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NCAA Field of 68 - February 22, 2012 Edition

2012-02-22T08:51:00.000-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Duke and Michigan State
Last 4 In - Northwestern, Colorado State, Washington, UCF
Next 6 - Cincinnati, Dayton, Arizona, Miami, FL, South Florida, LSU
One First Four game moved to 11 line to accomodate travel, BYU, Texas and St. Joseph's moved to 12 line, but ahead of these teams in my S-curve

West Regional
Greensboro
(1)  Duke vs (16) Stony Brook/Mississippi Valley State
(8)  Southern Miss vs (9) Iowa State
Nashville
(5)  Wisconsin vs (12) Washington/Colorado State
(4)  Louisville vs (13)  Iona
Louisville
(6)  New Mexico vs (11) Xavier
(3)  Michigan vs (14) Drexel
Omaha
(7)  Gonzaga vs (10)  Connecticut
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  Weber State

South Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Savannah State/UNC-Asheville
(8)  Seton Hall vs (9)  St. Louis
Portland
(5)  UNLV vs (12) Texas
(4)  Indiana vs (13)  Long Beach State
Nashville
(6)  Murray State vs (11) Mississippi State
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Belmont
Greensboro
(7)  Kansas State vs (10) Purdue
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Akron

Midwest Regional
Columbus
(1)  Michigan State vs (16)  Texas-Arlington
(8)  San Diego State vs (9)  West Virginia
Albequerque
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  St. Joseph's
(4)  Wichita State vs (13) Nevada
Columbus
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11) Northwestern/UCF
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Davidson
Omaha
(7)  Virginia vs (10)  California
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Valparaiso

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Long Island
(8)  St. Mary's vs (9) Memphis
Portland
(5)  Temple vs (12)  BYU
(4)  Florida vs (13) Middle Tennessee
Albequerque
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Alabama
(3)  Baylor vs (14) Oral Roberts
Pittsburgh
(7)  Creighton vs (10) Harvard
(2)  Ohio State vs (15) Bucknell

Modified Tourney Tracker - Record vs Teams Under Consideration

2012-02-21T09:08:00.001-06:00

Here is a modified version of the Tourney Tracker stripping away those teams no longer in serious consideration for the Field of 68. This can be a factor the committee looks at when evaluating Bubble Teams. For the purposes of this schedule, I am a one-man committee and will do my best to determine which teams are still under consideration. For one-bid leagues, the first place team is considered part of the field. Right now, I have it at 81 teams for 68 spots.

ACC (6)
North Carolina (10-4) - Michigan State(N), Wisconsin(H), UNC-Asheville(A), Mississippi Valley State(H), Long Beach State(H), Texas(H), Miami, FL(H), NC State(H), Virginia(H), Miami, FL(A)
Duke (10-4) - Belmont(H), Michigan State(N), Davidson(H), Michigan(N), Kansas(N), Washington(N), Colorado State(H), Virginia(H), North Carolina(A), NC State(H)
Virginia (6-3) - Michigan(H), Drexel(N), Oregon(A), LSU(A), Miami, FL(H), NC State(A)
Florida State (6-4) - Central Florida(H), North Carolina(H), Duke(A), Virginia(H), Miami, FL(H), NC State(A)
North Carolina State (3-7) - Texas(N), UNC-Asheville(H), Miami, FL(A)
Miami (1-8) - Duke(A)

Big 12 (6)
Baylor (11-5) - San Diego State(H), Texas-Arlington(H), Northwestern(A), BYU(A), St. Mary's(N), West Virginia(N), Mississippi State(N), Kansas State(A), Texas(H), Iowa State(H), Texas(A)
Missouri (9-1) - Notre Dame (N), California(N), Illinois(H), Iowa State(A), Texas(H), Baylor(A), Texas(A), Kansas(H), Baylor(H)
Kansas (10-5) - Georgetown(N), Long Beach State(H), South Florida(H), Ohio State(H), Kansas State(H), Iowa State(H), Baylor(H), Texas(A), Baylor(A), Kansas State(A)
Texas (4-9) - Temple(H), Texas-Arlington(H), Iowa State(H), Kansas State(H)
Kansas State (5-6) - Alabama(H), Long Beach State(N), Missouri(H), Texas(H), Baylor(A)
Iowa State (4-5) - Mississippi Valley State(H), Texas(H), Kansas(H), Kansas State(H)

Big East (10)
Syracuse (11-1) - Florida(H), Bucknell(H), Marshall(H), NC State(A), Seton Hall(H), Marquette(H), Cincinnati(A), West Virginia(H), Georgetown(H), Connecticut(H), Louisville(A)
Connecticut (7-8) - Florida State(N), Harvard(H), UNC-Asheville(N), West Virginia(H), South Florida(A), Notre Dame(A), Seton Hall(H)
Marquette (7-5) - Wisconsin(A), Washington(N), Louisville(H), South Florida(H), Seton Hall(H), Cincinnati(H), Connecticut(A)
Georgetown (8-4) - Memphis(N), Alabama(A), Savannah State(H), Memphis(H), Louisville(A), Marquette(H), Connecticut(H), South Florida(H)
West Virginia (7-7) - Akron(H), Oral Roberts(H), Kansas State(A), Miami,FL(H), Georgetown(H), Marshall(H), Cincinnati(H)
Seton Hall (5-8) - VCU(H), St. Joseph's(A), Dayton(A), West Virginia(H), Connecticut(H)
Louisville (6-5) - Long Beach State(H), Vanderbilt(H), Memphis(H), Seton Hall(A), Connecticut(H), West Virginia(A)
Cincinnati (4-5) - Notre Dame(H), Georgetown(A), Connecticut(A), Seton Hall(H)
Notre Dame (8-5) - Mississippi Valley State(H), South Florida(H), Louisville(A), Syracuse(H), Seton Hall(A), Connecticut(A), Marquette(H), West Virginia(A)
South Florida (2-7) - Vermont(H), Seton Hall(H)

Big Ten (9)
Ohio State (9-5) - Florida(H), Duke(H), Valparaiso(H), Northwestern(H), Indiana(H), Michigan(H), Wisconsin(A), Purdue(H), Minnesota(A)
Michigan State (10-5) - Florida State(H), Gonzaga(A), Indiana(H), Wisconsin(A), Purdue(H), Minnesota(H), Michigan(H), Ohio State(A), Wisconsin(H), Purdue(A)
Indiana (9-5) - NC State(A), Kentucky(H), Notre Dame(A), Savannah State(H), Ohio State(H), Michigan(H), Purdue(A), Illinois(H), Northwestern(H)
llinois (5-9) - Gonzaga(H), Minnesota(H), Northwestern(A), Ohio State(H), Michigan State(H)
Wisconsin (9-6) - BYU(N), UNLV(H), Mississippi Valley State(H), Savannah State(H), Purdue(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(A), Indiana(H), Minnesota(A)
Purdue (8-8) - Iona(N), Temple(N), MiamiFL(H), Illinois(H), Minnesota(A), Northwestern(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(A)
Michigan (10-5) - Memphis(N), Iowa State(H), Minnesota(H), Wisconsin(H), Northwestern(H), Michigan State(H), Purdue(A), Indiana(H), Illinois(H), Ohio State(H)
Northwestern (6-10) - LSU(H), Mississippi Valley State(H), Seton Hall(A), Michigan State(H), Illinois(A), Minnesota(H)
Minnesota (4-8) - Bucknell(H), Indiana(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(H)

SEC (6)
Kentucky (7-1) - Kansas(N), North Carolina(H), Louisville(H), Alabama(H), LSU(A), Florida(H), Vanderbilt(A)
Vanderbilt (8-5) - Oregon(H), NC State(N), Bucknell(H), Davidson(A), Marquette(A), Alabama(A), Middle Tennessee(H), LSU(H)
Florida (7-3) - Arizona(H), Mississippi Valley State(H), Florida State(H), LSU(H), Mississippi State(H), Vanderbilt(H), Alabama(A)
Alabama (4-8) - Wichita State(N), Purdue(N), VCU(H), LSU(H)
Mississippi State (5-4) - Arizona(N), West Virginia(H), Alabama(H), Vanderbilt(A), LSU(H)
LSU (3-7) - Marquette(H), Alabama(H), Mississippi State(H)

PAC-12 (4)
California (4-4) - Weber State(H), Oregon(A), Washington(A), Oregon(H)
Arizona (2-7) - Valparaiso(H), California(A)
Washington (3-6) - Oregon(H), Arizona(A), Arizona(H)
Oregon (2-6) - Arizona(A), Washington(H)

Atlantic 10 (6)
Xavier (5-8) - Vanderbilt(A), Purdue(H), Cincinnati(H), St. Joseph's(H), Dayton(H)
Temple (6-3) - Wichita State(N), Duke(H), St. Louis(A), LaSalle(H), St. Joseph's(H), Xavier(H)
St. Louis (6-3) - Washington(H), Vermont(H), Xavier(A), Dayton(H), St. Joseph's(A), LaSalle(A)
Dayton (6-5) - Minnesota(N), Alabama(H), St. Louis(H), LaSalle(H), Temple(A), Xavier(H)
St. Joseph's (4-6) - Creighton(H), Drexel(H), Dayton(H), LaSalle(H)
LaSalle (2-4) - Bucknell(H), Xavier(H)

Colonial (2)
VCU (2-3) - Akron(A), South Florida(H)Drexel (1-2) - VCU(H)

Conference USA (4)
Memphis (5-7) - Belmont(H), Miami, FL(A), Southern Miss(H), Marshall(H), Xavier(H)
Marshall (4-7) - Cincinnati(A), Iona(H), Belmont(H), Central Florida(H)
Central Florida (3-5) - Connecticut(N), Memphis(H), Marshall(H)
Southern Miss (6-2) - South Florida(H), Colorado State(A), Marshall(H), Central Florida(A), Memphis(H), Central Florida(H)

WCC (3)
Gonzaga (5-4) - Notre Dame(H), Oral Roberts(H), Arizona(H), Xavier(A), St. Mary's(H)
St. Mary's (4-3) - Weber State(H), BYU(H), Gonzaga(H), BYU(A)
BYU (4-4) - Oregon(H), Nevada(N), Weber State(H), Gonzaga(H)

Missouri Valley (2)
Creighton (23-5, 4-2) - San Diego State(A), Northwestern(H), Wichita State(A), Long Beach State(H)
Wichita State (24-4, 3-3) - UNLV(H), Creighton(A), Davidson(A)

Mountain West (4)
UNLV (7-4) - North Carolina(N), Nevada(H), Illinois(A), California(H), New Mexico(H), Colorado State(H), San Diego State(H)
San Diego State (5-5) - Long Beach State(H), Arizona(A), California(H), UNLV(H), New Mexico(A)
New Mexico (4-2) - St. Louis(H), Colorado State(H), San Diego State(A), UNLV(H)
Colorado State (1-4) - San Diego State(H)

One-Bid Leagues (19)
Harvard (4-1) - Florida State(N), Central Florida(N), Vermont(A), St. Joseph's(H)
Murray State (4-0) - Dayton(H), Memphis(A), Southern Miss(H), St. Mary's(H)
Iona (4-2) - Long Island(H), Vermont(A), St. Joseph's(A), Nevada(H)
Middle Tennesee (2-2) - Akron(H), Belmont(H)
Long Beach State (1-6) - Xavier(N)
Oral Roberts (2-2) - Xavier(A), Akron(H)Belmont (2-4) - Middle Tennessee(A), Marshall(H)
Akron (2-5) - Mississippi State(A), Marshall(A)
Nevada (1-3) - Washington(H)
Weber State (1-3) - Texas-Arlington(H)
Davidson (1-3) - Kansas(A)
Bucknell (0-4)
Valparaiso (1-2) - Akron(H)
Long Island (1-2) - Vermont(N)
Texas-Arlington (0-3)
Vermont (0-5)
UNC-Asheville (0-3)
Mississippi Valley State (0-6)
Savannah State (0-3)

2011-12 NCAA Tournament Tracker (in progress)

2012-02-20T15:50:00.000-06:00

Here is one of many tools I will use to track the world of College Basketball in their four month pursuit of the Field of 68. This one is simple. I have listed out roughly 100 teams that right now I see having a shot at an at-large berth or having a resume that would consider them a quality win. This schedule will list out the wins against teams that are also on this schedule, which should equate closely to Top 100 RPI wins. It is simply a way to assess quality wins. I will also note whether the game was at home (H), away (A) or neutral (N). The tracker will be flexible with additions and subtractions for surprise over and under achievers. Please note: The second record shown is only against teams on this list.

Remaining This Week/Next Week (52)
Monday(2): Connecticut at Villanova, Baylor at Texas
Tuesday(10): Kansas State at Missouri, Illinois at Ohio State, Xavier at Massachusetts, Georgetown at Seton Hall, North Carolina at NC State, Michigan at Northwestern, Miami, FL at Maryland, Kentucky at Mississippi State, Virginia at Virginia Tech, New Mexico at Colorado State
Wednesday(8): Ohio at Buffalo, South Florida at Syracuse, Temple at LaSalle, Dayton at Duquesne, West Virginia at Notre Dame, Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, Michigan State at Minnesota, Wyoming at San Diego State
Thursday(6): Duke at Florida State, Alabama at Arkansas, Wisconsin at Iowa, Louisville at Cincinnati, Stanford at Colorado, BYU at Gonzaga
Firday(1): Marquette at West Virgnia
Saturday(17): Virginia Tech at Duke, Vanderbilt at Kentucky, Iowa State at Kansas State, Oklahoma at Baylor, LSU at Mississippi, UCLA at Arizona, Villanova at Georgetown, George Mason at VCU, North Carolina at Virginia, Missouri at Kansas, Memphis at Marshall, Mississippi State at Alabama, Massachusetts at Dayton, Purdue at Michigan, Temple at St. Joseph's, Syracuse at Connecticut, Colorado State at San Diego State
Sunday(8): Indiana at Minnesota, Pittsburgh at Louisville, Wisconsin at Ohio State, California at Colorado, Florida State at Miami, FL, Iowa at Illinois, Oregon at Oregon State, Akron at Ohio

ACC (8) - (56-54)
North Carolina (23-4, 10-4) - Michigan State(N), Wisconsin(H), Long Beach State(H), Texas(H), Miami, FL(H), Virginia Tech(A), NC State(H), Maryland(A), Virginia(H), Miami, FL(A)
Duke (23-4, 13-4) - Belmont(H), Michigan State(N), Davidson(H), Michigan(N), Kansas(N), Washington(N), Colorado State(H), Virginia(H), Maryland(A), Virginia Tech(A), North Carolina(A), Maryland(H), NC State(H)
Virginia (20-6, 8-4) - Michigan(H), Drexel(N), George Mason(H), Oregon(A), LSU(A), Miami, FL(H), NC State(A), Maryland (H)
Florida State (19-7, 10-4) - Central Florida(H), Massachusetts(N), Virginia Tech(A), North Carolina(H), Maryland(H), Duke(A), Virginia(H), Miami, FL(H), Virginia Tech(H), NC State(A)
Virginia Tech (15-12, 4-10) - Oklahoma State(N), St. Bonaventure(H), Oklahoma State(A), Virginia(A)
North Carolina State (18-9, 4-8) - Texas(N), St. Bonaventure(A), Maryland(H), Miami, FL(A)
Maryland (15-11, 3-11) - Notre Dame(H), Colorado(A), Virginia Tech(H)
Miami (16-9, 4-9) - Massachusetts(H), Maryland(H), Duke(A), Virginia Tech(H)

Big 12 (8) - (68-61)
Baylor (22-5, 12-5) - San Diego State(H), Northwestern(A), BYU(A), St. Mary's(N), West Virginia(N), Mississippi State(N), Kansas State(A), Oklahoma State(H), Oklahoma(A), Texas(H), Oklahoma State(A), Iowa State(H)
Missouri (25-2, 13-2) - Notre Dame (N), California(N), Villanova(N), Illinois(H), Oklahoma(H), Iowa State(A), Texas(H), Baylor(A), Texas(A), Kansas(H), Oklahoma(A), Baylor(H), Oklahoma State(H)
Kansas (22-5, 14-5) - Georgetown(N), UCLA(N), Long Beach State(H), South Florida(H), Ohio State(H), Kansas State(H), Oklahoma(A), Iowa State(H), Baylor(H), Texas(A), Oklahoma(H), Baylor(A), Oklahoma State(H), Kansas State(A)
Texas (17-10, 6-10) - UCLA(A), Temple(H), Oklahoma State(H), Iowa State(H), Kansas State(H), Oklahoma(A)
Kansas State (18-8, 7-8) - Virginia Tech(A), Alabama(H), Long Beach State(N), Missouri(H), Texas(H), Oklahoma State(H), Baylor(A)
Oklahoma (13-13, 4-11) - Oral Roberts(H), Arkansas(H), Kansas State(H), Kansas State(A)
Iowa State (19-8, 7-7) - Texas(H), Iowa(H), Oklahoma State(H), Kansas(H), Kansas State(H), Oklahoma(A), Oklahoma(H)
Oklahoma State (13-14, 5-13) - Missouri State(A), Oklahoma(H), Missouri(H), Iowa State(H), Texas(H)

Big East (12) - (96-85)
Syracuse (27-1, 15-1) - Stanford(N), Virginia Tech(N), Florida(H), Bucknell(H), Marshall(H), NC State(A), Seton Hall(H), Marquette(H), Villanova(A), Pittsburgh(H), Cincinnati(A), West Virginia(H), Georgetown(H), Connecticut(H), Louisville(A)
Connecticut (16-10, 8-8) - Florida State(N), Wagner(H), Arkansas(H), Harvard(H), West Virginia(H), South Florida(A), Notre Dame(A), Seton Hall(H)
Marquette (22-5, 11-5) - Mississippi(N), Wisconsin(A), Washington(N), Villanova(H), Pittsburgh(H), Louisville(H), South Florida(H), Villanova(A), Seton Hall(H), Cincinnati(H), Connecticut(A)
Georgetown (20-5, 7-5) - Memphis(N), Alabama(A), Memphis(H), Louisville(A), Marquette(H), Connecticut(H), South Florida(H)
West Virginia (17-10, 10-9) - Akron(H), Oral Roberts(H), Kansas State(A), Miami,FL(H), Missouri State(N), Villanova(H), Georgetown(H), Marshall(H), Cincinnati(H), Pittsburgh(A)
Seton Hall (18-9, 6-9) - VCU(H), St. Joseph's(A), Dayton(A), West Virginia(H), Connecticut(H), Pittsburgh(H)
Louisville (21-6, 9-5) - Long Beach State(H), Vanderbilt(H), Ohio(H), Memphis(H), Pittsburgh(A), Villanova(H), Seton Hall(A), Connecticut(H), West Virginia(A)
Cincinnati (19-8, 7-5) - Oklahoma(H), Pittsburgh(A), Notre Dame(H), Georgetown(A), Villanova(H), Connecticut(A), Seton Hall(H)
Notre Dame (19-8, 9-6) - South Florida(H), Pittsburgh(H), Louisville(A), Syracuse(H), Seton Hall(A), Connecticut(A), Marquette(H), West Virginia(A), Villanova(A)
Pittsburgh (15-13, 6-11) - Oklahoma State(N), Duquesne(N), LaSalle(H), Georgetown(H), West Virginia(A), Villanova(H)
Villanova (11-15, 2-14) - LaSalle(H), Seton Hall(H)
South Florida (17-10, 6-7) - Cleveland State(H), Seton Hall(H), Villanova(A), Pittsburgh(H), Villanova(H), Pittsburgh(A)

Big Ten (10) - (81-76)
Ohio State (22-5, 9-5) - Florida(H), Duke(H), Northwestern(H), Iowa(A), Indiana(H), Michigan(H), Wisconsin(A), Purdue(H), Minnesota(A)
Michigan State (22-5, 11-5) - Florida State(H), Gonzaga(A), Indiana(H), Wisconsin(A), Iowa(H), Purdue(H), Minnesota(H), Michigan(H), Ohio State(A), Wisconsin(H), Purdue(A)
Indiana (20-7, 9-6) - NC State(A), Kentucky(H), Notre Dame(A), Ohio State(H), Michigan(H), Iowa(H), Purdue(A), Illinois(H), Northwestern(H)
llinois (16-11, 7-9) - Maryland(A), Gonzaga(H), St. Bonaventure(H), Minnesota(H), Northwestern(A), Ohio State(H), Michigan State(H)
Wisconsin (20-7, 7-7) - BYU(N), UNLV(H), Purdue(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(A), Indiana(H), Minnesota(A)
Purdue (17-10, 10-8) - Iona(N), Temple(N), MiamiFL(H), Illinois(H), Iowa(A), Minnesota(A), Iowa(H), Northwestern(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(A)
Michigan (20-7, 11-7) - Memphis(N), UCLA(N), Iowa State(H), Minnesota(H), Wisconsin(H), Northwestern(H), Michigan State(H), Purdue(A), Indiana(H), Illinois(H), Ohio State(H)
Northwestern (16-10, 6-10) - LSU(H), Seton Hall(A), Michigan State(H), Illinois(A), Iowa(H), Minnesota(H)
Minnesota (17-10, 6-10) - South Dakota State(H), Bucknell(H), Virginia Tech(H), Indiana(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(H)
Iowa (14-13, 5-9) - Wisconsin(A), Minnesota(A), Michigan(H), Minnesota(H), Indiana(H)

