This Week in College Football - Nov 25th - Is It Over Yet?

The 2007 college football season is nearly over - thank goodness. I'm tired of writing about this ish.

Nothing makes sense. Too many upsets. Upsets that aren't really upsets because no team is really that good. I mean, let's look at a sample of the "monumental" games that would qualify as a major upset in most years

Appalachain State defeats Michigan
Stanford defeats USC
North Dakota State defeats Minnesota
Navy defeats Notre Dame

Now let's look at some more major upsets, that aren't quite as earth shattering

South Florida defeats Auburn
South Florida defeats West Virginia
Kentucky defeats LSU
Florida State defeats Boston College
Arkansas defeats LSU
ANY of the 13 games where a Top 5 team lost to someone UNRANKED

With all this turmoil, and no truly dominant teams, there's only one way to settle this - on the field with a playoff...oh wait...

We are, however, at that time of the year where you can honestly assess which wins were really "Big" and which weren't that big of a deal. Such as, USC winning @ Nebraska is not a quality win since the Huskers aren't a bowl bound team.

This is useful because there are a lot of 1 and 2 loss teams and I'm ready to throw out last week's poll and start anew for this, the "postseason" - that being the last week of the season when everything is on the line.

So, for your benefit, I've put together my own matrix of "resumes" followed by rankings, predicitions and bowl projections...which will clearly get blown up by midday Saturday


Resumes

West Virginia - beat 4 bowl teams, UConn, Rutgers, Mississippi State, Cincinnati. Lost to South Florida. Not overly impressive but no bad losses

Ohio State - beat Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan. Lost to Illinois. Not impressive but no bad losses or no huge wins.

Missouri - beat Kansas, Illinois, Texas Tech and Oklahoma (if we're talking next week and a national title debate). Lost to Oklahoma (avenged...see previous sentence. If not act like you never read this paragraph). That makes Missouri the most deserving team in the title game - the non-conference Illinois win.

LSU - beat Virginia Tech, Florida, Auburn, Mississippi State. Lost to Kentucky and Arkansas. They have the best wins but they have 2 losses. Neither loss is a really bad loss (fringe Top 30 teams) and they both came in overtime, but unless voters really care about that, Ohio State is going to the BCS game and they are not. Would've helped if they got to play Georgia in the SEC title game but they don't. Maybe the Sugar Bowl.

Georgia - beat Florida Auburn and Kentucky. Lost to Tennessee and South Carolina. SC loss didn't seem bad at first but now look at Spurrier's Gamecocks.

Virginia Tech - beat Clemson and Virginia. Lost to BC and LSU. Hmm....wins aren't that great, so they might be overranked...oh wait, its a weak year. LSU loss was a big bad blowout. Ugly.

Oklahoma - beat Texas, Texas A&M, Missouri, Oklahoma State. Lost to Colorado and Texas Tech. Colorado loss is the worst of the Top 10 teams except for...

USC - beat Arizona State, Cal. Lost to STANFORD, Oregon. Stanford loss was monumental but the team was ravaged by injuries. Michigan can't say that about their big loss.

Oregon - beat Arizona State, USC, Michigan. Lost to Cal, UCLA (after Dixon). Too bad Dennis Dixon got hurt. This was Oregon's year. Oregon - West Virginia would've been a fabulous display of offensive firepower.

Kansas - beat Oklahoma State, Texas A&M. Lost to Missouri. Didn't look that great against Mizzou but did make a comeback. I'd like to see them against Oklahoma or Texas.

So with all that said...

December 1 - Championship Week Predictions

• Oklahoma over Missouri in the Big 12 Title game
• USC over UCLA
• Virginia Tech gets revenge on Boston College
• Hawaii over Washington
• West Virginia over Pitt

Bowl Projections

I have the 2nd most likely team to get the Bowl Game spot in parenthesis, because you know there will be upsets and I didn't pick any.

