Well, everyone has their own ideas about how to fix the BCS. So I thought I would step back and take a political look at the system. I ask ahead of time: please pardon the flaws in this analogy.
College Football is the greatest sport on the planet. It is unique. It is exciting. Every Saturday, millions of fans across the country dedicate 3-5 hour blocks to watch, attend, and lose their voices cheering for their favorite teams. Some of us extreme addicts block out 12 hours, but that's another story. We love our college football. We all recognize that college football is not perfect, but it's still awesome. Now there is one aspect of college football that a lot of people don't like: the way the National Championship is decided.
America is the greatest country on the planet. For centuries, we have been the standard of freedom in the world. Everyday, millions of Americans are choosing how to live their lives, some wisely, others not so much. But everyday, people LIVE and BREATH and EXERCISE THEIR FREEDOM to choose. Every year, millions of people come here, some floating down a river in a tire, some clinging to the bottom of trucks, some doing it legally. The theme is: we all love America. We are not a perfect country, but there is no other place I'd rather live and breath and exercise my freedom. There are some things that ought to change.
College football, like America, needs several small changes to be implemented. We don't need some far reaching, complete overhaul: just a few changes. It didn't become the best sport by doing everything wrong, just as America didn't become the greatest country by having all of the wrong ideas. College football doesn't need to be more like collegiate lacrosse or NFL football, just as America doesn't need to be more like France or England. College football needs to be college football. America needs to be America.
You may not like the bowl system, it may not be fair, it doesn't give everyone a chance to win the National Championship, etc. It does, however, give 64 teams the chance to play a bonus game every year. Over half of the teams in NCAA football have a chance to improve themselves after the regular season. You may not like America because not every one gets to be a millionaire, or fly in a corporate jet on business trips, etc. But American capitalism benefits profitable enterprises and its employees, it allows the economy to grow, and it allows people the freedom to pursue their dreams if they choose to. It allows most everybody to live above poverty, and the majority of people to live comfortably (and then some). What other country can make that claim? It allows everyone the opportunity to improve themselves.
Instead of crying about the things College Football doesn't do, let's celebrate all the wonderful things that it does do. The system may not be perfect, but it's still the best sport there is. Don't try to make it more like France!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The SEC
Here are a few questions and answers about the SEC this year. By the way, the traditional best conference in America will probably take a back seat to the Big 12 again.
1. Will anybody be able to dethrone Florida as the SEC champion? Absolutely. In 2010. Maybe. They have a few potential weaknesses. First, Tim Tebow could easily get hurt with the running he does. Second, this will be Urban Meyer's first year as a head coach without Dan Mullen, who took over at Mississippi State. Mullen was even with Meyer when both were assistants at Notre Dame. Third, they have some great rush ends, but sometimes they abandon the run game. Teams should be able to run off-tackle occasionally on them. That's all I got. I would REALLY be surprised if they weren't in the NC game. I know I'm not alone. I see 2 losses at the absolute most, realistically 11-1 (they have plenty of games they COULD lose, they'll probably drop one), but the West doesn't have a hope in the SEC Title game.
2. Who will rise up in the west? Ole Miss. Why? The schedule is kind. I think they have a good team, but they will benefit the most from an "easy" schedule. The nonconference is a joke. I didn't know it was legal to play two I-AA teams (SE Louisiana and Northern Arizona). At Memphis and home against UAB rounds out the schedule. They don't play Florida. They get Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU at home. The only trouble they've got is at South Carolina and possibly at Auburn. They will probably go into the SEC title game at 11-1, in the top 10, looking like they belong in a BCS game. They'll leave at 11-2 and looking like the Gators little whipping boy.
3. Can Alabama repeat what they did last year? Not likely. 5th year senior QB, gone. Solid O-line, needs to be replaced. Julio Junes, standout WR, trying to recover from sports hernia surgery (which doesn't always work out). The defense should be spectacular. They do have a pretty favorable schedule as well, but I think Saban takes a step backwards this year, before taking two steps forward in 2010. 10 wins isn't out of the question, but I think Ole Miss comes out as victor over Bama head-to-head, and that will be the difference in the West.
4. Can Vandy extend its consecutive bowl streak to two? No. The stars aligned for the Commodores last year. Senior leadership. Had a few upsets. Schedule lined up nicely. This year, the schedule isn't so nice. The receivers lack the playmaking ability that carried them through games last year. How is 5-7 for optimism?
5. Which new coach in the conference will have the best season? You have Gene Chizik at Auburn, Lane Kiffin at Tennessee, and Dan Mullen at Mississippi State. Gene Chizik has the best team, but he's the worst of the coaches. Lane Kiffin can definitely bring Tennessee back to where it was in the 90's, but it will take time. He is probably the best of the coaches, but walked into a mess of a situation. Within 3 years, they will give Florida a viable threat in the East. Dan Mullen has a decent squad in as weak an SEC West as there has been in a long time. Very few first-time head coaches succeed in their first year. He had a great mentor, we will see how good of a student he is! I think Kiffin has the best season, followed by Mullen, and Chizik was just a mistake. Auburn fans will be reliving the glory days of Tuberville for the foreseeable future.
1. Will anybody be able to dethrone Florida as the SEC champion? Absolutely. In 2010. Maybe. They have a few potential weaknesses. First, Tim Tebow could easily get hurt with the running he does. Second, this will be Urban Meyer's first year as a head coach without Dan Mullen, who took over at Mississippi State. Mullen was even with Meyer when both were assistants at Notre Dame. Third, they have some great rush ends, but sometimes they abandon the run game. Teams should be able to run off-tackle occasionally on them. That's all I got. I would REALLY be surprised if they weren't in the NC game. I know I'm not alone. I see 2 losses at the absolute most, realistically 11-1 (they have plenty of games they COULD lose, they'll probably drop one), but the West doesn't have a hope in the SEC Title game.
2. Who will rise up in the west? Ole Miss. Why? The schedule is kind. I think they have a good team, but they will benefit the most from an "easy" schedule. The nonconference is a joke. I didn't know it was legal to play two I-AA teams (SE Louisiana and Northern Arizona). At Memphis and home against UAB rounds out the schedule. They don't play Florida. They get Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU at home. The only trouble they've got is at South Carolina and possibly at Auburn. They will probably go into the SEC title game at 11-1, in the top 10, looking like they belong in a BCS game. They'll leave at 11-2 and looking like the Gators little whipping boy.
3. Can Alabama repeat what they did last year? Not likely. 5th year senior QB, gone. Solid O-line, needs to be replaced. Julio Junes, standout WR, trying to recover from sports hernia surgery (which doesn't always work out). The defense should be spectacular. They do have a pretty favorable schedule as well, but I think Saban takes a step backwards this year, before taking two steps forward in 2010. 10 wins isn't out of the question, but I think Ole Miss comes out as victor over Bama head-to-head, and that will be the difference in the West.
4. Can Vandy extend its consecutive bowl streak to two? No. The stars aligned for the Commodores last year. Senior leadership. Had a few upsets. Schedule lined up nicely. This year, the schedule isn't so nice. The receivers lack the playmaking ability that carried them through games last year. How is 5-7 for optimism?
5. Which new coach in the conference will have the best season? You have Gene Chizik at Auburn, Lane Kiffin at Tennessee, and Dan Mullen at Mississippi State. Gene Chizik has the best team, but he's the worst of the coaches. Lane Kiffin can definitely bring Tennessee back to where it was in the 90's, but it will take time. He is probably the best of the coaches, but walked into a mess of a situation. Within 3 years, they will give Florida a viable threat in the East. Dan Mullen has a decent squad in as weak an SEC West as there has been in a long time. Very few first-time head coaches succeed in their first year. He had a great mentor, we will see how good of a student he is! I think Kiffin has the best season, followed by Mullen, and Chizik was just a mistake. Auburn fans will be reliving the glory days of Tuberville for the foreseeable future.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Way Too Early Mountain West Conference Predictions
So, we don't know much about transfers, incoming freshmen, and, in some cases, who will even start at QB for a lot of MWC teams. But knowing what I know about these programs, I'm going to make a few statements and predictions about the MWC's 2009 football season.
1. The main hope for a BCS bid rests with TCU. They will be the class of this league this season. It is definitely not a 3-horse race as most "experts" predict, though it might be a two-horse race (if BYU can survive a final stretch at Wyoming, at New Mexico, home against Air Force, and the Holy War). Even at 11-1, TCU would have a compelling argument to get into the BCS. They have two road games at ACC opponents. A split there and an undefeated run through the conference would probably be enough to warrant a bid, possibly even over a 13-0 Boise State team, or wins at Virginia and Clemson would allow for a loss at BYU. The two toughest games on the schedule are probably going to be at Clemson and at BYU. Keep in mind they will most likely play a total of 8 bowl qualifiers throughout the season.
2. Utah will be more hurt by loss of coaches than by loss of personnel. They will have size on the lines and speed on the perimeter, as usual. The defense will be solid, as usual. The offense will be sporadic, as usual. The main difference will be the coaching staff (and the loss of Louie Sakoda): 3 coaches are in their first year at the University of Utah, and they lost 4 coaches, including the offensive and defensive coordinators. Ludwig took the same position at California, after a few weeks at Kansas State. Anderson took the head job at Utah State (which is a sweet deal: he is walking into a talented team, within 2 years they will be bowling), where he is playing at Utah the first week of the season. Utah has a much tougher schedule this year, and a less-talented team. You do the math. I think 8-4 would be considered a successful year for them.
3. Colorado State and Air Force will create a lot of headaches for the "big three" this year. Many people think UNLV might sneak into the top 5 this year, but the schedule isn't very favorable to them, particularly early on in the season. After hosting Oregon State and Hawaii, they travel to Wyoming and rival Nevada before returning home to host BYU and Utah. That will be a very physical stretch for the finesse-minded Rebels. The biggest problem with their schedule is their bye doesn't come until after the 11th game of the season. On similar scheduling notes: Air Force has no bye during the season, Colorado State's bye comes after game 10, while TCU has a bye the 1st week before playing 12 straight games.
4. The 3 new coaches are going to struggle in their first year. The schedules are pretty brutal. The talent level is fairly low. They aren't coming off of good seasons and they aren't bringing in good recruiting classes. They aren't exactly great football schools either. Good luck.
5. BYU fans hoping for a BCS game, buckle up. I wouldn't be disappointed with a 9-3 season. I'd be very happy with 10-2. At 11-1, I wouldn't believe my eyes. And 12-0 puts you in the national championship game. Again, 9-3 would not be a disappointing season. Oklahoma is a National Championship contender, Florida State will compete for the ACC crown, and TCU and Utah are no gimmes either. Air Force and Colorado State will be tough as well.
Finally, my predicted order of finish:
1. TCU
2. BYU
3. Air Force
4. Utah
5. Colorado State
6. UNLV
7. New Mexico
8. Wyoming
9. San Diego State
1. The main hope for a BCS bid rests with TCU. They will be the class of this league this season. It is definitely not a 3-horse race as most "experts" predict, though it might be a two-horse race (if BYU can survive a final stretch at Wyoming, at New Mexico, home against Air Force, and the Holy War). Even at 11-1, TCU would have a compelling argument to get into the BCS. They have two road games at ACC opponents. A split there and an undefeated run through the conference would probably be enough to warrant a bid, possibly even over a 13-0 Boise State team, or wins at Virginia and Clemson would allow for a loss at BYU. The two toughest games on the schedule are probably going to be at Clemson and at BYU. Keep in mind they will most likely play a total of 8 bowl qualifiers throughout the season.
2. Utah will be more hurt by loss of coaches than by loss of personnel. They will have size on the lines and speed on the perimeter, as usual. The defense will be solid, as usual. The offense will be sporadic, as usual. The main difference will be the coaching staff (and the loss of Louie Sakoda): 3 coaches are in their first year at the University of Utah, and they lost 4 coaches, including the offensive and defensive coordinators. Ludwig took the same position at California, after a few weeks at Kansas State. Anderson took the head job at Utah State (which is a sweet deal: he is walking into a talented team, within 2 years they will be bowling), where he is playing at Utah the first week of the season. Utah has a much tougher schedule this year, and a less-talented team. You do the math. I think 8-4 would be considered a successful year for them.
3. Colorado State and Air Force will create a lot of headaches for the "big three" this year. Many people think UNLV might sneak into the top 5 this year, but the schedule isn't very favorable to them, particularly early on in the season. After hosting Oregon State and Hawaii, they travel to Wyoming and rival Nevada before returning home to host BYU and Utah. That will be a very physical stretch for the finesse-minded Rebels. The biggest problem with their schedule is their bye doesn't come until after the 11th game of the season. On similar scheduling notes: Air Force has no bye during the season, Colorado State's bye comes after game 10, while TCU has a bye the 1st week before playing 12 straight games.
4. The 3 new coaches are going to struggle in their first year. The schedules are pretty brutal. The talent level is fairly low. They aren't coming off of good seasons and they aren't bringing in good recruiting classes. They aren't exactly great football schools either. Good luck.
5. BYU fans hoping for a BCS game, buckle up. I wouldn't be disappointed with a 9-3 season. I'd be very happy with 10-2. At 11-1, I wouldn't believe my eyes. And 12-0 puts you in the national championship game. Again, 9-3 would not be a disappointing season. Oklahoma is a National Championship contender, Florida State will compete for the ACC crown, and TCU and Utah are no gimmes either. Air Force and Colorado State will be tough as well.
Finally, my predicted order of finish:
1. TCU
2. BYU
3. Air Force
4. Utah
5. Colorado State
6. UNLV
7. New Mexico
8. Wyoming
9. San Diego State
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