Dennis Dodd

although, based on a few of the OSU fan posts, they believe it to be likely too.  which is the difference between OSU fans and probably the rest of college football.  they feel entitled for some reason, as though they should be in the NC just by simply being OSU, having a high preseason ranking, and by having really loud rabid fans.

I dunno, Mascollector.  I interpreted the other OSU fans posts differently than you did.  Saying something is "likely" or &qu
ot;possible" is different than saying they are entitled to it.  OSU has a huge fan base, and many of them are really loud and rabid (and that is a good thing!).  But most of them are wise enough to know that the only way OSU controls its own destiny is to go undefeated.  A loss to USC could definitely eliminate their title hopes, but it does not automatically eliminate them.  It just means they will no longer control their own destiny. 

Personally, I think Dennis Dodd is just building OSU up because he gets a sick pleasure out of watching them fall short.  It is a win/win scenario for him.  If his prediction is correct, it is a feather in his cap.  If he is wrong, he still gets to feed his sadistic feddish.

hello?

Dodd wrote

"A third BCS title game berth looks likely, even if they lose to USC"

LIKELY!

that does not mean "possible"

a loss to USC should make a OSU trip to the NC at MOST possible, not likley.

 

although, based on a few of the OSU fan posts, they believe it to be likely too.  which is the difference between OSU fans and probably the rest of college football.  they feel entitled for some reason, as though they should be in the NC just by simply being OSU, having a high preseason ranking, and by having really loud rabid fans.

I am curious for your reasoning behind the ole miss prediction.  do you have any knowledge other than looking at last years record and reading some article on them this year?

Raleighrebel, no I don't have any ties to Ole Miss.  I'm a Buckeye, Big Ten and cfb fan in general.  The SEC is a great conference, so I try to pay some attention.

we have big time playmakers in the backfield now with sneed and all our rb's.  we will be right in the thick of things in the west, especially if everyone ends up with 2-3 losses.

I agree that the Rebs have quite a bit of talent.  But they also have the transition to a new coach to deal with.  Won't Snead be a new starter at QB too.  Normally, those issues are detrimental to success.  In all honesty, I went through their schedule and picked 5 likely wins and 4 likely losses (@UF, @Bama, Auburn & LSU), and a few games that could go either way (WF, S Car & @Arkansas).  I gave Bama the advantage due to having a stable coach, but am iffy on Arkansas because they too have a coaching transition.  That and Nutt knows the Hogs personnel, well enough to offset their home field advantage...which should put the two teams on pretty even footing.  I realize that many Rebels fans believe that Orgeron did a great job of recruiting, so they should be well stocked with talent.  Fine, I can go with that, but Ole Miss still does not have nearly the talent of UF, Auburn and LSU.  Bottom line is, no way does Ole Miss contend for the SEC West with 3-5 losses in-conference.  They will be doing well to finish 4th.  This is just my opinion on how I expect things to play out.

So we're trying so hard to generate 'discussion' that we are now ranking off-seasons?  What's next?  The five best vacations by D1 coaches?  (Houston Nutt made a shrewd move by booking his flights to Jamaica on Orbitz, saving 10% over the other coaches.  He's my #1)

I am curious for your reasoning behind the ole miss prediction.  do you have any knowledge other than looking at last years record and reading some article on them this year?  Just asking, not being a jerk.  You may have ties too the school or something.

I ask because we should were in the bama, uf, and msu game until the final plays.  we lost the msu game for sure due too horrid coaching.

we have big time playmakers in the backfield now with sneed and all our rb's.  we will be right in the thick of things in the west, especially if everyone ends up with 2-3 losses.

The difference between the SEC and the Big 10.

I hear UGA and UF fans saying to each other that the WINNER of the game in Jacksonville will likley be going to the NC.

OSU fans are saying that even if they LOSE to USC, that they should still probably go.

Mascollector:  you are like a broken record.  Most OSU fans are saying that is OSU runs the table, they should be in.  But if they lose a close one at USC, they might still be in contention.  Holy crap, if UGA gets knocked off @ Arizona St but runs the rest of their schedule, should they be automatically ruled out of the NC game?  No way!  Same goes for OSU.

