Week 6 Rankings
1) Ohio State (-)
2) WVU (-)
3) Auburn (-)
4) USC (-)
5) Louisville (-)
6) Michigan (-)
7) Florida (-)
8) Texas (-)
9) LSU (-)
10) Oregon (+3)
11) Tennessee (-)
12) Notre Dame (-)
13) Clemson (+4)
14) GATech (+10)
15) Oklahoma (+1)
16) Rutgers (-1)
17) Boise ST (+5)
18) Cal (+2)
19) Nebraska (-5)
20) MO (+1)
21) Iowa (+5)
22) TCU (-4)
23) WA (NR)
24) Pitt (-5)
25) TX Tech (+4)
outside lookin' in: Wisconsin, WakeF, Georgia, Purdue, Arkansas
Comments: Ohio State really solidified itself as the number one, for the second time this season. Solid road win.
WVU holds onto number two as neither Auburn nor USC impressed in their wins. They're number two for now, but I'm going to take a critical look at them again in their next game. Ditto for Louisville, as I almost moved Michigan above them. Michigan has looked good lately.
I really have to stress that the top 7 unbeatens, plus Texas and LSU, are really miles above everyone else. Of that group, Florida looks the most vulnerable. They play LSU in the best game of the coming week.
The next group of Oregon, TN, Notre Dame, Clemson, GATech, and Oklahoma is a step under that top group, but solidly ahead of the rest of the top 25.
I underrated Iowa last week and that is why I moved them up despite the loss.
One last note - I can't believe how close I'm coming to ranking Wake Forest...
busy week
sorry about the late updates this week...school started and my teachers have decided that I must read 238974 books each day...basically the whole library, shelf by shelf. *sigh*
this week has a couple of intriguing matchups
Buckeyes at Iowa ::: Hawkeyes have been strong at home in the recent past, Drew Tate is solid. A true test for Troy Smith and the #1 team.
Houston at UMiami ::: I'm picking the Cougars for a not-such-an-upset. It's gonna get reeeal low in Miami before things get better. This is a huge game for them and they have had an extra week to prepare. Very hard to call, but Miami must flat-out play way better to be in this game.
GA Tech at VA Tech ::: Will VA Tech get exposed as a weak team with a favorable schedule? Or are they the real deal?
Rutgers at USF ::: I've been a believer in the Scarlet Knights. South Florida is a different story though...if Rutgers is real, they'll win. I can't wait.
Oregon at AZ State ::: Let's see how AZ State does at home against a ranked opponent. Can the Ducks play on the road?? If Oregon wants the Pac-10, they'll have to make a statement here.
2006 National Championship - Week 5 Standings
54 Teams remain in the running
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET (18)
Ohio State, WVU, Auburn, USC, Louisville, Michigan, Florida, VATech, Oregon, Rutgers, TCU, MO, Boise ST, Georgia, Iowa, WakeF, Purdue, TX A&M
LONGSHOT BRACKET (1)
Houston
CONSOLATION BRACKET (32)
Texas, LSU, TN, Notre Dame, NB, Oklahoma, Clemson, Pitt, Cal, GATech, Mich ST, AZ State, Wisconsin, TX Tech, Arkansas, Alabama, FSU, OK State, BC, KS State, SCarolina, CO State, WA, Utah, UCLA, Tulsa, Kansas, WA State, OR State, USF, Maryland, UConn
CONSOLATION LONGSHOTS (3)
Navy, Air Force, Southern Miss
Eliminated Week 4 (11)
21+18+15+11=65Penn ST, Minnesota, IO State, Arizona, Kentucky, UTEP, BG, Northwestern, Indiana, Ohio, Hawaii
Week 5 Rankings
1) Ohio State (-)
2) WVU (-)
3) Auburn (-)
4) USC (-)
5) Louisville (-)
6) Michigan (-)
7) Florida (-)
8) Texas (+1)
9) LSU (+3)
10) VATech (+1)
11) Tennessee (+2)
12) Notre Dame (+2)
13) Oregon (-3)
14) Nebraska (+8)
15) Rutgers (-)
16) Oklahoma (+3)
17) Clemson (+4)
18) TCU (-1)
19) Pitt (+6)
20) Cal (+7)
21) MO (NR)
22) Boise ST (+1)
23) Georgia (-15)
24) GATech (+2)
25) Mich ST (-7)
outside lookin' in: Iowa, AZ State, Wisconsin, TXTech, Arkansas
Notes: I'm not sure why I have Pitt ranked so highly. I have them too high, I think, but they are a pretty good team.
