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Solomwi
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Don King of the Apolyton HLA Movement
Dec 2002
time: 23:23
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Spurrier will be able to recruit skill players better than Holtz, but that's it in the long run. Ultimately, I think he'll do well there, but well on a 7-4 to 9-2 scale.
Imran, true on Cal, but my view of them is already on the record. I think Texas and Georgia both are better teams. Damn west coast bias. 
OU's defense is the weakest link of any of the three teams, IMO. I would like to see how our defense stacked up against Peterson/White or Bush/Leinart. In the latter case, see how our defense stacks up without an offense that turns the ball over on our own 20, like last year. USC had 315 yards on us last year, and that was with zero offensive help. This year's group is better, especially in the secondary, and has a lot of offensive help.
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Guynemer
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Good evening.
I have been asked to read the following statement.
"As an employee of the Ohio State University, nothing gives me greater joy than seeing our beloved Buckeyes defeat the arrogant, sniveling, America-hating trash from the University of Michigan. This is simply another example of our inate superiority to the Wolverines. I look forward to at least two more such victories while I am an employee of the Ohio State University, and likely many more, as I would never dream of leaving such a wonderful institution.
And, in conclusion, Jim Tressel is Our Lord Jesus Risen, and Maurice Clarett is a punk-ass *****.
Thank you."
...please, kill me...
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Guynemer
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Huzzah!
Iowa beats Wisconsin!
We go to the Rose Bowl even though we got annihilated today!
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Tuberski
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ACK!!! PTHBBPPPTTT!!!!
Feb 2002
time: 23:23
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Here is more proof I was correct:
quote:
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Now that the dream has become a reality, now that the Utah Utes no longer have to wonder whether they'll be going somewhere warm for New Year's -- they will be -- their fans can turn their attention to more important matters: where, and against whom?
"Oklahoma, in the Fiesta," requested face-painted Utah junior Aaron Morton. "Bring on the best."
"We'd murder Boston College. It would be like playing another team in our conference," said Utes cheerleader Sunny Nielsen. "Bring on USC."
That such conversations are even taking place at Utah would have seemed comical to many just a couple of months ago. But what took place here Saturday night was no joke.
ADVERTISEMENT
With a 52-21 pasting of hated rival BYU, the Utes not only completed an 11-0 regular season but, combined with Michigan's loss to Ohio State earlier in the day, assured themselves a spot in the BCS. In doing so, they become the first team in the BCS era from outside the six current BCS conferences -- and just the second since 1955 -- to reach one of the four major bowl games.
"We've looked at a half dozen [non-BCS] teams over the last 10 years," said Fiesta Bowl CEO John Junker, referencing teams like 1998 Tulane, 2001 BYU and 2002 TCU. "In my view, this is the most credible team ever to come out of that group."
Giddy Utah fans, sensing an imminent Fiesta invitation, donned sombreros in the snow Saturday and showered the field with tortillas in the waning moments. They began a chant of "B-C-S, B-C-S," -- perhaps the first time in six years those letters have actually been celebrated.
Junker, who privately speculated as early as the spring that the Utes might wind up in his game, was one of four representatives in yellow jackets who watched from the end zone as thousands of spectators poured on to the field in celebration afterward, tearing down goal posts and joining head coach Urban Meyer and defensive lineman Sione Pouha in a rendition of the school fight song. Rice-Eccles Stadium was packed to capacity with 45,326 diehards, most of whom are likely to be on the first plane to Tempe if and when the official invite comes down.
Thing is, the Fiesta folks aren't the only ones interested. Also in attendance were three reps from the Sugar Bowl, whose game would surpass the Fiesta in the pecking order if it loses Auburn to the Orange Bowl, as well as sour-faced Liberty Bowl chief Steve Ehrhart, who will now miss out on the chance to pit top 10 foes Utah and Louisville.
"I don't know why [Utah fans] assume [it's the Fiesta Bowl]," said Sugar Bowl president Bill Kearnery. "We'd have no qualms at all at having Utah.
Wait a minute. What happened to teams like Utah being viewed as unwanted party-crashers? Threats to the establishment? Why, now, are the Utes suddenly a hot commodity?
Maybe because people have actually seen them play.
