In the wake of the first College Football Playoff Rankings, college football as a whole have a better idea on what the gods of the CFP committee are looking for, and it's not style points (sorry, Ohio State). With three SEC West teams in the top 4 and four in the top six, where the power is isn't a question either. What is the question is what games down the road will have playoff implications in them.
Oregon vs Arizona and Ole Miss vs Alabama. Oregon lost by a touchdown to Arizona at home in a game that was tied until 2:56 left in the 4th quarter. Alabama lost to Ole Miss in Oxford on the same weekend as the Oregon/Arizona game in which Alabama had a seven point lead for much of the game. Arizona, who lost to USC due to a 36-yard missed field goal is ranked 12th in the CFP Top 25, and Oregon is at 5. Ole Miss despite coming off a loss to LSU, are ranked two spots ahead of Alabama at 4. Does this look fair? I'm not arguing for Arizona to be in the top 4, but the head-head matchup versus Oregon should put them in the top 10. Arizona has flaws, yes, with a small point-margin and an easy SOS, but Alabama has had minimal competition as well. Currently their only win over a ranked team was West Virginia in a sloppy game in Atlanta.
Looking ahead, it is hard to see more than one team from arguably the two best conferences (Big 12 and SEC) come out into the playoff. Each conference has five or six teams at the top who are Playoff threats, plus the SEC has a championship game. Let's look at the three biggest match-ups from Week 10 on.
Week 10:
1. #3 Auburn @ #4 Ole Miss
2. #7 TCU @ #20 West Virginia
3. #2 Florida State @ #25 Louisville
This upcoming week, three of the top seven teams are playing on the road versus a ranked team. Auburn definitely has the hardest bill here, playing in Oxford. College Gameday is going to Morgantown, probably due to being sick of Mississippi. After disses on Florida State's remaining schedule, the CFP Committee has given them a boast putting perhaps a solid away win on their resume.
Week 11:
1. #9 Kansas State @ #7 TCU
2. #16 Ohio State @ #8 Michigan State
3. #6 Alabama @ #19 LSU
This was a tough week to rank with so many good match-ups. Exempt are Oregon/Utah, Notre Dame/Arizona State, Texas A&M/Auburn and Oklahoma/Baylor. KSU/TCU and OSU/MSU are games that could perhaps decide the Big 12 and Big 10, respectively. A one-loss champion from either conference would have a legitimate shot to make the playoff, which is much more likely in the Midwest, however. Alabama/LSU is always a good game, and LSU could maybe knock Alabama out of playoff contention in a game at night in Baton Rouge.
Week 12:
1. #1 Mississippi State @ #6 Alabama
2. #3 Auburn @ #11 Georgia
3. #15 Nebraska @ Wisconsin
The first game this week was obvious. Dak Prescott versus Blake Sims, Dan Mullen versus Nick Saban, powerhouse versus powerhouse. Georgia has a relatively easy schedule, for an SEC team, left, with Auburn the only ranked bump in the road. A win here and in the SEC Championship game should propel Georgia into the Playoff. Our final game of the week is Nebraska and Wisconsin, not exactly two super teams this year. However, this game should decide the Big 10 West and the winner will face either Michigan State or Ohio State in the Championship game, looking to knock them out of Playoff contention (and maybe put Nebraska in).
Week 13:
1. #9 Kansas State @ #20 West Virginia
2. #12 Arizona @ #17 Utah
3. Louisville @ #10 Notre Dame
One of the last games before Championship weekend and Bowl season, it kind of lacks the hype of the norm Week 13. With only two games between ranked teams, and almost all of the top 10 teams matching up against teams far more inferior teams. Kansas State continues on their horrid stretch of games away from home, with game number 2 of 3 coming in Morgantown. We think that GameDay will probably head to either South Bend or Los Angeles (USC/UCLA) as this week is sort of a pre-nup for a huge Week 14.
Week 14:
1. #1 Mississippi State @ #4 Ole Miss
2. #3 Auburn @ #6 Alabama
3. #10 Notre Dame @ USC
This week will be fun. The Egg Bowl and the Iron Bowl are some of the most prolific match-ups this year, and perhaps the most prolific in their histories. The Egg Bowl has been being hyped ever since Auburn and Alabama went down back in Week 6. Played in Oxford, you could give the advantage to Ole Miss, but coming off the loss to LSU, Ole Miss is not longer undefeated. Mississippi State is. Ole Miss has Auburn coming up and Mississippi State having Alabama, which could have the Iron Bowl winner going into the SEC Championship Game. Again. Outside of those two games, the games sort of drop-off. We put Notre Dame/USC next due to their prolific rivalry.
Week 15:
1. SEC Championship Game
2. Big Ten Championship Game
3. #9 Kansas State @ #13 Baylor
Our top two Championship games are the SEC and Big 10, leaving out the Pac 12 and ACC. Yes, arguable, but I would take Michigan State/Nebraska and (Fill in your SEC West team)/Georgia over Oregon/Utah and Florida State/Duke any day. Last year, the SEC and Big 10 had huge Championship implications, with the entire Auburn/Ohio State controversy. This year could be the same, but instead the argument of a two-loss SEC team versus a one-loss Big 10 championship team. Kansas State/Baylor is the best Big 12 game, so we put that at #3.
Playoff Prediction:
Sugar Bowl: #1 Florida State vs #4 Michigan State
Rose Bowl: #2 Ole Miss vs #3 Oregon
New Year's Six:
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs Auburn
Fiesta Bowl: Auburn vs Baylor
Peach Bowl: East Carolina vs Notre Dame
Cotton Bowl: TCU vs Alabama
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Week College Football Top 25
Week 9 wasn't exactly the type of drama we have been seeing this College Football season. Only two ranked teams lost, each of them to ranked teams (#3 Ole Miss to #24 LSU and #20 USC to #19 Utah). We started the day off with Kansas State shutting down Texas, and some pesky Big 10 skirmishes. Mid-College Football day saw Michigan State wrathfully beat up "big brother" Michigan, Mississippi State barely shaving off Kentucky, Jared Lorenzen (who had himself a day) and Patrick Towles. Finally, on the nightcap we saw LSU upset Ole Miss in death valley and South Carolina nearly beat Auburn in Jordan-Hare.
Ranking after the top three will be extremely hard now ten one-loss teams that all of strong cases. Florida State, Mississippi State and Alabama look solid so far, but we still have questions about Alabama. Let's get started.
1. Florida State 7-0 (BYE)
A week removed now from that controversial win versus Notre Dame and Mississippi State looking vulnerable further solidifies Florida State as the number team in the country.
2. Mississippi State 7-0 (Win 45-31 @ Kentucky)
Mississippi State resume got another boost after LSU beat Ole Miss, but the win at home versus Auburn is making their wins very comparable to Georgia.
3. Alabama 7-1 (Win 34-20 @ Tennessee)
Lane Kiffen lived and so did Alabama. However, with only one win versus a current ranked team (West Virginia) makes their upcoming schedule look very difficult.
4. Oregon 7-1 (Win 59-41 @ California)
Marcus Mariota is a beast and so is Oregon. Their next two games (vs kryptonite Stanford and at a strong Utah team) should define where they stand right now.
5. Auburn 6-1 (Win 45-38 vs South Carolina)
Despite an impossible schedule, this team still only has one loss. At Ole Miss next week will decide whether this team is the best team in the SEC.
6. Michigan State 7-1 (Win 35-11 vs Michigan)
Big brother went down hard and Michigan State now has 13 consecutive wins versus Big 10 foes. They could easily grab another one two weeks from now with JT Barrett potentially injured.
7. Georgia 6-1 (BYE)
Having not played a top ten team this year differs them from the rest of elite, but that South Carolina loss looks a lot better after how Auburn played against them at home.
8. Ole Miss 7-1 (Loss 10-7 @ LSU)
Yes, the Rebels fell five spots after losing in perhaps the toughest environment in the nation. They got lucky catching Alabama on their bad game. The game against Auburn is huge this weekend.
9. Notre Dame 6-1 (BYE)
0-1 versus currently ranked teams looks bad, but have a chance to turn that around with a big game against Arizona State coming up. Yes, I didn't talk about that game down in Florida that happened.
10. TCU 6-1 (Win 82-27 vs Texas Tech)
If Michigan fans are salty about Michigan State padding their comfortable lead, you must wonder how Texas Tech feels. West Virginia next week, my projected score is 98-92.
