Who is number 2?

[austinsm11]

I am going to go with Florida. USC doesn't impress me at all. Looks like the AP has them at 2. I ranked the top 30 teams on ESPN and then it showed the current rankings with Missouri number 1 and OSU number 26. PSU was number 3, I believe. I really hope something was wrong with their poll. What are people thinking?

[longtimefirsttime]

The new AP poll for this week:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2617601

My top 5 is the same as the AP poll. You could flip flop USC and Florida at #2/3.

[monte81]

#1OSU-- no doubt right now!
I think Michigan should be #2-- they have dominated every game
Followed by florida#3
#4 West Virginia
#5USC

[TigerCoach]

My #2 vote goes to West Virginia. I said before the season starts that the BCS Title game wil be OSU vs WVa. I think the OSU-Mich game will be the real national title game though.

[chumly]

Florida's no longer #2 and the current USC team would have lost to Michigan on both sides of the ball today - JDB is not the qb Henne is, blah, blah, blah...

Michigan is clearly #2 now.

[GrowlingTiger87]

They MAY be in the BCS, but probably not in the AP as USC squeaked another one out tonight at home against a weaker opponent.

Personally, after what's been happening to #2's this year, I like #3 just fine thank you very much.

[TigerNick]

Wow, OSU is making it look easy. That OSU defense has given up only 63 points in 7 games with 17 the most in one game(9 per game) The defense is getting better by the week, and just think that is the Buckeyes weakness this year. I feel the top five after Saturday should be 1-OSU, 2-USC, 3-that team up north, 4- West Virginia, 5-Texas. Week 12 I feel is going to be one of those old time classics just like the good ol days with OSU and that team up north battling for the Big Ten Title and a trip to the National Title. It will make beating that team up north TWICE AS NICE. Go BUCKS

[austinsm11]

I just don't see USC being #2. I would go with Michigan right now.

[GrowlingTiger87]

USC is hanging on by a thread nearly every week. They really have no business being #2, but there's still a lot of football to be played, and I think Notre Dame will hand SC their heads!

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Not to be a killjoy but, OSU should be making it look easy! Outside of Texas they've played a cupcake schedule and not 1 other opponent will be playing in a BCS game at the end of the year, or will even be ranked in the top 20 at seasons end!

It's all about Michigan now! I think UM will prove to be OSU's strongest opponent this year!

[mike_da_man13]

Not to be a killjoy but, OSU should be making it look easy! Outside of Texas they've played a cupcake schedule and not 1 other opponent will be playing in a BCS game at the end of the year, or will even be ranked in the top 20 at seasons end!

It's all about Michigan now! I think UM will prove to be OSU's strongest opponent this year!
ummmm michigans schedule is even easier than osu's(exception to the osu game) so yeah better luck next time

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Huh? Where did I even imply that UM's schedule was tougher then OSU's? My post was in response to a previous one claiming how easy OSU is making it look in their run to the BCS championship.
If you think I'm a UM fan, or picking UM over OSU, you're missing my point completely. As I said, UM will prove to be OSU's toughest opponent!

BTW! Personally, I think UM's win over ND was every bit as impressive as OSU's win over Texas. So why would you say UM's schedule has been easier then OSU's?

[longtimefirsttime]

Each week that passes shows just how HUGE the OSU/Michigan game will be. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think they have ever played in the regular season finale ranked #1 & #2. We'll see what happens with USC.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I bet Warren1st knows!

[monte81]

OSU does have a weak schedule! No team with al the hype and rankings should lose to a MAC school! 3 MAC teams and UCin the same year! They dont even play Wisconsin this year! They lucked out this year but Michigan has the best defense in the country and on the 18th of november it will be war in Columbus for the BCS title game berth!!! WOW!


Crable looks like a beast-- he is drawing double teams almost every passing play!!!

[SuperBran]

Not to be a killjoy but, OSU should be making it look easy! Outside of Texas they've played a cupcake schedule and not 1 other opponent will be playing in a BCS game at the end of the year, or will even be ranked in the top 20 at seasons end!



perhaps you should check out strength of schedule.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/polls/119/index1

osu = 11
wvu = 100
mich = 13
tex = 37
louisville = 88

cupcake? not really.

[monte81]

Everyone in the SEC has a tougher schedule than OSU or Michigan! That strentgh of schedule is bull!!! The SEC has the toughest conference and schedules in the nation!!!

[Al.]

However, just like any other poll, the BCS is not based only on "strength of schedule."

