Sully's Big Blog! Commentary on College Football, Weekly Games, And Strange Statistics!

BCS vs FBS 2012

The Football Bowl Subdivision (NCAA Classification) is made up of 11 conferences and four independents … 124 teams make up the FBS. All of these teams must award 85 scholarships to keep that classification! Six of the conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, PAC 12, SEC,  & Notre Dame) created another association within the FBS known as the BCS (Bowl Championship Series… not an NCAA Classification … but a construct by these institutions), their intent was to pit the # one ranked team against the # 2 ranked team each and every year. Essentially they were assuming that these teams would come from one of their six conferences! They were right … they have each and every year since 1998! So the math is … 69 programs (ACC, 12, Big 12, 10, Big East, 8 Big 10, 12, PAC 12, 12, SEC 14, & ND) make up the BCS ….. the remaining 55 (C-USA, 12, MAC 13, WAC, 7, MWC, 10, Sun Belt, 10 & Independents 3)  FBS programs are outside looking in and hoping for a place at the table of plenty!

The BCS is coming to an end in 2014 … for any number of reasons. One of the perceptions is that the conferences and teams that make up the BCS are simply better than their FBS Brothern. Let’s put that to the test by examining the 2012 results!

The ACC vs Non AQ (Automatic Qualifiers) FBS Programs 8-4: Boston College lost to Army 0-1; Clemson beat Ball State 52-21; Duke Beat Florida International 46-26 & Memphis 38-14, FSU did not play a Non -AQ opponent; G-Tech lost to Middle Tennessee 49-28 & BYU 41-17; Maryland did not play a Non AQ opponent; Miami did not play a Non AQ opponent; NC State beat South Alabama 31-7; North Carolina beat East Carolina 27-6 & Idaho 66-0; Virginia lost to Louisiana Tech 44-38; Va Tech beat Bowling Green 36-0; Wake Forest beat Army 49-37! Schedule Complete!

Big 12 vs Non AQ (Automatic Qualifiers) FBS Programs 12-2: Baylor beat SMU 59-24 & Louisiana Monroe 47-42; Iowa State beat Tulsa 38-23; Kansas lost to Rice 25-24 & Northern Illinois 30-23; Kansas State beat North Texas 35-21; Oklahoma beat UTEP 24-7; Oklahoma State beat Louisiana Lafayette 65-24; TCU beat SMU 24-16; Texas beat Wyoming 37-17 & New Mexico 45-0; Texas Tech beat Texas State 58-10 & New Mexico 49-14; West Virginia beat Marshall 69-34;! Schedule Complete!

Big East vs Non AQ (Automatic Qualifiers) FBS Programs 8-4: Cincinnati beat Miami of Ohio 52-14 & lost to Toledo 29-23; U-Conn beat U-Mass 34-0 & Buffalo 24-17 & lost to Western Michigan 30-24;  Louisville beat Florida International 28-21 & Southern Mississippi 21-17; Pitt beat Buffalo 20-6; Rutgers beat Tulane 24-12 & lost to Kent state 35-23; South Florida beat Nevada 32-31 & lost to Ball State 31-27! Syracuse does not play a FBS Non-AQ; Two game left with Non AQ opponents Rutgers @ home vs Army 11/3/12 & Temple @ Army 11/17/12

Big Ten vs Non AQ (Automatic Qualifiers) FBS Programs 20-5: Illinois beat Western Michigan 24-7 & lost to Louisiana Tech 52-24; Indiana beat U-Mass 45-6 & lost to Ball State 41-39 & Navy 31-30; Iowa beat Northern Illinois 18-17 & lost to Central Michigan 32-31; Michigan beat Air Force 25-31 & U-Mass 63-13; Michigan State beat Boise State 17-13, Central Michigan 41-7,  & Eastern Michigan 23-7; Minnesota beat UNLV in OT 30-27 & Western Michigan 28-23; Nebraska beat Southern Mississippi 49-20 & Arkansas State 42-13; Northwestern did not play a Non AQ opponent; Ohio State beat Miami OH 56-10, Central Florida 31-16,  & UAB 29-15; Penn State lost to Ohio 24-14 & beat Navy 34-7; Purdue beat Eastern Michigan 54-16 & Marshall 51-41; Wisconsin beat Utah State 16-14 & UTEP 37-26.

