(09-01-2014 12:38 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(09-01-2014 11:36 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(09-01-2014 09:08 AM)LSU04_08 Wrote:  

(08-30-2014 10:53 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(08-30-2014 09:42 PM)ClairtonPanther Wrote:  And people thought I was crazy when I predicted 0 SEC schools to reach the four team playoff.

Then again, we can't judge a league after one week of action.

Too early to predict but watching the LSU vs Wisconsin game, it is pretty obvious that the SEC is given far too much credit each year due to previous seasons.

First South Carolina and now LSU.

Actually I think a stronger across the board SEC is more likely to get blanked in the playoff than a weaker SEC. A weaker SEC means it is more likely for one of the teams to run the table or go with just one loss. A more equalized SEC means the nightmare scenario could happen for the SEC where teams knock each other off, leading to having every team end with 2 or more losses.

LSU lost over 75% of their play makers. They'll come around.

Yeah, that statement of mine that you quoted was out of date not long after I posted it unfortunately.

I have posted elsewhere that what I saw from LSU and Alabama were two teams full of players that hadn't had much playing time previously. That is why their second half play was much better than their first. Both teams looked good in the second half. Neither of them look like some of the dominant LSU and Alabama teams of recent years but they still look good.

The SEC is still standing on top for now. The worry though should be that because you guys don't appear to have any stand out programs right now, will they be trading losses evenly and keeping the SEC out of the playoff?

I think your post is what is so interesting about FSU. They looked worse as the game went on. They lost the last 35 minutes 31-20.

FSU now has the same advantage they had in the 1990s: The ACC is so soft that they can skate through the conference schedule without challenge, almost assuring themselves of a berth in the playoffs. Heck, it's even easier now because in the 1990s they at least faced major roadblocks in Miami (early in the decade) and/or Florida, but now both of those programs are down.

Just look at last year: FSU was winning ACC games by near-historic margins all year long, they looked like an unstoppable machine. Then in the BCS title game, they faced an Auburn team that was easily the weakest SEC champ since at least 2007, and was still outplayed most of the game and needed some very good fortune in the last few minutes to squeak by at the end.

Not only will FSU make the playoff, but will have the advantage of not having been bruised up by tough conference games.

(09-01-2014 11:36 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(09-01-2014 09:08 AM)LSU04_08 Wrote:  

(08-30-2014 10:53 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(08-30-2014 09:42 PM)ClairtonPanther Wrote:  And people thought I was crazy when I predicted 0 SEC schools to reach the four team playoff.

Then again, we can't judge a league after one week of action.

Too early to predict but watching the LSU vs Wisconsin game, it is pretty obvious that the SEC is given far too much credit each year due to previous seasons.

First South Carolina and now LSU.

Actually I think a stronger across the board SEC is more likely to get blanked in the playoff than a weaker SEC. A weaker SEC means it is more likely for one of the teams to run the table or go with just one loss. A more equalized SEC means the nightmare scenario could happen for the SEC where teams knock each other off, leading to having every team end with 2 or more losses.

LSU lost over 75% of their play makers. They'll come around.

Yeah, that statement of mine that you quoted was out of date not long after I posted it unfortunately.

I have posted elsewhere that what I saw from LSU and Alabama were two teams full of players that hadn't had much playing time previously. That is why their second half play was much better than their first. Both teams looked good in the second half. Neither of them look like some of the dominant LSU and Alabama teams of recent years but they still look good.

The SEC is still standing on top for now. The worry though should be that because you guys don't appear to have any stand out programs right now, will they be trading losses evenly and keeping the SEC out of the playoff?

If we win all or most of our key OOC games it won't matter. A two loss SEC team gets in over everyone but a 1 loss or better PAC school.

(09-01-2014 03:38 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-01-2014 11:36 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(09-01-2014 09:08 AM)LSU04_08 Wrote:  

(08-30-2014 10:53 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(08-30-2014 09:42 PM)ClairtonPanther Wrote:  And people thought I was crazy when I predicted 0 SEC schools to reach the four team playoff.

Then again, we can't judge a league after one week of action.

Too early to predict but watching the LSU vs Wisconsin game, it is pretty obvious that the SEC is given far too much credit each year due to previous seasons.

First South Carolina and now LSU.

Actually I think a stronger across the board SEC is more likely to get blanked in the playoff than a weaker SEC. A weaker SEC means it is more likely for one of the teams to run the table or go with just one loss. A more equalized SEC means the nightmare scenario could happen for the SEC where teams knock each other off, leading to having every team end with 2 or more losses.

LSU lost over 75% of their play makers. They'll come around.

Yeah, that statement of mine that you quoted was out of date not long after I posted it unfortunately.

I have posted elsewhere that what I saw from LSU and Alabama were two teams full of players that hadn't had much playing time previously. That is why their second half play was much better than their first. Both teams looked good in the second half. Neither of them look like some of the dominant LSU and Alabama teams of recent years but they still look good.

The SEC is still standing on top for now. The worry though should be that because you guys don't appear to have any stand out programs right now, will they be trading losses evenly and keeping the SEC out of the playoff?

If we win all or most of our key OOC games it won't matter. A two loss SEC team gets in over everyone but a 1 loss or better PAC school.

You would like to think that would happen and perhaps it should but you don't know that. We have zero evidence to lean upon as to what this committee will do. We also don't know how other conferences will end up faring.

