You can probably tell from the title of this post that I do not approve of KSU's decision to bring back 69 year old Bill Snyder. I don't really know what they're thinking on this one. He'll be 73 when his first recruiting class graduates.
Snyder was already losing his touch when he left KSU the first time (9-14 in his last 23). I wonder if this hire was a result of no one else wanting the job.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Texas Is the Best Team In the Big 12
After Texas Tech humiliated itself last night, I think it's pretty clear that Texas is the best team in the Big 12. They fell behind early to Texas Tech because after three straight Top 10 battles they couldn't match Tech's intensity, but in the second half they regained their form. You can't tell me that OU is now better than the Longhorns because, of course, Texas beat them on a neutral field. Texas should be going to the Big 12 title game. It won't happen, though, because if Oklahoma takes care of business next week, they will be the Big 12 South representative.
Two other things we learned last night... Tim Tebow deserves to win his second Heisman and the SEC champ will likely win the national title again. Sorry, but the Big 12 teams play no defense. All of these Big 12 games have been decided by which defense plays the worst. Each Big 12 South QB has taken turns lighting up the opposing defenses. Tebow has been throttling teams that actually play a little D.
Two other things we learned last night... Tim Tebow deserves to win his second Heisman and the SEC champ will likely win the national title again. Sorry, but the Big 12 teams play no defense. All of these Big 12 games have been decided by which defense plays the worst. Each Big 12 South QB has taken turns lighting up the opposing defenses. Tebow has been throttling teams that actually play a little D.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
No, you get a life.
In case anyone missed it, Rich Rodriguez told Michigan fans to "get a life" because of mounting criticism he is facing.
Really RichRod? These passionate fans pay your salary, they fill your stadium, they are the only reason Michigan football is relevant. Without them, you'd be making less than $100,000 and playing in front of 10,000 people.
If you had managed to not have the worst season in school history, the fans probably wouldn't be complaining. I know you were planning on at least a one year grace period, but I'm guessing that plan didn't include losing nine games this year. Don't make a bad situation worse by lashing out at the people who pay good money to watch your team play each fall Saturday.
Really RichRod? These passionate fans pay your salary, they fill your stadium, they are the only reason Michigan football is relevant. Without them, you'd be making less than $100,000 and playing in front of 10,000 people.
If you had managed to not have the worst season in school history, the fans probably wouldn't be complaining. I know you were planning on at least a one year grace period, but I'm guessing that plan didn't include losing nine games this year. Don't make a bad situation worse by lashing out at the people who pay good money to watch your team play each fall Saturday.
Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma
Well, this one seems pretty easy to me.
The game is in Norman. Bob Stoops has only lost twice in nearly ten years at home. Texas Tech had some nice home wins, but I don't think they're ready to win a big time away game like this yet.
Plus, check out these stats from http://blatanthomerism.blogspot.com/2008/11/leachs-kryptonite.html
"Since 2004, Tech has played a total of 60 games, 45 on turf and 15 on grass. During that period, the Red Raiders have put averages of 43.1 points per game and 499.2 yards of total offense per game on artificial turf. In comparison, the national medians for all teams on all surfaces are averages of approximately 25 points and 360 yards. What happens when the Raiders play on the real stuff? Tech's averages drop considerably: 27 points per game and 430 yards. On a per-play basis, Leach's teams have averaged 6.0 yards per play on grass versus 6.9 yards per play on turf. Each offensive play generates an average 0.37 points on grass against 0.59 points per play on turf. The disparity even holds true when it comes to taking care of the ball. Since the 2006 season, the Red Raiders have averaged 1.2 turnovers per game on grass, while they have turned it over an average of just one time on turf."
I'll have a more in-depth analysis up in a bit.
The game is in Norman. Bob Stoops has only lost twice in nearly ten years at home. Texas Tech had some nice home wins, but I don't think they're ready to win a big time away game like this yet.
Plus, check out these stats from http://blatanthomerism.blogspot.com/2008/11/leachs-kryptonite.html
"Since 2004, Tech has played a total of 60 games, 45 on turf and 15 on grass. During that period, the Red Raiders have put averages of 43.1 points per game and 499.2 yards of total offense per game on artificial turf. In comparison, the national medians for all teams on all surfaces are averages of approximately 25 points and 360 yards. What happens when the Raiders play on the real stuff? Tech's averages drop considerably: 27 points per game and 430 yards. On a per-play basis, Leach's teams have averaged 6.0 yards per play on grass versus 6.9 yards per play on turf. Each offensive play generates an average 0.37 points on grass against 0.59 points per play on turf. The disparity even holds true when it comes to taking care of the ball. Since the 2006 season, the Red Raiders have averaged 1.2 turnovers per game on grass, while they have turned it over an average of just one time on turf."
