College Football 2008

unifiedscene

pjsteelerfan wrote:

It does suck about oregon state, it should be USC/PSU. I am not making excuses for UGA though, they were overhyped just like tOSU was. I am tired of hearing how tOSU is so much better with Wells and Pryor. Those too still did not stop USC from scoring. I wish that tOSU or Penn State would play Texas, Oklahoma, or Florida. The game would be like 56-24. or worse. Alabama might be a better game since they don't have an offence as good as those teams. tOSU will get a shot at USC next year in Columbus.

14-14 with the teams trading touchdowns is a hugely different game from the momentum standpoint. Plus, USC's next score was not offensive, it was an interception return because Boeckman was prone to do that. OSU's defense folded because they were on the field almost the entire game as the offense went 3-and-out. Like I said, maybe OSU wouldn't have won, but they could have played with USC and will show it next year. Pryor and Wells would have made a huge difference for the Buckeyes that day. Offensive ineptitude put the OSU defense's exhausted back to the wall. OSU struggled every game without Beanie. They are a far better team now than they were when they played USC. That's a fact.

And the flipside is that the USC defense could not have stopped Pryor/Wells from scoring. Hell, look what that little guy from Oreg St did to the USC defense. You're going to tell me Beanie would not have made it a closer game?

Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida are great teams. I'd add USC to that list. And they probably would all beat the Buckeyes. But that doesn't make OSU a bad team, just not an elite team. And to act like a healthy Wells and confident Pryor make no difference is absurd.

pjsteelerfan

unifiedscene wrote:

14-14 with the teams trading touchdowns is a hugely different game from the momentum standpoint. Plus, USC's next score was not offensive, it was an interception return because Boeckman was prone to do that. OSU's defense folded because they were on the field almost the entire game as the offense went 3-and-out. Like I said, maybe OSU wouldn't have won, but they could have played with USC and will show it next year. Pryor and Wells would have made a huge difference for the Buckeyes that day. Offensive ineptitude put the OSU defense's exhausted back to the wall. OSU struggled every game without Beanie. They are a far better team now than they were when they played USC. That's a fact.

Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida are great teams. I'd add USC to that list. And they probably would all beat the Buckeyes. But that doesn't make OSU a bad team, just not an elite team. And to act like a healthy Wells and confident Pryor make no difference is absurd.

I am not saying that OSU is a bad team, they are very good and would beat a lot of teams in the country. And saying that OSU would have scored and tied is a big assumption, but every OSU fan I know acts like Pryor and Wells make OSU an elite team right now, and it does not. And Boeckman did pretty good for you last year other than when you played a superior LSU team in the title game. They were still ranked that high when everyone thought he was the starter before the season. And when Pryor was in the game, once USC figured him out, he did nothing. He is going to get better, he is a freshman. USC is a better team now as well. Just because OSU is better now does not mean they are elite.I think OSU is better with both of them playing, I never said that they were not, and that does make a difference. But once again, neither plays defense and while I think OSU would score some, I can't see them stopping one of the elite schools. Bradford, Tebow, McCoy would carve their defense apart.

unifiedscene

pjsteelerfan wrote:

I am not saying that OSU is a bad team, they are very good and would beat a lot of teams in the country. And saying that OSU would have scored and tied is a big assumption, but every OSU fan I know acts like Pryor and Wells make OSU an elite team right now, and it does not. And Boeckman did pretty good for you last year other than when you played a superior LSU team in the title game. They were still ranked that high when everyone thought he was the starter before the season. And when Pryor was in the game, once USC figured him out, he did nothing. He is going to get better, he is a freshman. USC is a better team now as well. Just because OSU is better now does not mean they are elite.I think OSU is better with both of them playing, I never said that they were not, and that does make a difference. But once again, neither plays defense and while I think OSU would score some, I can't see them stopping one of the elite schools. Bradford, Tebow, McCoy would carve their defense apart.

I don't know if I'd agree with that. OSU's defense has come a long way since then. They're certainly better than any Big 12 defense. That said, probably still not good enough to stop a Big 12 pass attack. But who knows?

As to Boeckman, he was never great. He was fine last season against a weak Big Ten that couldn't pressure him, but he came up short against Illinois, LSU and USC. If you put any kind of pressure on him, he folds. Not that he wasn't good, I'm just saying he looked way better than he was because nobody got to him at all last season.

I agree that OSU is not an elite team. They're a good team, but I was relieved to have them out of the title talk early this season. They weren't an elite team last season either, they just landed in the championship because all the elite teams chokes and blew their shot (USC, WVU, Oklahoma). It wasn't their fault.

Pryor got stuffed in the USC game because the whole offense was predictable. They had no credible run threat, so USC knew that when Boeckman took the snap, they were passing, and when Pryor did, they were running. It was also about his second college game ever and he was up against an elite team on the road. It's not his fault that USC stifled them that day.

