Week 1 of College Football is in the books: Happy Labor Day to all ....

DAGGER. DELIVERED.

Eric Kumah breaks free for a 49-yard game-sealing TD in a huge road win for @VT_Football#HardSmartTough @Eric_Kumah11 pic.twitter.com/99imyvOUfG

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 4, 2018

No reason to delay our Week 1 Cidsports Top 40 College Football ratings: as #20 VA TECH @ #19 Florida State kicks off tonight in Tallahassee

Week 1 of the 2018 College Football season concludes with a Top 20 match up in Tallahassee tonight, as Labor Day weekend concludes with a ACC showdown between #20 Virginia Tech (9-4) @ #19 Florida State (7-6). The Hokies lead by head coach Justin Fuente, entering his third season, were 5-3 in the Coastal Division in 2017. While the Seminoles were 3-5 in the Atlantic Division in 2017, they enter the Willie Taggart era, as the former USF and Oregon head coach returns to lead Florida State into the 2018 season.

#20 Virginia Tech @ #19 Florida State, 7 PM CT on ESPN.

Monday, September 3rd
#20 Virginia Tech at #19 Florida State	7:00 pm	ESPN

The dean of college football, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, won his 144th
game for the Hawkeyes, as first year player and now special teams coach
LeVar Woods celebrate, at the end of the Iowa-Northern Illinois game on
Saturday, at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes turn their focus to in-state rival,
Iowa State, as the Cy-Hawk game kicks off on Saturday in Iowa City.

