Team Speed Kills - SEC Football Saturday, Week 11: Alabama Rocks LSU; Vanderbilt Upsets Florida; Johnny Manziel's Great Home FinaleSports are just better in the SEChttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52580/tsk_fav.png2013-11-10T21:01:23-05:00http://www.teamspeedkills.com/rss/stream/48455952013-11-10T21:01:23-05:002013-11-10T21:01:23-05:00BCS Standings: Florida St at No. 2; S.C. in Top 10
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<figcaption>Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The SEC now has four teams in the Top 10, including Alabama residing at No. 1. Meanwhile, LSU takes a plunge after its loss and guess where UCF is ranked</p> <p>Now for the poll that matters. The one, the only BCS Top 10, which we look at once again following the Oregon loss. Will there be excitement? Will there be intrigue? How about adventure? Nah.</p>
<p><b>1 Alabama<br>2 Florida State<br>3 Ohio State<br>4 Stanford<br>5 Baylor<br>6 Oregon<br>7 Auburn<br>8 Clemson<br>9 Missouri<br>10 South Carolina</b></p>
<p>Florida State was pretty much expected to lock up the No. 2 spot if Oregon lost -- so the Seminoles have locked up the No. 2 spot for the foreseeable future. With their remaining schedule going Syracuse, Idaho and at Florida, it's going to take a massive upset for FSU to miss out on the title game. Good for them that nothing like that ever happens in college football in November.</p>
<p>The Stanford-Baylor knot is still something that you don't have to worry about too much at this moment. Particularly with Notre Dame's face-plant against Pitt, the Cardinal have probably played their most impressive football in the eyes of the computers. Baylor still has Oklahoma State and Texas, which being Texas is still a ranked team, to go. It's not impossible to see Stanford staying ahead of Baylor if both win out -- particularly if the Pac-12 South Champion ends up being impressive -- but it's also not the most likely thing in the world.</p>
<p>Missouri taking a slide surprises me a bit, but that's not the end of the world for the Tigers. Win out, including a victory against the Tide or Auburn in the Georgia Dome, and Mizzou will likely be the top one-loss team in the country. If they don't win all those games, I don't know that it matters a heck of a lot.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, by moving into the Top 10, South Carolina continues to position itself nicely for a possible at-large berth. In that case, it might actually behoove the Gamecocks not to go to the SEC Championship Game, where they would have to beat Alabama to lock up a BCS bid. Instead, they could watching Auburn and Missouri get slammed by Alabama -- assuming that happens -- and end up as the highest-ranked SEC team standing. They would still have to edge out Texas A&M and potentially LSU, but it's way too early to tell how everything plays out down the road. Beat Florida and Clemson, and if you miss the SEC title game, hope for the best.</p>
<p>The other SEC teams in the rankings, for now, are No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 21 LSU and No. 25 Georgia. LSU's a bit lower than you might expect, but blame the computers -- two of which didn't even rank the Bengals. And UCF is ahead of Louisville, which makes me happy as a clam. The computers end up being worth something after all. I love you, BCS.</p>
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<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"></tr></tbody></table>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><thead><tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th colspan="2" align="center" width="19%"></th> <th colspan="2" align="center">BCS</th> <th colspan="3" align="center" width="16%">Harris Poll</th> <th colspan="3" align="center" width="15.9%">USA Today</th> <th colspan="8" align="center" width="38.1%">Computer Rankings</th>
</tr></thead></table>
<table class="sortable sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<thead><tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<td align="center" width="4%">RK</td>
<td align="center" width="15%">TEAM</td>
<td align="center" width="7%">AVG</td>
<td align="center" width="4.4%">PVS</td>
<td align="center" width="4%">RK</td>
<td align="center" width="5%">PTS</td>
<td align="center" width="7%">%</td>
<td align="center" width="4%">RK</td>
<td align="center" width="5%">PTS</td>
<td align="center" width="6.9%">%</td>
<td align="center" width="%">AVG</td>
<td align="center" width="%">A&H</td>
<td align="center" width="%">RB</td>
<td align="center" width="%">CM</td>
<td align="center" width="%">KM</td>
<td align="center" width="%">JS</td>
<td align="center" width="%">PW</td>
<td align="center" width="%">%</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">Alabama</td>
<td align="center">.9958</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">2625</td>
<td align="center">1.0000</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1546</td>
<td align="center">.9974</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">.990</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">Florida State</td>
<td align="center">.9619</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">2514</td>
<td align="center">.9577</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1485</td>
<td align="center">.9581</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">.970</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">Ohio State</td>
<td align="center">.8926</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">2373</td>
<td align="center">.9040</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">1401</td>
