Week 9 Top 25

1. Ohio State (14)
2. Boston College (2)
3. LSU
4. Arizona State
5. Oregon
6. Oklahoma
7. Kansas
8. West Virginia
9. Missouri
10. Georgia
11. Michigan
12. Texas
13. Southern Cal
14. Connecticut
15. Hawaii
16. Alabama
17. Virginia Tech
18. Wake Forest
19. Clemson
20. Wisconsin
21. Boise State
22. South Florida
23. Auburn
24. Virginia
25. Florida

Others receiving votes: Cincinnati 27, Purdue 23, Tennessee 16, Kansas State 15, Penn State 10, South Carolina 8, Georgia Tech 7, Florida State 4, Texas A&M 2, BYU 1

This weeks Not-So Expert Picks

Blue974 - Overall Record 34-26, Last Week 5-5
VT -3, WVU -6.5, Ore -2.5, Clem -3.5, Neb +21.5, UGA +9, A&M +2.5, TENN -3, OSU -3.5, Cal +3

NoleinPHX - Overall Record 36-34, Last Week 6-4
VT -3, WVU -6.5, Ore -2.5, UM +3.5, NEB +21.5, UF -9, KU -2.5, USC +3, OSU -3.5, ASU -3

Acedawg98 - Overall Record 25-25, Last Week 7-3
BC +3, WVU -6.5, USC +2.5, UM +3.5, Texas -21.5, UGA +9, A&M +2.5, USC +3, PSU +3.5, Cal +3

Waregl72 - Overall Record 34-36, Last Week 6-4
VT -3, WVU -6.5, USC +2.5, Clem -3.5, Neb +21.5, UGA +9, KU -2.5, Tenn -3, OSU -3.5, Cal +3

Reno - Overall Record 33-37, Last Week 4-6
BC +3, WVU -6.5, USC +2.5, Clem -3.5, NEB +21.5, UGA +9, A&M +2.5, USC +3, OSU -3.5, ASU -3

CMurphy73 - Overall Record 32-38, Last Week 8-2
VT -3, WVU -6.5, USC +2.5, UM +3.5, NEB +21.5, UGA +9, KU -2.5, Tenn -3, OSU -3.5, Cal +3

Tigertater - Overall Record 32-38, Last Week 5-5
VT -3, WVU -6.5, USC +2.5, Clem -3.5, Neb +21.5, UF -9, KU -2.5, USC +3, PSU +3.5, Cal +3

Goutvols22 - Overall Record 31-39, Last Week 6-4
VT -3, WVU -6.5, USC +2.5, Clem -3.5, Texas -21.5, UF -9, KU -2.5, USC +3, OSU -3.5, Cal +3

Nutzz23 – Overall Record 28-32, Last Week 6-4
BC +3, WVU -6.5, Ore -2.5, UM +3.5, Texas -21.5, UF -9, A&M +2.5, USC +3, OSU -3.5, CAL +3

Zack - Overall Record 18-22, Last Week 5-5
VT -3, Rut +6.5, Ore -2.5, CLEM -3.5, Neb +21.5, UF -9, KU -2.5, TENN -3, PSU +3.5, Cal +3

Beaverbowline - Overall Record 16-24, Last Week 4-6
BC +3, Rut +6.5, Ore -2.5, CLEM -3.5, Neb +21.5, UGA +9, KU -2.5, USC +3, OSU -3.5, ASU -3

Canes854 - Overall Record 30-40, Last Week 5-5
VT -3, WVU -6.5, Ore -2.5, CLEM -3.5, Texas -21.5, UF -9, A&M +2.5, TENN -3, PSU +3.5, ASU -3

Brent - Overall 25-35, Last Week 6-4
BC +3, Rut +6.5, USC +2.5, UM +3.5, NEB +21.5, UF -9, A&M +2.5, USC +3, PSU +3.5, CAL +3

AB42Beerman - Overall Record 29-41, Last Week 1-9
VT -3, WVU -6.5, ORE -2.5, Clem -3.5, Neb +21.5, UF -9, A&M +2.5, TENN -3, OSU -3.5, CAL +3

