Lucas's Power 5 Conference Rankings - Week 3

[Eco]

Here's another team in the ACC to keep an eye on - Miami. They're unbeaten and have been playing some really solid football, with that big win against Appy State looking impressive. I will say this, it would appear the B1G and ACC are trending in the right direction for sure, while the Big 12 and Pac 12 have not been. Speaking of the Pac 12, what the hell happened to Arizona State???

Graham hasn't figured out how defense works. I don't think the Pac has killed itself yet, I think the preseason favorites are still there in Stanford and Washington. If ASU could play defense, they would be a contender for sure.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Pac-12 is likely to cannibalize itself, leaving the door open for Houston if they can remain undefeated.



Not saying I'm completely disagree with you, but the only other team that was impressed me in A&M. Good win against UCLA, good win one the road to Auburn (whom they were not favored against).

UGA is undefeated, but they have glaring weaknesses, that I think could hurt them bad this weekend against Ole Miss.

Tennessee hasn't lived up to the hype yet, and their game against Florida is one that Butch HAS to win now that UF's QB is not playing. No way Butch can lose to UF...again.

And then Florida is not looking so hot themselves, and outside of the UGA's game against UNC, I'm not sure any team in the SEC East has played anybody that can really tell us how good or not they are.

That leaves an LSU team that could find themselves with 3-4 losses, Arkansas that has looked good, and A&M that has looked really good. Difference between Arkansas/A&M and Alabama is the fact that Bama has a giant target on their back as the SEC and National Champions, and every once Alabama to lose which just adds more pressure.

Our defense is still top notch, and while I also agree that Ole Miss should of had a TD on the run, they should not of had a TD on the return fumble due to the block in the back, and I still thought that was targeting on the initial hit.

Alabama is the back-to-back SEC Champions, and early on is when their slip ups have occured, and I don't think there is a team in the nation that gets better as the season progresses as a Saban coached team. This leads me to think that Alabama will only get better, and we know that they have the talent, coach, and the history of it, so I'm not sure where the problem lies with my thinking that it looks like this is another year that the SEC is Alabama's to lose.



Alabama has a injuries themselves, RB questions since neither really played last year, a new o-line, and a true freshman QB.

Ole Miss has the best QB in the SEC, the best (used) TE in the conference, and were at home.

Ole Miss is still a good team, and I have no answers to what happens in their locker room at half time, but they need to get it sorted.

USC was a blowout, but again, we are starting a true Freshman at QB...so the QB excuse just doesn't work for me, with this Alabama team.



If I said Alabama dominated WKU, I meant that we dominated their passing attack, and that's on me.

USC has only 2 losses, both against Top 10 teams. What separates them from Oklahoma who can say the same thing?

Bama's offense is going to remain the big question mark until we truly see what's at RB. Kiffin didn't like running the RB's on Saturday, and so we are still unsure what exactly they have to offer. Our defense definitely struggles against Ole Miss, as this isn't the first year we've seen this, but this time the mistakes were on both sides of the ball (fumble return for a TD (Ole Miss) and an interception for TD (Bama). I think what got Ole Miss was poor coaching at the end (why not either onside kick it again or at least pouch kick it since we had 10 players 15 yards from the ball and a lot of grass in-between them and the returner.) and untimely turnovers.

Winning in Oxford isn't easy, and no matter how it's done, it's for sure a quality win. I'll be interested to see what UGA does there this upcoming week.

Cannabalize is a very good word. That describes the PAC about as well as you could. It's looking like another wild year in the PAC. The lack of ranked teams in the PAC is not going to help. USC's OOC scheduling backfired. But it was nice to see them play Alabama. Stanford took a hit with Notre Dame falling. Oregon loss was a hit to Stanford and Washington.UCLA's loss to A&M was detrimental. If SC beats Utah thats going to be another ding. Zona hasn't looked goos. ASU has been a bright spot tho. Theres going to be a lot at stake with conference play. And you know how thats been

 

[Eco]

OCC doesn't matter anymore. If a Pac-12 team goes undefeated, it's in the playoffs. If they lose just one game and it's close, I think they are likely still in.

As a conference, we need Houston to lose, maybe twice.

 

[BTSBuckeye]

I never get the "cannibalize" thing honestly.

Every conference goes through attrition given that you play each other. Granted some divisions have weak seasons where it's easier for a team to roll into the CCG (*cough*Iowa*cough*). But even the B1G this year has a lot of depth in BOTH divisions.