11. Kansas State 6-1 (Win 23-0 vs Texas)
12. Ohio State 6-1 (Win 31-24 @ Penn State)
13. Arizona State 6-1 (Win 24-10 @ Washington)
14. Baylor 6-1 (BYE)
15. Utah 6-1 (Win 24-21 vs USC)
16. LSU 7-2 (Win 10-7 vs Ole Miss
17. Arizona 6-1 (Win 59-37 @ Washington State)
18. Oklahoma 5-2 (BYE)
19. West Virginia 6-2 (Win 34-10 @ OKST)
20. Nebraska 7-1 (Win 42-24 vs Rutgers)
21. East Carolina 6-1 (Win 31-21 vs UConn)
22. Clemson 6-2 (Win 16-6 vs Syracuse)
23. Marshall 8-0 (Win 35-16 vs Florida Atlantic)
24. Duke 6-1 (BYE)
25. North Dakota State 8-0 (Win 47-7 @ South Dakota)
Don't get that wrong. FCS powerhouse North Dakota State has more wins versus Power 5 teams Wake Forest, Kansas, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Colorado. They have outscored their opponents 274-75. That is an average score of 34.25 to 8.125. They should be invited into the MWC conference soon, as they could a dominant powerhouse in the FBS.
Ranking after the top three will be extremely hard now ten one-loss teams that all of strong cases. Florida State, Mississippi State and Alabama look solid so far, but we still have questions about Alabama. Let's get started.
1. Florida State 7-0 (BYE)
A week removed now from that controversial win versus Notre Dame and Mississippi State looking vulnerable further solidifies Florida State as the number team in the country.
2. Mississippi State 7-0 (Win 45-31 @ Kentucky)
Mississippi State resume got another boost after LSU beat Ole Miss, but the win at home versus Auburn is making their wins very comparable to Georgia.
3. Alabama 7-1 (Win 34-20 @ Tennessee)
Lane Kiffen lived and so did Alabama. However, with only one win versus a current ranked team (West Virginia) makes their upcoming schedule look very difficult.
4. Oregon 7-1 (Win 59-41 @ California)
Marcus Mariota is a beast and so is Oregon. Their next two games (vs kryptonite Stanford and at a strong Utah team) should define where they stand right now.
5. Auburn 6-1 (Win 45-38 vs South Carolina)
Despite an impossible schedule, this team still only has one loss. At Ole Miss next week will decide whether this team is the best team in the SEC.
6. Michigan State 7-1 (Win 35-11 vs Michigan)
Big brother went down hard and Michigan State now has 13 consecutive wins versus Big 10 foes. They could easily grab another one two weeks from now with JT Barrett potentially injured.
7. Georgia 6-1 (BYE)
Having not played a top ten team this year differs them from the rest of elite, but that South Carolina loss looks a lot better after how Auburn played against them at home.
8. Ole Miss 7-1 (Loss 10-7 @ LSU)
Yes, the Rebels fell five spots after losing in perhaps the toughest environment in the nation. They got lucky catching Alabama on their bad game. The game against Auburn is huge this weekend.
9. Notre Dame 6-1 (BYE)
0-1 versus currently ranked teams looks bad, but have a chance to turn that around with a big game against Arizona State coming up. Yes, I didn't talk about that game down in Florida that happened.
10. TCU 6-1 (Win 82-27 vs Texas Tech)
If Michigan fans are salty about Michigan State padding their comfortable lead, you must wonder how Texas Tech feels. West Virginia next week, my projected score is 98-92.
11. Kansas State 6-1 (Win 23-0 vs Texas)
12. Ohio State 6-1 (Win 31-24 @ Penn State)
13. Arizona State 6-1 (Win 24-10 @ Washington)
14. Baylor 6-1 (BYE)
15. Utah 6-1 (Win 24-21 vs USC)
16. LSU 7-2 (Win 10-7 vs Ole Miss
17. Arizona 6-1 (Win 59-37 @ Washington State)
18. Oklahoma 5-2 (BYE)
19. West Virginia 6-2 (Win 34-10 @ OKST)
20. Nebraska 7-1 (Win 42-24 vs Rutgers)
21. East Carolina 6-1 (Win 31-21 vs UConn)
22. Clemson 6-2 (Win 16-6 vs Syracuse)
23. Marshall 8-0 (Win 35-16 vs Florida Atlantic)
24. Duke 6-1 (BYE)
25. North Dakota State 8-0 (Win 47-7 @ South Dakota)
Don't get that wrong. FCS powerhouse North Dakota State has more wins versus Power 5 teams Wake Forest, Kansas, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Colorado. They have outscored their opponents 274-75. That is an average score of 34.25 to 8.125. They should be invited into the MWC conference soon, as they could a dominant powerhouse in the FBS.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Looking at Free Agents in the World Series
Two games into the World Series, we are nearing the off season. So far we have seen two bursting offensive performances and two teams trying to put their bullpens together. Surrounding the diamond however, are fans who are perhaps seeing their favorite players playing for the last time. Eight players on the world series rosters are set to be free agents next year.
The gist in football is if you win the Super Bowl, the next year you go downhill. All of your players leave for more money and you are stuck with a low draft pick. We haven't really seen that in baseball as the Cardinals, Giants and Tigers have made the CS each at least three times in the past five years, which is incredible.
We're going to take a look at which team will be missing more if all of their players leave, which team will be taking more of a hit. Let's see:
8. Jason Frasor
Fraser has been a stud this postseason, giving up no runs in four innings pitched and acquiring two wins. At 37, however, he will be lucky to sign for a million dollars. He should see some action in the postseason if Herrera, Davis or Holland falter, or if the Royals need to go into the pen in the 6th. The Royals have plenty of options behind him in the pecking order. Although he posted a .8 WAR and was phenomenal down the stretch for KC, he not really a necessity to this ball club.
Verdict: -.2 wins
7. Josh Willingham
Willingham has been a solid ballplayer for the past decade, but in his first postseason is seeing limited action. With only a single in four at-bats, Billy Butler is the clear DH on this team. Willingham is a good power option of the bench which the Royals could use however. In his career he is 14 for 65 with three homers as a pinch hitter, which is not bad. Currently being paid around 5.2 million, he should receive a pay cut at the end of the year. If a Royals player goes down, Willingham could be the guy to step in.
Verdict: -.8 wins
6. Ryan Vogelsong
Yes, one of the four starting pitchers on a world series team is down this low. Yes, Vogelsong has been vital this year in the playoffs and in 2012. Vogelsong was very mediocre this year and awful in 2013. It wasn't that Vogelsong didn't have any strikeouts. He averaged just under seven per nine innings. It wasn't he walked a bunch of guys. His WHIP was at 1.26 this year. It just seemed to be that Vogelsong gave up a bunch of runs. Not unearned runs, just earned runs. He gave up 86 runs in 184.2 innings, good for 4.00 ERA. As a starting pitcher, Vogelsong will still be missed.
Verdict: -2 wins
5. Sergio Romo
Sergio Romo is a fan favorite, the hero of the magical 2012 run. Although he lost his closers job, he is still a vital part to the Giants bullpen. He struggled earlier this year, blowing five saves and losing his job to Santiago Casilla, but he bounced back and pitched well down the stretch. He only gave up a total of four runs in the second half in 24 games. His ERA dropped 2.94 points, and opponent's OPS+ from 116 to 69. So far this postseason, he has pitched in seven games, or 4.2 innings, and only given up the walk-off homer to Kolten Wong. Romo is a key part of this team, and will likely be back next year.
Verdict: -2.5 wins
4. Michael Morse
Mike Morse had a great bounce back year. He hit .279 with an OPS of .811 and 16 homers in 131 games after a forgetful 2013 season. Morse showed signs of what he was in Washington until he got caught by the injury bug, and he missed almost all of September. He is back now, and with a crucial game-tying homer in the NLCS, looks to be back. He will likely not play in San Francisco, with his injured oblique keeping him from playing left field. The Giants would love to retain him, but he will likely hit the market costing San Fran.
Verdict: -2.8 wins
3. Jake Peavy
Acquired from Boston at the trade deadline, Peavy his enjoying his second straight world series run. While playing for San Francisco, Peavy has gone 6-4 with 2.17 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04. He hasn't been phenomenal in the postseason, the lackluster game last night, but is still a solid pitcher. Without Peavy, the Giants' threat of Petit and Lincecum coming out of the pen would be minimized, having to start one of them. At 33, Peavy should still get market attention this offseason and be looking at a three year deal with about 10-15 million dollars per year.
Verdict: -3 wins
2. Pablo Sandoval
The mighty Panda has been a solid rock at third base for the last four years. He is a cork in the Giants line-up protecting Buster Posey and setting up Hunter Pence and is clearly a fan favorite. One of the most memorable moments of his career was the three homer game against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers in 2012, starting what would come to be a sweep. Pablo has consistently put up WAR numbers around 3, and has played stellar defense for a man of his size. At 28, Sandoval should get plenty attention from many teams, highlighting himself as a middle of the order guy who can protect your star.
