College Football - Week of 10/27

[Mizzou]

kU ranked ahead of us is crazy.

 

Boo-hoo. We're 7-0. You're not.

 

Advantage Jayhawks.

And you've played crap teams, that's why you're 7-0. Come on, you know that kU isn't near as good as their ranking indicates they are.

 

hard to say, but road wins against K-State and Colorado are pretty solid wins. I do think that Mizzou is one of the top 10 teams in the country.

It's more impressive that kU beat them on the road than if they would have done it at home, sure. But I'm not overly impressed with a team who's two biggest wins on the year have been against teams that are 4-4 and 4-3.

 

We've already dominated two Top 25 teams this year; the only game that kU has against a Top 25 team is the last week of the season -- against us.

I hope you're not counting Nebraska, who's been exposed as an average football team, as a top 25 team.

 

You're being generous by calling Nebraska average.

 

And Mizzou, you have to use the rankings of where the teams are now and right now your team has played exactly one top-25 team which was Oklahoma.

Why? Texas Tech is no longer in the Top 25 because we completely manhandled them. They'll get back in it. Either way, the point about the Top 25 aside... kU still hasn't played anyone. Again, their biggest victories are against teams that are 4-4 and 4-3. I don't see how you look at that, and say with a straight face that they're the 12th best team in the country.

[TruffleShuffle]

Why? Texas Tech is no longer in the Top 25 because we completely manhandled them. They'll get back in it. Either way, the point about the Top 25 aside... kU still hasn't played anyone. Again, their biggest victories are against teams that are 4-4 and 4-3. I don't see how you look at that, and say with a straight face that they're the 12th best team in the country.

 

it's not fair to say they're NOT the 12th best team in the country either. They haven't lost to anyone, so it's more that they're an unknown at this point.

[Guest]

is there an early line on the PSU/O$U game?

PSU +4 on madduxsports.com - seems low but OSU is non-dominant enough that things could turn in PSU's favor.

 

Also of note, Ball State +13.5 against Illinois, which is right around what I expect the margin to be.

 

how's your run defense?

[Guest]

I think Mizzou has a valid point in that other 1 loss teams are ranked ahead of kansas. Basically Missouri gets screwed because they are Missouri. If it makes you feel better, if Kansas was OSU, they'd be #1.

[UK1679666180]

is there an early line on the PSU/O$U game?

PSU +4 on madduxsports.com - seems low but OSU is non-dominant enough that things could turn in PSU's favor.

 

Also of note, Ball State +13.5 against Illinois, which is right around what I expect the margin to be.

 

how's your run defense?

 

Pretty bad from what I've seen.

[Mephistopheles]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

as someone else pointed out... the Little Ten has two losses to D1AA opponents and a loss to Duke, which amounts to the same thing.

 

Both the SEC and Little Ten schedule games against D1AA opponents. The SEC wins easily, the Little Ten not so much.

 

USC 38-3 over SCSU

UF 49-3 over WKU

UGA 45-16 over WCU

UK 50-10 over EKU

Vandy 41-17 over Richmond

Bama 52-6 over WCU

Arkansas 34-15 over UT-Chat

MSU 31-15 over Gardner Webb

-----------------

 

OSU 38-6 over YSU

APPY STATE 34-32 over Michigan

Illinois 21-0 over WIU

Wisconsin 45-31 over The Citadel

Purdue 52-6 over WIU

NU 27-0 over NE

DUKE 20-14 over NU

IU 55-7 over In St

NDSU 27-21 over Minnesota

Edited October 22, 2007 by Mephistopheles

[Guest]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

as someone else pointed out... the Little Ten has two losses to D1AA opponents and a loss to Duke, which amounts to the same thing.

 

Great logic. I thought you would be good at logic.

[dew1679666265]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

I don't see myself as an SEC homer, and I don't think the SEC is the greatest conference in history - it's not even that much better than any other conference out there.

 

But, the reason it's perceived to be a whole lot better, in my opinion, is because the expected top teams in the SEC haven't had any real close non-conference games. The Big Ten has seen Michigan and Wisconsin fall badly, the Big East lost Louisville badly, and the Big XII wasn't helped by Texas barely squeaking by UCF and Arkansas State (who Tennessee beat handily). The Pac-10 has probably been the least maligned by most (other than the SEC) and it's only had UCLA lose badly outside the conference.

 

In the SEC, though, all the big upsets have been in conference. Tennessee has lost all its games in the SEC or to a top national team, Florida's losses have come in the SEC, LSU lost an SEC game. The only major SEC teams to lose or nearly lose to a perceived bad non-conference opponent are South Carolina (thought to be middle of the road SEC barely beat UNC) and Auburn (one of the better SEC teams lost to what turned out to be a very good USF team).

