Week 12 College Football Recap: Rankings, Heisman, BCS Projections

Oh, college football…what would I do without you? What a beautiful Saturday for all of us fans that do not have a team in the hunt. I could not be more thrilled with Oregon’s defeat at the hand of Stanford. Kansas State was a great story, but number one going down is always welcome. Next week is going to be insane. Stanford is playing UCLA, where if Stanford wins, the teams will have a rematch the next week for the Pac-12 title. If UCLA wins and Oregon wins, Oregon will be play the Bruins the next week for a spot in the Rose Bowl or possible the BCS Championship in Oregon’s case. Florida needs a win against Florida State to stay in the national championship hunt, which won’t happen. South Carolina could be looking at an at-large bid if they beat Clemson, which won’t happen. Georgia needs to withstand their rival Georgia Tech to make the SEC championship mean something nationally. Kansas State has a week to sit in its own sorrow before having to suit up against Texas with another shot at the Big 12 Title. Everyone else is just sitting there, watching, and rooting for teams above them to continue to go down. Notre Dame playing USC is a clash of styles and intriguing for sure. The Heisman Trophy race is wide open like never before. I love college football!!!

Top 25

Others receiving votes: Kent State, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, San Jose State, USC, Wisconsin

Dropped from the rankings: Louisiana Tech (16), Oklahoma (20), USC (21)

25. (25) Boise State (9-2) – No one really wants to talk about the Broncos, but they continue to plug away and basically dominate a decent MWC.

24. (24) Texas (8-2) – This team has really gotten better over the last few weeks. They can break the heart of every Wildcat fan in two weeks, but watch out for TCU on Thanksgiving Day. Those guys can spring an upset any week.

23. (NR) Oklahoma State (7-3) – After a dominant effort against a Texas Tech defense that people have praised all season, the Cowboys set their sights on officially ending the season of their arch rival Oklahoma.

22. (19) South Carolina (9-2) – This was the team that most struggled with its FCS opponent, tied at 7 going into the 4^thquarter. Nicely done SEC. Way to represent the “best” conference in football.

21. (NR) Utah State (9-2) – That win against Louisiana Tech was great for their cause. Only losses were 6-3 to BYU and 16-14 to Wisconsin. This team might be for real, despite losing their two best players to the first few rounds of the draft in April.

20. (22) Washington (7-4) – They can complete the toughest schedule in the nation with 8 wins next week in the Apple Cup. That is an impressive feat, and they have done it with defense.

19. (NR) Michigan (8-3) – They have three losses, two to top 5 teams and one at Nebraska. Everyone wants to write them off, but they are still alive in the Big Ten. Watch out, Buckeyes. This team has found new life with Devin Gardner at quarterback.

18. (23) Rutgers (9-1) – They continue to prove that no one can score on this defense.

17. (13) Florida (10-1) – I keep moving them down (perhaps a bit too far), but how did this team beat those teams early on? They are a mess. They follow up a near embarrassing loss to Louisiana-Lafayette with an embarrassing effort against Jacksonville State. Wow.

16. (18) Nebraska (9-2) – The team has run its gauntlet, and now they get to basically relax until that rematch with the Badgers for a spot in the Rose Bowl.

15. (15) Northern Illinois (10-1) – The Huskies finally got a chance to show off their relentless offense on national TV Wednesday night. How is this team not getting more votes?

14. (14) Louisville (9-1) – The open date will help the Cardinals retool for their last couple weeks, including trying to find a way to score on Rutgers.

13. (17) UCLA (9-2) – Aside from a confusing loss to the Golden Bears, The Bruins have put together an immensely impressive debut season for Coach of the Year candidate Jim Mora.

12. (12) LSU (9-2) – They were able to squeak out a hard-fought game at home against the mediocre Rebels, followed by a funny rant by their offbeat head coach. They still have to be the favorite for that SEC at-large bid.

11. (9) Georgia (10-1) – Nice win against Georgia Southern…not. The SEC has flirted with disaster the last two weeks…and not one of the upsets happened. Karma will eventually come their way…

10. (11) Oregon State (9-2) – The Beavers continue to impress each and every week. Their only losses are Stanford and Washington. Basically, they are as complete as any team. Pac-12 North is probably the best division in football.

