Grading on what they've done, not who they are or what we think they can do.
No Denny Green Index, this week, as nobody knows much about who anyone is anymore.
1. South Florida (last week = #3)
Now in just about everybody's BCS driver's seat. The "biggest surprise of the season" to some, I have had them ranked in the top 5 since week #2. No losses, and wins over Auburn and West Virginia. Who can beat that?
2. Ohio State (lw = #5)
Why behind USF? Their notable wins have been against Washington and Purdue. That doesn't compare well with beating Auburn and West Virginia. There's also Ohio State's phobia over the word "Florida"
3. Boston College (lw = #6)
Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. That's really better than Ohio State's signature wins thus far. This was a close call. Ohio State's defense is making up my mind.
4. LSU (lw = #1)
Defeated Va Tech, South Carolina and Florida. Lost a tough one on the road against Kentucky. This still might be the best team in the nation.
5. South Carolina (lw = #7)
Defeated Georgia and Kentucky. Lost only to LSU. Seemingly getting better every week, this is not a happy team to see on your schedule.
6. Kentucky (lw = #19)
Beat LSU and Louisville. Lost to South Carolina. Ranked least of the LSU/SCar/KY round-robin tournament, mainly because their other win isn't as good.
7. Cal (lw = #2)
I have this feeling that they aren't going to lose again.
8. Oregon (lw = #20)
The blowout win at Michigan looking better every week. The loss at Cal is hardly a shame.
9. Arizona State (lw = #11)
Unbeaten, but no significant wins. Thus begins the parking spots for the unbeaten, untested...
10. Kansas (lw = same)
Same as above...
11. Hawaii (lw = #13)
Same as above...
12. Virginia Tech (lw = #15)
Lost to LSU. Beat Clemson. Mere social promotion at work here because of the collapse of others.
13. Cincinnati (lw = #8)
Defeating Rutgers notwithstanding, it was tempting to blow them out of the poll entirely because they couldn't tear up the Louisville defense.
14. Oklahoma (lw = same)
Defeated Miami and Texas. But lost to Colorado - it's going to take a while to forget about that.
15. Missouri (lw = #4)
The Big 12 North is starting to look like the "MAC-Plains Division" once again.
16. West Virginia (lw = same)
Lost to South Florida. Otherwise, a thus far unimpressive string of wins. Yawn.
17. Virginia (lw = NR)
Defeated Georgia Tech. Lost to Wyoming. Which team is the real Virginia? Both?
18. Texas Tech (lw = NR)
Texas A&M the only decent win. Oklahoma State a somewhat mediocre loss. Basically, we're running out of one-loss teams and TWO one- loss teams might be in the BCS title game. With Oklahoma and Texas already beatable, it's time to pay attention to these guys.
19. Southern Cal (lw = NR)
I ditched them completely after last week and their weak win over Arizona didn't give any reason to change my mind. They have beaten nobody, but they still have just one loss. So, for the moment, they belong somewhere here.
20. UConn (lw = #12)
No worthwhile wins. Only loss is to Virginia, who isn't looking too shabby.
NOTES:
1. Who's missing? Everybody with two losses or more. We're not yet 2/3 through the season, and everybody who matters has already gone through the cream-puff part of their schedule. To come out with 2 defeats already is a big strike against you and probably evidence that you are going to lose more.
2. Boise State: The only team with one loss not in my top 20. As I write this, they are tied with Nevada -- at home -- in the 4th quarter. If they win, they stay with just one loss, but have yet to beat anyone. Very much looking forward to their Nov. 23 game against Hawaii.
3. Dropped out: Illinois (lw = #9), Wisconsin (lw = #18), Florida State (lw = #17)
Showing posts with label Top 20 Performers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top 20 Performers. Show all posts
10/14/07
10/7/07
2007 Top 20 Performers v.5
Grading them by what they've done, not by what we think they can do.
Well, the Denny Green Index still holds up well in comparison to the rest of the conventional polling universe. Much of my top 5 still "were who we thought they were." I'll even claim a decent moral victory for refusing to recognize Southern Cal in the first poll. If only I'd stuck with my better judgment regarding the value of the Nebraska win...
1. LSU (last week = same)
I've had them in the BCS pole position since they smashed Va Tech in week #1.
2. Cal (lw = same)
Another one that's clung stubbornly to its spot since the first ranking. If this holds up to the BCS title game, the Denny Green Index may need a copyright...
3. South Florida (lw = #4)
Here too, a relative victory. I placed USF 5th in the very first poll and bounced them around 4th and 5th until this week. The conventional polls gave them no top-5 love until the West Virginia win.
4. Missouri (lw = #19)
In a world upside down, these guys from the Big 12 Norris Division are really standing out. Unbeaten, with wins over Nebraska (4-2) and Illinois (5-1). If this seems high, that's only because...
5. Ohio State (lw = same)
...has beaten only one substantive team: Purdue (5-1). And even here, what has Purdue done?
6. Boston College (lw = #7)
Unbeaten, with no standout victories but three decent ones: Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Bowling Green.
7. South Carolina (lw = #15)
A 5-1 team that has beaten Georgia and Kentucky and only lost to LSU. Thus far, their only error is getting tough stuff out of the way early.
8. Cincinnati (lw = #20)
As this season progresses, it becomes very clear that just getting to this point unbeaten is an accomplishment regardless of who you play. Cincinnati has no door-blowing wins, but they did beat Rutgers this week. Being undefeated with at least one mediocre win is all that seperates them from...
