexperienced front seven can control Michigan’s playmakers at the line of scrimmage. The Wolverines will host the Runnin’ Utes late Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. EST on ESPNU.

      – A In a classic border war, Illinois travels to the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis to play host Missouri. Heisman Trophy candidate QB Chase Daniels will show off his throwing skills in the primetime matchup, and he will have a lot of firepower to throw to on the Tigers side of the ball. But do not underestimate the Missouri defense, which has 10 starters returning. The Fighting Illini will miss the leadership of Rashard Mendenhall this season, as they rely on freshman WR Regis Benn to lead their offense. Check local listings on which ESPN/ABC family of channels will be broadcasting this game on Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. EST.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, College Football, Couch Potato Alert, General Sports, Television

      Top 10 College Football Programs of the BCS Era

      August 28, 2008 /

      RealClearSports.com compiled a ranking of the top 10 college football programs of the BCS era, complete with YouTube clips and a summary.

      #1 USC

      What, were you expecting Duke?

      USC spotted everyone four years and yet still emerged as the top program in the BCS Era on the sheer dominance of its latter six seasons. After beginning his tenure at Troy with a 6-6 record in 2001, Pete Carroll has led the Trojans to six consecutive BCS bowl berths and Pac-10 championships, at least 11 victories each season and no worse than 4th in the final AP poll.

      After starting 2-5 in 2001, the Trojans have gone 67-7 under Carroll and won 34 consecutive games between 2003-2005. USC won two national championships and lost its bid for an unprecedented third in a heartbreaking loss to Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl – USC’s only BCS bowl loss. The Men of Troy also hauled home three more Heisman Trophies (Carson Palmer 2002, Matt Leinart 2004, Reggie Bush 2005), matching Notre Dame with seven winners all-time.

      About the only thing that might stop this college football hegemon is the NCAA. With the Bush investigation wrapping up, there are indications that stiff penalties including forfeiture of games, recruiting losses and postseason sanctions may be imposed. Short of that, there is no end of this Trojan Dynasty in sight.

      The rest of the top five: #2 Ohio State; #3 Oklahoma; #4 Miami; #5 LSU.

      Obviously this ranking is up for interpretation because it mostly focuses on records and doesn’t get into each programs’ difficulty of schedule or opponents, but it’s a pretty cool list nonetheless.

      College Football

      Week 1 College Football Primer

      August 25, 2008 /

      The line is old, tired and clichéd by I’m going to use it anyway: Football is back!

      This is the opening week of college football with action kicking off Thursday, August 25 and running through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. Below is our Week 1 College Football Primer.

      Top 25 Action:
      No. 20 Illinois at No. 6 Missouri – Saturday, August 30, 8:30pm ET
      Ron Zook and the Illini try to build on their 2007 success with a trip to Missouri to take on the No. 6 Tigers. Quarterback Chase Daniel looks to start his Heisman Trophy campaign off with a bang as he’ll face an Illinois defense that ranked 83rd in the nation against the pass last season. Even though this looks like a mismatch in favor of Missouri, clearly oddsmakers feel that the Illini can keep the game close considering the Tigers opened up as 8.5-point favorites.

      No. 24 Alabama at No. 9 Clemson – Saturday, August 30, 8:00pm ET
      The Tigers are considered the favorites to win the ACC this season, but Tommy Bowden’s crew has found a way to underachieve in the past. Clemson arguably has the best senior quarterback in the country Cullen Harper and the ACC’s best backfield tandem in James Davis and C.J. Spiller. For Alabama, Nick Saban’s team is expected to be improved this year and should give Clemson a game this weekend.

      Keep your eye on:
      Hawaii at No. 5 Florida – Saturday, August 30, 12:30pm ET
      Hawaii lost their all-time leading passer Colt Brennan to the NFL and head coach June Jones to SMU, but the Warriors are still expected to light up the scoreboard. The Gators are clearly the better team, led by 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow, but Hawaii is no cupcake opponent. Think there might be some points scored in this game? Oddsmakers have established the over/under total at a whopping 71 points.

      Upset Watch:
      Appalachian State at No. 7 LSU – Saturday, August 30, 5:00pm ET
      The Mountaineers couldn’t do it again could they? LSU is solid in the trenches and should be able to overpower tiny App State, but the same was said last year when the Mountaineers rolled into Ann Arbor and knocked off Michigan. With the explosive Armanti Edwards at quarterback, anything is possible.

      Other noteable games:
      No. 3 USC at Virginia – Saturday, August 30, 3:30pm ET
      Washington at No. 21 Oregon – Saturday, August 30, 10:00pm ET
      No. 18 Tennessee at UCLA – Monday, September 1, 8:00pm ET

      College Football

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