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Holy $hit Kentucky Beats #1 LSU!

OMG! They did it. Kentucky wins in triple OT!

Should have gone with my gut on this one.

and down goes California.

I think if the game is in the poll next week, I'll be voting against Ohio St. #1 is not a safe place.

New polls are out after another rollercoaster weekend in College Football. Here they are...

AP Top 25
1. Ohio State (50)
2. South Florida (11)
3. Boston College (1)
4. Oklahoma (1)
5. LSU (1)
6. South Carolina
7. Oregon
8. Kentucky
9. West Virginia
10. California
11. Virginia Tech
12. Arizona State (1)
13. USC
14. Florida
15. Missouri
15. Kansas
17. Hawaii
18. Auburn
19. Texas
20. Tennessee
21. Georgia
22. Texas Tech
23. Cincinnati
24. Michigan
25. Kansas State

USA Today
1. Ohio State (56)
2. Boston College (1)
3. South Florida (3)
4. Oklahoma
5. LSU
6. Oregon
7. West Virginia
8. South Carolina
9. USC
9. California
11. Virginia Tech
12. Arizona State
13. Kentucky
14. Florida
15. Kansas
16. Hawaii
17. Missouri
18. Texas
19. Auburn
20. Georgia
21. Texas Tech
22. Tennessee
23. Cincinnati
24. Virginia
25. Penn State

And the first BCS Poll is finally out.

Bowl Champ. Series
1. Ohio State
2. South Florida
3. Boston College
4. LSU
5. Oklahoma
6. South Carolina
7. Kentucky
8. Arizona State
9. West Virginia
10. Oregon
11. Virginia Tech
12. California
13. Kansas
14. USC
15. Florida
16. Missouri
17. Auburn
18. Hawaii
19. Virginia
20. Georgia
21. Tennessee
22. Texas
23. Cincinnati
24. Texas Tech
25. Michigan

Can't believe LSU lost! I really thought they might go undefeated this season. BB is right...the #1 spot has become dangerous!

SUCKS about the Uconn game. I was really hoping they'd pull it off. Too bad.

ND...man, I can't handle another loss.

The Auburn/Arkansas game had a *low* score. Anyone watch this? What happened there?

Texas Tech smashed A&M as we all predicted. I saw a bit of this game and the score pretty much shows how the game went.

I figured Louisville still had some life in them so that comes as no surprise.

And so Ohio State reigns supreme again. But I wouldn't bet on them going undefeated this season. The biggest surprise of all is South Florida and I'd love it if they finished the season as #1. But alas, we've still got quite a bit of football left.

Wow, USF?! USF??? I guess I gotta take pride finally in my alma mater! I was the first in my family to go there and my 5 younger cousins all went (or are going now) as well.

This was my favorite of all three of the past "upset" weeks. Mainly, because all of the big games were such instant classics.

Everyone thought LSU's victory last week over Florida couldn't be topped in excitement. Looks like Kentucky had something to say about that, and how! What a great game, and a great win for KY. Even though I didn't pick 'em, I was still rooting for them. Because now the SEC West is a three-way tie between Alabama, Auburn, and LSU. Exciting!!!

I was happy to see Cal get knocked down a peg, even though I still think they are a great team. All of a sudden, Arizona State is on top in the PAC-10.

Ah, Cincinatti, what happened guys?

Cobie, I watched most of that Auburn-Arkansas game. The reason the score was so low was because both offenses were really inept. It looked BAD. And even though Arkansas didn't win (which would have probably knocked Auburn out of contention in the SEC West and been AWESOME) it was still a good look at Auburn's flaws. I have a good feeling about this year's Iron Bowl!!!

OSU has got to get past Michigan. And I'm starting to believe in South Florida to go all the way. They will have to be perfect, though. All in all, what a season thus far!!!

