Wednesday, February 7, 2007

A New Game in Town

So it has been eight full days since the last time that the Pitt basketball team has played, and during those eight days, I have had to come up with ways to entertain myself. It has been hard, but during that span I came across this new type of activity or game, you may even call it a sport. The more I watched it, the more entertaining it became. So let me fill you in on this new thing.

When I first saw this game being played, I thought that it must be something new, something the kids came up with due to this recent cold weather. Why else would anyone make up some game that is SUPPOSED to be played on ice?

Anyway, in this new game, everyone on the sheet of ice has a stick - kind of dangerous if you ask me - and the goal is to use these sticks to guide a piece of rubber into nets that are set-up on each end of the playing surface. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Once you get almost all the way to the net, you have to hit the piece of rubber, which is called a PUCK by us people in the know, past a person wearing tons of pillows, or something of the sort, who is taking up most of the net.

So during this eight day lay off, I noticed that this game was on television quite a bit, and I was able to learn a lot about it. Like its name: HOCKEY. I also learned that many cities around the world have teams that play this game. In the North America, the best teams belong in a league called the NHL, or National Hockey League (makes sense). Pittsburgh even has one of these teams!!! As luck would have it, my buddy Gulish called me tonight and offered me a ticket to go see this Pittsburgh team play in person. I had to jump at that opportunity, this new game suddenly seems to be the rave of Pittsburgh, so I wanted to make sure that I was one of the first to take part in watching these games live. Gulish told me to meet him at Gate 3 of the Mellon Arena for the game. Oh no, I thought to myself, the Mellon Arena, what did I get myself into? The only things that go on in that old building are bad concerts, bad basketball played by the Pittsburgh Explosion, and graduation ceremonies for universities that don’t have anywhere else to hold them (Point Park).

As I walked to our seats (center ice, 6 rows back), I realized what an event this was. I was joined by 16,807 of my closest friends to take in this hockey game.

I really didn’t understand all that much of the game, all the rules and strategy which I like to know for games, but I managed to follow it pretty well, I think. As it turns out, the Penguins, the team name for the Pittsburgh team, is pretty good, and based on the programs they gave me, they have a lot of really good young players. I even overheard some old guy next to me saying that the one player on the team is the best in the entire world. He is probably exaggerating a little bit.

Anyway, the Pittsburgh team beat the Nashville team 4-1 and the Nashville team is the best in the league, so I guess they did pretty well. I just wanted to update everyone on this new crazy game going around. Like I said, the name is HOCKEY, and the Pittsburgh Penguins is the local team. You should try to check them out soon before it is something that everyone is talking about. It is pretty entertaining stuff, too.

Let’s see college basketball ends in early April; I wonder when this NHL thing ends. I’m kinda looking forward to watching it again.

Super Bowl Forty- BLAH!

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FEBRUARY 4, 2007

Super Bowl Forty- BLAH!

Every year after all the hype and all the pre game coverage and all the post game coverage, the same thing happens, everyone stops and says, “Wow, that Super Bowl was terrible.”

Well let me be the first to say so this year. Eights turnovers, four field goals and two non-offensive touchdowns, and these are the two best teams the NFL could come up with??? Last year was a pretty boring game too, but at least last year there was a story to be blown way out of hand, with Jerome Bettis returning home for his only Super Bowl appearance. That led to Jeremy Stevens starting trash talk with Joey Porter and it was fun. This year, the talk was about the first two black African-American head coaches coaching in the Super Bowl, and if that guy from all the commercials can win “the big game.” No trash-talking, nothing. Listening to the media day cover you would think that these were the two best teams to ever play the game of football. Not even close.

Super Bowl XLI consisted of 7 hours of pre game coverage between ESPN and CBS, only to then have CBS present the 30 minute Kickoff Show. What in the hell were we just watching on CBS for the past 240 minutes? Oh and that kickoff show. Let’s do away with all that garbage. I mean they had a circus, on the football field before the game. I know that these fans paid big bucks for their tickets and due to security issues they were encouraged to get into the stadium early, but does that mean that the rest of the country has to watch Barnum and Bailey too? Plus is the best thing for a wet turf 30 minutes before kickoff really to have people dancing and doing circus routines? Now, I like Cirque de Soleli, but there is a time and place for it, and the Super Bowl isn’t either. While we are on that topic, PRINCE at halftime?!?! Come on, I thought the NFL wanted to do away with the raunchy/sex driven halftime shows and then they go and ask this guy? The over/under for the football game was 48, the over/under for crotch grabs by Prince during halftime was 61. They might as well have brought back Janet and Justin. Next year maybe they will just have some little high school band from the Glendale, AZ area perform. It would last 15 minutes and then everyone could get back to watching the game. We can hope, can’t we?

Oh yeah, the game. Well, the first quarter was exciting. And yes, Rex Grossman DID deserve all the criticism that he got for the past 13 days leading up to the game.

Heck the commercials were even weak this year. There were a few that I’m sure did well, the Blockbuster On-line with the mouse and Rock, Paper, Scissors for the last Bud Light, and a few for Doritos, but other than those nothing really jumped out at me.

When it comes down to it, I’m glad the Colts won. I’m glad Tony Dungy won. And I’m glad that Peyton Manning won. It was a shame that the weather was as bad as it was, but I also think that weather is part of the game and from time to time you will have bad weather. It was the first Super Bowl to have any rainfall, so 1 out of 41 isn’t bad.

The Colts won, the Colts dominated, just as many people thought. The game wasn’t very exciting, just as many people, EXCEPT the television suits, thought. Just once I would like a big-time sporting event to go off as just that, a sporting event, not a show. Enough with the SportsCenters from South Beach and every other show and station possible having someone live at the Super Bowl. I swear as I was scanning through the channels this week I saw Dr. Phil sitting on a beach chair wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sun-block on his nose giving group therapy sessions. Who cares?

Here’s to Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, AZ next year to being normal. We can hope, can’t we?

An Aussie Rules RANT

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JANUARY 24, 2007

I know, I know, Kevin talking tennis, what is this all about?? Well due to my odd work schedule, which then leads to my even stranger sleeping patterns, I have been watching quite a bit of this years Australian Open. Here are some thoughts based on what I have seen.

* Men’s tennis is terrible!!!!! Yeah it is nice for the Americans watching to have Andy Roddick do well and Mardy Fish surprise a few people before deciding not to show up against Roddick, but come on people!!!! Watching a full men’s tennis tournament is like watching a horror move, you know the bad guy is going to kill some people it is just a matter of where, when and how. Men’s tennis is the same way. Everyone already knows Roger Federer is going to win the tournament, it is just a matter of who he beats, when he beats them, and how badly or impressively he does it. My suggestion to fix this is change the format of these tournaments. Instead of playing a full tournament going through the brackets, once you get to the quarterfinals, everyone remaining gets a shot at Federer. The only catch is that he would have to beat everyone in the same time frame it would take to finish the tournament. By doing this all the fans get to see more of him and it gives every other player on tour a realistic chance of beating the guy. I mean, now if you are lucky enough to be the third guy to face him in a 24-hour span, you may have a shot.

* Women’s tennis is the complete opposite. With the return of Martina Hingis and Serena Williams going into any given tournament there are about 8-12 women that have a chance to win it. Granted, it will still, most likely be one of the big guns, but not all the time. After watching Serena two nights ago and Hingis last night, it is amazing that these women both took a lot of time off, yet are back at this level so quickly. Martina is actually playing a different style now too!! She is playing a much more controlled and mature style, she isn’t playing real aggressive, she is sitting back and waiting for her opponents to make mistakes and once they do she jumps all over them.

* Speaking about women’s tennis, WOW!!!! Now everyone knows Anna Kournikova, you know the newest member on the CW’s Beauty and the Geek (the CW is in the CBS family, I gotta give a little support, you know). She has done more with nothing than just about anyone on the sporting world. Herb Brooks and the Miracle on Ice team is a distant 2nd. The only difference is they won with nothing; she doesn’t win and still gets everything!! Okay, I’m getting off track. We all have seen Maria Sharapova, she is beautiful AND talented (imagine that…). But it looks don’t stop there!!!! It seems the Russians just breed hot tennis players, not always talented, but ALWAYS hot!! While watching Serena two nights ago my dad asks, “who is she playing, another Russian?” The screen quickly cut to a close up of Serena’s opponent Shahar Peer, and I quickly responded, “I’m not sure where she is from, but she must not be Russian.” Shahar is from Israel and looks more like Hootch from the classic Tom Hanks movie Turner and Hootch than anything human that I can think about. Okay, again getting off track. Yeah the Russians have cornered the market on hot Russians, but I have a new favorite. She is not Russian, she is not “hot” I’m going to go with “cute”, and she is not even new, but I’m going to say that I am fan of the new and improved Martina Hingis. She no longer whines and complains, and she has an extremely cute look to her. She may have always had that look to her, but I hated her as a player so I never really paid much attention to her. Should have I guess!!!

Okay, that is all on this Rant. As I prepare myself for the Roddick / Federer semi, I was wondering, will Roddick win more sets than Anna won titles in her career (zero)?? I’m thinking, NO!

Another College Football Season in the Books

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JANUARY 8, 2007

THE BIG (Pre)TEN(d)
Let’s start out with a simple question. What do you get when you take a Midwest football team out of the Midwest?

A LOSS!!!!

As we all know, I love the SEC and always rave about how good they are. In turn, everyone who knows me also knows that I despise the Big Ten. The only good thing to come out the Big Ten was Brian Ingram (Northwestern). So it was no surprise to me, and I’ve been telling anyone that would listen, that the Big Ten would lay an egg in the bowls, including their two golden boys tOSU and Michigan getting trounced. And what do you know, they did. If I only had a bookie. Throw in the grossly overrated Notre Dame and you have the 3 most praised, hyped and oh yeah OVERRATED teams in the nation losing by an average of over 3 TDs each. Can everyone get off of the Big Ten now? It was clear to see how incredibly overrated the conference was this season, yet NOBODY wanted to say it. Everyone wanted tOSU to be the great story and everyone wanted an undefeated champion, but quite honestly they might be the fifth best team in the country.

