The PICK SIX "Stock Market": MIDSEASON REPORT
The Buyers and Sellers so far, in relation to National Preseason Consensus Predictions
BRETT CIANCIA
October 22nd, 2013
October 22nd, 2013
In the blink of an eye, we have reached the half-way point of the 2013 Season. In our August Previews, we explained the Pick Six Stock Market, designed to highlight which teams we were "Buying and Selling" in comparison to the other 18 preseason magazines, websites, and publications. Here, we analyze the teams that have exceeded the national preseason consensus predictions (Green) and those that have been doing some "Clemson-ing" this fall (Red).
NOTE: These are not our predictions or ratings, just how teams have performed in relation to the National average prediction.
The number means how many spots in the standings they have moved up or down in relation to the national average:
NOTE: These are not our predictions or ratings, just how teams have performed in relation to the National average prediction.
The number means how many spots in the standings they have moved up or down in relation to the national average:
Florida State proved Saturday night that they are still the class of the ACC and unseated preseason consensus Clemson as the #1 team in the Atlantic Division. The Bottom 5 of the Atlantic is very confusing but so far Boston College (preseason consensus last place) and Wake Forest have exceeded the nation's expectations. NC State has been a major disappointment; preseason consensus #3 in the Atlantic, the Wolfpack have looked pathetic [Luckily, we were preseason "sellers" and placed them 5th]
The BigTen Leaders Division is very straight-forward this year, with almost everyone placing Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Indiana, Purdue and Illinois 1 through 6, in that order. The only shift has been Illinois claiming the 5th spot and moving Purdue into last place (6th) in the Leaders. The Leaders Division is a little bit more wide-open, with crucial head-to-head games coming in November. Nebraska and Michigan State have the inside tracks, both with manageable schedule and a 2-0 record in the league, while Michigan has already dropped a game and has "Ohio" in the season finale.
No one, and I mean NO ONE, thought the final 2 undefeated teams in the Big12 would be Baylor and Texas Tech! Preseason consensus 5th and 7th (Baylor/TT), each has a huge PLUS rating at the midseason point. Decimated by injuries, the Horned Frogs of TCU have an ugly Negative 3 rating. The preseason consensus favorite Oklahoma State dropped a game to West Virginia and still has all its toughest matchups ahead, placing them in the RED.
The Pac-12 North has mostly stayed close to the Preseason consensus: Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington, Cal, WSU. The only shift so far is in the 5-6 spots with Cal clearly in the PAC-12 cellar. There will be several key games that could shift the 1-2 and 3-4 spots upcoming. In the South, Arizona State has impressed and looks like the Division's top team [Just 5 of the 19 preseason publications had the Sun Devils winning the division, including us]. USC was the preseason consensus to win the South ... (Google image: Fire Lane Kiffin).
We may be the biggest stockholder of Ole Miss football outside of Oxford, MS. We had Ole Miss ranked higher than anyone in the nation, and called for them to finish ahead of LSU AND Texas A&M (2nd West). Johnny Football led the Aggies to a last-second victory in Oxford, or else our Rebels would have completed the LSU-aTm sweep. The big story here is the rise of Missouri - from 5th/6th in the East to a near lock to win it. While we didn't see a division title coming, we did have them ranked higher than any of the other preseason publications. The injury bug hit Gainesville and Athens in what Chris Fowler described as the "World's Greatest Outdoor Rehab Facility." The SEC West will shake out soon, but for now, Auburn has exceeded everyone's expectations even the WDE crazies on Toomer's Corner.
RELATED LINKS:
Preseason Pick Six Stock Market - Our picks in relation to Preseason Consensus
Bowl Projections (Coming Oct. 29th)
Preseason Pick Six Stock Market - Our picks in relation to Preseason Consensus
Bowl Projections (Coming Oct. 29th)