9. Illinois (lw = NR)
5-1 Fighting Illini have now downed Wisconsin (5-1), Penn State (4-2) and Indiana (5-1). Finding another team in the country with that kind of resume is very hard. One loss to an undefeated Missouri isn't even a DQ for the national title game. Wild year...
10. Kansas (lw = NR)
Nothing eye-opening to show for themselves yet, except that they've beaten everyone they have played. There's only ten unbeaten teams left. Southern Cal lost to Stanford. Oklahoma lost to Colorado. The world is spinning backwards and one of these quiet unbeatens might run the table. It's time to put them somewhere. So...
11. Arizona State (lw = #17)
See above...
12. UConn (lw = NR)
See above...
13. Hawaii (lw = NR)
I am really looking for a solid reason to eject these frauds. May not get that chance until they play Washington with their home ref... er ... FIELD advantage making even that suspect.
14. Oklahoma (lw = #11)
Not much movement here. They were supposed to beat Texas, given what became of the Red River Retreads last weekend. One loss and another decent win notched over Miami-FL. Hard to accept this, but does the Big 12 North have chance to win the conference championship????
15. Virginia Tech (lw = NR)
Another one that can claim LSU as their only loss. And now they get to notch a decent Clemson in the "good win" part of the balance sheet.
16. West Virginia (lw = #13)
I've had these guys stuck here in the mid-teens since before they lost to South Florida. This demotion was merely to make room for the undefeateds, because being unbeaten looks ever more impressive this season, regardless of schedule. West Virginia -- aside from losing to South Florida -- hasn't beaten anyone of note.
17. Florida State (lw = NR)
Back off the shelf because they've got one acceptable loss to a decent team way back at the beginning of the year (Clemson) and have also beaten a decent team: Alabama
18. Wisconsin (lw = #6)
Like Florida State, except switch Michigan State for Alabama and Illinois for Clemson.
19. Kentucky (lw = #8)
Kentucky's early "upset" of Louisville looks like nothing of the sort anymore, thanks to Louisville's wretched defense. The win over Arkansas has also dulled over time. Losing to South Carolina, on the other hand, looks like nothing to be ashamed about.
20. Oregon (lw = #10)
Michigan and what else? No horrible defeats, either. That all makes them better than...
Notes:
1. Southern Cal (lw = #3): They just lost, at home, to the worst team in their conference. Their only win is against what is now looking to be the 4th best team in the Big 12 North (Nebraska). Forget the jerseys and look at what they have done on the field: NOT MUCH. There are at least 20 teams with better work against tougher competition. There is every reason to expect Southern Cal to lose to Oregon, Cal and maybe more. In the year of living dangerously, is there even reason for the 'Domers to dream?
2. Florida (lw = # 9): Two losses is two losses. Remember, this is based on what they have done already, not where we expect them to be. But the Tennessee win is noteworthy. They too look better than Southern Cal.
3. Texas (lw = #14): Again, two losses -- see note #2
4. Rutgers (lw = #12): Hmmmm.... maybe Schiano should have taken that Miami job?
5. Purdue (lw = #18): Have beaten nobody noteworthy yet.
6. Clemson (lw = #16): See the two losses from note#2.
7. Indiana: This blog may disappear if I am forced to continue paying attention to this team after next week.
Well, the Denny Green Index still holds up well in comparison to the rest of the conventional polling universe. Much of my top 5 still "were who we thought they were." I'll even claim a decent moral victory for refusing to recognize Southern Cal in the first poll. If only I'd stuck with my better judgment regarding the value of the Nebraska win...
1. LSU (last week = same)
I've had them in the BCS pole position since they smashed Va Tech in week #1.
2. Cal (lw = same)
Another one that's clung stubbornly to its spot since the first ranking. If this holds up to the BCS title game, the Denny Green Index may need a copyright...
3. South Florida (lw = #4)
Here too, a relative victory. I placed USF 5th in the very first poll and bounced them around 4th and 5th until this week. The conventional polls gave them no top-5 love until the West Virginia win.
4. Missouri (lw = #19)
In a world upside down, these guys from the Big 12 Norris Division are really standing out. Unbeaten, with wins over Nebraska (4-2) and Illinois (5-1). If this seems high, that's only because...
5. Ohio State (lw = same)
...has beaten only one substantive team: Purdue (5-1). And even here, what has Purdue done?
6. Boston College (lw = #7)
Unbeaten, with no standout victories but three decent ones: Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Bowling Green.
7. South Carolina (lw = #15)
A 5-1 team that has beaten Georgia and Kentucky and only lost to LSU. Thus far, their only error is getting tough stuff out of the way early.
8. Cincinnati (lw = #20)
As this season progresses, it becomes very clear that just getting to this point unbeaten is an accomplishment regardless of who you play. Cincinnati has no door-blowing wins, but they did beat Rutgers this week. Being undefeated with at least one mediocre win is all that seperates them from...
9. Illinois (lw = NR)
5-1 Fighting Illini have now downed Wisconsin (5-1), Penn State (4-2) and Indiana (5-1). Finding another team in the country with that kind of resume is very hard. One loss to an undefeated Missouri isn't even a DQ for the national title game. Wild year...
10. Kansas (lw = NR)
Nothing eye-opening to show for themselves yet, except that they've beaten everyone they have played. There's only ten unbeaten teams left. Southern Cal lost to Stanford. Oklahoma lost to Colorado. The world is spinning backwards and one of these quiet unbeatens might run the table. It's time to put them somewhere. So...
11. Arizona State (lw = #17)
See above...
12. UConn (lw = NR)
See above...
13. Hawaii (lw = NR)
I am really looking for a solid reason to eject these frauds. May not get that chance until they play Washington with their home ref... er ... FIELD advantage making even that suspect.
