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SI.com college football writer Stewart Mandel shares his commentary, analysis and random tidbits on the latest developments around the country.9/16/2007 02:22:00 PM Five Things We Learned This Weekend
Percy Harvin and Florida showed they are capable of repeating as champions.AP
1) That Florida will not give up its crown without a fight. My take on the Gators coming into the season was that they’d still be very good, but lost too many key defensive players to contend for a second straight title. But you don't necessarily need a dominant defense when you've got an offense like this one. Dear lord. QB Tim Tebow exceeded even the most delusional expectations in his first SEC start, torching Tennessee for 360 total yards, and Percy Harvin turned in his most electrifying night yet (195 rushing/receiving yards). Meanwhile, Florida’s defense held the Vols below 300 yards in an even bigger rout (59-20) than the ones Steve Spurrier used to lay on his home-state team.
Admittedly, Tennessee’s defense is subpar this year -– but it’s not chopped liver, either. There’s only one other SEC team that has the overall speed to shut down the Tebow/Harvin show, and that’s LSU. The Tigers still look like the more complete team to me, and will be favored when the teams meet in Baton Rouge on Oct. 6. But even if LSU wins that game, Florida could still work its way into a December rematch in Atlanta -- and by then, all bets are off.
2) That Nebraska’s still got a long ways to go. For the most part, my first trip to Lincoln in six years was highly enjoyable, but it also left me a tad bit sad. After a weekend of talking to Huskers fans (especially "DarthHusker" and the others who came out for my book signing Saturday morning) and listening to them on sports radio, it’s amazing how Bill Callahan has managed to singlehandedly lower the expectations of one of the proudest fan bases in the country. Hardly a single one believed Nebraska could upset USC, with many just hoping the home team would keep it close. Obviously, that didn’t happen. And while I’ve gone on record numerous times as to how impractical it is for a college program to run a full-blown, NFL West Coast offense, that wasn’t the Huskers’ problem Saturday night. The problem was the Trojans walked on to their home field and absolutely manhandled their defense. It was reminiscent of Nebraska’s infamous 62-36 loss to Colorado in 2001, with the obvious caveat that No. 1 USC was a more formidable opponent.
On the tunnel from the visitor’s locker room to the playing field at Memorial Stadium, one walks over "stars" (like the Hollywood Walk of Fame) commemorating the Huskers’ five national titles. Those glory years are starting to become more and more of a distant memory -- just as the possibility of a sixth under Callahan now seems ever-more distant.
3) That Darren McFadden remains very much the Heisman front-runner. It’s long been assumed that the biggest thing working against McFadden’s candidacy was the fact that his team might not be all that great this season. Well, the Razorbacks lost their first game Saturday night against Alabama -- and McFadden came out of it looking more impressive than ever. The junior running back put his team on his back and delivered a warrior-like effort (33 carries, 195 yards, two touchdowns) to rally from two 21-point deficits and eventually take the lead before losing on John Parker Wilson’s last-second touchdown pass. (Wilson, by the way, should begin entering every discussion of the nation’s top quarterbacks.)
Arkansas may have lost the game, but if any Heisman voter docks McFadden because of it, they ought to have their ballot revoked.
4) That Noel Devine is all that. It’s always interesting how some freshmen take longer than others to adjust to college. Among the nation’s elite recruits last February, USC signee Joe McKnight was the one expected to have the most immediate impact. Trojans practice observers are convinced McKnight will eventually deliver on his Reggie Bush-like promise, but so far he’s off to a rough start, injuring a knee ligament in preseason camp and mostly struggling in his limited on-field appearances so far. (Saturday night against Nebraska he had one carry for 5 yards and dropped an easy catch.) Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said afterward McKnight’s freshman season hasn’t been all that different so far from Bush’s, who didn’t truly begin making an impact until later in the year. “We need to do a better job of giving him more easy opportunities,” said Sarksian.
West Virginia’s Devine, on the other hand, has wasted no time making his presence felt. After using him sparingly in the Mountaineers’ first two games, coach Rich Rodriguez unleashed the former YouTube sensation in Thursday night’s nationally televised 31-14 win over Maryland, and while the Terps’ defense did an admirable job against WVU stars Pat White and Steve Slaton (holding them to a combined 159 yards on 37 attempts), they had no answer for the electrifying freshman Devine, who burst for runs of 76 and 31 yards and finished with 136 yards on just five carries. Devine’s recruiting stock slipped last winter because so many schools backed off him due to his academic and character concerns. I have not the foggiest idea how he’s doing in Morgantown academically and socially; football-wise, however, he’s already well ahead of the curve.
5) That some records apparently aren’t meant to be broken. Thanks to my alma mater’s distinguished journalism school, there are a boatload of Northwestern grads in the sportswriting profession, and it’s always bugged me how the ones who attended the school in an earlier era treat the NCAA-record 34-game losing streak they witnessed from 1979-82 with much the same fondness as a Nebraska grad who happened to attend the school from 1994 to ’97. Shouldn’t you be a little more embarrassed by that dubious distinction, Wildcats fans? Wouldn’t you want someone else to come along and break it as soon as humanly possible? Have a little pride, man.
Well -- maybe it’s just in the cards for Northwestern. Duke entered Saturday night’s game in Evanston sporting an increasingly unbearable 22-game losing streak (the last win coming against VMI nearly two years ago) and facing a schedule that seemed to hold all the makings of another oh-fer, which would have left the Blue Devils at a dangerously close 32 straight by the end of the year. So wouldn’t you know it, the Wildcats themselves wound up being the ones to end the misery for Ted Roof’s team, falling 20-14 when Wildcats QB C.J. Bacher failed to complete four straight passes from inside the Duke 7 at the end of the game. His Duke counterpart, Thaddeus Lewis, enjoyed a fabulous game, going 19-for-23 for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
So Northwestern’s record stays in tact for the foreseeable future, and, as recent SI.com intern and current Duke senior Greg Beaton points out, there’s at least one more winnable game on the Blue Devils’ schedule: They visit 0-3 Notre Dame on Nov. 17.posted by Stewart Mandel | View comments |Comments:
Stewart is absolutely correct. Bill Callahan may be a top-notch recruiter, but he is a bust in utilizing that talent. And Kevin Cosgrove's "defense" was an embarassment. I was proud of how the Huskers did not toss it in late in the game, and showed gumption in using "garbage time" to fine-tune the team for the week's to come, but my Lord, those USC players made ours look like high schoolers on defense. Even so, if we keep improving, we have a 50/50 chance of beating the highly over-rated Texas Longhorns in October.I don't understand all this hoopla about how Bill Callahan has lowered the expectations for the fan base. Expectations have been low in Lincoln for 10 years now. Yes, Frank Solich did go 58-16 but under him Nebraska was also pitiful against Top 10 (and ranked teams nonetheless), horrible on the road, and won the Big XII North title once in 6 years. He did win 10 games in 2003 but 3 of the teams, Penn State, Iowa State, and Colorado, all had losing records whereas the year before each of those teams were competing for conference titles. Nebraska finished THIRD in the North that year. Please don't even call our offense prior to Bill Callahan's arrival the option, the option died at Nebraska in 1997. Solich only knew how to run the single wing and it's apparent that's all he knows based on the wide open offense we're seeing at Ohio.
Let's not forget even the great Tom Osborne didn't beat Oklahoma until 5 years after he took over as head coach. In the 70's, Nebraska lost several times against Missouri and Iowa State, and could never seem to get past the Sooners, and this was fresh coming off of two straight national championships. Osborne also lost 9 straight bowl games, often by large margins, and had a losing record against Top 10 opponents as well.
Mandel, you're totally off base if you think Bill Callahan is going anywhere. People point to how Pete Carroll turned around USC in 2 years but his quarterback was Carson Palmer and a host of NFL caliber players on both sides of the ball. Callahan had...Joe Dailey, who isn't even a QB anymore. Name another traditional powerhouse school that is in as poor of a recruiting area as Nebraska is. People don't realize just how pitiful Nebraska became under Solich and how far recruiting had dropped. When you have 1 stars and walkons as starters, there might be a little bit of a problem, don't you think?
I'll agree with you that Nebraska does have a ways to go before they can go toe to toe with the USC's and LSU's but it's ridiculous to think that progress isn't being made. Just remember that 4 years ago the Nebraska fanbase thought Joe Dailey was the savior of the NU program. Nebraska fans haven't felt good about our chances against the good times for quite some time now.I wonder if there's a secret clause in Weis's contract that states any loss to a service academy or Duke is grounds for immediate termination without a buyout.As I was sitting in the Swamp watching Tebow shred the Volunteer defense, I began to wonder if this Gators team is better than last year's team. The offense is definitely upgraded with Tebow and endless weapons (Caldwell didn't even play). The defense really stepped up in this game. Tennessee only scored 1 offensive touchdown and could do nothing on the ground. Ainge did rack up a lot of receiving yards, but even last year the Gators played with a 'bend don't break' mentality.
LSU looks like the major obstacle right now. I think the Gators could score enough points to beat LSU. LSU has looked very impressive on defense, but they played 3 bad offenses. Miss St., Vtech and Middle Tennessee are ranked 106, 102, and 105 (of 119) in total offense.If you are looking for impact freshman, check out Cal's Jahvid Best. He's turned in some great runs (the one against Colorado St was just plain silly) and looks dangerous every time he touches the ball. Everyone will be talking about this guy over the next couple of years.I realize we're still in the 2007 season, and that basically the only thing standing between the Gators and a title defense is LSU.. but... consider this: This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Gators... anyone want to look forward to 2008? And can we now start mentioning Percy Harvin along with the word "Heisman"? He's obviously the best all-around player in college football today.....That was some exciting football.
Alabama has more than just a great quarterback. The offensive line is much improved in pass protection. D.J. Hall had how many yards receiving?
Defensive-wise, they were on fire at the beginning and that stop at the end was cruicial to winning the game. What do coaches say? Start and End strong. I think they did that.
Besides the ending goofs (fumbled snap, and late interception - causing a short field for McFadden), they looked very good on both ends of the ball.
McFadden gets my Heisman vote just to be able to manage 195 yards against Bama.We have seen enough to know that Stew is right about the SEC being #1. A mid-level SEC team beat one of the best of the Big East. In the meantime the Big Ten, Big East, Pac Ten and Big 12 each suffered three non-conference losses. Florida and LSU, assuming they continue as they are, must beat the other twice to go undefeated. West Virginia, with its much softer schedule, has the best chance to face USC.How do you have a conversation about Joe McKnight, Noel Devine and how quick a spectacular freshman running back can make a real impact and not mention Cal's Jahvid Best? How?
Noel Devine has 256 yards on 17 carries for a 15.1 yard-per-carry average. Jahvid Best has 146 yards on 9 carries for a 16.2 yard-per-carry average.
Also, outside of the numbers, Best did something pretty amazing on the national stage against Tennessee. On one play he got hit HARD, flat-backed, by Tennessee's 270 pound senior DE... it was one of the hardest hits delivered that day (which was a day of many hard hits going both ways).
