After making your pick among the seven remaining unbeaten teams, back it up in the discussion below.
Who should be ranked No. 1?
Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:36 AM EDT
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I put Iowa #3 for now
OSU is crucial
Definitely. I think that would be their last crucial game.
Um, excuse me Mr. Hayes, but your following reasoning is stretching things a bit.
1. While Florida and Alabama struggled to beat middling conference opponents, Cincinnati has beaten every Big East opponent by at least 17 points - FIRST OF ALL, WHEN CINCINNATI WENT TO THE BIG EAST THEY WERE IMMEDIATELY THE FAVORITE TEAM IN THEIR CONFERENCE BECAUSE BASICALLY, BIG EAST SUCKS.
2. The Bearcats replaced 10 starters from last year's defense — and changed defensive coordinators and schemes — and got better. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT AN ADEQUATE ARGUMENT TO INCLUDE CINCINNATI IN A BCS TITLE GAME. WE'VE SEEN THIS REFORMATION IN LOTS OF TEAMS OVER THE YEARS WITHOUT PLACING THEM IN A TITLE GAME. ADMIRABLE AND PROMISING YES. NOT TO BE REWARDED WITH NUMBERS 1 AND 3 TO BE A TITLE CONTENDER ON THOSE MERITS.
3. While Heisman leaders Tim Tebow (two interception returns for touchdowns) and Mark Ingram (key fourth-quarter fumble) had their worst games of the season, Cincinnati replaced its Heisman candidate with a backup better known for baseball skills and got a career game from Zach Collaros. COLLAROS IS AN EXCELLENT BACKUP. HOWEVER, AGAIN, THE BIG EAST IS APPLES IN TALENT TO THE WONDERFUL ORANGES IN FLORIDA'S CONFERENCE.
I just don't get how Cincinnati is still ranked where they are given other teams playing better conference teams with more wins and maintaing win-0 records. I hope Cincinnati enjoys it. Someone is licking some hiney somewhere.
Texas. Easily. Here is why. Texas strength of schedule is just way more than Florida or Alabama.
This SEC nonsense and the #1 Poll needs to end. The Poll is flawed. Period.
Last year is a prime example. How could OU be #2 and Texas be #3 with identical records and Texas having beat OU handily IN OKLAHOMA no less.
OU was given credit for beating Texas Tech when Texas Didn't. Which is ridiculous because Texas barely lost that game and it was in College Station. OU won against Texas Tech at home.
The other issue was Texas loss was later in the season. Late season losses are counted way too much. And we saw exactly why OU shouldn't have been in the championship game. They got embarrassed.
This year. Florida is not that impressive. A referee give away in the Arkansas game allows them to be undefeated. Other than Arkansas and LSU they play no one. What, they are gonna be #1 with only playing 2 ranked opponents?
Florida has looked extremely beatable in non-ranked games. Mississippi St, and Tennessee both made them look bad.
The only teams that have even got close to beating Texas are both ranked. They have blown everyone else out of the water convincingly.
The SEC is simply not that strong anymore. Talent has pooled to the top schools in their conference. In fact, the SEC east is a joke this year. Are you kidding me? The SEC west is not much better, with LSU being the only other team of note aside from #1 Alabama.
Alabam def deserves it's rating more than Florida, having beat VA Tech and Whipping Arkansas in a rout, something Florida could not do.
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Big Ten - It's hard to argue this at all. Ohio State having lost in back-to-back National Championship games in somewhat (LSU game was a lot closer than it looked, plus ref calls made it worse) embarassing fashion.
That said. The Big Ten is actually a stronger conference than the SEC as a whole this season. You have 4 teams that should definitely be ranked, Iowa, Penn St, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Iowa could get a big boost if they beat OSU.
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Big 12 combined is easily the toughest conference. And you can see why. Teams are tripping over themselves beating each other.
Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Kansas State, OU, Oklahoma St., Texas Tech, if not for beating up eachother all these teams could/should be ranked.
Boise State? Please. Who do they play?
Texas is overhyped and will lose at least once this year.
