2015 NCAA Football

[sancho]

Did I miss someone else starting this thread?

Two things:

1) Illinois fires Beckman. How can I get Matt Wells this job? I'd love to see him leave Logan.

2) I liked this article on 6 teams poised to make a leap this year (Cal is on the list):

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-college-football-preview-leap-year-teams-arkansas-tennessee-minnesota-cal-temple-southern-miss/

[SoCalPat]

Did I miss someone else starting this thread?

Two things:

1) Illinois fires Beckman. How can I get Matt Wells this job? I'd love to see him leave Logan.

2) I liked this article on 6 teams poised to make a leap this year (Cal is on the list):

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-college-football-preview-leap-year-teams-arkansas-tennessee-minnesota-cal-temple-southern-miss/

That news on Beckman is stunning. Not only that, Illinois is essentially firing him for cause, as he won't collect on the final two years of his salary, worth $3.1 million.

[Mormon Red Death]

Week 1. Some great games:

Thursday:

TCU @ Minnesota. Time to see if the frogs really are title contenders
Duke @ Tulane. I bet I'm the only member of the board who has had season tickets to both these teams.

Friday:

UW @ Boise Coach Pete vs his old team

Saturday:

Louisville @ Auburn ACC with a big chance vs SEC heavyweight
UVa @ UCLA See how the freshman QB does in game 1
ASU @ A&M Rare Pac-12/SEC matchup
Texas @ ND Won't usually see two names this big play in week 1
Wisconsin vs Bama Best of luck to Coach Riley

Monday:

OSU @ VaTech Can Hokies pull off the upset again? Nope.
Coach Riley? I thought he was at Nebraska?

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[tooblue]

Week 1. Some great games:

Thursday:

TCU @ Minnesota. Time to see if the frogs really are title contenders
Duke @ Tulane. I bet I'm the only member of the board who has had season tickets to both these teams.

Friday:

UW @ Boise Coach Pete vs his old team

Saturday:

Louisville @ Auburn ACC with a big chance vs SEC heavyweight
UVa @ UCLA See how the freshman QB does in game 1
ASU @ A&M Rare Pac-12/SEC matchup
Texas @ ND Won't usually see two names this big play in week 1
Wisconsin vs Bama Best of luck to Coach Riley

Monday:

OSU @ VaTech Can Hokies pull off the upset again? Nope.

Oh sancho, really. I thought you were above such things. We all know YOU ALL will be watching ABC on Saturday at 3:30 pm (1:30 utah time)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDl8ZPm3GrU

[Mormon Red Death]

The Sancho bowl is in the 4th quarter. Duke 16 wavers de Verde 0

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[Mormon Red Death]

Colorado loses in Hawaii

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[hostile]

Colorado loses in Hawaii

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lol. As soon as I picked them in the PAC-12 pool it was inevitable.

[Redbird]

Worth keeping an eye on Weber St at Oregon St. A lot of familiar faces on both sidelines. I'm guessing Andersen and Sitake will make that defense much better right away.

[Ma'ake]

Great to get a win in a highly pressurized first game, and still have a lot of things to work on.

USU will be highly motivated, this game has the potential to be a trap game. This is where the player leaders need to make sure that doesn't happen.

[Redbird]

UCF loses to FIU last night. Ouch.

Vandy loses to W. Kentucky. Currently #1 on the bad P5 power poll.

Big12 wins the P5 survivor poll as the last of the big conferences to remain unbeaten.

Vandy aren't good, but CU's loss is worse. And there are some AAC teams that are brutal.

[Redbird]

Stanford looking underwhelming at Northwestern.

Seems like they always start very slow.

[Applejack]

Stanford looking underwhelming at Northwestern.

Seems like they always start very slow.

Hopefully they can play slow for one more quarter.

[Redbird]

Yeesh. P12 finding the road OOC very unfriendly.

[Redbird]

Penn State loses at Temple? lol.

[Mormon Red Death]

Washington St loses to Portland st

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[NorthwestUteFan]

Good win for Norm Chow. (FOrmer USC QB) Max Wittek may have a breakout year at Hawaii this year. But Colorado got jobbed at the end of the game.

(from memory) It was 1st and Goal from about the 9 with 16 sec left and no TOs. They passed for a completion to about the 3 with 12 sec left. CU lined up to run a play or spike it. The ref ran the ball toward the left hashmark and tossed it at the Back Judge(the wrong ref) just as he turned away. The ball bounced off him and landed several yards behind the LOS with 2 sec left. He moved to pick it up and replace it, and then the clock ran out. They should have called an Official's Time Out, put 2 sec back on the clock due to the mess up with the refs and allow Colorado to get the play off, but they wouldn't even consider it.

Colorado needed a TD and a 2 pt conversion to tie the game, and the likelihood of getting those was low, but they still got screwed by the refs on that exchange.

I thought the PAC refs were the worst out there, but these MWC refs just plain messed up on this one.

[NorthwestUteFan]

I am looking forward to the OSU/VT game on Monday. I expect Urban Meyer will make a statement in this game and plunge in the dagger all the way to the hilt. The loss to VT last year was a big asterisk on the season.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Pope Urban will go balls deep in this game.

[LA Ute]

Ohio State looking pretty mortal here in the 2nd quarter. That 2nd Virginia Tech TD was a great play.


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[LA Ute]

They're less mortal in the second half. I notice that Urban, up 35-17, has his team for 75 yards in 5 plays for another TD. The guy is merciless.

[chrisrenrut]

They're less mortal in the second half. I notice that Urban, up 35-17, has his team for 75 yards in 5 plays for another TD. The guy is merciless.

4 runs and 1 pass. Just saying. . .

[Hot Lunch]

They're less mortal in the second half. I notice that Urban, up 35-17, has his team for 75 yards in 5 plays for another TD. The guy is merciless.

This Ohio State team is loaded. Senious talent all over the field. They will have one challenge on their schedule against Michigan State. Going to just say they are a shoo-in for the playoffs.

[LA Ute]

4 runs and 1 pass. Just saying. . .

Hey, if the running game is that productive you'd only pass in true "passing situations."

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

SEC really kicking some ass today.

[U-Ute]

Ole Miss put 73 on Fresno State today.

[U-Ute]

The Irish must have rubbed their lucky shillelaghs today.

[LA Ute]

Ole Miss put 73 on Fresno State today.

Please, keep that score away from the Ute players!


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[Mormon Red Death]

Hee hee. ASU only leads cal poly by seven at the half. Go cal polys, whatever you're called.
Tied in the 4th quarter

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[U-Ute]

Ute fans and Wazzu fans have an unrecognized kinship.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/13/73564348eac39235b8a1cde3d1cb187b.jpg

[NorthwestUteFan]

It is so bizarre that they were a Rose Bowl team 15 yrs ago, and were a Top 10 team as recently as mid-2002.

