This past weekend in college football had its share of triumphs
and upsets, and this is my take on it:
As we reach the midpoint of the season, college football might as
well put the AP poll in a blender because it seems everyone can beat
everyone else at any given point, and that is what makes this season
one of the most exciting in recent history. It is also why quite a
few people believe the BCS is not fair across the board, as opposed
to a playoff system of some sort, and that the rankings shouldn't
even be posted until half way through the season.
Though there were some tough wins, and some even tougher losses,
the
highlight of this weekend was the Stanford victory. A 41-point
underdog in the betting pools, Stanford beat No. 2 ranked Southern
Cal in a stunning 24-23 victory, proving you can have brains and
brawn in the total package. It is the Trojans' first loss in 36 games
at the Coliseum, however, USC still holds a place in the Top 10. A
lucky break seeing as Michigan tumbled all the way out of the top 25
after losing to their unranked opponent in their opening game. “I
don't know if there's ever been a game where a team was a 40-point
underdog and playing with a quarterback making their first start [and
won],” said Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh. The Cardinal had lost its
previous three Pac-10 conference games by a combined score of 141-51.
ESPN.com writer Mark Schlabach writes it best: “There's never
been a college football season quite like this one. Half of the AP
poll's top 10 and nine ranked teams lost in Week 5. Four more top-10
teams and eleven ranked squads fell in Week 6. During the first six
weeks, Notre Dame couldn't win (until beating UCLA 20-6 on Saturday
night); Cincinnati and Connecticut, of all teams, wouldn't lose. Ron
Zook looks like a genius, Urban Meyer looks human. No one can slow
down Kansas; Louisville hasn't stopped anyone.”
Stats to consider:
Of the 25 teams ranked in the preseason AP poll, 10 teams are now
unranked. Seven of the now top 15 ranked teams, were unranked in the
preseason. (Who lit the fire under Southern Florida?!)
Second ranked Cal, Boston College, South Florida and Cincinnati
are ranked the highest they have ever been in school history.
Missouri has its highest ranking since 1981, and Kansas is ranked for
the first time since 1995.
Seven of the ten remaining unbeaten teams in major college
football were unranked in the preseason. LSU, Ohio State and Hawaii
are the only undefeated teams left from the preseason top 25.
Southern Florida is ranked fifth, is undefeated, and has only had a
football program for 12 years.
Yes, this season has been one great roller coaster ride for those
with iron stomachs, and it still holds a lot of promise. Let iTaggit
help manage collections of your sports memorabilia, such as
the rookie football cards of these rising collegiate stars.
Then let Expert Eric help value your collections through our
What's My Item Worth feature. Lastly, write me your thoughts and
opinions on college football; they may even be featured in next
week's sports blog!