College Football 2010

Non-Phish General
#87

Oops…sorry there. It’s hard to figure out jokes on a message board sometimes. I’ve heard FAR too many bitter Michigan fans ripping on MSU’s season this year so it’s hard to tell the annoying ones from the reasonable ones apart. And here I was all geared up to unleash a “You get to lose to MSU twice this year” joke since you’re playing Miss State. Oh well. It does suck that both MSU and UM is on at the same time on New Year’s…that’s pretty crappy to fans who like to watch both games.

To be fair, I don’t have a problem with TCU getting into the BCS grouping. I weigh going undefeated as pretty high since it’s SO hard to not have an off-game. And frankly, I’ve seen TCU for a few years now and they can hang with anybody and that defense is one of the best in the country…NO ONE runs on that team…I would be terrified if MSU had to play them. And we know Boise can hang with the big schools. They both deserve a shot and, obviously, this is why we need a playoff. What I DO have an issue with is a two-loss Arkansas getting in ahead of a one-loss team simply because you’re only allowed two from each division. Even UConn I don’t mind that much because it means so much to them to get in…I’m glad they got in instead of a Pittsburgh who seems to get in every year. But hey, it’s not like MSU got a bad opponent…Alabama is the real deal and it’d be a big deal for us if we won that game, especially against former coach Nick Saban who Dantonio was an assistant under.

The real shafting is a few of the other bowls. The first of which is Boise State who is playing Utah. It’s not a bad opponent but you’ll notice that ONCE AGAIN, the bowl committee has gone out of its way to make sure that Boise doesn’t play a team from a “BCS Conference.” Ever since they had the big win over Oklahoma, they’ve played ECU, TCU, TCU and now Utah. I’ll bet if they went undefeated again this year, they’d have played TCU a third time. The committee is terrified that they’ll get another win over a big-time team and be validated so they never schedule them.

Why does 9-4 Nebraska get stuck playing a 6-6 Washington? Bad blood by the Big-12 for them leaving? That seems like a joke. Same with 12-1 Nevada who beat Boise and won the WAC and gets stuck playing a crappy 7-5 BC team (though at least it’s a team from a big conference).

Of course, they’re just games and I don’t think they mean much in the long run…and the whole “BCS Bowl” thing only is meaningful to the schools because they get more money from it. And with that said, I like a lot of the matchups this year. Can TCU shut down Wisconsin’s run? How about Stanford/Va Tech? OSU/Arkansas is intriguing. Northwestern/Texas Tech shootout anyone? SC vs FSU? Okie State/Arizona? Missouri/Iowa in a defensive struggle? Got some good games coming up!

To be fair, I consider them to have won a share of the title when they went 13-0 in 2004 and were screwed out of the fake title game because they were a defensive team and didn’t score enough points for everyone’s liking. Meanwhile Oklahoma went to the Fake Title Game and got demolished by USC.

Ug…from what I’ve seen, the SEC gets TOO much hype. Especially in the last few years. I agree, it’s a tough conference but you’ve got a 7-5 Florida, 6-6 Georgia, 6-6 Tennessee, 4-8 Ole Miss and not to mention Kentucky and Vandy who are crap every year. Now this doesn’t make you that much worse than other divisions but it doesn’t make you that much better.

And not to mention the HORRENDOUS non-conference schedules that SEC teams get every year. Most don’t play out of their own state, most schedule 8 homegames vs 4 away games, and most just beat up bad Division-II or Sun Belt teams as non-conference (compare that to the PAC-10 who REQUIRES tough non-conference scheduling and thus their records look worse as a result).

Look at Florida in their two Fake National Championship years. In 2008 they played Hawaii, Miami (OH), and The Citidel. In 2009, they played Charleston Southern, Troy, Florida International and then shocked the world by actually playing a bad Florida State team. Yet, these guys were unanimously ranked #1 through those two years and NO ONE brought up their bad non-conference. This goes on in the SEC all the time and I think it’s so the SEC can continue to have this “The SEC is SO GOOD” mentality since they only play good non-conference teams in bowl games and they never measure themselves up against anyone outside the conference…and they’re about 50-50 in wins against good teams in Bowl games. Again, I like the SEC, but the mentality it part of why they get overrated all the time.

