The National Championship Race Just Got A Whole Lot Less Interesting
by Jonathan Franz on Sep 7, 2010 9:29 AM CDT
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It's a cakewalk for the Broncos from here on out...
Don't get me wrong, I'm an equal opportunity kind of guy. But I have to admit I cringed a bit watching the final seconds tick off the clock in Landover, Maryland last night. Boise State made a big statement, jumping out to a 17-0 lead, and then hanging on when Tyrod Taylor and the Virginia Tech Hokies battled back. Kellen Moore's final 2:00 minute drill was clutch. The pure number of lead changes and special teams miscues made the game an instant classic. But it wasn't just Frank Beamer and the Hokies that got the short end of the stick, the race to the mythical national championship got downgraded from a hurricane to a mild tropical storm.
That of course is because we know at least one and possibly both of the teams that will take the field in Glendale in four months and three days from now for the BCS National Championship. Sure, we don't know know, Boise still has to play eleven games, but let's face it, save for a brief skirmish with Oregon State the rest of the Bronco's schedule is a dance recital. They'll take the week off next week (lest they enter WAC play banged up), and then dance with a league of bottom feeders most of whom ranked in the bottom 50 in total offense and defense in 2009. No, it's not Boise's fault. They've done everything they can to beef up their schedule -- to begging serious programs to come and play on the blue turf, setting up premiere neutral out of conference games, even switching conferences (starting next year).
But the fact remains. Boise State doesn't have anywhere near as difficult a road to travel as every other serious national title contender, and that all but guarantees one of three things will happen:
1. No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Ohio State each go undefeated and play in Glendale. No. 3 Boise State gets shut out.
2. Either No. 1 Alabama or No. 2 Ohio State goes undefeated, but not both. The undefeated team plays Boise State for the BCS National Championship.
3. Neither No. 1 Alabama or No. 2 Ohio State goes undefeated. Someone else plays Boise State for the BCS National Championship.
You see? In every possible scenario we know at least one of the teams that will make the game. Can you think of another time that's happened in early September? Me neither.
I don't care what side of the mid-major debate you're on. Certainty is bad for college football. So while Chris Peterson hits the snooze button on his alarm and gets his staff ready to go on auto-pilot, here's a message for the remaining 118 teams in the FBS: you're fighting for one spot.
Is it just me or is it a bit ironic that after a decade of being the BCS's ugly step child the mid-majors suddenly have an easier road to the crystal football? That's either affirmative action at its best, or a flawed system at its worst. You tell me.
[EDIT: Bama Hawkeye says hogwash. He still doesn't think Boise can convince the computers to put them in the game. Check out his Post Week 1 Bowl Predictions to see who he thinks makes the cut.]
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Boise was lucky
Lucky that VT spotted them 10 points, that the refs missed a blatant hold of a DB on their 70 yd 3rd quarter TD run, lucky that VT stopped running the ball with 3 minutes left, lucky that the refs missed the block in the back on the last punt return, lucky that the refs gave them that generous late hit flag, etc…. It was hard to watch.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
Sadly, those “refs” you are complaining about are Big10 refs.
by talonk on Sep 7, 2010 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Re: Block in the back on the punt return
Eh, that was a close call, no matter what Musberger says.
You see what I did there? Yeeeaaaaaahhhh.
They’ve done everything they can to beef up their schedule
Except play a true road game like they did in Athens, GA a few years ago. And how did that go?
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
There was nothing “untrue” about that road game. There were more VT fans at FedEx than they can fit in Lane Stadium. Never thought I’d be the guy defending the mid-major but they earned it last night. It’s not like VT didn’t get any breaks in that game.
Agreed, but
what exactly did they earn? A victory over the 2nd or 3rd place team from the 5th best conference. Not much more.
"Bama Hawkeye, you know, the Iowa blogger who actually uses reason and analysis." - Hawkeye State
"Off Tackle Empire":http://www.offtackleempire.com
by Bama Hawkeye on Sep 7, 2010 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why do we have to make assumptions about what VT is? We have games for that now.
We can wait and see what VT does, but however they turn out let’s at least give BSU credit for beating them. They earned that. No reason to get this upset this early in the season. Hell look at OSU in 2007.
Can you say 2007 was the year no one deserved to go to the National Championship?
