College football 2015

[pedro47]

That Stanford v Notre Dame game was fantastic. Always felt like it was going to go down to the very end, and it didn't disappoint. The TCU v Baylor game was entertaining as well -- watching two high powered offenses get stymied by the weather.

I don't like predicting outcomes and I generally suck at it, but I've been thinking for about a month now that I wouldn't be surprised if UNC takes out Clemson.

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That Stanford & Notre Dame game was the best college football game so far this season. I was sorry to see Notre Dame lose another heart breaker.

 

[Elan]

Wow. Just read that UGA is firing Richt. Hope they have someone better on deck.

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[TUGBrian]

I hope he returns to FSU as the o-coordinator!

 

[Elan]

Richt is a good guy. Problem was he recruited the typical SEC hood, and then would boot them off the team after they'd been in the program for a couple years. To his credit, he had the stones/integrity to kick them off the team, but he should have been more selective in his recruiting in the first place.

Rumor is that mullen and jimbo are the top 2 on UGA's wish list.

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[jme]

Top prospect is actually Kirby Smart, DC for Alabama. Next would be Florida St's Jimbo Fisher (maybe the safest pick, and most successful as a head coach already), and possibly Miss St's Dan Mullen, altho some place Houston's coach Tom Herman higher than Dan Mullen as a prospect. Those are the "top Dawgs" imho.

Smart is a UGA grad, outstanding UGA football player, and actually worked for the UGA coaching staff in 1999 as an administrative assistant, then again in 2005 under Richt as running backs coach. If he wants the job, I think it's his. I'd be surprised if UGA fired Richt without a "wink" from Kirby. But any of those top 3 prospects would be a vast, vast, vast improvement over Richt.

As for Richt, I've not been on board since day one. He personally made a couple of major strategic miscues in his first BIG game against South Carolina in 2001, and lost the game. And after that, he repeated those same types of miscues over and over throughout his coaching career at UGA, amazingly never learning the lesson, and lost games because of those blunders. He's a wonderful person and inspires his players and coaches, without a doubt, and he's always been a fantastic recruiter. As a person, he could rightly be considered a hero of sorts, as his integrity is as good as it gets, and frankly I strive to be like him in so many ways. These things are not debatable, but we're talking football, not life lessons. If being a great football coach is part of the man, then the other things are certainly bonuses. If being a mediocre "football mind" is part of that man, then the other attributes get lost. That is what has been borne out here.

But never forget that his primary job, for which he was hired, was to coach a major university's football team in the SEC, NOT to do the other things mentioned. He was hired to "coach-up the players" and to be as successful as possible. Success in the SEC is measured in wins and championships, unfortunately or not, right or not.

With the talent he recruited year after year, he could rightly be considered (somewhat of..) a failure for that which he was hired, even with 9-3 and 10-2 seasons (especially if you remember how UGA lost some of those games). He didn't have to be great to get those records----the talent gave it to him without much coaching genius. Frankly I'm tired of his saying, "Well, we have overcome a lot of adversity, and we've hung in there". His job was to AVOID adversity, not overcome it, and his losses against "down" SEC teams this year (Tennessee and Florida), and near losses against mediocre teams (Missouri, Ga Southern, and Ga Tech) sealed his fate. His team at one point in the season went 2 games without scoring a touchdown. Hiring of the current Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was a HUGE mistake and bonehead move, because Schottenheimer was a failure at his job with the Rams in the NFL, and they were happy to see him go.

The powers that be, including Athletic Director Greg McGarity, could not bear it any longer, and made a correct decision. Great guy, average coach, poor "field general". He couldn't even manage his time-outs, and frequently, if not always, ran out before the end (and critical points) of games. UGA had no designated "special teams" coach under Coach Richt, yet they suffered game after game from "special teams" blunders. blunders that cost them games. And.....he wasn't as strong a disciplinarian as some might think---I've heard stories. In my personal opinion, he's a cerebral lightweight. A famous philosopher once said, "Stupid is as Stupid does". Good riddance as a head coach.

Wanna know how I really feel? to put it into one word, happy.





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[x3 skier]

That Stanford & Notre Dame game was the best college football game so far this season. I was sorry to see Notre Dame lose another heart breaker.

Strange, I feel exactly the opposite about the outcome.

Cheers

 

[TUGBrian]

eh, they said the same thing about fisher when the les miles rumors started...

I cant see him waiting all those years behind bowden, and bringing FSU to this much success (and continuing to do so)...that hed start over at another school.

 

[Elan]

Funny how every fan base thinks the next guy up will win them a NC. Might happen, might not. I do know that coaches who win 10 games a season and run a reasonably clean program are hard to come by.

