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Ed Bagley's Top 25 Poll - Week 11 - All Unbeaten Teams Win Again

By Ed Bagley

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 21Nov2009 Word count: 1442 Viewed: 287 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

Stanford, North Carolina, Central Florida, California and Rutgers all recorded upset wins over ranked opponents in college football's 11th week of play. These events caused changes in my Top 25 Poll. Here is how I see it this week:

1) Alabama (10-0) - The Crimson Tide followed up their signature victory over Louisiana State last week and continued to remain 1 of 6 unbeaten teams with a dominating 31-3 win at Mississippi State. The Tide hosts 163rd-ranked Chattanooga (6-4) this week. Chattanooga is a 1-AA team; if the Crimson Tide want to keep their national image intact, they had better kick Chattanooga back home as a big loser. A potential national championship team SHOULD NOT be playing a 1-AA team this late in the season, if at all.

2) Florida (10-0) - Acting very much like a national championship team, the Gators remained unbeaten by traveling to South Carolina and beating the Gamecocks, 24-14, completing their first perfect (8-0) SEC East title in 13 years. Florida hosts in-state rival Florida International this week, a 135th-ranked team with a 3-7 record. The Gators need a huge win to keep their mojo and rep in order.

3) Texas (10-0) - The Longhorns remained unbeaten by kicking around Baylor 47-14. Texas is like a snake—quietly, patiently slithering around, waiting to strike. Since Alabama and Florida are on course to clash in the SEC championship game, one will finish the season with at least one loss, and the other will likely face the Longhorns in the National Championship Game. Texas hosts Kansas next.

4) Texas Christian (10-0) - The Horned Frogs put to rest the myth that Utah (8-2) was the better team as they hosted and ran over the Utes, 55-28. You remember Utah, the Utes beat TCU 13-10 in their face-off last year, and were talking smack right up to the kickoff this year, complaining about being a 21-point underdog to TCU. Let's see now, 28 and 21 equals 49, so it turned out that TCU should have been more than a 21-point favorite. Utah, it's not your year, get over it. TCU travels to 104th-ranked Wyoming (5-5) next. Message to TCU: Do not screw up your perfect year by losing on the road to a nothing team.

5) Cincinnati (10-0) - Remained undefeated by beating West Virginia 24-21. The Bearcats are hardly looking awesome at the moment, but they have done something that only 5 other teams have done all season—win every bloody game. Cincinnati now hosts Illinois at home. Message to Cincinnati: Ditto the above.

6) Boise State (10-0) - In bounced the 7-win Idaho Vandals and out bounced the Vandals with their 4th loss, 63-25. The message: Idaho, not ready for prime time; Boise State, yes, our schedule has been lame, but if you want some, come get some. It is a good thing that Boise State has an easier schedule than other unbeaten teams; the Broncos have only 3 seniors among the 44 players on their two-deep roster. They travel to 107th-ranked Utah State (3-7) this week. Message to Boise State: Ditto the above.

7) Georgia Tech (10-1) - Stomped Duke 49-10 to clinch a spot in the ACC championship game. The Yellow Jackets do not play this week, and get a week of rest and strategy building before meeting in-state rival Georgia in their last game of the season two weeks from now. Message to Georgia Tech: Do not let Georgia mar your season.

8) Pittsburgh (9-1) - Hosted and beat Notre Dame (6-4), 27-22, after leading 20-3 at the start of the 4th quarter. The Panthers closed the game out and won, that is all that matters. Pittsburgh gets the week off before traveling to West Virginia a week from Friday (Nov. 27).

9) Ohio State (9-2) - Buckeyes showed up in prime time, beating Iowa 27-24 in overtime. No matter that neither Ohio State or Iowa chose to win the game in regulation time; the Buckeyes prevailed in their strategy and that is what winning teams do when it matters. Ohio State moves up in my poll because by winning, the Buckeyes earn at least a share of their 5th consecutive Big 10 title, get the Big Ten's automatic BCS bid, and will go to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 13 years. Ohio State ends its season this week at Michigan.

10) Penn State (9-2) - My dislike for Penn State is well documented, and they beat Indiana 31-20 despite 4 first-half turnovers. I put them 10th because they are consistent in the sense that they lose to teams they could lose to—Iowa (9-2) and Ohio State (9-2)—rather than losing to a bunch of nobodies because they are not mentally prepared to do battle. Other teams may have 9 wins but they have lost to far weaker teams. Travels to Michigan State this week.

