Week 14 College Football Recap: Rankings, Heisman, BCS Projections

I love college football. That Iron Bowl was maybe the best regular season college football game I have ever seen. The twists, momentum shifts, huge plays, top-level talent playing at their best, the insane unexpected ending…it was simply college football bliss. Under normal circumstances, “The Game” between Michigan and Ohio State, coming down to a 2-point conversion attempt for the win would have taken the cake, but the SEC won yesterday. It provided a huge shakeup in the national landscape and provides a chance for the BCS to leave us one last parting gift by screwing it up once again. Let’s just hope we don’t give them that opportunity. Check out my recap below:

This will be my final weekly recap, since there are very few games next week. I will do a bowl preview when the games are announced, as well as a postseason recap following the BCS Championship, though.

Top 25 Poll

Others receiving votes: Cincinnati, Minnesota, Texas A&M, USC, Utah State

Dropped from the rankings: Texas A&M (21), USC (23)

25 (25). Washington (8-4) – They survived the Apple Cup, one of the rare times that the favorite in the game actually imposes their will. They are still one of the scariest teams in the nation. They will be a mismatch for whoever they get in their bowl game.

24 (24). Oklahoma (9-2) – IDLE. Next week: at Oklahoma State.

23 (NR). Texas (8-3) – Their Thanksgiving Day game went about as well as expected. I miss the yearly matchup between the Longhorns and Aggies on that day, though.

22 (NR). Marshall (9-3) – The Thundering Herd have one of the best QBs in the nation, and they have quietly put together a very nice season. If they get a cool bowl matchup against an SEC team or something, then watch out. This team can really score.

21 (19). LSU (9-3) – LSU makes no sense. They look like a championship contender, and then they almost lose to a winless Arkansas team. Gotta love rivalries…

20 (22). Duke (10-2) – The Blue Devils have completed their best regular season probably ever, clinching their division and setting up an amazingly intriguing match with #1 Florida State next week for the ACC Title.

19 (12). Fresno State (11-1) – It is not every day that you put up 41 in the first half and still lose. That just proved that their defense is just as bad as Northern Illinois’s. San Jose State had been struggling heading into that game too. Gotta love rivalries…

18 (9). Wisconsin (9-3) – The Badgers were on a roll, and then they somehow drop their season finale at home to Penn State...that same Penn State that could not score on half of the Big Ten teams. Did they expose something, or was it just a really off game? I can’t tell either.

17 (16). Louisville (10-1) – IDLE. Next week: at Cincinnati.

16 (15). UCF (10-1) – UCF escaped with another narrow AAC win against a weak opponent. They clinched the conference, though. They are going to the BCS in their first year in an AQ conference.

15 (17). Northern Illinois (12-0) – Jordan Lynch and company are the most intriguing team in the nation. They can’t play any defense, but it is slightly better than last year. Plus, Lynch is having maybe the most impressive statistical season for any dual threat QB in college football history.

14 (20). UCLA (9-3) – Aside from Florida State, I do not think a team passes the eye test any easier than UCLA. When they are playing at their best, they simply are the best team in the nation. They are just way too inconsistent.

13 (5). Clemson (10-2) – Clemson did their thing again. They had a chance for something great, and they laid an egg. Go figure.

12 (18). South Carolina (10-2) – I move them up and down drastically each and every week. I still don’t know what to do with them. I mean, they lost to Tennessee…TENNESSEE!!! But they have some amazing wins. They are just confusing.

11 (11). Oregon (10-2) – The Ducks somehow got out of the Civil War alive, despite the best Beavers effort all year and injuries all over. When they are motivated, they can still be the best team out there.

10 (13). Arizona State (10-2) – The Sun Devils put a whipping on their in-state rival, which is always a game that tends to surprise everyone. This team is scary.

9 (10). Stanford (10-2) – The Cardinal took out Notre Dame, which looking at their resume, appears to be a really nice win. They already had their spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game wrapped up, though.

8 (8). Baylor (10-1) – Baylor appeared to be sleepwalking after their loss to Oklahoma State. That TCU team is not good, and they almost lost. The Bears still have a real chance at the BCS too.

7 (14). Michigan State (11-1) – Sparty completed an improbable and very impressive regular season, despite not having played Wisconsin or Ohio State. This team has shades of 2007 Kansas in those terms.

6 (7). Missouri (11-1) – The Tigers are having one of their best seasons in a long time, and they are potentially one win away from playing for a national championship. That is just one year after joining “the best conference in the country”.

5 (4). Oklahoma State (10-1) – IDLE. Next week: vs Oklahoma.

4 (2). Alabama (11-1) – That has got to be the strangest ending I have ever seen. Put that game on a neutral site, and it probably would not have been uncompetitive. That is why they play the games, though. They are going to a BCS game for sure.

3 (6). Auburn (11-1) – I feel obligated to put them this high, even though they are not a top 5 team. They struggled to beat 6-6 Washington State at home, they got beat by 14 by LSU, and they had to battle to take out a weak Mississippi State squad. They are playing their best right now, and thanks to some miracle plays the last two games and an absolutely ruckus crowd, they are potentially in position to play for a national title. That is what makes college football great. ZERO conference wins to a national title run. I love it.

2 (3). Ohio State (12-0) – Everyone is going to look at their escape against Michigan as an ugly win, but that rivalry game is just ridiculous. I was impressed by the Buckeyes in that game. They proved finally that they can score when they need to score, and they made the stop when they absolutely needed it. They are championship-caliber.

