| RANK | TEAM / RECORD | TRENDING | PTS | COMMENT | |
| 1 |
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Last Week: 1 | 499 | It's pretty easy to figure out how the Irish punched their ticket to Miami. They're first in the nation in points allowed (10.3), fourth in run defense (92.4) and sixth in total defense (286.8 ypg). | ||
| 2 |
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Last Week: 2 | 479 | After escaping Georgia in the SEC title game, the Tide get some time off before looking ahead to the BCS Championship Game. Alabama hopes to finish off its season with a third national title in four years. | ||
| 3 |
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Last Week: 3 | 433 | Despite a bowl ban, Urban Meyer's debut season couldn't have gone much better for the Buckeyes, as they finished undefeated for the sixth time in school history. | ||
| 4 | 2 Last Week: 6 | 429 | The Gators will face former defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and Louisville in the Sugar Bowl. Florida is 3-5 all-time in the Sugar, including a 51-24 victory over Cincinnati after the 2009 season. | ||
| 5 |
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Last Week: 5 | 421 | Points shouldn't be hard to come by when the Ducks face Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl. Oregon ranks second in the nation in scoring (50.8 ppg), while the Wildcats are 10th (40.7). | ||
| 6 | 2 Last Week: 4 | 407 | Georgia is heading to Florida, but it's not the bowl game the Dawgs were hoping for. They'll face Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, marking the first time the two teams will meet since the 1969 Sun Bowl. | ||
| 7 | 2 Last Week: 9 | 366 | Kansas State clinched the Big 12 crown Saturday by claiming its fifth straight victory over Texas. The Wildcats also tied their team record for victories in a season with 11. | ||
| 8 | 2 Last Week: 10 | 362 | The Cardinal earned their first conference title since 1999 and reached at least 10 wins for only the fourth time in school history. They'll take a seven-game winning streak to the Rose Bowl. | ||
| 9 | 2 Last Week: 7 | 351 | The Tigers' two losses were by a combined 12 points to Alabama and Florida. They'll face Clemson and its high-scoring offense in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve. | ||
| 10 | 2 Last Week: 8 | 349 | One of the bowl season's best matchups will be at the Cotton Bowl when the Aggies and potential Heisman-winner Johnny Manziel face Oklahoma. It marks A&M's 13th trip to the Cotton Bowl. | ||
| 11 |
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Last Week: 11 | 302 | After another double-digit win season, the Gamecocks head to the Outback Bowl to face Michigan. The two teams have met twice, with the last matchup occurring in 1985. | ||
| 12 |
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Last Week: 12 | 278 | The Sooners won a share of their eighth Big 12 title with a victory at TCU. Their reward? A date with Johnny Football at the Cotton Bowl. | ||
| 13 |
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Last Week: 13 | 260 | The Seminoles earned their 13th ACC title with a win over Georgia Tech in the league title game. Next up: They'll face BCS party crasher Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl. | ||
| 14 | 1 Last Week: 15 | 231 | Call it the Redemption Bowl for Clemson, which was embarrassed by West Virginia 70-33 in the Orange Bowl in 2011. The Tigers hope history doesn't repeat itself in Atlanta. | ||
| 15 | 1 Last Week: 16 | 219 | From 3-9 to 9-3, it's been a remarkable turnaround for the Beavers, who will play in a bowl game for the first time since 2009 when they face Texas in the Alamo Bowl. | ||
| 16 | 1 Last Week: 17 | 171 | The Bruins meet Baylor for the first time ever in the Holiday Bowl. UCLA faces a Baylor offense which ranks No. 1 in the nation (578.8 ypg) and a defense which is No. 119 (513.9 ypg). | ||
| 17 | 2 Last Week: 19 | 166 | QB Jordan Lynch takes his multitalented game to the national stage against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. But the Huskies will do it without coach Dave Doeren, who bolted for NC State. | ||
| 18 | 3 Last Week: 21 | 122 | The Aggies make their second straight appearance in the Idaho Potato Bowl after losing to Ohio in 2011. Utah State will bring a six-game winning streak into its game vs. Toledo. | ||
| 19 | 1 Last Week: 20 | 115 | The Wildcats reached nine victories for the first time since 2008. Nine is also the number of bowl games they've lost in a row. Can they break the streak against Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl? | ||
| 20 | 2 Last Week: 22 | 103 | You'd expect a low-scoring game when the Wolverines play South Carolina, as both teams are in the nation's top 20 in scoring defense. Michigan looks to win its second straight bowl game after beating Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl last season. | ||
| 21 | 5 Last Week: NR | 88 | QB Teddy Bridgewater will get some much-needed rest before the Cards play in the Sugar Bowl vs. Florida. Louisville has faced the Gators twice, losing both games in 1980 and 1992. | ||
| 22 | 2 Last Week: 24 | 76 | The Broncos won a share of the MWC title after beating Nevada. Even more impressive? Boise earned its seventh consecutive 10-win season, currently the best streak in the nation. | ||
| 23 | 3 Last Week: NR | 60 | The Nittany Lions won't go bowling, but it was a remarkable season nevertheless. Players and coaches deserve plenty of credit for an 8-4 record, including a 6-2 mark in the Leaders Division. | ||
| 24 | 10 Last Week: 14 | 57 | How will Nebraska respond against Georgia after a humiliating showing in the Big Ten title game? The Huskers played in the Capital One Bowl game last season -- and lost to South Carolina 30-13. | ||
| 25 | 1 Last Week: NR | 43 | The Spartans bring a six-game winning streak into their Military Bowl matchup with Bowling Green. It marks San Jose State's first bowl appearance in six years. | ||
| Others receiving votes: Wisconsin (36), Kent State (26), Vanderbilt (26), San Diego State (14), Texas (6), Tulsa (4), Baylor (1) | |||||
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Showing posts with label bcs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bcs. Show all posts
Thursday, December 6, 2012
College Football Power Rankings - Week 14
Monday, November 26, 2012
Notre Dame waiting on winner of Alabama-Georgia in title game
Two years before the playoffs start in college football, the
Southeastern Conference is staging a semifinal to determine who plays
Notre Dame in the BCS title game.
