The BCS aughta be pretty interesting this year. Id personally like to see Missouri get into the NC game and ultimately winning it all. Cant stand OSU, much like everyone else here on the blog. WV is talented, but the Big East is weak. For coming from being unranked to #1, Missouri deserves it. Their defense is tough, and Chase Daniel is an amazing quarterback. In my own opinion, it would be a shame and a robbery if he doesnt win the heisman this year (obviously depending on how he plays against OU) Go tigers! beat them sooners
bmg | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 10:59 am | #

A robbery? I think the Heisman is Tebow's, and if he wasn't a sophomore I don't know that there would be a debate. I think he wins it in a landslide regardless.

I'm hoping for a WVU Missouri matchup, but the luckeyes seems to have things go there way enough that I don't even know anymore. I guess I'm still of the belief that LSU would beat any of the top 5 teams more often than not (although Georgia would be a fun matchup).
Oreo | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 11:03 am | #

Did anyone see the Udubdish is calling for Ty's head?

...

RACISTS!

...

We all know the deep prejiduce that has been woven into the history of the upper North-West. I can't believe they would consider that.
Mark | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 11:04 am | #

281 days ladies and gentlemen

just for fun, and yes, it may be a tad too early to discuss and think about it as we are all still licking the wounds from the 07 campaign, but how do you think well fair in the upcoming season? Who/what will shine in each of the games?

Sept. 6 SAN DIEGO STATE
Sept. 13 MICHIGAN
Sept. 20 at Michigan State
Sept. 27 PURDUE
Oct. 4 STANFORD
Oct. 11 at North Carolina
Oct. 18 Open Date
Oct. 25 at Washington
Nov. 1 PITTSBURGH
Nov. 8 at Boston College
Nov. 15 at Navy (Baltimore)
Nov. 22 SYRACUSE
Nov. 29 at USC
bmg | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 11:04 am | #

I was just reading Aaron Taylor's comments on this season at legendsofsouthbend.com. Can I ask that he replace Pat Haden, and that Rocket is the sideline announcer. Let's get some ND people to announce the game!
Greg | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 11:41 am | #

BMG,

With that schedule I can see 10 possible wins.

SDSU - Win
Michigan - Loss
MSU - Win
PU - Win
Stanford - Win
NC - Win
UW - Win
Pitt - Win
BC - Win (No more Flynn)
Navy - Win
Syracuse - Win
USC - Loss

Maybe even 11 wins with Henne and Hart gone a Michigan. Weis better get at least 8 wins out of that schedule.
Rome | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 11:44 am | #

I predict we will at least win the game slated for Oct 18th. But who knows these days.
Berger | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 11:47 am | #

Love the cheeseburger reference
P | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 11:57 am | #

If Illinois doesn't get selected or qualify for a BCS game I'd love to see them take on the Gators perhaps in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando. Imagine how much fun that could be watching the Zooker go up against the urban myth!!
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 12:27 pm | #

Knoxville -
If the Vols win tomorrow, they may keep Illinois from becoming BCS eligible. I'd love to see Zook take on Florida as well.
Jeff | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 12:32 pm | #

I can see 8-4 as the most likely record next year, with losses to Michigan, Michigan State, BC, and USC. After this year, I could live with that and hope for 09 as the year the title comes back to south bend.
andrew | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 12:41 pm | #

National Championship: West Virginia vs Ohio State

Ugh. If that happens then I pray WV pounds tOSU. They win the State of Ohio Championship, win a very weak Big 10 title while losing to Illinois and now they get a chance to be national champs?!? College football really needs a playoff of some sort.
Eddie | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 12:52 pm | #

I see 8 or 9 wins next year. The schedule is much easier, the players are much more experienced, and I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that Charlie is pissed. What I want more than anything, though, is a bowl win.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 12:55 pm | #

Nope, we don't lose to Michigan next year. We can't. Not on our home turf. It is our turn to win that game.

New coach for them, new (relatively) QB for them, a potentially weaker offensive line, lack of WR speed and HB skills, and their defense will still suck.

We MUST win that game next year.

Of course, realize that if we do win that game, and UM finishes out the year with additional losses to Wisc and tOSU and Illinois, all the Michigan fans will say that our win "doesn't count" since that was an off year (ala 2005). So I guess in that light, it won't matter if we win or lose.

Wait, yes it will.
chrisnd | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 1:17 pm | #

SDSU - Win
Michigan - Loss
MSU - loss
PU - loss
Stanford - Win
NC - Win (maybe)
UW - loss
Pitt - loss
BC - loss
Navy - Win
Syracuse - Win
USC - Loss

I would love to sugarcoat everything and be more optimistic, but I have a feeling not much will change from this year. Every year under CW we have digressed. I hope to hell I'm wrong though.
true2nd | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 1:34 pm | #

"every year under CW we have digressed"
Apart from the obvious (???digressed; WTF) I'm thinking that 2005, CW's first year, was distinctly NOT worse than the previous year. Making this statement objectively false.
Publius | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 1:56 pm | #

Oh, and true2nd, I just can't see CW losing to Wannstadt and Pitt (they are terrible) or Willingham and Washington.
Publius | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 1:57 pm | #

The only robbery that will occur is if Tebow doesnt win the Heisman. He scored over 50 touchdowns! 50! That's about 4 touchdowns per game. Just think about that for a minute when you say that Chase Daniel should win the award.

He hasnt scored 50 touchdowns, I dont care what his team's record is, he should should consider himself very lucky to even be in the conversation.
Brian | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 1:58 pm | #

Oh yeah, I liked the cheeseburger reference too. I liked it so much I think I'll have one for lunch today. Yup. Cheeseburger.
Brian | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 1:58 pm | #

The Seattle Times ran a poll in their sports on-line. It was 2 to 1 for Willingham to be immediately replaced. They think they have a shot a Jim Mora...who is now coaching the Seahawks...

I have lost all confidence in Weis as I still have not figured out what went so terribly wrong this season. If the team went 4-12 in 2008 I wouldn't be surprised. If they went 8-4 I wouldn't be surprised either...

I'm still interested in the bowl games this year...I have to do something until March when I can get into basketball...

Tell me that Travis Thomas, Lambert, Wooden and the offensive line are all graduating...please. Or at least leaving school without their degrees...

Watching every other school play - including "minor colleges - the lack of ND team speed is very evident. All ND halfbacks look like these other team's fullbacks...and the ND fullback looks like he shouldn't have left the weight room...

Is Weis going to replace the guy who is getting paid to "coach" the offensive line?...If not...why not??...

Isn't there a Catholic high school kid in the western hemisphere that is able to kick the ball into the end zone on kickoffs?...

Ex-ND players shouldn't be allowed to broadcast the games from the press box nor the sideline...unless you enjoy the sight of grown men puking from "rout in session"...

How did Illinois get so good so fast by recruiting one player named Benn?...