Then the bottom dropped out (and the rise of BSU supplanted them). I wonder how different their success would have been had the coach before Wulff brought in (lifelong WSU fan and local) Kellen Moore, rather than telling him to pound sand because he was too short to be a D-1 QB...

[Redbird]

It is so bizarre that they were a Rose Bowl team 15 yrs ago, and were a Top 10 team as recently as mid-2002.

Then the bottom dropped out (and the rise of BSU supplanted them). I wonder how different their success would have been had the coach before Wulff brought in (lifelong WSU fan and local) Kellen Moore, rather than telling him to pound sand because he was too short to be a D-1 QB...

Bill Doba was the HC from 2003 to 2007. They finished #9 in 2003.

[NorthwestUteFan]

They had 3 straight 10-win seasons, but since 2003 the best they could muster is 6 wins in 2006 and again in 2013, with a bunch of 1,2,3, and 4-win seasons in between. It has to be extremely frustrating.

This is definitely a cautionary tale for people who complain about Kyle Whittingham. Things could absolutely be significantly worse than they are now.

[LA Ute]

This is definitely a cautionary tale for people who complain about Kyle Whittingham. Things could absolutely be significantly worse than they are now.

True. As I keep saying, if we are realistic about Kyle we'll be happier.


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[Redbird]

I wish we could swap boise for wazzu and unlv for osu.

The P12? Why? UNLV is a nice basketball school, but it is a zero with everything else.

[NorthwestUteFan]

I'd like all the western states to have representation, and I'd like to add the Vegas venues.

For a Dookie, you sure have a strange affinity for teams from shitty schools.

[NorthwestUteFan]

And thanks for not suggesting the PAC-12 add byu-P...

[mUUser]

....and unlv for osu.



Holy crap you didn't just say that. Yuck.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Hey, it's just OSU. There can't be more than 10 people in the word who feel strongly about OSU. I like Vegas.

I saw a family at Disneyland today all wearing Beaver gear. I felt bad for them. Even more than the rest of us that found themselves at D-Land.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Protip: California Adventure will spike your drink with rum or vodka and they sell wine. That makes the place tolerable.

There is a large contingent of Beavers fans up here in Seattle. They are good people. For some strange reason the fanbase contains a higher than normal concentration of Gingers...

[U-Ute]

I saw a family at Disneyland today all wearing Beaver gear. I felt bad for them. Even more than the rest of us that found themselves at D-Land.

Well, they wanted to wear something nobody else was wearing. Success.

[U-Ute]

G5 wins vs P5 in week 2:

Bowling Green over Maryland
Houston over Louisville
Toledo over Arkansas
Memphis over Kansas

The first week in decades where you can say "Holy Toledo!" and get a high five.

[SeattleUte]

Is there any way to tell whether the Utah-Washington game on Nov. 7 will be a day or night game?

[Applejack]

Is there any way to tell whether the Utah-Washington game on Nov. 7 will be a day or night game?

You can't; it hasn't been announced yet. Don't tell me your attendance depends on it.

[SeattleUte]

You can't; it hasn't been announced yet. Don't tell me your attendance depends on it.

No but I'm trying to plan ahead and help others to do so.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Plan on a day game. Sorry, we wont know until the Monday 2 weeks before.

I have family coming in from out of town for the game and I need to be prepared for a start time somewhere between 12 pm and 8 pm. Considering how bad traffic can be around Husky Stadium on game day I am not sure how to plan the day.

[DrumNFeather]

Is there any way to tell whether the Utah-Washington game on Nov. 7 will be a day or night game?

If you look at the other games for the conference that week the only two that have spotlight potential are Arizona/USC and Cal/Oregon. Those will probably get the two best prime time slots, and then rest of us will fill in where necessary.

Here are all the games that week:

Arizona/USC
Cal/Oregon
Utah/Washington
ASU/Wazzu
UCLA/Oregon St
Stanford/Colorado

Lots of hosts in the Northwest that weekend, so it'll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

[U-Ute]

Valparaiso beat the College Of Faith: 86-0

[Applejack]

I doubt Missouri falls out of the rankings. They should, but voters only punish losses.

[DrumNFeather]

Week 3 was amazing. Great games going on all afternoon and late into the night. Week 4 doesn't really take off until Sat night:

Thursday: Cincy @ Memphis. Tigers are averaging 50-ish points per game and look like a candidate for the G5 NY6 slot.

Friday: BSU @ UVa. Boise with a chance to go 2-0 vs P5 this year.

Sat morning:

Kansas @ Rutgers. Worst P5 at stake?
LSU @ Syracuse. Both unbeaten. When was the last time LSU traveled to the northeast?
BYU @ Michigan.

Sat afternoon:

Tennessee @ Florida
TCU @ TTech. Both unbeaten. TCU has lost a million defensive players to injury this season.

Sat evening:

UCLA @ Arizona. Who are we rooting for?
Utah @ Oregon.
USC @ ASU.

Probably UCLA since we get them at home and they seem more beatable.

[Scratch]

How is it that both Arizona and UCLA get to duck Oregon this year? That's a huge advantage for both those teams.

[U-Ute]

I thought Provo was the home of drama.

Oh my.

Rumors abound that Kiffin is going to step down because of an affair. One rumor has it happening with a booster's wife, another has it with Saban's daughter... :flush:

http://fansided.com/2015/09/24/what-is-the-lane-kiffin-rumor-swirling-around-alabama/

[NorthwestUteFan]

That is absilutely nuts. If somebody like Saban throws you a lifeline to rescue your career and give you an opportunity to be a coordinator a Playoff team and pay you a shitload of money for it, you pack up your smoking hot wife and move to Tuscaloosa.

Under no circumstances should you bang your new boss's daughter. If things are that desperate on the homefront just buy yourself a Fleshlight and surf pornhub.

I hope Layla cleans him out in the divorce. He will be lucky to get a job at East Kentucky Directional now.

I guess you can take the golden boy out of Fresno, but can't wipe the stains of Fresno out of the boy...

[mpfunk]

Devontae Booker against Michigan 126 yards
BYU against Michigan - 90 yards so far

With his performance today, Mangum may have to settle for only 3 Heismans.

[chrisrenrut]

I am glad we got Michigan in the first game of the season. They seem to have improved quite a bit.

BYU tumbles back to reality after the hype machine brought their hopes and expectations to unrealistic heights.

[AnestheUte]

I am glad we got Michigan in the first game of the season. They seem to have improved quite a bit.

BYU tumbles back to reality after the hype machine brought their hopes and expectations to unrealistic heights.

Agreed. That Michigan game looks better every week.

[Applejack]

Agreed. That Michigan game looks better every week.

It could be that Utah is good. But that couldn't be right.

[mpfunk]

I am glad we got Michigan in the first game of the season. They seem to have improved quite a bit.

BYU tumbles back to reality after the hype machine brought their hopes and expectations to unrealistic heights.

