The College Football Thread
- Thread starter Commander Vaughn
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JM's Top Twenty Five, Week Ending Saturday, October 24th, 2009
1 – Alabama (8-0)
2 – Florida (7-0)
3 – Texas (6-0)
4 – Cincinnati (7-0)
5 – Texas Christian (7-0)
6 – Iowa (8-0)
7 – Boise State (7-0)
8 – Oregon (6-1)
9 – Southern California (5-1)
10 – Louisiana State (6-1)
11 – Georgia Tech (7-1)
12 – Houston (5-1)
13 – Oklahoma State (6-1)
14 – Pittsburgh (7-1)
15 – Virginia Tech (5-2)
16 – South Carolina (6-2)
17 – Miami, Florida (5-2)
18 – Penn State (7-1)
19 – West Virginia (6-1)
20 – Utah (6-1)
21 – Brigham Young (6-2)
22 – Mississippi (5-2)
23 – Ohio State (6-2)
24 – Notre Dame (5-2)
25 – Navy (6-2)
Bubbling under: Arizona, Central Michigan
Rutgers Watch: The now 5-2 Scarlet Knights beat improving Army 27-10 in a game that was closer than the score indicates. They don't even rate an "also receiving consideration" acknowledgment at this point. On the other hand, their losses, to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, the latter of which they should probably have won, don't look so bad.
1 – Alabama (8-0)
2 – Florida (7-0)
3 – Texas (6-0)
4 – Cincinnati (7-0)
5 – Texas Christian (7-0)
6 – Iowa (8-0)
7 – Boise State (7-0)
8 – Oregon (6-1)
9 – Southern California (5-1)
10 – Louisiana State (6-1)
11 – Georgia Tech (7-1)
12 – Houston (5-1)
13 – Oklahoma State (6-1)
14 – Pittsburgh (7-1)
15 – Virginia Tech (5-2)
16 – South Carolina (6-2)
17 – Miami, Florida (5-2)
18 – Penn State (7-1)
19 – West Virginia (6-1)
20 – Utah (6-1)
21 – Brigham Young (6-2)
22 – Mississippi (5-2)
23 – Ohio State (6-2)
24 – Notre Dame (5-2)
25 – Navy (6-2)
Bubbling under: Arizona, Central Michigan
Rutgers Watch: The now 5-2 Scarlet Knights beat improving Army 27-10 in a game that was closer than the score indicates. They don't even rate an "also receiving consideration" acknowledgment at this point. On the other hand, their losses, to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, the latter of which they should probably have won, don't look so bad.
Quite the beatdown Penn State laid on Michigan yesterday. A bummer to watch, thats for sure.
I pretty much said that after the Iowa game, yeah. And before that, even. I also think there's been improvement post-Iowa and I'd be curious if the outcome would be the same if we got to play it again, but we won't get that chance so meh.I assume that's a concession that Penn State is somewhat less than solid?
Absolutely. They handled a much-improved Michigan team with relative ease. As of now though, sadly, it's their signature win. [Of course, that's one more signature win than Rutgers has.]
Frankly, I'd love to see them take care of Ohio State, too. That would essentially hand the Big Ten crown to Iowa, and I just can't abide seeing the Buckeyes claim it once again.
We're pretty healthy at the moment. Masoli has a sore knee, but sure didn't show it yesterday.
One of the things I really like about this year's team is that there are only three seniors in the starting lineup. The bulk of this team is going to be together for the next two or three years. They should only get better.
Something interesting about next week's game is that Casey Matthews is a starting LB for the Ducks. You may remember his father, Clay Matthews, who was a 19 year NFL player and an All-American at USC. He's pretty fired up about playing USC next week.
Yeah, I definitely remember the elder Matthews. Solid, intense player you could always count on.
One thing I neglected to mention earlier, Iowa really reminds me of OSU's 2002 national championship team. Excellent defense. Decent offense that makes few mistakes, with a serviceable quarterback and sound running game. Good special teams. An overall tendency to not beat themselves but to find some way to win. That's why their game concerns me the most as an OSU fan, making me glad it's at home. No disrespect intended to Penn St, mimc. They've worked out their kinks and seem to be hitting their stride nicely. And Happy Valley has a lot of UNhappy memories.
One thing I neglected to mention earlier, Iowa really reminds me of OSU's 2002 national championship team. Excellent defense. Decent offense that makes few mistakes, with a serviceable quarterback and sound running game. Good special teams. An overall tendency to not beat themselves but to find some way to win. That's why their game concerns me the most as an OSU fan, making me glad it's at home. No disrespect intended to Penn St, mimc. They've worked out their kinks and seem to be hitting their stride nicely. And Happy Valley has a lot of UNhappy memories.
See, I'm not impressed with Iowa's offense. If memory serves they got two FGs and a TD after their defense handed them the ball in the red zone and I think that was it when they played us. They really couldn't move the ball for most of the game.
