After week two of college football, some things are very clear. For one, there are some lower-ranked teams out there that are getting better, perhaps due to the 85-scholarship limit. Or maybe, the so-called elite or highly-touted teams, aren't living up to their billing or expectations.
Here's a look at some of the winners in week two, with the reasons why they failed to impress.
BYU
The No. 15-rated Cougars took on the winless Washington Huskies, and despite being the odds-on favorite, didn't make a case for why they should be in the top 20. Washington matched them point for point, and in the end, failed a PAT due to a great block.
However, once again, a Pac-10 officiating crew helped determine the outcome of the game by flagging QB Jake Locker for excessive celebration when he tossed the football about 10 feet in the air after scoring a TD.
The 15-yard penalty forced the PAT from the 35 yard-line and the ensuing block killed the Huskies' dream of an upset. Clearly, these rules are not being applied equally, as other teams celebrated with equal enthusiasm and did not get flagged.
BYU can congratulate themselves on the win, but the bottom line is that beating the Huskies in a very close game isn't impressive.
Ohio State
Last week, I called the Buckeyes pretenders because they were forced to kick five FGs against an FCS school. This week, the Buckeyes pretty much had the same performance: lackluster and at times, inept.
Maybe the Bucks were looking ahead, then again, maybe they should start looking at themselves. The game was all Ohio until the Buckeyes scored their first TD with 2:51 left in the third quarter. Against the Bobcats?
Buckeyes fans should be concerned, as their team didn't take the lead until 14:00 left in the fourth, and a punt return for another TD should have been negated due to a missed block-in-the-back call.
Beanie or no Beanie, it wouldn't have mattered. The Buckeyes' O-line performed like a soggy waffle: not very strong and full of holes. The USC Trojans must be salivating.
Louisiana-Monroe
Last year, they beat an unsuspecting Alabama, and this year, they almost beat Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Always banished to the last pages of Phil Steele's college football preview (page 280 this year), the Warhawks (yes, they had to change their name to something more PC) have shown up to play and will not roll over any more.
No longer an SEC doormat (they're in the Sun Belt, but they get on a lot of SEC schedules), look for the Warhawks to upset someone in the near future. And no one should be surprised anymore.
Ole Miss
What can you say? The Rebels have a new coach and came within two points of beating the only remaining power in the ACC: Wake Forest. Sure the ACC stinks, but who cares? The Rebels played them tough, and should be commended for making them earn it.
Considering that the SEC looks a little watered down this year (Missy State, Arky, South Carolina, Tennessee), Ole Miss might surprise some teams and wreak havoc in the final standings.
Notre Dame
111 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
GatorJon 10 months ago
Nice article, Lisa.
I'll be a happy Gator if they don't go any hire than #3 in the polls right now, thank you very much. Keep the hype to a minimum.
I can't tell if OSU is uninspired or not as good as advertised or both. I think USC is going to take 'em to the shed.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Gator-
I have learned not to shoot my mouth off pre-game. However, so far, OSU is way over-hyped. Hopefully, USC will not get over-confident, and OSU will play better. (insert grin here)
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Gray Ghost 10 months ago
What has happened to me? Forget ESPN! I actually couldn't wait to see what everyone on B/R thought of the games. Agreed on much of what you said. East Carolina proved once again that they can play with the big boys.
The call against Washington sickened me. It was a "sissy" call, and football is not supposed to be a "sissy" sport. Pathetic!
I know there is no need to argue this point again. But Lisa, the Gators were supposed to easily handle Miami - they didn't - until the 4th quarter. Lefevour was supposed to give the DAWGS fits, and he didn't. No way the Gators jump the DAWGS. No way! No way!
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Micah Green 10 months ago
our defense dominated them gg!!!!!!! obviously our offense didn't do well until the 4th, but that shows how good our conditioning is. Still your right no way we jump the dawgs...yet
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
GG- You jumped up in my overall impressions, however, Florida played the better of the two teams you played. That's the only reason. Rest assured, beat Carolina badly, and you will have more respect, and if you beat ASU, you could be back at #1!
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Gray Ghost 10 months ago
Micah, No way I am trashing the Gators. I was pulling for them, but it was 9-3 going into the 4th Q. Gators outscored them in the 1st, Miami outscored the Gators in the 2nd, neither scored in the 3rd, and Florida finally got loose in the 4th. So for three quarters Miami's D did a pretty good job itself. Give them some credit for playing a good game.
Ohio State should drop. Florida should climb, but no way they should jump the DAWGS. That isn't even reasonable.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Gray-
You make valid arguments, but you are assuming that the ranking of Georgia is valid to begin with, correct? In other words, because they are #2, that has to be a given.
I don't think that way- go figure, I'm a girl and think logically. Do you think OSU's original ranking of #2 is correct? Even though they are 2-0, does that make them a top 3 team? I say no way. #6, maybe...no higher.
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Gray Ghost 10 months ago
I don't like pre-season rankings, but they were voted there. Florida won, but their victory was not so impressive as to merit that high of a jump. What happened to Lefevour? He was supposed to give us fits.
BTW, I think they didn't use him properly. It was like he was afriad to run the ball.
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GatorJon 10 months ago
The future appears very bright for Miami. Their D-line gave us fits in the first half much like Michigan did in the bowl game and that concerns me a little, but we made the adjustments and hit our stride in the 4th Qtr. The Gators started a little slow in both of their preseason games, but other than that we appear to be right on track and ready to take on the bye week before our trip to Knoxville.
With SC losing to Vandy I'm figuring the Cocks are going to be looking to turn their season around in a hurry with Georgia coming to town, but the ol' ball coach doesn't have enough ammo to get it done against the 2008 Dawgs.
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Gray Ghost 10 months ago
GatorJ, I think Tebow looked good passing the ball tonight. He was a great passer in HS, and I think people sell him short in that dept. Anyhow, congrats on the win.
You know Knoxville is going to be rocking when you boys come to town!
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Darth Dawg 10 months ago
I cannot wait to see Knowshon, King and Samuel eat holes through florida's defense. There's no way that a gator fan can't be nervous about Knowshon and Co.
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Robert 10 months ago
UGA played an awesome game GG. The offense looked extremely balanced. The defense needs more pressure up front, but over all, not bad. They held the Chips to 5-straight punts in the first half, I'll take that. And, how about DeMarcus Dobbs rumbling and bumbling on the 78-yard INT return? I wish I could have heard Chris Berman call that play, instead of Mark May chiming in with his 1 cent. What a goof.
I'm glad voters saw no reason for them to be jumped by Florida, a team that was favored by 22.5, and had to kick a FG in the final minute to cover the spread.
