Another Season Comes to a Close
It comes down to tonight's "championship" match up between LSU and Ohio State. Here's a funny thought (not ha-ha funny), think about how much press and publicity the USC Trojans have received over the last 5-6 years. In that time, they've won 1 national title and played for a second - keep in mind I'm referring to BCS national title games only. Split AP champs are meaningless.
In that same time, Ohio State has also won a title and is now playing for their second straight BCS title. If we could somehow calculate the media attention one team gets versus another I think we'd find that USC is off the charts when compared with the Buckeyes or any other school, but here we are, watching a team tonight that has accomplished more in terms of competing for a championship than the Trojans over the last 6 years....and given their current roster, could be going for more in future years.
Alright, alright, I know you loyal readers are thinking, "here we go again, another tirade on how USC gets more attention than anyone although they don't deserve it." I get it, I'll stop right now...but I'll leave you with this: think about how many media types are already saying that USC should be considered as a top team in the country after beating Illinois. Are they playing well right now (were)? Yes. Were they finally getting over some injuries? Yes.
BUT, and here's the best part:
The more I think about it, and the more I reflect on this season, I can't help but to think that the Buckeyes are in prime position to upset the Tigers tonight. But, I also think that LSU is finally 100% healthy (especially with Matt Flynn and Glenn Dorsey). I don't think there's much argument that LSU will be, by and far, the best team that Ohio State has faced all year long. But, you could certainly argue that LSU has faced teams that are at the very least comparable to Ohio State - in short, LSU gets the edge in strength of competition thus far.
We can talk about speed, size of lines, toughness, etc. all day long, but I think there is one intangible that may trump all of this - Ohio State's reputation. The memory is still fresh from last year's romping to Florida (a team that was sick in terms of talent on both sides of the ball). And to add fuel to the fire, they're playing yet another SEC team that looked like an NFL team at times this year. The Buckeye Pride factor may trump any real, tangible aspect of this game.
My head is saying go with the Tigers (although I wouldn't touch the line of 4 pts), but my college football heart is saying don't count out the Buckeyes - I did it with the Mountaineers and I did it with the Jayhawks, but not this time. Defensive struggle and low-scoring game tonight. Les Miles will take a gamble that won't pay off tonight. I'm routing for the Tigers, but I'm thinking the Buckeyes are playing for redemption.
Ohio State - 27
LSU - 22
Mustangs:
For the better part of my college football watching life SMU has sat at the bottom of the darkest depths of college football's abyss - that abyss known as the death penalty. And now, many MANY years later we may just see some life being resurrected into those Mustangs - much like Freddy Krueger breathed that much-needed life into Jason Vorheese in the epic Freddie vs. Jason, so to will June Jones breath new life into this once dead program. (This is, in reality, the only appropriate analogy I could come up with regarding the SMU football program - it's either horribly sad or so dead on it's scary).
Seriously, if this deal gets done, this will be a HUGE win for the University from Dallas. With a recruiting hot bed like Texas, imagine what level of talent Jones will be able to bring in - and after the success with high-flying passing attacks in Hawaii, I imagine there will be more than a few capable QBs clamoring to play for him. Texas is a football state and one that even the Tier 2 (or maybe 3 in this instance) teams can bring in talent.
I hope SMU is throwing any and everything at Jones to get him to Big D because if they do, I think he can make tremendous progress in just 3 years. Here's hoping SMU gets some much-needed good news around their football program....Lord knows they haven't had any since the Eric Dickerson days.
NFL Notes:
Great way to close out the "pre-conference" part of the season with a commanding win over 24-ranked St. Mary's on Saturday. Big game by Augustine scoring 30 points in the victory. I'm very anxious to see how this team approaches the conference schedule - what will their mindset be and how will they raiser their level of play. Here's hoping Gary Johnson just keeps getting better and better - we need his size....and moving James to the wing has been very successful thus far.
That's what I got folks - enjoy the final game of the season tonight. I'll have a 2007 year-in-review coming up later this week. Until then...
In that same time, Ohio State has also won a title and is now playing for their second straight BCS title. If we could somehow calculate the media attention one team gets versus another I think we'd find that USC is off the charts when compared with the Buckeyes or any other school, but here we are, watching a team tonight that has accomplished more in terms of competing for a championship than the Trojans over the last 6 years....and given their current roster, could be going for more in future years.
Alright, alright, I know you loyal readers are thinking, "here we go again, another tirade on how USC gets more attention than anyone although they don't deserve it." I get it, I'll stop right now...but I'll leave you with this: think about how many media types are already saying that USC should be considered as a top team in the country after beating Illinois. Are they playing well right now (were)? Yes. Were they finally getting over some injuries? Yes.
BUT, and here's the best part:
- USC's first seven opponents (over half their schedule) had a combined record of 27-58 (how they finished)
- In the regular season, USC had 2 victories over opponents with winning records
- USC's first game against a team with a winning record came in their 8th game...and they lost.
- Here's what made them the hottest team in the country down the stretch - a win over Arizona State (we saw how good they were in the Holiday Bowl) and then finally beating a bruised and tattered UCLA team. Actually, it was the 20-point win over ASU - a grossly overrated and over-ranked team.
