2007 NCAA Football Discussion

[bdunn13]

"Georgia's entire OOC slate of Troy, Okie State and Western Carolina doesn't strike fear in anyone but they couldn't have known Okie State would be worse than usual this year.
"

You left off Georgia Tech... and Ohio State's schedule is a complete joke there is no getting around that. It was the same way last year and they were exposed when they actually played a real team in Florida.

I will put Georgia's schedule up against OSU's any day, conference, out of conference or combined. Any way you look at it Georgia's was harder.... and its not even close.

[bdunn13]

The arguments against a playoff in college football are generally ridiculous, but it's not entirely their fault, as they assume that you need to predicate it on poll rankings, which of course you don't. Conference champions get in.

But wouldn't the purpose of a playoff be to get the best teams in the playoff? The two best teams in the SEC are not even in the SEC tournament. There is no perfect system. There will be problems in any system.

[Bill_Abner]

"Georgia's entire OOC slate of Troy, Okie State and Western Carolina doesn't strike fear in anyone but they couldn't have known Okie State would be worse than usual this year.
"

You left off Georgia Tech... and Ohio State's schedule is a complete joke there is no getting around that. It was the same way last year and they were exposed when they actually played a real team in Florida.

I will put Georgia's schedule up against OSU's any day, conference, out of conference or combined. Any way you look at it Georgia's was harder.... and its not even close.

That really wasn't the point, but whatever. You're right.

[seanmac31]

The arguments against a playoff in college football are generally ridiculous, but it's not entirely their fault, as they assume that you need to predicate it on poll rankings, which of course you don't. Conference champions get in.

But wouldn't the purpose of a playoff be to get the best teams in the playoff? The two best teams in the SEC are not even in the SEC tournament. There is no perfect system. There will be problems in any system.

No, the purpose of a playoff system is to ensure that every team has an equal chance within the framework of the league to be champion at the beginning of a season.

[bdunn13]

USC was ranked 6th in the nation then they lost 5 in a row. I think CSP has lost his team.

Tommy likely saved his job with a win over the Cocks.

[Zlax45]

USC was ranked 6th in the nation then they lost 5 in a row. I think CSP has lost his team.

Tommy likely saved his job with a win over the Cocks.

Clemson is one of the worst coach teams in the country..Tons of talent and never get any hardware.

I like to make the point that VA Tech and BC play for a second time on Saturday for the ACC Championship. So why are we already talking like Va Tech already has clinched a BCS bid when they lost to BC in Blacksburg on a rainy night.

BTW...Wasn't BC ranked 15th in the last BCS standings?? I don't know about how you call BC a bad football team? The team is 10-2. Both losses came when the starting linebackers went down injured.

[bdunn13]

I don't know about how you call BC a bad football team? The team is 10-2. Both losses came when the starting linebackers went down injured.

Who are you referring too calling BC bad? You quoted me but I don't think I have ever talked bout BC.

[Zlax45]

So, if that's about a wash, then what do you look at next? The losses? Ohio State's loss to Illinois is hardly any worse than losing to Stanford, South Florida, Texas Tech, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Boston College -- all of whom the above teams have lost to this year.

So what is a championship worthy schedule in 2007? I'm not trying to pick a fight, I'm genuinely curious.

Sorry, Bdunn...I meant to quote Bill on this part.

[pk500]

College football wouldn't be where it is without the bowl controversies.


A playoff system might help all the No. 1 talk nonsense. And it would create a march madness type atmosphere after the regular season. But I think it would destroy the pressure that is seen throughout the year and certain games would lose importance because of the lack of a ranking system. If a team is guaranteed a playoff spot would we see NFL type nonsense in rivalry weeks and conference championships?

Bowls are apart of college system. Going to a playoff system might help make a No. 1 more obvious but it might also make college football less interesting.

Is college hoop any less interesting because of March Madness? Are top conference tournaments any less dramatic or played at a lesser intensity because the top teams are guaranteed at least an at-large berth?