That said, every week the writers claim the game before was Pryor's coming out party. I don't buy it. Until he completes 20 passes in a game, or even makes 20 attempts, he's still a question mark on the throw. He'll get there, but he's definitely not there yet. He's had some serious lame duck tosses and been lucky they didn't get picked off more often. If he does that in a bowl game, OSU is toast.

pjsteelerfan

unifiedscene wrote:

I don't know if I'd agree with that. OSU's defense has come a long way since then. They're certainly better than any Big 12 defense. That said, probably still not good enough to stop a Big 12 pass attack. But who knows?

As to Boeckman, he was never great. He was fine last season against a weak Big Ten that couldn't pressure him, but he came up short against Illinois, LSU and USC. If you put any kind of pressure on him, he folds. Not that he wasn't good, I'm just saying he looked way better than he was because nobody got to him at all last season.

I agree that OSU is not an elite team. They're a good team, but I was relieved to have them out of the title talk early this season. They weren't an elite team last season either, they just landed in the championship because all the elite teams chokes and blew their shot (USC, WVU, Oklahoma). It wasn't their fault.

Pryor got stuffed in the USC game because the whole offense was predictable. They had no credible run threat, so USC knew that when Boeckman took the snap, they were passing, and when Pryor did, they were running. It was also about his second college game ever and he was up against an elite team on the road. It's not his fault that USC stifled them that day.

That said, every week the writers claim the game before was Pryor's coming out party. I don't buy it. Until he completes 20 passes in a game, or even makes 20 attempts, he's still a question mark on the throw. He'll get there, but he's definitely not there yet. He's had some serious lame duck tosses and been lucky they didn't get picked off more often. If he does that in a bowl game, OSU is toast.

I think the OSU defense is very good, they have 2 top 10 NFL draft picks next spring. I think OSU is a very good team, I hope they get to play Alabama or Georgia in a bowl, or Texas Tech. I just think there is a big gap between the top 5 teams, and everyone else. We'll see how good they are next year, it is unfortunate they have to play in a weak big 10 right now. Until Michigan and Wisconson start getting better, the league is going to suffer.

unifiedscene

pjsteelerfan wrote:

I think the OSU defense is very good, they have 2 top 10 NFL draft picks next spring. I think OSU is a very good team, I hope they get to play Alabama or Georgia in a bowl, or Texas Tech. I just think there is a big gap between the top 5 teams, and everyone else. We'll see how good they are next year, it is unfortunate they have to play in a weak big 10 right now. Until Michigan and Wisconson start getting better, the league is going to suffer.

I don't know that there's that much separation after the top 5. All of those top 5 teams have lost to other teams outside the top 5. I think there are way too many intangibles on a given day, which is what makes college football so exciting. The only team I honestly think looks head and shoulders above the rest is Florida right now... they look like a juggernaut. I have difficulty drawing distinctions in the Big 12... with no defenses it seems like any team that has a quarterback having a good day can beat anyone.

I don't think the Big Ten is all that thin... over the past 5-6 seasons, they've beaten the SEC in bowl games 9-8. I think it's just that OSU posting back to back flops against SEC teams makes the whole conference look bad. I honestly think this has more to do with big game chokes and poor coaching than anything else.

Iowa, Michigan St, and Northwestern are all very good teams this year. Wisconsin collapsed and Michigan is in transition. PSU and OSU are good teams. Top to bottom, the Big Ten is stronger than the PAC-10, Big East, or the ACC. They may have a few perennially weak teams, like Indiana and Purdue, but overall, the conference seems to be doing just fine. I truly place the blame at Ohio State's feet... they always have great teams that dominate the conference and then choke on the big stage, so it looks like a weak one-act conference.

roar

college football is dead to me.

pjsteelerfan

unifiedscene wrote:

I don't know that there's that much separation after the top 5. All of those top 5 teams have lost to other teams outside the top 5. I think there are way too many intangibles on a given day, which is what makes college football so exciting. The only team I honestly think looks head and shoulders above the rest is Florida right now... they look like a juggernaut. I have difficulty drawing distinctions in the Big 12... with no defenses it seems like any team that has a quarterback having a good day can beat anyone.

I don't think the Big Ten is all that thin... over the past 5-6 seasons, they've beaten the SEC in bowl games 9-8. I think it's just that OSU posting back to back flops against SEC teams makes the whole conference look bad. I honestly think this has more to do with big game chokes and poor coaching than anything else.

Iowa, Michigan St, and Northwestern are all very good teams this year. Wisconsin collapsed and Michigan is in transition. PSU and OSU are good teams. Top to bottom, the Big Ten is stronger than the PAC-10, Big East, or the ACC. They may have a few perennially weak teams, like Indiana and Purdue, but overall, the conference seems to be doing just fine. I truly place the blame at Ohio State's feet... they always have great teams that dominate the conference and then choke on the big stage, so it looks like a weak one-act conference.

The only teams texas, oklahoma, texas tech, and oklahoma state lost to are each other. Missuri only lost in confernce as well. We'll see once the bowls start. Big game chocking and coaching are all of it. All these top programs have the same talent, or around the same. Some have a little more than others. I don't know if I would say Iowa, Michigan satte, or northwestern are "very good" but we will see.

