the_way
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Post by the_way on Oct 10, 2005 13:12:00 GMT -5
Texas will go to the National Title game. That doesn't mean they are a great team, but they will go. If Mack Brown can utterly beg for a BCS bowl and get it last year, then Texas will definitely be in the title game. Beating bad Oklahoma team is no feat. They should have blown them out. Its smooth sailing for Texas all the way out. I hope they lose because I don't respect or consider them a great football team nor the conference.
USC, I think is the best overall team, but not having Norm Chow may come to haunt them. They also play in a weak conference, the WACK, eh, I mean PAC 10. They SHOULD run the table this year.
Florida St. may be a sleeper this year. They are quietly undefeated this year. Their problem the last 4-5 years is QB play. If they get consistent QB play, and don't have a tight ball game, they may be there in the end.
Georgia, just like every other Bowden disciple, Mark Richt (who happens to be a Hurricane grad, go figure) his team will find one game to screw up and get themselves out of the title run. They almost lost to Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team @ Georgia this year. That may have been there only scare who knows. They may be there in the end.
VA Tech. They look really good, but they really haven't played anybody. VA Tech always finds a way to implode or screw things up in the middle of the season. But, I don't know. They may run the table. But, they got to face the Canes this year, so who knows?
I don't know about Urban Meyer's offense. With the talent they have at Florida, something is not right down there. Things don't seem to be clicking on the offensive side of the ball. Maybe it takes time, but I don't know if that works in the SEC, especially on road games.
It will be USC vs. Texas in the title game, with Georgia left out in the cold like Auburn was last year.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Oct 10, 2005 13:45:00 GMT -5
The problem with Urban Meyer's offense is that Chris Leak isn't the type of QB who he wants running it. Leak's not a good runner, he's not tough either. Watch him play and you'll see him throw backing away from rushers or after he throws, he turns and avoids the contact and doesn't step into the pass. Florida teams often aren't very tough (see Peach Bowl where WR Chad Jackson slides to avoid contact from Canes on a 3rd and 13 and comes up 3 yards short). They are also poorly conditioned and as season goes on, they wear down and get beat up.
Big XII football is weird stuff. You see great athletes but they play such a remedial style that it often sets their teams up for a huge letdown when they face teams who run sophisticated offenses and face them in their leagues. Texas has talent and is very good but I just think their conference sets them up for trouble in BCS situation--as we saw with OU and Nebraska in the past 5 years.
FSU will be taken care of when Canes face them in Jacksonville for Conference Title. UM/Va Tech game is going to be one that won't get attention it deserves this year but I really see Canes ready for Hokies in a few weeks and Vick having all kinds of trouble. He's too weak mentally to overcome pressure/mistakes, he'll choke. His behavior was deplorable against WVU 2 weeks ago--hitting a WVU Coach in back of head on purpose, flipping off the fans, throwing the ball at a defender, etc... that is sign of a guy who pays too much attention to things he shouldn't and UM will get in his head/take him out of his game.
Richt point is spot on but I really think Dawgs are much better this year then in past due to Shockley's leadership and fact team likes/respects him. They tired of Greene/Pollack talk and it hurt them.
