2008 College Football In-Season Thread!

[hoyarooter]

"Steve Sarkisian could be the man who costs USC a shot--and loss to Stanford or UCLA. RB's dominate and he ignores it. He has no feel for play calling and it'll eventually cost them--no matter how great their defense is/has been this year. "

I'm not exactly going out on a limb here, but I'm going to go on record saying this won't happen. I can't see USC losing to Stanford again after last year's debacle (although if it happens, I will be lmao). As for UCLA, there is no chance of the Bruins beating USC unless the USC team bus drives off a cliff on the way to the Rose Bowl. This is the worst UCLA offense I have ever seen, and I'm no youngster (and note - I don't blame Chow or Neuheisal - this is on Karl Dorrell leaving the Bruins with what might be the worst offensive line in the country and the fact that the Bruins are stuck using a 3rd string quarterback). I wouldn't be surprised if the offense never crosses midfield. They will only score on turnovers or a kick return.

[kghoya]

yeah he's got to go...i hope they lose to navy just so he cant possibly get another year

to me 8-4 was the minimum after last season...they aint winning out...and i hope they dont

[TBird41]

I don't know--I think if the Domers come close to beating USC, Weis should get a contract extension.

[hifigator]

Here's a question for all of us who follow college football:

As the regular season is winding down, it is time to start thinking about awards. In your opinions, who do you think is leading and in the running for the Heisman and for National Coach of the Year?

In the case of the Heisman, right now I would put Graham Harell leading, with Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow tied for second. Obviously all three are getting a big push from their respective teams' successes. If Tech can beat Oklahoma with a good/great game from Harell, then I think it is his. But Bradford's numbers are close and if the Sooners win that game, and especially if it is because Bradford outplays Harell, then I think Bradford will probably be the man to beat. I do think that Tebow still has a solid shot, but it will be a little difficult. Obviously Florida will need to continue winning through the SEC title game, and Tebow will need to continue doing what he has been doing the past 5 games. I do think that Tebow has a bit of an advantage in name recognition and for all the people who don't want to see another back-to-back winner, I still think the net effect fo being the "defending champion" will help a bit in the long run. The "knock" on Tebow is also the same thing that will help both Harell and Bradford. His stats just aren't as wowing as they were last year, nor are they close to the numbers that the better Big 12 quarterbacks are putting up -- not just Harell and Bradford, but McCoy, Reesing and Daniel as well. Anyhow, I wanted to see what you all are hearing in your areas.


As for National Coach of the Year, I think that it has to be Mike Leach's to lose. They have been good for years now, but he has elevated that program this season. The fact that the rest of the division is so good only adds to his resume'. I think that Nick Saban will probably be on the very short list as well. After that, I think that Paterno, Stoops, Mack and Meyer have all done great jobs, but aside from maybe Penn St., a lot was expected from those teams. If Tech beats Oklahoma, then I think Leach wins the award. I know that it's not really going out on a limb to predict a coach that will be 12-0 and ranked in the top 2 at a school that isn't a perennial power, but that is how I see it. I doubt there will be much dispute over that. If Leach loses and finishes at 11-1, losing the tiebreaker to Oklahoma, then who do you see winning the award? Would it then likely go to a 12-0 Bama team? My opinion is that it was a 3 man race between Leach, Saban and Paterno. With Joe Pa's loss to Iowa, I think he is now on the outside looking in. I do know that Heisman ballots have to be in by the Wednesday after the Conference title games, but I'm not sure about the coach's award. Presuming it's the same date, then if Florida beats Bama and if Tech doesn't win the Big 12, then who do you think wins the award? I think a good case could be made for all three, but under that scenario, I think the award goes to Paterno, if he runs out to make it to the Rose Bowl at 11-1.

thoughts?

[ichirohoya]

If I had a vote, I would vote for Harell for the Heisman. As for coach of the year, I am biased towards non-BCS programs-- so-- I'd go for either Kyle Whittingham at Utah or Brady Hoke at Ball State if they both finish unbeaten.

[hifigator]

ichiro, fair enough ... I guess I might be slightly biased against non-BCS coaches. While I agree that they might have an unfair advantage, both in recruiting as well as exposure, I think that is typically more than offset by the increased competition of most BCS conferences as opposed to those like the MAC, WAC or Mountain West. I certainly wouldn't argue putting guys like that on the short list as well.

