College Football Thread - 2014

[Masterofreality]

Brutal how LSU lost to Alabama.

Nick Saban has a pact with Satan- the same pact that Beaknose has and BeelzeBob had...until the Devil started extracting his payback.

[xubrew]

Brutal how LSU lost to Alabama.

Nick Saban has a pact with Satan- the same pact that Beaknose has and BeelzeBob had...until the Devil started extracting his payback.

I think Alabama has a pact with Satan. Saban is just a second party who's benefiting.

[xudash]

Brutal how LSU lost to Alabama.

Nick Saban has a pact with Satan- the same pact that Beaknose has and BeelzeBob had...until the Devil started extracting his payback.

Let's be honest: the Madhatter's play calling during their overtime possession was atrocious. And, respecting the heat of the moment, how his quarterback could not see a clear path to running for the first down on fourth down is beyond me. Just very bad decision-making.

[Milhouse]

Hopefully that's the worst game of Golson's career.

[GoMuskies]

Hopefully that's the worst game of Golson's career.

Louisville's Gerod Holliman is one short of tying the NCAA record for interceptions in a season. I'm hoping Golson can help get him over the hump.

[GoMuskies]

Could two of the four spots in the first college football playoff go to....Baylor and TCU?!? Neither should even be challenged again this year (well, K-State could give Baylor a run in Waco but probably won't), the they're currently #5 and #6. Imagine 10-15 years ago thinking about the possibility of TCU and Baylor being 2 of the top 4 teams in America. It would have been completely unbelievable.

[Milhouse]

Would also cement the fact that the Big12 doesn't need a championship game.

[powerofX]

Would also cement the fact that the Big12 doesn't need a championship game.

Although if that happens I bet the other 4 big 5 conferences would say they have to have one...remove the minimum teams needed in a conference for a champ game or force an add on or two..BYU and?

[GoMuskies]

Although if that happens I bet the other 4 big 5 conferences would say they have to have one...remove the minimum teams needed in a conference for a champ game or force an add on or two..BYU and?

Unfortunately, UC is the only viable answer to "BYU and...". I suppose Boise State could be an option, but their athletic department is a mess other than football, and I don't think they have the necessary reputation on the academic side. UC would slide in there much more smoothly.

[kyxu]

Hopefully that's the worst game of Golson's career.

I think Michigan 2012 may top that. Barely.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville's starting QB Will Gardner hurt his left knee Saturday night at BC (rumor is ACL tear) and is out for the season according to UofL. So true freshman Reggie Bonnafon will start for the fourth time this year November 22 in South Bend (Gardner got dinged up at Florida International in September).

[kyxu]

Louisville's starting QB Will Gardner hurt his left knee Saturday night at BC (rumor is ACL tear) and is out for the season according to UofL. So true freshman Reggie Bonnafon will start for the fourth time this year November 22 in South Bend (Gardner got dinged up at Florida International in September).

Game plan for Bonnafon should be to throw in the general direction of Devante Parker. Nothing more.

[Masterofreality]

Unfortunately, UC is the only viable answer to "BYU and...". I suppose Boise State could be an option, but their athletic department is a mess other than football, and I don't think they have the necessary reputation on the academic side. UC would slide in there much more smoothly.

Hell. Marshall is a better choice than SucKS.

[paulxu]

Some guy for the Badgers ran for 400 yards.
The entire Cock offense managed 301 total yards.
And Wisconsin played a higher ranked team then themselves.

[GoMuskies]

Looks like OT in South Bend. Crazy game.

[paulxu]

NW?

[bleedXblue]

Kelley is really going to start feeling the pressure. How many times can they shoot themselves in the foot? Of course it doesn't help when your coach goes for two instead of taking the extra point.

[Masterofreality]

Notre Dame.......Laugh.......Out.......Loud!!!!!!!

[X Factor]

Some guy for the Badgers ran for 400 yards.
The entire Cock offense managed 301 total yards.
And Wisconsin played a higher ranked team then themselves.

Some guy? Melvin Gordon is the best running back in the nation. Guy has rushed for over 2,000 yards and should be the heisman trophy winner.

[Strange Brew]

Notre Dame.......Laugh.......Out.......Loud!!!!!!!

I'm a fan and I'm laughing with you. Kelly is a joke, what can you expect from a former Bearcat?

[GoMuskies]

All of a sudden Auburn blows goats. BTW, did Georgia send their JV squad to the Cocktail Party. Only explanation that makes sense.

[xudash]

Someone somewhere who loves Florida State has truly sold their soul.

Ball tip, look what I found, FSU touchdown.

O'Leary caught the ball; it should have been called a fumble with a Miami recovery.

Otherwise, Miami's second half conservative game plan was bad news.

The Tallahassee police force will remain busy, they'll win out from here - to the playoff. Then, I hope they're exposed.

[Juice]

Someone somewhere who loves Florida State has truly sold their soul.

Ball tip, look what I found, FSU touchdown.

O'Leary caught the ball; it should have been called a fumble with a Miami recovery.

Otherwise, Miami's second half conservative game plan was bad news.

The Tallahassee police force will remain busy, they'll win out from here - to the playoff. Then, I hope they're exposed.

0 Wins against top 25 teams

[vee4xu]

Back-to-back road wins for tOSU. One versus a 10 Ten team, Michigan State, the second against an up-and-coming #25 Minnesota team in difficult conditions. Virginia Tech beat Duke yesterday, so that helps. Mississippi State beat LSU, Auburn and Texas A&M when each was a Top 25 team, but they all suck now. The Big 12 has no championship game and Baylor beat TCU, who barely skated by Kansas yesterday. Florida State has no Top 25 wins at all and a team full of criminals. tOSU has a dominant offense and a QB who should be in NYC as a Heisman Trophy finalist. We'll see if the voters have the guts to acknowledge all of this come Tuesday.

[GoMuskies]

Hard to see how OSU has any case at all against FSU. Virginia Tech is an ACC team after all, and FSU is undefeated. FSU should be #1 this week (though they'll probably be #2). Otherwise, the planets seem to be aligning well for Ohio State. Unfortunately.

Probably Oregon, Alabama, FSU and Baylor or TCU for now, though. Ohio State still needs a bit more help.

[vee4xu]

#1 Alabama (Stock up. Best team in NCAA football.)
#2 Oregon (Stock steady. As Mariotta goes, so goes Oregon.)
#3 FSU (Stock down-comeback wins against bad teams and no top 20 wins)
#4 Mississippi State (Stock down-like Ole Miss, we'll see what happens now that they've lost. Still have to play Ole Miss. Won't finish in top 4)

[GoMuskies]

If Mississippi State is still in the top 4, that's a complete joke. No one really respected them even before yesterday. They were a ten point dog.

[vee4xu]

I hear 'ya Go and don't necessarily disagree, but the deference that the voters give to the SEC is only rivaled by the disdain that those same voters give to the Big Ten. In the end, MSU won't be there, but this week, they'll hang on because is was Alabama and in Tuscaloosa.

[vee4xu]

Also, keeping MSU #4 allows the committee to boot TCU and settle that whole Baylor/TCU thing now. Neither one of them is going to sniff the final 4 the rest of the way.

[GoMuskies]

Huge surprise (not): Will Muschamp is out at Florida!

Completely unrelated note: when did the FCS expand their playoffs to 24 teams?

[paulxu]

I hear 'ya Go and don't necessarily disagree, but the deference that the voters give to the SEC is only rivaled by the disdain that those same voters give to the Big Ten. In the end, MSU won't be there, but this week, they'll hang on because is was Alabama and in Tuscaloosa.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the last 2 times that OSU was ranked #1 and went into the BCS championship, they faced Florida and LSU.
Then they gave undefeated and ranked #1 ND a shot.

I assume you know the results.

[xubrew]

Huge surprise (not): Will Muschamp is out at Florida!

Completely unrelated note: when did the FCS expand their playoffs to 24 teams?

I believe this is the third year it has been at 24. The Big South and Pioneer League have bids now. The only ones that don't are the SWAC and Ivy, both of whom choose not to participate in the playoff.

[vee4xu]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the last 2 times that OSU was ranked #1 and went into the BCS championship, they faced Florida and LSU.
Then they gave undefeated and ranked #1 ND a shot.

I assume you know the results.

I do. That was then and this is now. What happened that long ago should have nothing to do with this year's voting. Your post, Paul, only enhances my argument regarding Big Ten bias.

