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Polls and Predictions Stuck

Posted on November 20, 2010 at 01:15 PM.

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Polls, Predictions, and Projections

Associated Press - The Preseason Polls have been released for the upcoming NCAA season. Where does your team rank within the Top 25? Some fans may be overjoyed while some may feel snubbed at the initial rankings.

So here are the initial rankings:

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Aug 6, 2010
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	--	Texas (32)	0	0
2	--	Oregon (22)	0	0
3	--	Boise State (5)	0	0
4	--	Virginia Tech (1)	0	0
5	--	TCU (1)	0	0
6	--	Nebraska	0	0
7	--	Iowa	0	0
8	--	Wisconsin	0	0
9	--	Georgia Tech	0	0
10	--	Miami	0	0
11	--	Oklahoma	0	0
12	--	Pittsburgh	0	0
13	--	LSU	0	0
14	--	Penn State	0	0
15	--	Oregon State	0	0
16	--	Arkansas	0	0
17	--	Florida State	0	0
18	--	North Carolina	0	0
19	--	Utah	0	0
20	--	Cincinnati	0	0
21	--	Houston	0	0
22	--	Georgia	0	0
23	--	Auburn	0	0
24	--	Oklahoma State	0	0
25	--	BYU	0	0

Texas takes home the top spot, followed closely by Oregon. Boise State, Virginia Tech, and TCU round out the top five. Waiting right behind them are Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, and Miami.

All of these teams have the capabilities to remain in the top-10 or top-15 all season. Depending on how things may play out over the course of the season, there is a possibility of having at least four undefeated teams at season's end from this group of teams.

In the best-of-the-rest ranked teams category: Oklahoma, LSU, Penn State, Oregon State, and Arkansas have a fortuitous chance to climb the ranks if games fall their way. In this middle tier of ranked teams, key wins along with a crucial loss in a team above and they are in a good position to control their destiny.

As usual, the talk of the BCS-buster role goes to Boise State, TCU, and Utah. Boise State and TCU have a shared opponent in Oregon State, and Oregon State has plenty of weapons on both sides of the ball to thwart any chance of these two schools busting into the BCS. Other critical match-ups for these two schools include an opening-week game, where Boise State traveling to Virginia Tech, and a mid-season match-up between TCU and Utah. A loss in any one of those games would spell disaster for the hopes of a BCS berth.

Just like the talk of BCS-busters, dark horses lurk in the shadows. Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Stanford, Cal, Oregon State, Miami, Florida State, and Pittsburgh could burst into the limelight with some key wins over conference opponents. Outside of the BCS conferences, only Notre Dame and Houston can really push their way into the outer spotlight.

Key Season Games

Opening Week features two great games that can have postseason implications:

-Boise State at Virginia Tech

A loss for Boise State and making it into the BCS will become an afterthought unless there are no other one- or two-loss teams (or a luck chance they are clinging to a spot in the top-16 and a conference champion is ranked lower). A win for Boise State and they can gain some points for a quality opponent. This game can either be a close and well-played game or a laugher, depending on which Virginia Tech team shows up.

Prediction: Boise State by less than seven

-Oregon State at TCU

Like the other marquee match-up, a loss for TCU spells disaster while a win gives them a quality win as well. Oregon State has their hands full with the TCU offense and it is just the same the other way around. This game could come down to who can play the better defense as both offenses, when hot, are capable of anything.

Prediction: TCU in overtime

Week Three provides a Texas shootout when Texas travels to Lubbock to face Texas Tech. While this game may have lost a little luster with a coaching change, a loss for either school and a Big 12 South title is in jeopardy.

Prediction: Texas humbles Texas Tech

Week Four doesn't get any easier as Boise State returns for another spotlight game against Oregon State. At least this game is being played on the Blue Turf where Boise State has not lost in nearly a decade. With a Bronco win, Boise State would now have two quality wins over BCS schools.

Prediction: Boise State + Smurf Turf = two TD win

Week Five offers two Big 10 showdowns between the potential top-four teams in the conference. Down the road, two of these teams meet and depending on how the games go, there could be a four-way tie atop the conference. The other "can't miss" game this week is the Red River Rivalry.

-Texas vs Oklahoma at Dallas

This neutral-site game will be wild and crazy as these bitter rivals face off in a de-facto Big 12 South title match with the winner controlling their destiny to the Big 12 Championship and a possible slot in the National Championship. Both teams are rebounding after key losses from last year's team and are going to be looking to establish an identity for the remainder of the season.

Prediction: A good old fashioned slobber-knocker decided in the final minute. Whoever makes key plays at the end wins.

-Wisconsin at Michigan State

Both schools have established veterans on both sides of the ball and both teams look to run downhill. Wisconsin has looked susceptible in the passing game before and Michigan State has the better QB.

Prediction: Michigan State in a low-scoring affair

-Penn State at Iowa

This is another match-up of grind it out teams that will inevitably be decided on the better passing team. Iowa does have the advantage of the pink locker room and a better passer.