Go Gators.
So are the Gators. Without help from the officials and their bumbling calls, FL would have lost 2 games already.
so you wish~~~ lol gators are the best.... chomp chomp chomp
The whole country hates the Gators. OVER-RATED AS #$%^!!!
Roll Tide.............. HATE GATORS..................
go away hater.... lol
Alabama should be number1 they have won there games in a more decisive manner, florida number 2, Iowa number 3, boise state 4, cincinnati 5, texas 6, tcu 7. Oregaon should move up in the polls usc should not be ranked above oregon who is leading the pac 10.
Oregon ahead of USC? Let's wait til next week...
??
Texas has won their games more convincingly than any team you just mentioned. The only exception was 2 ranked opponents in tough games. One at Texas Tech, one at home against OU.
Florida, could barely get by Mississippi, Tennessee, and needed a ton of help (thanks for being objective refs) to get Arkansas.
Alabama is easily ahead of them because they creamed Arkansas.
SEC is weak these season though. With only Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and LSU looking good. Talent has pooled at the top in the SEC and it is not as competitive.
The Big 12 is easily more competitive and tougher.
florida is #1 and will remain #1 until they lose. if they win out it'll be 3 championships in 4 years. they havent looked great but neither has alabama or texas.
this is the system we have people. sure it's flawed but it is what it is. i'm tired of the crying and whining. this isnt just about college football. everyone says the nba is rigged to favor lebron, koby, et al. of course now we have to hear that the mlb favors the yankees so the umpires are being unfair. the nfl protects brady, its favored son. if you're gonna cry about everything that doesnt go your way then find something else to watch or do.
I don't see this?
Texas has looked unstoppable except in games against Tough opponents. Unlike Florida who has looked bad against unranked opponents in Tennessee and Mississippi.
I would have loved to see Texas vs. Florida last year, OU had no business being in that game, and that's why the poll system is broken. There's too many tough conferences who all have a claim to a championship path.
Alabama looked pretty good against Arkansas. 35-7...Florida could barely beat them at home (and only with help).
And those two games that Colt didn't play very well he was still trying to recover from and Upper Respirtaory Illness but he definitely showed everyone this past Saturday that he was well and back in action the way her normally plays!!!!
nicey.....mississippi is ranked...you might want to check that.
colt had a cold......wow! maybe tebows concussion had something to do with the offenses struggles the last couple games?
FloriBama should be number one....ok so it's that close but I still put Florida First Bama Second and Texas a very close Third. Should make for a VERY entertainaing SEC Championship game. And better keep an eye on the Hawkeyes. Iowa is looking mean.
I agree, this Iowa Hawkeye team is impressive. They might not be winning by big margins, but it's like they've forgotten how to lose. Ready or not, here they come.
i don't get it - gators win by 10 - bama by 2 - and the GATORS struggled?! - last week gators didn't win by enough (3 points) so dropped to #2 by AP - oh, and the fact that the bama guy took off his helmet is a non issue but ANY questionable call when gators play IS an issue?! come on, someboy explain this to me - OHHH - now i get it! - gators still haven't lost a game! ok - thanks.
only in the whimsical minds of some college football fans do blowouts demonstrate national champions. it doesnt happen in any other sport but college football. maybe it's because of the system but where else does margin of victory play into who is considered the best team or the eventual champion in their sport?
all that counts are wins/losses.
All players take their helmet off when the game is over! Do you think they sleep in head gear? What a dumb statement!!!!!
Did you even notice the play he had just made? WOW!!! I see why opponents can't run on Bama. He is HUGE and athletic!!!!
Alabama destroyed Arkansas. With a game in common (Arkansas) Florida will never be ranked ahead of Bama even if both win out.
Florida could lose #2 if Texas wins out because Texas has a tougher remaining schedule.
if everyone wins out florida will be #1 because they will have beaten #2 alabama regardless if they're ranked 1, 2 or 3 going into the sec championship game.
