Wow what a weekend! Nothing less than what we expected with the Big 12 starting conference play and two SEC powerhouses meeting up. And the next few weeks will be interesting with Texas' next three games against ranked opponents in the top 11.
Three weeks ago there were 18 undefeated teams...we're down to 10. Alabama, PSU and OK State are showing some serious, unexpected life while Michigan State and Florida are showing a resurgence and some pre-season picks like ASU, Tennessee, West Va, Auburn, Michigan and recently heralded East Carolina have become unmentionables.
Texas and Florida were the most impressive on Saturday with defining, dominating wins. Texas jumped 4 spots and Florida 6. Texas...yea, they deserved it with their 10-point win over the #1 team. Florida's win over #3 LSU was flawless and impressive, but I must take issue with ranking them in the top 5 when they lost to an unranked team. USC at #6, also has a loss to an unranked. (The aforementioned unranked teams currently don't even show in the "others receiving votes"). The next 1-loss team with a loss to an unranked (Va Tech)...comes in at #17.
Yea, yea, yada, yada, yada...I can hear it now: "But they beat LSU" or "They shut out ASU" or the worst, "They were early-season losses". Teams should be ranked for their season performance, not just last Saturday's. Sure, give Florida and USC credit for turning in dominating performances...but why they are not dinged for underestimating an opponent is beyond me. (The five other 1-loss teams in the top 15 all lost to ranked opponents).
If Florida and USC gain ground with losses to unranked teams why shouldn't BYU, Utah, BSU and even Ball State gain some ground for winning all their games even though they are against unranked teams? Are you going to tell me that it's because the PAC-10 is a tougher conference? Yea...right up there with the ACC and Big East.
Give credit where credit is due...winning week in and week out regardless of the strength of the opponent or time of the season.
