2023 Miscellaneous College News

[Jim French Stepstool]

12 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

 But I'm still hoping for a Wisconsin reunion. 

 Save for a different AD down the road, I think that ship has, unfortunately, sailed. Would love to be wrong.

[CheezWizHed]

I'm guessing Leonard had his chance to work for Fickell and turned it down.  Rarely do those opportunities roll around again.

1. They aren't going to can the DC after his first season.
2. Tressel came with Fickell, so most likely you half to fire both unless the defense suddenly is horrid.
3. The defense improved as the season went on and wasn't horrible overall (max of 24 pts given up).  Although they weren't great at times also...
4. There were obvious mismatches for personnel and the defense that will be "fixed" through transfers and recruiting. 
5. Our defensive talent just wasn't that good this year after some left for the draft and not much coming in for recruits. 

It is probably at least another 2-3 years of Tressel's defense being bad (worse than this year) before he (and/or Fickell) would be fired. 

[BrewerFan]

58 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

 Save for a different AD down the road, I think that ship has, unfortunately, sailed. Would love to be wrong.

I was talking about Green Bay. 

[BrewerFan]

On 11/29/2023 at 2:24 PM, CheezWizHed said:

I'm guessing Leonard had his chance to work for Fickell and turned it down.  Rarely do those opportunities roll around again.

1. They aren't going to can the DC after his first season.
2. Tressel came with Fickell, so most likely you half to fire both unless the defense suddenly is horrid.
3. The defense improved as the season went on and wasn't horrible overall (max of 24 pts given up).  Although they weren't great at times also...
4. There were obvious mismatches for personnel and the defense that will be "fixed" through transfers and recruiting. 
5. Our defensive talent just wasn't that good this year after some left for the draft and not much coming in for recruits. 

It is probably at least another 2-3 years of Tressel's defense being bad (worse than this year) before he (and/or Fickell) would be fired. 

I just don't love the 3-3-5 stack. Seems I don't get what you're doing. Ideally, you get 3 320LB space eaters who can all play 2 gap, then let the 3 backers have open lanes. But I don't have to like it and a base is almost pointless. The most prevalent defense in CFB now is the Nickel. But first, you have to stop the run.

This has been just a disappointing first season given the schedule and what was a more talented secondary than we normally have IMO. 

The defense was not horrible, but it was just kinda like the offense. Uninspired. I have more confidence in the offense moving forward in terms of growing and evolving. I believe we saw a pretty significant drop in coaching on that side of the ball. But, of course you get more than one year to prove yourself. Leonhard as a Co-DC was always a hard sell, especially after he was passed up for the job. When it sounded like he was staying for a minute, that seemed very surprising to me.

As for Fickell, I haven't even thought about what it'd take for the Badgers to move on. It's a unique contract. It's 80% GTD. He's owed about 50M and the number increases every year(with probably ~250K in additional benefits such as car allowances, Golf club memberships). 

Things would have to be looking pretty bleak...

 

But we have a good class coming in, Fickell won at Cincy, and I still have a lot of faith in him and Longo(though I imagine he'd be the first to leave if we do have a big year where the offense drives our success). 

 

What a transition year for Wisconsin Football. Badgers go to the spread, Packers trade Rodgers and they've upgraded on their QB and now have another HOFer(I'm not gonna put that in blue, I'm just going to speak it into truth). 

[CheezWizHed]

19 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

I just don't love the 3-3-5 stack. Seems I don't get what you're doing. Ideally, you get 3 320LB space eaters who can all play 2 gap, then let the 3 backers have open lanes. But I don't have to like it and a base is almost pointless. The most prevalent defense in CFB now is the Nickel. But first, you have to stop the run.

This has been just a disappointing first season given the schedule and what was a more talented secondary than we normally have IMO. 

The defense was not horrible, but it was just kinda like the offense. Uninspired. I have more confidence in the offense moving forward in terms of growing and evolving. I believe we saw a pretty significant drop in coaching on that side of the ball. But, of course you get more than one year to prove yourself. Leonhard as a Co-DC was always a hard sell, especially after he was passed up for the job. When it sounded like he was staying for a minute, that seemed very surprising to me.

As for Fickell, I haven't even thought about what it'd take for the Badgers to move on. It's a unique contract. It's 80% GTD. He's owed about 50M and the number increases every year(with probably ~250K in additional benefits such as car allowances, Golf club memberships). 

Things would have to be looking pretty bleak...

 

But we have a good class coming in, Fickell won at Cincy, and I still have a lot of faith in him and Longo(though I imagine he'd be the first to leave if we do have a big year where the offense drives our success). 