Once the big DE got off of him, Best stood up, shook it off, and ran for an amazing 34-yard scamper on the very next play. That was a statement: "Yeah, you can drill me into the ground if you get a hold of me, but look what I can do!"
That's heart - that's an intangible that cannot be coached. Nobody ever doubted Jahvid's speed (he broke the 100 meter California state record in high school with a 10.31), but his toughness (like that of any small back) was questioned. It's not questioned any more.
All I'm saying is that any discussion of phenomenal freshman running backs that doesn't include the name Jahvid Best is not a complete discussion.As a fan of Nebraska for over 25 years it has been a steady decline since Solich was at the leadership. I knew the first year when he took over after Tom the play calling was way off compared to Dr Tom's. As I watch Red play highly rated other big 12 teams as well as others and watch Nebraska struggle to compete, I realize we do not have the high caliber players the Doctor was able to bring here to Cornland. When we hired Bill I knew right away in a gut feeling we hired him for a fast fix and I really felt sick of my stomach when I heard he asked to an extention and we gave it to him. Bill is a good coach but I feel he is better as an Off coach than anything else. Fans as one of the die hards Me, I hope we don't give him anymore than 3 more years for Bill is not the coach for the Big Red Machine. We just seen another glimps of the Colorado came of 2001 and we will be exposed to more punishment over the next few games until we step up and make major changes. The offense is fine the Defense needs to step up or lose the Black shirts. They looked as if they were wearing black skirts. RenoCharles
"A mid-level SEC team beat one of the best of the Big East."
How then do you account for USF beating Auburn? And what game are you talking about that backs your comment? just wonderingHuskerjim, you are not a die hard fan because if you were you wouldn't be moaning and complaining like those other clueless "Husker fans" that filed out of Memorial Stadium last night. Most knowledgeable fans in America? Even as a Husker fan myself, that is one of the most misguided labels in all of college football. Most Husker fans don't know jack about football and are living in the past, where Tom Osborne always came out on top. That was rarely the case against good teams. For four years we were on top, meaning for the other 21 years we beat the average to mediocre teams, put up a good fight for a quarter or two against the good teams, and got blown out by the elite teams. Do you remember the bowl games against Miami, Florida State and Georgia Tech? How about that wonderful show against Washington in 1991? What was our record against OU?
Osborne was 49-40 against ranked opponents (55%). He was 16-33 against top ten teams (33%). He only suffered one loss to a team with a losing record (Iowa State 1992). If one examines Osborne's record from 1973-1992, his numbers look far worse. During this period he was 31-37 against ranked opponents (46%), but more importantly, he was a pathetic 7-30 against top ten ranked teams (19%). From 1988-1992 we faced 9 top ten opponents and lost to all of them.
For all the criticism you bring on Bill Callahan, it wasn't the offense that lost the game last night. The defense played poorly, but it was the third game of the season with some new guys. Bowman is playing in his third game since a devastating knee injury. Give the team time to gel before you get all huffy puffy like those clueless punks that call into the Big Show 590 and make Husker Nation look even dumber than it already is.Ben, that would be Kentucky's thrilling victory over supposedly number 9 Louisville. Just another reason why rankings shouldn't come out till after Week 3 at least.
And in light of Auburn's loss to Mississippi State, that USF victory looks a lot less impressive. This is not going to be a good year for Auburn.As a die hard Gator fan and sec fan, let me make a couple of things clear....I am not an SEC or Gator Homer!! That said, The SEC is one of the best conferences in America, but you could also make that argument for the Pac-10...I am not sure any other conference comes close yet this year. And can we just say that the Gators are much better so far than expected?? I was thinking 9 or 10 wins this year and a post New Yeas Bowl were about as far as this team would go, but boy oh boy I amy have been wrong. The only team that should be able to beat Florida at this point is LSU and if they do in 3 weeks my money is on Meyer making the adjustments and schemes to beat them the second time around in the SECCG, he is too good of a coach to get beat twice in the same year by the same opponent.
Say what you will through three games, but Tenn. dropped 31 on a top 10 team in Cal and was in that game until late. Georgia gets blasted by Ok. State last week and that supposed weak Troy team the gators played blasts Ok. State...so much for only facing one team to date. Tebow is the real deal, and I think one loss to LSU this year will be the only blemish for the Gators...heres hoping that comes in a few weeks and then it's revenge time in Atlanta!!!Meanwhile, lurking out there in the shadows, from a conference with only 3 top 10 teams (yes, that big ugly slow Big 10) is a team much like the 2002 team. They have won 22 of their past 23 and are getting better each week. Fast smart defense,improving offense with a hard hitting power back, a set of smart fast wideouts, getting no respect due to one poorly executed game. Everyone wants them to go away, but they just will not leave the scene. Thats right folks, The Ohio State Buckeyes are still very much a part of the landscape. See you in New Orleans!Ben: You may not have seen the Louisville/Kentucky score. But I agree that calling Kentucky mid-level was confusing as they generally finish next to last in the SEC East. I hope you're not suddenly disavowing Louisville as a top member of the Big East. But I couldn't blame you if you did.Ben: Also check out the Auburn score. This may not be the best season to point to a victory over Auburn as significant.Well, USC sure did make my Blackshirts into the Blackskirts last night. I completely agree that the motion left, off- right tackle run was very much like up the middle against Colorado.
Cosgrove was more concerned about a member of the New England Pats being in the stands to steal signs than he was getting the defense re-adjusted.
I hope they take the black skirts, I mean, shirts away tomorrow and start over on our defense, especially the line. He might consider a 2-5 configuration as our defensive ends are all but worthless and probably should be watching rather than playing.Lsu has the best Defense in the land but as much as I hate to say this but the florida gators could very well destroy that Defense in baton rouge...it is gonna be a great game, a game for the agesI feel I'll be the only one to comment on the 5th topic, but as a recent NU grad and die-hard wildcat fan, I must say listening to that game on the radio (because I can't watch...thanks BTN) all I could hope for was maybe CJ could muster some Brett Basanez and toss in one measly TD pass from the 7....*sigh* I guess we're cardiac cats for a reason, and having some college fb fame (biggest losing streak) is better than being completely unknown...I honestly think that Duke should be in the Top 25. They beat an undefeated Northwestern team which is a high quality program.Please feel free to argue with my opinion.As a huge WVU fan and alumni, I truly believe the Mounties have some athletes (White, Slaton, Devine, Reynaud) that are almost once in a generation for Morgantown. Yet, I watched LSU last week, and USC and Florida this week, and even I hate to admit that I don't think WVU can be mentioned in the same sentence. I think WVU is very good...unfortunately, they picked a bad year to have a mediocre defense. The old Mounty teams relied on D to win a lot of games (especially when Miami, VA Tech and BC were in the Big East) but now we have to rely on outscoring everyone, and it is going to catch up. I'll be happy with a 10-1 year and a date with the ACC champ in the Orange Bowl...not sure I could handle watching them play USC, LSU or FLA in New Orleans. However, give us a date with anyone besides those three, and I think we have a heck of a good chance at a victory. LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!@Steve
I absolutely agree. Nebraska is, ALL TIME, 1-10 against the #1 teams in America. Lets face it, its pretty hard to knock off a well ranked top 10 team (if you catch my drift by well ranked).
USC did nothing special on Saturday night. They simply watched the Wake Forest tape and saw that Cosgrove simply cannot make adjustments. After those first two gashers to start the 1st quarter, Cosgrove should have switched up his schemes. USC wasn't able to pass on Nebraska in any significant fashion all night. The long ball was nonexistent. Nebraska, on the other hand, even BEFORE garbage time, had 300 yards passing. As Mandel pointed out, it was not the offense, but rather the defense that is currently suffering (most notably the line). We knew it would be tough to replace Carriker and Moore, but this is painful.
That said, this season's goals are all still very much intact. Nebraska is still a very good team that lost to the NUMBER ONE team in the land. USC came out with something to prove and they did just that. Nebraska's goal this season, to my understanding, was to play for and win a Big 12 Championship. Just as Michigan could still win the Big 10, Nebraska is still very much a contender for the Big 12 crown. Look at it this way, fellow Husker fans, at least we don't cheer for Notre Dame. Now THAT'S pain.Stewart, you're killing me with your continued misuse of the word "intact". For a Northwestern journalism school graduate, no less. Shame on you! By the way, great book!haha i dont know how i forgot about the kentucky/louisville game. thanks"Ben, that would be Kentucky's thrilling victory over supposedly number 9 Louisville. Just another reason why rankings shouldn't come out till after Week 3 at least.
And in light of Auburn's loss to Mississippi State, that USF victory looks a lot less impressive. This is not going to be a good year for Auburn."
I agree that preseason polls and polls from the first couple weeks are pretty much worthless, but your point about Louisville could apply to Auburn just as well. They were highly ranked to start the season and were still as high as thirteen after Kansas State.
Basically, it took longer to find out that Louisville isn't as good as they were ranked, whereas it was more apparent that Auburn was bad after just two games. You can't point to Auburn USF and say "it doesn't mean anything because Auburn isn't as good as people thought they would be" when the exact same thing could be said about Louisville and Kentucky.Callahan should take the first flight to Baton Rouge and beg and plead at Bo Pelini's doorstep to have him come back to Lincoln. He is a top-notch defensive coordinator and one of the best at maximizing and motivating talent. Patrick Witt is the real deal and will move the offense next year. The defense needs help...Cos' couldn't even contain basic Big 10 offenses when he was at Wisconsin and isn't having any luck at NU either. Bring back Bo!I have to agree with Steve and husker95. Nebraskans need to get out of the past and into the present. It is okay to remember Bob the Great and Dr. Tom and remember how they brought the Huskers into the world of college football. However, those times are just that in the past. It is now time to live in the present and the future. As for Bill it is only year four, so what if he hasn't had time to recreate a dynasty. When you start out with 1 stars and need to get to five stars it takes time. UNfortunately, here is the only real mistake Bill has made (and currently he in my thoughts is one of the top defensive coordinators in the country) was to send Bo Pelini packing. There was a reason that the state of Wisconsin was happy hen Coach Cos left. REmember Bo had a way of clicking with his D and this is where the magic of the BLackshirts has been lost. Bo was probably the only one who could have brought back the MYSTIC of the feared Blackshirts, but now will never know. It is hard to win ballgames when your offense has to play both offense and defense. Anyway give Bill time, let's see what happens and go from there. Maybe will get lucky and the light will click on with the DC. REmember you can win with the best players in the world or with 11 JOe's off the block as long as the man runnin it knows what he doing and can adjust or realign as needed. All the Husker fans out there, it you are a true Huskerbacker then it won't matter what happens with the team and Husker football. Remember there is a reason why numerous people say we are the classiest fans in football, let's not forget why that is. I was born in Huskerland, raised on Husker football, bled Husker red through the good times and bad, and I'll die a Husker fan.Boll Callahan is a bust? What about the great pumpkin in Knoxville a.k.a Phil Fulmer. He has has top 10 recruiting classes 3 of the last 5 years. Talk about a guy who cannot work with talent.