9. (8) Texas A&M (9-2) – One of the many SEC teams playing cakewalk teams, and their defense certainly had some holes, but Johnny Football did his thing. At-large is certainly possible after they rape Missouri next week.

8. (10) Clemson (10-1) – They continue to put up video game numbers on everyone, including during their lone loss to the Seminoles. All they have left is the shaky Gamecocks in a rivalry game. Sugar Bowl, get ready the fighting Dabos!

7. (2) Oregon (10-1) – I knew they were not unbeatable, but the only way they scored was off turnovers. Stanford was just a better team. I never would have thought I would see another game where Oregon plays that poorly offensively under Chip Kelly. Look out, Ducks. The Beavers are rolling too.

6. (1) Kansas State (10-1) – How did Baylor spring that monumental upset? Was that not the same defense that gave up 70 to West Virginia? Weird. Gut check time for the Wildcats over the bye week.

5. (6) Florida State (10-1) – The computers hate them, and for good reason. But this team is just whipping teams week in and week out. I actually wouldn’t have a problem if they are playing for it all after they torch the overrated Gators next week.

4. (7) Stanford (9-2) – I indirectly called their upset last week. They are such a good team. They have one loss to number one in overtime and one loss at Washington, a place where everyone loses. They might be the most compete team out there.

3. (5) Alabama (10-1) – They had a nice practice game against FCS laughing stock Western Carolina this week. All they have is FBS laughing stock Auburn left on their schedule. Roll Tide…

2. (4) Ohio State (11-0) – It seems like every year it is Ohio State that benefits from everyone else taking each other out. Good thing we don’t have to worry about seeing the Luckeyes in the title game this year at least.

1. (3) Notre Dame (11-0) – It pains me that they are now number one, but they deserve it. That schedule was a daunting task at first look, and even though it has proven easier than we thought, they are just one win away from a shot at the title. We all knew Brian Kelly would get them there eventually, but this soon? Best coach in America. By far.

Heisman Trophy Watch

7. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama – Now that they are on track to play in the championship again, McCarron has got to be the wildcard in the voting. It would be a very boring Jason White-type of winner, but he has had a really nice season.

6. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson – When they lay 40 on South Carolina next week, people will start talking about Boyd as a possible finalist for this award.

5. Marqise Lee, WR, USC – They continue to lose, but he continues to shatter records. He is the best all around player in the country not named Tavon Austin.

4. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – I cannot see a freshman ever winning this award, but this year is just weird. He is probably going to get his share of votes after his brilliant game under the national spotlight last week.

3. Colin Klein, QB, Kansas State – He was exposed on Saturday against a terrible defense. Everyone has an off game, but against that team? I cannot stick up for him after that.

2. Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame – A win against USC might just clinch this for him, the first true defensive player to really get this close to winning it. Everyone else have taken themselves out, so why not the best player on the best team?

1. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State – He is arguable the best player in the country, and being undefeated is only going to help his cause. Take him off that team, and they are almost nothing.

BCS Projections

Rose Bowl – Nebraska (Big Ten) over UCLA (Pac-12)

Orange Bowl – Florida State (ACC) over Rutgers (Big East)

Sugar Bowl – LSU (At-large) over Clemson (At-large)

Fiesta Bowl – Kansas State (Big 12) over Notre Dame (At-large)

BCS Title Game – Alabama (SEC) over Oregon (At-large)

What do you think? Give me your rankings in the comments!

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2013 Golden Globes Preview and Predictions

The Golden Globes is always one of the more interesting awards ceremonies. Their nominations are crazy at times, thirsting for the star power of actors and directors. Sometimes, they have interesting nominations, but other times we end up with Julia Roberts in Duplicity and Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp in the universally-panned The Tourist. They love international actors as well, perhaps most evident in the fact that Sasha Baron Cohen won for Borat presumably because he is a HFPA member. They are also the only awards that have a comedy split and still do not nominate the Apatow films. Ridiculous. I love it. I will take a shot at the TV nominations (they love movie stars for those categories too, as well as new TV shows), followed by the film categories, along with a lineup for fun of what the HFPA would choose if they really had no structure. Nominations are announced on December 13. Here it goes:

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Maggie Smith – Downton Abbey

