Big Ten Expansion? Yes Please!

So the Big Ten is thinking about expanding to 12 teams. Hmm, seems like I've heard this before. Remember back in 1999 when they went after Notre Dame only to be shunned by the selfish Irish? Yeah, they were the perfect fit but instead of being part of a group, the Irish decided to stay independent and keep all their money to themselves. Typical Catholics huh? (Just kidding, I promise).

So today came the news from the Big Ten itself that they want to expand. Within the next 12-18 months, the conference will be looking for universities that fit into the Big Ten profile. This is great news because adding a 12th team will allow the Big Ten to create two divisions in football and hold a Big Ten championship game. That then would keep football in the national spotlight like the other conferences who play into the month of December. As far as basketball, it would knock down the amount of conference games from 18 to 16, allowing for 2 more non-conference matchups. And that doesn't matter whether they break into divisions like the SEC or not like the Big 12 and ACC.

Of course, along with the athletic benefits, the Big Ten is looking at the academic benefits. The conference wants to add an institution that excels in academia. In fact, the Big Ten is the only conference in which every member is also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), which is an association of the 62 leading research universities in the U.S. and Canada. So if the Big Ten is going to add a 12th member, you can bet they want to add an institution that is not only going to be competitive in the athletic spectrum, but also part of the AAU.

While I applaud their decision to consider adding a 12th member, I don't feel like waiting 12-18 months for the conference to make recommendations. So in order to hopefully speed up the process, I've made a list of 12 schools that I think could be the 12th member. Hopefully, the Big Ten will see my list and get right to work to convincing one of them to become a member of the best conference in America.

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (because if the Big Ten actually sees this, I wanna be "unbiased")

Cincinnati - Regionally, adding Cincy would make sense. In the major sports such as football and basketball, they have been competitive as of late and would be welcome additions. They only offer 18 sports, which is less than any other Big Ten school. The area where they really don't stack up would be academically. Getting them to leave the Big East would be tough considering they have a 1 in 8 chance of making a BCS bowl in football and in basketball, they play in what is turning into the best conference in the sport. They don't have a real rival right now playing in the Big East so starting a OSU/Cincy regional rivalry could be good for both schools and ultimately, the Big Ten.

Kentucky - Adding UK would give the Big Ten their first team in the state of Kentucky but at the same time, it makes sense regionally as well. The Wildcats are making strides with their football program while their basketball program is one of the most prestigious in the nation. The Wildcats don't have any real rivals in either major sport so leaving the SEC wouldn't mean the loss of a rival. It would mean leaving the country's most revered football conference though and a basketball conference they're used to dominating. Academically, the school doesn't quite match up but is close enough to not cause an uproar among the conference elite.

Louisville - Regionally, the Cardinals make sense even though it would be adding a new state. When it comes to football, the school would have to make some headway under new head coach Charlie Strong to compete in the Big Ten. But in all honestly, having a young, black football coach in the Big Ten could be a good draw for the conference. Then, add Rick Pitino and the Louisville basketball program and the school really makes the Big Ten better in basketball. They do only have 18 athletic programs but since the year 2001, their merchandise has tripled, putting them 32nd in the nation, so the potential is there. Academically, it doesn't stack up exactly but the pros in the athletics may outweigh the cons of the academics.

Missouri - Not only would Missouri mean a new state, but the school is bit further than maybe the Big Ten wants to expand. But if they do bring the Tigers in, they'd bring with them a rivalry already with Illinois. Mizzou would bring 20 sports, which is more than Northwestern. They also have been competitive in both football and basketball in recent years. Leaving the Big 12 means losing a rivalry with Kansas (border war) but again, they have a long-standing one with Illinois. Having just 2 national titles overall though is unimpressive. Academically, the school fits the Big Ten profile. They are a part of the AAU and also known as one of the best schools in various programs, such as journalism.

Nebraska - You might be surprised to see the Huskers on this list. They have such a long tradition in the Big 12 but it's just as long as Missouri. The Huskers clearly have a football program that would bring more credibility to the Big Ten. Their basketball program though really wouldn't add much. Plus, regionally, the school doesn't fit much, especially since they don't even border any states that currently house a Big Ten team. But having a football program with the prestige of Nebraska is enough to make the Big Ten elite salivate. They have 21 sports, which works out great just like their 23 national championships. Plus, they would compete in sports like wrestling and volleyball that are sports the Big Ten excels in currently. Academically, they are also part of the AAU so the Big Ten has to smile about that.

