2008 College Football In-Season Thread!

[SFHoya99]

This is exactly why a playoff is needed.

The components of the BCS are wholly unreliable. The computers only have 11-12 games to work with for each team -- nowhere near reliable -- and voters are atocious (this bowl season it looks like the AP is about 50-50 on predicting wins, which is embarassing).

USC didn't play a tough schedule aside from Ohio State -- or at least it didn't seem that way. Now the Pac-10 is undefeated in Bowl Play, and suddenly everyone wants USC to play Florida or Texas, etc.

Attempting in a 12 game season to differentiate between a bunch of teams who basically play anywhere from 2-5 tough games a year is silly.

[hifigator]

I wouldn't argue that Harvin isn't the pure wide-receiver that the others are. I think that is pretty much of a given. I'm not sure I see a huge difference in the style of routes that Maclin runs compared to Harvin -- just that he runs them more often, as Harvin splits so much time coming out of the backfield. That is sort of what I meant when I was praising Crabtree, Bryant and A J Green. They are all traditional wideouts, and all great players.

As for the spread offense, there is no question that it is predicated on getting the ball into the hands of your playmakers in space. That is also the reason that really good spread offenses will tend to not have guys with the huge numbers -- with the possible exception of the quarterback. That offense is most effective when there are multiple playmakers scattered across the field. Last year, when Tebow pretty much only had confidence in Harvin, Percy put up impressive numbers -- as did Tebow -- but we weren't half the team we are this year.

Lastly, as for the injury issue, I would think that any NFL coach, GM or player personnel director would be concerned with Harvin's history. As I said before, I am cautiously optimistic that it won't be a problem. Again, he had a heel injury since the tenth grade and just continued to play through the pain. From the standpoint of character and drive, that is certainly a good thing. The problem was that the injury would only heel with either extended rest or surgery. Surgery was out of the question in high school. They couldn't afford it at all. And rest wasn't an option either. He went 365 days a year, from football to basketball to track and back to spring and summer workouts for football. When he got to Florida, he was able to focus solely on football and conditioning. I think the thought was that he would get enough rest between January and April, between his freshman and sophomore seasons. That didn't pan out, and they decided to hold him out of spring practice, giveing him about 7 full months of rest. But the heel still hampered him during his sophomore season and they decided to do surgery early in 2008. Coming into this season, he said he hadn't felt pain-free since tenth grade and that it felt awesome. Now he has been nicked up a little bit since then -- nothing serious, but it's certainly reasonable to question his physical makeup when injuries keep happening. Still, the ankle sprain against FSU can/does happen to anyone. That messy field in the pouring rain certainly contributed. The following week, he could have played against Bama, but Meyer and staff thought it was best to hold him out and let him get fully healed. Thankfully we won the game without him.

The bottom line is that while he might not be the prototypical wideout, the kid is an incredible playmaker and whatever NFL team lands him, will be getting a real gem.

[GIGAFAN99]

I don't know who is watching the Sugar Bowl but between the spot and the false start on the shift, Utah can't be liking the way this is headed. Wow.

Edit: It doesn't matter. Good.

So hilarity ensues. Fox says "Let the discussion begin...as to the best Utah team in history."

Oh wow, thanks Fox. Utah is undefeated. They've matched Florida's most impressive win (Alabama neutral) and after Texas Tech's loss, arguably Oklahoma's most impressive victory as well (TCU at home). Oh yeah they beat this other team that may be the one loss for USC.

Maybe the discussion should begin on another topic.

[njhoya06]

But where is Utah's quality loss?

Oklahoma lost to Texas on a neutral field. That's a great loss.

Florida lost at home to Ole Miss. At the time, that looked really bad, but they finished really strong. The Rebels looked great today against Texas Tech.

Hard to see how you can rank them in the top 2 or three without a loss like those.

[kchoya]

Jan 2, 2009 21:43:55 GMT -5 GIGAFAN99 said:

I don't know who is watching the Sugar Bowl but between the spot and the false start on the shift, Utah can't be liking the way this is headed. Wow.

Edit: It doesn't matter. Good.

So hilarity ensues. Fox says "Let the discussion begin...as to the best Utah team in history."

