Mr. Mandel - you fell for one of the two classic blunders. The first, never start a land war in Asia. The second, never bet on the Bruins in Pullman.

I agreed, the lateral play was simply amazing. This is a perfect example to never never give up till the final second, if you watch closely you will see some defenders even if within a few feet of stopping a play, simply gave up!

It never over till the fat lady sing!

Umm, it was actually Trinity University, not Trinity College.

i'm sorry, mandel, but two minutes does not a hiesman winner make. ryan is the complete product of east coast/boston media hype machine.

Stew,

If the SEC is not going to get two teams in the BCS, what is your current prediction for the teams playing in the BCS games?

The SEC may do its best to play its way out of a second BCS bid, but I just don't see it happening. Between the two team per conference limit, no serious contenders among non-BCS conference teams for a spot (Hawaii is likely to lose, 11-1 won't be good enough for Boise State, no one else has even a remote chance), and most of the other BCS conferences offering up at-large candidates with little history of traveling well or quite possibly offering up no at-large candidates at all... the SEC's going to get its second BCS bid. And the Pac 10's a virtual lock to get a second bid as well. The Big 12 is likely, especially if Texas sneaks into the final top 14. But finding a good at-large candidate (from the perspective of the bowls, who care more about selling tickets and TV ratings than getting the best teams possible, with some nods at tradition from the Rose Bowl) from the Big East, ACC, and Big Ten is going to be tough this year. Odds are it'll be Virginia Tech if they're eligible at the end of the season, but I don't think I'd count on them being eligible at the end of the season.

That's Trinity University down in San Antonio, Texas. Just because we play D III doesn't mean we aren't a university.

"Two minutes does not a hiesman winner make."

The guy's lost like four games since he became a starter in 2005, and he played half of them with a broken leg. So there's that as well.

So TWO great throws gives Matt Ryan the Heisman???? What about all the other TERRIBLE throws?!?!! I don't understand the logic. I've seen more GREAT throws by Andre Woodson, Tim Tebow and Dennis Dixton than Matt Ryan. If Dixon doesn't win the Heisman then the award has jumped the shark. The award is a popularity contest at best.

I find that I certainly agree with Jake about the East Coast bias pushing for Ryan. He is far, far, far from being the Heisman winner.

A good QB, yes; that is all.

Hawaii will get a BCS bid if it wins out. They will have beaten a legitimate Top 25 team since Boise St is now ranked. It is true that their one loss is to one of the weakest members of the Pac Ten, and that Wash was probably the best team Boise St will have faced this year, but these details don't matter in the voting. Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing. (Lombardi)

So a deluge of Emails doesn't cause you to doubt your conclusions at all? I'm not advocating mob rule, but when the mob is backed up by statistics that have Ryan only 53rd in passing efficiency, I think you're grossly overestimating the significance of one throw. I suppose the lack of clear, dominating performances is behind Ryan's ascendance, but I'm still of the opinion that his Heisman candidacy is a joke.

Stew, The SEC is the best.

Stew, No way the SEC deserves a bid from a 3 loss team. When does the SEC go from being such a "tough" conference to a conference where there is no dominant team. As the weeks go on LSU's loss at Kentucky is starting to look like a bad loss. I mean, Miss St. went in there and took care of business.

The Big East could easily get an at-large bid, if West Virginia and Uconn all win their remaining games, and Uconn beats WVU in the last game of the season. WVU would almost defentaly get an at-large bid, Va Tech might be able to get an at-large bid, Hawaii could win out, and ASU, Oregon, or USC will probably get the last at-large spot. The SEC could easily only have one team in the BCS

Matt Ryan - 127 yards in 56 minutes, 158 yards in four minutes. It seems to me that email definitely nailed it about playing against a prevent defense. It's a lot easier to pass the ball when you're only facing three guys on the line. If this is the mose NFL worthy QB then God help college football. Ryan will get drafted lower than Troy Smith.

I think I learned that the SEC might have been overated. Opps, did I say that out loud? I noticed that you are off the bandwagon this week Mr. Mandel. In another week or two, you may have to admit it.

