timschochet
Footballguy
I think Price is the greatest sports story ever, only because the hooker was so ugly and supposedly Price had her scream "Roll Tide!" Awesome.
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*** Official 2015 College Football Thread *** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter wadegarrett
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gump
Footballguy
She screamed 'Roll Tide'...he then screamed 'It's Rollin' Baby!'.
A guy who was ridiculously in over his head...good thing it ended before it got started.
ATC1
Footballguy
I believe it is #3 game on the SEC pecking order.
#1 Bama vs. Ole Miss - CBS - 2:30
#2 Auburn vs LSU - ESPN - 6
#3 MSU vs A&M - ESPN 11
The rest SEC network
culdeus
Footballguy
CBusAlex
Footballguy
PlasmaDogPlasma
Footballguy
Florida/Tenn at noon on the SECN says pretty much all you need to know about where those programs have gone. Used to be one of the games of the year in the SEC.
timschochet
Footballguy
living on the west coast, that was THE SEC game I would always try to watch every year.
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
So much to gripe about from that night. South Carolina deservedly fell out of the top 25 for the first time after 69 straight weeks.
gump
Footballguy
ATC1
Footballguy
The Commish
Footballguy
News conference not going over well with Michigan fanbase.There's a news conference today....I kept my thoughts to this in the Michigan thread since I didn't feel this was the place, but since you guys brought it up and not me, I'll vent.I've been a generally patient fan. I've given Hoke the benefit of the doubt. What happened Saturday is inexcusable and exactly what Brandon needed to happen. Now, he'll just dump Hoke and save his own sorry ### to continue the destruction of the Michigan brand.
Hoke's statement on Morris, FWIW:
![[icon]](/data/avatars/m/5/5167.jpg?1660313464){kind=avatar}
[icon]
Insoxicated
Gotta love Clay Travis 
I'm an admitted SEC honk, but dude takes it to the next level.
Good stuff in this week's article ...
Some Highlights:
• If the committee were picking teams today, FSU shouldn't be in the playoff.
• Absent Dooley's decision to blow Worley's redshirt, I really think the Vols would win the east next year.
• Ole Miss is going to get destroyed by Alabama unless Bo Wallace plays the game of his life.
• SEC West is a tougher division standing alone than the entire ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 are combined.
• Arkansas (the 6th or 7th best team in the SEC West) would win the Big Ten.
I'm an admitted SEC honk, but dude takes it to the next level.Good stuff in this week's article ...
Some Highlights:
• If the committee were picking teams today, FSU shouldn't be in the playoff.
• Absent Dooley's decision to blow Worley's redshirt, I really think the Vols would win the east next year.
• Ole Miss is going to get destroyed by Alabama unless Bo Wallace plays the game of his life.
• SEC West is a tougher division standing alone than the entire ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 are combined.
• Arkansas (the 6th or 7th best team in the SEC West) would win the Big Ten.
The Ref
Footballguy
Obviously the right decision - the kid played well this past week. LSU still has a shot and they really can't punt the year yet. That said one more loss along the way and it's time to get ready for the title run(s) in 15 and 16. This team has a lot of good young talent and I can't wait to see what they can really do in the years to come.
Tom Servo
Nittany Beavers
Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
B-Deep
Footballguy
Brady HokeNews conference not going over well with Michigan fanbase.There's a news conference today....I kept my thoughts to this in the Michigan thread since I didn't feel this was the place, but since you guys brought it up and not me, I'll vent.
Hoke's statement on Morris, FWIW:
"we would never ever put a player on the field with a possibility of a head injury"
but you did
twice
[icon]
Insoxicated
Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
This year's Bama squad ISN'T as good as previous years. IMO there is a 50/50 shot we don't see Bama in the 4 team playoff this year.
timschochet
Footballguy
I dunno, dude. Did you watch that last game against Florida? That Sims kid showed me something. Alabama looks pretty awesome to me.Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
This year's Bama squad ISN'T as good as previous years. IMO there is a 50/50 shot we don't see Bama in the 4 team playoff this year.
