NCAA Football & Basketball Thread

[rez]

pretty sure someone does with your Letterman avatar.

think they even said go BIG conf.

which, I'd agree with.

[rez]

this one time..screw the SEC.

Boiler Up! ;)

[Sepholio]

Spoiler Alert: SEC wins the national title.

[Frank Drebin]

Central Florida already won it. Ask them.

[Sepholio]

Central Florida has been known to lie.

They did prove they had every right to be in the title picture though. They were shafted by the committee.

[Tom Guycott]

Go big ten and all that but while the announcers are saying "PENN STATE IZ BAK!!" I would just like to point out that the entire administration and community looked the other way while a coach molested children for a generation and still to this day think they did nothing wrong and stoke conspiracy theory fires all in the name of how much Football means to them and as a means of fending of the shame of doing what they did. To this day they continue to act as if nothing bad happened even though they've paid over $93 million in restitution to victims at last count.

The fact that something as unconscionable as that can happen and the punishment is a couple of years of postseason bans and a few scholarships lost is unreal. What would have to happen at a football powerhouse for them to have to shut down the program?

Get tattoos in exchange for autographs.

No seriously; remember when like 5 players did that at Ohio State and you had people screaming for the SMU "Death Penalty"? They wanted the Buckeyes burned at the stake to "send a message". Coach Tressel had to resign (to which he sat in the replay booth upstairs for the Colts for a couple of seasons before returning home to YSU to become the college president), a whole string of vacated wins, and Terelle Pryor had to slide to the NFL sooner than he should have 'lest his stock drop into the toilet. That was a "lack of institutional control", but a grown man playing grabass with kids for a couple decades has people scratching their heads and playing with kid gloves on the matter.

And to top it off, a couple of years later, Manziel was down in Texas blatantly doing exactly what the Ohio State players were "caught" doing, and suddenly it became an issue of "Well, why shouldn't players be able to reap benefits from their fame and/or get paid?"

[Sepholio]

My heart is not built for this uuuuhhhhgggg

[Frank Drebin]

Sorry, Seph.

[Evil Vito]

Alabama weren't even able to qualify for their conference title game, they got an extra week to rest their players and took no additional risk while the teams that were in their conference title games all ran the risk of not even making the playoff if they lost.

Straight up bullshit. The committee went out of their way to coddle Alabama.

[Evil Vito]

And yes, I realize that there is a difference between best teams vs. winners of the big conferences. But it just feels flawed.

If the NFL was like this we would've seen Brady vs. Manning in the Super Bowl every year because the committee would've decided the NFC shouldn't get a Super Bowl team.

Pretty sure it'll eventually expand to 8 teams though with the Power 5 conference winners and 3 Wild Cards.

[owenbrown]

NCAA is a fucking joke.

[Shisen Kopf]

UCF should have been in the playoffs. NCAA is full of bastards and some are even rat bastards. Fuck the NCAA. They should drink bleach or ammonia or something. Amirite owenbrown?

[Simple Fan]

I agree with both NCAA being a joke and UCF being in the playoff but the NCAA had nothing to with UCF. CFP selection committee is full of a bunch of AD's and former coaches with only 1 former NCAA employee on it. Pretty much told every Group of 5 school they have no shot at ever competing for a national championship.

[Sepholio]

UCF should have gotten Alabamas spot in the final 4 tbh.

[Sepholio]

I feel like UCF vs Clemson in the quarters would have been a high scoring shoot out of epic proportions.

[Simple Fan]

UCF should have gotten Alabamas spot in the final 4 tbh.

I don't see that as I feel Alabama deserved to be in and proved so by winning it all. I think UCF should have gotten Oklahoma's spot though.

[Frank Drebin]

Northwestern should have been in the playoffs.

[Sepholio]

Alabama was the outlier when they picked playoff teams. Didn't even make the conference championship game. No way in hell UCF gets Oklahomas spot.

Now I'm going to be a cry baby and point out that the only reason Alabama won it all was because the refs gave them the second half. Called UGA offsides on a blocked punt when they weren't offsides. Didn't call a blatant face mask penalty on Alabama on Nick Chubb. The game tying touchdown play had an Alabama guy false start and was easily 5 feet offside when the ball was snapped and was literally standing RIGHT IN FRONT of the official who was supposed to be watching him. It was bullshit.

[Sepholio]

Officiating is so bad at all levels of football that it is ridiculous. And I should know; I officiate football. We intentionally ignore calls on nearly every play. Unless you make it outrageous, holding is basically allowed at this point. We're basically encouraged to do it this way to keep the game moving. But when you're playing for all the marbles it shouldn't be like that.

[Tonya Harding]

Officials are corrupt in many sports.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Ice skating?

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources tell ESPN as many as 3 dozen Division I basketball programs could face NCAA penalties once evidence of FBI probe is public. &quot;It's not the mid-major programs who were trying to buy players to get to the top. It's the teams that are already there.&quot;<a href="https://t.co/EhXi1ZtWA9">https://t.co/EhXi1ZtWA9</a></p>&mdash; Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mark_Schlabach/status/963917763751358465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Simple Fan]

Some of the teams that could be i n trouble from the investigation.


There’s potential impermissible benefits and preferential treatment for players and families of players at Duke, North Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Michigan State, USC, Alabama and a host of other schools. The documents link some of the sport’s biggest current stars – Michigan State’s Miles Bridges, Alabama’s Collin Sexton and Duke’s Wendell Carter – to specific potential extra benefits for either the athletes or their family members. The amounts tied to players in the case range from basic meals to tens of thousands of dollars.

Dennis Smith, who would go on to play at North Carolina State in 2016-17, received $43,500 according to the documents. Another document headed “Pina,” for ASM agent Stephen Pina, says Smith received a total of $73,500 in loans, and includes notes about “options to recoup the money” when Smith did not sign with ASM.

Isaiah Whitehead, at the time a freshman at Seton Hall, received $26,136 according to the documents. The “Pina” document says Whitehead received $37,657 and was “setting up payment plan.” Whitehead signed with ASM but later left the agency for Roc Nation.

Tim Quarterman, at the time a junior at LSU, received at least $16,000 according to the balance sheet.

Diamond Stone, at the time a freshman at Maryland, received $14,303 according to the documents.

A listing that refers to “BAM” for $12,000 is later identified in the documents as Edrice “Bam” Adebayo, who would go on to play at Kentucky in 2016-17. He did not sign with ASM. There’s a later reference to Adebayo that says he received $36,500. “Bad loan,” reads the document.

Markelle Fultz, who would go on to play at Washington and become the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, received $10,000 according to the documents. He did not sign with ASM.


Current USC player Bennie Boatwright and/or his father, Bennie Sr. (According to documents, they received at least $2,000.)

Current USC player Chimezie Metu and/or adviser, Johnnie Parker. (According to documents, they received $2,000.)

Current Texas player Eric Davis. (According to documents, he received $1,500.)

Current South Carolina player Brian Bowen, who was ensnared in the initial federal investigation and started his career at Louisville last fall until the school withheld him from competition. His father, Brian Sr., also received money, according to the documents. (Dawkins’ expense reports also list more than $1,500 in plane tickets for Bowen, his father and his mother. He and his family received at least $7,000 in benefits, according to the documents.)

Former Utah star Kyle Kuzma received at least $9,500 while in school, according to the documents.

Former South Carolina player P.J. Dozier received at least $6,115 while in school, according to the documents.

