It is being reported by some that the Aggie move to the SEC is a done deal. It is also reported that some say "not so fast." It is further reported that the SEC may not even really be all that interested at this point. We will all see in the next few days I suppose.
Now if we just looked at this from the point of view of the Aggie, it is easy to see why they would want to leave. In the last couple of years there has been a good deal of improvement in the football program but that will be temporary. They may even compete this year for the "Big XII" title although in reality they probably are still a bit of a long shot. When the program can not even field a competitive squad in the Big XII (most years), then how do they think they can compete in the SEC? They won't of course and most likely they know this, but then there will be no Texas to contend with. Will there? It is far less humiliating to be stomped week in and week out by those east of the Sabine than to be demolished by teams in the Big XII. That is the rub I am sure. Those in Aggieland want to get away from Texas and by extension, the other Big XII schools at all costs. It is an ego thing. Better to be a third tier SEC team than a second tier Big XII. Or something.
You see, Nebraska chose to leave for the "Big Ten" in order to dominate. The motivation behind that doesn't take much thought. Colorado left for the "PAC 12" in order to just have a chance to compete occasionally. Another no brainer. The Aggies? They are attempting to leave a good conference for not arguably the best conference in college ball. It is apparently more important to get away from the Longhorns than it is to have a chance of competitiveness. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot....
After all, it is the fault of the University of Texas that Texas A&M can not seem to compete well on the gridiron. Or so they say.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Hubris and Stupidity In College Station
As usual the folks in College Station are being bit by the "we are better than everyone else" bug. Of course that is bluff. For the most part Aggies feel inferior it seems. At any rate, there is serious speculation that Texas Agricultural and Mechanical may want to make a move to the SEC. As a Southeastern Conference man I think that makes little sense frankly. The SEC is certainly an east of the Sabine league and the Aggies are not a good fit. It is also reported that the SEC is interested in making the move to become a super conference. Not sure I agree with that, but if they want to go raiding then there are some ACC, Big East and perhaps even a school or two in CUSA that would be a better fit.
Purely from a competition stance it is difficult to see how the Aggies will do well in the SEC. They are supposed to be "trending up" this year but that will be temporary. Every team in big time college ball has a good year at some point and makes a run for a conference championship. Look at Indiana (or was it Illinois) that won the Big X a few short years back. These things happen. It won't happen but perhaps once every quarter of a century for the Aggies though should they leave for the SEC. Aggie football will be on the same historical level as Ole Miss, UK, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. Those schools also have a good year once in a while but usually are discounted out of the gate in the hunt for the SEC title in football. The Aggies are always braying about "reaching the next level." They are at the next level now. The perhaps might even compete this year in the Big XII. They should be happy with that.
What it really boils down to is the collective inferiority complex that those in College Station seem to have. A perpetual chip on the shoulder as it were. They are always looking for an excuse as to why they do not generally field competitive football teams and of course the fault is not their own. They point to the "Longhorn network" as the last straw. It is always something.
The reality is that Texas A&M is not the flagship university in the state. That will always put them at a slight disadvantage in recruiting. Slight is the watchword. If they think that the kitchen is a bit hot in the Big XII then they will believe themselves in Hell should they move to the SEC. They will have more 4-8 seasons than 8-4. That should go without saying.
Maybe they should consider the Sun Belt or the WAC (now that Boise State has bolted). They at least would be able to field consistently competitive squads in these leagues. Most years.
Purely from a competition stance it is difficult to see how the Aggies will do well in the SEC. They are supposed to be "trending up" this year but that will be temporary. Every team in big time college ball has a good year at some point and makes a run for a conference championship. Look at Indiana (or was it Illinois) that won the Big X a few short years back. These things happen. It won't happen but perhaps once every quarter of a century for the Aggies though should they leave for the SEC. Aggie football will be on the same historical level as Ole Miss, UK, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. Those schools also have a good year once in a while but usually are discounted out of the gate in the hunt for the SEC title in football. The Aggies are always braying about "reaching the next level." They are at the next level now. The perhaps might even compete this year in the Big XII. They should be happy with that.
What it really boils down to is the collective inferiority complex that those in College Station seem to have. A perpetual chip on the shoulder as it were. They are always looking for an excuse as to why they do not generally field competitive football teams and of course the fault is not their own. They point to the "Longhorn network" as the last straw. It is always something.