Looking at their schedules, neither team beat another great team. Everyone points to the Texas win in Austin for the Buckeyes, granted it was a nice win, but last time I checked Vince Young was no longer in Austin, he was busy winning the NFL Rookie of the Year. Texas wasn’t all that great this season and they should that in their bowl game, squeaking by Iowa. A BAD Big Ten team. Here is a little tidbit for you. The Ohio State University beat two teams this season that will finish ranked, one being Michigan, and I think Pete Carroll and USC showed how good they are and the other being Texas. Michigan also beat just 2 teams that will end the season ranked. Wisconsin, which I do feel is a good team, and Notre Dame who has managed to make BCS games the past two seasons without beating a ranked team. Both teams were exposed when they finally lost. First of all they lost to a great team, the first one that either team had played. Secondly they lost to a team that had speed. It is that old saying, “speed kills,” and it did just that to the Big Ten this year, it killed them!

Since we are on the topic of teams being overrated and what not, here is a simply solution STOP THE PRESEASON RANKINGS. Yes I know they sell magazines and newspapers, but they mean nothing and actually hurt teams come November or December. Look at Auburn a few years back or even Rutgers this year, they both started the season so low or not ranked at all that neither school even had a chance to play for the national title o matter what happened. So because we want to act as if we are smarter than we really are, by putting out these ridiculously rankings when in reality nobody has any idea which teams are good and which aren’t, we actually making college football as a whole suffer. Look at Notre Dame this year, #1 in some preseason polls, enough said!! My solution here, rankings don’t come out until AFTER the 1st Saturday of October.

Enough beating up on the Big Ten, the conference has already taken enough beating this bowl season.

A BOWL SEASON in REVIEW

Right here would be a perfect spot for me to point out that the Big East won the Conference Bowl Challenge, by becoming the 1st conference since it started to go undefeated in bowl play, but I won’t. I will actually knock the whole system that we have to watch football under during the holiday season.

Okay, so I will mention the Big East again, but just to prove a point. The Big East wins the conference challenge, does that mean the Big East is the best conference? Of course not, the Big East was about the 3rd best conference this year, but happened to luck into the fact where they played NOBODY during their bowls.

Here is my solution. Yes, Ideally I would say have a playoff, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon, so lets move on. Lets drop the whole conference affiliation thing for bowls. Forget the fact that the Big East has 6 bowl spots and each game is mapped out where they will play and what conference they will play against. Making everything open to everyone. If the Cotton Bowl wants to offer West Virginia a spot in its bowl, more power to them. The whole purpose of the bowl season is to see good match-ups and to see REALLY how each conference stacks up with the others. The Big East playing the Big XII, twice against the ACC, C-USA and the MAC don’t tell me anything. So open up the bowl season, it allows fans to go to different bowls, it allows players to go to different bowls and it allows match-ups that would attract a better viewing audience. I think that last part may have just awoken some NCAA guys who still don’t think they make enough money throughout this whole process yet.

My final solution for fixing the bowls is simple, PAY THESE KIDS!!!!! The schools, coaches, television station, and the NCAA make so much money off these kids can’t we give them a little something. And I don’t want to hear the fact that they go to school for free, GREAT, so does Betty Sue in the Engineering program, but you don’t see her making the school millions of dollars on a weekly basis. I’m not saying pay them some absurd amount, but how about 1% of the schools profit from their bowl game goes to the players. Something! Anything! Honestly what I would love to see is the NCAA student athlete board decide to boycott bowls until this happened. Do you realize how fast they schools would listen then? These athletes make so much money for each university, they deserve a little in return.

CONTRACTS

The NCAA needs to do something NOW about all these lying, sneaky coaches and schools. If a coach is under contract, he is untouchable. If that coach wants out of his contract to go to another school a punishment needs to be put in place. A strict punishment, and I’m not talking about money, because as I’ve mentioned that is one this that all these schools already have too much of, I mean scholarships. You break a contract by going to another school; you get hit hard on the recruiting trail. My suggestion would be simple, and it would last two years. Year 1, lose ½ of your scholarships (NCAA limits 25 given annually), so you have 13 scholarships instead of 25, and the head coach cannot leave campus to recruit. Year 2, you lose 20% (5) scholarships, and the coach is allowed to recruit. This would do some damage to the product on the field, and that would hit the school in the pocket book, and honestly that is the only thing they care about.

That is all for this lengthy rant, I’ll be back soon with another, basketball talk next time perhaps!!!

Ron Cook's Biased Look At Pitt, Offensive

THIS WAS ORGINALLY WRITTEN NOVEMBER 21, 2006

Ron Cook’s biased look at Pitt is offensive.

Why does Pitt always get the brunt of the criticism from the Pittsburgh media, yet Penn State always gets a free pass?

First things first, I do agree that Pitt with a 6-6 record probably isn’t worthy of going to a bowl, but if the system works out in their favor, more power to them. Everyone loves bowl season, and this is what happens when you have 32 bowl games. You get a watered down product.

What gets me is that NOBODY has mentioned that it is a downright disgrace that Penn State is playing in a New Year’s Day Bowl. Are you serious? This is a bad football team, yet nobody mentions them not being deserving of their Outback Bowl invitation. Everyone sees an 8-4 record and them playing in the Big Ten and immediately gives Penn State a pass. Never mind the fact that the Big Ten was so bad this year that they don’t have enough bowl-eligible teams to fill all of their allotment.

Before everyone talks about their record and them playing a tough schedule, let me throw out a few thoughts. Penn State didn’t play a tough schedule. They played 4 tough teams and lost all 4. Penn State won 8 games this year, beating 7 division 1-A teams in the process. However, those 7 wins came against teams with a combined record of 25-53, and 3 of those 25 wins were versus D-1AA schools. The only team that Penn State beat this year that had a winning record was Purdue, who also finished at 8-4 simply due to Big Ten scheduling where they lucked out and didn’t have to play Michigan OR Ohio State this season.

So, as much as I think that it is pretty pathetic that a struggling Pitt football team might get a chance to play in a third-tier bowl, I think it is even more of a disgrace that the Pittsburgh media gives Penn State a free pass. I do recall the same Pittsburgh media having a field day ripping Pitt when they were 8-4 going to a New Year’s Day BCS bowl just 2 years ago. Shouldn’t the same standards apply now as were used then?

NCAA Football Rankings 11-6-6

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN NOVEMBER 6, 2006

1. OHIO STATE (10-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Illinois 17-10
Next Game: 11-11 @ Northwestern (3-7)
You can have that “look ahead” game that everyone is calling last weeks near disaster, just don’t have it two weeks in a row. The Buckeyes need to come out and pound the Wildcats to send a message to everyone that they are ready for the showdown with Michigan next week.

2. MICHIGAN (10-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Ball State 34-26
Next Game: 11-11 @ Indiana (5-5)
Indiana is actually playing good football, so Michigan better not take this game lightly like they took last week or we may just have another tOSU/Michigan game next week, not “The Game of the Century” as some have already dubbed it.

3. LOUISVILLE (8-0)-
Last Week: Won vs West Virginia 44-34
Next Game: 11-9 @ Rutgers (8-0)
One down, one to go. As impressive as the WVU win was, it was at home. Next up is the real challenge, following an emotional home win with a tough road game. A win in New Jersey proves they belong in the National Title picture.

4. TEXAS (9-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Oklahoma State 36-10
Next Game: 11-11 @ Kansas State (6-4)
West Virginia was losing a game for the first time since October 15, 2005 in the first quarter against Syracuse, but that didn’t last long. As good as Steve Slaton is, Pat White is what really gets that offense moving. UCONN gives up over 175 ypg on the ground this year, so expect another big day from the White and Slaton combination.

5. AUBURN (8-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Arkansas State 27-0
Next Game: 11-11 vs Georgia (6-4)
If this team could score they would be scary good. Luckily they will play a Georgia team that can’t seem to score either. Take the UNDER in this game, it might take only 1 score to win.

6. FLORIDA (8-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Vanderbilt 25-19
Next Game: 11-11 vs South Carolina (5-4)
A homecoming of sorts for the “Ole Ball Coach” as Steve Spurrier visits the Swamp for the first time since he left for the NFL. That should be the story line here, as Florida should handle the Gamecocks with ease. However, Spurrier surprised the Gators in SC last season.

7. CALIFORNIA (5-1)-
Last Week: Won vs UCLA 38-24
Next Game: 11-11 @ Arizona (4-5)
Cal needs to just keep telling itself, “Don’t look ahead, don’t look ahead.” What lies ahead is a showdown with USC, but Cal needs to take care of business first. Cal is the best team in the Pac-10, now they need to get to the showdown game with the Trojans so they can prove it to everyone in the country.

8. ARKANSAS (8-1)-
Last Week
: Won @ South Carolina 26-20
Next Game: 11-11 vs Tennessee (7-2)
I gotta an idea, I think it would be a good idea to replace the starting quarterback, who has thrown over 800 yards and 10 TDs this season, the week of possible the biggest game of the season. That is exactly what Arkansas coach Houston Nutt did this week when he named Casey Dick the starting QB this week against the Vols.

9. WEST VIRGINIA (7-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Louisville 44-34
Next Game: 11-11 vs Cincinnati (5-4)
You have gotta feel for Cincinnati this week. A week after having their National Title hopes dashed you would think that WVU is out for blood. Cincinnati has one of the better and more underrated defenses in the country, but this Mountaineer offense will be looking for revenge after shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly against Louisville.

10. SOUTHERN CAL (7-1)-
Last Week
: Won @ Stanford 42-0
Next Game: 11-11 vs Oregon (7-2)
I don’t know what it is about this team, but they just don’t impress me. I think they have a real good chance of falling again this week against the Ducks. This should be an interesting match-up, Oregon can’t stop anyone and USC has had trouble scoring of late. They had the perfect remedy for their scoring woes though last week, a Walt Harris coached team.

11. RUTGERS (8-0)-
Last Week
: OFF
Next Game: 11-9 vs Louisville (8-0)
The State University of New Jersey is making Tony Soprano happy, which is always a good thing. A big game this week against Louisville will be the biggest game in the history of the school since they started playing football in 1869 (6-4 win over Princeton). A win here and Greg Schiano could get elected Governor. Hey if he can turn around a program like Rutgers maybe he can clean up a state like New Jersey, doubtful.

12. LSU (7-2)-
Last Week: Won @ Tennessee 28-24
Next Game: 11-11 vs Alabama (6-4)
Last week they played in one of the best games I’ve seen all year, maybe second only to their game with Auburn. LSU is all but out of the SEC West race, but with easier games against ‘Bama and Ole Miss before the showdown with 1st place Arkansas anything can happen.

13. TENNESSEE (7-2)-
Last Week: Lost vs LSU 28-24
Next Game: 11-11 @ Arkansas (8-1)
Another big-time game in the SEC this week so there is no time to dwell on last weeks 4th quarter breakdown. I expect the Vols to bounce back large this week and give the Razorbacks all they can handle.

