GEAUX TIGERS!!!

So if you believe Kansas should be ranked higher than Oklahoma, you must believe that if Kansas plays Oklahoma in the Big XII championship, the Jayhawks will win? Because I sure don't. I am from Kansas and go to school at OU, so I respect both schools, but the thing the Sooners have going for them is they have experience in the championship game, and I don't believe KU has the offensive power to overcome a defense like OU's. We shut down Texas A&M last night and scored 42 on them, while Kanas could only score 19 on A&M's pathetic defense. Even if our game had been in College Station, I think the result would have been the same. OU may not have played spectacularly on the two Big XII road games we've played in so far, but when it came to a neutral field, high pressure situation in Dallas against Texas, the Sooners responded just fine.

Stewart, you are abslutely right. While I have never been to Eugene, it isn't much different than other laid back West Coast cities, Seattle, Santa Barbara, Anaheim or San Diego. It is what makes the West Coast special and served as my inspiration to write The West Coast Bias Blog.

The people are also more liberal and open-minded which is nice. When I've been to Notre Dame or Tennessee all of the fans believe that their respective teams own College Football.

It is nice to the West Coast fans, who have lives outside of sports, get some respect from Stewart.

Thanks Stew!

Go BUCKS!

Why do I think you'd prefer to rank Ohio State number 8 or 9, but can't justify it?

Don't fall too much in love with Les Miles, Stewart. He strikes me as the kind of guy that is sitting on 19 and shouts "Hit me!" His riverboat gambling ways are gonna cost him eventually and break your heart.

Prediction: Ohio State vs. Oklahoma in the National Championship Game.

I agree with Nicole. People who think Kansas should be ranked higher than OK should have to put big money on Kansas, should they play.
Stew was late getting this out. Perhaps it is harder to travel to the west coast as Hawaii says, than to travel to Hawaii.

dude.. OU is not going to the BIG 12 Championship game... Kansas is better than OU... and the Longhorns will go to the Big 12 Championship game... winning is winning remember...

OU will loose 2 of the next 3 games.. sit down and watch..

That is typical Eugene for you. We enjoy our football, but we have so many other things to do in our lives. Hiking, camping, fishing, biking and also white water rafting. If we win, that is awesome, if we lose, we still have to other options to do.

Who are the idiots in the polls that have LSU ranked #1. They needed a miraculous 4th quarter of screwing up by a very average Alabama team to pull out that game. I am not a fan of Ohio State, but I do think Kansas is impressive.

Hey porks....Texas will not win out either. Hating OU will keep you awake at night.

No way is Kansas better than Oklahoma. They are the last of the pretender unbeatens. (And no, I don't even count Hawaii in the conversation...) I seriously doubt that they beat Missouri, let alone Oklahoma. They beat a Nebraska Team that had no heart for the game or its coach.

My top 5....
(1) Ohio State - the most balanced team in college football.
(2) LSU - Outstanding defense, jekyl & hyde offense.
(3) West Virginia - the most dangerous team in college football.
(4) Oklahoma - Very balanced team, powerfull defense.
(5) Oregon - Explosive offense.

The question isn't so much who is the best team in the regular season, but who is built for a one game season (BCS Bowls). Oregon, who has a spread offense that relies on timing, will be less of a threat after a month off. (See Ohio State last year...) Oklahoma has a red-shirt freshman quarterback, and when he plays a great defense in the BCS will have some troubles. West Virginia may be the most dangerous team in college football when Slaton & White are healthy, but will suffer because of the perceptions of the Big East. That leaves Ohio State and LSU. I actually give the edge to LSU in the one game season scenario because of their defensive line. The Buckeyes are certainly built better to play in January though. It will be a great game. Tressel will want to beat him since Les Miles is going to be coaching Michigan next year anyway.

NO, it DOESN'T mean that you think OU would lose to Kansas. It's simply saying that considering the games that have been played, a 9-0 team deserves to be ranked higher than an 8-1 team whose loss came against a mediocre team.

Who's to say that Florida couldn't or wouldn't beat Kansas also? But a team with 3 losses can't be ranked ahead of a team that's undefeated.

isaac - I thought the idea was to rank the teams by their quality, not whether they beat up some powderpuffs like Hawaii & Boise St have done.

