Exile on Waveland

That's the rumor. If so, I'm assuming Bowden is leaving Clemson because (1) he's feeling the heat in Clemson and (2) Arkansas is paying him a lot. It's much, much easier to win at Clemson than Arkansas; Bowden would be downgrading jobs.

okay, i stand corrected. espn only had their record back 2002. i still think OSU is getting a big-time free pass on their schedule by the talking heads while KU is getting ravaged. I know --we are an at-large while OSU is an autobid-- but they shouldn't be in the NC game. The media seems content to ignore that, though. I was getting ready to post what Meph did earlier regarding OSU's schedule. In fact, I mentioned it earlier. I dislike OSU greatly -- who doesn't? -- but they do NOT duck people. They are one of the few top programs that consistently plays another top program. Washington's down this year, yes. Could they have expected that? I don't think so. But, either way, 1) they only have them once and pick up USC the next two years, and 2) OSU did lose a great deal off last year's team. However, I do agree with you that their schedule this year left a lot to be desired for a BCS Championship Game appearance. I don't think they should be there, I'd rank them about fifth. Their schedule and wins aren't deserving of #1. It's just not exactly their fault and they do schedule real teams.

The timeout did turn out to be a bad idea, but Billick made a good point in the press conference that he'd be roasted had he not called a timeout even though the Ravens had the wrong personnel for what they thought the Pats were going to run. They got lucky on the stop, but the timeout (which was probably the smart thing to do) canceled out that luck. It still doesn't excuse the horrific "holding" penalty the refs handed to the Pats. Saw a replay on SportsCenter where they showed a view from behind the Pats line of the play and the Pats WR did appear to be held after the 5-yard limit. It was holding. possibly, but that type of "holding" occurs on just about every play. I understand where you're coming from here. However, the guy was making contact past 5 yards and Watson was visibly held going into the endzone. Maybe they don't call it every time, but if you are going to make obvious contact with a guy going into the endzone and he's thrown the ball, you run a pretty good chance of picking up a holding call. I'll grant that it was a little ticky tack, but not deserving of all the hair pulling and teeth gnashing that I'm seeing. It was holding. Just wish they would've called it in the 2004 AFC Championship game one of the hundreds of times it happened.

Hmm...kind of like both of us have been saying all year?

That guy! I love that Illinois is basically in a no-lose situation. Everyone expects them to get blown out, so they can only impress. People who think Illinois is going to get blown out either just hate Illinois or they don't follow Illinois or both. We were being blown out just once this season and it was the first game of the season. And we ended up losing by just 4. USC is playing well right now, but did anybody watch the USC/UCLA game? USC didn't look all that dominating to me. They looked much better against Arizona St. to me. If there was a Pac Ten vs Big Ten challenge in football, how many games do you think the Big Ten would win of the following? Maybe two or three, like they do in basketball vs the ACC. OSU vs. USC Illinois vs. ASU Mich vs. Oregon State Wisc vs. UCLA Penn State vs. Oregon Iowa vs. Arizona Indiana vs. Wash State Mich state vs. Stanford Purdue vs. California Northwestern vs. Washington Indiana vs. Best High school team in California Indiana went 7-5 and is in a bowl game; I think they deserve a better matchup than a high school team. I'm sure you mean "Minnesota" at the end. As for that list, the Big Ten would win well more than two or three. I feel pretty comfortable on five of those, ignoring #11. And that doesn't include a couple toss-ups. (I'm assuming Dixon is still out in this scenario.)

In my poll I have Oklahoma #1 (as does Sagarin) and Ohio State #5. I don't think Stoops's rankings are ludicrous at all.

It really, really is. Watch, after such a crazy 2004, Romania will come out of it. Also three teams I generally like in Group C. I'll be rooting for the Oranje.. They really need to win a World Cup -- every time I see the list of past winners something seems missing with no Netherlands.

see how that works both ways? you cant have "choking" in baseball w/o "clutch". why? please explain this to me. Yeah, that's just not true. It can't be explained.

I think it was funny sad a long time ago. "Life would be easier if Murton was left handed." Seriously? That made me laugh, how myopic.

