Thoughts on a football Saturday

Thoughts on a football Saturday

Posted on: November 8, 2009 4:07 pm

Edited on: November 9, 2009 12:14 pm

Score: 142

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After watching that replay again from Alabama, how can a reasonable person rule that wasn’t an interception? I’m expecting something out of the SEC office in the next couple of days.

Why I like Alabama on game day … “Sweet Home Alabama” comes on and immediately everyone on University Ave. starts jukin’ and yellin’. Ever see 10,000 folks do the Bama version of the River Dance?

Why I like Alabama on game day II … The houndstooth 1) skirts and 2) beer coozies.

Why I like Alabama on game day III … Yes, they were taking pictures of me as I was in makeup prior to my appearance on CBS College Sports’ SEC Tailgate. You people must find some meaning in your lives.

Get ready for a noisy Boise: The way things are sorting out, an undefeated Boise State is going to be beaten out for a BCS bowl by a two-loss team from one of the power conferences, p.r. firm or not.

The BCS bowl matchups began to get into sharper focus when Iowa lost and Alabama won. Here’s out it works:

The automatic qualifiers are down these teams …

Big Ten: Iowa/Ohio State. The teams plays this week in Columbus so that will sort itself out. Both teams have lost once. Saturday's winner most likely goes to the Rose Bowl.

Big 12: Texas will play either Kansas State or Nebraska from the North Division. K-State controls its own destiny after beating Kansas. Texas might be cruising but could get some blowback at Texas A&M on Thanksgiving or from Nebraska or K-State in the Big 12 title game.

SEC: Alabama vs. Florida in the SEC title game. If they teams stay undefeated before Dec. 5, the winner plays for the national championship. The loser most likely goes to the Sugar Bowl.

ACC: Still a mess but Georgia Tech is the conference’s only one loss team and leads the Coastal Division. Clemson controls its fate in the Atlantic Division. The ACC winner most likely goes to the Orange Bowl.

Big East: Cincinnati is undefeated but still has tough games left against West Virginia and Pittsburgh. With no conference championship game to hinder it, the Bearcats could be headed to the Sugar Bowl to face the Alabama-Florida loser.

Pac-10: It looks as if Oregon, Arizona or Stanford will go to the Rose. The Wildcats and Ducks meet Nov. 21 in Tucson. Despite the letdown loss at Stanford, Oregon still seems to have the advantage. Arizona still has its toughest games to play (Cal, USC, Arizona State). Stanford has to get past USC and Cal before meeting Notre Dame in the regular-season finale,

That leaves four at-large berths. Notre Dame is out after losing to Navy. If TCU stays undefeated and ahead of Boise State in the BCS, it will go, most likely, to the Fiesta Bowl. As mentioned, the Florida-Alabama loser should gobble up a Sugar Bowl spot. If USC wins out it could get the other Fiesta Berth at 10-2.

That leaves an undefeated Boise having to fight off a two-loss team from a major conference in order to get to the BCS. Things being what they are, which is the same for the past 50 years in this situation, the Orange Bowl most likely would pick a 10-2 Penn State to play the ACC champion.

Sorry Broncos.

Name this team: Its last conference championship came in 2003. Since then it has been a mixed bag. This program has changed coaches twice, beaten Texas twice and produced a quarterback drafted in the first round. This year alone it has given up 66 points to Texas Tech, lost to Louisiana-Lafayette and, amazingly, is in first place in its division.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce you to Kansas State, 6-4 overall and 4-2 in the Big 12 North after beating Kansas 17-10. In Bill Snyder’s second term as coach, the Wildcats need only beat Nebraska in its final two games to clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game.

Snyder is getting some run for Big 12 coach of the year. We’re fairly sure no COY has lost to Texas Tech by 54 and lost to a fourth-place Sun Belt team in the same season.

USC decline: Before Saturday’s 14-9 victory over Arizona State, USC had allowed 110 points in its last three games. That’s the most in a three-game stretch ever. The Trojans had allowed 113 points combined in the previous 14 games.