Notre Dame - Yes, the Irish are on this list. It's a longshot but again, they are a great fit. Regionally, they make sense. In football, they don't have to leave a conference. They just join one. Not only that, but they already play 3 Big Ten teams already so they can keep those games on the schedule. The basketball team has been competitive and would fit fine into the Big Ten landscape. With 23 sports and 14 national championships, the Irish easily fit the Big Ten athletic profile. Academically, the standards at Notre Dame may be the most selective of any Big Ten institution. Surprisingly, they are not a part of the AAU but I don't think the Big Ten would balk at ND because of that. It'll be hard to convince the school to leave its fat TV contracts and Big East affiliation in other sports but if the Big Ten can get Regis Philbin on its side, they may have a chance of getting them to come to the dark side.

Ohio - This is a longshot among the group of 12. OU makes sense regionally, seeing that it is just 90 minutes from Ohio State. It also boasts an enrollment of around 20,000, which is double the size of Northwestern. Its football program has made strides under Frank Solich and competed well against Big Ten teams in the past 4 years (OSU, NW). The basketball program looked to be on the upswing with John Groce as head coach too. The volleyball program also would be able to compete in the Big Ten. OU does only have 16 sports though and no national titles to its credit. Academically, it doesn't exactly fit the profile of most other Big Ten institutions. It is not an AAU school and is known more for its "play" than its "work". An offer to go to the Big Ten would be great for the school, even if that meant taking lumps for 5-10 years. Plus, with 13 members in the MAC in football, the MAC can afford to lose one.

Pittsburgh - Clearly, Pitt makes sense when you think regionally. It's right on I-70 and would be easy travel for everyone. Also, expanding to a large market would be a positive for the Big Ten. The Panthers would be great for both football and basketball, especially with their play as of late. Beyond those two sports though, the wrestling and track and field teams would also make immediate impacts. They do only have 17 varsity teams but the 11 national championships are noteworthy. Academically, they fit right in as an AAU school and an enrollment that compares favorably to other Big Ten schools. Having Pitt leave for the Big Ten would mean the loss of rivalries to West Virginia and Cincinnati but it would renew a football rivalry with Penn State that spanned from 1905 to 2000.

Rutgers - This one might also surprise people but it does make sense. Rutgers has done a lot lately to upgrade its athletic programs and are seeing that benefit on the playing field. The school has 27 athletic programs, which would put it near the top of the Big Ten. It also isn't too far from Penn State, which means its not too far regionally. The football team has improved greatly under Greg Schiano. The men's basketball team is struggling but the women's basketball team is one of the best in the nation. Academically, Rutgers is the state university of New Jersey and known for many of its programs. It also is an AAU member and its enrollment is around the median of the Big Ten schools. The school doesn't have a real rival, especially since they are still fairly new to Division I so leaving the Big East wouldn't hurt them in any way.

Syracuse - Of the 12 schools listed, this would be the furthest away regionally. The 'Cuse is currently in the Big East but probably wouldn't have a problem moving to the Big Ten. The school has 25 national championships, with 10 of the last 11 all coming in lacrosse. The school has 20 varsity sports, which works great for the conference. The football team hasn't been good in years but the basketball team would come in immediately and be a force. Academically, SU is right up there with the rest of the Big Ten as an AAU member and as far as enrollment numbers. Despite their long history, the Orange don't really have a rival so leaving for the Big Ten wouldn't ruin anything really.

Temple - It's the second MAC school on the list and just like Ohio, leaving the 13-team MAC in football would be no big deal. As for basketball, leaving the A-10 will leave them with A-9 but I doubt Temple would balk at the idea of moving into a bigger and more recognized conference. The football team improved this past season under Al Golden but how long that success stays is unknown. The basketball team has always been competitive and could see some success in the Big Ten. They have 21 varsity sports so they'd contribute to the Big Ten in more than those sports. The team has basketball rivals all in the city of Philadelphia that can stay even with a conference move so that's not a problem. Academically, Temple doesn't exactly match up with the rest. They are not an AAU school and aren't known for many programs. But being able to branch out to a city like Philadelphia would be great for the Big Ten.

