Are You Ready For Some College FB?

[paulxu]

Will be here very shortly. Could be fun times this year.
First coaches poll out. Top 10

1 LSU (18)
2 Alabama (20)
3 USC (19)
4 Oklahoma
5 Oregon
6 Georgia
7 Florida State
8 Michigan
9 South Carolina
10 Arkansas

5 of top 10 are SEC, 2 Pac12, 1 ACC, 1 Big Ten, 1 Big 12.
No way they stay at 4 team playoff. Will be 8 by the time it gets here. ND better find a cconference.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/rankings/_/poll/2/week/1

[XUglow]

ND better find a cconference.


Makes me think of I, Claudius.

Back to football... I think SEC teams are going to beat each other up this year. Bama and LSU both have to go to Arkansas. I can see one or both of them going down.

[GoMuskies]

My suspicion is that Arkansas is going to be a major disappointment this year with John L. at the helm instead of Bobby Petrino. Smith is a fine coach, but there's a reason why Petrino was the head man and John L. was the special teams coach.

[XUglow]

My suspicion is that Arkansas is going to be a major disappointment this year with John L. at the helm instead of Bobby Petrino. Smith is a fine coach, but there's a reason why Petrino was the head man and John L. was the special teams coach.

I agree totally, but they have a lot of talent. Knile Davis is back, and they will be dangerous at home. They may lose 3 or 4 road games with John L, but they will not be an easy out at home for anyone. Paul Petrino is also back, and that should help the transition. He knows what to do with that offense.

[paulxu]

Well, they screwed up our season last year. Along with a 3 pt. loss to Auburn.

[PMI]

My suspicion is that Arkansas is going to be a major disappointment this year with John L. at the helm instead of Bobby Petrino. Smith is a fine coach, but there's a reason why Petrino was the head man and John L. was the special teams coach.

I agree. John L. Smith has a history of failing to get the most out of his teams. My many Michigan State family members can attest. Arkansas is very talented, but between their coaching drama and their schedule, I don't see them taking any step forward this year.

[GoMuskies]

Paul Petrino is also back, and that should help the transition. He knows what to do with that offense.

Having Paul Petrino will only help if his brother is doing his homework for him. Paul is okay, but he's no Bobby.

[Cheesehead]

I am ready. I am also excited about my Packers.

[GIMMFD]

I'm ready for the Mountaineers to come back, virtually the exact same offense which put 70 points on Clemson in the bowl game, ranked in at #11, they have the tendency to come up big in big games, but slack against the nobodys, with this conference shift, I think it'll be great for WVU, they won't really be able to have an off week, which may help this team get to the National Championship (DREAMMMMINGGG)

[XUglow]

Looking forward to Michigan/Alabama game in JerryWorld. Bama is replacing a lot, but they also are projected to have 8 of the first 100 players going in next year's NFL Draft.

[GoMuskies]

I'm planning for Louisville/Florida State January 1 in Miami. Should be fun!

[gladdenguy]

I'm planning for Louisville/Florida State January 1 in Miami. Should be fun!

Florida St and Notre Dame overrated every year. this year though, FSU with maybe the easiest schedule in the country.

[paulxu]

I don't know if they publish a SOS for football. Probably but I'm too lazy to google.

I do know that the Ol' Ball Coach has bitten off a mouthful this year.

#6 Georgia
@ #1 LSU
@ #23 Florida
#10 Arkansas
@ #14 Clemson

Good luck with that.

[xu95]

I don't know if they publish a SOS for football. Probably but I'm too lazy to google.

I do know that the Ol' Ball Coach has bitten off a mouthful this year.

#6 Georgia
@ #1 LSU
@ #23 Florida
#10 Arkansas
@ #14 Clemson

Good luck with that.

If he played in the Major league division of the SEC it would be even tougher. Not too bad for a triple A schedule though.

:)

[xu95]

Looking forward to Michigan/Alabama game in JerryWorld. Bama is replacing a lot, but they also are projected to have 8 of the first 100 players going in next year's NFL Draft.

Gladdenguy and I are too. I just hope the real team fares better against Michigan than I did on NCAA Football 13.

[PMI]

Looking forward to Michigan/Alabama game in JerryWorld. Bama is replacing a lot, but they also are projected to have 8 of the first 100 players going in next year's NFL Draft.

I'm also "looking forward" to that game... Just hope Michigan doesn't get killed. Michigan should be better than they were last year as a team, but will have a very tough time matching last year's record. Denard better have gotten MUCH more accurate this offseason if we're going to keep it respectable against Bama.

[paulxu]

If he played in the Major league division of the SEC it would be even tougher. Not too bad for a triple A schedule though.

:)

Hey! We're playing 2 of the 3 west teams in the top 10 AND the 2 from the east, AND Clemson. Anybody over there playing that many?

[XUglow]

Hey! We're playing 2 of the 3 west teams in the top 10 AND the 2 from the east, AND Clemson. Anybody over there playing that many?

Auburn has Bama, LSU, Ark, UGA, and Clemson.

[paulxu]

Well, OK then.
War Eagle.

[xu95]

Alabama plays LSU, Arkansas, and Michigan. They would play four of the top 10 if they could play themselves. Not sure who I would root for in that game.

[paulxu]

Honey Badger don't care...anymore.

[XUglow]

USCe at Vandy tomorrow night. If the game was a bit closer, I would go. Vandy is greatly improved from years past, and it might be interesting. Gamcocks should win, but an upset wouldn't shock me.

UM vs Bama is similar. UM is improved. Bama has more horsepower. If they were playing in The Big House, I would feel better about UM's chances.

I am just glad CFB is back.

[XULucho27]

I'm looking forward to MSU-Boise as well. I think people are giving MSU too much credit. Their defense will be good, their offense lost their top WR and the winningest QB in school history. Not easy to bounce back from that. On the other hand, Boise is completely revamped as well. I really wanna get an early look at both these teams.

Amen, to CFB being back.

[XUglow]

Boise lost a lot of players. It will be interesting to see how well they reload.

[GoMuskies]

Michigan State -7 is my biggest play of the weekend. It think Boise is getting too much respect in this spot.

[XUglow]

5 returning starters on O. 5 on D. Plus they lost quite a few on the 2nd team. Sound like -7 is a good play.

[blueblob06]

Finally something to distract me!

The Bama spread is now up to 14 points over Michigan. When's the last time a top 10 team was a 2 TD underdog?

[paulxu]

Cocks by 10 tonight in NashVegas.

[boozehound]

I'm also "looking forward" to that game... Just hope Michigan doesn't get killed. Michigan should be better than they were last year as a team, but will have a very tough time matching last year's record. Denard better have gotten MUCH more accurate this offseason if we're going to keep it respectable against Bama.

Agree on all accounts. I am nervously looking forward to this game. We will find out quickly how physical our lines are. If they can hang with 'bama then we have a shot. If they can't we could be looking at a blowout.

Michigan is on their way back, but they aren't back yet. Last year was a great year but we still have holes everywhere that need to be plugged.

[XULucho27]

Agree on all accounts. I am nervously looking forward to this game. We will find out quickly how physical our lines are. If they can hang with 'bama then we have a shot. If they can't we could be looking at a blowout.

Michigan is on their way back, but they aren't back yet. Last year was a great year but we still have holes everywhere that need to be plugged.

Our chances:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXutpn5R4hs/TyyiDiJuR9I/AAAAAAAAAVc/f-zg1oeyDpY/s1600/Death%2BStar%2BAttack%2BBriefing.jpg

[XUglow]

Agree on all accounts. I am nervously looking forward to this game. We will find out quickly how physical our lines are. If they can hang with 'bama then we have a shot. If they can't we could be looking at a blowout.

Michigan is on their way back, but they aren't back yet. Last year was a great year but we still have holes everywhere that need to be plugged.

I watched football pregame stuff for 3 hours last night. Bama returns the Outland Trophy winner, and he may be the 5th best player on Bama's starting line this year. They were also talking about a defensive back that can bench 600 lbs. They told him to stop doing it because they are worried that the bars and the spotters can't handle the weight.

Great athletes at every spot does not mean they are experienced, but it is a helluva place to start. Michigan is lucky to catch them early. Maybe they can confuse the new guys and make some things happen. It always takes a while for teams to get up to game speed. It's just different from practice. UM might be able to jump on Bama early and hold on.

[muskienick]

I go to these threads simply for extended viewings of Glow's avatar. Until the actual games begin, that type of pastime will suffice.

[paulxu]

UM might be able to jump on Bama early and hold on.

I know you don't really believe that.

[XUglow]

1013
I know you don't really believe that.

[paulxu]

That was ugly, and we got a gift with a missed interfernce call.
Could be a long season, but fun.
Especially with Glow's avatars.

[XUglow]

Could be first game stuff, but Vandy really didn't look that good. USC made a lot of mistakes to keep them in the game.

Hard to believe that the refs missed that call, but that happens.

Lattimore is not 100%. I don't care what the Ole Ball Coach says.

Shaw is not going to survive the season if he doesn't learn how to slide properly.

If your receivers don't step up, it is going to be a long season. Vandy's D is probably 10th in the league.

[Kahns Krazy]

I only clicked on this thread because I saw that Glow had posted here and I wanted to look at his avatar again. Thanks Glow.

[BENWAR]

Michigan State -7 is my biggest play of the weekend. It think Boise is getting too much respect in this spot.

Nice way to start your weekend!

[GoMuskies]

Nice way to start your weekend!

Started my weekend hitting Vandy +6.5.

[paulxu]

Started my weekend hitting Vandy +6.5.

Well then, we both were winners. I did think SC would get another TD to make my predicition hold up, but didn't have any money on the game.
Nice call.

[XULucho27]

MSU did not look good at all. Without Le'Veon Bell's monster performance they lose that game. I think the Legends division is up for grabs.

[waggy]

Doesn't look like Michigan is ready. What a disaster. Maybe Saban will put it in the 3rd stringers in the 2nd half.

[xu95]

Doesn't look like Michigan is ready. What a disaster. Maybe Saban will put it in the 3rd stringers in the 2nd half.

Probably. He will start feeling bad for them pretty soon.

[paulxu]

Finally something to distract me!

The Bama spread is now up to 14 points over Michigan. When's the last time a top 10 team was a 2 TD underdog?

