College Football Bowl Thread

[winghaz]

I'd rather see the BCS standings determine who makes the playoffs.

Take the top eight teams in the final BCS standings and use that for the playoffs. This year, for example, No. 1 Oklahoma would have played No. 8 Penn State, No. 2. Florida would have played No. 7 Texas Tech, No. 3 Texas would have played No. 6 Utah and No. 4 Alabama would have played No. 5 USC.

Of course, there's still a problem here: Unbeaten (at that time) Boise State still would have been left out in the cold. But this is better than the current system.

[raysox]

Maybe this will spur the playoff talk. 11-team playoff, invite the 11 conference champs, top 5 get a bye.

I say 12 Team playoff

6 major conference winners get the top 6 spots, and 6 at large bids.

Like so

[infrared41]

I will give USC props for winning the Rose Bowl and stomping all over the Big 10's hopes and dreams once again...

Dude, do you seriously think that any Big Ten fan outside Happy Valley thought Penn State stood even a remote chance against USC? This is The Big Ten son. We don't do hopes and dreams 'round here. We play for the paycheck.

[FiddySicks]

I will give USC props for winning the Rose Bowl and stomping all over the Big 10's hopes and dreams once again...

Dude, do you seriously think that any Big Ten fan outside Happy Valley thought Penn State stood even a remote chance against USC? This is The Big Ten son. We don't do hopes and dreams 'round here. We play for the paycheck.

Sarcasm aside, I really did feel that Penn State was going to compete way more than they did. Their D started out strong and their O matched SC score for score... For about 5 minutes. I was actually really surprised they fell apart so quickly.

[infrared41]

I will give USC props for winning the Rose Bowl and stomping all over the Big 10's hopes and dreams once again...

Dude, do you seriously think that any Big Ten fan outside Happy Valley thought Penn State stood even a remote chance against USC? This is The Big Ten son. We don't do hopes and dreams 'round here. We play for the paycheck.

Sarcasm aside, I really did feel that Penn State was going to compete way more than they did. Their D started out strong and their O matched SC score for score... For about 5 minutes. I was actually really surprised they fell apart so quickly.

Ohio State looked like they had a chance for about 10 minutes too. USC is just that good. Their problem lately has been an inability to keep the pedal to the floor for all 12 regular season games. They should be on some ridiculous National Championship streak right now. Instead, thanks to Stanford, UCLA, Oregon State, etc. all the Trojans can do is keep beating hell out of teams in The Rose Bowl every season.

There are maybe two teams in all of College Football that I think could give USC a game. Florida and, if they played like they did last night, possibly Utah. I think either of those teams could make a game of it and Florida might be able to beat USC. Anyone else would have suffered the same defeat Penn State did. That ass-kicking in The Rose Bowl had less to do with the supposed inferiority of The Big Ten than it did with the fact that USC is one seriously good football team. Out of the top 15 who would you bet on tomorrow to beat USC?

[TFoA]

I will give USC props for winning the Rose Bowl and stomping all over the Big 10's hopes and dreams once again...

Dude, do you seriously think that any Big Ten fan outside Happy Valley thought Penn State stood even a remote chance against USC? This is The Big Ten son. We don't do hopes and dreams 'round here. We play for the paycheck.

Sarcasm aside, I really did feel that Penn State was going to compete way more than they did. Their D started out strong and their O matched SC score for score... For about 5 minutes. I was actually really surprised they fell apart so quickly.

Ohio State looked like they had a chance for about 10 minutes too. USC is just that good. Their problem lately has been an inability to keep the pedal to the floor for all 12 regular season games. They should be on some ridiculous National Championship streak right now. Instead, thanks to Stanford, UCLA, Oregon State, etc. all the Trojans can do is keep beating hell out of teams in The Rose Bowl every season.

Which is why I can't stand it when every year, around this time, Pete Carroll starts whining about how USC is the best team in the nation and should win the national title after they dispatched of some poor Big 10 team. I don't wanna hear it from USC, if they wanted to win the title so bad and are the best team in the nation year after year, maybe they shouldn't lose to UCLA, Stanford, or Oregon State. USC always has a great year, and lately it's either resulted in them winning the 'ship or whining about not winning it when it was their own damn fault for not winning it.

Pardon the rant, but I guess I'm just tired of them saying the same thing every year. You didn't hear Carroll whining for a playoff when they were #1 on a regular basis.

Oh, and I'd take Florida and maybe Texas in a game against USC. Running QBs have been and forever will be the death of USC.

