Time for a Rant
Goodness gracious.
It's rivalry week folks. Yep, no doubt about that. This weekend will showcase some of college football's biggest rivalries including (but not limited to) UNC at Duke, Virginia Tech and UVA, and Florida International at Florida Atlantic. But there's another intense rivalry that will take place this weekend when USC takes on (#24) Clemson. The 4 million people in South Carolina could care less about environmental issues, worldly affairs, or anything else outside of the state line, which leaves plenty of time for introspection on the big game. The Hatfields and McCoys probably clashed less than garnet and orange. Think that's an exaggeration? It is. But not by much. In just one day into rivalry week, rumors and allegations have flown saying:
-USC's Head Coach Steve Spurrier is likely to leave the team after this weekend's game to coach at the University of Miami. I believe the exact quote was that the University of Miami had targetted Spurrier as a possible candidate. Personally, I'd be scared to be targetted by The U under any circumstance. Think that's callous? Keep reading.
-USC commited recruiting infractions when a stud defensive end was illegally contacted and driven to campus by one of his family's lifelong friends. A nifty detail here is that the friend was not a gamecock booster at the time nor did he graduate from USC. Maybe the orange spin would be more understandable if the recruit had been driven to USC on a jetski?
In other rivalries, (#1) Ohio State beat (#2) Michigan 42-39 this past weekend. Interestingly, the infallible BCS poll kept all of its top 5 teams in the same position afterwards. 42-39? Did two national contender defenses really allow that many points? Don't get me wrong, I think last year's 41-38 Clash of the Titans was the best championship game I've ever watched. But I also could care less if major league sluggers juice because watching those balls fly out of the park makes the game more enjoyable. Obviously, I'm not that big of a baseball fan.
But for the sake of the game, do we really want a rematch? As much as it pains me to say it, but if (#3) Southern Cal beats (#5) Notre Dame and then can beat UCLA then I think they should get a chance to play against the Ohio State payroll.
What about (#4) Florida? Well, Florida only beat lowly South Carolina by one point. And they only managed to do that because Jarvis Moss can get really high..
..and block field goals.
posted by Dev @ 10:50 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
One thing is for sure, there aren't many, if any, in Ohio hoping for a team up north rematch. That game is over and the maise and blue lost, sorry fellas.
Interesting that you say that Southern Cal of all teams deserves a shot at playing the Ohio State payroll. Southern Cal created what has become the negative connotation given to the word "booster." The men of Troy were among the first colleges in the nation to be investigated for steriod use. It's true that finding an entirely clean program these days is like finding a needle in a haystack, but I find it hard to compare a Southern Cal to most other teams in that regard.
I am sick of hearing about the one of the greatest games of all time and the possibility of a rematch. There is no doubt that both teams are among the elite in the country however from the kickoff to the final second Ohio State had the gaem in control and there was no one in there right mind who thought that Ohio was going to lose. The score reflects a closer game than what was actually played. This brings me to my final point saying there should be no rematch and I believe the 2nd best team in the nation right now is Arkansas. There only lose came with a freshman QB, new offesive cord. and also no Darien Mcfadden (aka next years Heisman winner).
The Leinart bachelor pad, the Bush family home, the Oklahoma employment agency.. all of this falls under the dirty program category.
Ohio State gets the brunt of the word payroll for several reasons:
1. Maurice Clarrett's payments
2. Troy Smith was suspended last year
3. They're #1 and when you're on top you better get ready to be microscopically examined.
I'm just sick of it. I'm tired of watching Carolina get hasseled by the most frivolous NCAA infractions while the perenial top seeds are handing out blank checks. Obviously, it's going to take a legitimate NCAA to nullify some championships before anyone decides to even read the rules, much less abide by them.
And if these nonprecendents keep not getting set then watch out for Florida. They're boosters, endowment, and general appeal could make them an NFL team by next year.
I understand where your payroll comment came from and agree that many investigated infractions are puny and ridiculous. I will remind everyone that Mo Clarrett was a black sheep from the time he got to campus and he was looking for a payday from day one. Where there is a willingness to accept benefits there will always be a source. Also, Troy's involvement in accepting money was the direct result the Hitman's encouragement. Regardless, it is against the NCAA rules and is indefensible.
Gray:
True, Arkansas's _only loss_ was without key players. Unfortunately, their _only loss_ was by 36 points to a team that is a few spots ahead of them in current BCS rankings.
Like SEC play, I think if both Arkansas and Southern Cal win out, then Southern Cal should still get the nod because of the head to head win.
Also, the thought of Arkansas winning out isn't guaranteed. Sure, they did well against OOC and conference creampuffs (the teams from Mississippi, South Carolina, Vandy, and Alabama) but their last two games will be against LSU and Florida. They have a good chance to beat both, but Southern Cal's is better.
we need Fulmer to start "telling" on programs much like he did with 'bama....that way some of these other programs will feel the heat...i mean jetski's on the lake seems a bigger issue than making a few phone calls to a recurit's dad but i guess the ncaa views things different.
I will report from the War Memorial stadium on Saturday if Arkansas deserves a national title. Scored 6 tickets to the game today, got to love my in-laws
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
Happy Thanksgiving ... Cookee
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