14. Oklahoma (lw = #11)
Not much movement here. They were supposed to beat Texas, given what became of the Red River Retreads last weekend. One loss and another decent win notched over Miami-FL. Hard to accept this, but does the Big 12 North have chance to win the conference championship????
15. Virginia Tech (lw = NR)
Another one that can claim LSU as their only loss. And now they get to notch a decent Clemson in the "good win" part of the balance sheet.
16. West Virginia (lw = #13)
I've had these guys stuck here in the mid-teens since before they lost to South Florida. This demotion was merely to make room for the undefeateds, because being unbeaten looks ever more impressive this season, regardless of schedule. West Virginia -- aside from losing to South Florida -- hasn't beaten anyone of note.
17. Florida State (lw = NR)
Back off the shelf because they've got one acceptable loss to a decent team way back at the beginning of the year (Clemson) and have also beaten a decent team: Alabama
18. Wisconsin (lw = #6)
Like Florida State, except switch Michigan State for Alabama and Illinois for Clemson.
19. Kentucky (lw = #8)
Kentucky's early "upset" of Louisville looks like nothing of the sort anymore, thanks to Louisville's wretched defense. The win over Arkansas has also dulled over time. Losing to South Carolina, on the other hand, looks like nothing to be ashamed about.
20. Oregon (lw = #10)
Michigan and what else? No horrible defeats, either. That all makes them better than...
Notes:
1. Southern Cal (lw = #3): They just lost, at home, to the worst team in their conference. Their only win is against what is now looking to be the 4th best team in the Big 12 North (Nebraska). Forget the jerseys and look at what they have done on the field: NOT MUCH. There are at least 20 teams with better work against tougher competition. There is every reason to expect Southern Cal to lose to Oregon, Cal and maybe more. In the year of living dangerously, is there even reason for the 'Domers to dream?
2. Florida (lw = # 9): Two losses is two losses. Remember, this is based on what they have done already, not where we expect them to be. But the Tennessee win is noteworthy. They too look better than Southern Cal.
3. Texas (lw = #14): Again, two losses -- see note #2
4. Rutgers (lw = #12): Hmmmm.... maybe Schiano should have taken that Miami job?
5. Purdue (lw = #18): Have beaten nobody noteworthy yet.
6. Clemson (lw = #16): See the two losses from note#2.
7. Indiana: This blog may disappear if I am forced to continue paying attention to this team after next week.
9/30/07
2007 Top 20 Performers v.4
Ranking teams by what they've done, not by what we think they can do. This week, we'll start calling this the "Dennis Green Index," because a lot of teams lived up (or down) to where I put them last week. In a memorable rant: "They were who we thought they were!"
1. LSU (last week = same)
Ho, hum... I suspect that the coaches and sportswriters will start giving these guys a few more #1 votes after the Trojans' narrow miss vs Washington. I've had LSU here for a while.
2. Cal (lw = same)
Not necessarily convinced that they are better than Southern Cal yet, not saying they are not either, but they keep beating better teams. The national polls had them sixth last week and will doubtlessly be moving them up quite close to where I had them to begin with.
3. Southern Cal (lw = same)
This is where they get dropped to when Southern Cal beats them. I'm just getting a head start.
4. South Florida (lw = same)
Ahem.... 18th? The national polls will surely now be bumping them into whispering distance of the top five. I had them here last week -- and fifth the week before.
5. Ohio State (lw = #11)
This is social promotion as much as anything. They keep beating all that is laid before them. Also, that win over Washington is looking better and better as Washington looks pretty scrappy against a brutal sked.
6. Wisconsin (lw = #18)
Finally, and unfortunately, a real win.
7. Boston College (lw = same)
The wreckage of the conventional polls' previous top 10 this weekend and BC's sleepwalking win over UMass is probably enough to get them vaulted out of the teens and into the top 10. I've had them here for two weeks. The 3-0 conference record is looking quite BCSish at this stage, but always beware of the multi-car pile-up that the ACC is poised to become.
8. Kentucky (lw = same)
Another, like BC, about to get promoted out of the teens in the conventional polls after playing a nobody. They earned the spot last week, however, and the week before. Ask Arkansas. And Louisville.
9. Florida (lw = same)
And here's the flipside of our Dennis Green Index. The conventional polls had the Gators in the top 5 last week and will doubtlessly drop them after the cliffhanger loss to Auburn. Maybe they go out of the top 10, maybe not. But I think I parked them more correctly to begin with.
10. Oregon (lw = #6)
Here the conventional polls got them right, somewhere in the #11-#12 range. Though, I suspect they'll drop them further after the Cal loss. I'll keep them here.
11. Oklahoma (lw = #5)
Colorado? And Texas lost to Kansas State? The Big 12 Norris Division is looking feisty. Which explains why you won't find Nebraska anywhere near this poll for quite a while.
12. Rutgers (lw = same)
They deserved this last week because they hadn't done anything yet. Losing to Maryland is pretty much treading water with what I thought of them.
13. West Virginia (lw = same)
Obviously, a favorite for the DGI. I put them here last week because I thought that #5 ranking was better reserved for the team that would beat them -- South Florida. So, both teams did exactly as expected and stay where they were.
14. Texas (lw = same)
Yet another team that lived down to my expectations. More DGI love. I welcome all of the poll voters who had them #7 last week.
15. South Carolina (lw = same)
Conventional polls had them 16th or 21st. They might get a nice bump from beating Mississippi State. It would be wrong to put them any higher than this.