Alabama (.9236) was second and Georgia (.8911) third in the BCS standings released Sunday. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs play Saturday in Atlanta for the SEC championship.
The winner will advance to the national championship game in Miami on Jan. 7 against the Fighting Irish (.9979), who locked up their spot Saturday with a 22-13 victory against Southern California.
“If you think about what the game means, this that and the other, it doesn’t really help you win the game,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “The only thing that helps you win the game is preparation and getting your mind ready to go to battle. That’s what you’ve got to do.”
Florida (.8882) is fourth in the standings, but with no games left,
looks stuck behind their SEC rivals. The good news for the Gators is
they are likely to get an at-large BCS bid to the Sugar Bowl, while the
SEC runner-up is out of the big games all together.
“For either one of these teams, it’s not really a great scenario,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said.
One way or another, the SEC will get a shot at its seventh consecutive BCS championship.
The Bowl Championship Series is in its second-to-last season. It will be replaced by a four-team playoff in 2014.
While the race for the BCS title game is now fairly straight forward heading into championship weekend in college football, there’s some intrigue to watch for involving potential BCS busters.
Kent State is 17th in the standings and Northern Illinois is 21st. They’ll meet in the Mid-American Conference championship game on Friday night in Detroit.
Because it is almost a certainty that the Big East champion — Louisville and Rutgers will determine who that is on Thursday night in New Jersey — will be ranked behind the MAC champion in the final BCS standings, if either Kent State or NIU can get into the top 16, they would receive an automatic BCS bid. The MAC has never sent a team to the BCS.
Neither Louisville nor Rutgers is in the BCS top 25 this week.
Boise State from the Mountain West is 20th in the standings and also still in the mix for that BCS buster bid if it can jump ahead of the MAC teams and into the first 16. The Broncos play Nevada on Saturday to earn a share of the MW title.
The team that could be hurt most if a BCS buster emerges is Oklahoma. The Sooners are sitting 11th in the standings with a game left against TCU. With another victory, they would seem to be in good shape to get into the BCS even if Kansas State clinches the Big 12 by beating Texas.
But that at-large spot could get gobbled up by a BCS buster.
Other BCS automatic bids will be determined this weekend in the Pac-12, Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conference.
UCLA plays at Stanford in the Pac-12 title game with the winner going to the Rose Bowl.
Wisconsin and Nebraska will play for the Big Ten’s Rose Bowl berth.
Florida State and Georgia Tech play for the ACC title and a spot in the Orange Bowl.
Oregon is fifth in the latest standings, and like Florida, done with its regular season and in good shape to receive an at-large BCS bid. At NCAA.com.
Alabama (.9236) was second and Georgia (.8911) third in the BCS standings released Sunday. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs play Saturday in Atlanta for the SEC championship.
The winner will advance to the national championship game in Miami on Jan. 7 against the Fighting Irish (.9979), who locked up their spot Saturday with a 22-13 victory against Southern California.
“If you think about what the game means, this that and the other, it doesn’t really help you win the game,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “The only thing that helps you win the game is preparation and getting your mind ready to go to battle. That’s what you’ve got to do.”
| BCS STANDINGS | ||||
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| Notre Dame is in the title game after being No. 1 in this week’s BCS standings. Check out the full rankings. | ||||
“For either one of these teams, it’s not really a great scenario,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said.
One way or another, the SEC will get a shot at its seventh consecutive BCS championship.
The Bowl Championship Series is in its second-to-last season. It will be replaced by a four-team playoff in 2014.
While the race for the BCS title game is now fairly straight forward heading into championship weekend in college football, there’s some intrigue to watch for involving potential BCS busters.
Kent State is 17th in the standings and Northern Illinois is 21st. They’ll meet in the Mid-American Conference championship game on Friday night in Detroit.
Because it is almost a certainty that the Big East champion — Louisville and Rutgers will determine who that is on Thursday night in New Jersey — will be ranked behind the MAC champion in the final BCS standings, if either Kent State or NIU can get into the top 16, they would receive an automatic BCS bid. The MAC has never sent a team to the BCS.
Neither Louisville nor Rutgers is in the BCS top 25 this week.
Boise State from the Mountain West is 20th in the standings and also still in the mix for that BCS buster bid if it can jump ahead of the MAC teams and into the first 16. The Broncos play Nevada on Saturday to earn a share of the MW title.
The team that could be hurt most if a BCS buster emerges is Oklahoma. The Sooners are sitting 11th in the standings with a game left against TCU. With another victory, they would seem to be in good shape to get into the BCS even if Kansas State clinches the Big 12 by beating Texas.
But that at-large spot could get gobbled up by a BCS buster.
Other BCS automatic bids will be determined this weekend in the Pac-12, Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conference.