West Virginia - If the Big Ten were looking to expand into a new state, West Virginia would have to be one of them. As the state university, it resembles many of the current Big Ten schools. In terms of football and basketball, both sports would come in and compete immediately. Plus, having a coach like Bob Huggins join the big name basketball coaches in the conference already would be a plus. They have just 17 varsity sports but being able to be a player in the two major sports and women's basketball too may be too much to pass up. Academically, the school isn't in the AAU and doesn't compare well with other Big Ten schools. If the Big Ten decided to ask WV to join, the school would have a tough choice deciding whether to stay in the Big East or not.

Besides the 12 I listed, the 4 that missed the cut on my list included Iowa State, Virginia and Vanderbilt, which are all AAU schools but just didn't fit the regional or athletic profile. The other school was Marshall which fit the regional profile but really nothing else. So who will the Big Ten recommend as their 12th member? Guess we'll find out in 12-18 months.

2009 College Football - Week 14 (Championship Week)

It's Championship Week in college football and for the second time in 4 years, I have a team involved. Since that can never be the Ohio State Buckeyes, I'm clearly talking about my Ohio Bobcats, who are a win away from something no one saw coming. But I'll get to that game last. This week is full of great games, including de facto championship games, just thanks to the way things worked out. And with BCS and National Championship berths on the line, this has probably been a nervous week for a lot of players, coaches and fans (including myself).

As far as my record for picking games, it has moved to 128-67. That is thanks to a 12-3 record in Week 12 and then a 10-5 record in Week 13 (too many upsets). Quick note: because there are only 17 games on the schedule, I'm going to with the best 10 games instead of 15 so I'm not picking games that I don't care about such as Florida Atlantic vs. Florida International.

TOP 10 GAMES

GAME OF THE WEEK

1. #1 Florida vs. #2 Alabama (SEC Championship in Atlanta, GA) - Until we get a playoff system in college football, having a "national semifinal" like this is the next best thing. Last year, it was the same thing and it was Florida who came out on top. But these are two different teams this year. The Gators still have Tim Tebow though, who despite a concussion, hasn't skipped a beat and finds himself in Heisman contention once again. The Gator defense is top ranked as well, making good offenses look silly many times. Meanwhile, the Bama defense is nothing to laugh at. Nick Saban's defense is also in the top 10 and knows when to buckle down. The offense though is weak. Mark Ingram is a great back but as he goes, so goes that offense many times. These teams are so evenly matched in so many ways, except at QB. And as much as the media gushes over Tebow, you can't help but think he'll be the difference maker in this game. I'm expecting a close game but in the end, I'm going with FLORIDA.

BEST OF THE REST

2. #3 Texas vs. #22 Nebraska (Big 12 Championship in Arlington, TX) - Seems fitting that maybe the biggest game is played in the biggest stadium. What makes this game huge is that if Texas loses, it opens the door to mayhem. Teams like TCU, Cincy and the SEC title game loser all the sudden could sneak into the title game. But again, that's IF the Longhorns lose. Lately, the team has been amazing, especially on offense. After scoring just 16 pts against Oklahoma, the team has scored 35 or more points in its last 6 games. Much of that thanks to Colt McCoy, who may just be one good game away from winning the Heisman Trophy. Meanwhile, Nebraska has been up and down all season, as seen by the way they had to scratch and claw their way to the Big 12 North title. The Huskers have won their last 5 in a row though and own one of the better defenses in the land. But it's their offense that will need to step it up because odds are, their average of 25.6 pts per game won't be enough. It's practically a home game for the 'Horns so expect the place to be rocking from the kickoff to the final horn. TEXAS wins and punches their ticket to Pasadena for the title game.