[MTown]

Everyone in the SEC has a tougher schedule than OSU or Michigan! That strentgh of schedule is bull!!! The SEC has the toughest conference and schedules in the nation!!!


Come on Monte, the SEC out of conference schedules are an absolute joke. Do you ever see Florida, Auburn, or Georgia playing a road night game against a top 10 team? You can give some credit at least to Tennessee for playing Cal at home, but the rest of them play total cakewalk games...and always at home. You can say that the SEC has the toughest schedules, but I'm going to come right back and say that those teams are WAY overrated. Let's talk about Georgia for example. Preseason top 10. Barely beat Colorado. Got smacked by Tennessee who laid 50 on them. Just got beat by Vanderbilt. ALL AT HOME!

The SEC is probably the top conference in college football overall. But I will take the TOP 2 in the Big Ten any day.

Consider this...

If USC loses at some point this year and Michigan moves to #2, it is conceivable that Ohio State could play and beat 3 teams ranked #2 in the country.

Vs. Texas
Vs. Michigan
Vs. BCS #2

Will their schedule be a cakewalk then?

[monte81]

Mtown,
Like you said the Big 2 not Big 10!!!! I am talking about overall schedules--even the big ten is pretty weak overall the past few years! THe SEC overall has the best conference as far as better quality teams! I aint hatin on the Big Ten-- Michigan has always been my team but just saying that strentgh of schedule shouldnt even be in the BCS equation!

[TigerCoach]

I still say that the BCS Title game will be OSU vs West Virginia. OSU vs Michigan will be the real title game.

USC is going into the hard part of the schedule, Oregon State on the road, 2 patsies, then Cal, Notre Dame and UCLA to finish. They will lose at least 1 game. West Virginia has 2 tough games, 11/2 at Louisville and 12/2 against Rutgers (The University of New Jersey).

[monte81]

TC, where you been all morning?

I dont think West Virginia will lose either but the title gane will be


Michigan vs. West Virginia!

[TigerswillbeTigers]

MTown!
Florida has played the #1 ranked schedule this year according to SuperBrans source and they play FSU every year in week 11. Now I know the FSU game isn't a prime time game, but it's still equivelent to OSU playing UM in week 11 every year, and it's OUT OF CONFERENCE!
Throw in LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, and Georgia every year and I think that's a formidable schedule.
Perhaps you should have chose another example in your debate with Monte!

[gotigers1]

I still say that the BCS Title game will be OSU vs West Virginia. OSU vs Michigan will be the real title game.

USC is going into the hard part of the schedule, Oregon State on the road, 2 patsies, then Cal, Notre Dame and UCLA to finish. They will lose at least 1 game. West Virginia has 2 tough games, 11/2 at Louisville and 12/2 against Rutgers (The University of New Jersey).

I have to agree with TC. I also see a OSU vs. WVA for the BCS title game.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

SuperBran!
I'll provide the data, you can decide for yourself whether the OSU schedule outside of the Texas game, has been a cupcake, or, is worthy of a number 11ranking. I'm sure the ranking is accurate, however, it's obvious that there aren't very many D1 college football teams that play difficult schedules and win.

1. Northern Illinois has wins against Buffalo, Indiana state, Ball state and Miami Ohio. I think we can agree that they're a cupcake!
2. Cincinnati has wins against W. Kentucky, Miami Ohio and Akron. Another cupcake!
3. Penn state has wins against Akron, Youngstown state, Northwestern and Minnesota. Just another cupcake this year!
4. Iowa has wins against Montana, Syracuse, Iowa state, Illinois and Purdue. I think Iowa is a good team, but not a great team, and I doubt that they will be a top 20 team at years end!
5. BGSU has wins against Buffalo, Fla. Intl., Ohio U. and Eastern Michigan. Definately a cupcake!
6. Mich. state has wins against Idaho state, Eastern Michigan and Pitt. MSU is a cupcake for sure!

Now, my post claiming OSU has played a cupcake schedule outside of the Texas game came in response to a post claiming how easy OSU is making it look! As I pointed out, they should be making it look easy, and I think their toughest opponent is going to be UM.

If you look at their next 4 opponents, cupcakes might be an understatement!

Worst yet, it appears Tressel is taking a page out of Frank Beemers book on how to stay in the top 10 and have a chance to win a NC year in and year out (Ie; OSU plays YSU, Kent St, Akron and Washington out of conference next year). Beemers only problem is that his team chokes and loses atleast 1 game every year and ends up whining about not getting to play for a NC!

[TigerswillbeTigers]

WVA is an easy pick, but don't they have to play Louisville at the Papa!

