DeFranks Rankings - Final College Football 2008

I know it's a bit late but I just figured out hwo to compute my formula and rankings on the computer rather than by hand.

Here the are:
1 Florida 140.0526826
2 Utah 110.2980132
3 Texas 106.9116775
4 USC 106.8969669
5 Oklahoma 99.56679894
6 Alabama 90.85704666
7 Boise State 87.83147773
8 Texas Tech 84.02393162
9 Penn State 79.25692308
10 TCU 77.11056395
11 Cincinnati 73.95294707
12 Ball State 73.01393728
13 Georgia 72.01117634
14 Ohio State 68.96402545
15 Virginia Tech 65.41770931
16 Pittsburgh 64.56181319
17 Oregon 62.11931729
18 Mississippi 61.88465622
19 Tulsa 60.87667888
20 Missouri 60.06409519
21 Oregon State 58.77053554
22 Georgia Tech 58.50112986
23 Iowa 54.9090482
24 Brigham Young 54.68989847
25 Rice 54.49530957
26 Boston College 54.38535311
27 Florida State 54.19314029
28 East Carolina 53.8551264
29 Michigan State 52.25014985
30 Oklahoma State 51.88421107
31 Maryland 51.55788727
32 North Carolina 50.19010989
33 Nebraska 49.44036566
34 California 49.11934732
35 West Virginia 48.56599058
36 Northwestern 45.03626374
37 Houston 44.68184389
38 Western Michigan 44.17272363
39 Rutgers 43.52893773
40 LSU 43.3710373
41 Wake Forest 42.60245304
42 Kansas 42.5451715
43 South Florida 40.48039216
44 Air Force 39.79147563
45 North Carolina State 38.98898908
46 Connecticut 38.2254902
47 Vanderbilt 38.20853617
48 Navy 37.95421245
49 Arizona 37.06068376
50 Troy 36.62744764
51 Buffalo 36.44652015
52 Central Michigan 34.5518074
53 Louisiana Tech 33.8367295
54 Clemson 33.83195286
55 South Carolina 33.07246172
56 Nevada 32.39163182
57 Hawaii 32.03075168
58 Miami (FL) 31.78761323
59 Wisconsin 31.57618065
60 Colorado State 31.43625558
61 Virginia 30.96234568
62 Fresno State 30.94624511
63 Minnesota 29.00711077
64 Florida Atlantic 28.45134408
65 Notre Dame 28.36223776
66 Kentucky 28.21455492
67 Southern Miss 26.2242735
68 Arkansas 26.17968988
69 Illinois 23.70539624
70 Colorado 22.31582106
71 San Jose State 21.89778567
72 Northern Illinois 21.81507896
73 Bowling Green 21.65350649
74 Stanford 20.67171581
75 Arkansas State 20.29378882
76 UTEP 19.47283899
77 Auburn 18.64505495
78 Louisville 18.31082924
79 Purdue 18.2592939
80 Memphis 18.1175355
81 Louisiana-Lafayette 17.35265306
82 Baylor 17.24021262
83 Arizona State 16.79701953
84 UNLV 16.55650794
85 Kansas State 16.09829236
86 Tennessee 15.73454715
87 Temple 15.58879994
88 Florida International 15.57955013
89 Duke 15.52680653
90 Marshall 14.34211451
91 Mississippi State 13.9197411
92 Indiana 13.66008985
93 New Mexico 13.26669222
94 UCLA 13.11701949
95 Syracuse 13.11267606
96 Utah State 13.09104859
97 Middle Tennessee State 12.77943791
98 Akron 12.59386508
99 Michigan 11.07593985
100 Wyoming 9.906914174
101 Texas A&M 9.181512605
102 Ohio 9.156765315
103 UAB 8.850455927
104 UCF 8.142857143
105 Louisiana-Monroe 5.269160998
106 Kent State 4.935180568
107 Eastern Michigan 3.899275166
108 San Diego State 3.331426392
109 Army 2.850938073
110 Idaho 2.457440476
111 Toledo 2.151626836
112 New Mexico State 1.222642938
113 Tulane 0.493173493
114 Washington State 0.489386929
115 Southern Methodist -0.354609929
116 Western Kentucky -0.436987818
117 Washington -2.012987013
118 Iowa State -2.046928916
119 North Texas -3.620621118
120 Miami (OH) -4.763392857

This fall look for 2009 College Football Rankings. This winter, college basketball rankings will be available.

Oklahoma's Offense vs. Florida's Defense

Thursday's BCS National Championship will feature 2 great offenses and 2 suspect defenses that will decide the game.

What Oklahoma wants to do: Oklahoma's trademark thorughout the year has been their offense, but particulary their hurry-up offense. Every snap is quick. Every formation is quick. And every substitution is quick. In addition to wearing down the Gator defense, they plan to establish the run with 1,000-yard rusher Chris Brown. Without DeMarco Murray, Brown and Mossis Madu will have to carry the load against the fast Florida defense. Heisman winner Sam Bradford will get his stats, get his points and get his touchdowns. That is a given. Bradford, Jermaine Gresham, Joaquin Iglesias and Manny Johnson will contribute to the high-octane offense of OU. The Sooners also must protect Bradford in the pocket.

