Official 2015 College Football Week 12 thread

[cartman]

Here's the match ups between AP Top 25 teams this weekend:

LSU at Mississippi
Northwestern at Wisconsin
Michigan State at Ohio State
Baylor at Oklahoma State
TCU at Oklahoma

[Thomkal]

Coastal Carolina looks to get an early start on any playoff practice by taking on Liberty on Thursday in Virginia. It will be on ESPN News. Liberty is another school that has given Coastal fits over the years so it seems fitting for it to be their last Big South game. Win and they likely get a top 8 seed and a bye. Lose (depending on how bad) and they likely will still be in the playoffs and on the road in the first round.

[tarcone]

Iowa hosts Purdue. This should be an easy win. But our defense has been not very good. So who knows what will happen. But a win clinches the B1G West. Which would be awesome.

I hope Baylor wins.

Go Hawks!

[CraigSca]

Kodos, Maryland vs. Indiana this weekend. Get ready to witness the worst quarterbacking in the nation first-hand!

[Butter]

Purdue played Michigan State close, so who knows.

[tarcone]

Question of the day.
Iowa is undefeated and beats undefeated tOSU in B1G championship. Alabama loses in SEC championship. Every Big 12 team has at least one loss, Oklahoma has 2. Do we see 2 B1G teams in playoffs?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Question of the day.
Iowa is undefeated and beats undefeated tOSU in B1G championship. Alabama loses in SEC championship. Every Big 12 team has at least one loss, Oklahoma has 2. Do we see 2 B1G teams in playoffs?

I think a loss to Iowa ends tOSU's chances.

Iowa would likely be in, Florida would get a spot for beating Bama, the B12 champ and Notre Dame

[bob]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Question of the day.
Iowa is undefeated and beats undefeated tOSU in B1G championship. Alabama loses in SEC championship. Every Big 12 team has at least one loss, Oklahoma has 2. Do we see 2 B1G teams in playoffs?

Need more details... Clemson still undefeated? ND still 1 loss? Florida still 1 loss? How much did they beat Alabama by? How much did Iowa beat Ohio St by?

I find it hard to believe any conference gets in 2 teams unless other conferences only have 2+ loss teams.

Without details, I'm guessing its Clemson, Iowa, ND, Florida...

[bob]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I think a loss to Iowa ends tOSU's chances.

Iowa would likely be in, Florida would get a spot for beating Bama, the B12 champ and Notre Dame

Did you forget Clemson in your top 4 or do you think they shouldn't be there?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by bob

Did you forget Clemson in your top 4 or do you think they shouldn't be there?

Ack, my bad. Yes, I totally blanked on them.

Clemson has a spot if they win out.
Iowa, IMO, has a spot if they win out.
Florida or Bama gets a spot by winning out at this point.
B12 or Notre Dame has a spot.

My real focus was simply to say that I don't see any scenario short of upset armageddon that gets two B1G teams in the final four.

[Easy Mac]

What are the chances 3 B1G teams get in?

Michigan State beats OSU, but close or last second.
Michigan State beats Iowa, but close or last second.

There's still a fairly decent chance Bama, Notre Dame, and any of the B12 teams can lose in the next few weeks.

Or, more fun, lets say UNC beats Clemson and Notre Dame runs the table. Which of the 3 get in?

[Solecismic]

Since this is decided by committee, I think they understand the repercussions of putting more than one team in from a single conference.

The only gray area is if there's a strong second-place team in one of the divisions of a conference that did not play the winner of the conference title game.

So, let's say MSU beats OSU, then loses to Iowa in the Big Ten championship. Is OSU considered along with Iowa? Possible, but I doubt it. Neither OSU nor Iowa has the schedule strength to justify it.

This could happen in the SEC more easily, but the SEC is thoroughly cannibalized this year.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Kodos, Maryland vs. Indiana this weekend. Get ready to witness the worst quarterbacking in the nation first-hand!

We need to win out to go bowling. But IU almost never wins on the road. Should be interesting.

[tarcone]

I think the Big 12 will be the conference that cannabilizes itself. I wouldn't be shocked if they all have 2 losses. But even a one win Big 12 team will have a tough time with no conference championship. Of course this is assuming ND wins out.
I would love to see a bunch of losses (with the exception of Iowa, of course) just to see some pressure for an 8 team playoff.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

There's still a fairly decent chance Bama, Notre Dame, and any of the B12 teams can lose in the next few weeks.

Not sure I'd say that's "fairly decent" for Bama.

Charleston Southern should pose only slightly less of an obstacle than Auburn.
And I'd say there's almost as good a chance that Florida finishes the SEC title game with negative yards total offense as there is that they beat Bama.

Or, more fun, lets say UNC beats Clemson and Notre Dame runs the table. Which of the 3 get in?

If UNC beats Clemson then they're done. That makes it a two team race for that spot, I'd go with UNC but I figure the committee would mentally treat ND as an ACC representative and give them the spot.

[CU Tiger]

If Clemson doesn't heal up and get their legs under them, UNC may well beat them.

