Sports Illustrated's Top-25

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  • WorkHorse
    SBR MVP
    • 08-22-10
    • 2185

    #1
    Sports Illustrated's Top-25
    SI has come out with their early Top-25 football list for the 2011 season. I personally don't put much stock in these early polls but find it interesting to see how different teams are positioned.

    1. Oklahoma (12-2 record last year)
    2. Oregon (12-1)
    3. Alabama (10-3)
    4. LSU (11-2)
    5. Stanford (12-1)
    6. Texas A&M (9-4)
    7. Oklahoma State (11-2)
    8. South Carolina (9-5)
    9. Florida State (10-4)
    10. Boise State (12-1)
    11. Ohio State (12-1)
    12. Nebraska (10-4)
    13. Arkansas (10-3)
    14. Michigan State (11-2)
    15. TCU (13-0)
    16. Wisconsin (11-2)
    17. Missouri (10-2)
    18. Auburn (14-0)
    19. Virginia Tech (11-3)
    20. West Virginia (9-4)
    21. Notre Dame (8-5)
    22. Mississippi State (9-4)
    23. Arizona State (6-6)
    24. Maryland (9-4)
    25. Utah (10-3)

    Some observations:
    *Oregon at number two...no way.
    *Stanford way to high at No. 5.
    *Ohio State at No. 11....to many distractions for this to happen.
    *Auburn at No. 18...can't see it, especially when they are higher than Miss St.
    *Notice no Texas listed....been a long time since the Horns not top-25

    As always, welcome your comments....................
  • fishmonger
    SBR MVP
    • 12-31-08
    • 1492

    #2
    Ok state at 7? I know they were good last year and have a QB coming back but I think they under perform this year. Last year they over achieved with really good players. With those players gone I don't think they will even be in the top 20.
    Comment
    • BigdaddyQH
      SBR Posting Legend
      • 07-13-09
      • 19530

      #3
      1. Oklahoma (12-2 record last year)
      2. Oregon (12-1)
      3. Alabama (10-3)
      4. LSU (11-2)
      5. Stanford (12-1)
      6. Texas A&M (9-4)
      7. Oklahoma State (11-2)
      8. South Carolina (9-5)
      9. Florida State (10-4)
      10. Boise State (12-1)
      11. Ohio State (12-1)
      12. Nebraska (10-4)
      13. Arkansas (10-3)
      14. Michigan State (11-2)
      15. TCU (13-0)
      16. Wisconsin (11-2)
      17. Missouri (10-2)
      18. Auburn (14-0)
      19. Virginia Tech (11-3)
      20. West Virginia (9-4)
      21. Notre Dame (8-5)
      22. Mississippi State (9-4)
      23. Arizona State (6-6)
      24. Maryland (9-4)
      25. Utah (10-3)

      My takes:

      Oregon and LSU are ranked too high, especially LSU. I expect them to lose to both Oregon and Alabama. A two loss team cannot finish at #4. I also expect Oregon to lose to Stanford.

      Texas A&M is also ranked too high. They do not have a good enough defense to finish that high.

      South Carolina is also ranked too high. With games at Georgia, Miss. State, Arkansas, and Tennessee, and a home game against Florida, South Carolina will be lucky just to get to the SEC Championship game. The SEC East rep in that game will have a very difficult time defeating the likes of Alabama, or LSU.

      Auburn is ranked way too high. With the losses on both offense and defense, and a very difficult schedule, Auburn will not win more than 8 games, and could win a lot less.

      Florida State is ranked way too low. The toughest game they may have could be at home against Oklahoma. Their conference schedule is very favorable. This team could lose as few as 1 game, and maybe run the table.

      Ohio State is a total wild card now. Everyone knows that the program will be adversely affected by Tressel's resignation, but to what extent? They do play Wisconsin and Penn State at home, but must host Michigan State minus Pryor and company, and go to Nebraska the following week. I cannot rank them above Wisconsin at this time.