Verdict: -4 wins
1. James Shields
In 2012, the Royals traded Wil Meyers, Jake Odorizzi and two minor leaguers to Tampa Bay for James Shields and Wade Davis. That trade was mocked, as the Royals traded maybe the best prospect in the game and a solid future 2-starter for a guy who had never been a true ace with two years left on his contract and a struggling starting pitcher. Since then, Shields has established himself as a bone-fide ace and Wade Davis as one of the best relievers in the game. Shields hits the market as the third best starting pitcher and looking for a deal around the vicinity that Adam Wainwright got. Shields hasn't been his dominant self this postseason, but still has Game 5 to turn that around.
Verdict: -5 wins
The Giants are obviously losing more players, but Kansas City is losing their ace. All in all, every player on the World Series rosters are vital and each team will do everything they can to keep each and every player.
Final Verdict: Giants -13.3 wins
Royals - -6 wins
The Royals are a franchise that is set for a long run with lots of young talent. As for the Giants, well we'll see them in 2016.
The gist in football is if you win the Super Bowl, the next year you go downhill. All of your players leave for more money and you are stuck with a low draft pick. We haven't really seen that in baseball as the Cardinals, Giants and Tigers have made the CS each at least three times in the past five years, which is incredible.
We're going to take a look at which team will be missing more if all of their players leave, which team will be taking more of a hit. Let's see:
8. Jason Frasor
Fraser has been a stud this postseason, giving up no runs in four innings pitched and acquiring two wins. At 37, however, he will be lucky to sign for a million dollars. He should see some action in the postseason if Herrera, Davis or Holland falter, or if the Royals need to go into the pen in the 6th. The Royals have plenty of options behind him in the pecking order. Although he posted a .8 WAR and was phenomenal down the stretch for KC, he not really a necessity to this ball club.
Verdict: -.2 wins
7. Josh Willingham
Willingham has been a solid ballplayer for the past decade, but in his first postseason is seeing limited action. With only a single in four at-bats, Billy Butler is the clear DH on this team. Willingham is a good power option of the bench which the Royals could use however. In his career he is 14 for 65 with three homers as a pinch hitter, which is not bad. Currently being paid around 5.2 million, he should receive a pay cut at the end of the year. If a Royals player goes down, Willingham could be the guy to step in.
Verdict: -.8 wins
6. Ryan Vogelsong
Yes, one of the four starting pitchers on a world series team is down this low. Yes, Vogelsong has been vital this year in the playoffs and in 2012. Vogelsong was very mediocre this year and awful in 2013. It wasn't that Vogelsong didn't have any strikeouts. He averaged just under seven per nine innings. It wasn't he walked a bunch of guys. His WHIP was at 1.26 this year. It just seemed to be that Vogelsong gave up a bunch of runs. Not unearned runs, just earned runs. He gave up 86 runs in 184.2 innings, good for 4.00 ERA. As a starting pitcher, Vogelsong will still be missed.
Verdict: -2 wins
5. Sergio Romo
Sergio Romo is a fan favorite, the hero of the magical 2012 run. Although he lost his closers job, he is still a vital part to the Giants bullpen. He struggled earlier this year, blowing five saves and losing his job to Santiago Casilla, but he bounced back and pitched well down the stretch. He only gave up a total of four runs in the second half in 24 games. His ERA dropped 2.94 points, and opponent's OPS+ from 116 to 69. So far this postseason, he has pitched in seven games, or 4.2 innings, and only given up the walk-off homer to Kolten Wong. Romo is a key part of this team, and will likely be back next year.
Verdict: -2.5 wins
4. Michael Morse
Mike Morse had a great bounce back year. He hit .279 with an OPS of .811 and 16 homers in 131 games after a forgetful 2013 season. Morse showed signs of what he was in Washington until he got caught by the injury bug, and he missed almost all of September. He is back now, and with a crucial game-tying homer in the NLCS, looks to be back. He will likely not play in San Francisco, with his injured oblique keeping him from playing left field. The Giants would love to retain him, but he will likely hit the market costing San Fran.
Verdict: -2.8 wins
3. Jake Peavy
Acquired from Boston at the trade deadline, Peavy his enjoying his second straight world series run. While playing for San Francisco, Peavy has gone 6-4 with 2.17 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04. He hasn't been phenomenal in the postseason, the lackluster game last night, but is still a solid pitcher. Without Peavy, the Giants' threat of Petit and Lincecum coming out of the pen would be minimized, having to start one of them. At 33, Peavy should still get market attention this offseason and be looking at a three year deal with about 10-15 million dollars per year.
Verdict: -3 wins
2. Pablo Sandoval
The mighty Panda has been a solid rock at third base for the last four years. He is a cork in the Giants line-up protecting Buster Posey and setting up Hunter Pence and is clearly a fan favorite. One of the most memorable moments of his career was the three homer game against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers in 2012, starting what would come to be a sweep. Pablo has consistently put up WAR numbers around 3, and has played stellar defense for a man of his size. At 28, Sandoval should get plenty attention from many teams, highlighting himself as a middle of the order guy who can protect your star.
Verdict: -4 wins
1. James Shields
In 2012, the Royals traded Wil Meyers, Jake Odorizzi and two minor leaguers to Tampa Bay for James Shields and Wade Davis. That trade was mocked, as the Royals traded maybe the best prospect in the game and a solid future 2-starter for a guy who had never been a true ace with two years left on his contract and a struggling starting pitcher. Since then, Shields has established himself as a bone-fide ace and Wade Davis as one of the best relievers in the game. Shields hits the market as the third best starting pitcher and looking for a deal around the vicinity that Adam Wainwright got. Shields hasn't been his dominant self this postseason, but still has Game 5 to turn that around.
Verdict: -5 wins
The Giants are obviously losing more players, but Kansas City is losing their ace. All in all, every player on the World Series rosters are vital and each team will do everything they can to keep each and every player.
Final Verdict: Giants -13.3 wins
Royals - -6 wins
The Royals are a franchise that is set for a long run with lots of young talent. As for the Giants, well we'll see them in 2016.
Picking out the Class of each Conference
Eight games into the 2014 college football season, we are starting to get a good idea which teams are the class of each conference. With only three Power 5 teams left undefeated, the class of the entire FBS is uncertain though. Florida State, Mississippi State and Ole Miss have very legit cases for number one overall, and even teams like Alabama, Auburn and Oregon, one loss teams, could make small cases for it.
The SEC West and, well, the top half of the Big 12 seem to stack up to be the best divisions in college football right now. On the other hand, the Pac 12 North and ACC Coastal divisions definitely seem to be the weakest. Of course, it isn't as bad as some of the years the Big East put up, but isn't great. On the other hand, the SEC West seems to be one of the best divisions in history with four teams in the AP top 25.
Let's get it going. We are going to decide what teams from each conference have a chance to either a) get into the college playoff, b) win the conference, or c) get into a major bowl. Each team will be given a percent change of this happening, and a prediction. So here goes:
ACC:
Florida State: 85% of making playoff, 90% of winning division, 10% of making major bowl
Duke: 0% of making playoff, 4% of winning division, 20% of making major bowl
UVA: 0% of making playoff, 3% of winning division, 3% of making major bowl
Pittsburgh: 0% of making playoff, 3% of winning division, 3% of making major bowl
Clemson: 0% of making playoff, 0% of winning division, 35% of making major bowl
Louisville: 0% of making playoff, 0% of winning division, 15% of making major bowl
Georgia Tech: 0% of making playoff, 0% of winning division, 5% of making major bowl
Miami: 0% of making playoff, 0% of winning division, 2% of making major bowl
Virginia Tech: 0% of making playoff, 0% winning division, 2% of making major bowl
Really, there are only three scenarios here. Scenario 1: Florida State goes undefeated, wins conference, and random team gets into Orange Bowl. Scenario 2: Florida State loses a game or two, still wins conference, gets into Orange Bowl. The final scenario is Florida State loses in conference game, giving an auto-bid to Orange Bowl for non-Florida State team. Any way, this is probably the easiest division to pick.
Big 12:
TCU: 15% of making playoff, 40% of winning conference, 80% of making major bowl
Baylor: 10% of making playoff, 25% of winning conference, 60% of making major bowl
Kansas State: 10% of making playoff, 20% of winning conference, 30% of making major bowl
West Virginia: 0% of making playoff, 10% of winning conference, 10% of making major bowl
Oklahoma: 0% of making playoff, 5% of winning conference, 10% of making major bowl
If only this conference had a championship game. Tiebreakers are going to be the heart and soul of deciding who gets into perhaps the Cotton or Fiesta bowl. TCU probably has the best chance with Oklahoma and Baylor no longer on the schedule. Bryce Petty could easily lead Baylor to a one-loss season, which is however no likely. Kansas State is the final one of the powers, with only a loss to Auburn, but still has TCU and Baylor left on the schedule. Oklahoma drops significantly after two losses in three games. West Virginia is the wild card here, just jumping into the picture after a win versus Baylor. This is going to be a fun division.
