A top 5 college team versus the Detroit Lions

[rowech]

It's been said that no college team could ever beat an NFL team. This year though sees some teams that I think could give the Lions everything they could handle. Choose whichever top 5 team you want...can they beat the Lions?

[rowech]

I think USC, Oklahoma, and Florida could all beat the Lions.

[Noop]

I know its fun to say a college team can beat a bad pro team but the Lions would beat anyone of those teams mentioned.

[MylesKnight]

Hey now, the Lions have quite a few former UCF'ers. Easy.

[path12]

I know its fun to say a college team can beat a bad pro team but the Lions would beat anyone of those teams mentioned.

Yup.

[Tigercat]

The lions would win the majority of the time, but too many NFL fans think it would be a 100% sure thing.

If a 1AA team can beat a legit BCS school, it is within the realm of possibility that a talented college team with cohesion could beat a horrible NFL team playing without any team chemistry.

[MJ4H]

No.

[Buccaneer]

I know its fun to say a college team can beat a bad pro team but the Lions would beat anyone of those teams mentioned.

Easily.

[Lathum]

Never happen.

The difference between a 1AA school and a BCS school is WAY closer then the difference between a top 5 team and a pro team.

[Toddzilla]

It wouldn't even be close - on the order of 50-60 points IMO the pro team would crush the college team.

[Tigercat]

Never happen.

The difference between a 1AA school and a BCS school is WAY closer then the difference between a top 5 team and a pro team.

More USC '08/Florida '08 players could see the field for the '08 Detroit Lions than Appalachain State players '07 could see the field for Michigan in '07.

[st.cronin]

I also don't think it would be close.

[Atocep]

Not even close. I'd be surprised if the college team scored.

[st.cronin]

Basically every single player on the Detroit Lions was a big star in college, and has spent countless hours working on his game since being drafted. The college team winning would be like USA 4, USSR 3.

[MJ4H]

Too bad this isn't a public poll. There are (so far) 6 people that are a little out of touch with reality here.

[DaddyTorgo]

Basically every single player on the Detroit Lions was a big star in college, and has spent countless hours working on his game since being drafted. The college team winning would be like USA 4, USSR 3.


unfortunately there just aren't enough hours in the day...

[CraigSca]

It wouldn't even be close - on the order of 50-60 points IMO the pro team would crush the college team.

But wait - the college team has cohesion and chemistry!

[Crapshoot]

I actually think the place it would show up the most is on the lines - a pro offensive and defensive line would destroy any college equivalent, to the point where the skilled players (ie, USC when it had Leinart/Bush/White/Jarrett) etc wouldn't have any time to do a damn thing.

FWIW, I think college basketball is a more interesting example, because we've seen the US team lose often to teams that weren't as good.

[Lathum]

I actually think the place it would show up the most is on the lines - a pro offensive and defensive line would destroy any college equivalent, to the point where the skilled players (ie, USC when it had Leinart/Bush/White/Jarrett) etc wouldn't have any time to do a damn thing.



100% agree,

[kingnebwsu]

I won't say that they'll win, but I would say that USC would have the best chance out of any of this year's top 5 college football teams.

[bhlloy]

USC could probably hang at a couple of positions (linebacker, db, offensive backfield) but like Crapshoot said, they would get killed on the lines. A 330lb NFL offensive lineman would eat college defensive ends for breakfast.

[jbergey22]

Lions 70, USC 0

[sabotai]

Not only would the college team get crushed at the lines, the 10th best guy on a top 5 college team is maybe comparable in skill to the 53rd player on the Lions. Once you get beyond the handful of stars, you start seeing a bunch of college kids that are FAR worse (and slower, and smaller, and far less experienced) than any player that suits up for a game as a Detroit Lion.

[st.cronin]

Looking at the depth charts, I could maybe buy that USC's Mark Sanchez is a better QB than Dan Orlovsky, and QB is an important position. But I don't think the Lions would have to pass the ball at all. I think they could just run at will on the Trojans. Their offensive line is miles better than anything USC has seen this year.