Former Xavier player Edmond Sumner and/or his father, Ernest. Documents show they received at least $7,000 in advances while Edmond was in school.

Former Wichita State player Fred VanVleet. Documents show he received at least $1,000.

Former Clemson player Jaron Blossomgame received a payment by Venmo while in school for $1,100 according to the documents.

Apples Jones, the mother of former Kansas player Josh Jackson, received $2,700 according to documents

[DAMN iNATOR]

Story about Miles Bridges proved to be a load of shit. His mom improperly accepted $400, but he had nothing to do with it.

Nonetheless, a judge ordered that $40 of a $70 dinner in which an agent met with Bridges' family without him knowing of it, go to a charity of Bridges' choosing, as that's still a violation of NCAA rules and a judge ruled that was what was needed to clear the violation. The donation was made Monday.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22589989/michigan-state-miles-bridges-donates-40-charity-resolve-ncaa-violation

[Shisen Kopf]

Dirty program. Hopefully the flooding at MSU can wash away the corruption there

[ClockShot]

UConn and Kevin Ollie part ways. The ongoing NCAA investigation is the big reason, along with bad seasons after that championship season.

New A.D. gotta bring in a big name to bring that program back to prominence.

[Tom Guycott]

Go whatever teams are playing tomorrow for the NCAA men's toruney championship. I have no clue who even. I kinda lost interest once Ohio State got bounced, and even continued involvement by KU/KState/Wichita State didn't ring any bells.

Mostly because of the whole rotating network thing. If shit was just on regular-ass TV like back in the day, I'd have watched a bunch more. Or, at least on a fixed channel. There's too much other shit at my fingertips to be assed to go hunting for basketball in a different spot every game.

Hope it's a couple of someones who came out of nowhere, and not a Duke/Kentucky/UNC type matchup.

[Simple Fan]

Villanova vs Michigan. I'd rather see Villanova win.

[Tom Guycott]

Me too. Even aside from the obvious reason.

[Savio]

Me too. Even aside from the obvious reason.

Nice avatar man

[DAMN iNATOR]

Rough way to start the season, but a win's a win.

Also, LOL @Shisen calling out MSU losing to CMU whenever that was, as if it was somehow worse than losing to App State. :lol:

[Frank Drebin]

Can't wait until Northwestern torches those overrated Spartans again.

[DAMN iNATOR]

LOL Purdue.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol we didn't do much better last night unfortunately.

[Tom Guycott]

The 'guins aren't likely to make a great showing this year. Lost a heartbreaker to Butler in the opener at home, and put up a good fight in the first half against West Virginia to ultimately get their asses waxed in the second half by a Top 25 team that clearly outclassed them. No matter how "good" the team is, two losses to start is quite the hole to rebound from, even in 1-AA.

But those Buckeyes look pretty good thus far...

[Tom Guycott]

... and now, weeks later, they don't look as good. Mighty struggle against Penn State, even without the whack-ass, inconsistently called penalties. It's a good thing their coach helped us out with dumb calls that played right into our hands.

[Simple Fan]

Well Louisville has one of the worst teams they've had in years. Like Kragthorpe era bad. Had the game won against Florida St. and for some reason decided to throw the ball inside 2 minutes which got picked off. FSU went on the score and win.

[owenbrown]

Nobody mentioning the fact that Kentucky is 5-0?

[poopfromweiner dude]

im in the press box goin nuts waiting for the a&m game @owen

[Simple Fan]

Nobody mentioning the fact that Kentucky is 5-0?

Snell is a beast and they run the wildcat better than anyone.

[Frank Drebin]

Can't wait until Northwestern torches those overrated Spartans again.

[Tom Guycott]

Nobody mentioning the fact that Kentucky is 5-0?

Snell is a beast and they run the wildcat better than anyone.

Ahhhhhhaaaa... I see what you did there!

[Frank Drebin]

Huge Northwestern comeback win. Down 10 with 4 mins left. Scott Frost and the Huskers are 0-6.

Northwestern has basement dweller Rutgers next week, then will play Wisconsin likely with the division on the line.

Go Michigan tonight.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Huge Northwestern comeback win. Down 10 with 4 mins left. Scott Frost and the Huskers are 0-6.

Northwestern has basement dweller Rutgers next week, then will play Wisconsin likely with the division on the line.

Go Michigan tonight.

How's it feel knowing the same team you "torched" did the same to soon to be exact-#8 Penn State?

[Frank Drebin]

Like we can Penn State.

[Tom Guycott]

Huge Northwestern comeback win. Down 10 with 4 mins left. Scott Frost and the Huskers are 0-6.

Northwestern has basement dweller Rutgers next week, then will play Wisconsin likely with the division on the line.


"The Boy King" has a lot of rebuilding to do. Should have stayed at UCF. He'll get more leeway and patience because of his history in Lincoln, but it's fucking Nebraska. In the Big Ten. Ever since joining the conference, they've had delusions of just running roughshod and having success to rival the current version of Alabama. Instead, they're the western conference Rutgers. Nobody really worth a damn wants to go to Nebraska; be it the school or the state. Even just counting the conference, Wisconsin and Iowa have the talent pedigree consistently be competitive and dangerous, Xichigan and Sparty have name recognition (which was a slow build over time for Little Brother), and Northwestern is a wildcard that is either full of exeptional talent or... not. The fact that Nebraska sucks worse than Illinois and Minnesota is telling. Keeping Frost as a fixed point *might* help, and they have nowhere to go but up now, but they have fired coaches for far less (one of which was because they didn't win a national championship... wow, how quaint that thought is now).

That school should be *allowed* some leeway for illegal recruiting. Aside from the "prestige" of saying you were one of the Blackshirts on the D-line, there is really nothing appealing for a potential athlete.


*addendum: you know, I actually forgot TTUN is in the East now? I was thinking of the whole Leaders/Legends shit still, where both teams could potentially play one another twice in a row if both schools had winning records... but that never worked out. My bad. I also fucked up with State, and was under the assumption that Purdon't was still on schedule to get annually anally waxed by Ohio State. Doesn't matter, because Purdue doesn't matter.

[Frank Drebin]

Frost also had like 20 players transfer so this shouldn't be too surprising. I think they expected to beat Troy at home at least.

I'll give you that Neb has been seriously broken for a while now. Like, not even contending for anything past a low tier bowl game.

[Tom Guycott]

Unenviable positon. Frost could either stay at a school flooded with talent and perpetually get the Boise State treatment (never breaking into the top 5 no matter how good they got because they don't make money), or go to a historic school that sucks copious amounts of ass and try to rebuild it from the ground up to be the best team in the Big Ten before the boosters fire him.

[Frank Drebin]

And therein is the rub. If he succeeds at Nebraska, he's gonna get paid right up there with Saban (11 mil) or at least Dabo (8). For doing nothing he's already getting 5 mil a year for 7 years. He was making 1.7 at UCF.

[Tom Guycott]

Speaking of rub... fuck.

This is just disrespectful. Did the defence of both teams switch fucking jerseys tonight?

I liked the Boilermakers better when they didn't play like they're Wisconsin all of a sudden. It isn't helped by the other side of the ball shitting the bed with miscued throws all night.

Maybe Urban should've stayed suspended...

[Tom Guycott]

At least they FINALLY found the goddamn end zone



.... but it was just negated by letting them march the other way unoppsed. The fuck?!

I get Bosa is gone for the year, but my god, he wasn't the whole D.

This is going to be a long fall from two.