 

[ace2000]

It looks like an easy year for the selection committee with everything falling into place. These five teams control their own destinies... if anyone else gets in besides these, they will have to get very lucky.

Clemson
Alabama
Oklahoma (probably a lock since their regular season is over)
Winner of Iowa vs Michigan St



College Football Playoff scenarios for the remaining contenders
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...homa-iowa-michigan-state-notre-dame/76484762/

 

[ace2000]

Also read that they are projecting an FSU vs. Notre Dame matchup on New Year's day at the Peach Bowl. Nice!

 

[TUGBrian]

ha, both those teams travel really well...that should be a great game.

 

[ace2000]

Also read that they are projecting an FSU vs. Notre Dame matchup on New Year's day at the Peach Bowl. Nice!

Correction... December 31st in Atlanta.

 

[am1]

Funny how every fan base thinks the next guy up will win them a NC. Might happen, might not. I do know that coaches who win 10 games a season and run a reasonably clean program are hard to come by.

Is it that or is it just to generate excitement with the fan base with the hopes the new coach will do better.

The thinking may be doing something is better then nothing. I think a coach should be kept longer with the winning percentages that Miles and Richt have.

How many top level jobs are already open this year?

 

[jme]

Funny how every fan base thinks the next guy up will win them a NC. Might happen, might not. I do know that coaches who win 10 games a season and run a reasonably clean program are hard to come by.

yes, BUT....

UGA's Coach Richt could have won 10 games without showing up because of the inherent talent he had. Or any of his assistants could have done an equivalent job. My point is that with the given talent year after year, and with the #1 nationally ranked quarterback recruit coming on board next year, it's a given that THIS coach wasn't going to win a championship ever......in 15 years he hasn't.

So, being the business that it is, a change is needed, and a better "football mind" is needed on the sideline, not a "good guy". If I did well on 10 out of 12 patients, I'd be gone soon too.

 

[Elan]

Is it that or is it just to generate excitement with the fan base with the hopes the new coach will do better.

The thinking may be doing something is better then nothing. I think a coach should be kept longer with the winning percentages that Miles and Richt have.

How many top level jobs are already open this year?

I live in a place where the expectations are as high as anywhere else in the country. As the winningest CFB program of this century, being in the midst of an 8-4 season has the fans besides themselves -- calling for the OC's head on a platter -- all this less than a year removed from a 3rd Fiesta Bowl win. Makes me wonder sometimes...........

My main point is there are no assurances that the next guy is going to be any better, particularly if it's a coordinator moving into a HC position. Lots of great coordinators have fallen on their faces as head coaches. Totally different job responsibilities.

 

[TUGBrian]

I think winning your main rivalry games and or conference means more to fans than a national title....as most fans realize that its literally 1:130 chance for a title every year...so if you can at least compete...that is acceptable.

what is NOT acceptable is losing to your in state or major rival year after year...combine that with lack of conference title games...and you are on the hotseat even if you had a solid winning record.

I think even if the bulldogs were 8-4 for the last 5 seasons, but beat tech and florida every year...richt would still have a job.

 

[Elan]

I think winning your main rivalry games and or conference means more to fans than a national title....as most fans realize that its literally 1:130 chance for a title every year...so if you can at least compete...that is acceptable.

what is NOT acceptable is losing to your in state or major rival year after year...combine that with lack of conference title games...and you are on the hotseat even if you had a solid winning record.

I think even if the bulldogs were 8-4 for the last 5 seasons, but beat tech and florida every year...richt would still have a job.

For the most part, I agree. Losing consistently to rivals will cost any coach his job -- drives the fan base nuts. But there's no reason to expect UGA to beat UF consistently. Why should there be? Just because UGA won a NC 35 years ago doesn't mean they're elite now. Hell, BYU won a NC 30 years ago, and they can't even get into a P5 conference.

FTR, over the last 5 years Richt went 4-1 vs GT and 3-2 vs UF. And went to the SEC title game in 2011 and 2012.

 

[jme]

For the most part, I agree. Losing consistently to rivals will cost any coach his job -- drives the fan base nuts. But there's no reason to expect UGA to beat UF consistently. Why should there be? Just because UGA won a NC 35 years ago doesn't mean they're elite now. Hell, BYU won a NC 30 years ago, and they can't even get into a P5 conference.

FTR, over the last 5 years Richt went 4-1 vs GT and 3-2 vs UF. And went to the SEC title game in 2011 and 2012.

