College Football - Week of 11/18

[CuseCubFan69]

What are Florida's claims to fame? They lost to a 2 loss Auburn and beat a 3 loss Tennesse and 2 loss LSU.

 

This is something that Cuse said in last weeks thread, but i wanted to bring the discussion over here.

 

This is one of my main problems with the polling system. Earlier in the season, Florida's wins over Auburn, Tennessee and LSU looked really, impressive (not that they still arent quality wins, just some of the shine has been taken off.)

 

Anyway, those wins look great, so Florida is highly ranked. Now, those teams lose a few more games, and the wins don't look as good. But what can you do if Florida doesn't lose? Florida's ranking is based on the strength of those wins, and they won't fall in the rankings unless they lose, no matter if Auburn, Tennessee and LSU lose every remaining game.

 

Now, I'm not singling out Florida here, just using them as an example.

Yea, the polls fail when there is ambiguity about which team is better than another.

 

UF-USC-Rutgers all have arguments for the #3 spot based of quality of wins/losses, but without playing eachother how do you choose?

Also Arkansas can't be #3 because they shouldn't be ahead of USC, but if USC were #3 Arkansas could (and probably should) be #4 ahead of UF/Rutgers.

 

I don't know how one can objectively choose when teams are so close.

 

You can't unless one is undefeated. I don't think there is that much of a difference regarding all the one loss teams.

[adamb0719]

That FSU/ND game was close to being a tie in the waning moments. Hardly an easy win for ND.

 

 

 

Shawn Wooden!!

[NewUserName]

Not gonna lie, it's a nice motivation...but my hopes that UM's defense will expose Troy Smith for having not played well against any good defenses this year (see: Penn State) are even higher. :)

 

Troy Smith has had 2 great games against UM, so i wouldnt put anything past him this year. Hopefully the more aggressive Dline will change that this year. In the past he has killed them with his legs and he doesnt seem to do it as much this year, plus UM's defense is better suited at stopping the mobile QB this year. It will be a good test for both of them.

 

Lewis from Indiana isnt as good of a passer as Troy Smith is. However Michigan was able to contain his running ability pretty well on Saturday. Also even though he did buy himself some time he was unable to capitalize too much. Again I realize he isnt in the same class as Smith, If you are a Michigan fan you have to be pleased how they handled a qb with good running ability.

 

I have the feeling that Michigan has been playing opossum on offense. For some reason I think we are going to see a more wide open attack from them this Saturday similar to the Notre Dame game. I just really think as long as Pittman doesnt bust loose on them they are going to win pretty easily.

[UK1679666180]

Vance, remember the LSU-UK romp? Now, I'll get to enjoy this one.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If you bet, bet heavily on UK. ULM sucks.

[jjgman21]

Not gonna lie, it's a nice motivation...but my hopes that UM's defense will expose Troy Smith for having not played well against any good defenses this year (see: Penn State) are even higher. :)

 

Troy Smith has had 2 great games against UM, so i wouldnt put anything past him this year. Hopefully the more aggressive Dline will change that this year. In the past he has killed them with his legs and he doesnt seem to do it as much this year, plus UM's defense is better suited at stopping the mobile QB this year. It will be a good test for both of them.

 

Lewis from Indiana isnt as good of a passer as Troy Smith is. However Michigan was able to contain his running ability pretty well on Saturday. Also even though he did buy himself some time he was unable to capitalize too much. Again I realize he isnt in the same class as Smith, If you are a Michigan fan you have to be pleased how they handled a qb with good running ability.

 

I have the feeling that Michigan has been playing opossum on offense. For some reason I think we are going to see a more wide open attack from them this Saturday similar to the Notre Dame game. I just really think as long as Pittman doesnt bust loose on them they are going to win pretty easily.

 

Lewis from Indiana didn't have the other ten Buckeyes surrounding him either. I see zero point in trying to predict what will happen in this game.

[TruffleShuffle]

As I do every year, I'm pulling for stadium collapse in the Ohio State-Michigan game.

[Derwood]

As I do every year, I'm pulling for stadium collapse in the Ohio State-Michigan game.

 

one that doesn't kill anyone, but makes all the fans and players not be able to speak for awhile.

[soccer10k]

Boise St. RB Ian Johnson is hospitalized with a collapsed lung. Hopefully he'll recover.