[Simple Fan]

Some talk of Louisville going after Brohm but I don't see them getting rid of Petrino. He's got like a $17 million buy out and they've lost alot of money through the basketball scandals.

[rez]

Speaking of rub... fuck.

This is just disrespectful. Did the defence of both teams switch fucking jerseys tonight?

I liked the Boilermakers better when they didn't play like they're Wisconsin all of a sudden. It isn't helped by the other side of the ball shitting the bed with miscued throws all night.

Maybe Urban should've stayed suspended...

Boiler Up!

[RP]

BOILER UP

[RP]

Rondale Moore Heisman

[Frank Drebin]

Didn't you lose to Northwestern?

[Frank Drebin]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1256968/NW1.jpg

[RP]

Purdue has beaten 3 ranked teams now. They have a chance to go to the Big Ten Title game. Need a Northwestern loss tonight.

[Frank Drebin]

Lol....a non conference loss means as much as an Eve Torres women's title win in Saudi Arabia right now.

Thanks for the big dub, rp.

[Frank Drebin]

Hell....lose to Iowa and beat Minnesota and Illinois and you still go to Indy.

[Frank Drebin]

Rp

Why don't you just meet me in the middle

[Sepholio]

Uhg…..We gonna have to beat Alabama in the SEC title game. Brutal. Gonna laugh if ND or Michigan takes a L and we end up with Bama and UGA in the playoff again.

Either way I think Clemson has it on lock this year. That offense is potent.

[Tom Guycott]

I'm upset in the turn of events.

I can see Penn State giving problems, but a loss to Perdon't and a close game with goddamn Cornholers? The entire defense has progressively played more and more like shit as the season progresses. The potential for overcoming the upcoming showdown Sparty or not is one thing, but they'd better not lose to TTUN.

We fired Tressell for this??

[Tom Guycott]

Uhg…..We gonna have to beat Alabama in the SEC title game. Brutal. Gonna laugh if ND or Michigan takes a L and we end up with Bama and UGA in the playoff again.

Either way I think Clemson has it on lock this year. That offense is potent.

That's just it: Xichigan needs to lose The Game. That would likely get Harbaugh run out of town, and that's not an exaggeration. Coaches on both sides have lost jobs over their record in the rivalry no matter how well they've played otherwise. Even if they do the unthinkable, there is the matter of the Big Ten Championship game they'd have to win as well to remain in the playoff picture.

[Simple Fan]

Hopefully you Big 10 guys won't have to deal with Purdue and Jeff Brohm any more. I was against firing Bobby Petrino at Louisville but this team is historically bad and seem to have give up. It's hurt recruiting and the freshman QB just transferred out. If Bobby can't keep QBs its time for him to go.

[Tom Guycott]

Hopefully you Big 10 guys won't have to deal with Purdue and Jeff Brohm any more. I was against firing Bobby Petrino at Louisville but this team is historically bad and seem to have give up. It's hurt recruiting and the freshman QB just transferred out. If Bobby can't keep QBs its time for him to go.

Still doesn't excuse shitty play by the Buckeyes. They deserved to lose because their defense was uncharacteristically porous. It was nice of Perdue to play angry for once instead of laying down like so much Rutgers, but goddamnit!

[Frank Drebin]

Big Ten West Division Champs. Going to Indy as a travel destination in December! See you all in hell! Go Cats!!!!

https://lakotaeastsparkonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Northwestern.png

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

UMass 2-0 woo

[Frank Drebin]

Big Ten Championship refs are going to be brutal towards NU. No way the Big Ten wants NU to win that game especially if it would prevent Michigan/OSU from getting into the playoffs.

Rooting for an upset of one or both of those two, then the lower ranked of the two winning The Game.

[rez]

F off, Louisville. Stay away from Brohm.

-.-

[Simple Fan]

That's who they'll go after. I was surprised Bobby made it out of halftime Friday night.

[rez]

That's who they'll go after. I was surprised Bobby made it out of halftime Friday night.

Dan Dakich says they're pursuing UAB coach and Charlie Strong.

Just stay away from our Brohm :fu:

[Simple Fan]

Bromh will be the first coach they go after. He's a loyal guy and might stay and I could see them going after Strong again if he does. Think you are talking about Neal Brown who is Troy's coach but I don't think he is a strong candidate.

[Tom Guycott]

Big Ten Championship refs are going to be brutal towards NU. No way the Big Ten wants NU to win that game especially if it would prevent Michigan/OSU from getting into the playoffs.

Rooting for an upset of one or both of those two, then the lower ranked of the two winning The Game.

Not necessarily. It would just mean they could fulfill the wet dream and add another SEC team to the top 4.

Ohio State is all the way out. There is zero chance they can climb back from 10 in two games to be in a position to replace that other team with a conference championship win. The committee made that mistake twice already; once by giving my beloved Buckeyes a berth when they didn't deserve it, and the following year by denying a better performing team because of the shortcomings of the previous "benefit of the doubt" ranking push. I think those two post season results should have been flipped (but I also think that a few seasons before that, Ohio State shouldn't have lost to Florida for the National Championship, because they should have played Georgia... not just because they were a team they could have beaten, but because Georgia got hosed on that final ranking.)

TTUN would have to knock off Ohio State, Northwestern, AND Alabama just to play for the National Championship, unless someone ahead of them slips up and bumps them up to #3. If the cards go that way, Northwestern could totally play spoiler by being Big Ten champs. If the schedule were how the original setup for the Big Ten to have a championship game (you know, as referenced in that error I made awhile back), this would potentially have been the year Ohio State and Xichigan would have played twice in a row in a single season.

But I'm not going to write anyone off. You know where my loyalties are, but we have to see this through one week at a time. After having a shitty time against Purdue and Nebraska, I'm totally not looking past the usually abysmal Maryland.

But, all things considered, all this still makes me a firm believer in a 16 team pool. 8 is fine, and an obvious eventuality, but 16 is only one additonal week of 8 games that would be populated by schools playing in lesser bowl games anyhow. It would lend more credibility to the entire Top 25, eliminate the "outside looking in" squads like your UCFs or Boise States or TCUs or West Virginias not getting a shot while their school is in position to be relevant for a year or two, and they get to keep their multiple SEC team fantasy alive and well.

[Frank Drebin]

Yeah but my whole point is that it's the Big Ten Championship with Big Ten refs so it will totally be one of these "Pssst....hey....do what's best for the conference" which would be Michigan/OSU getting to the playoffs if the situation allows. If Michigan enters this game still with that one loss, it's win and in. No way the conference wants to let them lose and leave the Big Ten out of the playoffs even though it just means they still get to go to a NY6.

What's the rule on conferences in the NY6? Is it a limit of 3 or 2? I know they've had that rule in years past.

[Tom Guycott]

Is it a limit of 3 or 2? I know they've had that rule in years past.

Not sure. It would likely be a 3, but given that they have co-opted two bowl games per year as a playoff round and Notre Dame might actually forsake its above .500 bowl guarantee with an actual run at the title, I think they just start plugging teams in where they can to make a quick buck ...even though the NCAA is not a business.

Always seems weird to me when the Rose Bowl isn't Big Ten/Pac Ten though. With the extra wrinkle of it rotating as a playoff game, it is just weirder.

[Big Vic]

SU :(

[ClockShot]

Yale vs. Harvard AKA "THE GAME" went down for the 143rd time.

Harvard whoops Yale's ass 45-27 at Fenway. Which was probably quite the experience this time around.