Don't worry, byu fans will be running scenarios how they can still get in the playoffs with 2 losses.

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[Redbird]

That TCU-Texas Tech game was madness. Wild ending.

And Florida is charmed against their (SEC) rivals. They have extensive winning streaks against Tenn and UK, but the last two games have been razor-thin.

[U-Ute]

Utes cracking the Top 10 on some lists.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/27/1b0fa4db6b9e801eca21a29e04ace1cd.jpg

[UtahsMrSports]

Utes cracking the Top 10 on some lists.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/27/1b0fa4db6b9e801eca21a29e04ace1cd.jpg

I love getting the national attention, I really do. But this guy's poll is ludicrous and shows why I hate preseason polls so much. Why is Michigan St ahead of us? Because they started higher. They squeeked by Oregon, at home, and we won at Autzen by 42. Their other three wins were all comfortable, but very much short of a team ranked second overall, so I ask why.

Too many voters go by the notion that a loss means you have to drop and you can't pass someone until they lose. That is non sense and highly biased towards those who had a good ranking in the preseason. Polls should be banned until the first weekend in October.

[U-Ute]

Don't worry, byu fans will be running scenarios how they can still get in the playoffs with 2 losses.

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Then when they are left out we learn of all of the anti BYU conspiracies as to why.

[LA Ute]

What's going on during our bye week?

Thursday: Miami @ Cincy. Worth checking in on in the 2nd half.

Friday:

Arizona @ Stanford. Too early to be a make or break game for Arizona?

ASU @ UCLA. Devils are reeling and really need this one.

Saturday morning:

Iowa @ Wisconsin. B1G west frontrunners.

West Va @ Oklahoma. Both are 3-0.

Saturday afternoon:

Bama @ UGa.

Kstate @ Okie State. Both unbeaten.

Saturday evening:

Ole Miss @ Florida. Two 4-0 SEC teams.

ND @ Clemson. Both unbeaten.

Plus, Travis Wilson's left shoulder heals up some more.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Plus, Travis Wilson's left shoulder heals up some more.

I thought that they were really over playing the injury and Wilson's availability for the Fresno State game and leading up to Saturday. But he was definitely playing as gingerly as I've ever seen him play. I've always respected the kid, but it jumped up a tier last night watching him play through obvious pain. I hope he has a good Essential Oils dealer and that the next 13 days are miraculous.


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[LA Ute]

The Misery Index is always interesting to read and can be fun if your team isn't on it:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2015/09/27/misery-index-week-4-oregon-tennessee-purdue-maryland-arizona-state/72932722/

[U-Ute]

The Misery Index is always interesting to read and can be fun if your team isn't on it:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2015/09/27/misery-index-week-4-oregon-tennessee-purdue-maryland-arizona-state/72932722/

And a bit masochistic when your team puts a team on it. *giggle*

[U-Ute]

Awesome prank.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/30/75ce6b1a7fc906b74db9e1c586b84855.jpg

[U-Ute]

This is sad-funny.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0I8nrXNAgo

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Awesome prank.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/30/75ce6b1a7fc906b74db9e1c586b84855.jpg

Hopefully they didn't get their pictures developed at the local Walmart. Is there anything special about the Academy from an security standpoint that getting caught in this type of malice there would carry a much more severe penalty than a normal public university?

[Brian]

The Misery Index is always interesting to read and can be fun if your team isn't on it:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2015/09/27/misery-index-week-4-oregon-tennessee-purdue-maryland-arizona-state/72932722/

Oh, but we were. Twice mentioned as the source of misery.

Yes, perhaps a bit masochistic, but fun at the same time.

[U-Ute]

Is there anything special about the Academy from an security standpoint that getting caught in this type of malice there would carry a much more severe penalty than a normal public university?

I wondered about campus security myself, but more from the AFA side. As a military institute I think about it like a military base and assume there is higher security. If that's true someone is in big trouble for letting a bunch of people get in and vandalize stuff.

But my assumptions may be way off base as I have no experience in any of this.

As for the perpetrators, you gotta think that if they do somehow get caught, their punishment may be a bit symbolic. I mean, what better way to prove your military training than to plan for a way to sneak into a military institution and vandalize things.

:clap:

[NorthwestUteFan]

They probably showed id to get into campus. No big deal if you have a CAC Card.

[Devildog]

As for the perpetrators, you gotta think that if they do somehow get caught, their punishment may be a bit symbolic. I mean, what better way to prove your military training than to plan for a way to sneak into a military institution and vandalize things.

:clap:

I agree that it does appear that the little recon team displayed some skill in this mission.

I don't know about punishment if caught in the act, it might be severe. But in getting away with it... I doubt there would be much investigation into who did it.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Hopefully they used a water-soluble paint that will wash off. Otherwise that would be a very expensive repair (probably wrll north of $10k to restore the paint job - airplane paint is stupid expensive).

[Diehard Ute]

Hopefully they didn't get their pictures developed at the local Walmart. Is there anything special about the Academy from an security standpoint that getting caught in this type of malice there would carry a much more severe penalty than a normal public university?

The suspects are likely military. Which means they're prosecuted under the UCMJ. That's not nearly as defendant friendly as regular law.


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[Devildog]

Here is a cool little chart. It shows the top college programs for putting players into the professional game. Utah is on there.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/no-school-more-players-nfl-192230748.html

[concerned]

Here is a cool little chart. It shows the top college programs for putting players into the professional game. Utah is on there.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/no-school-more-players-nfl-192230748.html

5th in the Pac 12. Not bad. Percentage will go up next year.

[Sullyute]

5th in the Pac 12. Not bad. Percentage will go up next year.
But 2nd in the south!

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[Redbird]

How long does Charlie Strong get in Austin? that program started stagnating under Mack, but it's not getting better with Strong. And today, they're getting shellacked in Fort Worth. Assuming TCU doesn't blow a 37-point lead, that drops the T-sips to 1-4. The RRS next week will (likely) drop them to 1-5, and makes it very improbable they make it to a bowl game.

You definitely give him this year, but do you start to expect results next season?

[NorthwestUteFan]

Isn't Charlie Strong pulling in $5M this year? This will get uglier for Texas before it gets better.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Three minutes into the game, Baylor and Texas Tech all tied up 7-7.


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[Redbird]

Three minutes into the game, Baylor and Texas Tech all tied up 7-7.


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Where did that O/U settle? 90? They'll hit the over.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Four minutes in. Baylor up 14-7.


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[Redbird]

Four minutes in. Baylor up 14-7.


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It's been 3 minutes, and Tech hasn't scored. What a rip-off.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Tech punts. That's your ball game.


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[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Good Lord, Cal. Play above yourselves!


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[NorthwestUteFan]

Dozens of Cal fans showed up today. LOL.

WSU is picking them apart right now, plus they stopped Cal TWICE on 4th down.

