NCAA Week 9 Discussion
 

AP Rankings Used

Top 5 Games:

Washington State @ #1 Southern Cal - Southern Cal names their score on offense but gives up about 20. Sounds familiar.

#2 Texas @ Oklahoma State - Oklahoma State is bad. Texas' reserves give up a couple of scores.

#13 Boston College @ #3 Virginia Tech - I'm calling it now. The pretender is exposed. Unfortunately for the BCS, that pretender is Boston College.

#4 Georgia vs. #16 Florida - This gets interesting if Shockley is out. Upset special of the week if only because there aren't really any other ones out there.

Utah State @ #5 Alabama - 30 or so years ago, Utah State's head coach at the time was asked why he would play someone like Texas. His response was that someday his boys would be able to say they'd played Texas. Same story here. A game for the Tide to gain some confidence on offense.

Other games:

North Carolina @ #6 Miami
North Texas @ #7 LSU
#8 UCLA @ Stanford
Maryland @ #10 Florida State
Purdue @ #11 Penn State
#12 Ohio State @ Minnesota
#15 Wisconsin @ Illinois
#17 Texas Tech @ Baylor
Mississippi @ #19 Auburn
#20 TCU @ San Diego State
#25 Michigan @ #21 Northwestern
#22 Fresno State @ Hawaii
South Carolina @ #23 Tennessee

The Georgia-Florida line opened at Florida -5.5 because of Shockley's injury. My thought is that it is at least the exact opposite line if Shockley was healthy.

Ohio St. @ Minnie... # 1 rush defense vs. #1 rush offense.

Minnesota is so streaky, there's no telling how this game will go.

Oh, BTW, Shockley has been ruled out for Saturday. I didn't make that clear above.

Then I guess I'll have to keep it as my upset special. I'm only 50/50 it will happen, but there aren't too many upset possibilities this week.

In other news, Texas is #1 in the BCS this week. It will be nice to have that ranking for one week. Because next week it's gone.

Is it really an upset if the "upsetter" is favored by almost a touchdown?

The answer: No ;)

For the purpose of this week, I hereby define "upset" as a result that "upsets" the rankings.

:D

Navy @ Rutgers.... the Scarlet Knights can clinch their first winning record since 1992.

edit: had originally posted 91, but it's actually 1992.

If Ohio State watches the Penn State/Minnesota tape they will learn how to stop Maroney. They definately have the defensive speed and horses up front to do it.

Some somewhat surprising stuff I found when researching Rutgers (Rutgers fans probably already know this):

This is Rutgers 135th year of playing college football (they first played in 1869, but did not field a team in 1871).

The have one bowl appearance in their history.

In 1978, they played in the Garden State Bowl (played in NJ, ironically enough). The Scarlett Knights lost to Arizona State by a score of 34-18.

So, amazingly enough, Rutgers is currently sitting at 5-2--just one win away from becoming bowl eligible. Their remaining schedule: Navy (4-2), South Florida (3-3), @ Louisville (5-2), and Cincy (3-4). They should be favored in all of those games, except at Louisville, so we could finally see the Scarlett Knights back in a bowl game this season.

UTEP's going to Houston to play Rice this week. Rice is bad. And when I say bad I mean terrible. And when I say terrible I mean about as bad as a team can be.

This game could get very ugly for the Owls...

I got funny feeling about that NC-Miami game.

Yep, it's looking good. I think Odds are that they finish at 7-4, given that all 3 winnable games are at home. I think they take 2 of 3, and probably get spanked by Louisville. Of course neither 5-6 or 9-3 is out the quetsion either, although i think a realistic ceiling if more like 8-4.

Don't forget that undefeated 1976 season, while a member of the A-10 ;).

Not only that, but that "first playing" in 1869 was actually the first collegiate football game ever played. It was against Princeton, and Rutgers won 6-4. That's why New Brunswick is called "The Birthplace of College Football."

And at 1-0, it was also the last time we had a winning overall record. :)

That should go away when you realize the Canes are NOT going to let what happened in Chapel Hill happen again, especially as they still have a BCS trip in the balance right now. I'd be rather surprised if the Heels can keep it close this time around.

