College Football Thread-2013

[paulxu]

Every Buckeye is praying FSU wins out so they aren't in line to play Alabama.

[xubrew]

The whole system is stupid. All of it. Nothing is good about the bowl system.

Although there would potentially be some interesting games (Fresno vs Baylor, or Ohio State vs Stanford, or UCF vs....someone, a playoff would give you intriguing games as well, and they would be more than glorified exhibitions, which is all bowl games really are.

The four team playoff is not a playoff. Take Fresno State and Northern Illinois, for instance. If we had that format this year, those teams would not have been played off. They would have been left off. Any system that eliminates teams on mere assumption is not a sufficient system, and that is exactly what FBS college football does. It is the only level of football from pop warner on up that does this. It is the only sport in the world that I know of that does this.

Having said all that, I think Ohio State is toast if Baylor wins out.....but maybe not!! If they end up playing a one loss Michigan State team who by then would be high in the rankings and blowing them out, the voters may look favorably on that and jump them ahead of Baylor (who I don't think plays anyone that last week). That's another thing that sucks. Because the voting is so week to week, the season as a whole is not magnified nearly as much as what happened in the most recent week. If Ohio State wins big and Baylor doesn't play at all, the voters are too stupid to not be influenced by that and negate everything Baylor has done all year long.

Great system we got here!!!

[xubrew]

Okay, Baylor plays Texas that last week. My bad.

My facts were wrong, but my point about it being a shitty system is spot on.

[XUglow]

Great system we got here!!!

The change is a slow process for sure. The Bowls were great for college football at one time, but it is time to move on. The big money comes from TV packages, and playoffs are gong to be a part of those packages. We have s...l...o...w...l...y... moved from conference tie-ins to the BCS to the 4 team playoff. It will expand. It is going to be a HUGE money maker for everyone. They will do the math. If we move from 4 teams to 8 teams, we go from 3 games to 7 games. If we go from 4 teams to 16 teams, we go from 3 games to 15 games.

[paulxu]

I think 8 is the right number.

[Milhouse]

Or even 10....They could figure out a "play in game" or something.

[ThrowDownDBrown]

Every Buckeye is praying FSU wins out so they aren't in line to play Alabama.

Yeah just absolutely terrified to play the same team that gave up 42 points to two loss Texas A&M

[xubrew]

Alabama would likely crush Ohio State, but not as bad as Florida State would.

[xubrew]

Or even 10....They could figure out a "play in game" or something.

How about twelve??

You have the six highest ranked conference champs and six more at-large teams.

The top four teams would bye into the quarterfinals and play at home in the quarters, teams 5 thru 8 would play at home in the opening round, and teams 9 thru 12 would play on the road in the opening round.

That way the regular season still means a ton because teams are playing for the right to play at home and/or receive a bye.

[GoMuskies]

Saw this stat posted on another board and thought it was interesting: Ohio State's three road conference opponents to date are a combined 0-18 in Big Ten games. Their lone out of conference road opponent is 0-8 in the Pac-12.

That's pretty amazing. Even this year's lousy Michigan team will be a step up from that competition.

[XULucho27]

Even this year's lousy Michigan team will be a step up from that competition.

[lifts head and reads previous message]
[nods despondently in agreement as single tear rolls down cheek]
[continues to try to drown himself in bowl of cereal]

go blue....:facepalm:

[xudash]

My FL Gator friends have gone to suicide watch status.

The Ducks are heading towards an orange sauce preparation.

The Buckeyes are rolling

Meeeeeeshigan got rolled.

And we get to see if Baylor can break a 7-decade+ streak tonight. Corso picked the Cowboys, which means Baylor has good odds.

[paulxu]

I sure hope Glow left the Grove at halftime and went to the frigging stadium.
I need for those Rebels to upset Mizzou for me.

Put that bourbon (and that girl) down Glow! Get with the program.

[SM#24]

Nice of Michigan to honor the Lew Hirt Society on their helmet. Right now, looks like the over/under should be 80.

[Jesuit4Life]

@XUNation 4m
Time to move Michigan and Ohio State to a neutral site.

[XUOWNSUC]

What a finish in the Iron Bowl! Can Auburn jump one of the two undefeated teams with a win in the SEC Championship?

[Xavgrad08]

Nick Saban is the best coach in College Football, but what the hell was he thinking with that FG attempt?

[Juice]

What a finish in the Iron Bowl! Can Auburn jump one of the two undefeated teams with a win in the SEC Championship?

I definitely think it's possible. That's also assuming that OSU can get by MSU. FSU will probably roll over Duke.

[xubrew]

I love how college football bases things off of assumption. Why settle it on the field with a playoff when you can just vote??

[GoMuskies]

That replaces Flutie for me after close to 30 years.

[xubrew]

There are still some great things that could happen. Auburn and Ohio State could lose in their championship games, and Alabama would get to go. I would enjoy watching Auburn's reaction to that.

The ultimate would be if Auburn wins, and Ohio State and Florida State both lose. Then what?? Another Auburn vs Alabama game??

And who knows what's going to happen at Florida State with all of their drama??

[vee4xu]

Not much of an OSU fan I assume, brew?

Let me check O-H

The team has won 24 games in a row. No one else in college football can say that tonight. Not Auburn, not Florida State and absolutely not Alabama.

Go Bucks!

[GoMuskies]

Game 25 will be their first top 15 opponent. Because the Big Ten pretty much blows.

[xsteve1]

Game 25 will be their first top 15 opponent. Because the Big Ten pretty much blows.

If OSU played in the SEC they'd probably have 4-5 losses over that span.

[xubrew]

Not much of an OSU fan I assume, brew?

Let me check O-H

The team has won 24 games in a row. No one else in college football can say that tonight. Not Auburn, not Florida State and absolutely not Alabama.

Go Bucks!

Not really, but I don't like Auburn either. Or Florida State, for that matter. I don't like Alabama either.

If Ohio State wins against Michigan State, I seriously doubt that a one loss SEC team will jump over them. Football rewards not losing. It's better to play eight mediocre teams and win eight games than it is to play eight really good teams and win seven games.

If this were basketball, though, the SEC winner would get the better seed. Auburn won at Texas A&M. Ohio State beat Wisconsin at home. I'd say those wins are about even.

Auburn also beat Georgia when Georgia had both Gurley and Murray. Again, that's a second win that's on par with Ohio State's one win against Wisconsin. That's being VERY generous to Ohio State, BTW.

Auburn also beat Alabama. Ohio State has nothing that comes close to that.

If Auburn beats Missouri, it will be their second top five wins, which means that they'll have two wins that are better than what Ohio State's best win would be even if Ohio State beat's Michigan State.

Auburn's SOS is #24th. Ohio State's is #72. Auburn's one loss at LSU was a more challenging game than any Ohio State has played to this point.

If this were the basketball selection committee, it wouldn't be close. But, it's not. Ohio State didn't lose. The fact that they had a far more manageable schedule is irrelevant. In football, you just can't lose. That's really all they look at.

[vee4xu]

Well, OSU like every other team in every other sport can only play the teams listed on their schedule. They did that and they've won every time over the last 25 games. Big Ten blows, fine. Auburn played whomever, fine. SEC does this, PAC 12 does that, fine. In the end, they all do the same thing. Play the teams listed on their schedules. Bottom line, you have to win. OSU has done that, others have not. That my friends is a cold, hard fact. All the other stuff is just noise.

[usfldan]

The ultimate would be if Auburn wins, and Ohio State and Florida State both lose. Then what?? Another Auburn vs Alabama game??


Auburn would have lost to #4 Missouri, so I would think Missouri would get in ahead of Alabama. As for who Missouri would play, I have no clue. Maybe you could make a case for the only undefeated team that would be left (No. Illinois).

[GoMuskies]

Well, OSU like every other team in every other sport can only play the teams listed on their schedule. They did that and they've won every time over the last 25 games. Big Ten blows, fine. Auburn played whomever, fine. SEC does this, PAC 12 does that, fine. In the end, they all do the same thing. Play the teams listed on their schedules. Bottom line, you have to win. OSU has done that, others have not. That my friends is a cold, hard fact. All the other stuff is just noise.

Quite an accomplishment to be sure. I would reward them with a #3 ranking for that impressive run.

[xubrew]

Quite an accomplishment to be sure. I would reward them with a #3 ranking for that impressive run.

As would I. Well, maybe. No worse than #4.

But, they're going to be #2, and if they play Florida State I think they're going to get absolutely killed.

In 2009, Cincinnati would have finished #2 if Texas had missed the field goal, or if time had expired before they were allowed to get it off, which it almost did. There is no better example of how simple minded the process is when it comes to the football rankings. If that UC team would have finished #2, there is no way this Ohio State team won't. And, like UC, they'll get absolutely killed.

[xubrew]

In other words, in football, the kid who gets all the questions right on his algebra test is considered to be smarter than the kid who gets a 94% on his advanced calculus test.

[Juice]

Well, OSU like every other team in every other sport can only play the teams listed on their schedule. They did that and they've won every time over the last 25 games. Big Ten blows, fine. Auburn played whomever, fine. SEC does this, PAC 12 does that, fine. In the end, they all do the same thing. Play the teams listed on their schedules. Bottom line, you have to win. OSU has done that, others have not. That my friends is a cold, hard fact. All the other stuff is just noise.

And OSU can also put together a better schedule that doesn't include Cal, SD State, Buffalo, and FAMU.

[xubrew]

And OSU can also put together a better schedule that doesn't include Cal, SD State, Buffalo, and FAMU.

There would be no point. Football doesn't reward teams who schedule hard.