14. WISCINSIN (9-1)-
Last Week
: Won vs Penn State 13-3
Next Game: 11-11 @ Iowa (6-4)
The Big Ten has a bigger gap between its top rate and second-tier teams then the Grand Canyon. What happened?? Iowa was supposed to be good this season and they lose to teams like Indiana and Northwestern. To bad Wisconsin didn’t get a chance to play Ohio State this season, then we could have had a REAL Big Ten champ.

15. NOTRE DAME (8-1)-
Last Week: Won vs North Carolina 45-26
Next Game: 11-11 @ Air Force (4-4)
Charlie Weis probably hates that he keeps moving down in my poll too; well here is a hint Charlie, PLAY SOME ONE!!!!! I hate how Notre Dame gets free pass every year for their schedule. Every year, a handful of Big Ten teams, one or two other BCS conference teams (normally second rate), the academies, and USC and Stanford, that is their schedule EVERY YEAR!!!!! The problem is that everyone except Michigan, who embarrassed them, in that group stinks this season. You know you have problems when a linebacker from North Carolina has this to say after the game, “they really aren't different from what we see from week to week. Actually, they are a little slower than most teams in the ACC,” and the ACC is terrible this year, OUCH!!

16. GEORGIA TECH (7-2)-
Last Week: Won @ NC State 31-23
Next Game: 11-11 @ North Carolina (1-8)
This is one of those “second rate” schools that Notre Dame schedules, amazingly enough though they are the best team in a terrible ACC. They should keep that up this week against a terrible North Carolina team, maybe at least this week the Tar Heels will be impressed with the team that beats them by 3 touchdowns.

17. OKLAHOMA (7-2)-
Last Week
: Won @ Texas A&M 17-16
Next Game: 11-11 vs Texas Tech (6-4)
No Adrian Peterson??? No problem. The Sooners lose the best running back in the country for the season and all his replacement Allen Patrick does is run for 440 yards in 3 games.

18. WAKE FOREST (8-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Boston College 21-14
Next Game: 11-11 @ Florida State (5-4)
In this crazy world we call ACC football it wouldn’t surprise me at al if the Seminoles beat Wake this week. If that were to happen you could be looking at Maryland and Georgia Tech in Jacksonville for the ACC Championship, that is exactly what people were expecting coming into the season, right?

19. TEXAS A&M (8-2)-
Last Week
: Lost vs Oklahoma 17-16
Next Game: 11-11 vs Nebraska (7-3)
In the middle game of a brutal final 3 game stretch against OU, Nebraska and Texas, the Aggies need to get a win here because that season finale in Austin could be a tough place to pick up a “W” especially with the Longhorns having a possible trip to defend its National Championship on the line.

20. BOISE STATE (9-0)-
Last Week
: Won vs Fresno State 45-21
Next Game: 11-11 @ San Jose State (6-2)
This team just isn’t that good. Me and 10 friends could win 6-7 games if we played this schedule. Remember when Utah earned a trip to the BCS a few years back and then were in a complete BLOW OUT in their bowl game?? That is what will happen again this year if the Broncos get a BCS bowl bid, except they will be the ones getting blown out, not like Utah.


OK- only 20 teams this week, and the simple reason is that they’re just aren’t that many good teams in college football this year. That is why we have a mess at the top and the whole problem with the BCS. Last year it was easy, everyone knew that Texas and USC were the 2 best teams in the country. This year we don’t have any great teams; just about 10-12 really good ones and a bunch of above average ones.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

The Big East: Last in National Love, but #1 in My Heart

THIS WAS ORIGNALLY WRITTEN NOVEMBER 10, 2006

1,130 yards of offense, 79 points scored in a match-up between two of the top ranked teams in the nation and all we have heard all week is that no defense was played in the showdown between Louisville and West Virginia last Thursday night. But those numbers I mentioned don’t reflect that game, oh no, those numbers are the final stats to everyone’s “Instant Classic” that was played last January 4th between Texas and USC for the National Championship. Last Thursday Louisville and West Virginia played in a game that totaled 1,018 yards and 78 points. Now I realize that there is not much difference here, but it leads to the question that people have been wondering all week.

What’s with the double standards?? Why is the Big East always “weak”?? Why can’t Rutgers just really finally be good and that the conference itself is good??

I have some theories behind this madness.

#1. Nobody likes change. The Big East is completely different from the conference that everyone knew and respected. The ACC raid of the conference has made everyone think that they are a second-tier conference and will never be able to get back to the level they were at one time. Well let me say this. They were right. The Big East was BAD; they were a second-tier conference and probably didn’t deserve their automatic bid to a BCS bowl. But that lasted for all of about a year. But think about it, Let’s remove Florida, Auburn and LSU form the SEC, or Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin from the Big Ten, or Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska from the Big XII, those conferences would struggle for a while? That is what happened to the Big East, their top 3 teams up and left in the middle of the night and left a make shift “conference” behind.

#2. Nobody likes change. Rutgers??? Louisville??? These teams are good or at least aren’t supposed to be. Louisville is a team that has jumped from the Missouri Valley Conference, to being an independent, to Conference USA and finally to the Big East. In that 43-year span they won a total of 2 conference championships and have been to 13 bowl games with a record that is just slightly better then .500 all-time (409-401-17). And Rutgers, well they are Rutgers! Before last nights win against Louisville, the biggest win that school ever had was a 6-4 win over Princeton 137 years ago in the first college football game ever played. Rutgers was bad even as recent 2003. In a 23 game span from 2001 through the 2002 season the Scarlet Knights won 3 games. In that span they lost games by the scores of 61-0, 50-0, 42-0, 80-7 and even a 30-5 loss to TEMPLE!!

But let’s make this whole thing plain and simple. The Scarlet Knights are good (like it or not). The Big East is good (like it or not). And Rutgers should have a chance to play for the National Championship if they win out and go undefeated (like it or not).
Maybe the Big East is not that good, but show me a conference that is better (outside the SEC, we all know how much I think the SEC is year in and year out the best conference in football).

The Big Ten?? Excuse me I meant the Big Two. Ohio State and Michigan combine for 72 Big Ten titles in history, the other 9 teams have combined for 86. Over the past 20 years they have 17 titles between them. And take those two teams out of the equation and you have one good team in Wisconsin.

The ACC, ha! The ACC raided the Big East to take their powerhouse teams because suddenly they wanted to be a college football power and those teams are no where to be found near the top of the ACC standings. Those three schools have a combined 9-7 record this season in conference play. Georgia Tech is the frontrunner for a BCS spot from the ACC and they are ranked #18 in this weeks BCS rankings.

The Pac-10, this might be the worst and most overrated conference of all. Cal is the best team from this conference and Tennessee smoked them in their only big non-conference game. USC is just plain not good this year, hey it happens, but they shouldn’t be praised and ranked so high just because they have had good years recently. They still have two losses on their schedule (Cal and Notre Dame, who is also overrated) and played WAY to many close games against flat out BAD teams.

The Big XII, maybe. I might be able to see the Big XII as a better conference then the Big East, they have traditional powers such as Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska this year, as well as others like Texas A&M, Missouri and Oklahoma St playing well this year. My only problem here is that no one in the conference has a good non-conference win. Nebraska was beat handily by USC. Texas lost at home 24-7 to Ohio State and Oklahoma lost to Oregon, who has had more people score on them then Paris Hilton.

So, there you have it, the Big East is it. After the new rankings come out, you could have 3 Big East teams in the Top 10, no other conference can claim that. Also consider that the Big East owns the best record of any BCS conference versus other BCS conferences, and you suddenly have a pretty good case for Rutgers and the Big East.

NCAA Football Rankings 10-9-6

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN OCTOBER 9, 2006

1. OHIO STATE (7-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Michigan State 38-7
Next Game: 10-21 vs Indiana (4-3)
Well I said the Buckeyes need to be more impressive and they responded with a solid beating of Michigan State. Can you imagine this offense if Santonio Holmes doesn’t leave OSU early?

2. MICHIGAN (7-0)-
Last Week
: Won @ Penn State 17-10
Next Game: 10-21 vs Iowa (5-2)
It kills me to do this but yes, I am ranking two Big Ten teams as the top two teams in the country. After watching Michigan dominate Penn State in every aspect of the game, it is hard for me to not have them at #1, but that problem will be solved in the Big Ten championship game played at the horseshoe November 18th, that is if Michigan doesn’t overlook Iowa this week.

3. SOUTHERN CAL (6-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arizona State 28-21
Next Game: 10-28 @ Oregon State (3-3)
Maybe the bye week will help USC get their heads on straight. The offense just simply isn’t clicking. In a conference in which good defenses are about as common as Oakland Raider touchdowns, you would think that this team could put up some points. The Trojans have a brutal finish to the end of the schedule, we will see how good Pete Carroll really is if he can get that team in shape by then.

4. WEST VIRIGINA (6-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Syracuse 41-17
Next Game: 10-20 @ Connecticut (3-3)
West Virginia was losing a game for the first time since October 15, 2005 in the first quarter against Syracuse, but that didn’t last long. As good as Steve Slaton is, Pat White is what really gets that offense moving. UCONN gives up over 175 ypg on the ground this year, so expect another big day from the White and Slaton combination.

5. TEXAS (6-1)-
Last Week
: Won vs Baylor 63-31
Next Game: 10-21 @ Nebraska (6-1)
Should tell us a lot about both Nebraska and the Longhorns in Lincoln on Saturday. People are wondering about Nebraska and the Big XII North, and Texas has looked real good since taking one on the chin against Ohio State. Could this be a preview of the Big XII Title game? I think so.

6. AUBURN (5-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Florida 27-17
Next Game: 10-21 vs Tulane (2-4)
This is exactly why Tommy Tuberville said that no SEC school would win the national title without a playoff. With how difficult every conference game is in the SEC it is nearly impossible for one of these teams to run the table. Auburn loses last week, comes back to beat undefeated Florida. And suddenly no SEC team is in the hunt for the National Title. The guy has a point.

7. LOUISVILLE (6-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Cincinnati 23-17
Next Game: 10-21 @ Syracuse (3-4)
The Cardinals almost ruined everything for the Big East by just squeaking past Cincinnati last week. The much-hyped showdown between WVU and Louisville is now just one more win away.