Big 10:
MSU: 25% of making playoff, 60% of winning conference, 65% of making major bowl
Ohio State: 15% of making playoff, 36% of winning conference, 36% of making major bowl
Minnesota: 0% of making playoff, 2% of winning conference, 2% of making major bowl
Nebraska: 0% of making playoff, 2% of winning conference, 2% of making major bowl
Mark your calenders. November 8th at 8:00 PM in East Lansing, the Michigan State Spartans and the Ohio State Buckeyes take on each other for perhaps the Big Ten Championship, or even maybe a Playoff berth. There is a 99.99% chance that MSU or OSU will represent the East division. Out of the West, Minnesota and Nebraska are likely to come out, with Minnesota currently undefeated in conference play and Nebraska with only a loss to Michigan State will come out of the West. Either way, neither of those teams have much of a chance upsetting MSU or OSU.
Pac 12:
Oregon: 50% of making playoff, 60% of winning division, 45% of making major bowl
ASU: 5% of making playoff, 15% of winning division, 20% of making major bowl
Arizona: 5% of making playoff, 15% of winning division, 15% of making major bowl
USC: 0% of making playoff, 5% of winning division, 5% of making major bowl
Utah: 0% of making playoff, 5% of winning division, 5% of making major bowl
It is pretty clear here that Oregon is the class of the division. Gone are UCLA and Stanford from consideration, freeing up the path for Oregon to win the division. The Arizona's have a chance, with ASU getting a light advantage to make a major bowl game without winning the conference. Utah and USC both still have a chance, with USC still having Utah and Notre Dame left on the schedule. Right now, Oregon is looking like a playoff team, which would open up a spot in the Fiesta bowl for maybe Arizona State.
SEC:
Ole Miss: 65% of making playoff, 35% of winning division, 30% of making major bowl
Mississippi State: 45% of making playoff, 24% of winning division, 50% of making major bowl
Auburn: 25% of making playoff, 10% of winning division, 60% of major bowl
Alabama: 20% of making playoff, 11% of winning division, 65% of major bowl
Georgia: 15% of making playoff, 20% of winning division, 80% of major bowl
Oh my. It is very likely that four of these teams will make a major bowl. FOUR! Georgia probably should get in, being a one or two loss SEC team. Of Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and Alabama, one should get into the playoff and two get into a major bowl. One team will get left in the dust, and we right now have no idea which team that is going to be. Ole Miss and and Mississippi State should end up undefeated or with one loss, and that will be the team that gets into the playoff. There is a ton of football left, so this conference is still up in the air.
Independents/Group of 5:
Notre Dame: 10% of making playoff, 65% of making major bowl
Marshall: 0% of making playoff, 70% of making major bowl
East Carolina: 0% of making playoff, 30% of making major bowl
Looking here, we're pretty sure Notre Dame will make a major bowl, even if they lose one more game. With the necessity of a Group of Five team making a bowl, we have pretty much narrowed it down to Marshall and East Carolina, with Marshall the advantage here. However, if Marshall loses, East Carolina has the definite advantage with a much harder schedule.
If your team isn't one here, don't worry. We're only a bit over half way through this year. You never know; the currently one loss Duke Blue Devils could be playing on January 12th.
The SEC West and, well, the top half of the Big 12 seem to stack up to be the best divisions in college football right now. On the other hand, the Pac 12 North and ACC Coastal divisions definitely seem to be the weakest. Of course, it isn't as bad as some of the years the Big East put up, but isn't great. On the other hand, the SEC West seems to be one of the best divisions in history with four teams in the AP top 25.
Let's get it going. We are going to decide what teams from each conference have a chance to either a) get into the college playoff, b) win the conference, or c) get into a major bowl. Each team will be given a percent change of this happening, and a prediction. So here goes:
ACC:
Florida State: 85% of making playoff, 90% of winning division, 10% of making major bowl
Duke: 0% of making playoff, 4% of winning division, 20% of making major bowl
UVA: 0% of making playoff, 3% of winning division, 3% of making major bowl
Pittsburgh: 0% of making playoff, 3% of winning division, 3% of making major bowl
Clemson: 0% of making playoff, 0% of winning division, 35% of making major bowl
Louisville: 0% of making playoff, 0% of winning division, 15% of making major bowl
Georgia Tech: 0% of making playoff, 0% of winning division, 5% of making major bowl
Miami: 0% of making playoff, 0% of winning division, 2% of making major bowl
Virginia Tech: 0% of making playoff, 0% winning division, 2% of making major bowl
Really, there are only three scenarios here. Scenario 1: Florida State goes undefeated, wins conference, and random team gets into Orange Bowl. Scenario 2: Florida State loses a game or two, still wins conference, gets into Orange Bowl. The final scenario is Florida State loses in conference game, giving an auto-bid to Orange Bowl for non-Florida State team. Any way, this is probably the easiest division to pick.
Big 12:
TCU: 15% of making playoff, 40% of winning conference, 80% of making major bowl
Baylor: 10% of making playoff, 25% of winning conference, 60% of making major bowl
Kansas State: 10% of making playoff, 20% of winning conference, 30% of making major bowl
West Virginia: 0% of making playoff, 10% of winning conference, 10% of making major bowl
Oklahoma: 0% of making playoff, 5% of winning conference, 10% of making major bowl
If only this conference had a championship game. Tiebreakers are going to be the heart and soul of deciding who gets into perhaps the Cotton or Fiesta bowl. TCU probably has the best chance with Oklahoma and Baylor no longer on the schedule. Bryce Petty could easily lead Baylor to a one-loss season, which is however no likely. Kansas State is the final one of the powers, with only a loss to Auburn, but still has TCU and Baylor left on the schedule. Oklahoma drops significantly after two losses in three games. West Virginia is the wild card here, just jumping into the picture after a win versus Baylor. This is going to be a fun division.
Big 10:
MSU: 25% of making playoff, 60% of winning conference, 65% of making major bowl
Ohio State: 15% of making playoff, 36% of winning conference, 36% of making major bowl
Minnesota: 0% of making playoff, 2% of winning conference, 2% of making major bowl
Nebraska: 0% of making playoff, 2% of winning conference, 2% of making major bowl
Mark your calenders. November 8th at 8:00 PM in East Lansing, the Michigan State Spartans and the Ohio State Buckeyes take on each other for perhaps the Big Ten Championship, or even maybe a Playoff berth. There is a 99.99% chance that MSU or OSU will represent the East division. Out of the West, Minnesota and Nebraska are likely to come out, with Minnesota currently undefeated in conference play and Nebraska with only a loss to Michigan State will come out of the West. Either way, neither of those teams have much of a chance upsetting MSU or OSU.
Pac 12:
Oregon: 50% of making playoff, 60% of winning division, 45% of making major bowl
ASU: 5% of making playoff, 15% of winning division, 20% of making major bowl
Arizona: 5% of making playoff, 15% of winning division, 15% of making major bowl
USC: 0% of making playoff, 5% of winning division, 5% of making major bowl
Utah: 0% of making playoff, 5% of winning division, 5% of making major bowl
It is pretty clear here that Oregon is the class of the division. Gone are UCLA and Stanford from consideration, freeing up the path for Oregon to win the division. The Arizona's have a chance, with ASU getting a light advantage to make a major bowl game without winning the conference. Utah and USC both still have a chance, with USC still having Utah and Notre Dame left on the schedule. Right now, Oregon is looking like a playoff team, which would open up a spot in the Fiesta bowl for maybe Arizona State.
SEC:
Ole Miss: 65% of making playoff, 35% of winning division, 30% of making major bowl
Mississippi State: 45% of making playoff, 24% of winning division, 50% of making major bowl
Auburn: 25% of making playoff, 10% of winning division, 60% of major bowl
Alabama: 20% of making playoff, 11% of winning division, 65% of major bowl
Georgia: 15% of making playoff, 20% of winning division, 80% of major bowl
Oh my. It is very likely that four of these teams will make a major bowl. FOUR! Georgia probably should get in, being a one or two loss SEC team. Of Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn and Alabama, one should get into the playoff and two get into a major bowl. One team will get left in the dust, and we right now have no idea which team that is going to be. Ole Miss and and Mississippi State should end up undefeated or with one loss, and that will be the team that gets into the playoff. There is a ton of football left, so this conference is still up in the air.
Independents/Group of 5:
Notre Dame: 10% of making playoff, 65% of making major bowl
Marshall: 0% of making playoff, 70% of making major bowl
East Carolina: 0% of making playoff, 30% of making major bowl
Looking here, we're pretty sure Notre Dame will make a major bowl, even if they lose one more game. With the necessity of a Group of Five team making a bowl, we have pretty much narrowed it down to Marshall and East Carolina, with Marshall the advantage here. However, if Marshall loses, East Carolina has the definite advantage with a much harder schedule.
