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[tokkun]

USC should have known what was going on, but this pales in comparison to what went on at places like Ohio St, Auburn, Miami and Penn St. Do you think those schools' punishments (if they even get one) will be comparable?

Ohio State - No.
Auburn - Not actually found guilty, so obviously no.
Miami - Yes.
Penn State - Maybe.

It's also worthwhile to point out that USC's sanctions didn't stem solely from football, but included other sports as well. This is part of the reason the sanctions were harsh. If it was just Bush, then I can understand the argument people are making about it being somewhat detached from USC's program, but that was not the case. When you have big violations going on in 3 different sports, there is clearly a culture problem that needs to be dealt with.

 

[Maddness]

Cam Newton was mysteriously ruled ineligible for a day but i'm sure he didn't do anything wrong.

Oh. that. I thought we were past that already?

Edit: since we're on the subject of USC.... I don't get why they were even allowed to be ranked. It was a waste of a spot imo. Next year, when they're off the sanctions, that's awesome. But I think anyone who isn't bowl eligible needs to not even be allowed to be ranked. It's just a waste.

 

[Branduil]

Obviously players getting paid has no competitive advantage at all. There are zero consequences to it and no one ever goes to a school expecting to get paid for it, so it's a complete mystery as to why it keeps happening, since there are no benefits to it.

 

[Kevtones]

TJ McDonald is the only key starter we lose on defense off the top of my head.

I think the OLine could be better as a unit next year but losing Kalil hurts.

Rhett Ellison graduating is probably the biggest skill position loss on O. We don't have much in terms of FBs right now. Still with Woods, Lee, McNeal, Farmer, Grimble, Carlisle, and Telfair we have a lot of weapons.

Yeah, I guess the key is Barkley at this point. Who do you have behind him?



Our lines were a weakness most of the year (although our run D was pretty sound). I thought our DBs actually played pretty okay this year, even against Lee and Woods. Considering the ALL DAY time Barkley had, I was surprised we got any stops.

Pac 12 scheduling will be verrrryyyy interesting.

 

[KingGondo]

There was a time when finishing 3rd in the polls meant something. Hell, I remember years my team finished 6th and I was jazzed.

Cheers to the BCS and their "only one game matters" philosophy, yeah?

It's all about perspective.

If you had told me before the season that we'd go 11-1, beat OU, win the Big 12 outright and go to our first-ever BCS bowl I definitely would have been "jazzed."

What hurts is getting so close to the MNCG the end of the season and then falling short in the most inexplicable way possible. Don't get me wrong, I'll be in Stillwater on Saturday screaming my guts out, and I'm still incredibly proud of my Pokes.

But it sucks not to get a shot at LSU when I feel like our claim to play them is just as valid as Bama's.

 

[timetokill]

Pac 12 scheduling will be verrrryyyy interesting.

According to an ESPN chat run down, USC isn't playing Oregon next year. At least, until the Pac-12 championship game

(one more year, Barkley!)

 

[Kevtones]

Wasn't USC's issue a 'lack of institutional control' that extended to a bunch of different sports? Even so, I think the reason they got a harsher penalty (aside from the 'setting an example' reason) is that USC fought it pretty hard. That attitude seemed to irk the NCAA.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Wasn't USC's issue a 'lack of institutional control' that extended to a bunch of different sports? Even so, I think the reason they got a harsher penalty (aside from the 'setting an example' reason) is that USC fought it pretty hard. That attitude seemed to irk the NCAA.

Well hopefully little kids getting butt raped "irks" them and represents "lack of institutional control" but I'm willing to bet that Penn State won't be punished as severely as USC football.

 

[Maddness]

Well hopefully little kids getting butt raped "irks" them and represents "lack of institutional control" but I'm willing to bet that Penn State won't be punished as severely as USC football.

I think NCAA punishments are the least of Penn State's worries. I hope so, anyway.

 

[Kevtones]

According to an ESPN chat run down, USC isn't playing Oregon next year. At least, until the Pac-12 championship game

(one more year, Barkley!)

