2011 College Football

[lonewolf]

I did not know who Muschamp is until I watched that video but I like that guy..he could fit in around here without any training.

[Pego]

One of the clothing websites sent me an e-mail this morning offering a teashirt with a big caption across the chest CORN ROAST with 48-17 underneath . The Badgers are for real .

[jazzcyclist]

The Badgers are for real .

This definitely isn't your Daddy's Wisconsin football team. I never thought I would hear the words "explosive" and "Wisconsin football" mentioned in the same sentence. On College Gameday, they talked about all the time Bret Bielema spent recruiting Russell Wilson from North Carolina State in the off-season, which was legal since Wilson graduated in three years. That may have seemed like a lot of effort to get Wilson for just one year, but Bielema looks like a genius now. It kind of reminds me of Auburn's one-year deal with Cam Newton, with the difference being that Wilson is a model student who comes from a model family. Could the Cheeseheads bring home the Crystal Football and the Lombardi Trophy this year?

[Pego]

Could the Cheeseheads bring home the Crystal Football and the Lombardi Trophy this year?

We are also thinking of the World Series .

[Avante]

Russell Wilson...wow!!!!!

[26mi235]

It will be tough for Wisconsin to make 1/2 unless the other top contenders lose a game. If they get lucky and Illinois and Michigan State both have very good records on when play them it will help, but a victory over Ohio State will not have the same sort of impact this year (although they get four starters back next game, I guess).

[jazzcyclist]

Wisonsin's tradition of not scheduling tough non-conference opponents could come back to haunt them this year. Last year, Arkansas, LSU and Oklahoma all finished the season with stronger computer rankings than Wisconsin depsite all having two losses to Wisconsin's one. And even Boise State's schedule was ranked tougher than Wisconsin's last year. Computer rankings could be the deciding factor between a one-loss LSU or Alabama and an undefeated Wisconsin. And in LSU's case, if West Virginia and Oregon continue to roll, the computers won't punish them that much if their only loss is to Alabama.

[jeremyp]

Segueing a little; has anybody read "The Atlantic Monthly" article on college sports, essentially equating the athletes as slaves to corrupt owners (i.e. NCAA and College bosses)??

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc ... orts/8643/

if you can get it.

[26mi235]

Wisconsin does have a weak schedule, but it is weaker than they scheduled it. A couple of years ago, Oregon State was a significantly stronger team and has their best player injured. In general a schedule that has games against Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, the rest of the Big Ten and a normal Oregon State, is not that weak. If Wisconsin goes undefeated, they could lose out to a one-loss Oklahoma or LSU or Alabama. However, even winning all the rest of their games is unlikely, so it is not likely to matter too much. On the other hand, as far as the real polls (the computer polls are constrained in a manner that none of their creators thinks is appropriate for an actual evaluation) go, having a Heisman trophy contender will tend to over-rate them a bit.

[Avante]

If the winner of the LSU/Alabama game stays undefeated they will be one half of the Championship game. The SEC rules.

Oklahoma has to lose to Texas, while Wisconsin stays undefeated (that should happen) for the Badgers to be in the Championship game. Can Texas beat both Oklahoma/OSU back to back....nope!

The perception is that the Big10 is inferior to the SEC/Big12. So Wisconsin is at a disadvantage to begin with.

I do see LSU and Oklahoma being there. LSU and Oklahoma have to lose while Wisconsin runs the table. Only shot the Badgers have.

[jazzcyclist]

Penn State Contacts Urban Meyer about coaching job

http://m.triblive.com/triblive/pm_18301 ... d=f4kkyxj3

[jazzcyclist]

Based on what Boise State did to Fresno State last night and what Nebraska did to them, the Cornhuskers are not very good. Boise State led 30-0 before Fresno State even crossed midfield, and it took a 43-0 lead early in the third quarter. Fresno State actually led the Cornhuskers unti late in the third quarter and were within a touchdown with two minutes left in the game.