Remember DC Baer?...he's still with TW and he's still 90th out of 119 teams in total team defense...at least he's consistent...

Speaking of TW...after tomorrow's loss in Hawaii (sorry, Hawai'i) his W-L % at UW will be .295...at least he's consistent...his career W-L % will drop to .495...tell me again why he was hired at ND?...no less UW...

Still wondering why Mrs. Weis doesn't tell her husband not to tuck his shirt in...talk about Tweedlededum...

When exactly will we beat USC again?...when exactly will Pete Carroll be leaving USC?...

When the "powers that be" banned me from this site a while back they stated that I was being too harsh on the ND players (Lambert and Wooden, specifically)...but...why shouldn't players who are being compensated at the rate of about $45,000 yearly be exempt from criticism?...Should we not cheer their exploits when they do well because they're "amateurs"?...still pissed at this pissy policy...

Did he say "nasty" or "patsy"...
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 2:29 pm | #

On next years schedule, it is much easier, and I agree, we should have at leats 8 wins- only possible losses are Mich, Mich St, Purdue and USC (BC without Matt Ryan should be easier.) However, if that is how it ends up, how will we all feel when Charlie is 1-3 and only has beaten San Diego St? I really feel that we have a very strong chance against Michigan, and I think we will probably beat Mich St and Purdue, but if we are 1-3 then what would everyone think. My firm belief is that we beat Mich St and Purdue, and have better than 50% chance of beating Michigan. Then we basically will be undefeated going into our final game against USC. The upcoming year is an either or position. Either we are 1-3 or we are undefeated going into our final game.
Greg | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 2:33 pm | #

And we all know what happened the following season...

What, a loss to BC? j/k
midwatchcowboy | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 2:35 pm | #

One more point- the difference between the 1-3 beginning and being undefeated (or one loss to michigan) and still losing to usc is the difference between a 8 win and 10 win season. It will be a very bipolar year due to the tough games at the beginning- not counting the first game.
Greg | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 2:37 pm | #

I think ND has the talent to go 11-1 next year. The also have the coaching to go 4-8 next year (maybe lower). Anything is possible. I would not put $$ on it.
GB | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 3:01 pm | #

There's a lot of "whistling past this year's graveyard" out there...
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 3:14 pm | #

Nice analysis. I, for one, would love to see West Virginia v. Missouri with their high-powered offenses. I doubt that OSU or Georgia could stay with either. Missouri took care of Illinois, who beat OSU. But to drop Missouri from a BCS bowl if they lose to Oklahoma in favor of Kansas whom they beat??? This is another argument for a playoff system. Playoffs would free all from calculating the BCS standings with conference upset wins by BC and Tennessee - and where non-conference championship participants Georgia and Kansas would fit in.
Brian | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 3:42 pm | #

281 days, you say? That's convenient, because 281 grotto trips might be what it takes for an 11-1 season next year. Perhaps I'll get started on that one tonight...
Matt '09 | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 3:43 pm | #

What BIG games did Tebow win this year? losses against LSU, Auburn, & UGA. He performed subpar-par against those teams as well. Chase Daniel took a no name team with absolutely less offensive talent than FL and took them to #1. Tebow is an amazing QB and will most likely win a Heisman/another NC in his collegiate career. But if Chase beats OU he deserves it more than Tebow. But if he plays terribly in a win or if missouri loses, then I agree 100% that its Tebow's. But much like Brady Quinn of last year (great numbers/leadership/comeback wins/TD passes/completion rate/QB rating/etc) he didnt win. Ya sure it went to the "amazing" Troy Smith (by the way, what happened to him against UF & where is he now?), but many sports writers and voters claimed that it was because of BQ's inability to win the "Big games" that he was a distant 3. I could be full of shit, but that is how I see it. But regardless of what happens against Missouri-OU, Tebow will win it because the media loves to ride his..well you know
bmg | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 4:54 pm | #

My take on the 2008 season:

SAN DIEGO STATE -W(38-17)
MICHIGAN -W(24-23)
Michigan State -W(21-17)
PURDUE -W(42-30)
STANFORD -W(33-24)
North Carolina -W(44-14)
Washington -W(17-3)
PITTSBURGH -W(27-12)
Boston College -W/OT(20-17)
Navy -W(24-23)
SYRACUSE -W(28-10)
USC -L(37-28)

the L at USC kicks ND out of the National Title hunt, and lands us as an at-large bid, possibly in the Fiesta Bowl. Yet suprise team of the year Western Kentucky is picked as the at-large bid over ND, sticking us in the Gator Bowl, inevitably beating Texas Tech in a defensive bout 10-9 (due to a missed PAT) sending ND to a 12-1 record, and a preseason #2 ranking for 2009, only behind the NC winner Temple.

Wishful thinking? Yes.
bmg | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 5:14 pm | #

if WV plays tOSU..then I think WV will do some serious damage with their spread offense.


as for the heisman...i dont think there should be any debate that it should go to Tebow...

just like last year it should have gone to Brady...hands down.


Chase Daniel is a great player..but I think Tebow has just been amazing all year round.
buttface06 | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 5:24 pm | #

oh ...ps...i heard some rumors about pete carrol possibly threatening to leave if USC moves to the rose bowl.
buttface06 | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 5:34 pm | #

...bmg...in your mind...is there a difference between wishful thinking and insanity? Do you think your Chevrolet is really a Porsche?...your Denny's a Patina?...your wife a Jolie?
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 5:50 pm | #

Call me crazy, but I would really like to see teams that don't qualify for their conference championship game disqualified from the BCS championship game, especially if (as is likely to be Georgia's case) they don't come from the same division as the team that wins the championship game.

If I were from outside the SEC (which I am) and a voter in a poll that determines BCS participation (which I'm not) I would be strongly tempted to game the vote to try to keep the Bulldogs out of the championship game.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 5:55 pm | #

A couple of notes on two teams that have been maligned for playing weak schedules...

Ohio State's schedule is pretty poor, but they're still 5th in Sagarin's ELO_CHESS and 4th in his PREDICTOR, and because other teams have bigger spreads between the two anOSU is 2nd in his combined ranking. Furthermore, the Buckeyes are 3-1 against teams in Sagarin's top 30, which is as good as any other top 10 team.

WVU's schedule is better than people think. They're at 35th in Sagarin, which is comparable to most of the other top 10 teams aside from Florida (5th). Their schedule doesn't have any top 10 teams, but it has a respectable number of top 30 teams (3) and presumably is stronger than most in the middle and back to make up for the weakness at the top.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 6:01 pm | #

I am really happy to hear some of the people on this board already showing some hope and faith for next year. I will never "predict" a losing season for the Irish, I don't care how bad we finish the previous season. When did supposed "realism" (or should I say pessimism) start to be perceived as translating to status or intelligence in regards to sports?

