I Have a (Foam) Finger For the AP/Coaches Polls

[BAMAWV]

During the ESPN prime time game, Herbie and Brent took turns tongue kissing Les Miles and the Bayou Bengals.  These guys did everything short of handing out complimentary gift bags, trying to influence voters toward LSU. I get that it was an ESPN broadcast and announcers always blow a lot of smoke at the behinds of the winning teams (watch out because they will turn on a dime). But off the top of my well informed head I could not see LSU at #1. Maybe I can see it, but no way was it as obvious as these drama peddlers were trying to convince their national audience.

Let's examine the 3 team race. We'll look at their schedules and their opponents schedule. Maybe glance at the statistics. But the subjective analysis of watching all 3 play is really the determining factor, and is impossible to include in this discussion. But my opinion is that anyone that saw the Tide manhandle the Razorback Hogs would have to conclude that the Crimson Tide is, as of this week, the best team in the nation.

First lets look at Oklahoma. All 3 teams under our microscope have wall-to-wall returning starters. Where Oklahoma has an advantage, on paper, is at the QB position with not only athletic ability but senior leadership. The Sooners have beaten Tulsa and Missouri in Norman, and beat Florida State on the road. Tulsa has also lost to Oklahoma St. and Boise. Missouri has won a couple of gimmes and Missouri's big game was losing to ASU in a close one-- 37-30. OU is giving up 18.3 a game but scoring 36.0. Nothing very impressive there, so I'll drop them in my #3 slot for now.

Now LSU. Herbie and Brent got a tingling feeling in their groin area watching the Tigers. I saw a depleted WVU team with a brand spanking new head coach.  LSU played typical SEC field position football and defense.  They were on the road but 65,000 people couldn't have been that loud, especially when they were crying. But the LSU selling point is in their schedule. They beat a #5 ranked Oregon the first weekend. Oregon has since beaten Nevada, Missouri St., and Arizona (the crummy one). The Tigers have beaten Northwestern St., who beat SMU and (get this) Delta State, and they beat Mississippi St. that has beaten Memphis and La. Tech but lost by a arms length to the barn. WVU's big win was Maryland that has since lost big to the Temple Owls.  LSU is currently 14th in scoring with 38.8pts. [Note: LSU is 18th with 38.8 pts in 4 games, Bama is 21st in scoring with 38.5] LSU is yielding 14.3 a game and yielding 14.3. Their offense is balanced, statistically speaking, with 171 rushing and 179 passing.  The win on the road with Oregon was at Dallas, a neutral site. Compared to Oklahoma, the LSU team has proven itself to be better than Oklahoma, so I'll drop them in the #1 slot for now.

The Crimson Tide has also played 4 games (). They lead off with Kent St. and a 48-7 win. No big deal unless you saw that KSU beat South Alabama. this week. Next was #18 Penn St. There was more damage done than the scoreboard showed (27-11) and PSU has beaten 3 snowbirds. The Tide beat North Texas State University that went on to beat Indiana. Saturday the beat #12 arkansas in Tuscaloosa. They gave up 17 yards rushing on 19 running plays. Alabama is 2nd in the nation in points allowed, only giving up 6 per game. Same as with LSU, the QB play this season has not been an issue. The OU edge is being minimized by solid play from our QBs.They also have a balanced attack, yardage wise, getting 230 on the ground and 225 in the air. All things considered (except for reviewing film), LSU has a slight edge (using a micrometer) but I'll carefully place the Tide in the #2 slot.

1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma

The Tide visits Gainesville, LSU is at home against Kentucky, and Oklahoma has another snowbird in Ball State.. RTR

[SUPERCOACH]

You are on a roll today.

[KoKoPuf]

Good analysis. I kind of like that Bama is #3 for now. Obviously, LSU & Bama get to settle that question 11/5. Oklahoma may, or may not, run the table but if both Bama/LSU are undefeated the winner of their game goes to #1.  

[Chechem]

 

Well done and very lucid.  Did you plagiarize this?  (***sarcasm***)

Seriously, well done.  I read your comments during the broadcast (in-game thread) too, where you pointed out the same nonsense from H & B.  They failed to convince me, but looks like enough voters agreed with them to help LSU take the top spot.

Frankly, I am very happy to have LSU #1 for now.  We'll see where they are after their trip to Tuscaloosa.