If your team isn't one here, don't worry. We're only a bit over half way through this year. You never know; the currently one loss Duke Blue Devils could be playing on January 12th.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Week 8 Positional Rankings
Week 8 is here, and so are the positional rankings for this week. In parenthesis are where they were ranked in individual brackets (Jordi, Will G, Lucas, Will S). NR - not ranked. Here it goes:
Quarterback:
T1. Peyton Manning (1,2,2,5)
T1. Aaron Rodgers (2,1,5,2)
3. Russell Wilson (4,4,4,1)
4. Phillip Rivers (3,5,3,4)
5. Andrew Luck (5,3,1,7)
6. Drew Brees (6,7,9,6)
7. Joe Flacco (10,13,8,3)
8. Jay Cutler (11,6,11,8)
9. Tony Romo (8,14,6,10)
10. Tom Brady (7,8,14,NR)
11. Matt Ryan (12,9,10,9)
12. Cam Newton (13,11,13,13)
13. Matt Stafford (14,10,12,16)
14. Ryan Tannehill (12,16,12,NR)
15. Nick Foles (9,16,15,15)
16. Alex Smith (15,20,11,NR)
17. Ben Roethlisberger (15,NR,14,19)
T18. Teddy Bridgewater (17, NR,NR,NR)
T18. Ryan Fitzpatrick (17,NR,NR,NR)
T20. Austin Davis (19,17,NR,NR)
T20. Carson Palmer (18,NR,NR,NR)
22. Andy Dalton (19,18,18,NR)
23. Brian Hoyer (20,NR,NR,NR)
Running Backs:
1. Marshawn Lynch (3,1,3,1)
2. Matt Forte (1,5,2,2)
T3. Arian Foster (2,2,5,4)
T3. DeMarco Murray (4,3,1,5)
5. Le'Veon Bell (5,4,7,3)
6. Lamar Miller (7,8,9,6)
7. Giovani Bernard (8,10,4,10)
8. Eddie Lacy (11,6,6,11)
9. Andre Ellington (6,9,13,8)
10. Ahmad Bradshaw (9,7,14,9)
11. LeSean McCoy (10,12,8,NR)
12. Justin Forsett (16,13,11,7)
13. Jamaal Charles (12,11,12,14)
14. Antone Smith (13,NR,NR,NR)
15. Branden Oliver (15,20,10, NR)
T16. Shane Vereen (13,16,17,NR)
T16. Joique Bell (17,15,15,NR)
18. Chris Ivory (14,21,NR,15)
19. Alfred Morris (22,NR,NR,12)
20. Ben Tate (20,14,18,NR)
21. Mark Ingram (21,18,16,NR)
22. Jerick McKinnon (19,19,20,NR)
23. Trent Richardson (22,18,21,NR)
24. Darren McFadden (18,NR,24,NR)
25. Isaiah Crowell (22,NR,NR,NR)
T26. Khiry Robinson (23,29,23,NR)
T26. Reggie Bush (25,NR,NR,NR)
T28. Steven Jackson (25,NR,26,NR)
T28. Ronnie Hillman (23,NR,NR,28)
T30. Doug Martin (24,28,NR,NR)
T30. Jonathon Stewert (26,NR,NR,NR)
32. Tre Mason (24,NR,29,NR)
33. Bobby Rainey (27,NR,NR,NR)
34. Anthony Dixon (30,NR,27,NR)
35. Matt Asiata (30,NR,NR,NR)
Wide Receivers:
1. Jordy Nelson (1,1,3,1)
2. Demaryius Thomas (3,2,1,3)
3. Dez Bryant (2,3,9,8)
4. Antonio Brown (6,5,7,5)
T5. Jeremy Maclin (5,10,4,6)
T5. Julio Jones (8,4,3,10)
T7. Randall Cobb (7,8,10,2)
T7. Golden Tate (4,7,5,11)
9. Andre Johnson (NR,9,6,NR)
10. Mike Wallace (9,12,8,13)
11. Steve Smith (14,18,NR,4)
12. Doug Baldwin (NR,13,13,NR)
13. James Jones (NR,15,14,NR)
14. Mohammad Sanu (NR,NR,7,NR)
T15. Terrance Williams (15,NR,NR,NR)
T15. Emmanual Sanders (19,14,12,NR)
T17. Kelvin Benjamin (21,11,NR,14)
T17. Sammy Watkins (10,20,NR,16)
T19. DeAndre Hopkins (16,NR,NR,NR)
T19. Michael Floyd (13,19,NR,NR)
T21. AJ Green (24,6,21,NR)
T21. Julian Edelman (NR,17,17,NR)
T21. TY Hilton (12,30,NR,9)
24. Brandon Marshall (25,16,11,NR)
T25. Torrey Smith (22,21,16,NR)
T25. Larry Fitzgerald (NR,NR,18,NR)
27. DeSean Jackson (18,27,NR,15)
28. Eric Decker (NR,22,17,NR)
T29. Pierre Garcon (17,25,NR,NR)
T29. Dwayne Bowe (NR,26,16,NR)
31. Malcolm Floyd (20,23,NR,NR)
32. Alshon Jeffery (23,24,NR,NR)
33. Keenan Allen (NR,29,NR,NR)
Tight Ends:
1. Julius Thomas (2,1,1)
2. Greg Olson (1,3,7)
T3. Rob Gronkowski (3,4,5)
T3. Antonio Gates (4,6,2)
T3. Jimmy Graham (6,2,4)
6. Martellus Bennett (5,7,3)
7. Delanie Walker (11,5,6)
8. Dwayne Allen (8,11,8)
9. Jared Cook (NR,9,10)
10. Jordan Reed (NR,10,NR)
11. Owen Daniels (13,8,NR)
12. Travis Kelce (7,13,14)
13. Scott Chandler (NR,12,11)
14. Charles Clay (10,18,9)
15. Zach Ertz (12,15,12)
16. Jordan Cameron (14,14,13)
17. Jason Witten (9,19,15)
18. Gavin Escobar (15,NR,NR)
19. Heath Miller (NR,16,NR)
20. Coby Fleener (NR,17,NR)
21. Clay Harbor (NR,20,NR)
D/STs:
1. Dolphins (1,1,1)
2. Bills (2,2,2)
3. Patriots (3,3,3)
4. Lions (7,4,7)
T5. Vikings (4,10,5)
T5. Texans (5,8,6)
7. Eagles (9,6,NR)
T8. Colts (8,9,8)
T8. Chiefs (11,5,9)
10. Browns (14,NR,4)
11. Bucs (NR,NR,10)
12. Seahawks (6,15,NR)
T13. Ravens (10,12,NR)
T13. Packers (NR,11,NR)
15. Cowboys (12,13,NR)
16. Titans (13,NR,NR)
17. Bengals (NR,14,NR)
Kickers:
1. Stephen Gostkowski (1,1)
T2. Adam Vinatieri (2,5)
T2. Dan Bailey (5,2)
4. Chandler Catanzaro (4,4)
5. Blair Walsh (3,8)
6. Nick Novak (9,3)
7. Justin Tucker (6,7)
T8. Steven Hauschka (10,6)
T8. Cody Parkey (7,9)
10. Shaun Suisham (NR,10)
11. Randy Bullock (11,11)
12. Caleb Sturgis (8,15)
T13. Graham Gano (12,14)
T13. Dan Carpenter (13,13)
T13. Nick Folk (14,12)
16. Mason Crosby (15, NR)
Quarterback:
T1. Peyton Manning (1,2,2,5)
T1. Aaron Rodgers (2,1,5,2)
3. Russell Wilson (4,4,4,1)
4. Phillip Rivers (3,5,3,4)
5. Andrew Luck (5,3,1,7)
6. Drew Brees (6,7,9,6)
7. Joe Flacco (10,13,8,3)
8. Jay Cutler (11,6,11,8)
9. Tony Romo (8,14,6,10)
10. Tom Brady (7,8,14,NR)
11. Matt Ryan (12,9,10,9)
12. Cam Newton (13,11,13,13)
13. Matt Stafford (14,10,12,16)
14. Ryan Tannehill (12,16,12,NR)
15. Nick Foles (9,16,15,15)
16. Alex Smith (15,20,11,NR)
17. Ben Roethlisberger (15,NR,14,19)
T18. Teddy Bridgewater (17, NR,NR,NR)
T18. Ryan Fitzpatrick (17,NR,NR,NR)
T20. Austin Davis (19,17,NR,NR)
T20. Carson Palmer (18,NR,NR,NR)
22. Andy Dalton (19,18,18,NR)
23. Brian Hoyer (20,NR,NR,NR)
Running Backs:
1. Marshawn Lynch (3,1,3,1)
2. Matt Forte (1,5,2,2)
T3. Arian Foster (2,2,5,4)
T3. DeMarco Murray (4,3,1,5)
5. Le'Veon Bell (5,4,7,3)
6. Lamar Miller (7,8,9,6)
7. Giovani Bernard (8,10,4,10)
8. Eddie Lacy (11,6,6,11)
9. Andre Ellington (6,9,13,8)
10. Ahmad Bradshaw (9,7,14,9)
11. LeSean McCoy (10,12,8,NR)
12. Justin Forsett (16,13,11,7)
13. Jamaal Charles (12,11,12,14)
14. Antone Smith (13,NR,NR,NR)
15. Branden Oliver (15,20,10, NR)
T16. Shane Vereen (13,16,17,NR)
T16. Joique Bell (17,15,15,NR)
18. Chris Ivory (14,21,NR,15)
19. Alfred Morris (22,NR,NR,12)
20. Ben Tate (20,14,18,NR)
21. Mark Ingram (21,18,16,NR)
22. Jerick McKinnon (19,19,20,NR)
23. Trent Richardson (22,18,21,NR)
