Oregon Ducks

[Big Mike Lewis]

How 'bout them Oregon Ducks!?!

Maybe they can get some respect now and some retribution from being snubbed in 2001 from the National Championship game.

[Brian Kelley]

I wasn't too happy.  I'm a big ASU fan.  But they did do an excellent job.

[Jim Abb]

They got my respect the second week of the season when they waltzed here into Ann Arbor and humiliated my Wolverines!

After we beat the Buckeyes I'd love to see the Ducks take on LSU or Oklahoma (assuming one of them wins out) in the Championship game (so as not to have to play them again in the Rose Bowl!).

[Mere Nick]

They got my respect the second week of the season when they waltzed here into Ann Arbor and humiliated my Wolverines!

That ain't nothing.  Even Appalachian State did that.

[Cross-titled]

They got my respect the second week of the season when they waltzed here into Ann Arbor and humiliated my Wolverines!

After we beat the Buckeyes I'd love to see the Ducks take on LSU or Oklahoma (assuming one of them wins out) in the Championship game (so as not to have to play them again in the Rose Bowl!).

Looking past Wisconsin, heh?  Planning your New Years Weekend, heh?  Wolverines never learn.

[Jim Abb]

The Wisconsin game doesn't matter. We can lose that game and still get the Rose Bowl bid by beating OSU.

Of course, you have to have a degree from somewhere other than OSU to understand that 

[Bon Voyage]

The Wisconsin game doesn't matter. We can lose that game and still get the Rose Bowl bid by beating OSU.

Of course, you have to have a degree from somewhere other than OSU to understand that 

Neither Henne or Carr's record is too good against Tressel's THE Ohio State University.

[Cross-titled]

The Wisconsin game doesn't matter. We can lose that game and still get the Rose Bowl bid by beating OSU.

Of course, you have to have a degree from somewhere other than OSU to understand that 

Granted, on paper, considering wins and losses, it doesn't matter whether Michigan goes into the Ohio State game with two losses or three.  The league championship will be determined on the 18th.  Ohio State is in the same boat this week with Illinois as far as that goes.

But OSU could care less about the Michigan game or the Bowl game this week.  There is no looking ahead with this group.  They are looked at as a Number 1 team that has backed into that position, not earned it.  They are not respected, especially from the national media and the SEC.  They let themselves and the conference down in their last Bowl game and are still viewed as unworthy and easy fodder for any real team.  Believe me, their only concern is this week's game with Illinois.

Looking past teams (App. St., Oregon) is something Michigan seems to do.  And, therefore, they're not in the National Championship picture and Ohio State is.

[Jim Abb]

They may have looked past App. State, but certainly not the Ducks. I think they were still shell-shocked from the first game when the Ducks came in. And let's not forget that while OSU did beat Akron they certainly didn't look like the #1 team in the nation in doing it. IMHO, the Bucks have the #1 defense in the country, which is important, because as the old saying goes " A great offense will win you games, but a great defense will win you championships."

Michigan's flaw since Bo retired has been that they seem to play to the level of the opposing team. It makes for a lot of great last minute games, but too many losses.

The Big Ten still looks like a weaker conference this year. We won't know for sure until we get to the bowl games whether last year's poor showing was a fluke or a sign of decline in the Midwest.

[Jim Abb]

Speaking of looking past teams......was that lowly Findlay beating the Buckeyes in BBall?

[Bon Voyage]

Speaking of looking past teams......was that lowly Findlay beating the Buckeyes in BBall?

Wisconsin 37, Michigan 21.  Michigan State won two games today.  One directly against Purdue, and the other one indirectly by Wisconsin.

[Big Mike Lewis]

Buckeyes lose to Illinois.

[marc]

If this season doesn't prove the need for a playoff, I don't know what will.  Way too many one-loss teams, and one undefeated team that gets now respect (well, two if you count Hawaii). 

[Brian Kelley]

A football team is a football team.  Why must we discount Hawaii?

[marc]

For the same reason we must discount the Wayne (High School) Pioneers, even though they are undefeated.  Their schedules jsut a wee bit weaker than the big guys.

The University where I'm now attending grad school didn't understand this a few years back either and thought that beating Miami of Ohio was the same as beating Miami of Florida.  When they switched conferences, they discovered the truth.

They are 2-8 this season, btw.