This week's standings:

Blockade Boy: 7-3 (.700)
Lard Lad: 6-4 (.600)
Cobalt Kid: 5-5 (.500)
Kid Prime: 5-5 (.500)
Ultra Jorge: 4-6 (.400)
Vee: 4-6 (.400)

Fairly tough week, though BB continues to widen his lead. Can anything stop him???

Standings thus far:

Blockade Boy: 34-16 (.680)
Kid Prime: 28-22 (.560)
Lard Lad: 28-22 (.560)
Vee: 27-23 (.540)
Cobalt Kid: 27-23 (.540)
Ultra Jorge: 21-19 (.525)

Here are the games I think would be good choices for this week:

#2 South Florida at Rutgers (THURSDAY)
Louisville at Connecticut (FRIDAY)
#24 Texas Tech at #16 Missouri
#15 Florida at #7 Kentucky
Miami at Florida State
#19 Virginia at Maryland
#12 California at UCLA
#21 Tennessee at Alabama
#17 Auburn at #4 LSU
#25 Michigan at Illinois

And here are some alternates, if anyone thinks these would be better choices:

#13 Kansas at Colorado
#10 Oregon at Washington
Michigan State at #1 Ohio State

As always, let me know if you would like to see any changes.

geez, i'm losing bad.

Kid Prime's mid-season conference analysis:

Generally, by this point in the season, even though most teams have only played about 1/3 of their conference schedule, most conferences have shaken down to just a handful of teams. However, this year it just isn't so. Let's take a look at teams still in contention in their individual conferences and their conference records.

ACC Atlantic

In the lead: Boston College (3-0)
Still strong: Wake Forest (2-1), Maryland (2-1)
Barely in contention: Clemson (2-2)

BC is undoubtedly in the driver's seat, but they must play at both Maryland and Clemson later in the season. Wake Forest has a loss to BC, but they also have a win over Maryland. Maryland has a win over Clemson, who is just barely alive. They will need help from the other teams here. BC-VT looms huge for the national picture, but BC can afford a loss there and still make it to the ACC championship.

Predicted winner: Boston College

ACC Coastal

In the lead: Virginia (3-0), Virginia Tech (3-0)

This is going to be decided when these two teams play the last game of the season, more than likely.

Predicted winner: Virginia Tech

Big 12 North

In the lead: Kansas (2-0)
Still strong: Missouri (1-1), Kansas State (2-1), Colorado (2-1)

Missouri stands the best chance of knocking off Kansas here. Kansas State already has a loss to Kansas, while Colorado has lost to Kansas State. Another huge season-ending conference game for the Jayhawks and the Tigers!

Predicted winner: Missouri

Big 12 South

In the lead: Oklahoma (2-1)
Still strong: Texas Tech (2-1), Oklahoma State (2-1), Texas A&M (2-1)

Oklahoma is in the driver's seat in this division, as the other three teams here are all splitting a loss among themselves. However, with a win over the Sooners, any of these three teams could find themselves on top.

Predicted winner: Oklahoma

Big East

In the lead: South Florida (1-0), Connecticut (1-0)
Still strong: Cincinatti (1-1), West Virginia (1-1), Rutgers (1-1), Louisville (1-1)

Interestingly enough, Louisville could still strongly contend here, since their loss is a throwaway one to Syracuse. Not likely... but interesting nonetheless. This one is South Florida's to lose.

Predicted winner: South Florida

Big Ten

In the lead: Ohio State (3-0), Michigan (3-0)
Still strong: Illinois (3-1)
Barely in contention: Penn State (2-2), Wisconsin (2-2), Indiana (2-2), Northwestern (2-2), Michigan State (1-2), Purdue (1-2)

Ohio State and Michigan really have this one controlled at the moment, though it is very interesting how many teams still have an outside shot at this. I still think Michigan could very well come out of this on top.

Predicted winner: Michigan

Conference USA East

In the lead: Southern Miss (2-1)
Still strong: East Carolina (3-1), Central Florida (1-1)
Barely in contention: Memphis (1-1), UAB (1-1)

Southern Miss gets the lead in this conference division by virtue of beating East Carolina. However, anything can happen, and a decent UCF team could really mix things up...

