College Football 2015

[MWM]

Utah just made one of the dumbest decisions I've seen in a long time with that attempted pass on th kick-off in the end zone. Why would they even think about that at home with a lead to an unrated team, and also WHILE YOU'RE RANKED 4th IN THE COUNTRY. It's not Seahawks super bowl stupid, but it's definitely as dumb a coaching decision as you'll see at that level.

[Boston Red]

Temple bludgeoned Penn State, so that makes it hard for me to get my mind around the idea of Penn State being anything other than terrible. I know Temple has a pretty good team this year, but that will take some getting used to.

[Assembly Hall]

The big ten looks to finally be a year or two away from having a really strong conference. Definitely overdue.

From where I am sitting, they look to be strong right now.

[RedTeamGo!]

So now that Memphis has hammered Ole Miss, does an undefeated AAC champ (if we have one) deserve a spot in the playoffs?

Memphis won't get in over any one loss power programs.

[Boston Red]

Memphis won't get in over any one loss power programs.

What if Temple beats Notre Dame, and Memphis gives Temple their only two losses?

[Assembly Hall]

What if Temple beats Notre Dame, and Memphis gives Temple their only two losses?

The way it is shaping up, I dont see Memphis in the mix at all. Some pretty serious dominoes are gonna have to fall for them to even be in the discussion.

[traderumor]

So painful, like Colorado 1994
That was where I traced back to for a similar defeat. Fortunately, as a Buckeyes fan, I have endured some epic collapses in big games, but really have not had the type of miracle ending heartbreak. The Bengals have always played that role in my fandom

[traderumor]

Temple bludgeoned Penn State, so that makes it hard for me to get my mind around the idea of Penn State being anything other than terrible. I know Temple has a pretty good team this year, but that will take some getting used to.

Temple was at home, first game of the year, and they are undefeated. I'm with you on taking it that Temple might actually be above average, no positive program history at all. Penn State is an average overall team, with an above average D.

[traderumor]

The Big Ten is getting top heavy again, but with Wiscy down, the overall conference is still barely average.

[Assembly Hall]

Me and a buddy were talking about it last night after the miraculous Sparty win. Why not have another player stand behind the punter in such situation? You see it in the Victory formation, why not in this one? But either the punter had his opportunity to just fall on the ball.

[Boston Red]

Me and a buddy were talking about it last night after the miraculous Sparty win. Why not have another player stand behind the punter in such situation? You see it in the Victory formation, why not in this one? But either the punter had his opportunity to just fall on the ball.

Pretty sure they had to be in max protect as Michigan State was bringing all 11 for the block. 0 percent chance anyone would actually do it, but a fake punt there would result in the easiest TD ever.

[Assembly Hall]

The Big Ten is getting top heavy again, but with Wiscy down, the overall conference is still barely average.

Say what? Barely average?

[Assembly Hall]

Pretty sure they had to be in max protect as Michigan State was bringing all 11 for the block. 0 percent chance anyone would actually do it, but a fake punt there would result in the easiest TD ever.

LOL, we talked about the fake too! Great minds think alike!!!!! LOL

[KronoRed]

Pretty sure they had to be in max protect as Michigan State was bringing all 11 for the block. 0 percent chance anyone would actually do it, but a fake punt there would result in the easiest TD ever.

Les Miles would do it.

[traderumor]

Say what? Barely average?Yes, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland, Minnesota, are all poor teams. The middle is not much better with Wisconsin, Penn State, and barely Indiana. Iowa is above average, Michigan St. a tick above that, then Michigan, then Ohio State. Not deep enough in the middle to be better than mediocre.

[Assembly Hall]

Jerry Palm's bowl predictions........

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/jerry-palm/25344102/bowl-projections-big-ten-shake-up-say-goodbye-to-boise-state

[RedTeamGo!]

Yes, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland, Minnesota, are all poor teams. The middle is not much better with Wisconsin, Penn State, and barely Indiana. Iowa is above average, Michigan St. a tick above that, then Michigan, then Ohio State. Not deep enough in the middle to be better than mediocre.

MSU is a tick above average? They are an undefeated top 10 team.

[Assembly Hall]

MSU is a tick above average? They are an undefeated top 10 team.

Northwestern has beaten Stanford at home and Duke on the road......I dont think that is poor. But the B1G is top heavy, he also made no mention of Illinois.

[Boston Red]

This is how Sagarin ranks the power conferences.

1 SEC-WEST (A) = 84.02 84.44 ( 1) 7 84.28 ( 1)
2 BIG 12 (A) = 80.00 79.23 ( 2) 10 79.87 ( 2)
3 PAC-12(SOUTH) (A) = 79.48 78.88 ( 3) 6 79.28 ( 3)
4 PAC-12(NORTH) (A) = 78.32 77.75 ( 4) 6 78.02 ( 4)
5 SEC-EAST (A) = 77.03 77.12 ( 5) 7 77.12 ( 5)
6 ACC-COASTAL (A) = 76.89 76.29 ( 6) 7 76.44 ( 6)
7 BIG TEN-EAST (A) = 75.77 76.22 ( 7) 7 76.07 ( 7)
8 BIG TEN-WEST (A) = 75.66 75.10 ( 8) 7 75.39 ( 8)
9 I-A INDEPENDENTS (A) = 74.69 73.34 ( 10) 3 75.03 ( 9)
10 ACC-ATLANTIC (A) = 74.48 75.00 ( 9) 7 74.68 ( 10)

[RedTeamGo!]

Call me crazy, but I am just not impressed by the Big 12

[bucksfan2]

Me and a buddy were talking about it last night after the miraculous Sparty win. Why not have another player stand behind the punter in such situation? You see it in the Victory formation, why not in this one? But either the punter had his opportunity to just fall on the ball.

You can't. You can't practice one formation and then all of a sudden change it up. You practice one way the entire time and then you switch it up in the most crucial part of the game?

With a lead late in games the worst thing that can happen is a blocked punt or kick. You can't prepare for it and to often the ball bounces back and it is a mad dash the other way. I thought Harbaugh should have gone for it. I thought it should have been four down territory when the got the ball there. I think you run the ball, try and get the 1st down, and make a Hail Mary beat you instead of what happened.

Michigan reminds me a lot of Harbaugh's early 49ers days, good defense, he plays ball control, uses the TE, but the team is lacking a QB and skill position players.

As for Fournete, give me Zeke. Fournette is great, but I think Zeke is getting overlooked too much because OSU hasn't pounded him game in game out.

[Assembly Hall]

Call me crazy, but I am just not impressed by the Big 12

I dont know what to make of them either.

[bucksfan2]

I dont know what to make of them either.

Can they stop anybody?

[Assembly Hall]

Can they stop anybody?

Not from what I have seen.

[traderumor]

MSU is a tick above average? They are an undefeated top 10 team.Who were beaten by Michigan and won on the once in a lifetime flukey play, barely hung on at Rutgers, and had to hold off Purdue to win--at home. They may get healthy and make it all moot, but right now, they are a mirage.

[traderumor]

Northwestern has beaten Stanford at home and Duke on the road......I dont think that is poor. But the B1G is top heavy, he also made no mention of Illinois.What do you call the two blowouts from Michigan and Iowa? They are their usual pyrite self. They were embarrassed two weeks running, softer than Charmin, which was exposed by Michigan and Iowa. Illinois was my mistake, but they are in the poor category and their program is easily forgettable right now.

[dubc47834]

They weren't beaten by Michigan. The clock hadn't struke 0:00 yet. So Michigan lost. They are a very good football team, and it was at the big house, so you can't count this close win against State. If a team plays a lot of close games and wins them all, it's said they have heart, they never quit. If State goes undefeated, to me there is no way you can hold them out of the playoff.

[villain612]

You can't. You can't practice one formation and then all of a sudden change it up. You practice one way the entire time and then you switch it up in the most crucial part of the game?

With a lead late in games the worst thing that can happen is a blocked punt or kick. You can't prepare for it and to often the ball bounces back and it is a mad dash the other way. I thought Harbaugh should have gone for it. I thought it should have been four down territory when the got the ball there. I think you run the ball, try and get the 1st down, and make a Hail Mary beat you instead of what happened.



I can't really second guess Harbaugh there. I would've punted as well.

If you don't make the first down, Cook's arm will get the ball to the endzone on a hail mary from midfield. If you punt, then he can't.

Even with 11 guys rushing the line of scrimmage, there was still time to get the kick off. The kid just mishandled the snap.

[Assembly Hall]

I can't really second guess Harbaugh there. I would've punted as well.

If you don't make the first down, Cook's arm will get the ball to the endzone on a hail mary from midfield. If you punt, then he can't.

Even with 11 guys rushing the line of scrimmage, there was still time to get the kick off. The kid just mishandled the snap.

I cant fault Harbaugh's. Hindsight is always 20/20 but the more I look at it, I think I would have sent my offense out there and "pretended" to be going for it out of the shotgun formation. Then have the QB do a pooch kick.

[Chip R]

If there is a 3 way tie in the Big 10 East, the Big 10 champion from that division may not be known until Tuesday night.

http://btn.com/2015/10/20/dienhart-we-may-have-to-wait-on-big-ten-title-game-matchup-this-year/

[Assembly Hall]

If there is a 3 way tie in the Big 10 East, the Big 10 champion from that division may not be known until Tuesday night.

http://btn.com/2015/10/20/dienhart-we-may-have-to-wait-on-big-ten-title-game-matchup-this-year/

Interesting. But I dont see such happening. But hey, I have been wrong a million times.....and counting.

[KronoRed]

If there is a 3 way tie in the Big 10 East, the Big 10 champion from that division may not be known until Tuesday night.

http://btn.com/2015/10/20/dienhart-we-may-have-to-wait-on-big-ten-title-game-matchup-this-year/

Something like that happened in the SEC east in 03, got down to the last tie breaker which was head to head result of the highest BCS teams, at least then the BCS came out on Sunday.

[WVRed]

Interesting coaching carousel rumor.

http://m.campussports.net/rich-rodriguez-return-west-virginia-head-coach/

I'm selling on this one. The problem here is unrealistic expectations. Rich Rod took WVU to two BCS games in a weak conference. There's no guarantee his offense would work any better than Holgorsens in the Big 12.

As long as WVU is in the Big 12, they will always be second tier in the conference. I wouldn't pick them to finish last, but it would take a lot to contend for a championship and the resources are not there to do it.

[Sea Ray]

I'd sell on that too. The schedule's much different than when RR was there. I think they need to stick it out with Dana for awhile longer

[KronoRed]

Arizona job > West Virginia job.

[Assembly Hall]

Arizona job > West Virginia job.

West Virginia HS football>Arizona HS football

[villain612]

Arizona job > West Virginia job.

I totally agree.

[IslandRed]

West Virginia HS football>Arizona HS football

If I remember the numbers correctly -- numbers of blue-chip recruits produced by each state, I mean -- that's not even remotely close to true. Few if any Power 5 schools have to rely more on out-of-state recruiting than West Virginia.

