SWC75
Bored Historian
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- Aug 26, 2011
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It’s October and so 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.
OHIO STATE 8-0 (308-121) 0 points against ranked teams (ART) rank: 1-1-1 total: 75
Sat 11/7 Minnesota 4-3 (143-162) 17 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Illinois 4-3 (184-142) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Michigan State 8-0 (267-177) 40 ART rank: 6-5-6 total: 61
Sat 11/28 at Michigan 5-2 (200-65) 101 ART rank: 15-17-16 total: 30
Comments: The Buckeyes seem to be getting their act together and they don’t face a currently ranked team until they close with the Michigan schools in late November, although every remaining team has a winning record. They have no points against ranked teams but then they didn’t at this point last year, either. They still made the playoff and shoved aside anyone in their way to take the title.
BAYLOR 7-0 (428-176) 0 ART rank: 2-2-4 total: 70
Bye Week
Thu 11/5 at Kansas State 3-4 (191-202) 20 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Oklahoma 6-1 (303-140) 33 ART rank: 14-13-13 total: 38
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma State 7-0 (282-132) 0 ART rank: 12-10-11 total: 45
Fri 11/27 at Texas Christian 7-0 (351-186) 0 ART rank: 5-3-5 total: 65
Comments: The Big Twelve powers put up impressive numbers but nothing against ranked teams so far. That’s because their schedules are back-loaded: they don’t play anybody good until they play each other at the end of the season. Then things will get sorted, even if they might not get sorted out.
CLEMSON 7-0 (269-100) 22 ART rank: 3-6-2 total: 67
Sat 10/31 at North Carolina State 5-2 (246-98) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Florida State 6-1 (217-113)0 ART rank: 17-15-18 total: 28
Sat 11/14 at Syracuse 3-4 (213-190) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest 3-5 (149-187) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at South Carolina 3-4 (143-184) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: Clemson plays only one currently ranked team on the rest of their schedule and that’s a rebuilding Florida State at home, where they all remember what happened two years ago and want revenge. They’ve got a real shot at the playoff if they seal the deal and if the reputation of the conference doesn’t hold them back.
LOUISIANA STATE 7-0 (272-158) 60 ART rank: 4-4-3 total: 67
Bye week
Sat 11/7 at Alabama 7-1 (268-131) 110 ART rank: 7-7-8 total: 56
Sat 11/14 Arkansas 3-4 (197-185) 10 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Mississippi 6-2 (328-158) 61 ART rank: 19-21-20 total: 18
Sat 11/28 Texas A&M 5-2 (222-151) 50 ART not ranked
Comments: They survived the first of the Florida-Alabama-Mississippi-Texas A&M gauntlet. I still think with LSU is good but they seem like a one-dimensional team and I suspect they’ll get that second defeat that would make a playoff impossible somewhere along the way.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN 7-0 (351-186) 0 ART rank: 5-3-5 total: 65
Thu 10/29 West Virginia 3-3 (218-162) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Oklahoma State 7-0 (282-132) 0 ART rank: 12-10-11 total: 45
Sat 11/14 Kansas 0-7 (125-315) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma 6-1 (303-140) 33 ART rank: 14-13-13 total: 38
Fri 11/27 Baylor 7-0 (428-176) 0 ART rank: 2-2-4 total: 70
Comments: I have a feeling the Frogs will be gulping down opponents at least until they play the Oklahoma schools, (both on the road), and that season ending battle with Baylor, a rematch of last year’s game of the year will be must-see viewing. But, once famous for their defense, they appear vulnerable on that side of the ball.
MICHIGAN STATE 8-0 (267-177) 22 ART rank: 6-5-6 total: 61
Bye week
Sat 11/7 at Nebraska 3-5 (255-198) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Maryland 2-5 (176-239) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Ohio State 8-0 (308-121) 0 ART rank: 1-1-1 total: 75
Sat 11/28 Penn State 6-2 (192-154) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: The Spartans pulled one out of their hat against Michigan but I still think they are vulnerable to an upset. That trip to Ohio State could be unpleasant, as well. The Spartans probably have to run the table to make the playoff.
IOWA 7-0 (230-107) 11 ART rank: 10-11-12 total: 45
Sat 10/31 Maryland 2-5 (176-239)) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Indiana 4-4 (265-298)) 18 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Minnesota 4-3 (143-162) 17 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Purdue 1-6 (162-230) 21 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 at Nebraska 3-5 (255-198) 0 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. But then comes the Big Ten title game if they make it that far. That will be the litmus test.