Unlike Lisa, I was NOT impressed by Florida's win. Miami has a solid defense, especially to be such a young unit. So did Florida. What happened to that high-powered offense that they are so proud of in Gainesville? 9-3 going into the 4th quarter? In the Swamp? I was quite surprised...
If you watched ESPN's coverage afterwards, you would have thought that Tebow was 30 for 30, with 480 yards passing and 5 TDs, and had 200 yards rushing and 9 TDs. Wow.
I'm not taking anything away from his play, he did lead them to the win, along with Louis Murphy...overall he had a solid day passing, average day rushing(by Tebow standards), but those "speedsters" weren't helping him much on 3rd down.
Is this a sign of the apocalypse? Two weeks in a row without a rushing TD for Mr. ESPN.
Or, is this? The Gators finished with 89 rushing yards.
If Georgia would have played that same game against the Canes, everyone would be dropping them out of the B/R top 10...
Let's hope the Dawgs show up in Columbia ready to get some payback from last year...
1. Georgia
2. USC
3. Oklahoma
4. Florida
5. Missouri
Others receiving votes: LSU, Oregon, Penn State and slOhio State.
That's my top 5!
Go Dawgs! Sic'em!
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Gray Ghost 10 months ago
Robert, I agree totally. Good job on the top 5. All we have to do is take care of business, and so far we have been doing just that. Florida looked sluggish against a very young Miami team, and the Gator fans that I know do not think they should be at the top based on that performance.
Did you notice the snide remarks about Herschel? Let Knowshon run the ball without a "Herschel couldn't do that!" remark everytime he carries. The commentating was some of the worst I have ever heard!
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Robert 10 months ago
Well GG, as for the commentating, I agree. I can't wait to see what ESPN has in store for us...
There is no comparison with Herschel, he was one-of-a-kind. Period.
Knowshon is amazing. But he is a totally different back. I wish people would wait until he's done at UGA before they start that comparison. If he ends his career with a Heisman Trophy in one arm and a BCS Trophy in the other, then there is a debate.
One game at a time...that's all I can say.
If the Dawgs play with passion every game-like they did the past two, then the polls will reflect it.
We're off to a good start though! Gooo Dawgs! Sic'em!
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Shot Doc 10 months ago
As an FYI, Florida moved the ball very well in the third quarter, too. The TD that put Florida up 16-3 occurred early in the 4Q at the end of a long, time-consuming drive.
The othe reason Florida did not score as much in the 2Q was Miami got a few first downs on QB scrambles, eating time off the clock and putting Florida in bad field position after the eventual punt. Florida would move the ball some then make a stupid mistake via a penalty or dropped pass by a wide-open receiver. UF punted, then the process repeated itself until Florida blocked the punt.
Miami never crossed the 25 yard line and never crossed midfield after halftime. They were playing to lose by not much rather than to win. Mission accomplished by them -- they were happy to lose by only 3 TDs. From their perspective, everybody wins! Good for Miami.
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Shot Doc 10 months ago
As an FYI, Florida moved the ball very well in the third quarter, too. The TD that put Florida up 16-3 occurred early in the 4Q at the end of a long, time-consuming drive.
The othe reason Florida did not score as much in the 2Q was Miami got a few first downs on QB scrambles, eating time off the clock and putting Florida in bad field position after the eventual punt. Florida would move the ball some then make a stupid mistake via a penalty or dropped pass by a wide-open receiver. UF punted, then the process repeated itself until Florida blocked the punt.
Miami never crossed the 25 yard line and never crossed midfield after halftime. They were playing to lose by not much rather than to win. Mission accomplished by them -- they were happy to lose by only 3 TDs. From their perspective, everybody wins! Good for Miami.
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Gray Ghost 10 months ago
Lisa, They played the better of the two teams, but it was 9-3 going into the 4th. Not exactly dominating. In fact, it was pretty even for 3. Watch #24. I am going to have him autograph a picture for you when we win the title.
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Joe G 10 months ago
Good article, Lisa. Lou Holtz also said that he thought ND was "saving something" for Michigan next week (after Mark May tore him and ND apart). Uh Lou, after last year's debacle, do you think this team would really think they could afford to take a week off? I think that was ND's true colors.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Poor Lou. When put on the spot and asked for positives, he points to holding them to 3 FGs. WTF? Is this ND? Or Utah State?
The biggest loser is NBC...I won't watch the Michigan game. I won't support a network that is blindly feeding one team to us no matter what, based on the majority of a religion in the US. And I am from a Catholic (maternal) background!
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Jon Hunn 10 months ago
Lisa your comment about forcing Notre Dame to the country based on the majority of a religion in the U.S. shows how little you know about Notre Dame.
You write articles about the Irish but you can't even comprehend what the stipulations on the NBC/Notre Dame contract is? They don't have a contract with Notre Dame because they are a Catholic school. They have a contract with Notre Dame because, like it or not, they are a cash cow. Win or lose, people tune in to watch Notre Dame. The fans watch them to see them win and the others tune in to watch them lose.
NBC's contract with Notre Dame has nothing to do with them being Catholic - it has everything to do with the fact that Notre Dame has the largest national fan base in the nation. It's pretty awesome that a person who has been covered by so many websites can get something so elementary to Notre Dame football so wrong.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Jon-
When a large contingent of the country is Catholic, then you have a lot of folks who will tune in. Sorry, I totally disagree with you. Why do you think they have one of the largest fan bases? Want to do a poll on what the majority of their fan bases' religion is? Please!
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Jon Hunn 10 months ago
People don't tune in to watch Notre Dame just because they are Catholic. There are several reasons that people would be Notre Dame fans - Catholicism is one of them, but it's not the main reason. And frankly, if I was Catholic, I'd be offended at your comments.
Notre Dame is a Catholic school, yes, but there are other Catholic schools as well. To say that the only reason that Notre Dame fans are Notre Dame fans is because they are Catholic is totally off base. Notre Dame has one of the biggest fan bases in the nation in part because they are Catholic, but more because they are one of, if not the most, historical programs in the nation. How many people are Notre Dame fans because they are Catholic and how many are Notre Dame fans because their fathers or grandfathers were fans because Notre Dame was dominant in the 40's, 60's, and 70's?
But, this is beside the point. The point is that NBC doesn't show Notre Dame Football because they are a Catholic institution and Catholicism is a dominant religion in America. They renewed their contract with Notre Dame because year in and year out, win or lose, people tune in to watch Notre Dame win or they watch Notre Dame self-destruct. If you think that NBC is broadcasting their games because of religion and money, you have a very small grasp of the sport you're covering.
Everything in college football, from schedules, to television coverage, to conference affiliation, to bowl selection is done for money - not for religion. And they aren't "blindly feeding one team to us no matter what." Well, I guess they are, because, no matter what, people watch Notre Dame - and dissect every game of theirs, just as you are doing.
