OT The NCAA Football Season Discussion

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:27 pm

The next argument will be whether a 1 loss team from the SEC should jump an undefeated WVU or Louisville team.

I don't think it will be an issue. It would not surprise me if either Pitt or Rutgers pull an upset on the winner of Thursday night's game.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:38 pm

kevinpars wrote:The next argument will be whether a 1 loss team from the SEC should jump an undefeated WVU or Louisville team.

I don't think it will be an issue. It would not surprise me if either Pitt or Rutgers pull an upset on the winner of Thursday night's game.

Having seen Syracuse play both teams this season in consecutive weeks, I put a lot more stock in West Virginia than Louisville to go unbeaten.

That said, both Louisville and W. Va could be upset. Neither is in the same class as Michigan or Ohio State.

The bigger question is Rutgers. Where does it fit if it ends the season 12-0, with victories over Louisville and W. Va.? No way the BCS puts it into the National Championship game against Michigan or Ohio St., I would think, as strength of schedule would kill the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers had Illinois, Ohio and Howard on its early-season schedule.

It still blows my mind -- and pleases me -- that the Big East has three teams in the top 12 of the BCS and is playing such a role in the BCS picture this season.

Take care,
PK

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:32 am

WVU vs Louisville -- fun as hell game to watch.

Neither team, IMO, are national title-type teams simply because both flat out refuse to play defense. I'd take OSU, Michigan, Florida and a few others over those teams based on what I saw tonight.

Total popcorn eating entertainment, though.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:32 am

Refuse?

Looks like WVU couldn't even if it wanted to.

WVU must have been able to defend in previous games to get up to #3?, right?

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:43 am

How were these two teams #3 and #5 in the nation? Can't believe College Football is that bad these days.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:24 am

wco81 wrote:Refuse?

Looks like WVU couldn't even if it wanted to.

WVU must have been able to defend in previous games to get up to #3?, right?

It helps when up to this point they had played the 97th ranked schedule out of 119 in the nation. I believe they had only played 1 team that had a .500 record or better. Even the D-1AA team they played was a poor D-1AA team. Eastern Washington has a record of 2-7.

It's easy to look good when you play nothing but bottom feeders.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:25 am

Inuyasha wrote:How were these two teams #3 and #5 in the nation? Can't believe College Football is that bad these days.

I firmly believe Louisville can play with anyone in the nation.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:29 am

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy defenseless football game.

Two good offenses yes, but they were helped out by two horrible defenses.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:49 am

I am convinced that Hart is a better running back than Slaton after watching last night's game.

How many tough yards did Slaton get? How many YAC's -- yards after contact, as Chris Spielman says -- did Slaton get? Very few.

Slaton has insane speed and nice moves, but you could have driven an Allied Van Lines truck through some of the holes that West Virginia's offensive line created. Plus White runs so well from the QB spot that defenses MUST respect his ability, opening more room for Slaton. Plus West Virginia's offense is designed to do one thing -- run.

As I watched the game last night, I wondered how Michigan would stack up against either team.

I think Michigan beats West Virginia by 10 because W. Va's defense could not stop Michigan's offense. Brohm and his receivers are good, but I put Henne and his catching corps only a whisker behind. And W. Va couldn't stop Brohm and Co. Plus Michigan's defense is much faster and better than Louisville's defense.

Louisville? Tougher matchup for Michigan because I think the secondary is the vulnerable part of Big Blue's defense. If Woodley and his boys could put pressure on Brohm, then Michigan could stop Louisville's offense.

I'm pulling for Rutgers to beat both Louisville and W. Va. That would make the Knights 12-0 and expose the BCS for the sham it is, as Rutgers could be one of only two unbeatens and not make the title game.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:51 am

bkrich83 wrote:
Inuyasha wrote:How were these two teams #3 and #5 in the nation? Can't believe College Football is that bad these days.
I firmly believe Louisville can play with anyone in the nation.

I firmly believe Louisville's offense can play with anyone in the nation. I don't firmly believe Louisville's defense can play with anyone in the nation.

Take care,
PK

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:58 am

bdunn13 wrote:Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy defenseless football game.

Two good offenses yes, but they were helped out by two horrible defenses.

Yep. Fun to watch, but it's hard for me to believe that those were the #3 and #5 rated teams in the nation. It was like watching a WAC game. Well...aside from all the WVU running.

Still, in this system, you cannot deny Louisville a shot at the title if they win out. All they can do is play who is in front of them -- and win.

Each year we seem to see new scenarios that support some form of a basic small scale playoff. This year is no different. What happens if Rutgers beats the Cards..which I think is a distinct possibility considering the emotional high Louisville is on right now. Then let's say WVU beats Rutgers in the finale.

Then what?

Then you're back to the same BS with teams declaring they have the right to play for a title with words rather than action. If that happens, the winner of the OSU/Michigan game (barring a shocking loss by either team before Nov 18th) will play one of several one-loss teams for a shot at the title.

