Week 5: Top 25... FOR REALS!

Well, a third of the season is behind most teams, so that means it’s time to release some rankings that actually mean something. We all know the preseason rankings are a joke, and the bias they throw into subsequent rankings skew championship races for the remainder of the season. This top 25 will not borrow from other rankings, winning is far more important here than anything else. Speculation on what will happen later will have no bearing on this list until it actually happens. So, here we go, Top 25 for reals.

1. Florida – Yeah. Predictable, right? But they’re the defending champs, and they’ve handled their business so far. I said winning is the most important aspect of this list, and that’s all Florida has done since losing to Ole Miss in ’08. #1 is UF’s to defend until they fail to do so, plain and simple. - Chris

Alabama – impressive but still need to see them in the meat of the SEC schedule. That win over Virginia Tech just got a lot more impressive though. - Drew

2. Texas – Similar to Florida, all they do is win. Arguments were very strong last year that they play Florida for the title, and that probably would’ve produced a better game than Oklahoma. Much like Florida, it’s theirs until they lose. - Chris

Florida – ‘Nother easy win for Urban and the boys. A week of to get your mind right before you take on a reeling LSU team. - Drew

3. Alabama – Broken record time, once again, theirs ‘til they lose. Impressive win over Virginia Tech early, which looks even more impressive after Tech played Miami last weekend. This may very well be the strongest defense in the country, and they’ve replaced losses on the offensive side of the ball very effectively. If there is a team to challenge Florida in the SEC, this is it. LSU and Ole Miss are not what they first appeared to be in the West, so it should be a relatively smooth road to Atlanta for the Tide. - Chris

Texas – Big win over a bad team. If you are upset about this ranking, don’t worry, that 1 vs 2 is a play in game for your BCS title game Horns. - Drew

4. Boise State – Yep, a WAC team. Doesn’t mean anything though, Boise is one of the most technically sound and disciplined teams in the nation. They would be in the running for the Mountain West every year, and compete in the Big 12. They’ve tasted the BCS before and I’m convinced they’ll make it back this year. Oregon was the only major stepping stone, and the rest of the WAC is a cake walk. Only question is who will lose games in front of them, and will it be enough to get them to the title game. - Chris

Boise State – Ok so maybe beating Oregon is better now but still, it was at the beginning of the year. Broncos here because they are the least looser out of the rest of the group. - Drew

5. Cincinnati – Undefeated. Once again, that’s what’s important. This team is gritty, I doubt they’ll win anything looking fancy, but they’ll win. That’s all they’ve done so far, that’s vaulted them ahead of all the 1-loss teams that are about to be listed. - Chris

VA Tech – Still not sold on the Hokies but an impressive game against a juggernaut in a typhoon needs to be rewarded - Drew

6. Virginia Tech – One loss, but it was to the #3 team in the country. They exposed Miami. One of the stronger running teams in the country, the early loss doesn’t hurt near as much as one would now. They’ve proven they belong and that they’re dangerous. - Chris

TCU – Good win in Death Valley. I don’t expect the Frogs to be here long though, not as impressive as Boise has been this season. - Drew

7. USC – Another 1-loss team that’s going to hang around all year. The Ohio State win will fuel them as they clean up the scraps of the Pac-10 (Oregon and Cal aren’t there yet). They’ll put the offense together more and more as they go, and catch teams at good times. As for now, they’re a team that’s talented enough to win how they want. Strong defense, Very strong running game. They can afford to bring young QBs along slowly. - Chris

Houston – Wow! Big win at home against Texas Tech and the man-stach. Could be the most impressive mid-major of the year. Boise needs to watch it. This team is hot. - Drew

8. LSU – Quite frankly, they don’t deserve this spot. They aren’t very good. At least not as good as they have been recently. But they haven’t lost, and they’re still the second best team in the SEC West. - Chris

Cincinnati – Bearcats are an offensive machine. Defense looks ok and they have a huge road match up with what appears to be a good USF team. - Drew

9. TCU – Wins against ACC teams on the road, and they haven’t lost yet. Nice dark horse for a BCS bid, if Boise drops the ball, and that’s a huge IF. - Chris

Iowa – Offense = AWFUL! But hey a win in Happy Valley is impressive and worth around the top 10, we will see if it last. - Drew

10. Houston – Yeah, it’s getting heavy on small conference teams. But, none of them are losing. Case Keenum might be the best QB in the country. They knocked off a rebuilding but still dangerous Texas Tech team to get here. - Chris

