2005 college football schedule analysis

[wilheim]

An analysis of the schedule for each team in the five major conferences and a look at some of the best games on the calendar.


http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/3388998



wil.

 

[wilheim]

On schedule: Big games of the year

Sept. 1

Arizona at Utah: Two defensive wizards face off. In his first game, Utah's Kyle Whittingham gets a rebuilding Pac-10 bottom dweller. Arizona's Mike Stoops can't afford to lose this one if his team wants to go bowling. The Utes won't be as explosive as Urban Meyer's bunch, but they won't be punchless. At stake, Utah's 16-game winning streak (second-best to USC). Given Utah's schedule, the streak could reach 20 before a trip to North Carolina on Oct. 1.

Central Florida at South Carolina: Interesting only because Steve Spurrier kicks off his Gamecocks career against a team he can't lose to. Think of the grumbles that will start if South Carolina loses to a team with the nation's longest losing streak (15).



Sept. 3

Notre Dame at Pittsburgh: Weis vs. Wanny in each coach's first college game as a head man. Great -- OK, really good -- quarterback matchup: (Tom) Brady Quinn vs. Tyler Palko. Given each team's knee-jerk fans, the heat begins right away for the loser.

Wyoming at Florida: Interesting opener for Urban Meyer. Yes, Florida should win by at least three touchdowns, but the Cowboys won't be the pushover you thought. Third-year coach Joe Glenn is a master strategist who made his bones at the Division II and I-AA levels. Wyoming has 19 starters back from a team that went 7-5 and beat UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Boise State at Georgia: The Broncos under Dan Hawkins are used to playing "up." Their 39-3 record the past three seasons is usually passed off as a product of being the best in the WAC (where they are 24-0 over that span). But someday they're going to pull off that upset that causes earthquakes. This could be it. Boise State reminds some of early Florida State teams under Bobby Bowden. They take on all comers and beat some. Georgia had better be ready because Boise will be able to control the clock with the running game and hit big passes fired by Jared Zabransky. Coming off a narrow bowl loss to Louisville, the Broncos already know they can play "up."



Sept. 4

Virginia Tech at North Carolina State: The defending ACC champs started 2-2 last year. One of those losses was a heartbreaker at home to the Wolfpack. Virginia Tech's title hopes could be wrecked on opening day (a Sunday night) if Beamer's boys don't come up big. It's the first time since 1997 Tech has opened away from home.



Sept. 5

Miami at Florida State: Not so fast, John Swofford. When this Labor Day night series was signed with ABC, the thinking was the ACC's two best teams would provide a marquee game to kick off the season. Maybe, but not necessarily this year. Both teams will be breaking in new starters at quarterback (Wyatt Sexton subbed for Chris Rix at times last year at FSU). There's a good chance at least one of the teams will start ranked out of the top 10.

Sept. 10

Texas at Ohio State: 'Horns quarterback Vince Young admittedly was watching film of the Buckeyes in March (if not before). In the space of nine months, Texas will have played the Big Ten's flagships (Michigan and Ohio State) for the first time each. Ohio State fans are already wondering: Will it be Troy Smith or Justin Zwick at quarterback? Smith is suspended for the Miami (Ohio) opener, but if Zwick plays well in his place, coach Jim Tressel might have a tough choice in naming a starter for Texas. This is the biggest non-conference game each team has played in years. It will be interesting to see if Ted Ginn Jr. blows past the Texas defense and/or Young can befuddle A.J. Hawk and rest of the Buckeyes linebackers.

Notre Dame at Michigan: The beginning of the Weis era gets a huge test. ND plays four of the first five on the road. Yes, that means that five of the last six are at home too. But it also means there is no margin for error. To assure a bowl berth, the Irish would do well to win at Pittsburgh (Sept. 3), Michigan or Purdue (Oct. 1). Since 1998, the schools have alternated victories. The last team to win on the road in this series was Michigan in 1994.

Southern Miss at Alabama: Embarrassment Alert. The Eagles have been pretty much punchless against the Tide since their monumental 21-0 victory in 2000. If 'Bama is going to be representative in the SEC this year, it must win this game. In this age of parity, Southern Miss is one of just eight teams to have at least 11 consecutive winning seasons in Division I.

Arizona State at LSU: The Sun Devils don't know what they're in for. This is not the laidback Pac-10. LSU is the dark horse SEC favorite. The Pac-10's second-best team must prove its toughness in an environment that will be loud, humid and intimidating.