PAC 12 vs Non AQ (Automatic Qualifiers) FBS Programs 11-5: Arizona beat Toledo in OT 59-38; Arizona State does not play an FBS Non AQ; California lost to Nevada 31-24; Colorado lost to Colorado State 22-17  & Fresno State 69-14; Oregon beat Arkansas State 57-34 & Fresno State 42-25; Oregon State beat BYU 42-24; Stanford beat San Jose State 20-17; UCLA beat Rice 49-24 & Houston 37-6; USC beat Hawaii 49-10; Utah lost to Utah State 27-20 in OT & beat BYU 24-21; Washington beat San Diego State 21-12; Washington State lost to BYU 30-6 & beat UNLV 35-27.

SEC vs Non AQ (Automatic Qualifiers) FBS Programs 24-2: Alabama beat Western Kentucky 35-0 & Florida Atlantic 40-7; Arkansas lost to Louisiana Monroe 34-31 in OT & beat Tulsa 19-15; Auburn beat Louisiana Monroe 31-28 in OT & New Mexico State 42-7; Florida beat Bowling Green 27-14; Georgia beat Buffalo 45-23 & Florida Atlantic 56-20; Kentucky beat Kent State 47-14 & lost to Western Kentucky 32-31; LSU beat North Texas 41-14 & Idaho 63-14; Mississippi State beat Troy 30-24, South Alabama 30-10 & Middle Tennessee 45-3; Missouri beat Central Florida 21-16; Ole Miss beat UTEP 28-10 & Tulane 39-0; South Carolina beat East Carolina 48-10 & UAB 49-6; Tennessee beat Akron 47-26 & Troy 55-48; Texas A&M beat SMU 48-3 & Louisiana Tech 59-57; Vanderbilt beat U-Mass 49-7. Florida has Louisiana Lafayette to play!

Notre Dame vs Non AQ (Automatic Qualifiers) FBS Programs 2-0:  beat Navy 50-10 & BYU 17-14.

BCS Conferences vs FBS Non AQ Teams: 85-22  

ACC 8-4; Big 12 12-2; Big East 8-4, Big Ten 20-5; PAC 12 11-5; SEC 24-2;         ND 2-0

So you decided …. 85-22 (BCS Teams win 8 out of every 10 games played against FBS Non AQ Teams) are the BCS 85 scholarship programs simply better than their Non-BCS/AQ FBS 85 scholarship programs?

Posted in AAC, ACC, Air Force, Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Auburn, Ball State, Baylor, Big 12, Big Ten, Boise State, Boston College, C-USA, California, Charleston Southern, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Clemson, Colonial Athletic Association, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware State, Duke, Florida, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Florida State, Fresno State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Houston, Howard University, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisiana, LSU, MAC, Marshall, MEAC, Michigan, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Navy, NC State, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota State, Northeast Conference, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio, Ohio State, Ohio Valley, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, PAC 12, Patriot League, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Presbyterian, Purdue, San Diego State, SEC, South Alabama, South Carolina, South Florida, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, Stanford, Sun Belt, SWAC, Syracuse, TCU, Temple, Tennessee, Tennessee Tech, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, The Citadel, Toledo, Troy, ULM, Utah, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Washington, Washington State, West Virginia, Western Michigan, Wisconsin |

FCS vs FBS Non-AQ

In the 2012 season when a FCS Team (63 scholarships) has stepped up to take on a FBS (85 scholarships) Non AQ Conference Team, they have won 8 times,  lost 34, and have one game left to play! Please note, an FCS Program can give up to 63 scholarships, they may give fewer if they meet other NCAA requirements for FCS status, but they can not give more then the 63 allotted. All FBS teams must give 85 scholarships to maintain their Football Bowl Subdivision status; irrespective of their BCS membership or not… they must provide 85 rides. Not negotiable! So an FBS program has a clear advantage when playing an FCS squad. Why then, you ask, should an FCS program play an FBS program … the answer is simple…. $$$$$$$! A quarter to half of a million dollars may be the pay out for an FCS school willing to take on a Wisconsin or Alabama! Also, you will see that FCS teams will play more games against FBS AQ teams that FBS non AQ teams … because the pay out is greater vs Michigan (Big Ten) than say a Marshall (C-USA)!