One team gets in, and the others get screwed. Florida, Texas, USC (or Cal), Boston College, Wisconsin, maybe even the Irish...even WVU and Louisville.

Someone is going to get screwed.

I still believe that the ONLY way the BCS works is if the season ends with two (and only two) undefetaed teams. Otherwise, it's rankings/opinion bullshit and may as well be judged the way they do synchonized swimming.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:01 am

A slight swerve from the W. Va.-Louisville game, so bear with me ...

Can anyone explain to me why so many marquee names are being connected with the North Carolina job? It's a basketball school in an increasingly mediocre football conference.

Football ALWAYS will be second-rate at UNC behind hoops. So why the hell would someone like Rich Rodriguez want to leave a top-10 program at W. Va. and a rising football conference in the Big East to go to Chapel Hill?

It must be money. There's simply no other rational reason.

Take care,
PK

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:27 pm

pk500 wrote:
bkrich83 wrote:
Inuyasha wrote:How were these two teams #3 and #5 in the nation? Can't believe College Football is that bad these days.
I firmly believe Louisville can play with anyone in the nation.
I firmly believe Louisville's offense can play with anyone in the nation. I don't firmly believe Louisville's defense can play with anyone in the nation.

Take care,
PK

UL's defense hasn't given up much this year, and they get to the QB.

That WVU offense, is a tough matchup. They've got a ton of speed, spread you out, cause matchup problems. Not to mention, that offense is nearly impossible to replicate in practice so it's that much more difficult to defend.

I don't think UL's defense is as bad as people are saying, if they're just looking at last night. Last night, and their opening game vs. Kentucky are the only games they've given up 20+ points all season. Their D isn't great by any standard, but it's good enough to keep them in a game vs. anyone in the nation, including the big boys, with the offense they have.

UL, would be real scary if Michael Bush was healthy, he was arguably the best back in the nation, not named Peterson. And I know some people, who think he could have given Peterson a run for his money.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:50 pm

pk500 wrote:A slight swerve from the W. Va.-Louisville game, so bear with me ...

Can anyone explain to me why so many marquee names are being connected with the North Carolina job? It's a basketball school in an increasingly mediocre football conference.

Football ALWAYS will be second-rate at UNC behind hoops. So why the hell would someone like Rich Rodriguez want to leave a top-10 program at W. Va. and a rising football conference in the Big East to go to Chapel Hill?

It must be money. There's simply no other rational reason.

Take care,
PK

There are a few reasons:

1. They have great facilities at a top-notch university in a very fertile recruiting area.

2. They have money to spend.

3. Mack Brown proved that a good recruiter will be able to win there because there is a ton of talent to be had in the area. Granted, you're fighting a lot of schools for that talent, but it is there.

4. The weather?

The first three are the main reason why I think that some see it as a desireable job. They aren't going to get Rodriguez, he's using the UNC job as leverage to get more money out of WV. I do think they have a chance at Butch Davis, Tom O'Brian and Gene Chizik. Davis can recruit and if he doesn't get the Miami job this might be the next best option out there. O'Brian might be a little sick of trying to win with less than stellar talent at BC, in a town that couldn't care less about BC football. And Chizik is close to Mack Brown, so he knows the kind of success that could be had at UNC. Rumor is also that the man leading the search for a coach at UNC is a good friend of Mack Brown's, so that could be an "in" for Chizik as well.

As far as Louisville goes, I think that they're a lot better than people realize. You can say all you want about bad defense, but you have to understand how difficult it is to defend that WV offense. Let's not forget that WV beat the hell out of a very good UGA defense in the Sugar Bowl last year. They are going to get their yards, the question is whether or not you can force some turnovers and make them work harder for their points by not giving up big plays.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:53 pm

Bill_Abner wrote:Then you're back to the same BS with teams declaring they have the right to play for a title with words rather than action. If that happens, the winner of the OSU/Michigan game (barring a shocking loss by either team before Nov 18th) will play one of several one-loss teams for a shot at the title.

One team gets in, and the others get screwed. Florida, Texas, USC (or Cal), Boston College, Wisconsin, maybe even the Irish...even WVU and Louisville.

Someone is going to get screwed.

What is the possibility of a Michigan-Ohio State rematch in the BCS title game if the winner is the only unbeaten left, other than Boise State, which isn't a factor in any conversation?

The loser of the Ohio State-Michigan game will have just one loss, either against the No. 1 or No. 2 team in the nation. The loser also will have played in a strong conference and has a non-conference schedule good enough to have kept it at No. 1 and 2 for the last five to six weeks of the regular season.

Is a rematch possible?

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:55 pm

True, about W. Va.'s offense. Really fun to watch.

Take care,
PK

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:02 pm

OT -Badger, I just noticed your sig. Hysterical, due to the fact that since Randy came to the yanks and cut his hair, all he's done is get beat by weaker teams!

On topic:

It's very, very strange seeing Rutgers perform so well, seeing as how I'm an alum from the old institution on the banks of the Raritan. Even stranger seeing the crowd support.

