October 25, 2007
Ranking the Conferences
The boys at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer must be hitting the wall early this year - letting John Lindsay publish his year-to-date rankings of the college football conferences.
Lindsay ranks the SEC as the #1 conference in the country so far this year, but "not by the margin its often-obnoxious fans think".
Southeastern (B+): Yes, the SEC is on top, but not by the margin its often-obnoxious fans think. The trio of No. 3 LSU, No. 9 Florida and No. 14 Kentucky is just enough to keep the Dixie Boys on top. The rest of the league is a bunch of questions (Alabama, which lost to Georgia, which lost to Tennessee, which got hammered by Cal and Alabama). Even gritty Auburn has to live with a home loss to Mississippi State, which is nothing compared to South Carolina's clunker at home to Vanderbilt on Saturday. Points also deducted for the laughable non-conference schedules of Arkansas (North Texas, Chattanooga, Florida International) and Vandy (Richmond, Eastern Michigan, Miami of Ohio).
Ah, I just have to chuckle when the Left Coast boys get their digs in. He can't just critique and move on.
ANYHOO.... you'll never guess who's number two in the list. I mean never. Never, never, never.
Pac-10 (B): The Surfer Boys are the only league with three schools (No. 5 Oregon, No. 7 Arizona State and No. 9 Southern Cal) in the top 10 this week. If Stanford (3-4) hadn't stunned the Trojans or No. 18 Cal (5-2) crumbled, the Pac-10 might be on top. But underachievers like leader UCLA (awful losses to Utah and Notre Dame) and just plain bad teams like Arizona, Washington and Washington State (combined 6-16) are too much to overcome.
OK, well - you guessed it. A little Pac10 homerism? Maybe, but I don't think so. The fact remains that Oregon and Cal would give anybody in the country all the game they could handle. I'm not sold on Arizona State, but... we'll know more about the fiesty Sun Devils soon enough. All in all, I don't have much of an issue with the Pac10 as the #2. It's a little top-heavy (shock!), but that's the norm out West.
Big East (B-): Excellent parity (West Virginia, South Florida and Rutgers all ranked and, combined with lurking Cincinnati, the four are 23-4) with only two schools (Syracuse and Pitt) with losing records is impressive. Louisville a disappointing 4-4 and some puzzling non-conference losses (Rutgers to Maryland, Pitt to Navy, Connecticut to Virginia, Louisville to Utah) is not. Look for West Virginia to run the table and win the league.
"...with only two schools (Syracuse and Pitt) with losing records is impressive." Really?! Really?! Are you serious?! TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE CONFERENCE HAS LOSING RECORDS, which is not completely dissimilar to many of the other conferences. And why is the Rutgers loss to Maryland puzzling? Rutgers has had a lot of trouble stopping the run this year and the Terps ran all over them. Where's the mystery? (Aside - Look for WVU to do the same to the Scarlet Knights, btw.)
Big 12 (B-): Again, 12 teams and only two losers (Iowa State and Baylor) is fine. But is anybody other than No. 4 Oklahoma really good? Second best will be whoever wins the Kansas-Missouri showdown Nov. 24. The mess at Nebraska is appalling. The worst non-conference gaffe is Oklahoma State losing to Troy, not counting A&M coach Dennis Franchione's pay-for-info Web site scheme. The explosive offenses of Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas and Kansas State will cause foes problems come bowl time.ACC (C+): Non-conference woes (no-shows by Va. Tech at LSU and Miami at Oklahoma, Atlantic leader Virginia's loss at Wyoming, N.C. State to Central Florida, North Carolina to East Carolina) drag the hoopsters down. Boston College (7-0) hardly looks like the No. 2 team in the land and is sure to plummet Thursday night in Blacksburg. Florida State and Miami are a combined 9-6, proving there are no sure things in expansion.