The thirteen FCS conferences have won 19% (8-34) of the games they played against FBS Non AQ teams in 2012, as compared to 4% (2-52) vs BCS affiliates (ACC, Big East, Big 12, Big 10, PAC 12, SEC, & ND). The Missouri Valley was the only FCS Conference with a winning record, 2-1, against Non AQ competition, while the Southland Conference played the most 10 (with one to go) and lost the most (8) to Non AQ FBS teams!

A Football Bowl Subdivision  (FBS) team can count one win against a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) toward the needed six wins to become bowl eligible. So most FBS teams will schedule one game vs a FCS opponent…. write the check and get the win! Go to the site, an FCS team is indicated by a Blue Dot on the team and conference pages!

Here is your breakdown by FCS conference vs FBS Non BCS Conferences (Conference-USA, Mid-American Conference, Western Athletic Conference, Mountain West, Sun Belt and the Independents: Army, BYU, & Navy)!

Big Sky 3-7: Cal Poly Beat Wyoming 24-22; Eastern Washington Beat Idaho 20-3; Idaho State lost to Air Force 49-21; North Dakota lost to San Diego State 45-37; Northern Arizona Beat UNLV 17-14; Sacramento State lost to New Mexico State 49-19; Southern Utah lost to Utah State 34-3; UC Davis lost to San Jose State 45-13; Weber State lost to Fresno State 37-10 & BYU 45-13! Schedule Complete!

Big South 1-2: Coastal Carolina lost to Toledo 38-28; Stony Brook Beat Army 23-3; VMI lost to Navy 41-3! Schedule Complete!

Colonial Athletic Association 0-3: Georgia State lost to the University of Texas San Antonio 38-14; Rhode Island lost to Bowling Green 48-8; Towson lost to Kent State 41-21!  Schedule Complete!

Ivy League: Do not play a FBS Non AQ Team in 2012!

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 0-3: Morgan State lost to Buffalo 56-34 & Akron 66-6; Norfolk State lost to Ohio 44-10! Schedule Complete!

Missouri Valley Conference 2-1: Illinois State Beat Eastern Michigan 31-14; North Dakota State Beat Colorado State 22-7; Southern Illinois lost to Miami OH 30-14: Schedule Complete!

Northeastern Conference 0-1: Wagner University lost to Florida Atlantic 7-3!  Schedule Complete!

Ohio Valley Conference 1-4: Austin Peay lost to Western Kentucky 49-10; Eastern Illinois lost to Western Michigan 52-21; Southeast Missouri State lost to Central Michigan 38-27; Tennessee Martin Beat Memphis 20-17 and lost to Northern Illinois 35-7!  Schedule Complete!

 Patriot League: Do not play a FBS Non AQ in 2012

Pioneer Conference: Did not play a FBS Non AQ in 2012

Southern Conference 0-2: Appalachian State lost to East Carolina 35-27; Western Carolina lost to Marshall 52-14! Schedule Complete!

Southland Conference 1-8: Lamar University lost to Louisiana Lafayette 40-0 & Hawaii 54-2; McNeese State Beat Middle Tennessee 27-21; Nicholls State lost to South Alabama 9-3 & Tulsa 66-16; Northwestern State lost to Nevada 45-34; Southeastern Louisiana lost to UAB 52-3; Stephan Austin lost to MSU 52-0 & Texas State San Marcus 41-37! One game left on the schedule, University of Texas San Antonio vs McNeese State 11/10/12

Southwestern Athletic Conference 0-3: Alcorn State lost to Arkansas State 56-0; Southern University lost to New Mexico 66-21; Texas Southern lost to North Texas 34-7!

Posted in Big Sky, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association, IVY League, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Northeast Conference, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, Pioneer Conference, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, SWAC |

Big 12: Week 10

Baylor (3-4 / 0-4) vs Kansas (1-7 / 0-5)

Baylor is 7-3 in this series with 2 straight wins.  Last year Kansas was leading 24-3 after three quarters of football, but they surrendered three drives of over 80 yards in the fourth quarter which ultimately led to their defeat by a score of 31-30.  Kansas is 0-5 all time at Baylor, and they have lost a woeful 12 straight conference away games.

