SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Oct 3, 2006 15:28:34 GMT -5
I think Penn State is decent. The Ohio State game was actually close -- Morelli just tossed two ints for touchdowns with almost no time left. The ND game was closer than it looked at well, but not that close.
They aren't a strong team, but they are better than quite a few out there, including some in the Top 25 (Rutgers).
As for the Pac-10, I think Cal and Tennessee was a hiccup more than indicative. So I think Cal, Oregon and SC are obviously pretty good. The rest is crap, though.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Oct 3, 2006 17:32:36 GMT -5
Think you have to wait before juding Washington State--their two losses are to Auburn and USC---now if they lay an egg rest of way then you are on money but being 3-2 with losses to those teams isn't an indication of being horrible. From what I've seen, I'd say the SEC is by FAR the best league this year. Usually is a tough league, but it's easily the best overall conference this year. I'd go:
1. SEC 2. Pac 10 3. Big East 4. Big 10 5. Big XII 6. ACC
I rate the Big 10 as 4th best conference because outside of Ohio State and Michigan, everyone else is GARBAGE--and I mean GARBAGE--there is nobody capable of beating their top two teams. I'm still not that impressed with Ohio State's team--I think their offense is good but they struggled with an awful Penn State team, a terrible Iowa team--remember that team went 2 OT's with Syracuse and I don't care if Tate didn't play--it's friggin Syracuse, and they had a 3 minute spurt in 2nd quarter to beat Illinois or else that was an even game--with Tate at QB.
Pac 10 is always underrated for the simple fact they have teams who can score if you aren't playing your best. You have a crappy game against most of their teams and they'll score points on you. Most leagues have to settle for FG's in those type of matchups but that league just plays different football. I think Cal might regret opening their season with Tennessee by season's end--right now they are the best team in Pac 10--will they be by time they play USC?? Fact you have 4 solid teams in USC, Cal, Oregon, and Washington State, Washington has played decent and UCLA has athletes/capable of beating some teams, gives you half a decent conference--Arizona is disappointing, ASU is a huge disappointment but type of team who can pull one out of their rear, and only Oregon State and Stanford are horrible.
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TigerHoya
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Post by TigerHoya on Oct 3, 2006 17:44:19 GMT -5
Chansi Stuckey out with a jones fracture of the foot for 3-4 weeks. Will definitely miss @wake, Temple and GT - will likely miss @vt.
That's 3 or 4 broken feet this year already.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Oct 3, 2006 20:43:37 GMT -5
Austin wrote:
5-0 Rutgers bent but didn't break against South Florida. However, don't be incredibly surprised if the Scarlet Knights are upset by Navy next week in Annapolis and the media jumps off that bandwagon as well.
I'm not sure if Rutgers plays this week or not, but I think that the Midshipmen must get past Air Force this week before they look ahead to the Scarlet Knights. Did I just say that .... I mean is this the first time in my lifetime that anyone could be accused of "looking past" anyone TO Rutgers?
That was a might of a "trivia" question since many have fell victim to "looking past" Rutgers over the years. Most lived to tell about it with a narrow escape. But I remember .... as much as I have tried to forget ... a nasty game when Rutgers tied the Gators in the swamp.
Yuck ... pulled Kerwin Bell too soon ..... put in a baseball player named Rodney Brewer who quickly pulled a tie from the mouth of victory .... except he pulled it from our own mouth!
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Oct 3, 2006 20:48:38 GMT -5
Think you have to wait before juding Washington State--their two losses are to Auburn and USC---now if they lay an egg rest of way then you are on money but being 3-2 with losses to those teams isn't an indication of being horrible. From what I've seen, I'd say the SEC is by FAR the best league this year. Usually is a tough league, but it's easily the best overall conference this year. I'd go: 1. SEC 2. Pac 10 3. Big East 4. Big 10 5. Big XII 6. ACC I rate the Big 10 as 4th best conference because outside of Ohio State and Michigan, everyone else is GARBAGE--and I mean GARBAGE--there is nobody capable of beating their top two teams. I'm still not that impressed with Ohio State's team--I think their offense is good but they struggled with an awful Penn State team, a terrible Iowa team--remember that team went 2 OT's with Syracuse and I don't care if Tate didn't play--it's friggin Syracuse, and they had a 3 minute spurt in 2nd quarter to beat Illinois or else that was an even game--with Tate at QB. Pac 10 is always underrated for the simple fact they have teams who can score if you aren't playing your best. You have a crappy game against most of their teams and they'll score points on you. Most leagues have to settle for FG's in those type of matchups but that league just plays different football. I think Cal might regret opening their season with Tennessee by season's end--right now they are the best team in Pac 10--will they be by time they play USC?? Fact you have 4 solid teams in USC, Cal, Oregon, and Washington State, Washington has played decent and UCLA has athletes/capable of beating some teams, gives you half a decent conference--Arizona is disappointing, ASU is a huge disappointment but type of team who can pull one out of their rear, and only Oregon State and Stanford are horrible. Interesting insight and tough to really argue anything specifically. I think that the conferences you rate as 2nd through fourth could argue to be in any of those spots. Still though, the shocking Big East certainly has valid credentials, but the Big 10 led by Ohio St. and Michigan are a solid choice for #2. Then again, the verdict is still out a bit on the Pac 10. They are still lacking a marquee win ooc in my mind, unless I am forgetting one. Does the Oregon "win" count for conference strength?