<td align="center">.9039</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">.870</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">Stanford</td>
<td align="center">.8689</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">2240</td>
<td align="center">.8533</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">1307</td>
<td align="center">.8432</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">.910</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">Baylor</td>
<td align="center">.8618</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">2304</td>
<td align="center">.8777</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">1376</td>
<td align="center">.8877</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">.820</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">Oregon</td>
<td align="center">.7665</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">1968</td>
<td align="center">.7497</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">1162</td>
<td align="center">.7497</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">.800</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">Auburn</td>
<td align="center">.7206</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">1843</td>
<td align="center">.7021</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">1069</td>
<td align="center">.6897</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">.770</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">Clemson</td>
<td align="center">.7200</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">1940</td>
<td align="center">.7390</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">1164</td>
<td align="center">.7510</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">.670</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">Missouri</td>
<td align="center">.7118</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">1855</td>
<td align="center">.7067</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">1083</td>
<td align="center">.6987</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">.730</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">South Carolina</td>
<td align="center">.5584</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">1417</td>
<td align="center">.5398</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">830</td>
<td align="center">.5355</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">.600</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">Texas A&M</td>
<td align="center">.5473</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">1582</td>
<td align="center">.6027</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">898</td>
<td align="center">.5794</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">.460</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">Oklahoma State</td>
<td align="center">.4671</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">1545</td>
<td align="center">.5886</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">965</td>
<td align="center">.6226</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">25</td>
<td align="center">.190</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">UCLA</td>
<td align="center">.4548</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">1026</td>
<td align="center">.3909</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">641</td>
<td align="center">.4135</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">.560</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">Fresno State</td>
<td align="center">.4317</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">1124</td>
<td align="center">.4282</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">646</td>
<td align="center">.4168</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">25</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">.450</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">Northern Illinois</td>
<td align="center">.3505</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">825</td>
<td align="center">.3143</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">445</td>
<td align="center">.2871</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">.450</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">Michigan State</td>
<td align="center">.3417</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">1090</td>
<td align="center">.4152</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">620</td>
<td align="center">.4000</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">.210</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">UCF</td>
<td align="center">.3411</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">791</td>
<td align="center">.3013</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">468</td>
<td align="center">.3019</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">.420</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">Oklahoma</td>
<td align="center">.2926</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">732</td>
<td align="center">.2789</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">510</td>
<td align="center">.3290</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">.270</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">Arizona State</td>
<td align="center">.2833</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">475</td>
<td align="center">.1810</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">262</td>
<td align="center">.1690</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">.500</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">Louisville</td>