[2Stater]

Oklahoma may be an afterthought by Sunday. I think the McCoy farm can take 'em. My concern right now is how we do in Gainesville this weekend. I have no gut feeling like I did with the Arky game and that concerns me a little. We CANNOT afford to go to Gainesville with the mentality that we did in Columbia last year. Having said that I think we cover the spread, but not by a lot. Prolly around 24-13.

[Chechem]

Oklahoma may be an afterthought by Sunday. I think the McCoy farm can take 'em. My concern right now is how we do in Gainesville this weekend. I have no gut feeling like I did with the Arky game and that concerns me a little. We CANNOT afford to go to Gainesville with the mentality that we did in Columbia last year. Having said that I think we cover the spread, but not by a lot. Prolly around 24-13.

Okie plays Ball State this weekend I think.  Texas is next week, right?

[2Stater]

Oklahoma may be an afterthought by Sunday. I think the McCoy farm can take 'em. My concern right now is how we do in Gainesville this weekend. I have no gut feeling like I did with the Arky game and that concerns me a little. We CANNOT afford to go to Gainesville with the mentality that we did in Columbia last year. Having said that I think we cover the spread, but not by a lot. Prolly around 24-13.

Okie plays Ball State this weekend I think.  Texas is next week, right?

My bad, you are correct, sir.

[BAMAWV]

Oklahoma may be an afterthought by Sunday. I think the McCoy farm can take 'em. My concern right now is how we do in Gainesville this weekend. I have no gut feeling like I did with the Arky game and that concerns me a little. We CANNOT afford to go to Gainesville with the mentality that we did in Columbia last year. Having said that I think we cover the spread, but not by a lot. Prolly around 24-13.

Okie plays Ball State this weekend I think.  Texas is next week, right?

[ricky023]

I like us at #3 or #2. I don't want to be #1. We as before stated can settle this in Nov. I do however believe Okla. St. will settle Okla. and any claim they have. Even if Okla. gets A&M they will find out for sure, so i ain't worried about them.
Now the NCG will be played by either Alabama/LSU winner aginst Boise State or Wisconsin whichever is still undefeated. RTR!

[BAMAWV]

Good analysis. I kind of like that Bama is #3 for now. Obviously, LSU & Bama get to settle that question 11/5. Oklahoma may, or may not, run the table but if both Bama/LSU are undefeated the winner of their game goes to #1.  

#3 is dangerously close to Boise. 1 sympathy vote away from being on the outside looking in.

[Catch Prothro]

One week at a time.  Bama has Florida this Saturday.  I'm not looking ahead of that game.

[2Stater]

Good analysis. I kind of like that Bama is #3 for now. Obviously, LSU & Bama get to settle that question 11/5. Oklahoma may, or may not, run the table but if both Bama/LSU are undefeated the winner of their game goes to #1.  

#3 is dangerously close to Boise. 1 sympathy vote away from being on the outside looking in.

If both stay undefeated, it will all come down to the LSU/ Bama game anyway. That said, I don't think Ok. goes undefeated, but Boise will. If Wisconsin goes undefeated, they may be the team on the outside looking in. It could very well be Boise vs LSU/ Bama winner for the NC. BTW, great analysis, WV. You're also right about the ESPN slobberfest.

[Catch Prothro]

All this "analysis" sounds like last year before the SC game.  Let LSU have their glory.  The only rankings that matter come at the end of the season.

I would say, further, that Saban hopefully has the players focussed on the next game.  Unfortunately, Trent Richardson was talking national championship.  Fortunately, the guys who would play a major role in a championship, the Defense, doesn't talk that way.  They talk about having something to prove, getting better, haven't played their best game, etc.  Everything you could hope a player would say.

[2Stater]

All this "analysis" sounds like last year before the SC game.  Let LSU have their glory.  The only rankings that matter come at the end of the season.

I would say, further, that Saban hopefully has the players focussed on the next game.  Unfortunately, Trent Richardson was talking national championship.  Fortunately, the guys who would play a major role in a championship, the Defense, doesn't talk that way.  They talk about having something to prove, getting better, haven't played their best game, etc.  Everything you could hope a player would say.

I think you're right, CP. The difference between last year's team and this year's is hunger, I think the current team is hungry to erase what happened last year. JMHO.

[rueben]

  Job WV!!!Another cred for ya!

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