The Ducks sell that as "you'll have an opportunity to start sooner".
I'd have to go dig up the quote again, but I'm pretty sure the last school was Arizona.Hopefully that Tahj Boyd dude picks the other school (Clemson?) he is interested in.
NCAA Football 2008 Discussion - It All Starts Here.
- Thread starter Turbo
- Start date
rivals.com and scout.com are good sites for recruiting. They rate players, rank them by position and list schools they are considering. They even rank schools based on how well they are doing in recruiting which gets a lot of publicity but I am not sure if it means much since many of these recruits don't live up to the expectations. Here is the rivals page for Tajh Boyd, listing Oregon, Ohio State, Boston College, Clemson and Kansas State as schools he is currently considering:
http://westvirginia.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=54476&Sport=1
http://westvirginia.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=54476&Sport=1
Well, I know I am jumping in here a little late, but I did want to say good game to the Buckeyes and their fans on the board (most notably Neroon.
I am a die hard Longhorn and an alum. I am glad the game was as hard fought and fun to watch as it was.
I will have to disagree with the questionable-ness of the spot. They did review it. Although I think spotting the ball is probably one of the least accurate things in all of sports. It is incredibly subjective.
Anyway, I never bought all the talk about Ohio St having a crappy team and being blown out. I knew that they would step up and give Texas a fight, though, it was almost too much.
I am a die hard Longhorn and an alum. I am glad the game was as hard fought and fun to watch as it was.
I will have to disagree with the questionable-ness of the spot. They did review it. Although I think spotting the ball is probably one of the least accurate things in all of sports. It is incredibly subjective.
Anyway, I never bought all the talk about Ohio St having a crappy team and being blown out. I knew that they would step up and give Texas a fight, though, it was almost too much.
Especially considering the huge alumni base that UT has.
Incidentally, I just found out this morning that Pryor injured his shoulder in practice before the game Monday night. While that definitely affected his throwing, there's no guarantee it would have made a difference in that outcome.
Incidentally, I just found out this morning that Pryor injured his shoulder in practice before the game Monday night. While that definitely affected his throwing, there's no guarantee it would have made a difference in that outcome.
My thoughts as well, though that trick of having both players on the field at the same time did seem to work eventually. It certainly makes the recruitment of Tahj Boyd more interesting. Had Pryor's shoulder not been injured I wonder how often we'd have seen the dual-QB tactic.
Chris "Beanie" Wells has decided to forego his senior season and will enter the NFL draft. Actually, I think it's a good move for him... and maybe for the Buckeyes as well. He's quite possibly the most talented back the Buckeyes have ever had. Unfortunately... the one thing is his propensity for getting injured.
There are other good backs at OSU as well, so as much as I'd love to have him in the backfield next year... behind hopefully a better OL .... this could work out for everyone.
There are other good backs at OSU as well, so as much as I'd love to have him in the backfield next year... behind hopefully a better OL .... this could work out for everyone.
JM's Top Twenty-Five: Final Poll, 2008-2009 Season
In descending order of importance, these elements factor into my season-ending poll:
I'll tell you what: It's Urban Meyer's world, and we're just living in it. His current team wins the BCS title game, and the one for which he laid foundations of greatness finishes undefeated. To employ another cliche, he bestrides the college football world like a colossus.
Oh, and ... Sam Bradford should, on bended knee, yield up that Heisman Trophy to his master.
1 (tie) – Utah (13-0)
Two years ago, Boise State finished number two in my poll; I gave them consideration, but their body of work didn't merit a share of the title. Utah, unquestionably, does. If they were from a power conference and finished undefeated, there'd be no real discussion as to their worthiness. [Kansas would certainly have won the national title last year, despite having played only Mizzou and Virginia Tech, simply because they were a Big 12 squad. Utah's schedule this year is arguably superior, and they possess wins over four elite teams: Alabama, Texas Christian, Oregon State and Brigham Young. Wins over Air Force, Colorado State and Weber State aren't too shabby, either.]
3 – Southern California (12-1)
I gave the Trojans consideration for the national title, but ... who did they actually beat? Ohio State? Overrated. Penn State? Overrated. Oregon? Not quite top-tier. Oregon State? Same ... oh, that's right. Nevermind.
4 – Texas (12-1)
I toyed with them, as well, but their performance against a game Ohio State team was impressive for precisely one quarter ... and the Texas Tech loss now looks somewhat ugly after the Red Raiders' late-season swoon.
5 – Oklahoma (12-2)
Lee Corso still won't shut up about OU being perhaps the nation's best team. Look up "obtuse," and there's his mug. Shut up, dude. They lost to the better squad, and Bradford was put in his place by the better athlete.
6 – Alabama (12-2)
They're not that bad. Florida and Utah are that good.
7 – Texas Christian (11-2)
Just a feeling, but ... based on what each accomplished, I'd say TCU beats the Lions in a 12-7 slugfest.