1 (1). Florida State (12-0) – The Noles had a sort of boring 30 point win against their pathetic in-state rival. They could sleepwalk over 95% of the teams in the nation. It would take one of the all-time upsets to keep them out of the championship game, or an arrest sometime in the next week.

Conference Championship Games Next Weekend

9. MOUNTAIN WEST: Utah State at Fresno State (#19), 7:00PM CBS – This is an intriguing game, but it would be even more so if Utah State was at full strength. They have had a nice season anyway, despite losing their All-Conference QB mid-season and their coach in the offseason. Their defense can slow up Derek Carr just a bit, but not enough. PREDICTION: Fresno State 31-21

8. CONFERENCE USA: Rice vs Marshall (#22) Site TBA via BCS rankings, 8:00AM ESPN2 – This should be a very competitive game. Rice is one of the more battle-tested non-AQ teams out there. They may very well be playing at home in this game too. Look for a bunch of points here. PREDICTION: Rice 42-37

7. MAC: Bowling Green vs Northern Illinois (#15) in Detroit, FRIDAY 5:00PM ESPN2 – The Huskies should be confident going into this game, but this may be their toughest match of the season. They have yet to play each other. PREDICTION: Northern Illinois 38-24

6. ACC: Duke (#20) vs Florida State (#1) in Charlotte, 5:00PM ABC – I would love to pick an upset here, but there is just no chance that Duke can win. They might jump out to an early lead with their guys playing way over their heads, but eventually the talent and strength is going to dominate. PREDICTION: Florida State 56-13

5. BIG 12 (b): Oklahoma (#24) at Oklahoma State (#5), 9:00AM ABC – If Oklahoma State wins, then they take the conference. Last time this scenario went all the way to this game, The Cowboys destroyed the Sooners. Oklahoma is either going to put their in-state rival in the Fiesta Bowl or potentially help their archrival get to the Fiesta Bowl. PREDICTION: Oklahoma 28-27

4. BIG 12 (a): Texas at Baylor (#8), 12:30PM FOX – These aren’t exactly championship games, but they are a nice little mini tournament. Baylor had been looking forward to this game for a potential chance at a national title. Now, it is slightly less important. The teams will know by kickoff whether or not this game is a play-in game for the Fiesta Bowl. PREDICTION: Baylor 31-24

3. PAC-12: Stanford (#9) at Arizona State (#10), 4:45PM ESPN – The first time these teams met, Stanford pretty much dominated. With the way these teams are currently playing, I would love Arizona State’s chances no matter where it is played. They are at home, so it could end up being pretty easy. PREDICTION: Arizona State 35-21

2. BIG Ten: Michigan State (#7) vs Ohio State (#2) in Indianapolis, 5:00PM FOX – Michigan State is coming off their ugliest offensive effort since the first half of the season, and Ohio State is coming off a wild roller coaster against their rival. They are playing probably for a shot at the National Championship, and Sparty is playing for a rare Rose Bowl appearance. This is a must-see game. PREDICTION: Michigan State 24-21

1. SEC: Missouri (#6) vs Auburn (#3) in Atlanta, 1:00PM CBS – This game is going to be a battle. Can Auburn get another miracle? Can Missouri continue their improbable run toward an SEC Title? Both teams are greatly improved on defense and have offenses that are humming at the moment. This is basically a coin flip. PREDICTION: Missouri 27-23

Heisman Trophy Watch

5. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State – Miller is having a very impressive season, even if he has given up the spotlight to Carlos Hyde recently. He is the heart and soul of that team. He deserves an invite.

4. Andre Williams, RB, Boston College – He got injured in his season finale after finally getting the Heisman hype he deserves. His stats should be enough to secure his status as a finalist.

3. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – After that comeback win in the Civil War and his perseverance after tough losses, the most dynamic player in the nation has played himself back into the Heisman conversation.

2. Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois – He could have the best season of all time with a big game in the MAC Championship. He is looking potentially at a 2000-2000 season with 20+ rushing and passing TDs. Sure, he wouldn’t be doing that in any other conference, but what do you want him to do? He deserves this award.

1. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – If he wins, cool. He is probably the best player out there. The voters need to decide whether they want to give it to him with the possibility of him getting charged with rape soon after. This is an intriguing race, to say the least.

BCS Projections

Rose Bowl – Arizona State over Michigan State

Orange Bowl – Ohio State over Clemson

Sugar Bowl – Alabama over UCF

Fiesta Bowl – Northern Illinois over Baylor

BCS Championship Game – Florida State over Missouri

There you have it! Thoughts on my rankings? Thoughts on the incredible weekend of rivalry games? BCS predictions? Let me know!

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Week 8 College Football Recap: Rankings, Heisman, BCS Projections

This Saturday gave us some incredible games. There were a string of upsets, taking teams from the ranks of the unbeaten. The best 1-loss teams all struggled or lost as well. We had Jordan Lynch set the QB rushing record with over 300 yards on the ground. We had a game last over 4 hours and one team snap the ball 114 times in a non-overtime affair. We saw Washington State’s Conner Halliday throw the ball an FBS record 89 times in a 24 point loss at Oregon. It is stuff like thisthat makes me hate the Ducks so much. The first BCS Rankings of the season (it’s final season!!!) come out today. Check out my projections and top 25 and such below:

NOTE: There will not be an official write-up next Sunday. I will be taking my talents to Las Vegas, but I will have MY TOP 25updated at some point before the games start the following week.

Top 25 Poll

Others receiving votes: Ball State, BYU, Houston, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington

Dropped from the rankings: Washington (15), South Carolina (16), Georgia (19), Oklahoma (23), Houston (24)

25 (NR). Oregon State (6-1) – Since that loss to Eastern Washington to start the year, this has been one of the best offenses in the country. I do not know too many out-of-state offenses that can keep up.

