2009 NCAA Football Thread: Revenge of the Computer Polls

[Immortalfire]

Kiffin has done exactly what I expected from him at Tennessee.

Putting them on the verge of probation?

 

[StorminNorman]

Putting them on the verge of probation?

Making them relevant. Tennessee is talked about as much as Florida or USC these days. Sure, a lot of it was for silly things, but that's irrelevant. So far none of Kiffin's actions have been damaging.

I went to Rutgers. The new AD likes to talk like he has big plans for the athletics program. It's all talk. Nothing will come of it. If all of a sudden the Big 10 is going to add a team, why did they wait this long? ND was never coming I get that. But they could have bought out a school from the MAC if they needed a 12th team, maybe a Miami(OH), Bowling Green, whatever. I am sure one of those schools meets their academic requirements. I am sure the Big East will expand eventually, but again, expanding too fast will just augment the negative stigma surrounding the conference. And what about their basketball? Are they going to 18 or 20 teams there as well? Kicking ND out and making them go independent in everything would be a start. But you can't keep adding programs without accounting for the fact that they have 16 schools as it is.

Who knows why they waited so long. Why did the ACC wait? Using that logic we shouldn't expect any conference to add a team again. They are expanding though.

Why would the Big 10 add a Miami or Bowling Green when they could get a supperior program from the Big East? The Big East can't compete with the Big 10, so it's not as if they Big 10 would be overreaching.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Who knows why they waited so long. Why did the ACC wait? Using that logic we shouldn't expect any conference to add a team again. They are expanding though.

Why would the Big 10 add a Miami or Bowling Green when they could get a supperior program from the Big East? The Big East can't compete with the Big 10, so it's not as if they Big 10 would be overreaching.

Well, tradition first and foremost. It's the same every year. Ohio St/Michigan weekend before Thanksgiving. Where would they schedule the Championship game? Can they even schedule a 13th game before Thanksgiving without dropping bye weeks, and Heaven forbid it don't feature OSU/Michi? That conference doesn't particularly like change. If they want to improve their basketball then they should try to lure Pitt/WVU. Academically, I don't keep up with the rankings, but I can't imagine Rutgers improves you a great deal footballwise or academically considering what the Big 10 already has.

 

[rdh007]

As a Meeeeeeeeeechigan and (by extension) Big 10 fan, I'm hoping for Pittsburgh. Missouri is probably better, but less likely.

 

[StorminNorman]

Well, tradition first and foremost. It's the same every year. Ohio St/Michigan weekend before Thanksgiving. Where would they schedule the Championship game? Can they even schedule a 13 game before Thanksgiving without dropping bye weeks, and Heaven forbid it don't feature OSU/Michi? That conference doesn't particularly like change. If they wanted to improve their basketball then they should try to lure Pitt/WVU. Academically, I don't keep up with the rankings, but I can't imagine Rutgers improves you a great deal footballwise or academically considering what the Big 10 already has.

Rutgers brings in larger television markets, which is a big reason for any such expansion. Again, the fears about ruining tradition are apparently not shared by the Big 10 as they continue to consider expansion.

 

[Immortalfire]

Making them relevant. Tennessee is talked about as much as Florida or USC these days. Sure, a lot of it was for silly things, but that's irrelevant. So far none of Kiffin's actions have been damaging.

Tennessee can be as relevant as Baylor, for all I care.

 

[BlackLantern]

this New Mexico Bowl has been surprisingly competitive its tied at 28 with :20 to go

 

[Mister J]

While I certainly expected Pat Hill to go for it, I did not expect Fresno to have the door shut on them there.

edit: New life for the Bulldogs with the miss.

 

[Immortalfire]

Dang, that makes me 0-1 in the bowl pick em

 

[StorminNorman]

Tennessee can be as relevant as Baylor, for all I care.

See, I love Tennessee and Florida being elite. Forces Georgia to be better. That's why I never want Meyer to leave UF.

 

[Immortalfire]

Most days Norm, you make 0 sense to me.

Merry Christmas.

 

[Byrd Man]

See, I love Tennessee and Florida being elite. Forces Georgia to be better. That's why I never want Meyer to leave UF.

I have a dream that involves South Carolina winning the SEC East.

And that dream is a freak accident where a plane carrying all the players from UGA crashes into a plane with all the players from UF, and the firey wreckage lands on a bus carrying all the players from Tennessee.

You take your wins how you can get 'em.

 

[Immortalfire]

We can still be good even when FL and TN are, but I'm certainly not hoping they'll be good so that we'll somehow be better.

 

[StorminNorman]

I have a dream that involves South Carolina winning the SEC East.

And that dream is a freak accident where a plane carrying all the players from UGA crashes into a plane with all the players from UF, and the firey wreckage lands on a bus carrying all the players from Tennessee.

You take your wins how you can get 'em.

At least you know your place

We can still be good even when FL and TN are, but I'm certainly not hoping they'll be good so that we'll somehow be better.