UCLA plays at Stanford in the Pac-12 title game with the winner going to the Rose Bowl.
Wisconsin and Nebraska will play for the Big Ten’s Rose Bowl berth.
Florida State and Georgia Tech play for the ACC title and a spot in the Orange Bowl.
Oregon is fifth in the latest standings, and like Florida, done with its regular season and in good shape to receive an at-large BCS bid. At NCAA.com.
Monday, November 19, 2012
WEEK 13 BCS STANDINGS
Coming into Week 12 it looked as if both Notre Dame and Alabama would
need a miracle to find themselves playing for the BCS National
Championship at season's end. But all it took was a wild Saturday night
for both storied programs to jump back into the driver's seat.
In Waco, Texas, Kansas State went down 28-7 late in the second quarter to Baylor, and never recovered, losing by four touchdowns on the road, 52-24. In Eugene, Oregon, the Ducks gave up a game-tying touchdown to Stanford with 95 seconds left to play, and went on to lose 17-14 in front a deflated crowd in overtime.
All the commotion at the top means that the Fighting Irish, who blasted Wake Forest 38-0 this weekend, and the Crimson Tide, who did the same to Western Carolina, winning 49-0, are the two teams that will play for the title if they can win out.
But Notre Dame and Alabama aren't the only ones celebrating Week 12's chaos. SEC powerhouses Georgia and Florida are now in the top four, and can still make the jump into the championship picture.
The Bulldogs, who cruised past Georgia Southern 45-14 in Week 12, control their own destiny. If they beat Georgia Tech and then Alabama in the SEC Championship Game then the Bulldogs will play for the crown. Florida, who took down Jacksonville State 23-0 in the Swamp on Saturday, needs to beat Florida State and have Notre Dame lose to USC in Week 13 in order to have a shot.
As for Kansas State, Oregon and everyone else, they will need much help in Week 13 in order to redeem their national title dreams.
What's Next
The top-ranked Fighting Irish will be at USC on Saturday night in a game that will determine whether Brian Kelly's squad will play for the championship in Miami this January. Meanwhile, the defending national champion Crimson Tide will host Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Georgia will be home to in-state rival Georgia Tech at noon, Florida will be in Tallahassee to take on Florida State, and Oregon will try to knock off Oregon State on the road in the Civil War.
Kansas State is idle in Week 13 and will host Texas in its regular season finale in Week 14.
As for the two-loss teams, LSU will play at Arkansas on Friday afternoon, Texas A&M will host Missouri on Saturday night, South Carolina will be on the road at Clemson, and both Oklahoma and Stanford will have their hands full taking on Oklahoma State and UCLA, respectively.
Here are the BCS standings after 12 weeks of college football.
BCS standings
In Waco, Texas, Kansas State went down 28-7 late in the second quarter to Baylor, and never recovered, losing by four touchdowns on the road, 52-24. In Eugene, Oregon, the Ducks gave up a game-tying touchdown to Stanford with 95 seconds left to play, and went on to lose 17-14 in front a deflated crowd in overtime.
All the commotion at the top means that the Fighting Irish, who blasted Wake Forest 38-0 this weekend, and the Crimson Tide, who did the same to Western Carolina, winning 49-0, are the two teams that will play for the title if they can win out.
But Notre Dame and Alabama aren't the only ones celebrating Week 12's chaos. SEC powerhouses Georgia and Florida are now in the top four, and can still make the jump into the championship picture.
The Bulldogs, who cruised past Georgia Southern 45-14 in Week 12, control their own destiny. If they beat Georgia Tech and then Alabama in the SEC Championship Game then the Bulldogs will play for the crown. Florida, who took down Jacksonville State 23-0 in the Swamp on Saturday, needs to beat Florida State and have Notre Dame lose to USC in Week 13 in order to have a shot.
As for Kansas State, Oregon and everyone else, they will need much help in Week 13 in order to redeem their national title dreams.
What's Next
The top-ranked Fighting Irish will be at USC on Saturday night in a game that will determine whether Brian Kelly's squad will play for the championship in Miami this January. Meanwhile, the defending national champion Crimson Tide will host Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Georgia will be home to in-state rival Georgia Tech at noon, Florida will be in Tallahassee to take on Florida State, and Oregon will try to knock off Oregon State on the road in the Civil War.
Kansas State is idle in Week 13 and will host Texas in its regular season finale in Week 14.
As for the two-loss teams, LSU will play at Arkansas on Friday afternoon, Texas A&M will host Missouri on Saturday night, South Carolina will be on the road at Clemson, and both Oklahoma and Stanford will have their hands full taking on Oklahoma State and UCLA, respectively.
Here are the BCS standings after 12 weeks of college football.