[xudash]

Not really, but I don't like Auburn either. Or Florida State, for that matter. I don't like Alabama either.

If Ohio State wins against Michigan State, I seriously doubt that a one loss SEC team will jump over them. Football rewards not losing. It's better to play eight mediocre teams and win eight games than it is to play eight really good teams and win seven games.

If this were basketball, though, the SEC winner would get the better seed. Auburn won at Texas A&M. Ohio State beat Wisconsin at home. I'd say those wins are about even.

Auburn also beat Georgia when Georgia had both Gurley and Murray. Again, that's a second win that's on par with Ohio State's one win against Wisconsin. That's being VERY generous to Ohio State, BTW.

Auburn also beat Alabama. Ohio State has nothing that comes close to that.

If Auburn beats Missouri, it will be their second top five wins, which means that they'll have two wins that are better than what Ohio State's best win would be even if Ohio State beat's Michigan State.

Auburn's SOS is #24th. Ohio State's is #72. Auburn's one loss at LSU was a more challenging game than any Ohio State has played to this point.

If this were the basketball selection committee, it wouldn't be close. But, it's not. Ohio State didn't lose. The fact that they had a far more manageable schedule is irrelevant. In football, you just can't lose. That's really all they look at.

Auburn won three of its games on miracles in the final seconds of those games. Auburn beat Georgia? Only on the scoreboard; Georgia lost that game because they didn't know well enough to knock down a long pass.

From my chair, Ohio State's offense can hang with any team in the nation. Ohio State's defense is the area of concern.

A favored Ohio State team crapped the bed against UF in one NC game. Then again, Ohio State beat a favored Miami team in an earlier NC game. Anything can happen when you get into the NC game and these BCS bowls. Just ask Bob Stoops if he has a warm place in his heart for Boise State.

[xubrew]

Auburn won three of its games on miracles in the final seconds of those games. Auburn beat Georgia? Only on the scoreboard; Georgia lost that game because they didn't know well enough to knock down a long pass.

From my chair, Ohio State's offense can hang with any team in the nation. Ohio State's defense is the area of concern.

A favored Ohio State team crapped the bed against UF in one NC game. Then again, Ohio State beat a favored Miami team in an earlier NC game. Anything can happen when you get into the NC game and these BCS bowls. Just ask Bob Stoops if he has a warm place in his heart for Boise State.

To be fair, I don't get caught up in how a team won a game. I'm not saying you don't have a point. I'm just saying it's not something I personally give a lot of weight to. At least not to the winning team. I will take note of a team who goes out on the road, puts up a hell of an effort, but comes up just short against a top ten team, or something like that.

With that being said, Ohio State had to really sweat out both Northwestern and Michigan. Those aren't good teams. So, whereas Auburn did struggle to get the win against Georgia, it was Georgia when they had two very key players. It wasn't Northwestern or Michigan. You could also easily say that Auburn was in control of that game, and it was their mistakes that let Georgia back into it.

[bjf123]

In other words, in football, the kid who gets all the questions right on his algebra test is considered to be smarter than the kid who gets a 94% on his advanced calculus test.

Sadly, yes.


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[bjf123]

There would be no point. Football doesn't reward teams who schedule hard.

Isn't that supposed to change when the new BCS format starts in a year or two?


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[xubrew]

Just so everyone's clear, my vendetta isn't against Ohio State. I'm no Buckeyes fan, but I don't like any of the other teams that are in the hunt either.

My gripe is against college football in general. For those of you who are ragging on Ohio State's schedule, why should they improve it?? Why make it harder when college football doesn't reward teams who do play a tough schedule??

That's my problem. Auburn's resume is much better, but that one loss cancels it all out. I think that's stupid, but I also know that's just the way it is.

[STL_XUfan]

Isn't that supposed to change when the new BCS format starts in a year or two?


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But it won't, because an undefeated team from a "down year major conference" will still get in above all others. The only time it will matter is when you are picking from the lot of 1 loss teams.

[GoMuskies]

Auburn made up a lot of ground in the coaches poll and is supposed to be #1 in the computers. Should be really, really close tonight.

[vee4xu]

Quite an accomplishment to be sure. I would reward them with a #3 ranking for that impressive run.

At one point Xavier won 40 straight home conference basketball games. So, let me ask you. What would you have to say to any Big East person at the time, or anyone who roots for a team in any other basketball power conference at that time who poo-poos XU's accomplishment by suggesting that it was done against inferior talent in an inferior conference?

[xubrew]

At one point Xavier won 40 straight home conference basketball games. So, let me ask you. What would you have to say to any Big East person at the time, or anyone who roots for a team in any other basketball power conference at that time who poo-poos XU's accomplishment by suggesting that it was done against inferior talent in an inferior conference?

I know you didn't ask me this, but my answer would be that I guess we'll settle it in the tournament.

What an interesting concept that is. A tournament where EVERYBODY gets to play it off, and where the non conference champs are selected and seeded based on merit, which includes quality wins and schedule strength.

[GoMuskies]

At one point Xavier won 40 straight home conference basketball games. So, let me ask you. What would you have to say to any Big East person at the time, or anyone who roots for a team in any other basketball power conference at that time who poo-poos XU's accomplishment by suggesting that it was done against inferior talent in an inferior conference?

I would have told them to look at our non-conference and NCAA Tournament record against top teams. Of course, they'd correctly point out we had never been to a Final Four, so I'd have a tough argument to move us above #5.

What top non-conference team has OSU beaten during their streak that should bring me aroound?

[xubrew]

God, this whole thing is stupid.

It's one thing to say that Auburn deserves the higher ranking, which I think they do. The reason I feel that way is because I think a team who does nothing more other than beat mostly mediocre teams is way overvalued so long as they don't lose any of them.

But, I still feel Ohio State, and NOrthern Illinois, and Fresno, and even Marshall or Rice, should get to play until someone beats them. FBS college football is the only sport in the world where teams aren't played off, but simply left off. The four team playoff will not change that. If div3 can have a 32 team field, then FBS can have a 16 team field.

[vee4xu]

I would have told them to look at our non-conference and NCAA Tournament record against top teams. Of course, they'd correctly point out we had never been to a Final Four, so I'd have a tough argument to move us above #5.

What top non-conference team has OSU beaten during their streak that should bring me aroound?

Pretty much what I expected. Thanks for validating what I thought.

[GoMuskies]

Pretty much what I expected. Thanks for validating what I thought.

Yes Ohio State is #3, and Xavier's #5. Pretty solid.

[vee4xu]

Yes Ohio State is #3, and Xavier's #5. Pretty solid.

The master of slight of hand, at it again.

[GoMuskies]

The master of slight of hand, at it again.

Sleight of hand it is. I totally just made up that stat about OSU not playing a single top 15 team during their 24 game run.

[xubrew]

Sleight of hand it is. I totally just made up that stat about OSU not playing a single top 15 team during their 24 game run.

You gotta watch out for Go. Every now and then he'll slide some facts in. It's his way of twisting things around.

[paulxu]

Well crap. I was hoping the Cocks could have played Auburn in Atlanta.
Needed John Football to show up against Mizzu. But no. He screwed that up.
(Of course we sh$t the bed against Tennessee, so it's our own fault.)

[Masterofreality]

Meanwhile, Genius Brian Kelly lost at Stanford last night and the Firish finish 8-4.

Way to be mediocre, ND!

[STL_XUfan]

Well crap. I was hoping the Cocks could have played Auburn in Atlanta.
Needed John Football to show up against Mizzu. But no. He screwed that up.
(Of course we sh$t the bed against Tennessee, so it's our own fault.)

Sorry I'm not sorry. MIZ!

1306

[DC Muskie]

Just so everyone's clear, my vendetta isn't against Ohio State. I'm no Buckeyes fan, but I don't like any of the other teams that are in the hunt either.

My gripe is against college football in general. For those of you who are ragging on Ohio State's schedule, why should they improve it?? Why make it harder when college football doesn't reward teams who do play a tough schedule??

That's my problem. Auburn's resume is much better, but that one loss cancels it all out. I think that's stupid, but I also know that's just the way it is.

It must be the end of college football where people are about to gripe about what has made college football pretty popular.


I know you didn't ask me this, but my answer would be that I guess we'll settle it in the tournament.

What an interesting concept that is. A tournament where EVERYBODY gets to play it off, and where the non conference champs are selected and seeded based on merit, which includes quality wins and schedule strength.

Ah yes, the tournament argument. No one has EVER argued against the qulaity of teams that get in and don't get in. A tournament must be the PERFECT way to settle such stupid arguments.


God, this whole thing is stupid.

Yes, yes it is.

If Ohio State wins the Big Ten Championship they are in. It's that's simple. Florida State in case anybody has forgotten, is about to win the ACC and by doing so, they would have beaten Duke. But nobody tells you that the ACC is terrible even though Miami, Maryland and Virgina Tech has sucked as the season went on.

Auburn has been great this season, no doubt. It's too bad they lost to a team who has lost 3 games this season. Such is the life of college football.

[xubrew]

It must be the end of college football where people are about to gripe about what has made college football pretty popular.



Ah yes, the tournament argument. No one has EVER argued against the qulaity of teams that get in and don't get in. A tournament must be the PERFECT way to settle such stupid arguments.



Yes, yes it is.

If Ohio State wins the Big Ten Championship they are in. It's that's simple. Florida State in case anybody has forgotten, is about to win the ACC and by doing so, they would have beaten Duke. But nobody tells you that the ACC is terrible even though Miami, Maryland and Virgina Tech has sucked as the season went on.