NewDamage

The Gators travel to Ron Zook Field at Joak Campbell Stadium this weekend to try and make it five straight over the Criminoles, and their third straight victory in Tallahassee.

Remember when this use to be one of the biggest games of the year, nationally? The 'Noles are much improved and I think are headed in the right direction, but Gator dominance should continue...

Its great to be a Florida Gator...

Wobbie

"Criminoles" nice.

eyedclaar

imalive wrote:

"Criminoles" nice.

Damn you, Utah!

NewDamage

eyedclaar wrote:

Damn you, Utah!

I'm surprised there hasn't been much mention of Kyle Whittingham as a possibility for some of these coaching vacancies. The program is right back where it was when Urban left, and given Meyer's success at Florida I would think Kyle Whittingham would be a hot topic in discussions. Offensively its wide open at Utah still, even though Whittingham's background is defense.

At least, I haven't heard any sports analysts say much.

petrocs

say it with me now...

R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*

Lets go Knights!

NewDamage

petrocs wrote:

say it with me now...

R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*
R-U *clap clap*

Lets go Knights!

That team's riding high right now for sure. After losing their first 3 right? Funny how they handed USF their ass a couple weeks ago too

NewDamage

Sure to cause controversy as usual, Oklahoma jumps Texas in the BCS and will play Missouri for the conference title next weekend.

The decision came down to the 5th tie-breaker, which is BCS position.

This will of course cause Longhorn fans to ask why OU gets the nod when Texas bested them head-to-head. Its a mess indeed. Should OU win, that pretty much guarantees them a spot in the title game.

Oh well, Gators 45 FSU 15!

Bring on the 'Tide!

unifiedscene

NewDamage wrote:

Sure to cause controversy as usual, Oklahoma jumps Texas in the BCS and will play Missouri for the conference title next weekend.

The decision came down to the 5th tie-breaker, which is BCS position.

This will of course cause Longhorn fans to ask why OU gets the nod when Texas bested them head-to-head. Its a mess indeed. Should OU win, that pretty much guarantees them a spot in the title game.

Oh well, Gators 45 FSU 15!

Bring on the 'Tide!

Given Oklahoma's performance in Big 12 championships and BCS bowls historically... the interesting question is who goes if they lose to Mizzou? Is it back to Texas? Remember, Mizzou losing that game last year (as well as losses by USC and WVU) knocked them out of the title game and put Ohio State back in the mix.

NewDamage

unifiedscene wrote:

Given Oklahoma's performance in Big 12 championships and BCS bowls historically... the interesting question is who goes if they lose to Mizzou? Is it back to Texas? Remember, Mizzou losing that game last year (as well as losses by USC and WVU) knocked them out of the title game and put Ohio State back in the mix.

I would say if OU loses the Big 12 championship, we're looking at either Texas or USC. Right now So. Cal is two spots behind Texas. But the question is, do you send a Texas team who didn't even win their conference? Didn't look good for So. Cal but with Oregon St. losing, as long as they take care of business against UCLA I don't see how they don't go to the title game.

unifiedscene

NewDamage wrote:

I would say if OU loses the Big 12 championship, we're looking at either Texas or USC. Right now So. Cal is two spots behind Texas. But the question is, do you send a Texas team who didn't even win their conference? Didn't look good for So. Cal but with Oregon St. losing, as long as they take care of business against UCLA I don't see how they don't go to the title game.

I think there's a decent argument that Texas was robbed of its conference title by not being allowed to play for it despite beating the team that went head-to-head. I think Oklahoma got into the title game the same way the year they got dismantled by USC.

NewDamage

unifiedscene wrote:

I think there's a decent argument that Texas was robbed of its conference title by not being allowed to play for it despite beating the team that went head-to-head. I think Oklahoma got into the title game the same way the year they got dismantled by USC.

All three teams in the Big 12 south have a legitimate argument:
Texas defeated Oklahoma
Texas Tech defeated Texas
Oklahoma destroyed Texas Tech

I can see the argument between Texas and Oklahoma carrying the most weight. While Texas won head-to-head, Oklahoma absolutely annihilated the team that defeated the Longhorns. And TT was ranked 2nd in the nation, and were defeated by 45 points.

There is no correct answer to this. And while I agree Texas might have been robbed of a chance to play for their conference title, I don't agree with sending a team who didn't win their conference championship to play for a national championship whatever the circumstances are (should Mizzou defeat Oklahoma of course).

NewDamage

unifiedscene wrote:

I think Oklahoma got into the title game the same way the year they got dismantled by USC.

Oklahoma was undefeated Big 12 champs going in to that game. I think Stoops has only lost one Big 12 title game. Its his record in bowls (4-5) that leaves something to be desired.

unifiedscene

NewDamage wrote:

Oklahoma was undefeated Big 12 champs going in to that game. I think Stoops has only lost one Big 12 title game. Its his record in bowls (4-5) that leaves something to be desired.

I must be thinking of another team then. In any case, in spirit I agree that it doesn't make much sense for someone to play in the title without winning their conference. In that sense, I would say USC and Penn State would have the best argument to go against the SEC champ. But I'm guessing nobody wants the latter to happen