[jbergey22]

Not only would the college team get crushed at the lines, the 10th best guy on a top 5 college team is maybe comparable in skill to the 53rd player on the Lions. Once you get beyond the handful of stars, you start seeing a bunch of college kids that are FAR worse (and slower, and smaller, and far less experienced) than any player that suits up for a game as a Detroit Lion.

Good call. Special teams alone would eliminate any chance USC might have.

[Lathum]

I am amazed that on a football based message board there are 7 people who actualy think the Lions would lose.

[Mustang]

Not like this is unprecedented. Chicago Charities College All-Star Game was a preseason exhibition of the NFL Champs vs College Seniors. The champs were 31-9-2.. although, it was preseason so who knows really how hard anyone tried.

If USC and the Lions played 100 times, I'd imagine USC would get a few wins, but I'd easily put my $ on the Lions.

[Logan]

I also think a professional coaching staff would do a much better job of exploiting the college team than vice versa.

[Big Fo]

If OU/Florida played the Lions ten times they'd lose all ten. But two or three of those would be within a few scores.

[Vegas Vic]

The Lions would blow out the best college team.

The only question you need to ask yourself to make it easy is "how many players from whatever college team I want to pick would be starters in the NFL." The Detroit Lions have 22 NFL starters.

[Izulde]

The Lions would blow out the best college team.

The only question you need to ask yourself to make it easy is "how many players from whatever college team I want to pick would be starters in the NFL." The Detroit Lions have 22 NFL starters.

But how many of them are legitimate NFL starters?

[DanGarion]

The Lions would blow out the best college team.

The only question you need to ask yourself to make it easy is "how many players from whatever college team I want to pick would be starters in the NFL." The Detroit Lions have 22 NFL starters.

Well I would think from a top notch college football team you are looking at 4-5 legitimate starts for each class, which means about 16-20 soon to be one day NFL starters... But where the NFL team would win is in it's depth, no college team can match the depth that a professional team has, period.

[Shkspr]

I am amazed that on a football based message board there are 7 people who actualy think the Lions would lose.

Maybe those 7 people only play TCY.

[st.cronin]

But how many of them are legitimate NFL starters?

Try it this way: How many of the Lions 22 starters would NOT be able to earn a starting spot on USC?

Edit: I think the answer is at most 1 on offense (Orlovsky), and maybe 3 on defense (Lenon, Bullocks, Pearson). That's being as generous as I possibly can to the Trojans.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Lions would probably win, but a lot would depend on the coaching. However, If there is one NFL team that was capable of going out there and losing... I would put my money on the Lions.

[bhlloy]

Try it this way: How many of the Lions 22 starters would NOT be able to earn a starting spot on USC?

Edit: I think the answer is at most 1 on offense (Orlovsky), and maybe 3 on defense (Lenon, Bullocks, Pearson). That's being as generous as I possibly can to the Trojans.

I think Damian Williams would get on the field at WR2, Havili would play at fullback and Cushing would get on the field at SLB. Maybe Kyle Moore at DE also as the Lions seem to have a lot of no-names there.

That being said, the real eye opener for me when I looked at the depth chart was that Shaun Cody is only a backup for the Lions. This is one of the most dominant players in recent SC memory, and he can only be backup for the worst team in NFL history. That says a lot right there.

[GreenMonster]

Darnell Bing can't hardly get off the practice squad for the Lions or 49er's but while at USC he was a 3 year starter, part of 2 national champ. teams, a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award, and left college early.

[DeToxRox]

Honestly .. Calvin Johnson as a 2nd year pro vs a Sophmore DB.

6'5, 240, 4.3 forty for 5'10, 180, 4.6.

It'd be a rout .. as sad as that is.

[DaddyTorgo]

maybe the lions should schedule an "end of season" game against a college team so they can get a win?

*zing*

[Tigercat]

The college team winning would be like USA 4, USSR 3.


FWIW, I think college basketball is a more interesting example, because we've seen the US team lose often to teams that weren't as good.

That would be my point, anything can happen. Every player on Detroit's team was NOT a star in college. Detroit's current top 2 QBs could not start for USC or Florida at this point in time, as one example.