Auburn has been great this season, no doubt. It's too bad they lost to a team who has lost 3 games this season. Such is the life of college football.

I'll argue that the BCS is stupid any day of the year. Beginning, middle, end or offseason.

And yes, no one has ever argued about an undefeated team or a conference champion being left out of a tournament. It's never happened before.

Auburn took a nuclear physics exam and missed one question. Ohio State took an algebra exam and got them all right. So, Ohio State is better in everyone's mind. LSU did not lose at home, and Ohio State did not play a game this year that was as tough as a game at LSU would have been, but they won all the games they played so they get to go. I think that's ridiculous. I think a playoff would fix the problem. I don't see how anyone could disagree with that.

The BCS is not what made football popular. It was popular long before the BCS. It's popular despite the bowl system, not because of it. A playoff would make it more popular because you'd have more games of national relevance.

[DC Muskie]

I'll argue that the BCS is stupid any day of the year. Beginning, middle, end or offseason.

And yes, no one has ever argued about an undefeated team or a conference champion being left out of a tournament. It's never happened before.

Auburn took a nuclear physics exam and missed one question. Ohio State took an algebra exam and got them all right. So, Ohio State is better in everyone's mind. LSU did not lose at home, and Ohio State did not play a game this year that was as tough as a game at LSU would have been, but they won all the games they played so they get to go. I think that's ridiculous. I think a playoff would fix the problem. I don't see how anyone could disagree with that.

The BCS is not what made football popular. It was popular long before the BCS. It's popular despite the bowl system, not because of it. A playoff would make it more popular because you'd have more games of national relevance.

First I'm digging the test taking analogy. It's so far out there you gotta love it. If you're going for crazy then go big!

Second, if you think the bowl system didn't make the sport popular then you have no earthy idea what you are talking about. The BCS has changed the landscape of college ATHLETICS, not just football. Have you just simply not been paying attention for the last 15-20 years, because I doubt you could get one question in algebra correct if you truly believe that the sports has simply gotten bigger in spite of it's creation.

[bleedXblue]

I'll argue that the BCS is stupid any day of the year. Beginning, middle, end or offseason.

And yes, no one has ever argued about an undefeated team or a conference champion being left out of a tournament. It's never happened before.

Auburn took a nuclear physics exam and missed one question. Ohio State took an algebra exam and got them all right. So, Ohio State is better in everyone's mind. LSU did not lose at home, and Ohio State did not play a game this year that was as tough as a game at LSU would have been, but they won all the games they played so they get to go. I think that's ridiculous. I think a playoff would fix the problem. I don't see how anyone could disagree with that.

The BCS is not what made football popular. It was popular long before the BCS. It's popular despite the bowl system, not because of it. A playoff would make it more popular because you'd have more games of national relevance.

So Ohio State gets penalized b/c the Big Ten has been down? Is that their fault somehow? At the end if the day, the best team usually wins the national championship and frauds get exposed...ala Notre Dame last year. I actually think a FSU-Ohio State game will be a good one. Really thankful I don't have to watch Nick Sabin and Alabama again.

[DC Muskie]

And yes, no one has ever argued about an undefeated team or a conference champion being left out of a tournament. It's never happened before.

Lorenzo Romar would disagree with you on that. You would probably flunk a history exam as well brew.

[xubrew]

Lorenzo Romar would disagree with you on that. You would probably flunk a history exam as well brew.

You got me on that one. No one other than Lorenzo Romar and a bunch of Washington fans would argue with that. But, if a conference declares it's champion via a tournament, and the conference sucks, then that's the conference's fault.

I wouldn't flunk a history exam so long as I got the questions ahead of time and had someone else find the answers for me.

[GoMuskies]

If Ohio State wins the Big Ten Championship they are in. It's that's simple. Florida State in case anybody has forgotten, is about to win the ACC and by doing so, they would have beaten Duke. But nobody tells you that the ACC is terrible even though Miami, Maryland and Virgina Tech has sucked as the season went on.


FSU will beat Duke, it's true, but I'm not sure what that means. Ohio State just beat Michigan, and Duke is significantly better than Michigan.

I have been telling everyone that the ACC sucks for years, by the way. And it's not much better this year. The only real difference is that FSU is finally good again, but FSU hasn't had to play FSU since the Spring Game. It's a real advantage for FSU.

[DC Muskie]

You got me on that one. No one other than Lorenzo Romar and a bunch of Washington fans would argue with that. But, if a conference declares it's champion via a tournament, and the conference sucks, then that's the conference's fault.

Well then what do you say about Oral Roberts then? They won the Summit that year, beat a team you are a fan of who was ranked 8th during the season and still didn't get into the tournament?

College sports are always going to be based on computer rankings, and all of the components that make up those rankings. What I don't understand is why all the talk when there's still another weekend to play? Oh wait, yes I do, it's because of the BCS that we are talking about this.

When the BCS goes away, the same argument is still going to be there. Instead of two spots, it will be about four. Nothing will change.

[GoMuskies]

Wait, UAB beat UNC in basketball today? And 'brew is posting on here? Shouldn't you be out vandalizing something or otherwise doing something destructive to celebrate? That's the American way after all!

[DC Muskie]

FSU will beat Duke, it's true, but I'm not sure what that means. Ohio State just beat Michigan, and Duke is significantly better than Michigan.

I have been telling everyone that the ACC sucks for years, by the way. And it's not much better this year. The only real difference is that FSU is finally good again, but FSU hasn't had to play FSU since the Spring Game. It's a real advantage for FSU.

Ohio State has to beat Michigan State to win the Big Ten title. Michigan State is significantly better than Duke. Whenever Duke wins a division title in football, that division is terrible. No mater what the year.

I think it's great that no one is questioning FSU's worthiness in the title game this year. They didn't manage to pull a Clempson and Clempson managed to Clempson later in the year than normal and somehow Ohio State looks worse.

[paulxu]

I'm beginning to think you guys aren't giving Duke too much of a chance.

[GoMuskies]

I'm beginning to think you guys aren't giving Duke too much of a chance.

I think Duke would win the Big Ten.

Okay, probably not. But they'd probably come in second. Yeah, I know, that's the same position they will finish in the ACC, too.

But somehow Ohio State would have avoided playing them in Durham if they were in the Big Ten. Ohio State avoided playing a single good team on the road in the Big Ten. Kind of amazing. They didn't even play any bad teams on the road who were only good by Big Ten standards (an Iowa, for example).

[DC Muskie]

I'm beginning to think you guys aren't giving Duke too much of a chance.

Duke best win was probably at Va Tech and Va Tech is never a serious contender for anything. Miami would have been a great win if Miami hadn't lost to Va Tech. That division has just completely imploded.

[xubrew]

Well then what do you say about Oral Roberts then? They won the Summit that year, beat a team you are a fan of who was ranked 8th during the season and still didn't get into the tournament?

College sports are always going to be based on computer rankings, and all of the components that make up those rankings. What I don't understand is why all the talk when there's still another weekend to play? Oh wait, yes I do, it's because of the BCS that we are talking about this.

When the BCS goes away, the same argument is still going to be there. Instead of two spots, it will be about four. Nothing will change.


I have an answer to this, but it's a multi-part answer that may bore most people...including you.

I think any conference that plays a full schedule, and then negates that by having a tournament to decide who the champion is, and furthermore does NOTHING to help the first place team who clearly had the best year, is stupid.

But, I believe that a league has the right to be stupid. If that's how they want to do it....fine. Washington was the first place finisher. They weren't the Pac Twelve champs. Oral Roberts was the first place finisher. They weren't the Summit champs. I happen to know that Oral Roberts was the first team out that year. Had they won just one more game....against ANYONE, they would have gotten in. But, they didn't.

Even though they dominated the league, and then had to go out to South Dakota to win a tournament in a building that was jammed packed full of people who were rooting against them because they wanted South Dakota State to win, they weren't the conference champs. That's the format the conference wanted. So, you can say it was stupid, but you can't say it wasn't fair.

I don't like that, but philisophically I'm okay with that because the conference champions (as stupidly as how some conference go about determining their champions is) are all in the tournament. A league has the right to be stupid.

Also, the cut line will always be controversial, but so long as the cut line is far enough back to include ten percent of the teams that did not win conference championships, I think it's fine. College basketball's line is far enough back to where any consensus top forty team will be in the tournament.

[xubrew]

Wait, UAB beat UNC in basketball today? And 'brew is posting on here? Shouldn't you be out vandalizing something or otherwise doing something destructive to celebrate? That's the American way after all!

A nice win for UAB. It should negate a bad loss to Temple. They're square with the house again!!!

[xudash]

I think Duke would win the Big Ten.

Okay, probably not. But they'd probably come in second. Yeah, I know, that's the same position they will finish in the ACC, too.

But somehow Ohio State would have avoided playing them in Durham if they were in the Big Ten. Ohio State avoided playing a single good team on the road in the Big Ten. Kind of amazing. They didn't even play any bad teams on the road who were only good by Big Ten standards (an Iowa, for example).

You can't possibly be serious. Michigan State and Wisconsin would pound Duke back to the Stone Age. They would come in no better than 4th, and probably would land in the 5th to 6th place range if Nebraska and Penn State had anything to do with it.

Ohio State didn't purposefully "avoid" anything. Ohio State played the schedule that was structured for this year, including the B1G game rotations that came up this season.

[xubrew]

If it's Ohio State vs Florida State, which it very well could be, don't expect a good game.

[Juice]

You can't possibly be serious. Michigan State and Wisconsin would pound Duke back to the Stone Age. They would come in no better than 4th, and probably would land in the 5th to 6th place range if Nebraska and Penn State had anything to do with it.