Don't sell Pac 10 football short. It's a tough league in sense that you have to play well because each team can move the football/score offensively and while it's not as good as some other leagues, they do play sophisticated football and can score, which makes you play in "danger" week in, week out. I used to say that Pac 10 sucked and then when you watch them play in Bowl games or against teams you'd expect to see them lose to, they often play better than expected or win because they don't panic when behind due to fact their league has so many good offensive teams/high scoring games. Miami has always had trouble with Pac 10 teams, and to me USC is best team by a mile, but as we know, the best team doesn't always win/get to play in Big game, so it's what makes season fun. SC has tough game against ND this week and still has Cal and UCLA ahead of them and those will be tough games no matter what others think.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Oct 10, 2005 13:54:54 GMT -5
Austin, congrats on win over Sooners. Still not sold on Big XII Football as I watched and really wondered how good this league is and how good UT is--especially after this game--they did all they could to keep OU in the game and Sooners were INEPT offensively. Happy for you that your team won but still don't see any Big XII team doing much in BCS and to be honest I'm pulling for anyone but that league to get in the Championship game after ruining it the past few years. Not sure Texas "...did all they could to keep OU in the game." I was at the Cotton Bowl, and this contest was a no-doubter after the first half. Austin, I was referring to the fact UT fumbled 3 times in 1st Half, had a key play go their way when OU picked off the pass and returned it to the Horn 30 with score at 14-6 UT and it was truly a terrible call in Horns favor, only to be trumped by a terrible make up call when OU got ball down 17-6. Big XII referees can't call pass defense for crap--UT also interfered with OU in endzone on an early possession that wasn't called. Then you have a terrible OU offense committing a penalty and instead of pushing them back for a 3rd and 13 where they'd undoubtedly not convert, Mack declines it, and allows them to kick a 53 yard FG to cut score to 7-3, which was followed up by the Selvin Young fumble. That's keeping them around longer then they should. OU is really bad this year, they can't pass, run, or tackle to save their butt. And what was with the lovefest between the teams during the game? I thought it was a rivalry not auditions for Gay Porn Young and OU guys patting each other and giving dap was sickening. Really like Jamal Charles and he singlehandledly is responsible for making this team better. Never liked Cedric Benson and thought he was a "Me" type that came up small in big games and love Charles talent/versatility. Ramonce Taylor is nice as well. Congrats on win but that was what I was referring too and to me it's game like this that hurt Big XII teams in long run--they don't face teams that make you pay for your mistakes and put you on edge so when you do face them at season's end you often see the teams in that conference overwhelmed.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Oct 10, 2005 14:52:34 GMT -5
Did everyone see the cheap shot by UVA's offensive tackle on BC's Matthias Kiwanuka? Ridiculous. It looks like he saw Kiwanuka limping, then intentionally tried to end his career.
He, and his coach, are complete scumbags.
RDF, you're absolutely right about the PAC-10. It isn't the SEC or ACC now, but for a top team, it's a tough road. Since everyone can put up 50 points, upsets are a lot more common than if you are facing a bunch of boring offenses.
The Big XII is ridiculously pathetic this year. Which will make it all the more embarassing when Texas loses to Colorado.
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the_way
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The Illest
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Post by the_way on Oct 10, 2005 15:26:38 GMT -5
Did everyone see the cheap shot by UVA's offensive tackle on BC's Matthias Kiwanuka? Ridiculous. It looks like he saw Kiwanuka limping, then intentionally tried to end his career. He, and his coach, are complete scumbags. Man that chop block was ugly. It was really ugly. That is one of the most disgusting things I have seen. This year 2005, has been one of the better years in college football. With Penn State, Notre Dame's emerging againg, its a lot of great things going on.The playoffs start the first game of the season with college football. Every game is a must win across the country. Its great.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Oct 10, 2005 16:28:36 GMT -5
BC has to be thinking "What kind of a league is this??" after the intentional cheap shot "ankle rolling" FSU did to take out Quentin Porter and now this from Groh and UVA--disgusting. Then throw in Marcus Vick's behavior at WVU and this league needs to address the conduct of it's athletes. Of course it's the same league that has a SPACE COWBOY as a Head Coach (Chuck Amato) and has teams that consistently lead the NCAA in penalties.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 10, 2005 16:30:58 GMT -5
Good points there, RDF. Should've realized you were talking about the first half, just the phrase "keeping them in the game" makes me think of late-game meltdowns. I will say that Vince getting picked in the first half and Selvin fumbling the football are (unfortunately) nothing new this season . 'Horns stumbled early against Mizzou in similar fashion in Week 5 as well but came back to blow out the Tigers. Not saying I like this or that Texas can win a national championship while continuing to make mistakes, but these problems are correctable and have been more than offset by big plays on both sides of the ball. I'm more excited by the big plays than upset by mistakes that can be fixed. So yeah, UT still has some work to do but they've got talent as well.