24. Darren McFadden (18,NR,24,NR)
25. Isaiah Crowell (22,NR,NR,NR)
T26. Khiry Robinson (23,29,23,NR)
T26. Reggie Bush (25,NR,NR,NR)
T28. Steven Jackson (25,NR,26,NR)
T28. Ronnie Hillman (23,NR,NR,28)
T30. Doug Martin (24,28,NR,NR)
T30. Jonathon Stewert (26,NR,NR,NR)
32. Tre Mason (24,NR,29,NR)
33. Bobby Rainey (27,NR,NR,NR)
34. Anthony Dixon (30,NR,27,NR)
35. Matt Asiata (30,NR,NR,NR)
Wide Receivers:
1. Jordy Nelson (1,1,3,1)
2. Demaryius Thomas (3,2,1,3)
3. Dez Bryant (2,3,9,8)
4. Antonio Brown (6,5,7,5)
T5. Jeremy Maclin (5,10,4,6)
T5. Julio Jones (8,4,3,10)
T7. Randall Cobb (7,8,10,2)
T7. Golden Tate (4,7,5,11)
9. Andre Johnson (NR,9,6,NR)
10. Mike Wallace (9,12,8,13)
11. Steve Smith (14,18,NR,4)
12. Doug Baldwin (NR,13,13,NR)
13. James Jones (NR,15,14,NR)
14. Mohammad Sanu (NR,NR,7,NR)
T15. Terrance Williams (15,NR,NR,NR)
T15. Emmanual Sanders (19,14,12,NR)
T17. Kelvin Benjamin (21,11,NR,14)
T17. Sammy Watkins (10,20,NR,16)
T19. DeAndre Hopkins (16,NR,NR,NR)
T19. Michael Floyd (13,19,NR,NR)
T21. AJ Green (24,6,21,NR)
T21. Julian Edelman (NR,17,17,NR)
T21. TY Hilton (12,30,NR,9)
24. Brandon Marshall (25,16,11,NR)
T25. Torrey Smith (22,21,16,NR)
T25. Larry Fitzgerald (NR,NR,18,NR)
27. DeSean Jackson (18,27,NR,15)
28. Eric Decker (NR,22,17,NR)
T29. Pierre Garcon (17,25,NR,NR)
T29. Dwayne Bowe (NR,26,16,NR)
31. Malcolm Floyd (20,23,NR,NR)
32. Alshon Jeffery (23,24,NR,NR)
33. Keenan Allen (NR,29,NR,NR)
Tight Ends:
1. Julius Thomas (2,1,1)
2. Greg Olson (1,3,7)
T3. Rob Gronkowski (3,4,5)
T3. Antonio Gates (4,6,2)
T3. Jimmy Graham (6,2,4)
6. Martellus Bennett (5,7,3)
7. Delanie Walker (11,5,6)
8. Dwayne Allen (8,11,8)
9. Jared Cook (NR,9,10)
10. Jordan Reed (NR,10,NR)
11. Owen Daniels (13,8,NR)
12. Travis Kelce (7,13,14)
13. Scott Chandler (NR,12,11)
14. Charles Clay (10,18,9)
15. Zach Ertz (12,15,12)
16. Jordan Cameron (14,14,13)
17. Jason Witten (9,19,15)
18. Gavin Escobar (15,NR,NR)
19. Heath Miller (NR,16,NR)
20. Coby Fleener (NR,17,NR)
21. Clay Harbor (NR,20,NR)
D/STs:
1. Dolphins (1,1,1)
2. Bills (2,2,2)
3. Patriots (3,3,3)
4. Lions (7,4,7)
T5. Vikings (4,10,5)
T5. Texans (5,8,6)
7. Eagles (9,6,NR)
T8. Colts (8,9,8)
T8. Chiefs (11,5,9)
10. Browns (14,NR,4)
11. Bucs (NR,NR,10)
12. Seahawks (6,15,NR)
T13. Ravens (10,12,NR)
T13. Packers (NR,11,NR)
15. Cowboys (12,13,NR)
16. Titans (13,NR,NR)
17. Bengals (NR,14,NR)
Kickers:
1. Stephen Gostkowski (1,1)
T2. Adam Vinatieri (2,5)
T2. Dan Bailey (5,2)
4. Chandler Catanzaro (4,4)
5. Blair Walsh (3,8)
6. Nick Novak (9,3)
7. Justin Tucker (6,7)
T8. Steven Hauschka (10,6)
T8. Cody Parkey (7,9)
10. Shaun Suisham (NR,10)
11. Randy Bullock (11,11)
12. Caleb Sturgis (8,15)
T13. Graham Gano (12,14)
T13. Dan Carpenter (13,13)
T13. Nick Folk (14,12)
16. Mason Crosby (15, NR)
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Ranking The Best SEC National Championship Teams of The BCS Era
The SEC's dominance has showed very strongly in the past few years. In the BCS era, the SEC won 9 of 16* National Championships in the now extinct BCS era. This list is to commemorate that era and rank those 9 teams. RIP BCS
9. 2007 LSU Tigers
The 2007 LSU Tigers was the only team of the BCS era to lose two games and win the BCS national championship. While that is pretty impressive, it is also a reason to put them in this slot. For an SEC schedule, this one was moderate. I don't care if Kentucky is ranked, you have to beat them.
8. 2010 Auburn Tigers
The 2010 Auburn Tigers had a great team and probably one of the best athletes of all time in Cam Newton who has gone on to be a solid NFL quarterback. They managed to stop Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks high speed run at the title. However, it did help that there despised nemesis Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide were on an off year.
7. 2003 LSU Tigers
The 2003 LSU Tigers were coached by the infamous Nick Saban who would go on to dominate the BCS era with his simple, no nonsense coaching style which would win him three more BCS National Championship trophies with the Alabama Crimson Tide giving him a grand total of 4 BCS National Championship trophies the most by any coach in the BCS era, no contest. The Tigers went 13-1 that year and aside from a loss to Florida, it was a smooth roll to the championship where they would defeat Florida 21-14 with possibly the best Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator in Jimbo Fisher and Will Muschamp who would go on to get prestigious coaching jobs of their own at FSU for Jimbo and Florida for Muschamp.
6. 2008 Florida Gators
The 2008 Florida Gators went 13-1 and beat the Oklahoma Sooners led by the talented 2007 heisman winner Sam Bradford. However, the Gators had a heisman winner of their own, Tim Tebow, winning the trophy the year before with the Florida Gators being the first sophmore to win the Heisman. After losing to Ole Miss in The Swamp on a fourth quarter drive. Then Tim Tebow took his fame to a new level with a speech that would go down as one of the most legendary speeches in college football history "You will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4VxVoYvqOw Inspired the team would go on to win the Title from #1 Oklahoma.
5. 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide are one of the winningest college football teams in history and before 2009 had won 12 National Championships with the likes of Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas (5 titles between), Gene Stallings (1992) and the infamous Paul "Bear" Bryant (6 Titles). After Gene Stallings title in '92 The team went through a time of struggle. Then a man by the name of Nick Saban came along in 2007 leaving his NFL job to create a title in his third year controlling the Tide, bringing the first Heisman to Bama in Mark Ingram a solid running back and ended it's Championship dry spell with a win against Texas in the BCS National Championship which would re-spur a contender in the Crimson Tide.
