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| Sunday, November 7 Updated: November 8, 6:23 PM ET Where fans come to sound off ESPN.com |
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So you thought that Saturday would be a good time to catch up on the yardwork. Figured it wouldn't hurt to take a one-day vacation from college football. We're throwing a flag on that one. The weekend that was turned out to be one of the most dramatic of the season. In case you missed it, here's sampling from ESPN.com users to catch you up. It's always interesting when The Fans Speak
Talk at the top
The system needs to change. Period. The two teams sitting at the top of the college football world play in, arguably, the two worst conferences in the country: The Big East and ACC. Meanwhile, teams like Tennessee, Florida, Nebraska, and Penn State walk through a mine field every week because there are no gimmies in the SEC, Big 12 or Big 10. It's easy for either Virginia Tech or Florida State to look good in one or two games a year against ranked opponents, because that's all they need to get up for.
I am a student at Penn State, and the loss was terribly disappointing. Our national title hopes are out the window, and under the current system, rightfully so. If only there were a playoff system, we could see if this loss was a fluke.
Fact: The Big Ten is the best college football conference.
Opinion: I still think that Penn State has a solid outside shot at the Sugar Bowl. FSU beats Florida, Kansas State loses to Nebraska, Virginia Tech loses to Miami, and Tennessee loses one more game. Nebraska will then lose in the Big 12 Championship, and Mississippi State will lose to Alabama. However, I think Lou Holtz has a better chance of winning coach of the year.
When will people get off the Big Ten bandwagon and give the SEC the credit it deserves. There could be an all-SEC national championship game, but people are still saying the Big Ten is the best conference. It makes me sick. UT showed Notre Dame how Southern football is played.
I think Tennessee is playing as well as anyone right now. If they would of played four quarters of football in Gainesville they would be No. 1. They are in great position to defend their National Championship with big games in the near future. Florida State-Tennessee in the Big Easy!
Virginia Tech deserves a shot at the national title as much as Florida State, Kansas State, Florida, Tennessee and Nebraska. They did not play well vs West Virginia, however they came up big in the end when they needed to to save their undefeated season. The Hokies have a big test against Miami next week and they have to come ready to play big. Boston College is going to be tough, also, to finish the season at the end of November. The Hokies should be undefeated come December and if Florida State is undefeated, they should meet VT in New Orleans in January.
When is America going to realize how bad Virginia Tech is? I don't care how many teams they have blown away. If they need last second heroics to beat the first decent team they play, then they are hardly worthy to be in line for a national championship. I can't wait till Miami destroys them.
I may be partial on this comment, but it's ridiculous to believe that Virginia Tech, Tennessee or Florida has played a harder schedule than Penn State. The Big Ten by far is the toughest conference. It is sickening to see that Penn State might have been knocked out of the race by the late loss. Same thing happened last year with Ohio State. No way should it matter when a team loses. I am just sick of hearing this and that about these other teams having an upper hand over another because they lost earlier in the season. I think the BCS is pure junk.
After this weekend I have to believe that the Hokies are destined for the national championship.
This is the week everyone in the nation will finally see that Kansas State is for real. It's a joke that Florida and Tennessee are both still ranked above the Wildcats even though they have a loss. Back to back years now K-State is one of the final undefeated teams and they still can't get any respect. But just like Tennessee last year -- they lost Peyton Manning and won it all -- this year KSU will lose Michael Bishop and then win it all!
And let the K-State whining begin ...
Both Marshall and Virginia Tech have been criticized, and punished in the BCS poll, for their "weak" schedules. While it certainly is true that a game against Buffalo or Rutgers does little to show the worthiness of these teams for the upper reaches of the polls, the bigger criticism should be leveled at the traditional powers for their constant refusal to schedule teams such as Marshall or Va. Tech on a home and home basis. This attitude contributes to the "weakness" of these schedules because such teams must schedule less prestigeous programs to fill out their home schedules. Don't criticize Marshall for scheduling a home game against Temple, or Va. Tech for hosting Alabama-Birmingham if you fail to criticize West Virginia or Notre Dame for refusing to risk trips to Huntington or Blacksburg.
Though the offense of Mississippi State isn't the greatest
our defense is, and it's ranked No. 1 in the country.
We held Kentucky to 176 total yards, a team that usually
gets around 400 yards a game. How many more games will it
take for us to get some respect? Possibly the Alabama game?
To all of the fans who are whining about Tennessee being
ranked above Florida remember this rhyme: "It's not who beat who,
It's who beat you." No. 4 Florida beats No. 3 Tennessee. No. 3 Florida loses
to No. 18 Alabama. Tennessee then should be above Florida.Got it now?
