College Football: Mid-Term Report Cards

After watching several ballgame through the first six weeks of this year's D-I NCAA football, it's time for me to give an A+ to the best team in each division at thd midpoint of the season. Mind you, I'm not into reading defenses or game plans. I don't know an X from an O when it comes to college football. I do know the conferences, power houses, many players, and a good sense of what might happen from week to week. So, you can take this however you'd like. It's just food for thought.

So, off to the conferences to dish out the grades in teacherly fashion:

ACC - Coastal Division

(A+) Wake Forest: They mowed down their nearest competitor in the division's premiere match-up of the season thus far, Florida State, 12-3. They also have a 30-28 victory over Ole Miss. Their only loss came at the hands of Navy. Their biggest challenge before the season's end: Miami and Boston College, with a season-ender against Vanderbilt. Throw in the ACC title game and all bets are off. Florida State may very well steal the division before it's all said and done. Remember, it was tough (41-39) but the 'Noles already took out the Hurricanes. I mentioned Boston College earlier. Don't count these guys out. At 4-1, the Eagles are right there in the thick of it. I just happen to think the Demon Deacons are a cut above the rest at this point. Where'd ya go, Clemson? Lots of pre-season hype and plenty of letdown. You're staring at bowl eligibility at this point being in jeopardy!

ACC - Atlantic Division

(A+) Georgia Tech: I'm sure many would go with the Hokies of Virginia Tech, or possibly even North Carolina. But I'm sold on the Yellowjackets. They beat BC and Mississippi State. No doubt their season over their last four ballgames: Florida State, North Carolina, Miami, and Georgia. Ouch! If they make it through that stretch, all bets are off!

BIG EAST

(A+) Pittsburgh: West Virginia's day in the sun has come to an end. Sure, they've got ballers and will probably get a great bowl game this year. But I'm impressed with Dave Wanstedt and the Panthers. Whether or not they win a BCS game I'm not sure I can confidently say that. But it appears to be their year. Notre Dame, Louisville, West Virginia, and Connecticut are still on tap for the end of the season. But at the midpoint, Pitt is the team to beat in the Big East.

BIG TEN

(A+) Penn State: No question about this one. Say what you will about Ohio State. Penn State is clearly the better program at this point based on their play throughout the season. Their biggest victory came just this past weekend against a subpar Wisconsin team on the road. Still, wow! What a solid line-up and special teams capabilities. Guess their season will be determined here over the next two weeks as they face the unpredictable Michigan and Ohio State.

BIG XII SOUTH

(A+) Kansas: The Jayhawks have a monster game this weekend against Oklahoma. We'll get a chance to see how the Sooners respond to a tough loss last weekend at the Cotton Bowl. This Kansas team features a lot of the weapons that got them to the #1 spot in the country last year. Can they do it again? A win over Oklahoma would certainly help them make the case.

BIG XII NORTH

(A+) Texas: I don't care if Oklahoma State is undefeated at this point. They didn't beat Oklahoma. We'll see if that happens. Texas is just too good and loaded at this point for me to say, given their respective histories, that the Cowboys deserve a higher ranking. October 25th is just around the corner, OSU. So hold your horses. You can prove to the country if you're better than the Longhorns. That game is in College Station by the way.

CONFERENCE USA EAST

(A+) East Carolina: I was impressed with their start, which included a win over Virginia Tech. I think that the Pirates will rebound and finish the year on a strong note. All remaining games are conference opponents. They face division leader Marshall on November 8th.

CONFERENCE USA WEST

(A+) Tulsa: This team is flat out whooping their opponents. They're averaging 53-points per game! Their biggest challenge remains a non-conference match-up against Arkansas on November 1. Other than that, look out for Tulsa! I don't see much of a challenge in the conference. I think they'd beat either East Division winner in the conference championship.

MAC EAST

(A+) Bowling Green: They're heading for the New Orleans or International Bowl and who really cares? No team in the MAC is worth that much to begin with. Well, at least not in the East Division.

MAC WEST

(A+) Ball State: This team is on a mission this year. They remind me of the year Tulsa is having. On the heels of their performance against Rutgers in Toronto at the International Bowl, Ball State may just find themselves deeper into Bowl Season this year.

MOUNTAIN WEST

(A+) Utah: The trendy pick is BYU. But I'm going with the Utes until BYU beats them. I actually root for BYU over Utah in this rivalry. And I like Max Hall. But this is JUST the motivation the Cougars need if they intend on crashing the BCS this year. And Utah is really good. We're talking about wins over Michigan and Oregon State. Their showdown game against BYU will have huge implications and they have been choking at the worst possible moments against the Cougars over the past couple of years. Will they finally get over the hump this year? It would be HUGE if they could!

PAC-10

(A+) CAL: Sure, I'm biased. But did YOU have them in 1st place at the midpoint? Not many people did. A brewing quarterback controversy doesn't help matters much. Nate Longshore panics, in my opinion. Still, the Bears are on the march. Every week matters to the Bears. They can't take anyone or anything for granted. This weekend at Arizona spells trouble. But the Bears definitely have the tools to run the table. Depending on if they'll do it or not remains to be seen. That's right, I said that. Run the table, USC fans!

SEC EAST

(A+) Florida: Anybody dare to challenge me on that one? Sorry Bulldogs. Sorry Tigers. This year is the return of the Gators. They're very GOOD. The loss to Ole Miss hurts for sure, but they got that out of their system with a solid pounding of LSU.

SEC WEST

(A+) Alabama: Again, no question. The Tide are riding high this year. A showdown with Florida is going to be awesome at season's end. No doubt a trip to possibly the BCS Championship will be on the line. And Alabama can beat Florida, in my opinion. First, they'll have to get by LSU.

SUN BELT

(A+) Arkansas State: Whoever's in first place at this point. I mean, does this conference really matter? Perhaps Troy will take the conference in the end. Arkansas State and Troy face each other in their season finales.

WAC

(A+) Boise State: San Jose State is living a dream at this point in 1st place. But the Broncos are riding high once again and perhaps making reservations for the BCS. They've been there and done that before. How about that southpaw at QB? Their next two games are critical division opponents: Hawaii and San Jose State.

INDEPENDENTS

(A+) Notre Dame: Definitely exceeding expectations at this point! They might even be in a bowl game, believe it or not! With Boston College and USC on the docket, it sure makes for a grueling finish to the season. Wins in those games could equal a premiere bowl invitation.