Hi Lauren, I am not here to flame, I just want to post my opinion...The big 11 is waaay OVERRATED. Every year they struggle in early out of conference games, then they "beat each other up", as B11 fans like to put it, then they get spanked during bowl season. A perfect example is an overrated PSU team beats an overrated Wisconsin team and B11 fans say PSU should be in the top 10...No way, its all hype.
<small>[ October 11, 2002, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: RUmojo ]</small>
Then why are there three teams from the Big-10 in the BCS top 11?
Penn State's 3 losses are to those three teams. What's the shame in that?
How did they go 5-0 in bowls a few years back?
At least get your facts straight before you talk smack.
Dude, I'm not talking smack. I'm just giving my opinion. The truth will come out after bowl season. Penn State's 3 losses are to 3 overrated Big 10 teams, and they're still in the top 20, thats my point.
Your certainly entitled to your opinion but I disagree that the Big-10 is overrated. I personally have them as the 3rd or 4th best conference this year because they aren't strong "top to bottom".
Having said that, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, and Penn State are going to give whoever they play fits. Especially if Ohio State goes to the Rose instead of the Fiesta (assuming they win out). That will knock the level of competition down a notch for each team.
I'm NOT one of those people who believe Penn State should be in the top-10 (and I honestly haven't heard anyone else say so either). No team with three losses (no matter how good the opponent) belongs there. Even so, their 3 losses are to quality opponents and they will finish the season 9-3 barring a serious meltdown. The Big-10 #4 (likely Penn State) plays the Big-XII #4 (likely Iowa State) in the Alamo Bowl. Do you honestly think that Iowa State is going to take out Penn St?
Yes, I do think that Iowa State can take out Penn State. ISU has a solid squad with an athletic, playmaker at QB.
You got it right, the Big 10 is made up of good teams, but no school has really seperated themselves. OSU is probably the best of the pack, but they would struggle to be champs of any other major conference.
Well, the Big-10 is done for the regular season and we'll just have to wait and see how the bowls shake out. Penn State finished 9-3 as I predicted.
The way I see it the Big-10's bowl matchups will be (so far):
Ohio State vs. Miami in the Fiesta
Iowa vs. Washington State in the Rose
Michigan vs. Florida in the Citrus
Penn State vs. Auburn in the Outback
Wisconsin vs. UCLA in the Sun
Minnesota vs. Tennesee in the Music City
Purdue vs. Kansas State in the Alamo
First of all congrats on a great season by the Buckeyes, its tough to go 12-0 no matter what. Tressel is doing a great job.
Well it looks like it will be Big 10 v Big East in this years National Championship game. Let me be the first to predict a Buckeye spanking... :D No way will you guys be able to keep up with the Canes!!!
Hey now, it's 13-0. Just want to make sure everyone gets it right :) .
A spanking huh? We'll see. I'll be the first to admit the Bucks have won ugly the past 4 games or so but remember they've been without their primary offensive weapon during that span.
Are you really sure the 73rd run defense in the nation (440 carries against for 1660 yards. An average of 3.8 per carry and 166 yards per game) is going to just bottle up a fully recovered Clarett (5 weeks to fully heal)?
Also don't forget the Buckeye D will be far and away the best the Canes have faced all year.
Clarett is a good back and you guys have a decent running game, but its tough to run when you're behind. Miami will be tossing the ball all over the field until they get a decent lead, then give you a healthy dose of McGahee.
Besides, the residents of Columbus are praying for a Miami win. If OSU wins the Championship, fans will probably burn down the whole city...
Just kidding, I know that was a cheapshot... I couldn't resist though.
<!--EDIT|RUmojo|Nov 26 2002, 08:08 PM-->
Actually your right. All the Buckeye fans I know do want Miami to win out. Some because they want our opponent to be another undefeated team and others because they think we have a much better chance of beating Miami than Oklahoma.
Cheapshot fully accepted. The inbred, immature, classless clowns who did that crap should be expelled and jailed in my opinion and the Columbus police are tracking them down via vidio and still shots of them. I hope they catch most of them and throw the book at them. People like that give Ohio State a bad name and I don't want to be associated with them.
BTW, your assuming we get behind. Our defensive line, linebackers, and backfield aren't chopped liver you know. Dorsey may "toss the ball all over the field" but that doesn't equate to lighting up the scoreboard.
OSU Scoring defense: 2nd nationally. 13 games, 159 points, average of 12.2 per game.
And as far as a "healthy dose of McGahee", I say bring it on.
OSU rushing defense: 3rd nationally. 340 carries against for 852 yds. An average of 2.5 per carry and 71 yds per game. If there are two conferences it's tough to do that in they are the Big-10 and Big-XII.
Some OSU fans are hoping they get to play Miami??? Well you know what they say...be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
OSU has had a nice season and your stats support it, the problem is those numbers were accumulated against mediocre, overrated programs from the Big 10. (You didn't even play the conferences other best team, Iowa). Miami is a true powerhouse, NOBODY in the Big 10 has the speed that Miami has, I really don't think you guys can keep up with them.
On the other hand though, thats why you play the games. If you beat the Canes you deserve to be called champions.
That is assuming the Canes get there, they still got two good games left against Syracuse and VTech.
As I mentioned, the reason most OSU fans would rather play Miami is that they believe Oklahoma is the better team and would be much harder for the Buckeyes to beat. Obviously, Miami is a great team too. It's just that the perception around here is that the Sooners are better.
The "mediocre, overrated programs in the Big-10" are basically the point of contention here. You have your opinion and I have mine :) . I think the Big-10's top 4 (Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, and Penn St.) would match up well with the top 4 of any other conference. After that there's a big dropoff talent-wise to Purdue, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. We'll see how everything shakes out after the bowl games.
I agree that Miami has greater overall team speed than the Buckeyes. Ohio State will have to play good, fundamental football and make sure tackles when (if) they play them.
I'll also be the first to admit that the Bucks have been overachievers this year. This is a young team and it's only Tressels second year as the head coach. I don't think there are many (if any) Ohio State fans that expected to play for the national championship this year at the beginning of the season. Personally, I expected a 11-3 or 12-2 season (counting the bowl game). An improvement over last year, but still a year or two away from the big dance. Remember, this was a 7-5 team that lost the Outback bowl to South Carolina last year.
There are two things about this team that just make me believe in them though. They don't get rattled like a young team and they don't quit. They play 60 minutes of football EVERY game.
I'm not going to sit here and predict a victory over Miami. The Hurricanes are a highly talented team and the defending (and undefeated) national champs. I AM saying that no one is going to blow the Buckeyes out. If Maimi's players and coaches think they already have the game won and that they can just sleepwalk their way to a victory like the media is spouting they're in for a very rude awakening.
If Miami comes out with a lacksidaisical attitude and plays sloppy at the start like they did earlier in the season they're going to find themselves behind at halftime to a team that won't beat itself like Rutgers. I think it's going to be a good game.
Well so much for your Oklahoma theory, they're out of it no matter what. I don't know if you saw the Miami v Syracuse game yesterday but the Canes are looking good. I can't believe anybody would want to play the Canes rather than Oklahoma or anyone else for that matter. To top it off when you guys play them its going to be for all the marbles, that gives them more motivation against your young, overachieving Buckeyes.
VTech will not be an easy game for the Canes, the Hokies always play them tough. Beating the Canes will save the Hokies season so they will come out fired up. The Canes have not seen a tougher RB tandem than Suggs and Jones all year. Call me crazy but I've been saying all year that the Hokies are the only team that can beat the Canes. The bad news for you is, even if the Canes lose, you guys will probably still see them in the NC game.
I don't know if you saw the polls but the BE has 4 teams in the top 25, thats half the conference, also 5 of 8 schools are bowl eligible. Really 6 are bowl eligible if you count Uconn, but they don't become a full member until 2005. Actually we are the only team not pulling their weight in the conference, but thats about to change real soon!!!
Yea, I saw both the Oki/Oki State game and Miami/Sarycuse. I agree that Maimi completely crushed the Orangemen, but that has been an exception this year rather than the rule. Besides, we ARE talking about Sarycuse. IMO any team in the top 10 would crush them (and yes, I did see the Sarycuse/VA Tech game also).
