SWC75
Bored Historian
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- Aug 26, 2011
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I will once again chart the future challenges of the undefeated in major college football. Once November comes I’ll include the one-loss teams. We now have a four team playoff, (maybe someday we’ll move to 8 with auto bids for the Power Five champions), so more of these teams will continue to have a chance until the very end of the regular season. I’ll limit my coverage to ranked teams. (For fun I’ll also keep track of the teams eligible for the Pesci Bowl, the top mid-majors in the country and the Tydee Bowl, which decides the worst team in the country, although I’ll not spend as much time on them. I think I’ll do a four team playoff for them, too.)
A note on rankings: the first is the ranking of the AP (writer’s) poll, then the USA Today (coach’s) poll the ESPN power ranking and finally College Football Playoff Committee, (which won’t start until November 3rd). The total is based on a 25 points for 1st, 24 for 2nd, etc. system. They are listed in order of that total. (Shortcut- if they are ranked in all the polls: add the rankings and subtract from 78 or 104 once the committee joins in.)
I’ll also include the team’s points “Against Ranked Teams” from my latest post of that title, their won-lost record and their points for and against. I’ll supply the same info in the same format for each future opponent.
CLEMSON 10-0 (385-181) 42 ART rank: 1-1-1-1 total: 100
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest 3-7 (175-225) 9 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at South Carolina 3-7 (209-270) 5 ART not ranked
Comments: The rest of the regular season schedule is a tiptoe through the tulips. UNC in the ACC title game could present a substantial roadblock to the playoff. A one loss ACC team might have a hard time getting in, and especially not one that had just lost for the first time. Voters have short memories and it’s better to lose early than to lose late.
OHIO STATE 10-0 (364-138) 0 points against ranked teams (ART) rank: 2-2-3-3 total: 94
Sat 11/21 Michigan State 9-1 (329-223) 40 ART rank: 9-9-9 total:
Sat 11/28 at Michigan 8-2 (326-148) 101 ART rank: 14-13-15 total:
Comments: T. J. Barrett was suspended for a game but they still have Cardell Jones. The Buckeyes have zero points against ranked teams but they didn’t have any at this point last year, either. They now have a chance to accumulate points against the Michigan schools and Iowa in the Big Ten title game- or get
knocked out of the tournament.
OKLAHOMA STATE 10-0 (436-245) 38 ART rank: 4-4-5-6 total: 85
Sat 11/21 Baylor 8-1 (493-244) 4 ART rank: 10-10-10 total:
Sat 11/28 Oklahoma 9-1 (461-197) 63 ART rank: 7-7-7 total:
Comments: Okie State sure looked for real against TCU. Now they get Baylor and Oklahoma at home. The Bedlam game may prove bigger than it ever has before.
IOWA 10-0 (336-184) 47 ART rank: 6-6-6-5 total: 81
Sat 11/21 Purdue 2-8 (245-344) 22 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 at Nebraska 5-6 (370-305) 20 ART not ranked
Comments: The Hawkeyes are kind of sneaking up on people. They don’t’ play Ohio State or either of the Michigan schools in the regular season. They also don’t play anyone with a winning record the rest of the way. But then comes the Big Ten title game if they make it that far. That will be the litmus test.
HOUSTON 10-0 (435-202) 5 ART rank: 13-14-13-19 total: 45
Sat 11/21 at Connecticut 5-5 (190-193) 1 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Navy 8-1 (338-166) 38 ART not ranked
Comments: Comparative scores: Houston 34 Vanderbilt 0. Florida 9 Vanderbilt 7. Misleading? Maybe, but that’s quite a difference. The remaining hurdles is Navy. If they get by them, They’ll likely play Temple ion the conference title game. They are unlikely to make the playoff but should be playing on New Year’s Day if they run the table.
ONE LOSS POWER CONFERENCE TEAMS
(I’m assuming that a one loss non-power conference team will have no shot at the playoff.)
ALABAMA 9-1 (329-153) 182 ART rank: 3-3-2-2 total: 94
11/21 Charleston Southern 9-1 (310-162) ranked #8 in FCS
11/28 at Auburn 5-5 (257-265) 23 ART not ranked
Comments: They looked like Alabama again against LSU and Mississippi State, winning the game in the trenches. You’ve gotta like the Tide to be in the playoff. The most undefeated power conference champions we could have is three and the Tide would surely be the #1 one loss team if they win out.