 

ESPN.com link

 

He's the second leading rusher in the nation and a big reason why Boise is undefeated right now.

[SouthSideRyan]

As I do every year, I'm pulling for stadium collapse in the Ohio State-Michigan game.

 

Even if it opens the door for Notre Dame in the title game? :)

[TruffleShuffle]

As I do every year, I'm pulling for stadium collapse in the Ohio State-Michigan game.

 

Even if it opens the door for Notre Dame in the title game? :)

 

I never said I wasn't rooting for stadium collapse in their game too!

[cubweiser03]

Every state but Michigan and Wyoming has OSU winning. Pfft. Wyoming you are indeed some cool cowboys. I wont complain, i like it this way. I can't wait for Branch to collapse the pocket, or Woodley to come from the edge and pound Smith's ass in the ground. This i will guarantee, Smith with get lit up big time at least once Saturday. Michigan has crushed QB's all year.

[badgercub]

Every state but Michigan and Wyoming has OSU winning. Pfft. Wyoming you are indeed some cool cowboys. I wont complain, i like it this way. I can't wait for Branch to collapse the pocket, or Woodley to come from the edge and pound Smith's ass in the ground. This i will guarantee, Smith with get lit up big time at least once Saturday. Michigan has crushed QB's all year.

 

I would say Michigan has a good chance to beat Ohio State, if they do, and I hope they do by a lot, and some other things happen to the Top teams, most of whom still play one another, I want to see how high the Badgers can climb into the picture. I think it would be cool to have 3 teams from one conference in the top 5 of the BCS. If that happened it would really throw a monkey wrench into things as 3 teams from one conference cannot all go to BCS bowls, but I think there is another rule that if you finish above 6th in the BCS you are supposed to be guaranteed a spot, which rule would apply? The Badgers are on the outside looking in and if they wouldn't have lost some many skill players from last years team they would have been ranked before the season started and would definitely be in the discussion.

[louisvillecub]

Hasn't it been a pretty long time since Michigan's beat OSU in Columbus?

 

I'm cheering for my Blue, but I'm pessimistic....

[NewUserName]

Hasn't it been a pretty long time since Michigan's beat OSU in Columbus?

 

I'm cheering for my Blue, but I'm pessimistic....

 

 

Michigan won just about everygame between the 2 in the 90s. It wasnt until Tressel got there that things have started to go OSU way.

[TruffleShuffle]

Every state but Michigan and Wyoming has OSU winning. Pfft.

 

Ohio State is favored by almost a touchdown and has been regarded as the best team in the country since beating Texas. My friend, a Michigan grad, was bitching about the spread on the game, saying it was "complete disrespect" for Michigan. Give me a break. The line was 6.5 when it came out. When you take out home field (~3 points), it says that Vegas thinks Ohio State is about 3 points better on a neutral field, which is completely reasonable. I guess fans like to convince themselves that nobody respects their team, though.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'd love me some Michigan(+6.5)

[NewUserName]

Every state but Michigan and Wyoming has OSU winning. Pfft.

 

Ohio State is favored by almost a touchdown and has been regarded as the best team in the country since beating Texas. My friend, a Michigan grad, was bitching about the spread on the game, saying it was "complete disrespect" for Michigan. Give me a break. The line was 6.5 when it came out. When you take out home field (~3 points), it says that Vegas thinks Ohio State is about 3 points better on a neutral field, which is completely reasonable. I guess fans like to convince themselves that nobody respects their team, though.

 

 

I wish fans would realize the point spread has nothing to do with respect or even who the oddsmakers think is going to win the game. It is set to help promote the most amount of money on each side.

[TruffleShuffle]

Every state but Michigan and Wyoming has OSU winning. Pfft.

 

Ohio State is favored by almost a touchdown and has been regarded as the best team in the country since beating Texas. My friend, a Michigan grad, was bitching about the spread on the game, saying it was "complete disrespect" for Michigan. Give me a break. The line was 6.5 when it came out. When you take out home field (~3 points), it says that Vegas thinks Ohio State is about 3 points better on a neutral field, which is completely reasonable. I guess fans like to convince themselves that nobody respects their team, though.

 

 

I wish fans would realize the point spread has nothing to do with respect or even who the oddsmakers think is going to win the game. It is set to help promote the most amount of money on each side.

