The College Football Thread

[Mallory]

From the Seattle Times:

- Oregon (6-1) loses at Arizona (4-2) this week and Oregon State (5-2) Dec. 3 in Eugene.

- California (4-3) beats Stanford (6-2) and Washington.

- Arizona beats Arizona State.

- USC (4-3) beats UCLA and Arizona.

- OSU loses this week at Washington State (hey, we didn't say you wouldn't have to work with us a little).

Voilà. Half a dozen teams with 6-3 conference records, and a headache bigger than any other six-pack would give conference administrators.

And the worst thing about this scenario? USC wins it and goes to the Rose Bowl.

OTOH, it should be fun watching Digits root for the hapless WSU Cougars this weekend.

 

[Neroon]

Digits, you know I love you, but .... he's right. That's a brutally entertaining idea thinking of you having to root for Wash St.

 

[1001001]

Here we go, Cougars. Here we go!




Yeah, that's not going to happen.

 

[ToddPence]

Alabama vs. UT-Chattanooga this late in the season? Who schedules games like that in late November? I think the Tides' non-conference schedule just might cost them a shot at the national title even if they do finish undefeated and win the SEC title game.

 

[Neroon]

Nahhh... the winner of the SEC title game will be in the national championship game, guaranteed.

 

[Commander Vaughn]

Man, it's just not pleasant watching Michigan play anymore. Their defense played well against Ohio State today, but the offense turned the ball over four times. That's death against any team, and it was again today.

Rich Rod hasn't done much at Michigan so far. A win over Notre Dame was the program's best win this year. At least I got that. But losing to Ohio State for sixth time in a row isn't fun at all. There's not much fun left in this "rivalry".

 

[Neroon]

The Wolverines' defense did decently, but the moment Hayward recovered Forcier's fumble for an early score ... Tresselball took on an extra safe dimension. Ergo, they weren't exactly going to air it out. On top of that, the OSU ground game was solid all day long, so again... with a lead Tressel was gong to play safe.

I love Tressel. He's a fine man and a great coach, but ... I really don't like Tressel-ball.

 

[Commander Vaughn]

^Tressel-ball isn't always exciting, but it tends to get the job done. Don't knock winning.

I'd take boring, unpleasant Michigan wins over losses any day.

 

[Starbreaker]

LSU was in position to win and spiked the ball with one second left.

 

[Neroon]

Wish I could have seen THAT ending.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

WE BEAT LSU!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's drinkin' time now, girls!

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Hold on, hold on, hold on. I had to work all day. Exactly what did LSU do that's got everyone squawking?

 

[Lieut. Arex]

Alabama vs. UT-Chattanooga this late in the season? Who schedules games like that in late November?

Florida.

I think the Tides' non-conference schedule just might cost them a shot at the national title even if they do finish undefeated and win the SEC title game.

If I'm not mistaken, Alabama's played the toughest schedule among the top 10 (@ #23 nationally, the Gators are in the 50's) with Auburn and #1 Florida left before the bowl. And unlike most, they didn't open the season with some tomato can, so they don't have to apologize to anyone for their schedule. No, playing a 1-AA school's not the greatest thing and blowouts are nice but tough to watch. Still, if not an off week, I'd rather have a game like this than be going into the Iron Bowl coming off a much tougher game with LSU or Mississippi State as is the norm. You get some work to keep the first team sharp while getting some playing time at game speed for the second string. That's a plus and UT-C gets a nice check in the process. Win-win.

Hold on, hold on, hold on. I had to work all day. Exactly what did LSU do that's got everyone squawking?

After completing a long pass to get into easy field goal range but with no time outs and only one second on the clock, the QB spikes the ball to stop the clock. Game over. The Hat didn't have his field goal unit ready to rush out there immediately after the catch. Of course, if they hadn't bleed almost 20 seconds off the clock before calling time out on the preceeding play, it wouldn't have been a problem. Terrible clock management. Miles completely coached himself out of a win.

 

[Neroon]

Hold on, hold on, hold on. I had to work all day. Exactly what did LSU do that's got everyone squawking?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/gameflash/2009/11/21/40654_recap.html

Explains it pretty well. Basically, there was some poor coaching because the players were confused and nobody had a backup plan. They had a first down but no way to stop the clock.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

^ Leading to my overt happiness.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Anytime Les Miles gets heartburn, it's okay by me. That sounds like a major case of heartburn.

 

[TheBrew]

After a rough start, it looks like Cal is firmly in the driver's. They are absolutely controlling the clock and have been marching down the field to a 10 point lead.

 

[Starbreaker]

How nobody noticed that there was one second on the clock and they could have thrown a pass into the endzone is beyond me. That's just a stupid, stupid call.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Hold on, hold on, hold on. I had to work all day. Exactly what did LSU do that's got everyone squawking?

After completing a long pass to get into easy field goal range but with no time outs and only one second on the clock, the QB spikes the ball to stop the clock. Game over. The Hat didn't have his field goal unit ready to rush out there immediately after the catch. Of course, if they hadn't bleed almost 20 seconds off the clock before calling time out on the preceeding play, it wouldn't have been a problem. Terrible clock management. Miles completely coached himself out of a win.

Hold on, hold on, hold on. I had to work all day. Exactly what did LSU do that's got everyone squawking?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/gameflash/2009/11/21/40654_recap.html

Explains it pretty well. Basically, there was some poor coaching because the players were confused and nobody had a backup plan. They had a first down but no way to stop the clock.

How nobody noticed that there was one second on the clock and they could have thrown a pass into the endzone is beyond me. That's just a stupid, stupid call.

I totally agree with all of this. Even if there was no time to get the field goal team onto the field, to not even attempt to either pass or run it in--to not even start a real play--that was ridiculous. I don't think they even spiked it...just stood there and looked confused!!!

 

[Neroon]

After a rough start, it looks like Cal is firmly in the driver's. They are absolutely controlling the clock and have been marching down the field to a 10 point lead.

Who in the world is this Vereen kid? He's stepped in brilliantly ever since Best went down.