hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Aug 5, 2008 11:51:40 GMT -5
RDF wrote:
Also predict that despite an easy schedule--Charlie Weis will be fired and new coach is either Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops--with Stoops being my pick--since I think he'll flop at OU this year and be asked to "look around". Really think that team is going to be crappy--but maybe I'll be surprised.
Urban Meyer isn't going to Notre Dame anytime soon. I don't think he is going anywhere soon ... except to Miami for a football game next January.
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FormerHoya
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Post by FormerHoya on Aug 5, 2008 13:33:51 GMT -5
Also, even if Weis is gone after this year, Meyer is no longer an option at ND. Not that he'd be interested this time, but that bridge was absolutely torched.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Aug 6, 2008 19:58:00 GMT -5
Spurrier and Fulmer no longer belong on any list being "premier" and conference power is a yearly thing--and with pre-determined bowl matchups--we'll never know for certain what league is better. I mean for every "SEC is so good......." we've seen years where USC loses 2 conference games but beat a team who appeared in SEC title game by 40 something points on road--so do you judge by that or how do you judge? I think Big 10 has been down past 5 years--but Michigan beat a Florida team a lot of people expect to be top 5 this year in a bowl game--and bowl games are often seen as "beginning" of the new season--not the end. Georgia beat up on a Hawaii team who was not a good matchup for them--Hawaii would've been better suited to play Oklahoma--and it would have been funny to watch Brennan throw for 1000 yards against a Stoops/Venables defense in one game--but instead they faced UGA. My biggest complaint with today's CFB is the predetermined matchups. I'd have loved to see USC-UGA in last year's Rose Bowl, and have best teams or possible matchups made instead of the 4th place team from Butt Awful League playing the 8th placed Big 10 team in the Clown Burger Bowl. Not to beat a dead horse I killed a long time ago, but the combination of these two points is why the old bowl system was much, much better than the BCS. Agree completely, and RDF's point is further illustrated by the scores of those two games: SC 50 @ Arkansas 14, Florida 38 vs. Arkansas 28. The transitive property does not apply to college football, but the first game was an epic beatdown, while the second game gave all of America cause to doubt UF in the National Championship. It wasn't just Derry, though Captain Arm Tackle was the worst of the bunch. Akina & MacDuff played a group of veteran LBs with far less talent than the young guys who will play a bunch this season. Akina is still a co-DC for this year, but word out of Austin is that title is purely ceremonial -- this year's Texas D is Muschamp's, and I agree with that is a very good thing. BOOM MOTHERF***ER!With apologies to TigerHoya, this quote could just have easily applied to Clemson before LAST season. A Spiller/Davis backfield should NOT put up 3 points against Georgia Tech. I am really looking forward to the A&M rematch. Unlike like last year, when the the most hated man/biggest idiot in CFB strolled the sidelines for the Aggies, I expect a helluva game. TAMU will still be playing with Fran's players -- does Miami play 'go long' on offense again this season? If OU is overhyped, we'll find out about it very quickly. Weeks 2/3/4 of the season for the Sooners are: Cincy in Norman, U-Dub in Washington, and TCU in Norman. Personally, I think the Sooners are much more likely to go down to a well-coached Cincinnati team than lose in Seattle, but we'll see soon enough. Re: Texas winning the Big 12 South by 2 games, I agree the 'Horns have a lot of potential, but there remain (again) some large question marks (tailback this season) and a recent history of losing gimme games (K-State x2). I am bullish on the 'Horns, but am again taking a wait-and-see attitude to this season. I think people forget it has historically been very difficult to win games at Folsom, and that goes for the Big 8 days as well as more recently in the Big 12. Oklahoma was reminded of that fact last season. I like CU much more than Pelini's team this season -- I think the 'Huskers will improve but if they make a bowl they'll squeak in with 6 wins. |
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Aug 6, 2008 20:01:19 GMT -5
I think Texas is in play -- there are always a pretty decent number of teams with National Title talent everywhere but quarterback. So it will come down to a couple of teams which step up there. McCoy had a rough year last year but I think he's got the talent to be a good college QB. One difference this year that should help McCoy will be a healthy and experienced O-Line. Colt spent considerably more time on his back in 2007 than in 2006. He's currently talking big to the press (10 wins is not enough for Texas, yada yada yada), hopefully he'll back up his statements on the field this season. |
