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2006 BCS, polls, Bowl Predictions and computer ratings

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ESPN

Horns rise to No. 2 before game vs. No. 1 OSU

Associated Press




As if Ohio State at Texas wasn't already a big enough game, now it's No. 1 vs. No. 2.

The Longhorns moved up one spot to No. 2 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Tuesday, right behind the top-ranked Buckeyes.
The two powerhouses will square off in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, a much-anticipated rematch of last year's 25-22 victory by Texas in Columbus, Ohio.
It'll be the first time since 1996 that the top two teams in the AP poll will meet in a regular-season game. That year, No. 2 Florida State beat No. 1 Florida 24-21 in mid-November. The Gators and Seminoles met in a rematch in the Sugar Bowl about 1½ months later, and Florida won 52-20 to earn its only national championship.
Southern California moved up three spots to No. 3 in this week's first regular-season media poll, and Notre Dame slipped two places to No. 4 after a 14-10 victory at Georgia Tech. The Fighting Irish share the fourth spot with Auburn.
Ohio State received 39 first-place votes and 1,568 points in the poll after opening its season with a 35-12 win over Northern Illinois. Texas, which began its season with a 56-7 win over North Texas, received seven first-place votes and 1,453 points.
Southern California and Auburn each received three first-place votes; Notre Dame got eight; and No. 6 West Virginia had five. The rest of the Top 10 is Florida, LSU, Florida State -- up two spots after a 13-10 win over Miami on Monday night -- and Michigan.
No. 11 Tennessee made the biggest jump, rising 12 spots after a 35-18 victory over California. Cal, which had its best preseason ranking in more than 50 years, fell from No. 9 to No. 22 after the meltdown in Knoxville.
Miami slipped five spots to No. 17.
Last year's meeting between Texas and Ohio State was the first between the two storied programs. The Longhorns' comeback victory, led by Vince Young, allowed them to clear a major hurdle on the way to their first outright national title since 1969.

That was also the year Texas was last involved in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 regular-season matchup. Texas beat Arkansas in 1969 in one of the most famous games in that rivalry.
The Longhorns are 4-0 in No. 1 against No. 2 games, the latest coming last season when they beat USC in the Rose Bowl for the national title as the second-ranked team.
Ohio State is 2-0 in 1-2 games, the last coming in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. The No. 2 Buckeyes beat top-ranked Miami in that game to win their last national title.
There were no new teams in the Top 25. The only ranked teams to lose on the opening weekend were Cal and Miami.
Georgia came in at No. 12, followed by Louisville, Iowa, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Miami, Clemson, Penn State and Oregon. The 19th-ranked Nittany Lions play at Notre Dame in Saturday's other marquee game.
The final five in the rankings were Nebraska, Cal, TCU, Texas Tech and Arizona State.
 
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Lay off the Irish

Notre Dame's tight win is nothing to be ashamed of

Posted: Tuesday September 5, 2006 1:27PM; Updated: Tuesday September 5, 2006 8:27PM

