Official College Football Week 3 thread

[cartman]

Things are heating up! Here are the match-ups between Top 25 teams this weekend:

Auburn at LSU
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame
Mississippi at Alabama
BYU at UCLA

[digamma]

Taking both of my boys to South Bend. Should be a fun one.

[bob]

Tough weekend for me. Grew up a ND fan, but went to GT. Given the depth of injury issues that ND has so far, it is way more reasonable that GT will be successful this season, so with that in mind, I guess I'll be pulling for Tech.

[Butter]

Clemson @ Louisville Thursday night. I will be there with my wife... boys have to stay home owing to school.

[tarcone]

Iowa plays Pitt. This is a test. Hoping Iowa is up to it.

I want your opinions. Iowa had the ball at the end of the 1st half against ISU.
35 seconds left and the clock running. Iowa at the ISU 35. 2nd and 1. Iowa lets the clock run to 1 second left. Then fakes the FG and has the kicker run the ball.

Good coaching decision?

[Chief Rum]

Iowa plays Pitt. This is a test. Hoping Iowa is up to it.

I want your opinions. Iowa had the ball at the end of the 1st half against ISU.
35 seconds left and the clock running. Iowa at the ISU 35. 2nd and 1. Iowa lets the clock run to 1 second left. Then fakes the FG and has the kicker run the ball.

Good coaching decision?

Did they borrow someone from the Giants staff for that one?

[TroyF]

Iowa plays Pitt. This is a test. Hoping Iowa is up to it.

I want your opinions. Iowa had the ball at the end of the 1st half against ISU.
35 seconds left and the clock running. Iowa at the ISU 35. 2nd and 1. Iowa lets the clock run to 1 second left. Then fakes the FG and has the kicker run the ball.

Good coaching decision?


This is the EASIEST question in the history of this board.

If the kicker ran it in, it was an unbelievably gutsy call from a genius of a head coach.

If the kicker was tackled, it was a lame decisions and the coach is a moron.

I see what the coach was doing letting the clock run down. He was trying to lull the other team into thinking he was settling for 3. After letting 35 seconds run off, who would try a fake?

In this case, the guy was tackled at the 5, so the pitchforks should come out.

My opinion? I think that's something you can do once a decade. I also don't think I would have done it in a tie game against my rival.

[Umbrella]

Iowa plays Pitt. This is a test. Hoping Iowa is up to it.

I want your opinions. Iowa had the ball at the end of the 1st half against ISU.
35 seconds left and the clock running. Iowa at the ISU 35. 2nd and 1. Iowa lets the clock run to 1 second left. Then fakes the FG and has the kicker run the ball.

Good coaching decision?

I think it is a terrible decision. I'm assuming in this scenario, Iowa is out of time outs. I would pass to try and get the first down. If you get it, and don't get out of bounds, you can still spike it, and probably have time to run a couple more plays.

The chances of a kicker running 35 yards for a TD are so slim, I have no idea why you would even try this.

[MrBug708]

BYU won’t suspend crotch-punching Uliu Lapuaho | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/14/byu-wont-suspend-crotch-punching-uliu-lapuaho/)

Didn't Blount get like a whole season for his sucker punch? Not having a conference certainly has it's pluses

Myles Jack is going to be targeted early and often. He's a hothead and I wouldnt be surprised to see him kicked out

[CU Tiger]

Just for Jon"

- Once upon a time, Brian VanGorder took a dig at Paul Johnson. You think Paul has forgotten about it?

Um, no.

The two coaches, whose teams meet Saturday in South Bend, Ind., may never have spoken, but they’ve evidently traded words from a distance. And while he downplayed any notion of a rivalry between the two on Monday, Johnson was still willing to recount his version. When he became Georgia Southern coach in December 2005, VanGorder ditched the option scheme that had been instrumental in the Eagles’ six Division I-AA (now FCS) championships in favor of a multiple offense.

He also apparently took a dig at the offense, which did not escape the attention of the man responsible for it, Johnson. Saturday will be their first on-field meeting since that time.

“I think the only thing that ever happened along those lines was, after Mike (Sewak, now Tech’s offensive line coach) got fired at Georgia Southern, (VanGorder) said something about bringing them into the 21st century,” Johnson said. “And I said, ‘There’s a record. Shoot for it.’”

VanGorder stayed one season in Statesboro, jumping to a defensive coordinator job with the Falcons after a 3-8 season – the worst single-season record in the Eagles’ 33 modern-era seasons. Those who know Johnson well suspect VanGorder’s comments will add fire to the coach’s motivations for Saturday’s game. Notre Dame assistant coaches are not made available to media.

“He remembers everything,” said Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon, a longtime assistant to Johnso

[Buccaneer]

bringing them into the 21st century

Try getting out of the 19th century first before even thinking about 21st century. :lol:

[panerd]

BYU won’t suspend crotch-punching Uliu Lapuaho | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/14/byu-wont-suspend-crotch-punching-uliu-lapuaho/)

Didn't Blount get like a whole season for his sucker punch? Not having a conference certainly has it's pluses

Myles Jack is going to be targeted early and often. He's a hothead and I wouldnt be surprised to see him kicked out

Sorry can't open this link at work. What possible justification could they have for not suspending him? Wow I know nothing about BYU and noted the back and forth in the week 2 thread but much like it is impossible for me to defend the Bengal's complete lack of any discipline in their games I have no idea how any BYU fan can defend this.

[PilotMan]

Keep an eye in North Dakota this weekend. UND/NDSU is one of the oldest, longest running rivalries in College Football in old DII. NDSU left for IAA and the program left UND in the dust, even though they eventually moved up too.

NDSU will be heavily favored this weekend, but UND has a win over IA Wyoming in week 1, and carries a 2-0 record. They haven't played one another in over 7 years.

I hate UND. My whole family went there and I took a lot of shit for going to the "cow" college. Also, UND has a great aviation program, that I didn't attend, but a large chunk of airline pilots did go there. That makes me an airline anomaly. There are almost none that went to NDSU.

[HomerSimpson98]

All SEC hating aside, Bama-Ole Miss should be a fantastic game. Two best teams in the conference, IMO

[cartman]

In more general college sports news, it looks like Patterson is out as the AD at UT. He got high marks for the hirings of Smart and Strong, but has made missteps just about everywhere else. It was going to be tough for anyone to follow Dodds, and he apparently tried to rock the boat too much too soon. Not sure who they have on the list to replace him.

[Thomkal]

Keep an eye in North Dakota this weekend. UND/NDSU is one of the oldest, longest running rivalries in College Football in old DII. NDSU left for IAA and the program left UND in the dust, even though they eventually moved up too.

NDSU will be heavily favored this weekend, but UND has a win over IA Wyoming in week 1, and carries a 2-0 record. They haven't played one another in over 7 years.

I hate UND. My whole family went there and I took a lot of shit for going to the "cow" college. Also, UND has a great aviation program, that I didn't attend, but a large chunk of airline pilots did go there. That makes me an airline anomaly. There are almost none that went to NDSU.

ah who cares about those Western teams, Coastal Carolina is #1 (or #2) in the polls! :) Should be a great game-stadium will be rocking.

[CU Tiger]

Sorry can't open this link at work. What possible justification could they have for not suspending him? Wow I know nothing about BYU and noted the back and forth in the week 2 thread but much like it is impossible for me to defend the Bengal's complete lack of any discipline in their games I have no idea how any BYU fan can defend this.


Because if you start suspending guys for nut shots in game there wont be on OL left anywhere in America in about 3 weeks.

Seriously it has been taught as long as I can remember...its called a hands down block. "When a DL puts his hand sup to bat a ball down you put your hands down to bat a ball down."...Now this is different its a loose ball situation. But I'd actually bet he got an atta boy from the coaches.

Football, in the trenches specifically, is a dirty, nasty game that most dont want to acknowledge...this happens EVERY. SINGLE. GAME.

[CU Tiger]

In more general college sports news, it looks like Patterson is out as the AD at UT. He got high marks for the hirings of Smart and Strong, but has made missteps just about everywhere else. It was going to be tough for anyone to follow Dodds, and he apparently tried to rock the boat too much too soon. Not sure who they have on the list to replace him.

Any chance Mack ends up AD?
If they let Mack schmooze the boosters and keep them off Strong's tail they might go on quite a run...

[cartman]

Any chance Mack ends up AD?
If they let Mack schmooze the boosters and keep them off Strong's tail they might go on quite a run...

That's what the rumor was back a couple of years ago. And it heated up a bit again when it was reported that he talked with the new school President last week. The official line is that he isn't being considered for the AD spot.

[MacroGuru]

BYU won’t suspend crotch-punching Uliu Lapuaho | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/14/byu-wont-suspend-crotch-punching-uliu-lapuaho/)

Didn't Blount get like a whole season for his sucker punch? Not having a conference certainly has it's pluses

Myles Jack is going to be targeted early and often. He's a hothead and I wouldnt be surprised to see him kicked out

Again, did you see the spearing that came in helmet first AFTER the play was whistled dead? I saw it live.

