Updated Oct. 30
We start with a well-reasoned argument on the Davey O'Brien Award semifinalists then descend into the usual word vomit about officials and my intelligence. God, I love my job.
From: Peter
I am writing to get some insight on why Christian Ponder was left off your Davey O'Brien ballot. If you were one of the few that voted for him and actually watches the games, then I thank you. I am sending this to all committee members.
Not only is Christian Ponder one of the top rated QBs in all statistical categories, but he is the smartest college football QB. He graduated in 2½ years, will have his master's soon, and will go on to a doctorate if the NFL does not call.
The Heisman is a popularity contest that only a QB, RB, WR, CB, etc. with a winning team can win. I just thought the O'Brien was different. I guess academics, character and stats are not that important to the O'Brien crew either. Voters think that if your team has only one or two losses then you must be a great QB.
(Note: The Davey O'Brien Award goes to the nation's best quarterback.)
Pete:
I'm glad you wrote. I had no problem at all leaving Ponder off my ballot, as, apparently, did most of the voters.
Florida State's quarterback has 12 touchdown passes. Fourteen of the 15 players on the list have at least that many. Thirteen of the 15 semifinalists play for ranked teams. Florida State is 3-4.
Let me ask a question, if you put Ponder on the list who do you take off? My conscience is clear. If nothing else, Christian is a victim of FSU's bad season.
From: kgwilliams
Dennis: IT IS NOT MISSED CALLS!!! IT'S THAT THE CALLS THAT ARE SO WRONG THAT FORREST GUMP COULD HAVE GOTTEN THEM RIGHT. These calls clearly cost the teams their games and the programs money by losing and being forced out of bowls or to except a lower rated bowl game!!!
Forrest Dump:
Officials are like a box of chocolates. You eat one and you're accused of cannibalism. Or something like that.
From: pcbailey
I have to laugh after all the verbal beatdowns Boise State has endured to finally see the dogs turn on someone else! Do we need a playoff system or are we going to see the press crown Alabama, Florida, etc., every year even before the season plays out!
Politically Correct Bailey:
At least until 2013.
From: itmatters
Praise for the league (SEC) on their action concerning the (officials') lackluster performance during the Florida-Arkansas game. However, I believe it's a lil' too late in reprimanding the officials for it. I watched the WHOLE game that day and I'll be the first to go on record and say, Florida got their butts kicked all over the field, in every category as Arkansas came in with an awesome game plan and stood toe-to-toe with the Gators.
I was outraged with the way the officials called the game. ... This not only makes me sick to my stomach, Florida still retained their No. 1 status. Every sportswriter in America wants and has to some degree hails not just Florida but the entire SEC as being the best conference in college football, period. Have they not seen Florida's soft schedule for this year? How many ranked teams do you see on their schedule for this season? There's a lot more questions not just regarding the Florida and Arkansas game that needs to be addressed here. It's about the integrity, and preservation of college sports overall.
I have let my VOICE be known, now we fans just need to hear from you.
Matters:
Florida and Alabama should meet again in the national championship game. I'm on the SEC payroll. Herschel Walker is the greatest ever. The SEC officials are the smartest, most aware men on the planet. Kidding.
Sorry to disappoint you but it's just possible the SEC officials are having a bad few weeks. No conspiracy theories here.
From: lasvegaslarry
Dennis Dodd wrote ... "You know America. Unless it looks, talks and smells like us, then different is bad."
Dennis, that's a bunch of crap, and it really illuminates your ignorance. You realize you can't make a strong case for Cincinnati's weak strength of schedule, so you merely resort to smearing the country you claim to love. The truth is, America is the most diverse nation on the planet, and America has benefitted the world more than any other nation in history.
America guarantees Constitutional rights to freedom of expression, religion, assembly and speech. Try being different in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, China, Iran or Somalia ... and see how long it takes before you're savagely beaten, thrown in jail or executed. The truth is Dennis, you don't know very much about how the rest of the world lives ... much of the rest of the world lives under totalitarian rule. Then again, your life is dedicated to sitting in front of the television with a bucket of fried chicken while watching college football. THAT is your life. You don't know how the rest of America lives, and you certainly don't know how the rest of the world lives.
Pat Riot:
Make it extra crispy and you're closer to the truth.
By the way, when did Cincinnati become part of the good, old US of A?
From: John
You throw much of the media blame at Herbstreit (for Cincinnati), but isn't CBS as much to blame for the SEC portion of the hype? Yes, the SEC has developed into the dominant conference, but CBS is their breast milk.
Question Everything:
There's a visual I don't want to contemplate.
From: drlight
Mr. Dodd you wrote an article after the USC game ... accusing (Ohio State fans) of being ungrateful and telling us to give back all the championships and trophies. Now you write this crap. You should give back all the money you have made writing this garbage.
Destructive Criticism:
Gladly. That, and a quarter would get you a bag of chips. You can't bleed a tomato.
From: rainman
With Tate Forcier taking snaps for Michigan, am I the only one who thinks that the Wolverines actually won the Terrelle Pryor sweepstakes by losing it?
Captain Obvious:
No.
From: djtower
Your crisp writing is a pleasure for me, a college English composition professor. Thx. If Central Michigan (beats) Boston College, I'd suggest another column mentioning Dan LeFevour. The guy is the best ever for the Chips including Gary Hogeboom, who played for the Cowboys.
Prof:
I done good, did I? I'm fixin' to write somethin' purty 'bout Danny Boy.
From: tednkatie
Would you please tell me why coaches -- college and pro -- seem to cover their mouth with whatever when talking on the sideline? I can't imagine anything being picked up and passed along to the opponent, not even in today's world. Thanks!
Not Jon n Kate:
You ever hear of the swine flu? It's everywhere. Those guys are just covering their mouths.
From: Robert
Dear Mr. Dodd and Mr. Prisco, I'm sending this to both of you because I heard you speak with each other on Pete's radio show. As I did, it became clear to me that the goal of most of today's sportswriters is a simple one: to anger as many people as possible, as often as possible.
(Note: Pete Prisco is one of our NFL beat writers who also hosts a radio show in Jacksonville, Fla.)
Babblin' Bobby:
What's your point, loser?
