ACC (6-2)
This
Saturday, the ACC proved to all that while they were still a ‘power conference’,
this would not be one of their stronger years. Virginia Tech escaped a
dangerous East Carolina squad, and Virginia converted on a last-second FG to
beat the lowly Indiana Hoosiers. While Florida State and Georgia Tech both
pounded unheard-of opponents, Clemson beat Wofford
by eight and the Tar Heels pulled out a two-point win over Rutgers. Stanford
dismantled the dysfunctional Blue Devils, and Boston College lost to Central
Florida by an embarrassing score of 30-3.
Overall grade:
C+
Big 12 (4-1)
With
only half of the teams playing this weekend, it’s hard to judge the conference.
All-in-all, though, it was another successful week for the disheveled Big 12.
Iowa State beat rival Iowa in a triple-OT thriller, Oklahoma State beat up on
Arizona on Thursday night, and the Longhorns and Jayhawks both came away with
close home victories versus legitimate opponents. The only problem was Mizzou’s
OT loss at Arizona State, but the conference still had an impressive showing.
Overall grade:
A-
Big East (4-4)
After
a stellar first week, the Big East did not come out quite as strong in week 2.
Louisville kicked things off with an embarrassing home loss to Florida International, and Pitt barely
held of Maine. Rutgers lost to North
Carolina, Cincy was walloped at Tennessee, and UConn lost a close game at
Vanderbilt. Other than that, South Florida had another solid week by beating
Ball State, while Syracuse and West Virginia sent some small, local colleges
packing.
Overall grade:
B- (and that’s generous)
Big Ten (7-5)
The
picture pretty much sums it up. Rice beat Purdue this weekend, and New Mexico
State beat Minnesota. Iowa lost to rival Iowa State, Indiana fell to Virginia,
Alabama dominated Penn State in Happy Valley, and the Buckeyes narrowly escaped
with a win over warm-up opponent Toledo. Meanwhile, both Illinois teams came
out with blow-out wins, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Nebraska beat up on lowly
opponents, and Michigan pulled out a thrilling victory over Notre Dame in the
Big House’s first ever night game.
Overall grade:
B-
Independents
(1-3)
Notre
Dame lost again, and again it was due mainly to red-zone turnovers. While the
Irish fell to rival Michigan, Army and BYU both lost as well. The only winner
on Saturday for the Independents was Navy, who beat Western Kentucky. Once again, which team in this mix really
matters? Notre Dame.
Overall grade:
C- (the Irish did play better than last week)
Mountain West
(3-2)
While
no one of importance played an out-of-conference opponent, the conference still
did alright. San Diego State, Colorado State and Wyoming all blew out smaller
opponents, but UNLV fell to Washington State 59-7 and New Mexico lost at
Arkansas by 49.
Overall grade: C
Pac 12 (6-2)
This
week went a little better for the Pac 12. Although Arizona and Oregon State
were demolished by Oklahoma State and Wisconsin respectively, the conference
did display some winning potential. Washington, UCLA and Arizona State all won
tight games against legitimate opponents (well, maybe not San Jose State, but
you never know…), and Oregon, Washington State and Stanford all destroyed lowly
schools this weekend.
Overall grade: B
SEC (8-0)
It
was yet another solid weekend for the nation’s most prolific conference, as
they went undefeated in out-of-conference play. The Crimson Tide beat Penn State
in a tough road environment, and Tennessee beat Cincy by 22. Ole Miss, Florida,
Arkansas, and LSU all won against smaller schools, while Kentucky and
Vanderbilt pulled out wins over Central Michigan and Connecticut respectively.
Overall grade:
A+ (hard to argue against perfection)
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