4. 1998 Tennessee Volunteers
The 1998-99 season was the first season of the BCS era. After losing a Knoxville legend and now NFL superstar Peyton Manning due to graduation, the Volunteers were expected to have an off year in 98. After edging Florida and Arkansas, then defeating Ole Miss in the SEC Championship Game; The Vols were set to tussle with Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles and their star receiver Peter Warrick. Tennessee held Peter Warrick to just one reception for seven yards while Vol's receiver Peerless Price had a 79 yard touchdown pass from Tee Martin to put the Vols up 20-9 and cruise to a 23-16 win over the Seminoles. This was the first SEC National Championship in the BCS era which was the beginning of an era dominated by the SEC.
3. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide
I have never seen a more lopsided game than the 2012 BCS National Championship. The Undefeated Irish went into Miami on top But were rolled over by the tide in a 42-14 routing to lead the Tide safely to shore. Dominating the run game with Eddie Lacey and TJ Yeldon. This would also be the second consecutive title for Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron. Had they not lost to Johnny Football's Texas A&M Aggies, they might have been number one on this list.
2. 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide
It is amazing they even lost a game. With the likes of Trent Richardson and company. They rolled in to New Orleans and crushed LSU (the only team to beat them that year) 21-0. This would be sweet revenge after losing the "game of the century(AP 1 vs 2)" to Les Miles' LSU Tigers. They went into the game playing zero mistake football, and earning the BCS title with excellence.
1. 2006 Florida Gators
In only his second year as head coach, Urban Meyer led the Florida Gators to a 11-1 record with the hardest schedule in the nation that year to beat Arkansas in the SEC Championship Game which led them demolishing Ohio State, the #1 team in the country to win the BCS National Championship. With a 1-2 punch of Chris Leake and the future gator legend Tim Tebow at quarterback it was very hard to stop them from winning. While this team was not the most glamorous of the teams on this list, they were the first of a 7 year SEC BCS title retention until broken by the 2013 Florida State Seminoles who barely squeezed by Gus Malzahn's Auburn Tigers.
Note: * The 2004 BCS National Title was voided from the USC Trojans due to the NCAA requiring it removal due to the failed appeal of an investigation involving Reggie Bush a former USC running back.
9. 2007 LSU Tigers
The 2007 LSU Tigers was the only team of the BCS era to lose two games and win the BCS national championship. While that is pretty impressive, it is also a reason to put them in this slot. For an SEC schedule, this one was moderate. I don't care if Kentucky is ranked, you have to beat them.
8. 2010 Auburn Tigers
The 2010 Auburn Tigers had a great team and probably one of the best athletes of all time in Cam Newton who has gone on to be a solid NFL quarterback. They managed to stop Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks high speed run at the title. However, it did help that there despised nemesis Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide were on an off year.
7. 2003 LSU Tigers
The 2003 LSU Tigers were coached by the infamous Nick Saban who would go on to dominate the BCS era with his simple, no nonsense coaching style which would win him three more BCS National Championship trophies with the Alabama Crimson Tide giving him a grand total of 4 BCS National Championship trophies the most by any coach in the BCS era, no contest. The Tigers went 13-1 that year and aside from a loss to Florida, it was a smooth roll to the championship where they would defeat Florida 21-14 with possibly the best Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator in Jimbo Fisher and Will Muschamp who would go on to get prestigious coaching jobs of their own at FSU for Jimbo and Florida for Muschamp.
6. 2008 Florida Gators
The 2008 Florida Gators went 13-1 and beat the Oklahoma Sooners led by the talented 2007 heisman winner Sam Bradford. However, the Gators had a heisman winner of their own, Tim Tebow, winning the trophy the year before with the Florida Gators being the first sophmore to win the Heisman. After losing to Ole Miss in The Swamp on a fourth quarter drive. Then Tim Tebow took his fame to a new level with a speech that would go down as one of the most legendary speeches in college football history "You will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4VxVoYvqOw Inspired the team would go on to win the Title from #1 Oklahoma.
5. 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide are one of the winningest college football teams in history and before 2009 had won 12 National Championships with the likes of Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas (5 titles between), Gene Stallings (1992) and the infamous Paul "Bear" Bryant (6 Titles). After Gene Stallings title in '92 The team went through a time of struggle. Then a man by the name of Nick Saban came along in 2007 leaving his NFL job to create a title in his third year controlling the Tide, bringing the first Heisman to Bama in Mark Ingram a solid running back and ended it's Championship dry spell with a win against Texas in the BCS National Championship which would re-spur a contender in the Crimson Tide.
4. 1998 Tennessee Volunteers
The 1998-99 season was the first season of the BCS era. After losing a Knoxville legend and now NFL superstar Peyton Manning due to graduation, the Volunteers were expected to have an off year in 98. After edging Florida and Arkansas, then defeating Ole Miss in the SEC Championship Game; The Vols were set to tussle with Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles and their star receiver Peter Warrick. Tennessee held Peter Warrick to just one reception for seven yards while Vol's receiver Peerless Price had a 79 yard touchdown pass from Tee Martin to put the Vols up 20-9 and cruise to a 23-16 win over the Seminoles. This was the first SEC National Championship in the BCS era which was the beginning of an era dominated by the SEC.
3. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide
I have never seen a more lopsided game than the 2012 BCS National Championship. The Undefeated Irish went into Miami on top But were rolled over by the tide in a 42-14 routing to lead the Tide safely to shore. Dominating the run game with Eddie Lacey and TJ Yeldon. This would also be the second consecutive title for Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron. Had they not lost to Johnny Football's Texas A&M Aggies, they might have been number one on this list.
2. 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide
It is amazing they even lost a game. With the likes of Trent Richardson and company. They rolled in to New Orleans and crushed LSU (the only team to beat them that year) 21-0. This would be sweet revenge after losing the "game of the century(AP 1 vs 2)" to Les Miles' LSU Tigers. They went into the game playing zero mistake football, and earning the BCS title with excellence.
1. 2006 Florida Gators
In only his second year as head coach, Urban Meyer led the Florida Gators to a 11-1 record with the hardest schedule in the nation that year to beat Arkansas in the SEC Championship Game which led them demolishing Ohio State, the #1 team in the country to win the BCS National Championship. With a 1-2 punch of Chris Leake and the future gator legend Tim Tebow at quarterback it was very hard to stop them from winning. While this team was not the most glamorous of the teams on this list, they were the first of a 7 year SEC BCS title retention until broken by the 2013 Florida State Seminoles who barely squeezed by Gus Malzahn's Auburn Tigers.
Note: * The 2004 BCS National Title was voided from the USC Trojans due to the NCAA requiring it removal due to the failed appeal of an investigation involving Reggie Bush a former USC running back.
Monday, October 20, 2014
World Series Complete Preview
Coming into September, the Tigers, Mariners, A's, Royals, Pirates, Angels, Cardinals, Braves, Brewers, Giants, Dodgers and Marlins were all fighting for a spot in the playoffs, perhaps in the Wild Card. Besides the Nationals and the Orioles, those are all of the teams in baseball who could have been picked to win the World Series. People speculated that a Wild Card team would win it all.
The Wild Card games showed tons of promise. On Tuesday, the Royals and A's had an amazing game, both throwing their aces, James Shields and Jone Lester, respectively. The Royals came back from behind and forced the game into extras. They prevailed, and went on to face the Angels. On the other side of the circuit, the Giants asserted their dominance as a force, with their own ace Madison Bumgarner shutting down the Pirates and their offense exploding for eight runs.
We thought that was the end of the Giants and Royals. They were about to run into arguably the two best teams in baseball, the Nationals and the Angels. Somehow, they both took from Los Angeles and Washington in their own cities, and then were able to shut them down at home. Baltimore and St. Louis looked like roadblocks, but the hot Royals offense and the Giants' shut down pitching sent them into the World Series.
So now, it is inevitable. We will see a Wild Card team win the World Series this year. Just the second time in ten years and the first time in the two Wild Card era. It shouldn't be a surprise though. The Royals were fighting for the AL Central title until the final day of the regular season, and the Giants held tough with the Dodgers all season long.
The Giants and the Royals also have two of the most complete rosters in baseball. If you were to look at the five key components of baseball, defense, offense, pitching, coaching and executive performance, these teams have been showing strengths at all of those components. Let's look and see where they stand compared to each other. *We will not look at Executive Performance in a series.
Offense
Line-ups:
Giants - CF Gregor Blanco, 2B Joe Panik, C Buster Posey, 3B Pablo Sandoval, RF Hunter Pence, 1B Brandon Belt, SS Brandon Crawford, LF Travis Ishikawa DH Mike Morse
Royals - SS Alcides Escobar, RF Norichika Aoki, CF Lorenzo Cain, 1B Eric Hosmer, LF Alex Gordon, C Salvador Perez, 2B Omar Infante, 3B Mike Moustakas, DH Billy Butler
This is perhaps a very tight competiton. Giants have more power in their line-up, but the Royals more speed. The Giants have a valid DH in Mike Morse, and the Royals' line-up can live without Billy Butler. Positionally, the Giants have 4 advantages (C, 2B, 3B, RF), the Royals have 3 (1B, LF, CF), and then two push positions (SS, DH). I would rather take the Giants line-up right now, with more potential stacked in their line-up. If Morse hits 6th, then 3 through 7 are all perennial power hitters. Giants get the advantage here.