Because that was ridiculous. An undefeated Hawaii team that couldn’t play defense to save its life, a one loss Ohio State team that was running out of gas, an Oklahoma team that was all over the map in terms of consistency, a 11-1 Kansas team that dodged the top three in the Big Twelve South, a wild-as-heck ACC, and an Illinois team that had the exact same conference record as Michigan.
2007 was a royal mess that I hope never repeats itself.
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually, I do … because then the BCS might actually have to look at itself and determine that a playoff might just be the way to go.
Wil that be Before or After the BCS ejects the ACC from the list of auto-qualifier consequences?
I mean, there’s so much parity in that conference its ridiculous. ANYONE can take the title. Especially the teams that were set up to play in the conference title game that never have…
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
and, as bad as the ACC has been in BCS games, i think the Big East would be more likely to lose their AQ status first.
The ACC's BCS record, since 1999...
1999 – Tee Martin and the Vols defeat FSU in Nat’l Title
2000 – FSU defeats VT in the Suger Bowl
2001 – OU defeats FSU in the Nat’l Title, Big Game Bob comes into being
2002 – Maryland gets destroyed by Spurrier in the Orange Bowl
2003 – Georgia hammers Florida State in the Orange Bowl
2004 – VT falls victim to its own offense against 13-0 Auburn
2005 – The Epic Penn State win over FSU in the Orange Bowl
2006 – Wake Forest (WTF?) loses to Louisville 23-14
2007 – VT loses to 11-1 Kansas
2008 – Virginia Tech defeats Cinderella Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl 20-7
2009 – The Best Iowa team since 2002 pummels GT 24-14
2010 – ???
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
2010 Clemson ...
pffff just kidding
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 8, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Overall, it...isn't that good.
You’d think the Rose Bowl would wizen up to the fact that Wisconsin is 2-0 all time in BCS bowl games…
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
all wisconsin has to do to get there is win the big ten
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 8, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Or tie for second?
Like 2006 and Illinois 2007?
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
that remains to be seen
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 8, 2010 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions
This would be the year Clemson wins the ACC
since they have no expectations on themselves at all. Clemson is the the Voltron of High Expectations Iowa and Wisconsin – it is far greater than its components
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
I know they have done poorly in the BCS games, but the conference as a whole has been much more competetive over that timeframe compared to the BigEast.
VA Tech, GA Tech, FSU, Clemson have at least been semi relevant.
In the Big East, it was West Virginia as the only good team for the longest time. Rutgers had a good year or two, so did Louisville. UConn hasn’t been anything until this last year. USF schedules worse then the SEC to look decent. Syracuse has done nothing in 15 years. Cincy was good the last 2 or 3 seasons only. And Pitt has been woefully undercoached by Wannestadt.
As a conference they have been pretty bad, especialy since the 4 teams bolted for the ACC.
The ACC has done poorly in BCS games, I know this and you showed that above. But that conference is still better than the BigEast in my eyes. Hands down.
semi-relewant and clemson in same sentence
win
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 8, 2010 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Pitt has been coached by Wannstedt and Walt Harris.
Need I say more?
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
The ACC has 50% more teams than the Big East
math alone dictates that the ACC should have more teams rise to the (relatively speaking) top than the Big East will. The Big East is bad, but the ACC is only a hair’s width better
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
The difference in computers
will be staggering between Boise and an unbeaten #3 team from the Big Ten, Big 12 or SEC.
OSU/Bama have clean paths. I think that any of the other jump Boise at 2. As well they should.
"Bama Hawkeye, you know, the Iowa blogger who actually uses reason and analysis." - Hawkeye State
"Off Tackle Empire":http://www.offtackleempire.com
If any team goes undefeated in any other conference, they’ll pass BSU based on the computer models and most likely voters as well. Even TCU would pass them.
Saying that BSU is already a lock for the national title game is incredibly premature.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Undefeated TCU would probably pass Bosie in the computer rankings, because most of the MWC is less bad than most of the WAC, but it’s not likely TCU will have a win with the retroactive cachet of Boise’s win over VT (assuming the Hokies go on to win ten games and the ACC like usual after losing a big-hype season opener) unless the Beavers go on to beat Boise and then win the Pac 10, or Utah and/or BYU is unexpectedly undefeated save for a loss to TCU. And that means that TCU won’t jump Boise in the minds of the voters (especially if Fresno’s win over Cinci wasn’t a mirage, and they’re pretty good). There are probably only a handful of teams that would.