Sept. 17

Tennessee at Florida: Oh goodness, is it here already? This game will determine early supremacy in the SEC. Meyer will bring out the trick bag. Tennessee must defend the option. Florida must be able to stop Gerald Riggs Jr., who will get his share of carries in order to silence The Swamp. The Gators should still be smarting over last year's last-second, 50-yard field goal loss in Knoxville.

Miami at Clemson: When was the last time Miami played its first two on the road? Try 1990. Canes do get 12 days between the Florida State opener and this one.

Pittsburgh at Nebraska: On a hot September afternoon last year, Palko came of age in the second half against Nebraska. This will be tougher. Bill Callahan has had a year to work out the kinks, and the Panthers have to go on the road to Lincoln.

Fresno State at Oregon: Since 2000, Pat Hill has beaten teams from BCS conferences 10 times. A victory in Eugene not only wouldn't be surprising, it should be expected. Fresno State and Boise State will battle it out to be this year's Utah coming out of the WAC.



Sept. 21

Bowling Green at Boise State: A rare intersectional battle between two non-BCS powers. BG's quarterback Omar Jacobs was recruited by Urban Meyer. Forty-one touchdowns and four interceptions proved way back that the Florida coach had a shrewd eye.



Sept. 24

Iowa at Ohio State: This is likely Iowa's make-or-break game in the Big Ten. The difference might be Ohio State playing its fourth consecutive home game to start the season. Bucks will be looking to take down Drew Tate, who helped beat them by 26 in Iowa City last year.

Notre Dame at Washington: We'll know once and for all whether Tyrone Willingham is made up of computer chips or not. A human would have more revenge on his mind than Oprah has ribs on her plate. Ty was fired by ND 10 months ago. Now the Irish, many of whom he recruited, come to Seattle. Great theater.

Tennessee at LSU: Who is the SEC schedule maker? The Vols play back-to-back games at Gainesville and Baton Rouge. A split might be cause for celebration. In that case, Phil Fulmer would still be alive for the SEC title. Two losses would be disaster.



Oct. 1

USC at Arizona State: Possibly the biggest game at Sun Devil Stadium since Arizona State shut out Nebraska in 1996 (NFL included). Devils will have to get off to a better start than they did last year when USC led 42-0 at halftime.

Iowa State at Nebraska: In the pillow fight that is the Big 12 North, this qualifies as a showdown. Many think the Cyclones are the "class" of the division. Win it, and this will be their first division/conference first-place finish of any kind since 1912. Don't get your hopes up either way. The North is wide open, and these teams combined to finish 12-11 last year.



Oct. 8

Texas-Oklahoma (at Dallas): If 'Clones-'Skers are the story in the North, Texas-Oklahoma should decide the South. You know the story: Oklahoma has won the past five in a row. Texas will be favored to win the division. Stay with the smart money. With all kinds of firepower last year, Texas got shut out for the first time since the rocks cooled.

Georgia at Tennessee: Georgia lost twice last year -- to Tennessee and Auburn. Think that didn't make a difference in the SEC race? The winner stays alive in the SEC East.

Oct. 15

Florida at LSU: All those who think the Gators are going to compete for the SEC title better check the schedule. By kickoff, Florida will have played Tennessee at home and Alabama on the road; survive that and the Gators will have to win in Baton Rouge, where they've done just that in the past three visits.

USC at Notre Dame: If the Irish survive the early schedule, they will have proved worthy enough for this game. USC has won the past three by the same 31-point margin. The best Weis can hope for is a raw, cold day to take the edge off the speedy Trojans.



Oct. 22

Michigan at Iowa: Going into the season, Michigan is Iowa's last loss. After a 30-17 spanking at the Big House, the Hawkeyes won their last eight. Things should be better than last year's season-low minus-15 rushing yards in Ann Arbor.



Oct. 29

Florida-Georgia (at Jacksonville, Fla.): Both coaches are judged by how they do in this game. Mark Richt won his first last year. Florida has won 13 of the past 15 before Meyer steps into the Cocktail Party.

South Carolina at Tennessee: Just for curiosity's sake. Spurrier and Fulmer traded barbs in the offseason. Now Tennessee gets a chance to lay half a hundred on a down (for now) Gamecocks program.