Maybe like Isaac suggests, all teams with no losses should be ranked higher than any 1-loss team. Hey we can eliminate all thinking by putting the names of the no loss teams in a hat and drawing number 1. No more bias, no more need for brains.

If you question the strength of LSU, why do you still have them number one? And if you give props to Kansas as impressive, why do you have Ohio State ranked so much higher when they have played the weaker schedule?

You, like most other voters in the polls, place far too much emphasis on the elite powers in college football when the 85 scholarship level has evened the playing field.

The playing field is level, the voting process in the polls still upholds the elite traditions and until we get to the point where we settle this on the field, your poll is no more valid than any of the others.

Like the mindset of West Coast bias, this is why I have created my website - BCSBusters and which is why I have written a book manuscript on the subject. Calling out others, when you practice the same bias is not giving the readers the full story!

Glad you had such a good time, come back again when we're getting ready to play for the national championship.

I grew up in Michigan but have lived in California for a number years now. It kills me that "sports fans" out here act like those of us from the Midwest or the South or any pother part of the country spend out entire lives around the tv watching our favorite teams. Yes we love our teams, and we are very passionate about it, but we do lots of other things as well. I skiied, played pond hockey, went sledding and did a number of other things in the winter. In the summer there is just as much to do in the mid west as there is in the west. Before you go an aaccuse people from other parts of the country from having closed minds or not doing anything else besides watching sports, visit the rest of the country and educate yourself first. And while we're on the topic of passionate fans, having livede here in La I have seen the same kind of attitude about owning the sport from USC people and have seen UCLA fans act completely destroyed after losses.

Nicole - where was all that OU championship game experience when they choked on the road at Colorado? (the same team KU beat in Colorado) Thats the problem with polls - everyone relies on "previous experience" or the "traditional powers" theories, and doesn't pay attention to anything on the field. You state that OU may not have played spectacularly on the road, but isn't that the true test of a team - winning on the road?

Joshua - You talk about OK choking at Colorado. Last year you could have talked about Fla choking at Auburn. Kansas has played no one since it is obvious that K-St and Nebr (assuming they still intend to field a team) are not much competition. OK has played a much tougher schedule.

I though the rankings were supposed to be about what a team has done and what they are currently doing, not what people think they could do if things go right. I understand talking about what a team may be able to do during the early weeks of the polls, but after 10 weeks it should be about what the team has done and how they are playing now, not about how you think they should be playing. If you think that LSU has been the best team so far this season and is currently playng as the best team then vote keep voting for them as #1. If not, vote for whoever you believe has been playing the best and is currently playing well. Give up the SEC hype and vote for who you think is most deserving right now, not who you think should be most deserving.

"teams like Oklahoma or West Virginia which have no more distinguished resumes than the Jayhawks -- not to mention they, unlike Oklahoma, have lost a game."

Stewart, you're good at your job, but please buy a new pair of proof-reading glasses, my friend. Oklahoma has a loss, not Kansas, which you're obviously aware of. Too many little errors for a professional column and website, and your editor isn't catching them. Not to be naggy, I really enjoy your writing. Those things are annoying though.

LSU is highly overated.

If Kansas is going to get to the BS championship game, they have to beat Mizzou (#6)and Oklahoma (#5) in two neutral site games. This willbe extremely tough. If this happens and LSU still gets into the championship game, it will be an unmitigated travesty. The highest ranked team that LSU has beaten is VA Tech at #11. The SEC is full of mediocre teams, not the conference it used to be.

If KU goes undefeated ang gets beaten out by a once beaten team, the Big 12 should pull out of the BCS.

Stewart continues to ignore Ohio State.

you're right, that would be ridiculous. but KU has a lot to do before they can worry about stuff like that, they still have OK St on the road as well, i believe. seems like every year there's a team that looks like they could end up being in position to have a major gripe, but never end up getting to that point. and KU isn't anywhere near closing it out yet.

i think a one loss LSU getting in over a one loss Oregon would be a shame as well. but again, a long way to go. it's never quite this convoluted by the end. crazy year though, who knows.

Stu:

Thanks for coming out and checking out Oregon. I hope you'll come check out the student body section for the Oregon / UCLA game. I am sure the students wouldn't mind and neither would the AD. It should give you an advantage should you get the cover the Olympic Trials.