      Mississippi State is ranked too low. This team has a lot of talent, and has a huge scheduling break, getting Alabama, South Carolina, and LSU at home. This team is on the way up, and is dangerous.
      Comment
      • WorkHorse
        SBR MVP
        • 08-22-10
        • 2185

        #4
        Fish, off the top of my head I can't remember much about Oklahoma State's defense. I'll have to do some searching. On offense, they get QB Weeden back and all five starters on the O-Line. Weeden is 27 years old and passed for 4,277 yards, 34 TDs last season. State will need some receivers to step forward. (Weeden played professional baseball for a few years)

        BD, I agree about Florida State. Getting Oklahoma at home the second game will set the stage for this team. New QB but he's played quiet a bit. Could be the best team out of Tallahassee in years.
        Comment
        • daneblazer
          BARRELED IN @ SBR!
          • 09-14-08
          • 27861

          #5
          Are week 1 odds out yet? As shitty as Georgia has been, I can't imagine they'll be an underdog against Boise.
          Comment
          • WorkHorse
            SBR MVP
            • 08-22-10
            • 2185

            #6
            Daneblazer, my view is Georgia will be a touchdown or more favorite over #10 Boise State in the opener. After the Dawgs beat them by 17 points, the Bluemen will drop like a rock.
            Comment
            • daneblazer
              BARRELED IN @ SBR!
              • 09-14-08
              • 27861

              #7
              Originally posted by WorkHorse
              Daneblazer, my view is Georgia will be a touchdown or more favorite over #10 Boise State in the opener. After the Dawgs beat them by 17 points, the Bluemen will drop like a rock.
              UGA is going to come out like a house on fire. If UGA is the underdog then god help Boise. One thing Richt does better than anyone else is play the under dog card.
              Comment
              • BigdaddyQH
                SBR Posting Legend
                • 07-13-09
                • 19530

                #8
                Really? Last season, Richt was 0-3 as a dog, both S/U and ATS, losing to South Carolia at +3, Miss. State at +1, and Auburn at +6.5. In 2009, he was 1-3 both S/U and ATS as a dog, losing to Oklahoma State at +5, Tennessee at +1, Florida at +16, and defeating Ga. Tech at +8. In 2008, he was 0-1 both S/U and ATS, losing to Florida at +7. That adds up to 1-7 over the last three seasons. Would you care to explain to me just how a 1-7 record over the past three years as a dog qualifies as "One thing Richt does better tha anyone else is play the under dog card"? Nothing could be further from the truth.
                Comment
                • Jasonal_98
                  SBR MVP
                  • 06-16-09
                  • 1443

                  #9
                  Here's an article I wrote about Okla. St. for SBR a little while back. I like the team, but can't see the defense holding Oklahoma down.

                  Sports betting and handicapping forum: discuss picks, odds, and predictions for upcoming games and results on latest bets.


                  Originally posted by WorkHorse
                  Fish, off the top of my head I can't remember much about Oklahoma State's defense. I'll have to do some searching. On offense, they get QB Weeden back and all five starters on the O-Line. Weeden is 27 years old and passed for 4,277 yards, 34 TDs last season. State will need some receivers to step forward. (Weeden played professional baseball for a few years)

                  BD, I agree about Florida State. Getting Oklahoma at home the second game will set the stage for this team. New QB but he's played quiet a bit. Could be the best team out of Tallahassee in years.
                  Comment
                  • daneblazer
                    BARRELED IN @ SBR!
                    • 09-14-08
                    • 27861

                    #10
                    Big D, what I meant about those comments is that Mark Richt plays the underdog card (regardless of spread) better than anyone else (or at least most). That means he makes the team feel like the underdog. Mark Richt isn't discussing scores and odds in the locker room. He could give a shit about that. You also can't take the last 3 years as a sample size because the last 3 years of UGA football are poor. Over the last 10 years, UGA has had a great road record and a good ats record. I'm not that much of a Richt advocate, but he's done a good job over the years.

                    We'll see...the last time they played Boise, the Broncos were expected to upset the Dawgs and UGA blew the doors off of them.