[paulxu]

I agree Vee. But what are they suppose to do?
OSU leads one division. They wandered outside and lost to Virginia Tech...who is 5-5.
Wisconsin leads the other. They wandered outside and lost to LSU (and Northwestern).
Michigan State is #2 in one division. They wandered outside and lost to Oregon.
How do you get a win in conference that helps to build a resume?

[vee4xu]

Fair enough, Paul. Point made about the Big Ten. But, that still fails to explain the voter's love for both Baylor and TCU who are ranked ahead of OSU. Those teams and that conference make the Big Ten seem like the SEC. Neither of those teams has a signature win between them. They can only both claim to have beaten WVa at Morgantown. Other than that, nada.

[GoMuskies]

TCU beat Minnesota. And the Big XII is better than the Big Ten by essentially every objective measure.

[xudash]

TCU beat Minnesota. And the Big XII is better than the Big Ten by essentially every objective measure.

And it was a home game for TCU very early in the season.

So, what are these objective measures?

And do you honestly believe Ohio State isn't capable of competing with anyone right now on a neutral field?

[GoMuskies]

Who knows? They're just playing a bunch of Big Ten stiffs. They seem to be the best of that bunch. A home loss against a bad VPI team is just tough to overcome. They need more help.

[xu82]

I'm glad to have a playoff. And people will still be pissed.

[GoMuskies]

And people will still be pissed.

Definitely, but no one is likely to have any legitimate reason to be pissed. Oh, someone can claim their team should have been #4 instead of #5, but all that means is you don't have any legitimate argument that you were the best team in the country over the course of the season anyway. Anyone fighting for spot #4 is going to be flawed in some way anyway.

[vee4xu]

Who knows? They're just playing a bunch of Big Ten stiffs. They seem to be the best of that bunch. A home loss against a bad VPI team is just tough to overcome. They need more help.

I have the same question as Dash. Come on counselor, you can do better than that. Being biased doesn't make you right.

[vee4xu]

TCU beat Minnesota. And the Big XII is better than the Big Ten by essentially every objective measure.

And OSU beat Minnesota at Minnesota when they were ranked #25. What was Minnesota ranked when TCU beat them. Don't look it up. They weren't ranked. Now, throw OSU beating the team that you used as an example with TCU into the mix with TCU losing to Baylor something like 61-58 by giving up 28 points in the last four minutes of the game. How by "every objective measure" does that make TCU better than Ohio State? I'll wait here for your answer.

[vee4xu]

One last thing about TCU. They go into Lawrence, KS a 28 point favorite against a woeful Kansas team and have to score twice late to eek out a four point win. What an awesome display of power by TCU. I'll add this to my list of why TCU is a bunch of stiffs, while I await your answer about how they by "every objective measure" are better than OSU.

[paulxu]

Losing to #5 Baylor at their house is a little different than losing to unranked Virgina Tech at your own house.

[GoMuskies]

Losing to #5 Baylor at their house is a little different than losing to unranked Virgina Tech at your own house.

+1. Also, you think it matters that Minnesota is ranked now and wasn't ranked when TCU beat them?!? Really?!? I've seen some bad arguments, but that's about the worst.

The Sagarin Ratings are pretty clearly the best objective ranking system out there. Sagarin tells you that the average Big XII team is 4 points better than the average Big 10 (or so) team.

As for bias, you're the one with the bias, not I. My only rooting interest lies in the ACC, and I'll freely tell you that league stinks.

[vee4xu]

You're the one who brought up Minnesota, sir, not me. Also, I hear Mississippi State goofs saying that they beat LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn in succession when they were ranked and that counts even though none of them is any longer ranked. So, there's that. Face it Go, there is no rational, plausible argument that TCU is better than OSU at this point in the season. You know it and I know it. You have turned to slight of hand to avoid the subject. That's fine, if you choose. But your words, not mine, were that the Big 12 was better than the Big Ten by "every objective measure". I have drilled down to a comparison between TCU and OSU laying out a rational, objective argument why that isn't the case. You have not done so and I will continue to await that from you. If you choose to keep going slight of hand, that's fine. But, if so, then I'll know I am right.

[vee4xu]

Also, Baylor can be thrown into this conversation, but not now.

[GoMuskies]

What on earth are you talking about? Someone said something about quality wins. Minnesota is the only team with a pulse either team beat in the non-conference. Ohio State lost at home to a horrible Virginia Tech team. Ohio State has played well of late, but you have to take into account the league they play in, which is, objectively, shitty. Not their fault, but it's not Marshall ' s fault that their league sucks, either. Them's the breaks in college football. So TCU has the same number of losses, the better non-conference win, similar in conference quality wins, plays in a better league and its only loss was by 3 on the road against a top 5 team instead of at home against a team barely top 5 in its division of the ACC.

Other than that you're totally right.

[xudash]

Losing to #5 Baylor at their house is a little different than losing to unranked Virgina Tech at your own house.

I prefer living in the present. How well do you believe VA TECH would do against Ohio State in Blacksburg now?

[GoMuskies]

I prefer living in the present. How well do you believe VA TECH would do against Ohio State in Blacksburg now?

Hmm, I think you may have topped vee for worst argument.

[vee4xu]

Hmm, I think you may have topped vee for worst argument.

I don't think anyone with so much vitriol and bias against the Big Ten should be opining on other's arguments. Since you are not objective enough to read yours as bias drivel, then it makes no sense to point that out to you. I'll just move on and see where the chips fall in January.

[GoMuskies]

I don't think anyone with so much vitriol and bias against the Big Ten should be opining on other's arguments. Since you are not objective enough to read yours as bias drivel, then it makes no sense to point that out to you. I'll just move on and see where the chips fall in January.

I accept your concession.

[muskienick]

I accept your concession.

At least you guys are arguing about the comparative merits of the Ohio State football program vs that of TCU.

Over at MM, people like skyhops and his ilk are convinced that Xavier basketball under Chris Mack is the worst thing on earth since the Wicked Witch of the West melted on the Yellow Brick Road (or thereabouts).

[GoMuskies]

We try to make sure it is productive and meaningful over here. :)

[xudash]

Hmm, I think you may have topped vee for worst argument.

How so? It's not about that specific team; it's about timing. More to the point, my point was about how teams are playing now.

Overall, is it about body of work or caliber of performance? Rhetorical question, btw. If it were only about body of work, then, given exactly where things stand now, Ohio State is boxed out from this deal as of this evening and most likely overall. But think about that - "body of work": every team's body of work obviously keeps changing from week to week. The SEC East is a joke. With Auburn going down big last night to Georgia, and with LSU already tanked and Arkansas a mess all season long, that ironclad SEC West's reputation isn't as pristine as it was a few weeks ago. Alabama's reputation is pristine, and it falls off from there.

If it's somewhat about caliber of play, then please don't bother arguing that Ohio State does not measure up on that basis. As a fan of Louisville football, you aren't going to understand championship level caliber of play anyway.

TCU practically crapped the bed against one of the worst football teams in America. Otherwise, spare me the Big XII noise. Ohio State went into a frozen tundra and beat a ranked team and only made it seem closer than it was because of 3 stupid turnovers.

I can't support putting Ohio State in one of the 4 places after this weekend. However, it's going to get very interesting if they win out. Florida State - an embarrassment to football in an otherwise joke of a football conference - will most likely retain a slot. Beyond that, there are still plenty of games to be played that will determine how this thing settles out.

The Virginia Tech loss is so far in the rear view mirror as compared with Ohio State's current level of execution that practically every talking head this weekend mentioned Ohio State in the conversation.

We'll see where it all stands Tuesday evening for that point in time. Then they'll keep playing, knowing that the B1G will be heading towards playing a championship game between ranked teams.

[X Factor]

Well said Dash, couldn't agree more.

[GoMuskies]

As a fan of Louisville football, you aren't going to understand championship level caliber of play anyway.

This is pretty classic stuff. If some Florida blowhard told you that you didn't understand championship caliber basketball because you're a Xavier fan, you'd think he was a stupid asshole. And you'd be right.

Ohio State is playing very well right now, I'll certainly give them that. But that Virginia Tech loss doesn't get erased because they're playing well now. It happened. If you have to judge teams that are very close at the end of the year, that loss is going to be a devastating blow to the resume. Particularly when your conference doesn't give you enough chances to make up for that bad loss.

TCU clearly played like shit on Saturday. But they won. You're allowed to do that now and then so long as you eventually win the game. Do that all year, and you're screwed, but a hiccup here and there (that is still a win) is excused.

Lose to a .500 team at home, though, and your road just becomes too tough.

[xudash]

This is pretty classic stuff. If some Florida blowhard told you that you didn't understand championship caliber basketball because you're a Xavier fan, you'd think he was a stupid asshole. And you'd be right.