Lovin' it, though!

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:09 pm

pk500 wrote:
Bill_Abner wrote:Then you're back to the same BS with teams declaring they have the right to play for a title with words rather than action. If that happens, the winner of the OSU/Michigan game (barring a shocking loss by either team before Nov 18th) will play one of several one-loss teams for a shot at the title.

One team gets in, and the others get screwed. Florida, Texas, USC (or Cal), Boston College, Wisconsin, maybe even the Irish...even WVU and Louisville.

Someone is going to get screwed.
What is the possibility of a Michigan-Ohio State rematch in the BCS title game if the winner is the only unbeaten left, other than Boise State, which isn't a factor in any conversation?

The loser of the Ohio State-Michigan game will have just one loss, either against the No. 1 or No. 2 team in the nation. The loser also will have played in a strong conference and has a non-conference schedule good enough to have kept it at No. 1 and 2 for the last five to six weeks of the regular season.

Is a rematch possible?

Take care,
PK

If the game were close I think the loser would probably still be in good shape in the computer portion of the BCS. The key would be, how far would they drop in the Harris and Coaches Poll.

I don't know the schedules remaining of all the 1 loss schools, but USC has one loss, has already played a farily difficult schedule, and has Notre Dame, Cal, and Oregon remaining on their schedule. They will surely take a SOS bump via the computers if they win out. Although the chances of them winning out, is pretty slim.

I think most of the SEC teams, that are in contention have finished the tough parts of their schedules, but would still have the SEC title game to deal with. It would be tough to count one of those schools out.

Texas is 8-1, and still has a ranked Texas A&M on their schedule. The Horns are playing some good football right now, are deep, athletic, and their QB is maturing more and more every week. This is not the same Texas team that lost to Ohio St., early in the season. I wouldn't count them out either.

I think Michigan and OSU have clearly established themselves as being the class of D-1A football this year. Imo, they are the most balanced teams on both sides of the ball, they are both deep, and both have veteran leadership at the QB position. All things I look for in a National Champ type team. That being said, I think a rematch for the BCS title game is a possibiilty,but really don't want to see it. One of the cool things about the postseason is seeing the big time teams play other big time teams they normally don't play.

hellbent · Post by **hellbent** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:14 pm

webdanzer wrote:It's very, very strange seeing Rutgers perform so well, seeing as how I'm an alum from the old institution on the banks of the Raritan. Even stranger seeing the crowd support.

Lovin' it, though!

Very, very odd to see the Big East representing so well this year. I don't think there was anyone that thought Big East football would produce more high caliber programs than the ACC after the defections of Miami and BC. Now it's most of the ACC that is looking forward again to basketball season already.

As for Rutgers, they'd better hope that Miami doesn't come calling for Schiano when they start the inevitable hiring process for a new coach this postseason. He's done a hell of a job there.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:36 pm

I was recently thinking that OSU/Michigan could easily be the National Championship game if things broke the right way, but would that really be a good thing? What happens if OSU beats Michigan by 7 in a tight game in Columbus but Michigan wins by 3 in the National Title game? What the hell have we proven? I think that would be a disaster for the BCS. The winner of that game should be in the Title Game and the loser should be happy with the Rose Bowl.

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:39 pm

Under no circumstances do I want to see an OSU/Michigan rematch.

It's unfair to the winner of the Nov 18th game, and flies in the face of what the rivalry is all about.

You get ONE SHOT at OSU or Michigan every year. One. You don't get a redo.

The game on the 18th is OSU's shot at slaying the Wolves in 2006. (and vice versa) and to force these two to play again the very next game...that would suck not only for the rivalry but for college football imo.

The loser of the OSU/Mich game should take it on the chin and go play in the Rose Bowl, knowing that they had a chance to play for the title, and lost.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:49 pm

In 1979 Nebraska beat Oklahoma in the final game of the season then met them again in the Orange Bowl with Oklahoma winning...

So it has happened before...

I wouldnt mind seeing them play on a neutral field at all.

hellbent · Post by **hellbent** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:56 pm

XXXIV wrote:In 1979 Nebraska beat Oklahoma in the final game of the season then met them again in the Orange Bowl with Oklahoma winning...

So it has happened before...

Not to mention the Sugar Bowl rematch for the Gators and Noles in 1997 (I think that was the year?).

Still, I think an SEC team will get the 2nd spot in the NC game vs the OSU-Mich winner. Loser goes to the Rose Bowl, hopefully to play USC if they can win out as expected. I'd selfishly love to see another Michigan/USC bowl game for the first time in a long while.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:37 pm

hellbent wrote:
Not to mention the Sugar Bowl rematch for the Gators and Noles in 1997 (I think that was the year?).

.

I think the first game ended in a tie????...When FSU made an incredible 4th qtr comeback...

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:41 pm

FSU actually won the first game, though it was close. Florida absolutely took them apart in the Sugar Bowl.