Iowa State (5-3 / 2-3) vs Oklahoma (5-2 / 3-1)

Iowa State is a shocking 3-67-2 all time vs Oklahoma, with the last 13 games (all losses) coming by an average score of 32-8.  Coming into 2012 ISU is 3-25 in games vs ranked opponents, though it is worth noting that two of those wins came last year in games against then #2 Oklahoma State and #19 Texas Tech.

Kansas State (8-0 / 5-0) vs Oklahoma State (3-1 / 5-2)

In last years game Kansas State had the game tied against then #2 Oklahoma State at 24 all and 45 all, but after surrounding a late touchdown with just over a minute to go, Kansas State was forced to drive the ball down the field one more time.  They managed to get inside the OSU ten yard line, but they failed to convert when they threw three straight incomplete passes into the endzone.  The visitor in this game is 1-5 all time, though OSU is 12-2 in their last 14 conference away games.

West Virginia (5-2 / 2-2) vs Texas Christian (5-3 / 2-3)

These two teams have met only once, which was in the 1984 Bluebonnet Bowl that saw WVU win by a score of 31-14.  This is TCU’s first season in the Big XXII, and should they lose this game, it will be their fourth loss of the regular season.  From 2008 to 2011 TCU had a regular season record of 44-4.

Texas Tech (6-2 / 3-2) vs Texas (6-2 / 3-2)

Texas is 11-3 all time vs TTU, but all three losses have indeed occurred on the road in Lubbock.  However, the last time Texas was here, in 2010, they allowed under 200 yards of total offense for TTU, and won by a score of 24-14.  The home team is 4-1 in this series.

Posted in Baylor, Big 12, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, West Virginia |

Football Championship Subdivision vs Bowl Championship Series Through Week 10

Here is a breakdown of how FCS teams did when they have stepped up and took on BCS / AQ conference teams. The FCS is currently 2-52 with eight games left to play. The only two wins were Sacramento State’s beating of Colorado 30-28 and Youngstown State’s handling of Pitt 31-17!  Some of the games were competitive … most were not!

Remember this is just the BCS (6 conferences: ACC, Big East, Big 12 Big Ten, PAC 12, SEC, & ND) teams vs the FCS … not the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) as a whole … in other words … the five other conferences (C-USA, MAC, WAC, Mountain West, & Sun Belt), who award 85 scholarships and the three independents ( Army,Navy, & BYU) are not part of this data. I will present a breakdown of that information that for your review tonight!

The data is presented from a FCS conference perspective!

Big Sky 1-5: Eastern Washington Lost to Washington 24-20; Idaho State was hammered by Nebraska 73-7; Northern Arizona was annihilated by Arizona State 63-6; Northern Colorado lost to Utah 41-0; Portland State was pounded by Washington 52-13; Sacramento State Beat Colorado 30-28; Southern Utah lost to Cal 50-31! Schedule Complete!

Big South 0-6: Charleston Southern lost to Illinois 44-0; Gardner-Webb lost to Pitt 55-10; Liberty lost to Wake Forest 20-17; Presbyterian Lost to Georgia Tech 59-3 & Vanderbilt 58-0; & Stony Brook lost to Syracuse 28-17! Schedule Complete!

Colonial Athletic Association 0-8: Georgia State lost to Tennessee 51-13; James Madison lost to West Virginia 42-12; Maine lost to Boston College 34-3; New Hampshire lost to Minnesota 44-7; Richmond lost to Virginia 43-9; Towson lost to LSU 38-22; Villanova lost to Temple 41-10; William& Mary lost to Maryland 7-6! Schedule Complete!

Ivy League: Did not play any team from a BCS / AQ Conference!

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 0-9: Bethune-Cookman lost to Miami FL 38-10; Delaware State lost to Cincinnati 23-7; Florida A&M lost to Oklahoma 69-13; Howard University lost to Rutgers 26-0; North Carolina Central lost to Duke 54-17; Savannah State lost to Oklahoma State 84-0 & Florida State 55-0 (2.5 quarters game called… weather); South Carolina State lost to Arizona 56-0 & Texas A&M 70-14! Schedule Complete!

Missouri Valley Conference 1-8: Indiana State lost to Indiana 24-17; Missouri State lost to Kansas State 51-9 & Louisville 35-7; Northern Iowa lost to Wisconsin 26-21 & Iowa 27-16; South Dakota lost to Northwestern 38-7; South Dakota State lost to Kansas 31-17; Western Illinois lost to Iowa State 37-3; Youngstown State Beat  Pittsburgh 31-17!   Schedule Complete!