When will Mike Hamilton recognize that Phil cannot produce anymore? Will it be thousands of empty seats?
I think it is time to bring in someone like Steve Spurrier or Bill Cowher to take the wheel. I think they could bring Tennessee back to being a respectable team.I agree with the other Ohio State fan, we are very similar to the 2002 squad. And those of you who still want talk about the past, didn't Oklahoma get blasted in the BCS championship game, and guess what, they're back. Didn't Auburn lose this weekend and weren't they going to challenge for the SEC crown. Or was that Georgia? So SEC fans, don't be hatin', we give it to you that you had and have a great football team, BUT don't count us out yet!!To bucks1967 -- SEC and Gator fans have consistently listened to Buckeye fans whine about how great the BIG10 is, so we took on your challenge last January. The result ... a 41-14 spanking.
With warm-up acts in your difficult schedule like Michigan and Notre Dame, no wonder you thought you were a decent team!As emphatically shown by last year's BCS title game an undefeated Ohio State team would still not be worthy of playing a 2-loss UF, LSU, or USC team.How could you not mention Jahvid Best in the same breath as Devine and McKnight? Best has been just as explosive and productive as behind and you better believe he wouldn't be caught from behind like Noel was this past week. Jahvid is bigger, faster, and a better overall back than Devine and leaving him out of this discussion of the top true freshmen backs is ludicrous.While Steve makes a poignant and statistically abundant argument, this day in age, for better or worse, coaches don't get 20+ years to improve. The expectation to win and win immediately is ever increasing. I agree that the talent has vastly improved over the the days of Solich, and offensively it appears as though Callahan is making strides in the right direction, but defensively it appears as though we've lost ground under Cosgrove compared with the tenure of Bo Pelini. A team coached by Callahan and Pelini and I think we would see some very different outcomes, maybe not National Championships but certainly closer to it than we are now. Having said that i think it prudent to give Callahan a bit more time, he's a good recruiter and I think he's a smart enought coach to know when a personal change is in order, i.e. Cosgrove may have to go.
A side note to Steve, I am a diehard Husker fan, born and raised, but I have no qualms about offering particular criticisms if i feel my team is genuinely deficient in some area. True diehard fans aren't afaird to call out their team when necessary. As in any relationship, you support your love ones no matter what, but you also aren't afaird to call them on their mistakes or voice your concerns if need be. I still support the Huskers through good and bad, but if I feel a change should take place i'll voice that opinion.
Mandel, your articles are much appreciated. I'm serving overseas as a Peace Corp volunteer and as such do not have access to American TV, so your articles do an excellent job of keeping me abreast of the latest in college football. Thanks very much.Callahan will never win a Big 12 Championship, he's simply not good enough at coaching and recruiting. He's in over his head. I became a Nebraska fan while attending Ok State, whom I cheer over any other team, when Dr. Tom was the coach. This guy isn't even in the same area code as Osborne. Wish you luck, Huskers, but you're in about the same boat as the Pickens State Cowboys, back to the drawing board.Braigle - Not that it would have mattered, but OSU did not play ND last year. Beating the Commander-in-Chief's winner was Michigan's sole claim to fame. And Wisconsin played nobody outside the Big Ten. So the OSU victory over a struggling Texas was the measure for greatness. Had OSU played a stronger schedule they might have fared better against Florida.
Scheduling is a key. Washington beat Boise State & Syracuse this year leading many to say they were back. Yet between them Syr & BS have beaten one Top 25 team when they played these past three years. Not much of a resume. After OSU we see that Washington has a ways to go. Conferences need to stress strength of scheduling and the non-BCS schools need to stop whining and follow Utah's example.Braigle & Kelvin - All conferences schedule good and bad out of conference. Schedules are done years in advance so there's no telling how good or bad teams will be. The whole Big Ten vs SEC thing is over the top. I agree that top to bottom the SEC is stronger right now. I see that, but the SEC fanboys have on the blinders and don't admit much about other conferences.
Fact - Big Ten was 2-1 vs SEC in bowls last year.
Fact - Big Ten is 8-6 over the last 5 years in bowl games.
The last 2 years, Florida has beat Big Ten teams in bowls... but the previous 3 games they lost to the Big Ten. Tells me they're good, but not dominant year after year compared to the Big Ten.
2005 Outback - Florida 31 Iowa 24
2003 Outback - Iowa 37 Florida 17
2002 Outback - Michigan 38, Florida 30
1999 Citrus - Michigan State 37, Florida 34Ok, what's wrong with this statement: "Wildcats QB C.J. Bacher failed to complete four straight passes from inside the Duke 7 at the end of the game".
Now, I'll grant that I don't know how well NW was running the ball that day, but 4 straight passes from inside the 7 seems like horrendous play-calling to me. Can't anybody run the ball anymore?I love how you SEC fans can pick and choose which games mean something. On the one hand you point to Auburn losing to USF (at Auburn by the way) as nothing special because Auburn isn't that good this year (they were ranked, even after they lost to USF). On the other hand, the Big East must suck because Kentucky beat Louisville (rivalry game played at Kentucky). Funny, how a middle of the pack SEC team (your words, not mine) can beat a ranked Big East team and it proves the SEC is stronger, but when a middle of the pack Big East team beats a ranked SEC team then you just quickly dismiss it as Auburn is down this year. Remind me again, isn't Auburn one of those teams that the SEC fans like to rattle off when they start talking about how tough the SEC schedule is?Shookjr-
You present a very good arguement, and I can't argue with your logic over the past. I'm not one to say that the SEC is and has always been better than the Big 10 or anyone, these things change around "cyclically" as Mr. Mandel would say. However, after seeing the games so far last year and this year, can you possibly say that OSU (which dominated the Big 10 last year) is so much better this year (or that Florida is so much worse) that a head-to-head matchup today would be any different that the last one?Agreed Kelvin.... So far this year, Florida certainly looks better. But, OSU finally showed something against a good Washington team, at Washington. Their first 2 games were average at best. On any given day, one team can beat the other. Florida and OSU could of played again last year with a different outcome. Turnover here or bad call there.... it could have been different. I watched a number of OSU games last year and they were a better team than everyone saw in the big game. I'm not saying they were better than Florida though.
Something missed in this is that OSU had 6 or 7 weeks between their last game and the BCS game. The Big Ten needs to get another team and start having a championship game every year. I think the extra couple of week sthat OSU had off compared to Florida didn't help any.
I'm a PSU fan and can't stand Ohio State.... and can't believe I'm spending this much time chatting about them.To recap...
1. It's a toss up for the most exciting game played this past week - Arkansas vs Alabama or Kentucky vs Louisville.
2. Florida has a plethora of talent and offensive weapons. They can be beaten on the field of play. It remains to be seen if any team will do so.
3. Tennessee is not ready to play. Ainge's pinkie is a problem. Without throwing deep, the Vols offense cannot win the day. Bigger issues were evident last Saturday. Special teams play is scary. Coverage is giving up big, game-breaking plays. On the other hand, receiving isn't getting the yards. The Vols defense missed too many tackles. This year's Volunteers aren't executing as well as Fulmer-coached teams have in the past.
4. Mississippi State beat Auburn. Last year, they beat Alabama. Croom knows all about football in the state of Alabama. Offer congratulations to Sylvester. Draw any other inferences at your peril.
5. The smack talk between fans of the SEC and the Big 10 is beyond tired. That poor dead horse's bones are dust. Please, quit flailing the ground.chris-Say what you will through three games, but Tenn. dropped 31 on a top 10 team in Cal and was in that game until late. Georgia gets blasted by Ok. State last week and that supposed weak Troy team the gators played blasts Ok. State...so much for only facing one team to date. Tebow is the real deal, and I think one loss to LSU this year will be the only blemish for the Gators...heres hoping that comes in a few weeks and then it's revenge time in Atlanta!!!
Where did you get "Georgia gets blasted by Ok. State" from? UGA stomped Ok. State...While Bo Pelini is a good defensive coordinator, I'd stop short of calling him a magician. LSU had a top defense before he arrived. Check the defensive statistics for the past few years, LSU is always in the Top 5, and that's how they won their NC before Bo came to Baton Rouge--through defense.
His "magic" at Nebraska was largely due to a weak schedule and a previous coordinator that had no clue what he was doing. Against the weak to average teams (Utah State, Michigan State, 2003 Colorado & Iowa State) he did fine. But did you see what happened against Missouri, Kansas State, and Texas that year? Nebraska came within beating the Horns by a field goal the previous year to a 31-7 blowout that would have been much much worse if Mack Brown didn't put in Chance Mock in the middle of the game.
In addition, one of Oklahoma's worst losses in recent memory came against USC in the title game in 2004. Bo Pelini was the co-DC that year and the secondary for that OU team was attrocious. The final result against the Trojans says it all.
Bo Pelini wouldn't come back even if he wanted to. Callahan actually tried to get him to stay but Pelini was pissed that he didn't get the HC gig and left. Based on the number of coaching jobs he has applied for in the past few years, that may not change.
The jury is still out on Cosgrove but he put together a great plan last season against USC, Auburn, and OU. We'll see how it shakes out but he's got a really young team.
And rhymester, Callahan will never win a Big XII title? Funny, last year if Purify doesn't fumble at our own 10 yard line and our defense doesn't have a starting corner that stands 5'9" 165 lbs against one of the nation's top receivers that's a 7-7 ballgame. It's not Callahan's fault that the receivers decide not to hold onto the ball when it's thrown to them.
For another history lesson, Osborne didn't win his first outright Big 8 title until 1981.Ohio State is not as good as Florida this year, however they are getting better. But, remember, in 2002 they went up against what was considered one of best teams ever put together in Miami. Miami came in with a 32 game winning streak, and were favored by 15 over Ohio State. Nobody thought it would be close and Ohio State shocked them. Then last year, Ohio State was the heavy favorite and Florida shocked them. It goes to show you never know what will happen.I think we need to start saying it...Charlie Weis should be fired. Ty Willingham is having a much better season and should have remained the ND coach. Neutered Dame deserves what it gets...Charlie Weis needs to be fired....Ty Willingham would have been sent packing by now. Oh that's right they already got rid of the better coach...Neutered Dame deserves what it gets.As for Nebraska - it wasn't much of surprise to see the program struggle after Osborne's departure. As a fan for 35 years it's been tough to watch but the same thing that happen whenever a very good coach departs after 25 years. Alabama? Still looking post-Bryant; BYU post-Edwards; Penn St. and Florida St. will have the same problem;; Michigan post-Bo. There will be some success but it won't be long-term. Callahan doesn't yet have anything to hang his hat on and I don't think he ever will in Lincoln. His head coaching experience is only two years with he Raiders - one Super Bowl slaughter by the man who built that team, followed by a miserable 4-12 season. Osborne has a huge portion of his career where he lost to better teams, something that is often overlooked, especially the bowl record. The losing streak was 7 games: 4 to FSU, 2 to Miami, 1 to Ga. Tech. Four of the teams won the national title that year. It's a bit disingenuous to site that stretch without looking at the detials. I'm pretty sure Miami and Florida St. in the last 80s and early 90s were the best programs in the country. Osborne finished with a 60-3 record over his last five seasons, three national championships and three 13-0 seasons. But for a missed FG on the final play of the 1994 Orange Bowl vs. Florida St. it would have been four titles and four undefeated seasons over that stretch.I learned that Howard Schnellenberger is alive and well down at Florida Atlantic. They beat a Big 10 team this week (Minnesota) and soph QB Rusty Smith threw for 463 yards and 5 TDS...wow!Saint Ex, I'm sorry to say it but you're just another misinformed Husker fan. Osborne had no head coaching experience prior to taking over the reigns at Nebraska and he did just fine. It only took him 20 years to win his first national championship but lets not go there. Not to mention when Nebraska was winning their titles, they never beat Florida State, Miami was on their way down, Oklahoma was down, USC was down, and Texas was down. Remember that 18-0 blasting by ASU in 1996? What about the sudden collapse against a 5 loss Texas team in the 1996 CCG? Nebraska has also beaten the #1 team in the nation ONCE in its entire history.