8 – Penn State (11-2)
Well, that was embarrassing, but not entirely unexpected.
9 – Ole Miss (9-4)
Who ranked beneath them has two better wins?
10 – Ohio State (10-3)
Of course, they'll be back next year. Ugh.
11 – Boise State (12-1)
This Bronco reared and fell, spooked by a Horned Frog.
12 – Oregon (10-3)
Not sure how to evaluate the win over Oklahoma State. Still, they had a nice run considering their quarterback woes.
13 – Texas Tech (11-2)
Wow ... they reached the heights, only to fall and leave a pit like an asteroid crater. They looked terrible over their last three.
14 – Georgia (10-3)
Shit the bird, as I predicted.
15 – Virginia Tech (10-4)
Probably the highest-rated team I don't feel is really very good ... but results take priority over emotions, in this case.
16 – Oregon State (9-4)
That Pitt win was one of the ten ugliest games I've ever seen, and OSU owes its victory more to Wannstedt's gameday ineptitude than their own toughness—though that did factor in.
17 – Cincinnati (11-3)
Deep down, I think Rutgers is better now, and would crush them if they played again. According to the numbers, though, they're the class of the Big East—a dubious distinction, this year.
18 – Oklahoma State (9-4)
19 – Missouri (10-4)
Did either of these teams actually beat anybody this year?
20 – Iowa (9-4)
Their biggest win is more impressive than OSU's or Mizzou's ... but their losses are uglier.
21 – California (9-4)
Another season flailing about in or near the top twenty-five, but making no real mark—in other words, a typical Cal team.
22 – West Virginia (9-4)
I think it may be a few years before you see the Mountaineers in another season-ending poll.
23 – Louisiana State (8-5)
I'm not sure they're the best five-loss team in the country. I am sure they're better than Georgia Tech.
24 – Georgia Tech (9-4)
If these guys put it together ... look out.
25 (tie) – Florida State (9-4)
Bowden may well make a run next year.
25 (tie) – Rutgers (8-5)
The longest winning streaks in I-A football? Utah, of course ... followed by Southern California, Florida, and ... you guessed it: Rutgers. One of only two five-loss teams in the poll, RU earns its spot on that aforementioned run to end the year, the four quality wins therein, and the strength of character not to pack it in at 1-5. They become only one of seven teams in history to start the season with that record and subsequently reach a bowl game. Assuming they have a competent replacement for departing senior quarterback Mike Teel, they are, along with Pitt, the clear favorites to win the Big East next year. Keep choppin', guys!
Congratulations to Utah and Florida, the JM's Top Twenty-Five 2008-2009 Co-National Champions!
In descending order of importance, these elements factor into my season-ending poll:
- Body of work (which include wins/losses and strength of schedule)
- Improvement in play over a season's course
- Winning streaks
- Personal opinion as to who'd beat whom if the teams met now, based on observation
- Head-to-head
- Common opponents
I'll tell you what: It's Urban Meyer's world, and we're just living in it. His current team wins the BCS title game, and the one for which he laid foundations of greatness finishes undefeated. To employ another cliche, he bestrides the college football world like a colossus.
Oh, and ... Sam Bradford should, on bended knee, yield up that Heisman Trophy to his master.
1 (tie) – Utah (13-0)
Two years ago, Boise State finished number two in my poll; I gave them consideration, but their body of work didn't merit a share of the title. Utah, unquestionably, does. If they were from a power conference and finished undefeated, there'd be no real discussion as to their worthiness. [Kansas would certainly have won the national title last year, despite having played only Mizzou and Virginia Tech, simply because they were a Big 12 squad. Utah's schedule this year is arguably superior, and they possess wins over four elite teams: Alabama, Texas Christian, Oregon State and Brigham Young. Wins over Air Force, Colorado State and Weber State aren't too shabby, either.]
3 – Southern California (12-1)
I gave the Trojans consideration for the national title, but ... who did they actually beat? Ohio State? Overrated. Penn State? Overrated. Oregon? Not quite top-tier. Oregon State? Same ... oh, that's right. Nevermind.
4 – Texas (12-1)
I toyed with them, as well, but their performance against a game Ohio State team was impressive for precisely one quarter ... and the Texas Tech loss now looks somewhat ugly after the Red Raiders' late-season swoon.
5 – Oklahoma (12-2)
Lee Corso still won't shut up about OU being perhaps the nation's best team. Look up "obtuse," and there's his mug. Shut up, dude. They lost to the better squad, and Bradford was put in his place by the better athlete.
6 – Alabama (12-2)
They're not that bad. Florida and Utah are that good.
7 – Texas Christian (11-2)
Just a feeling, but ... based on what each accomplished, I'd say TCU beats the Lions in a 12-7 slugfest.
8 – Penn State (11-2)
Well, that was embarrassing, but not entirely unexpected.