BCS standings
| 1. Notre Dame |
| 2. Alabama |
| 3. Georgia |
| 4. Florida |
| 5. Oregon |
| 6. Kansas State |
| 7. LSU |
| 8. Stanford |
| 9. Texas A&M |
| 10. Florida State |
| 11. Clemson |
| 12. South Carolina |
| 13. Oklahoma |
| 14. Nebraska |
| 15. Oregon State |
| 16. Texas |
| 17. UCLA |
| 18. Rutgers |
| 19. Michigan |
| 20. Louisville |
| 21. Oklahoma State |
| 22. Boise State |
| 23. Kent State |
| 24. Arizona |
| 25. Washington |
Monday, November 12, 2012
BCS Standings 2012: Week 12 Rankings
| Rank | School | average | Previous | Harris | USA Today | Computer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas State | 0.9674 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Oregon | 0.9497 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 0.9396 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 4 | Alabama | 0.8534 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| 5 | Georgia | 0.8328 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| 6 | Florida | 0.7955 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 |
| 7 | LSU | 0.7331 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| 8 | Texas A&M | 0.6621 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 0.6349 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 8 |
| 10 | Florida State | 0.6071 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 17 |
| 11 | Clemson | 0.5921 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 15 |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 0.5797 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| 13 | Stanford | 0.5705 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
| 14 | Nebraska | 0.4679 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
| 15 | Texas | 0.4259 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| 16 | Oregon State | 0.4161 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 12 |
| 17 | UCLA | 0.2925 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 20 |
| 18 | USC | 0.2769 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
| 19 | Louisville | 0.2159 | 9 | 17 | 18 | 27 |
| 20 | Louisiana Tech | 0.1911 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 25 |
| 21 | Michigan | 0.1665 | NR | 24 | 23 | 16 |
| 22 | Rutgers | 0.1529 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 27 |
| 23 | Texas Tech | 0.1416 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 20 |
| 24 | Oklahoma State | 0.1088 | NR | NR | 24 | 22 |
| 25 | Washington | 0.0850 | NR | NR | NR | 19 |
Monday, November 5, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Kansas State, Notre Dame continue move up, joined by LSU back in top 5
NEW YORK — No. 3 Kansas State and No. 4 Notre Dame
each moved up a spot in the Associated Press college football poll,
setting up a final four of sorts for the last month of the regular
season.
Alabama is No. 1 for the ninth consecutive week and it is unanimous. The Crimson Tide received all 60 first-place votes. Oregon is No. 2 for the sixth consecutive week.
Florida’s 17-9 loss on Saturday to Georgia dropped the Gators five spots to No. 8 and allowed Kansas State and Notre Dame each to move up a spot after victories.
Now the top four are all undefeated and none will play any other the rest of the way.
LSU is No. 5, followed by Ohio State and Georgia, which moved up five spots.
Nebraska (No. 21), Arizona (No. 24) and UCLA (No. 25) all rejoined the top 25.
Making a statement
Call them the fantastic four. Or maybe the final four in the race for No. 1.
Alabama, Oregon, Kansas State and Notre Dame hold the top four spots in the Associated Press college football poll released Sunday.
The Crimson Tide is No. 1 for the ninth consecutive week and the Ducks are No. 2 for the sixth consecutive week.
The third-ranked Wildcats and fourth-ranked Fighting Irish each moved up a spot after Florida lost 17-9 to Georgia. That dropped the Gators from third to eighth.
Alabama,
Oregon, Kansas State and Notre Dame are expected to be the first four
in the BCS standings, too. Though not necessarily in that order.
The Tide, Ducks, Wildcats and Irish will spend the last month of the regular season competing against each other from a far, vying for two spots in the BCS national championship game. All of them could get to Dec. 2, BCS selection day, unbeaten.
The finish line is now in sight, but no peeking.
“It’s tough not to, knowing you’re so close, but man, you just have to focus in on next week, focus in on next game,” K-State wide receiver Chris Harper said after the Wildcats’ 55-24 victory against Texas Tech. “It’s really hard not to look ahead, but the position that we’re in, you can’t do it.”
Alabama and Oregon both face big tests Saturday. Emerging Heisman trophy contender AJ McCarron and the Tide go to Baton Rouge, La., to face No. 5 LSU in a game that could decide the SEC West.
The Pac-12′s game of the year was supposed to be Saturday as well. The Ducks will be at No. 18 Southern California, but the Trojans are coming off their second loss of the season. USC fell 39-36 at Arizona and hasn’t looked much like a team that started the season No. 1.
Still, Matt Barkley and crew figure to provide some resistance to an Oregon team that has yet to enter the fourth quarter of a game with the result in doubt.
Kansas State is home against Big 12 rival Oklahoma State. Notre Dame, coming off a 30-13 victory at Oklahoma, takes on Pittsburgh in South Bend, Ind.
A BCS mess looms. Alabama’s position as No. 1 is safe as long as the defending national champions keep winning. The other three will jockey for the position behind the Tide, and voters (both in the AP poll and the two used in the BCS standings) will parse scores and schedules, looking for the slightest flaws to separate the Ducks, Wildcats and Irish.
Good luck with that.
Moving up
Dismissed after getting thumped at South Carolina, No. 7 Georgia moved up five spots in the latest rankings and moved into position to win a second consecutive SEC East title.
The Bulldogs put together by far their best defensive performance of the season against the Gators. It really came out of nowhere. Georgia, with a lineup full of future NFL draft picks, had been allowing more than 200 yards per game on the ground across its last three.
All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones, who has been slowed by injuries, was spectacular with 13 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. Florida ran for only 81 yards.
Georgia needs to beat Mississippi and Auburn to book a trip to the Southeastern Conference title game for the sixth time in 12 seasons under coach Mark Richt. Yes, the Bulldogs have benefited from a favorable schedule the past two seasons, missing the best teams from the SEC West. But you can only play the teams on your schedule and Georgia has beaten almost all of them.
Still, many Bulldogs fans have been exasperated by their team and coach in recent seasons. Georgia hasn’t won the SEC since 2005, and while Florida, Alabama, Auburn and LSU have won the last six national titles, Georgia hasn’t won any.
