Power 22: Week Two
Some interesting changes this week, but I have a feeling things will really get shaken up after this week's match-ups.
1. LSU - The Tigers looked downright scary against Arizona. Granted, Arizona played rather poorly, but a lot of that was due to LSU's speed and pressure. Meanwhile, RB Alley Broussard made it look easy. These guys are FAST.
2. Auburn - The real Tigers in the SEC looked good, but not great. Yes, Mississippi State's front seven is good, but I was disappointed in the inability to really break one in the running game, other than one twenty-yard scamper by Lester. The defense played well, but I am still somewhat concerned with Auburn's inability to stop the run, particularly with the Tiger's undersized line/linebackers squaring off against a 250 lb.+ RB in Broussard.
3. Ohio State - It was a very businesslike win over a very solid team. Texas played without any real fire, and I think that showed in this game. The defense rose to the occasion, and the offense played very well. I'm glad Ohio State is starting to get into Big Ten play now, because we'll really get a chance to see just how good they are.
4. West Virginia - I don't know if we'll ever find out if this team is great, but they certainly are miles ahead of the rest of the Big East (except Louisville, of course).
5. Notre Dame - Very good win against Penn State, but I won't proclaim the Irish a solid top five pick yet. We knew very little about Penn State coming into this game, so the blowout does not totally surprise anyone. Either way, it was a dominating win. My one note is that it seemed Weiss was trying to lay it on pretty thick when he didn't need to. Maybe he was trying to build up some of the poll love that he lost against GaTech.
6. Louisville - Even without Bush, the Cardinals roll. They get the Miami defense this week, so let's see how that works out.
7. Michigan - I still like Michigan, and the offense seems to be coming along. ND is the big test.
8. Florida - The Gators played very well, but we'll find out how far they've come this weekend against the Vols.
9. Tennessee - I find it hard to believe they weren't looking ahead to Florida, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. As it is, QB Ainge is playing lights out. The winner of Saturday's game may very well determine who wins the East.
10. Texas - They are still a great team, but they lack that extra something that is found in championship teams. I guess they'll have to settle for winning the Big 12. It appears the conference is a little deeper this year than in year's past, with several teams playing well out of the gates. Someone may give Texas a run for their money, but they are way ahead of everyone else in terms of talent, except maybe Oklahoma. However, with the Sooners relying solely on Adrian Peterson, Texas should handle them without much difficulty.
11. VaTech - We still know nothing, but they are looking good.
12. Nebraska - See VaTech. We'll find out how far Nebraska has come this weekend when they square off against USC. So far, though, they've looked impressive.
13. Oregon - Solid win over Fresno. Fresno is fiesty, so it was nice to see a Pac-10 team finish.
14. Miami - The offense finally came alive, even it was against an overmatched opponent. Louisville should present a test this weekend, but the Cardinals defense is not exactly how they win games. Should be a good one.
15. Georgia - The Dawgs must rely on Stafford to get it done for several weeks. He's got great potential, but I don't know if he can get it done just yet. Getting all the first team reps will certainly help.
16. Fresno State - Great game against Oregon. Fresno can play with anybody, but the mental weakness of the Pac-10 usually rubs off on Fresno toward the end of the year.
17. Boston College - Upset of Clemson earns you the spot. I like QB Ryan. He was really coming along late last year. This team has potential, considering the ACC has looked like crap so far this year.
18. Georgia Tech - Easy win. They can be dangerous in this year's ACC.
19. Penn State - I still feel this is about where they belong in the polls. They're good, but they aren't there yet. Give them time.
20. Clemson - They still have all sorts of potential, but they are Clemson. If they can lose a close game, they will.
21. Arizona State - I like the way they played this week. They get a tune-up before they head to Cal for a nice Pac-10 showdown.
22. Cal - They appear to finally be playing up their potential, but they won't get much love from me unless they knock off the Sun Devils.
On the Cusp: TCU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Iowa, Florida State.
1. LSU - The Tigers looked downright scary against Arizona. Granted, Arizona played rather poorly, but a lot of that was due to LSU's speed and pressure. Meanwhile, RB Alley Broussard made it look easy. These guys are FAST.
2. Auburn - The real Tigers in the SEC looked good, but not great. Yes, Mississippi State's front seven is good, but I was disappointed in the inability to really break one in the running game, other than one twenty-yard scamper by Lester. The defense played well, but I am still somewhat concerned with Auburn's inability to stop the run, particularly with the Tiger's undersized line/linebackers squaring off against a 250 lb.+ RB in Broussard.