16. Clemson (lw = #10)
The ACC is who we thought they were .... last year: A smash-up derby, Hobbesian war of all against all, where life at the top is nasty, brutish and short, and the end of season goal is every team finishing 8-4, with a dozen bowl invitations and nobody ranked higher than 20th.
17. Arizona State (lw = same)
The tree falling in the woods team. If they play nobodies and beat nobodies, should it make a sound?
18. Purdue (lw = NR)
My only new entrant this week. The win over Notre Dame actually means something to me because, paradoxically, beating Notre Dame gets harder and harder as chaos theory will eventually overcome the offensive mind of Charlie Weis. The Irish at some point will beat somebody, so the priceof playing them gets higher and higher for every decent team that confronts the prospect of a classic "trap game" loss. Also, of course, Purdue is 5-0 and putting up playstation scores on everyone they play.
19. Missouri (lw = same)
They beat Illinois State 38-17. That's basically a bye week. The win over the real Illinois looks pretty good because Illinois is looking... pretty good.
20. Cincinnati (lw = same)
Still the most boring "interesting storyline" in college football. 5-0? Great. Beat somebody. PLAY somebody. Make me care.
Notes:
1. I ditched my Penn State stock last week. That looks better and better, though I'm not yet ready to buy Illinois -- but getting close.
2. Still not convinced on Hawaii. They're Cincinnati with even less hope for proving otherwise because of the silly sked.
3. Alabama, previously #16 on this list, is the only team I dropped this week.
4. Though counting in the conventional top 20's, Virginia Tech is not included because they lost their only big game badly (LSU) and haven't played anyone else. Michigan State and a few others not counted in my poll would deserve it more.
5. Georgia, also in the conventional poll top 20, isn't here because I didn't have room. Thought long and hard about adding them and booting ... who? Missouri? Cinncinnati? Purdue? Basically, it came down to to many SEC teams on the board already.
1. LSU (last week = same)
Ho, hum... I suspect that the coaches and sportswriters will start giving these guys a few more #1 votes after the Trojans' narrow miss vs Washington. I've had LSU here for a while.
2. Cal (lw = same)
Not necessarily convinced that they are better than Southern Cal yet, not saying they are not either, but they keep beating better teams. The national polls had them sixth last week and will doubtlessly be moving them up quite close to where I had them to begin with.
3. Southern Cal (lw = same)
This is where they get dropped to when Southern Cal beats them. I'm just getting a head start.
4. South Florida (lw = same)
Ahem.... 18th? The national polls will surely now be bumping them into whispering distance of the top five. I had them here last week -- and fifth the week before.
5. Ohio State (lw = #11)
This is social promotion as much as anything. They keep beating all that is laid before them. Also, that win over Washington is looking better and better as Washington looks pretty scrappy against a brutal sked.
6. Wisconsin (lw = #18)
Finally, and unfortunately, a real win.
7. Boston College (lw = same)
The wreckage of the conventional polls' previous top 10 this weekend and BC's sleepwalking win over UMass is probably enough to get them vaulted out of the teens and into the top 10. I've had them here for two weeks. The 3-0 conference record is looking quite BCSish at this stage, but always beware of the multi-car pile-up that the ACC is poised to become.
8. Kentucky (lw = same)
Another, like BC, about to get promoted out of the teens in the conventional polls after playing a nobody. They earned the spot last week, however, and the week before. Ask Arkansas. And Louisville.
9. Florida (lw = same)
And here's the flipside of our Dennis Green Index. The conventional polls had the Gators in the top 5 last week and will doubtlessly drop them after the cliffhanger loss to Auburn. Maybe they go out of the top 10, maybe not. But I think I parked them more correctly to begin with.
10. Oregon (lw = #6)
Here the conventional polls got them right, somewhere in the #11-#12 range. Though, I suspect they'll drop them further after the Cal loss. I'll keep them here.
11. Oklahoma (lw = #5)
Colorado? And Texas lost to Kansas State? The Big 12 Norris Division is looking feisty. Which explains why you won't find Nebraska anywhere near this poll for quite a while.
12. Rutgers (lw = same)
They deserved this last week because they hadn't done anything yet. Losing to Maryland is pretty much treading water with what I thought of them.
13. West Virginia (lw = same)
Obviously, a favorite for the DGI. I put them here last week because I thought that #5 ranking was better reserved for the team that would beat them -- South Florida. So, both teams did exactly as expected and stay where they were.
14. Texas (lw = same)
Yet another team that lived down to my expectations. More DGI love. I welcome all of the poll voters who had them #7 last week.
15. South Carolina (lw = same)
Conventional polls had them 16th or 21st. They might get a nice bump from beating Mississippi State. It would be wrong to put them any higher than this.
16. Clemson (lw = #10)
The ACC is who we thought they were .... last year: A smash-up derby, Hobbesian war of all against all, where life at the top is nasty, brutish and short, and the end of season goal is every team finishing 8-4, with a dozen bowl invitations and nobody ranked higher than 20th.
17. Arizona State (lw = same)
The tree falling in the woods team. If they play nobodies and beat nobodies, should it make a sound?
18. Purdue (lw = NR)
My only new entrant this week. The win over Notre Dame actually means something to me because, paradoxically, beating Notre Dame gets harder and harder as chaos theory will eventually overcome the offensive mind of Charlie Weis. The Irish at some point will beat somebody, so the priceof playing them gets higher and higher for every decent team that confronts the prospect of a classic "trap game" loss. Also, of course, Purdue is 5-0 and putting up playstation scores on everyone they play.
19. Missouri (lw = same)
They beat Illinois State 38-17. That's basically a bye week. The win over the real Illinois looks pretty good because Illinois is looking... pretty good.