[Boston Red]

Temple gets to 7-0 with a big win at East Carolina. Awesome that they'll get to play a huge game against Notre Dame next week at home.

[KronoRed]

West Virginia HS football>Arizona HS football

California high school football right next door more then makes up for it.

[Boston Red]

California high school football right next door more then makes up for it.

And Nevada. Las Vegas is chock full of athletes.

[Assembly Hall]

California high school football right next door more then makes up for it.

How about Ohio and Pennsylvania?

[bucksfan2]

If I remember the numbers correctly -- numbers of blue-chip recruits produced by each state, I mean -- that's not even remotely close to true. Few if any Power 5 schools have to rely more on out-of-state recruiting than West Virginia.

I don't think Rich Rod is a big time coach. I think he has some nice innovative ideas, especially on offense. I think where he has struggled is implementing those ideas into Power 5 football. During his tenure at UM he recruited, and built, a smaller but fast and quick team. The problem with Rich Rod at UM was that his players didn't hold up when you played a big boy program who had bigger, faster, stronger players. In what I have seen of Urban's offense so far at OSU, they recruit a certain player, but their lines are recruited to be big and physical, not undersized and fast like Rich Rod.

If and when USC gets its act together they will begin to recruit hard in Arizona, probably taking away from U of A. I could see Rich Rod going back home.

[Boston Red]

I don't think Rich Rod is a big time coach. I think he has some nice innovative ideas, especially on offense. I think where he has struggled is implementing those ideas into Power 5 football.

Umm...he already more than proved that at WV. And if you're insinuating (saying) the Big East wasn't power 5, you're wrong. The ACC was demonstrably worse than the Big East during that era (and the Big Ten had a number of years being weaker than the Big East, too).

[Sea Ray]

I was never a fan of RR and his spread offense in the Big Ten but what really sunk him there were atrocious defenses. He really neglected that and likely delegated it to the wrong people. He also never recruited the right QB to run his system

[bucksfan2]

Umm...he already more than proved that at WV. And if you're insinuating (saying) the Big East wasn't power 5, you're wrong. The ACC was demonstrably worse than the Big East during that era (and the Big Ten had a number of years being weaker than the Big East, too).

I don't think the Big East at the time got the athletes that the other conferences got. But when you talk about big boy football I am not only looking at the power 5, but the top programs in the power 5. Since he got to Michigan he has yet to have a season without fewer than 4 losses. Frankly I think his style struggles against the top teams.

[Tom Servo]

Rich Rod strikes me as a high floor, low ceiling coach. He's a good coach who will turn a program into a winner, but he's not likely to lead a team to a national championship and that's obviously the goal at a major school like Michigan.

[Sea Ray]

Rich Rod strikes me as a high floor, low ceiling coach. He's a good coach who will turn a program into a winner, but he's not likely to lead a team to a national championship and that's obviously the goal at a major school like Michigan.

Sounds like you're describing a low ceiling, high floor guy...someone who'll look good vs the lesser teams but will have a hard time ever beating the best. I think you got that nailed!

[Tom Servo]

nm

[Slyder]

Umm...he already more than proved that at WV. And if you're insinuating (saying) the Big East wasn't power 5, you're wrong. The ACC was demonstrably worse than the Big East during that era (and the Big Ten had a number of years being weaker than the Big East, too).

Please make the lunacy stop! He already screwed the school once going out the door and I don't want to let that fox back into the hen house again. I swear I thought the fans that ran Bowden off 40 years ago had all died off / quit following football and they want to do it again. Ask Nebraska how its been since they fired Solich... because I believe WVU is more likely to end up like Kansas with a coaching change AT THIS POINT than improving.

We JUST and I mean within the past couple seasons filled our 85 scholarship limit which showed itself time after time. Whether it was being thrust into the head coaching job because Stewart paid a guy to dig up dirt on Dana and having to piece together a class after most of them were recruited by Stew and comp. Whether it was 2012 when we played some 36+ TRUE Freshmen or Sophomores because of ****ty recruiting of guys who either left or never came to WVU to begin with. Whether it was 2013 when we had 30+ injuries on the 2 deep exposing yet again the lack of depth. To lead to a 2014 where Dominated a top 5 Baylor team, were within 1 point of a team that SHOULD have been in the playoff (Not FSU IMO).

He's shown me more in being willing to do stuff like bringing Gibby back to take over the d, adjusting his play calling to fit the players (He comes from the Hal Mumme tree and runs 60% of the time). I've like a number of times when the teams made adjustments.

My concerns with Dana:
A) He's never truly found a qb. (This leads to B for me).
B) He seems like he's too divided between head coach and OCing. I think its time he fully invest in being the HEAD COACH and find someone else to make the play calls.
C) Is he sick of the BS.

[villain612]

Rich Rod strikes me as a high floor, low ceiling coach. He's a good coach who will turn a program into a winner, but he's not likely to lead a team to a national championship and that's obviously the goal at a major school like Michigan.

Yeah I think that's pretty accurate.

Although I'd say being in the PAC-12, if he can get on a roll one year and win the conference with one loss, he could flirt with national title talk.

[Slyder]

Yeah I think that's pretty accurate.

Although I'd saying being in the PAC-12, if he can get on a roll one year and win the conference with one loss, he could flirt with national title talk.

The 3-3-5 that Rich likes to run is a MUCH better fit for the PAC12 than anywhere else he's ever been. That D could do some things in the right situations if he allows it to.

[KronoRed]

How about Ohio and Pennsylvania?

California is still tops, and Texas is close by as well.

[WVRed]

Arizona job > West Virginia job.

True, but he is from West Virginia. Arizona doubled his buyout for WVU compared to other schools for this reason alone.

The only coaches who I believe could win and live up to WVU fans expectations are Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, and neither one are happening. WVU fanwise is Kentucky in basketball or Alabama in football, but without the tradition, history, prestige, or resources to win a major conference.

As far as football talent, the best player rankings wise in recent memory was Josh Jenkins who played at Parkersburg High. He was the top rated offensive line prospect in the nation and played for WVU despite being recruited by Ohio State, Florida, and Notre Dame. He fizzled out with WVU and never stayed healthy, but yeah the talent here is pretty lacking.

[WVRed]

Please make the lunacy stop! He already screwed the school once going out the door and I don't want to let that fox back into the hen house again. I swear I thought the fans that ran Bowden off 40 years ago had all died off / quit following football and they want to do it again. Ask Nebraska how its been since they fired Solich... because I believe WVU is more likely to end up like Kansas with a coaching change AT THIS POINT than improving.

We JUST and I mean within the past couple seasons filled our 85 scholarship limit which showed itself time after time. Whether it was being thrust into the head coaching job because Stewart paid a guy to dig up dirt on Dana and having to piece together a class after most of them were recruited by Stew and comp. Whether it was 2012 when we played some 36+ TRUE Freshmen or Sophomores because of ****ty recruiting of guys who either left or never came to WVU to begin with. Whether it was 2013 when we had 30+ injuries on the 2 deep exposing yet again the lack of depth. To lead to a 2014 where Dominated a top 5 Baylor team, were within 1 point of a team that SHOULD have been in the playoff (Not FSU IMO).

He's shown me more in being willing to do stuff like bringing Gibby back to take over the d, adjusting his play calling to fit the players (He comes from the Hal Mumme tree and runs 60% of the time). I've like a number of times when the teams made adjustments.

My concerns with Dana:
A) He's never truly found a qb. (This leads to B for me).
B) He seems like he's too divided between head coach and OCing. I think its time he fully invest in being the HEAD COACH and find someone else to make the play calls.
C) Is he sick of the BS.

Well put.

I know WVU fans who will go to their graves believing Rich Rod threw the Pitt game.

I don't believe Dana has really had a QB since Geno, and he inherited him from Stewart. Two years ago he couldn't settle between Millard and Trickett and this year it's Howard and Crest.

For an air raid offense, Holgorsen is pretty conservative. I've seen the same thing out of Shannon Dawson at UK.

[Slyder]

Well put.

I know WVU fans who will go to their graves believing Rich Rod threw the Pitt game.

I don't believe Dana has really had a QB since Geno, and he inherited him from Stewart. Two years ago he couldn't settle between Millard and Trickett and this year it's Howard and Crest.

For an air raid offense, Holgorsen is pretty conservative. I've seen the same thing out of Shannon Dawson at UK.

I wouldn't go so far as to say I believe he threw the Pitt game, but I will say he already had one foot out the door during it (as in he knew he was leaving/distracted from the job at hand).

Holgorsen is so conservative because of the ability of QBs. The only reason Millard ever stepped onto WVU was because our depth chart read as following:

QB:
1 Geno Smith
2 Geno Smith
3 Geno Smith
4 Geno Smith

We had NO ONE else. We had 2 quit/transfer and I think another never made it to campus. I think it kills Holgorsen that we can't air it out but its for the best we use what we got (a really great group of RBs) to try and open up some passing lanes. He will never be mistaken for Marc Bulger but I don't think Skyler is Chad Johnston or Brad Lewis either, he's a game manager (much like Trickett). They won't be the one to come out and throw for 400 yds and 5 tds against good teams but they should be able to at least give you a chance. I haven't seen enough of Crest to pass judgment but from the little bit I've seen I think he's more of an athlete than a qb. I don't know if the zip on the passes are there.

[Revering4Blue]

The injury to Pat White played the biggest factor in the '07 loss to Pitt. Any other explanation amounts to serious reaching, including the "one foot out the door" reasoning. And even if RR had one foot out the door, it would have been a heck of a lot easier to leave after leading WVU to the championship game. Thus, the RR quit on the '07 team mantra is ludicrous, at best.

[Assembly Hall]

California is still tops, and Texas is close by as well.

And how many big time programs are in California and Texas?

[WVRed]

And how many big time programs are in California and Texas?

Quite a few, but the talent in those states dwarf the number of "powerhouse" programs. As many schools as there are, they can't take them all.

Just look at Ohio and see how many schools recruit in Ohio alone. Ohio State will likely get the best, but Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, and the rest of the Ohio schools feed off the rest.

[Assembly Hall]

Quite a few, but the talent in those states dwarf the number of "powerhouse" programs. As many schools as there are, they can't take them all.

Just look at Ohio and see how many schools recruit in Ohio alone. Ohio State will likely get the best, but Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, and the rest of the Ohio schools feed off the rest.

That was kinda of my point. Lots of talent in Ohio and Pennsylvania to be pillaged.

[westofyou]

And how many big time programs are in California and Texas?

What's "big time"?

Define that and it's easier to answer.

[Assembly Hall]

What's "big time"?

Define that and it's easier to answer.

Power 5.

[villain612]

Baylor doing pretty much whatever they want to Iowa State right now.

[RedTeamGo!]

Baylor doing pretty much whatever they want to Iowa State right now.

Awful game, do people find baylor playing atrocious defenses entertaining?

[Slyder]

Awful game, do people find baylor playing atrocious defenses entertaining?