Northeastern Conference: Did not play any team from a BCS / AQ Conference!

Ohio Valley Conference 0-5: Austin Peay lost to Virginia Tech 42-7; Eastern Kentucky lost to Purdue 48-6; Jacksonville State lost to Arkansas 49-24; Murray State lost to Florida State 69-3; Tennessee Tech lost to Oregon 63-14; One game left on Schedule… Jacksonville State plays Florida on 11/17/12!

Patriot League 0-1: Fordham lost to Cincinnati 49-17;  Schedule Complete!

Pioneer Conference: Did not play any team from a BCS / AQ Conference!

Southern Conference 0-4: Chattanooga lost to South Florida 34-13; Elon lost to North Carolina 62-0; Furman lost to Clemson 41-7; The Citadel lost to NC State 52-14; Four games left on the Schedule: Georgia Southern @ Georgia; Samford @ Kentucky; Western Carolina @ Alabama; & Wofford @ South Carolina … all remaining games played 11/17/12!

Southland Conference 0-4: Central Arkansas lost to Ole Miss 49-27; Northwestern State lost to Texas Tech 44-6; Sam Houston lost to Baylor 48-23; Southeastern Louisiana lost to Missouri 62-10! Two Game left on the Schedule: Sam Houston @ Texas A&M, Nicholls @ Oregon State 12/1/12 (this game was to be played on 9/1/12 … postponed due to inclement weather)

Southwestern Athletic Conference 0-2:  Grambling State lost to TCU 56-0; Jackson State lost to Mississippi state 56-9; One Game left on the Schedule: Alabama A&M @ Auburn 12/17/12

Posted in Big Sky, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association, IVY League, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Northeast Conference, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, Pioneer Conference, Southern Conference, Southland Conference, SWAC |

ACC: Week 10

Miami (4-4 / 3-2) vs Virginia Tech (4-4 / 2-2)

Last year Va. Tech jumped Miami by a score of 14-0 early, and by half time it was 21-7.  Heading into the fourth quarter, Miami faced a 24-14 deficit, but on the heels of a furious come back led by Stephen Morris, the Hurricanes regained the lead late to go up 35-31.  However, Va. Tech responded with a huge 8 play, 77 yard drive where they scored a TD to seal the victory.  In the last five games in this series, the visitor is just 1-4.

Duke (6-3 / 3-2) vs Clemson (7-1 / 4-1)

Overall, Clemson is 23-4 in this series, though in their last 9 games in Durham they are just 5-4.  The last time these two teams met in Durham, Clemson won handily after a sloppy first quarter by a score of 40-7.  Over the past 3 games that these two teams have played, Duke has lost by an average score of 30 points.  Since 2005, Duke is just 3-28 at home against ACC competition.

NC State (5-3 / 2-2) vs Virginia (2-6 / 0-4)

NC State aims to win 3 games against Virginia this week, which would be the first time that the Wolfpack would have accomplished such a feat since the stretch of victories that occurred in the years 1992-1994.  Last year NC State sealed their victory with a late interception returned for a TD, which ultimately led to them winning the game by a score of 28-14.

Wake Forest (4-4  / 2-4) vs Boston College (2-6 / 1-4)

BC has won their last two games in Winston-Salem, with their last victory coming in 2010 by a score of 23-13.  In that game BC forced five turnovers, with two leading to TDs.  Wake Forest is just 2-5 all time vs BC, though last year they did defeat the Eagles on the road by a score of 27-19.

Maryland (4-4 / 2-2) vs Georgia Tech (3-5 / 2-3)

The home team in this game is 5-1, and last year was no exception, as Georgia Tech won 21-16 at their place.  Geogia Tech is 8-3 all time in this series, though they did also lose (28-26) the last time that they played at Maryland as well.

Posted in ACC, Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami FL, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest |

Big East: Week 10

Temple  3-4 / 2-2 @ Louisville 8-0 / 3-0: Louisville is 2-3 all time vs Temple, but has won the last two games between the schools. That said, both of Temple’s wins are in Louisville. The schools last played in 2006, LU hammered the Owls in that game, 62-0! This is Temple’s first year back in the Big East … having played the past several years in the Mid American!

