Big XII now taking the fall?

[Zurp]

Never did I claim that the Big Ten isn't down. I'm just pointing out that we're not the only ones ... and more importantly, I'm pointing out that the media should start giving some of the negative attention elsewhere.

I wasn't implying that you didn't claim that. But I know that many people have defended the Big Ten, saying that Michigan's loss doesn't mean that the Big Ten is "down".

I agree that the Big XII is down. It has been for years. It's almost become what the stereotype of the Pac10 has been - lots of offense but no defense. The Big East is up, but I don't think that it is "up" to the point that the media wants it to be. And the ACC has been down for years.

Aside from a few teams, the whole country may be down. But the media loves to use the bowl records to mention the strength of conferences. An underdog Florida beats Ohio State, and LSU crushes Notre Dame - the SEC must be strong. The Big East wins all 5 of their Bowl Games (nevermind that two or three were against mid-major conferences) - the Big East must be strong. The Big Ten loses 5 of 7, including a drumming in the biggest Bowl Game, the Big Ten must be weak.

But you have to be crazy if you think that the media is ever going to treat everyone fairly.

 

[cincibuck]

So. As far as conference "overall-quality" goes this year.......Does it look like its the PAC 10 and the SEC and then everyone else? It'll be interesting to see how bowl season plays out.

And then consider that all of the BCS bowls are played in SEC/ PAC 10 home sites...

 

[Crashcup]

Big win by the Hawk and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

He needed one like this. So close last year to Georgia and was beaten in the last minutes after whipping on them for the whole game.

Some coaches you just root for and I dare say Hawk is one of them.

 

[sandgk]

I was just on the subway and a bunch of trashed Rutgers fans started the "R-U" chant. I started laughing and said didn't you guys just get smoked by fat Friedgen? (I was rocking the OSU polo) They had no idea who fat Friedgen was so I explained. Then they were shocked to find out they lost! None of the assholes even watched the game. East coast football fans are a joke!

Fun Fact for any Rutgers fans (or know nothing wannabes) every time that Rutgers has been ranked 10 or higher, they have lost their next game.

 

[OCBucksFan]

If you're going to use Texas losing to Kansas State, and Oklahoma losing to Colorado as arguments that the conference is down, then you can't be one saying that Michigan's loss to App State DOESN'T mean that the Big Ten is down.

Not to mention losses like Northwestern to Duke, then 3 weeks later leading against Missagain going into the third quarter. The only reason the Big 10 has any respect now is because OSU seems to be consistant in their results.

 

[Taosman]

The Big XII is down this year. K State looks like the best team.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Right now if I was to make a poll of the best chances to play in the national champ game, I'd have to go with this order.
1.) USC- Providing there is no choke... that's a big if, also the D has been suspect... and had trouble with a mobile QB, Dennis Dixon please help us out.
2.) LSU- Providing they win next week. It'll be a challenge, but I think this D might be able to learn from Auburn, but use it's better athletes.
3.) OSU- Providing they keep grinding it out and playin' good ole tressel ball. The last part of the season could be brutal. The current record of last 7 teams is 27-8 .771 winning % All teams have a winning record even Kent.
4.) USF- Providing they win out... current media darlings, play hard fought defense ok offense
Also Rans, but don't think it'll happen
Cal- Weak Defense in a pass happy pac-10... someone will eventually pick them apart, my guess is USC. Would be right around the 70th scoring D if not for Louisiana Tech
Kentucky- Giving up 32 points a game to teams not in 1AA or the worst two conferences in America (Sun Belt and MAC)
Cincinnati- Good team, just won't get the respect, maybe if they beat USF and run the table, but otherwise I don't see it happening, but on the bright side its nice to finally have another Ohio school with prominent attention.
Stick a fork in the Big XII this year, losses to KSU and Colorado should knock em way down. Nebraska will lose one or two more. Texas A&M has showed its true self.

It's highly likely that the Cal-USC winner takes one spot in the NC game.