For eight months I read e-mail after e-mail bemoaning Notre Dame's high preseason rating considering its "awful" defense. Saturday night, that same Fighting Irish defense shut out Georgia Tech in the second half of a 14-10 victory, and I was greeted the next day by a whole new set of "Why Notre Dame is overrated" e-mails -- apparently because the Irish didn't blow Tech out of the water.
Here's the deal: Notre Dame may well prove to be overrated -- at No. 2 on my ballot, if they reach anything less than the national-title game they'll be considered to have been "overrated" -- but it won't be based on what happened Saturday night. As a voter, why would I dock the Irish for a close win on the road against a quality ACC opponent? (Based on some of the e-mails, you would think they played Louisiana Tech, not Georgia Tech.) Because Brady Quinn looked shaky in the first half? Sorry, but I'm not exactly worried about Quinn and the offense. On the other hand, Florida State's horrific rushing performance against Miami is cause for concern, hence my dropping the 'Noles despite beating a decent foe on the road.
NCAA Football Power Rankings Rank LW
Team 1 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)
The Buckeyes' offense was as explosive as anticipated against Northern Illinois (even freshman power back Chris Wells lived up to his billing), but while the young defense got good pressure on the quarterback, Ohio State definitely looked vulnerable against the run. Expect Texas to test that theory.
Next game: Saturday at Texas 2 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0)
OK, so I do have one concern about the Irish: Their veteran offensive line didn't do a very good job handling Georgia Tech's tricky blitz schemes. On a more encouraging note, WR Rhema McKnight (eight catches, 108 yards), injured most of last year, looks poised for a huge senior season.
Next game: Saturday vs. Penn State 3 3 Texas Longhorns (1-0)
What do we make of Colt McCoy's debut? Statistically it was pretty much ideal (12 of 19, 178 yards, three TDs, no INTs), but he wasn't under much pressure, and a lot of those yards came on short passes that Limas Sweed broke open. He's definitely got the moxie, but the real test comes this weekend.
Next game: Saturday vs. Ohio State 4 4 USC Trojans (1-0)
I'm not sure why people are making such a big deal out of USC's 50-point output against Arkansas -- 27 of them came late in the second half, when it was clear the game was over. But make no mistake, the Trojans' defense was exceptional, and John David Booty had a solid first start.
Next game: Sept. 16 vs. Nebraska 5 5 Auburn Tigers (1-0)
Can we officially move Kenny Irons closer to the head of the 2006 Heisman race? Against Washington State he carried 20 times for 183 yards and caught three passes for another 40. As Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville observed afterward, "[Irons] probably got half his yards after contact."
Next game: Saturday at Mississippi State 6 6 West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0)
Why do I have a feeling that this section of the Power Rankings is going to turn into a weekly Pat White/Steve Slaton update? Against Marshall, White was 10 of 14 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and no picks; Slaton toted it 33 times for 203 yards and two scores. Another day at the office.
Next game: Saturday vs. Eastern Washington 7 7 Florida Gators (1-0)
The final result (a 34-7 win over Southern Miss) was admirable, but Urban Meyer was fuming over the lack of long pass plays: "Twenty-nine yards was our longest reception -- we are Florida." One bright spot: Speedy freshman WR Percy Harvin gained 58 yards on four runs.
Next game: Saturday vs. UCF 8 -- Tennessee Volunteers (1-0)
Who knows if the Vols will stay this high, but as of this week they deserve it. QB Erik Ainge, so shaky last year, could not have performed better against Cal (11 of 17, 291 yards, four TDs), receivers Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain looked much improved, and the defensive front was dominant.
Next game: Saturday vs. Air Force 9 10 Michigan Wolverines (1-0)
The Wolverines have adopted a Denver Broncos-style zone-blocking scheme, and the initial results were positive: RBs Mike Hart (31 carries, 146 yards) and Kevin Grady (five for 30) both ran with authority against Vanderbilt. The passing game, on the other hand, was somewhat underwhelming.
Next game: Saturday vs. Central Michigan 10 11 LSU Tigers (1-0)
Remind me again why there was ever a quarterback "controversy" at LSU? Nothing against Matt Flynn, but JaMarcus Russell went 13 of 17 for 253 yards, three touchdowns and no picks against UL-Lafayette. Freshman receiver Brandon LaFell announced his presence with a 58-yard TD catch.
Next game: Saturday vs. Arizona
 
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What once was, definitely isn't anymore
257.jpg
Sep. 5, 2006
By Dennis Dodd
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]

