2008 College Football In-Season Thread!

[AustinHoya03]

Oct 20, 2008 19:18:53 GMT -5 vcjack said:

Doesn't Texas play Oaklahoma State this weekend?

I'm not going to say the 'Pokes don't have a good squad this season. I think Oklahoma State will give the Longhorns a decent game. But I think their #7 ranking is inflated based on their schedule:

@ Wazzu (1-7)
Houston (4-3)
MO State (3-3 -- I-AA)
Troy (4-2)
TAMU (2-5)
@ Mizzou (5-2)
Baylor (3-4)

I challenge you all to name one good defensive football team in that bunch. By the numbers, Troy is the best defense Pickens State has faced this season. I am not going to make a call yet, since I have not yet watched 3/4 of Texas' game against Mizzou, but after Chase Daniel's Tigers played like his Southlake Carroll HS team against the Longhorns (in the first quarter at least), I am feeling somewhat confident.

I'll also agree with RDF and DFW: Texas Tech is overrated. Everyone out here on the high plains knows it, too -- the consensus is the unbeaten streak ends on Nov. 1 (when Texas visits) at the latest. The Raiders have let Nebraska and TAMU stick around in football games for the past two weekends. If they let KU do the same in Lawrence this weekend, they'll lose.

[hoyarooter]

LMAO when I saw that tOSU was #5 in the computer rankings, and USC was #10. How did that game turn out again?

[HeartAttackHoya]

OSU always gives Texas a good game. #5 ranking or not, this is yet another big challenge for Texas. Glad the game is in Austin!

[TBird41]

Oct 20, 2008 21:28:21 GMT -5 hoyarooter said:

LMAO when I saw that tOSU was #5 in the computer rankings, and USC was #10. How did that game turn out again?

What year was it that Notre Dame beat Florida St., then lost to BC, both finished with just the one loss and FSU won the nat'l title? Maybe 1993?

That, at least, shows some precedent for that kind of thing. That being said, it's pretty screwy.

[RDF]

Oct 21, 2008 11:49:03 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

Oct 20, 2008 21:28:21 GMT -5 hoyarooter said:

LMAO when I saw that tOSU was #5 in the computer rankings, and USC was #10. How did that game turn out again?

What year was it that Notre Dame beat Florida St., then lost to BC, both finished with just the one loss and FSU won the nat'l title? Maybe 1993?

That, at least, shows some precedent for that kind of thing. That being said, it's pretty screwy.

It's one thing to get beat by a TD and last play of game is a knockdown of pass that would've tied game (FSU-ND in '93). When you are beat by 32 points and game wasn't that close--and are ranked ahead of someone--well explain that to me?

Worst BCS injustice was USC being ranked #1 in both polls and having to watch Oklahoma get into BCS game after losing by 35 points in Big XII Title game to Kansas State, and lose to LSU. A team that doesn't win it's conference or division shouldn't even be considered for a National Title game and Big XII has delivered that crap 2 times--Nebraska the year Miami slapped them around (Huskers didn't even win their division of Big XII) and Oklahoma getting beat by 35 and getting rewarded for it.

Closely behind the above--the year Miami had to watch FSU play Oklahoma--despite beating FSU in October and Canes only loss being at Washington-who ended up 11-1 that season and ranked #3 in country. You beat them head to head and your loss came prior to the head to head game and still see FSU play in title game--which if they won-Canes would've got a split title but the Noles gagged as expected against an OU team that Miami would've beaten by at least 2 TD's.

[TBird41]

Oct 21, 2008 12:25:12 GMT -5 RDF said:

Oct 21, 2008 11:49:03 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

What year was it that Notre Dame beat Florida St., then lost to BC, both finished with just the one loss and FSU won the nat'l title? Maybe 1993?

That, at least, shows some precedent for that kind of thing. That being said, it's pretty screwy.

Fair enough. I wasn't trying to claim ND got screwed or anything, just pointing out a similar situation.

And, in the end, if the two choices aren't obvious, then I think we all know that the BCS is going to screw up the title game

[hifigator]

Oct 21, 2008 11:49:03 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

Oct 20, 2008 21:28:21 GMT -5 hoyarooter said:

LMAO when I saw that tOSU was #5 in the computer rankings, and USC was #10. How did that game turn out again?

