College Football - Week of Oct. 17th

[shnsajax]

why do you say this year's heisman comes down to career performance more than this season's performance?

 

Other guys have too much ground to make up and play on teams that won't get as much media attention. I don't really see McCoy or Tebow having that defining game based on the schedule ahead. But even if they do, its going to be hard to argue that if one of them wins it their career didn't have a huge impact on winning it this season.

 

I may be dense, but I just don't get it. Who are these "other guys" that have too much ground to make up and don't get media attention? I mean, if Clausen wins, it's not going to be based on his performance in 2007 as a true freshman on a terrible team a few months after elbow surgery. It's going to be b/c he led a decent/good team to an 11-win season (I can't see him winning it unless ND wins out) including several 4th quarter come-from-behind Ws and a big game against USC.

 

Clausen, Pike, Berry. Its just more based on how I think the Heisman voters vote. For career that only applies to McCoy and Tebow should one of them win the award, if Clausen wins its based solely upon this season.

[Tracer Bullet]

why do you say this year's heisman comes down to career performance more than this season's performance?

 

Other guys have too much ground to make up and play on teams that won't get as much media attention. I don't really see McCoy or Tebow having that defining game based on the schedule ahead. But even if they do, its going to be hard to argue that if one of them wins it their career didn't have a huge impact on winning it this season.

 

I may be dense, but I just don't get it. Who are these "other guys" that have too much ground to make up and don't get media attention? I mean, if Clausen wins, it's not going to be based on his performance in 2007 as a true freshman on a terrible team a few months after elbow surgery. It's going to be b/c he led a decent/good team to an 11-win season (I can't see him winning it unless ND wins out) including several 4th quarter come-from-behind Ws and a big game against USC.

 

Clausen, Pike, Berry. Its just more based on how I think the Heisman voters vote. For career that only applies to McCoy and Tebow should one of them win the award, if Clausen wins its based solely upon this season.

 

Berry's just not going to win. Great player, but great defensive players that aren't also punt returners have a steep hill to climb. Pike has gotten some attention, but he's not going to win unless they're in the title game.

 

Clausen doesn't belong in that class. He was the #1 recruit 2 years ago, he's been fantastic statistically this year, he's had a number of dramatic wins and he plays on national TV almost every week. I'm not sure ND plays a game that isn't nationally televised this year. While he doesn't usually get much love from the ESPN/ABC family, he has actually had some recently (Herbstreit on Saturday being the most obvious).

 

I don't know who will win the award, obviously, but it'll come down to Tebow, McCoy, and Clausen and how they perform this year (and where their teams finish) will be the driving force, imo.

[Andy]

Clausen doesn't belong in that class. He was the #1 recruit 2 years ago, he's been fantastic statistically this year, he's had a number of dramatic wins and he plays on national TV almost every week. I'm not sure ND plays a game that isn't nationally televised this year. While he doesn't usually get much love from the ESPN/ABC family, he has actually had some recently (Herbstreit on Saturday being the most obvious).

 

I don't know who will win the award, obviously, but it'll come down to Tebow, McCoy, and Clausen and how they perform this year (and where their teams finish) will be the driving force, imo.

He doesn't. His only two road games remaining will both be on the ABC/ESPN family.

[SpongeWorthy]

I bet if Tennessee were a top 15 type team Berry would be in serious discussion as a Heisman candidate. The level of quarterback play is just down this year overall and there are no dominant runningbacks on highly ranked teams either. Tony Pike's probably played the best but the casual fan doesn't even know who he is and even the serious fan hasn't seen him play much.

[hawkeyecub]

I hadn't really heard Pike's name mentioned, so that's good to hear about him. Best really should not have quit getting media attention after the loss and should still be a top candidate.

 

Best has been completely bottled up against the only two good defenses he's played against though. Total of 30 carries for 102 and 4 catches for 19 yards with 0 touchdowns against Oregon and USC.

[SpongeWorthy]

The guy that might get in the mix is the VT running back Ryan Williams. He's a redshirt freshman so he's a long shot but he's a workhorse that can rip off the spectacular play too. If VT runs the table and continues to play well he could be invited to New York

[dew1679666265]

I bet if Tennessee were a top 15 type team Berry would be in serious discussion as a Heisman candidate. The level of quarterback play is just down this year overall and there are no dominant runningbacks on highly ranked teams either. Tony Pike's probably played the best but the casual fan doesn't even know who he is and even the serious fan hasn't seen him play much.

