College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

[LynahFan]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

If Iowa beats Ohio State at Ohio State in a couple weeks they may actually jump Texas and play for the national title. I would say that this is a scary concept, but I actually wouldn't be surprised to see Iowa beat Florida or Alabama considering the games that the two have struggling in.

As opposed to these shellackings being laid down by Iowa:

Northern Iowa: 17-16
Arkansas State: 24-21
Michigan: 30-28
Michigan State: 15-13

If Texas and Iowa both hold serve, Texas will go. Fair or not, voters will see that as payback for last year when Texas didn't get a shot at Florida due to the B-12 tiebreaker.

 

[The Darkness]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

As opposed to these shellackings being laid down by Iowa:

Northern Iowa: 17-16
Arkansas State: 24-21
Michigan: 30-28
Michigan State: 15-13

If Texas and Iowa both hold serve, Texas will go. Fair or not, voters will see that as payback for last year when Texas didn't get a shot at Florida due to the B-12 tiebreaker.

I never said Iowa was a offensive powerhouse or that great of a team, but both Florida and Alabama struggled against Tennessee because Tennessee brought a good defense and ball control. And outside of the interception prone Ricky Stanzi that's pretty much exactly what Iowa brings to the table.

But you're probably right if Texas doesn't completely implode they probably play for the championship, and honestly I still think they win it.

 

[BoomGoestheDynamite]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

I never said Iowa was a offensive powerhouse or that great of a team, but both Florida and Alabama struggled against Tennessee because Tennessee brought a good defense and ball control. And outside of the interception prone Ricky Stanzi that's pretty much exactly what Iowa brings to the table.

But you're probably right if Texas doesn't completely implode they probably play for the championship, and honestly I still think they win it.

I know you're not advocating Texas making it on merit, but it looks likely they'll play a grand total of 2 ranked teams (assuming OU finds its legs in a very weak Big 12) this year. Neither of whom will be in the top ten. If they make it in over an undefeated Iowa or Cinci it will yet another BCS induced travesty.

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

Iowa is actually #1 in the puter rankings. If you thought the pollsters arbitrarily discounted Cincy, you should be screaming bloody murder on Iowa's behalf. Just sayin'

As for Cincy, I think their position is about right. No, I'm not saying that I think they'll lose to Pitt and WVU, but they haven't beaten them yet, either.

If UC does win those two games, while Texas is beating up on Baylor and A&M, and UC still doesn't catch up to (or pass) UT, then I'll join the mob.

 

[Craig P.]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

Iowa is actually #1 in the puter rankings.

Which I think has as much to do with the ad hoc removal of margin of victory as anything.

 

[blockski]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

On the one hand, I applaud the pollsters for actually re-evaluating things and not just endlessly letting teams ride the conveyor belt upwards as teams in front of them lose.

On the other hand, their re-evaluation seems suspiciously like an attempt to massage the overall BCS rankings as they see fit, rather than offering their honest opinions on the relative strengths of each team.

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

On the other hand, their re-evaluation seems suspiciously like an attempt to massage the overall BCS rankings as they see fit, rather than offering their honest opinions on the relative strengths of each team.

I'm not sure how suspicious it really is. I think the BCS continues to give human voters influence precisely so that they can massage the rankings.

This scenario is highly unlikely, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility: Suppose at the end of the season there is exactly one undefeated team - the winner of the Florida-Alabama SEC title game. After that, there are just a bunch of 1-loss teams. Including the loser of that FL-Ala game. Let's say it's Alabama. Is the BCS going to drop Alabama below the other 1-loss teams when their only loss is to #1 Florida, *and* they have at least one quality OOC victory? Nope. The computer rankings are going to give us a repeat Florida-Alabama game for the crystal football.

Except that will never happen, because Coaches and Harris Poll voters will drop the loser (in this case Alabama) an excessive # of places precisely to prevent that outcome.

 

[Handyman]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

I never said Iowa was a offensive powerhouse or that great of a team, but both Florida and Alabama struggled against Tennessee because Tennessee brought a good defense and ball control. And outside of the interception prone Ricky Stanzi that's pretty much exactly what Iowa brings to the table.

But you're probably right if Texas doesn't completely implode they probably play for the championship, and honestly I still think they win it.

You are out of your mind...Iowa plays good D against the crappy teams in the Big Ten...if you think they are anywhere near the same level of the top teams in the SEC/Big Twelve I have a bridge to sell you on 35W. Iowa will be smoked worse than tOSU was if by some fluke chance they make the title game.

