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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jul 23, 2006 21:49:22 GMT -5
I tire of the soccer threads. Time to inject some Americanism back into this board. Some random thoughts to start with:
I think the defending national champs lose for the first time in '06 against Ohio State in Austin on September 9th. It will not be the 'Horns only loss.
There is no way Michigan could be as bad this season as last season. All you Penn State fans hoping for a repeat are going to be sorely disappointed -- the Big Ten championship will come down to a little game on November 18 at the Horseshoe.
In other Big Ten news, Wisconsin's freefall back into football irrelevance begins this season. SAT analogy -- Barry Alvarez : Athletic Director at Wisconsin :: Frank Broyles : Athletic Director at Arkansas.
Last year I predicted West Virginia might go undefeated if they could beat Va. Tech (their only loss in '05). This year the Mountaineers will go undefeated in the regular season and establish themselves as the dominant school in the Big East. Then they will get blown out in the Sugar Bowl.
TCU will beat Texas Tech in Fort Worth this fall and establish itself as the new Fresno State of college football.
Notre Dame falls flat on its face in Charlie Weis' second year at the helm. It all starts with a loss at Georgia Tech to open the season. The Irish go to a second straight bowl game in Tempe, but this time it's the Insight Bowl.
Throughout the '06 football season, AustinHoya03 will continue to hate the following: Bobby Bowden, Notre Dame on NBC, Dennis Franchione, Louisville football, Joe Tiller, the people who gave SMU the death penalty, the Miami Hurricanes, the Florida Gators, Nike continuing to destroy college football tradition, the Oregon Ducks, Mike Tirico, and the intro to College Gameday.
AustinHoya03 will continue to love the following: fight songs, Nebraska's uniforms, Fisher DeBerry's stupidity, Syracuse struggling, any defense with a nickname, flying to Austin at 6am the day after Thanksgiving, the SEC, the Big Ten, and falling asleep on the couch on Saturday afternoons to the soothing sounds of college football.
(Preseason polls should be out in about three weeks.)
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jul 23, 2006 22:12:43 GMT -5
Of course, if I remember correctly, you picked Penn State to go about 0-11 last year. You even picked them to lose to Wisconsin. Morelli will have to be something special to make up for the loss of Robinson and a great secondary, but I'm not gonna put a lot of stock in your PSU predictions, Austin.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jul 23, 2006 22:27:40 GMT -5
Of course, if I remember correctly, you picked Penn State to go about 0-11 last year. You even picked them to lose to Wisconsin. Morelli will have to be something special to make up for the loss of Robinson and a great secondary, but I'm not gonna put a lot of stock in your PSU predictions, Austin. Haha, SF, you've had me pegged correctly as a Penn State doubter for some time now. I'm going to say 2005 was an anomaly based on the fact that Penn State has had only two winning seasons in the last six years. My doubts last year were also based mainly on the law of averages. I think the Big Ten is pretty mediocre this season, so I'm not going to go so far as to say Penn State won't have a decent year, but I think the relinquishing of the Big Ten title by the conference's eleventh team is a pretty safe bet. PS: I think PSU has a kicker to replace this season too, right?
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TigerHoya
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Post by TigerHoya on Jul 24, 2006 12:32:10 GMT -5
This has to be the worst summer for waiting for football season ever.
Week 2 and 3 will be the ones to watch for me early on. I think if Clemson gets a split @bc and @fsu those weeks they have a chance at playing in Jacksonville at the end of the season.
Not sure what Clemson games I'll make this year since Charlotte bought the Temple game out in Philly and moved it to BofA Stadium on a Thursday. If nothing else I can visit my family for Thanksgiving and go to the SC game now that it has been moved to that Saturday. Maybe drive down to the Wake game in W-S. @vt on a Thursday will probably be impossible from here and I doubt BC would be do-able right now.