20. Cincinnati (lw = same)
Still the most boring "interesting storyline" in college football. 5-0? Great. Beat somebody. PLAY somebody. Make me care.
Notes:
1. I ditched my Penn State stock last week. That looks better and better, though I'm not yet ready to buy Illinois -- but getting close.
2. Still not convinced on Hawaii. They're Cincinnati with even less hope for proving otherwise because of the silly sked.
3. Alabama, previously #16 on this list, is the only team I dropped this week.
4. Though counting in the conventional top 20's, Virginia Tech is not included because they lost their only big game badly (LSU) and haven't played anyone else. Michigan State and a few others not counted in my poll would deserve it more.
5. Georgia, also in the conventional poll top 20, isn't here because I didn't have room. Thought long and hard about adding them and booting ... who? Missouri? Cinncinnati? Purdue? Basically, it came down to to many SEC teams on the board already.
9/23/07
2007 Top 20 Performers v.3
Ranking teams by what they've done, not by what we think they can do...
1. LSU (last week = same)
Workmanlike downing of a good South Carolina. Nothing about these guys doesn't look real.
2. Cal (lw = same)
The big win over Tennessee stands high, which is what keeps them above...
3. Southern Cal (lw = #4)
Only signature win so far is over a Nebraska team that I've never believed in and which almost lost to Ball State. We all know what happens to teams that narrowly beat Ball State...
4. South Florida (lw = #5)
Doing everything asked of them and doing it well. Stung Auburn. May be the Beast of the East, the way things are going with Louisville. Next up... West Virginia. A lot will be revealed.
5. Oklahoma (lw = #6)
Strong smashing of an under-rated Tulsa team (a game at Tulsa, for some reason). Who in the Big 12 beats them? Harder and harder question to answer every weekend.
6. Oregon (lw = #7)
Blowout of Michigan looking better all the time as Michigan recovers. Strong win over Stanford after a shaky first half (a loss to the Jim Harbaugh team would have been a delicious addition to a weird year in Ann Arbor).
7. Boston College (lw = #8)
Another smash-up derby in the ACC shaping up this year, but BC is keeping its fenders clean and piling up conference wins.
8. Kentucky (lw = #10)
Louisville... then Arkansas... You get the feeling that these guys must float back to Earth from their dream at some point. No way they can make a run at their conference title, right? That's what I thought last year about Wake Forest. And Rutgers.
9. Florida (lw = #11)
Unlike Kentucky, these guys or LSU probably will win the SEC. But so far, they haven't racked up the trophies that Kentucky has. And there was that narrow miss vs Ole Miss this weekend. No serious questions, but some questions nonetheless...
10. Clemson (lw = #13)
Started with a win over a FL St team that isn't yet showing traditional Florida State life. Haven't been given a serious challenge since, but haven't failed any of them either.
11. Ohio State (lw = #15)
Pounded NW, for what that's worth. Not much in the win column to be impressive, but everything is still in the win column.
12. Rutgers (lw = #14)
Social promotion at work here. They were idle and haven't really played anybody. Good coach. Clean W/L record. Not much else to say.
13. West Virginia (lw = #16)
Played pretty much nobody. Beat everybody. South Florida gets the higher ranking because of the Auburn win, but the winner of the clash between these two this week gets the top 5 ranking.
14. Texas (lw = #17)
Whoopee, you killed RICE!!! Still not forgetting that near miss against Central Florida. Oklahoma has played better, pounded them worse.
15. South Carolina (lw = #3)
LSU is just really damn good. South Carolina will get back to winning real soon. I could see, but do not expect, an upset of Florida and a rematch with LSU in the SEC title game. Too many returning starters in Spurrier's weapon cabinet. More surprises ahead. Just like...
16. Alabama (lw = #9)
Somebody had to lose when Bama played Georgia. Good coaches, good teams, etc... As with SCar, I don't expect Bama to beat LSU and steal the division, but stranger things have happend. Trust in Nick Satan. This team will end the season stronger than it starts -- and it is starting quite well.
17. Arizona State (lw = #18)
Bleh... bleh... Mediocre schedule not likely to get better soon. Hard to know, so they keep getting socially promoted until they play somebody real or trip over themselves. Seen this movie with these guys before.
18. Wisconsin (lw = NR)
Almost lost to UNLV, almost lost in Madison to Iowa (who DID lose to Iowa St), let the Citadel put up 31 pts on their defense in Madison. That's three of their four wins. The Spartan in me is terrified of playing them in Madison this weekend. But the logical football mind tells me something is very wrong with the Wisconsin story that the recognized polls are showing. They get into my ranking because of gravity -- others ahead of them have faltered and they are still unbeaten and about to play a home game.
19. Missourit (lw = NR)
The Michigan State of the Big 12. Always living down high expectations. But right now, the narrow win on the road against Illinois is looking to be an interesting part of their 4-0 start. With Nebraska and Oklahoma on the way, they will quickly move up or out.
20. Cincinnati (lw = NR)
Grumble... grumble... These guys are killing all of the nobodies they are playing. Not much to go on here.
On the outs...
Penn State (lw #12) Lost to 2-2 Michigan
Air Force (lw #19) Smashed by BYU
Tulsa (lw #20) Crushed by Oklahoma.
Waiting in line...
UConn... 4-0. Battered Pitt for best win.
Purdue... 4-0. One conference win. No serious wins yet.
Hawaii... 4-0. Endless series of crappy competition.
Michigan State... 4-0. They fight for Wisconsin's spot this week.
Kansas... 4-0. HUGE WINS. Little opponents.