24 (NR). Arizona State (5-2) – They had an impressive stomping of a now dejected and unraveling Washington team. They continue to give glimpses of being a real threat, but then they go and screw it up the next week.

23 (25). Michigan State (6-1) – They had one of the ugliest and most uneventful wins that any team has had this year. How are they 6-1 with that putrid offense?

22 (21). Nebraska (5-1) – IDLE. Next week: at Minnesota

21 (22). Northern Illinois (7-0) – They keep winning and giving up huge numbers to terrible teams. They aren’t crashing the BCS party with Fresno still undefeated, but they are fun to watch.

20 (NR). Wisconsin (5-2) – Without that strange ending against Arizona State, this team would probably be in good position for a BCS berth.

19 (8). Louisville (6-1) – I am so glad that we no longer have to worry about a potential AAC team sneaking into the title game…

18 (NR). UCF (5-1) – In what was one of the more entertaining games of the season, UCF pulled off a stunner. Everyone seems to forget that they were leading for the majority of their sole loss to South Carolina too.

17 (10). Texas A&M (4-2) – They just flat-out have ZERO defense. Johnny Football can do only so much…

16 (9). LSU (6-2) –Mississippi finally got the big win after a few weeks of disappointment. They always play LSU tough. The Tigers are still one of the better teams in the conference.

15 (NR). Auburn (6-1) – The Tigers pulled off an impressive win against the Aggies. Malzahn definitely has the offense going, but they are going to need some sort of defense to really compete with the rest of the West.

14 (17). Virginia Tech (6-1) – IDLE. Next week: vs Duke

13 (20). Oklahoma State (5-1) – This is one of those teams that I cannot really get a read on. They lose to West Virginia, and then they look strong again. They bench their starting QBs in the middle of games. I don’t know.

12 (4). Clemson (6-1) – Clemson is going to have to lick their wounds after that thrashing they took at home by FSU. They have a tricky game at Maryland coming up.

11 (14). Fresno State (6-0) – This offense seems like it will not even be slowed down this season. They are a juggernaut in a slightly down MWC.

10 (7). UCLA (5-1) – The Bruins were beyond disappointing against Stanford. They are going to have to get right back on the horse with Oregon looming.

9 (18). Missouri (7-0) – I hate Missouri. They are going to coast through a banged-up SEC schedule, and they do not even have to play LSU or Alabama. Disgusting.

8 (12). Miami (6-0) – The Hurricanes avoided an ugly loss on Thursday night to keep our hopes of another undefeated matchup in a couple weeks in Tallahassee.

7 (13). Texas Tech (7-0) – I do not really get this team. They never look good. Somehow they just keep trucking along with a confidence that they should not have.

6 (11). Stanford (6-1) – The Cardinal just outplayed and overwhelmed UCLA. That loss at Utah is going to look more and more confusing as the season goes along.

5 (6). Ohio State (7-0) – The Buckeyes at times look like the preseason #2 that they are, and then they look as stale and bored as any team I have come across. But they keep winning…

4 (5). Florida State (6-0) – With the most impressive win of the season, the road team just smashed the hopes of Clemson early. This team looks like a National Championship team. But guess who is next week…NC State. Last year’s upset special. The maturity of their phenomenal freshman QB will be tested.

3 (3). Baylor (6-0) – Another week, another 70+ point outing. Ho-hum…

2 (2). Alabama (7-0) – The Tide defense has finally calmed down, and now they are just murdering the competition. How does that taste Bielema?!

1 (1). Oregon (7-0) – They had another huge offensive showing, while their starters only played a couple quarters. They are going to be fresh for UCLA next weekend.

Top 5 Games for Next Weekend

5. Boise State at BYU, Friday 5:00PM ESPN – This is going to be another offensive explosion game. Neither team can stop anyone. The offenses are potent. This should be quite a show in Provo. MY PICK: BYU 43, Boise State 35

4. Texas Tech (#7) at Oklahoma, 12:30PM FOX – This will be Texas Tech’s biggest test of the year. We are probably going to keep saying that each week as they hit the meat of their Big 12 schedule. MY PICK: Texas Tech 28, Oklahoma 23

3. South Carolina at Missouri (#9), 4:00PM ESPN2 – South Carolina has been able to squeak out ugly wins each week up until yesterday. Playing in front of a hostile crowd in Missouri will be quite a scene. Not sure which direction this one goes… MY PICK: South Carolina 21, Missouri 20

2. UCLA (#10) at Oregon (#1), 4:00PM ESPN – If UCLA had beaten Stanford, then this would be one of the best games of the year. Instead, it is just an solid top 10 matchup on paper. MY PICK: Oregon 42, UCLA 28

1. Stanford (#6) at Oregon State (#25), 7:30PM ESPN – If you want to see an incredible offense (with shaky defense) against an incredible defense (with shaky offense), then look no further than this game. It was a hard-fought battle last year. This is one of the most intriguing games in recent weeks. MY PICK: Stanford 34, Oregon State 27

Heisman Trophy Watch

5. Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State – He has had an absolutely ridiculous season. Everyone knows they are going to pass, and you just cannot stop it.

4. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – He is the best player in the conference that everyone hails as the best. He is going to get the votes.

3. Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois – He is going to have the stats that will look overwhelming to any voter. How can you leave this guy off the ballot?

2. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – He is looking like RGIII in his Heisman year. This kid has it all. Next year, son.