No one can argue with the talent of the top schools. Everything from the recruiting classes, to the coaching, to the team's heritage and history makes these teams contenders year in and year out. However, things to consider. Cincy is 7-0, and yes, so are the other top teams, but UC has done it with as much flair and power as anyone else, and has done it without the hype and constantly being pushed aside. Brian Kelly is one of the best coaches in college football. Last year, we went through 5 QB's and still put together a record season. Tony Pike was 5th on the depth chart beginning of last year and is now up for Heismann. More than half of our starters are underclassmen. Our Offense and defense are both top 5 in almost every category and opposing defenses refuse to punt to Mardy Gilyard (who would want to?). I know the question of competition instantly will come up, and I can also understand that, but we've beaten Oregon St., Rutgers and USF on the road, beaten the top RB in the country in Fresno St and have done all of these things with astronomical numbers. Yes, Florida and Bama have had big games, and no one can discount the sheer will and fight that they show. But they've also struggled against mediocre talent. Cincy isn't a one hit wonder. This is a program on the rise and will be a strong contender year in and year out. With the amount of playing time our younger players have gotten in big games, and with record incoming recruiting classes from a mecca of high school football, this is a team to be respected and given some true consideration. HOWEVER, until UF actually loses, they'll "control their own destiny", and its going to come down the SEC championship game to eliminate someone. Oh, and can we hear some credit for the UF defense? I'm no gators fan, not by a long shot, but I'm tired of hearing that Tebow is the whole team. I grew up in Ohio, where we respect and understand good football (despite our 'occasional' lack of it at the professional level). I just think the media should credit people who've earned it, not just the easiest name to throw out there. And as for Ingram's Heismann potential? He's talented, no doubt. He always has been, again, fine. But for him to have a few good games and then a great break out appearance shouldn't just make him, or anyone, the top contender. The Heismann is about being the most consistent, toughest and character filled (RB or QB) player of the year. He should be considered, but having him at the top is, well, first meaningless now, and second, ridiculous for anyone who values the list. Texas has its problems, but it is still UT. I know we're slightly more than half way through the season, but November is when true contenders stand out. And as far as I'm concerned, and I realize it might not be worth much, but I really don't care about Boise St. Congrats, your numbers look good, and yes, winning seven games isn't easy regardless, but you haven't proven your worth in the past few seasons, not because of your numbers, but because of the quality of your wins. They would need to beat a consistent power house on the road to get some respect. And thats just the way it is. Until then, congats on the wins, but a perfect record isn't going to be enough.
There's still an awful lot of "what if" involved in all of this, so here's my "what if" - Alabama beats Florida in the SEC championship game, Texas drops one somewhere - Do you really think that an unbeaten Big 10 champion wouldn't make it into the BCS title game? Who would go? a 1 loss Florida team that loaded up with cupcakes in the first half of the season? A one loss Texas - at this point in the season, a loss is even more harmful to BCS standings. Cincinatti? Boise State? Doubt it. It would most likely be Iowa vs. Alabama. There's my what if.
I'm an Iowa alum, and I approve this message
This is exactly why a playoff is needed.
The charade last year of not having Texas #2 was ridiculous. Because they lost later in the season than OU, a team they beat, they were ranked #3.
BCS is becoming a shame. At a minimum they need an 8 team playoff. And besides, the kids take too much time off....1 month before these Bowl games. That's the whole point of playoffs, teams that get hot can win it all, anyone can win it all...
See Cardinals last year (didn't win, but came close), or NYG the year before.
captain, i can see that. at least it's a rational idea.
No truly dominant team this year - I wonder what would have happened if Bradford had not gotten hurt in the BYU game
I am a Michigan alum and my vote is TEXAS!~! I think Mack Brown is one of the greatest coaches of all times and Colt needs all the wins to land him the Heisman. He is gone next year. This is his last chance.
I approve this message...LOL
Keenum at UoH deserves the Heisman. His numbers are ungodly, and with a decent amount of competition.
Tebow and Colt aren't even close to his stats. You can make the argument they aren't a top team, but Keenum is simply a better QB. Quicker release than Marino, and that's saying something.
