I have usually thought that the range zero is really defining! In the planet of sporting activities, as in genuine estate, it really is all about “location, area and spot!” A zero in the right-hand column of the gained-loss standings is a pretty fantastic factor, when one in the still left-hand column, is not so excellent!
As college soccer enters its stretch operate, any person remotely connected with the match is perfectly aware that USC, Texas and Alabama (mentioned in buy of the team’s BCS rankings), continue being the nation’s lone unbeaten groups. Nonetheless, there a couple of other groups with a zero in that ideal-hand column, when it arrives to meeting standings.
West Virginia of the Big East, quickly took care of Cincinnati on Wednesday evening, transferring to 5- in league participate in. The Mountaineers nevertheless have video games remaining on November 24 compared to Pittsburgh (in Morgantown) and on December 3 at South Florida. The Mountaineers had the Major East title in their grasp previous 12 months but missing at house to Boston School 36-17 and at Pittsburgh (16-13), to complete the yr. This year’s crew shows no indicators of imploding but 1 never ever understands
TCU has previously clinched the MWC title, in its 1st yr in the league. The Horned Frogs conveniently dispatched of Colorado Point out past Saturday (33-6), clinching the school’s to start with outright conference title due to the fact winning the SWC crown in 1958. At 7- in the MWC, the Horned Frogs (29-point favorites!) have to have only defeat UNLV in Fort Truly worth on Saturday, to complete at 10-1 in general and 8- in league play. Ironically, the team’s only reduction in 2005 came from an previous SWC rival, SMU. Just a person 7 days following opening the period by successful 17-10 in Norman as opposed to the Sooners (as practically 4-TD underdogs), TCU dropped 21-10 at SMU, a staff that is just 3-6 on the yr.
At the very least one of university football’s seven remaining conference unbeatens HAS to shed this weekend. Boise Point out and Fresno Point out of the WAC (each 5-), meet up with Thursday night on ESPN. Boise State entered the WAC in 2001 and in that quite initially calendar year, finished Fresno’s 17-video game household winning streak with a 35-30 victory as a 16-issue underdog. Right after losing at La Tech later on that calendar year, Boise started a conference successful streak that is reached 31 game titles! Throughout that run, the Broncos are an spectacular 21-10 ATS.
Despite the fact that Boise owns that prolonged meeting winning streak and have crushed Fresno in all four conferences since signing up for the conference (successful by an common score of 41-21 and goings 4- ATS), the Bulldogs are sound favorites (additional than a TD) in Thursday’s game. Fresno Point out is undoubtedly no slouch, as the Bulldogs are 38-5 SU at property because 1998 and enter their showdown with the Broncos at 7-1 (only loss at 8-1 Oregon, 37-34) and ranked No. 20 in the AP (latest BCS rating is 22).
The winner of Thursday’s showdown will most likely gain-out the relaxation of the way in convention-participate in but it is no ‘lock.’ Boise receives an uncomplicated video game at home as opposed to Idaho but need to enjoy at La Tech (7-1 SU at residence considering that 2004). As for Fresno, after traveling to USC on December 19 for a non-convention game, the Bulldogs must go to Reno, the place Nevada has gone 9-2 SU and ATS in its past 11 residence game titles. Fresno finishes the year with a match in opposition to La Tech at residence.
Getting again to the nation’s major-3 teams, USC faces the one college that’s specified them the most difficulties the very last couple decades. USC usually takes a 31-activity profitable streak into its video game at Cal this Saturday, as well as a 14-recreation street profitable streak and a 21-activity Pac-10 successful streak. Cal was the past crew to conquer USC, 34-31 in triple-OT again in 2003. Cal almost defeat the Trojans previous 12 months in Los Angeles shedding 23-17 and in 2003, getting rid of 30-28. Incorporating some much more drama to the combine, a USC gain will tie Cal’s Pac-10 report winning streak of 22 straight, established from 1947-50. USC is an 18 1/2-place favourite and will close the year with household online games in opposition to Fresno Point out and UCLA (Trojans have received 25 straight in the Coliseum).
Texas, the nation’s No. 2 workforce, goes for its 17th straight earn this Saturday in Austin from Kansas. When both of those Texas and USC have gained game titles by comparable margins, Texas outscores its opponents 48.3-14.3 with USC outscoring its opponents by an regular of 49.9-20.6, the Longhorns are 8-1 ATS although the Trojans are just 4-5! Texas is a 33-position favourite about Kansas and finishes its regular time with a take a look at to University Station, where the Longhorns experience the disappointing Aggies. The likely opponent for Texas in the Major-12 title games is Colorado, a team the Longhorns conquer in Austin 42-17, back again on October 15.
Even though several imagine possibly USC or Texas will stumble down the stretch, the nation’s No. 3 group, Alabama (but just 3-6 ATS), finds by itself a residence ‘dog’ (plus-3) this Saturday to No. 5 LSU. Due to the fact dropping WR Tyrone Protho, the Tide have scored just A single TD in their past a few SEC game titles. On the other hand, Alabama owns the nation’s No.1-ranked scoring defense (8.2 PPG) and should not be counted out of any recreation. If Alabama escapes towards LSU, the Tide participate in Auburn in the “Iron Bowl” on December 19 in Auburn. Alabama’s likely SEC title recreation opponent (if the workforce helps make it that considerably) is possibly Ga or Florida.
The SEC observed Auburn go 12- last 12 months but get still left out of the BCS title match and it appears very likely that Alabama could complete 12- in 2005 and also get still left out. USC amplified its guide in excess of Texas in the latest BCS standings and Texas’ lead in excess of Alabama is Considerable! BCS background suggests that the two groups ranked 1st and 2nd in the first BCS poll of the season (this year it was USC and Texas), have Hardly ever gone on to meet up with in that year’s BCS title recreation. Even so, USC and Texas have by now created BCS history in 2005, as the very same two teams have under no circumstances right before been either just one or two in every single of a season’s first-four BCS standings. Possibly USC and Texas are destined to meet up with in Pasadena?
LOVABLE LOSERS
I can’t close with out listing the winless groups, the ones with the zero in the incorrect site! Temple is -10 (4-6 ATS) in 2005 but will get the 7 days off just before closing its year December 19 at Navy. New Mexico State is -9 (2-7 ATS) and is residence to Nevada, exactly where the Aggies are 9 1/2-position underdogs. Buffalo, also -9 (5-4 ATS!) is at Kent Point out and the Bulls could actually have a opportunity. The not-so Golden Flashes are just 1-8 themselves in 2005 but are favored by about a TD. Be aware: Buffalo also owns the nation’s longest current road getting rid of streak with 22 straight losses.
Rice (-8 SU and 1-7 ATS) in 2005 and proprietors of the nation’s longest present-day getting rid of streak at 14, plays its Homecoming game this week in opposition to 2-6 Tulane. The Owls are actually a One particular-Position most loved! Could it be? By the way, such as Buffalo, New Mexico Point out and Rice (Temple is participating in this year as in Independent), there are still 13 educational institutions which are nonetheless winless in meeting perform entering this weekend’s motion.