BCS Title Game - West Virginia v Ohio State (Missouri)
Rose Bowl - Illinois (Ohio State) v USC
Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech v Georgia (Florida)
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma (Kansas) v Arizona State (Illinois)
Sugar Bowl - LSU v Hawaii (Illinois)
Capital One Citrus Bowl - Florida v Michigan
Gator Bowl - Kansas v Boston College
Cotton Bowl - Auburn v Missouri
Chick-fil-A Bowl - Tennessee v Clemson
Outback Bowl - Kentucky v Penn State
Holiday Bowl - Oregon v Texas A&M

I'm disgusted to see Ohio State in the BCS Title game in 2007-08, not because of my Michigan Love, but because they don't in any way shape or form deserve it. This just proves how bad we need a playoff. If they had one, I think USC might win it, if only because they are healthy again, but depending on the draw, West Virginia, Georgia or Missouri could do damage - oh wait, there is no playoff...yet...

I'm also disappointed in LSU, not because I truly thought they were the #1 team in the country (you'll recall me debating ranking Oregon ahead of them before Dennis Dixon's injury) but because LSU v West Virginia in New Orleands would've been CRUNK...and probably ended in quintuple overtime.

Now, we'll get to see Steve Slaton, Pat White, and Noel Devine run crazy over the Buckeyes, and that won't be as much fun.

Plus, now Les Miles is free to go to Michigan since he won't be preparing for the National Title game....I DO NOT WANT LES MILES ANYWHERE NEAR MICHIGAN. He clearly doesn't develop his players to the maximum and his squads perinnially underachieve. If that was the knock on Lloyd Carr, then what's the deal with getting Miles? I'd rather they pluck Kelly from Cincinnati or see what's good with Jim Grobe at Wake Forest...maybe even Steve Spurrier (just seeing if you're paying attention).

Oh, rankings...

RANKINGS
1. Missouri
2. West Virginia
3. Ohio State
4. LSU
5. Georgia
6. Virginia Tech
7. Oklahoma
8. USC
9. Hawaii
10. Kansas
11. Florida
12. Oregon
13. Arizona State
14. Boston College
15. Illinois
16. Tennessee
17. Clemson
18. Texas
19. Virginia
20. Boise State
21. Wisconsin
22. South Florida
23. Auburn
24. BYU
25t. Cincinnati
25t. Arkansas

Week 12 Rankings

First off - Eff Ohio State...that is all

New Bowl Projections

BCS - LSU vs West Virginia
Rose - Ohio State vs Arizona State
Orange - Virginia Tech vs Texas
Fiesta - Missouri vs Oregon/Illinois
Sugar - Georgia vs Boise State/Illinois

Capital One Citrus Illinois or Michigan v Florida

If Kentucky beats Tennessee next week (highly likely), I say Georgia beats LSU and the domino effect begins

BCS - West Virginia vs Ohio State
Rose - Illinois v Arizona State
Orange - Virginia Tech v Texas
Fiesta - Missouri v LSU
Sugar - Georgia v Boise State

Oh, and I still think Oregon is a better team than LSU, but injuries happen.

Week 12 Rankings (Last Week)

1. LSU (1)
2. Kansas (3)
3. West Virginia (5)
4. Arizona State (6)
5. Missouri (7)
6. Ohio State (8)
7. Oregon (2)
8. Oklahoma (4)
9. Hawaii (9)
10. Virginia Tech (10)
11. Georgia (11)
12. USC (12)
13. Texas (13)
14. Florida (14)
15. Virginia (15)
16. Boise State (17)
17. Boston College (18)
18. Illinois (23)
19. Tennessee (19)
20. UConn (21)
21. Clemson (15)
22. Wisconsin (-)
23. South Florida (-)
24. Auburn (-)
25. BYU (-)

This November in College Football

It's all about Kimbo Slice

And Juice Williams
And Kansas - who I will move to #1 if they beat Missouri and Oklahoma, as I expect/hope the "major" polls to do as well. How do you deny a team from a BCS Conference that goes undefeated a shot at the National Title when everyone else has a loss? That would be nuts

But this is more evidence that we at the very least need, a plus one

1. LSU (2)
2. Oregon (3)
3. Kansas (4)
4. Oklahoma (5)
5. West Virginia (6)
6. Arizona State (7)
7. Missouri (8)
8. Ohio State (1)
9. Hawaii (11)
10. Virginia Tech (12)
11. Georgia (15)
12. USC (16)
13. Texas (17)
14. Florida (18)
15. Clemson (22)
16. Virginia (23)
17. Boise State (21)
18. Boston College (8)
19. Tennessee (24)
20. Kentucky (20)
21. UConn (10)
22. Michigan (12)
23. Illinois
24. Penn State (25)
25. Cincinnati

