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Off Season/Spring Practice

A lot of people who know me well asked if I was in mourning now that the college football season is complete.  My first thought was yes, and I am, but I will talk college football 24/7 anytime of the year with whoever will listen.  I love the games and not having any for eight months is disappointing, but there's recruiting right now, spring practice from March until May and then just three months left until kickoff.  The true off-season is just three months.

Here's some issues I would like to see addressed before the 2008 season begins.  First, collapse the back end of the bowl season.  I love all the bowl games, but the major bowls being spread over a week is tough.  I know Fox and ABC are rivals, but can't we get the games played in a shorter period of time?  Second, put the BCS Championship game on Friday.  If the game is going to be a week later and compete against the NFL, at least put the game on a Friday so the fans can watch and not have to go to work the next day.  Sorry to the weekend warriors. 

Third, do something about the coaches posturing for the BCS Championship game.  If your team rattles off five or six wins late in the season, but lost two games in beginning or middle of the season, you still lost games.  Saying that your team is playing the best right now is, (1) an insult to the teams that beat you earlier in the season; (2) stupid because it means you are ignoring your total body of work which is blemished; and (3) unproven because almost any good team on a winning streak can make this argument.

Lastly, stop the complaining about scheduling.  Almost every good team plays one or two cupcakes during the out of conference schedule.  Top teams want the easier games because confernce games are much more difficult.  Additionally, the strength of conference play is cyclical - there's two years for the SEC, then there's two years for the Big 10 or Big 12 - it happens.  When Ohio State scheduled Washington home and away, they were coached by Neuheisel and a top five team.  In 2007, the team was average.

I know it may be difficult to change the bowl dates at this point, but Fox needs to make this adjustment.  The NCAA needs to work with the coaches about their grandstanding.  I know it's their job to promote their team, but when you lose to Stanford at home and you lost to South Carolina and Tennessee, maybe you don't deserve a shot at the title.    

 

Transfers

With Ryan Mallett's official transfer to the University of Arkansas, I was thinking whether or not he should have to sit out one season before he he is eligible to play.  Mr. Mallett's situation is not unique, and many Division I football players are subject to this NCAA rule.

I think a player should be allowed to transfer to a new school, out of conference, without penalty when there's a head coaching change.  I think the rule should apply when no coaching change has occurred.  Here's why;

A player is recruited by the coaching staff and the program.  The coach(es) sell the football program and the school to the player and his family.  He commits based on these factors.  When the coach resigns, is dismissed, or retires, the original factors for choosing the school have changed.  The player should be free to transfer without penalty to another school out of conference.

Conversely, the transferring player should be penalized if he leaves on his own accord without a coaching change.  Under these circumstances, it is the player's desire to change his situation.  The coach and the school have honored their commitment to provide an education and a scholarship, but the player wants out of his original commitment. 

I can imagine situations where a change at the school has caused the player to seek a transfer.  An academic situation changed, a safety issue (Virginia Tech), or some other change occurred.  Under these circumstances, I still think the player should be able to transfer with penalty. 

My belief is the amount of players who transfer is minimal, and generally it only impacts Division 1 to Division 1 transfers.  The student/player should be protected as long as their decision was caused by outside factors.  Losing a starting position on the team is not a legitimate reason for the player to transfer without penalty. 

This issue leads to a discussion about players leaving early for the pros, and whether or not the player should payback the school or be penalized.  If the objective of a university/college is to educate the student for a profession, then a player leaving early to become a pro seems to fit the mold.   Some players are groomed to be pro athletes, and when this occurs, why penalize the player? 

 

Recruiting Wars

Looking back at the 2003-2007 high school football recruiting ranks, it is obvious why LSU and Florida beat Ohio State in back to back BCS Championship games.  Amazingly, USC has not won the title since 2004 because Pete Carroll has had the number one, two or three recruiting class since 2003.  All that talent should have produced at least one or two more titles.

Let's compare LSU, Florida and Ohio State's recruiting classes since 2003.  Rivals.com is the main source of information for this article.  LSU's rank has been #1 (2003), #2 (2004), # 4 (2007), #7 (2006) and #22 (2005) - a year with only 13 recruits.  During the same time period, LSU has had 11 five star recruits and 67 four star recruits.

Florida's rank has been #2 (2003 and 2006), #7 (2004) and #15 (2005).  During this span, Florida has had 10 five star recruits and 45 four star recruits. 

Ohio State's rank has been #9 (2004), #12 (2005 and 2006), #15 (2007) and #41 (2003).  During this time period, OSU has had 4 five star recruits and 45 four star recruits. 

By comparison, USC's rank has been #1 (2004, 2005 and 2006), #2 (2007 and #3 (2003).  During this time period, USC has had 25 five star recruits and 56 four star recruits.   

What does all of this mean?  A lot.  First, Ohio State's margin of error on a recruit is far less than these other schools.  If Ohio State blows a four star receiver recruit, there's probably not another four star behind him.  Second, depth of competition.  When better players are competing against better players for a starting position, the overall level of play gets stronger.  Third, game day adjustments.  Having more quality roster depth gives a coach greater ability to adjust the game plan if necessary.  When Ohio State was down 24-10, Coach Tressel could not just make up a better passing offense.  Ohio State's chances of getting back into the game were very difficult because Tressel lacked the personel to switch his game plan. LSU did not face the same problem down 10-0.  Lastly, offensive creativity.  LSU and Florida can play spread, west coast or pro-set because they have the talent.  Ohio State had to change their offense this year to fit the new quarterback and receivers.  OSU was limited offensively.

