The College Football thread

“It's rollin baby, it's rollin


”

“Is she real? Looks a little plastic.”

“Trailhound - The football players on football scholarship have huge responsibilities to the team. These can interfere with getting decent grades. I was at U.T. Austin a long time ago - but even then, the expectations for Football were amazing - being on the team was way more than a full time job during the season and nearly a full time job off-season.

If Notre Dame, Penn and TCU Football can better than 85% and several top basketball programs get 100% than there is something wrong when so many programs can't graduat 60% and some can't even manage 50%.”

“Bama came in last in the SEC. I haven't read the article on tidesports.com about it yet but need to check up on reasons. If these stats overlap our multiple coaching changes then I can at least understand why it happened. If it's current stats and we have a 3rd year coach then that's pathetic. I suspect the stats will come from when our program imploded.”

“Trailhound - you are also missing the notation that states the Stats take transfers and early departure to the NFL into account.”

“Stats are based on incoming players from 95-98. That means that's players that would finish from 98-2002 assuming some play in 4 years and some in 5. That straddles the dark years for Bama. Not a rationilization (is that a word?) but a reason.”

“It makes sense that something would be going extra-wrong for the numbers to get that low at 'bama.”

“ped go back and read my original posts on the subject. You've repeated much of what has already been expressed. With several praising schools ranked high, my question is what do these rankings express exactly? On a negative note maybe the rankings show your university tends to hand out diplomas to athletes or maybe several young recruits have disciplinary problems and get shown the door early. On the positive side the rankings could show that you had a extremely talented group of recruits that decided to go pro early (not unusual for a top 5 team to send around 10 non grads in one draft), or maybe a student athlete decides that the original major of choice is just not what they want to do for the rest of their life.”

“On the positive side the rankings could show that you had a extremely talented group of recruits that decided to go pro early (not unusual for a top 5 team to send around 10 non grads in one draft).
trailhound57
9:56:27 AM
12/22/05


Like I pointed out trailhound, it takes early departures to the NFL into acount. I don't know about all the graduation records, but Notre Dame has definitely done a lot to make sure it's scholarhsip athletes get a good education.”

“Changing the subject, both Sagarin and Congrove rate Texas above USC (as does the BCS computer). I'd still favor USC - given their more balanced offense and the fact that it is virtually a home game.

Most folks seem to have USC by a touchdown. If I were betting, I'd take Texas and tthe points, gladly.”

“Definitely one of college football's top 30 bowl games!

Are you pickin' 'em to win? Beat the spread? Or just not embarass the Garden State too badly.
last edited: 12/27/05 1:02:11 PM”

“The spread is down to 10 points. That's not a bet I'm willing to make.

There is no way these guys could embarrass us tonight. Just getting there from where we were 5 years ago is a major feat.”

“Actually, it's a pretty neat story for Rutgers to be in a bowl game. First in almost 30 years. I remember them coming to Cambridge when I was a wee lad and getting their butts kicked by Harvard (My dad used to take me to games) - I think they returned years later and won.”

“Really the first ever. The Garden State Bowl (the one they played 27 years ago) was really created for them after the 1976 team was undefeated yet recieved no bowl bids. I guess playing Princeton, Bucknell and Lehigh might have had something to do with the snub.”

“Anyone see DeAngelo run to history?

He has done a lot to bring Memphis football back to some sort of respectibility.”

“Well Fiddler, you're guys fought the good fight. Rutgers beat the spread and gave Arizona a good scare. On to 2006!”

“Back from the frozen tundra of NJ. Actually it was rainy and miserable the day after Christmas. I left at 6am, it was miserable all through NJ and then started to clear as I headed south. The further south I went, the better the weather got. What a surprise!

The swallows through Capistrano; the monarch butterflies; the caribou herds in Alaska; even the march of the penguins has got nothing on the annual Snowbird Migration.

Sheeeesh, half the entire northern population of the US migrates south after Christmas and I was right in the middle of it. If you haven’t lived through one of the major US highways coming to a complete standstill, again and again, because of traffic congestion, you haven’t lived.

I always play Southbound by the Allman’s as I head back home. I’m grateful to be home, back in the sunshine, and birthplace to the Allman Brothers band.




So what happened to the Football God contest here? Couldn’t you folks play nice while I was gone?




Violin, I loved Rutgers to cover the spread. It’s too bad they couldn’t get it done completely. They’re getting closer I think.”