I wouldn't leave out Wisconsin. They're eerily similar to the '02 Buckeyes in playing down to their competition but somehow finding a way to win in the end. My worry is that a 1 loss LSU or Florida gets in over an undefeated Ohio State/Wisconsin.

Kentucky's toast when they get to the meat of an SEC schedule.

USF or Cincy can't play their way into the NC game. They'll both need considerable help in clearing the way.

Despite the losses this weekend, I can still see the winner of the RRS closing out undefeated in a weak BXII and--with a little luck--putting themselves back in contention for the other spot in the NC game.

 

[Jaxbuck]

It's highly likely that the Cal-USC winner takes one spot in the NC game.

Agree

I wouldn't leave out Wisconsin. They're eerily similar to the '02 Buckeyes in playing down to their competition but somehow finding a way to win in the end. My worry is that a 1 loss LSU or Florida gets in over an undefeated Ohio State/Wisconsin.

No way that will happen if the teams are even remotely close in the human polls(which of course they will be). The BCS formula penalizes teams for a loss plus the human pollsters always jive up their polls with the BCS at then end so everything looks good. There might be a lot of media talk on the subject but an undefeated B10 champ ranked in the top 5 will out BCS a 1 loss SEC team.

Kentucky's toast when they get to the meat of an SEC schedule.

Agree

USF or Cincy can't play their way into the NC game. They'll both need considerable help in clearing the way.

"Considerable help" isn't a strong enough phrase. "Honest-to-god-miracle" is what it would take for either one.

Despite the losses this weekend, I can still see the winner of the RRS closing out undefeated in a weak BXII and--with a little luck--putting themselves back in contention for the other spot in the NC game.

Only if The B10 and SEC champs have 2 losses.

 

[Best Buckeye]

I havent seen anyone I would call unbeatable so far this year. USC, Cal, and LSU have all looked beatable to me.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I wouldn't leave out Wisconsin. They're eerily similar to the '02 Buckeyes in playing down to their competition but somehow finding a way to win in the end. My worry is that a 1 loss LSU or Florida gets in over an undefeated Ohio State/Wisconsin.

So was Texas before last week. UW is a long ways away from that '02 tOSU team.

 

[MaxBuck]

Right now if I was to make a poll of the best chances to play in the national champ game, I'd have to go with this order.
1.) USC- Providing there is no choke... that's a big if, also the D has been suspect... and had trouble with a mobile QB, Dennis Dixon please help us out.
2.) LSU- Providing they win next week. It'll be a challenge, but I think this D might be able to learn from Auburn, but use it's better athletes.
3.) OSU- Providing they keep grinding it out and playin' good ole tressel ball. The last part of the season could be brutal. The current record of last 7 teams is 27-8 .771 winning % All teams have a winning record even Kent.
4.) USF- Providing they win out... current media darlings, play hard fought defense ok offense
Also Rans, but don't think it'll happen
Cal- Weak Defense in a pass happy pac-10... someone will eventually pick them apart, my guess is USC. Would be right around the 70th scoring D if not for Louisiana Tech
Kentucky- Giving up 32 points a game to teams not in 1AA or the worst two conferences in America (Sun Belt and MAC)
Cincinnati- Good team, just won't get the respect, maybe if they beat USF and run the table, but otherwise I don't see it happening, but on the bright side its nice to finally have another Ohio school with prominent attention.
Stick a fork in the Big XII this year, losses to KSU and Colorado should knock em way down. Nebraska will lose one or two more. Texas A&M has showed its true self.

In all honesty, and with no fealty whatever paid to win-loss records, here are my top 10 teams:

1. LSU. Really great defense, and adequate offense.

2. Ohio State. Very good defense, good offense. Line play improves week by week.

3. USC. Based on their performance against the Huskies, I do not see them being as good as the Buckeyes. Still a fine team.

4. Florida. Yeah, they lost to Auburn. So what? They are really good.

5. Oklahoma. Yeah, they lost to Colorado. So what? They are really good.

6. - 10. Everyone else, because they are not in the same league as 1 through 5.