 

Yes, but they try to put a line out there that won't move much. If there's a lot of action on one side and that side wins, then Vegas loses money on the game. Vegas doesn't like losing money.

[Guest]

Every state but Michigan and Wyoming has OSU winning. Pfft.

 

Ohio State is favored by almost a touchdown and has been regarded as the best team in the country since beating Texas. My friend, a Michigan grad, was bitching about the spread on the game, saying it was "complete disrespect" for Michigan. Give me a break. The line was 6.5 when it came out. When you take out home field (~3 points), it says that Vegas thinks Ohio State is about 3 points better on a neutral field, which is completely reasonable. I guess fans like to convince themselves that nobody respects their team, though.

 

 

I wish fans would realize the point spread has nothing to do with respect or even who the oddsmakers think is going to win the game. It is set to help promote the most amount of money on each side.

 

Yes, but they try to put a line out there that won't move much. If there's a lot of action on one side and that side wins, then Vegas loses money on the game. Vegas doesn't like losing money.

 

Vegas doesn't lose money. The line will move and they will vary the payouts to make sure they make money. ie Michigan at +6.5 with a 1:2 payout is not as enticing as at a 1:1 or 2:1 payout.

[TruffleShuffle]

Every state but Michigan and Wyoming has OSU winning. Pfft.

 

Ohio State is favored by almost a touchdown and has been regarded as the best team in the country since beating Texas. My friend, a Michigan grad, was bitching about the spread on the game, saying it was "complete disrespect" for Michigan. Give me a break. The line was 6.5 when it came out. When you take out home field (~3 points), it says that Vegas thinks Ohio State is about 3 points better on a neutral field, which is completely reasonable. I guess fans like to convince themselves that nobody respects their team, though.

 

 

I wish fans would realize the point spread has nothing to do with respect or even who the oddsmakers think is going to win the game. It is set to help promote the most amount of money on each side.

 

Yes, but they try to put a line out there that won't move much. If there's a lot of action on one side and that side wins, then Vegas loses money on the game. Vegas doesn't like losing money.

 

Vegas doesn't lose money. The line will move and they will vary the payouts to make sure they make money. ie Michigan at +6.5 with a 1:2 payout is not as enticing as at a 1:1 or 2:1 payout.

 

Then why don't they just start the line at OSU -35? You'll sure as hell get action on that line.

[goonys evil twin]

Every state but Michigan and Wyoming has OSU winning. Pfft.

 

Ohio State is favored by almost a touchdown and has been regarded as the best team in the country since beating Texas. My friend, a Michigan grad, was bitching about the spread on the game, saying it was "complete disrespect" for Michigan. Give me a break. The line was 6.5 when it came out. When you take out home field (~3 points), it says that Vegas thinks Ohio State is about 3 points better on a neutral field, which is completely reasonable. I guess fans like to convince themselves that nobody respects their team, though.

 

 

I wish fans would realize the point spread has nothing to do with respect or even who the oddsmakers think is going to win the game. It is set to help promote the most amount of money on each side.

 

Yes, but they try to put a line out there that won't move much. If there's a lot of action on one side and that side wins, then Vegas loses money on the game. Vegas doesn't like losing money.

 

Vegas doesn't lose money. The line will move and they will vary the payouts to make sure they make money. ie Michigan at +6.5 with a 1:2 payout is not as enticing as at a 1:1 or 2:1 payout.

 

Then why don't they just start the line at OSU -35? You'll sure as hell get action on that line.

 

Because it is set to get money on both sides. They know what the gambling public thinks of each team.

[TruffleShuffle]

Because it is set to get money on both sides. They know what the gambling public thinks of each team.

 

Exactly. They set a line in an attempt to get an equal amount of action on both sides... that's how they maximize their profit. It doesn't have anything to do with getting the most money put on the game - if they wanted that, they'd put an outlandish line that guarantees action. Yes, sometimes the line is a little off of where it should be based on public perception of certain teams, but there are too many people who know what they're doing and bet a whole lot of money on sports.

[UMFan83]

I could care less what kinda 'respect' Michigan gets. They can get all the respect that they want on Saturday afternoon.

[Andy]

See the ND thread for my breaking down of what it would come down to if Michigan were to dominate OSU (which I stubbornly think they will). It's amazing how similar the teams would be then if that happened.