TCU might not jump BSU entirely, but they’ll certainly get close, which is really all that matters in the BCS. Last year TCU was about 1.5 spots ahead in the computer rankings while Cinci was just under 4 spots ahead.
Yes, BSU is looking pretty now, but that will change as other teams make their case and BSU begins their inevitable slide. Every impressive win by another team that BSU can’t hurts them, not only in the computer ranking, but in the voters. To overcome the computer issues, they need to be significantly ahead in votes, and not just squeaking by. Remember, the BCS percentages aren’t based on position, but on number of votes. So if TCU or any other BCS team can stay undefeated, they will eat into those votes, and BSU will be left out.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Right
But unless TCU jumps Boise for a significant minority voters, the percentages of ranking points won’t be close even if the absolute rankings are. Last year’s undefeated Boise did not have any regular season wins significantly better than last year’s undefeated TCU’s; this year, barring an uncharacteristic collapse of VT, they will; I think for a large majority of poll voters, that will be enough (only Oregon State could conceivably become a good enough win in retrospect, and if they are, then they beat Boise so Boise’s out of it anyway).
If BSU and TCU stay undefeated, they’ll end up next to each other in the polls by the end of the season. And with TCU getting the schedule edge in the end, I think there will be enough voters to narrow that gap that the computers make the decision.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
You missed a scenario
There are a lot more BCS teams than just ’Bama & tOSU.
I think most of the voters know that BSU’s schedule is a joke, and the computers do for sure. So even if ‘Bama loses a game, do you really think some other undefeated SEC champ gets bumped by the Broncos? I don’t. Or maybe it’s ’Bama undefeated with BSU and Miami fighting over the other spot, or BSU and the PAC 10 champ.
I don’t think the human voters are going to let BSU in unless they are the only undefeated or one of two. (This ignore something really wierd like Washington State or Baylor winning out course)
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
My biggest concern...
is that Boise State only has to “get up” for 2 games a year during the regular season. When looking at every other major conference, there is at least 4 – 5 games that would be considered a possible loss for even the best teams. (I am generalizing here – so don’t come back with schedules showing someone with only 3). I agree that Boise State can’t do much more, but why reward a team that could be a top 3 SEC, Big 10, or Big 12 team? Any of the top 3 teams from these conferences could go undefeated with the Boise State schedule easily.
What if
TCU or Utah go undefeated? I think we can all agree that, even if it still isn’t a BCS conference, the Mountain West is far more competitive than the WAC. If TCU or Utah go undefeated do they jump Boise State?
http://victorypolka.blogspot.com/
The answer: Probably not.
Boise BEAT TCU last season, and Utah was basically running neck-and-neck with BYU for poll position. No matter how uncompetitive the WAC is this season, Boise likely makes it in.
Unless you have a pair of undefeated Big Ten teams who go coast to coast, that is…
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2010 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Last year doesn’t matter to the computers, and it won’t matter to a good chunk of voters.
The difference between TCU and BSU will be small enough that the WAC schedule will likely hurt BSU significantly, and keep them out of the title game if an MWC team goes undefeated.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
Either that
or forces their way into the MNC game. I’m concerned about the Rose Bowl as well. I didn’t like Texas there and I sure as hell don’t want TCU or Boise State there.
"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway
Even if they only lose once, they may still get that spot if OSU , Iowa, Wisc, or PAc10 champ go to the Champ game.
This year's Pac-10 champ in the MNC...
I laughed heartily at that thought.
You see what I did there? Yeeeaaaaaahhhh.
Only if they go undefeated...
There’s no way in hell USC’s going undefeated THIS season…
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2010 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Granted it was against New Mexico
But Oregon was scary good last weekend.
A one-loss Boise isn't making the BCS
They will plummet like a stone if they lose. If they lose to Oregon State, they’ll be around 15th, anyone in the WAC and it’s 20-25. After that, it will be impossible for them to make the top 12 in the BCS rankings because the computers will hammer them.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
if they lose to Ore St and then win out, they will most assuredly finish in the Top 12, which is all they need to do to qualify for a BCS bowl game.