SEC (8) - (54-50)
Kentucky (26-1, 9-1) - Kansas(N), North Carolina(H), Louisville(H), Arkansas(H), Alabama(H), LSU(A), Florida(H), Vanderbilt(A), Mississippi(H)
Vanderbilt (19-8, 10-7) - Oregon(H), NC State(N), Bucknell(H), Davidson(A), Oregon State(N), Marquette(A), Alabama(A), Middle Tennessee(H), LSU(H), Mississippi(A)
Florida (21-6, 8-3) - Arizona(H), Florida State(H), LSU(H), Mississippi(A), Mississippi State(H), Vanderbilt(H), Alabama(A), Arkansas(A)
Alabama (17-9, 8-8) - Maryland(N), Wichita State(N), Purdue(N), VCU(H), Oklahoma State(H), LSU(H), Arkansas(H), Mississippi(H)
Mississippi State (19-8, 6-6) - Arizona(N), West Virginia(H), Alabama(H), Vanderbilt(A), LSU(H), Mississippi(H)
Mississippi (15-11, 3-10) - MiamiFL(H), Arkansas(H), Mississippi State(H)
LSU (16-10, 5-8) - Marquette(H), Mississippi(H), Arkansas(H), Alabama(H), Mississippi State(H)
Arkansas (17-10, 5-7) - Charlotte(H), Mississippi State(H), LSU(H), Michigan(H), Vanderbilt(H)

PAC-12 (8) - (46-63)
California (22-6, 10-5) - Denver(H), Weber State(H), UCLA(H), Oregon(A), Colorado(H), Washington(A), Stanford(H), UCLA(A), Oregon(H), Oregon State(H)
Stanford (18-9, 7-7) - Oklahoma State(N), NC State(H), Colorado State(H), UCLA(H), Oregon State(A), Colorado(H), Oregon State(H)
Arizona (19-9, 6-9) - New Mexico State(A), Duquesne(H), Oregon State(H), California(A), Stanford(A), Colorado(H)
Washington (19-8, 7-8) - Oregon State(H), Oregon(H), Stanford(H), Arizona(A), UCLA(H), Oregon State(A), Arizona(H)
Oregon (19-8, 5-8) - Stanford(H), Arizona(A), UCLA(H), Washington(H), Stanford(A)
UCLA (15-12 3-10) - Arizona(H), Colorado(H), Stanford(H)
Colorado (18-8, 4-8) - Washington(H), Arizona(H), Oregon State(H), Oregon(H)
Oregon State (15-12, 4-8) - Texas(N), California(H), UCLA(H), Oregon(A)

Atlantic 10 (9) - (58-59)
Xavier (17-9, 7-8) - Vanderbilt(A), Purdue(H), Cincinnati(H), St. Bonaventure(H), Duquesne(H), St. Joseph's(H), Dayton(H)
Temple (21-5, 11-3) - Wichita State(N), Buffalo(H), Villanova(H), Duke(H), St. Louis(A), LaSalle(H), Maryland(H), St. Joseph's(H), Xavier(H), St. Bonaventure(A), Duquesne(H)
St. Louis (22-5, 9-4) - Washington(H), Villanova(N), Oklahoma(N), Xavier(A), Duquesne(H), St. Bonaventure(H), Dayton(H), St. Joseph's(A), LaSalle(A)
Dayton (16-10, 7-8) - Minnesota(N), Alabama(H), Mississippi(H), St. Louis(H), LaSalle(H), Temple(A), Xavier(H)
St. Joseph's (18-10, 7-7) - Creighton(H), Drexel(H), Villanova(H), Duquesne(A), Dayton(H), LaSalle(H), Massachusetts(H)
Massachusetts (18-8, 4-6) - Davidson(H), St. Joseph's(H), St. Louis(H), St. Bonaventure(H)
LaSalle (18-9, 5-6) - Bucknell(H), Xavier(H), Duquesne(A), Massachusetts(H), Massachusetts(A)
St. Bonaventure (14-10, 3-9) - Buffalo(A), Dayton(H), Duquesne(H)
Duquesne (15-11, 5-8) - Akron(N), Massachusetts(H), Dayton(A), St. Bonaventure(H), George Mason(A)

Colonial (3) - (8-9)
VCU (23-6, 3-4) - Akron(A), South Florida(H), Northern Iowa(H)
George Mason (23-6, 2-3) - Bucknell(H), VCU(H)
Drexel (23-5, 3-2) - VCU(H), George Mason(H), Cleveland State(A)

Conference USA (4) - (21-23)
Memphis (19-8, 5-7) - Belmont(H), Miami, FL(A), Southern Miss(H), Marshall(H), Xavier(H)
Marshall (16-10, 4-8) - Cincinnati(A), Iona(H), Belmont(H), Central Florida(H)
Central Florida (19-7, 3-5) - Connecticut(N), Memphis(H), Marshall(H)
Southern Miss (22-5, 9-3) - New Mexico State(H), New Mexico State(A), South Florida(H), Colorado State(A), Mississippi(H), Marshall(H), Central Florida(A), Memphis(H), Central Florida(H)

WCC (3) - (17-12)
Gonzaga (21-5, 5-4) - Notre Dame(H), Oral Roberts(H), Arizona(H), Xavier(A), St. Mary's(H)
St. Mary's (23-5, 6-4) - Northern Iowa(H), Weber State(H), Missouri State(N), BYU(H), Gonzaga(H), BYU(A)
BYU (23-6, 6-4) - Oregon(H), Buffalo(H), Nevada(N), Weber State(H), Virginia Tech(A), Gonzaga(H)

Missouri Valley (4) - (23-23)
Creighton (23-5, 7-4) - San Diego State(A), Iowa(H), Northwestern(H), Wichita State(A), Northern Iowa(H), Missouri State(A), Long Beach State(H)
Northern Iowa (17-12, 5-7) - Iowa(H), Iowa State(A), Colorado State(H), Missouri State(H), Creighton(H)
Wichita State (24-4, 8-3) - Colorado(A), UNLV(H), Northern Iowa(A), Missouri State(A), Northern Iowa(H), Creighton(A), Missouri State(H), Davidson(A)
Missouri State (16-13, 3-9) - Nevada(A), Creighton(A), Northern Iowa(H)

Mountain West (5) - (29-25)
UNLV (22-6, 7-5) - North Carolina(N), Nevada(H), Illinois(A), California(H), New Mexico(H), Colorado State(H), San Diego State(H)
San Diego State (20-6, 6-5) - Long Beach State(H), Arizona(A), California(H), UNLV(H), New Mexico(A), Wyoming(A)
New Mexico (22-4, 9-3) - Missouri State(H), Oklahoma State(A), New Mexico State(A), St. Louis(H), Wyoming(A), Colorado State(H), Wyoming(H), San Diego State(A), UNLV(H)
Colorado State (16-9, 4-7) - Colorado(H), Denver(H), San Diego State(H), Wyoming(H)
Wyoming (18-8, 3-5) - Colorado State(H), Colorado(A), UNLV(H)

MAC (4) - (13-18)
Akron (19-8, 4-7) - Mississippi State(A), Marshall(A), Ohio(H), Kent State(H)
Kent State (19-7, 2-4) - West Virginia(A), Buffalo(H)
Ohio (21-6, 4-2) - Marshall(A), Northern Iowa(A), Buffalo(H), Kent State(H)
Buffalo (16-8, 3-5) - Dayton(A), Akron(H), Kent State(H)

Sun Belt (2) - (8-6)
Middle Tennesee (24-4, 4-3) - UCLA(A), Akron(H), Belmont(H), Mississippi(H)
Denver (20-8, 4-3) - St. Mary's(H), Southern Miss(H), Wyoming(H), Middle Tennessee(H)

WAC (2) - (3-9)
Nevada (22-5, 2-4) - Washington(H), New Mexico State(A)
New Mexico State (20-8, 1-5) - New Mexico(A)

Summit (2) - (6-6)
Oral Roberts (25-5, 4-4) - Missouri State(H), South Dakota State(H), Xavier(A), Akron(H)
South Dakota State (22-7, 2-2) - Washington(A), Oral Roberts(H)

Other Quality Teams (10) (21-28)
Harvard (23-3, 3-1) - Florida State(N), Central Florida(N), St. Joseph's(H)
Murray State (26-1, 4-0) - Dayton(H), Memphis(A), Southern Miss(H), St. Mary's(H)
Iona (22-6, 4-2) - Maryland(N), St. Joseph's(A), Denver(A), Nevada(H)
Long Beach State (19-7, 2-6) - Pittsburgh(A), Xavier(N)
Belmont (21-7, 2-4) - Middle Tennessee(A), Marshall(H)
Weber State (22-4, 0-3)
Wagner (23-4, 1-1) - Pittsburgh(A)
Davidson (20-7, 1-4) - Kansas(A)
Bucknell (20-8, 0-5) -
Cleveland State (20-8, 4-2) - Vanderbilt(A), St. Bonaventure(H), Kent State(A), Akron(H)

NCAA Field of 68 - February 20, 2012 Edition

2012-02-20T13:14:00.001-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Missouri and Duke
Last 4 In - Miami, FL, St. Joseph's, Arizona, Colorado State
Next 6 - Cincinnati, Illinois, LSU, Washington, Minnesota, NC State
One First Four game moved to 11 line to accomodate travel, BYU and Xavier moved to 12 line, but ahead of these teams in my S-curve
I really don't love this bracket, but three weeks will fix that...balancing the first four seed lines between strength, geography and conference affiliations was not easy
The mid-majors had a rough week and their seeding is taking a hit (unless they are named Wichita State)
The mock selection exercise, while just a trial and not with actual committee members revealed a few things, namely nobody respects Southern Miss and their RPI of 11

West Regional
Greensboro
(1)  Duke vs (16) Norfolk State/Mississippi Valley State
(8)  Mississippi State vs (9) St. Louis
Nashville
(5)  Wisconsin vs (12) Arizona/Colorado State
(4)  Louisville vs (13)  Iona
Louisville
(6)  Gonzaga vs (11) Seton Hall
(3)  Michigan vs (14) Drexel
Omaha
(7)  San Diego State vs (10)  Alabama
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Weber State

South Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Vermont/UNC-Asheville
(8)  Kansas State vs (9)  Memphis
Portland
(5)  Notre Dame vs (12) Xavier
(4)  Indiana vs (13)  Long Beach State
Nashville
(6)  New Mexico vs (11) Texas
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Belmont
Greensboro
(7) Creighton vs (10) Harvard
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Akron

Midwest Regional
Omaha
(1)  Missouri vs (16)  Texas-Arlington
(8)  West Virginia vs (9)  Purdue
Albequerque
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  BYU
(4)  Wichita State vs (13) Nevada
Columbus
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11) Miami, FL/St. Joseph's
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Davidson
Columbus
(7)  Murray State vs (10)  Iowa State
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  Valparaiso

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Long Island
(8)  St. Mary's vs (9) Southern Miss
Portland
(5)  Temple vs (12)  Northwestern
(4)  Florida vs (13) Middle Tennessee
Albequerque
(6)  UNLV vs (11)  California
(3)  Baylor vs (14) Oral Roberts
Pittsburgh
(7)  Virginia vs (10) Connecticut
(2)  Ohio State vs (15) Bucknell

NCAA Field of 68 - February 17, 2012 Edition

2012-02-17T07:44:00.001-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Missouri and Duke
Last 4 In - Xavier, Texas, Arizona, NC State
Next 6 - St. Joseph's, Dayton, Northwestern, Cincinnati, Mississippi, LSU

West Regional
(1)  Duke vs (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  Mississippi State vs (9) Seton Hall
(5)  Wichita State vs (12) Illinois
(4)  UNLV vs (13)  Xavier/Texas
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11) California
(3)  Michigan vs (14) Drexel
(7)  St. Mary's vs (10)  Alabama
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Weber State

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/UNC-Asheville
(8)  Virginia vs (9)  Purdue
(5)  Temple vs (12)  Kansas State
(4)  Louisville vs (13)  Oral Roberts
(6)  Southern Miss vs (11) Miami, FL
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Belmont
(7)  Murray State vs (10) Harvard
(2)  Ohio State vs (15) Valparaiso

Midwest Regional
(1)  Missouri vs (16)  Norfolk State/Miss Valley State
(8)  Memphis vs (9)  Connecticut
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  Iona
(4)  Indiana vs (13) Long Beach State
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11) Iowa State
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Davidson
(7)  New Mexico vs (10)  BYU
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  Akron

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Long Island
(8)  San Diego State vs (9) St. Louis
(5)  Wisconsin vs (12)  Middle Tennessee
(4)  Florida vs (13) NC State/Arizona
(6)  Gonzaga vs (11)  Minnesota
(3)  Baylor vs (14) Nevada
(7)  Creighton vs (10) West Virginia
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Bucknell

NCAA Field of 68 - February 16, 2012 Edition

2012-02-16T07:51:00.000-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Missouri and Duke
Last 4 In - Xavier, Texas, Arizona, NC State
Next 6 - St. Joseph's, Dayton, Northwestern, Cincinnati, Mississippi, LSU

West Regional
(1)  Duke vs (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  Mississippi State vs (9) Seton Hall
(5)  Wichita State vs (12) Illinois
(4)  UNLV vs (13)  Xavier/Texas
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11) California
(3)  Michigan vs (14) Drexel
(7)  St. Mary's vs (10)  Alabama
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Weber State

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/UNC-Asheville
(8)  San Diego State vs (9)  Purdue
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  Kansas State
(4)  Louisville vs (13)  Oral Roberts
(6)  Southern Miss vs (11) Miami, FL
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Belmont
(7)  Murray State vs (10) Harvard
(2)  Michigan State vs (15) Valparaiso

Midwest Regional
(1)  Missouri vs (16)  Norfolk State/Miss Valley State
(8)  Virginia vs (9)  Connecticut
(5)  Temple vs (12)  Iona
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13) Long Beach State
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11) Iowa State
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Davidson
(7)  New Mexico vs (10)  BYU
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Akron

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Long Island
(8)  Memphis vs (9) St. Louis
(5)  Florida vs (12)  Middle Tennessee
(4)  Indiana vs (13) NC State/Arizona
(6)  Gonzaga vs (11)  Minnesota
(3)  Baylor vs (14) Nevada
(7)  Creighton vs (10) West Virginia
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Bucknell

NCAA Field of 68 - Bubble Breakdown (I will continue adding teams)

2012-02-15T17:00:00.000-06:00

Selection Sunday is 25 days away. Between now and then, a few things are going to happen. First, a random team is going to struggle mightily down the stretch. Second, a random team is going to get hot and streak their way into the tournament. Third, conference tournaments are going to help some resumes and hurt others. Finally, there is the possibility of bid stealers who shrink the bubble even further.

In this edition of the Bubble Breakdown, I am going to assume teams will play at relatively the same level they have recently. It seems futile to pick the teams that are going to fulfill the top 2 scenarios above, or even which conference might hit on the last note above. With that, here are the teams that are a lock to make the tournament, teams almost in lock mode and then a little breakdown of the "bubble", including which teams I think are in real trouble.

LOCKS(26): North Carolina(ACC), Duke(ACC), Florida State(ACC), Syracuse(Big East), Georgetown(Big East), Marquette(Big East), Louisville(Big East), Missouri(Big12), Baylor(Big12), Kansas(Big12), Ohio State(Big10), Michigan State(Big10), Michigan(Big10), Wisconsin(Big10), Indiana(Big10), Kentucky(SEC), Florida(SEC), Wichita State(MVC), Creighton(MVC), UNLV(MWC), San Diego State(MWC), St. Mary's(WCC), Gonzaga(WCC), Temple(A-10), Southern Miss(C-USA), Murray State(OVC)

SHOULD BE DANCING(13): Virginia(ACC), West Virginia(Big East), Connecticut(Big East), Notre Dame(Big East), Seton Hall(BigEast), Vanderbilt(SEC), Mississippi State(SEC), Alabama(SEC), New Mexico(MWC), BYU(WCC), Memphis(C-USA), St. Louis(A-10), Harvard(Ivy)

LIKELY ONE-BID LEAGUES(18): Valparaiso(Horizon), Iona(Metro Atlantic), Middle Tennessee(Sun Belt), Long Beach State(Big West), Oral Roberts(Summit), Drexel(Colonial), Nevada(WAC), Akron(Mid-American), Belmont(Atlantic Sun), Bucknell(Patriot), Davidson(Southern), Weber State(BigSky), Long Island(Northeast), UNC-Asheville(Big South), TX-Arlington(Southland), Norfolk State(MEAC), Stony Brook(A-East), Mississippi Valley State(SWAC)

BUBBLE(11 available spots, 1 will be absorbed by the PAC-12 Tourney Champion):

Illinois(Big10), 16-9, 5-7
RPI 49
3 (RPI Top25 W), 4 (RPI Top50 W), 7 (RPI Top100 W), 2 (+/- vs RPI Top200)
Best Win vs Michigan State (RPI 4)
Remaining Games: Purdue(55), @Nebraska(126), @Ohio State(9), Iowa(131), Michigan(14), @Wisconsin(25)
Summary: The Illini hit a crucial 2-game stretch starting tonight. A sweep of these games does two things. First, it ends a stretch of 6 losses in 7 games with back-to-back wins. Second, it gives them a little more room for error down the stretch. The 3 Top 25 wins are something no other bubble team has right now, but a 7-11 conference record would be an eyesore.

Kansas State(Big12) 17-8 (overall), 6-7 (conf)
RPI 63
1,4,4,3
Best Win vs Missouri (RPI 7)
Remaining Games: @Baylor(6), @Missouri(7), Iowa State(37), @Texas A&M(148), Oklahoma State(108)
Summary: The Wildcats appeared to be safe, but 4 losses in 6 games have moved them into bubble territory. That could easily turn into 6 losses in 8 games within the week, making the Iowa State game a huge tussle between bubblicious squads. The RPI is getting dangerously low, and the 4 Top 100 wins are nothing special.

Iowa State(Big12), 18-8, 8-5
RPI 37
1,2,3,4
Best Win vs Kansas (RPI 5)
Remaining Games: Oklahoma(109), Texas Tech(236), @Kansas State(63), @Missouri(7), Baylor(6)
Summary: A home sweep this week will ensure 10 wins and a likely 4th place finish in the Big 12 for the Cyclones. The RPI is solid, but the 2 Top 50 and 3 Top 100 wins are not. All of their quality wins are in conference and at home, with Iowa(131) being the best non-conference win and Oklahoma(109) being the best road win.

Xavier(A-10), 16-9, 7-4
RPI 56
0,2,7,2
Best Win at Vanderbilt (RPI 29)
Remaining Games: Dayton(74), @Massachusetts(71), Richmond(140), @St. Louis(23), Charlotte(135)
Summary: A home sweep is almost a necessity for the Musketeers at this stage, which would add an 8th top 100 win. A win over St. Louis would be even better. I think 20-21 wins is the mark for Xavier, as long as the RPI remains in the Top 60.

Minnesota(Big10), 17-9, 5-8
RPI 64
1,3,5,3
Best Win at Indiana (RPI 15)
Remaining Games: @Northwestern(43), Michigan State(4), Indiana(15), @Wisconsin(25), Nebraska(126)
Summary: Minnesota is now losers of 4 of their past 6 and the next four are all against top 50 RPI teams. The Gophers would appear to control their own destiny, needing 3 wins in the final 5 games to get to 8-10 in the Big 10. That would also give them 5 top 50 and 7 top 100 wins, both very solid. They could also play themselves right out of the discussion as well.

California(PAC12), 20-6, 10-3
RPI 36
0,0,6,7
Best Win at Washington (RPI 59)
Remaining Games: Oregon(68), Oregon State(145), @Utah(274), @Colorado(75), @Stanford(104)
Summary: The Golden Bears are an odd case, but not dis-similar to Clemson/UAB a year ago. Cal is probably safe if they avoid a stumbling finish, but their lack of quality wins has to hurt their seed at this point. The only other quirk might be if they end up 2nd in the regular season and therefore would not be regular season or post-season champs in the PAC 12.