No change in the top 7...WVU barely holds on to the top 7. That dominant first quarter against Maryland still sticks out in my mind. I feel like they're at least #2 when they come to play.
Georgia's struggles against Colorado were shocking. They lost a lot of respect in my eyes, needed a miracle to survive against 0-4 Colorado
at home. Colordo has been horrendous this year. I guess this is the first sign that they may get something together...with Dan Hawkins, you have to believe they'll find SOME way to win, eventually.
2006 National Championship - Week 4 Standings
65 Teams remain in the running
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET (27)
Ohio State, WVU, Auburn, USC, Louisville, Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, VATech, Rutgers, AZ State, TCU, Mich ST, BC, Boise ST, Iowa, UCLA, Wisconsin, MO, Alabama, OK State, TX A&M, KS State, USF, Purdue, WakeF
LONGSHOT BRACKET (2)
Navy, Houston
CONSOLATION BRACKET (32)
Texas, LSU, TN, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Clemson, Pitt, NB, Penn ST, GATech, Cal, TX Tech, Minnesota, FSU, IO State, Arkansas, CO State, SCarolina, Maryland, WA State, Arizona, WA, Utah, Kentucky, Kansas, Tulsa, UTEP, OR State, UConn, BG, Northwestern, Indiana
CONSOLATION LONGSHOTS (4)
Ohio, Hawaii, Air Force, Southern Miss
Eliminated Week 3 (15)
21+18+15=54UMiami, Akron, Cincinnati, Fresno ST, BYU, Baylor, MS, Illinois, UVA, NC State, Marshall, UCF, UAB, Wyoming, Troy
Week 4 Rankings
disclaimer: i base rankings on performance and not expectations. therefore, i will not rank a team that does not have a winning record. when ranking teams, record is a huge component.
1) Ohio State (-)
2) WVU (+5)
3) Auburn (-)
4) USC (-2)
5) Louisville (+2)
6) Michigan (+6)
7) Florida (+1)
8) Georgia (+1)
9) Texas (NR-R)
10) Oregon (+1)
11) VATech (+3)
12) LSU (-8)
13) TN (-)
14) Notre Dame (-9)
15) Rutgers (+1)
16) AZ State (+4)
17) TCU (+2)
18) Mich ST (+3)
19) Oklahoma (-4)
20) BC (+2)
21) Clemson (NR-R)
22) Nebraska (-12)
23) Boise ST (-6)
24) Penn ST (NR-R)
25) Pitt (-7)
outside lookin' in: GATech, Cal, Iowa, UCLA, Wisconsin
*NR-R means
Not
Ranked due to
Record
Comments:Ohio State got it done and blew it open against a tough Cincinnati team that came to play. Cincinnati was a WAY different team than the one that lost to Pittsburgh last weekend.
I watched West Virginia open up against Maryland and was really impressed. I knew they were good, but wow, they really controlled the ball at will. Steve Slaton, Pat White...is there an answer to that running tandem?
Auburn beat a tough LSU team...but they couldn't keep up with OSU or WVU. Both Auburn and LSU's defenses are really good but great defenses score themselves (off turnovers).
USC still managed a ton of points, but struggled early at home. I need another week on them.
Louisville won't keep the #5 ranking, but for what they've done so far, they deserve it. Their schedule until Brohm returns contains two now-worrisome games: KS State and Cincinnati. Even with a return, will Brohm be game-fit for the WVU game?
Michigan was impressive beating Notre Dame and derailing Quinn's Heisman campaign in South Bend...I couldn't see ND making it through their Sept schedule unscathed though. Michigan had more time to prepare getting two easy openers. The Irish just lost confidence through the first two.