Ohio State didn't purposefully "avoid" anything. Ohio State played the schedule that was structured for this year, including the B1G game rotations that came up this season.

Ohio St. Could schedule better non-conference games knowing that the Big Ten is dog shit.

[DC Muskie]

College basketball's line is far enough back to where any consensus top forty team will be in the tournament.

Except maybe say VCU the year they were the the final four in and ended up making the Final Four.

[DC Muskie]

Ohio St. Could schedule better non-conference games knowing that the Big Ten is dog shit.


If only Ohio State could project out three or four years out that the Big Ten will be dog shit. It's not like they come up with their non conference schedule one or two years out.

[DC Muskie]

If it's Ohio State vs Florida State, which it very well could be, don't expect a good game.

When exactly did Florida State become an SEC team? You're projecting out what Florida State could do after dominating an equally terrible conference.

The PAC 12 had arguably the best conference this season. The SEC would be a close second. Then the Big 12, then probably the ACC and finally the Big Ten.

Yeah I can see how Florida State / Ohio State wouldn't be a good game. Florida State has proven to be such a dominate team the past few years.

[xubrew]

Except maybe say VCU the year they were the the final four in and ended up making the Final Four.

What consensus top forty team was left out of the tournament that year??


When exactly did Florida State become an SEC team? You're projecting out what Florida State could do after dominating an equally terrible conference.

The PAC 12 had arguably the best conference this season. The SEC would be a close second. Then the Big 12, then probably the ACC and finally the Big Ten.

Yeah I can see how Florida State / Ohio State wouldn't be a good game. Florida State has proven to be such a dominate team the past few years.

You said it. They DOMINATED every team that they faced.

Florida State went into Clemson, at night, and beat the living dog crap out of them. You don't see top ten teams get blown out at home that often. Ohio State went into Northwestern and Michigan and didn't look quite as impressive.

If Florida State goes into that game in tact, I'll be surprised if they don't absolutely run Ohio State out of the building. If Ohio State puts up a fight, or even wins the game, then you will have won the day. But, I SERIOUSLY doubt they can hang in with Florida State, much less beat them.

[GoMuskies]

Sagarin would make FSU a 9.5 point favorite over OSU.

FSU would be a 13.5 point favorite over Auburn.

[xubrew]

Sagarin would make FSU a 9.5 point favorite over OSU.

FSU would be a 13.5 point favorite over Auburn.

Interesting.

We shall see.

Do you think that it's a given that Ohio State will get past Michigan State??

I could end up really eating my words here, but I'm just not that impressed with Ohio State. I do think they'll win Saturday, but it wouldn't shock me too much if they failed to even get past that game. I guess Sagarin is seeing something that I'm not.

[GoMuskies]

You can't possibly be serious. Michigan State and Wisconsin would pound Duke back to the Stone Age. They would come in no better than 4th, and probably would land in the 5th to 6th place range if Nebraska and Penn State had anything to do with it.

Ohio State didn't purposefully "avoid" anything. Ohio State played the schedule that was structured for this year, including the B1G game rotations that came up this season.

Nebraska?!? Penn State?!? And I'm the one that can't be serious? I'll give you Wisconsin and Sparty, I suppose.

Anyway, OSU obviously didn't have anything to do with their conference schedule. But that's sort of beside the point. How much credit are you giving Northern Illinois for being undefeated? Their conference schedule isn't their fault either. As between NIU and Ohio State, NIU actually has the best Big Ten road win.

[GoMuskies]

I guess Sagarin is seeing something that I'm not.

Sagarin's predictor ratings would tell you we have the wrong teams altogether after FSU. OSU is #9 in the predictor ratings (favored by 4 over #16 Sparty). Auburn is #15 in the predictor ratings (a 2 point dog to #11 Mizzou).

Top five is:
FSU
Alabama
Arizona State
Oregon
Baylor

Obviously, margin of victory is a big factor in the predictor ratings.

[Masterofreality]

There are not too many things worse than living in Ohio and hearing the constant Ohio State noise.

I don't necessarily hate Ohio State, but I wouldn't mind seeing them lose either. Most of their aggravating fans never set foot on the campus other than going to the Horseshoe.

Losing that NCAA game to the Luckeyes will never, ever not sting. Never.

[Masterofreality]

Anyway, OSU obviously didn't have anything to do with their conference schedule. But that's sort of beside the point. How much credit are you giving Northern Illinois for being undefeated? Their conference schedule isn't their fault either. As between NIU and Ohio State, NIU actually has the best Big Ten road win.

HA!

Illinois did roll the Borecats....there's that.

[Nigel Tufnel]

If Florida State goes into that game in tact, I'll be surprised if they don't absolutely run Ohio State out of the building. If Ohio State puts up a fight, or even wins the game, then you will have won the day. But, I SERIOUSLY doubt they can hang in with Florida State, much less beat them.

I'm not a big Ohio State fan. I could take them or leave them....but I remember hearing and reading a lot of the same stuff when OSU played another ACC team in the National Championship. I think OSU was a 10.5 dog to Miami that year.

[xubrew]

I'm not a big Ohio State fan. I could take them or leave them....but I remember hearing and reading a lot of the same stuff when OSU played another ACC team in the National Championship. I think OSU was a 10.5 dog to Miami that year.

It was a team from the Big East, but since much of the old Big East is now the ACC, I guess it's the same thing.

I don't think what happened ten years ago has any bearing on today. I don't think Ohio State is nearly as good as Florida State, and I don't think it would be much of a game. If it is a good game, or if Ohio State wins, then I guess that would make me wrong.

[Juice]

If only Ohio State could project out three or four years out that the Big Ten will be dog shit. It's not like they come up with their non conference schedule one or two years out.

I get that but on what planet did anyone think SDSU, Buffalo, FAMU, or Cal were going to be good this year when looking ahead from a few years ago?

[xubrew]

I will ask this again....

Why would it be in Ohio State's best interest to make their schedule any tougher??

If they win on Saturday, they're in the BCS Title game.

A tougher schedule would have done nothing for them. It would have just made it more difficult for them to get to the title game. In college football, you're not rewarded for playing a tough schedule. Case and point....Ohio State.

[GoMuskies]

Alabama fan kills inferior Alabama fan for not caring enough about the outcome of the game: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2517037/Alabama-fan-shot-dead-outside-football-party-said-didnt-care-Crimson-Tide-lost-rival-Auburn.html

[kyxu]

Alabama fan kills inferior Alabama fan for not caring enough about the outcome of the game: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2517037/Alabama-fan-shot-dead-outside-football-party-said-didnt-care-Crimson-Tide-lost-rival-Auburn.html

Guns! Yeh!

[bleedXblue]

I will ask this again....

Why would it be in Ohio State's best interest to make their schedule any tougher??

If they win on Saturday, they're in the BCS Title game.

A tougher schedule would have done nothing for them. It would have just made it more difficult for them to get to the title game. In college football, you're not rewarded for playing a tough schedule. Case and point....Ohio State.

Now don't start making sense. There is no possible counter argument to this. If they beat MSU their in the title game. Period, end of story.

[STL_XUfan]

Now don't start making sense. There is no possible counter argument to this. If they beat MSU their in the title game. Period, end of story.
Unless 'Bama was undefeated also, Then when OSU is sitting at home most people would point to their schedule (and the fact they didn't dominate it like fsu did).

However the 4 team playoff will only encourage teams to schedule weak, because there is no way an undefeated team from the power 5, and maybe even the AAAAAAAAAAAC, would get left out of the playoff.

[paulxu]

However the 4 team playoff will only encourage teams to schedule weak, because there is no way an undefeated team from the power 5, and maybe even the AAAAAAAAAAAC, would get left out of the playoff.

If you had an 8 team playoff, to get into it you would have to win your conference. Your OOC games wouldn't be counted, except for however many spots of the 8 were "at large." Then they would look at total performance for those spots.

[xubrew]

Strength of schedule is supposedly going to be a point of emphasis.

[paulxu]

Strength of schedule is supposedly going to be a point of emphasis.

I assume you mean in a 4 team playoff coming up, that since there are more than 4 major conferences, they will use some sort of ranking system (a la BCS) to pick the 4.
I'd opt for a 8 team playoff with the major conference winners in, with a couple of at large selections.

[xubrew]

I assume you mean in a 4 team playoff coming up, that since there are more than 4 major conferences, they will use some sort of ranking system (a la BCS) to pick the 4.
I'd opt for a 8 team playoff with the major conference winners in, with a couple of at large selections.

Correct.

I'd opt for a twelve or sixteen team playoff. A four team playoff is not a playoff. It's an invitational that is only open to a select few. Unless you actually play off all the teams, and not leave off some of the teams, then you can't call it a playoff, IMHO.

The FCS is great. All conferences that want to participate do (the Ivy and SWAC do not). It's still very competitive to get in (and even more competitive to get to seeded and play at home) creating a lot of huge games down the stretch, and it rewards strength of schedule and big wins. I like that. If it works at that level, it would work at the FBS level as well.

[outsideobserver11]

HA!

Illinois did roll the Borecats....there's that.

And yet if UC beats Louisville Thursday night and UCF loses on Saturday, then UC could find themselves back in a BCS bowl. It would for sure be a third straight shellacking with a likely Alabama matchup.

[blueblob06]

And yet if UC beats Louisville Thursday night and UCF loses on Saturday, then UC could find themselves back in a BCS bowl. It would for sure be a third straight shellacking with a likely Alabama matchup.
Wow, the spread would be astronomical if it's Bama vs UC.