Nah, I just checked. The game is at USC. Every game played this year in the Pac 12 gets reversed home/away.


Got damn we play road games at:


USC
ASU
Cal
OSU
WSU

 

[Maddness]

It's all about perspective.

If you had told me before the season that we'd go 11-1, beat OU, win the Big 12 outright and go to our first-ever BCS bowl I definitely would have been "jazzed."

What hurts is getting so close to the MNCG the end of the season and then falling short in the most inexplicable way possible. Don't get me wrong, I'll be in Stillwater on Saturday screaming my guts out, and I'm still incredibly proud of my Pokes.

But it sucks not to get a shot at LSU when I feel like our claim to play them is just as valid as Bama's.

I agree with your entire statement except the part about claim to play being as valid as Bama. That to me sounds like you feel an Iowa State loss = LSU loss. I don't even think they're remotely close.

Personally, I would've loved to see an OSU v LSU game. Fuck Alabama. Fuck LSU also.

 

[NEOPARADIGM]

It's all about perspective.

If you had told me before the season that we'd go 11-1, beat OU, win the Big 12 outright and go to our first-ever BCS bowl I definitely would have been "jazzed."

What hurts is getting so close to the MNCG the end of the season and then falling short in the most inexplicable way possible. Don't get me wrong, I'll be in Stillwater on Saturday screaming my guts out, and I'm still incredibly proud of my Pokes.

But it sucks not to get a shot at LSU when I feel like our claim to play them is just as valid as Bama's.

I hear ya loud and clear. I just meant it as a general principal: there's 120 teams, 3rd is pretty fucking good lol.

 

[Kevtones]

Interesting that the Top 12 teams are represented by:

3 Big XII teams
3 Pac 12 teams
3 SEC teams

Boise State, Houston, Virginia Tech

 

[KingGondo]

I agree with your entire statement except the part about claim to play being as valid as Bama. That to me sounds like you feel an Iowa State loss = LSU loss. I don't even think they're remotely close.

Personally, I would've loved to see an OSU v LSU game. Fuck Alabama. Fuck LSU also.

I'll readily admit that the Iowa State loss is far worse than the LSU loss.

My main arguments have been:

- We'll be undisputed Big 12 champs (widely considered at least the 2nd-best conference this year)
- Undefeated in regulation, just like Bama (and the loss was fluky, just like Bama's)
- LSU already beat Bama on their home field, and shouldn't have to beat them again
- Our schedule is just as difficult as Bama's, if not moreso
- A team that doesn't win its own division (much less its own conference) has no claim to play for the MNC

But I'm pretty much done with that now. Unless we absolutely demolish OU next week, you won't hear me bitching nearly as much. The writing's on the wall.

I hear ya loud and clear. I just meant it as a general principal: there's 120 teams, 3rd is pretty fucking good lol.

Ha, yep. Believe me, I see the big picture and there's nothing but blue skies ahead for this program. We'll be good again next year and Gundy has a good overall culture and system in place.

But Got Damn do they need to reform the BCS system. It's utterly maddening.

 

[Maddness]

I'll readily admit that the Iowa State loss is far worse than the LSU loss.

My main arguments have been:

- We'll be undisputed Big 12 champs (widely considered at least the 2nd-best conference this year)
- Undefeated in regulation, just like Bama (and the loss was fluky, just like Bama's)
- LSU already beat Bama on their home field, and shouldn't have to beat them again
- Our schedule is just as difficult as Bama's, if not moreso
- A team that doesn't win its own division (much less its own conference) has no claim to play for the MNC

But I'm pretty much done with that now. Unless we absolutely demolish OU next week, you won't hear me bitching nearly as much. The writing's on the wall.

Ha, yep. Believe me, I see the big picture and there's nothing but blue skies ahead for this program. We'll be good again next year and Gundy has a good overall culture and system in place.

But Got Damn do they need to reform the BCS system. It's utterly maddening.

How much of OSU will you guys be losing this year?

 

[KingGondo]

How much of OSU will you guys be losing this year?

Weeden and (probably) Blackmon will be gone, along with a couple of good O-linemen and a good strong safety (Markelle Martin).