They always remind me of the Crime-ami teams of the 80s... minus the championships. Don't tell their coach that though... arrogant ass. If I could change 1 game it be that miracle of a comeback Baylor vs TCU game last year. I respect the hell out Patterson.

[villain612]

Awful game, do people find baylor playing atrocious defenses entertaining?

I find it entertaining when the Baylors and Oregons of the world actually go up against good defenses and get shutdown.

[WVRed]

Miami is so bad that Ohio State is looking to schedule them.

That's all I've got.

[Slyder]

Miami is so bad that Ohio State is looking to schedule them.

That's all I've got.

Is there a more boring bunch of ****ty teams than ACC?

[Assembly Hall]

Miami is so bad that Ohio State is looking to schedule them.

That's all I've got.

Nothing wrong with scheduling the Dolphins!

[RedTeamGo!]

Miami is so bad that Ohio State is looking to schedule them.

That's all I've got.

2016: Oklahoma
2017: Oklahoma
2018: TCU
2019: TCU
2020: Oregon
2021: Oregon
2022: Notre Dame & Texas
2023: Notre Dame & Texas

When they scheduled Virginia Tech for 2014 and 2015 they were a perennial top 10 team. Not their fault they ended up being bad these last two years.

[Assembly Hall]

Notre Dame got help yesterday for their case to get into the play-offs. To me, they are a team that is under the radar right now.

[Chip R]

So, this happened in Atlanta yesterday.

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/heres-how-the-miracle-blocked-field-goal-return-sounded-1738515629?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebo ok&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

[Assembly Hall]

So, this happened in Atlanta yesterday.

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/heres-how-the-miracle-blocked-field-goal-return-sounded-1738515629?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebo ok&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Makes Michigan fans feel a little better!

[WVRed]

2016: Oklahoma
2017: Oklahoma
2018: TCU
2019: TCU
2020: Oregon
2021: Oregon
2022: Notre Dame & Texas
2023: Notre Dame & Texas

When they scheduled Virginia Tech for 2014 and 2015 they were a perennial top 10 team. Not their fault they ended up being bad these last two years.

I think it's more a testament to how good Ohio State is vs the rest of the Big Ten outside of Michigan and Michigan State.

Also comes the problem of scheduling so far out. I'd say Oregon won't be relevant by that time and TCU may fall as well. It's just too hard to predict.

[Chip R]

Could the final 4 be an SEC Big 10 affair?

[Assembly Hall]

Could the final 4 be an SEC Big 10 affair?

It is possible although not very probable. Lots of dominoes would have to fall in the other conferences particularly the Big 12. Very well might have a Big 10 championship that pits two undefeated teams against each other. The SEC is a little murkier IMO, but they could get 2 if Florida runs the table and meets an undefeated LSU team in the SEC championship and the Gators beat the Tigers.

[villain612]

Could the final 4 be an SEC Big 10 affair?

I personally don't think so.

As long as Clemson doesn't choke, they have a clear path to the final 4.

The B1G will send either Michigan St, Ohio St, or Iowa.

One of Baylor/TCU/Oklahoma will get in.

I think the PAC 12 winner will have 2 losses and won't get in.

Either LSU, Bama, or Florida from the SEC will get in. I could see Notre Dame getting into the picture as well if they win out.

Just don't see enough room for 2 teams from either the SEC or B1G.

[jojo]

Could the final 4 be an SEC Big 10 affair?

No one deserves to be in the playoffs this year. NCAA football is down this season.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Could the final 4 be an SEC Big 10 affair?

I think it is more likely that 0 SEC teams get in than 2. There would have to be craziness for 2 Big 10 teams to make it.

[Assembly Hall]

I think it is more likely that 0 SEC teams get in than 2. There would have to be craziness for 2 Big 10 teams to make it.

I would agree with the first sentence wholly. The second one I aint too sure couldnt happen.

[Tom Servo]

Al Golden fired.

[jojo]

Al Golden fired.

That seem so out of the blue. I was really liking what he was doing with his program.

[19braves77]

Al Golden fired.

Sad thing is he might not get another chance being the man.

[Assembly Hall]

That seem so out of the blue. I was really liking what he was doing with his program.

Me too, I think it was heading in the right direction.....well at least the one I wanted it to head in!!!!

[Assembly Hall]

Sad thing is he might not get another chance being the man.

When was he the man?

[villain612]

When do the Lane Kiffin to Miami rumors start?

[Slyder]

When do the Lane Kiffin to Miami rumors start?

Not soon enough, there was already runors of Dana to Miami.

[19braves77]

When was he the man?

He was the head coach. He's going to have restart at a school like Wake Forest or New Mexico St now.

[WVRed]

Not soon enough, there was already runors of Dana to Miami.

If Holgorsen leaves for that cesspool, he is nuts.

Then again I could say that about any candidate looking at Coral Gables right now.

I did see Holgorsen, Rich Rod, and Holliday mentioned as candidates. Quite the WVU connection there.

[19braves77]

Cristobal from Alabama was my first thought for Miami. He's from there and he's a super recruiter.

[Tom Servo]

Bo Pelini!

[Revering4Blue]

Cristobal from Alabama was my first thought for Miami. He's from there and he's a super recruiter.

They were idiots to fire him from FIU.

[RedTeamGo!]

Bo Pelini!

I could see this happening, and it would be hilarious

[KronoRed]

Miami is broke and can't/won't spend the money on facilities or coaches that other guys do, I bet even Kiffin is outside their budget.

[Revering4Blue]

If Holgorsen leaves for that cesspool, he is nuts.

Then again I could say that about any candidate looking at Coral Gables right now.

I did see Holgorsen, Rich Rod, and Holliday mentioned as candidates. Quite the WVU connection there.

Well, it's easily the 2nd best job - possibly 1A with FSU - in the conference. C'mon, some believe that Clemson is the second best job in the conference, really? It's miles better than the WVU job. Holgerson should stay put, IMO - I see no reason why WVU cannot compete for conference championships / shots at the National Title in the Big 12.

That stated, not that I agree with this line of thinking, but I cannot envision the "U" hiring a HC that doesn't run a Pro-Style offense, ditto for Southern Cal. IMO, it's either going to be Greg Schiano or - and I'll go ahead and start this rumor - Mark Richt returning to his alma mater, especially if the Bulldogs begin to fade. If so, Richt could go to the "U" for a fresh start with Kirby Smart to Georgia and Fuente to South Carolina or - gawd I hope not - Maryland.

[Revering4Blue]

If Holgorsen leaves for that cesspool, he is nuts.

Then again I could say that about any candidate looking at Coral Gables right now.

I did see Holgorsen, Rich Rod, and Holliday mentioned as candidates. Quite the WVU connection there.

Well, it's easily the 2nd best job - possibly 1A with FSU - in the conference. C'mon, some believe that Clemson is the second best job in the conference, really? It's miles better than the WVU job. Holgerson should stay put, IMO - I see no reason why WVU cannot compete for conference championships / shots at the National Title in the Big 12.

That stated, not that I agree with this line of thinking, but I cannot envision the "U" hiring a HC that doesn't run a Pro-Style offense, ditto for Southern Cal. IMO, it's either going to be Greg Schiano or - and I'll go ahead and start this rumor - Mark Richt returning to his alma mater, especially if the Bulldogs begin to fade. If so, Richt could go to the "U" for a fresh start with Kirby Smart to Georgia and Fuente to South Carolina or - gawd I hope not - Maryland.

[KronoRed]

Central Florida job will also be available.

http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2015/10/25/george_o_leary_retir.html

[WVRed]

Well, it's easily the 2nd best job - possibly 1A with FSU - in the conference. C'mon, some believe that Clemson is the second best job in the conference, really? It's miles better than the WVU job. Holgerson should stay put, IMO - I see no reason why WVU cannot compete for conference championships / shots at the National Title in the Big 12.

That stated, not that I agree with this line of thinking, but I cannot envision the "U" hiring a HC that doesn't run a Pro-Style offense, ditto for Southern Cal. IMO, it's either going to be Greg Schiano or - and I'll go ahead and start this rumor - Mark Richt returning to his alma mater, especially if the Bulldogs begin to fade. If so, Richt could go to the "U" for a fresh start with Kirby Smart to Georgia and Fuente to South Carolina or - gawd I hope not - Maryland.

Maybe I'm wrong, but Miami football has been criticized for its stadium issues and lacking facilities. Add in a bandwagon fanbase as well.

As for Holgorsen winning at WVU, they don't have the resources or the recruiting pull to match up with the Big 12 schools. They will go bowling most years, but not to the fans expectations.

I'd say Miami is high risk high reward. If you win the fans will show up, lose and you are no better than Randy Shannon or Al Golden.

[dabvu2498]

Matt Rhule is probably a shoe-in for the Maryland job.

[dabvu2498]

Central Florida job will also be available.

http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2015/10/25/george_o_leary_retir.html

That went to pot in a hurry.

[IslandRed]

Miami is broke and can't/won't spend the money on facilities or coaches that other guys do, I bet even Kiffin is outside their budget.

Right. Then again, we've been hearing for awhile they couldn't afford to fire Golden because of the buyout. 58-0 has a way of shaking money loose.

I agree they're not going to be money-whipping away an established coach from a good job, though.

[Assembly Hall]

Rumor has it that Sarkisian is in the mix for the "U" job. Man, I would love to see him at South Beach!!!!!!!! Perfect fit!!!!!

[villain612]

Seth Russell's season is officially over.

It's a good thing Baylor has a stout defense.

[WVRed]

Seth Russell's season is officially over.

It's a good thing Baylor has a stout defense.

And the best true freshman at QB to boot. Baylor won't miss a beat.

[Sea Ray]

Rumor has it that Sarkisian is in the mix for the "U" job. Man, I would love to see him at South Beach!!!!!!!! Perfect fit!!!!!

What connects Sark to Miami?

[Boston Red]

Rumor has it that Sarkisian is in the mix for the "U" job. Man, I would love to see him at South Beach!!!!!!!! Perfect fit!!!!!

It's only a perfect fit if they can convince Larranaga to retire and grab Eustachy as well.

[bucksfan2]

I heard a name yesterday and think it could work. Lane Kiffen. Look, Lane is probably the most hated coach around in football today. Every outsider despises him, he always had had that slimy aurora follow him around. But he can recruit, and he is very good at recruiting. Miami could hire Kiffen, become the team everybody loves to hate, get an uber talent team, granted a team that doesn't have the greatest coach, but a team who may get the best coach they can afford. Kiffen can be an arrogant jerk, but build build a club that uses that to their advantage. I don't think Kiffen will be leaving Miami for greener pastures as quickly as he has in the past.

[villain612]

And the best true freshman at QB to boot. Baylor won't miss a beat.

I'm sure they'll still have a potent offense, although all of their big games are still remaining and you never know how true freshmen will react in pressure situations.