If they only lose to some randon WAC team, they’ll slip a bit further, but should still end up higher than 12 to qualify. They have started the seaon high and I would not expect them to drop to the 20s based on one loss.
Now in each case, Utah or TCU might end up pushing them out because they’ll most likely finish higher, but then Utah/TCU would end up in the Rose Bowl instead.
If they lose once, they probably still end up in a BCS game where they can beat a disinterested Big 6 conference team.
At this point, I would almost prefer them to get their wish and play in the national championship game……and then get curb stomped by Bama or OSU.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
that would be the death of espn hype as we know it
and would be all that is awesome
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 7, 2010 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions
You make Tebow cry
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Sep 7, 2010 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
to be totally honest, any team can beat any other team on any given day, as boise state has proven on more than one occasion. but to consistently beat bcs conference teams week in and week out is a lot different than a one game season on a neutral field. maybe if they had to play miami and clemson on the road, ga tech and fsu at home and then north carolina on the road, like you know the rest of the acc does, then things would be different. it is totally unfair to give boise a pass into the national title game because of one game, when the rest of the “big schools” have to play these games literally every week for two months. this isnt to say that bsu isnt better than most of the acc, but the reason that teams like va tech, and miami go to the title game when they are undefeated is because going through any bcs conference is hard, they prove it 8 times, not once. any purdue can upset osu in one game, does that mean they go to the national championship game? no, because they get pounded by the other conference members. point is, until boise proves it can go undefeated in an actual bsc conference schedule, beating a team that isnt even the defending acc champion, on a neutral site no less, then they have no business getting into the championship game over an undefeated, or even a one loss major conference team.
"So put 2 on, put 10 on, WHAT DO YOU CARE IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE PAYIN' FOR 'EM!!!!?"
-Doug Heffernan, in regards to Arthur and his stamp needs
by Jon Ross on Sep 7, 2010 11:59 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
no
In the NFL, any team can beat any other team on any given Sunday; the differences in talent and coaching skill between teams just aren’t big enough to make any game a 100% sure thing. In college football, this is not true (barring insane levels of injuries and/or suspensions on the favorite’s side). Oregon can play New Mexico 100 times, and will win 100 times.
Boise is good enough to beat most teams in FBS on any given Saturday, but most teams in non-AQ conferences (and virtually all non-FBS teams) are not. Even the bottom tier of the BCS AQ leagues are not good enough; my Orange could not beat Boise (or Ohio State or Alabama or Oregon or Texas or TCU) this year in the Dome if we tried 100 times.
Again
Last night was not a neutral field.
Also, I have always hated the “You’re not in a BCS conference, and until you are, you don’t deserve to go” argument. As if being winning the ACC or Big East is an accomplishment that deserves more respect than Boise running the table this year. I don’t buy it. More importantly, it’s not like any BCS conference opened their doors to Boise. How do you propose that they obtain BCS Conference membership?
"Bama Hawkeye, you know, the Iowa blogger who actually uses reason and analysis." - Hawkeye State
"Off Tackle Empire":http://www.offtackleempire.com
by Bama Hawkeye on Sep 7, 2010 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
i don't...
until there is a playoff, i don’t believe they deserve a shot at the national title game over an undefeated big conference member. their undefeated season holds waay less weight than one by osu, texas or bama. and winning the acc deff. is better than what bosie state did this year, boise state beat va tech, one acc member, on a neutral field. the acc champion will have to beat (probably) 7-8 other acc members, half on the road to win the conference. imagine if boise had to do that? winning a bcs conference is much better than going undefeated in the wac and beating a big name acc school on a neutral field and a mid level pac 10 team at home. sorry it just is.
"So put 2 on, put 10 on, WHAT DO YOU CARE IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE PAYIN' FOR 'EM!!!!?"
-Doug Heffernan, in regards to Arthur and his stamp needs
OK, wait....
You didn’t answer the question, “How do you propose they get BCS membership?” Or maybe you did, and I just didn’t get it.
Are you suggesting that the only way for these schools to have a legitimate shot at winning a national championship is… if there’s a playoff? And that they have no business even competing in a BCS conference until they’ve proven they can beat a BCS conference member? Well, how do they do that, if a big boy won’t schedule them? God knows Bama and Texas and love them some cupcakes, they’d never even attempt to schedule them.