GaryL0817 - Overall Record 26-44, Last Week 5-5
BC +3, Rut +6.5, Ore -2.5, Clem -3.5, Texas -21.5, UF -9, KU -2.5, USC +3, PSU +3.5, ASU -3

Scoot’s Sheet – Overall Record 3-7, Last Week, 3-7
BC +3, Rut +6.5, Ore -2.5, Clem -3.5, Neb +21.5, UF -9, KU -2.5, USC +3, OSU -3.5, ASU -3

Week 9 Top 25

1. Ohio State (13)
2. Boston College (1)
3. LSU
4. Oregon
t-5. Oklahoma
t-5. Arizona State
7. Kansas
8. Southern Cal
9. West Virginia
10. Missouri
11. Virginia Tech
12. Florida
13. South Florida
14. Hawaii
15. Virginia
16. Kentucky
17. Texas
18. South Carolina
19. Michigan
20. Connecticut
21. Cal
22. Alabama
23. Penn State
24. Auburn
25. Boise State

Others receiving votes: Georgia 33, Rutgers 31, Wisconsin 20, Kansas State 14, Texas A&M 14, Clemson 9, Cincinnati 7, UCLA 5, Texas Tech 4, Wake Forest 2

Weekly Not-so-expert Picks

Blue974 - Overall Record 29-21, Last Week 5-5
USF -3, PITT +10, FSU -6, FL -7, USC -20, MSU +17, TENN +1, WASH +11, ILL +3, AUB +10.5

NoleinPHX - Overall Record 30-30, Last Week 5-5
USF -3, CINN -10, FSU -6, UF -7, USC -20, MSU +17, TENN +1, ORE -11, MICH -3, AUB +10.5

Reno - Overall Record 29-31, Last Week 5-5
USF -3, PITT +10, FSU -6, FL -7, ND +20, OSU -17, BAMA -1, WASH +11, ILL +3, AUB

AB42Beerman - Overall Record 28-32, Last Week 3-7
USF -3, CINN -10, FSU -6, UF -7, ND +20, OSU -17, TENN +1, WASH +11, ILL +3, LSU -10.5

Waregl72 - Overall Record 28-32, Last Week 2-8
USF -3, CINN -10, UM +6, UF -7, ND +20, MSU +17, TENN +1, ORE -11, MICH -3, AUB +10.5

Acedawg98 - Overall Record 18-22, Last Week 5-5
RUT +3, CINN -10, UM +6, UF -7, USC -20, MSU +17, TENN +1, WASH +11, MICH -3, AUB +10.5

Tigertater - Overall Record 27-33, Last Week 3-7
USF -3, CINN -10, FSU -6, UF -7, USC -20, OSU -17, TENN +1, ORE -11, MICH -3, AUB +10.5

Canes854 - Overall Record 25-35, Last Week 4-6
RUT +3, CINN -10, FSU -6, UK +7, USC -20, MSU +17, TENN +1, ORE -11, MICH -3, LSU -10.5

Nutzz23 – Overall Record 22-28, Last Week 4-6
RUT +3, CINN -10, UM +6, UF -7, ND +20, MSU +17, TENN +1, ORE -11, MICH -3, AUB +10.5

Zack - Overall Record 13-17, Last Week 6-4
USF -3, CINN -10, FSU -6, UF -7, ND +20, OSU -17, BAMA -1, ORE +11, MICH -3, AUB +10.5

Beaverbowline - Overall Record 12-18, Last Week 3-7
USF -3, CINN -10, UM +6, UK +7, ND +20, MSU +17, TENN +1, ORE -11, ILL +3, AUB +10.5

Brent - Overall 19-31, Last Week 5-5
RUT +3, CINN -10, FSU -6, UK +7, USC -20, MSU +17, BAMA -1, ORE -11, MICH -3, AUB +10.5

GaryL0817 - Overall Record 21-39, Last Week 2-8
USF -3, CINN -10, UM +6, UF -7, USC -20, OSU -17, TENN +1, ORE -11, MICH -3, LSU -10.5

Weekly Not-so-expert Picks

Blue974 - Overall Record 24-16, Last Week 7-3
FSU -6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, LSU -9, TT -8, Ore -17.5, ND +14, OU -9, CAL -14, LOU +10.5

