College Football Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 09:22:58 AM EST
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Can you believe Ohio State is a 16.5 point favorite over Iowa? Obviously, no one really thought Iowa was a Top 10 team. One of the myths about Iowa was that "the computers loved them." They didn't. The BCS contraption for their computer rankings, where margin of victory is ignored, loved them. The REAL computer rankings thought Iowa was about the 14th best team in the country. Sagarin now rates Iowa as the 25th best team. Before its loss, Sagarin had Iowa as the 13th best team. Yet, Sagarin does not think Ohio State is all that either. But Stanzi is out. Still, 16.5 points? I'll take the Hawkeyes (+16.5).

Tennessee had 3 players (one from my hometown in Florida) arrested for armed robbery this week. In reaction, Tennessee's coach bragged about the fact that it took 11 months in his coaching tenure before one of the members of the team committed a felony. I kid you not. He bragged about it. The Vols play at Ole Miss (-6). Even though Talk Left is a criminal defense site, I am picking Ole Miss (-6). More . . .

The top 3 teams, according to the BCS - are Florida, Alabama and Texas. Florida (-17) travels to play the Ole Ball Coach at South Carolina. Bama (-12) travels to Mississippi State and Texas(-23.5) hosts Baylor. Florida seems the most vulnerable of the 3 this week (maybe every week.) Go Gators! More. . . .

In other games:

Northwestern, conqueror of the once mighty Hawkeyes, travels to Champaign to face the awful Illini. Thw Wildcats are 5 point underdogs. Can you believe that? The Big Ten is not only bad, it is topsy turvy. I like Northwestern (+5).

Boise State plays their in state rivals, the Idaho Vandals this week. The Broncs are 31 point favorites. I like the Vandals (+31).

Notre Dame travels to Pitt today. As much as I despise Notre Dame, I think the Big East is easily the worst conference in the BCS. the Mountain West is no doubt better than the Big East. I like the Domers (+6.5) to win outright.

Arizona travels to Cal in a huge Pac 10 game. I like Zona (+3).

Stanford tries to back up its huge win over Oregon by winning against USC. easier said than done. I like the Trojans (-10.5).

Auburn travels to play Georgia Between the Hedges. I like the Dawgs (-4).

Finally, a big upset special - Troy (+13.5) will beat Arkansas outright today.

I had a rough week (for me) last week, going 3-4. That brought my season record to 36-25 (.590). I am aiming to finish over 60% for the season.

This is an Open Thread.

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College Football Open Thread | 25 comments (25 topical)

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Criminal defense site. Now (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by oculus on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 10:03:55 AM EST

That is funny! Is Idaho team really the Vandals?

Yup (none / 0) (#3)
by CoralGables on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 10:07:45 AM EST

picked against the newest "innocent until proven guilty" felons but sided with the Vandals.


What are Tebow's odds of (none / 0) (#20)
by oculus on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 05:52:55 PM EST

Winning the HeismanV


: Per NYT sports blog, Tebow gets a (none / 0) (#36)
by oculus on Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 02:32:03 PM EST

vote and he hasn't decided yet.

It does make one wonder (none / 0) (#1)
by CoralGables on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 09:59:29 AM EST

who really won the recruiting battle between the Gators and The Vols for Nu'Keese Richardson. Lane Kiffin won the battle but lost the hooded pellet gun war. Edge: Gators

the stanford game (none / 0) (#4)
by Turkana on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 11:10:36 AM EST

had had me worried. part of it was the letdown, part of it was that stanford's a solid team, and part of it was that stanford was the only team to beat the joey harrington ducks, knocking them out of a bcs title shot (which they should have gotten, anyway- long story). stanford's qb was out of his head. threading perfect passes through very tight coverage. if he plays that well this week, they have a shot. doubt he will, though.

As a firm west region booster, (none / 0) (#13)
by brodie on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 03:23:16 PM EST

I'd enjoy seeing Boisé State play for the championship this year.

But it's very unlikely.

TX and either FL or AL will likely emerge unbeaten to play for the title. Hard to see anyone on TX remaining schedule giving them a tough game. And neither FL nor AL will likely lose until their big matchup in the final week.

Meanwhile it's possible there could be three remaining unbeaten teams who'll be disappointed. Them's the breaks under the current non-playoff system.

Until TPTB make some sensible changes, good to very good "under the radar" teams -- i.e., any team outside of the SEC -- like Boisé might consider trying to schedule at least one additional tough non-conference opponent, preferably on the road.


not this years ducks (none / 0) (#15)
by kallikanzaros on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 03:51:34 PM EST

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the 2001 Oregon team that was passed over for Nebraska. The Ducks no longer have any argument for being in the national championship game this year. Here's hoping that Utah can help clear the way for the Broncos today.


you misread me (none / 0) (#21)
by Turkana on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 06:00:45 PM EST

the joey harrington ducks should have gotten the bcs title game bid. they ended the final polls #2, but they got screwed out of the chance to play miami.


: and (none / 0) (#37)
by Turkana on Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 03:35:53 PM EST

the ducks then wiped out that very hot colorado team, in their bowl game, too...

ohio (none / 0) (#5)
by jharp on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 11:30:12 AM EST

"Can you believe Ohio State is a 16.5 point favorite over Iowa?"

I'm with you. It's hard to believe. However, I think it's a suck bet. I'm going to take Ohio.

And my strategy works more often than not. Or at least it has in the past.

Yeah, I believe it. (none / 0) (#6)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 11:35:26 AM EST

That's been the narrative all year. Lucky, wild conspiracy theories involving the BigTen and the BCS, whatever.