I think Lindsay is reaching here in calling Virginia Tech & Miami's losses "woes". The Hokies lost to the best team in the country on the road. The Canes lost to one of the top teams in the nation on the road. No shame in getting beat by one of the best at their house.
Big Ten (C): Embarrassed by Appalachian State and humiliated by Oregon, Michigan is still a Big Ten title contender. That tells you all you need to know about the league. Maybe we'll finally find out about No. 1 Ohio State (8-0) after Saturday's trip to puzzling No. 24 Penn State. This much we do know: Iowa and Minnesota have lost to wretched Iowa State and I-AA North Dakota State, respectively, while Northwestern is the only D-I team since 2004 to lose to Duke. And did we mention how overrated Wisconsin and Purdue are? Thank goodness for plucky Indiana and Illinois.
Here's where the list starts to lose credibility and descend into homerism. The Big10 Conference is probably number three in the country right now. Remove the cream from every conference, and you've still got a pretty solid core in the Big10, and I'm not sure you can say that up & down the rest of the conferences, with the exception of the SEC. For example, who would be favored in an Oregon State - Penn State matchup? Too close to call? Exactly.
WAC (C-): Gifted Hawaii QB Colt Brennan is a hoot to watch, while Boise State is proving it is much more than a Cinderella. Fresno State (5-2) will be a tough out in a bowl for somebody. But when the rest of the league (San Jose State, New Mexico State, Nevada, Louisiana Tech, Idaho and Utah State) is a combined 8-16 outside the conference, it's hard to beat your chest much.Mountain West (C-): Air Force (6-2) has been a great surprise, TCU (4-4) somewhat of a disappointment. Leader BYU (5-2) lost a 55-47 defense-optional shootout at Tulsa. Colorado State broke a 13-game losing streak with a 48-23 romp at UNLV on Saturday. The MWC did go 3-1 in bowls last year and needs to do that again.
Conference USA (D): Little more than a punching bag for BCS schools. Twelve teams and only Southern Miss and Houston (last year's C-USA title game participants) and maybe Tulsa (4-3) are even respectable. And now there's the Curse of McConaughey. Since the movie "We Are Marshall" was released last December starring the hunky Matthew, the Thundering Herd (0-7) hasn't won a game.
Failing to even mention UCF in a C-USA review proves 'he knows not of that he speaks'. The Knights gave Texas all they could handle. It's not a very deep conference, but I think the C-USA is being slighted here.
Mid-American (D-): Remember when the MAC used to scare the big boys with talented quarterbacks and solid teams? Not so much anymore. It's so bad that newcomer Temple has won three consecutive league games. That's one fewer than the Owls had won the past four years. Buffalo also has three MAC wins, matching its overall total from 2005-06. Yikes!Sun Belt (D-): Troy's upset of Oklahoma State and Florida Atlantic over Minnesota keeps this backwater from an F. It's 19 losses in a row for Florida International, longest in the nation.
And WAY DOWN HERE is probably where you throw in Notre Dame.
Comments:
Tom Blogical
posted on October 25, 2007 9:46 AM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
said:
gatorhippy (#4):
Methinks Johnny was dreaming of the naked bongo drums incident.
gatorhippy
posted on October 25, 2007 10:06 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
jonsey (#6) & Lennie (#7):
If you guys should actually use the links and read the articles and also pay more attention to what Kev is writing...
Then you would realize these are "year-to-date" (Kev) or "mid-term" (Lindsay) rankings...
Or in other words...
How it appears right now...
Lennie Collins
posted on October 25, 2007 12:03 PM — 67.67.197.165 — link — abuse? said:
Gatorhippy...why this report is out? I don't know. I agree with Ol' Jonesy! Let evaluate the conferences after the season. The way the season has gone these grades can change by Sunday Morning. I am glad you ain't itchin' for a argument! The SEC is not as dominant has everyone thought. Why aren't the Independants ranked? This is not directed towards you. (EDIT) Notre Dame!
gatorhippy
posted on October 25, 2007 12:15 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
Lennie (#14):
I would guess that Lindsay needed something to write about this week...