Since reading your new book, Stewart, I've had a couple weeks to mull over your comments regarding an NCAA playoff among "Bowl Championship Subdivision" teams, and, ironic as it might seem, my reservations about a playoff derive from concerns about what could happen to the very quality and nature of the college game [vs. the efficiency and precision of the processes by which we determine a 'champion']. While the Trinity Tigers are not in the same subdivision, their astounding 15-lateral touchdown play reminds that so much of the excitement and unpredictability of college football has to do with playing to win [rather than playing not to lose] and playing to impress [poll voters, Heisman voters, etc.]. Would we see the same kind of excitement and innovation if a playoff-bound team were merely concerned with winning a game and getting out of Dodge? The incentive to go for "style points" in a quality win adds so much more to the quality and quantity of football we get to watch in the college ranks precisely because, to reach a BCS bowl that will potentially decide the mythical national championship, teams need to concern themselves not just with winning, but with the quality and style with which they win. The Trinity play was historic, but, with time expiring, it was "do or die" much as the multi-lateral play in that classic Cal-Stanford footage. We should remember that, because of the many subjective elements that factor into college rankings, we spectators are treated to many voluntary encores and extras from teams that are often concerned not just with doing enough to escape defeat, but with doing all they can to win convincingly enough to earn or keep a spot in the ever-so-subjective rankings.

Hey guys. I think Stew is just rattling some cages with his 3-loss SEC team getting a BCS bid. It's too early for any speculation.
I also think he is still in shock about the BC comeback. Like most he will eventually put the entire performance in perspective.

This entire conversation is kind of ridiculous. Show me one time in the history of college football that the unquestioned leader (who has put up statistics comparable to just about anybody) of the number 2 team in the country has not been mentioned as the Heisman candidate, and I'll eat my hat. As far as the Boston bias - college football isn't nearly the huge deal in Boston as it is in any other part of the country. BC is a distant 4th place team in Boston when it comes to fan interest:

1. Sox
2. Pats
3. Celtics
4. BC football

If Boston fans are making more noise about a team that doesn't even finish on the medal podium than you all are about your first-place team, well then, that says a lot more about you than it does about any "East Coast bias." Have a nice day, folks.

Stewart- if you knew anything about sports, you would have realized the poor performance by Matt Ryan and the rest of BC's offense was largely due to the monsoon they were playing in during the first 3 quarters. Once the rain stopped, Ryan found his stride. Obviously a team that throws the ball 50 times a game is going to be at a huge disadvantage playing in weather like that. Let's see what happens the next time BC plays VA Tech in Jacksonville under clear skies on a neutral field, I think you will see an offensive line that dominates and a 2 to 3 touchdown differential. As a side note, lets relax on giving the SEC and the Big East alot of credit. Alabama stands tied with LSU in the SEC standings, yet they were unable to beat Florida State, currenltly the 6th or 7th best team in the ACC. UCONN currently stands alone atop the Big East, yet they were unable to beat a very mediocre Virgina team in much the same way Rutgers was unable to beat a middle of the pack ACC team (Maryland) at home. We'll see what happens, but South Florida is looking more and more like a very mediocre team and thus Auburn's loss to them earlier this year is another black eye for the SEC. There is alot of parity in college football and its very unclear as to what the best conference is, but one thing is for sure, the ACC is wildly under-rated.

Regarding your fear that a Youtube video might get removed, if you want to save the movies on Youtube to your computer, you can do it with any number of programs. One of the easiest ways is with Real Player; which despite being kind of a crappy media player, does offer a simple method of showing a box above the upper right hand corner which will prompt you regarding if you want to save the video. You can then save the movie as the FLV format and there are any number of players out there that can play the FLV video format. One program you can use is called VLC Player that will pretty much play any video you want. A quick Google search will find both programs. Both are free.

see ryan fall from grace this weekend as the turtle reeks havic

check this out... OU is going to loose twice within the next couple of games... 1 at home and 1 on the road. that'll make Texas go to the Big 12 championship!

hook'em horns!

it was about time Charles.. 200+ yards... thank you!

Stew,

Matt Ryan threw a few terrible passes in those 58 minutes, some of which were thrown into ridiculously small windows, with little to no chance of a completion. Ryan's touchdown passes were spectacular, but let's remember this is still college football. Even Tim Couch, and Eric Crouch had highlights in college. Maybe not a fair comparison to Ryan - but those two late passes did not have any kind of zip like a Jay Cutler pass. The first pass was solid, as it could only be caught by the reciever. And the most clutch play was a floated pass, and a ball-hawking safety should have been there to knock it down. Ryan will probably lose to Maryland, a real canidate that should be discussed is Rudy Carpenter. Next week will start the heisman push.

Since you and i were at the penn state game( I was a whiteout member in the student section) can you explain to me how cool the white out looks from a journalist point of veiw, and is happy valley really imdimiating as people say it is.