Waregl72 - Overall Record 26-24, Last Week 4-6
FSU -6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, LSU -9, A&M +8, WSU +17.5, BC -14, OU -9, CAL -14, LOU +10.5

NoleinPHX – Overall Record 25-25, Last Week 4-6
WF +6, GT +3, Ill -3.5, UK +9, TT -8, WSU +17.5, BC -14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Lou +10.5

AB42Beerman - Overall Record 25-25, Last Week 4-6
FSU -6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, LSU -9, TT -8, Ore -17.5, BC -14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Lou +10.5

Trojan Tucker - Overall Record 24-26, Last Week 2-8
WF +6, GT +3, Ill -3.5, LSU -9, TT -8, Ore -17.5, BC -14, OU -9, Cal -14, Cinn -10.5

Reno - Overall Record 24-26, Last Week 4-6Florida State WF +6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, UK +9, A&M +8, WSU +17.5, BC -14, OU -9, OSU +14, Lou +10.5

Tigertater - Overall Record 24-26, Last Week 4-6
FSU -6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, LSU -9, TT -8, Ore -17.5, BC -14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Lou +10.5

Beaverbowline - Overall Record 9-11, Last Week 0-0
FSU -6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, UK +9, TT -8, WSU +17.5, ND +14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Cinn -10.5

Nutzz23 – Overall Record 18-22, Last Week 4-6
FSU -6, GT +3, Ill -3.5, LSU -9, TT -8, Ore -17.5, BC -14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Lou +10.5

Canes854 - Overall Record 21-29, Last Week 2-8
WF +6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, UK +9, A&M +8, Ore -17.5, BC -14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Lou +10.5

GaryL0817 - Overall Record 19-31, Last Week 1-9
FSU -6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, LSU -9, TT -8, Ore -17.5, BC -14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Cinn -10.5

BamaBen11 - Overall Record 13-17, Last Week 0-0
FSU -6, UM -3, IA +3.5, LSU -9, A&M +8, WSU +17.5, ND +14, Mizzou +9, Cal +14, Lou +10.5

Goutvols22 - Overall Record 22-28, Last Week 5-5
FSU -6, UM -3, ILL -3.5, LSU -9, A&M +8, Ore -17.5, ND +14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Lou -10.5

JonSobel – Overall Record 14-26, Last Week 2-8
FSU -6, UM -3, ILL -3.5, LSU -9, A&M +8, Ore -17.5, ND +14, Mizzou +9, Cal -14, Lou +10.5

Acedawg98 - Overall Record 13-17, Last Week 5-5
FSU -6, GT +3, Ill -3, UK +9, TT -8, WSU +17.5, BC -14, OU -9, Cal +14, Lou +10.5

CMurphy73 - Overall Record 20-30, Last Week 5-5
FSU -6, UM -3, Ill-3.5, UK +9, A&M +8, Ore -17.5, BC -14, OU -9, Cal -14, Lou +10.5

Roar on State - Overall Record 14-26, Last Week 0-0
FSU -6, GT +3, Ill -3.5, LSU -9, A&M +8. Ore -17.5, ND +14, OU -9, Cal -14, Lou +10.5

Zack - Overall Record 7-13, Last Week 2-8
WF +6, UM -3, Ill -3.5, UK +9, TT -8, Ore -17.5, ND +14, Mizzou +9, Cal +14, Lou +10.5

You really have to question the writers

As it seems to go every football season, the writers have again provided us with an interesting Top 25 as we near the midpoint of the season. The following is the recent AP Top 25 Poll...