Ohio State is playing very well right now, I'll certainly give them that. But that Virginia Tech loss doesn't get erased because they're playing well now. It happened. If you have to judge teams that are very close at the end of the year, that loss is going to be a devastating blow to the resume. Particularly when your conference doesn't give you enough chances to make up for that bad loss.

TCU clearly played like shit on Saturday. But they won. You're allowed to do that now and then so long as you eventually win the game. Do that all year, and you're screwed, but a hiccup here and there (that is still a win) is excused.

Lose to a .500 team at home, though, and your road just becomes too tough.

You'll notice that I haven't posted much in this thread. You'll also agree that you take a lot of shots at Ohio State and the B1G. I knew it was an "asshole" statement as I was typing it. Chalk it up to a pent-up demand for returning fire your way on the specific topic of college football and your contributions to it in that topical area.

I believe every rational person around would take the position that the VA Tech loss doesn't get erased. But your bias shows through again when you reach into your adjectives chest to pull out "devastating" to describe its impact. Devastating? Sure, it is devastating to a UL fan who hates Ohio State.

And we'll see just how "excused" some of these hiccups become IF this thing really gets tight. You should know better than to pursue that line of thinking if you're otherwise so hellbent on overall resume considerations.

Otherwise, I get your point about the blowhard thing, but at least be pleased to know that all my Florida friends have nothing but respect for Xavier in basketball. I was sitting with a number of them when we beat them in Gainesville. Between what was happening on the court and hearing about 400 or so Xavier fans cheering in their place that day, and otherwise knowing of X in general, they don't go down the blowhard road with me.

Otherwise, Go X!

[GoMuskies]

Just flipped through the thread. If you think I've been unfair to the Big Ten or OSU you've got mental problems. Hell, I've been more negative towards Louisville and the ACC than either the Big Ten or OSU. Sorry that discussing the Buckeyes in a way that's not incredibly deferential makes Buckeye fans go psychotic.

[xudash]

Just flipped through the thread. If you think I've been unfair to the Big Ten or OSU you've got mental problems. Hell, I've been more negative towards Louisville and the ACC than either the Big Ten or OSU. Sorry that discussing the Buckeyes in a way that's not incredibly deferential makes Buckeye fans go psychotic.

No, you're not going to flip this around that way. I'm not a psychotic Buckeye fan. You have a hardon for Ohio State and you know it; that clearly shows through around here regardless of how much you otherwise comment on other conferences or programs.

However, I give you high marks for acknowledging that the ACC and Louisville fully warrant negative commentary.

[GoMuskies]

If I have a hard on for OSU, I have a strange way of showing it. You're as bad as the Notre Dame fans who think everyone is out to get them.

[paulxu]

My dog in this hunt is the crappy Gamecock.
I've got no particular feelings one way or the other about all the other conferences.
(Would have loved to have seen Miami beat FSU however)

But the Big 10 just hasn't shown me much over the past few years.
Trying to focus on this year, I still think that conference has a way to go.
OSU is playing better, but so are a lot of teams. Losses follow you, whether you want or not.
I'd almost like to see OSU in the final four just so this argument could be settled on the field.

Failing that, they may end up in a bowl against an SEC team. That would be interesting.

[GoMuskies]

Damn you Paul and your hard on for the Big Ten!

[paulxu]

You have to be realistic.
Take ND. Do their fans think everyone is out to get them?
Maybe. But why?
Lose to North Western? Haven't beaten a ranked team in a bowl game in 20 years.

You've just got to play better. That's all.
Like the Cocks. They suck this year. Great offense, and great ole' defense.

[GoMuskies]

the B1G will be heading towards playing a championship game between ranked teams.

Note that the K-State @ WV game this Thursday is HUGE for these purposes. If K-State wins that game, they will likely be in the top 10 when they visit Waco the same weekend as the Big Ten title game. It's going to be difficult for Ohio State to pass Baylor that day if Baylor beats a more highly ranked opponent than the Buckeyes.

I think Charlie Strong just might clear TCU out of the way this weekend. The Horns are playing pretty well at the right time. TCU obviously will need to play a lot better than they did this past weekend.

EDIT: Actually, since this game is not until Thanksgiving night, I guess Strong won't handle the Horned Frogs this weekend.

[waggy]

I don't think Go's been biased. I'm an OSU fan and hope they can get in the playoff, but at this point they still need help. That's simply an accurate view of the situation as it currently stands.

[Milhouse]

You have to be realistic.
Take ND. Do their fans think everyone is out to get them?
Maybe. But why?
Lose to North Western? Haven't beaten a ranked team in a bowl game in 20 years.

You've just got to play better. That's all.
Like the Cocks. They suck this year. Great offense, and great ole' defense.

It's just annoying how the narrative changes. Haven't beaten a "ranked" team in a bowl game in 20 years.

They've also only played a handful of ranked teams in bowls in the last 20 years. They had a horrible bowl streak yes but I believe Kelly still has a winning record against ranked teams. And no this isn't me thinking everyone is out to get ND fans. This is me responding to what you said.

ND just isn't a good team this year. The D has been exposed. I wouldn't say BVG should feel pressure but if things don't change this year.....

ND's defense also lost a ton this year between Kevarie Russel and then throw in Louis Nix and Stephan Tuitt. Changes a lot but whatever.

I'm South Bend Bound next weekend, despite the shit show of a season there is no better place to be on a Saturday in November (for me that is). Only bummer is I have to miss the SFA Xavier game.

[American X]

Wow, Notre Dame is losing to directional schools now.

Missouri owning Texas A&M remains a mystery of college football (as is IU winning in Columbia earlier this season).

Saturday weddings during the fall should be a listed crime.

[xubrew]

You can kind of guess the basketball committee based on what they've done in recent years.

The football committee is in its first year, so it's harder to do. But, you can look at how they rank teams from week to week and at least guess at the things they seem to value.

Here are some observations. Whether they're correct or not remains to be seen...

-HEAD TO HEAD DOES NOT MATTER AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD THINK. TCU is still ahead of Baylor.

-BEING IN FIRST PLACE DOES NOT MATTER AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD THINK. TCU is still ahead of Baylor, and there are still multiple SEC West teams that are high in the rankings.

-CLOSE LOSSES TO WEAK TEAMS DON'T SEEM TO MATTER. Notre Dame was ranked fifth despite not exactly blowing through the early part of their schedule, which consisted of poor teams. Alabama also had to sweat out Arkansas, and didn't really drop. Florida State has dropped a little, but they're still top four.

-CLOSE LOSSES TO GOOD TEAMS SEEM TO HURT QUITE A BIT. They dropped Notre Dame down to tenth after the lost on the road to Florida State.

-IT TAKES GOOD WINS TO OVERCOME A LOSS. Oregon, Alabama and TCU have remained high in the rankings, but only because they've beaten other highly ranked teams. Kansas State was also high in the rankings prior to their second loss.

-OOC SCHEDULING DID NOT HURT. TCU, Mississippi State and Baylor all played atrociously weak OOC schedules. Arizona's wasn't that strong either, yet they've been high in the poll.


Here's Ohio State's problem. They went into Michigan State, at night, and beat a very good team very handily......and only moved up to #8. There is nothing else on their schedule that will provide them with a win as good as that. If they did that against Michigan State and only got up to #8, the beating Indiana and Michigan isn't likely to move them up any higher.

It seems to me that the only thing the committee is really doing weighing high quality wins and against the number of overall losses. That's it. They don't even seem to care how good or bad the teams you lost to were. Where teams are in the standings don't seem to matter that much either. Ohio State has one high quality win, and one loss. Florida State has no losses, but no really high quality wins, which is why they've slumped down. The teams that are high in the poll are those with multiple big wins (against top 15ish teams), and one or fewer losses.....or in the case of Florida State, no losses....but they're slipping.

With that in mind it doesn't look good for Ohio State, if those are in fact the trends.

[paulxu]

Well, that's a strong effort to join the OSU, ND, Big 10 haters group.
You put a lot of thought into it.
Not quite sure you made it over the finish line.
I'll have to let Go decide if you made it into the group.

(How do you feel about Dee Davis?)

[GoMuskies]

No, too subtle in its criticism of the Big Ten.

[GoMuskies]

Here's an interesting nugget I saw from a ND fan on an ND board (Louisville is playing there this weekend lest you wonder about my motives reading a ND messageboard): with Stanford's loss to Utah on Saturday that dropped them to 5-5, ND's only win over a team with a winning record this year is....their opening weekend 48-17 thumping of 6-4 Rice. That was surprising to learn.