[jazzcyclist]

Well, the Sooners started off the day with an emphatic statement, only to be matched by LSU and Alabama later on. In particular, before the LSU-Florida game, Jareett Lee said that they wanted to match what Alabama did the previous week and the stats were almost identical. These three teams have clearly seperated themselves from the rest of the pack. Some of the luster has come off of Wisconsin's woodshedding of the Cornhuskers after their close game against a mediocre Ohio State team last night. Also notable was Boise State's performance on Friday night. They were up 50-0 after three quarters to the same Fresno State team that led Nebraska halfway through the third quarter. Fresno State scored 29 against Nebraska but could only manage 7 against Boise State, and that was only after they put the second and third string defense in in the fourth quarter. And make no mistake, this Boise State team isn't as good as last year's team, which causes me to really question Nebraska's legitimacy. Of the undefeated teams, I think Boise State, Wisconson, Clemson and Stanford are a notch below the Big Three and Michigan, Illinois, Kansas State, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State and Houston are a notch below them with the also-rans. Of the one-loss teams, Brad Edwards said that Oregon might be a top-five team, I think he might be right.

Prediction: LSU will lead the nation this year in schedule strength and will be rewarded with the strong computer rankings that come with it.

[26mi235]

Of the undefeated teams, I think Boise State, Wisconson, Clemson and Stanford are a notch below the Big Three and Michigan, Illinois, Kansas State, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State and Houston are a notch below them with the also-rans. Of the one-loss teams, Brad Edwards said that Oregon might be a top-five team, I think he might be right.

Prediction: LSU will lead the nation this year in schedule strength and will be rewarded with the strong computer rankings that come with it.

Agree with this.

One slight disagreement with the prior comments; it is not that easy to go into Ohio State and win. They have a new coach and are still missing players, so they will be tougher at the end of the season.

Wisconsin will be lucky to do the Rose Bowl while undefeated and win it. If they and Stanford finish undefeated going into that game the winner has a chance to finish second.

[odelltrclan]

Based on what Boise State did to Fresno State last night and what Nebraska did to them, the Cornhuskers are not very good. Boise State led 30-0 before Fresno State even crossed midfield, and it took a 43-0 lead early in the third quarter. Fresno State actually led the Cornhuskers unti late in the third quarter and were within a touchdown with two minutes left in the game.

This may be the best Boise State team of all. Their defense it very good to go with a good offense. I wish I could see BSU play Alabama or LSU. I think they have a good chance of beating anyone and you know one of those teams will end up in the BCS title game.

[jazzcyclist]

The big showdown this week will be Oklahoma State (Lonewolf U.) at Texas. The rest of the contenders either have a bye week or they aren't playing anyone of consequence. To prove its worthiness, Lonewolf U. will be expected to match Oklahoma's woodshedding of the Longhorns, just as LSU matched Alabama's beatdown of Florida. Can they do it?

One thing that Brad Edwards pointed out that I thought was interesting is that not only are LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma the top three in the Harris and Coaches polls, but they make up the top three in the computers also. What this means is that of the 13 undefeated teams, the computers ranked the schedules of LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma as the toughest so far.

[Marlow]

And undefeated Stanford and Oregon trudge on to their showdown, the winner of which will suddenly catapult past all the teams that have been creeping up. Late-day-playing PAC-12 teams suffer in the Sunday morning papers, but the BCS won't be able to ignore an undefeated P12 team. Stanford's run game and stout defense has sustained them so far and Luck has not been tested. OK/LSU/Ala can all stop SU's run game, but if you've been watching SU on TV (which, of course, I have) and then you watch the NFL on Sunday, you can clearly see there's only a handful of pro QBs (Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Rivers, P Manning . . . period) that can do what he does, in reading, reacting, deciding and throwing. NONE of the top NCAA teams can stop him. SU's only problem is - can they stop the offense of an OU, LSU, Bama? Probably not.

I will personally burn down the BCS if Stanford goes undefeated and does not play in the BCS Bowl, just because the formula sticks the SEC winner vs. the Big-12 winner. I would love a SU-Wisc Rose Bowl, but it would have to be for all the marbles, which can't happen.