[HedleyLamarr]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

[baseballking99]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

I know I am a fan but did you watch any of their games. Their team has a top player at every position. You could mistake them for an NFL team. Almost every starter is gonna go pro. The level of talent they have is unbelievable. It's Only gonna get better too. Their recruiting from all over the country now. The west coast is not the limit anymore. I think they have a kid from the Bronx on the team.

[infrared41]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

Fair enough. So how many teams are better than USC?

[Breakwood]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

I know I am a fan but did you watch any of their games. Their team has a top player at every position. You could mistake them for an NFL team. Almost every starter is gonna go pro. The level of talent they have is unbelievable. It's Only gonna get better too. Their recruiting from all over the country now. The west coast is not the limit anymore. I think they have a kid from the Bronx on the team.

There is no limit for recruiting, when you give each player a car and $50k for coming to play for USC.

[buzzcut]

Florida played Citadel.

Oklahoma played Chattanooga.

I guess they shouldn't be National Champions either.

Agreed. A team should not be eligible for the national title game unless they played all their games against FBS schools.

Using that logic, FCS teams that play FBS teams shouldn't be eligible for the FCS national championship.

I could live with that.

Many FCS programs wouldn't be able to function without the "money" games. Many of these schools try and fund all their sports through their football teams, and even in that case, many fail. (See ETSU, Iona, and countless other schools) The UT system is so far in financial trouble that UT-C might have to fold all athletics, and the only way they can avoid it is to play the big boys and get a cut of the money.

Chattanooga shutting down their whole athletic program? I haven't heard any rumor of it happening, and I usually have a semi-firm pulse on conference changes.

[FiddySicks]

I will give USC props for winning the Rose Bowl and stomping all over the Big 10's hopes and dreams once again...

Dude, do you seriously think that any Big Ten fan outside Happy Valley thought Penn State stood even a remote chance against USC? This is The Big Ten son. We don't do hopes and dreams 'round here. We play for the paycheck.

Sarcasm aside, I really did feel that Penn State was going to compete way more than they did. Their D started out strong and their O matched SC score for score... For about 5 minutes. I was actually really surprised they fell apart so quickly.

Ohio State looked like they had a chance for about 10 minutes too. USC is just that good. Their problem lately has been an inability to keep the pedal to the floor for all 12 regular season games. They should be on some ridiculous National Championship streak right now. Instead, thanks to Stanford, UCLA, Oregon State, etc. all the Trojans can do is keep beating hell out of teams in The Rose Bowl every season.

There are maybe two teams in all of College Football that I think could give USC a game. Florida and, if they played like they did last night, possibly Utah. I think either of those teams could make a game of it and Florida might be able to beat USC. Anyone else would have suffered the same defeat Penn State did. That ass-kicking in The Rose Bowl had less to do with the supposed inferiority of The Big Ten than it did with the fact that USC is one seriously good football team. Out of the top 15 who would you bet on tomorrow to beat USC?

Oh I agree with you that SC would crush just about everyone they would face. I'd argue that Utah on a perfect day could hold them very close, Texas could do the same if McCoy could find the pass, and Florida would give them the best shot at a competitive game due to their speed (No chance Oklahoma does IMO, I've seen them give up a ton of points to offenses that are a quarter as strong). So yeah, it's a handful at best. I, mistakenly, thought that Penn State was as well in that category.

[infrared41]

Oh I agree with you that SC would crush just about everyone they would face. I'd argue that Utah on a perfect day could hold them very close, Texas could do the same if McCoy could find the pass, and Florida would give them the best shot at a competitive game due to their speed (No chance Oklahoma does IMO, I've seen them give up a ton of points to offenses that are a quarter as strong). So yeah, it's a handful at best. I, mistakenly, thought that Penn State was as well in that category.

This is The Big Ten son. We don't do hopes and dreams speed and competitive 'round here. We play for the paycheck.

[rams80]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

I know I am a fan but did you watch any of their games. Their team has a top player at every position. You could mistake them for an NFL team. Almost every starter is gonna go pro. The level of talent they have is unbelievable. It's Only gonna get better too. Their recruiting from all over the country now. The west coast is not the limit anymore. I think they have a kid from the Bronx on the team.

Yes, but MNCs aren't handed out because of your "on paper" strength. USC's schedule was weak. If you have a weak schedule and want MNC consideration, you better not lose any games.

[baseballking99]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

I know I am a fan but did you watch any of their games. Their team has a top player at every position. You could mistake them for an NFL team. Almost every starter is gonna go pro. The level of talent they have is unbelievable. It's Only gonna get better too. Their recruiting from all over the country now. The west coast is not the limit anymore. I think they have a kid from the Bronx on the team.

