I am pretty sure during the telecast they reported that Fresno State had 15 wins over BCS opponents during the last 10 years. Not sure which teams they beat.
I am pretty sure during the telecast they reported that Fresno State had 15 wins over BCS opponents during the last 10 years. Not sure which teams they beat.
As someone with no formal ties to UC, but who has been vociferously
"defending" UC's standing in the College Football pecking order, I have to agree with this.
Unfortunately, so much of the pecking order is about perception, if you're seen as a small time program, you are a small time program until you're not. On the one hand you should commend UC for having the guts to play a home and home with a dangerous opponent. On the other hand, top programs don't lose games that will hurt them in the perception battle. Either play a "legitimate" BCS power so that if you lose, you are seen as at least playing a top team tough, or play patsies who you will undoubtedly crush.
While losing at Fresno is no embarrassment, it's really not something teams who are trying to assert their place on the top rung can afford to do often.
UC lost their coach, QB and top offensive and ST player. I don't think they'll match last year's success in 2010. The loss on Saturday was disappinting but not surprising. I wouldn't argue that UC is "top rung" yet but there's no shame in what UC is right now.
For now UC should strive to win the weak Big East and earn another BCS Bowl bid. That'll be a very uphill battle this year but if they do it they don't owe anyone any apologies.
The last few years, teams like Ohio State have used this strategy. Schools schedule one marquee BCS non-conference opponent and then pay a bunch of directional schools to take a beating in Columbus. Unfortunately, UC has bills to pay and can't afford to pay multiple teams to take a beating in Clifton each season. Playing in the Big East also puts pressure on UC to schedule OOC aggressively. If Week 1 was any indication, the Big East is in for a rough season.
I think this perception is also the reason why Ohio State bought out the 2012 game in Cincinnati. I think OSU views UC in much of the same light that UC views Fresno: inferior but strategically dangerous. If you're OSU, there's little shame in losing to USC last year. There's a lot of shame in losing to UC. If you're UC, there's little shame in losing to Va Tech... (you get the idea)
Last edited by paintmered; 09-07-2010 at 06:10 PM.
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
Don't forget they're on tonight at 7:30 on ESPN @ North Carolina State
320
I'd rather listen to Kelch read the phone book than suffer through Thom Brennaman's attempt to make every instance on the field the most important event since the discovery of manned space flight. -westofyou
Looks like UC forgot to show up again.
Collaros throws a ball four yards short of his receiver than picks up a delay of game. 3rd and 12 inside their 20 down 14. Ugh.
And now a bad snap. This is a disaster.
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
And now a bad UC punt gives NC St. the ball on the 25.
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
It's an interception! It's a catch! No, it's a fumble and a touchback!
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
John Goebel is playing like a man possessed, both last weekend and tonight.
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
Cats start to drive but then self-destruct as Collaros takes a beating. Not looking good. At all.
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
Let's not write the obit yet. Cats get a turnover in NC St territory.
We need the count to keep track of UC bad snaps. It's been a constant this year. And now a false start. UC is quite good at this marching backwards thing.
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
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