8. TENNESSEE (5-1)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 10-21 vs Alabama (5-2)
The only easy week in the SEC schedule, but now things start up again. Alabama is loaded with talent, but just can’t seem to put it all together. A win can get them right back into the SEC EAST picture.

9. CALIFORNIA (5-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Washington State 21-3
Next Game: 10-21 vs Washington (4-3)
This is the team to beat in the Pac-10. Boy I beat they wish they had a do-over from that season opener in Tennessee. I can’t think of another team in the country playing a more solid all-around game right now then the Golden Bears. Their uniforms are still ugly though!

10. FLORIDA (6-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Auburn 27-17
Next Game: 10-28 vs Georgia (5-2)
The game formally known as the World’s Largest Cocktail Party isn’t quite what people thought it would be since Georgia has struggled in recent weeks, but it doesn’t mean that the Gator fans won’t have a good time partying in Jacksonville.

11. LSU (5-2)-
Last Week
: Won vs Kentucky 49-0
Next Game: 10-21 vs Fresno State (1-5)
Expect much of the same this week when the Bulldogs come to Death Valley. This game probably looked attractive to LSU fans when it was scheduled a few years ago, but with Fresno in a major down year this should be just another warm-up before the Tigers need to finish off the SEC slate.

12. NOTRE DAME (5-1)-
Last Week
: OFF
Next Game: 10-21 vs UCLA (4-2)
This week, from his chocolate factory, Charlie Weis said that he would be a college football coach until he dies. Do you think he also noticed how Oregon racked up 404 yards 256 on the ground against UCLA last week? I bet he did. The Irish just need to stay health at this point; they play in their annual military tour and a couple other scrubs before they end at USC.

13. CLEMSON (6-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Temple 63-9
Next Game: 10-21 vs Georgia Tech (5-1)
I nearly dropped the Tigers with their lackluster efforts last Thursday. They were actually losing to Temple!!!!!

14. GEORGIA TECH (5-1)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 10-21 @ #13 Clemson (5-1)
A week to prepare for the ACC showdown. Georgia Tech comes into the game as the only ACC team without a conference loss, so they can afford a loss here, but they want to make a statement with this game. This could be a preview of the ACC Championship game…wasn’t that set up so FSU and Miami would play in that every year??

15. NEBRASKA (6-1)-
Last Week
: Won @ Kansas State 21-3
Next Game: 10-21 vs Texas (6-1)
The Blackshirts are alive and well in the Nebraska defense, but where did the offense go? Only 21 against K-State, you will have to do better then that to beat the Horns.

16. ARKANSAS (5-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Southeast Missouri State 63-7
Next Game: 10-21 vs Ole Miss (2-5)
Already basically 2 games up in the SEC West, the Backs really have a chance to run the SEC table. After Ole Miss, they have road games with South Carolina and Mississippi State, but get LSU and Tennessee at home

17. RUTGERS (6-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Navy 34-0
Next Game: 10-21 @ Pitt (6-1)
So do you think Navy was sick of saying that they weren’t for real. They dominated a good Navy team, holding the nations leading rushing attack to over 200 yards UNDER their average.

18. OREGON (5-1)-
Last Week: Won vs UCLA 30-20
Next Game: 10-21 @ Washington State (4-3)
Washington State gave USC some trouble at home; let’s see how the Ducks deal with the pressure. It should give Oregon a pretty good idea were they rank in the Pac-10; I think they might just be the 2nd best team behind Cal.

19. OKLAHOMA (4-2)-
Last Week: Won vs 34-9
Next Game: 10-21 vs Colorado (1-6)
Why was the possibly the best running back in college football since Barry Sanders in the game in the game up 18 points late in the 4th quarter? Is Bob Stoops and Oklahoma going to ask that any losses due to him not playing be struck from BCS voters minds too?

20. WISCONSIN (6-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Minnesota 48-12
Next Game: 10-21 @ Purdue (5-2)
Can anyone tell me who the nations 2nd leading rusher this season is? Did you know that he was a TRUE freshman? At 5’9 242 The Badgers have themselves a mini Ron Dayne in PJ Hill Jr. Big ten teams get ready, this load is here for a while.

21. BOSTON COLLEGE (5-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Virginia Tech 22-3
Next Game: 10-21 @ Florida State (4-2)
The Noles are 55-3 all time in home ACC games, but this isn’t your average Florida State team. Boston College is right in the thick of the ACC Atlantic race and a win in Tallahassee would do wonders for their chances.

22. BOISE STATE (7-0)-
Last Week: Won @ New Mexico State 40-24
Next Game: 10-21 vs Idaho (4-3)
They are beating the teams that they are asked to beat, there is nothing more that the Broncos can do, but boy are those other teams BAD!?! Boise State is the perfect reason why the BCS should NOT include mid-major schools.

23. TEXAS A&M (6-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Missouri 25-19
Next Game: 10-21 @ Oklahoma State (4-2)
After a very good victory last week the Aggies control their own destiny, if they win out, they play for the Big XII Title. The only problem is that to win out they still have to beat Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas in the final 3 weeks of the season.

24. PITT (6-1)-
Last Week
: Won @ Central Florida 52-7
Next Game: 10-21 vs Rutgers (6-0)
A win on Saturday would be a huge one for the Dave Wannestedt Era. People said all year long how nice the schedule set up for this young Panther team, now they just need to be able to take advantage of it.

25. MISSOURI (6-1)-
Last Week: Lost vs Texas A&M 25-19
Next Game: 10-21 vs Kansas State (4-3)
The Tigers need to take care of business against K-State this week and get back on the winning track because after the Wildcats, Oklahoma comes to town followed by a trip to Nebraska. These will be the games for Mizzou to prove they belong.

NEXT 5:
26. Iowa (5-2)- A big performance in the Big House will get them back in the top 25.
27. Georgia (5-2)- 2 losses, now a new QB, trouble in Athens???
28. BYU (4-2)- Could win out setting up a nice bowl for the Cougars.
29. Wake Forest (6-1)- Still haven’t had any impressive wins.
30. Alabama (5-2)- Took OT to beat a bad Ole Miss team, but a win is a win.

NCAA Football Rankings 10-2-6

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN OCTOBER 2, 2006

1. OHIO STATE (5-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Iowa 38-17
Next Game: 10-7 vs Bowling Green (3-2)
After throttling the Hawkeyes, the Buckeyes have clear sailing until what could be an even bigger OSU-Michigan game then usual. Imagine the atmosphere at the horseshoe for a match-up where the winner goes on to play for the national title, we may not have to imagine much longer. Heisman Trophy candidate QB Troy Smith has continued to come up big in big games, and he continues to put up Heisman caliber numbers.

2. AUBURN (5-0)-
Last Week: Won @ South Carolina 24-17
Next Game: 10-7 vs #26 Arkansas (3-1)
The score may not have looked to good, but anytime you win on the road in the SEC you deserve some credit. Throw that in with playing a well-coached prime-time ESPN game in an electric setting and the win becomes pretty impressive. RB Kenny Irons ran for 117 yards and 2 TDs to help his Heisman run, and the speedy defense was able to slow down the high-powered Steve Spurrier attack.

3. SOUTHERN CAL (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Washington State 28-22
Next Game: 10-7 vs Washington (4-1)
The Cougars gave USC a scare and don’t be surprised if the Huskies do the same this week. The bottom line though is that the Trojans know how to win and simply keep doing it. The defense is probably the most underrated in the nation. This isn’t your typical USC team that you have been accustomed to seeing that will score 50-60 points. This team is led by the defense and the young offenses job is to not lose the game. So far they haven’t. This strategy should be okay for a while, but with a schedule that finishes with Oregon, Cal, Notre Dame and UCLA, the offense is going to have to start doing more.

4. WEST VIRIGINA (4-0)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 10-7 @ Mississippi State
It’s kinda sad when you say that a 1-4 team will be the first test for the Mountaineers; that gives you an idea of how soft their non-conference schedule is. The Bulldogs defense has been very good so far this year against the run, which could give the WVU offense fits. Pat White may have to actually throw the ball more then the 12.75 attempts he has averaged so far this season if WVU wants to win this game.

5. LSU (4-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Mississippi State 48-17
Next Game: 10-7 @ #6 Florida (5-0)
It’s another big-time SEC match-up for the Tigers. This time it is Florida and the Swamp. Who came up with this schedule for LSU?? Auburn, Florida and Tennessee all on the road this season, OUCH! They could be the best team in the SEC or even the nation and they will get the chance to prove it with that brutal schedule. Not that the Tigers offense has gotten on the same page, put that with the #1 total defensive unit in the nation and they may just prove how good they really are.

6. FLORIDA (5-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Alabama 28-13
Next Game: 10-7 vs #5 LSU
Year 2 of Urban Meyer has been anything but a myth. In his two prior head coaching jobs he went a combined 21-3 (9-3 @ Bowling Green, and 12-0 @ Utah) in year two with a program. The next 3 games will give us a good idea of how year 2 will be at stop 3. Florida starts what might be the toughest stretch that any team in the country will have with LSU this week, followed by a trip to Auburn and the meeting Georgia in the World Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville.

7. MICHIGAN (5-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Minnesota 28-14
Next Game: 10-7 vs Michigan State (3-2)
Quietly becoming a real player in the National Championship hunt. With the power running game led by a healthy Mike Hart and a defense which has allowed just 36 ypg on the ground the Wolverines seem to have the exact formula to win in the Big Ten. Even a rivalry game with the Spartans shouldn’t pose much of a challenge to this group of players who is quickly taking their coach off the hot seat he started the season on.

8. TEXAS (4-1)-
Last Week
: Won vs Sam Houston State 56-3
Next Game: 10-7 vs # 14 Oklahoma (3-1) “Red River Shootout” in Dallas
Once again a top-tier team schedules a lowly 1AA team, WHY?! The NCAA really needs to do something about this, but unfortunately it is a problem we will have to deal with since the addition of the 12th game. To many big programs would rather get an easy win and make the revenue from a home game rather then going out and being challenged, and we the football fans have to pay the price. It should be fun to watch this rivalry game, as is the case every year. One of the best ideas for a rivalry anywhere as the Cotton Bowl is split at the 50-yard line, one half of the stadium in burnt orange and the other in red, a great setting for a great rivalry.

9. LOUISVILLE (4-0)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 10-6 @ Middle Tennessee
The best thing about the past week and this upcoming week for the Cardinals is that they are 2 weeks that Brian Brohm wasn’t needed. With Cincinnati next week followed by Syracuse there should be no reason to hurry back their superstar QB before the showdown with WVU the first week in November.

