Indiana was robbed on that call. The Hoosiers already had to fight any doubts they had about winning based on decades of failure against the Wolverines and when it seemed like they could overcome the odds, the refs stepped in. And the blown call, Michigan fans, did not make things “even” for calls that went against Michigan earlier in the game as this one basically ended matters. Sure, Indiana still had to move the ball into scoring position, but they had done so all game. By allowing 467y to IU, Michigan proved that they are not quite ready for re-elevation to the ranks of college football powers. That the Mississippi State Bulldogs failed to end a nine-game losing streak to LSU moments later by a matter of inches made it worse for fans of the true upset.
Despite the spin about yesterday being a day that shook up the rankings, the actual stunners were all of the garden variety. That Virginia Tech and Oregon won at home was no real surprise, although of course the ease of their respective victories was unexpected. And even though Iowa was a big dog on the road, their team’s success in the series against Penn State buoyed well for their chances. South Florida over Florida State on the road and with a back-up QB? A surprise, sure, but the Seminoles are too inconsistent to expect anything but upset wins followed by upset losses. The main reason that the rankings were shook up was that the rankings were incorrect. And the comparison so far is not to 2007, in which everyone continually was upset allowing a two-loss Louisiana State team to win the national title, but to 1983 when the top two teams in the country, Nebraska and Texas, were ranked 1-2 for most of the year while numbers 3 to 20 were continually jumbled. As long as Florida and Texas—or more accurately Florida, Texas and Alabama—remain unbeaten, the craziness of 2007 will remain unique. Of course both Nebraska and Texas lost their bowl games in 1983, which could not happen this year if they face off in the BCS title game. Not that I want to get ahead of myself.
One last note is to congratulate Oregon for getting off the mat from their week one loss to Boise State to become favorites, or at least co-favorites, for the Pac 10 crown. If they had lost to Purdue week two, their season may have spiraled out of control. Back-to-back nice wins however have the Ducks feeling good. And I do not expect coach Chip Kelly to have to offer any more refunds.
Despite the spin about yesterday being a day that shook up the rankings, the actual stunners were all of the garden variety. That Virginia Tech and Oregon won at home was no real surprise, although of course the ease of their respective victories was unexpected. And even though Iowa was a big dog on the road, their team’s success in the series against Penn State buoyed well for their chances. South Florida over Florida State on the road and with a back-up QB? A surprise, sure, but the Seminoles are too inconsistent to expect anything but upset wins followed by upset losses. The main reason that the rankings were shook up was that the rankings were incorrect. And the comparison so far is not to 2007, in which everyone continually was upset allowing a two-loss Louisiana State team to win the national title, but to 1983 when the top two teams in the country, Nebraska and Texas, were ranked 1-2 for most of the year while numbers 3 to 20 were continually jumbled. As long as Florida and Texas—or more accurately Florida, Texas and Alabama—remain unbeaten, the craziness of 2007 will remain unique. Of course both Nebraska and Texas lost their bowl games in 1983, which could not happen this year if they face off in the BCS title game. Not that I want to get ahead of myself.
One last note is to congratulate Oregon for getting off the mat from their week one loss to Boise State to become favorites, or at least co-favorites, for the Pac 10 crown. If they had lost to Purdue week two, their season may have spiraled out of control. Back-to-back nice wins however have the Ducks feeling good. And I do not expect coach Chip Kelly to have to offer any more refunds.
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