[STL_XUfan]

Wow, the spread would be astronomical if it's Bama vs UC.

A Bama assistant would likely coach the game so Saban could concentrate on recruiting.

[xubrew]

That raises an interesting point. If you're the Sugar Bowl, do you select UC or Northern Illinois??

[Juice]

That raises an interesting point. If you're the Sugar Bowl, do you select UC or Northern Illinois??

I'm not saying this as a pro-XU, UC basher, but you got to choose NIU. They were in the BCS last year and they also have a Heisman cadidate (very outside shot) in Jordan Lynch. You could promote the game much more easily by using Lynch's name than anything on UC's roster.

[paulxu]

Not so fast. There's a lot of potential press with a guy named "Munchie" Legaux.
Also, UC has 2 players on their roster with no hometown. So there's that aspect too.

[xubrew]

I think the Sugar would take NIU simply because they've taken UC before. I've noticed that when it comes to at-large selections, the bowls, for whatever reason, prefer teams they've never had before. Good or bad.

Of course that's only true if it's outside their original tie-ins. If a Big Ten or Pac Twelve team is available, that's who the Rose will take.

[JTG]

There are not too many things worse than living in Ohio and hearing the constant Ohio State noise.

. Most of their aggravating fans never set foot on the campus other than going to the Horseshoe.

Losing that NCAA game to the Luckeyes will never, ever not sting. Never.

Like most UK, AND IU FANS....neither of which could find Lexington or Bloomington on a map.

[xubrew]

First I'm digging the test taking analogy. It's so far out there you gotta love it. If you're going for crazy then go big!

Second, if you think the bowl system didn't make the sport popular then you have no earthy idea what you are talking about. The BCS has changed the landscape of college ATHLETICS, not just football. Have you just simply not been paying attention for the last 15-20 years, because I doubt you could get one question in algebra correct if you truly believe that the sports has simply gotten bigger in spite of it's creation.

I missed this when you first posted it. I'm sorry that I did.

Yet bowl attendance and ratings are down. The national championship is the only bowl game that will score a rating higher than 10. All the other bowls, including the BCS, rate lower than many regular season games.

Schools also lose money. Florida lost over three million dollars last year going to the Sugar Bowl. The first year Alabama won the national championship in the Rose Bowl, they actually lost over a million dollars.

If there was a playoff, every single game would score a rating better than ten. Every single one. Even Jim Delaney, who was hugely against a playoff, has speculated this to be the case. If you don't think it would be, then it is you that has no earthly idea what you're talking about.

Football was hugely popular before the BCS. In fact, there used to be multiple games that scored ratings of 10 or better every week prior to the BCS. I realize that was largely due to satellite TV not being the norm, but still. Games were sold out, and the ratings were actually higher. Now, there may only be one or two games a year that rate in the double digits. Last year there weren't any regular season games that did. Not one. I believe the only bowl game that did was the title game.

Look at the bowl ratings since the inception of the BCS. Most of them aren't that high, especially when you consider that the majority of them don't have any competition. They're the only college football game going on anywhere in the country at that time. The ratings are going down, not up. I cannot take anyone seriously who does not believe that a playoff would result a HUUUGEE ratings increase. That person is either a complete idiot, or just looking for a way to be argumentative.

http://www.bcsfootball.org/news/story?id=4819384

[xubrew]

The World Cup qualifiers for Mexico have destroyed any college football game that ESPN has aired in the ratings, BTW. That doesn't really mean anything. Just an interesting aside.

[Masterofreality]

What networks are willing to shell out in rights $$$$$$ for events, have little relationship to the actual eyeballs watching said events.

It's monopoly money. in theory, if no one watches, there would be no advertising which means that the networks would stop televising said events. But that never seems to stop networks from showing them.

[xubrew]

What networks are willing to shell out in rights $$$$$$ for events, have little relationship to the actual eyeballs watching said events.

It's monopoly money. in theory, if no one watches, there would be no advertising which means that the networks would stop televising said events. But that never seems to stop networks from showing them.

I think the networks are going to take a bath on this. I really do. We really won't know for sure for another ten years, and I seriously doubt anyone will remember this thread if that prediction becomes a reality, but I think the networks have overspent big time on both football and basketball, the ratings aren't going to be anywhere near what they spent on it, and they're going to lose money. I don't think you're going to see them forking out that kind of money in the future.

Regular season college football will give you two or three games a year that rate well nationally, but even the games that rate high don't rate as high as they used to.

Regular season college basketball has never rated well nationally, and most likely never will. My theory is that is because there are about sixty games a night. If you look at market shares, a game will rate well in a specific market if a team from that market is playing, but it won't rate well nationally. It isn't until the NCAA Tournament (and the four conference championship games on Selection Sunday) where you really start to see gaudy rankings.

Yet, these networks have paid a fortune for it. I don't think they're going to get the return on their investment that they were hoping for.

[DC Muskie]

You said it. They DOMINATED every team that they faced.

Florida State went into Clemson, at night, and beat the living dog crap out of them. You don't see top ten teams get blown out at home that often. Ohio State went into Northwestern and Michigan and didn't look quite as impressive.

You realize two things right?

1. FSU has a lesser strength of schedule than OSU right?

2. Your argument is FSU dominated a team that has done ZERO on the national stage for decades. Hell there's even a phrase for a team that loses to an inferior team Pulling a Clempson.

[DC Muskie]

I missed this when you first posted it. I'm sorry that I did.

Yet bowl attendance and ratings are down. The national championship is the only bowl game that will score a rating higher than 10. All the other bowls, including the BCS, rate lower than many regular season games.

Schools also lose money. Florida lost over three million dollars last year going to the Sugar Bowl. The first year Alabama won the national championship in the Rose Bowl, they actually lost over a million dollars.

If there was a playoff, every single game would score a rating better than ten. Every single one. Even Jim Delaney, who was hugely against a playoff, has speculated this to be the case. If you don't think it would be, then it is you that has no earthly idea what you're talking about.

Football was hugely popular before the BCS. In fact, there used to be multiple games that scored ratings of 10 or better every week prior to the BCS. I realize that was largely due to satellite TV not being the norm, but still. Games were sold out, and the ratings were actually higher. Now, there may only be one or two games a year that rate in the double digits. Last year there weren't any regular season games that did. Not one. I believe the only bowl game that did was the title game.

Look at the bowl ratings since the inception of the BCS. Most of them aren't that high, especially when you consider that the majority of them don't have any competition. They're the only college football game going on anywhere in the country at that time. The ratings are going down, not up. I cannot take anyone seriously who does not believe that a playoff would result a HUUUGEE ratings increase. That person is either a complete idiot, or just looking for a way to be argumentative.

http://www.bcsfootball.org/news/story?id=4819384

You're kidding me right? The argument is not whether a playoff would be a bigger hit, it's whether or not the BCS was good for college football. It simply has. There is no argument against that. Not ratings, not attendance, nothing. The BCS has ushered in an enormous arms race in college athletics. You can't argue otherwise. Johns Hopkins is going to play lacrosse next year in the Big Ten. The BIG TEN!

That didn't happen in spite of the BCS. The BCS rose the payouts of bowls. Xavier played in the Fiesta Bowl before the bowl was called the Fiesta Bowl.

You seem to argue that bowls didn't matter then tell me they were really popular before, but not now.

Ratings for anything other than the NFL suck. More people watched the Skins Giants game the other night than any World Series game in the past 15 years. College basketball ratings are absolutely terrible. Basketball conferences are getting sacrificed for the money that the BCS has created over the past 15 20 years.

How could any serious person view that otherwise. The playoffs will still bring the same complaints that you have...who should be in and who shouldn't. The FBS has the same problems. That's never going to go away.

[xubrew]

I'm not sure, but I think John's Hopkins has won as many div1 championships in lacrosse as UCLA has in basketball. If not, then it's close. But, I guess their program didn't get big time in the world of lacrosse until they became affiliate members of the Big Ten.

I'm saying that in jest, BTW.


You're kidding me right? The argument is not whether a playoff would be a bigger hit, it's whether or not the BCS was good for college football

Uhh, no. That's not what I said. I said that it didn't make football more popular and you flipped shit on me for thinking that, remember?? I didn't make it more popular. As far as whether or not it was good for college football, I certainly don't think it made things any worse, and that it even made a few things better, but overall I don't think it was nearly as good as what a playoff would have been.

Here's the thing about the bowl payouts being higher. They're actually not. This is very well documented. Death to the BCS lays it out pretty strongly. The amount of money that teams and conferences actually make from the bowls is not that much.

I do agree that the BCS improved some things. The biggest thing that comes to mind is bowls being able to invite teams once they won their sixth game. They would all rush to get good teams, and then after the match up was set one or both of the teams would fall apart, but they'd still get to go to that bowl.

It also opened the door for the non power conference teams. I don't think any team from outside a power conference played in a major bowl between 1936 and 2004, which was the year Utah qualified for the Fiesta Bowl.

Overall, though, I don't think a system that allows bowls and bowl committee members to make money, and forces schools and conferences to lose money in order to participate, to be good for football. There are things about the bowl system that are good, but I think they're outweighed about what's detrimental. I do have some crazy points of view about a lot of things, but this isn't one. The vast majority actually agrees with me on this one.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville played in the Fiesta Bowl in 1991. And kicked Alabama squarely in the gonads in the process.

And of course Penn State, Miami, FSU, Syracuse, WV and the like played in a ton of those bowls collectively as independents during that timeframe.

[xubrew]

Louisville played in the Fiesta Bowl in 1991. And kicked Alabama squarely in the gonads in the process.