Nov. 3

Pittsburgh at Louisville: Welcome to the Big East's newest rivalry. Both programs should arrive at this date the top two teams in the reconfigured conference. Figure on a combined 80 points and a couple of 300-yard passing games by Palko and Brian Brohm.



Nov. 5

Miami at Virginia Tech: Amazingly, Virginia Tech has won seven of the past 10 meetings. Miami is an existing dynasty, but it must win here to keep the Hokies from getting the inside track to its second consecutive ACC title. Quick aside: This game might feature the nation's two best defensive backs -- Miami's Devin Hester and Tech's Jimmy Williams.



Nov. 12

Boise State at Fresno: Fresno's biggest game of the season until the next week at USC. One step at a time. Hill is 0-4 against Boise. This rivalry picked up in 2001 when Boise ruined Fresno's 6-0 start with a 35-30 victory in The Valley. The winner this year not only has the inside track to the WAC (ho-hum) but might become this year's Utah if it can run the table.

Florida at South Carolina: Another curiosity game. By this time, we expect the Gamecocks to be bloodied and beaten, but Spurrier will rally them for a supreme effort against his alma mater. Spurrier showed no mercy when he was on the other side. He was 10-0 against South Carolina while at Florida, beating it by an average of 25 points. Will Urban Meyer be any more merciful?

Navy at Notre Dame: Morbid curiosity game. ND has won the past 41 in a row. Expect it to be 42. Hide the women, children and Midshipmen.



Nov. 19

Memphis at Southern Miss: Quick, name the teams in Conference USA East. The Tigers and Eagles are two of them. The winner should get to C-USA's first championship game. Southern Miss wants revenge for a bitter 30-26 loss at Memphis last year. The Eagles also want to stop DeAngelo Williams, the non-BCS Reggie Bush, who is rated among the top five for next year's NFL draft.

Ohio State at Michigan: It didn't do The Big Game justice last year that Michigan lost by 16 at Ohio State and was still able to go to the Rose Bowl. Both these schools should start in the top 10 and stay there to decide the Big Ten on this day again. Unless Iowa wins, of course.

Fresno State at USC: Pete Carroll really is fearless. There was absolutely no reason for him to take this game. USC will be coming off an emotional game at Cal. No telling what physical condition the Trojans will be in -- beat up, at least. The last team you'd want in the Coliseum at this point is Fresno State. All those California kids who weren't recruited by USC going to L.A. to prove themselves against the best team in the country. Danger, Will Robinson. Carroll threw Hill a bone after listening to the Fresno coach's anyone, anytime, anywhere mantra over the years. Watch out, Trojans.

Nov. 25

Nebraska at Colorado, Texas at Texas A&M: The Big 12 championship game decided on the same day?



Nov. 26

Florida State at Florida: This is the sixth time Florida has appeared on this list. Think the Gators have a few big games this season? Florida State has won five of the past seven meetings but seems to be the third-best team in the state this season. Who will be Bowden's quarterback by this time?

Georgia at Georgia Tech: The Wreck needs this game because going into the season, the year has been a wreck. Coach Chan Gailey suffered a mild heart attack. The schedule is one of the toughest in the country -- seven bowl teams against which Georgia Tech went 2-5 last year. It was only 3-4 at home last year.



Dec. 3

Army-Navy (in Philadelphia): Navy has been able to get back on national radar playing an independent schedule. Army figured out indy status was its best chance. Goodbye Conference USA, hello bowl game?

UCLA at USC: This is becoming USC's traditional jumping off point for a national championship. USC has won six in a row. Might be college football's last chance to end up ending what will be a 32-game winning streak by this day.


Sportsline

 

[AlwaysKeen]

thanks for this...

 

[DeathEatsaCracker]

Boise State at Georgia: The Broncos under Dan Hawkins are used to playing "up." Their 39-3 record the past three seasons is usually passed off as a product of being the best in the WAC (where they are 24-0 over that span). But someday they're going to pull off that upset that causes earthquakes. This could be it. Boise State reminds some of early Florida State teams under Bobby Bowden. They take on all comers and beat some. Georgia had better be ready because Boise will be able to control the clock with the running game and hit big passes fired by Jared Zabransky. Coming off a narrow bowl loss to Louisville, the Broncos already know they can play "up."

I already know I'm taking BSU and the points here.

