Okay, I have heard enough!
I have had Texas Tech and the Big 12 running out of my ears this week!
Let me explain exactly why either Alabama or Florida would beat Texas Tech.
There is a little thing we call DEFENSE we play down here in the SEC. We actually believe you are allowed to try to keep the other team from scoring points.
How you accomplish that is you actually try to rush the quarterback, and you are allowed to actually cover receivers.
I know that must sound strange to you all out there in the Big 12, but it is in the rule book.
Some people watch these Big 12 games and they say WOW, look at all that offense. We SEC fans watch the same games and wonder...does anybody know how to play defense in the Big 12? Where are the defensive backs? Where is the pass rush?
Note to the Big 12 coaches: You are allowed to put great athletes on the defensive side of the ball. You are allowed to hire great defensive coaches. You are allowed to run the ball in order to keep the other team's offense on the bench. It is in the rules!
Look, I have to ask these questions because the media sure isn't asking. Do you guys care about defense at all?
Checking the defensive rankings, I have to look all the way down to No. 37 before I even see a Big 12 team. That team is Texas—and they are just below Temple. You know where Texas Tech is? How about a fantastic No. 48, just below Army!
Give me a break—you guys think you can win a national championship with a defense worse that Army's and Temple's?
On the other hand, Florida is ranked No. 4, and Alabama is ranked No. 7 in total defense. There are three more SEC teams ranked in the top 20.
Now I enjoy you all's pitch and catch league as much as the next fellow, but that game is for fraternities, not for real football teams.
Listen, I know all about Texas Tech. Alabama played the Red Raiders a while back in the Cotton Bowl. We heard all about how they were going to throw the ball all over the place. We heard all about how they scored all those points out there in the Big 12.
You know how many points they scored against a SEC defense that day...10. Just one touchdown, and it wasn't even raining.
So please, don't tell me that you are just that great at offense, and don't tell me you all know how to play defense.
With all the points being scored out there, it would mean every team has a great offense. The rest of the nation knows the truth: The Big 12 couldn't stop a Pop Warner team with the best defense in the whole Big 12.
If all you are going to do is pit one Spread team against another, then all you prove is which is the best Spread team. You are not proving to me who is the best football team!
Either Alabama or Florida will be happy to give you guys a lesson in defense on Jan. 8, 2009 in Miami. It's a four-hour course and is free of charge, so it won't cost you anything but your pride!
161 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Colin Flosi 7 months ago
The teams are much different than they were in 2005.
You discount the offenses completely, even though, skill wise, Texas Tech has the best receiver in football, and a quarterback who would be the class of the SEC, regardless of the system. Tech's offensive line is monster. Teams have tried to rush them, teams have tried to put pressure on Harrell, and it just leaves more room for the receivers.
The SEC defenses are great, as long as you are playing one of the terrible SEC offenses. Florida, Alabama and Georgia can gain some yards. South Carolina has a good young QB, that is the only offense. LSU's offense is anemic due to their TERRIBLE QB play.
Sure, the SEC has the better defenses, you can say by a long shot.
The Big 12 has the better offenses, by a long shot.
If you're going to write an article, at least come up with new information to support your claims... You have brought nothing new to the table.
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Michael Oleszek 7 months ago
"Texas Tech has the best receiver in football, and a quarterback who would be the class of the SEC, regardless of the system. "
I couldn't stop laughing when I read this. I think the combo of Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow might have something to say about that. I sure that Heisman Trophy sitting on Tebow's shelf would make him the class of the SEC.
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Furd Burfell 7 months ago
"I couldn't stop laughing when I read this. I think the combo of Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow might have something to say about that.
Bwahahahah.. hahahahahahaha.
National ranking in total receiving (1-100)
Fla-
Percy Harvin: rank: 69th, 32 receptions for 513 yards, averaging 16.03 yards per catch.
Tech-
Michael Crabtree: rank: 7th, 78 receptions for 1010 yards, averaging 12.95 yards per catch.
Detron Lewis: rank: 49th, 57 receptions for 730 yards, averaging 12.81 yards per catch.
Eric Morris: rank: 85th, 56 receptions for 595 yards, averaging 10.63 yards per catch.
<3 other receivers in top 125>
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Colin, but yet you read it and you left a comment? Thanks
Colin the numbers just don't back your claim. The top Big 12 team in defense is ranked 37th, and the next highest is 48th.
On the other hand the SEC has teams ranked 5th, 26th, and 29th. Those rankings were obtained against the 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, and 18th ranked defenses all in the SEC.
Your argument doesn't fly!
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BabyTate 7 months ago
Franklin, I agree with you about Alabama beating Texas Tech or anyone else they play this year. I disagree with you about Florida beating Texas Tech. I watched Florida lose at home to Mississippi. Texas Tech is too much man for those little Florida boys.
Florida might lose at Florida State. Fla State could end up in the Orange Bowl as ACC Champs. If the Gators lose to Florida State and fall to Alabama in the SEC Title game the Gators wouldn't qualify for the Sugar Bowl as a BCS at-large and the Sugar discussion would be undefeated Boise State vs. undefeated Utah.
This is even giving the Gators the win over Carolina this week where they are 21 point favorites at home. Likewise, I'm certain Florida will meet the challenge of the Citadel the following week before heading into Tallahassee and what has been a date with reality for the Gators during the past 20 years as Florida has only 2 wins in that time at Fla St.
Alabama and Texas Tech are just about dead even for one reason or the other, would make a great title game between the two best teams in the country.
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Bryan Ford 7 months ago
You're intelligence doesn't fly. REALLY.....the total offensive and defensive rankings aren't the be all end all.. but since you are lazy it is the only info you want to use.
Army and Temple's defenses would be in the 100 ranking wise if they played in the Big 12. They wouldn't stop anyone. Now they might be in the top 20 going against the SEC offenses.. but still that wouldn't mean they are great.
I read the article because it is fun to see how MYOPIC some people are. The Tech team that went to the Cotton Bowl against Alabama was about one quarter as talented as this one. Probably the same way with Alabama compared to this year.
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
My argument wasn't that the SEC defenses weren't better, but rather the Big 12 offenses are (just as drastically) better than the SEC's.
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
SEC Total Defense (In The T25)- 3, 4, 8, 15, 24.
Big 12 Total Offense (In The T25)- 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 14, 19.
Then we get into the stupid argument, is the defense in the SEC good because the offense is bad? Is the offense in the Big 12 good because the defense is bad?
You didn't even show both sides of the story, not to mention bringing the same stats every biased fan uses to try to prove the point, yet it never works.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Colin, I appreciate you taking so much interest in my article!
I will play your numbers game with you one more time.
The only three teams that count concern my article, those are Texas Tech, Alabama, and Florida.
Texas Tech ... No. 3 in offense, and No. 37 in defense. That adds up to (41)
Alabama... No. 30 in offense, and No. 7 in defense. That adds up to....(37)
Florida.... No. 7 in offense, and No. 4 in defense. That adds up to........(11)
Lets add Texas.No. 4 in offense, and No.37 in defense. That adds up to(41)
Texas + Texas Tech =(82) Alabama + Florida = (58)
Top 2 teams in the SEC = (58)
Top 2 teams in the Big 12=(82)
We could go on all day, but the bottom line is the Big 12 is weaker anyway you add it up.
Defense wins championships! Every coach from Knute Rockney to Bear Bryant said it. That is because it is true.
Thanks for playing the numbers game with me.
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
Franklin, I appreciate you trying to match ip the numbers, but I can do the same thing and only show the stats that support my claim.
The rank of the defenses and offenses is MUCH less important than the number of yards, correct? Let's look at the difference between yards gained per game and given up per game...
Alabama-
Gains- 367
Allows- 265
+/- = +102
Florida-
Gains- 407
Allows- 286
+/- = 121
Texas Tech-
Gains- 566
Allows- 351
+/- = 215
Texas-
Gains- 479
Allows- 353
+/- = 126
So, Texas Tech and Texas are statistically the better teams. After all, If you gain more, you have more opportunities to give it up, so the difference should be a great way to look at the stats, right?
Even in conference, the breakdown is still in advantage of the Big 12, and mostly Texas Tech.