I would probably agree, but remember two weeks ago they beat Texas in Texas with Jerry Neuheisel at QB with very little practice reps. They beat UVA at UVA without their starting C, Jake Brendel, and it was a horrible offensive performance. They've been excellent since with Hundley and Brendel both playing.
Their current wins seem mediocre, but UCLA played 3 road games out of 4, and their non-conference opponents have a combined record of 10-3 in games not played against UCLA (Virginia 3-1, Memphis 2-1, and Texas 2-1). Those other 3 losses by the Bruin opponents all came against teams in the Top 25. Texas and Virginia both lost to #18 BYU, and Memphis just lost to #11 Ole Miss.
So, UCLA's non-conference opponents have lost 7 total games -- 4 of the losses were in games against UCLA (kinda hard to hold that against them), and the other 3 were all to Top 25 teams.
The ESPN Football Power Index has UCLA's opponents ranked as follows: Virginia (39), Memphis (46), Texas (30) and throw in ASU, who UCLA just destroyed (29).
The teams they've played just might be a lot better than many, including me, thought prior to the season and makes a lackluster start look a little better.
On the flip side, FSU deserves some goodwill from last season, but would you say they've performed great in all games thus far? Their schedule hasn't been more difficult than UCLA's, either (using ESPN FPI): OSU (26), Citadel (NR - FCS), Clemson (16), NC State (47).
And, ESPN has UCLA's team efficiencies (how each unit has performed adjusted for competition) ranking at #9 significantly above FSU's at #30.
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Quez
Footballguy
You laid out some good stuff about UCLA, but I could say the same about FSU. Opponents are better than perceived, lost a ton of players, have had injuries, no snaps for McGuire, etc.
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Quez
Footballguy
Florida State's defense turned in another disappointing performance on Saturday, giving up huge numbers to N.C. State in a come-from-behind 56-41 victory.
The Wolfpack scored on their first four drives, racking up 24 quick points. That was the most points ever surrendered by an FSU defense in the first quarter of a game. When the dust settled, N.C. State had posted 41 total points on the scoreboard, the most given up by an FSU defense since surrendering 44 in the 2010 ACC Championship Game. And N.C. State's 520 total yards of offense is the first 500-plus yard performance by an FSU opponent since a 2009 loss to the Florida Gators.
USA Today Sports Images
NC State QBJacoby Brissett racked up nearly 400 yards of total offense against the Seminole defense.
While there isn't an official number for "missed tackles" on the post-game stat sheet, it's a good bet that Saturday marked the most in this category during the Jimbo Fisher era.
And the poor showing by the Seminole defense was hardly an aberration. FSU currently ranks in the bottom half of FBS teams in all five of the major defensive statistical categories kept by the NCAA. The defense has also struggled creating turnovers - through the first four games, FSU has forced five total turnovers (1.25 average) compared to a 2.4 average in 2013.
You get the picture by now - the Seminole defense hasn't looked anything like the juggernaut unit that dominated opposing offenses last season.
With seven returning defensive starters, plus three former five-star and 13 four-star recruits on the two-deep depth chart, most didn't expect this big of a drop-off from last season. But if you take a closer look at the changes from last season and the missing players, the early growing pains shouldn't come as a huge surprise.
When FSU kicked off the 2014 season, it had to replace four key players who were not only experienced play-makers, but exceptional leaders. The foursome of Terrence Brooks, Telvin Smith, Lamarcus Joyner and Timmy Jernigan all earned first-team All-ACC honors, with Jernigan and Joyner also being first-team All-Americans. All four were selected in the first five rounds of the NFL Draft and made up four of FSU's top five tacklers in 2013.