The difference between the SEC and the Big Ten is, for the most part,  you have the same 5 contenders in the SEC every year.  There are usually about 5 contenders for the Big Ten title each year too, but outside of OSU and Michigan, you don't know who the other contenders will be.  The other 3 tend to rotate every few years.  Right now it looks like Illinois, Michigan St, Penn St and Wisconsin will contend.  A few years back, Iowa and Purdue were in the mix.  Even Northwestern got into the act in the mid 90's.  So in the Big Ten, the balance of power keeps shifting.  In the SEC, with pretty much the same 5 programs contending each year, it leads to heightened expectations for those 5 familiar faces.  And this translates into higher preseason rankings in general.  Does it mean the SEC is better?  Not necessarily.

Looks like I hit a pretty sensitive OSU nerve.  Must be they are really worried about losing to USC, but still count on making the NC.  If that is the case, then why even bother top schedule a tough OOC team like USC?  If all OSU has to do is run the table in the Big 10, why not go ahead and schedule some OOC cupcakes to match the intraconference games?

Well duh!  Who wouldn't worry about facing USC in LA?  I believe OSU is capable of winning that game, but would be a fool to expect it.  I believe OSU is in a better position to win this game than they will be in Columbus next year.  Vegas has USC favored by 5.5 for a reason.  As for still making the NCG if they lose to USC, well let's just say OSU's chances will be greatly diminished.  Will they still deserve it even after a loss to USC?  Who knows?  They might.  It depends on what other teams do.  You act as if the Big Ten is nothing but cupcakes.  That could not be further from the truth.  OSU looks to rule the roost again, but Wisconsin, Illinois, Penn St and Michigan St all look to be very good teams.  To make matters worse, OSU has to play 3 of those 4 on the road.  Michigan will have a down year, but still be better than most people are giving them credit for.  And you can't afford to sleep on Iowa or Purdue or they will hurt you.  Cupcakes...my big ol' butt! 

OSU has good reasons for scheduling a marquee OOC school each year.  Making up for a supposedly weak conference schedule is not part of their thinking.  One is it helps them get ready for the rigors of facing a tough Big Ten schedule.  Another is it helps offset the fact that the Big Ten does not have a championship game.  Let's not forget that it is just plain fun, and it brings a lot of attention and notoriety from all across the country.

OSU fans have admitted that the SEC is a tougher conference.  They are counting on the tough SEC schedule to provide a few losses to the SEC contenders to ease their way to the NC. 

No, I think it is more a matter of acknowledging the fact that the SEC tends to beat itself up each year.  There is no doubt that this could work in OSU's favor.  The Buckeyes appear to be the class of the conference, but the 4-5 teams on their heels will all end up beating each other up.  FWIW, OSU will be fortunate to get through their Big Ten schedule unscathed.  Was the SEC the tougher conference last year?  Sure.  But that is not always the case.  There are years when the Big Ten looks better.  Time will tell how they stack up this year.

but they absolutely have an easier road to the NC, even WITH the USC game.  Now people are making the case that even if they lose to USC they should make it?  Ridiculus.

Easier even with USC?  Give me a break!  OSU has a much tougher schedule than LSU.  It is a bit tougher than Auburn's and Tennessee's too.  Go ahead...compare them game for game.  OSU's SOS will stack up against most SEC schedules.   

You are the one being ridiculous.  Nobody thinks OSU should automatically make the NC game even with a loss to USC.  What people are saying is OSU may still be in the hunt even with a loss to SC, which is a perfectly true statement.

NitroBuck

Very good post.  Thanks.

The difference between the SEC and the Big 10.

I hear UGA and UF fans saying to each other that the WINNER of the game in Jacksonville will likley be going to the NC.

OSU fans are saying that even if they LOSE to USC, that they should still probably go.

 

Amazing.

Looks like I hit a pretty sensitive OSU nerve.  Must be they are really worried about losing to USC, but still count on making the NC.  If that is the case, then why even bother top schedule a tough OOC team like USC?  If all OSU has to do is run the table in the Big 10, why not go ahead and schedule some OOC cupcakes to match the intraconference games?

And without realizing it, OSU fans have admitted that the SEC is a tougher conference.  They are counting on the tough SEC schedule to provide a few losses to the SEC contenders to ease their way to the NC.  Thanks OSU fans, I knew you would come around.

Finally, what a douche that one dude was bringing up evolution in his post and making personal attacks.  You dont see Gator fans mocking the looks of the girls in the stands at OSU games.  I guess when the case to make is a weak one, you have to resort to namecalling.

To be fair, OSU is a really good team, and could conceivably beat any other team in the country any given saturday, but they absolutely have an easier road to the NC, even WITH the USC game.  Now people are making the case that even if they lose to USC they should make it?  Ridiculus.