Out - Auburn, Alabama

Big Bowl Game Projections
BCS - LSU v Oregon
Fiesta - Kansas v Hawaii
Orange - Clemson v West Virginia
Sugar - Georgia v Oklahoma (or Texas)
Rose - Arizona State v Ohio State

Plus One Style (fantasy football)
Rose - Oregon v Ohio State
Orange - Clemson v Georgia
Fiesta - Kansas v Arizona State
Sugar - LSU v West Virginia

This Week (Ten) In College Football

I was trying to do my BCS bowl game projections today, when I realized... its too much going on to make any real projections.

There will likely be two or three teams in the BCS with 3 losses! That's amazing and its unheard of.

Also - unless Michigan beats Ohio State, Oregon is going to get screwed. I'm almost of the opinion that Oregon is better than LSU. At the very least I'd like to see them play each other.

So at the least, I'm going to make some preliminary projections for the 5 major bowl games

ACC Title game - Va Tech over BC
Big XII Title game - Uhh...ask me later.
What? I can't do that? OK fine, Oklahoma over Kansas because I haven't seen Kansas yet.
SEC Title Game - LSU over uh...umm...Georgia?
Big East - West Virginia over U-Conn
Big Ten - Ohio State
Pac-10 - Oregon


BCS - Ohio State v LSU
Rose - Oregon v Michigan
Orange - Virginia Tech v West Virginia
Sugar - Alabama / Auburn winner v Oklahoma / Kansas loser
Fiesta - Kansas / Oklahoma winner v Hawaii

But Dr. Hak - what if Kansas wins out...? Wouldn't they have to go to the title game?

Please don't make me consider that right now. I guess it wouldn't be too hard to adjust this though...

BCS - Ohio State v Kansas
Rose - Oregon v Alabama/Auburn winner
Orange - Virginia Tech v West Virginia
Sugar - LSU v Boston College
Fiesta - Oklahoma v Hawaii

But Dr Hak - what if Michigan beats Ohio State? And what if Kansas also wins out, and what if... -
HEY!! Stop that... On to the rankings...


1. Ohio State - still hasn't earned this spot
2. tie - LSU
2. tie - Oregon
4. Kansas
5. Oklahoma
6. West Virginia
7. Arizona State
8. Boston College
9. Missouri
10. UConn
11. Hawaii
12. Virginia Tech
13 Michigan
14. Auburn
15. Georgia
16. USC
17. Texas
18. Florida
19. Alabama
20. Kentucky
21. Boise State
22. Clemson
23. Virginia
24. Tennessee
25. Penn State

FireCoachRubinCarter.com

I'm a proud graduate of Florida A&M University.

When I was on the Hill getting my undergrad and MBA from 1998 to 2004, FAMU had a really good football team

The Rattlers were feared by MEAC and outsider schools alike

FAMU was in the playoffs for 8 straight years. A feat rarely seen or matched, and many times was not the automatic qualifier from the MEAC. We had fear, respect and a good football team

Well...

Then they tried to go 1-A. That didn't work out so well. That's ok. Lesson learned. The time will come for that in the future.

Then they ran off Coach Billy Joe...that might've been a bigger issue. He was accused of some NCAA violations then got his name cleared. We're sorry Coach Joe. You're the man. Enjoy the Hall of Fame.

You see, getting rid of Coach Joe wasn't the problem, it was his replacement.

FAMU went out and hired Temple's defensive line coach. Coach Carter.

Coach Carter came in talking a lot of noise, about getting things back on track. You see, the 1-A move left the team in chaos and turmoil.

But even still, they'd finished 6-6 when returning to a normal 1-AA schedule.

Then...there was this year. Carter's 3rd.

Problems.

The starting QB up and left the team after getting benched. Says he's in too much pain to continue. The Head Coach acted as if he knew nothing of his star QB's massive injuries, but wished him well on his way out the door...

Huh?

