Through Week Five: I have not seen the updated rankings. I base my Top Five on my observation of the teams on the field, who they have played, how they have played and where they have played. In order: 1. TCU 2. Alabama 3. Baylor 4. Stanford 5. Notre Dame
Through Week Six I have not seen the updated rankings. I base my Top Five on my observation of the teams on the field, who they have played, how they have played and where they have played. In order: 1. TCU 2. LSU 3. Utah 4. Alabama 5. Michigan
Pretty good top 5. Michigan has 3 shutouts in a row, they have Mich State next weekend. That should tell us a lot about both teams.
I think, nay I believe, that Baylor and TCU are false prophets. The schedule may never catch them, but the playoffs will. I don't think they're that good at all. KState may get Baylor and they just missed TCU. I've heard a rumor about other good teams in this conference, so we'll see. I just don't see them being unbeaten which is what they'll both need. I'm really sick and tired of the 'You can't blame them for the schedule' excuse used to protect Baylor. Playing pussies used to be reserved for Glen Mason and Ole Miss. Baylor closes with KState, Oklahoma, Okie State, TCU and Texas. KState, Okie State and TCU are road games. Still no Utah? They play USC next in LA, later they play AT Arizona and Washington which really sucks... if they run the P12, I don't see how they get left out of the 4. Still, lots of ball left to play.
Utah hasn't been as impressive in their wins this year as tcu (oops forgot their dang neat losses to tt and ksu). But you can't argue with their resume to this point as compared to anyone else. The excuse that continues to be use for baylor and tcu irks me as well corey, that certainly CAN do something about that horrible schedule and have decided not to. The interesting discussion at this point is if undefeated baylor gets looked over by 1 loss p12 or b10 champ? Comparative resumes says yes, but that would be unprecedented.
Let me tell you about Baylor and their schedule. Art Briles and his boys have not faced a Power 5 non-conference opponent in FIVE YEARS!!!! It could be argued that about 2/3 of his conference games qualify as the same! Their defense is NOT good. They were in first half dog fights with teams like SMU several times till the "little" guys ran out of gas.
Ohio State still looks like the best team in the country. They have not played up to their talent level which may be related to the uncertainty is choosing a starting quarterback and their OC leaving to become Houston's head coach. But, given how they played vs Penn State, it looks like they are starting to fire on all cylinders.
Based on the Alabama defense and the improving offense, I'd have the 1 loss Tide as #1. 1. Alabama 2. Ohio State 3. Stanford 4. Utah 5. Baylor/TCU
1. Ohio State 2. LSU 3. Baylor 4. Clemson 5. Bama Also considered: Utah, TCU, FSU, MSU, ND, Memphis, Stanford
The same can be said of Ohio State this year. They won't play a good team, a Top 25 team until Nov. 21. They really have no body of work until then and they will be 10-0 when they finally get a team with life signs.
My Week Eight Top Five 1. Michigan State 2. LSU 3. Clemson 4. Stanford 5. TCU Notes: the Buckeyes continue to get an "incomplete" grade until they play a good team. I expect LSU to stub their toe at any point now. Clemson may become the one. Stanford really coming together. TCU' explosiveness keep them in the hunt. Did not line what I saw of Baylor yesterday. Notre Dame is just off the radar.
Here is my projection for final top 4 playoff teams: 1. Ohio State 2. Clemson 3. One loss SEC Champion 4. Stanford or ND TCU, Baylor get an L somewhere and I don't think Memphis can squeeze their way in even if unbeaten.
8) Memphis clobbered Ole Miss and they're undefeated. Temple plays in that league too. If they beat Notre Dame, how can the winner of that league be left out? Especially if ND beats Stanford? http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:13980689
Would be a nice game to see unbeaten #5 Temple or Memphis play once beaten TCU or Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl..... :wink:
Tom Herman has the Houston Cougars humming as well, I am looking forward to their game with Memphis to see who advances!