No to both questions. So your argument about Division I-A football holds no water, at least with me.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

An 8 team playoff would make it so everyone would schedule like Kansas and Ohio State.. or NOT schedule. It would also not solve much as there would still be contraversy just like there is now. It would not take opinions out of the equation either. Does anyone believe Hawaii deserves a shot at an 8 team playoff more than Florida? No way and in an 8 team playff they would be in and Florida would be out. Heck I would pick Florida now over Ohio State. I think the game would not even be as close as last year's championship game.

A playoff creates as many if not more problems than it solves. Leave college football alone.... and I say this with Georgia playing maybe the best football in the country right now and would surely be in any playoff scenario.

Preposterous. So you'd rather have polls and a computer determine the top two teams and not play it out on the field? Since an excluded team's feelings will be hurt -- which happens every f*cking March in college hoop -- the entire idea of a playoff should be scrapped?

Just the sheer fact that there are fans who prefer the current system instead of a playoff indicates how broken Division I-A college football really is.

Take care,
PK

[tjung0831]

Mizzou baby!!!! One game away from playing for the National Championship!!!!

[sportdan30]

Congrats to MU. Good luck against OU.

[jondiehl]

#1 Baby! Time to get some revenge on the Sooners and strengthen the #1 BCS slot next week.

[bkrich83]

I will agree with that... but if you see Kansas win this year I would think they would once again tweak the BCS rules to make sure someone with such a weak schedule does not get into the title game again... I don't think they would do the same if OSU wins even though they should... Ohio State's schedule is almost as bad as Kansas's.

How could they possibly tweak it anymore? That's the question.

If WVU and OSU play, I think I read they have a combined 2 wins vs. teams currently ranked.

OSU, when they scheduled Washington for the Home/Home series was a top 10 team coming off a Rose Bowl. It's not like Ohio State officials could have predicted they'd fall into mediocrity so fast. The UDub game this year was on the schedule back in 2002/2003.

Beyond that, OSU scheduled a home/home series against Texas in 05-06, then they play home/home series against USC, Miami, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma over the next 8 years. What more do people want?

Miami has now fallen into the land of non bowl teams this year. If they stay down, will that be OSU's fault and will it mean they're trying to pad easy wins? No. It's not like they have any control over that. The schedule is already made.

In addition, when the 12th game was added almost every team added a cupcake game to the schedule. In OSU's case it was against Tressel's former team, Youngstown State. Every team in college football plays a few cream puffs. *Every* team. Usually you'll see a team have one tough OOC game and then the rest of the meat is interconference play. In OSU's case, this year's "tough" OOC game was playing an average Washington team. It is what it is.

But this entire notion that Ohio State is scheduling easy games to pad a record is absolutely ludicrous. They do it no more or no less than any other team in the country and over the next decade will be playing top OOC schools every year.

Is it USC's fault that Nebraska and Notre Dame are garbage this year? Of course not. Georgia's entire OOC slate of Troy, Okie State and Western Carolina doesn't strike fear in anyone but they couldn't have known Okie State would be worse than usual this year.

Even aside from the OOC games, how can anyone predict how a conference will be each year? The Big10 is way down this year despite the fact that they have 10 bowl eligible teams. I will freely admit that. How that's OSU's fault is beyond me, though.

WVU plays in the Big East which I still feel is a very weak conference top to bottom, and not just this year. But all they can do is play who is on the schedule. I'll hate it if WVU gets in and OSU doesn't -- but OSU had their chance and lost to Illinois. Again, when you lose you lose your right to b*tch.

But the system is what it is. I want a playoff system. The sport needs a playoff system, and the idea that ty would lessen the importance of the regular season is complete and utter nonsense. Particularly if you make home field advantage PART of that playoff system.

Until college football comes up with a way for the top teams to actually play each other every year to determine a true champion, this argument will never end.

But I wonder...who has a schedule that's worthy of a title? Is it just SEC teams? I'm honestly curious as to what the criteria is.

Ohio State has 1 win over a ranked team. (Wisconsin) When they played Purdue, Michigan, and Penn State all 3 were ranked but after losing they dropped off the top 25. OSU's loss is to 9-3 Illinois, currently #17 in the BCS. Ohio State in 2007 played 7 or 8 teams that will be playing in a Bowl game this year.