 

Simply put, the other conferences have had perceived top teams fall to mediocre or worse non-conference opponents, the SEC has yet to have that.

[Guest]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

I don't see myself as an SEC homer, and I don't think the SEC is the greatest conference in history - it's not even that much better than any other conference out there.

 

But, the reason it's perceived to be a whole lot better, in my opinion, is because the expected top teams in the SEC haven't had any real close non-conference games. The Big Ten has seen Michigan and Wisconsin fall badly, the Big East lost Louisville badly, and the Big XII wasn't helped by Texas barely squeaking by UCF and Arkansas State (who Tennessee beat handily). The Pac-10 has probably been the least maligned by most (other than the SEC) and it's only had UCLA lose badly outside the conference.

 

In the SEC, though, all the big upsets have been in conference. Tennessee has lost all its games in the SEC or to a top national team, Florida's losses have come in the SEC, LSU lost an SEC game. The only major SEC teams to lose or nearly lose to a perceived bad non-conference opponent are South Carolina (thought to be middle of the road SEC barely beat UNC) and Auburn (one of the better SEC teams lost to what turned out to be a very good USF team).

 

Simply put, the other conferences have had perceived top teams fall to mediocre or worse non-conference opponents, the SEC has yet to have that.

 

 

who did Wisconsin lose to out of conference?

[Mephistopheles]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

as someone else pointed out... the Little Ten has two losses to D1AA opponents and a loss to Duke, which amounts to the same thing.

 

Great logic. I thought you would be good at logic.

 

It is good logic. You see conference A doesn't embarrass self outside of conference play. Conferences B embarrasses self against D1AA opponents, thus the teams in conference A get the beat up on each other argument more than others.

[Mephistopheles]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

I don't see myself as an SEC homer, and I don't think the SEC is the greatest conference in history - it's not even that much better than any other conference out there.

 

But, the reason it's perceived to be a whole lot better, in my opinion, is because the expected top teams in the SEC haven't had any real close non-conference games. The Big Ten has seen Michigan and Wisconsin fall badly, the Big East lost Louisville badly, and the Big XII wasn't helped by Texas barely squeaking by UCF and Arkansas State (who Tennessee beat handily). The Pac-10 has probably been the least maligned by most (other than the SEC) and it's only had UCLA lose badly outside the conference.

 

In the SEC, though, all the big upsets have been in conference. Tennessee has lost all its games in the SEC or to a top national team, Florida's losses have come in the SEC, LSU lost an SEC game. The only major SEC teams to lose or nearly lose to a perceived bad non-conference opponent are South Carolina (thought to be middle of the road SEC barely beat UNC) and Auburn (one of the better SEC teams lost to what turned out to be a very good USF team).

 

Simply put, the other conferences have had perceived top teams fall to mediocre or worse non-conference opponents, the SEC has yet to have that.

 

 

who did Wisconsin lose to out of conference?

 

The Citadel almost beat them. The Citadel! That counts as a loss to an average opponent, easily.

[dew1679666265]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

I don't see myself as an SEC homer, and I don't think the SEC is the greatest conference in history - it's not even that much better than any other conference out there.

 

But, the reason it's perceived to be a whole lot better, in my opinion, is because the expected top teams in the SEC haven't had any real close non-conference games. The Big Ten has seen Michigan and Wisconsin fall badly, the Big East lost Louisville badly, and the Big XII wasn't helped by Texas barely squeaking by UCF and Arkansas State (who Tennessee beat handily). The Pac-10 has probably been the least maligned by most (other than the SEC) and it's only had UCLA lose badly outside the conference.

 

In the SEC, though, all the big upsets have been in conference. Tennessee has lost all its games in the SEC or to a top national team, Florida's losses have come in the SEC, LSU lost an SEC game. The only major SEC teams to lose or nearly lose to a perceived bad non-conference opponent are South Carolina (thought to be middle of the road SEC barely beat UNC) and Auburn (one of the better SEC teams lost to what turned out to be a very good USF team).

 

Simply put, the other conferences have had perceived top teams fall to mediocre or worse non-conference opponents, the SEC has yet to have that.

 

 

who did Wisconsin lose to out of conference?

 

My bad, as Meph pointed out, Wisconsin didn't lose out of conference badly, but they had horribly close games against the Citadel and UNLV. Couple those with the in-conference losses and you have the Badgers nearly out of the top 25.

[TruffleShuffle]

not sure if holy cross will be able to top their 59-10 shellacking at Lehigh this past weekend... i'm still trying to decide whether to make the hour drive lewisburg and watch us beat up on bucknell, or hang around here and tailgate before the psu-o$u game.