That’s a high standard to meet, but that’s where the bar is set for the top SEC programs these days.
Moving down
USC, now that’s a disappointing team.
Even after losing at Stanford in September, the Trojans were No. 10 with a chance to work their way back into the national title race. Another sloppy performance led to their second loss of the season.
The Trojans had more than 600 yards, including 493 passing by Barkley, against Arizona. Star receiver Marqise Lee had 16 catches for a Pac-12 record 345 yards. But USC committed five turnovers and 13 penalties and let a 15-point, second-half lead slip away.
Coach Lane Kiffin’s talented team has been its own worst enemy all season. USC is the most penalized team in the country, averaging 10.3 per game for 84.6 yards. The Trojans are tied for 94th in the nation with 18 giveaways.
The irony is USC will still be front and center in the national championship chase.
The Trojans play Oregon on Saturday, and finish their regular season on Nov. 24 at home against Notre Dame. The Trojans still control their destiny in the Pac-12 South, and could reach the conference title game, possibly for a rematch with Oregon.
Playing spoiler, however, is not what the Trojans had in mind this season.
In and out
From undefeated to unranked.
Rutgers pulled off that trick with a ghastly performance at home against Kent State.
The Scarlet Knights committed seven turnovers and the Golden Flashes won 35-23 for the Mid-American Conference’s fourth victory this season against the Big East this season. For the second consecutive week, a ranked and unbeaten Big East team lost to a MAC team. Last week, it was Cincinnati losing at Toledo.
Rutgers, which only had six turnovers coming into the game, had been ranked 18th.
The silver lining for the Scarlet Knights is they are still in play for their first Big East championship. They play Army next week before finishing the season against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and No. 12 Louisville.
The Big East didn’t have much chance of sending a team to the national title game, but those nonconference loses have taken some of the luster off what was set to be an intriguing league race.
Elsewhere in the MAC, Ohio also went from unbeaten to unranked. The Bobcats, ranked for the first time since 1968, lost 23-20 to league rival Miami (Ohio).
MAC teams Toledo (8-1, 5-0), Kent State (7-1, 4-0), Northern Illinois (8-1, 5-0) and Ohio (7-1, 3-1) all received votes in the latest AP top 25.
Also falling out of the rankings was Michigan. Moving back in was No. 21 Nebraska, No. 24 Arizona and No. 25 UCLA.
From the archives
Louisville has not been ranked this high since it reached No. 8 early in the 2007 season, the year after Bobby Petrino coached the Cardinals to the Orange Bowl, and then bolted for the NFL.
Louisville fell out of the rankings in September 2007, and didn’t get back in until the start of this season.
Odds and ends
Newly ranked Arizona and UCLA play at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. … No. 16 Texas A&M is at No, 17 Mississippi State. The Bulldogs, who were trounced by Alabama 38-7 on Saturday, will try to avoid a two-game losing streak after starting the season 7-0. At NCCA.com.
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Alabama is No. 1 for the ninth consecutive week and it is unanimous. The Crimson Tide received all 60 first-place votes. Oregon is No. 2 for the sixth consecutive week.
Florida’s 17-9 loss on Saturday to Georgia dropped the Gators five spots to No. 8 and allowed Kansas State and Notre Dame each to move up a spot after victories.
Now the top four are all undefeated and none will play any other the rest of the way.
LSU is No. 5, followed by Ohio State and Georgia, which moved up five spots.
Nebraska (No. 21), Arizona (No. 24) and UCLA (No. 25) all rejoined the top 25.
Making a statement
Call them the fantastic four. Or maybe the final four in the race for No. 1.
Alabama, Oregon, Kansas State and Notre Dame hold the top four spots in the Associated Press college football poll released Sunday.
The Crimson Tide is No. 1 for the ninth consecutive week and the Ducks are No. 2 for the sixth consecutive week.
The third-ranked Wildcats and fourth-ranked Fighting Irish each moved up a spot after Florida lost 17-9 to Georgia. That dropped the Gators from third to eighth.
Alabama,
Oregon, Kansas State and Notre Dame are expected to be the first four
in the BCS standings, too. Though not necessarily in that order.The Tide, Ducks, Wildcats and Irish will spend the last month of the regular season competing against each other from a far, vying for two spots in the BCS national championship game. All of them could get to Dec. 2, BCS selection day, unbeaten.
The finish line is now in sight, but no peeking.
“It’s tough not to, knowing you’re so close, but man, you just have to focus in on next week, focus in on next game,” K-State wide receiver Chris Harper said after the Wildcats’ 55-24 victory against Texas Tech. “It’s really hard not to look ahead, but the position that we’re in, you can’t do it.”
Alabama and Oregon both face big tests Saturday. Emerging Heisman trophy contender AJ McCarron and the Tide go to Baton Rouge, La., to face No. 5 LSU in a game that could decide the SEC West.
The Pac-12′s game of the year was supposed to be Saturday as well. The Ducks will be at No. 18 Southern California, but the Trojans are coming off their second loss of the season. USC fell 39-36 at Arizona and hasn’t looked much like a team that started the season No. 1.
Still, Matt Barkley and crew figure to provide some resistance to an Oregon team that has yet to enter the fourth quarter of a game with the result in doubt.
Kansas State is home against Big 12 rival Oklahoma State. Notre Dame, coming off a 30-13 victory at Oklahoma, takes on Pittsburgh in South Bend, Ind.