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Jack Cutter 10 months ago
Lisa that's pretty provincial to bring religion into an argument about why NBC broadcasts Notre Dame games. While on the surface your argument that "most" (pretty unscientific and wishy-washy at best) fans are Catholic, it's irrelevant. The true motivator for NBC is money and when good (whether you hate them is pointless) Notre Dame is relevant to CFB.
If religion is the driver, why aren't we watching SMU or TCU home games? The country is overwhelmingly Protestant, if not Evangelical. That would be a big money getter, no?
http://www.time.com/time/covers/20061030/denomination_nation/
Furthermore, a large contingent of Catholics are Latino. Think they gave an Irish pot-o-gold about American football? Think again sister. Try the beautiful game (soccer).
But this is what I expect from a country where it's okay to be anti-Catholic.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Joe-
I am NOT saying that NBS airs those games because a large majority of ND's fans are Catholic.
I AM saying that because a large majority of ND fans are Catholic, that's a large audience. Large audience means big ratings. You figure it out.
A+B+C= D does not mean A=D.
NBC could care less what the religion of the viewers is. They care about a large fan base who watches games. That large fan base happens to be Catholic.
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Michael Collins 10 months ago
That's okay. Lisa is irrelevant to Notre Dame, but has a blind spot where the Irish are concerned.
Flip-flop is the sound - from "Clausen: Failure to Launch" to "Return to Normalcy" to "Winners and Losers". So you lost some money on the game. The best journalists try to resolve their issues in private.
You are correct, though, in that the Irish did disappoint. As your mother may have taught you, much of Catholicism is based on forgiveness - and that virtue is only most tried by Irish football.
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Jon Hunn 10 months ago
You say A+B+C = D does not mean A=D, but that was the argument you were making.
There is a large population of Catholics in the Nation (A). Notre Dame is a Catholic instituation (B). Many Catholics root for Notre Dame and tune in to watch them(C). NBC shows the games becaue of ratings (D). This is the sort of progression that I can agree with.
But, you were saying that A=D. NBC shows Notre Dame games because they receive high ratings during the games (D). Those ratings are because there is a large population of Catholics in the nation(A).
You made an argument earlier and then turned around and said you weren't making that argument. Yes, some fans of Notre Dame happen to be Catholic, but I'm sure that there are a lot of Catholics who root for Notre Dame, not soley because it's a Catholic school, but because they were born into a Notre Dame family or they enjoy the rich tradition and success at Notre Dame. For them, the fact that Notre Dame is a Catholic school just happens to be icing on the cake.
NBC shows the Notre Dame games because they make a boat-load of money off the games. Plain and simple.
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IRISHsubway FAN 10 months ago
Lisa, I cannot win with you. I read an article and say maybe she's not so bad, she just hates the Irish, and then you turn around and say the dumbest thing I have read on this website.
"I won't support a network that is blindly feeding one team to us no matter what, based on the majority of a religion in the US."
That is awful. I am not Catholic, and like Jon said, my father and grandfather both are ND fans, from New York, therefore I am an ND fan. Then, as you realized how idiotic what you said sounded, you proceeded to change it up and say that's not what you meant. What did you mean? It was in plain black and white, that NBC knows that the majority of the U.S. is catholic (which it is not, by the way), and thinks that those catholics will watch ND games?!?
If you're U$C Trojans had the largest national fan base, and would generate more money than the Irish, NBC would sign them. It is as simple as that. NBC wants to make money, and ND has the largest fan base. Also, in your recent article, you said that everyone has to watch the Irish for a few plays, and check the score. Those are ratings, which, again, makes money.
You, however, did not make money, because you bet on my boys to cover the spread when they were ranked last in total offense last year, showing, again, how little you know about the sport.
So, take your "nuances of X's and O's", and "knowledge", and apply it elsewhere. Do not make a prejudice and assinine comment about something you obviously do not understand.
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Jim Neveau 10 months ago
Ohio State showed its true colors today. I don't think that they'll get crushed by USC, but I don't see how they can possibly go to LA and come out with a win. It will be interesting to see what Tressel's game plan is.
Oh, and let me just say this: if ECU isn't ranked after their thrashing of WV today (which I predicted), I will officially ignore the rankings until the first BCS poll is released.
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Dale Plymale 10 months ago
I would have to add my Colorado Buffaloes to this list. Down 21-7 at halftime to a Div 2 team. Wow. It took everything we had in the second half to end up beating them. And now our schedule is WVU, FSU and Texas.
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Darth Dawg 10 months ago
Lisa-
More than any other person on here, you talk about winning big. I know I sound like a broken record, but winning big is the only way to win in your book. Yet florida is only leading by six heading into the 4th quarter and you still give them credit??? Worse of all, you think they are the best team in the country. I though you said that you think logically?
They let a team full of freshmen stop them time after time. The Canes had a man in Tebow's face almost every play. Oh that's right, the Canes are an awesome team. Sure. Well, they're not going to look too awesome when Georgia Tech kills them.
I know you didn't see the Dawgs game. No, there's no need in trying convince me that you did. But I'll tell you this, we're the ones that looked awesome. Even though we killed some "Crappy" team that everyone said was going to give us fits.
It's funny how everyone will build up a small team before we play them. Then when we eat them alive, everyone trashes us for not destroying them MORE than we did, you know? Anyone thinking Hawaii or Central Michigan?
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
DD-
I had them ahead of Ohio State! Look, I end to give more love to teams that beat FBS teams. Sorry. I saw some of the Dawgs' game, but not a lot. You guys look good!
The problem is, like Ohio State, you have played nothing but cupcakes and while other teams have played cupcakes, they have also inserted BCS teams in their schedule.
Oklahoma walloped 'Nooga , then walloped Cincy, an above average BCS team.
Penn State played Coastal Carolina and killed them, then played a mid-tier BCS team and made their case of why they should be in the top 5.
Ohio State played two cupcakes, and in both games, had problems moving the chains. They downgraded.
Georgia played two cupcakes, and beat them both. Florida played one bad WAC team and one rising BCS team, but beat them both soundly.
Who should get more credit? I think the teams that have tougher games this early in the season. Too many cupcakes are getting rewarded.
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Gray Ghost 10 months ago
Lisa, I am shocked and disturbed that you used c*pc*ke again! :p
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Darth Dawg 10 months ago
Lisa-
You said:
"Ohio State played two cupcakes, and in both games, had problems moving the chains. They downgraded."
Of course Ohio State downgraded. I wouldn't defend those overrated "wanna-be's" if my life depended on it.