 

[BoomGoestheDynamite]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

You are out of your mind...Iowa plays good D against the crappy teams in the Big Ten...if you think they are anywhere near the same level of the top teams in the SEC/Big Twelve I have a bridge to sell you on 35W. Iowa will be smoked worse than tOSU was if by some fluke chance they make the title game.

The Big 12 is horrendous this year. The Big Ten is a superior conference this season top to bottom.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

the excuse is going to be that their starting QB is out for surgery... but yeah, I figure its more about the rightful territory of the upper echelons.

Then those idiots still don't know Brian Kelly then. Brian Kelly has made it to the championship game, in a playoff before when his star QB went down with a knee injury with a platoon system for QBs because none of the backups had really gotten a whole lot of playing reps that year. And if it wasn't for a bad blitz call late in the fourth by his DC, Grand Valley would have beaten North Dakota in that game. But I digress....

 

[kingdobbs]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

Yah, I've never quite understood that line of reasoning either.

Minor conference team is undefeated. The criticism is their conference is weak so they are overrated. Then they lose within conference. The critics say, "see?" Well, no... no, I don't. Intraconference results indicate nothing about interconference strength.

(Replace Big East with ECACHL and move along...)

Notre Dame at #23 in the BCS. Twist undergarment of your choice.

Also, it's been a useless argument against the Big East for a number of years...if you look at the numbers, especially compared to the "non-fraudulent" ACC.

It's just further confirmation that you have to have a name to get anywhere in BCS football, or be friends with someone that does.

 

[Dirty]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

Then those idiots still don't know Brian Kelly then. Brian Kelly has made it to the championship game, in a playoff before when his star QB went down with a knee injury with a platoon system for QBs because none of the backups had really gotten a whole lot of playing reps that year. And if it wasn't for a bad blitz call late in the fourth by his DC, Grand Valley would have beaten North Dakota in that game. But I digress....

Jesse Smith throwing a block over the middle allowing Luke Schleusner break for a 45 yard run. A true thing of beauty.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

Jesse Smith throwing a block over the middle allowing Luke Schleusner break for a 45 yard run. A true thing of beauty.

That LB don't blitz it would have gone for 8-10 yards tops and UND would have needed to burn a time out.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

You are out of your mind...Iowa plays good D against the crappy teams in the Big Ten...if you think they are anywhere near the same level of the top teams in the SEC/Big Twelve I have a bridge to sell you on 35W. Iowa will be smoked worse than tOSU was if by some fluke chance they make the title game.

Bigger margin of victory: Iowa over Minnesota or Florida over Iowa?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

Bigger margin of victory: Iowa over Minnesota or Florida over Iowa?

The former.

 

[bronconick]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

I'm not sure how suspicious it really is. I think the BCS continues to give human voters influence precisely so that they can massage the rankings.

This scenario is highly unlikely, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility: Suppose at the end of the season there is exactly one undefeated team - the winner of the Florida-Alabama SEC title game. After that, there are just a bunch of 1-loss teams. Including the loser of that FL-Ala game. Let's say it's Alabama. Is the BCS going to drop Alabama below the other 1-loss teams when their only loss is to #1 Florida, *and* they have at least one quality OOC victory? Nope. The computer rankings are going to give us a repeat Florida-Alabama game for the crystal football.

Except that will never happen, because Coaches and Harris Poll voters will drop the loser (in this case Alabama) an excessive # of places precisely to prevent that outcome.

After two years ago, if there's a Florida-Alabama rematch in the MNC game, the Big Ten commish will go ballistic. And I wouldn't blame him.

 

[LynahFan]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

I never said Iowa was a offensive powerhouse or that great of a team, but both Florida and Alabama struggled against Tennessee because Tennessee brought a good defense and ball control. And outside of the interception prone Ricky Stanzi that's pretty much exactly what Iowa brings to the table.

Wow, I'm really struggling with this - I just don't know what to think. Tennessee seems to be playing with a lot of fire for Kiffin's first season, and they're giving the SEC top dogs all they can handle - but still losing. The loss to Auburn is obviously the most troubling - at the time, of course, it was to undefeated Auburn, but now Auburn's gone and laid three stinkers in a row. Anyway, in a direct comparison, do I think Tennessee is better than Iowa? No, I can't buy that, not this year. And yet, I still can't shake the feeling that Tennessee gave Florida and 'Bama a better game than Iowa would. I honestly don't know how to resolve those conflicting gut feelings!