[odelltrclan]

And undefeated Stanford and Oregon trudge on to their showdown, the winner of which will suddenly catapult past all the teams that have been creeping up. Late-day-playing PAC-12 teams suffer in the Sunday morning papers, but the BCS won't be able to ignore an undefeated P12 team. Stanford's run game and stout defense has sustained them so far and Luck has not been tested. OK/LSU/Ala can all stop SU's run game, but if you've been watching SU on TV (which, of course, I have) and then you watch the NFL on Sunday, you can clearly see there's only a handful of pro QBs (Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Rivers, P Manning . . . period) that can do what he does, in reading, reacting, deciding and throwing. NONE of the top NCAA teams can stop him. SU's only problem is - can they stop the offense of an OU, LSU, Bama? Probably not.

I will personally burn down the BCS if Stanford goes undefeated and does not play in the BCS Bowl, just because the formula sticks the SEC winner vs. the Big-12 winner. I would love a SU-Wisc Rose Bowl, but it would have to be for all the marbles, which can't happen.

As a contrarian, I hope this happens so that the BCS sham is changed. We have seen plenty of BCS busting via Boise State, TCU, Utah, etc. and eventually the other conferences will get tired of the BS and tell the SEC to shove it and come up with a real championship format. I think that day is coming sooner and sooner with the mega conference activity currently going on.

[Marlow]

I think that day is coming sooner and sooner with the mega conference activity currently going on.

it would be sweet if only 4 Super Conferences emerged from the shake-ups. Then there could be National Semis and Final.

#4 Wisconsin vs. #1 Alabama

#3 Stanford vs. #2 Oklahoma

Bama -Stanford in the Big One

Bama is up 24-10 at half, but Luck is 20 for 24 in the second half for 244 yards and SU pulls it out with a FG at the final whistle (after a furious 50-yard drive in less than a minute!) to win 44-41.

[502CD]

This week we'll find out how good Michigan really is with them playing Michigan St. They're definitely better than last year as they would have lost to NW last week if that game were last year. But MSU is another level from NW. MSU did have an extra week to prepare so that won't help.

[26mi235]

The computer polls are now constrained so that they cannot provide the ranking of top team. The constraint is a bias in favor of the BCS leagues, especially the SEC. SPecifically, margin of victory cannot be used at all. Now consider the same team in two different scenarios.

1) they play LSU's schedule and go undefeated by get lucky twice in addition to winning two of them in overtime (i.e., that were actually ties, not wins)

2) they play the schedule of Boise State, playing a few top or good teams in the preseason and then play a league schedule that does not allow many top teams. Playing at exactly the same level as in scenario 1 they have one somewhat close game on the road against the top team on their schedule, winning by only 10 points as the other team scores a touchdown at 0:03 on a long, slow drive that eats the clock as Boise State gives them 3-7 yards plays.

The BCS team is going to easily clinch the championship berth because margin of victory is removed and winning a couple of ties in OT at home is not penalized by the standard '3-point' advantage.

In contrast, the human pollsters know what really happened in the games and can evaluate more nuances and now give a better assessment of the quality of the teams. Also note that the pollsters generally pay more attention for the only poll that really matters, the last one.

[odelltrclan]

The computer polls are now constrained so that they cannot provide the ranking of top team. The constraint is a bias in favor of the BCS leagues, especially the SEC. SPecifically, margin of victory cannot be used at all. Now consider the same team in two different scenarios.

1) they play LSU's schedule and go undefeated by get lucky twice in addition to winning two of them in overtime (i.e., that were actually ties, not wins)

2) they play the schedule of Boise State, playing a few top or good teams in the preseason and then play a league schedule that does not allow many top teams. Playing at exactly the same level as in scenario 1 they have one somewhat close game on the road against the top team on their schedule, winning by only 10 points as the other team scores a touchdown at 0:03 on a long, slow drive that eats the clock as Boise State gives them 3-7 yards plays.