3. #5 Cincinnati @ #15 Pittsburgh ("Big East Championship Game") - The Bearcats haven't gotten any respect this season, despite doing nothing wrong. They beat Oregon State in Corvallis. They lost their starting quarterback to injury for 4 games but didn't skip a beat with their backup. They've had to endure rumors about their head coach leaving for Notre Dame. Oh, and they still play second fiddle to another school in their state. But Cincy could change all that with a win this weekend. A win at Pitt not only gives them the Big East championship and a BCS berth, but a chance to go undefeated with a win in the bowl game. And until we get a playoff system, going undefeated is all a team can do. As for Pitt, it's about playing spoiler. West Virginia knocked out some of the luster from this game when they beat the Panthers but Pitt can still reach ten wins and a BCS game with a win. Should be a fun game to watch with the likes of Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard for Cincy and Bil Stull and Dion Lewis for Pitt. Cincy has overcome every obstacle so far but this is their biggest yet. So in my APPY of the week, I'll take PITTSBURGH. But let it be known, I'm rooting for Cincy.

4. #16 Oregon State @ #7 Oregon ("Pac-10 Championship Game") - There's a long history in this rivalry, better known as the "Civil War". But instead of going into all of that, let's just look at the past two years. In 2007, it was Oregon State who upset the Ducks in Eugene 38-31 in double OT. But then last year with the Rose Bowl on the line for the Beavers, Oregon went into Corvallis and thumped the home team 65-38. So needless to say, this game is not predictable, like any good rivalry. ORST has plenty of weapons but none better than RB Jacquizz Rodgers, who missed last year's battle due to injury. Meanwhile, Oregon is led by QB Jeremiah Masoli who has recovered from an injury of his own from earlier in the season. If he can replicate his stats from last year (274 pass yds, 3 TD), the Ducks will be just fine. Oregon hasn't been to Pasadena since 1994. Oregon State's waited even longer, since 1964. With such an awful Thursday night NFL matchup, can't ask for a better matchup in the college ranks. It's a toss-up for me. I'm picking OREGON to win and take on Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

5. #10 Georgia Tech @ Clemson (ACC Championship in Tampa, FL) - Thanks to both team's losses last week to their in-state rivals, this game isn't as big as it would;ve been. But with a BCS berth on the line, it's big enough for these teams. It's a rematch of a great Thursday night game back in September. In that game, GT led 24-0 just 20 minutes into the game. But the Tigers came clawing back, scoring 27 unanswered before Tech scored the last 6 pts to win 30-27. Since that game was so early in the season, it's hard to know how much stock to put into that game. Both teams have improved considerably since then. Tech's offense is strong as ever and even feature a decent pass attack, prone to big plays. Their defense, especially in the second half, has been stout too. As for Clemson, CJ Spiller has been wreaking havocs on defenses and special teams units. Plus, Kyle Parker has really found a go-to receiver in Jacoby Ford. Their defense showed some holes last week but expect them to shore them up. While I feel Clemson has the talent to win this game, Tech's attack is bound to give them fits and if Tech's defense bends and doesn't break, GEORGIA TECH will come away as ACC Champs.

6. Arizona @ #18 USC - No championship at stake here as both teams had blown their chances weeks before this matchup. Despite that though, this is a big game for the Wildcats, who would love to hand another loss to the Trojans and gain some confidence for 2010. With a win, Arizona would finish in a tie for second in the conference and snap a 7-game losing streak to USC. Meanwhile, the Trojans have already guaranteed themselves their lowest win total since a 6-6 season in 2001, which was also the last year they didn't win the conference title or make a BCS bowl. If the Trojans lose, they'll finish in 6th place in the Pac-10, which would've sounded crazy at the beginning of the year. But a USC win ties them for 2nd place, which is respectable. Arizona is a fiesty team and will no doubt give USC all it can handle. But I don't see the Trojans losing on senior day in the Coliseum. USC wins by double digits.

7. #21 Houston @ East Carolina (C-USA Championship Game in Greenville, NC) - The Cougars have had quite the season, much of thanks to darkhorse Heisman contender QB Case Keenum. His numbers are mind-boggling, throwing for 38 TD and 4,922 yards. He helped lead the team to wins over Oklahoma State and Texas Tech and a 73-14 rout of Rice last week. Earlier in the year, they were talked about as BCS Busters but two losses to inferior conference teams ended that talk. But a win over ECU would at least give them 11 wins and a chance to finish in the top 15 with a bowl victory. The Cougars have to face the Pirates on their turf though, which won't be easy. While Houston ranks first in just about every offensive category (except rushing), they're right near the bottom on defense. That leaves the door open for the Pirates, who don't light up the scoreboard but if they can keep the Cougars around 35 pts, they have a fighting chance. HOUSTON is my choice to win though.

