Nooch and I had a brief conversation yesterday the gist of which was that the "experts" have already determined in many instances who will play in conference championship games...who will win conferences...who will play in the National Championship games...and in some cases...who will win the National Championship. I don't really care who plays in the National Chamionship game so long as they are playing Oklahoma. Am I taking on the roll of an "expert" and picking OU to play in the National Championship game. Not on your life...my life...the lives of any family members...or even on the lives of people I don't know. It isn't because I wouldn't dare to pick OU to play in the National Championship game. It is because I am realistic and take things into consideration that the "experts"...apparently...do not!!!
We get to witness on television or read in the paper the "experts" views on who will wind up where. Whatever! What continually astounds me is the lack of common sense things these "experts" don't take into account when making these bold claims. We hear about SOS (strength of schedule) for those who haven't bothered keeping up with NCAA FB or colege football this year. We hear about conference strength and we hear about BCS computers and coaches polls and this poll and that but, we rarely hear about things like rivalry games and road games and toughest venues to play in or any of the intangible things that don't seem to get any thought process from the "experts." I'm sick and tired of hearing about all of the standard ####. If I were playing one of the "top" teams in the country I would only need to open the paper or turn on ESPN to get all the motivation I would need to beat a"top" team. In this year of upsets...maybe that is all these coaches have done...open the paper or turn on the tube. "Guy's! Look at the lack of respect you are getting from the college football "experts" (done with two hands up and two fingers on each hand moving up and down)!!! Use that for your motivation!"
The bad things about letting the "experts" determine things before they are played out is this. When a bunch of "experts" picks your team to finsih so high...get to the conference championship game (if your conference has one), get to the National Championship game..etc., etc., etc. and your team doesn't make it...too bad so sad! Watch how fast you tumble out of the picture...especially if you haven't been in that picture before. If one the other hand you are picked to lose...and you win...all hail the conquering heroes...until the shoe is on the other foot. What am I getting at? Here we go.
I am so sick and tired of the "experts" annointing OU the Big 12 South Champions...with 2 games to play...that I can't stand it.
I'm so sick and tired of the "experts" annointing Oregon the PAC 10 Champions...with 3 games to play...that I can't stand it.
I'm so sick and tired of the "experts" annointing LSU the SEC Champions and in many cases the National Champions...with 2 games to play...that I can't stand it.
The only conference championship that hasn't been annointed yet is the Big 12 North. The "experts" are at least using "if" when they talk about this one. Missouri and Kansas play on Nov. 24th and that may decide the Big North...if something else doesn't happen by then. And in this year of the upset...well...you never know. And that is why I am getting tired of the "experts" and their annointings.
LSU has yet to play Mississippi and Arkansas. Yet...those two teams can't possibly stand in the way of LSU's march to a National Championship. No UPSET possibilities there???
Kansas plays Iowa State this weekend and then Missouri. While we don't expect trouble this weekend for Kansas the Cyclones are much improved and have played pretty well the seond half of the year. I'd turn on the tube and purchase a ton of newspapers for my team.
Missouri gets Kansas State tihs weekend. Yea, we all know the lowly Cornhuskers blew Kansas Stae away but the Wildcats have played some inspired ball this season at times. Do we expect issues...naw! Let's just go straight to the 24th. Again...more ESPN and the black and wide and occasionally color of the local written press.
Oregon plays Arizona on Thursday night. No problems here right? Well...typical Mike Stoops team needs the entire first half of the season to get ready to play ball the second half of the season. On an odd night on the road. Upsets do happen when schedules change. But...we shouldn't consider ay of that and Oregon rolls. That's just dandy. Because they follow that up on the road with UCLA. The same UCLA that started in the top 10 or 15 (depending on what "expert" you follow) this year. Well...they aren't that good now. Consistently...maybe...but at home...with another teams season to crush. Naw...no problem...Ducks cruise! And to top that off they follow UCLA with Oegon State...in-state rivalry game. And we all know that NOTHING out of the expected ever happens in those games. What the hell am I thinking? There is nothing standing in Oregon's way. Silly me.
