2014 Bowl Games Open Thread

[Steve19]

Dispassionately, ESPiN set out to destroy tne value of the B1G. In the Clarett affair, they repeatedly trumpeted allegations as fact, even after the NCAA had investigated and disproven the allegations twice. Look at the paltry discounts that Pryor and a few players received and that coverage. Now, explain the silence--even rationalization supporting-- sales of items autographed by SEC players or the Cam Newton affair.

Tressel received a heads up about his players from an attorney that broke confidentiality. The player, a former walkon player at Ohio State many years before, was later prosecuted. Tressel did not further break confidentiality. He did not erase the email or hide it. He spoke to his team, as a group, immediately about NCAA rules.

What did he do to bring ESPiN's disgusting campaign on himself? He refused to cave in to their recasting of one of our least successful quarterbacks ever as a former star or to allow him to play insider and broadcast from practices. He kept winning football games with defense, which didn't really make for as many TV advertising breaks. He instilled community service and high moral ethics as values in his players and took Ohio State to the top of APR ratings.

There was no culture problem. Period. It was primarily disproven but constantly repeated nonsense.

Go look at the thread in the archive or even the ESPiN thread for this year with an open mind. Look at the two absolute arse kickings that ESPiN's two top teams in college football, until their string of losses, got yesterday. Witness their silence on the weakness of the SEC.

Then show us objectively that there is no pro-SEC bias.

 

[Mike80]

ESPN is always going to be ahead of the NCAA. They are always the last to know.

The problem was the NCAA had already gone through Ohio State with a fine-toothed comb and there was full cooperation (this also led to Jim O'Brien getting canned)....there was nothing there.

As I look through those threads you linked. I see myself saying "I remember that, I don't remember that, I remember that and on and on". There was a lot of stuff that was rumor, but a lot of stuff stuck. The culture was wrong and tressel needed to go. It wasn't a war. Was there some piss poor journalism? Yup.

Tressel was fine until he didn't report whatever it was that lawyer friend told him about TP and the others (edit) and then signed the disclaimer that he didn't know about any NCAA violations.

The 2004 stuff was a vendetta. It was taking one of the Big Ten's biggest brands and most recent national champion, slandering the program, school and football coach, claiming violations occurred when none existed and then, as @Steve19 pointed out, attempted to destroy the perception of the Big Ten right when the TV Rights were up for renegotiation.

Follow the money. If/when the SEC falls apart in the next decade as all things in CFB are cyclical, they'll turn on you guys as well.

 

[Gcashwell]

Follow the money. If/when the SEC falls apart in the next decade as all things in CFB are cyclical, they'll turn on you guys as well.

We will deserve it. I have no doubt thst as the sec declines, coaches will do what it takes to stay competitive. This will be foind out and reported.

Things already aren't clean down here. Believe it or not, the coaches aren't the issue. It's the boosters. These guys are so bad the coaches try to stop them and can't. Money in envelopes happens every day. I don't know how they are going to stop it until the NCAA finds out how to track it.

 

[bukIpower]

How good is their defense? It looks like they don't give up many points (usually).

That's an interesting viewpoint about your position with ESPN. It makes sense. You already have the name and prestige. TCU not selling out their allotment for the peach bowl proves it.

The 04 stuff was weak, but when put in the big picture it was not. It showed his mindset.

Statistically Wisconsin is a very dominant. However I called the blowout we had on them (I didn't think it would be as bad as it was though) but in saying that they are that dominant because they didn't play osu, MSU, scUM, and ped state. However when they played teams that we played such as Illinois, Rutgers, and Maryland they beat them much worse on the score board but especially statistically.

So with that said I have no idea how good their defense really is. I think they're better then what they showed against us but really its anyones guess.

 

[kujirakira]

It's pretty hard to compare it to the Jameis Winston affair as well. They openly campaigned for Winston last year despite the coverup of an actual crime** by the local police (who are paid by boosters) and athletic department.
NYT and Fox have been good about reporting on that, while ESPiN has been rather reticent and only made the most mild responses after destruction of apt property, alleged rape, confirmed theft, 911 call, and the last straw was standing on a table screaming about vaginas? In any case, they've since gone right back this month to pretending like none of that ever happened. They've also touted Jimbo as an excellent leader of young men with integrity.