But we always reload at OL and our new QB has shown signs of being solid at least. We won't lose much on defense besides Martin.

Strengths should be:

WR (we have some true studs waiting in the wings)
RB (we'll go 3 if not 4 deep)
Secondary (lots of strong young talent back there)

If we get solid QB play, I think 9-10 wins is a realistic goal.

 

[Meier]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCdFFFAxLz0

I said GOD DAMN.

Holy shit! That was amazing. I had about the same exact reaction as the announcer.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I'll readily admit that the Iowa State loss is far worse than the LSU loss.

My main arguments have been:

- We'll be undisputed Big 12 champs (widely considered at least the 2nd-best conference this year)
- Undefeated in regulation, just like Bama (and the loss was fluky, just like Bama's)
- LSU already beat Bama on their home field, and shouldn't have to beat them again
- Our schedule is just as difficult as Bama's, if not moreso
- A team that doesn't win its own division (much less its own conference) has no claim to play for the MNC

a fair argument, but one that may fall on deaf ears at the end of the day.

 

[Maddness]

Weeden and (probably) Blackmon will be gone, along with a couple of good O-linemen and a good strong safety (Markelle Martin).

But we always reload at OL and our new QB has shown signs of being solid at least. We won't lose much on defense besides Martin.

Strengths should be:

WR (we have some true studs waiting in the wings)
RB (we'll go 3 if not 4 deep)
Secondary (lots of strong young talent back there)

If we get solid QB play, I think 9-10 wins is a realistic goal.

Nice. well at the very least, you can go into next year knowing that LSU is probably going to lose most if not all of it's secondary if they win the NC. They're all NFL bound.

Though I've been looking at the ESPN 150 and Alabama, Auburn, and LSU have a pretty devastating recruiting class going into next year.

 

[KingGondo]

a fair argument, but one that may fall on deaf ears at the end of the day.

At this point, I'm expecting it to.

If Gameday was in Stillwater and we put a huge beatdown on OU, I might have given us a small chance.

Hey, maybe we'll end up playing UM in a BCS bowl! That would be a fun game.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Interesting that the Top 12 teams are represented by:

3 Big XII teams
3 Pac 12 teams
3 SEC teams

Boise State, Houston, Virginia Tech

Makes sense. Big 10 and Big East are really bad this year.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

At this point, I'm expecting it to.

If Gameday was in Stillwater and we put a huge beatdown on OU, I might have given us a small chance.

Hey, maybe we'll end up playing UM in a BCS bowl! That would be a fun game.

I don't want my team to get raped, so no. I want to play Houston or VT

But yes, I hope your boys lay it all out on Oklahoma's faces. I'd love to see OSU in the MNC.

Makes sense. Big 10 and Big East are really bad this year.

I'd agree, but Wisconsin...yea, they lost 2 games, but they were desperate heaves in the final seconds...on hail mary's. If there was a playoff instead of this voting shit, I'd still put money on them. They're a top 10 team, IMO. They beat Penn State's ass today and Russel Wilson has thrown 30 TDs to 3 INTs this season, IIRC. They deserve a bit more respect. You'd think they lost badly somewhere along the line. I'd line Wisconsin up against OSU, Stanford, VT, Arkansas, etc. and I'd put my money on Wiscy.

 

[Sirpopopop]

Cam Newton was mysteriously ruled ineligible for a day but i'm sure he didn't do anything wrong.

Also it's pretty much confirmed at this point that his dad tried to get money out of Miss St., which was against NCAA regulations regardless of if he ended up going there, and because his dad was acting as his representative, and would make him ineligible, but whatever.

They found nothing at Auburn.

Look - Auburn may be as guilty as every other team. I believe they were guilty. However, there was no paper trail connecting them to something sanctionable. So yeah - punish them based on "suspicions."

Now, back to USC:

I'll be honest - you guys deserved your harsh punishment. As Branduil said (can't believe you are making me agree with him), the NCAA has, for years, been issuing out joke punishments to teams for their transgressions. Just because they escaped with light sentences, doesn't mean the NCAA is precluded from wising up and deciding to actually try and crack down on cheating.

