1. I am going to the UGA-Ole Miss game this weekend. I am very excited. However, I feel like I need to note that I do fear this is a classic trap game. I worry that the Dawgs probably spent the first part of the week patting themselves on the back for a job well done in Tuscaloosa, and the second part of the week gearing up for the Volunteers on October 5. Let's hope they prove me wrong. Or, alternatively, that Ole Miss proves so inept that it does not matter.
2. I have been reading The Blind Side by Moneyball author Michael Lewis. Great read. The book analyzes the evolution of the left tackle position- how it went from just another faceless position to an indispensable component of a successful football team. I recommend the book highly.
In The Blind Side, Lewis illustrates his analysis with the tale of Ole Miss left tackle Michael Oher. Consequently, this weekend in Sanford, I will be eager to watch this building of a young man in action.
3. I saw extensive coverage of a high school football game on Sportscenter today. Not just a score, or a "Plays of the Day" replay of a remarkable play. But a full game breakdown, with highlights and stats. That seems messed pretty messed up to me. Ever since LeBron James made it profitable, ESPN has been showcasing younger and younger athletes, and featuring games involving younger and younger teams. Which sometimes can be interesting, but more often is completely obnoxious.
Next thing you know, they'll be showing Little Leaguers.
4. Two weeks later, I would like to officially welcome Georgia back to the SEC East race. I was writing them off (loudly and angrily) after the South Carolina game, but the Dawgs are now one Gamecocks loss away from controlling their own destiny again. Which, in a way, is all you can ask for. Until the week after the Florida game, anyway.
5. Penn State lost to Michigan. What a showcase of suckitude for the Big Ten.
6. App. State lost to Wofford. Which presumably means that Wofford can beat Penn State. Once this season is over, I am sure there is going to be an awesome Slippery Rock story, wherein some school like North Suburban gets a top-25 vote for being the team that beat the team... that beat the team... that beat the Big 10 champion.
7. In hindsight, it sure was stupid to believe the Falcons had a shot this year, and not because they lost Michael Vick. Rather, the Falcons switched this year from a zone blocking scheme (using smaller more mobile linemen), to a more traditional alignment. Of course that is going to result in some situations where their undersized OL is overmatched. No wonder Joey Jo Jo is doing his best David Carr impersonation this year.
8. Brett Fav-ruh and the Green Bay Packers are a feel-good story. It is nice to see Favre back on top. But we should have seen it coming to a certain extent. Even if I did not think they were going to go 3-0, we should have expected to see them in the playoffs. Just look at the other teams in the division. One is QBed by Tavaris Jackson, and another is QBed by their coaches' choice of whoever sucks less between Rex Grossman and Brian Griese. The other team is (still) the Detroit Lions.
9. After this past weekend, I am more convinced than ever that every football announcer on TV sucks. There are exceptions, but as a group they bring nothing to the table.
10. I am even more stoked for football now that the Braves have finally been eliminated. Their little run at the end made it interesting, but they were mediocre for too long to have come as close as they did. At least the Mets are looking like they might wind up watching the playoffs on TV. And unlike Braves fans, Mets fans (John Knight aside) don't have college football to occupy their time after their baseball team is eliminated.
11. This is only tangentially related to college football, but I love that the "Don't tase me, bro" guy is from U of F. Incidentally, if my colleague and I had started this exercise in narcissism that is a blog today, I would have pushed strongly for "Don't tase me, bro" as the blog title.
Showing posts with label College Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College Football. Show all posts
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
But at least they only lost by 4.
I have been absent from my computer (and indeed, much of the rest of the world) with an unpleasant illness the past couple of days. I like to blame the Georgia Bulldogs.
Some thoughts:
1. Some piss-poor playcalling. 3rd and 2 late... 2 talented feature backs, a horse of a QB... I know, let's run to the outside with the slowest guy on the team. Sounds retarded, no? But Bobo called it in, Sutherland on a sweep. And what is even more amazing than the fact that he made such a moronic call was that it would have worked if not for...
2. Piss-poor execution. Someone needs to explain to Mo-Mass that a block requires physical contact with the man in front of him. I saw more physical blocks in intramural flag football. And of course, when talking about poor execution in Georgia games, one always comes back to...
3. Dropped pass after dropped pass after dropped pass. I will be the first to admit that my boy Stafford did not play well. But his skill players (defined loosely, to include Tripp Chandler) need to help the big guy out from time to time. And by "from time to time" I mean most specifically when you are holding the game-tying touchdown in your hands, there, Tony Wilson.
4. But most perplexing, perhaps, was Richt's decision to kick the field goal when Georgia had it 4th and 15 from the 20.
This is not second guessing. Anyone watching the game with me knows that I was loudly and crudely calling for the offense to go back out there on 4th down.
The reasons are simple. There were 4 minutes left in the game. Georgia had not consistently stopped the run all night. To give the ball back to South Carolina to let them eat up the clock did not seem like a good idea to me.
But what's more, even when the kick was good, the Dawgs still needed a touchdown. If they had been down by six, I would understand kicking, to pull within a field goal. But they were down seven. They still needed to march the full length of the field when (or, indeed, if) they got it back.