Of course, as far as waiting until after the season for these rankings...
I kinda feel the same way about weekly team rankings...
Shouldn't it really wait until a team's body of work is complete before they can be effectively ranked from best to worst...
Lennie Collins
posted on October 25, 2007 12:32 PM — 67.67.197.165 — link — abuse? said:
Gatorhippy say it again and I will sum it up like this...it's not how you start or even where you are at! It's how you finish! Virginia Tech gone go to Boston College's grill tonight! For those who don't understand old school slang: Virginia Tech is going to knock Boston College's teeth out tonight when they play!
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 25, 2007 2:58 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
I guess this settles the debate... Now time to be OBNOXIOUS!!!!
SEC is the best conference ever!AHRARARAHA. SEC BABY! Who is the best team in the SEC everybody? That's right LSU! The best team in the best conference. RARARRARA.(((pounding chess)))...Okay, glad I got that out. I totally agree with these rankings. The PAC definitely started out the season #1, but CAL and UCLA brought them right back down to size in a hurry. If even just CAL would've stayed on track they would be the #1. I fully expect more teams from the PAC to fall off as well, such as Arizona St, and yes I expect USC to fall even further out the picture. Shocking hunh? Not unless someone could explain to me how they can beat Oregon.
Great topic Kev! This is always a hot debate.
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 25, 2007 3:02 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
I guess this settles the debate... Now time to be OBNOXIOUS!!!!
SEC is the best conference ever!AHRARARAHA. SEC BABY! Who is the best team in the SEC everybody? That's right LSU! The best team in the best conference. RARARRARA.(((pounding chess)))...Okay, glad I got that out. I totally agree with these rankings. The PAC definitely started out the season #1, but CAL and UCLA brought them right back down to size in a hurry. If even just CAL would've stayed on track they would be the #1. I fully expect more teams from the PAC to fall off as well, such as Arizona St, and yes I expect USC to fall even further out the picture. Shocking hunh? Not unless someone could explain to me how they can beat Oregon.
Great topic Kev! This is always a hot debate.
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 25, 2007 3:03 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
I guess this settles the debate... Now time to be OBNOXIOUS!!!!
SEC is the best conference ever!AHRARARAHA. SEC BABY! Who is the best team in the SEC everybody? That's right LSU! The best team in the best conference. RARARRARA.(((pounding chess)))...Okay, glad I got that out. I totally agree with these rankings. The PAC definitely started out the season #1, but CAL and UCLA brought them right back down to size in a hurry. If even just CAL would've stayed on track they would be the #1. I fully expect more teams from the PAC to fall off as well, such as Arizona St, and yes I expect USC to fall even further out the picture. Shocking hunh? Not unless someone could explain to me how they can beat Oregon.
Great topic Kev! This is always a hot debate.
Cane Mutiny
posted on October 25, 2007 4:26 PM — 65.12.247.141 — link — abuse? said:
That's pretty much exactly how I'd have my list, although ranking conferences is sort of stupid. I mean, it's interesting, but in the end, it's all about the teams.
A few predictions:
Boston College 24, VaTech 16
And an early NC game prediction: LSU 45, Ohio State 13
M GO BLUE said:
posted on October 25, 2007 4:32 PM — 216.46.209.194 — link — abuse?
I"m fine with the B-10 being dead last of the BCS conferences, this has been a year of underdogs and upsets, this just gives us a chance to keep the trend going some more come bowl season.
Where is the pride in the B-10????
does anyone remember minnesota from 9 months ago???
They were beating T-tech 38-7 with 7:00 to go in the third quarter.......and since that fateful day Minnesota has managed 1 win.......and losses to the MAC and div 2........And Michigan......Tied with USC 3-3 at the half of the Rosebowl......since then we lossed to Appalachian state and were torched by Oregon.