Also, hard to say for sure since I was watching from the stands, but it looked like the first of the three fumbles was simply a good, clean strip by the OU defender. Gotta give credit to the defense on that one, I think.
Nobody in the stadium saw a pass interference on Vince's first half pick either. Everyone around me thought the flag was a penalty on OU after the INT because the flag came really, really late and there was no apparent interference.
Everyone down here loves Charles and went crazy in the stands during the 80 yard run. I think we'll see a lot more of him than Selvin Young starting next week vs. Colorado. By the way, that game is a huge trap game, as it is between OU weekend and Texas Tech coming to Austin Oct. 22.
Other thoughts:
On Urban Meyer, someone told me today that folks in Florida are beginning to refer to Meyer's fabled spread offense as "The Urban Myth." Thought that was pretty good.
If FSU needs good QB play to get to the BCS, don't know if Weatherford is the guy.
RDF you bring up a good point re: media coverage. Both Miami and FSU are getting little national pub this year despite a combined 9-1 record. Hadn't really noticed it before, but it is kind of weird.
St. Pete you're right about the crumbling Cotton Bowl. Dallas Mayor Laura Miller will probably take the blame when this series says adios to Dallas and moves to a home-and-home, particularly since revamping the Fair Park area was an election promise of hers. At least the restrooms inside the stadium were working this year. Unfortunately I hear the State Fair is having financial difficulties as well and losing the game will only hurt.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 10, 2005 19:04:34 GMT -5
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Oct 10, 2005 23:53:13 GMT -5
Thanks Austin--it was BUSH league to say the least and appreciate you linking it--when I saw it on television I think BC kids reacted a lot better then I would've--he'd have been beaten to a pulp if he did that to a teammate of mine.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 11, 2005 0:41:00 GMT -5
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FormerHoya
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Post by FormerHoya on Oct 11, 2005 12:50:36 GMT -5
Not to defend the UVA kid's actions, they were deplorable and he should be suspended for the rest of the year, but from what I understand that kind of thing should be expected from teams playing BC. Eventually (not that they should) players will get fed up with being cheap-shotted, and BC has been known for years as the dirtiest team in the BIg East. I think these ACC teams are asking, "what kind of team is this in our league?"
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 13, 2005 13:16:18 GMT -5
Quick picks for this weekend:
Wisconsin over Minnesota Ohio St. over Mich. St. LSU over Fla. Texas over Colorado Michigan over Penn St. Notre Dame over USC (wishful thinking?) Fla. St. over UVA Cornell over Georgetown
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One
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Post by One on Oct 13, 2005 17:35:00 GMT -5
I agree on Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan. I'll stick to predicting Big 10 games since I dont see enough of the other conferences to know who might be an upset special - and besides, I root against all the teams from the other football confernces, even when they're playing each other.
I like the ND pick, though I dont really think its gonna happen. I'll let you know what the atmosphere is like inside the stadium as I just picked up a ticket to the game (from a friend, so its face value).