Pitt 4-4 / 1-3 @ Notre Dame 8-0: Pitt has not fared well against the Irish. They are currently 4-14 all time, including back to back losses in 2010, 23-17 & 2011, 15-12. The games, as seen by the scores, have been competitive, and,  in fact Pitt won the 2008 and 2009 games ….36-33 in OT and 27-22 respectively. 

Syracuse 4-4 / 3-1 @ Cincinnati 5-2 / 1-1: The Orange are 1-6 vs Cincy and were beaten soundly last year in the Carrier Dome, 30-13. That said, these teams seem to be headed in different directions of late, Syracuse has won 3 of its last four games, while the Bearcats have lost their last two outings. The home team has lost three in a row by an average of 21 points …. Cincy winning 30-13 in 2011 (as mentioned) & in 2009, 28-7 with the Orange prevailing in 2010, 31-7!

U-Conn 3-5 / 0-3 @ UCF 2-6 / 0-4: South Florida may be having the most disappointing season of any team in the Big East. They were picked to win the conference and are currently winless in the league @ 0-4. To make a bad situation worse, the huskies have beaten USF three times in a row; 2009, 29-27; 2010, 19-16; & 2011, 16-10!

 

Posted in AAC, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Syracuse, Temple |

PAC 12: Week 10

Oregon 8-0 / 5-0 @ USC 6-2 / 4-2: USC is 5-7 vs Oregon in the past 12 meetings, but SC’s upset win last year, kept the Ducks out of the BCS National Championship Game. The Trojans are coming off a 39-36 loss to Arizona while Oregon enters the contest fresh off a pounding of Colorado, 70-14! Oregon’s ranking is slipping in the computers and UO needs a statement win in this game to stay strong in the Human polls. Last time the Ducks were in LA, 2010, resulted in a 53-32 pounding of the Trojans.

Arizona 5-3 / 2-3 @ UCLA 6-2 / 3-2:  The Wildcats have won the past five contests, the most consecutive wins they have had in their series with UCLA. Last year’s game was an embarrassment for the Bruins, who trailed the Wildcats, 42-7, at halftime. Both of these teams have new head coaches and UCLA can play its way into the PAC 12 Championship game if it wins out!

Washington State 2-6 / 0-5 @ Utah 3-5 / 1-4: The last time Utah hoasted the Cougars was in the 2000 season, a State victory, 38-21. The 2011 game was a overtime affair, with the Utes finding a way, 30-27! It should be noted, that the home team has yet to win a game in this series! WSU, new coach, Mike Leach, has been in difficult coaching situations before … but the Cougars might be his greatest challenge to date!

Arizona State 5-3 / 3-2 @ Oregon State 6-1 / 4-1: The Sun Devils have dropped three straight in Corvalis to OSU, but the last two games have been close, 2008, 27-25 & 2010, 31-28! Fair or not, the head coaches in this game have a much different public image. OSU’s, Mike Riley, is viewed as a loyal pillar of the Beaver commuinity (having offers to / from stronger programs and more $’s… yet he has remained at OSU) while ASU’s, Mike Graham is seen as someone who follows the $’s (leaving Pitt after one year and reportly notifying his players via a text … he also left Rice after one year for Tulsa). OSU can play its way into the PAC 12 Championship Game but ASU needs all kinds of help to be the South Division  representative!

Stanford 6-2 / 4-1 @ Colorado 1-7 / 1-4: The Cardinal have won 3 straight by an average of 17 points, but lost the last time they were Boulder, in 1990, 21-17! The Buffs’ 1990 team is/was nothing like this current addition … a sorry excuse for a Division I football team! There is little question that this version of Colorado football is the weakest product that they have produced… probably ever! Last year Stanford scored on its first seven possessions … enough said about this game!

Washington 4-4 / 2-3 @ California 3-6 /2-4: Washington has won 3 straight in the series, but the visitor 1 and 6 in the past seven games! The Huskies won a close game the last time they traveled to Berkeley, 16-13! Neither of these teams have much of a chance …. to none at all …. regarding the division crown in the north. That said, both teams have an opportunity to become bowl eligible! Cal is a longshot needing to win all three of their games …. Oregon and Oregon State are two of the three! Meanwhile, UW has four games to play and needs two more victories; they have (besides Cal this week) Utah, Colorado, & Washington State to play … a much more favorable road to travel than California to go bowling in 2012!