If it keeps going like the end of the 1st quarter, you're going to need a lot more points if you took Michigan.

[BENWAR]

I sure hope Floyd Mayweather is enjoying his million dollars an hour entertainment.

[xudash]

If it keeps going like the end of the 1st quarter, you're going to need a lot more points if you took Michigan.

B L O O D B A T H

Is it possible to have this much disparity?

[XULucho27]

Well that was... interesting.

Good lord, Alabama is just too damn good. They are scary.

I guess one good thing about this smackdown is that every team we play from now on will be moving at a glacial pace when compared to Alabama.

Jesus. They are SO. DAMN. GOOD.

[xudash]

Herbstreit made an interesting point about Saban. He mentioned that he is virtually into every minute of practice or game time, evaluating whether assignments are being executed properly or not. Herbei noted that he probably doesn't look at the scoreboard until the game is over. The guy is up 41 to 14 or whatever and someone blows an assignment and you would think he was going to blow his top.

That level of intensity and that emphasis on excellence sets the guy apart. He may not be a bowl of cherries to play for, but you probably have the biggest smile on your face at the end of the season, most of the time, if you choose to play for him.

In fairness to Michigan, they're not all the way back yet. Like they also said on the broadcast, this game would most likely have been more interesting had it occurred about 3 years from now.

[GoMuskies]

Does the Big East really get penalized for having Syracuse and Pitt as part of the league this year? Those two hot messes should really be the ACC's problem now.

[waggy]

Was there a line on the Pitt game?

[paulxu]

In fairness to Michigan, they're not all the way back yet. Like they also said on the broadcast, this game would most likely have been more interesting had it occurred about 3 years from now.

If your earlier analysis is right, then won't see them 3 years from now until the semi's.

[XUglow]

Michigan may well be back... back to the level of OSU and UM when UF and LSU demolished OSU in back-to-back NC games. That level just won't do any more. The bar is way higher than it was 10 years ago.

[paulxu]

Props to Louisville for at least scheduling UK and UNC as OOC.

UC's football is as bad as their basketball. OOC includes Deleware State and Fordham. That's damn embarrassing.

[muskienick]

Props to Louisville for at least scheduling UK and UNC as OOC.

UC's football is as bad as their basketball. OOC includes Deleware State and Fordham. That's damn embarrassing.

Jeez, Delaware State??? They couldn't at least schedule the real Division 1 team from Delaware, the Blue Hens? Oh, that's right. Delaware has a traditionally good football program. The Bearcats don't want to lose one of their buy games.

[xu95]

Thank you Michigan for putting Alabama right back where they belong. The top of the polls.

[XUglow]

I saw this posted on Michigan board when I was reading through the Saturday night game thread this morning. Miss. State finished on a 42-0 run in the last 3 quarters of the Gator Bowl, and Bama opened a 31-0 lead in the 2nd quarter, so UM had gone on a 0-73 streak during 4+ quarters against a pair of SEC teams. Ouch!

[XULucho27]

I saw this posted on Michigan board when I was reading through the Saturday night game thread this morning. Miss. State finished on a 42-0 run in the last 3 quarters of the Gator Bowl, and Bama opened a 31-0 lead in the 2nd quarter, so UM had gone on a 0-73 streak during 4+ quarters against a pair of SEC teams. Ouch!

Ouch indeed. That Miss. St. game was awful, but that team was still pretty bad too. I'm still confident this Michigan team can win 9 or 10 games and challenge for the B1G title. The B1G as a whole is pretty down this year anyway. When Hoke's classes have a few years under their belt Michigan will truly be back. He's recruiting at a top level in the Midwest and nationally.

But yea, the SEC is just disgusting.

[bearcat65]

Props to Louisville for at least scheduling UK and UNC as OOC.

UC's football is as bad as their basketball. OOC includes Deleware State and Fordham. That's damn embarrassing.

Virginia Tech is also on their OOC. Conference realignment had a significant impact on their OOC as well.

http://bearcatsnation.com/2012/02/08/the-2012-cincinnati-football-team-has-a-scheduling-problem-and-im-here-provide-some-solutions/

[GoMuskies]

Big East vs. ACC matchup kicking off right now at Nippert. Go Big East!

[xudash]

ESPN put up a graphic while covering Cincinnati's three key impact players. On the left side of the graphic was UC's version of Hinkle Hall. On the right side of the graphic was an image of downtown Columbus. Unreal. I don't know if UC should feel insulted because they were thinking about Ohio State, or if the city of Cincinnati should feel insulted because ESPN has no graphic for it.

[xudash]

Mark May having to choke on a 17 point beat down.

I just found my one and only reason for being Bearcatty in Cincinnati - for football.

[GoMuskies]

Nice effort Pitt. Great program you've got there.

[coasterville95]

Yeah, the cats whipped Pitt like they were an early season buy game. Oh, wait they were, and decided to play like it. I'm sure their new conference is thrilled at the performance they just turned in.

[GoMuskies]

So Pitt gets shellacked by Cincy (and Youngstown, really) and turns around and destroys VaTech. Should be interesting to see what happens when UC visits Blacksburg.

[GoMuskies]

Western over Kentucky was a thing of beauty tonight. Unfortunately, it means UK will likely fire Joker, and that means there's an outside chance they'll hire someone with a clue. Hope not.

[XUglow]

Western over Kentucky was a thing of beauty tonight. Unfortunately, it means UK will likely fire Joker, and that means there's an outside chance they'll hire someone with a clue. Hope not.

LOL at UK. The opposite of LOL at Bama. Michigan fans take heart. You are the only team to score on Bama so far. In the day of high-powered offense, that is pretty amazing.

[GoMuskies]

Can't get the portion of my life back that I spent watching BYU/Boise. Both are pretty decent teams, but those are some bad offenses. BYU's might get better as the season rolls along with that freshman QB. Boise....well, at least their schedule is easy.

[paulxu]

How do the #9 and #25 teams put up a basketball score of 70-63?

[GoMuskies]

Cincinnati should have a 3 TD lead over VaTech at halftime. Instead they're behind. I don't see the second half going well for them.

[GoMuskies]

Good win for UC. Would have been a devastating one to lose the way they dominated most of the action.

[xudash]

Good win for UC. Would have been a devastating one to lose the way they dominated most of the action.

I would think that you would be enjoying yourself thoroughly at this point. At least with respect to the Big East versus the ACC argument. UC takes down Virginia Tech and Florida State is in a battle with South Florida.

And that's why they play the games.

[GoMuskies]

Not really. The fact that the Big East is, has been and will continue to be at a minimum on par with the ACC (being generous to the ACC) doesn't seem to matter.

[xubrew]

Louisville is interesting. They're beating mediocre teams, but they aren't beating them handily. Nevertheless, they continue to climb the polls.

I call this "ballooning." It's how all polls in all sports behave, but it is most notable in football because of how important a roll the polls play. The most important factor in any poll is how recently a team's last loss occurred. A team could win 1000 games in a row, but if they lose #1001, whoever is #2 in the polls will undoubtedly leapfrog them.

Murray State moved up the poll in basketball last year, even though they were playing against weak teams. They were good, but they weren't the 7th best team in the nation. Not even close. Yet, because of balloonning, they eventually became ranked that high because everyone in front of them was knocking each other off.

We saw it a few years ago when UC's football team (who I think was better than this Louisvlle team) rose all the way up to #3, and would have easily gone to #2 had Texas not made the last second field goal to beat Nebraska in the Big Twelve title game.

This is Louisville's remaining schedule: @Pitt, USF, UC, Temple, @Syracuse, UConn, @Rutgers. All are winnable games.

Of all the teams ranked ahead of Louisville, the most that could possibly end up going undefeated is three (I think I counted that right).

On the field, I think Louisville is a top thirty team. They really aren't playing anyone that's a solid top twenty team. However, they could still end up ranked in the top four by the end of the year if they go undefeated. That would essentially substantiate what I and several others have been saying all along. An undfeated Big East team, even one that is really no better than top twenty caliber on the field, can still end up in the top four. Although, after nearly blowing it against a mediocre UNC team, then strugglign against Florida International, and then barely beating a winless Southern Miss team on Saturday, I don't think they'll get by Rutgers at Rutgers. They may struggle to get past UC at home.

[GoMuskies]

UC and Rutgers could both be undefeated, top 20 (top 10 in the case of Rutgers as it's the last game of the season) opponents. Louisville would certainly finish in the top 4 if they ended up beating undefeated Cincinnati and Rutgers teams along the way.

By the way, Louisville's schedule won't be all that dissimilar to FSU's when all is said and done in terms of strength of schedule.

Edited to note that I agree with 'brew that this particular Louisville team isn't all that good. Next year's squad will be fan-damn-tastic, though.

[xubrew]

Florida State still has Florida, which is a game they may not win. They didn't exactly put South Florida away. Having said that, I was impressed with how they played in the second half against Clemson.

My whole point is the same one that I think you've been making. The new playoff set up is actually more beneficial to the Big East than the old BCS bowl setup is, at least when it comes to having an gaining access to the playoff as opposed to gaining access to a single BCS Title game. An undefeated team will almost assuredly reach the top four, and the road to going undefeated is arguably (to put it nicely) easier than going undefeated in the SEC, Big Twelve, Pac Twelve or Big Ten.

If Louisville runs the table, they'll be top four. Even though they aren't likey one of the four best teams. Even though they're in a conference where no one was in the rankings to start the season. Even though they didn't play any ranked teams out of conference. The same is true for Rutgers. The same is true for UC. If one of those three teams is undfeated, they'll almost assuredly be in the top four at the end of the year. That's just how the polls work.

[paulxu]

New top 20 average of polls:

Big 12........5
SEC...........6 (5 in the Top Ten which is still crazy)
Pac 12........5
Big Ten.......1
ACC............2
BE..............0
Independent..1 (ND)

Maybe there should only be a big 3 instead of big 4.

[GoMuskies]

Where did you get those numbers? There are three Big East teams in the coaches' poll.

[paulxu]

It's a Massey compilation of polls and writers rankings. Link for some reason not working now.
But here it is:

http://masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm

(edit: should work now)

[GoMuskies]

Thanks. I love the Massey ratings comparison. It's the least-biased source for rankings in my opinion, although there is obviously some garbage in with that number of polls.