Would Detroit win at least 9 times out of 10? Probably. But I will repeat my point that everyone calling for a definite blowout has glossed over, more players on USC08 Florida08 could see the field for Detroit08 than players on Appalachain07 would for Michigan07.

[DeToxRox]

That would be my point, anything can happen. Every player on Detroit's team was NOT a star in college. Detroit's current top 2 QBs could not start for USC or Florida at this point in time, as one example.

Would Detroit win at least 9 times out of 10? Probably. But I will repeat my point that everyone calling for a definite blowout has glossed over, more players on USC08 Florida08 could see the field for Detroit08 than players on Appalachain07 would for Michigan07.

Don't buy it.

College players are limited to what, 20 hours a week of teaching?

NFL players are there 40 hours going over film, and practicing, plus weight training and they do it year round.

I mean imagine Florida running the spread option vs a pro team? Tebow would die. He can't just run over a 260 LBS man at MLB.

[Tigercat]

Don't buy it.

College players are limited to what, 20 hours a week of teaching?

NFL players are there 40 hours going over film, and practicing, plus weight training and they do it year round.

I mean imagine Florida running the spread option vs a pro team? Tebow would die. He can't just run over a 260 LBS man at MLB.

That's why we aren't talking about a decent NFL team, we are talking about a horrible one that is playing with no confidence or cohesiveness. Florida has 2-3 players that will be among the top 2-3 fastest players on an NFL team (if/when they make said NFL team). Who knows what will happen if Florida/Meyer could find a way to get them in the open field.

[Samdari]

I actually think the place it would show up the most is on the lines - a pro offensive and defensive line would destroy any college equivalent, to the point where the skilled players (ie, USC when it had Leinart/Bush/White/Jarrett) etc wouldn't have any time to do a damn thing.

Yeah, and the lines are where games are won, so I think that the Lions would destroy the college team. Not to mention that they would also have the best skill player in the game.

Take Malcolm Kelly as an example. He was the best WR for the Sooners last year, and could not get on the field this year. Do people who voted for the college team think they guys they have now would have an easier time of it?

Its a fun idea, but has no basis in reality. The lions would crush any college team.

[DeToxRox]

That's why we aren't talking about a decent NFL team, we are talking about a horrible one that is playing with no confidence or cohesiveness. Florida has 2-3 players that will be among the top 2-3 fastest players on an NFL team (if/when they make said NFL team). Who knows what will happen if Florida/Meyer could find a way to get them in the open field.

Tebow doesn't even project as an NFL QB. That should tell you all you need to know.

[Raiders Army]

Don't buy it.

College players are limited to what, 20 hours a week of teaching?

NFL players are there 40 hours going over film, and practicing, plus weight training and they do it year round.

I was thinking this as well. For the Pro Team, that's their job. College players are restricted because...well, they're supposed to be going to college.

[DeToxRox]

Dola

Look at Andre Ware and other QBs of the Run n Gun era. He didn't do a damn thing in the pros with other pro talent around him.

Why would a COLLEGE QB do anything different?

[Tigercat]

Tebow doesn't even project as an NFL QB. That should tell you all you need to know.

By some? Sure. And yet he still may be drafted as high as 5th or 6th round. The Miami Dolphins tore up some teams with a RB at QB. I saw Mike Bell come off the street and run over the Detroit Lions.

[DeToxRox]

By some? Sure. And yet he still may be drafted as high as 5th or 6th round. The Miami Dolphins tore up some teams with a RB at QB. I saw Mike Bell come off the street and run over the Detroit Lions.

With a pro OL in front of him.

As someone said above .. it'd be won and lost on the lines. Can you honestly tell me Floridas OL would handle the Lions DL as bad as it is?

These guys are still learning from great coaches, and learning techniques college kids don't see often because they take time to learn.

Hell, Dwayne White had like 8 sacks on a porous DL vs legit NFL LT's. Sorry if I don't think the Florida pocket would hold up very well.

You're seriously out of your mind if you think this would happen.

[Tigercat]

Look at Andre Ware and other QBs of the Run n Gun era. He didn't do a damn thing in the pros with other pro talent around him.

Why would a COLLEGE QB do anything different?