 

Everything I'm about to say is unlikely, but consider this:

 

If Tennessee wins out (including current #2 ranked Alabama and fringe top-25 South Carolina), does that get Berry at least an invite? Tennessee very well could be ranked (albeit low) at that point and Berry likely would have played very well for us to win those games. There would also be quite a bit of talk about Tennessee unseating Alabama. I don't know, but it's a thought. Maybe.

[dew1679666265]

I hadn't really heard Pike's name mentioned, so that's good to hear about him. Best really should not have quit getting media attention after the loss and should still be a top candidate.

 

Best has been completely bottled up against the only two good defenses he's played against though. Total of 30 carries for 102 and 4 catches for 19 yards with 0 touchdowns against Oregon and USC.

 

I didn't realize his numbers were so low in those two games. Even still, two games shouldn't completely eliminate a player from Heisman consideration or talk. Maybe it makes him a darkhorse, but he's basically out of it now, it seems. He's still carrying for 6.5 yards per carry this year, so he's really been impressive in his other 4 games.

[shnsajax]

I bet if Tennessee were a top 15 type team Berry would be in serious discussion as a Heisman candidate. The level of quarterback play is just down this year overall and there are no dominant runningbacks on highly ranked teams either. Tony Pike's probably played the best but the casual fan doesn't even know who he is and even the serious fan hasn't seen him play much.

 

Everything I'm about to say is unlikely, but consider this:

 

If Tennessee wins out (including current #2 ranked Alabama and fringe top-25 South Carolina), does that get Berry at least an invite? Tennessee very well could be ranked (albeit low) at that point and Berry likely would have played very well for us to win those games. There would also be quite a bit of talk about Tennessee unseating Alabama. I don't know, but it's a thought. Maybe.

 

I don't see why not if Berry plas a major role. He's the best defensive player in the nation, and if he several stand out plays against Alabama and SC then its possible. Just very unlikely :-).

[Andy]

I hadn't really heard Pike's name mentioned, so that's good to hear about him. Best really should not have quit getting media attention after the loss and should still be a top candidate.

 

Best has been completely bottled up against the only two good defenses he's played against though. Total of 30 carries for 102 and 4 catches for 19 yards with 0 touchdowns against Oregon and USC.

 

I didn't realize his numbers were so low in those two games. Even still, two games shouldn't completely eliminate a player from Heisman consideration or talk. Maybe it makes him a darkhorse, but he's basically out of it now, it seems. He's still carrying for 6.5 yards per carry this year, so he's really been impressive in his other 4 games.

Maryland, Eastern Washington, Minnesota. Cal's only played 5 games and those are the other 3.

[dew1679666265]

I hadn't really heard Pike's name mentioned, so that's good to hear about him. Best really should not have quit getting media attention after the loss and should still be a top candidate.

 

Best has been completely bottled up against the only two good defenses he's played against though. Total of 30 carries for 102 and 4 catches for 19 yards with 0 touchdowns against Oregon and USC.

 

I didn't realize his numbers were so low in those two games. Even still, two games shouldn't completely eliminate a player from Heisman consideration or talk. Maybe it makes him a darkhorse, but he's basically out of it now, it seems. He's still carrying for 6.5 yards per carry this year, so he's really been impressive in his other 4 games.

Maryland, Eastern Washington, Minnesota. Cal's only played 5 games and those are the other 3.

 

A few bad teams, eh. Ok, maybe Best isn't the best example. I concede that point.

[dew1679666265]

I bet if Tennessee were a top 15 type team Berry would be in serious discussion as a Heisman candidate. The level of quarterback play is just down this year overall and there are no dominant runningbacks on highly ranked teams either. Tony Pike's probably played the best but the casual fan doesn't even know who he is and even the serious fan hasn't seen him play much.

 

Everything I'm about to say is unlikely, but consider this:

 

If Tennessee wins out (including current #2 ranked Alabama and fringe top-25 South Carolina), does that get Berry at least an invite? Tennessee very well could be ranked (albeit low) at that point and Berry likely would have played very well for us to win those games. There would also be quite a bit of talk about Tennessee unseating Alabama. I don't know, but it's a thought. Maybe.

 

I don't see why not if Berry plas a major role. He's the best defensive player in the nation, and if he several stand out plays against Alabama and SC then its possible. Just very unlikely :-).

