Top 25
1. Florida State, 13-0, 1
2. Auburn, 12-1. 3
3. Alabama, 11-1, 4
4. Missouri, 11-2, 5
5. Stanford, 11-2, 8
6. Michigan State, 12-1, 9
7. South Carolina, 10-2, 7
8. Baylor, 11-1, 10
9. Clemson, 10-2. 12
10. Louisiana State, 9-3, 13
11. Oregon, 10-2, 14
12. Oklahoma, 10-2, 18
13. Ohio State, 12-1, 2
14. Oklahoma State, 11-2, 6
15. UCLA, 9-3, 15
16. Arizona State, 10-3, 11
17. UCF, 11-1, 16
18. Louisville, 11-1, 17
19. Wisconsin, 9-3, 21
20. Texas A&M, 8-4 22
21. Duke, 10-3, 20
22. Miami, 9-3, 24
23. Iowa, 8-4, 25
24. Notre Dame, 8-4, NR
25. Georgia, 8-4 NR
OUT: Northern Illinois (19), Texas (23).
VOTES: Texas, Washington, Fresno State, Minnesota, Southern Cal, Nebraska, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Kansas State and Rice.
NATIONAL ANALYSIS
Louisville outlasted Cincinnati paving the way for UCF to win the American Athletic Conference and their first BCS bowl berth, but even with the good news, in frigid temps in Dallas, the Knights slept walked through a win over SMU 17-13, and now look to have a matchup with Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl....Rice took out Marshall to win the C-US title.....Baylor, in bitterly cold temps in Waco, opened up a tight game at the half to beat up on the Texas Longhorns and win the Big XII Conference, which opened up thanks to the Oklahoma Sooners scoring a big win at Stillwater against Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The Sooners have not won a big game in a while, and did so with temps in the teens perhaps securing a BCS spot and knocking the Cowboys out of BCS bowl contention.....UConn blasted Memphis, and the Rutgers dominated USF, who simply had a miserable season.....Many thought it would be different this time, since we have noted the improving play of Arizona State, particularly at home, but Stanford, dominating the line of scrimmage again, won at Tempe going away 38-14 securing a spot in the Rose Bowl.....Ohio State was given a lost of credibility having been undefeated and on a 24 game winning streak, but they were exposed fro the fraud they are by Michigan State, who won the BIG for the first time since 1987 and will play in the Rose Bowl.....Auburn unleashed a scoring explosion in the SEC Championship game, running for almost 600 yards and disposing of Mizzou 59-42. Missouri performed well on offense, but had no answer for slowing down the Plainsmen, who will now face FSU in the title game.
NEBRASKA ANALYSIS
The regular season is complete for Nebraska, with the Cornhuskers finishing 8-4, a disappointment for Husker nation. Nebraska awaits a bowl bid, which looks like it will be the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe, AZ perhaps against a former Big 8 foe. The bowl presents an opportunity to set the tone for a bright future, but a loss will turn up the heat, especially for those already torqued at the decision to retain Bo Pelini as coach. Perhaps injured senior quarterback Taylor Martinez will be available for the bowl game, which would be nice.
FLORIDA STATE ANALYSIS
In Charlotte Saturday night, the Florida State Seminoles won their second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference championship,crushing the Duke Blue Devils 45-7. Offensively, the Seminoles struggled with execution early, with Jameis Winston misfiring a few passes, a few drops and a fumble by Devonta Freeman deep in the red zone. Winston, who had been notified earlier in the week that evidence did not warrant charges being brought against him from a sexual assault complaint, seemed affected early on making execution errors not previously seen made by the ACC Player of the Year, In fact, Winston is heavily favored to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy, perhaps becoming the third Seminole player to win the award, joining Charlie Ward and Chirs Weinke. Thankfully, behind seniors Telvin Smith and LaMarcus Joyner, the Seminole defense smothered Duke, allowing very limited yardage and no points while the offense made necessary adjustments. Duke played well, and must be given credit, as they had not won 10 games riding an 8 game winning streak by accident. However, the heartwarming story and respect given by the Seminoles turned a bit as Duke seemed to play dirty late, getting appropriately penalized inclusive of an ejection. David Cutcliffe, who has done a wonderful job, barely acknowledged FSU coach Jimbo Fisher after the game, a surprising lack of sportsmanship not previously exhibited by Coach Cut. A Seminole fan noted on the post game message board that "Congrats Duke, you did the impossible: make me dislike your football team." I am not sure what got Duke all riled, but many took note of their actions and noted it was out of character for them. I am glad no Seminoles got hurt, although Nick O'Leary took a hell of a shot, but those actions would have led me to preserve the shut out, as Duke posted their touchdown with under a minute to play. Florida State, who has scored 37 or more points in 13 straight games, is to be congratulated for running the table in dominating fashion winning another conference title, and now the Seminoles are off to Pasadena to play for the national championship against the Auburn Tigers, champions of the Southeastern Conference. In the Charlotte airport, "a guy in an Auburn hat told Tomahawk Nation that FSU would need to score 50 to beat the Tigers. I don't agree, but, that is doable." Yes, it is. The Seminoles are 25-14-2 in bowl games and have won five straight.
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