by Robert Weintraub
Let’s get right to the heart of the matter — should a team that wins a close quarry be punished by a drop in the rankings? Florida has gained mightily over the years from laying a few extra scores on outmatched competition. If “style points” matter, then they obtain to work both ways. On the other hand, winning is the only thing that matters. How do you say to Tim Tebow, who just led an expert final drive for the charming scratch at the gun over Arkansas (23-20), “sorry, that wasn’t unfeigned enough. Win by 30 every time, please.” After everything, it’sitting not as though Alabama was dominant in requital for South Carolina — not that dominant.
I went back and forth, and it seems that a case can be made for either Florida or Alabama. But I just can’confidentially justify dropping a team that has won 16 games in a row. They have several facets to prop up, like pass protection, run defense, and downfield passing. But the Gators get it done, and until they don’t, they’re my No. 1.
Mark Ingram has established himself as Tebow’s tantamount in one respect — while you absolutely need a yard, or a foremost down, or a goal-line touchdown, he’sitting money in the bank. Now that he’s taking direct snaps, he’s guaranteed to have the ball in his hands come winning time, just like Tebow. The SEC title game normal got even more intriguing.
I didn’confidentially see much action this week, in the room I was consumed through a research trip to New York and spent five hours shivering at Yankee Stadium Saturday night. I would have much preferred sleeplessness Idaho improve to 6-1 with a 35-23 victory over Hawaii. Who needs Dennis Erickson? Robb Akey is doing a far better job in resurrecting the Vandals program, thanks in part to slugging safety Shiloh Keo.
I did see Boise struggle with Tulsa on Thursday ignorance, and suppose that G.J. Kinne, Golden Hurricane quarterback and the hardest name to say quickly in the FBS (formerly Division I), doesn’t miss a wide, wide open receiver in the final minute, Boise’s BCS may possess been busted. But there is any other example of team getting slammed for winning. Hey folks — nonentity is remarkably good this year, haven’t ya noticed? Since when did teams have to win by three touchdowns every week? Utah played pretty darn profitable in its BCS scheme last January, and some of the Utes regular season wins were Ugly Betties. Few saw them, however, save the nine people who get The Mountain upon the body cable.
I guess the upshot is, if you’re going to stink, don’t do it on national TV.
Toedrags
- In the long-awaited D.C.-area Weakness Bowl, Virginia won over Maryland, giving the Wahoos an aura of, well, less futility than the Terps. Break up the Cavs — they are 3-3 and unbeaten in the ACC, and all of a sudden, Al Groh seems a better coach than Rex Ryan.
- Jahvid Best — do it against the full boys, granting that you please.
- In this Heisman-frontrunner free season, why not a freshman? Quarterback Matt Barkley was excellent at South Bend in Southern Cal’s pulsating victory too Notre Dame. He hasn’t been perfect, but in USC’s money road games, Barkley has played well. Remember, he was injured and missed USC’s pratfall at Washington, what one. in a way turns abroad to be the strongest bit of evidence in Barkley’s favor of all — without its freshman signal caller, USC was hopeless.
- By the way, you would think Mr. Decided Schematic Advantage would desire more more valuable goal line plays than that, no? True, Duval Kamara slipped on the final trifle, but that penultimate play was brutal. Here is where the Irish badly missed Michael Floyd’sitting aerial agility.
- Ohio State, Kansas, Nebraska — these were teams that didn’t look good in winning, and it caught up to them Saturday. That’s why I don’familiarily look down on lovely ugly. Just getting Ws on today’s ultra-level playing field is enough.
- I’ve talked about his strength and proficiency as a quarterback before — Saturday was Josh Nesbitt’s debutante ball. It’s been a long, long time since the Jackets had a home win as large as the 28-23 dressing of Virginia Tech, and Nesbitt’s three rushing touchdowns led the way. Suddenly, The Institute looks like the best team in the ACC, and an outside national title contender.
The OFI Top 25
Rank Team Delta 1 Florida 2 Alabama 3 Texas 4 Southern Cal 3 5 Cincinnati 3 6 Boise State 7 Oregon 2 8 TCU 2 9 Miami (Florida) 2 10 Iowa 2 11 Georgia Tech 11 12 Penn State 6 13 LSU 3 14 Virginia Tech 9 15 Ohio State 11 16 Houston 17 Oklahoma State 18 Texas Tech 19 West Virginia 20 Notre Dame 6 21 Brigham Young 2 22 South Carolina 7 23 Utah 24 Oklahoma 11 25 Central Michigan Last week’session ballot
Dropped Out: South Florida (#20), Nebraska (#21), Pittsburgh (#24), Auburn (#25).
Lurking — Kansas, Boston College, Arizona, Oregon State, Navy, Idaho