Yes, but MNCs aren't handed out because of your "on paper" strength. USC's schedule was weak. If you have a weak schedule and want MNC consideration, you better not lose any games.

Well that's why I don't like evaluating teams based on strength of schedule. If you have two teams with identical records. Think about who do you think would win in a game between the two. That's the truly better team.

[rams80]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

I know I am a fan but did you watch any of their games. Their team has a top player at every position. You could mistake them for an NFL team. Almost every starter is gonna go pro. The level of talent they have is unbelievable. It's Only gonna get better too. Their recruiting from all over the country now. The west coast is not the limit anymore. I think they have a kid from the Bronx on the team.

Yes, but MNCs aren't handed out because of your "on paper" strength. USC's schedule was weak. If you have a weak schedule and want MNC consideration, you better not lose any games.

Well that's why I don't like evaluating teams based on strength of schedule. If you have two teams with identical records. Think about who do you think would win in a game between the two. That's the truly better team.

Well, Utah doesn't have an identical record with USC. So you're S.O.L. there. Although....I think Florida would beat USC because Pete Carroll's crew forgot there was a game or something.

[FiddySicks]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

I know I am a fan but did you watch any of their games. Their team has a top player at every position. You could mistake them for an NFL team. Almost every starter is gonna go pro. The level of talent they have is unbelievable. It's Only gonna get better too. Their recruiting from all over the country now. The west coast is not the limit anymore. I think they have a kid from the Bronx on the team.

Yes, but MNCs aren't handed out because of your "on paper" strength. USC's schedule was weak. If you have a weak schedule and want MNC consideration, you better not lose any games.

Well that's why I don't like evaluating teams based on strength of schedule. If you have two teams with identical records. Think about who do you think would win in a game between the two. That's the truly better team.

Well, Utah doesn't have an identical record with USC. So you're S.O.L. there. Although....I think Florida would beat USC because Pete Carroll's crew forgot there was a game or something.

I think Florida would beat them for the same reason that Penn State almost got back into the Rose Bowl, and the same reason they lost to Texas. They'll get a decent lead, then let off the gas and it'll come back to bite them in the ass.

[HedleyLamarr]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

I know I am a fan but did you watch any of their games. Their team has a top player at every position. You could mistake them for an NFL team. Almost every starter is gonna go pro. The level of talent they have is unbelievable. It's Only gonna get better too. Their recruiting from all over the country now. The west coast is not the limit anymore. I think they have a kid from the Bronx on the team.

I saw a few of their games. But their competition wasn't the toughest around, and USC still managed to lose a game to a team that got handled by Utah and Penn State. Georgia has a history of churning out pro players (with possibly the best QB and RB entering this year's draft), but they're a 3-loss team. Assuming Ohio State loses tomorrow, USC will not have beaten a team in the final top-10. (I'm too lazy right now to look up the last rankings and all the bowl results.)

Fair enough. So how many teams are better than USC?

Right now, I'd say Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Utah.

[infrared41]

I don't understand all this love for USC and declaring them "best team in the country".

The Pac-10 wasn't as strong as it's been in years past. Half the conference had losing records, and two of those teams were absolutely terrible. The rest of their schedule included bowl-less Virginia, Notre Dame, and two Big Ten teams....not exactly Murderer's Row.

I know I am a fan but did you watch any of their games. Their team has a top player at every position. You could mistake them for an NFL team. Almost every starter is gonna go pro. The level of talent they have is unbelievable. It's Only gonna get better too. Their recruiting from all over the country now. The west coast is not the limit anymore. I think they have a kid from the Bronx on the team.

I saw a few of their games. But their competition wasn't the toughest around, and USC still managed to lose a game to a team that got handled by Utah and Penn State. Georgia has a history of churning out pro players (with possibly the best QB and RB entering this year's draft), but they're a 3-loss team. Assuming Ohio State loses tomorrow, USC will not have beaten a team in the final top-10. (I'm too lazy right now to look up the last rankings and all the bowl results.)

Fair enough. So how many teams are better than USC?

Right now, I'd say Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Utah.

I can't believe an SEC guy is giving the Big XII so much credit. You've seen the Big XII. Texas or Oklahoma would have at least three losses if they played in The SEC. Look at what Ole Miss did to mighty Texas Tech. As soon as one of these high flying Big XII teams gets hit in the mouth by a real defense they'll fold up the tents. Wait and see. The Big XII isn't even in the conversation when it comes to schools that could beat USC right now. , I'd take LSU over Texas right now.

[HedleyLamarr]

Hence the "right now" part.

Texas and Oklahoma still have games to play. This list can be amended once all the games have been played....