This logic just doesn’t work. I mean, why are we to say that Boise or TCU doesn’t “deserve” to be in a BCS conference or to play in a BCS game when the only reason why many of these teams are even in these conferences are because they just happened to be in the right place at the right time? Look at Duke football. Or Indiana football. Do either of these teams really “deserve” to be in a BCS conference? They’ve always sucked, yet there they are in a BCS conference, with a better, more direct shot at a national championship than Boise. I wouldn’t exactly call that fair, would you?
its not that they dont deserve to be in a major conference...
its that they aren’t. and until they are, they have no business leapfrogging teams that beat 4 times the amount of bcs conference foes on the way to their undefeated season. its a joke.
also i answered the question with my first sentence lol.
"So put 2 on, put 10 on, WHAT DO YOU CARE IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE PAYIN' FOR 'EM!!!!?"
-Doug Heffernan, in regards to Arthur and his stamp needs
One of the problems with their entrance into a big conference
Is their location. They are a touch of a stretch for the Pac-10, although not all that much. Another issue is their academics; according to USNews.com (and take these rankings for what they’re worth), Boise State is ranked 51, but that is in the “’Regional Universities: West” category. My point is that this is a small school, without the clout, non-revenue sports, or academics to obtain entrance to a large conference. See also similar rankings. Why am I highlighting academics? One reason: Stanford. They have a lot of power over who joins the Pac-10 (Boise State’s only real hope at the moment), and likely wouldn’t like having the Broncos in their conference. I’m open to other opinions as to why Boise State remains in the WAC at the moment, though.
You see what I did there? Yeeeaaaaaahhhh.
They were waiting
for the call from the MWC. Once it came they jumped. I think they start MWC play in 2011, although it will be an MWC without Utah or BYU, so it’s not the upgrade it once was.
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
So how many concecutive years do they need to run the table?
To deserve a shot?
Lets look at real competition from 2008 on
Oregon @ Oregon 37-32 BSU
Fresno @ Boise 61-10 BSU (note this Fresno team beat Rutgers, UCLA, and lost by 3 to Bucky)
TCU @ bowl 17-16 TCU (MWC champion)
2009
Oregon @ Boise 19-8 BSU (Pac 10 winners)
Fresno @ Fresno 51-34 Boise (Fresno lost to Bucky 34-31 in 2 OT @ UW, beat ILL 53-52)
TCU @ bowl 17-10 BSU (MWC champion)
2010
VT @ Washington DC (really, we’re calling that a neutral site?) 33-30 BSU
Against BSC auto bid level opponents they are 6-1 in the last 2+ years, and have won 27 of 28 games. Lets assume for the sake of argument they do go undefeated the rest of the year. They would then be 7-1 (Oregon State) perhaps 8-1 (Fresno?), against auto bid level competition. That record would have been a tie for first in the BigTen either in 2008 or 2009. They will have also won 38 of 39.
The computers may not be able to consider that context, but I think and hope that the human voters do.
I think that 1 year running over the WAC a la Hawaii does not get you a MNC shot
I think that a 3 year run like the one BSU’s been on should be enough to get them a shot
They deserve to be able to settle the question on the field.
So you're saying
that 6-1 over BCS schools over a 2+ year period is the same as 8-0 or better in one season?
Let’s use Iowa as an example here. If they win out, they will be 10-0 vs BCS opponents this year. Even if we throw out ISU and Indiana, they will be 8-0. BSU’s candy ass schedule can’t touch that,
Heck, if you want to consider mulitple year accomplishments, USC would be a good place to start. Or Florida. Or tOSU.
Also, to say their record over the last few years would be tops in the Big Ten is just dumb. They didn’t play in the Big Ten, and there are a number of Big Ten teams who could have won all of those games as well. Instead, they were busy playing against some real competition.
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
On a year to year basis, they can't.
I’m saying that 8-1 over a 9 game period is better than 7-1 over an 8 game period. You’re saying that under the current system, BSU doesn’t ever belong in the MNC? You’d then have to admit that it’s not actually a national championship.
You’re saying that under the current system, BSU doesn’t ever belong in the MNC?