Nonetheless, they should be worried about the defense. They've played a cupcake schedule so far and have the 60th ranked defense in yards and 55th in points allowed per game. lol

[bucksfan2]

Well, it's easily the 2nd best job - possibly 1A with FSU - in the conference. C'mon, some believe that Clemson is the second best job in the conference, really? It's miles better than the WVU job. Holgerson should stay put, IMO - I see no reason why WVU cannot compete for conference championships / shots at the National Title in the Big 12.

That stated, not that I agree with this line of thinking, but I cannot envision the "U" hiring a HC that doesn't run a Pro-Style offense, ditto for Southern Cal. IMO, it's either going to be Greg Schiano or - and I'll go ahead and start this rumor - Mark Richt returning to his alma mater, especially if the Bulldogs begin to fade. If so, Richt could go to the "U" for a fresh start with Kirby Smart to Georgia and Fuente to South Carolina or - gawd I hope not - Maryland.

Are you saying that WVU is a better job than Clemson?

[KronoRed]

I heard a name yesterday and think it could work. Lane Kiffen. Look, Lane is probably the most hated coach around in football today. Every outsider despises him, he always had had that slimy aurora follow him around. But he can recruit, and he is very good at recruiting. Miami could hire Kiffen, become the team everybody loves to hate, get an uber talent team, granted a team that doesn't have the greatest coach, but a team who may get the best coach they can afford. Kiffen can be an arrogant jerk, but build build a club that uses that to their advantage. I don't think Kiffen will be leaving Miami for greener pastures as quickly as he has in the past.

I disagree that Kiffin can recruit, it's Orgeron that's always done his recruiting.

[RedTeamGo!]

And the best true freshman at QB to boot. Baylor won't miss a beat.

I don't know about not missing a beat, that's a tall order.

[Revering4Blue]

I heard a name yesterday and think it could work. Lane Kiffen. Look, Lane is probably the most hated coach around in football today. Every outsider despises him, he always had had that slimy aurora follow him around. But he can recruit, and he is very good at recruiting. Miami could hire Kiffen, become the team everybody loves to hate, get an uber talent team, granted a team that doesn't have the greatest coach, but a team who may get the best coach they can afford. Kiffen can be an arrogant jerk, but build build a club that uses that to their advantage. I don't think Kiffen will be leaving Miami for greener pastures as quickly as he has in the past.

Kiffin is going to be a head coach again. It is just a matter of time. His work as OC at Bama last year cemented that. He helped to transform a 5'11" converted RB into the school single season passing yards leader as QB. He's proven that he's not Bill "It's not my system, the players are just dumb" Callahan.

Yes, we all know that Kiffin was previously over promoted due to his last name, but let's face it, who could have worked with Al Davis at that stage of his life? As for Tennessee, the program was in much worse shape when Fullmer was canned than most realize, and nobody was going to restore them to relevance overnight. Hiring Dooley, once Kiffin left, is where the program really failed.

Granted, we now have a pretty good idea as to a major factor in the underwhelming performance of Sark at USC, but Sark did a lot less with more than Kiffin had to work with there following Cheatin' Pete's exit and ensuing sanctions. What may convince the "U" - a school that cannot afford anymore NCAA scrutiny - to look elsewhere is Kiffin's reputation as a shady character.

What sank Golden is the reluctance to make changes with his defensive staff, as defense was the main problem there for years. With that in mind, IMO, the best course of action would be to hire a defense-minded coach who can recruit - like Ed Orgeron, who was DL coach at the "U" under Erickson, who, frankly, should have gotten the USC gig. IMO, Ole Miss pulled the plug on him too soon as Nutt won with his players right away. Look at the job Orgeron's predecessor at Ole Miss, David Cuttcliff, has done at Duke. No reason to believe that Coach O' can't bring the "U" - a much better job than Duke - back to relevance. Randy Shannon he is not.

[Revering4Blue]

Are you saying that WVU is a better job than Clemson?

Heck no. I was taking about Miami. IMO, it's a better job than both Clemson and WVU, just that WVU shouldn't pull the plug on Holgerson. Sorry for the confusion.

[Revering4Blue]

I'm sure they'll still have a potent offense, although all of their big games are still remaining and you never know how true freshmen will react in pressure situations.

Nonetheless, they should be worried about the defense. They've played a cupcake schedule so far and have the 60th ranked defense in yards and 55th in points allowed per game. lol

True, but defense is not exactly the order of the day in that conference. It's all relative.

[bucksfan2]

Heck no. I was taking about Miami. IMO, it's a better job than both Clemson and WVU, just that WVU shouldn't pull the plug on Holgerson. Sorry for the confusion.

Ok I misread that. I think Clemson is the #1 or #2 job on the ACC. Clemson has a rabid fan base, a fan base that fills that stadium each and every game. They also are located in a fertile recruiting state with proximity to both Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. I think Dabo and Clemson are two peas in a pod. I think Dabo is a good coach but a little to quirky for me. I don't see the best coaches in the game acting a fool like Dabo tends to do on a daily basis.

Miami the program is in a tough spot because they play in a NFL stadium that is far away from campus. They don't have the historical support that most of the power teams do. And they are a relatively a small school with a smaller alumni.

[villain612]

If the Miami brass is willing to put up the dollars for a top notch coaching candidate, staff, recruiting budget, etc - then I think it's a high level job.

If they're not willing to do that, then I think it's a dead end that's destined to fail.

They can't demand an elite football program while simultaneously downplaying the athletic side of the university. Pick one way or the other.

[Assembly Hall]

If the Miami brass is willing to put up the dollars for a top notch coaching candidate, staff, recruiting budget, etc - then I think it's a high level job.

If they're not willing to do that, then I think it's a dead end that's destined to fail.

They can't demand an elite football program while simultaneously downplaying the athletic side of the university. Pick one way or the other.

Yeah, I heard that today. They got to figure out what they want to be.

[Revering4Blue]

If the Miami brass is willing to put up the dollars for a top notch coaching candidate, staff, recruiting budget, etc - then I think it's a high level job.

If they're not willing to do that, then I think it's a dead end that's destined to fail.

They can't demand an elite football program while simultaneously downplaying the athletic side of the university. Pick one way or the other.

Yes and no.

The "Hurricon" days as an independent - post Schnellenberger, when the schedule began to gradually lighten and players began acting like buffoons - where it was one tough scheduled game to at least two patsies on the schedule, are over, so fans / allumni shouldn't expect to be playing for the NC every year.

However, at the very least, I'd rank the Canes as 2A, along with Clemson as ACC teams - FSU is obviously first - as far as having a larger margin for error in hiring a coach considering infrastructure for that coach to succeed. In other words, the infrastructure - even if it isn't at FSU's level - is/was in place for both Shannon and Golden to achieve better on-field results than what transpired.

[villain612]

Yes and no.

The "Hurricon" days as an independent - post Schnellenberger, when the schedule began to gradually lighten and players began acting like buffoons - where it was one tough scheduled game to at least two patsies on the schedule, are over, so fans / allumni shouldn't expect to be playing for the NC every year.

However, at the very least, I'd rank the Canes as 2A, along with Clemson as ACC teams - FSU is obviously first - as far as having a larger margin for error in hiring a coach considering infrastructure for that coach to succeed. In other words, the infrastructure - even if it isn't at FSU's level - is/was in place for both Shannon and Golden to achieve better on-field results than what transpired.

As it stands right now, I'd agree that Miami would be a 2A job in the current ACC.

But I maintain that with the right coach and staff, that program could challenge FSU for top dog in that conference and compete regularly for national titles again. The Davis-Coker era was only 10-15 years ago. If there's one thing that Miami use to be good at, it was getting top level talent into the NFL. Hire a big name coach who can reclaim south Florida in recruiting and turn that place back into an NFL pipeline and Miami will be back.

[Assembly Hall]

As it stands right now, I'd agree that Miami would be a 2A job in the current ACC.

But I maintain that with the right coach and staff, that program could challenge FSU for top dog in that conference and compete regularly for national titles again. The Davis-Coker era was only 10-15 years ago. If there's one thing that Miami use to be good at, it was getting top level talent into the NFL. Hire a big name coach who can reclaim south Florida in recruiting and turn that place back into an NFL pipeline and Miami will be back.

Although I think the landscape of the ACC is changing, but agree with that. Lots of talent in Florida.

[Chip R]

Top 10 college football fight songs.

http://fanindex.usatoday.com/2015/10/24/the-top-10-fight-songs-in-college-football/

[Revering4Blue]

As it stands right now, I'd agree that Miami would be a 2A job in the current ACC.

But I maintain that with the right coach and staff, that program could challenge FSU for top dog in that conference and compete regularly for national titles again. The Davis-Coker era was only 10-15 years ago. If there's one thing that Miami use to be good at, it was getting top level talent into the NFL. Hire a big name coach who can reclaim south Florida in recruiting and turn that place back into an NFL pipeline and Miami will be back.

No question. The problem is that the Canes have had many players drafted into the NFL - many in high rounds - the past five years or so, so the talent has been there. It just hasn't translated into enough wins indicative of said talent. Granted, sanctions hurt Golden initially and players that committed there backed out when Golden was hired - Teddy Bridgewater, for one - but how do you let Geno Smith, for example, who played HS ball in your backyard, slip away?

[dabvu2498]

Top 10 college football fight songs.

http://fanindex.usatoday.com/2015/10/24/the-top-10-fight-songs-in-college-football/

Ah yes... The fight song that advocates beastiality, alcoholism and murder. I like it.

[Tom Servo]

Gotta figure that Tom Herman in Houston and Justin Fuente in Memphis will be in high demand after this year. Wonder if any of the current openings interest them and if all the teams with openings after this year would want them, in which case they could punch their own ticket.

[Sea Ray]

Top 10 college football fight songs.

http://fanindex.usatoday.com/2015/10/24/the-top-10-fight-songs-in-college-football/

Rocky Top #1 !

[dabvu2498]

Gotta figure that Tom Herman in Houston and Justin Fuente in Memphis will be in high demand after this year. Wonder if any of the current openings interest them and if all the teams with openings after this year would want them, in which case they could punch their own ticket.

Read an article the other day which postulated that because of all the good openings already on the books for next year, some schools who are on the fence may decide to keep head coaches another year to thin out the competition. (UVa, VaTech, Purdue, etc)

[Boston Red]

Gotta figure that Tom Herman in Houston and Justin Fuente in Memphis will be in high demand after this year. Wonder if any of the current openings interest them and if all the teams with openings after this year would want them, in which case they could punch their own ticket.

I'd like to see one of those two (or Temple) in the playoffs. I'd be pretty disappointed if one of those coaches was in the playoffs but still sniffing around at other jobs.

Temple has to beat Notre Dame this weekend for any of the three to have a realistic shot at the playoffs, I think.

[villain612]

Gotta figure that Tom Herman in Houston and Justin Fuente in Memphis will be in high demand after this year. Wonder if any of the current openings interest them and if all the teams with openings after this year would want them, in which case they could punch their own ticket.

If I'm Herman, I stay at least a couple years at my first head coaching gig and hold out for something big 2 or 3 years down the road. He'll get something USC or better IMO.

