College Football Weekend Preview

In an announcement that is sure to crush and disappoint many of you, my weekly college football rankings are suspended for this week, due to a complete lack of teams worthy of filling out the full list.

Seriously, who belongs in the top 25? I can only count about 16 teams that clearly deserve that distinction. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Texas from the Big 12; Alabama, Georgia, and Florida from the SEC, Penn State and Ohio State from the Big Ten, USC from the Pac 10, and undefeated Utah, Boise State, Tulsa and Ball State. Throw in once-beaten TCU and that gets you a grand total of 15 teams. I think LSU, Missouri and Michigan State could have compelling arguments, but beyond that, I’m at a loss.

The Big East and ACC are tripping over themselves as they rush out of the Top 25. Last week, Boston College, Florida State and Georgia Tech appeared in the top 25, with Virginia Tech just outside the rankings. Three of those teams lost last week, so now all of a sudden North Carolina and Maryland are the flavors of the week. And this is despite Maryland’s early season loss to Middle Tennessee State, who is 1-6 in games not against Maryland. Florida State appears to have the best resume out of the ACC with wins over Miami and Virginia Tech, but the 12-3 home loss to Wake Forest is hard to ignore. Virginia currently leads the ACC Coastal division, but they are carrying THREE blowout losses, including one to Duke!

The Big East is even worse. South Florida and Pitt were the Big East top 25 representatives, but both managed to lose last weekend. Voters appear poised to send West Virginia (currently ranked 26th) into the top 25, despite the fact they have yet to beat a team that currently has a winning record. Well, unless you count CAA conference member Villanova.

Another team that has no business in the top 25 is Minnesota (AP #20). Sure, Minnesota is 7-1, but they haven’t beat single team with a winning record. Hell, they gave up 23 points at home to Montana State. Montana State couldn’t even manage 20 in losses to Weber State and Eastern Washington. I guess someone has to be in the top 25, but I’m protesting until teams start to prove themselves.

This weekend has a few exciting games, but the overall slate isn’t too appealing. Georgia-Florida has generated the most headlines, especially in the wake of last year’s ‘controversial’ touchdown celebration/field-rushing. The winner of this game should take the SEC East and will probably be favorites to win the SEC. Alabama will be the SEC West representatives, but I feel that they may have peaked and may be a tad over-rated. The only other noteworthy matchup is Texas-Texas Tech. Both teams are undefeated, so the winner will have a huge edge in the Big 12 South race. If Texas wins, they will have defeated their three principal South rivals (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech) and will effectively have a two game lead with only three left to play.

In news that few people will care about, Tennessee will be fighting for their bowl lives as they take on Steve Spurrier and South Carolina. A win would still give Tennessee a chance to finish with a winning record and a bowl game, as they only have Wyoming, Vanderbilt and Kentucky left on the schedule after this week.

Two other similar matchups are happening in the SEC this weekend. Auburn and Ole Miss square off, both with 4-4 records. The winner will keep bowl hopes alive, the loser will likely be done for the year. Kentucky and Mississippi State play under the same circumstances. Kentucky is 5-3, while Mississippi State is 3-5, but both have a 1-3 SEC record. If Kentucky can pull out a win, they conceivably could win eight games this year, with Vanderbilt and Tennessee still on the schedule. Yes, that was painful for me to admit. I’m going to go get a beer…