[Frank Drebin]

lol thanks

[Tom Guycott]

Yale vs. Harvard AKA "THE GAME" went down for the 143rd time.

Harvard whoops Yale's ass 45-27 at Fenway. Which was probably quite the experience this time around.

Which included a called back TD due to an errant finger. Who knew we started getting "thugs" in the Ivy League? :roll:

[Tom Guycott]

In other news, as much of a fan that I am, I'm tired of this on the field shitshow. "Let's get behind and then play for real" nonsense has to go. Out there making Maryland look like Wisconsin from like 4 years ago. You know what way I want THE GAME to go, but it won't go down like that if OSU keeps this nonsense up... and they definitely won't make it past Northwestern.

[Frank Drebin]

Rooting for OSU next week. Really fear the refs if a playoff appearance is on the line for Michigan. Much less likely case for OSU in the playoffs without 3 or 4 teams ahead of them losing.

[Sepholio]

Well at least one team ahead of them is guaranteed to lose in a couple weeks, so there's that.

[Tom Guycott]

Rooting for OSU next week. Really fear the refs if a playoff appearance is on the line for Michigan. Much less likely case for OSU in the playoffs without 3 or 4 teams ahead of them losing.

It would have been more of a case if Ohio State hadn't shit the bed so much this year on defense and lost to goddamn Purdue.

Really, if there were justice, UCF should leapfrog fucking everyone. They're getting the Boisie State treatment, and that's kinda disrespectful. A Michigan loss should have the Knights jump them and Georgia to get the 4th spot.

Really... and undefeated squad ranked down with 3 loss teams... shameful...

[Sepholio]

It would have been more of a case if Ohio State hadn't shit the bed so much this year on defense and lost to goddamn Purdue.

Really, if there were justice, UCF should leapfrog fucking everyone. They're getting the Boisie State treatment, and that's kinda disrespectful. A Michigan loss should have the Knights jump them and Georgia to get the 4th spot.

Really... and undefeated squad ranked down with 3 loss teams... shameful...

It's not shameful. The problem is that there are too many teams in the FBS. You have like 120 teams fighting for 4 spots. They need to split the FBS into 2 separate divisions. Div-1 would be the power 5 conferences and Notredame and would have their own championship, with the other group being all the mid-major conferences and what not left.

UCF is a great team....but they will get slaughtered by the likes of an Alabama, Clemson, ND etc. They go undefeated because they have a comparatively easy schedule. Any of the teams in the top 10 would go undefeated against their schedule, and probably any of the teams in the top 20 really.

[Sepholio]

In saying all that, because of the way it is set up, they DO deserve the opportunity at the playoff.....I just feel that wouldn't pan out very well. They would end up playing either Clemson or Alabama in the first round and I think they would get beaten like 63-21 and it would not be a good luck. No other smaller school would ever get a look after that lol.

It's unfortunate we don't have an expanded playoff system already. 8 teams would have them in now probably.

[poopfromweiner dude]

I hate this krOnik doofus.22+'s college football opinions

He's soooo wrong always but thinks he's more qualified via living in Georgia. Spoiler warning: ur opinions suck dude

[Tom Guycott]

It's not shameful.

UCF is a great team....but they will get slaughtered by the likes of an Alabama, Clemson, ND etc. They go undefeated because they have a comparatively easy schedule. Any of the teams in the top 10 would go undefeated against their schedule, and probably any of the teams in the top 20 really.

For "strength of schedule", teams can only play who is in front of them; and games are lined up a couple of years in advance. Also funny how "strength of schedule" only seems to factor keeping unwanted teams out, but not when, say, SEC schools have multiple late season "bye weeks" against Whogivesafuck State.

That they would be "slaughtered" is a huge assumption, and pretty much the reason why games are played on the field. A great anecdote on that is, ironically, the Ohio State national championship. If the BCS were still in the pre-playoff days that season, the game would have most likely been Alabama dismantling the highly suspect Florida State, who was somehow ranked #2 in spite of being absolute ass that year. This whole "just hand X the trophy (currently X = Alabama) is a thing I don't agree with. Teams don't become dominant overnight, nor do they stay on top in perpituity. Even a dynasty as powerful as the one in Tuscaloosa right now won't remain. And even as the Tide rolls ever literally, there could be that one team that is able to step on their neck that they weren't ready for, or, in fact, had an answer for them.

This year's mid major can be a national heavyweight a few seasons from now, or even right now if they have their stars aligned and a special group of guys on the field. However, just prejudging on name brand recognition can cause that shit to be overlooked. When Oregon started getting major Nike money to the point of having more uniform choices a season than games, that started attracting players who wanted to get in on some of that swag (and I mean both swagger AND free clothes interchangably). They got written off before that. Now, it's no surprise to have them periodically jump to the top of the Pac 12.

You get used to hearing about the same handful of teams, and you start buying into other teams never being good enough. However, there is a little more parity now than there ever was, with collegiate football being such a big cash cow and students looking to be standouts are going more for the "lesser" schools to be able to get playtime instead of riding pine for three years at a perennial powerhouse.

But we will never know how any of those will stack up if they never get the shot to. TCU shows flashes every few years. Boise State crawled up from being 1-AA around '98 to being a 1-A school nobody wanted to risk their records against in 2008. Hawaii gets shot in the foot a lot because of geography. Hell, how much of recent history has Notre Dame been an utter joke? The biggest difference is that ND has some name recognition that Central Florida does not. Who knows: UCF might kick the everliving shit out of Notre Dame if they played... but they'll never play. They won't get the boost. The fact that even my beloved Buckeyes are still in the conversation even after uncharacteristically janky defense, way too many close games and, again, a goddamn loss at Purdue at #10, but UCF is just written off at #11 with a better record is just a shame... because we will never get the chance to even know how good UCF is or isn't. Or any team like them that will come along.

Primary reason why I'm an advocate for a 16 team playoff. Fuck 8, make it 16. Power 5 conference champs, undefeated teams, and any at-large squads who didn't give up halfway through the year because they are only ranked #22... and quite a bit of that is still arbitrary anyway. You're only adding two more Saturdays than currently is in place. The champion plays Four extra games instead of two. About the only thing stopping that is the fact that you wouldn't be able to televise all 8 first round games nationally, unless you also add Friday or something.

[Tom Guycott]

... I really need to stop with the 16 team thing. I actually believe in it, but I feel like I'm saying it too much.

[Simple Fan]

I think 8 is the highest it should go but think a NIT type tournament for the Group of 5 Schools should happen as well.

[Sepholio]

LOL doesn't matter when an SEC team gets a bye week against whogivesafuckstate? Jesus Christ, UCF plays whogivesafuckstate at least 10 of their 12 games.

[Tom Guycott]

LOL doesn't matter when an SEC team gets a bye week against whogivesafuckstate? Jesus Christ, UCF plays whogivesafuckstate at least 10 of their 12 games.

Part of that was the whole hay made out of the thing a few years back where most of your 1-A schools would play a slack team or some 1-AA handshake game that acted as the collegic version of a preseason. This somehow hurt that almighty "strength of schedule" factor that was getting more and more weight, so a bunch of schools started having week 1 matchups with other marquee schools (this was also around the time everyone was trying to make dual division conferences with an actual championship game at the end of the season instead of declairing the team with the best schedule the winner.) Meanwhile, the SEC just started frontloading the confrence schedule and playing all the puff teams late season.

You can only play who is in front of you, though, and while UCF isn't regularly going up against teams like Texas or USC or Penn St, it isn't like they haven't earned the right to try.

