Hi gator fans, Salty here. Yeah, I know I'm kinda like the Lou Holtz of the Safe Room. A little past my prime, relegated to giving pep talks and providing color for the real bloggers. But, this week I'm posting my Top 25 in a blog because I want to explain where I'm coming from. My picks are gonna be different, because I think the polls suck. Nothing more than a popularity contest to sell tickets. I haven't looked at any of the other polls and I didn't use that silly ass computer program I tried the first couple of weeks. Nope. I ranked the teams based on who they have played and how they have played them, THIS YEAR! That's right, this friggin' year, that means popularity doesn't count. This isn't some after school drama show on Nickelodean, it's College Football. What does that mean, well for one, if you haven't played a ranked team all year, get the fuck out of MY Top 10! Without further ado, here are my rankings and why.
1.) South Florida has played ranked teams and is still undefeated. Nobody else in the country can say that.
2.) LSU has beaten VT, South Carolina, and Florida and they just barely lost to Kentucky in triple overtime. They still have Auburn next week as well as some tough SEC games to go. I hate LSU, but I'm not selling them.
3.) South Carolina only has one loss (LSU) and they have beaten Georgia and Kentucky (and Kentucky beat LSU). The Old Ball Coach still has a tough schedule ahead, but their destiny is in his hands.
Hold it in Steve, pukin' on TV is bad.
4.) Kentucky lost to South Cariolina but beat LSU in a close one and they have a tough schedule ahead with Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee (all ranked teams) to go. And Kentucky gets the big jump for takin' the spark plugs out of the chainsaws.
5.) Cal has beaten Oregon and Tennessee, both ranked teams and now they have been beaten by who? Unranked Oregon State (4-3). Was it a fluke, who knows, but with USC, Arizona State, and west coast powerhouse Stanford (hehe) still to go, we'll soon find out.
6.)Oklahoma has beaten only one ranked team so far, Texas, and they lost to Colorado (crazy ass season). I'm gonna leave them here for now, but their pussass schedule for the rest of the season is gonna hurt them in coming weeks.
7.) Oregon has also played only one ranked team (Cal) so far, but they only lost by one possession and they beat Stanford and Stanford beat USC. Still to come are USC and Arizona State. The Ducks really need a couple more quality teams on their schedule for me to take them seriously.
8.) Missouri has played a couple of ranked teams, they beat Illinois early and lost to Oklahoma this week. With Kansas being the closest thing to a ranked team they play for the rest of the season, they better hope more top ranked teams fall.
9.) Florida, with two losses (Auburn and LSU) and win a against Tennessee, has played as many ranked teams as anybody. Both of their losses were very close and they have a chance to redeem their season by taking out Kentucky, Georgia, and South Carolina. It' all up to them.
10.) West Virginia suffers from lack of strength in schedule (No WestVirgizzo, the little blue pill will not fix it.) with the only ranked team they have played so far being a lost to #1 USF. However, they have played well against their unranked conference foes, but they only have one ranked team left on their schedule, Cincinnati.
11.) Ohio State (7-0). That right 11th. Remember SaltyGator rule numero uno (too much time around the Caiman I guess), "Play a ranked team or get the fuck out of My Top 10." Let's have a look at those seven victories, Youngstown, Akron, Washington, North Western, Minnesota, Purdue, and Kent State. Nope, none of them are ranked. And guess what, the only ranked teams they will see for the rest of the season are Illinois and Wisconsin (which I have 17th and 23rd), if they can hang on. Being undefeated does not mean shit unless you play somebody. You offense is ranked 41st. "Oh yeah, but our defense is ranked 1st." you say. Yeah, but you haven't played anyone with an offense dumbass. Take your friggin' sweater vest and go find a schedule, you bunch of overhyped cupcakes.
12.) Boston College is the same friggin' deal. Not a ranked team yet, and Virginia Tech is the only half-assed opponent they have all year.
13.) Southern Cal (5-1), Whoopy Shit! Let's have a look at those five; Idaho, Nebraska, Washington State, and Arizona. That's Arizona (2-5), not Arizona State folks. Does anybody see any ranked teams there, NO! Oh yeah, don't forget the "1" in (5-1), Stanford (2-4) owwww. You gotta be kidding me, Go to the end of the line jackass. There's nothing more disgusting than a spent Trojan.
14.) Arizona State (7-0), same lame ass story. San Jose State, Colorado, San Diego State, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington State and Washington. Any ranked? Nope! Left on the schedule, Cal, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Arizona. Beat all those and I'll be impressed.
15.) Auburn lost to USF and Miss State. USF wasn't so bad, but Miss State, yikes! LSU next week is a chance for redemption. Hang on for that one and then on to Georgia next month.
16.) Tennessee lost to Cal and Florida. Most SEC teams expect to get their losses in the SEC. Opening against Cal is tough. But with South Carolina and Kentucky still over the horizon, Fatty Phil might just get to keep his job.
17.) Illinois has a couple of ranked teams under their belt. A loss to Missouri and a win over Wisconsin. Ohio State is still out there though. Hey, Zook, do me a favor and kick the livin' shit out of the Buckeyes for me. After all, you know you owe me.
18.) Virginia Tech (6-1) has only played one ranked team all year, and LSU spanked them 48-7. I guess I should give them some style points for running the score up 44-3 on William and Mary, NOT! If VT will kick Boston College around for me, I promise to find a seat closer to the stage for them. Plus, you get bonus points for cheerleader creativity.
Thanks to www.accpoon.com for this wonderful shot.
19.) Georgia like any other SEC team has a tough schedule with several ranked teams (currently 5) on it. They have already lost to Tennessee and South Carolina. With Florida, Auburn and Kentucky waiting, Georgia could really improve their stock if the won the rest of their games. I wouldn't bet real money on it.
20.) Hawaii (7-0) and not a ranked team on their schedule, now or later. At least they know they are going to a bowl game.
21.) Kansas (6-0). Lou Holtz thinks they should be 2nd in the nation, for what? Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo, Florida International, Kansas State, and Baylor? Don't make me say it again. With Missouri still to go, they could actually play a ranked team though.
22.) Texas (5-2) but there's not much here. The closest thing they have to credibility is losing a close one to Oklahoma.
23.) Wisconsin (5-2) closest thing here is the one possession loss to Illinois. Ohio State is still on their schedule. I should have dropped them for the loss to Joe Pa this weekend, but I'm keeping them around because I want to make them the same offer I made BC. Wisconsin, beat Ohio State and I'll give you a big bump up.
24.) Arkansas (3-3) that's right they are here. Why, you ask, because they lost to Alabama, Kentucky, and Auburn. They still have to play South Carolina, Tennessee, and Miss State. I'd like to see Ohio State play that schedule (buckeye douchebags).
25.) Wake Forrest (4-2) Yep, Wake Forrest because they knocked FSU off the list with style. Your welcome Lisa and Karen.
Well, that's how I see it. Like the old guy in the commercial says, "There are no shorcuts in football, buttercup." And Salty says "put up or shut up."