[GoMuskies]

I think Andrea Adelson stole this article from my posts on this very board:

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/37289/big-east-very-much-alive-and-kicking#comment

[paulxu]

Go, the record of 4 of the Cardinals opponents are 1-4, 0-5, 1-4 and 0-4.
Only UNC at 3-2 looks reasonable.
Too early to get real excited.

[GoMuskies]

5-0 is always reason to get excited. This is Louisville football we're talking about. Not Alabama.

[paulxu]

True that.

[GoMuskies]

The ACC's commitment to excellence continues: previously winless Army (who lost to Stony Brook last week) 34, Boston College 31.

[xudash]

Paul is having a lovely evening: 21 - 0! Oh, my!

[paulxu]

Paul is having a lovely evening: 21 - 0! Oh, my!

http://www.unathleticmag.com/wp-content/uploads/USC_Gamecocks_9.jpg

[GoMuskies]

Enjoyed seeing Free Shoes U. go down at NC State. If the Reds can hold on for a win, this will have been a pretty good day.

[XUglow]

5-0 is always reason to get excited. This is Louisville football we're talking about. Not Alabama.

Mississippi State is in the same boat. The season hasn't been a thing of beauty, but 5-0 for a traditional bottom feeder is a pretty good place.

In other news -- taking out games involving Cam Newton, Gene Chizik has a winning pct that is lower than Joker Phillips.

[xubrew]

The Big East now has three teams in the rankings. As long as they keep winning, and as long as the teams ranked in front of them continue to beat each other, they'll keep climbing the polls. If one of them is able to run the table, they'll be in the top four.

The system favors the Big East. If you feel the Big East is overrated, then you have to acknowledge that the reason that they're OVER-rated instead of STANDARD-rated is because something in the system benefits them. It does. The most important factor in the polls is when your most recent loss was. If you're not facing top caliber teams, it's easier to climb the polls. That's why I think the door is actually much more widely open to the Big East under the new playoff/bowl format, at least in terms of actually making it to the playoff, than it was under the old format.

[paulxu]

RIP Beano.

[paulxu]

Update before the brawl tonight in one of the Death Valleys.

New top 20 average of polls:

Big 12........6
SEC...........7 (one team already bowl eligible)
Pac 12........4 (one team already bowl eligible)
Big Ten.......1(this team not eligible for post season play)
ACC............1
BE..............0
Independent..1 (ND)

This doesn't look like a big 4 situation; it looks like a big 3.

http://masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm

[GoMuskies]

If you extend it out to either top 25 or top 30,the Big East, per usual, comes out on top of the ACC.

[paulxu]

I suppose this has a lot to do with the change in selecting the BCS participants and the new format.
Hard to see sharing the revenue from the BCS bowls with teams/conferences that aren't in the top 20.

[GoMuskies]

If (and this is a big if since Louisville isn't really any good and looks quite capable of losing to a lousy Pitt squad today) Louisville and Rutgers play each other in the last game of the year as undefeated top 10 teams, does that mean the Big East is back in. I mean, hard to see not sharing revenue from BCS bowls with teams/conferences that are in the top 10.

[xudash]

It just dawned on me that we may have failed to establish an over/under bet for how long it would take Missouri to regret moving to the SEC.

Already off to a bad start and having screwed the pooch last week against Vanderbilt, they just allowed Alabama a 73 yard romp for the first touchdown of the game early in the first quarter. Apparently, they are rather banged up at this point, but things do not look good for the Tigers from here on in.

[GoMuskies]

Texas Tech is giving WV a good old-fashioned ass-kicking.

[GoMuskies]

Holy crap, is the guy working the replay booth at Notre Dame blind?!? Stanford got a royal screw job there.

[DC Muskie]

Instant replay is one of the worst things ever to happen to sports.

How is that not a touchdown? There is no way they were going to overturn that call.

[paulxu]

Apparently they didn't sell any tickets to Gamecock fans. I see only yellow jerseys in the stands.
LSU dresses out about 250 kids.
Our colors are garnet and black. They sent some imposters dressed in gray camouflage.
I hope they know how to play football.

[paulxu]

I can't imagine we are actually ahead at half. Aren't playing as good as last week.
Dr. Lou is standing up for us.

[gladdenguy]

I'm rootin for ya Paul

[waggy]

How is that not a touchdown? There is no way they were going to overturn that call.

I can't believe NBC doesn't have a camera directly on the goal line. They had 5 or 6 different shots, but all from angles. They suck.

On the other hand I thought maybe the runners elbow touched about the time the ball crossed the line.

[gladdenguy]

Solid defense in Columbus this year. 49 points and 486 yards to Indiana. Turban must be proud.

[paulxu]

Well, I'm blaming this all on the buttugly uniforms they wore. Maryland they ain't.
I didn't drink enough bourbon, and they left the offense in Columbia. Ugh.

[CinciX12]

Am I the only one who thought in the ND Stanford game that they stopped his forward progress? I kind of thought that what they reviewed was irrelevant anyway.

But what do I know.

[GoMuskies]

Seems to me that if they had stopped his forward progress, he wouldn't have continued to progress forward.

[CinciX12]

Well you can stop his forward progress, have the defense all let up for a second and then have him fall forward.

I just don't think that being completely stopped, and he was, then falling towards your side rolling off the pile is maintaining your forward progress.

Even as a Notre Dame fan to an unhealthy level, I think that is the only angle you can argue. Otherwise, its pretty obvious he breaks the plane of the goal line.

[paulxu]

Correction to earlier post: the camo uniforms were to support the Wounded Warriors project.
So that's OK.
Our offense however, sucked.

(Glow, if this keeps up, you'll have to move from the Grove to the Junction)

[xudash]

Correction to earlier post: the camo uniforms were to support the Wounded Warriors project.
So that's OK.
Our offense however, sucked.

(Glow, if this keeps up, you'll have to move from the Grove to the Junction)

The game next weekend in Gainesville should be fascinating.

Needless to say, no more slip-ups from here, or the Cocks are out of the main race.

It truly looks like Alabama v. anyone who otherwise can survive to the end, at this point.

[Strange Brew]

If you watch the replay the side judge is at least 10 yards on the field blowing the play dead well before the runner extends the ball near the goaline. Therefore the play is dead. No TD, solid win ND. All you haters are going to hate....your tears taste like bourbon to me. :).

[wkrq59]

If you watch the replay the side judge is at least 10 yards on the field blowing the play dead well before the runner extends the ball near the goaline. Therefore the play is dead. No TD, solid win ND. All you haters are going to hate....your tears taste like bourbon to me. :).

Brew, agree. Can't fault the zebras on this one. At least they were consistent all day---lousy. They blew enough calls on both teams to have merited a case in the NFL sub refs hall of shame.

[Strange Brew]

Brew, agree. Can't fault the zebras on this one. At least they were consistent all day---lousy. They blew enough calls on both teams to have merited a case in the NFL sub refs hall of shame.

Agree Q, but as an ND fan I loved that the D was able to stuff the Cardinal on 4 straight dives from the 4. Haven't seen an ND team do that since they knocked off PSU with a similar stand in the 90's.

[kyxu]

If you watch the replay the side judge is at least 10 yards on the field blowing the play dead well before the runner extends the ball near the goaline. Therefore the play is dead. No TD, solid win ND. All you haters are going to hate....your tears taste like bourbon to me. :).

Everyone other than the referees seem to think it was a TD, but it looked like his elbow hit the ground before the ball broke the plain? It was a borderline call and the look was equivocal at best. Don't see how some think it was "clearly" a touchdown.

[kyxu]

Holy crap, is the guy working the replay booth at Notre Dame blind?!? Stanford got a royal screw job there.

You mean, the Pac-12 officiating crew?? I suppose so.

[GoMuskies]

Pac-12 refs are apparently capable of sucking, too. Shocker, I know.

[GoMuskies]

First BCS rankings out today. Hilarious to see what the computers think of F$U and Clempson. Neither got any points from the computers. ACC!

BTW, those are the ONLY two teams in the BCS top 25 to come up completely empty with the computers.

[DC Muskie]

If you watch the replay the side judge is at least 10 yards on the field blowing the play dead well before the runner extends the ball near the goaline. Therefore the play is dead. No TD, solid win ND. All you haters are going to hate....your tears taste like bourbon to me. :).

Actually if they blew the play dead they couldn't review it. If that was the case, again it proves instant replay is the worst thing in sports.

Either way the kid from Stanford scored.

[DC Muskie]

Everyone other than the referees seem to think it was a TD, but it looked like his elbow hit the ground before the ball broke the plain? It was a borderline call and the look was equivocal at best. Don't see how some think it was "clearly" a touchdown.

Even the ND announcers thought the tip of the ball crossed the line, before he lost it. There wasn't any discussion of the elbow being down, which you can't tell, but you can tell that the Stanford player never has his progress stopped, never hit the ground and put the ball over the goal line.

Either way, instant replay is a terrible way to try to make the "correct" call. I'd rather they just let it be decided on the field and have people complain that the refs missed the call on the field rather than have them spend time reviewing it and then deciding there wasn't enough evidence to overturn.

Think about that...it's still a judgement call, only they put this litmus test that there has to be indisputable evidence to overturn. We need enough "evidence" in sports. Makes me sick.

[xudash]

I wonder if Stanford was penalized with some inter-galaxy balancing out karma tax for the USC Reggie Bush shove of a few years ago.

[kyxu]

Even the ND announcers thought the tip of the ball crossed the line, before he lost it. There wasn't any discussion of the elbow being down, which you can't tell, but you can tell that the Stanford player never has his progress stopped, never hit the ground and put the ball over the goal line.

The announcers were talking about weird shit, like whether he lost the football before he broke the plain, which clearly wasn't the issue. They (Hammond and Mayock) are not always on point.

I admit to being an ND fan, so I re-watched the game today, and it appeared his elbow was on the ground before he broke the plain, but was that why the officials said he didn't get in? No idea. Either way, whatever call was on the field wasn't getting overturned. The evidence is not definitive one way or the other, so both sides are going to argue to no end.

Edit: saw this (http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1550591/ballnd.gif). Looks like the elbow was down before he reached over.

[DC Muskie]

The announcers were talking about weird shit, like whether he lost the football before he broke the plain, which clearly wasn't the issue. They (Hammond and Mayock) are not always on point.