And if they had failed on the 4th down, the Dawgs were giving South Carolina the ball back in the same spot where they would have taken over after a kickoff. Field-position wise, the Dawgs were no worse by missing it on 4th down than by taking the 3 and kicking back off.
Predictably, Georgia kicked the field goal, let South Carolina eat up tons of yards and clock, and then could not get the job done when they were left throwing desperation heaves downfield.
I love Richt. I think he is a good coach. But occasionally, he needs an associate head coach of clock management. And sometimes, I am afraid he needs an associate head coach of common sense. Unless he feels that a 4 point loss is somehow nobler than a 7 point loss.
Some thoughts:
1. Some piss-poor playcalling. 3rd and 2 late... 2 talented feature backs, a horse of a QB... I know, let's run to the outside with the slowest guy on the team. Sounds retarded, no? But Bobo called it in, Sutherland on a sweep. And what is even more amazing than the fact that he made such a moronic call was that it would have worked if not for...
2. Piss-poor execution. Someone needs to explain to Mo-Mass that a block requires physical contact with the man in front of him. I saw more physical blocks in intramural flag football. And of course, when talking about poor execution in Georgia games, one always comes back to...
3. Dropped pass after dropped pass after dropped pass. I will be the first to admit that my boy Stafford did not play well. But his skill players (defined loosely, to include Tripp Chandler) need to help the big guy out from time to time. And by "from time to time" I mean most specifically when you are holding the game-tying touchdown in your hands, there, Tony Wilson.
4. But most perplexing, perhaps, was Richt's decision to kick the field goal when Georgia had it 4th and 15 from the 20.
This is not second guessing. Anyone watching the game with me knows that I was loudly and crudely calling for the offense to go back out there on 4th down.
The reasons are simple. There were 4 minutes left in the game. Georgia had not consistently stopped the run all night. To give the ball back to South Carolina to let them eat up the clock did not seem like a good idea to me.
But what's more, even when the kick was good, the Dawgs still needed a touchdown. If they had been down by six, I would understand kicking, to pull within a field goal. But they were down seven. They still needed to march the full length of the field when (or, indeed, if) they got it back.
And if they had failed on the 4th down, the Dawgs were giving South Carolina the ball back in the same spot where they would have taken over after a kickoff. Field-position wise, the Dawgs were no worse by missing it on 4th down than by taking the 3 and kicking back off.
Predictably, Georgia kicked the field goal, let South Carolina eat up tons of yards and clock, and then could not get the job done when they were left throwing desperation heaves downfield.
I love Richt. I think he is a good coach. But occasionally, he needs an associate head coach of clock management. And sometimes, I am afraid he needs an associate head coach of common sense. Unless he feels that a 4 point loss is somehow nobler than a 7 point loss.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
But now that I think about it, Drew Weatherford and the Detroit Shock have a LOT in common.
I have been post-free for a few days, so I am making up for lost time.
One of the reasons I have neglected my duties as a blogger has been the amazing sports weekend I just enjoyed. That's right, Labor Day weekend. Which means, as it does every year, the WNBA finals.
Bet the house on the Detroit Shock. They play defense and know the true meaning of DEE-TROIT basketball.
Of course, if you haven't angrily turned your computer off at the thought of reading a WNBA post, relax. I am speaking, of course, of the return of college football. A few thoughts...
1. How Bout Them Dawgs! Stafford looked great (75% completion, almost 10 yards per attempt, no turnovers). The defense looked like it could be something special, especially considering that Ok State ran up video game stats on offense last year. I am thinking it is going to be a great year between the hedges.
2. Freaking Soft University... FSU looked terrible in their matchup against Clemson. Kind of makes you long for the days when you had someone to hate down in Tallahassee. A Georgia fan might gloat that they have not been good since their OC traveled north to Athens. Tommy Bowden may well regret having this game so early on his schedule, though... Now he won't be able to save his job during an underachieving season by beating his pop. By the time Clemson starts to suck come November, this win will be but a distant memory.
3. Illinois-Missouri. Two crappy teams that I should care nothing about. But I was thoroughly entertained by their matchup. On a tape-delay replay, no less. A furious comeback by Illinois, cut short at the last minute. Great game.
4. Beware Georgia Tech. I know Notre Dame is probably going to suck this year. But the kind of whupping the Rambling Wreck put on them is no joke. If anyone but Chan Gailey were their coach, I would be worried.
5. Nice stats from the golden boys of the Big East. I saw parts of the Louisville game. That passing attack is going to be hard for anyone to beat.
6. There is no point trying to say something witty about Michigan. A top-5 team with National Title aspirations should not lose to a I-AA school. Ever. Every Big 10 team is suspect, by mere association.
Next week is going to be awesome, with Spurrier coming to Athens. Here's hoping the Bulldogs remind the Ol Ball Coach that you can't spell "suck" without "USC."
One of the reasons I have neglected my duties as a blogger has been the amazing sports weekend I just enjoyed. That's right, Labor Day weekend. Which means, as it does every year, the WNBA finals.
