College Football - Week of Oct. 24th

[SouthSideRyan]

Nitpick, Northwestern beat ND at ND. Ron Powlus tripped over the center's leg on the 2 pt conversion that would've tied it up.

 

The Chicago game was Powlus's first where Beano Cook famously predicted 2 Heismans after he threw 5 TDs.

[Andy]

It's not as much about the quality of the teams (in reality, WMU is usually ok, Tulsa is a consistent 8-10 win team and Utah is currently top 20), but more about interesting matchups. The joy of being an independent is supposed to be that you aren't constrained by conferences and can set up fun matchups with other teams. Instead, ND has locked itself into this ridiculous 7 home-4 road-1 neutral format (which next year is 7-3-2 because Navy and Army are both neutral-site), locked itself into mucking up all of September (when everyone's usually playing OOC) with Big 10 dates rather than trying to negotiate a couple of them to move to October and replace the Delaware States and Eastern Illinoises of the world on those teams' schedules, and scheduled a bunch of one-offs against non-BCS teams.

 

All this and ND rejected Alabama's overtures to get on the schedule, saying 'we can't fit them in'. Ridiculous. ND will go five straight weeks without playing a major-conference team next year right before Southern Cal. How does this make sense? Would it be too much to ask to play an SEC or Big 12 team once in a while (last: Tenn 05 and Nebraska 01 respectively)? I grew up on Lou's most-weeks-are-big-games schedules. By comparison this is really, really weak of ND to do.

 

And as NUN alluded to, the worst part is that with slates like this, we're really no better than all those conference teams which schedule these teams the entire month of September - the only difference is we're doing it in October and November and starting our schedule with challenges like Michigan and MSU, which makes no sense.

[Warpticon]

If Tulsa and Utah are 2/5 of your likely confirmed schedule, you're probably going to have a pretty decent schedule.

[Andy]

If Tulsa and Utah are 2/5 of your likely confirmed schedule, you're probably going to have a pretty decent schedule.

I know I am probably overreacting. I just love the idea of arranging fun and new matchups with big-conference teams - not necessarily big winners all the time, but just teams who would be interesting to play. Going to road stadiums we haven't been to before. Playing three freaking road games in a season, and having the only 'new' teams on the schedule be from the MAC and C-USA and the MWC is not what I would have in mind if I were going that route.

[NewUserName]

It's not as much about the quality of the teams (in reality, WMU is usually ok, Tulsa is a consistent 8-10 win team and Utah is currently top 20), but more about interesting matchups. The joy of being an independent is supposed to be that you aren't constrained by conferences and can set up fun matchups with other teams. Instead, ND has locked itself into this ridiculous 7 home-4 road-1 neutral format (which next year is 7-3-2 because Navy and Army are both neutral-site), locked itself into mucking up all of September (when everyone's usually playing OOC) with Big 10 dates rather than trying to negotiate a couple of them to move to October and replace the Delaware States and Eastern Illinoises of the world on those teams' schedules, and scheduled a bunch of one-offs against non-BCS teams.

 

All this and ND rejected Alabama's overtures to get on the schedule, saying 'we can't fit them in'. Ridiculous. ND will go five straight weeks without playing a major-conference team next year right before Southern Cal. How does this make sense? Would it be too much to ask to play an SEC or Big 12 team once in a while (last: Tenn 05 and Nebraska 01 respectively)? I grew up on Lou's most-weeks-are-big-games schedules. By comparison this is really, really weak of ND to do.

 

And as NUN alluded to, the worst part is that with slates like this, we're really no better than all those conference teams which schedule these teams the entire month of September - the only difference is we're doing it in October and November and starting our schedule with challenges like Michigan and MSU, which makes no sense.