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Aug 6, 2008 20:02:53 GMT -5
Also, even if Weis is gone after this year, Meyer is no longer an option at ND. Not that he'd be interested this time, but that bridge was absolutely torched. If Notre Dame fires Charlie Weis this season, Notre Dame football officially dies. Discuss. Re: Meyer and bridge burning, keep in mind there is a new AD at Notre Dame. |
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Aug 6, 2008 20:03:15 GMT -5
I don't have a feel for who's really good this year (polls mean nothing), but I have a hard time seeing Oklahoma losing at home to Cincinnati. If that does happen, it will likely mean that Oklahoma is headed down the tubes.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Aug 6, 2008 20:27:13 GMT -5
Also, even if Weis is gone after this year, Meyer is no longer an option at ND. Not that he'd be interested this time, but that bridge was absolutely torched. If Notre Dame fires Charlie Weis this season, Notre Dame football officially dies. Discuss. Re: Meyer and bridge burning, keep in mind there is a new AD at Notre Dame. Notre Dame football is alive? |
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Aug 7, 2008 12:52:07 GMT -5
In no particular order:
The Meyer to Notre Dame talk is highly unlikely in my mind. Maybe I am being naive, but I think that Urban wants to have a little stability in his life right now as his kids grow up. I really think the comparison to Billy D. is very aprepos. The fact that they are very good friends and next door neighbors only helps even more. I'm not saying it can't happen. It wouldn't be the most shocking of news -- that would be Spurrier replacing Booby at FSU, but I don't think Urban is going anywhere for at least another couple of years. If things fall into place, and we do have a very legitimate shot at another Natty Tite this year, then Urban might just decide to settle down and become the next legend known for one program, ala Paterno, Schembechler, Osborne etc...
On the other hand, IF he is going to leave, the end of this season could be a natural time to do so. Even though we will be really talented next year as well, we will have a bunch of new faces. 3 starting offensive linemen are seniors. Cornelius Ingram is a senior. Dollars to doughnuts that Percy Harvin leaves after this year and is a likely top 5 pick. Right now I would expect Tebow to return for his senior year, but you never know. Defensively, a couple of players are likely early departees, most prominently middle linebacker Brandon Spikes.
The point is that as timing goes, the end of this season will be as good as any to make a change. I just don't think he wants to at this point.
Austin, how will the loss of Charles affect the Longhorns? I'm sure they have a few dynamic high schoolers coming up through the ranks, but he was pretty dang good.
As for Clemson, they are very talented at spots, most notably running back. The thunder and lightning type of attack with two guys as talented as Davis and Spiller gives you a lot of options. I expect them to get over the Tommy Bowden factor and be in the running for major bowl consideration come December. I doubt they run the table, but I'm not sure that I would go with the 3 or 4 losses that RDF predicts either. Remember, he predicted Florida to lose 5 games 2 years ago, and we all know how that worked out.
As for the USC-Arkansas game, I will certainly give USC credit. They got the job done that day, but McFadden was banged up going in and wasn't anywhere near 100% healthy. They also had a QB controversy early in the year with some wanting to hand the reigns over to Mustain immediately. They were a much better team later in the year for sure. Still, I am not taking anything away from USC. They were a quality team and were it not for a stumble against arch-rival UCLA the same day that we beat Arkansas in Atlanta, they would have had the opportunity to expose Ohio St. as the frauds that they were instead of us.
Lastly, this just in: Cornelius Ingram hobbled off the practice field yesterday after injuring his knee in one on one drills. No official word has been released. Meyer said that as of now (last night) it is a sprained knee. If that's all it is, he could make it back in time for the opener, but he went in for an MRI and results were due back earlier today. This week's practices were scheduled to all be open to the public and media, with the rest starting next week closed. For some reason, they have now closed tonight's and tomorrow's practices. Speculation is all over. I talked to WRUF Sports Director Steve Russell just now and he said that Meyer is scheduled for a press conference this afternoon at some unspecified time and will make an announcement. He also said the news will "probably not" be good.