"Hey, look at me I am saying ND will be bad next year because I don't want to be considered upbeat or hopeful for my team!"

The Fighting Irish represent everything that is hopeful and good about life this time of year and I will never tarnish that with the thought that they will lose. Sometimes, surviving just so I can make it to Saturday and watch those boys come out of the tunnel and take the field is the only thing that gets me through a tough week. I don't know why so many people have to try to puff themselves up and make it like they know so much about sports because they make predictions that they will lose.

Jim in Redondo - I am sorry to say this, but you ARE a schmuck for badmouthing 19 and 20 year old KIDS who work their asses off not only on the field but in the classroom as well. Just because they get "$45,000" (scholarship) does not mean they are "compensated" and it certainly does not open them up for barbs and insults from someone like you. Does a kid playing youth soccer open himself up to criticism from you because he is "compensated" with orange slices?

If this team is 0-10 next year and SC is #1, I will still pick ND to win huge. Does that mean I am not as knowledgeable about sports? Probably. But it also means I have a passion for this team that is blind to everything else. I, too, live in SC country, but I love the Irish for the team and the university. Not for the National Championships, Heisman Trophies and other tangibles they might bring. Those do not belong to me, they belong to the team and players. The joy I have when I watch the games, that belongs to me.

If you are not behind this team now in the time they need the support the most, you don't get to celebrate the championships with everyone else. You can't talk trash all these weeks and months and then show up at the party like nothing happened.

As far as I am concerned, you should leave the players alone because they are just kids. Have you played major college athletics? I would think if you have, you would know, to some degree, the demands put on these young men. Also, you would not deem what monies the players receive to be compensation. You live in Redondo Beach for crissakes - one of the most beautiful places on earth. Look out your window at the ocean and try not to be so uptight for once!
GO IRISH!!! | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 6:12 pm | #

"With that schedule I can see 10 possible wins. "

Are you high?

7-8 wins tops. Purdue and MSU will beat us again.
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 6:22 pm | #

Also, pray for West Virginia and Missouri. I don't want tOSU smelling the championship.

But then again it would be fun to se them go into the championship game again and get SMOKED.
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 6:24 pm | #

I can't stand Tim Tebow. Everyone makes a big deal that he has all these rushing yards. Jesus Christ if he fell forward at the line of scrimmage it's a 3-4 yard gain. He's huge! Big freaking deal.
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 6:26 pm | #

Tebow is legit. He's a damn good player, and a humble, grounded young man. I wish he played for us!
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 6:36 pm | #

...y'know...GO IRISH!!!...It's idiots like you that make a bad team worse with your cockeyed optimism. And please don't try to pass yourself off as a man...your feminine side drips off of your blog. Try getting a grip ($45,000 = orange slices). What an asshole ...and I usually don't hang that moniker on any woman...
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 6:59 pm | #

I consider the @UNC game next year to be a tough matchup. We should watch out for that one - Butch Davis is doing stuff there..
Artifex | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 7:21 pm | #

if we come out playing hard/spirited/teamwork based football we'll do very well. at this point it's really pointless for anyone to argue. the talent is there. weis coached well in 2005 and 2006 with what was there (and wasn't). but what's to say weis can't learn something about how to fix the coaching woes. it wont be from lack of effort. he's not sitting on his fat ass making everyone just deal with him and his staff. he's made lots of changes and openly is getting advice this summer. by next october we'll know if it worked. by the way guys, i'd love to see all those wins but come on. we can't assume everything will be clicking that well, even with our schedule having schools with bigtime seniors graduating this year.
alanon | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 7:40 pm | #

Jim
How exactly is GO IRISH!!! making the team worse? And how will the team go 4-12 with a 12 game schedule?

Clean up the language and try to get your facts straight.
Redondo is for losers | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 8:05 pm | #

No way Tebow should win the Heisman. McFadden is 3.14 times the player he is.
Delphi | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 8:15 pm | #

Well, well, well! It seems when people have to resort to profanity they may have run out of any real wit and intelligent comments. And trying to question someones manhood? Priceless! I haven't resorted to calling another man a woman since like the third grade! That was truly awesome! What's next? The "I know you are but what am I," retort? My hat is off to you sir for your stinging response!

Still Jim, you never answered my question: Have you ever played major college athletics? Just curious. I really don't feel you can spout some of the criticisms you do about the players themselves unless you have even tasted what it is like to play college sports. And before you resond, I don't consider playing Techmo Bowl with a bag of Fritos in your lap to be "major college athletics".

Also, how exactly can "cockeyed optimism" hurt the team? I guess when the team scores a touchdown, we are all supposed to stand up and boo because we think there is no way they can score on the next series and then flail ourselves with rusty chains as penance for the horrible lot we have been dealt, just like you.

How come every time I read one of your posts, I picture the two old guys in the balcony on the old Muppet Show? Oh, no wait...those guys are actually FUNNY!
GO IRISH!!! | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 10:41 pm | #

"GO IRISH!!!"
Some people would be angry, bitter little boys if they lived on a beach in sunny SoCal, awoke to Jolie beside them every morning, and were wealthy enuf to come and go at will with no worries whatsoever. That's their problem, don't let them make it yours. Just imagine how much hell their lives will be waiting these next 280 some days to see if their predictions ring true. Afford them some pity and prayer as they wallow in their despair; then consider the source, and ignore it.
mike '73 | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 10:41 pm | #

mike '73 -
You're right. Thanks for a little perspective. I shouldn't let things like that get to me. I really do feel sorry for people like him that have lost the joy and passion for this team and only focus on the negatives. I will try to not let things like that get to me, but I get a little defensive about this team especially when people attack the players themselves.
GO IRISH!!! | Email | Homepage | 11.30.07 - 10:53 pm | #

Jeez, Jim/redondo...no wonder the powers that be revoked your posting privelages. If this were my board, I would too.

And really, now, how can/does "cockeyed optimism" hurt the team? As I sit at the TV, or my computer, do my feelings of optimism make them slower? Does my undeserved excitement for this 3-9 team make them throw errant passes? Does my youthful exuberance make them miss tackles or blocks? Seriously, what a really, really dumb comment on your part.

And hey, since CW is such as lousy coach, have you ever thought about sending your resume for the head football coaching position of The University of Notre Dame du Lac? I am sure you have the experience, knowledge, wherewithall, success, connections, and especially intelligence, to be a head football coach at the most storied university in the country...right? So go ahead, send in the application and resume - if I were you, I would even offer to take the job for a 50% paycut from what they are paying Charlie. What AD wouldn't take that offer?