[monte81]

That is a real creme puff schedule next year and should get back to the BCS??--- If Ginn, Gonzo, and Pittman go to the draft which is a high possibility they might need that schedule to compete! Don't forget the Qb will be starting his 1st college game next season also! Tressel is smart enough to know not to throw them to the wolves that 1st year with a powerhouse anyway! Remember what we were looking like after the championship season??

[SuperBran]

SuperBran!
I'll provide the data, you can decide for yourself whether the OSU schedule outside of the Texas game, has been a cupcake, or, is worthy of a number 11ranking. I'm sure the ranking is accurate, however, it's obvious that there aren't very many D1 college football teams that play difficult schedules and win.

1. Northern Illinois has wins against Buffalo, Indiana state, Ball state and Miami Ohio. I think we can agree that they're a cupcake!
2. Cincinnati has wins against W. Kentucky, Miami Ohio and Akron. Another cupcake!
3. Penn state has wins against Akron, Youngstown state, Northwestern and Minnesota. Just another cupcake this year!
4. Iowa has wins against Montana, Syracuse, Iowa state, Illinois and Purdue. I think Iowa is a good team, but not a great team, and I doubt that they will be a top 20 team at years end!
5. BGSU has wins against Buffalo, Fla. Intl., Ohio U. and Eastern Michigan. Definately a cupcake!
6. Mich. state has wins against Idaho state, Eastern Michigan and Pitt. MSU is a cupcake for sure!

Now, my post claiming OSU has played a cupcake schedule outside of the Texas game came in response to a post claiming how easy OSU is making it look! As I pointed out, they should be making it look easy, and I think their toughest opponent is going to be UM.

If you look at their next 4 opponents, cupcakes might be an understatement!

Worst yet, it appears Tressel is taking a page out of Frank Beemers book on how to stay in the top 10 and have a chance to win a NC year in and year out (Ie; OSU plays YSU, Kent St, Akron and Washington out of conference next year). Beemers only problem is that his team chokes and loses atleast 1 game every year and ends up whining about not getting to play for a NC!

osu makes it look easy b/c of guys like ginn, gonzo, smith, and pittman.

the toughest team wvu's played is maryland.

souther cal just squeaked by 4-3 wsu and 3-3 asu. their "quality" wins are against nebraska and arkansas.

michigan schedule is on the same level as osu's.

who has louisville played?

cincy is no cupcake. their losses were to #1 osu, VT (which I'll give you), and to #6 louisville by 6 points.

psu lost by 7 to the #2 team in the country (michigan), to #1 osu, and to #10 nd. they're not a cupcake...they've just played good teams.


so who would you have as #1. doesn't matter if osu's schedule is brutal or weak, they're clearly the best team in the nation right now.

[MTown]

MTown!
Florida has played the #1 ranked schedule this year according to SuperBrans source and they play FSU every year in week 11. Now I know the FSU game isn't a prime time game, but it's still equivelent to OSU playing UM in week 11 every year, and it's OUT OF CONFERENCE!
Throw in LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, and Georgia every year and I think that's a formidable schedule.
Perhaps you should have chose another example in your debate with Monte!

My point was that it's impossible to tell how good those teams really are because they don't play anyone outside of themselves. Are they the most balanced conference? Absolutely. Are they the best? I'm not so sure. The Big Ten, top to bottom, is not the best....but I would put our top 2 against the top 2 in the SEC any day.

And please don't use Florida State as an example this year to show Florida's SOS. FSU's offense is downright attrocious.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I believe I said UF plays FSU EVERY YEAR in week 11! Not just in their off years, but EVERY YEAR! Is that a quality out of conference opponent year in and year out, or not?

BTW! USC has the 2nd most difficult schedule and Florida has the most difficult one according to SuperBrans source as of right now. The only important thing right now is, Florida has lost and USC hasn't! Is that good enough for you?

As to your question, I would have OSU #1, UM #2, USC #3 Florida #4 and Auburn #5!
I don't think WVA or Louisville could run the table with any one of those teams schedules!

BTWII! I'm a Buckeye fan, not a gator fan, so take it easy on me :2thumbsup:

[Smitty]

... 6. Mich. state has wins against Idaho state, Eastern Michigan and Pitt....

CORRECTION:

The Mich. State Spartans beat the U. of Idaho, NOT Idaho State, in the season opener for both teams at E. Lansing.

In spite of Coach Dennis Erickson, Idaho is NOT a good team.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I stand corrected! Still a cupcake!