Heisman hype
Thomas Jones. 'Nuff said.
It's refreshing to have a season where the Heisman trophy isn't decided before Week 7. I just hope voters remember the Heisman goes to the football player who had the best season, not career. Ron Dayne may very well deserve the award, but I don't want to hear anything about breaking the all-time rushing mark. Like Peyton Manning learned, the award is for a season of excellence, not a career, and not for deciding to pass up a trip to the NFL for one more year of school.
Before all you Virginia fans get excited and demand that Thomas Jones get the Heisman, let me remind you that despite what anybody tells you, the award has always taken into consideration a player's career and not just the season at hand. If it was for an individual season, Ron Dayne would have one from his freshman year, where he rushed for over 2,000 yard (including the bowl stats) in just 6 starts. Also, running in the Big Ten is a little more difficult than the ACC, where a 41-35 victory can be attributed to "good defense."
With all the leadership shown for the Virginia Tech Hokies these past eight weeks, where is Michael Vick's name in the Heisman race?
Is there anyone in the Pac-10 that can stop Marques Tuiasosopo other than himself? In the past two games, both while playing hurt, he has had perhaps the greatest individual effort in NCAA history by a quarterback and led his team to victory over Arizona and a tough Wildcat defense. Early pick for the Heisman 2000, Marques Tuiasosopo.
Suzuki is running ads inviting fans to vote for the Heisman. Anyone catch the fight song in the background? On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin ...
Problems with the polls
Why are Tennessee and Florida still ranked ahead of Kansas State? Seriously. KSU has scratched their way into the top 5 from a preseason ranking of 19. Please don't use scheduling as a cop-out answer. Tennessee hasn't exactly had the toughest schedule in the country this year. Is it simply due to the SEC conference teams they've played, versus KSU's Big 12 opponents? I just don't get it. Admittedly, I'm biased, but I don't get it. Undefeated teams who have played (and beaten) ranked teams in a good tough conference should get a higher ranking than teams with one loss. Anyway, here's my real question...if KSU beats No. 6/7 Nebraska in Lincoln, where do they end up next week? No. 3 behind VT and FSU? No. 2? Or do they stay at No. 5 behind two teams with a loss?
I still can't figure out the polls, while Mississippi State and Nebraska both win, Nebraska passed Mississippi State in both polls. Also, Mississippi State is undefeated and Nebraska has a loss. Some things will never be answered, but we'll see next week when State shows the nation how good they are in Tuscaloosa.
Coachspeak
I know there are plenty of Texas A&M fans calling for RC's head. I just don't think that's the problem. To me, getting rid of R.C. would be like attempting to fix a flat tire by changing the oil. The man to go is Steve Kragthorpe (offensive coordinator and WR coach). He's so caught up in the "long ball" that it's killing our entire team. Just because we have a great set of receivers doesn't mean that every pass attempt needs to be for 20-plus yards. Thinking back to Saturday, it was run up the middle or throw long. Of course Nebraska spanked us -- even a good defensive high school team can prepare for two plays ...
Hal Mumme lost the game for Kentucky in the first quarter!
Don't go for two and Kentucky wins the game 24-23. By far
his worst call of the season.
This 'n that
It's a shame that Tim Rattay doesn't get more credit than he does. He is the best quarterback in the country, by far. Who has Marshall played this year? Nobody!!! I think somebody needs to get off of their butt, and watch Rattay and Louisiana Tech play.
The Illini crush the Hawkeyes. All is well.
Don't you think it's about time Clemson started getting a little respect in the polls? I mean they have four losses but they include Florida State (should have won), Virginia Tech (close to the end), and Marshall (opening game, three missed field goals in a three-point decision). They have the toughest schedule in the country and have played tough against the No. 1 and No.2 teams in the country. It's time they got a little respect.
As a student at Indiana University, I just have to say I feel sorry for our rival Purdue. I have seen them play many times and to see them lose so many nail-biters I realized just how good they are.
Gerry Dinardo can't be blamed for LSU's latest heartbreaker. If Golden Boy Josh Booty decides not to play hero and throws to either of TWO wide open men in the end zone, LSU wins. Not to mention that he threw four interceptions--three in the second half as he desperately tried to bring the Tigers back even though they were still in the game. Think McFly, think!
It's a shame that the best linebacker in the country probably doesn't have a chance for the Butkus award. He isn't flashy, doesn't leap over other players, and he doesn't play east of the Mississippi River. Every game, he just makes great play after great play. There isn't a more consistent, effective linebacker in the country. With all due respect to Mr. Arrington, Mark Simoneau deserves the hardware.
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