Prediction: Iowa by two TDs

Week Six has a prime SEC West match-up between Arkansas at Auburn. It will be a passing vs spread option showdown for an inside track to the SEC West title with a later date with LSU pending.

Prediction: Expect a barn-burner with Auburn having the edge at home.

Week Seven provides a potential preview of the Big 12 Championship Game, and a rematch of last year's game, when Texas travels to Nebraska. Nebraska has less riding on this game as far as the Big 12 North standings go, but if they get through the schedule unscathed, the Big 12 Championship Game could be a launching pad for the National Championship.

Prediction: Texas narrowly takes the game in Lincoln, setting up the same scenario as last year.

Week Eight is the first SEC West date with LSU as Auburn hosts this match-up. If Auburn defeats Arkansas and then LSU, they can lay claim to the SEC West, controlling their own destiny. However, with a LSU win, the LSU-Arkansas game weighs into the SEC West race and there's the potential for a three-way tie atop the division.

Prediction: Auburn controls LSU and their destiny.

Week Ten provides another great non-BCS game with potential BCS implications. TCU travels to Utah to meet in a de-facto Mountain West title game. Provided both schools are undefeated at this point, the winner of the game has a good chance of remaining that way.

Prediction: TCU storms into Utah on a roll and leaves with another big victory.

Week Thirteen brings us close to the end of the season and a loss here will damage any team's shot at a BCS bowl berth.

-Boise State at Nevada

Boise State has the final hurdle in Nevada to another undefeated season. Nevada and their pistol offense is one of the most dynamic offenses in the nation. However, their defense is not at the same level as the offense. Boise State is as well-rounded as a team can get, but they have to avoid this potential "trap" game.

Prediction: Nevada and the pistol fire blanks as Boise State walks away with the win.

-Michigan State at Penn State

This game could mean nothing at this point of the season or it can have implications on who goes to the Rose Bowl. Depending on the outcome of the games in week five, the winner can stake a partial claim in the Big 10 title or rain on the other's parade. This game will look like most any upper-level Big 10 game with downhill running, short-to-intermediate passing, and tough defense.

Prediction: All is not well in Happy Valley as Michigan State comes out with the win, staking a claim to the Big 10 title.

-LSU at Arkansas

Another game that could have little SEC West bearing or become the showdown for the SEC West crown. If both LSU and Arkansas have defeated Auburn, the winner heads to the SEC Championship Game. If they split the games, the winner could create a tie atop the division. If they both have lost to Auburn, well, pride is on the line.

Prediction: Arkansas's passing offense is no match for LSU's pass defense as Arkansas takes the win.

Week Fourteen may hold a gem if Utah has pulled off a win over TCU and Notre Dame. BYU would be the last hurdle for Utah to manage.

Prediction: Utah has already lost to TCU and Notre Dame so they play for pride in this bitter rivalry...and lose.

Championship Week brings three great games in the SEC, ACC, and Big 12. Any one of these games could also hold the key to the National Championship.

-Big 12 CG - Texas vs Nebraska

This rematch will have a similar ending as Texas defeats Nebraska again.

-ACC - Virginia Tech vs Florida State

Florida State, in an upstart year, surprise Virginia Tech to take home the ACC title.

-SEC - Auburn vs South Carolina

South Carolina, taking the SEC East in surprise fashion, use the momentum to carry them into the SECCG. However, they fall short of the title and Auburn takes it home.

Provided this style scenario plays out, the BCS bowls will be quite interesting. Boise and TCU, undefeated, would have have an automatic bid since they will most likely outrank the SEC, Big East, Big 10, and ACC champions. The Rose Bowl would lose their Pac-10 tie-in and the Fiesta Bowl will lose their Big 12 tie-in as each will play in the National Championship.

-Rose Bowl - Michigan State (Big 10 Champ) vs Boise State (Auto-bid non-AQ)

Boise State gets this BCS bowl as the new non-BCS rules kick in. However, they will once again show that they belong on the national stage by defeating Iowa handily.

-Sugar Bowl - Auburn (SEC Champ) vs Nebraska (At-large)

Auburn and Nebraska will battle it out with the game coming down to the wire. However makes key plays at the end wins.

-Fiesta Bowl - TCU (At-large) vs Iowa (At-large)

Iowa will come out to control the clock and the tempo of the game with their rushing attack. However, TCU's dynamic offense will eventually wear down Iowa's defense, giving TCU the win as they pull away late.

-National Championship Game - Texas (BCS #1) vs Oregon (BCS #2)

Oregon will have quietly gone undefeated out west and under the radar of the Big 12 and SEC. With their high-octane style of play, they will take it to Texas in the NCG.

While predictions are fun, there is a reason the games are played. Boise State and Utah have showed us that on a national stage. Each week this season will have drama and possibly some potential big upsets.