rexbo 104 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 CFN Ranking and 6 of their Top 24. 1. Auburn 12-0 Last Week: W, Alabama 28-27 Next Up: South Carolina Why Auburn Is Ranks No. 1: In one of the most memorable and meaningful comebacks in recent history, the Tigers rallied from 24-0 back in Tuscaloosa to slip past an ultra-talented Alabama. They got four touchdowns from Cam Newton and terrific play from the defense, especially against the run, over the final three quarters to remain unbeaten. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: While the Auburn defense stiffened as the game wound down, it still allowed three early touchdowns and more than 400 yards to the Tide. This is a vulnerable group that’ll struggle this week with WR Alshon Jeffery and the South Carolina passing game. The Tigers had to battle to rally back for the win the first time around. 2. Wisconsin 11-1 Last Week: W, Northwestern 70-23 Next Up: Regular Season Over Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: Is anyone in the country playing better than the Badgers these days? Winners of seven straight since the Oct. 2 loss to 11-1 Michigan State, Wisconsin has exploded for at least 70 points on three different occasions without running it up. With the best offensive line in the country, everything is working on offense. How good is the running game? Doak Walker finalist John Clay hasn’t been needed over the last three weeks. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: If you choose to split hairs on Bret Bielema’s team, the defense hasn’t exactly been air-tight this season. Sacks are rare when DE J.J. Watt isn’t busting through the line, and the secondary has had some issues against the pass. One of the signature wins, at Iowa, doesn’t look like that big a deal now. 3. Oregon 11-0 Last Week: W, Arizona 48-29 Next Up: at Oregon State Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: So much for the Duck offense getting exposed by Cal two weeks ago. Oregon bounced back from its close call in Berkeley, rushing for more than 400 yards and getting at least 40 yards from five different runners against Arizona. The 15-13 win over Cal was the only time this year that the program has been held under 42 points. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: The usually reliable Oregon defense sprung a few leaks, yielding three touchdown passes and well over 448 yards to Wildcat QB Nick Foles. Arizona had five pass plays of at least 25 yards, including a blown coverage on an 85-yard Juron Criner touchdown reception. 4. Ohio State 11-1 Last Week: W, Michigan 37-7 Next Up: Regular Season Over Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: Including a clutch late win at Iowa, the Buckeyes have been truly dominant at times since their only loss to Wisconsin, winning the last five with the defense becoming something special holding the Wolverines almost 30 points below their season average. Dan Herron might be the nation’s most underappreciated back. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: By its typically high standards, the Ohio State line play has been sub-standard. When was the last time this school ranked in the bottom half of the Big Ten in sacks and sacks allowed? The close call against Iowa doesn’t seem like any big deal. There isn’t a signature win. 5. Stanford 11-1 Last Week: W, Oregon State 38-0 Next Up: Regular Season Over Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: The Cardinal continues to roll downhill, winning for the seventh straight game since losing to unbeaten Oregon on Oct. 2. Not only has Andrew Luck been pristine, but the defense has pitched three shutouts and has been outstanding of late. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: It’s getting harder and harder to argue with what Stanford is doing on the field, but the slate is a little light on eye-popping wins. USC and Arizona are decent, but it’s not like either program has been a juggernaut this fall. Stanford’s biggest claim to fame is losing at Oregon. 6. Arkansas 10-2 Last Week: W, LSU 31-23 Next Up: Regular Season Over Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: The Razorbacks have won for the sixth straight time, a run that included wins over ranked teams from South Carolina, Mississippi State, and LSU. Few offenses possess a better one-two punch than QB Ryan Mallett and RB Knile Davis, while the receiving corps is rolling. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: While the defense has made strides, it remains the lesser half in Fayetteville by far. The Hogs have been knocked around at time this season, especially against opponents that can run the ball with power. 7. TCU 12-0 Last Week: W, New Mexico 66-17 Next Up: Regular Season Over Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: The Horned Frogs took care of business in Albuquerque, wrapping up a second straight perfect regular season. The offense produced at least 40 points for the fourth straight game, maintaining balance with the running game and the passing of Andy Dalton. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: The primary reason why TCU has been able to jump Oregon or Auburn is its strength of schedule. The Frogs have played one opponent that’s currently ranked, Utah, which has plummeted since that Nov. 6 match up. 8. LSU 10-2 Last Week: L, LSU 31-23 Next Up: at Arkansas Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: The Tigers’ only losses this season have come against Auburn and Arkansas, a pair of SEC schools likely headed to BCS bowl games. The maligned offense has shown signs of life lately, averaging almost 40 points over the last three games. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: That usually stout Bengal D has been rather ordinary over the last two weekends. Last week, it yielded 236 rushing yards to Ole Miss, and on Saturday, it was unusually sloppy in pass defense. 9. Alabama 9-3 Last Week: L, Auburn 28-27 Next Up: Regular Season Over Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: The Tide’s losses have come against three of the SEC’s best teams and both of this week’s league championship participants. Even with Friday’s collapse, the defense remains among the hardest hitting in the country. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: Is Alabama really the fourth best team in its own division? The running game hasn’t shown up, and the defense, for all the hype, made way too many mistakes against Auburn. The team might be more reputation than talent at the moment. 10. Texas A&M 9-3 Last Week: W, Texas 24-17 Next Up: Regular Season Over Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: The Aggies continued their outstanding play at the expense of long-time nemesis Texas, closing out the regular season with a sixth straight win. The pass rush has stepped up during the run, and Cyrus Gray has emerged into one of the Big 12’s best backs. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: With true freshmen at offensive tackle, the future is bright, but the present is a little scary. The Aggies entered the weekend last in the Big 12 in sacks allowed, a concern for the passing attack. 11. South Carolina 9-3 Last Week: W, Clemson 29-7 Next Up: Auburn Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: On the road against a hated rival, the Gamecocks kept their eye on the ball and easily disposed of Clemson. Winners of three straight and five of the last six, South Carolina is clicking on both sides of the ball. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: The offense will have to play much better in order to keep up with Auburn in the SEC title game. South Carolina had problems creating space for RB Marcus Lattimore, who averaged an uncharacteristic two yards a carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanatiger 3 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 CFN Ranking 9. Alabama 9-3 Last Week: L, Auburn 28-27 Next Up: Regular Season Over Why The Ranking Should Be Higher: The Tides losses have come against three of the SECs best teams and both of this weeks league championship participants. Even with Fridays collapse, the defense remains among the hardest hitting in the country. Why The Ranking Should Be Lower: Is Alabama really the fourth best team in its own division? The running game hasnt shown up, and the defense, for all the hype, made way too many mistakes against Auburn. The team might be more reputation than talent at the moment. Ya think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigermike 3,072 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Wisconsin has been playing lights out football since their loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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