Competing against the best makes you better. I don't simply want Georgia to be the best SEC team, I want them to be the best team in the country. I want success to be the result of our own skill, not the lack of it from others.

Georgia is one of the elite programs in the country, we bring in elite talent, we should be able to play against elite teams.

Beating Tennessee when they are down is fun, beating Tennessee when they are great is better.

 

[StorminNorman]

**** ucf.

 

[Cmill216]

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

I know this isn't the biggest bowl game in existence, but is anyone watching?

My school MTSU is beating Southern Miss right now, late in the 3rd. Dwight Dasher making some pretty good plays with his arms and his legs.

 

[Dr. Evil]

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=318183

Should be posted there.

 

[VampElvis]

**** ucf.

and smu - two games in and I'm already toast in the pick 'em

 

[StorminNorman]

StorminNorman's decade in review:

Team of the Decade: Boise State

I see USC mentioned almost unanimously, but that's a rather dull and lackluster pick. USC, for all it's hype, has one BCS title and the fact they didn't win more is a product of underproduction.

I believe when people look back at this decade, it will be seen as the "rise of the mid-majors" as teams like TCU, Boise State and Utah have risen to the ranks of the Michigan's, Notre Dame's and Oklahoma's (and own more BCS bowl games than those three schools combined). The playoff system is a reality due to performance of the mid major schools and no program represents that better than Boise State.

They have been a model of consistency, replacing coaches and star players while remaining consistently in the top 25.

Giving us the best game of college football ever doesn't hurt either.

Boise State: Team of the Decade.

Coach of the Year: June Jones/Urban Meyer

It's possible for a good coach to look great by being in a great situation (Les Miles, anyone?) but it takes a truly special coach to bring a tradition of winning to multiple programs. Both of these men have done that.

Urban Meyer has won everywhere he has gone: Bowling Green, Utah and Florida. In Florida he has built, arguably, the best dynasty of the decade around Tim Tebow and was the only coach to win two BCS titles.

June Jones's performance simply cannot be ignored either. The combined record of Hawaii and SMU the year before he arrived? 1-23. In Hawaii, without any recruiting budget, with horrible facilities, relying upon nothing but coaching scheme, he went to a BCS Bowl. Under Jones tutelage, it seems passing records are broken every other year.

Last night's domination over Nevada (SMU's first bowl victory in 25 years) is simply further proof of the brilliance of Jones. No historical football power is in worse shape than SMU, nor has any historical football power ever been in worse shape than SMU. If any man can turn them around, it's June Jones.

Best Bowl Game: Oklahoma and Boise State

The best example of the game of college football ever witnessed. It had every story point you could ever want: David v. Goliath, the All Star (Adrian Peterson), the comeback (Oklahoma), the last second comeback (Boise State), overtime, the double overtime, the trick play, the player proposing to his girl friend. Best game ever.

Best Regular Season Game: Georgia at Auburn 2002

College football is all about loyalty, so this is a homer pick. That game put Georgia in it's first ever SEC Championship and established the program as a winner. Georgia has, ever since, been a constant factor in the SEC title race, been a top 10 recruiting school and a perennial top 10 finisher.

College Player of the Decade: Tim Tebow

He's mother****in' Tim Tebow. No other reason needed.

If you do need one, though, the man made an impact nationally from his rookie year one. A tremendous person, an amazing player, Tebow has justified every Tim Tebow joke made about him. The fact people are reduced to mocking his passion for the game (ala his crying) shows just how few flaws there are to him. He may or may not have a future throwing the ball in the NFL, but it's impossible to ignore his dominance.

Worst Part of the Decade: The BCS

A vile, corrupt, ridiculous system controlled by stuffy old guys that care more about the status quo than the good of the game. This year they have gone to all new lows with their insult to TCU and Boise in the Fiesta Bowl and their amazing incompetence in defending their system via Twitter and ridiculous websites.

The BCS, and everyone single person who defends it, hurt the game of college football.

 

[Immortalfire]

Urban Meyer to step down as Florida's coach

Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach of the Florida football team, athletics director Jeremy Foley announced Saturday afternoon in a release.

"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," Meyer said in statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family.

"After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.

"I'm proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.

"I'm very appreciative for the opportunity I've had to be a part of a tremendous institution - from Dr. Machen to Jeremy Foley and the entire administrative staff at UF. I'm also very thankful for the chance to work with some of the best assistants in college football and coach some of the best college football players and watch them grow both on and off the field as people. I will cherish the relationships with them the most."

Meyer will coach his last game for Florida against Cincinnati on Jan. 1 at the Sugar Bowl.

Whoa. Got no love a'tall for the Gators, but I hate for anyone to be sick in such a manner. Hope he feels better soon.

 

[Excel]

Damn.

 

[Dr. Evil]

That's craziness.

Also, isn't there a certain former NFL Head coach who has ties to the Gators?

 

[BlackLantern]

damn...damn...my best to Coach Meyer and his family

 

[Dr. Evil]

I did not think he would be the one to have health issues. Oh well, best of luck to him.