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Paul’s Power Poll: Final Rankings
Author(s):  Paul Katool   1. Auburn (12-0 overall, 8-0 SEC): While Cam Newton could take up an entire highlight reel this year with did-you-see-that plays, Newton made his best play of year on Tuesday when he scrambled out of NCAA ineligibility. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the 2010 recipient of the Heisman Trophy, Mr. Cameron Newton.    Show Author Info?:  Show Author Info? Teaser:  1 …

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Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

Stanford, North Carolina, Central Florida, California and Rutgers all recorded upset wins over ranked opponents in college football’s 11th week of play. These events caused changes in my Top 25 Poll. Here is how I see it this week:

1) Alabama (10-0) – The Crimson Tide followed up their signature victory over Louisiana State last week and continued to remain 1 of 6 unbeaten teams with a dominating 31-3 win at Mississippi State. The Tide hosts 163rd-ranked Chattanooga (6-4) this week. Chattanooga is a 1-AA team; if the Crimson Tide want to keep their national image intact, they had better kick Chattanooga back home as a big loser. A potential national championship team SHOULD NOT be playing a 1-AA team this late in the season, if at all.

2) Florida (10-0) – Acting very much like a national championship team, the Gators remained unbeaten by traveling to South Carolina and beating the Gamecocks, 24-14, completing their first perfect (8-0) SEC East title in 13 years. Florida hosts in-state rival Florida International this week, a 135th-ranked team with a 3-7 record. The Gators need a huge win to keep their mojo and rep in order.

3) Texas (10-0) – The Longhorns remained unbeaten by kicking around Baylor 47-14. Texas is like a snake—quietly, patiently slithering around, waiting to strike. Since Alabama and Florida are on course to clash in the SEC championship game, one will finish the season with at least one loss, and the other will likely face the Longhorns in the National Championship Game. Texas hosts Kansas next.

4) Texas Christian (10-0) – The Horned Frogs put to rest the myth that Utah (8-2) was the better team as they hosted and ran over the Utes, 55-28. You remember Utah, the Utes beat TCU 13-10 in their face-off last year, and were talking smack right up to the kickoff this year, complaining about being a 21-point underdog to TCU. Let’s see now, 28 and 21 equals 49, so it turned out that TCU should have been more than a 21-point favorite. Utah, it’s not your year, get over it. TCU travels to 104th-ranked Wyoming (5-5) next. Message to TCU: Do not screw up your perfect year by losing on the road to a nothing team.

5) Cincinnati (10-0) – Remained undefeated by beating West Virginia 24-21. The Bearcats are hardly looking awesome at the moment, but they have done something that only 5 other teams have done all season—win every bloody game. Cincinnati now hosts Illinois at home. Message to Cincinnati: Ditto the above.

6) Boise State (10-0) – In bounced the 7-win Idaho Vandals and out bounced the Vandals with their 4th loss, 63-25. The message: Idaho, not ready for prime time; Boise State, yes, our schedule has been lame, but if you want some, come get some. It is a good thing that Boise State has an easier schedule than other unbeaten teams; the Broncos have only 3 seniors among the 44 players on their two-deep roster. They travel to 107th-ranked Utah State (3-7) this week. Message to Boise State: Ditto the above.

7) Georgia Tech (10-1) – Stomped Duke 49-10 to clinch a spot in the ACC championship game. The Yellow Jackets do not play this week, and get a week of rest and strategy building before meeting in-state rival Georgia in their last game of the season two weeks from now. Message to Georgia Tech: Do not let Georgia mar your season.

Pittsburgh (9-1) – Hosted and beat Notre Dame (6-4), 27-22, after leading 20-3 at the start of the 4th quarter. The Panthers closed the game out and won, that is all that matters. Pittsburgh gets the week off before traveling to West Virginia a week from Friday (Nov. 27).

9) Ohio State (9-2) – Buckeyes showed up in prime time, beating Iowa 27-24 in overtime. No matter that neither Ohio State or Iowa chose to win the game in regulation time; the Buckeyes prevailed in their strategy and that is what winning teams do when it matters. Ohio State moves up in my poll because by winning, the Buckeyes earn at least a share of their 5th consecutive Big 10 title, get the Big Ten’s automatic BCS bid, and will go to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 13 years. Ohio State ends its season this week at Michigan.