Meanwhile people rip Boise who TRIES TRIES to play good non-conference teams but most of the good ones refuse to play them. In the end I’m not saying one is right or wrong but it’s why we need a playoff because arguing this flawed system is just stupid.

#88

THANK YOU! 2004 sucked ass!

And as far as your opinion on the SEC, I’m gonna have to disagree man. Look, those teams you rattled off had shitty years this year compared to their normal playing, but part of it is the teams that they have to play. When you have a bunch of really tough teams in your schedule, you’re bound to lose some games. Those teams don’t normally come out that bad, but still, part of it is the difficulty of their schedule. Here’s our schedule this year:

09/04/10 vs. Arkansas State - W, 52-26
09/09/10 at Mississippi State - W, 17-14
09/18/10 vs. Clemson - W, 27-24 (OT)
09/25/10 vs. South Carolina - W, 35-27
10/02/10 vs. Louisiana-Monroe - W, 52-3
10/09/10 at Kentucky - W, 37-34
10/16/10 vs. Arkansas - W, 65-43
10/23/10 vs. LSU - W, 24-17
10/30/10 at Mississippi - W, 51-31
11/06/10 vs. Chattanooga (HC) - W, 62-24
11/13/10 vs. Georgia - W, 49-31
11/26/10 at Alabama - W, 28-27
12/04/10 vs. South Carolina - W, 56-17

I see three shitty teams on there, Arkansas State, LA-Monroe, and Chattanooga. Chat. was the homecoming game, and they always schedule a shitty team on homecoming. Three shitty teams man, that’s a lot better than Oregon’s schedule, or Boise’s schedule. And I understand that Boise has “tried” to play out of conference teams, but whatever man. They haven’t played them, and that’s what matters. We beat a lot of good football teams this year, including UA on their home field. Try playing the Iron Bowl AT Bryant-Denny and coming out of there alive. That alone speaks volumes about our team.

So, you can argue it all you want, but the SEC is a VERY strong conference. There is just no denying it.

#89

^Don’t get me wrong…I wasn’t saying the SEC was a “weaker” conference or anything…I was trying to emphasize that and the SEC is as least as tough as any other conference out there. But it seems it gets a little too much hype for being the strongest or toughest conference out there when they perenially have just as many weak teams as do other conferences…and their big team have gaudy records because their non-conference schedules are often weak. I listed those weaker teams this year as an example since the Big Ten and Pac-10 had just as many of those weaker teams.

Overall, my biggest gripe with the SEC is non-conference scheduling and you proved my point. Auburn scheduled Arkansas State, LA-Monroe and Chattanooga which is a joke. Oregon and Boise can’t help if their divisions are weaker but they at least try to make up for it by playing a tough non-conference every year. Boise went TO Virginia and played VA Tech (who always plays a tough non-conference) and beat them. They also scheduled Oregon State and it’s not their fault OSU had a down year this year. Oregon scheduled Tennessee this year (which, again, not their fault it’s a down year since they schedule these things years in advance). Boise always schedules a tough non-conference…they played Oregon last year. The PAC-10 always has at least one tough non-conference opponent while most SEC teams don’t even leave home and don’t schedule crap in their non-conference. And you can’t tell me that Boise hasn’t TRIED to schedule a tough non-conference…I’ll bet there’s a ton of teams turning them down.

Even the Big Ten does this. MSU, Michigan and Purdue always play Notre Dame, MSU also played at Cal last year, Ohio State had a home and away against both Texas and USC in recent years, Illinois almost always plays Missouri every year, Wisconsin played a series against Fresno and played Arizona State this year, Iowa played AT Arizona this year, Minnesota got pounded by USC…etc, etc.

As far as I can tell, the only team in the SEC that schedule a tough non-conference lately is Alabama. They played Penn State this year and I know they’ve scheduled future series against both Michigan and Michigan State. (And might I add MSU also has future dates against both West Virginia and Boise State. Ouch).