What year was it that Notre Dame beat Florida St., then lost to BC, both finished with just the one loss and FSU won the nat'l title? Maybe 1993?

That, at least, shows some precedent for that kind of thing. That being said, it's pretty screwy.

As someone else pointed out, it isn't exactly the same situation, since USC didn't just beat Ohio St. But there is certainly some similarity, at least with regards to someone getting the short end of the stick at this point.

I've said it before, and will doubtlessly say it again however. What I remember about that Notre Dame-FSU situation was Coach Lou Holtz's comment. When the Irish were passed up in favor of the Noles, he said something like: "it's just too bad that when you have two great teams with similar records, that you can't settle it on the field, late in the season with a game between the two teams ... but then again, I thought we already did that."

That was classic Lou Holtz and I don't like the Irish in the least.


As for the FSU-Oklahoma National Title game, I have to disagree with you RDF. Watching FSU lose 13-2 was downright hilarious. It really couldn't have been much better under the circumstances.

Shutting out your opponent is great and everything, but holding them to only a two run homer is pretty damn funny in its own right.

[RDF]

It's always good when FSU loses--but one of the few times I've pulled for them--they wilt and die--agonizing.

Understand what you are saying T-Bird--but just wanted to throw more garbage out against this computer based MESS.

Thing is--everyone keeps saying "well--look at last year... when you had everyone losing...." well what about '05 when Texas and USC won out and faced each other? Every season is different--and you can't count on something that happened in past to sort out the mess for you.

I've got no issues with how things are going up to now--if you put yourself in a position where you need other teams to lose--you have nobody to blame. If you have 3 undefeated teams-then I believe you have to really take the schedules into more account. If Texas, Alabama, and PSU are undefeated--then you take Texas and Bama in Title game. They've played tougher schedules, and an extra game compared to a league that skips 2 league teams to play weaker games.

In all honesty--the BCS system stinks--not because of Title matchups--but the predetermined crap games that ruin what could be a great system. I'd love to see 1 vs 2, 3 play 4, etc....but we won't get that and it stinks.

[SFHoya99]

The BCS system doesn't stink (just) because of the computers -- the polls are just as bad. The BCS system stinks because it assumes that every year will have a clear Top 2 teams to play. Its fatal flaw is not that it is flawed in what teams it picks -- although that sucks, too -- its fatal flaw it that it picks two and only two to play in a single game.

In no way can you year in and out pick, out of 116 teams, the top 2, when they only play 10-11 other teams each year.

You only add to the ridiculousness with things like no one ever going on the road/leaving the region, inconsistency over how a good a team is early versus late, etc., and a two team system is just silly.

[AustinHoya03]

Week 9 Picks for Games That Matter:

West Virginia over Auburn (Thursday)
San Jose State upsets Boise State (Friday)
Miami (FL) over Wake Forest
Texas Tech over Kansas (contradicting my statements above)
N. Carolina over BC
Vanderbilt over Duke
Texas drops Oklahoma State like Boone Pickens' investments
Michigan over Michigan State for the Paul Bunyan-Governor of Michigan Trophy
Georgia Tech over U. Va.
Cal over UCLA
LSU over UGA
FSU over Va. Tech
Alabama over Tennessee on the Third Fourth Saturday in October (Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer)
Southern Miss over Memphis in the Black and Blue Bowl
Ohio State over Penn State
Arizona upsets SC (Vegas has the 'Cats as 16 point dogs -- take the points, people!)
____________________________________________________

RDF: Who are these 2 WRs for Texas you speak of? Here's the box from Saturday:

Shipley: 8 rec for 89 yards
Collins: 6 rec for 76 yards
Cosby: 7 rec for 74 yards

Also keep in mind that Ogbonnaya (6 rec for 68 yards) looks like Brian Westbrook out of the backfield lately. I'm a bit worried about our running game against a better defense, too, but I'm not worried about the passing game in the least.

PS: 2 other Texas WRs (Williams and Buckner) had TD catches against Mizzou

[RDF]

If you are a good defense--Texas has 2 WR's--those other guys aren't going to hurt you.

If you are a good defense--Texas running game is non-existent outside of McCoy.