The BCS team is going to easily clinch the championship berth because margin of victory is removed and winning a couple of ties in OT at home is not penalized by the standard '3-point' advantage.

In contrast, the human pollsters know what really happened in the games and can evaluate more nuances and now give a better assessment of the quality of the teams. Also note that the pollsters generally pay more attention for the only poll that really matters, the last one.

It has always been about money and the systems was tweaked (i.e. creating and then changed to make the change you noted above about margins) to keep more of it where it should be (according to some) i.e. the powerhouse BCS conferences. If it was about fairness we would have a playoff system without question. The BCS may get in right, even more often than not, but it is not always right and it is certainly not fair.

[jazzcyclist]

The computer polls are now constrained so that they cannot provide the ranking of top team. The constraint is a bias in favor of the BCS leagues, especially the SEC. SPecifically, margin of victory cannot be used at all. Now consider the same team in two different scenarios.

1) they play LSU's schedule and go undefeated by get lucky twice in addition to winning two of them in overtime (i.e., that were actually ties, not wins)

2) they play the schedule of Boise State, playing a few top or good teams in the preseason and then play a league schedule that does not allow many top teams. Playing at exactly the same level as in scenario 1 they have one somewhat close game on the road against the top team on their schedule, winning by only 10 points as the other team scores a touchdown at 0:03 on a long, slow drive that eats the clock as Boise State gives them 3-7 yards plays.

The BCS team is going to easily clinch the championship berth because margin of victory is removed and winning a couple of ties in OT at home is not penalized by the standard '3-point' advantage.

In contrast, the human pollsters know what really happened in the games and can evaluate more nuances and now give a better assessment of the quality of the teams. Also note that the pollsters generally pay more attention for the only poll that really matters, the last one.

It has always been about money and the systems was tweaked (i.e. creating and then changed to make the change you noted above about margins) to keep more of it where it should be (according to some) i.e. the powerhouse BCS conferences.

Actually the margin of victory was a kneejerk reaction that took place after the 2001 season, when Nebraska finished #2 in the final BCS rankings despite being ranked #4 in the human polls. That year, Oregon finished #2 in the human polls and Colorado #3. Both Oregon and Nebraska finished the season with one loss, but Oregon won five of its games by seven points or less while Nebraska dismantled every team it beat. In addition strength of schedule made up one fourth of the formula and Nebraska had a tougher schedule than Oregon that year. Also, some folks were outraged at Nebraska getting a bid to the championship game after failing to win its conference championship and losing its last game of the season. Every change to the BCS formula has occurred immediately after a year in which the final BCS rankings didn't match the human polls, which make you wonder why they have computers as part of the formula to begin with.

[jazzcyclist]

The big showdown this week will be Oklahoma State (Lonewolf U.) at Texas. The rest of the contenders either have a bye week or they aren't playing anyone of consequence. To prove its worthiness, Lonewolf U. will be expected to match Oklahoma's woodshedding of the Longhorns, just as LSU matched Alabama's beatdown of Florida. Can they do it?

38-26? I think the voters might have been expecting more from the Cowboys. I expect them to lose votes in the polls today. However it might be offset by Michigan, Illinois and Georgia Tech losing and Clemson struggling with Maryland. But clearly, they should be ranked behind Wisconsin, Stanford and Boise State.

[jazzcyclist]

This week we'll find out how good Michigan really is with them playing Michigan St. They're definitely better than last year as they would have lost to NW last week if that game were last year.

[jazzcyclist]

Trent Richardson had his Heisman moment yesterday. here it is from two different angles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wJF6s9MtOM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wJF6s9MtOM

And not to be outdone, Russell Wilson was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass, a la Eric Crouch and Cam Newton.

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

By the way, this morning I heard that Auburn was the other school that Wilson was considering transferring to, once he had narrowed it down to two schools. Can you imagine if Auburn had signed Wilson to replace Newton?

