‘If I Had A Vote’ Week 15

By Tim Cottrell
Sports Writer/Designer
Published: December 1, 2008

Well here we are with one week before the glut of bowls hits, and already the controversy is in full swing. At least part of the picture will become pretty clear this week, but those fans in Austin are probably going to be ticked regardless.

Here’s last week’s rankings:

1. Alabama
2 (tie). Oklahoma and Florida
4 (tie). USC and Texas
6. Utah
7. Penn State
8. Texas Tech
9. Boise State
10. Oklahoma State
11. Georgia
12. Ohio State
13. Missouri
14. Ball State
15. TCU
16. Oregon State
17. Cincinnati
18. Oregon
19. Boston College
20. Michigan State
21. Georgia Tech
22. Northwestern
23. BYU
24. Ole Miss
25. Florida State

And now for this week:

1. Alabama
A thorough beatdown to get the Auburn monkey off their backs. Now they’ve got to figure out a way to stop the Florida juggernaut.

2. Oklahoma
They’re really good. And I know they lost to Texas, but I’m pretty sure they’d beat them more often than not in a seven-game series. I would put them in the Big XII title game, much like the BCS did.

3. Florida
Also really good. Remains to be seen if they can get past Bama. Without Harvin it could be tough, but there’s plenty of reason to think they’ll win. More on that Saturday.

4. Texas
They can whine all they want, but if they had covered Michael Crabtree for one play they wouldn’t have to worry about all this.

5. USC
They’re good. But they haven’t done enough to move past here.

6. Utah
Just waiting to find out their juicy destination.

7. Penn State
Really wishing they could’ve throttled Oregon State again in the Rose Bowl.

8. Texas Tech
Recovered from the Oklahoma hangover just in time to get past Baylor (?!).

9. Boise State
Really wishing some BCS bowl isn’t looking to make money this holiday season.

10. Ohio State
Thanking the heavens the other other OSU lost to Oregon.

11. Ball State
Yeah, I can’t believe I have them here, either.

12. TCU
Should be interesting to see who they get in their bowl game.

13. Georgia Tech
It’s unbelievable how good this team wound up being in Year 1 of the Paul Johnson era. He should get some play for national coach of the year.

14. Cincinnati
How about these guys? Big East champs, and I still have trouble remembering they’re actually in the conference.

15. Oregon
They’ve quietly put together a strong season, and absolutely crushed their biggest rival’s will in a huge game for them. That has to be massively satisfying.

16. Oklahoma State
Just not quite good enough to get past the big boys, but still a pretty good team.

17. Boston College
Jeff Jagodzinski might be one of the best coaches in the country. How in the world did this team win its division?

18. Michigan State
The Mark Dantonio over/under is currently at 1.5 years.

19. Ole Miss
They’re red hot. Too bad they’re probably going to get crushed by Texas Tech or Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl.

20. Georgia
I hate this team.

21. Northwestern
A nice season and a good bowl berth.

22. BYU
Blah.

23. Oregon State
What a terrible way to finish the season. That is soul-crushing.

24. Missouri
How do you lose to Kansas?

25. Pittsburgh
Gotta give Wannstache some credit. He pulled together a decent season.