@ taylor prince

You mean Jay Cutler who was the 62nd ranked quarterback in QB rating in 2005?

Why is BC pissing everyone off so much? Virtually every other team who has a shot at the national title was ranked ahead of them when the season began. All your team had to do was win. If BC doesn't then they won't make the NC or even a BCS bowl, but they are not a fraud or the product of east coast hype. In the world of college football, no one does hype like the SEC. There are your real frauds.

That would be great if OU loses. Then OSU would have first place in the South. No way is Texas going to make it to the championship. If you can only beat Nebraska by three on your field, then you will definitely not be winning any championships. Look for Texas to get throttled by OSU this Saturday...(and this time you guys won't have Vince to make a comeback).

Fantastic play by Trinity Doesnotwanttobecalledcollege, though I still give the edge to Cal for taking out the Stanford band.

I'm finally sold on evil Ohio State, though I wouldn't pick them over LSU. If they and BC win out, you should start engraving the trophy for OSU now.

As much as I hate to admit this, Mandel is probably right about this one. The Big Least, Big Twelve, and PAC Ten will probably all have second teams picked for BCS games before a three or four loss SEC runner-up.
I really expected to see at least two SEC teams dominate up until the SEC championship game this year and to have two SEC teams in the BCS. But after seeing the Gators blow it, and LSU lose to KY, etc., I doubt that any SEC team will finish with less than three losses. (LSU will lose again before the SEC championship game--Roll Tide!!!)
In all honesty, I'm surprised that the SEC is looking an awful lot like the Big Ten this year. Compare the wins/losses and the OOC before you get yourself all riled-up about that statement. It's not something that any of us expected, but facts is facts. Our teams are beating each other up, but the Big Ten is doing the same thing (except for the Buckeyes). After the Tide rolls over the swamp cats, who will be the clear-cut top dog in the SEC? And then LSU better watch out for Ole Miss too (they are not a team to overlook on the road).
Bottom line, I think that we SEC fans (and the players and coaches) all started believing all of the press hype too much this year so that teams haven't been showing up. Starting to look a lot like last year's media darling Buckeyes who believed all the press and waltzed into a butt-whoopin at the big game.

How can a qb who is not even in the top 40 in passer efficiency be a heisman candidate. He only has a two to one td to int ratio, and has played the easiest schedule. If you go by a winning team, then both Kansas's and Arizona St's qbs should be getting all the hype since they have better numbers. I live in Boston after moving from Texas and I see the east coast bias alive and well.

Slaw:

Nice to hear you see some talent on OSU's team, but why the "evil" comment? I've been a Buckeye (and Boilermaker) fan for quite a while now, but never really understood the ill feelings towards OSU...I'm serious. Is it because of cocky fans or something (and more than the normal you'd expect whenever a team is sitting up on the ranks?). I'm genuinely curious. I actually teach at OSU and have had a number of the players in my classes, and almost to a person they've been very nice guys, respectful, etc. In terms of fan behavior, I think every school has its "bad apples" but hopefully there will be fewer of them from OSU as there's a strong campaign going on in the Big 10 (and at OSU) to be the best fans around. At the home games I've seen in the Horseshoe this last year or two, folks seem very friendly as well. Sorry if you've had bad experiences but hopefully they'll improve.

Good luck to all!

Kirk: "Princess Bride!" Finally got it...it was bugging me while I was typing...

Mandel-

I'll give some credit to Oregon. But USC lost that game due to some key penalties, including one that brought back a touchdown and another (personal foul) on the first drive (after the fumble recovery). SC also was poorly coached on offense. Can you believe some of the play calling? A lateral run on 4th and short? I believe that SC does have the talent. There is no question. It is just not being used with the current offensive scheme. I compare it to our Army going on the offensive with powerful tools but choosing to use sling shots instead. SC seemed not to know that the end zone is straight ahead. Whrere was that force that beat down Nebraska and Washington State? The holes were huge and properly used in those games. I know you may only see the end result, but there were some good reasons that game could have gone the other way.

