With my recent plant closing, I have had more time on my hands recently than I have had in a long time. (BTW if anyone needs a degreed manufacturing / plant manager with over 20 years of experience in the Louisville, Southern Indiana or Florida areas, IM me...LOL) Anyway with the extra time I have spent a lot of time online reading. Mostly reading about how disappointed Louisville fans have been with our football team this fall for a number of reasons. I have also read much about the Big East. One thing I have noticed, with Louisville, Rutgers and WVU all losing early in the season, the media hasn't attacked the Big East and honestly this surprises me.
Much of this because USF has proven themselves to be one of the best programs in the country (Thank you Bulls) and the credibility of our conference, at this point in the season, now rests with them. The just released BCS rankings confrim this with the Bulls being ranked #2.
It is imperative that Rutgers, Louisville, UConn and Cincinnati continue to play exceptional football. (I don't mention WVU because they have already played USF, only have 1 loss an in true Mountaineer tradition won't hurt the Big East by losing a game they shouldn't have like Louisville has this year) Anyway I can't say that I would ever root against my Cardinals but I just can't see how my team beating USF in Tampa, something they have never done, could help the Big East. I don't think it would ever happen with the defense we have this year but you never know. The whole USF team could forget there is a game that day and not show up. That's about the only way I see my Cardinals having a chance in that game and I don't believe that's going to happen.
Thats why I believe it falls squarely on the shoulders of Rutgers, UConn and Cincinnati. These game need to happen one of two ways, in my opinion. If they don't then the Big East conference will suffer. USF needs to win it's remaining games by a large margin. Much like the no-doubter, beatdown the Bulls laid on UCF this past weekend. If the Bulls don't win, the games need to be USF losses on a last second field goal or some fluke play. In my opinion the worst thing that could happen to the Big East this season is for the Bulls to get blown out by another Big East team.
I know it isn't the fault of any program in our conference but if USF losses badly then it will be seen as the weakness of the Big East and not the depth the conference by the bias media. Our conference won't be afforded the same luxury that the SEC, Big Eleven and Pac 10 are given. Just my opinion.
Sorry this post is getting so long (Like I said I have plenty of time on my hands..LOL) but I want to mention how much I enjoy our program being part of a conference like the Big East. I see a comraderie on all the Big East boards that you don't see with the other conferences. You feel it at the games, at conference tournaments and at bowls. I was at a Louisville bar last January watching WVU in the Gator Bowl and you would have sworn you were in Morgantown. The people there were rooting for the 'Eers as hard as I have ever seen them root for our Cardinals. One guy from WVU, also a UofL season ticket holder, decked out in Blue and Gold, got up at half-time, after a few adult beverages karaoked "Country Roads" and everyone in the place joined in. It was an awesome time. I'm sure others here have examples of this happening in their cities too. Fans of the Big East support their schools and they support the conference as well. I can't tell you how many Big East fans have come to this board, the Louisville Rivals and Scout boards to offer support during this tough season here in The 'Ville. All I can say is it hasn't gone un-noticed by Louisville fans.
I can't tell you the games between are schools aren't hard fought because they are. But I can tell you that the mutual respect among the schools, the teams and fans is there. I want to see us keep that. The other conferences may have more teams and more collective football tradition but they don't have the sense of community we have in our conference. That's one thing special about being a member of the Big East conference. Good luck to all of our teams the remainder of the season.
Jim

CardinalJim Wrote:In my opinion the worst thing that could happen to the Big East this season is for the Bulls to get blown out by another Big East team.
I know it isn't the fault of any program in our conference but if USF losses badly then it will be seen as the weakness of the Big East and not the depth the conference by the bias media.

If that happens that's just tough. I don't think this is what you are saying, but, no Big East team is going to lay down for USF and I don't want them to.

If USF is going to win it they are going to have to earn it and I doubt they would want it any other way.