NOTRE DAME 9-1 (362-215) 41 ART rank: 5-5-4-4 total: 86
11/21 Boston College 3-7 (173-144) 7 ART
11/28 at Stanford 8-2 (370-220) 59 ART rank: 15-15-16 total:
Comments: Notre Dame took a hit when Stanford lost to Oregon. That game could still be a step up but now a much lesser one. Will it be enough to be Notre Dame when the other teams are not? Maybe they should join a power conference so they could win one and get the respect that accomplishment deserves?
OKLAHOMA 9-1 (461-197) 63 ART rank: 7-7-7-7 total: 76
Sat 11/21 Texas Christian 9-1 (443-262) 0 ART rank: 11-11-12 total:
Sat 11/28 at Oklahoma State 10-0 (436-245) 38 ART rank: 4-4-5 total:
Comments: I think Sooners are the best of the Big Eight’s Big Four. They looked it at Baylor. They’ll get two more chances to prove it. I think they will. They tripped up against Texas but turned their season around after that game. Obviously they can’t afford another stumble. But that was a week five loss and could be forgotten or at least forgiven if they win out.
FLORIDA 9-1 (281-145) 51 ART rank: 8-8-8-8 total: 72
Sat 11/21 Florida Atlantic 2-8 (223-294) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 Florida State 8-2 (309-174) 15 ART rank: 16-16-14 total:
Comments: They will have an easy time this next week but then comes Florida State and probably Alabama in the SEC title game. That comparison with Houston is concerning. The Gators will likely watch the playoff on TV.
MICHIGAN STATE 9-1 (329-223) 40 ART rank: 9-9-9-9 total: 68
Sat 11/21 at Ohio State 10-0 (364-138) 0 ART rank: 2-2-3 total:
Sat 11/28 Penn State 7-3 (252-177) 2 ART not ranked
Comments: The Spartans got ripped off at Nebraska with a call that everybody in the country but the refs knew was a bad call. Now their hope is to beat Ohio State, (and don’t ignore Penn State), and win the Big Ten title game. They’ve just been scrapping by all season, (Michigan should have bene their loss, not Nebraska). I don’t think they are going to do anything with the Buckeyes and might lost to the Nittany Lions on the rebound, as well.
BAYLOR 8-1 (493-244) 4 ART rank: 10-10-10-10 total: 64
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma State 10-0 (436-245) 38 ART rank: 4-4-5 total:
Fri 11/27 at Texas Christian 9-1 (443-262) 0 ART rank: 11-11-12 total:
Sat 12/ 5 Texas 4-6 (249-299) 23 ART not ranked
Comments: The Bears came up short- at home- against their first ranked team this season. They are missing their starting quarterback. Now they go on the road to play two other top teams. After their stunning rise and frustrations at getting into the title game, they could wind up in a minor bowl this year. (I’m hoping somebody matches them up with Oregon- wouldn’t that be fun?)
NORTH CAROLINA 9-1 (420-188) 10 ART rank: 12-12-11-17 Total: 52
11/21 at Virginia Tech 5-5 (298-240) 8 ART
11/28 at North Carolina State 6-4 (328-211) 8 ART
Comments: Like Iowa , the Tar Heels have snuck up on people this year. They have their most wins since Mack Brown was there, (1997). They can sure score, putting up 66 points on a Duke team that thought they were pretty good and then 59 on a Miami team that was once great. They lost their openr to South Carolina, 13-17 and are 9-0 407-171 since. Being in the weak coastal division, I’m not sure how good- or great - they really are but if they beat Clemson, (and off of what I saw in the Dome, I wouldn’t be shocked if they did it), shouldn’t they be in the mix for the playoff? How about a Tar Hell-Hawkeye championship game?
TEXAS CHRISTIAN 9-1 (443-262) 0 ART rank: 11-11-12-18 total: 52
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma 9-1 (461-197) 63 ART rank: 7-7-7 total:
Fri 11/27 Baylor 8-1 (493-244) 4 ART rank: 10-10-10 total:
Comments They were the first of the big four in the big 12 to lose a stare-down contest. They still have a chance to come back if they can beat Oklahoma and Baylor but the status of Trevone Boykin is uncertain and I don’t trust their defense, (which is what they were once known for). I think thyey are on their way to a minor bowl, as well.
Top non-power conference teams, (in contention for the Joe Pesci Bowl: we’re not big but don’t’ mess with us!), Houston 10-0, Toledo 8-1, Navy 8-1,Appalcahian State 8-2, Bowling Green 8-2, Georgia Southern 8-2, Marshall 9-2, Memphis 8-2, Temple 8-2 and Western Kentucky 8-2.
