This Week in College Football 9/15 - 9/17

[Damaramu 0]

Any other year besides the past 3 and the Big XII would compare. It's just been down lately.

Though I don't think Tech gets enough credit. Hey they could sneak up and win this conference.

[teke184 0]

Texas Tech has the offense to pull it off, as that coach turns every QB out there into Johnny All-American under his system. Kinda like BYU, except they play in a (normally) good league instead of the old WAC.

 

 

Whether they have the defense to give them that opportunity is ALWAYS the question with them.

[Guest]

Texas Tech could never stop Vince Young.

[Bored 0]

BTW, Cabbageboy...

 

Don't judge LSU's defense too much off of that ASU game.

 

 

They just brought in a completely new coaching staff after Saban left last year and didn't get to have their tune-up game against North Texas due to Hurricane Katrina.

 

I think that affords them a mulligan under the circumstances, but only for one game.

 

 

If LSU's pass defense is like wet tissue paper against Tennessee, though, it may be a long season unless Miles puts up some gaudy Texas Tech offensive numbers to win games.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Also add in that there might not be a defense in the country that could contain ASU's passing game. Sam Keller is already looking better than Andrew Walter.

[iggymcfly 0]

On the subject of who'll be the #2 in the Rose Bowl...

 

I think you're all giving Texas a little too much credit right now.

 

 

1. Texas has a rep for blowing games when they absolutely shouldn't.  While they didn't screw up against Michigan in last year's Rose Bowl or against Ohio State this year, they'll have one game that will either be a loss or WAY closer than it should be.

 

2. While the Big 12 has talent at the top, the talent level is very shallow across the whole league.

 

Now that Oklahoma is in the shitter, that downgrades the quality of the remaining Big 12 teams considerably.  Texas is the consensus #1 but teams such as Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa State, and (I can't believe I'm saying this) Baylor wouldn't be the #4 team in the ACC or SEC.

 

 

 

As a comparison:

 

Big 12:

 

1. Texas

2. Texas Tech

3. Texas A&M

4. Oklahoma

 

ACC:

 

1. Virginia Tech

2. Florida State

3. Miami

4. Clemson

5. Boston College

 

SEC:

 

1. LSU or Florida

2. Florida or LSU

3. Georgia

4. Tennessee

5. Alabama

6. Vanderbilt

 

 

 

When the voters start taking a look at a lot of the teams that Texas played outside of Ohio State, it may be hard to justify keeping them as #2.

 

Granted, this will require Virginia Tech, Florida, or LSU running the table to pull it off, which will be hard considering the regular-season schedules ALONE, not even counting the ACC and SEC title games.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Actually, I'm pretty sure that you're giving the voters too much credit. Texas is ranked #2 and they're not going to drop unless they lose a game or look really bad in a win. I was never saying they'd deserve the spot; I was just saying that the voters are going to leave them there unless they lose.

 

Oh, and for the record, Georgia Tech is way better than Clemson and Boston College, and Auburn is way better than Vanderbilt. And yes, every one of those teams is better than Oklahoma.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Yeah, neither Clemson nor Boston College will probably be in the top third of the ACC once the year shakes out. I really don't think an ACC team gets to the Rose Bowl unless FSU has a really lucky season, which is possible--they've already beaten Miami and BC, and don't play Virginia Tech. End-of-the-year against Florida will probably kill them, though, if running into NC State's defense doesn't.

 

Probably a good chance for a one-loss team to come out of the Big Ten and make the Rose Bowl, if Texas loses somewhere in there.

[AboveAverage484 0]

Vandy ahead of OU makes me laugh.

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Vandy getting votes makes me laugh.

 

An an unrelated note, the Bama/Tennessee and Bama/Florida games are going to be verrry interesting. Roll Tide, baby!

