And at one time there was talk of two Big Ten teams in the playoff. Might be a while before that talk resurfaces.
I thought it was a pretty 'blah' year for the P12 and I think that's shown in the bowls. If USC takes care of Rape State, the conference will finish at .500 for the campaign. Washington did about like I expected. The Husky D is legit and they had to defend a short field all night long. This Alabama D is fighting for their place as the best of all-time at Alabama and that's saying a lot. We'll see how the Clemson O does next week. I was really surprised at how easily Clemson handled Ohio State, then again, the case could be made that Clemson was playing a team that didn't even win their own division, let alone conference. Not taking a shot at Buckeye fans here, I'm just trying to look at it from the macro bottom line. For as great as the ACC has been this year, was there a bigger bowl flop than Louisville? They got beat down by a so-so LSU team.
While I tend to agree Dave, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Regardless of how the title game goes, the SEC has a decidedly bad record vs the ACC in the bowl games this year (1-3 at the moment). I think the title game is kinda removed from everything else. Alabama is just so special, especially defensively, and Clemson has absolutely proven to be the team worthy of taking a shot at the champ. I think B1G fans need to be pulling hard for Rape State in the Rose Bowl. For the first time since I was probably 3, I will be pulling for USC to win a game. I just hate Rape State that much and will since they will forever escape the punishment they truly deserved. Anyway, there was talk that the toughest division in football was the one won by Penn State (with Ohio State and Michigan finishing 2 and 3). There was just so much hype and hyperbole this season. If Rape State loses, the B1G will really be behind the 8 ball. They'll really need Rape State to win that game to save face and even if they do win, the B1G will be in the stable at 3-5.
Alabama's defense vs Clemson's offense. Watson is the type of qb that can nullify the Alabama pass rush and more. They also shut out OSU last night so their defense is not shabby either. Alabama's offense has to have a better game to beat Clemson. Hopefully Kiffin will subdue his ego and do what is best for the team. We won't have the luxury of another lackluster zone read, incomplete passing performance. Alabama will need to win the time of possession game and keep the ball out of Watson's hands (that means give the damned ball to Scarborough early and often). Coach Sweeney is one of Coach Bryant's boys so that makes this one a little special too.
Never thought I would see a Meyer team so completely owned. Clemson completely dominated both LOS and that was that.
Corey my comment was specifically reserved for the Big 10. I haven't gotten over the chastising I received up in Michigan back in 2006 when the Big Ten and Michigan fans were miffed they didn't get a rematch between UM and OSU. That pissed me off and of course UF made that point moot in their easy win over the Buckeyes for the title. Now we have two years in a row of utter failure by the Big 10 in the CFB playoffs ( 69-0!) and I just don't want to see that hype again next season about the Big 10 deserving two teams in the playoff or even one team having more consideration than other conferences etc. etc. I have called Ohio State extremely well since the start of the playoff format. I knew they had a very good shot to win it all in 2014 and I also knew this year's team had a lot of flaws and was lucky to beat Michigan and didn't even win their division as you say.
Don, you have a really young team in a roster stocked with five star talent. Suspect Urban will do some housecleaning re coaching staff and that you guys will be ready to roll in 2017.
Bobda, I agree but that whipping last night was still shocking. Often times, I think we begin to believe some of the things we read? :wink:
The score was a little surprising to me (thanks to the OSU kicker who was awful) but watching their last few games showed a team that just wasn't hitting on all cylinders. I posted back in the first week of Dec. It was the exact opposite of their championship year in 2014.
So we're set for the champ game. Things could get interesting. Kiffin's penchant to treat his young QB as if he's got the whole college game figured out seems to bite them quite often. If he was to line up and use him like Greg McElroy... I think the Tide would win easily. Something on the order of 24-13. BUT... with Kiffin being SO clever and asking the QB to make more and more decisions.... mistakes will happen, and Clemson is certainly good enough to make them pay.
I see where Lane Kiffin will not coach the Tide offense in the championship game. That honor will go to Sarkisian, who is already on board. Saban said this was a mutual decision between all of the parties involved.
I just read that as well Don and that he has already earned $224,000 of a possible $250,000 in bonuses...Im curious what kp's opinion on this is..
Certainly a unique move by Saban. But fortunately for him Sark comes from basically the same background on offense that Kiffin does and that he was on staff as an offensive analyst for this year so he should know the players and the playbook. But if the Tide loses the game on the 9th and it's a bad offensive game, Saban will get some criticism for this move. I do remember at ND our DCoord accepted the Cincy job at the end of the '93 season and there were reports that he's already taken the job after the FSU win and was focused on that job rather than BC who pulled the upset. He wasn't with the team for bowl prep for the A&M/Cotton Bowl. He was with the team for the game though. Still not an esp good situation. Now I've read that Kiffin reportedly said he can't remember any conversations with Saban that weren't ass chewings and that set Nick off and he fired him. The official story is that they came to a mutual agreement that it was not fair to either FAU or the Alabama players for Kiffin to continue so everybody said nice things and he's done. Slick Rick on XM said the problem is recruting, these coaches moving to HC at another school have to get on the recruiting trail right away. Said that there needs to be an agreement to push back the Nat'l Signing Day so that guys can finish up with their season and still have time to work on recruiting. Said it would be good for kids as well. I'd agree except that these kids have been going through recruiting for several years so to me it drags on too long. I'd be OK with pushing the Na'tl Signing Day back if they also had a Fall signing like every other sport. But for the most part recruiting takes way too long these days, with kids dragging it out so they can make a big splash and start building their brand! :roll:
Not all kids draw it out to make a big splash. Some kids are already filling what very little free time they have with recruiting nonsense. It's kind of crazy that more people don't take into consideration the fact that these kids basically have no life from the time they are 16 onward, especially if they play more than 1 sport.. which a great many football recruits do. I'm kinda shocked that Saban made the move with Kiffin now. What's one more week?
I am surprised as well, imagine you are the Clemson coaches brainstorming for next Monday night and now realize the man who called the plays on all that game tape you are watching is no longer with the team....
Well it doesn't break my heart. As y'all know, I have not been happy with the playcalling or with Hurts growth this year. We will have had 3 highly rated qb's transfer by the end of this season. So this doesn't break my heart. Our offense sputtered against Washington and our defense was able to compensate for that until we started giving the ball to Scarborough in the second half and put the game away. Hopefully Sarkasian has been paying attention and will do a better job. 8)
I don't think it makes any difference at all. Who's going to argue with any decision Saban makes regarding his team and coaching staff? He knows the score. Alabama won't miss a beat. Of course, if Clemson should win the game, there will be second guessing by some. :roll:
The consensus amongst most of us Alabama fans is that this year, Kiffin has not handled the Alabama qb's well and he lets his ego get in the way of his playcalling. I'm not sure what precipitated his early departure but I don't think it was early enough. :?