Too early for college football? ('09 Version)

Ill pull for anybody playing Notre Dame.

the ancient mariner


Hey Joe------forgive us for not mentioning JoePa but he has had the limelight
much too long---time to fold up his game plan and silently steal away. 

Hey, You better watch out.  We may start putting ALL you old guys out to pasture
 
I called the Iowa loss.  Heck, we couldn't get things going against Syracuse!  Sorry to say, PSU with 5 losses this year.
 
I am not a ND fan, but I am a Mariner and Mosca fan.  I wish your team all the best.  Serious!  Now stop rolling your eyes!
 
 

Irish look really good.  The lost the game against the only team they have played with a winning record.  The 3 teams they beat are a collective 2-9. 

And 4-0 Michigan has played a tough schedule so far.  Eastern and Western Michigan and Indiana?

How 'bout them Irish!

There were several good finishes today; Wash/ND, Mich/Mich St, LSU/GA, Miami/OK...

Minnesota/Wisconsin was a wild one too.  I don't think Michigan is a very good team, but their freshman QB Tate Forcier is a fun college QB to watch.  He's just a bulldog.

cavandre


Miami's first four games are FSU (#19), Georgia Tech (#15), Virginia Tech (#7) and then Oklahoma (#3). That's a brutal way to open a season!

Miami gets out of that stretch with a 3-1 record. It's a young team but bears watching.

saps, for the first time in a long time I've given in to the allure of college football (I've always preferred the big guys on Sunday). But this year is a joy for college fans. Are the Irish good? Are they bad? Who cares, wasn't that one heck of a game! And Forcier is an amazing player to watch; 18 years old and playing like a senior! And how about Miami's QB last night; he threw INTs on their first two series, then led the team to victory! Pitt's Bill Stull came into the season as a "last best choice" QB, and is playing very well, keeping them in contention for Big East title hopes.

Two things about this year: 1) There are lots of teams bunched around a mean, and 2) there have been some great games because of it. A 4-1 team isn't necessarily better than a 2-3 team this year. Toss the records; lets play!

Joe----my eyes are rolling all the time-----a pool full of Bikini's cause that problem.
PSU won yesterday Joe, all is not lost. 

Mosca---I agrees with you My Boy----that was one helluva game.  7 lead changes,
no one got far ahead, fantastic goal line stands-----ND stunk in the red zone, but our freshman kicker saved our butt---5 FGs------good thing my oxygen was hooked up and working----Clausen is good------t'was a fun game to watch. 

And now a weeks R&R before the slaughter.  I shall be beating the beads and lighting candles---but what happens on the field is all that matters. 

Wow, Joe Pa's Penn State Lions are sure kicking some serious butt today------------
 
31-0 in the first half.  What a powerhouse!!!!!!
 
Oh yea, they are playing "with" Eastern Illinois-------"playing with" as in "a cat playing with a little
mouse".  I though pre-season was over.  When does the Big-10 begin it's regular season ?????
 
Sorry Joe Rogo ----just had to tell it like it is.  (Thank you Howard !!!!!)  At least, ND would keep it
close and only win over E Illinois in the last 2 minutes, just to make 'em feel good.  The Irish do that
on purpose, you know.   
 
 
  

Texas vs. OK & USC vs. ND...Where's the chatter?

cavandre


Texas vs. OK & USC vs. ND...Where's the chatter?

The "Chatter" I hear is The mariner bitting his nails

cavandre
 

Texas vs. OK & USC vs. ND...Where's the chatter?

I'm watching Texas vs. OK and wondering how a team with so little offense is ranked #3. Go Gators!!  pb 

Nails ?  Nails ? I ain't got no stinkin' nails--four nail-biters took care of them.

I nead a nice easy ND victory, a blow-out, and today would be the perfect
spot for it.  Go Irish  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

porkbeaks

cavandre
 

Texas vs. OK & USC vs. ND...Where's the chatter?

I'm watching Texas vs. OK and wondering how a team with so little offense is ranked #3. Go Gators!!  pb 

who?

Looks like it might be Iowa's year in the Big Ten; they're up 10 on Wisconsin late and Purdue's up 16 on Ohio State at the end of 3 quarter.  At the end of the day they might be the only undefeated team in the conference.