[Brian Kelley]

I'm not saying that we should hand Hawaii the national title.  I am saying we ought to recognize that they've done a good job, though.  Maybe next year whoever is in charge will grant Hawaii a contending position and schedule.  Who knows!?!?

[Bon Voyage]

If this season doesn't prove the need for a playoff, I don't know what will.  Way too many one-loss teams, and one undefeated team that gets now respect (well, two if you count Hawaii). 

The polls have been completely off this year.  The sportswriters and coaches haven't had a clue, and the Harris poll just follows the other two.  And when 2/3 of the BCS formula are human polls that have tried to bring last year into this year, it has been a recipe for disaster.  It very well could be possible that Kansas and Hawaii both go undefeated in the regular season and both teams could be shut out of the big game.

[Weeble]

But who has Hawaii played?  You cannot say that by beating North Colorado, UNLV, Charleston Southern and Idaho is as hard as beating Texas, California, Ohio State, Florida, Virginia Tech, or Rutgers.

I mean if it is then put Michigan in the WAC, it will be the only way they will ever win the National Championship.

You get respect by

1) Your Tradition
2) Your Strength of Schedule (who you beat and who they beat)

Hawaii and Kansas have neither, and we'll see how well Kansas does next week against  Mizzou.

And if you are a fan of the Pac 10  or the Big 10 and you want a playoff, blame your conference.  They are the BIGGEST road bumps at this time.

[Brian Kelley]

Why can't we give relatively equal strength schedules to all teams.  I know it can't be perfect, but all teams from the start should have a chance at the title.  I'm sorry, but I don't think tradition should play much of a role.

[Bon Voyage]

Why can't we give relatively equal strength schedules to all teams.  I know it can't be perfect, but all teams from the start should have a chance at the title.  I'm sorry, but I don't think tradition should play much of a role.

The only equalizer would be a playoff system.

[marc]

Yep.  For years I've advocated a 16-team playoff system using existing bowls.  I'd settle for an 8-team playoff. 

This year, odds are that WVU (now ranked 5th) will be on the outside looking in, and I can't complain, but a shot would be nice.  I don't see denying the number one team in the SEC a spot in the championship if they have a record equal to the best of the contenders.  I think the SEC is head and shoulders the best conference.  Beyond that, who knows?

[Bon Voyage]

Yep.  For years I've advocated a 16-team playoff system using existing bowls.  I'd settle for an 8-team playoff. 

This year, odds are that WVU (now ranked 5th) will be on the outside looking in, and I can't complain, but a shot would be nice.  I don't see denying the number one team in the SEC a spot in the championship if they have a record equal to the best of the contenders.  I think the SEC is head and shoulders the best conference.  Beyond that, who knows?

I'd give it at least 12.  There are 10 conferences, and the winner of each conference would get a playoff spot, with 2 at large in case of an independent or co-champion can get in.

[Cross-titled]

Speaking of looking past teams......was that lowly Findlay beating the Buckeyes in BBall?

Yes.  That powerhouse Findlay team outscored and outrebounded them!!

Buckeyes lose to Illinois.

I was there.  The Buckeyes' defense, of all things, couldn't stop Juice on 3rd downs.  Very disappointing.

I don't know who is, but OSU never really was the best team in the country.  They just won all their games (until Saturday).  I was always a playoff proponent but I more and more think that a playoff system would really reduce the regular season to something of very little importance.  Like BBall.  It's ALL about the tournament.  Just let people argue and keep the interest high.

[Big Mike Lewis]

MAN!  Dennis Dixon injured.  Ducks lose to Arizona.  Another BCS contender to go down.  Who knows who will be in the championship game now?  Maybe Kansas?  LSU?

[marc]

I think Oklahoma will come out of the big 12.  LSU needs to lose in the SEC championship now, though. 

When you look at the top 5 (minus Oregon), three are from the same conference.  That leaves LSU, the Big 12 winner, and WVU.  Look for two of those three in the championship.  Odds are, another upset or two will clear things up.

Of course, enough upsets and Ohio State or Oregon could end up back in it.

[Weeble]

LSU needs to lose in the SEC championship now, though. 

Spoken like a true fan of West Virgina.



GEAUX Tigers!

[marc]

No, West Virgina's the basketball team (see old thread). West Virginia's the football team.

[Weeble]

 

Come on Marc  You know what I meant.

[marc]

Maybe, but what's the printer's excuse?

[Weeble]

I don't know??  Maybe that he's from West Virginia?