Purdue(Big10), 16-9, 6-6
RPI 55
1,5,7,1
Best Win vs Temple (RPI 18)
Remaining Games: @Illinois(49), Michigan State(4), Nebraska(126), @Michigan(14), Penn State(133), @Indiana(15)
Summary: How big is tonight's game in Champaign? For Purdue, it would mean a home sweep of Nebraska and Penn State would get them to 9-9 and they would be assured of a positive 200 +/-. A loss brings that negative +/- into play, unless of course they beat Michigan State at home, which would give them another really good win and make them almost a lock. So I guess I am saying they need to split their next two, or split the Michigan/Indiana road games.

Miami, FL(ACC), 15-8, 6-4
RPI 33
1,1,3,3
Best Win at Duke (RPI 2)
Remaining Games: North Carolina(8), Wake Forest(146), @Maryland(92), Florida State(27), @NC State(50), Boston College(220)
Summary: This is a resume almost exactly like Iowa State, except that Miami will have the Reggie Johnson injury as a potential help in the committee's eyes. The Hurricanes have two great home opportunities for resume-enhancing wins, as well as a big road game vs fellow bubble team NC State. They need to keep taking care of business and a 4-2 finish would be a big step in the right direction.

Northwestern(Big10), 15-9, 5-7
RPI 43
1,3,4,2
Best Win vs Michigan State (RPI 4)
Remaining Games: @Indiana(15), Minnesota(64), Michigan(14), @Penn State(133), Ohio State(9), @Iowa(131)
Summary: The fourth Big 10 team on the bubble, Northwestern has a very similar resume to Minnesota, meaning Saturday's game in Evanston has added importance. The Wildcats will determine their own fate, but a 2-4 finish with wins against only Penn State and Iowa are not going to improve this resume.

Washington(PAC12), 17-8, 10-3
RPI 59
0,0,2,2
Best win at Arizona (RPI 67)
Remaining Games: Arizona State(228), Arizona(67), @Washington State(153), @USC(232), @UCLA(122)
Summary: After splitting the Oregon road swing last week, the Huskies RPI actually went from 71 to 59. That is the good news. The bad news was they relinquished their sole possession of first in the PAC-12 and the rest of the resume lacks wins of significance. Saturday's game with Arizona looms large, but probably more for Arizona. This is just not an at-large profile, conference champion or not.

Arizona(PAC12), 18-8, 9-4
RPI 67
0,1,5,3
Best Win at California (RPI 47)
Remaining Games: @Washington State(153), @Washington(59), USC(232), UCLA(122), @Arizona State(228)
Summary: Winners of 5 of their last 6, the Wildcats currently occupy the last spot in my field. They have no margin for error though, and a loss at Washington on Saturday would squander their last resume building opportunity before the PAC-12 tournament.

Colorado(PAC12), 15-8, 9-4, Oregon(PAC12), 18-7, 9-4
RPI 75, 68
Summary: The at-large chances of these two are slim, but I include them as the last 2 of the 5 teams likely to win the PAC-12 tournament.

Arkansas(SEC), 17-8, 5-5
RPI 69
1,3,4,4
Best Win vs Michigan (RPI 14)
Remaining Games: @Tennessee(111), Florida(20), Alabama(35), @Auburn(134), Mississippi(52), @Mississippi State(48)
Summary: I am guessing Razorback fans wish Tennessee wouldn't be playing their best basketball, because the Hogs need a road win. Probably two, or at least one plus a neutral win in the SEC Tourney. They also need to add more good wins, which are available at home.

Texas(Big12), 17-9, 7-6
RPI 42
1,2,3,3
Best Win vs Temple (RPI 18)
Remaining Games: @Oklahoma State(108), Baylor(6), @Texas Tech(236), Oklahoma(109), @Kansas(5)
Summary: A 4-game winning streak has Texas on the right side of the bubble, but they have the Iowas State/Miami profile that is a little short on Top 100 wins. Monday's home tilt with Baylor is HUGE, as is the match-ups in the Big 12 tourney, as Texas could use Iowa State or Kansas State as a victim before a chance at the heavyweights.

Cincinnati(Big East), 17-8, 7-5
RPI 93
2,3,6,4
Best Win at Georgetown (RPI 13)
Remaining Games: Providence(157), Seton Hall(31), Louisville(24), @South Florida(60), Marquette(11), @Villanova(96)
Summary: What do you do with an RPI of 93 and a loss to Presbyterian? Wins over Georgetown, Connecticut and Notre Dame and a 6-4 road record all look very good. But that RPI!! The schedule is ahead of them to improve it, with 5 out of 6 remaining games vs the Top 100. The mystery is how low the final RPI can be. Colorado would be my example last year with 5 top 25 wins, but the Buffs RPI was just too low in the end.

North Carolina State(ACC), 18-7, 7-3
RPI 50
0,2,5,5
Best Win at Miami, FL (RPI 33)
Remaining Games: @Duke(2), Florida State(27), North Carolina(8), @Clemson(155), Miami, FL(33), @Virginia Tech(103)
Summary: Three home games against top 33 teams, 3 chances to prove they should be in the field. With similar resumes and a head-to-head win on a neutral court, NC State should probably be ahead of Texas right now. It is exercises like this that remind us of those things. That said, a three-game losing streak is very possible and would make all remaining games almost must-wins for the Wolfpack.

St. Joseph's(A10), 16-10, 6-5
RPI 47
0,1,7,2
Best win vs Creighton (RPI 30)
Remaining Games: @Rhode Island(254), @George Washington(169), Richmond(140), Temple(18), @St. Bonaventure(91)
Summary: A decent RPI and a now-only-decent win vs Creighton have St. Joe's squarely on the bubble. A 3-7 road record gives little faith that they can run the road table against some of the weaker Atlantic 10 teams, but the next three games are critical. A home win vs Temple would be even bigger going into the A-10 Tourney where more top 100 wins may be available. As stated and true a year ago, I think the committee wants some mid-majors in the play-in games, and the Atlantic 10 is going to have a candidate or two perfect for that scenario.

Dayton(A10), 15-9, 5-5
RPI 74
2,3,7,3
Best Win at Temple (RPI 18)
Remaining Games: Charlotte(135), @Xavier(56), @Duquesne(85), Massachusetts(71), @Richmond(140), George Washington(169)
Summary: The Flyers ran out of gas finally after losing John Benson, but still have 7 Top 100 wins, including Temple, Alabama, St. Louis and Xavier. The re-match with Xavier is big, but Dayton needs a big finish to improve their RPI and road record for the committee.

LSU(SEC), 15-10, 5-6
RPI 66
1,3,5,0
Best Win vs Marquette (RPI 11)
Remaining Games: @South Carolina(177), Georgia(100), @Mississippi(52), Tennessee(111), @Auburn(134)
Summary: LSU is still breathing for a few reasons. They have a top 25 win, they have won 3 of their last 4, with all wins coming against the Top 70 and the remaining schedule makes 19-11, 9-7 look like a realistic possibility. The downside is that the remaining schedule is going to make a big leap in RPI almost impossible.

Mississippi(SEC), 15-9, 5-5
RPI 52
0,2,5,4
Best Win vs Miami, FL (RPI 33)
Remaining Games: Vanderbilt(29), @Kentucky(3), @Tennessee(111), LSU(66), @Arkansas(69), Alabama(35)
Summary: For disclosure purposes, two of the Top 100 victories are against number 99 and 100, which could go away if TCU and/or Georgia goes backward the rest of the way. The good news is that 5 of the final 6 are against the RPI Top 70, so Mississippi, unlike LSU, has a chance to improve their RPI with a couple big wins, or at least gain separation from fellow bubble teams Arkansas and LSU with head-to-head victories.

Central Florida(C-USA), 16-7, 7-4
RPI 57
2,2,3,1
Best Win vs Memphis (RPI 19)
Remaining Games: East Carolina(179), @Rice(165), UTEP(173), @Memphis(19), UAB(119)
Summary: Honestly, anything less than a 5-0 finish may not get it done. With wins over Memphis and Connecticut, UCF has part of the resume, but the 3 top 100 wins are usually not at-large worthy and another win over Memphis is the only way to change that before the C-USA tourney.

Others
Pittsburgh (15-11, 4-9, 77, 1,2,5,-1) - A 4-1 finish plus 2 more in the Big East Tourney might get them in depending on everyone else.
Northern Iowa (16-10, 7-8, 53, 0,3,4,4) - Probably have to win out to the MVC final to be considered. A mid-major with 11 or 12 losses is a tough sell without a few more quality wins.
Wyoming (16-6, 4-4, 65, 1,2,3,0) - The home win vs UNLV is nice, but they could use some more quality wins. They have the chances, albeit all on the road.
Colorado State (14-8, 4-4, 28, 1,1,5,2) - San Diego State is the good win here, and four more opportunites exist for good wins, 3 of which are at home (keep in mind 3 of the Top 100 wins are against current 94, 97 and 99)
South Florida (14-10, 8-4, 60, 0,1,4,2)- The final 6 games for the Bulls are against the RPI Top 100, 3 vs the Top 50. The conference record is not a problem, they just need to add top 50 and 100 wins.
Marshall (14-10, 6-5, 62, 0,0,4,-1) - Both Memphis and Southern Miss still come to Marshall, so a sweep of those two would put Marshall back on the at-large map.
Massachusetts (18-7, 7-4, 71, 1,2,4,4) - UMass has 4 of the final 5 against RPI top 100 teams, so they could still be a player, especially head-to-head with Xavier and Dayton.
Team Currently Listed from a one-bid league - I just don't see an overall resume that would seem safe.

NCAA Field of 68 - February 15, 2012 Edition

2012-02-15T08:02:00.000-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Missouri and Duke
Last 4 In - Xavier, Northwestern, Texas, Arizona
Next 4 - NC State, St. Joseph's, Arkansas, Dayton

West Regional
(1)  Duke vs (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  Mississippi State vs (9) Seton Hall
(5)  Wichita State vs (12) California
(4)  UNLV vs (13)  Xavier/Northwestern
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Miami, FL
(3)  Michigan vs (14) Drexel
(7)  Gonzaga vs (10)  Alabama
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Weber State

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/UNC-Asheville
(8)  New Mexico vs (9)  Purdue
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  Kansas State
(4)  Louisville vs (13)  Middle Tennessee
(6)  Southern Miss vs (11) Harvard
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Belmont
(7)  Murray State vs (10) Illinois
(2)  Michigan State vs (15) Valparaiso

Midwest Regional
(1)  Missouri vs (16)  Norfolk State/Miss Valley State
(8)  Virginia vs (9)  Connecticut
(5)  Temple vs (12)  Iona
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13) Long Beach State
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11) Iowa State
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Davidson
(7)  San Diego State vs (10)  BYU
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Akron

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Long Island
(8)  Memphis vs (9) St. Louis
(5)  Florida vs (12)  Texas/Arizona
(4)  Indiana vs (13) Oral Roberts
(6)  St. Mary's vs (11)  Minnesota
(3)  Baylor vs (14) Nevada
(7)  Creighton vs (10) West Virginia
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Bucknell

NCAA Field of 68 - February 14, 2012 Edition

2012-02-14T08:18:00.000-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Missouri and Duke
Last 4 In - Xavier, Northwestern, Texas, Arizona
Next 4 - NC State, St. Joseph's, Arkansas, Dayton

West Regional
(1)  Duke vs (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  Mississippi State vs (9) Seton Hall
(5)  Wichita State vs (12) California
(4)  UNLV vs (13)  Xavier/Northwestern
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Miami, FL
(3)  Michigan vs (14) VCU
(7)  Gonzaga vs (10)  Alabama
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Weber State

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/UNC-Asheville
(8)  Murray State vs (9)  Purdue
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  Kansas State
(4)  Louisville vs (13)  Middle Tennessee
(6)  Southern Miss vs (11) Harvard
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Oral Roberts
(7)  Virginia vs (10) Illinois
(2)  Michigan State vs (15) Belmont
Midwest Regional
(1)  Missouri vs (16)  Norfolk State/Miss Valley State
(8)  Memphis vs (9)  Connecticut
(5)  Temple vs (12)  Iona
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13) Long Beach State
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11) Iowa State
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Davidson
(7)  San Diego State vs (10)  BYU
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Akron

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Long Island
(8)  New Mexico vs (9) St. Louis
(5)  Florida vs (12)  Texas/Arizona
(4)  Indiana vs (13) Cleveland State
(6)  St. Mary's vs (11)  Minnesota
(3)  Baylor vs (14) Nevada
(7)  Creighton vs (10) West Virginia
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Bucknell

NCAA Field of 68 - February 10, 2012 Edition

2012-02-10T15:20:00.000-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Ohio State and Missouri

West Regional
(1)  Missouri vs (16) Norfolk State/Mississippi Valley State
(8)  West Virginia vs (9) Memphis
(5)  Vanderbilt vs (12) Minnesota/NC State
(4)  Michigan vs (13)  Middle Tennessee
(6)  St. Mary's vs (11)  Seton Hall
(3)  UNLV vs (14) Nevada
(7)  Wichita State vs (10)  Harvard
(2)  Duke vs (15)  Bucknell

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/UNC-Asheville
(8)  Murray State vs (9)  Connecticut
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  Xavier
(4)  Indiana vs (13)  Iona
(6)  Mississippi State vs (11) BYU
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Akron
(7)  San Diego State vs (10) Illinois
(2)  Baylor vs (15)  Weber State

Midwest Regional
(1)  Ohio State vs (16)  TX-Arlington
(8)  Alabama vs (9)  Kansas State
(5)  Temple vs (12)  California
(4)  Louisville vs (13) Oral Roberts
(6)  Creighton vs (11) Miami, FL
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Davidson
(7)  Gonzaga vs (10)  Purdue
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Valparaiso

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Long Island
(8)  Virginia vs (9) St. Louis
(5)  Wisconsin vs (12)  Long Beach State
(4)  Florida vs (13) Northwestern/Arizona
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Iowa State
(3)  Michigan State vs (14) VCU
(7)  Southern Miss vs (10) New Mexico
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Belmont

NCAA Field of 68 - February 8, 2012 Edition

2012-02-08T07:47:00.002-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Ohio State and Missouri
Seton Hall is currently out due to a -3 in conference. I believe at worst, a -2 is required for at-large consideration. Northwestern is back to that level and has re-entered the field
I put Miami in for NC State this week, mostly because of the Reggie Johnson factor. While Miami is still in need of quality wins, they now have the big win that NC State lacks. The Hurricanes still have work to do, but they are in this week.
St. Joseph's is the last team in, beating out Colorado State. While CSU has a 24 to 43 RPI advantage, the Redhawks have a 6 to 3 advantage in top 100 wins.

West Regional
(1)  Missouri vs (16) Texas-Arlington/Mississippi Valley State
(8)  Connecticut vs (9) Gonzaga
(5)  Indiana vs (12) Xavier/Miami, FL
(4)  UNLV vs (13)  Washington
(6)  West Virginia vs (11)  St. Louis
(3)  Michigan State vs (14) Davidson
(7)  Vanderbilt vs (10)  Iowa State
(2)  Duke vs (15)  Bucknell

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/UNC-Asheville
(8)  New Mexico vs (9)  Notre Dame
(5)  Wisconsin vs (12)  California
(4)  Florida State vs (13)  St. Joseph's/Northwestern
(6)  Murray State vs (11) Arkansas
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Akron
(7)  Illinois vs (10) Memphis
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Weber State

Midwest Regional
(1)  Ohio State vs (16)  Long Island
(8)  Virginia vs (9)  Alabama
(5)  Creighton vs (12)  Cleveland State
(4)  Louisville vs (13) Iona
(6)  San Diego State vs (11) Minnesota
(3)  Marquette vs (14) VCU
(7)  Mississippi State vs (10)  BYU
(2)  Baylor vs (15)  Nevada

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Norfolk State
(8)  Wichita State vs (9) Kansas State
(5)  St. Mary's vs (12)  Long Beach State
(4)  Michigan vs (13) Middle Tennessee
(6)  Temple vs (11)  Purdue
(3)  Florida vs (14) Oral Roberts
(7)  Southern Miss vs (10) Harvard
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Belmont

NCAA Field of 68 - February 6, 2012 Edition

2012-02-06T15:43:00.000-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Ohio State and Missouri
Seton Hall is currently out due to a -3 in conference. I believe at worst, a -2 is required for at-large consideration. Northwestern is back to that level and has re-entered the field
I put Miami in for NC State this week, mostly because of the Reggie Johnson factor. While Miami is still in need of quality wins, they now have the big win that NC State lacks. The Hurricanes still have work to do, but they are in this week.
St. Joseph's is the last team in, beating out Colorado State. While CSU has a 24 to 43 RPI advantage, the Redhawks have a 6 to 3 advantage in top 100 wins.

West Regional
(1)  Missouri vs (16) Texas-Arlington/Mississippi Valley State
(8)  Wichita State vs (9) Gonzaga
(5)  Indiana vs (12) Xavier/Miami, FL
(4)  UNLV vs (13)  Washington
(6)  West Virginia vs (11)  Harvard
(3)  Michigan State vs (14) Davidson
(7)  Vanderbilt vs (10)  St. Louis
(2)  Duke vs (15)  Bucknell

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/UNC-Asheville
(8)  New Mexico vs (9)  Notre Dame
(5)  Wisconsin vs (12)  California
(4)  Florida State vs (13)  St. Joseph's/Northwestern
(6)  Murray State vs (11) Arkansas
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Akron
(7)  Illinois vs (10) Memphis
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Weber State

Midwest Regional
(1)  Ohio State vs (16)  Long Island
(8)  Mississippi State vs (9)  Iowa State
(5)  Louisville vs (12)  Cleveland State
(4)  Creighton vs (13) Iona
(6)  San Diego State vs (11) Minnesota
(3)  Marquette vs (14) VCU
(7)  Southern Miss vs (10)  BYU
(2)  Baylor vs (15)  Nevada

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Norfolk State
(8)  Virginia vs (9) Alabama
(5)  St. Mary's vs (12)  Long Beach State
(4)  Michigan vs (13) Middle Tennessee
(6)  Temple vs (11)  Purdue
(3)  Florida vs (14) Oral Roberts
(7)  Connecticut vs (10) Kansas State
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Belmont

Super Bowls (the last 32) Worst to Best

2012-02-03T16:09:00.000-06:00

The first Super Bowl I ever watched was the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams in January of 1980. I was 5. I have now watched 32 Super Bowls, some of them have been epic clashes, others have been big-time snoozers. I remember who I wanted to win each Super Bowl and its a wonder that I kept watching. As someone who liked the Dolphins, Broncos and Bills as a kid (as Packer-alternatives), the team I was rooting for one 2 of the first 15 Super Bowls I watched. Here is my ranking of these 32 games from worst/least memorable to best/most memorable.