Then you said:
"Georgia played two cupcakes, and beat them both. Florida played one bad WAC team and one rising BCS team, but beat them both soundly."
Can't you hear yourself?! The bias tone in all of this is amazing! How does Hawaii go from a "cupcake"(like Georgia "always" plays), to "one bad WAC team"?! Hawaii is worse than a cupcake, they stink...bad!
How is 26-3, a sound beating when it was 9-3 heading into the 4th quarter???
Yet the Dawgs eat the two-time defending MAC champions with a 56-17 stomping and they're still an "OK" team. I agree that Miami will be good eventually, but they're not that good now. And that's what matters here.
Lisa, I'm not one of the SEC fans that only wants to here bad things about Ohio State or USC. So it doesn't matter to me if you said something against them to show that you are unbiased. But every time I read an article like this, you lose a little credibility.
It's a bummer because you're a girl and your "suppose" to think logically...
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Dan Boss 10 months ago
Hmm imagine that, OSU played Cincinnati all the time until recently and never got respect for playing them but now all of a sudden Cincinnati is decent and teams who play them get recognized. The irony! If only OSU would of waited to play them now, but they couldn't fortell the future when they were scheduling like Oklahoma can. Maybe the AD of Oklahoma can see Dorothy in his crystal ball and send out the flying monkeys to kidnap her!
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Shot Doc 10 months ago
Miami's team was older and more experienced than Florida's two-deep rotation. This has been well documented, if you care to look.
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Mitch at sportschatplace.com 10 months ago
I am surprised everyone thinks Florida played well. They were barely winning at home against a team playing almost all freshman and sophomore (most of those not red shirts either) and took some horrible officiating to get the game to the double digit lead where game plans change and it's pretty much irrelevant. It took the "world beaters" two horrendous calls and I believe 7 cracks from inside the 3 yard line to get it done. Is everyone forgetting that Miami didn't even get a vote in the AP poll nor USA today pre season coaches poll and got 4 votes total last week, that's worse than half of the teams in the country.
I normally give credit where credit was due and with my Canes I think Patrick Nix is clueless and to put your team in third and long with uninspired play calling with momentum clearly on your side just doesn't work for me nor do I thonk it will sit well with the rest of the Cane followers.
Is this what the announcers said on TV? I turned the sound off because I thought it was too weird the Brent Musburger wanted to marry Percy Harvin and if I was Tim Tebow's parents I wouldn't let my kid within 200 yards of him, way too weird for me.
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Mitch at sportschatplace.com 10 months ago
I meant to say with the whole Nix thing that it was obvious Miami wasn't going to win if they couldn't cross the 50...
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
mitch-
There was good D on both sides, but yeah, the man crush Brent has on Percy is comical. You should be proud of the U!
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sven ghali 10 months ago
My favorite Brent line was on the Florida weightroom. "Look at all those machines...and monitors...WOOOOW!" Yeah, who wants to lift if you can't watch TMZ at the same time?
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Shot Doc 10 months ago
Again, Miami's team was older and more experienced. The worst official's call in the game was the one that took a TD from Florida for "not enough men on the line," when all photos taken afterward show there were clearly seven men on the LOS. The idiot official probably got confused by the unbalanced line look.
The pass interference call was clear -- Harvin had the ball hit both hands and his foot landed in bounds, all while the Miami defender hit him about ½ second before the ball arrived. That was not even close. Mitch, at least know your content before going on this type of rant.
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Mitch at sportschatplace.com 10 months ago
Whatever you say, thanks for your opinion.
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jimmy p 10 months ago
With 6 turnovers and a backup QB, the Bobcats nearly went from a debilitating last minute loss in the altitude to go the Horseshoe and beat the Buckeyes. Other than beating Texas in 2006, OSU hasn't beaten a top ten team in FOUR YEARS! Do us all (other than delusional Buckeye fans) a favor USC and put them out of their misery early this year!
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Ryan Bibler 10 months ago
Newsflash. Sometimes good teams have bad games against inferior opponents. Last year is a perfect example. How many top ten teams were taken down by teams that weren't even ranked? And I'm sure it will happen this season also. Let's look at USC last season. A loss to Stanford and very close games against Washington, Cal and Arizona none of these four teams finished above .500 for the season. The good teams are the ones that find a way to win even when they are playing bad.
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Jack Cutter 10 months ago
Oh and this quote, "And I am from a Catholic (maternal) background!" is tantamount to the racist or anti-Semite who says, "Some of my best friends are ________."
Lame.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Jack-
What? My entire side of mom's family is Roman Catholic, and what makes you think I am not one as well? Don't ASSume. I made that point to let another reader know I wasn't taking an anti=religious view. Get a clue.
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J. Michael Morris 10 months ago
Jack, you are being overly sensitive about this. Networks are nationwide broadcasts and Notre Dame has a nationwide audience, therefore CBS goes where the ratings and money are. Catholicism is the reason for many of those fans, what else would it be, quality football???
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Jack Cutter 10 months ago
Obviously you missed the point.
"I won't support a network that is blindly feeding one team to us no matter what, based on the majority of a religion in the US"
A majority of Americans are NOT Catholic, further a large contingent of Catholics are Latino (not necessarily football fans). This is an overwhelmingly Protestant/Evangelistic country. To wit, if religion were the driver for NBC then why wouldn't other networks broadcast SMU or TCU games nationally? They're Protestant schools with middling football programs...
J Michael--your statement is absurd. So NBC is just backing ND because of all those Catholics? Notre Dame doesn't have the monopoly on Catholics ace.
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J. Michael Morris 10 months ago
Right, and there are other Mormon schools than BYU, but anywhere they travel the visting team's ticket allotment is sold out to exactly who?
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Jon Hunn 10 months ago
When a visiting school can't or doesn't sell its allotment of tickets for a game, they return the unsold tickets to Notre Dame. I'm sure this is the case for BYU, chief.
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Kristofer Green 10 months ago
Can't disagree. My team played like crap and I'm man enough to admit. I hope a different team shows up next week.
I expected a lot more from Notre Dame. The quote from Chuck Long says it all. Ouch is right.
Washington played their hearts out and for the ref to throw that flag was a disgrace. There was no way in hell that was taunting or excessive. I feel bad for the Huskies.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
K-
I feel bad for Washington, but the penalty didn't lose the game for them, the block did. However, that penalty caused an almost-for-sure good kick to never have a chance. SIGH.
I think the biggest problem I have with that penalty is that worse celebrations happen and don't get flagged. Locker wasn't taunting anyone.....the fact that this team has had such bad seasons lately, and they thought they had a chance to win, and the emotion got to them.
FYI, the Pac-10 refs stink. Ask Oklahoma!