1. LSU (last week = same)
Workmanlike downing of a good South Carolina. Nothing about these guys doesn't look real.
2. Cal (lw = same)
The big win over Tennessee stands high, which is what keeps them above...
3. Southern Cal (lw = #4)
Only signature win so far is over a Nebraska team that I've never believed in and which almost lost to Ball State. We all know what happens to teams that narrowly beat Ball State...
4. South Florida (lw = #5)
Doing everything asked of them and doing it well. Stung Auburn. May be the Beast of the East, the way things are going with Louisville. Next up... West Virginia. A lot will be revealed.
5. Oklahoma (lw = #6)
Strong smashing of an under-rated Tulsa team (a game at Tulsa, for some reason). Who in the Big 12 beats them? Harder and harder question to answer every weekend.
6. Oregon (lw = #7)
Blowout of Michigan looking better all the time as Michigan recovers. Strong win over Stanford after a shaky first half (a loss to the Jim Harbaugh team would have been a delicious addition to a weird year in Ann Arbor).
7. Boston College (lw = #8)
Another smash-up derby in the ACC shaping up this year, but BC is keeping its fenders clean and piling up conference wins.
8. Kentucky (lw = #10)
Louisville... then Arkansas... You get the feeling that these guys must float back to Earth from their dream at some point. No way they can make a run at their conference title, right? That's what I thought last year about Wake Forest. And Rutgers.
9. Florida (lw = #11)
Unlike Kentucky, these guys or LSU probably will win the SEC. But so far, they haven't racked up the trophies that Kentucky has. And there was that narrow miss vs Ole Miss this weekend. No serious questions, but some questions nonetheless...
10. Clemson (lw = #13)
Started with a win over a FL St team that isn't yet showing traditional Florida State life. Haven't been given a serious challenge since, but haven't failed any of them either.
11. Ohio State (lw = #15)
Pounded NW, for what that's worth. Not much in the win column to be impressive, but everything is still in the win column.
12. Rutgers (lw = #14)
Social promotion at work here. They were idle and haven't really played anybody. Good coach. Clean W/L record. Not much else to say.
13. West Virginia (lw = #16)
Played pretty much nobody. Beat everybody. South Florida gets the higher ranking because of the Auburn win, but the winner of the clash between these two this week gets the top 5 ranking.
14. Texas (lw = #17)
Whoopee, you killed RICE!!! Still not forgetting that near miss against Central Florida. Oklahoma has played better, pounded them worse.
15. South Carolina (lw = #3)
LSU is just really damn good. South Carolina will get back to winning real soon. I could see, but do not expect, an upset of Florida and a rematch with LSU in the SEC title game. Too many returning starters in Spurrier's weapon cabinet. More surprises ahead. Just like...
16. Alabama (lw = #9)
Somebody had to lose when Bama played Georgia. Good coaches, good teams, etc... As with SCar, I don't expect Bama to beat LSU and steal the division, but stranger things have happend. Trust in Nick Satan. This team will end the season stronger than it starts -- and it is starting quite well.
17. Arizona State (lw = #18)
Bleh... bleh... Mediocre schedule not likely to get better soon. Hard to know, so they keep getting socially promoted until they play somebody real or trip over themselves. Seen this movie with these guys before.
18. Wisconsin (lw = NR)
Almost lost to UNLV, almost lost in Madison to Iowa (who DID lose to Iowa St), let the Citadel put up 31 pts on their defense in Madison. That's three of their four wins. The Spartan in me is terrified of playing them in Madison this weekend. But the logical football mind tells me something is very wrong with the Wisconsin story that the recognized polls are showing. They get into my ranking because of gravity -- others ahead of them have faltered and they are still unbeaten and about to play a home game.
19. Missourit (lw = NR)
The Michigan State of the Big 12. Always living down high expectations. But right now, the narrow win on the road against Illinois is looking to be an interesting part of their 4-0 start. With Nebraska and Oklahoma on the way, they will quickly move up or out.
20. Cincinnati (lw = NR)
Grumble... grumble... These guys are killing all of the nobodies they are playing. Not much to go on here.
On the outs...
Penn State (lw #12) Lost to 2-2 Michigan
Air Force (lw #19) Smashed by BYU
Tulsa (lw #20) Crushed by Oklahoma.
Waiting in line...
UConn... 4-0. Battered Pitt for best win.
Purdue... 4-0. One conference win. No serious wins yet.
Hawaii... 4-0. Endless series of crappy competition.
Michigan State... 4-0. They fight for Wisconsin's spot this week.
Kansas... 4-0. HUGE WINS. Little opponents.
9/17/07
2007 Top 20 Performers v.2
Ranking teams by what they've done, not by what we think they can do...
1. LSU (last week = same)
Commanding win over MTSU. Demolished Va Tech and Miss St. Only 7 pts scored on them through three games. The anti-Irish. Something gives next week vs South Carolina.
2. Cal (lw = same)
Blasted La Tech, a team that nearly beat 3-0 Hawaii, and still that commanding win over Tenn.
3. South Carolina (lw = same)
Pounded SC St one week after going on the road and upending Georgia. LSU up next week.
4. Southern Cal (lw = NR)
Big blowout of Nebraska on the road. Not sure Nebraska was ever for real, but USC sure is.
5. South Florida (lw = #4)
No game this week. Upset Auburn last week, but Auburn is looking a bit softer. So So Fla drops a spot.
6. Oklahoma (lw = #5)
Huge blowout of Utah State, but best win to date is over a suspect Miami-FL.
7. Oregon (lw = #8)
Equally solid wins over equally mediocre Fresno St, Michigan and Houston.