Individually, Smith led the defense in total tackles (90), Jernigan in tackles for loss (11), Joyner in sacks (5.5), and Brooks was second in pass break-ups (5). All in all, this group accounted for 29.3 percent of FSU's total tackles, 36.2 percent of tackles for loss, 37.1 percent of sacks and 31.6 percent of forced turnovers - and that was despite sitting out large portions of second halves when FSU held commanding leads.
In addition to the major loss of production, there is a dearth of experience on defense - no seniors in the starting lineup and only two on the two-deep depth chart (Desmond Hollin and Nick Waisome).
Florida State also had to replace its defensive coordinator when Jeremy Pruitt bolted for Georgia. Charles Kelly took over the position after coaching FSU's linebackers in 2013. The 46-year old coach is employing the same defensive scheme as Pruitt, but the early season struggles have some beginning to question whether he's the right man for the job.
In fairness, it's probably too early to make judgments or draw hard conclusions about Kelly and the Seminole defense.
In addition to having to replace the major cogs from last year's squad, the defense has been handcuffed with several key players missing action. Florida State faced N.C. State on Saturday without arguably its best defender in Mario Edwards Jr., who missed the game after suffering a concussion in the Clemson game.
And with defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample suffering a season-ending injury last weekend, two of FSU's starting defensive linemen were out. Plus two players that Jimbo Fisher once referred to as the top two athletes on defense, Ukeme Eligwe and Matthew Thomas, have been out through the first four games of the season.
The good news is that Edwards should be back this weekend and Eligwe could return as well. Thomas' suspension, meanwhile, should be over in time for the Oct. 18 showdown versus a Notre Dame team that is currently ranked in the top 10.
And while some of the defensive numbers are horrific, there are some encouraging signs.
In each of the last two games, the defense showed significant improvement as the games progressed. Against Clemson, FSU's defense kept a struggling offense in the game by holding the Tigers to just seven second-half points. In fact, the defense's numbers improved across the board in the second half, including holding Clemson to just 2-of-7 on third and fourth downs, and allowing just one red-zone score in four tries.
Winston comes back firing for FSU offense
The pattern of improvement continued against N.C. State. After giving up a whopping 24 points and 214 yards in the first quarter, the Wolfpack scored on only three of their next 11 drives - and all three of those scores came off of turnovers. In fact, N.C. State failed to score on eight straight drives when starting inside its 40-yard line over the final three quarters. That certainly doesn't excuse the massive breakdowns or missed tackles early in the game, but it does show a defense that is capable of learning from mistakes.
With an emphasis on improved tackling in practice and the return of some key players, there's every reason to expect the defense to improve during the second part of the season. But there's no way fans should expect a replay of last year's dominating squad that finished No. 2 in scoring defense, No. 3 in total defense, and helped FSU to a No. 3 ranking in turnover margin.
The Wolfpack scored on their first four drives, racking up 24 quick points. That was the most points ever surrendered by an FSU defense in the first quarter of a game. When the dust settled, N.C. State had posted 41 total points on the scoreboard, the most given up by an FSU defense since surrendering 44 in the 2010 ACC Championship Game. And N.C. State's 520 total yards of offense is the first 500-plus yard performance by an FSU opponent since a 2009 loss to the Florida Gators.
USA Today Sports Images
NC State QBJacoby Brissett racked up nearly 400 yards of total offense against the Seminole defense.
While there isn't an official number for "missed tackles" on the post-game stat sheet, it's a good bet that Saturday marked the most in this category during the Jimbo Fisher era.
And the poor showing by the Seminole defense was hardly an aberration. FSU currently ranks in the bottom half of FBS teams in all five of the major defensive statistical categories kept by the NCAA. The defense has also struggled creating turnovers - through the first four games, FSU has forced five total turnovers (1.25 average) compared to a 2.4 average in 2013.
You get the picture by now - the Seminole defense hasn't looked anything like the juggernaut unit that dominated opposing offenses last season.