 

[Roxygurl]

im tingling all over with thoughts of college football coming! i was looking at underrated dark horses i loved froml last year who will shock the world this year. im ready baby bring it on!we need some new action in here. arty:

 

[MightyMoe]

I Can Hardly Wait!!!

Hard to believe that college football is almost here? There is nothing that compares to college football in the fall on a campus and oh ya, gambling! If we could only get rid of the BCS and get a playoff, life would be perfect!

arty:

 

[wilheim]

TarHeels have brutal schedule - tied with Ga. Tech for toughest in Nation

North Carolina's schedule is a joke. Not in the I-AA, cream-puff, pushover sense. More like: What the Heel is John Bunting thinking?

"I've got to believe we have the toughest schedule," said Bunting, heading into his fifth season as coach of that other sport in Chapel Hill. "Our kids know that."

Hard to tell whether that is a boast or a cry for help. Some of it has been inherited, some of it is manufactured, but North Carolina's schedule has a lot in common with Ashlee Simpson's treatment of the musical scale.
Both are brutal.

If anything, the degree of difficulty has increased for 2005.

North Carolina and Georgia Tech tied for No. 1 in schedule strength, according to the formula devised by CBS SportsLine.com. That's not exactly a surprise considering Carolina had the second-toughest schedule in 2004, according to the NCAA and was No. 1 in the respected Sagarin Ratings.

The catch is that schedule strength doesn't necessarily translate into success. In fact, it makes it damn hard for programs like Carolina. Since 2001, the Heels are 6-9 in non-conference games, 2-6 against teams from BCS leagues.

A team like Kansas State has played a total of eight BCS-league non-conference games in the past 11 years. North Carolina did it in the past four, having played teams from seven different leagues during that span as the joke took shape.

"Some of that scheduling was there (when I arrived) and the ACC wasn't the way it is today," Bunting said. "The ACC the way it is now, you don't want to be scheduling powerhouses."

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="50%" align=left border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD colSpan=3>Rating by Conferences </TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TD>Rnk </TD><TD>Conference </TD><TD>Rating </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>1 </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.2955 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>2 </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.1887 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>3 </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.1750 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>4 </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.1544 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>5 </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.1294 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6 </TD><TD>Indep. </TD><TD>1.0883 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>7 </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.0716 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>8 </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>0.9094 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>9 </TD><TD>M. West </TD><TD>0.8908 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>10 </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>0.7853 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>11 </TD><TD>C-USA </TD><TD>0.7362 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>12 </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>0.6661 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Bunting, 54, arrived at his alma mater at a weird time. ACC expansion had yet to become an issue in 2001. North Carolina was initially against it.

Meanwhile, the schedule had been upgraded from the Mack Brown-Carl Torbush days. With expansion, Miami is an annual opponent in the ACC Coastal Division and the non-conference hits just keep on coming. This year's out-of-league Burma Road includes Wisconsin, Utah and Louisville, a combined 32-4 in 2004.

"I was one that wanted it, because I think it will help us in recruiting," Bunting said of expansion. "I think we're the best university in the ACC, in terms of everything it has to offer."

Bunting asked his first team if they wanted to travel to Oklahoma to open the season in '01. What do kids know? Of course, the seniors voted enthusiastically to play the Sooners in their first game since winning the 2000 national championship.

"We almost got blown out in the first five, six minutes," he said. "A turnover returned for a touchdown, a kickoff returned for a touchdown. It was 28-0 at the end of the first quarter."

The Heels were respectable, losing by 14, but in the second week of September 2001, Bunting's first team was 0-3 after roadies to Oklahoma, Maryland and Texas. Then 9/11 hit, pushing a layup against SMU to the end of the season. But a funny thing happened during the two-week layoff -- Carolina got better. It beat Florida State at home, starting a five-game winning streak, the highlight of an 8-5 season.

In 2002, Carolina played Syracuse (win) and Texas (loss) back-to-back. In 2004, Louisville and Utah popped up on the schedule. The two top 10 teams whipped the Heels by a combined 80-16.

"Who knew that Louisville was going to be like they are (11-1)?" Bunting said. "Who knew that Utah was going to have Alex Smith and Urban Meyer was going to construct that type of offense that destroyed everybody?"

Before this year's first spring practice, Bunting had a short film made for his team embracing the schedule issue. It starred fifth-year quarterback Matt Baker.