You sound like one of those disgruntled "classy" Husker fans who thought everything was peachy before Callahan who thinks firing Solich was a mistake. There's a term for people like you and that's Solichista. Maybe Callahan has nothing to hang his hat on (near wins against Texas, Auburn, and our first Big 12 North title in 7 years but hey let's be the most knowledgable fans in America and ignore the facts) but Callahan also didn't have the luxury of playing with a team that was coming off of a national championship either. Callahan is rebuilding this program from the ground up. We were losing recruiting battles to TEMPLE of all teams just a few years ago. For such a longtime fan I'd hope that you would have kept up but I guess you didn't.
As for Callahan winning the Super Bowl with Gruden's players, that may be but how many times has Tampa Bay been to the playoffs, much less had a winning record to end the season since that Super Bowl win?One more thing, for any of you long time Husker fans, can you guess who these scores were against? 12-13, 10-21, 24-34. That's right, Missouri. In the first few years of Tom Osborne's career, he lost to Missouri (which by the way never finished with a better record than Nebraska in any of those years). Oklahoma State tied Nebraska his first year, and Iowa State beat Nebraska in 1976 by the tune of 37-28. None of those teams finished with a better record than the Huskers either.
Husker fans only remember the last 4-5 years of Osborne's career. He was this close to bolting for Colorado in 1978 because you ungrateful "fans" said he could never win the big one. I suppose some things never change...Two posts up I meant to say getting to the Super Bowl, not winning. My mistake.Reading all these posts about Husker history this Sooner fan who saw his first OU-NU game in 1964 would like to add my 2 cents.
Bottom line, NU is a class program and Callaghan is a guy with no class, throat-slashing and "f*ing hillbillies" I'm amazed that people defend him.
Say what you will about Pelini, I will never forget the fire the team showed under him against MSU in 2003 (Alamo Bowl?). He would have been a better choice. Look at LSU's defense this year.
About time to build a team? Excuse me but Stoops and Meyer won NC's in their 2nd years with Blake and Zook's players. Callaghan and Pederson alway have an excuse, Meyer and Stoops NEVER make excuses.
NU fans need to stop accepting excuses and making excuses - don't give me cr*p about a 5'9" DB or fumble early in the game, it's a 60 minute game with breaks both ways. First OU game Callghan's excuse was the Rufneks shotguns. OU beat Nebraska last year because you couldn't score on our D and you couldn't stop us when we got it going, end of story.
Until Callaghan is gone NU will struggle in the North against Miizzou, CU, KState, and now KU, they won't dominate. IMHO>
I would love to see the other Big Red back in the top 10, but Dan McCarney could do a better job at NU than Callahghan.I'm so FRIGGIN' sick of people on Bama's jock. They will get CREAMED by Georgia and probably lose to Miss St and Auburn, too. Oh yeah, and Tennessee, after getting SHALLACKED by the Gators, are gonna pound Saban into the turf at Bryant-Denny...If Pelini was such a good choice why doesn't he have a head coaching job yet? Dan McCarney? Does he even coach anymore?
Yes, Meyer and Stoops both won NC's in year 2 with the previous regime's players. Both teams are also in recruiting hotbeds where All-American players are in their back yard. NU could have done better in that championship game but you're kidding me if we lost that game due to coaching. Our secondary was horrendous last year and Taylor, bless his heart, cracked against the better teams. However it's ridiculous to say Callahan will never win a Big XII title, especially when the game was close.
While we're talking about class, maybe you should let Stoops know that he should get the rest of his players off of Lexus of Norman's payroll. Oh, and our cheerleaders don't run around with toy guns heckling players while they are warming up. What a classy program you guys have down there. Can I ask one of your players for some free gas while I'm at it?Is it just me or is anyone else concerned about McFadden's Pimped out Ride that he showed on ESPN Sat night during the Alabama game? I mean those were at least 25 inch rims, a DVD player in the car, and new Razorback red paint...Really? How did you pay for that McFadden? Where's hte NCAA on this one?"While we're talking about class, maybe you should let Stoops know that he should get the rest of his players off of Lexus of Norman's payroll. Oh, and our cheerleaders don't run around with toy guns heckling players while they are warming up."
This just shows how little you understand about CFB and events in Norman and that you simply love to hate OU.
FYI, Stoops TURNED IN his players and kicked his starting QB off the team immediately, regardless of the consequences. OU has basically done the NCAA investigation for them. No other coach or program has EVER had the class to do something like that. A coach with no class would have let the players off with a game suspension or two and withheld records like USC's stonewalling on Reggie Bush. Why is Lucky on the team with a CRIMINAL record? How does that compare that with 2 players clocking in and not working and not telling anyone about it, the coach finding out and kicking them off the team and notifying the NCAA ASAP. You are so far off base it's not even funny.
As far as the shotguns, OU has been doing that since the 1920's, the Rufneks tradition goes back further than that. Osborne said it never bothered him and no other coach has EVER complained. Like I said, EXCUSES,and now let me add to that whining and hating, on your part and Callaghan's. Husker fans have always rated at the top with me, but your whiney, spiteful, ignorant post demonstrates where the program is headed unless there's a change.
My post original was intended not to bash NU but was filled with praise for things done well and a hope for NU's future success. The answer I get back is worthy of a troll, so why don't you go ahead and include remarks abouts trailers and incest and call us Chokelahoma like the other trolls?
I KNOW there are Husker fans who agree with everything I said and would not care to be associated with the disrespectful statements you made.
The throat-slashing was real and indefensible, and it shows you where Callaghan's head is, what kind of character he has.
I want NU back in the top 10 and I don't think keeping Callaghan or bashing OU will get you there.Can we please shut up about Noel Devine? Wow, the guy posted two good runs through a hole that an 80 year old grandmother could run through. Oh yea, it was against Maryland's "GREAT" defense right? Why don't look to players who turned in great performances against teams who could actually beat a high school football team (Tebow OR Harvin against Tennessee, McFadden against Alabama, etc.). Lets face it, Devine is fast and he is talented, but all he is is a slightly above average freshman running back that got some playing time against a "practice squad".LSU is #1 in Total Defense, Scoring Defense, and Pass Efficiency Defense.
Furthermore, LSU is #2 in Pass Defense, #3 in Rush Defense and Passes
Intercepted, and #9 in turnovers gained.
Juxtapose these stats with USC which is #41 in Total Defense, #45 Scoring
Defense, and #40 Pass Efficiency Defense. Furthermore, USC is #99 in Pass
Defense, #9 in Rush Defense, #65 in Passes Intercepted, and #95 in turnovers
gained.
LSU's offense is #18 in Total Offense. vs. USC's offense ranked at #33.
These are the stats as per the NCAA web site after week 3.
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?div=4&site=org
USC's defense has given up more total yards in 2 games than LSU's has in THREE
games. What gives with all these polls? Does the Media or Coaches even look at
the NCAA statistics web site?
Uh, please tell us why USC should be ranked #1 and not LSU.I love how LSU gets blasted for playing weak offenses -- anyone ever consider that some of that impotence on offense is due to the great defense LSU plays?
LSU vs Florida, Part I on Oct. 6th will be the game of the regular season. Then LSU vs. Florida, Part II on Dec. 1st will be the game of the "championship game" season.shookjer_gopsu and Jason:
The SEC and the Big 10 have met in 52 bowls. The SEC has won 33 times and the Big 10 has won19.
Here is a little information for everyone. The following is how many top 25 teams these 6 conferences played:
SEC = 55
Big 12 = 47
ACC = 46
PAC 10 = 40
Big 10 = 38
Big East = 26
Over the last 75 years the SEC has the higher winning percentage against your conference and have beaten you in more bowl games. the past 75 years. SEC has overall strength of schedule raking from ESPN an SI, they have the best winning percentage and won the most bowl games and have the best out of conference record and winning percentage!
Here is a little information for you!
Top ten by total number of bowl games played
# University Bowl Games
1 Alabama 54
1 Ole Miss 54
3 Tennessee 46
3 Texas 46
5 USC 45
6 Nebraska 44
7 Georgia 41
8 Oklahoma 40
9 Penn St 39
10 Michigan 38
10 LSU 38
10 Ohio State 38
Top ten by total number of bowl wins
# University Bowl Victories
1 Alabama 30
1 Ole Miss 30
3 USC 29
4 Penn St 25
5 Tennessee 24
5 Oklahoma 24
7 Texas 23
8 Georgia Tech22
8 Georgia 22
8 Nebraska 22
Overall the SEC has played in 340 bowl games and the Big 10 has played in 198. The SEC has won 197 and the Big 10 has won 93.
Don't forget Ga. Tech was in the SEC from 1932 until 1964. Penn State has only been playing the Big 10 Conference Schedule since around 1994.
8 (9) Current Teams from the SEC have winning bowl records. They are :
Alabama
Ole Ms
Ms State
Auburn
LSU
Ga
Kentucky
Tennessee
South Carolina = 4 - 1 (since joing the SEC)
If you count former SEC schools that played at least 32 or more years in the SEC then you would have to add the following:
Ga Tech = 10 - 3 (while in SEC)
Tulane = 2 - 1 (while in SEC)Here is a little information for The following is how many top 25 teams these 6 conferences played in 2006:
SEC = 55
Big 12 = 47
ACC = 46
PAC 10 = 40
Big 10 = 38
Big East = 26LSU 1
OU 2
UF or USC 3
All 4 teams have potent offenses
Bottom line Reason = Team defense
USC did NOT take out all of their starters, just some of them. USC got some lucky breaks to take the score up to 41. An NU's comeback was not against the 4th string.
Tennessee is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get, that takes some of the shine off their win but not of Tebow.