8. New Mexico State @ #6 Boise State - At 3-9, New Mexico State should not even bother showing up to this game. It's on the blue turf too. Yikes. In case you were wondering, the spread for this game is 48. So why is this game in the Top 10? Simply because Boise is undefeated and upset do happen and this is the final chance Boise QB Kellen Moore has to impress Heisman voters. The sophomore QB has thrown for more than 3,000 yards, 38 TD and just 3 INT. Now, he has zero chance of winning but he does have a chance to get invited to New York. And with him being just a sophomore, being invited could go a long way to his chances of winning in 2010. Of course, a good BCS bowl game performance would help too. As far as this game, BOISE STATE clearly wins and I'll say by 55 points.

9. Wisconsin @ Hawaii - It's a good time to be a Wisconsin Badger. They pretty much get two bowl games with this regular season trip to Hawaii. At 8-3, the Badgers are probably heading to Florida in a few weeks and with it being December, it's probably a good time to be out of Madison. This game is big though for a few reasons. Wisconsin needs this win and a bowl game win to reach 10 wins, the mark of a great season, no matter the schedule. For Hawaii though, a win means a bowl game, probably in Hawaii. The Warriors are 6-6, so they must win. If they lose, it opens the door for teams like Idaho, Northern Illinois and Bowling Green who would fill the open slots. With so much at stake for the Warriors, expect quite the fight but WISCONSIN won't lose this game, I hope.

10. Ohio @ Central Michigan (MAC Championship in Detroit, MI) - In my mind, this is the game of the week but I'm biased. Three years ago when OU made this game, it was a shock. It was done by an overachieving team that somehow scrapped their way to a title game in what was a weak MAC East. But this year is different. While this team was predicted to be much worse, the silenced many doubters in the first 4 games, playing tough against UConn and Tennessee. Granted the OT win over North Texas wasn't stellar but it proved this team wouldn't quit, a trait they've shown all season. Now at 9-3, this team is full of confidence and are coming off the best game I've seen OU play in the 6 years I've been a fan. The health of QB Theo Scott and WR Lavon Brazill is crucial for the Bobcats chances. Scott is probably gonna go but Brazill is a longshot, which really hurts (49 rec, 670 yds, 6 TD this season). As for Central Michigan, what's to say but they just continue to play well. QB Dan LeFevour has put together a fine senior season, passing for 2,788 yards and 25 TD while also leading the team in rushing with 650 yds and 14 TD. Clearly, he's the man to stop or at least slow down. The Chippewas aren't bad defensively either, though they are coming off a game in which they gave up 31 points to NIU. Like OU, CMU has two quality losses in Arizona and BC but unlike OU, they went perfect in conference play and were never really tested by any conference opponent. The game is in Detroit so expect more CMU fans than OU but in a place as huge as Ford Field, I doubt that will matter. Back in 2006 when these same two teams player for the title, CMU won 31-10 in a game that saw OU play 3 QBs because of injuries. Hopefully, we only play one this time around. I honestly thought Temple would beat us last week and OU proved me wrong. Call me crazy but on the heels of that game in Athens, I'm going with OHIO to pull off the upset in the Motor City. Ohio 34, Central Michigan 31

NFL Week 12 Power Rankings

Blame the turkey, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato pie for my absence on the blog. I knew it was gonna happen and didn't warn a soul. Sorry about that. But I'm back and thanks to some plane rides, full of some great ideas for the 'ol blog. But before I start adding new stuff, I've got to continue with my weekly stalwarts, such as the NFL Power Rankings.