I hope to make the ND-Navy game at M&T but I might go to FSU@MD that day instead. Otherwise, I'm hoping to go to the GU-Columbia game and maybe a game or two at the MSF.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Jul 24, 2006 13:21:49 GMT -5
Hate the Oregon Ducks? Why? Because they have rainbow uniforms?
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Joe Hoya
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You're watching Sports Night on CSC, so stick around.
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Post by Joe Hoya on Jul 25, 2006 0:25:11 GMT -5
Penn State's kicker was a true freshman last season. Whether that means he doesn't need to be replaced, well...that I don't know.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jul 25, 2006 13:04:59 GMT -5
Hate the Oregon Ducks? Why? Because they have rainbow uniforms? Oh, they're not just rainbow colored. They also have the name written vertically on the pants and that weird diamond pattern on the shoulders. I'll remind everyone of what Darrell Royal said when asked if he would add adornments to the Texas uniforms: "Hell no! I'm not going to candy this thing up. These are work clothes." It is incredibly disturbing to see USC play Oregon. Great football uniforms against Nike's test suits. The Ducks also typically don't show up for bowl games, which reinforces the negative stereotypes associated with the Pac 10. See last season's Holiday Bowl. (NB: I am aware Oregon beat Texas in the Holiday Bowl a few years back.)
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FLHoya
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Post by FLHoya on Jul 25, 2006 13:28:35 GMT -5
The Ducks also typically don't show up for bowl games, which reinforces the negative stereotypes associated with the Pac 10. See last season's Holiday Bowl. (NB: I am aware Oregon beat Texas in the Holiday Bowl a few years back.) Not to mention the following year when they administered that royal beat-down to Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl, which gave rise to that 15 minutes of "Why weren't they playing Miami?" discussion back then. But they have lost a couple in a row, and the hater in me is cool with the reinforcement of any negative stereotypes associated with the Pac-10, so it's all good.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jul 27, 2006 19:34:50 GMT -5
Not to mention the following year when they administered that royal beat-down to Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl, which gave rise to that 15 minutes of "Why weren't they playing Miami?" discussion back then. But they have lost a couple in a row, and the hater in me is cool with the reinforcement of any negative stereotypes associated with the Pac-10, so it's all good. Yeah, I have erased anything remotely related to Chrissy Simms four pick 1st half performance against CU in the 2001 Big XII title game from my memory so I had completely forgotten about that Fiesta Bowl. As far as hating on the Pac 10 is concerned, I have decided to shut the hell up, because West Coast teams have made me look like a fool too often. I am approaching a grudging respect for the conference, but not quite there yet. Hating on Miami is still working out pretty well for me, though, so we'll have plenty to discuss after that Labor Day game against FSU (which I still think is a horrendously dumb scheduling move on the part of both schools).
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Jul 27, 2006 20:07:16 GMT -5
After the Cotton Bowl I can understand why any Texas fan would "hate Miami"--but then again, I don't hate LSU just because they totally outclassed a terribly prepared, coached, and overrated Miami team, so guess it's in eye of beholder.
Find it funny that Pac 10 gets bashed--I love watching that league play--they use creative offenses, prepare players the best for NFL as a whole--their OL are excellent run/pass blockers, and they aren't afraid of anyone--they might get beat up time to time, but they'll play people and often hold their own against the arrogant thinking Southern Teams--for instance most people always assume Miami would "destroy" that Oregon team if they played in Rose Bowl and as a Cane fan I can honestly say they'd have given UM their toughest game--Miami ALWAYS has problems with Pac 10 teams-and especially on Left Coast. Only time I really remember the Canes taking it to a Pac 10 team was Washington in Orange Bowl in Championship season. Outside of that, they have problems because Pac 10 offenses are sophisticated and know how to use/exploit Miami's speed/defenses with simple pass and catch and creative formations--use of TE/Backs in passing game. They also use the middle of the field well too.
Anyone who thinks Pac 10 team can't play is fooling themselves. Remember they are a dropped INT from a USC DB from a double digit National Title win--which shows you that it's hard to repeat, and you need some luck to win it all--(any team does).