Brad

What is the deal with programs such as Penn State, Michigan, and Notre Dame playing an uneven amount of home games to away games.  This year, Notre Dame will play 7 at home, 4 away, and 1 at a neutral field.  Michigan and Penn State will play 8 at home and 4 away.  Then you have Florida, which hasn't left the state in 10 years for a non-conference game. 

With the exception of Oklahoma State, every other team in the top 25 plays at least 5 or mostly 6 games on an opponents field.  In 2010, it appears that ND may only play 3 games on an opponents field.

Why are these sweethearts of college football allowed this competitive advantage?

porkbeaks

I'm watching Texas vs. OK and wondering how a team with so little offense is ranked #3. Go Gators!!  pb 

Got to agree with you about Texas, especially since OK lost its QB & a couple of other offensive starters during the course of the game.

Ahhhhhh, shoot.

Florida & Texas win by slim margins. 'Bama proves it can run but can't throw. VA Tech loses. It will be interesting to see what the "computers" have to say.

Alright Notre Dame fans.  How do you characterize your team?  They barely beat a couple of bad teams, and then barely lose to one of the best teams in the country.

As you know, I'm not much of a Notre Dame fan.  But I can't see how most analysts still have Tebow leading the pack for the Heisman when Claussen has been nothing short of spectacular, even with one of his starting receivers out for the season.  Lord Tebow is a fine player, but he is surrounded by more talent than Claussen.

By the way, kudos to Urban Meyer for looking out for his player (Tebow) after a vicious concussion and keeping him out of the LSU game.  With 2 weeks really being a minimum for safety, and with all of the new data coming out on long term concussion issues, it's good to see that Meyer did all he could to protect his player's well being.  What a douchebag.

saps
 
blah, blah, blah..........By the way, kudos to Urban Meyer for looking out for his player (Tebow) after a vicious concussion and keeping him out of the LSU game.  With 2 weeks really being a minimum for safety, and with all of the new data coming out on long term concussion issues, it's good to see that Meyer did all he could to protect his player's well being.  What a douchebag.

 
Very nice. How'd you like it if someone called you a douchebag?  pb 

 

I've been called plenty of things.  Doesn't really bother me.

I think Urban Meyer earned it.  He had no regard for his player, and put his interests ahead of his star's well being.  Concussions are brain injuries. they are not just a little bump on the noggin, but people seem to like to treat them that way.

I think Urban Meyer's a good football coach, but at the end of the day, the players are just meat, and the coaches are in it for themselves.

Just for the record, Florida had a bye the week before the LSU game, so it was two weeks between Tebow getting the concussion and playing in the LSU game.

Brother Saps --- for a while there I thought you were just one of the many Saps I have run across during my lifetime------but now I must say I was wrong.  

You are a man with an open mind and a judge of fine quarterbacks as well.  Clausen has been spectacular and Urban Meyer is not a nice man.   Once Tim Tebow is gone he will soon be forgotten by Meyer.

Starting CB at Uconn murdered in a brawl at a dance after the game.

Teaching Asst helped football player at Flo St with an exam because he could not
read well enough to understand the questions----she is being investigated. 

Reggie Bush's family lived in million dollar house while he was at USC.  

It's all a sport.  Until the rich Alum's get busy. 

I have a new idea -----add the College's rate of graduating scholarship athletes to on field scores.  See where the Big guys come out. 

UND 95% graduation rate + 27 points = 122 total------blow out over
USC 52%     ''             "      + 34 points =   86 total

We win and so do the kids who go to ND. 

The fact is that all of these schools bend their standards to let talented athletes in.  However, there are those like Notre Dame and some others that make the athletes into students as well.  If players aren't going to be paid, then the schools owe them more than just the scholarship; they need to give them resources to graduate.  These kids are generating tons of revenue for the schools, especially in the higher end sports programs.

For most schools, this is a business; get 'em in, get 'em out, recruit the next batch.  Have a favorable schedule heavy on the home games and maximize your ability to get a Bowl bid.  Coaches are mercenaries, and if you're not lying to recruits, you're not doing your job.