BTW--forgot to mention something that I'm usually over-enthusiastic to bring up--Vtech and Beamer LOSING another game due to SPECIAL TEAMS!!! That's right--Boston College returned a punt against Hokies for TD and that is 2nd time this year they've lost a game--and both times due to poor special teams play. BEAMER BALL!!! Now they head into their obligatory FSU choke job game. They should beat FSU--but always have a special teams meltdown against Bowden's team--and you hear the "Beamer said he learned about blocking punts, etc...from FSU's Bobby Bowden.....".

I like the upset pick Austin--think Arizona's got a real shot as well--but only one thing is very troubling about this pick--if Sarkisian actually decides to watch some film---USC should be able to pound Wildcats running the football. I don't like teams who can't stop the run against USC--but in most games Sarkisian proves to ignore anything shown on film by opponents and he decides to throw it around. Also, if you are going to pick SC to be upset--pick this week or UCLA game--because Carroll led USC teams are undefeated in November in his tenure.

[FewFAC]

Oct 21, 2008 13:36:58 GMT -5 RDF said:

It's always good when FSU loses--but one of the few times I've pulled for them--they wilt and die--agonizing.

Sounds like you should root for Florida State on a more consistent basis.

[hifigator]

Oct 22, 2008 0:27:08 GMT -5 FewFAC said:

Oct 21, 2008 13:36:58 GMT -5 RDF said:

It's always good when FSU loses--but one of the few times I've pulled for them--they wilt and die--agonizing.

Sounds like you should root for Florida State on a more consistent basis.

While I can't verify the accuracy of these previous comments, I can't dispute the logic of either.

In other words, IF, as RDF put it, It's always good when FSU loses--but one of the few times I've pulled for them--they wilt and die--agonizing

then it is impossible to refute FewFac:

Sounds like you should root for Florida State on a more consistent basis.

as impossible as it seems ...

[RDF]

For me to pull for FSU--think of who they are playing or what is needed---so you get the point?

[HeartAttackHoya]

Oct 21, 2008 23:49:29 GMT -5 RDF said:

If you are a good defense--Texas has 2 WR's--those other guys aren't going to hurt you.

If you are a good defense--Texas running game is non-existent outside of McCoy.

I would have agreed with this statement at the beginning of the year. However, the emergence of Chris Ogbonnaya and Cody Johnson (short yardage) in Big XII play has eroded those thoughts. Also, our WRs outside of Shipley and Quan were all Freshmen and Sophmore who have come alive as of late.

[RDF]

Oct 22, 2008 11:18:03 GMT -5 HeartAttackHoya said:

Oct 21, 2008 23:49:29 GMT -5 RDF said:

If you are a good defense--Texas has 2 WR's--those other guys aren't going to hurt you.

If you are a good defense--Texas running game is non-existent outside of McCoy.

I would have agreed with this statement at the beginning of the year. However, the emergence of Chris Ogbonnaya and Cody Johnson (short yardage) in Big XII play has eroded those thoughts. Also, our WRs outside of Shipley and Quan were all Freshmen and Sophmore who have come alive as of late.

I've liked Texas more then other people--including Horn fans prior to season--but I also don't think they are as "dominant" as some are starting to say. Who is a good defensive team in Big XII? I think the QB's are solid in Big XII--but I also think some of the success is due to just inept defensive play from so many teams. It's why Jason White, TT QB's, and other marginal players who play QB put up huge numbers and never did anything against athletic defenses who can scheme. I like McCoy, Zac Robinson, and Freeman at KSU as good QB prospects and Bradford is accurate, although he's mechanical but I'd just like to see how they do facing better defensive teams--and with UT--I think we will as they'll likely face someone like Bama or Florida. If Penn State makes it-then it could be one of those shootout games that are fun to watch ala USC-Texas in '05.

Texas offense this year reminds me of OU in '03. Marginal running game and great passing game--until they ran into a team who had athletes/scheme to attack/challenge those WR's to beat them over top. If you take away UT's short routes and get pressure--it'll be interesting to see what happens. I dont' think Horns can run the ball at all against a good defensive team and I have no respect for Brent Venables or OU defense, so dont' bring them up.

