Greetings, Bleacher Report Nation, I've got one message for you:
It just doesn't get any better than this.
It's the heart of the college football season, and we've got wide open Heisman and National Championship races.
LSU or Oregon for the No. 2 spot?
How about Kansas?
McFadden or Dennis Dixon for the Heisman?
What about Tim Tebow? Wait, his team has three losses...but who cares?! He's a stat machine and arguably the most entertaining player in the game today.
So many questions.
So few answers (at least for now).
But, boy oh boy, so much speculation...isn't it grand?
Without further ado, here is this week's Top 25 Poll Results.
1. Ohio State (9-0)
Previous: 1
Strength of Schedule: 46
Last Week: Beat Wisconsin 38-17
This Week: Illinois (+15)
Amidst all the turmoil that has permeated the "upper echelon" of college football this season, Ohio State continues to hold fast.
After three quarters of questionable play vs. a pedestrian Wisconsin squad, there was cause for concern in Buckeye Nation, with the game knotted at 17.
Chris Wells and Co. quickly allayed said concerns, exploding for 21 points in the fourth quarter and changing the contest from heated to drastically lopsided.
There remains one intimidating obstacle standing between the Buckeyes and a repeat trip to the promised land: Michigan.
Deja vu, anyone?
Though this year's go-round against the Maize and Blue won't be the most hyped regular-season game of the new millennium, as last year's was, the contest won't be wanting for suspense or excitement.
Rest assured, Buckeyes fans: The Big House will be rocking, and the resurgent Wolverines are going to be out for some blood.
Lastly, an open memo to Buckeyes star corner Malcolm Jenkins: Mario Manningham is fast, and he's been on fire the last few weeks. Give him a little cushion, lest you get burned...
2. LSU (8-1)
Previous: 3
Strength of Schedule: 9
Last Week: Beat Alabama 41-34
This Week: Louisiana Tech (+36)
Controversy, anyone?
While the race for the top spot is devoid of such, the battle for No. 2 is rife with it.
Pac-10 or SEC? SEC or Pac-10? How does one decide?
Bleacher Report Nation hath spoken, though, and the nod goes to LSU and the big, bad, possibly at times overhyped (cheers, fellow BR writer Ben Johnson) SEC.
The Tigers have long been hailed as the most athletic team in the country, and they've done an admirable job against a tough slate heretofore.
LSU's defense has shown itself to be a vulnerable, though still strong, unit over the past weeks. The offense, particularly with a healthy Early Doucet back in the mix, is primed for continued success through the rest of the season.
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about 1 year ago
Why is LSU ranked higher than Oregon? Anyone? I know it's not Mark Scacewater's fault...and definitely not Ben Johnson's. LSU has almost lost 3 different times. 3. How much weight are we going to place on pre-season hype here people? The fact is, they really haven't been THAT impressive.
Oregon...now that's a team that's been impressive.
Maybe Michigan can sack up and we can actually find out if I'm right.
from about 1 year ago
It's certainly close - whether its #2 LSU and #3 Oregon or vice versa. I guess we just have to cross our fingers and hope that everyone in the top 10 loses except for 2 teams. Otherwise, we'll undoubtedly see more tounge-bashing i.e. Auburn in 2004. Please someone - beat Kansas, Oklahoma, LSU, OSU, Oregon, Missouri, or WVU! But not all of them...just all but 2.
There needs to be a playoff - it's just a little ridiculous. Every game would still be important. Look at MLB. After 162 games the Rockies and Padres still were tied. Every one of those 162 games were important to get them to that "one game playoff". Wake up BCS folks, this crossing our fingers thing is getting really old.
from about 1 year ago
Ehh, Oregon maybe has been a little more impressive thus far, but its not a distinguishable difference IMO.
Dave, I hate to say it, but your "almost lost three times" argument just can't be used anymore after what Florida did to OSU last year after playing "shaky football" the whole season and almost losing a few times.
about 1 year ago
I'd like that last scenario a lot, given the never ending PAC 10 SEC feud that is going on right now.
Michigan certainly has a good shot....gotta love how hot Super Mario is if you're a maize and blue fan.
about 1 year ago
As a Michigan fan, I'm still a little worried. We need to keep Henne and Hart healthy the rest of the year and that doesn't seem like it's anywhere close to happening. But, if they do play well, then I agree we have an excellent shot.
from about 1 year ago
While I understand the struggle to find any consistent teams in the top 25, seeing Michigan ranked #11 is a little ridiculous at this point. It appears to be more a creation of voters/media wanting to make the osu-mich game that much more important than the result of actual fact. Certainly 8 wins in a row is impressive but those results have more to do with playing a terrible ND team and a big 10 conference that's quality of teams resembles the Sun Belt. Ohio St should handle Michigan with relative ease, not because of the Buckeyes' greatness, but because Michigan will be proven to still be not all that great.
And to Dave's point, Oregon should be ahead of LSU at this point in the season. LSU needs to start playing up to their potential and earn the #2. Unfortunately we won't see much of that this week with a powerhouse opponent in La Tech, but LSU will have their chances when all is said and done.
