Dave Martin / AP

Running back Mark Ingram and the Crimson Tide might be ranked No. 2 in the polls, but Joey Johnston says they've been the best team so far this season.

Q: If Alabama and Florida run the table and meet in the SEC title game, would you have a problem with a rematch in the BCS Championship Game if the showdown in Atlanta isn’t a blowout?
— Evan from Palm Beach, Fla.
A: I’m not a big fan of the rematch, Evan. The winning coach would not be, either. And that rematch scenario assumes all the other unbeaten teams get knocked off.

If Boise State is unbeaten, for example, and all the other contenders have lost? Well, let’s put the Broncos in the big game. You can argue that Boise State isn’t one of the best two teams in the country. But we have that argument practically EVERY season.

The BCS sometimes isn’t fair and all of college football’s problems are not solved by that system. It’s the system in place, though. We don’t have a playoff now and we may not have one later.

Lose and you should get knocked down a few pegs, not kept high in the polls by voters who feel a rematch is the best way to go.

Q: Break up the Vandals! How on earth is Idaho 5-1 this season?
— Mick from Memphis, Tenn.
A: Three things, Mick, and they are three things that aren’t all that unusual:

Idaho coach Robb Akey has been patient. The Vandals went 3-21 in Akey’s first two seasons.

• The coach didn’t panic. He stuck with the plan, hoping things would turn around and his seeds would take root. They have.
• The defense is much improved. Last season, the Vandals allowed at least 40 points nine times and ranked 117th nationally in scoring defense (42.3 points per game). There’s still work to be done, but the defense is at least giving Idaho an opportunity to compete.
• There’s some experience in the lineup. Idaho took some lumps while playing mostly underclassmen. Now there’s a junior-senior presence and it shows.

It’s fun to see a previously downtrodden program enjoy some victories. Idaho recently a vote in The Associated Press poll for the first time since 1998 — and that was reason to throw a parade. Idaho has earned a little recognition after beating a decent team from the Mid-American Conference (Northern Illinois) and two more from the Mountain West (San Diego State and Colorado State).

Idaho has won back-to-back road games for the first time since 1999, which was also the last time the Vandals posted a winning season. It’s four straight wins for Idaho and Hawaii is next up at home on Saturday.

Boise State?

Now the Vandals, too?

Good for Idaho football.

Q: Is this the year Temple finally makes it back to a bowl game? Go Owls!
— Gary from Burbank, Calif.
A: I wouldn’t get too carried away with Temple’s 3-0 start in the Mid-American Conference, Gary. After all, the Owls have victories against three teams (Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Ball State) that have yet to win in the league.

The Nov. 27 regular-season finale — Temple at Ohio University — could decide the MAC East Division. Ohio is 4-2 (2-0 MAC).

But, hey, let’s salute Temple for its improvement. The Owls (3-2) won five games last season and should surpass that mark. The 37-13 smashing of defending league champion Buffalo was a big deal for an Owl program that has suffered plenty in the last decade or so. Freshman running back Bernard Pierce, who has three consecutive 100-yard rushing games, has been impressive.

Bowl game? I still think it’s an uphill battle for the Owls and there are a few other MAC teams ahead in the pecking order. Of course, if Temple can win its division and capture the league championship game, it’s a done deal.

For the record, Temple’s last postseason appearance was the 1979 Garden State Bowl at the Meadowlands, where the Owls defeated the California Golden Bears 28-17.

More news

AP

Slain UConn CB's family wants $5M

CFT: Stabbed to death following an altercation at a school-sponsored dance in October 2009, Jasper Howard‘s parents are seeking significant financial compensation for the parties they believe are at least partly responsible.

CFT: Ex-PSU prez wants to see Sandusky emails

  

Headlines

• Label

Sandusky charity to shut down, transfer programs

CFT: Tennessee TE booted following felony arrest

CFT: Potential Cal starter kicked off team

Friends, fans mourn loss of Stewart

CFT: Ohio St. 'not facing any major ... violations'

CFT: Pitt FB suffers stroke, career likely over

CFT: Notre Dame AD expects to be at playoff table

Judge refuses to delay Sandusky's trial