Their final game wasn't exactly their prettiest, with the Utes struggling to a 21-14 halftime lead and star QB Alex Smith throwing as many interceptions (two) as he had the previous 10 games. At the same time, it was a trademark Meyer victory, with the Steve-Spurrier-in-training going for it on four fourth downs, including a Spurrier-esque five-wide set on a 4th and goal at the 2 and a fake punt that resulted in a 23-yard run.
In the defining moment of the game midway through the third quarter, with BYU still within striking distance at 31-21 and the teams having just traded interceptions, Utah ran one of its patented spread-option plays from its own 8. Smith pitched to speedy receiver Steve Savoy, who hit the corner and dashed 92 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown.
In the end, it was another all-around dominant performance (538 yards to BYU's 294) to go with their other 10, all of which they've won by at least 17 points. Not since their fifth game against New Mexico has an opponent held the Utes under 45 points.
"I'm being honest when I say I think we can take on anyone in the country," said Smith. "Anyone."
You can argue that they did it against inferior competition, and to a certain extent that's true. The Utes gained serous legitimacy, though, when they destroyed both a Texas A&M team that's now nationally ranked, 41-21, as well as a North Carolina team that, two weeks after losing 46-16 to the Utes, knocked off Miami. While it's questionable whether Utah's defense stacks up with some of the big boys, their offense, with its unique blend of speed, power and trickery, is as powerful as any in the country, regardless of conference.
"I do believe Utah is one of the top six teams in the country," said Meyer. "Around the country, you have a couple elite of elites -- maybe an Oklahoma, a USC or an Auburn. Anyone else, if you play well and take care of the football, you can win at any time. And if you don't believe that, you don't know college football."
There's only one way to truly test Meyer's theory: Put the Utes up against one of his so-called elites. The possibility of an undefeated Oklahoma or Auburn missing out on the Orange Bowl is looming larger by the week, and it only makes sense to match that team up with Utah in a second battle of undefeated teams.
Unfortunately, politics prevail over common sense, and if Oklahoma goes to the Orange Bowl, the Utes will likely get stuck playing a two-loss Big East champion in a game that will prove absolutely nothing. Asked if such a scenario would be disappointing, Savoy said, "Yeah. We worked so hard to get this far, we want to get the best team possible so we can prove we're capable of competing with anyone."
No matter who the opponent, though, just seeing their team play on New Year's Day will be thrilling enough for a group of fans who, prior to Meyer's arrival two years ago, hadn't even experienced a conference title in over half a century.
As Meyer addressed a throng of media afterward, he faced the inevitable questions about whether he'll be in Utah after this season. He's rumored to be a top candidate at Florida, and with his wide-open style of offense, he'd be a perfect fit in Gainesville. If that happens, it's hard to imagine a coach having had a bigger impact on a school in such a short amount of time. The entire culture of the place has changed dramatically, and by the time its team kicks off in Tempe, New Orleans or Pasadena, it's safe to say the national perception of Utah will have risen to unprecedented heights.
"When you lose a recruit to someone, and you have better facilities, better academics, better location and a better style of offense, and he looks you in the eye and says, 'I'm going there because they're BCS?'" said Meyer. "Well, I guess we're 'BCS' now." |
So there! 
ACK!
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Guynemer
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Right it down, take it to the bank, bet the family fortune:
Utah will defeat whomever they play in the BCS.
Be it Oklahoma, Auburn, USC, California, Michigan, Miami, or Boston College. Or, heaven help us, if some other team pulls the upset in the Big 12 or SEC championship games.
I'm not saying they are the best overall team. But none of those teams has a defense that can match up against the Utes.
It's like 2002: I said over and over again on this board that Miami was the superior team, but the Buckeyes would win because their strengths matched up against Miami's weaknesses.
I think USC and Oklahoma would have the best chance of beating Utah, as they are the only teams that have an offense capable of keeping stride with Utah. USC more so, as the Sooner defense is too sieve-like.
But, in the end, I'd put my money on Utah. Not to cover the spread--but to win.
Utah will finish 12-0, and won't be able to claim a share of the national championship. We need a playoff. NOW.
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Guynemer
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Here is the best possible BCS scenario:
Orange: USC-Auburn. BCS #1 vs. BCS #2.
Fiesta: Oklahoma-Utah. The other two major undefeated teams meet. (Boise State? Whah? Can't hear you, la la la la.)
Rose: Cal-Michigan. Pac-10 vs. Big-10, as God intended.
Sugar: Miami-Boston College. A rivalry game to wrap it all up.
However, this is contigent on Auburn passing Oklahoma in the BCS. Possible, but not super likely.
If Oklahoma finishes #2, we'll probably end up with Utah-BC and Auburn-Miami. Snooze city. My confidence in the ability of bowl selection committees doing something altruistic and for the public good (matching up Auburn and Utah) is somewhat lacking.
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Guynemer
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quote:
Originally posted by PLATO
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Well, we still have the 3rd Annual Guynemer's Gamecube NCAA Football Championship Tournament!
Reminder: our philosophy is that to be the best in the country, you must at least be the best in your conference. And we offer one wild card just in case an independant team is really good.
By winning their conference, having at least 9 wins against Div. I-A teams, and no more than two losses, the following teams have already accepted their bid into the GGNCAAFCT:
Pac 10: USC
MWC: Utah
WAC: Boise State
Big Ten: Michigan
Still up in the air:
Big 12: Oklahoma is in with a conference championship. If they lose, no bid for the conference champion, and Oklahoma has to hope for the single wild card berth.
ACC: Miami or Virginia Tech or Virginia could all meet requirements; and if Virginia beats VT, and VT beats Miami, then no ACC team will get an invite. Serves 'em right, conference poaching bastards.
Big East: Only Boston College could qualify--they beat Syracuse, they are in.
Conference USA: Louisville is in with a victory in one of their remaining two games.
SEC: The winner of the conference championship game is in, be it Auburn, Georgia, or Tennessee.
MAC: No eligible teams.
Sun Belt: No eligible teams.
Independants: No eligible teams.
That leaves the Wild Card: take all the teams that have at least 9 wins against Div I-A and no more than two losses--the Elite. Conference champs are in. Out of the rest of the Elite, one team gets the wild card--the team that has the most victories against the Elite.
Way too many possibilities to sort through here. What we do already know:
Iowa is in the clubhouse with one Elite victory. Which means that Texas and Wisconsin are hosed.
How things play out with the ACC and SEC messes will have much bearing on the wild card; a 9-win Arizona State also makes things interesting. But I'm fairly certain that Auburn is in regardless of what happens, as they appear to have a lock on the wild card if they lose the SEC.
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Solomwi
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Don King of the Apolyton HLA Movement
Dec 2002
time: 23:23
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quote:
Originally posted by PLATO
It looks as if Schaeffer will be available. He is expected to return to practice the week before the game. Weather or not he is 100% will be the question. Clausen is still looking like the guy right now, but we'll see. Ainge is an interesting case. Noone seems to really be talking about his injury. I have heard some rumours that it may be much more serious than we have heard (i.e. career threatening). I hope these are just the doom and gloom crowd.
Auburn looks very healthy and will have two weeks to prepare. Tennessee had a badly needed off week last week, but has Kentucky yet to go before beginning prep for the Tigers. On paper, it looks like an Auburn blowout, but I am betting it will be much closer than the first game. |
Honestly, I think you're right. Everything clicked for us in Knoxville, and a big part of it was Rosegreen picking up on a big tipoff from Ainge via his eyes. It may be like our 2000 rematch with Florida, where we narrowed it to 28-6 from 38-7 in the regular season, which is what I'm hoping for, or it may be closer than that, but I agree it won't be as bad as the first go-round.
I haven't heard what the nicks and bruises from Alabama are, but our only two injuries that concern me are OLB Antarrious Williams and C Jeremy Ingle. Williams didn't play yesterday, but Ingle did, albeit not at 100%.
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Guynemer
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quote:
Originally posted by PLATO
The SEC championship game is set. It will be Auburn vs. Tennessee. Georgia is out, even if Tennessee looses to Kentucky, then they still go. They own the tie breaker with Georgia. |
You are right of course.
That means if Tennessee loses to Kentucky and then beats Auburn, there is no automatic bid for the SEC.
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20-11-2004 19:43
Utah beats BYU and wins the Holy War!
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