Trying to avoid the Tydee Bowl: Central Florida 0-10 and Kansas 0-10,
Also: Eastern Michigan 1-10, Louisiana-Monroe 1-9, North Texas 1-9, Southern Methodist 1-9, Wyoming 1-10.
A note on rankings: the first is the ranking of the AP (writer’s) poll, then the USA Today (coach’s) poll the ESPN power ranking and finally College Football Playoff Committee, (which won’t start until November 3rd). The total is based on a 25 points for 1st, 24 for 2nd, etc. system. They are listed in order of that total. (Shortcut- if they are ranked in all the polls: add the rankings and subtract from 78 or 104 once the committee joins in.)
I’ll also include the team’s points “Against Ranked Teams” from my latest post of that title, their won-lost record and their points for and against. I’ll supply the same info in the same format for each future opponent.
CLEMSON 10-0 (385-181) 42 ART rank: 1-1-1-1 total: 100
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest 3-7 (175-225) 9 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at South Carolina 3-7 (209-270) 5 ART not ranked
Comments: The rest of the regular season schedule is a tiptoe through the tulips. UNC in the ACC title game could present a substantial roadblock to the playoff. A one loss ACC team might have a hard time getting in, and especially not one that had just lost for the first time. Voters have short memories and it’s better to lose early than to lose late.
OHIO STATE 10-0 (364-138) 0 points against ranked teams (ART) rank: 2-2-3-3 total: 94
Sat 11/21 Michigan State 9-1 (329-223) 40 ART rank: 9-9-9 total:
Sat 11/28 at Michigan 8-2 (326-148) 101 ART rank: 14-13-15 total:
Comments: T. J. Barrett was suspended for a game but they still have Cardell Jones. The Buckeyes have zero points against ranked teams but they didn’t have any at this point last year, either. They now have a chance to accumulate points against the Michigan schools and Iowa in the Big Ten title game- or get
knocked out of the tournament.
OKLAHOMA STATE 10-0 (436-245) 38 ART rank: 4-4-5-6 total: 85
Sat 11/21 Baylor 8-1 (493-244) 4 ART rank: 10-10-10 total:
Sat 11/28 Oklahoma 9-1 (461-197) 63 ART rank: 7-7-7 total:
Comments: Okie State sure looked for real against TCU. Now they get Baylor and Oklahoma at home. The Bedlam game may prove bigger than it ever has before.
IOWA 10-0 (336-184) 47 ART rank: 6-6-6-5 total: 81
Sat 11/21 Purdue 2-8 (245-344) 22 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 at Nebraska 5-6 (370-305) 20 ART not ranked
Comments: The Hawkeyes are kind of sneaking up on people. They don’t’ play Ohio State or either of the Michigan schools in the regular season. They also don’t play anyone with a winning record the rest of the way. But then comes the Big Ten title game if they make it that far. That will be the litmus test.
HOUSTON 10-0 (435-202) 5 ART rank: 13-14-13-19 total: 45
Sat 11/21 at Connecticut 5-5 (190-193) 1 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Navy 8-1 (338-166) 38 ART not ranked
Comments: Comparative scores: Houston 34 Vanderbilt 0. Florida 9 Vanderbilt 7. Misleading? Maybe, but that’s quite a difference. The remaining hurdles is Navy. If they get by them, They’ll likely play Temple ion the conference title game. They are unlikely to make the playoff but should be playing on New Year’s Day if they run the table.
ONE LOSS POWER CONFERENCE TEAMS
(I’m assuming that a one loss non-power conference team will have no shot at the playoff.)
ALABAMA 9-1 (329-153) 182 ART rank: 3-3-2-2 total: 94
11/21 Charleston Southern 9-1 (310-162) ranked #8 in FCS
11/28 at Auburn 5-5 (257-265) 23 ART not ranked
Comments: They looked like Alabama again against LSU and Mississippi State, winning the game in the trenches. You’ve gotta like the Tide to be in the playoff. The most undefeated power conference champions we could have is three and the Tide would surely be the #1 one loss team if they win out.
NOTRE DAME 9-1 (362-215) 41 ART rank: 5-5-4-4 total: 86
11/21 Boston College 3-7 (173-144) 7 ART
11/28 at Stanford 8-2 (370-220) 59 ART rank: 15-15-16 total:
Comments: Notre Dame took a hit when Stanford lost to Oregon. That game could still be a step up but now a much lesser one. Will it be enough to be Notre Dame when the other teams are not? Maybe they should join a power conference so they could win one and get the respect that accomplishment deserves?