There is too much "factoring" in trying to guestimate who would make a better matchup/generate more revenue. For all anyone knows, UCF could run the table and shock everyone. We'll never know, because they lack the name brand recognition for us to find out. They could go undefeated next year, too, and unless a lot of the big boys drop three games - a super unlikely scenario - they will never be able to climb into the playoff picture. They, or anyone like them, will always be just outside the threshold.

[poopfromweiner dude]

Didn't UCF beat an SEC team in a bowl game last year when they were also undefeated

I fucking hate your crap college football opinions dude. You're the problem man. The SEC isn't even remotely impressive this year, at least compared to 7-8ish years ago. We all gotta drop the perpetual sec boner, like they're somehow NFL caliber teams

"but muh bama"

fucken dipshit

[poopfromweiner dude]

I'm not saying UCF needs to be in the top 4, but UCF needs to be ahead of 2 loss LSU

Not really "fair" that any schools not in a major conference are given the message "it doesn't matter how good you are, you're actually not allowed to compete for a national title"

[poopfromweiner dude]

Obviously directed at kronik doofus, I largely agree with Tom Boddet and thank him for leaving the light on. Do not ager on a 16 team playoff at all though, I don't even like an 8 team playoff. MAYBE 6 teams ... maybe

I hate the idea of losing bowl games/especially traditional ones in favor of some march madness dream

[Sepholio]

I'm not saying UCF needs to be in the top 4, but UCF needs to be ahead of 2 loss LSU

Not really "fair" that any schools not in a major conference are given the message "it doesn't matter how good you are, you're actually not allowed to compete for a national title"

This is why I said they should be split into separate divisions but I wouldn't expect you to read anything when you can spazzzzzzz instead.

[poopfromweiner dude]

Separate divisions

Listen to ur retarded ideas dude

[RP]

Nerf why are you so angry?

[Sepholio]

Probably doesn't realize football is split into multiple divisions because there are way too many teams for them to all be lumped together. I bet he doesn't realize there are actually 4 national champions in college football every year. Or that Division-1, which we are talking about in this thread, has already had to be split once because of this same issue, which is why we have the FBS and the FCS.

The FCS (the lower branch of Div-1) has 125 teams. Their national championship is determined by a 16 team tournament. By comparison, the FBS (which is all the schools we are talking about here) has 130 teams, one of which is transitional and gets a 4 team tournament. See a problem here?

You either have to have a larger field in the playoffs, and 16 is a realistic number. That's like 13% of the teams making the playoffs which is a TINY amount compared to other sports. But since for some reason the system that works in every other division isn't going to work in Div-1; we can't have 16 teams and it'll be forever to get 8. Look how long it took to get 4 teams instead of 2 ffs. So if we aren't going to field a larger group for the playoffs, the only answer is to split the division again and have another national championship that the schools who will NEVER get a nod in the current system actually have a chance of winning.

Division-1A becomes the power 5 and Notre Dame and they can have their 4 teams playoff since they will be the smallest division. 1B is everyone else from the current FBS and the top 2 conferences from the FCS; 1C is the rest of the FCS. Those 2 groups can have the otherwise standard tournament to decide their national champions. Problem solved for everyone.

[Sepholio]

Well shit, I just looked it up, and the FCS has moved to a 24 team playoff now. Haven't honestly paid attention to FCS since the local school (Georgia Southern) moved up to FBS a few years ago.

[poopfromweiner dude]

dude you are sooooooo wrong about your college football opinions

yes lets have a a new division just for alabama and ohio state :roll:

[Simple Fan]

I think it'll happen eventually. Once these conferences move to having 16 teams the top 4 will split from the rest.

[Sepholio]

Well the playoff drama is going to get interesting now. Michigan is looking like they are going to get crushed by Ohio St. That's gonna move UGA to #4, but they have to play Alabama next week, so there's another guaranteed loss from a top 4 team. Gonna be interesting to see how this shakes out.

Can't wait for UGA to beat Alabama in the SEC title game and then they both make the playoffs again. Gonna come here and watch Nerf cry about the SEC with a huge smile on my face.

[Tom Guycott]

So, I will not be surprised if Harbaugh is in the hot seat in spite of turning the squad around to a winning record. Dropping 4 in a row in the rivalry is enough to make some boosters grumble.

[Sepholio]

I think he will survive the grumblings this time, but if they lose again next year he will be toast.

I like Jim Harbaugh a lot. Ever since he was Captain Comeback for Indy. Feel really bad for him not getting over that hump this year.

[Tom Guycott]

Ohio St. vs Northwestern

I still want to know where this fire was all season, though?! There was no reason for Penn St to be so close or that loss to goddamn Perdue...

[Sepholio]

That's how I feel about UGA and their loss to LSU, who I feel is a bit overrated because of their win over UGA. Seems like we finally got the offense firing on all cylinders again after that L though, and especially the last 2 weeks.

Wish we had Northwestern in our conference championship :/

[Tom Guycott]

I think he will survive the grumblings this time, but if they lose again next year he will be toast.

I like Jim Harbaugh a lot. Ever since he was Captain Comeback for Indy. Feel really bad for him not getting over that hump this year.

I wish he didn't get run out of San Fran. You'd think you'd put winning prominence over not dealing with an abrasive personality. What good is a cordial coach when you're perpetually in the basement?

[Sepholio]

I wish he didn't get run out of San Fran. You'd think you'd put winning prominence over not dealing with an abrasive personality. What good is a cordial coach when you're perpetually in the basement?

Exactly how I feel. He was great in San Fran and that team DIED as soon as he left.

[Sepholio]

Auburn v Alabama is a very good game so far, as usual. 17-14 Alabama at half.

[Sepholio]

Lot of good games tonight too. Clemson v South Cackalack. Fully expect Clemson to win by at least 3 touchdowns, but it's a rivalry game and could end up being close for a good portion of the game.

ND vs USC is the one I'm interested in though. The trojans have been pretty ass this year, but they ALWAYS show out against ND. This is one of the best rivalries in sports and with ND having an undefeated regular season on the line, it will be tense.

[ClockShot]

UConn is now the worse defense in FBS history. Set records for most points and yards allowed today.

They need to just fold up the football program once and for all.

[Sepholio]

Clemson leading South Cackalack 28-21 at half. Really exciting game. Lots of big plays, no defense haha.

ND losing 10-0 to USC like midway through the second quarter. INTRIGUE DEVELOPING.

@ClockShot Holy shit haha I just looked up the stats on UCONNs defense and that is freaking awful. They should relegate them to D-III and have them playing Downtown Portland Agricultural Community College.

[Sepholio]

Jesus ND just went for it on like 4th and 5 from the 45 yd-line....IN THE 2ND QUARTER -_-

And they didn't convert. Hope USC runs this down and makes it 17-0 real quick.

On the subject of mysterious 4th down play calling tonight, South Carolina appears to think they can't hold Clemsons offense enough and has apparently made the command decision to go for it on EVERY 4th down. They went on 4th and goal earlier and didn't convert, and then Clemson decided to be dicks on the next drive and went for it on like 4th and 8 and scored haha. It's crazy but hey, it's entertaining.

[Sepholio]

Called Clemson winning by 3 touchdowns. ND escaped USC 24-17. Was a really exciting game.

The surprise for me was LSU vs Texas A&M. 7OT game that ended with Texas A&M winning 74-72. Most points in FBS history and second most all time in all of college football. One of the craziest games I've ever seen.