What Florida wants to do: Florida only has to do one this on defense: pressure Sam Bradford. When Bradford has been pressured (as he was against Texas), the Sooners have not been as successful. Brian Orakpo had a few sacks that games and they held OU to 35 points, only 14 in the second half.

How Florida stops Oklahoma: Florida should start out by placing 8 men in the box to stop the run that Oklahoma will try to establish early. Later in the game, when the Sooners go back to their bread-and-butter, the pass, the Gators should try t bring 6 or 7 guys to pressure Bradford into bad throws and sacks. And with Florida's speed, zone blitzes may work well, dropping defensive linemen into converage and blitzing with linebackers.

Florida's Offense vs. Oklahoma's Defense

Thursday's BCS National Championship will feature 2 great offenses and 2 suspect defenses that will decide the game.

What Florida wants to do: Florida wants to establish the run with Percy Harvin, Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps before opening up the pass for Harvin, Louis Murphy and tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Cornelius Ingram. Quarterback Tim Tebow will actually look to pass first rather than take off a bulldoze the Sooners. Tebow, although wanting to the win the title, will also want to prove to the NFL that he can be a quarterback in the pros. Florida's spread and speed will be their main weapons and advantages, using space to get the ball to their playmakers. Florida's offensive line keeps with this principle, while being lean but not fat. Florida's offense is built for screens with speed at skill positions and agility on the line.

What Oklahoma wants to do: Oklahoma wants to (like every other team in every other game) wants to make Florida one-dimensional, preferably primarily using the pass as the first option. All-American Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is a key cog that clogs up the middle against the run for the Sooners. The OU defense also has been defending the pass most of the year, as the opposing offenses have been a) from the Big 12 and b) playing from behind. On the ground, Oklahoma has held Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter and Missouri's Derrick Washington in check, both outstanding players. If Oklahoma does what they want to, stop the run, they may be able to somewhat control the Gator offense.

How Oklahoma stops Florida: Oklahoma should go nickel (5 defensive backs) every series to match up with Florida wide reveivers and tight ends and only keep in 2 linebackers. The linebacking corps of OU has been continually dessimated and weakened, pushing freshman Austin Box into the spotlight. From the 4-2-5 formations on defense, Oklahoma should try to bring 5 or 6 guys to put pressure on Tebow to make a quick decision. If necesary, a QB Spy may be needed. When UF played Miami, the 'Canes were able to limit Tebow by bringing blitzes up the middle into his face. OU should try to do the same to stop it.

Will Ferrell = Playoff Football

With the beginning of the playoffs and the elimination of four more teams, I thought it fitting for a comparison...to Will Ferrell characters. Ferrell, along with Seth Rogen and vintage Adam Sandler, is in the top tier of gloriously funny actors. The teams should feel honored to be compared to Mr. Will Ferrell.

-Talladega Nights' Ricky Bobby
Cocky, confident race-car driver gets stiff competition from a man from a foreign culture (France).
-Tennessee Titans
Cinfident, resilient Titans face stiff competition from a foreign culture (Pittsburgh).

-Step Brothers' Brennan Huff
Remains tough and friends with Dale, his newfound rival, even after getting beat up.
-Pittsburgh Steelers
Tough attitude remains from Cowher era and after the Titans' late season beatdown.



-Blades of Glory's Chazz Michael Michaels
The flashy ice skater's late injury forces him to try the other role of the Iron Lotus, and succeeds.
-San Diego Chargers
Chargers' star running back LaDanian Tomlinson's injury forces Darren Sproles into the spotlight, and succeeds.

-Wedding Crashers' Chazz
While trying to teach novice wedding crasher John his ways, all he wants his mom's meatloaf.
-Baltimore Ravens
While trying to teach rookie quarterback Joe Flacco the ropes, all they want is a title.

-Kicking & Screaming's Phil Weston
Phil's team, the Tigers were soft and horrible before the arrival of Mike Ditka.
-New York Giants
Giants were horrible and soft before the arrival of tough disciplinarian Tom Coughlin.

-Old School's Frank the Tank
Name says it all for Frank.
-Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart and defense fit "tank" role for the Panthers.







-Elf's Buddy
Unexpected surprise visitor from North Pole brings originality and spirit to New York.
-Arizona Cardinals
Unexpected surprise visitor from Phoenix brings cute and original passing offense not seen before in Arizona.




-Anchorman's Ron Burgundy
The best ever before stumbling on a broadcast, insulting the city around him. Later rebounds to cover the panda story.

-Philadelphia Eagles
Started strong while looking like Super Bowl contenders but midseason swoon almost caused them to miss playoffs, but they made it.