But Goff is incredibly dangerous.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Lots of five yard outs for Goff today. I was happy to see that. I think we defend those better than 30 yard bombs.


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[Dwight Schr-Ute]

I don't want to get greedy, but it sure would be nice to get an Ole Miss loss today.


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[LA Ute]

I've been in a funeral all afternoon and am now headed to the airport. So how did Cal look? Did Goff get protection from his O-line? One of Pease's goals next week will be to make Goff as uncomfortable as possible, I'm sure. How about the speed of their receivers? Will our DBs be able to cover them?


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[Redbird]

I don't want to get greedy, but it sure would be nice to get an Ole Miss loss today.


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26-0 at half, your wish just might come true. Rebs are getting steamrolled.

[LA Ute]

So with Georgia losing already, if Ole Miss goes down the Utes move up without even playing.


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[LA Ute]

UCLA also going down.


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[utefan]

Don't forget about Notre Dame..

[NorthwestUteFan]

There were a bunch of big wins by teams behind us as well. I think we might be lucky to stay where we are.

[AnestheUte]

There were a bunch of big wins by teams behind us as well. I think we might be lucky to stay where we are.

This. Sadly.

[LA Ute]

I posted this elsewhere:

http://mweb.cbssports.com/ncaaf/eye-on-college-football/25326680

Jerry Hinnen of CBS Sports now has us 5th. We might be.

[Devildog]

We won't fall. Oregon smashed Colorado. There are only two unbeaten PAC12 teams left, and that ends next week. With the College Game Day visit, and motivation.. a Utah victory will leave us as the sole unbeaten PAC12 team.

[U-Ute]

@RedditCFB: Moment of shame for FCS Prairie View and Houston Baptist for this week's non-countable wins vs fake schools by a combined score of 107-0!

[Redbird]

I don't know how much stock to put into this, but this particular Bleacher Report author thinks Utah could move up to #6 in the AP Poll.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2574113-ncaa-football-rankings-2015-predicting-the-top-25-after-week-5


Top 10: Ohio St, TCU, MSU, Baylor, LSU, Utah, Clemson, Bama, FSU, TAMU

[utefan]

There were a bunch of big wins by teams behind us as well. I think we might be lucky to stay where we are.
Utah absolutely will not be behind a team with a loss. If we're undefeated, any team ahead of us must also be undefeated.

The days of being undefeated but behind teams with a loss ended when we joined the Pac 12.

You could make a much better argument that Utah should be #1 than you could about Utah deserving to be behind teams with a worse record.

[Redbird]

Where is Florida? They just demolished a top 5 team, right?

12th.

[UtahsMrSports]

We are going to move up. Little doubt of that in my mind, question is where. I could see top 5. We better back all of this up next week.

[NorthwestUteFan]

We are going to move up. Little doubt of that in my mind, question is where. I could see top 5. We better back all of this up next week.

Cal had no business winning yesterday. 14 of their points came from the fake punt/fumble/TD, and immediately following the on-sides kick where they caught WSU with their pants down. Their O line was suspect all day, but Goff and his receivers simply made spectacular plays all game.

I can see a battle next week, but the ball will need to bounce Cal's way MANY times for them to have a shot at winning.

[concerned]

Cal had no business winning yesterday. 14 of their points came from the fake punt/fumble/TD, and immediately following the on-sides kick where they caught WSU with their pants down. Their O line was suspect all day, but Goff and his receivers simply made spectacular plays all game.

I can see a battle next week, but the ball will need to bounce Cal's way MANY times for them to have a shot at winning.

And cal's defense was atrocious

[chrisrenrut]

Brian Bennett ESPN Staff Writer http://a.espncdn.com/i/columnists/bennett_brian_m.jpg
The top two scoring defenses in the FBS belong to Northwestern (7 ppg allowed) and Michigan (7.6 ppg). They play this week in Ann Arbor. Take the under, whatever it is.

[U-Ute]

Since Utah scored 24 against Michigan, they have only given up 17 points total against UNLV, BYU, and Maryland.

[Scratch]

Since Utah scored 24 against Michigan, they have only given up 17 points total against UNLV, BYU, and Maryland.

14, actually.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Michigan's defense was Top Ten last year, so it is good to see them continue. And now their offense looks solid as well. I would love to see a 1-loss or 2-loss Michigan take on Ohio State later this year. It would be a battle for the ages and would be a significant validation of Utah's prowess this year.

[U-Ute]

14, actually.

Better than I thought!

[SoCalPat]

There were a bunch of big wins by teams behind us as well. I think we might be lucky to stay where we are.

Faulty logic, and forgive me for saying so with the benefit of seeing today's poll.

I was hopeful we'd get a secondary spike this week, because sports writers read what other sports writers are saying. There were more than enough sane people out there singing Utah's praises that it got many voters to rethink where they put Utah in their previous ballot. There was simply no way we were going to be jumped by any team, and Clemson (which was two spots behind us last week) beating Notre Dame, yet still behind Utah, underscores that.

The only thing that really surprises me about the AP poll is that Michigan State continues to be ahead of Utah, despite zero first place votes to Utah's 7. There are a handful of morons out there that continue to discount the MSU-Utah-Oregon triangle, which totally baffles me. It's pretty clear cut which of the three is the better team right now.

I thought we might need Rutgers to beat MSU to move past them this week, but we just need a close game. The point totals are close enough that I really think we can move up 2 spots with a win -- Baylor plays Kansas, and merely beating a bad Jayhawk team is not enough to justify them holding their place to a team beneath them that has potentially 3 wins vs. the Top 25. If K-State can beat TCU -- it's in Manhattan, not out of the question, we could be talking about being No. 2 again this time next week.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Since Utah scored 24 against Michigan, they have only given up 17 points total against UNLV, BYU, and Maryland.


14, actually.

If I remember right, the Beavers scored on their first possession and then were blanked the rest of the game. So that's 14 points for OSU, UNLV, BYU, and Maryland combined. And our crappy little offense scored 24.

But of course, this was a completely different Michigan then the one that's been playing since.


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[DrumNFeather]

Pat Forde puts the Utes as #1 in his top 4: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/forde-s-fab-four--where-merit-means-more-than-school-name-010524690-ncaaf.html

It is going to be interesting to see if the talking heads can hold their position of the merit of their wins versus the name. It's easy to say right now that Utah and Baylor and Northwestern all should be in the playoff, but it will be interesting to see if they can keep this up. It appears that the media folks are trying to send a message at least early on that just being Ohio St. or Alabama isn't going to be enough. Now that's an easy position to take in the first week of October. Let's see where they are a month from now.

[SoCalPat]

Michigan's defense was Top Ten last year, so it is good to see them continue. And now their offense looks solid as well. I would love to see a 1-loss or 2-loss Michigan take on Ohio State later this year. It would be a battle for the ages and would be a significant validation of Utah's prowess this year.