UC despite the tough loss to UofL is still in the race and is very capable of beating USF - they did it handily last year.

bearcatfan Wrote:If that happens that's just tough. I don't think this is what you are saying, but, no Big East team is going to lay down for USF and I don't want them to.

If USF is going to win it they are going to have to earn it and I doubt they would want it any other way.

UC despite the tough loss to UofL is still in the race and is very capable of beating USF - they did it handily last year.

I can see both sides here. What Jim proposed for the league would probably be best at this point. However, while I root for the good of the league second, I'll take UofL winning over all else. Every other fan and team is the same way. This is the first season in a long time where UofL winning league games could possibly hurt their own league, perception wise. Prior to this year UofL was 9-0 as a Big East member in regular season non-conference games, meaning no one could say much.

Losing to an average at best Utah could lead someone to question the league if UofL went on a run and beat a few teams, but so be it if it happens. Not to say my Cards will be in on the action, but I still will be surprised if anyone finishes 7-0 in the league.

Jim, forget the whole conference respect thing. After reading, I can only wish you the very best in finding more work.

All in all, sports really isn't so important.

OK, it's somewhat important

I don't think Jim is saying he wants the other teams to laydown. I think he's just saying that what NEEDS to happen is for no BE team to beat USF, playing their hardest. This really is up to USF, because they have the talent and ability to win out. The only way I see them losing a game or two is if they make mental mistakes and don't show up prepared...or (god forbid) suffer any injury(s).

The media admit that the top BE teams right now are legit, and if USF wins out and beats those top BE teams, they will definitely be in the NC game.

Nightmare of a BCS matchup could be coming
By Matt Hayes
Sporting News

Tell me you can't see this coming. Tell me this wouldn't be the ultimate topper to a wild, zany season.

South Florida and Boston College win the two worst BCS leagues and play for it all in what would be the least-watched, least-anticipated championship game imaginable. It would set college football back 100 years.

Frankly, I'd rather watch skeet shooting.

The BCS numbers were released today for the first time this season, and we see the roadmap to January. It's not pretty for the honchos who run the BCS.

We'll start with No. 1 Ohio State. In theory, the Buckeyes are in position to make a return trip to the BCS title game. But, as this season has shown, being No. 1 is no guarantee you'll be there for long -- the Buckeyes are about as close to a sure thing as the Brat Pack is to detox.

It only gets worse from there.

At this point in the season, with all that has happened and all that invariably will, we have to look at the easiest road to New Orleans. And those two roads begin in Tampa and Chesnut Hill.

Look, USF and BC -- the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the BCS standings -- aren't the two best teams in the nation. In fact, they're not even in the top five. But they play in user-friendly BCS leagues, which is a nice way of saying neither one has to go through the SEC or the Pac-10.

Before our friends from USF go all Gundy, I realize the Bulls won at Auburn. In fact, other than LSU, no one has two better wins than USF (Auburn, West Virginia). But winning one game against an SEC powerhouse doesn't automatically mean you'd run through the SEC or the Pac-10, or even the Big Ten, on a weekly basis.

That has been -- and will be -- the argument of all arguments.

Then there's BC, whose anchor win this season is at Georgia Tech -- three-loss Georgia Tech. And the ACC? Easily the worst BCS conference, and barely staving off the vastly improved Mountain West.

The problem with human polls is most voters use the win-and-advance system. As long as a team keeps winning, it rises in the rankings. Seriously, who here thinks Oregon -- which lost on a fluke play to Cal -- isn't one of the nation's top five teams? Or that two-loss Florida wouldn't beat anyone on a neutral field?

But don't kid yourself: If BC and USF go unbeaten, they will play in the national title game. It's just that simple. The controversial system can't snub two of its own.

No matter how nauseating the championship game will be.

This nauseating article appeared on the Yahoo Sports website on Sunday, October 14, 2007.

This league is just fine. The days of needing one team to run the table to get "respect" are over. Cincinnati and Connecticut shouldn't roll over for anybody. If Cincinnati goes into Tampa and wins, that's just tough. People are just going to have to deal with it. Why didn't Louisville "roll over" for Cincinnati? It would have been best for the league to have 3 Top 10 teams, which is what would have happened if Cincinnati had won. We're an elite conference, we don't need members rolling over for other members, that's just stupid.

