Semi-OT: Oregon, TCU in the Top 25?

Submitted by Maizeblue11 on

Could who watches Oregon or TCU someone explain why they are considered in the Top 25 after each coming off terrible seasons and each beating three bad teams?

Mr. Yost

September 18th, 2017 at 7:10 PM ^

Because they're playing well and people watch the games and feel like it's a better team.

No one thought we played anyone last year until we played Wisconsin (people hadn't realized Colorado was realy good and UCF was a bowl team). But if you watched us play in those games...you realized, damn this team is legit. The polls reflected this even before we played the Badgers.

I'm not saying either team is 2016 Michigan. I'm saying it is possible to watch teams, even against weak competition, and go "okay, we may have something here."

Why is it such a big deal? They'll have to prove it on the field versus Washington, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., etc.

Mr. Yost

September 18th, 2017 at 8:31 PM ^

I understand, and great point.

In the end, I just think it's the "eye test" - TCU looks legit, like a darkhorse to win or make serious noise in the Big XII. Oregon is likely some of the "brand" and the "brand" of beating Nebraska...but they do look much improved from last year.

cletus318

September 18th, 2017 at 7:13 PM ^

How they finished in prior seasons would have no bearing on this year. Regardless, getting to 3-0 or 4-0 as a P5 team with a win over another P5 team that's not a dumpster fire has been enough to break into the top 25 for a long tine.

FauxMo

September 19th, 2017 at 6:39 AM ^

Really? Performance in past seasons has absolutely NO BEARING on how you think a team will do in the future? So, like, you're just as high on Alabama as you are on everyone else? 

Obviously past performance is not everything, but I think most people just assume Alabama is going to be a top 5 team precisely because of what they have done in recent past seasons. And so far, they wouldn't be wrong... 

mfan_in_ohio

September 18th, 2017 at 7:16 PM ^

They have to put 25 teams in, right?  Who would you put in over them?

Here are the others receiving votes: West Virginia 114, Colorado 93, Maryland 84, Vanderbilt 83, Notre Dame 57, Memphis 21, California 19, Stanford 16, Kentucky 11, Duke 10, Kansas State 10, Tennessee 6, Texas Tech 4, Iowa 2, Wake Forest 2, Michigan State 1, Houston 1. 

Seriously, who in that group merits a top 25 spot more than Oregon or TCU?  At least they won their games.  If you want to complain about anyone, complain that Louisville barely beat Purdue, then got hamblasted at home by Clemson and is still in the top 20.  

Maizeblue11

September 18th, 2017 at 7:23 PM ^

Haha, I was gonna complain about Louisville too but was afraid that was too much complaining. If I were making the rankings, Maryland and Notre dame would be in instead of those two teams. I think TCU was bumped way up to try and increase TV ratings for their game vs OKST on ESPN.

M Vader

September 18th, 2017 at 7:17 PM ^

Somebody has to fill the tail end of the top 25. With teams like lsu and tn losing they just move up the next teams. If you really look at 25th ranked teams, they often have 4 losses by the end of the year.

WolverineMac

September 18th, 2017 at 7:19 PM ^

They are undefeated, historically good/decent, are bigger names than some, have good players, and need to be in Top 25 in order to make sure TV revenue keeps coming in.



So over others, who lack some of the above, yea there in.



About as senseless as us being 7-8 right now. Doesn't mean we aren't but others have a case.

rice4114

September 18th, 2017 at 7:28 PM ^

Us in Harbaughs first year. You can tell they have decent coaching again.



Id take their offense over ours any day. That being said I think our defense is a monster so we can survive any game.

NittanyFan

September 18th, 2017 at 7:51 PM ^

TCU is #16 there, and Oregon is #24.

The advanced analytics --- with the usual caveat that preseason numbers are still baked in to some degree until early October --- view both teams as Top 25 clubs.

I know it was Wyoming, but I was in Laramie Saturday night and thought Oregon looked pretty good.

SFBlue

September 18th, 2017 at 8:24 PM ^

I watched some of Oregon's game. They are improved, especially on defense. The Ducks destroyed Wyoming's Josh Allen, who many consider to be a late-round draft pick (it was hard to tell anything, with the Ducks knocking him around).

UofM626

September 18th, 2017 at 8:30 PM ^

That guy may go in the first round, some consider him the best pro QB prospect this year. He played horrible vs Oregon. Oregon w be back on top sooner then later once the Defense can catch up w there offense. Taggert is a Harbaugh type coach w ties to big Jim, there in great hands and yes both deserve to be in the top 25!