Breaking down the big boys: Now that a Florida-Alabama rematch is assured, here’s the three-minute eval of the SEC title game slightly less than a month away.

Advantage Alabama: A better running game (I think) and the revenge motive for last year’s classic loss in Atlanta.

Advantage Florida: Tebow, Tebow, Tebow. As long as he’s taking snaps, Florida has a chance.

Advantage Florida: Defense. By a hair. This is going to be another matchup of the ages. Charlie Strong vs. Nick Saban/Kirby Smart. At this point Florida’s unit seems a bit more active.

Advantage Alabama: Special teams. With Javier Arenas returning kicks and Terrence Cody blocking them, give the Crimson Tide the edge. Kicker Leigh Tiffin is more than reliable. If you’re looking for an edge, this is it. Games like this tend to turn on special teams.

Stuff: SMU needed three blocked kicks to beat Rice and move to within one win of bowl eligibility. The Ponies last went bowling pre-death penalty in 1984 … Alabama hasn’t been 9-0 in consecutive seasons since 1973-74 … In its last 39 home games, Cal is 0-7 against Oregon State and USC, 32-0 against everyone else … My God, did you see Cal’s Jahvid Best suffer that concussion while diving into the end zone? Coach Jeff Tedford actually said his guy was “OK.” No, coach, he’s not OK. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Best’s season is over … Who knew UCLA had lost seven conference games in a row before beating Washington?

The right now, no B.S., up to the moment Heisman Watch

1. Case Keenum, Houston. Another last-second win, this time over Tulsa. In his last two games Keenum has thrown for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. Any questions? My goal in life is to get this kid a trip to New York. He’s earned it. In a perfect world, he’d win the Stiff Arm but because he plays at a Conference USA school it probably isn’t going to happen.

2. Mark Ingram, Alabama. It’s the KIIS system – Keep It Ingram, Stupid. After throwing 25 passes in the first half, Nick Saban changed tactics and had Ingram carry it 16 games in the second half against LSU. The result was 144 yards.

3. Colt McCoy, Texas. It was only Central Florida but McCoy continued a recent uptick with 469 passing yards. McCoy was removed from the game with nine minutes left four yards shy of the school passing record (Major Applewhite, 473 yards in the 2001 Holiday Bowl).

Funny thing, Applewhite might have the school record but because the NCAA didn’t recognize bowl stats back then it officially doesn’t exist. What makes things more annoying is that a few years ago the NCAA started counting bowl stats. I still contend that an intern at each school in the country could go back and add in all the bowl numbers.

The NCAA explains that current record holders would have their names expunged if records were updated. Tough! You count all the numbers, not just some of them.

4. Toby Gerhart, Stanford. Coach Jim Harbaugh is preaching physicality. Gerhart pounded Oregon for a school-record 223 yards and three touchdowns in a 51-42 win.

5. C.J. Spiller, Clemson. If the Tigers are going to win their first ACC title in 18 years, Spiller is going to be the reason. He went for a school-record 312 all-purpose yards against Florida State.