[xubrew]

Well, that's a strong effort to join the OSU, ND, Big 10 haters group.
You put a lot of thought into it.
Not quite sure you made it over the finish line.
I'll have to let Go decide if you made it into the group.

(How do you feel about Dee Davis?)

Simply put, Ohio State is #8, and the committee only seems to move teams up who beat highly ranked teams, and Ohio State has Michigan and Indiana remaining. I don't see it happening. There isn't a whole lot of thought required to notice that. But, yes, like everyone else I'm curious to see how they vote and what they value, and am looking for trends.

But, who knows?? Maybe they'll vote differently the last week than they have up to that point. In the past, a lot of voters seemed to change course on the final week of the year. We really don't have a sample size from previous years.

[Milhouse]

Here's an interesting nugget I saw from a ND fan on an ND board (Louisville is playing there this weekend lest you wonder about my motives reading a ND messageboard): with Stanford's loss to Utah on Saturday that dropped them to 5-5, ND's only win over a team with a winning record this year is....their opening weekend 48-17 thumping of 6-4 Rice. That was surprising to learn.

Saw this on twitter yesterday too.

I've come to terms that this just isn't a good team as a whole. The offense is one of the best offenses ND has ever had, but the defense is also one of the worst they've ever had. I suppose its not too early to start thinking of next year...but more importantly it's basketball season.

[kyxu]

Saw this on twitter yesterday too.

I've come to terms that this just isn't a good team as a whole. The offense is one of the best offenses ND has ever had, but the defense is also one of the worst they've ever had. I suppose its not too early to start thinking of next year...but more importantly it's basketball season.

Notre Dame's domination of a very poor Michigan team, it's 6-0 start through weak competition, and its close loss at FSU tended to oversell ND's season just a tad. This is clearly not one of the better teams in recent ND history, but there is still no excuse for their performance against a really, really bad Northwestern team. I fully expect Louisville to pull out a win in South Bend on Saturday with Devante Parker running wild in that shambles ND secondary.

[paulxu]

The offense is one of the best offenses ND has ever had, but the defense is also one of the worst they've ever had.

=Gamecocks

[xubrew]

And....Ohio State moved up. Looks like I was wrong.
.

[Strange Brew]

The offense is one of the best offenses ND has ever had, but the defense is also one of the worst they've ever had.

Any D is going to look rough when you have a head coach who refuses to run the ball inside (each clock and control the ball) and a TO machine at QB. Plus, the D is riddled with injuries. For most of the second half against NW, ND had at least 6 underclassmen (5 freshman) playing in the front 7.

ND's main problem is they have an undisciplined QB and a head coach who is a horrendous OC, but is too brilliant in his own mind to admit it.

[GoMuskies]

I'm in the vicinity of Touchdown Jesus. Go Cards!

[mohr5150]

In my opinion, no Big Ten team deserves to even be considered for the national championship. They got abused by lesser teams in their out of conference schedule, then the top 4-5 teams beat up all the other crappy teams. The fact that the Butteyes are even in the talk is a joke. They lost to a below average ACC team, a league that actually sucks worse than the Big Ten. I hate the way te SEC allows their athletes get away with whatever they want, but they are the far superior league with 5-6 teams who would dominate the Big Ten. Anything can happen in a playoff situation, but it would shock me if the Butteyes wouldn't get blown out in the first round if they made it. As a college football fan, I would like to see someone like TCU or Baylor make it just for a different face in the game instead of having to watch the same-old beat down we've had to watch ocer and over again. This is coming from a Notre Dame fan who knew all season their idiot coach was winning with smoke and mirrors at the beginning of the season.

[Masterofreality]

Louisville is boat racing ND so far. Looks like the Firish might lose 4 of their last 5.

[paulxu]

Somewhere near touchdown Jesus, Go is in heaven.

Edit: he's back in purgatory after some miracle tip deal in the end zone.

[GoMuskies]

We suck a bit less!

[Masterofreality]

We suck a bit less!

The Firish suck more.

[DC Muskie]

What a great for year for the Terps in the BIG10. Wins at Penn State and the Big House.

Fear the Turtle!

[Juice]

In my opinion, no Big Ten team deserves to even be considered for the national championship. They got abused by lesser teams in their out of conference schedule, then the top 4-5 teams beat up all the other crappy teams. The fact that the Butteyes are even in the talk is a joke. They lost to a below average ACC team, a league that actually sucks worse than the Big Ten. I hate the way te SEC allows their athletes get away with whatever they want, but they are the far superior league with 5-6 teams who would dominate the Big Ten. Anything can happen in a playoff situation, but it would shock me if the Butteyes wouldn't get blown out in the first round if they made it. As a college football fan, I would like to see someone like TCU or Baylor make it just for a different face in the game instead of having to watch the same-old beat down we've had to watch ocer and over again. This is coming from a Notre Dame fan who knew all season their idiot coach was winning with smoke and mirrors at the beginning of the season.

Oh yes, because the Big Ten is the moral compass for college athletics.

[xudash]

Oh yes, because the Big Ten is the moral compass for college athletics.

Something tells me he isn't particularly fond of the Big Ten, either.

[BBC 08]

That Louisville ND game was a fun one to be at. The 7.5 hour bus ride home was not fun.

[Milhouse]

BBC and GO wish you were the louisville fans next to me. Every fan I met tailgating and before the game was great. But had a couple of asshats next to me that was unfortunate.

Oh well. Good game. It's been next year mode for ND since Nov 1 really, can't even be that upset.

[X-band '01]

What a great for year for the Terps in the BIG10. Wins at Penn State and the Big House.

Fear the Turtle!

Speaking of the Big 10, who thought that Wisconsin and Minnesota would be the other de-facto semifinal game for the B1G crown?

Sure, playing Indiana and Michigan won't help the Ohio State schedule, but playing either team in the championship game at least gives them a chance (albeit a small one, as Ben Stein used to say) to crack the top 4.

[paulxu]

BBC and GO wish you were the louisville fans next to me..... But had a couple of asshats next to me that was unfortunate.


Did you double check to make sure it wasn't them?

[GoMuskies]

Poor Marshall is going to get hosed for a two loss Boise State.

[Masterofreality]

Poor Marshall is going to get hosed for a two loss Boise State.

Well, with all due respect, Marshall has the 125th ranked schedule out of 126 FBS teams.

[GoMuskies]

Well, with all due respect, Marshall has the 125th ranked schedule out of 126 FBS teams.

Yes, their schedule blows, but you can only beat who you play. I'd rather see them in a major bowl than a Boise State team we already know isn't very good.

[GoMuskies]

Boise State it is, I guess. Brutal performance by the Marshall defense.

[paulxu]

That was a basketball game.

[STL_XUfan]

Missouri Tigers: Back-to-back SEC East Champs!!! MIZ

[xubrew]

....Louisville and Kentucky resume their friendly rivalry with a pregame shoving match.

[GoMuskies]

Mark Stoops orchestrated that well. Got his team going for a bit. Having trouble handling Louisville ' s third string QB now, though.

[Porkopolis]

That was a basketball game.


I went to both the Marshall football and basketball games. There were more points in the football game. And, yes, that was an absolutely brutal performance by the Herd defense. If they do that against LaTech next week in the title game it will be another bad loss. They need to forget about what could have been and try to win the conference title.

[GoMuskies]

Well I can't deny it. UK has two straight moral victories against my Cards. Congrats UK football fans.

[Strange Brew]

Nice day for the SEC. 0-3 in OOC games thus far.

[GoMuskies]

Nice day for the SEC. 0-3 in OOC games thus far.

Will be 0-4 against the ACC when all is said and done.

[paulxu]

The Cocks were not very good this year. Offense very adequate. Defense? Meh.

Love Tech taking down Georgia. Wouldn't mind seeing the Gators smoke Winston.

[Masterofreality]

Notre Dame gets boat raced by USC. That is 5 losses in the last 6 games.

How long before the Domer Donors want to fire another coach with a big buyout?

I hope they enjoy their trip to the Poulan Weed Eater Bowl.

[BENWAR]

How bad was the clock management by Auburn to end the half?

28 seconds left with a timeout and got to run one play before the field goal??

[GoMuskies]

So if Auburn beats Alabama...TCU, FSU, Oregon, Ohio State? Or do they still ramrod in Alabama with an SEC title game win?

[paulxu]

Maybe it's time for another conference to have a shot at the national title.