1. LSU (65) 6-0 1,625

2. California 5-0 1,538

3. Ohio State 6-0 1,511

4. Boston College 6-0 1,346

5. South Florida 5-0 1,339

6. Oklahoma 5-1 1,221

7. South Carolina 5-1 1,183

8. West Virginia 5-1 1,059

9. Oregon 4-1 1,047

10. USC 4-1 1,024

11. Missouri 5-0 966

12. Virginia Tech 5-1 910

13. Florida 4-2 822

14. Arizona State 6-0 752

15. Cincinnati 6-0 705

16. Hawaii 6-0 634

17. Kentucky 5-1 612

18. Illinois 5-1 595

19. Wisconsin 5-1 551

20. Kansas 5-0 336

21. Florida State 4-1 307

22. Auburn 4-2 248

23. Texas 4-2 136

24. Georgia 4-2 131

25. Tennessee 3-2 90

The first 9 actually look pretty good. Though I personally think Boston College and South Florida are overrated, you can't argue with their placement at this point of the season. Starting at #10 is where things get interesting. Using what we will call the Michigan Principle, USC is ranked entirely too high. I realize that Appy St. is 1-AA and Stanford is a BCS school but the upsets are similar with Top 5 teams losing at home to underdogs of at least 25. In Week 2, Michigan was unranked yet USC remains in the Top 10. Looking at our own poll, I see that we have USC at #12 but that doesn't mean we are right either. Moving on we see Missouri at #11 despite embarrassing Nebraska in a way that USC did not. Personally, I think Missouri is better than both BC and USF, but that is for another day. I'm not a big fan of the common opponent argument because teams match up in different ways but Missouri did play Nebraska better than USC did. Now we move to Florida who is somewhat of a tricky subject. This is where common opponent gets dangerous. Auburn ranked #22 beat Florida ranked #13 in Gainesville but also lost to Miss. St. at Jordan-Hare. At the same time, Florida destroyed Tennessee and hung real close with #1 LSU. I don't know whether Auburn should be ranked ahead of Florida as the Miss. St. loss was bad, but they should be closer in the rankings. We'll lastly move to the Georgia and Tennessee. Both teams have two losses to currently ranked Top 25 teams. That being equal you have to rely on head to head competition. Tennessee dominated Georgia this past weekend and clearly demonstrated that they are the better team. It's debatable that either should be ranked but if they are going to be ranked, then Tennessee should be higher.

What we have here, especially in the top 15 is a case of human nature and our desire to be right. I imagine it is giving the writers fits having to rank teams such as Boston College and USF in the top 5. The writers were very high on USC and UF entering the season and dropping them now would hurt their credibility. Throw in the fact that the AP provided USC a share of the championship in 2003 and it looks even more suspicious when USC's lost is treated that much differently than Michigan's loss.

Lastly, I realize that the Coaches and Harris polls have just as many inconsistencies but I don't expect much from them. Coaches and SID's are notorious Sunday Box Score guys and the Harris poll pretty much makes itself look stupid on it's own without the need for anyone to point out its problems. The AP Poll awards its own championship at the end of the season independent from other polls and computer models. This fact means we must hold the AP to a higher standard because with the power to award a championship comes more responsibility. My hope is that by the end of the year the press is able to step back and objectively look at they way they vote. There are just too many questions at this point of the season.

And the beat goes on...Week 7 Top 25

1. LSU (19)
2. Ohio State
3. Cal
4. South Florida
5. Boston College
6. Oklahoma
7. Missouri
8. South Carolina
9. Cincinnati
10. Arizona State
11. Oregon
12. Southern Cal
13. West Virginia
14. Kansas
15. Hawaii
16. Illinois
17. Virginia Tech
18. Florida
19. Florida State
20. Kentucky
21. Wisconsin
22. Connecticut
23. Texas
24. Auburn
25. Indiana

Others receiving votes: Purdue 26, Texas Tech 26, Tennessee 22, Virginia 15, Nebraska 13, Texas A&M 12, Wyoming 11, Rutgers 10, Georgia 9, Maryland 9, Michigan 1

"I want a loss too"

The new battle cry in college football. While such rebels as LSU, South Florida, and Boston College not wanting to join the party, it definitely is the re-occuring theme so far this year. What is it all going to mean at the end of the year? The answer is "Who the F%$#! knows?" This has been a season never seen before in my 34 years of watching college football. A 40 point favorite loses at home. A team that has won no more than 2 games the last couple of years (Illinois) knocks off 2 ranked teams in a row, one of those being in the top 5. UCLA was highly touted coming into the season and has given a hapless Notre Dame thier first win of the year. I could go on but Jerrel only allows us to use so much space on this blog. It is what makes this game so great. The complete uncertainty of who will win and who will lose from week to week. Vegas must be loving it as much as anyone. Or maybe they are the cause of it since they "fix" so many other sports (tongue in cheek dripping of sarcasm). So sit back, turn in your E ticket, and hang on. The ride is going to be a little bumpy here on out