Posted in Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, PAC 12, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, Washington State |

Sully’s Six Pack of Winners

Air Force -7 @ Army: AF is 22-2 all time vs Army! The Falcons have won seven straight times @ West Point by an average of 19 points! Air Force covers the 7.5 in each of the last five games played and their most recent visit to Michie Stadium resulted in a 42-22 victory!Sully Says: Take Air Foce and Give Army the 7 1/2!

Nebraska -2 @ Michigan State: Nebraska held MSU to season lows last year in Lincoln is points scored (24-3) and yards gained (101 rushing & 86 Passing) in Lincoln. The Black Shirts (Husker Defense) have been quite fearsome @ Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium, but not so fierce when playing away from that Nebraska crowd. The Cornhuskers are currently 1-2 away from home, a 36-30 loss to UCLA and a, 63-38 pounding @ Ohio State. Their lone road win came in Evanston vs Northwestern, 29-28, as the Wildcats missed a Field Goal that would have won the game as time expired. Meanwhile, the Spartans have experienced some gut-wrenching losses (19-16 to Iowa in OT, 17-16 to Ohio State, & 12-10 to Michigan) … until last week’s victory over Wisconsin, 16-13 overtime affair. Sully Says: Take MSU and the points at home vs Nebraska!  

Oregon -8 @ USC: Oregon has been waiting a long time for this game! Last year the Trojans build a big lead, 38-14, and then held on (barely…. Oregon missed a 37 FG as time expired) for a 38-35 win Eugene. The loss kept the Ducks out of the National Championship Game in 2011! Coach Kelly has held the Ducks in check this year, subbing as they build huge leads early in games … not this time… no prisoners will be taken! The last time the Ducks landed in LA Memorial Coliseum (2010) they build a horse and hammered the Trojans, 52-32. This time the statement will be more emphatic! Sully Says: Take Oregon and give SC the 8 points!

Clemson -13.5 @ Duke: Duke has made a major error this season, they are winning and have everyone’s attention! In the past, they may have been able to “sneak” up on someone … not this year! Last week, Duke traveled to Tallahassee and took on Florida State as the leader of the Coastel Division, the game was a battle between divisional leaders! Needless to say, FSU was ready and pounded the Blue Devils, 48-7! Clemson is 7-1 and needs to keep pace with FSU, as a divisional & possible BCS bowl are in their future if they continue to win. The Tigers will be ready! Sully Says: Take Clemson and give Duke the 13.5!

Arkansas -7  @ Home vs Tulsa: The Razorbacks have dominated this series, winning 17 straight times! The last time the Golden Hurricanes won a game vs Arkansas was in 1976! This year Tulsa (7-1) has taken on one AQ conference team, Iowa State, and lost 38-23! R-Backs @ home and a steady diet of SEC caliber opponents make a clear difference in this game! Sully Says: Take Arkansas and give the Hurricanes the 7 points!

Virginia Tech @ Miami +1.5: The visitor is 1-4 in the last 5 in this series! Both squads have played Georgia Tech, Miami beat Tech 42-36 in OT and Va Tech also beat the Yellow Jackets in OT, 20-17! The respective have also played UNC and both lost, the Hurricanes, 18-14 and the Hokies, 48-34! Sully Says: Take the home team Miami and the 1.5

Sully’s CFP is currently 31-22 against the Spread! 

Posted in #4 Sully's CFP Six Pack of Winners |

SEC: Week 10

Georgia (7-1 / 5-1) vs Ole Miss (5-3 / 2-2)

The last time that Ole Miss won in Athens was in 1996, which also happens to be their last win in the series, as they have lost 9 straight games to the Bulldogs.  The last time Ole Miss played Georgia on the road they were stomped by a score of 45-17, though the game was tied hat 17-17 heading into the fourth quarter.  However, last years game was fairly competitive, as Georgia won by a score of just 27-13.

LSU (7-1 / 3-1) vs Alabama (8-0 / 5-0)

Last year these two teams split their 2 games 1-1, but it was Alabama who won out the biggest game of all when they trounced LSU by a score of 21-0.  In the past 8 quarters of play, LSU has managed just 6 points against Alabama.  The last time these two teams met in Death Valley, there was five lead changes in the game, with LSU ultimately getting the victory by a score of 24-21.