[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] MIAMI -- Restore the Hurricanes to their natural habitat. Please return the Seminoles to their previous pristine state. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Someone, please, give me back my Miami-FSU. [/FONT]
img9638868.jpg
Kyle Wright and the Hurricanes hurt their BCS chances. (AP) [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] This rivalry is best known for its epic missed kicks. Now it should just be missed. When we weren't looking, this game -- these teams -- started living off its/their rep. Miami and Florida State are great brand names, just not great programs. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Where are the playmakers? [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Where are the players? [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] For every Buster Davis (12 tackles, two sacks by the FSU linebacker), we can give you a still-shaky Drew Weatherford. For every Brandon Meriweather (interception by the All-American Miami safety), we can give you a questionable offensive line. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] At Miami? Wow. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Dennis Dodd's Power Poll
1. Ohio State 2. West Virginia 3. Auburn 4. Texas 5. USC 6. LSU 7. Notre Dame 8. Florida 9. Tennessee 10. Florida State 11. Georgia 12. Oregon 13. Virginia Tech 14. Miami 15. Iowa 16. Louisville 17. Oklahoma 18. TCU 19. Clemson 20. Penn State 21. Cal 22. Michigan 23. Boston College 24. Texas Tech 25. Nebraska [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] The Orange Bowl wetlands could have served as the backdrop to the end of an era during Florida State's 13-10 victory. (Or end of an error if you count the 15 penalties, six fumbles and two interceptions). [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Surely, you caught this nugget: Monday marked the first time neither Miami nor FSU entered the season in the AP top 10 since 1982. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Twenty-four years. Bobby Bowden has golf carts that old. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] If not, try this one: The game didn't sell out. The on-and-off rain and the fickle nature of the local fans aren't excuses. This wasn't Wake Forest. This was Florida State, which is not without blame. The school returned 2,000 tickets out of its allotment. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "This is one of those games you know it's going to be ugly," Bobby Bowden said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Yeah, but ugly and usually decided by superstars with championships at stake. Asked whether there could be a rematch in the ACC Championship Game, Bowden said: "There could, there could." [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] For that to happen, FSU would have to get there. Miami might be sunk in the Coastal Division already. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Putting this game on Labor Day started three years ago with so much fanfare. Now, by mutual agreement, it's over. The networks, the ACC, the coaches, everybody, agree. Let's try something new. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] This Labor Day special has expired. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] With the uber-coverage provided by a cable network, you could actually experience on many platforms (TV, internet, radio, smoke signals, carrier pigeon) how much the teams sucked. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Before the cyber-outrage reaches my inbox, consider these undisputable truths: [/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Can we all agree now that Florida State has clearly dropped a notch from its previously lofty position in the top five at the beginning of this decade? Good, now let's move on ...[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Lorenzo Booker (six rushes, negative-3 yards) is the most overrated back this side of Eric Dickerson. That's because Dickerson is retired, nearing 50, has bad knees. Booker is 22 and hasn't nearly produced what was expected of the nation's No. 1 recruit in 2002.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Booker is not alone. At no time should these two programs combine to rush for three yards.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] There are still significant questions about the quarterbacks; Miami's Kyle Wright and Florida State's Drew Weatherford. FSU went two quarters without a first down. Miami went the last 35 minutes of the game with one first down.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] The 6-foot-4 Wright is going to get his head taken off if he believes he is an effective scrambler. Without a running game, Weatherford (with Jeff Bowden at the controls) was forced to pass the clock out with 4:57 left. Three incomplete passes allowed Miami to get the ball back 50 seconds later.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Six new coaches, including a new offensive coordinator, have not relieved the pressure on Larry Coker. No one wants to hear about the four suspended players who may or may not have made a difference. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "I want to make sure our fans don't give up on this football team," he said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Not what you want to hear after the season opener. At least there will be a decent waiting period -- until the Tuesday morning talk shows. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] The pressure increased immediately judging by Miami AD Paul Dee. At 11:55 p.m. ET, Dee made an angry sweep through the Miami locker room kicking out about 20 reporters, ending some interviews in mid-sentence. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] The game had been over for 29 minutes, the locker room open for a fraction of that time. What was Dee angry about? Take your pick: the criticism coming from a second consecutive loss to FSU, facing questions (and maybe a decision) about his coach, an ACC and national championship run lost perhaps before it began. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "We're closed," Dee said to a reporter who approached him. "Good night." [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] And good luck. Both teams will need it. [/FONT]
 
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http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2006-09-05-tressel-poll_x.htm

Ballot contradicts Ohio State's Tressel, who says he voted Texas No. 1
Updated 9/6/2006 12:07 AM ETE-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this


​
swapContent('firstHeader','applyHeader');From Staff Reports
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel told reporters at his weekly media luncheon he voted Saturday opponent Texas No. 1 in the USA TODAY Coaches' Poll. However, Tressel's official ballot on record at USA TODAY shows he did not vote for the Longhorns as No. 1.
USA TODAY's policy is that when a vote is made public and the paper knows it to be inaccurate, then USA TODAY, in its oversight role as administrator of the poll, will set the record straight to protect the integrity of the poll, according to Jim Welch, deputy managing editor for sports. The newspaper's policy is to not reveal coaches' ballots, except in the final regular-season poll under an agreement with the American Football Coaches Association.
USA TODAY editors became aware of the quotes when a story appeared on Gannett News Service by The (Mansfield, Ohio) News Journal quoting Tressel at the luncheon saying he voted the Longhorns No. 1 because "I think they deserve that." A transcript on the Ohio State athletics website confirmed Tressel's words, including him saying, "I've got them ranked No. 1 on our ballot." Ohio State is No. 1 with 41 first-place votes, Texas No. 2 with 14.
Stan Jefferson, OSU director of player development, told The News Journal the Texas vote was a case of miscommunication between Tressel and him: "When it came time to vote on the preseason poll, we voted Texas No. 1 and us No. 3 after talking about it as a staff. When I called in his poll (Tuesday), he did not tell me to put Ohio State No. 1. I put that down because we were No. 1 in the preseason poll. ... I did not have time to get with him (Tuesday) before the press conference. It was an honest mistake on our part. It was not meant as a psychological ploy."
A coach can have another person call in his vote as long as the head coach is the one making the selections.

Posted 9/5/2006 11:55 PM ET Updated 9/6/2006 12:07 AM ETE-mail | Save | Print | Subscribe to stories like this
 
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