By the way, I know there are spelling mistakes, but right now I am too lazy to look up the word and fix it, so I will let it go. I am sure that you, Jim/redondo, will be ready to criticize my lack of intelligence, so feel free to begin now...
chrisnd | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 12:01 am | #

jim/redondo = subprime/foreclosed?

redondo beach is actually pretty skanky. white trash, meth labs and mediocre waves.

tebow is just a white donovan mcnabb - a steroidal rb playing qb
nostradaus | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 2:14 am | #

GO IRISH---RIGHT ON! You are correct with the points you have made. I also think it is time for the "powers that be" to remove Jim from this site.
Ted | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 8:58 am | #

1. The Heisman is progressing into more and more of a joke every year, and I can't believe what an overhyped big deal it still is.

2. Like it or not, we need a perspective like Jim's on this board...the comments section is a much more interesting place when the program is viewed from a wide array of angles. I know some prefer strictly civil chat keyed into laptops while simultaneously "reading Hawthorne in front of the fire" (name the movie), but even as the most high brow college football blog BGS is STILL A COLLEGE FOOTBALL BLOG...and occasionally there'll be some salt tossed.
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 9:12 am | #

I agree with Tony. Renando makes me laugh and GO IRISH is boring.
Judge60 | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 10:58 am | #

Tony -

I wholeheartedly agree that differing having an opposing viewpoint is healthy for this and all boards and generates good discussion. I think those opposing views are beneficial when they are directed to the team as a whole. I don't think it is fair to direct such negativity towards the players themselves on a personal level just because they are "compensated" with a scholarship. They are just kids and don't deserve that kind of treatment on this or any board. Unless someone has played major college athletics, they have no idea what demands are actually placed on these players both on the field and off.

Lastly, my only objection to the profanity is not because I am trying to be "high brow" (by the way, I have never even read Hawthorne, I am more of a Stephen King fan, myself) or morally superior. I have just come to expect a level of writing on this site that I would really expect more creativity in an insult than questioning my manhood and calling me an a-hole.

By the way, the movie you referenced was "Glory". Now, making an indirect reference to "gentrified men" my age, - that's funny!!
GO IRISH!!! | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 12:59 pm | #

Off topic, Les Miles has supposedly decided to stay at LSU. Now, who will be the head coach of the Skunkbears?
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 2:52 pm | #

A couple of things are wrong with this post.

(1) The BCS committee increased the BCS eligible teams from 14-18. So Illinois is already eligible to play in a BCS game.

(2) The fourth spot in the BCS is only guaranteed a BCS bowl game if the three above them are conference champs. It not, 4th place is not guaranteed anything. So assuming OU beats Missouri, Kansas is still not guaranteed a spot, because WVU, OSU, and UGA would be in front of them. Since UGA did not win its conference, the fourth spot is not guaranteed a BCS bowl.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 3:33 pm | #

on another note . les miles has shuned the um skunks. lol can u say sinking ship ? thats what happens when u know u can recruit same type of player at um then u can at lsu.
david | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 3:39 pm | #

les hasn't actually said he's not going to UM
read what he said carefully

coaching politics . . .
Shadow Hawkins | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 3:59 pm | #

The analogy of Tebow to Quinn is interesting. If there were a Heisman candidate that fit the usual mold this season, there's no way Tebow would win the award. Troy Smith fit what the voters have come to select. I think Dennis Dixon would have, too, or McFadden if Arkansas had been better. If last year had been as chaotic as this year, Quinn might have won. I have to agree that the Heisman is a goofy award, but then the FBS (Div 1A) national title is a goofy award, too.

I'm just grumpy today because I have to watch re-runs in a sport where "every game counts". Sure they do.
Lou ntL | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 4:22 pm | #

Boston College lost

I knew it too

Mizzou gonna win too
Austin | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 5:07 pm | #

HONESTLY

I see us winning agaisnt Michigan and USC

USC is going to suck next year


and Michigan is gonna suck next year too

they are losing alot of people


AND WE ARE GAINING ALOT OF PEOPLE

I DO SEE NEXT YEAR AS A ALOT ALOT BETTER
Austin The Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 5:12 pm | #

oh ya I forgot to mention that UM
is proboly gonna have a sucky coach

too
Austin The Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 5:15 pm | #

How about the Irish Icers!
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 6:03 pm | #

As far as Les Miles goes, it's not much of a choice: a suburb of Detroit or some stinking swamp.

At least he doesn't have to look at those hideous helmets next year.
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 6:08 pm | #

im sorry
but I think Washington is going to win
Austin The Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 6:47 pm | #

I'm a Mexican Leprechaun too! Nice to meet you, Austin the Mexican Leprechaun.
Alex '97 | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 8:19 pm | #

Les Miles said:

"There was misinformation on ESPN. I found it imperative that I straighten it out. I am the head coach at LSU. I will be the head coach at LSU."

--Right. He will be tomorrow. But for how much longer he doesn't say.


"I have no interest in talking to anybody else."

--remember--he's already talked to Michigan.

"I've got a championship game to play, and I'm excited about the opportunity of my damn strong football team to play in it. That's really all I've got to say."

--and that's really all he said: absolutely nothing we didn't already know.

people should stop reporting that he declined the UM job--he didnt't.
Shadow Hawkins | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 10:19 pm | #

Shadow your right

I just saw it again

and I noticed that too

I think hes only staying cuz of the bowl
Austin The Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 10:23 pm | #

From the blog of Stewart Mandel at SI.com:


“I am the head coach at LSU, I’ll be the head coach at LSU and will be next year,” Miles told CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson shortly after holding a pregame news conference at the SEC championship where he criticized the “misinformation on ESPN.”

“You will be the head coach next year?” Wolfson followed up.

“Absolutely,” replied Miles.


-----
I agree that Miles's press conference wording was sneaky, and that he could have flat-out lied in the follow-up, but it seems like Michigan will be looking elsewhere. I wonder if we'll ever learn where Herbstreit got his information this morning.

Dana, the icers looked solid tonight in their 5-0 win, although they caught a lot of good bounces of the puck. By the end the student section was yelling "it's all your fault" at the goalie who had played LAST night. :-)

While we're at it, how 'bout those soccer teams? The men have a tough match tonight in the round of 16.

Lastly, I agree with the earlier comment that UNC will be a tough game next season. The Irish will be a lot better and will have a slightly softer schedule, but 8 wins is the most I'd expect to see.
Lou ntL | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 10:34 pm | #

For sanity sake, I'm going to assume (hope; pray) that 2007 was an anomaly and Charlie will make the necessary changes to get on the right track for 2008. The Irish will be so far off the radar next season, I think a lot of folks will be surprised.

If Charlie & his staff keep bringing in the recruits and there are no defections on signing day, then it's only a matter of time before we're back where we should be.
Irish_Angst | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 10:44 pm | #

holy crap Pitt won!
craziness
Shadow Hawkins | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 11:02 pm | #

"holy crap Pitt won!
craziness"

Regarding West Virginia and Oregon-
It's amazing how the loss of one player (albeit great players) can transform a "good" coach into one that looks lousy.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 11:28 pm | #

Cheatie McSweatervest gets over again... unreal.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 12.01.07 - 11:56 pm | #

It's official...the BCS is boinked!
borromini | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:12 am | #

While we're at it, how 'bout those soccer teams? The men have a tough match tonight in the round of 16.