Wouldn't even rank as the best matchup over the last 10 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Michigan_vs._Ohio_State_football_game

[SoCalPat]

Last year is a clear enough indicator. Name recognition will serve as a tiebreaker. No way a one-loss Utah gets the nod in front of a one-loss OSU, Notre Dame, Alabama, or USC. The odds of that mattering at all, however, are very slim (maybe zero).

Name recognition didn't vault Ohio State into the playoff. It was winning a championship game 59-0 with a third-string QB.

[U-Ute]

Northwestern this week:

https://vine.co/v/e2W6VbaHmwK

[Redbird]

Name recognition didn't vault Ohio State into the playoff. It was winning a championship game 59-0 with a third-string QB.


Baloney. If Indiana/Rutgers/Maryland had won the Big10 east with a 59-0 win over Wisconsin, Baylor would have been in the playoff. Or, if Baylor/TCU had been Texas/Oklahoma, one of them would have been over Cardale Jones' heroics.

I still think that, even though the polls are less important with the playoff committee, early losses are less damaging than late losses (all other things being equal).

Ohio St's SOS was strong last season, stronger than Baylor and TCU. But their loss was in September, when Baylor and TCU both lost in the last half of the season. Alabama lost after Ohio St, but their SOS was superb.

I can see "name brands" coming into play when the margin is razor-thin, but I also think there are enough other factors that it's unlikely.

[Redbird]

OSU's loss was also far worse than Baylor's, TCU's, or Bama's.

I agree that it was an unlikely scenario that probably won't be repeated regularly. But the selection committee is not really a bunch of impartial observers. They are college football lifers and bring all the bias that comes along with that.

but Ohio St had better SOS and better wins.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Wouldn't even rank as the best matchup over the last 10 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Michigan_vs._Ohio_State_football_game

I don't care about any year other than this year.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Is Charlie Strong the Texas version of RichRod?

Spoiled fans demand replacement of aging, successful coach? Check. (Lloyd Carr and Mack Brown)
Program fails to lure top choice away from SEC? Check. (Les Miles and Nick Saban)
AD finally settles on a coach from the Big East? Check. (RichRod at WestVa and Strong at Louisville)
Program enters worst stretch in recent memory? Check.
Program fires coach after three seasons? Check on RichRod, we'll see on Strong.
Fired coach goes on to success in next job? Yes on RichRod, we'll see on Strong.

Speaking of Texas...

Don't retweet transfer invitations from fans. DURING HALFTIME!

http://www.burntorangenation.com/2015/10/3/9446293/kris-boyd-twitter-halftime-tamu-transer-texas-longhorns-tcu

[chrisrenrut]

Gary Crowten resigns as OC at SUU. Any insight Solon? Their offense seemed to do well the last few games.

Man, that guys career path has been a rollercoaster ride.

[NorthwestUteFan]

That seems so crazy. Maybe Solon has an idea what happened. SUU crushed Weber State last Saturday by something like 59-0.

[U-Ute]

That seems so crazy. Maybe Solon has an idea what happened. SUU crushed Weber State last Saturday by something like 59-0.

Maybe trying to be the first one in line in Austin before Lane Kiffin?

[NorthwestUteFan]

Maybe trying to be the first one in line in Austin before Lane Kiffin?

Tejas offered Saban $100M to jump off the Tusker Express. Maybe they would hire Kiff as a QB coach.

[SoCalPat]

I still think that, even though the polls are less important with the playoff committee, early losses are less damaging than late losses (all other things being equal).

Ohio St's SOS was strong last season, stronger than Baylor and TCU. But their loss was in September, when Baylor and TCU both lost in the last half of the season. Alabama lost after Ohio St, but their SOS was superb.

I can see "name brands" coming into play when the margin is razor-thin, but I also think there are enough other factors that it's unlikely.

TCU and Baylor cannibalized each other. Yes, Baylor beat TCU but had one of the worst non-cons in all of FBS -- which absolutely could not be rewarded in the first year of the playoff. And of course, you couldn't take TCU and ignore Baylor. That left the door wide open for Ohio State just to get in the top 4 with a win. Winning 59-0 made it a no brainer. Sorry Sancho, but this one was pretty clear cut.

[Solon]

That seems so crazy. Maybe Solon has an idea what happened. SUU crushed Weber State last Saturday by something like 59-0.
No word, although I'll see what I can find out on Sunday.
official story is that he needs to focus on his personal life. Weird time of year to resign. I also wondered if he has something else lined up, but that wouldn't require a cryptic resignation. Nobody would hold a grudge if Crowton moved up to bigger & better.

[U-Ute]

Dozens of fans for the KU/BU game.

Kansas fans knew what was up.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/e6cd2f3a6a5c2a4457184111fd700227.jpg

[Diehard Ute]

Michigan dominating Northwestern 28-0 with 3 minutes left in the first half


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[NorthwestUteFan]

Tennessee scores 14 points in 28 seconds to make this a ballgame. 24-17 Georgia with 30 sec left in the first half.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Question: Will the other 11 teams on Michigan's schedule total score be over/under what Utah was able to score on them?


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[NorthwestUteFan]

38-0 over a stout Northwestern team. Three straight shutouts. That is amazing.

Next week they are at Michigan State, but all of their remaining tough games are at home. Including the underwhelming Ohio State.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

LOLZ.


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[U-Ute]

The Utajh/Michigan bro-fest continues.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/11/6411ff28780cd3186b3ca2b81c44c149.jpg

[U-Ute]

Just ACC things.

1651

[Solon]

Spurrier is done at South Carolina.

http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article38886768.html

Maybe he is headed to the other USC????

[U-Ute]

Boom.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/15/a83ef478d8d360f3cec301b673aa3467.jpg

[Mormon Red Death]

Cincinnati has some great names on their team:

Gunnar Kiel
Mike Tyson
Lyndon Baines Johnson
And my favorite
Leviticus Payne

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[NorthwestUteFan]

Utah State is looking salty tonight! Taking it to Boise 37-10, 1 min left in the first half.

[Diehard Ute]

Wow, Michigan just got screwed. MSU player throws a Michigan player down and he lands on the QB who slid. Refs eject him for targeting. Don't see how it was upheld on replay


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[NorthwestUteFan]

I don't know. With eight turnovers from boise, usu needs to win by more for me to be impressed.

LOL. Nice.

One thing Matt Wells has done is he has shown that he is one hell of a QB coach and he has a good handle on precisely what makes a good Oh-fense.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Well, will seven minutes left in the third quarter, Oregon State, UNLV, BYU, Maryland, Northwestern AND Michigan State have managed to score more than Utah's potent offense against Michigan.


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[NorthwestUteFan]

And none of them were up 17-10 after 3 vs Michigan...

[LA Ute]

I feel terrible for my friends who are Michigan fans. What a crushing way to lose a game. I hope whoever flubbed that snap doesn't have to move out of the state.