1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – Unless his team somehow trips up this season, he is going to run away with this award.

BCS Projections

Rose Bowl – Stanford over Ohio State

Orange Bowl – UCF over Clemson

Sugar Bowl – Alabama over Fresno State

Fiesta Bowl – Baylor over LSU

BCS Championship Game – Oregon over Florida State

What did you think of this crazy weekend? Which upset was the best? Which player had the most absurd offensive day? How do you think the BCS Rankings will shake out? Let me know!

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Week 7 College Football Recap: Rankings, Heisman, BCS Projections

So, this was the most eventful week of the season so far. I may have jumped the gun a bit on Baylor, but one of the great equalizers in college football is the revenge factor. Last year, Baylor ended K-State’s BCS Title run, and the Wildcats nearly returned the favor on Saturday. Washington proved that they can go blow-for-blow with Oregon, but a couple of late scores and miscues turned the score into a lopsided venture. Marcus Mariota was really the only difference between the teams talent-wise. Oklahoma had a very Sooner-like embarrassing upset loss in the middle of the season. Stanford got stunned in Utah. A few others struggled to avoid bad losses on the road. Check out the aftermath below!

Top 25 Poll

Others receiving votes: East Carolina, Michigan, Northwestern, Oregon State, UCF

Dropped from the rankings: Michigan (19), Northwestern (20), Florida (24)

25 (NR). Michigan State (5-1) – With how bad their offense has been, there is no way that I thought they could be 5-1. You have to commend D’Antonio, though. He is one of the best in the business.

24 (NR). Houston (5-0) – They have not lost yet, but their conference is just terrible. They may have a battle of unbeatens in Louisville November 16^th.

23 (13). Oklahoma (5-1) – The Sooners had another classic confusing loss in a season that was so promising. I love it.

22 (23). Northern Illinois (6-0) – The Huskies continue to win in unimpressive fashion. Wins are wins, though…

21 (22). Nebraska (5-1) – Blowing out Purdue is nothing special, but they seemed to have really shored up that defense that got torched early in the year.

20 (21). Oklahoma State (4-1) – IDLE. Next week: vs TCU.

19 (12). Georgia (4-2) – Their injuries finally caught up to them. They still deserve a ton of credit for taking down most of the teams throughout the toughest part of their schedule.

18 (NR). Missouri (6-0) – They got it done against Georgia in their first test of the season. Their starting QB is also now out for the year. This will probably be their peak ranking this season.

17 (25). Virginia Tech (6-1) – Looking at their wins, none of them are overly impressive. Looking at who they lost to and how, it is clear that they deserve a bit more respect.

16 (18). South Carolina (5-1) – The Cocks obliterated Arkansas on the road. This team, more than any I can remember, wins in different ways each week. I don’t understand them.

15 (9). Washington (4-2) – They suffered a painful loss against Oregon with everyone in the country watching. They are still a fine team, but they may still be a year or two away from really competing for a Rose Bowl in the nation’s toughest conference.

14 (17). Fresno State (5-0) – IDLE. Next week: vs UNLV.

13 (16). Texas Tech (6-0) – They won with a different quarterback, which seemed to reignite the offensive attack. They are going to be a tough out.

12 (15). Miami (5-0) – IDLE. Next week: at North Carolina.

11 (4). Stanford (5-1) – I knew that Utah would give them all they could handle, but I didn’t think they could actually pull it off. There is no shame in losing that game, but their title hopes are all but gone. This seems similar to their loss in Seattle last year.

10 (14). Texas A&M (4-1) – The Aggies took the best shot in a road test against desperate Ole Miss. Johnny Football came up big again, this time in the running game. That offense is so ridiculously dynamic…

9 (11). LSU (6-1) –LSU continues to impress after a sluggish win over Florida.

8 (10). Louisville (6-0) – I told you that those Thursday games are always a little weird. Rutgers nearly pulled off the stunner when Louisville finally had the national stage. They are going to get every AAC team’s best shot week in and week out. I am not sure if they are good enough to withstand it.

7 (8). UCLA (5-0) –The Bruins looked strong against the putrid California defense. No one is talking about their championship hopes, but they are right there in the running with Oregon in the Pac-12.

6 (7). Ohio State (6-0) – IDLE. Next week: vs Iowa.

5 (6). Florida State (5-0) – IDLE. Next week: at Clemson.

4 (5). Clemson (6-0) – BC gave both Florida State and Clemson tough tests leading up to their long-awaited matchup next week. Clemson was able to get by…barely.

3 (2). Baylor (5-0) – The Bears had to gut out a victory against an inspired team on the road. The long touchdowns will not be available against everyone, but if this offense withstood this test, then they might not lose at all.

2 (3). Alabama (6-0) – Alabama had another cruising win in the weak part of the SEC. They finally opened it up on offense, though. They are looking unbelievably strong.

1 (1). Oregon (6-0) – The Ducks look absolutely unstoppable. I can only think of a few teams in the nation that could possibly upset them, unless they just have an off day and turn it over. That doesn’t seem likely at this point, however.