I wouldn't be shocked if jobs opened up at Texas or Texas A&M in a few years.

[Revering4Blue]

Here's the annual midseason job board analyzing what jobs could open and the likely targets of those schools. As always, information is based on interviews with agents, coaches, search firms and athletic directors. They are broken down by where we rank the job within its conference—top third, middle third and bottom third and listed alphabetically in each category.

http://www.campusrush.com/al-golden-miami-usc-coaching-corousel-1423076703.html?xid=cr_social

This caught my eye.


As for the football job, there's a near-consensus in the industry that UCF is a better job that Iowa State, Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers, Colorado, Syracuse and most other lower-tier jobs expected to open around college football. UCF has a fertile recruiting ground, recent success with a Fiesta Bowl win two seasons ago and is perhaps the best job in the American Athletic Conference.

[Assembly Hall]

If I'm Herman, I stay at least a couple years at my first head coaching gig and hold out for something big 2 or 3 years down the road. He'll get something USC or better IMO.

I wouldn't be shocked if jobs opened up at Texas or Texas A&M in a few years.

I agree, however if USC comes knocking on the door at season's end I dont know how you could turn that down. The same could be said for the Texas job if they choose to go a different direction.

[IslandRed]

This caught my eye:

As for the football job, there's a near-consensus in the industry that UCF is a better job that Iowa State, Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers, Colorado, Syracuse and most other lower-tier jobs expected to open around college football. UCF has a fertile recruiting ground, recent success with a Fiesta Bowl win two seasons ago and is perhaps the best job in the American Athletic Conference.


Most people don't realize how large some of these newer universities in Florida are. UCF has 60,000 students -- largest in the state by a good margin. USF has as many students as FSU. Etc.

[cumberlandreds]

Top 10 college football fight songs.

http://fanindex.usatoday.com/2015/10/24/the-top-10-fight-songs-in-college-football/

I don't think that is really Tennessee's fight song. I always heard another one back in the days when I would listen to their radio broadcasts quite a bit. They just sort of adopted Rocky Top as a popular tune for their band to play. Its also one of many state songs for Tennessee.

[bucksfan2]

If I'm Herman, I stay at least a couple years at my first head coaching gig and hold out for something big 2 or 3 years down the road. He'll get something USC or better IMO.

I wouldn't be shocked if jobs opened up at Texas or Texas A&M in a few years.

I have thought for about a year now that Herman will be OSU's next head coach, whenever Urban decides to give up the job. I think he is a great coach, a very smart coach, and a coach cut from the same cloak as Urban. I do think he needs another year or so at Houston really to learn the ins and outs of coaching, getting his recruits in, building them up, and turning them into good football players. Too often you see a hot head coach who isn't ready to be a big time coach yet. Herman stepped into the job in January and hasn't really gone through a whole recruiting cycle yet. I want to see him as a successful head coach, but I don't think he is ready, yet.

[Assembly Hall]

I don't think that is really Tennessee's fight song. I always heard another one back in the days when I would listen to their radio broadcasts quite a bit. They just sort of adopted Rocky Top as a popular tune for their band to play. Its also one of many state songs for Tennessee.

I think this is it?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsD11_yes5Q

[Sea Ray]

I don't think that is really Tennessee's fight song. I always heard another one back in the days when I would listen to their radio broadcasts quite a bit. They just sort of adopted Rocky Top as a popular tune for their band to play. Its also one of many state songs for Tennessee.

The first line of that article makes it clear:


Here’s an open secret about “Rocky Top”: it’s not Tennessee’s official fight song*. But that fact doesn’t matter to Volunteers fans. The catchy, beloved tune is practically synonymous with their school.
*UT’s official fight song is “Down the Field.”

[Tom Servo]

Jerry Kill retires in Minnesota citing health reasons. He may be the oldest looking 54 year old on the planet.

[Assembly Hall]

I have thought for about a year now that Herman will be OSU's next head coach, whenever Urban decides to give up the job. I think he is a great coach, a very smart coach, and a coach cut from the same cloak as Urban. I do think he needs another year or so at Houston really to learn the ins and outs of coaching, getting his recruits in, building them up, and turning them into good football players. Too often you see a hot head coach who isn't ready to be a big time coach yet. Herman stepped into the job in January and hasn't really gone through a whole recruiting cycle yet. I want to see him as a successful head coach, but I don't think he is ready, yet.

I agree with you....but Herman will be the guy on everybody's "list". If USC comes knocking, you got to go. If Miami comes knocking, you have to take a look. If Maryland comes knocking, you have to give it some thought.

[Assembly Hall]

Jerry Kill retires in Minnesota citing health reasons. He may be the oldest looking 54 year old on the planet.

Wish him the best....and that opening is a good job.

[cumberlandreds]

I think this is it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsD11_yes5QNo that one would put you to sleep. Sea Ray should know it he's a Big Orange fan.

[villain612]

Who are your all's dark horse/under the radar picks to make the playoff?

I will throw 2 possibilities out there: Notre Dame or Oklahoma.

As far as ND goes, their injury situation (and resiliency) is eerily familiar to Ohio State's last year. Their loss on the road at Clemson doesn't look bad at all, and if they win out, they'd have potential quality wins over Stanford, Temple, and USC (assuming USC will be ranked at the end of the year).

In Oklahoma's case, they just might be the most balanced team in the Big 12. Sure, the Texas loss is bad, but it's a rivalry game. If they win out, and take down TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma State (all undefeated and ranked high), it would be pretty tough to leave them out of the playoff IMO.

[Boston Red]

Who are your all's dark horse/under the radar picks to make the playoff?


Memphis. They're ranked #16 and already throttled Ole Miss. They will go to #18 Houston and #21 Temple later in the year, and they may play #21 Temple again in the AAC title game. They need Houston to stay undefeated in be in the top 15 when they go to Houston. And most importantly, they need Temple to beat Notre Dame Saturday night so that Temple is either in or on the cusp of the top 10 when Memphis visits. It wouldn't hurt if Ole Miss ran the table and won the SEC West, either.

[Assembly Hall]

Who are your all's dark horse/under the radar picks to make the playoff?

I will throw 2 possibilities out there: Notre Dame or Oklahoma.

As far as ND goes, their injury situation (and resiliency) i eerily familiar to Ohio State's last year. Their loss on the road at Clemson doesn't look bad at all, and if they win out, they'd have potential quality wins over Stanford, Temple, and USC (assuming USC will be ranked at the end of the year).

In Oklahoma's case, they just might be the most balanced team in the Big 12. Sure, the Texas loss is bad, but it's a rivalry game. If they win out, and take down TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma State (all undefeated and ranked high), it would be pretty tough to leave them out of the playoff IMO.

Notre Dame is the team I am looking at.

[Revering4Blue]

Read an article the other day which postulated that because of all the good openings already on the books for next year, some schools who are on the fence may decide to keep head coaches another year to thin out the competition. (UVa, VaTech, Purdue, etc)

Even though it wouldn't surprise me to see London canned at UVA, Beamer announce that he's coaching one more year with Bud Foster the successor, the opening at Minnesota today probably seals it for Purdue, especially if Bill Cubit, who may lead the Illini back to a Bowl game, doesn't get the gig full time. If Purdue does decide to can Hazell, there's no way that University can outbid any of the other teams with openings within the conference alone for coaches.

Fun fact: When Purdue let Jim Colleto go in '96, their first choice wasn't Joe Tiller, it was Glen Mason, who was out of their price range, but not Minnesota's, where, as we all know, he landed.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Notre Dame is the team I am looking at.

I'm not sure Notre Dame is really a dark horse. They should end up with only the one loss, with the last game against Stanford as the only big road block. I suppose Temple this Saturday will be a good game too. Notre Dame might get let down by their schedule since teams like Texas, GT and USC ended up not being good this year.

[Assembly Hall]

I'm not sure Notre Dame is really a dark horse. They should end up with only the one loss, with the last game against Stanford as the only big road block. I suppose Temple this Saturday will be a good game too. Notre Dame might get let down by their schedule since teams like Texas, GT and USC ended up not being good this year.

They aint getting talked about much. Just like Okie, they control their own destiny..........but the Irish's one loss was to Clemson. The jury is out on SC, but they also have Pitt.

[Assembly Hall]

Fun fact: When Purdue let Jim Colleto go in '96, their first choice wasn't Joe Tiller, it was Glen Mason, who was out of their price range, but not Minnesota's, where, as we all know, he landed.

Kinda funny and accurate. Purdue rolls that way.

[villain612]

I'm not sure Notre Dame is really a dark horse. They should end up with only the one loss, with the last game against Stanford as the only big road block. I suppose Temple this Saturday will be a good game too. Notre Dame might get let down by their schedule since teams like Texas, GT and USC ended up not being good this year.

I call them a dark horse because a lot of their fate will be determined by what happens in the conferences. A one loss SEC/B1G champ will definitely get in the final 4.

Then you have two spots left for three conferences and Notre Dame.

Just depends on how those races play out. I think they need a little luck.

[bucksfan2]

They aint getting talked about much. Just like Okie, they control their own destiny..........but the Irish's one loss was to Clemson. The jury is out on SC, but they also have Pitt.

There is too much football to be played in order to look at the dark horses. I think you can boil it down to this, if a team runs the gauntlet in the Big 12 they will be in the title game. I don't particularly think Oklahoma is all that good, haven't really been impressed with them for the past number of years. If I had to guess the one team capable of making it out of the Big 12 it would be TCU.

I have a feeling the B1G will send one team to the final four. While they don't get talked about much, and they may only have a punchers shot at it, Iowa is still alive. I would put the odds on OSU, but if Sparty could beat them in Columbus they would pretty much be the team, playing PSU and then Iowa in the title game. What I do find interesting is if OSU beats Sparty but loses to TSUN, will they still be alive? I would have to think that OSU would be ranked ahead of Sparty because of beating them, then a B1G title should vault them into the Final 4.

Stanford is the only Pac 12 team alive, IMO. The ND game would be an elimination game between the two at best.

The SEC will get one, that is if Ole Miss doesn't run the table. I think Bama is the most complete team, LSU has holes, but is undefeated. Florida could cause trouble, especially if they get to the title game with one loss.

ND I will get to later.

[Assembly Hall]

There is too much football to be played in order to look at the dark horses. I think you can boil it down to this, if a team runs the gauntlet in the Big 12 they will be in the title game. I don't particularly think Oklahoma is all that good, haven't really been impressed with them for the past number of years. If I had to guess the one team capable of making it out of the Big 12 it would be TCU.

I have a feeling the B1G will send one team to the final four. While they don't get talked about much, and they may only have a punchers shot at it, Iowa is still alive. I would put the odds on OSU, but if Sparty could beat them in Columbus they would pretty much be the team, playing PSU and then Iowa in the title game. What I do find interesting is if OSU beats Sparty but loses to TSUN, will they still be alive? I would have to think that OSU would be ranked ahead of Sparty because of beating them, then a B1G title should vault them into the Final 4.