Since Mac Court will be replaced in a couple of years a story done by you would make for a great chapter in Mac Court History book.

Have a great week!!

and Go Ducks!!

Charles, but the fact of the matter is OU has 1 loss. Kansas has NO losses. The loss for OU was a win for KU. All forecasting aside, you cannot predict what will happen to KU, they need to be highly ranked until they fall.
Kind of like why Stewart keeps LSU at #1 over a team with a much better defense, OSU.

Howie == Did you blow off the rest of the day's action after your Duck lovefest?

Let me tell you what you missed: Mizzou 55 CU 10 (CU's worst home loss in 25 yrs., MU gets 598 yards, hold Buffs to less than 200)

A month ago: KU 19 CU 14 (eh)

KU gives up nearly 40 pts and 500 yds to woeful Nebraska's 2nd string QB. ANYONE who watched that game saw a pathetic NU defense that gave up again and again. The KU and Reesling hype is a waste of our time.

Mizzou will beat KU by 4 TDS

AND OF ALL THE ONE LOSS TEAMS, MU has the "best LOSS" (at Okla. where no one wins vs. Oregon's HOME loss)

everettm1 you are a great mind! Yes an undefeated Kansas is a National title worthy team. I am excited to see KU's season wrap up, and I am rooting for an OSU-KU title game.

Stewart,

Granted, Mcfadden had an extrodinary night, in what otherwise has been a lackluster season for him. On the otherhand Tebow has TWICE as many touchdowns has his nearest competition,has a quarterback rating in the stratosphere and has unique focus and drive to win. Comparisions and suggestions that other players are on the same plane as Tebow do not do the game or his talents and performance justice.

Stewart, you really shouldn't make any comments about Big 12 football, since you obviously don't have a clue what's happening in the conference.

Just too many of your, "I confess, I didn't watch [Big 12] game because I was tied up watching the exciting ending of [Big 10] game." Remember?

So now just leave it alone, since there aren't enought hours in the day for you to focus on SEC, Big East, ACC and Big 10 and have time for anything else - Oh - did I leave out USC? I guess that problem is what opened up time for BC for you, wasn't it?

I'm amazed that you now have your new love-child, Matt Ryan, calling it a "coming out party" for his media annointed Heisman run, instead of even commenting/noticing that he couldn't score a single point for 58 minutes in that game.

But I guess if you're invested in BC, then you just have to ignore some things, right?

You're pitiful....

Mandel's ridiculous State Capital Bias shines through again.

lsu's toughest win has not ben against VT they are just another out of conference win how about u send your favorite team down to the SEC and play a full season and see how you do

Stew, have you watched *ANY* Big-12 game all the way through this season?

Particularly any Oklahoma, Missouri or Kansas game?

My bet is no.

Stew.... I must address LSU at #2.

What really good team have they beaten.....except for alot of mediocre SEC teams.

Soft non-conference schedule except for a VA Tech tem with no offense, which they played at night at home.

You overate the SEC and give the Pac 10 and Big 12 no respect.

I like the fact that you have the cahones to publicize your rankings and I respect it. But, please, get off of the SEC bandwagon.

@snook, yeah, Tebow has uniquely driven his team to a powerhouse 6-3 record, while D-Mac has slouched and sleep-walked his team to a lousy 6-3 season mark.

SFPRMAN.....

You are totally correct.

Mizzou's only loss came in Norman where Oklahoma is 52-2, yes that is fifty-two wins and two losses, during the Bob Stoops era.

I have seen the light and will call the winner of the Mizzou-Kansas game the #2 team in the country.

For all of those thinking OU's loss AT CU was so terrible, why don't you have Kansas ranked higher than Oregon? They lost to a mediocre team at HOME. Someone explain it to me.

TO:ANYBODY WHO WANTS SOME

come try us


FROM SEC

Hey Mandel, if you want to enjoy a REAL college town experience, why don't you come down to Athens for the Auburn game this weekend. I have a couch with your name on it if you do.

We learned something else this weekend...Indiana is actually capable of being bowl elligible! Go Hoosiers! Coach Hep is smiling down on Bloomington today!