32. SB XXXVII - Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21 - Barrett Robbins? Brad Johnson? and Finally we can put 0-14 to rest.
31. SB XXXV- Baltimore 34, New York Giants 7 - Dominant Ravens defense, No Giant offensive TD's, and Trent Dilfer - Super Bowl winning quarterback.
30. SB XXIV - San Francisco 55, Denver 10 - Montana to Rice, Someone cover this guy, Or anyone for that matter and the Most lopsided Super Bowl ever.
29. SB XXVII - Dallas 52, Buffalo 17 - Troy, Emmitt and Michael get their first, Leon Lett vs Don Beebe, Blowout city and The Bills lose 3 in a row.
28. SB XV - Oakland 27, Philadelphia 10 - Jim Plunkett, Kenny King, Al Davis and the First wildcard team to win a Super Bowl.
27. SB XXXIII - Denver 34, Atlanta 19 - Eugene Robinson's escapades, Back-to-back for Denver and Elway goes out a winner.
26. SB XL - Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10 - Questionable officiating, Fast Willie Parker, and "The Bus" wins one in Detroit.
25.  SB XXX - Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17 - Barry Switzer, Larry Brown, "Quantum Leap" sees the future and 3 in 4 years for the Cowboys.
24. SB XLI - Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17 - Devin Hester starts it off, Kelvin Hayden finishes it off and Peyton Manning gets a ring.
23. SB XXIX - San Francisco 49, San Diego 26 - Steve Young record-breaker, Jerry Rice and Rickey Watters 3 TD Club, and Young escapes the Montana shadow.
22. SB XXVIII - Dallas 30, Buffalo 13 - Super Bowl rematch, Bills lead at halftime and Buffalo loses 4th straight Super Bowl.
21. SB XXI - New York Giants 39, Denver 20 - Almost perfect Phil Simms, Simms is going to Disney World and Parcells gets one last Gatorade bath.
20. SB XXII - Washington 42, Denver 10 - Redskins put up 35 in the 2nd, Timmy Smith over 200 and Doug Williams adds an MVP to many other Super Bowl firsts.
19. SB XVIII - Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington 9 - Marcus Allen best run in Super Bowl history, AFC wins its last for 14 years and the City of Los Angeles gets one before everyone leaves town.
18. SB XIX - San Francisco 38, Miami 16 - Montana vs Marino, Almost a home game for San Fran, Million dollar commercials and #2 for Joe, the only for Dan.
17. SB XXVI - Washington 37, Buffalo 24 - Where is Thurman's helmet? Mary Rypien MVP and Joe Gibbs wins a 3rd.
16. SB XXXIX - New England 24, Philadelphia 21 - Terrell Owens plays hurt, Donovan McNabb takes his time, Another 3-point Patriot Super Bowl and Back-to-Back for New England.
15. SB XVI - San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21 - Ray Wersching's a busy man, Dan Ross is even busier and Joe Montana wins the first of four.
14. SB XX - Chicago 46, New England 10 - The "Super Bowl Shuffle", The "Fridge", Ditka, no TD's for Walter and Buddy Ryan gets carried off the field.
13. SB XIV - Pittsburgh 31, Los Angeles Rams 19 - The first I ever watched, Rams lead entering 4th, Bradshaw to Stallworth and Jack Lambert ices the Steelers 4th Super Bowl victory.
12. SB XLIV - New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17 - Sean Payton's onside kick gamble, Tracy Porter takes a pick to the house and the City of New Orleans continues its revitalization.
11. SB XXXVIII - New England 32, Carolina 29 - Wild 4th Quarter, Adam Vinatieri strikes again and of course, Wardrobe malfunctions.
10.  SB XLIII - Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23 - James Harrison 100 yards, Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald go off and Santonio Holmes tiptoes for the game-winner.
9.    SB XXXIV - St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16 - Greatest Show on Turf" debuts, Warner to Issac Bruce, Kevin Dyson stopped a couple feet short and Dick Vermiel cries.
8.    SB XXXII - Denver 31, Green Bay 24 - Terrell Davis can't be stopped, The Elway helicopter, Holmgren lets them score and Denver "wins one for John".
7.    SB XVII - Washington 27, Miami 17 - The "Hogs", The "Killer Bees", Fulton Walker and John Riggins 4th and 1.
6.    SB XXXVI - New England 20, St. Louis 17 - "Greatest Show on Turf" closing act, Adam Vinatieri from 48 and Bill Belichick and Tom Brady start a lasting legacy.
5.    SB XXIII - San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16 - Tim Krumrie's leg, Jerry Rice all day, John Taylor at the end and Montana gets a 4th.
4.    SB XLII - New York Giants 17, New England 14 - Undefeated team, David Tyree's catch, Eli to Plaxico and the '72 Dolphins pop the champagne.
3.    SB XXV - New York Giants 20, Buffalo 19 - Desert storm, Patriotism, Otis Anderson running wild, Wide right and a Huge upset.
2.    SB XXXI - Green Bay 35, New England 21 - Packer Fan, (This is My list), Favre to Rison, Desmond Howard's kick return, Reggie doing his thing and the Trophy returns to Titletown. (Would fall behind SB XLIV for non-Packer fans)
1.    SB XLV - Green Bay 31, Pittsburgh 25 - Alright, I admit this is not the greatest game of these 32, but again this is my list. Two things make this game #1 for me. First, the most obvious - I am a die-hard Packer fan. Second, I got to share this one with my son, who was just about the same age I was when I started watching the Super Bowl. Maybe someday he will list out his Top 32 Super Bowls, and maybe this one will be at the top of his list too. (Would fall behind SB XXXVI for non-Packer fans)

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - February 2, 2012

2012-02-02T09:03:00.000-06:00

What is up with Dayton, Connecticut, Seton Hall and Kansas State?? Dayton is in the biggest trouble and drops to the First Four, which would be a home game?? I will let Colorado State stay in the field for more than one day, even though I wanted to put LaSalle in, if nothing else to conjur memories of Lionel Simmons. VCU replaces George Mason as the only new team today.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Kentucky, Syracuse, Ohio State, Baylor
2 seeds - Duke, Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina
3 seeds - Michigan State, UNLV, Marquette, Florida
4 seeds - Creighton, Wisconsin, Georgetown, Michigan
5 seeds - Florida State, St. Mary's, Indiana, Louisville
6 seeds - Vanderbilt, Virginia, Temple, Murray State
7 seeds - San Diego State, West Virginia, Illinois, Southern Miss
8 seeds - Gonzaga, Mississippi State, Wichita State, New Mexico
9 seeds - California, Alabama, Connecticut, Harvard
10 seeds - Memphis, Purdue, Kansas State, St. Louis
11 seeds - Minnesota, Xavier, Iowa State, Arkansas
12 seeds - Seton Hall, BYU, Middle Tennessee (Dayton, Notre Dame)
13 seeds - Long Beach State, Iona, Oral Roberts, (NC State, Colorado State)
14 seeds - Davidson, Cleveland State, Belmont, Akron
15 seeds - Nevada, VCU, Bucknell, Long Island
16 seeds - Weber State, Norfolk State, (Texas-Arlington, Stony Brook, Mississippi Valley State, UNC-Asheville)

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - February 1, 2012

2012-02-01T14:34:00.000-06:00

After a little review, the biggest change is Murray State's ascension to a #6. It is an almost unprecedented case, so their actual placement is still a mystery. Right now, #6 is where resumes like Virginia start to have cracks that the top 5 seed lines currently don't, which seems a natural place to put Murray State at the moment. Good statement wins for Iowa State (that's two in a row) and Arkansas. Colorado State joins the field in place of 9-loss Texas, who keeps blowing resume-building opportunities. Wednesday is always a busy night, so expect more shuffling!!

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Kentucky, Syracuse, Ohio State, Baylor
2 seeds - Duke, Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina
3 seeds - Michigan State, UNLV, Marquette, Florida
4 seeds - Creighton, Wisconsin, Georgetown, Indiana
5 seeds - Florida State, St. Mary's, Michigan, Louisville
6 seeds - Vanderbilt, Virginia, Temple, Murray State
7 seeds - San Diego State, Connecticut, West Virginia, Illinois
8 seeds - Gonzaga, Southern Miss, Mississippi State, Wichita State
9 seeds - California, Alabama, New Mexico, Minnesota
10 seeds - Harvard, Memphis, Purdue, Kansas State
11 seeds - Dayton, St. Louis, Xavier, Iowa State
12 seeds - Seton Hall, Arkansas, Middle Tennessee (BYU, Notre Dame)
13 seeds - Long Beach State, Iona, Oral Roberts, (NC State, Colorado State)
14 seeds - Davidson, Cleveland State, Belmont, Akron
15 seeds - Nevada, George Mason, Bucknell, Long Island
16 seeds - Weber State, Norfolk State, (Texas-Arlington, Stony Brook, Mississippi Valley State, UNC-Asheville)

NCAA Field of 68 - January 30, 2012 Edition

2012-01-30T09:33:00.000-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Ohio State and Baylor (side note: the current 4 #1's all have logical Thursday/Saturday sites, throwing a wrench into the First Four. Right now I would have Baylor moving from Albuquerque to Omaha to accommodate this.)
Florida, Georgetown and UNLV have one potentially alarming stat for a top 3 or 4 seed. Teams seeded in the top 3 have all had 10 or more top 100 victories. These 3 teams sit with 5. Florida and UNLV have 6 games remaining against such foes (current top 100) and Georgetown 7, plus the conference tourneys where you would expect to get at least two of these games. The way I see it, if these teams cannot attain the record necessary to get to 10 Top 100 wins, they probably are out of consideration for that seed line anyway.
Minnesota (9 to 10) and New Mexico (10 to 9) are flipping seeds for conference balance purposes
The Atlantic 10 currently occupies 75% of my 11 line, as these teams can't figure out which way to go.
Iowa State, despite a still-soft resume, at least has a victory over Kansas to go with its fair computer numbers, so they are back in my field.
Notre Dame is doing what other teams on the bubble are not...consistently winning against good competition, including on the road. The Irish have a big week hosting Marquette and at West Virginia to try and hold a spot in the field.
The final spots are wide-open, with Texas, Arkansas and NC State holding them right now. Colorado State may have taken a step toward a bid, but I want to see a little more. I just can't come to terms with the RPI of Cincinnati being in this field. Northwestern and Stanford are going in the wrong direction and fell out this week. Oklahoma, Mississippi and Washington are all a good run away from consideration. Finally, a bid-stealer or two will make the bubble a little less soft.

West Regional
(1)  Baylor vs (16) Texas-Arlington/Mississippi Valley State
(8)  Southern Miss vs (9) Alabama
(5)  West Virginia vs (12) Middle Tennessee
(4)  Indiana vs (13)  Long Beach State
(6)  Louisville vs (11)  St. Louis
(3)  UNLV vs (14) Akron
(7)  Gonzaga vs (10)  Minnesota
(2)  Duke vs (15)  Long Island

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/UNC-Asheville
(8)  Illinois vs (9)  New Mexico
(5)  St. Mary's vs (12)  Iowa State
(4)  Georgetown vs (13)  Oral Roberts
(6)  Temple vs (11) Seton Hall
(3)  Michigan State vs (14) Davidson
(7)  Kansas State vs (10) Harvard
(2)  North Carolina vs (15)  Bucknell

Midwest Regional
(1)  Ohio State vs (16)  Weber State
(8)  Murray State vs (9)  California
(5)  Vanderbilt vs (12)  Notre Dame/NC State
(4)  Creighton vs (13) Iona
(6)  Michigan vs (11) Xavier
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Belmont
(7)  San Diego State vs (10)  Memphis
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  Nevada

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Norfolk State
(8)  Mississippi State vs (9) Wichita State
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  BYU
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13) Texas/Arkansas
(6)  Virginia vs (11)  Dayton
(3)  Florida vs (14) Cleveland State
(7)  Connecticut vs (10) Purdue
(2)  Kansas vs (15) George Mason

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T11:06:00.001-06:00

A few minor tweaks going onto the weekend. Michigan is the only top 5 seed that does not meet the qualifications of the past 3 years for those lines, but I have yet to figure out why their Sagarin is so low. Florida finally got a quality road win and their Top 100 wins is up to 5, which vaults them on the board. Despit last nights loss, I am leaving NC State put until the weekend action plays out.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Kentucky, Syracuse, Kansas, Ohio State

2 seeds - Baylor, Missouri, Duke, North Carolina

3 seeds - Michigan State, Georgetown, UNLV, Marquette

4 seeds - Creighton, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Michigan

5 seeds - Florida State, Kansas State, Florida, Indiana
6 seeds - Vanderbilt, St. Mary's, Connecticut, San Diego State
7 seeds - Illinoi, Temple, Louisville, Virginia

8 seeds - Gonzaga, Murray State, Wichita State, Mississippi State

9 seeds - California, Southern Miss, Seton Hall, Dayton

10 seeds - Alabama, Minnesota, New Mexico, Harvard

11 seeds - Memphis, Purdue, St. Louis, Xavier

12 seeds - BYU, NC State, Middle Tennessee (Northwestern, Stanford)

13 seeds - Davidson, Iona, Oral Roberts, (Arkansas, Texas)

14 seeds - Cleveland State, Belmont, Akron, Long Beach State

15 seeds - Nevada, George Mason, Bucknell, Long Island

16 seeds - Weber State, Norfolk State, (Texas-Arlington, Stony Brook, Mississippi Valley State, UNC-Asheville)

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 26, 2012

2012-01-26T13:28:00.000-06:00

The shuffle continues as teams continue to lose games they shouldn't and the last few bids continue to be there for the taking. Ohio State makes it back to the #1 line with Missouri's loss and 3 day stay there. Seton Hall and Alabama suffer losses that drop them considerably, resulting in an upward shift for a group of teams. BYU and St. Louis helped themselves by beating someone on the road. I took Cincinnati and their 96 RPI out and replaced them with Texas. Finally, Notre Dame is starting to make some noise, but still has work to do with their negative 200 +/-.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Kentucky, Syracuse, Kansas, Ohio State
2 seeds - Baylor, Missouri, Duke, North Carolina
3 seeds - Michigan State, Georgetown, UNLV, Marquette
4 seeds - Creighton, Indiana, Wisconsin, West Virginia
5 seeds - Florida State, Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Michigan6 seeds - St. Mary's, Connecticut, Florida, San Diego State
7 seeds - Illinois, Temple, Louisville, Virginia
8 seeds - Gonzaga, Murray State, Wichita State, Mississippi State
9 seeds - California, Southern Miss, Seton Hall, Dayton
10 seeds - Alabama, Minnesota, New Mexico, Harvard
11 seeds - Memphis, Purdue, St. Louis, Xavier
12 seeds - BYU, NC State, Middle Tennessee (Northwestern, Stanford)
13 seeds - Davidson, Iona, Oral Roberts, (Arkansas, Texas)
14 seeds - Cleveland State, Belmont, Akron, Long Beach State
15 seeds - Nevada, George Mason, Bucknell, Long Island
16 seeds - Weber State, Norfolk State, (Texas-Arlington, Stony Brook, Mississippi Valley State, UNC-Asheville)

NCAA Field of 68 - January 23, 2012 Edition

2012-01-24T00:31:00.000-06:00

Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Kansas and Missouri
Louisville and Purdue are flipping seeds for location and balance purposes

West Regional
(1)  Missouri vs (16) Weber State
(8)  Gonzaga vs (9) California
(5)  Vanderbilt vs (12) Northwestern
(4)  West Virginia vs (13)  Arkansas/BYU
(6)  Connecticut vs (11)  Memphis
(3)  UNLV vs (14) Long Beach State
(7)  Illinois vs (10)  Xavier
(2)  North Carolina vs (15)  Norfolk State

South Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Stony Brook/Mississippi Valley State
(8)  Virginia vs (9)  Temple
(5)  Kansas State vs (12)  Cincinnati/Stanford
(4)  Indiana vs (13)  Iona
(6)  Michigan vs (11) New Mexico
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Belmont
(7)  Alabama vs (10) Minnesota
(2)  Duke vs (15)  George Mason

Midwest Regional
(1)  Kansas vs (16)  UNC-Asheville/Texas-Arlington
(8)  Wichita State vs (9)  Mississipi State
(5)  Seton Hall vs (12)  St. Louis
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13) Oral Roberts
(6)  St. Mary's vs (11) NC State
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Akron
(7)  San Diego State vs (10)  Southern Miss
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Bucknell

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Long Island
(8)  Murray State vs (9) Purdue
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  Middle Tennessee
(4)  Creighton vs (13) Davidson
(6)  Florida vs (11)  Harvard
(3)  Michigan State vs (14) Cleveland State
(7)  Dayton vs (10) Louisville
(2)  Baylor vs (15) Nevada

Most Memorable Conference Championship Games post-1980

2012-01-21T14:54:00.002-06:00

10. Dallas Cowboys 30, San Francisco 49ers 20 (January 17, 1993)
This game was essentially the beginning of the Cowboys run of 3 Super Bowl Titles. They had to go to San Francisco and beat the dynasty of the 1980's to start their run. A 10-10 game at halftime, the Cowboys broke the game open with two long touchdown drives sandwiched around a Mike Cofer field goal to take a 24-13 lead early in the fourth. A Jerry Rice TD with 4 minutes to play got the 49ers within four, but Troy Aikman hit Alvin Harper on a 70-yard slant and run that led to the game-sealing touchdown.

9. Washington Redskins 24, San Francisco 49ers 21 (January 8, 1984)
Two of the dominant franchises of the 1980's met in one championship game and it turned out to be a good one. Washington took a 21-0 lead on the 49ers in the third quarter after a Joe Theismann to Charlie Brown TD pass and the game appeared over. Joe Montana responded with three 4th quarter TD passes, the last to Mike Wilson tying the score with 7 minutes to play. The Redskins responded with a drive eating up all but the final 40 seconds that ended in a Mark Mosely 25-yd FG. Mosely had previously missed four field goals in the game, but was able to connect on the short game-winner.

8. Indianapolis Colts 38, New England Patriots 34 (January 21, 2007)
The Patriots had dominated the previous playoff games with the Colts, but Indianapolis finally had them indoors in their building. It did not look like that was much of an advantage when New England forged a 21-6 halftime lead. Peyton Manning would guide 5 second half scoring drives, the final one culminating in a Joseph Addai touchdown run with one minute remaining. Tom Brady got the Pats in Colt territory, but was intercepted by Marlin Jackson sending Indy to the Super Bowl and defeating their long-time nemesis.

7. New York Giants 15, San Francisco 49ers 13 (January 20, 1991)
The 49ers came in to this game winners of back-to-back Super Bowls and were poised for a 3rd by defeating the visiting Giants. A Joe Montana to John Taylor TD pass gave San Francisco a 13-6 lead in the third quarter and was the only touchdown of the day. After Matt Bahr cut the score to 13-9, Joe Montana was knocked out of the game on a hit by Leonard Marshall. After another Bahr field goal, Roger Craig fumbled a hand off from Steve Young giving the Giants one more shot. Jeff Hostetler marched them down the field and Bahr connected from 42 yards on the games final play to put an end to the San Francisco dynasty.

6. Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33 (January 17, 1988)
Meeting in the AFC Championship Game for the second year in a row, the Browns and Broncos would be hard-pressed to come close at matching the drama of the year before. At least they came close, although it didn't start out that way. A mistake-filled first half left the Browns behind 21-3, but when Earnest Byner scored from four yards out late in the 3rd quarter, Cleveland had closed to 28-24. A 4 yard TD pass from Bernie Kosar to Webster Slaughter tied the game at 31 in the fourth before John Elway and Sammy Winder connected from 20 yards with 4 minutes to go giving Denver a 38-31 lead. The Browns were marching for the game-tying score when Byner was stripped at the 3-yard line and "The Fumble" was born. Denver took an intentional safety for the final margin and went to a second consecutive Super Bowl, while the Browns suffered a second consecutive heart-wrenching defeat and have yet to make it to football's biggest stage.

5. Atlanta Falcons 30, Minnesota Vikings 27, OT (January 17, 1999)
The host Vikings were poised for a trip back to the Super Bowl, riding a 15-1 regular season into the NFC Championship Game vs the Falcons. When Randall Cunningham hit Matthew Hatchette with a 5-yard TD pass with 13 minutes to go, the Vikings held a 27-17 lead. After Atlanta cut the score to 27-20 and the teams traded possessions, Minnesota marched into Falcon territory with just over two minutes to play and set-up for the game-clinching field goal. Gary Anderson, who had not missed all season, proceeded to be wide left from 38 yards, giving Atlanta new life. With 49 seconds left, Chris Chandler hit Terrance Mathis to even the score and send the game to overtime. After several punts, Morten Andersen connected from 38 yards sending the Falcons to their first Super Bowl appearance. Minnesota became the first 15-1 team to fall short of the Super Bowl.

4. New York Giants 23, Green Bay Packers 20, OT (January 20, 2008)
A cold day at Lambeau Field in 2008 turned out to be the swan song for the Packers legendary quarterback. A Brett Favre to Donald Driver touchdown pass covering 90 yards was the only first half touchdown as the Packers led 10-6. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw had 3rd quarter touchdown runs sandwiching a Favre to Donald Lee TD pass that gave the Giants a 20-17 lead entering the 4th. Mason Crosby tied the game early in the final stanza before New York kicker Lawrence Tynes missed twice leaving the game tied and headed to overtime. On the second play of overtime, Favre was intercepted in Packer territory by Corey Webster and Tynes made good on his third game-winning field goal attempts sending the visiting Giants to the Super Bowl. This would be the last pass Favre would throw as a Packer, but not the last interception he would throw in an NFC Championship Game...

3. New Orleans Saints 31, Minnesota Vikings 28 (January 24, 2010)
Favre brought the Vikings into New Orleans, site of his biggest victory as a quarterback, trying to get them back to the Super Bowl after a long drought. Minnesota outgained the Saints 475 to 257 on this day, but several Viking turnover left the game tied at 28 late in the fourth quarter. Favre would lead his team to the Saints 33 before a 12-man in the huddle penalty would movie back to 3rd and 15 from the 38, just on the edge of field goal range. Minnesota elected to try and get closer, and Favre rolled out to his right and threw back to Sidney Rice, but Saint DB Tracy Porter stepped in and intercepted the pass sending the game to overtime. New Orleans won the coin toss and marched down for the game-winning 40 yard field goal by Garrett Hartley, aided by three replays upheld in their favor and two defensive penalties on the Vikings. While Favre would come back for one more season, his last playoff pass for both the Packers and Vikings ended with the same result.