I admit to being an ND fan, so I re-watched the game today, and it appeared his elbow was on the ground before he broke the plain, but was that why the officials said he didn't get in? No idea. Either way, whatever call was on the field wasn't getting overturned. The evidence is not definitive one way or the other, so both sides are going to argue to no end.

Edit: saw this (http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1550591/ballnd.gif). Looks like the elbow was down before he reached over.

How can you tell on that video that his elbow hit the ground? Are you able to see through the ND defender's leg? If so, then you sir need a new line of work!

The game's over so it doesn't matter. My entire point is not hating on ND it's hating on instant replay. I hate it. It's terrible.

[UCGRAD4X]

How can you tell on that video that his elbow hit the ground? Are you able to see through the ND defender's leg? If so, then you sir need a new line of work!

The game's over so it doesn't matter. My entire point is not hating on ND it's hating on instant replay. I hate it. It's terrible.

Does his shoulder count for anything? It is pretty clear that his whole upper body is on the ground.

I think the review would need to show that the elbow definitely DIDN'T touch the ground. Even though you can't see it directly, it looks like that is more than likely what is occurring.

If you are looking to get the call right, you need to look at what seems most likely to have occurred from the information that is available.

Then again, the whistle blew, the defense let up, then he continued forward - after the point his progress was determined by the side to have stopped.

Moot point on the elbow.

I'm also curious about the fumble forward rule. To throw another variable into the mix - it also looks like he may have not had control when the ball may or may not have reached the goal after his elbow/shoulder may or may not have touched the ground (and well after the whistle definitely blew) after his forward progress may or may not have been stopped. He fumbled forward and a Stanford player recovered.

Is there a rule on this similar to NFL?

[kyxu]

How can you tell on that video that his elbow hit the ground? Are you able to see through the ND defender's leg? If so, then you sir need a new line of work!

He's in the same position behind the defender's leg as he is when the defender moves from the view. Unless, he is able to stop his body in mid-air in jarring fashion, that's the ground that he has landed on (in other words, he's "down").

I agree with you that replay is pretty silly. I also don't agree with the earlier points that Taylor had "clearly" scored. At best, it's a close call.

[DC Muskie]

Does his shoulder count for anything? It is pretty clear that his whole upper body is on the ground.

I think the review would need to show that the elbow definitely DIDN'T touch the ground. Even though you can't see it directly, it looks like that is more than likely what is occurring.

If you are looking to get the call right, you need to look at what seems most likely to have occurred from the information that is available.

Then again, the whistle blew, the defense let up, then he continued forward - after the point his progress was determined by the side to have stopped.

Moot point on the elbow.

I'm also curious about the fumble forward rule. To throw another variable into the mix - it also looks like he may have not had control when the ball may or may not have reached the goal after his elbow/shoulder may or may not have touched the ground (and well after the whistle definitely blew) after his forward progress may or may not have been stopped. He fumbled forward and a Stanford player recovered.

Is there a rule on this similar to NFL?

Again if the whistle blew and determined that his forward progress was stopped the officials by rule, cannot review the play. I never heard a whistle, there was never a discussion of the whistle being blown. If the whistle blew and they still went to review it, I would expect everyone on the ND sidelines to go bonkers over that.

Taylor was on top of bodies, especially at the end where he was on top of ND defender. All he has to do is break the plane of the goal line with the tip of the ball. He could toss it into stands after that moment and it's not a fumble.

You will never get it right with judgement calls. We don't need to have the game have this CSI component that is only allowed in certain situations. There are calls made on every play, but you can't review every play.

[DC Muskie]

He's in the same position behind the defender's leg as he is when the defender moves from the view. Unless, he is able to stop his body in mid-air in jarring fashion, that's the ground that he has landed on (in other words, he's "down").

I agree with you that replay is pretty silly. I also don't agree with the earlier points that Taylor had "clearly" scored. At best, it's a close call.

Where is the other arm of the ND defender? His left arm is on top of Taylor, lying flat on his back. His right arm is underneath Taylor as he scored.

See what I did there with the last sentence?

[kyxu]

Does his shoulder count for anything? It is pretty clear that his whole upper body is on the ground.

I think the review would need to show that the elbow definitely DIDN'T touch the ground. Even though you can't see it directly, it looks like that is more than likely what is occurring.

If you are looking to get the call right, you need to look at what seems most likely to have occurred from the information that is available.

Then again, the whistle blew, the defense let up, then he continued forward - after the point his progress was determined by the side to have stopped.

Moot point on the elbow.

I'm also curious about the fumble forward rule. To throw another variable into the mix - it also looks like he may have not had control when the ball may or may not have reached the goal after his elbow/shoulder may or may not have touched the ground (and well after the whistle definitely blew) after his forward progress may or may not have been stopped. He fumbled forward and a Stanford player recovered.

Is there a rule on this similar to NFL?

Did the whistle blow, prompting the ND celebration? That's another on which I'm unclear. Like I said, I watched it again yesterday, and heard no whistle after Taylor's double-effort was denied and ND guys started celebrating. Pretty sloppy job overall.

[kyxu]

Where is the other arm of the ND defender? His left arm is on top of Taylor, lying flat on his back. His right arm is underneath Taylor as he scored.

I don't think the other arm is separating Taylor from the ground. I could be wrong.

Jesus, I feel like we're looking at the Kennedy tapes. "You see Taylor's arm go back...and to the left. Back...and to the left."

[DC Muskie]

I don't think the other arm is separating Taylor from the ground. I could be wrong.

Jesus, I feel like we're looking at the Kennedy tapes. "You see Taylor's arm go back...and to the left. Back...and to the left."

And that's why instant replay SUCKS!

I rest my case your honor.

[kyxu]

And that's why instant replay SUCKS!

I rest my case your honor.

It's only useful when the officials completely bone a call. Otherwise, yeah, it's a waste.

[DC Muskie]

It's only useful when the officials completely bone a call. Otherwise, yeah, it's a waste.

I have seen many instances over the years where even after replay they bone a call. Or when there are times when they bone a call and you can't review it.

[danaandvictory]

I have seen many instances over the years where even after replay they bone a call. Or when there are times when they bone a call and you can't review it.

For example, the Bengals-Browns game yesterday where Dalton spiked the ball with a second left in the half, it was absolutely crystal clear on replay, and the play was not reviewable (which, given that it's an objective yes/no answer seems like the most obvious time for replay). Not that it made any difference in the final result but that stuff is so aggravating.

[xubrew]

A few random football thoughts for the week....

I'm trying to remember the last time a team went to 7-0 and still had not cracked the rankings. I'm drawing a blank. As trivial as that may sound, that is the kind of trivia my whacked out brain seems to retain. When the Ohio Bobcats beat Penn State, I thought they'd bust the BCS. Not that they were necessarily good enough to be a BCS caliber team, but I simply just thought they wouldn't lose the rest of the season. I always point out that the number one most important element to any poll is how recently a team lost. Well, at 7-0 they check in at #27 in the BCS standings. That's a long way from #12, which is where they need to get to in order to automatically qualify. I don't see another non-BCS team finishing that high. Although I don't think they're a BCS Bowl caliber team, I do believe they are much better than the Hawaii team that busted the BCS and was blown out in the Sugar Bowl a few years back.

-It was a touchdown. This is the second time Notre Dame has benefited from a questionable (wrong) call. This wasn't something that garnered much attention, but there was a blown delay of game call in the final drive against Purdue. Had it been flagged, the drive would have likely stalled. At the very least a play where they converted a first down would have been wiped out. ND has beaten some good teams, but they've had two questionable (wrong) game changing calls go their way twice.

-I hope South Carolina isn't a victim of college football's ridiculous format of how the polls work. Losing at LSU at night should not cripple your season, yet Notre Dame and Oregon, who haven't played anyone in the same universe as LSU at night remain ranked ahead of them. If this were formatted the way basketball was, no selection committee would favor either of those teams over South Carolina, but since football uses a poll, all that matters is that the Gamecocks lost the most recently.

-Kansas State is pretty damn good. Iowa State may not be a top ten caliber team, but it is a snake pit. They're good enough to beat ranked teams at home.

-If a Big East team runs the table, I still expect that they'll finish in the top four. They arent' likely to get all the way up to #2, but if this was next year, an undefeated Big East team would be in the show. Yeah, none of the teams started the year ranked. Yeah, none of them beat a ranked team out of conference. That's why I think this system favors them. It overrates them instead of standard-rates them. The programs within the Big East came out of this pretty well.

[xubrew]

One more tidbit...

-Western Kentucky checks in at #30. I believe the last time a Sun Belt team was in the rankings was the 2004 season when Troy got in. I don't think they've ever had a team end the season in the rankings. If WKU keeps winning, they'll get there. Maybe they'll finish there.

[blueblob06]

A few random football thoughts for the week....

I'm trying to remember the last time a team went to 7-0 and still had not cracked the rankings. I'm drawing a blank. As trivial as that may sound, that is the kind of trivia my whacked out brain seems to retain. When the Ohio Bobcats beat Penn State, I thought they'd bust the BCS. Not that they were necessarily good enough to be a BCS caliber team, but I simply just thought they wouldn't lose the rest of the season. I always point out that the number one most important element to any poll is how recently a team lost. Well, at 7-0 they check in at #27 in the BCS standings. That's a long way from #12, which is where they need to get to in order to automatically qualify. I don't see another non-BCS team finishing that high. Although I don't think they're a BCS Bowl caliber team, I do believe they are much better than the Hawaii team that busted the BCS and was blown out in the Sugar Bowl a few years back.

-It was a touchdown. This is the second time Notre Dame has benefited from a questionable (wrong) call. This wasn't something that garnered much attention, but there was a blown delay of game call in the final drive against Purdue. Had it been flagged, the drive would have likely stalled. At the very least a play where they converted a first down would have been wiped out. ND has beaten some good teams, but they've had two questionable (wrong) game changing calls go their way twice.

-I hope South Carolina isn't a victim of college football's ridiculous format of how the polls work. Losing at LSU at night should not cripple your season, yet Notre Dame and Oregon, who haven't played anyone in the same universe as LSU at night remain ranked ahead of them. If this were formatted the way basketball was, no selection committee would favor either of those teams over South Carolina, but since football uses a poll, all that matters is that the Gamecocks lost the most recently.