Looking at the SEC, they schedule bottom-feeders from the Big East and ACC who they know they can beat and then fill up the rest with Division-II opponents and Sun Belt teams. Heck, Vandy had the toughest non-conference this year with Northwestern, UConn and Wake Forest all in one year and they’re the SEC’s worst team. I give credit to Georgia with its Georgia Tech series and Florida occasionally plays FSU but that’s about it.

And hey, I can’t even blame the SEC for scheduling weak. Every year the media ranks their teams high because even if they play no one in non-conference everyone says “well just getting through the SEC is enough” as though it’s SO much harder to play an SEC schedule than it is to play any tough conference with teams that know your every move. A Big Ten schedule is just as tough but doesn’t get as much hype for some reason. They’re living on reputation and I guess I understand why they don’t bother to schedule tougher…they don’t need it because the media loves their teams either way. As always, give me a bloody playoff.

#90

You just proved my point: every team schedules weak teams. It’s just the way it is. If you consider that we play three shitty teams, while someone like Boise or Oregon plays probably 5 or 6, well, that kinda proves my point as well. Teams like those are literally only challenged a few times a year. SEC teams are challenged every time they play in conference, so why in the hell would you want to schedule three ridiculously good out of conference teams on top of that? That’s just shooting yourself in the foot.

Also, forgive me for saying so, but this Michigan State schedule is certainly no tougher than Auburn’s:

09/04/10 vs. Western Michigan - W, 38-14
09/11/10 vs. Florida Atlantic - W, 30-17
09/18/10 vs. Notre Dame - W, 34-31 (OT)
09/25/10 vs. Northern Colorado - W, 45-7
10/02/10 vs. Wisconsin - W, 34-24
10/09/10 at Michigan - W, 34-17
10/16/10 vs. Illinois (Homecoming) - W, 26-6
10/23/10 at Northwestern - W, 35-27
10/30/10 at Iowa - L, 37-6
11/06/10 vs. Minnesota - W, 31-8
11/20/10 vs. Purdue - W, 35-31
11/27/10 at Penn State - W, 28-22
01/01/11 vs. Alabama

I mean, Western MI, FL Atlantic, Northern CO, Illinois, Minnesota, Purdue, none of those are very good teams (no offense to anyone who may be fans of those teams). Minnesota is 3-9, Western Michigan is 7-6 (and they play a weak schedule), Florida Atlantic is 4-8, and so on. Honestly, to me that looks like a weaker schedule than Auburn’s. Those teams that we played that had shitty records this year are still perennially strong football teams, regardless of their record. Even if Georgia was 6-6 this year, you still can never assume you will beat them. They are a great football program. And so is almost every other team in the SEC, other than Vandy and UK. So, even though I’m biased, the numbers tell the story.

#91

Well, I was mostly emphasizing the NON-conference part of it. There’s no doubt that playing in one of the bigger conferences is tougher than the WAC or something. It just that playing in the SEC seems to get FAR more hype than playing in the Big-10 and such. You can ramp up Georgia as a tough opponent but we can say the same about Illinois or Northwestern or Minnesota who are still usually tough teams to play even if they struggle…not to mention that we’ve added Nebraska in next year. Yet the media hypes the SEC so much that it’s practically become fact.

And hey, I wasn’t saying Michigan State’s schedule was all that or was ripping on Auburn’s schedule. I especially hate this practice of playing Division-II schools like we did with Northern Colorado or you playing Chattanooga. These wins should NOT count to your overall record…there’s really not enough creampuffs in Division-I that teams can play? It’s pathetic.

Oh well…in the end, I just wish teams would play more difficult schedules. I obviously see why teams do it but it’s sad. But at the same time, to claim that teams like Boise or TCU just aren’t as good as teams that play in bigger conferences is just flawed. We’ve seen these teams play and beat teams from bigger conferences. Again, I’m not saying they should get in…Auburn and Oregon deserve a shot at the Fake Title as much as everyone. But TCU and Boise deserve a shot as well and with this shit system we have, it’ll never happen.

#92

hopefully Urban Meyer stays “retired” this year. :unamused:

#93

Yeah, how about them Bowl games!???

