Two years ago I thought Chris Leak would win the Heisman this year. Obviously he didn't, but he looked the part last night. If you would have told Leak and Myer that OSU would come out to rush three and put everyone else in a soft zone they would not have been able to suppress their glee. That has to be the dumbest defensive game plan in the history of college football. Did Tressel watch ANY UF game tape from the last three years? It was like no one at OSU scouted the opposing QB at all. Leak eats zone coverage like protein bars. He h8s to scramble, and can't run Urban's run option for shit. But if he gets time in the pocket he will pick out the open guy e v e r y t i m e. Before the game I thought it would be determined on the Nelson-Ginn matchup. Sadly, we have yet to settle that dispute. Only two plays for #7, and thankx to a no-call on a CLEAR hold of Nelson on the kickoff, we will have to wait for Sundays to see if Nelson can handle Ginn. Without Ginn, the Buckeyes have no offence and Troy Smith looked like a slow, immobile, trainwreak. As for conference loyalty, bah! I just don't understand the logic We southerners often still live with an inferiority complex. We are perceived by most to lag behind the rest of the nation in industry, education, technology, and socially. But we kick ass in football!! You know it, and we certainly know it. High school football in the South is way, way, way better than anywhere else. Southern high school football players believe the SEC (+Texas)is the only viable path to football success. We rarely lose players to non-southern schools, and when they do go it is because SEC teams don't want them. These points are not open to debate. Forget for a moment the SEC vs Big 10 thing. Just line up the best southern programs from the big 12, acc and sec; then line up the best teams from everywhere else. It ain't even close. USC is the only team that would be competitive with an SEC schedule, and where is JD Booty from? p.s. It should be noted to above author is extremely biased and slightly hungover. He is a product of Georgia, alumnus of Ole Miss, and a transplanted carpetbagger to the West who misses his southern home today more than most ;)
Perhaps the comment was made in jest, but there is a strong possibility Boise State could be co-champs. The USA Today Coaches' Poll will automatically give the top spot to Florida because they won the BCS title game. However, the members of the media who vote in the Associated Press Poll aren't obligated to cast a vote for Florida. The polls are out and Boise State, while receiving one first place vote in the AP poll, finished 5th in USA Today and 6th in the USA Today poll: AP Top 10: 1. Florida (64) 13-1 1,624 2. Ohio State 12-1 1,492 3. LSU 11-2 1,452 4. USC 11-2 1,389 5. Boise State (1) 13-0 1,383 6. Louisville 12-1 1,338 7. Wisconsin 12-1 1,288 8. Michigan 11-2 1,145 9. Auburn 11-2 1,112 10. West Virginia 11-2 1,035 USA Today Top 10: 1. Florida (63) 13-1 1,575 2. Ohio State 12-1 1,435 3. LSU 11-2 1,418 4. USC 11-2 1,345 5. Wisconsin 12-1 1,328 6. Boise State 13-0 1,275 7. Louisville 12-1 1,270 8. Auburn 11-2 1,119 9. Michigan 11-2 1,092 10. West Virginia 11-2 1,012
Sorry, the above should read "5th in the AP Poll and 6th in the USA Today poll"
It could be that on a whole this is true (that is, it hurts more often than it helps), but in Florida's case this year, the Gators became no. 2 in the BCS standings and several of the polls only after the SEC championship game. Sure, it helped give voters a reason to avoid a rematch. I don't know if Florida would have made that same leap if USC did not lose. Since 1936, when the AP poll began, only two schools finished their season unbeaten and untied and failed to win a share of the national title (Dartmouth 1965, Purdue 1943). Will Boise State be the third team? I am looking forward to the AP poll results. Auburn in 2004 went unbeaten in the SEC, was denied a trip to the BCS championship game, and finished second in the AP and Coaches poll.