1. Alabama (1-0) (2) - we push the Crimson Tide back into the #1 slot, after a 51-14 win over Louisville (0-1) by the defending national champions in Orlando. Week 2 - vs. Arkansas State (1-0) Red Wolves, who won over SE Missouri in the season opener.
2. Clemson (1-0) (1) - the Tigers fall back, after a 48-7 win over Furman (0-1) to kick off the 2018 season. Week 2 - @ Texas A&M (1-0), as the Aggies opened with a 59-7 win over Northwestern State in College Station. 
3. Georgia (1-0) (3) - the Bulldogs opened 2018 with a 45-0 win over Austin Peay (0-1) on Saturday. Week 2 - @ #28 South Carolina (1-0), where Bulldogs take a three game win streak in this series into the 2018 game
4. Oklahoma (1-0) (4) - the Sooners rolled then #25 FAU (0-1) 63-14 to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - vs. UCLA (0-1), as the Chip Kelly era opened at home to a 26-17 loss to Cincinnati (0-1).
5. Auburn (1-0) (6) - the Tigers took down then #5 Washington (0-1) 21-16 in Atlanta on Saturday. Week 2 - vs. Alabama State (1-0), as this is the first meeting between FBS and FCS schools from the same state.
6. Ohio State (1-0) (7) - the Buckeyes won 77-31 over Oregon State (0-1) in Columbus on Saturday, as interim coach Ryan Day lead the squad. Week 2 - vs. Rutgers (1-0), as the Big Ten opener squares off against the Scarlet Knights, who won their opener 35-7 over Texas State (0-1). Ohio State took down Rutgers 56-0 last year, so Week 2 may not be much different than Week 1.
7. Wisconsin (1-0) (8) - the Badgers won 34-3 against Western Kentucky (0-1) on Friday night. Week 2 - vs. New Mexico (1-0), in the first meeting, as the Badgers have won 40 straight home non-conference games by an average of over 27 points per game. 
8. Washington (0-1) (5) - the Huskies drop opener 21-16 to then #6 Auburn (1-0) in Atlanta, so the margin of error for the College Football Playoff gets slim for the favorite in the Pac 12. Week 2 - vs. North Dakota (1-0), in the first meeting between these schools. The Huskies are 27-5 in home openers.
9. Stanford (1-0) (12) - the Cardinal beat then #45 San Diego State (0-1) by the score of 31-10 to avenge last year's 20-17 loss to the Aztecs. Week 2 - vs. #14 USC (1-0), another payback game for the Cardinal ... last year's 42-24 loss on road against the Trojans!
10. Notre Dame (1-0) (13) - the Fighting Irish defeated Michigan 24-17 in South Bend to open 2018 on Saturday night. Week 2 - vs. Ball State (1-0), first meeting ever between the two schools located in Indiana.
11. Michigan State (1-0) (9) - the Spartans were tested in the season opener on Friday night, but pulled out a 38-31 win over Utah State (0-1). Week 2 - @ Arizona State (1-0), as the Sun Devils opened up the Herm Edwards era, with a 49-7 win over UTSA (0-1). A battle in the desert that typically has favored the local Pac 12 school ....
12. Penn State (1-0) (10) - the Nittany Lions had to scramble back and force OT, as PSU beat Appalachian State 45-37 in Happy Valley on Saturday. Week 2 - @ Pittsburgh (1-0), a game that went to the Panthers 42-39 two years ago. 
13. LSU (1-0) (17) - the Tigers took out then #11 Miami-FL (0-1) 33-17 in Arlington on Saturday to win in Week 1. Week 2 - vs. Southeast Louisiana (0-1), as the Lions lost 34-31 @ Louisiana Monroe (0-1).
14. USC (1-0) (15) - the Trojans beat UNLV (0-1) 43-21 on Saturday. Week 2 - @ #9 Stanford (1-0), as the series opens in Week 2 again this season.
15. UCF (1-0, 1-0 AAC) (23) - the Knights won @ UConn (0-1) 56-17 on Thursday night and we will bump the undefeated 2017 program, since they did finished 13-0 last year and new coach Josh Heupel has the offense rolling already. Week 2 - vs. South Carolina State (0-1), as UCF won in the 2016 season opener 38-0 over the Bulldogs.
16. TCU (1-0) (16) - the Horned Frogs pounded Southern (0-1) 55-7 in the season opener on Saturday. Week 2 - @ SMU (0-1), as the former SWC schools square off for their annual showdown on Friday night. The Mustangs lost 46-23 @ North Texas (1-0) in the AAC vs. C-USA showdown.
17. Northwestern (1-0) (35) - the Wildcats opened Thursday night in the Big Ten @ then #36 Purdue, pulling off a 31-27 win for last year's #17 team. Boost them back up. Week 2 - vs. Duke (1-0), who beat the Wildcats 41-17 in Durham, as this year's game returns to Evanston, where Northwestern won 24-13 in 2016.
18. Mississippi State (1-0) (18) - the Bulldogs won 66-3 over Stephen F Austin (0-1) to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - @ Kansas State (1-0), who struggled in the season opener against South Dakota (0-1) 27-24, as Coyotes miss a tying FG late.
19. Florida State (0-0) (19) - the Seminoles host #20 Virginia Tech to close out Week 1. Week 2 - vs. Samford (1-0), as the Seminoles have hosted at least one FCS program the past ten seasons.
20. Virginia Tech (0-0) (20) - the Hokies travel to Tallahassee to open 2018 @ #19 Florida State tonight. Week 2 - vs. William & Mary (1-0), as the Hokies square off in the 64th meeting in this series.
21. Boise State (1-0) (21) - the Broncos opened 2018 with a win @ then #40 Troy (0-1) 56-20. Week 2 - vs. UConn (0-1), as the Broncos return home, before a Week 3 road trip to P5 Okie State. 
22. Oklahoma State (1-0) (22) - the Cowboys won 58-17 over Missouri State (0-1) to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - vs. South Alabama (0-1), who lost home opener against LA Tech (1-0) 30-26, as they fall in back to back years against the Bulldogs.
23. West Virginia (1-0) (27) - the Mountaineers beat Tennessee (0-1) in Charlotte 40-14 on Saturday to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - vs. Youngstown State (0-1), as WVU looks to win their 15th straight home opener and eighth under coach Dana Holgorsen.
24. Iowa (1-0) (24) - the Hawkeyes opened 2018 with the 144th win under Kirk Ferentz, as he opened his 20th season, as head coach and past Hayden Fry in all-time win in a 33-7 win over Northern Illinois (0-1). Week 2 - vs. #31 Iowa State (0-0), as the Cyclones come to Kinnick Stadium for the annual Cy-Hawk trophy game. The Hawkeyes pulled out a 44-41 OT win last year in Ames. Twenty years ago, the Cyclones ended a 15 game losing streak to end the 20 year reign of Fry in the State of Iowa, back in 1998.
25. Miami-FL (0-1) (11) - the Hurricane lost 33-17 to then #17 LSU (1-0) in Arlington on Sunday. Mark Richt has struggled in big games, dating back to his 15 seasons at UGA. Week 2 - vs. Savannah State (0-1), as Tigers were pounded 52-0 by UAB (1-0).
26. Michigan (0-1) (14) - the Wolverines debuted new QB Shea Patterson, but they fell short chasing then #13 Notre Dame, in a 24-17 loss in South Bend on Saturday night. Week 2 - vs. Western Michigan (0-1), as the Wolverines have won 25 of last 28 home openers.
27. Oregon (1-0) (29) - the Ducks opened the 2018 season with a 58-24 win over Bowling Green (0-1) Week 2 - vs. Portland State (0-1), as the Ducks continue a non-P5 non conference slate, ahead of hosting #9 Stanford in the Pac 12 opener in Week 4.
28. South Carolina (1-0) (28) - the Gamecocks win opener 49-15 over Coastal Carolina (0-1) in the season opener. Week 2 - vs. #3 Georgia (1-0), as the Bulldogs seek to win their first SEC home opener, since 2013 over Vanderbilt.
29. Texas A&M (1-0) (NR) - the Aggies won 59-7 over Northwestern State, after being left off inadvertently from our preseason ratings. Week 2 - vs. #2 Clemson (1-0), as new HC Jimbo Fisher wins his debut, just in time for the first showdown. He is 4-4 vs. Clemson, while he was at Florida State. 
30. North Carolina State (1-0) (30) - the Wolfpack won 24-13 over James Madison (0-1) to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - vs. Georgia State (0-1), who were ruffed up by then #8 Wisconsin (1-0) in the road opener.
31. Iowa State (0-0) (31) - the Cyclones, like the Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-0), both witnessed each season openers get called for thunderstorms on Saturday night in the Heartland. Week 2 - @ #24 Iowa (1-0), while the Cornhuskers host Colorado (1-0) in Lincoln. Can a Dec 1st twelve game be arranged between these former Big 8/12 opponents to make up the season opening cancellation?  
32. Boston College (1-0) (32) - the Eagles beat UMass (1-1) 55-21 to kickoff 2018 with a victory. Week 2 - vs. Holy Cross (0-1), as Eagles enjoy back to back home games, before a Week 3 Thursday night ACC road opener @ Wake Forest (1-0).
33. Utah (1-0) (33) - the Utes beat Weber State (0-1) 41-10 to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - @ Northern Illinois (0-1), who are looking to rebound after a disappointing 33-7 loss @ #24 Iowa.
34. Washington State (1-0) - the Cougars opened 2018 with a road win @ Wyoming (1-1) 41-19. Week 2 - vs. San Jose State (0-1), first meeting, since 1996. Cougars have dropped three of last four home openers under Mike Leach.
35. Ole Miss (1-0) (NR) - the Rebels opened the 2018 season with a 47-27 win over Texas Tech (0-1) in Houston on Saturday. Week 2 - vs. Southern Illinois (1-0), in their third meeting, ahead of the SEC home opener in Week 3 against the defending national champions.
36. Kansas State (1-0) (34) - The Wildcats pulled out a narrow win over North Dakota (0-1) 27-24 to open 2018. Week 2 - vs. #18 Mississippi State (1-0), as the Wildcats host a Top 25 SEC team for the first time in Manhattan, since the 2014 Week 3 game against Auburn, which they lost 20-14 in route to a 9-4 season under Bill Snyder.
37. BYU (1-0) (NR) - the Cougars won 2018 opener @ then #37 Arizona (0-1) 28-23 on Saturday. The Cougars opened 2016 with a 18-16 win over the Wildcats on the way to a 9-4 season, back in HC Kalani Sitake's first season at the helm in Provo. Week 2 - vs. California (1-0), as the Golden Bears are coming off a 24-17 home season opener against North Carolina (0-1).
38. Houston (1-0) (38) - the Cougars won 2018 season opener @ Rice (1-1) 45-27. Week 2 - vs. Arizona (0-1), as the Wildcats fell short in new HC Kevin Sumlin's debut 28-23 against BYU (1-0).
39. Memphis (1-0) (39) - the Tigers beat Mercer (0-1) 66-14 to open the 2018 season. Week 2 - @ Navy (0-1), as the Midshipmen fall 59-41 in the season opener @ Hawaii (2-0).
40. Kentucky (1-0) (42) - the Wildcats won the 2018 opener 35-20 over Central Michigan (0-1). Week 2 - @ #41 Florida (1-0), who opened the Dan Mullen era, with a 53-6 win over Charleston Southern (0-1). The Wildcats pulled off the home win 28-27 last season over the Gators.