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Kristofer Green 10 months ago
Lisa,
I agree. The flag didn't cause the loss. They still could have tied the game but had a kick blocked. The fact that the flag was thrown at all is what is most mind boggling.
Oh I know all about the Pac-10 refs. I remember that Oklahoma/Oregon game.
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Daniel Howie 10 months ago
I will never forget that Oklahoma/Oregon game. And that is exactly the reason why I'm concerned about the trip to Seattle next week. That, and Bradford has yet to show he can be an efficient QB outside of OK...and Dallas.
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J Wiley 10 months ago
Georgia did what they were supposed to do - won big in 2 games against much weaker opponents. Florida did what they were supposed to do - beat Miami, but they led by less than a touchdown for 3 quarters against an unranked team. So for 3 Qs they showed the rest of the conference how to beat them, and for 1 Q they showed how they can win. I'm not understanding the logic of moving them ahead of the dawgs.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
1 BCS team and one WAC team> 2A team and MAC team.
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Tom Blackwell 10 months ago
Lisa just because we beat a MAC team doesnt mean they were not better then Miami. Miami has zero offense. Every BCS team is not better then every non BCS team you should look at the team not just at the conference they play in. Say we beat a team like BYU or Fresno State would you still think that Florida's win would be more impressive? Im just surprised you have us in the top 10 after your rankings from last week.
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Donald Fincher 10 months ago
Lisa,
Did you watch the Texas game? The reason I ask is that you aren't usually this wrong so I'm wondering if it's just because you are not informed in this particular case. Colt McCoy is looking really formidable. The announcers were talking last night about how he's beefed up. He knows when to tuck and run and when to stand in and he is very accurate. But more than that, the defense under Will Muschamp will be a force as they continue to gel. Their margins of victory were nearly the same yesterday and Cinci's secondary is probably as bad as UTEP's.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Donald-
Are we talking about Texas or Colt? Colt looked fabulous...yes I watched the game last night. But I was talking about the Texas team and you are talking about one player. Texas had a 28-13 lead at halftime against a very bad team. They need to step it up- the team, not Colt.
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Scott McDaniel 10 months ago
Texas better learn to run the football with their running backs(not Colt) if they hope to compete with Oklahoma. Yeah sure, they can pass the football, and McCoy looked very sharp, but McCoy is NOT Vince Young and can't carry the team like Yound did. The Defense is is force......maybe the front 7 of the Horns is a force, but the entire secondary is so young and inexperienced, I wouldn't be surprised if OU lit them up for 300 yards. Can't wait for the game!
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Donald Fincher 10 months ago
Lisa,
The margin was 29 and the line was 28 on the Texas game. And I'm not just talking about Colt. I said that the defense was going to be formidable and every week it will get better under Muschamp. I can't stand that guy but he is a defensive guru.
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Robert 10 months ago
Lisa, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you worked for ESPN.
I've never seen such biased television coverage on a national level.
Florida is leading 9-3 going into the 4th quarter, against a Miami team that was lack-luster on offense, and decent on defense, and they're supposed to be a #1 team?
After the game, I had to watch Tim Tebow, sans pads, talking the game over with Fowler, Corso, and Herbstreit like he was on their payroll. Why doesn't he just travel with the Gameday crew next week to the cover the USC/OSU game? The Gators ARE off...maybe he will?
So much for decreasing his rushing load. This week, Tebow led the Gators in rushing yards and carries. 13 for 55yds...and what? No TD's? Harvin had 5 carries for 27yds. 3 other Gators had 3 carries.
I am glad to see that Urban Meyer kicked a FG to make sure that the Gators covered the spread. Helluva guy.
As for the Georgia game...sure they played a MAC team, the 2-time defending MAC champs. But before the game, all the media had to say about the game was about Dan Lefevour. No Stafford, no Moreno, no UGA. We heard about his numbers passing and rushing being compared to Mr. ESPN aka Tim Tebow and Vince Young. So much for that.
UGA played well. Very well, here are the numbers:
Total Yards- 552
Passing yards- 289
Rushing yards- 263
Penalties- 9-70yds
3rd Down Conversions- 9-12 75%
Turnovers- 1
Possession- 33:00
Moreno rushed for 168yds on 18 carries with 3 TDs. A long of 52yds. Caught 3 passes for 30 yds.
Stafford was 18 for 28 for 213yds and 2 TD's. Rushed for 25yds on 2 carries. 0 INTs through 2 games.
Demarcus Dobbs(DE) returned a INT 78yds for a TD. (UGA's only College Gameday Final highlight)
Three different Bulldogs scored rushing TD's.
Georgia is averaging 50.5 points in 2 games.
Knowshon is averaging 3 TD's in 2 games.
Knowshon Moreno had more rushing yards and TD's than Ohio State AND Florida as a team. Just thought I'd add that one in there....
Hey, that's better than last week against GSU. Right?
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Robert 10 months ago
Oh yeah...
I was glad to see that Virginia, the "powerhouse" ACC team that USC beat 52-7 so "impressively", hung in to beat Richmond 16-0.
Wow. I sure would be "scared" to put GSU and CMU on the field with that kind of ACC "talent". HA!
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
It is better! But, you can't compare an FCS team and MAC team to a BCS team and a WAC team. The BCS team helps a team's cred. Next week you play Carolina, and that will be better.
As far as the Ga game, College Game Day gives Georgia all kinds of props, but there's the problem...no one knows how good you really are because of the cupcakes you have played. That's huge, and no one wants to get embarrassed giving a team props for beating two cupcakes (and yes, when you talk up how tough the SEC is, playing a MAC team should be a lay-up).
Ga is averaging 50 ppg? Against a 2A team and a MAC team? Do you think those stats will stay after conference play starts? Doubtful. And that's why posting them is meaningless. None of those stats came from a BCS team.
Good luck against Carolina...you won't need much. :)
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Robert 10 months ago
I understand that there is no comparison between conferences, Lisa.
We all saw how well slOhio State did against their MAC opponent. They looked horrible.
Any thoughts on Moreno rushing for more yards than both Florida and OSU?
He had some amazing runs yesterday, a 52-yarder for a TD, and a hurdle over a safety, which wasn't even shown on ESPN's CGD or Sportscenter(except for during a commercial bump).
And how about Virginia beating Richmond 16-0? Scoring only 3 points until the 4th quarter...
Did that have any +/- effect on your opinion of the Trojans? Just wondering...
At least Urban Meyer kicked a FG with :30 on the clock to cover the sread. They didn't look like a number 2 team to me, IMO.
My top 5 is in a comment above somewhere...
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Carson Howell 10 months ago
You stated:
"Florida is leading 9-3 going into the 4th quarter, against a Miami team that was lack-luster on offense, and decent on defense, and they're supposed to be a #1 team?"