Apples and Oranges. We aren't talking one college player. We are talking a talented college team with team chemistry and cohesion playing a untalented NFL team without cohesion.

But to address that point, Andre Ware on a bad NFL team would have a chance to beat a good NFL team every once in a while.

[Tigercat]

As someone said above .. it'd be won and lost on the lines. Can you honestly tell me Floridas OL would handle the Lions DL as bad as it is?


Obviously that would be the biggest deficit. I would favor the Lions to win by at least 3 TDs 10 times out of 10.

Doesn't mean stranger things haven't happened in sports, or even football.

[LloydLungs]

I think that Tigercat's opinion is understandable given his location. For anyone whose primary exposure to the Detroit Lions was their week 16 game against the Saints... well, I would contend that a great college team could have taken the Lions that day. Absolutely. And I would submit that anyone who sat down and watched that abortion from start to finish would feel the same way.

Now, Detroit has played several better games than that... that wretched mess of a team we saw against the Saints actually had the Colts tied in the 4th quarter one week before.

[larrymcg421]

Orlovsky will look like a stud when he has all the time in the world to throw the ball and he finds Calvin Johnson down the field making some USC Cornerback look silly.

[DanGarion]

Honestly .. Calvin Johnson as a 2nd year pro vs a Sophmore DB.

6'5, 240, 4.3 forty for 5'10, 180, 4.6.

It'd be a rout .. as sad as that is.
Good for USC that none of the DBs are that small...

7 Cary Harris | 6-0, 180, Sr., 3V
15 Kevin Thomas | 6-1, 185, Jr., 2V
30 Brian Baucham | 5-11, 190, Fr., HS
24 Shareece Wright | 6-0, 180, Jr., 2V
36 Josh Pinkard | 6-2, 210, Sr., 3V
1 T.J. Bryant | 6-1, 190, Fr., HS
4 Kevin Ellison | 6-1, 225, Sr., 3V
26 Will Harris | 6-1, 200, Jr., 2V
19 Drew McAllister | 6-1, 200, Fr., HS
2 Taylor Mays | 6-3, 230, Jr., 2V
27 Marshall Jones | 6-0, 185, So., 1V

[DeToxRox]

Good for USC that none of the DBs are that small...

7 Cary Harris | 6-0, 180, Sr., 3V
15 Kevin Thomas | 6-1, 185, Jr., 2V
30 Brian Baucham | 5-11, 190, Fr., HS
24 Shareece Wright | 6-0, 180, Jr., 2V
36 Josh Pinkard | 6-2, 210, Sr., 3V
1 T.J. Bryant | 6-1, 190, Fr., HS
4 Kevin Ellison | 6-1, 225, Sr., 3V
26 Will Harris | 6-1, 200, Jr., 2V
19 Drew McAllister | 6-1, 200, Fr., HS
2 Taylor Mays | 6-3, 230, Jr., 2V
27 Marshall Jones | 6-0, 185, So., 1V

Regardless, the fact is Calvin has thrown around guys like Charles Woodson, Ronde Barber, etc.

He would kill a college DB. No doubt in my mind.

This entire thing is laughable.

[DeToxRox]

And like someone said .. Shaun Cody was the most dominate USC DL this decade and hes a backup on the worst DL in football.

[larrymcg421]

And just think, how many people on USC do you think will make the NFL? You don't honestly think all 22 starters are going to make it. They have several starters who won't even be good enough to make the Lions practice squad.

[Eaglesfan27]

And like someone said .. Shaun Cody was the most dominate USC DL this decade and hes a backup on the worst DL in football.

I think Sedrick Ellis was more dominant than Cody, but now that the glow of the game is over, I'd change my vote to the Lions as well.

[Noop]

The Lions would dominate any college team and would beat a team of college all stars as well. The NFL game is going at 100 mph for these pros and giving them a college opponent will seem like the game is in slow motion. The reaction time of the pro's is down right scary even for the worst team in the NFL.

Those college kids would have their heads spinning as the defense confuses them and disguises what they are doing. Even on the offense they would be confused as pros would lull them to sleep with the run game and then hit a play action over the team.