2. Sofia Vergara – Modern Family

3. Julie Bowen – Modern Family

4. Ellen Burstyn – Political Animals

5. Chloe Sevigny – American Horror Story: Asylum

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TV MOVIE

1. Ed Harris – Game Change

2. Aaron Paul – Breaking Bad

3. Eric Stonestreet – Modern Family

4. Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones

5. Tom Berenger – Hatfields and McCoys

BEST ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Julianne Moore – Game Change

2. Jessica Lange – American Horror Story: Asylum

3. Nicole Kidman – Hemingway and Gellhorn

4. Queen Latifah – Steel Magnolias

5. Sigourney Weaver – Political Animals

BEST ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE

1. Kevin Costner – Hatfields and McCoys

2. Benedict Cumberbatch – Sherlock

3. Woody Harrelson – Game Change

4. Bill Paxton – Hatfields and McCoys

5. Clive Owen – Hemingway and Gellhorn

BEST MINISERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE

1. Game Change

2. Sherlock

3. American Horror Story: Asylum

4. Political Animals

5. Hatfields and McCoys

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep

2. Zooey Deschanel – New Girl

3. Lena Dunham – Girls

4. Mindy Kaling – The Mindy Project

5. Kat Dennings – 2 Broke Girls

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Louis CK – Louie

2. Matthew Perry – Go On

3. Matt LeBlanc – Episodes

4. Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory

5. Charlie Sheen – Anger Management

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Modern Family

2. Girls

3. Louie

4. New Girl

5. Go On

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Claire Danes – Homeland

2. Connie Britton – Nashville

3. Julianna Margulies – The Good Wife

4. Kathy Bates – Harry’s Law

5. Michelle Dockery – Downton Abbey

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Damian Lewis – Homeland

2. Jon Hamm – Mad Men

3. Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad

4. Kelsey Grammer – Boss

5. Jeff Daniels – The Newsroom

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

1. Homeland

2. Mad Men

3. Downton Abbey

4. The Newsroom

5. Game of Thrones

BEST ANIMATED FILM

1. Brave

2. Rise of the Guardians

3. ParaNorman

4. Frankenweenie

5. Hotel Transylvania

Explanation: These seemed to be the biggest box office hits of the year, along with the hyped Rise of the Guardians. I would love to see Wreck-It Ralph included, but I just do not see awards in the future of the coolest animated film of the year.

BEST FOREIGN FILM

1. The Intouchables

2. Amour

3. Rust and Bone

4. Beyond the Hills

5. A Trip

Explanation: There aren’t any American movies in a foreign language, so that makes this a bit more difficult. The Globes like to nominate the foreign language films that have acting performances nominated in other categories. Yeah…I will stop acting like I know what I am talking about here. Just guesses.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

1. “Skyfall” – Skyfall

2. “Learn Me Right” – Brave

3. “Suddenly” – Les Miserables

4. “Celebrate” – Sparkle

5. “Wide Awake” – Katy Perry: Part of Me

Explanation: This is just a weird category. The songs here are typically different than the Oscars, and they are desperate for stars. The Sparkle cast, Adele, and Katy Perry will take care of that.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

1. The Master

2. Lincoln

3. Anna Karenina

4. Life of Pi

5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Explanation: I haven’t seen three of these, but they seem like locks for having memorable scores. The HFPA has had some interesting nominees for this category recently, such as The Painted Veil, W.E., and Grace is Gone.

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

1. Argo

2. Silver Linings Playbook

3. Django Unchained

4. The Master

5. The Sessions

Explanation: Predicting the screenplay here is just odd. It is the only awards shoe that does not split it up into original and adapted. I will go with the major contenders, but they do throw a wrench in there every once in a while (It’s Complicated, for one).