<td align="center">.2806</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">1104</td>
<td align="center">.4206</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">653</td>
<td align="center">.4213</td>
<td align="center">28</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">.000</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">LSU</td>
<td align="center">.2757</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">919</td>
<td align="center">.3501</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">476</td>
<td align="center">.3071</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">.170</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">Wisconsin</td>
<td align="center">.2612</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">674</td>
<td align="center">.2568</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">460</td>
<td align="center">.2968</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">.230</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">Miami (FL)</td>
<td align="center">.1471</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">457</td>
<td align="center">.1741</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">228</td>
<td align="center">.1471</td>
<td align="center">25</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">.120</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">Texas</td>
<td align="center">.1092</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">247</td>
<td align="center">.0941</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">176</td>
<td align="center">.1135</td>
<td align="center">25</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">.120</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">25</td>
<td align="center">Georgia</td>
<td align="center">.0857</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">25</td>
<td align="center">102</td>
<td align="center">.0389</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
<td align="center">44</td>
<td align="center">.0284</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">25</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">.190</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/10/5089222/bcs-standings-week-12-alabama-crimson-tide-florida-st-seminolesBrandon Larrabee2013-11-10T15:22:00-05:002013-11-10T15:22:00-05:00College Football Rankings: Stop it, Coaches
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/65vGSWLUbjVObPXgFjlYJgzYY7I=/0x222:4000x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22885131/20131113_kdl_bb1_155.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>I don't know what to say about the coaches poll anymore, except that it is almost bad enough to say that it's undermining the sport</p> <p>Surprising no one, Florida State has now become the team to beat in the polls for those who are telling everyone that "WE WANT BAMA." (Note: This did not go well for Oregon.) Beyond that, it's Ohio State and then Baylor, and then a lot of teams that have no chance unless all of them take a loss.</p>
<p>First, the AP poll, because it is not an insult to the idea that human beings are capable of rational thought.</p>
<p>
<script src="http://www.kryogenix.org/code/browser/sorttable/sorttable.js"></script></p>
<table class="sortable" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="center">Rank</th> <th align="center">Team</th> <th align="center">Record</th> <th align="center">Votes</th> <th align="center">Previous</th>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">Alabama (56)</td>
<td align="center">9-0</td>
<td align="center">1,472</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">Florida State (3)</td>
<td align="center">9-0</td>
<td align="center">1,418</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">Ohio State</td>
<td align="center">9-0</td>
<td align="center">1,310</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">Baylor</td>
<td align="center">8-0</td>
<td align="center">1,303</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">Stanford</td>
<td align="center">8-1</td>
<td align="center">1,272</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">Oregon</td>
<td align="center">8-1</td>
<td align="center">1,139</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">Auburn</td>
<td align="center">9-1</td>
<td align="center">1,109</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">8</td>
<td align="center">Clemson</td>
<td align="center">8-1</td>
<td align="center">1,049</td>
<td align="center">8</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">Missouri</td>
<td align="center">9-1</td>
<td align="center">1,012</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">Texas A&M</td>
<td align="center">8-2</td>
<td align="center">909</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">South Carolina</td>
<td align="center">7-2</td>
<td align="center">857</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">Oklahoma State</td>
<td align="center">8-1</td>
<td align="center">780</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">UCLA</td>
<td align="center">7-2</td>
<td align="center">669</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<td align="center">14</td>
<td align="center">Michigan State</td>
<td align="center">8-1</td>
<td align="center">633</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">UCF</td>
<td align="center">7-1</td>
<td align="center">596</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">Fresno State</td>
<td align="center">9-0</td>
<td align="center">588</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">Wisconsin</td>
<td align="center">7-2</td>