Still don't condone the nut shot. But then again, I would have been ejected because I would have ripped his helmet off and gone to town for the spearing.

And not having a conference isn't a bonus. BYU may not suspend him but it still may come from the NCAA and the association of officiating that being an independent we have for oversight

BYU will have to justify to both entities to why he isn't being suspended.

But if you know anything about the BSU game, Ului was a freaking swinging gate letting everyone get by him. Right now, I would be completely fine with him being suspended.

[MacroGuru]

BYU won’t suspend crotch-punching Uliu Lapuaho | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/14/byu-wont-suspend-crotch-punching-uliu-lapuaho/)

Didn't Blount get like a whole season for his sucker punch? Not having a conference certainly has it's pluses

Myles Jack is going to be targeted early and often. He's a hothead and I wouldnt be surprised to see him kicked out

Oh, and don't harp...

Pac-12 won't suspend UCLA player for this punch vs. Oregon - SBNation.com (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/10/14/6975127/eddie-vanderdoes-ucla-punch-oregon-pac-12)

[digamma]

In more general college sports news, it looks like Patterson is out as the AD at UT. He got high marks for the hirings of Smart and Strong, but has made missteps just about everywhere else. It was going to be tough for anyone to follow Dodds, and he apparently tried to rock the boat too much too soon. Not sure who they have on the list to replace him.

Good LUCK with that hire.

[MacroGuru]

Because if you start suspending guys for nut shots in game there wont be on OL left anywhere in America in about 3 weeks.

Seriously it has been taught as long as I can remember...its called a hands down block. "When a DL puts his hand sup to bat a ball down you put your hands down to bat a ball down."...Now this is different its a loose ball situation. But I'd actually bet he got an atta boy from the coaches.

Football, in the trenches specifically, is a dirty, nasty game that most dont want to acknowledge...this happens EVERY. SINGLE. GAME.

He might have from the OL coach, but Bronco punishes for personal foul flags and disciplined has been handed out to him and TakiTaki for his hands to the QBs face.

BYU is a straight up physical team that has some serious haters in Utah and Utah State that do nothing but troll articles about BYU EVERYWHERE..

Utah State has a fan that shows up to every single one of our opponents message board and starts posting BYU is dirty and goes off on a tangent, his name is AggieAndee. The husker fans ignored him, BSU fans ignored him, looks like the UCLA fans are still butt hurt over the last curb stomping we gave them.

Honestly, I think we lose this game @UCLA and I just hope we are in it close at the end.

[General Mike]

What other nonsense can occur at Rutgers between now and Saturday night?

[MrBug708]

Most ucla fans are grateful for the curb stomping. It forced ucla to start caring about football. But it's about the last bright spot for BYU as its been mentioned twice now..

And Vanderdose was trashy for that play. Difference is is that I'm not defending it. Karma hit him as he's out for the year with an act injury.

As for that particular poster, I've never heard of him, but I don't need someone to tell me what the eyes can see plain enough

[Chief Rum]

The husker fans ignored him, BSU fans ignored him, looks like the UCLA fans are still butt hurt over the last curb stomping we gave them.

Look, I have seen this a number of times now (or it feels like) from either you or BYU14 or whatever. Congrats, attaboy, you got a big one against a terrible coaching staff with not one player who is still on the team (hell, I can't even remember how far back that goes, was that two coaching staffs ago?).

If you want to thump your chest about your big win years ago, consider it done. I have news for you. No one at UCLA cares.

I actually normally am cool with BYU, but this crap I am seeing from you guys here and elsewhere really makes me hope the Bruins put it on you.

I don't think that will happen, though. I expect a tough, physical battle and am figuring it will be close.

[Chief Rum]

Most ucla fans are grateful for the curb stomping. It forced ucla to start caring about football.

I don't agree with that actually. It was years before fans started to care.

[MrBug708]

I put the 50-0 and 59-0 in the same vein

[cartman]

Good LUCK with that hire.

That's who I thought they were gonna originally hire.

[Chief Rum]

I put the 50-0 and 59-0 in the same vein

Then you're in a minority. Until this game came up on the schedule and BYU fans started bringing it up, I haven't thought of that game in years, and no one I know besides you has thought about it either, to my knowledge. Certainly no one has brought it up outside of the BRO Premium Board.

[HomerSimpson98]

Dollar Bill Byrne is available, texas. Go hook him.

[Atocep]

That's who I thought they were gonna originally hire.

I think they missed boat on that one. He's working in Indy where he gets to see Andrew on a regular basis and is in line be Emmert's replacement. I'd be surprised if he gave that up to go back to being an AD.

[MacroGuru]

Then you're in a minority. Until this game came up on the schedule and BYU fans started bringing it up, I haven't thought of that game in years, and no one I know besides you has thought about it either, to my knowledge. Certainly no one has brought it up outside of the BRO Premium Board.

Actually I got frustrated and actually do admit to being butt hurt about the Trashiest Team in America statement.

I expect us to get our asses whipped on Saturday. I have pegged this game as a loss since spring ball. I had us finishing the first 4 at 1-3, the fact we are 2-0 has me pleasantly surprised.

You and Bug have both made me keep an eye on UCLA and seeing they have been kicking ass has been awesome. It's been fun playing you guys, but the one thing BYU isn't, is the trashiest team in america. We play to the whistle, we play hard and we make sure you know it's a physical game you are in.

Bronco wants the players to be on that edge all the time. In the past it has hurt us. This year it hasn't, we have only 9 penalties in 2 games compared to the 23 from last season.

The Nebraska play was a DB going after a much bigger guy that he wasn't going up high against, I think he left his feet a little to late and it was an accident and not purposeful.

The nut punch, uncalled for, but not suspension worthy. He was punished in practice and this week, and Muscle Beach as it is called, isn't fun.

As for TakiTaki and the arms to the face, again..we were flagged for it, and he was punished this week as well.

I hope for a fun hard game, that both teams are injury free in, a BYU win and a you guys finishing the season out with nothing but wins.

[miami_fan]

What other nonsense can occur at Rutgers between now and Saturday night?

Rutgers football coach Kyle Flood suspended 3 games | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2015/09/kyle_flood_suspended_as_rutgers_coach.html)

[BillJasper]

Rutgers football coach Kyle Flood suspended 3 games | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2015/09/kyle_flood_suspended_as_rutgers_coach.html)


Sounds like he runs a tight ship at Rutgers. :lol:

[Logan]

Reading the report, I have no idea how he didn't get fired.

They're gonna end up firing him two days after announcing a suspension just like with Mike Rice.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPDOMZJWoAAoqZG.jpg

[Logan]

I said this back with the Mike Rice stuff...Tim Pernetti's big mistake when he was presented with the DVD of the basketball throwing was going to bat for a poor coach and not just firing him when he was given a golden opportunity.

This is exactly the same. You want to bunker down and go to war trying to hold onto one of 30 or 40 good to great college football coaches? Sure, go ahead. It's understandable. But Flood isn't a good coach and he isn't a good recruiter when compared to his peers.

What frustrates me more than anything as an alum and fan is this school's inability to JUST RIP THE FUCKING BAND AID OFF instead of continually putting itself in the national spotlight to be ripped (deservedly).

[Atocep]

I dont see how a coach that gets suspended like this survives the season. Flood has created a circus there. He's an easy target for negative recruiting.

From an outsiders perspective I agree with Logan. Flood isn't a good enough coach to defend over something like this.

[miked]

Flood just needs to go and Hermann with him. He has been a disaster. We are playing with a walk-on caliber QB in Laviano who wouldn't start at about 50-60 other schools, and we were unable to recruit anyone else this year (losing out to Maryland and Tennessee on a pair of 4* recruits). This was also because we had former 4* LSU reject Rettig who was supposed to be the heir to Nova and can't beat out a walk on.

Now all this crap. The game against PSU will be a big indicator...PSU is coming off some horrible performances, is not well coached, and needed a last minute TD and 5 picks from Nova to beat us by 3 last season. Hard to imagine this game being close and hopefully will spell the end for Flood and Hermann (you don't want to fire your coach 3 days before a game, but maybe right after).

[CU Tiger]

I think suspension in this case is code for "Buy our lawyers time to properly craft the separation paperwork and make sure we dont have to pay you one penny more than necessary"

[Logan]

Not really the time for it, but while I definitely like Rettig more, Laviano is nowhere near walk on quality and I'm not sure why you're bashing our Elite 11 QB recruit. You don't need hyperbole to bash the program.

[Logan]

I think suspension in this case is code for "Buy our lawyers time to properly craft the separation paperwork and make sure we dont have to pay you one penny more than necessary"

Little known fact: Mike Rice was not fired for cause. Give them all the time you want, this admin will fuck it up.