10) Penn State (9-2) – My dislike for Penn State is well documented, and they beat Indiana 31-20 despite 4 first-half turnovers. I put them 10th because they are consistent in the sense that they lose to teams they could lose to—Iowa (9-2) and Ohio State (9-2)—rather than losing to a bunch of nobodies because they are not mentally prepared to do battle. Other teams may have 9 wins but they have lost to far weaker teams. Travels to Michigan State this week.

11) Wisconsin (8-2) – Took apart Michigan 45-24. Other teams may have as many wins as Wisconsin but they have lost to weaker teams. The Badgers travel to Northwestern this week. Message to Wisconsin: Northwestern (7-4) is better than its record indicates.

12) LSU (8-2) – Just beat in-state rival Louisiana Tech 24-16, a 3-7 team ranked 88th. Hardly impressive. That said, the Tigers’ only two losses have been to Florida and Alabama, not many teams can make that claim. Travels to Mississippi this week; should be an excellent chess game.

13) Stanford (7-3) – Has only 7 wins, but the Cardinal gets my vote for being the team to stop Southern Cal’s streaks of 7 straight BCS bowls, 7 straight 11-win seasons, 7 straight top-4 AP poll finishes, and a 7-year stranglehold on the Pac-10 Conference title. Stanford body slammed USC, 55-21, to finally end Southern Cal’s unchallenged dominance. Hosts California next.

14) Rutgers (7-2) – Shut out 23rd-ranked South Florida (6-3), 31-0. That was impressive. Rutgers only two losses were to Cincinnati (10-0) and Pittsburgh (9-1). Gets this week off, then travels to Syracuse.

15) Oklahoma State (8-2) – Beat Texas Tech 24-17. Only two losses were to Texas (10-0) and Houston (8-2). Cowboys host Colorado next.

16) Navy (8-3) – Picked up 8th win by beating 1-AA Delaware, 35-18. That’s not impressive at all, but the Midshipmen’s only losses have been to Pittsburgh (9-1), Ohio State (9-2) and Temple (8-2). When your losses come against teams with a combined 26-5 record, that’s not too shabby in my book. Navy gets shore leave this week and then travels to Hawaii.

17) Temple (8-2) – Speaking of Temple, why not rank them 17th? The Owls were caught sleeping in their first two outings against Villanova and Penn State, but then woke up and have won 8th straight. Temple’s 8th victory came over Akron, 56-17; that just might be a statement. Hosts Kent State next.

18) Central Michigan (8-2) – Beat Toledo 56-28. Two losses came against Arizona (6-3) and Boston College (7-3). Travels to Ball State next.

19) Iowa (9-2) – Lost to Ohio State 27-24. Needed to win badly following last week’s first loss of the season to Northwestern, 17-10. Getting less impressive as the season wears on; should be peaking and instead is dropping fast. Ends season hosting Minnesota this week.

20) Houston (8-2) – Lost to Central Florida 37-32; yes, that Central Florida, the one ranked 83rd with a 5-4 record going into the game. Houston has a great offense, well, not great enough to beat 83rd-ranked Central Florida, and no defense whatsoever. Houston has been vastly overrated all year, and I have said so over and over. Now you know why. Hosts Memphis next.

21) Brigham Young (8-2) – This 21st ranking is a gift following the Cougars ultra-lame 24-19 victory over a hapless, inept, winless 0-10 New Mexico team. Good grief, BYU should be in prayer and supplication after that effort. If they are caught sleeping on the field again, they should be forced to walk back to Provo. That had to be one of the sorriest performances all season by a ranked team. No wonder people rake on the Mountain West Conference; in many cases the criticism is so deserved.

22) Utah (8-2) – Took a major butt kicking by TCU 55-28, but at least the Utes were not playing New Mexico. Hosts San Diego State next.

23) California (7-3) – Upset 18th-ranked Arizona 24-16. I have been real hard on the Bears because they are so disappointing given their talent. Their only three losses were to Oregon, Oregon State and USC, three normally tough opponents. Bears travel to Stanford next. Let’s see how much gas is left in their tank.

24) Oregon (8-2) – Ripped Arizona State 44-21. The Ducks have only lost to Boise State, and then Stanford by 9 points, 51-42. Oregon travels to Arizona next; this could be a war.

25) Oregon State (7-3) – Beat Washington 48-21. Only losses are to Cincinnati (10-0), USC (7-3) and Arizona (6-3), teams with a combined 23-6 record.

Time out for some Jameson Irish whisky.