<td align="center">503</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">LSU</td>
<td align="center">7-3</td>
<td align="center">470</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">Louisville</td>
<td align="center">8-1</td>
<td align="center">467</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">Northern Illinois</td>
<td align="center">9-0</td>
<td align="center">396</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">Arizona State</td>
<td align="center">7-2</td>
<td align="center">362</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">Oklahoma</td>
<td align="center">7-2</td>
<td align="center">285</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">Texas</td>
<td align="center">7-2</td>
<td align="center">185</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">Miami (FL)</td>
<td align="center">7-2</td>
<td align="center">121</td>
<td align="center">14</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">25</td>
<td align="center">Georgia</td>
<td align="center">6-3</td>
<td align="center">78</td>
<td align="center">NR</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"><tbody><tr onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="center">Others Receiving Votes: Mississippi 68, Minnesota 60, Nebraska 16, Duke 11, USC 10, Washington 9, Ball State 7, Virginia Tech 5, Brigham Young 3, Notre Dame 2, Houston 1</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
<p>Ooh, Georgia, you decided to rejoin us. That puts the SEC back at seven teams in the Top 25, or half the league being among the best fifth (give or take) of teams in the country. That's also well more than any other conference in the nation, with the Big 12 claiming four spots, the Pac-12 taking four, the ACC getting three, the B1G with three, and everyone else with two or fewer ranked teams. Also, Ole Miss looks like the next team in, but it might simply replace Georgia if the Dawgs lose to Auburn.</p>
<p>In the Top 10, there are now four SEC teams, with the only real difference being that Texas A&M takes the spot being vacated by LSU. Barring another loss by Clemson or Oregon, that might be as high as the SEC can get right now. Otherwise, the only way South Carolina gets into the Top 10 is with a loss by Mizzou or A&M, which is just a one-for-one swap. (That's likely to take care of itself one way or the other, with either Missouri or Texas A&M bound to lose the last week of the season while South Carolina plays Clemson.)</p>
<p>There's not too much notably bad here. UCF is now four spots ahead of Louisville, which is as it should be. Oklahoma and Texas are ranked -- hahahahahahahahahaha -- but that will take care of itself in Texas' case when (not if) the Longhorns start to lose again. Oklahoma also has to go to Kansas State and Oklahoma State, so my guess is that the Sooners will have a hard time remaining ranked as well.</p>
<p>Now, it's time for our annual trip to the land where people ignore football while pretending to pay attention to it, the coaches poll. Which has become an embarrassment to the sport.</p>
<p>
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<table class="sortable" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<td align="center">RANK</td>
<td align="center">TEAM</td>
<td align="center">RECORD</td>
<td align="center">POINTS</td>
<td align="center">FIRST PLACE VOTES</td>
<td align="center">PREVIOUS RANK</td>
<td align="center">CHANGE</td>
<td align="center">HI/LOW</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>1</td>
<td>Alabama<br>Crimson Tide</td>
<td>9-0</td>
<td>1546</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>1</td>
<td></td>
<td>1/1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>2</td>
<td>Florida State<br>Seminoles</td>
<td>9-0</td>
<td>1485</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2/12</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>3</td>
<td>Ohio State<br>Buckeyes</td>
<td>9-0</td>
<td>1401</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2/4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>4</td>
<td>Baylor<br>Bears</td>
<td>8-0</td>
<td>1376</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>5</td>
<td>Stanford<br>Cardinal</td>
<td>8-1</td>
<td>1307</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4/13</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>6</td>
<td>Clemson<br>Tigers</td>
<td>8-1</td>
<td>1164</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4/10</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>7</td>
<td>Oregon<br>Ducks</td>
<td>8-1</td>
<td>1162</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>2/7</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>8</td>
<td>Missouri<br>Tigers</td>
<td>9-1</td>
<td>1083</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>7/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>9</td>
<td>Auburn<br>Tigers</td>
<td>9-1</td>
<td>1069</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>9/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>10</td>
<td>Oklahoma State<br>Cowboys</td>
<td>8-1</td>
<td>965</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>10/20</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>11</td>
<td>Texas A&M<br>Aggies</td>
<td>8-2</td>
<td>898</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>6/15</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>12</td>
<td>South Carolina<br>Gamecocks</td>
<td>7-2</td>
<td>830</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>6/20</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>13</td>
<td>Louisville<br>Cardinals</td>
<td>8-1</td>
<td>653</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>6/17</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>14</td>