USC lovers may not like it hearing it, but LSU has been the best team on the field so far. And LSU won the NC in 2003 to boot. And I HATE LSU.The Big 10 this season hsa been beaten by Bowling Green, Appalachian State, Duke, Fla. Atlantic, Iowa State,
The Big 10 squeaked by Miami of Ohio, UNLV, Nevada, Western Michigan and struggled with "The Citadel", Bullalo, Bowling Green,Akron and Northern Illinois. This sounds like a power conference to me!The Big 10 this season haa been beaten by Bowling Green, Appalachian State, Duke, Fla. Atlantic and Iowa State
The Big 10 squeaked by Miami of Ohio, UNLV, Nevada, Western Michigan and struggled with "The Citadel", Buffalo, Bowling Green, Akron and Northern Illinois. This sounds like a power conference to me!Starman - I didn't check what you listed, but I'll believe it. Personally, I don't care much about the 75 year history. I brought last year and the past 5 because they're fairly relevant to football today. I'm not bragging about all the Big Ten's undefeated seasons and national championships.
My bottom line statement is that the SEC isn't the end all be all of college football. They're not undefeated all the time and they get beat by other teams from other conferences. When one of them loses (a la Auburn) we hear they're having a down year. How many people have talked about Ohio State beating Texas last year and how down Texas was? There are plenty of excuses and arguments on both sides.Starman3 --> you are missing an important fact with these numbers:
SEC = 55
Big 12 = 47
ACC = 46
PAC 10 = 40
Big 10 = 38
Big East = 26
SEC has 12 teams, Big 12 has 12, ACC has 12, Pac 10 has 10, Big 10 has 11 and the Big East has only 8."This just shows how little you understand about CFB and events in Norman and that you simply love to hate OU."
Funny, I was cheering for them against Florida State in the 2000 Orange Bowl and have nothing but respect for the program. On the other hand, I absolutely cannot stand OU fans. SoonerFans is a perfect example of how low class your fan base can be.
"My post original was intended not to bash NU but was filled with praise for things done well and a hope for NU's future success. The answer I get back is worthy of a troll, so why don't you go ahead and include remarks abouts trailers and incest and call us Chokelahoma like the other trolls?"
So if you were to praise NU then why not take notice of how Callahan has significantly upped the talent level since he has arrived? How our bouts against the better teams are the best they've been in nearly 10 years? No, you're still a little pissy because our coach reacted to your classless fans throwing garbage onto the field.
"I KNOW there are Husker fans who agree with everything I said and would not care to be associated with the disrespectful statements you made."
Most Sooner fans I've ever met are total dips**ts. Most Husker fans want Solich back as coach. I'm sure they're a joy to converse with. Your point?
"The throat-slashing was real and indefensible, and it shows you where Callaghan's head is, what kind of character he has."
Not really, the "I've had it up to here" gesture has been in use for a very long time but if you insist on it being a throat slash then be my guest. The officiating was flat out bad that game and you know it. Nebraska was one of the nation's leaders in sacks that year and had 2 or 3 holding penalties called against the opposing offense all year. Something doesn't quite add up.
"I want NU back in the top 10 and I don't think keeping Callaghan or bashing OU will get you there."
Who the heck is this Callaghan figure you keep babbling about? I'm not the one who associates OU with incest and rednecks but after talking with you I'd be hard pressed to disagree with those who do. Going from Jammal Lord to Joe Dailey to Zac Taylor to Sam Keller to Blaine Gabbert...I'd say that's progress. We're also playing tough against the good teams with the exception of the absolute elite, which is better than getting blown out against the Colorado's and Penn States of the CFB world. Osborne was never great against the elite teams either so I'm still waiting for reasons why NU won't be in the Top 10 again under Callahan.If you only want to look at the past 5 years you will see that the SEC has played and beaten more top 25 teams than all the other conferences, had more teams ranked in the top 25, had the best out of conference winning percentage and the strongest strength of schedule rating. In order to judge a team or conference you have to look at it's history not just the past few years. If you want to see which team or conference has done the best in the past one or 3 years you can do so and only look at that time frame. That will only give you the short picture, not the true picture but it can measure the immediate present.
I really do not think there is really a way to determine who is better or stronger. It does swing back in forth with some conferences having a down year one year or two and others doing the same when their time comes.If you only want to look at the past 5 years you will see that the SEC has played and beaten more top 25 teams than all the other conferences, had more teams ranked in the top 25, had the best out of conference winning percentage and the strongest strength of schedule rating. In order to judge a team or conference you have to look at it's history not just the past few years. If you want to saw which team or conference has done the best in the past one or 3 years you can do so and only look at that time frame. That will only give you the short picture, not the true picture but it can measure the immediate present.
I really do not think there is really a way to determine who is better or stronger. It does swing back in forth with some conferences having a down year one year or two and others doing the same.LSU fans and everyone seems to be talking about the USC/LSU matchup. Man, I cannot wait until that National Championship game. Hello.... people.. Before LSU gets to Southern Cal, they must beat South Carolina. DO NOT LOOK PASSED ANYONE IN THE SEC. They play Florida, Kentucky, Auburn and Alabama. Do the tigers get a breather or what? They do. Between Alabama and Arkansas. Oh.. That's right. Ole Miss is in there too. Then , do not forget about Louisiana Tech who almost waxed Hawaii. Here are two simple truths so far about the SEC. The SEC is proven to get tougher and better as the season moves on. Anyone in SEC can beat you any given Saturday. Take Georgia last year with Vanderbilt. Or Alabama over Arkansas last weekend. Hell... how about Missippi State over Auburn. PAC-10 football is like this. UCLA beat USC. USC beat UCLA. Who else is in the Pac-10. Oh yeah. Cal. Washington did beat Boise State too. Ok. there are some decent teams this year in the Pac-10. Give it up. It is college football. Before you know it some team like Appalachian State will beat Michigan. Would that be crazy or what.Oh boy...here goes another LSU fan, with what else….more stats!
L.B. - LSU looks good, but I would just focus on winning all of your games instead of crunching numbers (it is September…and USC has only played 2 Games, and 1 was a warm-up against Idaho)…last time I checked W’s were the key to getting to the BCS National Championship Game…not stats…and speaking of W’s, USC now has 61 since 2002!
Fight on!
FYI – If you start at No. 1, you “usually” stay at No. 1 until you lose…especially when you go to Lincoln Nebraska and crush a decent Husker team. Could you please check the stats on that?Steve -
I did spell it wrong, my bad for googling "cornhuskers callaghan" and seeing it in numerous links, thinking it was correct. I stand corrected and won't make that mistake again.
But otherwise talking to you is a waste of time.
My first post was about lack of character and making excuses, that those faults of Callahan's will keep NU out of the elite.
Every post you've shot back displays a similar lack of character and penchant for making excuses, blaming the refs, changing the subject to a different set of insults instead of talking football. And then you finish by saying you're still waiting for a reason why he won't bring NU back to the elite? I TOLD you that in my first post.
FYI Dan McCarney is still coaching and did a better job at Iowa State than anyone else has ever done, and he did it while remaining a gentleman and not making excuses. THAT is why he would make a better HC at NU than Callahan.
Try reading and thinking objectively, learning from your mistakes and listening instead of hating and making excuses and spouting stereotypes. Until you do there is no hope for you.
Goodbye and good luck, I feel certain you'll need it.Stewart, you are soooo right about these Gators and the potential for them reaching the SEC game in Atlanta this year. At the start of this year I started saying that the only 2 games that would cause one to pause are the LSU and South Carolina games. Holy smokes!!!!
Go GATORS!!!Does everyone fail to notice that Ohio State had 58 days between their game against Michigan and Florida? You tell me, are teams more often better in spring football or when the REGULAR season starts? The same applies here, when such is a 2 month layoff. (Even further proof this bowl championship series stuff isnt working, either that... move ,major bowl games to 2 weeks after the regular season). Could you imagine the superbowl being played 2 months after the AFC/NFC Championship game?Thanks crose5, you certainly are one class act and know more about college football than anyone I have ever met. By the way, Oregon played a heck of a game to beat your Sooners last year and clearly they were the better team on the field. I agree that officiating should never be an excuse as to why a team loses a game.
Despite these "character issues", Nebraska went toe to toe with an Auburn team that was the only team to beat national champion Florida last year, came within a hair of beating Texas (something OU couldn't do either), and swept their division for the first time in 7 years.
Oh while we're on the subject of character issues, I hear Barry Switzer was quite the choir boy down there in Norman...or am I mistaken? Can't remember how he did but I think he might have won a title or two somewhere along the line despite probation...True True...
South Carolina has risen to the challenges. So has Kentucky. Louisville did not see what hit em this weekend. I am hoping LSU is caught off guard by the mighty chickens and the Spurrier this weeekend.Now, I'll grant that I don't know how well NW was running the ball that day, but 4 straight passes from inside the 7 seems like horrendous play-calling to me.
When you've got no timeouts left and 38 seconds to go, any running play needs to either reach the end zone or the sidelines. Bacher had been throwing the ball pretty well in the second half, so I have no problem with the calls.
The mistake that was much bigger was Fitzgerald's decision in the first half to take three points off the board and go for a first after a Duke penalty on a made field goal. The Cats failed to convert, and those 3 points could have come ni handy on that last drive- could've kicked a 3 instead of trying a desperate pass in the end zone.
As one who was there during the 34 game losing streak (and when we finally broke it against NIU)- I feel no fondness for it at all, and I'll smack any fellow alunm who does.I would love to see Florida vs USC sometime this year. Each team may score in the 90's!!!
I love the 'Huskers, not much of a Callahan fan, nor a Solich fan. Any head coach that throws his entire staff under the bus just to keep his job one more year (Solich, Larry Coker) doesn't deserve another job at HC....Yes, do remember that both LSU and Florida will play South Carolina this year. SC's player talent doesn't yet match up to these guys, but as those of you who are here ranting about your coaches know (ND, Nebraska, etc.), the most important talent is at the coaching position. SC definitely has that. Spurrier beat Florida in his first year at SC (2005), and would have beaten them last year too without a last-second blocked field goal that saved UF. SC may not compete for the conference title (since they have the 2nd toughest schedule in the nation), but they're definitely capable of being a spoiler. Just ask Georgia how they feel about their season now. SC will play to the level of its competition. In the SEC East, that's pretty darn good."Here is a little information for you!
Top ten by total number of bowl games played
# University Bowl Games
1 Alabama 54
1 Ole Miss 54
3 Tennessee 46
3 Texas 46
5 USC 45
6 Nebraska 44
7 Georgia 41
8 Oklahoma 40
9 Penn St 39
10 Michigan 38
10 LSU 38
10 Ohio State 38
Top ten by total number of bowl wins
# University Bowl Victories
1 Alabama 30
1 Ole Miss 30
3 USC 29
4 Penn St 25
5 Tennessee 24
5 Oklahoma 24
7 Texas 23
8 Georgia Tech22
8 Georgia 22
8 Nebraska 22
Overall the SEC has played in 340 bowl games and the Big 10 has played in 198. The SEC has won 197 and the Big 10 has won 93.
Don't forget Ga. Tech was in the SEC from 1932 until 1964. Penn State has only been playing the Big 10 Conference Schedule since around 1994.