[Frank Drebin]

Wish we had Northwestern in our conference championship :/

You say that now, but watch what happens next week.

[Tom Guycott]

Exactly how I feel. He was great in San Fran and that team DIED as soon as he left.

It saddens me as a fan. I have had to switch gears from fan (as I am a '9ers fan... sort of by circumstance: I called myself picking the farthest team away from Browns vs Steelers, meanwhile, The Debartolo Corporation is literally a few miles south of me. Their name is on a building at YSU. and when they have an east coast run, the team practices here. Local ties run deep.) to foe when he accepted his current gig.

I really wish Eddie could get the team back. The in laws have made a shitshow of his pride and joy.

But on to the rivalry.

You might be correct, Seph, in that he dodges a bullet given his history and performance, but then again, both teams have fired coaches for less. "You can go 1-10, but that 1 better be against [either team]". If everything were equal and played out exactly as history goes except Urban dropped the last 4 to TTUN, even with the playoff appearances and national championship, people would be calling for his head right now.

[Tom Guycott]

You say that now, but watch what happens next week.

The statement might shift depending upon which Buckeye team shows up: the penalty ridden defensive sieve that waits until the second half to attempt to start playing halfway to potential, or the monster that just kicked the shit out of Xichigan today... because the latter is the type of team who can hang another 42 points on the almighty Alabama, and the former should just be happy to make a bowl appearance in a game that ultimately won't matter against an 8 thru 15 rank opponent around Christmas.

[Frank Drebin]

They'll be something like 13 point favs over NU. Maybe more after everyone looks at how much OSU beat Michigan by and how much NU beat Illinois by. Take NU. There were good reasons why it was only an 8 point win.

[Simple Fan]

I'm just glad this season is over, one of the worst in Louisville history.

[Frank Drebin]

OSU opens as 13 point favs....line quickly moves to 14. Just like I predicted.

*droford post*

[Frank Drebin]

Prob going to see more and more people betting OSU so I wouldn't be surprised to see that line continue to move.

[Tom Guycott]

Prob going to see more and more people betting OSU so I wouldn't be surprised to see that line continue to move.

"I'd stay away from that one."

Nobody here would get the Todd N Tyler joke, but I was compelled to post it anyway. I should have posted it on the forums for Petey's NHL Blog, though...

[Frank Drebin]

*Almost* time to play the gaaeeeeeeemmmm

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtGFobAU0AA6cO_.jpg

[Sepholio]

I would really like for Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma and Ohio State to lose this weekend. Georgia obviously wins, UCF kills whoever in their conference title game, and Clemson and Oklahoma lose by 2 scores. That would create the maximum amount of turmoil for the playoff selection committee.

[Frank Drebin]

If NU loses, I would like for OU to win and keep Texas below Penn State in the rankings so NU has a shot at the Citrus Bowl. I guess I'd still be happy with the Holiday Bowl in a worst case scenario.

Take the purple to Pasadena tho.

[Frank Drebin]

Even people on the NU fan sites are moaning that they're going to get creamed. Like, ok....don't win the division and go to the fucking Motor City bowl in Detroit or whatever every year. Fuck you.

Things need to drop in NU'S favor to win because they aren't going to beat OSU on pure athletics, but there's a path.

[Frank Drebin]

In case you guys can't tell, I'm pretty pumped for this. Biggest game in the Pat Fitzgerald Era and I think they have a shot to crash the party.

[Simple Fan]

Purdue fans are lucky. I knew Brohm was a loyal a guy and was too early for him to leave. I've heard alot of names thrown out. Pulling from Appalachian St. coach Scott Sadderfield to Bob Stoops which would be crazy. Hoping for Satterfield since UNC passed up on him.

[rez]

Purdue fans are lucky. I knew Brohm was a loyal a guy and was too early for him to leave. I've heard alot of names thrown out. Pulling from Appalachian St. coach Scott Sadderfield to Bob Stoops which would be crazy. Hoping for Satterfield since UNC passed up on him.

:love:

I don't dislike Louisville but the media down there and the never ending trolling that Brohm was a done deal got old fast.

I wish you guys well on your coaching search. I think UNC passing on Satterfield is going to bite them in the ass.

[Simple Fan]

I agree, never thought Brohm was a done deal. Also agree UNC going with Mack Brown will bite them in the ass. Louisville just went through hiring a coach for the second time. I'll be happy with Satterfield but if they can pull off Bob Stoops I'd also be down for that. The the names are Luke Fickle and Troy Brown and I don't think Troy Brown us a good fit.

[Simple Fan]

Believe Brohm was really torn on the the decision and it could have gone any way.

[Simple Fan]

Also suck it MSU fans. Bifmg win for Chris Mack in his first year at Louisville.

[rez]

I'm not holding out Brohm will stay with us long term but we're in a far better place than we were before. The last President didn't give a shit about sports and took money from the athletic department (dat BTN loot). The former AD was just riding into the sunset for retirement and went along with it. Even back to when we were winning with Joe Tiller, he couldn't keep assistants due to budget constraints.

but yeah..I think Brohm could be eyeing an eventual blue blood or NFL job if things continue to improve. It'd be much easier for him to leave us than it would be to leave Louisville in one of those situations.

[rez]

Fuck Izzo. We're constantly fighting for the same recruits and he wins most of the time.

[Frank Drebin]

Betting line has moved to 15.5 for OSU in some books. NU.

Rooting for Oklahoma, Clemson and Georgia. I guess UCF too even though they don't get in even if everything breaks their way.

Go Cats

[Sepholio]

I dunno, I see ONE path for UCF. They have to win huge today, and Georgia, OSU and Oklahoma all have to lose. Even then it still comes down to luck. I saw analysts predict that if it broke that way Georgia would just stay at #4.

[Sepholio]

COME ON GEORGIA

[Frank Drebin]

oooffff. That missed FG was huge. 3 score game if he makes it.

[Frank Drebin]

Every shot of the Bama/UGA cheerleaders or dance team is 100% perfect 10's. The SEC is good at football and tits. All you need to succeed in this country.

[Frank Drebin]

.....and now its a 1 score game. Would still have room for error if the dork with the glasses kicks that extra point length FG.

[Sepholio]

It's crazy to think he is actually one of the best kickers around after that kick lol.

[Frank Drebin]

Pulling for your guys, Seph. Bama beats out Ohio State for #4 and I'm really worried that the Big Ten is going to call their game in favor of OSU to try to get them to the playoffs. Don't think OSU even gets to a NY6 bowl if they lose.

[Frank Drebin]

Thing I hate about college is no injury report. Some teams give some out from time to time but there's no incentive to do so or be truthful. NU has a bunch of guys I'd like to know about and there's no way the announcers are going to talk about it. NU's entire secondary, a starting DE, #1 WR and not one but two kickers are all questions. They've been using a punter to kick and he doesn't even have the leg to do 35 yards.

[Sepholio]

Uh oh. Tua is done. He was playing with an injured knee already and now his ankle got rolled. Not good.

[Sepholio]

Looks like he is going to be carted off from the sideline medical tent here in a second. Feel bad for him and hope it doesn't cost him the Heisman.

[Frank Drebin]

All I can think of is how much easier it would be to be a UGA fan to have those extra 3 points right now.

[Sepholio]

Don't need you to remind me too. The announcers won't let me forget lol

[Frank Drebin]

The dork with glasses who is let on to the SEC football team needs to make the bloody 30 yard kick. Look at those brauds he has access to. He needs to make those.