I forgot to mention, we started the season out losing to Southern and Delaware State.

Delaware State? Them?

Yes, the Hornets have built themselves a mini-program. Gone are the days where Hampton, South Carolina State and occasionally a senior-filled team from Howard or whoever, were FAMU's only competition in conference. Now we gotta deal with Delaware State.

That's cool. Congrats on getting your program tight...

Whats NOT cool, is at the same time, our program is going the drain fast. Not only are we losing to the hotshot program, but please peruse the scores of FAMU's games this season to date.

September 1 - Loss to Southern 33-27
not nearly as close as the score indicates. On National TV to boot.

September 8 - Loss to Delaware State 20-7 AT HOME
3rd straight loss to new kid on the block, Del State

September 15 - Win over Howard at home 30-17

September 22 - Win vs Tennessee State in Atlanta 18-17
because TSU has no kicker

October 6 - Loss to WINSTON SALEM STATE! in Indianapolis 27-23
do you know who Winston Salem State is? They just joined 1-AA. They are the typical "rent-a-homecoming opponent" for 1-AA teams... Oh but they aren't the only ones...In fact... I'll get to that later...Oh yeah. This game was on NATIONAL TV

October 13 - 49-14 Loss to South Carolina State.
The beatings continue. In 2005 the bulldogs beat us 49-3. Thats how Willingham got let go at Notre Dame. Three straight blowout losses to USC.

October 18 - 33-27 Loss to Norfolk State - at home...
WHAT THE F***!!!!
The original rent-a-homecoming opponent is Norfolk State. So much so, that once when I was in school they came to Tallahassee two years in a row. Because we paid them $40,000 to sell their home game with us, to us and lose to us for homecoming for a second straight year.
Also, look at the date of this game... It was a Thursday night MEAC showcase game. On NATIONAL TV

So in case you are following, that 3 straight embarrassing losses on NATIONAL TV in a 12 day span. Two to bums. One huge blowout to a traditional rival.

Oh wait, one more

October 27 - 14-12 loss to Morgan State
I'm not going to be a jerk about it, but I will remind you one more time of the MEAC's makeup

FAMU
Hampton
South Carolina State
Bethune Cookman
Delaware State
Howard
NC A&T
Morgan State
Norfolk State
Winston Salem (just joined...I think. Maybe this is Savannah State. Who cares they both aren't on our level. )

Not only is that the MEAC list, its in order of traditional Football prowess. So...We lost to the 3 teams at the bottom of the list. Wow.

NC A&T is on a 25 game losing streak....

They are our homecoming opponent this weekend

There is hope, because the game ain't on national television.

But then its AT HAMPTON (need I remind you that Hampton beat FAMU 59-7 last year...in Tallahassee?)

and vs BCC in Orlando.

So 4-7 is the best we can possibly do. And 3-8 is definitely...definitely likely.

This is Rubin Carter's 3rd year as head football coach.

Things are not getting better.

The recruits are not better

They aren't even taking JUCOs right now, which is crazy because they are student-athletes too and OH YEAH, that was the FAMU blueprint that everyone else stole and is winning with now

The team is not more unified

The team is not playing with more discipline

The offense isn't improving at the weeks go by

The run defense isn't getting better

We are not improving. At all.

Is Rubin Carter actually coaching?

Can someone please help?

Dr Ammons,

I am not in the business of getting people fired - usually.
However, this is dire.

You came back to FAMU to restore us and uplift us. So far so good. In your few months on the job that ole Rattler Spirit is coming back!

So I implore you. Please. Fire Coach Carter.
Football coaches have a fraternity. He'll get a job. And soon. But FAMU will continue to be embarrassed and laughed at until we have a competent head football coach. As a recruiter, you know how important the success of our premier athletic program is. You can't invite kids out to the games to come see what FAMU is all about, then watch us get blown out by weak teams who can't themselves believe they are beating FAMU.

Are we going to become one of those HBCUs that is "all-band"? I loved going to FAMU football games not only for the band but for the competition. When the game was good and close at the half, no one left. They stayed and cheered. They played their role. They served as the 12th man.

That can't happen for this team because Coach Carter is not putting our program in a position to succeed.

Please let him go about his business.

FAMU needs better.