8 (9) Current Teams from the SEC have winning bowl records. They are :
Alabama
Ole Ms
Ms State
Auburn
LSU
Ga
Kentucky
Tennessee
South Carolina = 4 - 1 (since joing the SEC)
If you count former SEC schools that played at least 32 or more years in the SEC then you would have to add the following:
Ga Tech = 10 - 3 (while in SEC)
Tulane = 2 - 1 (while in SEC)"
Here's a little information for you:
The Big Ten didn't allow a team other than the conference champion (who played in the Rose Bowl) to play in a bowl game until 1975. I think that changes the numbers a bit. Unless those 340 bowls all came in the past 32 years.Everyone is crowning USC and LSU to play in the national title game. Don't forget, USC has to play at Oregon, at Cal, and at Washington. At the beginning of the season I would have also said "and they have to play at Notre Dame," but I guess that's not a factor this year. LSU still has to play Florida, Alabama, and others. It's not a done deal for either team by any stretch...I'd love to hear some conversation as to who else has a legitimate shot.
One other comment - is it just me, or does the SEC not really travel to "away" games in other parts of the country. With a rare exception here and there (Tennessee at Cal) they don't seem to travel much. Would love to see an SEC team play in the Pacific Northwest or in Michigan or Wisconsin in November...Those of you who believe Florida only has one challenging game on their schedule remaining, must forget about have to play South Carolina in Columbia. Florida got lucky last year. Spurrier will have some tricks up his sleeves.Mike, truth is that most big schools don't travel out of their area much. I don't see the Pac 10 teams heading east very often, or the Big 10 heading south, except for a couple of really old rivalry games (Notre Dame is often involved). Teams all over schedule regional (out of conference) games early in the season and then go into thier conference schedules. So, no one really travels that far, especially in November. That's why it's so hard to really say who has the best conference. Like you, I'd like to see SEC teams play elsewhere in November, but for different reasons probably (they'd be easier wins!). Of course, three-fourths of the conference will be travelling in December and January, to bowls.I look for OU and Florida in the Championship game, both undefeated. Oklahoma has looked awesome so far, and (check first posting in this list) I'm a 40+ years Huskers fan. Florida has an amazing offensive array. Penn State, the Longhorns, Wisconsin, OSU, West Virginia, USC, and LSU will all end up with at least one loss, some of these will have 2+ losses (the Longhorns?).Florida is scary good. LSU fans should worry bout the Ole Ball Coach first. Stat's are for losersVery true Mike - The Pac 10 plays a way harder non-conference schedule than the SEC...but you know the standard response...in the SEC you have to play the other SEC schools so you don’t have to go on the road to play anyone out of conference...the SEC is hard enough.
24seven - You have no idea what you are talking about:
USC - at Nebraska (will play at Notre Dame)
CAL - at Colorado State (Tennessee at home)
Oregon - at Michigan (Fresno State at home)
Arizona State - played Colorado at home
Washington - at Syracuse (Boise State and Ohio State at home)
UCLA - at Utah (will play Notre Dame at home)
Washington State - at Wisconsin
Oregon State - at Cincinnati
Arizona - at BYU
Stanford - will play TCU and Notre Dame at home
The only notable SEC non-conference games this year have been against CAL, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State (I believe all were home games except for CAL).
Mranatza - Good point...LSU fans should quit whining why they aren’t No. 1...and worry about USC (not the one in LA) and a solid looking Florida squad (you know the one that won the National Championship last year)...when you take care of business in your own conference then you can start worrying about USC and talking about your great stats!As a USC fan and overall college football fan, I dont know why LSU fans are complaining that theyre #2 and USC is #1. Who cares???? If LSU gets voted #1 and USC #2 next week I could care less. its just a stupid number! As long as USC is #1 or #2 and make it to the title game. USC being #2 wont keep me up at night and obviously LSU fans are getting much sleep. its pretty pathetic. Once the title game comes, being #1 or #2 doesnt matter!!typo: obviously LSU fans ARENT getting much sleep. sorry for the typoFor all those Cal fans who don't believe the Noel Devine hype, you must not have seen this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q9rILGiWKI
Just another highlight to add to the collection...The SEC will rarely travel out of the southeast. UGA, except for bowl games, has never traveled out of the southeast in my lifetime. Other teams often have to board a plane to travel up the east or west coast, UGA players simply board a bus. That, in my opinion, is a very big advantage, as well as, making every team come to their house. Big, BIG advantage.I am a Canes fan, so this hurts: THE SEC is this decade's top conference. However, Alabama still can roll down the toilette bowl and Nick Satan can rot in hell. I will be rooting for anyone who plays against NICK SATAN, including the Gators. GO CANES!Appalachian State > Michigan > Notre Dame….? Is Michigan actually okay…or is Notre Dame just that awful?In the third quarter of the USC - Nebraska game Brent Musburger said that he felt that USC was #1 and that they had a harder road to the title game because they had to play every team in the pac-10, what is that all about? does he realize that the #2 LSU and #3 Florida will most likely play eachother twice, and that a split might keep them both out of the national championship. What's harder than that? playing Cal?
1 time? gime me a break.What part didn’t you understand Paul? All of USC's tough games are on the road, and the majority of LSU's tough games are at home.
USC played at #14 Nebraska (who was 2-0), and will play at a surprisingly better Washington (2-1…who beat Syracuse and Boise State, losing to Ohio State), at rival Notre Dame (at 0-3 this looks like an easy W), at #13 Oregon (3-0…who beat Michigan and Fresno State), at #6 California (3-0…ask that SEC team Tennessee if it is tough to play at CAL), and at a tough Arizona State (3-0…who beat Colorado, and is almost a Top 25 Teams).
LSU only plays 5 road games…which in and of itself is pretty ridiculous. Granted LSU goes to a solid #21 Kentucky (3-0) and a surprising #16 Alabama (3-0)…but the rest of the road games are against superpowers like Miss. St., Tulane, and Ole Miss.
LSU's toughest games are at home (unlike USC)…#9 Virginia Tech, #12 South Carolina, #3 Florida, Auburn and Arkansas (although USC wouldn’t call Auburn or Arkansas very tough…at home or away!).
And don’t bitch about the SEC Championship Game…the SEC created that game for increased revenue (and now coaches want a playoff…what a joke). Pac 10 plays a round robin schedule and plays everyone every year…so the winner is the true champion…they don’t get to skip Tennessee and Vandy like LSU or Arkansas and #16 Alabama like Florida!Yes, Washington beat Boise State & Syracuse. Those two schools have beaten a total of one Top 25 team when they played (Boise over OK) over the past three years. That's right. If you are counting wins over teams ranked when you play them Boise St has one and only one. If Washington has nothing else to boast about that is pretty sad.
West Virginia is the most likely school to go undefeated, with its soft schedule, and perhaps USC will not get worn down by a difficult schedule. But I doubt any SEC team will go undefeated. If we learned nothing last year it is that a schedule like Florida plays makes you look a lot worse than you are. Anyone doubting that should consult OSU.I really can't agree that JP Wilson is one of the premier QBs in college football. I wouldn't even consider him one of the better ones. He's good, I'll give him that. And I say all of this as a life-long Alabama fan.
He's young, so some of this may be due to inexperience, but he makes poor throws and poor throwing decisions. He is a deep threat simply because he can throw dying-duck passes that hang in the air long enough for the talented receiving group to wrangle away from defensive backs. Also, anyone who has seen a broom fall over has witnessed a great illustration of JPW scrambling.Being a WVU fan, I must first disagree that WVU plays a "soft" schedule. The pre-season MAC favorite, third place ACC team (last year), East Carolina is no slouch, Louisville, Rutgers, and South Florida are all ranked, and Cincinnati is gaining respect! There are much softer schedules out there. WVU has no Akrons or Appy States, or Norfolk States on their schedule. But not to worry, if the Mountaineers keep dropping a slot in the polls with every vistory they will be number 14 when they finish the season undefeated!!Just to note, on earlier comments, I don't think a coach's record against #1 ranked opponents is a very good way to judge ability. Those teams are ranked #1 because, at that time, they are supposedly the best team in the nation. Maybe check out how a coach does against similarly ranked teams? It's pretty unfair to condemn a coach because he has a losing record against the best teams in the nation.Let me see if I got this right JJH4USU:
1 thing first: LSU would love to play; Arizona, Arizona St., Washington, Washington St., UCLA, Oregon St. and Stanford any day of the week no matter were it was. Skip games in the SEC, if we could play those 7 teams every year we would always be in the top 5.
So let's look at the road games:
Nebraska - Clearly overated and overmatched (they almost moved out of the top 25 and will not be there at years end.
Notre Dame - Does anything need to be said here? NO offensive touchdowns in 3 games.(Looks Tough)
Oregon - who did they beat?
Michigan 1-3 I don't have to tell you who they lost to or who they beat.
Fresno St. 1-2 ( is this a team you base a PAC-10's power on?)
Don't forget they beat Houston to. Oregon won't be in the top 20 when USC comes to town. CAL will humiliate them in thier home in 2 weeks.
California - Clearly a premier team and this will be a tough game, but on the brightside you only have to beat them once.
To be clear, I am not bitching about the SEC title game, I think it's great for our conference. You know why it is a big revenue game? it pits the best 2 teams in the best conference in the country agianst eachother ( not to mention these 2 teams are usually in the top 10) a round robin makes USC a "True Champion" of what? the PAC-10 ( 2 good teams that play once) what a joke compared to the SEC champion.
And by the way USC play's 6 road games and so does LSU..... Our 6th game just happens to be what we call the SEC championship.
USC has 1, only 1 true game (CAL)
"If" we meet in New Orleans be clear of one thing. USC will not run agianst LSU like they did agianst Nebraska. So John David better do better throwing the ball, which wll be hard to do with Dorsey in his face.
LSU and the SEC rules!!!!I must agree with BK-Whopper, Mike, and JJ4USC. To count LSU in the championship game in N'Awlins is very premature.
That is because LSU must get through superior competition and probably beat a fine team (Florida?) twice to get there. You are right. It will be tough.
USC on the other hand . . hmmm. I think they will be there given their talent, their coaching, their comparative schedule, and . . . . the AP Poll, which counts more this year than 2003. Musburger almost guarentees it single handedly!
I'll root for the Tigers (and, incidentally, the Huskies) this year, and take what comes.
If there is an LSU/USC showdown, permit me the observation that the Tigers will have earned it via competition to be there, and the Trojans will have earned it on "style points."
Whatever, then we will see if such a fortunate event occurs for all of us.
New rivalry? C'mon USC . . . you can't use the publicity department to tout the UCLA and Notre Dame games in this particular age, can you?
PS: I remember an LSU team that beat Don James' good Huskies badly . . and my mother asking "why?" They play some pretty good folks out of conference.Ohio State received very little recognition for last Saturdays victory over Washington,but most of us in Buckeyeland have learned to expect very little in the line of respect,from the talking heads.Sportswriters seem to be enamored with USC and Florida.Everybody knows that the NC hype of "poor underdog Florida"was used last year.I wonder if they will say "poor little Ohio State",hasn't a prayer if they get to the NC,this year....I doubt it GO BUCKS!G.L.: You're absolutely right about Georgia's dismal travel. Since beating Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1965, Georgia hasn't travelled outside the region during the regular season.