Semi23

Lets look at the SEC

LSU - highly overated with a mediocre offense and no top shelf wins

Georgia - lost to South Carolina and Tennessee (who had a 28-0 4th quarter lead on them ) enough said.

Tennessee - pounded by Cal and Florida and lost to Alabama

Florida - 3 losses - enough said.

Kentucky - beats LSU and loses to Mississippi State - enough said

Auburn - lousy football team.

Alabama - 3 losses - enough said.

LSU va. Oregon/Oklahoma on a neutral field. I'll give you 7 points and bet a paycheck.

Given the you probably make $6.50 and hour at the local 7-11, I can afford it.

ATTN: root

Regarding your statement that "The Buckeyes are certainly built better (than LSU) to play in January though.

If LSU and Ohio State meet in the National Championship game, it will be played in the Superdome. Indoors. 72 degrees. Not a cloud in the sky. Doesn't matter what month the game is played.

Hey, everetttm, I'll take that bet. I bet you were saying that about Florida last year, too, weren't you? About how Florida couldn't possibly stay on the field with mighty Ohio State. Face the facts guy, the SEC is the best conference in the land and we kill each other. Top to bottom, there is no better conference. You think Oklahoma will beat LSU? Oklahoma who lost to Colorado? Talk about an overrated team, Oklahoma IS the very definition of overrated, just like they were in 2003 and 2004.

Hey Oklahoma, Auburn wants their shot at USC back you overrated, live off of biased writer's votes program.

So hate on the SEC. But when LSU rips Ohio State this year and Georgia beats whomever in the sUGAr Bowl, y'all won't be saying much of anything.

Another resounding prediction......

Ohio State vs. LSU/Oklahoma/Kansas/Oregon/Mizzou in the title game.

Doesn't matter, OSU gets whipped.

I won a bunch of money on Florida. No matter how much I hate the SAC hype....the Big 10 stinks.

The arrogance of the Big Ten is breathtaking...I am sorry, but cable customers should not be forced to pay for the Big Ten network as part of their "expanded" basic cable package. Customers who want the Big Ten network should have the option of paying for it as a premium service.

Let's be clear -- this is about the Big Ten greedily trying to extort money from every basic cable subscriber in its 15-state footprint. Don't the residents of these states do enough to support Big Ten universities -- especially huge programs like Ohio State with lavish athletic budgets -- without the conference trying to squeeze out even more money?

It's astonishing to me that the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin would lower himself to the point of shamelessly peddling a TV network and suggesting that customers switch their cable companies. Do you people have no shame?

Also, to be clear, I have no affiliation whatsoever with any of the cable companies. I am simply an outraged consumer.

Hey everettm1, remember a few years back when Auburn went undefeated and didn't make it to the BCS championship game, it happened before and it could happen again. I doubt VERY SERIOUSLY that the Big 12 would pull out of the BCS if an undefeated KU does not make the championship game. They should play a thougher schedule if the want some respect!

Without reading all the comments I am still amazed at your continual love affair with LSU and you're willingness to rank them number one. It seems that you have in your own words stated that "they could be a pretty darned good team" which brings to mind the sportswriters' mentality of looking at the talent on a team and ranking them based "potential" and not performance, which is what you are ethically bound to do. LSU lost to a now 6 -3 team, was behind much of their last game but yet, everyone, including you continue to give them credit based on "potential" and not performance.

In the matter of a couple weeks, your darling USF who you vaulted into number one has fallen and I guess in less then a week Matt Ryan has reverted to joining the "boys" again.

Although I respect you for putting it out there and for your humility, you shouldn't be so fickle in your analysis and quick to jump on the latest bandwagon. More is expected from a national sports writer and I'm waiting for the day when you become the man among boys.

Regardless, thanks for your hardwork!

Dwayne.......

With the current setup, no team plays any more than one decent non conference opponent.

One loss means too much.

We need a playoff.

Auburn did get ripped off though.

We agree on the playoff thing, that's for sure! I would love to see some form of playoffs in Div. 1A

The buckeyes welcome any challenge from any SEC team. Ohio State learned a lesson last year and has moved on. LSU, Florida, Bama. It doesnt matter bring it on!!!!!!!! Forever Loyal Forever Royal The Ohio State Buckeyes

Be careful what you wish for buckeye,you may just get your wish! I REALLY don't think OSU wants to tangle with another SEC team!