That’s close to exactly what I’m saying. If they are either the only undefeated, or one of two undefeateds, I could let them slide in. Even then they got to take the easy road. BCS schools have to survive a hell of a lot more, they have to prove they have the talent and the depth a hell of a lot more than BSU does.
I’m not going to touch the “is it a real NC” thing.
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
by Flakbait on Sep 8, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Multi-year projections
are worthless. Each year needs to stand on its own. If they win out, and there are less than 2 other undefeated teams from the Big 6 conferences, they will play for the MNC.
If there are at least 2 who survived the more difficult conference slate, they won’t. It’s that simple.
I truly believe that if a team like Wisconsin goes undefeated, they will jump Boise in the BCS rankings based solely on strength of schedule.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Sep 7, 2010 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions
This is why
We just need to get this over with and get a goddamned playoff already.
Half of who gets into the BCS games every year is based on how high their preseason rankings are at the beginning of the season, which is, in turn, somewhat based on how well they did last year. I mean, sure, teams in the top ten go up and down every once in a while. But when’s the last time a team that didn’t start the year in the top ten make it in to the National Championship game? I can’t actually remember — I want to say never but I’m really not sure. “Never” would be a good, educated guess though.
OSU was ranked 13th heading into 2002
Off Tackle Empire
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.
by Jonathan Franz on Sep 8, 2010 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, that kinda changes my argument...
I didn’t actually feel like researching that at 1:30 a.m., but now that I have I find it’s a little more common than I thought (the Sooners in 2000 started at 19th, and LSU at 15th in 2003).
I still want a playoff, but that’s because I’m an MSU fan and I like watching teams make ridiculous tournament runs.
you're 100% correct
getting up for your one big game this year is much easier than playing a conference schedule that is not the WAC
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 7, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Last night was a good win for Boise against a big name school...
that may be an overrated team—replacing seven starters on defense and Taylor is a great athlete but has never been a very accurate passer which leads to a one dimensional offense a lot of the time or Taylor having to make a lot of great plays. Also, Va Tech does not get as many of the 4/5 star recruits in the ACC like Miami, Fl St. and Clemson do, although they have done quite well with what they do have—good coach/coaching staff has a lot to do with this just like Boise. But, it would be nice to see them have at least five or more games like this one against teams with better talent and see how they hold up. I just think against an SEC, Big 10, ACC, Pac 10, or Big 12 schedule, even with their good team and 20 starters, they will have three losses at least if not more.
Oh, and one programming note. Did the Closing Arguments feature finish? Becasue I never saw a Purdue version.
Is Purdue still in the Big Ten?
I thought they were voted out at the last tribal council…
"Bama Hawkeye, you know, the Iowa blogger who actually uses reason and analysis." - Hawkeye State
"Off Tackle Empire":http://www.offtackleempire.com
That's pretty low
to say that about your rival.
Reality has a little-known Northwestern bias
NU prez knows how to get PUMPED
by nuftw on Sep 7, 2010 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Iowa v. Purdue has been a heated rivalry forever.
/Northwestern selective history’d
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Sep 7, 2010 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
/tupperware bowled
Reality has a little-known Northwestern bias
NU prez knows how to get PUMPED
+1995
(i.e. the beginning of college football history)
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
Considering all those great Iowa teams in the 1990s
one could argue college football took a hiatus there from 1991 to 2002…
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Am I dressed in Armani?
I’m not the type of fan that just pretends entire decades never happened if my team was down for most of them.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
Perhaps I should have said "GREAT college football" took a hiatus in Iowa City from 1991 to 2002.
Then Brad Banks came along, Kirk Ferentz’s recruits paid off, and Iowa went coast-to-coast in conference play.
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, Graham was supposed to take care of that
I was out of the country for the week leading up to the season, and he had a crazy week at work. Needless to say we dropped the ball.
I promise we’ll make it up to Purdue fans with our season coverage.
Off Tackle Empire
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.
by Jonathan Franz on Sep 7, 2010 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Can you at least post your guys predictions? just for completion sake? Or shall we just infer from the other posts how you think they’ll finish?
Sure, here you go:
Hilary Lee: 9-3 (5-2) with losses to Notre Dame, OSU, Wisconsin
Robert Barga: 7-5 (3-5) with losses to Illinois, Indiana, MSU, NW, OSU
Jonathan Franz: 8-4 (4-4) with losses to OSU, Wisc, Mich, MSU
Bama Hawkeye: 7-5 (4-4) with losses to ND, OSU, WI, MI, MSU
Paterno Ave: 5-7 (2-6) with losses to ND, NW, OSU, Wisconsin, Michigan, Mich State, Indiana
Obviously Robert and I are already off to bad starts.
