2011 College Football

[Marlow]

Now show me what those coachs said about SEC football. Prove your point!

I'm paraphrasing here but I believe this is what Ara Parseghian had to say on December 31, 1973, after beating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl for the National Championship,

"If those players from Bama had played with any passion, they would have won, because we are merely mechanical robots with no heart and we still won!"

[Avante]

Now show me what those coachs said about SEC football. Prove your point!

I'm paraphrasing here but I believe this is what Ara Parseghian had to say on December 31, 1973, after beating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl for the National Championship,

"If those players from Bama had played with any passion, they would have won, because we are merely mechanical robots with no heart and we still won!"

Marlow...

paste,,,

“For anyone thinking of writing a book about the Southeastern Conference, forget it. The definitive SEC football book has already been written. You might try, but you won't live up to the standard that has been set by Richard Scott, a frequent contributor for Lindy's magazines. Scott has written SEC Football, 75 Years of Pride and Passion, a beautifully illustrated 240-page history of SEC football published by Voyageur Press. Scott has written about Southeastern Conference football since 1989. He brings considerable knowledge about the*** uniqueness of SEC football and the passion it inspires among its fans***** SEC Football celebrates the history makers, heroes, characters, and games that have made the SEC a force beyond reckoning. The book explores the players and the coaches, the teams and the traditions, and the great games and individual performances that have defined each decade of SEC football. The book contains 150 color and 150 black and white photographs from each school and each decade. SEC Football, 75 Years of Pride and Passion is a must for any Southeastern Conference football fan, but college football fans in general will find it great reading.” – Ben Cook, Lindy’s

Bro, I've been into college football a long long time, I've read a ton of stuff about the sport. I know what I'm seeing...ok?

[jazzcyclist]

That's all we're sayin' here, bro. All BoiSt had on their record was Georgia, which is a 20-25 team. With this win, CLEARLY Stanford will jump them, yes? :

Wrong! The LSOP #4, Marlow U #6.

[jazzcyclist]

Birmingham, New Orleans, Tuskaloosa could never be confused with Frisco, LA, San Diego. A totally different world.

Have you ever been to New Orleans? It's a lot closer the San Francisco than it is to Tuscaloosa.

[jazzcyclist]

The consensus opinion around here is that this will go down as the greatest team in school history if LSU finishes the season the way they've played through the first eight games. It's unfortunate that it had to be in a year in which Alabama is fielding one of its greatest teams of all times. These teams are so evenly matched its scary. Here's what I mean.

10/01/11: Alabama 38 - Florida 10
10/08/11: LSU 41 - Florida 11
10/15/11: LSU 38 - Tennessee 7
10/22/11: Alabama 37 - Tennessee 6

[Marlow]

I know what I'm seeing...ok?

No.

[26mi235]

Maybe Nebraska moved to the SEC instead of the Big Ten. When they played Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago there were 10,000 - 20,000 fans that came without tickets or really even the prospect of tickets (there were additional fans that DID have tickets), in part because the stadium only seats 82,000 or so. [It is 'only' an eight-hour drive if you do not have to fight 10,000 other fans on almost half of the non-interstate route.]

Of course, Nebraska is a bit of a special case because they have no pro teams anywhere close etc.

[lonewolf]

Nebraska fans are reknowned for travelling en masse..whereever, whenever.. Caribou, Key West, San Diego or Seattle, they snap up their allotment..

[Bruce Kritzler]

One big difference between the South the the rest of the US - High school spring football practice.

[jhc68]

Passion, eh? Ever been in Idaho during a Boise State bowl game? It's not regional fandom, it is state wide. Not many Idahoans but on big game days about 2/3rds of them are wearing those gawdawful Boise State colors.

I was there during the Oklahoma upset and the whole state stopped. Not just special sections in the local papers, the entire editions were devoted to the game. And 6 months later in mids-summer every Walmart and appliance store was still running the video of the game on every demo TV set for sale.