So they give you something slightly higher than a minor punishment.

Do you really want to know what the fucking effect of USC's transgressions been on the program?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

Next year you guys will be in great shape to win a championship. The biggest damage done to your program wasn't the sanctions, it was Pete Carroll leaving, and USC then hiring Lane Kiffin.

It shows that cheating does pay. It shows that teams who don't cheat are fucking retards for not cheating. They shouldn't even bother with D1A if they aren't going to cheat.

So yeah, you guys can whine about being punished severely. I look, and I don't see a program that got screwed over by their punishments. Boo hoo! You don't get to have your clocks cleaned out by the SEC for a few years. How painful...

If the NCAA wanted to be serious, they should have given you the death penalty. Instead, you got what is basically a joke of a punishment. A punishment that hasn't done any damage to your program at all.

P.S.: And yes, I'm fairly sure that Stanford is cheating. At least in the way that Stanford can cheat, since they have a large institutional advantage, being that they are fucking Stanford, and most people would give their left nut to go to school there at the age of 18.

 

[Cousteau]

I'm certain there's never been a conf. championship game with a line like what we're going to see.

 

[Branduil]

I'm certain there's never been a conf. championship game with a line like what we're going to see.

Take the over.

 

[bluemax]

Oh. that. I thought we were past that already?

Edit: since we're on the subject of USC.... I don't get why they were even allowed to be ranked. It was a waste of a spot imo. Next year, when they're off the sanctions, that's awesome. But I think anyone who isn't bowl eligible needs to not even be allowed to be ranked. It's just a waste.

We can only be ranked in the AP which doesn't count for shit anyhow.

 

[cdyhybrid]

Oregon gets just about everyone back next year (although James might be gone).
USC get a lot of people back (Barkley?)


Who else in the Pac 12 should contend next year? Cal maybe? OSU and UW should improve...

We won't contend next year. Still too much youth. 8-10 wins, 2nd in the North is realistic. We're redshirting some pretty good defensive players this year, so we'll be better next year. And Kasen, ASJ, and Sankey will be studs. Polk should leave, IMO. It's what's best for him.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

It's the offseason, right?

UCF with the following openings:
Athletic Director
Wide Receivers Coach
Defensive Coordinator
Linebackers Coach
Director of Player Personnel

Gonna be soooo much fun!

 

[Paches]

We won't contend next year. Still too much youth. 8-10 wins, 2nd in the North is realistic. We're redshirting some pretty good defensive players this year, so we'll be better next year. And Kasen, ASJ, and Sankey will be studs. Polk should leave, IMO. It's what's best for him.

It is, but it is not what's best for ME.

 

[cdyhybrid]

It is, but it is not what's best for ME.

Him and Jake carried us out of the darkness. I can't be selfish with him. I've met him before. Real cool dude. Hot girlfriend.

 

[Paches]

Him and Jake carried us out of the darkness. I can't be selfish with him. I've met him before. Real cool dude. Hot girlfriend.

For real. We are out of the basement as far as I am concerned. 1 win improvement each year for Sark is completely acceptable for where this program was at.

From what I have read and heard, I am excited for our redshirt freshmen on the defensive side of the ball (in particular Marcus Peters) to see how they do next year. Can't be worse that Q-Rich...

Also, we get Jamora back. Should be interesting to see how the pass rush shapes out with Shelton in the middle and Shirley/Hudson/Jamora on the edges next year.

 

[perfectchaos007]

Hard to believe it's already the offseason for some teams. It went by so fast

 

[cdyhybrid]

For real. We are out of the basement as far as I am concerned. 1 win improvement each year for Sark is completely acceptable for where this program was at.

From what I have read and heard, I am excited for our redshirt freshmen on the defensive side of the ball (in particular Marcus Peters) to see how they do next year. Can't be worse that Q-Rich...

Also, we get Jamora back. Should be interesting to see how the pass rush shapes out with Shelton in the middle and Shirley/Hudson/Jamora on the edges next year.