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

Oregon’s 47-20 upset victory over Southern California was beyond huge this week, causing a significant shift in who is where in my Top 25 Poll for college football’s 9th week of play. Here is how I see it:

1) Alabama (8-0) – The Crimson Tide was idle this week, and it was probably for the best as Florida won big, but I am not moving the Gators back to No. 1 yet. Let’s see how Alabama does when LSU comes to town next week.

2) Florida (8-0) – Did a number on Georgia, 41-17, while extending the nation’s longest winning streak to 18 games, and remains on track to meet unbeaten Alabama for the SEC title and chance to defend its 2008 national title in this year’s National Championship Game.

3) Oregon (7-1) – Upset favored Southern California in a dominating 47-20 performance worthy of real consideration for a national title shot if Alabama, Florida or Texas falters. Picked apart the USC defense for 613 total yards, not to be taken lightly. Oregon is as good as any team in the country right now.

4) Texas (8-0) – Longhorns move up after impressive 41-14 win on-the-road over 13th-ranked Oklahoma State. Texas led 41-7 after three quarters, and the Longhorn defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

5) Cincinnati (8-0) – Beats Syracuse 28-7 on-the-road, not that it is that big of a deal, except Cincy and coach Brian Kelly just keep on winning. Cincy had 10 wins two years ago and 11 wins last year.

6) Texas Christian (8-0) – Shut out UNLV, a nothing, 41 to nothing. Only 6 other teams remain unbeaten—Florida, Alabama, Texas, Cincinnati, Iowa and Boise State. Not too shabby company. Why shouldn’t TCU be No. 7?

7) Iowa (9-0) – First team in the country to go 9-0. Darn near lost again to a nothing team—Indiana—but rebounded with 4 fourth quarter touchdowns to finally win, 42-24.

Boise State (8-0) – Won easily again, ripping San Jose State 45-7 in a cakewalk.

9) LSU (7-1) – Shut out Tulane 42-zip, headed for fierce showdown at Alabama. Beat the Washington Huskies 31-23 while Southern California was upset by the Washington Huskies 16-13. USC will drop lower after being exposed at Oregon for their porous defense.

10) Georgia Tech (8-1) – Scored 28 points in second half to sting Vanderbilt 56-31. Gets Wake Forest next and should win. Has one less loss than USC.

11) Penn State (8-1) – Can’t stand Penn State and Joe Pa but Nittany Lions did beat Northwestern 34-13 on-the-road, that’s more than Southern Cal can say after its trip to Oregon.

12) Southern California (6-2) – Lost to Oregon. Nuff said. USC drops from 5th to 12th in my poll and would be lower if so many other teams were not so poor on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s all stop acting like the Southern California Trojans are a big deal this year, and put them where they deserve to be.

13) Houston (7-1) – Barely outlasted the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, 50-43. The Houston Cougars could not defend against a stout bunch of angry grandmothers, but do provide excitement to the college football scene with their instant-scoring offense.

14) Ohio State (7-2) – Shut out an extremely weak New Mexico State team 45-zip. Travels to Penn State this week and either the Buckeyes or the Nittany Lions are going to look bad. What appears to be a huge defensive battle might well morph into a scoring contest if Penn State’s defense falters.

15) Pittsburgh (7-1) – Idle this week, faces Syracuse next and should win easily if they have even a shred of substance.

16) Utah (7-1) – Managed to beat a weak Wyoming team 22-10. Utes record is much more impressive than their wins over opponents. All of this dinking around will stop when they face TCU and BYU.

This poll can go no farther than No. 16 and keep a straight face. The rest of the teams are like running in clowns during a circus act—the performers are not what they appear to be, winning big, losing big and remaining inconsistent and virtually unpredictable. There is not a nickel’s worth of difference between them. I am personally sick and tired of tracking the ups and downs of six 3-loss teams—Texas Tech, South Carolina, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Mississippi and Ohio—so they are now out of my poll.

There are at least 12 other teams with only 2 losses, and 8 of them can fill out the last 9 spots. Who is to say that one is better than another when none of them really stand out? So, here, in no particular order, are the last seven:

17) Wisconsin (6-2) – Shut out Purdue 37-0 after the Boilermakers upset Ohio State 26-18. Faces a not-so-hot Indiana team next.

18) California (6-2) – Beat Arizona State 23-21. Gets Southern Cal next. Wonder if the Bears can increase USC’s fall?

19) Arizona (5-2) – Has an offense and defense and could be a sleeper. Was idle this week, should easily beat Washington State next and build its stats.