To say that a 2 loss SEC gets in near automatically, that is an awfully big assumption.

Those refs in the WVU-Bama game looked weak.

Still, it is too early to tell about the conferences.

(09-03-2014 06:46 PM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  Those refs in the WVU-Bama game looked weak.

Still, it is too early to tell about the conferences.

I definitely think we got a raw deal on a phantom personal foul and a 9.5 yard first down call for Alabama. Both were just demoralizing. However, we only have ourselves to blame for losing that game. Trickett was brilliant, but dropped passes were a killer and Alabama has quite a running game. Having gone 4-8 last season, I am excited and very cautiously optimistic about our team this year.

(09-03-2014 07:19 PM)EerMeNow Wrote:  

(09-03-2014 06:46 PM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  Those refs in the WVU-Bama game looked weak.

Still, it is too early to tell about the conferences.

I definitely think we got a raw deal on a phantom personal foul and a 9.5 yard first down call for Alabama. Both were just demoralizing. However, we only have ourselves to blame for losing that game. Trickett was brilliant, but dropped passes were a killer and Alabama has quite a running game. Having gone 4-8 last season, I am excited and very cautiously optimistic about our team this year.

I agree that WVU blew their chances (much to my aggravation), but those calls ensured a deep pit of doom.

(09-03-2014 07:19 PM)EerMeNow Wrote:  

(09-03-2014 06:46 PM)HarmonOliphantOberlanderDevine Wrote:  Those refs in the WVU-Bama game looked weak.

Still, it is too early to tell about the conferences.

I definitely think we got a raw deal on a phantom personal foul and a 9.5 yard first down call for Alabama. Both were just demoralizing. However, we only have ourselves to blame for losing that game. Trickett was brilliant, but dropped passes were a killer and Alabama has quite a running game. Having gone 4-8 last season, I am excited and very cautiously optimistic about our team this year.

Yes, even with the bad calls that favored Alabama, you guys very well could have won that game.

It does look like the best WVU team since 2011.

After watching the top of the B1G yesterday, this thread is just plain funny now...

(09-07-2014 01:56 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  After watching the top of the B1G yesterday, this thread is just plain funny now...

Yep! And the silence is now deafening.

The top of the SEC looks weaker than in previous years. How's that for silence?

(09-07-2014 10:16 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  The top of the SEC looks weaker than in previous years. How's that for silence?

That's fine since the Big 10 has felt some of that weakness in action. But seriously, Auburn is stronger than last year. We have the semblance of a defense developing. Georgia is stronger. They are focusing on their strength, power running. A&M is stronger as they too are playing better defensive ball. Arkansas is going to surprise a few folks with big names before the year is out. Florida is looking healthier and Tennessee and Kentucky are much improved. L.S.U. is still a mystery. But nobody should confuse Alabama with being the top of the SEC and they do look weaker, but not much. Only Vanderbilt is in decline and that is significant. The top of the SEC is actually stronger than it has been in a few years. It is only that balance that could present problems.

(09-07-2014 10:16 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  The top of the SEC looks weaker than in previous years. How's that for silence?

South Carolina is weaker, Alabama is weaker, LSU seems to be. Florida is still down.

Yet on the opposite end, Ole Miss is getting stronger, Kentucky is getting stronger (?) and Texas A&M may be the dominant team in the West.

It is not enough for everything to be flipped upside down but the SEC is moving slowly towards parity. That may not be a good thing at all as we move into the Playoff Age.

(09-07-2014 10:24 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-07-2014 10:16 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  The top of the SEC looks weaker than in previous years. How's that for silence?

That's fine since the Big 10 has felt some of that weakness in action. But seriously, Auburn is stronger than last year. We have the semblance of a defense developing. Georgia is stronger. They are focusing on their strength, power running. A&M is stronger as they too are playing better defensive ball. Arkansas is going to surprise a few folks with big names before the year is out. Florida is looking healthier and Tennessee and Kentucky are much improved. L.S.U. is still a mystery. But nobody should confuse Alabama with being the top of the SEC and they do look weaker, but not much. Only Vanderbilt is in decline and that is significant. The top of the SEC is actually stronger than it has been in a few years. It is only that balance that could present problems.

Apparently, this new crop of Missouri receivers are coming along nicely. We have an awesome RB as well. Matty Mauk is good as a sophomore and will just get better with experience. Our two new defensive ends, per the analysts, may be even better than last years crew. Mizzou will be in the middle of this hunt

The SEC is the "ONLY" conference that could put two schools in the playoff this season and was the only conference to place two schools in the NCG during the BCS era.....

(09-08-2014 12:12 PM)Underdog Wrote:  The SEC is the "ONLY" conference that could put two schools in the playoff this season and was the only conference to place two schools in the NCG during the BCS era.....

Disagree, FSU could lose only one game to ND, and ND could go undefeated, in my view that's two playoff contenders from the ACC under that scenario.

(09-08-2014 01:41 PM)NestaKnight1 Wrote:  

(09-08-2014 12:12 PM)Underdog Wrote:  The SEC is the "ONLY" conference that could put two schools in the playoff this season and was the only conference to place two schools in the NCG during the BCS era.....

Disagree, FSU could lose only one game to ND, and ND could go undefeated, in my view that's two playoff contenders from the ACC under that scenario.

ND isn't a ACC conference member.