He leaves fans wondering which way is up
COLLEGE FOOTBALL MAILBAG
L.A. Times college football expert Chris Dufresne takes time out (he gets two per half) each Friday during the season to answer your questions on college football.
Question: As to the latest Top 25 rankings, which I know in some respects is meant to be humorous, in ranking Utah ahead of USC I ask this: do you really think Utah is a better team than USC and could beat them?
Really?
I would be surprised if Utah could reach midfield once in a game between the two. USC would probably be favored by 25 or more, and might even cover!! Keep up the great writing, but Rankman seems confused, very confused.
Marc H. Corman
Answer: I thought long and hard about this . . . probably, oh, 43 seconds.
I'll turn that around on you: Why shouldn't Utah be ranked ahead of USC?
Utah never once trailed Oregon State, 21-0, as USC did before losing.
In fact, Utah defeated Oregon State.
Utah is 10-0 to USC's 8-1.
The Mountain West Conference this year has dominated the Pacific 10, the league USC calls home.
Texas Christian, which lost to Utah, 13-10, last week, defeated Stanford this year, 31-14.
Stanford, last year, beat USC.
So, tell me, why can't Utah be ranked ahead of USC?
New Mexico, which is 4-7, upset Arizona, 36-28, earlier this season.
USC scuffed out a 17-10 win against those same Arizona Wildcats.
The problem is we get so caught up in labels like BCS team and non-BCS team.
Utah is a good team, so I don't care if it plays in the COB (Conference of Bishops).
Last year, remember, the Utes hammered No. 11 UCLA, 44-6, in Salt Lake City.
I'm starting to have doubts about the Trojans.
I see a great, great defense masking the problems of an increasingly sputtering offense.
I see a team that ranks 114th nationally in penalties, averaging 8.56 a game.
USC ranks No. 1 in total defense, yes.
And TCU (Mountain West) is No. 2, and Utah (Mountain West) is No. 11.
Rankman gets confused when he has to choose between a cookie and a brownie, but not when he has to choose between USC and Utah.
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Q: I can't help but laugh every time you pick your Top 25. PLEASE explain the reasoning behind your picks. If you are picking teams based on who you think is better on the field and not on paper, then you really think Utah would beat USC?
Eddie
A: The reasoning behind my picks is that I don't have to pick Alabama No. 1 just because everyone else is.
