I want to point out a few glaring errors with the current ranking system:

1.  LSU is ranked #7 behind Virginia Tech.  Both have two losses.  I'd imagine if they played each other, LSU would beat the crap out of Virginia Tech.  Unfortunately, there is no way to prove this.  Oh, wait...

2.  Kansas is ranked 5th, despite the fact that they have yet to beat a winning team.  Oh wait, they beat Texas A&M, who are 7-5.  That's justification.

3.  Ohio State and Georgia are done, and will probably benefit from Missouri playingOklahoma.  Ohio State could back their way in to the National title game.

4.  Hawaii is undefeated, yet they are ranked 12th.  I know that they play in the horrible WAC, but if you are going to put the one loss Kansas at number 5, then Hawaii has to crack the top 10.  They are behind six teams with two losses, and one team with three losses.  What is better?  Going undefeated against a bad schedule, or going 9-3 against a good schedule?

5.  If you answered "going 9-3 against a good schedule" in the previous question, then how do you justify Oklahoma being ranked way behind Missouri and Kansas.  Oklahoma plays in the good half of the Big 12.  Missouri lost to Oklahoma, and once again, Kansas hasn't won against a good team.  If you're going to tell Hawaii that their 12-0 isn't as impressive as Florida's 9-3, then how can you tell Oklahoma that their 2 losses against a tougher schedule doesn't compare with the one loss records of Kansas, and the team they beat earlier in the season, Missouri?

The National title game is currently Missouri @ West Virginia.  We are fine at the moment calling Missouri the number one team, even though they lost to Oklahoma.  If Oklahoma wins again this weekend?  Suddenly Ohio State is put in the National title game, while Oklahoma probably remains below Kansas and Missouri.

The biggest problem I have with the current rankings is that we are rewarding teams with soft schedules, while punishing teams who actually played tough opponents.  When you look closer (Hawaii), we aren't even following that rule in all circumstances.  Ohio State and Kansas played crap schedules, yet they are ranked above the following teams:

Virginia Tech (lost to the #7 and 11 teams)

LSU (Easily the best team in the country.  No reasonable Ohio State or Kansas fan can tell me they would rather play LSU than West Virginia or Missouri.)

Oklahoma (Beat the #1 team)

Georgia and Tennessee (Both went through a tough SEC schedule and came out with two losses.)

That brings me to my final thought.  What if, by some odd chance, Missouri AND West Virginia lose this weekend?  You have Tennessee playing LSU for the SEC championship, while Ohio State and Georgia move on to the National title game.  How can you justify Georgia going to a National title game when they didn't even win their own conference?  The only difference between Georgia and Tennessee/LSU is that Georgia lost their last game on October 6th.  LSU and Tennessee have lost since then, and in this "What have you done for me lately" system, that makes them the better team.

Just a pre-statement to Ohio State fans:  I have a problem with your team because they don't deserve to make it to the National title game.  While LSU and Georgia were playing teams like Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas, you were playing dog crap teams like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin.  The fact that Michigan finished number two in the Big 10 speaks volumes.  The fact that you guys only beat Michigan by 11, while a good team like Oregon thrashed them by 32 says a lot about the strength of your team compared to the strength of teams in good conferences.  I just can't justify a National title contender that is an 11-1 team, plays in the 5th best conference, and has wins over the powerhouses of Akron, Washington, and Youngstown State.  If you play good teams next year then I will be all for you.  You just can't tell me that you've earned it this year.

Now, on to the picks...

Florida Atlantic +15
Missouri +3
Florida Intl +2.5
Miami Ohio +3.5
Boston College +4.5

The Risky Plays

UCLA +20
New Mexico State +13
Arizona +6.5
Tulsa +7
Rutgers +2.5
Nevada -7.5

Good luck to all this week!