Bet the house on the Detroit Shock. They play defense and know the true meaning of DEE-TROIT basketball.
Of course, if you haven't angrily turned your computer off at the thought of reading a WNBA post, relax. I am speaking, of course, of the return of college football. A few thoughts...
1. How Bout Them Dawgs! Stafford looked great (75% completion, almost 10 yards per attempt, no turnovers). The defense looked like it could be something special, especially considering that Ok State ran up video game stats on offense last year. I am thinking it is going to be a great year between the hedges.
2. Freaking Soft University... FSU looked terrible in their matchup against Clemson. Kind of makes you long for the days when you had someone to hate down in Tallahassee. A Georgia fan might gloat that they have not been good since their OC traveled north to Athens. Tommy Bowden may well regret having this game so early on his schedule, though... Now he won't be able to save his job during an underachieving season by beating his pop. By the time Clemson starts to suck come November, this win will be but a distant memory.
3. Illinois-Missouri. Two crappy teams that I should care nothing about. But I was thoroughly entertained by their matchup. On a tape-delay replay, no less. A furious comeback by Illinois, cut short at the last minute. Great game.
4. Beware Georgia Tech. I know Notre Dame is probably going to suck this year. But the kind of whupping the Rambling Wreck put on them is no joke. If anyone but Chan Gailey were their coach, I would be worried.
5. Nice stats from the golden boys of the Big East. I saw parts of the Louisville game. That passing attack is going to be hard for anyone to beat.
6. There is no point trying to say something witty about Michigan. A top-5 team with National Title aspirations should not lose to a I-AA school. Ever. Every Big 10 team is suspect, by mere association.
Next week is going to be awesome, with Spurrier coming to Athens. Here's hoping the Bulldogs remind the Ol Ball Coach that you can't spell "suck" without "USC."
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Auburn Still Sucks
I think one of two things need to happen to college football polling.
1. They need to eliminate all pre-season polls.
Or
2. They should eliminate pre-season polls from any BCS calculations.
In the current system, teams in the pre-season top 10 have an unfair advantage over every other team in Division 1-A football. The only reason they have this advantage is because various sports writers and coaches decided that they would be the best teams in the nation before a game was even played. For example, in the 2004 season three BCS schools went undefeated in the regular season (I’m eliminating non-BCS schools from my argument in this case); USC, Oklahoma and Auburn. Now by the end of the year it was generally agreed that Auburn was a better team than Oklahoma. However, because Oklahoma was ranked higher than Auburn in the pre-season (number 2 and 17 respectively) they were slotted to play USC in the National Title game that year. Because they had gone undefeated and had been ranked number 2 at the beginning of the year pollsters were somewhat forced to keep them ranked where they were (there is an unwritten rule that if you keep winning all of your games then you don’t drop in the polls).
Now I know that pre-season polls will never be done away with (they get people talking and allow ESPN and others to “debate” football months before the games start), but I think they can be taken out of the BCS equation. The BCS should go to a system that eliminates all polls that rank teams before week 8 (or whatever week it is that the first BCS rankings are released) from their calculations.
By doing so, teams would no longer have an unfair advantage due to pre-season polls. Also, surprise teams (like Auburn in 2004) would have an equal chance to play for national title as any team ranked higher than them in any pre-season polls. Pre-season polls are never right anyway so why should we allow them to cloud an already flawed system. National champions should be decided on the field and not in the minds of people like Lou Holtz (may he rest in peace).
I write this not as an SEC fan (I’m an ACC guy) but as a fan of college football.
1. They need to eliminate all pre-season polls.
Or
2. They should eliminate pre-season polls from any BCS calculations.
In the current system, teams in the pre-season top 10 have an unfair advantage over every other team in Division 1-A football. The only reason they have this advantage is because various sports writers and coaches decided that they would be the best teams in the nation before a game was even played. For example, in the 2004 season three BCS schools went undefeated in the regular season (I’m eliminating non-BCS schools from my argument in this case); USC, Oklahoma and Auburn. Now by the end of the year it was generally agreed that Auburn was a better team than Oklahoma. However, because Oklahoma was ranked higher than Auburn in the pre-season (number 2 and 17 respectively) they were slotted to play USC in the National Title game that year. Because they had gone undefeated and had been ranked number 2 at the beginning of the year pollsters were somewhat forced to keep them ranked where they were (there is an unwritten rule that if you keep winning all of your games then you don’t drop in the polls).
Now I know that pre-season polls will never be done away with (they get people talking and allow ESPN and others to “debate” football months before the games start), but I think they can be taken out of the BCS equation. The BCS should go to a system that eliminates all polls that rank teams before week 8 (or whatever week it is that the first BCS rankings are released) from their calculations.
By doing so, teams would no longer have an unfair advantage due to pre-season polls. Also, surprise teams (like Auburn in 2004) would have an equal chance to play for national title as any team ranked higher than them in any pre-season polls. Pre-season polls are never right anyway so why should we allow them to cloud an already flawed system. National champions should be decided on the field and not in the minds of people like Lou Holtz (may he rest in peace).
I write this not as an SEC fan (I’m an ACC guy) but as a fan of college football.
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