[miked]

Not really the time for it, but while I definitely like Rettig more, Laviano is nowhere near walk on quality and I'm not sure why you're bashing our Elite 11 QB recruit. You don't need hyperbole to bash the program.

Well, we were finalists for Haskins and Guarantano who are somewhere in the top 5 and lost them (Guarantano hurts as he was local). While Russo sounds somewhat promising in the Elite 11, he was a 2-3* recruit who turned down Buffalo and Temple with no other major offers. Either Flood is a genius and we found a gem, or perhaps he's not that great. I guess time will tell.

Laviano is not walk on caliber, you are correct. He was not recruited heavily by teams not named RU (I think he had 1 other offer) and was not in the top 30 of QBs. He is not what will win games, but perhaps is the upper limit of the type of recruit RU can expect?

[BillJasper]

Little known fact: Mike Rice was not fired for cause. Give them all the time you want, this admin will fuck it up.

Might be cheaper just to cut bait:

As part of the extension, Rutgers agreed to pay Flood a $1.4 million buyout if he is terminated without cause at any point through Feb. 28, 2019.

$1.4 million really isn't that much money to buy someone out of three-and-a-half years of their contract.

[General Mike]

Little known fact: Mike Rice was not fired for cause. Give them all the time you want, this admin will fuck it up.


I generally agree with this. Isn't that what Pernetti's big problem was? He wanted to fire Rice and university lawyers said he couldn't be fired for cause, and Rutgers was too cheap to eat the contract.

I wanted Flood fired 2 years ago but actually thought he did a decent job last year and was somewhat optimistic about his chances here until a month ago. The more things I hear tho the more negative I get.

We'll see if the boosters are willing to pony up the money. Rutgers doesn't need to spend 4 million per year on a head coach, but they can't have the lowest paid OC, lowest paid DC and lowest paid HC in the power 5 conferences.

[General Mike]

Well, we were finalists for Haskins and Guarantano who are somewhere in the top 5 and lost them (Guarantano hurts as he was local). While Russo sounds somewhat promising in the Elite 11, he was a 2-3* recruit who turned down Buffalo and Temple with no other major offers. Either Flood is a genius and we found a gem, or perhaps he's not that great. I guess time will tell.

Laviano is not walk on caliber, you are correct. He was not recruited heavily by teams not named RU (I think he had 1 other offer) and was not in the top 30 of QBs. He is not what will win games, but perhaps is the upper limit of the type of recruit RU can expect?

Laviano was just a continuation of Schiano's terrible QB recruiting. In 12 recruiting classes he landed one QB who had significant offers and he screwed that up. I give Flood some credit for being willing to take a chance on transfers but he's lucky Rettig is here after Nelson screwed up.

Laviano would probably be good enough if we had the 2006, 2012 or even 2008 defense, but we don't. We need a guy who can stretch the field.

[Atocep]

Good God

THE NINE DUMBEST THINGS IN THE RUTGERS REPORT ON KYLE FLOOD - Every Day Should Be Saturday (http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2015/9/16/9340969/the-nine-dumbest-thing-in-the-rutgers-report-on-kyle-flood)

I think Kyle Flood missed his calling as a criminal mastermind.

[Logan]

Love celebrityhottub.

[CU Tiger]

Clemson escapes Papa Johns Bowl with a W...

[BillJasper]

Those were some fugly uniforms worn by Louisville.

[BYU 14]

Look, I have seen this a number of times now (or it feels like) from either you or BYU14 or whatever. Congrats, attaboy, you got a big one against a terrible coaching staff with not one player who is still on the team (hell, I can't even remember how far back that goes, was that two coaching staffs ago?).

If you want to thump your chest about your big win years ago, consider it done. I have news for you. No one at UCLA cares.

I actually normally am cool with BYU, but this crap I am seeing from you guys here and elsewhere really makes me hope the Bruins put it on you.

I don't think that will happen, though. I expect a tough, physical battle and am figuring it will be close.

No chest thumping over that at all, I just have no clue how your boy Bug takes a brawl started by the other team and a two game sample this season and calls BYU the trashiest team in America. I only threw that out trying to figure out what the hell his beef is with BYU.

UCLA is the more talented team, so BYU needs breaks to stay with them, it will be a physical game and hopefully the Cougs can hang with UCLA's athletes. I have no issue with UCLA, but I am going to defend a program that does things the right way, which is why as a non-LDS fan I like and respect them so much.

[CU Tiger]

Everette Golson just threw one hell of a block.

[Thomkal]

Coastal Carolina looks to hold onto their #1 rating when Western Illinois comes to town this weekend. Not a school they play a lot, so no idea how good/bad they might be.

[Suicane75]

Boston College has an offense built to score in the 40's. The 1940's.

[bob]

Going back to pulling for Notre Dame this weekend. The Georgia Tech fanbase has been incredibly annoying this week. You'd think they were coming off back-to-back national title years. Plus I don't trust Paul Johnson in big games.

I went to school there and i am a fan, but never have i really enjoyed the rest of the fanbase. I wont take my kids to any big game there. Ive seen too many cases of adult fans screaming at young kids wearing clothes for the opposing team.

That being said, Tech should win. Anyone with five starters out should be hurting.

[MizzouRah]

Hey Mauk.. if you get that much time to throw.. WTF are you doing making THAT throw?

This team has injuries.. but pretty soon.. we are going to get crushed by better teams.

[MrBug708]

But hey, you're the class of the division!

[Galaril]

Geez in the MSU you game AFA was putting a good fight per usual until the f'ing refs called 100 yards in bullshit pass interference , chop blocks( which were actually cut blocks mostly) and bs personal fouls. Refs that don't see AF often and then see them in a big game like this hanging with a large program like MSU just assume they must be cheating if they are close. Has been the story since I was at AFA in the late 80s:-(

[Logan]

UConn 6, Mizzou 2 at the half...just like it was drawn up.

[Suicane75]

Geez in the MSU you game AFA was putting a good fight per usual until the f'ing refs called 100 yards in bullshit pass interference , chop blocks( which were actually cut blocks mostly) and bs personal fouls. Refs that don't see AF often and then see them in a big game like this hanging with a large program like MSU just assume they must be cheating if they are close. Has been the story since I was at AFA in the late 80s:-(

Nah, those were legit penalties.

[Galaril]

Nah, those were legit penalties.

Respectively disagree:-)

[Galaril]

Man now that they got rid of Holtz they need to follow that up with Mark Mays who the hell decided he was someone we need to listen to for post game analysis I have no idea.

[Suicane75]

Now that I can agree with you on.

[bob]

Didn't see the plays in question, but I think GT and Navy fans would also complain about refs miss calling chop blocks vs cut blocks. I wonder if refs assigned to certain games / teams have to go through any sort of special training due to those offenses. Don't we have a ref onboard here?

[Galaril]

Now that I can agree with you on.

Haha.. Yeah he is an unbearable arrogant blowhard.

[Galaril]

Didn't see the plays in question, but I think GT and Navy fans would also complain about refs miss calling chop blocks vs cut blocks. I wonder if refs assigned to certain games / teams have to go through any sort of special training due to those offenses. Don't we have a ref onboard here?

Yes we do but I am not sure if he is college or pros. I do have to be fair now that
The game is 35-7. I think about half of the 120 yards in penalties were bs . I saw at least one play was a chop block to be fair. So, when you are a team with fast but 270 pound lineman playing these schools that but there recruits what else are you going to do.... I would say screw scheduling with them. AFA unlike other small schools does,not really benefit from scheduling big schools in the end. They are never going to be in the playoff thing and so why waste there time. I personally would like to see the service academies drop to the FCS where they could be extremely competitive .

[MacroGuru]

Haha.. Yeah he is an unbearable arrogant blowhard.

I hate Mark Mays with a passion. He is an elitist wanna be prick that has nothing positive to say on AFA, Navy, Army, BYU, almost any small school and when the small schools win, he harps on the other team but never praises the team that won.

[Galaril]

I hate Mark Mays with a passion. He is an elitist wanna be prick that has nothing positive to say on AFA, Navy, Army, BYU, almost any small school and when the small schools win, he harps on the other team but never praises the team that won.

Ding Mac you get a helmet sticker my friend since you perfect nailed the guy. I literally wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire AND holding a bucket of gasoline!

[JonInMiddleGA]

personally would like to see the service academies drop to the FCS where they could be extremely competitive .

Just looking at schedules & whatnot, it really might not be that much of a difference if AF dropped down to the Big Sky conference. Attendance could fall by half but that'd leave them in the top 15-20 of attendance for I-AA.

Navy wouldn't be a bad fit in the Patriot, not sure whether it would work all that well for Army conference wise if they dropped though.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Going back to pulling for Notre Dame this weekend. The Georgia Tech fanbase has been incredibly annoying this week.

Given the size of the fanbase, how bad could it actually have been?