It will be interesting to see how this team reacts to the loss of a football game and their leader. Certainly a big test for the "Next man in" mantra--and perhaps a glimpse of the future. Can't wait to see how the young QB performs after a week of practice with the FTO and media attention.

But, if we're to win today, it is going to be up to the defense to shoulder the responsibility. I anticipate an old fashioned, low scoring BigTen defensive battle that is decided until the very end.

Win or lose, I have no doubt I'll still be very proud of this team. By any measure, it's certainly been an exciting season for us Hawkeye fans.

Go Hawks!

Wouldn't (none / 0) (#8)
by Natal on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 01:00:04 PM EST

it be great if Iowa and Arizona ended up in the Rose Bowl? Arizona one of Iowa's earliest casualties is being touted as possible PAC-10 champ. Even then the naysayers would still say Iowa didn't deserve to be there.


: Yeah... (none / 0) (#23)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 06:12:08 PM EST

...it would have been great, but sadly not to be.
We have a pre-season rematch with Wildcats next year in Tucson. Should be a good early test for both teams.

Thank you, BTD (none / 0) (#7)
by Demi Moaned on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 11:48:21 AM EST

I like Northwestern (+5).

I'm always happy to hear the old alma mater spoken well of, even for football. I saw the early minutes of that Iowa game at my gym last Saturday. Northwestern did not get off to a good start, and I was surprised to hear that they eventually won.

Heh (n/t) (none / 0) (#9)
by mcjoan on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 01:51:36 PM EST

Depressing state of affairs (none / 0) (#12)
by brodie on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 03:11:30 PM EST

for this west coaster as he sees the top 4 spots in the BCS gridiron rankings occupied by southern teams, two of them from the despised state of Texas, one of them from the state formerly governed by the racist George Corley Wallace, and the other a well-stocked team from the murky swamp which apparently has enough talent to overcome the departure of the Percy dude.

My preferred Cal Bears were supposed to be a contenda this season, but they turned out to be a tad overrated. USC similarly has underachieved while its alleged defense has been embarrassing in key games. Backup west coast pick les Canards have been inconsistent. All that's left for Pac-10 fans is to see which of these 3 gets to administer the annual thumping to the midwest rep in the Rose Bowl.

The only team remaining west of the Rockies with a distant shot at the title is Boisé State, a funky squad of blue-collar woodsmen who've been hampered in the rankings by a mostly soft schedule. And then the only non-southern team with a shot at the big game is Cincy, a school known previously only for its hoops and, I think, for having Neil Armstrong on its faculty.

Grumble grumble ...

While they lost in epic fashion today, (none / 0) (#19)
by Anne on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 05:03:01 PM EST

the Maryland Terrapins partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project and Under Armour:

On November 14, in honor of our troops, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks and University of Maryland Terrapins will wear specially designed uniforms for their Game Day match-ups versus the University of Florida Gators and Virginia Tech Hokies respectively. The teams will take the field in black and desert camouflage uniforms featuring the Wounded Warrior Project logo. The uniforms will also feature a warrior core value embellishment - Duty, Honor, Courage, Commitment, Integrity, Country, and Service - will replace the players' last name on the back of each jersey.

I think that's a pretty cool thing to do.

Wow. (none / 0) (#22)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 06:02:59 PM EST

What a game. That was everything a championship game should be--except for a win. Congrats to Ohio State.

The silver lining is that it looks like we've found our QB of the future. Great game from the pride of Keokuk, Iowa, freshman James Vandenberg under very stressful circumstances and on a big, big stage.

Now to get my heartrate back to normal...

: I expect... (none / 0) (#34)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 11:37:12 PM EST

...good things from them the rest of this season. Those young men have earned their day in the sun come January, even if it isn't in Pasadena.
Proud Hawkeye fans will be there en masse to cheer them on, no matter where they happen to play.
Of course, that's not to say that I'm not already geeked for next year. Hope springing eternal and all.

wondering when and why (none / 0) (#24)
by oculus on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 06:28:49 PM EST

S. Carolina players have Courage Duty et al. On the back of their uniforms. Info please.

: See my comment above - or below - (none / 0) (#25)
by Anne on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 06:32:22 PM EST

or wherever it appears for you.
South Carolina and the MD Terps partnered with the Wounded Warriors Project and Under Armour to wear uniforms today in support of veterans.
MD got pulverized against VA Tech today, but I really like that they participated in this project.

Stanford has had SC's number (none / 0) (#26)
by brodie on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 06:49:23 PM EST

in LA the past few visits in the Pete Carroll era, but this one was a true embarrassment for the Trojans.

Congrats to the superior powerhouse Cardinal offense, but apparently Carroll wasn't at all happy that Stanford decided to go for the 2-pt conversion late in the game being already ahead 48-21.

Carroll has built up quite a bit of good will over the years with his championship seasons and friendly personality, so he'll probably survive the major meltdown by his team this season. But I wouldn't recommend he follow up next year with another multiple loss season, including cringe-worthy blowouts.

football (none / 0) (#27)
by jharp on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 09:33:21 PM EST

I enjoy watching your picks. I used to do it all the time.

And though I think you are a good picker there is no way you can win 60%.

And if you do I'd suggest starting a talkleft football handicapping service. You could make a lot of money.

Anyways, good luck, I hope you do it.

: I think he could approach 60 percent (none / 0) (#35)
by rdandrea on Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 10:22:07 AM EST

if he quit trying to make sense of the Big-10