Monday Night QB

Poor, pitiful Tennessee. Eric Berry deserves better.

So, Oklahoma State, even in a loss, garnered some respect by hanging with the 'Horns for 60 minutes on Saturday. Good for them. I wouldv'e said it's proof they're better than Texas Tech, but then the Red Raiders went out and curbed Kansas and Todd Reesing. I don't like the Jayhawks red jerseys. They look like practice, no-contact jerseys - and that's exactly how Knasas played. I guess I have to relent a little on my Texas Tech criticisms. They are very talented. Douchey, but talented. Why was Graham Harrell still throwing passes with 49 points on the board? Why was he still in the game? Because they're douchebags, that's why. But, I still think OK St. is better and I'd barely put them in my top-10. What am I going to do with my top-25?

Texas is still number 1. They deserve it. OK St. gave them a scare, and they held on. It takes a lot to go undefeated and the 'Horns moved one step closer Saturday. Now they go to Lubbock to play the streaking Red Raiders and complete the "toughest stretch of schedule in Texas history." It certainly has not been an easy task, and a worn out Texas team could falter at Tech. But, I doubt it.

The Cocktail Party (I will not be re-constructed by university admin, thank you) is the biggest SEC game this year. The winner will get the nod to the title game in ATL and still have an outside shot at Miami. The loser could still go 10-2 and get a great bowl, but their big dreams will effectively be dashed before the beer at the landing gets warm. Both teams hung 50+ on LSU. Florida only gave up 21, but Georgia played them in Baton Rouge and looked ready to get back on the plane half-way through the third quarter. It should be a fun game to watch if you're not a fan of either of these teams. If you are, this has ulcer written all over it. And, don't look for any choreography-related retribution for last year's endzone romp. Urban's too classy of a guy. He just runs up the score when he can and keeps his starters in late with a 40 point lead. Real class, there.

The winner of this game will play Alabama in ATL. And, I'd say, win.

And, I don't think these two losses mean that LSU is an awful team. They've lost two games to top-10 teams. Sure, they gave up 50 points in each, but there's something else lurking there - I just know it. A nice, high-teens ranking will fit them just fine. How they play in that showdown with 'Bama will decide if they're done or not.

Still, this is funny.

Will Auburn go to a bowl game? Yes. They'll probably beat Georgia and 'Bama. Remember a couple of years ago when Auburn was ranked #5 and had an outside shot at the national title and a rebuilding UGA blew them out? And, then, last year, the Tigers were blacked out and blown out in Sanford? There could be some revenge this year. It's just how football goes.

And, it would just be fitting if they knocked off the Tide.

Ty Willingham is out at Washington. Bill Doba got the ax last year and Paul Wulf is on the hot seat in his first year. This is all ridiculous. Why? The whole goddamn state apparently hates and sucks at football. It's not a recruiting hot bed. The weather sucks. The girls are ugly. Nike does not build palatial, high-tech facilities there, and they're too far away from CA. It's not the coaching, it's just being in Washington. Like Syracuse, it's over. The dream is gone. Let it go, and stop running down good men who don't live up to your expectations. It was racial at Notre Dame (see comparative records with Weis), but it's just unrealistic at Washington. I hope Ty gets a nice cushy, NFL assistant job and enjoys the rest of his career in peace.

Not to mention, people are tired of playing USC. They'd rather play at USC or in the Mountain West than suit up for a tired program in the Pacific northwest.

I hate the Big East and the ACC. There is no handle to be had on either of these conferences. I talked up SOFla last week and they lost to Louisville, who looks like they could actually win this conference if they tried. Virginia, apparently, is back. After a horrendous start, the Cavs have gone on a tear and are tied for the lead in their division after beating GA Tech. Duke beat a collapsing Vanderbilt and Rutgers beat Pitt (which I did call last week, btw). Who wants to win these conferences? I guess now, FSU would be my ACC front runner and I'd have to pick WVU in the BE.

Penn State is the real deal. Ohio State with Terrelle Pryor was the team I thought the Buckeyes would be this summer and they were shut down by the Lions D. And, in the end, Clark and company did enough to edge out OSU. I have no problem with their #3 ranking. They need to watch out for the Hawkeyes, though.

Kudos to Minnesota for keeping on the winning track. That has been one impressive turn around. You could compare the weather in MN to some of the places I ridiculed earlier, but at least in MN you get to be part of the Big-10. We SEC'ers might criticize that conference, but we all secretly know that there's more tradition and sleeping potential there than anywhere else. Imagine if they could consistently recruit Florida and Texas.

Rankings tomorrow, new predictions soon, and online dynasty news later.