Va Tech's performance last night gave BC a boost, I think.

I actually hate rooting for BC, but I am stuck with it so my prediction holds

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It is a big number. However, you can score 28 and cover, since KU already gave you the defensive game plan. Just don't use the prevent defense when you have the game in hand like they did, and you will get your shutout.

my nu wildcats blew a bowl berth today...two straight weeks they've looked awful in the second half. gotta win one more...

but there goes ASU's outside shot at a national title. sounds about right...they're not as good as their record indicated, IMO...but they still have a chance at the rose bowl.

I hope Dixon is ok, it would suck to see him out with the Ducks making a push for the title game.

The spread option is just about impossible to stop with Dixon doing his thing, he looks like Vince Young. ASU had some chances and made too many mistakes. Oh well, I thought the Ducks would win so I'm not bummed.

Realistically I was just hoping for a Holiday Bowl this year, the Rose would be awesome. I hope Oregon and ASU win out so I can make a trip to Pasadena.

in other pac-10 news, arizona beats ucla. is ucla the most jekyll-hyde team this year or what?

edit: and another no. 2 bites the dust!

um yea. That same injury practically ended cal's season... I really hope Dixon is okay...

talking about cal: they played a boring game today, lots of 7-8 minute drives, controlled the whole thing from start to finish. Longshore's back as far as "playing within the offense" is concerned... i'm disappointed in the student section.

BC bites the dust... eh. Miles beat saban, eh...

Kugino, I was sorry to see our Wildcats stink up the second half too. Beating Indiana and Illinois looks like a tough route to get to a bowl...I don't think 6-6 in the Big 10 is going to get a team to a bowl game this year. We really needed to win that Duke game...

And yeah, BC blew it. So much for my plan. tOSU looked strong, and Michigan looked shaky. Looks like tOSU will be playing in the title game to me, but LSU got lucky in beating Alabama, and I still think they'll lose again.

And if Kansas keeps this up, how is it that THEY shouldn't be playing in the title game?? I know their OOC schedule was weak, and they don't play Oklahoma or Texas, but if you go undefeated in the Big 12, you should play in the title game ahead of one-loss teams, IMO.

I couldn't fit the logo in my sig, so hopefully this will suffice. Hats off to Oklahoma. They had a great game plan prepared, and they executed it flawlessly. I continue to say that they are the best team in the Big 12, but we will see for sure soon because the Big 12 will have a real championship game this year (i.e. North will send an opponent this time).

I'll have to give the rest of my takes on Monday since I have a Franchionne-hangover this morning. Can we fire this guy soon? Please????

^ Very nice. I like it. Yeah, preaching to the choir I know, but Fran sucks. What happened to the coach that brought an Alabama to Norman, ran every trick play to take a lead in the fourth quarter? The guy is doner than doner. Jermain Gresham just scored another touchdown, and aTm still hasn't adjusted defensively.

On the good side Brimstone, I usually am first out the exit once the halftime bell strikes. However this time I skipped the beer run to watch the Fighting Texas Aggie Band. The kids did a great job, and OUr fans rewarded them with a healthy round of applause, more than I can remember for any other band.

Spek to the Aggie fans who made it to Norman. They are real fans. Those, I spoke with, didn't like their chances and hated Fran, but were there to support their school - overall a classy bunch; most traveling fans are. It's the homers that can be jerks.

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My little ballot for this week:

1. tOSU - another solid win. They did what number one teams should do. Shake off a scrappy challenger and put the game away at home.

2. KU - The Jayhawks claim the best receiver duo in CF. Tha't right, Marcus Henry and Dezmon Briscoe. They catch anything thrown near them, then make plays with their feet. Henry is a Lawton, Ok native. How did Stoops' staff miss out on this guy?

3. UO - I've been an Oregon doubter. I can't fight it much longer. Thusly, they're my top ranked one loss team in the country.

4. OU - That's right, I'm bumpin' my Sooners this week. They're a complete team and deserve a lofty perch.

5. WVU - Let me get this straight talking heads? WVU is blowing through the Big East because of the weakness of the conference. I call bullsh!t.

6. LSU - And I'm sliding the Tigers. Here's a shocking thought. Maybe, just maybe the SEC isn't as good as talking heads paint it? I like the Tigers. Never the less, they're getting too much credit for being in the SEC.

7. Missouri - destroyed CU in boulder - very nice.

8. ASU - Can't really fault a team for losing in Eugene. Their habit of spotting leads finally bit them on the butt, only lost by one last three quarters. Too bad, that first one also counts.

9. UConn - Once again, let me get this straight talking heads. The reason UConn isn't ranked higher is because the Big East sucks right? It would be a blatant display of old fashioned human prejudice if the the Huskies don't crack the top ten this week.

10. Hawaii - Next up Fresno State, Boise State, Nevada, then Washington.

That's right. I'm callin' out the talking heads. The opinion makers - Matt Mayes of TSN; Mark May of ESPN; etc. for blindly swimming in a sea of their own prejudice, refusing to credit accomplishment where it matters most - on the friggin' field and fellating the SEC to the point that my own gag reflex kicks in.