I agree with you about the VA Tech/Miami matchup. I've been saying it's going to be their toughest test all year (pre-bowl) as well. However, Tech has been falling apart the past few weeks and I can't see Miami loosing to them at this point in the game. Miami will make it to Tempe.
Once they get there they'll be heavily favored (I predict 14-17 points). How they react to that will have a great deal to do with the outcome of the game.
As I said, I'm not going to predict an OSU win but I'll stick with these three opinions:
1. Ohio State will run the ball well against Miami and will control the clock at least initially.
2. Miami will have more trouble than people think scoring touchdowns on Ohio State. It will be a lower scoring game than most predict.
3. It will be a close game decided in the 4th quarter.
If Ohio State can score on the ground and control the clock (keeping Miami's offense off the field) and the defense plays it's usual good game. Ohio State stands a decent chance to win.
OK Mojo. The matchups are:
Ohio State vs. Miami in the Fiesta
My comment: See above. I think OSU has a chance but I'm not predicting a win.
Iowa vs. USC in the Rose
Comment: The best matchup IMO. Should be a good game. I'll take Iowa in a close one.
Penn ST. vs. Auburn in the Capital One
Comment: I'll take Penn State in another good game.
Michigan vs. Florida in the Outback
Comment: Michigan with the superior D
Purdue vs. Washington in the Sun
Comment: I honestly don't know enough about Washington. We'll see.
Minnesota vs. Arkansas in the Music City
Comment: Minnesota isn't that good but Arkansas isn't a dream either. A bad and uninteresting matchup IMO.
Wisconsin vs. Colorado in the Alamo
Comment: Here's a sure win "for you". Colorado is going to kill the Badgers.
I still see the Big-10 favored or with a good shot in all games but one.
Van, I haven't been able to post for a while, but hopefully you've been watching the games!!! I guess you haven't, No way will the Buckeyes be able to run against the Canes. This game will be a blowout.
If you haven't noticed, the Canes waltzed into this game while the Buckeyes played some close games against subpar competition, no way will OSU beat the Canes.
You will only win 2 bowl games, as much as I hate State Penn, they might beat Auburn, and Minnesota might be Arkansas. (I'm actually pulling for the Gophers because coach Mason is from New Jersey).
No way will the Buckeyes be able to run against the Canes?? Are we still talking about the same two teams? If you mean, "the Buckeyes can't hang with the Canes", your once again entitled to your opinion. If you meant that Ohio State won't be able to get any rushing yards against them, I think you've had too much eggnog.
Yea, I'm still watching all the games. Right now I'm "watching" Texas Tech destroy Clemson (what a mismatch) 24-2 in the SECOND QUARTER. I'm hoping Clemson can at least make it halfway interesting somehow. Ooops. Make that 31-2 with plenty of time still in the 2nd. The way these two teams pass the ball this game is going to go 5 hours.
Waltzed? Did you forget about Florida State, Pitt, and VA Tech?
Subpar competiton? Here's an unbiased breakdown:
Miami played: Florida A&M (I-AA), Florida, Temple, Boston College, Conneticut, Florida State, West Virginia, Rutgers, Tennesee, Pittsburgh, Sarycuse, and Virginia Tech.
Miami's opponents have a combined record of 81-65. 5 of their past opponents are currently ranked in the top 25. The highest opponent ranking is 16th. 7 of their opponents will be playing in a bowl game and 8 have winning records. Their toughest opponent to date (statistically) was Florida State (ACC champion) at 9-4. Miami won the game 28-27 when Florida State missed a field goal as time expired.
Ohio State played: Texas Tech, Kent State, Washington State, Cincinnati, Indiana, Northwestern, San Jose State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota, Purdue, Illinois, and Michigan.
Ohio State's opponents have a combined record of 83-77. 3 of their past opponents are currently ranked in the top 25. The highest opponent ranking is 7th. 8 of their opponents will be playing in a bowl game and 7 have winning records. Their toughest opponent to date (statistically) was Washington State (PAC-10 champion) at 10-2. Ohio State won the game 25-7.
Looks comparable to me.
2 bowl wins for the Big-10 huh? We'll just have to wait and see :) .
Van, you should change your name to Wile E. Coyote, you got all the numbers but when it comes to game time you always get waxed. (J/K you are the numbers guru). Despite all the numbers there are 3 reasons why the Buckeyes CAN'T beat the Canes...1.speed, 2.speed, and 3.speed.
I watched that 'game' also. Clemson shouldn't have been in a bowl game. They completely embarassed themselves and the ACC. At first I thought it was foul that TT kept that QB in just to break a record, but then I thought its Clemsons responsibility to stop him, If they can't its on them. Unfortunately for you thats how its going to be for OSU too...
3 of OSU's past opponents are in the top 25...how many are from the Big 10??? If you subtract the overrated teams how many are left?
I've already given the Canes their due on speed. They are the faster overall team. However, OSU's skill players (RB, DB, TE, WR, etc.) ARE fast. It's not like we have WRs and DBs that run 4.7s.
Miami has a speed advantage in the "non-skill" positions. For instance, their offensive line is much faster than ours. However, the trade off for that is size. Several of our defensive linemen actually outweigh the offensive linemen they'll be going up against. If you want to call that an advantage, your welcome to it. I think Dorsey is going to see significant pressure from our front four, and he's not accustomed to scrambling. Remember the following names: Tim Anderson, Will Smith, Kenny Peterson, and Darion Scott. They are a LOAD, they are fast for D-linemen, AND they're going to have a size advantage in some cases. Rhomberg (sp?) is a great center, but he's going to have to help double team Peterson or Dorsey is going to have a headache the next day.
I agree with you on the TT/Clemson game. Kingsbury was a senior playing in his last game. He was entitled to stay in as long as he wanted. It's not Tech's fault that Clemson couldn't stop him. That was one of the worst mis-matches I've seen in awhile.
Once again, I'll let the "overrated Big-10" speak for itself in bowl games. I don't think we're going to do that well this year because everyone's competition got bumped up a notch with OSU in the Fiesta but I think the conference will aquit itself well.
Well Mojo, the Big-10 just started but I'm obviously pleased with the results. The #8 Big-10 team just beat the #2 Big-XII team.
Even I was calling that one a blowout for Colorado.
1-0 and counting :) .
BTW, The Big East is doing very well.
I knew you would be all over that. Wisconsin beat a good team. Lets see if the Big (overated) 10 can keep it going. By the way when the polls come out lets see where Wisconsin is.
WVU let the Big East down yesterday, there is no way they should've got blown out yesterday. Although of the five teams the BE had in bowls I said if one was to lose it would be WVU. 4-1 ain't bad!!!
Yea, West Virginia let me down too. I had them winning in my "bowl pickem" over on ESPN. Right now I'm sucking wind on my picks. Too many upsets (In my opinion anyway). I had Hawaii, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Colorado all winning.
Don't get my wrong, I started rooting for Wisconsin after I checked and found out that everyone in my group had picked Colorado. It's just that I didn't think the Badgers had a chance against Colorado (even though they played us tough).
I'll be rooting for all the Big-10 teams but I didn't pick them all to win. In my pickem' I have Arkansas beating Minnesota, Purdue over Washington (but as an upset, I think Wash. is the better team), Michigan over Florida, Penn State over Auburn, and Iowa over USC (but I think the game will be REAL close and could go either way). I DID pick the Buckeyes to win in my pickem'. I could be "betting" with my heart (no $ involved), but I just feel better that way :) .
If Minnesota pulls off another upset I'll be back later today to post some smack :) .
As promised, here is my 2-0 "smack post".
"You will only win 2 bowl games"
Well, the "overrated" Big-10 has 5 games left to break your two win prediction. Care to place a small wager on your statement :) ?
So Far:
Wisconsin (#8 Big-10) beat Colorado (Big-12 N champ and best Big-XII conference record)
Minnesota (#7 Big-10) beat Arkansas (SEC W champ)
Like I said earlier, State Penn might beat Auburn and Minnesota might beat Arkansas. All you got to hang your hat on so far is Wisconsin upsetting Colorado. Lets see how this plays out.
Ahem...
3-0
Purdue beats Washington 34-24.
Only 1 more win needed for the Big-10 to have a "winning" record in bowl games this year.
Quite a battle going on "behind the scenes"
The Big 10 sucks. No ifs ands or buts. So far so good for the Big (overated) 10, but the Big East WILL get the cup. By the way HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I'm feeling good right about now.
Happy New Year to you too Mojo.
BTW, Michigan over Florida puts us at 4-0. :)
"The Big 10 sucks. No ifs ands or buts."
Come on Mojo, even you have to lighten up a bit with that talk. So far, the Big-10 is kicking ****** and taking names.
There you go Mojo. Penn State finally broke the streak and went down to Auburn. We're tied with the Big East at 4-1.
Iowa also represented well...
Now for the Big Game. I guess two trophies are at stake, The NC trophy and the Conference Championship trophy. Tonight is for all the marbles!!!
By the way, I might lighten up after tonight... :D
<!--EDIT|RUmojo|Jan 3 2003, 04:31 PM-->
Alright Mojo, time to admit you're wrong.
National Champions (against the cream of the Big East)
Winning the "Bowl Championship Cup" (on ESPN's web site)
IMO, A total kick A$$ showing. Even the most bias mind (that's thinking impartially) has to give the Big-10 the "best conference of the year" award.
I admit that the Big East is the second best conference this year, but let's face facts. The reason that the BCS came up with some of their rules that "eliminated conferences" was because of the Big East.
Obviosly, this isn't going to be a problem IMO. The Big East (Miami in particular) has shown that it is back into the mix.
The bottom line:
You have been proved wrong. Admit it like a man (If you do I promise I'll root for Rutgers next year). I want a public posting in the "Sports Lounge" to the effect.
"If you beat the Canes you deserve to be called champions." - posted by RUMojo on Nov 24, 2002
Come on Mojo, be a man and own up. I've waited a week for you to drown your sorrows and recover from your New Years day hangover.
We won the championship, we won the ESPN bowl championship cup, and we did well against damn good competition.
So what are you waiting for? Eat your crow like a man! :D :D :D
oh this is getting too funny
why don't you guys join us on the Sports Bar where there's more talk going on :D B)
Well Mojo, I'm a bit disapointed.
If your still reading this I wanted to say that I enjoyed our debate this year and hope to see you on the board next CF season.
I don't follow any other sports so I won't be around nearly as much until August. Have a good year and here's hoping Rutgers keeps turning it around.
RUmojo Wrote:The Big 10 sucks. No ifs ands or buts. So far so good for the Big (overated) 10, but the Big East WILL get the cup. By the way HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I'm feeling good right about now.
Being a Rutgers fan you don't have much room to talk. Big 10 > Big Least
P.J. McWhiskers Wrote:RUmojo Wrote:The Big 10 sucks. No ifs ands or buts. So far so good for the Big (overated) 10, but the Big East WILL get the cup. By the way HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I'm feeling good right about now.
Being a Rutgers fan you don't have much room to talk. Big 10 > Big Least
HAHAHAHAHA
37-10
uconnbaseball Wrote:P.J. McWhiskers Wrote:RUmojo Wrote:The Big 10 sucks. No ifs ands or buts. So far so good for the Big (overated) 10, but the Big East WILL get the cup. By the way HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I'm feeling good right about now.
Being a Rutgers fan you don't have much room to talk. Big 10 > Big Least
HAHAHAHAHA
37-10
gravedig much?
The Big 10 is without doubt the most powerful conference in the BCS. It's the first with it's own TV network. It's the only conference where the majority of it's teams have 3 profitable sports income streams (football, men's & women's hoops) plus 5 programs make $ on hockey with a number having wrestling as a $ sport.
The Conference with it's scheduling format of playing 8 and missing 2 teams has ensured BCS births for 2 of it's programs most of the years of the BCS's existence. Who needs a conference championship to eliminate a BCS birth contender when you can get 2 BCS births. For some reason the other conferences haven't figured that out, just one of the reasons why the others are sniffing the Big 10's tailpipes.
MichiganTiger Wrote:uconnbaseball Wrote:P.J. McWhiskers Wrote:RUmojo Wrote:The Big 10 sucks. No ifs ands or buts. So far so good for the Big (overated) 10, but the Big East WILL get the cup. By the way HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I'm feeling good right about now.
Being a Rutgers fan you don't have much room to talk. Big 10 > Big Least
HAHAHAHAHA
37-10
gravedig much?
What's a Memphis fan doing here anyway?