Stanford is the only Pac 12 team alive, IMO. The ND game would be an elimination game between the two at best.

The SEC will get one, that is if Ole Miss doesn't run the table. I think Bama is the most complete team, LSU has holes, but is undefeated. Florida could cause trouble, especially if they get to the title game with one loss.

ND I will get to later.

Cant disagree with a thing you said.

I would say right now there aint nothing etched in stone for sure. The funny thing about the Big 12 is all those teams have to play each other yet. In the B1G, Michigan still has something to say, they host the Bucks after MSU plays @ tOSU. Clemson appears to have a clear path coming out of the ACC, but yet FSU, South Carolina, and Duke/Pitt stand in their way. BTW, Pitt hasnt looked impressive but their lone loss was to an undefeated Iowa team by 3.

All I know is that if any of the B1G schools, Clemson, Big 12 schools, LSU finish undefeated they are in.

[bucksfan2]

Cant disagree with a thing you said.

I would say right now there aint nothing etched in stone for sure. The funny thing about the Big 12 is all those teams have to play each other yet. In the B1G, Michigan still has something to say, they host the Bucks after MSU plays @ tOSU. Clemson appears to have a clear path coming out of the ACC, but yet FSU, South Carolina, and Duke/Pitt stand in their way. BTW, Pitt hasnt looked impressive but their lone loss was to an undefeated Iowa team by 3.

All I know is that if any of the B1G schools, Clemson, Big 12 schools, LSU finish undefeated they are in.

Alright here goes.

The Big 12 learned from last year, where they put their marquis games later in the season. Oklahoma, TCU and Baylor all have a round robin against each other down the stretch. It keeps excitement around the conference, but also keeps big victories in the minds of the committee.

I don't forsee OSU losing to MSU at home, it could happen, I just don't see it. At that point, putting all bias aside, you have to assume OSU will be in the B1G title game unless they lay a complete egg at TSUN. Then they are a Iowa game away from being the B1G champs, defending champs, I top 5 win, and one loss away from the final four. If disaster strikes, a loss at Ann Arbor, it would go down as one of the better losses on record among contending teams. I hope it doesn't happen, please don't let the devil in khaki's beat OSU!

Now on to ND, while it is in vogue to bash OSU's schedule, and the B1G for that matter, whoever schedules ND games must have divine intervention in doing so. Name the best team ND has beaten this season. USC during the week where their head coach was fired? Or will it be Temple come this weekend? You look at their schedule on paper and it looks tough, the Clemson game in a rainstorm was tough, but when you look at it further, it looks like a bunch of middle of the pack power conference teams. You take out Georgia Tech and Virginia and replace the with Sparty and TSUN and the schedule looks a whole lot better. ND's season will be on the line, and rightfully so against Stanford, but I think their schedule has much more bark than bite.

[Assembly Hall]

Now on to ND, while it is in vogue to bash OSU's schedule, and the B1G for that matter, whoever schedules ND games must have divine intervention in doing so. Name the best team ND has beaten this season. USC during the week where their head coach was fired? Or will it be Temple come this weekend? You look at their schedule on paper and it looks tough, the Clemson game in a rainstorm was tough, but when you look at it further, it looks like a bunch of middle of the pack power conference teams. You take out Georgia Tech and Virginia and replace the with Sparty and TSUN and the schedule looks a whole lot better. ND's season will be on the line, and rightfully so against Stanford, but I think their schedule has much more bark than bite.

Way too much TSDS insight.

What is TSDS's schedule look like? They have no bark in it at all. The Irish beat a Ga Tech team when they were ranked, lost to a Clemson team(barely on the road) that is in line for the FF. Add to it they beat a USC team that was ranked in the pre-season Top Ten. In the next two weeks they will also square off against ranked teams. To my "eye test" Notre Dame looks as good as anybody at this point in time.

[*BaseClogger*]

TSDS?

[Assembly Hall]

TSDS?

"T"he "S"chool "D"own "S"outh.

[Slyder]

I call them a dark horse because a lot of their fate will be determined by what happens in the conferences. A one loss SEC/B1G champ will definitely get in the final 4.

Then you have two spots left for three conferences and Notre Dame.

Just depends on how those races play out. I think they need a little luck.

If Notre Dame has 1 lose they'll be in. The commitee already showed they're worried about ratings and will do backflips to get the "sacred cows" in.

[Assembly Hall]

If Notre Dame has 1 lose they'll be in. The commitee already showed they're worried about ratings and will do backflips to get the "sacred cows" in.

I dont know about that. Notre Dame would have a good resume finishing with 1 loss. That would mean they would have beat Temple, Pitt, and Stanford. But it remains to be seen what is gonna happen in other conferences.

[Boston Red]

I think it's probably right that ND manages to get in if they win out. But they definitely do not control their own destiny, because Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and TCU/Baylor winning out eliminates the Domers.

[Chip R]

I think ND is handicapped by the fact that they aren't in a conference. I think a 1 loss Big 10 or SEC team that doesn't win their conference championship game may make it before ND. Let's say tOSU runs the table but somehow gets upset in the CC game. If you have a vote and aren't biased toward tOSU, do you really think a 1 loss ND team is better than a 1 loss tOSU team? I know it's a different team but it could still be fresh in the voters' minds that they got stomped by Bama a couple of years ago.

[Assembly Hall]

I think ND is handicapped by the fact that they aren't in a conference. I think a 1 loss Big 10 or SEC team that doesn't win their conference championship game may make it before ND. Let's say tOSU runs the table but somehow gets upset in the CC game. If you have a vote and aren't biased toward tOSU, do you really think a 1 loss ND team is better than a 1 loss tOSU team? I know it's a different team but it could still be fresh in the voters' minds that they got stomped by Bama a couple of years ago.

Let me ask you this. How many ranked teams has tOSU beaten this year up til this point? So far ND has beaten GT(when they were ranked), USC(pre-season #8), Texas(who beat Oklahoma). Add to that they got Temple, Pitt, and Stanford to contend with coming up. I look at the schedules and I see a 1 loss Irish team being better than a 1 loss Buckeye team.

[*BaseClogger*]

Let me ask you this. How many ranked teams has tOSU beaten this year up til this point? So far ND has beaten GT(when they were ranked), USC(pre-season #8), Texas(who beat Oklahoma). Add to that they got Temple, Pitt, and Stanford to contend with coming up. I look at the schedules and I see a 1 loss Irish team being better than a 1 loss Buckeye team.

Let me ask you this--do preseason polls matter?

[villain612]

If Notre Dame has 1 lose they'll be in. The commitee already showed they're worried about ratings and will do backflips to get the "sacred cows" in.

I really think it depends on how the conferences play out.

I'd say a 1-loss Ohio State or Michigan State would both get in over ND if they still won the B1G.

A 1-loss SEC champion gets in over them.

If Clemson wins the ACC and has 1-loss, they get in over ND based on head to head.

So we're running of spots with two conferences still to be considered. It really just depends on how it plays out but they need help. I agree with what was said above, not being in a conference hurts ND. And I'm glad. Join a conference, you dolts.

[Slyder]

Boykins really good, out wr shat the bed, and these refs are awful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Assembly Hall]

Let me ask you this--do preseason polls matter?

Unfortunately, yes they do.

[Assembly Hall]

I really think it depends on how the conferences play out.

I'd say a 1-loss Ohio State or Michigan State would both get in over ND if they still won the B1G.

A 1-loss SEC champion gets in over them.

If Clemson wins the ACC and has 1-loss, they get in over ND based on head to head.

So we're running of spots with two conferences still to be considered. It really just depends on how it plays out but they need help. I agree with what was said above, not being in a conference hurts ND. And I'm glad. Join a conference, you dolts.

Yeah, every team out there that aint undefeated needs help. But if Clemson runs the table and the Irish do as well....ND will be sitting there with 1 loss to a FF team on the road. BTW, Notre Dame screwed up years ago when the B1G invited them.

[*BaseClogger*]

Unfortunately, yes they do.

I know they influence people, but do *you* think they have any bearing on team quality?

Stanford's lone loss came against Northwestern. Pittsburgh lost to Iowa. Those are good but not great B1G teams. And you want to put the team that potentially will have beaten them, Notre Dame, in over a 1-loss B1G team that will have played a conference championship game and won (something Notre Dame isn't eligible to be a part of)?

Put another way, lets pretend OSU's lone loss comes at the hand of Michigan. You think a victory over...

Stanford is more impressive than Michigan State?

Temple is more impressive than Iowa?

Pittsburgh is more impressive than Northern Illinois/Western Michigan (whoever finishes with the better record)?

[bucksfan2]

Who is ND's best win against?

[Assembly Hall]

I know they influence people, but do *you* think they have any bearing on team quality?

Stanford's lone loss came against Northwestern. Pittsburgh lost to Iowa. Those are good but not great B1G teams. And you want to put the team that potentially will have beaten them, Notre Dame, in over a 1-loss B1G team that will have played a conference championship game and won (something Notre Dame isn't eligible to be a part of)?

Put another way, lets pretend OSU's lone loss comes at the hand of Michigan. You think a victory over...

Stanford is more impressive than Michigan State?

Temple is more impressive than Iowa?

Pittsburgh is more impressive than Northern Illinois/Western Michigan (whoever finishes with the better record)?

I am just looking at the schedules and how "people" analyze them. Do I think ND is better than a 1 loss B1G team? Heck no....I think Michigan would kick their arsz as well. All I am saying is that schedule wise, ND's is somewhat impressive.

[Assembly Hall]

Who is ND's best win against?

Who is Ohio St.'s?

[jojo]

Who is Ohio St.'s?

ohio state is still in the preseason part of their season. I'm not even sure how a fan of ohio state could even be interested enough to watch.

[bucksfan2]

Who is Ohio St.'s?

Probably PSU or Va Tech right now. Nothing to write home about, but it was pretty well known that the schedule was back loaded.

ND usually gets a ton of credit for their schedule, but this year it looks like they have a bunch of blah power conference 5 on their schedule.

- - - Updated - - -


ohio state is still in the preseason part of their season. I'm not even sure how a fan of ohio state could even be interested enough to watch.

We like nail bitters against FCS teams!

[Assembly Hall]

Probably PSU or Va Tech right now. Nothing to write home about, but it was pretty well known that the schedule was back loaded.

ND usually gets a ton of credit for their schedule, but this year it looks like they have a bunch of blah power conference 5 on their schedule.

- - - Updated - - -



We like nail bitters against FCS teams!

The schedule aint "back loaded". That is the conference schedule that they were handed.....no different than Iowa's. ND has simply played a tougher schedule up til this point.

[bucksfan2]

The schedule aint "back loaded". That is the conference schedule that they were handed.....no different than Iowa's. ND has simply played a tougher schedule up til this point.

The conference back loaded the schedule, same thing the Big 12 did. While it makes some of the early season games a little uninteresting, it keeps the best victories in the minds of the committee.