What's so amazing about that D3 lateral video? Geez, I hate to be the party pooper here, but I don't see anything but a bunch of lazy quitters in purple, standing around and/or half @$$ing it, allowing that play to happen because they don't have whatever it takes to put the kibosh on the laterals. I love D3 football, but if it's going to make national news, for the sake of everything holy, let it be to celebrate the guys who actually put their heart into the game, that play with everything until the final whistle blows. Ugh.

stewart -- you've got the wrong youtube link for the matt ryan TD passes. the one you have shows the second TD pass but not the first one; most of the clip is ESPN reporters talking about the game. here's one that includes much more game highlights including both TD passes:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T7nBv5ph_p0

Those of you criticizing Matt Ryan have obviously not seen him play the past few seasons. Consider a few things--

1) The Thursday night game was actually one of his worst performances as a starter. The only thing Vintage Matt Ryan about thursday was the fact that he recovered from playing so badly to win at the end. BC was outcoached (no help on blocking Ellis all game, ignoring the running game). When a quarterback has his "Heisman Moment" during maybe the worst game of his career, that means something.

2. His supporting cast is one of the worst out of any school in the top ten (if not the worst). Andre Callender is a solid running back but his recievers are terrible. They usually drop at least three to five passes each game. Matt Ryan puts up gaudy numbers by spreading the ball around and playing smart (like another well known New England quarterback).

3. The offensive system hurts his efficiancy. Ryan does not play in a spread offence. He is making most of his throws on mid-range routes that take longer to develop. Completing 60% of his passes in that system is a feat in itself.

4. The ACC is full of good defenses. Ryan has been putting up these numbers agains some very solid defenses.

Is BC number 2 in terms of talent? Of course not. But they have a QB that just wins games and an opportunistic defense. They have every chance in the world to finish undefeated (without a single blowout, just hard fought wins). If that happens, you all can hate as much as you want, but it won't do any good.

Larry,

Now that last post struck a chord. I knew there was "professorial" content in your postings (I'm one, too, and agree about players in my classes when at LSU as a graduate teaching assistant and other places around the country). Now in "semi retirement" teaching undergraduate courses in Econ, Business Ethics, and MBA for a midwest college with no football team . . . what do you teach?

As for the "evil" comment . . hey. As you have admonished me, you have to separate the wheat from the chaff ("and a lot of it there is"). I can tell you (and have, here) that some caricatures of southerners and some comments from tOSU fans have rankled me as much as you were by that comment, and led me to "wade in" as you put it. It gets particularly naseous when a Big Ten or OSU fan pretends to be an SEC fan and blogs in "caricature" (not in "character"). I just agree with you that it is out of place and we need to look past it.

I like your point about conferences trying to emphasize sportsmanship and good fan behavior. I know the SEC is doing it as well. Good for the conferences!

Finally, you know what? If the rankings stay the same throughout the rest of the season (and I would not bet they will) I would agree with Slaw's main point . . start finding a place for that crystal trophy in Columbus!

Best,

Sas

Ryan played very well for two minutes. But he should not even be in the Heisman discussion because the other 26 minutes he was plain old ordinary. You east coast guys drink to much Doug Flutie

http://www.bevosports.com/2007/10/28/trinity-u-wins-game-on-15-lateral-final-play/

Fresh link for the Trinity game. Unbelievable. College football is the greatest game on earth.

Stew, how can you or anyone else overlook the accomplishments of the seventh rated passer in NCAA Div-1A? Oh, yeah, he is also the quarterback of the currently undefeated and top ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. This is a new year and last year's players, team results and scores mean nothing. Get over your anti-Buckeye agenda and NC game hangover from last year and look at this year for what it is and give equal opportunity to every student athlete. Don't hold their predecessor's success or lack there of against them.

Boeckman deserves as much consideration for the Heisman as anyone, think about it.

It's really disconcerting how many people post on here--particularly SEC fans--who post on here solely to rip on other schools or other players.

If you can't see or enjoy what Matt Ryan is doing right now at Boston College, I'm sorry. You're missing some phenomenal performances by a kid who exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete. And if you don't think he'll be successful in the NFL, well, I'd be happy to take that bet.

One thing more, why is everyone hyped up on Oregon beating USC? I love Oregon and they are a great team to watch but isn't a team playing at home sorta expected to beat a team ranked 7 positions below them? I am surprised like everyone else but only that the winning margin wasn't as big as it should have been.

Lee Corso automatically vaulted Oregon to his number one for winning a home game (by 7 points) against a team ranked 7 positions lower. What the **** is wrong with you fickle sports reporters? First USF vaults everyone then follows up with 2 loses, now Oregon is anointed the top team after beating a lower ranked lackluster USC at home. Writers need to get back to reality (wins and losses) and save the money they're spending on psychics.