*yes, after 40+ years of being part of said group, I think I'm entitled to crack that joke.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Screw it, I'll trollapost

I'm so old I remember the good old days when college football was primarily an afternoon sport.

There's no legitimate reason (afaic) for Tennessee-Western Carolina to be playing a 6pm game. Yeah yeah, I know, SEC Network, TV, blah blah blah.
Don't care.

And the ACC schedule might be even wonkier today to my eyes.

Played 1x Thurs, 1x Fri, 4x early Sat, 4x late sat, 2x Sat nite. A couple of the 330 games make sense to feature, I can get that. But NCSU-JMU at night? C'mon.

[tarcone]

If Missouri is a contender for the SEC East, that is one weak division.

And I question that call for a fake FG by UConn.

[JonInMiddleGA]

OMG, I didn't realize that Sheriffs was starting for UConn. I know that kid (well, his family).

He played for my son's school before transferring to a better situation at a public school up the road (no animosity there, it was the right call in every respect IMO)

Feeling a bit gutted for him right now, horrible play call at the end afaic.

[bob]

Given the size of the fanbase, how bad could it actually have been?

*yes, after 40+ years of being part of said group, I think I'm entitled to crack that joke.

True enough, but given the neighborhood I live in and the industry I'm in, I'm around a ton... again, including myself.

I didn't listen to any sports talk radio this week though. I'm sure they were too busy talking about UGA's run to the title to even notice Tech had a big game.

[bob]

On another state of Georgia note, how did Georgia St. end up playing at Oregon?

Against Alabama made some sense due to proximity and Bill Curry. But Oregon?

[JonInMiddleGA]

On another state of Georgia note, how did Georgia St. end up playing at Oregon?

$

With exposure secondary I imagine.

Gotta take both where you can get 'em.

edit to add:
$900k to GaState for being the hapless victim
http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2015/09/georgia_state_gets_big_payout.html

[tarcone]

Is it 7 yet? Excited for Iowa/Pitt. Should be a good one.

[JPhillips]

Tell me again, why is Cardale Jones a projected top 5 pick?

edit: OSU will come back and beat NIU, but they look very complacent so far this year. They aren't good enough to go undefeated at this rate.

[cuervo72]

Hmm. Walkin the the door and ok, 14-0, Auburn throws an interception. First impression: Auburn really doesn't deserve the 18 ranking. What I expect will happen - LSU will control the game, Auburn will score enough points at the end to make it look like things were competitive, Auburn won't really drop because they were playing at LSU. (Could well be the script for the Ole Miss/Bama game, for that matter.)

[bob]

As a fan of both teams, I've been monitoring both ND and GT's fan forums. I'd argue that at least over the last 15 years, these are two of the most pessimistic fan bases out there. ND fans are happy about the start, but still cautious. GT fans are in "the house is on fire" mode.

[JonInMiddleGA]

As a fan of both teams, I've been monitoring both ND and GT's fan forums. I'd argue that at least over the last 15 years, these are two of the most pessimistic fan bases out there. ND fans are happy about the start, but still cautious. GT fans are in "the house is on fire" mode.

Thus far I've limited myself to simply wondering if GT is getting exposed by a team that's rather deep into their depth chart.

[bob]

When GT scored it went back to "it just took us time to exert our dominance"... ND fans pretty much stayed.

Curious what will happen now that ND scored again.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Auburn won't really drop because they were playing at LSU.

At this rate, I disagree. They not only appear overmatched, they look almost completely lost.

This team should not be this bad, not on paper. That makes me wonder exactly wth is suddenly going there ... and while LSU does seem to be better than I expected this year, I think things could get very warm very quickly on The Plains.

6-6, or even 7-5, won't be taken lightly I don't think, but that's where they could be headed.

[Logan]

Awful celebration injury for ND.

[bob]

I have always hated that jumping celebration thing. I think a UGA WR tore his ACL the same way a few years ago.

Also hate that NBC didn't immediately change the camera once you could hear him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I have always hated that jumping celebration thing. I think a UGA WR tore his ACL the same way a few years ago.

Also hate that NBC didn't immediately change the camera once you could hear him.

I didn't see the incident but a little Googling points out that the same kid torn an ACL vs Louisville last year during an interception return. (Not sure whether it's the same leg or the other one)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Congrats to Georgia State, I believe the 28 points they scored today is the most they've ever to put up against a power five opponent.

[cuervo72]

At this rate, I disagree. They not only appear overmatched, they look almost completely lost.

This team should not be this bad, not on paper. That makes me wonder exactly wth is suddenly going there ... and while LSU does seem to be better than I expected this year, I think things could get very warm very quickly on The Plains.

6-6, or even 7-5, won't be taken lightly I don't think, but that's where they could be headed.

Yeah, at this rate certainly. LSU is actually finishing drives rather than letting them hang around.

[tarcone]

I would say Auburn has been vastly overratedted. And I put myself in that boat as well.

Nebby getting thumped by Miami. That is one lost program.

[tarcone]

Ohio St. kid just hurdled a tackler. The tackler would have hit him in the waist. Just an amazing athletic move.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I still loathe LSU but good grief, this is a beatdown and Fournette is undeniably impressive.

[Warhammer]

Tell me again, why is Cardale Jones a projected top 5 pick?

edit: OSU will come back and beat NIU, but they look very complacent so far this year. They aren't good enough to go undefeated at this rate.

The knock against Jones the last few years was his complacency and lack of quality practice habits. That was a big reason Miller and then Barrett beat him out last year.

[Suicane75]

Not that it would have mattered, but there was just a pretty clear fumble in the ND game that the refs, announcers and even GT coaches just sort of ignored.

[tarcone]

How long does Spurrier last?

[bob]

I lot closer than it should have been due to a garbage TD + onside kick + garbage TD, but ND wins. Should be interesting to see how thin-skinned CPJ reacts.

GT fans are blaming the refs on the forums I've seen.

Why I hate being a Tech fan.

But go Irish.

[Karlifornia]

BUGA

[JonInMiddleGA]

Should be interesting to see how thin-skinned CPJ reacts.

Golly, that's such an unpredictable thing.
Uh huh, riiiiiight ;)

Is what it is: they got exposed as pretenders. Can't say I'm overly shocked. Could still actually win the ACC, just not sure that means a helluva lot. Conference looks to be back to where it's been for a number of years, there may not be a single consistently very good team in the whole lot. (i.e. several that can look very good in spurts, but not actually BE "very good")

[MizzouRah]

Well.. we won... but our offense is horrendous. Our defense is going to get so worn out, eventually they will get hammered.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm not sure that Spurrier gets past this season even if they were to somehow upset Clemson. Kind of sadly, I'm not sure there's any reason for him to be retained beyond that point either.

edit to add: 7-6 last year wasn't great but looking at their schedule just now, this is a team that could finish as bad as 2-10 (only Citadel looks like a sure win for them), with 4-8 probably the ceiling. Barring a collapse by an opponent, they look to have at least a chance to beat UCF (presumably) and Vandy, they'll be underdogs against everyone else.

Not sure even the ol' ball coach survives 7-6 to 4-8

[bronconick]

Tell me again, why is Cardale Jones a projected top 5 pick?

edit: OSU will come back and beat NIU, but they look very complacent so far this year. They aren't good enough to go undefeated at this rate.


Ohio State looks like 2014 Florida State. Those guys have their title, and are going to coast to their draft slots.

[JPhillips]

Oddly the worst problems have come from the guys that don't have their draft slots locked up. The QBs and the O-Line have been awful so far and if they keep t up it will cost them millions.

Now Joey Bosa certainly looks like a guy just trying to avoid injury. He's been nearly invisible these last two games.

[Easy Mac]

Furman just hit a 55 yard FG to take a 1 point lead over UCF with 12 minutes left.

[tarcone]

Iowa up 3-0 after 1.
CB Desmond King has a couple picks.

Good game so far. Unfortunately our offense looks sad. But we did complete a 50 yard pass.

[cuervo72]

Hmm, pondering making a coffee for this Miss/Bama game. Might be on until 1:30...

[Thomkal]

Well #1/#2 Coastal Carolina survived the debut of its new playing field the "Surf Turf"-all teal colored and barely beat Western Illinois by 7.

[Easy Mac]

Furman still up 1, 7 minutes left. I'm not sleeping tonight regardless of the outcome.

[Easy Mac]

4 minutes left. I can't handle this stress. 4th and 2. Just go for it, try and run out the clock. Don't punt.

edit: and its a shitty 20 yard punt.

edit: UCF fumbles!

[bronconick]

Dabo Swinney is going to push Steve Spurrier into retirement this year

[Easy Mac]

82 seconds, UCF has to go about 60 yards with no TO

[Easy Mac]

We DiD It!!!!!!

[Thomkal]

yay Furman

[cuervo72]

:38 must be one of the earliest FG ever.

