A place for the discussion of all things not closely related to the sport and its competitive side. (Locked down several times a year during the major championships)
Marlow wrote:If Bama and OkSt and Clemson and Stanford were to go undefeated, the BCS would indeed be seen as having a fatal cancer. The stop-gap measure would be to institute semis and a final BCS Bowl, but eventually I think it's going to HAVE to go to an 8-team playoff, working into the Bowls as they already exist, quarters after the Conference Games, semi's before Christmas and the Final the second week of Jan.
The plus-one system (four-team playoff) is what we're going to end up with. There will never be any clamoring for an eight-team playoff, .....
That may be the conventional wisdom in the SEC, but out here in the hinterlands we hear non-stop argumentation for an 8- (and occasionally even a 16-) team playoff.
Assuming both the loser and the winner run the table after 11/05/11, I believe this game has the potential to surpass the 2006 Michigan-Ohio State game, and rank right up there with the 1971 Oklahoma=Nebraska football game.
jazzcyclist wrote:The Hype http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm-1baEo ... r_embedded Assuming both the loser and the winner run the table after 11/05/11, I believe this game has the potential to surpass the 2006 Michigan-Ohio State game, and rank right up there with the 1971 Oklahoma=Nebraska football game.
A rematch is just that, anti-climax. The 71 OK-Neb game is still the best game I've ever seen (well, equal to BoiSt's bowl win a few years ago over OK with all the gadget plays). The Bama-LSU game next week should be great, but not up to the 71 standard. A rematch, not so much.
Marlow wrote:A rematch is just that, anti-climax. The 71 OK-Neb game is still the best game I've ever seen (well, equal to BoiSt's bowl win a few years ago over OK with all the gadget plays). The Bama-LSU game next week should be great, but not up to the 71 standard. A rematch, not so much.
I made no mention of a rematch. I'm only talking about the November 5 showdown. What makes these regular season games stand the test of time is when both teams run the table afterwards, which both Nebraska and Okalhoma did in 1971. Nebraska dismantled Bear Bryant's Tide in the Orange Bowl and Oklahoma took Pat Sullivan's Tigers to the woodshed in the Sugar Bowl. In 2006, both Ohio State and Michigan lost their bowl games which rendered their regular season game meaningless after the fact. Another game worthy of discussion is the 1987 Miami-Florida State game. Both teams were loaded with future pros and ran the table after the Canes beat the Noles 26-25, finishing 1-2 in the final polls. Assuming the winner of the LSU-Alabama game takes Stanford to the woodshed, the loser will likely finish #2 on the final polls assuming they take care of business in the Sugar Bowl. In that scenario, I would compare the 11/05/11 showdown favorably to the 1971 Oklahoma-Nebraska game.
My bad. When you said, "Assuming both the loser and the winner run the table after 11/05/11, I believe this game . . ", I thought you were talking about the possibility that they could meet again in the BCS Bowl, which is possible, with losses by the other undefeateds.
A high school that won 78 games in a row, the first three years of that streak no opponet got past the 50 yard line? No opponet even scored on them until the 53rd game of that streak.
while never giving up more than 12 in a game and going 56-1 over a 5 year span. When they did lose...2-0...which happened in the last game of that five year span. In that 57 game span they gave up a total of....42 points.
Then there's that high school kickoff return man/boy that ran so many back for scores that the offense started complaining about playing time....haha!!!!!!
The best football game I have seen was that Boise State win over Oklahoma. As far as anticipation and..BIG GAME!...that Greg Pruitt vs Johnny Rodgers game.
As far as one play...gotta go with that freaky 15 lateral play that Trinity pulled off. That was incredible.
I think most football fans are aware of that 222-0 game where Georgia Tech destroyed Cumberland. Not sure everyone is aware of the fact that one player scored 18 td's in that game.
Pego wrote:Ohio St - Wisconsin is not too bad a match-up either. Ohio St is pretty much back to normal.