10. OREGON (4-0)-
Last Week
: Won @ Arizona State 48-13
Next Game: 10-7 @ #15 California (4-1)
The Ducks have looked mighty all season and don’t look like they will be slowing down. After absolutely destroying Arizona State we know 2 things. One, the Sun Devils aren’t what we all thought they were, and two, the Ducks are! This week should be another statement type game for Oregon. If they can beat the Golden Bears on the road they will have everyones attention especially Pete Carroll and USC.

11. TENNESSEE (4-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Memphis 41-7
Next Game: 10-7 @ #12 Georgia (4-1)
Another big showdown in the SEC, something we should be getting used to by now. Tennessee needs this one to jump back into the SEC East race; a loss would put them at 0-2 in the conference. The offense will have to keep improving if it wants to win this one, as Georgia has one of the best defensive units in the SEC.

12. GEORGIA (5-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Ole Miss 14-9
Next Game: 10-7 vs #11 Tennessee (4-1)
2 straight weeks the Bulldogs have fallen after unimpressive wins. Something is wrong in Athens and it is not the defense. The defense is one of the best you will find in the country, but the offense on the other hand may be one of the worst. The Bulldogs have averaged only 297 ypg and under 19 ppg, those numbers won’t do it against Tennessee and the rest of the SEC, no matter how well the defense performs.

13. NOTRE DAME (4-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Purdue 35-21
Next Game: 10-7 vs Stanford (0-5)
You would have to think that Irish RB Darius Walker is walking around campus with a Christmas morning-like grin on his face. The Irish take on the Stanford Cardinal and Walt Harris this week. If we’ve learned anything from Harris over the years it is that he WILL lose the battle in the trenches. Stanford is last in the nation in rush defense, allowing over 284ypg on the ground and only once this season have the held a team under 200 yards. Brady Quinn will be able to rest his arm this weekend while the RB corps runs wild.

14. OKLAHOMA (3-1)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 10-7 vs #8 Texas (4-1) “Red River Shootout” in Dallas
Bob Stoops, are you still mad at the call that prevented you from staying undefeated and hurt your chances at the national title?? Well then prove that you are national title worthy, by beating the champs!

15. CALIFORNIA (4-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Oregon State 41-13
Next Game: 10-7 vs #10 Oregon (4-0)
Big game for the Pac-10. Who is the real threat to USC and the strangle hold they have had over the conference in recent history?? This game should do a lot to answer that question. This one should be a fun one to watch, as the scoreboard operator will have a busy day the way these two teams can put up points. The first defensive stop might win the game.

16. CLEMSON (4-1)-
Last Week: Won v Louisiana Tech 51-0
Next Game: 10-7 @ Wake Forest (5-0)
Wake Forest, welcome to a real game! 5 games into the year and the Demon Deacons will finally play a team that deserves to be on the same field as them, the only problem is does Wake Forest deserve to be on the same field as Clemson, I don’t think so. Should be a rude awakening to the Wake fans, but a statement made by the Tigers.

17. GEORGIA TECH (4-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Virginia Tech 38-27
Next Game: 10-7 vs Maryland (3-1)
And the other ACC top dog. I love watching Calvin Johnson play, he reminds me of watching Larry Fitzgerald dominate a game from the WR spot, it is tough to do, but he is doing it. The Ramblin’ Wreck are for real and a showdown with Clemson awaits. Who would have thought 6 weeks ago these would be the top 2 teams in the ACC?

18. NEBRASKA (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Kansas 39-32 (2OT)
Next Game: 10-7 @ Iowa State (3-2)
When did you ever think you would hear someone talk about Nebraska not being able to run the ball? That is all they needed to do in the second half last week and they couldn’t do it. Up 24-7 at halftime against Kansas and the Cornhuskers couldn’t play keep away and keep the clock moving.

19. IOWA (4-1)-
Last Week: Loss vs Ohio State 38-17
Next Game: 10-7 vs Purdue (4-1)
Well, couldn’t have asked for a better situation, the number 1 team in the nation at your place, nationally televised game, under the lights, and you lay an egg. We knew that Iowa might be overrated, and we still don’t know for sure, but we do know they aren’t quite at the top of the class in the Big Ten.

20. BOISE STATE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Utah 36-3
Next Game: 10-7 vs Louisiana Tech (1-3)
Hold Utah to 3 points with or without the super genius Urban Meyer at the reigns that is impressive. It is still the same offense, just a different coach running it. We know the Boise State can put up the points, now we know they can play defense too.

21. RUTGERS (5-0)-
Last Week: Won @ South Florida 22-20
Next Game: 10-14 @ Navy (4-1)
The Scarlet Knights went on the road and beat a decent team. This should help silence the critics. They still haven’t played a powerhouse team, but they keep winning and keep winning impressively. The next two games should test them more then any others though, on the road against both Navy at Pitt.

22. MISSOURI (5-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Colorado 28-13
Next Game: 10-7 @ Texas Tech
Still trying to figure out this team. Colorado is not a good team, but Texas Tech is, we can learn a lot more about the Tigers if they can pull off a win in Lubbock.

23. FLORIDA STATE (3-1)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 10-5 @ NC State (2-2)
This should be a good game for Florida State, national TV and a very winnable game. A win here will get people talking about them in the ACC race again, but guess what? This team is simply not that good. With all of the talent in Florida how is it that only U of F can be dominant? Is it finally time for Coach Bowden to hang it up?

24. WISCONSIN (4-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Indiana 52-17
Next Game: 10-7 vs Northwestern (2-3)
A pretty impressive win, even against a hapless Hoosier team, to come back strong after the tough loss to the Wolverines makes Wisconsin a player. It seems that EVER year Wisconsin finds itself right around the Top 25, never a power, but always a team that can beat you if you aren’t ready.

25. VIRGINIA TECH (4-1)-
Last Week: Loss vs Georgia Tech 38-27
Next Game: 10-12 @ Boston College (4-1)
Well we knew it was coming, we just didn’t know when. Every year Frank Beamer and Co. plays a cake September schedule and gets people starting to believe the hype and every year they fall flat on their face. Glad to see they got it out of the way early this year! .

NEXT 5:
26. Arkansas (3-1)- Can they pull off the upset this week?
27. BYU (3-2)- Dominated TCU to end the nations longest win streak.
28. Washington (4-1)- USC better not sleep on the Huskies this week.
29. Boston College (4-1)- VT showdown will tell us who the best Ex-Big East team is.
30. UCLA (3-1)- Enjoy it now, Oregon and Notre Dame coming up soon.

NCAA Football Rankings 9-25-6

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 25, 2006

1. OHIO STATE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Penn State 28-6
Next Game: 9-30 @ Iowa
Offense struggled and defense let Tony Hunt run wild. Thank goodness for Anthony Morelli, seeing him play quarterback is enough to make you sick, or so JoePa says!

2. AUBURN (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Buffalo 38-7
Next Game: 9-28 @ South Carolina
Ok, it was Buffalo. How many SEC schools would take this team serious? It took a while to wake up and start the game, but the Tigers did fine. It was a terrible team in between their first two conference games, you would expect them to be sloppy, they just better be ready on Thursday when they face the Ole Ball Coach.

3. SOUTHERN CAL (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arizona 20-3
Next Game: 9-30 @ Washington State
Maybe this team isn’t as good as last year, but honestly who expected them to be? Give credit to Mike Stoops and his defense in shutting down the Trojan attack. Something that has been overlooked, this USC defense might be the best yet under Pete Carroll.

4. WEST VIRIGINA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ East Carolina
Next Game: 10-7 @ Mississippi State
NOTE to RICH RODRIGUEZ: Please SCHEDULE SOMEONE!!!!! This schedule alone may keep the Mountaineers out of the BCS Championship race. I will be real interesting when they actually have to play a good team, will they be able to turn it on, or will it be more of last weeks play, which won’t cut it against the big time players?

5. LSU (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Tulane 49-7
Next Game: 9-30 vs Mississippi State
Who didn’t see this one coming? After a tough loss to rival Auburn the Tigers took out their anger on the Green Wave. And how bad do you feel for the Bulldogs of Mississippi State, two straight weeks, playing top 5 teams, ouch!

6. FLORIDA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Kentucky 26-7
Next Game: 9-30 vs Alabama
Not pretty, but still chalk it up as a win for Urban Meyer and Co. Alabama could be a real statement game for Meyer and his reign over SEC football. Granted Alabama isn’t quite the powerhouse it has been, but it would speak volumes if the Gators would bury the Tide in the Swamp this Saturday.

7. MICHIGAN (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Wisconsin 27-13
Next Game: 9-30 @ Minnesota
A little bit of a let down after the Notre Dame win, but that is expected. They got their act together and got the “W” which is big for any Big Ten game. This week will be a test though; they shouldn’t have a problem but the Gophers always play Michigan tough. Pair that with it being in Minnesota and we could have a big time upset on our hands Saturday.

8. TEXAS (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Iowa State 37-14
Next Game: 9-30 vs Sam Houston State
It wasn’t just rain falling form the skies in Austin last week it was Colt McCoy lighting up the Iowa State secondary. Texas has an easy road ahead, and with only an Oklahoma match-up in the Red River Shootout; the Longhorns could be looking at an easy road to the BCS in a weak Big XII.

9. LOUISVILLE (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Kansas State 24-7
Next Game: 10-6 @ Middle Tennessee
I thought it would be a bigger win, but this may be more impressive. With a score like 24-7 it showed me that Louisville doesn’t need the big guns on offense, it apparently has a pretty good defense too. My only question with the Cardinals is, how in the world did you get stuck play AT Middle Tennessee on a Friday?

10. GEORGIA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Colorado 14-13
Next Game: 9-30 @ Ole Miss
Normally my rule is, if you win you don’t drop, but when you win so terrible close to BAD Colorado team at home you need to fall a little. The Bulldogs needed 2 4th quarter touchdowns to keep the Buffaloes winless, not acceptable in Athens; there will be lots of questions to answer about this one.

11. TENNESSEE (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Marshall 33-7
Next Game: 9-30 @ Memphis
Marshall hasn’t been good since the Randy Moss/Chad Pennington Era, so people need to stop thinking that this is an okay win, it’s NOT! Now they will go and beat up on Memphis and still not really improve their team before big time SEC games start. Remember they already lost to Florida, they better be ready to play when it means something come October.

12. OREGON (4-0)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 9-30 vs Arizona State
After seeing Arizona State laid an egg against Cal, I fully expect Oregon to walk all over the Sun Devils. This should be a big game for the Ducks in proving that they are a top team in the overrated Pac-10.