Florida is pretty damn solid and I was impressed that they got the win. Their whole season is a streched out version of ND's Sept schedule...but so far, they're doing the right things.
Georgia has posted two consecutive shutouts...gotta give them some credit for that. They're the first team (besides WVU) that hasn't played a really tough opponent yet.
Texas gets back on track, drubbing Rice. I want to see them beat someone good...can't wait for the OK game.
Oregon ekes out a win over Oklahoma...they get the nod for defeating a tough team and that comeback they mounted. Are they the first 56 minutes or the last 4?? A football game is 60 minutes, and a veteran team doesnt give games away like that.
VATech still looks solid.
LSU came out on the wrong end...they've got a little time to prove that they were just unlucky though...
Ditto for TN. Impressive against Florida's D.
Notre Dame was due, already. September schedule is a monster and I'd challenge any team to get through it unbeaten.
Rutgers gets a good win over a good Ohio team. They're better then people think...
AZ State looks good, but Colorado has turned into such a joke this year.
TCU deserves to move up a few more, but they'll move up later as they keep winning.
Michigan State gets a chance to make a jump against Notre Dame next week.
Oklahoma came close to an upset (yes, an upset), but collapsed. They can only blame themelves.
BC turns it on in overtime against BYU. Two consecutive OT victories.
Clock Changes affecting my favorite sport!!
I said this summer that Randy Walker's death was the biggest offseason development of 2006. As big as that might have been (and evidenced in the Wildcats' home loss to IAA New Hampshire), I was wrong. It's these damn clock changes!
Can they be changed within the season, is what I'd like to know. How many coaches have to get pissed off before the griping becomes too loud to ignore? We've already heard Spurrier and Mack Brown sound off on them...anyone else?
2006 Nat'l Championship - Week 3 standings
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET (41)
Ohio State, USC, Auburn, LSU, ND, WVU, Louisville, Florida, Georgia, NB, Oregon, MI, TN, VATech, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Boise ST, Pitt, TCU, AZ State, Mich ST, BC, FSU, TX Tech, Iowa, UCLA, MO, TX A&M, Wisconsin, Alabama, OK State, CO State, UConn, Maryland, IO State, KS State, Indiana, Purdue, USF, Kansas, WakeF
LONGSHOT BRACKET (3)
Ohio, Navy, Houston
CONSOLATION BRACKET (30)
Texas, Clemson, Penn ST, Cal, GATech, Miami, SCarolina, Akron, Arkansas, WAState, Minnesota, Fresno ST, Arizona, UTEP, OR State, WA, Cincinnati, Utah, BYU, Baylor, MS, Tulsa, Illinois, UVA, BG, Kentucky, NC State, Marshall, UCF, Northwestern
CONSOLATION LONGSHOTS (6)
UAB, Troy, Southern Miss, Air Force, Wyoming, Hawaii
Eliminated Week 2 (18)
CO, Stanford, Vanderbilt, UNC, Nevada, MS State, NIU, Toledo, CMich, LA-Monroe, MTSU, Ball ST, NM State, Buffalo, AR State, Tulane, UNLV, Syracuse
Week 3 rankings
disclaimer: i base rankings on performance and not expectations. therefore, i will not rank a team that does not have a winning record. texas will be back in the mix next week!
1) Ohio State (-)
2) USC (+1)
3) Auburn (+1)
4) LSU (+3)
5) Notre Dame (+4)
6) WVU (-)
7) Louisville (+1)
8) Florida (+5)
9) Georgia (+2)
10) Nebraska (+2)
11) Oregon (+8)
12) Michigan (+6)
13) TN (-8)
14) VATech (+1)
15) Oklahoma (+5)
16) Rutgers (NR)
17) Boise ST (NR)
18) Pitt (+9)
19) TCU (+9)
20) AZ State (NR)
21) Mich ST (NR)
22) BC (NR)
23) FSU (-13)
24) TX Tech (-3)
25) Iowa (-11)
outside lookin' in: UCLA, MO, TX A&M, Wisconsin, Alabama
comments:Ohio State solidifies #1 spot. USC win at Arkansas still looks great...they will be under much more scrutiny this week at Nebraska though. Florida has impressed with both offense and defense...too bad they have such a tough schedule. Rutgers and Pittsburgh are bringing up the rep of the Big East, this league race may be much more interesting than previously thought. I may've been too critical of AZ State last week, however those first three quarters against IAA NArizona won't be easily forgotten. FSU and Iowa's struggles were shocking.