I'm a Boise State alum but I voted for Texas based on their performance this year. Now that I've said so, here's the deal. All these pundits who whine year in and year out that Boise State isn't a great team simply don't know what they are talking about. Only in football does strength of conference, strength of teams and how many points you score seem to be important. That's a bunch of BS, as is the BCS. I don't think Boise State is likely the number one strongest team in the country but they sure as heck are right at the top of the packl. Oh yeah, and if you look at their passing and and stats this year (gee and if you look at them for most of the past few years) you'll see one of the top teams in the country. So to all you SEC, Big 10 and Pac 10 whiners, get a life.
sec, pac 10 and big 10 fans have a life. it's called respect, clout and national championships.
i am from alabama and an alabama fan but i have been watching for 4 weeks now and alabama's play calling is pathetic. they constantly get in the red zone and as close as the two or three yard line(mostly by running the ball) then throw the ball pitifully for three times and finally have to kick a field goal. pathetic coaching.
yeah, I hated losing to you guys yesterday. Dang, that made me sick!
well i'm a florida fan and can say the same thing about the gators
Amen brother!!!!!!! Nick needs this bye week to straighten out the play calling. Run the ball up and down the field, then try to pass for the T.D. , then send in Tiffen for 3 points. The play calling is terrible. Give the horses in the stable the ball!!
If you want to talk about strength of victory, Texas takes it this week. They played solid and strong and destroyed a fellow Big 12 team by 34 points, while Bama was forced to rely on clutch plays by one man for a 2 point win. I know Mizzou isn't the team it was last year, but Tennessee isn't ranked either, and Big 12 is still one of if not the strongest conference overall. Just look at Oklahoma. Not many teams could be 4-3 and still in the top 25.
Texas Absolutely. The Gators played some really easy teams. They are the most over ranked team ever.
Florida has won 17 in a row and are the defending Nat. Champs. They beat the same type of Bama team last year and they will beat those chumps again this year if Alabama wins out, which isn't a given considering the sqweaker they had yesterday. The SEC is tough even the mediocre team like Tenn, Kent, SC, Arkansas, etc. The GATORS deserve to be number 1 because they keep winning. Boise State, Cinci, Iowa, TCU? Come on those chumps don't play anyone and would get crushed by a mediocre SEC team. Texas has an argument but like OK would lose to either FL or Alabama. Iowa, well Iowa's undefeated days are coming to an end.
i dont know....they should be able to beat a very mediocre ohio state team
Never understimate the scappy Hawkeyes. We have the toughest road game schedule of all teams!
Texas should be number 1!!!! They KILLED Missouri as opposed to Alabama BARELY beating Tennessee by 2 POINTS!!! And Florida...c'mon...what a joke....they barely beat Arkansas last week and the only beat Miss. State by 10.
yeah the sec sucks....that's why it has more of the top coaches and programs in the country than all other conferences combined. stop whining.
How can I be whining when I am stating an opinion? And besides...why so defensive...Florida WILL lose to Georgia and if they don't lose to them...WILL lose to Bama. So what does it matter. Texas will be right there to step in as the TRUE national champions.
opinions are fine IF there's a rational basis behind them. why dont you explain how many points florida needs to WIN by? 10 points over ms st isnt enough? based on your OPINION florida needs to win by what? 20, 30? an opinion is fine but when it's at such extreme odds with those charged with formulating the rankings, coaches, writers, computers, you need to explain why you know more than they do.
Not this year.
I'm sorry...their mediocre programs would still be mediocre in other conferences. Tennessee, Mississippi, SC would all be mediocre in the Big 12, Pac 10, or Big 10.
The talent has pooled at the top in the SEC, and has for a few years now. They feature some of the best teams, to be sure. Florida, LSU, Bama, but over the last 10 years it's consistently been those teams.
The Big 12 has gotten scary competitive in that time.
Missouri would get pasted by Arkansas, Tenn, Kent, GA, Vandy, SC.