I'm going to predict an OSU win over LSU. I'm also going to predict that shortly afterwards we'll see a long overly complicated rationalization using mathematical models of why LSU was the better team and "should have" won by Meph. Were you one of the many on here last year predicting an Ohio State win over Florida? Oh, I get it. Ohio State lost to Florida last year, so they can't beat LSU this year. Gotcha. Ohio State isn't as good as they were last year and LSU is better this year than Florida was last year so yeah is make sense to predict another SEC blowout of a Big Ten team. 1st off like Meph will probably tell you one game has many different variables. Florida routing OSU last year was probably a fluke. 2nd Its still has no value in predicting this years game 3rd What LSU team have you been watching? It certainly isnt one that is better than Florida last year. I keep hearing that LSU could easily be undefeated. They just as easily could have 4 losses and being playing in the Cotton Bowl. 1. Yes and no. Florida and OSU were close last season. The blowout part of it was probably also due to the long layoff for OSU 2. No. It certainly does mean something. 3. Yes this years LSU team is better than last years Florida. 06 UF wasn't great. They had a middle of the road offense and a great defense. Like you're fond of saying -- and I agree completely -- it's one game. Last year's OSU-UF was one game, this year's OSU-LSU is one game. It's also not like OSU is playing UF again, and, even if they were, both teams are very different. Anything can happen, even the lesser team winning. Last year's game is mostly irrelevant; though I'd argue it will actually be beneficial to OSU. Finally, most people predicted OSU to win last year; they thought it was a mismatch for the Buckeyes. Didn't work out. So the fact that most though OSU would win last year is actually an argument for OSU this year.

I'm going to predict an OSU win over LSU. I'm also going to predict that shortly afterwards we'll see a long overly complicated rationalization using mathematical models of why LSU was the better team and "should have" won by Meph. Were you one of the many on here last year predicting an Ohio State win over Florida? Oh, I get it. Ohio State lost to Florida last year, so they can't beat LSU this year. Gotcha.

Once again this argument would hold weight if OSU had barely beaten these "weak" teams, but outside of 2 games all year(Illinois and Mich St) they dominated everybody. They allowed more than 17 points 1 time all year, and averaged over 32 points. Its not like Mizzou played a juggernaut of a schedule. Every SOS measure has Mizzou with a significantly better SOS. They played a team better than anyone OSU has played, and played them twice(neither at home). And they lost both times, and the 2nd time the game was never really in question. OK dominated Mizzou yesterday. I agree Mizzou got screwed but it was at the expense of KU not U of I or Ohio State. Let's not get carried away here. If you look at the numbers, we actually lead in nearly every category in the first half. We stayed in the locker room in the 2nd half, I'll give you that. But to say that we got "dominated" is a complete lie. 38-17?

If OSU wins or even makes it less than 10 are you going to give a mea culpa. I understand that OSU didnt play the toughest schedule but they manhandled everyone except Illinois. LSU may have played a better schedule but probably should have lost a couple of more games. Just off the top of my head they very easily could have lost to Tennessee yesterday and Auburn and Florida. That the go along with the 2 losses they do have. If this wasnt going to be a home game for LSU I would pick OSU to win outright. I think people will be surprised how many OSU fans find their way into that game. It will be a pro-LSU crowd, no doubt, but not near as much as it could've been against other teams.

no, that would just be lucky. I don't expect much at all from Michigan -- Florida is too good. Illinois will hang in, but I'll be stunned if they win. On the other hand, I really, really think OSU may win. Everyone will talk about LSU and how OSU got demolished last year. That will grate on the Buckeyes, like it did last year with Florida. LSU is better, but I'm not sold on how great they are.

and i count the indiana game as one of the illini's key victories. indiana is tough and will be for a while. I felt going in the winner of Indiana-Illinios would be the Big Ten's surprise team. I just hoped it was Indiana, though I didn't plan on it. I am, however, worried about IU's future. As long as they have Kellen Lewis at QB they'll be competitive. We'll see after that, though. well, they have a 2 year stay of execution, and i think they'll figure something out by then. True. And Indiana HS coaches love Lynch, so hopefully he can make some recruiting inroads here. (Not that securing Indiana talent will get us the Rose Bowl; any bowl is a reason for celebration around here.) now go out and beat oklahoma state!!!!!!!!! I sure hope we can. It's going to be high scoring. I really want the Big Ten to do well. I have a place to stay in Phoenix, now I just have to look for a cheap flight

I agree. I think, however, Oklahoma has a bigger gripe. They just dominated the "#1" team on neutral field and really didn't make up any ground in the polls. If Mizzou was truly the #1 team, which they weren't, then that win should've vaulted Oklahoma up the polls.