13. IOWA (4-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Illinois 24-7
Next Game: 9-30 vs Ohio State
This is a team that I had preseason to win the Big Ten, and they have showed me NOTHING thus far this season. This team has the talent and big play ability to play a key factor in the BCS, but they need to finally show up this week against the Buckeyes.

14. VIRGINIA TECH (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Cincinnati 29-13
Next Game: 9-30 vs Georgia Tech
Every year it is the same thing with Frank Beamer teams, beat up on the little guys and make your record look good, then fold in November. I’m pretty sure he is right on track again this year, fortunately for him I don’t think there is a team in the ACC that will really challenge them except this Georgia Tech team. Get by the Yellow Jackets and it could be another BCS bowl, for the Hokies. Ahhh, who am I kidding, they will screw it up somewhere!!

15. NOTRE DAME (3-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Michigan State 40-37
Next Game: 9-30 vs Purdue
I give NO CREDIT at all to Notre Dame for coming back and beating Michigan State, that is all on the Spartans. If you have a team down, you need to finish them, plain and simple. Notre Dame proved that their defense is still BAD and they aren’t as good as everyone once thought. Luckily they have Brady Quinn and Charlie Weis and the 2 of them will keep them in most games.

16. OKLAHOMA (3-1)-
Last Week: Won v Middle Tennessee 59-0
Next Game: 10-7 vs Texas (in Dallas)
That is what I call a revenge game. Middle Tennessee didn’t stand a chance once Oklahoma’s team bus arrived. The Sooners got out their frustration from the Oregon game, but now need to focus on the Longhorns. They will need the officials and a bunch more people on their sides if the want to pull off that upset, good thing they have a week off to plan for them.

17. CALIFORNIA (3-1)
Last Week: Won vs Arizona State 49-21
Next Game: 9-30 @ Oregon State
I think the Bears found a QB, Nate Longshore lit up the Arizona State defense in the first half and cruised to an easy win. Wasn’t this game supposed to be a tough game to figure out who was for real in the Pac-10, I guess the Cal is for real!

18. NEBRASKA (2-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Troy 56-0
Next Game: 9-30 vs Kansas
The result we saw last week against Troy could be repeated throughout the rest of the season by this Cornhusker team. USC embarrassed them, but they want to prove their ability. They should run away with the Big XII North, but Texas still stands in their way for a spot in a BCS game.

19. TCU (3-0)-
Last Week
: OFF
Next Game: 9-28 vs BYU
Longest win streak in the country. They may not play the best teams, but they win, 13 straight, enough said!

20. BOISE STATE (4-0)-
Last Week
: Won vs Hawaii 41-34
Next Game: 9-30 @ Utah
Won a shootout last week, you should expect the same this week against the Utes. Urban Meyer is gone, but that offense is still in place at Utah. This should be the only remaining test for Boise State the rest of the year.

21. CLEMSON (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs North Carolina 52-7
Next Game: 9-30 vs Louisiana Tech
This may be the best team in the ACC if they would just show up on a consistent basis. The speed and talent this team has should have them the favorite in every game from here on out.

22. RUTGERS (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Howard
Next Game: 9-29 @ South Florida
We all know how I feel about playing 1-AA teams, but I’m going to let Rutgers slide here. These games are scheduled years in advance, and the Scarlet Knights haven’t exactly been a powerhouse recently. This week will be interesting; Rutgers FINALLY plays someone. Should be a tough Big East opener. (Note to gamblers: I can’t figure out how Rutgers is only giving 4 here, give the points and run with this one!!)

23. GEORGIA TECH (3-1)-
Last Week: Won Virginia 24-7
Next Game: 9-30 @ Virginia Tech
The big test for Georgia Tech comes this week. This is when everyone finds out if it is just the Calvin Johnson show, or if there is a whole football team down in Atlanta. No question Johnson is a sure fire top 5 pick and maybe the most explosive player in the country, but one WR can’t single handily win games (see Pitt and Larry Fitzgerald). The rest of the team will have to step up this week and show they are for real.

24. FLORIDA STATE (3-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Rice 55-7
Next Game: 10-5 @ NC State
This team has so much talent and speed the old man just needs to let them play. The most talent and fastest team in the ACC and they are being held back by the micro-management going on on the sidelines.

25. MISSOURI (4-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Ohio 31-6
Next Game: 9-30 vs Colorado
Not sure if anyone saw this coming, even in the Show Me State. The Tigers lost the best quarterback and maybe best player in school history and now they start 4-0. The season starts this week though, with the Big XII opener against Colorado.

NEXT 5:
26. Texas A&M (4-0)- Big game this week against Texas Tech
27. Wisconsin (3-1)- Opened some eyes by playing Michigan tough.
28. Arkansas (3-1)- the surprise of the SEC?
29. Washington (3-1)- Surprise Surprise, Ty Willingham winning here too!
30. Purdue (4-0)- Haven’t really been tested, but will be in South Bend this week.

CHAT with Pat Bostick

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 26, 2006

PAT BOSTICK

I was able to talk to Manheim Township and future Pitt quarterback Pat Bostick (6’3” 220) today to check in on how his senior season is going and what he thinks about the season Pitt is having.

Coming off of a 31-21 victory over rival Hempfield, the Blue Streak prepare for another cross-town rival Warwick this Friday. Pat had three touchdown passes last week and estimates his number so far this season to be about 68% passing for 980 yards, 9 touchdowns and just 1 interception, in the teams first four games.

“The season is going good, real good,” said Bostick. “We are 3-1 right now and we are just going to keep getting better as a team.”

Bostick has been able to see Pitt play a couple times so far this season, including the season opener in which he attended. At the game he hung out with fellow Pitt commits Chris Jacobson and Myles Caragein, as well as some players Pitt is still recruiting. But Bostick leaves the recruiting to the coaches.

“It’s a tough decision. I tell them why I committed, but I don’t really push, or put pressure on anyone,” he said. “From a friendship aspect you want to leave the choice up to them, that way if they don’t choose Pitt, there won’t be any hard feeling and we can all still be friends.”

As for next year, Pat still plans to start Pitt this January to get a jump-start on college life and the offense.

“I chose Pitt for a lot of reasons, but one of them especially is the style of the offense. I like that it is not a simple offense, it takes a complete quarterback to play in that offense, and I look forward to that challenge.”

It is not quite sure how the quarterback vacancy that is left by Tyler Palko will be filled, but you can bet that the name Pat Bostick will be mentioned quite a bit when the discussions come up.

“I am really just looking to go in and get better, after that we will just see what happens from there.”

NCAA Football Rankings 9-18-6

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 18, 2006

1. OHIO STATE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Cincinnati 37-7
Next Game: 9-23 vs Penn State
Got off to s low start again in state rival, but got their act together to win with ease. Their first Big Ten opponent comes this week in the form of Joe Paternos’ Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State always seems to play the Buckeyes tough in State College, but this one is in Columbus. Look for the Buckeyes to seek a little revenge for their loss last season, and win this one with relative ease.

2. AUBURN (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs LSU 7-3
Next Game: 9-23 vs Buffalo
A close, great defensive battle is what you come to expect when LSU and Auburn square off. Those may just be the best two teams in football, and they gave us a classic to watch last Saturday. This Saturday won’t be anything like it last week. Expect to see the 2nd and 3rd string in early against Buffalo.

3. SOUTHERN CAL (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Nebraska 28-10
Next Game: 9-23 @ Arizona
Maybe they don’t need Leinert, Bush and White, they seemed to do just fine without them for a second straight game, this time against a pretty tough defense. Nebraska is not a walk over, but the Trojans sure made it seem that way. And now on to the easy portion of their schedule, Pac-10 play.

4. WEST VIRIGINA (3-0)-
Last Week
: Won vs Maryland 45-24
Next Game: 9-23 @ East Carolina
45-24 last week and it wasn’t that close. West Virginia has one of the most impressive rushing attacks in the country and the scary part is that both player are just sophomores. QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton could single handily carry the Mountaineers to the national championship game, to bad that their soft schedule might be the tough opponent.

5. LSU (2-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Auburn 7-3
Next Game: 9-23 vs Tulane
How can I drop a team that played like they did last week? They could have won the game, and some will argue that they should of, but a questionable pass interference no-call prevented the win. As I said before, this I one of the top teams in the country and they will continue to show it week in and week out in the SEC.

6. FLORIDA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Tennessee 21-20
Next Game: 9-23 vs Kentucky
The Gators didn’t really play the way I expected them to, but still managed to pull out the victory. The Vols pretty much had their way with the Gators for most of the game, but the Chris Leak led offense seemed to come through at all the right times. Hey, anytime you can win at Neyland Stadium under the lights it is an accomplishment.

7. MICHIGAN (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Notre Dame 47-21
Next Game: 9-23 vs Wisconsin
WOW!!! That is the first thing I have to say about that game, didn’t see that one coming one bit. I knew the Michigan line was good and Michael Hart was a tough runner, but I didn’t think the defense could do what they did to Brady Quinn and the Irish. After the first 10 minutes, Notre Dame didn’t stand a chance and Michigan never let up. Huge victory for Michigan, it makes that Ohio State showdown that much more interesting the last week in November.

8. GEORGIA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs UAB 34-0
Next Game: 9-23 vs Colorado
Another win, but we still know nothing about this team. Colorado is terrible so next week will be the same thing all over again. Should be interesting once they get into the heart of the SEC schedule.

9. TEXAS (2-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Rice 52-7
Next Game: 9-23 vs Iowa State
Talk about a bounce back win, and making the other team pay for it, OUCH. At one point in the 3rd quarter Texas had more points (45) the Rice had yards (26). It won’t get much tougher this week as the Cyclones can expect to get blown out too!

10. LOUISVILLE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Miami 34-7
Next Game: 9-23 @ Kansas State
Now that was a statement game. How many other top 25 teams could lose their Heisman candidate running back and All-American quarter back in the first 3 games and still not miss a beat on offense? This makes what Pete Carroll is doing at USC look easy. Brian Brohm should be back in time for the West Virginia game, but if he isn’t it may not matter the way this high-powered offense runs.

11. TENNESSEE (2-1)-
Last Week: Lost vs Florida 21-20
Next Game: 9-23 vs Marshall
All the Vols needed to do was finish the game and they would still be undefeated with a leg up in the SEC race, but now they have to play catch up. Look for Phil Fulmer and the Vols to take out their frustration on the Thundering Herd when they come to visit this week.

