#1..........For a Week

That sure lasted a long.....millisecond.......



Yesterday, the Associated Press and USA Today released the latest rankings of division 1 college football teams.....(Rankings)

What a difference a week makes..........After one game, Southern Cal (3rd in last weeks poll), leaped frogged both Georgia and Ohio State , to claim the number 1 spot in this weeks poll.

Georgia fell to Number 2, while Ohio State came in at number 3.

Of course, the Bulldog Nation is crying foul........but it makes sense to me.

USC traveled some 3000 miles to Charlottesville, VA.......(Three time changes) .....not to mention climate changes ... and .....guess what? USC totally destroyed a division 1 , ACC team by a beat down score of 52-7. It could have been worse...USC coach Pete Carroll called off the onslaught in the 4th quarter.

Meanwhile, #1 Georgia played division II (I know they have changed the name to FCS, but I like still calling it division II)........Georgia Southern........in the comforts of Sanford Stadium....between the hedges..... in front of the usual 92,000 red & black clad Bulldog fanatics.........

Now the "Dawgs " didn't play badly.........scoring 45 points......but giving up 21, in their 45-21 win.

Which was more impressive?

Are you seeing the point?

When a team is ranked #1 in the nation........playing against a team everyone knows it will beat......."style points" .....often make a difference to poll voters.

Think about a 7 point swing in the scoring of the Georgia game.....Say, Georgia.......scored one more touchdown......and held Georgia Southern to one less.........

Final score: Georgia, 52.......Georgia Southern 14........

Sounds a whole lot more impressive than 45-21. USC understands this....

Hope these dogs......have learned ..........a thing or two.

Pete Carroll.......Man of Mystery?

Many are calling it the biggest upset in College Football this year. Depending upon which poll you subscribe to, USC was either #1 (coaches poll) or #2 (AP writers poll). But.....yesterday they got beat by Stanford. Yes .....that Stanford. The Stanford that was a 41 point underdog! The Stanford that was playing the Trojans in the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Stanford that was 1-3, having given up 45 points to UCLA, 55 points to Oregon, and 41 points to Arizona State. The Stanford that was out gained 459-235 in total net yards yesterday. Yes.......that Stanford beat USC 24-23 in a historic game that leaves sports enthusiasts scratching their heads searching for answers. The answer lies at the top. Pete Carroll's act is finally catching up with his program. No one questions the talent and speed of USC, but a total lack a a disciplined system has manifested its way into theses Trojans. Carroll's "I'm just one of the guys" personality has worked for several years, but those teams had proven leaders and stability within the players and coaches. It's gut-wrench time for Carroll and his staff. A program......this good for so long......and this talented and deep....does not lose ...........at home..........to Stanford.

Carroll's Career Coaching Stats:

NCAA: 69-12

Bowl Games: 4-2

BCS Games 4-1

NFL Regular Season 33-31

NFL Postseason 1-2