                    Originally posted by BigdaddyQH
                    Really? Last season, Richt was 0-3 as a dog, both S/U and ATS, losing to South Carolia at +3, Miss. State at +1, and Auburn at +6.5. In 2009, he was 1-3 both S/U and ATS as a dog, losing to Oklahoma State at +5, Tennessee at +1, Florida at +16, and defeating Ga. Tech at +8. In 2008, he was 0-1 both S/U and ATS, losing to Florida at +7. That adds up to 1-7 over the last three seasons. Would you care to explain to me just how a 1-7 record over the past three years as a dog qualifies as "One thing Richt does better tha anyone else is play the under dog card"? Nothing could be further from the truth.
                    Comment
                    • WorkHorse
                      SBR MVP
                      • 08-22-10
                      • 2185

                      #11
                      Nice write up J-98.

                      Appreciate the good information sir!

                      In the back of my mind I was thinking defense could pose problems for the Cowpokes...just wasn't sure.
                      Comment
                      • The DiB
                        SBR Wise Guy
                        • 11-22-09
                        • 510

                        #12
                        Don't think it's fair to compare the Boise/Georgia game in 05 to this year. That was Boise's first big game. They've been there and done it since then, even more so than Georgia. With the way Boise prepares, you are playing with fire if you give them any points. Anyone who predicts a Georgia blowout is insane. They scored 6 points against their bowl game, and that was with AJ. Yes, six. Murray still hasn't beaten anybody with a winning record yet, and won't have nearly as much help offensively as he did last year.

                        Give me Boise + whatever vs Georgia.
                        Comment
                        • The DiB
                          SBR Wise Guy
                          • 11-22-09
                          • 510

                          #13
                          And is it me, or does the top 10 seem incredibly weak this year? 3 teams in the top 10 with 4+ losses last year? Can't remember seeing that many losses in the top 10 in recent memory. Seems like it could be a down year for CFB.
                          Comment
                          • WorkHorse
                            SBR MVP
                            • 08-22-10
                            • 2185

                            #14
                            Call me "insane" my friend.

                            Georgia will beat Boise State by three scores.

                            If I'm wrong....pull this post up after the game.
                            Comment
                            • The DiB
                              SBR Wise Guy
                              • 11-22-09
                              • 510

                              #15
                              Comment
                              • BigdaddyQH
                                SBR Posting Legend
                                • 07-13-09
                                • 19530

                                #16
                                Boise State defeats Georgia for two reasons. First, UGA has South Carolina on deck, a game that is much more meaningful than the Boise State game. Last season, after routing La. Lafayette at home, Georgia lost to South Carolina, knocking them into a 4 straight loss tail spin that they never recovered from. If UGA is going to start this season at 1-1, it is MUCH more improtant that the win come against South Carolina than Boise State.

                                Next, and most importantly, Boise State is playing for the MWC to be admitted as an AQ Conference in 2012. A win against Georgia, a respected SEC School, all but guarantees that. Remember, if the MWC becomes an AQ conference in 2012, it is for ONLY two seasons. The NCAA can get Congress off of their backs by taking the MWC for two season, and then kicking them out if they fail to produce after those two seasons are over. The MWC has sent teams to BCS games quite often recently. Other than the TCU game (which Boise State plays at home), this will probably be the toughest game of the year for Boise, so they can give 100% effort in this game. Boise hs a bye week after this game. Boise knocked off Va. Tech last year in a similar situation. This game, in reality, is much more important to Boise State, and the MWC, than it is to Georgia, and the SEC. That is why Boise State wins this game.
                                Comment
                                • WorkHorse
                                  SBR MVP
                                  • 08-22-10
                                  • 2185

                                  #17
                                  Georgia will be much better than last year's team.......

                                  Boise State will not be near as good as last year's team........

                                  Dib and BD will have a chance opening week to select the winner of this game. It will be in the Opening Week Contest for sure. Both my friends will regret taking the Bluemen for sure.
                                  Comment
                                  • jwbama23
                                    SBR MVP
                                    • 01-17-10
                                    • 2373

                                    #18
                                    I would hate to see UGA lose to Boise, I would imagine most SEC fans would feel the same
                                    Comment
                                    • WorkHorse
                                      SBR MVP
                                      • 08-22-10
                                      • 2185

                                      #19
                                      Bama, this has nothing about me being an SEC HOMER. Georgia will pound the hell out of an overrated Bosie State team. Atlanta is a home game for the Dawgs and this team will work like hell this off season with Boise and South Carolina one and two.