Top 5 Games for Next Weekend

5. Auburn at Texas A&M (#10), 12:30PM CBS – We really don’t know too much about Auburn just yet. Can they show up on the road against the toughest offense in the conference? My pick: Texas A&M

4. UCF at Louisville (#8), Friday 5:00PM ESPN – UCF has proven that they are a viable opponent, and Louisville has the national stage once again. Can they survive their toughest test of the season so far? My pick: Louisville

3. BYU at Houston (#24), 12:30PM ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU – BYU has the talent and offense to upset anyone. Houston will receive their first true test of the year. I am intrigued by this one. My pick: BYU

2. UCLA (#7) at Stanford (#11), 12:30PM ESPN2 – This will be a battle. Stanford cannot afford a second loss in conference. UCLA has been rolling, especially on the road. This should be a tremendous game. My pick: UCLA

1. Florida State (#5) at Clemson (#4), 5:00PM ABC – Obviously, this is the biggest game of the week and one of the biggest of the season. They both withstood BC’s inspired upset-minded efforts leading into next week. Who takes the next step toward the BCS Title Game? My pick: Florida State

Heisman Trophy Watch

5. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA – Hundley may be the top quarterback taken in the draft whenever he comes out. When they finally get a big game next weekend, the nation will take notice of this phenomenal talent.

4. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson – He has another huge game next weekend to show the nation that he is the best QB in the country. Can he keep up the pace in that unique offense?

3. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – He had the week off, but playing against the senior Boyd on the road next week will really show if he has a real chance to win this.

2. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – If he can take his team to a one-loss season the way they have been going, then he needs to be right there at the top of everyone’s ballot once again.

1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – The early season favorite normally cannot keep up the pace all year, but he is the exception, I suspect. He is clearly the best player on whatever field he steps onto.

BCS Projections

Rose Bowl – UCLA over Ohio State

Orange Bowl – Clemson over Louisville

Sugar Bowl – Alabama over Fresno State

Fiesta Bowl – Baylor over LSU

BCS Championship Game – Oregon over Florida State

What did you think of this weekend? Rankings? Heisman predictions? Let me know below!

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Week 5 College Football Recap: Rankings, Heisman, BCS Projections

It was a thrilling week in college football. Lane Kiffin got fired after a beat-down by Arizona State. Alabama shut (out/up) Bo Wallace and Ole Miss. The northwest had monsoon-like conditions for a few of the top teams in the country who all rolled to victories. All the “experts” talk about how LSU at Georgia was going to be a defensive struggle, yet I called it a shootout. Who was right? 44-41 final score should tell the story. Check out how week 5 is reflected in my new rankings/projections:

Top 25 Poll

Others receiving votes: Florida, Houston, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, UCF, Wisconsin

Dropped from the rankings: Wisconsin (20), UCF (22)

25 (NR). Maryland (4-0) – IDLE. Next week: at Florida State. That blowout/shutout win over West Virginia looks pretty good now. This could be a bonehead inclusion after they play in Tallahassee next week, but they have been strong so far this season. Randy Edsall has his boys believing.

24 (19). Arizona State (3-1) – The Sun Devils could score at will against USC, but they also gave up some 41 points to a team that was struggling offensively. That does not bode well for their chances in the South division.

23 (NR). Northern Illinois (4-0) – After blowing out Purdue on the road, they are the first MAC team with two wins over the Big Ten in the same season. They are going to threaten another potential BCS bowl appearance.

22 (21). Michigan (4-0) – IDLE. Next week: vs Minnesota.

21 (17). Mississippi (3-1) – They were the latest shutout victim by Alabama, which there is no shame in, but for a team talking as much trash as they were, that has got to be discouraging and humbling.

20 (14). Oklahoma State (3-1) – Just when you want to count out West Virginia, they take out the #1 team in the conference. The Cowboys looked a bit lost throughout the game for the first time. Morgantown isn’t exactly the most hostile of crowds in the Big 12. They are going to need to get it together and soon.

19 (24). Fresno State (4-0) – They had one of those classic 9:00PM pickoffs in Hawaii that a team could sleepwalk through. Their offense was as on fire as it has been all year.

18 (18). Northwestern (4-0) – IDLE. Next week: vs Ohio State.

17 (25). Miami (4-0) – The Canes looked fantastic against the worst team in the nation, the South Florida Bulls. At some point, you have to think they will not show up. That hasn’t happened yet. Morris and Johnson have been scary good early on.

16 (15). Texas Tech (4-0) – IDLE. Next week: at Kansas.

15 (16). South Carolina (3-1) – They were down at the half and had lost their starting quarterback. They could have folded, but instead they came out furiously and took control of the game immediately on the road. Impressive effort by the Cocks.

14 (23). Oklahoma (4-0) – Here we go again…the Sooners look unbeatable early in the year, only to probably disappoint down the stretch again. Same story for the Bob Stoops-era Oklahoma squad.

13 (12). LSU (4-1) – The Tigers have now shown that they can put up the monster numbers in the SEC, and that Cam Cameron has suddenly turned Mettenberger into a top 5 QB in the conference.

12 (11). Texas A&M (3-1) – Johnny Football and company were able to escape with another shootout victory, this time at Arkansas in front of a ruckus crowd.

11 (13). Georgia (3-1) – The win against LSU proved that they still do not have a defense, but that offense can score on anyone. They have a terrific chance of not losing any SEC games.

10 (10). Louisville (4-0) – IDLE. Next week: at Temple.

9 (9). UCLA (3-0) – IDLE. Next week: at Utah.

8 (5). Florida State (4-0) – There is something always missing with hyped-up Florida State teams. The defense just decided it was ok to give up 34 points to a lame duck Boston College offense. They are going to need to get a lot better to contend for an ACC title.

7 (8). Ohio State (5-0) – The Buckeyes had an impressive win over a tough Wisconsin squad. Braxton Miller looked terrific in his return to the lineup. They are starting to look like the preseason #2 team in the country.

6 (7). Baylor (3-0) – IDLE. Next week: vs West Virginia.

