Here we are 1/3 of the way through the season already, 4 games down and 8 left to go (for most teams). Here is my take on the first 1/3 of the season:
Although good on paper and executing very well, we don't really know yet how good USC is (or isn't). They are 2-0 with two bye weeks (who made that schedule?). Nor will we know until January (unless they fall asleep). USC is in a league by themselves...not because they are that good...but because currently no one else in the PAC-10 seems to have much of a pulse.
And the University of Spoiled Children / Coaches is not alone...undefeated Oklahoma, UGA and Florida have yet to play a team in the Top 25. These teams also have yet to be truly tested.
But you can't blame USC...they are just doing what they do best - win. If they run the table and go to the championship game they will hear incessant cries from any Big 12 or SEC team that runs the table and doesn't get a shot at USC. And, why not throw in any undefeated MWC team into that ring? Who do you pick if four teams are near perfect? USC with their patsy schedule? Get ready for the blog battle if that's the case.
To paraphrase the MWC commissioner last week: the ailing ACC and potentially the Big East should give up their auto BCS bid to the more deserving conference this year...likely the MWC. And, it should be like that every year...a poor performing conference should release their auto bid. Name any sport, company, parent, etc. who rewards poor performers...besides the BCS?
The SEC, with six teams in the top 25, will continue hammering each other into the ground until one or two battered, but not undefeated, teams stand alone in the top 10. Do they get to take on USC? Who is to say that a 8-4 #25 ranked team from the SEC or Big 12 is not as deserving as the ACC Champion?
The AP Top 25 Summary:
ACC(2), Big East(1), Big Ten(4), Big 12(5), Conf USA(1), Mid-America(0), MWC(3), PAC_10(1), SEC(6), Sun Belt(0), WAC(2), Independent(0).
