The College Football thread

“After all is said and done, Florida still sucks and you're a jerk.”

“Karma police, I’d like to approach your premise

(That schools in the SEC: “Basically, schools like Tennessee, LSU, Florida and South Carolina recruit thugs, not students.” And that, by inference, USC and the rest of the PAC-10 is a shining example of college football academics and morality)

from a less apoplectic angle. Let me throw out something for discussion. This is purely my opinion. I’ve cobbled together an opinion that we can pull apart and dissect.



In the past, I’ve been guilty of talking about programs that recruit “thugs.” Some of it has been joking, some of it has not been. I don’t like the way that thought makes me feel because my basic premise in life is that most people basically have good intentions. I have reconsidered my opinion and what follows is why.

I have come to believe that the news media looks upon itself as the great societal leveler. When a person, or an institution, gets powerful or influential, the media run stories and opinion pieces designed to mold public opinion that will reduce that power and influence.

Randy Moss was passed over by all the “big-time” football programs because he was a troubled youth. He went to Marshall. Over the years I have not seen many news articles about the “thugs” that are accepted to smaller programs like Marshall. I have not seen many national opinion pieces proclaiming the rampant corruption of less successful programs. And yet there have been many, many instances of students at these schools being arrested and flunking out. No, In the past ten years, most of the college football “thug” articles have centered on programs like Ohio St., Nebraska, Miami, etc. And the articles became more numerous as those programs won more games.

Does this mean that those programs willingly accept “thugs” in order to win games? I don’t believe so any more. Why would programs willingly take on the risk of terribly bad publicity to their programs? I cannot believe that any program wants to be viewed as harboring criminals. And how can they escape the bad publicity? Player arrests at “big time” programs are always big time news.

I see the same “thug” rhetoric in the papers referring to “the rich” and “big business.” Many articles would have us believe that “the rich” are basically greedy and callous people who hoard their money when they should be giving it to others who live in poverty. “Big Businesses” are portrayed as evil entities that want to destroy the environment in the name of profits. Are people who earn a lot of money, and people who run large corporations, inherently evil?

Surely some people operate out of bad intentions. But even good people can make bad choices, and just because some people make different choices than I, does not make them bad people. My view of people helps prevent me from feeling the jealousy and resentment, towards powerful people, and of institutions, that seems pervasive in so many news articles.

The news media focus on the powerful, and the SEC is a powerful football conference. Surely this year the SEC has had more than its share of trouble with players making bad choices. In the past, it’s been the Big Ten, Big Twelve, ACC, Big East, and even the PAC-10. The media usually focus on the powerful programs within those conferences and the SEC is loaded with powerful teams.

I have posted a number of news articles about problems in the PAC-10. The articles are out there. They’re just not receiving the national attention that the SEC is this year. I don’t remember any SEC recruits being indicted for murder this year. And the SEC, hopefully, doesn’t have any sheep sampling butt pirates (now that is a funny article, you ought to read it).

As Pete Carroll said, “...Unfortunately, it happens in college sports... .” Most coaches understand that you can’t keep a 24-hour watch on your players and that some student athletes will make bad choices. More than any one conference, I think a lot of this has to do with the entire sports culture in this country. I think it is more the fault of the fans that the young kids who chose to play sports. The fans of pro sports seem to forgive all types of behavior as long as a player helps their team to win. The fans of college sports seem to have more pride in the integrity of their institutions.

The fans of the SEC are rabid. The SEC leads the attendance records every year. But do the fans of the SEC have a win at all cost mentality? Every single fan, who I know, does not. The schools of the SEC have as much pride in the integrity of their institutions as any other conference. Unless you believe in the inherently evil behavior of a whole lot of people, this should be self-evident.
last edited: 8/21/05 10:20:47 AM”

“I am so excited about the Tennessee game this year that I’m apoplectic. Jeremy Foley did a masterful job of scheduling two warm-up games every year before we play Tennessee. That way we can work out the kinks and not show our full offensive scheme.

So chili, it looks as if the VOLS are going to be very good again this year.

What’s the local buzz on the QB situation? Will it be Sr. Rick Clausen or So. Erik Ainge? I believe that Ainge may have a heck of a future. That’s a good backup situation there.

So. WR Robert Meachem looks dangerous, but how are the other wides?

That offensive line is a bunch of monsters. UT’s running/passing game may be pretty balanced this year. What do you think?


You’ve got to hope Sr. LB Kevin Simon stays healthy. He’s dominant and will back up what should be a very good D-line with Sr. DE Parys Haralson, Sr. DE Jason Hall, Jr. DT Justin Harrell, and Sr. DT Jesse Mahelona.

Isn’t So. DE Jared Hostetter supposed to be a pretty good up-and-comer?


Inquiring minds want to know.”

“arclite, after Saturday's scrimmage, it would appear that Clausen may be the one to beat in the QB race. Nothing set in stone yet, but he looks really relaxed out there.