And agreed if UNC beats Clemson I think ND gets in.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Coastal Carolina looks to get an early start on any playoff practice by taking on Liberty on Thursday in Virginia. It will be on ESPN News. Liberty is another school that has given Coastal fits over the years so it seems fitting for it to be their last Big South game. Win and they likely get a top 8 seed and a bye. Lose (depending on how bad) and they likely will still be in the playoffs and on the road in the first round.

NDSU is playing against Missouri State (1-9; 0-7), the worst team in the MVC. They have to win and win convincingly. None of the bracket guessers are thinking that NDSU will be a #1 or #2 seed. That means that the most likely is that they pick up the #3 or #4 seed and will see at least 2 home games before they would have to travel in the Semi Finals, if they can get that far.

[digamma]

I have no idea how good they are, but UNC is the most exciting team in football right now. They are rolling.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by digamma

I have no idea how good they are, but UNC is the most exciting team in football right now. They are rolling.

I watched Rutgers DESTROY them in the bowl game last year. In all facets of the game. I know bowls aren't the best gauge, some teams check out, etc but what has changed so much?

[digamma]

They've been good on offense for a few years, and Marquise Williams is fun to watch. They have a couple of good RBs and a couple of fun WRs. They run a fast paced offense and have put up points.

The big change this year is that sometime in the first half of the season they learned to tackle. They are under their first year with Gene Chizik as DC. They went from losing shootouts last year to actually shutting teams down.

I'd point to the GT game as a turning point (as much as I hate to say that). We got up on them 21-0. They were able to get two quick TDs at the end of the half and then got the ball to start the third quarter. Later down 28-24 they had a goal line stand and ran of 14 in a row to take the lead and win the game. They've been on a curb stomping mission since. Again, who knows how strong they are, as the Coastal is generally average, but the ACCCG could be a lot of fun.

[CU Tiger]

Agreed. I think it will be a great game if both take care of business until then.

The Clemson message board crowd will point towards the fact that UNC hasn't played a single defense ranked in the Top 75 nationally and heir stats are inflated.

That said 60 points is 60 points.

To me that game will com down to which Clemson Defense shows up and how healthy both teams are. Clemson is now down 8 starters to injury and even before that they were the 3rd youngest team in America playing 28 (I think) true or redshirt freshman so far this season. The CU coaching staff has preached "next man up" but at some point there is a drop off.

If I were calling Clemson's plays I'd take a page out of Pittsburgh's GP and pound it and keep UNC out of rhythm. But I suspect we are much too proud to do so.

In a lot of ways this UNC team reminds me of Clemson's 2011 team and I think Williams is a LOT like Tajh Boyd both physically and mentally.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

I think Williams is a LOT like Tajh Boyd both physically and mentally.

Great comparison. I've been trying to figure one out and he may be the guy.

[CU Tiger]

This came out of Dabo's press conference today with local media.
I really like this quote and figure most wont see it so I wanted to share it.

Q. Have you enjoyed this at all? This new higher profile?

Swinney. "What I enjoy is winning and seeing our program being successful. This isn't about me. Other people try to make it about me. I hate that. I don't do anything different than I ever have. You can talk to Aaron Kelly and Jacoby Ford about me. I'm the same as I was when I was coaching receivers at Alabama. Other people want to make it about me and create a story. My story has never changed. It's the same as it's always been. I am a simple guy. I like a simple life. I don't like to complicate things. I understand, though. I get it. It comes with the territory. I've wanted to build this brand, sure. I think that has been a goal from day one. That paw ... it's there nationwide. People know what that is. They know that's Clemson. I take pride in that. It's a lot of fun to be a part of a program where success and winning are expected. I just want it to be about the players. Everything we do is about the players."

Q. With the way the season is going, do you feel added pressure? Does the team?

Swinney. "You know, I just laugh at that. I understand the question, though. My best friend is a guy named P.J. His mama goes to the doctor and finds out she has advanced lung cancer. They don't know what they're going to be able to do. His job just shut down, too. So he's looking. That's pressure. Do I feel pressure about a game? No, man. Turn the television on. You got 150 people slaughtered in Paris. Man, this is a game. Gosh, enjoy the moment, this brief, brief moment in your life to play a game that your body won't allow you to play forever. Enjoy the time at Clemson. I tell my players that all the time. Through this game you have a chance to bring some enjoyment to people who really have problems. What kind of pressure do I have? Give me a break. What I do is important but when you have the cross as the foundation of your life, football will bring no pressure. None. Absolutely zero. This is a game. It's fun.

"People lose total perspective sometimes. Football gives people something to rally around. There is no pressure to being the No. 1 team in the country. It's a lot of fun. All we want to do is get to that playoff. It is a blast. I was telling Andre Ellington the other day that I appreciated him for helping us build the program. Now these freshmen? They don't have a clue yet. Deon Cain was out there at my house last week and he said, 'Coach, you only got one national title ring?' I said, 'How many do you have, big boy?' These freshmen don't have a clue yet. They don't know where this program has come from. But they're going to figure it out. It's special. But again, there is no pressure. Maybe there is pressure on y'all. But not on me. If someone beats us, I won't love the journey or this team any less. All you can do is your best and I promise you we will put our best foot forward. We'll do everything we can to be the first 15-0 team in college football."