OKLAHOMA 9-1 (461-197) 63 ART rank: 7-7-7-7 total: 76
Sat 11/21 Texas Christian 9-1 (443-262) 0 ART rank: 11-11-12 total:
Sat 11/28 at Oklahoma State 10-0 (436-245) 38 ART rank: 4-4-5 total:
Comments: I think Sooners are the best of the Big Eight’s Big Four. They looked it at Baylor. They’ll get two more chances to prove it. I think they will. They tripped up against Texas but turned their season around after that game. Obviously they can’t afford another stumble. But that was a week five loss and could be forgotten or at least forgiven if they win out.
FLORIDA 9-1 (281-145) 51 ART rank: 8-8-8-8 total: 72
Sat 11/21 Florida Atlantic 2-8 (223-294) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 Florida State 8-2 (309-174) 15 ART rank: 16-16-14 total:
Comments: They will have an easy time this next week but then comes Florida State and probably Alabama in the SEC title game. That comparison with Houston is concerning. The Gators will likely watch the playoff on TV.
MICHIGAN STATE 9-1 (329-223) 40 ART rank: 9-9-9-9 total: 68
Sat 11/21 at Ohio State 10-0 (364-138) 0 ART rank: 2-2-3 total:
Sat 11/28 Penn State 7-3 (252-177) 2 ART not ranked
Comments: The Spartans got ripped off at Nebraska with a call that everybody in the country but the refs knew was a bad call. Now their hope is to beat Ohio State, (and don’t ignore Penn State), and win the Big Ten title game. They’ve just been scrapping by all season, (Michigan should have bene their loss, not Nebraska). I don’t think they are going to do anything with the Buckeyes and might lost to the Nittany Lions on the rebound, as well.
BAYLOR 8-1 (493-244) 4 ART rank: 10-10-10-10 total: 64
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma State 10-0 (436-245) 38 ART rank: 4-4-5 total:
Fri 11/27 at Texas Christian 9-1 (443-262) 0 ART rank: 11-11-12 total:
Sat 12/ 5 Texas 4-6 (249-299) 23 ART not ranked
Comments: The Bears came up short- at home- against their first ranked team this season. They are missing their starting quarterback. Now they go on the road to play two other top teams. After their stunning rise and frustrations at getting into the title game, they could wind up in a minor bowl this year. (I’m hoping somebody matches them up with Oregon- wouldn’t that be fun?)
NORTH CAROLINA 9-1 (420-188) 10 ART rank: 12-12-11-17 Total: 52
11/21 at Virginia Tech 5-5 (298-240) 8 ART
11/28 at North Carolina State 6-4 (328-211) 8 ART
Comments: Like Iowa , the Tar Heels have snuck up on people this year. They have their most wins since Mack Brown was there, (1997). They can sure score, putting up 66 points on a Duke team that thought they were pretty good and then 59 on a Miami team that was once great. They lost their openr to South Carolina, 13-17 and are 9-0 407-171 since. Being in the weak coastal division, I’m not sure how good- or great - they really are but if they beat Clemson, (and off of what I saw in the Dome, I wouldn’t be shocked if they did it), shouldn’t they be in the mix for the playoff? How about a Tar Hell-Hawkeye championship game?
TEXAS CHRISTIAN 9-1 (443-262) 0 ART rank: 11-11-12-18 total: 52
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma 9-1 (461-197) 63 ART rank: 7-7-7 total:
Fri 11/27 Baylor 8-1 (493-244) 4 ART rank: 10-10-10 total:
Comments They were the first of the big four in the big 12 to lose a stare-down contest. They still have a chance to come back if they can beat Oklahoma and Baylor but the status of Trevone Boykin is uncertain and I don’t trust their defense, (which is what they were once known for). I think thyey are on their way to a minor bowl, as well.
Top non-power conference teams, (in contention for the Joe Pesci Bowl: we’re not big but don’t’ mess with us!), Houston 10-0, Toledo 8-1, Navy 8-1,Appalcahian State 8-2, Bowling Green 8-2, Georgia Southern 8-2, Marshall 9-2, Memphis 8-2, Temple 8-2 and Western Kentucky 8-2.
Trying to avoid the Tydee Bowl: Central Florida 0-10 and Kansas 0-10,
Also: Eastern Michigan 1-10, Louisiana-Monroe 1-9, North Texas 1-9, Southern Methodist 1-9, Wyoming 1-10.