OKLAHOMA STATE 7-0 (282-132) 0 ART rank: 12-10-11 total: 45
Sat 10/31 at Texas Tech 5-3 (373-321) 20 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Texas Christian 7-0 (351-186) 0 ART rank: 5-3-5 total: 65
Sat 11/14 at Iowa State 2-5 (188-237) 6 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Baylor 7-0 (428-176) 0 ART rank: 2-2-4 total: 70
Sat 11/28 Oklahoma 6-1 (303-140) 33 ART rank: 14-13-13 total: 38
Comments: Okie State is another school where you never know if they are for real or not. Texas Tech is always dangerous. Then comes the TCU-Baylor-Oklahoma gauntlet. I’ll believe them in a playoff when I see it.
MEMPHIS 7-0 (342-200) 26 ART rank: rank: 16-16-15 total: 31
Sat 10/31 Tulane 2-5 (131-262) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Navy 5-1 (209-115) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Houston 7-0 (333-138) 0 ART rank: rank: 16-19-17 total: 23
Sat 11/21 at Temple 7-0 (226-102) 0 ART rank: 21-22-19 total: 16
Sat 11/28 Southern Methodist 1-6 (199-309) 4 ART not ranked
Comments: The Tigers made headlines by handling a slumping Ole Miss. Later they play Navy and their conference’s two unbeaten teams. If they get though that unscathed, there’s the conference title game. If they still have the goose egg at the end of their record…they still won’t make the national championship playoff. But they’ll be playing on New Year’s Day and nobody willw ant to be playing them.
HOUSTON 7-0 (333-138) 0 ART rank: 16-19-17 total: 23
Sat 10/24 at Central Michigan 4-4 (223-189) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Vanderbilt 3-4 (126-114) 12 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Cincinnati 4-3 (256-204) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Memphis 7-0 (342-200) 26ART rank: 16-16-15 total: 31
Sat 11/21 at Connecticut 3-5 (152-177) 1 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Navy 5-1 (209-115) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: Same deal here, only the hurdles are Memphis and Navy. If they get by them, They’ll likely play Temple in the conference title game.
TOLEDO 7-0 (259-114) 12 ART ranked: 20-20-21 total: 17
Bye week
Tue 11/3 Northern Iowa 3-4 (149-169) FCS not ranked
Tue 11/10 at Central Michigan 4-4 (223-189) 4 ART not ranked
Tue 11/17 at Bowling Green 6-2 (351-228) 0 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Western Michigan 4-3 (230-204) 8 ART not ranked
Comments: The Rockets are also obviously not going to be in a playoff, although they could be in contention for a New Year’s Day bowl, (or the Pesci Bowl- see below), if they can run the table. Toledo’s chances seem pretty strong. Bowling Green is the only team currently with a winning record on their remaining schedule.
TEMPLE 6-0 (202-88) 0 ART rank: 21-22-19 total: 16
Thu 10/22 at East Carolina 4-4 (239-233) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Notre Dame 6-1 (268-158) 32 ART rank: 9-9-9 total: 51
Fri 11/6 at Southern Methodist 1-6 (199-309) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at South Florida 4-3 (210-154) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Memphis 7-0 (342-200) 26 ART rank: 16-16-15 total: 31
Sat 11/28 Connecticut 3-5 (152-177) 1 ART not ranked
Comments: This is a good team but with major hurdles in Notre Dame and later Memphis and the conference title game. Other than that, smooth sailing. But to where?
Ranked one loss teams: Alabama 7-1, Duke 6-1, Florida 6-1, Florida State 6-1, North Carolina 6-1, Notre Dame 6-1, Oklahoma 6-1, Pittsburgh 6-1, Stanford 6-1, Utah 6-1
Top non-power conference teams, (in contention for the Joe Pesci Bowl: we’re not big but don’t’ mess with us!), Houston 7-0, Memphis 7-0, Temple 7-0, Toledo 7-0, Appalachian State 6-1, Marshall 7-1, Navy 5-1.
Trying to avoid the Tydee Bowl: Central Florida 0-8, Kansas 0-7, New Mexico State 0-7, North Texas 0-7,
Also: Eastern Michigan 1-7, Florida Atlantic 1-6, Louisiana-Monroe 1-6, Massachusetts 1-6, Miami University 1-7, Purdue 1-6, Southern Methodist 1-6, Texas San Antonio 1-6.
