The Seven Step Drop: Texas or Oklahoma: There is No Good Answer. At least we get SEC vs Big 12
The story of the week is Oklahoma vs. Texas. They say the tiebreaker is broken because Texas won Head-2-Head. Oklahoma beat TCU and Cincinnati out of conference. By comparison Texas played Arkansas and Rice (or use UTEP). Texas played four straight vs. teams in the nation’s top 11 winning three. Texas Tech has the exact same record and has beat one and lost to the other yet isn’t even in the conversation. Let’s make it simple, there is no clear cut winner in the Big 12 South. It’s great to debate but a clear winner between Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech is impossible to determine for certain. It is the rare three way tie and no matter of tie breaker is going to appease everyone so I will propose a revision for any conference to avoid a similar problem in the future.
Assuming two teams in the top 5 of the BCS poll are tied atop a division of a conference with a title game, while the other division does not have a team in the Top 10 then the two teams in the BCS top 5 play in the conference title game for the right to play for the national title. This tiebreaker does not resolve the Texas Tech issue but the pollsters have clearly decided they are the odd team out. Sure, it makes for some bad conference politics but would you prefer a rematch of top 5 teams playing in a “playoff” game for the national title or would you rather watch #2 Oklahoma play #17 Missouri. Sure Missouri’s feelings would be hurt but the TV ratings will be better, sponsors will be happier and the right team would be put in the title game.
I don’t want to hear people complain about a playoff when they aren’t creative enough to tweak systems at their disposal to make it work. An eight team playoff would be very difficult to design to avert a three way tie in a single conference division. Remember at least 4 conference champs would be guaranteed spots and additional at large spots would likely have the same maximum of two team’s per conference as the current BCS.
College Football Clunker:
Notre Dame’s pitiful performance vs. USC – Whoever devised their offensive gameplan needs to be canned. They didn’t even get a first down until the last play of the third quarter. It was evident the plan was to try to get a deep passing play early but when it did not happen, it was as if Charlie Weis gave up. He had no other ideas and appeared to make zero adjustments. It was as if he was asking to get fired.
Unfortunately for Irish fans Fox Sports is reporting Weis will return next season. Whether it is because of the huge buyout, unsure of a replacement (Brian Kelly?), the need for stability or the school actually believes Charlie is the guy will be debated all off-season but he will be back. Making a quick decision helps avert an impact on recruiting but Weis uncertain long-term prospects could hinder the school’s 2010 class. With three consecutive highly ranked recruiting classes included a strong nucleus of skill position players, the Irish are positioned for a turnaround. The key to their success will be improved play in the trenches (their offensive line is mediocre at best) and renewed imagination on offense. Hopefully, Weis appreciates the 2nd chance.
By the way, as much as Weis may have deserved to be canned for being arrogant and not meeting expectations, enough with the comparisons to Tyrone Willingham. Willingham was a class act on and off the field but lost his job because he could not recruit. That is one area Weis has vastly upgraded the program.
Teams on the Rise
Ohio St – Despite only one signature win over Michigan State, it appears the Buckeyes will get a BCS bid thanks to Oregon defeating Oregon St. If the BCS wants to put together the most competitive matchup here is a solution. Instead of creating a Texas-Ohio St rematch from 2005 and 2006, put Ohio St in the Fiesta Bowl against Utah. Utah has a better chance of defeating Ohio St with a freshman quarterback than defeating a deep and talented Texas or the Florida-Alabama loser in the Sugar Bowl. You get a "David vs Goliath" storyline with David having a halfway decent chance.
North Carolina State - When Tom O'Brien left Boston College for NC State, he did so because the fan support and facilities gave him a better chance to build a program than BC. A 2-6 start made people wonder but the Wolfpack won 4 straight games to become bowl eligible. Tom O'Brien teams are well coached, give maximum effort and play with military like discipline. Overall, the ACC may have had a down year, but amazingly 10 of 12 teams are bowl eligible.
Arkansas - Bobby Petrino might be a low-life but the man can coach. Arkansas brought back nobody from last year’s team that went to the Cotton Bowl yet managed to finish 5-7 with wins over Auburn, Tulsa and LSU. Next year former Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallet takes the reigns giving Petrino the quarterback his system needs to take the team to the next level. Don’t be surprised if he puts up Brian Brohm type numbers.
Georgia Tech – After watching Roddy Jones and the Ramblin Wreck run all over Georgia is there any doubt that Paul Johnson’s triple option system can’t work in a major conference. Imagine how good the attack will work once Johnson is able to actually recruit talent to fit the system.