[bob]

Saw this elsewhere, but thought it was funny:

Tech-ing - akin to Clemson-ing, where the team falls on their face in any game that would give them an opportunity for a breakthrough.

[General Mike]

worse then Nova.

[BillJasper]

Kevin Hogan confuses me? Some games he looks like he could be a great NFL QB, other games you wonder why he isn't in DIII.

[tarcone]

Iowa up 17-7 at half. We look pretty good. Struggling running the ball. But our QB is really good. Strong arm and accurate. Can't figure why he didn't start lat year. Oh, wait yanh I can.

Good game to watch.

[markprior22]

Is there no helmet to helmet rule in college football? Beathard was sacked early in the game and it was a blatant helmet to helmet. No one really mentioned it though...play was reviewed due to a fumble so the replay was shown several times. That can't be legal.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Is there no helmet to helmet rule in college football? Beathard was sacked early in the game and it was a blatant helmet to helmet. No one really mentioned it though...play was reviewed due to a fumble so the replay was shown several times. That can't be legal.

Targeting and Initiating Contact With the Crown of the Helmet (Rule 9-1-3)

No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.

Targeting and Initiating Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player (Rule 9-1-4)

No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, fist, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 2-27-14)

KEY INDICATORS

Risk of a foul is high with one or more of these:

Launch—a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make contact in the head or neck area
A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with contact at the head or neck area—even though one or both feet are still on the ground
Leading with helmet, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with contact at the head or neck area
Lowering the head before attacking by initiating contact with the crown of the helmet



These indicate less risk of a foul:

Heads-up tackle in which the crown of the helmet does not strike above the shoulders
Wrap-up tackle
Head is to the side rather than being used to initiate contact
Incidental helmet contact that is not part of targeting but is due to the players changing position during the course of play

[Eaglesfan27]

Kevin Hogan confuses me? Some games he looks like he could be a great NFL QB, other games you wonder why he isn't in DIII.

One of the streakiest QB I have ever seen. Tonight, is the best I have ever seen him play.

[bob]

Targetting does exist at the NCAA level:

CMU DL Mitch Stanitzek ejected for targeting, Syracuse QB Eric Dungey leaves game | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/cmu-dl-mitch-stanitzek-ejected-for-trageting--syracuse-qb-eric-dungey-leaves-game-182125650.html)

[tarcone]

Iowa hits a 57 yard FG with no time left to win!!!!!!!!!!!



Wooooooooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooooo

[MrBug708]

These refs at the ucla game. We got a targeting penalty because the guy intentionally missed the QB sliding. Completely whiffed

[tarcone]

WOW, Just WOW

[panerd]

If Missouri is a contender for the SEC East, that is one weak division.

And I question that call for a fake FG by UConn.

LOL Big Ten West.

[hoopsguy]

WOW, Just WOW

Still reacting to Iowa, or did you flip over to Bama/Miss?

:eek: :eek: :eek:

[bronconick]

2013's Auburn lucky horseshoe got shoved up Ole' Miss' ass

[tarcone]

Still reacting to Iowa, or did you flip over to Bama/Miss?

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Both

[tarcone]

LOL Big Ten West.

But I never claimed it was strong. #thesecisthegreayestthingsinceslicedbread

[tarcone]

And to make the day even better, Iowa State Lost to Toledo. Awesome

[tarcone]

Dang. I'm wired for sound now.

[MacroGuru]

I personally feel BYU should be up 21-3 they have made some dunderhead mistakes.

[kingfc22]

What's with these SEC games going past midnight local time this year?

[MrBug708]

Considering we are barely down, I feel like we should be up by two scores with the passing mistakes we've made

[cuervo72]

What's with these SEC games going past midnight local time this year?

It's been a thing for a little while now - feature SEC games run like 4 hours long.

[JonInMiddleGA]

It's been a thing for a little while now - feature SEC games run like 4 hours long.

This one didn't even start until after 915

[kingfc22]

It's been a thing for a little while now - feature SEC games run like 4 hours long.

Hmmm. Guess I can only recall watching west coast teams start games this late on a Saturday night.

[BishopMVP]

What's with these SEC games going past midnight local time this year?Seems outrageous to start a top game at 9:15 local time, but welcome to 2015. In 5 years this game might've been moved to Friday or Tuesday night.
Btw, as much as I live watching Saban lose, I'm.still rooting for Bama due to how big a douche Kelly is -
College Football offseason (non recruiting) discussion. - Page 4 - Front Office Football Central (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?p=2919481#post2919481)

Btw, I missed most of the first half and am super confused - why doesn't Alabama just give Derrick Henry the ball?

[cuervo72]

True, this one did start at 9:15. We're 3:10 in now though with 12:30 left in the 4th. My joke about having to stay up until 1:30AM to watch the end may not be that far off.

[CU Tiger]

Random thoughts for this thread

Ive got a +1750 ticket on a $500 bet for under 5.5 on USC jrs win total I placed in Vegas in July.

For my selfish reasons I hope Spurrier stays 1 more year. He has almost destroyed what he built...and I find it glorious.

No one at SC, most especially Ray Tanner has the ability to fire Spurrier. He will be there until he quits. Which I actually think will be very late next year, like right before the season ala Vanderbilt and the situation that made, my dear friend, Robbie Caldwell a head coach for 1 season in an effort to get Steve Jr a HC gig.

Still think Jon underestimates the ACC this year. Yeah they aint great but neither is anyone else.

Here is hoping Swag Kelly chokes this one away...just so we can watch the fireworks that ensue.

[BishopMVP]

And to make the day even better, Iowa State Lost to Toledo. AwesomeAt a certain point people need to realize the better MAC teams are good. Not most of them, but Toledo, NIU, especially BG aren't flukes.

Btw I think that pass is clean.

[CU Tiger]

Didn't see the plays in question, but I think GT and Navy fans would also complain about refs miss calling chop blocks vs cut blocks. I wonder if refs assigned to certain games / teams have to go through any sort of special training due to those offenses. Don't we have a ref onboard here?

Yep we have an NCAA D1 ref.

And I think he'll call a few GT games this year.

The rules were changed a couple years ago to even further restrict combo blocks. GT for example is coached to break the rule because most refs wont call it frequently enough. Last year against Clemson the coaches submitted a tape that showed 24 illegal blocks while 2 were called. The ACC responded they didnt dispute any of the allegations.

[bronconick]

Those pop passes are going to give Saban a stroke

[JonInMiddleGA]

Unintended victims of tonight's game:

Wisconsin

Losing to a Bama team that really doesn't appear to have a QB nor a secondary suddenly looks worse than it did at first.

[cuervo72]

I'm surprised that anyone is surprised here.

[cuervo72]

Ah, I think you try for a few more yards there (Green Bay?)

[lungs]

Unintended victims of tonight's game:

Wisconsin

Losing to a Bama team that really doesn't appear to have a QB nor a secondary suddenly looks worse than it did at first.

I don't think Wisconsin is anything more than a 20-25 ranked team this year.

[CU Tiger]

Bama with 3 drop in the last few minutes trying to come back

[BishopMVP]

This game won't end!

Btw, has there ever been a CFB team this good where absolutely nobody gives any credit to the head coach? I feel like we all agreed Ole Miss paid all those good recruits, but won't say it out loud now that it's come to fruition. (Btw, to paraphrase the Pony Express quote - Ole Miss might've paid players, but they paid the right players!)

[cuervo72]

Bah, only needed to last three more minutes. ;)

[CU Tiger]

Lane Kiffin single handedly ended the USC dynasty, destroyed UT, ruined the Raiders worse than they were and is ruining Saban's legacy...impressive?

[dubb93]

RE: Wisconsin

I guess we really don't know for sure this early, but like I said last week I think that their team is down this season. I don't suspect Bama's loss has any impact on them since I think they will drop several more from here on out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Backup QBs are often backups for a reason.

[JonInMiddleGA]

RE: Wisconsin

I guess we really don't know for sure this early, but like I said last week I think that their team is down this season. I don't suspect Bama's loss has any impact on them since I think they will drop several more from here on out.

Oh I didn't mean it was going to be the difference in them being a final four team or not. I was more just thinking along the lines of my top 25. The (supposed) quality of that loss is why I have them 23 this week instead of unranked. Maybe that loss ain't quite what it was.

[BishopMVP]

Lane Kiffin single handedly ended the USC dynasty, destroyed UT, ruined the Raiders worse than they were and is ruining Saban's legacy...impressive?That's also another team putting up 40+ against Alabama... Saban's held to an absurdly high bar, but teams are putting up a lot of points a lot more frequently than they were a few years ago.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If Missouri is a contender for the SEC East, that is one weak division.

LOL....you obviously haven't been watching the rest of the SEC East. Mizzou or Georgia are going to win that division.

[BYU 14]

I personally feel BYU should be up 21-3 they have made some dunderhead mistakes.

