For those that can't get enough of the pompous "Tribute to Troy"... http://www.fightmusic.com/mp3/pac10/USC__Fanfare,_Tribute_To_Troy,_and_Fight_On.mp3
USC was definitely one of the best teams this year, but I believe Florida was the best this year and proved it again last night. Florida outscored their opponents 612 - 180. That equals out to like 43.7 to 12.8 points per game (awe hell, I'll even round to 13). That's a 30 point average margin of victory on a schedule where they played 11 bowl teams and beat 10 of them (however they did lose that one game by a whole point). They also beat the #1 team twice (in consecutive games to end the season). I think anyone would find it hard to find another team that has gone through a schedule like that and had so much success. Their only close game (margin-wise) all year was their loss. No other team came within single digits. They even posted a double digit W against Bama without their most explosive player (Harvin). As for USC, they showed flashes of brilliance, but they weren't as dominant as they needed to be. They beat Arizona by 7 (17-10) and Cal By 10 (17-7). Those games just weren't that impressive. Also, Stanford was within a touchdown in the 4th quarter until USC blew it open. For the guy talking about their quality OOC win...well...it wasn't. They didn't have Beanie Wells and Boeckman played QB for most of the game. It was kind of like that second Dumb and Dumber movie without Jim Carrey and the other dude. You knew the result was not gonna be too good. It was Pryor's first significant action and he only attempted like 9 passes or something. USC played great, but it was against a team with almost nothing at that point. Florida beat the crap out of three bowl OOC opponents (two huge rivals). And let me say again that Florida lost to a better opponent. Ole Miss had four losses by a combined total of 19 points. Oregon St. was pummeled at home by Oregon 65 - 38 with a chance to play in the Rose Bowl on the line. Nobody was blowing out Ole Miss. They were very good this year. As for OU, they never had another close game besides their loss. Texas had a gripe because they beat OU by 10 and lost one game on a crazy play. Utah looked great against Bama and went undefeated (but they also had some very close ones against some crappy teams). In the end, I think Florida and Texas should have been in it. But OU was the pick and they would have been my second pick. I don't think any team would beat Florida though in the championship game. USC included. Their one loss came against a team that really had them guessing because they could run it so well. Florida would have presented big issues for them. Trust me, I hate to say it, but I think Florida was the best. Now, back to talking about how we hate Florida, USC, Bama, etc.
WhatIfSports.com ranks USC #1 http://nmsn.foxsports.com/cfb/powerRankings?type=whatIfSports®en=true
downtown, I don't have many nits to pick with your post. It was well put together. i would argue the two #1's though. It is clear that Alabama had no business being in the number 1 spot and honestly they should have fallen harder than they did in the polls after losing their last TWO games. Florida beat the #3 (Oklahoma) and #6 (Alabama) teams in the nation. I'm a firm believer that you count your victories against ranked opponents by where the finish in the rankings, not where they were when you played them. It's the body of work that creates the ranking, not the preseason hype. If it were the other way around you'd think that the SEC had seven ranked teams this season instead of the four that they ended up with.
I agree VABuckeye. But I would add that up until the time that Florida beat Bama, the Tide team was being judged by their body of work. They were the clear #1 until Florida beat them at that point. And you have a point about where teams finish. Obviously, Florida can't beat the #1 team twice because they are the #1 team. Just messing...
remove OOC from this statement. your signature win does NOT have to come against a team in another conference. Does beating Bama not count as a signature in for Florida because they're in the same conference? Hell they were #1 (and had been for a few weeks). Was USC the best team in the country this year? Maybe. I don't really know. They should at least be in the discussion. Their defense was amazing this year. And LSU fans should know as well as anyone how far a dominant defense can carry you. I'm not a fan of the Trojans in any way shape or form, and will never pull for them, but you can't deny their success. And before anyone bashes the temas they've beaten in "Big" Games recently, take a look at the list: Oklahoma Notre Dame Ohio State Illinois and a loss to Texas that list sound farmiliar to LSU fans? that would be the 4 teams we beat in BCS bowls so far, and we have a bowl loss to Texas a few years back. They've recently hung 70 on Arkansas (something we've NEVER done) Then they hung 50 on 'em the 2nd meeting (something we've only done ONCE ever) When is the last time we blew out Auburn @ Auburn? The problem I have with USC is that they seem to attempt to just sleepwalk through at least a game or two a year. When you start out the season KNOWING that the voters will not give you the benfit of the doubt due to a weak conference, you can't lose to teams like Stanford last year or UCLA the year before that. Upsets happen. I understand that, but when you make a habit out of losing to 3 TD underdogs every year, your status starts to stumble.
easy on the espn et al. next season, at least for a month, do not watch any pregame hyped coverage, no talking heads, do not ingest any subjective information regarding the games. ONLY WATCH THE GAMES--with no volume--listen to music and watch 'em play. You'll be surprised... (USC had a very good defense(not in the top 20 of best ever) and an okay/average offense)
same could be said for every team that finished in the top 5 (with the exception of Utah who got zero hype this year)