The reality is that Texas A&M is not the flagship university in the state. That will always put them at a slight disadvantage in recruiting. Slight is the watchword. If they think that the kitchen is a bit hot in the Big XII then they will believe themselves in Hell should they move to the SEC. They will have more 4-8 seasons than 8-4. That should go without saying.
Maybe they should consider the Sun Belt or the WAC (now that Boise State has bolted). They at least would be able to field consistently competitive squads in these leagues. Most years.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Moving Up? More Cons than Pros?
Some programs in IAA ball are about to move up to the "big time" in college ball. Does this make sense? In some cases and for some schools perhaps so. Other programs should perhaps stay where they are. Let's explore this briefly.
Texas State (San Marcos) is poised to move out of the ranks of IAA and move into whatever is left of the WAC. They have hired (unfortunately for them) Dennis Franchione to guide their team during this transition. Does it make sense for the Bobcat program to move out of the IAA Southland Conference into the WAC? I would think not frankly. This, their last year in IAA, will prove again that this school has trouble fielding a team that even can compete in the mediocre IAA Southland. The hiring of Franchione will only damage their progress as they move into D1.
UTSA is about to field a football team and will take it into D1 next year. Is this a good move? I would think that playing in the D2 Lone Star Conference or the IAA Southland would be a better move than a jump into the D1 WAC. Perhaps they ought to emulate Lamar which has recently resurrected football and is now a full member of the Southland. They (UTSA) have hired Larry Coker as HC to get things going and that, at least, is a smart move.
It may actually make some sense for South Alabama to move into the D1 Sun Belt. The program could have taken a look at two (or three) IAA conferences to affiliate with but a move into D1 might be a good move on their part. The teams in the Sun Belt are, for the most part, a good geographical match and the league has made great strides in being taken seriously as a D1 conference. The schools' surprise the "big boys" at times and some big time programs probably are starting to rethink the wisdom of scheduling a Troy or Florida International for their Homecoming "sure win." Who can forget the ULM beat down of the Crimson Tide just a few years back? It just might make sense for South Alabama to make the move into the Sun Belt.
It is also being reported that UMASS will transition into the MAC soon. Now the MAC does indeed need another program to make the two divisions equal. One has six and the other division seven, but it does not make much sense for UMASS to be the evener. The Minutemen play in one of the elite conferences of the IAA ranks and usually put a pretty competitive team on the field. The good East Coast IAA squads (and there are a bunch) are often on just about the same talent level as a middle tier ACC or Big East team. Why the move into the MAC for UMASS? It makes little sense. Why not focus on working toward the IAA Championship instead of going to some "bowl" game that the MAC is involved with. Unless it is the contest the MAC Champion plays in, then it will be a "bowl game" no one watches. It is much more prestigious to be the IAA Champion than to play in a third tier "bowl game."
Some of the elite (and not so elite) schools in IAA football perhaps need to think very carefully before trying to transition to D1. Are the rewards really worth it in the long run? In most cases I would think not.
Texas State (San Marcos) is poised to move out of the ranks of IAA and move into whatever is left of the WAC. They have hired (unfortunately for them) Dennis Franchione to guide their team during this transition. Does it make sense for the Bobcat program to move out of the IAA Southland Conference into the WAC? I would think not frankly. This, their last year in IAA, will prove again that this school has trouble fielding a team that even can compete in the mediocre IAA Southland. The hiring of Franchione will only damage their progress as they move into D1.
UTSA is about to field a football team and will take it into D1 next year. Is this a good move? I would think that playing in the D2 Lone Star Conference or the IAA Southland would be a better move than a jump into the D1 WAC. Perhaps they ought to emulate Lamar which has recently resurrected football and is now a full member of the Southland. They (UTSA) have hired Larry Coker as HC to get things going and that, at least, is a smart move.
It may actually make some sense for South Alabama to move into the D1 Sun Belt. The program could have taken a look at two (or three) IAA conferences to affiliate with but a move into D1 might be a good move on their part. The teams in the Sun Belt are, for the most part, a good geographical match and the league has made great strides in being taken seriously as a D1 conference. The schools' surprise the "big boys" at times and some big time programs probably are starting to rethink the wisdom of scheduling a Troy or Florida International for their Homecoming "sure win." Who can forget the ULM beat down of the Crimson Tide just a few years back? It just might make sense for South Alabama to make the move into the Sun Belt.