 

It's sad that a player has to be on a top 25 (preferably top 15+) team to be in a serious Heisman race. Berry could have fantastic games and standout plays, but the offense does nothing and the team finishes the year 6-6 and he'd never get any Heisman consideration. But if he plays the exact same way and the offense is good enough to get us to 8-4 or 9-3, then he might get consideration.

 

Same as the MVP in baseball, though, I guess. A player is an MVP because his team wins, not because he was the most valuable player to his team.

[TruffleShuffle]

college football news' bowl projections. i enjoy looking at these in large part to see what horrible matchups we might see; for example, virginia vs northern illinois, wyoming vs la tech and rutgers vs ohio.

 

New Mexico Bowl

Projection: Wyoming vs. Louisiana Tech

 

St. Petersburg Bowl

Projection: South Florida vs. UCF

 

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Projection: Marshall vs. Troy

 

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Projection: TCU vs. Stanford

 

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Projection: BYU vs. UCLA

 

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Projection: Southern Miss vs. Nevada

 

Emerald Bowl

Projection: Florida State vs. California

 

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Projection: North Carolina vs. Pitt

 

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

Projection: Minnesota vs. Central Michigan

 

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl

Projection: Clemson vs. Ole Miss

 

Independence Bowl

Projection: Texas A&M vs. Georgia

 

Champs Sports Bowl

Projection: Wake Forest vs. Penn State

 

EagleBank Bowl

Projection: NC State vs. Army

 

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

Projection: Oklahoma vs. Oregon

 

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl

Projection: Utah vs. Idaho

 

Texas Bowl

Projection: Texas Tech vs. Navy

 

Bell Helicopters Armed Forces Bowl

Projection: Air Force vs. Tulsa

 

Brut Sun Bowl

Projection: Oregon State vs. Missouri

 

Insight Bowl

Projection: Michigan vs. Kansas

 

Chick-fil-A Bowl

Projection: Georgia Tech vs. Arkansas

 

Outback Bowl

Projection: WIsconsin vs. LSU

 

Capital One Bowl

Projection: Iowa vs. South Carolina

 

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl

Projection: Boston College vs. West Virginia

 

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Projection: Houston vs. Tennessee

 

International Bowl

Projection: Rutgers vs. Ohio

 

AT&T Cotton Bowl

Projection: Nebraska vs. Auburn

 

Papajohns.com Bowl

Projection: Connecticut vs. Kentucky

 

Valero Alamo Bowl

Projection: Michigan State vs. Oklahoma State

 

GMAC Bowl

Projection: Virginia vs. Northern Illinois

 

Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Projection: Ohio State vs. USC

 

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Projection: Alabama vs. Miami

 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Projection: Notre Dame vs. Boise State

 

FedEx Orange Bowl

Projection: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati

 

Citi BCS National Championship

Projection: Florida vs. Texas

[dew1679666265]

Houston v Tennessee would be a very intriguing matchup.

 

And Rutgers/Ohio could be a good game.

[Andy]

I bet if Tennessee were a top 15 type team Berry would be in serious discussion as a Heisman candidate. The level of quarterback play is just down this year overall and there are no dominant runningbacks on highly ranked teams either. Tony Pike's probably played the best but the casual fan doesn't even know who he is and even the serious fan hasn't seen him play much.

 

Everything I'm about to say is unlikely, but consider this:

 

If Tennessee wins out (including current #2 ranked Alabama and fringe top-25 South Carolina), does that get Berry at least an invite? Tennessee very well could be ranked (albeit low) at that point and Berry likely would have played very well for us to win those games. There would also be quite a bit of talk about Tennessee unseating Alabama. I don't know, but it's a thought. Maybe.

 

I don't see why not if Berry plas a major role. He's the best defensive player in the nation, and if he several stand out plays against Alabama and SC then its possible. Just very unlikely :-).

 

It's sad that a player has to be on a top 25 (preferably top 15+) team to be in a serious Heisman race. Berry could have fantastic games and standout plays, but the offense does nothing and the team finishes the year 6-6 and he'd never get any Heisman consideration. But if he plays the exact same way and the offense is good enough to get us to 8-4 or 9-3, then he might get consideration.

The Heisman has fast lost meaning for me and many others for that basic reason. Guys like Jason White and Troy Smith basically win the Heisman because they're a very good player that happens to be on an outstanding team.

