Halfway Home - Where do we stand?

[ALTideUp]

CFB season is nearing its halfway point. Who are the contenders, the pretenders, and "Wha?!?" teams so far?

Of the undefeated teams only we, Stanford, and OSU have played two ranked opponents. None of these three has looked terrific in their other games, especially OSU, who had to work to beat Buffalo. FSU has beaten Maryland (won't be ranked again this year) and looked good in their other games. Clemson has beaten UGA and looked good in their other games. Miami beat UF and looked good in their other games.

Needless to say only one team survives the FSU Clemson game and that team will have a case to make for a BCS birth if they remain undefeated.

OU has 4 ranked teams on their schedule, but no top 10 teams. Where do they fit into the mix if they run the table?

Oregon has looked great against every(no)body. Stanford Oregon is like FSU Clemson. The winner is a BCS contender and the loser is done.

Louisville has played nobody and will play nobody, so that's that for them. Michigan is undefeated but has looked about as bad as you could and not lose a game. UConn? Really? They will not beat OSU, but one of them will end the season with a loss.

In the "Wha?!?" category, I nominate WVU and Ole Miss as the most schizophrenic teams of the 2013 CFB campaign so far.

With UGA suffering sig injuries, the set up for a Bama LSU NCG is in place if the FSU Clemson Ducks or Stanford falter. Would an undefeated OhSU spoil that party?

[2Stater]

tOSU schedule is nearly as soft as Louisville's. IMO, they shouldn't even be in the conversation. With FSU and Clemson playing in the weak ACC, I don't think either of them go. OU is not exactly playing stellar ball, but Baylor is....against nobody so far. That leaves the winner of the SEC West (because they will most likely beat the East champions in the SECCG) and the winner of the Stanford-Oregon game. I don't think UCLA could stand up to either team.

So with all that, I think Alabama/LSU will play Stanford/Oregon for the NC. If that happens and FSU/Clemson goes undefeated, there will be much angst among those fans.

[bamaphil]

It seems like every year we get to this point and see about five teams who could finish undefeated.  And then by the end of the season there's one or two that did and three or four one-loss teams thinking they deserve to get in. There hasn't really been a major upset yet this year, but that will likely happen soon.

I do think this will be the year that it will be hard for a one-loss SEC team to get in.  It does seem almost certain that one PAC12 team and one ACC will finish undefeated.  I'm not sure a one-loss Bama, LSU, or Georgia could get in ahead of undefeated FSU/Clemson and Oregon/Stanford.

[Chechem]

We stay undefeated (that is IF WE STAY UNDEFEATED), we play for #3 in a row.

That's a huge 'IF'.

Everyone else pays for 2nd position.

Big question is, "What happens if we lose to LSU"?  Do we meltdown and lose 2-3 more?  Pressure is building.

 

[2Stater]

It seems like every year we get to this point and see about five teams who could finish undefeated.  And then by the end of the season there's one or two that did and three or four one-loss teams thinking they deserve to get in. There hasn't really been a major upset yet this year, but that will likely happen soon.

I do think this will be the year that it will be hard for a one-loss SEC team to get in.  It does seem almost certain that one PAC12 team and one ACC will finish undefeated.  I'm not sure a one-loss Bama, LSU, or Georgia could get in ahead of undefeated FSU/Clemson and Oregon/Stanford.

You're right about teams stumbling, but I do think a 1 loss LSU team gets in. In order for that to happen, they will have beaten the #1 team in the country and won the conference championship game, the toughest conference in the country.

They should be rated higher than an undefeated ACC champ, Big 10 champ, Big 12 champ or whatever the name of the conference that Louisville is in.

However, if you look at my pick 'ems over the last several weeks, you may choose not take much stock in my comments. 

[KoKoPuf]

OSU should go undefeated and, if so, will not be bumped from the BCS Championship game by a one loss team. Too much tradition and media worship. Oregon & Stanford have to play each other and Washington & UCLA. And Washington came close against Stanford last night at Stanford. FSU and Clemson have at shot at 12-0 but one has to fall and FSU has to play FL. But if either goes undefeated I think they are in over a one loss SEC team. Same for Oklahoma and maybe Baylor. Bottom line is Bama needs to win out to be sure of a spot.

