Sunset Vette

LSU got by Tulane.
Florida lost to Auburn. At home.
Five of the top-ten ranked teams lost this weekend. I am happy LSU was not one of them. In fact, I heard (and read) some folks suggest that with USC’s weak showing at Washington that LSU will make up enough ground to perhaps take over the top spot. I don’t think that will happen, but we’ll see in a little bit.

Both Red River Shootout participants entered the week in the top 10, and both lost. If you’re not familiar with the game, Texas and Oklahoma play their game each year in Dallas, in the Cotton Bowl. The Red River is the river that forms the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma. In past years with both teams ranked it has been quite an in interesting game. Texas lost four in a row, then managed to win two years ago on their way to their national championship with Vince Young.

But with both of them losing (Oklahoma on the road at Colorado lost on a field goal with 2 seconds remaining, and Texas got whipped at home by a fiesty Kansas State team, lost by 20 points) that game will certainly not have the high-ranked teams they thought they were getting.

With Florida losing they’ll move down, but probably not out of the top-10, at least that’s my prediction. USC was favored by 21 points and only won by 3. If you didn’t watch the game, LSU’s final score of 34 – 9 seemed reasonable. If you followed the game then you know that LSU was really flat for the first half. They gave up a safety, and the score was 10-9. In fact at one point Tulane was ahead 9-7.

LSU then played much better in the second half, scoring 24 unanswered points to win 34 – 9. They didn’t cover the spread, but they won. Given the carnage that was the top 10 this weekend that’s a good sign. Next week they get Florida at home.

Now, with some teams sure to bow out of the top 10, who will move in?

I predict that Kentucky might, as will USF. USF remains undefeated and the surprise team of the season. They beat Auburn a couple of weeks ago (who beat Florida this week). Could USF be the best team in Florida right now? That’s amazing.

Kentucky has beaten Louisville at home, and Arkansas on the road, on their way to a 5-0 record. They get USC (Carolina) next week, then LSU at home, and play Florida before the end of the season. I think next week’s game for Kentucky will be a good indication of how good they are. Their quarterback has certainly shown he has skills. But they have to take on USC on a Thursday night game which gives them a short week to prepare.

USF may be a long-shot to crack the top 10, but Boston College should certainly move up. They’re 12 or 11 in the polls right now. Rutgers will probably drop 4-5 spots if not more. Oklahoma will potentially stay in the top 10, but lower down than their current 3 (4) ranking. Texas will likely drop out of the top 10. West Virginia may drop to the lower half. So I will predict that Kentucky and BC move into the top 10, with Texas and Rutgers dropping out. USF will be on the doorstep, perhans at 11 or 12.

In the SEC-West:
Alabama lost a close one at Florida State and is now one game behind LSU for the SEC-West title chase.
Arkansas won in a route at home beating over-matched North Texas
Auburn went on the road and stopped Florida’s win streak. Ironically the last loss before Florida started their streak was also to Auburn.
LSU beat Tulane on the road
Mississippi lost at Georgia
Mississippi State played USC (Carolina) tight but lost on the road.

The SEC-East appears to be the class of the league with five teams currently looking at title hopes. Kentucky leads the pack with zero SEC losses that but that is sure to change over the next few weeks. I can’t see them beating USC, LSU, and Florida. Just behind Kentucky are several teams with only one SEC loss including Florida, Georgia, USC, and even Vanderbilt. I don’t think anyone expects Vandy to contend for the title.