[Blue Blobs Bro]

So if Auburn beats Alabama...TCU, FSU, Oregon, Ohio State? Or do they still ramrod in Alabama with an SEC title game win?

Not sure Osu gets in with Barretts injury today, the committee factors in injury and unless whoever takes Barrett's place shows that he's a stud in the big ten championship game then Osu isn't getting in.

[GoMuskies]

That call could not be a catch. Awful.

[Masterofreality]

So if Auburn beats Alabama...TCU, FSU, Oregon, Ohio State? Or do they still ramrod in Alabama with an SEC title game win?

I would say that Baylor would get in before Ohio State. That is, assuming they beat Kansas State.

[paulxu]

Pretty quick response

[GoMuskies]

Just can't see Baylor AND TCU. K State being top ten will help Baylor ' s case if they win.

[GoMuskies]

Great game. Always seems to live up to the hype

[Masterofreality]

Just can't see Baylor AND TCU. K State being top ten will help Baylor ' s case if they win.

Bama ain't losing again, so it's moot.

[GoMuskies]

FSU could certainly lose to GT next week, though.

[xu82]

FSU could certainly lose to GT next week, though.

That wouldn't surprise me at all. Looking into tickets for that one.

[GoMuskies]

Brady Hoke got fired today. That's just shocking.

In other news, Rich Rodriguez was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year today.

[xu82]

Brady Hoke got fired today. That's just shocking.

In other news, Rich Rodriguez was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year today.

Too bad they figured out Rich wasn't a "Michigan Man"... you know, some time after they hired him to be coach. That must have been something that happened later.

[Masterofreality]

FSU could certainly lose to GT next week, though.

But they won't...

Because it's Tech.

[Masterofreality]

Brady Hoke got fired today. That's just shocking.

In other news, Rich Rodriguez was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year today.

Gladden will be weighing in in 3.......2.........1.........

[xu82]

I wonder what it would cost to hire Rodriguez back? :-)
If I'm him I'd do it.... but the giant endowment would be MINE.

[GoMuskies]

Undefeated FSU keeps falling in the playoff rankings. Luckily their opponent Saturday is rated higher than Ohio State's, so there's no chance of them falling behind the Buckeyes if they beat Georgia Tech. Of course, Baylor plays the most highly ranked opponent of any of them this weekend, so perhaps they jump both with a win.

[xu82]

As much as I hate to say it, FSU is due for a fail.

[vee4xu]

I heard Joel Klatt of Fox CFB say that if the Big 12 was in two divisions and had a playoff, TCU wouldn't even be playing for the conference championship game. He went on to say, no team who isn't playing for their league championship should be permitted to play of the NCAA championship. Makes sense to me. And, forget OSU, Baylor has to be pissed about TCU. They beat TCU straight up and are 6th. Baylor smoked Oklahoma in Norman. TCU squeaked by OU. The whole thing is a joke.

[GoMuskies]

I think TCU has a perfectly good argument against Baylor. They lost to Baylor, but it was at Baylor by 3 points. Given home field advantage, that result says that TCU is the better team on a neutral field. TCU won at West Virginia. Baylor lost there. Baylor beat literally no one in the non-conference. TCU crushed an 8-4 Minnesota team that is in the top 25. They beat Texas Tech by 55. Baylor beat Tech by 2. TCU has already smoked #8 K-State. Baylor's shot at them is this week.

There are plenty of arguments to make for Baylor, too, but at the end of the day I don't think there's anything at all crazy about voting TCU ahead of Baylor.

[vee4xu]

In every other sport head-to-head is the first tie breaker. Not sure why this situation is any different. But hey, we haven't agreed on squat in this thread, so why should this be any different.

[GoMuskies]

College football is pretty unique in a lot of ways. Including their horseshit way of deciding a champion.

And again, I'm not saying TCU over Baylor is definitely the right choice. I just don't see how you can look at the two teams' resumes and say it is clear cut either way. I get the pull to use head to head, but I think that's unfair given the huge advantage home field provides in college football.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Undefeated FSU keeps falling in the playoff rankings. Luckily their opponent Saturday is rated higher than Ohio State's, so there's no chance of them falling behind the Buckeyes if they beat Georgia Tech. Of course, Baylor plays the most highly ranked opponent of any of them this weekend, so perhaps they jump both with a win.

There is ZERO chance that FSU doenst make they playoff if the go undefeated. To steal Kirk Herbstreit's line "They could win 2-0 on a safety against the option at the very end of the game to win and they would be in".

Also I agree with you that TCU has a better resume right now than Baylor, it will be interesting to see what happens there though.

[gladdenguy]

Brady Hoke is GONE. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSS

As far as TCU/Baylor it is a tough decision. Hopefully FSU will lose and Baylor will beat K-State and Wisconsin wins and Baylor and TCU both get in.

It would be absolutely hilarious if Alabama loses and no SEC team gets in the playoff. That would be awesome.

[vee4xu]

As an OSU fan, I sort of sad that Brady got bounced. :biggrin:

Also, GG can't sit well that on the same day Brady gets the boot at UM, Rich Rod wins the PAC 12 coach of the year award.

Rich Rod will be coaching at Florida next year.

[waggy]

It's sounding like Harbaugh is going to be leaving the 49ers at years end. Michigan would probably love to have him, but I can see him going back to babysitting if he still has opportunities in the NFL.

[Nigel Tufnel]

It's sounding like Harbaugh is going to be leaving the 49ers at years end. Michigan would probably love to have him, but I can see him going back to babysitting if he still has opportunities in the NFL.

I have to believe NFL teams will be lining up to hire him based on his record. It's my understanding that he's mainly at odds with the front office...some team will take the risk for the reward. Oakland, Jets, Jacksonville, Tampa (think Lovie is probably safe), Carolina, Atlanta. Why not stay in the big show?

[waggy]

can't*

[boozehound]

It's sounding like Harbaugh is going to be leaving the 49ers at years end. Michigan would probably love to have him, but I can see him going back to babysitting if he still has opportunities in the NFL.

I tend to agree. The only way I think Harbaugh comes to Michigan is if they make him some kind of insane offer. Even then, I don't know how good the odds are. You just don't see many successful NFL coaches coming back to coach College ball. Coaching in the NFL is a much better gig.

[paulxu]

Paging the ole ball coach.

[xu82]

Paging the ole ball coach.

Golf season is short.

[paulxu]

Actually it's fairly long in South Carolina.
Also, not many football coaches get a membership to Augusta.

[gladdenguy]

Les Miles would never say no to Michigan. I don't know how I would feel if they offered him the job and he was the next coach.

I don't know if Hackett is going to go that route. Obviously, Jim Harbaugh is choice 1, 2, and 3. I don't know how long Michigan can wait for a new coach. If we are getting to January and still no coach.....I will have more confidence that Harbaugh may come home.

At the press conference yesterday Hackett specifically mentioned coaches coaching in bowl games and stopped himself before he said anything about an NFL coach. The media would have took off with any mention of NFL coaches.

This hire better be a big time hire. No coordinators and only a well established coach will be accepted.

Vee,
I am sure you wanted Hoke to stay. I wanted Cooper to coach for an eternity.......or Fickel. Go Badgers.

[XU 87]

Les Miles would never say no to Michigan.

Didn't he say "no" once before by publicly proclaiming he's "not interested"? Or twice before?

[gladdenguy]

Didn't he say "no" once before by publicly proclaiming he's "not interested"? Or twice before?

Bill Martin (with strong Lloyd Carr influence) never offered him the job and we know Dave Brandon would never offer him the job. Obviously, Brady Hoke was a much better choice (sarcasm font).

[XU 87]

Bill Martin (with strong Lloyd Carr influence) never offered him the job and we know Dave Brandon would never offer him the job.

why not?

And I will never understand why Rich Rod, who was very successful at WVU and is successful at Arizona failed at Michigan.

[Milhouse]

why not?

And I will never understand why Rich Rod, who was very successful at WVU and is successful at Arizona failed at Michigan.

They didn't give him time at all. He had 3 wins, then 5, then 7. Most would see that as building on success. No surprise that Hoke went to and won a BCS bowl with rich rods first recruiting class.

[GoMuskies]

You fire Pelini and hire Mike Riley? Umm, what?!?

[xudash]

The Gators pulled the trigger: https://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11977425/jim-mcelwain-becomes-florida-gators-coach

[BandAid]

You fire Pelini and hire Mike Riley? Umm, what?!?

One's an assclown. The other isn't. Methinks this move was more about personalities than records.

[GoMuskies]

I suspect Nebraska is more interested in winning than in personalities.