12. IOWA (3-0)-
Last Week
: Won vs Iowa State 27-17
Next Game: 9-23 @ Illinois
The Hawkeyes struggled in a game that they should have won easily which puts a little concern into this ranking considering the Syracuse game the week before. Illinois is a team that no D-1 team should struggle with; it is a good chance for Iowa to finally get things going before the real games begin (read: formidable Big Ten teams)

13. OREGON (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Oklahoma 34-33
Next Game: 9-30 vs Arizona State
Hey a win is a win, no matter what calls go in your favor. They came through in the clutch and scored twice in the last 60-some odd seconds AND made a big defensive stand to keep the lead. Put all that together and it is impressive, no matter what controversy continues to surround the game.

14. NOTRE DAME (2-1)-
Last Week
: Lost vs Michigan 47-21
Next Game: 9-23 @ Michigan State
Well, we now know that the Notre Dame defense didn’t suddenly become the Steel Curtain like everyone had believed, maybe it was just the first two teams they played had a less the stellar offensive attack to put forth. This week will be another test as they travel north to East Lansing to play team that give the Irish fits. Michigan State has oddly enough had Notre Dame’s number the past couple of year, but Notre Dame is looking for revenge after the Spartans planted their flag on the 50-yard line after winning last season in South Bend.

15. VIRGINIA TECH (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Duke 36-0
Next Game: 9-23 vs Cincinnati
It is amazing to me that Virginia Tech can dominate every week the first 2 months of the season yet look like a high school team come November, so far this team is right on pace. They have been ball hawks on defense and special teams again this year, and have taken advantage of an easy early schedule; lucky for Frank Beamer and Co. it might not get much tougher with how down the ACC is this year.

16. ARIZONA STATE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Colorado 21-3
Next Game: 9-23 @ California
This team once again looks impressive, but really how good are they? We will find out shortly when they take on Cal. They have not won a game in the state of California in their last 10 tries, is this lucky 11?

17. OKLAHOMA (2-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Oregon 34-33
Next Game: 9-23 vs Middle Tennessee
Hey Bob Stoops, I have an idea, rather then complain they you got jobbed on an on-sides kick play, PLAY SOME DEFENSE!!!! The on-sides kick recovery didn’t win the game for Oregon the lack of defense that your Sooners decided to play (or not play) in the final minutes is what cost you. Don’t blame the refs, look around at your next coaches meeting; those are the guys that need to take the blame!!!

18. NEBRASKA (2-1)-
Last Week
: Lost @ Southern Cal 28-10
Next Game: 9-23 vs Troy
Could have been a lot worse in California, the Corn huskers proved to me that they are legit and should be taken serious in the Big XII this season. But they better not sleep on the next groups of Trojans in line, Troy almost pulled of a miracle by upsetting Florida Sate 2 weeks ago, don’t think it couldn’t happen in Lincoln this week,

19. TCU (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Texas Tech 12-3
Next Game: 9-28 vs BYU
Last week was all based on potential, and they passed that test. While scoring just 12 points is anything but impressive, to hold a Texas Tech offense to just 3 might be the most impressive thing we see from any team all season.

20. BOISE STATE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Wyoming 17-10
Next Game: 9-23 vs Hawaii
Not impressive but a road victory is what it is. As I said last week, now all they have to do is win the simple games left on the schedule, because there aren’t any tough ones, they do that and they may sneak into the BCS as one of those mid-major conference teams the BCS dreads so much.

21. RUTGERS (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Ohio 24-7
Next Game: 9-23 vs Howard
Hey, this team just keeps winning. They are the #4 rushing offense in the NCAA and in the top 10 for overall defense, those two things combined together usually leads to a lot of wins. The only thing that would scare me now if I am a Rutgers fan is Larry Coker, if he gets fired you can bet “The U” would come to NJ to have their former defensive coordinator Greg Schiano take the reins in Miami.

22. BOSTON COLLEGE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs BYU 30-23 (2OT)
Next Game: 9-23 @ NC State
It was another double overtime thriller that the Eagles were able to pull out last week. They should have no problem with the struggling Wolfpack this week and could become a favorite in the ACC simply by beating the teams they should beat, which seems to be a problem recently for ACC teams.

23. CLEMSON (2-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Florida State 27-20
Next Game: 9-23 vs North Carolina
After the upset win last week, the Tigers have got to be kicking themselves (no pun intended) for not being able to hold off Boston College two weeks ago. Younger Bowden Tommy has seemed to own dad in the recent match-ups and has no maybe claimed conference bragging rights in the family.

24. MICHIGAN STATE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Pitt 38-23
Next Game: 9-23 vs Notre Dame
They looked real impressive against Pitt last week as their massive offensive line just manhandled the Panthers younger defense. I expect much of the same this week when Notre Dame comes to town; the key to victory will be stopping Brady Quinn. This game could end up being a shootout; if that is the case I like the Spartans.

25. CALIFORNIA (2-1)
Last Week
: Won vs Portland State
Next Game: 9-23 vs Arizona State
I don’t like moving a team up that played a 1-AA team, as you all know how I feel about scheduling them in the first place, but Cal is legit. Take away the first half of the season opener and they are playing some of the best football in the country. This week will be a test, a test I expect them to pass with flying colors.

NEXT 5:
26. Penn State (2-1)- Beating Youngstown State was nice, but now beat the real Ohio school.
27. Florida State (2-1)- Has anyone seen the offense in Tallahassee, not pretty.
28. Miami (FL) (1-2)- How hot is that seat Larry Coker is sitting on?
29. Alabama (3-0)- Just keep ignoring them, they are coming up strong though.
30. Texas Tech (2-1)- 3 points??? 3 points is all you can score against TCU?!

Football is finally here!

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 15, 2006

TIME FOR A DIET

This is a simple request to all the schools out there that are scheduling the cupcakes by playing 1-AA teams. STOP IT NOW!!!! Come on, really what benefit do you get by beating a team by 60 points? If you are just trying to make sure you get the extra home game, fine schedule a cupcake team, but at least have the cupcake team be a team from D-1 football. There are 119 D-1 schools, I’m sure that every school out there can find an easy win from a smaller school willing to travel to play the game. I don’t mind seeing schools like Buffalo or Temple doing this, because it may be their best chance for a victory during the year, but BCS team, top 25 teams, give me a break.

Last week alone we saw Miami, West Virginia, and Nebraska all play 1-AA schools, and beat them by a combined 159-20. And this week is more of the same. Penn State plays host to the powerful Penguins of Youngstown State, and Cal plays Portland State. Nice to see that Joe Paterno can find a spot to put the Penguins on the schedule but still seems befuddled when asked why he doesn’t try to schedule Pitt anymore (obviously the alumni would rather see Youngstown State, how dumb of me to ask). Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks also will play host to Wofford, like Spurrier doesn’t run up the score enough, now he is going to do it to 1-AA schools.

Enough is enough already, do us a favor and play tougher non-conference games. It makes the season more exciting and it helps your chances in getting to the National Championship.
Come December mountaineer fans could be wondering if the 52-3 whooping they put on Eastern Michigan was worth not having a tough enough strength of schedule to put them in the title game.

THE BIG (L)EAST?

The Big East has been anything but big the past few years, since the Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College left for the ACC, but they are turning some heads quickly and getting the attention they have wanted and claimed to deserve. So far this season the Big East is a combined 13-3. Of those 3 losses, 1 is by Cincinnati against another Big East team (Pitt) and the other two are by Syracuse, who is the worst team in the conference but still took a Top 25 team in Iowa to double over-time before falling to them. Not bad. They are also 5-2 against other BCS conference teams; again the 2 losses are by Syracuse. The 5 wins are from teams from the ACC (2), Big Ten, SEC and Big XII.

This week is another week for the Big East to prove it is worthy of its BCS spot. After WVU destroyed Maryland on national television last night, Pitt host Michigan State, Louisville hosts Miami, and Connecticut hosts Wake Forest; while Cincinnati and Syracuse play on the road against Ohio State and Illinois, respectively. (Good luck bearcats that one might hurt a bit.)

SEPERATION SATURDAY

It is only week 3 and this is already the biggest football weekend of the year. 14 of the top 25 teams play each other this Saturday, including 5 teams in the top10.

The game everyone is talking about seems to be Michigan @ Notre Dame (3:30, NBC). After last weeks performance I think it is clear that Notre Dame really is for real this season. This will be the first real test for Michigan and Lloyd Carr, who hasn’t won a road opener since 1999.

Nebraska @ USC (8:00, ABC) is a game that many people are interested in for a couple reasons. First, is Nebraska really this good? And secondly, Can USC still possibly be as good as they appeared in the opener despite losing Matt Leinert, LenDale White and Reggie Bush? We shall soon find out.

The two biggest games this weekend are both big time conference games. Only in the SEC can you get such a big conference game this early in the season, what is amazing is that the schedule never lightens up in this conference, that is why I think it is the best conference in football year in and year out. First up we have two of the top 5 teams in the country, LSU @ Auburn (3:30, CBS). The home team has won this match-up the past 6 years, due largely in part with Auburn kicker John Vaughn missing 5 FGs in an overtime loss last season. The second of the two games is a primetime match-up, Florida @ Tennessee (8:00, CBS). This match-up pits the red-hot Urban Meyer Florida Gators against The Tennessee Vols under the lights at Neyland Stadium. A night conference game and Neyland is one of the best football atmospheres you can find. This could be a big win on the way to Phil Fullmer keeping his job in Tennessee.

The other match-ups are all non-conference showdowns:
Texas Tech @ TCU (5:30, CSTV)
Oklahoma @ Oregon (3:30, ABC Regional)
Miami @ Louisville (3:30, ABC Regional)

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Ok I just hyped all these games so now, here is how I see them, as well as some games of local interest, playing out.
PITT over Michigan State
PENN STATE over Youngstown State
NOTRE DAME
USC
AUBURN (my national champion pick)
FLORIDA
TEXAS TECH
OREGON
LOUISVILLE


My work is done here, you are now officially set for another great Saturday of college football, enjoy it. I know I will!

NCAA Football Rankings 9-11-6

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 11, 2006

Kevin Reitmeyer’s NCAA FOOTBALL RANKINGS
9-11-6

1. OHIO STATE (2-0)-
Last Week: Won @ #10 Texas 24-7
Next Game: 9-16 vs Cincinnati
Went on the road to a hostile environment and proved they are worthy of all the preseason hype and #1 ranking. The 9 new starters on defense have adjusted quickly and are beginning to make Ohio State a complete team.