That was a gut wrenching loss, but a hard physical game between two good teams. Agree that BYU really should have taken advantage of mistakes more in the first half, but that's football. Still have a chance to go 11-1 IMO and hats off to UCLA for running on BYU like they did. Not many teams can do that.

[MrBug708]

Felt like UCLA never had the ball, which kept Rosen out of rhythm for most of the game. It was pretty fair most of the game, save one of the BYU players jawing on the second to last kneel down play, but I'll assume UCLA was giving him an earful. Perkins was outstanding and Starks was basically unstoppable on that last drive. Magnum was really strong for most of the game, but UCLA was giving him 8 yard cushions the whole game, wary of the hail mary, and he made UCLA pay. While we were down most of the game, it never felt like we were losing, much less out of it

I was at the game, so I can't comment on closer plays, but the reffing was poor. #72 never met a Bruin jersey he didnt want to grab, can't believe we lost a player to targeting on a play where he missed the player with the ball, and I've never seen a team told they couldnt snap the ball because the defense wasn't ready. I'll chalk it up to incompetent refs.

I hope that FG felt like a shot to the nuts. :)

[Warhammer]

This game won't end!

Btw, has there ever been a CFB team this good where absolutely nobody gives any credit to the head coach? I feel like we all agreed Ole Miss paid all those good recruits, but won't say it out loud now that it's come to fruition. (Btw, to paraphrase the Pony Express quote - Ole Miss might've paid players, but they paid the right players!)

Freeze is a great coach. I consider what Mullen has done at MSU to be more impressive though. Ole Miss has plenty of money, MSU, not so much.

[MizzouRah]

USC and Bama go DOWN! Crazy weekend!!!

[Thomkal]

A look at CCU's teal field that cost just over $1 million to build.

Coastal Carolina receives mostly positive reviews on teal field | The Sun News (http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/college/big-south/coastal-carolina-university/article35860311.html)

Interesting fact from the article: Boise State holds a federal trademark over any non-green football field-actually had to apply for a license from Boise State.

[MrBug708]

USC and Bama go DOWN! Crazy weekend!!!

USC losing isn't a shocker, they were overhyped and poorly coached

[BYU 14]

I've never seen a team told they couldnt snap the ball because the defense wasn't ready.

That was a correct call as the defense is allowed to sub if the offense did. For a Pac 12 crew this group was actually not bad, because there are some horrendous groups in that conference.

I felt the same way, in that I knew BYU didn't have the game locked up at any point, but still didn't think they would lose. But someone has to be behind at the end, great game overall, both teams played physical good win for the Bruins. Still don't know why you were expecting dirty play from BYU, that rep is truly overstated. Now just make sure you beat the hell out of Utah!!!:thumbsup:

[CU Tiger]

That's also another team putting up 40+ against Alabama... Saban's held to an absurdly high bar, but teams are putting up a lot of points a lot more frequently than they were a few years ago.

HUNH has been the Achilles heel for Saban/Smart. Their system is predicated on a 250lb MLB who stuffs anything B gap in that a 300+ lb nose misses.

When you spread that Mike out and make him play coverage he is a liability.

[MizzouRah]

USC losing isn't a shocker, they were overhyped and poorly coached

I have/had them making the playoff this year. :eek:

[TroyF]

That's also another team putting up 40+ against Alabama... Saban's held to an absurdly high bar, but teams are putting up a lot of points a lot more frequently than they were a few years ago.

I would hate to be a DC in college football right now. There are more high powered offenses of different types than ever before. Everyone talks about the spread offense, but there are different types of spread offenses to deal with. Some have QB's who run like the wind, some have a group of 6'3" WR who block well on the outside and can catch the ball when they aren't open. Some have 5 guys who can go 4.3 and you have to figure out how to control them.

It is ridiculous. I would also say it's impossible at this point to go through a season without winning a game 45-42 if you want to win a national title. I really don't care how dominant your defense is.

[MrBug708]

I have/had them making the playoff this year. :eek:

Mostly hype. They have a lot of talent, but their trenches are weak and their two weakest position coaches coach those positions. They dont have an elite ground game. Their best players are young, other than Tuerk, Su'a, and Kessler, and Kessler should be better as a 5th year SR. They also have a poor S&C program, which isn't good if you want to make the playoffs.

Plus the whole Sark issue. I read a (unverified) stat that he's never won a game when losing at halftime. Plus the inability to win more than 8 games also lingers.

Every PAC-12 team has issues, so it's a good year for USC to win a lot of games

[Radii]

I've never seen a team told they couldnt snap the ball because the defense wasn't ready.

Didn't see the play in question but this is a rule in both college and the NFL on plays with substituions. You can no huddle it up all you want on offense with the same 11 on the field but if you make a sub the defense is allowed time to substitute as well.

[Butter]

So, was the BYU center head-bobbing prior to the snap the entire game? How is this not a penalty?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Coaches poll has Auburn at #25 (sportswriters also rcvng votes would put them 34).

That ought to be the end of the coaches poll, because they either aren't paying attention at ALL or they're voting while drunk as hell.

That's gotta be one of the most inane, insane, inexplicable rankings I can ever recall.

[Atocep]

Coaches poll has Auburn at #25 (sportswriters also rcvng votes would put them 34).

That ought to be the end of the coaches poll, because they either aren't paying attention at ALL or they're voting while drunk as hell.

That's gotta be one of the most inane, insane, inexplicable rankings I can ever recall.

SEC

I'm surprised Alabama wasn't moved up to #1 after their loss last night.

[BYU 14]

So, was the BYU center head-bobbing prior to the snap the entire game? How is this not a penalty?

This signals the line he is ready to snap, a few teams do it, not considered intent to deceive

[dubb93]

LSU also got a lot of love for beating that Auburn team. They jumped up quite a bit in the AP pole and are sitting in a much better spot than they were before the game. Weren't the two biggest movers SEC teams? SEC also has the top ranked 1 loss team. Looking to me like they are setting up to get two teams into the playoffs after Michigan State and Ohio State take care of each other.

[tarcone]

Using SEC fan logic, the B1G has the top 2 teams in the AP poll, that means the B1G is the best conference in the nation.

[JPhillips]

Irregardless of ranking, who has looked the best so far?

Ole Miss?
TCU?
UCLA?

[Butter]

As much as it pains me to say, I'd probably say Notre Dame.

[Warhammer]

How good would Notre Dame be without the injuries?

[Atocep]

That's also another team putting up 40+ against Alabama... Saban's held to an absurdly high bar, but teams are putting up a lot of points a lot more frequently than they were a few years ago.

I think Kiffin's offense is a poor match for what Saban wants to do. In 2011 they were 97th in plays per game, in 2012 they were 114th, in 2013 they were 116th, in 2014 they went up to 72nd, and so far this year they're 14th.

[JonInMiddleGA]

LSU also got a lot of love for beating that Auburn team. They jumped up quite a bit in the AP pole and are sitting in a much better spot than they were before the game. Weren't the two biggest movers SEC teams? SEC also has the top ranked 1 loss team. Looking to me like they are setting up to get two teams into the playoffs after Michigan State and Ohio State take care of each other.

I"m okay with the increase for LSU. Did you see that monster running with the ball? That was a frightening display at times, I don't care if he did it against an 8th grade squad. I hate 'em 2nd only to (or virtually tied with) UGA, but holy smokes.

LSU/Ole Miss have that same eliminator game coming I think. A second team would either require Bama to slip back in (I don't see that team running the table from here tho) or Georgia running the table and winning the conference title game over an unbeaten western champ. That last scenario is probably the most straightforward way for them to get two I think.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Irregardless of ranking, who has looked the best so far?

Ole Miss?
TCU?
UCLA?

Ole Miss, without a doubt. I'd put ND right there behind them just because of the injury factors. UCLA is possibly in that mix but I'll reserve judgment until we see more (like next Saturday's game for example)

[JonInMiddleGA]

SEC

So all the guys not bolded below are somehow involved in hyping the SEC? The conference doesn't get extra votes or anything.

I'd say it's far more likely that we're just seeing even more distance between the ballots cast and the person the vote is attributed to. The 4th assistant intern to the SID's cousin's wife's girlfriend's nephew kind of stuff.