But in the next ten years, the Dogs will travel to Tempe, Stillwater, Boulder, Louisville, and Eugene. Big 10 teams won't schedule home-and-home series with us.I do not believe that WV plays a soft schedule. I only meant that in comparison to USC, Florida and LSU WV is softer and WV more likely to go undefeated as it is a strong team. For soft schedules one need only consult Hawaii. They only play three or four teams that had a winning record last year. If Florida, WV, USC or LSU had the Hawaii schedule we would only be discussing who would play them in the title game. And please, no comments about big, bad Washington being on the Hawaii schedule. USC plays a half dozen teams bigger and badder.Charles, You are exactly right. I was only defending WVU. Their schedule, although the toughest in the Big East is certainly not as tough as LSU! I do think WVU would fair well (possibly undefeated) playing a Big Ten schedule but I would not venture a guess against an SEC schedule. Their offense is as good as there is, but the defense is a year away.Florida's offense is better than last year at this point in the season, but the defense has signs of weakness ... unlike LSU. If Florida makes it through that game, though, I wouldn't doubt the seriousness of a second run at the national championship.
The only problem would be, could they beat LSU twice this season, since LSU is the most realistic SEC West winner?Richard,
I agree that WV would probably be the favorite if it were in the Big Ten. To place WV in the SEC though would be tantalizing. Right now LSU seems to be getting the edge over all but USC. Still I think if you added WV to the mix it would be a three team race. So many little things could swing the winner to WV or Florida.
I know of no other sport where teams are rewarded for weak schedules. A undefeated BCS team is just about guaranteed a title shot so there is no reason for the elite teams like Texas & OSU to take the non-conference risk. And after last year a mid-major can earn a BCS bid without even playing a team ranked when they play. There is no reason for Boise St to risk the embarrassment it faced at Georgia two years ago.
It is clear that when a team like USC adds Arkansas, Nebraska & Notre Dame to its regular schedule as they did last year that it takes a toll. If WV added those teams we would probably be looking at Penn St going undefeated with its schedule. An undefeated Big Ten team getting a title shot is a sad thought given that the Big Ten measures itself against Notre Dame.LSU fans are the funniest fans in the SEC…it is almost like I can predict their response before they type it.
“"If" we meet in New Orleans be clear of one thing. USC will not run agianst LSU like they did agianst Nebraska. So John David better do better throwing the ball, which wll be hard to do with Dorsey in his face.” – Paul
FYI - That is almost the same exact thing that fans/players of teams like Auburn, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska have been saying since 2002…and USC has only gone 61-6 (more specifically 24-2 against non-conference teams) during that same period of time.
My advice to you Paul would be to worry more about winning all of your “tough” SEC games…instead of whining and trying to put down the 2nd best College Football conference (so far this year…just ask the experts)…that is unless you are already making excuses for why LSU won’t be playing against USC in the BCS Championship Game...in Louisiana!It always amazes me how these boards - regardless of the topic - always turn into "the SEC vs. the world." I will grant that the SEC is a premiere conference and definitely has been on the top these past few years. But I think its also ignorant to proclaim that the PAC -10 and Big Ten are far inferior - as some of these posts would have you believe. Yes, the Gators won the title game in a very convincing fashion, but somehow all SEC fans forget that they lost their other two bowl games against the Big Ten. SEC fans also conveniently forget that USC beat Auburn two years in a row including a 23-0 shutout at Auburn, and the Trojans also hung over 120 points on SEC West Champion Arkansas in a two game series. I will say this about USC (and I'm a fan of another Pac 10 school) - they are never afraid of scheduling tough games and they will play anyone, anywhere. I think Pete Carroll relishes it.All I have to say is that THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES have won 22 of their last 23 games. Their only loss in that span coming to an excellent Florida team that won the National Championship, after a two month break when Troy won the Heisman, got fat being on the banquet cucuit, and Laurinitis won the Nagurski. Who else in the COUNTRY can say that? NOT A TEAM IN AMERICA! Thanks, now look that up and close your mouth!
I'm tired of all this and that about the SEC. Where was your conference 20 years ago except for Alabama, Auburn, and perhaps Georgia? LSU, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee are all good teams now, but were mediocre in the past. Trust me, this happens to conferences and teams all the time. It is a natural cycle. Soon, good players from the south that are not rated as 4-and 5-star players coming out of high school will slip through the cracks and play ball at a school in a different part of the country, and it changes a school or conference's football culture. Look at Miami. Five years ago they were said to have the best team ever assembled. Look at them know. Look at FSU and their fall from grace. Trust me, it will happen, so enjoy it now.For Bucksrule - Curious you should point out that OSU has only lost one game in quite some time. Boise State is another school that can say the same. And the similarities do not end there.Stew, after reading your SI ranking, I don't understand how can anyone put ND (at 75)ahead of Buffalo (at 106.) At least Buffalo put up 24 points against Penn State vs negative offensive for ND. Plus, Buffalo is 1-2 and ND 0-3. Yeh, ND comes with premium but compare Apple to Apple or PSU to PSU, Buffalo out played ND offense.All I have to say is that USC has won 61 of their last 67 games. Their only “BCS loss” in that span coming to an excellent Texas team led by Vince Young that won the National Championship (despite the fact SC should have won that game too!). Who else in the COUNTRY can say that? NOT A TEAM IN AMERICA!…sorry Bucksrule…you set yourself up for that one!
Regardless Bucksrule, your overall point is a good one. I know the Big Ten is down this year (which is cyclical) and that Ohio State and Michigan got spanked last year…but didn’t the Big Ten go 2-1 against the SEC in Bowl Games last year despite the OSU loss? Buckrule…I look forward to the USC v. Ohio State home and away starting next year!
PS – Charles that was a very funny post!For jjh4usc - Thanks. I see no other school in the country playing a tougher non-conference schedule than USC, from year to year. But perhaps it has been to their own detriment. It looked to me like both USC and Florida were drained during the last season with USC getting beaten twice and Florida narrowly escaping losses. Given time to recuperate I think it no coincidence that both Michigan & OSU were drilled. Contrary to what Bucksrule said Troy Smith was openly proud of the fact that he only missed three practices due to Heisman responsibilities. What got 'fat' was the OSU ego based on a schedule that in no way compared to USC's or Florida's. I am not a USC fan, but credit should be given to them.Listen, Charles, I had no ego going into the National Championship game last year. I get just as nervious when we play Northwestern as when we play Michigan because I love my team. I don't spit out stupid facts that have no meaning to crush other teams, I just say what I know and feel is right.
What are the other similarities between Ohio State and Boise? Talk to me without a sarcastic tone.
I also feel it very odd that no one had anything to say in regards to how NEW this winning thing is for the SEC overall as a conference other than jjh4usc.Nice post Charles, and I completely agree. USC’s problem is that over the last few years there has been a national misperception that aside from USC, the Pac 10 is not an elite BCS conference like the SEC, Big 10, Big 12. While I think that the other Pac 10 teams are starting to prove everyone wrong (by winning the big games), Pete Carroll has always overcompensated USC’s non-conference schedule by playing anyone, anytime, anywhere…like Kansas State, Auburn, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Fresno State, Arkansas, Nebraska…and Ohio State and Virginia in 2008/2009 (and always Notre Dame).Top ten by total number of bowl games played
# University Bowl Games
1 Alabama 54
1 Ole Miss 54 WRONG
3 Tennessee 46
3 Texas 46
5 USC 45
6 Nebraska 44
7 Georgia 41
8 Oklahoma 40
9 Penn St 39
10 Michigan 38
10 LSU 38
10 Ohio State 38
Where did you find a list with Ole Miss at the top of any list in regards to football and winning?
You can't count the "Egg Bowl"This year the sec and pac10 are about equal in strength this year and both are much much stronger than any of the other leagues. Granted the sec is usually the strongest conference year to year. USC, LSU, Florida, and Oklahoma are all very good and probably can beat each other on a given day. As of now it is USC/LSU > Florida/Oklahoma >>> everyone else.For Bucksrule - My comment about other similarities between OSU and Boise State was in part meant to be humorous, and in part insulting. I thought your comment about Smith was insulting to him as he and the other Buckeyes did not get fat. Michigan, BTW, was determined to show the country in the Rose Bowl that they belonged in the title match. So don't claim the Big Ten let up. And their teams beat two very good SEC in close contests. But it is clear that too many people overrated OSU last year and the obvious reason was their schedule. Boise State has beaten one of the three teams that were ranked when they played them these past three years and like OSU they have been rewarded for an easy schedule just as Hawaii is being rewarded this year. Going back these past three seasons the Big Ten as a conference seems to play weaker and weaker non-conference teams and I think the conference has paid a price for it. As a fan I get a bit nauseated to hear the hype for a school like Washington that beats Syracuse & Boise State, and based on that will now give USC a challenge. Washington has historically recruited better than Boise St and as a more talented team should have been favored. The only chance Washington has with USC though is if USC is down after coming off a big win, and looking ahead to more formidable competition. How does a school like Boise St that traditionally ranks 65th in the country in recruitment win most of its games? Could it have anything to do with the fact that they almost always play schools ranked even lower in recruitment. Someone needs a reality check when they put Boise St in the Top 25. I am for bringing back serious strength of schedule rankings, as they do in basketball, and right now that would be bad news for the Big Ten, and worse news for Hawaii & Boise St.For bucksrule- why would you ask such a stupid question such as "Where was the SEC 20 years ago?". That question is so stupid that it shouldn't deserve a response, but I will give my opinion of it anyway. If we based everything on what happened 20 years ago, then yes, the rankings would look much different. But then again, we should probably just eliminate the sport altogether seeing as though "Today" doesn't matter. Give me a break...if you honestly think that OSU stood a chance against Florida last year (or this year), then you are just another ignorant Buckeye fan. Yes, they had 50+ day layoff. But that does not account for the complete lack of speed that OSU had compared to Florida. Oh and while we are on the subject...Why don't OSU fans get over Ohio St. not getting any publicity. My God, I was sick and tired of hearing about how good OSU was at EVERYTHING. Maybe the 3 absolute dismantlings (1 in football, 2 in basketball) last year finally convinced the bandwagon media that OSU's glory is a thing of the past.JJH4USC- I agree with you, USC does play a much tougher conference than what people give them credit for. I also believe that they credible road schedule. But for the sake of us all (Yes, I do understand this is a rivalry game but still...) can we please stop mentioning Notre Dame in the same sentence as the words "tough schedule". I'm not saying this to demean USC in anyway but to simply eliminate such an unworthy opponent as Notre Dame. I believe Charlie Weiss and the entire football team, including the heralded Jimmy Clausen (HA!), need a priest to pray for their season.To NCT, I'm sure a Big Ten team would take on Georgia in a home/home series. Starting next year, Penn State and Alabama start a 2 game series. If PSU will go there, they'll surely go to Georgia.
To JJH4USC - Great point that I've made a few times that gets ignored by the SEC fans.... Big Ten was 2-1 in bowls last year against the SEC.
Another Texas player arrested! That makes 6 of the since June. That's a program to be proud of!