Miami's play is all relative to their opponent, clearly, because the U did not have any problems on either side of the ball in their previous games.
In my opinion, I would say Miami was much better than "decent" on the defense side of the ball, considering how well they subdued UF's versatile attack for most of the game. They have a big, strong line, fast outside linebackers, and tight coverage in the secondary----which were all evident in the scoring/stat book.
I think you should consider Miami as a much improved team(who are back on the map) rather than take shots at UF. The U's D played hard through the first 3 QTS and got winded, which is understandable, considering the gators' team speed. Miami will give the ACC problems this year, would've looked better last year but they played, hands down, the toughest schedule in the ACC, in #14 BC,#10 VT,#19 Virginia, #5 OK, their other THREE losses where by a TOTAL of 12 pts. with a win over #20 T A&M. That schedule isn't easy on a relatively new coach and young players.Like I said, they will be at the top of the down ACC this year!
Point being, they are a FARRRRR better team than C MICH.no argument there.
As far as Tebow and Game Day crew, maybe they have respect for a very respectable young man, who happens to be an amazing QB. He literally is an "all- american, golden boy(or bronze w.e.).
UF is not a 2 man machine this year, he is not going to have the same numbers as last year, obviously, because he wants something much more, an SEC title.
On Georgia:
GA had a good game(AT HOME AS WELL) against a very weak opponent, with huge losses last season to N. Dakota St., W. Michigan, Kent St., and a loss to Clemson 70-14.If I was a Dawg, I defiantly wouldn't consider the win admirable by any means, nor would I gloat over it.What I would do is take the stats, compile them for later use, and ready yourself for an actual opponent, such as SC next week.
As for the Meyer covering the point spread, i don't think is was that, rather than the fact that it was an obvious FG situation at a high school range, but i assume that your coach Richt, being the friendly classy guy he is, would've punted the ball away, instead of kicking the SHORT field goal, in effort to not clear the spread?We all know how much respect he has for other teams, hell, he might even have charged the field after the FG, as if GA had never made one before......being a GA fan, critiquing other coaching decisions, and their decency, is borderline dumb Rob.
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Robert 10 months ago
On Miami's D: They are a VERY young team. Maybe "decent" IS a little too harsh. I admit it. They were able to pressure Mr. ESPN and got some mean hits in on him. They are a good unit. They ARE much improved. But young.
As for Tebow: I DO respect him. He IS a great role model. He has amazing talent, on AND off the field. He IS a Heisman Trophy winner. He IS an All-American. He DESERVES his awards. No doubt.
But does ESPN really have to tell us constantly how amazing he is? Do they really have to re-hash the Spring Break trips in the Phillipines, Croatia, and Thailand every other day? Do we really have to hear about him performing circumcisions, complete with video? Come on...
All of the good work he does is awesome. It is great to have someone his age, with his notoriety doing things that people should do. You can tell that it means more to him than football, and that's what I like about the guy.
But, there are hundreds of NCAA athletes who give back too. There are hundreds of NCAA athletes that build houses for Habitat, mentor with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or go on mission trips to Honduras or help re-build the Gulf Coast. And where is ESPN?
That's all I'm saying...
As for the FG: It wasn't like Miami was coming back in that game. Did Tebow really need to be in when you're up by 20? Seriously? Did he really need to be throwing for the endzone with a minute left on the clock? Seriously?
What would Gator fans be saying if he'd gotten hurt in that series? Would it be OK then?
I'm not going to speak for Mark Richt. I do know that taking a knee with a comfy lead never got anybody fired. But taking a knee isn't in the Urban Meyer playbook I'm guessing.
As for Georgia: I'm not worried about them one bit. I don't call their plays. I am not paid by the University. I'm just ready to see what The Ol' Ball Coach has up his sleeve this week.
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sven ghali 10 months ago
Now that ESPN just signed a deal with the SEC, everyone just better get comfortable with the network's collective Woodrow for Tim Tebow.
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Carson Howell 10 months ago
thank you rob, for reiterating on all the points I made, and not really having an argument for any of my comments.
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Robert 10 months ago
It was my pleasure, Carson.
If you want to point out "lack of argument"
Where was yours to:
"As for the FG: It wasn't like Miami was coming back in that game. Did Tebow really need to be in when you're up by 20? Seriously? Did he really need to be throwing for the endzone with a minute left on the clock? Seriously?"
Hmmm?
Maybe next time Corso, Herbstreit, and Fowler wil ask him why he didn't get any W's in any of the big games that the Gators needed to win.
I think he's 0 for 4 against Auburn, LSU, Georgia, and Michigan.
First on ESPN's speed dial. Third in the SEC East.
No argument there either, huh?
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Julian Rosario 10 months ago
Honestly, as a Horns fan, I tend to wonder how that young secondary of ours will do against Bradford and
OU, but I refuse to say that we can not beat them.
Honestly, I do not really think that Florida was all that impressive, personally I found way more
information on Miami and their young guns than Florida.
I think if Miami can fix a few things, as horrible as the ACC is, they have a shot to win it.
Tebow will always be sold short on the passing department, but he is a playmaker, no doubt about it.
The most impressive team yesterday, in my opinion, had to be Penn State. They destroyed Oregon State, and Darryl Clark has shown that he has control of that offense. Big 10 opponents should fear the Lions this year.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Julian-
I was impressed that the Gators one weak spot last year, the D, stepped up. But you are right, PSU was impressive, and why they aren't ranked ahead of OSU is beyond me. They are the best team in the Big Ten, unless OSU beats USC next week.
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Jeff Contizano 10 months ago
Robert Marve is a warrior for the Hurricanes. I loved watching them last night, I felt like the old "U" is on its way back. And Florida was stumped, let's be honest here. As soon as I turned away in the fourth quarter they blew it open. It will be interesting to see how Miami does this year...
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Their D looks good, but the O needs work!
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Dino 10 months ago
Texas is young, but Texas will beat OU. The Sooners are getting too much credit already just like last season. OU has to prove they deserve to be where they are. If Mr. Charles hadn't fumbled on the goalline that game would have been different.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
D-
OK, so far, they look good. They beat a BCS middle tier team and a cupcake. Texas has beat a Sun Belt champ (who is competitive, but not a great team. ) and a bad UTEP team. Just my personal opinion, but hey, I'm all for Texas stirring things up! Go get 'em!
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ss 10 months ago
Lisa, I agree that the Buckeyes should be #6 at this point They have not proven anything yet and they better wake the hell up or we're going to see a blow out next weekend.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
BEATING USC WOULD BE A GREAT STATEMENT!
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J.C. Ayvazi 10 months ago
Another fine article Lisa. 5 stars and a POTD!