And of course Penn State, Miami, FSU, Syracuse, WV and the like played in a ton of those bowls collectively as independents during that timeframe.

You're right, but I didn't think the Fiesta Bowl was considered one of the major bowls until it joined the bowl coalition in 1992. It was a good one, but it was more along the lines of what the Cotton Bowl or Outback Bowl currently are.

You're also right about the other teams. All joined conferences as the bowl coalition was being formed. The correct way to put it is that no programs who were not a part of the original bowl coalition had been to a major bowl since 1936 anyway (unless you include Louisville's trip to the Fiesta Bowl). So I still think there was a strong distinction between the power and non-power programs, and their access to the major bowls. It's not as if the BCS came along and completely redefined and restructured everything. The power conferences (and programs) and major bowls had already been tied in together long before that.

[GoMuskies]

The Fiesta Bowl decided the national championship in 1987 (Penn State vs. Miami) and 1989 (Notre Dame vs. West Virginia). It's hard to get much more major than that.

[xubrew]

The Fiesta Bowl decided the national championship in 1987 (Penn State vs. Miami) and 1989 (Notre Dame vs. West Virginia). It's hard to get much more major than that.

Hmmm. So it did. Not only that, but the 1987 game (that decided the 1986 national champion) was apparently the most watched college football game in history.

I concede the point that the Fiesta Bowl was a major bowl at the time. But, there were some circumstances behind that game that weren't exactly normal. Virginia (who I guess was good that year), Notre Dame and Penn State all turned down invites because of the controversy of the state of Arizona not recognizing MLK Day as a holiday....or something like that.

So, yes, there was one time between 1936 and 2004 where a team from outside the original bowl coalition played in a major bowl, and it was only after three other teams said no.

Despite all of that, do you agree with the assessment that the BCS did not really elevate the popularity of college football?? The most watched college football game in history was played twelve years before the BCS was even conceived. The BCS really didn't really change or redefine who the power conferences and programs were either, or the fact that they were the only ones who had direct tie-ins to the major bowls.

A lot of people say that it forever changed college sports. I really don't see how. I think the 1984 Supreme Court ruling that basically allowed conference to negotiate their own TV deals independent of the NCAA had a much bigger impact on changing college sports than the BCS did or that the bowl system did. Without that, the SEC would have likely never sought out a championship game to sell to national television. Also without that, not nearly as many conferences would have conference basketball tournaments either.

[GoMuskies]

Teddy Bridgewater is good at football.

[gladdenguy]

That fourth down run and that throw was unreal. And as I type this sUCks goes for about 60 yards......dang

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, unfortunately the rest of Louisville's team blows goats.

[gladdenguy]

Give the kid some time and get a TD here.

[GoMuskies]

Devante Parker is also good.

[gladdenguy]

That was a nice drive. Now play some D.

[Cheesehead]

Good no call on the TD. Both were all over each other.

[xsteve1]

Louisville can't stop UC. Kay may get some NFL looks.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville can't stop ANYONE.

Agreed

[gladdenguy]

Louisville's defense is terrible

[xsteve1]

The winner of this probably gets the BCS bid. I think UCF goes down this weekend at SMU. They've looked like crap lately.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville cannot get the BCS bid. The best they can do is tie UCF, and they lost to UCF.

[BBC 08]

I could just watch this on repeat all night.

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/825887204.gif?1386300013

[xsteve1]

Louisville cannot get the BCS bid. The best they can do is tie UCF, and they lost to UCF.

That' right. Much more at stake for UC.

[GoMuskies]

Charlie Strong is apparently asleep not bothering to call at timeout with 40 seconds left.

[gladdenguy]

I was wondering the same thing. 40 seconds and 1 timeout can definitely give you a shot at a field goal at least.
They returned it to the 40.

[gladdenguy]

Come on Cardinal DEFENSE!!!!

[GoMuskies]

I didn't think I could ever be so underwhelmed by an 11-1 Louisville team. Oh, well, Certainly could be worse.

[Cheesehead]

Who has Louisville beat this year? UC is not that good either.

[gladdenguy]

I didn't think I could ever be so underwhelmed by an 11-1 Louisville team. Oh, well, Certainly could be worse.

Being a Michigan fan is definitely worse. Congrats. Hate the Borekittens.

[GoMuskies]

Who has Louisville beat this year? UC is not that good either.

Ohio, Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky, Florida International, Temple, USF, Houston, Memphis, UC, UConn and Rutgers. So yeah, that.

[Cheesehead]

Ohio, Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky, Florida International, Temple, USF, Houston, Memphis, UC, UConn and Rutgers. So yeah, that.

Exactly. As for UC, They beat one team with a winning record. Opponents record is 36-91. They also lost to 2-9 South Florida. Their best win might be against 5-7 Illinois.

[xsteve1]

Exactly. As for UC, They beat one team with a winning record. Opponents record is 36-91. They also lost to 2-9 South Florida. Their best win might be against 5-7 Illinois.

Lost to the Illini.

[xsteve1]

Being a Michigan fan is definitely worse. Congrats. Hate the Borekittens.

Yeah the Michigan program is in trouble. Hoke doesn't look like the answer.

[Cheesehead]

Lost to the Illini.

You are correct, my bad. I overlooked that. Well, this further strengthens my point!

[XUOWNSUC]

uc sucks. Haha. I hope Snipe had fun at the game last night even though his team lost.

[gladdenguy]

Yeah the Michigan program is in trouble. Hoke doesn't look like the answer.

I hate that he doesn't wear a headset (Just looks like a fat cheerleader)
I hate that he will not fire his offensive coordinator.....which could be the death of him come next year.
Dave Brandon, the AD, will give him at least 5 years in my opinion because he doesn't like to be wrong and Hoke is clearly his Michigan man.


I'm giving him one or two more years. He can recruit. His stud Jabrill Peppers coming in next year should be an absolute beast in the secondary and is good enough ala Charles Woodson to play offense too.
The question is out on whether he can develop these kids.
His first real recruiting class will be juniors this year. Excuses are running out.
And winning a Sugar Bowl and going 11-2 in his first year might end up hurting him if he can't deliver next year.
Michigan St. loses a lot and Ohio State loses 4 of their offensive linemen and maybe their qb if Miller goes pro.

[bleedXblue]

Exactly. As for UC, They beat one team with a winning record. Opponents record is 36-91. They also lost to 2-9 South Florida. Their best win might be against 5-7 Illinois.

didnt realize that....and its scary considering UC was BCS bound with a win

watching the game, you could clearly see that both teams are a couple of rungs beneath the top level schools

[bleedXblue]

I hate that he doesn't wear a headset (Just looks like a fat cheerleader)
I hate that he will not fire his offensive coordinator.....which could be the death of him come next year.
Dave Brandon, the AD, will give him at least 5 years in my opinion because he doesn't like to be wrong and Hoke is clearly his Michigan man.


I'm giving him one or two more years. He can recruit. His stud Jabrill Peppers coming in next year should be an absolute beast in the secondary and is good enough ala Charles Woodson to play offense too.
The question is out on whether he can develop these kids.
His first real recruiting class will be juniors this year. Excuses are running out.
And winning a Sugar Bowl and going 11-2 in his first year might end up hurting him if he can't deliver next year.
Michigan St. loses a lot and Ohio State loses 4 of their offensive linemen and maybe their qb if Miller goes pro.

Ohio State will simply reload. With Urban at the helm, OSU will be very good for many years to come.

[GoMuskies]

its scary considering UC was BCS bound with a win


UC was unlikely to go to a BCS game with a win. UCF still would have needed to lose to SMU this weekend for that to happen, and UCF is a substantial favorite.

[bleedXblue]

UC was unlikely to go to a BCS game with a win. UCF still would have needed to lose to SMU this weekend for that to happen, and UCF is a substantial favorite.

they said in the telecast last night that the winner of the game was BCS bound???? I did think at the time that didnt sound right.....

[xubrew]

they said in the telecast last night that the winner of the game was BCS bound???? I did think at the time that didnt sound right.....

Perhaps they meant that the winning team was planning on buying tickets to one of the BCS bowls.

[Milhouse]

Love Brady Hoke being at the helm of Michigan.

He runs his mouth way too much and hasn't really been able to back it up. Loves to talk trash to OSU and ND but then laid an incredible egg this season. I always thought Rich Rod got a raw deal there with what 3 years? I agree give Hoke at least 5.

[GoMuskies]

I see Chris Petersen finally took the brass ring and went to U-Dubb. Good move for him and the Huskies. Things were starting to slide a bit in Boise, so it was time to get out.

[Masterofreality]

I see Chris Petersen finally took the brass ring and went to U-Dubb. Good move for him and the Huskies. Things were starting to slide a bit in Boise, so it was time to get out.

Yeah, Petersen took the last boat out of Boise. I'm almost surprised that U-Dub offered him now. He almost waited too long.

Boise football will now return to Potato Bowl status, but they would have been right in line with the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC.

[Masterofreality]

Exactly. As for UC, They beat one team with a winning record. Opponents record is 36-91. They also lost to 2-9 South Florida. Their best win might be against 5-7 Illinois.


Lost to the Illini.

They beat Pur-who. But "who" doesn't?

[_LH]

Glad UC lost.

[gladdenguy]

Ohio State will simply reload. With Urban at the helm, OSU will be very good for many years to come.

If he doesn't have Miller next year they will not be anything special. He needs a quarterback to be successful (see Florida, University of and Utah, University of). Who will be their qb? Cardale (Dummy) Jones (the genius who is not going to school but playing football ala Maurice Clarett).
Then after he has a terrible year he will probably say he has heart issues....collapse....quit.....take some medicine.....be better the next day......do some ESPN work.....and take another job. Cute tUrban.