Game watch in Week 2 outside the Top 40

• Georgia Tech (1-0) @ USF (1-0) - winner is good candidate for Top 40 ... USF ended 2017 at #21 in both major polls.
• Colorado (1-0) @ Nebraska (0-0) - in many ways it is fitting the Scott Frost debut will now come against former conference mate, the Buffaloes, as the two teams kickoff at 2:30 pm CT in Lincoln on Saturday. Both programs were sub-.500 in 2017.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost saw his team rained out on Saturday. His first
official debut will now come Saturday in Lincoln against Colorado (1-0).

Who are the teams trending for the College Football Playoff for 2018?

There are the obvious picks heading into the 2018 College Football season:

1. Clemson
2. Alabama 

They have been there before and some are picking them to make a return in 2018:

1. Ohio State 
2. Georgia 
3. Washington
4. Oklahoma
5. Michigan State

Been there before, but not likely yet, in 2018:

1. Florida State - one site likes them at #5 according to Stassen Composite
2. Oregon - #18 was as good as it gets heading into 2018 ....

So, who could be the new guys to make the College Football Playoff in 2018:

1. Wisconsin
2. Auburn
3. Michigan
4. Penn State

There are eleven programs trending, as being in the College Football Playoff conversation for 2018. One too many?

Is anyone missing from the discussion in 2018?

• 2014, Baylor just missed
• 2015, Iowa just missed
• 2016, Penn State just missed
• 2017, Ohio State just missed
• 2018, who will be next?

Often, it has been the Big Ten that just missed in the College Football Playoff. The SEC was the first conference to land two teams, and both teams played in last year's title game.

The 2017 College Football kicks off with a Big Ten showdown in Bloomington

Iowa will kickoff on Saturday hosting Wyoming in a B1G-MWC
showdown, as MLB 43 Josey Jewell leads the Hawkeyes defense ...

The Big Ten Conference kicks off the 122nd season, as The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Bloomington for Big Ten opener against the Indiana Hoosiers, for the first Week One conference opener in 19 seasons.

Big Ten Football Release PDF 

•  The 122nd season of Big Ten football will commence this weekend with all 14 schools kicking off the 2017 campaign. For the first time since 1996, there will be a Big Ten matchup on the opening weekend of the season as Ohio State visits Indiana at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday. That same night, Minnesota will make its 2017 debut, playing host to Buffalo. Rutgers and Wisconsin will open the season on Friday night, as the Scarlet Knights entertain Washington and the Badgers welcome Utah State to Camp Randall. The remaining 10 schools will begin the 2017 campaign on Saturday. The complete opening weekend schedule appears to the right.

•  The first Saturday of the season will feature a pair of Big Ten teams competing at neutral sites. Michigan will face Florida at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, while Purdue will take on Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

•  The 2017 campaign will feature 33 All-Big Ten players (seven first-team, 12 second-team, 14 third-team) and 46 honorable mention selections from last season.

• Nearly 160 Academic-All Big Ten selections return from the 2017 season, along with 19 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.

•  The winners of five regular-season individual awards from last season will also hit the field again this fall, including Minnesota’s Emmit Carpenter, Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and Mike Weber and Penn State’s Saquon Barkley.

•  The Big Ten will continue to feature the largest bowl lineup in conference history. This season, the Big Ten’s bowl lineup will be highlighted by 16 potential bowl destinations in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Tennessee and Texas.

•  Penn State was crowned Big Ten Champion last season after its 38-31 victory over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. It was the Nittany Lions’ fourth Big Ten title and first since 2008. Penn State will look to repeat as conference champions for the first time in program history.

•  Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin will all look to repeat as division champions this season, as the Badgers finished 7-2 to win the Big Ten West Division and the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions both completed the season with 8-1 marks to finish tied atop the East Division. Last season’s divisional crowns marked the second for Penn State, third for the Badgers and fifth for the Buckeyes.


This Week's Schedule

DATE	GAME	LOCATION	TIME (ET)	TV
Aug. 31, 2017	Buffalo at Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	7:00 pm	BTN
	Ohio State at Indiana	Bloomington, IN	8:00 pm	ESPN
Sep. 1, 2017	Washington at Rutgers	Piscataway, NJ	8:00 pm	FS1
	Utah St. at Wisconsin	Madison, WI	9:00 pm	ESPN
Sep. 2, 2017	Ball State at Illinois	Champaign, IL	12:00 pm	BTN
	Wyoming at Iowa	Iowa City, IA	12:00 pm	BTN
	Bowling Green at Michigan State	East Lansing, MI	12:00 pm	ESPNU
	Akron at Penn State	University Park, PA	12:00 pm	ABC
	Maryland at Texas	Austin, TX	12:00 pm	FS1
	Michigan at Florida	AT&T Stadium, Dallas, TX	3:30 pm	ABC
	Nevada at Northwestern	Evanston, IL	3:30 pm	BTN
	Louisville at Purdue	Indianapolis, Ind.	7:30 pm	FOX
	Arkansas St. at Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	8:00 pm	BTN

Ranking the Big Ten heading into 2017 ...

1. Penn State - defending champions look to repeat in Year 4 under James Franklin ...
2. Ohio State - Urban Meyer's seventh season is primed for a B1G run and another birth in the CFP, but over the past two season, the Buckeyes have fallen once and missed out in Indy!
3. Wisconsin - consistency has become a staple for AD Barry Alvarez's Badgers, who begin Year 3 under Paul Chryst.
4. Michigan - Jim Harbaugh opens 2017 with only five starters back, as the Wolverines look to climb the B1G ladder in Year 3 ...
5. Northwestern - could this be the year for the Wildcats and Pat Fitzgerald to break out in the B1G West?
6. Michigan State - this may appear to be a little high, but Mark Dantonio is looking to rebound, after 1-8 campaign last season.
7. Iowa - the Hawkeyes are home to the dean of college football, as Kirk Ferentz enters his 19th season at the helm ...
8. Nebraska - the Mike Riley era turns 3, with a new QB, Tanner Lee, new DC, Bobby Diaco, with a new 3-4 defense to unveil in Lincoln ...
9. Indiana - new head coach Tom Allen hosts his former boss, new Ohio State OC Kevin Wilson, in the biggest game in Bloomington, since the 1967 championship season, 50 years ago!
10. Maryland - D.J. Durkin enters Year 2, with a challenging road trip to Austin ...
11. Minnesota - the P.J. Fleck era begins, with some urban renewal needed, as the row the boat mantra moves from the MAC to the Big Ten ...
12. Purdue - the Jeff Brohm era begins, with a match up against his alma mater in Indianapolis ...
13. Illinois - Lovie Smith enters Year 2 with questions in the trenches ...
14. Rutgers - there is a lot of work to do, entering Year 2 under Chris Ash ...