[Slayer 0]

Trivia from the local sports talk show

 

Last time neither OU nor Nebraska were ranked: 1969

[Guest Ether]

Got back a few hours ago from Nebraska after attending the Pitt-Nebraska game. While it may have been hell to watch on TV for some people, it was quite a game to watch live. I really thought that, with a second chance, Pitt was going to pull it off. For those who ever have to opportunity to go to a game at Nebraska - even if you are not a fan of Nenraska or their opponent - by all means take it. The atmosphere is tremendous, and their fans' reputation for politeness is deserved; we were welcomed and thanked for coming to the game many times, and a lady even offered concern for the Pitt player who was carted off the field (broken ankle).

 

Few other thoughts:

 

- The team that beats USC is the team that is capable of hanging 50+ points also. Arizona State and Notre Dame look like the best bet on their schedule.

 

- WVU, in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, did well in beating a Maryland team that has usually had their number. If they can upset Virginia Tech in Morgantown, the Louisville-WVU game with two undefeated teams would give the Big East some much needed positive spotlight.

 

- Texas and Ohio State are the potential one-loss teams that an undefeated Louisville would have to worry about losing a Rose Bowl berth to. Like I said, WVU beating Virginia Tech is definitely in the best interests of Louisville and the rest of the Big East.

 

- With Richmond and MTSU coming up, Vanderbilt should be 5-0. With a home game near the end against Kentucy, they have a very good shot at going to a bowl as long as the SEC big boys, once Vandy starts playing them, don't sestroy all their confidence.

 

- With Utah and Fresno State losing, it looks like no one from a mid-major will be going to a BCS game this year. UTEP and Toledo are the two biggest names that are undefeated that I can think of, but their schedules are too weak and they are currently ranked too low for either to have a chance.

 

- UC Davis. Now you know why so many Pitt fans wanted Walt Harris gone.

 

- Oklahoma: I of course did not see any of the game; what was Oklahoma's problem in this one? I know it was the QB missing some passes against TCU. Having said that, I think this puts even more pressure on Texas, who will probably still find a way to lose it.

[cabbageboy 0]

Ether, WVU is scaring the shit out of me. To be honest when I first saw the schedule I knew that one would be dangerous for U of L. They are really tough at home and I know it'll be a fight. I wasn't real afraid of Pitt to begin with, we have them at home and I thought they were crap last year.

[Urban Warfare 0]

Paul Thompson started the season throwing Oklahoma's passes. Now, the junior will be catching the passes.

 

Sooners coach Bob Stoops said Monday that Thompson will be switched to wide receiver.

 

"He's an excellent athlete who's worked hard and we want the opportunity to get him on the field," Stoops said. "Rhett Bomar has got four years in front of him and he's ahead in some areas right now."

 

Thompson, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, bided his time behind Nate Hybl and White to earn the spot as Oklahoma's top quarterback before the season began, but he was replaced by Bomar after the Sooners were upset in their opener by TCU.

 

Thompson was the backup as Hybl guided the Sooners to the Rose Bowl, and played in 10 games during White's 2003 Heisman Trophy season. He redshirted last season as White returned for a sixth year with the Sooners.

 

In 15 career games, Thompson has completed 42 of 73 passes for 428 yards and four touchdowns, with three interceptions. In 2003, he rushed for 183 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries and some fans thought he should have played in the national championship game as LSU's defense pressured White, who was still recovering from two knee surgeries.

 

 

 

Regarded as the team's quarterback of the future, Bomar came to Oklahoma last season from Grand Prairie High School in Texas. He had thrown for 6,097 yards and 58 touchdowns in his career there and was regarded by many as the nation's No. 2 recruit behind Adrian Peterson.

 

ESPN.com

[Damaramu 0]

Anything will help this team at this point.

They're going to be under .500 going into the middle of October for god's sake.

Think about it. IF(and i said if) they beat Kansas State then they'll be 2-2. Well the next week is Texas and with the way the Longhorns are playing and the way Bob Stoops is coaching with his head up his ass I give them no shot to win. Which mean's they'll be 2-3. Sad. The next week they go back up to 3-3 hopefully by playing Kansas but the next week they have a game at Nebraska they could lose easily so they' be 3-4!

People down here are abandoning the team. Which is sad. I'm sticking with them of course but I'm just being realistic about who they are. I'm still rooting for them but I know what the problems are.