Obviously, I'm taking the Badgers in that game. By the way Pego, I felt for you and 26mi last Saturday night. I thought this Wisconsin team was something special. It just goes to show you, it's tough to run the table even when you're favored in every game on your schedule.
Pego wrote:Ohio St - Wisconsin is not too bad a match-up either. Ohio St is pretty much back to normal.
Obviously, I'm taking the Badgers in that game. By the way Pego, I felt for you and 26mi last Saturday night. I thought this Wisconsin team was something special. It just goes to show you, it's tough to run the table even when you're favored in every game on your schedule.
Hard to lose by an inch (out of 12 x 3 x 44 or them ) with no time left. However, there is compensation because the XC team is now moving close to a tie in the rankings for first with lonewolf U. Big Tens - battle with an Indiana team that is better than their ranking if Bayer et al are healthy, then NCAAs.
Looking forward to the possibility of hosting NCAAs in a couple of years ( and hope not another )
Pego wrote:Ohio St - Wisconsin is not too bad a match-up either. Ohio St is pretty much back to normal.
Obviously, I'm taking the Badgers in that game. By the way Pego, I felt for you and 26mi last Saturday night. I thought this Wisconsin team was something special. It just goes to show you, it's tough to run the table even when you're favored in every game on your schedule.
Yep. it was heart-breaking. I've had a few of those throughout the ages . I still think this Wisconsin team might be the best ever (or at least in my 40 years following the program closely).
#11 Michigan State at #14 Nebraska (11:00 CST, ESPN) Baylor (RG3 U) at #3 Oklahoma State (14:30 CST, ABC, ESPN2) #9 Oklahoma at #8 Kansas State (14:30 CST, ESPN) #6 Stanford at #20 (AP) USC (19:00 CST, ABC)
Can the Spartans get up for another big game? I'm going wishy washy with this one. Of the games mentioned above the Cornhuskers stand the best chance of beating a team ranked higher than they are. After beating Michigan/Wisconsin two historic rivals MSU can't get it up again (same level of intensity) for a team like Nebraska while Nebraska is home. Yes MSU is the better team, I'm talking about a ..."spot"....that favors Nebraska.
I have to admit that I'm surprised that Nebraska is favored and that Wisconsin isn't favored by more.
The linemakers (not wise guys, they would be knowlegeable gamblers) are well aware of the .."spot"...that MSU is in this weekend. They understand what the last two weeks have meant to the Spartans and how hard it is to get up another week especially as roadwarriors. Nothing gets by these guys, they know the college game.
Avante wrote:The linemakers (not wise guys, they would be knowlegeable gamblers) are well aware of the .."spot"...that MSU is in this weekend. They understand what the last two weeks have meant to the Spartans and how hard it is to get up another week especially as roadwarriors. Nothing gets by these guys, they know the college game.
I don't doubt the wisedom of people whose livelihood depends on this stuff, I'm just surprised. By the way, these same folks have dropped the LSU-Alabama line down to 3.5. I have a feeling it will tighten up more as the game approaches.
Avante wrote:The linemakers (not wise guys, they would be knowlegeable gamblers) are well aware of the .."spot"...that MSU is in this weekend. They understand what the last two weeks have meant to the Spartans and how hard it is to get up another week especially as roadwarriors. Nothing gets by these guys, they know the college game.
I don't doubt the wisedom of people whose livelihood depends on this stuff, I'm just surprised. By the way, these same folks have dropped the LSU-Alabama line down to 3.5. I have a feeling it will tighten up more as the game approaches.
I have a couple books and get a yearly magazine all about football handicapping. You wouldn't believe to what measures this is taken. Every possible scenario has numbers attached to it. So as a serious handicapper (which wise guys are) your job is to search out the strongest plays of the week (very very time consuming) where those trends/stats/history are overwelmingly in favor of one team over another in that particular..."spot". You line up three or five (always an odd number for obvious reasons) of those strongley favoring X over Y games and the odds of all of them going against trends/history on the same day...slim. Yes it does happen but it's rare.
