by Chris Lowery, Contributing Writer and LSU alum
We’ve reached the halfway point of the season, so it’s time to take a look at the championship race and see who’s either a contender or (sigh, due to my lack imagination) pretender.
Obviously we’ll only look at the top ten. Being spoiled by LSU’s success over the past decade has left me with the notion that if you’re outside the top ten, even if you still have a (sigh again at my lack of imagination) punchers chance at a title, then you’re irrelevant.
You’ll become relevant if you keep winning and crack the top ten. And you’ll also become relevant if you play a team in the top ten. But until then, even if ranked 11th, you have no title shot.
10. Oregon State
First things first: Are they for real? Meh. Yes, they are undefeated, but they haven’t shown to be totally dominant in any area of the game. They show no “it” factor. I’m a big believer in the psyche of a team, and the scraping by they’re doing right now seems reminiscent of every overachieving 9-3/ 10-2 team that has ever played.
Things that can change my mind: Beat Stanford and host the Ducks at the end of the year undefeated.
9. LSU
First things first: I’m bias with them. However, as fans we have a tendency to overreact in both directions. So, after our loss to Florida this past weekend 14-6, I’m stampeding in the negative direction. LSU has NO shot. They’re a pretender. Stick a fork in them and illegally roast Tiger for dinner.
Things that can change my mind: Ok, that was a little much. They still, kind of, control their own destiny. And if they knock off the Gamecocks in Baton Rouge this weekend, then I’ll come back and write something about how we’re gonna’ beat Alabama by at least 2 touchdowns.
8. Ohio State
First things first:
See Oregon State above.
Things that can change my mind:
Nothing
7. Notre Dame
First things first: I love this new Irish team. They actually seem like a legitimate title contender. Offense, defense, leadership… Notre Dame has it all. If they run through their schedule and play a team outside the SEC for the crystal ball, then I think they could win.
Things that can change my mind: They beat Stanford and then lose to BYU, and then subsequently lose to Oklahoma and USC, with a Wake Forest thrown in there to finish 7-5—again.
6. Kansas State
First things first: I like this team. I remember when Coach Bill Snyder was leading the K-State juggernaut to Big-12 championship games in the late 90’s. And by damnit, he’s doing it now. Coach Snyder is the man to lead them there… in a year or two or three. I don’t think this team is quite ready for that big a stage and is heading towards a strange OT loss to some 4-4 school on the road, a la OK-State last year.
Things that could change my mind: They don’t lost to Iowa State this week in overtime the week before they travel to Morgantown.
Speaking of which…
5. West Virginia
First things first: No, no, no. I don’t like this team. It’s the way they play. I have a friend who plays dynasty mode on NCAA. He only plays offense and simulates when he’s on defense. And that’s what the Mountaineers do. It’s an atrocity to the game. It’s gross. Personally, I find it appalling and laughable to watch. There hasn’t been a team, in the BCS era, to win a championship with such a low-grade, run and gun, star dudded defense.
Things that can change my mind: Nothing, even if they win the title. I will simply start watching flag football games at the local rec center for my entertainment.
4. Florida
First things first: (Sigh) They beat LSU and are riding high, which is good for a young team looking to make the next step post-Tebow/Meyer. But, I just don’t see it for this team yet. The offense is too inconsistent to gain my vote of confidence.
Things that could change my mind: Nothing until I see them hoist that beautiful ball.
3. South Carolina
First things first: Legit. Great defense, solid running game, and the ole’ ball Coach’s best quarterback since he’s been chiefing the Gamecocks. But they will lose to LSU this weekend… and die.
Things that could change my mind: They beat LSU this weekend and I die.
2. Oregon
First things first:
See West Virginia
Things that could change my mind:
See West Virginia
1. Alabama
First things first: I can’t remember the last time a No.1 team this dominant literally seems to have disappeared. You don’t hear about them anymore. And yet they are still, far and away, everyone’s favorite to win it all.
Things that could change my mind: Nothing, they will win it all. Even if they lose to LSU or slip up anywhere else, they will somehow get a redo. (That was a potshot.)
More from Chris Lowery on NCAA Football