Look at Ohio State. They have to play @ Wisconsin, Nebraska, @ MSU, and Michigan. Even @ Penn State can be rough for the Buckeyes as history points out. As good as they've looked so far, there is a VERY real chance that they drop atleast one of those games. And there's a VERY real chance that no one goes undefeated in the B1G this year.

 

[Great Dayne]

With the way things are shaping up right now it looks like two BIG teams, Bama and one ACC team will make the playoffs.

 

[Eco]

I never get the "cannibalize" thing honestly.

Every conference goes through attrition given that you play each other. Granted some divisions have weak seasons where it's easier for a team to roll into the CCG (*cough*Iowa*cough*). But even the B1G this year has a lot of depth in BOTH divisions.

Look at Ohio State. They have to play @ Wisconsin, Nebraska, @ MSU, and Michigan. Even @ Penn State can be rough for the Buckeyes as history points out. As good as they've looked so far, there is a VERY real chance that they drop atleast one of those games. And there's a VERY real chance that no one goes undefeated in the B1G this year.

Very true, but look at the Pac-12. Every team loses twice to another conference opponent, and therefore no one get a shot at the National Championship. The Pac-12 has some talent, but no team that really sticks out as the favorite, which is the same as the Big XII, but he difference is that Pac-12 is just a better conference than what we are seeing from the Big XII.

 

[Eco]

With the way things are shaping up right now it looks like two BIG teams, Bama and one ACC team will make the playoffs.

If Stanford or UW go undefeated, no two teams from the same conference are getting in. Especially if Houston goes undefeated (they still play Louisville)

 

[TheRobotDevil]

OCC doesn't matter anymore. If a Pac-12 team goes undefeated, it's in the playoffs. If they lose just one game and it's close, I think they are likely still in.

As a conference, we need Houston to lose, maybe twice.

Houston is going to play a major role especially if they run the table and beat Louisville. Do you see a PAC team going undefeated? With the way the PAC has been in conference play I just cant see it.But that's just my opinion. There has been a lot of upsets and strange games in the PAC the past few years. I still cant forget the ASU hail mary

 

[BTSBuckeye]

I don't think Ohio State is the clear favorite to win the B1G like many assume though.

Ohio State, MSU, Michigan, and Wisconsin all have the ability to win the B1G this year IMHO. I'm holding out on Nebraska for now but they can surely throw a monkey wrench in the equation.

In fact, the only team most have penciled in to win their conference is Bama. Every other conference is easily up for grabs. And it's possible someone in the SEC East can get hot and content with Bama this year.


I'm telling ya ... this is NOT the year to just assume. It's been a crazy season so far and I think it's going to get even crazier.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Very true, but look at the Pac-12. Every team loses twice to another conference opponent, and therefore no one get a shot at the National Championship. The Pac-12 has some talent, but no team that really sticks out as the favorite, which is the same as the Big XII, but he difference is that Pac-12 is just a better conference than what we are seeing from the Big XII.

I think thats where the PAC tears itself apart. Its not the lack of talent. But the presence of talent. Along with the manner PAC teams match up against one another. The styles of play conflict with one another.The strengths and weaknesses of the PAC teams create some a lot of mismatches and strange results. Its hard to predict any outcome in the PAC. Its almost like a conference shoot out

 

[umichgradfan]

I don't think Ohio State is the clear favorite to win the B1G like many assume though.

Ohio State, MSU, Michigan, and Wisconsin all have the ability to win the B1G this year IMHO. I'm holding out on Nebraska for now but they can surely throw a monkey wrench in the equation.

In fact, the only team most have penciled in to win their conference is Bama. Every other conference is easily up for grabs. And it's possible someone in the SEC East can get hot and content with Bama this year.


I'm telling ya ... this is NOT the year to just assume. It's been a crazy season so far and I think it's going to get even crazier.

I wouldn't exempt Alabama from the craziness. The season is still young.

 

[Eco]

Houston is going to play a major role especially if they run the table and beat Louisville. Do you see a PAC team going undefeated? With the way the PAC has been in conference play I just cant see it.But that's just my opinion. There has been a lot of upsets and strange games in the PAC the past few years. I still cant forget the ASU hail mary

Probably not undefeated. I don't trust Stanford's passing game, and having one player be your entire offense scares me.

Washington is kind of the exact opposite right? They can pass it anywhere, but so far they haven't proved to have a running game.

Either one of the prove me wrong, and it wouldn't shock me. I think is Arizona State somehow improves so that our defense is top 30-40, then we are going to really challenge some of the bigger teams.

 

[Great Dayne]

If Stanford or UW go undefeated, no two teams from the same conference are getting in. Especially if Houston goes undefeated (they still play Louisville)

I agree but I believe both teams will have some kind of slip up and Houston will lose to Louisville. UW hasn't played anyone yet so we don't really know how good they are right now. However, UW has an easy schedule.