As for Ball St. I remember that they were undeated several weeks ago, but honestly hadn't paid much attention recently. Then with all the talk of Utah vs. Boise St. for a potential BCS bid, I had kind of forgotten about Ball St. But I think I saw just last night that they are #14 in the new BCS rankings. That's pretty impressive to have 3 non-BCS teams in the top 14 at this point.

[hoyarooter]

I have nothing against Tebow, but I think he has little chance to repeat. There are too many quarterbacks with exceptional numbers this year to enable Tebow to repeat with less than exceptional numbers. I have no scientific knowledge of this, but I think that most voters will only vote for a repeat winner if that player stands out from the crowd, as they would prefer to recognize other players if those players have outstanding resumes (this is the Tebow already has his, let's recognize someone else approach).

[RDF]

Why would Texas Tech get the Player and Coach of Year? Look at their schedule. They play 3 teams all year--2 of them were in Lubbock and their non conference schedule was a complete embarrassment. Harrell isn't even the best player on the offense--Crabtree is--and you can put a moron at QB at Tech and put up numbers--proof is they do so every season. Texas Tech is what Houston was to CFB under John Jenkins.

Bradford or McCoy would be better choice.

Of course with the way CFB is going--Tebow the Tyler Hansbrough of CFB will win it.

[kchoya]

Nov 11, 2008 0:33:39 GMT -5 RDF said:

Why would Texas Tech get the Player and Coach of Year? Look at their schedule. They play 3 teams all year--2 of them were in Lubbock and their non conference schedule was a complete embarrassment. Harrell isn't even the best player on the offense--Crabtree is--and you can put a moron at QB at Tech and put up numbers--proof is they do so every season. Texas Tech is what Houston was to CFB under John Jenkins.

Bradford or McCoy would be better choice.

Of course with the way CFB is going--Tebow the Tyler Hansbrough of CFB will win it.

But there's actually a difference between Tebow and Hansbrough. Well, two actually. First, Tebow has actually won a national championship. Second, Tebow actually appears to trying to change and better his game, instead of just being a 240 RB who can throw the ball. Hansbrough's game doesn't seem to have changed from his frosh year.

[DanMcQ]

Ouch.

msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8779214/Nice-time-to-ride-to-the-rescue,-Charlie?MSNHPHMA

[hoyarooter]

Heh, heh, heh. Pear Bryant, heh, heh, heh.

Hilarious.

I think Whitlock (who I really like) has an ax to grind against Weis stemming from Willingham's firing at Notre Dame, but this is still good stuff.

[hifigator]

I agree. That is quite magnanimous of Weis. What a guy, to stick his neck out like that for the betterment of the team.


RDF, I'm not saying that I think Harell should get the Heisman, just that I think he has the inside track right now. As for their schedule, I won't argue with you. Along those lines, I think your description fits Oklahoma even more. Oklahoma at least still has Texas Tech and Ok. State to play. So they have had an even easier schedule. Basically, TCU is really the only competitive team, aside from maybe the Missouri/Kansas all offense no defense divisional foes. I can't remember their other OOC foes, but it was pretty pathetic. I know it included Cincy, which is at least decent. But other than that it was awful. I know Chattanooga was one of those teams.

[Boz]

Surprisingly, I have to come to ND's (not Weis's) defense here.

Look, Ty Willingham is just not a good coach. It's unfortunate, and I know there is a shameful dearth of black coaches in college football, but that doesn't mean we have to believe something of Willingham that just plain isn't true. He's. Not. Good.

Notre Dame may have handled the situation abysmally (they did), but that doesn't mean getting rid of Willingham was a bad decision. It was absolutely the right decision.

Now. Giving Weis a 10-year deal after one pretty good year? That's ridiculous, but I certainly don't blame ND for seeing the need to replace Ty Willingham, even at the early stage they did.


I know one thing though. I'm pretty sure the Irish boosters are wishing they had Urban Meyer right about now.

[hifigator]

Boz wrote:

I know one thing though. I'm pretty sure the Irish boosters are wishing they had Urban Meyer right about now.