[BandAid]

I suspect Nebraska is more interested in winning than in personalities.

Pelini verbally dared the administration to fire him after losing 38-17 to Iowa last year and was caught on tape badmouthing the fanbase with the longest sell-out streak in the nation. The only reason he wasn't fired sooner was because he was winning.

[Xville]

Although not likely what happens if:

Oregon loses to Arizona again
Alabama lays a poop and loses to Missouri
Ga tech beats flu
Wisconsin beats Ohio state
Baylor loses to k state

None of this is outside the realm of possibility...so who are the four teams in? Hope it happens..chaos will help get rid of this stupid idea..bcs was bad but this isn't much better

[GoMuskies]

Although not likely what happens if:

Oregon loses to Arizona again
Alabama lays a poop and loses to Missouri
Ga tech beats flu
Wisconsin beats Ohio state
Baylor loses to k state

None of this is outside the realm of possibility...so who are the four teams in? Hope it happens..chaos will help get rid of this stupid idea..bcs was bad but this isn't much better

Alabama
K-State
TCU
Wisconsin

Arizona slips in if TCU poops the bed against the Cyclones.

[vee4xu]

Pretty soon. Cocks are ready.

Maybe they should make Charlie Strong the head of the NCAA and let him clean house.

You know, there's probably a joke somewhere here about the Cocks sucking, or not being up for the challenge this year, or having an impotent attack, but that would be mean. :nudgewink:

[paulxu]

You know, there's probably a joke somewhere here about the Cocks sucking, or not being up for the challenge this year, or having an impotent attack, but that would be mean. :nudgewink:

No...that would be accurate.

[xu82]

Actually it's fairly long in South Carolina.
Also, not many football coaches get a membership to Augusta.

My bad, I thought the topic of the moment was the Michigan job. USC isn't Florida, but plenty of golf to be played. And Augusta?!?! If he died and went to Heaven, he might ask to return.

[Xville]

Alabama
K-State
TCU
Wisconsin

Arizona slips in if TCU poops the bed against the Cyclones.

So, Alabama gets in even though they don't win the SEC and Two Big 12 teams get in...that just proves my point that this process is almost as stupid as the bcs.

[Juice]

So, Alabama gets in even though they don't win the SEC and Two Big 12 teams get in...that just proves my point that this process is almost as stupid as the bcs.

Would you prefer a Missouri team that played in the shitty SEC East and lost to IU?

[Xville]

Would you prefer a Missouri team that played in the shitty SEC East and lost to IU?

No, Missouri made their bed when they lost to IU, but Alabama making it would be just as ridiculous...and two big 12 teams in a conference that don't even have a conference championship game? The bcs had a lot of issues but i did like the way they ranked teams...computer and human element

[GoMuskies]

So, Alabama gets in even though they don't win the SEC and Two Big 12 teams get in...that just proves my point that this process is almost as stupid as the bcs.

What 4 do you like in this crazy scenario?

[Juice]

No, Missouri made their bed when they lost to IU, but Alabama making it would be just as ridiculous...and two big 12 teams in a conference that don't even have a conference championship game? The bcs had a lot of issues but i did like the way they ranked teams...computer and human element

Why the hell do you care if they have a conference championship game? Most of the times a conference championship game isn't even between the two best teams in conference, i.e. Alabama and Mizzou.

[Xville]

What 4 do you like in this crazy scenario?

Honestly, I don't know.. that's the problem with the system that is set up. The committee idea was the dumbest thing they could have possibly done to figure out the best 4 teams. Does anyone have a clue how they are ranking these teams? The committee seems to contradict itself on a weekly basis.

Right now, the committee has done an ok job i guess. I think its ridiculous that Florida State is #4. I know the ACC isn't that great, but Florida State hasn't lost...have they looked great not losing? no but their record speaks for itself. It isn't like they are playing in the Sunbelt. TCU is three spots ahead of Baylor because they beat an 8-4 Minnesota team, even though Baylor beat them head to head? Huh?

[Xville]

Why the hell do you care if they have a conference championship game? Most of the times a conference championship game isn't even between the two best teams in conference, i.e. Alabama and Mizzou.

Because everyone else (power 5 conference) has to play a conference championship...if Florida State didn't have to play Georgia Tech, they'd be in the playoff already. If Alabama didn't have to play the SEC championship, they'd be in already. Oregon wouldn't have to play the team they have already lost to once.

[Xville]

All I am saying is that I hope Chaos reigns this weekend and there are zero teams from the SEC or the Big 10 in the playoff...that is the quickest way to fix this stupid system they came up with.

[GoMuskies]

Why would keeping a Big Ten team out matter? The Big Ten is horrible this year.

[Xville]

Why would keeping a Big Ten team out matter? The Big Ten is horrible this year.

Because the Big 10 and the SEC commissioners are the ones who will get stuff done when shit hits the fan. They are the two most powerful conferences and if they both get left out, there is going to be a lot of lobbying to change the system asap.

[ammtd34]

Honestly, I don't know.. that's the problem with the system that is set up. The committee idea was the dumbest thing they could have possibly done to figure out the best 4 teams. Does anyone have a clue how they are ranking these teams? The committee seems to contradict itself on a weekly basis.

Right now, the committee has done an ok job i guess. I think its ridiculous that Florida State is #4. I know the ACC isn't that great, but Florida State hasn't lost...have they looked great not losing? no but their record speaks for itself. It isn't like they are playing in the Sunbelt. TCU is three spots ahead of Baylor because they beat an 8-4 Minnesota team, even though Baylor beat them head to head? Huh?

What they did against common opponents plays into it, too. Baylor lost at WVU while TCU won. TCU also hung 82 on Texas Tech and beat Texas by 38.

[Xville]

What they did against common opponents plays into it, too. Baylor lost at WVU while TCU won. TCU also hung 82 on Texas Tech and beat Texas by 38.

Baylor won at texas by 21, won at oklahoma by 34. I hear what you are saying, but they have both have had blowouts, they both have been lucky to squeak by mediocre opponents. Baylor beat them head to head albeit it was a comeback and it was at home. I don't find anything convincing enough that tells me TCU should be ranked three places higher than Baylor. Makes little sense to me.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think by far the craziest thing the committee has done is moved TCU ahead of FSU. By the logic they have shown FSU would not be in the top 4 is Mississippi St did not lse at Ole Miss last weekend. Mississippi St was #4 and would have beaten a top 10 team on the road, so they couldnt have dropped out, and the committee is now saying TCU is better than FSU and if that is their thoughts then the outcome of the Miss St Ole Miss game doesnt affect that so FSU would be undefeated and #5.

Now my gut tells me they wouldnt have dropped FSU out so they would have put TCU at #5 but if thats the case why put TCU ahead of FSU now? Its like they know they have to keep FSU in the top 4 as long as they are undefeated but they dont like who FSU has been beating and how they are beating the, so they just dropped them to 4 to say that and put TCU ahead. Weird.

[GoMuskies]

I think they just think it makes more sense to have Alabama and FSU play in NOLA and TCU and Oregon play in Pasadena. Can't say I disagree with that.

[Xville]

I think by far the craziest thing the committee has done is moved TCU ahead of FSU. By the logic they have shown FSU would not be in the top 4 is Mississippi St did not lse at Ole Miss last weekend. Mississippi St was #4 and would have beaten a top 10 team on the road, so they couldnt have dropped out, and the committee is now saying TCU is better than FSU and if that is their thoughts then the outcome of the Miss St Ole Miss game doesnt affect that so FSU would be undefeated and #5.

Now my gut tells me they wouldnt have dropped FSU out so they would have put TCU at #5 but if thats the case why put TCU ahead of FSU now? Its like they know they have to keep FSU in the top 4 as long as they are undefeated but they dont like who FSU has been beating and how they are beating the, so they just dropped them to 4 to say that and put TCU ahead. Weird.

I'll tell you the exact reason why....they want alabama-fsu to match up and tcu-oregon to matchup. I firmly believe that is the only reason they dropped FSU to #4 and TCU up..otherwise it makes no sense at all....Tcu-Oregon out west? Sell-out. FSU-Alabama in the south? Sell-out...

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think they just think it makes more sense to have Alabama and FSU play in NOLA and TCU and Oregon play in Pasadena. Can't say I disagree with that.

Yeah but thats not what the rankings are supposed to be about.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah but thats not what the rankings are supposed to be about.

I don't disagree, but it also doesn't really bother me. At least not this year when there really isn't a dominant team that everyone is trying to avoid.

[Xville]

Yeah but thats not what the rankings are supposed to be about.