We southerners often still live with an inferiority complex. We are perceived by most to lag behind the rest of the nation in industry, education, technology, and socially. But we kick ass in football!! You know it, and we certainly know it. High school football in the South is way, way, way better than anywhere else. Southern high school football players believe the SEC (+Texas)is the only viable path to football success. We rarely lose players to non-southern schools, and when they do go it is because SEC teams don't want them. These points are not open to debate. I know the "These points are not open to debate" bit is likely intentionally overstated, but John David Booty is a great example of a southern player who went to a non-southern school (in this case, USC) not because SEC schools didn't want him but because he wanted to play elsewhere. Also, California has to rank in the top three states for most prep football talent (Texas and Florida being the others).
Auburn in 2004 went unbeaten in the SEC, was denied a trip to the BCS championship game, and finished second in the AP and Coaches poll. Don't forget that Urban Meyer's Utah team also went undefeated that year. I don't know where danjel got his statistics on that one, but I'm sure there are others as well.
Penn State's gone unbeaten and didn't finish #1 a couple times including '94. But seeing as he's looking forward to the polls that came out at 2am, well... By the way, following all the twisted logic in this thread, Tennessee lost to UF by one point, and then lost to Penn State by 7. So Penn State could beat Tennessee. No, not really. But do you see how silly some of you sound?
That 51 day excuse is so lame Agreed. Before last night Tressel was 4-0 in games with a 30 day or more layoff. Of course the excuse now will be that Teddy didn't play and he would have prevented a 27 point drumming single handed because Ohio State fans are delusional sycophants with no objectivity whatsoever. Just look at all the "Boise State #1" comments for more evidence of their classless and ignorant behaviour. They could play UF vs OSU ten times. Florida would win every game.
Auburn in 2004 went unbeaten in the SEC, was denied a trip to the BCS championship game, and finished second in the AP and Coaches poll. Don't forget that Urban Meyer's Utah team also went undefeated that year. I don't know where danjel got his statistics on that one, but I'm sure there are others as well. I got my satistics here. Here is a paragraph from the article: Since the AP poll began in 1936, two schools have finished as the nation's only unbeaten and untied team and failed to win a share of a national title. Dartmouth finished 9-0 in 1965; Purdue did the same in 1943. Alabama (9-1-1 in 1965) and Notre Dame (9-1 in 1943) won the titles in those seasons. (Auburn went 11-0 in 1993 but was on probation and did not play a bowl game.)
You saved me the time looking that up Holden. Meyer's Utah team popped in my head as soon as I read that.
So Penn State could beat *Florida. Hee hee... You know what I mean. All football and no sleep make SE an idiot. Nothing like making an ass of yourself while making fun of people.
top three states for most prep football talent Sure they are. There are over 30 million people in California for christ's sake. BTW Texas (especially east Texas) and Florida are southern states. Mississippi has a population of less than 2 million. Moss Point, Tupelo, South Panola are cities with only 20,000 people. Yet they fly all over the country to whip schools that would be 3 or 4 classes ahead of them in state competition. I'll take Hoover, AL (pop 28,000) over any school from L.A. or New Jersey with a player pool five times as large.
For those interested in past poll results.....
Game ball has got to go to the Gators D-Line. They absolutely owned OSU's O line in a big way. I was hoping for a much better game. I think the early kick-off return by Ginn for a TD hurt OSU by not allowing them to take the field and establish some sort of flow. Florida played a great team game. There never was one superstar or go to guy and looked as if each player understood their role and also played for the man next to him. For OSU without Ginn and a O line that could protect Troy smith the buckeyes were left with no options. What I dont understand is why after being eatin up by the gators in the 1st half running their zone package why OSU didnt go to Man/Man to change it up some. OSU Defense was attrocious.
danjel, in your first statement, the world "only" was missing. Boise State is the only unbeaten now. In 2004, there were other unbeaten teams.
On a side note about the game and the broadcast, if I would have had to watch that "Rock 'em Sock 'em Robot" commerciall one more time, I probably would have wondered into the street looking to punch out a truck myself. I couldn't agree more. I would love to go back and count the number of times that commercial went on. I have never seen anything so ridiculous. Especially because the commercial had already been played another thousand times during the other bowl games. Game ball has got to go to the Gators D-Line. They absolutely owned OSU's O line in a big way. I was hoping for a much better game. I think the early kick-off return by Ginn for a TD hurt OSU by not allowing them to take the field and establish some sort of flow. I actually felt the same way, only I took into account that if Florida did not respond the way they did, it could have been a serious dagger. Excellent play calling by Meyer to make sure his team came out firing on all cylinders to answer that OSU blow. r8rh8r27's first paragraph was right on. Anybody that has watched a few of the Gators' games over the past three years knows that Leak is in the upper echelon on quarterbacks if he has time to pick apart a defense and step into his throw. Zone coverage against him is asking to be burned if your front-four cannot mount a decent rush. Seeing his team get picked apart, one must wonder why Tressell did not choose to bite the bullet at some point and throw a few blitz packages. Make Leak operate under pressure and hope that he throws a bad pass that leads into a turnover. If I recall, Leak only made two questionable decisions the whole game, and both came with a defender in his face. I honestly question the coaching of OSU in this game.
... the fact that you don't grasp or care to acknowledge the difference between a "month-long break" and the 51 days Ohio State truly sat tells me you're really not applying your normal amount of thought to this. Getting 51 days off is ridiculous -- whatever happened to finishing the season New Year's weekend? -- but I feel like conventional wisdom is too enamored of the difference between a one-loss team and a no-loss team. I hate how college football anoints a handful of teams before the season even starts, as Ohio State was treated this year. Some of those one-loss teams were pretty good. As for how much Ohio State I saw, I'm in Florida and tended to watch these teams when I couldn't get North Texas on TV. Florida's football and hoops teams peaked at the perfect time.
Just to be clear about this, bperk. Are you saying Boise State and not Florida should be crowned 'Nat'l Champ' because they beat one top 25 team all year and OU on a down year with three trick plays at the end of the game? Florida's opponets record: 91-66 Boise State's opponets record: 75-89
Just to be clear about this, bperk. Are you saying Boise State and not Florida should be crowned 'Nat'l Champ' because they beat one top 25 team all year and OU on a down year with three trick plays at the end of the game? No, I never said anything like that.
Florida was not the best performer last night IMNHO. That would be Barry Alvarez. When I saw the calling-crew I thought we were getting shafted by Fox for the biggest game of the year. But to my surprise the crew, especially Coach Alvarez, was top notch.
bperk, My bad. So what is your point in the whole, 'Boise State is the only undefeated.....'
I think he was referring to danjel's statistics and how they should be intepeted.
Good for Florida. They played well and were much better coached. Next season, however, I'm looking for USC to dominate. Especially if Jarrett returns.
bperk, My bad. So what is your point in the whole, 'Boise State is the only undefeated.....' Just a correction in danjel's first statement. Though the second one he posted is right, which is that Boise State is the first team to be the only undefeated team and not at least get a share of the national title.
I spent all that time in class wondering how's the game going and for what? Don't talk about layoffs or Boise State. Florida is the national champion. I believed Florida to be more athletic but Ohio State coach Tressell would come up with something to offset this. SPEED KILLS posted by Debo270 at 8:31 AM CST on January 9 Amen to that.
Ohio State's D finally stepped up at the beginning of the second half and held Florida to two short possessions, but the offense couldn't get anything going. That was their last chance to get back into the game. Losing Ginn sucked for Ohio State, but if they lose a game because one player is out, they're not a championship team. Why were the Ohio State players on the sidelines wearing condoms on their heads?
And/or, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't see Ohio State play at all this year But I'm afraid you can't give him the benefit of not having seen Florida and its woeful co-conferees. Oh, what memorable games there weren't. Just look at all the "Boise State #1" comments for more evidence of their classless and ignorant behaviour. I suppose it's hard not to paint with a very broad brush when you're doing the Gator chop thing. Really, SEC uber alles types are so easily tweaked. USC is the only team that would be competitive with an SEC schedule Except you don't play a schedule, you play a group of teams.