• Does the Big Ten get a team in the College Football Playoff in 2017?
• Alabama vs. Florida State is a heck of kickoff match up on Saturday
• Can the Big 12 get back into the CFP picture in 2017?
• Can Clemson stay on top, after winning it all in 2017?
• Does the Pac 12 keep improving in 2017?
• Does anyone other than Alabama represent the SEC nationally?

It should be a great kickoff weekend in 2017 ...

A look at CIDSports Preseason Top 30 in College Football for 2017

The College
Football Playoff

1. Alabama (14-1, 8-0 SEC West) - over the past 10 seasons, the #1 program has been the Crimson Tide, under Nick Saban with a 86-11 record, 89% ... 
2. Florida State (10-3, 5-3 ACC Atlantic) - Jimbo Fisher enters year 8 coming off a 33-32 Orange Bowl win over Michigan ...
3. USC (10-3, Pac 12 South) - Clay Helton enters third season, coming off 9 game win streak, including 52-49 Rose Bowl win over Penn State ...
4. Washington (12-2, 8-1 Pac 12 North) - Chris Petersen is coming into his 4th season coming off a College Football Playoff semi-final birth ...
5. Clemson (14-1, 7-1 ACC Atlantic) - Dabo Sewinney is entering 10th season coming off his first NCAA College Football Playoff title ...

   

   Last season ended, with Dabo Sweeney & Clemson taking down
   Nick Saban & Alabama ...

6. Oklahoma (11-2, 9-0 Big 12) - OC Lincoln Riley assumes Bob Stoops role as head coach, after a 35-19 win in the Sugar Bowl over Auburn ...
7. Penn State (11-3, 8-1 B1G East) - James Franklin enters 4th season, off the Nittany Lions first B1G Championship ...
8. Ohio State (11-2, 8-1 B1G East) - Urban Meyer enters 6th season in Columbus, with one College Football Playoff title and B1G tile back in 2014 ...
9. LSU (8-4, 5-3 SEC West) - Ed Oregaren was 6-2 as an interim coach, including win over Louisville 29-9 in Citrus Bowl ...
10. Wisconsin (11-3, 7-2 B1G West) - Paul Chryst was 19-20 @ Pitt, now entering 3rd season in Madison, with a 21-6 record leading the Badgers ... 
11. Oklahoma State (10-3, 7-2 Big 12) - Mike Gundy enters 13th season off a 38-8 Alamo Bowl win over Colorado ...
12. Stanford (10-3, 6-3 Pac 12 North) - David Show enters year 7 coming off a 25-23 win over North Carolina in the Sun Bowl ...
13. Michigan (10-3, 7-2 B1G East) - Jim Harbaugh enters year 3 with only five starters back, as he prepares for the 2017 season in Ann Arbor ...
14. Florida (9-4, 6-2 SEC East) - Jim McElwain enters year 3 off an Outback Bowl win over Iowa and will open 2017 with a rematch with Michigan from each coach's first season at the helm ...
15. TCU (6-7, 4-5 Big 12) - Gary Patterson is in his 17th season in Fort Worth and the Horned Frogs will face two early road tests in September ...
16. Virginia Tech (10-4, 6-2 ACC Coastal) - Year 2 for Justin Fuente coming off 35-24 Belk Bowl win over Arkansas to kickoff his first season in Blacksburg ...
17. Louisville (9-4, 7-1 ACC Atlantic) - Bobby Petrino enters 8th season at helm, as they seek first conference title, since joining ACC in 2014 ...
18. Georgia (7-6, 4-4 SEC East) - Kirk Smart enters year 2 coming off a 31-23 Liberty Bowl win over TCU ...
19. Oregon (4-8, 2-7 Pac 12 North) - Big rebound year is expected in Eugene, as Willie Taggert moves over his #19 position at USF, where he completed a four year restoration in Tampa ...
20. Miami-FL (9-4, 5-3 ACC Coastal) - Year 2 for Mark Richt coming off 31-14 Russell Athletic Bolw win over West Virginia ...
21. Utah (9-4, 5-4 Pac 12 South) - Year 13 for Kyle Whittingham, coming off 3 straight Top 25 finishes for the Utes ...
22. Tennessee (9-4, 4-4 SEC East) - Year 5 for Butch Jones, coming off back to back finishes at #22 and three straight bowl wins over B1G West opponents ... 
23. Northwestern (7-6, 5-4 B1G West) - Pat Fitzgerald enters Year 12, coming off a 31-24 Pinstripe Bowl win over Pitt ...
24. Auburn (8-5, 5-3 SEC West) - Gus Malzahn enters year 5 rebounding from his first two unranked season at the helm ...
25. South Florida (11-2, 7-1 AAC East) - Does new head coach Charlie Strong keep Bulls on tracks in 2017?
26. Kansas State (9-4, 6-3 Big 12) - Bill Snyder is in his 9th season back in Manhattan, his 24th overall coming off a 33-28 Texas Bowl in over A&M ...
27. Texas A&M (8-5, 4-4 SEC West) - Kevin Sumlin enters 6th season, where he was 11-2 in season one, but four, now five losses ever since in College Station ...
28. West Virginia (10-3, 7-2 Big 12) - Dana Holgorsen enters 7th season, coming off his best finish, since season one in Morgantown ...
29. Notre Dame (4-8, Independent) - Brian Kelly enters his 8th season, coming off he worse Irish season, since the '07 season under Charlie Weis ...
30. Colorado (10-4, 8-1 Pac 12 South) - Mike MacIntyre begins fifth season, coming off his breakout year last season ...

Cidsports first Top 30 Rankings after Week 1 of the 2016 College Football season.

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Preseason polls and early polls do have to be taken with a grain of salt. No College Football Playoff champion, in only two years of history, has ever won the title with a perfect record in the season. Both Ohio State and Alabama, lost regular season games in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Week 2 and Week 3 games, actually for each program, so while early losses matter, Oklahoma overcame a loss in Texas in 2015 and we will see, if they can do it again in 2015?