With seven returning defensive starters, plus three former five-star and 13 four-star recruits on the two-deep depth chart, most didn't expect this big of a drop-off from last season. But if you take a closer look at the changes from last season and the missing players, the early growing pains shouldn't come as a huge surprise.
When FSU kicked off the 2014 season, it had to replace four key players who were not only experienced play-makers, but exceptional leaders. The foursome of Terrence Brooks, Telvin Smith, Lamarcus Joyner and Timmy Jernigan all earned first-team All-ACC honors, with Jernigan and Joyner also being first-team All-Americans. All four were selected in the first five rounds of the NFL Draft and made up four of FSU's top five tacklers in 2013.
Individually, Smith led the defense in total tackles (90), Jernigan in tackles for loss (11), Joyner in sacks (5.5), and Brooks was second in pass break-ups (5). All in all, this group accounted for 29.3 percent of FSU's total tackles, 36.2 percent of tackles for loss, 37.1 percent of sacks and 31.6 percent of forced turnovers - and that was despite sitting out large portions of second halves when FSU held commanding leads.
In addition to the major loss of production, there is a dearth of experience on defense - no seniors in the starting lineup and only two on the two-deep depth chart (Desmond Hollin and Nick Waisome).
Florida State also had to replace its defensive coordinator when Jeremy Pruitt bolted for Georgia. Charles Kelly took over the position after coaching FSU's linebackers in 2013. The 46-year old coach is employing the same defensive scheme as Pruitt, but the early season struggles have some beginning to question whether he's the right man for the job.
In fairness, it's probably too early to make judgments or draw hard conclusions about Kelly and the Seminole defense.
In addition to having to replace the major cogs from last year's squad, the defense has been handcuffed with several key players missing action. Florida State faced N.C. State on Saturday without arguably its best defender in Mario Edwards Jr., who missed the game after suffering a concussion in the Clemson game.
And with defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample suffering a season-ending injury last weekend, two of FSU's starting defensive linemen were out. Plus two players that Jimbo Fisher once referred to as the top two athletes on defense, Ukeme Eligwe and Matthew Thomas, have been out through the first four games of the season.
The good news is that Edwards should be back this weekend and Eligwe could return as well. Thomas' suspension, meanwhile, should be over in time for the Oct. 18 showdown versus a Notre Dame team that is currently ranked in the top 10.
And while some of the defensive numbers are horrific, there are some encouraging signs.
In each of the last two games, the defense showed significant improvement as the games progressed. Against Clemson, FSU's defense kept a struggling offense in the game by holding the Tigers to just seven second-half points. In fact, the defense's numbers improved across the board in the second half, including holding Clemson to just 2-of-7 on third and fourth downs, and allowing just one red-zone score in four tries.
Winston comes back firing for FSU offense
The pattern of improvement continued against N.C. State. After giving up a whopping 24 points and 214 yards in the first quarter, the Wolfpack scored on only three of their next 11 drives - and all three of those scores came off of turnovers. In fact, N.C. State failed to score on eight straight drives when starting inside its 40-yard line over the final three quarters. That certainly doesn't excuse the massive breakdowns or missed tackles early in the game, but it does show a defense that is capable of learning from mistakes.
With an emphasis on improved tackling in practice and the return of some key players, there's every reason to expect the defense to improve during the second part of the season. But there's no way fans should expect a replay of last year's dominating squad that finished No. 2 in scoring defense, No. 3 in total defense, and helped FSU to a No. 3 ranking in turnover margin.
I'm not knocking FSU. And, they've had more than their fair share of distractions and are still undefeated. I'm just pointing out that it's not unreasonable to look at the respective schedules, stats, home/away record (FSU has played 2 home, one road and one neutral site game while UCLA has played 2 road, one neutral (Texas in Arlington, TX) and one home game) and conclude that UCLA is slightly ahead, thus far.Quez said:
Are Florida State's opponents better than perceived, though? I think Clemson and OSU are pretty good, but I thought that before the season.