ND lost to the only currently ranked team they play. I think the fallacy of ND schedule is the likes of Tech, Virginia, and Pitt, are no different than playing PSU, Rutgers, and Maryland.

[Assembly Hall]

The conference back loaded the schedule, same thing the Big 12 did. While it makes some of the early season games a little uninteresting, it keeps the best victories in the minds of the committee.

ND lost to the only currently ranked team they play. I think the fallacy of ND schedule is the likes of Tech, Virginia, and Pitt, are no different than playing PSU, Rutgers, and Maryland.

Big difference, Ga Tech and Pitt were ranked at one point in time as was USC.

[*BaseClogger*]

Big difference, Ga Tech and Pitt were ranked at one point in time as was USC.

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[bucksfan2]

Big difference, Ga Tech and Pitt were ranked at one point in time as was USC.

Auburn and Oregon were top 10 teams at one time! Ole Miss #2 who was going to jump OSU. Preseasons polls can skew things pretty substantially.

[Assembly Hall]

Auburn and Oregon were top 10 teams at one time! Ole Miss #2 who was going to jump OSU. Preseasons polls can skew things pretty substantially.

Ohio State didnt play any of them.

[Chip R]

USC AD Pat Haden has resigned from the college football playoff committee for health reasons.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/uscnow/la-sp-usc-pat-haden-steps-down-college-football-playoff-committee-20151030-story.html

[jojo]

We like nail bitters against FCS teams!

You apparently like to watch awful, boring football. I get a tune up game here and there. But the whole season as a tune up game? Buckeye fan adores that? It's a tell for sure.

[RedTeamGo!]

ohio state is still in the preseason part of their season. I'm not even sure how a fan of ohio state could even be interested enough to watch.

And Auburn just lost to a team that was beaten by Toledo at home.

I'm not even sure how a fan of Auburn could even be interested enough to watch.

OSU is fun to watch for OSU fans because they are the undefeated defending first ever legit national champions and we know we are watching excellence.

[jojo]

And Auburn just lost to a team that was beaten by Toledo at home.

Which means zilch especially in context of the point you've just failed to actually address. Guess yawns are the new wohoo?

[Assembly Hall]

You apparently like to watch awful, boring football. I get a tune up game here and there. But the whole season as a tune up game? Buckeye fan adores that? It's a tell for sure.

It is just their schedule, they cant do anything about it. Buckeye fan adores the Buckeye program. Nothing wrong with that.

[RedTeamGo!]

Which means zilch especially in context of the point you've just failed to actually address. Guess yawns are the new wohoo?

What's a "wohoo?"

Guess I shouldn't be surprised the guy that said the following doesnt have a clue:


Quote Originally Posted by jojo View Post
and buckeye fans only a week and a half away from another embarrassing loss they'll be forever unable to reconcile though one would think they should be well used to the modern buckeye brand.

[Assembly Hall]

What's a "wohoo?"

Guess I shouldn't be surprised the guy that said the following doesnt have a clue:

I dont know what jojo is referring to, but I love me some yoohoo. It is better than choc-cola IMHO.

[jojo]

What's a "wohoo?"

Guess I shouldn't be surprised the guy that said the following doesnt have a clue:

Yawn. Boring. when is the buckeye's actual season going to start?

[Assembly Hall]

Yawn. Boring. when is the buckeye's actual season going to start?

Evidently today with an arrest.

[Boston Red]

Ole Miss has a trap game today.

[jojo]

Ole Miss has a trap game today.

Loving the bitterness and the inability to stop yourself. The best axes to grind though are ones that have blades that actually can hold an edge.

[Boston Red]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. Ole Miss is playing an awful team on the road. Of course it's a trap. Hard to get up for that one.

[jojo]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. Ole Miss is playing an awful team on the road. Of course it's a trap. Hard to get up for that one.

Like I said the bitterness and inability of you to stop yourself is hilarious. The utter lack of football knowledge on display by your comments though is a little pathetic.

[Boston Red]

Is awful not strong enough a description?

[jojo]

Is awful not strong enough a description?

You should be a drinking game.

[Boston Red]

We'll see if Ole Miss can shake off the disinterest in the second half.

[jojo]

We'll see if Ole Miss can shake off the disinterest in the second half.

Down another shot! We've got a live one at the party folks. Bitter boy.

[Boston Red]

Probably similar to the drinking game Ole Miss players were playing at the hotel last night. Hangovers should be wearing off.

[jojo]

Probably similar to the drinking game Ole Miss players were playing at the hotel last night. Hangovers should be wearing off.

Like all predictable and unremarkable things, this has become really boring.

[Boston Red]

I'm sure that's what Ole Miss thought of today's game.

[Assembly Hall]

Is Nebraska one sorry arsz program now or what?

[Tom Servo]

I'm starting to think the Mike Riley thing isn't working out for Nebraska.

[Assembly Hall]

I'm starting to think the Mike Riley thing isn't working out for Nebraska.

Looking pretty bad aint it? People talk about Miami(Fla), but damn the Huskers just have fell off the map.

[RedTeamGo!]

Looking pretty bad aint it? People talk about Miami(Fla), but damn the Huskers just have fell off the map.

Miami has been bad for like going on a decade, though.

Nebraska won 10 games like 2 years ago.

[Revering4Blue]

I'm starting to think the Mike Riley thing isn't working out for Nebraska.

It's only his first year. Nebraska isn't Florida, and it's not as if Riley lucked out and walked into that job.

Armstrong was out, too, and as awful as Purdue tackles, his scrambling/ designed runs may well have been the difference.

[KronoRed]

Riley might be a bad call but Pelini was good for a guaranteed 4 losses and no titles, if they should have kept anyone it was Solich.

[Tom Servo]

It's only his first year. Nebraska isn't Florida, and it's not as if Riley lucked out and walked into that job.

I didn't think Nebraska was close to a National Championship or anything, but I just don't think there's much excuse for them to have lost 6 games before November. Even Bill Callahan didn't do that. I thought Riley was a solid hire but it's getting awfully hard to think it will work out.

[Boston Red]

Whew, serious trap game for Vandy tonight.

[Revering4Blue]

I didn't think Nebraska was close to a National Championship or anything, but I just don't think there's much excuse for them to have lost 6 games before November. Even Bill Callahan didn't do that. I thought Riley was a solid hire but it's getting awfully hard to think it will work out.

And you may well be correct. I just tend to give someone who managed to make a virtual football wasteland - Oregon State - and someone who turned down the USC job twice the benefit of the doubt. To his credit, Riley, much like Kiffin with Blake Sims, has modified his offense to take advantage of Armstrong's athleticism, something Mr. Rigid Callahan would have never done.

I only used Florida as a point of reference because that job was/is a great, set up to win big right away, gig. Let's face it, Nebraska isn't the job it was even a decade ago, and compounded by the move out of the defense deprived Big 12. To that end, Kronored is correct that canning Solich because he didn't run a "modern" offense came back to bite the Huskers in the arse and started the downward spiral to irrelevance. Granted, I felt at the time that the results on the field didn't justify firing Pellini, but we now know about his "character" issues, which may be one reason why Riley, who is the antithesis personality wise of Pellini, was considered a solid choice to lead the Huskers going forward.

[IslandRed]

Granted, I felt at the time that the results on the field didn't justify firing Pellini, but we now know about his "character" issues, which may be one reason why Riley, who is the antithesis personality wise of Pellini, was considered a solid choice to lead the Huskers going forward.

Pelini's results would have been perfectly acceptable at some places, but not at a place that aspires to national prominence. Nebraska is not the job it used to be, but its glory days are not so far in the rear-view mirror for the fan base to be okay with topping out at the Capital One Bowl, either. I think a move was justified, he had more than enough time to establish what his program would be.

Having said that, Riley would not have been my choice. It was probably made for the reasons you're stating but it did nothing to solve the program's main problem: getting elite talent to come to Lincoln, Nebraska.

[Revering4Blue]

Pelini's results would have been perfectly acceptable at some places, but not at a place that aspires to national prominence. Nebraska is not the job it used to be, but its glory days are not so far in the rear-view mirror for the fan base to be okay with topping out at the Capital One Bowl, either. I think a move was justified, he had more than enough time to establish what his program would be.

Having said that, Riley would not have been my choice. It was probably made for the reasons you're stating but it did nothing to solve the program's main problem: getting elite talent to come to Lincoln, Nebraska.

To be clear, IMO, Pelini on his best day isn't the coach Riley is. Any coach is going to have trouble in today's climate attracting top-flight talent to Lincoln, but is a better option someone who can recruit but is not a good game coach - i.e Ron Zook? Riley is a better talent evaluator than given credit for. Case in point, as a USC assistant he advised the HC at the time to sign an unheralded QB from California. Instead, the scholarship was given to a QB from Illinois who didn't pan out. The QB Riley wanted USC to sign? Tom Brady.

[Revering4Blue]

After being out-officiated all night against Duke...and not in Basketball - and I'm never one to blame officiating for losses in Football, as it's not like basketball, where a star player has to sit sor long periods of time due to phantom fouls - the Hurricanes, who showed more signs of life with a backup QB than they had in the longest time, win the game on a Cal/Stanford type kickoff return at the gun, after, of course, a lengthy review.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

[Chip R]

Minnesota was stopped by Michigan on 4th and goal on the 1 with a second left, down by 3. Is Minnesota's kicker's leg broken?

[IslandRed]

To be clear, IMO, Pelini on his best day isn't the coach Riley is. Any coach is going to have trouble in today's climate attracting top-flight talent to Lincoln, but is a better option someone who can recruit but is not a good game coach - i.e Ron Zook? Riley is a better talent evaluator than given credit for. Case in point, as a USC assistant he advised the HC at the time to sign an unheralded QB from California. Instead, the scholarship was given to a QB from Illinois who didn't pan out. The QB Riley wanted USC to sign? Tom Brady.

Can't disagree with that. It's going to take a home-run hire for Nebraska to get back to where it wants to be. Riley just felt like more of a safe choice than a swing for the fences.

[IslandRed]

After being out-officiated all night against Duke...and not in Basketball - and I'm never one to blame officiating for losses in Football, as it's not like basketball, where a star player has to sit sor long periods of time due to phantom fouls - the Hurricanes, who showed more signs of life with a backup QB than they had in the longest time, win the game on a Cal/Stanford type kickoff return at the gun, after, of course, a lengthy review.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

I know every school and every league complains about officials, but I swear, the ACC must get their crews from some sort of shelter after they've been abandoned by other employers. Good grief.

[kaldaniels]

After being out-officiated all night against Duke...and not in Basketball - and I'm never one to blame officiating for losses in Football, as it's not like basketball, where a star player has to sit sor long periods of time due to phantom fouls - the Hurricanes, who showed more signs of life with a backup QB than they had in the longest time, win the game on a Cal/Stanford type kickoff return at the gun, after, of course, a lengthy review.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

A block in the back call was reversed due to replay (which I guess you can do when egregious) but how often does that happen?

[RedTeamGo!]

Minnesota was stopped by Michigan on 4th and goal on the 1 with a second left, down by 3. Is Minnesota's kicker's leg broken?