It is also being reported that UMASS will transition into the MAC soon. Now the MAC does indeed need another program to make the two divisions equal. One has six and the other division seven, but it does not make much sense for UMASS to be the evener. The Minutemen play in one of the elite conferences of the IAA ranks and usually put a pretty competitive team on the field. The good East Coast IAA squads (and there are a bunch) are often on just about the same talent level as a middle tier ACC or Big East team. Why the move into the MAC for UMASS? It makes little sense. Why not focus on working toward the IAA Championship instead of going to some "bowl" game that the MAC is involved with. Unless it is the contest the MAC Champion plays in, then it will be a "bowl game" no one watches. It is much more prestigious to be the IAA Champion than to play in a third tier "bowl game."
Some of the elite (and not so elite) schools in IAA football perhaps need to think very carefully before trying to transition to D1. Are the rewards really worth it in the long run? In most cases I would think not.
Monday, August 8, 2011
What Are They Thinking in San Marcos?
Texas State University (San Marcos) is a fairly large institution and will be moving from Division IAA to D1 next year and affiliate with the Western Athletic Conference? Whether this is a good move or not is debatable and perhaps an issue to be explored at another time. At this time the Bobcats play in the IAA Southland Conference and generally are not very competitive even in this mid level league. Now they want to move to D1? Ok the school is certainly large enough for D1. Well, let me just wait on this subject.
What I really want to discuss is the hiring of Dennis Franchione as their HC. Now he has been here before when the school was knows as Southwest Texas State where he compiled a 13-9 record. Nothing special but not real bad either. He has coached some major programs along with small ones with varying levels of success. He really got on the radar with fair stints at both New Mexico and TCU (which were seen as collectively miraculous at the time) and that propelled him to the "big time" in D1 football. This is where things begin to go south. He left Alabama high and dry for Texas A&M which I have no problem with not being a Bama (or Aggie) fan particularly, but it was seen as playing dirty pool by a large segment of the college football watching population. The reasons given (by Francione) were that he was making a move "up" in the college football coaching world and some probation problems with the Tide. Texas A&M a step up from Tuscaloosa? Come on! I got the distinct impression at the time that he was running from his pending failure and taking his below par act to College Station. That proved to be exactly correct.
It did not take very long for the Aggies to realize that far from "taking the program to the next level" Franchione was ruining it. He was basically run out of town and rightfully so. Now I don't have much problem with a coach who has trouble winning but I certainly have a problem with lack of character. This Franchione seems to certainly fall short in the character dept.
What I really find hard to believe is that any major program (or minor for that matter) would consider hiring Franchione for anything more important that latrine duty but apparently he was a finalist at San Diego State and UNLV. It is good that they chose to pass him up. Why he was interviewed at all is a mystery.
Why the administrators at Texas State chose to give this guy another shot is beyond me. There are plenty of other good coaches from the college and even HS ranks who would be just as good if not better and would not bring the baggage to campus that comes with Dennis. Just take a look at UTSA which is getting their own program together. They hired non other than Larry Coker.
If I were looking to make a move up with my program I would certainly never consider Franchione.
The guy is destructive
What I really want to discuss is the hiring of Dennis Franchione as their HC. Now he has been here before when the school was knows as Southwest Texas State where he compiled a 13-9 record. Nothing special but not real bad either. He has coached some major programs along with small ones with varying levels of success. He really got on the radar with fair stints at both New Mexico and TCU (which were seen as collectively miraculous at the time) and that propelled him to the "big time" in D1 football. This is where things begin to go south. He left Alabama high and dry for Texas A&M which I have no problem with not being a Bama (or Aggie) fan particularly, but it was seen as playing dirty pool by a large segment of the college football watching population. The reasons given (by Francione) were that he was making a move "up" in the college football coaching world and some probation problems with the Tide. Texas A&M a step up from Tuscaloosa? Come on! I got the distinct impression at the time that he was running from his pending failure and taking his below par act to College Station. That proved to be exactly correct.
It did not take very long for the Aggies to realize that far from "taking the program to the next level" Franchione was ruining it. He was basically run out of town and rightfully so. Now I don't have much problem with a coach who has trouble winning but I certainly have a problem with lack of character. This Franchione seems to certainly fall short in the character dept.
What I really find hard to believe is that any major program (or minor for that matter) would consider hiring Franchione for anything more important that latrine duty but apparently he was a finalist at San Diego State and UNLV. It is good that they chose to pass him up. Why he was interviewed at all is a mystery.
Why the administrators at Texas State chose to give this guy another shot is beyond me. There are plenty of other good coaches from the college and even HS ranks who would be just as good if not better and would not bring the baggage to campus that comes with Dennis. Just take a look at UTSA which is getting their own program together. They hired non other than Larry Coker.
If I were looking to make a move up with my program I would certainly never consider Franchione.
The guy is destructive
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Bartender Cabbie System Preseason Top 25 (2011)
Here is the Bartender Cabbie System (BCS) preseason top 25. There may be a surprise or two here. A couple of unlikely candidates sneak in and of course most of the usual suspects are here.. Enjoy
1. Alabama: He who shall remain nameless knows how to recruit and coach. Look for the Tide to be ready to roll.
2. Oklahoma: Ready to take top spot. Conference competition level is down a bit with Texas trying to figure it out and of course Nebraska gone. The Aggies and Cowboys are probably not quite up to their level this year.
3. Nebraska: Could be ready for number one if they can get the QB situation decided. They have settled, by a change in conference, for a bit of an easier road. Better look out for the Badgers though.
4. West Virginia: Just watch and see. An easy Big East schedule and a bit of luck is all they need. Surprised to see them here? A loss to LSU in non conference play would not destroy them and a win over the Tigers would put them over the top.
5. Oregon: Perhaps a bit over rated. Time will tell.
6. Wisconsin: Quality coaching is what this school is known for. A bit boring and old school and yet may have what it takes to keep the Huskers from totally embarrassing the conference.
7. LSU: Miles will have the team ready for action.
8. Boise State: A top contender no matter which conference they happen to be in.
9. Utah: It would have been interesting to see them stay in the MWC for another year to fight it out with Boise State, TCU and perhaps Air Force.
10. Notre Dame: Hate to say it but this team is well coached and is back to challenge for a national title. The HC has character issues but that does not seem to matter much in anymore in South Bend.
11. South Carolina: This may be the year that Spurrier and Co. really make a run for the SEC title. It is not the easiest place to win in the SEC but the "Ball Coach" still has some magic left.
12. Arkansas: Like South Carolina, it is not the "top" destination for SEC recruits. Petrino, while having some major character issues, knows his business and can get the most from those not so talented. They have to find a good QB though. Ryan is gone and that is the only thing that keeps them out of the the real BCS (Bartender Cabbie System) Top 10.
13. Texas A&M: The bunch in maroon may finally be back. They lost some top players but retained even a good many. It has taken a good bit of time to rebuild after the disastrous Franchione era and Sherman is not the best of coaches, but the Aggies will field a very competitive team. The only thing keeping them out of the Top 10 is a slightly below par HC and the fact that they are, after all, the Aggies. They just have perennial bad luck it seems. Can they overcome? We will see.
14. Stanford: Probably the best QB in the nation but a new look in the coaching dept. Perhaps being a little generous placing them at 14, but a little luck, helped by a PAC 12 schedule, will have them getting close, and maybe even cracking, the top 10.
15. Oklahoma State: A well coached team that is often overlooked.
16. Florida: The Gators have fallen off a bit, but they are still the Gators. Despite a new coaching staff and many unanswered questions, they will field easily a top 20 squad. Perhaps surprise some folk and crack the top 10.
17. USC: They would be placed higher perhaps if they were coached by someone other than this Kiffin. He will prove to be a loser.
18. TCU: A very good team still without Dalton. If he was back for another year I would put them in the top 10. Still a well coached team and a danger but I would look for a step back this year. They won't be a BCS buster this season but will certainly make some noise and play in a respectable bowl.
19. FSU: Most pundits put the "Noles up there a bit higher this year. Not quite. Give it a year.
20. Ohio State: The program has come apart at the seams. Look for a drastic drop off but they still should be able to field a top 25 squad.
21. Texas: Mack will have this squad scratching back. They may surprise everyone and be a top 10 contender before all is said and done. Never count out Mack Brown and the Horns. Ever!!
22. University of Houston: Surprised? Don't be. Well coached and led by a Keenum. He is perhaps one of the top QB's in the country.
23. Baylor: Another surprise? Watch and see. Much like the Coogs of Houston, this squad is well coached and has a true field general behind center.
24. KSU: And yet another surprise for you. Snyder is a weird little dude, but he knows how to do a lot with a little. They make make some noise. Don't be shocked if they do so.
25. Virginia Tech: Not this year. The ACC is just not a good football conference at this point and I look for the Hokies to take a plunge. They will lose perhaps 3 conference games and be surprised by either Appalachian State, ECU, or Marshall in non conference play.
Others that were considered for the Bartender Cabbie System top 25:
Nevada: A wonderful season last year, but they have lost too many starters to crack the top 25 this year.
Miami: Give it a year or two and they may well be in contention for a "BCS Bowl."
SMU: Well coached and could crack the top 25.
Georgia: They better do well or the coach is history. He probably should start packing.
Mississippi State: May make some noise. Well coached but just not sure if the talent level is up to par.
Tennessee: As above
Louisiana Tech: May be ready to make a bit of noise in the WAC.
Fresno State: Pat Hill is a good coach and does a whole lot with very little.
SDSU: May have cracked the Bartender Cabbie System top 25 if Hoke had stuck around.
Michigan State: Pretty good but just not ready for prime time.
Michigan: The place damaged, perhaps even destroyed, Rich's career. Hoke will likely wish he stayed in sunny SoCal before all is said and done. A decent program but nowhere near the power they once were. They won't be a national contender again.
PSU: Perhaps it is time for Paterno to go but he has earned the right to stay as long as he wants.
BYU: Perhaps could crack the top 25 but it is doubtful.
UCF: O'Leary has done a good job here and they may have what it takes to take CUSA again.
Southern Mississippi: Not to be counted out in CUSA play.
Auburn: Last year's "National Champion" will fall off in a drastic way and may not even crack the top 25. I really don't think they will. They lost just a bunch of top players. Of course they could surprise and be back in the hunt for the SEC. We will see.
Air Force: Pretty good program. Does quite well for a service academy.
Naval Academy: As above.
Temple: If Al Golden had stayed I would have had to consider them a top 25 contender strange as that sounds. At least Golden left for a place where he has a legitimate chance to field a national contender, unlike many other coaches, who just leave for the money it seems. Coach Rich R. and Brady Hoke come to mind along with the non entity Todd Graham.
Arizona State: Some say they will be pretty good.
Missouri: With a little bit of luck perhaps.
Georgia Tech: I guess so. Maybe.
Northwestern: There are those that put them in the Top 20. Probably a pretty good squad and I may be doing them a disservice by not giving them more of a look.
The college season fast approaches. I am looking forward to a fun year.
1. Alabama: He who shall remain nameless knows how to recruit and coach. Look for the Tide to be ready to roll.
2. Oklahoma: Ready to take top spot. Conference competition level is down a bit with Texas trying to figure it out and of course Nebraska gone. The Aggies and Cowboys are probably not quite up to their level this year.
3. Nebraska: Could be ready for number one if they can get the QB situation decided. They have settled, by a change in conference, for a bit of an easier road. Better look out for the Badgers though.
4. West Virginia: Just watch and see. An easy Big East schedule and a bit of luck is all they need. Surprised to see them here? A loss to LSU in non conference play would not destroy them and a win over the Tigers would put them over the top.
5. Oregon: Perhaps a bit over rated. Time will tell.
6. Wisconsin: Quality coaching is what this school is known for. A bit boring and old school and yet may have what it takes to keep the Huskers from totally embarrassing the conference.
7. LSU: Miles will have the team ready for action.
8. Boise State: A top contender no matter which conference they happen to be in.
9. Utah: It would have been interesting to see them stay in the MWC for another year to fight it out with Boise State, TCU and perhaps Air Force.
10. Notre Dame: Hate to say it but this team is well coached and is back to challenge for a national title. The HC has character issues but that does not seem to matter much in anymore in South Bend.
11. South Carolina: This may be the year that Spurrier and Co. really make a run for the SEC title. It is not the easiest place to win in the SEC but the "Ball Coach" still has some magic left.
12. Arkansas: Like South Carolina, it is not the "top" destination for SEC recruits. Petrino, while having some major character issues, knows his business and can get the most from those not so talented. They have to find a good QB though. Ryan is gone and that is the only thing that keeps them out of the the real BCS (Bartender Cabbie System) Top 10.
13. Texas A&M: The bunch in maroon may finally be back. They lost some top players but retained even a good many. It has taken a good bit of time to rebuild after the disastrous Franchione era and Sherman is not the best of coaches, but the Aggies will field a very competitive team. The only thing keeping them out of the Top 10 is a slightly below par HC and the fact that they are, after all, the Aggies. They just have perennial bad luck it seems. Can they overcome? We will see.
14. Stanford: Probably the best QB in the nation but a new look in the coaching dept. Perhaps being a little generous placing them at 14, but a little luck, helped by a PAC 12 schedule, will have them getting close, and maybe even cracking, the top 10.
15. Oklahoma State: A well coached team that is often overlooked.
16. Florida: The Gators have fallen off a bit, but they are still the Gators. Despite a new coaching staff and many unanswered questions, they will field easily a top 20 squad. Perhaps surprise some folk and crack the top 10.
17. USC: They would be placed higher perhaps if they were coached by someone other than this Kiffin. He will prove to be a loser.
18. TCU: A very good team still without Dalton. If he was back for another year I would put them in the top 10. Still a well coached team and a danger but I would look for a step back this year. They won't be a BCS buster this season but will certainly make some noise and play in a respectable bowl.
19. FSU: Most pundits put the "Noles up there a bit higher this year. Not quite. Give it a year.
20. Ohio State: The program has come apart at the seams. Look for a drastic drop off but they still should be able to field a top 25 squad.
21. Texas: Mack will have this squad scratching back. They may surprise everyone and be a top 10 contender before all is said and done. Never count out Mack Brown and the Horns. Ever!!
22. University of Houston: Surprised? Don't be. Well coached and led by a Keenum. He is perhaps one of the top QB's in the country.
23. Baylor: Another surprise? Watch and see. Much like the Coogs of Houston, this squad is well coached and has a true field general behind center.
24. KSU: And yet another surprise for you. Snyder is a weird little dude, but he knows how to do a lot with a little. They make make some noise. Don't be shocked if they do so.
25. Virginia Tech: Not this year. The ACC is just not a good football conference at this point and I look for the Hokies to take a plunge. They will lose perhaps 3 conference games and be surprised by either Appalachian State, ECU, or Marshall in non conference play.
Others that were considered for the Bartender Cabbie System top 25:
Nevada: A wonderful season last year, but they have lost too many starters to crack the top 25 this year.
Miami: Give it a year or two and they may well be in contention for a "BCS Bowl."
SMU: Well coached and could crack the top 25.
Georgia: They better do well or the coach is history. He probably should start packing.
Mississippi State: May make some noise. Well coached but just not sure if the talent level is up to par.
Tennessee: As above
Louisiana Tech: May be ready to make a bit of noise in the WAC.
Fresno State: Pat Hill is a good coach and does a whole lot with very little.
SDSU: May have cracked the Bartender Cabbie System top 25 if Hoke had stuck around.
Michigan State: Pretty good but just not ready for prime time.
Michigan: The place damaged, perhaps even destroyed, Rich's career. Hoke will likely wish he stayed in sunny SoCal before all is said and done. A decent program but nowhere near the power they once were. They won't be a national contender again.
PSU: Perhaps it is time for Paterno to go but he has earned the right to stay as long as he wants.
BYU: Perhaps could crack the top 25 but it is doubtful.
UCF: O'Leary has done a good job here and they may have what it takes to take CUSA again.
Southern Mississippi: Not to be counted out in CUSA play.
Auburn: Last year's "National Champion" will fall off in a drastic way and may not even crack the top 25. I really don't think they will. They lost just a bunch of top players. Of course they could surprise and be back in the hunt for the SEC. We will see.
Air Force: Pretty good program. Does quite well for a service academy.
Naval Academy: As above.
Temple: If Al Golden had stayed I would have had to consider them a top 25 contender strange as that sounds. At least Golden left for a place where he has a legitimate chance to field a national contender, unlike many other coaches, who just leave for the money it seems. Coach Rich R. and Brady Hoke come to mind along with the non entity Todd Graham.
Arizona State: Some say they will be pretty good.
Missouri: With a little bit of luck perhaps.
Georgia Tech: I guess so. Maybe.
Northwestern: There are those that put them in the Top 20. Probably a pretty good squad and I may be doing them a disservice by not giving them more of a look.
The college season fast approaches. I am looking forward to a fun year.
Friday, August 5, 2011
BCS and FCS? Nonsense
I am still going to go with Division IA (or just D1) and IAA on this little forum. I think most of us still refer to the divisions that way and I am just not going to play ball with the marketers who are doing their best to ruin the game. BCS and FCS? Nonsense. It is D1, IAA, D2, and D3. That's about all I have to say about that.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Just What is Scott Smith Saying?
In the 2011 Sporting News College Football magazine, editor Scott Smith, has a little op-ed entitled Independent Thinking. If I am not mistaken, he seems to think that college programs going the "independent" route may be for the best. He points out the similarities between Brigham Young and Notre Dame; he mentions the powers that Penn State, Miami (FL), FSU, and Pitt were before affiliating with a conference. He has a point there. The Miami's and PSU's of the world find the road a bit tougher when they become a member of a "power" conference and have to play a whole bunch of talented in -conference foes. Of course, I must admit that the ACC can not in any form be considered a power football conference......While the dramatic fall off in the prowess of the Hurricanes and the Seminoles is somewhat of a mystery, it probably has little (or nothing) to do with conference affiliation. Anyway, I get the distinct impression that this Smith is an advocate of schools going it alone.
I disagree.
As a college football purist, I must say that I think that any school that wants to play NCAA football must be required to be conference affiliated. Notre Dame has been skating by for eons without affiliation. As if they were something special. BYU apparently wants to follow in their footsteps. This is wrong and a detriment to the integrity of the game. It would have been much better had Notre Dame been forced into the Big 10 if they wanted to continue their football program. It makes geographical sense. Now of course that conference has 12 teams and there really is no room for another. I would now mandate that they joint the Big East along with the two unaffiliated D1 service academies. It makes geographical sense, and in the case of the Big East, it would ramp up the league's credibility a bit. As it stands, the Big East is somewhat of a joke. The addition of Notre Dame, West Point, and the Naval Academy would certainly make the league at least somewhat respectable.
In the case of BYU it just seems a bit like sour grapes. Those folk believe themselves to be a legitimate football power (they're not) and collectively (let's be honest), believe that they are just a cut about the schools that they were affiliated with in the MTN West. A bit of delusional thinking. While BYU has had, and will have again, some good years, they are at best a tier three program along the same lines as say a Boston College or Missouri. They should be mandated to stay affiliated with a conference. The MWC or the WAC is where they belong. Perhaps the MWC and the WAC should again become one, but that is a different subject for another time perhaps.
Perhaps if the NCAA tossed the whole BCS system then these school administrators would not constantly be looking for greener pastures. A fair and equitable path to a national championship is way overdue. Ditch most of the "bowl" games and let the issue be decided on the field.
I disagree.
As a college football purist, I must say that I think that any school that wants to play NCAA football must be required to be conference affiliated. Notre Dame has been skating by for eons without affiliation. As if they were something special. BYU apparently wants to follow in their footsteps. This is wrong and a detriment to the integrity of the game. It would have been much better had Notre Dame been forced into the Big 10 if they wanted to continue their football program. It makes geographical sense. Now of course that conference has 12 teams and there really is no room for another. I would now mandate that they joint the Big East along with the two unaffiliated D1 service academies. It makes geographical sense, and in the case of the Big East, it would ramp up the league's credibility a bit. As it stands, the Big East is somewhat of a joke. The addition of Notre Dame, West Point, and the Naval Academy would certainly make the league at least somewhat respectable.
In the case of BYU it just seems a bit like sour grapes. Those folk believe themselves to be a legitimate football power (they're not) and collectively (let's be honest), believe that they are just a cut about the schools that they were affiliated with in the MTN West. A bit of delusional thinking. While BYU has had, and will have again, some good years, they are at best a tier three program along the same lines as say a Boston College or Missouri. They should be mandated to stay affiliated with a conference. The MWC or the WAC is where they belong. Perhaps the MWC and the WAC should again become one, but that is a different subject for another time perhaps.
Perhaps if the NCAA tossed the whole BCS system then these school administrators would not constantly be looking for greener pastures. A fair and equitable path to a national championship is way overdue. Ditch most of the "bowl" games and let the issue be decided on the field.
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