 

My guess in MSU, Mich and Purdue would not agree to play ND in the middle of the conference season. One other thing that I give ND credit for is this. In the past MSU has tried to get some home and home with some more prestigious schools. Most of them would not accept. I understand why, cause if you are Florida or someone like that why would you play MSU home and home. But ND has always stood by there traditional game with MSU even when it has given them fits the last 10 years

[Flames24Rulz]

This is the worst 2-minute offense I've ever seen. WTF is North Carolina doing?

 

Two words: John. Shoop.

[shnsajax]

I'm hoping Texas can have another 1st half against Mizzou like they did last season.

[Derwood]

Andy, what I think we're slowly seeing here is that BCS teams are going more and more towards scheduling complete patsies OOC, so there is no incentive for anyone to play ND (and potentially screw themselves out of NC consideration). If/when ND's contracts with some of the Big Ten teams run out, you could be looking at schedules with USC, 1 or 2 other BCS schools, and then 8 or 9 mid-majors.

 

Not that it will ever happen, but a quick and easy way to get BCS schools to schedule better would be to make a rule that wins over FCS schools don't count towards bowl eligibility.

[Andy]

Andy, what I think we're slowly seeing here is that BCS teams are going more and more towards scheduling complete patsies OOC, so there is no incentive for anyone to play ND (and potentially screw themselves out of NC consideration). If/when ND's contracts with some of the Big Ten teams run out, you could be looking at schedules with USC, 1 or 2 other BCS schools, and then 8 or 9 mid-majors.

 

Not that it will ever happen, but a quick and easy way to get BCS schools to schedule better would be to make a rule that wins over FCS schools don't count towards bowl eligibility.

Well, Purdue is contracted through 2021, Michigan is through 2031, and MSU is contracted until the 2020s as well. USC and Navy are pretty much going to keep being played in perpetuity. I guess those five games are things we have going for us (as long as Navy continues to be a consistent bowl team).

 

I agree with you, though. I wasn't around for the days of the 1980s and early 1990s when marquee non-conference matchups were the norm. I wish we could get back to that. As much as I hate to give them credit for anything ever, Ohio State has done a good job of trying to play a big game out of conference every year. USC also seems to make an honest effort to play as few patsies as they can.

[hawkeyecub]

Guenther says Zook will return next year.

Their top recruit and possibly the top TE in the country C.J. Fiedorowicz is still visiting Iowa, possibly twice.

[TheVolCub08]

I see that SEC talk is not huge around here (and I understand why), but I'm just gonna throw this out there...

 

When Tennessee beats Bama 20-19 to shock the world, I'm just gonna nod my head and think to myself "told ya."

[Guest]

I see that SEC talk is not huge around here (and I understand why), but I'm just gonna throw this out there...

 

When Tennessee beats Bama 20-19 to shock the world, I'm just gonna nod my head and think to myself "told ya."

I'm pretty sure you overestimate how much the rest of the world cares.

[RedFlash]

I see that SEC talk is not huge around here (and I understand why), but I'm just gonna throw this out there...

 

When Tennessee beats Bama 20-19 to shock the world, I'm just gonna nod my head and think to myself "told ya."

 

Not a chance. I'm not going to poke fun of you being a Tennessee fan, but I sit here tonight, knowing that there is a less then 2% chance of Tennessee beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa (let me put it this way, I give Mississippi St. a better chance to upset Florida then Tennessee at upsetting Bama) I expect a game similar to the one Tennessee had in Gainesville, but ultimately at around 5 pm Saturday, I am going to be doing one my favorite college football traditions:

 

I will be lighting up a cigar.

[bcl412]

Please beat Michigan State.

 

That is all.

[TheVolCub08]

I see that SEC talk is not huge around here (and I understand why), but I'm just gonna throw this out there...

 

When Tennessee beats Bama 20-19 to shock the world, I'm just gonna nod my head and think to myself "told ya."

I'm pretty sure you overestimate how much the rest of the world cares.

 

Haha... you're probably right. OF course, it will dominate Sportscenter and College Football Live, so that's something.