And for Bucks fans... just because you beat Washington on the road doesn't mean you're "back" so just chill. You have to come to Happy Valley this year and I guarantee our defense is just a bit stiffer than any other you'll see this year! GO STATE!For Charles and up4uf: In no way am I saying Ohio State is as good as USC or Florida this year. However, I have to defend the non conference scheduling. While yes, this year OSU's biggest out of conference game is Washington, whom Ohio State beat, is not the toughest game. Next year OSU plays USC, then again the year after. Then they have a home and home with Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, etc. Also, last year, who knows what would have happened if Ginn wasnt injured on the first kickoff return for a TD where he blew past Florida's players, the 58 day layoff and the game was played 3 weeks after the season ended. I have friends in the SEC, PAC-10 etc. They all can agree that Ohio State was very fast last year, which is why they crushed the Big 10 and even the Michigan game should have been that close. They could not keep up. However they got a fat ego from the media proclaiming them as "GOD" and can't be beat etc. Meanwhile, Florida had to hear how they didn't deserve to be there for 35+ days. You tell me who is going to come out swinging the hardest ready to kill. It was over before OSU could catch a breath. But all my friends in the different conferences can't say the same thing would have happened if they played again. Besides, as of last year, OSU had the one of the most amount of players in the NFL. If they were all so fat and slow, how could that be?I KNEW there was something outstanding about Stewart. He's a Northwestern Grad!
Mike SBSC...NU 1963 (when Parseghian was coach, and we beat ND all 4 years I was there..and were ranked #1 on two different occasions)Jason - No question that emotions can play a major role and overcome a lack of talent. Everything I read suggested that OSU players were determined to crush Florida, and that Michigan players were going to show the voters they were wrong to vote them #3. Florida totally dominated both sides and to suggest that one player, even Ginn would have made the difference lacks merit.
It has become clear that the Big Ten brand of football has not kept pace with other conferences. Last season the Big Ten had four very strong teams, but no elite teams. With Texas being weaker than usual no one outside the Big Ten challenged either Michigan or OSU. Florida had a murderous stretch with Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Georgia sandwiched between Tennessee, FSU, Arkansas and stronger than normally Kentucky & Spurrier's SC. USC added Arkansas, Nebraska & Notre Dame to a tough conference schedule.
Sportswriters are too much about the moment and not enough about the context. Did you ever receive a surprisingly high grade in a class, feel good, but then find out most everyone did better too? USF wants us to focus on a victory over Auburn, but forget about a Mississippi team beating Auburn also. Boise St wanted us to cheer the victory over Oregon St, which beat USC late in the season, and forget that Oregon St was in disarray early in the season just as Michigan & Auburn seem to be now.
Look at the body of work and it should have been USC and Florida in the title game. Michigan and OSU are on a par with Penn St and Wisconsin and they beat some very good SEC teams in close contests. But they appear not to be amongst the elite.
It is good to hear that OSU is adding some quality competition. Perhaps we can agree that challenges toughen a team and in the case of USC did so at the expense of two losses. Maybe if OSU or Michigan had been repeatedly challenged last year they would have been at an elite level at season's end, but we will never know. Certainly neither lacked for talent. With all that talent you mentioned how do you explain the results if it wasn't a lack of challenges?Charles, I totally agree with your 9:57 AM comment. Clearly, a playoff system is needed to avoid the moral hazard you identify in nonconferencing scheduling and to avoid the possible pairings in the BCS Championship that could result from "style points" alone based on the AP Poll. While I don't think a playoff system a'la Appalacian State's division or basketball will ever happen, it would be preferable to the present system and the "tinkering" that happens with poll weight in it. Good point you made!
JJ4USC . . I agree with what you have to say about the strength of the PAC 10 and their nonconference schedules. Good conference, maybe not the elite but certainly up there. I just don't see why it takes dissing of the SEC and their fans the way you do to support a very fine team (USC). I think they can do it without dissing, and sure seem to be doing that right now. I agree with you and Pete Carroll that polls mean nothing right now . . but they do in the end (see comment above to Charles).
Oh . . and Charles . . don't discount the Huskies. I'm very sure Pete isn't looking past them this year, and neither should you! Just a hunch.Stewart, Howzit from Hilo.
I am curious to determine how you determine the power rankings. Is there something more than just observation? It would seem that a few teams would drop one week to the next when playing against a week team and being close and others rising when they win at a good team.
Is there a formula that you use in particular to determine how strong (powerful) a team is as opposed to other rankings based upon observations.Charles: I do believe that while USC has had the best record over the last 6 years, the SEC overall is the dominate conference. There are always 5, 6 or possibly 7 teams that are in the top 25. For the Big 10 -last year, Michigan was a good team but played a Big 10 brand of football, whereas OSU had the spread offense and much more speed than others in the Big 10. I think that was why the result in the BCS Championship game was surprising. Michigan has not made the adjustments in the modern day era and it showed with App State and Oregon. That being said, each year it seems each year one team, from the other conferences, such as USC, Oklahoma, Texas, etc, rises up from the other conferences on the level of a dominate SEC team and makes for an interesting game, if they were to play a dominate SEC team. I wish the Big 10 would begin to schedule a home/home with an SEC team. Anyways, it is cyclical and with the warm weather schools getting a lot of attention now and most of the 5 star recruits, I also applaud OSU and Michigan for hanging in there against them to still manage to bring some 4 and 5 stars to those schools too.I agree with the playoff system and that it is needed. How can anyone say an 8 team playoff between the Floridas, USCs, LSUs, Oklahomas, WVUs, OSUs would not be exciting football. It would be a clash of the powers. Something everyone wants to see.Jason - So much regarding changes in the playoff system is nonsense. "We can't choose 8 teams because then #9 would complain." We choose 65 teams in basketball, still others complain, but it doesn't matter as the best teams get in. With an 8-team playoff the odds are high that the top team will not be omitted.
"Playoffs will diminish the regular season" and that too is true to an extent, but nonsense. The regular season, especially with BCS teams picking weak non-conference opponents and teams like Hawaii/Boise St playing no Top 25 teams, is too limited to insure that choices one and two are the two best teams.
Perhaps others will disagree, but a return to traditional bowls probably would have given us USC dominating OSU in the Rose Bowl, Florida dominating ND or whoever in the Sugar Bowl and a plus one match between USC & Florida for the title. I think even that would be superior to the present situation. But then Boise St would have cried about having beaten OK and not caring that Florida and USC each beat several teams equal to or better than OK.SasQuatch, Nice email, but I think you have me confused with someone else. I may occasionally poke fun at the SEC fan, but I respect SEC fans and believe that the SEC is the best overall conference…just not by the same leaps and bounds that some of these bloggers do. I may have dissed LSU fan…but that was largely in response to emails about USC being overrated and this constant whining about 2003…which the majority of USC fans don’t care about or even know about.Charles: I am open to the plus 1 format, which I thought they were moving towards and then it seemed to have stopped. Meaning if USC would have stomped OSU and Florida would have blown away (perpertually, eternally overrated) ND, then those two teams face off for the Championship game.Referring to the blogs with Nebraska and its coach as the subjects, if this were a debate, which it seems most of these sports blogs are, I'd award "steve" the winner. He has opinions based upon facts, not just opinions.
One more point about Osborne, he didn't win his first Orange Bowl until 1983 (1982 season) and it was a 21-20 squeaker against LSU.
Anecdote: when Osborne was considerting bolting to Colorado in 1978, my Dad dictated a letter to my ten-year brother to send to the NU President imploring him to "do what it takes" to keep Osborne. I guess he was going after the sympathy vote.HBF - I also do not understand many of the comments about Nebraska. I think Stew got it right this week. He said USC was top rated and should have been expected to win without a challenge. Maybe I am wrong but it looks like Nebraska is moving in the right direction. But I think it doubtful any school in the North Division will ever recapture the kind of glory Nebraska enjoyed. Too many other programs just offer too many amenities.
By the way, it is not a debate, just an offering of opinions. And it was my opinion two weeks ago that Oregon was in trouble heading to Michigan. No one should listen to me anyway.Why does everyone keep on arguing over what the best conference is? Isn't it getting old? To start off I am a USC fan, period. Do I think the Pac 10 is a tough conference? Yes, one of the best. But I don't care if anyone else wins a game. So am I going to waste my time over pointless arguments and stats from the past that don't mean anything? No!!! What I will say is every year the Trojans have no problem lining up and playing anyone, anywhere. And if you give Pete Carrol and the talent he has to work with time to get ready for you, I like my chances against anybody. When was last time the Trojans lost a marquee game other than the Rose Bowl? So you people can have the best conference if that is what you are proud of. I'll take the best coach and some of the best talent in the country anyday. Saying you have the toughest conference is just a built in excuse when you lose. Good teams only care about one thing, WINS. If any of you actually played college football you should know that. And if you haven't played than I don't really care too much about your opinions, because anybody and their mother can watch the game and come up one.jj4usc . . .
It could be I was confusing you with someone else. If so, my apology.
I think that the "extra dissing" going on between LSU fans and USC fans is due to the frustration of the former watching all the media/poll attention to USC going back to 2003 and the latter's disgust at it . . . and maybe their frustration at not being invited to N'Awlins then for the BCS instead of OU (who, by the way, was a pretty darn good team).
Anyhow, know what? If we had a playoff maybe USC would have been there and then we would have seen.
Know what else? If there had not been the adjustment to BCS rankings to count the opinions of sportswriters (even before games had been played) then maybe there would be less dissing among those who come here armed with BCS relevant stats and those armed with AP Poll history.
I fervently wish for a playoff (and think Charles above has been "right on" about it . . he only missed mention of getting past the entrenched economic interests of the Bowls as a barrier to it) and . . . .
Hope for an LSU/USC championship game some day.
Both teams are very good, and deserve it for crying out loud.
(off my soapbox, and apology again if I misread you).jj4usc - I did miss the financial side of dropping the bowls and I wonder if that is more nonsense from anti-playoff people. But maybe the bowls have a point as one was stuck with Pittsburgh/Utah a few years ago.
Perhaps after Bowl Selection Sunday the reps could get together and assign the first game in the playoffs based on tradition. So the Rose Bowl would still get the best PAC 10/Big Ten teams, etc. Don't laugh, but what if Michigan won the Big Ten this year with just one loss, but a bad one to OSU which was barely beaten by Penn St & Wisc. Michigan might end 15th in the voting and one of the best 8 teams be excluded. Add to that Hawaii steamrolling over a weak schedule, getting voted high, and another legitimate team excluded from the 8 finalists. The ACC champ this year could finish 14th and now the odds of not including the very best teams in the 8 finalists goes up. It sounds unthinkable perhaps, but not more so than USC losing two games last year.The Book
Stewart Mandel's first book, Bowls, Polls and Tattered Souls: Tackling the Chaos and Controversy that Reign Over College Football, is available now. Click here to order your discounted copy.CommentsAll user comments must be approved by the moderator before being published. Due to time constraints, comments will only be published for the first several hours following a new post.More MandelRecent Posts
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