Chargers, Cardinals Prove Playoff Structure Is Right

Okay, so the 11-5 New England Patriots got left out. Go cry me a river.

Okay, so the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals made the playoffs. Congratulations to them.

Okay, so the 8-8 San Diego Chargers advanced to the postseason. They took care of business.

And while many have been clammoring for a different playoff format, even proposing to combine the conferences for the playoffs. But like any other playoff talk (college football and baseball), this argument holds no water.

By virtue of the "mediocre" Cards and Bolts wins on Saturday, they defied the critics and proved the the playoff structure is fine. They took down the mighty darling Falcons and red hot MVP-led Colts, respectively.

And while the AFC East is obviously tougher than both the AFC and NFC West, its not Arizona's and San Diego's fault that the NFL divided the regions and divisions that way. They took care of business to secure spots in the playoffs.

The Cardinals clinched in midseason, the first team to clinch actually, and subsequently took the rest of the season off.

The Chargers on the other hand finished furiously after a slow start and with help from the Broncos, made the playoffs.

And nothing is wrong with any of this.

Why? Because if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

And it ain't broke.

How Good Are Mid-Majors?

I'm not talking about Villanova or George Mason or Davidson. I'm not talking about the Missouri Valley Conference or the Colonial Athletic Conference.

But I am talking about Utah and Boise State and Hawaii. I am talking about the Mountain West and the WAC. And, yes, I am talking about mid-majors.

Mid-majors, by name are only half a major, and thus only half a good, right? Right? Wrong.

Just ask Alabama or Oklahoma or even Michigan. And Nick Saban, Bob Stoops and Lloyd Carr will tell you that these litte "Davids" are Goliaths.

Many viewed these small little schools as just another win on the schedule, a mere bump in the road rather than a ten-car pile-up. But as Utah has proved, that is wrong.

Utah absolutely manhandled and outplayed and outphysicaled Alabama, known for their toughness and physical play. They never trailed in an easy Sugar Bowl win over the vividly and obviously overmatched SEC team. Alabama never could get on track while the Utes' constant rush pressured John Parker Wilson into sacks and bad throws. So maybe not all the speed is in the SEC.

And while Utah and Boise State are nice stories, lets still remember Hawaii. Hawaii's Sugar Bowl flop last year against the SEC's Georgia still reminds us not all schools are created equal.

Even darling TCU, who defeated this year's undefeated Boise State, got blown out by powerhouse Oklahoma. So even if these mid-majors are a nice story, they still aren't in the top tier of the college football.

Because that tier is reserved for the Big East, Big Ten and ACC.

Should USC Win The National Title?

"I don't think anybody can beat the Trojans. I think we can beat anyone we play," declared USC head coach Pete Carroll.

And who's to say he's wrong?

After dismantling Big Ten champion Penn State in the Rose Bowl, the Trojans look as impressive as ever. The USC defense, the best in the nation, held the Spread HD of Penn State to only 7 points inthe first half while virtually eliminating playmaker Derrick Williams. The Trojan offense was nearly unstoppable, led by Mark Sanchez's 4 touchdowns and Damian Williams' stellar receiving game, racking up 474 total yards of offense.

If anyone questioned the Trojans, all doubt should be gone now. But a new question should be raised: Do the Trojans deserve the #1 spot?

The big knock on USC throughout the season was that the Pac-10 was having a down year and wasn't as strong as power conferences SEC and Big 12. But in the bowl season, the Pac-10 went 5-0, with wins over the media darling Mountain West and the high-powered Big 12.

Now with the conference's perceived weakness debunked, shouldn't USC receive more credit for their conference wins? USC's 34-point win over Oregon is the shining moment in USC's season (other than their 32-point win over Ohio State).

The Trojans lone blemish was their road loss to Oregon State on an electric Thursday night in Corvallis. An early season road Thursday night conference game against a hungry team is far better than a home loss to Ole Miss (Florida).

I still believe that Oklahoma is the best team in the nation and if they win the BCS Championship game on Thursday, they should be #1. And if they don't, USC should be.

And if you disagree, ask Pete Carroll.

10 Bold Predictions for 2009

With the new year comes new faces, games and championships. This is what I expect from 2009.

· The BCS will cause controversy.

· Brett Favre will retire, I think.

· The New York Giants will win their second consecutive Super Bowl title.

· The Yankees big payroll will get them in the playoffs, but will not win the championship.

· The Spread offense will produce another Heisman winner.

· Chris Paul and Deron Williams will cement their spot among the elite with LeBron, Kobe and D-Wade.

· A game-winning shot will not be needed in the NCAA Basketball title game because North Carolina will be in it.

· Mixed Martial Arts will replace hockey and NASCAR in the "Big Four" of sports.

· John Daly will never win another PGA Tour event.

· Sean Avery will find another team, until he comments on his teammates fashion style.

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Note: I took off the entire month of December because of more pressing issues. Thanks.