I'll have a more in-depth analysis up in a bit.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Big Least
Hey, remember when Rutgers was 1-5 and looked like one of the worst BCS teams? Well, four games later they are 5-5 and actually have a chance at WINNING the Big East.
Are you kidding me?
Are you kidding me?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
UF vs USCe
Not very many big games this weekend, so I'm just going to go over the Gator game. In Brief.
South Carolina has a very good defense. Statistically it is the best the Gators will probably face all year. There is just one problem with it: it's been built the old fashioned way. Linebackers that weigh 270 pounds? 240 pound safeties? This defense was built to stop the traditional SEC offenses, and for the most part it has, but we all know Florida doesn't run a traditional SEC offense. Steve Spurrier of all people should know what happens when you try to defend an offense built on speed with an old school defense. The CBs are a little lighter and faster, headlined by the man with the best name in the SEC, Captain Munnerlyn, but it won't be enough to make up for deficiencies in speed elsewhere.
On offense South Carolina has been its usual inconsistent, turnover prone self. Their leading rusher averages just 3.5 yards per carry and the team averages 2.9 ypc overall. The passing game is a little more potent, but not by much. The Gators have had some problems keeping mobile QBs in check (See Chris Nickson's performance in the second half last week), so Stephen Garcia's legs might be a problem, but outside of that the Gator defense should have no problems keeping the South Carlolina offense in check. Add on to this the fact that the Gators have blocked five South Carolina kicks in the past three meetings, and it is not looking to good for the 'Cocks.
Since the Ole Miss loss, Urban Meyer has commented several times on his team's increased professionalism and attention to detail. If the Gators show up prepared for this game, and I believe they will, it should be no contest.
Florida 42, South Carolina 10.
South Carolina has a very good defense. Statistically it is the best the Gators will probably face all year. There is just one problem with it: it's been built the old fashioned way. Linebackers that weigh 270 pounds? 240 pound safeties? This defense was built to stop the traditional SEC offenses, and for the most part it has, but we all know Florida doesn't run a traditional SEC offense. Steve Spurrier of all people should know what happens when you try to defend an offense built on speed with an old school defense. The CBs are a little lighter and faster, headlined by the man with the best name in the SEC, Captain Munnerlyn, but it won't be enough to make up for deficiencies in speed elsewhere.
On offense South Carolina has been its usual inconsistent, turnover prone self. Their leading rusher averages just 3.5 yards per carry and the team averages 2.9 ypc overall. The passing game is a little more potent, but not by much. The Gators have had some problems keeping mobile QBs in check (See Chris Nickson's performance in the second half last week), so Stephen Garcia's legs might be a problem, but outside of that the Gator defense should have no problems keeping the South Carlolina offense in check. Add on to this the fact that the Gators have blocked five South Carolina kicks in the past three meetings, and it is not looking to good for the 'Cocks.
Since the Ole Miss loss, Urban Meyer has commented several times on his team's increased professionalism and attention to detail. If the Gators show up prepared for this game, and I believe they will, it should be no contest.
Florida 42, South Carolina 10.
BCS + 1 = The Answer
College football doesn't need a playoff. The FBS never has had a playoff, and a college football season would feel weird with one at the end. As many people have already pointed out, Iowa's win over Penn State would have been fairly insignificant if a playoff were in place. The only consequence of the loss for PSU would have been dropping a few spots in seeding. If you've followed college football for a while, you'd know that a large part of the appeal is that every game has a huge impact on the season. One loss? You still have a chance at the title but now you have to anxiously watch the teams in front of you and hope they lose. Two losses? You're done.
An eight (or god forbid sixteen) team playoff would mean a few teams could shrug off a loss or two as being no big deal. This is not good for the sport.
A plus one system (essentially a four team playoff) would have a playoff feel AND keep the importance of the regular season in tact. The most important aspect of a plus one is shifting the debate from who deserves to be #2 to who deserves to be #4. There have been a few seasons where more than two teams looked like they should have a shot at the title, but very rarely are there more than four teams who look worthy of a national title by the end of the season.
An eight (or god forbid sixteen) team playoff would mean a few teams could shrug off a loss or two as being no big deal. This is not good for the sport.
A plus one system (essentially a four team playoff) would have a playoff feel AND keep the importance of the regular season in tact. The most important aspect of a plus one is shifting the debate from who deserves to be #2 to who deserves to be #4. There have been a few seasons where more than two teams looked like they should have a shot at the title, but very rarely are there more than four teams who look worthy of a national title by the end of the season.
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