One positve sign is Tressel gets more from less.  This gets you wins and shots at championships - three in seven years.  To win the BCS Championship, Tressel will need better talent, a better Big 10 and less time off between Michigan and the championship game.  If this happens, Tressel may be in the big dance every year.

BCS Title Game/2008

As a Buckeye fan, I've waited a few days to write this column because I needed to let me emotions settle after a second straight BCS Title game loss.  As the SEC/Big 10 debate continues to simmer, I am convinced that Monday's game proves nothing about the strength of conferences.  The outcome does prove one thing, Ohio State does not fare well against SEC teams, and LSU whipped the Buckeyes soundly.  This does not mean the SEC dominates the Big 10, the numbers prove otherwise.  In fact, remove the Buckeyes four losses to the SEC since 2000, and the Big 10 defeats the "strongest" conference in the college football quite often.  I conclude that LSU, Florida, Georgia and Auburn would not win the Big 10, and Ohio State would never win the SEC. 

Monday's game actually showed why college football is difficult to predict.  The Buckeyes, a team known for discipline, few penalties and strong special teams play, pulled a 180 and demonstrated a lack of poise under pressure.  Contrast this with LSU who was a heavily penalized team, and often gambled to switch momentum in tight games this season, demonstrated focus and precise execution in the 2nd quarter to build an insurmountable lead. 

OSU lost the game on four plays, the blocked field goal, the two personal fouls on LSU's ensuing drive, the first interception, and the missed blocked punt during LSU's first drive in the 2nd half.  These three plays led to 21 points for LSU. Not to take anything away from LSU because they rightfully deserve the title, but I cannot help thinking that OSU would have made this a closer game with better focus. 

Now I want to address the pundits arguments about Georgia and USC.  USC lost to Oregon and to Stanford.  Injuries or not, the Trojans lost two games.  The fact that you got healthy and beat Arizona State and UCLA (both bowl losers) does prove you deserved a shot at the title.  Georgia was beaten by a non-bowl eligible South Carolina and was destroyed by Tennessee.  The fact that you won your last six games does not prove you deserved a shot at the title. A big victory over Hawaii does not help your case.

On their finest day, Georgia and USC would be great, and very difficult to beat.  Unfortunately, teams are not always at their finest.  This is what makes college football enjoyable.  Ohio State was young this year and played an average schedule.  They have a lot to prove, but the Buckeyes will be stronger next season.  The Big 10 started it's climb back to the top this season (2002/2003 they were the best), as did the Big 12.  The best conference is cyclical, and my opinion is the Big 10 and Big 12 will dominate in 2008.  The SEC will be strong too.

Most people hate preseason polls, but I love them  Here's my 2008 preseason Top 10:

1.  Florida

2.  Oklahoma

3.  Georgia

4.  Ohio State

5.  USC

6.  Auburn

7.  Texas

8.  Missouri

8.  Wisconsin

9. West Virginia

10.   North Carolina (actually I think they'll be top 25 at the end of the season - this is my guilty pleasure prediction)

Other teams to watch:  NC State, Colorado, Washington, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Mich St and Northwestern.  These teams will not be elite, but they will challenge the top teams and pull off some upsets.

      

Bowl Revelations

What did yesterday's bowl games reveal?  Not much.   When healthy, USC is the best team in the nation.  They should be with all the talent they have.  I still think the NCAA needs to investigate more deeply into the Reggie Bush handouts, but that still does not diminish USC's on field accomplishments.  USC should not cry though because their third team is good enough to beat Stanford, but they did not get the job done.  Illinois did not help themselves by turning the ball over during critical parts of the game.  The outcome would not have changed, but the score would have closer.

The WAC was as awful this season, and Hawaii's strength was justifiably questioned.  Boise, Nevada and Hawaii were all hammered in their bowl games.  Only Fresno showed up to play.  I do think Hawaii was better than they showed last night, but they are still a two to three touchdown underdog to any Top 10 team. 

The SEC is a great conference, but not as dominant as the experts bestow upon them.  True, they are 6-2 in bowl games, but their wins, except Georgia's, have hardly been dominant.  Michigan's win over Florida and Missouri's dominant win over Arkansas shows that the top teams from other conferences are just as good.  The middle of the packs teams in every conference are just that - average.  Anyone who watches these teams play and argues differently is not being too honest.

Speed is not owned exclusively by the SEC.  Wisconsin and Michigan easily had as much speed as Tennessee and Florida.  Anyone watching Missouri has to say Tony Temple has speed.  USC's Joe McKnight is  a blazer, but one Illinois DB caught him from behind.  Mendenhall could not be caught from behind by USC's DBs.  Michigan's Adrian Arrington had better than average speed on his way to 150 yards receiving and two touchdowns.  All great teams have speed. 

Winning and losing in college football is usually determined by three things:  turnovers, special teams play and penalties, not speed.  Hawaii had six turnovers, Illinois had four, Arkansas had five, Michigan had four in a win which really kept Florida in the game.  Special teams play a huge part in field position.  Michigan's recovery of a pooched kickoff helped give them a 14 point lead in the third quarter.  Penalties stall key drives and jeopardize field position.  I think if you win the above categories, you probably win the game.

There's still three tough bowl games remaining.  I see Oklahoma winning tonight, Va Tech tomorrow night and Ohio State on Monday.  All the games will be close.