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

1. Steven Spielberg – Lincoln

2. Ben Affleck – Argo

3. Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

4. Tom Hooper – Les Miserables

5. David O. Russell – Silver Linings Playbook

Explanation: Not only are these the main contenders, but three of them are the big names that the Globes love. Spielberg will likely take this, whether his film is winning Best Picture or not. They just do not care as much as the Oscars do. Julian Schnabel won Best Director for a film not nominated for Best Picture back in 2007. The Oscars would never dare do such a thing so radical…

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Ben Affleck – Argo

Dustin Hoffman – Quartet

Peter Jackson – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Christopher Nolan – The Dark Knight Rises

Steven Spielberg – Lincoln

Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. Anne Hathaway – Les Miserables

2. Amy Adams – The Master

3. Sally Field – Lincoln

4. Scarlett Johansson – Hitchcock

5. Jacki Weaver – Silver Linings Playbook

Explanation: The Globes love Scarlett. She had four legitimate nominations in four years without an Oscar nomination. This category seems fairly straight-forward, but Weaver is really just a random stab. Helen Hunt could just as easily snag that spot for The Sessions if she is supporting.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Amy Adams – The Master

Jessica Biel – Hitchcock

Marion Cotillard – The Dark Knight Rises

Scarlett Johansson – Hitchcock

Amanda Seyfried – Les Miserables

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

1. Leonardo DiCaprio – Django Unchained

2. Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master

3. Robert De Niro – Silver Linings Playbook

4. Tom Cruise – Rock of Ages

5. Matthew McConaughey – Magic Mike

Explanation: This category seems almost perfect for the HFPA. We have the biggest stars right now. The Globes love their comedies, even in the categories that are not split. McConaughey and Cruise seem completely obvious for inclusions here. So, the following mock list is almost identical...

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Tom Cruise – Rock of Ages

Robert De Niro – Silver Linings Playbook

Leonardo DiCaprio – Django Unchained

Tom Hanks – Cloud Atlas

Matthew McConaughey – Magic Mike

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

2. Meryl Streep – Hope Springs

3. Judi Dench – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

4. Mary Elizabeth Winstead – Smashed

5. Barbara Streisand – The Guilt Trip

Explanation: This would be an interesting group for the GG. All of the nominees would be fairly predictable, but it would diversify the films represented here a bit. A cool surprise inclusion here would likely be Anna Kendrick in Pitch Perfect. She is probably more likely than Winstead, actually, but I will stick with my five. Maybe Winstead is the way that they could get Aaron Paul to show up if they snub him for Breaking Bad.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Julianne Hough – Rock of Ages

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

Julia Roberts – Mirror Mirror

Meryl Streep – Hope Springs

Emma Watson – The Perks of Being a Wallflower

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Hugh Jackman – Les Miserables

2. Bill Murray – Hyde Park on Hudson

3. Jack Black – Bernie

4. Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook

5. Channing Tatum – Magic Mike

Explanation: This is always where the crazy stuff happens at the GG, but there was just too much quality work in comedy/musicals this year. This category might not be as ridiculous as a typical year, but who knows? It could look something like this…

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Sasha Baron Cohen – The Dictator

Johnny Depp – Dark Shadows

Colin Farrell – Seven Psychopaths

Will Ferrell – The Campaign

Jonah Hill – 21 Jump Street

Channing Tatum – Magic Mike

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY/MUSICAL

1. Les Miserables

2. Silver Linings Playbook

3. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

4. Dark Shadows

5. Magic Mike

Explanation: Usually this category has the biggest box office hits of the year, but recently we got one of the most infamous flops ever, The Tourist. All bets are off now. This is my best guess.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

The Avengers

Dark Shadows

Magic Mike

Rock of Ages

Ted

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Marion Cotillard – Rust and Bone

2. Helen Mirren – Hitchcock

3. Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games

4. Keira Knightley – Anna Karenina

5. Emmanuelle Riva – Amour

Explanation: This seems to be the category with the most merit at the Golden Globes. This is where the foreign performances will show up, and this is where they have a hard time finding ridiculous nominations to include. This seems like a fairly safe group, and it gives them an excuse to invite The Hunger Games and the tidal wave of buzz that comes with it.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Halle Berry – Cloud Atlas

Anne Hathaway – The Dark Knight Rises

Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games

Blake Lively – Savages

Emma Stone – The Amazing Spider-Man

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln

2. Denzel Washington – Flight

3. Joaquin Phoenix – The Master

4. Brad Pitt – Killing Them Softly

5. Anthony Hopkins – Hitchcock

Explanation: These actors seem like a typical group for the Golden Globes. They do like to nominate the leads of their favorite movies that get ignored by the other awards (Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter, James McAvoy in Atonement, etc.), so Ben Affleck could sneak in there for Argo. Otherwise, this one seems pretty much locked up.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Christian Bale – The Dark Knight Rises

Tom Cruise – Jack Reacher

Matt Damon – Promised Land

Clint Eastwood –Trouble with the Curve

Brad Pitt – Killing Them Softly

Denzel Washington – Flight

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1. Argo

2. Lincoln

3. Django Unchained

4. The Master

5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Explanation: There is sometimes a random movie that sneaks into this category (Bobby, for example), but there were just too many Globes-friendly movies this year. There are a ton of contenders that got left out (Flight may be a total Globes film and get several nominations), but these seem to be the safest picks, despite not knowing anything about the quality of Django or The Hobbit yet.