Predicted winner: East Carolina

Conference USA West

In the lead: UTEP (2-1), Houston (2-1)
Still strong: Tulsa (2-1)

Tulsa gets knocked down a peg because they lost to UTEP.

Predicted winner: Houston

Mid-American East

In the lead: Miami(OH) (3-0)
Still strong: Buffalo (2-1), Akron (2-1)
Barely in contention: Bowling Green (1-1)

The interesting thing about this one is that Miami(OH) hosts both Buffalo and Akron consecutively later on in the season.

Predicted winner: Miami(OH)

Mid-American West

In the lead: Central Michigan (3-0)
Still strong: Western Michigan (2-1)

This is mainly a two-horse race at the moment.

Predicted winner: Central Michigan

Mountain West

In the lead: Brigham Young (3-0)
Barely in contention: Air Force (4-1), Wyoming (1-1), New Mexico (1-1), San Diego State (1-1)

The reason most of these teams are barely in contention is because BYU has already beaten them. BYU is going to have to have 2 conference losses to lose this conference, more than likely. They are actually the strongest lock for a particular conference bowl tie-in (Holiday Bowl) at this point.

Predicted winner: Brigham Young

PAC-10

In the lead: Arizona State (4-0), UCLA (3-0)
Still strong: California (2-1), Oregon (2-1), USC (3-1)
Barely in contention: Oregon State (2-2)

Didn't expect that, did you? This conference my be the most compelling one in D-1 at this point. Honestly, UCLA is probably going to drop, but any of the other 4 top teams could pull this out. Should be extremely exciting!!!

Predicted winner: Cal

Sun Belt

In the lead: Troy (3-0), Florida Atlantic (2-0)
Barely in contention: Arkansas State (1-1)

Should be a big game on 12/1 between Troy and FAU.

Predicted winner: Troy

WAC

In the lead: Hawaii (4-0), Fresno State (3-0), Boise State (2-0)

San Jose State is 2-1 in the conference currently, but they're not even really barely in contention here. Hawaii has to be the favorite here.

Predicted winner: Hawaii

SEC East

In the lead: South Carolina (3-1)
Still strong: Tennessee (2-1), Kentucky (2-1), Florida (2-2)
Barely in contention: Georgia (3-2)

This is an extremely exciting November getting ready to unfold in the SEC east. South Carolina is in the driver's seat at the moment, but Tennessee, if they win out, will go to the SEC championship. Kentucky and Florida both need a little bit of help, but they are very much in it still. Unfortunately, Georgia, despite a good SEC record thus far, is practically out of contention by virtue of their losses to South Carolina and Tennessee.

Predicted winner: Florida

SEC West

In the lead: LSU (3-1), Alabama (3-1), Auburn (3-1)

This is a bona fide exciting 3-way race at this point, as none of these teams have played each other. LSU plays host to Auburn this weekend, Alabama plays host to LSU after both teams get a week off, and Auburn plays host to Alabama on Thanksgiving weekend.

Predicted winner: ALABAMA

Let the second half of this memorable college football season commence!!!

On the road, (can't wait to read Kipper's above post), but I have to say I like your current picks for this weekend's games!

I'm thinking about replacing #12 Cal at UCLA with Texas A&M at Nebraska, which is the battle of the Big 12 hot seat coaches.

Alright, here are the games for this week:

#2 South Florida at Rutgers (THURSDAY)
Louisville at Connecticut (FRIDAY)
#24 Texas Tech at #16 Missouri
#15 Florida at #7 Kentucky
Miami at Florida State
#19 Virginia at Maryland
#12 California at UCLA
#21 Tennessee at Alabama
#17 Auburn at #4 LSU
#25 Michigan at Illinois

Let's try to have picks in before the Thursday night game starts!

I'll go (with little analysis b/c I'm in a rush)!