Though the 15 lateral play that has been popping up in video highlights all over is certianly amazing, I fail to see why that should garner more of your interest than FBC team Toledo putting up 812 yards and 70 points in THE offensive show of the year last night. Did you not get a chance to see that one?

phork thanks for that link

I saw that Matt Ryan throw. I knew after I saw it that the gods were looking kindly on Beantown and that the Red Sox would win the evening's 2-1 dual. It was thing of beauty and did more for the belief in God than all the Jesuit spirituality that ever came out of Boston College.

As for the SEC, two words: Tennessee-California.

Really people, stop being superior. So you have some football knowledge. Why, then, aren't YOU working for Sports Illustrated. Say your post your comments, say your "thanks," and keep the insults to yourself.

Mandel, thanks for this entry on Matt Ryan. I've been saying it for a while, but he is Brady-like in his ability (maybe better), vision, calm, and desire to win. Put him at the helm of an offense like Florida or Ohio, and he would be breaking records. You're right about the team as a whole, even their good defense isn't great without Raji and Toal. If a championship is about winning, you can not count Boston College out, and I want to see Ryan and BC against the best.

Dink, did you miss the very first words of the column, where Mandel says he won't be talking about Ohio State because he already wrote 2 pages on them last night? He compares your QB to Brady, for god's sake. Think before you write.

Stewart,

Isn't it possible the Big 10 could get two BCS teams? Say that OSU is undefeated going into Ann Arbor and then loses. OSU would have one loss and Michigan (assuming they win their two games before that), would be heading to the Rose Bowl. As much as I hate the Buckeyes, they travel well and have performed well in BCS bowls, outside of last year's blowout.

Let me translate just about every anti-Matt Ryan post that has been made. Guys like Tim Tebow and Mike Hart are better because they play for Florida and Michigan, and Ryan plays for non-prestige Boston College. People, theres a reason why this guy will likely be the first QB taken in the draft. Guys like Tim Tebow and Woodson dont even belong in his league talent wise.

I think Matt Ryan's Heisman candidcacy has less to do the last 3 minutes of the VT game than the fact that no one has stepped up yet to become the leading canidate. This year, there hasn't been one player to step up and claim the spotlight as in years past. Basically, this all comes down to the lazy nature of sportswriters. In order to become a Heisman Trophy winner, you had to 1.) play offense, 2.) put up eye popping numbers, 3.) make sure your team wins. Makes the choice a lot easier when all of those criteria (which y'all wrote in stone years ago for some reason) are met as to justify your choice.

Matt Ryan is a great qb and represents BC well. No doubt he showed a great poise on Thursday night. But to gush over the last three minutes while forgetting about the first 57 is foolish. If VT had recovered the onside kick, we would be talking about the two interceptions.

Who the heck has BC played???? Wake Forrest and VT.LSU beat VT by 40 point and has also beaten 4 top 25 teams.3 of which were at one time ranked in the top 10.Oh but wait they still have to play FSU and Miami p..l..e..a..s..e.

The best players make their best plays with the game on the line. Matt Ryan does that.

What is this "they looked this way, they looked that way"?

Should NCAA Football hire gymnastic judges who rate every game 1 - 10 or should football be about winning and losing?

BC and Ohio State haven't blown a game yet. Close games? Yes... does that matter in the sport of football? No.

Perhaps some of you would find figure skating or gymnatics more appealing...but face it - in college football, if your team loses it should be penalized despite its skill level.

"As for the SEC, two words: Tennessee-California."

Last I checked, both Alabama and Florida have given similar beat downs to UT. Although UT may sit atop the East for now, they are far from the best team in the league.

I thought the announcer is going into cardiac arrest during the 15-play lateral touch down...too funny.

If one needs proof that the BCS is flawed, look no further than Michigan's ranking. How quickly we forget absolutely embarrassing losses!

This just in from the BCS - they modified the "Notre Dame" clause. The Irish only need to have won a single game, any game during the season, in one of the BCS stadiums.

Since ND now qualifies for a BCS bid, that is one fewer spot available for an SEC team.

"Isn't it possible the Big 10 could get two BCS teams?"

HAHAHAHA. No! Your league has one legit team. Who would you have in a BCS game other than OSU? Michigan with their embarrassing 1-AA loss? Mediocre Wisconsin?

Five things I learned this week:

1. That fans who don't like Matt Ryan because of his passer rating probably hated Eric Crouch, too. Passer ratings are not the be-all and end-all people.

2. Conference games are really hard to win, no matter what conference you're in. Ask South Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma, and UCLA.

