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ESPN Top 10 Teams

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I wonder if JeffCat watched the 2003 Fiesta Bowl?

"BKB" nailed it right on the head, "Defense Wins Championships."
Hell, the entire 2002 season folks were bitching about the offense, of lack thereof. We didn't exactly put together a great offensive performance in the Fiesta, all 17 points scored in regulation were the result of turnovers (technically, Clarett was a defender when he stripped the ball from Taylor.)

You can compare the greatest teams in the history of CFB forever, and nobody will ever come to a conclusion that makes everybody happy. And that's the beauty of it. USC is a great team, no doubt about it. There's nothing wrong with "outscoring" your opponent if it keeps the wins coming. Also, I'm really not so sure that 2002 was our greatest team, if I had to pick I'd have to say either of the teams of 1968 or 1969 were better, but that's being very subjective. All that being said, and I'll admit that I'm a "mega-homer" and all, I think that any team in the history of CFB would have had a hell of a time beating our Buckeye's on 1/3/03. On that night, they may have been the toughest team to beat to ever step on a CFB field.
 
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crazybuckfan40 said:
How about a great D and a capable O.
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worked in in 02 for us. i just dont see how the whole "defense wins championships" phrase can be so overused. sure it can but if you look at USC they have won all of their games without a stellar defense and an awesome offense. the same can be said for hamler patrick henry this year winning the D5 state title. their defense was pretty poor yet they won. to me its all about matchups and breaks. we may not have this conversation if we didnt get the 4th and 11 or if clarett didnt strip the ball out. we got the breaks there. that game was an even matchup even though nobody expected it to be. 2 all american essentially nfl teams matching up. whether or not they could beat this years USC is up in the air because nobody knows. im not gonna go out on a ledge and say that we would have beat them or they would beat us because every team has flaws, weaknesses, and tendencies that are a direct part of matchups.
 
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Jeffcat.... While USC did indeed have an outstanding O, you might want to check out their Defensive stats too...

Oklahoma in 00 - Top 10 D
Miami in 01 - Top 10 D
Ohio State in 02 - Top 10 D
LSU in 03 - Top 10 D
USC in 04 - Top 10 D

I don't have the numbers to confirm this at the moment, I did do a quick google search of it. Anyway, maybe I'll get a chance to dig them up later, I'll post em if I do. If I get really nifty I compare O ranks of those teams 'cause OU, LSU and OSU's were certainly NOT top 10.
 
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Buckeyeskickbuttocks said:
Jeffcat.... While USC did indeed have an outstanding O, you might want to check out their Defensive stats too...

Oklahoma in 00 - Top 10 D
Miami in 01 - Top 10 D
Ohio State in 02 - Top 10 D
LSU in 03 - Top 10 D
USC in 04 - Top 10 D

I don't have the numbers to confirm this at the moment, I did do a quick google search of it. Anyway, maybe I'll get a chance to dig them up later, I'll post em if I do. If I get really nifty I compare O ranks of those teams 'cause OU, LSU and OSU's were certainly NOT top 10.
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very true but that hasnt been the case this year. however i think if they bring back their starters on defense they will defensively be a lot better.
 
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jeffcat, USC plays in a conference which has no concept of how to play defense. Place them in the big ten and sec, and they might win all of their games with that mighty offense, but it would be much more challenging. Zemek had a great writeup today, saying that the WRs were not that consistent in their big games, and they ran the ball to come back in those three games. It would be much tougher to run the ball in a comeback versus OSU, PSU, Auburn, etc.

also, they are ranked #39 in total defense, with the #24 rushing defense, so they are not awful.

to continue bkb's trend:
99 - title game: VTech (#3 rushing D, #3 total D) vs. FSU (#10 rushing D, #19)
 
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jwinslow said:
jeffcat, USC plays in a conference which has no concept of how to play defense. Place them in the big ten and sec, and they might win all of their games with that mighty offense, but it would be much more challenging. Zemek had a great writeup today, saying that the WRs were not that consistent in their big games, and they ran the ball to come back in those three games. It would be much tougher to run the ball in a comeback versus OSU, PSU, Auburn, etc.
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oh i completely agree. i think we would see more of a notre dame or games in the 20s and 30s as opposed to 50s. imo i think ohio state could very well match their ability if not surpass it. its hard to say because you cant really see the matchup until its actually on the field in a game like this. i firmly believe we would beat texas now. problem with USC is they have great receivers, great QB, and 2 great running backs with a good Oline to do enough for them. seeing reggie bush against our defense would definitely be interesting to see. has there been any updates if USC is getting any of their starters back on defense for the rose bowl game? i really havnt followed that much.
 
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_______Total Offense__Scoring Offense___Total Defense__Scoring Defense
00 OK______18_____________7_____________8_______________7______
01 Miami____8______________3_____________6_______________1______
02 OSU_____70____________41____________23_______________2______
03 LSU_____31____________19_____________1_______________1______
04 USC_____12_____________6_____________6_______________3______

05 USC_____1______________2____________39______________27______
05 TX______3______________1_____________6_______________4______


This seems to indicate that one statistical category has a strong correlation to championships. Total Defense is #2. Total Offense seems to have little correlation with championships.
 
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I think this whole thing becomes moot after the Horns take them down in the championship game.

(Besides, any list of "Ten best teams last 50 yrs" - or their eleventh wild-card that does not make mention of the 1992 Crimson Tide squad gets an incomplete from me.)
 
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Herbstreit called USC's offense the greatest of all time last night. Even Herby can be off the mark:

2005 USC: 50.0 ppg (Top 5 games - 70, 66, 63, 55, 51 points)
1995 Neb: 53.7 ppg (Top 5 games - 77, 73, 64, *62, 57 points)

* National title game against Florida, who gave up less than 17 ppg during the regular season
 
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