Wise guys have it down to a science. It's a job more or less. They start working on it the minute the line is put up. By the time they make the call/step up to the window they have it totally broke down/disected. They will win about 70% of the time. Anyone saying they are doing better than that is a liar, you cannot do any better than that. Injuries, turnovers will see to that. Those are things that cannot be tossed in the mix, they are the unknowns. Not that we don't know which teams turn it over/protect the ball, but that doesn't help all that much.
Any time a team gets a new coach you toss out all the old trends and start over.Actually laying off those teams until we start to see trends. You also don't go way back with history, three years is about right.
paste...
Nebraska has gotten the job done this season by outscoring their opponents with an offense that averages 37.6 points per contest (20th). Unfortunately, the Cornhuskers have a defense that has been more than generous in allowing 25.3 points per game and a whopping 162.7 rushing yards per game this season (70th). I really like the way the Michigan State Spartans are playing coming into this contest despite the fact that it took a miraculous Hail Mary catch in order to beat Wisconsin the last time out. The Spartans are ranked second in the nation in total yards and passing yards allowed, eighth in rushing defense and seventh in points allowed (13.7 ppg). Not only do the Spartans have an impressive defense, but they’ve also averaged a stellar 32.5 points per game over their last two contests thanks to the fine play of senior quarterback Kirk Cousins (16 TDs, 4 Ints).
The Spartans have gone 4-0 ATS in their last four conference games and a blistering 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning record. Nebraska is 2-6 ATS in its L/8 home games and a pitiful 0-5 ATS in its last five home games. I like the more defensive-minded Michigan State Spartans to win and cash in college football bettors!
Now why would anyone bother with that game? When there are tons of games out there where the outcome isn't as ...???. I have no problem seeing Nebraska winning the game knowing MSU's situation. But why, when there are better plays out there.
Avante wrote: I really like the way the Michigan State Spartans are playing coming into this contest despite the fact that it took a miraculous Hail Mary catch in order to beat Wisconsin the last time out.
I want a reprise of Mich St-Wisconsin in Big Ten championship on the first Saturday in December .
Avante, I truly do believe you know tons about handicapping. Here's my challenge. You take the NFL football games for the next two weeks and tell us your picks vs. the Vegas line. If you can beat the spread at a statistically significant rate (which I will place at 62.5%, i.e., only a 5/8 rate). I will buy your claims. This should be right up your alley. If you're as good as you seem to indicate, you should be a very rich man by now.
Alabama, LSU and Boise State were idle, Houston and Oklahoma State romped and Stanford survived. If I were Marlow, i would be very concerned about the Stanford defense, which is not Crystal Football worthy IMO. Before USC fumbled in overtime, I got the feeling that it would take a mistake by one of the offenses to bring the game to a conclusion, since both defenses were little more than a bump for the opposing offenses.
The most critical poll of the season will come out a week from today. The big decision that pollsters will have to make is where they slot the loser of the Alabama-LSU game assuming it's close. Based on what I've seen, there's no reasom to drop them lower than 3rd, especially considering the fact that that's how they slotted Michigan after the 2006 Michigan-Ohio State game.
jazzcyclist wrote: If I were Marlow, i would be very concerned about the Stanford defense
Trust me, I am. I hope we're 10-point under-dogs in the Oregon game, but, being at home, I fear we'll actually be favored! Oregon's O will romp all game long. Our only hope is that Luck has the game of his life and our run game can keep the pass rush at bay.
jazzcyclist wrote: If I were Marlow, i would be very concerned about the Stanford defense
Trust me, I am. I hope we're 10-point under-dogs in the Oregon game, but, being at home, I fear we'll actually be favored! Oregon's O will romp all game long. Our only hope is that Luck has the game of his life and our run game can keep the pass rush at bay.