3. Everyone has a conference they hate, and another one they go overboard to love. I'd prefer if people would simply admit to being a fan of their conference, instead of attempting to justify it with "they beat this team that beat this other team that couldn't even beat this team."
I happen to be an ACC fan first, and an SEC fan second, and a Big Ten last. Why? Got by BA at NC State, my Masters' at South Carolina (and my family is from Baton Rouge) and I got treated like crap by Ohio State while I was there working on my PhD. I've got my reasons - what are yours?

4. There's a lot of realy badd spelingg and punchuashun in blogland:
"...the turtle reeks havic"
"...is happy valley really imdimiating as people say it is"
"Wake Forrest"

5. A playoff would be devastating to the talk-about-college-football industry.

Yeah, BC probably is a product of east coast bias and Boston hype. Those computers who have them number 1 in the country are TOTALLY buying into that.

Any SEC team will gladly play overrated ohio state again. LSU is 4-1 against top 25 teams, and holds a 49 to 7 beat down over virginia tech, where BC beat them 14-10. Ohio State, yeah.... well their schedule is horrible lets just hope they do go undefeated and have to play an SEC team..... And also cal-tennessee proves nothing CONFERENCE wise the SEC is deep.. The pac10 has 4 teams and thats where it stops

All these posts, and only one about the Pac-10. Typical. Fact is Dennis Dixon is the best QB in the nation - and I am a USC fan.

I would love to see the vaunted Ohio State defense take on the Ducks' spread offense.

George

Ryan will be the first QB taken in the 2008 draft. Personally i hope he doesn't win the Hiesman because I'd like to see him do well in the NFL.

Another SC student here. I've gotta say Dixon needs some heisman love. we have a very good defense, and yet he looked pretty damn good. Ryan is good, but his o-line can be shaky and yes, his receivers arent exactly 5-star.

Anyways, regarding at large teams, I don't thin the SEC will get a second team in. All their talk of their conference being soooo much better than everyone else is just not true. They're losing bad games, and since we did a couple weeks ago I feel for them.

O, and regarding our play-calling, I'm surprised how long it is taking for writer's to stop commenting on the qb's(sanchez is better) and focus on sarkisian's terrible, terrible play calling. I could call a better offensive game then him, i love studying schemes and such. Face it, a team that never has receivers run more than 20 yards downfield will have a tough time winning. Sad thing is Vidal and Rojo would be spectacular deep threats. Oh well, heres hoping some nfl team grabs sarkisian and we get a better caller.

how can you say the sec is overrated, when week in and week out they beat up on each other? The whole point everyone is making is the sec is so deep, very rarely will you see a team go undefeated in the sec, now say you stick a 3 loss florida team in the big 10 they would be undefeated.

Larry,

The "evil" comment was tongue in cheek. I live in Michigan, so I have to hate Ohio State, though I quietly cheer for them during bowl season (so I'm obviously not a Wolverine). I don't think their student athletes or students are any worse behaved than MSU or UM. However, my reasons for disliking Notre Dame are more legitimate.

Can we please hold the "So-and-So reminds us of Tom Brady" ? I mean seriously, when one of these guys grabs 3 (Probably a 4th) Superbowl, then let us compare. Maybe comparing Brady while he was in college, but I digress.

So, the SEC has the bulk of their teams sitting at 3 losses or more, and this is supposed to shout "YAH WE RULE, OUR LOSSES DON'T COUNT BECAUSE WE ARE SO DEEP". But what it really says is "NONE OF US ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO BEAT THE REST OF US".
Although I would truely believe that whoever ran the SEC table undefeated would no doubt be the best team in the country, you have to just kind of shake your head a little bit. Kentucky beats LSU, but loses to Ole Miss (A perennial doormat). You have Auburn who beats Florida but loses to S. Florida (which has just been unmasked as a fraud). And the carnage continues. Georgia pounds Florida, gets pounded by Tennessee, who got pounded by Florida. Kind of like a dog chasing its tail?

BTW for all you SEC backers who were hating on S. Florida back when our pal Stewy ranked them #1, their last 2 losses have only made the SEC look that much more silly.

You arguements are "Well our 4th best team beat your 2nd best team", congratulations on failing how to balance an equation.

BTW I think you can forget about tOSU's abortion of last year. And I think we can drop the Michigan debate. Oregon is a great team, no shame there. The A-State game was a wake up call, and they have proven to be a better than advertised team.

All in all, this is exactly why teams should NOT be ranked in the pre-season. Some teams have to fight upwards from relative obscurity, only to fall a few ranks short of the Top1-2. Whe