College Football Week 8: The Ol' Head Ball Coach has a swamp. In his pants.

I believe this Tennessee fan is telling Derek Dooley to "suck a bag of dicks."

 

I am interested to see Notre Dame in this one. I'm convinced on that defense. I just don't know if it's possible to play top-level FBS football anymore with a game plan to keep things in the 20-point range.

 

Looking at the numbers, I guess their defense is a little better than I thought, overall. I knew they didn't give up many points, but I was under the impression - probably because of the Michigan game, which they essentially won by turning Michigan over deep in ND territory - that it was the product of a lot of fortuitous turnovers. And you know what I think of teams that win close games as a result of a lot of turnovers. But their second in scoring defense and sixth in total defense, which doesn't exactly scream "bend-but-don't-break."

I just think that offense - the passing offense, in particular - gives them no marging for error whatsoever on defense. And that's not good against Mr. Jones.

EDIT: Vegas agrees with me. Oklahoma favored by 10. It would probably be silly to jump on that now, though, before a bunch of pissed off Notre Dame fans start flooding in to move the line.

 

If Notre Dame can win in Norman --- and I don't think they can unless OU loses the turnover battle by 2 or 3 --- then they'd be legitimate national title contenders.

I wouldn't count out the chance of Oklahoma running the table and getting into a title game, either.

 

Agreed. Well, except for the part about loving Bill Snyder. KSU will lose at least twice before Christmas.

 

Maybe K-State will lose. It's absolutely possible. But the best chance of that happening is this weekend when it opened as 8-point favorites at home against Texas Tech. Then its home against Ok. State, not a walk but a very winnable game, at TCU, the second toughest game remaining, at Baylor, the easiest game remaining, and home vs. Texas, lit up by every halfway descent team it's played (Sorry, Ole' Miss.) K-State beat all those teams last year (sans TCU) either on the road or when they had the Heisman winner under center, fwiw.

This is a team that has the brains and brawn to play conservative, safe football. It rarely, rarely turns the ball over. It focuses on stopping the big play on defense. (WVU didn't have a pass longer than 13 yards.) Sure, everything could go wrong in one of those games, turnovers, busted coverage, stuffed up running lanes, but it would be completely against the character this team has shown for two seasons now. The team leaders, from coach to quarterback, are among the most boring, blue collar guys you could ever find. They're not likely to overlook anyone.

It's absolutely possible K-State loses. It's not "probably" going to happen, though. The odds of the four teams you mentioned going undefeated are much, much longer. The odds of any two of the teams you mentioned going undefeated are considerably longer. K-State has the easiest remaining path to 12-0.

 

To who? And what do you have against Snyder?

 

I agree that they would be contenders to play in the national title game.

There is only one realistic national title contender this year, I'm afraid.

 

Texas Tech beats Kansas State this Saturday in Manhattan.

 

For years, Snyder had a reputation for being a total dick to the media. He's apparently mellowed in his second stint at KSU, however.

 

Let's just say......
Oklahoma beats Notre Dame
Alabama wins out, beats Florida
Kansas State wins out
Oregon wins out

3 unbeaten teams.

Who has a better chance of beating Alabama in the National Championship Game?

Kansas State?
Oregon?

Personally, I think Oregon would beat Alabama. I don't think Kansas State has enough firepower offensively. Yes, I know Klein scored 7 TD against West Virginia, but there are several high schools in my area that could lay 45 against West Virginia.

 

I'm not saying K-State could beat Alabama, but blowing off Klein because it was West Virginia is to ignore everything he's been for two seasons now.

Just like OU and WVU, huh? You don't appear to have much of a read on this team.