2. San Francisco 49ers 28, Dallas Cowboys 27 (January 10, 1982)
In a tough decision, "The Catch" comes in at #2 on the list. San Francisco, who had never been to a Super Bowl, battled "America's Team" at Candlestick for the NFC Championship. Tony Dorsett gave the Cowboys a 17-14 halftime lead with a 5-yard touchdown run capping a back and forth first half. Trailing 21-20, Everson Walls recovered a 49er fumble and Danny White connected with Doug Cosbie from 21 yards with 4:54 to play giving Dallas a 27-21 lead. San Francisco took over at their own 11 yard line as Joe Montana directed them down the field. On 3rd and 3 from the Cowboy 6, Montana rolled to his right looking for Freddie Solomon who was covered, pumped to get Ed "Too Tall" Jones off his feet and threw the ball toward the back of the end zone. The pass appeared headed out of the back of the end zone when the two hands of Dwight Clark reached up and snatched the ball for a touchdown. Eric Wright made a touchdown saving horse-collar tackle on Drew Pearson before a sack and fumble by Danny White sealed the game for San Francisco. This game would start the 49er dynasty of the 1980's.

1. Denver Broncos 23, Cleveland Browns 20, OT (January 11, 1987)
The #1 Championship Game happened at old Cleveland Stadium in 1987. The game stayed tight throughout, tied 10-10 at halftime. It wasn't until Bernie Kosar hit Brian Brennan from 48 yards out with 5:43 to play that the Browns appeared to have taken control. Ken Bell misplayed the kickoff and was only able to fall on it at the 2 yard line, leaving the Broncos 98 yards from the game-tying score. John Elway started the Broncos on the march, converting a huge 3rd and 18 pass to Mark Jackson with 1:47 to go. Elway also had two scrambles for 20 yards on the drive, the second leaving them with 3rd and 1 at the Browns 5 with 39 seconds left. Elway would again find Jackson, this time with a 5 yard TD pass to tie the score at 20 and send the game to overtime. Cleveland would get the ball first and be forced to punt, giving Elway the ball one last time. The future Hall-of-Famer would lead only a 60 yard drive this time, culminating in a Rich Karlis field goal and a Super Bowl date for Denver.

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 20, 2012

2012-01-20T07:54:00.001-06:00

Illinois not only lost to Penn State, but no longer fits a top 5 profile. St. Mary's numbers also dropped them from a top 5 profile this morning. I am going to keep Illinois on the 5 line and bump St. Mary's down 1 for the time being, since this is all fluid. Vanderbilt gets a big win over Alabama and moves into the top 5 profile mix. BYU and Stanford suffered losses that moved them dangerously close to the bubble.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, Duke
2 seeds - Kansas, Ohio State, Missouri, Georgetown
3 seeds - North Carolina, Michigan State, UNLV, Marquette
4 seeds - Michigan, Creighton, West Virginia, Vanderbilt
5 seeds - Seton Hall, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois
6 seeds - St. Mary's, Connecticut, Virginia, Wisconsin
7 seeds - San Diego State, Kansas State, Gonzaga, Wichita State
8 seeds - Temple, Purdue, Florida, Murray State
9 seeds - California, Mississippi State, Xavier, Louisville
10 seeds - Dayton, Southern Miss, Harvard, Florida State
11 seeds - Northwestern, New Mexico, Marshall, Minnesota
12 seeds - Stanford, Memphis, (Cincinnati, BYU, St. Louis, NC State)
13 seeds - Davidson, Iona, Oral Roberts, Middle Tennessee
14 seeds - George Mason, Belmont, Akron, Long Beach State
15 seeds - Nevada, Wagner, Weber State, Norfolk State
16 seeds - Bucknell, UW-Milwaukee, (Texas-Arlington, Stony Brook, Mississippi Valley State, UNC-Asheville)

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 19, 2011

2012-01-19T15:49:00.000-06:00

The results of the bracket builder are in. I know it is a lot of changes, but as we get closer to Selection Sunday, the data becomes more relevant.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, Duke
2 seeds - Kansas, Ohio State, Missouri, Georgetown
3 seeds - North Carolina, Michigan State, Illinois, UNLV
4 seeds - Michigan, Creighton, West Virginia, Marquette
5 seeds - Seton Hall, Alabama, Indiana, St. Mary's
6 seeds - Connecticut, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin
7 seeds - San Diego State, Kansas State, Gonzaga, Wichita State
8 seeds - Temple, Purdue, Florida, Murray State
9 seeds - California, Mississippi State, Xavier, Louisville
10 seeds - Dayton, Southern Miss, Harvard, Florida State
11 seeds - Northwestern, Stanford, BYU, New Mexico
12 seeds - Marshall, Minnesota, (Cincinnati, Memphis, St. Louis, NC State)
13 seeds - Davidson, Iona, Oral Roberts, Middle Tennessee
14 seeds - George Mason, Belmont, Akron, Long Beach State
15 seeds - Nevada, Wagner, Weber State, Norfolk State
16 seeds - Bucknell, UW-Milwaukee, (Texas-Arlington, Stony Brook, Mississippi Valley State, UNC-Asheville)

College Basketball Field of 68 - Building the Bracket

2012-01-19T13:33:00.000-06:00

There was a lot of action Wednesday Night in the world of College Basketball, with more upsets to consider when shuffling the bracket. There was especially a lot of movement in the 3 to 9 lines of the bracket, so I decided to show how I am currently building my bracket. I will follow with the Daily Shuffle to provide a more concise look at my changes today.

The #1's - The top seeds usually have the highest +/- vs the RPI top 200. Syracuse, Kentucky and Duke lead the way here. Baylor is 6th, but Creighton and Missouri, who are 4th and 5th have an RPI or Sagarin outside the top 10, which no top seed has had in the last 3 years. Syracuse, Kentucky, Duke and Baylor also have the top 4 average RPI and Sagarin's this morning.

The next step is to put the pool together of teams with RPI and Sagarin ratings both in the top 30. In the last 3 years, every team seeded 5th or higher had both these ratings in the top 30. Excluding the top seeds, this pool would include Kansas (9 RPI ,2 Sagarin), Ohio State (10,4), Michigan State (4,8), North Carolina (17,9), Missouri (13,6), UNLV (8,10), Georgetown (15,12), Indiana (24,13), Illinois (18,30), Seton Hall (5,29), West Virginia (14,20), Marquette (11,16), Creighton (19,14), Wichita State (25,15), Murray State (29,24), St. Mary's (26,17), Gonzaga (12,23), Kansas State (27,19), Alabama (20,18) and Michigan (23,27). That is 20 teams for 16 spots.

I am going to combine three indicators in my next step. I am still going to keep an eye on the +/- vs RPI top 200, but I am also going to bring RPI top 100 victories into the mix more prominently (Teams ranked below in order of RPI top 100 wins). Finally, all teams on the top 4 lines had at least one RPI top 25 win, so teams with a zero there will have a 5 seed ceiling.

Teams (Top 100 wins, 200 +/-, Top 25 wins)
Kansas (8,8,3)
West Virginia (8,7,1)
Marquette (8,7,0)
Creighton (7,11,1)
Illinois (7,6,2)
Missouri (6,10,1)
Michigan (6,7,1)
Michigan State (5,8,2)
Ohio State (5,7,2)
Seton Hall (5,7,2)
North Carolina (5,7,1)
Georgetown (5,6,2)
Alabama (5,5,1)
Kansas State (5,4,2)
St. Mary's (5,7,1)
UNLV (4,6,2)
Indiana (4,4,3)
Wichita State (3,9,1)
Murray State (3,8,1)
Gonzaga (3,8,0)

Impressions - Marquette and Gonzaga immediately have a 5 seed ceiling. Murray State and Wichita State with only 3 top 100 wins seemed destined for a lower seed than some of their other indicators. The Shockers remind me a lot of Old Dominion last year who received a 9 seed despite high ratings and other indicators. I had ODU as a 6 last year and that did not work out. Four other teams need to be removed from the 2-4 lines. Indiana and Kansas State are my next two candidates, both ranking toward the bottom in both top 100 and 200 +/-. Working my way up, UNLV is in with both an RPI and Sagarin in the Top 10, which has been a top 3 seed guarantee the past 3 years. With the West Coast conference rated 11th, St. Mary's is my next bump from the top 4 line. My final spot comes down to Alabama and Seton Hall, and despite losses to South Florida and Villanova, the Hall's top 5 RPI and slightly better indicators keeps them in the top 4 lines.

The #2's - Missouri's +10 vs top 200 and overall win-loss record can not be ignored here. Kansas with 3 top 25 wins 8 top 100 wins is an easy choice as well. My third choice here is Ohio State, which will likely get a one-loss subtraction for missing Jared Sullinger at Kansas, giving them essentially only 2 losses, better than every other Big 6 conference team in the pool. The fourth spot is a bit tougher. Michigan State has the highest rankings, but lost to North Carolina and has one more overall loss. UNLV has just three losses and a victory over North Carolina, but with just 4 top 100 wins and the typical Mountain West -1 factor, they look more like a 3 seed. West Virginia, Creighton, Michigan and Illinois are currently too low in the Sagarin and RPI for a #2. Which leaves Georgetown and North Carolina, each with 3 losses as the choices. Georgetown's 5 top 50 wins are 3rd behind Duke and Baylor, and I do not have ACC bias like the committee, so I am going with the Hoyas here.

The #3's - North Carolina drops to the top of the 3 line. Michigan State and UNLV have both an RPI and Sagarin in the top 10, which locks a 3 seed for each based on 3 year's history. I am still not ready for Creighton, leaving West Virginia and Illinois as my choices here. While the Mountaineers have one more top 100 win, the Illini have two less overall losses and one more top 25 win.

The #4's - That leaves West Virginia, Creighton, Michigan and Seton Hall. I am going to use my eye test and veto power here. Despite no RPI top 25 wins, Marquette has 8 top 100 wins to the Pirates 5. Marquette does have one top 25 Sagarin win at Wisconsin, I just have no past Sagarin data to go with. Finally, right now the Golden Eagles are playing better than Seton Hall, so they are my choice.

The #5's - Seton Hall leads off the #5 line. I now have to go back to my pool of 7 and get the final three teams with top 30 RPI's and Sagarin's to fill out this line. The bottom three on the list, Murray State, Wichita State and Gonzaga are easy eliminators as previously discussed. Indiana's 3 top 25 wins are enough to keep them safely here, but like Seton Hall, a recent slump has them falling. I am also ready for a 2-loss St. Mary's team here. Which leaves Alabama and Kansas State for the final 5 seed. With the Tide ahead in both rankings, I will take a second SEC team before a fourth Big 12.

The #6's - Connecticut and Virginia are now eligible, each with 6 top 100 wins and at least a +6 vs the top 200. UConn's RPI/Sagarin disparity will be interesting to deal with if it persists. Joining Kansas State (5,4,2) and Gonzaga (3,8,0) in this pool is Vanderbilt (5,5,1), San Diego State (5,7,1) and Wisconsin (6,5,1). I am going to play another extenuating circumstance card here. Vanderbilt has played much better since the return of Festus Ezeli, so they stick here as a #6. Wisconsin has an RPI/Sagarin disparity that is hard to gauge, but only BYU has a top 11 Sagarin and fell below a 4 seed. The Badgers also have 4 top 50 wins, to 2 for Kansas State, Gonzaga and San Diego State.

The #7's - We start to get into more exceptions as we go. 10 out of 12 teams on the 7 line the past 3 years have had both ratings indicators of 41 or higher. The two that didn't had 3 top 25 wins and I don't have any of those teams remaining. Kansas State, San Diego State and Gonzaga all meet this criteria. California and BYU also do, but have no top 50 wins which presents another issue. The only two at-large teams without a top 50 win were Clemson and UAB last year, and they were awarded 12 seeds. Hold on those two teams for now. Memphis and Southern Miss meet the criteria from Conference USA, but both seem to benefit from the inexplicable C-USA ratings bloat and also should be seeded at or below Murray State who defeated both. Florida, Purdue and Temple just miss, so it appears it is also finally Wichita State time.

The #8's - The 8's have had both ranking indicators in the top 50. Xavier, Harvard, Northwestern, Louisville and Florida State are added to those already mentioned. Temple and Purdue each have 2 Top 25 wins and 5 top 100 wins and lock themselves in here. 4-loss Florida eats another spot, despite a lack of any great wins. A major conference team with less losses usually gets the nod though. Finally, I am giving Murray State the final 8 spot. As long as they are undefeated they must be considered a little different than other low-major schools have in the past (Utah State with 3 losses and a 15 RPI got a 12 seed last year).

The #9's - In an effort to curtail west-coast bias, the PAC-12 has been slightly over-seeded the past couple years. Despite no top 50 wins, I don't see the PAC-12 champion falling below a #9. Right now I project California to be that champion. As with the 8's, the 9's in all but one case have both indicators in the top 51. That adds Mississippi State to the mix, who with two top 25 wins and no bad losses gets one of the spots. Xavier has 6 top 100 wins and appears to have righted their ship and projects as the Atlantic 10 champion, though seeded behind Temple at this point. Finally, Louisville, while sliding, gets the Villanova treatment of a year ago due to their 5 top 100 wins.

The #10's - I will use roughly 56 as the ratings cap for the #10's. Dayton and its 2 top 25 and 6 top 100 wins finally qualifies. Florida State with 5 top 100 wins and the thrashing of North Carolina also lands here. Harvard owns a win over Florida state, so this appears like the proper spot to add them, although each loss drops Harvard a seed from here on out. Southern Miss gets an at-large out of the C-USA and uses their RPI of 16 to get the final 10 seed.

The #11's - The indicators are lost when you get here, except that good wins and top 100 wins appeared to be a factor for the remaining at-large spots a year-ago. Northwestern has 2 top 25 wins. Stanford, with 1 top 25 win and just 3 losses also lands here. Finally, BYU and New Mexico, despite zero top 50 wins, get the last two 11's with high Sagarins.

The #12's - Marshall is the current C-USA champ, so they are out of the first four and get a #12 with their 4 top 100 wins. Minnesota also has 4 top 100 wins and claims the other non-First Four 12 slot. Despite an extremely low RPI, Cincinnati now has 2 top 25 wins and 5 top 100 wins and joins the field here. Memphis, NC State and St. Louis, with 3 top 100 wins each and higher indicators than others at this level garner the final spots. Texas and Iowa State each have just 1 top 100 win, which doesn't stack up. Northern Iowa is fading and 7 losses just won't do it right now for an at-large team.

The #13's - Davidson has a top 25 win, while Middle Tennessee, Oral Roberts, and Iona have superior top 100 and 200 +/- over the remaining automatic qualifiers.

The #14's - Akron, Belmont, Long Beach State, and George Mason all have at least two top 100 wins, more than any of the other remaining automatic qualifiers.

The #15's - Nevada, Wagner, Weber State and Norfolk State have the next best resumes.

The #16's - UW-Milwaukee and Bucknell are next, with UNC-Asheville, Stony Brook, Texas-Arlington and Missisippi Valley State rounding things out.

Bracket Built and Trade Secrets revealed!!

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 18, 2012

2012-01-18T08:02:00.000-06:00

A quiet Tuesday, with really only the Michigan victory over Michigan State altering the bracket. Did you know that Michigan now has 5 top 50 RPI wins, tied with Georgetown for 3rd most behind Duke and Baylor? North Carolina's punishment lasted all of 2 days but they better start proving it on the court.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, Duke
2 seeds - Kansas, Ohio State, Missouri, North Carolina
3 seeds - Michigan State, Georgetown, Connecticut, Illinois
4 seeds - Indiana, UNLV, Seton Hall, Michigan
5 seeds - Alabama, Creighton, Virginia, St. Mary's
6 seeds - Marquette, Gonzaga, West Virginia, Vanderbilt
7 seeds - San Diego State, California, Mississippi State, Florida
8 seeds - Louisville, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Dayton
9 seeds - Murray State, Wichita State, New Mexico, Purdue
10 seeds - Northwestern, Temple, Memphis, BYU
11 seeds - Southern Miss, Stanford, Harvard, Florida State
12 seeds - Minnesota, Xavier (Texas, Marshall, St. Louis, NC State)
13 seeds - Davidson, Iona, Oral Roberts, Middle Tennessee
14 seeds - George Mason, Belmont, Akron, Long Beach State
15 seeds - UW-Milwaukee, Nevada, Wagner, Weber State
16 seeds - Bucknell, Norfolk State, (Texas-Arlington, Stony Brook, Mississippi Valley State, UNC-Asheville)

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 17, 2012

2012-01-17T09:46:00.000-06:00

Despite the loss, Baylor maintains their #1 seeding. Otherwise, a quiet Monday, with only Louisville and Florida flipping spots and changes on the 16 line.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, Duke
2 seeds - Kansas, Ohio State, Missouri, Michigan State
3 seeds - North Carolina, Georgetown, Connecticut, Illinois
4 seeds - Indiana, UNLV, Seton Hall, Alabama
5 seeds - Creighton, Virginia, St. Mary's, Michigan
6 seeds - Marquette, Gonzaga, West Virginia, Vanderbilt
7 seeds - San Diego State, California, Mississippi State, Florida
8 seeds - Louisville, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Dayton
9 seeds - Murray State, Wichita State, New Mexico, Purdue
10 seeds - Northwestern, Temple, Memphis, BYU
11 seeds - Southern Miss, Stanford, Harvard, Florida State
12 seeds - Minnesota, Xavier (Texas, Marshall, St. Louis, NC State)
13 seeds - Davidson, Iona, Oral Roberts, Middle Tennessee
14 seeds - George Mason, Belmont, Akron, Long Beach State
15 seeds - UW-Milwaukee, Nevada, Wagner, Weber State
16 seeds - Bucknell, Norfolk State, (Texas-Arlington, Stony Brook, Mississippi Valley State, UNC-Asheville)

NCAA Field of 68 - January 16, 2012 Edition

2012-01-16T11:00:00.000-06:00

Syracuse still overall #1, followed by Kentucky, Baylor and Duke
I did a little more numbers research this week, which resulted in some minor shuffling.
Dropped North Carolina to a #3 after their display this weekend. I don't think the Tar Heels will end up here, but their resume isn't exactly providing a wow factor right now.
Marshall and St. Louis are the last 2 in this week, both with 3 top 100 RPI wins. Arkansas and Cincinnati both sit with 3 top 100 wins and comparable 200 +/- numbers, but have RPI's and Sagarins too low for an at-large team.
Colorado State has an RPI of 20, but looking at their resume, it doesn't have anything that would support a berth right now.
Florida and Louisville have surprisingly spotty resumes and each have two 100+ RPI losses. I would expect Florida to improve their seed as we move forward, but Louisville might have too many injuries.
Although I have Davidson and Iona seeded 13, they would be interesting at-large cases if they lose in the finals of thier conference tourney and don't suffer more damage in the next six weeks. Harvard would be a similar case if it loses the Ivy League, but that would take at least two more losses. Murray State would be in as an at-large with one loss, but would be a very interesting case with two.

South Regional
(1)  Duke vs (16) Albany/Texas-Arlington
(8)  Florida vs (9) New Mexico
(5)  Creighton vs (12) Texas/St. Louis
(4)  Indiana vs (13)  Iona
(6)  Gonzaga vs (11)  Southern Miss
(3)  Connecticut vs (14) Belmont
(7)  Louisville vs (10)  Northwestern
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Weber State

Midwest Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Bucknell
(8) Wisconsin vs (9)  Wichita State
(5)  Virginia vs (12)  Minnesota
(4)  Seton Hall vs (13)  Oral Roberts
(6)  Marquette vs (11) Stanford
(3)  Illinois vs (14) George Mason
(7)  San Diego State vs (10) Temple
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  Nevada

West Regional
(1)  Baylor vs (16)  Norfolk State
(8)  Dayton vs (9)  Purdue
(5)  St. Mary's vs (12)  NC State/Marshall
(4) UNLV vs (13) Middle Tennessee
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11) Florida State
(3)  Georgetown vs (14)  Long Beach State
(7)  California vs (10)  Memphis
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Wisconsin-Milwaukee

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) UNC-Asheville/Texas Southern
(8)  Kansas State vs (9) Murray State
(5)  Michigan vs (12)  Xavier
(4)  Alabama vs (13) Davidson
(6)  West Virginia vs (11)  Harvard
(3)  North Carolina vs (14) Akron
(7)  Mississippi State vs (10) BYU
(2)  Michigan State vs (15) Wagner

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 13, 2012

2012-01-13T09:40:00.000-06:00

Lots of little shuffles today. I re-considered my Missouri vs Connecticut for a 2 seed. As it stands right now, the teams on the top two lines have two losses or less. I am sure the weekend will shake things up even more.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, North Carolina
2 seeds - Duke, Michigan State, Indiana, Missouri
3 seeds - Ohio State, Georgetown, Kansas, Connecticut
4 seeds - Alabama, UNLV, Seton Hall, Illinois
5 seeds - Michigan, Virginia, Louisville, St. Mary's
6 seeds - Gonzaga, Marquette, Kansas State, Creighton
7 seeds - Florida, West Virginia, San Diego State, Vanderbilt
8 seeds - Mississippi State, California, Temple, Dayton
9 seeds - Wichita State, New Mexico, Murray State, Wisconsin
10 seeds - Purdue, So. Mississippi, BYU, St. Louis
11 seeds - Stanford, Iowa State, Harvard, Memphis
12 seeds - Northwestern, Texas (Xavier, Florida State, Northern Iowa, NC State)
13 seeds - Iona, Cleveland State, Ohio, Long Beach State
14 seeds - George Mason, Middle Tennessee, Davidson, Oral Roberts
15 seeds - Belmont, Nevada, Wagner, Weber State
16 seeds - Lamar, Norfolk State, (Bucknell, Maine, Southern U., UNC-Asheville)

Most Memorable Divisional Playoff Games post-1980

2012-01-12T16:53:00.000-06:00

Wildcard weekend is complete and the Pittsburgh-Denver game probably bumps onto the wildcard list at #6 or #7. It is on the the Divisional Playoff Round, which for a rare instance involves the 8 Division Champions. My apologies to the immaculate reception and some of the other great finishes of the 1970's, but here are my most memorable Divisional Playoff Games since 1980.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Indianapolis Colts 18 (January 15, 2006)
This is the game that seems to have changed the perception of a wildcard team. The 6th-seeded Steelers upset the top-seeded Colts, becoming the first 6-seed to do so and advance to a Conference Championship Game. Pittsburgh jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and frustrated Peyton Manning all day with mixed up blitzes and coverages. Indianapolis still managed to close the gap to three and had a chance to tie, but Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46 yard field goal with 17 seconds left. The Steelers would go on to become the first team to win the Super Bowl as a 6 seed.

