(01-08-2013 02:05 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 01:51 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  ^^^ This definitely was not a “pretty” team this year. I know many don’t want to hear this but I think Butch Jones has a point in saying this team was just a tough, gritty team that was capable of winning against anyone with their backs to their wall. This was the way Jones built this squad. Even last year’s team was not flashy yet they had four guys get drafted into the NFL and several others get picked up as FA.

If we go by this Appearance Poll, that you discuss—then the AP Poll should be made up of only teams from the ACC, B10, B12, ND, PAC and SEC. I guess my point is that all that should matter is that UC was in a BCS conference in 2012 and won 10 games. Michigan was in a BCS conference and won 8. UC won their bowl game against a team in a AQ BCS Conference and Michigan did not. At the end of the day it should could for something.

Agreed this team wasn't pretty. Especially the team we put on the field in the bowl game. That was backyard football on a bigger stage. Still a 2 TD win that many will remember as a game we barely squeaked out. No skin off my back, though.

Many in the media and some fans have discounted we were without a HC, D Coordinator, and O Coordinator. Heck, they had to have the fball secretary's husband fill in. The coaches poll ranking was about right - the AP showed why it doesn't matter.

Something also overlooked - after a sloppy 1st quarter (getting sideline and coaching kinks worked out, spotting Duke a 16-3 lead), UC beat Duke 45-18 in the last 3 quarters of the game. Who's to say under normal game conditions, UC with a full and committed coaching staff, they don't pound Duke into next year? Regardless, this team deserves the recognition they earned, and thankfully the coaches poll gave it to them.

Really glad the UC ended the season ranked again. Heck of an accomplishment for the players and the program!!

(01-08-2013 02:09 PM)bearcatmill Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 02:05 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 01:51 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  ^^^ This definitely was not a “pretty” team this year. I know many don’t want to hear this but I think Butch Jones has a point in saying this team was just a tough, gritty team that was capable of winning against anyone with their backs to their wall. This was the way Jones built this squad. Even last year’s team was not flashy yet they had four guys get drafted into the NFL and several others get picked up as FA.

If we go by this Appearance Poll, that you discuss—then the AP Poll should be made up of only teams from the ACC, B10, B12, ND, PAC and SEC. I guess my point is that all that should matter is that UC was in a BCS conference in 2012 and won 10 games. Michigan was in a BCS conference and won 8. UC won their bowl game against a team in a AQ BCS Conference and Michigan did not. At the end of the day it should could for something.

Agreed this team wasn't pretty. Especially the team we put on the field in the bowl game. That was backyard football on a bigger stage. Still a 2 TD win that many will remember as a game we barely squeaked out. No skin off my back, though.

Many in the media and some fans have discounted we were without a HC, D Coordinator, and O Coordinator. Heck, they had to have the fball secretary's husband fill in. The coaches poll ranking was about right - the AP showed why it doesn't matter.

Watch the highlight video from the Belk Bowl. You will notice most of the people coaching on the sidelines are not coaches. That was an incredibly gritty win, given UC's circumstances and the fact that Duke was insanely motivated.

These rankings look fair to me. Basically, the way you rise in the polls is by beating teams ranked ahead of you. UC had its shot against U of L, and came up short. The VT win would normally be a good opportunity to move up, but they were down this year, as was Pitt.

(01-08-2013 12:10 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  The respect the Big 10 gets in the polls is absurd. Wisconsin lost 6 times this year. Nebraska gave up 70 points to that 6 loss Wisconsin team. Nice that Michigan has some good losses (though Nebraska was the most overrated team in the country all year..so not impressed by that 23-9 loss).

I agree, but the Big Ten was better this year than in the recent past. As you said, the Nebraska loss was Michigan's worst, but that was a direct result of them losing Robinson and having to play a backup QB not named Gardner. Same argument can be made for the OSU and South Carolina losses.

OSU and PSU making bowls would have helped their overall bowl record most likely, but that really doesn't matter. They competed well outside of Purdue. I think that's more a result of everyone not named Alabama in the SEC not being as good overall as they have in the recent past.

(01-08-2013 12:37 PM)bearcatmill Wrote:  So what your saying is Mich still has 5 losses?

I might be in the minority - but at some point you have to actually win the games. Its great the losses were to ranked teams, but in the end they still lost and had a mediocre record. I was really hoping Mich could turn the corner this year.

No, I'm actually saying I really don't care about the final polls. The only thing that matters is who's #1.

Michigan had a fine year given their problematic injuries. Alabama's the only team that outclassed them.

