So much for Game of the Century, right? Somehow, the Crimson Tide forgot an important ingredient for winning big games -- a competent field goal kicker. The thrilling finish between Oklahoma State and Kansas State may have been had more drama, as the Pokes held the Wildcats out of the end zone late to preserve the victory in a game that was light years ahead of the main event in terms of offensive performance.
Onto the thoughts this week:
- As mentioned earlier, if you don't have strong quarterback play and you don't have a strong kicker, it makes it difficult to win close games. No matter how good the defense is, it won't be able to put enough points on the board every week. For that reason, Alabama drops behind Stanford and Oklahoma State.
- I'm not as tough on the Cowboy defense as some people, because even though it gives up yards, it's a group that creates turnovers. Still, I think Stanford is a slightly better team right now.
- Since Kansas State played OSU down to the wire, they don't drop much in the ballot. I think they are pretty much who everyone thought they were going into the week.
- The dominant running game of Texas, a strong defense, and some love from the computers move the Longhorns up this week.
- Other than that, the back end of the bracket once again seems like a toss up.
Ballot after the jump.
Burnt Orange Nation Ballot - Week 11
Rank | Team | Delta |
---|---|---|
1 | LSU Tigers | -- |
2 | Stanford Cardinal | 3 |
3 | Oklahoma St. Cowboys | -- |
4 | Alabama Crimson Tide | -2 |
5 | Boise St. Broncos | -1 |
6 | Oregon Ducks | -- |
7 | Oklahoma Sooners | -- |
8 | Arkansas Razorbacks | -- |
9 | Clemson Tigers | 1 |
10 | Houston Cougars | 3 |
11 | South Carolina Gamecocks | -2 |
12 | Penn St. Nittany Lions | 2 |
13 | Virginia Tech Hokies | -2 |
14 | Kansas St. Wildcats | 2 |
15 | Texas Longhorns | 7 |
16 | Georgia Bulldogs | 4 |
17 | Wisconsin Badgers | 2 |
18 | Cincinnati Bearcats | -- |
19 | USC Trojans | -1 |
20 | Michigan St. Spartans | -3 |
21 | Nebraska Cornhuskers | -9 |
22 | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | 2 |
23 | Southern Miss. Golden Eagles | -- |
24 | Auburn Tigers | 1 |
25 | Baylor Bears | -- |
Dropouts: Arizona St. Sun Devils, Michigan Wolverines, West Virginia Mountaineers |
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