Off Tackle Empire
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.
by Jonathan Franz on Sep 7, 2010 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Hilary appears to have outdone herself...
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2010 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
So much more faith
that they were a dark horse before the ND game. Predictions now would be closer to Bama.
Off Tackle Empire - Ruling on the Big Ten since 2008.
It should be 5-3
In that prediction. I list 3 losses, but I didn’t include it in the parenthetical for some reason.
Off Tackle Empire - Ruling on the Big Ten since 2008.
ummmm
when did Notre Dame actually join the Big Ten?
by Pariahwulfen on Sep 8, 2010 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Never.
They joined the Big East after seeing what Rich Rod did to UConn.
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
ahem
I was referencing the fact that she had them losing three games, including to Notre Dame, and then stating that the conference record should have been 5-3 when asked about it being 5-2.
It was a typo or a glaring error
What I’d give for an “Edit Post” button…
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Hahah
Valid point. I didn’t even notice that. Guess I just like to pretend that Texas and ND did in fact join the conference over the summer…
Off Tackle Empire - Ruling on the Big Ten since 2008.
Honestly thought
Boise would lose, even after going up 10-0. Great fight by the Broncos.
Visit Inside The Shoe
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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on Sep 7, 2010 5:31 PM CDT reply actions
The thing that upsets me the most
is that VT isn’t the greatest of teams..they are always getting upset, and have a 3-4 loss season..I wonder if Boise would have been able to hold back Ingram, or Pryor etc.
Visit Inside The Shoe
The Buckeye blog for every fan!
by Ian_InsideTheShoe on Sep 7, 2010 8:16 PM CDT reply actions
They might have been able to hold back Pryor
but only with Jason Worilds and their entire defense from last year.
Look, they lost a lot and gave up 33 points to a pretty **** good Boise offense. They’ll probably lose a heartbreaker that we could have seen months in advance in ACC play. But give them credit: they shot Boise’s passing defense to hell. They just couldn’t run the ball, and they tried twice as many rushes as passes.
Can you say EPIC FAIL in regards to that VT offensive gameplan? Or would we be saying something else had Boise been unable to convert those late opportunities into a W?
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2010 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm just saying
that Boise was lucky VT didn’t get going sooner. So I guess it’s VT’s fault, but still.
Visit Inside The Shoe
The Buckeye blog for every fan!
by Ian_InsideTheShoe on Sep 8, 2010 5:45 AM CDT up reply actions
It did NOT help
that Boise was essentially spotted 17 free points in the first quarter due to careless VT play calls and execution.
I hope Chryst would adjust Wisconsin’s play calling if something wasn’t working THAT BADLY. But then again, there was Penn State 2007 where the team fell apart after PJ Hill’s fumble fingers felt the football…
Sometimes, like OSU/USC 08, there is no gameplan, You’re just trying to avoid getting completely slaughtered when Todd Boeckman thinks Rey Maualuga is his starting TE, making a bad situation far worse than it needed to be.
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
if the Todd thought Rey was his TE he would have no business throwing to him
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 8, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Given Todd Boeckman's wonderful use of TEs in his career at OSU...
Yeah. But Rey’s too bad@ss to be a WR.
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
or any osu QB to use a TE
except when Ricky Dudley was at OSU…. beast
hopefully this year they use Stoneburner a lot, bc he’s a mismatch for every game.
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 8, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Hopefully he can block better than Travis Beckum did. For all his amazing hands, Beckum was never a highly rated blocking TE.
Can Abbrederis shoot the long three and effectively distribute the ball to his big men?
"Because one of the great minds of the 21st century is raising glow-in-the-dark fish and weaving serapes..." -Leonard Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 8, 2010 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
that's what i'm not sure of
former WR, we’ll see. I don’t think Tressel would use him if he couldn’t block….
When asked why he went for 5, Tate responded "..because I couldn't go for 6...".
http://www.insidetheshoe.com/
by SouthBayBuckeye on Sep 8, 2010 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions
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