South Florida - though I love Rutgers.

Louisville - I'm sorry UCONN. Please, please surprise me! I'd rather lose here if you win!

Missouri - It all comes down to the defense since both teams are so offensively strong.

Florida - Kentucky following up last week with a win here? Not convinced...

Miami - damn these Florida teams and their unpreditability when they play each other . I'm going Hurricanes.

Maryland - but dammit if this wasn't the hardest one to pick. Virginia is the better team IMO, but there are other factors at play here. Maryland wins games like this more than half the time for some reason or another (almost like Michigan State, but not as reliable). So I'm going with Maryland, in support of Claire's family from Wedding Crashers.

Cali - It comes down to thinking that Cali is just a better team than UCLA.

Alabama - overrated Tennessee will feel the wrath of Kipper's Crimson Tide.

LSU - I honestly don't think Auburn is even in the same league as LSU. LSU, despite a loss, is probably what I'd still say the best team in college football.

Michigan - Illinois was hella-impressive two weeks ago. But last week not so much. Damn those Wolverines...such a crappy beginning but they've rebounded and I think they're pretty strong. Look for a win here, more in the coming weeks...and dare I make the prediction waaaay in advance? Dare I say? Sure. They'll beat Ohio State at the end of the season . (Subject to change given a change in the evidence )

Bonus Cobie pick - lets go ND over USC!

South Florida: I'm on the band wagon!
Louisville
Missouri
Florida

Florida State: I hate FSU and i'm a mild Miami fan but I am going with my gut. Miami has lost two in a row. I can't believe USF is #2 and FSU & Miami are nowhere in the top 25. Wow.

Virginia
California
Alabama

LSU: though I hope LSU does lose I ain't going to pick against them.

Michigan

And like Cobie I am hoping Notre Dame also beats USC. Always been a ND fan. It was the catholic school upbringing.

Like the picks and wouldn't mind the swap. Either way is good by me.

Rutgers
Connecticut
Texas Tech
Kentucky
Florida State
Maryland
California
Alabama
LSU
Michigan

#2 South Florida at Rutgers (THURSDAY) ~ Rutgers is going to be very pumped for this game because it is their chance to restart their Big East championship drive. Plus this game is in Piscataway. But they haven't demonstrated the ability to take on a high powered team like the Bulls, whereas USF certainly has proven that they have what it takes. Vee's pick ~ USF

Louisville at Connecticut (FRIDAY) ~ Louisville's lack of defense scares me but they sure can score points. I'd love to see UConn win but I'm not sure they're quiet ready for this yet. I'll be rooting for UConn but...Vee's pick ~ Louisville

#24 Texas Tech at #16 Missouri ~ Tough one to call but it's at Columbia. Vee's pick ~ Missouri

#15 Florida at #7 Kentucky ~ Another difficult choice. These are the last two teams to play LSU. Florida lost a close one and Kentucky won in triple OT. The game is in Lexington but Florida had an off week to prepare for the Wildcats. Last week I wanted to pick Kentucky and talked myself out of it. This week I'm trying to talk myself into it and I'm sure I'll guess wrong again! Vee's pick ~ Florida (man, I sure hope Kentucky doesn't ruin my week again! )

Miami at Florida State ~ Talk about a game that can really ruin my week! My Canes have been disappointing this year and tough to figure from week to week as have the Seminoles. Both teams have serious QB issues. Miami hasn't won a single away game this year and this one is in Tallahassee but it's against FSU and we always get up for this game. I really not sure which Miami team, or which FSU team will be on the field for the game. What a frustrating year this has been! Vee's pick ~ Miami (more out of loyalty than certainty.)

