Predictions and Mumme Poll

Not a good week for predictions. 4-2 straight up and 2-4 against the spread.

My Mumme Poll ballot:

Top Five:

Alabama
Florida
Southern California
Texas
Texas Tech

Rest of Top Twelve:

Boise State
Georgia
North Carolina
Ohio State
Oklahoma
Penn State
Utah

Thoughts:

The top five has become pretty easy. No question about Alabama, Florida and TT. Southern Cal has an amazing defense - I would love to see them up against the Texas Tech offense. My only real question in the top five was whether to put Oklahoma or Texas there, but the Longhorns have the better resume.

Most of the 6-12 slots were pretty easy as well. Utah dispatched Texas Christian (I was starting to enjoy the Frog bandwagon) and looks to finish out undefeated.

Boise State is probably going to finish undefeated, but against an atrocious schedule. I have no good reason for ranking them instead of Ball State except history. The Broncos have been good for several years now and have Fiesta Bowl win in their trophy case.

Penn State gives a lesson to everyone: You can't take the teams you should beat for granted. The Nittany Lions are still a very good team, but no longer deserving of the top five. (In contrast with Florida, the Saurians have a better overall resume and Ole Miss is better than Iowa).

Ohio State is starting to look like they were supposed to, and if Penn State slips up agaisnt Michigan State, the Buckeyes could be getting a rematch with Southern Cal.

Georgia seems to have forgotten how to play defense. Seriously, giving up 38 or more points 3 weeks in a row? Not even Tennessee or Mississippi State are doing that. Even so, the dawgs keep winning unless they play a really good team, so I'll put them back in. However, I don't think they are here to stay - I foresee one more loss.

North Carolina keeps their slot with the big win over a pretty decent Georgia Tech squad, and has the inside track to the ACC championship game.

No one from the Big East was even considered, nor was anyone from the ACC other than UNC considered.

Eyes on: Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Ball State, Missouri, Oklahoma State



A thought experiment, just for fun: Imagine if Penn State loses to Michigan State. Whoever wins the Big 12 south loses to Missouri in the championship game. Florida loses to Florida State. Alabama loses to Auburn. Florida beats Alabama in the championship game. Doen't that leave Southern Cal on top? And then who gets picked to play them in Miami? Ohio State, who already got beat down by the Trojans and who has laid a big fat egg in the last two MNC games? Or Utah?


Current BCS bowl projections:

Rose: Southern California vs. Penn State
Fiesta: Texas vs. Utah
Sugar: Alabama vs. Pittsburgh
Orange: North Carolina vs. Ohio State

Championship: Florida vs. Texas Tech