(In Conference)
Alabama-
Gains- 361
Allows- 303
+/- = +58
Florida-
Gains- 416
Allows- 313
+/- = +103
Texas Tech-
Gains- 562
Allows- 355
+/- = +207
Texas-
Gains- 472
Allows- 386
+/- = +86
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
Colin -
As a fan of an SEC school I must say I am impressed with your statistical analysis. Yard differential is an interesting way of looking at the quality of combined offense/defense because an offense that moves the ball will score and put its defense on the field a lot more.
As far as Franklin goes, he will never see the other side of the arguement for what it is. I'm sure that if you brought up the fact that the terrible LSU offense outgained his Crimson Tide on Saturday, he'd use some type of circular logic to dismiss it. In all actuality, the LSU offense scored more points than the Alabama offense on Saturday (but Jarrett Lee is good for at least one gift a game).
Anyway, know that not all fans of SEC schools are homers. Tech is a fine looking team and Harrell's experience and talent combined are really proving to be a huge plus for that offense. Good luck against OU. Much rather see a crazy genius like Mike Leach on the national stage than a bore like Stoops (even if he is one hell of a coach).
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Colin, like I said before, I appreciate you taking such interest in my article. We can play this numbers game all day, but you obviously have more time than I do. I just hope we get to play the game. Then we will put all this Big12, and Texas Tech foolishness to bed!
Thanks for your comments.
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
I can understand that you don't have that much time on your hands, but if you are going to try to prove that the SEC is so much stronger than the Big 12, maybe you should stick it out to the end instead of giving it up.
Admit it, your stats are bias and you fail to tell the whole story.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, LSU lost the game, let it go.
Thanks for commenting!
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
And thank you M, i'm glad that some SEC fans are able to look at stats unbiasedly.
There are different stats that show dominance for each conference, that is the fact of the matter.
Florida is the most dominant team in the SEC statistically, and Texas Tech in the Big 12.
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
Perhaps it is a sign that Franklin did not say that Alabama won the game, but rather LSU lost it.
Which, coincidentally is EXACTLY how I see it.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Colin, I used to play golf with a guy like you. I would be beat him, and he would want to play 9 more holes. If I beat him again, he would want to play nine more.
I would finally have tell him that Golf is not an endurance sport. Neither is this.
I enjoyed talking to you.
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
Franklin, you remind me of a guy I used to play basketball with.
I would beat him, and he would quit after the first loss.
Yet after losing the game, he would always say; "I don't have time to play another game, but I am obviously better than you".
You have made NO statistical impression on anybody with your bias views and one-sided stats.
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
Franklin -
My comment had nothing to do with LSU losing and me not being able to move on. I was commenting on Colin's statistical approach and on your inability to look at any argument other than your own. The part about the LSU-Bama game was just a single example of how you avoid any truth in the numbers.
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tiger1 johnston 7 months ago
Colin,
You are wasting your time arguing with Franklin. Nick Saban will cure global warming, end earthquakes and world hunger as far as he's concerned. Franklin has pictures of saban hanging in his shower. I am an LSU fan and watched LSU play (in the stadiums) both Florida and Alabama. Florida will beat Texas Tech. They are a complete football team with a very good defense. On offense, they have great balance in running and throwing and have great speed in their skill players. Tech has an incredible offense but Florida will score at will against your defense. My point is it will be a high scoring game but FL will slow you down more than you slow them down.
Alabama's defense is mediocre at best. Their stats are a joke because their strength of schedule is so bad - 80th. LSU ran for over 200 yards and had almost 400 yards in offense and our freshman QB isn't exactly Graham Harrell. For the sake of the SEC's pride, I wouldn't want to see bama and Tech play. Bama's offense is not explosive and they rely on a running game with two very average backs.
It doesn't matter - Florida will beat bama by 4 TDs in Atlanta so you don't need to argue with Franky - his arguments about anything to do with bama are irrational. He never attended the Univ of Alabama and is a bandwagon fan anyway.
I hope TX Tech beats OU and makes it to Miami. LSU and OU met in New Orleans a few years ago for the title and their fans are about the worst I've ever encountered. Good luck Saturday.
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tiger1 johnston 7 months ago
Colin,
You are wasting your time arguing with Franklin. Nick Saban will cure global warming, end earthquakes and world hunger as far as he's concerned. Franklin has pictures of saban hanging in his shower. I am an LSU fan and watched LSU play (in the stadiums) both Florida and Alabama. Florida will beat Texas Tech. They are a complete football team with a very good defense. On offense, they have great balance in running and throwing and have great speed in their skill players. Tech has an incredible offense but Florida will score at will against your defense. My point is it will be a high scoring game but FL will slow you down more than you slow them down.
Alabama's defense is mediocre at best. Their stats are a joke because their strength of schedule is so bad - 80th. LSU ran for over 200 yards and had almost 400 yards in offense and our freshman QB isn't exactly Graham Harrell. For the sake of the SEC's pride, I wouldn't want to see bama and Tech play. Bama's offense is not explosive and they rely on a running game with two very average backs.
It doesn't matter - Florida will beat bama by 4 TDs in Atlanta so you don't need to argue with Franky - his arguments about anything to do with bama are irrational. He never attended the Univ of Alabama and is a bandwagon fan anyway.
I hope TX Tech beats OU and makes it to Miami. LSU and OU met in New Orleans a few years ago for the title and their fans are about the worst I've ever encountered. Good luck Saturday.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Gee, there are a lot of LSU fans joining in? Its like they have some unfinished business with Alabama or something. Guys, the Alabama game is over... we won!
I guess after you trashed talked me for a week leading up to the game and you had to eat those words, now you are jumping on the Texas Tech bandwagon hoping they will do what you couldn't?
Colin, meet tiger1, and m. They believe the same thing you do, that Alabama can be beaten.
They blamed their quarterback for losing their game, like he is not part of the team or something?They never considered that their coach started him and called all those pass plays?
They said turnovers beat them even though we had the same number of turnovers as they did during the game?
They had all kinds of excuses. They one thing they do not have is class. They are very poor losers.
I just want to thank all of you for reading and commenting.
Hey, tiger1, Colin is good with numbers. Maybe he can re- add the score for you so that this time LSU wins!
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
You have to be extremely full of yourself to think we are jumping on "Tech's bandwagon."
The thing is, unlike you Franky-boy, I can appreciate and respect when a fellow follower of the game makes a valid point backed by substantial evidence. And I will aid and assist that person in combating with the bias, homer likes of you. You wouldn't know objectivity if it punched you in the balls.
And then you want people to take you seriously as a writer/analyst, but claim looking up numbers and statistics is too time-consuming. If that's not a clear example of amateur......
And who are you to judge class? You hide behind your computer and ignore or run away from any adversary - that's some class.
Bama over-came their mistakes on Saturday - LSU didn't. Just because they won doesn't mean I should be impressed, because I am not. It was game we could have/should have won. But we didn't and the season will continue. Besides, when all is said and done, only two teams will be playing for the national championship, and neither one of them was in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.
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Kyle Eggemeyer 7 months ago
It is easy to play defense when you are not going up against an offense. It is not fair to compare Texas and Texas Tech numbers to Florida and Alabama at this point anyway. Texas Tech and Texas have already played each other thereby bringing their stats down. As soon as Alabama and Texas Tech play you will see Alabama's defense embarrassed. Then Texas Tech will beat Florida.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Hey Kyle, thanks for reading.
We will be embarrassed? Isn't that what you all said last time? Then Texas tech scored once!
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Nick Vandiver 7 months ago
Yep, Franklin. We can all tell that the SEC in just the absolute best conference in the country.I want you to take a good long look at the BCS rankings. You know, those big important things that decide who goes to bowl games? You looking? I want you to count how many Big 12 and SEC teams are in the Top 25. I'll wait a few days for you to count...To save time, there are five from each conference. If the SEC is so much more incredibly dominant than the Big, then the Top 25 should have many more SEC teams than Big 12 teams, right?
Not even close.
I've said it before. Yes, SEC teams have great defenses. But the Big 12 has great offenses. We'll see when it comes to the national title game. When Texas Tech comes out on top after beating a supremely overrated Alabama team, I guess we'll know who's better, won't we?
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Nick, first of all thanks for reading and commenting.
This article is about why I am sure that Florida or Alabama will beat Texas Tech, but I will bite.
The SEC has always dominated college football. This year the Big 12 has improved, but more than anything I believe it is more of a case of media frenzy over the scores being posted in the Big12 vs Big12 matches.