NC State might be, but they've played: Georgia Southern (good FCS school; first year in FBS), Old Dominion (first year in FBS; was FCS before), South Florida, and Presbyterian (FBS). Their opponents other than Florida St. are either an FCS school, was an FCS school last year or is a terrible FBS school. They certainly looked the part to me on Saturday, though.
The Citadel is awful. They are FCS, 1-3, and other than FSU, their schedule includes Coastal Carolina, Charleston Southern, and their lone victory over Gardner Webb.
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Premier
Footballguy
I don't think FSU's defense is national championship caliber yet, but if you look at their schedule the only loss an opponent has (other than to FSU) is on the road to Georgia. Obviously excluding the Citadel.
They've played a pretty good schedule and also 3 teams that run the spread. When they settle into more traditional offenses I think the D will fare better.
They've played a pretty good schedule and also 3 teams that run the spread. When they settle into more traditional offenses I think the D will fare better.
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[icon]
Insoxicated
It's not quite an undefeated season, yet.
(yes, if they finish undefeated you pretty much have to put them in the playoff barring 4 other extremely compelling resumes... not even sure that's possible).
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did you hear the post game interview with Harris. Dude is a born leader. Very pumped to see how he handles the brutal stretch that starts this weekend
ScoobySnack
Footballguy
Isn't this what the new playoff committee is supposed to avoid? Great FSU won the title LAST year and so far is undefeated. This isn't a cumulative thing, it's about THIS year. So far this year it would be a tough case to make that FSU is one of the four best teams so far THIS year.
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ATC1
Footballguy
I did this morning. Came away very impressed. Now hopefully Les doesn't expect him to run out of the I formation in order to "manage" the game. The same can be done in the spread.
The Commish
Footballguy
Moe.
Footballguy
Can we please let this play out for another month or so before we start up with this? The four best teams right now are irrelevant. The odds of there being four teams more deserving than an undefeated FSU at the end of the season are so microscopic that it's not even worth discussing.
The Commish
Footballguy
Lighten up dude!!!
This board, more than any other, has been very good at adapting. If this were last year, we'd be obsessed with the polls and analyzing all the scenarios after the OSU loss in week 2. That this stuff is just starting now is significant progress. Much more progress than a lot of places I've been recently 
psychobillies
Footballguy
Too many people are shoveling dirt on LSU this season. MSU is a really good team who should be able to hang with anybody in the west. Our D looks lost right now, but with Harris in there, they have the ability to go toe to toe with anyone. And for the love of God, can we please just put Beckwith in.
Auburn is going to have their hands full this weekend. I think LSU wins.
timschochet
Footballguy
Actually UCLA's ranking doesn't matter. They still have to play Oregon, Stanford, USC, and assuming they are successful, probably Oregon or Stanford again. If they can survive all of that, then they'll be in the playoff and deservedly so. If they can't, they won't.
gump
Footballguy
It's not much to me either...but it apparently is to the players. Considering last years team was thought to lack fire and unity, that's good.Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
They also have to play Utah, Washington, Arizona, and Cal. And, they might get in if they lose to Oregon in October and then beat Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game.
Isn't your post more or less true for everyone? I guess we can go ahead and shut this sucker down until December, then...
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timschochet
Footballguy
Yes and no. My point is that UCLA and Oregon and Stanford, much like most of the SEC teams vying for the playoffs, will have several real challenges to get there. But we were comparing UCLA to Florida State. Florida State really should be expected to win every game left on their schedule handily, including Notre Dame whom they get at home.
So Florida State has the easiest path to the playoffs. The second easiest path is the winner of the Baylor vs. Oklahoma game. So that's likely going to leave two spots left for Oregon, UCLA, and all the SEC teams to fight it out. No doubt there's going to be more than one very unhappy team at the end of the year. Such as Michgan State: they can win the rest of their games and I still don't think they have a chance in hell, unless there are a TON of unexpected upsets.
gump
Footballguy
What makes you say that?Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
This year's Bama squad ISN'T as good as previous years.
Losing a three year starter at QB usually has a detrimental effect on a team no matter how good they are.What makes you say that?Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
This year's Bama squad ISN'T as good as previous years.
timschochet
Footballguy
Did you watch Alabama vs. Florida?Losing a three year starter at QB usually has a detrimental effect on a team no matter how good they are.What makes you say that?Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
This year's Bama squad ISN'T as good as previous years.
Do you mean the same Florida that lost its last 7 games in 2013 and struggled to come from behind at home to beat Kentucky the previous week?Did you watch Alabama vs. Florida?Losing a three year starter at QB usually has a detrimental effect on a team no matter how good they are.What makes you say that?Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
This year's Bama squad ISN'T as good as previous years.
gump
Footballguy
Yea, it could just come down to whether Sims can perform under pressure, like AJ. But there are signs of improvement elsewhere.Losing a three year starter at QB usually has a detrimental effect on a team no matter how good they are.What makes you say that?Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
timschochet
Footballguy
Yes, but that has nothing to do with my question. You were discussing the quarterback. Did you watch him play against Florida?Do you mean the same Florida that lost its last 7 games in 2013 and struggled to come from behind at home to beat Kentucky the previous week?Did you watch Alabama vs. Florida?Losing a three year starter at QB usually has a detrimental effect on a team no matter how good they are.What makes you say that?Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
This year's Bama squad ISN'T as good as previous years.
Do you mean the same Florida that lost its last 7 games in 2013 and struggled to come from behind at home to beat Kentucky the previous week?Yes, but that has nothing to do with my question. You were discussing the quarterback. Did you watch him play against Florida?Do you mean the same Florida that lost its last 7 games in 2013 and struggled to come from behind at home to beat Kentucky the previous week?Did you watch Alabama vs. Florida?Losing a three year starter at QB usually has a detrimental effect on a team no matter how good they are.What makes you say that?Meh. I can see how you could read that as bulletin board material. My first take was that it was a comparison to the NC teams.
This year's Bama squad ISN'T as good as previous years.
timschochet
Footballguy
OK, I'll take that as a no. Or if you DID watch, you weren't really paying attention.
Florida, despite their struggles, has a very good defense (at least according to NFL scouts.) So much so that a lot of experts predicted that Alabama would win a defensive struggle. It didn't quite happen that way, mainly because of Sims. He was as good in that game as any quarterback I've watched all year. For that matter, he looked as good as any Alabama quarterback in recent years, period. Now it may only be a one week wonder. Or perhaps Sims will play differently under a greater amount of pressure; anything's possible. But if he looks like that, this Alabama team won't be just as good as they've been in years past; they'll be better.
Florida, despite their struggles, has a very good defense (at least according to NFL scouts.) So much so that a lot of experts predicted that Alabama would win a defensive struggle. It didn't quite happen that way, mainly because of Sims. He was as good in that game as any quarterback I've watched all year. For that matter, he looked as good as any Alabama quarterback in recent years, period. Now it may only be a one week wonder. Or perhaps Sims will play differently under a greater amount of pressure; anything's possible. But if he looks like that, this Alabama team won't be just as good as they've been in years past; they'll be better.
Do you mean the same Florida that lost its last 7 games in 2013 and struggled to come from behind at home to beat Kentucky the previous week?
timschochet
Footballguy
i know you are but what am I?
In case you missed it, tim, Kentucky rolled up 532 yards against UF. 369 of which was through the air. And the Kentucky QB didn't have Amari Cooper to throw to or Derrick Henry and TJ Yeldon to take the heat off him.And you are full of #### that it was supposed to be a defensive game. The O/U was 52 and Bama was a 16 point favorite. That's a predicted score of 34-18. That's not a defensive struggle.