Danny Shelton will carry this D for the next 2-3 years. Kid is a goddamn beast.

 

[exarkun]

It's all about perspective.

If you had told me before the season that we'd go 11-1, beat OU, win the Big 12 outright and go to our first-ever BCS bowl I definitely would have been "jazzed."

What hurts is getting so close to the MNCG the end of the season and then falling short in the most inexplicable way possible. Don't get me wrong, I'll be in Stillwater on Saturday screaming my guts out, and I'm still incredibly proud of my Pokes.

But it sucks not to get a shot at LSU when I feel like our claim to play them is just as valid as Bama's.

Not true. Your defense is the problem. And its a known problem. So its not inexplicable. I rooted for you guys to make it to the MNC, and with that month just game plan the shit out of lsu and then go out there with your offense and then reinforced defense. But somewhere everyone kind of knew you guys were giving up a few too many points every once in a while.

hope you guys still make it somehow

 

[bigtroyjon]

We won't contend next year. Still too much youth. 8-10 wins, 2nd in the North is realistic. We're redshirting some pretty good defensive players this year, so we'll be better next year. And Kasen, ASJ, and Sankey will be studs. Polk should leave, IMO. It's what's best for him.

@LSU in a prime time showcase game in the second week should tell us a lot about next years team. Looking forward to that one.

 

[bluemax]

Time to review my Pac 12 predictions:

Arizona:
Northern Arizona W
@ Ok State L
Stanford L
Oregon L
@ USC L
@ Or State W (But I can see them losing this) Should've gone with my gut!
fucla W
@ UW L (Could see them winning this one)
Utah W
@ Colorado W
@ ASU W
Louisiana Lafayette W

Total: 6-6 Actual: 4-8

Thoughts: I missed out on Oregon State, Utah and Colorado. I basically had the UW and OSU results backwards so that's a wash. And hey I called them upsetting ASU!

Arizona State:
UC Davis W
Missouri L
@ Illinois W
USC L
Oregon State W
@ Utah W
@ Oregon L
COlorado W
@ fucla W
@ WSU W
Arizona L
Cal W

Total: 8-4 Actual: 6-6

Thoughts: Got their OOC games backwards and didn't see them collapsing in the 2nd half of the season.

Cal:
Fresno State W
@ Colorado W
Presbyterian W
@ UW L
@ Oregon L
USC L
Utah W
@ fucla W
WSU W
Oregon State W
@ Stanford L
@ ASU L

Total: 7-5* Actual: 7-5
*Technicaly 6 since Presbyterian barely counts

Thoughts: Got the record right, was just backwards on fucla and ASU.

Colorado:
@ Hawaii L
Cal L
Colorado State W
@ Ohio State L
WSU W
@ Stanford L
@ UW L
Oregon L
@ ASU L
USC L
Arizona L
@ fucla W
@ Utah L

Total: 3-9 Actual: 3-9

Thoughts: Got the record right but the opponents wrong.

Oregon:
LSU L
Nevada W
Missouri State W
@ Arizona W
Cal W
Arizona State W
@ Colorado W
WSU W
@ UW W (but I get a weird feeling this will be a close one)
@ Stanford L
USC W
Oregon State W

Total: 10-2 Actual: 10-2

Thoughts: I was pessimistic on USC's ability to match up and optimistic on Stanford's.

Oregon State:
Sacramento State W
@ Wisconsin L
fucla W
@ ASU L
Arizona L (but I can see this going either way)
BYU L
@ WSU W
@ Utah W
Stanford L
@ Cal L
UW W
@ Oregon L

Total: 5-7 Actual: 3-9

They ended up a bit worse than I expected.