Nebraska – Ok so they have looked good against nobody’s…..did I mention they lost on a fluke play in a place that Virginia Tech is still scoring points against Miami? - Drew

11. Ohio State – The loss to USC was a killer, as none of their other wins will mean very much. Ending 11-1 against teams like New Mexico State and a list of Big 10 cannon fodder just simply won’t be impressive. But, they’ve handled it all so far, and winning will continue to elevate them, no matter how deceivingly good those wins make this team appear. - Chris

South Florida – Backup Quarterback or not, going into Tallahassee doesn’t happen every day….Yeah yeah Jacksonville State almost did but they didn’t so there. - Drew

12. Oklahoma – Bradford’s loss hurt. BYU’s loss to Florida State might have hurt more. What could’ve been a loss to a top-10 team became just a loss, and any moral victories gained therein went out the window. They still have a lot of talent, and Bradford will be back. But for now, they’re facing an uphill battle, and it’s very steep. - Chris

Kansas – A little hiccup against Southern Miss but a good win against a scary team. If I were in a fight with a basketball team, I am choosing the Jayhawks anyday. - Drew

13. Iowa – The Tennessee of the Big 10. Perennially over ranked, perennially outmatched, perennially disappointing. Also, perennially strong starts before collapse. 4-0 does earn you something, so here they are… for now. - Chris

LSU – AND YOU’RE GETTING OFF LIGHT!!! If Dan Mullen had a brain, LSU has a loss on their record. Did you guys see Dixon’s running path on the 4th down play? Untouched into the endzone….. - Drew

14. Kansas – Again, undefeated gets you a lot. Todd Reeseing is in similar company with Case Keenum, and has enough weapons to win. Undefeated so far, so they’re up. They’ll have to survive the Big 12 to stay here. - Chris

Missouri – Has looked better than LSU but needs to play someone…anyone….. - Drew

15. Oklahoma State – They’re Houston’s springboard right now, and as long as both keep winning, both can keep climbing. This team is difficult to get a bead on right now, but they’re experienced, and their loss is to a better team. Much like Kansas, take this with a grain of salt until the Big 12 reveals them for who they really are. - Chris

Auburn – This seems a bit high but the Tigers have looked good against pretty good competition….its just they were all at home. We will learn a lot more at Tennessee and Arkansas in the next 2 weeks - Drew

16. Oregon – Talk about ups and downs. I don’t think there’s any real shame in losing to Boise on the blue turf, but the post-game melee put a real cloud over this program. Thankfully, a 42-3 BEAT DOWN of Cal cleared the skies very effectively. If this team can continue on this track, sky might be the limit. We’ll find out on Halloween when they face USC if the Ducks are really ready to fly. - Chris

Oklahoma – well they made it through without Bradford. Now they get a test on the road with an angry bunch of ‘Canes….GOOD LUCK! - Drew

17. Miami (FL) – Virginia Tech gave em a wake up call. Well, it might have also been a burial. But before that, this team was rolling, and I have no reason to believe that they won’t continue when they regroup. - Chris

Wisconsin – Well…BAD game against Fresno State but nice game against Michigan State…Take a number and get in the back of the class. - Drew

18. Penn State – Again, difficult to get a real read here. Coming into the season they seemed a sure pick to compete for the Big 10 title. They dropped the ball against Iowa. They’re talented, but not yet put together. They’ll probably win out, but for now, the team that I believe is the best in the Big 10 is suffering from a let down. - Chris

USC – 27 points…..really…..against Wazzou??? Did ya try? And this team beat Ohio State on the road? Wow….Big Ten…..wow. - Drew

19. South Florida – Plain and simple, this is a major up and coming program. Big win over Florida State, not sure if it’s a changing of the guard in the state, or just another time when South Florida takes aim at a big time program and makes good on their aspirations. They’ve done it in the past where they knock off traditional powers, then flame out. If they can effectively replace Matt Grothe, they could be on their way. - Chris

Miami – Great Start to the season but UGLY game with VT. Rebound against Oklahoma? - Drew

20. Georgia – Lost a lot last year, replacing Stafford and Moreno looks to be a big challenge for them. Their loss is on the road in the Big 12, and that game probably would’ve gone differently if they were lucky enough to get it at home. This is still a pretty good coaching staff, and should be pretty clearly the #2 team in the SEC East. - Chris

Oregon – Looked bad against Boise but great rebound with Cal. Keep it up and you will go far. - Drew

