Andy

Who unfortunately for most of this board is just as overrated. I have a personal stake in that game as well because if USC can look much better than they really are against ND, than when Cal beats them, they have a chance at a BCS bowl. I think if Cal can beat USC they'd win the Pac-10 and get a BCS bid anyway, no?

Who unfortunately for most of this board is just as overrated.

OMG Baylor scores 19 unanswered in the 4th to beat Kansas 36-35. Now 3-2 in the Big 12.

Our loss to them doesn't look so bad now, eh?

Washington's a tough team, Ty is doing a good job over there...and with no Stanback too.

That comment wasn't directed at you, but at Vance and TT who said I was being egotistical by saying they were doomed (which admittedly should've been put in less harsh terms). I've been as angry as you are now, and probably worse, at many points. I'm sorry if I exacerbated it. And look, I know that ND has no business in a national title game based on their body of work. And also that they're going to do nothing in the next four games to change that, because against Navy, UNC, Air Force and Army, what can you do? But I'm not going to sit here and say I'm not glad that, mathematically at least, ND's still alive, because I'm a fan.

You're really lucky I have to bite my tongue since I'm a mod. I'm honestly curious as to why ND beating UCLA by 3 is any less an indicator of an average team as USC beating UW by 3. Both games at home. Both with a strong amount of luck. How is USC going to kill us based on that? You guys have a very good defense and you made ND work for everything. You really don't get it. It's not being explained very well. I made a prediction. Similar predictions have been made literally thousands of times in threads like this, college, pro, baseball, b-ball...why is this any different? Because it came from an ND fan? Because another NSBBer's team was involved? Because it was about an overrated team? I don't get it.

You're really lucky I have to bite my tongue since I'm a mod. I'm honestly curious as to why ND beating UCLA by 3 is any less an indicator of an average team as USC beating UW by 3. Both games at home. Both with a strong amount of luck. How is USC going to kill us based on that? You guys have a very good defense and you made ND work for everything.

But seriously, sorry Raisin. I've been in your position...near-upsets lost in the final minutes. Tough.

How is this game any less pathetic than USC-Washington? You guys are showing off the epitome of the smug ND haters as much or more than me. I just told you what I've seen.

This is why people don't like Notre Dame. I've seen this movie a lot of times, and it always ends with a Quinn TD. See?

This is why people don't like Notre Dame. I've seen this movie a lot of times, and it always ends with a Quinn TD.

Haden hates Notre Dame, not sure what you're talking about.

UCLA's doomed.

Well, that was awful. 3 and out or bust.

No-huddle here, please.

Worst pass coverage ever by Lambert.

Dear Notre Dame offensive line, WAKE THE HELL UP. Sincerely, ndistops

Notre Dame is pissing me off. I left the BSU game early because we called a run, out of the shotgun formation, on a 4th and 1. If anyone knows how bad our running game is, you realize how awful that call was. Nate Davis threw three picks on three successive possessions, so Joey Lynch came in the rest of the game and did ok, but just couldn't get any protection. Final was 41-27 WMU.

I just think it's interesting that bunts and the hit-and-run are "useless." In the vast majority of circumstances, they are pretty much useless. Bunts can be good. Guys who bunt for hits can be really effective at getting on base, can draw in the infielders, and so on. I think very few guys in baseball should do that with any regularity, but in that context, it can be highly effective. The same goes for the suicide squeeze and sacrifice bunts in general. If you only need one run to tie or win, that's a good approach to take. Also, pitchers who are terrible hitters often do more by bunting than they would by swinging. The problem the majority of people have with bunting is that it is counter-productive a lot of the time. Sacrifice bunts have a few problems with them. Basically speaking, you are taking the bat out of the hands of a hitter (even if he is Neifi-level bad), sacrificing an out to move a runner over one base, are only marginally increasing the likelihood that a runner will score, and reducing the scoring opportunities you could have in that inning by sacrificing that out. Plus, there is always the possibility of ending up with a runner on first and one out because a guy somehow screwed up the bunt. You want your offense to score as many runs as possible, which means giving your hitters the most opportunities to get on base. I have a huge problem with the hit & run. It might seemingly make sense in certain circumstances (slow runner at first, likely double play candidate, etc), but it is really, really stupid. You are operating under the assumption that the hitter will make contact with a pitch in such a way that the lead runner will not be thrown out. However, as we have seen so many times over these past years, guys will almost inevitably swing at a really bad pitch on a hit and run. At best, the guy fouls off the pitch. At worst, it's a strike 'em out, throw 'em out and you just wasted two outs. It does not succeed often enough to justify implementing it on even a remotely regular basis. Why is there even any problem with that approach? If a manager makes sure his players can effectively hit, field, and pitch while creating favorable matchups and keeping everyone healthy, isn't that a good thing? In most cases, yes. See, I knew O_O was going to be on my side and explain it better, otherwise I probably wouldn't have started the discussion to begin with. :D

Speaking of Ball St, a friend of mine who goes to NIU came across this article last night: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061020/SPORTS/610200466/-1/ZONES04 I thought the NCAA got rid of the 15K attendance policy, but I guess that's not the case. Not only does Ball St. seem to be in trouble, but about half of the conference (I think something like 3/4's of the conference this year) can't draw 15K to a game. The only teams that can easily outdraw 15K a game are NIU and Toledo. Central Michigan, the best team in the MAC West, only had 11K at their game against Bowling Green a few nights ago. The whole conference is basically screwed if the NCAA enforces this policy. And that is a load of crap because we have had really crappy weather at 2 of the BSU home games which diminished attendane. And what's Eastern Michigan supposed to do about the fact that Michigan Stadium is EIGHT MILES UP THE SAME ROAD? That attendance policy is absolute BS.

Why? He's made comments intimating that he's a huge fan of (in so many words anyway) Ozzieball. Bunting, hit-and-running, other completely useless things that managers do to make themselves look smart. Ah. And what exactly is the superior method of managing? Not telling your players to give away outs or run into outs? So, no stolen bases, then? Just out of curiosity, what if a player hits a frozen rope into the outfield? Should he settle for standing on first, or "run into an out" by trying for second? Does the superior managerial strategy call for hitters to try for drawing walks, try to get hits, and nothing more? You exaggerate my opinion. Players should use their better judgment and follow the coaches' advice on where to run. As for the stolen base thing...all well and good, although a "permanent green light" for Juan Pierre may or may not have been a good plan.

Why? He's made comments intimating that he's a huge fan of (in so many words anyway) Ozzieball. Bunting, hit-and-running, other completely useless things that managers do to make themselves look smart. Ah. And what exactly is the superior method of managing? Not telling your players to give away outs or run into outs?

Whoa, the Bulls' website is redesigned. Looks sharp.

Why? He's made comments intimating that he's a huge fan of (in so many words anyway) Ozzieball. Bunting, hit-and-running, other completely useless things that managers do to make themselves look smart.