1. New Orleans (11-0) - After a few weeks of close games, the Saints proved they are the best in the NFL with their win over the Pats. The offense was nearly unstoppable and the defense confused and pestered Tom Brady from start to finish. 16-0 is a real possibility now. NEXT @ Washington

2. Minnesota (10-1) - I'll admit, I was one of those people who thought Brett Favre was an upgrade at QB for Minnesota but would just simply manage the offense. Instead, he's become more of an impact for the offense than Adrian Peterson thru 11 games. NEXT @ Arizona

3. Dallas (8-3) - The Cowboys weren't really tested by the Raiders on Turkey Day but they'll be tested the rest of the way. They play each of their division opponents, the Chargers and the unbeaten Saints. If they get thru that 3-2, they're in great shape come playoff time. NEXT @ NY Giants

4. Philadelphia (7-4) - The Eagles have won two in a row but neither win has been impressive. They needed a late rally to hold off the Redskins and the next 5 games are no cakewalk. The health of Brian Westbrook and home run threat Desean Jackson is critical. NEXT @ Atlanta

5. Green Bay (7-4) - Besides the top 2, this may be the hottest team in the NFC. Since their loss to TB, they've rattled off 3 wins in a row. Aaron Rodgers has been just sensational. If they keep this up, they will be playoff bound with no problem. NEXT vs. Baltimore (MON)

6. Arizona (7-4) - The Cardinals are no longer perfect on the road but they were just one play from that. The Cards played without Kurt Warner and nearly came away with the victory. They'll still win the West easily but it's the #3 seed they should strive for. NEXT vs. Minnesota

7. NY Giants (6-5) - They beat the Falcons and it looked like they were back to the team we saw the first 5 weeks. Instead, they reverted back to the team that lost 4 in a row. They still have the opportunity to win the division surprisingly though. NEXT vs. Dallas

8. Atlanta (6-5) - If they had to struggle to beat the Bucs at home, just wait until they play Philly and New Orleans the next two weeks in the Dome. Injuries are becoming a problem too for the playoff hopefuls. Ryan has already been ruled out and no word yet on Turner. NEXT vs. Philadelphia

9. San Francisco (5-6) - Quality win over the Jags who are in the middle of a playoff race. The Niners are technically still in the race as well, thanks to the solid play of Alex Smith. Like Vince Young, he looks a lot better after watching from the sidelines for awhile. NEXT @ Seattle

10. Seattle (4-7) - Through 11 games, Seahawks fans cannot be happy with the record. But they can be happy about the play of backup runningback Justin Forsett. After mustering up just 9 rush yds against MIN, he rushed for 130 yds and 2 TD against St. Louis. NEXT vs. San Francisco

11. Washington (3-8) - This team is playing a lot better than 3-8 lately. They beat Denver and then came up just short of wins against Dallas and Philly. That's still 6 losses in 7 games though so the 5-game countdown is on for Jim Zorn and his coaching staff. NEXT vs. New Orleans

12. Chicago (4-7) - 4 losses in a row and 6 losses in the past 7 games. Things aren't looking good for the Bears and probably Lovie Smith. The defense is no longer the "Monsters of the Midway" and Jay Cutler is having Bears fans wish for Rex Grossman again. NEXT vs. St. Louis

13. Carolina (4-7) - Right when it looked like Jake Delhomme had solved his INT problem, he throws 4 of them against the Jets. Now with the playoffs pretty much out of the picture, maybe this team should tank to get a better draft pick to get a franchise QB. NEXT vs. Tampa Bay

14. Tampa Bay (1-10) - This team sure fights hard despite having just one win. While the defense is nothing like it used to be in years past, Josh Freeman is slowly giving this offense some life. They're on the right track but they still have a long way to go. NEXT @ Carolina

15. Detroit (2-9) - The week after a dramatic victory over the Browns, the Lions could not have looked worse. And even worse, it was on national television. This team may have 2 wins but it's really tough tot ell if they are actually better than last year's winless team. NEXT @ Cincinnati

16. St. Louis (1-10) - Take away Steven Jackson and I'm pretty sure there's just nothing to build on with this team. They don't have a quarterback. They have inexperienced wide receivers. The line on both sides is struggling and the defensive backs aren't good either. NEXT @ Chicago.