Sure they are. There are over 30 million people in California for christ's sake. BTW Texas (especially east Texas) and Florida are southern states. Mississippi has a population of less than 2 million. Moss Point, Tupelo, South Panola are cities with only 20,000 people. Yet they fly all over the country to whip schools that would be 3 or 4 classes ahead of them in state competition. I'll take Hoover, AL (pop 28,000) over any school from L.A. or New Jersey with a player pool five times as large.Sure they are. There are over 30 million people in California for christ's sake. BTW Texas (especially east Texas) and Florida are southern states. Mississippi has a population of less than 2 million. Moss Point, Tupelo, South Panola are cities with only 20,000 people. Yet they fly all over the country to whip schools that would be 3 or 4 classes ahead of them in state competition. I'll take Hoover, AL (pop 28,000) over any school from L.A. or New Jersey with a player pool five times as large. r8rh8r27 -- I never said that California had the most football talent per capita, only that it was in the top 3 for best prep talent. I also wasn't trying to skirt the fact that Texas and Florida are southern states, just to note that any discussion of top football regions has to include California (which really could actually qualify as its own region). And for what it's worth (a) Texas and Florida are the 2nd and 4th largest states in the U.S., respectively (although both aggregate to just slightly more total people than California), and (b) I wouldn't include South Florida and Central and West Texas in my own definition of the "South" -- they are some cultural differences between those places and what most Americans typically think of as the South (which I tend to think of as the SEC states -- yes, I know, Florida is included in that -- plus N. Carolina and parts of Virginia). Finally, high school teams don't play enough interstate matches to really assess whether the top teams in some states are better than the top teams in other states. Could Hoover beat De La Salle, Don Bosco, Mission Viejo or other NJ/CA teams? I don't know. As best as I can tell, Hoover hasn't played any of those teams or other CA or NJ teams recently (if at all), instead playing a more regional out-of-state schedule (Florida, Louisiana). And finally, just to be a dick, South Panola is the school district, Batesville is the town where South Panola H.S. is located. I think the "south" generally defined is clearly the best football region in the country (under a whole lot of metrics that might be used to define what is the "best"). I only take issue with some of your overbroad and unequivocal statements.
I'll take Hoover, AL (pop 28,000) over any school from L.A. or New Jersey with a player pool five times as large. Welcome to the South, where college football in the small towns is literally life. The best thing on earth is seeing Warner Robins vs. NS Warner Robins: two cross-town rivals who are viable to ranked nationally at any time. More intense than nay college game I've been to, and I went to UGA. Seen Saturday Night Lights where the captain of the football team is god on campus? The same is true in the smaller towns- only he's god of the whole town.
As a Buckeye fan that was tough to take because we expected to win and we were flat, but Florida played amazing, everything they did, they did it with great execution, but I don't want to hear that Ginn's injury is why we lost, because Ted Ginn doesn't play defense. I also don't want to hear that Troy Smith is a 2nd string wr in the NFL, because he won't be. They out ran us, thats why they won, because of speed and heart. OSU just showed up and nobody wins just by showing up, and I don't want to hear that Florida is god and that OSU is trash just because they are champs because when we won, we did it with class, I expect the same from the fans of another Ohio born coach. And I hearing a little to much talk of Florida being the best team that ever played by all the idiots, not fans of football because Florida backed doored there way into the game and beat a team that thought they were already champs. And just for the record Chris Leak is no better than Troy Smith it just so happened to be Smith's worst career games and Leak just sat there and looked pretty while Timmy Tebow did all of the dirty work.
