Are we already at the 3 week mark in the 2012 college football season? Week 2 gave us a major upset, major disappointments, and the realization that this could be 2011 all over again.
How might you ask could it be like 2011 again? Ask yourself a question. Then when you admit the answer (if you are not an SEC fan) please take a moment to compose yourself and calmly start reading again. We could have Alabama vs LSU again the the BCS title game. Impossible you say? There is no way the voters would allow that you scream. The SEC will have too many 1 or 2 loss teams you come back with. Point taken. But, as reality sets in just ask yourself a question. Who is going to beat either Alabama or LSU besides...well Alabama or LSU? I know some of you are probably rattling off a few would be challengers but please hear me out here. Below I will list the teams that can challenge LSU and Bama for a berth in the BCS title game.
USC- The obvious easy choice. But, I don't think the depth of the Trojans will carry them through the season undefeated. They will more than likely have to play Oregon twice. Not to mention the PAC 12 is vastly improved and there are a few teams that if they can catch USC on an off night, they can upset the Trojans.
Oklahoma- The Sooners will have a hard enough time coming out of the Big 12 with just 1 loss. I just don't see Oklahoma having enough in the tank to go undefeated and make it to Miami for the BCS title game. West Virginia, Kansas St. and Texas will have something to say about that as well.
Oregon- I believe the Ducks have the best shot at making it to the BCS title game and ending all notions of an LSU Alabama rematch. But, what I said stands in USC's way also stands in the way of the Ducks. Playing USC possibly twice and the improved PAC 12 could result in a loss or two and derail the Ducks. If I had to bet I would say the Ducks would be the team to represent someone other than the SEC in the BCS title game.
Florida St.- They have the talent. They have the historical pedigree. But, lately they also have the misfortune of dropping games to the likes of Clemson and Virginia Tech. I don't see it happening but, if the Noles get out of the regular season undefeated and get past the ACC title game, they will be a strong consideration for the BCS title game.
Georgia- An SEC East team to shake up the dominance of the SEC West teams? Well they certainly have the easy schedule to work with. If they get past South Carolina it could be smooth sailing. It would take a very strong showing in the SEC title game to even be considered. In the end I just don't think Georgia has the firepower to upset an LSU or Alabama. I won't totally rule it out but, I just don't see it.
West Virginia- I really like this team. Their offense is special. Their QB is special. Their coach is an evil genius. They would have to get to the BCS title game by going undefeated in a conference that they have never played in. They certainly have the offense. They are a threat. But, what happened to them last year when they went head up with an SEC defense? They were beaten 47-21 by LSU...At West Virginia.
Kansas State- The Wildcats could be the little engine that could this season. Collin Klein is one of the most exciting players in the country and Bill Snyder is one of the classiest and best coaches in the game. If things bounce the right way for the Wildcats I could see them getting to the BCS title game. But, I must again reference the match-ups with the SEC. The Cotton Bowl last year against an Arkansas team with a suspect defense. Arkansas 29 Kansas St. 16. I don't see them beating Alabama or LSU.
Clemson- Talent? Yes! Good coach? If you say so. But, lets be honest here. Clemson will start off around 8-0 and then drop off the face of the Earth. It happens every year. (And, yes I think West Virginia just scored again)
So there you have it. A 1 loss SEC team could again face an undefeated SEC team in the BCS title game. LSU-Alabama: The rematch of the rematch of the rematch.... That is just a scenario that could become a reality if things stay the same. The voters would ultimately have to decide if they would put a 1 loss team from a weaker conference in front of an SEC 1 loss team (Bama or LSU) that lost only to the lone undefeated team in the country. The outcome would obviously have to be very close again and not like the 21-0 Bama rout of LSU in the title game. That title game outcome could also justify not matching the two against each other again. Not to mention it wasn't a highly rated game outside of the South. What makes this rematch a lock though is if we are looking at all 2 loss teams and then a 1 loss Bama or LSU facing an undefeated Bama or LSU. I personally would like to see the SEC winner (if it is eligible...but, you know they will be) face a team from the PAC 12 or Big 12. At the end of the day though Bama and LSU are far above everybody else by way of passing the eyeball test this early in the season. Thankfully we all know that the landscape in college football is ever changing by the second. I know 99% of the people outside of Alabama and Louisiana are disagreeing with me on this and that is fair. But, be honest with yourselves. There is a very real chance it could happen again. But, another "known outcome" was that Arkansas was going to crush the powder-puff team on it's schedule known as Louisiana-Monroe. That didn't work out so well did it?
We also got to witness two new SEC teams make their debut this past week. Texas A&M lost at home to Florida and Missouri lost at home to Georgia. Both new schools have nothing to hang their head about. They both could have won. In the end though we saw what separates the SEC from the rest of the country. Extreme depth. The top tier SEC schools (even the ones having down years) have so much 4 and 5 star talent stockpiled that they can keep sending these stud players into the game. I though pound for pound that Texas A&M was better than Florida. The problem was that in the 2nd half, the Aggies could get nothing going while the Florida defense just clamped down on them and would not let up. (and yes A&M fans I know that the 2nd half was your weakness last year) I think Missouri was just outplayed and over matched as the game wore on. At the end of the day I think both Mizzou and A&M will have a better first year in the SEC than anybody thought going into the season. I am still holding out hope for a Texas A&M vs Texas match-up in the Cotton Bowl.
Week 2 Picks: 11-4
Season Total: 24-5
Here are my picks for week 3 of the college football season:
Auburn 38 Louisiana-Monroe 20 (Lightening can't strike twice in the same place...right? Auburn will not start 0-3)
LSU 48 Idaho 0
Tennessee 24 Florida 22
TCU 42 Kansas 8
Florida St. 34 Wake Forest 7
Alabama 38 Arkansas 13 (No fight in the Hogs after the ULM loss)
Notre Dame 20 Michigan St. 16
Texas 35 Ole Miss 10
Texas A&M 42 SMU 13
Ohio St. 30 Cal 21
Kansas St. 43 North Texas 12
Virginia Tech 34 Pitt 14
BYU 24 Utah 17
Missouri 29 Arizona St. 25
UPSET OF THE WEEK:
Stanford 27 USC 24
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