tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7303724652730795311.post4743025912516332101..comments2008-10-04T08:30:37.751-04:00Beauford Bixelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676430855722155764noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7303724652730795311.post-27656415518558645842008-10-04T08:30:00.000-04:002008-10-04T08:30:00.000-04:00Yeah, I wrote over on LTP that I didn't really know what to do with Duke/Navy. I've got a hunch based on what I saw from the Navy vs. Wake game that Navy is a better team than the one who lost to Duke.<BR/><BR/>I also think that Duke is still Duke - just with a new paint job. I'll be happy to eat crow if they end up with a great record at the end of the season, but I really doubt they're going bowling this year. The SOS section was always going to be dicey - the fact remains that neither team has a marquee win under their belt. I also don't think that the SOS has any statistical bearing on the offensive and defensive outputs of Northwestern. In other words, I don't think you can blame NU's offensive woes on playing awesome defenses - the offense just isn't very good. I hope they get better.Beauford Bixelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676430855722155764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7303724652730795311.post-57894154144953189922008-10-04T01:42:00.000-04:002008-10-04T01:42:00.000-04:00I have to disagree strongly with mike @ zn's comment. Looking at this week's schedule, expect a fair number of "fringe" teams to win, jumping over Northwestern in the process. Face it--they'll need a convincing win against MSU to be ranked. And if they can do that--they won't be the worst undefeated team. Unless UConn and Ball State have both lost by then.Sasserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03250321109123003782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7303724652730795311.post-14008299879423008072008-10-03T20:29:00.000-04:002008-10-03T20:29:00.000-04:00Your assessment of SOS could not be more off.<BR/>You suggest that Navy might be better than Duke? Duke beat Navy by 10!!!<BR/>And Iowa "might" be better than Indiana? Iowa's only other loss was to a Pitt team that just took down USF and has beaten Iowa St. Indy has beaten Western Kentucky (where?) and Murray State (who?). That debate isn't close.<BR/>If you want an objective metric, look at RPI at www.realtimerpi.com<BR/>Northwestern is rated 23 and ball St is rated 33. In terms of SOS, NU is rated 61 and Ball St is at 121.<BR/><BR/>You can say that NU isn't as good as the average 5-0 team, but to insinuate that it has done less on the field than Ball St just isn't true.Go 'Catsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7303724652730795311.post-58227944703964976812008-10-03T13:01:00.000-04:002008-10-03T13:01:00.000-04:00Northwestern will gain a lot of ground this week. Not playing right now is the best way to move up in the polls. NW just needs one or two lower-to-25 teams to lose. Then the cats are in.Mike @ ZNhttp://www.zombienationpsu.comnoreply@blogger.com