[lonewolf]

The big showdown this week will be Oklahoma State (Lonewolf U.) at Texas. The rest of the contenders either have a bye week or they aren't playing anyone of consequence. To prove its worthiness, Lonewolf U. will be expected to match Oklahoma's woodshedding of the Longhorns, just as LSU matched Alabama's beatdown of Florida. Can they do it?

38-26? I think the voters might have been expecting more from the Cowboys. I expect them to lose votes in the polls today. However it might be offset by Michigan, Illinois and Georgia Tech losing and Clemson struggling with Maryland. But clearly, they should be ranked behind Wisconsin, Stanford and Boise State.

I was disappointed in OSU showing too. Not one of their better outings. More three and outs
than previous games combined. Weeden and Blackmon not in sync. Everyone dropping passes. Texas got one free touchdown when Brown clearly stepped on the side line on the 16 yard scamper after the freak receiving bounce gave Texas the ball on the OSU 16.
Of course, you don't see back to back offsetting 100 yard kickoff returns every day.
Still, OSU beat Texas in Austin.
Wating on the rankings.

[Marlow]

Waiting on the rankings.

Boo! Hiss! Fix! Cheats!!

AP - Oct 16, 2011

1 LSU (41) 7-0 1452
2 Alabama (11) 7-0 1411
3 Oklahoma (6) 6-0 1372
4 Wisconsin 6-0 1252
5 Boise State (1) 6-0 1218
6 Oklahoma State 6-0 1186
7 Stanford 6-0 1164
8 Clemson 7-0 1064

[Avante]

I gotta go.....

LSU
Oklahoma
Alabama
Wisconsin
Boise State
Oregon
Stanford
Oklahoma State
Clemson

As we know LSU vs Alabama will knock one of them out of it. Oregon could knock Stanford out of it. Oklahoma St might beat Oklahoma. Wisconsin has MSU and OSU back to back on the road, they could stumble in one of those.

Boise State will win them all.

[lonewolf]

Hey, this is rarified atmosphere for us Cowboys. Don't begrudge us our moment in the sun.
Gonna be interesting when OSU (11-0) and OU (11-0) meet in the Bedlam Bowl.

[Marlow]

Hey, this is rarified atmosphere for us Cowboys. Don't begrudge us our moment in the sun.

I empathize, but SU has the longest unbeaten streak in D1 right now; they've covered the spread every week and still they get no love. If . . . when . . . we beat Oregon (and Wash, USC, ND), the naysayers will still say we haven't beaten anyone undefeated. Who has Boise St beaten?

I hope Okie St runs the table, everyone else gets knocked off, so you and I can celebrate the Ignored Ones Bowl. See you in Nawlins Jan 9?

[jazzcyclist]

Boo! Hiss! Fix! Cheats!!

AP - Oct 16, 2011

1 LSU (41) 7-0 1452
2 Alabama (11) 7-0 1411
3 Oklahoma (6) 6-0 1372
4 Wisconsin 6-0 1252
5 Boise State (1) 6-0 1218
6 Oklahoma State 6-0 1186
7 Stanford 6-0 1164
8 Clemson 7-0 1064

Don't throw too big a fit. That's the meaningless AP poll. It has nothing to do with the Crystal Football.

[jazzcyclist]

Who has Boise St beaten?

The 2011 SEC East champions. Who has Stanford beaten?

[Marlow]

Who has Boise St beaten?

The 2011 SEC East champions. Who has Stanford beaten?

So wins over

Georgia
Toledo
Tulsa
Nevada
Fresno St.
Colorado St.

are supposed to impress us?

I'd rather have

San Jose St
Duke
Arizona
UCLA
Colorado
Washington St.

on my resume.

I'm not saying Boise St is NOT good (I think they are!), but let's get real on the strength of schedule.

[jazzcyclist]

Marlow, you asked who Boise State had beaten. I gave you an answer, and I would argue that Georgia is a more formidable opponent than any of the teams that Stanford has beaten. However, if Stanford goes 12-0, that will no longer be true at the end of the season, but today it is.