Alabama OC Lane Kiffin has Crimson Tide buzzing, after a win over his
former team. The Crimson Tide will also play Tennessee in SEC play,
another former team, so there are many backstories as the 2016 season unfolds.

The two most dominate programs in College Football are Alabama and Ohio State over the past three seasons. Florida State won the last BCS title played, in 2013, and Michigan State is tied for #3 in winning percentage with the Seminoles, followed by Clemson.

Power 5 programs keep getting richer on the backs of College Football. Story

The MSU Spartans did it with a single quarterback, Connor Cook, who graduated after 2015, but the defending Big Ten champions can't be discounted completely in 2016, though they come in at #12 in the preseason. The Spartans lean on senior QB Tyler O'Connor, who is 2-0 as a starter now, including leading the Spartans 17-14 win over the Buckeyes in Columbus, last year. 

If the College Football Playoff was selected today ... we wousld place a Group of 5 school in, using the data from last year, which is always a part of preseason and early polling!

So, after Week 1 of the 2016 College Football season, here is our Top 30 ...

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0/ 38-5 2013-present) - defending champion, Roll Tide!
2. Clemson Tigers (1-0/ 36-6) - awful good over last three seasons ...
3. Houston Cougars (1-0/ 30-11) - they were #8 at the end last season, with win over Florida State, and now OU ...
4. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0/ 39-4) - the Buckeyes shouldn't have lost in the regular season last year; very young this year, with 6 starters back!
5. Florida State Seminoles (1-0/ 38-4) - young at QB, but experienced all around him ...
6. Stanford Cardinal (1-0/ 32-10) - young QB; seems to be a theme around FBS ...
7. Michigan State Spartans (1-0/ 37-5) - bye week ahead and they have a new, senior QB ...
8. Washington Huskies (1-0/ 25-16) - watch out Pac 12, it is Chris Petersen's third team here ...
9. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0/ 28-11) - door of opportunity in 2016 ...
10. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0/ 28-13) - this is where they finished 2015 ...
11. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0/ 31-10) - Paul Chryst has signature win in his first five season as a head coach, second season at hometown school ...
12. Michigan Wolverines (1-0/ 23-16) - Harbaugh plays five straight in Ann Arbor ...
13. Oklahoma Sooners (0-1/ 30-10) - not how Bob Stoops and the Sooners wanted to get started ...
14. Ole Miss Rebels (0-1/ 27-13) - the Rebels came very close vs. Seminoles ...
15. Georgia Bulldogs (1-0/ 29-11) - new era begins with a solid win over UNC to kick it off ...
16. Baylor Bears (1-0/ 33-7) - transition year will likely have ups and downs ...
17. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0/ 28-12) - single QB system planned for 2016 ...
18. Oregon Ducks (1-0/ 34-8) - can they find a way back to the Top 10?
19. LSU Tigers (0-1/ 27-12) - not a good start for Les Miles and his staff in Lambeau ...
20. Tennessee Volunteers (1-0/ 22-17) - survived a home scare in OT ...
21. Louisville Cardinals (1-0/ 30-10) - we shall see how the Cardinals do in 2016 ...
22. North Carolina Tar Heels (0-1/ 24-17) - near win vs. Bulldogs in season opener ...
23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-1/ 27-13) - fall in OT in Austin, as streak over Longhorns end ...
24. Texas A&M Aggies (1-0/ 26-14) - nice win over Bruins to kickoff 2016 ... 
25. Florida Gators (1-0/ 22-17) - a 24-7 win over UMass is a little underwhelming ...
26. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0) - the Cornhuskers open with a win over Fresno State, after a bowl win over UCLA ... 
27. San Diego State Aztecs (1-0/ 27-14) - the Aztics had a strong season in 2015, so can they repeat?
28. UCLA Bruins (0-1/ 28-12) - the Bruins fall in OT in Texas against the Aggies, so they have now lost three straight, dating back to end of 2015 regular season ...
29. Boise State Broncos (1-0) - they used to be known as the #1 non-BCS program, but since the CFP, the Broncos haven't carried the new banner as top Group of 5 school ...
30. Texas Longhorns (1-0/ 20-19) - the 50-47 win over preseason # 9 Notre Dame in 2 OT boosts the Longhorns record over the last 3+ years to one game over .500. Charlie Strong was 6-7 in 2014, then 5-7 in 2015, so he is off to a great start in 2016, but the Longhorns need to show consistency, after all, they did beat rival Oklahoma 24-17 in 2015, but lost games against Cal, @ ISU in the last 12 months ...

On par Game of the Week: Western Michigan 22, Northwestern 21 - looking at the preseason composite rankings, this season opener was between the #43 and #44 programs in College Football, entering 2016 ... it went right down to the wire, as the Wildcats fumbled, turned the ball over at the goal line of the Broncos to close out the game!

Overrated for the Top 25: Preseason #14 USC (8-6 in 2015), simply a blue blood name pick, who ranked #34 in winning percentage, over the prior three seasons in College Football, entering coach Clay Helton's first full season at the helm ...

Next Group of 5 school: Western Kentucky (1-0/ 29-11), ended the 2015 season ranked #24 in the AP poll, followed by San Diego State (1-0/ 27-14).

Best near miss against a Power 5: Appalachian State (0-1/ 18-8), who nearly upset Tennessee, falling 20-13 in overtime in Knoxville on Thursday night.

Uncharted territory: Iowa Football and the Big Ten; 3 more to play in Week 1 of College Football

Tough way to begin 2016 for LSU and four other SEC schools ...

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Week 1 doesn't define a season. Look at the past two years in the B1G & beyond ...

Good example: Stanford Cardinal in 2015, after an ugly 16-6 loss at Northwestern to kickoff the 2015 season. By the way, the Cardinal played 0-12 UCF in Week 2 at home. They won 31-7. The following week, @ #6 USC, who finished 7-6 and no reason they are at Top 25 program right now or then ...

Preseason Polls are meaningless. Examples ...

Should we write off OU, LSU or Northwestern right now?

Last year, Oklahoma lost to Texas in the Red River Shoutout and still made Final 4 in CFP. 

They call Houston, a winner by upset, but Houston ended #8 last year. Why so low to open 2016?

This picture was used in discussing the OU/Houston game on Twitter.

Is a battle between #5 vs. #8 a big upset, if #8 wins the game?
Was Stanford's win over Iowa an upset in the Rose Bowl, after all, when you compare the common opponent in 2015?

