College Football 2011 Discussion

[tomalak301]

Kind of surprised there was no thread about the new College Football season, so here it is. I'm more of a fan of the pro game (And waiting for Hockey to come back) but I follow Stanford and Cal. I guess the only thing I have to contribute in the early going is I wonder how Stanford is going to do with a new coach and everyone is still eying Andrew Luck as the first overall pick and maybe a Heisman trophy contender. Should be an interesting year for all college football fans

 

[tomalak301]

Well, other than maybe TCU, it looked like all the teams that were supposed to win, did. Stanford looked strong but of course they were playing a weak SJ State team. Also, it must suck for the Pac-12 to have a first day as an expanded conference and not do so well. I can understand Oregon losing to LSU (SEC being the high and mighty after all) but UCLA and Oregon St. losing to weaker teams is a bit embarrassing.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I kept thinking there had to be a thread, but I couldn't find it. Thanks for starting one!

That Auburn-Utah game was a nail-biter, for sure. I really thought we were going to lose that one (as usual, our penalty "anti-yardage" was pretty outrageous), but that onside kick was awesome. At least now I know we'll have at least some wins on our record, though until I see how we fare against another SEC team, I'm not going to believe it quite yet.

I'd like to hope for the best, though. Warrrrrrr-eagle!

On a more personal note, I loved how the commentators highlighted the wonderful things that the Auburn and Alabama fans have done for each other lately. I know there's a rivalry and there's always going to be one, but I really think both schools have shown that despite fanatical morons, most of us really do have class and have hearts.

 

[Thestral]

I was very impressed by the Baylor win - and the TCU near-comeback, but their lack of defense was shocking.

Very pleased that Boise State took Georgia apart in Atlanta; too bad about Oregon, I was hoping they could shut LSU up. Except for my Vols and a few others in the Conference, I've turned into something of an SEC anti-fan.

 

[1001001]

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

I mean, I know it's going to be slim pickings for awhile, but watching USC slog their way through that second half was downright painful yesterday. Barkley and Woods had huge games, but we can't run and our defense is weak.

It's going to be a long year.

 

[Stephen!]

How does college football actually work?

Are these students that go to college exclusively to play football? Or do they do football in addition to other subjects?

 

[1001001]

How does college football actually work?

Are these students that go to college exclusively to play football? Or do they do football in addition to other subjects?

Can, open. Worms, everywhere!



Theoretically, these are student athletes. Some schools do that better than others.

 

[Pegaritaville]

Even though they lost to USC, I was impressed with how Minnesota played. I was expecting them to get smoked but instead they looked pretty good (of course, USC didn't exactly have their A game going).

 

[1001001]

Even though they lost to USC, I was impressed with how Minnesota played. I was expecting them to get smoked but instead they looked pretty good (of course, USC didn't exactly have their A game going).

Both teams looked good...for one half.

 

[TheMurph]

Well, Tennessee won, but I don't get very excited over these "gimme" games. I think Tyler Bray has some skill, and that he will be great at some point, but his impressive performance was against a second tier team. I'm still saying that we'll probably break even this season.

How does college football actually work?

Are these students that go to college exclusively to play football? Or do they do football in addition to other subjects?

For the most part they're student athletes. They go to class and play their sport. Team activities are limited in the amount of time that they can occupy of one of their athletes.

Some students who play college sports get a free college education via scholarships handed out based on their athletic prowess and recruitment.

 

[Thestral]

Well, Tennessee won, but I don't get very excited over these "gimme" games. I think Tyler Bray has some skill, and that he will be great at some point, but his impressive performance was against a second tier team. I'm still saying that we'll probably break even this season.

I'm hoping for a little better than break even. I agree about not being terribly excited about the first game; all respect to Montana, but it was a mismatch. I understand why those sort of games are scheduled, but it kinda bums me - the Vols used to not resort to that sort of scheduling. We'll have to see about how the Cincy game goes.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Anyone have thoughts on Maryland's new uniforms?

 

[tomalak301]

They looked like something you'd see from the 70s. Hopefully it was a one game thing but I doubt it.