5 (6). Washington (4-0) – They were able to blow out Arizona, who isn’t a great team, but one that came in rolling. The Huskies are for real, and with Stanford and Oregon coming up I consecutive weeks, they could prove to be the nation’s best team if they are able to spring the upsets.

4 (4). Clemson (4-0) – The Tigers jumped out to a big lead early and never let up. When they are hitting on all cylinders, I do not know who can beat them.

3 (3). Stanford (4-0) – They had the most impressive result of the week with a hammering of a confident and improved Washington State team in front of a crazy crowd at the Seahawks home stadium. They looked like the Stanford teams who pushed around the entire conference two years ago.

2 (2). Alabama (4-0) – They had one of the more confusing results of the season. Their defense had not been dominant, yet they were able to shut out perhaps the best pure offense they have played yet. The Tide are gearing up for another title run.

1 (1). Oregon (4-0) – The played in stupid conditions in Eugene, but they were seemingly unaffected by it when Cal looked like a bunch of fools. They did nothing to lose the top spot.

Top 5 Games for Next Weekend

5. BYU at Utah State, Friday 5:00PM CBS Sports Network – The Utah in-state matchups are all going to be amazing this year. It may be the best trio of teams the state has ever had. Chuckie Keeton vs Taysom Hill. Should be electric.

4. Maryland (#25) at Florida State (#8), 9:00AM ESPN – This is an intriguing matchup. Stefon Diggs and company are going to be able to score, but can they slow up Winston? No team has been able to do that yet.

3. TCU at Oklahoma (#14), 4:00PM FOX – TCU has looked mighty impressive defensively since losing to LSU on the opening weekend. This is the type of game that the Sooners like to drop.

2. Ohio State (#7) at Northwestern (#18), 5:00PM ABC – Northwestern is always a team that pushes the top B1G teams. This time, the Wildcats have their best squad in decades. Ohio State would be foolish to look any further than this game.

1. Washington (#5) at Stanford (#3), 7:30PM ESPN – No real surprise here, right? The game in Seattle last season, the last game that Stanford lost, was a hard-fought and low-scoring affair. Look for some more offense this time around a terrific game in front of a half-full stadium in Palo Alto.

Heisman Trophy Watch

5. Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor – So far, he has put up video game numbers. If he can do the same in games against Oklahoma and his Texas state rivals, then he will be invited for sure.

4. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – It doesn’t matter the venue or situation he is in. He looks like a seasoned veteran. Next year may be his time, but he is threatening this year.

3. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson – He seems to get better and better each week. If they go unbeaten, he could potentially take the first Heisman Trophy in school history.

2. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – He has led his team to victories in every way possible. He is going to torch every SEC defense and probably win this thing again.

1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – He will be the top contender all season, unless they lose a game. That seems unlikely at this point.

BCS Projections

Rose Bowl – Ohio State over Washington

Orange Bowl – Clemson over Louisville

Sugar Bowl – Texas A&M over Oklahoma

Fiesta Bowl – Baylor over Northern Illinois

BCS Championship Game – Oregon over Alabama

What did you think of this weekend? Thoughts? Give me your rankings in the comments!

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Week 4 College Football Recap: Rankings, Heisman, BCS Projections

It was a fairly lame weekend for matchups, so the top 25 does not have too much shifting this week. Most teams were either playing cupcakes in preparation for conference games coming up, or they just took the week off. Next week starts the beginning of the games that matter. Check out my recap of week 4 below.

Top 25 Poll

Others receiving votes: Florida, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame

Dropped from the rankings: Notre Dame (25)

25 (23). Miami (3-0) – Savannah State is always a good team to schedule if you need some confidence. They have an easy ACC schedule with the exception of Florida State. They need to look impressive every week if they really want to get back to being a legitimate title contender.

24 (NR). Fresno State (3-0) – They showed off their high-octane offense against Boise State in a thriller. This team probably will not lose this year.

23 (22). Oklahoma (3-0) – Oklahoma definitely has their quarterback. They head to Notre Dame next weekend, which will likely be his stiffest test this year.

22 (20). UCF (3-0) – They had a perfectly-timed idle week before South Carolina goes to Orlando.ThaIt is an intriguing matchup for sure.

21 (16). Michigan (4-0) – How exactly does a team go from unstoppable to squeaking out wins against 2 of the 5 worst teams in the nation? Watch the 2013 Michigan Wolverines.

20 (24). Wisconsin (3-1) – Their running game is absurd, averaging close to 10 yards per rush seemingly every game. They might be the best team in the conference.

19 (15). Arizona State (2-1) – The Sun Devils had a tough loss against the physically-superior Stanford team, but they still look like a team to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 South.

18 (21). Northwestern (4-0) – They had maybe the toughest non-conference schedule to manage of any team, but they now get a big week off before they welcome Ohio State to town.

17 (18). Mississippi (3-0) – How good is Ole Miss? We do not know yet. But we will after Saturday when they travel to Tuscaloosa.

16 (14). South Carolina (2-1) – The Gamecocks would be unwise to look past an upset-minded and very talented UCF team before conference schedule really kicks in. It is even a road game. I kinda like UCF in that one…

15 (19). Texas Tech (4-0) – The Red Raiders get their first week off next weekend. It seems like very good timing so that their young QB can regroup and prepare for a tough Big 12 schedule.

14 (13). Oklahoma State (3-0) – We will see what kind of guts Oklahoma State has in their next few games against substandard teams.

13 (12). Georgia (2-1) – The Bulldogs have a quality loss, but they need to basically go undefeated in conference to play for an SEC title. That journey takes another step when LSU comes to town next weekend in a monster matchup.