Clevelander32, you are asking for Florida fans to be respectful, citing the class of Buckeyes fans, but you are truly contradicting this statement in your assertions that "Florida backed doored there way into the game" and only won because of the other team's lack of effort. I beg you to reconsider your position. And I hearing a little to much talk of Florida being the best team that ever played Where did you hear that? Sounds like a bad comedian. A great game and season by this Florida team, but they are nowhere near the best team that ever played. I believe that either team in last year's championship game would have put Florida to the test. Perhaps what you heard was the best team that Ohio State played this year. That, the score shows, may be a fair assessment. And just for the record Chris Leak is no better than Troy Smith it just so happened to be Smith's worst career games and Leak just sat there and looked pretty while Timmy Tebow did all of the dirty work. I believe that Leak is a better passer than Smith, but Smith is a better decision-maker under pressure and a far superior athlete. But to assess that Tebow did "all of the dirty work" while Leak "just sat there and looked pretty" is a woeful assessment that makes me question whether you even watched the game. A near-70% completion rating for over 200 yards and only one sack to go with zero interceptions is more than "looking pretty," especially given his management of the game. Tebow's statline: 1-1, 1 TD and 10 rushes for 39 yards, 1 TD. Sure, Tebow was thrown in there when the team wanted a rusher inside the red zone, but that's his role. It isn't to say that Leak can't get it done, but rather that Tebow is a better fit for the offense intended. thankx to a no-call on a CLEAR hold of Nelson on the kickoff Wow, I was waiting for this comment to assure me that I am not crazy. No flags or mention by the announcers despite the replay CLEARLY showing Nelson being pulled back. That isn't to detract from the return nor to state that Nelson would have eventually caught up, but that was a clear infraction.
Wow, I was waiting for this comment to assure me that I am not crazy. No flags or mention by the announcers despite the replay CLEARLY showing Nelson being pulled back. That isn't to detract from the return nor to state that Nelson would have eventually caught up, but that was a clear infraction. I saw it as well, both real-time and on the replay. I was surprised it wasn't mentioned.
WOW
Holden, Batesville has two school districts. They are still under self-segregation to a certain extent. South Panola is the football school. All the white kids go to North Panola. Neither school is within the city limits of Batesville. Batesville is just a town in Panola County, Mississippi. ....just to be a dick :)..... Hoover does play out of state competition. They flew to Union-Tulsa for the fourth game and won 34-7, and lost on the road to John Curtis, LA (USA Today #1)this year. They travel by charter jet. Last year they beat Lakeland, FL while they were ranked #1. There have been plenty of attempts to make a hoover vs. De La Salle home/away match but one team keeps backing out. Guess which one. They lost their bid to win their fifth str8 6A Championship to Pratville. I read in SI their football budget this year was 700K! Both starting quarterbacks for the Tigers and the Tide played for Hoover. Unlike La Salle they are a public school and can't openly recruit from all over the country.
Congratulations Florida, and yes, this is coming from an Ohio State fan (and graduate). I really wish OSU had shown up last night to give you the challenge you deserved, but if the shoe were on the other foot today, I'd probably be as happy as you are. OSU's offensive line stunk up the joint last night, Troy Smith underestimated the speed of Florida's defense, and our speedster injured his ankle while celebrating his opening kick return for a TD. Three strikes, we're out. (Not to mention that I think the coaches accidently grabbed John Cooper's old play book before leaving Columbus). But, I can take heart in one thing. At least I wasn't one of the many OSU fans who paid a few thousand dollars to fly to Arizona, scalp a ticket and come to wish I'd put the money into a flat-panel, 42" HD television instead. If I had dropped that kind of coin to watch that fiasco, I really be ticked off today. I'd offer one of you Gator fans the DVD I recorded the game on last night, but somehow it became damaged...very, very damaged. Go Bucks!
r8rh8r27 -- I think we're largely in agreement on a lot of points. (And maybe we're both right about S. Panola/Batesville -- the school may not be in Batesville city limits, but it has a Batesville mailing address.) Putting aside subjective claims about what program/state/style of football is better, though, perhaps a more interesting question is whether high school teams sho