There is two possible reasons for high scoring football games. One is there is a great offense, the other is really bad defense. Watching these games as a former football player I see really bad defense, and good offense, not great offense.
Receivers are running their routes unmolested and uncontested. The Spread is a timing offense where the quarterback throw to a spot on the field. If the receivers are going to run free with little coverage then no wonder there is 50+ points being scored.
Getting back to the SEC vs Big 12 issue. We in the SEC hear this stuff every year, and every year we win our Bowl games and 3 out of the last 5 years we have won the National Championship. If you want to hang your hat on Lee Corso and the ESPN gang say, go ahead bit that won't win you a national championship and that is a fact.
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RedRaider Red 7 months ago
We look forward to meeting your AWESOME defense in Miami next year. Try winning without cheating this time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51FPtrs8tFk
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Gunz Linger 7 months ago
Wow, really? First of all, that angle shows nothing. Second of all, consider that they had a better angle on that, and it was actually determined that he was down, how is Alabama cheating there? They didn't rig the cameras or pay the referees. Lastly, you're referencing a play that occurred in the first four minutes of the football game, but yet you claim that, had that been called back, Alabama wouldn't have won simply because it was a 3-pt game? That's some pretty poor logical reasoning that they teach at that school in Lubbock.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
RedRaider, thanks for reading!
Sour Grapes!
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RedRaider Red 7 months ago
I'm saying the outcome could've been different if Alabama wasn't given SEVEN free points out of THIRTEEN.
Sure, Bama would've ended up with less or more than 13... they could've won, they could've lost.. who knows?
My point is, Bama DID not deserve those 7 points... at least not on that play. The game had a million 3 and outs.... who knows what would've happ had the receiver been deemed down?
When I said Bama cheated I meant they got those 7 points in an unfair manner although it wasn't the players' fault.. it was the officials.
Franklin said the Big 12 doesn't have a defense..... holding Bama to 13 (actually 6) points seems like a good defense to me.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Gunz, thanks for chiming in!
Every loser has the right to claim they were cheated, it is an unwritten rule for losers!
Thanks for you input!
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Thomas H. 7 months ago
I'm sorry, but an amazing defense of Texas Tech beats a good defense of Bama or Florida. Oh, and by the way, Texas Tech's front line showed great improvement against Colt and Texas. The line they have includes some big boys.
Alabama or Florida???? Bama hasn't had as hard a schedule as the Red Raiders, and barely beat LSU. I will give you Florida though, they are determines players.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Thomas, there is no need for apologies.
I would take LSU and give Texas Tech points much less Florida, or Alabama. You have been watching ESPN too much again. We down here in the SEC listen to this bull every year.
Every Saturday we listen to CBS,ABC, and ESPN predict the SEC's downfall. Every year we hear how these wonderful spread offenses will win the day.
Then every bowl season the SEC comes home with all the hardware that finally proves our point. It is always so satisfying.
Tell me how Tech has fared against the SEC? The answer is an embarrassing 12-41-1!
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
The past doesn't matter at this moment.
We could care less about Tech's past records.
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
CBS has a major contract with the SEC and no other conference. I highly doubt they are down-playing the SEC.
And Tech's record against the SEC in the past means nothing in the present (just like Bama's 0-5 record against LSU for the last half-decade meant nothing on Saturday).
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, there are many that agree with me!
http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/messages/chrono/11461126
Thanks for commenting
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
And those posts on the site were about bias WITHIN SEC GAMES (ie Danielson being obessed with Stafford, or Vern with Tebow). It had absolutely nothing to do with CBS criticizing the SEC. If anything it was an love-fest for the top two SEC QB's.
You make no sense whatsoever.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, thanks for helping me to understand myself. Shouldn't you be standing on a ledge somewhere?
Great teams overcome their mistakes, as do great coaches.
One thing is for sure, LSU is out of any championship hopes. On the other hand Alabama still is ranked No.1.
LSU will have to beat Troy this week or risk getting shut out of the bowl picture. I am not sure they can beat Ole' Miss, or the Hogs after Alabama broke their spirit. It is beginning to look like a 5 loss season for the Tigers.
It seems I predicted a four loss season to you guys a few weeks ago? Looks like I came up short again.
Thanks for showing so much support for my writing!
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, if you criticize all the SEC teams, you are criticizing the SEC.
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
If you only broadcast SEC games, and your job is to comment on the teans playing, how can you not be critical of the SEC - it's the only conference you are broadcasting. What is it about that logic that escapes you?
Your bias against LSU is incredibly ridiculous. LSU is bowl eligible, even if they lose the rest of their games (which they won't). Again a prime example of you not knowing what you are talking about.
And you should know about broken spirits - after all your Tide lost to Sun Belt doormat ULM after tanking in the SEC last year. While it's a difficult pill to swallow, there's not much shame in losing to three teams currently ranked in the top 10 (and doing so without experience at the most vital position on the field). While we always have high hopes, we know a rebuilding year when we see one.
And it might benefit you to actually watch teams outside the SEC if you want to comment on them. Anyone who has watched Tech, Texas, Oklahoma, even USC knows that they are capable of beating anyone right now. And frankly, all bias aside, Tech and Oklahoma have looked far superior the last two weeks than any other team in the nation. And this is from someone who truely believes the SEC is the overall best conference in college football.
And I will remind you - you still haven't won anything yet (and haven't been relevent for over a decade). You've certainly earned where you are know, but the season isn't over yet. Don;t count your chickens before they are hatched.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, you sound so bitter. Winning 6 games does not get you a bowl, ask South Carolina last year. Maybe you are the one who does not know what they are talking about? There is one of those question marks again!
If you criticize all the SEC teams how can you be for the SEC? Another question mark. You can announce the game and not down every player, every play, every team. It becomes clear where you stand.
M, I have played in more games than you have watched, and I have watched more game film than you can even get your mind around. Now you sound really stupid.
You are right about Alabama last year, that is why I know LSU could easily go into the tank. There is very little left for them to play for this year. That means trouble for LSU.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Colin, at least put your hat on straight!
You are helping my comment count, but I just don't know if it is worth it.
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
What, if a comment isn't agreeing with you, it isn't worth it?
I have approached you with more statistics than you made available, and while you have no time to continue our debate with actual statistics, you have time to comment otherwise?
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Colin, it takes time to look up stats, it just takes seconds to bust your chops!
Thanks for the comment!
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
Perhaps if you'd like to succeed in sports journalism, you should have the time to look up statistics...
And what does my hat have to do with any of this?
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Colin, only a fool argues numbers, it goes on forever. Besides Alabama and Texas Tech will never meet in Miami. I am afraid that the Red Raiders will blow that chance this weekend thus ending my dreams of putting you in your place.
You should be worried about the Sooners, not Alabama. I know I am more worried about the Sooners than I am about a fraternity flag team like Texas Tech.
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Colin Flosi 7 months ago
You say only a fool argues numbers, yet your whole basis for saying the SEC was better were biased numbers...
Right?
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Colin, your hat is still crooked!
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Nick Vandiver 7 months ago
Oh there's nothing to worry about old man. I have no doubt Texas Tech and Bama will meet in Miami. That warm weather will be great for Tech since they'll be sitting in it on the beach with a shiny new national title trophy.
Thanks for the worst article I've ever read!
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Tim Azevedo 7 months ago
Hi Frank, congratulations on creating quite the controversy. I wrote an article about defense in the Big 12 not too long ago. You might be interested in reading it and the extenesive commentary about stats that follows. Anyway, your comparison of Tech and Alabama in the 2006 Cotton Bowl is misleading. Both teams are substantially better this year. Besides, Alabama only won by 3. Instead, let's look at the most recent Big 12-SEC games, shall we?
Alabama 30 - Colorado 24 (Independence Bowl)--- Colorado gave up an average of 29.5 points per game last year, so the Alabama offense was more or less equal to Colorado's regular competition. In contrast, Alabama gave up an average of 14.4 points per game last year. Colorado exceeded that by about 10. In fact, Colorado was only just shy of their scoring average of 27.3 points per game. That means Alabama's defense was only slightly better than Colorado's opponents and that Colorado's offense was considerably better than Alabama's opponents. Keep in mind, Colorado plays in the significantly weaker Big 12 North.
Missouri 38 - Arkansas 7 (Cotton Bowl) - Arkansas gave up 33.3 ponts per game last season. Missouri exceeded that by about 5. Missouri averaged 26.3 points per game and beat that by 19 pts. Again, Missouri plays in the Big 12 North.