[KevinM]

I'll agree with Avante here (gulp). The same thing happens in college basketball. I grew up <50 miles from UNC, NC State, Duke, and just a bit further Wake Forest. I then spent HS in KS and attended KU. Even though the individual passion at a Kansas matched what ACC fans felt about their schools, the absence of other consistent giant programs in the immediate area or even neighboring states made things less intense. I'd expand it beyond the SEC, though - the density of the high-profile Big 12 (UT, TAMU, OU), SEC, and ACC (FSU, Miami, Clemson, VaTech) teams just adds to the Southern religion of CFB.

[gh]

Birmingham, New Orleans, Tuskaloosa could never be confused with Frisco, LA, San Diego. A totally different world.

Have you ever been to New Orleans? It's a lot closer the San Francisco than it is to Tuscaloosa.

In many respects, it's San Francisco that's chasing New Orleans!

Laissez les bon temps roulez!

[jazzcyclist]

The wise guys favor Marlow U by 7.5 over the Trojans. Will the Cardinal cover? By the way Marlow, which Stanford team is generally considered the greatest in school history, and how does this one compare?

[jazzcyclist]

Mathieu Simon & Ware to be reinstated Tuesday

http://dennis-dodd.blogs.cbssports.com/ ... a_txt_0001

The stage has now been set. Both LSU and Alabama should be at full-strength barring some practice injury or other unforeseen event or accident. By the way, the wise guys are favoring the Tide by 6. This means they think they are 3 points better than LSU on a neutral field. We'll see how wise they are.

[Avante]

The wise guys favor Marlow U by 7.5 over the Trojans. Will the Cardinal cover? By the way Marlow, which Stanford team is generally considered the greatest in school history, and how does this one compare?

I won't spoil it Been awhile since anyone talked...Wow Boys.

Just so ya know..

A..wise guy...is a successful gambler. They don't set the betting line, that is done by a...linemaker.

Will those "wise guys" move the line in favor of Bama or LSU? I'm guessing by kickoff...Alabama ..minus 7.5

[Avante]

I know what I'm seeing...ok?

No.

Sheesh

[26mi235]

Since it was probably on a similar thread last year I made the comment that is WRONG, I will indicate so here. I thought that a particular college quarterback that could outrun and out-wit college guys behind a line that was good enough for beating most college lines and was good enough to beat college coverage would not do that well in the pros. Some pros disagreed and one set drafted him VERY high -- and they were right.

[gh]

If you're talking Newton, sign me up as failed NFL scout too. I saw him as a happy-feet kinda guy who would get crushed in the pocked on a regular basis. (well, as well as you "crush" a guy his size)

[Pego]

If you're talking Newton, sign me up as failed NFL scout too. I saw him as a happy-feet kinda guy who would get crushed in the pocked on a regular basis. (well, as well as you "crush" a guy his size)

So did I. I thought, he would turn to be another Vince Young. When my grandson drafted him for his fantasy team, I laughed my ass off. No more.

[Marlow]

as well as you "crush" a guy his size)

One key to his success is indeed his size. You don't need to have happy feet when you're as big/fast as the linebacker trying to catch/hit you.

[jazzcyclist]

By the way Marlow, which Stanford team is generally considered the greatest in school history, and how does this one compare?

In case you didn't see this earlier, what say you, Marlow?

[jazzcyclist]

CBS's Bowl Projections

Oklahoma vs Michigan, Fiesta
Clemson vs West Virginia, Orange
Oregon vs Wisconsin, Rose
Boise State vs LSU & Alabama vs Stanford, both in New Orleans

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... redictions

[Marlow]

By the way Marlow, which Stanford team is generally considered the greatest in school history, and how does this one compare?

In case you didn't see this earlier, what say you, Marlow?

Avante called it: the 1940 Wow Boys, undefeated Rose Bowl winners.
If (that's a very big IF) SU can run the table this year, even if they don't make the BSC Bowl, this year's team will surpass them. They have a juggernaut run game, a stout defense, three superb tight ends, a speed guy in Owusu, and a decent QB.

[odelltrclan]

CBS's Bowl Projections

Oklahoma vs Michigan, Fiesta
Clemson vs West Virginia, Orange
Oregon vs Wisconsin, Rose
Boise State vs LSU &
Alabama vs Stanford, both in New Orleans

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... redictions

Those predictions may be a little presumptuous considering Michigan State beat Michigan and leads their half of the conference and just beat Wisconsin as well.

If they knock of Nebraska, they have all of the hardest games behind them.