[Andy]

Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Projection: Ohio State vs. USC

 

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Projection: Alabama vs. Miami

 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Projection: Notre Dame vs. Boise State

 

FedEx Orange Bowl

Projection: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati

 

Citi BCS National Championship

Projection: Florida vs. Texas

Why on Earth would the Fiesta Bowl pick Boise State over Miami? If my understanding is correct, the Fiesta gets to pick before the Sugar does.

[dew1679666265]

I bet if Tennessee were a top 15 type team Berry would be in serious discussion as a Heisman candidate. The level of quarterback play is just down this year overall and there are no dominant runningbacks on highly ranked teams either. Tony Pike's probably played the best but the casual fan doesn't even know who he is and even the serious fan hasn't seen him play much.

 

Everything I'm about to say is unlikely, but consider this:

 

If Tennessee wins out (including current #2 ranked Alabama and fringe top-25 South Carolina), does that get Berry at least an invite? Tennessee very well could be ranked (albeit low) at that point and Berry likely would have played very well for us to win those games. There would also be quite a bit of talk about Tennessee unseating Alabama. I don't know, but it's a thought. Maybe.

 

I don't see why not if Berry plas a major role. He's the best defensive player in the nation, and if he several stand out plays against Alabama and SC then its possible. Just very unlikely :-).

 

It's sad that a player has to be on a top 25 (preferably top 15+) team to be in a serious Heisman race. Berry could have fantastic games and standout plays, but the offense does nothing and the team finishes the year 6-6 and he'd never get any Heisman consideration. But if he plays the exact same way and the offense is good enough to get us to 8-4 or 9-3, then he might get consideration.

The Heisman has fast lost meaning for me and many others for that basic reason. Guys like Jason White and Troy Smith basically win the Heisman because they're a very good player that happens to be on an outstanding team.

 

I agree completely.

[dew1679666265]

Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Projection: Ohio State vs. USC

 

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Projection: Alabama vs. Miami

 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Projection: Notre Dame vs. Boise State

 

FedEx Orange Bowl

Projection: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati

 

Citi BCS National Championship

Projection: Florida vs. Texas

Why on Earth would the Fiesta Bowl pick Boise State over Miami? If my understanding is correct, the Fiesta gets to pick before the Sugar does.

 

Less travel distance for Boise fans than Miami fans?

[Andy]

Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Projection: Ohio State vs. USC

 

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Projection: Alabama vs. Miami

 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Projection: Notre Dame vs. Boise State

 

FedEx Orange Bowl

Projection: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati

 

Citi BCS National Championship

Projection: Florida vs. Texas

Why on Earth would the Fiesta Bowl pick Boise State over Miami? If my understanding is correct, the Fiesta gets to pick before the Sugar does.

 

Less travel distance for Boise fans than Miami fans?

I still have to think they'd get more Miami fans out there than Boise.

[Derwood]

My god, I hope PSU does better than the Champs Sports Bowl

[dew1679666265]

Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Projection: Ohio State vs. USC

 

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Projection: Alabama vs. Miami

 

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Projection: Notre Dame vs. Boise State

 

FedEx Orange Bowl

Projection: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati

 

Citi BCS National Championship

Projection: Florida vs. Texas

Why on Earth would the Fiesta Bowl pick Boise State over Miami? If my understanding is correct, the Fiesta gets to pick before the Sugar does.

 

Less travel distance for Boise fans than Miami fans?

I still have to think they'd get more Miami fans out there than Boise.

 

I don't necessarily disagree, but distance may have been the thinking behind that listing.

[Tracer Bullet]

I hope that's right. A BCS game ND might actually be able to win.

[hotshot13422]

If OSU gets into a better bowl than OU, i might kill myself

[Andy]

I hope that's right. A BCS game ND might actually be able to win.

I'd rather play Miami. The media would arbitrarily decide that that didn't count as a big game if we beat Boise State, and Miami would be an awesome matchup for historical purposes to harken back to the old rivalry.

[Tracer Bullet]

My god, I hope PSU does better than the Champs Sports Bowl

 

I don't remember what bowls get which Big Ten finisher, after the Rose Bowl, but PSU is going to have a tough time finishing higher than 3rd. I'd bet it comes down to Iowa/OSU with PSU 3rd. MSU 4th? Wisconsin? Hard to say. The Big Ten schools have played such crappy out of conference schedules that it's hard to know how good any of them are.