2007 College Football Season Talk

[Packer487 3]

Hawaii is going to a BCS game. They were #12 in the BCS last week and won, so assuming they don't find a way to fall a spot, they actually get an automatic bid. If a non-BCS conference champion is ranking in the top 12 of the BCS, they get an auto bid.

The Big Ten is going to get slaughtered in the bowls this year, moreso if Illinois ends up in a BCS game....

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

Hawaii is going to a BCS game. They were #12 in the BCS last week and won, so assuming they don't find a way to fall a spot, they actually get an automatic bid. If a non-BCS conference champion is ranking in the top 12 of the BCS, they get an auto bid.

The Big Ten is going to get slaughtered in the bowls this year, moreso if Illinois ends up in a BCS game....

Talk of the Big Ten being terrible is greatly exaggerated. It is true, that the Big Ten is not as powerful right now as it once was or will be again, and it is true that the SEC seems to have the most depth in the nation. But less us not forget, that last season, the Big Ten was 2-1 against the SEC in the bowls. The only reason this isnt brought is because all media loves the SEC and all anyone remembers is my Buckeyes taking a s*** at midfield last January.

Also remember not to fall prey to the ESPN axiom, which states that if a top tier Big Ten team loses to mid-tier Big Ten team it's because the conference is so bad, and if the same were to happen in the SEC it's because they're so damn good.

Edited December 2, 2007 by Hockeytown Red Wings

[Packer487 3]

Talk of the Big Ten being terrible is greatly exaggerated. It is true, that the Big Ten is not as powerful right now as it once was or will be again, and it is true that the SEC seems to have the most depth in the nation. But less us not forget, that last season, the Big Ten was 2-1 against the SEC in the bowls. The only reason this isnt brought is because all media loves the SEC and all anyone remembers is my Buckeyes taking a s*** at midfield last January.

Also remember not to fall prey to the ESPN axiom, which states that if a top tier Big Ten team loses to mid-tier Big Ten team it's because the conference is so bad, and if the same were to happen in the SEC it's because they're so damn good.

Didn't say the conference was terrible and I didn't say that I think the SEC is amazing. I agree with you that the media is way too quick to jerk off average SEC teams as being better than they are simply because they're in the SEC.

But I still think the Big Ten is going to get slaughtered in the bowls. At least if the matchups end up being as poor as I suspect they're going to be. If Illinois gets into the Rose Bowl, then you could potentially have:

OSU vs. LSU

USC vs. Illinois

Michigan vs. Georgia/Tennessee/Florida

Wisconsin vs. Tennessee/Florida

Penn State vs. Texas

I'd have a hard time picking the Big Ten team in any of those matchups, especially when you factor in that they're all essentially road games (I've posted before that the Big Ten traditionally sets its teams up for failure just based on where the bowl games are played...they're almost all road games). Some of those matchups probably aren't accurate (I didn't do a ton of research) but I doubt I'll end up liking the real games any better. We'll see in a couple hours.

[timothy1997 0]

But less us not forget, that last season, the Big Ten was 2-1 against the SEC in the bowls.

Big Ten also had the worst record amongst BCS conferences in 2-5. SEC went 6-3 with the most victorys in the 2006 bowl season.

[Skiing - Puck 0]

Here are the CBS bowl predictions that came out late last night.

Their big ten match up are as follows:

BCS title game - Ohio State vs LSU

Rose Bowl - USC vs Illinois

Outback Bowl - Wisconsin vs Tennessee

Capital One Bowl - Michigan vs Florida

Alamo Bowl - Penn State vs Texas A&M

Champs Sport Bowl - Michigan State vs Boston College

Motor City Bowl - Central Michigan vs Purdue

Insight Bowl - Indiana vs Oklahoma State

CBS Bowl Predictions

Edited December 2, 2007 by Skiing - Puck

[Packer487 3]

Here are the CBS bowl predictions that came out late last night.

Their big ten match up are as follows:

BCS title game - Ohio State vs LSU

Rose Bowl - USC vs Illinois

Outback Bowl - Wisconsin vs Tennessee

Capital One Bowl - Michigan vs Florida

Alamo Bowl - Penn State vs Texas A&M

Champs Sport Bowl - Michigan State vs Boston College

Motor City Bowl - Central Michigan vs Purdue

CBS Bowl Predictions

I would have a really hard time picking anyone but Purdue to win their game if those are the matchups.

I'm sure the Motor City Bowl would be thrilled with a rematch of a 23 point game earlier in the year.

[betterREDthandead 58]

UVA's going to the Gator Bowl to play Texas Tech. First time I've seen UVA play on New Year's Day since I started going there - pretty excited about that. Nice consolation prize even though we missed out on the Orange Bowl.

By the way, I think the Big Ten's games that have been announced so far, Penn State vs. Texas A&M and Wisconsin vs. Tennessee, are very winnable.

[Packer487 3]

UVA's going to the Gator Bowl to play Texas Tech. First time I've seen UVA play on New Year's Day since I started going there - pretty excited about that. Nice consolation prize even though we missed out on the Orange Bowl.

By the way, I think the Big Ten's games that have been announced so far, Penn State vs. Texas A&M and Wisconsin vs. Tennessee, are very winnable.

PSU has a chance in that game, but again, it's a road game.

Wisconsin is going to get beat. They're really not a good team. I've watched way too much Wisconsin football this year and I haven't been remotely impressed.

Congrats on a NYD bowl for your guys!

Posters at The Wolverine are saying it's Michigan/Florida in the Cap One Bowl. That's going to be ugly and not in my team's favor.

[timothy1997 0]

NC game: Ohio State vs LSU

Rose: USC vs Illinois

Sugar: Hawaii vs Georgia

Orange: Va Tech vs Kansas

Fiesta: Oklahoma vs West Va.

[Sting 11 0]

Ooooh...the National Championship Game will be a home game for LSU. I think OSU is walking into a meat grinder.

[BlakChamber 8]

UVA's going to the Gator Bowl to play Texas Tech. First time I've seen UVA play on New Year's Day since I started going there - pretty excited about that. Nice consolation prize even though we missed out on the Orange Bowl.

By the way, I think the Big Ten's games that have been announced so far, Penn State vs. Texas A&M and Wisconsin vs. Tennessee, are very winnable.

I've seen a lot of Tech's games this year. They'll put up a ton of points, but give up a ton of points too.

MSU and BC in the Champs Sports Bowl.

The BCS bowls look pretty meh to me. The OU-WVU game might be fun to watch, but that's it.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

NOT THE GATORS!!!! Poor Lloyd....that offense will be laughing when they watch U-M's film. I'll still be watching though! Miles must be loving the fact he plays Ohio State.

If Miles beats OSU Ann Arbor will burn to the ground......

[eva unit zero 271]

I think its an absolute joke that we have to throw a 2 loss team in the NC game, but under the scenario given...you have to. Kansas is not worthy and neither is undefeated Hawaii (even tho I would love to see them in). LSU is next based on their losses in 3OT, their tough schedule, and the simple fact that they won the toughest conference this year in the SEC. And like Lou said, LSU will kill Ohio State.

Here is some food for thought for Michigan fans.

Had Michigan beaten Wisconsin and Ohio State, Michigan would have been going to the National Championship game.

I said that if Michigan wins out, they could play for the title from the day after Oregon until the week of Wisconsin and people called me crazy the whole way through.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Pretty jazzed up that somehow and someway LSU snuck back into the Championship game.

And I apologize for sounding like an ass here and I know this will sound like a cop out esp. with me being an LSU fan, but I don't feel like debating why somebody might have thought Kansas or Hawaii or Georgia or insert college name "here" should be playing in the National Championship, because the system isn't perfect and even if other teams got to the title game, there would still be bitching and moaning about it from fans of other schools. And no, a playoff isn't the end-of-all-end solutions. I don't think there's a system that could significantly be that much of an improvement over the current selection. Just stick with what you got for better and worse.

Yeah I know, I'm no fun. *shrugs*

My only strong opinion about all this is you have to win your conference to play in the championship, even though it's not a formal/written rule. In 2003 Oklahoma got in despite losing the Big 12 title game.

And kudos to Hawaii for getting in. Ridiculously soft schedule for the most part, but they took care of business with some lumps along the way, and won the bigger matchups (Boise St., Washington, etc.) as well. They deserve to be in the BCS having run the table.

EDIT: And I think Missouri got shafted not getting into the BCS at all. But again, no perfect system, and with how f'ed up the college football season was this year, the picking of teams into the BCS games was probably going to be f'ed up as well.

With the "non-BCS" stuff, kudos to my school for getting a bowl game this year despite underperforming at 7-5. Some analysts drinking kool aid way early in the year thought we'd be in the BCS, but way WAY too early to figure that out, my school had a redshirt freshman quarterback taking over, and it was going to be difficult to accurately say their offense would have consistent firepower every weekend. However, having their backs against the wall and having to win 3 of their final 4 to make a bowl makes it almost as sweet. 9 bowl games in the past 10 season which isn't too shabby for not being in one of the big conferences. My school will be playing against Houston on Dec. 28th in the Texas bowl.

Edited December 3, 2007 by SouthernWingsFan

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

I said that if Michigan wins out, they could play for the title from the day after Oregon until the week of Wisconsin and people called me crazy the whole way through.

Well, until this year, people would have been right calling you crazy.

And Michigan still wouldn't have gotten to the National Championship with two losses because they're not from the SEC, but I'll give you props for a bold prediction.

[betterREDthandead 58]

PSU has a chance in that game, but again, it's a road game.

Wisconsin is going to get beat. They're really not a good team. I've watched way too much Wisconsin football this year and I haven't been remotely impressed.

Congrats on a NYD bowl for your guys!

Posters at The Wolverine are saying it's Michigan/Florida in the Cap One Bowl. That's going to be ugly and not in my team's favor.

Thanks! And you're right....man do I not want to have to watch Tim Tebow running apes*** like I know he will.

If there's a way to have a worse season than this one for Michigan and still play in a New Year's bowl (and likely get slaughtered, but oh well), I don't want to know about it.

[wingslogo19 281]

OH ST, should win the championship game

[vangvace 12]

Note on Hawaii... they did at least try for a tougher schedule but was turned down. They even tried to get Michigan for this year.

[wingslogo19 281]

Note on Hawaii... they did at least try for a tougher schedule but was turned down. They even tried to get Michigan for this year.

will they get a tougher schedule next year?

[timothy1997 0]

will they get a tougher schedule next year?

yes they will.

2008 Non-Conference Schedule:

Aug. 30 at Florida

Sept. 6 Weber State

Sept. 13 at Oregon State

Nov. 29 Washington State

Dec. 6 Cincinnati

WAC Home Games:

Idaho

Louisiana Tech

Nevada

San Jose State

WAC Away Games:

Boise State

Fresno State

New Mexico State

Utah State

[Skiing - Puck 0]

Note on Hawaii... they did at least try for a tougher schedule but was turned down. They even tried to get Michigan for this year.

The tried to get Michigan State, not Michigan. Before the season MSU paid $250,000 so that they would not have to go to Honolulu, witch MSU was not the first team to do so. Florida State did the same thing last year. After the way things wentlast time MSU played there in '05 I do not blame MSU, that game had some of the worst officiating and cheapest play I had ever seen. Here is an article from mLive about state not going to Hawaii. By the way Washington took MSU's slot in the schedule.

Mlive article from November 19, 2007

[vangvace 12]

The tried to get Michigan State, not Michigan. Before the season MSU paid $250,000 so that they would not have to go to Honolulu, witch MSU was not the first team to do so. Florida State did the same thing last year. After the way things wentlast time MSU played there in '05 I do not blame MSU, that game had some of the worst officiating and cheapest play I had ever seen. Here is an article from mLive about state not going to Hawaii. By the way Washington took MSU's slot in the schedule.

Mlive article from November 19, 2007

true, but I was referring to big blue in this case. Link

just think... app state could have been avoided

[wingslogo19 281]

yes they will.

2008 Non-Conference Schedule:

Aug. 30 at Florida

Sept. 6 Weber State

Sept. 13 at Oregon State

Nov. 29 Washington State

Dec. 6 Cincinnati

WAC Home Games:

Idaho

Louisiana Tech

Nevada

San Jose State

WAC Away Games:

Boise State

Fresno State

New Mexico State

Utah State

Tim, thanks for posting it .. Could you post the link where you found that as well

[eva unit zero 271]

Well, until this year, people would have been right calling you crazy.

And Michigan still wouldn't have gotten to the National Championship with two losses because they're not from the SEC, but I'll give you props for a bold prediction.

I don't think it's so crazy.

Michigan was ranked 12th in the BCS heading into Wisconsin. They win that game, they move up to 11th the next week, still right behind VT. Then they beat OSU, and that moves them up to 9th, ranked just behind Oregon, who had lost. LSU, Oregon, Arizona State and Kansas lost the next week, which would likely move Michigan to 6th...still right behind VT. Missouri and West Virginia lost, moving Michigan up two more spots to 4th. Michigan might move up more, also; as a conference champion, Michigan probably gets moved ahead of idle Georgia (OU and LSU managed this feat). So ultimately, it depends on whether Michigan slides ahead of VT at some point during that run, which would have been entirely possible.

LSU vs Michigan in the title game? Carr vs Miles? That would have been a HUGE game for storylines.

[timothy1997 0]

Tim, thanks for posting it .. Could you post the link where you found that as well

sure thing. 2008 Hawaii football schedule

I don't think it's so crazy.

Michigan was ranked 12th in the BCS heading into Wisconsin. They win that game, they move up to 11th the next week, still right behind VT. Then they beat OSU, and that moves them up to 9th, ranked just behind Oregon, who had lost. LSU, Oregon, Arizona State and Kansas lost the next week, which would likely move Michigan to 6th...still right behind VT. Missouri and West Virginia lost, moving Michigan up two more spots to 4th. Michigan might move up more, also; as a conference champion, Michigan probably gets moved ahead of idle Georgia (OU and LSU managed this feat). So ultimately, it depends on whether Michigan slides ahead of VT at some point during that run, which would have been entirely possible.

LSU vs Michigan in the title game? Carr vs Miles? That would have been a HUGE game for storylines.

Yes, it shaped up that way but go back to when they were 0-2. Normally a start like that eliminates you from the BCS title game, but as stated before...this is not a normal season. I give you credit for making a bold prediction like that. Of course you made that prediction after the appy state game, not the oregon game. Here is your post that everyone gave you a hard time about:

I have to be honest. I wasn't expecting anything like that today. I am going to look on the bright side though, and that is:

Michigan's defense played SIGNIFICANTLY better in the seocnd half than it did in the first. With a lot of inexperienced players starting, that is a damn good sign of a season that isn't lost.

Losing to Appalachian State has zero impact on the computer rankings, which means Michigan still has an outside shot at the national championship game if they run the table, because the computers would consider them undefeated.

Losing in the first game of the season to App State is a significantly better loss than, say, losing on October 6th to Eastern Michigan. Voters tend to view conferences like the MAC as comparable to I-AA schools, and losses to them by major conference teams as the same as a loss to a I-AA school. If the Wolverines were to go 11-1, they would see a much higher ranking with the App State loss than with an EMU loss.

Also..what happens if there are three remaining one loss teams, and they are at the top of the BCS, and those three teams are Michigan, OSU, and USC with a loss to Oregon? That would mean that Michigan beat OSU, and that USC lost to a team Michigan beat. I'm not calling this scenario, but you can't seriously tell me that Michigan doesn't end up in the title game in that situation. Because you can't include OSU over Michigan at that point--OSU winning the title over USC after they had just lost to Michigan would be a pretty bad outcome from a publicity standpoint--the loser of the sport's biggest rivalry game goes to the title game and wins, while the winner goes home with a better record but no shot at the title? And they wouldn't put a two-loss team over a one-loss OSU team.

Realistically, Michigan will probably end up between the 5-10 spots, which is what I would have said last week too.

Edited December 3, 2007 by timothy1997