(01-08-2013 03:23 PM)Coopdaddy67 Wrote:  No, I'm actually saying I really don't care about the final polls. The only thing that matters is who's #1.

Michigan had a fine year given their problematic injuries. Alabama's the only team that outclassed them.

Right. There's 120 teams in D-1a, and 119 of them had bad seasons.

Some have questioned whether we will be preseason top 25 next year. If the attached article is any indication, we will not even be close. USA Today put together an early top 25 for 2013 and listed 18 or so other programs "to consider". UC is not even in the discussion.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/201...e/1816949/

(01-08-2013 03:23 PM)Coopdaddy67 Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 12:37 PM)bearcatmill Wrote:  So what your saying is Mich still has 5 losses?

I might be in the minority - but at some point you have to actually win the games. Its great the losses were to ranked teams, but in the end they still lost and had a mediocre record. I was really hoping Mich could turn the corner this year.

No, I'm actually saying I really don't care about the final polls. The only thing that matters is who's #1.

Michigan had a fine year given their problematic injuries. Alabama's the only team that outclassed them.

not following you here....and not seeing this at all. Please explain

(01-08-2013 01:55 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  #22 is about right

x2. Syracuse / Virginia Tech are our only good wins. toledo is a bad loss.

(01-08-2013 09:12 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Some have questioned whether we will be preseason top 25 next year. If the attached article is any indication, we will not even be close. USA Today put together an early top 25 for 2013 and listed 18 or so other programs "to consider". UC is not even in the discussion.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/201...e/1816949/

Absolut nonsense. They have West Virginia on the list. West Virginia loses every playmaker. Austion gone, steadman gone Geno gone. They will end up with a losing record next year.

(01-08-2013 09:45 PM)rosewater Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 09:12 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Some have questioned whether we will be preseason top 25 next year. If the attached article is any indication, we will not even be close. USA Today put together an early top 25 for 2013 and listed 18 or so other programs "to consider". UC is not even in the discussion.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/201...e/1816949/

Absolut nonsense. They have West Virginia on the list. West Virginia loses every playmaker. Austion gone, steadman gone Geno gone. They will end up with a losing record next year.

this

WVA?!?!?!/ LOL they lose a ton of people and are gonna get azz raped again in the B12.

UC will be a top 25ish team. I mean, we at least deserve 'others receiving votes' status. We had 65 first and second year players this past season.

what an efing joke. The lack of respect for UC football is crimminal

Can't argue with a ranking between 20 and 30 for this season when you look at the total body of work. Next years team has a chance to be special if they find a running back and fill the holes on the d-line. I am also interested to see what the schedule looks like when it is all said and done. If SDSU leaves, I hope UC picks up SMU and Houston and not Temple.

(01-08-2013 09:24 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  not following you here....and not seeing this at all. Please explain

What I mean is that Alabama destroyed Michigan in every facet of the game. They were on an entirely different level.

(01-08-2013 09:45 PM)rosewater Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 09:12 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Some have questioned whether we will be preseason top 25 next year. If the attached article is any indication, we will not even be close. USA Today put together an early top 25 for 2013 and listed 18 or so other programs "to consider". UC is not even in the discussion.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/201...e/1816949/

Absolut nonsense. They have West Virginia on the list. West Virginia loses every playmaker. Austion gone, steadman gone Geno gone. They will end up with a losing record next year.

Yeah I commented on that about how much we have coming back. Another season being dis-respected.

From the Big East blog on ESPN:

Wallace in Coronado, Calif., writes: What does Cincinnati have to do to earn respect? Four out of the past five years, 10-plus wins. Same goes with Big East champs, but yet again in the early Top 25, they get snubbed? When is this trend going to change for them?

Andrea Adelson: Ah yes, the monthly question asking when Cincinnati will get some respect. I am not a voter in the AP poll, so let me say that. Here is my guess as to why Cincinnati continually gets snubbed. First: 10-win seasons in the Big East and co-Big East champions do not set national hearts a flutter. Not when said championships are shared with 7-6 and 8-5 teams. Second: Cincinnati last won a marquee nonconference game ... when? Two BCS appearances, two losses. To me, those are the two perceptions the Bearcats have to fight in the minds of the voters.











mc

(01-08-2013 11:18 PM)Coopdaddy67 Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 09:24 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  not following you here....and not seeing this at all. Please explain

What I mean is that Alabama destroyed Michigan in every facet of the game. They were on an entirely different level.

got it

although at what, 8-5 to say that they were only outclassed by bama seems odd.