10. Denver Broncos 26, Houston Oilers 24 (January 4, 1992)
It wasn't as dramatic as "The Drive", but John Elway was up to his old tricks on a January day at Mile High. The Oilers used three Warren Moon touchdown passes to forge a 21-6 lead over the Broncos, before #7 started his usual comeback antics. The final act was a drive starting at, you guessed it, the Broncos 2-yard line trailing 24-23 with 2 minutes left. Elway converted two fourth downs, one with his legs and one with his arm and David Treadwell culminated the drive with a 28 yard FG with 16 seconds left and another chapter in the legend of John Elway.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars 30, Denver Broncos 27 (January 4, 1997)
The Jaguars were still considered an expansion team, until they came into Mile High and surprised the AFC's top-seeded Broncos. Denver took a 12-0 lead in this game and appeared to be cruising as everyone expected. Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith and company scored the next 23 points to stun the Broncos. The teams traded scores, but ultimately Denver could not recover their last gasp on-side kick and John Elway could not perform his magic.

8. Chicago Bears 20, Philadelphia Eagles 12 (December 31, 1988)
Based on the score of this game, you may initially wonder why this one made the list. This game is more fondly remembered as the "Fog Bowl", a game played in dense fog where by the second half, visibility was only 15 to 20 yards and television viewing was a challenge. Most of the scoring occurred early in the game when the fog was less intense, and despite over 400 yards passing from Randall Cunningham, the Eagles could only muster four field goals.

7. Cleveland Browns 34, Buffalo Bills 30 (January 6, 1990)
While not as famous as Jackie Smith's drop, this game is most remembered for Ronnie Harmon dropping the winning touchdown in the end zone. The Bills would not lose an AFC playoff game the next four years, and some might wonder if it would have been 5 straight Super Bowls had Harmon caught the ball. Instead, Clay Matthews would intercept Jim Kelly on the next play with 3 seconds remaining to preserve a shootout victory for the Browns. The Browns would of course run into their nemesis the next week and fall short of the Super Bowl again.

6. Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27 (January 4, 1981)
Who remembers the likes of Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews and Alfred Jenkins? More people might remember if the Falcons had not blown a two touchdown lead at home against the Cowboys and squandered their chance to host an NFC Title Game. Dallas rallied for three 4th quarter touchdowns, the final two courtesy of Danny White to Drew Pearson TD passes. The first came with 3 minutes remaining and the game-winner with 47 seconds left. Atlanta was unable to respond and this really good Falcon team became just a footnote.

5. Carolina Panthers 29, St. Louis Rams 23, 2OT (January 10, 2004)
In the span of two days in 2004, the Divisional Playoff Round gave us four games decided by 7 points or less. The two AFC games were good, but the two NFC games were worthy of the next two spots on this list. We will start with the game that signaled the demise of the "Greatest Show on Turf". The high-powered Rams offense was relegated to field goals for most of the game, with their only touchdown cutting the Panthers lead to 23-20 with a little over 2 minutes remaining. The Rams were able to recover an onside kick and drove deep in Carolina territory, but played for overtime. The first overtime saw each team miss a game-winning field goal, before the Rams once again were on the move. This time, it was a Marc Bulger interception that kept the Panthers alive and on the first play of the 2nd overtime, Jake Delhomme found a streaking Steve Smith for a 69-yard game-winning touchdown pass. Carolina would go on to upset Philadelphia the next week and reach their first Super Bowl.

4. Philadelphia Eagles 20, Green Bay Packers 17, OT (January 11, 2004)
The next day, Philadelphia and Green Bay tried to top the drama of the day before. The Packers controlled the majority of this game, racing out to a 14-0 lead. It was a goal-line stand in the second quarter that seemed to turn the game, as the Eagles were able to stop the Packers at the one-yard line on 4 attempts and go into halftime only down 14-7. Green Bay still led 17-14 when they were forced to punt and the Eagles took over at their own 20 with a little over two minutes left. A few plays later, Philadelphia faced a 4th down and 26 yards to go to keep their season alive. Inexplicably, Donovan McNabb found Freddie Mitchell for 28 yards and a first down leading to the game-tying FG from David Akers. The Packers would have one offensive play in overtime, a Brett Favre pass intercepted by Brian Dawkins that set-up the game clincher from Akers and continued the playoff frustrations that plagued Favre in his later years in Green Bay.

3. Cleveland Browns 23, New York Jets 20, 2OT (January 3, 1987)
The third longest game in NFL history took place in January 1987. The Jets and Browns battled at Cleveland Stadium for an extra 17:02 before Cleveland prevailed on a Mark Mosely field goal. I remember watching this one and thinking it was so cool because it was the first double overtime game I ever saw. It was a close game through the first three quarters, but Freeman McNeil put the Jets up 20-10 with 4:14 to go in the fourth and the New Yorkers seemed poised for the upset. Bernie Kosar rallied the Browns with two scoring drives, each aided with key Jets penalties, to tie the score and send the game to overtime. Browns kicker Mark Mosely would miss a 23 yard field goal in the first overtime period, but would get a chance to redeem himself with the 27-yard game-winner in the second OT. Bernie Kosar would set the post-season record for completions, attempts and yards, going 33-64 for 483 yards, but just one TD. Next week, we will re-visit the game played the next week by Cleveland.

2. New England Patriots 16, Oakland Raiders 13, OT (January 19, 2002)
There are not many games that in it of themselves create a rule change. This one will be forever known as the game that introduced us to the "Tuck Rule", a rule then NFL lived without for 80 years. The game itself was not pretty, as the teams plodded through heavy snowfall and provided a busy day for the punters. Oakland held a 13-3 lead entering the 4th quarter until Tom Brady's 6 yard run cut the Patriot deficit to 13-10. New England's last chance to tie the game resulted in controversy, as with 1:47 remaining it appeared Brady had fumbled and the Raiders would be able to run out the clock. Replay officials overturned the fumble, citing the "Tuck Rule", and New England maintained possession. Adam Vinatieri then cut a 45 yard FG through a tough wind to tie the game and hit a 23 yarder on the first possession of overtime. Without the "Tuck Rule", the first Super Bowl in New England's impressive run would not have occurred.

1. San Diego Chargers 41, Miami Dolphins 38, OT (January 2, 1982)
By the score and the year you might think this was Dan Fouts vs Dan Marino, but Marino wasn't drafted until after this game in 1982 and it was actually Don Strock who helped light up the scoreboard on this day. After the first quarter, this game appeared over, as San Diego raced to a 24-0 lead. The Dolphins closed to 24-10 with one play left in the first half. Miami executed a perfect hook-and-lateral play with Duriel Harris and Tony Nathan, with Nathan taking it the final 25 yards on the final play of the half to make it 24-17. The offensive explosion continued in the second half, with the Dolphins actually taking a 38-31 lead before a Fouts to James Brooks pass with a minute left tied it at 38. Miami had time to move into field goal range, but Charger All-Pro TE Kellen Winslow blocked Uwe von Schamann's game-winning attempt and forged overtime. The teams traded missed field goals and punts before Rolf Benirschke kicked the game winner. Kellen Winslow was essentially dragged off the field due to exhaustion, an image played often still today, and the Chargers got to pack their long johns and go to Cincinnati.

College Football 2011 Wrap-up - What-if Playoff

2012-01-12T10:26:00.000-06:00

Time to tie a bow on the 2011 College Football Season. As a huge proponent of a playoff system, I like to imagine what would have happened had 2011 brought us this format. Plus-one is great, but I would rather see an 8 or a 16 team playoff. I even threw out a 14 team model this year. With the help of What-if-Sports, here is how a 16-team playoff field played out (Each game is determined using a best of 7 simulation, with the score used being the clinching game for the winning team. The first round is played at the higher seed, with the remaining games played on neutral fields.) The playoff field includes the 11 conference champions and 5 at-large berths, with no maximum in regards to a conference. Final BCS rankings used for seeding.

(16) Arkansas State (Sun Belt) at (1) LSU (SEC)
(9) Wisconsin (Big 10) at (8) Kansas State (at-large)
(13) West Virginia (Big East) at (4) Stanford (at-large)
(12) Southern Miss (C-USA) at (5) Oregon (PAC-12)
(11) TCU (Mountain West) at (6) Arkansas (at-large)
(14) Northern Illinois (MAC) at (3) Oklahoma State (Big 12)
(10) Clemson (ACC) at (7) Boise State (at-large)
(15) Louisiana Tech (WAC) at (2) Alabama (at-large)

First Round
LSU 37, Arkansas State 10 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Wisconsin 34, Kansas State 13 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Stanford 33, West Virginia 31 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Oregon 63, Southern Miss 45 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Arkansas 44, TCU 37, 2OT Boxscore from WhatifSports
Oklahoma State 66, Northern Illinois 7 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Boise State 70, Clemson 21 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Alabama 28, Louisiana Tech 20 Boxscore from WhatifSports

Quarterfinals
LSU 32, Wisconsin 30 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Stanford 45, Oregon 34 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Oklahoma State 45, Arkansas 24 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Alabama 48, Boise State 16 Boxscore from WhatifSports
(I guess the +1 format might be fine)

Semifinals
LSU 43, Stanford 22 Boxscore from WhatifSports
Alabama 47, Oklahoma State 44 Boxscore from WhatifSports
(The BCS got it right??)

Championship
Alabama 38, LSU 6 Boxscore from WhatifSports
(Wow, same result. Oh well, I still think Oklahoma State deserved their shot)

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 12, 2012

2012-01-12T06:57:00.000-06:00

All the shuffling today is with the lower seeds, as teams within the top 7 lines took care of business.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, North Carolina
2 seeds - Duke, Michigan State, Indiana, Connecticut
3 seeds - Ohio State, Missouri, Georgetown, Kansas
4 seeds - Alabama, UNLV, Virginia, Seton Hall
5 seeds - Michigan, Louisville, Gonzaga, Illinois
6 seeds - Florida, Marquette, Kansas State, Creighton
7 seeds - West Virginia, St. Mary's, San Diego State, Vanderbilt
8 seeds - Mississippi State, Purdue, California, Temple
9 seeds - Dayton, Wichita State, New Mexico, Murray State
10 seeds - So. Mississippi, BYU, Stanford, St. Louis
11 seeds - Northwestern, Iowa State, Harvard, Memphis
12 seeds - Iona, Wisconsin, Texas (Xavier, Florida State)
13 seeds - Cleveland State, George Mason, Ohio, (Northern Iowa, NC State)
14 seeds - Middle Tennessee, Long Beach State, Belmont, Davidson
15 seeds - Nevada, Oral Roberts, Robert Morris, Weber State
16 seeds - Lamar, Norfolk State, (Lehigh, Maine, Southern U., Coastal Carolina)

NCAA Field of 68 - January 10, 2012 Edition

2012-01-11T01:47:00.000-06:00

Syracuse still overall #1, followed by Kentucky, Baylor and North Carolina
Last Four In: Memphis, Xavier, LSU, Florida State
First Four Out: Northern Iowa, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Arizona
Monitoring: Arkansas, St. Joseph's, Cincinnati, Colorado, Minnesota, Marshall, Central Florida, Mississippi

South Regional
(1)  North Carolina vs (16) Southern U./Coastal Carolina
(8)  Mississippi State vs (9) Southern Miss
(5)  Illinois vs (12) Iona
(4)  Seton Hall vs (13)  Ohio
(6)  Florida vs (11)  North Carolina State
(3)  Missouri vs (14) Long Beach State
(7)  West Virginia vs (10)  BYU
(2)  Indiana vs (15)  Weber State

Midwest Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Lamar
(8)  Purdue vs (9)  Wichita State
(5)  Louisville vs (12)  Texas
(4)  Virginia vs (13)  Cleveland State
(6)  Kansas State vs (11) Stanford
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Davidson
(7)  San Diego State vs (10) St. Louis
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  Oral Roberts

West Regional
(1)  Baylor vs (16)  Norfolk State
(8)  California vs (9)  Temple
(5)  Gonzaga vs (12)  Wisconsin
(4) UNLV vs (13) LSU/Florida State
(6)  Creighton vs (11) Iowa State
(3)  Ohio State vs (14)  Belmont
(7)  Vanderbilt vs (10)  Murray State
(2)  Connecticut vs (15)  Nevada

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Lehigh/Maine
(8)  Dayton vs (9) New Mexico
(5)  Michigan vs (12)  Memphis/Xavier
(4)  Alabama vs (13) George Mason
(6)  Marquette vs (11)  Harvard
(3)  Kansas vs (14) Middle Tennessee
(7)  St. Mary's vs (10) Northwestern
(2)  Duke vs (15) Robert Morris

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle - January 8, 2012 (Midday)

2012-01-08T15:16:00.000-06:00

Saturday provided some upsets and movements in the field. Sunday opened my eyes to the team I am closest to. I have moved Wisconsin down to the First Four games, as this team is going to struggle to make the field unless they find their stroke. Xavier is my first team out. Pittsburgh, Arizona, St, Joseph's, Arkansas, Minnesota and Oregon are some of the teams on the outside looking in.
Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, North Carolina
2 seeds - Ohio State, Duke, Michigan State, Indiana
3 seeds - Missouri, Georgetown, Connecticut, Kansas
4 seeds - Alabama, UNLV, Louisville, Virginia
5 seeds - Kansas State, Michigan, Seton Hall, Gonzaga
6 seeds - Florida, Marquette, West Virginia, Creighton
7 seeds - St. Mary's, San Diego State, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State
8 seeds - Illinois, Purdue, California, Dayton
9 seeds - Wichita State, New Mexico, Temple, So. Mississippi
10 seeds - Northwestern, BYU, St. Louis, Murray State
11 seeds - Iowa State, Harvard, NC State, Stanford
12 seeds - Iona, Virginia Tech, Texas (Wisconsin, Memphis)
13 seeds - Cleveland State, VCU, Ohio, (Northern Iowa, LSU)
14 seeds - Middle Tennessee, Long Beach State, Belmont, Davidson
15 seeds - Nevada, Oral Roberts, Robert Morris, Weber State
16 seeds - Lamar, Norfolk State, (Lehigh, Maine, Southern U., Campbell)

Most Memorable Wildcard Games post-1980

2012-01-06T14:41:00.000-06:00

Its Wildcard Weekend!! The weekend that used to give us 2 games, now gives us 4. The weekend also used to produce teams with no shot of making the Super Bowl, but that trend has inexplicably changed in recent years. Time to look back at some of the most memorable wildcard games of the past 30+ years.

10. San Diego Chargers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 28 (January 9, 1983)
Wow, the 1980's really didn't offer much for wildcard thrills. Maybe they will make up for it in another round. I picked this one for the list, with Dan Fouts throwing for 333 yards and 3 TD's, including 2 to Kellen Winslow to erase a 28-17 Steeler lead.

9. Miami Dolphins 20, Seattle Seahawks 17 (January 9, 2000)
A hard-fought playoff game between the Dolphins and Seahawks is memorable for two reasons. First it was the final playoff victory and final overall victory engineered by Dan Marino. While his 196 yards and one TD were not flashy, he led the Dolphins to the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter as he had done many times before. The game was also the last ever played at the Kingdome, which imploded not too long after.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers 36, Cleveland Browns 33 (January 5, 2003)
In a game between two bitter long-time rivals, franchise footnotes Kelly Holcomb and Tommy Maddox staged a little wildcard shootout in 2003. The Browns squandered a 24-7 lead, as Maddox threw 3 TD's to guide the Steelers back and wait for it......Chris Fuamatu Ma'afala powered in the game-winner from 3 yards out with 54 seconds left.

7. Arizona Cardinals 51, Green Bay Packers 45, OT (January 10, 2010)
The highest-scoring playoff game in NFL history was played between the Cardinals and Packers. Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers traded touchdown passes, with Warner out-doing Rodgers 5 to 4. There was really no defense played until the first drive in overtime, when Rodgers was sacked by Michael Adams and Karlos Dansby picked up the resulting fumble and raced 17 yards for the winning TD. Warner would end his career the following week against the Saints, while Rodgers had a better return trip the playoffs a year later.

6. Minnesota Vikings 23, New York Giants 22 (December 27, 1997)
A stunning finish left Giant fans wondering what just happened. The home-team Giants led the game 22-13 with a minute and a half to go and appeared headed to the next round when Randall Cunningham found Jake Reed to close the gap to 2. The Vikings would get the ball back and Eddie Murray would complete the stunning comeback with a 24 yard FG at the gun.

5. Green Bay Packers 28, Detroit Lions 24 (January 8, 1994)
At this time, I was a long-suffering Packers fan who had witnessed just 2 Packer playoff games in the 1982 strike season. The return to the playoffs ended on a sweet note, as Brett Favre scrambled and found a streaking Sterling Sharpe for a 40-yard TD with 55 seconds left to win the game. Favre would provide many more of these moments in the coming years, while Sharpe's career was cut way too short.

4. San Francisco 49ers 30, Green Bay Packers 27 (January 3, 1999)
An exciting back and forth game brought the end to the Mike Holmgren era in Green Bay. The Packers took the upper hand on a Brett Favre to Antonio Freeman touchdown pass in the closing minutes. The 49ers marched right back, aided by a no fumble call on Jerry Rice that would have been overturned by replay under the current rules. With 8 seconds left at the Packer 25, Steve Young found Terrell Owens over the middle for the game-winning TD as multiple Packers were late to converge on T.O. There would be no Super Bowl for the 3rd year in a row in Green Bay and Favre would never take them back.

3. San Francisco 49ers 39, New York Giants 38 (January 5, 2003)
This was another crazy game that added both the comeback element and the thrilling game-ending play. The Giants built a 38-14 lead late in the 3rd quarter before a Jeff Garcia-led 49ers staged a huge comeback. The rally culminated in a TD pass from Garcia to Tai Streets with a minute left. The Giants marched right back down the field and set-up for the game-winning 41 yard field goal. The field goal would never be attempted as the snap was botched and a strange pass play occurred that the referees potentially erred on. While the Giants were called for ineligible receiver, the 49ers should have been flagged for pass interference, which would have resulted in offsetting penalties and another try for the FG.

2. Tennessee Titans 22, Buffalo Bills 16 (January 8, 2000)
As jubilant as a Bills fan was after the game that tops this list, this game ended on the opposite side of the spectrum. The game itself was fairly mundane, a defensive struggle starring Jevon Kearse and Bruce Smith. It was the ending that makes this one of the greatest of all-time. An ending that still evokes controversy. The Bills took a 16-15 lead with 16 seconds left on Steve Christie's 3rd FG of the afternoon and appeared to be moving on. The ensuing kickoff went to Lorenzo Neal who gave the ball to Frank Wychek. Whychek started running sideways to his right, before wheeling and throwing across the field to Kevin Dyson. Dyson had a convoy of blockers and took it the last 75 yards for the game-winning TD. Truth-be-told, I still think the ball went a little bit forward.

1. Buffalo Bills 41, Houston Oilers 38, OT (January 3, 1993)
Full disclosure, I loved the early 90's Bills teams. I was riveted by this game. The Bills were without Jim Kelly and lost Thurman Thomas to injury early in the game. The Oilers returned an interception early in the 3rd quarter to take a 35-3 lead. Why I kept watching, I have no idea. Frank Reich proceeded to lead the Bills on the greatest comeback in NFL history. He engineered 5 scoring drives, with 3 TD passes going to Andre Reed. The Oilers actually had to tie the game with an Al Del Greco FG at the end of regulation before the Bills proceeded to intercept Warren Moon and set-up Steve Christie's game-winner in overtime. The wildest of all wildcard games.

