American College Football(NCAAF) 2015-2016 Discussion Thread

[Bythyrona]

This just in: Ezekiel Elliott is so butthurt he's not coming back next year. (He's also probably just using this as a completely superfluous and lame ass excuse to go to the NFL.)

Goddamn, I love you Michigan State.

[Bythyrona]

The Heart Problems Top 25 - Week 12

1. Clemson (11-0)
2. Alabama (9-1)
3. Michigan State (10-1)
4. Iowa (11-0)
5. Notre Dame (10-1)
6. Oklahoma (10-1)
7. Baylor (9-1)
8. Ohio State (10-1)
9. Oklahoma State (10-1)
10. Florida (10-1)
11. Michigan (9-2)
12. North Carolina (10-1)
13. Northwestern (9-2)
14. Stanford (9-2)
15. Florida State (9-2)
16. Navy (9-1)
17. TCU (9-2)
18. Ole Miss (8-3)
19. Oregon (8-3)
20. Wisconsin (8-3)
21. Mississippi State (8-3)
22. Houston (10-1)
23. Washington State (8-3)
24. UCLA (8-3)
25. Utah (8-3)
---
IN: UCLA, Washington State
OUT: LSU, USC
---
The Best of the Rest:
#26 Toledo, #27 Texas A&M, #28 Temple, #29 LSU, #30 Pittsburgh, #31 Georgia, #32 Western Kentucky, #33 USC, #34 Tennessee, #35 BYU, #36 Memphis, #37 Air Force, #38 NC State, #39 Penn State, #40 South Florida

[95X]

When I first got to Oregon from Canada, I was like, "All right! Go Oregon teams!"

I was swiftly disabused of this foolishness by folks who insisted, "No, muthaf*cka! You gotta pick one: Ducks or Beavers!"

I'm a native Oregonian; here's a secret: no you don't. It's just Ducks-vs.-Beavers-talk.

It's also possible to pick a team off the Pac-12 radar. Although probably not a good idea to be an Eastern Washington fan in Corvallis.

Also, if everyone's interested in a new poll, I'll gladly make one.

[Minnysota]

OSU's wins were not that convincing last year either.

They finished with two Top 25 road wins and absolutely eviscerated a pretty strong Wisconsin team (which at the time was Top 15). They had those close games against PSU, Indiana, and Michigan, but that was about it. Indiana is consistently underrated (as can be seen this year with how close they've played multiple Top 25 teams), Michigan usually plays us close just by nature of the rivalry, and Penn State well... I mean, no one batted an eye at Bama for playing close games against LSU and Arkansas.

Regarding last night, though... I mean, fire Tim Beck? I don't know. It's crazy how ineffective our offense is given it probably has the most talent. Zeke was way out of line with what he said, but it was true. We fucked up hiring Tim Beck. I'm gonna sound petty for saying this, but Urban went from one of the greatest coaching jobs of recent memory to a pretty disastrous season. I said it. I hate saying that because maybe we could still play for a good bowl, but with how much we had returning this year anything short of playing in the championship is a disappointment.

[Minnysota]

I suspected this could be Ohio State's first loss. Michigan State in recent years have given them fits and defensively they're breddy gud with their coverage schemes.

MSU had something like the 86th ranked pass defense. They deserve credit for shutting down whatever run game we tried to get going, but OSU's playcalling was a bad joke. I seriously can't believe we didn't even try to establish a passing game over the middle or down the field. MSU knew exactly what we were going to do (I WONDER WHY) and we didn't even react to them completely shutting us down. Pathetic.

[Minnysota]

This just in: Ezekiel Elliott is so butthurt he's not coming back next year. (He's also probably just using this as a completely superfluous and lame ass excuse to go to the NFL.)

Goddamn, I love you Michigan State.

He was way out of line for saying that, but he was pretty much guaranteed to go to the NFL the second we won the natty last year.

[Arkinesia]

I suspected this could be Ohio State's first loss. Michigan State in recent years have given them fits and defensively they're breddy gud with their coverage schemes.

MSU had something like the 86th ranked pass defense. They deserve credit for shutting down whatever run game we tried to get going, but OSU's playcalling was a bad joke. I seriously can't believe we didn't even try to establish a passing game over the middle or down the field. MSU knew exactly what we were going to do (I WONDER WHY) and we didn't even react to them completely shutting us down. Pathetic.

Yeah, their pass defense isn't great, but coverage schemes don't just apply to the passing game, especially when you're playing teams that like running veer, triple, or read option.

[Luminesa]

I suspected this could be Ohio State's first loss. Michigan State in recent years have given them fits and defensively they're breddy gud with their coverage schemes.

