October 8, 2006
Big Winners this Weekend?
A lot of top 25 teams took a dive this weekend, which begs the question: Who are the big winners this weekend?
Besides the obvious answers (e.g., Florida, Tennessee, Cal), the biggest winners this weekend were the mid-level college bowl games.
Even in their wildest dreams, it's unlikely that the Music City Bowl, Emerald Bowl, and Meineke Car Care bowls ever thought they would be hosting the likes of Miami and Florida State. Meanwhile, the Outback and Cotton bowls look to be getting teams that travel exceptionally well with LSU, Georgia and Arkansas piling up in the middle of the SEC standings. The El Paso bowl looks to be in good shape if it elects to tab a Big 12 school over it's Big East representative, as several Texas teams look to be available to boost attendance (Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Baylor).
Meanwhile, the BCS bowls have to be licking their chops, as a bevy of BCS representatives are looking strong through week seven, including Ohio State, Florida, USC, Michigan, Louisville, Notre Dame, Texas, West Virginia, and Cal.
Of course, we could end up with six undefeated teams and then...well, let's just say they BCS bowls aren't looking forward to that scenario.
Comments:
posted on October 9, 2006 8:24 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
Not possible for six undefeateds, huh? I hate to prove you wrong, but, here goes:
1) Ohio State (note: plays Michigan)
2) Michigan (note: plays tOSU)
3) USC
4) Florida
5) West Virginia (plays Louisville, Rutgers)
6) Louisville (plays WVU, Rutgers)
7) Missouri
8) Boise State
9) Rutgers (plays Louisville, WVU)So, as you can see, it is entirely possible for exactly six teams to be undefeated at the end of the season. Please don't have your head in the clouds, little Trojan fan.
Now...maybe what you meant to say instead of possible (duh!) is likely. No, it is not likely at all. I think we're looking at two undefeated teams. (Just don't ask me which two.) :-)
Neville said:
posted on October 9, 2006 10:18 AM — 70.167.26.232 — link — abuse?
My vote is zero to 1 undefeated teams at the end of the season. Recent history
Year --- number undefeated --- number undefeated
week 6 --- end of season2006 --- 9 --- ?
2005 --- 9 --- 2
2004 --- 16 --- 4
2003 --- 12 --- 0
2002 --- 11 --- 2
This is as few undefeateds at this point in the season as any of the last 5 years.
USCLink said:
posted on October 9, 2006 4:24 PM — 208.179.110.78 — link — abuse?
I stand corrected. I completely forgot about Boise State, although their failure to make a BCS bowl the last time they ran the table doesn't seem to me that there would be too much of a scuffle if they were excluded.
I guess I was thinking of BCS conference undefeateds, but even then I think that there were potentially 5 left. Wow, shows me to sass the author.
At the same time though, how is Arkansas in the middle of the SEC west? They are 3-0, with a 2 game lead over both Auburn and LSU. Thats a pretty commanding lead.
easternfan said:
posted on October 9, 2006 5:01 PM — 67.72.98.92 — link — abuse?
I will say it again, there will probably be two, the OSU/Mich winner and the Loisville/WVU winner. Maybe Boise and Mizzo could, but even if they did they are too low in the rankings to catch the others. I am not saying its fair, its not. Florida is good but going undefeated in the sec is tough. Rutgers could pull an upset of either Louisville or WV but not both. However if the SEC champion has only one close loss they will be ranked ahead of the BE winner and get the championship game against the B10 champion. I dont like it but history tells me thats what would happen. Give me an eight team playoff system!
Tomcat said:
posted on October 10, 2006 12:42 AM — 68.89.137.96 — link — abuse?
Hey Kevin I must agree with Neville somewhat
When looking at schedules Missu is pretty lucky they dont face Baylor or Texas this year.They have OU at home and play Nebraska and ISU on the road.This weekend they go to Aggieland.
If they survive Aggieland, OU, Neb and ISU then they would have to face somebody{Texas} in a conference Championship game.Sorry Tigers
As for Rugers,WV and Louisville not only do they face each other, dont they have to play Pitt?
6 undefeated no way Hookem-HornsTommie Trojan said:
posted on October 10, 2006 10:24 PM — 206.135.38.217 — link — abuse?
Trent:
You still gotta play Michigan at the end of the year. With all the marbles on the line - I don't actually think you have an easy schedule. It only takes one loss to get knocked down off that perch (we know). That will not be an easy game for Ohio State and I don't care if it's being played in Columbus. A much better Texas team went in there and came away with a win last year. This Michigan team could be on par with a great team. When two great teams play each other - you got about a 50% chance of making it to the National Championship game. Then, you'll have about a 50% chance of winning that game. Your odds of going undefeated Trent - are about 25% tops.
Tommie T
M GO BLUE said:
posted on October 12, 2006 1:41 PM — 216.46.213.111 — link — abuse?
Tressel is a good coach,and Ohio State has won the game two years in a row....WOW that is a long streak
=),Loyd Carr is not the coach Tressel is,but Loyd Carr shows respect for other teams,to him there are other things that are more important than a win.
To say Ohio State has owned Michigan......Ohio State was losing 21-12 to a hurting Michigan team,and it took them the final minute to take the lead? That was as close as it get's. Michigan is better this year,but it does'nt really matter how good either team is,it's going to be a close game,and I don't care to make a prediction,except that Ohio State's big offense is going to play the best defense they will see this year.
USCLink said:
posted on October 8, 2006 10:38 PM — 128.125.140.192 — link — abuse?Something tells me we won't have 6 undefeateds as Michigan plays Ohio State, Louisville plays West Virginia, Missouri is unlikely to run the table, and SC has an ugly schedule especially with its recent close calls.
I doubt its physically possible for there to be 6 undefeateds based upon who plays who.
And how is Arkansas in the middle of the SEC? They're 3-0 in conference, and leading the SEC west. Its hard to be better than that in the standings.