The HFPA Dream Lineup:

Argo

The Dark Knight Rises

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hunger Games

Lincoln

So, there you have it. What do you think? Am I missing a big name actor that the HFPA loves? What are the indie flicks that the Golden Globes might love this year? Let me know what you think and post your own in the comments. Look us up on Facebook.

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Week 11 College Football Recap: Rankings, Heisman, BCS Projections

We finally have a bit of chaos! Number one Alabama, who was being referred to as the best team in years, went down at home to a freshman quarterback and a pretty mediocre defense. Oregon’s rushing offense was slowed for a half. Kansas State struggled to score with a gimpy Colin Kelin. Notre Dame is still winning ugly. I can’t wait to see how all this plays out over the next three weeks! Football in November…the games we remember (thanks for that College Football Final). Check out the latest updates:

Top 25

Others receiving votes: Kent State, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Utah State, Wisconsin

Dropped from the rankings: Mississippi State (22), Toledo (24)

25. (NR) Boise State (8-2) – This team is only getting better. Don’t count on them losing again this year.

24. (20) Texas (8-2) – The Longhorn offense is getting it together. I still have my doubts, but I just have a bad feeling about them playing K-State. It could ruin one of the coolest runs in recent memory.

23. (23) Rutgers (8-1) – This is probably the most productive defense in all of college football. I can’t wait for them to play Louisville.

22. (25) Washington (6-4) – They continue to break hearts at home. Finally getting their stud sophomore Austin Seferian-Jenkins involved has given the offense the boost it needed.

21. (21) USC (7-3) – They have a couple of the best skill position players in the nation. Too bad they can’t play defense. Oh wait…yeah Marqise Lee might do that too.

20. (19) Oklahoma (7-2) – Their two losses are not the issue. It is how inconsistent the offense is and how bad the defense is at times. An at-large bid for the Sooners is almost assured, but they won’t deserve it.

19. (NR) South Carolina (8-2) – This team showed me something playing without their star and emotional leader. They may be able to snag an at-large bid if they can beat Clemson.

18. (18) Nebraska (8-2) – A couple double digit second half comebacks may seem lucky, but when a team does it 4 times in 6 games in conference, it speaks to something much bigger. This is the best second half team in the nation not located in Eugene. Maybe this is the only team that could hold up against that Quack Attack down the stretch.

17. (17) UCLA (8-2) – They just keep plugging away. If they beat the USC, then I nominate Jim Mora for 2^nd place for Coach of the Year (behind Snyder, of course). The sudden UCLA turnaround has been amazing.

16. (14) Louisiana Tech (9-1) – Struggling with Texas State? Really? How did this team almost beat Texas A&M? Oh yeah. SEC defenses are overrated.

15. (15) Northern Illinois (9-1) – They are now officially the best non-AQ team. I would like to see what they would do to Iowa in a rematch of that fluke opening season loss.

14. (8) Louisville (9-1) – Getting beat at Syracuse is not too embarrassing, but the way the Cardinals got manhandled was shocking. Bridgewater and company will get it together for the stretch run.

13. (11) Florida (9-1) – They just keep getting worse. You should have lost to Louisiana-Lafayette, Gator fans. Maybe that will teach all you SEC teams to schedule a “cakewalk” in the middle of conference games. That’s four in the last two weeks that the SEC has avoided embarrassment.

12. (16) LSU (8-2) – I don’t really understand this team, but they can really run the ball. The two losses aren’t going to do them any favors, but they could make an argument of being the most deserving two-loss team of an at-large bid.

11. (9) Oregon State (7-2) – They are maybe the most balanced and physical team in the Pac. They can beat Oregon. It probably won’t happen, but they can do it if they play their game.