Using that as the basis:

USC has 1 win over a ranked team. (ASU)
LSU has 2 wins over ranked teams. (Vtech and FLA)
Georgia has 1 win over a ranked team, too. (FLA)
VTech has a win over #22 Clemson and they beat #16 Virginia today, who should remain ranked,. So that's 2 for them.
Oklahoma has Texas and Mizzou and Texas will fall hard after losing to A&M. But that will still remain 2 top 25 wins most likely.
WVU's top 25 wins are against Cincinnati and South Florida. No way Uconn stays ranked now. So that's 2.

By the looks of it LSU has the two biggest wins of any top ranked team in the nation.

So, if that's about a wash, then what do you look at next? The losses? Ohio State's loss to Illinois is hardly any worse than losing to Stanford, South Florida, Texas Tech, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Boston College -- all of whom the above teams have lost to this year.

So what is a championship worthy schedule in 2007? I'm not trying to pick a fight, I'm genuinely curious.

Please. Stop defending that schedule. It's atrocious any way you slice it. You can't possibly say they scheduled Youngstown St., Akron and Kent St, and weren't trying to pad wins with a straight face.

And you're wrong about teams adding a cupcake with the 12th game. The Pac 10 as a conference added another conference game, so each team plays each team in the conference every year. 9 Conference games and 3 Non-conf games.

They have beaten 1 team currently ranked in the Top 25. You honestly feel they are deserving of a title shot? This smell like last year. OSU inflates their schedule playing no one, then takes it in the shorts when they play a legit team in the title game.

Not sure why you brought USC in to the conversation. Trojans aren't in the running, and aren't a championship team this year. That's pretty clear.

As far as who's deserving in 2007? Quite possibly no one is. If WVU and Ohio St. play for example, it would be tough to consider them truly champions. It's the system we have, so I guess we just have to live with it.

Champion by default.

[bdunn13]

A health USC team is as good as anyone in the country, same with a healthy Oregon.. but without Dixon they are nothing, like the Falcons without Vick. Its amazing what a scrambling play maker can do to defenses. They completely change the game.

That being said, no matter what, I expect Georgia to be in the Rose Bowl or Fiesta Bowl. They are a lock for an at large BCS bid, its just which one... I have always wanted UGA to play in the Rose Bowl.. this might be the year....

And with that, there are 3 teams I don't want UGA to face in a bowl game.

1. Hawaii - UGA facing them would be worse than Georgia facing FSU in 2002. Its a lose, lose situation. If Georgia were to lose, they would have lost to a WAC team.. If they were to win, they would beat a WAC team. Nothing good would come from that game for Georgia.

2. Florida - There is no chance we play Florida again so thats good. Its not that I don't think we could beat the again.. but its just facing the most dominant player in the country again right now is scary.... I would rather stick to playing them once a year.... thats enough.

3. USC - The Trojans are I believe healthy now and as good as anyone in the country. I think it would be a good game, but Georgia is sooo young right now. Our best players on D are 2 freshman(Curran, Jones) and on O our best players are 1 soph (Stafford) and 1 freshman(Moreno). Not to mention 60% of our OL are freshman...


However, I think USC/UGA is pretty likely right now in the Rose.

In the Sugar I would guess LSU/Va Tech

Fiesta - OU - Hawaii

Championship I would guess WVU and OSU.

I have no idea about the Orange.

[XXXIV]

Yes. Someone will win by default this year under this stupid archaic system. Unless maybe if Mizzou wins the last two it plays...

If we had a playoff I wouldnt be able to call the champion unworthy no matter what schedule they played or who they lost to this year..but we dont and never will.

[macsomjrr]

Fiesta - OU - Hawaii

I'll be watching this game just to see if Hawaii pulls out the statue of liberty on Oklahoma again:)

A USC/Georgia Rose Bowl would be OK but I'd much rather see USC play LSU personally. I haven't watched Georgia play this year besides a few highlights here and there but I have seen a couple LSU games including that exciting triple OT loss to D-Mac's razorbacks.

[bkrich83]

Fiesta - OU - Hawaii

I'll be watching this game just to see if Hawaii pulls out the statue of liberty on Oklahoma again:)

A USC/Georgia Rose Bowl would be OK but I'd much rather see USC play LSU personally. I haven't watched Georgia play this year besides a few highlights here and there but I have seen a couple LSU games including that exciting triple OT loss to D-Mac's razorbacks.