Which they just won, 2-0, over Santa Clara. They play the winner of Wake Forest vs. West Virginia next weekend.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:15 am | #

Can someone explain to me why everyone automatically puts OSU in the title game?
I myself would rather see Georgia/OU.
I feel like everyone forgot OSU lost to Illinois, at HOME, struggled against WIS and MI....am i missing something?
I guess the BCS is indeed screwed this year. This is the college football season from hell; ND only wins 3 and the entire top 10 can be turned upside-down and I wouldn't care.
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:49 am | #

Austin, While I'd love to believe that "USC is gonna suck next year", I just don't see that happening. Their cupboard is always full.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:51 am | #

USC will stomp us for the forseeable future. No doubt in my mind. at least 2 more years.

We MIGHT beat michigan bext year. other than that, 8 wins at the most.

Wake up people
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 5:46 am | #

Go Dawgs!! Beat them (f)uckeyes!! Ah, how nice it would be to watch 'Cheatie McSweatervest' (very nice binny) get pounded again in primetime television like last year against FL, or I guess like 3 weeks ago against Illinois. Dont want to be an instate homer, but how about IU getting to 7-5 and becoming bowl eligible for the first time since God knows when. Congrats to those hoosiers and Coach Lynch for an inspiring season after the untimely passing of Terry Heoppner. Go HOOSIERS! Go IRISH!
bmg | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 9:03 am | #

DJ, thanks for the update. I think the ND men beat WVU during the season. Joesph Lapira is phenomenal.

Brian, that's a great way to put it, not caring if the top 10 was flipped. I think that they should award a split title this season, if they award a title at all. It makes for an interesting day today, though!
Lou ntL | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 9:05 am | #

Going back to the wishful and future thinking, I think Charlie will learn his lesson for the most part, in dealing with the offense. No more "pussy-footing" around with quarterbacks, RB's, and what not.

'08 offensive leaders:
QB-Jimmy Clausen
RB-Robert Hughes, James Aldridge
WR-Kamara, Tate, Grimes, Hord, Allen (Charlie needs to move AA to wideout to use his speed in open space)
TE-Will Yeatman, Kyle Rudolph (this guy is going to be amazing.)

It aughta be interesting, if not fun, to watch how much these kids have evolved and developed after a year(for some) or two of playing. We got the talent on the team for 08, will we have the coaching?
bmg | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 9:16 am | #

bmg

How about Robbie Parris?

I noticed that Haywood is one of the top candidates the the U of Houston job. Another possible blow to the offense.

Does anyone know what the MOE was for the Stanford game?

Thanks
GB | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 9:32 am | #

"Can someone explain to me why everyone automatically puts OSU in the title game?
I myself would rather see Georgia/OU.
I feel like everyone forgot OSU lost to Illinois, at HOME, struggled against WIS and MI....am i missing something?"

Georgia??? You mean the team that didn't even win it's HALF of the SEC conference? A team that didn't even get the chance to play in their conference championship game? A team that got bombed at Tennessee by three touchdowns? A team that lost to 5-loss South Carolina at home and struggled to beat Vanderbilt (20-17), Alabama (26-23), and Troy (44-34)? Ohio State's one loss is to a top-15 Illinois team that could go to the Rose Bowl.

I hate Ohio State as much as anyone but there isn't a rational arguement for UGA going over OSU in the Championship game. If UGA goes, I'll never watch college football (except ND) again.
Schultz | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 10:04 am | #

Les Miles stated in his presser that, while he was given permission to speak with Michigan, he never actually did. I know many coaches are liars, but I actually tend to believe him on this one. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, because a Les Miles-coached Michigan team would obliterate ND even more than a Lloyd Carr-coached one. But I really do think Michigan is going to have to look elsewhere.

Georgia in the national championship? They didn't even win the SEC East!! I guess I'd pick OSU-LSU, although I am distinctly unhappy about the OSU part.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 10:04 am | #

You guys are forgetting a few things about UGA. They also went INTO the swamp and beat florida. They also manhandled auburn, beat Kentucky and Alabama. That says more than OSU's 'quality' win over michigan, youngstown state, and akron. Granted, there are more deserving teams like OU, LSU, and USC. But the way it falls, UGA will most likely get in. If anyone should be leapfrogged, it should be osu (losing their last game at home and not playing for 3 weeks). But we all know, the powers being would never let those poor little fuckeyes ever get jumped.
bmg | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 10:14 am | #

gb-

Parris, sure he has some great hands, but what we really need is speed. I think the RB position is pretty locked up with Hughes/Aldridge and their power run game (brings me back to them olden days). I think we need to utilize Armando Allen's speed more. Use him like Percy Harvin at UF, as a running back threat at times, but also as a wide out. This kid has amazing break away speed if he can only get in open space. Parris is a great player and a great kid, deserving considerable PT the next couple of years. But AA is that game changing player we need on the field at all times, either at tailback or wide out. We havent really had that break away speed since Raghib. This kid is talented and we need to utilize him much more.
bmg | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 10:20 am | #

"You guys are forgetting a few things about UGA. They also went INTO the swamp and beat florida. They also manhandled auburn, beat Kentucky and Alabama."

No actually they didn't go into the Swamp and win. UF and GA play that game on a neutral field every year, usually in Jacksonville but I think it was in Atlanta this year.

OSU lost one game and they won their league. UGA lost two games (one to a five loss SCar...FIVE losses...FIVE) and weren't even the best team in the SEC East, much less the SEC.

Also, Alabama and Kentucky combined are 13-11. Do those wins really impress you that much? If those are "quality" wins then throw in OSU's win @PSU and over Wisconsin. Both of those teams are at least equal if not better than UK and Bama.

Like I said, I hate OSU as much as you and everyone else in here. But if you are going to argue a team that should leapfrog them, it should be USC, LSU or even Va Tech...all teams that WON their conferences.
Schultz | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 10:28 am | #

No one actually wants OSU to get the championship game...but the fact remains that they are, unfortunately, the most deserving team. Illinois is probably going to the Rose Bowl, so that's not really such a huge loss.

I don't think speed is that big of an issue with Parris. As long as he runs good routes, is smart, and competes for the ball, he should be fine. Much like Samardzija-- he wasn't fast but he was a gamer. And he was hard to stop.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 10:43 am | #

just a side note...

How pathetic was the Big East officiating last night? They were so blatantly trying to send WVU to the championship game that they almost screwed Pitt out of a win. The first holding call on the touchdown run was pathetic, but the second one (on the same wideout) was suspiciously egregious. Topping it off, that 2nd blown call was followed by a no-call when the WVU corner clearly pulled the jersey of the Pitt wideout on the 3rd down play.