The probability of a college team beating the Lions exist but those are some astronomical odds.

[Samdari]

Apples and Oranges. We aren't talking one college player. We are talking a talented college team with team chemistry and cohesion playing a untalented NFL team without cohesion.

Your assessment of the talent levels are the apples and oranges.

The Lions are untalented compared to NFL standards.

The top 5 college teams are talented by college standards.

Yet, unquestionably, the Lions have better players, position by position than any college team. Hell, there is only a 50% shot at best that Bradford is a better pro QB than Orlovsky, and he is one of the places the Lions are weak compared to the rest of the NFL.

[Tigercat]

The probability of a college team beating the Lions exist but those are some astronomical odds.

That's pretty much what I am saying, although I don't think I would say astronomical. Lots of people might have said astronomical about team USA's chances in hockey, App St chances at Michigan, ect. And it didn't take a million hockey matchups like that one or a million good 1A team vs 1AA games for those results to happen.

My point is crazy things can happen in sports, and a cohesive team can make up more ground in football than many football fans give credit for.

[Big Fo]

What if a coach selected the best players from the top 5 college teams? That squad might be able to squeak a victory if they played ten times but would still get blown out in most IMO.

[Young Drachma]

I think people underestimate how a well-coached hungry team would play against a team full of overpaid NFL players who don't care, probably wouldn't play hard to risk injury and wouldn't take them seriously.

Especially if said hungry team was well coached. Lots of ifs, but..this whole thing is the great big If to begin with.

[Noop]

Pride is a strange thing and would make the Lions hurt a college team.

[larrymcg421]

A Lions team that didn't care would still win by 3-4 TD's.

[SFL Cat]

I won't say it couldn't happen, but I would say it's a definite longshot.

Most college players say the biggest adjustment to the pros is the speed of the game. Even one of the top college programs would struggle against an 0-16 pro team.

[rowech]

To change the question a bit...what about the top 53 college players...whoever they may be, let's say we select them correctly. That team have a chance against the Lions?

[SFL Cat]

I'd give them a much better chance, but I'd still go with the pro team most of the time. Veterans school rookies.

For reference see history of preseason college all-star game.

[bhlloy]

I'd give them a much better chance, but I'd still go with the pro team most of the time. Veterans school rookies.

For reference see history of preseason college all-star game.

But... these aren't rookies. These are freshmen, sophs, juniors and even the seniors are 6 months and an NFL training camp/workout regime from being rookies. And, on top of that, many of the guys on USC's roster aren't even good enough to smell an NFL roster. 2 guys on USC's championship team from 5 years ago aren't good enough to start on the Lions.

I don't think the gap between college and NFL was anywhere near as big back when they played the preseason game. This argument is probably going down the lines of "could x player from the past hang in today's game"

[EagleFan]

Not like this is unprecedented. Chicago Charities College All-Star Game was a preseason exhibition of the NFL Champs vs College Seniors. The champs were 31-9-2.. although, it was preseason so who knows really how hard anyone tried.

If USC and the Lions played 100 times, I'd imagine USC would get a few wins, but I'd easily put my $ on the Lions.

The difference there is not only preseason meaningless game for the NFL squad but the college squad was made up of generally the best of the senior class. That is much different than just one single college team which cannot come close to matching up position for position. 31-9-2 is a largely lopsided series record and that is against all-stars. Take that down to just a single team and it's no contest.

[EagleFan]

dola: Wow, 11 people actually think college would win? Who are these people?

[Shkspr]

dola: Wow, 11 people actually think college would win? Who are these people?

My money's on them being the starting offensive unit for the Lions.

[Honolulu Blue]

It's been interesting reading this thread. My money is on the Lions winning MOST of the time, but I have a few comments:

* Timing would matter a lot. The college team would have a better chance in November/December than they would in August.
* Incentives would matter some. If somehow the college team could play for money or additional prestige, that would help them. If the Lions would win a XFL-style bounty for winning, that would help them.
* I miss the days when MLB teams used to play in-season exhibitions against their various minor league teams. That would be the best comparison to this situation. The major league teams won most of the time, but the minor league teams won occasionally.
* Then there's the Harlem Globetrotters vs. their usual patsy (the Generals/Nationals/whomever). The Trotters are VERY good, though perhaps not NBA quality. It's hard to gauge how good the patsy is, since (1) their job is to not interfere with the clowning around, and (2) they so rarely win. But they have won a time or two.
* I'd take the best college team (whomever that is) under their best conditions at 10-1 or better vs. the Lions.