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.
OHIO STATE 8-0 (308-121) 0 points against ranked teams (ART) rank: 1-1-1 total: 75
Sat 11/7 Minnesota 4-3 (143-162) 17 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Illinois 4-3 (184-142) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Michigan State 8-0 (267-177) 40 ART rank: 6-5-6 total: 61
Sat 11/28 at Michigan 5-2 (200-65) 101 ART rank: 15-17-16 total: 30
Comments: The Buckeyes seem to be getting their act together and they don’t face a currently ranked team until they close with the Michigan schools in late November, although every remaining team has a winning record. They have no points against ranked teams but then they didn’t at this point last year, either. They still made the playoff and shoved aside anyone in their way to take the title.
BAYLOR 7-0 (428-176) 0 ART rank: 2-2-4 total: 70
Bye Week
Thu 11/5 at Kansas State 3-4 (191-202) 20 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Oklahoma 6-1 (303-140) 33 ART rank: 14-13-13 total: 38
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma State 7-0 (282-132) 0 ART rank: 12-10-11 total: 45
Fri 11/27 at Texas Christian 7-0 (351-186) 0 ART rank: 5-3-5 total: 65
Comments: The Big Twelve powers put up impressive numbers but nothing against ranked teams so far. That’s because their schedules are back-loaded: they don’t play anybody good until they play each other at the end of the season. Then things will get sorted, even if they might not get sorted out.
CLEMSON 7-0 (269-100) 22 ART rank: 3-6-2 total: 67
Sat 10/31 at North Carolina State 5-2 (246-98) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Florida State 6-1 (217-113)0 ART rank: 17-15-18 total: 28
Sat 11/14 at Syracuse 3-4 (213-190) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest 3-5 (149-187) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at South Carolina 3-4 (143-184) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: Clemson plays only one currently ranked team on the rest of their schedule and that’s a rebuilding Florida State at home, where they all remember what happened two years ago and want revenge. They’ve got a real shot at the playoff if they seal the deal and if the reputation of the conference doesn’t hold them back.
LOUISIANA STATE 7-0 (272-158) 60 ART rank: 4-4-3 total: 67
Bye week
Sat 11/7 at Alabama 7-1 (268-131) 110 ART rank: 7-7-8 total: 56
Sat 11/14 Arkansas 3-4 (197-185) 10 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Mississippi 6-2 (328-158) 61 ART rank: 19-21-20 total: 18
Sat 11/28 Texas A&M 5-2 (222-151) 50 ART not ranked
Comments: They survived the first of the Florida-Alabama-Mississippi-Texas A&M gauntlet. I still think with LSU is good but they seem like a one-dimensional team and I suspect they’ll get that second defeat that would make a playoff impossible somewhere along the way.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN 7-0 (351-186) 0 ART rank: 5-3-5 total: 65
Thu 10/29 West Virginia 3-3 (218-162) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Oklahoma State 7-0 (282-132) 0 ART rank: 12-10-11 total: 45
Sat 11/14 Kansas 0-7 (125-315) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma 6-1 (303-140) 33 ART rank: 14-13-13 total: 38
Fri 11/27 Baylor 7-0 (428-176) 0 ART rank: 2-2-4 total: 70
Comments: I have a feeling the Frogs will be gulping down opponents at least until they play the Oklahoma schools, (both on the road), and that season ending battle with Baylor, a rematch of last year’s game of the year will be must-see viewing. But, once famous for their defense, they appear vulnerable on that side of the ball.
MICHIGAN STATE 8-0 (267-177) 22 ART rank: 6-5-6 total: 61
Bye week
Sat 11/7 at Nebraska 3-5 (255-198) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Maryland 2-5 (176-239) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Ohio State 8-0 (308-121) 0 ART rank: 1-1-1 total: 75
Sat 11/28 Penn State 6-2 (192-154) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: The Spartans pulled one out of their hat against Michigan but I still think they are vulnerable to an upset. That trip to Ohio State could be unpleasant, as well. The Spartans probably have to run the table to make the playoff.
IOWA 7-0 (230-107) 11 ART rank: 10-11-12 total: 45
Sat 10/31 Maryland 2-5 (176-239)) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Indiana 4-4 (265-298)) 18 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Minnesota 4-3 (143-162) 17 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Purdue 1-6 (162-230) 21 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 at Nebraska 3-5 (255-198) 0 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. But then comes the Big Ten title game if they make it that far. That will be the litmus test.
