Utah #1; Baylor, TCU in Top 5; Sooners, Cowboys, Mountaineers, Wildcats all ranked

4 thoughts on “Utah #1; Baylor, TCU in Top 5; Sooners, Cowboys, Mountaineers, Wildcats all ranked”

1. Fred,

   I think I understand more where you are coming from in compiling your list every week now. I am confused about how you are getting your playoff four vs. the rankings. Are you saying that is what we will have by the time the playoffs get here?

   If so, one assumption that can be gleaned is that you see Baylor beating TCU. I can’t see Baylor winning at the Carter. Last year’s game was won on a questionable call and some questionable TCU defense and good Baylor luck, but I can’t see Baylor winning in the Frog’s pond – there is just too much home team advantage and too much TCU team to beat, especially now that the defense is looking like the pieces – albeit new pieces – are falling into place pretty powerfully for the Frogs. Baylor is also somewhat notorious for not wanting to play teams who could beat them at their home fields (witness their aversion to playing in Lubbock for the last two or three home turns for Tech) because Baylor is not known for excelling in tough games (just check their bowl records) nor in visiting games (last year at W Va for instance).

   I just don’t see TCU losing to Baylor twice in a row. Baylor’s defense was pretty exposed last week, and against a good team like TCU it will be destroyed. Baylor’s offense is very good – no question about that – but so is TCU, and TCU is becoming (again) a much more well rounded and balanced team, Patterson’s calling card for the last two years.

   I guess I am asking why you put Baylor in the playoff over TCU, and also why you have Ohio State in the top 10 at all. They have played a bunch of nobodies and looked pretty pedestrian doing it. They remind me of Florida State last year without nearly as good an offense. I just don’t see them as top 10 material at all. I would put Michigan State in over them without any hesitancy. Utah has become a big surprise, but let’s see how they do in the Pac-12 for the next few weeks before they get anointed as special ones. With that said, they have looked pretty darn good.

   Anyway, what are you thoughts about my thoughts?

2. Weekly rankings and the Final Four are two different things…..Weekly rankings are just what they are….for this week and how the teams have played so far. The Final Four are the teams I think when it is all said and done who will be in the playoffs. Right now, currently, if Baylor played TCU, today, in Fort Worth, my money would be on Baylor. In a few weeks it might change, if TCU gets better defensively. I don’t think TCU can outscore the Bears if played next week but again, things change. As for Ohio State, they are not playing well, but I do think they will get past their schedule and win the Big 10 undefeated. No, they are not playing like they did at the end of last year but I think they will get it together. As mentioned, a Big 12 team can’t lose a game if they want to get into the playoffs and Baylor has the best chance to go undefeated. But TCU has to go to OSU and OU and that will be difficult, even if they pull out the Baylor game. Your comments are appreciated and please continue with them anytime.

3. David I agree with you on Utah. However, Utah will have to win out and not be a one loss team to make the playoffs. Baylor right now is the big dog of the Big 12. I believe that the TCU and Baylor game will give us a look at who is the candidate is for the big 12 for the playoffs. As long as they win out respectively.

   Fred I like your final four. Without any SEC teams in it. We all know the selection board is going to find a way to put a SEC team in there. Utah is showing to be a powerhouse this year they have a chance. I think Ohio State has a weak schedule this year but will make the final four due to being the champions of last year (getting same treatment FSU got last year and we saw where that went.) Overall I like your whole rankings and final four. I do have a question about the ACC and we can even bring in the Big 12. How do you feel about both conferences being a power 5 conference? It is proven that both conferences have weak schedules however I understand Big 12 right now with Texas being down right now. Who else does the ACC have right now? Again I respect your rankings and your final four. Not trying to sound like a broken record.

4. Donnie,
   Thanks for your comments. As always, they are appreciated and welcome. Another week of some good match-ups.

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