<td>Fresno State<br>Bulldogs</td>
<td>9-0</td>
<td>646</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>14/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>15</td>
<td>UCLA<br>Bruins</td>
<td>7-2</td>
<td>641</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>10/21</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>16</td>
<td>Michigan State<br>Spartans</td>
<td>8-1</td>
<td>620</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>16/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>17</td>
<td>Oklahoma<br>Sooners</td>
<td>7-2</td>
<td>510</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>8/18</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>18</td>
<td>LSU<br>Tigers</td>
<td>7-3</td>
<td>476</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>6/18</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>19</td>
<td>Central Florida<br>Knights</td>
<td>7-1</td>
<td>468</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>19/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>20</td>
<td>Wisconsin<br>Badgers</td>
<td>7-2</td>
<td>460</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>18/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>21</td>
<td>Northern Illinois<br>Huskies</td>
<td>9-0</td>
<td>445</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>20/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>22</td>
<td>Arizona State<br>Sun Devils</td>
<td>7-2</td>
<td>262</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>22/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>23</td>
<td>Miami<br>Hurricanes</td>
<td>7-2</td>
<td>228</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>6/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>24</td>
<td>Texas<br>Longhorns</td>
<td>7-2</td>
<td>176</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>NR</td>
<td></td>
<td>15/NR</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td>25</td>
<td>Minnesota<br>Golden Gophers</td>
<td>8-2</td>
<td>91</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>NR</td>
<td></td>
<td>25/NR</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>If I were a beat reporter right now and the coach I was covering voted in the poll, I would have two questions for them every week: Did you put Louisville ahead of UCF on your ballot this week? And if so, what does Central Florida have to do to convince you that they deserve to be ranked ahead of the Cardinals?</p>
<p>Because there is no rationale that I can come up with to justify keeping Louisville ahead of UCF at this point. If you're a resume voter, UCF's resume is stronger than Louisville's. If you're a power poll voter, UCF beat Louisville at Louisville, and its only other loss is by one score to a team (South Carolina) that is ranked higher than Louisville. Again, I don't disagree with the idea that you can rank a team behind a team it beat if there's a reason to do so -- but with UCF-Louisville, there is simply no reason to do so.</p>
<p>And this counts. The credibility of the polls in general and the coaches poll in particular counts this year, because it still factors into the BCS, and even in the BCS-less future, because the polls help set the narrative for the season for casual fans. And yet some of the coaches are apparently treating this like it's a joke. But then, perhaps this is just par for the course at this point.</p>
<p></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>What planet are CFB coaches' pollsters living on if Oklahoma is ranked seven spots ahead of Texas? Both 7-2 and UT won head-to-head by 16.</p>— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/SLGreenberg/statuses/399629634054004736">November 10, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p>Moving along. The SEC has just three teams in the Top 10 here, with Texas A&M joining South Carolina in teams failing to make the cut. (Though if South Carolina scheduling a bye week is worth two spots in the AP poll and three in the coaches survey, perhaps the Gamecocks should schedule more byes.) And the conference is at six teams in the poll overall. But at least the Texas team that needed overtime to beat West Virginia is ranked, because it would be a tragedy if it wasn't.</p>
<h4>More from Team Speed Kills:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/10/5086588/sec-football-week-11-discussion-recap?utm_source=teamspeedkills&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Topics for Discussion: An Important Iron Bowl and Which Coaches Are Coming and Going?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/10/5086362/alabama-crimson-tide-vs-lsu-tigers-17-final-score-recap?utm_source=teamspeedkills&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Alabama Crimson Tide 38, LSU Tigers 17: Who Are You and What Have You Done With the Real Nick Saban?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/9/5085906/texas-a-m-aggies-vs-mississippi-st-bulldogs-final-score-recap?utm_source=teamspeedkills&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Texas A&M Aggies 51, Mississippi St. Bulldogs 41: Johnny Manziel Bows Out With a Bravura Performance</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/9/5085062/auburn-tigers-vs-tennessee-volunteers-final-score-recap?utm_source=teamspeedkills&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Auburn Tigers 55, Tennessee Volunteers 23: The Tigers Strike Back With a Vengeance</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/9/5085090/vanderbilt-34-florida-17-historic-win-for-commodores?utm_source=teamspeedkills&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Vanderbilt 34, Florida 17: Historic Win for Commodores</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/10/5088026/college-football-rankings-week-12-ucf-louisvilleBrandon Larrabee2013-11-10T02:58:12-05:002013-11-10T02:58:12-05:00TFD: The Iron Bowl, Coaching Carousel