I understand that the Big East wants their conference represented in the Championship game. But, to try to screw a 4-win team out of a victory on the road over a rival is not fair. They should start thinking about bringing in neutral officiating crews in games of this magnitude.
Schultz | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 10:58 am | #

No actually they didn't go into the Swamp and win. UF and GA play that game on a neutral field every year, usually in Jacksonville but I think it was in Atlanta this year

The game was in Jacksonville.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 11:16 am | #

Schultz, I saw some of the bad call highlights from that game.

I stayed up to watch the Hawaii Washington game, and the officiating was absolutely terrible. It ended up hurting Washington at the end, but they blew calls against both teams. They got every big sideline play wrong - just terrible.
obediah | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 11:45 am | #

I got my wish. Utter and complete chaos. Yes! The BCS is royally fupped uck this year and I am ecstatic. When Pitt closed out WVU, the final "if" became reality. Notre Dame could not have chosen a better, more appropriate year to be friggin awful. 2007 will leave a bad taste in the mouths of almost every top tier program.
And did you hear Bent Muffburger and Her Curbstreet say that the NCAA will "NEVER" have any type of playoff blah, blah, blah. They were waxing erudite after OU and Pitt made all of my dreams come true. This is the season that forces serious consideration and the ultimate implementation of a better system of determining D1-A football National Champions. Lots of coaches, AD's, and university presidents are sure to be pissed about what is going to happen next. Me? I'm going to need plastic surgery to remove the ear-to-ear smile that is tightly stretched across my face.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 11:57 am | #

What is more important...quality wins or quality losses? Obviously this year quality wins don't mean jack.
Maybe they should just do away with bowls this year and make it a 2 year system. LOL
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:00 pm | #

Time for the officials to be employed and deployed by the NCAA and not the conferences. The calls against Pitt last night were indeed egregious and could not have been the coincidence of critically timed incompetence. The Big East had lots (LOTS!) of prestige and money on the line and appeared quite willing to sacrifice the Panthers to get WVU into that NC game.

Separately, I seem to be the lone Buckeye in the crowd here and one observation I'd like to share is that they start 2 seniors. Two. And nary a whine about how young the team is, unlike so many of our Irish brethren this year. In the parlance of my kids, the Buckeye defense has been "beast" all year. The 21 they gave up to Illinois was more the result of the offense giving up the ball than any defensive weaknesses. For me, I'd love to see either of BGS posters' 2 most hated coaches (Carroll or Tressel) at ND any day and I'm fairly certain we'd all worship the ground they walked when we dominated under their reign. I know most of you all will disagree with me on the Bucks, and I respect that... so show me the same respect in your responses, please! Love the Irish, but Fear the Nut...
Buckeye Domer | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:05 pm | #

I believe the officiating this year has been historically horrendous. I also believe that Pitt was just about 'homered" out of a victory last night. The conferences are wielding way too much power in the BCS and despite what the talking heads seem to think, this year especially serves notice that some type of play-off system needs to be designed. Give Hawaii an opportunity to prove if they are the best team with a playoff. You can make it a short playoff, take the top 12 teams or the top 16. The playoff system works in all other divisions why not in the Bowl Championship division. The conferences are getting way to much revenue from bowl appearances and money always leads to some type of corruption.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:07 pm | #

Buckeye Domer,

The youth and talent of both Ohio St and Oklahoma are frightening. As for Georgia beating Alabama, they are now in the same category as UL-Monroe. I dont think that any team who does not win their conference should have a chance to play for the national championship. The national championship remains as mythical this year as it has in any year gone by. Disban all the conferences and create a super league. Break that down into sections of the country, take the top teams from those regions and play them off for the national championship. Make these teams play one another all year and you will have a true national champion.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:21 pm | #

I don't want a playoff. It makes the regular season unimportant... much like college basketball where no one pays attention until March except Andy "Prince of" Katz.

Thankfully, I'll get my way on this one because the university presidents will never allow it. I kinda' like gettin' my way. Not gonna' lie.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 12:35 pm | #

How does a playoff make the regular season unimportant? You still have to win games to qualify for the playoffs. You never cheered for a team that was trying to get to the NCAA tournament, Binny? I think the tournament makes the regular season worth watching.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 1:25 pm | #

the BCS has been prvoen ONCE AGAIN to be a complete failure. Ohio has played a terrible schedule. If they play for the national title then Hawaii should as well.

Georgia SHOULD be going but then didn't win their division, should they can't go.

LSU lost twice but both times in double overtime. LSU will completely dismantle tOSU and I will love it.

But if I was a Georgia fan I'd be burning down the nearest NCAA building.
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 1:29 pm | #

And frankly I think being both a Notre Dame fan and a tOSU fan is repulsive and impossible.

tOSU stands against everything a true Domer believes in. Scum vs decency.

Revolting.
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 1:32 pm | #

Buckeye Domer, I have a true confession. I grew up in Cincinnati in relative isolation from ardent ND or tOSU fans. So no one ever taught me I had to love one team and hate the other till it was way too late. Of course I'll always root for ND above all else, and our last 3 losses to OSU have hurt just as bad as losing to Michigan. But I'll definately be pulling for tOSU to win it all this year. Tressel is a hell of a coach. Charlie would be well served to go talk to someone like him (if he hasn't burned all bridges w/his college colleagues) instead of wasting time talking to his NFL buddies this offseason.
scott | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 1:46 pm | #

Scott writes:
"Charlie would be well served to go talk to someone like him (if he hasn't burned all bridges w/his college colleagues)"

I know we're not supposed to like Stewart Mandel here either, but I did just read his book and, according to him, Charlie has indeed burned lots of bridges. Now, is that representative of scum behavior or decency to be a jerk to fellow coaches?

It is absolutely possible -- and a beautiful thing, at that! -- to be a fan of both Ohio State and Notre Dame. Ask their AD. He knows a thing or two about Notre Dame football and Notre Dame's core values -- every bit as much as any one of us. More Buckeye envy for me... I wish he was our AD.
Buckeye Domer | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 2:08 pm | #

i hate the BCS



period
Austin The Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 2:35 pm | #

oh and Omar Hunter is a beast

he will make up for Trevor Laws
Austin The Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 2:49 pm | #

I don't see where a playoff system would make things better, because I've seen how every "system" has been cobbled together since the bowl alliance. We'd get a selection of teams based on polls, not performance, and that would indeed dilute the meaning of the regular season. There would be no need at all to have a decent non-conference schedule.

Say what you will about Washington this season, but teams from the Midwest/East rarely travel out to the West coast. Ohio State deserves credit for making that trip, especially with a young team. I don't know if the Buckeyes are one of the top two teams in the country, but they make as much sense as any team.