20) Notre Dame (6-2) – Very popular nationally and did beat another 6-2 team—Boston College—20-16. Gets a 6-3 Navy team next.

21) Temple (6-2) – Lost its first two games and then has run off 6 straight wins. Could beat its last four opponents and end the year at 10-2. That would be amazing for Temple. Let’s reward success by making them No. 22, at least for the moment.

22) Rutgers (6-2) – Only two losses were to 8-0 Cincinnati and 7-1 Pittsburgh. Let’s see if they can beat 6-2 South Florida next.

23) Fill in your own favorite team—I’m tired, I need a break from this exhausting task.

24) Central Michigan (7-2) – Lost to Boston College 31-10 on-the-road, but other than the 7 unbeaten teams in major college football and teams that are already ranked in this poll, who else has 7 wins now? Only one other team—Idaho.

25) Idaho (7-2) – Just beat a really bad Louisiana Tech team 35-34, but who else has 7 wins?

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

There were 4 upsets of Top 25 teams this week but none of them mattered. What did matter were two favorites winning big with implications as Ohio State topped Michigan and Oregon outlasted Arizona. These events caused changes in my Top 25 Poll. Here is how I see it this week:

1) Alabama (11-0) – The Crimson Tide shut out 1-AA Chattanooga 45-0 to remain unbeaten and on target to face Florida for the SEC title, and a shot at the national championship in a game against Texas. Alabama ends its season this week with a trip to Auburn. I do not see Auburn winning this game.

2) Florida (11-0) – The Gators ripped apart Florida International 62-3 to remain unbeaten. Only visiting Florida State this week remains between the Gators and Alabama playing for a shot to be in the national championship game against Texas.

3) Texas (11-0) – The Longhorns whipped Kansas 51-20 to remain unbeaten and on course to play in the national championship game against either Alabama or the defending national champion Florida Gators. In beating Kansas, Colt McCoy extended his NCAA career record for victories by a quarterback to 43 in 4 years. Texas travels to Texas A&M for its final game of the season.

4) Texas Christian (10-0) – The Horned Frogs remained unbeaten by leveling Wyoming 45-10, and becoming the first TCU team with an 11-0 overall record since 1938. TCU hopes that Texas A&M upsets Texas this week so that the Horned Frogs can move into the national championship game against either Alabama or Florida. News flash to TCU—good luck and God speed. TCU ends its year hosting an absolutely pathetic, 1-10 New Mexico team.

5) Cincinnati (10-0) – Idle this week. Hosts a weak Illinois team this week, and then gets a final game showdown on-the-road at Pittsburgh (9-1). The Panthers are licking their chops.

6) Boise State (11-0) – The Broncos remained unbeaten by clubbing Utah State 52-21. Gets Nevada (8-3) at home this week, and the Broncos had better be ready. Nevada’s offense scored 6 touchdowns in the first half last week, and boasts the nation’s 4th best scoring offense (41ppg). Boise State has the nation’s best scoring offense (44 ppg).

7) Oregon (9-2) – The Ducks beat a really good 6-4 Arizona team 44-41 in the second overtime to set themselves up to earn a Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl berth against Ohio State (10-2) if they beat the visiting Oregon State Beavers (8-3) in a winner-take-all Civil War showdown next Saturday in Eugene. This is the most important game of the college football season until Alabama and Florida clash in the SEC showdown (both teams must win this week to set up the showdown). The up again-down again Oregon Ducks have only lost two away games—to 11-0 Boise State and 7-4 Stanford, and they have played the 3rd toughest schedule in the country among 245 Division I teams. Georgia Tech (12th toughest schedule), Pittsburgh (58th), Ohio State (54th), Penn State (79th) and Oklahoma State (67th) have all played easier schedules.

Oregon State (8-3) – Mugged Washington State 42-10. Beavers have only lost to Cincinnati (10-0), USC (7-3) and Arizona (6-4), and have played the 24th toughest schedule in the country.

9) Georgia Tech (10-1) – Idle this week. Hosts Georgia in its final game. Georgia will try to get nasty on them.

10) Pittsburgh (9-1) – Idle this week. Travels to West Virginia this week and then hosts unbeaten Cincinnati in its final game. The Panthers can hardly wait, but had better beat West Virginia to make it count for something.

11) Ohio State (10-2) – Buckeye defense put the hurt on Michigan 21-10 to win the Big Ten title outright in their final game. Next stop for Ohio State is the Rose Bowl against either Oregon or Oregon State.