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Oct 13, 2005 18:08:27 GMT -5
Quick picks for this weekend: Wisconsin over Minnesota Ohio St. over Mich. St. LSU over Fla. Texas over Colorado Michigan over Penn St. Notre Dame over USC (wishful thinking?) Fla. St. over UVA Cornell over Georgetown Ok Austin - I'll bite - Winner: Wisconsin Loser: Minnesota Spread: Vikings coke party Winner: Mich St. Loser: Ohio St. Spread: Imaginative Offense Winner: Florida Loser: LSU Spread: Better 1st year coach Winner: Texas Loser: Colorado Spread: Bush's approval rating (39) Winner: Penn St. Loser: Michigain Spread: 80 years of head coaching experience Winner:USC Loser: Notre Dame Spread: Having a defense, better former Pats coach Winner: Florida St. Loser: Virginia Spread: not playing dirty Winner: Georgetown Loser: Cornell Spread: 100 SAT points
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TigerHoya
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Post by TigerHoya on Oct 15, 2005 11:32:18 GMT -5
Texas will go to the National Title game. That doesn't mean they are a great team, but they will go. If Mack Brown can utterly beg for a BCS bowl and get it last year, then Texas will definitely be in the title game. Beating bad Oklahoma team is no feat. They should have blown them out. Its smooth sailing for Texas all the way out. I hope they lose because I don't respect or consider them a great football team nor the conference. ... Georgia, just like every other Bowden disciple, Mark Richt (who happens to be a Hurricane grad, go figure) his team will find one game to screw up and get themselves out of the title run. They almost lost to Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team @ Georgia this year. That may have been there only scare who knows. They may be there in the end. VA Tech. They look really good, but they really haven't played anybody. VA Tech always finds a way to implode or screw things up in the middle of the season. But, I don't know. They may run the table. But, they got to face the Canes this year, so who knows? .... It will be USC vs. Texas in the title game, with Georgia left out in the cold like Auburn was last year. I agree with you on Mack Brown. I also agree with you on VT and your assessment of the title game. Regarding UGA and SC: most of the time the Bulldogs and Gamecocks have played since I can remember (back when SC was an independent in the '80s (they left the ACC in the early 70s mainly because the ACC required an 800 SAT) has been a close game. No matter who the coaches were for either team and no matter how good each team was, SC gets up for that game and makes it tough more times than not. Even the year they were 0-11 (Holtz's first year), they didn't get blown out by Georgia and kept it close for a large part of the game.
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nychoya3
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Post by nychoya3 on Oct 15, 2005 15:26:41 GMT -5
How about my Badgers folks! Give up 400 yards rushing and figure out a way to win with a huge punt block at the end. A ridiculous game and a fantastic ending. Alvarez teams often lack talent, but they never lack heart. I'll miss the old bastard.
UW-MU followed by what I hope will be a classic beatdown of ND by USC would make for a great Saturday.
Anyone seen a guy faster on the football field than Reggie Bush? Cause I haven't.
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Oct 15, 2005 15:39:54 GMT -5
The Gophers always do this (at least under Mason). Undefeated non conference (b/c Gtown plays a harder schedule) then a win or two in Conference, followed by a horrendous, back breaking loss. Then a collapse. This year they varied it a little, and won a big game after a horrible loss, THEN went and had a team crushing defeat.
Stupid Gophers. They always suck me in too.
Then again, its hard to be mad at them when they got the Little Brown Jug for the first time since I was 3.
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RBHoya
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Post by RBHoya on Oct 15, 2005 18:48:18 GMT -5
ND vs. USC = College football Game of the year
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CAHoya07
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Post by CAHoya07 on Oct 15, 2005 19:12:08 GMT -5
ND vs. USC = College football Game of the year Crazy, chaotic ending, ND thought they had it won. Charlie Weiss should have called timeout before to regroup his players before Leinart eventually shuffled into the end zone. ND seemed a little confused after thinking they had won, and thinking that Leinart was going to spike it. I was semi-rooting for ND in this one, but what USC has done is absolutely amazing. That 65-yard passing play on 4th and 12 blew my mind. Hell of a game, and so far I think Reggie Bush deserves the Heisman.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 15, 2005 23:56:15 GMT -5
The Big XII is ridiculously pathetic this year. Which will make it all the more embarassing when Texas loses to Colorado. ...42-17... What a Saturday for College Football! Left the Texas blowout in the second quarter and went out to a friend's tailgate to watch ND-USC. Agree it was the game of the year so far. Irish had the win in their grasp but the missed FG late and allowing SC to convert on 4th down killed the Domers. Will be interesting to see if the Trojans lose points in the polls at all tomorrow. Elsewhere, Penn State loses on a Huge play by UM to save the Wolverines' season. Minnesota fails to execute against Wisconsin and loses the Golden Axe. 'Bama almost gets upset, and FSU does by a UVA team I thought had no chance. Re: Cornell running up the score, I agree with Mike Leach's philosophy: If you don't like it, stop it. Thought GU was probably outmatched in this one coming in but was nonetheless surprised the Hoyas got blown out.
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