BCS Bowl Games (Poll)

[Alpe d'Huez]

Hey (American) football fans, the BCS NCAA games are nearly upon us. State your pics. You can comment on other bowl games, or teams as well.

Rose Bowl (Jan 2)
Oregon vs. Wisconsin

Fiesta Bowl (Jan 2)
Stanford vs. Oklahoma State

Sugar Bowl (Jan 3)
Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

Orange Bowl (Jan 4)
Clemson vs. West Virginia

BCS Bowl (Jan 9)
LSU vs. Alabama

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

OSU vs Stanford: A really good matchup, and tough call. Both teams played Arizona to almost identical scores. The Card got stuffed big time by the Ducks and I think a potent OSU offense is going to give Stanford troubles.

Bama vs LSU: Another really great matchup, and tough call. LSU won the regular season game in a defensive struggle 9-6 in OT. I think Bama's offense puts them over the top this time as long as the defense does it's part. Easier said than done though.

 

[Anonymous]

I honestly don't care. The BCS is the worst system in sports for determining a champion. In fact, it doesn't determine a champion. It makes money for a bunch of *******s. Period.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

True, it makes them $$. But this thread's not about whether the system is any good or not. Just about who ppl think will win the games. You must not be an NCAAFB fan.

 

[Anonymous]

True, it makes them $$. But this thread's not about whether the system is any good or not. Just about who ppl think will win the games. You must not be an NCAAFB fan.

I love college football. That's why I hate the BCS.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The BCS is the worst system in sports for determining a champion. In fact, it doesn't determine a champion..

Agree completely. However, there are some good games here.

I think Oregons offense will be too much for Wisconsin.

I think OSU will beat Stanford in a high scoring game, but Luck will look super in it.

I like WV and VT in close games.

In the last game (the pseudo "championship") I like LSU to put up a little more points than last game and win about 23-10.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

I love college football. That's why I hate the BCS.

I'm with you the BCS is not the best solution to determine the national champ. A playoff would be much better. And just so the bowl organizers don't lose out completely, why not let them host playoff games?

Also, who really cares about early December bowl games when the teams are 6-6?

But back to this season's BCS games, you gotta admit there are some great games/matchups that will be played out.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm with you the BCS is not the best solution to determine the national champ. A playoff would be much better. And just so the bowl organizers don't lose out completely, why not let them host playoff games?

Also, who really cares about early December bowl games when the teams are 6-6?

But back to this season's BCS games, you gotta admit there are some great games/matchups that will be played out.

I know this may sound useless and futile, but I boycott the games. I refuse to watch them. I also refuse to use any of the products of the sponsors. It may be stupid, but the only real power we have over the system is in not viewing or purchasing. As long as people watch the games and they can sell ridiculously expensive ads, they will keep it up. **** them.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

TFF, I would not call that position stupid. But I would call it resolve. And it's not a bad position to be resolved about.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Wisconsin-Oregon is turning out to be a pretty good game! 38-35 in the third, and both teams have played well in the 4th quarter this year. Looks like it's going to be one of those games won by who gets the ball last, or a late mistake will turn the game.

 

[leftover pie]

we've had no coverage of any college football here this year, so i wouldn't have been able to pick any of those.

would love to know the name of a good "sharing" site (other than ten yard torrents which is full up) if anyone happen's to know of one

 

[Anonymous]

Wisconsin-Oregon is turning out to be a pretty good game! 38-35 in the third, and both teams have played well in the 4th quarter this year. Looks like it's going to be one of those games won by who gets the ball last, or a late mistake will turn the game.

Yep.. I freaking love football games played at 100 MPH from start to finish. Really liking this one.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Wow, that was a strange ending. I can't for the life of me understand why Wisconsin tried to spike the ball instead of just running a play. Not that it matters though, they didn't get the play off. And even if they did, they still had to get into the end zone just to tie it. Still, great game.