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Also open for your comments: Where would one of the conference's best quarterbacks be without his best wide receiver? Who's going to a bowl?</p> <p><b>Are we going to get the earth-shattering Iron Bowl?</b> Alabama and Auburn can set up the most important edition of the rivalry in years, maybe decades, if they can both just get to the game without another loss. The Tide has to travel to Starkville and take care of Chattanooga at home to make it; Auburn needs only a home win against Georgia to get there. Do you think they can make it? And how good a chance do you think Auburn would have in that game?</p>
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<a href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/10/5086362/alabama-crimson-tide-vs-lsu-tigers-17-final-score-recap">
<h2>Alabama knocks off LSU to remain undefeated</h2>
<img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22848123/187503619.0_standard_709.0.jpg"></a> <span>Nick Saban pulled some tricks out of his own hat to beat LSU. Now, can he get the Tide through the rest of the season without a loss?</span>
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<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel">Johnny Manziel</a> without Mike Evans this year: Discuss.</b> As good as Manziel has been this year -- and he's been maybe even better than he was last year -- you have to wonder if he might not be quite as good if Evans hadn't been around to catch the ball. Evans grabbed another five receptions for 116 yards Saturday, bringing his total receiving yardage to 1,263 -- more than twice as much as any other receiver on the roster. And some of his catches have been of the circus variety. So would Manziel still be the same quarterback without Evans? Would Evans be the same receiver without Manziel?</p>
<p><b>What are the chances that James Franklin and Kevin Sumlin are still around next season?</b> Both the Vanderbilt head coach and the Texas A&M leader have been mentioned for a variety of jobs in recent months, with the semi-vacant Southern Cal head coaching position being the most prominent. Saturday's win against Florida almost certainly increased Franklin's stock among supporters in Los Angeles, Austin and elsewhere. So do you think both of these guys are still at their current institutions when February rolls around? Or could one or both of them be headed for greener pastures?</p>
<p><b>Is there any way that Will Muschamp survives?</b> Before Saturday, I was among those who were very, very skeptical that Muschamp was going to be shown the door after the 2013 season. Now, I'm somewhat skeptical that he will still be in Gainesville after the 2013 season. You can toss out all the statistics about this game and how Vanderbilt's total yardage wasn't all that high or whatever -- the Commodores hadn't won in Gainesville since shortly after World War II, and they beat Florida 34-17. Why in the world would the Gators keep Muschamp?</p>
<p><b>Which of these teams will make bowls?</b> Here are your teams who have not either clinched bowl eligibility or locked up a losing season: Vanderbilt (5-4; Kentucky, at Tennessee, Wake Forest remaining); Mississippi State (4-5; Alabama, at Arkansas, Ole Miss remaining); Florida (4-5; at South Carolina, Georgia Southern, Florida State remaining); and Tennessee (4-6; Vanderbilt, at Kentucky remaining). All of them technically can get to the postseason, but which ones do you think will actually make it?</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/10/5086588/sec-football-week-11-discussion-recapBrandon Larrabee2013-11-10T00:33:18-05:002013-11-10T00:33:18-05:00Alabama 38, LSU 17: A Win to Make Nick Saban Smile
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>The Tide gets a win in its biggest game of the season so far and gets one step closer to a defining battle with Auburn</p> <p>There are certain things that you do not expect from Nick Saban. You do not expect laughs with Les Miles before the game. You do not expect a fake punt and a flea flicker in the same game. You certainly don't expect him joyfully leaping into A.J. McCarron's arms, or obviously trying to hide a smile in the post-game interview.</p>
<p>But these are all things we saw or heard about before, during and after Alabama's win against LSU on Saturday. And one of them ended up being critical to the Tide's victory.</p>
<p>Shortly after LSU tied the game at 17-17 on its first drive of the third quarter, Alabama faced a 4th-and-2 on its own 41-yard line. Saban called a timeout, followed by a fake punt that gained more than enough yardage and continued what would become a touchdown drive. The Tide never looked back.</p>
<p>There were still some hallmarks of Nick Saban in this game. The Tide ran for 193 yards on 42 carries, allowing McCarron to stick to the methodical and efficient passing game (14-of-20, 179 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions) that he has mastered under Saban. Meanwhile, Alabama completely shut down the LSU ground game, limiting it to 43 yards on 31 carries. There were some sacks and other miscues, but LSU's three leading rushers gained 74 yards on 23 carries -- which is better, but still not good enough.</p>