Stanford:
SJSU W
@ Duke W
@ Arizona W
fucla W
Colorado W
@ Wazzu W
UW W
@ USC L
@ Oregon St W
Oregon W
Cal W
Notre Dame W

Total: 11-1 (although that Oregon St game looks dangerous too)
Actual: 11-1

Thoughts: I was wrong about the Beavers game and backwards on USC and Oregon but Stanford was about what I thought they would be.


fucla:
@ Houston L
SJSU W
Texas L
@ Oregon St L
@ Stanford L
WSU L (toss up game)
@ Arizona L
Cal L
ASU L
@ Utah L
Colorado W (toss up game)
@ USC L

Total: 2-10 Actual: 6-6

Thoughts: Yeah I probably was a bit of a homer with this one. They ended up being better than I thought.

USC:
Minnesota W
Utah W
Syracuse W
@ ASU W
Arizona W
@ Cal W
@ Notre Dame W (I am scared about this one though)
Stanford W
Colorado W
UW W
@ Oregon L
fucla W

Total: 11-1 (Drinking the kool aid!, I won't at all be surprised by another 8-4 year)
Actual: 10-2

Thoughts: I was wrong about Stanford, ASU and Oregon. Notre Dame didn't end up scary at all.

Utah:
Montana State W
USC L
@ BYU W (I went back and forth on this one)
UW L
ASU L
@ Pittsburgh L
@ Cal L
Oregon State L
@ Arizona L
fucla W
@ WSU W
Colorado L

Total: 4-8 (and to think they miss Stanford and Oregon!)
Actual: 7-5

Thoughts: I didn't think they had a shot at Pittsburgh, and Oregon State ended up worse than I thought.

UW:
Eastern Washington W
Hawaii W
@ Nebraska L
Cal W
@ Utah W
Colorado W
@ Stanford L
Arizona W (I must be crazy)
Oregon L
@ USC L
@ Oregon State L
WSU W

Total: 7-5 (but 6-6 seems more likely, and one of those is over a really good 1-AA team)
Actual: 7-5

Thoughts: The Arizona win was less crazy than I thought it would be. Otherwise UW was spot on what I thought they would be.

WSU:
Idaho State W
UNLV W (I know nothing about UNLV)
@ SDSU L
@ Colorado L
@ fucla W
Stanford L
Oregon State L
@ Oregon L
@ Cal L
ASU L
Utah L
@ UW L

Total 3-9 (and possibly worse if UNLV is better than I'm giving them credit for!)
Actual: 4-8

Thoughts: They ended up 1 game better than I thought, mostly due to ASU shitting the bed.

Pac 12 CCG: Stanford over ASU
Actual: Oregon over ucla (most likely)

Thoughts: Yeah I whiffed on this pretty bad.


Bowls:

BCS: Stanford
Alamo Bowl: Oregon
Holiday Bowl: ASU
Sun Bowl: Cal/UW
Maaco Bowl: Cal/UW
Kraft Bowl: Arizona
New Mexico Bowl: Picks someone from another conference because with USC ineligible there aren't enough bowl teams

Actual
Rose: Oregon
Alamo: Stanford
Holiday: Cal/UW/Utah
Sun: Cal/UW/Utah
Maaco: Cal/UW/Utah
Kraft: ASU
New Mexico: fucla if the NCAA gives them a waiver, but most likely no one from the Pac 12.

Pac 12 OPOTY: Andrew Luck
Pac 12 DPOTY: Vontaze Burfict (unless he gets suspended for killing someone)
Pac 12 FOTY: George Farmer

Actual:
OPOTY: Probably still Luck, but its not a runaway.
DPOTY: Probably still Burfict but I think Conroy Black and Nick Perry both have a case.
FOTY: Marqise Lee easily.

Link to original post.

So I was spot on for 6 out of 12 teams! Not bad. I was close on everyone else but fucla.

 

[perfectchaos007]

The Taiwan news network NMA recaps the UT/Aggy rivalry.

lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdPJrFZkflY&feature=feedu

 

[jjasper]

Since it has been brought to my attention that the ass clown Mike Hamilton gave Dooley a ridiculous buyout (5 million this year). Looks like we are stuck with him one more year so hopefully the following coaches will be replaced next year.

Offensive Line
Defensive Backs
Special Teams
Strength & Conditioning
Running Backs

There I think that covers it with me being generous to Chaney and just forcing him out as RB coach and keeping OC.