[tarcone]

Question of the day: Who is the only Power 5 team to never be ranked #1?

[Solecismic]

The usual answer to those questions is Northwestern, but I have no specific knowledge.

[tarcone]

Nope not Northwestern.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Question of the day: Who is the only Power 5 team to never be ranked #1?

There's really only one? When the heck did Vandy, Washington State (did they touch #1 when Leaf was there?), Boston College (did they make #1 Matt Ryan's last year, or just #2?), Iowa State make it? Heck, has Baylor even hit #1 the last couple years - can't imagine they did anytime before 2013.

[tarcone]

You hit in your thought process. It was Iowa St.

And I didn't write that question correctly. Sorry.

What team has never recieved a #1 vote?

Again sorry for my bad question.

[dawgfan]

I don't know what parameters are being used in this question, but WSU has never been the #1 in the AP poll or the coaches poll. Highest they got was #3 in 2002 (Jason Gesser at QB) before getting knocked off by Washington in the Apple Cup to spoil their hopes.

Unless they're talking about some retroactive ranking from way back when, WSU has never been #1.

EDIT - Ah, saw tarcone's clarification. That makes more sense.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by tarcone

You hit in your thought process. It was Iowa St.

And I didn't write that question correctly. Sorry.

What team has never recieved a #1 vote?

Again sorry for my bad question.

Still an interesting question. Fwiw assuming we're not going back before the depression (AP poll started 1934ish - wasn't weekly until 1936) I'm still not sure Vandy got one - it appears after week 3 of their 1947 season might be the only conceivable time. They did end 1948 #12, but started 0-2-1 and finished 4th in the SEC, so I can't imagine any voter giving them a #1 late that season.

[Atocep]

The Russell Athletic Bowl is already tweeting about a possible WVU/Pitt matchup. That's one way to get nearly every WVU fan and 5 of the 10 Pitt fans to your game.

[Kodos]

I guess I qualify as a little bit of a Pitt fan--big fan of Narduzzi from his MSU days.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I guess I qualify as a little bit of a Pitt fan--big fan of Narduzzi from his MSU days.

It's ok to be wrong sometimes.

[Kodos]

Well I sure can't root for WVU!

[Kodos]

Big Ten/SEC Challenge, you say? These matchups would be fun! « Big Ten Network

For once, Bret Bielema says something I can agree with.

[tarcone]

That would be fun. Some good match ups in there.

[HomerSimpson98]

I call first dibs on Rutgers for A&M

[Thomkal]

Coastal Carolina is up on Liberty 14-7, start of the 3rd on ESPN News. Win and they get a bye. Lose and likely 1st round match at home.

[Thomkal]

crap 14-14 now.

[Suicane75]

Man, the college season is almost over. That makes me sad. I guess the fact that it's short lends to it's importance, but it sucks that my favorite sport is also, by leaps and bounds, the shortest. Meanwhile the god damned NBA & NHL seem to play for 10 months. No offense to NBA or NHL fans.

[Thomkal]

Liberty 27, Coastal Carolina 24

[PilotMan]

Bummer man, just saw it. That makes things a lot harder on you guys.

[Thomkal]

Hello North Dakota Fighting Hawks?

Fighting Hawks picked as University of North Dakota nickname

[Chief Rum]

Since the Pac 12 has largely beat itself up out of the playoff picture, few here may care, but the UCLA at Utah game at 3:30 EST/12:30 PDT should be very interesting. If Utah wins, they pretty much the Pac 12 South champs. If UCLA wins, it sets up next week's rivalry matchup with USC for the Pac 12 championship.

Devontae Booker, Utah's star RB is out. Chance to check out Rosen, if you guys haven't seen him play yet. UCLA has more talent, IMO, but Utah is a tested and strong team that really knows what it's doing. Plus, Utah's a little like Stanford and Mora's teams have not played well against Utah or Stanford.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Hello North Dakota Fighting Hawks?

Fighting Hawks picked as University of North Dakota nickname

It should've been the University of North Dakota #2's. Because they will never be anything other than shit.

Sorry, I can't say anything positive about UND. It's against the law I think.

[Kodos]

Tell us how you really feel!

[Butter]

I really wanted NoDaks.

[tarcone]

Fighting Hawks is a very insensitive nickname to Hawks that don't like to fight.
It needs to be changed.

[britrock88]

Heh. I'm a little too close to the action to say more than "meh."

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Since the Pac 12 has largely beat itself up out of the playoff picture, few here may care, but the UCLA at Utah game at 3:30 EST/12:30 PDT should be very interesting. If Utah wins, they pretty much the Pac 12 South champs.

Already counting that USC game in the win column I take it?