-Kansas State is pretty damn good. Iowa State may not be a top ten caliber team, but it is a snake pit. They're good enough to beat ranked teams at home.

-If a Big East team runs the table, I still expect that they'll finish in the top four. They arent' likely to get all the way up to #2, but if this was next year, an undefeated Big East team would be in the show. Yeah, none of the teams started the year ranked. Yeah, none of them beat a ranked team out of conference. That's why I think this system favors them. It overrates them instead of standard-rates them. The programs within the Big East came out of this pretty well.

Hey Brew, enjoyed your points, I have a few of my own:
- How about Oregon State so far? They are the surprise team of the season thus far and Riley easily the coach of the year. They were picked to finish last in the Pac 12 North and I can't believe they won on the road last week with their QB out. I don't think they can continue this without their QB but would be quite a story if they did.
- I've tried to catch some of Ohio U when I can. They are a solid team and agreed, I don't get how they aren't ranked. It'd be cool if they made it to a BCS game but I think with Penn St and Marshall not being great this year, their non-conf wins aren't gonna be enough to boost them in the rankings.
- As far as the Oregon/ND argument, I agree with you for the most part. Neither team has played in a tough road environment like LSU. I will say that Oregon has blown the doors off of everyone opponent they've met, to the point that they've played 2nd and 3rd string guys for as much as the whole 2nd half of some games. Against ranked teams, Oregon won 52-21 and 49-0. I think if they can win at Arz St and at USC, they would hard to argue with. But at this point, Oregon has 0 losses and SCar has 1 so I can see why Oregon is ahead of them.
- How about some of these computer rankings in the BCS? Wow, ND is ranked #1 in two polls and #2 in two polls. Oregon is #8 in a poll and #10 in another. And Bama is as low as #5 in a poll. Ridiculous. Or how about LSU ranked as low as #17? Good lord. Everyone involved agreed the BCS needs fixed but due to contracts or whatever let's use the broken process a few more times before we go to the better one.

[kyxu]

-It was a touchdown. This is the second time Notre Dame has benefited from a questionable (wrong) call. This wasn't something that garnered much attention, but there was a blown delay of game call in the final drive against Purdue. Had it been flagged, the drive would have likely stalled. At the very least a play where they converted a first down would have been wiped out. ND has beaten some good teams, but they've had two questionable (wrong) game changing calls go their way twice.

How? Please explain.

[CinciX12]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2012/10/16/notre-dame-stanford-head-official/1637591/

The Notre Dame fanbase invites you to read this story and then continue to say how ND was handed a win they didn't deserve.

[xubrew]

How? Please explain.

Because his momentum was never stopped. You can see it for yourself.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwKlLx3kOPg



http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2012/10/16/notre-dame-stanford-head-official/1637591/


The Notre Dame fanbase invites you to read this story and then continue to say how ND was handed a win they didn't deserve.


Okay, to say that Rogers Redding is the "National Coordinator of NCAA Football Officials," I don't know what the hell they're talking about. He works for the CFO, which is an organization that is independent from the NCAA. The NCAA would never release a statement in regards to a call being correct or incorrect. The fact that a third party is saying it was correct doesn't prove anything. I could just as easily (actually, probably more easily) find referees to say that they got the call wrong. That in and of itself doesn't make me right, but quoting Rogers Redding doesn't mean the call was right either.

It was the wrong call. I'm not whining about it or crying about it. I'm simply making a statement.

[kyxu]

Because his momentum was never stopped. You can see it for yourself.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwKlLx3kOPg



His forward momentum was. Twice. Which is why the officials blew the play dead and ND players started celebrating. Taylor didn't make the lunge to the end zone until the whistle had blown and guys had subsequently stopped pushing on the play.

[xubrew]

As I understand it, a player's momentum is not considered to be stopped unless it has little chance of resuming. Otherwise, the player is not considered to be down. If a player runs backwards or sideways, he is not considered down even though he has stopped progressing forward. I'm not a referee, but that is how an actual college referee explained it to me. He should not have been ruled down.

The vast majority of referees will tell you that it should have been a touchdown. Those same referees will tell you that the Push Bush play should not have been a touchdown. It's not a anti-Notre Dame thing. The call was wrong. The officials should not have blown it dead. I don't even think that's a controversial statement.

[paulxu]

OK, enough of the ND touchdown controversy. Time for another look at the aggregate poll numbers;

New top 20 average of polls:

Big 12........5
SEC...........7
Pac 12........4
Big Ten.......2(one team not eligible for post season play)
ACC............1
BE..............0
Independent..1 (ND)

http://masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm

Cocks still control their path to the conference championship game, but tough road with Florida on the road Saturday. Lattimore may be sidelined with injury, so it won't be easy to recover from 2 pt. loss at LSU and Florida is favored at home.

[xubrew]

I don't understand why the computers like Texas Tech as much as they do. I think they're good, but #10th?? I mean, they did lose rather badly to Oklahoma, and they played a pitiful OOC schedule. I know they just won big against West Virginia, and that would explain why the human polls would like them all of a sudden, but as I understand it, the computers don't weigh your last game any heavier than they do your first game.

10th?? That just seems high.

In general, I'm not a huge fan of computer polls for football. there simply aren't enough games. It's like an April batting average in baseball. There are only twelve games, and only four of them are OOC games. It seems like that's just not enough data.

[paulxu]

My football team's hope is being flushed down the large toilet known as the Swamp.

[GoMuskies]

My football team is a bad 7-0.

Beats the hell out of being a good 0-7!

[Strange Brew]

My football team is a bad 7-0.

Beats the hell out of being a good 0-7!

ND fan?

[xudash]

My football team's hope is being flushed down the large toilet known as the Swamp.

I have to tell you that I did not see that coming. I know that life for visiting teams in that stadium is rough, but I Just did not expect a beat down like that.

I have tickets for the cocktail party. I presume you want me to cheer for Georgia. That will be easy enough to do, since our guests are Georgia graduates from Atlanta.

[xsteve1]

Alabama is really good and as long as Saban's there they will own college football. Also West Virginia is finding out what it's like to play in a real football conference.

[XUOWNSUC]

Suck it bearcats!

[xudash]

Suck it bearcats!

How about them Rockets!

[Strange Brew]

Suck it bearcats!

Someone please check on Snipe and Garvin. I'd like to know those two UC football fanboys are ok.

[Masterofreality]

Suck it bearcats!


Someone please check on Snipe and Garvin. I'd like to know those two UC football fanboys are ok.

That's what playing that tough non conference schedule against the likes of Delaware State and Fordham will do. Prep you for the big boys like the MAC.

When you have a chance to play the 147th ranked schedule in NCAA Division 1 football, you just have to do it!

[X-Fan]

How about them Rockets!
Yeah Buddy! I was THERE!

X fan since birth, UT Grad/Fan since '96. Going into the game I had a feeling UC was a bit overrated, considering their schedule and conference. At the same time UT has been a tough team for me to figure out all season. Not to mention they had just given up 40+ points to Eastern freaking Michigan the week before. Needless to say I was happily surprised that the UT D did a great job of hanging in the whole game, getting a few stops here and there, and coming up BIG in the 4th quarter!

It ALWAYS feels good to beat UC...dare I say it feels even better to beat a ranked UC. ;-)

Go Muskies and Go Rockets!!!!

[GoMuskies]

ND fan?

Louisville

On another note, UC losing to Toledo is another indication of just how bad VaTech is this year. Losing to UC and Pitt in the same year? Crazy. Duke would certainly like to go back to the point in Blacksburg where they had the 20-0 lead and have a do-over. They should be in command in their division. It would be kind of fun to see Duke in the ACC title game in the same way it was fun to see previously awful Northwestern in the Rose Bowl back in the day.

UC's QB can make some plays, but I wouldn't want to count on that guy to do anything consistently. Unreliable.

[xudash]

Yeah Buddy! I was THERE!

X fan since birth, UT Grad/Fan since '96. Going into the game I had a feeling UC was a bit overrated, considering their schedule and conference. At the same time UT has been a tough team for me to figure out all season. Not to mention they had just given up 40+ points to Eastern freaking Michigan the week before. Needless to say I was happily surprised that the UT D did a great job of hanging in the whole game, getting a few stops here and there, and coming up BIG in the 4th quarter!

It ALWAYS feels good to beat UC...dare I say it feels even better to beat a ranked UC. ;-)

Go Muskies and Go Rockets!!!!

I don't know how far back you go, but Toledo had a quarterback years ago named Chuck Ealey who did very well for himself for Toledo. Chuck Ealey was from Portsmouth Ohio. He played for Portsmouth Notre Dame, which was my high school. I had to look It up, but it was interesting to learn that he was first recruited by Bo Schembechler at Miami, but for a third string quarterback position. He passed on that and ended up accepting Toledo's offer.

The rest is history, as they say. I've always liked the Rockets. The things that pull you to root for certain teams can be interesting and varied.

EDIT: I just noticed that you graduated from UT in 1996. It's safe to say you never saw Chuck Ealey play in a UT uniform, but you probably know of him, having gone to Toledo.

[xubrew]

The remaining unbeatens are....

#1 Alabama, #2 Florida, #3 Kansas State, #4 Oregon, #5 Notre Dame, #7 Oregon State, #11 Mississippi State, #15 Rutgers, #16 Louisville, #24 Ohio.

If I'm counting right, the highest possible number of teams that can now finish unbeaten is six. Alabama and Florida will face each other in the SEC title game if both remain unbeaten. Alabama plays Mississippi State this Sautrday, which will knock one of them out. Oregon and Oregon State will also face each other. Louisville and Rutgers will face each other.

So, if everyone wins out, it will be an SEC champ, a Pac Twelve Champ, Kansas State, Notre Dame, the Big East Champ, and Ohio U.

I think Alabama, Florida, Oregon and Kansas State are in a class all by themselves.

Notre Dame is unbeaten, but they've had close calls against the likes of Purdue and BYU, who are .500 teams at best. They also sweated out Stanford at home, who is pretty far outside the top ten. If Notre Dame goes out and wins at USC and at Oklahoma, that will certainly spike their credentials. Until that happens, though, I'm inclined to believe that they're playing above themselves. I don't mean that as an insult. Playing above yourself means you're extending yourself. It's just that when a team has to play above yourself to beat a team like Stanford at home, in a close game, with the aid of a questoinable call, it's a sign that teams like Alabama, Florida, Oregon and Kansas State are probably above their heads.