A BCS mess looms. Alabama’s position as No. 1 is safe as long as the defending national champions keep winning. The other three will jockey for the position behind the Tide, and voters (both in the AP poll and the two used in the BCS standings) will parse scores and schedules, looking for the slightest flaws to separate the Ducks, Wildcats and Irish.
Good luck with that.
Moving up
Dismissed after getting thumped at South Carolina, No. 7 Georgia moved up five spots in the latest rankings and moved into position to win a second consecutive SEC East title.
The Bulldogs put together by far their best defensive performance of the season against the Gators. It really came out of nowhere. Georgia, with a lineup full of future NFL draft picks, had been allowing more than 200 yards per game on the ground across its last three.
All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones, who has been slowed by injuries, was spectacular with 13 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. Florida ran for only 81 yards.
Georgia needs to beat Mississippi and Auburn to book a trip to the Southeastern Conference title game for the sixth time in 12 seasons under coach Mark Richt. Yes, the Bulldogs have benefited from a favorable schedule the past two seasons, missing the best teams from the SEC West. But you can only play the teams on your schedule and Georgia has beaten almost all of them.
Still, many Bulldogs fans have been exasperated by their team and coach in recent seasons. Georgia hasn’t won the SEC since 2005, and while Florida, Alabama, Auburn and LSU have won the last six national titles, Georgia hasn’t won any.
That’s a high standard to meet, but that’s where the bar is set for the top SEC programs these days.
Moving downUSC, now that’s a disappointing team.
Even after losing at Stanford in September, the Trojans were No. 10 with a chance to work their way back into the national title race. Another sloppy performance led to their second loss of the season.
The Trojans had more than 600 yards, including 493 passing by Barkley, against Arizona. Star receiver Marqise Lee had 16 catches for a Pac-12 record 345 yards. But USC committed five turnovers and 13 penalties and let a 15-point, second-half lead slip away.
Coach Lane Kiffin’s talented team has been its own worst enemy all season. USC is the most penalized team in the country, averaging 10.3 per game for 84.6 yards. The Trojans are tied for 94th in the nation with 18 giveaways.
The irony is USC will still be front and center in the national championship chase.
The Trojans play Oregon on Saturday, and finish their regular season on Nov. 24 at home against Notre Dame. The Trojans still control their destiny in the Pac-12 South, and could reach the conference title game, possibly for a rematch with Oregon.
Playing spoiler, however, is not what the Trojans had in mind this season.
In and outFrom undefeated to unranked.
Rutgers pulled off that trick with a ghastly performance at home against Kent State.
The Scarlet Knights committed seven turnovers and the Golden Flashes won 35-23 for the Mid-American Conference’s fourth victory this season against the Big East this season. For the second consecutive week, a ranked and unbeaten Big East team lost to a MAC team. Last week, it was Cincinnati losing at Toledo.
Rutgers, which only had six turnovers coming into the game, had been ranked 18th.
The silver lining for the Scarlet Knights is they are still in play for their first Big East championship. They play Army next week before finishing the season against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and No. 12 Louisville.
The Big East didn’t have much chance of sending a team to the national title game, but those nonconference loses have taken some of the luster off what was set to be an intriguing league race.
Elsewhere in the MAC, Ohio also went from unbeaten to unranked. The Bobcats, ranked for the first time since 1968, lost 23-20 to league rival Miami (Ohio).
MAC teams Toledo (8-1, 5-0), Kent State (7-1, 4-0), Northern Illinois (8-1, 5-0) and Ohio (7-1, 3-1) all received votes in the latest AP top 25.
Also falling out of the rankings was Michigan. Moving back in was No. 21 Nebraska, No. 24 Arizona and No. 25 UCLA.
From the archives
Louisville has not been ranked this high since it reached No. 8 early in the 2007 season, the year after Bobby Petrino coached the Cardinals to the Orange Bowl, and then bolted for the NFL.
Louisville fell out of the rankings in September 2007, and didn’t get back in until the start of this season.
Odds and ends
Newly ranked Arizona and UCLA play at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. … No. 16 Texas A&M is at No, 17 Mississippi State. The Bulldogs, who were trounced by Alabama 38-7 on Saturday, will try to avoid a two-game losing streak after starting the season 7-0. At NCCA.com.
Week 10 BCS Rankings
Five undefeated teams fell back to reality on Saturday, highlighted
by Florida's turnover-plagued loss to SEC East rival Georgia in
Jacksonville.
The Gators were joined by Oregon State, Mississippi State, Rutgers and Ohio in suffering their first loss of the season. Now, only five bowl eligible teams remain undefeated (Ohio State, 9-0, is under a one-year postseason ban) heading into November.
Meanwhile four of the BCS Top Five rolled to impressive victories. Top-ranked Alabama, Kansas State, Oregon and Notre Dame each won by at least 17 points on Saturday and all moved to a perfect 8-0.
Unfortunately, Week 10 won't bring any relief, only more pressure for the country's top programs as they look to survive the final third of college football's grueling regular season.
By far the most pivotal matchup on the schedule for this upcoming weekend is Alabama vs. LSU in Baton Rouge. Les Miles' squad can avenge its embarrassing BCS National Championship Game loss in January with a win over the rival Crimson Tide.
In other notable games, the 8-0 Kansas State Wildcats will host Oklahoma State, Oregon will travel south to take on USC, Notre Dame will play host to Pittsburgh in South Bend, and the lowest-ranked undefeated, Louisville, will look to move to 9-0 with a win over Temple.