Wow, I had no idea that Rutgers was historically that bad. They even challenge UTEP's history for ineptness on the gridiron!

nah, nobody is as bad as utep ;)

Actually, Wake is slightly worse. Rutgers, for all their misery is actually about a .500 ballclub over 135 years. UTEP's got a .409 win percentage, while Wake has the worst at .401. However, they have it over both both UTEP and Rutgers in bowl games. UTEP's been in 11 (benefit of being host to the Sun Bowl) and is 5-6, and as noted Rutgers has had that one remarkable apperance in the Garden State Bowl. Wake's made six bowls, but they've won four of them.

And Rutgers has that one undefeated season to fall back on ;).

Hey man, we have TWO undefeated seasons at UTEP!







Uh...wait. Undefeated doesn't mean winless, does it? ;)

Boston College at Virginia Tech tonight.

Everybody pull for the Eagles. Thanks in advance. ;)

Agreed, because if VPI loses tonight and next week, and Georgia Tech wins out, and Miami wins out except against Georgia Tech, then Georgia Tech wins the tie breaker and plays in the ACC title game.

Go Eagles!

Er, no. I don't trust the 'Noles not to drop another conference game.

Damnit, I was hoping not to say that and jinx them.

Go Eagles!

Syracuse is just awful.

The Hurricanes may want to wake the fuck up!

Did ABC just go out?

good game in Minnesota, Gophers-O$U tied 17-17 with the first half winding down.

I can not see the game any more.

Couple good games right now. UNC just got blocked on a punt which Miami recovered for a Touchdown to lead it by 4. Other than that, it's still a good game.

Minnesota down by 7 to Ohio State. I expect close finishes here.

Wisconsin winning against Illiois, what else can you expect there. Wisconsin's D has pretty much stunk all game though, hopefully they'll be able to step it up a notch next weekend against PSU.

Hmm.. Fumble UNC, 1 play, 7 yard touchdown run for Moss and Miami is now up by 11. This game has really changed directions in a matter of 2 minutes. Oh, well. So much for helping Wisconsin out in the Polls and strength of schedule.

The Miami defense has a bunch of psycho animals out there. It looks like they're always trying to start a fight out there. lol

Minnesota getting blown out now. Oh, well.

Well they were playing like pussies in the 1st half. I think Shannon set them loose at half time.

Man, it is going to be a rough night in Blacksburg next week if Wright does not straighten himself out. He is making those "first year starter" mistakes that are to be expected but those mistakes will get you blown out against Va Tech.

Calhoun with nearly 200 yards on the ground, and 36 receiving. 5 touchdowns scored! He'll need two more to beat Ron Dayne's record at Wisconsin for touchdowns in a season.

This game should put Calhoun on the list for Heisman hopefuls. Wisconsin will need to play a lot better next week to beat Penn State though.

All I have to say is the Terps - Seminoles game will likely be ugly.
Hollenbach is injured, looks like Statham is going to start...need I say more?

And, if that weren't enough, FSU is most likely looking for revenge since we beat them last year. Bring on the beer, folks!

/tk

Looks like Florida is wearing the same type of uniform Virgina Tech was.... blech.

I never liked Florida much, but now I will move them to the top of my hate list. THose are the stupidest, ugliest, most annoying jerseys I have ever seen. Yes I hate them that much.

:rolleyes: I guess Virginia Tech goes up right behind them.

7-0 Rutgers, 4 minutes to go in the 1st quarter.

UGA is in trouble right now, down 13-0 (XP coming up).

Yikes. Florida has a ridiculous amount of momentum.

Syracuse is the worst team in a BCS conference. Where are all there "fans" now?

Rutgers with the sack at the 1.

14-0 Rutgers, 12 minutes to go in 2nd quarter.

Who scored the 2nd TD?

Our stupid ass fans are taking down the goalposts after our 3rd straight win against Mizzou :rolleyes:

That said, if we beat Nebraska at home next week and break the 30-odd year streak, then that would be cause for celebration.

SI

Brian Leonard, and I believe they said he is now the Rutgers all-time leader in scoring (non-kicker).