12 (11). LSU (4-0) – That game at Georgia is huge for this team. The offense has improved, but we will see if they can win a shootout in Athens.

11 (19). Texas A&M (3-1) – This team seems unstoppable on offense. With a lack of overly dominant teams this year, that might just be enough to make a title run.

10 (10). Louisville (4-0) – There is not a game remaining on their schedule that they should lose / be favored by less than 17 points. It will be a massive disappointment if they do not run the table.

9 (8). UCLA (3-0) – The Bruins have a couple easy games before heading to Stanford and Oregon in consecutive weeks. Let’s see if they can avoid looking too far ahead.

8 (7). Ohio State (4-0) – Yeah, it seems foolish now thinking that Miller’s injury would hurt this team. Guiton is just a better player.

7 (9). Baylor (3-0) – 69, 70, 70…those are point totals for Baylor. They have given up 23 points this year. No one wants any part of this scary team.

6 (6). Washington (3-0) – This team looks like it could be the most complete and balanced team in the nation. We will see how much they have grown up as the brutal 4 game stretch commences against Arizona next week.

5 (5). Florida State (3-0) – The Seminole offense is looking just as good as its defense. That does not bode well for the defense-deficient ACC.

4 (4). Clemson (3-0) – Clemson flirted with a predictable trap game loss at NC State, but they were able to take over. Their schedule is soft until they play Florida State, but they cannot overlook anyone.

3 (3). Stanford (3-0) – Stanford looked impressive in a physical win over Arizona State. The Cardinal have finally shown up.

2 (2). Alabama (3-0) – Alabama has not really been lighting up the scoreboard, but they are still hammering teams. They get a nice test next week in Ole Miss.

1 (1). Oregon (3-0) – The Ducks got the week off to prepare for the worst defense in the country when the Golden Bears head to Eugene. Can they score 100?

Top 5 Games for Next Weekend

5. Oklahoma (#23) at Notre Dame, 12:30PM ABC/ESPN2 – This seems like a game that will tell us a great deal about both teams. I cannot even begin to make a pick here.

4. South Carolina (#16) at UCF (#22), 9:00AM ABC – This is one of those weird games where a powerhouse travels to a non-AQ team’s building. I love this matchup on paper. Hopefully it lives up to it.

3. LSU (#12) at Georgia (#13), 12:30PM CBS – This is the big SEC headliner, but not the most intriguing matchup on the slate. Neither team has much of a defense, so this will be one of those offensive shows that the “experts” think are myths in the SEC.

2. Mississippi (#17) at Alabama (#2), 3:30PM ESPN – Alabama has not played a spread attack like Ole Miss yet this year. If there is a team that could jump out to a lead on them, it is the Rebels. This one smells like an upset.

1. Wisconsin (#20) at Ohio State (#8), 5:00PM ABC – This has become one of the better rivalries in the country. Both teams have been putting up huge offensive numbers. The winner probably takes the conference.

Heisman Trophy Watch

5. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville – Their 70+ point win proved that they just do not care who or where they are playing, they are going to run up the score whenever they can. That bodes well for the preconceived #1 QB on the big board.

4. Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor – His rushing numbers are just silly in that offense. I cannot even fathom what his numbers will look like by season’s end.

3. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson – He has had the signature wins already. If he continues to put up these kinds of numbers in the ACC, then he could give the trophy a run.

2. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – He is going to be able to do whatever he wants all year. He needs to avoid losing a couple more games for him to have a real chance at being the second two-time winner ever.

1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – He had the week off, yet no one was able to hop up and take the top spot. He could be here for the long haul.

BCS Projections

Rose Bowl – Stanford over Wisconsin

Orange Bowl – Florida State over Louisville

Sugar Bowl – Alabama over Oklahoma

Fiesta Bowl – Texas A&M over Baylor

BCS Championship Game – Oregon over Clemson

What did you think of this weekend? Thoughts? Give me your rankings in the comments!

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Week 3 College Football Recap: Rankings, Heisman, BCS Projections

So, what did we learn in week 3? Johnny Football is ridiculous. The SEC defenses are now undoubtedly overrated. The Big Ten is horrible top to bottom. Oregon can lay a fifty-spot on anyone. It was an interesting week of college football, and while not a whole lot of upsets happened, there is still some necessary shakeup in the national landscape. Read up!

Top 25 Poll

Others receiving votes: Florida, Fresno State, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Utah State

Dropped from the rankings: Nebraska (20), Northern Illinois (24)

25 (19). Notre Dame (2-1) – They had a tough and ugly win at Purdue. They didn’t look great, but they know how to win.

24 (21). Wisconsin (2-1) – They are the latest Big Ten victim losing at ASU. It was a great game, in which we saw both teams surrender their first points of the year.

23 (22). Miami (2-0) – Miami took the week off in preparation for their battle with Savannah State next week. Nice scheduling, Miami.

22 (NR). Oklahoma (3-0) – Blake Bell showed that he should have been the starter all along. With that offense and arguable a top 10 defense, this team should make some serious noise in the Big 12.

21 (15). Northwestern (3-0) – Northwestern had an unexciting win over Western Michigan, who just came off a loss to Nicholls State. They got away with a double digit win, but they need to blow teams like that out if they want to be a serious threat in the Legends Division.

20 (NR). Central Florida (3-0) – A win over Penn State showed that this team is for real. There are a handful of non-AQ teams that are going to threaten perfect seasons. This is the most complete of them all.