Louisville has basically had to sweat out all of their games, and none of their opponents other than possibly North Carolina would rate anywhere above mediocre.

Rutgers is a little better, but they're still far from good. Their best win was probably at Arkansas. Many teams would be unbeaten if their toughest game was on the road against Arkansas.

It won't matter how Ohio does. Going undefeated may not get them high enough to crash the BCS because they would need to finish either in the top twelve, or in the top sixteen and ahead of the lowest rated BCS champion. Teams from outside the BCS have failed to make it despite going undefeated, but that was under the old rules. None have ever failed to finish top twelve. To be 8-0 and only ranked #24 is not a good sign. The computers like Ohio even less than the voters do. Perhaps that will improve some if they face a team like Toledo and beat them in the MAC Championship game, but with so little of the season remaining and with such a weak schedule for Ohio, #24 is a long way from #12.


-People are quick to point at Missouri as evidence of how superior the SEC is. What no one is pointing out is that Texas A&M is fairing better in the SEC than they did in the Big Twelve. In fact, last year TAMU finished pretty far down the pack in the Big Twelve. However, they did almost beat Arkansas, who was one of the SEC frontrunners. By almost beat, I mean that they blew a second half double digit lead last year. It was one of just three out of conference losses that the Big Twelve had last year. For those of you who like computers and statistical rankings, the Big Twelve was actually rated higher than the SEC last year. This year, the Big Twelve had eight out of ten teams in the first BCS top 25, and still has seven out of ten teams in the BCS top 28. If K State wins the conference, they are just as credentialed and accomplished to be in the BCS title game as anyone else. They've won at Oklahoma, and won big at West Virginia. Does anyone else have two road wins as impressive as that?? I doubt it.

-The Voters like Florida State a lot more than the computers do. It's odd to see a descrepency like that this late in the year. Only one computer poll ranks FSU in the top twenty, and that's Colley who has them at #15. However, because the voters like them so much, they check in at #12.

On the flip side, the computers love Texas Tech (I still don't know why) with all but one of the cumpters ranking them in the top ten, but the voters aren't quite as impressed. That's why they're as high (or low, depending on how you look at it) as #14.

One last tidbit, you know why I hate football?? Because so much of the analysis revolves around polls and computers. Teams can win out, and it's still not enough, largely because of presumptions. Yeah, I don't think ND, and Louisvile and Rutgers and Ohio are as good as Bama, Florida, Oregon and Kansas State. However, they deserve the chance to control their own destiny. If there were a sixteen team playoff with the 11 (soon to be 10) conference champs, and five (soon to be six) at-larges, it would through presumption out the window. Ohio would get to play until they lost. Just like in all other NCAA sports, including football at the lower divisions.

Oh well. Basketball is starting soon.

[xubrew]

As everyone knows, Ohio State isn't eligible. Even if they were, I think they clearly fall under the category of an unbeaten team that is struggling to beat mediocre teams. Purdue and UAB come to mind.

...and Western Kentucky blew a fourth quarter lead to Louisiana Monroe. That basically ends the chances of seeing them in the rankings.

UL Monroe started off the season with a big upset win against Arkansas and a near upset win agianst Auburn. As it turns out, those teams are simply shit, so maybe the wins weren't as impressive for Monroe as we thought at the time.

[xubrew]

Notre Dame is unbeaten, but they've had close calls against the likes of Purdue and BYU, who are .500 teams at best. They also sweated out Stanford at home, who is pretty far outside the top ten. If Notre Dame goes out and wins at USC and at Oklahoma, that will certainly spike their credentials. Until that happens, though, I'm inclined to believe that they're playing above themselves. I don't mean that as an insult. Playing above yourself means you're extending yourself. It's just that when a team has to play above yourself to beat a team like Stanford at home, in a close game, with the aid of a questoinable call, it's a sign that teams like Alabama, Florida, Oregon and Kansas State are probably above their heads.

Scratch that.

ND's game at Oklahoma was as impressive as any singular road performance in the last two years.

Wow.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not sure it was any more impressive than K-State's win in Norman earlier this year....or as impressive as K-State's annihilation of WV in Morgantown.

[Masterofreality]

I'm sure you are referring to K State's win over the Big Least's Rutgers today. That would be KENT State.

Ho, hum. Just another win by a MAC team against an alleged BCS Conference team. Nothing like impressing the networks when you are going for a new TV contract, and being so full of yourself that you turn down an ESPN offer. The Big Greased is some Big 6 league, huh?

MAC> BE

[GoMuskies]

That game was played in Norman? Weird.

And the Big East is going to get a lot better deal from someone (be it NBC, Fox or eventually ESPN) for turning down ESPN's initial offer.

[xsteve1]

Scratch that.

ND's game at Oklahoma was as impressive as any singular road performance in the last two years.

Wow.

Brian Kelly is a fantastic coach.

[Masterofreality]

And the Big East is going to get a lot better deal from someone (be it NBC, Fox or eventually ESPN) for turning down ESPN's initial offer.

Really? How? Maybe if they decide to play games on Tuesday nights. Most of these networks have already shelled out big bucks for other league rights...Fox for the PAC 12 & Big 12, ESPN for the ACC and SEC and NBC has ND. While they might pay something to put on the NBC Sports Network, it won't be a bunch.

The Big Least has shot themselves in the foot because they've compromised their basketball at the altar of football. About as many people will want to watch a game between Central Florida and SMU as they would a game of Fordham and LaSalle. The football product will get worse after Louisville makes its inevitable move somewhere else.

The Big Greased is a walking zombie of a conference. Their "BCS bid" has been marginalized and their identity is now one of a grab bag group of unrelated institutions with little in common.

The sooner Louisville gets its ass somewhere else, the better it will be.

Meanwhile, NO ONE wants SucKS. Good luck with that, Borecat fan.

[paulxu]

This year has not worked out as I hoped.
After killing Georgia 35-7, the Cocks lose by 2 to LSU, then fold their tents against the Gators....who promptly lose to Georgia.
Georgia now controls the East with gimmes against Auburn and Ole Miss.

Maybe Glow can help the Rebels get their game on and upset them.
Lattimore's injury was really ugly.

[XUOWNSUC]

Maybe Temple is starting to regret it's decision to leave the MAC for the big east...

[CinciX12]

For the first time in a long time, being a Notre Dame fan is making for a pretty damn good fall. That game last night was impressive.

[GoMuskies]

For the first time in a long time, being a Notre Dame fan is making for a pretty damn good fall.

Louisville, too. No matter how unimpressive winning the Big East may be to MOR (among others), I'm a few wins away from spending New Years on South Beach or Bourbon Street. Life would be very, very good!

[GoMuskies]

This would have been a nice year for the final four to have been in place (if things finish as is). Alabama/Notre Dame and Oregon/K-State would have been great semifinals.

As it is, Notre Dame/K-State might end up as a great Fiesta Bowl for #2.

[GoMuskies]

One other tidbit I just saw that I thought was pretty funny: because of the Ohio State and Penn State probations, Indiana (3-5, 1-3 with losses to Navy and Ball State) goes into their November 3rd game against Iowa controlling their destiny in the Leaders division. Wins in each of their final four, and they're in the title game. What's even more funny, is that they can likely lose to Penn State and either Iowa and Purdue (better to lose to Iowa than Purdue) and STILL make the Big Ten title game so long as they beat Wisconsin and win one more, because Wisconsin already has two conference losses and still has to play both Ohio State and Penn State, so IU would win the division tiebreaker at 3-5. 6-7 team in the Rose Bowl?

[kyxu]

I'm not sure it was any more impressive than K-State's win in Norman earlier this year....or as impressive as K-State's annihilation of WV in Morgantown.

As an offensive spectacle, yes, it was impressive. From a quality standpoint, not so much. West Virginia is a dud.

[xubrew]

I'm not sure it was any more impressive than K-State's win in Norman earlier this year....or as impressive as K-State's annihilation of WV in Morgantown.

You're probably right. After thinking about it, I overstated it. It's still a huge win for Notre Dame, though. It was way more than what I thought they were capable of, and the fact that they won so handily was also surprising.


That game was played in Norman? Weird.

And the Big East is going to get a lot better deal from someone (be it NBC, Fox or eventually ESPN) for turning down ESPN's initial offer.

Agreed. Mike Aresco worked at CBS for years, I believe. ESPN had exclusively negotiating rights with the Big East, so technically no one else can make them an offer. Once that expires (if it hasn't already) other networks will jump in. Letting the window for exclusive negotiating rights lapse was a good idea. If more networks are bidding for a league, the offers will be higher. NBC and Fox are interested, from what I understand.

I don't think the Big East will sign an exclusive deal. The Pac Twelve is with ESPN, Fox, and their own network. Same with the Big Twelve. The SEC is with CBS and ESPN. The Big East will not sign an exclusive deal with ESPN. I think that's why they turned down the previous offer, and let the negotiating window lapse. Aresco was brought in primarily to do one thing, and that's cement a good TV deal. I believe he will.



One other tidbit I just saw that I thought was pretty funny: because of the Ohio State and Penn State probations, Indiana (3-5, 1-3 with losses to Navy and Ball State) goes into their November 3rd game against Iowa controlling their destiny in the Leaders division. Wins in each of their final four, and they're in the title game. What's even more funny, is that they can likely lose to Penn State and either Iowa and Purdue (better to lose to Iowa than Purdue) and STILL make the Big Ten title game so long as they beat Wisconsin and win one more, because Wisconsin already has two conference losses and still has to play both Ohio State and Penn State, so IU would win the division tiebreaker at 3-5. 6-7 team in the Rose Bowl?

What's interesting is that if Indiana ends up 6-7 and winning the Big Ten, they'll need a waiver to play in the Rose Bowl. They'll likely get it, but still. It'd be funny to see a sub-500 team in the Rose Bowl.


Yeah, GO is the only person I feel is worth talking to, I guess.