BJUnklFkr Wrote:Jim, forget the whole conference respect thing. After reading, I can only wish you the very best in finding more work.

All in all, sports really isn't so important.

OK, it's somewhat important

Thanks BJ,
I appreciate the kind words. Classy as always
Jim

Guys,
Let me preface my earlier comments by saying in no way do I suggest any of our teams "rollover" for any conference opponent for the good of the conference. Funny thing is I posted this because I figured we would begin seeing articles like the one KK posted. Honestly didn't see it until he posted it here. Damn media bullsh*t. Since when did the PAC 10 become an example of parity?...last week or last month?
My feeling is I would love to see my Cardinals win out but I just don't see that as being the best senario for our conference. If another Louisville fan can, I sure wish they would point it out to me so i could be happy about it happening.
CJ

Double post

No prob Jim.

As for conference respect, SIX teams in the BCS top 40 speaks for itself (even though half of the ranking is by virtue of the stupid human polls).

It seems like no matter what our teams do, someone in the media, Matt "B.S." Hayes, for example, just has to find a way to bash them in one way or another. You notice that he seems to have no problem in that article with Ohio State, which has played a cupcake schedule this year, coasting to a spot in the BCS Title Game, if it happened, but a contest between USF and BC would be like the end of the world or something. These double standards are ridiculous. Would he have written the same article if Arizona State and Kansas were ranked #2 and #3 this week? They are also not traditional powers but both are currently unbeaten and hold membership in two leagues, the Pac-10 and Big 12, that get an overabundance of love from the biased media old boys.

CardinalJim, Sorry to hear about your job situation. Good Luck with your future employment!

Actually, BC has to play VT and VT is legit with only one loss to LSU. Actually, BC probably has to play VT twice, they will probably meet again the the infamous ACC championship game.
If VT wins both games, they still can't be ranked ahead of LSU so no title game for a one loss VT. If BC wins both games--Dawg- I guess I won't be watching the title game this year.

Ohio State is the best bet right now for USF. At least Ohio State, returning to the title game, has tradition and can give some legitimacy to a USF national championship. Of course, OSU got waxed last year by Florida. Ohio State also has to play Michigan to end their season. Who out there thinks Michigan, who began this season with an upset to Appy (whatever) State won't want to end their season by crushing the dreams of their arch rival?

So if there's no BC and no OSU, who's USF gonna play?

Either South Carolina or Kentucky looks to play LSU for the SEC championship. So LSU still has a chance to make the championship game. That would be nice. Providing that OSU and BC lose. LSU would make USF a legitimate champion.

Undefeated Kansas lucked out by not playing Oklahoma this year. Unfortunately, the Big Twelve has a conference title game and Okl, should demolish Kansas to make a bid for the championship game themselves. Okl would be a good opponent for USF. Kansas would be a non-interesting game and not rise to the level of championship.

Out west Arizona State is undefeated but they have yet to play USC and Oregon. Even in a crazy year like this, I don't see Arizona State beating both those teams. Maybe Oregon. USC can win the conference which has no conference title game and make a bid for the championship game. USC would make a good title game for USF to pound on. They bring legitimacy as preseason number one.

My point is, first of all USF has to run the tables. Secondly, you don't want to play BC for the title. That would be a laughing stock. You want to play USC, Okl., LSU or Ohio State, in that order. Ohio State is currently in the best position but they have to get past a really, really angry Michigan team.

The good news for WVU is that they probably will get the leftovers and the leftovers are going to be just a big as game for WVU and the BE as the title game (Of course I'm putting faith in USF to be there). All the one loss teams who got snubbed for the BE upstart, USF, well, one of them will get a shot at working out their frustration on WVU in the BE's second BCS game this year. This will be a top caliber team and they will be ready to show the BE up by pounding WVU. They will be even madder after the game when Slayton, White, Divine and company mop up the floor with them. Hatred of the BE should run coast to coast by that time. But what a way for Slayton and White to end their college careers. I don't they will be back next year.