College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle 1/6/12

2012-01-06T08:12:00.000-06:00

This is the time of year that it appears no teams want the last few spots in the tournament until conference races start to sort out. It is finally time to move up the likes of Murray State who is more deserving of any of the current teams at the end of the field. Also, after last night, the PAC-12 is making more of a mess for itself. I am dropping the PAC-12 to a 2-bid league as it was in 2009-2010.

Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, North Carolina
2 seeds - Ohio State, Duke, Missouri, Michigan State
3 seeds - Georgetown, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisville
4 seeds - Alabama, UNLV, Kansas, Virginia
5 seeds - Marquette, Kansas State, Michigan, Florida
6 seeds - Gonzaga, Seton Hall, Mississippi State, Creighton
7 seeds - St. Mary's, San Diego State, Vanderbilt, Temple
8 seeds - West Virginia, Illinois, Purdue, California
9 seeds - Wisconsin, Wichita State, New Mexico, Virginia Tech
10 seeds - Northwestern, BYU, St. Louis, Dayton
11 seeds - Texas, Harvard, Murray State, So. Mississippi
12 seeds - Ohio, Iona, NC State, Stanford
13 seeds - Cleveland State, VCU, (Memphis, Northern Iowa, St. Joseph's, Iowa State)
14 seeds - Middle Tennessee, Long Beach State, Belmont, Davidson
15 seeds - Nevada, Oral Roberts, Robert Morris, Weber State
16 seeds - Lamar, Norfolk State, (Lehigh, Maine, Southern U., Campbell)

Follow Jabesblog on Twitter @jabesblog3000

2012-01-05T12:41:00.000-06:00

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College Basketball Field of 68 - Daily Shuffle

2012-01-04T23:58:00.000-06:00

I will provide daily shuffles when time permits that do not involve matching up the field. Green - up, Red - down, Blue - new.

1 seeds - Syracuse, Kentucky, Baylor, North Carolina
2 seeds - Ohio State, Duke, Missouri, Michigan State
3 seeds - Georgetown, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisville
4 seeds - Alabama, UNLV, Kansas, Virginia
5 seeds - Marquette, Kansas State, Michigan, Florida
6 seeds - Gonzaga, Seton Hall, Mississippi State, California
7 seeds - Creighton, St. Mary's, San Diego State, Purdue
8 seeds - West Virginia, Illinois, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin
9 seeds - Temple, Wichita State, New Mexico, Virginia Tech
10 seeds - Northwestern, BYU, St. Louis, Stanford
11 seeds - Texas, Arizona, Harvard, Dayton
12 seeds - So. Mississippi, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Memphis, NC State, Northern Iowa
13 seeds - Murray State, Iona, Cleveland State, VCU
14 seeds - Middle Tennessee, Long Beach State, Belmont, Nevada
15 seeds - Davidson, Oral Roberts, Robert Morris, Weber State
16 seeds - Lamar, Norfolk State, Lehigh, Maine, Southern U., Campbell

NCAA Field of 68 - January 4, 2012 Edition

2012-01-04T07:44:00.000-06:00

Syracuse still overall #1, followed by Duke, Kentucky and Baylor
I was late to the party on Seton Hall, but they are the big riser this week
Xavier and Pittsburgh continue their free-fall, with Wisconsin starting to join them. Florida State fell all the way out of the field.
Northern Iowa's recent troubles have the Missouri Valley back to a 2-bid league
Would the committee put Dayton in a First Four game at home? They continue to play ping-pong with St. Joe's in my field, but the Flyers have better wins

South Regional
(1)  Duke vs (16) Norfolk State
(8)  West Virginia vs (9) Northwestern
(5)  Florida vs (12) Ohio
(4)  Kansas State vs (13)  Murray State
(6) California vs (11)  Harvard
(3)  Connecticut vs (14) Middle Tennessee
(7)  Creighton vs (10)  BYU
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  Robert Morris

Midwest Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Lamar
(8)  Illinois vs (9)  Temple
(5)  Kansas vs (12)  NC State/Dayton
(4)  Marquette vs (13)  Cleveland State
(6)  Gonzaga vs (11) Arizona
(3)  Louisville vs (14) Long Beach State
(7)  San Diego State vs (10) Virginia Tech
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Oral Roberts

West Regional
(1)  Baylor vs (16)  Lehigh/Maine
(8)  Vanderbilt vs (9)  St. Louis
(5)  Michigan vs (12)  Pittsburgh/Memphis
(4) UNLV vs (13) Virginia Commonwealth
(6)  Mississippi State vs (11) Stanford
(3)  Georgetown vs (14)  Nevada
(7)  Purdue vs (10)  Wichita State
(2)  North Carolia vs (15)  Davidson

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Campbell/Southern U.
(8)  Wisconsin vs (9) Texas
(5)  Virginia vs (12)  Southern Mississippi
(4)  Alabama vs (13) Iona
(6)  Seton Hall vs (11)  Xavier
(3)  Indiana vs (14) Belmont
(7)  St. Mary's vs (10) New Mexico
(2)  Missouri vs (15) Weber State

College Basketball Field of 68 - New Year's Edition

2011-12-30T12:39:00.000-06:00

Syracuse still overall #1, followed by Ohio State, Duke and Kentucky
Texas A&M needs to beat someone to re-enter the field
Memphis may still be the class of C-USA, but for now they are out and C-USA is a one-bid league
It will be interesting to see how the committee treats this Xavier three-game stretch
Keep in mind Ohio State's one loss was without Sullinger and Vandy is now 2-1 with Festus Ezeli
The Missouri Valley had a strong non-conference showing, but won't do itself any at-large favors if they all beat-up on each other in conference play
Who will be the surprise team in conference play this year (the 2012 version of St. John's a year ago)?
Happy New Year!!

South Regional
(1)  Duke vs (16) Norfolk State
(8)  Vanderbilt vs (9)  Illinois
(5)  Kansas State vs (12) Southern Mississippi
(4)  Marquette vs (13)  Murray State
(6) Mississippi State vs (11)  Ohio
(3)  Wisconsin vs (14) Long Beach State
(7)  Creighton vs (10)  Temple
(2)  Connecticut vs (15)  Robert Morris

West Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Lamar
(8)  Xavier vs (9)  Texas
(5)  Virginia vs (12)  Seton Hall/BYU
(4)  Indiana vs (13)  Cleveland State
(6)  Gonzaga vs (11) Stanford
(3)  Georgetown vs (14) Middle Tennessee
(7)  San Diego State vs (10) Northwestern
(2)  Baylor vs (15)  Weber State

Midwest Regional
(1) Ohio State vs (16)  Lehigh/Maine
(8)  Pittsburgh vs (9)  Wichita State
(5)  Florida vs (12)  Virginia Tech/St. Joseph's
(4) UNLV vs (13) Virginia Commonwealth
(6)  Michigan vs (11) Harvard
(3)  Louisville vs (14)  Nevada
(7)  California vs (10) Florida State
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  Davidson

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Coastal Carolina/Prairie View
(8)  Purdue vs (9) St. Louis
(5)  Kansas vs (12)  New Mexico
(4)  Alabama vs (13) Iona
(6)  West Virginia vs (11)  Northern Iowa
(3)  Michigan State vs (14) Belmont
(7)  St. Mary's vs (10) Arizona
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Oral Roberts

College Football - Top 5 Players Post-1980 - Other Teams Edition

2011-12-22T11:55:00.000-06:00

A few non-bcs schools with notable top fives...

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Tim Brown, WR/KR/PR
Raghib Ismail, WR/KR/PR
Todd Lyght, CB
Chris Zordich, DT
Aaron Taylor, OG

BYU Cougars

Ty Detmer, QB
Jim McMahon, QB
Steve Young, QB
Robbie Bosco, QB
Steve Sarkisian, QB

Houston Cougars

Case Keenum, QB
Andre Ware, QB
David Klingler, QB
Kevin Kolb, QB
Manny Hazard, WR

SMU Mustangs

Eric Dickerson, RB
Reggie Dupard, RB
Russell Carter, DB
Craig James, RB
Harvey Armstrong, DT

Boise State Broncos

Kellen Moore, QB
Eric Helgeson, DE
Ian Johnson, RB
Brock Forsey, RB
Austin Pettis and Titus Young, WR

TCU Horned Frogs

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB
Andy Dalton, QB
Jerry Hughes, DE
Jake Kirkpatrick, C
Aaron Schobel, DE

San Diego State Aztecs

Marshall Faulk, RB
Kyle Turley, OL
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DE
Kirk Morrison, LB
Ronnie Hillman, RB

Marshall Thundering Herd

Randy Moss, WR
Chad Pennington, QB
Byron Leftwich, QB
Johnathan Goddard, DE
Darius Watts, WR

College Basketball Field of 68 - Christmas Edition

2011-12-21T17:03:00.000-06:00

Syracuse is overall #1, followed by Ohio State, Duke and Kentucky
Rewarded Indiana for their undfeated start with a #3 seed, a spot the second place Big Ten team is likely to earn at the very least after the non-conference performance of the league
Minnesota fans can hate, but someone has to go 7-11 or 6-12 in league play and I think its the Gophers.
Three of my "First Four" on the #12 line are from mid-majors, which are seeing some strong non-conference resumes put together.
Happy Holidays!!

South Regional
(1)  Duke vs (16) Norfolk State
(8)  San Diego State vs (9) West Virginia
(5)  Michigan State vs (12) Memphis
(4)  Florida vs (13)  Murray State
(6) Michigan vs (11) Wichita State
(3)  Xavier vs (14) Belmont
(7)  Texas vs (10) St. Mary's
(2)  Connecticut vs (15)  Robert Morris

West Regional
(1)  Kentucky vs (16) Lamar
(8)  Florida State vs (9)  Kansas State
(5)  Georgetown vs (12)  Dayton/New Mexico
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13)  Cleveland State
(6)  California vs (11) Harvard
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Middle Tennessee
(7)  Gonzaga vs (10) Purdue
(2)  Baylor vs (15)  Weber State

Midwest Regional
(1) Ohio State vs (16)  Bucknell/Albany
(8)  Stanford vs (9) Northern Iowa
(5)  Alabama vs (12)  Ohio
(4)  Pittsburgh vs (13) Virginia Commonwealth
(6)  Virginia vs (11) Northwestern
(3)  Missouri vs (14)  Long Beach State
(7)  Vanderbilt vs (10) Temple
(2)  Louisville vs (15)  Davidson

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Coastal Carolina/Prairie View
(8)  Arizona vs (9) Illinois
(5) UNLV vs (12) Virginia Tech/Southern Mississippi
(4)  Kansas vs (13) Iona
(6)  Mississippi State vs (11) St. Louis
(3)  Indiana vs (14) Nevada
(7)  Creighton vs (10) Texas A&M
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Oral Roberts

35 Bowls, 35 Comments, 35 Picks with Confidence

2011-12-16T00:11:00.000-06:00

Okay, 36 Comments. These are some really good Bowl Match-ups. I will be disappointed if I get any of the games with 29-35 confidence points incorrect, but the other 28, its anyone's best guess.

Saturday, December 17th
New Mexico Bowl: Temple vs Wyoming - This one takes me back to the days of Mark Macon and Fennis Dembo. Winner: Temple, 10 points

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs Utah State - Utah State gets to stay at home and should have a definitive crowd advantage. Winner: Utah State, 16 points

New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana-Lafayette vs San Diego State - Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Mr. Ronnie Hillman. Winner: San Diego State, 26 points

Tuesday, December 20th
Beef O'Brady's Bowl: Florida International vs Marshall - Probably the least compelling game on the bowl docket. Winner: Florida International, 11 points

Wednesday, December 21st
Poinsettia Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs TCU - From the Rose to Poinsettia, the Horned Frogs sure love their flowers/flowery plants. Winner: TCU, 33 points

Thursday, December 22nd
MAACO Bowl: Arizona State vs Boise State - Kellen Moore's illustrious career comes to a close without a BCS win. Winner: Boise State, 34 points

Saturday, December 24th
Hawaii Bowl: Nevada vs Southern Mississippi - Time to play the Brett Favre drinking game with the family on Christmas Eve!! Winner: Southern Mississippi, 32 points

Monday, December 26th
Independence Bowl: Missouri vs North Carolina - Tar Heel fans turned their attention to a different sport weeks ago. Winner: Missouri, 30 points

Tuesday, December 27th
Little Caesars Bowl: Purdue vs Western Michigan - I used to love the Little Caesars Pizza as a kid, now I am kind of a pizza snob. Winner: Western Michigan, 18 points

Belk Bowl: Louisville vs North Carolina State - One last thank you card to the Wolfpack for Russell Wilson. Winner: North Carolina State, 17 points

Wednesday, December 28th
Military Bowl: Air Force vs Toledo - Fitting they got the Rockets to play against a Service Academy in this one. Winner: Air Force, 7 points

Holiday Bowl: California vs Texas - In England, a "holiday" is a vacation. I find them a lot of work. Winner: Texas, 13 points

Thursday, December 29th
Champs Sports Bowl: Florida State vs Notre Dame - I pegged Florida State for the BCS Title Game...Oops. Winner: Florida State, 21 points

Alamo Bowl: Baylor vs Washington - I am going with the Heisman winner, Mr. RG3, as my most confident pick of the bowl season. Winner: Baylor, 35 points

Friday, December 30th
Armed Forces Bowl: BYU vs Tulsa - Fitting a school that produced McMahon, Young and Detmer would go to the Armed Forces Bowl. Winner: Tulsa, 8 points

Pinstripe Bowl: Iowa State vs Rutgers - Not sure you could put two BCS schools together and get a less exciting match-up. Winner: Rutgers, 6 points

Music City Bowl: Mississippi State vs Wake Forest - The Demon Deacons were just throttled by an SEC team. Winner: Mississippi State, 22 points

Insight Bowl: Iowa vs Oklahoma - Here is my insight, the Sooners are a much better football team, even if they are not fully-motivated. Winner: Oklahoma, 24 points

Saturday, December 31st
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Illinois vs UCLA - I doubt Ron Zook and Rick Neuheisel will be resorting to Mac 'n' Cheese. Winner: UCLA, 9 points

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Northwestern vs Texas A&M - Larry King was the only person alive the last time the Wildcats won a bowl game. Winner: Northwestern, 4 points

Sun Bowl: Georgia Tech vs Utah - Does anyone ever remember that Utah is in the PAC-12 now? Winner: Georgia Tech, 23 points

Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati vs Vanderbilt - Better watch out, those Bearcats are fighters. Winner: Vanderbilt, 15 points

Chick-fil-A Bowl: Auburn vs Virginia - An un-named publication had all their experts pick Auburn. Has anyone seen them play lately? Winner: Virginia, 14 points

Monday, January 2nd
Ticket City Bowl: Houston vs Penn State - Two teams that got a harsh reality check in their season finale, but one has had a bigger dose in recent months. Winner: Houston, 19 points

Outback Bowl: Georgia vs Michigan State - I think the Spartans are a really good football team, unless its a big game on the road or on a neutral field. Winner: Georgia, 28 points

Capitol One Bowl: Nebraska vs South Carolina - Nebraska's first Big Ten Season is probably a disappointment. Winner: South Carolina, 5 points

Gator Bowl: Florida vs Ohio State - The Buckeyes got Urban Meyer, but can they get revenge for that BCS Title whipping from a few years ago. Winner: Ohio State, 12 points

Rose Bowl: Oregon vs Wisconsin - Am I loyal? Am I a Homer? Am I an Alum? Yes, Yes and Yes. Winner: Wisconsin, 1 point

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma State vs Stanford - Everyone thinks Andrew Luck will go out with a victory, like he's Tebow or something. Winner: Oklahoma State, 3 points

Tuesday, January 3rd
Sugar Bowl: Michigan vs Virginia Tech - I wanted to put big points on one BCS bowl and this looked like the best bet. Winner: Michigan, 31 points

Wednesday, January 4th
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs West Virginia - A re-match of a first round NCAA Basketball Game from earlier this year, this time the Tigers get proper rest. Winner: Clemson, 25 points

Friday, January 6th
Cotton Bowl: Arkansas vs Kansas State - I will call this one the 6th BCS Bowl and I am going to play the no respect card. Winner: Kansas State, 2 points

Saturday, January 7th
BBVA Compass Bowl: Pittsburgh vs SMU - Why do they play these next two games right before the Title Game? Winner: SMU, 27 points

Sunday, January 8th
GoDaddy Bowl: Arkansas State vs Northern Illinois - Insert your Danica Patrick reference here. Winner: Northern Illinois, 29 points

Monday, January 9th
BCS Championship Game: Alabama vs LSU - LSU have to do it again? Winner: LSU, 20 points

College Football - Top 5 Players Post-1980 - Big East Edition

2011-12-10T14:09:00.000-06:00

Not much to add for the Big East teams, as many have less-than-storied histories.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Pat White, QB
Steve Slaton, RB
Aaron Beasley, CB
Darryl Talley, LB
Major Harris, QB

Pittsburgh Panthers

Larry Fitzgerald, WR
Bill Fralic, OG
Jimbo Covert, OL
Antonio Bryant, WR
Alex Van Pelt, QB

Cincinnati Bearcats

Antwan Peek, DE
Gino Giudugli, QB
Mike Mickens, CB
Reggie Taylor, RB
Mardy Gilyard, WR/KR

Louisville Cardinals

Elvis Dumervil, LB
Sam Madison, CB
Chris Redman, QB
Brian Brohm, QB
Arnold Jackson, WR

South Florida Bulls

Matt Grothe, QB
Mike Jenkins, CB
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
Marquel Blackwell, QB
Ben Moffitt, LB

Rutgers Scarlett Knights

Ray Rice, RB
Marco Battaglia, TE
Eric Foster, DL
Kenny Britt, WR
Brian Leonard, FB

Connecticut Huskies

Donald Brown, RB
Mark Didio, WR
Jordan Todman, RB
TaVarr Closs, OT
John Dorsey, LB

Syracuse Orange

Dwight Freeney, DE
Don McPherson, QB
Donovan McNabb, QB
Marvin Harrison, WR
Rob Moore, WR

College Football 2011 - Top Ten Games of the Year

2011-12-09T16:01:00.001-06:00

10. LSU 9, Alabama 6 OT - Billed as the "Game of the Century", this National Championship Preview comes in as the #10 Game of the Year. For some reason the "experts" decided they want to see this again. Four missed field goals, four interceptions, 13 penalties, 534 total yards. I know these defenses are amazing, but there was a sloppiness aspect to this game. I really hope the sequel is better.