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[NorthwestUteFan]

That pass to Jake Butt was a catch. They got jobbed.

[U-Ute]

This is one bad-ass snap.

wOwQz1M

[Applejack]

I feel terrible for my friends who are Michigan fans. What a crushing way to lose a game. I hope whoever flubbed that snap doesn't have to move out of the state.


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He's a transfer from Weber State!

[LA Ute]

He's a transfer from Weber State!

This explains everything!


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[U-Ute]

An amusing take on the current state of the B1g 10.


Let’s Get Messy: In Praise of Big Ten Football (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/big-ten-ncaa-college-football-michigan-wolverines-michigan-state-spartans-rutgers-ohio-state-buckeyes/)

[U-Ute]

Interception of the year?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MycK76U6ofc

[LA Ute]

Interception of the year?

Maybe. It's the flip side of the catch that Stanford player made against UCLA -- reaching around the defender.


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[DrumNFeather]

Games of the week:

Thursday looking good:

UNC @ Pitt. How did these two teams both get to 6-1?
WestVa @ TCU. Keep an eye on it, switch if Mountaineers keep it close.
Oregon @ ASU. Go Ducks.

Saturday morning:

Ugh. Not much here. I guess Ole Miss @ Auburn is the best in this slot.

Saturday afternoon:

USC @ Cal. Da Bears.
CU @ UCLA. CU is up to 4 wins. Let's hope they stay there, so there's no bowl game on the line when they come to SLC.
Clemson @ NCState. Wolfpack is Clemson's 2nd toughest remaining game.
Florida @ Georgia. First place in the east on the line.
SDSU @ CSU. Aztecs last unbeaten in MW.

Saturday night:

Vandy @ Houston. Bad SEC vs good, unbeaten AAC. Might be interesting.
ND @ Temple. Another unbeaten from the AAC.
Stanford @ WSU. Cards play against an experienced QB for the 2nd time this season.

Some big games in our league this week to be sure. We'll find out if WSU is legit or not with how they perform against Stanford. Wouldn't it be something if Goff started to play up to his NFL projection this week vs. USC?

[Redbird]

UNC @ Pitt. How did these two teams both get to 6-1?

Pitt beat Akron 24-7. They beat Youngstown St, VaTech, UVA, GaTech, and Cuse by one-possession scores. That one loss (at Iowa) looks very good.

UNC's one loss against South Carolina is right there for the "WTF?" loss of the season thus far.

[Redbird]

So, Baylor's QB is out for the season. I think I remember reading that he was hurt in the 4th quarter. Was it in garbage time while they were running up the score?

They were "only" up 35-20 at the time of the play.

[Mormon Red Death]

Duke was just robbed in the weirdest replay of all time.
How could they review the penalty? That Game has to go under protest right?

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[Mormon Red Death]

Another good week of college football:

First good Tuesday night game of the year: NIU @ Toledo. Rockets ranked.

Thursday: Baylor @ KState. Baylor with new QB.

Sat morning:

Penn State @ Northwestern. Oh, to be a bad team with a good record in the Big10.
Duke @ UNC. Victory bell and division on the line.
ND @ Pitt. One of the last chances to get ND out of the playoff.

Sat afternoon:

FSU @ Clemson. Division and playoff spot on the line.
ASU @ WSU. Both teams fighting for bowl eligibility.
TCU @ OkieSt. Two teams enter, one team leaves.

Sat evening:

LSU @ Bama. Playoff play-in game?
ND plays@Stanford the last week of the regular season. That is the best hope for ND out of the playoff
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[Redbird]

Norm Chow fired at Hawaii. Their last 2 HC's were former Utah coordinators, maybe 3rd time's a charm? Craig Ver Steeg for HC!

[Solon]

Norm Chow fired at Hawaii. Their last 2 HC's were former Utah coordinators, maybe 3rd time's a charm? Craig Ver Steeg for HC!
The Utes are a little thin at OC right now. Maybe Chow could come in & give our starters a breather.

[Diehard Ute]

Can someone give me a Cliff's notes version of what is going on at Missouri? I saw tweets that they might cancel their game with BYU this week. I am curious enough to ask but not enough to look it up on my own.

There's an ongoing issue of racial tension. The university chancellor has been slow to act by many accounts which has made it worse.

Recently a brand new dorm had a swastika drawn on a white wall in feces.

A graduate student has gone on a hunger strike wanting the chancellor to step down.

32 black players have said they won't play in support of the grad students request. Thus making their ability to field a team questionable.


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[Diehard Ute]

Thank you. Is the tension related to other tensions in Missouri (Ferguson) or is it something independent? Are people with more clout also calling for a resignation, or is it just the student and now the team?

It's related. Racial tensions have been rising in the area.

It's certainly an issue that needs to be more formally addressed.


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[LA Ute]

Week 11, football heaven.

Nothing of note on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday unless you love random MACtion.

Friday night: USC @ CU for all you craving the Pac-12 a day early

Saturday morning is not great:

OSU @ Illinois. Illini fighting for bowl eligibility. OSU has managed to keep things close with bad teams all year.

Saturday afternoon:

UW @ ASU. Maybe it's just Pac-12 bias, but I can't imagine there are too many 4-5 teams better than UW and ASU
Miami @ UNC. Choke 'heels.
Bama @ MSU. Come on, Mullen. Come on, cowbell.
Michigan @ Indiana. Hoosiers close but not quite all season to upsetting a ranked team.
SMU @ Navy. All of a sudden, the middies are contenders for a NY6 bowl.

Saturday evening:

Memphis @ Houston. A week ago, this looked like the game of the year in the AAC.
Oregon @ Stanford. I can't help it - go Ducks.
Oklahoma @ Baylor. Boomer sooner!
Minnesota @ Iowa. Go get whatever crazy trophy is at stake, gophers!
Wazzu @ UCLA.

We are cheering for UCLA this weekend, right?


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[UtahsMrSports]

Missouri's president resigns. I guess that means game on?

[LA Ute]

Wazzu could give the Bruins their 3rd loss, which would make winning the division slightly more likely for us. On the other hand, if UCLA wins, they come to town ranked next week. In the end, go Bruins.

I actually meant to say we should be cheering for Wazzu, simply because they are playing a division rival. We'll see what happens. EDIT: But you and SoCalPat are right.

[SoCalPat]

Wazzu could give the Bruins their 3rd loss, which would make winning the division slightly more likely for us. On the other hand, if UCLA wins, they come to town ranked next week. In the end, go Bruins.

I think Wazzu would be everyone's second-favorite Pac-12 team on this board if we didn't have such big fish to fry ourselves. In the end, we need UCLA ranked as high as possible for our game in two weeks. Go Bruins!

[Scratch]

Sorry, I know it hurts our CFP chances a little bit, but I'm cheering for USC and UCLA to lose so that we're the clear #2 in the P12 if Stanford makes the CFP.