8. Boston College (lw = #10)
Telling win over Georgia Tech after convincing wins over defending ACC champ Wake Forest and NC State. BC is quietly dominating the early ACC standings with a Heisman quality QB.
9. Alabama (lw = NR)
First real opponent and a huge win over Arkansas.
10. Kentucky (lw = NR)
Big upset over top-ranked Louisville and solid blowouts of weak opponents.
11. Florida (lw = #16)
Crushed Tennessee in first real matchup with a real team.
12. Penn State (lw = same)
Rolls over weak opponent. Biggest win -- ND -- looks less impressive by the week. Perhaps ditto for the Michigan game. Hard to know about Penn State, but they're doing everything asked of them so far.
13. Clemson (lw = same)
See Penn State re: hard to know what to make of them so far. Except for less fearsome Florida State, no big wins, but convincing wins against weak opponents.
14. Rutgers (lw = same)
Destroys 1-AA opponent. Best win to date is a convincing one over Navy. Nothing new to report here.
15. Ohio State (lw = #20)
Nice win on road over a rapidly improving Washington. First convincing signs of Ohio State's potential.
16. West Virginia (lw = #17)
Pounded decent Maryland team on road. Only real test to date.
17. Texas (lw = #6)
Nearly got upset by Central Florida. Previous best win over TCU looking less impressive after Air Force beat them too.
18. Arizona State (lw = same)
Continues solid wins over seemingly medium level competition. No real tests yet, but no failures.
19. Air Force (lw = NR)
TCU and Utah were supposed to be the class of the Mountain West. Air Force just beat them in back-to-back weeks. Utah subsequently shows how impressive this is by smashing supposedly tough UCLA from Pac-Ten. Air Force looks real, but it still seems hard to believe.
20. Tulsa (lw = NR)
A fingernail grasp on the lowest spot after surprising win over BYU. They get this because none of the other unbeaten teams look more worthy than them -- right now. They either go out or way up after playing Oklahoma next week.
On the outs...
Washington (lw = #7) Blasted by Ohio State
Georgia Tech (lw = #9) Lost to Boston College
UCLA (lw = #11) Blown out by Utah
Nebraska (lw = #19) Smashed by Southern Cal in Lincoln
Hanging out, waiting for a spot...
Michigan State - Beating better and better competition...
Purdue - Lots of offense. Not much opposition.
Wisconsin - Who is this team? They keep trying to lose to somebody they should kill.
1. LSU (last week = same)
Commanding win over MTSU. Demolished Va Tech and Miss St. Only 7 pts scored on them through three games. The anti-Irish. Something gives next week vs South Carolina.
2. Cal (lw = same)
Blasted La Tech, a team that nearly beat 3-0 Hawaii, and still that commanding win over Tenn.
3. South Carolina (lw = same)
Pounded SC St one week after going on the road and upending Georgia. LSU up next week.
4. Southern Cal (lw = NR)
Big blowout of Nebraska on the road. Not sure Nebraska was ever for real, but USC sure is.
5. South Florida (lw = #4)
No game this week. Upset Auburn last week, but Auburn is looking a bit softer. So So Fla drops a spot.
6. Oklahoma (lw = #5)
Huge blowout of Utah State, but best win to date is over a suspect Miami-FL.
7. Oregon (lw = #8)
Equally solid wins over equally mediocre Fresno St, Michigan and Houston.
8. Boston College (lw = #10)
Telling win over Georgia Tech after convincing wins over defending ACC champ Wake Forest and NC State. BC is quietly dominating the early ACC standings with a Heisman quality QB.
9. Alabama (lw = NR)
First real opponent and a huge win over Arkansas.
10. Kentucky (lw = NR)
Big upset over top-ranked Louisville and solid blowouts of weak opponents.
11. Florida (lw = #16)
Crushed Tennessee in first real matchup with a real team.
12. Penn State (lw = same)
Rolls over weak opponent. Biggest win -- ND -- looks less impressive by the week. Perhaps ditto for the Michigan game. Hard to know about Penn State, but they're doing everything asked of them so far.
13. Clemson (lw = same)
See Penn State re: hard to know what to make of them so far. Except for less fearsome Florida State, no big wins, but convincing wins against weak opponents.
14. Rutgers (lw = same)
Destroys 1-AA opponent. Best win to date is a convincing one over Navy. Nothing new to report here.
15. Ohio State (lw = #20)
Nice win on road over a rapidly improving Washington. First convincing signs of Ohio State's potential.
16. West Virginia (lw = #17)
Pounded decent Maryland team on road. Only real test to date.
17. Texas (lw = #6)
Nearly got upset by Central Florida. Previous best win over TCU looking less impressive after Air Force beat them too.
18. Arizona State (lw = same)
Continues solid wins over seemingly medium level competition. No real tests yet, but no failures.
19. Air Force (lw = NR)
TCU and Utah were supposed to be the class of the Mountain West. Air Force just beat them in back-to-back weeks. Utah subsequently shows how impressive this is by smashing supposedly tough UCLA from Pac-Ten. Air Force looks real, but it still seems hard to believe.
20. Tulsa (lw = NR)
A fingernail grasp on the lowest spot after surprising win over BYU. They get this because none of the other unbeaten teams look more worthy than them -- right now. They either go out or way up after playing Oklahoma next week.
On the outs...
Washington (lw = #7) Blasted by Ohio State
Georgia Tech (lw = #9) Lost to Boston College
UCLA (lw = #11) Blown out by Utah
Nebraska (lw = #19) Smashed by Southern Cal in Lincoln
Hanging out, waiting for a spot...