Nope but that is what happens when you put together a committee who can basically do whatever the hell they want and don't have to answer to anyone.

[OH.X.MI]

I'll tell you the exact reason why....they want alabama-fsu to match up and tcu-oregon to matchup. I firmly believe that is the only reason they dropped FSU to #4 and TCU up..otherwise it makes no sense at all....Tcu-Oregon out west? Sell-out. FSU-Alabama in the south? Sell-out...

I think that's why they are doing it too. And I really can't complain, those would be fun games to watch.

[Xville]

I think that's why they are doing it too. And I really can't complain, those would be fun games to watch.

they would be, but it still isn't right to rank them because of that. Regardless, I really doubt all 4 of those teams go unscathed this weekend anyways. I think at least 2 of them will lose. Crazy stuff seems to happen every year the last week of the football season.

[GoMuskies]

I know you want chaos. I'd be okay if Ohio State and Baylor lose but FSU, Bama, TCU and Oregon all win. I'm okay without the controversy, and I think this would be a very interesting final four.

[D-West & PO-Z]

they would be, but it still isn't right to rank them because of that. Regardless, I really doubt all 4 of those teams go unscathed this weekend anyways. I think at least 2 of them will lose. Crazy stuff seems to happen every year the last week of the football season.

Exactly they start taking liberties with the rankings based on trying to get teams to play certain teams in certain locations and then whats the next thing they take liberties with? I think thats wrong if thats why they ranked it how they ranked it.

[OH.X.MI]

Exactly they start taking liberties with the rankings based on trying to get teams to play certain teams in certain locations and then whats the next thing they take liberties with? I think thats wrong if thats why they ranked it how they ranked it.

I totally agree with you guys here. As a viewer with no horse in the race I was just saying these would be fun games to watch.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I totally agree with you guys here. As a viewer with no horse in the race I was just saying these would be fun games to watch.

Yeah Im there with you. Im much more of an NFL fan, and I casually cheer for ND, but just seemed wrong to me that thats what they are doing.

[SM#24]

FSU-Alabama in the south? Sell-out...
FlaSt-Bama would sell out anywhere in the world.

Oregon-FlaSt in Pasadena = sell out
Bama-TCU in NOLA = sell out

[vee4xu]

Anyone thinking the NCAA selection committee cares one iota which four teams play in the championship game is crazy. Go back and look at the last two weeks of postings in this thread and you'll see exactly what they want. That is debate, discussion, opinions and oh yeah, keeping NCAA FB on page 1 of every news source and the tip of every fan's tongue. If the committee read recent posts to this thread they'd put hands behind their heads, feet up on the table, sport a smug smile and mutter,"now that's what I'm talkin' about."

Carry on.

[STL_XUfan]

Would you prefer a Missouri team that played in the shitty SEC East and lost to IU?

FYI the shitty SEC east is the 3rd best division according to the Sagarin ratings:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3lDHIHCMAEq2qn.jpg

(But yes, Mizzou shit their bed when they lost to IU and now must lay in it).

[xu82]

Oregon making Arizona look like scawny arms Rob Lowe. Not pretty. Maybe I don't have to stay up stupid late.

[THRILLHOUSE]

uc going for a share of a conference title and there is no one at their game. Good thing they are adding more seats to nippert!

[Masterofreality]

uc going for a share of a conference title and there is no one at their game. Good thing they are adding more seats to nippert!

"Announced" Attendance 24,000

[xudash]

Goodnight Big Ten. Damn. 59 - ZERO.

[GoMuskies]

I'll be surprised if there's any movement in the top 4 tomorrow. Alabama and Oregon are obvious. This committee already had TCU #3, and TCU won 55-3, and I've never seen a team fall after winning by 52 points. FSU is the undefeated defending national champions. Impossible to leave them out.

There are going to be pissed off people tomorrow no matter what happens.

[xudash]

I'll be surprised if there's any movement in the top 4 tomorrow. Alabama and Oregon are obvious. This committee already had TCU #3, and TCU won 55-3, and I've never seen a team fall after winning by 52 points. FSU is the undefeated defending national champions. Impossible to leave them out.

There are going to be pissed off people tomorrow no matter what happens.

I agree, I don't see it moving either. And I also agree that there will be a lot of pissed off people tomorrow. Apparently, there are pissed off people tonight, judging from comments coming out of the Big XII.

[vee4xu]

OSU won 12 games with their second and third string quarterbacks. No other school in NCAA football can boast that. That's the sign of one good team.

[DC Muskie]

I'll be surprised if there's any movement in the top 4 tomorrow. Alabama and Oregon are obvious. This committee already had TCU #3, and TCU won 55-3, and I've never seen a team fall after winning by 52 points. FSU is the undefeated defending national champions. Impossible to leave them out.

There are going to be pissed off people tomorrow no matter what happens.

I agree, I don't see how they change. My Facebook page is going to blow up today around 12:30.

[paulxu]

Maybe there should be an 8 team playoff.

[X-band '01]

I agree, I don't see it moving either. And I also agree that there will be a lot of pissed off people tomorrow. Apparently, there are pissed off people tonight, judging from comments coming out of the Big XII.

Not having a championship game is going to cost the Big 12 if Ohio State does get in.

I've heard TCU mention Minnesota as one of their marquee nonconference wins, but nobody ever mentions that Ohio State also beat them in Minnesota in a cold-weather environment.

They'll eventually go to 8 teams for the playoff, but the whole system does need to evolve a bit. Imagine the outcry today if we only had the original BCS in play.

[STL_XUfan]

Maybe there should be an 8 team playoff.
Then we would be fighting over who is 8.

[X-band '01]

Not having a championship game is going to cost the Big 12 if Ohio State does get in.


Now that I think about it, UC fans have to be cheering for Ohio State to get in and hope that TCU/Baylor get left out. If the Big 12 does decide to expand by 2 teams, this is their last shot at presenting themselves as an expansion candidate.

[Muskie in dayton]

Then we would be fighting over who is 8.

That's not the issue. The issue is who has a legitimate claim to #1, and any team that does needs a shot. This year Ohio State and Baylor have just as much claim as Alabama or any of the others. There is not a realistic scenario where more than 8 teams have a legit claim to #1.

Use the 4 major bowls as the first round on New Years Day. That would be awesome!

[mohr5150]

They lost to a horrible Virginia Tech team. TCU lost to #6 Baylor. Case closed.

[STL_XUfan]

They lost to a horrible Virginia Tech team. TCU lost to #6 Baylor. Case closed.
Baylor got beat by a bad WVU team.

The only team that would have a legitimate beef if they are left out is FSU, since they beat everyone they faced.

[vee4xu]

They lost to a horrible Virginia Tech team. TCU lost to #6 Baylor. Case closed.

And last night OSU beat the #13 team in the country who had the 2nd best defense in the country 59-0 in a conference championship game using their third string QB. So, there's that. Baylor beat the 9th ranked team in the country an TCU beat a 2-9 Iowa State team that is now 0-8 in the Big 12. All facts and all more recent than games in September. When is the Big 12 championship game?

[D-West & PO-Z]

I dont see how TCU can be dropped from number 3 to 5 after winning by more than 50 points. I think this committee really likes TCU. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Then we would be fighting over who is 8.

Yeah, no matter the size there will alway be fighting over last in/first out. But at least with an 8 team playoff all 5 (power) conference champs would be in.

I think the committee will go with OSU based on their wins vs MSU and Wisconsin and so they can avoid the TCU-Baylor argument. But I also agree with DWest Po-z that TCU being ranked #3 on Tuesday could be a factor. Will the committee drop them out and basically admit the weekly ranking show is just a pointless ratings grab? I think OSU, TCU and Baylor are all better than FSU, but they can't keep an undefeated Noles team out.

[LA Muskie]

I predict a ton of pissed-off THE Ohio State University fans in T-Minus 15 minutes. Christmas comes early this year!!!

[D-West & PO-Z]

I predict a ton of pissed-off THE Ohio State University fans in T-Minus 15 minutes. Christmas comes early this year!!!

Yeah I think you are right. I think Thrillhouse was right when he said the committee risks making the weekly rankings useless if they drop a team from 3 to 5 after a 50+ point win in their last game of the season. Only way I can see it is if they try and use the reasoning that they really are going to punish teams/conferences with no conference championship game.

[LA Muskie]

That's exactly where I come out on it. Perfect storm for the Committee (and OSU). OSU dominates with their 3rd string QB in their conference title game, but TCU provides no basis to drop them back. The Committee made their bed when they gave them #3 (completely unnecessarily). Now they have to sleep in it -- and deal with the consequences (a furious BiG and probably other conferences who fear they could have been in the same position) later.