Tebow and Clausen are both good and they both have that intangible will to win.

the ancient mariner


I have a new idea -----add the College's rate of graduating scholarship athletes to on field scores.  See where the Big guys come out. 

UND 95% graduation rate + 27 points = 122 total------blow out over
USC 52%     ''             "      + 34 points =   86 total

We win and so do the kids who go to ND. 

 
Note that most schools with high graduation rates are private schools.  Expensive private schools have much higher graduation rates for both athletes and regular students.   Because of the high tuition and because most of their students come from well-to-do and well-connected families, these schools rarely give any failing grades.  That makes USC’s rate very surprising.
 
And why is a high graduation rate considered a sign of high academics anyway?  I would think that the harder a school is, the lower the percentage that would be able to graduate.    

plb

the ancient mariner


I have a new idea -----add the College's rate of graduating scholarship athletes to on field scores.  See where the Big guys come out. 

UND 95% graduation rate + 27 points = 122 total------blow out over
USC 52%     ''             "      + 34 points =   86 total

We win and so do the kids who go to ND. 

 
Note that most schools with high graduation rates are private schools.  Expensive private schools have much higher graduation rates for both athletes and regular students.   Because of the high tuition and because most of their students come from well-to-do and well-connected families, these schools rarely give any failing grades.  That makes USC’s rate very surprising.
 
And why is a high graduation rate considered a sign of high academics anyway?  I would think that the harder a school is, the lower the percentage that would be able to graduate.    

 
I agree with your first line, but your second line is a total crock of ****.  This is often the case in graduate schools, but not in undergrad.  When I was at Wake Forest, there were F's given out to those who deserved them.  What do you base your assessment on?
 
Here are the BCS schools' grad rates for 2008- anything over 67% is above average.
 
1. Notre Dame 94%
2. Stanford 93
T3. BC 92
T3. Duke 92
T3. Northwestern 92
6. Vanderbilt 91
7. Wake Forest 83
8. Texas Tech 79
T9. Baylor 78
T9. Nebraska 78
T9. UNC 78
T9. Penn State 78
T13. UConn 77
T13. Indiana 77
T15. Colorado 75
T15. Iowa 75
T15. Syracuse 75
T15. Virginia Tech 75
19. Cincinnati 73
T20. Illinois 70
T20. Michigan 70
T20. Miami 70
T20. Rutgers 70
24. Florida State 69
T25. Clemson 68
T25. Florida 68
T25. Maryland 68
T25. Wash State 68
.........................................
T29. Kansas State 67
T29. Pitt 67
31. Virginia 66
T32. South Carolina 65
T32. Washington 65
T34. Oregon State 64
T34. Ole Miss 63
T34. Miss State 63
T34. Purdue 63
T34. West Virginia 63
T34. Wisconsin 63
T40. Okla State 62
T40. UCLA 62
42. Arizona State 60
T43. N.C. State 59
T43. Missouri 59
45. Louisville 58
46. Auburn 57
T47. Kentucky 56
T47. Texas A&M 56
T47. South Florida 56
T50. Alabama 55
T50. Iowa State 55
T52. LSU 54
T52. Tennessee 54
T52. USC 54
T55. Cal 53
T55. Oregon 53
T55. Kansas 53
58. Ohio State 52
T58. Arkansas 52
T60. Minnesota 51
T60. Michigan State 51
62. Texas 50
T63. Georgia 48
T63. Georgia Tech 48
65. Oklahoma 46
66. Arizona 41
 
http://www.fanblogs.com/ncaa/007839.php
 

 

the ancient mariner


add the College's rate of graduating scholarship athletes to on field scores.  See where the Big guys come out. 

UND 95% graduation rate + 27 points = 122 total------blow out over
USC 52%     ''             "      + 34 points =   86 total

We win and so do the kids who go to ND. 

 
Nothing could reek more of a superiority complex than this statement.
It's sore loser talk: "They beat us in football, but we win in life because our school is better."
 
That's crap.
 
Not every program at ND is better than USC. Different schools have different strengths and weaknesses. Syracuse school of communications is arguably the best in the country, but the university on a whole is not as prestigous as ND, but if you want the best in communications, go the SU's Newhouse School not South Bend, not USC, nor Penn State or Yale.
 
So, to make such sweeping statements as yours is nothing short of small minded non-sense.
 
Your football team lost. Get over it. I was upset that Iowa once again knocked off my Nittany Lions, but I don't come on to a public forum and start crying about how my university is so much better than another. It's preposterous. True, football is not, at all, the full measure of a college, but we're talking sports here in this thread. You can leave any superiority complex at the door.

 The computers move Boise St. & Cinc. up to #4 & #5 in the  BCS Poll ...I didn't expect that!
 

saps


The fact is that all of these schools bend their standards to let talented athletes in. 

Just to be clear, that schools bend their standards to let all sorts of talented students in their school, not just athletes.
 
Not only do they let students in with particular talents, but they offer scholarships as well.  
 
Music students, for example. Many schools with conservatories, like Indiana (a school with a very good academic reputation) allows gifted musicians into the university, even with low grades in other academic areas and less than stallar SAT scores. They even offer full-rides with a successful audition or financial need.
 
Other schools offer scholarship money for playing in the school's band, even if you don't major in music. Maybe that's equatable to work study, but the point is they get the money because of their special talent, not just their willingness to work.
 
Athletes do, in fact, bring a large amount of money into a div. 1 school. And they are compensated for their effort with a full scholarship. Each student-athlete has the opportunity to squander that education, or put it to use. Some coaches and schools do better than others at leading them to academic success. And that effort should be applauded. But ultimately, the onus is on the individual athlete to make college a worth-while endeavor or not - the same as the rest of the student population.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Who would have thunk my prestigious University of Cincinnati Bearcats would be ranked so high? And on top of that they have a better Architecture program than Notre Dame.

Scorereader

saps


The fact is that all of these schools bend their standards to let talented athletes in. 

Just to be clear, that schools bend their standards to let all sorts of talented students in their school, not just athletes.
 
Not only do they let students in with particular talents, but they offer scholarships as well.  
 
Music students, for example. Many schools with conservatories, like Indiana (a school with a very good academic reputation) allows gifted musicians into the university, even with low grades in other academic areas and less than stallar SAT scores. They even offer full-rides with a successful audition or financial need.
 
Other schools offer scholarship money for playing in the school's band, even if you don't major in music. Maybe that's equatable to work study, but the point is they get the money because of their special talent, not just their willingness to work.
 
Athletes do, in fact, bring a large amount of money into a div. 1 school. And they are compensated for their effort with a full scholarship. Each student-athlete has the opportunity to squander that education, or put it to use. Some coaches and schools do better than others at leading them to academic success. And that effort should be applauded. But ultimately, the onus is on the individual athlete to make college a worth-while endeavor or not - the same as the rest of the student population.
 

 
 
Right.  But some colleges are better at providing students resources and help to make that scholarship work.  Many athletes and others that have been allowed in are not ready for the rigors of college.  Those that get a scholarship and preferential treatment (ie their class attendance isn't monitored) aren't going to do well.  Some need the monitoring and tutoring to get through the college.
 
Case in Point, the University of Minnesota, where I finished my undergrad, does a horrific job with their athletes.  They have had scandal after scandal, with tutors getting busted for writing papers for athletes (I believe that was during Clem Haskins' tenure), paying athletes (they weren't busted on this, but there was one particular quarterback in the mid-to-late 80's who came from a poor family in South Carolina and had quite the automobile, and I believe he was recruited by Lou Holtz), and had trash like McKinley Boston, now the AD at New Mexico.  For more on him: http://parsingthewac.blogspot.com/2008/03/mckinley-boston-college-athletes-best.html
 

  
  
  
  
  
 

Two of my kids went to the University of Minnesota (and one to U of Wisconsin Madison) and I thought the U of MN did a horrific job with all students as far as guidance goes. However, not all University of Minnesota quarterbacks were bad. Tony Dungy was a pretty good University of Minnesota quarterback and graduate.

I'm not saying the QB's were bad.  This QB was Rickey Foggie, who was a good college QB, and I think he had a pretty good career in the CFL.  But in college, I don't think he had the money for a fully loaded 300ZX, with a major league stereo system that I could hear from my third floor apartment in Dinkytown, and he even had vanity plates that read "THE FOG", back in the days when there were very few vanity plates in MN.  He was recruited by Holtz.

I recant my statement about the U of M paying atheletes- I don't know if that happened.  But I don't believe that Foggie could afford such a car on his own.

By the way, Adam Weber is horrible.  We do have a cool new stadium, finally.

I definately agree that some schools do better than other (I even said that in my post you quoted). However, students need to take ownership of their own education, as well.
at Penn State, for example, yes, there are requirements put on by the coaches that promote the academics; however, the students are also taught to take ownership of their educational endeavors. To seek help on their own, to recognize their own weakness and strengths and get help where needed, and help other when you can.

That, to me, is an important lesson - teaching a student (any student) how to take ownership of their own education. It's not a lesson that is quantified by any statistical information provided about any college or athletic program.

So, yeah, some schools do better than others. But in the end, students are responsible for their own education. Some schools are more proactive in forcing the hand of students, but students can, and should, take ownership of their own needs. They do it on the football field, they can do it in the classroom.

No one told me to practice my horn 2-3 hours per day, and no one forced me to practice at all. but I was in an envirnment where that's what everyone did. So I did it too. I saw what it took to get into the top ensembles, and I worked to get there. some classes I blew off, some classes I made sure I didn't. It's obvious by my grades which are which. In the end, the choices I made are reflected in the opportunities that I've enjoyed and the opportunities I haven't been able to enjoy.

I know some people would rather see minor league football than these football driven schools, but honestly, for the individual, they're better off in school, than in a minor league program. Since such a small percentage of them will make it to the NFL, they're better off with this  NCAA system. But that's another dialogue altogether.



 

I fully agree with you.  Regardless of the resources provided, they have to want to be educated and they need to realize the opportunity that they are being given.

Some schools are better at leading them to the water, but it's the students choice to drink. 

Does this mean we agree on something?

ok, so who is the most under rated and over rated football teams in the the BSC Top 10 right now?? My picks are;

Over Rated: TCU (USC a close second)
Under Rated: Alabama (I think they are going to put a hurtin' on UF)

overrated- Boise State

Underrated- I think Penn State should be in that top ten

saps


I fully agree with you.  Regardless of the resources provided, they have to want to be educated and they need to realize the opportunity that they are being given.

Some schools are better at leading them to the water, but it's the students choice to drink. 

Does this mean we agree on something?

It seems we do.  huh...what ever happened?

It may not be good.  It could be one of the signs of the apocalypse. 

saps


overrated- Boise State

Underrated- I think Penn State should be in that top ten

uh oh. we don't agree again. -well, 1/2 way.
 
As a Penn Stater, I don't think we're top ten. Not after that Iowa loss. If we can win out from here, I'll recant that and say we earned a top ten spot. Right now, not so sure.
 
On the other hand, looking at ACC teams and their rankings, maybe I'm off base  and PSU is top ten.
 
I think we're a 12-16 team right now. Wins over Mich, OSU and Mich State will go a long way to change my mind.
 
If we get a second loss, I'd say we're a #18 team. Ranked, but not elite. If we can end the season with that lone loss?... well, I'll take the top ten nod at that point.
 
Then again, looking around the top ten, I could be wrong.
 
Agree with Boise State, though. They have been top ten material in the past, but I haven't seen it yet this season. Top 5? no way!!!
 
I think CinCin is overrated, too. A terror for the Big East, but a #5 seed? Considering they'll win out in my estimations, and UF or Alabama HAS to lose, and Texas could lose one, are they really going to have CinCin knocking at the National Championship door?
 
I don't know how they can bump Oklahoma down to #25 after losing to Texas by 3 lousy points. If U of Okla is really only #25, Texas should drop to below Iowa - but no one will do that with CinCin in the #5 spot - which is why I think Iowa should move up, CinCin move down.
 
Miami is probably a bit over ranked.  VaTech destroyed them. And yes, VaTech loss to GaTech, who lost to Miami. But I'd put all three in the 12-18 range. Is the ACC really that strong? they haven't proved it - Big Ten keeps getting knocked for being weak, but what has the ACC done to show it's  that strong?
 
And USC is over ranked. They beat OSU, so far. and a#24 and #25. I think they're getting too much credit. They struggled v. a ND who is no longer ranked due to the loss. If they're top 5, then if PSU beats OSU, PSU should be right next to them (provided PSU remains at one loss), and Iowa should be on top of USC at this point. I don't think Iowa is getting enough credit - and I think USC is getting too much credit. I say Iowa #5, USC #6, with CinCin below that. - which would mean PSU should be closer to top ten than I stated above, but again, I'm reserving a top ten spot for PSU for a few more wins. Truth is, PSU looked awful offensively vs Iowa, except opening TD and one series which gave us 3 pts.  
 
How's that for not very clear, with a bit of waffling?
 

oh yeah, and in the Big 12, can someone tell me why Kansas is ranked but Tex Tech isn't? Kansas lost to Colorado and hasn't beat ranked team.
Tex Tech has only lost to ranked teams and beat a #15 Nebraska (who fell out of the polls due to the loss)

Basically, because OKla is 3-3 and out of the polls, the Big 12 is no longer highly regarded? I would think a Big 12 5-2 team would be higher ranked than an ACC 5-2 team (VaTech). But that's me.

I think your post underscores what a wide open year this year this is.  I don't really know what to make of Iowa, with the Big Ten not looking like much of a power this year.  The way the Big Ten is going this year, PSU could win out or just as easily lose to Michigan State.  When you've got a bad Purdue team upsetting OSU, anything can happen.
 
I think you're right about USC right now, but they are one of those teams that will continue to improve throughout the year.

Who knows what will happen.

I think Iowa is the real deal. the best Iowa team I've seen since their Rose Bowl appearances in the 80s, and in some ways, I think they're better than those Hayden Fry teams - and the best Ferentz team, too. Keep in mind, this is basically the same team as last year, who ended strong with wins over PSU and South Car in the Outback Bowl. Despite their record, they may have ended the season as the best in the Big Ten, even though it took them some losses to get there.

My neighbor is a Hawkeye, so I've watched most of the Iowa games this year.  It may be that I'm so confused that I don't know what good is anymore, plus, with all of his screaming, it may be that I associate Iowa with pain and hearing loss.

plb

the ancient mariner


I have a new idea -----add the College's rate of graduating scholarship athletes to on field scores.  See where the Big guys come out. 

UND 95% graduation rate + 27 points = 122 total------blow out over
USC 52%     ''             "      + 34 points =   86 total

We win and so do the kids who go to ND. 

 
Note that most schools with high graduation rates are private schools.  Expensive private schools have much higher graduation rates for both athletes and regular students.   Because of the high tuition and because most of their students come from well-to-do and well-connected families, these schools rarely give any failing grades.  That makes USC’s rate very surprising.
 
And why is a high graduation rate considered a sign of high academics anyway?  I would think that the harder a school is, the lower the percentage that would be able to graduate.    

plb,

I know you mean no offense, and none taken. My daughter is going to Notre Dame on an academic scholarship. I can't speak for any other school, but ND is "needs blind" when deciding who gets in. As one alumnus put it to me when we were going through the process, "Apply. If we want her and she wants us, money won't stand in the way. It never has. We will make it happen." If it wasn't for that, she wouldn't have gone there.

Students at Notre Dame (including student athletes) are not just smart; they are highly motivated as well. They are competitive. They work hard. My daughter passes Claussen 3 times a week on his way to class; the football players go to class. My daughter works hard; she wants to be #1. She gets mad when she gets a 97.


Believe me, ND gives failing grades. The difference is that they address the issues head on. Notre Dame goes out of their way to keep students from falling behind academically; that is good educational practice and good business. I think any worthwhile university would do this. There is a lot of money involved, either coming in from the student or going out to the student. And the pressure is from ther student side as well; they are either spending, borrowing, or getting a lot of money; there is no excuse to not crack the books, hard. If a student is identified as needing help, their advisor contacts them and sets them up with tutoring and extra help. As I said, these kids are motivated. They will sit and drill the material until the light bulb goes on. That goes for the football players as well, according to my daughter. Most of the football players at ND know that they won't be pros, and if they do become pros the odds are stacked against them; they know that the prize is the degree.