“My Rockets win yet another bowl game!

I was in S. Bend over the holidays, and said a prayer in Notre Dame's Basillica for an Ohio State Victory over Notre Dame.

hehehhe

GO BUCKS!”

“Nothing like a defensive battle to keep the fans on the edge of their seats, huh?

I thoroughly enjoyed the game at the New Brunswick Hyatt Regency with close to a thousand Rutgers fans. It really looked like they were going to get the job done but ASU has some real talent. They just plain wore our guys down.”

“Good show by the Fightin' Tomatoes! It would have been nicer if they'd have made ketchup of ASU.

My nephew played in the band when he was at Rutgers, and that was the only entertaining part of the game in those days.”

“BOWL BOUND!!!


Here’s the plan:

Drive to Crystal River Sunday morning to kayak with the manatees. Yessir, paddling in crystal clear 72 degree (year round) water. Floating through semi-tropical springs to swim with huge, unique creatures.

Eat lunch on an outdoor patio, right on the water, overlooking an island bird sanctuary. The sun will be glistening on the rippling blue-green water. Stay at a nice resort right on the water. http://www.plantationinn.com/

Monday morning, drive an hour down to Tampa to watch the GATORS play Iowa in the Outback Bowl (Look for me on TV. I’ll be the one dressed in Orange and Blue, screaming like a madman). Enjoy the company of those nice Iowa fans and soak up that friendly bowl atmosphere. Monday, in Tampa, it is supposed to be sunny with a high of 73 degrees.

Drive back to Crystal River and stay at the resort again. Wake up early Tuesday to kayak and swim with the manatees. Drive less than two hours back to Gainesville Tuesday afternoon.


Hope most of you folks enjoy your bowl games from the comfort of your couches. Sunday, at Crystal River, it is supposed to be sunny with a high of 77 degrees. Tuesday it is supposed to be sunny with a high of 76 degrees.

Gee, I sure wish I was up north, huddled indoors, in front of a heater and the TV…… NOT!”

“You're right. Skiing, sledding, snowboarding and what-not is really for hardier stock than yourself. Your years in the sun have softened you up Nancy.”

“Anyone see Michigan's hook and ladder play to end the game with Nebraska last night? They almost pulled it off when all the players ran on the field and the play wasn't over. That was a weird finish.”

“Missed the end of the Michigan game. How the mighty have fallen. If Michigan couldn't beat Nebraska after the year Nebraska had, it would have been disappointing to say the least.








Been there, done that, violin. I was on the National Ski Patrol at Hunter Mountain. I started skiing when I was five and took at least a week’s worth of lessons every year of my life until I was 18. I was in all the school ski clubs and used to ski all winter long. Got a nice facial scar from hockey too.

There are times in life when you either say I’m going to repeat the same things over and over add-infinitum, or try new experiences. After experiencing growing up in the northeast, I decided that it was time to experience winter temps where the highs average in the high 60s to mid 70s.

I decided that it was time to experience what it’s like to have the windows in my house open for 6 to 8 months out of the year.

I decided that it was time to experience what it’s like to sit on my back porch to enjoy my morning coffee every single day of the year.

I decided that it was time to experience what it’s like to have sunny skies and green trees all winter long.

I decided that it was time to experience what it’s like to live closer to nature.




Yeah, it takes hardy stock to sell your old car cheaply because it’s been rotted out from the salt and sand the state puts on the roads every winter. The cars from NY & NJ were easy to spot on the way south because they were covered in road grime.

It takes hardy stock to keep a great attitude after months of gray skies.

It takes hardy stock to keep shoveling the driveway and front walk over and over and over….

It takes hardy stock to drive to work on dangerously icy roads.

It takes hardy stock to pay those outrageous heating bills.

It takes hardy stock to pay those outrageous housing prices.

It takes hardy stock to pay those outrageous car insurance (highest in the country) prices.

It takes hardy stock to pay those outrageous state income taxes.

It takes hardy stock to pay those outrageous property taxes.

It takes hardy stock to live in a place that epitomizes "Keeping up with the Jones'."

It takes hardy stock to live in the most densely populated state in the union.




It either takes hardy stock or a total lack of brains.
last edited: 12/30/05 6:00:09 AM”

“I was impressed with the Utes.”

“Yes, I watched most of that game and saw the last play. I was wondering how many times the ball changed hands.”