[XUglow]

This year has not worked out as I hoped.
After killing Georgia 35-7, the Cocks lose by 2 to LSU, then fold their tents against the Gators....who promptly lose to Georgia.
Georgia now controls the East with gimmes against Auburn and Ole Miss.

Maybe Glow can help the Rebels get their game on and upset them.
Lattimore's injury was really ugly.

The Lattimore leg thing was really ugly. I was at the MSU-USC game where he originally got hurt on a play where he was just a bystander. This one was a lot uglier.

Ole Miss is certainly no gimme this year. Hugh Freeze is my coach of the year. Ole Miss seems to get better every week. They should have beaten Texas A&M. They can beat UGA.

It hardly matters though because Alabama will absolutely crush the life out of the East representative in the SECCG in Atlanta.

Bama vs. Oregon is the game that makes the most sense this year, but long term, I am thinking ND might be the team to finally derail the SEC.

[xu95]

This would have been a nice year for the final four to have been in place (if things finish as is). Alabama/Notre Dame and Oregon/K-State would have been great semifinals.

As it is, Notre Dame/K-State might end up as a great Fiesta Bowl for #2.

At this point teams are just playing to see who will get killed by Alabama in January.

[SM#24]

The Big Least has shot themselves in the foot because they've compromised their basketball at the altar of football. About as many people will want to watch a game between Central Florida and SMU as they would a game of Fordham and LaSalle.

Not true according to Rick Pitino last year at Big East media day:
Pitino and others in the room Wednesday are some of the most influential figures in college sports, but they are powerless to have a voice in conference expansion. Football is the biggest money-maker for conferences.
Pitino relayed a story from a television executive that finally hit home and made him understand.
"Ten years ago, the Big East was all about basketball," said Pitino, whose roots are in the Big East, dating to his days as the coach at Providence in the 1980s.
"Football was not a minor sport, but it was not highly regarded in the Big East. Now, when people tell me the Liberty Bowl is getting a higher rating than North-Carolina Duke [basketball] ... I find that mind-boggling. But it must be true if they're saying it. I'm very uncomfortable with that, that people love this game of football so much."

[wkrq59]

Really enjoyed Saturday, watching my two favorite teams this year, Oregon and Boise State and the 2a, Alabama play some fun football. It is a bit disconcerting to watch the third and fourth strings of Oregon battle to try to score against Colorado's No. 1s. And the converse. If the Bengals ever get rid of Marvin "the Liar" Lewis, I surely hope they open the vault and somehow sign Chris Petersen or Oregon's Chip Kelly. Damn those guys put on a good show and they can coach. Of course, I'll be looking most seriously at Alabama-LSU with no concerns about the coaching at all. Nick and Les have so damned much talent they ought to give 10 percent of it each to some needy Division I-AA (that's what they still are in my book). Geeze, as Mike Gottfried used to say about Alabama, when the first team gets winded or the least bit ineffective, they simply sound the horn and the second and later the third and the fourth teams come charging over the hill and are just as good as the starters. That's what it looked like with Oregon and Alabama last week. And UC? Well, I think Munchie really should shut up and play.
:neo::smack::tease:

[chico]

A Notre Dame - Bama game would probably be the most watched game ever. But Bama is 2 touchdowns better than any other team out there, even Oregon, who has played a very soft schedule this year. Unfortunately, I don't see KSU losing and I think they'll stay #2 and play Bama.

Kelly has done a fantastic job this year. He may be an ass, but he sure can coach. That defense is unreal.

[blueblob06]

A Notre Dame - Bama game would probably be the most watched game ever. But Bama is 2 touchdowns better than any other team out there, even Oregon, who has played a very soft schedule this year. Unfortunately, I don't see KSU losing and I think they'll stay #2 and play Bama.

Kelly has done a fantastic job this year. He may be an ass, but he sure can coach. That defense is unreal.
It will really be a shame if 3 or 4 of Bama/ND/K St/ORE go undefeated with this stupid BCS system. Sucks for Oregon that USC and Oregon State lost last week. I guess if Oregon beats USC, then a ND win over a 3-loss USC team wouldn't look that great either.

[Juice]

It will really be a shame if 3 or 4 of Bama/ND/K St/ORE go undefeated with this stupid BCS system. Sucks for Oregon that USC and Oregon State lost last week. I guess if Oregon beats USC, then a ND win over a 3-loss USC team wouldn't look that great either.

With USC and Oregon probably playing in a rematch in the Pac 12 Championship game.

[Masterofreality]

Louisville, too. No matter how unimpressive winning the Big East may be to MOR (among others), I'm a few wins away from spending New Years on South Beach or Bourbon Street. Life would be very, very good!

Hey, man. I'm for Louisville. Just not the Big Least. Louisville's my hometown. They have to get themselves out of that crappy league. Period!

[xubrew]

Not true according to Rick Pitino last year at Big East media day:
Pitino and others in the room Wednesday are some of the most influential figures in college sports, but they are powerless to have a voice in conference expansion. Football is the biggest money-maker for conferences.
Pitino relayed a story from a television executive that finally hit home and made him understand.
"Ten years ago, the Big East was all about basketball," said Pitino, whose roots are in the Big East, dating to his days as the coach at Providence in the 1980s.
"Football was not a minor sport, but it was not highly regarded in the Big East. Now, when people tell me the Liberty Bowl is getting a higher rating than North-Carolina Duke [basketball] ... I find that mind-boggling. But it must be true if they're saying it. I'm very uncomfortable with that, that people love this game of football so much."

It's not that surprising. The Liberty Bowl is typically one of three or four college football games on New Years Eve, and there is nothing else on, at least sports wise, when it's being played. On New Years Eve, you can watch the Liberty Bowl or the Twilight Zone marathon. That's really the extent of your choices.

When Duke plays North Carolina in basketball, it's on a busy week night when there are about fifty or sixty other college basketball games being played.

I'm not a TV ratings expert, but it is my understanding that college football produces a smattering of showcase games each week. Those games get big ratings. However, as a whole, most games don't rate that high.

For college basketball, there are very few singular games that captivate the nation prior to the NCAA Tournament. Whereas people in California and Nevada care about a football game with BCS implications, they don't care about Duke v North Carolina. They care about the basketball teams in California and Nevada, and that's what they're watching when Duke is playing UNC. College basketball is a national sport, but there aren't really any national teams or national games. There are 350 teams to choose from, and there are 40+ games going on at once, many will watch the 39 others as opposed to Duke v UNC.

[DC Muskie]

Talk about tv ratings, more people watch NCIS than the World Series. What a drop off our "national pastime" has experienced.

[xubrew]

I reallly like baseball. I love going to ball games, even college and minor league ballgames. I think minor league baseball is the best value for the price of a ticket, perhaps in all of sports. For five bucks, you can go in and have a great time.

.....but I almost never watch the World Series. Why is that?? I honestly don't know the answer. Football is better for TV than baseball, I guess.

[GoMuskies]

Someone forgot to tell Miami's 12 fans that their titanic struggle against VPI was on Thursday night.

[paulxu]

New top 20 average of polls:

Big 12........3 (lost 2)
SEC...........7
Pac 12........4
Big Ten.......2(one team not eligible for post season play)
ACC............2 (gained 1)
BE..............0
MWC............1
Independent..1 (ND)

http://masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm

Cocks try to get back on track. Spurrier wants Alabama to play in the NFC South.
Have a hard time seeing ND as #2. AP and USA have them at 4.
If we end up with 3 or 4 undefeated teams I wish that playoff system would have already begun.
LSU is the last chance for anyone to roll the Tide.

[GoMuskies]

Ready to see my Cards got to 9-0 for the first time in program history!

[xsteve1]

Ready to see my Cards got to 9-0 for the first time in program history!


Got to think Strong will get heavy SEC interest this off season (Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee).

[GoMuskies]

Got to think Strong will get heavy SEC interest this off season (Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee).

My guess is he stays put.

[paulxu]

He got a great background at South Carolina.

On another note, I thought Ole Miss was going to give Georgia a run. Then all of a sudden, they stopped playing pass defense for some reason.
When there are 12 seconds on the clock before half, and the other team has 60 yards to go, if you let someone get behind you, you should lose.
If nothing else, tackle the guy before the ball gets there...it's only a 15 yard penalty.

[GoMuskies]

Notre Dame trying really hard to lose to the dregs of the Big East today. Refs/replay officials making it tough on them.

[paulxu]

They sure weren't going to get a TD this week on that fumble.

And Pitt blows the easy FG to win it. ND very lucky to get this one.

[GoMuskies]

Is there a more overrated POS coach than Lane Kiffin? Guy's pulled some dumb ass stunts this year, threw a team manager under the bus and lost to every decent team they've played. What does this guy have going for him other than his last name?

[DC Muskie]

Did Lane's father pass away?

Talking about poop, how terrible is the Big Ten this season? It's so bad, it's actual sort of cool to watch. Like watching a crash or something. I'm pulling for Indiana to make to the title game.

[DC Muskie]

Why are we getting double posts? My bad.

[GoMuskies]

I'm pulling for Indiana to make to the title game.

That would be funny. But Indiana to the Rose Bowl at 6-7 would be downright hysterical.

[paulxu]

New top 20 average of polls:

Big 12........3
SEC...........6 (lost 1)
Pac 12........5 (gained 1..6-3 USC?)
Big Ten.......2(one team not eligible for post season play)
ACC............2 (gained 1)
BE..............1 (Hello Louisville!)
MWC............0 (Goodbye Boise St.)
Independent..1 (ND)

http://masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm

Go, maybe you can arrange a bowl game with USC instead of Georgia or Florida,

[paulxu]

Go...just what the hell is going on up there in Syracuse?

[American X]

Texas A&M soon to clear path for Kansas State or Notre Dame to the national championship. Whoop!

[xsteve1]

Go...just what the hell is going on up there in Syracuse?

UC will now win the MAC Lite conference.

[GoMuskies]

Go...just what the hell is going on up there in Syracuse?

Bad defense reared its ugly head. Cards are still two wins away from giving me a New Years vacation to Miami.

[boozehound]

My Wolverines took care of business today in dramatic fashion. Hoping Penn State can take care of Nebraska...

[paulxu]

Texas A&M soon to clear path for Kansas State or Notre Dame to the national championship. Whoop!

I just turned the game on and they were down 20 pts.
But I wouldn't count them out of it just yet.