NFL Draft Stock Rising
Oregon DE Nick Reed - At 6-2 255 Nick Reed isn't going to wow scouts with size or speed but you can't measure heart and desire. Reed needs to show scouts natural athletic ability to prove he can play in a 3-4 scheme. With 19.5 TFL and 13 sacks, he could be a nice sleeper who works his way into the middle rounds.
Virginia Tech CB Victor "Macho" Harris - He might be a "Tampa 2" corner, but put him on my team any day. "Macho" Harris plays like a linebacker in run defense and hits like a safety in pass coverage. Kansas City ought to draft Victor Harris to play opposite Brandon Flowers in their press heavy Tampa 2 scheme next year. That if Herm Edwards is still around.
Teams Falling
Ball State – Ball State is getting lousy bowl game (Motor City) during an undefeated season, but that is not my beef. During the broadcast of the Boise St-Fresno St game on Friday there was a report that the Humanitarian Bowl is trying to work out a deal so Boise St and Ball St could play in the Humanitarian Bowl. Yet reportedly they are not interested in playing a "road game" against Boise St in the Humanitarian Bowl. If this is true, then shame on Ball State. If Ball State wants respect, then they should play a team like Boise State anytime, anywhere, any place. It reflects poorly on mid-majors everywhere when they are afraid of taking on the best available opponent.
Florida State - After watching the Seminoles the past two years it is clear that talent and not coaching is the reason why Florida State is now a second rate program to rival Florida. The ‘Noles were not even competitive vs. Florida for the second straight year and talent was the biggest reason why. Bowden’s team no longer has the athletes or the swagger to consider itself an elite program.
Clemson: I guess I was wrong about Clemson, they really don't care about becoming an elite program. After losing out on Lane Kiffin, Clemson panics and decides to remove the interim tag from Dabo Sweeney and make him the permanent head coach. This team has the talent, the facilities and the fan base to turn things around quickly and become the dominant program in the ACC yet is taking a major risk by hiring Sweeney and keeping the bulk of the staff in place. Remember former interim coach Bill Stewart won the Fiesta Bowl last year, West Virginia panicked and made him head coach. The Mountaineers then responded with an underachieving 8-4 record with one of the most talented teams in America. Don’t be surprised if Clemson does the same.
Auburn – After being a whipping boy for fans for years head coach Tommy Tuberville resigns after a disappointing 5-7 season. I know he has had a bad year and has had other down moments at Auburn but he was 7-3 vs Alabama and average 8.5 wins a year in the tough SEC. Know one thing Tuberville can coach and will be a hot commodity this off-season. The big question is who will they get to take the job of battling with Nick Saban in-state. Brian Kelly just said he was coming back to Cincinnat, leaving Texas Tech’s Mick Leach as the only big name on the market. If they don’t get Leach who do they get that will be an upgrade over Tuberville?
NFL Draft Stock Falling
Fresno St QB Tom Brandstater: Brandstater was considered a solid sleeper with 6-5 230 lb frame and strong arm. But just like all other senior quarterbacks, Brandstater has been a disappointent. Needs to stop staring down receivers.
Oklahoma St tackle Russell Okung - Against Oklahoma Russell Okung was beaten several times to the inside by the Sooner defensive ends. Okung has a lot of upside, but one more year of school would do Okung some good
Breathing a Sigh of Relief
#13 Cincinnati – Head coach Brian Kelly announced he was returning to the Bearcats despite overtures from Notre Dame, Washington, Tennessee and any other high profile openings much to the relief of the newly discovered Bearcat faithful. While this is a great move for the Bearcats you have to wonder whether Kelly will regret staying. Cincinnati has virtually no football tradition and did not sell out a game until November (Pittsburgh) not to mention they graduate 9 of 11 starters on defense. I am not saying Kelly won’t be successful, I am just saying don’t be surprised if the ‘Cats stay a top the Big East is short-lived.
Game of the Week:
#1 Alabama vs. #4 Florida – At least one of the conferences got it right. It is great to see two of the top four teams get a chance to play an eliminator game for a Title Game berth. The surprise is the #4 Gators seem to be the favorite over the #1 Tide. A double digit favorite no less.
This is the final edition of the Seven Step Drop for this season. Thanks for joining us. With the college and pro season's nearing their final stretch Draft101's focus will shift to the players to watch, stocks rising and falling and NFL team needs.
Chris Maier is senior editor for NFLDraft101.com. He can be reached at cmaier@nfldraft101.com. Chief Scout Dan Wernery contributed to this article.