Next up Stanford vs. Oklahoma State. Should be another shootout. And we get Andrew Luck vs. Brandon Weeden. The best NFL QB prospect in years, versus another potential NFL QB.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Man oh Man. What a bunch of great games. Maybe the best in recent history.
- Mich St. vs Georgia 33-30 in 3 KC OT tiebreakers
- Oregon vs Wisconsin 45-38, and
- Oklahoma St. vs Stanford in KC OT 41-38
Feel a little sorry for the Stanford FG kicker. But the last miss was not all on him... low snap and a bad spot

 

[Cobber]

we've had no coverage of any college football here this year, so i wouldn't have been able to pick any of those.

would love to know the name of a good "sharing" site (other than ten yard torrents which is full up) if anyone happen's to know of one

I live in Australia and manage to see almost every game live through justin.tv. Just search for the game when it starts and you should find what you're looking for.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Sorry I'm late on this, but yes, Justin.TV is a source of streamed sites. It's not the highest quality, but if you get a good stream it's plenty watchable. Takes a little time to get used to the site and feeds, so be patient.

As to the games, I too feel sorry for Williamson, the Stanford kicker, though as noted, the second miss wasn't all his fault. That's also somewhat the coach's to blame. I was surprised that Stanford didn't go for it at that point. I mean, whose hands do you want the game in? Andrew Luck, the best QB in college football in years playing his last game on the biggest stage in college football. Or a freshmen kicker who just missed the same exact kick he's going to try?

Weeden looked okay for OSU, though he's a bit old to be a top NFL pick he will get drafted, but WR Justin Blackmon looks like the next Terrell Owens! Man that guy is athletic. I can easily the Rams taking him #2 instead of Kalil.

Rumor is after lackluster performances in his last few games Landry Jones, QB of Oklahoma, is going to stay for his senior year. I think it's a smart move, and this will also help the team, as Blake Bell isn't ready to take over, though a huge prospect (in size too, he's built like Roethlesberger or Newton). Sophomore Drew Allen is almost as big. Good future for OK there if Bob Stoops can nurture them right.

Adding to TFF's controversy, it bothers me that WV (ranked #23) is in the Orange Bowl instead of Boise State, or Arkansas for that matter (ranked 7,8). Granted, Clemson has been on somewhat of a slide, so the game at least should be good.

 

[Amsterhammer]

As to the games, I too feel sorry for Williamson, the Stanford kicker, though as noted, the second miss wasn't all his fault. That's also somewhat the coach's to blame. I was surprised that Stanford didn't go for it at that point. I mean, whose hands do you want the game in? Andrew Luck, the best QB in college football in years playing his last game on the biggest stage in college football. Or a freshmen kicker who just missed the same exact kick he's going to try?

Weeden looked okay for OSU, though he's a bit old to be a top NFL pick he will get drafted, but WR Justin Blackmon looks like the next Terrell Owens! Man that guy is athletic. I can easily the Rams taking him #2 instead of Kalil.

I never made any picks or expressed an opinion here because I know next to nothing about college ball. I get the big bowl games live on ESPN America, but they're not all at watchable times. That's it. So, I set the tivo to watch Luck, and even gave it extra time, but the recording stopped just as the OT non-TD was being reviewed.

How come Weeden is playing college ball at his age? I was reasonably impressed with him, but I was knocked out by Luck and Blackmon! Luck's passes look like Rodgers' - guided missiles - that boy has a fantastic arm and a wonderful football brain, I really hope he doesn't wind up sitting on the Colt's bench.

Since I had never even heard of Blackmon (shows how little I know) I was possibly even more impressed with him! He looks like a complete package and a potential all time great-to-be.

 

[User Guide]

see Boise ST got shafted again,Im in england so i dont get the whole bowl thing but seems like a closed shop too me and has ****** all to do with merit(or am I missing something?)

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

see Boise ST got shafted again, Im in england so i dont get the whole bowl thing but seems like a closed shop to me and has ****** all to do with merit (or am I missing something?)

Nothing to do with merit, and everything to do with money. Boise State is in a small state (Idaho), not in a powerhouse (read: money, profit) conference. The BCS works somewhat like this: Some teams that win their conference automatically get into a BCS game. The other teams are invited. The Mountain West conference (where Boise plays) is not one of those automatic berths. So they must get an invite. They don't get invited because they're not from a huge football money area. Plus, there's a perception that because they play in a "weak" conference, they aren't as good. But this doesn't hold up because in the last several years they've played and beaten other big teams (Georgia, Oregon, etc.). Still, nearly every year they get skipped over and relegated to a smaller bowl, where they flatten a weaker team. When they have gotten into BCS games, they've obviously played well, so yes, the whole system is screwed.

The recording stopped just as the OT non-TD was being reviewed (OSU-Stanford).

He didn't get in, and they kicked a field goal to win it two plays later.

How come Weeden is playing college ball at his age?