[Applejack]

Sorry, I know it hurts our CFP chances a little bit, but I'm cheering for USC and UCLA to lose so that we're the clear #2 in the P12 if Stanford makes the CFP.

:highfive:

[LA Ute]

Sorry, I know it hurts our CFP chances a little bit, but I'm cheering for USC and UCLA to lose so that we're the clear #2 in the P12 if Stanford makes the CFP.

I guess there's a silver lining no matter what happens this Saturday to UCLA. (If Colorado beats USC that will be the upset of the decade, if not the half-century, so I am not paying too much attention to that game.)

[Jarid in Cedar]

Okay, Sagarin to answer the questions that nobody has:

Best unbeaten team: Clemson (2)
Best 1-loss: Alabama (1)
Best 2-loss: Michigan (13)
3-loss: USC (10)
4-loss: Tennessee (18)
5-loss: UW (27)
6-loss: GT (40)
7-loss: Maryland (79)
8-loss: SMU (125)
9-loss: Kansas (151)
10-loss: UCF (150)


I hope to see ASU as the best 8 loss team by the end of the season.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Okay, Sagarin to answer the questions that nobody has:

Best unbeaten team: Clemson (2)
Best 1-loss: Alabama (1)
Best 2-loss: Michigan (13)
3-loss: USC (10)
4-loss: Tennessee (18)
5-loss: UW (27)
6-loss: GT (40)
7-loss: Maryland (79)
8-loss: SMU (125)
9-loss: Kansas (151)
10-loss: UCF (150)

Weird. I read on CB that following the Michigan State win, Nebraska was a top 10 quality win. Surprised to not see them as the best six loss team.

[SoCalPat]

Sorry, I know it hurts our CFP chances a little bit, but I'm cheering for USC and UCLA to lose so that we're the clear #2 in the P12 if Stanford makes the CFP.

A little bit?

What is this angst about needing help to be a clear No. 2? If we finish 11-2, there's zero doubt.

[Scratch]

A little bit?

What is this angst about needing help to be a clear No. 2? If we finish 11-2, there's zero doubt.

What if UCLA wins out? Then we're 11-2 and certainly not the clear #2.

[Scratch]

What if UCLA wins out? Then we're 11-2 and certainly not the clear #2.

I meant 10-2. If UCLA wins out, then we are not the clear #2. If UCLA and Stanford both win out in the regular season, and UCLA beats Stanford, then we are the clear #3, and the clear #3 from a conference that doesn't have a team in the CFP.

[U-Ute]

Gentlemen: today is Separation Saturday.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Week 12

Saturday morning:

Memphis @ Temple. AAC winner gets NY6 bowl.

Neither of these two will get that bid. It will be either Houston or Navy. Memphis has 2 losses, as does Temple.

[SoCalPat]

I hated New Mexico with a white-hot passion when we were in the MWC, but what Bob Davie has done this year is nothing short of incredible. Two consecutive straight-up wins as underdogs of 20 or more points. Per RJ Bell, there have been 1404 teams since 1980 that have been in a similar situation, and UNM is the first to have won both games straight up. They've got 6 wins and close vs. CSU and AFA. If the Lobos win both, they'll play in the MWC championship game.

[U-Ute]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/23/20da1495bc69eb4021be5703d46fb903.jpg

[U-Ute]

https://vine.co/v/ianwgOw3bhg

[U-Ute]

This Josh Adams at Notre Dame is a heck of a running back for a freshman.

[U-Ute]

@joelklatt:


Great chart about Conference strength via @DavidHaleESPN https://t.co/fpguoWt5ld

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/29/a8fd5a0bc6300a02ca789354a693c485.jpg

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

@joelklatt:



http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/29/a8fd5a0bc6300a02ca789354a693c485.jpg

It's a shame that the PAC-12 (aka Oregon) has fallen shot a couple of times for the big one.


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[concerned]

This is pretty funny

https://www.youtube.com/embed/eQnYfkDO5Ks

[U-Ute]

This is really cool.

@NavyAthletics: Different position groups will wear different ship-inspired helmets for the Army-Navy Game. @UAFootball @NavyFB https://t.co/F1LQXJnr3Q

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/01/786ec9c871557006270ffc64a8a3f377.jpg

[NorthwestUteFan]

The Navy helmets are awesome. Attending an Army-Navy game is a bucket list item.

I am crossing off another bucket list item next year, when I hit the Ohio State-Michigan game in the Horseshoe with an old mission buddy (HUGE tOSU fan from Columbus).

[U-Ute]

Soak this stat up for a moment: No Alabama QB has won an NFL game since 1988.

http://collegefootball.blog.ajc.com/2015/08/25/alabama-qbs-havent-won-nfl-game-since-1988/

[chrisrenrut]

Texas up on Baylor 17-0 at end of first quarter. Almost a beach clearing brawl after a Texas interception.

[DrumNFeather]

Texas win knocks Baylor out of ny6. Maybe frees spot for tcu, Oregon, or Stanford.
Baylor just fumbled with about 3 min to go.

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[LA Ute]

This is really about 2016, but it kind of fits here. News out of the Big 12:


Football Non-Conference Scheduling Requirement Announced
(http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10410&ATCLID=210560102)
December 08, 2015

http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/pics33/400/MS/MSOFKQGKDICWQRD.20151120202225.jpg

The Big 12 has announced it will require Conference football programs to annually play at least one non-conference game against an autonomy conference institution (ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC, plus Notre Dame).

“Schedule strength is a key component in CFP Selection Committee deliberations,” commented Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “This move will strengthen the resumes for all Big 12 teams. Coupled with the nine-game full round robin Conference schedule our teams play, it will not only benefit the teams at the top of our standings each season, but will impact the overall strength of the Conference.”

Additionally, no Big 12 program shall play more than one game annually against a non-Football Bowl Subdivision opponent.

This new scheduling requirement does not impact existing non-conference game contracts.

Looks like Notre Dame is the only independent that qualifies.

[U-Ute]

This is really about 2016, but it kind of fits here. News out of the Big 12:



Looks like Notre Dame is the only independent that qualifies.

Ouch.

Can we read into this announcement anything about BYU's chances of joining the Big 12?

[LA Ute]

Ouch.

Can we read into this announcement anything about BYU's chances of joining the Big 12?

It could mean that the Big 12 doesn't consider them worthy. Or, it could mean that a membership invite is imminent so there was not need to include BYU in the list of acceptable schools. BYU fans hope and pray it is the latter.

[U-Ute]

Custom Army helmets. Assigned. By branches they are going into.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/12/934d7f33528bcf9f12817b47e2c245bc.jpg

[mUUser]

Army handed that game to Navy on a silver platter

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Oregon wins. Reloads at qb.

As long as he doesn't break a finger for 3 games.