Hey BCSbusters. What is your solution? How many teams would be in your playoffs and who would they be if the season ended today? Let's see the names. It's easy to attack others but what do you have to offer other than a $20 T-shirt?

Hey BCSbusers....quit advertising on a blog......LOOOOOOOOOOOOOSER

For people not knowledgeable with the BIG 10 philosophies let me explain something. Don't take this as an excuse but rather something BIG 10 fans understand, accept and are willing to live with. BIG 10 teams are historically lethargic in the bowl games because the BIG 10 recognizes their athletes are student with families and end the football season before Thanksgiving so the student athletes and families can share important time together. Like it or not, it has a great affect on the performance of a BIG 10 football team and probably contributed to OSU's poor showing in the NC game last year. I'm not in any way taking anything away from Florida and the job their coaching staff did in spanking OSU last year. 50-some days off from competition is much different than 30-something. BIG 10 fans will live with it because we understand it and have priorities other than always coming out on top. With that being said, Florida spanked OSU last year and they deserve all the credit for doing so. Hopefully BIG 10 teams will learn from that and perform better this year. It is worthy to note that the Big 10 was still 2-1 in bowls last year against the SEC and there's nothing you can say about that if you're argument is that the top BIG 10 team would struggle to be 500 in the SEC...it just isn't so and reality, not speculation supports it isn't so.

First off I am a current KU student and while what I write on here may sound bias I apologize in advance if anything comes off that way.

Everyone who sits on here and talks about how we have not played anyone is correct. I have been to every single game this (including the away games)and your right our schedule is not that tough. That is not our fault though. Aside from the non-conference games were in a two year system. Meaning that every two years we switch the big 12 south opponents that we play. I am not saying that we would be able to hang with Oklahoma (at least not yet) but Tech and Texas have done nothing to make me fear them. Tech got rolled at MU and then lost at home to the same CU team that KU beat and OU lost to. Texas lost to KSU at UT and then we beat KSU in Bill Snyder stadium. Props have to be given there even if KSU is mediocre. Texas has dominated OSU in the second half for a while now so I was not surprised at all to see them pull that one out.

Yes I watched first hand Ganz rip our passing defense but even I knew that we were not that improved. We have just played poor passing offenses. Two of his passing tds were on Talib who is a supposed all-american. Why? Because for as good as he is he tries to guess way to much. However, we only gave up a few yards on the ground, around 23 with are first stringers in, more with the back ups. 4 Ints help us out though so feel free to test us, you may win and you may not.

I am not going to say that I am not worried about any game ahead of us. OSU is capable to doing things. Bowman racked up 300 yds on last year. Could happen again. ISU is not a worry since it is at home but yes MU is a great squad. One thing Mizzou fans better hope happens is that KU does go undefeated. Otherwise a victory over both us and OU will not jump you ahead LSU or Oregon (assuming they win out)

I am not saying that people need to jump on the wagon and say were good but you do not need to thrash us. We are not retarded, we know that we haven't played anyone but its whatever to us, were still undefeated and aside from Hawaii and Ohio State fans we have a better record then everyone else.

This has been a hell of a season for us. Do I think we will make it to the national championship game. Of course I do because I am a fan and a student at the school. I am just like you all. However, until someone beats us we are allowed to feel and think were better then you, even Hawaii and Ohio State.

Just as in everything else in life, it's all about the money. The SEC teams won't schedule any good teams on the road because they make so much money at their sold out mega-stadiums, even for POWERS such as Tennessee Tech and the directional Lousiana schools. Especially now, after USC has destroyed so many SEC powers recently. Wasn't Auburn ranked #1 when USC demolished them a few years ago? If the SEC is so great top-to-bottom why won't they schedule any PAC-10 or Big-10 teams away from their cozy home confines? Is Arkansas the only team with the courage to do so? Thought so.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It's nice to have someone recognize the value of consistency in college football. My hometown Jayhawks have been one of the only teams in the country to bring it each and every week, and yet they're ranked below They may not have the best athletes like USC and LSU, but what they have done on the field speaks for itself. It amazes me that a team like Oklahoma, who I respect a great deal, can be ranked higher than KU, when the Jayhawks have the advantage in the best comparison you can make. They lost in Boulder, we didn't. Seems simple enough to me. Rock Chalk!

tenn did it this year and got beat that is how it goes but tell me who would like to play florida at home with national championship on the line maybe u win maybe not but the bottom line is the championship game should be LSU vs. OREGON

It is rediculous for AP and Coaches poll to move 2-loss Michigan ahead of UConn, which has 1-point loss against a ranked ACC Virginia team. They beat 3 good teams including the highly touted #10 (at the time)So Fla. What about Michigan? Barely won their games .. again this week. Then thy are moved into #12!!
R.S.