Wins and losses matter, but teams for the CFP will be judged on the full season, especially the conference title, which is important, so hard to see two from same division or same conference, if not in a title game?

Look who reached his 64th win over ranked opponents in College
Football, the old head coach at Michigan State. By the way,
Steve Spurrier was honored at Florida, with the field name
on Saturday night, as Gators beat UMass 24-7.

In 2014, eventual #1 Ohio State lost at home to VA Tech in Week 2.

Well, the Big Ten finished the first week of the 2016 College Football with a 12-2 record, just like Iowa during the 2015 season.

There was a blowout by a Pac 12 team on the West Coast and a Michigan team beat the B1G at the end of the game in the final minute. Sound familiar ...

Wow, are you excited about the 2016 College Football season? 

There are THREE FBS games left this Labor Day weekend.

Wait, ESPN keeps talking about TWO games. 

Of course, the Power 5 is what matters, more importantly teams not named ODU or even Iowa.

One talking head said Desmond King won the first major trophy for Iowa, since the 1950s. Just like Iowa does not face a winning program on the road in 2016. ESPN is dead wrong on both accounts, are they not?

How far can the Hawkeyes fly in 2016, with 15 starters returning
and now a mix of 10 new true freshmen playing snaps this season?

By the way, there are more than TWO more Games over the weekend. Yes, Phil Steele had the game playing on Saturday too, but look at your LSU TV schedule for what games are really on folks!

ODU plays today, as well as the showdown in Austin. The final game will kickoff from Orlando on Labor Day in primetime on ABC.

- a battle for bragging rights in VA
- a battle for respect in Texas
- a battle between ACC-SEC bragging rights 

Not sure they have the same interest, since no B1G, except, Notre Dame and Florida State are involved. Oh, odu ...

How about Clemson over Auburn, Wisconsin over LSU, South Alabama over Mississippi State, West Virginia over Missouri, not as happy to hear Southern Miss rallied to beat Kentucky as the SEC witnesses five programs falling in Week 1?

By the way, it is Year 6 of the new era of Big Ten Football or is it Year 3, since the CFP is now here and we scrapped the Leaders and Legends?

Iowa is coming off 12-0. The two game losing streak, it was a three game losing streak last year at this time, Iowa was coming off and the Cy-Hawk Game is next.
Of course, this is the 1981 season all over again for Iowa, after all ...

• The world or at least many in the media have it for the B1G 2 again ...
• It is at Defcon 5, after OSU opened with a 77-10 win over Urban Meyer's former program ...
• For the first time, since 1975, Michigan beat a program by 60 or more points ...
• Who is Iowa - they don't play OSU or MSU this year?
• PSU was 7-6 last year ...
• Can we dream of 1981 of 1985 when Iowa vs. Michigan is played?
• Iowa ends the season at Kinnick with Nebraska, since we both are in the B1G now, but when was the last time Iowa won over Nebraska at Kinnick (1981) ...

Iowa opened the 2016 season playing ten true freshmen, clearly uncharted territory for the Hawkeyes? In 2007, 11 true freshmen played through out the season, I read recently.

One thing we don't like to see about Iowa defense ... 

A team not at full strength, but remember DE Drew Ott in 2015. Remember, MLB Josey Jewell is averaging 1 tackle right now per game. An assist at that ...

The Iowa Hawkeyes are lead by senior QB 16 C.J. Beathard,
who is now 14-2 as a starting QB. Next up: vs. Iowa State.

At Iowa, C.J Beathard is our QB. Though, we may see more of Tyler Wiegers in 2016?

Look at Alabama's first week at QB, in the win over USC. They did win right?

After all, it is a long season and don't forget about VA Tech, Arizona and Ole Miss [2]; Northwestern,Texas and Nebraska in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

By the way, no undefeated team has won the CFP, in the first two years.

Florida State and Clemson each went 13-1 at end, and didn't make title game, after undefeated regular seasons.

This is Year 3 of the CFP and the new B1G and it will be a roller coaster of a season, just like many B1G games.
                                                                                                                             

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 27-2, since the CFP kicked off.

1. Ohio State (1-0) - the team to beat in 2016? 

OU, the other B1G East opponents, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Nebraska ...

But, not for Iowa in the regular season. They will see others, such as Iowa State this week.

Neither for Alabama, who appear headed to play more spread offense, than any previous Nick Sabin team, ever. The OC creation of Lane Kiffin, oh my?

Iowa junior RB 25 Akrum Wadley, lead the Hawkeyes' ground
attack in the 45-21 win over Miami-OH in the season opener.
He also recovered a key fumble early in the game, as Iowa
allowed a free shot on QB C.J. Beathard. Iowa recovered
three fumbles to fuel the opening win of the 2016 season.

2. Iowa (1-0) - are they worthy, what would a game vs. OR ST, WMU, LSU or Fresno St have been like on Saturday? 

This is Year 5 of Phil Parker and Greg Davis, how special can 2016 be w/ new KF and the new Hawkeye team for this year?

The Spartans enjoy a bye week in Week 2, as they hit the road
@ Notre Dame, as senior QB 7 Tyler O'Connor, looks to build
on his 1-0 record on the road, as a starter, after leading MSU
to a 17-14 win to help clinch the B1G West division title.

3. Michigan State (1-0) - the Badgers open the B1G season in East Lansing on 9/24. 

The #12 Spartans have a bye week ahead of road trip against Notre Dame on 9/17.

4. Wisconsin (1-0) - yes, they just beat LSU and a won bowl game over USC last year. Lost last year to Alabama 35-7 to Iowa 10-6 and Northwestern 13-7. 
The Badgers win on defense and Paul Chryst is in Year 2 ...

The 2016 Michigan Wolverines kicked off the season, with the
first of five home games, including a 63-3 win over Hawaii'.
Sleep deprived Wolverines slaughter jet lagged Rainbow Warriors!

5. Michigan (1-0) - the Wolvernies face 1-0 UCF next. The Knights have given up less points than the Wolvernes, who open w/ 5 straight games in Ann Arbor for 2016.

Western Michigan defeated a Big Ten team for the first time, since
the 2007 win @ Iowa 28-19 to close out the Hawkeyes' regular
season. It is a game of inches, as the Wildcats may have learned?

6. Northwestern (0-1) - yes, they lost to WMU 22-21 on Saturday. In the loss, junior running back Justin Jackson scored all three touchdowns for the Wildcats, but a costly fumble at the goal line by sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson, ended the bid for a win.

