I know it's a jam-packed Saturday of sports (from Ryder Cup to pennant races to the second-t0-last game at Yankee Stadium to exciting WNBA action to ....), so thanks for being here!
After a freak-injury in practice on Friday (yes, I coach middle school football) and car issues today (I love being stuck with my girlfriend's '94 Ford Explorer!)...I'm trying to be there for you all.
Call it fortuitous timing or just an all-out advantage; however, knowing a few results already and having a few key games going out right now has only aided me giving you THE best top 10 possible.
As if you expected anything less?
...starting at the bottom...
10. Texas Longhorns
Their game against Arkansas postponed, the Longhorns remain hovering around most top 10 teams. They'll have their chance to make a statement on October 4th when the visit the Buffaloes in Colorado.
9. Wisconsin Badgers
After holding on 13-10 against a high-scoring Fresno State team (in California), the Badgers are off until the 28th when the visit the Big House. That October 4th meeting in Camp Randall against the Buckeyes will be HUGE for this team's Rose Bowl/National Title aspirations.
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders
UMASS in town this weekend should mean another 50-point outing. Respectability will be tested with unranked Big XII opponents Kansas State and Nebraska in the docket in the coming weeks.
7. Auburn Tigers
I can't help but love a team who wins a hard-fought SEC game 3-2. They get their first real shot at making national noise with LSU in town this weekend. Brutal, indeed.
6. LSU Tigers
Part of the aforementioned matchup with the Tigers of Auburn, the Bayou Bengals remain a relatively unknown entity...that is until this matchup goes final.
5. Florida Gators
Traveling to Knoxville, where I have to think another blowout might spell doom for national title-winning coach Phillip Fulmer, Urban Meyer's intensity and passion to stomp the Vols bleeds throughout his entire roster during this "rivalry" games. Somebody page Tee Martin to help the Vols out. At 17-0 with 3 minutes to go in the first quarter, those "experts" calling for a Vols-upset are sweating it out more than a little bit.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
Leapfrogging the Bulldogs in most national polls, Boomer Sooner looks white-hot after straight up annihilating the Huskies of Washington. While it's not the immediate game, the Red River Shootout on October 11th against the Longhorns will be the early statement game for Oklahoma to convince everyone they are a step above the Bulldogs, Gators, and (my) Tigers.
3. Missouri Tigers
27-14 against Buffalo, unless it's the Bills maybe, isn't the prettiest site. Nevertheless, the Tigers are wading through the easier part of their schedule...that is until Nebraska on October 4th. The Huskers will have a few things to say about Big XII north supremacy. Remember, Mizzou doesn't have Oklahoma, Texas Tech, or Kansas on its schedule. Don't sleep on these Tigers.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
Their west-coast trip to take on Dennis Erickson's Sun Devils took a major blow when UNLV shocked ASU late last weekened. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs have plenty to prove - especially QB Stafford - with doubters piling up and an SEC-West STACKED matchup taking precedence this weekend. I still believe in you Mark Richt.
1. USC Trojans
September 25th against Oregon State. Look out Beavers.
Dropped Out: Ohio State (USC is that good, Ohio State isn't that bad though.)
Inserted: Auburn (Win 3-2 and jump up into the 7-spot? You betcha!)
On the Fringe: Alabama, South Florida, BYU, & Wake Forest)
No need for the "5 Games" this weekend...it's all out there for ya!
Until next rankings...
Showing posts with label North Carolina State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Carolina State. Show all posts
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Saturday’s College Basketball Wrap-Up
We’ll start at the top with North Carolina. As expected, they took care of business, but 43-13 is an embarrassing halftime scoreline to swallow for in-state rival North Carolina State. While giving praise to the Tar Heels for their play, ESPN’s Jay Bilas also suggested that the Wolfpack have major chemistry issues. Having viewed as much as I can handle with a full slate of competitive games on the docket, Bilas’s conjecture seems correct. Of course, it’s easy to be down to North Carolina by 30 points at the interval when they are rolling on all cylinders and the opposition settles for long-distance heaves.
Anyone who did not see the finish to the UConn-Georgetown game may be thinking that there’s another Hibbert on the Hoyas roster, because the 7’2” center nailed a three-pointer with less than five seconds in regulation to earn the home team a 72-69 triumph at the Verizon Center. Right now, I am kicking myself for not getting tickets when I could have to see the Hibbert/Thabeet showdown.
Vanderbilt got knocked from the ranks of the unbeatens at Rupp Arena. Welcome to traveling on the road in the SEC.
Texas got scorched by Missouri. While receiving solid production from their big three – DJ Augustin, Damion James and AJ Abrams – the rest of the team contributed a whopping 19 points and 16 rebounds. This will have to change if Texas wants to remain in 2-seed consideration come Selection Sunday.
Another victim of the shock was none other than Michigan State. Who knew that you could beat a legitimate top 10 opponent by shooting 27.5% from the field and miss 13 free throws? Iowa head coach Todd Lickliter must have preached ball security, because committing eight turnovers versus eighteen for the Spartans is what won the game for the Hawkeyes.
At Westwood, UCLA outlasted Washington State. It was a story of two games – the first 38 minutes where WASU failed to make a basket and the second when they knocked down 7 straight three-pointers. Yes, seven.
Outside of the BCS conferences, Drake and Illinois State continue to be the pacesetters in the Missouri Valley. At some point, I expect at least one member of the old guard – Southern Illinois, Creighton, Northern Iowa, Wichita State – to wake up.
In the Colonial, Delaware (you mean that was picked 12th by the foremost expert on the conference?) is 5-0 in conference play and have been a different team since one game after a number of transfers joined the squad. This week, the Blue Hens required overtime in wins against George Mason and Old Dominion.
I could dabble with the goings-on of other conferences, but they will get their fair share of love in the bracket projections that will be available tomorrow.
Anyone who did not see the finish to the UConn-Georgetown game may be thinking that there’s another Hibbert on the Hoyas roster, because the 7’2” center nailed a three-pointer with less than five seconds in regulation to earn the home team a 72-69 triumph at the Verizon Center. Right now, I am kicking myself for not getting tickets when I could have to see the Hibbert/Thabeet showdown.
Vanderbilt got knocked from the ranks of the unbeatens at Rupp Arena. Welcome to traveling on the road in the SEC.
Texas got scorched by Missouri. While receiving solid production from their big three – DJ Augustin, Damion James and AJ Abrams – the rest of the team contributed a whopping 19 points and 16 rebounds. This will have to change if Texas wants to remain in 2-seed consideration come Selection Sunday.
Another victim of the shock was none other than Michigan State. Who knew that you could beat a legitimate top 10 opponent by shooting 27.5% from the field and miss 13 free throws? Iowa head coach Todd Lickliter must have preached ball security, because committing eight turnovers versus eighteen for the Spartans is what won the game for the Hawkeyes.
At Westwood, UCLA outlasted Washington State. It was a story of two games – the first 38 minutes where WASU failed to make a basket and the second when they knocked down 7 straight three-pointers. Yes, seven.
Outside of the BCS conferences, Drake and Illinois State continue to be the pacesetters in the Missouri Valley. At some point, I expect at least one member of the old guard – Southern Illinois, Creighton, Northern Iowa, Wichita State – to wake up.
In the Colonial, Delaware (you mean that was picked 12th by the foremost expert on the conference?) is 5-0 in conference play and have been a different team since one game after a number of transfers joined the squad. This week, the Blue Hens required overtime in wins against George Mason and Old Dominion.
I could dabble with the goings-on of other conferences, but they will get their fair share of love in the bracket projections that will be available tomorrow.
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