1. Indianapolis (11-0) - The Texans were up 17-0. Yet, Peyton and the Colts didn't worry one bit. The Colts buckled down on defense while the offense scored enough to win their 11th game in a row. They've already clinched the division. Clinching home field will be coming soon. NEXT vs. Tennessee

2. San Diego (8-3) - They've won 6 in a row and are showing no signs of slowing down. Philip Rivers has been solid and LaDainlan Tomlinson has almost been reborn at runningback. Their game against Cincy in Week 15 may determine the #2 seed. NEXT @ Cleveland

3. Cincinnati (8-3) - Their win over the Browns wasn't anything amazing. Carson Palmer only threw for 110 yds and the run game still misses Cedric Benson. But the defense continues to be the bright spot of this team and the reason for their 8-3 record. NEXT vs. Detroit

4. New England (7-4) - Yet another game against a great team and yet another loss. For as good as the Patriots are, their defense just doesn't show up in the biggest games. They have 5 games to remedy the problem before the playoffs where they'll be called upon. NEXT @ Miami

5. Denver (7-4) - The Broncos defense made quite the statement on Thanksgiving night, shutting down the Giants offense. Plus a healthy Kyle Orton and Brandon Marshall had quite the performance too. In great position to make the playoffs as a wild card. NEXT @ Kansas City

6. Pittsburgh (6-5) - They may have lost to Baltimore but considering they were playing a backup QB on the road against a desperate Ravens squad, losing in OT wasn't that bad. Getting Ben back though is huge as they can't afford to lose more than 2 games. NEXT vs. Oakland

7. Baltimore (6-5) - Joe Flacco didn't have his best game ever. In fact, hasn't played well in the past 5 games or so. But the Ravens defense did enough to disrupt the Steelers and eventually win it for the team. Huge Monday nighter this week for playoff hopes. NEXT @ Green Bay (MON)

8. Tennessee (5-6) - Look out NFL. The Titans are coming. Before last week, Chris Johnson was carrying the Titans to every win. But against the Cards, it was the Vince Young show. He's becoming an NFL QB and with a strong finish, may lead them to the playoffs. NEXT @ Indianapolis

9. Houston (5-6) - They are clearly better than 5-6. They just have too many close losses that should have been wins, including the past loss to the Colts. The team simply fell apart late. Now, they face a true uphill climb if they want to make the playoffs for the first time. NEXT @ Jacksonville

10. Jacksonville (6-5) - They are probably the worst 6-5 team ever in the NFL. There is nothing flashy about them and they are incredibly too inconsistent. They had a chance to take charge of their destiny but instead, laid an egg in San Fran, scoring just 3 points. NEXT vs. Houston

11. Miami (5-6) - Their playoff hopes took a huge hit with the loss to Buffalo. At 5-6, it'll be really tough. They just aren't the same team without Ronnie Brown as a weapon in the wildcat and the run game in general. Could play way back into discussion with win this week. NEXT vs. New England

12. NY Jets (5-6) - It wasn't good-looking at all but a win is a win for the Jets. Mark Sanchez still has a long way to go before he can really be counted on. The fact that he needs a color-coded guide just to know when to protect the ball should be a scary sign for Jets fans. NEXT @ Buffalo (THURS)

13. Buffalo (4-7) - They put up a very nice performance against the Dolphins. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a great day, throwing for 246 yds, with 96 going to Terrell Owens. The defense has played well since the Jauron firing too, giving up just 32 pts in 2 games. NEXT vs. NY Jets (THURS)

14. Kansas City (3-8) - After taking down the Steelers, the Chiefs were awful against the Chargers, giving up 43 points to SD. Further proof that the defense is what the Chiefs need to worry about before they start worrying about getting pieces to build around Matt Cassel. NEXT vs. Denver

15. Oakland (3-8) - Still a shame all of America was stuck watching the team on Turkey Day. Bruce Gradkowski has been a step up from Jamarcus Russell but by no means is it going to get them to the playoffs. Just too many holes on this team for them right now. NEXT @ Pittsburgh

16. Cleveland (1-10) - They have just one win. Shaun Rogers, Brodney Pool and Jamal Lewis are out for the year. Not many positives these days for the Browns except this. Brady Quinn has been turnover-free for two games in a row. Hey, that's good news for this team. NEXT vs. San Diego