MSU had something like the 86th ranked pass defense. They deserve credit for shutting down whatever run game we tried to get going, but OSU's playcalling was a bad joke. I seriously can't believe we didn't even try to establish a passing game over the middle or down the field. MSU knew exactly what we were going to do (I WONDER WHY) and we didn't even react to them completely shutting us down. Pathetic.

That's strange that they didn't try passing. But this is why simplifying offenses is a terrible idea. It doesn't make the offense stronger. It only makes the team, and the players, dumber.

That's why San Francisco and New Orleans are doing badly, in the NFL, and LSU is doing badly now, in NCAAF.

[Minnysota]

Yeah, their pass defense isn't great, but coverage schemes don't just apply to the passing game, especially when you're playing teams that like running veer, triple, or read option.

Valid point. Their CBs/LBs did a great job of shutting down the edge... which is why it was so frustrating that we kept playing at the edges.

[Minnysota]

That's strange that they didn't try passing. But this is why simplifying offenses is a terrible idea. It doesn't make the offense stronger. It only makes the team, and the players, dumber.

That's why San Francisco and New Orleans are doing badly, in the NFL, and LSU is doing badly now, in NCAAF.

LSU is doing poorly because they lack true playmaking capability at the QB position and their defense is good but not good enough. OSU is doing poorly because they aren't playing to our offensive strengths and they fail to adapt to the game situation. I'm not even mad that Zeke didn't get the ball that much; he was being shut down. Our entire running game was shut down. But the mere fact that we didn't try to establish a passing game outside of screens and roll-out post routes was infuriating.

[Luminesa]

That's strange that they didn't try passing. But this is why simplifying offenses is a terrible idea. It doesn't make the offense stronger. It only makes the team, and the players, dumber.

That's why San Francisco and New Orleans are doing badly, in the NFL, and LSU is doing badly now, in NCAAF.

LSU is doing poorly because they lack true playmaking capability at the QB position and their defense is good but not good enough. OSU is doing poorly because they aren't playing to our offensive strengths and they fail to adapt to the game situation. I'm not even mad that Zeke didn't get the ball that much; he was being shut down. Our entire running game was shut down. But the mere fact that we didn't try to establish a passing game outside of screens and roll-out post routes was infuriating.

When you try to cover-up how bad your QB is by getting a good RB, it doesn't work. And when you keep trying the same thing over and over and it doesn't work, yet you still keep trying after you know you're being shut down, guess what?

IT DOESN'T WORK URBAN!!! GOSH!!! EAT YOUR WHEATIES NEXT TIME, MAN!!!

[The Phoenician League]

Why didn't we do what we do best, which is pass the ball downfield and attack the center? Tim Beck was so stupid during that game.

[Outer Sparta]

Even if Michigan doesn't make it to the Big Ten title game, the fact that OSU lost made me laugh and brightened my day.

[Bythyrona]

OSU's wins were not that convincing last year either.

They finished with two Top 25 road wins and absolutely eviscerated a pretty strong Wisconsin team (which at the time was Top 15). They had those close games against PSU, Indiana, and Michigan, but that was about it. Indiana is consistently underrated (as can be seen this year with how close they've played multiple Top 25 teams), Michigan usually plays us close just by nature of the rivalry, and Penn State well... I mean, no one batted an eye at Bama for playing close games against LSU and Arkansas.

...maybe because LSU and Arkansas didn't suck shit last year? lol

Ohio State got stomped the fuck out 35-21 by a team that has two wins in the ACC.

[The Wisconsin game] is NOT A WHOLE SCHEDULE. OHIO STATE STILL GOT DEMOLISHED BY A .500 ACC TEAM. FUCKING FUCK.

I don't care why the [VTech] loss happened or when the loss happened - it was still, at the end of the day, a two touchdown loss to a middling Virginia Tech team AT HOME.

Let's review their season:

-In an early scare against Navy, OSU was down 7-6 at halftime, and clinging to a field goal lead with 13:54 remaining. The Buckeyes indeed surged late, but this game was easily the first upset alert of the year. OSU also surrendered 370 rushing yards this game.

-Next, we have the aforementioned two touchdown loss at The 'Shoe to a middling-at-best VTech team.

-Fast forward a week past a pasting of Kent State to the Cincinnati game; OSU's defense was again shredded, this time through the air. ("The Buckeyes (3-1), who won their 40th consecutive game over an in-state opponent, totaled 710 yards. But their defense couldn't stop the Bearcats, who had wide-out Chris Moore catch three passes for TDs of 60, 83 and 78 yards. Not until Barrett hit Devin Smith with a 29-yard scoring pass early in the fourth quarter was it clear the Buckeyes would survive. That made it 50-28 and finally eased the anxiety of the huge crowd.")

-OSU then played two games against two teams that don't belong in the Big Ten and proceeded to dominate as they should have. Unfortunately, Penn State refused to let them off the hook, and the Buckeyes escaped by the skin of their teeth in second overtime after their defense again collapsed. Rivalry or not, the Nittany Lions were 7-6 this year as Christian Hackenberg was totally lost in the sauce. This game is easily the biggest non-loss argument against Ohio State's worth.

-Ohio State proceeded to demolish the Illini and ruined the illusion of Michigan State's defensive domination... but unfortunately for the Bucks the week after, however, they almost allowed Minnesota back in the game late with sloppy play, managing to get a one touchdown win. (Admittedly, the Gophers would've needed luck to tie the game up late, but the fact that they were permitted to reduce the lead to a single score doesn't look good.)

-Next, they pulled away late from the very upset-minded Indiana Hoosiers, who led 20-14 midway through the third quarter and were behind by just 28-20 with four minutes left. OSU was favored by 34 points...

-And in the final week of the regular season, the Buckeyes were again forced to pour it on late, this time against a pathetically anemic Michigan squad - the teams were tied at halftime, and the Wolverines were behind just a touchdown at the close of the third quarter.

[Minnysota]

...maybe because LSU and Arkansas didn't suck shit last year? lol

They were by no means good teams (regardless of what beating a shitty Texas team made Arkansas look like). OSU should have blown out Penn State, and Alabama should have blown out both LSU and Arkansas.

Ohio State got stomped the fuck out 35-21 by a team that has two wins in the ACC.

[The Wisconsin game] is NOT A WHOLE SCHEDULE. OHIO STATE STILL GOT DEMOLISHED BY A .500 ACC TEAM. FUCKING FUCK.

I don't care why the [VTech] loss happened or when the loss happened - it was still, at the end of the day, a two touchdown loss to a middling Virginia Tech team AT HOME.

Alabama had an early season loss to what looks to be a pretty mediocre Ole Miss team. Ole Miss got dominated by a Memphis team that itself is on a losing streak. Ole Miss also got obliterated by a Florida team that (as you yourself said) nearly lost to Arkansas and Tennessee teams that at the time were playing pretty poorly. They're currently #2, and they were even that high before Ole Miss pulled out a win against an LSU team that itself is looking to be pretty average against stiffer competition.

Trying to compare the OSU v. VTech vs. the OSU that eviscerated Wisconsin and essentially imposed their will on a very good Michigan State team is just straight up illogical. It doesn't make any sense, and completely ignores the fact that teams do improve. Alabama right now is probably the best team in the country, but out of the playoff field and the playoff contenders they currently have the second worst loss (the other one being Oklahoma to Texas). Oh, that's another great example. Are we to say Oklahoma doesn't deserve their spot because they lost to an unbelievably bad Texas team? No, because they've improved and dominated a very good Baylor team.

Let's review their season:

-In an early scare against Navy, OSU was down 7-6 at halftime, and clinging to a field goal lead with 13:54 remaining. The Buckeyes indeed surged late, but this game was easily the first upset alert of the year. OSU also surrendered 370 rushing yards this game.

No excuses on the defensive side of the ball. Up until the Wisconsin game, OSU's defense was really a paper tiger. It still is. But again, this was JT's first start and he had what? A few weeks to prepare? I didn't expect OSU to struggle as much as they did, but I didn't expect them to blow anyone out.

-Next, we have the aforementioned two touchdown loss at The 'Shoe to a middling-at-best VTech team.

Horrific loss, yes. Again, put it into the context of how inexperienced a lot of the starters on offense were (especially the damn QB), and you can see why the committee appreciated OSU's obvious improvement.

-Fast forward a week past a pasting of Kent State to the Cincinnati game; OSU's defense was again shredded, this time through the air. ("The Buckeyes (3-1), who won their 40th consecutive game over an in-state opponent, totaled 710 yards. But their defense couldn't stop the Bearcats, who had wide-out Chris Moore catch three passes for TDs of 60, 83 and 78 yards. Not until Barrett hit Devin Smith with a 29-yard scoring pass early in the fourth quarter was it clear the Buckeyes would survive. That made it 50-28 and finally eased the anxiety of the huge crowd.")

Yeah, as I mentioned, OSU's defense wasn't as good as people made it out to be last year. I've never been impressed with it outside of a few select games/opponents.

-OSU then played two games against two teams that don't belong in the Big Ten and proceeded to dominate as they should have. Unfortunately, Penn State refused to let them off the hook, and the Buckeyes escaped by the skin of their teeth in second overtime after their defense again collapsed. Rivalry or not, the Nittany Lions were 7-6 this year as Christian Hackenberg was totally lost in the sauce. This game is easily the biggest non-loss argument against Ohio State's worth.

Penn State isn't a rival. Defending Bama's struggles against either Arkansas or LSU takes away this game as a legitimate argument. The bottom feeders of the SEC West (Arkansas had gone how many seasons without a win in SEC play?) can play Bama tough and no one bats an eye, but one of the greatest defenses in the nation plays OSU well in front of a crowd of 100,000+ and OSU sucks? Consistency, man.

-Ohio State proceeded to demolish the Illini and ruined the illusion of Michigan State's defensive domination... but unfortunately for the Bucks the week after, however, they almost allowed Minnesota back in the game late with sloppy play, managing to get a one touchdown win. (Admittedly, the Gophers would've needed luck to tie the game up late, but the fact that they were permitted to reduce the lead to a single score doesn't look good.)

MSU was still a damn good team last year. Their defense wasn't the same, but they were still a very good team. I don't get how people neglect the impact cold weather has on games. I only played as a kid and even I know this. It was below 10 degrees and snowing practically the entire game. OSU played sloppy, and I wanted Minnesota to make it close, but playing in cold weather is the worst element to play football in. You can at least hydrate and prepare for heat, but cold there is just nothing you can do about it. Being tackled hurts more, throwing it isn't as easy, shit is slippery. It just sucks.

-Next, they pulled away late from the very upset-minded Indiana Hoosiers, who led 20-14 midway through the third quarter and were behind by just 28-20 with four minutes left. OSU was favored by 34 points...

Indiana won the SEC East last year, so I don't know why this is an issue.

-And in the final week of the regular season, the Buckeyes were again forced to pour it on late, this time against a pathetically anemic Michigan squad - the teams were tied at halftime, and the Wolverines were behind just a touchdown at the close of the third quarter.

[/quote]

One of the greatest (if not the greatest) college football rivalries of all time. Michigan will generally play us very tough. We beat them on a failed two point conversion the year before and beat them in a low-scoring, defensive game at home the year before. I think Rich Rod was a bad enough coach for them that we had a few blowouts against them, but in general Hoke had them prepared for the Game.


So... basically the analysis of this season is that after the practically brand new offense got adjusted and the defense stepped up a bit, we finished with road wins over two Top 25 teams (one of which was Top 10 at the time) and eventually finished conference play with 3 Top 25 wins. OSU more than earned their spot in the playoff.

[Minnysota]

Why didn't we do what we do best, which is pass the ball downfield and attack the center? Tim Beck was so stupid during that game.

Well, for whatever reason, the offensive line isn't playing good at all this year. We can't pass the ball downfield if the line isn't blocking well. What made me mad with the passing game is that we only threw post routes and bubble screens, instead of throwing it across the middle with slant routes to take advantage of their aggressive run defense. I don't know how Tim Beck failed to adjust his playcalling. Straight up pathetic.

[Cymrea]

When I first got to Oregon from Canada, I was like, "All right! Go Oregon teams!"

I was swiftly disabused of this foolishness by folks who insisted, "No, muthaf*cka! You gotta pick one: Ducks or Beavers!"

I'm a native Oregonian; here's a secret: no you don't. It's just Ducks-vs.-Beavers-talk.

It's also possible to pick a team off the Pac-12 radar. Although probably not a good idea to be an Eastern Washington fan in Corvallis.

Also, if everyone's interested in a new poll, I'll gladly make one.

Good to know ten years in!

I will nonetheless cheer any Oregon team against one from out of state.

But it's too late for me. Save yourself...Go Ducks.

[Minnysota]

Fuck Michigan. We could've scored more.

[Luminesa]

Fuck Michigan. We could've scored more.

YES!
BUCKEYES!
IN EVERYONE'S FACES!
YES!
YES!
YES!
YES!

ONWARD TO THE BIG 10 CHAMPIONSHIP! YES!!! YEEEEEEEES!!! XD

[Minnysota]

Unfortunately, we did the worst thing we could possibly do: put our fate in someone else's hands. It's a stupid thing to do.

[Torisakia]

I officially nickname this year's Iron Bowl "The BOOOOO Game"

Because the Auburn crowd wouldn't stop whining the whole game. Specifically when Will Muschamp lost his shit and called the ref a "fucking asshole".

[Wisconsin9]

And so begins the Axe's 12th straight year living in Camp Randall.

[Luminesa]

I officially nickname this year's Iron Bowl "The BOOOOO Game"

Because the Auburn crowd wouldn't stop whining the whole game. Specifically when Will Muschamp lost his shit and called the ref a "fucking asshole".

I missed it. How bad was it?

[Luminesa]

Just realized Ohio State's not gonna be in the Big 10 Championship...

[Wisconsin9]

Just realized Ohio State's not gonna be in the Big 10 Championship...

(Image)

And here we are in Wisconsin, laughing cruelly.