                                      I like the fact that one team's coaches have 'strong' motivation to win this season.

                                      I've said it several times on this forum and I'll say it again...Georgia will beat the hell out of Boise State. (If I'm wrong, let me know it after the game...if right, just count your losses)
                                      Comment
                                      • The DiB
                                        SBR Wise Guy
                                        • 11-22-09
                                        • 510

                                        #20
                                        Originally posted by jwbama23
                                        I would hate to see UGA lose to Boise, I would imagine most SEC fans would feel the same
                                        As a fan of an SEC school, I couldn't disagree more. I hope the smurfs send those leg humpers home crying. And there are only a few schools I dislike more than Boise..
                                        Comment
                                        • Wrecktangle
                                          SBR MVP
                                          • 03-01-09
                                          • 1524

                                          #21
                                          Originally posted by WorkHorse
                                          Call me "insane" my friend.

                                          Georgia will beat Boise State by three scores.

                                          If I'm wrong....pull this post up after the game.
                                          Aren't they playing at a neutral field (not their home stadium)?

                                          Wow, I'm a lover of SEC football, but I just can't see this. BS just preps too well and they have the entire offseason too.

                                          Give me +17 on a side bet?
                                          Comment
                                          • BigdaddyQH
                                            SBR Posting Legend
                                            • 07-13-09
                                            • 19530

                                            #22
                                            The game is in Atlanta. While it is technically a "Neutral Site" game, it is, for all intense and pruposes, a home game for UGA, just like last year's game between Boise State and Va. Tech was a home game for Va. Tech. As far as player losses are concerned, both teams lose 5 starters from offense and defense, so that is pretty even. UGA suffers the biggest losses, losing A.J. Green and their entire LB corps. Boise's losses are more spread out, and QB Moore returns.
                                            Comment
                                            • jwbama23
                                              SBR MVP
                                              • 01-17-10
                                              • 2373

                                              #23
                                              Originally posted by The DiB
                                              As a fan of an SEC school, I couldn't disagree more. I hope the smurfs send those leg humpers home crying. And there are only a few schools I dislike more than Boise..
                                              Why? How does it help your school if Boise beats UGA? If your school is in the SEC then it doesnt and wont. There is no benefit to playing a Boise because if you win you were supposed to and if you lose then "oh wow SEC overrated again blah blah blah"
                                              Comment
                                              • The Bet Master
                                                SBR MVP
                                                • 09-29-10
                                                • 2665

                                                #24
                                                Oklahoma State is ranked to high, and Michigan State at #14 is very questionable.
                                                Comment
                                                • The DiB
                                                  SBR Wise Guy
                                                  • 11-22-09
                                                  • 510

                                                  #25
                                                  Originally posted by jwbama23
                                                  Why? How does it help your school if Boise beats UGA? If your school is in the SEC then it doesnt and wont. There is no benefit to playing a Boise because if you win you were supposed to and if you lose then "oh wow SEC overrated again blah blah blah"
                                                  Carolina fan here. If Georgia loses their first two games next year, I think it's safe to say things are going to get ugly in Athens very quickly. Georgia is our main competition for the east next year, and a 0-2 start will most likely derail their season. Richt is already on the hot seat as it is. Another year with us above Georgia will certainly help recruiting too. And as far as the perception of the conference, that won't change until a non-sec school wins the MNC a few years in a row.
                                                  Comment
                                                  • Wrecktangle
                                                    SBR MVP
                                                    • 03-01-09
                                                    • 1524

                                                    #26
                                                    Originally posted by BigdaddyQH
                                                    The game is in Atlanta. While it is technically a "Neutral Site" game, it is, for all intense and pruposes, a home game for UGA, just like last year's game between Boise State and Va. Tech was a home game for Va. Tech. As far as player losses are concerned, both teams lose 5 starters from offense and defense, so that is pretty even. UGA suffers the biggest losses, losing A.J. Green and their entire LB corps. Boise's losses are more spread out, and QB Moore returns.
                                                    I'd be a little careful on putting a full HFA on those "neutral" sites. After having drilled out a number of them, they are more neutral than not. Apparently, a few extra fans screaming obscenities in the stands does not make a full HFA.