[xudash]

Texas A&M soon to clear path for Kansas State or Notre Dame to the national championship. Whoop!

Alabama answers with a touchdown. The score is now 20 to 7.

The flag on the kick off, and over 100,000 people begin to go nuts. Who knows what will happen from here, but Texas A&M immediately picks up a first down after having been pinned deep. The team from Texas keeps driving, having picked up an impossible third-down. Unbelievable success at third-down conversions.

Finally stopped on a third-down attempt after going seven for seven in that category. And so we arrive at a key point in the game as far as momentum is concerned.

P.s. This Hardee's Memphis burger ad is unfair.

[XU 87]

And then there were three. Tide gets rolled.

[waggy]

That was awesome. The A&M band rockin out in Tuscaloosa postgame was crazy.

[paulxu]

Does this mean A&M could beat Cleveland?

[xudash]

Does this mean A&M could beat Cleveland?

Maybe not Cleveland, but based upon what I have had to experience, they may be able to take Jacksonville.

[Juice]

1073

Manziel crushes it on and off the field

[xudash]

1073

Manziel crushes it on and off the field

Nice audible. During the game, the announcers mentioned that his parents both played golf in college, and that he is a scratch golfer. They also mentioned that he is a very good baseball player. But you cannot have everything, because he almost qualifies for Mad Magazine.

[American X]

You are welcome, Irish fans. Win the last two games and everything will work out just fine.

Imagine if college football had an eight team playoff - who would want to play Texas A&M now?

Manziel For Heisman.

[DoubleD86]

You are welcome, Irish fans. Win the last two games and everything will work out just fine.

Imagine if college football had an eight team playoff - who would want to play Texas A&M now?

Manziel For Heisman.

I and I assume all other ND fans thank you. However, the Irish still do not control their own destiny so if any of you out there want to sign up to take out KState or Oregon, it would be much appreciated!

[GoMuskies]

I really don't want to see ND in the championship game. On the other hand, if the opponent is Oregon, it might be fun to see the Irish lose by 10 TDs.

[DoubleD86]

I really don't want to see ND in the championship game. On the other hand, if the opponent is Oregon, it might be fun to see the Irish lose by 10 TDs.

Haters gon' hate.

In all honesty I would not feel good about an ND Oregon match up, except for the fact that it was in the NC.

[blueblob06]

I really don't want to see ND in the championship game. On the other hand, if the opponent is Oregon, it might be fun to see the Irish lose by 10 TDs.
Couldn't rep you. I couldn't agree more. But I like Oregon in addition to not caring for ND so this would be great.

If K St and Klein can win the last 2, I think they deserve it over ND.

[CinciX12]

I don't see how you can argue to put a Big 12 team in a national title game and have that school not be named Oklahoma. It just seems weird to me.

[XUOWNSUC]

Suck it bearcats! Have fun in the Poinsettia Bowl or whatever.

Gotta love how the enquirer puts a positive spin on today's game in their headline: "Bearcats Avoid Shutout In Last Seconds".

How about using "Bearcats Suck!" instead?

[paulxu]

Mississippi had halftime lead over LSU.

I attribute that to Glow being present in the Grove, and holding up the Muskie tradition of strong drinks, barbque/bacon, and beautiful women.

[paulxu]

Unranked Baylor leading #1 KSU 52-24 at start of 4th quarter. ??????

[GoMuskies]

I hate Pitt's kicker so much.

[GoMuskies]

Here's a meaningless stat for you: Big East teams will finish the season 3-0 against SEC squads.

[GoMuskies]

Chip Kelly just had a look on his face like someone shot his dog.

[Strange Brew]

Love to gloat but my Irish need a miracle to win in LA next week

[GoMuskies]

Love to gloat but my Irish need a miracle to win in LA next week

USC's best win of the season is a win over Syracuse in the Meadowlands. So I don't think your statement is accurate.

[xudash]

Love to gloat but my Irish need a miracle to win in LA next week

I think you have the wrong town and time. They'll need a miracle against 'bama in Miami. On that note, I think I just became a Domer fan.

[xavierj]

Here's a meaningless stat for you: Big East teams will finish the season 3-0 against SEC squads.

And the best team in the big least lost at home to Kent freaking State. Is Notre Dame relevant yet?

[GoMuskies]

And the best team in the big least lost at home to Kent freaking State.

Louisville didn't play Kent.

[Strange Brew]

USC's best win of the season is a win over Syracuse in the Meadowlands. So I don't think your statement is accurate.
Good point but ND v. USC is a lot like XU v. UC, throw the records out and double buckle your chinstrap!

[GoMuskies]

Well, I don't think that's true. The team everyone thought was better coming in has won that game for at least a decade straight, haven't they?

[xavierj]

Louisville didn't play Kent.

Didn't know Louisville was any good and last I checked they are not in 1st place.

[Strange Brew]

Well, I don't think that's true. The team everyone thought was better coming in has won that game for at least a decade straight, haven't they?

USC has a great program and my Irish are excited for the opportunity to play in one of the the most historic college football venues.

[GoMuskies]

Didn't know Louisville was any good and last I checked they are not in 1st place.

Louisville is the highest ranked and best Big East team.

Guess I was a bit wrong on USC/ND. There have been upset winners the last two years. For 8 years prior to that, the betting favorite won every year (and it was USC every year). The 9th year back was a pick 'em.

[xavierj]

Louisville is the highest ranked and best Big East team.

Guess I was a bit wrong on USC/ND. There have been upset winners the last two years. For 8 years prior to that, the betting favorite won every year (and it was USC every year). The 9th year back was a pick 'em.

Louisville is somewhat lucky to not have 5 losses. They beat 0-11 Southern Miss by 4 points.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville is somewhat lucky to not have 5 losses. They beat 0-11 Southern Miss by 4 points.

Louisville throttled Pitt at Pitt, though. Speaking of being somewhat lucky...

[xavierj]

Louisville throttled Pitt at Pitt, though. Speaking of being somewhat lucky...

I wouldn't say they throttled them. They won by 10 after trailing at the half.

[GoMuskies]

Pitt scored a TD with 40 seconds left to make the final margin.

Let's just say that Pitt didn't line up to kick a FG that would have won the game.

[xu95]

Go, you can sugar coat the Big East any way you want, but when you have to compete with the likes of the Sun Belt conference for a chance at a BCS spot you are a shitty conference.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not sure how I've sugar coated the Big East. I've simply pointed out that it's at least the ACC's equal. So long as the ACC is in and the Big East is out, the whole thing is a complete sham. If the ACC was treated like the Big East, I'd have no issue. Those two are clearly a step back from the other four leagues.

[paulxu]

A little early since there are only 89 polls in the rankings so far, but

New top 20 average of polls:

Big 12........4 (gained 1)
SEC...........6
Pac 12........4 (lost 1)
Big Ten.......3(gained 1;one team not eligible for post season play)
ACC............2
BE..............0 (Goodbye Louisville!)
Independent..1 (ND)

2 undefeateds left; one ineligible. ND/Alabama for NC?

http://masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm

[xu95]

I won't say it is ND/Alabama just yet, but unless ND shits the bed against USC it will be ND losing to the winner of the SEC Championship game.

[xsteve1]

I'm not sure how I've sugar coated the Big East. I've simply pointed out that it's at least the ACC's equal. So long as the ACC is in and the Big East is out, the whole thing is a complete sham. If the ACC was treated like the Big East, I'd have no issue. Those two are clearly a step back from the other four leagues.

Agree the ACC is a bad league as well.

[SM#24]

We're an ND loss away from another all-SEC title game if Fla beats Fla St. Perhaps even another rematch all-SEC game if it ends up UGa-Fla.
I can see people OK with an Ala-Fla title game since they did not play this year; but I can see a lot of people not wanting a UGa-Fla rematch and I wonder if voters will try to "rig" it so Oregon gets the #2 spot, especially if they pound Ore St and somehow get to the Pac12 title game (UCLA beats Stanford) and pound UCLA. Right now, Fla is ahead of Ore due to computer rankings even though Ore is two posts ahead in one poll and one in the other.

[X-Fan]

LMAO at the X Fan holding a "X 67 - ND 63" at ESPN's College GameDay!

Turns out it was the Team Managers: @jeremygrowe: Hahaha @XavierManagers just made ESPN college game day! Great sign.

Love it!

[paulxu]

Cocks take care of business. The Head Ball Coach now winningest coach in their not so good history.
Johnny Football goes wild.
UConn Go? Really?
And what the hell is wrong with OSU? Honored Tressel today? Classy.

[Strange Brew]

Nice win Irish! Hope we can hang with the SEC's best....

[Masterofreality]

“@apjoekay: 2 Mid-American Conference teams (NIllinois, KentSt) ranked in latest AP college football poll, no Big East teams.”

[American X]

Johnny HeisManziel

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQRqodT3fGl6CUtE6P8P-4OBOsxmay_W4qUn3kv1O4wPnGQ406BZxr5QR41vg

[Juice]

Tom O'Brien of NC State and Gene Chizik of Auburn were both fired today.

[xu95]

Nice win Irish! Hope we can hang with the SEC's best....

Good luck with that. This is shaping up to be another BCS blowout.

[xudash]

Good luck with that. This is shaping up to be another BCS blowout.

I have to congratulate ND for going undefeated and for making it to the game.

ND has never won a BCS bowl, dating back to the formation of the BCS in 1998. In fact, in the BCS bowls in which they participated, they tended to get blown out, or beaten soundly.

If I had to guess right now, I would say that Alabama will take out Georgia next weekend, and that will set it up.

From there, ND will put up a gallant fight for a while, but 'bama will beat them soundly.

[GoMuskies]

UConn Go? Really?


I've been saying all along that UofL is not really any good. I was surprised by yesterday's loss but not shocked. They've been screwing around with bad teams all year and finally got bit. Unbelievably, they're one win over Rutgers away from playing in the Orange Bowl still.

[xu95]

I thought the Big East was better at football than the ACC.

[GoMuskies]

I thought the Big East was better at football than the ACC.

It's not worse. The ACC still blows.

[GoMuskies]

Speaking of, how do you think the Orange Bowl would enjoy Rutgers/Georgia Tech as their game this year? I prefer Louisville/Florida State myself. Check that, I want Louisville/Georgia Tech!