[Marlow]

Alabama vs Stanford, both in New Orleans
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... redictions

Those guys at CBS are freakin geniuses!!!
Nawlins is only 8 hours from here, so I looked at Stubhub to see what tix might be. A TICKET starts at 1 cool G . . .

[jazzcyclist]

Alabama vs Stanford, both in New Orleans
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... redictions

Those guys at CBS are freakin geniuses!!!
Nawlins is only 8 hours from here, so I looked at Stubhub to see what tix might be. A TICKET starts at 1 cool G . . .

If they lose to Oregon, your boys might still play in New Orleans, but it would be January 3 instead of January 9, and the tickets would be a lot cheaper.

[Marlow]

If they lose to Oregon, your boys might still play in New Orleans, but it would be January 3 instead of January 9, and the tickets would be a lot cheaper.

Don't be so negative!!
I went to Miami for the Orange Bowl this past January, so I might be up for the Sugar Bowl.

[donley2]

I am a Kansas State grad so I am probably incapable of truly impartial judgement, but can someone who is literate in these matters explain to me how Kansas State is a 14 point underdog at home against OU. I am not prepared to argue they should be favored. I am only prepared to argue that anything greater than a 7 point betting line favoring OU is excessive. If Kansas State gets blown away at their place I guess I will have to eat my crow, but I just don't see that as likely. It is certainly possible but I don't see it as likely.

[lonewolf]

After OU's showing against Kansas and Texas Tech, I am beginning to think they may be enjoying the fruits of their reputation rather than current proficiency.

[Dutra]

One big difference between the South the the rest of the US - High school spring football practice.

Middle School in some states.

[jazzcyclist]

I am a Kansas State grad so I am probably incapable of truly impartial judgement.

Between Stanford, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Wisconsin, Kansas State, and of course LSU, it seems like every poster here is connected to, and has a rooting interest in, one of the Crystal Football title contenders. If your Wildcats can pass their test this weekend, they should instantly become the media darlings of college football. If LSU can't win the Crystal Football, I would love to see a Cinderella, like Kansas State, take home the trophy.

[jazzcyclist]

If (that's a very big IF) SU can run the table this year, even if they don't make the BSC Bowl, this year's team will surpass them. They have a juggernaut run game, a stout defense, three superb tight ends, a speed guy in Owusu, and a decent QB.

I heard an analyst point out that Stanford's biggest weakness is their lack of speedy recievers, which means that Luck would be throwing into very small passing windows against teams like LSU and Alabama with great lockdown cornerbacks.

[502CD]

Those predictions may be a little presumptuous considering Michigan State beat Michigan and leads their half of the conference and just beat Wisconsin as well.

If they knock of Nebraska, they have all of the hardest games behind them.

While I think it's ridiculous that they're predicting Michigan to the Fiesta, MSU beating UM will have no relevance to the bowl decision. In 1999 MSU beat UM and Michigan still went to the Orange Bowl while MSU went to the Citrus.

By the way, that Orange Bowl game against Alabama was awesome and Tom Brady's last game at Michigan.

[Avante]

Since it was probably on a similar thread last year I made the comment that is WRONG, I will indicate so here. I thought that a particular college quarterback that could outrun and out-wit college guys behind a line that was good enough for beating most college lines and was good enough to beat college coverage would not do that well in the pros. Some pros disagreed and one set drafted him VERY high -- and they were right.

I thought Newton would be a middle of the pack-er after a few seasons. EL Wrongo!

[Avante]

If (that's a very big IF) SU can run the table this year, even if they don't make the BSC Bowl, this year's team will surpass them. They have a juggernaut run game, a stout defense, three superb tight ends, a speed guy in Owusu, and a decent QB.

I heard an analyst point out that Stanford's biggest weakness is their lack of speedy recievers, which means that Luck would be throwing into very small passing windows against teams like LSU and Alabama with great lockdown cornerbacks.

There is no such thing as a "lockdown" corner, that is a myth. They all get beat, some a little less than others. You also don't need sprint speed to be a great receiver. Ray Berry, Fred Biletnikoff and Steve Largent were as lethal as any 4.3 guy.

Owusu can blow by any defensive back, he has "enought" speed to make it work.