 

[Eco]

I agree but I believe both teams will have some kind of slip up and Houston will lose to Louisville. UW hasn't played anyone yet so we don't really know how good they are right now. However, UW has an easy schedule.

Nothing in the Pac-12 North is easy schedule wise. Granted USC and Stanford are at home, as is Arizona State. That trip to Utah is going to be tough one to win.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

I agree but I believe both teams will have some kind of slip up and Houston will lose to Louisville. UW hasn't played anyone yet so we don't really know how good they are right now. However, UW has an easy schedule.

I agree they really haven't played anyone yet. And lets not forget they haven't beaten Oregon in 12 years. Another loss to a now unranked Oregon team could be deadly. It may also effect Stanford who also lost to Oregon last year. And SC could very well be fighting for a chance at the south along with several other PAC south teams. The Pac is looking like it may be a complete disaster to itself again this year.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

We don't want to hear it bc it's simply not true. Colorado might not be terrible this year but they certainly won't be good. Had Michigan started out a game against a good team the way they did against Colorado, they would have gotten rolled.

Michigan better figure out their run game and run defense before Nov 26 or else they are going to see a repeat of last year

As you know -- I'm one of the few UM fans who has tempered expectations this year and think UM won't be elite until Harbaugh gets one of his own QB's under center.

That being said -- I'd wager if Colorado's QB is able to play in Pac-12 games -- they will do some damage. I don't want to butcher his name again, but that QB was impressive. It wasn't as if he had all day to throw the ball -- UM brought all kinds of blitzes at him and he was making some sick throws -- especially the last one on one leg.

The 45 points UM had more to do with special teams than anything else. Peppers had a 54 yard punt return TD, Grant Perry returned a blocked punt for a TD. UM had another blocked punt for a short field score. On top of that -- Peppers had a 55 yard kickoff return and 38 yard kickoff return to set up short fields.

Whoever #4 is on Colorado -- he is going to be playing in the NFL and I'm guessing will be a high draft pick too. Even the other CB for Colorado was impressive (Westbrook or Westgate). They did what others did and put their CB's on an island and stacked the box, but those two guys were in UM's WRs back pocket the whole game.

I'm definitely not saying Colorado is a world beater -- but I was impressed with multiple guys on their team. If anything, I'm thankful for how the game started, as it gave UM and Speight a chance to deal with adversity and they were still able to bounce back. UM was down 21-7 and finished the game outscoring Colorado 38-7. So I will take the positive with the negative.

 

[Voltaire26]

Beaten USC and Ole Miss. Also, we dominated Western Kentucky which ended last year in the top 25 and going into the game had the #1 rated QB in terms of QBR in the nation. A defense which returns a majority of their starters, an elite WR, and an O-line that is quickly improving.



No - he injured his ankle, and then while sitting on the bench, this happened.

It is this simple, anyone who doesn't vote for Alabama as the #1 team in the nation is an idiot or a "blind homer" of a fan. I am a blind homer, but even I can see Alabama is #1.

 

[Voltaire26]

I don't think Ohio State is the clear favorite to win the B1G like many assume though.

Ohio State, MSU, Michigan, and Wisconsin all have the ability to win the B1G this year IMHO. I'm holding out on Nebraska for now but they can surely throw a monkey wrench in the equation.

In fact, the only team most have penciled in to win their conference is Bama. Every other conference is easily up for grabs. And it's possible someone in the SEC East can get hot and content with Bama this year.


I'm telling ya ... this is NOT the year to just assume. It's been a crazy season so far and I think it's going to get even crazier.

Until someone takes it away from them ohio state or Michigan State are the #1 teams in the B1G - hopefully Michigan beats them both.

 

[BoiseStateFan27]

I wouldn't exempt Alabama from the craziness. The season is still young.

But honestly who in that conference is going to beat them?

All the other SEC teams don't look threatening.

The SEC overall has weird teams

There's the Georgia's and Tennessee's who play horribly early in their games but make comebacks/play better later

Then there's Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Arkansas and just about everyone else who have proven that they can't hold on to big leads

 

[4down20]

But honestly who in that conference is going to beat them?

All the other SEC teams don't look threatening.

The SEC overall has weird teams

There's the Georgia's and Tennessee's who play horribly early in their games but make comebacks/play better later

Then there's Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Arkansas and just about everyone else who have proven that they can't hold on to big leads

We damn near just lost to Ole Miss this weekend.

Whom many of you are saying isn't even a top15 or top25 team.