From No. 12 on, this Poll is hard put to rank any team with a straight face. Having said that, here goes nothing:

12) Penn State (10-2) – Ended season by kicking the snot out of Michigan State 42-14 on the Spartans’ home turf. The stout (wink, wink) Michigan State defense let the Nittany Lions’ Daryll Clark pass for 310 yards and 4 touchdowns. With a name like Daryll they should have sacked the guy a dozen times. Coach Mark Dantonio needs to recruit some bigger, tougher, faster beef in the Midwest or MSU will be going backwards in a hurry. (Disclaimer: I am a Michigan State graduate who is not happy with the lack of progress in this year’s team. If the Spartans get much worse, they will be going backwards faster than the Michigan Wolverines. I am sick and tired of hearing about Michigan State’s great new recruits. My question is, where the hell are they? They sure are not on the field.

13) Oklahoma State (9-2) – Barely beat a poor Colorado team 31-28, but at least the Cowboys won, even if they were riding sidesaddle. That is more than Wisconsin, LSU, Rutgers and Stanford can say this week; they were all upset by supposedly lesser lights. Oklahoma State travels to Oklahoma to end its season this week.

14) Iowa (10-2) – Shut out Minnesota 12-0 with an outstanding defensive effort on-the-road. The Hawkeyes rank 11th nationally in scoring defense and 87th in scoring offense. Season is now over. Iowa is waiting in prayer and supplication for a BCS bowl bid, which they may not get.

15) Houston (9-2) – Beat Memphis 55-14. Have no real use for Houston; I guess that’s because I am kind of traditional in thinking that defense should be part of the game. The Cougars are the opposite of the Iowa Hawkeyes—they are all offense and no defense, and when I say no defense, I am not kidding. Houston ranks 3rd in the nation in scoring offense and 91st in scoring defense among 120 major college teams. Houston ends the season hosting a 2-9 Rice team that will lose, giving Houston its 10th win.

16) California (8-3) – Upset 18th-ranked Arizona 24-16 last week and upset 14th-ranked Stanford (7-4) on-the-road 34-28 this week. Bears won when they had to against a really tough team. California has played the 14th toughest schedule in the country. The Bears end their season December 5 at Washington.

17) Stanford (7-4) – Finally beating Southern Cal was too much for the Cardinal to handle as they lost to California 34-28 on their home turf. Stanford has played the 13th toughest schedule in the country. Stanford hosts Notre Dame to end its season this week.

18) LSU (8-3) – Was upset by Mississippi (8-3) on-the-road 25-23. The Ole Miss Rebels, after a slow start to the season, felt like they were stepping in high cotton. LSU has played the 22nd toughest schedule in the country. The Tigers end their season hosting Arkansas this week.

19) Clemson (8-3) – Beat Virginia 34-21. Travels to South Carolina (6-5) to end its season. The Tigers have played the 33rd toughest schedule.

20) Mississippi (8-3) – Upset LSU 25-23. Predicted to be a top team in the preseason polls, Ole Miss is finally coming of age. Mississippi travels to in-state rival Mississippi State to end its season this week. The Ole Miss Rebels have played the 55th toughest schedule this season.

21) Wisconsin (8-3) – Was upset by Northwestern (8-4) on-the-road 33-31. Only other losses were to Ohio State and Iowa. The Badgers have played the 62nd toughest schedule. Wisconsin ends its season December 5 at Hawaii.

22) Oklahoma State (9-2) – Slipped by Colorado 31-28. Simply not relevant this year with 11-0 Texas in the same Big 12 South Division. The Cowboys hit the road to end their season at Oklahoma (6-5) this week. They face one of the year’s biggest disappointments—the Sooners. Oklahoma State has played the 67th toughest schedule.

23) Navy (8-3) – Idle this week. Travels to Hawaii next. The Midshipmen have played the 72nd toughest schedule.

24) Brigham Young (9-2) – Beat Air Force 38-21 but must stand in line behind the first 23 picks because the Cougars have played the 80th toughest schedule. Has big season-ending showdown with in-state rival Uath (9-2) next. Somebody is going to be unhappy, the Cougars hope it will not be them since they are playing host to the Utes.

24) Utah (9-2) – Beat San Diego State 38-7 but must stand in line behind the first 24 picks because the Utes have played the 82nd toughest schedule. Travel to BYU (9-2) for end of year showdown.

“Hey Laddie, bring me a double shot of Jameson.”