OK, so last week I had about a .63 correlation on predicting the committee's top 10. Let's see if I can do better.
1. Clemson - Clemson was #1 last week, had an impressive win over a power team, so I see no reason for them to not be #1 this week. I think if Ohio State and/or Alabama win out Clemson will ultimately lose this spot and could even wind up #4, but for now I think they are safe at #1.
2. Ohio State - Not much to brag about for OSU this past weekend with a so-so win over Minnesota, but I think they will hold on to their edge over Alabama for at least this week. Actually, I expect them to lose it next week (if not this week) and then get it back the last two weeks of the regular season. The final rankings I am still unsure about.
3. Alabama - No chance anyone behind them last week moves ahead this week after the resounding thumping of LSU.
4. Notre Dame - Now it gets tricky. ND was #5 last week and with LSU moving down they figure to fill this spot. I have seen some who have Oklahoma State here following their win over TCU. But, since TCU was only #8, I don't see the Cowboys jumping this far. Besides, ND looked impressive in their win at Pitt.
5. Baylor - Baylor looked sluggish Thursday night, but I think they slide up one spot to #5 for reasons similar to why I have ND at #4.
6. Oklahoma State - I settled on here. Last year the committee only dropped top teams about four spots after a loss so I was tempted to place LSU here. But, LSU was sent to the wood shed and Oklahoma State did worse to TCU. Florida did itself no favors nor did Iowa or Stanford and with Michigan State and TCU getting sent packing this seems like a logical spot for the Cowboys.
7. LSU - If you want to move Florida or Iowa into this spot, you can't off their less than spectacular wins this past weekend. Stanford's 42-10 win over Colorado probably will not justify them moving here either. LSU has to land somewhere and, right now, even after Saturday's beat down they look like a better team then any of the others.
8. Iowa - Last week's #9 I think the committee will move them up one spot. I see no reason the committee might leap them with Florida or Stanford.
9. Stanford - Granted, Stanford only beat air Saturday. But, unlike Florida, there was never a point where air looked like it might win.
10. Utah - Florida was #10 last week, but I think Utah overtakes them this week. The win at Washington was not Earth-shattering, but it was far more encouraging than Florida's struggles against a Vanderbilt team that could not throw the ball at all. (3 of 14 for 30 yards).
My biggest concern in terms of accuracy is LSU and where they might land. I think they are probably better than Clemson, Notre Dame, Baylor or Oklahoma State, (let alone Iowa, Stanford, Utah or Florida) but that is really beside the point. If they wind up higher than #7 or lower than #7 I really won't be all that surprised ... just wrong.
1. Clemson - Clemson was #1 last week, had an impressive win over a power team, so I see no reason for them to not be #1 this week. I think if Ohio State and/or Alabama win out Clemson will ultimately lose this spot and could even wind up #4, but for now I think they are safe at #1.
2. Ohio State - Not much to brag about for OSU this past weekend with a so-so win over Minnesota, but I think they will hold on to their edge over Alabama for at least this week. Actually, I expect them to lose it next week (if not this week) and then get it back the last two weeks of the regular season. The final rankings I am still unsure about.
3. Alabama - No chance anyone behind them last week moves ahead this week after the resounding thumping of LSU.
4. Notre Dame - Now it gets tricky. ND was #5 last week and with LSU moving down they figure to fill this spot. I have seen some who have Oklahoma State here following their win over TCU. But, since TCU was only #8, I don't see the Cowboys jumping this far. Besides, ND looked impressive in their win at Pitt.
5. Baylor - Baylor looked sluggish Thursday night, but I think they slide up one spot to #5 for reasons similar to why I have ND at #4.
6. Oklahoma State - I settled on here. Last year the committee only dropped top teams about four spots after a loss so I was tempted to place LSU here. But, LSU was sent to the wood shed and Oklahoma State did worse to TCU. Florida did itself no favors nor did Iowa or Stanford and with Michigan State and TCU getting sent packing this seems like a logical spot for the Cowboys.
7. LSU - If you want to move Florida or Iowa into this spot, you can't off their less than spectacular wins this past weekend. Stanford's 42-10 win over Colorado probably will not justify them moving here either. LSU has to land somewhere and, right now, even after Saturday's beat down they look like a better team then any of the others.
8. Iowa - Last week's #9 I think the committee will move them up one spot. I see no reason the committee might leap them with Florida or Stanford.
9. Stanford - Granted, Stanford only beat air Saturday. But, unlike Florida, there was never a point where air looked like it might win.
10. Utah - Florida was #10 last week, but I think Utah overtakes them this week. The win at Washington was not Earth-shattering, but it was far more encouraging than Florida's struggles against a Vanderbilt team that could not throw the ball at all. (3 of 14 for 30 yards).
My biggest concern in terms of accuracy is LSU and where they might land. I think they are probably better than Clemson, Notre Dame, Baylor or Oklahoma State, (let alone Iowa, Stanford, Utah or Florida) but that is really beside the point. If they wind up higher than #7 or lower than #7 I really won't be all that surprised ... just wrong.