If Kansas runs the table and finishes the season with a win over Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship, they'd deserve a spot in the championship over an undefeated Ohio St team.
from about 1 year ago
For starters, I think saying OSU will handle the Big Blue with relative ease is a bit of a stretch. I could see OSU pulling away towards the end of the game, but the bottom line is, it will be a hard fought contest.
Also, saying Kansas deserves to play in the title game over an undefeated OSU is absurd....
With that said, there is just simply no way they beat OU, so that's not a scenario we have to worry about
from about 1 year ago
What is so absurd about Kansas playing instead of OSU in the title game??? Because there name is Kansas and it just feels more comfortable to hear Ohio St in that spot??? Agree that they'll have a very tough time beating OU and will certainly be underdogs, but if they do they're resume will be better. Kansas would have wins over 2 final poll top 15 teams (OU and Mizzou) and Ohio St maybe one (Mich). The rest of their schedules are both a joke, for every SE Louisiana there is an Akron. So tell me again what is absurd?
Kansas is the 2nd highest scoring offense in the nation and OSU #25, and Ohio St is 1st in the nation in scoring defense but, oh wait, is that Kansas I see that is 2nd in the nation in defense? I'm finding it hard to find where Ohio St. has a decided edge anywhere against Kansas. Let's try turnover margin, hmm, once again we find Kansas at #2 and Ohio St, let me see, time to turn to page 2...page 3...oh there they are, #46. Penalties? KU #1, OSU #15. I'll give Ohio St an edge on the very important 3rd down conversion rate, but I think KU has proven themselves enough to be in the discussion and not warrant "absurd".
It's statements like saying it would be "absurd" that makes it sad to see voters close their minds to the possibilities of new teams emerging. Too often non-traditional power teams need one great year to prove they belong before voters seriously consider them for a national championship if they can do it again a 2nd year. You need to throw out the names, school colors, traditions, and fight songs and start being more objective with the actual performance on the field.
And if Michigan is as good as voters are giving them credit for, wouldn't that lend even more credence to Oregon being #2? 39-7 in Ann Arbor is pretty impressive if you think Michigan is a top 15 team. A lot more impressive than any LSU road victory this year.
about 1 year ago
On that note, maybe it would be possible for the last couple weeks of voting to put the number of points that each team has. I for one am curious to know how many points between LSU and Oregon for number 2 at the moment.
about 1 year ago
Ohio State's way too good to be playing against college teams.
about 1 year ago
The guy who writes this column is an idiot!!!! OU and Kansas will play if both win out and the real conferences IE: SEC, BIG XII; have championship games and finish with thirteen games. The dookie (not real) conferences IE: pac-10 big 10, don't so they will finish with twelve games. Before writing an article someone should do some research or actually watch college football.
about 1 year ago
That's a good point, one I failed to realize while writing the column. I'm glad OU and KU will probably play each other at season's end, though it won't make a difference in the national championship race because two of the current top three teams are going to win out, possibly all three.
KU has had a great season but in the end they aren't much to crow over as far as being an elite team...but then again, few teams are in CF this year. I think OU would win that game by 10+
about 1 year ago
Hey Will, have you considered sodomizing an anteater? Because you should.
about 1 year ago
Strength of Schedule doesn't carry as much weight as it should, but that's why LSU's ahead of Oregon. LSU is 5-1 against ranked teams. 4 of those teams are still ranked.
about 1 year ago
Let me make sure the world hears this: LSU SUCKS!!! PERIOD!!!
about 1 year ago
hey man you did a really nice job on this article..... GO BLUE
about 1 year ago
In light of Ohio State's loss to Illinois, and Kansas' convincing victory on the road to a solid Oklahoma State team, I wonder how long people will continue to say things like:
...This year has been a magical one for the Jayhawks and they continue to win, albeit against a schedule that's softer than Jessica Alba's skin...Nonetheless, KU's hopes for a title appearance still appear slim. Provided LSU and Oregon don't both lose, there's virtually no chance the Jayhawks will be in the big game at season's end.
Why not? If they don't stumble against Iowa State at home, they would need to get past Missouri (9-1) BCS #6, then Oklahoma (9-1) BCS #5. Forget where KU's strength of schedule is now--it will only get stronger as the season closes. Any team that can finish off those teams and stay undefeated deserves to play in the national championship game.
Going into tonight's game, KU ranked #2 nationally on defense, #2 nationally on offense, #2 on takeaways (they might be #1 now), and #1 nationally on [the absence of] penalties. Oh, yeah and they are now the only undefeated team in a BCS Conference.
Now why is it that KU shouldn't expect a chance to play into the national title game? For all the clamoring for the need for a championship playoff, people seem to be missing the point that KU's schedule (If they are able to take care of Iowa State and Missouri--no small task)--looks an awful lot like a play-in for the championship. The only top 6 team they wouldn't play in that stretch would be themselves (a little bit hard to do), Ohio St., Oregon, and LSU. I think they should have a shot at one of the last three teams as well.
about 1 year ago
OSU's loss opened the door for the Jayhawks, though I still don't see them getting their foot in. If Kansas actually goes to the NC game to play LSU or Oregon, it will be a shame watching them lose by two touchdowns instead of what we all know would be a close game between the Ducks and Tigers.
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