Ok, the reason(s) LSU is the best(and for the record, i'm a bama fan): 1. They DO have an offense (23rd in the nation, 14th in points scored) 2. Defense wins championships (2nd in the nation in yards 10th in points allowed) 3. They play in the SEC (the reason you say that LSU beats 'mediocre' teams is 'cuz you only look at the records of the teams they beat. No conference game in this league is a sure win[aka: parody]) 4. Even if they don't play their best football, they find a way to win! (see #3) 5. What team in the nation has better depth at every position than LSU?

Josh - Give me a break. Hawaii has also done it each and every week so I guess Kansas is on the same level as Hawaii, for the same reason. Cheer them if you want, and they have done well, but no way have they established themselves as anything but a Top 25 team now, not Top Ten.

Semi23.I'd like to have some of what you're smoking.

LSU is OVERATED.

When they beat a worthwhile team please let me know. Right now they are a one loss team with wins at HOME against mediocre teams.

If the NC game was played right now.......KU vs. OSU.

KU will not win out though...let me know in a month when LSU has another loss against one of your halfway decent SEC teams.

Conference rankings:
1. Big-12
2. Pac - 10
3. Big East
4. SEC

The SEC won't schedule any good teams on the road?

What a crock of B.S.

It's the other teams that don't want to play home and home against the SEC.

Georgia has pleaded with Michigan for YEARS to play home and home. But they refuse. The last time we talked, arrogant Michigan wanted two home games. That's not how it's played.

Look at Georgia's nonconf sched from last year on. We played or will play Colorado, Okie State, Arizona State, Oregon, etc. Now, don't blame us if when we play Oregon they're a 7 win team. When we scheduled Colorado, they had just won the Big XII North and won 9 games.

Don't come on here spreading the same old tired B.S. lies about the SEC not scheduling anyone. We try. LSU played VaTech this year. Auburn played USC. Notice USC didn't schedule Florida, Georgia, or LSU. They scheduled Arkansas and Auburn. Also, Georgia also plays Georgia Tech every year. Okay, bad example. The Bugs suck. Florida plays FSU and sometimes Miami. SoCarolina plays Clemson. We play our ACC neighbors.

The SEC plays teams. In the Big-ZERO, they play direction teams from Michigan every year. How is that different than SEC teams playing directional school from Louisianna?

It isn't different, hypocrites.

I have to agree with Douglass.
That was completely classless plugging the Big Ten Network on this discussion of football rankings.
As if cable rates are not already high enough with annual (and sometimes biannual) 6% rate hikes, here comes the Big Ten Network to extort a few more bucks from us poor sportsfan saps.

BAMAFAN77.....

Give me one impressive SEC non conference win.

None on the road for sure.

Quit playing LA Tech and Kent and then talk trash.

everrettm1, you're on drugs, and obviously biased against the SEC.

It's okay. Just remember, envy is one of the seven deadly sins.

Wouldn't want to see you end up in h e l l.

thank u bamafan the only team that is not in the SEC that can beat LSU in the back yard is maybe OREGASM lets hope every team in the top 4 wins out and see what happens

hey expert how bout lsu beating vt it might have been at home but let me know what u think

they didn't just beat Va Tech(who is #11 by the way), they demolished them. Ok so it was at home. Factor out the 7 point home-feild advantage swing, and you still got a 41-7 blowout.

@ Nicole

You use the Texas A&M common opponent point for Kansas and Oklahoma, what if I choose Colorado?

@ Charles

You take him out of context and you know it. Isaac was making a point and it was a good one.

@ the big ten network

I watched OSU-Wisconsin over the weekend. Repeatedly they would c