Mailbag: The readers never take a break
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Is anyone playing out there?
Looking at the schedule, it seems as if half of I-A put in for vacation this weekend. There are more byes this week than the first day of kindergarten.
Just not a lot of big games, unless you count that SMU-San Jose State tail-twister.
Oh well. We'll have to manage with the knowledge dropped by some of the -- to coin a term -- readers ....
From: Trent Hamel
Once again you reaffirm why you should not be allowed to write anything about college football!
Your notion that these non-BCS schools such as Fresno, Boise, etc., have a place in the BCS bowls is just plain stupid. Do they rise up and play outside of their ability when they do play a BCS school YES! Could they do it week in and week out? NO!
I think you know that. You just like stirring the pot, so to say. None of these schools would (achieve) an eight-win season if they were in the ACC, SEC, Big Ten etc. It's not even worth discussing at this point because every one of those teams will lose a game that they are not supposed to lose.
That's just the way it is and every year we have the same discussions. Last year it was the MAC and TCU. Are these teams good? Yes, they are in their respective conferences. There is a reason these schools are not in BCS conferences.
Hammer:
I laugh every time I hear this argument: "Let's see what they'd do in one of the power conferences." Hello? They don't play in a power conference and probably never will.
How would The Sopranos do on network TV? What would Britney do without money? We'll never know because it ain't going to happen, my friend.
How does anyone really know? We can only speculate. Look at it this way: If Fresno State was in the Big Ten or Big 12 it would have access to some of the best athletes in the country. They wouldn't be playing with just central California kids. As it is, I believe Fresno could win the Big 12 North this year. Boise surely is better than Vanderbilt and would finish in the middle of the pack in the SEC.
Besides, Fresno State has more or less played a big-time conference schedule, beating nine BCS teams since 2000. Instead of ripping their talent, admire their spunk. Pat Hill's motto is any time, anywhere, anyone. That's a good philosophy in a street fight or in scheduling non-conference teams.
The Bulldogs play like they're in a street fight and they usually win.
From: mbecks22
When did Texas produce a starting NFL QB (college football notes, Sept. 15)?
When did Vince Young become an NFL caliber QB? Last I checked, the option wasn't a successful NFL offense.
One last thing, tell Texas to play Miami or Florida State or any difficult non-conference opponent before any of their players decides they could even suit up for one of those teams.
Becks:
I agree. You're referring to high school blue-chip quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who is committed to Texas, in part because the job will be open after the 2005 season. That's when current quarterback Vince Young intends to head to the NFL after his junior season.
Perrilloux wants to go to a school that pumps out pros. Texas does that but if Perrilloux did any research he'd find Texas isn't exactly an NFL starting quarterback factory unless you count Bobby Layne. He was drafted only 56 years ago.
From: Marc in Tampa
When are you media nerds gonna stop with this "Luckeye" stuff. You need to start giving credit where credit is due: (Ohio State coach) Jim Tressel.
You people don't realize the aura of confidence this man brings to this team. No, they're not the most talented team, but find me a team that is better coached and I'll find you a sports reporter that actually knows what he's reporting about.
Clueless by the Bay:
There is no shame to being a good coach and lucky at the same time. The shame is playing a brand of football that would curdle milk.
From: bamaguy
Alabama has looked better this season than I have seen in a long time. What is your opinion on Alabama and its future? Can Alabama go to a major bowl game this year?
Crimson Male:
I might have had one too many martinis but, yes, I do believe 'Bama can go to a major bowl. This week's Arkansas game is huge. So is the injury to Brodie Croyle. But Mike Shula looks like he is getting it. His team could be 7-0 going to Tennessee on Oct. 23.
From: David Gray
Dennis -- Just curious, have you seen Georgia play this year? If they are number 1, why isn't Marshall in the top ten?
Gray Matter:
It's simple, dude. Georgia WON THE GAME. Marshall, 0-3 by the way, lost. Not every game is a thing of beauty. Sometimes you just survive. By your argument, in the Louvre, Marshall would be a hidden masterpiece but Georgia would be a comic strip displayed prominently.
Give me Doonesbury every time.
From: erik
I know you're kinda joking about the kicker scholarship thing (national folo, Sept. 19)...
But I was at the Tenn-Fla game and anyone who can nail a 50-yarder after missing a PAT in that situation should definitely be on scholarship. That kind of composure is amazing. You can't teach or coach that.
A person like that can't just be plucked from anywhere.
E-male:
I was totally serious about making all kickers walk-ons. They are a waste of scholarship money. I can go out to any soccer field and find some schmuck who can miss a PAT and kick a 50-yarder. Like the rest of them, Tennessee's James Wilhoit should be eating at McDonald's, not at the training table.
From: pcreason2003
I really enjoyed your article on SEC football (national folo, Sept. 19). I enjoy your writing and find myself in agreement with you most of the time.
I noted the playing of John Denver's Country Roads following West Virginia's upset of Maryland. I also saw your comment that most people's idea of fun doesn't include John Denver's music.
I must tell you that there is no more enjoyable experience for me than to play and sing John Denver's music on the guitar. It is an experience that I have shared for the past 24 years with my wife and my kids.
You should try this sometime. Go camping with your family in the mountains. After pitching the tent build a campfire. Then sing Rocky Mountain High. As you look up at the stars I think you will be moved just as much as my family is.
It's even better than football in my book.
P.C. Police:
I'm going to pretend I didn't read that, OK? I'm just going to back away from the keyboard, disconnect from the Internet and slowly walk out of the room.
Please don't make a move and stay away from my family!
From: Jeff Buchholtz
Why do college teams routinely defer to the second half when they win the toss?
Passing the Buch:
Actually, our current president started the tradition of deferments. Or so Dan Rather tells us.