OU goes to Lubbock, Texas this weekend to play Texas Tech. Tech blows! Well...except for the high powered offense and a QB named Graham Harrell. This kid throws for 500 yards a game against solid secondaries. The verdict is still out on OU's secondary. Not to mention that Tech plays OU hard in Lubbock and some of OU's stumbles have come...in Lubbock...against...Texas Tech. Not this year. OU rolls...so say the "experts." Then the Sooners travel back to Norman to play the Oklahoma State Cowboys. This would fall under the "in-state rivalry" game (see Oregon-Oregon State) but this poses no problems for the Sooners and they will be the Big 12 South Champion heading to San Antonio to play with Kansas or Missouri. But the Cowboys have become famous for knocking OU from the ranks. Never mind...still not an issue. Thank the "experts" for that.
There is a lot of football to play and the "experts" who are already annointing champions are not giving any of the opponents of these teams and freakin' credit. They don't consider things that come into play when we are talking UPSETS in the year of the UPSETS. The "experts" can ramble on all they want but PLEASE use some kind of intelligence and give these other teams some kind of credit. But they won't and don't and that makes no sense to me. And it could continue to make no sense to me and I wouldn't freakin' care...so long as the ramifications of the upset weren't so harsh. I mean...we all know upsets will happen. Hell, that's why we play 'em on the field. But you have teams that go into hostile environments to play in-state rivalry games and if the lose...the fall is catastrophic. Why? Because the "experts" give no consideration to intangibles that have bearings on the outcomes of some of these games. There is absolutely no way OU should EVER lose to Colorado. On paper I might agree. On the road in a different atmosphere with a HISTORY of these kinds of things happening...I don't think it is realistic to assume that the Buffaloes should NEVER beat OU. This happens all over the country between the "top" teams and the...not so top teams. Especially this year when upsetting top teams is so...for lack of a better phrase...common place!
Personally...Texas Tech worries me this weekend and I probably won't get any satisfaction out of the next two weeks unless OU actually does end up in the Big 12 Championship game. If I were an Oregon fan I would be concerned with all three of our remaining games. I know Nooch has some concerns. If I were Kansas and Missouri I would take heed to thisseasons history and not take this weeks opponents lightly...in any way. Same for LSU who...in my humble opinion...has been winning "lucky" lately and...well...sometimes the luck runs out.
I don't really care if these "experts" continue to ramble on and on about who will be here and there based on who SHOULD be here and there. I base my opinions on being as realistic as I can possibly be...and that's why I could NEVER be a college football "expert."
gcoach, many of us fans share your frustration. Since there have been upsets in virtually every week of this season, we could reasonably expect more in each of the remaining weekends. Another factor "Experts" do not take into account are untimely penalties (i.e. holding on 3rd and 1) that ultimately turn a scoring drive into a punt, or worse a turnover. There is no way to predict these pregame.
Everyone has Oregon sleepwalking right through these last three games and getting "W"'s. Lest people forget, Arizona destroyed the Ducks last year...at Autzen. UCLA ruined USC's season a year ago. And Oregon State is a bitter, bitter in-state rival who would love to knock Oregon out of the NC picture.
To me, those are anything but gimme's. Three tough games that the Ducks had better be ready for. To top things off, Oregon's D, which has been inconsistent all year long lost starting MLB Jon Bacon for the year in the ASU game and is down to a freshman LB making his first start on Thursday. So, yes, Oregon had better take all of these remaining games very, very seriously, because if they don't they could fall out of the picture immediately.
Though, as you mentioned, that holds true for all of the teams in the NC picture. One slip and that's it. How the "experts" can start granting wins with so much football left is beyond me.
add sports experts to the list of politicians, meteorologists, and bosses, who are wrong at least 75% of the time but still get paid extremely well for it.
not to mention they all know how to spin their own b.s. after the fact to try and convince us (or themselves) they were right all along.
Hey you're talking to someone who had their team chanting "we're #1" during a LOSS! Looking ahead is dangerous, but fans not involved can do it.
LSU loses to Georgia, but that only happens if Tennessee loses @Kentucky.
OU is best team in the Big XII, but there is a LOT of bad blood with the conference getting into the title game so much. If it's close don't be surprised to see them frozen out.
LSU has played it close in alot of games they were supposedly going to glide through. Course, SEC fans knew none of those teams were going roll over. Could be one of those games they will play too close and the Lucky State University Tigers might fall again.
Oregon has the cursed #2 ranking. Lets hope they do better than the previous #2 ranked teams did. They're next three games can be dangerous for them and very very damaging unless they come out and play like the national champion that they are aspiring to become.
OU has a couple of games that might give them fits as well. Your are absolutetly right that people are counting eggs before their hatched. This season has been crazy every week and I doubt it's going to stop until the final whistle of the final bowl game this year.
Dwindy1 - I used to think a playoff was not necessary. Now I still don't know if one is necessary but maybe we should just do away with the BCS and go back to what was in place before. The computers that are supposed to make everything right only serve to confuse the issue more. OU sits at #3 in most major polls and number 7 with the computers. Skewed may be a good term in regard to the computers. Thanks for dropping in.
SwampBuckeye - the penalties and stuff are a part of the game. One could argue human error in a poor call as we have seen many of those as well. Agreed. Another factor not given much credence by the "experts." Thanks.
cuz - if you say it is so then so be it. Glad you stopped in.
Rev - what a waste of good dough. You and I could sit down over a couple of beers and make more sense than guys who get paid to "do it poorly." Good to see you here. What's up with HSSS?
Nooch - after we talked about this I just couldn't let it go. Not good news for the Ducks on D. Let's hope the supporting cast does a good job of stepping up. Go Ducks...BOOMER SOONER!!!
YeeMum - "experts" "experts" everywhere and little knowledge seen. Where can I become one then so I can talk to what should have been. Or...will be because I say it is so. Thanks for the comments.
cuz (and YeeMum) - be a college football expert and the other professions you mentioned and add professional baseball player...where you can be right 1/3 of the time and score big money...and not have to work if you don't really want to. cuz you nailed what I was getting at on the head.
Norcalfella - I think whoever wins the Big 12 championship will have an inside track to the National Championship game ONLY because it will feature a team in the top 5 in the country...having beaten a top 5 team in the country late in the year...if the "experts" are right. Provided the "experts" don't go 100% the rest of the year and LSU or Oregon get eliminated with a late season loss. Other than that I understand what you are saying. Thanks for your valued opinion.
TSI - Like I said I don't care who plays in the National Championship game so long as OU is one of them. Oregon would work for me. You may be right about LSU being a team of destiny. They have dodged how many "bullets" so far??? Thanks.
Flak Jakett - too many things can happen in the next few weeks with the opponents of the top 5 teams in the country to have anyone..."expert" or fan...saying any of these teams will cruise. I think the only thing that may be guaranteed...based on the history of this season...is that someone else is going to be "upset." I'm just not convinced it would be such an "upset" at this point. Of course...I hope it ain't the Sooners. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Last edited by gcoach on November 14th at 9:24 PM.
I have read a great deal of your opinions and agree with the great majority of them. That having been said, I must say that I agree that the games must be played. What happens if Texas Tech actually beats OU? What if ISU REALLY wakes up and downs Kansas in
Lawrence (NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!). What if KSU rises up at home and beats Mizzou?
Well, in my view, these events would take the Big 12 out of the picture in the NC game.
While I fervently hope these things do not happen, I cannot predict the future.
halmay - thank you for the supportive comments. You and I obviously can't predict the future. We apparently are not using the same crystal ball the "experts" use. I always have been and always will be a "strap 'em up and let's play it out" kind o####uy. Maybe that is why as much as I love my Sooners I remain optimistic yet realistic when I speak about them. Can they play and eventually win the National Championship? Yes...I believe that is in the realm of their capabilities. Do they have secondary issues and 2 tough games ahead of them to GET to the Big 12 Champonship game? Yes! Let's get the pads on and play 'em out!!! Go Sooners! BOOMER SOONER!!! Thanks again.
Amen my brother! Great posting and pasting of the pundits. Me likey. I love how the entire national championship is dependent on the Big 12 this year. Here is my worthless prediction: LSU and/or Oregon don't play for the national championship. I'm really going out on a limb. Especially with the way that this year's top 5 has got slapped around.
gcoach
I don't know that we'll be entirely happy the way things'll turn out. As always it'll end up being in the hands of BCS Conference Committees and the networks deciding what'll be predetermined as what's best in terms of the championship contenders. Especially if one their own favorites isn't amongst the top two by season's end.
Whomever wins out should consider themselves extremely lucky this season.
Gcoach, well Ducks lose and another one bites the dust! Perhaps the Big 12 will influence the NC game more than expected. As you have said many times, let’s play!
H
Last edited by halmay on November 16th at 4:31 AM.
Your point is well made. Especially now that Oregon lost last night. In lesser words you could've said "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched."
I also think all of these SOS articles we've been reading over the last week are lame. Particularly since 99% of them were from Oregon fans who were trying to justify the Ducks deserving more than an undefeated Kansas, or Oklahoma. Well, the CFB landscape just changed again. Without counting my chickens, the BIG 12 is virtually a lock in the BCS championship game now. Too bad OU isn't undefeated too. If an undefeated Kansas and OU faced off in the Big 12 championship game, and say KU beat OU, there might be a movement for a rematch in the BCS championship game.
Cygnus, what is happening?
While I have lived in Big 6, 8, 12 Country most of my life, I am confused. We send NU, OU, or UT to our major bowl appearance each year.
What will happen this year?
Please let me know, K?
halmay, if you're asking for my opinion of who will represent the Big12 to BCS bowls... I think OU plays for the national championship. It's highly possible their opponent in the Big 12 championship game, likely either Kansas or Missouri, will NOT get in the BCS. Depending upon how impressive Texas beats A&M on national TV, and if a couple of teams above Texas lose, then Texas may get an at-large invitation, since they travel and represent so well nationally. It wouldn't necessarily be fair, and I'm all for UT in a BCS bowl. However, Missouri or Kansas would likely be more deserving, or some other 1-loss team. Texas may fall into the Notre Dame bubble this year of getting a BCS bowl more on history and CFB clout, than whether or not their record says they deserve it. However, UT would be a good roll going into bowl season (winners of 6 in a row after an A&M win).
I always love your rants even when we disagree. On this point, however, you're absoultely correct.
Even I am guilty of counting the eggs before they hatch. But do you really think Texas has a chance in hell? Not me. You still have the head to head and OU would have to lose both games for the Longhorns to leap frog them.
Even in the year of the upset, OU doesn't blow two games in a row.
Now that Oregon has lost, the Big 12 will have a rep in the title game without question. It is impossible for me to fathom OU/KU/MU ALL losing. I still think two of them will, but not all.
gcoach
Where's Miss Cleo when you need her ? She's probably more capable of telling us who'll end up in the BCS Championship Game than any analyst is able to predict at this moment in time. And what with the Ducks going down last night. It's become even more unpredictable as of now !
A busy morning gentlemen but I have a few minutes so I'll get through what I can.
First of all I appreciate all of your visits and comments. Very cool!
top - that is another thing that I forgot to consider...television and the almighty buck. Too bad something off of the field is given so much credit for determining what will happen on the field...especially when they ain't strapping on the pads. Good point.
halmay - INJURIES...INJURIES...INJURIES. Dixon, Stewart and Leaf...well there you go. Another consideration not considered by the "experts." Starting to look like the Big 12 will have a dancer at the big dance. That works for me...unless networks have something to say..eh, tophatal!!!
Cygnus - It will be interesting the next couple of weeks for the Big 12. Arizona upsetting Oregon really opens the door, I think. Can Kansas, Missouri or OU take advantage? I'm rooting for OU...obviously...but the Big 12 has 3 teams in pretty good position. UT...winners of 6 in a row and a BCS bowl...OU last year???