Running game? If Riggs stays healthy, he is in position to capture both the UT career and single season rushing record. I predict he gains 1500 yards.

Weakest link? Safety. We are strong on the corners, but soft in the middle of the secondary. On the other hand, people are saying the linebackers may the the quickest and strongest UT has ever fielded.

Now look at reality. Florida and LSU back to back on the road.

Georgia and Alabama are never easy.

Notre Dame on the road. They are the mystery team and you never know what you might get there.

Memphis at home. At first blush, it would seem to be a win. However, Memphis is greatly improved over the last couple of years and prior to that they always played UT tough.

This can very easily be a National Championship contender. On the other hand, it can turn out to be the VERY BEST 3 loss team ever to play a season at UT.”

“I'm not trying to discount Memphis, but they have a new quarterback who's seen very little action, they lost most of their offensive line, and their defense was not very good last year. DeAngelo Williams is obviously great, but Memphis is a one trick pony this year.”

“In all reality chili, if Florida goes 8-3 I'll be satisfied.

It's Meyer's first year and who knows how the players will react to his system?

Our defense will be much better than last year. We'll play an attacking style. Watch out for our defensive end who's 285 and runs a 4.5 40. We'll also have one of the best linebacking corps in the nation but we lack depth. We need some young guys to step up. In the past, Channing Crowder and Brandon Siler played as freshman and both ended up as freshman of the year. We have some great talent to back up the starters but it's young. This is a questionable area.

We may have the best four wideouts in the nation. With Chris Leak at the helm, this could present problems for a weak secondary.

Florida will be a much improved team from the one that played Tennessee last year. It appears Tennessee will also be improved.

SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER WAR!!!


Most publications list Florida/Tennessee as one of the top 5 MUST SEE games of the year. So what's new?”

“I would like to know what crazy person made MS State's schedule this year?
Four top 14, 12, 8, & 10 nationaly ranked SEC teams in the first six games.

The dang easy part of the schedule doesn't start till KY, AL, ARK, & Ole Miss come up!”

“MSU does have weird scheduling. That Maine game was a toughie. Here I am dissing Maine and we've been beaten by Northern Illinois, La Tech, Central Florida, my head is hurting, I'll quite listing the teams now.”

“Poor DAWGS. We will NEVER live down that loss to Maine last year.

Crap, we have to play FL at Gainsville this year. It's gonna be ugly after that little upset we pulled on them last year. ;-)

Still, I think we will be the best 3-4 team in the nation going into that final sweep of four SEC games.”

“dayhiker, we traded Vandy for Georgia this year. How stupid is that? ;-)”

“We're just pawns to the schedule makers at conf headquarters.”

“I miss the days when we played all four of the LA geographic teams. NE LA, SE LA, ect... ;-)”

“Directional schools are fun games, for the win-loss column.”

“You might as well mention Florida as one of your easy games, stoveman.

Haven't you beaten us TWO years in a row?

When I was thanking you for the fine baseball coach you sent us, I forgot to thank you for beating us last year. That was the straw that prodded Jeremy Foley to shove Zook through the door so that it didn’t hit him in the butt on his way out.

But THIS year, Miss. St. is our homecoming game. Be kind to us, will ya.

It’s a cold world out there, stove, I feel your pain.

Florida plays:
#14 Florida St.
#13 Georgia
#5 LSU
#3 Tennessee

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Bama sneak in there before we play them. And if we’re good enough to make the SEC Championship game, whomever we play will be ranked as well.

We used to play Miami the first game every year before the SEC expanded. We pick them up again in 2008 and 2012. That’s just what we need, a full SEC slate with Florida St. and Miami as our non-conference games.”

“We play UT, AU, LSU, UF, so that'll be a nice run. I think we'll drop one to USC or Ark and pick up one of the hard games, probably UF.”

“LOL
I just want to get the first six games over with. Then we have a chance to look decent.

The thing about the SEC is on any given Sat, any team can and will beat up on the other SEC team, like FL found out last year with the DAWGS. I don't put our chances of repeating that very high this year. LOL”

““Directional schools are fun games, for the win-loss column.”
dayhiker
4:08:16 PM

I don't know about that, dayhiker.
Southern Miss beats Bama all the time.
They used to beat us and Ole MS all the time too. We finialy quit playing them. LOL”

“All the time? I can think of 2x in the last 20 years or so. Oops, that's 10%, which is too high.”

“Although I have yet to see a preseason ranking of who has the toughest schedule I can imagine it getting any worse that this. With all those at's Tennessee may be the most talented team to ever play in the peach bowl. Of course, I'd rather play somebody and get beat than play any North Southern Loser State College and it be over before kickoff.