[TheVolCub08]

I see that SEC talk is not huge around here (and I understand why), but I'm just gonna throw this out there...

 

When Tennessee beats Bama 20-19 to shock the world, I'm just gonna nod my head and think to myself "told ya."

 

Not a chance. I'm not going to poke fun of you being a Tennessee fan, but I sit here tonight, knowing that there is a less then 2% chance of Tennessee beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa (let me put it this way, I give Mississippi St. a better chance to upset Florida then Tennessee at upsetting Bama) I expect a game similar to the one Tennessee had in Gainesville, but ultimately at around 5 pm Saturday, I am going to be doing one my favorite college football traditions:

 

I will be lighting up a cigar.

 

REPEAT SERIAL VIOLATORS. Put that in your cigar and smoke it.

[Tracer Bullet]

Andy, what I think we're slowly seeing here is that BCS teams are going more and more towards scheduling complete patsies OOC, so there is no incentive for anyone to play ND (and potentially screw themselves out of NC consideration). If/when ND's contracts with some of the Big Ten teams run out, you could be looking at schedules with USC, 1 or 2 other BCS schools, and then 8 or 9 mid-majors.

 

Not that it will ever happen, but a quick and easy way to get BCS schools to schedule better would be to make a rule that wins over FCS schools don't count towards bowl eligibility.

 

that's insane

[hawkeyecub]

Please beat Michigan State.

 

That is all.

 

I know, I just want to get past this one. I'm not concerned about the next two home games. Just win today so we can have 3 more weeks of spotlight, being in the top 5 and hopefully 10-0 going to Columbus.

 

I was convinced we were going to lose last week for the reasons that we saw in the first 1.5 quarters. I think we match up better with MSU than Wisconsin. Their pass D is a weakness and their offense is reliant on big pass plays which we don't give up. They don't run as well as Wisky. They turn the ball over much more and don't get many turnovers.

 

On the other hand they remind me of Iowa last year a bit. First-year QB, starting to get it rolling in late October. This game kind of feels like PSU-Iowa last year.

[Derwood]

Andy, what I think we're slowly seeing here is that BCS teams are going more and more towards scheduling complete patsies OOC, so there is no incentive for anyone to play ND (and potentially screw themselves out of NC consideration). If/when ND's contracts with some of the Big Ten teams run out, you could be looking at schedules with USC, 1 or 2 other BCS schools, and then 8 or 9 mid-majors.

 

Not that it will ever happen, but a quick and easy way to get BCS schools to schedule better would be to make a rule that wins over FCS schools don't count towards bowl eligibility.

 

that's insane

 

which part?

[Derwood]

Please beat Michigan State.

 

That is all.

 

Iowa has the best record but MSU is favored by 1 at home, which means one of these teams is overrated.

[shnsajax]

Is anyone else looking forward to the TCU/BYU game today?

[shnsajax]

Corso talking about Arkansas said they "Shot their wad" last week. Herbstreit's reaction was great.

[hawkeyecub]

Please beat Michigan State.

 

That is all.

 

Iowa has the best record but MSU is favored by 1 at home, which means one of these teams is overrated.

 

Iowa started as the favorite and from what I've seen, more bets have been placed on Iowa. Yet the line shifted because the big money guys are betting heavy on MSU.

That makes me nervous but the same thing happened last week and Iowa won by 10 as underdogs.

[Warpticon]

Corso talking about Arkansas said they "Shot their wad" last week. Herbstreit's reaction was great.

 

Oh man, I hope that gets on Youtube quick. :lol:

 

I'm gonna miss the 4th quarter or more of Arkansas/Ole Miss today because I have a show at 2. :sad: Maybe I'll get lucky and Arkansas'll make it a non-issue by that point.

[hawkeyecub]

Corso talking about Arkansas said they "Shot their wad" last week. Herbstreit's reaction was great.

 

That was outstanding. Herbstreit lost it after Corso got all excited about it. He seems to be getting better recovering from that stroke.