U2Bama
Rock n' Roll Doggie
Eight unranked teams this deep into the season leaves the final picture wide open.
Of those 8 teams, one of them, Bowling Green, is irrelevant, just as Marshall and Tulane have been in year's past, because of weak scehdules. Of the other seven, two of the teams will play each other in regular season; well, they (Miami and Virginia Tech) have scheduled the game on December 7 to make it a "big game" like the SEC and Big 12 Championship games; it is, in effect, the title game for the Big East as both of those teams could easily go into that game undefeated or at least on a strong conference record. I do not think Miami will have any problems with Tennessee either.
But we could possibly be looking at 6 undefeated teams as we enter Bowl season, and that is when strength of schedule quality points will be big factors. Although Alabama is ineligible for post-season play, Oklahoma and Georgia fans should pull for the Tide for that very reason (had to throw that in there).
Without running through every team in this week's BCS rankings, I will take a quick look at the 7 undefeated teams:
Oklahoma: I still believe in this team and their coach; they have proven a lot in the past 2 weeks vs. Texas and Iowa State; it is an honor to me and the team I pull for that a former interferncer recently told me that "Bama is the best team we have played." It is also frustrating for the late interception we threw, but oh well. I think Stoops will lead this team to the Fiesta Bowl on a perfect record as I do not see any team, including Colorado, giving them a run in their regular season.
Miami: Head Coach Larry Coker knows nothing of being a head coach, other than being the head coach of the #1 team in the nation. Since he began as head coach of the Hurricanes in August, 2001, Miami has been ranked number one and proven it by not being beaten. Granted, Florida had a week at number one in one of the polls last year, but remember the Auburn game that they lost last year on a field goal? The game where the Aubs tore down their goal post then went on to lose the rest of their games? Florida should not have been number one in anything last year except stock drops after they lost the Ole' Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, only to replace him with "What Is A" Ron Zook. Miami was the wire-to-wire champions in my book last year, and they are yet to do anything to convince me otherwise, EXCEPT a close call with a lousy FSU team (who should NOT be in the BCS Top 15). They will beat Tennessee and their conference foes through November; their biggest test will be when the host also-unbeaten Virginia Tech on December 7, which brings us to...
Virginia Tech: The Hokies have had several long haul seasons that have unfortunately fallen in senseless choke games, but I do not see them facing a real test until they travel to Miami on December 7 for the de facto Big East Championship Game. And TRAVEL they will: Hokies fans travel very well, and Miami has a hard time filling its own home stadium. If you could leave Blacksburg, Virginia for a few cold December days, wouldn't Coral Gables, Florida be a nice retreat destination? Miami/Coker's streak will end eventually; if it happens in the year 2002, it will happen courtesy of Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech Hokies on December 7.
Georgia: Off to their best start since Herschel Walker led them to a national championship in 1982 (or was it 1983?), the Dawgs are for real this season. The only problem is a growing injury report. They have conquered 2 obstacles (Bama & Tennessee) and still face Florida and Auburn in the regular season, with a likely LSU match-up on December 7 in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. How ironic is it that Georgia has NEVER played int eh SEC Championship Game, in their own state, an hour down the road? When the game was held in Birmingham during its first 2 years, Alabama travelled an hour up the road every year to play in it, then played the first year in Atlanta after it was moved (for favoring bama too much or to move to a better, indoor facility?). So long as Bama wins out this season, I would love it if Georgia and Oklahoma fought it out for the National Championship; that would make our 2 losses slightly more bearable. Georgia finally has a chance to shine in the SEC, and I think they will do that and take a long-absent SEC crown.
Notre Dame: Last year I told Lemonite, Screaming Flower, and the late TheU2 that I felt that Tyrone Willingham was the right coach for the Golden Domers. I stand by that statement. Sure, it took the Fighting Irish (is that mascot name offensive/politically incorrect/insensitive?) three or four games to score an offensive touchdown, but most national championship teams have a few faults and lucky wins along the way. They will beat FSU like a drum, but the Trojans of Southern Cal will give them a scare. I do not usually like Notre Dame, but I have enjoyed watching their success this year and I think it will continue.
