Well, this was a week to pick the underdogs. Taking GA Tech and Mizzou as upsets paid off for me, Pitt did not. Good for Arkansas, shutting out a middling-ranked team. Looking at the schedule, they've had close losses against some higher ranked teams, so this shouldn't be totally surprising. I was concerned about putting the Florida/Miami game so high, because intrastate rivalries often have energy that negates any advantage that comes from merely being the better team, but Florida pulled it out in the end and I really didn't have any other place to put it. Just as well I did put it at 9, that's the only one in the top half that got points for me. Pretty sure Pitt/NC wasn't favored that lopsidedly when I picked earlier in the week. Ah well. Wisconsin should rise a bit after beating Nebraska. WI has games against Iowa (unranked) and Minnesota (#25) remaining to boost their ranking. Kinda bummed to see Miss State lose. I'd hope they still make it into the playoff.
Well so much for celebrating ASU's next victory. The Sun Devils had a shot at moving up to the top five and they laid an egg.
Good to see Mizzou beat A&M and continue to hold their own destiny in the SEC East. That said, Tennessee and Arkansas in the next 2 weeks won't be easy. And to be honest, even though I'd like to see them win out and make it back to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta for the second consecutive year, there's a little part of me that wouldn't be too disappointed if they drop one and Georgia takes the East. Because even though Mizzou beat the two teams that Georgia lost to (S. Caroline & Florida), the Bulldogs whooped up on the Tigers head-to-head (34-0) and seem to be a much more dominant team overall. Besides, if Mizzou goes to Atlanta, they'll just lose to whomever represents the West, whereas Georgia would have a better shot at winning that game.
Vegas oddsmakers have Gundy going to Florida. It's kind of amazing to say, but a big part of the fan base is ready for him to leave. You have to be a special kind of asshole to win big at your alma mater, yet run off the best assistant coaches, piss off the biggest donor in college sports.
Arizona was quite dominant against Utah. Some of Utah's points came off of a stupid hands-to-the-face penalty on a bump-and-go. Missouri was not terribly impressive against Tennessee. They got a couple of long touchdowns in the clutch, but there were some dumb penalties and other nonsense. The sort of thing I expect from a mediocre team that finds ways to beat itself just as often as it finds ways to win. They did get the win, though, so yay. Don't know why the announcers were so confused about the first onside kick. The officials presumably flagged the offsides, then figured Mizzou would waive the penalty when Tennessee failed to let the ball go ten yards. Then when review decided Mizzou touched the ball, they enforced the offsides. Mind you, I didn't watch all of either game.
Alabama Oregon Florida St. Ohio St. Four major conferences played a Championship Game. One conference could have played a Championship Game, but chose not to.
NOW WHO DOUBTS?? BUCKEYES NATIONAL CHAMPS!! Suck it Oregon. FIRST PLAYOFF NATIONAL Champions at that.. the #4 seed WINS it ALL.. !!!