Their defense on the other hand could give Pryor fits. They certainly got in Clark's head - he had one of the worst games in his career.
Their defense on the other hand could give Pryor fits. They certainly got in Clark's head - he had one of the worst games in his career.
I'm not impressed with Iowa's offense either... just like in 2002 with the Buckeyes. But it gets the job done. It may not be sexy, but the formula works and a pretty fair number of BCS champions have used a superb defense with at best an average offense to win. It makes few mistakes and generally makes the most of the opportunities given it by the defense. After watching for the better part of three games... I'm not ready to put them in the championship, but I won't discount that their chances are getting better and better.
He won't be a super high pick this time. Not with surgery, then four months of recovery and rehab. That leaves precious little time before the draft to prove himself. I can't see anyone taking him as high as he probably would have gone last year. This is really a poster case for that Clash-type decision being a carefully considered one.
If Bradford is never the same after his injury and doesn't last in the NFL, just think of all that money he lost by coming back to school. It's disappointing when it happens to someone who returns to school. Why can't it happen to someone like J.D. Drew or Michael Crabtree while they're holding out for more money? 
For all the Sam Bradfords out there, there are a number of people who come back to school and are successful as well. We focus on a lot on the negatives, but some players do accomplish their goals. Tyler Hansborough being the most recent example (basketball and not football, but still).
Bradford will sign a multi-million dollar contract regardless. Is there really a practical difference between 2 million a year and 6 million a year?
If he never starts a game and is cut in three or four years - he is set for a very comfortable life.
If he never starts a game and is cut in three or four years - he is set for a very comfortable life.
I think that depends on just how foolishly extravagant (or, if we're giving the benefit of the doubt here, generous) you are.
All kidding aside, you're quite right, though. When you're rakin' in that kinda dough, day-to-day financial concerns should never again be an issue, if you've even a modicum of prudence.
His injury is most unfortunate, and I sympathize. It is by no means a genuine tragedy. He hurt his shoulder; he didn't lose a leg. Bradford, at 21 or so, will likely still have more opportunities to succeed brilliantly in life than the overwhelming majority of us ever receive/earn/acquire. Seems like a nice kid, though, and I hope he recovers and bedevils opposing NFL defenses (except that of the Cardinals, of course) for years to come.
I think I've asked this before, but it bears repeating, IMO: Has anyone ever noticed that Bradford looks quite a bit like Rafael Nadal?
Bradford isn't the type who'll piss away his money on gambling and whores once he makes the NFL. He's had a very solid upbringing. Temperamentally and personality wise, he's like his good friend Colt McCoy. Sam's shoulder injury happens to a lot of quarterbacks sooner or later and with surgery they recover. He was smart enough to take out insurance on his arm before he came back to school this year. So what if he doesn't go first? He won't have to play for a basement NFL team. It could turn out to be the best thing that could have happened to him.
As for tonight, I wish Dez Bryant's name had been Reggie Bush. He'd still be playing football. When you play for SC, you can get away with murder. Without Dez, I see a very close, competitive game that O-State, unfortunately, will lose. Sob. Anyham is pretty good, but they'll need someone outstanding to take it away from Texas. At least Kendall Hunter will be back, but he's not 100 percent.
As for tonight, I wish Dez Bryant's name had been Reggie Bush. He'd still be playing football. When you play for SC, you can get away with murder. Without Dez, I see a very close, competitive game that O-State, unfortunately, will lose. Sob. Anyham is pretty good, but they'll need someone outstanding to take it away from Texas. At least Kendall Hunter will be back, but he's not 100 percent.
Play of the Year so far:
Indiana vs Iowa, up 21-7 and with a 3rd & goal form the Iowa 3 I think... QB drops back, and Iowa De comes around and touches the ball as the QB is throwing. It caroms - twice off an Indiana lineman, bounces oof another Indiana player then an Iowa player... then is finally caught by an IOWA player who runs it back for a 86 yd touchdown run!
Iowa is getting some really questionable calls to go their way today.
Indiana vs Iowa, up 21-7 and with a 3rd & goal form the Iowa 3 I think... QB drops back, and Iowa De comes around and touches the ball as the QB is throwing. It caroms - twice off an Indiana lineman, bounces oof another Indiana player then an Iowa player... then is finally caught by an IOWA player who runs it back for a 86 yd touchdown run!
Iowa is getting some really questionable calls to go their way today.
^That play was pretty crazy. The ball really pinballed around before being caught.
Iowa keeps turning the ball over. I think it's because they know their offense can't score, thats why they keep giving Indiana the ball back. But there have been a number of questionable calls in this game. Replay has corrected a lot of them, but not all.
Iowa keeps turning the ball over. I think it's because they know their offense can't score, thats why they keep giving Indiana the ball back. But there have been a number of questionable calls in this game. Replay has corrected a lot of them, but not all.
