Let the debate begin:the BCS submits its first poll
By Trey Warren, November 2009
Sports Editor
This weekend, the top three teams in the country were tested mightily against conference rivals. Not a good time to be sloppy when “big brother” is watching.
Even with poor performances offensively and a turnover short of a dozen, the top three teams remained just that.
The top ranked Florida Gators may be given the top spot in the Bowl Championship, but do they deserve the spot?
The Associated Press doesn’t think so, which has made Alabama No. 1 on their poll, the first and only change made to the top in any major poll, and rightfully so. Alabama is the only real consistent team out of the top three teams in the country.
Florida Gators
Besides No. 1 Florida’s shellacking of Kentucky on the road, Florida’s previous four games are showing the rest of the country and pollsters something. What could that something be? The Gators offense is not that good anymore. Although they are undefeated, Florida’s defense has kept them at the top of the food chain.
Again, with the exception of their 41-7 win over Kentucky in which 31 of those points came in the first quarter, Florida has only mustered 23 against Tennessee, 13 against LSU and 23 against Arkansas and has won by a combined 23 points. Through Florida’s first four games, they led the nation in rushing, pounding out 307.5 yards a game. At LSU, they grabbed a measly 197 rushing yards and just 136 yards in their last minute victory over Arkansas.
It’s not to say that Florida isn’t good anymore. They have just lost their rhythm, or they aren’t playing teams like Troy and Charleston Southern. The Gators schedule should play no role in their run towards the SEC East bid for the conference title. Their remaining opponents have a combined 17-23 record. Florida’s visit to Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks, who held No. 2 Alabama to their lowest point total, 20, and forced 4 turnovers, will be the Gators last real test.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide may have the easiest schedule remaining, playing only one ranked team, and like Florida, have only two more road games. No. 9 LSU will travel to No. 2 Alabama on Nov. 7, where the Crimson Tide has outscored their opponents 188-34 this year.
Alabama has been getting it done on both sides of the ball averaging 34.6 points a game and allowing just over 11 points. Sophomore Mark Ingram, who has broken his personal best the past two weeks while rushing for over 200 yards in both games, is Alabama’s main threat at running back. While playing South Carolina on Oct. 17, he pounded out 246 yards on 24 carries averaging over 10 yards a carry and led Alabama to win what seemed to be their toughest game of the season.
Junior quarterback Greg McElroy, although completing less than 60 percent of his passes, has thrown for 1,325 yards and nine touchdowns. Two of his three interceptions came against South Carolina, but ultimately did not affect the game or Alabama’s season. McElroy has had a hot and cold year. His best game was against Florida International, who is 1-5. He threw for 241 yards on 18 of 24 passing and a single touchdown.
The Crimson Tide’s key to success will have to be Ingram, who has been the most consistent producer the offence has. Tennessee has a chance to upset a defense that held Tim Tebow and Florida to just 23 points. LSU is the following week and only allowed 13 points to Florida. At the end of the season, Alabama will play at Auburn, who averages 34 points a game and has scored no less than 37 at home.
Texas Longhorns
The No. 3 Texas Longhorns also have a great chance to run the table in 2009 passing their greatest test of the year on Oct. 17. In a 16-13 win, Texas caused five turnovers and kept Oklahoma to 16 rushing yards.
The Longhorns have been heckled all year when it comes to their non-conference schedule and slow starts against those opponents. Besides their domination of UTEP 64-7 and their 59-20 win over UL Monroe, Texas has scored no more than 13 points in the first half of every other game. It is hard to believe that Texas has the highest scoring offense in the country, putting up 42 points a game.
Last years Heisman runner-up Colt McCoy has struggled this year. He has nearly matched his 2008 total of interceptions with seven, but is still completing 70 percent of his passes and has 1,537 yards through the air. Although struggling, he still commands a 6-0 Texas team, who averages 440 yards a game, the majority coming through the air. Texas’ title hopes depend on McCoy and his leadership and game play.
McCoy’s roommate Jordan Shipley is the Longhorns biggest playmaker and top wide receiver. Shipley leads the team with 51 receptions and 605 receiving yards. His speed and vision has helped take back two punt returns for touchdowns, both game-changing touchdowns against Texas Tech and Colorado.
The Longhorns remaining schedule is sort of a toss up. Texas travels to Missouri and No.15 Oklahoma State before coming back home to face Central Florida. Oklahoma State presents the biggest challenge to Texas; however, they will most likely be without their top running back Kendall Hunter and wide receiver Dez Bryant. No. 25 Kansas, who was upset by Colorado, may present an issue against Texas with quarterback Todd Reesing. Last but not least, the Longhorns will travel to College Station to face hated rival Texas A&M in the Lonestar Showdown.
No one is safe in the BCS, especially Florida and Alabama, who could ultimately face each other in the SEC championship, sending the winner to Los Angeles and the National Championship. If Texas can run the table, their conference title game will be played in Dallas, Texas, in the Cowboys brand new stadium. There is no telling who their opponent will be since every team in the Big 12 North has lost at least one game. (as of Sunday, Oct. 18)
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