Category: NCAAF

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Chickfighter Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 15, 2008	Posted on: November 8, 2009 4:58 pm Score: 122 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thoughts on a football Saturday Boise would have a right to be noisy if beaten out by a mediocre two-loss USC team that got shellacked by a team that Boise bashed. If that happens it will confirm that the BCS is all about the money. I basically like your Heisman list with the possible exception of Colt McCoy until he has a game like that when it really counts. Spiller set a new school record for all-purpose yards at 310 in big game against Miami. He didn't use the Coastal Carolina homecoming game to run up stats, but came back to eclipse that all-purpose yards with 312 in his next big game against Florida State. That's doing it when it counts! [ Reply to Comment ]
corona79 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 3, 2006	Posted on: November 8, 2009 6:22 pm Score: 78 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Here's the SEC reaction, Dodd. Yay! We finally learned how to game the BCS. Keep a team in each division of the conference undefeated until the CCG. One goes to the NCG, the other goes to the Sugar Bowl, and the millions go to us! Check here Monday for complete and updated SoS, best wins, conference rankings, etc. [ Reply to Comment ]
jasondeegan Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Apr 17, 2007	Posted on: November 8, 2009 9:25 pm Score: 62 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thoughts on a football Saturday A big Auburn supporter COMPLETELY agrees with you. The SEC is, unquestionably, involved in fixing football games to ensure they maximize matchups, exposure and essentially revenue. [ Reply to Comment ]
UHGuy Reputation: 25 Level: Rookie Since: Nov 8, 2009	Posted on: November 8, 2009 10:27 pm Score: 125 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thoughts on a football Saturday I like your number one pick for the Heisman, but I afraid he has little chance for that to happen. On the ESPN Heisman’s site, Pat Forde states, “that he (Pat) might have to vote for a punt snapper if someone does not show up.” That is in jest, but why is he only looking at the SEC or Big 12? Why not Case, and why is he a bad candidate? He has surely showed what he can do and how to win. In his only, loss he threw for over 500 yards game and five TDs. What else could he do, play defense? He does need the defense to stop someone sometimes. In fact, his poor defense may have kept his numbers down, since he is not on the field as often as he could be. If his defense was not one of the worse in Division I, he could do move and score more on offense. Tebow has a defense that gets him right back on the field and he still has mediocre numbers. Keenum is still on pace for 5000+ yards passing this year and did so last year. His TD to interception ratio is 5 to 1. Against Tulsa, he had to get 9 points (two scores) in the last 21 seconds to win at Tulsa. He did it. He had to go 95 yards for the game winner against Texas Tech. He did it. Everyone says he is a system’s QB. Isn’t every QB a system’s QB? Can he be penalized because his system works better or that he runs it better? The Heisman is not for the best the NFL prospect, but the best in college player. The Heisman is for the best player who has the most impact for his team and is the best in the country. If that is so, then why is it that sportswriters and commentators want to give the Heisman to players who have so much talent around them? Tim Tebow (a great person) but he has not played well this year. In fact, if Tim were not in the SEC, he would not even be on the Heisman list. McCoy is just now starting to play up to his talent level after a slow start, so his numbers are still down, and he also has a great defense that gets him right back on the field. I also think in the back of Colt’s mind is a big pro football contract and he does not want to run as much as he did last year and face a possible injury after what has happened to Tebow and Bradford. That takes a lot out of his potential play-making ability. Pike was playing well but is out and may not even get his starting QB job back, when he returns. Clausen had some great numbers, but against the Midshipmen, he threw two big picks and had a dumb personal foul. They also have lost three games. Except for Clausen, all of these players mentioned have teams with far more talent than Houston (especially on defense). This should make an even greater positive impact on the selection for someone who has to work with less supporting talent and greater adversity. Do you think Mark Ingram would get 100+ yards per game rushing if he did not have that great O-line behind him at Alabama? What if he played for Rice, Colorado or Vanderbilt would his numbers diminish (rhetorical question)? This makes an even better case for Case or Kellen than the others. In addition, it would give the non-BCS schools hope to land a great talent like Case Keenum, Kellen Moore or Andy Dalton more often. These three and their team have been able to play with any team in any conference. These three quarterbacks are better than any in the SEC (only Tim Tebow and possibly Mallett at Arkansas are even close). Yet these guys have little chance of getting the Heisman and that is a shame. My Heisman candidate ballot through week 10 would be in this order: 1. Case Keenum 2. Mark Ingram 3. Kellen Moore The only chance for Case is if he continues to play like he has this year, and next year the sportswriters and commentators list him as one of the early candidate favorites for the Heisman, and he has the same or better numbers and affect as he has had this year, then he might have a chance. Any thoughts? [ Reply to Comment ]