And you though last season's five bowl wins was news. This season's two BCS wins over top tier teams will have BE fans bragging till the next Millennium.

All speculation but let's all just hope VT can handle BC at least once in two tries. Otherwise our first national title game will really be nothing to brag about. The sportswriter who wrote the article at least got that point right.

Looks like we earn our respect the hard way and that's just what we want..

Krocker Krapp Wrote:It seems like no matter what our teams do, someone in the media, Matt "B.S." Hayes, for example, just has to find a way to bash them in one way or another. You notice that he seems to have no problem in that article with Ohio State, which has played a cupcake schedule this year, coasting to a spot in the BCS Title Game, if it happened, but a contest between USF and BC would be like the end of the world or something. These double standards are ridiculous. Would he have written the same article if Arizona State and Kansas were ranked #2 and #3 this week? They are also not traditional powers but both are currently unbeaten and hold membership in two leagues, the Pac-10 and Big 12, that get an overabundance of love from the biased media old boys.

Matt Hayes is a *******

IMO, Boston College vs. South Florida would be a great National championship game...if they're the only teams left standing, then they're the only teams left standing...

Its a moot point though...IMO, the bulls go down in Piscataway on thursday, and BC goes down in Blacksburg...

frogman Wrote:All speculation but let's all just hope VT can handle BC at least once in two tries. Otherwise our first national title game will really be nothing to brag about. The sportswriter who wrote the article at least got that point right.

Looks like we earn our respect the hard way and that's just what we want..

Just a bunch of nonsense...if BC makes the National Title game, BC would have beaten VT (possibly twice), FSU and Miami...along with Clemson and Maryland

They have an extremely tough road to travel which will legitimize them if they win out

USF doesn't have a walk in the park either...Rutgers ruined title hopes for Louisville last year...the Bulls better watch out

CardinalJim Wrote:Anyway I can't say that I would ever root against my Cardinals but I just can't see how my team beating USF in Tampa, something they have never done, could help the Big East. I don't think it would ever happen with the defense we have this year but you never know.

You have a better QB than USF. That counts for a lot. That will be a 50-50 game.

Quote: Fans of the Big East support their schools and they support the conference as well.

You don't see that for other conferences because they don't have an inferiority complex. e.g., my best friend is a UF fan and he could care less about the rest of the SEC. They exist only to lose to Florida, in his opinion.

He just assumes, takes it as a birth-right, that the SEC is a dominant conference and feels no special pride about it.

EvilVodka1 Wrote:[quote=frogman]
Just a bunch of nonsense...if BC makes the National Title game, BC would have beaten VT (possibly twice), FSU and Miami...along with Clemson and Maryland

er, that's pretty weak compared to what say an Arizona State would have to play. I'd also put BC behind a one-loss LSU team, what with their brutal schedule.

BC has played a soft schedule. USF's is tougher.

EvilVodka1 Wrote:

frogman Wrote:All speculation but let's all just hope VT can handle BC at least once in two tries. Otherwise our first national title game will really be nothing to brag about. The sportswriter who wrote the article at least got that point right.

Looks like we earn our respect the hard way and that's just what we want..

Just a bunch of nonsense...if BC makes the National Title game, BC would have beaten VT (possibly twice), FSU and Miami...along with Clemson and Maryland

They have an extremely tough road to travel which will legitimize them if they win out

USF doesn't have a walk in the park either...Rutgers ruined title hopes for Louisville last year...the Bulls better watch out

Boston College has played a crap schedule. You better pray that Virginia Tech doesn't take down overrated BC.

I said Wisc. was overrated and proven correct....

BC is overrated as well...time will show me right (but the ACC is so bad it may not be until they get ripped in their bowl game...ala O$U last year vs Fla.)