9. Northern Illinois 63, Toledo 60 - On the opposite end of the spectrum was the MAC tussle between the Huskies and Rockets. In a game that ultimately decided the MAC West crown, the teams went back and forth combining for 1,121 yards and 17 touchdowns, including 6 in the fourth quarter when 43 points were scored. There were a combined 11 touchdown passes and 2 kickoff returns for touchdowns. Believe it or not, the teams did punt 6 times. So a little defense was played. Highlight from ESPN

8. Michigan 40, Ohio State 34 - The "Big Game" is back. After a period of Buckeye dominance, the Wolverines announced their return in the season finale, holding off Ohio State and capping a resurgent season. The game itself went back and forth with the two athletic quarterbacks, Denard Robinson and Braxton Miller, making great play after great play. Ironically, it was the Michigan defense that held the Buckeyes out of the end zone early in the fourth quarter after a crucial dropped punt, allowing the Wolverine offense to respond with a touchdown and gain the 10 point separation they needed to hold off their rivals. Highlight from ESPN

7. Oklahoma State 52, Kansas State 45 - The two best teams in the Big 12 this year provided us a thrilling game in Stillwater in early November. The Cowboys and Wildcats combined for 1,082 yards on the evening, including a school-record 502 yards passing from Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden. Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein was not shabby either with 231 yards passing and another 144 yards rushing. An interesting note, the Cowboys scored 52 points even though they possessed the ball for only 19:11 in the game. Sure wish they would have had their chance against LSU. The Final Play courtesy of youtube

6. Baylor 50, TCU 48 - When Robert Griffin III picks up his Heisman Trophy on Saturday, it will be because of his late-season hot stretch while others were just simmering. There is no Heisman though, without the spectacular show RG3 put on in the season-opener against TCU. The future poser threw for 359 yards and 5 TD's against the vaunted Horned Frogs defense, staking the Bears to a 47-23 lead entering the 4th quarter. TCU stormed back with 25 unanswered points in the 4th to take a 48-47 lead, before RG3 led Baylor down for a game-winning FG with a minute left and the Bear defense held on. It was a thrilling way to start a great College Football season. Game-ending highlight from ESPN

5. Michigan 35, Notre Dame 31 - For three quarters back in September, Notre Dame handled Michigan and appeared to be cruising toward another victory in this great rivalry with a 24-7 lead entering the 4th quarter. Michigan quickly clawed back and ultimately grabbed a 28-24 lead with 1:12 left on Denard Robinson's 3rd TD pass of the night. The Fighting Irish quickly responded with a 42 second TD drive to reclaim the lead. With 30 seconds left, the Wolverines had one more chance...from ESPN

4. Stanford 56, USC 48 3OT - A ho-hum 10-6 game at halftime, this game heated up in the second half and gave us one of the great nail-biters of the season. The Trojans controlled the game several times against the undefeated Cardinal, but Stanford roared back each time, evening the game at 34 with 38 seconds left in regulation. After trading touchdowns in the first two OT's, Stanford converted once again in the 3rd OT, including the mandatory 2-point play and left it up to the Trojans to respond...from youtube

3. TCU 36, Boise State 35 - How would the National Championship Game look if an undefeated Boise State was in the mix? We will never know because of what took place on the "Blue Turf"in November. It was those Horned Frogs again, this time going back and forth with the Broncos in a game nobody led by more than 8 points. Boise State led by 7 late in the 4th quarter when TCU scored on Casey Pachall's 5th TD pass of the day and successfully converted a 2-pt conversion to take the lead. But Kellen Moore got Boise down the field and put the game on the foot of their kicker...Final play from youtube

2. Michigan State 37, Wisconsin 31 - Wisconsin waltzed into East Lansing undefeated in late October and proceeded to stroll to an early 14-0 lead. Then a strange series of events unraveled that changed the course of a dream season. Russell Wilson through one of only two relevant interceptions he had the whole season as the Badgers were marching in to go up 21-0. Soon after Wilson grounded the ball in the end zone for a safety. The Badgers also botched a FG and had a punt blocked and returned for a TD in State's 23 point second quarter ambush. The Spartans would control the 3rd and first part of the 4th quarter, before Russell Wilson brought Wisconsin back to tie with 2 touchdown drives, the last a 2 yard pass to Monte Ball with 1:26 remaining. With the help of some questionable timeouts by the Badgers, Sparty was able to drive to the UW 44 with time for one last play...from ESPN

1. Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39 - LSU and Alabama take note...the sequel can be as good as if not better than the original. While Bucky vs Sparty II did not have the dramatic final play, the stakes were higher and the tension was high in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game. Once again, the Cardinal and White jumped out to a 2-TD lead at 21-7 to end the first quarter. Almost inexplicably, Michigan State put another 22 point ambush on Wisconsin in the second quarter, including one of the headiest plays I've seen from Badger nemesis Keith Nichol. Once again Russell Wilson was unfazed and led the Badgers on two scoring drives, but a failed 2-point conversion left UW down by two. After a Spartan FG pushed the lead to five, Wisconsin faced a 4th and 6...from youtube. Monte Ball would score on the next play to put the Badgers in front 42-39. After MSU punted back to Wisconsin, the Badgers could not run out the clock and were forced to punt when once again, the break went the way of the team in Red...from youtube.

College Basketball Field of 68 - December 7th Edition

2011-12-07T13:23:00.000-06:00

Here is an update to the projected field. I am still struggling a little with projection vs what have you done for me so far, since the body of work is still developing. For the most part, the teams included in the field are what they would be if the season inexplicably ended today. I feel comfortable a 7th, if not 8th Big East team will step forward, so I am still projecting Cincinnati in my field as of today, although this could also very well be Villanova or West Virginia once things play out. I am leaving Washington in as a 4th PAC-12 team, projecting last night's good showing will propel them to better things. These is a little more projection in seeding, as once some of these teams start playing each other, some of the gaudy records are sure to suffer. So yes, Georgetown is off to an awesome start, but if they follow the trend of a 6th place Big East team, they will end up as about a #6-seed.

I am starting to see some potential interchangeable parts. Duke and North Carolina for a #1 and #2 seed. Same with Syracuse, Louisville and Connecticut. Marquette and Pittsburgh for a 3 and 4. Mississippi State and Vanderbilt for a 5 and 6. Arizona and Cal for a 5, 6 or 7 (right now I see the younger Wildcats continuing to develop and winning the PAC-12).

Feel free to comment!!

South Regional
(1) Kentucky vs (16) Boston U./Lamar
(8)  Florida State vs (9) Stanford
(5) Texas A&M vs (12) Cincinnati/Wichita State
(4) Wisconsin vs (13) Cleveland State
(6) Memphis vs (11) Virginia Tech
(3)  Xavier vs (14) Middle Tennessee
(7)  Michigan State vs (10) Temple
(2)  Louisville vs (15)  Davidson

West Regional
(1) Duke vs (16) Campbell/Alabama A&M
(8)  Purdue vs (9)  Kansas State
(5)  Mississippi State vs (12)  George Mason
(4) Pittsburgh vs (13)  Iona
(6) UNLV vs (11) St. Mary's
(3)  Marquette vs (14) Nevada
(7)  California vs (10) Illinois
(2)  Baylor vs (15)  Weber State

Midwest Regional
(1) Ohio State vs (16)  Norfolk State
(8)  Virginia vs (9) Texas
(5)  Arizona vs (12)  New Mexico
(4)  Alabama vs (13) Belmont
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11) Northern Iowa
(3)  Missouri vs (14)  Long Beach State
(7)  Gonzaga vs (10) Indiana
(2)  Connecticut vs (15)  Bucknell

East Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Robert Morris
(8)  San Diego State vs (9) St. Louis
(5) Michigan vs (12) Washington/Marshall
(4)  Kansas vs (13) Kent State
(6) Georgetown vs (11) Northwestern
(3)  Florida vs (14) Murray State
(7)  Creighton vs (10) Harvard
(2)  North Carolina vs (15) Oakland

College Basketball - Updated Field of 68 - End of November Edition

2011-11-30T14:32:00.002-06:00

With one more day of College Basketball to play in November, it is time to re-assess the pre-season Field of 68. My new field is a mixture of what has happened and projection. For instance, although North Carolina lost, I still project them to be a #1 seed, but since Kentucky and Ohio State have not lost, they are ahead of North Carolina on the S-curve. I had Connecticut and Syracuse neck-and-neck coming into the season, so here, the Orange have actually jumped the Huskies in a battle that will likely go back and forth all season. Some of the early season darlings have made their mark in my field, but I am not ready to move St. Louis and San Diego State above a 7-seed or even UNLV above a 6-seed yet. I was wrong on Purdue and have accommodated my mistake. And although UCLA has time to recover, I could not place a 1-4 team in my field, unless you are the leader of the SWAC.

Other things to note that I am learning from my Tournament Tracker...the PAC-12 is really struggling and it will be tough to build great resumes in conference play, which I have reflected with just 4 bids here, but this may fall to 3 if things don't change. The Colonial is not beating anyone out of conference and despite their darling status last year, this looks like a 1-bid league at this juncture. I had the Horizon as a 1-bid league and the only thing that has changed is that Cleveland State is building an at-large resume. The Mountain West is impressing, as is the Atlantic 10. Finally, the Big Ten and SEC have been most impressive, which is reflected in my bids and seedings.

Feel free to comment.

South Regional
(1) Kentucky vs (16) Campbell/Alabama A&M
(8) Virginia vs (9) Michigan State
(5) Texas A&M vs (12) Georgetown
(4) Memphis vs (13) Cleveland State
(6) Mississippi State vs (11) Oklahoma State
(3) Wisconsin vs (14) Utah State
(7) San Diego State vs (10) Washington
(2) Connecticut vs (15) Murray State

West Regional
(1) Syracuse vs (16) Norfolk State
(8) St. Louis vs (9) Virginia Tech
(5) California vs (12) Northwestern/Northern Iowa
(4) Missouri vs (13) Kent State
(6) UNLV vs (11) Cincinnati
(3) Alabama vs (14) Bucknell
(7) Purdue vs (10) Harvard
(2) Duke vs (15) Middle Tennessee

Midwest Regional
(1) Ohio State vs (16) Long Island
(8) Temple vs (9) Texas
(5) Vanderbilt vs (12) St. Mary's
(4) Marquette vs (13) Belmont
(6) Florida State vs (11) Indiana
(3) Louisville vs (14) Oral Roberts
(7) Arizona vs (10) Marshall
(2) Baylor vs (15) Weber State

East Regional
(1) North Carolina vs (16) Boston U./Texas San-Antonio
(8) Creighton vs (9) Oregon
(5) Michigan vs (12) Arkansas/New Mexico
(4) Pittsburgh vs (13) Iona
(6) Gonzaga vs (11) George Mason
(3) Xavier vs (14) Long Beach State
(7) Kansas vs (10) Villanova
(2) Florida vs (15) Davidson

College Football - Top 5 Players Post-1980 - ACC Edition

2011-11-30T13:44:00.000-06:00

Miami Hurricanes

Ed Reed, S
Vinny Testaverde, QB
Bennie Blades, DB
Warren Sapp, DT
Bryant McKinnie, OT

In 30+ years, there are a lot of great Hurricanes to choose from. Reed edges out Testaverde for the top of the list, as Reed's team completed the National Championship that Testaverde did not. Reed was also a two-time consensus All-American who returned 5 of his 21 career interceptions for touchdowns. Testaverde was 21-1 as a starter. Blades was also a two-time All-American and Thorpe Award winner, while Sapp won the Lombardi Award and McKinnie the Outland Trophy.

Florida State Seminoles

Deion Sanders, CB
Marvin Jones, LB
Peter Warrick, WR
Derrick Brooks, LB
Charlie Ward, QB

The Seminoles are another team with a bevy of choices, but Sanders was an easy choice to top the list. A two-time consensus All-American, Deion was a game-changer at both cornerback and as a punt returner well before his "Prime Time" days. Jones is the most decorated linebacker in FSU history, even more than the playmaking Brooks. Warrick sneaks in between them after leaving school as the ACC all-time receiving yardage leader. Ward won a Heisman, but did not have the overall career stats to match the others, although his leadership was probably second-to-none.

Clemson Tigers

Terry Kinard, DB
William Perry, DT
C.J. Spiller, RB/KR
Anthony Simmons, LB
Donnell Woolford, CB

Kinard edges out fellow 1980's defensive stand-out Perry for #1 on Clemson's list. Kinard is Clemson's all-time interception leader, a two-time All-American and NCAA Defensive Player of the Year. "The Refrigerator" amassed 25 sacks and 60 tackles for loss over his illustrious career. Spiller was an all-purpose monster, dwarfing #2 on the all-purpose yardage list, as well as being the Tiger's all-time TD leader. Simmons is #2 all-time in tackles, with 52 of those going for loss. Woolford was a two-time All-American CB in the late 1980's.

Boston College Eagles

Doug Flutie, QB
Luke Kuechly, LB
Mike Ruth, NT
Pete Mitchell, TE
Tony Thurman, CB

Flutie gets the nod at #1 with his magical Heisman season and the diminutive Doug still ranks as the school's all-time leading passer. Ruth was an Outland Trophy winner in 1985 as a dominant nose tackle. Mitchell is the teams second all-time leading receiver but from the TE position. Kuechly has been a tackling monster for the current Eagles teams and I could not leave off a player with 25 career interceptions in Thurman.

Virginia Tech Hokies

Bruce Smith, DE
Corey Moore, DE
Michael Vick, QB
Cornell Brown, DE
Kevin Jones, RB

A trio of defensive ends and a one-of-a-kind quarterback battle for the top of the Virginia Tech list. Smith had 46 career sacks and 71 tackles for loss in being named a two-time All-American. Moore was another nightmare for quarterbacks, with 30.5 sacks over his final two years. Vick played just two years, but made his mark as the most dynamic Hokie ever. Brown was not as prolific as Smith and Moore, but was dominant nonetheless and Jones was a threat to score each time he touched the ball.

Georgia Tech Yellowjackets

Joe Hamilton, QB
Calvin Johnson, WR
Marco Coleman, LB
Ken Swilling, S
Pat Swilling, LB

The fight for the top spot came down to two offensive standouts. I chose Hamilton for #1, as his impact on team success was greater than that of the ultra-talented Johnson. Hamilton is Tech's all-time passing leader and won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top QB in 1999. Johnson put up monster numbers in 3 years with Tech, including a 15 TD season in 2006 that earned him the Biletnikoff Award. Coleman lived in the opponents backfield in his 3 years, while both Swillings anchored the defense in the late 1980's.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Julius Peppers, DE
Dre' Bly, CB
Greg Ellis, DE
William Fuller, DT
Marcus Jones, DT

It should be no surprise that a school that produced Lawrence Taylor has a list with a clean sweep by defensive players. I went back and forth on Peppers and Bly, but chose the 30.5 career sacks in three years over the 20 interceptions over the same length. Ellis is actually the career sack leader, Fuller had more TFL's than Ellis and Peppers (one less season) and Jones is 3rd on the sack list.

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Philip Rivers, QB
Torry Holt, WR
Mario Williams, DE
Levar Fisher, LB
Russell Wilson, QB

Rivers edges Holt out for the #1 spot on the Wolfpack list with over 13,000 yards passing and 95 touchdowns. Holt holds almost every NC State receiving record and could very easily top the list. Williams tops the all-time sacks and tackles for loss lists, while Fisher was an All-American tackling machine. The final spot went to Wilson, who put up gaudy number for 3 years before moving on for his 4th year of eligibility.

Maryland Terrapins

E.J. Henderson, LB
Torrey Smith, WR
Eric Wilson, LB
Jermaine Lewis, WR
Scott Milanovich, QB

Henderson tops the list as a two-time All-American who is the Terps all-time leader in tackles for loss by 17.5 over the next closest turtle. Smith is the all-time all-purpose yardage leader, while Wilson is the all-time leading tackler. Finally, Lewis holds all the Maryland receiving records and Milanovich most of the passing records.

Wake Forest Deamon Deacons

Alphonso Smith, DB
Aaron Curry, LB
Riley Skinner, QB
Steve Justice, C
Calvin Pace, DE

In a battle of top defenders, Smith beats out Curry for #1 on the Demon Deacon list. Smith broke the ACC record for career interceptions with 21. Curry was a great all-around linebacker who won the Butkus Award. Skinner is Wake's all-time passing leader, while Justice was one of the ACC's great centers and Pace ranks second all-time on the Demon Deacon sack list.

Virginia Cavaliers

Chris Slade, DE/LB
Shawn Moore, QB
Herman Moore, WR
D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT
Jamie Sharper, LB

The early 1990's were the glory days of Cavalier football and the top 3 on this list reflect that time period. Slade is by far the most dominant defender of my era, registering 40 sacks, 11 more than the next on the all-time list. While Matt Schaub now owns most passing records, it was Shawn Moore who was a Heisman finalist and led Virginia to consecutive New Year's Day Bowls. Herman Moore was a favorite target and put up gaudy numbers in 3 years. Ferguson is the most decorated lineman and Sharper the all-time leading tackler.

Duke Blue Devils

Clarkston Hines, WR
Mike Junkin, LB
Chris Port, T
Thaddeus Lewis, QB
John Talley, CB

Hines is the far and away the premier Blue Devil player in the past 30 years. The two-time All-American holds almost every Duke receiving record. Junkin was a tackling machine, while Port was a rock in the late 1980's. Lewis holds all the team passing records, while Talley had 18 interceptions in being named All-ACC First Team twice.

College Football - Week 14 picks

2011-11-29T11:57:00.000-06:00

Overall Record: 561-193, 74.4%

West Virginia over South Florida
Northern Illinois over Ohio
Oregon over UCLA
Connecticut over Cincinnati
Pittsburgh over Syracuse
Houston over Southern Miss
Kansas State over Iowa State
Wyoming over Colorado State
TCU over UNLV
Utah State over New Mexico State
Baylor over Texas
North Texas over Middle Tennessee State
Nevada over Idaho
LSU over Georgia
Louisiana-Monroe over Florida Atlantic
Arkansas State over Troy
Boise State over New Mexico
BYU over Hawaii
Virginia Tech over Clemson
San Diego State over Fresno State
Oklahoma State over Oklahoma
Wisconsin over Michigan State

Week 15
Navy over Army

Week 13 - Updated Bowl Predictions

2011-11-29T06:13:00.000-06:00

Updated November 29th - I incorrectly read that the Big 12 extra team would be committed to the Military Bowl, but instead it appears they would be the replacement for C-USA in the Ticket City Bowl, therefore Iowa State and Air Force flip spots.  After firing their coach, I am moving Arizona State behind Utah, thus flipping their bowls and removing a 6-7 UCLA team from consideration.

Updated Bowl Predictions
National Championship Game:  Alabama vs LSU
Rose:  Wisconsin vs Oregon
Sugar:  Michigan vs Houston
Fiesta: Oklahoma State vs Stanford
Orange: Louisville vs Virginia Tech
Capitol One:  Arkansas vs Nebraska
Gator:  Florida vs Ohio State
Cotton:  Oklahoma vs Georgia
Alamo: Kansas State vs Washington
Outback:  Michigan State vs South Carolina
Chick Fil-A:  Florida State vs Auburn
Sun:  Georgia Tech vs Utah
Holiday:  Texas vs California
Champs: Notre Dame vs Clemson
Liberty:  Vanderbilt vs Southern Miss
Belk:  Virginia vs West Virginia
Independence:  North Carolina vs San Diego State
Music City: North Carolina State vs Mississippi State
Pinstripe:  Rutgers vs Missouri
Kraft Fight Hunger:  Florida International vs Western Michigan
Meineke Car Care:  Texas A&M vs Iowa
Insight:  Penn State vs Baylor
Ticket City: Purdue vs Iowa State
Little Caesars:  Northwestern vs Northern Illinois
Humanitarian: Ohio vs Utah State
Hawaii: Nevada vs SMU
Beef O'Bradys:  Pittsburgh vs Marshall
Armed Forces: BYU vs Tulsa
Las Vegas:  Arizona State vs TCU
Poinsettia:  Boise State vs Louisiana Tech
GoDaddy.com: Toledo vs Arkansas State
New Orleans: LA-Lafayette vs Illinois
BBVA Compass: Cincinnati vs Western Kentucky
New Mexico:  Wyoming vs Temple
Military:  Wake Forest vs Air Force

College Football Rewind - Week 12 - The Computers Have it Right!!

2011-11-23T08:42:00.000-06:00

I put my updated Bowl Predictions and Week 13 Picks in separate posts to concentrate this entire section to the real issue - Who Should Play for the National Championship?

The current BCS Standings show LSU at #1, Alabama at #2, Arkansas at #3 and Oklahoma State at #4. There is absolutely no argument with LSU at #1.

I have a big problem with Alabama at #2. An LSU-Alabama Championship Game is unnecessary and is actually unfair to the Tigers. LSU already beat Alabama at Alabama. But that is not the main argument, as simply voting against a re-match is unfounded if it is clearly the two best teams and there are no other worthy candidates. The problem is, there is another worthy candidate and they just picked the absolute wrong time and wrong team to lose to. Oklahoma State should still be ahead of Alabama.

*This whole argument is assuming LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma State victories in their remaining games.

Reason #1: Oklahoma State and Alabama would finish with identical 11-1 records. Oklahoma State would have won the Big 12 Championship. Alabama would be finishing second in their own division in the SEC.

Reason #2: The Big 12 was on par with the SEC this season. Earlier this season, Jabesblog tracked the non-conference records of each conference. The Big 12 finished the non-conference season at 27-3, with losses to Arizona State, Georgia Tech and Arkansas. The SEC currently stands at 39-5, with losses to Boise State, Louisville, Clemson, BYU and Louisiana Tech. Remember, I didn't say the Big 12 was better, I just said on par. Shouldn't the champion of a conference on par with another get the nod over the 2nd place team from the other?

Reason #3: Oklahoma State has better wins than Alabama. Oklahoma State will have beaten at least 8 bowl-eligible teams, 9 if Texas Tech wins one more game. They have road wins over Tulsa, Texas A&M, Texas and Missouri and would have beaten Oklahoma, Kansas State and Baylor at home. Alabama would have beaten 6 bowl-eligible teams, 7 if Vandy wins one more game. Alabama has road wins at Penn State, Florida, Mississippi State and Auburn and home wins against Arkansas and Tennessee.

Reason #4: The best QB Alabama has played against is Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson, currently ranked #13 in the Yahoo QB Power Rankings. They played no other QB ranked in the Top 25. Oklahoma State will have played against #1, #8, #9, #10, #22 and #24.

Reason #5: The computers have Oklahoma State at #2. Inexplicably and personally, I think very ignorantly, the humans dropped the Cowboys as low as #6. Really? One double overtime loss on the road to a bowl-eligible Iowa State team that played out of their minds and all of a sudden you are the worst 1-loss team? Come on voters. Do some research. Heck, read my blog. Oklahoma State is not the 6th best team. There is a reason the computers have them #2. The Computers Have it Right!!!