In case you missed it, the Cats landed in the Coaches Poll at #22, while they dropped in the AP poll to #30 (5th in others receiving votes). Sparty makes its debut in both polls with the AP donning them #23 and the Coaches giving them a #19 slot. It marks the first time since 2005 that Northwestern was ranked in either poll. To underscore the "got it" factor of bloggers, Northwestern was ranked last week at #25 in the BlogPoll.
 | ||
| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | -- |
| 2 | Alabama | -- |
| 3 | Missouri | -- |
| 4 | Texas | -- |
| 5 | Penn State | -- |
| 6 | LSU | -- |
| 7 | Texas Tech | -- |
| 8 | Vanderbilt |  9 |
| 9 | Southern Cal | -- |
| 10 | Brigham Young |  2 |
| 11 | Utah | 4 |
| 12 | Florida | -- |
| 13 | Georgia | -- |
| 14 | Ohio State | 3 |
| 15 | Boise State | 1 |
| 16 | Kansas | -- |
| 17 | Oklahoma State | 2 |
| 18 | Virginia Tech | 8 |
| 19 | Wake Forest | 3 |
| 20 | Michigan State | 4 |
| 21 | Northwestern | 2 |
| 22 | TCU | 4 |
| 23 | Ball State | 3 |
| 24 | Illinois | 2 |
| 25 | South Florida | 15 |
Dropped Out: Auburn (#18), Wisconsin (#20), Oregon (#21), Duke (#25).
Cut The Revenge of The Nerds Angle;
Anyone else already sick of the "Nerds" angle in relation to Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke? Duke's 27-0 loss to Georgia Tech blows up the big three triumverate, but I contend Wake is still in that class. LTP misfired bigtime by putting Duke in last week at #25 and calling for an upset over Georgia Tech. Oooops. LTP is bullish on Vandy, much moreso than either "mainstream poll", as they are going through Northwestern football 1995-itis - their horrible track record is still shadowing them in voters' minds. Unlike the Cats, Vandy had three conference games under their belt, including two against ranked teams (at the time of the game). For all the hype about the SEC, voters sure are being hypocritical. Cats' fans will want to keep an eye on the Commodores OOC game sandwiched between Florida and Georgia - a date with Duke!
The Deep Six Rationale
Many will call me out for punting Auburn and Wisconsin from the poll with the legitimate hypothetical of "Really, Ball State beats them in a one-on-one?" But I simply couldn't have an 0-2 Big Ten team in the Top 25. As for Auburn, yes, their loss to Vandy and Alabama are "good losses", but their 3-2 pitcher's duel over Mississippi State and a 2-point win over a below average Tennessee team are too much for me to look past.
Anamolies
Ohio State dropping three was simply a result of leapfrogging. I couldn't hold Vandy and Utah back any more than I did. Wake Forest moving up three spots was due to the freefall I slapped on the likes of Auburn, Wisconsin and South Florida.
Go To Jail Card
I couldn't drop South Florida completely out of the Top 25 as Pitt, an early season Top 25 team, has stabilized and could be an 8 or 9-win team in a weak Big East. I've got my eye on you though, Bulls.
What You Smokin'?
The Illini made the cut in large part based on one play. Juice Williams' ridiculous screen pass in traffic to Dufresne for a huge Illini TD. Perhaps it is a self-defense mechanism for our year-end date with the Illini, but a team whose two losses are to my two top five teams - Missouri and Penn State - deserves a break. With a win over Minnesota next week at home, the then 4-2, 2-1 Illini will be in for everybody.
TCU gets my nod as their only loss is to an Oklahoma team that is punishing everyone. Yes, their SOS is weak, but they beat Stanford. Badly. And anyone beating up on our recruiting rival gets my sentiment. Seriously though, we'll know in two weeks whether they are worthy as their next two games are Colorado State and, gulp, BYU.
Cats-Sparty Approach
I've been feeling good about this game for weeks, but my ranking of Sparty ABOVE Northwestern is some ridiculous comfort zone of aligning my fandom with my ranking. That is, the Cats play better when they are the underdog. I could throw a slew of stats at you that would make Phil Steele blush, but trust me. Irrelevant? Likely. Worthy of messing with mojo? Not a shot in hell.
Here's Your Chance...
Change my ballot. Mock me. Praise me. Challenge me. I've got til Wednesday to lock in my final vote, which is now big time. Be sure to check out CBSSports.com later today for the premiere release!
6 comments:
LTP, I'm concerned that NU is ranked too high. Not only do I think we'd have trouble beating Auburn or Wisconsin, but that's exactly the time that NU starts tripping up, right as soon as everyone starts paying attention and starts ranking us. Under the radar, please. Under the radar. We can wait till the final victory over Illinois and then have us leapfrog everyone. It's a results oriented approach, but something to consider...
@jabawacefti...completely legit gripe. NU has only dealt well with expectations 2X - 1995, once the season got going and 1996 - a candidate for an episode of Lost. I agree on Wisconsin - not so much with Auburn. Have you seen them play in recent weeks? This is why I love not being ranked in the AP!
@LTP - un-related to NU, I think Ohio State should be above Florida, and maybe above Georgia (although I'm less sure about that last one). Florida has played NO ONE, and lost to Ole Miss AT HOME. Ohio State lost on the road to a top-caliber (albeit imperfect) USC team without their best player (Wells), but won every other game including a tough road win against Wisconsin.
I also think NU is ranked too high -- I'd say #25, max, until we beat Sparty (god I want this to happen so badly....)
Time to beat the attendance drum loudly, everyone. I'm working on an Evite to all my friends and co-workers in Chicago, inviting them up to a Greek-themed (Spartans coming to town? Get it?) tailgate on Saturday.
I am new to "Lake the Posts," having just discovered you this season, but I am thoroughly enjoying it! I truly appreciate your enthusiasm, especially in the area of attendance building. It makes me want to jump on a plane and fly to Chicago this weekend! Instead, I will encourage the alumni club here in Dallas to turn out to Humperdink's on Greenville Ave. for our own version of a "Purple Haze"!
@ David - welcome aboard the purple party train. One request. Post updates of the event at Humperdink's. Would love to know how the party turns out. Get a group of 50 for Homecoming and get on a plane to see us battle Purdue!
I am very, very, sad that I'm going to miss the second half of the game. Will be in New York for a bachelor party that starts at an ungodly hour (5:30). So mad about that, but can't change it. So, I'm trying to figure out a way to tape it and wait until I get home the following day to see the score. I don't think it's possible, and my drunk ass will probably check after several beverages. BUT, I will be at the Purdue game for Homecoming! Come on, 'Cats, bring the pain to Sparty!
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