2012 Week Six Top Four: Alabama, Florida, Oregon and South Carolina
By Rich Lynch
Restructuring has been a theme throughout corporate America over the last several years on account of the stagnant economy. Similarly, the Top Four this week is almost completely restructured from last week. We are at the halfway point of the season, so look for more changes in the coming weeks as conference play intensifies.
1) Alabama(5-0)
Trending: Sideways | Previous Ranking: 1 | Next Opponent: Missouri Tigers
The Crimson Tide did not play this past week. This coming Saturday, Alabama faces SEC East foe Missouri for the first time as conference rivals. The Tigers lost to Vanderbilt last weekend 19-15 at home in Columbia, Mo. Look for Missouri to be fired up — however, Alabama’s superior coaching and edge in talent will lead the Crimson Tide to victory.
2) Florida(5-0)
Trending: Up | Previous Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores
Florida beat LSU in a hard hitting match-up this past Saturday in The Swamp, 14-6. This Saturday the Gators face a competent Vanderbilt team in Nashville. The Commodores beat Missouri last weekend. This is a POSSIBLE letdown game for the Gators. Look for the Gators to start chomping the Commodores in the second half in route to a 6th victory.
3) Oregon(5-0)
Trending: Up | Previous Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: Arizona State Sun Devils
The Ducks have been quacking all season and have cracked the Top Four for the first time. Oregon is averaging 52 points per game. Its competition has been weak though. Wins against Arizona and Washington in 2012 are not wins against the Wildcats and Huskies in the 1990s. The Ducks play Arizona State, in Tempe, Thurs. Oct. 18 in a letdown game similar to the one Florida is facing. The Sun Devils led the Ducks into the second half Oregon’s last visit to Sun Devil Stadium. Look for a similar finish this time, and the Ducks to win.
4) South Carolina (6-0)
Trending: Up | Previous Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: LSU Tigers
South Carolina smoked Georgia last Saturday in Willams-Brice Stadium. The Columbia, S.C. crowd was amazing. Brent Musberger called it the “best crowd of the season.” Unfortunately for USC fans, the Gamecocks are facing SEC West foe LSU in Baton Rouge this Saturday. I did not foresee USC obliterating Georgia, so right now I do not have ANY IDEA who will win between the Gamecocks and Tigers.
On the Outside Looking In:
West Virginia(5-0)
Trending: Up | Previous Rank: N/A | Next Opponent: Texas Tech Red Raiders
West Virginia has defeated ranked Big 12 teams Baylor and Texas the last two weeks. Geno Smith threw FOUR touchdown passes against the Longhorns last Saturday in Austin. Smith is the Heisman Trophy front runner right now. Look for him to pad his stats against the Red Raiders, and look for West Virginia to win easily on Saturday to set up an EPIC Big 12 matchup against Kansas State the following week.