"He's going through the schedule, eyeballing it in the lockerroom," Bunting said. "The first time he shakes his head. The second time he goes, 'Oh wow' and the third time he goes, 'Holy S---, look at this schedule?'"

Then, mimicking a current office supplier commercial, Baker presses the "easy" button.

If it were only that simple.

You just wonder why Bunting continues to endure (or welcome?) the punishment. With a 19-30 record in his four seasons, he has played roulette with his career. Bunting has been close to termination (if you believe the pundits). Now the former Tar Heels all-ACC linebacker says he's close to glory.

"Our kids are toughened to the point where they don't get rattled," Bunting said. "Playing the types of opponents we play, they're not scared. I just think they're battle-hardened."

The evidence suggests that Carolina is making a slow, deliberate turnaround.

After a 5-19 patch in 2002 and 2003, Carolina rebounded in 2004 with a 6-6 bowl season that included a life-changing upset of the Hurricanes. Ninety minutes after the game, Bunting was surprised to find a fellow Class of '72 Tar Heel waiting to congratulate him -- Roy Williams.

If Carolina can beat the Canes with a third-string tailback (the departed Chad Scott) and a porous defense, think what it can do this year. Bunting has arguably his best team with the return of 18 seniors and 10 defensive starters. All that group has to do is get past four 2004 bowl teams in the first five weeks.

North Carolina (eight) and Georgia Tech (six) are at the top primarily because they face a combined 14 bowl teams. The programs are among a handful of the 119 I-A teams playing three teams with at least 10 wins from 2004.

The symmetry is beautiful. North Carolina opens the season at Georgia Tech on Sept. 10. The winner and loser know the schedule will only get harder.



Notes on the formula

Each conference team started with a base number. That number was reached by determining the overall 2004 winning percentage of each conference (based on 2005 membership). In the ACC that number was .571. To that number was added the percentage of 2004 bowl teams multiplied by .75. Seventy-five percent of the ACC's seven bowl teams (including Boston College) is .4374.

Added together the ACC's base number is 1.0088.

Teams were then given credit for playing 2004 bowl teams in the non-conference (.0178 per team) and for each game overall against a 10-win team (.109). The thinking being that even though it is a new year, bowl teams, especially really good bowl teams, will have some carryover.

Both Carolina and Georgia Tech were from the same conference. Each face three bowl teams in the non-conference and three 10-win teams from 2004. That's why their total is identical -- 1.3893.

The Big East has the toughest schedule strength overall largely because six of its eight teams went to bowls last season. The league got a huge boost in schedule strength by inheriting Louisville and Cincinnati, two 2004 bowl teams from Conference USA.

Seven of the top 12 teams in CBS SportsLine.com's strength of schedule rating are from that reconfigured Big East. That will be a big surprise to SEC (No. 2 in schedule strength) and Big 12 (No. 3) loyalists who annually argue about the strongest conference.

What about defending champion USC? It is in the middle at No. 56 overall. Orange Bowl opponent Oklahoma is tied for the 36th-toughest schedule. Not that that necessarily indicates success. Last year USC ended the season No. 18 in NCAA schedule strength. Oklahoma was No. 11.

In case you're wondering about the Big Three talent-producing states: Baylor (Texas), South Florida (Florida) and Stanford (California) have the toughest schedules in those states.