I've seen Georgia some this year. They are very good, but their style of play and personel are a better matchup for the Trojans than LSU is. At least on offense.

I can live with a UGA/USC Rose Bowl. Any time the Trojans get to play an SEC team, there's always a little bit extra in it. Besides, beating up on Big 10 teams in the post season has gotten old. Playing an SEC team brings a whole new set of challenges. Besides USC hasn't played UGA since 1960. So it's a rare matchup that would be very fun imo.

Of course, USC beating UCLA is hardly a given, after last year, I don't take any wins for granted,especially in a rivalry game. Remember they also gave us a scare in 2004, when USC was clearly the superior team. So the Trojans are hardly a lock to win the Pac 10 at this point.

6 straight conference championships and 6 straight BCS appearances would be real nice. Sure have come a long ways from the Paul Hackett, Larry Smith, John Robinson Part 2, Ted Tollner days.

[Leebo33]

Well if you are going to have an NCAA sanctioned championship don't you have to at least invite the champions of all 11 conferences? Plus, of course, you would need a spot for Notre Dame. I guess you could have the lesser conferences play "play-in" type games.

Any type of playoff system discussion must *begin* with how to split the money. I don't think that it will ever happen because any official system would involve fat cats like Penn State, Ohio State, USC, Georgia, etc. sharing too much money with Tulsa and North Texas. I know a lot of schools are "pro" playoff-system but like politics it's easy to take a stance for something that will never happen. Seriously folks, they've been talking about this for at least my 39 years on the planet and the money is only getting bigger. It would take an entire paradigm shift similar to what the record industry is going through for them to even consider it. The big schools have huge fan bases, fill 100k stadiums against teams like Coastal Carolina, and have lucrative TV contracts.

How do the other playoff systems work? Do they involve champs only and no at large? Where do they play the games? Do teams have home field advantage? How do they split the money?

[sportdan30]

My prediction is that it'll be MU and WVU in the Championship game.

Go Big 12!

[XXXIV]

Plus, of course, you would need a spot for Notre Dame. ?

Why?...f*** them. Let them join a conference... Like they would ever give up their personal $$$$ deal or their Army, Navy Air Force games....

I like though how right now they abuse the Big East by playing in the conference in all the other sports. Big East needs to grow some balls and say all sports or get the f*** out parasites.

[wco81]

Playoffs would be interesting.

But it'll never be like the NFL playoffs.

Too much disparity in talent, too much disparity in money.

NFL tries to level the playing ground by having a draft, salary cap and the scheduling doesn't have extremes like the college game.

Just as people complain about who is in and out of the BCS in a given year, there will be complaints about who's in or out of the playoff tournament in a given year.

If it was left to TV, we might have the playoffs by now. But the schools can command big money and the bowls generate big money.

Do the big schools and other parties in the college football establishment have an economic incentive to change the system? That is ultimately what it comes down to.

[XXXIV]

Just as people complain about who is in and out of the BCS in a given year, there will be complaints about who's in or out of the playoff tournament in a given year.

.

True, just like in the bb torney, but Id rather have complaining over who should get the 8th, 12th or 16th playoff spot than who should be in the BcS championship game.

[macsomjrr]

I can live with a UGA/USC Rose Bowl. Any time the Trojans get to play an SEC team, there's always a little bit extra in it. Besides, beating up on Big 10 teams in the post season has gotten old. Playing an SEC team brings a whole new set of challenges. Besides USC hasn't played UGA since 1960. So it's a rare matchup that would be very fun imo.

Couldn't agree with you more. Watching USC play and beat the top SEC team whoever that is would absolutely make my year. SEC fanboys and their "toughest conference ever to walk the face of planet earth" shtick gets old every time I hear it.

[pk500]

I like though how right now they abuse the Big East by playing in the conference in all the other sports. Big East needs to grow some balls and say all sports or get the f*** out parasites.

That NEVER will happen, because Notre Dame is one of the top draws -- if not the top draw -- as a road team for every hoop program in the Big East.

The only games that usually draw more than ND at the Carrier Dome each year are UConn and the final home game, where the seniors are honored.

Take care,
PK