- Their Rose Bowl win was definitely impressive, but consider this - Illinois wasn't even the champ of their conference and I think we all know they should have been playing someone other than the Illini. Also, Illinois gained over 400 yards against those mighty Trojans...with players who have never once played in a bowl game.
The more I think about it, and the more I reflect on this season, I can't help but to think that the Buckeyes are in prime position to upset the Tigers tonight. But, I also think that LSU is finally 100% healthy (especially with Matt Flynn and Glenn Dorsey). I don't think there's much argument that LSU will be, by and far, the best team that Ohio State has faced all year long. But, you could certainly argue that LSU has faced teams that are at the very least comparable to Ohio State - in short, LSU gets the edge in strength of competition thus far.
We can talk about speed, size of lines, toughness, etc. all day long, but I think there is one intangible that may trump all of this - Ohio State's reputation. The memory is still fresh from last year's romping to Florida (a team that was sick in terms of talent on both sides of the ball). And to add fuel to the fire, they're playing yet another SEC team that looked like an NFL team at times this year. The Buckeye Pride factor may trump any real, tangible aspect of this game.
My head is saying go with the Tigers (although I wouldn't touch the line of 4 pts), but my college football heart is saying don't count out the Buckeyes - I did it with the Mountaineers and I did it with the Jayhawks, but not this time. Defensive struggle and low-scoring game tonight. Les Miles will take a gamble that won't pay off tonight. I'm routing for the Tigers, but I'm thinking the Buckeyes are playing for redemption.
Ohio State - 27
LSU - 22
Mustangs:
For the better part of my college football watching life SMU has sat at the bottom of the darkest depths of college football's abyss - that abyss known as the death penalty. And now, many MANY years later we may just see some life being resurrected into those Mustangs - much like Freddy Krueger breathed that much-needed life into Jason Vorheese in the epic Freddie vs. Jason, so to will June Jones breath new life into this once dead program. (This is, in reality, the only appropriate analogy I could come up with regarding the SMU football program - it's either horribly sad or so dead on it's scary).
Seriously, if this deal gets done, this will be a HUGE win for the University from Dallas. With a recruiting hot bed like Texas, imagine what level of talent Jones will be able to bring in - and after the success with high-flying passing attacks in Hawaii, I imagine there will be more than a few capable QBs clamoring to play for him. Texas is a football state and one that even the Tier 2 (or maybe 3 in this instance) teams can bring in talent.
I hope SMU is throwing any and everything at Jones to get him to Big D because if they do, I think he can make tremendous progress in just 3 years. Here's hoping SMU gets some much-needed good news around their football program....Lord knows they haven't had any since the Eric Dickerson days.
NFL Notes:
- Ugh - VY needs to get TONS better between now and next year. You've heard me talk a lot about the offensive talent around him, especially at receiver (it's abysmal), but he's got to make better decisions. I don't think Norm Chow is the guy to take Mr. Young to the next level - look for Chow to be back in the college ranks next year. The Titans had 9 passing touchdowns this year - that's terrible. They've got the cap space, they need to make some moves, but I almost think Vince needs to spend more time watching film than working out.
- I'm not at all sold on San Diego as a bona fide contender - there's no way that game should have been that close against Tennessee yesterday. Tomlinson is awesome and Gates is a good go-to guy, but I think Rivers is an average QB at best. Throw him on a team without Gates and LdT and he would implode.
- I'm dead serious here - I think Jacksonville can give the Pats a good run for their money.
- 2 Things I said on numerous occasions this year: 1) Giants may be the team that EVERYONE wants to play in the first round, and 2) the NFC East was by and far the worst division in football. Couple of points and retractions: 1) Still think the Giants are inferior to most teams in the playoffs, but what a game by Manning (the little one), and 2) The NFC East put 3 teams into the playoffs this year. 2 of those teams are still in it.
- I think Tampa Bay was exposed - we easily forgot (at least I did) that Tampa's division was in fact the worst in football - their division games were against Carolina, Atlanta and New Orleans.
- Anyone think the Cowboys are happy about facing the Giants? Me neither.
- A few good story lines in the Seattle/Green Bay match up: Holmgren coached Favre for a number of years including his lone super bowl in and Hassleback was backup to Favre during those same years in Green Bay.
Great way to close out the "pre-conference" part of the season with a commanding win over 24-ranked St. Mary's on Saturday. Big game by Augustine scoring 30 points in the victory. I'm very anxious to see how this team approaches the conference schedule - what will their mindset be and how will they raiser their level of play. Here's hoping Gary Johnson just keeps getting better and better - we need his size....and moving James to the wing has been very successful thus far.
That's what I got folks - enjoy the final game of the season tonight. I'll have a 2007 year-in-review coming up later this week. Until then...
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 10:03 AM
2 Comments:
Look at who Norm Chow has coached at the QB position. If he can't turn someone into a NFL QB then no one can.
Watching film might help VY, but with an (alleged) score of 6 on the Wonderlic Test, one has to wonder how much better he can truly get. He may have already hit his ceiling.
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