 

[goldenticket]

The Taiwan news network NMA recaps the UT/Aggy rivalry.

lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdPJrFZkflY&feature=feedu

awesome

 

[KingGondo]

Not true. Your defense is the problem. And its a known problem. So its not inexplicable. I rooted for you guys to make it to the MNC, and with that month just game plan the shit out of lsu and then go out there with your offense and then reinforced defense. But somewhere everyone kind of knew you guys were giving up a few too many points every once in a while.

hope you guys still make it somehow

I say "inexplicable" because we made an unbelievable number of errors that we usually don't make.

5 turnovers (including 2 INTs that should have been completions)
Dropped passes that would have continued drives
An unrecovered fumble that would have given us another shot at a FG
And of course, the infamous missed FG

Our defense was part of the problem, but they did enough for us to win IMO. We only scored on our first possession of the second half and allowed ISU to close a 24-7 deficit. One more point in the second half and we're discussing how OSU matches up with LSU.

Our offense is often fantastic, but it's a double-edged sword. If it's not putting up points or we're turning the ball over, it puts the defense in an incredibly difficult position.

 

[SyNapSe]

Makes sense. Big 10 and Big East are really bad this year.

I'm not sure if you intentionally left out the ACC or if that's supposed to be the joke.

 

[Jamesways]

I'd agree, but Wisconsin...yea, they lost 2 games, but they were desperate heaves in the final seconds...on hail mary's. If there was a playoff instead of this voting shit, I'd still put money on them. They're a top 10 team, IMO. They beat Penn State's ass today and Russel Wilson has thrown 30 TDs to 3 INTs this season, IIRC. They deserve a bit more respect. You'd think they lost badly somewhere along the line. I'd line Wisconsin up against OSU, Stanford, VT, Arkansas, etc. and I'd put my money on Wiscy.

I agree with you, but I'm biased being from Madison and a huge Wis fan. But those two close losses made them a better team, I think they're playing much better now. People act like those two losses were complete blowouts. I think they'd match up well against a lot of the top 10 teams.

But, listening to ESPN radio last night on the road, Mel Kiper and his co-host were trolling Wis/Mich St/the whole B1G hard. They were basically saying Wis shouldn't be taken seriously, they had two road games to win to run the table and lost to Mich St (more on them in a bit), and a miserable OSU team. They argued Wis has no quality wins against "good teams". Running up the score on Neb shouldn't count since they were "banged up", beating Penn St. badly shouldn't count because of the scandel. And even if they beat Mich St next week, it won't count as a quality win since they suffer the same problem as Wis, no real quality wins. So Wis or Mich St has to completely bury their matchups in bowls to be thought of as better than mediocre, which their convinced they won't.

Basically since none of the B1G has played and beaten LSU, Alabama, OSU, or Stanford yet this year, they aren't to be considered as decent teams.

Bullshit.

 

[LM4sure]

Okay, you say FSU has one of the best defenses. Your 8-4 record makes me think otherwise without any other digging.

TODAY, UF's defense played better than FSU's. Unless your offense is SO terrible it made our defense look like the ravens.

i still think your either joking or 14 based off your posts

First of all, don't be bitter because UF got embarrassed. It's embarrassing for you as well. And second, you just admitted you have no idea what the hell you are talking about. Only looking at the win/loss record? C'mon, man!

And again, UF's defense may have played better today, but one game does not make a season. Over the course of the season FSU's defense has been fantastic. UF's obviously has not. Now go to bed and stop embarrassing yourself.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I agree with you, but I'm biased being from Madison and a huge Wis fan. But those two close losses made them a better team, I think they're playing much better now. People act like those two losses were complete blowouts. I think they'd match up well against a lot of the top 10 teams.

But, listening to ESPN radio last night on the road, Mel Kiper and his co-host were trolling Wis/Mich St/the whole B1G hard. They were basically saying Wis shouldn't be taken seriously, they had two road games to win to run the table and lost to Mich St (more on them in a bit), and a miserable OSU team. They argued Wis has no quality wins against "good teams". Running up the score on Neb shouldn't count since they were "banged up", beating Penn St. badly shouldn't count because of the scandel. And even if they beat Mich St next week, it won't count as a quality win since they suffer the same problem as Wis, no real quality wins. So Wis or Mich St has to completely bury their matchups in bowls to be thought of as better than mediocre, which their convinced they won't.