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FLHoya
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Post by FLHoya on Jul 27, 2006 20:10:44 GMT -5
Hating on Miami is still working out pretty well for me, though, so we'll have plenty to discuss after that Labor Day game against FSU (which I still think is a horrendously dumb scheduling move on the part of both schools). THANK GOD this is the last year of the Labor Day schedule thing. You know what National TV audiences love? Reducing one of college football's greatest rivalries to a series of poorly played turnover fests that can be summarized by "take the Home team and the Under". One thing Miami IS bringing back next season that I'm going to enjoy b/c I was too young to the first go-rounds, is a home-and-home with Oklahoma. They're also starting a home-and-home with Texas A&M (September 2007 is Big XII month in Coral Gables apparently). So I mean, that would be better for our mutual hatred except you prob. hate those two schools more than I do.
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FLHoya
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Post by FLHoya on Jul 27, 2006 20:24:33 GMT -5
Find it funny that Pac 10 gets bashed--I love watching that league play--they use creative offenses, prepare players the best for NFL as a whole--their OL are excellent run/pass blockers, and they aren't afraid of anyone--they might get beat up time to time, but they'll play people and often hold their own against the arrogant thinking Southern Teams--for instance most people always assume Miami would "destroy" that Oregon team if they played in Rose Bowl and as a Cane fan I can honestly say they'd have given UM their toughest game--Miami ALWAYS has problems with Pac 10 teams-and especially on Left Coast. Only time I really remember the Canes taking it to a Pac 10 team was Washington in Orange Bowl in Championship season. Outside of that, they have problems because Pac 10 offenses are sophisticated and know how to use/exploit Miami's speed/defenses with simple pass and catch and creative formations--use of TE/Backs in passing game. They also use the middle of the field well too. When you self-identify as a "hater" I think it's supposed to be taken as a given that your argument may OR MAY NOT (emphasis further added) have any actual rational basis. Lots of ugly losses to Pac-10 teams in the recent Miami resume--the Fiesta Bowl shutout vs. Arizona, the UCLA game that opened the 1995 season (35-3), the Washington game in 2000 where UW was up 21-3. Arizona once played Miami to an 8-7 game in the OB in I wanna say 1992 when UA had a chance to win it w/ a FG. The only win recently besides that Washington game in 2001 that comes to mind is the Hurricane Georges (one of those hurricanes, who even knows anymore it happens so often) game against undefeated UCLA in Dec. 1998...that really did expose UCLA's pathetic defense...I think Edgerrin James rushed for about 1,000 yards in that one. But UCLA carved Miami up equally well down the middle of the field through McNown, and the game turned on a fumble call against a UCLA receiver that was almost certainly bogus. I'm among the chorus that would have much rather seen Miami play Oregon that year, and I wish that UM would go in the direction of more series w/ Pac 10 schools in the future, but it isn't in the cards right now; they got stuff coming up in the next half decade or so w/ Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Kansas State, Florida, and Ohio State--speaking of tough losses--among others.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jul 27, 2006 20:42:12 GMT -5
After the Cotton Bowl I can understand why any Texas fan would "hate Miami"--but then again, I don't hate LSU just because they totally outclassed a terribly prepared, coached, and overrated Miami team, so guess it's in eye of beholder. Not only have I banished the Chris Simms incident to the corners of my minds, but I also disown the entire John Mackovic era, except for the decision to pass on 4th and inches against Nebraska. Yeah, I know that's pretty weak, but y'all may be saying the same about the "Coker era" 15 years from now.