“Hey arc – don’t pollute a perfectly good football thread with your rationalization of your decision to head to the retirement village a few decades early.”

“Finishing the season with only one loss ... Nice.

Winning the Big Ten ... Very nice.

Vindicating Joe-Pa ... Very very nice.

Michigan losing its bowl game ... PRICELESS!”

“Violin, did you mention pollution? Well you’re the expert there, fur shur.

How about that black grungy snow on the roads?


Don't you dare retire here, violin. I'd have to find the energy to beat you with my cane and I'd rather use it kayaking in the sunshine all winter. Why don’t you retire to someplace you’d feel more at home, like Hoboken?




Ooooops. After I posted this morning I found out that Michigan lost. Let me repeat: How the mighty have fallen.




Geobeet, Penn State should CRUSH FSU. I'm sorry you didn't get a better bowl match-up. I guess the Jopa/Bowden match-up was just too intriguing for those corporate bowl doofusses.”

“Damn, they lost? Shoot, I've been sick, so I couldn't stay up to watch they end. they were doing so well. : (”

“Don't worry about missing some games this year, pixie. There is a recurring pattern:

big10 = LOOOOOOOSERS!!!”

“It's always refreshing to see arclite in the holiday spirit.”

“Bah Humbug!!!

Yo chili et. al. I'm finally up and running at home. I've got a screamer and I've got some great 3D modeling software on the way.



Leaving early tomorrow for the bowl trip. It's a tough life but someone's got to have some fun...



...The big 10 certainly isn't having any.”

“Wow... half time and Iowa's not playing the best. BUT... I've seen three really questionable ref calls. And when the TV replays the phantom "helmet-to-helmet" call from six angles and the announcers berate the refs (and the calls moves Florida on down the field to a touchdown right at halftime))... well, WTF?

Next question, why isn't Iowa reviewing these calls? Can they only have a review so many times in the half?”

“I just want to congratulate those Notre Dame fans early. Sorry Ohio State… I guess your defense is just a little overrated.”

“Wow. Despite great play by Florida and continued bad calls agains the Hawks (and yet a couple reviews on Florida plays that were obvious, such as yes, one of Florida's TDs when I even thought, "Why are they reviewing that? It was a Florida TD!"), the Hawkyes were in it at the end and recovered an onside kick with about 1:42 left to be able to put them in a position to tie or win the game.

What happens? Same thing that happened all game. Refs called a non-existent penalty, an offsides, on the onside kick (yet had missed FLA having 12 men on the field moments earlier).

The one TV camera on replay was at an angle. It **appeared** that the ball was kicked before the player crossed the line of scrimmage. It was run on slow-mo and the announcers said it looked like no penalty.

But the question would be this: WHY WASN'T THAT REVIEWED AT SUCH A CRUCIAL POINT IN THE GAME BY THE OFFICIALS????? WHY??? WTF???!?

The TV announcers berated the refs again and again and at the end. Rightfully so. Florida played great and the fake punt at the end was masterful. Congratulations to the Gators.

Still... the game should have been played out, with that play reviewed. I can't fathom why they didn't review it (well, I guess Iowa recovered the kick... couldn't have that.. I mean, last year Iowa WON in just such a come-from-behind situation!).

Gonna be a lot of POed Iowa fans. Count me among them.
last edited: 1/02/06 2:16:38 PM”

“At least you're not bitter.”

“Good one, DH, made me laugh.

You'd make a good ref for calling that one is it actually happened, no review needed.

Are you available for bowl games? LOL! ;-)”

“HAWKS got screwed.

Domers lose, BUCKS win! As expected. Hopefully we don't play over-rated teams in bowl games next year.

Notre Dame=sucks (like Brady's sister*) ((currently banging OSU's Big Ten Player of the YEAR)).

Domers suck, just like thier QB's sister!

Michigan sucks worse.

Bama needs a kicker.

Peace out.”

“Wot an ending!”

“Looks like a long evening ahead for Georgia.”

“Whine, whine, whine......

Iowa sucks. Florida just sucks a little less.

By the way, anyone seen the Lady Vols take names and kick ass on the bball court?”

“Roll Tide :)”

“badgers”

“despite the loss, i think charlie weiss has got his team on the road to a major turnaround”

“badgers”

“ferrets”

“What the heck happened to Auburn?
I notice DDX is kinda missing.”

“how about them rhinoceroses?”