3. Ohio State - It was a very businesslike win over a very solid team. Texas played without any real fire, and I think that showed in this game. The defense rose to the occasion, and the offense played very well. I'm glad Ohio State is starting to get into Big Ten play now, because we'll really get a chance to see just how good they are.
4. West Virginia - I don't know if we'll ever find out if this team is great, but they certainly are miles ahead of the rest of the Big East (except Louisville, of course).
5. Notre Dame - Very good win against Penn State, but I won't proclaim the Irish a solid top five pick yet. We knew very little about Penn State coming into this game, so the blowout does not totally surprise anyone. Either way, it was a dominating win. My one note is that it seemed Weiss was trying to lay it on pretty thick when he didn't need to. Maybe he was trying to build up some of the poll love that he lost against GaTech.
6. Louisville - Even without Bush, the Cardinals roll. They get the Miami defense this week, so let's see how that works out.
7. Michigan - I still like Michigan, and the offense seems to be coming along. ND is the big test.
8. Florida - The Gators played very well, but we'll find out how far they've come this weekend against the Vols.
9. Tennessee - I find it hard to believe they weren't looking ahead to Florida, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. As it is, QB Ainge is playing lights out. The winner of Saturday's game may very well determine who wins the East.
10. Texas - They are still a great team, but they lack that extra something that is found in championship teams. I guess they'll have to settle for winning the Big 12. It appears the conference is a little deeper this year than in year's past, with several teams playing well out of the gates. Someone may give Texas a run for their money, but they are way ahead of everyone else in terms of talent, except maybe Oklahoma. However, with the Sooners relying solely on Adrian Peterson, Texas should handle them without much difficulty.
11. VaTech - We still know nothing, but they are looking good.
12. Nebraska - See VaTech. We'll find out how far Nebraska has come this weekend when they square off against USC. So far, though, they've looked impressive.
13. Oregon - Solid win over Fresno. Fresno is fiesty, so it was nice to see a Pac-10 team finish.
14. Miami - The offense finally came alive, even it was against an overmatched opponent. Louisville should present a test this weekend, but the Cardinals defense is not exactly how they win games. Should be a good one.
15. Georgia - The Dawgs must rely on Stafford to get it done for several weeks. He's got great potential, but I don't know if he can get it done just yet. Getting all the first team reps will certainly help.
16. Fresno State - Great game against Oregon. Fresno can play with anybody, but the mental weakness of the Pac-10 usually rubs off on Fresno toward the end of the year.
17. Boston College - Upset of Clemson earns you the spot. I like QB Ryan. He was really coming along late last year. This team has potential, considering the ACC has looked like crap so far this year.
18. Georgia Tech - Easy win. They can be dangerous in this year's ACC.
19. Penn State - I still feel this is about where they belong in the polls. They're good, but they aren't there yet. Give them time.
20. Clemson - They still have all sorts of potential, but they are Clemson. If they can lose a close game, they will.
21. Arizona State - I like the way they played this week. They get a tune-up before they head to Cal for a nice Pac-10 showdown.
22. Cal - They appear to finally be playing up their potential, but they won't get much love from me unless they knock off the Sun Devils.
On the Cusp: TCU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Iowa, Florida State.
posted by spencer @ 10:18 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I would agree with most of your Power 22 except I think Va Tech is too high. Im still not sold on them. I would place them in the lower half of the Top 25. Someone needs to show Clemson how to win a close game. And watch out for Nebraska this week against USC. I smell an upset....
you put lsu above auburn, but stuck ND in 5th? For shame.
I liked what I saw with VaTech, but I only have them that high bc there aren't a whole lot of teams playing well right now, honestly. Once they get into some real competition, I'll adjust accordingly. I'm surprise you didn't notice that I forgot to put USC in my poll this week. Whoops. Long week, to say the least. I think Nebraska has a shot of upsetting the Trojans, but I dont know how far they've really come yet. They haven't played anybody. I just don't think Nebraska is quite there yet. If USC doesnt take the game seriously, though, it's quite possible.
As for Ms. Smith, putting LSU above Auburn hurt me deeply. However, ND is lucky to be 5. Nothing against the Irish, but nobody knew how good penn state was. Now we do. I do know how good Michigan is. My real evaluation of ND comes this weekend. Go Irish, and WAR DAMN EAGLE!
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