Oh wow, thanks Fox. Utah is undefeated. They've matched Florida's most impressive win (Alabama neutral) and after Texas Tech's loss, arguably Oklahoma's most impressive victory as well (TCU at home). Oh yeah they beat this other team that may be the one loss for USC.

Maybe the discussion should begin on another topic.

Actually, it's a good debate. I think the '04 team was better. Unfortunately, they got stuck with Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl - not quite the same level as Bama.

Oh yeah, go Utes! Suck that Barry Switzer. And shut the F@#! up Saban - crying about their lack of depth on the O line. You're playing a non-BCS school and you're whining about not having enough players?

Utah has to be ranked 2 or 3 when this is all over.

[hoyarooter]

Wow, I'm really looking forward to next week's match-ups of Utah vs. USC and Texas (assuming they dismantle Ohio State) versus the Oklahoma-Florida winner. This playoff format is awesome!

Huh? What's that?

Up yours, BCS and all of the conference commissioners, etc.

[RDF]

What was funny about tonight's game--I thought Utah overwhelmed Alabama with SPEED which is what we always here is to SEC's huge advantage. Bama looked like they were stuck in mud while Utah was flying around and really impressive tonight. I was one who never bought into Bama's hype--they were "crowned" a great team after their win over Clemson--who just flat out STUNK this season. From there on, they played 1 great Half of football--in Athens against UGA and then lost to only good team they faced in Florida.

Funny thing is-I watched Oregon State go into Utah, outplay them--as did TCU--and Utes found a way to win both games--with help of officials horrendous call on missed 2 pt play to help them and TCU's kicker gagging on them. This game is in "SEC" country and Tide got gangster slapped all over the field and were slower team. Nice of Nick Saban to make excuses too--that was pathetic.

[hifigator]

I didn't hear Saban's remarks, but from what you all say, I fully concur. Bama was simply beaten by a better team last night. Even when Bama was making their run, you never had the idea that they were back in control. The were treated like the poor step-child for sure.

[Nevada Hoya]

8 sacks!!!

[Nevada Hoya]

Also, Alabama had given up 27 first quarter points all year, before Utah dropped 21 pts on them in the opening quarter. Somebody came prepared to play.

[HeartAttackHoya]

Jan 3, 2009 13:24:28 GMT -5 Nevada Hoya said:

Also, Alabama had given up 27 first quarter points all year, before Utah dropped 21 pts on them in the opening quarter. Somebody came prepared to play.

or on the reverse tip, someone came unmotivated and as a result gave a lackluster performance

[RDF]

Alabama's offense sucked all year--unless it was the awesome play of Julio Jones making the Bama 3rd Turd--QB look functional. Never trust anyone named "John Parker Wilson" or "John David Booty"--they are 3rd turds.

[RDF]

How about OU DB's Nic Harris and Dominique Franks talking smack about Tim Tebow being the 7th best QB if he were in Big XII. If anyone is going to talk--let it be an OU offensive player. One of the morons from their defense yakking it up? STFU, and stop any offense in a big game--one time. I'm talking REAL OFFENSE--not Texas Tech or Missouri too.

[hoyarooter]

Jan 4, 2009 23:50:32 GMT -5 RDF said:

How about OU DB's Nic Harris and Dominique Franks talking smack about Tim Tebow being the 7th best QB if he were in Big XII. If anyone is going to talk--let it be an OU offensive player. One of the morons from their defense yakking it up? STFU, and stop any offense in a big game--one time. I'm talking REAL OFFENSE--not Texas Tech or Missouri too.

This would really be funny if it weren't so pathetic. Nothing like giving the better team billboard fodder.

[hifigator]

Jan 4, 2009 23:49:06 GMT -5 RDF said:

Alabama's offense sucked all year--unless it was the awesome play of Julio Jones making the Bama 3rd Turd--QB look functional. Never trust anyone named "John Parker Wilson" or "John David Booty"--they are 3rd turds.

You may be right on that one, and maybe I have been wrong. I actually thought that Wilson was a solid QB and one that had the makeup of hanging around in the NFL for quite a while. He's certainly not likely to be a "star," but I could see him as a Brad Johnson type of QB. His strengths were that he doesn't try to do too much and he doesn't make mistakes. Well, that worked fine for most of the year -- when they had the lead! But as soon as some adversity hit, then he wasn't up to the task.