Basically since none of the B1G has played and beaten LSU, Alabama, OSU, or Stanford yet this year, they aren't to be considered as decent teams.

Bullshit.

Honestly, I have to agree with the assessment of Penn State. Michigan and MSU are also very flawed teams that simply made some things happen this year.

Anyway, after Wiscy beats down Michigan State, they'll just need to make sure they beat down Oregon in the Rose Bowl. MSU will probably get one of those vaunted SEC teams in their bowl game...and they'll need to go ahead and whoop asses too. Michigan will likely land VT or Houston, either of which will be a very winnable game.

If Wiscy, Michigan and MSU win their bowl games, it will help address some of the image problem of the B1G atm...but honestly, it's an annual thing to disparage the B1G. Ohio State's many years of BCS failure and Michigan's general struggles as the faces of the B1G for awhile didn't help matters.

That being said, I'd line up Wisconsin against anyone but LSU and 'Bama and put my money on the Badgers. I think they're that good. The losses they absorbed are...well, I'm a Wolverine fan and even I'm mad they lost those 2 games. Too bad Russell is gone after this year. He's irreplaceable. Wish we had him at Michigan this year. With our receiving corps, we probably wouldn't have lost any games.

 

[pxleyes]

First of all, don't be bitter because UF got embarrassed. It's embarrassing for you as well. And second, you just admitted you have no idea what the hell you are talking about. Only looking at the win/loss record? C'mon, man!

And again, UF's defense may have played better today, but one game does not make a season. Over the course of the season FSU's defense has been fantastic. UF's obviously has not. Now go to bed and stop embarrassing yourself.

The only thing embarrassing in this thread is a "fan" who shows up only after his team has won. Go back to the hole you crawled out of for a couple more years. I bet the FSU faithful would be just fine with your continued absence.

 

[Squirrel Killer]

Makes sense. Big 10 and Big East are really bad this year.

The B1G has 3 teams @ 10-2, 2 more @ 9-3, only 2 teams are ineligible for bowls, and the conference champion is going to be 11-2. The only other conference with as few bowl ineligible teams is the Big 12-2-1+1+1-1 with half as many members. Sagarin has the B1G just barely behind the Pac-12 (although his Big 12-2-1+1+1-1 rating points to a flaw in his model.) I'm not saying the B1G is better than the SEC, but it's not terribad by a long shot.

 

[squicken]

http://blog.newsok.com/berrytramel/...st/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

OSU could fall all the way to the Insight with a Bedlam loss. That would really suck for them

 

[StoOgE]

The B1G has 3 teams @ 10-2, 2 more @ 9-3, only 2 teams are ineligible for bowls, and the conference champion is going to be 11-2. The only other conference with as few bowl ineligible teams is the Big 12-2-1+1+1-1 with half as many members. Sagarin has the B1G just barely behind the Pac-12 (although his Big 12-2-1+1+1-1 rating points to a flaw in his model.) I'm not saying the B1G is better than the SEC, but it's not terribad by a long shot.

Use sagarin run to prove a point, throw out other sagarin data that contradicts the point you want to make.

 

[Battlezone]

6-3 is "many years of BCS failure"?

 

[sonycowboy]

Speaking of Sagarin (to get an idea of computer's rankings). Pretty much the same as last week as there was pretty much status quo this week. Arkansas didn't fall at all despite the loss, but Houston was a big jumper... Interesting to see where the other computers put them as they had an average computer ranking of 12 last week.

1) LSU
2) Alabama
3) OK State
4) Arkansas
5) K-State
6) Oklahoma
7) Baylor
8) Houston (big jump from #15)
9) Oregon
10) Stanford (from #11)
11) South Carolina (from #8)

NOTE: Michigan stayed at 23rd in the Sagarin ranking.