OKLAHOMA STATE 7-0 (282-132) 0 ART rank: 12-10-11 total: 45
Sat 10/31 at Texas Tech 5-3 (373-321) 20 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Texas Christian 7-0 (351-186) 0 ART rank: 5-3-5 total: 65
Sat 11/14 at Iowa State 2-5 (188-237) 6 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Baylor 7-0 (428-176) 0 ART rank: 2-2-4 total: 70
Sat 11/28 Oklahoma 6-1 (303-140) 33 ART rank: 14-13-13 total: 38
Comments: Okie State is another school where you never know if they are for real or not. Texas Tech is always dangerous. Then comes the TCU-Baylor-Oklahoma gauntlet. I’ll believe them in a playoff when I see it.
MEMPHIS 7-0 (342-200) 26 ART rank: rank: 16-16-15 total: 31
Sat 10/31 Tulane 2-5 (131-262) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Navy 5-1 (209-115) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Houston 7-0 (333-138) 0 ART rank: rank: 16-19-17 total: 23
Sat 11/21 at Temple 7-0 (226-102) 0 ART rank: 21-22-19 total: 16
Sat 11/28 Southern Methodist 1-6 (199-309) 4 ART not ranked
Comments: The Tigers made headlines by handling a slumping Ole Miss. Later they play Navy and their conference’s two unbeaten teams. If they get though that unscathed, there’s the conference title game. If they still have the goose egg at the end of their record…they still won’t make the national championship playoff. But they’ll be playing on New Year’s Day and nobody willw ant to be playing them.
HOUSTON 7-0 (333-138) 0 ART rank: 16-19-17 total: 23
Sat 10/24 at Central Michigan 4-4 (223-189) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Vanderbilt 3-4 (126-114) 12 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Cincinnati 4-3 (256-204) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Memphis 7-0 (342-200) 26ART rank: 16-16-15 total: 31
Sat 11/21 at Connecticut 3-5 (152-177) 1 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Navy 5-1 (209-115) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: Same deal here, only the hurdles are Memphis and Navy. If they get by them, They’ll likely play Temple in the conference title game.
TOLEDO 7-0 (259-114) 12 ART ranked: 20-20-21 total: 17
Bye week
Tue 11/3 Northern Iowa 3-4 (149-169) FCS not ranked
Tue 11/10 at Central Michigan 4-4 (223-189) 4 ART not ranked
Tue 11/17 at Bowling Green 6-2 (351-228) 0 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Western Michigan 4-3 (230-204) 8 ART not ranked
Comments: The Rockets are also obviously not going to be in a playoff, although they could be in contention for a New Year’s Day bowl, (or the Pesci Bowl- see below), if they can run the table. Toledo’s chances seem pretty strong. Bowling Green is the only team currently with a winning record on their remaining schedule.
TEMPLE 6-0 (202-88) 0 ART rank: 21-22-19 total: 16
Thu 10/22 at East Carolina 4-4 (239-233) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Notre Dame 6-1 (268-158) 32 ART rank: 9-9-9 total: 51
Fri 11/6 at Southern Methodist 1-6 (199-309) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at South Florida 4-3 (210-154) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Memphis 7-0 (342-200) 26 ART rank: 16-16-15 total: 31
Sat 11/28 Connecticut 3-5 (152-177) 1 ART not ranked
Comments: This is a good team but with major hurdles in Notre Dame and later Memphis and the conference title game. Other than that, smooth sailing. But to where?
Ranked one loss teams: Alabama 7-1, Duke 6-1, Florida 6-1, Florida State 6-1, North Carolina 6-1, Notre Dame 6-1, Oklahoma 6-1, Pittsburgh 6-1, Stanford 6-1, Utah 6-1
Top non-power conference teams, (in contention for the Joe Pesci Bowl: we’re not big but don’t’ mess with us!), Houston 7-0, Memphis 7-0, Temple 7-0, Toledo 7-0, Appalachian State 6-1, Marshall 7-1, Navy 5-1.
Trying to avoid the Tydee Bowl: Central Florida 0-8, Kansas 0-7, New Mexico State 0-7, North Texas 0-7,
Also: Eastern Michigan 1-7, Florida Atlantic 1-6, Louisiana-Monroe 1-6, Massachusetts 1-6, Miami University 1-7, Purdue 1-6, Southern Methodist 1-6, Texas San Antonio 1-6.