21. Ole Miss – South Carolina seems to lose every SEC game they play… except
those on Thursday nights at home. Ole Miss was never as good as #4, and just because Jevan Snead transferred from Texas, doesn’t mean he’s the next Colt McCoy. Ole Miss has a lot of dangerous weapons, and an innovative coach who will find ways to use them. Of course, that same coach could only get 8 wins a year out of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. This team is built to appear better than it is. They’ll knock off teams better than them (Florida last year) and scare teams that are better than them (look ahead to Bama this year), but they belong in the 15-25 range, no higher. - Chris

Cal – Jahvid Best……that is all. - Drew

22, Auburn – Last year was a debacle, they’ll continue to pay for that. But for now,
they’re scoring tons of points against inferior competition. Showed a lot of grit
against West Virginia, but 4 straight home games don’t really reveal what a team
is made of. Tennessee in Neyland this week, if they prove it there, it could be time
to elevate them. Until then, 4-0 has them parked here. - Chris

West Virginia – Manhandled Auburn for a quarter and then sat on it. Outscored Auburn 21-10 in the 1st. After that Auburn scored 31 to WVU’s 9. - Drew

23. BYU – Still a good team, but not as good as once though. Second best to TCU in
the MWC. Losing to a team that loses has hurt them more than losing to a winner.
They’re good, but this ranking is more a reflection of the other teams around them
being slightly better, more than it is about them being worse. - Chris

Ohio State – I guess. Navy. And then USC….really? - Drew

24. Missouri – Lose Chase Daniels, gain Blaine Gabbart. This team struggled a little
against Nevada on the road, but this offense is still one that can put up points at
any time. Defense is strong enough to let that offense win a lot of games. Same
thing as for Kansas and Oklahoma State, they’re behind Texas and Oklahoma in
the Big 12. - Chris

Michigan – Eh, they beat Notre Dame. So they get the spot. Way to rally the troops Rich Rod. Didn’t think you had it in ya. - Drew

25. Michigan – Simply put, I’m not buying what the Wolverines are selling. 4-0 is
nice, but it’d be nicer against better teams. Gave up a lot of points to Notre Dame,
and nearly as much to Indiana. A freshman quarterback is going to have trouble
keeping this up if the defense can’t keep those point totals down. But again,
winning is all it takes here, so even with a lot of doubts, they’re ranked at 4-0. - Chris

Oklahoma St – They beat Georgia but how do you loose at home a week later to a mid-major team. YOU MEN! AND YOUR COACH IS 40! – Drew

Waiting list: Georgia, South Carolina, Penn State, Ole Miss….maybe – Drew

American Revolution?

In the wake of the USA’s 3-2 loss to Brazil in the finals of the Confederations Cup, talk of American soccer has shifted from this tournament as a possible turning point for the sport in America to the usual congratulatory talk of simply keeping up on the big stage. The question remains, as always when the US comes so close but falls so short, when will American soccer bring itself on par with the rest of the world?

After the upset of Spain, it felt for a short time like the US was ready to turn that corner. That seemed even more likely as the team found themselves up 2-0 at the half of the match with Brazil. Even so, Brazil showed immediately as the second half began that the US team simply is not ready. After scoring their first goal of the match and gaining some confidence back, Brazil simply leaned on the US until they fell over. Overwhelmingly, it seems as though the US just cannot run for a full game with the elite teams of the world. It is difficult to tell if the second half meltdown was just a function of Brazil’s superiority, or if the strain of playing at such a high level against the world’s best for 3 halves prior to giving up those 3 goals just finally caught up with the Americans. Either way, it seems that the US team still has a long way to go to win major international competitions.

This experience will no doubt help the team prepare for next year’s World Cup, and will most likely help the US enter the World Cup with more anticipation from fans at home than ever before. The question will remain though as to whether the Confederations Cup was a huge step forward for American soccer, or just another in a line of disappointing performances that will continue into next summer. We’ll find out as the team returns to South Africa next year, to show on a much larger stage.

Georgia Fan of the Month

Ahhhh, nothing says Go Dawgs Sic'em quite like a deer rack coming out of the Georgia "G". Also, ya gotta love the Georgia shower curtain to the left making sure that no matter where you go in the trailer, you are covered by seeing the a huge G in your grill! Hopefully his Bulldog UGA won't mind when he breaks out the clippers in a couple of months and shaves Joe Cox's number into the side of the poor beast!

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