9-3-05 UAB
9-17-05 at Florida
9-24-05 at Louisiana State
10-1-05 MISSISSIPPI
10-8-05 GEORGIA
10-22-05 at Alabama
10-29-05 SOUTH CAROLINA
11-5-05 at Notre Dame
11-12-05 MEMPHIS
11-19-05 VANDERBILT
11-26-05 at Kentucky
last edited: 8/24/05 4:46:50 PM”

“Hold the presses. UT has off weeks before the UF and UA games. Imagine that.

UF and LSU back to back will be bad. Then you have UGa.

Heck, yall are done after the Bama or USC game.”

“Actually most UT fans think its over after UGA.”

“Get real, trailhound57, LOL.
Only three ranked SEC teams in there.
last edited: 8/24/05 4:48:57 PM”

“Does anyone else have more?”

“MS State has four.
See above.”

“TH - I started to go ahead and say that myself.

Bama has 4 ranked opponents, UF does, MSU does.”

“Tenn has a weak schedule.”

“MSU has a weak team

Hey, Bama is ranked 25th. That's 4 ranked teams on UT's schedule.”

“I think it's going to be another boring season. *yawn*

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! Just messing with y'all!

So speaking of boring, is Arkansas any good? We play them this fall.

Fight On!”

“I think Bama is ranked in some polls and not in others. We won't be ranked by seasons end tho.”

“Bama is rank, dayhiker





Stove, be kind now. Trailhound is from Tennessee.

You know them boys can't read nor count.



Florida plays FOUR ranked teams. 4 ranked teams. Ranked team...ranked team...ranked team...ranked team.

Two in the top 5. That's top FIVE. One..two...three...




That's supposed to be USC's toughest game this year, pixie. Arkansas is supposed to finish in the bottom half of the SEC.

You can expect an unfettered run to the championship game this year, pixie.

I think you’re right… yaaaaaawn.
last edited: 8/25/05 4:48:38 PM”

“Yea arclite, I took that into account. ;-)”

“Actually, as bad as I hate to admit it I'm from Bammer. Thank God for Mississippi! With only two cupcakes I'll still put Tennessee's total strength of schedule and critical road games up against anyone in the nation.
last edited: 8/25/05 5:20:33 PM”

“It is hard to compare strength of schedule at this point.

What if Memphis or Notre Dame runs the table before the UT game?

Highly unlikely, but strength of schedule is better determined after it all unfolds.”

“I knew there was good in you TH.”

“MTSU vs Alabama!!! Opening game for both teams, who wins?”

“Florida's gonna be all over Tennessee like a boar hog on a corncob.



How right you are, chili. After Florida gets through with Tennessee, they'll be lucky to be ranked at all.



I want you to know that if Florida actually looses that game, I'll be just as humble in defeat.”

“...I'll be just as humble in defeat.”
arclite
6:36:50 AM
8/26/05

arclite? Humble????
LMAO!”

“What's that old country song.

Oh Lord is hard to be humble,
when you're perfect in every way-ay,
....”

“After Leak gets sacked 5 times, he won't know which planet he is on.”

“Come on, stove, tell the truth. I'm the most humble man you know. In fact, I'm the most humble man, period!




Florida's gonna get on Tennessee so hard, chili will be eatin’ dingle berries in his Captain Crunch.”

“Did arclite actually say something nice about my school!?! Holy cow! I'm gonna throw a party! LOL! : p”

“USC has a great football team. There, I said it, pixie! They play exciting football with a well-balanced attack and sound defense.

Unfortunately, watching USC play against the teams on its schedule won't provide much excitement for anyone.




I can't wait to see how the BCS blows up this year. That's where the real excitement is.

PLAYOFF...PLAYOFF...PLAYOFF...




Florida's gonna kick Tennessee's a$$ so hard they’ll be able to cough and fart at the same time.”

“Maurice Clarrett cut by the Broncos yesterday.

Karma, my friend, is a true son-of-a-#&%!$.”

“"Florida's gonna kick Tennessee's a$$ so hard they’ll be able to cough and fart at the same time.”

Well this explains why every Tenn fan I've met has bad breath!”

“I just love it when arclite forgets to take his medications and begins to live in fantasy land.

Next thing you know, he will be predicting a Florida player will win the Heisman; Florida will win the National Championship; AND that the rest of the SEC will be paying dues to UF just to remain in the league with them.”

“Next thing you know, he will be predicting a Florida player will win the Heisman; Florida will win the National Championship; AND that the rest of the SEC will be paying dues to UF just to remain in the league with them.”
chili36
10:24:28 AM

LOL! Has anyone noticed that UF and AL fans sing a similar tune.”

“Yep, trailhound. In about a month, they will also be talking about "next year".”

“Heck, Bama will be the same or worse next year due to all the grad on the defense. Wait til '07 is my mantra!”

“It will be interesting for Bama next year for sure and it will give us a true indication of just how far the price of oil will effect our economy. I wonder if it will trickle that far down the chain as to effect Bama’s ability to buy a better team?”

“We'll, the local price is supposed to spike because of the hurricane. That's bad timing now that coaches can call recruits in Sept.”