Ouch, I can only hope that it is just speculation.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Aug 7, 2008 13:41:54 GMT -5
"Still, I am not taking anything away from USC. They were a quality team and were it not for a stumble against arch-rival UCLA the same day that we beat Arkansas in Atlanta, they would have had the opportunity to expose Ohio St. as the frauds that they were instead of us." And there you have my only pleasant memory of Karl Dorrell.  |
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Aug 7, 2008 14:00:52 GMT -5
I haven't heard anything official from the UAA, but GatorCountry has released that Cornelius Ingram is out for the season with a complete tear of his ACL. Now the question remains if he will want to redshirt or go to the NFL directly off the injury. That really sucks for a kid who decides to wait on the NFL to return to school and finish his degree and he gets hurt, not just during the season, but before the season or CLASSES even start.
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Filo
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Post by Filo on Aug 7, 2008 14:39:34 GMT -5
Man, HiFi, didn't the gators also lose a starter in the defensive backfield (Munroe?)? Injury bug is biting hard...
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Aug 7, 2008 14:54:24 GMT -5
I haven't heard anything official from the UAA, but GatorCountry has released that Cornelius Ingram is out for the season with a complete tear of his ACL. Now the question remains if he will want to redshirt or go to the NFL directly off the injury. That really sucks for a kid who decides to wait on the NFL to return to school and finish his degree and he gets hurt, not just during the season, but before the season or CLASSES even start. That kid should've been in Draft last year-there wasn't any need for him to return and he'd have been the first TE taken in Draft. You can get your degree and if there is one sport where guys need to go ASAP--it's football. Career is too short and money isn't guaranteed--so I would leave the land of the 3rd Person (Urban Meyer is just sick that Cornelius will miss the season-Urban told the players--got to suck it up. Urban thinks..... :  |
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Aug 7, 2008 14:58:39 GMT -5
How is a team "better" when the FR QB was undefeated and is basically replaced by a RB--and the team ends up losing 3 of their last 4 games? That is your logic about Arkansas. Or could it be the fact--that SEC is just a bit overhyped? How is it that hard for SEC fans to admit? Geez. I mean USC bombed Michigan in the Rose Bowl and UF bombed Ohio State--so we can conclude one thing--the Big 10 was overrated--but that same "improved" Arkansas team lost to Wisconsin in bowl game--so what about that? I mean I'm not saying USC was better then Florida--I'm just saying I tire of SEC--as in the entire view of conference--is so much better then everyone else. It's not true and there is no measure to prove this--other then media hype and zealot fans.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Aug 7, 2008 15:47:24 GMT -5
How is a team "better" when the FR QB was undefeated and is basically replaced by a RB--and the team ends up losing 3 of their last 4 games? That is your logic about Arkansas. Or could it be the fact--that SEC is just a bit overhyped? How is it that hard for SEC fans to admit? Geez. I mean USC bombed Michigan in the Rose Bowl and UF bombed Ohio State--so we can conclude one thing--the Big 10 was overrated--but that same "improved" Arkansas team lost to Wisconsin in bowl game--so what about that? I mean I'm not saying USC was better then Florida--I'm just saying I tire of SEC--as in the entire view of conference--is so much better then everyone else. It's not true and there is no measure to prove this--other then media hype and zealot fans. Like I said, USC was certainly a good team. I'm not saying anything about them. As for Arkansas, forget about wins and losses. Yes, Arkansas lost their last two games -- to Florida in the SEC title game and to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl I think. Did you watch that Cotton Bowl game? I did. That one game cost me the friggin bowl pool. Arkansas kicked their tail but made too many mistakes. I don't remember the exact numbers but Arkansas outgained Wisconsin by a ton. I want to say it was nearly 2 to 1. In any case, Arkansas gave up a return TD and had a punt blocked for a TD, and still barely lost the game. And that Wisconsin team might have been the best team in the Big 10 that year. They didn't get a chance to play OSU. In any case, they were a decent team at the very least. I'm still bitter about that game. When the masters for the pool come out, the first thing I look for is to see if anyone has the exact same picks that I do. Then I see if anyone is only one game different. SUre enough one entry had the exact picks as mine except for the Wisconsin-Arkansas game. Sure enough, he won the pool with only 3 losses. I was second with only 4 losses. That friggin stupid punter with his arms to the sky BS nonsense ... In any case, my point was simply that Arkansas was a better team at the end of the year than at the beginning, but I don't say that to take anything away from the Trojans. Filo: we have been bitten by the bug hard and very early. We are only 3 days into fall practice. The guy you were talking about was Dorian Monroe and yes he is hurt as well. The defensive backfield has been hit hard. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, we didn't really have 4 starters yet. Joe Haden and Major Wright are very likely candidates. Wondy Pierre Louis, Markihe Anderson, Jacques Rickerson and a few freshmen were likely to battle for the other positions. Monroe was in that mix and we will miss him, but at least he wasn't an established leader. Incidentally, look for Will Hill to have a big impact this year as a freshman. He is a true playmaker and because of injuries, he will get early and often playing time. |
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Aug 7, 2008 15:51:20 GMT -5
By the way, RDF: what is this third person you keep talking about? I haven't heard Urban Meyer talk like that any that I remember. HiFiGator thinks you are making that up. HiFiGator thinks you are worrying about the spanking that the Gators are going to give your Canes next month. HiFiGator would like to extend you a friendly wager on the game. HiFiGator anxiously awaits your reply.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Aug 7, 2008 15:55:32 GMT -5
Filo, actually there was a clip in the paper today listing players who are missing practice for injuries/illnesses. It's sickening ... pun intended.