I was under the impression he ostensibly had to "re-qualify." Meaning, if he didn't pass his finals, he wouldn't be eligible at all. I don't know, I certainly hope he can play against Kentucky, but didn't think he could.

and i count the indiana game as one of the illini's key victories. indiana is tough and will be for a while. I felt going in the winner of Indiana-Illinios would be the Big Ten's surprise team. I just hoped it was Indiana, though I didn't plan on it. I am, however, worried about IU's future. As long as they have Kellen Lewis at QB they'll be competitive. We'll see after that, though. well, they have a 2 year stay of execution, and i think they'll figure something out by then. True. And Indiana HS coaches love Lynch, so hopefully he can make some recruiting inroads here. (Not that securing Indiana talent will get us the Rose Bowl; any bowl is a reason for celebration around here.)

and i count the indiana game as one of the illini's key victories. indiana is tough and will be for a while. I felt going in the winner of Indiana-Illinios would be the Big Ten's surprise team. I just hoped it was Indiana, though I didn't plan on it. I am, however, worried about IU's future. As long as they have Kellen Lewis at QB they'll be competitive. We'll see after that, though.

Ratliff was only ineligible for 8 games, meaning he's back for the Kentucky game also. He is ineligible for the first semester. First semester ends December 14. He won't play until December 15 against Western Carolina. http://indiana.scout.com/2/672051.html That's not what everyone else has reported. I hope I'm wrong, but: http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=43996&comview=1 http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071202/SPORTS0601/712020441/1069/SPORTS0601 http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/uwire/082507aaa.html http://www.insidethehall.com/2007/08/25/aj-ratliff-ineligible-for-first-semester/

That's some mind bendingly awful logic. I agree. I mean.....wow. :lol: Are you saying a team shouldn't get credit for beating a team ranked in the top 5 in the nation? What constitutes a top 5 win? My logic is apparently flawed so please explain. I'll explain in three sentences. ND beat No. 3 Michigan at the Big House in 2005. Michigan finished 7-5. No one did or should have considered that a top 5 win. End. The stats site that as a top 5 win. It's not really hard to understand. I agree that Wisconsin isn't a top 5 program right now, but that is what they were ranked at the time they played Illinois. The fact of the matter is, Illinois beat 2 top 5 ranked teams. Whether you think those teams should have been ranked in the top 5 is another issue all together. oh, and they also have 7 wins against teams with winning records-and 6 wins against either bowl or bowl eligible teams, losing 2 close games to 2 others. In my opinion, Illinois was the best team Indiana played this year. Of course, they missed both OSU and Michigan. I was very impressed by Illinois at that game.

In fairness, Ohio State (who I dislike) generally plays a marquee non-conference game. They played Texas the last two years and pick up USC next year. I agree with your point, of course, the don't deserve to be in the title game.

Ratliff was only ineligible for 8 games, meaning he's back for the Kentucky game also. He is ineligible for the first semester. First semester ends December 14. He won't play until December 15 against Western Carolina.

Gee, I wonder why is that? who knows, but anyone who thinks that record is meaningful needs to work on their analytical skills. im pretty sure a good portion of those games occured over 15 years ago Really? Then what conference was Florida in? the WAC? Gimmie a break. If there is a Big 10 school, matching up aganist a SEC school, almost 75% of the time, a SEC school is going to win it. The talent in the SEC > the talent in the Big 10. Go check the Big Ten vs Sec in bowl games since the BCS system. B10 has the slight advantage. For now. Just give it time. It'll slant over to the SEC eventually. Um, because, why? You think so? Maybe it will, maybe it won't. I agree the talent is better in the SEC, but it's been that way for a long while and the Big Ten fairs quite well. You just said the SEC wins 75% of the time, which just isn't accurate. In fact, last year the Big Ten was 2-1 against the SEC in bowl games. Now, that doesn't prove they were a better conference, but it sure isn't 75%, is it?

what kind of D do you guys play? Diet Oklahoma can move the ball. They just can't stop anyone. We struggle stopping people too. We have two good corners -- one outstanding in Tracy Porter (#18 on ESPN's Big Board) -- and a good pass rusher in Greg Middleton (was leading the nation in sacks late, not sure if it ended up that way). It's a pretty basic 4-3, but we struggle against the run. However, our offense is good, specifically through the air. James Hardy, a 6'6" receiver, is nearly impossible to contain (16 TD's).