11) Wisconsin (8-2) - Took apart Michigan 45-24. Other teams may have as many wins as Wisconsin but they have lost to weaker teams. The Badgers travel to Northwestern this week. Message to Wisconsin: Northwestern (7-4) is better than its record indicates.

12) LSU (8-2) - Just beat in-state rival Louisiana Tech 24-16, a 3-7 team ranked 88th. Hardly impressive. That said, the Tigers' only two losses have been to Florida and Alabama, not many teams can make that claim. Travels to Mississippi this week; should be an excellent chess game.

13) Stanford (7-3) - Has only 7 wins, but the Cardinal gets my vote for being the team to stop Southern Cal's streaks of 7 straight BCS bowls, 7 straight 11-win seasons, 7 straight top-4 AP poll finishes, and a 7-year stranglehold on the Pac-10 Conference title. Stanford body slammed USC, 55-21, to finally end Southern Cal's unchallenged dominance. Hosts California next.

14) Rutgers (7-2) - Shut out 23rd-ranked South Florida (6-3), 31-0. That was impressive. Rutgers only two losses were to Cincinnati (10-0) and Pittsburgh (9-1). Gets this week off, then travels to Syracuse.

15) Oklahoma State (8-2) - Beat Texas Tech 24-17. Only two losses were to Texas (10-0) and Houston (8-2). Cowboys host Colorado next.

16) Navy (8-3) - Picked up 8th win by beating 1-AA Delaware, 35-18. That's not impressive at all, but the Midshipmen's only losses have been to Pittsburgh (9-1), Ohio State (9-2) and Temple (8-2). When your losses come against teams with a combined 26-5 record, that's not too shabby in my book. Navy gets shore leave this week and then travels to Hawaii.

17) Temple (8-2) - Speaking of Temple, why not rank them 17th? The Owls were caught sleeping in their first two outings against Villanova and Penn State, but then woke up and have won 8th straight. Temple's 8th victory came over Akron, 56-17; that just might be a statement. Hosts Kent State next.

18) Central Michigan (8-2) - Beat Toledo 56-28. Two losses came against Arizona (6-3) and Boston College (7-3). Travels to Ball State next.

19) Iowa (9-2) - Lost to Ohio State 27-24. Needed to win badly following last week's first loss of the season to Northwestern, 17-10. Getting less impressive as the season wears on; should be peaking and instead is dropping fast. Ends season hosting Minnesota this week.

20) Houston (8-2) - Lost to Central Florida 37-32; yes, that Central Florida, the one ranked 83rd with a 5-4 record going into the game. Houston has a great offense, well, not great enough to beat 83rd-ranked Central Florida, and no defense whatsoever. Houston has been vastly overrated all year, and I have said so over and over. Now you know why. Hosts Memphis next.

21) Brigham Young (8-2) - This 21st ranking is a gift following the Cougars ultra-lame 24-19 victory over a hapless, inept, winless 0-10 New Mexico team. Good grief, BYU should be in prayer and supplication after that effort. If they are caught sleeping on the field again, they should be forced to walk back to Provo. That had to be one of the sorriest performances all season by a ranked team. No wonder people rake on the Mountain West Conference; in many cases the criticism is so deserved.

22) Utah (8-2) - Took a major butt kicking by TCU 55-28, but at least the Utes were not playing New Mexico. Hosts San Diego State next.

23) California (7-3) - Upset 18th-ranked Arizona 24-16. I have been real hard on the Bears because they are so disappointing given their talent. Their only three losses were to Oregon, Oregon State and USC, three normally tough opponents. Bears travel to Stanford next. Let's see how much gas is left in their tank.

24) Oregon (8-2) - Ripped Arizona State 44-21. The Ducks have only lost to Boise State, and then Stanford by 9 points, 51-42. Oregon travels to Arizona next; this could be a war.

25) Oregon State (7-3) - Beat Washington 48-21. Only losses are to Cincinnati (10-0), USC (7-3) and Arizona (6-3), teams with a combined 23-6 record.

Time out for some Jameson Irish whisky.

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