Advantage - Giants
Defense
Look above for who is playing where, but this should be a landslide. Having one of the best outfield defenses in the league, not even Jason Heyward and the Braves would have the advantage of the Royals. At catcher, a slight advantage goes to Perez on pure defense but Posey has a better command over his pitchers. Eric Hosmer is one of the best first baseman in the league and despite missing over a month will still probably win the Gold Glove. SS and 2B are probably push, but Moustakas at 3rd has a clear advantage over Sandoval.
Advantage - Royals
Pitching
Rotations:
Giants - SP Madison Bumgarner, SP Jake Peavy, SP Tim Hudson, SP Ryan Vogelsong
Royals - SP James Shields, SP Yordano Ventura, SP Danny Duffy, SP Jason Vargas
Bullpens:
Giants - CL Santiago Casilla, RH Sergio Romo, RH Hunter Strickland, RH Yusmeiro Petit, RH Tim Lincecum, RH Jean Machi, LH Javier Lopez, LH Jeremy Affeldt
Royals - CL Greg Holland, RH Wade Davis, RH Jason Fraser, RH Kelvin Herrera, RH Jeremy Guthrie, LH Tim Collins, LH Brandon Finnegan
On paper, this is easily favored to Giants, rotation wise. Bumgarner is arguably a better ace than Shields, and then Peavy, Hudson and Vogelsong are equal to Ventura, Duffy, and Vargas skill wise but have tons more experience. The late inning advantage will probably go to the Royals, with their dominance of Herrera/Davis/Holland, probably the best in the league. Still, the Giants bullpen isn't bad, with Casilla, Romo, Affeldt and Strickland, so they still get the advantage here.
Advantage - Giants
Coaching
Ned Yost will probably win AL manager of the year. He took a team like the Royals, who had potential, and turned them into a playoff team. Lloyd McClendon started with more talent but still didn't get into October, and Bob Melvin's A's fell apart in the second half of the season. On the other hand is Bruce Bochy, who has won two Championships in the past four years, and has been coaching since 1995. He has been with the Giants for the past 8 years, and has asserted dominance as one of the best coaches in the league. It's not a landslide, but the Giants pull ahead in this one.
Advantage - Giants
Overall
Despite the Royals currently riding a nine game winning streak, the Giants and their experience will prevail and shut down the recently explosive bats of Kansas City. The Giants have been scrapping all postseason and should continue it for the upcoming week or so.
Prediction - Giants in 6
Schedule:
Game 1: Tuesday 8:07 @Kansas City (Shields vs Bumgarner) FOX
Game 2: Wednesday 8:07 @Kansas City (Ventura vs Peavy) FOX
Game 3: Friday 8:07 @San Francisco (TBA vs Hudson) FOX
Game 4: Saturday 8:07 @San Francisco (TBA vs Vogelsong) FOX
Game 5*: Sunday 8:07 @San Francisco (TBA vs TBA) FOX
Game 6*: Tuesday 8:07 @Kansas City (TBA vs TBA) FOX
Game 7*: Wednesday 8:07 @Kansas City (TBA vs TBA) FOX
* - If necessary
The Wild Card games showed tons of promise. On Tuesday, the Royals and A's had an amazing game, both throwing their aces, James Shields and Jone Lester, respectively. The Royals came back from behind and forced the game into extras. They prevailed, and went on to face the Angels. On the other side of the circuit, the Giants asserted their dominance as a force, with their own ace Madison Bumgarner shutting down the Pirates and their offense exploding for eight runs.
We thought that was the end of the Giants and Royals. They were about to run into arguably the two best teams in baseball, the Nationals and the Angels. Somehow, they both took from Los Angeles and Washington in their own cities, and then were able to shut them down at home. Baltimore and St. Louis looked like roadblocks, but the hot Royals offense and the Giants' shut down pitching sent them into the World Series.
So now, it is inevitable. We will see a Wild Card team win the World Series this year. Just the second time in ten years and the first time in the two Wild Card era. It shouldn't be a surprise though. The Royals were fighting for the AL Central title until the final day of the regular season, and the Giants held tough with the Dodgers all season long.
The Giants and the Royals also have two of the most complete rosters in baseball. If you were to look at the five key components of baseball, defense, offense, pitching, coaching and executive performance, these teams have been showing strengths at all of those components. Let's look and see where they stand compared to each other. *We will not look at Executive Performance in a series.
Offense
Line-ups:
Giants - CF Gregor Blanco, 2B Joe Panik, C Buster Posey, 3B Pablo Sandoval, RF Hunter Pence, 1B Brandon Belt, SS Brandon Crawford, LF Travis Ishikawa DH Mike Morse
Royals - SS Alcides Escobar, RF Norichika Aoki, CF Lorenzo Cain, 1B Eric Hosmer, LF Alex Gordon, C Salvador Perez, 2B Omar Infante, 3B Mike Moustakas, DH Billy Butler
This is perhaps a very tight competiton. Giants have more power in their line-up, but the Royals more speed. The Giants have a valid DH in Mike Morse, and the Royals' line-up can live without Billy Butler. Positionally, the Giants have 4 advantages (C, 2B, 3B, RF), the Royals have 3 (1B, LF, CF), and then two push positions (SS, DH). I would rather take the Giants line-up right now, with more potential stacked in their line-up. If Morse hits 6th, then 3 through 7 are all perennial power hitters. Giants get the advantage here.
Advantage - Giants
Defense
Look above for who is playing where, but this should be a landslide. Having one of the best outfield defenses in the league, not even Jason Heyward and the Braves would have the advantage of the Royals. At catcher, a slight advantage goes to Perez on pure defense but Posey has a better command over his pitchers. Eric Hosmer is one of the best first baseman in the league and despite missing over a month will still probably win the Gold Glove. SS and 2B are probably push, but Moustakas at 3rd has a clear advantage over Sandoval.
Advantage - Royals
Pitching
Rotations:
Giants - SP Madison Bumgarner, SP Jake Peavy, SP Tim Hudson, SP Ryan Vogelsong
Royals - SP James Shields, SP Yordano Ventura, SP Danny Duffy, SP Jason Vargas
Bullpens:
Giants - CL Santiago Casilla, RH Sergio Romo, RH Hunter Strickland, RH Yusmeiro Petit, RH Tim Lincecum, RH Jean Machi, LH Javier Lopez, LH Jeremy Affeldt
Royals - CL Greg Holland, RH Wade Davis, RH Jason Fraser, RH Kelvin Herrera, RH Jeremy Guthrie, LH Tim Collins, LH Brandon Finnegan
On paper, this is easily favored to Giants, rotation wise. Bumgarner is arguably a better ace than Shields, and then Peavy, Hudson and Vogelsong are equal to Ventura, Duffy, and Vargas skill wise but have tons more experience. The late inning advantage will probably go to the Royals, with their dominance of Herrera/Davis/Holland, probably the best in the league. Still, the Giants bullpen isn't bad, with Casilla, Romo, Affeldt and Strickland, so they still get the advantage here.
Advantage - Giants
Coaching
Ned Yost will probably win AL manager of the year. He took a team like the Royals, who had potential, and turned them into a playoff team. Lloyd McClendon started with more talent but still didn't get into October, and Bob Melvin's A's fell apart in the second half of the season. On the other hand is Bruce Bochy, who has won two Championships in the past four years, and has been coaching since 1995. He has been with the Giants for the past 8 years, and has asserted dominance as one of the best coaches in the league. It's not a landslide, but the Giants pull ahead in this one.
Advantage - Giants
Overall
Despite the Royals currently riding a nine game winning streak, the Giants and their experience will prevail and shut down the recently explosive bats of Kansas City. The Giants have been scrapping all postseason and should continue it for the upcoming week or so.
Prediction - Giants in 6
Schedule:
Game 1: Tuesday 8:07 @Kansas City (Shields vs Bumgarner) FOX
Game 2: Wednesday 8:07 @Kansas City (Ventura vs Peavy) FOX
Game 3: Friday 8:07 @San Francisco (TBA vs Hudson) FOX
Game 4: Saturday 8:07 @San Francisco (TBA vs Vogelsong) FOX
Game 5*: Sunday 8:07 @San Francisco (TBA vs TBA) FOX
Game 6*: Tuesday 8:07 @Kansas City (TBA vs TBA) FOX
Game 7*: Wednesday 8:07 @Kansas City (TBA vs TBA) FOX
* - If necessary
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