Ohio State: Is it better to say that there is a lot of parity in the Big Ten, or that the Big Ten sucks? Honestly, I think it IS parity, and there are some good teams (Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State). Personally, I hope Penn State beats them this weekend since I want Joe Paterno to take a safe lead against Bobby Bowden at FSU for all-time wins. I don't know if that will happen, but it is my hope and I think it could happen (even though it is at the unfriendly OSU Big House). Is it just me, or is anyone else getting tired of professionally arrogant ollege football players? Fresham Maurice Clarrett think he is so good that he should be allowed to enter the NFL now. Tennessee's Kelley Washington has informed the world that he wants to be known as "The Future" and has contacted major sports media outlets asking them to write articles about him. Does this kind of behavior create a team atmosphere? I don't think it does and I think it will hurt these teams in the long run.
And last but definitely not least...
N.C. State: There is no lost shoe or pumpkin that turns into a carriage; this is NOT a Cinderalla team. Instead, the N.C. State Wolfpack is off to its best start EVER, at 9-0 as of tonight. And it was not the Phillip Rivers 4 Heisman Show; in fact, he was a bit stale from what I saw, but their defense, particularly the secondary, was picking Clemson apart tonight in a blowout AT Clemson. I don't see their biggest challenges as Georgia Tech and Florida State, but I do see as more of a threat an unpredictable Georgia Tech and an up-and-coming Virginia team, simply by element of surprise. If they make it all the way, Rivers' visit to the New York Athletic Club should be very favorable, and the team's visit to a big time New Year's Bowl should be equally favorable.
As for Bowling Green, let them play Wake Forest in a good bowl game.
As for Alabama, this Saturday is our best chance in a long time to beat the Tennessee Volunteers. To borrow something from the Oklahoma fans and their love of THEIR big orange "T" neighbors...
Tuck Fennessee. (sorry about that, Crzy4Bono, but it IS Tennessee Week)
Roll Tide.
~U2Alabama
Of those 8 teams, one of them, Bowling Green, is irrelevant, just as Marshall and Tulane have been in year's past, because of weak scehdules. Of the other seven, two of the teams will play each other in regular season; well, they (Miami and Virginia Tech) have scheduled the game on December 7 to make it a "big game" like the SEC and Big 12 Championship games; it is, in effect, the title game for the Big East as both of those teams could easily go into that game undefeated or at least on a strong conference record. I do not think Miami will have any problems with Tennessee either.
But we could possibly be looking at 6 undefeated teams as we enter Bowl season, and that is when strength of schedule quality points will be big factors. Although Alabama is ineligible for post-season play, Oklahoma and Georgia fans should pull for the Tide for that very reason (had to throw that in there).
Without running through every team in this week's BCS rankings, I will take a quick look at the 7 undefeated teams:
Oklahoma: I still believe in this team and their coach; they have proven a lot in the past 2 weeks vs. Texas and Iowa State; it is an honor to me and the team I pull for that a former interferncer recently told me that "Bama is the best team we have played." It is also frustrating for the late interception we threw, but oh well. I think Stoops will lead this team to the Fiesta Bowl on a perfect record as I do not see any team, including Colorado, giving them a run in their regular season.
Miami: Head Coach Larry Coker knows nothing of being a head coach, other than being the head coach of the #1 team in the nation. Since he began as head coach of the Hurricanes in August, 2001, Miami has been ranked number one and proven it by not being beaten. Granted, Florida had a week at number one in one of the polls last year, but remember the Auburn game that they lost last year on a field goal? The game where the Aubs tore down their goal post then went on to lose the rest of their games? Florida should not have been number one in anything last year except stock drops after they lost the Ole' Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, only to replace him with "What Is A" Ron Zook. Miami was the wire-to-wire champions in my book last year, and they are yet to do anything to convince me otherwise, EXCEPT a close call with a lousy FSU team (who should NOT be in the BCS Top 15). They will beat Tennessee and their conference foes through November; their biggest test will be when the host also-unbeaten Virginia Tech on December 7, which brings us to...