I think the Big Ten deserves to be ranked last of the BCS conferences, but I don't believe they are as bad as it seems right now......I think the Big Ten stopped playing with pride, and not the pride that screams i'm #1 and nobody can beat me............It's the pride that screams i'm gonna give 110% every play of every game that I play for this school.
GO BLUE
GO Big Tengrcunning said:
posted on October 25, 2007 6:12 PM — 71.72.42.64 — link — abuse?
Cane Mutiny@21
interesting early prediction...
LSU wasn't able to put up 45 on Middle Tn, the 50th best Defense in the land.
And you think you can do it against the best defense in the country? And against a team with a massive chip on their shoulder?
You'd better hope LSU plays in the Piggly Wiggly bowl, cause paybacks are hell, and someone is going to get steamrolled.
I can't wait to see all the prognosticators with egg on their face.Geaux Bucks!
GA Boy said:
posted on October 25, 2007 9:17 PM — 97.89.24.88 — link — abuse?
If you don't think that the SEC is the best from top to bottom, I guess you are blinded by your team spirit. Ranking the SEC teams right now, East or West
LSU
FLA
KY
GA
AL
AUB
SC
Ark
TN
Vandy
Ole Miss
Miss St
What other conference can put their top 10 against the SEC top 10. I will do the PAC since they are ranked 2nd. Everyone always points to bowl season, but that usually works out to the other conferences top 2-3 playing one of SEC 5-7 teams. I am talking about mathcing them up 1-10. For example, as it stands now in the coneference standings:
ASU vs LSU--I mean seriously
UCLA vs FLA--Again-does the PAC have a chance?
Oregon vs KY--Scorefest, whoever gets the ball last. 2 dynamic QBs but the edge goes to Dixon. Unlike the Cal game, he wins this one in the last seconds.
USC vs GA--I would love to see this one. If the Trojans run the ball, the PAC wins this one.
Cal vs AL--Both beat the crap out of TN. Saban outwits Tedford.
Ore St vs AU--The Tigers deal a deadly bite!
Stanford vs Cocks--Spurrier runs the score up worse than he did against the DAWGS in the 90s.
Arizona vs Ark--Not even a bite from a Diamondback could help slow down McFadden against this pansy D.
Washington vs TN--Fat Phil would win this one against the West Coast.
Washington St vs Vandy--The boys with the brains would win by 14.
SEC-8 and PAC-2. How would you West Coasters see it?
Any thoughts on the Big East(3rd) top 10 vs the SEC top 10 right now?
Any Big 12 (4th) takers?GO DAWGS!!
U. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on October 25, 2007 10:12 PM — 97.82.188.250 — link — abuse?
A bad SEC team beats anybody on a great day. (Did I mention Appalachian is Honorary member of the SEC)? An average SEC team wins the NC against any non-SEC team. The four best SEC teams, lined up against the pollsters four best non-SEC teams, week after week, all season long. Will TOTAL, two losses for the season.
I know that sucks for you non-SEC guys. Obnoxious = superiority. HAHAHALennie Collins
posted on October 25, 2007 10:41 PM — 67.67.197.165 — link — abuse? said:
GA Boy(Comment #24) unfortunately unlike College Basketball, we want know for sure! It would be great if the NCAA would do that over the next several years you know like Big 12 vs SEC, Pac-10 vs Big 11 of course 1 team would not be able to play, ACC vs Big East, and so on. But the coaches do have some control over their scheduling. Remember Tennesse has travel out to UCLA in the past and will in the future. They also have games with Oregon as well! Auburn and Arkansas has played Southern California. Basically all I am saying...the coaches can make it happen to a degree but until it is done on the field....it's all a matter of opinion. Oklahoma does have Tennessee in the future and hopefully they will schedule more Big 11, Big East, SEC, ACC, and Pacific 10 schools.
U. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on October 25, 2007 10:44 PM — 97.82.188.250 — link — abuse?
It's only 7:28 left in the forth quarter, but I'm going to recognize VA TECH as this weeks Honorary member of the SEC.
I would also like for all of you to recognize that it is not just SEC football, it is Southern football that is so strong. ILennie Collins
posted on October 25, 2007 11:10 PM — 67.67.197.165 — link — abuse? said:
U. of S. C. 1978 I guess Virginia Tech gone have to wait next year for that Honorary Memebership? Hey don't feel bad...I picked Virginia Tech to win. If Central Florida beats Southern Mississippi can they get in? Show Central Florida some love if you gonna give it to South Florida!
Lennie Collins
posted on October 25, 2007 11:28 PM — 67.67.197.165 — link — abuse? said:
Boston College are who we thought they were. If you wanna put them in the National Title Game, then GO AHEAD, PUT THEIR (EDIT) IN THE NATIONAL TITLE GAME! They are who we thought they were and we let 'em off the hook!
A Frank Beamer post game speech inspired by Dennis "Denny" Green!
U. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on October 25, 2007 11:41 PM — 97.82.188.250 — link — abuse?
Lennie I love UCF. They are just a few miles east of HWY 436 which is a few miles east of downtown Orlando. Twelve years ago it was a dusty little campus, (due to all the construction). Daunte Culpepper and those teams took them to Southeastern and national recognition. If you are not an SEC team, I would not recommend you schedule the University of Central Florida as a cream puff. Non SEC teams, schedule them.
UCF will earn it's share of Southeastern football, and possibly national, honors....Lennie Collins
posted on October 25, 2007 11:56 PM — 67.67.197.165 — link — abuse? said:
Hey U. of S. C. 1978 I am just being funny. I am sorry but I don't agree with the statement that the SEC is the toughest or best conference in football. We all can say what if BUT until these teams play head to head...it's all talk. I thought Virginia Tech was gone beat Boston College. Trust me U. of S. C. 1978 those football players from Boston College are not from South Boston! I live in Boston from 1981 to 1984 and South Boston way of thinking is sort of like the deep South. Boston College is not even in Boston...it is located in Chestnut Hill about 5 miles outside of Boston. I guess close enough! Very beautiful area.
TampaGator said:
posted on October 26, 2007 9:35 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
"...the SEC is on top, but not by the margin its often-obnoxious fans think...."
Why can't I muster any righteous indignation over this statement?
I somehow find it--flattering--and the only part I can muster any indignation over--is the slight about the margin.
GO GATORS!!
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 26, 2007 12:18 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
Thanks Hippy, you I like to keep it obnoxious like all normal SEC fans.
grcunning,
You are funny. You can have that chip on your shoulder playing the likes of Kent St. and so on. Whoo-teee-dooo. Big OSU #1 hunh? What about the points LSU threw on VT? I personally think it would be ashame if OSU made it to the NC. Especially since it's proven they are inferior to even a one-two loss SEC team.
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 26, 2007 12:19 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
Thanks Hippy, you know I like to keep it obnoxious like all normal SEC fans.
grcunning,
You are funny. You can have that chip on your shoulder playing the likes of Kent St. and so on. Whoo-teee-dooo. Big OSU #1 hunh? What about the points LSU threw on VT? I personally think it would be ashame if OSU made it to the NC. Especially since it's proven they are inferior to even a one-two loss SEC team.
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 26, 2007 12:21 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
Thanks Hippy, you know I like to keep it obnoxious like all normal SEC fans.
grcunning,
You are funny. You can have that chip on your shoulder playing the likes of Kent St. and so on. Whoo-teee-dooo. Big OSU #1 hunh? What about the points LSU threw on VT? I personally think it would be ashame if OSU made it to the NC. Especially since it's proven they are inferior to even a one-two loss SEC team.