 

[nevermore]

They have like 40* different combinations. They had a damn fashion show a couple months ago. Expect to see a different uniform every week. I kinda like the helmet, but that's just because I like my state flag. I kinda don't like the helmet + the shoulder decoration, which just looked silly. No one's gonna fear that turtle.


Liked the result. Liked Virginia's result better. Wahoowah!


*Exaggerating, but not by much.

 

[Thestral]

Soo... Maryland vs. Oregon for the fashion showdown?

 

[chineserapper05]

so. what is everyone's opinion on the texas a&m-sec-baylor shenanigans?

my opinion?
you baylor
you ken starr
you dan beebe
you big 12-2


ok.. time for a drink.

 

[Lieut. Arex]

Baylor's trying to save its ass. If the Big 12 disintegrates, they and the other leftovers are going to get dumped into the WAC or Mountain West or Big East, while OU, OSU and UT go to the Pac 16. Waco to Mansfield, CT for a conference game? Not an appealing prospect.

The lion's share of the blame for the Big 12's problem's has to be laid at the feet of Texas and the Big 12 office. By doling out uneven shares of the conference revenue they've left many of the teams economic second-class citizens. It's no surprise Nebraska, Colorado, and A&M are headed for what they see as greener pastures after being lorded over by the Longhorns.

I don't particularly want expansion, Twelve has worked out great for the SEC. In any case, the move to 16-team super-conferences is inevitable and it's best to get while the getting's good. There are a number of connections between A&M and the SEC. Bryant, Stallings and Sherill coached there with Bebes being on the Board of Regents so Alabama fans have an affinity for them. They were a long-time rival of LSU and Arkansas so those series would be revived. Of all the possible remaining Big 12 schools, A&M makes the best fit with the SEC.

 

[Thestral]

The lion's share of the blame for the Big 12's problem's has to be laid at the feet of Texas and the Big 12 office.

QFT. Amusingly, the Longhorn Network seems to be a non-starter, so if this whole thing blows up "By God Texas" only has themselves to blame.

I think Oklahoma could be a solid fit in the SEC as well, but no way you're going to split them from Texas and Okie State, which is fine. I'm sure Kentucky fans would love to see Kansas come for basketball purposes, but basketball's not driving this. The Mizzou-to-SEC rumors are interesting.

Personally I'd rather they look east after A&M - Virginia Tech would be a great fit and a natural rival for my Vols. Georgia Tech's got history, but has the same problem as FSU and Clemson; no new TV markets.

If it were totally up to me and the SEC were going to 16, I'd add A&M, VTech, Georgia Tech, and... Mizzou I guess.

 

[Lieut. Arex]

Virginia Tech would be a great fit in the east, new TV markets, natural rivals. That comes down to a question of do they want to and politically would they have to bring Virginia along. Some media folks around here have suggested North Carolina and Duke specifically to bolster basketball. And playing in the SEC would elevate their football but if Duke ever got any better or as good as Vandy at their best, I'd be shocked. Hope Cutcliffe has some success though, even if he spent all those years in Big Orange country. Ole Miss made a huge mistake when they got impatient and fired him after Eli Manning graduated. The Ogeron and Nutt misadventures are their just desserts.

Adding FSU, Georgia Tech, and Clemson is probably a non-starter. As I understand it, Georgia, USC, and the Gators have a gentleman's agreement to vote against another school being added in any of their territories. Besides, Tech had their shot and walked away in '66 though I'm sure there are both Techies and Aubies who'd love to see that series restored.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Baylor's fucking everything up. Trying to hold up A&M leaving is ultimately pointless and they'll have to give it up at some point. Try to get into Conference USA and get the best deal you can, Baylor. You're a private school. Supposedly the PAC-12 won't make a move to expand further unless the SEC moves first and expands beyond 12, which they can't do while this challenge nonsense is being sorted out.

No, I don't want to go to LA. I want to keep going to Aames, Iowa every year and kiss Texas' ass with its unequal revenue sharing. Hell, I hope State wins it all this year so they can finally get out of OU's shadow. At long last the deluxe indoor practice facility is going to be complete and OSU can compete with the big boys on their own terms.