2. AUBURN (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Mississippi State 34-0
Next Game: 9-16 vs #5 LSU
Two impressive wins against BCS conference opponents is always good, but it is even better to beat up these teams even when you aren’t playing at the top of your game. The Tigers high-powered offense and tough defense better be ready and playing on all cylinders this week when LSU comes to town.

3. NOTRE DAME (2-0)-
Last Week
: Won vs Penn State 41-17
Next Game: 9-16 vs #8 Michigan
Anytime you beat Penn State you get points in my book, but to absolutely embarrass Penn State the way the Fighting Irish did gets you the #3 spot in this weeks rankings. We are really not sure how good or bad Penn State or Georgia Tech is, but we do know that Brady Quinn is back to his Heisman-hyped ways. If the defense can hold up against their tough schedule Charlie Weis could be bringing the National Championship back to South Bend for the first time since 1988.

4. SOUTHERN CAL (1-0)-
Last Week: OFF
Next Game: 9-16 vs #12 Nebraska
And people thought it might be tough to replace Matt Leinert, Reggie Bush and LenDale White, all the new guys did was put up 50 on a decent Arkansas team on the road. John David Booty was 24-35 for 291 and 3 TD as he spread the ball out to his various offensive weapons. And for the rushing attack, how about 191 total yards on the ground between 6 different backs. Oh yeah, and the defense is really good again too.

5. LSU (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Arizona 45-3
Next Game: 9-16 @ #2 Auburn
Either Arizona is not nearly as good as people thought they would be or LSU is just REALLY good, we are agreeing with the latter. When you can hang 45 on a Mike Stoops run defense that is impressive in any regard, but to do it with the ease that LSU did on Saturday is what should really grab your attention. The defense has been dominant as well, as always is the case in Baton Rouge. The have allowed just 2 field goals so far this season and held Arizona to 152 total yards and only 35 on the ground, while picking off 3 passes.

6. WEST VIRIGINA (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Eastern Washington 52-3
Next Game: 9-14 vs Maryland
We still have no idea how good this team really is. We know from last year that they have the potential to be very good, but scheduling teams like Marshall and Eastern Washington do nothing but produce easy wins. With this soft schedule Rich Rodriguez has left no margin for error for his team, if they expect to play for the National Championship like so many Mountaineer fans are hoping for.

7. FLORIDA (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Central Florida 42-0
Next Game: 9-16 @ #11 Tennessee
When you first look at is you don’t think this is a big win, but UCF is not this bad. This is a team that won C-USA last season and have high expectations this year, that just got ran over by Urban Meyer and his offensive machine. The Gators racked up 637 yards of offense. Chris Leak threw for 352 and 4 TDs before leaving the game midway through the 3rd quarter. The defense also played well holding the Knights to just 21 yards rushing. Leak needs another solid performance this week if he wants to win in Neyland Stadium under the lights.

8. MICHIGAN (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Central Michigan 41-17
Next Game: 9-16 @ #3 Notre Dame
Got off to slow starts in both of their 2 wins, but the running game behind Michael Hart is running hard and the defense is playing its typical physical Big Ten style of play. The big test comes this week when the Wolverines have to travel to Notre Dame.

9. GEORGIA (2-0)-
Last Week
: Won @ South Carolina
Next Game: 9-16 vs UAB
The defense is going to have to keep playing at the tops of its game until the quarterback position is figured out. Any time you shut out a Steve Spurrier offense though you are off to a good start. The Bulldogs are loaded at running back with Thomas Brown and Danny Ware, but someone will have to set-up and replace DJ Shockley from last year’s team at the quarterback position.

10. TEXAS (1-1)-
Last Week: Lost vs #1 Ohio State 24-7
Next Game: 9-16 @ Rice
After a loss to Ohio State in which they we beaten good, Texas needs to focus on the rest of their schedule. They should be the favorites the rest of the way in and if they take care of business they will represent the BIG XII in the BCS. To do this though, they will have to start to get more consistent play from freshman QB Colt McCoy.

11. TENNESSEE (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Air Force 31-30
Next Game: 9-16 vs #7 Florida
The problem with Tennessee is we don’t know which team is going to show up, will it be the one that dominated Cal in its opener or will it be the one that just hung on to beat Air Force last week? Quarterback Erik Ainge might be playing the best quarterback in the nation, and he will have to keep that up as the Gators come to town this week.

12. NEBRASKA (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Nicholls State 56-7
Next Game: 9-16 @ #4 Southern Cal
What is up with scheduling these 1-AA teams, this needs to stop! With West Virginia that makes 2 teams in the top 12 that played a 1-AA team. There are enough D-1 teams out there that everyone can play each other. Let’s hope that game prepared you because now you take on the best D-1 team in the past 3 years IN Southern California. Everyone said that Nebraska has finally completed its football transition from a running team to a passing team well its time to prove it.

13. FLORIDA STATE (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Troy 24-17
Next Game: 9-16 vs Clemson
When the offense struggled with Miami it was okay, but Troy??? Drew Weatherford better get things figured out REAL fast if he once to be the next in the line of great FSU quarterbacks. The defense bailed them out again this week with a late interception to lead to the go-ahead touchdown; I don’t think they will be able to do this for 13 straight games.

14. LOUISVILLE (2-0)-
Last Week
: Won @ Temple 62-0
Next Game: 9-16 vs #18 Miami
Well the post Michael Bush era has begun in Louisville and it has 62 points to show for it, then again the post Michael Bush era started against Temple. It will get a much stiffer test this week when the Hurricanes come to town with which might be the best defense Louisville will see all year. Get past Miami and the chances of a perfect season lie in a showdown with WVU in early November.

15. IOWA (2-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Syracuse 20-13 (2OT)
Next Game: 9-16 vs Iowa State
OK, I’m going to say it, maybe the Big East just isn’t that bad. After squeaking by a 1-win Orange team from last year I’m sure that is what the Hawkeye fans are hoping. They have the offensive weapons they just need QB Drew Tate to get healthy and show what type of team they are this week against archrival Iowa State.

16. OKLAHOMA (2-0)-
Last Week
: Won vs Washington 37-20
Next Game: 9-16 @ #17 Oregon
After losing starting quarterback Rhett Bomar, who was kicked off the team just before preseason practices started, Oklahoma has two nice wins under their belts as they go on the road for a big challenge. Paul Thompson has played well filling in for Bomar, but his main job is to keep the pressure off of Adrian Peterson who could be the best running back in the nation. Peterson has started off the season with 304 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.

17. OREGON (2-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Fresno State 31-24
Next Game: 9-16 vs #16 Oklahoma
The Ducks are 2 for 2 this season winning both games impressively. After blowing out a Pac-10 foe in Stanford the Ducks went on the road and won in the Valley last week, which is always a tough place to play. This week will be their toughest challenge yet, but Autzen stadium is one of the toughest places to play in the country and I’m sure the Oregon faithful will be ready for this top 20 showdown.

18. MIAMI (1-1)-
Last Week: Won vs Florida A&M 51-10
Next Game: 9-16 @ #14 Louisville
Yet another D1 powerhouse running up the score on the lowly 1-AA schools, and we still know nothing about this team. From the 2 prior games the only thing we know is that Miami’s offense could not score against Florida State, but could against Florida A&M. This week we should finally find out if this Hurricane team is for real or not when they travel north to Louisville. They will have to put up points this week if they hope to avoid a 1-2 start. Hey Coach Coker, is that seat getting warm yet?

19. VIRGINIA TECH (2-0)-
Last Week
: Won @ North Carolina 35-10
Next Game: 9-16 vs Duke
Beamer ball at its best was on display again last week as the defense and special teams help put away North Carolina. An interception return set up the first touchdown and a blocked punt set up another, while the finishing touches were put on when Branden Hill returned another interception 69 yards for a touchdown late in the game.

20. ARIZONA STATE (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Nevada 52-21
Next Game: 9-16 @ Colorado
The high-powered offense that we have all been waiting for from Arizona State has finally arrived and it looks like they have a defense to go with it now too. After putting up 87 points in their first two games the schedule gets considerably tougher in the upcoming weeks with trips to Colorado and Berkeley, followed by a visit from Oregon the a trip to USC. These 4 games could make or break the Sun Devils season.

21. TEXAS TECH (2-0)-
Last Week: Won @ UTEP 38-35 (OT)
Next Game: 9-16 @ #24 TCU
A big win over a good TCU team will help this team out considerably. Everyone knows that the offense can explode at any moment, but can they play consistent enough and get solid play from the defense in big games? That question remains to be answered.

22. BOSTON COLLEGE (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Clemson 34-33 (2OT)
Next Game: 9-16 vs BYU
After nearly blowing the season opener on national television to Central Michigan the Eagles had their naysayers, but they quieted them on Saturday with a nice win against a good Clemson team. They have put themselves in position to open 5-0 setting up a showdown with longtime rival Virginia Tech.

23. BOISE STATE (2-0)-
Last Week
: Won vs Oregon State 42-14
Next Game: 9-16 @ Wyoming
Ian Johnson ran over, through and around the Beavers defense last week en route to a 5 TD performance. Unfortunately we won’t see them play another decent team until they square up with Fresno State on the smurf turf in Boise in November.

24. TCU (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs UC Davis 46-13
Next Game: 9-16 vs #21 Texas Tech
This ranking is more based on potential then anything else. They haven’t done much thus far, but this team could be one of the non-BCS teams to squeak into a BCS bowl this year. Their schedule is relatively easy and if they can get by the Red Raiders this week it is clear sailing the rest of the way out.

25. RUTGERS (2-0)-
Last Week
: Won vs Illinois 33-0
Next Game: 9-16 vs Ohio
This is not a mis-print; yes I am putting the state school of New Jersey in the top 25. Why, you may ask. They deserve it. They have played 2 BCS conference opponents so far and they have had little trouble with either. While I may not think they are better then some of the schools left out of this weeks rankings they get major props for scheduling REAL football schools. They could have scheduled cupcakes and considering their past it would be acceptable, but they didn’t, they scheduled bigger schools and still went out and won the games.

NEXT 5:
26. Penn State (1-1)- 41 points against that defense, OUCH!
27. California (1-1)- Bounced back big after a blowout to open the season.
28. Clemson (1-1)- Tough road loss to a conference foe.
29. Pitt (2-0)- Come on they are undefeated, you didn’t think I would sneak them in?
30. Alabama (2-0)- Flying under the radar in a loaded SEC.