He was drafted in his freshman year to play baseball, which he tried for five years and never got out of the farm system. He had such a great arm, and was considered tough, so he played football and low and behold, look how good he is. If durable, he could have a good 7+ years in the NFL. That's good enough for a 3rd round pick I would think by a team who doesn't view that as being a risk. A RB who just turned 28 I would never draft. A QB, sure, I'd take the chance.

Michigan vs. Virginia Tech tonight in the Sugar Bowl.

I wanted to mention something about Kirk Cousins, QB of Michigan State. I have seen him in three games this year, including yesterday's 3OT win, and I don't understand why he's jumped so high as a draft prospect, like the 1st round with Barkley (and Jones) staying in school. He looks good, but not THAT good. Obviously Luck and Griffin are going to go in the top 10, and if the team picking 2nd need a QB, they would go 1-2. But Cousins looks like a 2nd round pick to me, maybe lower. But with some understudy, could play in the NFL, certainly. This is the kind of guy who sits on the bench a year or so and learns. Not Luck.

 

[leftover pie]

I live in Australia and manage to see almost every game live through justin.tv. Just search for the game when it starts and you should find what you're looking for.

thank you !

 

[Amsterhammer]

Here's a very useful page (bookmark for next year too!)

http://forum.wiziwig.eu/threads/64708-2011-NCAA-Football-Post-Season-amp-Bowl-Games-Streaming

If you explore this forum you will find pages of lists for streams for almost every sport!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Have to admit I wasn't overly impressed with either team last night. Definitely would have been more interesting if Boise had been there I think.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Same here, and I have to admit I stopped watching about half way through the game.

At the half tonight I'd say the wheels are coming off Clemson.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That had to have been one of the worst bowl games ever, and a total disaster for the BCS. It was an embarrassment for the selection committee, for fans, and for Clemson, who obviously had a very porous defense, and also for how conferences are structured.

To elaborate - Because Clemson won the ACC, they gained an automatic BCS bowl berth. But the ACC is one of the weaker conferences (duh). But the BCS didn't want to invite Arkansas, as they finished no better than 3rd in the SEC East. But that right there shows you how lopsided the thing is. The SEC is built around football, and stacked with great teams, big money, and big recruits. The ACC is not, they are built around basketball (Duke, North Carolina, NC State, Maryland, BC, etc.). But because college insists on not having a playoff and sticking to bowl games, we're stuck with absurd mismatches like this.

But wait you say, why don't they just eliminate the automatic bids? Even then because it's still based on invitation, teams will be invited on connections and money, not ability or quality. If it were, then #6 Boise State, who went 11-1 and lost only one game, to 15th ranked TCU, would have been invited to a BCS game. Instead, they went to the Maaco Bowl in Vegas and flattened hapless Arizona State 56-24, and for those who saw it, Boise took the foot off the gas pedal at the start of the 4th quarter, with ASU finishing with -11 yards rushing (yes, minus 11). Another embarrassment game for the NCAA and BCS.

But wait, there's still the BCS championship, pitting the best two teams in the NCAA, right? I don't know about that. I'm sure no matter who wins it, Oklahoma State and probably Oregon fans are going to say they would have played a better game than the team that loses, and they'd have a decent argument. Just as TCU argued last year with Andy Dalton lead them to an impressive Rose Bowl win over red hot Wisconsin, only they were not invited to the "championship" and had to watch Auburn beat Oregon. Was TCU better than Oregon? Probably. Better than Auburn? We'll never know.

Sorry for the long rant. I loved the Oregon-Wisconsin and OSU-Stanford games. Four very good teams fighting to the end. But TFF is right, while you can gave great bowl games, the entire system is anything but great, and terminally flawed.

 

[mikeNphilly]

Clemson had the 16th best offense in the country this year, and they were ahead in this game at one point. WVU's D shut them down, and kept them 3 and out alot, which tires out a defense. Add WVU's very high scoring offense to the mix, and its a perfect storm. If WVU's D would have been better in a couple of key games this year, we would be playing LSU, or at least have the chance to. Course we played LSU once this year, and it was not pretty.

By the end of the night, we(had a party at a sportsbar in Philly, for WVU alumni) were calling it the Hillybilly Asskicking.

Maybe that clown on ESPN from Tueday, knows which state we are from now.

As far as the BCS, it is what it is. They should make the Bowl Games, playoff games. You will never get rid of Bowl Games in college football, so just enjoy them.