19 (17). Texas Tech (3-0) – They had the spotlight on Thursday night, which they squandered offensively. It was a win over a ranked team, but the offense showed that it is not invincible.

18 (18). Mississippi (3-0) – The Rebels breezed to another nice win, this time over the unraveling Texas Longhorns. This team is going to be scary in the SEC.

17 (22). Texas A&M (2-1) – It is not often that a team gains ground for losing and giving up 49 points, but that offense is absurd. They might not lose the rest of the year. The defense needs to find something, though.

16 (11). Michigan (3-0) – The Wolverines flirted with one of the more confusing losses ever (Akron has won 3 games in the last 3 years combined, and hasn’t beaten a Big Ten team since 1894), but they escaped with a win that no one should feel good about.

15 (25). Arizona State (2-0) – I am starting to buy into this team. Their running game against Wisconsin’s front 7 is what most impressed me about the Sun Devils.

14 (14). South Carolina (2-1) – The Gamecocks had a nice win over Vanderbilt. That was a classic trap game, but they got past the upset-minded Commodores.

13 (12). Oklahoma State (3-0) – They continue to score points and look impressive doing it. They have done nothing to give up the Big 12 frontrunner status.

12 (13). Georgia (1-1) – The gauntlet of their season has already passed. With the exception of a game against LSU, they should be able to win out.

11 (7). LSU (3-0) – They show glimpses offensively of being incredibly tough. I can’t wait until they get to the meat of their schedule.

10 (6). Louisville (3-0) – They looked sloppy against the putrid Kentucky squad, but they got it done. They will not lose in conference, unless they really are overlooking someone. They cannot afford to do that if they want the national respect required to see a BCS Title berth.

9 (9). Baylor (2-0) – The Bears are now rested and ready to wreak havoc on the Big 12. They are probably going to start at least 7-0 until they play Oklahoma.

8 (16). UCLA (2-0) – Winning at 9AM is something. They had an 18 point comeback at one of the toughest places to play in America. They are going to be a tough out. There is no one who should challenge them in the South.

7 (5). Ohio State (3-0) – They are surrendering way too many points to teams that have no business scoring on them. They need some serious help if they are going to win a National Title. And is it just me, or are they better without Braxton Miller?

6 (10). Washington (2-0) – They got a big road win out of the way against one of the top offenses in the country. They are going to roll and continue to be under the radar until their back-to-back games against Stanford and Oregon.

5 (8). Florida State (2-0) – They were sluggish for a half, and then they demolished Nevada and their third string QB. This team can score on anyone when they want to.

4 (4). Clemson (2-0) – Look for the Tigers to come back from their idle week and torch some teams. They get Florida State at home in October. That could decide who is playing for the BCS Championship.

3 (2). Stanford (2-0) – The Cardinal defense is not as stout or sharp as they have been in years past. They are still built unlike any other team in the conference. They should be able to pound out wins against most teams. Kevin Hogan still has not lost as their starting QB.

2 (1). Alabama (2-0) – The defense looked silly against Johnny Football and Mike Evans. I feel foolish not putting them #1, but that game was telling. You can score on this team.

1 (3). Oregon (3-0) – They obliterated an SEC team at home. The fans chant “We want Bama…We want Bama…” How about focusing on Washington, UCLA, and Stanford before thinking about that. All three of those teams can take them down. However, if this offense is rolling, they will not be beaten.

Top 5 Games for Next Weekend

5. Utah at BYU, 7:15PM ESPN2 – The Holy War is always one of the most physical and entertaining games of the year. Both of these teams can really play. This seems destined to be one of the more memorable games of the young season.

4. Utah State at USC, 12:30PM ESPN2 – Utah State is one of the best offenses in the country. USC finally found some legs against BC. I think that this could be a really interesting matchup.

3. Boise State at Fresno State, Friday 6:00PM ESPN – This is likely going to be the matchup that decides the Mountain West. It would have been nice to see how Fresno would have done against a Pac-12 team yesterday, but the uncertainty just gives this matchup even more intrigue.

2. Michigan State at Notre Dame (#24), 12:30PM NBC – The Notre Dame games against Michigan State are always the most entertaining of all of their rivals. Sparty hasn’t lost yet, and Notre Dame survived a scare. This should be a great game.

1. Arizona State (#15) at Stanford (#3), 4:00PM Fox – The first of a host of Pac-12 battles will really show what these teams are made of. Stanford cannot sleepwalk through this one. Arizona State is going to travel up there with a ton of momentum.

Heisman Trophy Watch

5. Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor – He holds onto his spot, even with a week off. He could have a Barry Sanders-type year if Art Briles sticks to the ground game all year like he should.

4. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA – I don’t really know why he is so overlooked, but he is a sharp-shooter and a terrific runner. He is like an accurate Vince Young.

3. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville – The team seems poised to get him invited to New York. He is going to continue putting up crazy passing stats throughout the year. He is the best pure passer in the country.

2. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – Putting up some 450 yards through the air and 100 on the ground, essentially putting the entire team on his shoulders, proved that he is the best player in the country. He is a jerk and everything that is wrong with college football, but man is he fun to watch.

1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – He is putting up stats in any way he wants to. He is the scariest dual threat player I have seen. He is perhaps only rivaled by Kaepernick and Dennis Dixon before he got broken.

BCS Projections

Rose Bowl – Stanford over Ohio State

Orange Bowl – Clemson over Louisville

Sugar Bowl – Alabama over Oklahoma

Fiesta Bowl – Texas A&M over Baylor

BCS Championship Game – Oregon over Florida State

What did you think of this weekend? Thoughts? Give me your rankings in the comments!

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