As for the OU players' comments: 7th best??? I would think that they were talking, in no particular order, Bradford, Harell, McCoy, Robinson and Daniel. Who else?

[RDF]

Josh Freeman is an excellent NFL prospect--maybe the best in Big XII imo. Bradford worries me a bit--I do love his accuracy and improvement but how will he do when he's getting hit? That is a question Freeman has answered and he didn't have any talent around him at all. I'd guess OU would put Robert Griffin ahead of Tebow too--but it's OU talking--so take with grain of salt--they have to say something to excuse their horrendous defense.

Why in the hell would you EVER want Brad Johnson type of QB? Even as a 3rd stringer. This guy was worst QB who ever got significant playing time at a major college program and in NFL. He never changed how he played and despite being a good guy--and benefitting from a great defense--he is on record saying that "there is nothing like getting booed after throwing a checkdown on 3rd and 15 and punting--because that is great football".

Will say that ANY QB who takes some snaps from under center and has to read coverages from that perspective is worthy of a look over the mess that is spread QB's at NFL level.

[AustinHoya03]

Jan 5, 2009 11:47:40 GMT -5 hifigator said:

Jan 4, 2009 23:49:06 GMT -5 RDF said:

Alabama's offense sucked all year--unless it was the awesome play of Julio Jones making the Bama 3rd Turd--QB look functional. Never trust anyone named "John Parker Wilson" or "John David Booty"--they are 3rd turds.

You may be right on that one, and maybe I have been wrong. I actually thought that Wilson was a solid QB and one that had the makeup of hanging around in the NFL for quite a while. He's certainly not likely to be a "star," but I could see him as a Brad Johnson type of QB. His strengths were that he doesn't try to do too much and he doesn't make mistakes. Well, that worked fine for most of the year -- when they had the lead! But as soon as some adversity hit, then he wasn't up to the task.


As for the OU players' comments: 7th best??? I would think that they were talking, in no particular order, Bradford, Harell, McCoy, Robinson and Daniel. Who else?

Re: 7th best, I'm pretty sure the OU players did not make an actual list.

Re: JPW, he was a serviceable QB for 'Bama this season mainly because he made better decisions with the football. Don't forget the kid was a turnover factory a couple of years ago. Not hurting your team doesn't make one an NFL-level QB.

Re: the Fiesta Bowl, Texas is going to win but it's really been an ugly game. The 'Horns didn't really have a shot at an AP National Championship to begin with, but this unentertaining mess certainly isn't going to swing any voters.

[RDF]

No offense Austin-but tonight really makes me frustrated that we didn't see a USC-Florida game in Orange Bowl--or at least Utah vs someone--because I've been on Horns wagon prior to season--and all tonight did was justify any Big XII bashing. Ohio State was in position to win and they didn't belong on same field as USC. What's that say for Oklahoma going up against Florida?

I just want a great game--between the BEST TEAMS--and under this system, I'm all for Utah getting a split--because we're not going to see UF tested at all--that is going to get UGLY in hurry and Gators vs Utes or Trojans would've been far better game then ANY Big XII team.

[HoyaFanNY]

as long as you have weeks, and sometimes a month +, between games you are going to get games like this. texas, IMO, was the best team in the country this year. odds are, one or both of the two national title teams will play the same way. it's hard to expect 18-22 year old kids to go from playing every week to taking a month off and still play at the same level.

if i see one more report about how OU disrespected everyones 'god' tebow i'm going to vomit. go OU!

[BuffaloHoya]

Agree with HoyaFanNY on the layoff aspect of the thing. Of course you're going to get great performances (Utah, Florida two years ago, Texas-USC), but I think more often than not you're going to get as much (more?) crap.

Playoff. Playoff. Playoff.


EDIT: I thought Orakpo looked good last night. Not sure - and don't care - what his stats were, but he was in the backfield all night. If Pryor wasn't scrambling so often, I'm sure he would have had several more sacks. Any thoughts on his pro prospects?