Virginia Tech: The Hokies have had several long haul seasons that have unfortunately fallen in senseless choke games, but I do not see them facing a real test until they travel to Miami on December 7 for the de facto Big East Championship Game. And TRAVEL they will: Hokies fans travel very well, and Miami has a hard time filling its own home stadium. If you could leave Blacksburg, Virginia for a few cold December days, wouldn't Coral Gables, Florida be a nice retreat destination? Miami/Coker's streak will end eventually; if it happens in the year 2002, it will happen courtesy of Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech Hokies on December 7.
Georgia: Off to their best start since Herschel Walker led them to a national championship in 1982 (or was it 1983?), the Dawgs are for real this season. The only problem is a growing injury report. They have conquered 2 obstacles (Bama & Tennessee) and still face Florida and Auburn in the regular season, with a likely LSU match-up on December 7 in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. How ironic is it that Georgia has NEVER played int eh SEC Championship Game, in their own state, an hour down the road? When the game was held in Birmingham during its first 2 years, Alabama travelled an hour up the road every year to play in it, then played the first year in Atlanta after it was moved (for favoring bama too much or to move to a better, indoor facility?). So long as Bama wins out this season, I would love it if Georgia and Oklahoma fought it out for the National Championship; that would make our 2 losses slightly more bearable. Georgia finally has a chance to shine in the SEC, and I think they will do that and take a long-absent SEC crown.
Notre Dame: Last year I told Lemonite, Screaming Flower, and the late TheU2 that I felt that Tyrone Willingham was the right coach for the Golden Domers. I stand by that statement. Sure, it took the Fighting Irish (is that mascot name offensive/politically incorrect/insensitive?) three or four games to score an offensive touchdown, but most national championship teams have a few faults and lucky wins along the way. They will beat FSU like a drum, but the Trojans of Southern Cal will give them a scare. I do not usually like Notre Dame, but I have enjoyed watching their success this year and I think it will continue.
Ohio State: Is it better to say that there is a lot of parity in the Big Ten, or that the Big Ten sucks? Honestly, I think it IS parity, and there are some good teams (Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State). Personally, I hope Penn State beats them this weekend since I want Joe Paterno to take a safe lead against Bobby Bowden at FSU for all-time wins. I don't know if that will happen, but it is my hope and I think it could happen (even though it is at the unfriendly OSU Big House). Is it just me, or is anyone else getting tired of professionally arrogant ollege football players? Fresham Maurice Clarrett think he is so good that he should be allowed to enter the NFL now. Tennessee's Kelley Washington has informed the world that he wants to be known as "The Future" and has contacted major sports media outlets asking them to write articles about him. Does this kind of behavior create a team atmosphere? I don't think it does and I think it will hurt these teams in the long run.
And last but definitely not least...
N.C. State: There is no lost shoe or pumpkin that turns into a carriage; this is NOT a Cinderalla team. Instead, the N.C. State Wolfpack is off to its best start EVER, at 9-0 as of tonight. And it was not the Phillip Rivers 4 Heisman Show; in fact, he was a bit stale from what I saw, but their defense, particularly the secondary, was picking Clemson apart tonight in a blowout AT Clemson. I don't see their biggest challenges as Georgia Tech and Florida State, but I do see as more of a threat an unpredictable Georgia Tech and an up-and-coming Virginia team, simply by element of surprise. If they make it all the way, Rivers' visit to the New York Athletic Club should be very favorable, and the team's visit to a big time New Year's Bowl should be equally favorable.
As for Bowling Green, let them play Wake Forest in a good bowl game.
As for Alabama, this Saturday is our best chance in a long time to beat the Tennessee Volunteers. To borrow something from the Oklahoma fans and their love of THEIR big orange "T" neighbors...
Tuck Fennessee. (sorry about that, Crzy4Bono, but it IS Tennessee Week)
Roll Tide.
~U2Alabama
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makes me 
This is just more proof that we need a playoff system in college football. I hate the way a team can lose just one game early in the season and then play great the rest of the way but still have practically zero chance for a shot at the national title. Of course it really hurts in this case since I've been a huge Hawkeye fan since I was a kid. 