[U-Ute]

A list of every FBS football team and what they were best at in 2015, as well as what they were worst at.

http://www.allmysportsteamssuck.com/2015/12/17/best-and-worst-of-the-2015-ncaa-football-season-all-128-teams/

1727
1728

[concerned]

The deregulation vote for the Big12 is Wednesday. If it passes, the Big12 will be allowed to stage a championship game without divisions and with only 10 members. If it does not pass, the Big12 will have to decide if expansion is worth it in order to hold a title game.

The P5 conference votes count for 2:

Big12: in favor. Duh.
ACC: in favor. I'm not sure why, but they co-sponsored the proposal.
Big10: opposed. I don't know why. It appears they just want to oppose anything they think might help the Big12.
SEC: opposed, apparently also just to be an obstacle in the Big12 plan.
Pac-12: not sure. Probably opposed for the same reason.

G5 votes count for 1:

AAC: in favor. If Big12 expands, the American likely loses teams.
Sun Belt: in favor. Would like to stage a title game with 11 teams.
MAC: opposed. I have no idea why.
CUSA: opposed. Again, who knows why?
MWC: no clear.

Total: 7-8 or 6-9 against.

So, it appears that the proposal will be voted down. Why are the MAC and CUSA opposed, though? You would think they would want stability here. If the AAC is raided, doesn't it turn around and raid the CUSA again? And why are the Big10 and SEC so eager to make the Big12 expand?

Bowlsby has mentioned a compromise is in the works. Speculation is that the Big XII can only have a championship game if it divides into divisions, but that it can have 5 teams in each division, so that expansion is not required. Big XII clearly does not want to expand.

Scott has said the Pac 12 will vote with the SEC and Big 10

[concerned]

I still don't get the opposition to this. I guess the opposition from the p5 conferences makes a tiny bit of sense. They just want to be obstructionist to a competitor. Why would the MAC and CUSA vote against?

Why does adding divisions matter? What kind of a compromise is that? Is that to force the Big12 to occasionally risk an upset of a playoff team from a cruddy team?



The vote apparently is broader than to allow the BIG XII to have a championship game; it is to deregulate the conferences, and let each makes its own rules on a bunch of issues (including a championship game.) ACC wants deregulation, the the BIG 10 in particular does not want to deregulate and grant autonomy, for whatever reason. Neither does the SEC.

The reason for divisions is so that the BIG XII cant always have no. 1 and no. 2 in the championship game. The fear is that this would give them an advantage in the playoff selection process. Want the Big XII to have the same risk that the championship game will be a dud that wont be a springboard every year. The two best teams might be in the same division.

(At least this is what I read somewhere.)

[Scorcho]

this championship game has been good (surprisingly)

I think most thought Bama would run away with this, and they still may but first half was enjoyable

[Scorcho]

Speaking of running, why is Alabama trying to pass at all?

when he decides to stop coaching, Urban will be a top notch TV football analyst

[Scorcho]

does the national championship trophy double as a trash can or hamper? It looks like something you could pick up at Target or Pier 1

[Scorcho]

Clemson QB is fun to watch

[NorthwestUteFan]

This game is reason #1 why a passing game is so important. If Alabama could throw the ball around a bit they could keep up.

At this point they will need a miracle to pull out a win. They have something like 50 yards in the 2nd half?

I wish Stanford was in this game.

[Scorcho]

and the PAC 12 refs have called a good game (except for the one play)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVzV8FjXAAA94yQ.png:large

[NorthwestUteFan]

Bit dramatic?
No, just a bit too early. I am too used to Utah-style football where they seem unable to find and answers on Offense late in the game when things get tough.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Wow. I spoke WAY too soon. Great KRTD.

[Scorcho]

sigh, was hoping for a last minute finish

[LA Ute]

I'm hoping Clemson can still pull this out.


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[NorthwestUteFan]

This QB and these WRs are special. This is an incredibly fun game.

[LA Ute]

Ballgame. Rats.


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[Scorcho]

whoa I was nervous for the Pac 12 refs there

[SeattleUte]

There are some things the Utes do better than either of these teams, like defense (them both) and special teams (Clemson). Clemson's qb was the best player on the field, though.

[Redbird]

There are some things the Utes do better than either of these teams, like defense (them both) and special teams (Clemson). Clemson's qb was the best player on the field, though.

I would not take Utah's defense over either team.

[SoCalPat]

There are some things the Utes do better than either of these teams, like defense (them both) and special teams (Clemson). Clemson's qb was the best player on the field, though.

Watson and Clemson would do to Utah what Marcus Mariota and Oregon did last year -- make our defense look silly.

Who was the best dual-threat QB Utah faced this year? Solomon at Arizona? Yeah, we lost that game too.

[SeattleUte]

I would not take Utah's defense over either team.

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree. Utah doesn't play in the MWC any longer (you seem not to have noticed that) so it's played a tougher schedule than either of these teams. I submit that Utah wouldn't allow either of these teams to put up over 40 points against it.

[SeattleUte]

Watson and Clemson would do to Utah what Marcus Mariota and Oregon did last year -- make our defense look silly.

Who was the best dual-threat QB Utah faced this year? Solomon at Arizona? Yeah, we lost that game too.

Mariota and Oregon would have killed this Clemson team, just like they did FSU last season. But Utah was better this year than 2014.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Mariota and Oregon would have killed this Clemson team, just like they did FSU last season. But Utah was better this year than 2014.
I would have enjoyed watching Stanford vs these two teams.

[Redbird]

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree. Utah doesn't play in the MWC any longer (you seem not to have noticed that) so it's played a tougher schedule than either of these teams. I submit that Utah wouldn't allow either of these teams to put up over 40 points against it.

Alabama and Clemson both had a tougher SOS and had better defenses in terms of yards and points compared to Utah.

[SoCalPat]

Alabama and Clemson both had a tougher SOS and had better defenses in terms of yards and points compared to Utah.

I'll defend Utah here and say while Bama's defense is better, no way do we allow a QB like Jake Coker to average nearly 14 YPA. That said, Clemson was handicapped significantly with key injuries in its secondary. At full strength there, Clemson probably wins. Alabama had no answer for Watson, which is the case for 100 percent of college teams facing a dual threat Heisman finalist QB.

[U-Ute]

So, the Big12 can hold their title game without expanding. There go my Tulane hopes.

I'm sure this is because they hate BYU. I'll go to CB and see what they think of my theory.

[Diehard Ute]

I'm sure this is because they hate BYU. I'll go to CB and see what they think of my theory.

No no. It's because they're trying to hold the LDS church down.


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[Scorcho]

great stuff from Jon Wilner about expansion (Big XII and PAC-12) on twitter today.

Wilner made the mistake of telling BYU if they had any value they would be in a P5 conference already. And then Wilner had to defend himself from an onsluaght of Y tweets for the next couple of hours. Great stuff I didn't know about the PAC-12 expansion a few years back. Wilner said at one point the conference had a 24 school model