Gotta love the Luckeye fans who hated him at Florida and now anoint him in Columbus. Truly the classiest bunch of degenerate fanbases in sports. Actually #2 behind Kentucky basketball.
That guy is a piece of work (sh!t) but he wins football games. That is all that matters.

[gladdenguy]

Love Brady Hoke being at the helm of Michigan.

He runs his mouth way too much and hasn't really been able to back it up. Loves to talk trash to OSU and ND but then laid an incredible egg this season. I always thought Rich Rod got a raw deal there with what 3 years? I agree give Hoke at least 5.

He is 2-1 against ND and lost 13-6 in South Bend.

He is 1-2 against blohio St. with a 3 point loss and a 1 point loss. I'm worried about Michigan St. He has gotten his a$$ handed to him.

[waggy]

I swear I never imagined Big Blue could fall to such depths. Can it get even worse?

[xubrew]

My predictions for the day are that Michigan State will upset Ohio State and Missouri will be Auburn.

This will result in Alabama playing Florida State for the national title in a very controversial outcome.

I feel this way because the college sports gods love to bless Alabama, they also love to shit on Missouri, and they seem to enjoy annoying me.

[mohr5150]

Actually, I would be alright with that. As long as the fuckeyes don't go, I'm cool with it.

[vee4xu]

SEC defense my rear. Auburn and Missouri's defenses make OSU's look like the old Dallas Doomsday defense.

[paulxu]

If you're OSU, you are thanking all the gods that you don't have to play one of these teams.

[vee4xu]

If you're OSU, you are thanking all the gods that you don't have to play one of these teams.

Why's that? OSU's offense is as good or better than both Auburn and Mizzou. The stats show that. And, their defense is just as bad as both. I actually think OSU should have no fear of either. At the moment, hopefully they're focused on Michigan State. If they win, then it is all moot. OSU vs. FSU.

Go Bucks!

[XUFan09]

Well, at least Mizzou has the consolation of not experiencing the situation where they get passed up for the national title game after winning the SEC championship.

[paulxu]

Why's that? OSU's offense is as good or better than both Auburn and Mizzou.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but OSU's strength of schedule is 148. How would know how good their offense is or is not?

[GoMuskies]

I expect Florida State to beat either Ohio State or Auburn like a rented mule. Watching all these teams play, FSU just seems a cut above everyone else. They're the complete package that no other team is.

[paulxu]

Some girl just kicked the hell out of a guy on the Dr Pepper throw the football in the hole deal.
She was using a 2 handed free throw motion and nailed almost all of them. We should look into that.

(Side note: that Buckeye mascot is a disgrace to mascots everywhere)

[GoMuskies]

National title game opening line? I say FSU -10 over Auburn.

[xsteve1]

National title game opening line? I say FSU -10 over Auburn.

Over/Under about 79...take the over.

[gladdenguy]

Hell yeah Sparty. Suck it tUrban.

[GoMuskies]

Over/Under about 79...take the over.

No chance. FSU plays defense.

[GoMuskies]

OSU plays one team with a pulse. OSU has one loss.

OSU/Alabama in the Sugar Bowl?

[xubrew]

Okay, the at-large selection order is Orange, Sugar Fiesta.

The Sugar and Orange lose their tie-ins, so the picking order will go Orange, Sugar, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta.

So.....what are everyone's picks?? (No more than two teams from a single conference can go)

ROSE - Michigan State vs Stanford

ORANGE - Ohio State vs Oklahoma

SUGAR - Alabama vs Clemson

FIESTA - Baylor vs UCF

TITLE GAME - Florida State vs Auburn

[xubrew]

Okay, the at-large selection order is Orange, Sugar Fiesta.

The Sugar and Orange lose their tie-ins, so the picking order will go Orange, Sugar, Orange, Sugar, Fiesta.

So.....what are everyone's picks?? (No more than two teams from a single conference can go)

ROSE - Michigan State vs Stanford

ORANGE - Ohio State vs Oklahoma

SUGAR - Alabama vs Clemson

FIESTA - Baylor vs UCF

TITLE GAME - Florida State vs Auburn


I could be way off. I don't know what the bowls look at anymore. Would the Orange Bowl want Clemson or Oregon instead of Oklahoma??

[GoMuskies]

Orange - Clemson
Sugar - Alabama
Orange - Oklahoma
Sugar - Ohio State
Fiesta - UCF

Orange probably prefers Ohio State to Oklahoma, though. It would be two better games my way, though. We could all just ignore the Orange and watch the Sugar. As is, we'll probably end up with two unwatchable matchups.

[Masterofreality]

OSU plays one team with a pulse. OSU has one loss.

OSU/Alabama in the Sugar Bowl?

Oh-HA-HO State! Laugh.....Out....Loud!

I would just love to see the Luckeyes have to play Bama....just to shut these front running loud mouth fans up around here.

And, OSU, how about actually playing a team that is decent in the non-conference? You're schedule was worse than SucKS basketball.

[Juice]

Some girl just kicked the hell out of a guy on the Dr Pepper throw the football in the hole deal.
She was using a 2 handed free throw motion and nailed almost all of them. We should look into that.

(Side note: that Buckeye mascot is a disgrace to mascots everywhere)


The dude should have swallowed his pride and went with the chest pass. Hardass decided to throw it like Elway as she whooped him.

[paulxu]

I'd like to see OSU play Alabama. Both those coaches are probably hopping mad right now.
Also, that would settle a lot about Big v SEC football, and could be one of the better games to watch.
Auburn is really in whatever they are in from 2 fluke plays.

[GoMuskies]

Opened FSU -7.5 with an over/under of 65.5.

I'd lean FSU + under.

[xubrew]

I'd like to see OSU play Alabama. Both those coaches are probably hopping mad right now.
Also, that would settle a lot about Big v SEC football, and could be one of the better games to watch.
Auburn is really in whatever they are in from 2 fluke plays.

It would not be a good game to watch. It would very much resemble last year's game against Notre Dame. It would probably be worse than that.

[paulxu]

I don't pretend to understand how the BCS works.
But having OSU playing Clemson will hurt my eyeballs.
2 teams the Cocks beat (UCF and Clemson) are in the BCS. The Gamecocks are not.
So we're in a non-BCS bowl. Whatever.
(Our own fault for losing to the Rockytoppers)

[DC Muskie]

I don't pretend to understand how the BCS works.
But having OSU playing Clemson will hurt my eyeballs.
2 teams the Cocks beat (UCF and Clemson) are in the BCS. The Gamecocks are not.
So we're in a non-BCS bowl. Whatever.
(Our own fault for losing to the Rockytoppers)

Only two teams per conference can play in a BCS conference.

Losing to Tennessee and Georgia obliviously hurt.

UCF one has that one loss and won a conference title. It's the way it goes.

[Milhouse]

I'm sorry but what really needs to be settled between the B10 and the SEC?

....

[vee4xu]

All right, let me get this over with. I WAS WRONG! Last Saturday, Michigan State outplayed, out coached and out game planned OSU. No excuses. Ohio State's defense played with its regular ineptitude. I expected that. The offense was good for a bit, but relied solely on Miller and Hyde. No imagination in the play calling. Miller, who isn't a great passer to start with, had a bad night. But, hats off to the Spartan's secondary. They were stellar. Mark D'Antonio is a class act and so were his Spartans in deservedly winning their trip to Pasadena. As for OSU, they would have gotten shredded by FSU. At least they play a team with as challenged a defense as their own. The final score of that game will look more like a basketball score. Who wins? Who knows, but I'll root for OSU.

[waggy]

I also would congratulate MSU. They played great.

[paulxu]

Once again, the Big 10 underwhelms and screws up my picks in the bowls.
Soon to be member Maryland loses.
Minnesota loses.
Michigan loses.

My own fault for picking Michigan. Didn't make that mistake with the others.
It's possible that the Big 10 could go O fer in bowls.

[GoMuskies]

In case anyone was unaware, Miami really blows.

[BlueGuy]

In case anyone was unaware, Miami really blows.

They have a young team, top ten class coming in, and no more recruiting restrictions. Don't sleep on them in the near future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[Masterofreality]

Meanwhile, SucKS put on a great show, apparently. 39-17 on the L.

And next year, the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC loses Rutgers and Louisville. Should be captivating football. They'll probably play on a Tuesday night to fill an open day on ESPN.

What a charlatan-esque joke.

[Juice]

Meanwhile, SucKS put on a great show, apparently. 39-17 on the L.

And next year, the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC loses Rutgers and Louisville. Should be captivating football. They'll probably play on a Tuesday night to fill an open day on ESPN.

What a charlatan-esque joke.

I love how UC fans felt "disrespected" for having to play a 6-6 ACC team.

[paulxu]

I love how UC fans felt "disrespected" for having to play a 6-6 ACC team.

Are you telling me that Sucks wouldn't win the Big 10?

[Masterofreality]

Are you telling me that Sucks would win the Big 10?

Here's what I would like to know as an Ohio taxpayer.

How much did Borecat U lose on that bowl trip? You know they had to eat unsold tickets and they also had big transportation costs to a lousily attended bowl game.

They can be very proud hanging that 17-39L Belk Bowl banner up in Fifth Rate Arena. They are a football school now.

[GoMuskies]

Apparently Texas A&M's defense isn't very good. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm just watching this game wrong. Perhaps they're forcing Duke's offense to wear themselves out running up and down the field?