<p>The fallout: Alabama and Auburn are now on a collision course for an Iron Bowl that could decide the SEC West. LSU and everyone else is out. If Auburn beats Georgia next week (or if both teams lose), the final game of the season will be one of the more important rivalry games in the history of the event. If Alabama is still undefeated when it rolls around -- which is far more likely than not at this point -- it would be a game with national title implications in addition to being a play-in for the SEC Championship Game.</p>
<p>But that's the kind of looking ahead that Nick Saban would frown upon. One game at a time, the process and all that. Alabama still has Mississippi State to play next week, and don't dare overlook Chattanooga; play the games that are in front of you. There's no time for thinking about what might happen a week or two or three down the road.</p>
<p>Still, you couldn't help but wonder if the joy that Saban showed Saturday night was a little peek into his thinking. Maybe he has looked ahead a little more than he would let on. And maybe Nick Saban likes his chances. Wouldn't you?</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/10/5086362/alabama-crimson-tide-vs-lsu-tigers-17-final-score-recapBrandon Larrabee2013-11-09T21:36:53-05:002013-11-09T21:36:53-05:00Texas A&M 51, Mississippi State 41: Closin' Out
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<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
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<p>In what was likely his last game at Kyle Field, Manziel reminded everyone why the A&M fan base loves him so much</p> <p>On one hand, it's hard to figure out exactly how Texas A&M won this game. Mississippi State slightly outgained the Aggies, 556-537. The Bulldogs had the edge on first downs, 30-29. Mississippi State also won the turnover battle (3-1), committed fewer penalties for far fewer yards (4-40 against 10-105), and held the ball for almost ten more minutes -- a must for any team hoping to beat A&M's up-tempo offense.</p>
<p>But then, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134696/johnny-manziel">Johnny Manziel</a> was playing what will probably go down as his last game on Kyle Field. Maybe it didn't make sense, but the chances that anyone was going to beat A&M in this game were always remote. Whenever Mississippi State pulled within striking distance of the Aggies -- sometimes after a Manziel error -- the reigning Heisman Trophy winner always seemed to have an answer. Even with the three interceptions he tossed, Manziel was largely brilliant: 30-of-39 for 446 yards, five touchdowns and the three picks.</p>
<p>As you might expect, that included a lot of big plays. Manziel connected on 10 passes of 15 or more yards, including completions for 75, 41 and 33 yards. (And one particularly ridiculous one where he bobbed and weaved to avoid pressure before throwing a 26-yard pass on 3rd-and-25 to keep a drive going.) Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Manziel thrives on the largest of stages, and the stages don't get much bigger than what could be your final game in front of the fan base that adores you.</p>
<p>The bystander to all of this, Mississippi State, now falls back below .500 at 4-5, but has a fighting chance at bowl eligibility. Not against Alabama, of course, but the following weeks bring games at Arkansas and against Ole Miss. The Bulldogs are not likely to be favored in the last game, but stranger things have happened in rivalries generally and the Egg Bowl in particular.</p>
<p>And there were signs of the future for Mississippi State beyond this season. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/137981/dak-prescott">Dak Prescott</a> was 14-of-26 for 149 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while rushing for 154 yards on 16 carries. And he's a sophomore who will be back and could very well be better next year. If that happens, Mississippi State might have its own start quarterback that can scramble and throw. Not to say he could be the next Johnny Manziel -- it's not fair to put that label on anyone -- but you don't have to be quite as good as Manziel to be very good indeed.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/9/5085906/texas-a-m-aggies-vs-mississippi-st-bulldogs-final-score-recapBrandon Larrabee2013-11-09T17:01:48-05:002013-11-09T17:01:48-05:00LSU vs. Alabama: State of Play in the SEC West
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>The Bayou Bengals still have a slim chance of winning the division. But they have to defeat the Tide tonight</p> <p><i><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/lsu-tigers">LSU Tigers</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>, 8 p.m. ET, CBS</i></p>
<p>LSU will cover. That's the conventional wisdom given the double-digit spread in what has been a competitive game, and it's probably sound. The question here isn't really whether the Tigers can cover, but whether they can pull off the upset that would open up the SEC West just a bit.</p>
<p>For the most part, this year in the West has become another march by Alabama to the division title and toward the national title game. The Tide has been the SEC West representative in the SEC Championship Game in three of the last five years, and its two wins were both part of national-title seasons. Alabama is now one of two teams that control its destiny in the SEC West -- the other is Auburn -- and perhaps the only team in the nation that truly controls its own destiny in the national championship race.</p>
<p>A win against LSU doesn't really change the former -- the Tide can still win out and go to Atlanta at the end of the year -- but obliterates the latter. But a win actually gives LSU the slightest chance to win the SEC West. How?</p>