Last edited by gcoach on November 16th at 8:46 AM.
brianblack - Until I looked at the Big 12 standings last night I hadn't realized Tech had 4 losses in conference. And while I would generally agree with you on OU's prospects of NOT losing 2 games in a row and claiming head to head in the event of losing one of the remaining 2...Tech and OK State are burdensome teams for OU in the Stoops era. And losing either one doesn't bode well for the National Championship chance...we'll have to see where Oregon falls after last night.
tophatal - provided all 4 remaining of the top 5 win this weekend it would appear that the Big 12 is in good position. However...as we all know...we won't really know until the final polls are released and there is still a lot of ball to play. Appearances can be deceiveing.
bgL - you are soooo much easier on the eyes and make soooo much more sense than the "experts" do. But Rev still works for the comedy. Speaking of REV...what's up with HSSS??? Oh...and by the way...you made my day a little better...thanks for visiting.
gcoach
Polls asides with the way this season has gone who'd want to be sitting in the BCS Poll and ranked at #2 ? Considering with what's happened this season alone it's been the death knell for whatever team's that sat there at one time or another. And lest we forget also the Buckeyes were upended also whilst sitting at the top of the pile.
It is sickening how they were treated, never given a chance really.
I'm going to re-post a comment I made elsewhere and maybe others will realize how close OU was to LSU this year... Here it is:
LSU made it because everyone wets their pants over them winning the SEC.
In reality, they beat a 3-loss team 21-14 and at that one who had lost to Florida freaking 59-20!
The BS about them needing 6 OTs to lose twice is great except that those two teams are a combined 12-8 when not playing each other or LSU. They were otherwise 4-8 in SEC play for crying out loud.
So how are those losses any better than OU losing @Colorado & vTexas Tech who were otherwise 11-9 and 5-7 in Big XII play? Doesn't smoking Missouri trump a narrow win over Tennessee?
Most won't agree with me coach...but it should be OU vs.....Hawaii. At least in this time of upsets it would be the perfect time to give an UNDEFEATED team a chance to lay claim to the title.
So what if they're not from a major conference.
Hey Coach, I liked what you wrote here, even though I just got around to reading it. I too am so sick of people talking smack about games that haven't been played. Upsets NEVER happen right? There are 77+ pages of blogs on the University of Hawaii web site and most of it is smack. We know our schedule is weak, that's the A.D.'s fault along with Mich St., which forfeited a $400,000 bond to avoid playing UH. Michigan toyed with us for several months before opting for an easier cupcake, App. State., and yes we'd really rather not be in the WAC, but there isn't any option having already been abandonded by the MWC. I don't mind people endlessly pointing this out if it's done in football terms but when one of your neighbors to the south (Texas V) referred to Hawaiians as "slippah wearing, manapua chompin, PINEAPPLE ####", something snapped. I can't tell you how glad I am that UH is playing in the Sugar Bowl, and the fact that they're playing a team that could have been in the NCG makes it that much better. I am so glad that they are going to PLAY THE GAME. Having said that I have to tell you that UGA and OU had at least as good a claim as LSU on an NCG slot. The one team I am so glad UH isn't playing? Oklahoma.
Coach where you been haven't seen you around in awhile. I thought all my SOONER brethren had left. What is your take on the Fiesta Bowl. Should we worry? Losing Grainger will hurt. What an #### he is.
I'm still around just EXTREMELY busy with job, coaching more than one hockey team, both genders, and family stuff. Grainger is a ####. I'm sure Stoops will deal with him appropriately. I'm more concerned about the secondary with Reggie Smith out due to injury and Lendy Holmes academically ineligible. How do you do that before a bowl game? Just go to freakin' class. It ain't that hard. If we can plug up the run and protect the ball on offense I think we will be fine. It will be interesting to see what effect Rodriguez leaving will have on them tonight...if any. All I can say is...BOOMER SOONER!!!
I am an educator and a coach. I was a goaltender in hockey until my playing days finished but now coach hockey and soccer. Once a goaltender always a goaltender. I am an Oklahoma Sooners fan, hold most professional athletes in low regard and have no time for prima donna athletes who think they are better than others who were not fortunate enough to get where these guys, or girls, are. I don't think celebrity puts anyone higher than anyone else in any capacity which, I think, is contrary to our society perception.