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Oct 3, 2006 23:41:05 GMT -5
Did you read the thread HiFi?? Michigan and Ohio State are the ONLY teams in the Big 10--that's it. Nobody else in that league could even compete for a conference title in the other leagues listed. Be very careful in how you view the Pac 10, they usually have smart kids and good coaches and for whatever reason give Southern Teams fits---I won't say why I think--oh what the heck, they just have smarter players who can neutralize the speed seen in South by simply executing and not getting ignorant penalties due to emotion.
As for the Big East--Louisville, West Virginia, Rutgers are all competitive and South Florida isn't terrible. I can't name one decent team in Big 10 and I really think Big XII could overtake Big East by season's end--they might not have great teams now, but they have some young teams and OU, Texas, Nebraska will be good by season's end--well if Callahan lets them play. Texas Tech is okay too. A&M is a FRAUD and likely looking for a new coach.
Then again, I judge a good league by how the teams are top to bottom and if they have good, competitive football. To me, the SEC and Pac 10 have teams capable of playing with their top teams if those teams are off or in some cases if they are just on their game--whereas the Big 10 blows--it's not an impressive year when Ohio State has practice until they finish with Michigan, who I still believe is best team in Big 10 this year.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 4, 2006 1:14:22 GMT -5
Austin wrote: 5-0 Rutgers bent but didn't break against South Florida. However, don't be incredibly surprised if the Scarlet Knights are upset by Navy next week in Annapolis and the media jumps off that bandwagon as well.
I'm not sure if Rutgers plays this week or not, but I think that the Midshipmen must get past Air Force this week before they look ahead to the Scarlet Knights. Did I just say that .... I mean is this the first time in my lifetime that anyone could be accused of "looking past" anyone TO Rutgers? h! Yeah, you're right, RU has a bye this weekend.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 4, 2006 1:41:33 GMT -5
I think Cal might regret opening their season with Tennessee by season's end--right now they are the best team in Pac 10--will they be by time they play USC?? It is amazing how Cal just completely dropped off the national radar after that loss, especially considering that they have been blowing opponents away ever since. Trying to come up with a reason the Big Ten should be ranked above the Big East and can't. The Big East is top-heavy like the Big Ten, but it's top-heavy with three undefeated teams instead of two. The bottom of the league in the Big East has also gone 2-1 against the bottom of the league in the Big Ten (Syracuse beat Illinois, UConn beat Indiana, Michigan State beat Pitt). The only real argument I can come up with is that UM and tOSU are better teams than WVU, Louisville and RU, and that's a pretty weak argument.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 4, 2006 1:57:43 GMT -5
Week 6 picks for games that matter:
FSU over NC State TCU over Utah Clemson over Wake Forest (Revenge Game #1) PSU over Minnesota Auburn over Arkansas Iowa over Purdue Kansas over TAMU Pitt over Syracuse Air Force over Navy (Revenge Game #2) USC over Washington Ga. Tech over UMD LSU over Florida in the Swamp Oklahoma over Texas for the Golden Hat Michigan over Michigan State for the Paul Bunyan Governor of Michigan Trophy (worst trophy name ever?) Missouri over Texas Tech (but if Tech wins, Revenge Game #3) Tennessee over U Ga. between the hedges Cal over Oregon Boise State dismantles La. Tech Nebraska over Iowa State
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TigerHoya
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Post by TigerHoya on Oct 4, 2006 16:09:18 GMT -5
I'm really smelling another potential NCST upset this weekend.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Oct 4, 2006 18:42:05 GMT -5
NCSU and FSU is a must see game--it's THUG BOWL!!! Both teams make ignorant penalties, profile after every play, stomp on logos at midfield and start fights either prior or after a game and usually at least 5 Personal Fouls per team. I have gentelman bets with friends as we watch in regard to total penalties in the game and I'm going with 34 this game--we'll see if they can live up to it.