<p>First, as we noted, LSU has to win tonight, which is no small task. Then, Auburn has to lose to Georgia next week (which is by no means impossible), only to turn around and beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl. (That's a little more improbable, but also not impossible.) LSU would win the three-team tie by virtue of holding the head-to-head against Alabama and Auburn. But if LSU loses, then it's officially Alabama and Auburn down the stretch for the SEC West.</p>
<p>But I don't see that happening. I expect the bizarre twists and turns that we've come to expect in this game, but Alabama is just slightly better than LSU. LSU will cover, but Alabama will win where it really counts.</p>
<p><i>Alabama 30, LSU 21</i></p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/9/5084956/lsu-tigers-vs-alabama-crimson-tide-preview-tv-timeBrandon Larrabee2013-11-09T16:31:37-05:002013-11-09T16:31:37-05:00Missouri 48, Kentucky 17: DGB Shines, Tigers Roll
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<figcaption>Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>There wasn't much to be surprised at in this game. But it looks like the expected phenom wideout is starting to show why everyone recruited him</p> <p>There wasn't much of a surprise in this game. It made a couple of things official -- Missouri would now win a divisional tie with Georgia and South Carolina if all three have two losses, and Kentucky will not go to a bowl game -- but those were formalities for both teams. The Tigers have had the edge for the SEC East since the wins at Georgia and against Florida, and Kentucky was counted out of most bowl projections dating back to the preseason.</p>
<p>So the result wasn't a surprise and the margin wasn't really a surprise. Those people who did tune in to the game likely spent most of it watching <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158633/dorial-green-beckham">Dorial Green-Beckham</a> do things like this:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1907799/greenbeckham_medium.gif"><img alt="Greenbeckham_medium_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1907799/greenbeckham_medium_medium.gif"></a><br><i>via ESPNU via <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/11/9/5084924/dorial-green-beckham-mizzou-kentucky-2013">SB Nation</a></i></p>
<p>That was one of four touchdown receptions on the day for Green-Beckham, who had almost dropped off the map over the last five games, bottoming out with a single catch for six yards in the loss against South Carolina. But the uber-recruit had one of his best games Saturday, torching the Kentucky secondary for a total of seven catches for 100 yards.</p>
<p>What's left for Kentucky at this point? They still don't have an SEC win, and get three chances that all look like 50-50 opportunities at best, and probably significantly worse in all cases: at Vanderbilt, at Georgia and against Tennessee. For the most part, this was a learning season for Mark Stoops and his players. The loss Saturday simply makes it official.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/9/5085218/missouri-tigers-vs-kentucky-wildcats-dorial-green-beckhamBrandon Larrabee2013-11-09T15:48:39-05:002013-11-09T15:48:39-05:00Auburn 55, Tennessee 23: Tigers Gear Up for Finale
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<figcaption>Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Tennessee looked like it might put a scare into the Tigers early on. And then Auburn showed why it's in the running for an SEC West title</p> <p>For a time, this game looked like another example of Butch Jones turning Neyland Stadium into a venue that ranked teams had to fear once again. Tennessee stood its own against Auburn well into the second quarter, even weathering the Tigers' first attempt to run away with the game by cutting the lead to 27-20 about a minute and a half before halftime.</p>
<p>Then, it all fell apart. Nick Marshall ran for a 38-yard touchdown just before the half to start a 28-3 run that put Tennessee on the brink of missing a bowl for the third straight year and got the Tigers through the last upset possibility before a season-defining stretch against Georgia and Alabama.</p>
<p>What made the win all the more astonishing was that Auburn passed the ball as much as you might expect a service academy to. Nick Marshall was 3-of-7 for 35 yards, a beautiful touchdown throw and an interception returned for a touchdown. Put another way, the Tigers ran the ball on 88.1 percent of their offensive snaps. And they ran it for 444 yards, or 8.5 yards a carry. (Marshall had 214 of those yards on 14 carries.) Tennessee knew what was coming, and couldn't even begin to stop it.</p>
<p>Of course, Tennessee is not the best team Auburn is going to face this year. The Volunteers are hanging on for dear life for an opportunity to make a bowl game, needing to win out against Vanderbilt and at Kentucky to be eligible for the postseason. The Wildcats will give Tennessee a chance if it can beat Vanderbilt, but the Vols might be an underdog in their own stadium in that game.</p>
<p>Auburn faces a more daunting challenge for a bigger prize. Win those home games against the Dawgs and the Tide, and Auburn will go to the Georgia Dome to play the SEC Championship Game. The chances of pulling that off aren't great, particularly when it comes to the Iron Bowl, but no one who watched Auburn eviscerate Tennessee when they needed to Saturday would be too quick to write the Tigers off.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2013/11/9/5085062/auburn-tigers-vs-tennessee-volunteers-final-score-recapBrandon Larrabee