Texas 52 - Arkansas 10 (2008 Season) - Texas averages about 48.1 points per game. Texas exceeded that by 4, which show that Arkansas's defense is a little worse than the teams Texas has played. Texas gives up about 25.3 points per game. They gave up 15 less than their average against Arkansas. This means Arkansas's offense is much worse than the offenses Texas normally plays. Arkansas gives up about 32.5 points per game against SEC opponents. Texas exceeded that by 20. This means Texas's offense is much better than Arkansas's SEC opponents. Keep in mind that currently #1 Alabama beat Arkansas 49-14 the previous week. So, Texas did slightly better than Alabama.
Now Florida, the only team with a spread offense and an offensive rating comparable to the top Big 12 teams, has been destroying their opponents by scoring no less than 30 points. The scores look like Big 12 games, but no one calls into question the defense of the teams they've been playing.
You are probably just going to tell me to look at the Big 12 games: there isn't much pass rushing or pass coverage, as you pointed out. I have one question for you- did you watch the Tech-OSU game? OSU blitzed all the time, but Harrell would just drop out of the pocket and find a man before they could get to him. It's a losing strategy unless your defensive less is incredibly fast (not big like LSU or Alabama linemen). How is he always able to find a man? He's a much better QB than most in the SEC for one. Second, try covering 3, 4, or 5 WRs some time. When you start spreading out a defense like that, someone ALWAYS makes a mistake in coverage. If not, Harrell just runs for a few yards.
So don't be telling me that the SEC will suddenly dominate. They haven't recently and there's no reason to believe they are going to start this season. It should be a game worth watching though.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Hey Tim, that's the idea isn't it?
I appreciate all the work you did on your comment. The way you dug up all these mismatch games to use as examples. The way you overlooked the ones that didn't prove your point.
The problem is the article is about defense, not the SEC vs Big 12. I wrote an article several weeks ago that covered that subject. Maybe you would like to respond to that one?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/66749-sec-or-big-12-who-is-the-top-dog
Tim, do you honestly think the Big 12 is the only place they are using the spread. The SEC has at least 10 teams using the spread, and that would be consider sparse compared to most conferences. The rest of the country is eat up with it. This is not about the spread... it is about defense! The way you beat the spread is speed. Speed kills the spread. That and ball control, you keep the spread on the sideline. Jam the receivers, disrupt the timing, mix up the coverages, and bring heat!
It would seem that the Big 12 has become so infatuated with the spread that coaches are throwing all their fast athletes over on the offense, and just letting the defenses have the leftovers. You can watch Big 12 games and see where the athletes are, there are under the OCs control.
It really boils down to where you put your athletes.
The Big 12 puts them on the offensive side of the ball. The SEC places them on the defensive side of the ball.
History has always shown putting them on the defensive side win big games, and championships!
Past bowl seasons have always shown defenses win.
We all use the spread at times. All it is, is the shotgun with more than 2 receivers, with wider than normal splits between the linemen. What is the big deal?
It used to be called the two minute offense, someone just decided it worked then, why not do it all the time!
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Tim Azevedo 7 months ago
Franklin, I think you may have misunderstand my arguments here.
First, I'm not sure how it matters if one of the games is a mismatch. I am comparing them relative to performance against conference play. That was the main point of my comparisons, not picking out random games where the Big 12 beat SEC teams. So, we know Texas is better than Arkansas this season. So is Alabama. But Arkansas scored more on Alabama's vaunted defense than Texas's only one week apart. (Texas's defense is coached by a former SEC coach, btw.)
Besides, how is Missouri-Arkansas (Arkansas beat the national champion, LSU, the game before) a mismatch? They were similarly ranked in their respective conferences. How is Alabama-Colorado a mismatch? Alabama won that game.
What games have I ignored? Can you find any more recent Big 12-SEC games over the last year or so? No, because I picked all of them I could find, not just the ones I wanted. As far as I can tell, you just assumed that I would pick whatever suits my argument. Rather than attacking my character, maybe you can explain why my comparisons are bad?
Also, I didn't say Florida was the only SEC team with a spread, I said they were the only team with a spread and an offensive rating comparable to Big 12 teams. As you say, many teams use spread formations occasionally. Certain Big 12 teams, along with teams like Florida, Michigan, Tulsa, etc. use a spread formation almost every offensive play. Florida is also the only SEC team anywhere near Tech, Texas, and Oklahoma in offensive rating.
That's why Florida doing so well against other SEC defenses is relevant. This isn't about SEC vs. Big 12, it's that you used the SEC as an example of good defense. I was just going along with what you said in your article. If SEC defense is as good as you say, then a Big 12 offense similar to Florida's should put up similar numbers against SEC defenses. But Florida's scores are very close to scores in Big 12 play (scoring 30+ points every game). How then are you just going to write off defense in the Big 12? How about writing off defenses that give up 30-63 points to Florida like Tenn., Ole Miss, Ark., Georgia, LSU, Kentucky, and Vandy?
In conclusion, as you say, defense is certainly important. As Bear Bryant said, "Defense wins championships, and the best defense is a good offense."
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Nick Vandiver 7 months ago
Yes, Franklin. It's exactly the same as the way you dug up all of the biased stats and overlooked the ones that didn't prove your point. What a great hypocrite you are, old man!
Thanks again for the worst article I've ever read!
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Nick, thanks so much for reading and commenting. If my article has offended you I am sorry. Just the same... thanks for taking so much time and effort to let me know just how bad it really was.
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Gail Hall 7 months ago
Cody Hodges also had a torn ACL in that game. That may have effected his performance.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Hey Gail, which game are you talking about?
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Gail Hall 7 months ago
The 05 Cotton Bowl, Cody Hodges was Tech's QB.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Ok Gail, thanks for clearing that up. We were talking about so much at the same time that I wasn't sure.
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Kevin Mitchell 7 months ago
Did somebody miss the first half of that bowl game against Colorado?? Bama showed us a preview of this year...dominate the fiirst half, forget to play the second half...and really, who thinks Arkansas against Missouri (one of the weaker SEC team against one of the Big 12 teams that was ranked number 1 going into the Big 12 championship game, where if they beat Oklahoma, were going to play for a national championship, was a real test of conference strength? A lower tier SEC team against a team who went into its final game ranked number 1. Congrats on winning the Cotton Bowl. What do you think would have happened to Missouri against Georgia, Florida, LSU....should I keep going, or do just those 3 teams make my point? As for the Texas-Arkansas matchup, c'mon. Once again, a team that held the number 1 ranking going against a vastly inferior Arkansas team. They lost as badly to Alabama, and almost as badly to Florida, as they did to Texas. And they played Bama and Florida at home, they played in Austin against Texas. C'mon. Really. I know having Big 12 teams that matter in the national picture this late in the season is surprising to Big 12 fans, but enough already. Florida 2 years ago wasn't deserving of a spot in the title game against almighty Ohio State. Shoulda been USC, or Michigan, or anyone else. That argument didn't make it til halftime of that game. Same thing last year with LSU. A 2 loss SEC team blah blah blah blah blah. Same ol, same ol.
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RedRaider Red 7 months ago
What happ to the mighty Gators who couldn't beat Poor-Big10-team Michigan last year?
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Kevin my man, I appreciate you opinion. That seems to happen often. The Big 12 powerhouses scheduling the weak sisters of the SEC. I don't know if its them looking for an easy win, or us wanting to take on a good out of conference team. Maybe it is just an accident, but it sure has happened often.
Thanks for commenting.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Thank you Red Raider for giving me another example of the spread failing when faced with a conventional offense, and a decent defense.
Below is last years Florida schedule, you will notice that all their losses were to teams with good defenses, and conventional offenses
2007 Football Schedule and Results
DATE OPPONENT RESULT/TIME RECORD/TICKETS
September 1 Western Kentucky W 49-3 1-0 (0-0)
September 8 Troy W 59-31 2-0 (0-0)
September 15 No. 22 Tennessee W 59-20 3-0 (1-0)
September 22 at Mississippi W 30-24 4-0 (2-0)
September 29 Auburn L 20-17 4-1 (2-1) conventional
October 6 at No. 1 LSU L 28-24 4-2 (2-2) conventional
October 20 at No. 7 Kentucky W 45-37 5-2 (3-2)
October 27 No. 18 Georgia L 42-30 5-3 (3-3) conventional
November 3 Vanderbilt W 49-22 6-3 (4-3)
November 10 at South Carolina W 51-31 7-3 (5-3)
November 17 Florida Atlantic W 59-20 8-3 (5-3)
November 24 Florida State W 45-12 9-3 (5-3)
January 1 vs. Michigan L 41-35 9-4 (5-3) conventional
Well?
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
As fan of an SEC school I beg the ignorance to stop. The Big XII has won 2 BCS National Championships - one of which was three years ago in perhaps the greatest college football game ever. In fact, the conference is home to the last undefeated National Champion. They are not new kids on the block as many of the SEC super-homers would like to believe.
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
And by the way, Franklin, Gary Crowton ran a modified spread offense with Matt Flynn in 2007.
And I thought defenses that gave up 30 (UGA) and 35 points (Michigan) weren't considered good defenses (and this is by your own standards).
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, please show me a team that doesn't run some sort of the spread at some point in the games. There are about 10 variations of the spread. Did you know that?
You people talk about the spread like it some bolt of lightning from the blue. It has been around for years, and years.
There is nothing magical about it. It was developed out of the 2 minute offenses of the 70s. Teams have run it forever. It started as a way to make smaller weaker teams competitive. Steve Spurrier brought it from the USFL to Duke and then to Florida. It took a little time for the SEC to figure out how to defend, mostly because they didn't play against it much. Once they did Steve had to move on. Now it is used everywhere. So quit acting like it is a Big 12 invention.
It doesn't work well in the NLF because of the speed of the defenses. So that is why teams like Alabama and USC are cleaning up in recruiting. Players want to believe they can go on to the NFL, so they want to learn the Pro style offense.
That concludes my lesson!
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
Don't be mad because you mistakenly called LSU's 2007 offense a "conventional" one - just admit you made an error. And you're defensive rants only demonstrate your inability to take criticism yourself. Not once did I glorify the spread offense in any way, yet you had to go on with a diatribe about it. And nothing I said suggested I thought the spread offense was a Big XII invention. I said the Big XII was fielding some excellent teams this year. The first time I even mentioned the word "spread" was to inform you that you were incorrect in calling LSU's 2007 offense a "conventional" one.
Oh, and remind me how many players were drafted out of Alabama last year.
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RedRaider Red 7 months ago
As far I know, winning games is about scoring more points than the other team. It doesn't matter if you win 3-2 or 100-99. A win is still a win.
Defenses don't win championships.... BOTH defenses and offenses do.
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Kevin Mitchell 7 months ago
You mean that Big 10 team that was loaded with seniors, many of whom were drafted in April to play in that professional football league....that played an amazing back and forth game with Florida, the entire game? Ohh, yeah, that SEC league that went 7-2 in bowl games last yeah...
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Red Raider, you had better hope so with a defense that is rated No 48!
Thanks for leaving you comment.
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Nick Vandiver 7 months ago
There's no hoping here. Unless you're hoping that all of these much better thought out arguements will stop? I don't see that happening any time soon, old man.
Again...thanks for such a terrible article!
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Andy Purvis 7 months ago
I think what we're seeing in the Big 12 is more a reflection of having some very talented offensive skill position players more than bad defense's.
Harrel, McCoy, Bradford, Robinson, Daniel are all surrounded tremoundous offensive weapons to distribute the ball too.
Each one of these guy's would be worthy of All Big 12 consideration in any other year and than we have guys like Freeman at KSU, Ganz at NU and Reesing at KU all playing at high levels.
I wouldn't put the horse to far ahead of the cart. I do think FL would have a better shot than Bama if they were to play TT, OU ot UT.
Any of those three teams will give an SEC team difficulty.
Other than maybe FL there isn't one SEC team that has the offensive skill position players that either of these 3 teams have. So, that means an SEC defense will be facing an offense unlike anything they have ever seen.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Andy if you had just waited to post after you read the above post yo Red Raider you would have not looked so uninformed. Actually teams with conventional offenses do much better against spread teams than other spread teams.
As far as the talent level those players you mentioned are talented, but really I would look great throwing the ball 50+ times against the Big12 defenses, and I played linebacker?
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
Please learn how to use a question mark.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
I use question marks to show you idiots confuse me. Its like you believe what?
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
It doesn't matter how you think you use them - you still use them incorrectly. Just thought you should know considering you're a "writer".
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Andy Purvis 7 months ago
Uninformed about what may I ask? I simply stated "my opinion" Not taking shots at SEC or Alabama, just an "opinion"
I see, I'm "uninformed" because I have a different opinion than you, that's ok.
I just don't think that there are as many teams in the SEC with nearly as many skilled offensive players on 5-6 different teams.
There are athletes on Big 12 defenses, right now the Big 12 seems to be playing a different type of offensive football than they have in the past.
Offenses seem to be a bit ahead and I don't think an SEC team has seen enough of these high octane offenses.
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Kevin Mitchell 7 months ago
I really do love how everyone tries to discount Alabama. Football is a mans game. Alabama plays as straightforward, smash mouth, it's coming can you stop it as you can get. They don't try to do anything other than control the lines of scrimmage. Everyone mistakenly assumes, especially in the mainstream media (Kirk Herbstreit actually said "when Florida beats Alabama"), that because Florida runs up and down the field and tries to score 50 points a game, that they are going to run around Alabama and win by 2 or more touchdowns. Bama doesn't try to score 50 points. They use ball control and defense to win. Bama dominates just as much as Florida, just in a different way. They out-man you. After playing Bama, teams are physically punished. I'm not saying Florida's weak, but they're not as physical as Bama. Same thing with the Big 12 teams. Just because one team runs around all over the place, doesn't mean they would on Bama. I can't wait to see what happens when Florida, and any team Bama plays in a bowl, gets hit in the mouth-repeatedly. A little bit of physical defense shuts down the spread. Think Hawaii-Georgia last year was an accident? Welcome to the SEc, boys, we'll do it all again after 2009--I'm sure by then everyone will have forgotten the total domination of the 2008 bowl season one more time.
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Tim Azevedo 7 months ago
I agree, and I hope the SEC championship is a good game. I still think that Florida will win because their special teams and offense are better. But if Alabama can come to play in the second half, it should be pretty close.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Kevin, you make excellent points. If you notice most of the talking heads that are so mesmerized by the spread are ex-quarterbacks. That is because they wished they played for a coach that would have let them throw 50+ times a game.
They picture themselves standing back there with no rush throwing to wide open receivers and piling up big stats, That is why they think so much of the spread, it is all about the quarterback, which means it is all about themselves.
Thanks for adding you opinion!
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tresman 10 7 months ago
dude seriously you are dumb! i mean NFL dont the PATs run a spread O??? how many years have they DOMINATED???? where did he play in college Michigan... back when he played in college michigan ran your little conventional offence.. did that get him anywhere no! what is he doing now DOMMMMMMINATEDD now in the NFL.. and i dont even like the guy. its funny how the only two teams that get any kind of rise out of people are FL and Bama and Bama only until this yr. the Big XII teams have been puting up number for a long time... Fl recent fame comes from using the spread, because NO ONE and i repeat NO ONE in the SEC can stop it!!
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
6-6 South Carolina did not make a bowl game in 2007 because they were the tenth bowl-eligible team out of the SEC (who only has a possible 9 tie-ins) and had lost something like 5 games in a row.
And just because you say something Franklin, doesn't make it so (at least not in the rest of the world).
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, what are you saying? How do you know it will work out for LSU? They could easily be the 11th team this year.
If LSU loses out their record will be the same except they beat Tulane in the middle somewhere. Just hope LSU wins another game. I wouldn't want to see LSU left out.
Lets not get testy!
I am enjoying this chat!
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
11th? Really? Tennessee has already guaranteed themsleves a losig season. Mississippi St and Arkansas are both one loss away from losing bowl eligibility and Arkansas still has to play LSU. LSU has one of the best traveling fan bases in the country. Don't be a bias Bama homer and look at things realistically. LSU will most likely end up in the Cotton Bowl as the SEC #4 when all is said and done.
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RedRaider Red 7 months ago
Franklin,
LSU is the 11th best team in the SEC according to you? So your Tide needed OT to beat one of the worst teams in the SEC???
Aren't you supposed to be arguing AGAINST us? Either that or I didn't understand "11th".
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, it is really sad that we are down to trying to figure out how LSU can make a bowl or not.
Here is something else that is sad.
http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=10701626
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
This was the first mention of LSU and its bowl situation:
"LSU will have to beat Troy this week or risk getting shut out of the bowl picture. I am not sure they can beat Ole' Miss, or the Hogs after Alabama broke their spirit. It is beginning to look like a 5 loss season for the Tigers. "
Those were your words. YOU brought it into the conversation.
And you can keep posting links to "rant" boards all you want. I'm not a fool - I know that they exist. But I do wonder what point you were trying to make with that link. That some fans don't like Miles? That fans still despise Saban? Again, things I already know. You're not proving anything.
Just don't stumble on your way to the SEC championship. We all know how Croom coaches up his guys against his former team.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, this conversation doesn't even involve LSU. You brought that with you when you joined. The LSU game is over. Good Luck with Troy. Isn't that where Periloux ended up?
Thanks for you input
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
I brought up Alabama's mediocre effort against an inferior LSU team - my comments were in context to your article. When you decided to comment on LSU's upcoming matchup against Troy and its bowl situtation, you took it into another context. But god forbid you actually be a man and acknowledge it.
And Perriloux ended up at Jacksonville St. (I know, Jacksonville St. and Troy sound so similar, it's easy to get them confused.)
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, I knew where he was, I was just aggravating you.
Thanks for clearing that up!
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GatorJon 7 months ago
From reading some comments one might think the Gators are running a spread passing attack and our players gingerly run around the field wearing pink tutus and fairy wings.
Florida's offense is a run first offense and Tebow is a 235 lb dual threat QB not a drop back passer.
UF avg 37 rush att for 199 yards per game.
UA avg 40 rush att for 199 yards per game.
UF avg 23 pass att for 209 yards per game.
UA avg 24 pass att for 169 yards per game.
UF avg 6.72 yards per play.
UA avg 5.69 yards per play.
UF avg 43 points per game.
UA avg 32 points per game.
UF turnover margin +1.44 per game
UA turnover margin +0.50 per game
The Gators seem to be controlling the ball just fine.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
GatorJon, it is nice to hear from you.
I keep telling these guys there are at least 10 versions of the spread. The one Tech runs is completely different from the one Florida runs.
Texas Tech is more of a pitch and catch version kind of like fraternity football.
The way you defend that is by running the ball, and fielding a fast defense. That is the reason either Alabama, or Florida would beat the Red Raiders
See you in Atlanta!
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RedRaider Red 7 months ago
Ok, just another man's opinion for ya'll to read... not trying to prove anything.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&page=dash0811&sportCat=ncf
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Red Raider, I already read Mr. Forde's article. Of course he would pick the Big 12 to win those games. He graduated from Missouri.
Thanks for commenting!
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Kenneth P 7 months ago
This is all irrelevant. IMO, Alabama has as much chance of beating of Florida as Michigan does. As a TTU grad, I'd love for Tech to face Alabama in the final game of the season. But I'm just taking it week by week. If we do get there, we will be facing the Gators.
As for that Defense/Offense argument, "run the ball, cover the receivers, rush the passer." If it were that easy TTU would be 4-6. Everyone knows what we are going to do, yet not even the blue chip programs haven't been able to do that the last few years. So, they were left with no choice. Do what we do to open up the field.
I guess this year will be a good gauge to see how these two conferences line up against each other. I'd easily put money on the Big12 top 4 teams vs. the SEC top 4. January will be fun to watch.
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GatorJon 7 months ago
"IMO, Alabama has as much chance of beating of Florida as Michigan does."
Kenneth, if you are referring to last year's game, then the 2007 Michigan team has 100% chance of beating the 2007 Florida team as it already happened.
The 2008 Alabama team will not be playing the 2007 Florida team in a bowl game.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Kenneth, if there is another team in the SEC that can beat Florida that team is Alabama. The reason is not because we are so great, it is because we run a ball control offense, and we have enough strength and speed on defense to slow Florida's version of the spread down.
That is the same reason nobody has stopped the Red Raiders, everybody is trying to play their game with them and they are better at that game than everybody else.
You beat that version of the spread with ball control and speed on defense.
Thanks for you comments
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Kenneth P 7 months ago
Why would I be referring to 2007? This is 2008 and Michigan has no chance of beating a top 10 team. Perhaps I should speak more plainly.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
GatorJon, Florida is as much the same team as last year as Alabama is the same team as last year. They are both improved.
Michigan was trying to send Carr out with a win.
Having said that, they do run a conventional offense, Florida was beaten four times last year, all by teams running conventional offenses.
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GatorJon 7 months ago
Franklin, I agree in that I don't think it is fair to compare either of the 2008 teams to the 2007 teams.
Florida's loss to Michigan in particular could be attributed mostly to the fact that the senior-heavy Michigan team was flat better than us and definitely more motivated than us (i.e., send Carr and the seniors out with a win after a disappointing season).
I'm not sure if it mattered what kind of offense we were up against last year. Our defense was pretty soft and gave up a ton of passing yards (12th in the SEC).
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
GatorJon, you may be right. I just see that when a Spread Team plays a Spread Team the scores are high.
On the other hand when a conventional offense plays a Spread Team, the Spread teams do not score as well, and they lose more often.
Just an observation...
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Kevin Mitchell 7 months ago
By the way, M, LSU wouldn't be bowl eligible with its 6 wins yet. Or did they change the rules about having 6 wins against 1A opponents...Appalachian State wouldn't go towards your 6 1A wins, would it? And no one is saying Florida isn't tough. You don't win even one game in the SEC if you aren't tough. It's just not what they rely on to win games. They have as much speed and depth as anyone in the country. Alabama doesn't necessarily have the same luxuries. Depth has been an issue all year, which is why they're playing 16 freshmen. And if any of you think defeating LSU in Death Valley in a game that they've been obsessing about for almost 2 years is such an easy task, you guys need to learn a little something about rivalry games. Especially when you bring in the number one ranking. Do you guys not pay attention to the fact that the number 1 and number 2 teams in the BCS had a combined 3-7 record last November and December?? They lost 70 percent of the time. Do you think they were playing teams that were better than they were, or do you think they were playing teams who were riding on high emotions to play the top teams in the country. College football is played by a bunch of kids. They get up and down, too many factors. This isn't a professional game. Teams don't always play to their potential, just ask Penn State. I'll take that hard fought win against LSU. Heck, it's time someone played tough against Bama. That whole being behind for a minute, fifteen seconds thing was beginning to bother me....I didn't think for a moment that we'd go all year without being behind. But that's a great problem to have, isn't it?? Being bothered by how little you've been behind all season...and you guys think Tech would beat Bama. That's so cute....
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
Bama's win against 1AA Western Carolina counted as one of their six wins in 2007 (good thing to or they wouldn't have even sniffed the Independence Bowl). So yes, LSU is bowl eligible, but thanks for playing.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Kevin, great comment!
Thanks for chiming in!
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Kevin Mitchell 7 months ago
Well, M, if you don't beat Troy, and you wind up losing the rest of the way, you'd be 6-6, with a losing streak similar to South Carolina's that you so aptly pointed out from last year....maybe the Independence Bowl would invite you over another 6-6 SEC team, you know, because it's played in Shreveport...good luck with that!! And please quit trying to make LSU relevant this year. When all else fails on the gridiron, hijack all threads about rival teams and talk about how badly you didn't get beat. Congrats.
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
Some of you Bama fans are so full of yourself. So just because I am an LSU fan, that means I can't comment on something that isn't LSU related? Your buddy Franklin is the one that brought up LSU's bowl situation, not me. I am not trying to "hijack" anything - if you would actually read the thread, you'd have noticed that.
And is this what you guys always do when someone corrects you about something? Lash out like adolescent boys? When I'm wrong I man up and admit it. Guess I shouldn't expect the same thing from this fan base.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Well played Kevin!
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
I just wanted to add this real quick. All this talk about Texas Tech gets me a little ticked off when journalist and such speak about how great they are and all the talent they have. Well I took it upon do a little research. Now I am not saying that they don't have good football players because I believe they do, but we all know that sometimes good football players become great football players because of the system that they play in. Texas Tech is a prime example of that. I just decided to look at the QB's simply because Graham Harrell is being considered for the Heisman Trophy this year. Check out the list below. It represents the NCAA D1 Passing Leaders since the 2000 football season.
2000 - Kliff Klingsbury Texas Tech
2001 - Kliff Klingsbury Texas Tech
2002 - Kliff Klingsbury Texas Tech
2003 - BJ Symons Texas Tech
2004 - Sonnie Cumbie Texas Tech
2005 - Cody Hodges Texas Tech
2006 - #2 Graham Harrell Texas Tech
2007 - Graham Harrell Texas Tech
Do you want to guess how many of Texas Tech QB's are in the NFL? ZER0!
Now remember Alabama played them in the 2005 Cotton Bowl and we won 13-10. Cody Hodges was the QB during that game and during the season he averaged 353 yard per game. Against Bama he fell well short of that and only threw for 196 ypg. See how a defense can slow down a high powered offense
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
And how many national titles have been determined by the number of players a team sends to the NFL? Please tell me.
That arguement is moot when discussing COLLEGE FOOTBALL. If it's the system, so what? As long as it wins games. Look at Nebraska in the 1980's - 90's. Those players didn't adapt well to the NFL style, but that doesn't mean they weren't a dominant force in college football.
And this Texas Tech team is far more talented than the 2005 (just as this year's Bama team is more talented than the 05 team). That game has very little, if any, relevance as to what would happen if the schools met on the field THIS year.
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Tim Azevedo 7 months ago
It's true that Tech QBs haven't done well in the NFL. Many of them were drafted, however. There are a lot of reasons why a QB may not thrive in the NFL. You can't stay stagnant, even the best QBs have got to improve from their college level (see Elway, John). Look at Vince Young, who is as talented as any recent college QB. Why is he not doing well? It's certainly not because he's a system QB. I think it's just that very few people have what it takes to be an NFL QB.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Tim, I think the point is that it's not the quarterback it is the system. If you throw 50+ times a game you will have great stats. That should be taken into account.
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Nick Vandiver 7 months ago
and like it was said earlier, he had a knee injury.
i just want to point out a little fact about Tech, though. You say that quarterbacks are worthless because there are none in the NFL. That's because every team with a spread offense already has a quarterback! why on earth would they want to draft a player to be a backup?
oh, speaking of players from Texas Tech, I think Tech might have just sent one of the more successful receivers of today to the NFL. Maybe you've heard of Wes Welker?
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Nick , if Texas Tech's claim to fame is Wes Welker, then things are worse than I thought out there. Good Luck in Norman. Alabama is counting on you all to make it to the BCS Title Game!
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, are you a Texas Tech fan? I thought you are a LSU fan? I am confused?
Maybe you are just an Alabama/ Saban hater?
Inquiring minds would like to know?
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
I am an outsider merely providing an opinion - or is that too much for you to comprehend?
And I have no hatred towards the University of Alabama. I do, however, have a rooted disgust for most of its fan base (namely the homers that only look at one side of the coin).
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
M, it is good to hear that YOU are so open minded. Oh, I comprehend where you are coming from alright.
I can't tell you how much your input has added to this discussion. Thanks so much!
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Michael Matthews 7 months ago
Franklin, your sarcasm lacks bite.
I (unlike some) do not turn away from objectivity. I have said (and will say again) that while Bama has won some close contests against what can be classified as inferior opponents, they have yet to let their mistakes be their downfall. That is the sign of a good team - every team makes mistakes, but it is how you respond to them that separates the good from the average. While I have yet to be impressed with any full 60-minute game, Bama has proven that it can overcome mistakes, and I give them all the credit for it. That does not, however, mean that I am convinced that they are the cream of the crop (because I am not). They have certainly earned where they are right now, but so has Tech, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and even USC. And I know that nothing can be assumed in the crazy world that is college football - which is why I keep reminding you to take heed of your words (because while you may have won the SEC West, the SEC Championship and National Championship are far from gimmes).
Now please know I do not expect any classy response from you - you have demonstrated that you are entirely incapable of that. I have given credit where credit is due, but I am still entitled to my opinion (whether you agree with it or not). It is that understanding that separates real fans of the game from the homertastic trolls that only see things monochromatically.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
m, you need a hobby, or a girlfriend.
All I can say is if Alabama is not that good than LSU must be really bad. I will post last year's National Champions schedule for you to analyze. If you see a great team there, then surely you see Alabama as their equal this year.
Thu, Aug 30 Mississippi St. * # 2 Win 45 - 0
Sat, Sep 08 #9 Virginia Tech # 2 Win 48 - 7
Sat, Sep 15 Middle Tennessee # 2 Win 44 - 0
Sat, Sep 22 #12 South Carolina Win 28 - 16
Sat, Sep 29 Tulane # 2 Win 34 - 9
Sat, Oct 06 #9 Florida * # 1 Win 28 - 24
Sat, Oct 13 #17 Kentucky * # 1 Loss 37 - 43 OTx3
Sat, Oct 20 #18 Auburn * # 5 Win 30 - 24
Sat, Nov 03 #17 Alabama * # 3 Win 41 - 34
Sat, Nov 10 Louisiana Tech # 2 Win 58 - 10
Sat, Nov 17 Ole Miss * # 1 Win 41 - 24
Fri, Nov 23 Arkansas * # 1 Loss 48 - 50 OTx3
Dec 1st #14 Tennessee * # 5 Win 21 - 14
Jan 5 #1 Ohio State # 2 Win 38 - 24
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Nick Vandiver 7 months ago
Note to self: This guy is an idiot. I am tired of hearing that the SEC is so much better than the Big 12. This article is a complete lie for the simple fact that neither Alabama or Florida would beat Texas Tech. Why? Because in the Big 12, we have this little thing called offense. It's that our defenses are worse. It's because our offenses are better. There is no way that Bama or Florida could keep down all of Tech's weapons. And there's also the simple fact that there's not a single player in the country who can cover Michael Crabtree. Yes, I do give the SEC for having great defenses. But the best quarterback in the conference is Tim Tebow, and he's having an average year at best. People need to give the Big 12 more credit for their offense, and that includes you.
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Andy Purvis 7 months ago
Big 12 has some great Qb's. And a few of those Qb's have some All American type wide outs and TE to get the ball to. You seen the NCAA passing efficiency chart lately?
2. Sam Bradford- Has TE J. Gresham, WR J. Iglesias, WR D. Murray and a talented tandem at Rb and a dominant o line in front of him
3. Zac Robinson- WR Dez Bryant, RB K. Hunter
4. Colt McCoy- WR J. Shipley, WR Q. Cosby and RB C. Ogbannaya
5. Chase Daniel- WR J. Maclin, TE C. Coffman
7. Graham Harrel- WR M. Crabtree
15. Joe Ganz
16. Todd Reesing
Guys like this and good offensive lines in front of the QB's are the reason the Big 12 is what it is.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Nick, note to self: This guy doesn't have a firm grasp on reality.
Listen Nick, I am not making this stuff up. Facts are facts, the SEC has been better for quite a while. Maybe this is the year that the Big 12 makes a move?
The one thing I can tell you you can't prove it to us by going out and winning games 37-31 over Nebraska, and 43-25 over Texas A&M.
Those teams should not be able to score 56 points on the No.2 Team in the country. Does anybody know how to play defense out there?
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Andy, thanks for reading, and leaving a comment.
Do you not find it strange that all the good passers, and receivers are in the Big 12? Doesn't that make you wonder?
Are they all that great or is it a case of the defenses being that bad in the Big 12?
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Andy Purvis 7 months ago
Do you think that suddenly the Big 12 has nothing but bums playing defense?
Kind of reminds me of the chatter we were hearing out of the SEC back in the mid 90's when SEC teams were getting ready to play Nebraska in bowl games. That Nebraska had yet to face a SEC defense.
What happened to those SEC defenses back in 95, 97 and 99? And those were SEC champions that Nebraska played.
Not that this involves Nebraska in anyway, but who knows, never know the same could hold true.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Andy, no, I think all of a sudden they have all the great players in the world are playing offense in the Big 12?
Nebraska did have great defenses back then, and that my friend was why they were good. Defense wins championships!
Offense is for show, and defense wins the gold!
I appreciate your contribution.
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Kevin Mitchell 7 months ago
Nick, I know some of this whole SEC vs Big 12 thing goes over your head, but here's why we, as the SEC fans, can claim that our conference is better than your conference, and our daddies will beat up your daddies....Last bowl season the SEC went 7-2. Florida barely lost to Michigan, and Missouri beat Arkansas (no, that last game wasn't an evenly matched bowl game, but when you get relegated to playing in a minor bowl as a result of losing as badly to Oklahoma as they did, it is what it is). Now, it doesn't matter how many SEC teams are currently in the top 25. We just know that when the chips are down in December and January, the SEC is going to win more against the out of conference competition than any other conference, thereby giving credence to our claim that we have the better teams, and conference. Now, I know that offends every other conference. So be it. M, my little LSU friend, yes, it is considered "hijacking a thread" when you start talking about a team that was in no way mentioned in this article. It's ok, I'm assuming it has something to do with LSU fans collective group therapy sessions. All over this website, LSU fans are talking about Alabama, to Alabama fans, and about Nick Saban. I don't see Alabama fans seeking out LSU fans, or see Alabama fans talking about LSU. Do you know why? Because at this point, LSU is irrelevant. I haven't seen Bama fans continually obsess over LSU, the way LSU fans are obsessing about Bama. Jeez, even the Auburn fans aren't as obsessed with us as you guys are. In fact, the LSU-Alabama game is a much bigger rivalry for LSU than Alabama. Until 6 games ago, beating LSU didn't matter to us any more than beating any other SEC school, such as Kentucky, or Vanderbilt, or Georgia. And do you know what, M? When LSU makes a bowl game, I'm gonna pull for 'em to win. Because I don't hate LSU. They aren't our biggest rivals. And I'm going to hope they win a bowl game, so I can continue to tell Nick, hey, buddy, look who still plays better football....another sweeping bowl season for the SEC.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Kevin, you hit another home run!
Thanks fro chiming in!
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Richard Tuttle 7 months ago
Boy if Bama blinks too long though they can sure score in a hurry. I just remember 1992 and everyone saying we couldn't stop Miami.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Richard, I am like you, scared to death of these Big 12 dynamos. I picture the officials calling off the game at halftime because the scoreboard can't display over 99 points!
I hope this game happens!
Thanks for you input!
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Richard Tuttle 7 months ago
I'm new here and enjoy the diversity of the writers and I tried one myself, but I'm no writer, just a fan. When they ask where I went to school and I say Marion Institute, they say where? But I've had some great times pulling for Alabama in the past and am planning a return for the Auburn game. It will be my first game in a while back in "God's Country".
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Richard welcome back, and welcome to the nuthouse! Marion Institute, seems like some Alabama players went there?
I hope we have an Iron Bowl to remember!
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Richard Tuttle 7 months ago
A couple years ago. Now they all go to Mississippi to get ready for Div. I... We had a decent baseball team though. Big whoop! :)
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Andy Purvis 7 months ago
I guess you missed my point about Nebraska and the mid 90's.
Nebraska, no doubt, had some superb athletes on defense in those days and put some great teams out there.
My point was more about SEC teams thinking they could stop the NU offense.
Frazier and Co. over the Gators in 95, Frost, Green and Mackovicka putting 40 on a good Tenn team and two years later E. Crouch, C. Buckhalter and D. Alexander rolling the Vols in the second half of Fiesta Bowl
Just making correlation that same may be true today.
I agree that defenses win championships.
I don't dislike Alabama or the SEC, if you look at my profile page you will see I give the SEC it's due.
I just think maybe it might be the Big 12's time. Who knows though. Should be interesting.
Maybe this type of offense has the ability to allow teams to do it in a different way so to speak without putting a "great" defense on the field.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Andy, I just believe you need both to win a championship, but I guess that is why they play the game!
Thanks for contributing!
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Kevin Mitchell 7 months ago
Nebraska wasn't finesse. They were hard hitting, tough teams. And I severely underrated them, until about 10 minutes into the first quarter of the Florida game in '95. I instantly admitted that they truly were as good as advertised. The Big 12 teams of today are finesse, however, and that doesn't bode well against the SEC. Generally speaking, finesse doesn't work very well. And those late 90's Tennessee teams weren't that impressive to us SEC fans...but Nebraska was a devastating force of a football team under Osborne. They won the line of scrimmage.....on both sides of the ball. Reminds me a little of how Alabama wins this year...hmmm....
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Andy Purvis 7 months ago
You're right on spot about Nebraska being a nasty, hard hitting physical team in the 90's. That is why they were so hard to prepare for.
You're also right about the Big 12, especially on offense being more finesse and less about power and aggressiveness.
You might find a couple articles that I wrote about Nebraska under Callahan and Pelini interesting.
Pelini, under TO's guidance and tutelage is trying to bring the nastiness back to NU.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Kevin, grand slam!
Thanks for contributing!
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GatorJon 7 months ago
Those Nebraska teams, especially 1995's version, were arguably among the most dominant college football teams of all time.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
GatorJon, are you kidding that kind of football can't win a championship. That stuff is obsolete. You have to throw it 50+ times, for at least 600 yards! You don't even need a runningback, Right?
GatorJon, you guys take care of business the weekend!
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GatorJon 7 months ago
Will do, Franklin. I think the South Carolina defense will be a good test for our offense plus its always fun to play the Ol' Ball Coach. I'll be watchin' Bama Saturday night. Roll Tide!
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Brian Oswald 7 months ago
It is funny when you click on an article that says, "Why I Am Sure That Alabama or Florida Will Beat Texas Tech' and the last comment is talking about how dominant Nebraska's 90's teams were. Its always amusing to watch the comments deconstruct after a certain point.
Anyways, I was over at espn.com and they has a poll, "which conference is better this season?" Right now the Big 12 is at 64% while the SEC is at 36%. Even more dominating then Obama's recent win.
If you look at the breakdown by state it looks like an electoral college map. With the Big 12 as the blue states and the SEC as the red states. States like Texas are obviously blue (89%) with Alabama obviously red (79%). The SEC won the deep south with the Big 12 winning ever other state (with the exception of Maine, go figure). The Big 12 won 40 states, the SEC 9. The missing state? Arkansas is sitting at 50/50. Over 10,000 people have voted.
It makes you wonder why the Big 12 is so dominant this year? Perhaps it is media bias. The Big 12's prolific offenses are much sexier then the SEC's stalwart defenses. But defenses win championships dont they?
I decided to see how well all the conferences have done in BCS games (all-time). It was interesting to see the break down. I headed over to Wiki.
SEC 11-4 .733
Big 12 6-8 .429
I am not sure how much that has to do with this years current landscape but it does show the SEC reigns supreme in BCS games and they have always been know for their defenses.
Back to this year. I have to confess that Texas Tech is my alma mater. I think a Texas Tech/Florida title game would be great. Florida has the right mix of offense/defense to go all the way. Their domination of LSU/Georgia was something to see (outscoring them 100-35) and both teams were in the top 10 when they got killed.
I think Tech's defense is better then the numbers show. They have done well against those dangerous Big 12 offenses. And of course, Florida's offense has done well against those SEC defenses. And I cant count out Alabama or Oklahoma just yet.
Great article for stirring up debate and comments Franklin. And thanks for reading my possibly pointless statistics =)
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Brian, you win the prize for best comment!
Your comment was insightful, unbiased, informative, and entertaining!
Great job, thanks for contributing!
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Furd Burfell 7 months ago
The bigger issue is that many (not all) SEC fans pretend like the Big12 plays 14 year-olds on defense and that SEC defenses are not only vastly superior from top to bottom but would utterly and completely eclipse any Big12 teams defense. It's laughable to think that the disparity if athleticism from an SEC team is light years above that of a Big12 team.
Texas has had top 10 recruiting classes for decades. Their DC is an SEC coach who ran an incredibly stiff D at Auburn. Yet 1 year removed from SEC competition he was totally outmatched in the game vs. Tech. It's not like the Texas defensive players are barely 1-AA players. They are top recruits, just like the SEC gets.
CFB is in an age of parity. 'Complete and utter domination', especially on defense simply does not occur anymore at any level. Stop acting like it does.
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Andy Purvis 7 months ago
Good comment,
The Big 12 offensive coordinators have really began to use the entire field to their advantage. They spread you out and force you to make one on one tackles against great athletes.
If a defender and opposing offensive player are even athletically, they will both invariably win their fair share of those one on one battles, but some times it can be difficult.
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Franklin Crittenden 7 months ago
Furd, thanks for