[Derwood]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

for the reading impaired. i said nothing of non-conference play.

 

discuss

[dew1679666265]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

for the reading impaired. i said nothing of non-conference play.

 

discuss

 

The point I was trying to make is that the non-conference embarrasments suffered by Big XII, Big Ten and Big East teams have shaped the perceptions of them now. After Texas nearly lost to Arkansas State and UCF, it's hard to say K-State's great because they went to town on them. Same with the teams that have demolished Wisconsin - the win loses luster after the Badgers barely took out the Citadel.

 

The SEC on the other hand, hasn't had a top team lose or nearly lose to a non-conference team they should have demolished. Thus, when Kentucky or another SEC team plays an LSU or a Florida close, the top team is given the benefit of the doubt. Had Florida barely squeaked by Western Kentucky, Auburn's win wouldn't have looked so good.

 

Hopefully this makes more sense. I'm not sure I'm explaining myself well though.

[Mephistopheles]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

for the reading impaired. i said nothing of non-conference play.

 

discuss

 

Like Dew and I pointed out, the fact that the conference didnt lose to a team from the DAKOTAS! and lose to Duke, and lose to Appy means that the teams in the conference are better in the SEC, thus the beating them up argument works more.

[Mephistopheles]

lol Appy State lost to Wofford who got killed by 2-5 North Carolina State

lol The Citadel lost to Wofford who got killed by 2-5 NCSU

[dew1679666265]

lol Appy State lost to Wofford who got killed by 2-5 North Carolina State

lol The Citadel lost to Wofford who got killed by 2-5 NCSU

 

What's with Wofford beating upstart 1AA teams? I think it's kinda funny that they've beaten the two 1AA teams who beat and nearly beat top 1A teams.

[Mephistopheles]

lol Appy State lost to Wofford who got killed by 2-5 North Carolina State

lol The Citadel lost to Wofford who got killed by 2-5 NCSU

 

What's with Wofford beating upstart 1AA teams? I think it's kinda funny that they've beaten the two 1AA teams who beat and nearly beat top 1A teams.

 

woffords losses are to elon and ncsu. elon's losses are to appy state and usf. they lost to usf by fifteen

 

statistically the southern conference is actually better than conference usa.

[dew1679666265]

lol Appy State lost to Wofford who got killed by 2-5 North Carolina State

lol The Citadel lost to Wofford who got killed by 2-5 NCSU

 

What's with Wofford beating upstart 1AA teams? I think it's kinda funny that they've beaten the two 1AA teams who beat and nearly beat top 1A teams.

 

woffords losses are to elon and ncsu. elon's losses are to appy state and usf. they lost to usf by fifteen

 

statistically the southern conference is actually better than conference usa.

 

Interesting, do we promote the Southern Conference to 1A? :D

[imb]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

for the reading impaired. i said nothing of non-conference play.

 

discuss

 

I think he's saying that the big 10 beating up on itself doesn't mean as much as the SEC beating up on itself because the big 10 teams lost to terrible teams out of conference. It's not like those losses don't count anymore.

[rocket]

hopefully the penn state players take a break from raping women and have a good game against the buckeyes.

[dew1679666265]

I'm waiting for an SEC homer to explain to me again why the Big Ten and Big East and Big 12 beating up on each other = weak conferences but the SEC beating up on each other = OMGBESTCONFERNCEEVAR!!11!1!

 

for the reading impaired. i said nothing of non-conference play.

 

discuss

 

I think he's saying that the big 10 beating up on itself doesn't mean as much as the SEC beating up on itself because the big 10 teams lost to terrible teams out of conference. It's not like those losses don't count anymore.

 

Exactly, that's the point Meph and I have been trying to get across.

[Mephistopheles]

maybe we should promote the southern conference, theyre better than the sun belt too. theyre close to the mac if they can pass the mac, then fine

[Andy]

is there an early line on the PSU/O$U game?

PSU +4 on madduxsports.com - seems low but OSU is non-dominant enough that things could turn in PSU's favor.

 

Also of note, Ball State +13.5 against Illinois, which is right around what I expect the margin to be.

 

how's your run defense?

 

Pretty bad from what I've seen.

I don't know how you've seen, but you are very correct. Our pass defense and run defense sort of take turns being the worse of the two defenses. This last week it was the run defense's turn.

 

Mendenhall will probably romp all over us, the game will likely be decided by if we can keep up. Usually (Nebraska, Navy, Michigan) we do. But we'll see. Illinois's got a good enough defense that they could contain us.

 

I predicted 37-30 Illinois on my radio show tonight, but realistically it'll be more like 10-20 points difference unless we really play well.