The board for the 2015 season: Dino Babers, Bowling Green; David Bailiff, Rice; Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech; Craig Bohl, Wyoming; Terry Bowden, Akron; Art Briles, Baylor; Troy Calhoun, Air Force; Matt Campbell, Toledo; Rod Carey, Northern Illinois; Norm Chow, Hawaii; Paul Chryst, Wisconsin; Larry Coker, Texas-San Antonio; David Cutcliffe, Duke; Mark Dantonio, Michigan State; Tim DeRuyter, Fresno State; Bob Diaco, Connecticut; Larry Fedora, North Carolina; Jimbo Fisher, Florida State; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern; Dennis Franchione, Texas State; James Franklin, Penn State; Willie Fritz, Georgia Southern; Al Golden, Miami; Todd Graham, Arizona State; Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State; Jim Harbaugh, Michigan; Mark Helfrich, Oregon; Doc Holliday, Marshall; Mark Hudspeth, Louisiana-Lafayette; Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech; Joey Jones, South Alabama; Brian Kelly, Notre Dame; Brad Lambert, Charlotte; Lance Leipold, Buffalo; Rocky Long, San Diego State; Mike MacIntyre, Colorado; Gus Malzahn, Auburn; Doug Martin, New Mexico State; Dan McCarney, North Texas; Ruffin McNeill, East Carolina; Bronco Mendenhall, Brigham Young; Urban Meyer, Ohio State; Les Miles, LSU; Phillip Montgomery, Tulsa; Jim Mora, UCLA; Ken Niumatalolo, Navy; George O'Leary, Central Florida; Gary Patterson, TCU; Chris Petersen, Washington; Paul Petrino, Idaho; Gary Pinkel, Missouri; Paul Rhoads, Iowa State; Mark Richt, Georgia; Mike Riley, Nebraska; Nick Saban, Alabama; Frank Solich, Ohio; Steve Spurrier, South Carolina; Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee State; Bob Stoops, Oklahoma; Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M; Dabo Swinney, Clemson; Tommy Tuberville, Cincinnati; Matt Wells, Utah State; Kyle Whittingham, Utah.

[Atocep]

So all the guys not bolded below are somehow involved in hyping the SEC? The conference doesn't get extra votes or anything.

I'd say it's far more likely that we're just seeing even more distance between the ballots cast and the person the vote is attributed to. The 4th assistant intern to the SID's cousin's wife's girlfriend's nephew kind of stuff.


I wasn't being entirely serious. I generally agree with you here.

I do find it odd that Auburn and Mizzou are ranked when neither have shown they belong anywhere near a top 25 poll.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I do find it odd that Auburn and Mizzou are ranked when neither have shown they belong anywhere near a top 25 poll.

You mean a poll like, oh .. this one (https://jonsthreecents.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/j3c-college-football-top-25-after-week-3-3/)

;)

[Dutch]

No Mississippi State, that one's broke too. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

No Mississippi State, that one's broke too. :)

I pondered that one for a while at the end. Came down to whether I wanted to punish GT more than I already had, decided that I'd moved them fairly & would have felt kinda petty about dropping them. State will have their opportunity to play their way in, wouldn't be at all surprised to have them end up ranked soon enough.

[CU Tiger]

GT is better than 25.
Thats your hate fir CPJ talking.
I hate the bees nearly as bad as you hate a Tiger-Bulldog Demon spawn...but they are a top 20 team this year.

[panerd]

I wasn't being entirely serious. I generally agree with you here.

I do find it odd that Auburn and Mizzou are ranked when neither have shown they belong anywhere near a top 25 poll.

Mizzou... Because they are undefeated? Who at 3-0 that isn't ranked do you have above them? Forgive me if I didn't hear this same shit the last two years when they ended the season 12-2 and 11-3. And before you give me one or two names you need a lot since they you said they don't belong anywhere near a top 25 poll.

[Dutch]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if GT beats Clemson and FSU and runs the table the rest of the season.

[CU Tiger]

I think Mizzou belongs, Auburn does not.

BTW I got shit for asking about Syracuse HC Scott Shafer

I want everyone to watch this please.
- Won a game we shouldnt have won...against Central Michigan
- Tough Environment out there today AT HOME IN THE CARRIER DOME
- WTF is up with the beach towel wiping the brow.
-3-0 Despite some reporters questions

Coach Shafer vs Central Michigan Post Game - YouTube (https://youtu.be/8eyRr-Q2lII)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8eyRr-Q2lII" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

GT is better than 25.
Thats your hate fir CPJ talking.
I hate the bees nearly as bad as you hate a Tiger-Bulldog Demon spawn...but they are a top 20 team this year.

Then college football is truly fucked.

Tech is a pretender to being more than "okay to good" ... and they still might win the ACC. That is, of course, unless they go 1-2 (or 0-3) over the next three games which seems like a definite possibility to me. I really hate the parity (i.e. mediocrity) that scholarship limits & such has created.

Ranking teams below 10-15 is pretty much a crap shoot (and a bit of a crap fest frankly), the difference between 20 & 40 isn't really all that much from what I see.

Trying to parse between Tennessee, Missouri and Mississippi State (likely the best of that trio right now) almost feels silly at times frankly.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Mizzou... Because they are undefeated? Who at 3-0 that isn't ranked do you have above them? Forgive me if I didn't hear this same shit the last two years when they ended the season 12-2 and 11-3. And before you give me one or two names you need a lot since they you said they don't belong anywhere near a top 25 poll.

As worthy of consideration right now as Mizzou IMO:

Memphis, Houston, NC State, Miami, Texas Tech, West Virginia, Ohio, Toledo, maybe Cal. And that's just the unbeatens. There's not a shortage of 2-1 teams I'd say have equal or better claim to being ranked ahead of them as well.

Goes back to what I said a post or so ago, the difference between varying degrees of meh isn't very much.

[tarcone]

Iowa is 3-0 and have beaten 2 teams from power 5 conferences.

I would say they beat the teams you mentioned.

[JPhillips]

I think Mizzou belongs, Auburn does not.

BTW I got shit for asking about Syracuse HC Scott Shafer

I want everyone to watch this please.
- Won a game we shouldnt have won...against Central Michigan
- Tough Environment out there today AT HOME IN THE CARRIER DOME
- WTF is up with the beach towel wiping the brow.
-3-0 Despite some reporters questions

Coach Shafer vs Central Michigan Post Game - YouTube (https://youtu.be/8eyRr-Q2lII)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8eyRr-Q2lII" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Battled the elements?

[Atocep]

Mizzou... Because they are undefeated? Who at 3-0 that isn't ranked do you have above them? Forgive me if I didn't hear this same shit the last two years when they ended the season 12-2 and 11-3. And before you give me one or two names you need a lot since they you said they don't belong anywhere near a top 25 poll.

3-0 doesn't really mean much to me when it includes a 7 point win over Arkansas State and a 3 point win against UConn.

I'd put Miami, Texas Tech, Cal, and possibly Iowa, Toledo, and Temple over them.

1 loss teams Mississippi State and BYU I'd put over them.

The only difference I see between Mizzou and Auburn at this point in the season is Auburn has played someone.

That doesn't mean Mizzou won't deserve to be ranked at some point, but right now I don't see how anyone could justify it based on what they've actually done thus far.

[panerd]

Iowa is 3-0 and have beaten 2 teams from power 5 conferences.

I would say they beat the teams you mentioned.

LOL. Iowa State and Pitt? If nothing else you are certainly predictable. at least you managed to beat Iowa State this season. Both teams will certainly have a chance to prove it on the field this year feel free to bookmark and come back to this thread.

[panerd]

3-0 doesn't really mean much to me when it includes a 7 point win over Arkansas State and a 3 point win against UConn.

I'd put Miami, Texas Tech, Cal, and possibly Iowa, Toledo, and Temple over them.

1 loss teams Mississippi State and BYU I'd put over them.

The only difference I see between Mizzou and Auburn at this point in the season is Auburn has played someone.

That doesn't mean Mizzou won't deserve to be ranked at some point, but right now I don't see how anyone could justify it based on what they've actually done thus far.

Well there you go they are #25 not #1. They play both Miss State and BYU later in the season. So you basically have them at 30 unless you somehow have this magic knowledge the voters you disparage have about why all these one loss teams are better than undefeated teams. (You are supposed to win right?)And if so doesn't make you any different than them you just are biased for other teams.

And I won't break down every one of your teams but let's just look at Toledo. So you are basically buying that Arkansas is good and not shit because they are SEC right? mizzou kicked the shit out of Toledo the last two seasons. So you are mad about SEC bias but feel free to use it when putting down another SEC team.

[panerd]

As worthy of consideration right now as Mizzou IMO:

Memphis, Houston, NC State, Miami, Texas Tech, West Virginia, Ohio, Toledo, maybe Cal. And that's just the unbeatens. There's not a shortage of 2-1 teams I'd say have equal or better claim to being ranked ahead of them as well.

Goes back to what I said a post or so ago, the difference between varying degrees of meh isn't very much.

Once again like I said in my previous post if you somehow claim to know why 2-1 teams and sometimes even 1-2 teams are better than 3-0 teams then you are spewing the same bullshit the voters are based on preconceived notions. I agree the polls at this time of year are pointless but if you are going to have them what a joke to say we they lost but they are still better than undefeated teams because of blah blah blah but I take issue with voters who are being completely objective as well.

[Atocep]

Well there you go they are #25 not #1. They play both Miss State and BYU later in the season. So you basically have them at 30 unless you somehow have this magic knowledge the voters you disparage have about why all these one loss teams are better than undefeated teams. (You are supposed to win right?)And if so doesn't make you any different than them you just are biased for other teams.