The Wildcats beat Stanford in home opener last year and what did that say, it is a long season? One game doesn't define you, as a team?

The Nebraska paid tribute to the passing of punter Sam Foltz
during the season opener, as they only sent ten men onto the
field, ahead of the first punt attempt of the 2016 season. After
the delay of game penalty, Nebraska went on to defeat Fresno
State in the game, 43-10, with a 2nd half shutout.

7. Nebraska (1-0) - Mike Riley just won his 100th game as a College head coach. KF has 128 wins now at Iowa?

They have 1-0 Wyoming, who defeated NIU 40-34 in OT.

We all remember the Huskies out of the MAC? 

Tracy Claeys surprised the BTN
crew, when he went for 2 with a
seven point lead late in the 4Q.

8. Minnesota (1-0) - they beat Oregon State ugly in opener w/ three DQs or was it 2) 

B1G @ Penn State on 10/1 for B1G opener. They don't play anyone strong in OCC, except Gary Anderson's Beavers.

Penn State University announced recently they will honor the
50th anniversary of the hiring of Joe Paterno, as head football
coach, during the 9/17 game against Temple.

9. PSU (1-0) - the Nittany Lions are @ Pitt this Saturday, then host Temple. It is nice to see Penn State resuming with the Panthers in non-conference play.

Will they win or free fall? 

Open B1G @ Michigan, as well on 9/24.

The Hoosiers return 13 starters from a 6-7 team that
lost 44-41 in OT to Duke in the Pinstripe Bowl.
RG Dan Feeney, LB Clyde Newton, LB Marcus
Oliver and WR Ricky Jones are all back in 2016

10. Indiana (1-0) - Ball State is next, after road win @ FIU. The Hooisers are coming off bowl game, as they begin Kevin Wilson's sixth season. He was OC I believe in 1999, when Northwestern last lost to a MAC program in season opener?

Two B1G games are ahead to wrap up non-conference
play and September for the new Fighting Illini, as
the Lovie Smith era has come to Champaign,
after 20 years working the sidelines of the NFL.

11. Illinois (1-0) - host UNC, off loss to UGA in Atlanta, this Saturday in Champaign ...make or break game for former #23 Tar Heels? Western Michigan (1-0) also plays Illinois to round off non-conference play in 2016.

Can the Lovie Smith era, like the 1979 Iowa Hawkeyes under J. Hayden Fry, with a strong game(s) or even better with a big win(s)?

The Boilermakers opened 2016 with a new offensive and
defensive coordinator, as coach Darrell Hazell enters a critical
stage in 2016, his fourth season at the helm.

12. Purdue (1-0) - next up are the Cincinnati Bearcats from the AAC for Boilermakers. The Boilermakers took care of business against Eastern Kentucky and move on to the next test, with three non-conference games at home, including a bye week.

First year head coach D.J. Durkin celebrate his first career win
over a FCS program 

13. Maryland (1-0) - travel to play @FIU on Friday, so they face a Panthers program looking to get to 1-1 vs. B1G East.

The Chris Ash era has begun, as #16 Washington rolls 48-13
over the Scarlet Knights to kickoff the 2016 season. The next
game against 0-1 Howard, who were 1-10 last season may
not provide much feedback, in preparation for a B1G season.

14. Rutgers (0-1) - new head coach Chris Ash has work ahead before B1G opener on 9/24 w/ native state, Iowa.  Ironically, the Scarlet Knights play Howard, who were at Maryland for the season opening loss 52-13, to kickoff Week 2.

That's football ...

Sunday, September 4th 

• Notre Dame at Texas 6:30 pm on ABC / espn3 - the Longhorns have won 16 straight home openers by an average of 37 points, wow! Who do they actually play in home openers? Rice was opponent last year, after the 38-3 loss @ Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are 9-2 all-time in this series, winning five straight now. This game will likely be close?
• Hampton at Old Dominion 2:30 pm on $CUSA Video - There hasn't been much talk about this one. Phil Steele magazine had this one for the 3rd (Saturday), but C-USA pulled a nice win in the SEC on Saturday. ODU's next opponent is @ Appalachian State on Saturday, who took Tennessee down to the wire, losing in OT, after 17 straight points were given up by Mountaineers. ODU does play @ North Carolina State in Week 3, as they kickoff the 2016 season today against the Pirates, who were 6-5 at the FCS level in 2015 ...

Monday, September 5th 

• Florida State vs. Ole Miss (Orlando) 7:00 pm on ESPN - a loss to Ole Miss in back to back season didn't cost the Razorbacks in either 2014 or 2015, on the road to the College Football Playoff ...

Thursday, September 17th

• Clemson at Louisville 6:30 pm ESPN - an ACC game in Louisville to open Week 3 of College Football

Friday, September 18th

• Florida State at Boston College 7:00 pm ESPN - another ACC in Week 3 ...
• Idaho State at Boise State 8:00 pm CBSSN - The Broncos look to get back to winning vs. an FCS program, after a tough road loss in Week 2 at BYU ...
• New Mexico at Arizona State 9:00 pm PAC-12 Network - final Sun Devils tune up before Pac 12 play opens up ...

Happy New Year's as B1G plays in four of five Bowls to welcome in 2015!

Cedar Rapids, IA - - The new College Football Playoff officially kicks off today in 2015, with the Sugar and Rose Bowls, serving as semi-final match ups. In addition, three other bowl games will feature Big Ten teams, as College Football welcomes in 2015!

Who will win the first CFP National Championship?

1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Florida State
4. Ohio State

The Rose Bowl will field Oregon vs. Florida State, while the night cap in the Sugar Bowl features Alabama vs. Ohio State. The winners will play Monday, January 12th in the Championship Game.

“Every great team has a routine,” Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said. “It's our job not to disrupt the routine. We do that the best we can when we're on the road, whether it be State College or East Lansing or New Orleans for a bowl game. So we're a real stickler about that, our routine is best Fridays in football and it starts today. … Our players enjoy the routine on Friday. The most important thing, task at hand, is we get our meetings done quickly. We have a run through, walk through, and then we have to make sure they sleep.”

How will 2015 be for these football programs, along with us all?

Will it be routine, special, up or down?

The season is done for most College Football programs.

The Big Ten has four games to celebrate the New Year today and one final bowl game on Friday, featuring the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Preview of Iowa vs. Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl on 1/2.