Seems you generated a lot of interest regarding Florida and Georgia. Congratulations on that. It boils down to strength of schedule in your measurement, and I can not disagree with your results.
I also appreciate where the Georgia fans are coming from, but for all their complaints about the quality of the Florida victory, not a single word has been said about the rivalry factor.
Many times a rival who does not match up on paper shocks a more talented team. For 3 quarters, Miami gave it a hell of a try.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
J.C.
So true. The rivalries bring out the best in teams. So do conference cupcakes like Vandy, Stanford, Wazzu and Missy State. to name just a few. It's why this game is so great. Miami had good D. Florida handled it, plus, they finally had a huge monkey lifted off their backs. Over 20 yrs! Thanks for the pick!
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Austin Thomas 10 months ago
I agree with OSU being where they are because they just didnt have anything going they played wiht no emotion. I do however disagree with 1. FL being a #1 team, the only reason they won by 23 is because Urban Meyer has no class and runs up the score when he has the game in hand, that sorta pissed me off because Miami played a great game keeping them to 9 points in 3 Q's but then after they were up 16-3 and had the ball they didnt need to score. Sorry i am somewhat venting here.
And 2. PSU at #5, sure they played OSU but OSU doesn't look good at all, they lost to stanford. i think PSU will slip in a few weeks when they play Wisc @ Camp Randall, Wisky doesnt lose at home, but for right now they do look good.
Otherwise good job with the rankings. Hope USC-OSU will be a good game, although with what i saw last week OSU will have their hands full.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Fair enough Austin, but I don't think Gators ran up the score. On the 20 yardline, what's wrong with giving your kicker some reps in a game environment?
As far as PSU in top 5 and OSU in top 5, I would like someone to give me a great reason why OSU should be ahead. Just one reason. And the fact they were preseason ranked #2 doesn't cut it. You can't assume those rankings are accurate. Was WVU? Clemson? Va Tech? South Carolina? No. They were way off. Thus, wipe out the preseason rankings and base your rankings on the performances.
Which is a better performance? OSU's two games vs a cupcake and lower-level MAC team?
Or PSU's cupcakes vs a Pac-10 team who looks bad right now?
Who had the better quality opponents? Who controlled the games from start to finish? PSU.
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Austin Thomas 10 months ago
Oh I completely agree with PSU being ahead of OSU, PSU maybe not in the top 5 but they should be up there, sorry if I made it seem that OSU should be ahead of PSU especially after Saturdays game. yes PSU has shown that they are going to be very competitive. And for the reason, I can't give you one, OSU better get their heads in the game quick or else they will get slaughtered by USC.
As for FL, it is somewhat agrivating that after Florida had already sealed the deal with the 16-3 lead they had to throw the ball even more. I dont disagree with kicking the FG, but throwing the ball with under 2 minutes left in the game with a 20 point lead is uncalled for.
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Tom Blackwell 10 months ago
Lisa you act like every BCS team is better then every non BCS team. Is Central Michigan not a better team then Hawaii and Miami? Florida's "high powered" offense struggled against a young Miami D. You cant say that their win was impressive at all.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
I think Miami would beat Central Michigan, yes. Is every BCS team better than non-BCS teams? Of course not. Hawai'i is not good this year because they lost all of their offense. However, more often than not, BCS teams are better than non-BCS teams.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Tom-
I must have missed that, I was also watching the Texas game.
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Michael Inglis 10 months ago
Tom is right, Central Michigan could probably beat Miami. Explain to me how UF win was impressive. Actually don't because your logic is way out there.
It was only 9-3 at the half and Mr. Heisman could only manage 1 TD. This is the number 5 team in the country playing against a bunch of kids who are 4 months removed from high school. The second wansn't much better, they only scored 14 points. That FG at the end with about 30 seconds left was cheap.
UGA win was more impressive. They actually played well.
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Michael Inglis 10 months ago
Lisa,
You're actually trying to justify kicking a FG with 30 seconds left when you're already up by 20?
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ss 10 months ago
I heard from a home-boy back in Ohio who has a contact inside the Buckeye football program. Says they have been working on plays and preparing for the USC game the last two weeks during practice and not to worry about them not being ready for the showdown. Hope that's the case.
In regards to your comments above about BCS teams vs. non-BCS teams. In general, I think the top two teams in a non-BCS league are equal to the bottom third of BCS leagues, would you agree?
Lisa, looking forward to reading your post-game article on the USC-OSU game. How bout giving me your ticket, you would be able to see more from the recliner...or leave your significant other behind and give his ticket to me...I guarantee that I will enjoy it more the he will. I’m down here in Carlsbad and have been tracking tickets $$$…ouch!
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Vincent Franco 10 months ago
What a dumb article... Lisa style points don't matter come weeks 10, 11, and 12. For that matter, no one cares about last weeks scores when you reach kickoff on the coming Saturday. Any team/coach in the country would take 10 one point ugly wins over pretty loses. Putting up Ws is all that matters.
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J.C. Hagan 10 months ago
Actually, Vincent this was a great article as it goes towards explaining much of college football psychology. Yes - these games do matter. Every year that there's a national title game controversy, every game of the season gets brought up by pollsters, so if Ohio State is, say, 11-1 and in the national title mix, that game in week 2 will be seen as a negative. It's not always just about "Ws"
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Steven Resnick 10 months ago
Ohio State will be lucky to be in the top 20 after they get thoroughly embarassed by USC.
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ss 10 months ago
Dream on Steven...the Bucks will be in the top 10 at the end of the season regardless of the outcome on Saturday.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Not so sure about that ss. The Buckeyes conference schedule looks soft. By the time this season is in late November, PSU may be the only ranked team they play.
The BCS computers won't give them a high ranking due to that and furthermore, I hate to say it, but OSU has to work harder than everyone else to prove they belong after the last two debacles. Remember, a 2 loss SEC team beat a 1 loss Big Ten team.
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J.C. Hagan 10 months ago
What if they lose at Wisconsin? Heck - the way they've played thus far, I'd say it's a virtual guarantee NU, Illinois, or MSU beats them. And Lisa's right - 2-loss squad at Bama, LSU, Florida, or Georgia will be ahead of a 1-loss Bucks team.
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Ryan Staab 10 months ago
I'm hoping the Buckeyes I see play next week will not be the same Buckeyes I watched yesterday...I don't know if they were "caught looking ahead" as some people claim or were just lethargic, but the Bobcats went into the Shoe determined to upset and played a superior first half. I'm incredibly concerned, but this might've been the wakeup call the Buckeyes need.
