Five Thoughts from the week that was--Week 9

1) You can't change a tiger's stripes. Different year, same teams.
Ok everyone. The story remains the same year in year out and we always expect a different outcome. Clemson riding high and undefeated; Sparty grabbing hold of the B1G; OU clobbering everyone in their path; Michigan starting a nice healthy 5-0. Then, say it with me, the same thing always happens. Clemson turns up their flaky meter and gets smoked; MSU chokes big time; Oklahoma drops a game they have no business at all losing; Michigan plays a real team/defense and remembers they can't play football. Why are we always surprised? Yes, there's the occasional aberration, but the norm is rarely diverted. Stop being surprised when the flaky teams do what they do every year, be surprised if these teams ever buck the choke trend.

2) Home field advantage is palpable in college football.
Who really thought OSU was going to beat Wisconsin? Neb over MSU? Homefield advantage is greatly overrated in many sports (NFL, MLB, NHL--pro sports not locked out), but in college, it's truly magical. The fans have so much invested, the band/cheerleaders are there, the location is familiar, and the stadiums are built for sound and craziness. Also, the tickets are hoarded and only a small percentage are sold to the opponents. Remember, when Wisky smashed Nebraska and looked like world beaters then got beaten by MSU and OSU. MSU loses to Nebraska once they left the friendly confines of East Lansing. Stanford squeaked by USC when no one really thought the Trojans had a chance. Home field isn't all there is, but it's does make a difference.

3) The reports of Ohio State's death are greatly exaggerated.
So OSU has 3 losses before November. While the streak of dominance (6 straight conference titles) may appear in jeopardy, the huge upset over the Badgers puts the Buckeyes one additional PSU loss away from controlling their destiny. Buckeye Nation is slowly recovering from TatGate and fearing potential additional sanctions, but while the rest of the B1G saw an opportunity to steal a title, the Buckeyes won't go away. In fact, they should be highly favored in all their remaining games until the Game vs. the hated Wolverines. Imagine the hatred if the Buckeyes can take all the slings and arrows and still emerge victorious. In all honesty, I imagine this to be a 50-50 shot. OSU should steamroll Indiana, PSU (at home), and Purdue, but the Wolverines may provide a challenge for the first time in years. I feel good about the game because I believe UM is the same overrated team of old (although not as bad in previous years), but it will be more competitive. I will say this: no one is looking forward to facing the Buckeyes as they remembered they are Ohio State and the title goes through them.

4) Filling the early schedule with creampuffs can be dangerous.
Wisconsin started the season with a series of horrid opponents and was touted as a national title contender due to the absolute havoc they wreaked on their foes. After a blasting of Nebraska, it appeared Wisconsin was running to the Rose Bowl (or maybe the National Title). Then, real defenses shook them back to earth. Stanford warmed up with no one....and was almost tagged in their first test in LA (I'm sure the Ducks are chomping at the bit). Yes, there are downsides as FSU threw everything at the Sooners and injuries/let down cost them the next 2 games (and most likely the ACC), but OSU, LSU, Bama (PSU isn't bad), and Oregon were tested early and look more poised than those who coasted. It's not a hard and fast rule, but it seems those tested early are more prepared for the key conference matchups.

5) S-E-Crap
Quick, name the 3rd best team in the SEC! If you answered: 'the team that just squeaked by Vanderbilt by a late comeback', you'd be correct. Yeah....Vanderbilt. Arkansas pops in at 3 in most opinions, but after the 2 world beaters of LSU and Bama, there's not a whole lot of meat. Can we stop talking about the SEC as if it was the AFC North? I will openly and honestly admit that LSU and Alabama are the 2 best teams in the country. Best at the top does not imply best top to bottom. Arkansas is ok but is living off the SEC name. South Carolina was good as a one man team but no Lattimore spells trouble. Auburn and Georgia are ok but nothing special (same level as PSU, GT, ASU, OSU, etc.). The next tier includes UF and UT but Florida lost every game in Oct. and Tennessee has faded fast. The bottom feeders are there like every conference (MSU, Ole Miss, Vandy, UK) and don't give me the worst of the SEC is the middle of other conferences. They just plain suck. SEC is the elite...at the top, but the middle is not as hefty as the B1G or the Big12 middle and the bottom is sufficiently plump.