[Frank Drebin]

That was such a pretty pass over the RB's shoulder.

[Frank Drebin]

A FAKE AT MIDFIELD?!?!

[Frank Drebin]

Now Bama's kicker is gonna win it for em.

[Frank Drebin]

That TD run was actually the best thing for UGA. They've still got 64 seconds and 2 TO's. Could have prob slid at the 2 and set up the easy FG for the win.

[Sepholio]

I hate football :/

[Sepholio]

wish they could call the facemask on the replay -_-

[Sepholio]

Where was the pass interference call on that throw to the end zone?

[rez]

I'm not understanding Urban still. Dude is in his mid 50's. He did pull that health scare @ FL. It just sounds like OSU is going to allow him to coach one more year before Ryan Day takes over.

[rez]

The coach in waiting shit is usually a disaster

[Frank Drebin]

Yes. There are violations waiting to happen Just let them make the money and then they'll be very apologetic.

[Sepholio]

Here we go.....

[Sepholio]

Oklahoma gets it

[Simple Fan]

Looks like Louisville is going with Satterfield. He's already in Louisville and should be made official around 4:30.

[Tom Guycott]

The coach in waiting shit is usually a disaster

Better than forcing a guy out and just throwing an "interim" to the wolves. I'm still upset about that Tressel bullshit, especially since a couple years later, the thing that got him "disgraced" was being spoken of in a different light when folks were talking about that "rising star" Johnny Football.

That said, putting your hand-picked replacement over is one thing, but that replacement living up to that shine is another. Also, I guess this is why there has not been a trigger pulled on Harbaugh. You got a chance to win against the next "nobody" to redeem yourself and your school in the rivalry. Maybe.

[ClockShot]

Good lord the Army/Navy game was awful today.

[Tonya Harding]

It was like a crowbar to the knee.

[Tom Guycott]

We're still a couple weeks away from the National Championship game! I mean, if there were an actual playoff system at work, we would still be talking about college football instead of having this huge lapse. But hey, all these bowl games matter, right? Right??

[Frank Drebin]

It works just like the old NCAA football video game. Bonus recruiting points for winning the *throws dart* Music City Bowl!

[Droford]

Cheezits for everyone

[rez]

Cheezits for everyone

Gawd, that was one ugly game. Like 9 interceptions lol

[poopfromweiner dude]

BUt we need time to celebrate uh da stoodent atlete dudes

[DAMN iNATOR]

LOLMichigan

[Wehttam]

lol you live in filth

[Frank Drebin]

https://tribwgnam.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/AP_19001152612658.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&w=770

[Sepholio]

LOL Notre Dame.

[Sepholio]

LOL Oklahoma.

[Sepholio]

"It's about picking the 4 best teams"

LOLOL

[Sepholio]

Ohio State definitely making the case for why they rule and Oklahoma drools.

Hopefully Georgia makes an example out of Texas later too.

Sadly UCF's streak is over at the hands of LSU. In saying that, UCF def proved they deserve the same attention the big schools do.

[RP]

RIP Tyler Trent

[Vastardikai]

I feel like after UGA almost got killed by a freaking Bull, that maybe, just maybe, this whole "Live Animal Mascot" thing has run its course.

[Big Vic]

Syracuse :cool:

[rez]

IU goin down tomorrow

[DAMN iNATOR]

Fuck yeah, U-M lost! No #1 for them! :D

[Savio]

Hoping KU loses tonight

[rez]

Purdue beat MSU today. Always feels good.

[Savio]

MAKE IT OR BREAK IT TIME for su this week!

[rez]

BIG bball is fucking tough. Coach of the Year nationally has to come from this league...not Archie Miller, though :O

[ClockShot]

Man, if UConn gets back into the Big East, that would be huge.

[rez]

That was a great game between Florida and Miami. Fuck!

[Tom Guycott]

Didn't get to see it. But I did get to see YSU step up on ESPN.

Granted, they don't really get prominently featured, nationally televised games that aren't them being the 1-AA jobbers to a 1-A power team, and playoff rounds/championship games don't really count since they're going to show whoever is playing. The last time they had a featured matchup on ESPN was back when everyone was talking about Alcorn State and how this "Air" McNair kid was going to light up the scoreboard, and Youngstown State shut that shit down all afternoon.

[rez]

Moreeeee games tonight. Army/Rice at 6pm yeesh. No time for a nap after work.

Boiler Up

[Tom Guycott]

I didn't get to see one damned game. At all.

I mean, I can catch all the highlights, but where's the fun in that?

[Droford]

I'm calling A&N beating Clemson now, you can thank me later

[Sepholio]

What are we thanking you for exactly?

[Evil Vito]

Somehow, you just knew Kentucky was going to miss that field goal.

[Sepholio]

I'm more impressed with the fact that Florida mounted that comeback after that brutal injury to their QB.

[Evil Vito]

Not going for it to ice the game on 4th and 1. Throwing it on 3rd and 9 and giving Norte Dame 40 extra seconds. Then the knuckleball punt.

It’s like Georgia is actively trying to blow it.

[Tom Guycott]

Harbaugh burning up that "lack of Urban Meyer at Ohio State" buffer pretty quickly.

On the flip side of that game, Wisconsin goes through cycles of sucking just enough to fly under the radar when they're packing heat. They go from powerhouse to mediocre and back. Looks like they're on the upswing again.

[Evil Vito]

5-star QB recruit Bryce Young flips his commitment to USC and has decided to go to Alabama instead.

Glad to see a program down on its luck get a break for once.

[Tom Guycott]

I somehow think that suplex by the Syracuse player today warrants mentioning on TPWW:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X-8CRaSIb3Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Apologies for all the dumbass graphics around it. People always have to be marks for themselves with Windows Movie Maker.

There was a better vid on ESPN, and it even had one of the announcers make a close to cringy remark about being "something out of WCW".

[Vastardikai]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JhhVr0zCrFk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They talk about the big hit on the QB, but not the second biggest hit on this play.

[Tom Guycott]

Not looking forward to seeing my boys most likely going up against Wisconsin twice in the same season... and if circumstances shake out a certain way, potentially a third time in the playoffs.

On a "good for the sport" thing, though, if they *do* meet three times, the fact that it would be two Big Ten teams makes me pretty sure the NCAA will actually move ahead on the notion they were supposedly going to move on years ago (when everyone was trying to make full 12+ team conferences with a championship game) with prioritizing conference champs instead of trying to topload the rankings with SEC teams arbitrarily.

[Tom Guycott]

... welp, this weekend took care of that.

So now, we get to play a pissed off Wisconsin, an also currently undefeated Penn State, and most likely an undefeated Minnesota team who isn't getting any press whatsoever (so, like a mystery opponent) is currently waiting at the mountaintop and poised to be in the championship game? Talk about "murderer's row".

But, you know, the SEC is the greatest conference in perpetuity because reasons. :shifty:

[Bad News Gertner]

Ugh, Michigan State are going to get pounded by Penn State. What a disappointing season, even though I knew this was going to happen.

Just at least beat Michigan. Misery loves company.

[Tom Guycott]

Ugh, Michigan State are going to get pounded by Penn State. What a disappointing season, even though I knew this was going to happen.

Just at least beat Michigan. Misery loves company.

Anytime anyone beats TTUN, I'm okay with it. Even Sparty.

[Simple Fan]

NCAA having meetings today discussing the possibility of letting athletes profit off their name and likeness.