                                                    BTW, as I recall, BS won that game "at" Va Tech.
                                                    Comment
                                                    • FindTheLock
                                                      SBR Hall of Famer
                                                      • 02-27-10
                                                      • 7194

                                                      #27
                                                      Va Tech also got beat by James madison. I don't agree with that comparison at all. james madison? How many people knew they had a football team before that happened??? I think Georgia is one of the weaker SEC schools this season so Boise has a shot to win the game. I don't think their win will have anything to do with Georgia looking past them to focus on South Carolina though. If Boise wins it will be because they were the better team on that day. I wouldn't bet on this game, but I am hoping Georgia ends the hype train early this season. I really don't like Boise st.
                                                      Comment
                                                      • FindTheLock
                                                        SBR Hall of Famer
                                                        • 02-27-10
                                                        • 7194

                                                        #28
                                                        I also think Utah, Maryland, Michigan St., Arizona st., and auburn don't belong in the top 25. Those teams won't stay there for long.
                                                        Comment
                                                        • WorkHorse
                                                          SBR MVP
                                                          • 08-22-10
                                                          • 2185

                                                          #29
                                                          Yeah, FindtheLock, last year is last year and will have nothing to do with this game between Boise and Georgia. The only advantage I can find for Boise State is they will be playing inside and not in the southern Georgia heat. As far as a home game, there will be 70,000 Dawg fans and maybe 2,000 for Boise. I don't want to keep beating a dead horse....but I can't see this game being close.

                                                          This game will definitely be a bonus/tiebreaker game in the Opening Week Contest.
                                                          Comment
                                                          • FindTheLock
                                                            SBR Hall of Famer
                                                            • 02-27-10
                                                            • 7194

                                                            #30
                                                            Originally posted by WorkHorse
                                                            Fish, off the top of my head I can't remember much about Oklahoma State's defense. I'll have to do some searching. On offense, they get QB Weeden back and all five starters on the O-Line. Weeden is 27 years old and passed for 4,277 yards, 34 TDs last season. State will need some receivers to step forward. (Weeden played professional baseball for a few years)

                                                            BD, I agree about Florida State. Getting Oklahoma at home the second game will set the stage for this team. New QB but he's played quiet a bit. Could be the best team out of Tallahassee in years.
                                                            Oklahoma st cashed a lot of overs last season. Their offense was very very good. Defense wasn't too bad, but their offense was up near the top. If they are returning health OL from last season and the same QB, then you might find some nice value on their overs. As long as the casino doesn't set the total at 77 every game lol
                                                            Comment
                                                            • BigdaddyQH
                                                              SBR Posting Legend
                                                              • 07-13-09
                                                              • 19530

                                                              #31
                                                              Boise State has a very good QB and a top 5 ranked Offensive Line unit. They also have a Defensive Line unit that Athlon ranks as the #1 unit in the nation. Georgia has nothing close to that. Boise State simply has a lot more talented athletes starting on both sides of the ball. Boise State has four or five potential All Americans. Georgia has none. We are talking about a SEC East team here. There is not a team in the SEC East that could finish higher than 4th in the SEC West. There is not a team in the SEC East that could win any other Conference championship except the Sun Belt, WAC, and possibly the MAC. The SEC is dominated by teams from the West. Last season, the SEC sent 5 teams from the East to Bowl games. Only Florida won. They sent 5 teams from the SEC West to Bowl games. Only Arkansas lost, and that was because Ohio State cheated. The East was 1-4. The West was 4-1. That is what you must remember. The power in the SEC is in the West. The SEC West is by far, the most powerful division in the NCAA. The SEC East is really a very weak division.
                                                              Comment
                                                              • FindTheLock
                                                                SBR Hall of Famer
                                                                • 02-27-10
                                                                • 7194