Oh wait…they’ve all sucked so far…

#94

:clap: RichRod FIRED!!! :clap:

#95

How funny that it was reported yesterday but David Brandon couldn’t stand the leak so he had to deny it for another day. I don’t get why folks do that. Here’s to Harbaugh enjoying his time as the Niners coach. Bring on Brady Hoke. It must be sad that now that Rich Rod blew up in their faces, it’s impossible for UofM to consider anyone who didn’t play for or coach UofM in the past or the boosters will flip out…kind of limits your choices there.

Anyway, pretty disasterous for the Big Ten in the bowls but good for OSU to come through last night…pretty dramatic ending with the blocked punt and the INT to end it. I had a feeling that MSU wouldn’t beat Bama but it would have been nice had we not been 100% thoroughly destroyed and demolished by Alabama. Ouch. My brother was at that game so that must have been rough.

As for TCU, I told you doubters…they’re one of the best defenses in the country. Wisconsin ran well in the 1st quarter and was basically shut down for the rest of the game. I don’t even care if Wisconsin was Big Ten…I was pulling for TCU. I can’t wait until TCU plays against Auburn in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

By the way, I’m calling them “The BIG” from now on because their stupid logo is supposed to be a combination of the word “Big” and the number 10 but it just looks like BIG to me. And yes, “Leaders and Legends” is an absolutely pretentious and stupid way to name your divisions. Can’t they just use East and West and be happy with that. Yes, they aren’t split up that way but there aren’t 10 teams in the division either and that doesn’t bother them. And how silly that UofM that calls themselves the “Leaders and Best” isn’t in the leaders division. Go figure.

#96

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

You guys are screwed. Good luck starting all over again Baby Blue! :wave:

Signed,

P.S. - Can’t wait to kick the crap out of you at the first night game ever at Michigan next year.

P.P.S. ~ The SEC can suck it! :mrgreen:

#97

Yikes. State of Michigan really dropped the ball this year. They just sucked. Fortunately OSU pulled one out somehow. Even though no one in the Big Ten likes OSU (or Michigan for that matter), thank goodness they won. But hey my Fighting Illini looked real good in an insignificant game, but at least they won.

#98

^Actually, I like OSU since they bitchslap Michigan every year…cracks me up every time. Heck, they’re the only ones making the Big Ten look good and even they usually get pounded by SEC teams.

And can Gamecat really be talking smack after the Charlie Weis hire? He was practically the same as Rich Rod anyway. But, yeah UofM’s kind screwed out of getting a new coach since they seem stuck with hiring a “Michigan Man”. There’s Les Miles rumors but I doubt the school’s interested. Only thing left is Brady Hoke who may or may not be decent.

#99

:eh:

I don’t care about the University of Florida & Charlie…or do you mean 5 years ago @ ND?

Auburn vs. Oregon tonight

Go Ducks!

#100

:smiley: I am a happy man. Never thought I would see this day. Unreal!

Cam Newton is the fucking man, and even though I know he’s going to the NFL next year, he was so awesome for us. This has been a really exciting year to be an Auburn fan. First Championship since '57!

War Damn EAGLE!

#101

So thanks to all the greedy fucking advertising during the 35+ minute halftime I went to bed. Even though it was a close game and the end of the first half was exciting I lost interest because of all the fucking commercials. It’s hard to justify staying up that late when you have to get up at 5:30am for your daily 1:15 commute to watch commercials for the same 5 products over and over again. Sounds like I missed a great second half…fuck you Tostitos.

#102

I mean 5 year ago when Charlie was hired and the years of disaster that followed. By “UofM is screwed” do you mean that Rich Rod has ruined the program to the point where it’s irreparable…because outside of the first year with Willingham’s players, Charlie Weis was about as bad as Rich Rod except he had some nice cupcakes on his schedule so it didn’t seem quite as bad. In terms of recruiting, I’d say both ND and UofM have taken a hit among the high-schoolers these days…it’s been years since they’ve seen either team be competitive. (Though ND rebounded nicely with the Brian Kelly hire…that team got better as the year went along). Michigan’s stuck with this “Michigan man” crap.