[HeartAttackHoya]

I am usually a big proponent of the SEC but I really think this is a down year for the conference. The quarterback play, Tebow excluded, is underwelming and the Big Ten teams, Penn State included, are not even worthy of being in the top ten of national polls. My top 4 teams are USC, OU, Texas and Florida, anyone of which could outplay the other on a given day. From thereon, I see a big dropoff.

[hifigator]

HeartAttack, I have heard that QB argument several times but I'm just not sure I buy it. Granted the Big 12 certainly looks to be top heavy on quarterbacks. McCoy, Daniel, Reesing and Bradford certainly all put up the numbers, but as someone else questioned: how much of that is stellar QB play and how much of it is somewhat softer defenses in the Big 12? I would think there's a good degree of each. As for the SEC, certainly Tennessee is a lot worse without Erik Ainge and Kentucky hasn't regrouped after losing Woodsen yet but there are still some quality QBs in the SEC as well. Aside from Tebow, Georgia has Matthew Stafford -- who some are projecting to be the top pick in the NFL draft next year. In fact one of the local guys here has been saying that he wouldn't be that surpirsed if Stafford and Knowshon Moreno went 1-2 in the draft next year. After Tebow and Stafford there is certainly a drop off, but maybe not as much as one would think. In John Parker Wilson, Bama has a solid veteran quarterback. He doesn't wow you with numbers, but I think the kid is a winner and has the makeup to be a lont time NFL quarterback, maybe of the Brad Johnson kind of mold. Also, I can't remember the kid's name, but I'm impressed with the guy from Vandy as well. He's not an all-star or anything, but I think he can certainly get the job done. My point is that the SEC is probably not quite as top heavy as it has been some years, but top to bottom, I think it is as strong as ever. And in any case, the defenses in the SEC are for the most part, excellent. That doesn't lend itself to the gaudy numbers that Reesing, Daniel, McCoy and Bradford can put up on a weekly basis.

[FormerHoya]

Oct 21, 2008 21:35:54 GMT -5 AustinHoya03 said:

Week 9 Picks for Games That Matter:

Arizona upsets SC (Vegas has the 'Cats as 16 point dogs -- take the points, people!)

Well, now I'm just confused.

I thought that the "

spread is for low-life degenerates that waste their money gambling on football every weekend

"

[AustinHoya03]

Oct 23, 2008 12:30:18 GMT -5 FormerHoya said:

Oct 21, 2008 21:35:54 GMT -5 AustinHoya03 said:

Week 9 Picks for Games That Matter:
Arizona upsets SC (Vegas has the 'Cats as 16 point dogs -- take the points, people!)

Well, now I'm just confused.

I thought that the "

spread is for low-life degenerates that waste their money gambling on football every weekend

"

a) I am not picking this game ATS.

b) The mods have a tendency to shut down threads focused on the spread.

Does that clear things up?

_______________________________________________________________________

Re: Texas getting too much love, this happens to EVERY team ranked #1 these days. It was only a couple weeks ago the same talking heads said the Longhorns would need to play a perfect game to beat a flawless Oklahoma squad. So, I'm not surprised. And if Texas loses, expect Alabama to get the same treatment.

I don't disagree with RDF's theory re: Texas facing a good defensive team in principle, but I feel compelled to point out we will not see it tested in the regular season. In my opinion, the best defensive team remaining on the Longhorns' schedule is Kansas, and that's not saying much.

I also still believe the Longhorns have a tough schedule to finish the season, and I won't be surprised if there is some hiccup before the end of November. Don't forget the 'Horns have slipped up against the K-States and TAMUs of the world the past two seasons. A loss this weekend or in Lubbock or Lawrence is certainly a possibility.

HOWEVER, this year's Texas team has shown more guts on the field than I have seen from a team wearing burnt orange in a long time, and for once I have no harsh words for the coaching staff, which has done an excellent job in the first half of the 2008 season. So, I'm mainly going to ignore RDF's theory and enjoy the ride.
______________________________________________________________________

Also, re: the Arizona game, one big reason I'm picking the 'Cats is that they ran the ball really well last weekend against Cal. I think they can mirror what Oregon State did against SC -- get out to an early lead and win the time of possession battle. If they do that it forces the Trojans to partially abandon the run -- which also happened against the Beavers.