Space Cowboy/Clown Chuck Amato on one sideline, and Bobby Bowden usually goes "Crocodile Dundee" with his lid for this one. Space Cowboy knows FSU well and usually gives them some problems--but not in Raleigh--only in Tallahassee. This game will be a fight of morons on the field and whomever makes their dumb penalties/plays early in game instead of late, wins. Just sit back and enjoy THUG BOWL--it's a beauty to watch.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 4, 2006 21:14:30 GMT -5
I'm thinking Clemson-GT could be the first ever trip for Gameday to Clemson if both continue to win. Nebraska-TX is that day I think and then some other game as well would be the only noteworthy competition. Meant to reply to this earlier. As has been pointed out on many a college football blog, Gameday has become a vehicle for ABC/ESPN to pimp its primetime game of the week in 2006. So, checking the calendar...at this point, both Texas-Nebraska and Ga. Tech-Clemson are listed as TBA. Gameday has already been to Austin and to El Lay for SC-Nebraska, so that may factor in. The only other matchup with Gameday potential is Iowa-Michigan (also TBA), and I actually hope Gameday shows up in Ann Arbor, because I'll be there that day.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Oct 5, 2006 10:14:38 GMT -5
Good point with regard to promoting their own game. That's one reason I am kind of surprised that Gameday chose Gainesville this weekend since it is a 3:30 CBS game. I am not sure who has the Texas-Ok. game, but if it is either ABC or ESPN then I would have expected them to be in Dallas.
But we figured all along that ESPN would select the Auburn-UF game since they have first pick for that day -- and they did. The only question is if gameday will go to Auburn and I am guessing that they will. But first things first ... LSU is going to be quite a challenge.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 5, 2006 11:20:46 GMT -5
I am not sure who has the Texas-Ok. game, but if it is either ABC or ESPN then I would have expected them to be in Dallas. Texas-Oklahoma is an afternoon game. ABC/ESPN has been promoting its night game via Gameday.
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TigerHoya
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Post by TigerHoya on Oct 5, 2006 16:18:20 GMT -5
FWIW, Gameday has rooms in Greenville SC that weekend reportedly but they probably do that for their top 3 or 4 this far out. I'm even more worried about Clemson-Wake right now with Stuckey out.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Oct 5, 2006 16:43:41 GMT -5
FWIW, Gameday has rooms in Greenville SC that weekend reportedly but they probably do that for their top 3 or 4 this far out. I'm even more worried about Clemson-Wake right now with Stuckey out. What weekend are you talking about? The Auburn-Florida weekend? And who does CLemson play that day? Is it South Carolina ... I thought that was normally later in the year.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Oct 5, 2006 16:48:03 GMT -5
Incidentally, I saw the NCAA statistics and as of right now the top four teams in scoring defense are all from the same conference. Georgia leads the way at 6.4 points given up per game, followed by LSU at 7.4 and then Auburn and then Florida at 9.4. Fourteen of our 47 points given up were scored while our offense or special teams were on the field however. Florida realistically could be trailing only Georgia and that by a minute .2 points per game.
I know Gator stats don't really interest most of you, but isn't it impressive for any conference to have the top 4 in any single national category? On the other hand, there are probably a lot of Pac 10 teams represented near the top in offensive categories since they don't play any defense out there.
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TigerHoya
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Post by TigerHoya on Oct 5, 2006 16:55:55 GMT -5
FWIW, Gameday has rooms in Greenville SC that weekend reportedly but they probably do that for their top 3 or 4 this far out. I'm even more worried about Clemson-Wake right now with Stuckey out. What weekend are you talking about? The Auburn-Florida weekend? And who does CLemson play that day? Is it South Carolina ... I thought that was normally later in the year. GT weekend (weekend after next if I'm doing my math right.) SC game is a week later now since all ACC teams have to play over Thanksgiving weekend so that no one can have an open date before playing in the championship game.
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miamihoya
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Post by miamihoya on Oct 5, 2006 23:04:24 GMT -5
I'm really smelling another potential NCST upset this weekend. Good call on that one...just how awful is the ACC this year? Wake forest is the only undefeated team left...and NCST and Gtech stand atop their resective divisions. Congratulations Big East, your off the hook.
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TigerHoya
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Post by TigerHoya on Oct 6, 2006 8:37:12 GMT -5
I'm really smelling another potential NCST upset this weekend. Good call on that one...just how awful is the ACC this year? Wake forest is the only undefeated team left...and NCST and Gtech stand atop their resective divisions. Congratulations Big East, your off the hook. Too early to tell on the division races since some teams, like MD, haven't even played a conference game yet. I think FSU is weak and I still think NCST is weak - they just have always played FSU strong in Raleigh and BC letdown after two tough multi-OT games in a row. Hopefully Wake loses tomorrow since their best win all year was probably Ole Miss. Herbstreit was still standing by his Clemson pick to win the division - if that happens, I'm thinking there will be 2 Clemson-GT games this year. One of those is usually enough to ruin a fan of either school's blood pressure or sanity with the close finishes over the past 10 years (excluding a 39-3 blowout in Atlanta the week Reggie Ball said GT wouldn't lose again his freshman year and then went out and proved himself wrong with his boneheaded play.)
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