Percy Harvin is out right now.
Chris Rainey is out with a groin injury he suffered running track.
Jeff Demps injured his leg (either knee or ankle) on the last play of practice yesterday.
Omar Hunter is being held out with back issues.
Dorian Monroe, Cornelius Ingram and Matt Patchen are all out as well.
Carl Johnson is out, but I don't know why.
On Edit: Highly regarded freshman linebacker Brenden Beal is yet another out for the year with an ACL injury. That makes 5 players lost for the season with ACL injuries. If there is a bright spot, it's that the only player who was counted on for major playing time and a key cog was Cornelius Ingram. And we do have an extremely talented backup in Aaron Hernandez. He weighs 250, runs a legit 4.5 and has some of the softest hands this side of ... well, ... Cornelius Ingram.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Aug 15, 2008 13:54:40 GMT -5
On a note that we can all agree: the official start of college football is only 8 days away. If I remember correctly, defending 1-AA champion Valdosta State kicks off the season next Saturday, August 23rd and most division 1 teams start the following week, August 30th.
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FormerHoya
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Post by FormerHoya on Aug 15, 2008 15:51:18 GMT -5
Also, even if Weis is gone after this year, Meyer is no longer an option at ND. Not that he'd be interested this time, but that bridge was absolutely torched. If Notre Dame fires Charlie Weis this season, Notre Dame football officially dies. Discuss. Re: Meyer and bridge burning, keep in mind there is a new AD at Notre Dame. Talking ND football on this board is a losing proposition, so I generally avoid it. That being said, if Weis is fired, the program is in huge trouble, both because it means that they've had an awful year, and because the next several years will continue to be awful. I think ND will be better this year, and the schedule sets up for a decent record even if the team is not great. Either way, dead is too strong a word. w/r/t meyer, I firmly believe that Meyer would not be considered @ ND even in the unlikely situation that he was interested in the job b/c of his statements at the time he took the FLA job. Saying the "no one can win at ND" is a sure way to get the trustees against you, and he won't be hired if the trustees hate him, regardless of who is the AD. No more ND talk from me. |
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Aug 16, 2008 11:09:33 GMT -5
Former, I'm certainly no fan of the Irish either. In fact their perpetual nationwide broadcasts via NBC only fan the flames of my ire all the more. Thus I try hard to not talk about them either.
That being said, I don't remember Meyer saying that -- not that it would do anything but raise my opinion of him though.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Aug 17, 2008 22:42:00 GMT -5
I think ND will be better this year A school with an all-time record of 824-279 will win 4 games this season? With San Diego State and Syracuse on the roster? What kind of odds will Caesar's give you on that wager? Updating an earlier comment, the NCAA was not as nice to Ben Mauk's eligibility request as it was to Julian Vaughan's. Mauk immediately proved he is a red-blooded American by filing a lawsuit. ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hTQI4BL3BbdN1_9FQOpuTSeZrQSQD92I9GB00In other QB news, Stephen McGee will keep his job under center for the Texas Aggies. Which, if past history is any guide, means A&M will go 2-10 this season but beat the Longhorns. EDIT: Oh yeah, and the AP Top 25 came out -- UGA edged out tOSU for the No. 1 spot: sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?pollId=1 |
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