[XU '11]

They'll eventually go to 8 teams for the playoff, but the whole system does need to evolve a bit. Imagine the outcry today if we only had the original BCS in play.

Disagree (for this season at least). I think this year everybody would know and be okay with a Florida St-Alabama championship game. Yes, Oregon fans would complain, but it would not create national controversy.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Committee is just sick that at least one of these teams didnt lose.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Wow, Buckeyes got it done in the Big 10 title game. Crazy. Committee just basically told Big 12 you better get a conference championship game or youre going to have trouble getting in.

TCU drops 3 spots after a 50+ point win. Crazy.

[vee4xu]

Go BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!

[BMoreX]

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
So there it is...
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Florida St.
4. Ohio St.

Big 12 will expand by next year IMO.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Spread on Alabama/OSU game? 14?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Maybe not that high. I'm guessing double digits though.

[Frambo]

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
So there it is...
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Florida St.
4. Ohio St.

Big 12 will expand by next year IMO.

which has people in clifton on the edge of their seats

[LA Muskie]

Wow. So basically the Committee said "ignore everything we've told you up until now..."

[GoMuskies]

Congrats to UC. They are the biggest winners today.

[vee4xu]

Wow, Buckeyes got it done in the Big 10 title game. Crazy. Committee just basically told Big 12 you better get a conference championship game or youre going to have trouble getting in.

TCU drops 3 spots after a 50+ point win. Crazy.

Over a 2-9/0-8 Iowa State team, while everyone else is playing ranked teams. An argument could be made that TCU should have beaten them worse and didn't. Who cares, the committee got it right.

[GoMuskies]

Wow. So basically the Committee said "ignore everything we've told you up until now..."

We examined the Nielsen ratings for Ohio State, and...

[GoMuskies]

If Alabama only beats Ohio State by 100 I will be disappointed.

[vee4xu]

Congrats to UC. They are the biggest winners today.


No congrats to OSU? Me thinks they are the biggest winner here in Ohio today, not UC. Besides Mount Union who beat John Carroll for their 84th consecutive home win and 20th straight DIII semi-final appearance. I think they could beat TCU.

[BMoreX]

which has people in clifton on the edge of their seats

They'll be in the Big 12 by 2017.

Hopefully that means UCONN comes to their senses and drops football to MAC and all other sports to Big East.

[GoMuskies]

Over a 2-9/0-8 Iowa State team, while everyone else is playing ranked teams. An argument could be made that TCU should have beaten them worse and didn't. Who cares, the committee got it right.

An Iowa State team that did manage to win at Iowa.

[waggy]

Congrats to UC. They are the biggest winners today.


Would BYU be considered or have they already been vetted and out?

[vee4xu]

An Iowa State team that did manage to win at Iowa.

And that has exactly what to do with this discussion today? Let me help you. Nothing!!!

[GoMuskies]

No congrats to OSU? Me thinks they are the biggest winner here in Ohio today, not UC.

Short term, sure. Long term, this is a much bigger day for UC. Will probably end up being the biggest day in University history.

[GoMuskies]

And that has exactly what to do with this discussion today? Let me help you. Nothing!!!
More evidence that the Big Ten blows.

[vee4xu]

More evidence that the Big Ten blows.

Keep talking, maybe someday it'll matter.

[GoMuskies]

Keep talking, maybe someday it'll matter.

Ha, yes, my posts on this board are likely to change the world. Just like yours.

[vee4xu]

Ha, yes, my posts on this board are likely to change the world. Just like yours.

I meant about OSU getting into the playoff. Don't take yourself so seriously. You hate OSU and the Big Ten, I get it. But, really to just rail on about it makes no sense to me. Yet, that isn't what matters.

GO BUCKS!

[vee4xu]

And to be honest, at this point I am just agitating to see how long I can keep it going.

[GoMuskies]

Yes, I'm taking myself much more seriously than you. :)

I don't like OSU (like pretty much everyone else who has ever interacted with OSU fans), but I don't really have anything against anyone else in the Big Ten. The league just sucks this year. Hell, not too long ago I was accused of being an ACC hater.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Over/under 10 point spread, anyone care to guess? (For bama OSU game) I guess over.

My dad is in vegas right now, I'm not sure when they put those spreads up but I told him to let me know if he say them.

[GoMuskies]

Bama and Oregon will both be significant favorites. The power ratings like the ones the books use don't rate either OSU or FSU very high.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Bama and Oregon will both be significant favorites. The power ratings like the ones the books use don't rate either OSU or FSU very high.

Is that an over?

[OH.X.MI]

Over/under 10 point spread, anyone care to guess? (For bama OSU game) I guess over.

My dad is in vegas right now, I'm not sure when they put those spreads up but I told him to let me know if he say them.

I say over too.

[GoMuskies]

Is that an over?

I think Sagarin's Predictor ratings are a pretty good indicator of where the books will set the lines. I hadn't looked yet this week, and Ohio State clearly got a massive bump off their big win yesterday. Sagarin would favor Bama by about 4.5. I think it will be a bit north of there, but I think it will be less than ten. So I go under.

Sagarin would favor Oregon by 10.5 over FSU.

Top four in the predictor ratings are Alabama, TCU, Ole Miss and Ohio State.

[Frambo]

They'll be in the Big 12 by 2017.

Hopefully that means UCONN comes to their senses and drops football to MAC and all other sports to Big East.

I'm hearing that too

[GoMuskies]

Or I could have just checked my online book: Bama -9.5 and Oregon -7.5.

[DC Muskie]

I think it will be 10 easily. Personally I'm really happy to see OSU in. I still don't understand how or why they got in, and feel really bad for TCU. But whatever the real winner is the Sugar Bowl!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Or I could have just checked my online book: Bama -9.5 and Oregon -7.5.

No a bad over/undr set by this guy huh?

Haha

[GoMuskies]

Well done.

[mohr5150]

Over a 2-9/0-8 Iowa State team, while everyone else is playing ranked teams. An argument could be made that TCU should have beaten them worse and didn't. Who cares, the committee got it right.

Once again....two teams, one loss. One lost to a .500 team. The other lost to the #5 team in the country. Absolute and utter bullshit how this worked out. I will be rooting so heavily for the Tide to put another ass - whooping on the champion of the weakest big conference in the country, and I dispise Alabama.

[LA Muskie]

They'll be in the Big 12 by 2017.

Hopefully that means UCONN comes to their senses and drops football to MAC and all other sports to Big East.

A team that lost at home to Yale? No thanks. The MAC can have them. Their championships were year(s) ago and were only lucky anyway.

[mohr5150]

Didn't UCONN just win the championship two,years ago?


A team that lost at home to Yale? No thanks. The MAC can have them. Their championships were year(s) ago and were only lucky anyway.

[GoMuskies]

Didn't UCONN just win the championship two,years ago?

Less than 9 months ago.

[waggy]

d'oh!

[GoMuskies]

Mississippi State was far more impressive than Michigan State in their respective bye weeks, so the Bulldogs jumped the Spartans to earn a trip to the Orange Bowl.

[xu82]

Mississippi State was far more impressive than Michigan State in their respective bye weeks, so the Bulldogs jumped the Spartans to earn a trip to the Orange Bowl.

Does this mean fewer arrests? Is that the tie breaker?

[paulxu]

The Cocks are going to the Duck Dynasty bowl (or something like that).

Somehow that just seems appropriate.

[Masterofreality]

If Alabama only beats Ohio State by 100 I will be disappointed.

This.

[Masterofreality]

Congrats to UC. They are the biggest winners today.

I still don't see it. The Big 12 needs someone that adds value. What exactly does SucKS bring to the table?

They had an "announced" "crowd" of 24,000 for their big Conference game against Houston yesterday. Their stadium after renovations will only hold less than 40,000- and they will never come close to filling that. Their basketball program with Sippin Mick will continue to be a joke and the school doesn't have the money to build truly D1 facilities.

Other than being a "bridge" to West Virginia, I don't see where the Borecats bring anything worthy. Hell, Marshall would be a better choice.

[GoMuskies]

What exactly does SucKS bring to the table?


A football team. The Big XII needs two of those. Doesn't matter who they are really.

[Masterofreality]

A football team. The Big XII needs two of those. Doesn't matter who they are really.

Memphis and BYU.

[GoMuskies]

Memphis has a significantly worse football program than Cincinnati.

[Masterofreality]

Memphis has a significantly worse football program than Cincinnati.

Then Boise State and BYU