Umm, no. He is a GATOR now and forever!

[kchoya]

Nov 11, 2008 13:00:28 GMT -5 hifigator said:

Boz wrote:

I know one thing though. I'm pretty sure the Irish boosters are wishing they had Urban Meyer right about now.

Umm, no. He is a GATOR now and forever!

Smartest decision Urban ever made - picking Florida over Notre Dame. I remember there being a lot of debate over which one he would pick, but in hindsight, the decision looks like an easy one.

[SFHoya99]

Nov 11, 2008 12:47:45 GMT -5 Boz said:

Surprisingly, I have to come to ND's (not Weis's) defense here.

Look, Ty Willingham is just not a good coach. It's unfortunate, and I know there is a shameful dearth of black coaches in college football, but that doesn't mean we have to believe something of Willingham that just plain isn't true. He's. Not. Good.

Notre Dame may have handled the situation abysmally (they did), but that doesn't mean getting rid of Willingham was a bad decision. It was absolutely the right decision.

Now. Giving Weis a 10-year deal after one pretty good year? That's ridiculous, but I certainly don't blame ND for seeing the need to replace Ty Willingham, even at the early stage they did.


I know one thing though. I'm pretty sure the Irish boosters are wishing they had Urban Meyer right about now.

Firing Willingham shouldn't have been questioned as much as it was -- although I will say ND took much of it on themselves by talking about "fit" instead of wins and losses.

Giving Weis a ten year contract with practically the same record as Ty but better recruiting rankings? That seems odd.

[kghoya]

the fact that weis is turning out to be a bad coach doesnt negate the fact that willingham is also a bad coach

jason is still bent about that firing...nothing new to see here

[hifigator]

What does everyone think about Cowherd's take: (I know what you think about the individual; that isn't the question) anyhow, he thinks that Weis is incredibly bright and has a great football mind, but isn't "collegial." His point is that some coaches are cut out for college coaching while others are cut out for the pros. He lists Belichik as one who wouldn't be very good in college, for a couple of factors. Obviously recruiting is the first reason. You have to go sit in people's living rooms and sell not only the institution buy yourself as well. In that regard, he thinks that Bill would have trouble recruiting. His second angle is that college coaches only get 17 hours a week with their kids and that you can only do so much in 17 hours a week. Belichik can succeed simply by outworking others 70-80 hours a week. You can't do that in college. Sure, you can bust your tail. For what it is worth, that is supposedly Ron Zook's strength. It's claimed that he just doesn't sleep for 3 months -- often getting no more than a couple of hours in a car. I'm sure that is somewhat embellished, but I'm sure there is something to it as well.

[kchoya]

Nov 11, 2008 16:51:52 GMT -5 hifigator said:

What does everyone think about Cowherd's take: (I know what you think about the individual; that isn't the question) anyhow, he thinks that Weis is incredibly bright and has a great football mind, but isn't "collegial." His point is that some coaches are cut out for college coaching while others are cut out for the pros. He lists Belichik as one who wouldn't be very good in college, for a couple of factors. Obviously recruiting is the first reason. You have to go sit in people's living rooms and sell not only the institution buy yourself as well. In that regard, he thinks that Bill would have trouble recruiting. His second angle is that college coaches only get 17 hours a week with their kids and that you can only do so much in 17 hours a week. Belichik can succeed simply by outworking others 70-80 hours a week. You can't do that in college. Sure, you can bust your tail. For what it is worth, that is supposedly Ron Zook's strength. It's claimed that he just doesn't sleep for 3 months -- often getting no more than a couple of hours in a car. I'm sure that is somewhat embellished, but I'm sure there is something to it as well.

I'm starting to wonder what proof we have that Weis is "bright" and has a "great football mind." When did this guy become an offensive genius? When he had Tom Brady? When he had Brady Quinn? At this rate, he'd be better off auditioning for the role of the butcher boyfriend on the next remake of the Brady Bunch.

Seriously though, the guy has done well with great talent around him. I'm not all that impressed with Pear Bryant.

[FormerHoya]

I think it's funny that Whitlock would make fun of somebody for being fat.

Also funny that everybody here would jump on it. Good job.