It was the combination of not only losing to Florida, but being blown out by Florida when Florida was having a down year and UGA was a favorite. Also a loss to lowly Tennessee in a VERY down year, plus BARELY beating Georgia Southern, a team in a lower conference and never a threat under normal circumstances. UGA beat them by only 6 points. Also only beat a "down" Missouri team by 3 points (score 9-6, no touchdowns).

AND, going two full games without scoring a touchdown, which is unheard of for a team with the high caliber offensive talent-----some of the best running backs in the country, and same for receivers (both of which we recruit annually without fail). We send multiple "specialty position" players to the NFL annually.

Anyway, this was not an impulsive decision. Richt was basically going through the motions, seldom aware of his time-out status during a game, had NO SPECIAL TEAMS COACH for the UGA team while committing multiple special team blunders EACH game, with no remorse and no plans to improve that situation. Not to mention seldom scoring from the 2-yard line with a first down. Of course one of those plays was always a stupidly-called pass, with the big running backs scratching their heads on the sideline.

Simply time for change, hopefully with someone not complacent with mediocrity. At least for UGA, we were mired in mediocrity, evident for fans and those who follow football. It was not only the (fairly decent) record, but how we went about it, i.e., very poorly.

 

[Elan]

Simply time for change, hopefully with someone not complacent with mediocrity. At least for UGA, we were mired in mediocrity, evident for fans and those who follow football. It was not only the (fairly decent) record, but how we went about it, i.e., very poorly.

Certainly nothing wrong with change. But, if I were UGA and was ditching a consistent 10 win per season coach in search of more on-field success, I'd be targeting a higher probability hire than Smart. Someone like Larry Fedora. Guy has won at USM and UNC, neither exactly known for it's football prowess.

Maybe Smart takes the UGA to the promised land. Or maybe UGA is doing this same dance 5 years from now. Presumably, we'll see.

 

[TUGBrian]

For the most part, I agree. Losing consistently to rivals will cost any coach his job -- drives the fan base nuts. But there's no reason to expect UGA to beat UF consistently. Why should there be? Just because UGA won a NC 35 years ago doesn't mean they're elite now. Hell, BYU won a NC 30 years ago, and they can't even get into a P5 conference.

FTR, over the last 5 years Richt went 4-1 vs GT and 3-2 vs UF. And went to the SEC title game in 2011 and 2012.

eh, last sec title was 10 years ago, and hes 5-6 vs florida in that time frame.

heck FSU got rid of bobby bowden early (although jimbo was already lined up and on the staff) for less than that!

 

[Elan]

eh, last sec title was 10 years ago, and hes 5-6 vs florida in that time frame.

Well, I'd argue that's about right for UGA. They should win the east about 1/3 of the time (1/3 UGA, 1/3 UF and 1/3 "the field") and then beat the west champion about 1/3 of the time that they win the east. So .33 *.33 = one SEC championship every 9 or 10 years.

 

[TUGBrian]

I guess I see it as you can either

1. win a national title

or

2. win a conference title

or

3. regularly beat your main rivals

but failing to do all 3 in a long enough time frame, and any coach is on the hot seat!

 

[colatown]

That Stanford & Notre Dame game was the best college football game so far this season. I was sorry to see Notre Dame lose another heart breaker.

Were you sorry to see UVA, Temple and BC lose heartbreakers to ND?

 

[csxjohn]

I think winning your main rivalry games and or conference means more to fans than a national title....

You are absolutely right when it comes to me. As long as Ohio State beats Michigan, nothing else matters. I especially liked Sat's game because of all the whining Harbaugh does after every penalty flag is thrown. Hey, the refs get it right some times so wait until you see a replay or two before you get all bent out of shape.

OSU will not be in the Rose Bowl. If the winner of the conference title makes it to the final four, then the loser of that game will go for the Roses. I still see OSU cracking the top four if Iowa beats Michigan State and Oklahoma falters.
If Alabama loses this week I still think they are one of the top four.

How ever it turns out Sat was my season.

 

[beejaybee]

Buckeye Victory 11/28

You are absolutely right when it comes to me. As long as Ohio State beats Michigan, nothing else matters. I especially liked Sat's game because of all the whining Harbaugh does after every penalty flag is thrown. Hey, the refs get it right some times so wait until you see a replay or two before you get all bent out of shape.

OSU will not be in the Rose Bowl. If the winner of the conference title makes it to the final four, then the loser of that game will go for the Roses. I still see OSU cracking the top four if Iowa beats Michigan State and Oklahoma falters.
If Alabama loses this week I still think they are one of the top four.

How ever it turns out Sat was my season.

Happy that the Bucks beat TTUN on Saturday, but the victory was bittersweet for me. The game against the Spartans was the turning point of the season, and the entire OSU organization blew it.