I wasn't much of a Notre Dame fan, not of the team nor of the school, not until we went out for the Orientation. It was then that I discovered the difference. These people really believe that they are going to change the world, with their hearts and their minds, one person at a time. And they don't think the job is too big, or too hard, or to anything; they think that it needs to be done, so they should do it. And they recruit students who believe the same way. And then they let things take their course. After that, anything is possible.

Another week of nail biting.  This week ND takes on Boston College a
team we can never beat-------maybe tomorrow is the day!

Oh, by the way, Scorereader, I am not a sore loser, I was thrilled that ND made
USC fight right down to the last second.  I watched the game expecting ND to be
blown out of the water just like last year----so the outcome was great ------- it could have been a lot greater if we had tied and gone on to win in OT but, under the circumstances, I was thrilled.
 
Mosca that is a lovey post-----it's good to have you on our side.  Go Irish !!!!!!!!

PSU vs Michigan this weekend.  I'll have to wear gloves, or I'll probably bite my nails down to my knuckles.
 
Ditto on the Mosca post. 

Alabama eeked one out luckily against Tennessee and Florida won one barely last week against Arkansas thanks to the officials. They won but one wonders how good they really are given they seldom venture out of the southeast to play anyone.

Man there's been some wild games today...I'm watching this Miami/Clemson game right now....

I think I've sprained my thumb using the remote & trying to keep up with the 4th Qtr./OT action in the Tenn/Bama, BC/ND & Clemson/Miami games. A great afternoon of college football!

Davydd


Alabama eeked one out luckily against Tennessee and Florida won one barely last week against Arkansas thanks to the officials. They won but one wonders how good they really are given they seldom venture out of the southeast to play anyone.

The rest of the country should feel fortunate they don't have to face SEC teams on a regular basis.  pb

The rest of the country can't play SEC teams, because SEC teams are too busy beating up on Charleston Southern, Louisiana Lafayette, FIU, and other Florida Atlantic, or any other crap non-conference team that resides in the South.

When they do play a somewhat quality team:

3-3 UCLA over Tennesee
6-1 Oklahoma State over Georgia
3-5 Army over Vanderbilt
7-1 Ga. Tech over Miss. St.
5-1 Houston over Miss. State

Alabama over 5-2 Va. Tech
Auburn over 6-1 W. VA

Is Notre Dame trying to give cardiac arrest to its alumni?   How many games can they play going down to the last minute to decide an outcome?

I hear you talking Dave------I am pooped !!!!!

#3 son was at the game, he waved a few times, did you see him ?  He had a
Blue ND Jacket and hat on.

Scorereader


I think Iowa is the real deal. the best Iowa team I've seen since their Rose Bowl appearances in the 80s, and in some ways, I think they're better than those Hayden Fry teams - and the best Ferentz team, too. Keep in mind, this is basically the same team as last year, who ended strong with wins over PSU and South Car in the Outback Bowl. Despite their record, they may have ended the season as the best in the Big Ten, even though it took them some losses to get there.

After yesterday's nailbiter in East Lansing the Hawkeyes are 8-0 for the first time in school history, which kind of surprises me.  I remember the '80s teams (was in school in Iowa from '81-'85) and would've expected one of them to have accomplished that feat.

What's important, though, is that once-defeated Drake wins at undefeated Butler to claim the Pioneer League title in the last game of the season.

Brad

I am not too happy about PSU losing to Iowa But I think Iowa, above all is a very well coached team. 
 
I am very happy about PSU rolling over Michigan.  I don't know where that PSU team came from yesterday, but I hope they show up for the Ohio state game.
 
The Mariner and Mosca get a victory!  Let's hope for a ND vs PSU bowl game
 
And a heartbreaker down in Miami.  Let me post a couple of these for Baah Ben
 
 

I think PSU's O-Line has finally got it together. When you see Royster running long distances, you can bank on a PSU win. It opened up the passing game, which was, then, smokingly good.

My alma mater Iowa is ranked #1 by 4 or 5 of the six computer polls used in the BCS, but nobody really thinks the home games against Indiana or Northwestern are going to be anything but ugly, struggling, low-scoring slugfests.

The final play against MSU, zero safeties back in the endzone after the TE goes in motion, easy read on the blitz and an easy completion after fiftyeight and a half minutes of bad execution: