AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > December > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSEC title game isn’t gateway to BCS title
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
There is a mindset that seems to go with being a member of the SEC. Take the big stadiums, the tailgates, the history, the bands, the fat-bottom boosters and some pretty good football, and this is what you get: a feeling that you have a hall pass for life.
“Hello. Can you kick somebody out of first class? I’m with the SEC.”
“Hello. Technically, we’re only the fourth-best team in the nation, but if it’s OK with you, we’re going to start booking flights to Arizona. And if it’s not OK with you, you’re a dolt.”
“Hello. I work at the Ace Hardware down the street, but I heard you needed open-heart surgery and …”
Saturday night, Florida will play Arkansas for the SEC title. But lately, it has all been about what happens next. If the Gators win, they will be 12-1 and screaming it’s their birthright to play Ohio State in the BCS title game.
There are at least five things this is not based on: 1) being smacked at Auburn; 2) stumbling but beating a weakened Georgia team by a touchdown; 3) winning by six at Vanderbilt; 4) winning by one point, at home, against South Carolina; 5) winning by seven over Florida State, which lost four of its final six and was shut out at home.
Now, I realize in an ideal world, this isn’t what should be debated today. The problem is, this isn’t an ideal world. It’s the SEC’s world.
Two weeks ago, Urban Meyer, a fine coach of a terrific team, began grumbling about the BCS rankings and the need for a playoff system. He reiterated those remarks when it was clear few were wowed by the Gators’ 24-17 win in Tallahassee.
Decrying the need for “style points,” Meyer told reporters: “You know what I’ve got to worry about? I’ve got to worry about making sure our offensive line gets better next week. But style points? If that’s what’s making decisions, then I want to stand by my comment a week ago. Implode it. It’s over.”
Meyer’s desire to implode the BCS only puts him in the majority. The problem with making an issue of it the past two weeks is he fed the monster. He tried to downplay the potential BCS distraction at a Friday news conference. But the song would’ve played better if he hadn’t already, well, whined.
This was as far as Meyer would take the subject Friday: “Our focus is on what we have to take care of. I truly have great respect for the Southeastern Conference, and any SEC team that plays 11, 12 games in this conference, good things should happen to that team, if they are fortunate enough to win it. I don’t have time to really study what’s going on elsewhere.”
“Good things should happen” to the SEC winner. (Read: BCS title game.)
Never mind what happens with teams elsewhere. (Read: “I would not wash the feet of my pigs in their conference.”)
Ohio State is unbeaten. Ohio State doesn’t need an argument.
Michigan was ranked second when it lost at Ohio State by a field goal. Michigan shouldn’t need an argument. It deserves a rematch.
Southern Cal, after its only loss to Oregon State, won its next four games by 42, 25, 14 and 20 points, the last over Notre Dame. Pending Saturday’s game against UCLA, USC is the ONLY other school that has an argument — geography notwithstanding.
Urban Meyer believes style points shouldn’t determine rankings. But in a subjective system, style counts. Don’t argue the SEC is vastly superior. That’s not an automatic. Don’t complain, Urban, that you have to play a conference title game when the others don’t because it was your conference that made the money grab.
There is no feasible or fair playoff system. Either you would have too many teams, in which case you’re playing in March, or not enough teams, in which case too many get jobbed.
A solution: Go back to the old bowl system. The matchups were better. There were more games meant more on or around New Year’s. At most, add one playoff game after the bowls.
Until then, we have the BCS. Saturday night is an SEC title game. That’s all it should be. Because the “S” in BCS doesn’t stand for Southeastern.
Permalink | Comments (88) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, UGA / SEC
Comments
By Va Dawg
December 1, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this
Shultz,
You are a friggin idiot. Michigan has done nothing to deserve a rematch. They had there chance. They have played absolutely no one. Wisconsin is overrated and played a weak non-conference schedule. Michigan played Notre Dame which is the most overrated team in the nation. Even Ohio State played 6 straight games against teams with losing records leading up to the Michigan game and now that Texas has 3 losses their win there is not as impressive. Both these teams have serious issues. In the SEC, they actually play a little thing called DEFENSE which no other conference seems to play. I can’t wait to see LSU punk Michigan and Florida send Notre Dame back to South Bend with their 3rd loss. Brad Edwards of ESPN commented today that if the SEC continues to get slighted than he knows of 2 presidents that are now going to be vocal for a playoff system.
By Chris
December 1, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this
Schultz…I almost always agree with you and love your articles, but I have to disagree with this one.
The SEC got screwed with Auburn a few years back and is now about to get screwed with Florida. It’s ridiculous that teams from the SEC have no shot at playing in the title game if there are other teams from other leagues available with the same record.
The system is a joke and a playoff system of some sort is needed or else it may be a very long time before we see another SEC team in the championship game.
You can talk about how people in the SEC think the SEC is a tough league and a tough schedule, but it’s rather obvious that for whatever reason everyone outside of this league disagrees.
By Bob
December 1, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
I agree that some of us SEC fans are a bit fanatical. I also personally think USC is deserving if they win out. Yeah they lost to Oregon State, and had some trouble with Washington State, Washington and Arizona, but they also played by far the toughest non-conference schedule in the country. The PAC 10 is not as good as the SEC, but it is a hell of a lot better than some of us give it credit for being. And it is definitely better than the Big Ten, at least this year. Hell, USC has spent this decade whupping up on Auburn and Arkansas. The Gators did play a tougher schedule and play in a better conference, but gosh their offense has really sucked since the Auburn game.
But what in your mind causes you to think Michigan deserves a rematch?? They beat ND and Wisconsin and a fair Penn State team. That is it. They LOST to Ohio State. We might think that Florida would lose to Ohio State, but we KNOW that Michigan did. One team would be 11-1 and the other would be 12-1. The Gators played a much harder schedule than either Michigan or Ohio State, and that is not even close. If it comes to Florida or Michigan, then it should be the Gators hands down. Of course, they need to make sure they can beat the Hogs. Right now I don’t think they will which makes all this a mute point.
By Howard
December 1, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this
Jeff…you have several flaws in your views on the BCS, the SEC, etc. First, with the exception of Michigan, who is in the Big 10 who could beat Ohio State? That league is garbage to watch and not even the best in the land. Ohio State truly deserves the top spot and would probably win in any type of playoff system. But I say they wouldn’t be undefeated in the SEC Second…a playoff could be devised…quickly, here it is. The four major BCS bowls would all be used…this year for example? Since the Rose Bowl hosted the title game last year, they would be relegated to hosting the #7 and 8 teams in nation in a big-money, payday matchup…while the Fiesta Bowl would host the #5 and #6 teams in their classic. In the Orange and Sugar Bowls?? The bowl which hosts the 2007 title game would host the #1 vs. #4 teams in one semi-final, while the one hosting the 2008 game would host the #2 vs. #3 teams in the other. Those winners would then meet in Tempe for the title…the BCS would rotate these games in subsequent years in the way I have described. It would make a fortune for college football and the BCS and sell tickets and draw monster TV ratings. Another thing you said which I disagree with…that Michigan-Ohio State game was not as close as that score indicated. If those teams met 10 times in the year, OSU would win 8 of 10. I will agree with you about Meyer…if his Gators were in OSU’s spot or USC’s?? He’d be a deaf mute. And you’re right…Florida is over-rated and i think Arkansas will prove that. Finally…USC does deserve the shot at OSU if they win. As much as I despise the left coast…the Trojans are the only team out there can hope to beat Ohio State. Oh and think if Maurice Clarett had not gone brain dead…he’d be in the backfield with Troy Smith and Co…whew!! One more point…Notre Dame does NOT belong in a BCS game…they are a joke to be anywhere in the top ten.
By JDW
December 1, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this
Dear Jeff, you need perspective. When compared to other confrences the SEC has the highest number of all time wins, highest overall winning percentage, more bowl wins, and highest BCS winning percentage. Neither USC nor Ohio State would have a prayer of completing FL’s or AR’s schedule with one loss. At least 80% of the time, including this year, whoever wins the SEC is certainly in two best teams in the land and we constantly get hosed by ignorant voters such as yourself. A playoff system is what we need to end this and prove the case. The SEC should pull out of the BCS and lead the way in creating a proper system to determine the National Champion. Until then all we have is a popularity contest determined by an uninformed and biased electorate
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
December 1, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this
Of course, if Arkansas and Ohio State both win then everyone is pretty much wasting their typing.
I hope the SEC cleans clocks in bowl season to hear all the commentators say, “Well I guess we were wrong.”
Remember the verb “Auburned” — used to describe an SEC teams that goes undefeated but gets left out of the national title game.
Maybe next year will be Arkansas’ year — isn’t Southern Cal off the schedule, McFadden back, Mustain with a year under his belt, and an offensive coordinator who seems to be very creative. Maybe next year will be Florida’s year — Tebo gets control, Urban keeps recruiting lights-out. Maybe next year will be UGA’s year — Stafford, Massaquoi and King. Maybe the SEC will perpetually be a meatgrinder because of the quality athletes, coaches, stadia and fans. Maybe if your conference is such a beatdown, meatgrinder conference the conference champoin should get special attention for the national championship picture. If the SEC wins most of its high-end bowls then that makes it easier for next season’s champ to go play for the BCS championship. Unfortunately, UGA and Auburn lost in their bowls. LSU won but Miami’s unraveling this year took some of the luster off LSU’s win.
The SEC Champion should deserve an extra look for the BCS Championship, and that’s a problem the ACC just doesn’t have this season.
By rob
December 1, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this
Nice job Schultz, you wrote something to get the crowd going! But really, why should any team that doesnt play a conference championship deserve to play for a national championship? And by the way, everyone knows the SEC has more talent than anyone! Which brings me to the question,(by the way I’m a Georgia fan) with the schedule Florida played why shouldnt they play for the “Mythical” national championship? Oh yeah…MONEY!
By Sautee Dawg
December 1, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this
I think Florida should have taken care of Auburn and THEN no questions asked, they should be in the NC game, but of all the one lost teams USC by far has the closest team matching up with OSU.
By Ugotta B. Kidding
December 2, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
Okay I’ll give you Ohio State (even though their opponents records were a combined 73-71) wooooooooo!
Michigan had their “national championship game” and blew it!!! You only get one chance, NOT TWO!
Who the Hell has Southern Cal played??? They were beat by an 8-4 team and lucky to get by a couple of others. Compare their schedule to Florida’s! (and I’m a Dawg fan, I despise Florida). BUT:
Florida 11-1
Arkansas 10-2 Auburn 10-2 LSU 10-2 Tennessee 9-3
Now show me a better conference. There’s not one! You’ve got 2 quality teams in the BIG 10…Maybe 2 in the BIG 12…and 1 in the PAC 10.
The BCS system is a joke!!! And, so is your article!
By SEC is for girls
December 2, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
The SEC is getting what it deserves. The Big 10 and the SEC have been the two most vocal opponents of a playoff system. Why? Because they’ve made so much money off the current BCS system.
Hopefully, Florida will win today and USC will also. I’d love to see USC beat Ohio State and have 4 good teams with 1 loss, all complaining that they should be the ones considered the national champions. Maybe if we have that happen 3 or 4 years in a row, we can get rid of the BCS.
By TC
December 2, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this
UF is 1 win & 1 BAD call @ Auburn away from playing Ohio State.
By smitty
December 2, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this
as a gator fan i would love to see them in the title game, provided they can beat arkansas and that will be tough…..but that’s the point…. the sec is a tough conference and all the teams florida beat in its conference schedule are above .500 save vandy…. their wins certainly haven’t been pretty but they are wins ( perhaps if florida had a FG kicker they could have added a few points to each winning margin but their D is what wins games and what’s wrong with style on the defensive side of the ball)……and auburn didn’t “smack” florida….a close game (with a meaningless TD at the end) and a game which may have turned on a questionable fumble call…OSU barely beat Illinois( 1-7 conference record) but hey, they’re undefeated……when USC beat arkansas, it was early in the season, mcfadden didn’t play…..arkansas is a totally different team now…..if florida defeats ark then they deserve the same consideration for the title game as USC and michigan…..and substitute ga for fla in the above article and i wonder if it reads the same…….go gators!
By Joseph
December 2, 2006 01:25 AM | Link to this
Jeff, USC lost to an unranked Oregon State team. Why does no one remember that?
By RD
December 2, 2006 01:25 AM | Link to this
You’re wrong Jeff. Deserved or not, nobody outside the Big Ten wants to see a Big Ten rematch. That’s incestuous.
By adam
December 2, 2006 01:38 AM | Link to this
Schultz, did you WATCH the Auburn game? Florida was about to take the lead in the fourth quarter, when the incomplete/fumble play occurred on the Auburn 6 yard line. Auburn added a meaningless TD on the last play of the game, which made the score much more lopsided than it really was.
Oh, and USC was down 28 points at one point in its loss. I don’t remember that happening to any of the other one-loss teams.
By smitty
December 2, 2006 01:41 AM | Link to this
and a couple more things meathead……those wins that USC had following its loss to oregon state were not impressive just because you mention winning margins…..42, oh yeah, that was against 1-10 Stanford (?western carolina anyone?)…….25 point win over Oregon ( 4-5 conference record)……14 point win over California, a worthy opponent, but do you remember what Tennessee did to them? ( Tennessee smacked em…….oh yeah, i forgot)…and then ND…. but someone already mentioned how they are overrated……which brings us to the gator wins…..as i mentioned they weren’t smacked by auburn….a good close game…..beating a “weakened” georgia team by a TD but then ga destroyed auburn, smacked em i believe ….which ga team did florida play?……they only beat vandy by six but vandy beat ga ( please see above ga-auburn reference)…….south carolina? a really good team that is just a few points away from being 10-2…..they’ll probably smack ga next year…..and finally FSU….always a tough game in tallahassee (ask steve spurrier, he never won there) and a rivalry game where the underdog often finds a way to win…….Florida has just as much argument to be included in the title game….but they have to beat arkansas first, a tall order, and if they do win, they should be in the BCS title game against OSU…so please, JS, spare us your biased analysis of the BCS and florida and stick to point spread analysis and gambling tips……go gators!
By Chris
December 2, 2006 01:56 AM | Link to this
Ugotta B. Kidding
I agree with you totally.
I hate Florida also, and deep down inside I don’t want them to win a championship ever, but they deserve to play in the title game this year because of who they’ve played and how they’ve done.
If we can’t get a team like Florida or Auburn or even Georgia in 2002 in the title game then when will the SEC ever play in one again?
Why do BCS voters hate the SEC so much anyway?
Btw, terrible article Jeff.
By smitty
December 2, 2006 02:31 AM | Link to this
i would also like to mention the disservice you did florida, arkansas and the SEC if your above article does appear in the print version of the AJC saturday……a local writer writing such poppycock with all the national press in town for the SEC championship……..”hey, if the local sports writers don’t even think the sec and florida/arkansas are deserving then why should we?……..great work you moron…….how much did USC pay you for this article?…..i realize you probably have alot of gambling debts but do you think you could have written a more objective article and just put all your money down on USC beating UCLA?
By sj
December 2, 2006 05:24 AM | Link to this
If I remember correctly, one of the reasons AU was left out of the NC during their undefeated season was the SOS that was a prominent variable in rankings at the time. Didn’t AU play Citadel, NE La, and one or two other HS equivalents? They learned a hard lesson from S Cal and Ga Tech. so the AU athletic dept wanted it both ways…fill home stadium for 8 games and insure wins but whine about being overlooked. Think it through….it won’t change.
By BigTenMan
December 2, 2006 06:15 AM | Link to this
What you have in the S-oft E-asy C-onference this year is called “parity.” What Ohio State has this year is called “dominance.” This year they would beat anyone, anywhere! Bring It On! GO BUCKS!
By F-Dog
December 2, 2006 06:35 AM | Link to this
Jeff this is ridiculous comment: “There is no feasible or fair playoff system. Either you would have too many teams, in which case you’re playing in March, or not enough teams, in which case too many get jobbed.”
Where we do have playoff systems (every other sport I know of), few people sit around at playoff time and complain about who is in and who is out once the games start. Yes there will always be a few teams that get jobbed, but that is not a reason to have no playoff system.
Having a 1-AA type system where 16 teams go thru a 4 week tournament would give you a deserving and true national champion. It would also generate more interest from the viewing audience than these meaningless bowls and I would bet that the great majority of fans, players and coaches everywhere would agree that the outright champion won it “fair and square”.
If a 1-AA type system is ever put in place we will look back and in wonder at how stupid this BCS “system” really was…
By Lane4411
December 2, 2006 06:43 AM | Link to this
Florida, not of championship quality-period. Have the talent, not the coach. If Spurrier were the coach, Gators are scoring a ton of points. “Visor Boy”, should consider UConn where he does not create heartache for the SEC. If Spurrier, goes to Bama, those arrogant Bama rednecks will be on the map. You think the AU, crowd is bad, think again.
Put your pennies on Southern Cal!!!!
By pricedawg
December 2, 2006 07:10 AM | Link to this
Jeff, you are an idiot. If you are going to write garbage, at least get scores correct (UF 21, FSU 14). Just proves you probably do not watch the games or do any research when writing your articles meaningless articles. You were probably a band geek in college and high school. I have more respect for Terrance Moore than I do for you, and that is pathetic.
By BarkinDog
December 2, 2006 07:19 AM | Link to this
All of this is fun to talk about, but probably pointless. Michigan will play Ohio State because Arkansas will beat Florida and UCLA will upset USC. Best of all, Wake will beat Georgia Tech and send them to the Music City Bowl where they’ll lose to another SEC team, like Kentucky. Then Reggie will take his Ball and go home, DOG!
By Todd
December 2, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this
Hey Jeff, the score in Tallahassee was 21-14 not the 24-17 printed in your commentary.
By Damn Dawgs
December 2, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this
Although I do believe the SEC is the toughest conference in the country, Florida (nor USC), should not play for the National Championship. Michigan deserves a rematch because USC lost to an unranked Oregon State, without question.
By Sloan Howard
December 2, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
I personally believe the SEC is the superior football conference in the land year-in and year-out. Your logic can be debated all day long, but what you did more than anything with your column is support the need for a playoff system! The flaw in your thought process is that one would require playing too many more games. Hogwash! The winners of the Rose, Orange, Sugar and Fiesta should play a semifinal and a final. Very simple, but much more effective than the BCS!
By drew
December 2, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this
Jeff, I usuallly agree with mmost of what you write but this…
“There is no feasible or fair playoff system. Either you would have too many teams, in which case you’re playing in March, or not enough teams, in which case too many get jobbed.”
…is a load bull squeeze. Not feasible? (Read the blogs and you will see several “feasible” play-off scenarios) Not fair? (As if the BCS is fair?!?).
Come on Jeff…you can do better than this.
By Warhorse
December 2, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this
What really matters is that Gators are back in their appointed place in the Dome, or Swamp North. I remember those days when UGA fans did not even know that a championship game was played in Atlanta. Gator fans can put this day on calendar at beginning of the year —Swamp North on first Saturday in December.
By bhendry
December 2, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
I welcome all the controversy because it puts us closer to any kind of playoff system! So I hope that Florida wins and that many more people pull to junk the BCS and develop some kind of playoff.
By gatordad
December 2, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this
What a sorry way to try and rile up people(Gators and non-Gators alike) and get lots of nasty retorts to such a shameful article… A Journalism 101 student could have done better than this-you must have really been in a crunch to spew out such last minute vitriol(look it up)…
Gators win and silence the critics( and even beat the spread)
By Danny
December 2, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this
How foolish, Notre Dame has played three ranked teams this season, the only one they managed to beat was Georgia Tech. USC is 20-1 in the last 6 years against ranked teams, wow they really played 21 of them, Florida played 6 this season. Michigan just did escape Vandy at home. The Big 10 should be renamed the Big 3, drop the 0 off of the Pac 10 and things fall into place. Let’s settle things on the field.
By Don
December 2, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this
VA Dawg you did your research. Not much for me to add to that. When you break down the schedules of Ohio State, Michigan and USC there isn’t much to be impressed with. I would have to agree with Schultz that Florida hasn’t exactly looked impressive in some of its wins and that sort of kills Urban’s argument this year. However, I don’t see the problem with a 4 or 8 team playoff with the games played every other week during December and the championship game played the first weekend of January. If the NCAA won’t do that then go back to the old Bowl selection process, the mathups were better.
By KC in Athens
December 2, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this
Hey Shultz, take eight conferences with 12 teams apiece, and use only the winner of each conference as a playoff contender. An eight team playoff would add only a couple of extra games to the season and this could easily be done. Idiots like Shultz don’t get it. Why don’t people in the media make noise for a playoff? There’s never been a legitimate national champion under the current system, never, ever, ever.
By aj
December 2, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this
i have to say that the non conference schedule that usc is a lot more impressing than that of uf. that being said, uf has a hell of a lot harder conference schedule…so what does it come down to? who cares? a playoff system would solve this problem…go back to the bowl system and add a championship game…require the pac 10, big east, and big 10 to have a conference championship game…let’s even the playing field.
By gator bait
December 2, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this
jeff you are just jealous because it is florida. you sound just as bad as those self-serving blokes on espn. admit that a team from the sec besides your beloved bulldogs is probably being slighted from the bcs because of all the political media machines and typical stick your head in the sand. i can assure you that if it were uga with only one close road loss, most of the gator fans i know would feel that uga was getting jobbed. just nut up a little and give a little credit to the mighty gators!
By Gen Neyland
December 2, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this
Jeffey—I believes you is jus’ trying to rile up the lizard lovers…Now, if’n it was your team in FL’s shoe tonite at the Dome, would you see it the same way?… A USC win over UCLA puts them in the big show with Ohio St.
By The Truth
December 2, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
I disagree with some of the comments/conclusions about the SEC, but there is one area where we are in complete agreement.
Urban Meyer better hope that his team has been more focused this week on the task at hand (beating a good Arkansas team) than he has. If they (Florida) go out and get spanked by the Hogs, Urban will be made to look foolish and deservedly so.
This guy better figure out that he hasn’t completed the task of earning respect in his own conference yet, let alone nationally.
The fellows across the field tonight have been listening to him run his mouth all week. You can bet they’ll be ready to play. If Leak struggles, it won’t be close.
I am surprised that he (Meyer) would serve up such a sizable portion of motivation to Arkansas. It tells me that in spite of his boasting of the strength of the SEC, he doesn’t get it yet. He won’t be playing some WAC patsy or Central Michigan in the dome tonight. If he isn’t careful, those boys from Fayetteville are gonna give him new found respect for just how tough the conference really can be.
By EEJAY
December 2, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
The problem is the SEC does not play a strong non conference schedule. That being said the SEC was pathetic against non conference teams this year. Prominent teams like UGA who were brainwashed during the Dooly years to think that any Conference can stand on it’s own and get respect from the rest of the nation is paying the cost of that thinking today. You can put down other programs like Ohio State and USC but they will play anybody anywhere and not ask for a return game. USC has proven that by their scedule over the last few years. People are hanging on the Auburn situation a few years ago but that doesn’t happen every year. Certainly not this year. National Championship teams in this era has to have a dominant offense and a quarterback that can compete for the Heisman. Look back at USC and Texas the last few years. Florida runs a two quarterback system with one being a freshman. Arkansas proved they cannot pass the ball. Both of these teams would not hold up aginst at least five teams outside of the SEC.
By Bob
December 2, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this
I agree that some sort of playoff is most desirable, but even a minor tweak would be an improvement. Since we have added the BCS Championship game a week after New Years, let the Top 4 playoff. Is this the best answer? No. Will there still be upset fans? Yes. Hell, there are p** off fans if their team doesn’t make the 65 team NCAA Basketball Tournament. There would have been a lot fewer teams upset over the past several years if we had the bowl plus one. In 2000 Miami would have made it in; in 2001 Colorado and Oregon would have made it and probably would have done much better than Nebraska did. Even in 2002 unbeaten Ohio State and Miami would have been joined by once beaten USC and Georgia. USC got screwed in 2003 in favor of an Oklahoma team that got wiped out in their conference championship game. We all know what happened to Auburn in 04 and even last year Penn State and probably WVU could have joined USC and Texas.
This year IF USC and Florida win they would fill out the bowl plus one nicely. If they don’t maybe Louisville and LSU. Will there be arguments? Yes. But the plus one is definitely better than what we now have. Sometimes the biggest detriment to good is perfect. Even an 8 team playoff would have valid arguments. Right now the schedule is set for a bowl plus one.
By mal
December 2, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this
The SEC Championship Game is THE National Championship Game. Period. Everybody knows it, they just don’t want to admit it. Let Texas, USC, Ohio St., Michigan, OU play an SEC schedule and see how often they show up in BCS game.
By GatorBait
December 2, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
Hey Bulldogs, good luck in that SEC championship game.
Oh….that’s right.
By jon lanz
December 2, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this
Jeff, you are a dumbass if you think Mich deserves a rematch. Based on what? Getting that a* beat by OSU. They gave up over 500 yards and were NEVER in the game. They tacked on a score at the end to window dress it!
By Observor
December 2, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
Interesting comments from all of you. You sure take your football seriously. I wonder how many of you know your Congressman, the guy who really controls your life.
By Ed
December 2, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
I enjoy your humor.
I am wondering if Georgia were in this situation instead of Florida — replacing the words “Florida” with “Georgia” and “Urban Meyer” with “Mark Richt” in the column, if you would have written this article at all.
My guess is that you would have needed a witness protection/relocation deal if you had.
But my guess is that you would express a different opinion if it were Georgia in this situation or simply not write it all.
By jrmdvm1
December 2, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this
I keep hearing all this talk about “weak” OOC opponents. How about “weak” conference opponents. What is the difference in playing someone in the bottom of a weak conference and playing an OOC team that is supposedly weak. There is an incorrect assumption that if you are in a conference ( even a “weak” conference with only a small number of good teams ) you are better than a 1-AA or independent small 1-A school, especially when that conference has any ( 1 or 2 usually ) “marquee” teams like the PAC 10 and Big 10.
Maybe the computer ranking systems are the only way to go, eliminating the bias inherent in humans. I think that the victory margin needs to be included in the computer rankings, but not as a straight value, but rather as a percentage of the total points scored. Hmmmm. I might have to make my own computer ranking system and just put it out there for folks to look at and compare to what is actually going on.
By KC in Athens
December 2, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
Eejay, your statement that the SEC was pathetic against non-conference teams this year. Okay, Arkansas lost to USC and Kentucky to Louisville (both top ranked teams by the way). Am I missing something because those are the only SEC losses I can think of this year? Please inform me if there are others, otherwise, educate yourself before rattling off.
By Jeff
December 2, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this
Wow..what a bunch of ex post facto whining. The Big 10 is not as strong as it typically is- granted. It still remains as ONE of the better Conferences in the land- AS IS the SEC.
Forget history, it is…history. After having this discussion in the office yesterday, if SEC fans feel SO compelled to quote history then Michigan and Princeton win all arguments. You also could discuss how Ohio State has almost (1 less and assuming Troy wins this year) as many Heismans as the SEC…combined. So while history bodes more to the Big 10 favor, discuss THIS year because, again, history is…you know.
Ohio State, THIS YEAR, would have run the table in the SEC as well- they just would not have done it as easily as the schedule allowed for it this year. While the SEC, THIS YEAR, may have a better depth of teams, it lacks the more dominant teams that Michigan and Ohio State have.
I will assume Florida wins the SEC (because after all, if they don’t their appearance in the BCS game is a very moot and mute argument!) If so, then for the SECOND time in 3 years, the SEC has hurt themselves by- 1.) The obvious greedy decision to host a Championship game but also 2.) Scheduling a Division I-AA team on their best teams’ schedule (Florida 62, Western Carolina 0). Auburn fans recall “The Citadel” on the schedule during the undefeated season. These games absolutely detract enough at the maring in the polls (human and computer) to prevent perhaps a deserved appearance in the final big game.
SEC fans should take heed though in Ohio State’s future schedules as they take on Division I-AA Youngstown State as a favor I am sure to Tressel’s former employer. Just watch them miss the title game next year by .004 points because of their schedule!
By Bob
December 2, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
EEJAY,
You should probably do your homework before you continue this myth about non conference games. Yes USC does play a tough non-conference schedule, but they are about it in all of college football.
In games against outside conference BCS teams (including ND) the SEC had the best overall record along with the PAC 10. SEC Teams went 9-6 with wins over 6 bowl teams (Cal, Arizona, Washington State, Ga. Tech, Clemson and FSU…throw in Duke twice and Colorado). The SEC’s 6 losses came to Michigan, Louisville, USC (All top ten teams), Wake Forest, West Virginia and Missouri. Every team is going to a bowl and all won at LEAST 8 games.
Now the Big Ten went 6-7. They beat Texas, ND, Vandy, Syracuse, Cincinnati and Pitt. They lost to ND three times, Cal, Syracuse, Rutgers and CONNECTICUT. This doesn’t really require much discussion does it? By the way, Wisconsin did not play a single non-conference game against the BCS teams and beat….Western Illinois, Bowling Green, San Diego State and Buffalo.
The PAC 10 was 8-5 if you count Oregon’s questionable win over Oklahoma. Even with that, 3 of those wins were by USC leaving the other 9 teams to have won 5 games against BCS teams.
Could the SEC’s non conference slate have been better? Yeah, but so could every other conference.
By Bob
December 2, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
I agree that Ohio State is a great team but your argument about the schedules is simply not valid. The Bucks beat the second place team in the Big 12 south and the team that “upset” Rutgers in non-conference play. I hate the Gators, but they played FSU which sucks this year but over the past 20 years has consistently been better than Texas. Florida also beat Southern Miss, which is no worse than Cincinnati. Bowling Green and Northern Illinois are hardly the teams that National Champions are built on. Still, there is no doubt that the Buckeye non conference schedule was tougher, but your conference schedule was laughable. Hell, you did not even play Wisconsin, whose non-conference schedule was the biggest joke in the nation.
The Big Ten was 6-7 vs non-conference BCS teams and the SEC’s was 9-6. SEC teams played USC, Michigan, Louisville, California, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Clemson, Missouri, Colorado, Duke (2 times), FSU, Arizona and Washington State. Big 10 teams played Texas, Notre Dame (4 times), Rutgers, Syracuse (2 times), Pitt, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Vandy and Cal. Looks to me like the SEC clearly played a tougher schedule. So please, stop talking this BS about the SEC not playing anyone outside the conference. Do research and then comment.
By george
December 2, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
Playing to March??? How do ALL of the other divisions of college football have a playoff with 16 teams and they don’t play until March. Don’t tell me they don’t have the bowls to contend with. The bowls could be used as part of many different scenarios. Let’s decide a champion on the field, NOT BY COMPUTER.
By yellowblood
December 2, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
Jeff: Great topic You know you’ve nailed it when everyone is upset. Auburn was screwed three years ago as they went undefeated. FL has a loss and no excuse. When dimbulbs say “the SEC championship game is the national championship” they make your point for you. The SEC should just withdraw from the NCAA, form a pro league, play on Sunday and compete with the NFL. I get tired of the comments that the BCS will never go away because of the money. I need to know how this current mess yields the most money. There has got to be a way to hold a playoff and get as much ( or more) money. Another possibility is for the teams who think they are God’s gift to football to form their own conference.
By KC in Athens
December 2, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this
Something noone is even considering is that Florida could jump USC (even if USC beats UCLA) if the Gators beat Arkansas. THe results aren’t out until after this weekend. Remember, noone gave LSU a chance of superceding USC several years ago. SUre, the formula has changed, but don’t be surprised if Florida plays in the national champioinship game.
By Bob
December 2, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this
KC, Sorry, if SC wins I don’t think there is any way that the Gators can jump them short of a 70-0 whitewash of the Hogs. Not saying it is right, but it just won’t happen. Also the problem a few years ago was not SC but Oklahoma. SC got left out after the BCS formula somehow allowed an Oklahoma team that got wiped out 35-7 by Kansas State in their championship game to play in the BCS title game. In fact, OU was still ranked number one AFTER that game. They were called the team of the century and guess too many voters thought they had overlooked the Wildcats. That one really made no sense. The game should have been between LSU and SC not LSU and Oklahoma.
By AU85
December 2, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this
My hope for the BCS championship game:
Ohio State plays Michigan. Again. Michigan wins by 3 points. Flip a coin for the national champion?
No one watches. The television ratings are the worst for any nationally televised event this year.
Maybe then we could get a playoff system.
By The Baron
December 2, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure how seriously I can even take your article since you can’t even get your facts straight. “few were wowed by the Gators’ 24-17 win in Tallahassee.” The score of that game was actually 21-14. I guess facts aren’t that important to you though.
By Gen Neyland
December 2, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
Observer—Nathan Deal in my district. The reason we come into the sphere of blogs is to escape the mess our congress makes, past and present…but we watch and vote…Go Libertarians
By Bob
December 2, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
Yellowblood, Generally agree with your comments. Some SEC fans are a bit rediculous. I also agree that some sort of playoff ought to be doable and still make money.
What I don’t get is why Florida has no excuse because they lost one? If we were prepping for 2 unbeaten teams would agree with you, but Michigan and USC also have one loss. I personally think USC deserves the Championship game if they win because I think they are the best team of the three. However, if I can also understand why Gator fans would not agree. There is only one certainty about all this. Michigan has already played Ohio State and they lost. One can speculate about the Trojans and the Gators, but we have seen Michigan on the field. Outstanding team but they lost in the last game of the year.
At least give us the bowls plus one and that will be an improvement over the mess we have now.
By Big Dawg
December 2, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
TO: TC
UF is 1 win & 1 BAD call @ Auburn away from playing Ohio State.
First it wasn’t a bad call, second you are a bunch of bad calls and non-calls from being 8 and 3. But with that said, Florida is a better team than USC and if the two played Florida would win. They also are a better team overall and will beat Arkansas. Next Ohio State is also a bunch of bad calls and non-calls from having 2 losses as well. As for USC the same can be said for them, also if they played in the SEC they would have had 3 or 4 losses this year.
There should be a playoff system for Division 1A Football just like all other College sports and classifications within the NCAA. It hasn’t happened because of money and the bowls who have too much power and influence. This is truly unfortunate because if they had a playoff system which included the bowls there would be more money generated than there is now.
By bk
December 2, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
A couple of BCS computers have USC ranked ahead of Ohio State. Explain how that is anywhere near possible. Arkansas was not the same team the first game of the year, who else have they beat? Notre Dame? ND has played exactly two good teams, they’ve been thumped twice. I hate Florida with a passion, but there is no way on God’s Earth that USC is more deserving than the Gators. Anyone remember watching that same Oregon State team that beat SC getting killed by Boise State?
By Bob
December 2, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this
Big Dawg,
It is this type of (il)logic that gives SEC fans a bad name. I agree that the SEC is the best conference, but to say that USC would have lost 3 or 4 games in the SEC this year is flat out dumb. They beat the Hogs 50-14 in Fayetteville already. Yeah I know the Hogs are much better now, but 50-14 is 50-14. Last year they won 70-17. They came and waxed Auburn 23-0 on the Plains three years ago.
Would USC have lost a game in the SEC this year? Probably. In fact they might have lost a second, but to say they would lose 3-4 games is myopic.
Nobody is a bigger SEC fan than I am, but just because we are the best in more years than not, does not necessarily mean that everyone else sucks. I am afraid some of the bias in the National Media against the SEC, which I believe is very real, is the result of a backlash against some of our fans.
By big dave
December 2, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
love it. Ohio St plays 2 ranked teams and they are handed the title game. The Big 10 conference as a whole didn’t beat anyone. The SEC on the other hand was 3-1 vs the Pac 10 and completely whooped the ACC down the stretch. Yet all we hear is how Ark got beat by USC and how tough a conference the Pac 10 is. UF beat 3 ranked teams and it’s 2 biggest rivals aren’t ranked but with any rival game in the country records can be tossed out. Come on JS if you’re gonna spout off about schedules and who beat who then do your homework, on the whole the SEC handled every conference and UF beat those same SEC teams that smacked those other conference teams. I hate UF but they’re getting hosed if they win and don’t play in the title game.
By DublDawg
December 2, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this
Schutlz:
Back up and smell the roses.
You are picking two teams-OSU and USC-from two conferences-the Big 10 and Pac 10 respectively-that have a conference system that assures they don’t have to take the risk or a late season loss. Neither has a chamionship game, and if they did, a lot of things would shake out at conference level, such as a “rematch” among two strong teams in the conference. Of course, they could be in the same division of the conference and have problems, as Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee will from time to time. But there is no reason to reward the Big 10 or the Pac 10 for their efforts to dodge a true conference championship. They have used that to their advantage on more than one occasion, yet none of the self-annointed experts in the media has spent any time analyzing the fairness or reasonableness of it. If anything, the Big 10 and Pac 10 should bear the consequneces of not being in step with the other confrences.
Don’t tell me that the conference championship game is just about the money and that the Big 10 and Pac 10 were simply not falling victim to the same gold digging the other conferences did, either. The AD’s of the country’s colleges took a step backwards this year and added a 12th game to the regualr season schedule, which is intended to provide one more home game and revenue therefrom. So now we get to see our team play one more against Cupcake State University. Instead, we could get a better season with a 10 game regular schedule, fewer cream puffs, a conference championship determination, then determination after that for champions, runners-up, and perhaps wildcards.
Division IAA has made a playoff system work for years. Of course, the difference is, they are not running their system in a manner that is exclusively based on television revenue.
By Doyouevenpayattentiontostats?
December 2, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this
Wow. I’d think that someone who has nothing better to do with their life than to write articles about sports would actually visit some sites and get some stats on these teams before they ran their mouth.
You think beating Notre Dame by 20 is big news? Who cares? They’ve got one of the worst defenses in the nation.
You think barely winning is a BAD thing? There’s no such thing as an ugly win. A win is a win is a win.
Florida lost to Auburn. Isn’t that more respectable than losing to Oregon State? Still, USC is more than likely getting the nod over the Gators.
Seriously, you, a sports writer should know a few fundamental things:
F off, and pay attention in class.
By Bob
December 2, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
Dubl Dawg,
Agree in general with your comments, but neither the PAC 10 nor the Big Ten is allowed to have a Conference Championship game. NCAA rules require a minimum of 12 teams in a conference. Same reason ACC could not have a championship game until Boston College joined last year. Big 10 has been trying to get ND for years but Irish want to remain independent. I think they should try to get Pitt, or WVU or Louisville but they continue to hold out hope for ND. PAC 10 would need 2 more teams. It has been rumored that they might try to get Utah and BYU. Guess we will have to see.
By kelly
December 2, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this
Florida and birthright are mutually exclusive terms. All this whining about tradition, yet beyond the last 16 years, UF was Nothing. Great run as of late, but myopia and too much swamp sausage have obviously taken their toll. If UF were really that good, I’m sure (even some UGA fans, even) would be willing to give the SEC team its props, but they ain’t and it’s not gonna’ happen, gaytor. Looking at the films of UM and USC, UF looks like Western Carolina with a D.
By SICEM
December 2, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
Amen Mal if the Pac 1 plus 9 or the Big 3 plus 7 teams played in the SEC they wouldnt have a prayer of going undefeated and playing for a national title. Everyone knows that Real football is played in the south not just SEC teams but teams from southern schools. Just check the NFL rosters and anyone can see where the real talent comes from. I checked all NFL rosters last year and found that from 26 to 39 players on every roster were from southern schools now that is dominance by 1 region of the country. Football down here is a religion not just something to do for a couple of hours every week. In reference to the comment that the SEC teams play weak non conference schedules it is because we have such difficult in conference schedules. Most of the other conferences in the NCAA do just the opposite of the SEC they HAVE to play decent teams when they come out of conference to say that they played anyone at all ie USC. Playing against 1 to 3 difficult teams per season does not a champion make! I just wish yall could come on down here and try it for a season and you will see how easy it is to not be in the SEC! Oh and in ending SCHULTZ YOU ARE A BOZO!
By college football
December 2, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
Jeff, come on. Lets call it the way it is, you just don’t like Florida. You and your buddy Terrance Moore blast Florida and Meyer every chance you get. Moore wrote some BS article a week or so ago about Meyer crying, he was so far off it made me laugh. Meyer is just saying that he feels the playoff system is what needs to be done. Yes, I am a Florida fan, but any team that goes through the SEC with one loss or in Auburns case a few years ago 13-0, those teams should be able to play for a National Title. Coach Meyer would go to bat for any team in the SEC to play for a National Championship if they posted a one loss or a no loss season, why can’t you two cheese balls do the same?
By jim
December 2, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this
gaytors in atlanta…zzzzzzzzzzzz… Boringest top 10 team in the land. Arkansas will beat the orange fruits to a pulp….last chance for rainbow boys from florida because Stafford and Georgia are gonna rule you and Tebow the next few years. Break out the crying towel meyer. You know we’ve got the best quarterback for the next three years.
Tebow’s a fat a* that can’t pass.
By Dick
December 2, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
You moron’s are wasting time and energy.
Playoffs, people, playoffs determine champions. That’s why the bowls or BCS have NEVER determined a true champion.
We need playoffs. That’s your argument, short and simple. ‘Nuff said.
By college football
December 2, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
You must be a dawg fan. Georgia had not p** a drop since Hershel until Richt came in. Goof and Donnan, come on you gotta be kidding me. 16 out of 18, you need to show some respect! By the way where is UGAY playing today?
By Ray Goof
December 2, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this
If only we could have had a playoff system in place when I was coach.
By tim
December 2, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this
Seems like you are falling in line with the talking heads at ABC/ESPN, Mr. Schultz.
ESPN and ABC pretty much pick who plays in the title game the last few years, and they will ALWAYS pick teams from the conferences they cover (Big 11 and Pac 10). The talking heads on halftime of the ACC Title game were just arguing that Wisonsin should not be left out of a BCS game this year, despite not having a single win versus a top 25 team. NONE. The Big 11 and Pac 10 are filled with mostly jokes of teams, but all anyone remembers is Ark losing to USC without the best tailback in the nation and without their starting QB. Everyone forgets Tenn spanking Cal (who should NOT be ranked above Tenn) and Auburn giving Wash St a beatdown. I commend USC for their out of conference schedule (sort of as I don’t really think Nebraska is that good and Notre Dame is just plain bad), but they can only afford to do so because the Pac 10 is such a weak conference.
And don’t even get me started on Notre Dame, the most overhyped and overrated team year in and year out. Oh yeah, they won a bowl game back in the early 90s.
It’s become a joke; Gameday doesn’t even cover the weekend’s best games anymore. “Since the SEC is contractually bound to play its marquis games on CBS, Gameday doesn’t come to SEC sites nearly as often as it did when they were more interested in hyping the best fb game instead of hyping THEIR fb game. Proof positive? College Gameday visits NEBRASKA for the USC (Pac 10!!) vs. NU (Big12!!) game INSTEAD of visiting #5 LSU vs. #4 AU. In response to several e-mails criticizing that choice, Chris Fowler sheepishly admits (on a blog) that the Gameday crew is now being used primarily for promotional purposes, is not necessarily attending the best college fb games each week, and The GD Crew doesn’t make the decisions, they only go where they’re told to go (he also admits they’d rather be in AU).” [borrowed from another message board, but I couldn’t have said it better myself.]
By Gay tors suck
December 2, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
what the heck have orange suckers done till now since spur boy left. Richt has 2 championships since and another appearance in the sec game. respect and fear Staffords arm and the Dawgs Defense in years to come. You must not realize history states Georgia Owned gaytors before spurhead. The Gaytors cycle is coming to an end…and your afraid because you know it. Florida - 0 titles in last 8 years Georgia - 2 titles in last 4 years. Suck on that Gaytors
By Gay tors suck
December 2, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
what the heck have orange suckers done till now since spur boy left. Richt has 2 championships since and another appearance in the sec game. respect and fear Staffords arm and the Dawgs Defense in years to come. You must not realize history states Georgia Owned gaytors before spurhead. The Gaytors cycle is coming to an end…and your afraid because you know it. Florida - 0 titles in last 8 years Georgia - 2 titles in last 4 years. Suck on that Gaytors
By tim
December 2, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
Seems like you are falling in line with the talking heads at ABC/ESPN, Mr. Schultz.
ESPN and ABC pretty much pick who plays in the title game the last few years, and they will ALWAYS pick teams from the conferences they cover (Big 11 and Pac 10). The talking heads on halftime of the ACC Title game were just arguing that Wisonsin should not be left out of a BCS game this year, despite not having a single win versus a top 25 team. NONE. The Big 11 and Pac 10 are filled with mostly jokes of teams, but all anyone remembers is Ark losing to USC without the best tailback in the nation and without their starting QB. Everyone forgets Tenn spanking Cal (who should NOT be ranked above Tenn) and Auburn giving Wash St a beatdown. I commend USC for their out of conference schedule (sort of as I don’t really think Nebraska is that good and Notre Dame is just plain bad), but they can only afford to do so because the Pac 10 is such a weak conference.
And don’t even get me started on Notre Dame, the most overhyped and overrated team year in and year out. Oh yeah, they won a bowl game back in the early 90s.
It’s become a joke; Gameday doesn’t even cover the weekend’s best games anymore. “Since the SEC is contractually bound to play its marquis games on CBS, Gameday doesn’t come to SEC sites nearly as often as it did when they were more interested in hyping the best fb game instead of hyping THEIR fb game. Proof positive? College Gameday visits NEBRASKA for the USC (Pac 10!!) vs. NU (Big12!!) game INSTEAD of visiting #5 LSU vs. #4 AU. In response to several e-mails criticizing that choice, Chris Fowler sheepishly admits (on a blog) that the Gameday crew is now being used primarily for promotional purposes, is not necessarily attending the best college fb games each week, and The GD Crew doesn’t make the decisions, they only go where they’re told to go (he also admits they’d rather be in AU).” [borrowed from another message board, but I couldn’t have said it better myself.]
By tim
December 2, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
sorry for the double post. these blogs act funny sometimes…
By 74 DAWG
December 2, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
jeff,you ignorant slut…wait a minute that was Jane. Anyway ,a lot of good points made by the respondents, only one by you, and it seems to have gone unnoticed. Scrap the bcs and go back to the old system where you get more competitive matchups. this would hopefully shut up the boise states and utahs about giving them a shot where no one wants to pay to see them. then add 1 game for the national championship. if there are still 3 deserving teams at that point(after the regular bowls, it would be the first time in my memory. the bcs is irrevelant and becomes more so every year. it hasn’t given us anything we didn’t already have. it works about half the time and the previous system did about the same. it is the ‘extra game’ that will sort it out, and we don’t need the bcs for that. in fact,2 or 3 of the major conferences could start it on their own if they wanted. if the sec ,and say the acc or big twelve, agreed to let their ccg winners meet every year alternating between the sugar and orange,other conferences would be forced ,eventually, to do the same thing. the ‘extra’ game would evolve from that.last man standing wins.
By tim
December 2, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this
sorry for the double post. these blogs act funny sometimes…
By jim
December 2, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
So this is what college football has come down to this year…..Wake Forest in a major bowl….Boise St. in a major bowl….Rutgers (still unknown as of this afternoon)possibly in a major bowl….Arkansas (still unknown as of this moment)possibly SEC champs for 1st time….Louisville in top 10….Sorry guys, but this was not an exciting year….damn little guys and their complaining for bcs money brings Boise into play. BCS sucking up to ND if they’re in top 12 is a joke. College football IS more exciting when more of the BIG BOYS (i.e. Texas, Georgia, Penn St., Alabama, etc.) are involved in the top 10, where historically they should be. Admit it, ratings are higher because more people care about the big boys and could care less (except for the feel good aspect)about watching Rutgers or Boise, etc. You all know I’m right. College football needs to realign teams and drop the pretenders back to D-AA and let the big boys play amongst themselves.
By jim
December 2, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
After all that talk this year, looks like UGA will have a better record than Technerds AGAIN.
By jim
December 2, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
Man it looks like there is gonna be some blowouts in these bowl games….Boise St. in Fiesta….Rutgers in Sugar…..Wake Forest in Orange…..Guess NCAA’s gotta be happy having these teams as Div 1…..Way to tick off the bowls NCAA.
By Ugotta B. Kidding
December 2, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this
BigTenMan
Hell, not only do you not know anything about college football, you obviously can’t count either.
First, tell me AGAIN how “soft & easy” the SEC is: Florida 11-1 LSU 10-2 Auburn 10-2 Arkansas 10-2 Tennessee 9-3
The Big 10 (ELEVEN) has: Ohio State 12-0 Michigan 11-1 Wisconsin 11-1
Ohio State’s opponents combined records were 73-71. wooooooo! Wisconsin’s opponents combined records were 63-80. Damn that’s tough!
First, learn how to count the teams in your conference before you get to the “big boy” stuff…
By Ugotta B. Kidding
December 2, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this
BigTenMan
And notice I didn’t even bring up the Pussyfic conference!!! We ALL know how “Puff” that conference is! If Southern Cal was in the S-E, by God, C they’d never have even been in a national championship game. I mean, when you play Cardinals, Bruins, Ducks, and Beavers??? Bulldogs, Tigers, Gators, & Razorbacks are gonna always be tougher. And btw, what the hell is a buckeye ???
By Bob
December 2, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this
Ugotta B Kidding,
Duh….did you forget that Southern Cal edged Arkansas Razorbacks 50-14 in Fayetteville. The SEC is the best conference but some of our fans are the dumbest human beings on the planet. Your comments on the Big Ten are pretty accurate, but your bozo remarks about a proven USC is really dumb.
By uga95
December 2, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this
You are right Schultzie….USC is far and away better than Florida!!! Maybe you should wait to write your column until after the games have been played because you obviously have no idea what you are talking about.
I hate Florida, but to say they havent played the schedule USC has is insane!!! And if there was a playoff and a team won every game by one point, would they still be the champion? Give the gators their due…no matter what the score is, they got it done.
By Ugotta B. Kidding
December 2, 2006 09:01 PM | Link to this
Well, thank you Bob. I’m glad you agreed with something I said. I never said that Southern Cal wasn’t a “proven USC”. I said that IF Southern Cal was in the SEC they would have never made it to a national championship game. Now you tell me, do you actually think that Southern Cal or any of these other media darlings could go undefeated in the SEC and be in the national championship game 3 out of 4 years or whatever? It’s not gonna happen Robert, and I’m not even going to call you bozo. BTW did you enjoy UCLA beating Southern Cal today as good as I??? The look on Pete Carroll’s face was “priceless”. Two losses to 2 UNRANKED opponents, now boy that’s a powerhouse!!!
By smitty
December 2, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this
ok JS you freakin idiot……….YOU better print a retraction tomorrow………USC does not belong no matter what “argument” you think they have you IDIOT……..you mother freakin biased IDIOT……….so please, enlighten us as to how Michigan deserves to get a another chance to lose to OSU again you biased, perverted, gambler of a sports writer…… you georgia bulldog lovin b*tthead of a pathetic excuse for a AJC sports writer………………actually, just do us real sports fans a favor and leave for a couple of weeks and come back in February….please….OK?