thedudertr Reputation: 72 Level: Pro Since: Feb 5, 2009	Posted on: November 9, 2009 8:35 am Score: 83 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thoughts on a football Saturday "After watching that replay again from Alabama, how can a reasonable person rule that wasn’t an interception? I’m expecting something out of the SEC office in the next couple of days." I'll tell you how. If two players are touching the ball simulatneously and one of those players are out of bounds then the ball is dead, incomplete pass. Julio Jones was definitely out of bounds when he made contact with the ball. Try reading the rules before you spew your rhetoric Dodd. [ Reply to Comment ]
layne61 Reputation: 23 Level: Amateur Since: Nov 9, 2009	Posted on: November 9, 2009 8:39 am Score: 6 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A reasonable person considers the facts On the so-called interception: Jone's foot is out of bounds. Jones is touching the ball. Consulting the rulebook, the ball then is....out of bounds Wht let the truth get in the way of a good conspiracy, though [ Reply to Comment ]
bkb1972 Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 19, 2008	Posted on: November 9, 2009 11:09 am Score: 79 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thoughts on a football Saturday SEC: Alabama vs. Florida in the SEC title game. If they teams stay undefeated before Dec. 5, the winner plays for the national championship. "The loser most likely goes to the Sugar Bowl". REALLY? ARE YOU SURE THAT'S WHERE THEY'LL GO? DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT ON YOUR OWN? MOST LIKELY....YOU SURE? No crap Sherlock! "Why I like Alabama on game day III … Yes, they were taking pictures of me as I was in makeup prior to my appearance on CBS College Sports’ SEC Tailgate. You people must find some meaning in your lives" .....They live in trailers and they get to see a real live person from T.V.. Dude, get over it. "Why I like Alabama on game day II … The houndstooth 1) skirts and 2) beer coozies." ....Just thank god the bear didn't wear plaid or pink b/c he was color blind. "Why I like Alabama on game day … “Sweet Home Alabama” comes on and immediately everyone on University Ave. starts jukin’ and yellin’. Ever see 10,000 folks do the Bama version of the River Dance"? .....Yes, people in the SEC commonly refer to them as "SPECIAL" (as in politically correct for "retards") [ Reply to Comment ]
tigerpride11 Reputation: 90 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 16, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 12:36 pm Score: 118 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thoughts on a football Saturday A reasonable person considers the facts On the so-called interception: Jone's foot is out of bounds. Jones is touching the ball. Jones?? as in Julio Jones?? The interception was MADE by LSU's Patrick Peterson you moron. What are you talking about Jones for on this?? YOU need to consider the facts, Jones never touched this ball, it was an interception in every angle you can look at it, in fact it would have been an interception in the nfl because he got 2 feet in bounds. It was a joke of a call to keep Alabama undefeated and get to the SEC champ game against Fl thats what everyone in the SEC management want. That way no matter what they both get big bowl games, one goes to NC game and the other plays in the dome in the Sugar. Your obviously one of those moonshine runners deep in the hills of Alabama if you really took some thought into writing this comment. It was probably your moonshine runnin buddy that made the call. SEC is ruining a perfect league, they keep this up they will loose a lot of fans. I know every game like this I loose more and more passion for games like these. [ Reply to Comment ]
tigerpride11 Reputation: 90 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 16, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 12:48 pm Score: 99 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thoughts on a football Saturday I'll tell you how. If two players are touching the ball simulatneously and one of those players are out of bounds then the ball is dead, incomplete pass. If this is the angle you guys are going to use, and I wouldn't doubt this will be the angle/excuse the SEC will try to use, then why did the official say incoplete pass and not say that Jones touched the ball and the ball was considered out of bounds. Because Jones never touched the ball thats why. The official said incomplete pass. [ Reply to Comment ]
layne61 Reputation: 23 Level: Amateur Since: Nov 9, 2009	Posted on: November 9, 2009 1:17 pm Score: 18 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Thoughts on a football Saturday If any player is touching the ball and they're out of bounds, its a dead ball. Look at the replay dispassionately and its clear. SEC refs being lousy is no new phenomena. loose = not tight lose = opposite of win Your = a possesive pronoun You're = Your are [ Reply to Comment ]

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Dennis Dodd

Dodds and Ends