Arkansas (3-5 / 2-3) vs Tulsa (7-1 / 5-0)

Arkansas has dominated this series, as they have won the last 17 games that they have played with Tulsa.  In their last meeting (2008), however, Arkansas barely managed to win, as it took a late TD return to edge Tulsa by a score of just 30-23.  Much like 2008, a season in which Tulsa won 10 games, Tulsa again finds themselves in the midst of a successful season.

Florida (6-1 / 7-1) vs Missouri (4-4 / 1-4)

Since the year 1990 Florida is a staggering 67-17 in the month of November.  This series has not taken place since the year of 1965, where Florida was defeated 20-18 in the Sugar Bowl.  Missouri is just 2-6 in their last 8 true conference road games.

Kentucky (1-8 / 0-6) vs Vanderbilt (4-4 / 2-3)

Vandy is just 2-6 since the year 1996 in Lexington which includes a 38-20 loss the last time that they met Kentucky on the road.  The Commodores are just 3-12 in their last 15 games coming off of a win.  It is perhaps worth noting that last week Vandy did win in their game against Massachusetts.

Mississippi State (7-1 / 3-1) vs Texas A&M (6-2 / 3-2)

MSU is 3-2 vs A&M, but they have not played recently.  The last time these two teams met was in the 2000 Independence Bowl, where the Bulldogs narrowly edged out A&M by a score of 43-41. However, A&M coach Kevin Sumlin went a staggering 1-11 vs MSU during his time at Houston as head football coach, with his only win coming in 2009 by a score of 31-24.

Tennessee (3-5 / 0-5) vs Troy (4-4  / 3-3)

These two teams have never before play one another.  Tennesse has only been defeated by one non automatic qualifier all time (7-1), with their only loss coming against North Texas in 1975.  In the month of November the Volunteers have won 11 of their last 14 games.  On the other hand, Troy has lost 12 straight non-conference away games, and they are just 2-15 all time vs SEC opponents.

 

Posted in Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, SEC, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt |

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Ohio State (9-0 / 5-0) / Illinois (2-6 / 0-4)

The last time the Illini played Ohio State at the Horse Shoe they were shut out 30-0.  It has not been since ’07 that the Illini have defeated the Buckeyes on the road, which was also the year that the Illini played in the Rose Bowl.  Last year Ohio State won by a score of 17-7, where they completed only 1 pass in the entire game.  Ohio State is not bowl eligible this year, and the Illini are in a must win situation this week if they hope to avoid the same fate.

Minnesota (5-3 / 1-3) / Michigan (5-3 / 3-1)

Michigan has won in their last 14 trips to Minneapolis, where they have not lost since 1977, by an average score of 40-13.  The last time Michigan faced the Gophers on the road was in 2008, where they won by limiting Minnesota to just 188 total yards and six points.   Last year Michigan won by a score of 58-0.

Indiana (3-5 / 1-3) vs Iowa (4-4 / 2-2)

The last time these two teams squared off in Bloomington the game was very close, as Iowa trailed 13-9 early in the fourth quarter, and it took a late TD pass and a reviewed in-completion in the end zone from Indiana for the Hawkeyes to escape with a victory.  Last year Iowa won by a score of 45-24.  Both teams remain bowl eligible, and this weeks contest will be big for both if they hope to stay in such a position.

Michigan State (5-4 / 2-3) vs Nebraska (6-2 / 3-1)

MSU is now 0-6 vs Nebraska after last years loss, where they clearly came out flat after their Hail-Mary pass completion to defeat Wisconsin at home.  They mustered just 3 points against the Huskers, which was good for a season low in points.  The last time these two teams faced off in East Lansing was in ’95, when Nebraska had one of the all time great college football teams.  The Huskers won 50-10.

Purdue (3-5 / 0-4) vs Penn State (5-3 / 3-1)

Penn State is 5-1 at Purdue since joining the Big Ten and over the past 15 quarters, the Lions have not allowed Boilers a touchdown.  Overall, Purdue is just 2-11 vs Penn State in conference play, and in the past five games, the Boilermakers have lost by an average of 11 points.  Last year Purdue missed two extra points and a FG in a five point loss.

 

Posted in Big Ten, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin |