College Football 2013

[smithrh]

I am biased, though. I have a sweet spot for academic schools with athletic success.

This article is for you (well, everyone else too):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324324404579041092507233498.html

Both alma maters of mine are in the upper right hand quadrant of the upper right hand quadrant (no, that's not a redundant statement), which I'm pretty happy about...

 

[Roller]

Sort of an ugly win for Bama this afternoon, but they still managed it despite horrible offensive play. Saban and the team have their work cut out for them during the next two weeks.

 

[oldhifi]

Sort of an ugly win for Bama this afternoon, but they still managed it despite horrible offensive play. Saban and the team have their work cut out for them during the next two weeks.

we will take it...

 

[AustinIllini]

This article is for you (well, everyone else too):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324324404579041092507233498.html

Both alma maters of mine are in the upper right hand quadrant of the upper right hand quadrant (no, that's not a redundant statement), which I'm pretty happy about...

It's all about the top half as far as I'm concerned.

 

[oldhifi]

College Football Poll is out Week 2

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rankings

Associated Press Top 25
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Ohio State
4. Clemson
5. Stanford
6. South Carolina
7. Texas A&M
8. Louisville
9. LSU
10. Florida State
11. Georgia
12. Florida
13. Oklahoma State
14. Notre Dame
15. Texas
16. Oklahoma
17. Michigan
18. UCLA
19. Northwestern
20. Washington
21. Wisconsin
22. Nebraska
23. Baylor
24. TCU
25. Southern California

 

[MacDawg]

Sort of an ugly win for Bama this afternoon, but they still managed it despite horrible offensive play. Saban and the team have their work cut out for them during the next two weeks.

Dawgs would have loved to have had an ugly win

 

[oldhifi]

Dawgs would have loved to have had an ugly win

Yea I watched that one I could not believe it..they just ran out of time...I still don't think Clemson should be #4, Georgia is much better team and has a tough schedule..

 

[AlabamaSlammer]

What a great week 1 of college football! Glad that the season has started and now all the pre-season questions can now be answered on the field.

I do have some breaking news for you from here in Alabama. A little after 4 central time, it is being reported that Alabama WR #7 Kenny Bell is leaving the team to be with his family. Not many details have come out so far or if this is even true.

Waiting on the Nick Saban press conference after practice

 

[oldhifi]

What a great week 1 of college football! Glad that the season has started and now all the pre-season questions can now be answered on the field.

I do have some breaking news for you from here in Alabama. A little after 4 central time, it is being reported that Alabama WR #7 Kenny Bell is leaving the team to be with his family. Not many details have come out so far or if this is even true.

Waiting on the Nick Saban press conference after practice

yea I read that..Bama has zillions of great players to take his place....

 

[AlabamaSlammer]

yea I read that..Bama has zillions of great players to take his place....

Well Nick Saban said it has press conference that after talking with WR #7 Kenny Bell and his family, Kenny is now coming back to the team on Wednesday. Not sure what the details are but he had stated that he wanted to be a better father to his kids and left the team. Now he is back..

 

[oldhifi]

well nick saban said it has press conference that after talking with wr #7 kenny bell and his family, kenny is now coming back to the team on wednesday. Not sure what the details are but he had stated that he wanted to be a better father to his kids and left the team. Now he is back..

great!!!

 

[oldhifi]

Well Nick Saban said it has press conference that after talking with WR #7 Kenny Bell and his family, Kenny is now coming back to the team on Wednesday. Not sure what the details are but he had stated that he wanted to be a better father to his kids and left the team. Now he is back..

What do you think the outcome will be against Texas A&M ?

 

[AlabamaSlammer]

What do you think the outcome will be against Texas A&M ?

Well, me being an Alabama fan I think they will win. What i'm more interested in is how will be Bama D will prepare for Manziel. Bama's D is known for their blitzs and many different schemes.

I think Bama will play more of a coverage and leave Cj Mosley or Sunseri as a "spy" on Manziel. Also the Texas A&M defense needs to improve over the next few weeks cause they looked horrible against Rice.

 

[oldhifi]

Well, me being an Alabama fan I think they will win. What i'm more interested in is how will be Bama D will prepare for Manziel. Bama's D is known for their blitzs and many different schemes.

I think Bama will play more of a coverage and leave Cj Mosley or Sunseri as a "spy" on Manziel. Also the Texas A&M defense needs to improve over the next few weeks cause they looked horrible against Rice.

I hope your correct and Roll Tide!

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

The NCAA decided to ignore the allegations, and the overwhelming circumstantial evidence, and gave Johnny Football a one half suspension.

The guy signed 4400 autographs with professional autograph dealers, out of the goodness of his heart? Come on. 🙄

Late response to this but that poll is flawed because there's no response for "he shouldn't have been suspended at all". He didn't break any rules and there's no evidence he did anything wrong. There's also no evidence that he signed 4400 of anything. The memorabilia industry is rife with fraud; the companies that "authenticated" his autographs (along with Clowney's, Bridgewater's, Marquis Lee's, Braxton Miller's, etc.) have all been busted for fraud themselves. The whole thing was a witch hunt.

Now he's a villain and Kevin Sumlin is an enabler. What a joke.

----------

Well, me being an Alabama fan I think they will win. What i'm more interested in is how will be Bama D will prepare for Manziel. Bama's D is known for their blitzs and many different schemes.

I think Bama will play more of a coverage and leave Cj Mosley or Sunseri as a "spy" on Manziel. Also the Texas A&M defense needs to improve over the next few weeks cause they looked horrible against Rice.

I hope Bama blitzes and spies. That would play right into the hands of A&M's offense.

As for A&M's defense, I'm a little worried but mostly because we won't know what we have until the Bama game because of 6 suspended starters. We get two back this week, which should help, but we've also got one starter missing the first half because of the stupid targeting rule. Guy led with his shoulder and went to the chest, but still got the 15-yard penalty, ejection and suspension. Awful.

 

[AlabamaSlammer]

Late response to this but that poll is flawed because there's no response for "he shouldn't have been suspended at all". He didn't break any rules and there's no evidence he did anything wrong. There's also no evidence that he signed 4400 of anything. The memorabilia industry is rife with fraud; the companies that "authenticated" his autographs (along with Clowney's, Bridgewater's, Marquis Lee's, Braxton Miller's, etc.) have all been busted for fraud themselves. The whole thing was a witch hunt.

Now he's a villain and Kevin Sumlin is an enabler. What a joke.

----------



I hope Bama blitzes and spies. That would play right into the hands of A&M's offense.

As for A&M's defense, I'm a little worried but mostly because we won't know what we have until the Bama game because of 6 suspended starters. We get two back this week, which should help, but we've also got one starter missing the first half because of the stupid targeting rule. Guy led with his shoulder and went to the chest, but still got the 15-yard penalty, ejection and suspension. Awful.

Image

Bama will still try to blitz and play man coverage but it all depends on if the can sack or contain Manziel. That's why I think you will see a different Bama Defense by playing more coverage and use the spy while in a coverage.

You're right about the A&M defense. I did forget about them not having 6 of their starters for the Rice game. Having all the players back from suspension for the Bama will help but it could hurt them also. With that being 4 of the players first game, the conditioning (game shape) for those 4 could play a role.

As for the "targeting" hit, it looks like from that angle the only reason he got the flag and ejected, is because he lowered his head and went crown first into the shoulder. (EDIT) After watching the video, He shouldn't of been ejected. It looks like the refs were playing it safe and it should of been reviewed

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

Bama will still try to blitz and play man coverage but it all depends on if the can sack or contain Manziel. That's why I think you will see a different Bama Defense by playing more coverage and use the spy while in a coverage.

The problem with blitzing A&M's offense is two-fold:

1. The O-line is so good they're going to pick up most of your looks, then it's five receivers on 4-5 defenders. There's going to be mismatches all over the field since A&M has multiple 6' 5" WRs.
2. Blitzing usually opens up running lanes for Manziel. UF got burned repeatedly in the opener last year until they stopped blitzing and forced Johnny to pass. That was his first game as a freshman starter. Not sure that would work as well this year. Plus, UF's front seven was faster than Bama's.

The problem with spying is similar:

1. In order to have a player who can keep up with Manziel in the open field, you've got to either walk one of your safeties down or add another defensive back to the mix. If you stack the box, this offense will beat you downfield all day long. If you run a dime, A&M has a great O-line and four stud RBs that can shove it down your now undersized defense's throat. That's before we even discuss the problems with not being able to substitute due to tempo.
2. Even if you have a great safety that you feel comfortable using as a spy, can he tackle Manziel in the open field? Few, if any, have shown the ability to do that. Go watch the first drive of the Cotton Bowl. OU used their best defensive player as a spy and he got brutalized.

You're right about the A&M defense. I did forget about them not having 6 of their starters for the Rice game. Having all the players back from suspension for the Bama will help but it could hurt them also. With that being 4 of the players first game, the conditioning (game shape) for those 4 could play a role.

It's definitely a concern. Probably our biggest concern going into September 14.

As for the "targeting" hit, it looks like from that angle the only reason he got the flag and ejected, is because he lowered his head and went crown first into the shoulder. (EDIT) After watching the video, He shouldn't of been ejected. It looks like the refs were playing it safe and it should of been reviewed

Yeah. Sumlin challenged it on the spot and the replay upheld the call. There's no review process after the game, according to Sumlin (he was asked about appealing it to the league office during his Tuesday press conference). What a crap rule.

--

On a different note, look who's on the cover of Time magazine. Unbelievable.

 

[AlabamaSlammer]

The problem with blitzing A&M's offense is two-fold:

1. The O-line is so good they're going to pick up most of your looks, then it's five receivers on 4-5 defenders. There's going to be mismatches all over the field since A&M has multiple 6' 5" WRs.
2. Blitzing usually opens up running lanes for Manziel. UF got burned repeatedly in the opener last year until they stopped blitzing and forced Johnny to pass. That was his first game as a freshman starter. Not sure that would work as well this year. Plus, UF's front seven was faster than Bama's.

The problem with spying is similar:

1. In order to have a player who can keep up with Manziel in the open field, you've got to either walk one of your safeties down or add another defensive back to the mix. If you stack the box, this offense will beat you downfield all day long. If you run a dime, A&M has a great O-line and four stud RBs that can shove it down your now undersized defense's throat. That's before we even discuss the problems with not being able to substitute due to tempo.
2. Even if you have a great safety that you feel comfortable using as a spy, can he tackle Manziel in the open field? Few, if any, have shown the ability to do that. Go watch the first drive of the Cotton Bowl. OU used their best defensive player as a spy and he got brutalized.

It's definitely a concern. Probably our biggest concern going into September 14.



Yeah. Sumlin challenged it on the spot and the replay upheld the call. There's no review process after the game, according to Sumlin (he was asked about appealing it to the league office during his Tuesday press conference). What a crap rule.

--

On a different note, look who's on the cover of Time magazine. Unbelievable.

Image

First let me start this by saying that Manziel is a great football player. He is able to extend plays, get out of pressure, run,and make great passes. But his off the field antics and now on the field (Rice game) it's just getting old.

I'm not talking about his alleged autograph payments. Personally I think players should be paid for their services. I'm talking about his attitude. Manziel should really take a backseat and just play. Don't talk to press and try to stay out of the public spotlight as much as possible. The Times just gave Alabama great locker room material...

Who has the better cover? Jonny Football or Aj McCarron's girlfriend and mom

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

But his off the field antics and now on the field (Rice game) it's just getting old.

I sort of understand where you're coming from, but only because I know how it's being spun in the media. Johnny isn't doing anything now that he didn't do last year. If it was so horrible, why was he the hero then and then villain now?

Personally I think players should be paid for their services.

I think they already are. Scholarships are worth tens of thousands of dollars per year, plus they get free gear, free travel, free tutors, first access to whatever classes they want to take (can you imagine any situation where a football player gets denied a class he needs, possibly with eligibility on the line, because it's already full? Regular students can't get into the classes they want regularly), etc.

If schools want to add a stipend ("allowance") to that, I'm okay with it, but I don't agree they should be paid outright like professional athletes. If we go that route, should they even have to be in school at all?

I'm talking about his attitude. Manziel should really take a backseat and just play. Don't talk to press and try to stay out of the public spotlight as much as possible. The Times just gave Alabama great locker room material...

He hasn't given an interview or been on social media for months. The media is keeping him front and center despite the fact he hasn't said a peep. And now they're complaining that he's not available to them.

Who has the better cover? Jonny Football or Aj McCarron's girlfriend and mom

Without question, hot broads trump groin shots football players.

That being said, how is McCarron's mom being on the cover of a magazine any different than Johnny being on one? Shouldn't A.J. also stay out of the spotlight (and keep his family/girlfriend out of the spotlight) and just play?

I also wonder if either of those women have been paid for any of the media they've done. Did Katherine Webb do all that TV earlier this year for free? If not, isn't that an NCAA violation because she's only getting these jobs by virtue of being AJ's girlfriend? Sounds like an extra benefit student athletes aren't allowed to have under NCAA rules. 😀

 

[AlabamaSlammer]

I sort of understand where you're coming from, but only because I know how it's being spun in the media. Johnny isn't doing anything now that he didn't do last year. If it was so horrible, why was he the hero then and then villain now?



I think they already are. Scholarships are worth tens of thousands of dollars per year, plus they get free gear, free travel, free tutors, first access to whatever classes they want to take (can you imagine any situation where a football player gets denied a class he needs, possibly with eligibility on the line, because it's already full? Regular students can't get into the classes they want regularly), etc.

If schools want to add a stipend ("allowance") to that, I'm okay with it, but I don't agree they should be paid outright like professional athletes. If we go that route, should they even have to be in school at all?



He hasn't given an interview or been on social media for months. The media is keeping him front and center despite the fact he hasn't said a peep. And now they're complaining that he's not available to them.