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 26, 2007 12:25 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
Thanks Hippy, you know I like to keep it obnoxious like all normal SEC fans.
grcunning,
You are funny. You can have that chip on your shoulder playing the likes of Kent St. and so on. Whoo-teee-dooo. Big OSU #1 hunh? What about the points LSU threw on VT? You know, the same team BC lucked out against and is now, "Staking a claim to the BCS." I personally think it would be a shame if OSU made it to the NC. Especially since it's proven they're inferior to even a one-two loss SEC team.
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 26, 2007 12:25 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
Thanks Hippy, you know I like to keep it obnoxious like all normal SEC fans.
grcunning,
You are funny. You can have that chip on your shoulder playing the likes of Kent St. and so on. Whoo-teee-dooo. Big OSU #1 hunh? What about the points LSU threw on VT? You know, the same team BC lucked out against and is now, "Staking a claim to the BCS." I personally think it would be a shame if OSU made it to the NC. Especially since it's proven they're inferior to even a one-two loss SEC team.
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on October 26, 2007 12:26 PM — 138.163.0.44 — link — abuse?
Thanks Hippy, you know I like to keep it obnoxious like all normal SEC fans.
grcunning,
You are funny. You can have that chip on your shoulder playing the likes of Kent St. and so on. Whoo-teee-dooo. Big OSU #1 hunh? What about the points LSU threw on VT? You know, the same team BC lucked out against and is now, "Staking a claim to the BCS." I personally think it would be a shame if OSU made it to the NC. Especially since it's proven they're inferior to even a one-two loss SEC team.
Zac said:
posted on October 26, 2007 10:35 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
CaneMuteny (Post 21), I can't agree with your prediction. If I had to guess, I'd say LSU 27, OK 23. Of course, I've been wrong before (a lot), but this prediction does seem a little more reasonable.
Many moons & threads ago, going into last season, I recall a couple of us had an idea. Every year each conference has their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention teams, not to mention conference coach of the year. Well, why not have the coaches of the year in each conference, pick from his respective conference's list of coaches, and play his conference's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention team against those of other conferences? If they, whoever they are, won't allow for a college football Div-1 (BCS) play-off, why not a conference play-off?
If you only invite the "big six" as listed above, the top 2 would have a by; the bottom 4 would play-off, which leaves 2 winners to play the 2 with a 1st round by, and so on. How would you seed them? Base upon bowl victory %, public opinion, what ever works. Who cares really; it would be all about fun and a love for the game; oh, and likely some scouts would appreciate it too.
Tomcat said:
posted on October 28, 2007 3:36 PM — 69.151.98.88 — link — abuse?
Hey Zac Those Mountaineers whuped up on those knew joysee scarlet nites.
There is no doubt whatsoever that the SEC is the #1 conference hands down.Look at who the SEC teams have played against{ BCS teams}
WV over Miss St
Cal over Tenn
FSU over Bama
Missu over Ole Miss
S Fla over Auburn
Wins
UGA over Ok St
AU over K St
KY over Louis
LSU over V Tech
4-5 against non SEC {BCS} competition so far
now I didnt include N Texas, Troy etc etc.
There will be a few more against ACC- BTW
FSU vs Fla
S Car vs Clemson
UGa vs G Tech
There will be a few more and only after the bowls will we really know how tough the SEC is.
Until then yall keep whuping each other and tell everybody how great yall are.
Hookem-Horns 7-2GA Boy said:
posted on November 2, 2007 11:24 PM — 97.89.21.220 — link — abuse?
Cowbell
I made a formal admission that I was wrong on that one in another blog. You are definitely not last in SEC. And if I put you up against the PAC 10, I think you win 6 of the 10 games easily with the loses being Oregon, ASU, Cal, USC.GO DAWGS!!
OU-Ron
said:
posted on October 25, 2007 8:23 AM — 216.201.209.146 — link — abuse?Obnoxious SEC fans, Nooooo, you won't find any of those on this BLOG...