I'd love to have been in the Buckeyes locker room at halftime to hear what Tressel said (did he deliberately not make himself available for an interview with Spielman at half-time, or was that just coincidence?) and what they'll be doing in practice this week.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Ryan-
I am certain the Buckeyes will be fired up!
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Timothy Croley 10 months ago
If OSU finishes the season with less than 2 losses I will be surprised. Maybe they were looking ahead to USC, but the teams who want it more are starting to show they can get it everywhere in CFB, thus prompting "The Year of the Upset: Part II." Good stuff Lisa.
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Justin Hokanson 10 months ago
Good article.
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Chris 10 months ago
Enjoyed the article.
Just as an editorial note, going with the theme of winners who were losers, I think you meant to have Wake Forest on your list, not Ole Miss.
Keep up the good work.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
But it's also vice versa! In other words, Ole Miss was a winner, and WF was a loser. Or maybe Ole Miss is for real?
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Dan Boss 10 months ago
I find it hard to believe that Tressel's best team in his tenure will lose more than one game if any. I was at the game vs. Ohio and it was definately a bad performance by OSU. Everyone knows they were preparing for USC and the only problem was they were facing a dual threat QB who they traditionally have problems with. If Beanie played and OSU prepared for a dual threat QB instead of a pocket passer in Sanchez, they would of easily got by Ohio by just midly preparing for them.
I still have hope considering they barely beat Cincinnati in 02 when they won the NC. Keep in mind Cincinnati wasn't good then and OSU got no respect for playing them like Oklahoma does all of a sudden now.
OSU always starts out slow. Tressel doesn't try to be flashy and dominating so that B/R members can put his team in the top three. He just goes out there and his teams win games, ugly or not. He wins the early games by using vanilla plays so teams like USC don't have much to prepare for. He scrapes by teams like Ohio and YSU. I do pray they play way better against USC seeing how they have been practicing for them ever since spring rather than their first two opponents. Besides, I hope USC is laughing at OSU's performance and relax thinking its going to be an easy win. Makes it even more exciting if OSU wins.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Dan-
Good analysis! Tressel's O is very vanilla, I agree. I guess what I was surprised at was the lack of speed. I know they get top notch athletes, so why do they look slow to me?
By the way, Sanchez is NOT a pocket passer! He is a roll-out QB who likes to take off and run, and is actually more accurate when he is rolling out. (Booty and Palmer were classic pocket passers)
If OSU is under the impression Sanchez is a pp, this could get real interesting, real fast. He's no Pat White or Dennis Dixon, but Randall Cunningham might be close.
Good luck to your Buckeyes! We have some real nice weather forecasted for the game, and it should be loud! Looking forward to meeting some Buckeyes fans in Newport Beach and partying with them.
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Ray J 10 months ago
Nice as usual Lisa, but just a s small correction for you. The Arkansas game was in Little Rock not Fayetteville. The Razorbacks play 2 games a year there. The 2nd will be the day after Thanksgiving verses LSU.
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Dan Boss 10 months ago
Thanks. I meant he's not a dual threat like say a Vince Young, Tim Tebow, Pat White, or even Boo Jackson. I realize he's not as slow as Boeckman haha. You will party indeed, OSU fans are the best fans in the land! :)
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Larry Sigurdson 10 months ago
Hi Lisa,
Good article. I give you an "A" for courage, an "A" for perseverance in responding to all of these many comments and an "A+" for patience.
As for your rankings. It's only the second week-time will tell.
Good job.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Thanks Larry.
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Lanie Destefano 10 months ago
1. Notre Dame HAS improved. Last year we would have lost that game:-)
2. It was their first game after a nightmare season in 07. They were playing a team that had nothing to lose. Ohio State faced the same type of opponent and didn't blow them out.
3. I don't understand your argument at all about not watching the game Saturday. Are you mad that Notre Dame got that contract because many fans are Catholic? There are a lot of Mormons out there but I don't see BYU with a national tv contract. Notre Dame has that contract because Notre Dame fans are the biggest and most loyal fanbase out there. That equals $$$ to NBC.
4. If you don't watch Notre Dame v Michigan, you are missing some fine football drama.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
lanie-
ND has a large fan base due to religion. There are a number of parochial schools out here (of which my kids attend) and ND is the ultimate goal.
but yes, LY you would have lost. Congrats on the win!
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Lanie Destefano 10 months ago
I guess I just don't see why the fact that many Notre Dame fans are Catholic would make you not watch the game. If all of the Mormons across the country suddenly became BYU fans or if all the Southern Baptist decided to stop splitting their fan base and only support Alabama, then those teams would get a national tv contract because it means $$$ for NBC.
There is not one thing unfair about that contract. All a team has to do is develop a fan base like ND. If they can't do it, too bad for them. ND has earned that contract with its storied past and loyal fan base. If a lot of those fans are Catholic, so what?
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Dale Decker 10 months ago
Lisa
Once again your article got my attention. I was a bit chagrined when the discussion got into the religious thing. I don't know why people watch ND, I just know that they do. That said, I watched that game, and not only did the Irish look terrible, but maybe the religion thing helped them out, because there was a play or two that they were definately the recipients of something devine, 'cause it sure wasn't an overload of skill. As for Lou, when has he not banged the drum for ND? Hey, there is some unbiased reporting for you!!
But, he's not alone. Ever watch Robert Smith when he is talking about how great OSU is doing? Or watch him smile whenever Michigan falls on its sword. (Which they will do alot this year, but thats another article)
The one area that I have a difficult time agreeing with you however, is in the rankings. I believe that preseason poles, and, frankly, any poling done before at least the 5th or 6th game is blatantly unfair. The truth is that these polsters and the voters have thier pre-conceived notions, and it is nearly impossible to shake them. Enter the BCS. Oh, I forgot. That takes the other poles into account as well.
Case in point is ECU. They have soundly defeated two top 25 teams, and have reached the grand heights of #14!! From the games I have seen thus far, USC is the best team, and ECU is right on their heels. (Sorry Georgia Fans. But clobbeering CMU just does not impress! Now if they do that for the next several games, my opinion will most assuredly change.) My point is that in all reality, even if they go undefeated and win every remaining game by more than 14 points, you have a greater chance of playing QB for the New England Patriots than ECU has of breaking the top 5, let alone have an opportunity to go for a championship. NO, I'm not predicting an undefeated season for ECU, although it may happen. My point is that they have virtually no chance of being a national champion for no other reason than what conference they play in.
OOPs. Sorry about the rant. the usual playoff hype, you know. Good article. Keep it up. I enjoy your work.
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Lisa Horne 10 months ago
Dale-
I actually agree with everything u said. That's why I think Bama, Penn State and Cal should be higher. Because they started out low, they have to work their way up, which means their rankings are considered legit, and I have a problem with that.
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