1. The SEC is, by far, the best football conference in the country. It’s hard to argue there’s a better conference when the SEC has the top 3 teams in the latest BCS rankings (a first in the 15-year history of the BCS) and 6 in the top 25.
2. Speaking of the SEC, winning the SEC West may be something of a booby prize. The reason? Say LSU beats Arkansas and finishes undefeated, while Alabama finishes with the one loss to LSU. The Tigers have to play Georgia in the SEC Championship while Bama sits at home. If LSU were to suffer a loss to the Dawgs, it’s possible they could drop to #3 in the BCS and Alabama and Arkansas could face off in the National Championship game (not to mention the inherent risk of injury that comes with playing an additional game). I don’t think that scenario is likely, but it’s certainly not impossible.
3. Clemson is a very good football team. They’re not an outstanding football team. Same goes for Virginia Tech.
4. Tough to know whether the sad week at Oklahoma State contributed to their loss. Hopefully they’ll rebound and give their school something to cheer about this week- they deserve it.
5. Speaking of off-field distractions, good on the Penn State players for bouncing back this week. I have no sympathy for the so-called adults in the athletic department, but the young men on the field had nothing to do with the Sandusky situation and yet it has to have been something of a distraction for them the last two weeks. Nice to see them get a W.
6. I’m currently reading a book about the Rich Rodriguez regime at Michigan (Three and Out, by John U. Bacon), and it’s served as a reminder of just how far the Wolverines have come even since last year, let alone since 2008. Good book and good story.
7. On the topic of Michigan, I’ll be disappointed if they don’t beat Ohio State this weekend. The Wolverines are the better team in all phases of the game, something that hasn’t been the case in a long time.
8. 9-2 USC is #10 in the AP Poll, and not ranked in the BCS Standings. 7-4 Auburn and 6-4 Texas are #24 and #25 in the BCS Standings, but not ranked in the AP Poll. Try explaining THAT to someone who doesn’t follow college football.
9. Provided that Houston wins out, it will be interesting to see which bowl game they get and where they’re ranked in relation to one-loss Boise State.
10. Just a reminder to check not only the times of games you want to catch this weekend, but also the days. Texas-Texas A&M is on Thursday and there are several on Friday afternoon and evening, including the #1 LSU-#3 Arkansas matchup. Happy Thanksgiving!
…and that is the last word.