Florida heads list of teams you don't want to face
Posted: Sunday, November 16, 2008 7:39 AM
While trying to get used to this new era of change that has Vanderbilt headed to a bowl game, Michigan staring at a nine-loss season and a President-elect already pushing for a playoff, we’re back to see where the rest of the college football world stands after Week 12.
The ones you don’t want to play: Because upsets have suddenly become scarce and a “traditional” Top 10 wouldn’t get shuffled much this week -- if at all -- let’s try something new. Below you’ll find our “teams you wouldn’t want to play” Top 10. Here’s the squads we’d least like to face on a neutral field right now, ranked in order of fear factor.
1 – Florida (who would want to mess with these Gators)
2 – Texas Tech (outscoring them is the ultimate challenge)
3 – Alabama (Nick Saban will find a way to beat you)
4 – Oklahoma (spent bye week resting offensive machine)
5 – Texas (yes, we’d rather lock horns here than with Sooners)
6 – USC (reminds us of post-Buster Douglas Mike Tyson)
7 – Ohio State (“new” Bucks would love rematch with USC)
8 – Missouri (still has puncher’s chance of knocking you out)
9 – Penn State (non-Big Ten foes don’t fear Nittany Lions)
10 – Utah (insert Boise State here if criteria was home field)
Average Competition Conference: Who can figure out what’s going on with the ACC? North Carolina, Wake Forest and Florida State -- the three league teams ranked last week -- all lost to conference opponents. Aren’t division races supposed to get clearer as the weeks go on? The Atlantic is nearly as wide open as it was when the season began. Along the Coastal, we’re one Georgia Tech victory over Miami away from having the top five teams in the division toting at least three losses as they chase BCS dreams.
Heisman for the little guys: Similar to the quest for the BCS, the race for the Heisman Trophy held steady Saturday. So, instead of rehashing the same cast of candidates, how about we shine some light on someone new who’s worthy of some recognition. Weber State sophomore quarterback Cameron Higgins has thrown for 3,496 yards and 33 touchdowns, against only eight interceptions. He owns passer rating of 178.79 rating and has led the Wildcats to an undefeated record in the Big Sky Conference. How about a Heisman just for the Football Championship Subdivision? Or do we hold that back from them since they have a playoff and we’re jealous?
Realignment out West would look automatic: What if Utah and Boise State were in the same conference? Instead of this debate over who is more worthy of being the BCS party crasher, they (and the rest of the unappreciated teams west of the Rockies) ought to settle it on the field. If there was another round of defections and league leaping, wouldn’t a conference made up of the best in the West from the WAC and MWC create a league that would be deserving of an automatic qualifier to the BCS? Something like Utah, BYU, Nevada, UNLV, Boise State, Idaho, Fresno State, San Jose State, Hawaii and San Diego State seems to make a lot of sense. Although I’m sure the Big East and ACC wouldn’t agree. The Pac-10 wouldn’t be too happy about it either . . . but for different reasons.
Showdown Saturday: On the heels of a lackluster week, the upcoming slate of games, promises to be much more interesting. In fact, it is downright playoff-esque. Leading the way is the Texas Tech-Oklahoma showdown in Norman, which features two of the best dart throwers in the country. Watching Graham Harrell and Sam Bradford go throw-for-throw will be something to behold. We’ve also got the “Holy War” between Utah and Brigham Young, which also will have folks in Boise and Muncie on the edge of their seats. The weekend undercard even features middleweight bouts such as Michigan State-Penn State and Pittsburgh-Cincinnati, which will both go a long way to determining a couple BCS automatic berths. And then at the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got the rotten “Apple Cup” in which Washington and Washington State will battle for the last shred of dignity available. Don’t laugh. With a pair of teams that have combined to go 0-15 in Pac-10 play and 1-20 overall, you’ve got a rivalry game that will be as hard-fought as any contest in the country. Enjoy.