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD colSpan=4>2005 Strength of Schedule </TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TD>Rnk </TD><TD>School </TD><TD>Conf. </TD><TD>Rating </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>1 </TD><TD>North Carolina </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.3893 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>1 </TD><TD>Georgia Tech </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.3893 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>3 </TD><TD>West Virginia </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.385 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>3 </TD><TD>Rutgers </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.385 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>5 </TD><TD>Notre Dame </TD><TD>Independent </TD><TD>1.380 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6 </TD><TD>Kentucky </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.369 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>7 </TD><TD>Syracuse </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.320 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>8 </TD><TD>South Florida </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.293 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>9 </TD><TD>Georgia </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.287 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>10 </TD><TD>Connecticut </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.276 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>10 </TD><TD>Pittsburgh </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.276 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>12 </TD><TD>Cincinnati </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.258 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>13 </TD><TD>Arizona </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.2718 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>13 </TD><TD>Stanford </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.2718 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>15 </TD><TD>South Carolina </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.269 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>16 </TD><TD>UCLA </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.262 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>17 </TD><TD>Arkansas </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.260 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>18 </TD><TD>Duke </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.235 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>19 </TD><TD>Baylor </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.229 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>20 </TD><TD>Maryland </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.226 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>21 </TD><TD>Kansas </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.2208 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>21 </TD><TD>Oklahoma State </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.2208 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>21 </TD><TD>Texas A&M </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.2208 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>24 </TD><TD>Ohio State </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.213 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>25 </TD><TD>Texas Tech </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.211 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>26 </TD><TD>Illinois </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.189 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>27 </TD><TD>Florida </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.178 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>28 </TD><TD>Louisville </TD><TD>Big East </TD><TD>1.030 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>29 </TD><TD>LSU </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.1697 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>30 </TD><TD>Mississippi </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.1697 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>31 </TD><TD>Alabama </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.1608 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>32 </TD><TD>Kansas State </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.1565 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>33 </TD><TD>Missouri </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.1565 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>34 </TD><TD>Washington </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.153 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>35 </TD><TD>Oregon </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.144 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>36 </TD><TD>Colorado </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.1386 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>36 </TD><TD>Iowa State </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.1386 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>36 </TD><TD>Oklahoma </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.1386 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>36 </TD><TD>Texas </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.1386 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>40 </TD><TD>Washington State </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.136 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>41 </TD><TD>Virginia </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.1356 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>42 </TD><TD>Miami (Fla) </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.1356 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>43 </TD><TD>Mississippi State </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.134 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>43 </TD><TD>Vanderbilt </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.134 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>45 </TD><TD>Nebraska </TD><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>1.129 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>46 </TD><TD>NC State </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.1178 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>46 </TD><TD>Boston College </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.1178 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>48 </TD><TD>Temple </TD><TD>Independent </TD><TD>1.101 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>49 </TD><TD>Tennessee </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.087 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>50 </TD><TD>Penn State </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.0861 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>50 </TD><TD>Michigan </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.0861 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>50 </TD><TD>Northwestern </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.0861 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>50 </TD><TD>Purdue </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.0861 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>54 </TD><TD>Indiana </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.0683 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>54 </TD><TD>Wisconsin </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>1.0683 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>56 </TD><TD>Arizona State </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.0449 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>56 </TD><TD>Southern Cal </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.0449 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>58 </TD><TD>Florida State </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.0445 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>59 </TD><TD>Auburn </TD><TD>SEC </TD><TD>1.042 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>60 </TD><TD>Clemson </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.0266 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>60 </TD><TD>Virginia Tech </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.0266 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>62 </TD><TD>California </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>1.018 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>63 </TD><TD>Hawaii </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>1.011 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>64 </TD><TD>Wake Forest </TD><TD>ACC </TD><TD>1.008 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>65 </TD><TD>Army </TD><TD>Independent </TD><TD>1.004 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>66 </TD><TD>Air Force </TD><TD>Mountain West </TD><TD>.9857 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>66 </TD><TD>TCU </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.9857 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>68 </TD><TD>Fresno State </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>.9851 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>68 </TD><TD>Utah State </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>.9851 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>70 </TD><TD>Ball State </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.9778 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>71 </TD><TD>Michigan State </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>.9771 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>72 </TD><TD>Iowa </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>.968 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>73 </TD><TD>Minnesota </TD><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>.959 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>74 </TD><TD>Oregon State </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD><TD>.944 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>75 </TD><TD>Rice </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.927 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>76 </TD><TD>San Diego State </TD><TD>Mountain West </TD><TD>.912 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>77 </TD><TD>New Mexico State </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>.902 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>78 </TD><TD>Colorado State </TD><TD>Mountain West </TD><TD>.894 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>79 </TD><TD>Boise State </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>.893 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>80 </TD><TD>BYU </TD><TD>Mountain West </TD><TD>.8767 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>80 </TD><TD>Wyoming </TD><TD>Mountain West </TD><TD>.8767 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>82 </TD><TD>Louisiana Tech </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>.867 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>83 </TD><TD>Navy </TD><TD>Independent </TD><TD>.866 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>84 </TD><TD>New Mexico </TD><TD>Mountain West </TD><TD>.8589 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>84 </TD><TD>UNLV </TD><TD>Mountain West </TD><TD>.8589 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>86 </TD><TD>Bowling Green </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.8511 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>86 </TD><TD>Ohio </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.8511 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>88 </TD><TD>Idaho </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>.8494 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>88 </TD><TD>Nevada </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>.8494 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>90 </TD><TD>San Jose State </TD><TD>WAC </TD><TD>.840 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>91 </TD><TD>Kent State </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.8332 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>91 </TD><TD>Miami (Ohio) </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.8332 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>93 </TD><TD>Tulsa </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.818 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>94 </TD><TD>Marshall </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.7734 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>94 </TD><TD>Memphis </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.7734 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>94 </TD><TD>Tulane </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.7734 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>94 </TD><TD>UAB </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.7734 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>98 </TD><TD>Utah </TD><TD>Mountain West </TD><TD>.767 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>99 </TD><TD>Louisiana-Lafayette </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>.7536 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>100 </TD><TD>Louisiana-Monroe </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>.7535 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>101 </TD><TD>Buffalo </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.7421 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>102 </TD><TD>Eastern Michigan </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.7240 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>103 </TD><TD>Western Michigan </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.733 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>104 </TD><TD>Akron </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.7242 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>105 </TD><TD>Northern Illinois </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.7152 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>105 </TD><TD>Toledo </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.7152 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>107 </TD><TD>Central Michigan </TD><TD>MAC </TD><TD>.706 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>108 </TD><TD>East Carolina </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.6734 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>109 </TD><TD>SMU </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.6734 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>109 </TD><TD>UCF </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.6734 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>111 </TD><TD>Southern Miss </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.6644 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>111 </TD><TD>UTEP </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.6644 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>113 </TD><TD>Florida Atlantic </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>.6535 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>113 </TD><TD>Middle Tennessee </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>.6535 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>115 </TD><TD>Houston </TD><TD>Conf. USA </TD><TD>.646 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>116 </TD><TD>North Texas </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>.6356 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>116 </TD><TD>Troy </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>.6356 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>118 </TD><TD>Arkansas State </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>.626 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>119 </TD><TD>Florida International </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD><TD>.617 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Dennis Dodd CBS Sportsline