Browns Could Use a Page from OSU's Playbook
published in Columbus Alive! on August 25th, 2006!(c) Dannon Unsdorfer
Through poor draft choices and endless bad luck, the Cleveland Browns have become so pitiable that I've come to a contentious conclusion: the college offense at Ohio State is better than the NFL offense in Cleveland. At each position, the talent developed by the Buckeyes exceeds that of the Browns.
Running back. Ohio State has underrated Antonio Pittman, who totalled 1331 yards and seven touchdowns last season (in 12 games). For the Browns, Reuben Droughns ran for 1232 yards and two touchdowns last season (in 16 games). Droughns and back-up William Green did, however, lead the league in indictments and domestic stab wounds. Maybe the Browns should look up Maurice Clarett. I hear he's a free agent, and not many defenders would tackle a back wielding an axe.
Center. The Browns were left depleted after a series of star-crossed events took out their top three centers. Ohio State's Doug Datish could step in and win the starting job. The last two centers to come out of Ohio State, Alex Stepanovich and Nick Mangold, both start in the NFL. Datish is a proven leader who will be drafted early - maybe the Browns should take a look.
Quarterback. Troy Smith, strong in both the passing and running games, heads into '06 a leading Heisman candidate with a 13-2 record as a starter. He has played best under pressure and is still rapidly improving. By contrast, Charlie Frye was 20-25 as a starter at Akron. I still don't understand the Browns designating him a "franchise quarterback" before he took an NFL snap, especially when every single team passed on him in the draft - twice. Even the Browns didn't want him twice before they wanted him! He has yet to demonstrate game-changing ablility as an offensive leader- something Troy Smith has repeatedly done.
Wide reciever. The Buckeyes have speedy Ted Ginn, another Heisman candidate whose talent has NFL teams salivating, and consistent Anthony Gonzalez. Who do the Browns have? Surely you've heard of Frisman Jackson, no? Maybe Dennis Northcutt? He has eleven touchdowns in seven years. The Browns do have Braylon Edwards coming off a knee injury. But maybe the Buckeyes still have the edge, as Michigan went 1-3 against Ohio State during his tenure. Similarly, tight end Kellen Winslow has memories of the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. Winslow is good - at staying off the field. Since the Browns drafted him two years ago, he has played a whopping two of the Browns 32 games. Ohio State may not have a recognizable tight end, but at least they'll have one that runs more than his mouth.
Offensive Line. With Alex Boone (6-8, 325 lbs), Tim Schafer (6-5, 290), T.J. Downing (6-4, 305), and Kirk Barton (6-6, 310) on the offensive line, the Buckeyes have NFL-size. They actually total 4 inches taller than their Browns counterparts and weigh an average of only 6 pounds less.
People talk about the Cleveland Glenville-OSU "pipeline" that brought players like Donte Whitner, Troy Smith, and Ted Ginn to Columbus. With the success that these players have enjoyed at Ohio State, maybe someone should build a line back to Cleveland, for the benefit of the Browns.
Week 2 Rankings
1) Ohio State (-)
2) Texas (+3)
3) USC (+4)
4) Auburn (-1)
5) Tennessee (+9)
6) WVU (-4)
7) LSU (+2)
8) Louisville (+2)
9) Notre Dame (-5)
10) FSU (+5)
11) Georgia (+5)
12) Nebraska (+10)
13) Florida (-5)
14) Iowa (+3)
15) VATech (+3)
16) South Carolina (-12)
17) Clemson (+3)
18) Michigan (-5)
19) Oregon (+8)
20) Oklahoma (-14)
21) TX Tech (+5)
22) Penn ST (-1)
23) UCLA (NR)
24) TX A&M (NR)
25) Minnesota (NR)
outside lookin' in: MO, Pitt, TCU, Arizona, Fresno ST