10. (10) Clemson (9-1) – They continue to plug away putting up staggering numbers offensively. An at-large bid is almost assured, but they still have that in-state rivalry game to close the year…

9. (7) Georgia (9-1) – Yeah, I realize they dropped after shutting out a rival team on the road, but they just aren’t balanced enough and have not played a good defensive game against an offense that is worth anything.

8. (13) Texas A&M (8-2) – That win against the Tide was beautiful and satisfying. Manziel is putting up quite the freshman season on the road. No one will want to play this team the rest of the year.

7. (12) Stanford (8-2) – They just continue to win. That game against Oregon State might have been the best game of the weekend. They have a chance to basically clinch the division next week against the top-ranked Ducks.

6. (6) Florida State (9-1) – They escaped with a win on a short week. If they weren’t in the ACC, we might be talking about the top-ranked one-loss team.

5. (1) Alabama (9-1) – They are no longer untouchable. I thought their offense was better than that. Sorry about all the hype, and that was coming from someone who hates the SEC as much as the next guy.

4. (5) Ohio State (10-0) – The bye week will prove to be beneficial for this team, who is certainly looking forward to that inevitable season-ending matchup with their archrival. That game smells like an upset this year. Maybe Wisconsin can catch them off guard next week as well.

3. (4) Notre Dame (10-0) – They continue their winning ways, but it is never pretty. Their freshman QB is maturing each week. They are going to be tough to prepare for in whatever BCS game they get into.

2. (3) Oregon (10-0) – The second half was insane, but the first half was telling. A team with a rush defense can stop this attack. Cal sucks, but they hung in there. Check back with me next week after the Ducks play the best rush defense in America and see if that 40+ point streak is still alive. A small part of me wants them to just win it all this year so Chip Kelly can bolt to the NFL so Oregon can return to where it belongs: the cellar of the Pac and beneath the foot of UW.

1. (2) Kansas State (10-0) – They are clearly deserving of this spot seeing what they have done on the field so far. Every week it is, “We will know more about K-State after this week.” And each week is a dominant win. When is everyone going to just throw out what it looks like and call this team the best?

Heisman Trophy Watch

10. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson – He is having a monster year, even against the vaunted Florida State defense. He has almost no shot at getting enough votes, but he has to be getting close to getting this kind of recognition. Next year, he will be a preseason favorite for sure.

9. Matt Barkley, QB, USC – He may not have the wins, but he has the signature moments and career records that define the award sometimes.

8. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – If not for another freshman QB, he might be the story of college football. His maturity and statistics continue to impress anyone who gets to watch him play.

7. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama – His first loss came along with his first two picks of the season. After the Heisman moment last week, he came up short. Only if he has a huge last few weeks and his team gets in line for the BCS title game will he regain his status.

6. Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon – When he got injured, it showed his value to this offense. If he plays the last few games with comparable numbers, then he is a lock for an invite to the ceremony.

5. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – He has his signature win, but he is still a freshman. If Adrian Peterson couldn’t win the Heisman he deserved during his first year, then Manziel certainly cannot. Am I the only one who thinks he has a resemblance to Taylor Martinez as a freshman?

4. Marqise Lee, WR, USC – This guy is insane. He may be the best receiver that has ever played at SC, and he is just a sophomore. Look for a third-straight back-to-back Biletnikoff winner next year, after that never happening before in its history.

3. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State – Take Miller out of that offense, and I am not sure that the Buckeyes don’t have 2 or 3 losses at this point. His numbers will get him a bunch of votes, since that is basically what this trophy is all about nowadays.

2. Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame – He continues to make plays on defense. He will be invited to New York.

1. Colin Klein, QB, Kansas State – His injuries may hurt his numbers, but it is clear what he means to this team (everything).

BCS Projections

Rose Bowl – Nebraska (Big Ten) over Notre Dame (At-large)

Orange Bowl – Florida State (ACC) over Rutgers (Big East)

Sugar Bowl – Alabama (SEC) over Clemson (At-large)

Fiesta Bowl – Florida (At-large) over Oklahoma (At-large)

BCS Title Game – Oregon (Pac-12) over Kansas State (Big 12)

What do you think? Give me your rankings in the comments! Look us up on Facebook!

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