[Catch Prothro]

tOSU schedule is nearly as soft as Louisville's. IMO, they shouldn't even be in the conversation. With FSU and Clemson playing in the weak ACC, I don't think either of them go. OU is not exactly playing stellar ball, but Baylor is....against nobody so far. That leaves the winner of the SEC West (because they will most likely beat the East champions in the SECCG) and the winner of the Stanford-Oregon game. I don't think UCLA could stand up to either team.

So with all that, I think Alabama/LSU will play Stanford/Oregon for the NC. If that happens and FSU/Clemson goes undefeated, there will be much angst among those fans.

I agree with your pecking order:
1. Undefeated SEC Team
2. Undefeated PAC 12 Team
3. Undefeated ACC Team
4. Undefeated Ohio State (should be one loss SEC team)
5. One Loss SEC Team

Clemson still has to play South Carolina and Florida State.
Florida State still has to play Clemson and Florida.
If one of those teams goes undefeated, I would put them ahead of an undefeated PAC12 team, but that's not what will happen.

Louisville's toughest opponent was Kentucky.  I don't think they belong in the conversation.  The Big10 schedule is a bit more difficult than that, especially with a championship game, and you know Ohio State will get the votes if they go undefeated, especially since they were undefeated last year.

But there is a lot of football left to be played.  These things usually work themselves out, though someone will feel left out.

[Jamos]

Bama is blessed this year to have the schedule that they have after losing the players that they did last year. Thanks to the two cupcake games. They have provided Bama with two games that permitted some much needed playing time for the young ones that needed it so badly. Already we are seeing true and redshirted freshmen as well as sophomores making their presence known on the field and this is what I think takes Bama to the championship game to win their third in a row.RTR!!

[2Stater]

Bama is blessed this year to have the schedule that they have after losing the players that they did last year. Thanks to the two cupcake games. They have provided Bama with two games that permitted some much needed playing time for the young ones that needed it so badly. Already we are seeing true and redshirted fresh as well as sophomores making their presence known on the field and this is what I think takes Bama to the championship game to win their third in a row.RTR!!

 

[Old Tider]

So, is Auburn for real?  Or Ole Miss unreal?

[Chechem]

So, is Auburn for real?  Or Ole Miss unreal?

You can't be serious.

Next time you want to see whether the Kentucky Derby winner is a champion, before it cools down make it run a second race against a fresh horse.  What will that tell you??

[ricky023]

Well halfway home. I think our offense is good and can learn to be great and they need too. I think our defense has a lot to get ready for before LSU comes to town and I think we can be the most powerful team in the country. We have work to do but it can be accomplished with some good training and hard repetitions. Right now we are voted the NO. 1 team in the country, I am not sure we are, to many questions. When these short timers are done with we can then go out and prove it. RTR!

[hscoach]

It is Bama's to loose.  They have a great opportunity to continue to improve the following weeks.  Facts are they win they are in, the question will be who would be the opponent.  They lose 1 this year and I don't see them in the NC game.

[Marshal Dillon]

tOSU schedule is nearly as soft as Louisville's. IMO, they shouldn't even be in the conversation. With FSU and Clemson playing in the weak ACC, I don't think either of them go. OU is not exactly playing stellar ball, but Baylor is....against nobody so far. That leaves the winner of the SEC West (because they will most likely beat the East champions in the SECCG) and the winner of the Stanford-Oregon game. I don't think UCLA could stand up to either team.

So with all that, I think Alabama/LSU will play Stanford/Oregon for the NC. If that happens and FSU/Clemson goes undefeated, there will be much angst among those fans.

I agree with your pecking order:
1. Undefeated SEC Team
2. Undefeated PAC 12 Team
3. Undefeated ACC Team
4. Undefeated Ohio State (should be one loss SEC team)
5. One Loss SEC Team

Clemson still has to play South Carolina and Florida State.
Florida State still has to play Clemson and Florida.
If one of those teams goes undefeated, I would put them ahead of an undefeated PAC12 team, but that's not what will happen.

Louisville's toughest opponent was Kentucky.  I don't think they belong in the conversation.  The Big10 schedule is a bit more difficult than that, especially with a championship game, and you know Ohio State will get the votes if they go undefeated, especially since they were undefeated last year.

But there is a lot of football left to be played.  These things usually work themselves out, though someone will feel left out.

I think you have nailed the order for playing in the NC game.


 

[ricky023]

i think one game we need not bother with is FSU and Florida. Right now FSU would destroy Fla. maybe by 28 to 30 points. There is no denying that FSU are hitting on all cylinders playing these little time schools. RTR!

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