The biggest winners of Week 9, Georgia and Florida State aren't out of the woods yet either. The Bulldogs will take on Ole Miss this coming weekend, while Florida State has a bye before it plays two straight conference games on the road followed by a home game versus rival Florida.
The lesson to be learned here is that there is still an entire month left in the college football season, and Week 10 is sure to feature plenty more opportunities for the nation's top teams to fall.
Here are the BCS standings after nine weeks of college football.
The Gators were joined by Oregon State, Mississippi State, Rutgers and Ohio in suffering their first loss of the season. Now, only five bowl eligible teams remain undefeated (Ohio State, 9-0, is under a one-year postseason ban) heading into November.
Meanwhile four of the BCS Top Five rolled to impressive victories. Top-ranked Alabama, Kansas State, Oregon and Notre Dame each won by at least 17 points on Saturday and all moved to a perfect 8-0.
Unfortunately, Week 10 won't bring any relief, only more pressure for the country's top programs as they look to survive the final third of college football's grueling regular season.
By far the most pivotal matchup on the schedule for this upcoming weekend is Alabama vs. LSU in Baton Rouge. Les Miles' squad can avenge its embarrassing BCS National Championship Game loss in January with a win over the rival Crimson Tide.
In other notable games, the 8-0 Kansas State Wildcats will host Oklahoma State, Oregon will travel south to take on USC, Notre Dame will play host to Pittsburgh in South Bend, and the lowest-ranked undefeated, Louisville, will look to move to 9-0 with a win over Temple.
The biggest winners of Week 9, Georgia and Florida State aren't out of the woods yet either. The Bulldogs will take on Ole Miss this coming weekend, while Florida State has a bye before it plays two straight conference games on the road followed by a home game versus rival Florida.
The lesson to be learned here is that there is still an entire month left in the college football season, and Week 10 is sure to feature plenty more opportunities for the nation's top teams to fall.
Here are the BCS standings after nine weeks of college football.
| 1. Alabama |
| 2. Kansas State |
| 3. Notre Dame |
| 4. Oregon |
| 5. LSU |
| 6. Georgia |
| 7. Florida |
| 8. South Carolina |
| 9. Florida State |
| 10. Louisville |
| 11. Oregon State |
| 12. Oklahoma |
| 13. Clemson |
| 14. Stanford |
| 15. Mississippi State |
| 16. Texas A&M |
| 17. USC |
| 18. Texas Tech |
| 19. Boise State |
| 20. Nebraska |
| 21. West Virginia |
| 22. Arizona |
| 23. Texas |
| 24. Oklahoma State |
| 25. Louisiana Tech |
Monday, October 22, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Top 25 week 6
The No. 1 team will undoubtedly be the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide
travels to Missouri this Saturday, but with starter James Franklin out
for an already struggling Missouri squad, the Tide should be heavily
favored and slide into the No.1 position.
After the Tide there are some toss-up-type scenarios ahead. Oregon is playing great football, but so is South Carolina. At this point, those two seem to be interchangeable behind Alabama.
There are a number of factors that play into the BCS formula, and the South Carolina strength of schedule may give them favor early. Here is a look at the projected Top 25 for the first 2012 BCS poll.
After the Tide there are some toss-up-type scenarios ahead. Oregon is playing great football, but so is South Carolina. At this point, those two seem to be interchangeable behind Alabama.
There are a number of factors that play into the BCS formula, and the South Carolina strength of schedule may give them favor early. Here is a look at the projected Top 25 for the first 2012 BCS poll.
No. 2: Oregon Ducks
No. 8: LSU Tigers
No. 10: Georgia Bulldogs
No. 17: Louisville Cardinals
No. 19: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
No. 20: Cincinnati Bearcats
No. 21: Texas A&M Aggies
No. 23: Northwestern Wildcats
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Four-team playoff in Big Ten ??
The Big Ten, which helped squash the notion of a four-team playoff to crown a national champion in college football several years ago, is taking another look.
“All of the Big Ten athletic directors are comfortable exploring the possibility of a four-team playoff,” Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said Tuesday. “Four is better than two.”
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith agreed and said the discussions stem from feedback “that we need to do something different,” especially after the recent BCS title game between LSU and Alabama drew lower ratings that other championship games.
“The fans have been loud and clear,” Smith said. “We also recognize that structurally there’s things that we want to try and change with the bowl system -- how teams get in the bowls. It’s time to be curious about everything.”
The BCS title game pits the nation’s top two teams based on poll and computer rankings. The Chicago Tribune reported Monday that one of the ideas before the Big Ten would put the two semifinal games on the campuses of the higher seeded teams, and the national championship would be held in cities that bid for the hosting rights.
The so-called plus-one format -- two semifinals plus the title game -- was proposed in 2008 by the commissioners of the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference. It was shot down by the leaders of the Big Ten, Pac-10, Big East, Big 12 and Notre Dame.
The 11 Bowl Championship Series conferences have already met to discuss possible changes to the system starting in 2014. NCAA President Mark Emmert has said he supports a four-team championship playoff and is strongly against a 16-team format.
Emmert has also said there has been talk of using a Final Four model, a scenario which would’ve matched LSU against Stanford and Alabama versus Oklahoma State this season, with the winners advancing to the title game.
Despite the Big Ten’s interest in a playoff, there is at least one big hurdle: The Rose Bowl, with its storied history to two of the nation’s biggest conferences.
“The Rose Bowl is extremely important to Michigan State just as it is to every school in the Big Ten and Pac-12,” Hollis said. “There are more questions than answers about how any format would work, including where the games would be played and what the bowl-type experiences would be like in a championship format.
“My eyes are always open to explore all opportunities, but I don’t think we want to exceed 15 games.”
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, who is open to any option that includes keeping the conference and Pac-12 tied to the Rose Bowl, said he’s not sure the plus-one model will please everybody.
“I know a lot of people would love to see one more great football game, but I’m not sure this type of playoff will make it more fair,” Brandon said. “At some point, you have to draw the line. With four teams, there will be controversies about who those four teams should be because it’s usually not clear.”
Smith said there are too many bowl games, lagging ticket sales and teams are already playing “too deep into January” with players who happen to be students, too. He had reservations about a playoff where students play back to back games.
Still, he said there was a need to discuss the format now.
“This is the window of time before we go and do something with another partner, or current partner, we don’t want to just do the same thing without trying to address some of those issues,” he said. “But if we ended up with a plus-one playoff, it would be exciting for fans but there’s a lot of issues around it.”
BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock said 50 to 60 possibilities for various changes were presented during a meeting in New Orleans, where Alabama beat LSU in the BCS title game last month. Hancock anticipated it would take several more meetings to reach a conclusion in July.
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, who declined comment Tuesday, has acknowledged he would consider the prospect of a four-team field.
“Four years ago, five of us didn’t want to have the conversation,” Delany told reporters last month. “Now we all want to have the conversation.”
Asked about how the revenue from a playoff would be distributed, Smith noted that was a key issue.
“You know, as we went into the BCS system and it was developed over time, the distribution of money changed over time, right?” he said. “What we need to do is if we end up there, that needs to be decided early. I agree with our commissioner that whatever we do it needs to in my view a longer-term deal as opposed to a shorter-term deal so we can lock these things in and give it a chance to work. That includes the distribution of the funds. But that has to be talked about.” at ncaa.com.
“All of the Big Ten athletic directors are comfortable exploring the possibility of a four-team playoff,” Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said Tuesday. “Four is better than two.”
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith agreed and said the discussions stem from feedback “that we need to do something different,” especially after the recent BCS title game between LSU and Alabama drew lower ratings that other championship games.
“The fans have been loud and clear,” Smith said. “We also recognize that structurally there’s things that we want to try and change with the bowl system -- how teams get in the bowls. It’s time to be curious about everything.”
The BCS title game pits the nation’s top two teams based on poll and computer rankings. The Chicago Tribune reported Monday that one of the ideas before the Big Ten would put the two semifinal games on the campuses of the higher seeded teams, and the national championship would be held in cities that bid for the hosting rights.
The so-called plus-one format -- two semifinals plus the title game -- was proposed in 2008 by the commissioners of the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference. It was shot down by the leaders of the Big Ten, Pac-10, Big East, Big 12 and Notre Dame.
The 11 Bowl Championship Series conferences have already met to discuss possible changes to the system starting in 2014. NCAA President Mark Emmert has said he supports a four-team championship playoff and is strongly against a 16-team format.
Emmert has also said there has been talk of using a Final Four model, a scenario which would’ve matched LSU against Stanford and Alabama versus Oklahoma State this season, with the winners advancing to the title game.
Despite the Big Ten’s interest in a playoff, there is at least one big hurdle: The Rose Bowl, with its storied history to two of the nation’s biggest conferences.
“The Rose Bowl is extremely important to Michigan State just as it is to every school in the Big Ten and Pac-12,” Hollis said. “There are more questions than answers about how any format would work, including where the games would be played and what the bowl-type experiences would be like in a championship format.
“My eyes are always open to explore all opportunities, but I don’t think we want to exceed 15 games.”
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, who is open to any option that includes keeping the conference and Pac-12 tied to the Rose Bowl, said he’s not sure the plus-one model will please everybody.
“I know a lot of people would love to see one more great football game, but I’m not sure this type of playoff will make it more fair,” Brandon said. “At some point, you have to draw the line. With four teams, there will be controversies about who those four teams should be because it’s usually not clear.”
Smith said there are too many bowl games, lagging ticket sales and teams are already playing “too deep into January” with players who happen to be students, too. He had reservations about a playoff where students play back to back games.
Still, he said there was a need to discuss the format now.
“This is the window of time before we go and do something with another partner, or current partner, we don’t want to just do the same thing without trying to address some of those issues,” he said. “But if we ended up with a plus-one playoff, it would be exciting for fans but there’s a lot of issues around it.”
BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock said 50 to 60 possibilities for various changes were presented during a meeting in New Orleans, where Alabama beat LSU in the BCS title game last month. Hancock anticipated it would take several more meetings to reach a conclusion in July.
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, who declined comment Tuesday, has acknowledged he would consider the prospect of a four-team field.
“Four years ago, five of us didn’t want to have the conversation,” Delany told reporters last month. “Now we all want to have the conversation.”
Asked about how the revenue from a playoff would be distributed, Smith noted that was a key issue.
“You know, as we went into the BCS system and it was developed over time, the distribution of money changed over time, right?” he said. “What we need to do is if we end up there, that needs to be decided early. I agree with our commissioner that whatever we do it needs to in my view a longer-term deal as opposed to a shorter-term deal so we can lock these things in and give it a chance to work. That includes the distribution of the funds. But that has to be talked about.” at ncaa.com.
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