Pretty sweet game last night…

And Doug…do you like NFL games? Because they have maybe ten times the advertising that the average college game does…even last night’s game couldn’t have been any worse than the usual NFL game. Nothing better than the “timeout, commercial, Touchdown, commercial, kickoff, commercial” that we get from the pros on a daily basis. And besides, Steven Seagal was on AMC…why not flip to that on commercials!!? It’s Seagal for God’s sake! I agree, the game could have started sooner but 8:30 isn’t terrible.

Overall, I thought Oregon messed up a bit with the play-calling. I don’t mind the fake punts or going for it on 4th down because that’s what they do and it works for them and ballsy coaches usually come out ahead. Auburn’s done their share of that stuff this year too. It’s just the playcalling. They seemed intent on running up the middle when it just wasn’t working and didn’t mix in a good run/pass combo until the 4th quarter. Thomas seemed off on his reads where he kept the ball when he should have handed it off and vice-versa and some of the normally smooth plays looked kind of choppy with guys bumping into each other. And what the heck happened to the seven-second-or-less plays for Oregon? Their SECOND drive was the only one where I saw them do the super-hurry-up where it’d only take them 10 seconds between plays (needed to wear out a defense and prevent subsitutions…they even got an illegal substitution penalty on it) and then you barely saw it the rest of the game. And I still don’t get the punt to Auburn with 4-minutes left when they had shown they couldn’t get Cam Newton off the field…they just got bailed out by that fumble…they probably would have never got that ball back otherwise.

On the other hand, Cam was a stud in this game. Made every right decision, kept it when you’re supposed to, passed it when it was needed…you can run an offense better than that. Good for Auburn. It’s a little redemption for 2004…hopefully Tommy Tuberville is smiling somewhere. I can’t wait for the Championship game against TCU…strangely, I can’t find the date and time on ESPN. How weird…

#103

Very good game. glad yer team won. Hopefully It will still count 5 yrs from now :eh: :think: :angel:

#104

Les Miles turned down the job at U of M. Ann Arbor is in chaos. I might submit my resume…

#105

Heh…me too. I need a job. I could at least do no worse than Rich Rod. of course, I’d be fired for purposely sabotaging the games against Michigan State. Bring on Brady Hoke. He’s a MICHIGAN MAN!!!

Auburn is actually quite lucky that the little Newton scandal broke DURING the year. I read an article by Gregg Easterbrook where he pointed out that the Newton and Reggie Bush scandals were basically the same…benefits were possibly received by the parents with maybe or maybe not knowledge by the player. They couldn’t prove that Reggie “knew” about that stuff either but they cracked down on USC.

The difference is that with Auburn’s scandal it was DURING the year…and the NCAA, SEC and the BCS had not been able to 100% cash in on Cam Newton’s success…so they let him play so they could have the big bowl game and make all their money. However, with Reggie Bush, he was already gone for the school and all those involved had already profited from his talents…so they had no problem cracking down.

Soon after Easterbrook wrote this, the Ohio State thing went down and just proved his point. The NCAA and BCS still wanted to make money on OSU in the bowl game so, of course, the NCAA kept them all in the game so they could get the most out of the game…and suspended them next year for a bunch of lame non-conference games that no one but OSU cares about it.

As always, it’s always about the money. So unless some new news on Cam Newton or his Dad come out, the NCAA already made their ruling and Auburn is safe.

(By the way, I love Musberger…he always puts in little jabs and jokes during these games…especially the end when the field goal was “for all the Tostitos”…heh…mockery).

#106

Yeah I do but I have a hard time staying up late to watch MNF games for this reason. Plus over the last few years I’ve gotten less excitement out of college football, I don’t really know why. I love the Spartans and will always watch them but I’m just no longer into any other NCAA games for the most part. ESPECIALLY 'bowl season"…what a load of crap. I wasn’t even going to watch the game but my wife was studying last night in bed early so I turned it on. But when it comes down to it I just have to get up too damn early to justify staying up that late to watch more commercials than football. Even NFL night games unless it’s a good game that I really want to watch.