[Bad News Gertner]

Ugh, Michigan State are going to get pounded by Penn State. What a disappointing season, even though I knew this was going to happen.

Just at least beat Michigan. Misery loves company.

And pounded they got

[Tom Guycott]

NCAA having meetings today discussing the possibility of letting athletes profit off their name and likeness.

Good. I still think it's ridiculous that Tressell got run out of Columbus and Pryor having to rush to the NFL over some of the guys trading clothes for ink (and also all the rumblings of "death penalty" because of it), but just a couple of seasons later, Johnny Football was literally taking money for autographs and nothing was said about it in relation to A&M being punished.

Personal fandom sour grapes aside, I hope they do side for the players. The archaic idea of student-athlete is outdated, exploitative, and insincere. Schools, athletic departments, bowl game executives, and head coaches (and a few of the top-tier recruits) make a ton of money off the back of a lot of guys who, for the most part, are living in their final glory days for free. And when they can't even do shit like get a work-study job or extra meals without it encroaching on their eligibility, that tells me that the system has needed updated for quite awhile now.

[Simple Fan]

They voted to allow them to profit off their likeness but are leaving it up to each NCAA division to decide how. Think they have until January to submit their proposals.

[Simple Fan]

Yeah the Ohio St. thing was fucked up. I don't think they'll ever give the death penalty again. Louisville would have gotten one if they were I think.

[Tom Guycott]

Yeah the Ohio St. thing was fucked up. I don't think they'll ever give the death penalty again. Louisville would have gotten one if they were I think.

The problem is that people are just desperate to see it happen again just because it's there and hasn't been done since SMU; even going as far as to try to call for it with stuff that had nothing to do with the program at large being cheaters (such as the Penn State/Sandusky thing).

Southern Methodist was just so damned brazenabout recriutment violations it that it was needed in their case, because it was like they were daring someone to do something about it.

[Droford]

I lost a 7 team parlay because of the fucking Nebraska cornholers

I'm blaming RP cause I think he lives near Purdue

[Helmsphere]

So what you're saying is, you and your wallet just took it in the corn hole?

[rez]

I lost a 7 team parlay because of the fucking Nebraska cornholers

I'm blaming RP cause I think he lives near Purdue

Fuck RP. I am a proud Purdue Alum. Say what you will but almost literally our whole team is fucking out on injury. Brohm is a top 10 paid coach in FBS but gonna totes give him the benefit of the doubt.

I wish we'd just switch to turf. I'm sick of the Ag school's pride in their grass that gets hard and shitty mid season.

Oh well...lots of true freshmen getting their dicks wet. Another top 25 class coming in next season.

[Simple Fan]

Kind of happy now Louisville didn't get Bromh. Don't think they'd been as successful as Satterfield has been. It seemed right but would have probably just ended like Bobby's return.

[Simple Fan]

Miami beating Louisville right now but I hate that Miami plays in Hard Rock Stadium.

[Tom Guycott]

... aaaannnnnd speak of the devil.

Chase Young's season (and collegiate career if he declares for the draft) potentially over because he took a loan a couple years ago? NCAA can fuck right off to wherever it decides it can fuck off to over this nonsense.

[rez]

Kind of happy now Louisville didn't get Bromh. Don't think they'd been as successful as Satterfield has been. It seemed right but would have probably just ended like Bobby's return.

jeezus leweyville wanted him dead...I flipped the city off this past summer driving down to FL.

[rez]

All things considered, I'm told it's a pretty cool town. It prob deserves an NBA or NHL team.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Hope Michigan State fires Mark Dantonio at the end of the season. He used to be pretty amazing as a coach but this season has been unacceptably and inexplicably and inexcusably bad.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

All things considered, I'm told it's a pretty cool town. It prob deserves an NBA or NHL team.

Louisville is a nice city. I like it very much. Their problem is they’re too close to other professional markets who would bitch about another franchise cutting into their fan base. Louisville is pretty much smack dab in the middle of Nashville, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis.

I kinda like the idea of Kentucky just being the place for horse racing and college sports. Makes it unique.

[Simple Fan]

Their USL soccer team is really good and might eventually get a MLS spot.

NBA could work and they could bring back the old ABA Kentucky Colonels. Yum center is better than most NBA arenas to but if they did expand it's more likely to be out west.

[rez]

lol fucking go evansville bball

[Simple Fan]

Seen they beat UK. 25 point favorites at that. Sad but funny.

[owenbrown]

Lol I live close to Evansville, social media is going nuts

[Sepholio]

I'll be surprised if it holds, but Georgia is seriously looking to shut out Auburn r/n. Would be their 4th shut out of the year. One of the best defenses in recent history./

[Sepholio]

Yep, jinxed it :/

[Sepholio]

Oh well, still have that crazy stat of not allowing any rushing touchdowns all season.

[Sepholio]

TIL you call penalties on a review of an onside kick. Auburn attempted one and recovered and when it was put under review they were called for an illegal block before the ball went far enough for them to legally recover it. Play was overturned, they were penalized 5 yards and had to rekick. That's new.

[Sepholio]

There goes the rushing TD thing -_-

[Tom Guycott]

Another sign of the apocalypse: Harvard vs Yale was and actual, watchable, worthwhile game.

[ClockShot]

Then halftime came around and the win lost some of its magic

[Evil Vito]

It’s not a rivalry if one team has won 17 of 19

[Simple Fan]

Thought Michigan would give Louisville a better game than they did. Louisville #1

[Vastardikai]

Is there a saltier fanbase than Alabama's?

I swear, University of Georgia could be the only thing stopping earth from being overrun by brain sucking aliens, and Bama fans would be rooting for the aliens.

[Tom Guycott]

Woooo! Undefeated season!

If I had to guess how this is going to shake out, LSU will arbitrarily leapfrog to 1 again, and the Buckeyes will be playing Clemson.

[Helmsphere]

CLEMSON BABY!

[Tom Guycott]

... called it.

[Simple Fan]

Louisville going to the Music City Bowl again. I went last time they played in it. Lamar's freshman year, not sure if I want to go this time around.

Not going, game is on a Monday.

[Tom Guycott]

I'm actually pretty upset by this loss to Clemson. It was a game a) they should have won even being the late start second half team they've been all year, b) that they shouldn't have let even be close enough to put into the hands of the refs like with that bullshit forced fumble touchdown callback, c) that they wasted letting Clemson march right down the field and score in 90 seconds near the end with obviously uncharacteristically shit defense, and d) I couldn't even fucking watch live; I had to stare at my phone with the little moving logos and play results.

That last one was more of a dig at ESPN+. Sure, I had the chance to stream some random NHL games, but that wasn't what I was trying to fucking see. "You need a package with your cable provider"... no, that's what I have *you* for, so that I don't pay for cable for one channel to watch x amount of saturdays a year. What's the point of you otherwise?

I think I'm going to have to readjust this Disney+ bundle and drop ESPN and Hulu. Hell, Hulu was even worse "Oh, you don't have streaming. You can get that for an addtional $55 a month". Piss on you. Again, if it were that dire, I'd be paying that for cable already. I'm not paying that to AOLTimeWarnerSpectrum, why would I pay that to you? Fuck them.

[Tom Guycott]

My pick for the National Champions? I'm going to go with the Tigers.

[Helmsphere]

LET'S GO CLEMSON

[Helmsphere]

Oh well. Congrats LSU

[Simple Fan]

SEC isn't going to go away. Best bet is Clemson builds up.the ACC to stop them for a bit. No other conference has the defense that the SEC does.