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I hate to break it to you, but the Big East is pretty weak. That, and I think WVU is one of the most overrated programs in the country, and not just this year.

I'm still not convinced about Kansas, but I'll say this much...if Kansas wins out and wins the Big 12 championship, then they deserve to play for the national title.

Great post. I cannot argue with your top 10, really.

After yesterday, there are only 2 major conference undefeateds, and just 3 total. Looks like the BCS is going to survive another year and get a reasonably clear title game.

Unless, of course, by the time of the title game there are no undefeated teams left, and a whole bunch of one-loss teams...

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That's a common opinion. One I shared so I decided to dig around the Big East last week.

This year, they're inter-conference wins match up with any conference. Last year, they were 5-0 in the bowls. Remember there's only eight teams in the league.

By comparison the SEC was 6-3, Acc 4-4, Pac 3-3, Big 12 3-5, BigTen 2-5...

I'm not that big a fan of conference comparisons. However, within the realm of objective data, I can't say the Big East is weak anymore. WVU and UConn deserve credit.

You are right about one thing. Of course KU deserves the big dance if they win out. That would mean wins over Mizzou, and more likely than not (knock on wood), OU in the championship game. I would rank them number one if they did that.

I don't see that happening though. Their tour of Big 12 trap spots continues with a trip to Stillwater for Saturday. Then a break for Iowa State, next Missouri. Don't lose, and the Jayhawks more than earn their ticket.

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You're right Lab. The BCS is clear, for now. Tough loss Saturday. We watched a little of it.

I'll be rooting for the Wildcats next week against the Hoosiers.

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wow, you put hawaii in there these next four games will test them.

like your assessment of these teams except i'd probably switch oregon and kansas. after the haranguing that the nebraska defense got on espn yesterday (players quitting, etc.) i don't fully believe kansas' numbers.

uconn looked great against rutgers. but i can't help but think they're actually a 2-loss team...they've benefitted from two awful game-changing calls. still, they're undefeated and you have to give them credit.

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yeah, i actually think there will be some controversy...i think tOSU will be the only undefeated team from a BCS conference...no.2, as much as i don't like it, will likely be LSU. if oregon and LSU both win out, looks like LSU will take no. 2, assuming kansas has a loss.

Once again, virometal has pretty much nailed the Top 10. A few nits:

BC out of the Top 10? I think they would beat Hawaii at a neutral site, so I would slide them in at #10.

KU at #2? Well, they STILL haven't beaten anybody so I am reserving judgement on this bunch until they play Mizzou in Arrowhead. However, they ARE undefeated so they certainly belong in the top 5 somewhere.

WVU... I agree. They don't get nearly enough credit. They average 470 yds and 40 points per game! They can flat out score, and their defense is not too shabby either. They were getting a lot of run until their one loss at South Florida, and now it seems popular to diss them. Their next 3 games are Louisville, @ Cincy, and UConn, and they must win all 3 to back up this hype we are giving them.

LSU... I can't agree here. Coming from behind to win on the road at Alabama gets you dropped? Ok, maybe Alabama is not Oklahoma State but let's give the Tigers a little credit for gutting one out in a tough environment against their old coach. The only thing that bothers me is that old saying, "Good teams don't win close games, good teams win blowouts".

tOSU... see blowout comment above.

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Thanks for the kind words about the Aggie Band. My son called last night when they got back to College Station, and he said it was a great trip (except for the game heh). The band did notice the nice ovation, and it was really appreciated. They work very hard and it means a lot when a non-Aggie crowd gives them a thumbs-up. Their show is amazing considering that they never do the same routine twice, and they learn the routine on Monday-Friday of that game week!

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I am hitting refresh on ESPN every few minutes. Word is that Fran will resign today and be replaced by Slocum for the remainder of the season. Recruits are bailing and something needs to happen fast. You heard it here first.

Edit: My source, Andre Ware, who has a morning drive-time AM radio talk show here in Houston, was quoted on ESPN's website about his comments. He has back-pedaled to "A&M is talking buyout with Franchionne", which is not really a big surprise. He is also reporting the Tuberville rumor, which appears to be a concern for Auburn rooters so maybe it is real.

I'm off the LSU bandwagon. They're going to have to play cleaner and lay the wood to somebody. I've sung their praises all season, justified their narrow wins - Florida was fired up, Auburn was fired up, Alabama was fired up. Well, other one loss teams, UO, OU, WVU have played fired up quality teams and won solidly. Now, LSU needs to do something for me and earn my respect again. I give high ranked teams scrapers and upsets. That happens every year, and the eventual champion usually has some close calls or a What loss. However, when the scrapers start to add up...LSU is a razor thin margin from four losses, I began to doubt.

I see your point though. Objectively, without considering style points, taking in acount SOS, the only one loss that should be ahead of them is UO.

Oh and I don't think KU is the second best team either. But as long as they have that pretty 0 in the loss column, I'll keep them with tOSU.