Week 6 Not-so-Expert Picks

Blue974 - Overall Record 17-13, Last Week 6-4
USC -3.5, Wisc +2.5, NCST +17.5, UGA +2, TEX +10.5, WSU +8.5, VT +5, Rut -3, UF +8, ND +20.5

Trojan Tucker - Overall Record 22-18, Last Week 3-7UK +3.5, Wisc +2.5, FSU -17.5, UGA +2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, Clem -5, Rut +3, UF +8, ND +20.5

Waregl72 - Overall Record 22-18, Last Week 3-7
UK +3.5, WIsc +2.5, NCST +17.5, UGA +2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, VT +5, Cinn +3, LSU -8, ND +20.5

NoleinPHX – Overall Record 21-19, Last Week 7-3
UK +3.5, ILL -2.5, FSU -17.5, UGA +2, Tex +10.5, ASU -8.5, VT +5, Cinn -3, LSU -8, UCLA -20.5

AB42Beerman - Overall Record 21-19, Last Week 2-8
UK +3.5, Wisc +2.5, NCST +17.5, Tenn -2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, VT +5, Rut -3, UF +8, UCLA -20.5

Reno - Overall Record 20-20, Last Week 3-7
USC -3.5, Wisc +2.5, NCST +17.5, UGA +2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, Clem -5, Cinn +3, LSU -8, ND +20.5

Tigertater - Overall Record 20-20, Last Week 4-6
USC -3.5, Wisc +2.5, NCST +17.5, UGA +2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, Clem -5, Rut -3, UF +8, ND +20.5

Nutzz23 – Overall Record 14-16, Last Week 2-8UK +3.5, Wisc +2.5, FSU -17.5, Tenn -2, Tex +10.5, ASU -8.5, VT +5, Rut -3, LSU -8, ND +20.5

Canes854 - Overall Record 19-21, Last Week 3-7UK +3.5, ILL -2.5, NCST +17.5, UGA +2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, Clem -5, Rut -3, LSU -8, UCLA -20.5

GaryL0817 - Overall Record 18-22, Last Week 3-7UK +3.5, Wisc +2.5, FSU -17.5, UGA +2, TEX +10.5, ASU -8.5, Clem -5, Rut -3, LSU -8, UCLA -20.5

JonSobel – Overall Record 12-18, Last Week 3-7UK +3.5, Wisc +2.5, FSU -17.5, UGA +2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, Clem -5, Cinn +3, LSU -8, ND +20.5

Acedawg98 - Overall Record 8-12, Last Week 0-0UK +3.5, Wisc +2.5, NCST +17.5, UGA +2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, VT +5, Cinn+3, UF +8, UCLA -20.5

CMurphy73 - Overall Record 15-25, Last Week 4-6UK +3.5, Wisc +2.5, NCST +17.5, Tenn -2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, Clem -5, Cinn +3, UF +8, ND +20.5

Zack - Overall Record 5-5, Last Week 5-5UK +3.5, ILL -2.5, FSU -17.5, UGA +2, OU -10.5, ASU -8.5, Clem -5, Rut -3, LSU -8, ND +20.5

Week 6 Top 25

1. LSU (9)
2. Southern Cal (10)
t3. Ohio Statet
3. Cal
5. Wisconsin
6. South Florida
7. Boston College
8. Kentucky
9. Florida
10. Oklahoma
11. Oregon
12. Cincinnati
13. Missouri
14. Arizona State
15. West Virginia
16. Hawaii
17. Georgia
18. South Carolina
19. Purdue
20. Texas
21. Virginia Tech
22. Rutgers
23. Kansas State
24. Connecticut
25. Kansas

Others receiving votes: Florida State 48, Clemson 47, Miami 46, UCLA 28, Nebraska 27, Texas Tech 14, Auburn 10, Illinois 10, Michigan State 5, Alabama 2, Maryland 1, Virginia 1, Indiana 1