What bothers me more about OSU is the way that the Big Ten crowns a champion. People complain that ND gets an easier schedule because of no conference affiliation. I think in some years there's truth to that, but in other years the schedule is actually harder for the same reason. Playing in a conference ensures that you face teams that are having good years as well as those having bad years, unless you don't really play everyone each year. Even a team with a poor record can present match-up problems -- ask West Virginia or USC. In that regard, only the Big East and Pac Ten do it right.

The only playoff that would make sense to me is one that includes conference champions and no at-large teams. Let conferences decide who should represent them, and let those teams play it out, leaving the polls and politics and regional biases out of it. Yes, sadly, that would require ND to join a conference, so that brings me back to opposing a playoff.
Lou ntL | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 3:24 pm | #

I also watched the Hawaii game; the officiating was truly awful. On a close sideline catch, they wouldn't even MAKE a call - just sent it up to the booth! Had a few tense moments thinking Washington might pull it out, then I remembered - "Molder" was still the coach! So I relaxed and enjoyed Hawaii's win.

Voice, agreed. If I get anything out of this season, it's a monumentally screwed up BCS. Get ready for some noise!
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 3:29 pm | #

Forgot to mention, if you're a member of Irish Eyes, the Power Hour with Coach D is worth a listen. Especially interesting was the observation that some of our seniors played at the same level they played as Freshmen. They simply never got better because, well, they just weren't that talented. Not a good template for the younger guys that came in. But graduation (and a more talented group of players) will at least solve this problem. Sorry, I'm not a member so don't have a link.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 3:44 pm | #

DayBreakBoys

Eight wins and a bowl bid (win) would be a tremendous return in '08 setting the stage for a top five run in '09. Then all the whiners about Charlie's poor coaching wouldn't be heard from.
Ted | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 3:48 pm | #

Separate the country into 4 regions. Disban the conferences and have the teams play 9 teams within their region and one team from each of the other regions. Take the top 4 teams from each region, seed them and play a play off. For an example: ND would play in the midwest region...a schedule might be Ohio St, Michigan, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Purdue, Michigan St and Missouri from the region with Penn St, Florida and USC from outside the region. Rotate schedules on a yearly basis six home games, six away. Seed the top four teams in each region for a playoff. Midwest 4 seed plays West Coast 1 seed, Midwest three plays South 2, Midwest2 plays East three and Midwest 1 plays West 4 as an example. This makes the playoff national. Then you would have a true national champion.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 4:53 pm | #

LSU actually lost their two games in triple OT not double as one poster stated. As for USC well they only had two wins all year against teams with winning records and one of their losses was of course that 41 point underdog who also lost to ND, Stanford. Throw out VT as they suffered a humiliating beatdown against LSU. OK....bad loss against Colorado and as for WV, well we saw them for what they are last night a "not ready for prime time player" who couldn't handle a 4 touchdown underdog on their own field despite the ref's beat efforts to help them. And forget Hawaii, that conference is so bad and their out of conference schedule is so bad they just don't merit a place in the MNC in my opinion.

So it comes down to this, tOSU vs. LSU and I certainly hope for a better game than last year and a similar outcome, a loss for the Buckeyes!!
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 5:44 pm | #

I know NC means National Championship, but what does "MNC" mean?
Irish | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 6:02 pm | #

Ted

I agree that 8 wins next year would be a big improvement. If CW gets 8 wins next year, I will still not be impressed. He has the horses to be at least 10-2. If he gets 8 wins, I would think he is a mediocre coach. Last 2 years I thought he was a pretty good coach. This year I think he is a terrible coach. I just hope gets back on track and gets at least 10 wins.
GB | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 6:05 pm | #

I don't think anyone deserves to play in the NCgame this year. When they do play, maybe they should do what MLB should do with Barry Bonds. They should put a big asterisk by the record in Bonds case and put a big asterisk by 2007 NC. In fact maybe they should put a big asterisk by the whole 2007 season. It would be good for the Irish.

Mandel had a good article about who should be in the NC game this year. It would be a joke to put UG in because the lost by 3 TDs to Tennessee. He thought the 2 most deserving teams are OSU and LSU. I can't remember ever seeing a 2 loss team ever winning the NC. I would have to hold my nose and agree that they are the 2 most deserving teams. LSU lost 2 OT games and OSU did not play anyone except UM and did not impress anyone by their play.

Buckeye Domer

I never liked the Buckeyes. Probably because I loathed Woody Hayes when growing up. Tressel is a lot easier to stomach though.
GB | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 6:15 pm | #

Irish

MNC means Mythical National Championship as opposed to a playoff champion.
GB | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 6:18 pm | #

Lmao at the domers talk. Osu didn't play anybody? We whooped the teams that crushed you convincingly....I swear the orgy of delusions around here is laughable sometimes...Good luck with your bowl g...oooops
tOsu is righteous | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 6:46 pm | #

righteoust - great to here you are as delusional as ever.

Try this one on: USC crushed ND convincingly, and ND beat stanford, who beat USC. That means ND would triple crush itself in a bowl game.
obediah | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 7:18 pm | #

cant wait to watch OSU smash an SEC team again in the national cham...oh wait...oops...
bmg | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 7:27 pm | #

How about this one

Illinois beat OSU
Illinois lost to Michigan
Michigan lost to Oregon
Oregon lost to UCLA
UCLA lost to Notre Dame

Thus, Notre Dame > OSU

its simple science and mathmatics
bmg | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 7:36 pm | #

Not to be picky or anything, but tOSU has exactly ZERO wins against teams currently ranked in the top 25. What is so impressive about this feat that people think they deserve a shot to be called the best team in the Nation?

Kansas is more deserving. I would argue that Hawaii is more deserving. After all, if a team from a mid-conference can't even get a mention in a year such as this when every top ranked team shit themselves at one - or two or three - points, then why should they even bother.

And LSU? They lost twice regardless of OT or not. A loss is a loss and getting 50 pasted on you by an unranked team should be at least as damaging as losing at home to a 41-point underdog.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 7:47 pm | #

GB, you have to win 10 games every year to be a good coach? Ara and Lou werent very good coaches then.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 8:18 pm | #

I know NC means National Championship, but what does "MNC" mean?

"Mythical National Champion", as in decided at the end of the season by a vote of the sportswriters or the coaches.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 9:34 pm | #

11-1? 10-2? I'm all about wishful thinking, but real wishful thinking would be 7-4 and likely 5-7 or 6-6.
Mattw | Email | Homepage | 12.02.07 - 11:56 pm | #

Doug

I was not impressed with Lou every year. However, he did not get smoked in virtually every game in one year. No ND coach has including Kuharich. I simply stated my opinion. A good coach will "coach up" and make his players produce greater thank their inherent ability. That is why I gave a range. I think if ND goes 8-4 next year then CW and the boys will have succeeded in "coaching down" the players. A coach like Tressel and Myers consistently "coach up " players. It is my opinion that a 9-3 season would be adequate coaching given the talent on board but not great coaching. Adequate does not impress me.
GB | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 1:08 am | #

im so glad
for BGS

i live in mexico
and the only american football they talk about it is Dallas cowboys
Austin In Mexico | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 8:03 am | #

The argument that "the regular season is a playoff" is broken. That is clearly not true if you have a 2 loss team in the NC. It's a poll, it's an opinion, and it's a joke. This year proves it.
Oreo | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 10:00 am | #

"a schedule might be Ohio St, Michigan, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Purdue, Michigan St and Missouri from the region with Penn St, Florida and USC from outside the region."