 

[AlwaysKeen]

good stuff...

 

[WinOne]

Looks like the weekend of September 10th is a great weekend to meet in Vegas for some intense football games.

Nov 19
Fresno State at USC: Pete Carroll really is fearless. There was absolutely no reason for him to take this game. USC will be coming off an emotional game at Cal. No telling what physical condition the Trojans will be in -- beat up, at least. The last team you'd want in the Coliseum at this point is Fresno State. All those California kids who weren't recruited by USC going to L.A. to prove themselves against the best team in the country. Danger, Will Robinson. Carroll threw Hill a bone after listening to the Fresno coach's anyone, anytime, anywhere mantra over the years. Watch out, Trojans.

The way USC plays football and the way Fresno wilts down the stretch, this should be a walk for the Men of Troy.

WinOne!!

 

[AlwaysKeen]

very interesting...

 

[outhousetim]

Thanks!

 

[thekeyman]

WINONE

hey ill be in vegas on sept.10th so you just let me know if you and some others want to meet up and watch some football,it sounds like a great idea.

thekeyman

 

[CoachCB]

Florida's strength of schedule is 27th? That's a joke!

Wyoming (7-5, bowl winner, 19 starters returning, and 23 seniors on roster)

Tennessee

Miss State

Alabama

LSU

Georgia

South Carolina

Florida State

But their strength of schedule is 27th?

 

[CoachCB]

I already know I'm taking BSU and the points here.

What do you think the point spread will be? I think I'm on this if it's any higher than 5......

CoachLT already gave me 14 points!!!

 

[CoachLT]

What do you think the point spread will be? I think I'm on this if it's any higher than 5......

CoachLT already gave me 14 points!!!

THIS STUPID BASTARD IS OFF A DECIMAL. It should read 1.4 points. F Head!

 

[AlwaysKeen]

yeah, Florida's schedule has got to be bettert than 27th...can't wait for the season to start...

 

[gwienges]

:toast:

 

[gwienges]

:drink:

 

[AlwaysKeen]

less than 10 weeks...

 

[HinesWard86]

Year in and year out, there is only one school that consistently has one of the Top 10 toughest schedules in the nation and that is Notre Dame. Michigan, Purdue, and USC are always on the ND schedule and you will never see them play a I-AA or Sunbelt Conference team.