Knowing that a little quick cat can do what he did for USC last night...gulp. However...Stanford does have the home field/revenge. They do have a great QB/O line. I see it 50/50. No way I see a logical reason to favor a side in this.."spot". Anything can happen.
jazzcyclist wrote:..... Assuming the winner of the LSU-Alabama game takes Stanford to the woodshed,....
While I harbor few illusions that Stanford can hang with either of the SEC powerhouses (not enough D), the "woodshed" analysis, methinks, is far off the mark.
I think Luck & Co. can put up serious points on any team in the nation, and that includes the majority of the NFL franchises (seriously).
jazzcyclist wrote:..... Assuming the winner of the LSU-Alabama game takes Stanford to the woodshed,....
While I harbor few illusions that Stanford can hang with either of the SEC powerhouses (not enough D), the "woodshed" analysis, methinks, is far off the mark. I think Luck & Co. can put up serious points on any team in the nation, and that includes the majority of the NFL franchises (seriously).
Preach it, brother!
It would take something in the vicinity of a +3 in turnovers for SU to hang with Bama or LSU in the BCS Bowl, but it sure would be fun to see!!! I can't believe OkSt can beat OKla, so if we can sneak by Ore, we'll see . . .
Stanford finally leapfrogged Boise State to claim the #4 ranking in the latest BCS poll. However, Boise State did gain ground on LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma State. Here are the latest rankings:
Oregon had no business opening with LSU in Texas....duh~~~ Right now they could be in number three. And once again in the hunt. LSU would have beaten anyone with the possible exception of Alabama in week one. Right now Oregon could be as good as anyone, and they can run with any SEC team.
I can't think of any NCAA team that had three tailbacks who could go 99 yards, meaning having the speed to outrun cornerbacks. Unique!
Last edited by Avante on Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Avante wrote:Oregon had no business opening with LSU in Texas....duh.
Why not?
Why go on the road and play an SEC team that went...11-2? Look at how Alabama, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Stanford opened. All had a chance to get things together before a real challenge. I knew Oregon wasn't going to beat LSU in that.."spot". As did everyone who follows this stuff.
Oregon would be hard pressed to beat LSU right now .."in"..Eugene. No way they were going to beat them in Texas. Now all those teams that played it smart are still undefeated something Oregon would also be if they had played it smart.
No you don't.."we'll play anyone, anytime, anywhere...GRRRRRRR!!"
It's kinda like boxing, you don't toss a young up and comer in with a seasoned vet who can fight. Just so you can.."we ain't afraid of anyone...GRRRR!"...you look at the big picture, unlike what Oregon did.
Avante wrote:Why go on the road and play an SEC team that went...11-2? Look at how Alabama, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Stanford opened. All had a chance to get things together before a real challenge. I knew Oregon wasn't going to beat LSU in that.."spot". As did everyone who follows this stuff.
Oregon would be hard pressed to beat LSU right now .."in"..Eugene. No way they were going to beat them in Texas. Now all those teams that played it smart are still undefeated something Oregon would also be if they had played it smart.
No you don't.."we'll play anyone, anytime, anywhere...GRRRRRRR!!"
It's kinda like boxing, you don't toss a young up and comer in with a seasoned vet who can fight. Just so you can.."we ain't afraid of anyone...GRRRR!"...you look at the big picture, unlike what Oregon did.
Okay, now I see where you're coming from. You think the best teams should avoid each other. You believe they should deny the fans those great September inter-conference matchups that most college football fans look forward to.
FYI, last year's Boise State-Virginia Tech game was the season's second highest rated game behind the Alabama-Auburn and the highest rated ESPN game in 16 years.
) with no time left. However, there is compensation because the XC team is now moving close to a tie in the rankings for first with lonewolf U. Big Tens - battle with an Indiana team that is better than their ranking if Bayer et al are healthy, then NCAAs. 
and hope not another 
. I still think this Wisconsin team might be the best ever (or at least in my 40 years following the program closely).
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