What'd Tressel do? Not report athletes selling their own private property at fair market value? OK, he deserves his NCAA punishment.
It however doesn't remotely compare to what's gone at FSU... or even Alabama, anything ever happen with the player discovered to be facilitating drug deals? Certainly that disappeared from ESPN's news pretty fast.

**We'll never know if he did it, but evidence is definitive that TPD and FSU deliberately threw the case

 

[Gizmo]

Auburn isn't going to shut down anything. They have guys not wanting to get hurt going into the draft, no defense (run or pass). They have no reason to win unless Wisconsin makes it easy.

If Wisconsin tries to keep players from getting hurt and can't pass at all, auburn has a good chance.

So you're already making the "they didn't want to be there" excuse?

 

[Gcashwell]

or even Alabama, anything ever happen with the player discovered to be facilitating drug deals? Certainly that disappeared from ESPN's news pretty fast.

Kurt Frietag? I think he is still on the team. The news says it's an ongoing investigation. The word I got from a booster is that Saban has been told not to do anything until the investigation is complete. However, my understanding is that there are boosters involved in every side of the deal, from the drugs to the cops. You can't fathom how bad these guys are. Like I said, down here the coaches don't cheat, the boosters do more than enough of thst for everybody.

 

[Mike80]

Someone signed up with the moniker "Fear the Frog" I'm sure s/he will be a valued contributor

 

[Gcashwell]

So you're already making the "they didn't want to be there" excuse?

I suggest you go read my past posts and don't try to read between the lines of what I am saying.
I see auburn with no advantage unless wiscy gives it to them.

I'll make it easy for you:
To be honest, I think Wisconsin should have motivation on their side, but that's no excuse. Pride should be enough.

 

[kujirakira]

Kurt Frietag? I think he is still on the team. The news says it's an ongoing investigation. The word I got from a booster is that Saban has been told not to do anything until the investigation is complete. However, my understanding is that there are boosters involved in every side of the deal, from the drugs to the cops. You can't fathom how bad these guys are. Like I said, down here the coaches don't cheat, the boosters do more than enough of thst for everybody.

Yea... so explain how MoCla's cellphone bill and Terrelle Pryor's tattoos are worth filing FOIA for everything from the University and months of stories alleging stuff that had already been proven wrong (in Clarett's case).
But drug dealing and god knows what all has happened at FSU amount to "nothing to see here"

 

[Gizmo]

I suggest you go read my past posts and don't try to read between the lines of what I am saying.
I see auburn with no advantage unless wiscy gives it to them.

To be honest, I think Wisconsin should have motivation on their side, but that's no excuse. Pride should be enough.

just giving some shit. Should be a good game with the winner being determined by how Wisconsin's possessions go. If they can move the ball on the ground, they'll win. If Auburn can get a few stops, I think they win.

 

[Gcashwell]

Yea... so explain how MoCla's cellphone bill and Terrelle Pryor's tattoos are worth filing FOIA for everything from the University and months of stories alleging stuff that had already been proven wrong (in Clarett's case).
But drug dealing and god knows what all has happened at FSU amount to "nothing to see here"

At alabama, it's not," nothing to see here",it's "nothing to find."

No bills are being paid or anything that leaves a trail. I keep hearing of envelopes of cash under the counter at gas stations and other stores. Player goes up to counter and gets handed an envelope by the cashier. That's impossible to track.

Anything the coaches can control they do. I know the rules for all bars and clubs say all drinks are to be served I players in previously unopened/sealed bottles or players don't come back. Little crap like that all the time. But you can't follow your player in to every store.

You know drug people aren't going to leave a paper trail.

Same stuff happens with recruits. Saban doesn't have to offer money. The boosters are offering the kid money and the mom and dad an easy job they aren't qualified for. Of course the job isn't with a booster, it's with somebody the booster knows, but doesn't do regular business with. Maybe somebody he buys his cars from. "Hey, give Bill a 60k job and I will buy 10 trucks for my company from your dealership" type stuff.

Trading memorabilia and paying bills is easily traceable.

 

[BUCKYLE]

So basically, it's like Bama has success, with honor.

 

[Gcashwell]

So basically, it's like Bama has success, with honor.

I don't follow what you are saying... Sorry.

 

[SloopyHangOn]

I don't follow what you are saying... Sorry.

Wow.