Holy cow, Doug. A little bit ambitious aren't you?

Definitely won't be watching LSU v. OSU. Will just be hoping that both teams destroy each other and never come back.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 10:06 am | #

There will never be a playoff system, ever, no matter how much the fans bitch and moan. Coaches dont want it (even though they say they want it as a coverup) the university presidents definitely dont want it (do you think they will let the hundreds of thousands-millions of dollars schools receive from bowls just fly out the window?) and the businesses dont want it . This is all about money, always has been, always will be. You think the businesses like All State, Citi, Fed-EX, Tostitos, PapaJohns.com, and all those companies want to get arid of this sponsorship and free advertising? hell no. No matter how much Lee Corso complains and bitches, there will never be a playoff system.

Doug, your regions system for a playoff is pretty dead-on for IF there were to be a playoff system. There isnt much deviance from that type of system, except schools would never do away with conferences as well. Its too much support and revenue that is lost through the disbandment of a conference. Good proposal though, maybe Myles Brand will have a gander at that.
bmg | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 10:45 am | #

Geaux Tigers
bmg | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 10:45 am | #

Why would papajohn lose a sponsorship if there were a playoff? Would the rest of the bowls disappear? Would Tostitos lose the right to be on a BCS bowl? No, of course not. The playoff system won't happen anytime soon, but I think within 20 years sounds reasonable. Probably 10, with a plus-one game within 5.
Oreo | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 2:38 pm | #

There is no good argument against a playoff other than it would extend the schedule for some schools. Most of the arguments are as follows:

1. Regular season wouldn't matter - Only the case if the playoff includes more than 32 teams. The reason NBA/NHL/NCAABB regular seasons suck is because more than half of the teams competing make it in.
2. Some teams couldn't go to bowls or this would ruin some bowls. Why can't we have NIT style bowls for the teams that don't get into the playoff? Like anyone really watches the Humanitarian bowl other than the teams competing in it?
3. Money - Playoff matchup would create significantly more national interest and television revenue. Also most teams do not make any money off of bowl games. It is a break-even at best after travel costs.
4. Extends the season - This one at least is semi-reasonable. However, clearly the move to a 12th game followed by a conference championship and a bowl makes the season a lot longer than a few extra games for a few teams.

I don't really know why we haven't gone to a playoff yet. The current system hasn't worked since the BCS was created. Both LSU and OSU lost their second to last game and have no business being in the game. 3OT's or not, LSU lost to two unranked teams as well as had to score on their last drives against both Florida and Auburn. Their only good win was against VTech in the first game of the season. This season noone deserves it so we might as well have a playoff.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 3:12 pm | #

I have always suggested that you use some of the lesser bowl games for playoff games. You could start the playoffs this week with say the Motor City Bowl...in my playoff scenario you would be using Midwest Seed 4- say Michigan against West Coast seed 1 USC...now wouldnt the bowl people like that matchup for a bowl game and how about tv.A bowl game also with something more than a trophy for the winner, a chance to advance to the semi finals. What a more spirited way to play the bowl games. You can have lower ranked teams playing in the bowls, the schools would get the revenue and not the conferences. TV would be outrageous. Who wouldnt want a lineup of Ohio St-Oklahoma, USC-LSU, Michigan-Florida, Notre Dame-Texas on a saturday, can you imagine the tv revenue that each school would generate. There would be no conferences so each school would keep their revenue. You would need to use 15 bowl games for the playoffs, there wouldnt be 6 weeks between the last time a team played and the national championship game. You could use two of the New Year's bowls as semifinal games with the championship game a week later. This would not extend the season anymore than it already is and dont let these university presidents fool you, with graduation rates in the 30-50 percentile do you really think they give a damn about the players education.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 3:34 pm | #

Buckeye Domer,

You actually paid money for a Stewart Mandel book??? That's about as wrong as asking Mark May to be a commencement speaker...
mikes1160 | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 3:37 pm | #

Doug,

The biggest problem with eliminating the conferences is that football is only one sport. The advantage of joining a conference is not because it insures games against other football teams, it is to provide competition in all the other sports and to try and reduce the inherent risk in going independent. There is no need to eliminate the conferences any more than there is in basketball. Conference play is fine as long as you have worthy non-conference games as well. I think what would happen is what happened in the basketball tourney. Schools like Gonzaga realized their only chance to get into the dance was to play Duke, Kentucky, etc. and as a result now even if the Zags lose their conference game, they can get in because of SOS. Same thing will happen to the conference schools. As the SEC and Big Teams have watered down their non-conference games so badly, you have no idea how good an OSU is this year. Hopefully a playoff would result in a team like OSU saying, crap I lost two games in my conference and my SOS is 94. I can't get in because I played Akron, Miami, etc. I think you would see some bigger early season games as well, because a team would not be so nervous about losing a non-conference game. They would know that losing to LSU wouldn't hurt too bad, whereas a win would pump their SOS. Right now a win over Akron means nothing while a loss would mean the end of the season. This would also increase the opportunities of the mid-majors to get some BCS schools to play them.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 5:01 pm | #

Michael, if everyone were independent there would be no risk.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.03.07 - 5:31 pm | #

doug. The risk relates to profit sharing not game scheduling. Teams like ole miss, vandy, etc. Likely wouldn't be able to field teams at all were it not for conferences.
michael | Email | Homepage | 12.04.07 - 12:14 am | #

Then you create another division and allow Ole Miss and Vandy and the other conference bottom feeders to participate. My proposal would present really a "super conference" that would be nationwide consisting of 75 teams or so, broken down into regions. The power wielded by the conferences is what makes the BCS a joke. College football is controlled by the conferences now. When you can have conferences with six to ten teams eligible for bowl games that borders on the ridiculous. By the way, did anyone notice that TEN of the twelve teams ND played this year are in bowl games.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 12.04.07 - 7:09 am | #

And when was the last time tOSU beat a team from the SEC in a bowl game? Geaux Tigers!!!
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 12.04.07 - 10:58 am | #

Mikes1160 -- Buy Mandel's book? No way. Checked it out from the public library. Actually had to wait on the reserve list several weeks. I don't buy books very often, but came close to buying "Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy today at Costco... Anyone read it? I'm thinking about giving it to a few folks as a Christmas gift.
Buckeye Domer | Email | Homepage | 12.04.07 - 5:28 pm | #