Too early for college football? ('09 Version)

cavandre

saps


Yeah, but Florida and Tim Tebow dominated FIU.  Now there's something to be proud of.

Proud...no   Smart...Yes
 
Gators still have to face FSU & then 'Bama in the SEC championship. Scheduling a JV squad at this point in their schedule was a smart thing to do...no one got hurt, most of the starters were riding the bench from the 3rd quarter on & backups got valuable playing time.

No doubt that they're shrewd.  They play 7 home games, have the 51st strongest schedule, and when they schedule patsies, they get to the bottom of the barrel (and make sure that they don't travel far to do it).   They play a "neutral  field" game that is a full hour and a half away in their own state. They make sure that they have every advantage.   You see Notre Dame getting knocked for its schedule, yet they play a tougher schedule than Florida.

saps

cavandre

saps


Yeah, but Florida and Tim Tebow dominated FIU.  Now there's something to be proud of.

Proud...no   Smart...Yes
 
Gators still have to face FSU & then 'Bama in the SEC championship. Scheduling a JV squad at this point in their schedule was a smart thing to do...no one got hurt, most of the starters were riding the bench from the 3rd quarter on & backups got valuable playing time.

No doubt that they're shrewd.  They play 7 home games, have the 51st strongest schedule, and when they schedule patsies, they get to the bottom of the barrel (and make sure that they don't travel far to do it).   They play a "neutral  field" game that is a full hour and a half away in their own state. They make sure that they have every advantage.   You see Notre Dame getting knocked for its schedule, yet they play a tougher schedule than Florida.

Each year the Gators play 8 SEC teams (which are scheduled by the SEC) & FSU, so I see no need to "apologize" for their schedule.

And then Florida schedules the non-conference teams that they have beaten ny a combined score of 180-12 this year.  How sporting!  And they play them at home as well, since they haven't left their home state to play a non-conference game for many years.  

The Gators are scared to lose.  At least Alabama and others will travel out-of-conference and play teams from major conferences in other places in the country while the Gators sit at home and play such powerhouses as Charleston, Troy, and FIU, and A Florida State team that is a mere shadow of what it once was.  When was the last time that the Gators scheduled a tough non-conference team?  Away?

saps


And then Florida schedules the non-conference teams that they have beaten ny a combined score of 180-12 this year.  How sporting!  And they play them at home as well, since they haven't left their home state to play a non-conference game for many years.  

The Gators are scared to lose.  At least Alabama and others will travel out-of-conference and play teams from major conferences in other places in the country while the Gators sit at home and play such powerhouses as Charleston, Troy, and FIU, and A Florida State team that is a mere shadow of what it once was.  When was the last time that the Gators scheduled a tough non-conference team?  Away?

 
As I said, they continue to beat everyone they play so your critique of their schedule is pretty much meaningless. Nothing new on that score though. pb

Well I was 1/2 right.

Unfortunately, for me and Charlie Weis, it was the wrong 1/2.

ND has some kinda black cloud hanging over them--------
Next week they have to go out and win one for the Gipper.

Earlier this week we learned that Kansas head coach Mark Mangino follows the Bobby Knight school of coaching by personal intimidation and verbal abuse.

I think we can all agree that Iowa's 12 - 0 win at Minnesota was the least exciting game this week, with two hapless offenses combining for 17 punts. Super-recruit Sentreal Henderson was in attendace, watching some former teammates on both teams on an unofficial visit.

It seems like only yesterday that Charlie Weis was promising his team would enter each game with a "decided schematic advantage" over their opponent. How long has it been since Jimmy Clausen arrived in a limousine to the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend and announced he would attend Notre Dame?

saps
 

At least Alabama and others will travel out-of-conference and play teams from major conferences in other places in the country...

Let's see...'Bama opened the season vs. Va Tech (at Atlanta, almost home) for the big bucks Labor Day weekend game & then their other non-SEC games were Florida International (home), North Texas (home) & Tenn-Chatanooga (home). Sorry, but I'm missing the travel/challenge aspect of their schedule that you're implying exists.

Actually most of the SEC teams don't venture much out of the southeast. Pretty hard to judge how good they really are in keeping themselves under national wraps until Texas takes them down.

porkbeaks

saps


And then Florida schedules the non-conference teams that they have beaten ny a combined score of 180-12 this year.  How sporting!  And they play them at home as well, since they haven't left their home state to play a non-conference game for many years.  

The Gators are scared to lose.  At least Alabama and others will travel out-of-conference and play teams from major conferences in other places in the country while the Gators sit at home and play such powerhouses as Charleston, Troy, and FIU, and A Florida State team that is a mere shadow of what it once was.  When was the last time that the Gators scheduled a tough non-conference team?  Away?

 
As I said, they continue to beat everyone they play so your critique of their schedule is pretty much meaningless. Nothing new on that score though. pb

 

 I'm not questioning whether or not that they are good, but just the way that they go about doing it.  Most people don't think Boise State is better than Florida, but they keep on winning as well.  But, by your logic, teams that beat everyone they play are equal, regardless of the schedule.  So you would have to believe that TCU, Cincinnati, and Boise State are all equals of Florida.  I don't believe that, but apparently critique of a team's schedule is meaningless as long as they win out.  I don't think that's the case, which is why people with more knowledge of college football than you or I have the component for strength of schedule as part of the BCS formula.  So does the schedule suddenly become meaningful upon the first loss, or does it continue to be meaningless?  Could you explain that, because I would think that schedules would have fairly significant bearing on a season?
 
Obviously, you avoid the other issues that I bring up, and then reduce it to ad hominem attacks and little comments about me rather than debate the issues.  I don't quite understand that.  Why don't you explain that to me.
 
 

cavandre

saps
 

At least Alabama and others will travel out-of-conference and play teams from major conferences in other places in the country...

Let's see...'Bama opened the season vs. Va Tech (at Atlanta, almost home) for the big bucks Labor Day weekend game & then their other non-SEC games were Florida International (home), North Texas (home) & Tenn-Chatanooga (home). Sorry, but I'm missing the travel/challenge aspect of their schedule that you're implying exists.

 
Va Tech, of course, was a home game, but tougher than any non-conference opponent that Florida had.
 
In '08, they went to Clemson (when Clemson was ranked 9th) and played Tulane at home.
In '07, they went to FSU and played Houston at home.
 
I'm not an Alabama fan, but they certainly schedule tougher non-conference teams than Florida.  That really isn't saying a lot.  They pull the same scheduling crap that FL and other majors do as well, playing only four or five games away.

Sap, 
Boise State, Cincinnati, and TCU don't win national championships 2 out of 3 years.  As far as my "little comments" about you, all I can say is I dislike whiners.  pb

porkbeaks


Sap, 
Boise State, Cincinnati, and TCU don't win national championships 2 out of 3 years.  As far as my "little comments" about you, all I can say is I dislike whiners.  pb

 
So this years rankings should be based on a team's history?
 
By the way, it's not whining.  I'm just pointing out facts.  What you really don't like is that it's about your team.
 
Florida is one of the best teams in the country this year, although it's hard to tell where they rank since the only Top 25 team that they have beaten is LSU, while Alabama has beaten LSU, Virginia Tech, and Mississippi.  Those are facts.
 
 

Hey, How about those Lions?

Those Columbia Lions ---yea man--- Roar Lions Roar
Remember when they beat Army at the old Yankee Stadium
Bill Swiacki had some game.

Actually I thought Brady Quinn had beaten the Lions ---- tough
one point loss. 

joerogo


Hey, How about those Lions?

Nov. 21st...Columbia Lions 28 - Brown Bears 14 

What a great weekend!
My alma-mater takes ND to double OT then beats em in SB on senior day!  And the Buckeyes make it 6 in a row against Michigan.  I got a lot of heat last week in work by ND alums in my office.  Lets see if they are as loud today.

GNeedles, congratulations! I was there Saturday, rooting for my Irish; the Huskies didn't blink, and came away with a well deserved W. Great game, if you're a fan of the game or of UConn; not so great if you root ND, but what a great day for a game and a great experience.

You'll love this shot from the corner of the end zone; even if the Irish scored the next play, it epitomizes the UConn resolve:

For a team who we thought could be 10-2 - they've certainly underachieved.

ND would be near the bottom of the Big East this year. Considering they lost to Syracuse last year, I'd say they're right around the same place.

I think it's finally catching up with ND that they are not in a conference.

The BCS was not designed for non-BCS conference schools to win the BCS championship. So, to say TCU or Boise St or whomever goes undefeated should get a crack at it, just doesn't understand the history of the BCS and power conferences hold on these top money making bowls.

Who do you think the Orange Bowl would rather take? Penn State or Boise State?

Considering the Orange Bowl was practically a home game for PSU they year they hosted Florida State, I think it's obvious.

Frankly, MAC teams have shown they can compete with Big Ten and Big 12 teams from time to time. But by and large, they can't.

Whether these teams are "for real," or not, TCU and Boise State play soft schedules compared to power conference teams.

A one loss BCS conference team has proven it is a contender more than a team that has no losses from WAC or MWC, or Big Sky, etc., etc.

Everyone saysPenn State played a soft schedule what with 3 non-bcs schools. Boise State played 12, TCU played 9.

If Penn State played TCU's or BSU's schedule and went undefeated,  nobody would be considering them for a national championship. Beating Oregon early in the year, is not enough, Sorry.

<----- wants to see the Miami Hurricanes play Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. 

Am I the only one who is celebrating Ole Miss over LSU? And it was a really exciting game that went right up to the final whistle!

mbrookes


Am I the only one who is celebrating Ole Miss over LSU? And it was a really exciting game that went right up to the final whistle!

Agreed....but man...the ending was so pathetic that I can't even talk about it. It was just so.....stupid....

Mosca, What a great picture.  You should send that one to Sports Illistrated.  One of the best action photos I've ever seen.
 
the ancient mariner & cavandre You are a couple of real funny guys
 
 
 
 

All I have to say is the University of Minnesota is bowl eligible with a 6 and 6 record. That does not mean they are bowl qualified but it seems the Big 10 has 7 bowl games locked up by contract. Now here is the kicker. Ohio State is going to the Rose Bowl, a BCS bowl. If Penn St. or Iowa get a BCS bowl game then Minnesota will either go to the Alamo Bowl or the Insight Bowl. Most likely the Insight Bowl. Both games would be against another BCS conference. But if Penn St. and Iowa are both shut out of the BCS then Minnesota will get deservedly shoved down to the Little Ceasar's Bowl in Detroit against a MAC team. That bowl game is too good for them. I like Minnesota as it is now my "home" team but criminey no team that can't score a touchdown in its last two games should deserve to go to a bowl game.

Dave --- 

ND vs Minny-sota would be a perfect match.

Both 6 & 6-----

Winner gets Henderson. 

Loser gets a years supply of "Wait Til Next Year" pills.

As for AM & Cavandre being funny---all I can tell you is that
we went to the same college, not at the same time
though----Old Cav was many years ahead of me.

The local scribes and experts still don't know where Henderson will go. The leading guesses are USC, ND and Ohio State. I don't know if Minnesota has a chance at him. TRZHotel should not get too excited by him attending the Iowa game. Minnesota, I am guessing would be a long shot too. I would be shocked if that were his choice. BTW, Seantrel Henderson was not picked as the MSP Metro player of the year although he is Rivals.com's number one recruit. Local TV news stations have done features on him. He seems to be a quality kid.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune's Metro player of the year was A. J. Tarpley, a tight end/linebacker for Wayzata HS the same school that produced James Laurinitis the Ohio State All-American. He is going to Stanford. His father, Audie Tarpley, was a QB back in the 70s for Georgia Tech. Tarpley played both ways for Wayzata with 6 TDs as a tight end and 2 TDs as a linebacker run back interceptions. His preference is linebacker.

The Class 5A championship game this Friday in the Metrodome will be between Eden Prairie, a southwest Minneapolis suburb and Cretin-Derham Hall. Both are perennial powerhouses. Eden Prairie is coached by Mike Grant, son of Bud Grant the former Minnesota Vikings coach. EP's closest game this year was a 7 to 3 win over Wayzata in the post season playoffs. My Minnetonka HS also beat Wayzata during the regular season 7 to 0 but did not fare so well in the playoffs. They play some serious football in the Minneapolis western suburbs. For instance Minnetonka HS has 25 paid and volunteer football coaches and run a big time program. Nothing like when I played HS football.

the ancient mariner

As for AM & Cavandre being funny---all I can tell you is that
we went to the same college, not at the same time
though----Old Cav was many years ahead of me.

Fess up AM...didn't you attend Manhattan while Brother Jasper was still coaching the baseball team?

I was one of the guys yawning in the middle of the seventh.

"On your feet', said the good brother "Stretch, breath in and out a few times and
sing along with Harry Carey.  Take Me Out To The Ball Game".

Giants won 4-1 on a last second field goal. 

Gators & 'Bama for the SEC championship...that should be a bar brawl.

That'll be a fun one for sure.

That Standford/ND game was good...so long Weiss.

I'm glad LSU pulled that one off after last week's little mishap.

Did you see what Carroll did to Neuheisel after he called the timeout when they just wanted to run the clock out...I loved that. Serves him right.

...also, Tebow had a great game...I really think he's a class act.

Davydd


The local scribes and experts still don't know where Henderson will go. The leading guesses are USC, ND and Ohio State. I don't know if Minnesota has a chance at him. TRZHotel should not get too excited by him attending the Iowa game. Minnesota, I am guessing would be a long shot too. I would be shocked if that were his choice. BTW, Seantrel Henderson was not picked as the MSP Metro player of the year although he is Rivals.com's number one recruit. Local TV news stations have done features on him. He seems to be a quality kid.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune's Metro player of the year was A. J. Tarpley, a tight end/linebacker for Wayzata HS the same school that produced James Laurinitis the Ohio State All-American. He is going to Stanford. His father, Audie Tarpley, was a QB back in the 70s for Georgia Tech. Tarpley played both ways for Wayzata with 6 TDs as a tight end and 2 TDs as a linebacker run back interceptions. His preference is linebacker.

The Class 5A championship game this Friday in the Metrodome will be between Eden Prairie, a southwest Minneapolis suburb and Cretin-Derham Hall. Both are perennial powerhouses. Eden Prairie is coached by Mike Grant, son of Bud Grant the former Minnesota Vikings coach. EP's closest game this year was a 7 to 3 win over Wayzata in the post season playoffs. My Minnetonka HS also beat Wayzata during the regular season 7 to 0 but did not fare so well in the playoffs. They play some serious football in the Minneapolis western suburbs. For instance Minnetonka HS has 25 paid and volunteer football coaches and run a big time program. Nothing like when I played HS football.

Update: Cretin-Derham Hall upset number 1 Eden Prairie 16 to 5. Mark Alt, son of former pro-bowler John Alt of the Kansas City Chiefs threw for two touchdowns and kicked a field goal. They hadn't had a QB performance like that since Joe Mauer led C-DH to the state title in 1999. Seantrel Henderson looked like a man among boys out there. I watched him block a linebacker on a pass play and he literally pushed the kid backwards and up in the air landing on his butt a couple yards back. Henderson has scheduled trips to Florida and Southern Cal yet. His coach said the University of Minnesota was still in the running but admitted no one really knows what Henderson's preference really is. If Charlie Weis is going to get sacked at Notre Dame that could hurt Notre Dame's chances unless they come up with a known and respected replacement very fast.