If winning is all that matters I could just put the other 33 unbeatens over Mizzou and call it good, right? In getting so worked about Mizzou being slighted you seem to miss the fact that 1.) I'd have them somewhere between 30 and 35 and 2.) I clearly state that it's based on what they've done thus far and I acknowledge that they can prove themselves later in the season.

I anxiously await this getting bumped later in the year to prove a point that doesn't need to be made.

[panerd]

If winning is all that matters I could just put the other 33 unbeatens over Mizzou and call it good, right? In getting so worked about Mizzou being slighted you seem to miss the fact that 1.) I'd have them somewhere between 30 and 35 and 2.) I clearly state that it's based on what they've done thus far and I acknowledge that they can prove themselves later in the season.

I anxiously await this getting bumped later in the year to prove a point that doesn't need to be made.

I'm just saying you blast the media/voters for SEC bias but then commend Toledo for beating the SEC 13th best team while ignoring Mizzou handled the same team handily the last two seasons. Clearly you don't know everything and I admit neither do I. But I am not the one claiming SEC bias is putting a team that is 26-5 the past three seasons in the top 25.

[CU Tiger]

I'm just saying you blast the media/voters for SEC bias but then commend Toledo for beating the SEC 13th best team while ignoring Mizzou handled the same team handily the last two seasons. Clearly you don't know everything and I admit neither do I. But I am not the one claiming SEC bias is putting a team that is 26-5 the past three seasons in the top 25.

When you start envoking past seasons as having any bearing on this years rankings your entire argument becomes invalid.

[panerd]

When you start envoking past seasons as having any bearing on this years rankings your entire argument becomes invalid.

Has does one judge any team in the first several weeks of a season if not based on either their current record (3-0) or their previous season? Watching their training camp? Recruiting rankings?

[CU Tiger]

Has does one judge any team in the first several weeks of a season if not based on either their current record (3-0) or their previous season? Watching their training camp? Recruiting rankings?

'Oregon handled Mich State last year...

Id argue there shouldn't be rankings this early, but if you are going to have them Id start with talent analyis and game management.

Toledo didnt beat the 13th best SEC team. Toledo beat the #11 team in the country. They have a Top 15 win. Of course they have to be ranked ahead of Mizzou who hasnt beaten a ranked opponent...Wait you dont think Ark was really #11...neither did anyone else but thats what they were ranked.

BTW, Vandy, SC and Auburn are all worse than Arky. I''d put Florida, Kentucky, Miss St, and Tenn as a pcik em against em...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Iowa is 3-0 and have beaten 2 teams from power 5 conferences.

I would say they beat the teams you mentioned.

I am not unaware but beating Pitt by only three impressed me not one bit. Neither did their wins over the twin ISU's. I couldn't put them in front of Missouri at this point, so I omitted them from my list intentionally.

[Marmel]

BTW I got shit for asking about Syracuse HC Scott Shafer



You have a real hard-on for a coach on a team that has obviously struggled for a decade or more, only just coming back from the dead that last couple of years.

The Chips are a decent enough MAC team. The tough circumstances are that we were down to our 4th and 5th QBs on the season already, one of which is a walk on, and that kid somehow pulled out a win when everyone thought the game was a loss. A blantant cheap shot took our prized freshman QB out. Pretty gutty effort and they are 3-0 for the first time in 24 years. He was pretty pumped, as he should be. Reality sets in next week, but god forbid he should enjoy it, knowing he is coaching for his job.

Should I pull Dabo clips from his many USC defeats, or FSU, or how about that 70-30 loss in a BCS bowl, or the number of funny pics of Dabo I could google in 5 seconds? Glass houses and all, ya know?

Are you just still salty from Donny McNabb's beat down of Clemson in the Gator Bowl? 41-0?

I know Clemson is about as good as they historically can be, but they also have been as bad as Cuse recently was. The two teams are basically the same. About the same number of wins, both have a title, both have a Heisman and numerous NFL hall of famers. Well, maybe not Clemson on those last two.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Once again like I said in my previous post if you somehow claim to know why 2-1 teams and sometimes even 1-2 teams are better than 3-0 teams then you are spewing the same bullshit the voters are based on preconceived notions. I agree the polls at this time of year are pointless but if you are going to have them what a joke to say we they lost but they are still better than undefeated teams because of blah blah blah but I take issue with voters who are being completely objective as well.

I can eyetest 'em (and some I have), I can look at the numbers, I can take their performance vs my initial expectations & adjust accordingly.

It's an art, not a science. {shrug}

It does, however, help to not be under the influence of some mind-altering chemical the way quite a few voting members of the coaches' poll had to be this week.

Also, comes back to the never (afaik) definitively answered question about what the rankings are supposed to be -- quality of team, quality of season, some hybrid of the two, etc. I suppose, if we thought of it in terms of the playoff scenario, we might end up settling on something like "most deserving" ... and really, tbh, the only opinion that truly matters to me about that is my own. If I agree with the outcome then I'll likely say so. If I disagree with the outcome, I'll likely bitch about it.

[Butter]

BTW I got shit for asking about Syracuse HC Scott Shafer

I want everyone to watch this please.
- Won a game we shouldnt have won...against Central Michigan
- Tough Environment out there today AT HOME IN THE CARRIER DOME
- WTF is up with the beach towel wiping the brow.
-3-0 Despite some reporters questions

Yeah, well, this is the same fan base that thought the first time that Clemson went into the Carrier Dome that the noise and the heat and humidity from the non A/C'd dome would bother them. A team from South Carolina that runs 2-a-days in August would be bothered by the humidity in the Carrier Dome. Some of them can be delusional at times.

But the only thing I can fault Shafer for here would be the "we're 3-0 despite some reporters' questions". Uh, yeah. As for the others, yeah they probably shouldn't have won that game with their 3rd string QB, and yeah, it probably was hot and humid in there with the outside weather being what it was, and yeah, if it was hot and humid that's why the beach towel.

That said, I think that 7-5 is probably the ceiling for a Scott Shafer-led Syracuse team. Not Syracuse as a program, but led by this guy it is.

[CU Tiger]

You have a real hard-on for a coach on a team that has obviously struggled for a decade or more, only just coming back from the dead that last couple of years.

The Chips are a decent enough MAC team. The tough circumstances are that we were down to our 4th and 5th QBs on the season already, one of which is a walk on, and that kid somehow pulled out a win when everyone thought the game was a loss. A blantant cheap shot took our prized freshman QB out. Pretty gutty effort and they are 3-0 for the first time in 24 years. He was pretty pumped, as he should be. Reality sets in next week, but god forbid he should enjoy it, knowing he is coaching for his job.

Should I pull Dabo clips from his many USC defeats, or FSU, or how about that 70-30 loss in a BCS bowl, or the number of funny pics of Dabo I could google in 5 seconds? Glass houses and all, ya know?

Are you just still salty from Donny McNabb's beat down of Clemson in the Gator Bowl? 41-0?

I know Clemson is about as good as they historically can be, but they also have been as bad as Cuse recently was. The two teams are basically the same. About the same number of wins, both have a title, both have a Heisman and numerous NFL hall of famers. Well, maybe not Clemson on those last two.


Man you are reading so much into my statements that isnt there.
Look I am a college football junkie.
An addict.

Do you know what i do every Sunday morning from about 4:30 - 8:00 AM?
I go to youtube and I watch every HC press conference fromt he day befores games that I can.

I can get every ACC and SEC team in every week. I take notes when I watch these things and keep them in a notebook.

Ok I am a football nerd. I admit it.

For one I hope Syracuse never fires the guy. I have woken folks up in my house laughing at his PCs multiple times. He is better than Eddie Murphy or Richard Prior for his comedy gold to me.

This has nothing to do with Clemson. Sure I played there 20 years ago. Sure I go to their games as a fan. This isnt a comparison thing. Its not you bad, me good.

Clemson coaches say some cringeworthy stuff at times as well. Hell every coach in America does...but none as consistently as SS. I mean really watch that PC... I think the dude may be on meth. It is irrational behavior.

I'm all for pumping up a team after a win regardless of opponent. I would have no problem with anything he said IN THE LOCKERROOM. But when you get on a podium and beat your chest about 3-0 and over coming adversity with wins over Wake Forest, Rhode Island, and CMU...I'm going to laugh at you.

Marrone had 8 win seasons in 2 of his last 3 years and 2 bowl wins.
Shafer won a bowl with Marrone's players and then went 3-9 and is likely on his way to a 7 loss season again.

Everyone with any football acumen around looks at Shafer and says "Over his head" He is by all accounts a great guy and a great human being..but he is over his head.

This isnt an attack at you, or Syracuse. It's just a laugh at the antics of one man. I'm not even going to respond to your attempt to steer it into a Clemson vs Syracuse argument....