9 – Ole Miss (9-4)
Who ranked beneath them has two better wins?
10 – Ohio State (10-3)
Of course, they'll be back next year. Ugh.
11 – Boise State (12-1)
This Bronco reared and fell, spooked by a Horned Frog.
12 – Oregon (10-3)
Not sure how to evaluate the win over Oklahoma State. Still, they had a nice run considering their quarterback woes.
13 – Texas Tech (11-2)
Wow ... they reached the heights, only to fall and leave a pit like an asteroid crater. They looked terrible over their last three.
14 – Georgia (10-3)
Shit the bird, as I predicted.
15 – Virginia Tech (10-4)
Probably the highest-rated team I don't feel is really very good ... but results take priority over emotions, in this case.
16 – Oregon State (9-4)
That Pitt win was one of the ten ugliest games I've ever seen, and OSU owes its victory more to Wannstedt's gameday ineptitude than their own toughness—though that did factor in.
17 – Cincinnati (11-3)
Deep down, I think Rutgers is better now, and would crush them if they played again. According to the numbers, though, they're the class of the Big East—a dubious distinction, this year.
18 – Oklahoma State (9-4)
19 – Missouri (10-4)
Did either of these teams actually beat anybody this year?
20 – Iowa (9-4)
Their biggest win is more impressive than OSU's or Mizzou's ... but their losses are uglier.
21 – California (9-4)
Another season flailing about in or near the top twenty-five, but making no real mark—in other words, a typical Cal team.
22 – West Virginia (9-4)
I think it may be a few years before you see the Mountaineers in another season-ending poll.
23 – Louisiana State (8-5)
I'm not sure they're the best five-loss team in the country. I am sure they're better than Georgia Tech.
24 – Georgia Tech (9-4)
If these guys put it together ... look out.
25 (tie) – Florida State (9-4)
Bowden may well make a run next year.
25 (tie) – Rutgers (8-5)
The longest winning streaks in I-A football? Utah, of course ... followed by Southern California, Florida, and ... you guessed it: Rutgers. One of only two five-loss teams in the poll, RU earns its spot on that aforementioned run to end the year, the four quality wins therein, and the strength of character not to pack it in at 1-5. They become only one of seven teams in history to start the season with that record and subsequently reach a bowl game. Assuming they have a competent replacement for departing senior quarterback Mike Teel, they are, along with Pitt, the clear favorites to win the Big East next year. Keep choppin', guys!
Congratulations to Utah and Florida, the JM's Top Twenty-Five 2008-2009 Co-National Champions!
Thankfully in the actual polls Utah gets no share.
The title, as it should, belongs to one team, and that team is the Gators.
Fuck yes, Tebow put him to shame.
Though Tebow puts pretty much any NCAA player in history to shame...
The title, as it should, belongs to one team, and that team is the Gators.
Fuck yes, Tebow put him to shame.
Though Tebow puts pretty much any NCAA player in history to shame...
In a word ... ridiculous. More thankfully, I'm here to set things right with my poll.
Fully one quarter of the AP writers—the more perceptive and insightful ones—agree with me. Twenty-five percent of the first-place votes qualifies as "a share," even if Florida finished ahead of them in the voting.
Does Utah win a matchup with Florida? I don't know. I just know they didn't, and wouldn't, lose to Ole Miss out in Salt Lake City.
Your opinion is noted ... but since Bradford's clearly not college football's best player—best quarterback, granted, but by no means best player—well, the smart money says the voters screwed up ... or something of a fix was in.
Gotta be frustrating when you lost despite getting most of the first-place votes, primarily because certain reactionary old school voters wanted to see Archie Griffin remain the only two-time Heisman winner, while numerous Midwestern and Near West voters went with Big 12 quarterbacks as a block out of regional and conference loyalty, relegating Tebow to third or even fourth.
The truth will out, though ... and we saw the truth on display last night: Tebow is a better college football player than Bradford, hands down.
Bradford won the Heisman. Tebow deserved it.
This inspired me to do some research on how close past votes have been. Since the AP poll began in 1936, 33 teams have finished as close or closer than Utah in the final poll. In 1950, 15 out of the 20 ranked teams recieved first place votes!
Most of these close finishes came back when the final vote was taken before the bowl games (what were they thinking?) Once bowl games counted, consensus number ones became more common.
The BCS, which was designed to create a consensus champion, has failed several times this decade. A split national championship in 2003, a close vote in 2008, and 6 perfect teams going unrewarded in the BCS era.
The 90s' Bowl Coalition/Aliiance did even worse, without the Rose Bowl, Pac-10, and Big-10's involvement, that decade produced three split championships, four close votes, and 2 perfect teams without a championship.
Amazingly, the 1980s, with the old bowl system, resulted in the clearest national championship results. No split titles, no close votes, and no perfect teams going unrewarded.