Without question, hot broads trump groin shots football players.

That being said, how is McCarron's mom being on the cover of a magazine any different than Johnny being on one? Shouldn't A.J. also stay out of the spotlight (and keep his family/girlfriend out of the spotlight) and just play?

I also wonder if either of those women have been paid for any of the media they've done. Did Katherine Webb do all that TV earlier this year for free? If not, isn't that an NCAA violation because she's only getting these jobs by virtue of being AJ's girlfriend? Sounds like an extra benefit student athletes aren't allowed to have under NCAA rules. 😀

I have to agree with almost everything you said but a few.. The payment statements you made are great points. I think there should be an allowance. How much it should be, well thats in the NCAA and Colleges hands.

I think the thing that bothers most people the most about Manziel, is the fact that he can talk trash (when he did on twitter) and go on the field and back it up.

The only thing that seems like a little stretch on your part is how is it an extra benefit for Aj McCarron if his mom and girlfriend get paid for doing work? If you want to get technical about it, thank ESPN for their popularity.. Remember the Bcs national championship and the coverage Brent gave them. Nice try 🙂

I thought it was funny that the Rice Band (the mob) wasn't allowed to play during halftime because of their new band uniforms

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

The only thing that seems like a little stretch on your part is how is it an extra benefit for Aj McCarron if his mom and girlfriend get paid for doing work? If you want to get technical about it, thank ESPN for their popularity.. Remember the Bcs national championship and the coverage Brent gave them. Nice try 🙂

Total stretch done in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, but the fact remains she never would have been on the screen or talked about if she wasn't AJ's girlfriend. She never would have been in the SI Swimsuit issue or working in TV if she wasn't AJ's girlfriend. So really, people connected to AJ are getting special benefits and getting paid because—and only because—of their connections to a student athlete. That is an NCAA violation. Is it ridiculous? Of course. Is it technically a violation? Yep.

I thought it was funny that the Rice Band (the mob) wasn't allowed to play during halftime because of their new band uniforms

We all laughed about it when we saw it at the stadium. The MOB ("Marching Owl Band") is famous for their pranks. Unfortunately they didn't bring their full travel band or we would have undoubtedly seen some hilarity on the field, as well.

 

[MacDawg]

Johnny isn't doing anything now that he didn't do last year. If it was so horrible, why was he the hero then and then villain now?

I think he is a very talented player, but I didn't care for his arrogance and immature antics last year either
But he is the darling/victim of the media's double edged sword, it cuts both ways... they only care about the hits and ratings

After all the off field stuffs, to continue with it shows lack of growth and poor judgement IMO
But he appears to thrive on the bad-boy image
While it may be entertaining now, I think in the long run it will hurt him, the team and his future

That said, winning covers a lot of do-do and as long as he wins, I don't see things changing

 

[AlabamaSlammer]

Total stretch done in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, but the fact remains she never would have been on the screen or talked about if she wasn't AJ's girlfriend. She never would have been in the SI Swimsuit issue or working in TV if she wasn't AJ's girlfriend. So really, people connected to AJ are getting special benefits and getting paid because—and only because—of their connections to a student athlete. That is an NCAA violation. Is it ridiculous? Of course. Is it technically a violation? Yep.



We all laughed about it when we saw it at the stadium. The MOB ("Marching Owl Band") is famous for their pranks. Unfortunately they didn't bring their full travel band or we would have undoubtedly seen some hilarity on the field, as well.

Nothing better than a good college football debate/conversation with someone who seems to know about football. This is making my day off so much better.

On a more serious note are you going to the Bama/A&M game?

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

I think he is a very talented player, but I didn't care for his arrogance and immature antics last year either
But he is the darling/victim of the media's double edged sword, it cuts both ways... they only care about the hits and ratings

After all the off field stuffs, to continue with it shows lack of growth and poor judgement IMO
But he appears to thrive on the bad-boy image
While it may be entertaining now, I think in the long run it will hurt him, the team and his future

That said, winning covers a lot of do-do and as long as he wins, I don't see things changing

Can't argue with that, and I believe you when you say your opinion has been consistent. It's the love him one day, hate him the next stuff that the media (mainly ESPN) pulls that bothers me. His play on the field is electric but the media doting media coverage since last November is what made him (arguably) the biggest star in sports.

Build up. Tear down. Rinse. Repeat.

Nothing better than a good college football debate/conversation with someone who seems to know about football. This is making my day off so much better.

Ditto.

On a more serious note are you going to the Bama/A&M game?

Absolutely. This is where I sit every game.ˇˇ

 

[MacDawg]

Build up. Tear down. Rinse. Repeat.

Exactly

Saw this over at Deadspin... thought you might enjoy it 🙂