Michigan State - Beating better and better competition...
Purdue - Lots of offense. Not much opposition.
Wisconsin - Who is this team? They keep trying to lose to somebody they should kill.
9/9/07
2007 Top 20 Performers v.1
Ranking teams by what they've done, not by what we think they can do...
1. LSU
Crushed what was supposed to be a good Va Tech and did just as well against what is supposed to be a weak conference opponent Miss State. 93-7 scoring edge so far.
2. Cal
2-0. Cruised by Tennessee. Things a bit closer than expected with Colorado State this week.
3. South Carolina
2-0. Beat Georgia in Athens.
4. South Florida
2-0. Beat Auburn in their house.
5. Oklahoma
Demolished Miami as easily as they demolished North Texas. Scoring edge thus far: 130-23.
6. Texas
Knocked down what should be a good TCU, but a mundane win against Arkansas State.
7. Washington
Downed Boise State and blasted Syracuse. Asked and answered every question put to them thus far.
8. Oregon
Cruised easily by Houston and then bombed the rubble to bouncing on the road in Ann Arbor.
9. Georgia Tech
Pounded Notre Dame almost as easily as they wiped out Samford. No tough questions posed to them yet, but resoundingly correct answers to what has already been asked.
10. Boston College
Two nice conference wins already over defending champ Wake Forest and NC State.
11. UCLA
Nice win over BYU, convincing win over Stanford.
12. Penn State
Two blowouts already, one against Notre Dame.
13. Clemson
Convincing win over Florida State, blowout of Louisiana-Monroe.
14. Rutgers
Convincing win against what may yet turn out to be a good Navy team. Blowout of Buffalo
15. Cincinnati
No touchdowns scored yet against these guys, including a blowout of Oregon State.
16. Florida
Defending national champs haven't played anybody worth a pulse yet, but the scores reveal nothing surprising.
17. West Virginia
Two convincing wins over non-BCS teams that may yet turn out to be some of the better teams in their conferences: Western Michigan and Marshall.
18. Arizona State
Two convincing win over San Jose State (a 9-4 team last year) and Colorado.
19. Nebraska
Narrowly beat defending ACC champ Wake Forest and blasted Nevada.
20. Ohio State
A bit closer against Akron than would be expected. An appropriate smashing of Youngstown State.
Why some others didn't make it...
Southern Cal
The pollsters' top team has done nothing so far except win safely against Idaho. Next week at Nebraska will be their resume builder.
Wisconsin
Lots of question marks is all we see so far. Consensus #7 in the nation has just finished a nailbiter against UNLV and otherwise has only a solid win against Washington State. Next up: The Citadel. Not much will be known about the Badgers for a while yet.
Louisville
Do these guys play defense? Everybody's #9 got into a highly revealing 100-pt shootout with seemingly mediocre Middle Tennessee State. Hasn't played any other Div 1-A opposition.
Texas A&M
Needed overtime to beat Fresno. No other Div 1-A opposition.
1. LSU
Crushed what was supposed to be a good Va Tech and did just as well against what is supposed to be a weak conference opponent Miss State. 93-7 scoring edge so far.
2. Cal
2-0. Cruised by Tennessee. Things a bit closer than expected with Colorado State this week.
3. South Carolina
2-0. Beat Georgia in Athens.
4. South Florida
2-0. Beat Auburn in their house.
5. Oklahoma
Demolished Miami as easily as they demolished North Texas. Scoring edge thus far: 130-23.
6. Texas
Knocked down what should be a good TCU, but a mundane win against Arkansas State.
7. Washington
Downed Boise State and blasted Syracuse. Asked and answered every question put to them thus far.
8. Oregon
Cruised easily by Houston and then bombed the rubble to bouncing on the road in Ann Arbor.
9. Georgia Tech
Pounded Notre Dame almost as easily as they wiped out Samford. No tough questions posed to them yet, but resoundingly correct answers to what has already been asked.
10. Boston College
Two nice conference wins already over defending champ Wake Forest and NC State.
11. UCLA
Nice win over BYU, convincing win over Stanford.
12. Penn State
Two blowouts already, one against Notre Dame.
13. Clemson
Convincing win over Florida State, blowout of Louisiana-Monroe.
14. Rutgers
Convincing win against what may yet turn out to be a good Navy team. Blowout of Buffalo
15. Cincinnati
No touchdowns scored yet against these guys, including a blowout of Oregon State.
16. Florida
Defending national champs haven't played anybody worth a pulse yet, but the scores reveal nothing surprising.
17. West Virginia
Two convincing wins over non-BCS teams that may yet turn out to be some of the better teams in their conferences: Western Michigan and Marshall.
18. Arizona State
Two convincing win over San Jose State (a 9-4 team last year) and Colorado.
19. Nebraska
Narrowly beat defending ACC champ Wake Forest and blasted Nevada.
20. Ohio State
A bit closer against Akron than would be expected. An appropriate smashing of Youngstown State.
Why some others didn't make it...
Southern Cal
The pollsters' top team has done nothing so far except win safely against Idaho. Next week at Nebraska will be their resume builder.
Wisconsin
Lots of question marks is all we see so far. Consensus #7 in the nation has just finished a nailbiter against UNLV and otherwise has only a solid win against Washington State. Next up: The Citadel. Not much will be known about the Badgers for a while yet.
Louisville
Do these guys play defense? Everybody's #9 got into a highly revealing 100-pt shootout with seemingly mediocre Middle Tennessee State. Hasn't played any other Div 1-A opposition.
Texas A&M
Needed overtime to beat Fresno. No other Div 1-A opposition.
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