First up:
11 a.m. from Tampa on ESPN2 is the Outback Bowl:
Wisconsin vs. Auburn, as the Badgers athletic director Barry Alvarez (0-1 in '12) leads UW into another bowl game serving as interim coach.

Auburn vs. Wisconsin Outback Bowl Preview

At 11:30 a.m. from Dallas on EPSN is the Cotton Bowl:
Michigan State vs. Baylor, as the Spartans face the Big 12's co-champion, who won the head to head match-up, with TCU.

Baylor vs. Michigan State Cotton Bowl Preview

At Noon from Orlando on ABC is the Citrus Bowl:
Minnesota vs. Missouri, as the Golden Gophers enjoy a rare New Year's Day on the gridiron against a SEC opponent. It has been over 50 years for the Golden Gophers ...

Minnesota vs. Missouri Citrus Bowl Preview

The Big Ten vs. SEC in the final four of five bowl match ups for the respective conferences. There will be some big time bragging rights on the line.

The SEC West has witnessed LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State all fall thus far during the 2014-15 bowl season. What happens today?

The first semi-final comes from the Granddaddy of all bowl games from Pasadena, California. It will be a 4 p.m. kickoff on ESPN as the ACC champ faces the traditional entry from the Pac 12 in the Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl:
4 p.m. on ESPN
Florida State vs. Oregon
The undefeated, defending BCS champion Seminoles travel across the country to face the Ducks in the Granddaddy!

The final game of the New Year's Day will take place in New Orleans as the SEC champion takes on the Big Ten champion in the Heart of the SEC, the Sugar Bowl.

Sugar Bowl:
7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Alabama vs. Ohio State
Nick Saban vs. Urban Meyer

The 2015 New Year's Day bowl line up should make for an exciting day. The new College Football Playoff and bowl lineup has been outstanding thus far in Year 1.

It should only help make 2015 a great year. Happy New Year to all!

Let's crown five outright Power Five Champs in 2014 with first College Football Playoff

Cedar Rapids, IA -- The new four team playoff creates a better Bowl System. It also provides for a fixed +1 system for a NCAA FBS Championship Game, which structures better than the old BCS system.

The season becomes more interesting with the CFP. The final bowl picture is better handled with 12 teams slotted into six bowls.

The final result should better bowl match-ups with the Top 12 teams matched up. The outright conference team can also be crowned for each Power 5 conference.

The top Two Bowls get a +1 system. It is a bowl system with the top two rated bowls getting a title game (+1).

Iowa fans despite the disappointment can get a great bowl opportunity, since we play in the B1G. As long as you are bowl eligible, the bowl selection process should provide far mar balanced match-ups.

The idea of Iowa vs. Stanford is great. Neither team had the type of season they wanted. But, 15 practices can award each with an opportunity to spring into 2015 with some momentum.

This is a better bowl system with a +1 for top two bowls. The BCS didn't create good match-ups, outside the picking of #1 vs. #2.

So, who should get Top 4 spots?

But, ultimately the Top 11 Power 5 teams and Top non-power conference team will get slotted into a better bowl match-up, than the old BCS.

Baylor vs. TCU would be a good rematch. Not the same as OU vs. Nebraska, but who would be #1 on a neutral field? Who is the outright Big 12 champion for 2014?

Are either worthy of #1 - no.

The Committee should reward Ohio State, since injury hurt them in their lone non-conference loss. The QB injury hit them 2 times and they appear for the most part as plug and play team. They went undefeated In conference play and outright champion.

Let Baylor (8-1) and TCU (8-1) play for a Big 12 outright champion game in this year's bowl picture.

Sugar - Alabama (8-1) vs. Florida State (9-0)

Rose - Oregon (8-1) vs. Ohio State (9-0)

Conference titles matter and the four above won outright titles.

The new system is a great way to preserve and improve bowl system, unlike BCS, and allow for a +1 Game.

TCU vs. Baylor on neutral field would crown an outright Big 12 winner. Let's see the real champion is in 2014.

peace

TCU hadn't played ISU yet, which hurt them in SOS. It helped them previous in the weekly rankings.

We say good bye tonight: Final BCS Title Game: Florida State (13-0) vs. Auburn (12-1)

BCS Championship: Auburn vs. Florida State at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD) - The Tigers try to keep the SEC dominance going in the Final Game of the BCS, as the ACC's Seminoles counter in the final BCS Title Game.

The final season of Leaders, Legends and BCS has come: The envelop please ...

Michigan State vs. Stanford in Rose Bowl, in the 100th Game!

At least Ohio State made the B1G Title Game for the first time in three years. Michigan, not at all. Little Brother in MI is at the top of the B1G!

B1G East in 2014 

1) MSU (8-0) - Rose Bowl bound for the first time in 26 years!

2) OSU (8-0) - at large BCS for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes!

3) PSU (4-4) - probation

4) Michigan (3-5) - hearing they may be headed to Tempe for a date with K-State?

5) Maryland (3-5 ACC Atlantic) - Will they be in the Military vs. someone like Marshall or could they fall to B1G spot in Detroit?
6) Rutgers (3-5 in AAC) - and the will play Notre Dame in Pinstripe Bowl!
7) Indiana (3-5) - The Hoosiers are in the cellar, with state rival Purdue headed to the B1G West.

B1G West in 2014
1) Wisconsin (6-2) - Should be Cap 1 for 2013!
2) Iowa (5-3) - Should be Outback for 2014!
3) Nebraska (5-3) - Next, would be the Gator for the Cornhuskers?
4) Minnesota (5-3) - The Texas Bowl is not on January 1, so Big Ten fans can see it ...
5) Northwestern (1-7) - The season didn't pan out ...
6) Illinois (1-7) - Welcome back to Iowa's schedule for the first time, since '08.
7) Purdue (0-8) - Still in the cellar, though it is out West.

With departures, division realignment and new schedules, the Big Ten pecking order will likely see wholesale changes in the coming season. Here's to the Holidays!

The era of Leaders and Legends has passed. The Leaders won the first two titles, but the Legends finished it off in Year 3, with the Michigan State Spartans winning it all.

If the new Final 4 was happening this season:

1. Auburn (12-1) - the SEC schedule in the West was better
2. Florida State (13-0) - the ACC is a little soft, but they made the playoffs
3. Alabama (11-1) - the reigning champs would still be in the hunt
4. Michigan State (12-1) - the B1G isn't as soft as once suspected ...   

But, we will have to wait until next year ...

So, the final BCS Title Game will be Florida State (13-0) vs. Auburn (12-1) in Pasadena for the final game.