[albionmoonlight]

The Lions without a doubt.

The very very best players from USC, Florida, etc. will, in a few months, try to just make an NFL roster. A few of them actually will be good enough to stick. A few of those will be good enough to start. A few of those will be good enough to be NFL stars. And maybe one of two of those will actually be stars as rookies.

There is just no comparison.

I think that a more interesting question is what kinds of odds would you have to get to take the college team in this game.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm honestly not sure either way, but I will say this:

The Lions do not have 22 NFL starters. Well, nominally, they do. Realistically, they don't. Seriously, how many of the Lions would crack the starting lineup of another NFL team? How many of the Detroit backups would even make it onto most other teams' active rosters?

Let's not forget that this Detroit lineup is an epic collection of suck right now. Just because they played 16 games against NFL teams doesn't mean that these guys are legitimate NFL talent.

Now, I'm not saying I think the college team would win, but I understand those who do.

[Neuqua]

The Lions without a doubt.

I think that a more interesting question is what kinds of odds would you have to get to take the college team in this game.

Paging Dr. Quiksand...

[Samdari]

* I miss the days when MLB teams used to play in-season exhibitions against their various minor league teams. That would be the best comparison to this situation. The major league teams won most of the time, but the minor league teams won occasionally.

I don't think that is a very good comparison at all. The MLB players hated those games. The starters would play until 1 at bat and then leave. The major league team would never, ever waste real pitchers' arms in these things, they usually imported 3-4 A ball pitchers to pitch for the major league team, and they would pitch a predetermined number of innings (which would now probably be pitches). The players and managers never cared about the outcome of the game at all.

This is ignoring the fact that AAA players are usually professionals several years removed from amateur play, or the commonly held perception that AAA baseball is closer to MLB than NCAA football is to NFL football.

[Honolulu Blue]

I don't think that is a very good comparison at all. The MLB players hated those games. The starters would play until 1 at bat and then leave. The major league team would never, ever waste real pitchers' arms in these things, they usually imported 3-4 A ball pitchers to pitch for the major league team, and they would pitch a predetermined number of innings (which would now probably be pitches). The players and managers never cared about the outcome of the game at all.

This is ignoring the fact that AAA players are usually professionals several years removed from amateur play, or the commonly held perception that AAA baseball is closer to MLB than NCAA football is to NFL football.

I agree with everything you said in the first paragraph, other than the first sentence. If the Lions and USC (for example) were scheduled to play in August, the home team would do the same sort of things - sign some extra bodies, limit playing time, have a don't-care attitude, etc. That's why I think it would be a good comparison, and why the Lions wouldn't necessarily run away with the game.

Considering most NFL players come to the league straight from a NCAA team out of the draft - something only the tiniest fraction of MLB players have ever done - I'd consider a comparison between NCAA and AAA apt. But that's a subject for another time and another thread.

[molson]

The Lions had a historically bad team in terms of W/L record, but I don't think they're some kind of actual historical anomaly in terms of talent level. There's a ton of parity in the NFL in terms of access to players. It's not like the Lions were out of their league, they were within 10 points in about half their games, and there were only 2-3 massive blowouts.

Their point differential was -249. The Rams weren't all that much better at -233. Their team performance stats are bad, and at or near the bottom of in most categories, but again, even where they're dead last, they're not really that must worse than the other bad teams.

0-16 is a fluky thing, there's plenty of teams over the years that could have done that with the right (wrong) breaks.

And NFL team would murder any college team, to a greater extent than in any other sport. The closest would probably definitely be basketball, at least in the days when players stayed past their freshman year. 5 X 5, where all 5 college players would be serious NBA contributors in a year or two, they might be able to steal 1 or 2 out of 10 games against an NBA team.