[Cheesehead]

Apparently Texas A&M's defense isn't very good. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm just watching this game wrong. Perhaps they're forcing Duke's offense to wear themselves out running up and down the field?

Hold on, it's a game now.

[xubball1993]

Johnny Manziel is ridiculous. The kid's a winner. It will be interesting to see if he can make the transition to the NFL. Many Heisman winners do not.

[paulxu]

It's a good think the Big 10 took Nebraska a few years ago or they might not get any bowl wins this year.
The Gamecocks would like to thank Wisky for playing.

ps. It would actually be OK if OlieO State beats Clemson. We don't like Clemson very much. Maybe Urban could pull a Woody and punch somebody...but wait until the game is over.

[xsteve1]

Big 10 Football is awful. Stanford making MSU look like a HS team right now.

[xsteve1]

MSU looking good now. Dantonio has done a very good job there.

[GoMuskies]

The champion of MOR's favorite conference made Baylor look rather silly last night.

[Masterofreality]

The champion of MOR's favorite conference made Baylor look rather silly last night.

Which one? Conference USA? I can't keep track....nor do I really care.

[GoMuskies]

the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC

This one. The one that finished 6-3 in BCS bowls during UC's tenure in it. Of course, UC dragged it down by going 0-2.

[Masterofreality]

This one. The one that finished 6-3 in BCS bowls during UC's tenure in it. Of course, UC dragged it down by going 0-2.

I guess... if you have to count Louisville...although they're leaving as fast as Teddy B is running to the NFL.

[American X]

Johnny Manziel is the best college football player I have ever watched. Incredible exclamation point to his career. Kevin Sumlin should blackmail him into staying another year.

[bobbiemcgee]

The champion of MOR's favorite conference made Baylor look rather silly last night.

Kudos to George O'Leary. 10 yrs. since the resume fiasco. Came back strong and built a program from scratch. He got a second chance and ran with it. Team was about a 20 pt. dog at one point.

[GoMuskies]

Looks like Alabama decided to go ahead and get the offseason started early. About four weeks early.

[STL_XUfan]

Looks like Alabama decided to go ahead and get the offseason started early. About four weeks early.

give big game bob stoops some time to screw this up

[GoMuskies]

Bobby Petrino coaching at Louisville next year seems oh so close to becoming an actual reality right now. I am hoping beyond hope...

[waggy]

Is the current coach leaving? I don't even know who it is.

[GoMuskies]

Charlie Strong is rumored to be very near to getting and taking the Texas job.

[waggy]

I'm surprised that one of these games tonight wasn't moved to Sunday night rather than having them go up against one another.

[Masterofreality]

Bobby Petrino coaching at Louisville next year seems oh so close to becoming an actual reality right now. I am hoping beyond hope...

Well, a move from Bowling Green, Ky to Louisville doesn't take long on I 65.......

........as long as you don't have any "inappropriate relationships" along the way.

[waggy]

Actually I guess since both games are in NFL stadiums, they couldn't be scheduled on a Sunday.

[GoMuskies]

The Strong to Texas part is apparently done.

[GoMuskies]

This Ohio State/Clemson game is fun. As a reminder, though, FSU beat this Clemson team 51-14 in Death Valley.

[waggy]

So if Auburn beats FSU, then MSU is #1?

[xu82]

Sammy Watkins has been a stud since day one, but this sure doesn't hurt his draft status. I won't complain if he winds up on my (pathetic) NFL team! Terrific performance. Solid, explosive and aggressive.

[waggy]

The over on the Orange Bowl was 70 points.

[GoMuskies]

The over on the Orange Bowl was 70 points.

I got it at 73 right before kickoff. Need OSU -3, though. Not looking great for more than a push on the -3, though.

[waggy]

Is it Millen doing color? I think he said at the start of the game that the OSU offensive line is the best in football.

[waggy]

OMG. Did that really just happen?

[GoMuskies]

Ha. OSU sucks.

[xu82]

Is it Millen doing color? I think he said at the start of the game that the OSU offensive line is the best in football.

Yes, I believe that was Matt Millen who just said "he didn't do nothin'".

[xu82]

And years later, the Lions are still trying to recover...

[waggy]

OSU has a lot of work to do.

[Retire33]

Urban left two timeouts on clock after a kneel on 2nd down? Someone explain that to me.

[Lloyd Braun]

Urban left two timeouts on clock after a kneel on 2nd down? Someone explain that to me.

He only had 1 timeout left. TV was wrong.

[xubrew]

I don't really like the bowl system, but this was a fun game to watch. I didn't think Ohio State would even make it interesting, but they hung in.

At the end of the day, though, bowl games are glorified exhibitions. It's a jamboree where a good time is supposed to be had by all. There just doesn't seem to be a whole lot at stake.

[xu82]

I don't really like the bowl system, but this was a fun game to watch. I didn't think Ohio State would even make it interesting, but they hung in.

At the end of the day, though, bowl games are glorified exhibitions. It's a jamboree where a good time is supposed to be had by all. There just doesn't seem to be a whole lot at stake.
Next year we should have three meaningful games. It's a good start and next year should feel like a major improvement. That little NCAA basketball thing seems kind of popular... Make more bowl games relevant, make more money, give me more football, how can that be bad?

[STL_XUfan]

M I Z Z O F***ing U

[xubrew]

So who is Louisville's next head coach?? The WWL is reporting that Strong is off to Texas.

[GoMuskies]

So who is Louisville's next head coach?? The WWL is reporting that Strong is off to Texas.

Hopefully Petrino. But there is drama yet. Paul Rogers tweeted that Strong is not going to Texas. And there are other reports that Strong is meeting with Jurich and Ramsey (UL pres) right now to work on an extension. So who knows?

[paulxu]

Mack Brown has personally been responsible for millions of dollars in contract extension money at schools not named Texas.

I wonder if he gets a cut.

[Juice]

Mack Brown has personally been responsible for millions of dollars in contract extension money at schools not named Texas.

I wonder if he gets a cut.

He gets to "work" for Texas as some administrator or some bullshit for a million or so a year. Sounds like a solid use of money by UT.

[American X]

Charlie Strong is rumored to be very near to getting and taking the Texas job.

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/229/files/2014/01/charliestrongblazzingsadles.gif

[GoMuskies]

That. Is. Amazing.

[GoMuskies]

Strong finally, finally ended the drama and took the Texas job. Tom Jurich is going to kill me if he doesn't call Petrino now.

[Masterofreality]

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/229/files/2014/01/charliestrongblazzingsadles.gif

HIL........ARIOUS!

And OH......OH..HO..HO. State! Forget playing for a National Championship, how about just winning a Bowl?

Little 10 = 2-6 in Bowl games...that is not good. Can you say overhyped?

[GoMuskies]

I don't believe this guy's story for a second. He's going to be in Vegas tonight, so he's bound to throw a few grand on FSU on the moneyline. Or maybe he really is a complete idiot (win or lose).

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10251632/auburn-tigers-fan-made-100-bet-win-national-title-500-1-odds

[chico]

I don't believe this guy's story for a second. He's going to be in Vegas tonight, so he's bound to throw a few grand on FSU on the moneyline. Or maybe he really is a complete idiot (win or lose).

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10251632/auburn-tigers-fan-made-100-bet-win-national-title-500-1-odds

I saw that. Why in the hell don't you hedge that bet? If it's a small wager I can see letting it ride, but when we're talking $50,000 that's real money. Of course you hedge.

[paulxu]

His original ticket is looking pretty good right now.

[GoMuskies]

His original ticket is looking pretty good right now.

If they have live betting that casino, he damn well have put a few bucks on FSU after that last TD. He can probably get FSU + something on the ML right this minute.

[GoMuskies]

If he still hasn't, I'm begging that guy to hedge some at halftime.

[paulxu]

I'm cheering for the SEC team by default...but Musburger is hurting my ears.

I miss Katherine Webb.

[waggy]

It's no 5 Guys, but..



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

[STL_XUfan]

I'm cheering for the SEC team by default...but Musburger is hurting my ears.

I miss Katherine Webb.

I'm Ron Burgundy?

http://deadspin.com/brent-musburger-welcome-everybody-im-kirk-herbstrei-1495942057?autoplay=1

[waggy]

And for a little halftime entertainment, Catherine Webb is the behind the scenes prop at 2:58.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV3CjIWeVBo

[Nigel Tufnel]

I'm no football guru by any stretch...but the disparity in coaching in this game is staggering. Malzahn is coaching a brilliant game. Gotta believe this guy will get some phone calls from the NFL in the coming weeks.

[GoMuskies]

Wish I had bet the under!

[Nigel Tufnel]

Wish I had bet the under!

I took Auburn +10.5 and a very small bet on the ML. I'm worried about the ML...feeling pretty confident about the +10.5. The way I figured....if I can get the SEC Champion getting double digits...I'm taking it.

[GoMuskies]

Sorry for rooting against your ML bet, but if that Auburn fan REALLY didn't hedge, I hope the moron loses $50,100 on this next FSU drive.

Well, FSU scored too early. Advantage Auburn.

[waggy]

What were the odds on FSU after the ACC championship?

[GoMuskies]

Auburn left too much time. Advantage FSU.

[xubrew]

I wonder how that auburn fan with$50k on the line is enjoying the game so far

[GoMuskies]

I wonder how that auburn fan with$50k on the line is enjoying the game so far

If you cannot tell, I want very much for him to lose. Just on principle.

[waggy]

Good grief, this is tight.

[BENWAR]

Wow!! What a great game!

[GoMuskies]

That'll learn ya Mark Skiba

[xubrew]

That was a fun one.