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miamihoya
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Post by miamihoya on Jul 27, 2006 20:56:41 GMT -5
After the Cotton Bowl I can understand why any Texas fan would "hate Miami"--but then again, I don't hate LSU just because they totally outclassed a terribly prepared, coached, and overrated Miami team, so guess it's in eye of beholder. As far as i'm concerned that game has been erased from the records...didnt happen. A complete abberition. Just one of those games where nothing went right and they got no breaks... Or so i hope...the 'Canes gotta come out swinging early to prove that it really was a fluke, and that Miami isnt heading in the wrong direction. I really like Larry Coker and think he is a great coach (albeit overshadowed by even greater predecessors), but if they have another 3/4 loss season, he's gonna get the axe.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Jul 28, 2006 1:39:37 GMT -5
After the Cotton Bowl I can understand why any Texas fan would "hate Miami"--but then again, I don't hate LSU just because they totally outclassed a terribly prepared, coached, and overrated Miami team, so guess it's in eye of beholder. Not only have I banished the Chris Simms incident to the corners of my minds, but I also disown the entire John Mackovic era, except for the decision to pass on 4th and inches against Nebraska. Yeah, I know that's pretty weak, but y'all may be saying the same about the "Coker era" 15 years from now. That UM-Texas matchup was pre-Mackovic too--pretty certain it was David McWilliams as the Head Coach but then again, it was a total mismatch, so if you want to pin it on Mackovic, fine by me. Coker is a good OC and good person--just question his understanding of how "cut throat" you have to be at a school like Miami--to me he's too nice and I come from the school of thought you destoy opponents and build your aura that way--and he's let the Orange Bowl turn into a place any team thinks they can come in and get a win--and they have! If your team is up 35-3, you better be thinking of making it 56-3 and not just take the ball out of backups hands--those kids practice too and deserve to get to play and not lay down for opposing teams. If other coach/team doesn't like it--they can stop you--afterall it's their job, not yours and Coker is too "nice" and not mean enough to understand that and it's taken away from Miami's program. As for the "Coker Era" being looked upon as a failure--that is ridiculous--he's one terrible call from having back to back National Titles and that call was on the push off that kept eventual "Tying" score drive alive--not the terribly LATE call in endzone. Jenkins shoving Sharpe two hands in chest to get the 4th down catch was blatant and disgusting in that it wasn't called and then you call the one in endzone--but who's bitter? Anyway--Coker has done fine--but he's let things get out of hand by not handling his backbiting assistants until last year and he's got this year to get it done-Pete Garcia won't stand for it and if you want to know who he is--he's as responsible as anyone for the talent that Butch Davis signed when he turned things back around--Garcia will have Canes back on top soon enough--and to me this team will start to show signs come end of year--but it might stumble early on--just too limited at WR for my taste, but it's nice to have a WR Coach who is worth something too--CJ was garbage.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Jul 28, 2006 13:05:44 GMT -5
"game against undefeated UCLA in Dec. 1998...that really did expose UCLA's pathetic defense...I think Edgerrin James rushed for about 1,000 yards in that one. But UCLA carved Miami up equally well down the middle of the field through McNown, and the game turned on a fumble call against a UCLA receiver that was almost certainly bogus."
Thanks, Florida. It's nice to know that a Floridian recognizes that UCLA's loss in that game turned on a clearly blown call. The only thing is, Miami didn't expose UCLA's defense. UCLA's defense had been exposed all season that year. They gave up tons of yards and tons of points, but just kept outscoring teams. Miami was the first team they didn't outscore, and they most likely would have but for the blown call.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jul 28, 2006 13:41:48 GMT -5
That UM-Texas matchup was pre-Mackovic too--pretty certain it was David McWilliams as the Head Coach but then again, it was a total mismatch, so if you want to pin it on Mackovic, fine by me. Yeah, you're right, McWilliams was still the coach at that point and Mackovic was still at Illinois. Looking over the stats, the SWC was in full freefall and Texas was surely overrated that year and every subsequent year until 1995, when the conference broke up.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2006 13:45:24 GMT -5
There gonna be a playoff this year? No?
Then the whole season is a sham. Again.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jul 28, 2006 13:48:40 GMT -5
RDF, what are they saying about the Gophers and Glen Mason this year up there in Minny? I think they dip below .500 this season and Mason gets canned.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jul 31, 2006 17:27:54 GMT -5
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