The [Five] 25: Top 25 and College Football Week 2 in Review

Week 2 Top 25

Dropped out of Rankings: Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Florida State, Oregon State

Others Considered: Oregon State, Missouri, California, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech

Updated BCS Game Predictions

National Championship – Alabama vs. Ohio State

Alabama dismantled my former 14^th ranked Penn State (now ranked 21^st in my poll). They killed the Nittany Lions on both sides of the ball and further cemented their right to be in the National Championship. I also don’t see any team in the SEC that could potentially knock them off as Florida looked weak again. While I still believe Boise State is the second best team in the nation, I do not believe, after Virginia Tech’s loss to James Madison, that they’ll make it in with that as their signature win. Due to that, Ohio State gets the nod here as they looked pretty good against Miami, especially the defense as they forced 4 interceptions by Heisman contender Jacory Harris. Winner: Alabama

Rose Bowl – Oregon vs. Boise State

After watching Oregon go to Rocky Top and struggle at the beginning of the game and then turn it on in front of over 100,000 in an hostile environment, I came away very impressed. While I am aware that many think Tennessee is one of the worst teams in the SEC, I still think any team putting up those kind of yards and points against a “powerful” SEC defense should be recognized. Boise State is the pick here as Oregon’s opponent as a rule states that if the Rose Bowl loses either the Big Ten champion or the Pac-10 champion to the national championship, and if a Non-AQ school qualifies, then the Rose Bowl must take that team. Winner: Boise State

Orange Bowl – Miami vs. West Virginia

Miami looked bad against Ohio State this past Saturday, but still managed to look like the best team out of the ACC this weekend with Georgia Tech losing to Kansas and Virginia Tech losing to James Madison. I am still struggling to find a team that will pair against Miami in the Orange Bowl and I expect the Orange Bowl to take the Big East champion. I believe it will come down to the winner of the Backyard Brawl between Pittsburgh and West Virginia. For the time being, against my better judgment, I am picking West Virginia to win that game and represent the Big East in the Orange Bowl.   Winner: Miami

Fiesta Bowl – Nebraska vs. Iowa

Now this would be quite the interesting matchup between the two rivals and future Big 10 schools. Nebraska looked great again even though it was against lowly Idaho, and their defense impressed me by producing 5 interceptions and 6 turnovers in total. Iowa was very impressive against their in-state rival Iowa State. In addition, after this weekend, Iowa was much more impressive than Wisconsin, so I expect the Hawkeyes to get selected as an at-large berth to the Fiesta Bowl.  Winner: Nebraska

Sugar Bowl – Florida vs. Texas

Once again Florida did not impress, but as the SEC East does not look that great, I expect Florida to represent the SEC East in the SEC Championship with the loser of that game being selected to the Sugar Bowl, and that means Florida.  Texas struggled with Wyoming in the first half before they turned it on in the second half to rout the Cowboys. As I expect Nebraska to win the Big 12, I think the loser of the Big 12 championship will be selected to the Sugar Bowl. Winner: Texas

Top Heisman Candidates

1. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
2. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
3. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
4. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
5. Jake Locker, QB, Washington
6. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
7. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
8. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
9. John Clay, RB, Wisconsin
10. Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State

5 Games to Watch – Week 2

Air Force at Oklahoma, 3:30 PM EST

Nebraska at Washington, 3:30 PM EST

Florida at Tennessee, 3:30 PM EST

Clemson at Auburn, 7:00 PM EST

Iowa at Arizona, 10:30 PM EST

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