#19 Virginia at Maryland ~ Both these teams have been surprising this year but the game is in College Park. Another toss up for me so I'm going with home field advantage. Vee's pick ~ Maryland

#12 California at UCLA ~ UCLA has disappointed me with their poor performance this year. I really thought they were much better at the start of the year but they have not played to expectations. Cal will be all riled up from losing their #2 slot last week. This one is really the only easy one in my mind. Vee's pick ~ Cal

#21 Tennessee at Alabama ~ Another tough, tough, tough call! I am so torn about picking this game that I actually went to look at the point spread for it...it's at "0"! Since this is a home game for Alabama I'm going with the Tide but I have a baaaaad feeling about it. Vee's pick ~ Alabama

#17 Auburn at #4 LSU ~ Auburn's gotten better since the season started but not good enough to beat LSU at home. Vee's pick ~ LSU

#25 Michigan at Illinois ~ I believe this is going to be a much closer, more exciting game than most people are expecting and I'm making it my upset pick of the week. Vee's pick ~ Illinois

Rutgers
Louisville
Missouri
Kentucky
Florida State
Virginia
California
Alabama
LSU
Illinois

As good as South Florida is, they just don't feel like a number two team to me. I'm picking against them because this away game, moreso than their home game against West Virginia, is their biggest challenge of the season. They beat Auburn, but it can be argued that Auburn underestimated them at the time and was caught with their pants down.

So if USF wins this one, away from home and with no one underestimating them, it'll go a long way towards my accepting them as number 2. But they gotta prove me wrong here first!

My picks:

#2 South Florida at Rutgers (THURSDAY): I think USF is the real deal. Seeing them dismantle West Virginia the way they did... Ray Rice is good, but he's no Steve Slaton and Pat White combined. Maybe Rutgers's defense keeps them in it, but South Florida will keep on rolling strong.

Winner - South Florida

Louisville at Connecticut (FRIDAY): The most anyone has scored on UConn this year is 17 points. You know, that's pretty good! I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that's enough to hold back Louisville.

Winner - Connecticut

#24 Texas Tech at #16 Missouri: Man, this one is a killer. Texas Tech has a heck of a passing offense once again, but Missouri is the more balanced team. I give this one to Missouri with good ball control and homefield advantage.

Winner - Missouri

#15 Florida at #7 Kentucky: Another hard choice. Too many intangibles in this game to really be sure of how it's going to go, but my gut says Kentucky.

Winner - Kentucky

Miami at Florida State: Geez, what a year for these two teams. Other than Miami's loss to Oklahoma, they're been at least competitive in their games, though, and both have beaten some quality competition and lost to some others. What the hell, I'll go ahead and predict Wide Right V. Why not?

Winner - Miami

#19 Virginia at Maryland: Yet ANOTHER close one. This week is turning out to be harder than I thought it was going to be when I put it together!

Winner - Virginia

#12 California at UCLA: UCLA doesn't have a quarterback right now. No, really. They don't have one.

Winner - California

#21 Tennessee at Alabama: You have to ask? But seriously, I feel our guys are spoiling for a breakout game. Probably going to go down to the final few seconds yet again. And no doubt everyone will be up for it. WE. HATE. TENNESSEE. ROLL TIDE!!!

Winner - ALABAMA

#17 Auburn at #4 LSU: Not a chance, Tubs. Not unless you can convince Les Miles to go for it on 4th down every time. Oh, wait... Nah. Still LSU.

Winner - LSU

#25 Michigan at Illinois: I'm still believing that Michigan's gonna run the table in the Big 10.

Winner - Michigan

I called it on South Florida/Rutgers (as did BB). South Florida was this year's Rutgers, and like Rutgers did last year, they lost to another Big East rival. Without a doubt the Big East is improving, but overall, the conference and its constituents still have some catching up to do with the Big Boys. I think we'll see a Big east team play for the national championship in the near future, but they're not quite there yet.

Make no mistake, South Florida is definitely one of the nation's best college football teams this year, but they were a little over-rated in regard to being a number 2. Tonight proved that.

I do hope they bounce back and run the table the rest of the way though. I'd love to see them in a BCS bowl!

Oh, I give up!

Wild season, though.