It was actually 2nd and goal. Also, on first down on the one yard line with 19 seconds left and a timeout left Minnesota let 15 seconds run off the clock before snapping the ball. Never seen anything like it.

A total joke.

[Chip R]

It was actually 2nd and goal. Also, on first down on the one yard line with 19 seconds left and a timeout left Minnesota let 15 seconds run off the clock before snapping the ball. Never seen anything like it.

A total joke.

Ok. I was following it on the ESPN website and it said 4th and 1 with a second left. Did their coach forget they have OT now?

[Revering4Blue]

Can't disagree with that. It's going to take a home-run hire for Nebraska to get back to where it wants to be. Riley just felt like more of a safe choice than a swing for the fences.

It was, to say the least, surprising that a coach who turns down overtures from USC and Alabama over the years decides to take the Nebraska job, especially at this stage of his coaching career. I figured that Nebraska would go for the up-and-comer route and go with someone like McElwain. In either case, those - and I'm not placing Redzoners in this lot - who chose to simply view Riley solely on his win-loss record without context, certainly view Riley as a swing for the fences type. If there's anyone I felt would have left a Power Five conference job for Nebraska, I figured it would have been Paul Johnson, whose system would have played well in the Midwest.

- - - Updated - - -


A block in the back call was reversed due to replay (which I guess you can do when egregious) but how often does that happen?

A make-up non-call?

[Boston Red]

Nice win for ND, but man it would have been huge for Temple if they could have held on there in the 4th quarter. Oh, well.

[Tom Servo]

Don't know if anybody on the east stayed up to watch it, but Washington State pretty badly choked against Stanford.

[KronoRed]

Settle for 5 field goals and you are asking to lose a game.

[Assembly Hall]

Must have been a trap game for Stanford?

[WrongVerb]

Reported on the NFL Network that the entire officiating crew and a couple other related personnel have been suspended due to their calls on the final play of the Duke-Miami game. Something about wrongly using replay to reverse the blocking in the back penalty. If you haven't seen the play, it's one for the ages.

[jojo]

Reported on the NFL Network that the entire officiating crew and a couple other related personnel have been suspended due to their calls on the final play of the Duke-Miami game. Something about wrongly using replay to reverse the blocking in the back penalty. If you haven't seen the play, it's one for the ages.

Duke fans are having trouble wrapping their minds around it but word is that they've got a few people developing an algorithm that will help.

[dabvu2498]

They guy's knee was down also.

#ZapruderFilm2015

[Assembly Hall]

Reported on the NFL Network that the entire officiating crew and a couple other related personnel have been suspended due to their calls on the final play of the Duke-Miami game. Something about wrongly using replay to reverse the blocking in the back penalty. If you haven't seen the play, it's one for the ages.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/jon-solomon/25360327/acc-suspends-miami-duke-officials-for-series-of-errors

[villain612]

Frank Beamer to retire after this season.

[Assembly Hall]

Frank Beamer to retire after this season.

The way it looks, he retired a few years back.

[Assembly Hall]

Hearing rumors that if Pagano is fired by the Colts, he might be in line to get the Miami(FLA) job.

[WVRed]

Frank Beamer to retire after this season.

If RichRod doesn't end up at WVU, it'll be in Blacksburg.

[KronoRed]

Beamer will be pushing for his son to get the job or Foster, V-Tech needs to ignore him.

[Slyder]

If RichRod doesn't end up at WVU, it'll be in Blacksburg.

They can have him. I don't want Rich Rod back.

[19braves77]

Chow out at Hawaii. Wouldn't mind Saban calling Chow up for a job if Kiffin wants to go coach somewhere.

[Revering4Blue]

If RichRod doesn't end up at WVU, it'll be in Blacksburg.

Only if he believes that he can't make headway in PAC 12 - South. But possibly coaching in the ACC - Coastal isn't going to amount to a picnic, either. So long as Narduzi, Fedora and Cutcliffe are in place, Pitt, UNC and Duke are on solid footing. The right hire for Miami will more than likely result in anyone in the division chasing them for top honors, and it's a safe bet that Georgia Tech will rebound, given that they are down this season to fourth string Slot Backs, which are the chief ball carriers in Johnson's Spread-bone attack.

The wild card here is Virginia, assuming Mike London, their version of Brady Hoke - ties to school/area, predictable, in-over-his-head disaster - doesn't survive the proverbial axe. Given resources, it's a decent argument that the UVA job is actually better than the Hokie gig, which speaks of two things:

1)The overall job Beamer has done at VTech, in which their patience with him during the difficult first few years there was handsomely rewarded. He's going to be a tough act to follow.

2)How a school with the resources of UVA only managed something like 3 winning seasons in their history until George Welsh, who coached UVA from '82-'00, arrived, and why, save for a few years under Al Groh - and this was mostly due to QB Marques Hagens, who, more or less, was an Antwann Randle El play-alike / defensive nightmare with a supporting defense around him - haven't they been up to snuff as a program?

[Revering4Blue]

Chow out at Hawaii. Wouldn't mind Saban calling Chow up for a job if Kiffin wants to go coach somewhere.

It's a shame. IMO, Chow could be successful at a program with actual resources, in which Hawaii has zilch. It's also not as easy to recruit there as one would think. What June Jones accomplished there, given lack of resources, was nothing short of a miracle in retrospect.

[KronoRed]

Chow out at Hawaii. Wouldn't mind Saban calling Chow up for a job if Kiffin wants to go coach somewhere.

Chow's day is over, his OC work at Utah, UCLA and with the Titans was pitiful.

Hawaii needs to either kill the program or invest some money in facilities.

[Revering4Blue]

Chow's day is over, his OC work at Utah, UCLA and with the Titans was pitiful.

Hawaii needs to either kill the program or invest some money in facilities.

Actually, Chow was the Titans OC that got the most out of Vince Young, whose NFL career began to fall apart after Chow was canned. Phillip Rivers, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinhart, among others, are Qbs that swear by him. Sometimes all it takes is the right situation. Case in point, your current Gator's OC, who was a total flop as Michigan's coordinator. Now, we're supposed to believe that he is now a genius because he's been granted more freedom/leeway from his current HC?

The claims of the game passing Chow by are greatly exaggerated.

[MWM]

The game may have changed too much for Norm Chow to still be relevant. But he may be the best and most accomplished assistant coach/coordinator in the history of college football. He was way ahead of his time over 30 years ago when he was the offensive coordinator at BYU, even as far back as Steven Young. He was a brilliant offensive mind for a long time. Anyone who followed BYU back then will tell you it was Chow, not Lavell Edwards, that made those offenses what they were.

His problem was that he was not an easy person to work with and his people skills were terrible. As someone who followed BYU football until about 10 years ago, it was always baffling that he was never hired as a head coach. He was widely seen as the best offensive mind in the country, and he was occasionally interviewed for jobs, but he was never offered anything. He always assumed he would be the successor to Edwards, but that was never going to happen. They didn't even consider it because no one liked him. That was always his problem. He was pretty much a prick. Once he realized he wasn't taking over for Edwards, he left for NC State for a year before taking over USC's offense under Pete Carroll. He was Carson Palmer's coordinator and they had great offenses under him before he left for the NFL.

He's almost 70 ears old now, but his career coaching offense in college in unmatched, IMO.

[Chip R]

Hawaii needs to either kill the program or invest some money in facilities.

There has actually been talk of them killing the program.

[Assembly Hall]

There has actually been talk of them killing the program.

If they do that, you might as well do away with sports all together there.

[Sea Ray]

I know every school and every league complains about officials, but I swear, the ACC must get their crews from some sort of shelter after they've been abandoned by other employers. Good grief.

The officiating on that play was beyond pitiful and the announcing to match. The announcers said something to the effect of "well it's fine that they took so long to look at it since in the end they got it right."

No, the suspensions of these officials prove otherwise. There were 3 blocks in the back and one or two were obvious and the guy's knee sure looked down.

- - - Updated - - -


Must have been a trap game for Stanford?

Give coach Leach a lot of credit. He's done wonders for that team

[Sea Ray]

Is this correct?


The ACC said the on-field officials should have penalized Miami for an illegal block in the back at the Hurricanes' 16-yard line. Had that been called, the ball would have been placed at the Miami 8-yard line and the game would have been extended for one untimed down.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/jon-solomon/25360327/acc-suspends-miami-duke-officials-for-series-of-errors

Seems to me that the game is never extended because of a penalty against the team possessing the ball.

[IslandRed]

Is this correct?

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/jon-solomon/25360327/acc-suspends-miami-duke-officials-for-series-of-errors

Seems to me that the game is never extended because of a penalty against the team possessing the ball.

Not sure. The timing rules might be different for a kickoff versus a regular play from scrimmage.

[Revering4Blue]

It's a shame. IMO, Chow could be successful at a program with actual resources, in which Hawaii has zilch. It's also not as easy to recruit there as one would think. What June Jones accomplished there, given lack of resources, was nothing short of a miracle in retrospect.


Former Hawaii and SMU head coach June Jones will apply for the Hawaii job, he tells the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Jones went 76-41 in nine years as Hawaii’s head coach from 1998-2007, including reaching the Sugar Bowl in his final season. He resigned as SMU’s head coach after two games last season, but said he’d still like to coach. The paper reports Jones returned to Hawaii and has been working a quarterback at Saint Louis School.

http://www.coachingsearch.com/coaching-search-ticker

[Tom Servo]

Surprised FSU started Maguire and are still going with him in the second half in such a big game.

[villain612]

So I guess Memphis isn't crashing the CFP.

[Revering4Blue]

So I guess Memphis isn't crashing the CFP.

Gotta give Lee Corso credit where credit's due; he called this upset.

Funny how many consider Navy's offense "antiquated" - when there is no evidence out there that the flexbone/spreadbone offense will not work on the Big Five Conference level. This isn't your Father's wishbone, as it's a great talent equalizer and helps to shorten the game. IMO, a school like Vandy, in which defense isn't the problem, would benefit from running an offense of that nature.

[kaldaniels]

Sparty has fallen.

[kaldaniels]

Heisman back in play?

[villain612]

Michigan State going down to Nebraska is huge for Michigan.

[traderumor]

Sparty got jobbed. If that receiver was "forced out," then he pushed off to get to the ball as well. Terrible officiating decision, another game changer also. And they even reviewed it. Does anyone really agree with that interpretation of the call?

[Assembly Hall]

Sparty got jobbed. If that receiver was "forced out," then he pushed off to get to the ball as well. Terrible officiating decision, another game changer also. And they even reviewed it. Does anyone really agree with that interpretation of the call?

It was a terrible call and even worse review.

[cumberlandreds]

It was a terrible call and even worse review.

Those officials should be canned just like the ones for Duke/Miami game. Horrible call.

[Assembly Hall]

Those officials should be canned just like the ones for Duke/Miami game. Horrible call.

Your damn right. I just sit there in disbelief that they f@%&ed that up all the way around.