BAMA should not be #1, nor should FLA. I would say TX. BAMA has an anemic offense ( minus Ingram and Jones)and just barely squeaked out that game against the VOLs. As I told someone else. BAMA didn't win it, as much as TN lost it. They beat them in every statistical facet of the game except the score. TN isn't even ranked!! BAMA is going to get tore up somewhere along the line.
TN is on its way back, and though the lose to FLA and BAMA hurts - we are well on our way back! GO VOLS!
The Vols looked really good against Auburn too!!
yeah and #1 BAMA looked good against unranked TN? Seriously, you won against Fla Int'l, N TX, KY, ARK - how hard is that? You also have UT Chatt. on your schedule...the only two games you have that are tough this whole season is LSU and VT. The rest should be easy for a #1 team, don't you think?
Times are a'changin. Next year might be a different story. Enjoy your win this year
as of this weeks rankings florida and boise st are the only top 10 team to have beaten another top 10 team (#9 lsu/#10 oregon). florida also beat mississippi (#25) and will play #22 south carolina. then, to move on, we'll have to beat #2 alabama.
the only top 15 team on cincinnati's sched is pittsburgh, boise st only had one ranked team on sched (oregon), tcu has no ranked teams on its schedule. thats why the bcs conferences have the credibility.
Just so you know. Southern Flordida was ranked 21st when Cincinnati beat them.
so you know, fsu was ranked earlier in the year but that means NOTHING today. you cant go back and forth saying this team was ranked then but isnt now or wasnt ranked then but is now.
Why does TX deserve to be #1? FL's defense would crush the longhorns. TX and OK play the same type of ball and FL exposed OK last year. You think TX deserves #1 bc they beat Missouri by 30 points? Big deal. The big 12 sucks. TX should be right where they are.
Texas doesn't deserve to be number because they beat Missouri by 30 points. But why should Florida be number 1? They have struggled their last 3 games! Or did we forget they almost lost last weekend to an UNRANKED TEAM. They only reason florida is getting first place votes in the BCS poll is because they are the defending champions. But are they playing like defending champions? NO. Yes, they beat Oklahoma last year...but they are a different team this year. Texas can beat them. And FYI...Longhorn football....VERY DIFFERENT from Sooner football. But I guess you SEC boys can educate yourselves on real conferences are just upset that you are getting schooled on college football from a girl!
Almost lost? That is funny. Almost doesn't count except in horse shoes and hand grenades. How about winning 17 in a row. That's enough for me and apparently the voters who voted them #1 most of the season and the BCS. They will continue to win and will be in the BCS champ game again and I hope it's against TexASS so we can show the sorry big 12 what football is all about just like last year.
snglbuny:
like a REAL conference with 3 of last 3 national champions? please at least attempt to sound like you know what you're talking about.
If Texas wins out...Florida will lose the #2 ranking.
Sorry. Strength of Schedule is on Texas side. Florida plays no more ranked teams until the SEC championship. And then they will likely only play 1 in the champ game.
I would have liked to see Texas vs. Florida last year. Everything else is speculation until you see it. Could Florida have beat the USC of ReggieBush and Lienhart? Maybe. Texas did. Otherwise just speculation.
So?
USC was going for 3 straight in 2005-2006 season. Where was the SEC before that? No where apparently.
If you want to count actual championships, Teams like Notredame (12), Alabama (11), USC (10), etc, etc. In fact, over the last 12, SEC teams have only won 3.
here i'll help you count......try 5 in the last 11 years.......ncaa link is attached for your convenience.
usc....come on. if you live west of the rockies and want to have any chance of winning a natl championship where else are you gonna go? sec recruiting competes every year among schools with a legit shot at winning it all plus in florida you have miami and fsu. btw, princeton and yale have a bunch of championships too. i didnt see them make your list. i thought we were talking about NOW not history.
http://www.ncaa.com/history/football-fbs.html
7 of last 11 championships were either sec or miami and fsu. that's what i mean about recruiting competition.
the only team west of texas to win was usc......let's see, if you're a west coast recruit and want the best chance to play for a championship where are you going to go? there's only usc and thats why they're in the hunt every year.