 

[BoomGoestheDynamite]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

Wow, I'm really struggling with this - I just don't know what to think. Tennessee seems to be playing with a lot of fire for Kiffin's first season, and they're giving the SEC top dogs all they can handle - but still losing. The loss to Auburn is obviously the most troubling - at the time, of course, it was to undefeated Auburn, but now Auburn's gone and laid three stinkers in a row. Anyway, in a direct comparison, do I think Tennessee is better than Iowa? No, I can't buy that, not this year. And yet, I still can't shake the feeling that Tennessee gave Florida and 'Bama a better game than Iowa would. I honestly don't know how to resolve those conflicting gut feelings!

Tennessee wasn't better than (0-4 in the Pac-10) UCLA in Kneyland. Me thinks this is part of that old "we beat each other up" theme the SEC trots out.

 

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

Jesse Smith throwing a block over the middle allowing Luke Schleusner break for a 45 yard run. A true thing of beauty.

Especially since Jesse Smith is like 5 and half feet tall. Jed Perkerewicz running around the end and walking into the endzone untouched was a thing of beauty too...


Bitter, party of one, Bitter, party of one.....

 

[The Darkness]

Re: College Footbal 2009: Anybody want to be in the Top 5?

I'm not sure how suspicious it really is. I think the BCS continues to give human voters influence precisely so that they can massage the rankings.

This scenario is highly unlikely, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility: Suppose at the end of the season there is exactly one undefeated team - the winner of the Florida-Alabama SEC title game. After that, there are just a bunch of 1-loss teams. Including the loser of that FL-Ala game. Let's say it's Alabama. Is the BCS going to drop Alabama below the other 1-loss teams when their only loss is to #1 Florida, *and* they have at least one quality OOC victory? Nope. The computer rankings are going to give us a repeat Florida-Alabama game for the crystal football.

Except that will never happen, because Coaches and Harris Poll voters will drop the loser (in this case Alabama) an excessive # of places precisely to prevent that outcome.

I think it doesn't matter If Florida loses to Georgia on Saturday or to Sourth Carolina in a couple of weeks and still wins the SEC they play for the championship.

If Alabama loses to LSU and still wins the SEC they play for the championship. If LSU beats LSU and wins the SEC they play for the championship. It doesn't matter.

You are out of your mind...Iowa plays good D against the crappy teams in the Big Ten...if you think they are anywhere near the same level of the top teams in the SEC/Big Twelve I have a bridge to sell you on 35W. Iowa will be smoked worse than tOSU was if by some fluke chance they make the title game.

Wow, I'm really struggling with this - I just don't know what to think. Tennessee seems to be playing with a lot of fire for Kiffin's first season, and they're giving the SEC top dogs all they can handle - but still losing. The loss to Auburn is obviously the most troubling - at the time, of course, it was to undefeated Auburn, but now Auburn's gone and laid three stinkers in a row. Anyway, in a direct comparison, do I think Tennessee is better than Iowa? No, I can't buy that, not this year. And yet, I still can't shake the feeling that Tennessee gave Florida and 'Bama a better game than Iowa would. I honestly don't know how to resolve those conflicting gut feelings!

Florida has struggled not only against Tennessee but also against LSU, Arkansas and Mississippi state.

Which leaves teams that Florida played where they looked unbeatable to Southern Chattanoga, Troy and Kentucky.

LSU and Tennessee have solid defenses that are offensive inept, that I give you. Arkansas has lots of potential and played well I guess, and Mississippi State actually has a decent defense and Florida didn't play well.

However I think the idea that Florida is this super team that's absolutely untouchable has to be retired. Florida's defense is great and in a game vs Iowa would probably control the bulk of the game. But Florida's offense has yet to look anything more average when going against any team that had a defense that was in anyway breathing.

Iowa defense is rock solid. The schemes are top notch, they play disciplined, do give up many big plays and most importantly they force turnovers. Iowa has a good defense and you can say whatever you want to be they do. Iowa's problems come from their offense and the inconsistency of Ricky Stanzi.

If Iowa doesn't shot themselves in the foot, which is very much possible, Iowa can keep Florida under 20 points, force a couple turnovers and definitely make a game of it.