Rather than just tough it out and accept the problems though most fans are going "OU sucks. I hate them. I don't want to watch them until they're good again." Bitches! I watched every minute of the Orange Bowl, the TCU game, and the UCLA game. Tough it out.

 

Anyway that being said I wonder how the rest of the country feels about being able to beat up on the Sooners? I mean does it give them a sense of satisfaction or is it like "oh well we only got revenge when the bastards sucked." I mean which would you rather have?

A blowout win over this Sooner team now.....or a close win over the Josh Heupel or Jason White lead Sooners?

[Guest]

Oklahoma's going to win 7 games. You would think people wouldn't be so pissy, because before Stoops got there which wasn't long ago, they were much worse than this.

[Damaramu 0]

Oklahoma's going to win 7 games.  You would think people wouldn't be so pissy, because before Stoops got there which wasn't long ago, they were much worse than this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah well they've finished in the Top 5 for 5 years in a row. People are spoiled.

Yeah before Stoops got here they won 3 games ever year. It was awful.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

I got a student ticket for the Oregon/USC game this weekend. I'll try to provide a post-game report after it's over. I'm hoping the Ducks can hang with them for at least a little while. I don't expect the defense to be able to stop USC, but if we can score often we might keep it close.

[Urban Warfare 0]

Phil Fulmer named Erik Ainge the starter for the pivotal game at LSU.

[iggymcfly 0]

I got a student ticket for the Oregon/USC game this weekend. I'll try to provide a post-game report after it's over. We played a close game against Houston, and we barely beat Fresno State, so we really have no shot whatsoever. We'll be lucky if we can keep it within four touchdowns.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Edited for accuracy.

 

Don't feel bad though. The Cougs probably won't have it any better.

[Guest]

The only team that can score with USC is Arizona State. Even they have hangups.

[Guest Ether]

Ether, WVU is scaring the shit out of me.  To be honest when I first saw the schedule I knew that one would be dangerous for U of L.  They are really tough at home and I know it'll be a fight.  I wasn't real afraid of Pitt to begin with, we have them at home and I thought they were crap last year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I know before the season started that I picked Pitt to win the Big East, mainly out of homerism and to provide something different on the message board, but I figured Louisville would win the game, probably in shootout fashion, because the game is in Louisville. Most of us did not expect Pitt to struggle with the new offense so much, but looking back it makes sense since Walt Harris left a finesse team that was lacking on both lines.

 

Anything will help this team at this point.

They're going to be under .500 going into the middle of October for god's sake.

Think about it. IF(and i said if) they beat Kansas State then they'll be 2-2. Well the next week is Texas and with the way the Longhorns are playing and the way Bob Stoops is coaching with his head up his ass I give them no shot to win. Which mean's they'll be 2-3. Sad. The next week they go back up to 3-3 hopefully by playing Kansas but the next week they have a game at Nebraska they could lose easily so they' be 3-4!

People down here are abandoning the team. Which is sad. I'm sticking with them of course but I'm just being realistic about who they are. I'm still rooting for them but I know what the problems are.

Rather than just tough it out and accept the problems though most fans are going "OU sucks. I hate them. I don't want to watch them until they're good again." Bitches! I watched every minute of the Orange Bowl, the TCU game, and the UCLA game. Tough it out.

 

Dama, I feel your pain. A lot of the so-called Pitt fans have completely bailed out after this start, and are calling for Wannstedt's head after two games. I ought to post your quote on the Pitt board on Rivals to let us know that we're not alone.

[UZI Suicide 0]

OU and Pitt are totally different situations. Main reason - Pitt is going nowhere as long as Wannstedt is their head coach. Horrible doesnt even begin to describe him.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Edit: Nevermind.

[cabbageboy 0]

The interesting thing about WVU is that I can't see them losing too many conference games, though admittedly 3 games (one that was a jobber squash of Wofford) may not be a good sample yet. The VA Tech game will be a good barometer for them.

 

Fact is, the Big East and BCS need U of L to win the conf. and hopefully go undefeated. An also ran like WVU (and let's face it, that's what they are) going to the BCS only reinforces the notion of the Big East being a joke.