                                                                #32
                                                                Originally posted by BigdaddyQH
                                                                Boise State has a very good QB and a top 5 ranked Offensive Line unit. They also have a Defensive Line unit that Athlon ranks as the #1 unit in the nation. Georgia has nothing close to that. Boise State simply has a lot more talented athletes starting on both sides of the ball. Boise State has four or five potential All Americans. Georgia has none. We are talking about a SEC East team here. There is not a team in the SEC East that could finish higher than 4th in the SEC West. There is not a team in the SEC East that could win any other Conference championship except the Sun Belt, WAC, and possibly the MAC. The SEC is dominated by teams from the West. Last season, the SEC sent 5 teams from the East to Bowl games. Only Florida won. They sent 5 teams from the SEC West to Bowl games. Only Arkansas lost, and that was because Ohio State cheated. The East was 1-4. The West was 4-1. That is what you must remember. The power in the SEC is in the West. The SEC West is by far, the most powerful division in the NCAA. The SEC East is really a very weak division.
                                                                Boise St is a team full of players with padded stat sheets though. They play 1 or 2 good teams all season, and the rest of their schedule is against teams with 1 or 2 wins. Boise blows those teams out and gets monster numbers for their players. I think Georgia will be a tough opponent for Boise, and I don't think either of these teams will be winning by double digits despite the SEC east's recent down turn. The SEC east isn't a walk in the park with Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. The west is by far the better division at the moment I agree with that, but the EAST will catch up in the future. Tennessee got jobbed by Kiffin leaving in the middle of his contract to go to USC, and now he is totally screwed over there with all of the penalties that program is suffering from. South Carolina played Auburn as tight as anyone in their first meeting. Florida lost Tebow and a lot of their starting defense, so their decline was to be expected. Georgia doesn't really have a good excuse. They just aren't that good. Kentucky and Vanderbilt are pretty bad every season, so I don't expect much out of them. Vanderbilt is almost Ivy league though, so the East is already crippled having them in there.
                                                                Comment
                                                                • cant call it
                                                                  SBR Hall of Famer
                                                                  • 08-29-10
                                                                  • 8817

                                                                  #33
                                                                  That is a beautiful rot FindTheLock.
                                                                  I have two of my own 1.5 years of age , love those guys.
                                                                  Comment
                                                                  • kiln
                                                                    Restricted User
                                                                    • 08-29-10
                                                                    • 830

                                                                    #34
                                                                    Oregon back at #2 is a big surprise. I'm also surprised by how much love Stanford is getting but with Luck and luck they can do a lot. It's refreshing to see the Pac 12 getting some love in any event.
                                                                    Comment
                                                                    • The DiB
                                                                      SBR Wise Guy
                                                                      • 11-22-09
                                                                      • 510

                                                                      #35
                                                                      Originally posted by FindTheLock
                                                                      Boise St is a team full of players with padded stat sheets though. They play 1 or 2 good teams all season, and the rest of their schedule is against teams with 1 or 2 wins. Boise blows those teams out and gets monster numbers for their players. I think Georgia will be a tough opponent for Boise, and I don't think either of these teams will be winning by double digits despite the SEC east's recent down turn. The SEC east isn't a walk in the park with Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. The west is by far the better division at the moment I agree with that, but the EAST will catch up in the future. Tennessee got jobbed by Kiffin leaving in the middle of his contract to go to USC, and now he is totally screwed over there with all of the penalties that program is suffering from. South Carolina played Auburn as tight as anyone in their first meeting. Florida lost Tebow and a lot of their starting defense, so their decline was to be expected. Georgia doesn't really have a good excuse. They just aren't that good. Kentucky and Vanderbilt are pretty bad every season, so I don't expect much out of them. Vanderbilt is almost Ivy league though, so the East is already crippled having them in there.
                                                                      Exactly. Boise knows that if they want their season to mean anything on a national level, they HAVE to get up for this game. Georgia, not so much. Georgia can still have a relevant season if they lose to Boise. I'd give the motivation factor edge to Boise.
                                                                      Comment
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