 

What a transition year for Wisconsin Football. Badgers go to the spread, Packers trade Rodgers and they've upgraded on their QB and now have another HOFer(I'm not gonna put that in blue, I'm just going to speak it into truth). 

The defense improved and there were some obvious mismatches in personnel for the system, so I think it was clearly a transitional year. 

I guess I wasn't so impressed by our CBs that I saw.  Hallman did get a lot of picks and is promising.  Wohler was certainly an impact player at safety.  Maybe the biggest impact player on D.  

At OLB, Goetz and Boller had some impact, but much less than we are used to getting. Really no one at DL or MLB stood out much as an impact player.  

So given that they were "ok" last year (yes, poor opponents too), I think we should see them bouncing back nicely in the next 2-3 years.  

I don't have much of an opinion on 3-3-5 except to say that football certainly is more about stopping the pass than the run.  That this certainly seemed to do well in the score prevention category.

[Fear The Chorizo]

My dream Championship Saturday includes TX and Mich rolling to wins, FSU finding a way to win and stay unbeaten, and then Bama finding a way to eke out a win against UGA in an ugly game.

Then, hope the committee has some stones and leaves the SEC out of the CFP altogether based on the fact Bama got beat at home by Texas and having 3 other undefeated and deserving power 5 conference Champs.  UGA's 2023 resume does not look like a deserving 1 loss CFP team compared to undefeated FSU or 1 loss TX.

The realist in me is if these scenarios happen the committee will put both Bama and UGA in the playoff and shaft both FSU and Texas.

[yourout]

I see Washington beat Oregon.

That's too bad ..... Not.

[wildcat83]

This is going to be an interesting selection. 
 

Who I would pick: Michigan, Washington, Florida State, and Texas.

 

Who the committee probably takes: Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama.

 

I don’t think Alabama gets in without Texas in.  There’s also no way they leave the SEC out.  I think FSU playing with a backup QB and not looking great against Louisville makes them easier to leave out.

[nate82]

FSU played one ranked team this year.  I don't have a problem with leaving FSU out.  Their schedule was nothing but cupcakes all year.  They just barely beat the 15th ranked team backup QB or no backup QB that is not a good look.  Yes they went undefeated but who did they actually play to go undefeated?

I would probably go Michigan, Texas, Alabama/Georgia and Washington.

To me it is 1 Michigan 2 Texas 3 Alabama/Georgia 5 Washington 6 Ohio State 7 FSU. 

[owbc]

I don’t think this is that hard based on what the committee says they value and what the rankings were prior to this week.

Michigan, Washington, Georgia, Texas.

Maybe you can make an argument for Alabama over Georgia but Texas really messed things up by making it impossible for Alabama to get in without Texas as well. Washington is a lock. 

 

[BrewerFan]

10 hours ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

My dream Championship Saturday includes TX and Mich rolling to wins, FSU finding a way to win and stay unbeaten, and then Bama finding a way to eke out a win against UGA in an ugly game.

Then, hope the committee has some stones and leaves the SEC out of the CFP altogether based on the fact Bama got beat at home by Texas and having 3 other undefeated and deserving power 5 conference Champs.  UGA's 2023 resume does not look like a deserving 1 loss CFP team compared to undefeated FSU or 1 loss TX.

The realist in me is if these scenarios happen the committee will put both Bama and UGA in the playoff and shaft both FSU and Texas.

Well...you got your dream, but I can't see FSU being one of the top 4 teams. Their offense is so bad. 

I also don't think the SEC is getting two in. I think it's a tough argument to get one in this year. Michigan and Washington are locks. UT should be I think...and then I would say 'Bama...but they're not all that impressive this year.

Michigan appears to be the favorite, but this is going to be a year where none of the games are obvious locks. It should make for a more entertaining CFP. 

[BrewerFan]

25 minutes ago, nate82 said:

FSU played one ranked team this year.  I don't have a problem with leaving FSU out.  Their schedule was nothing but cupcakes all year.  They just barely beat the 15th ranked team backup QB or no backup QB that is not a good look.  Yes they went undefeated but who did they actually play to go undefeated?

I would probably go Michigan, Texas, Alabama/Georgia and Washington.

To me it is 1 Michigan 2 Texas 3 Alabama/Georgia 5 Washington 6 Ohio State 7 FSU. 

They beat LSU as well as Duke and Louisville. So...three, but they beat the first couple with Travis at QB.

They're a very different team without him. I think they're a very worthy team...IF they have Travis, but they don't.

16 minutes ago, owbc said:

I don’t think this is that hard based on what the committee says they value and what the rankings were prior to this week.

Michigan, Washington, Georgia, Texas.

How does UGA stay in and 'Bama get knocked out?

[Fear The Chorizo]

39 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

Well...you got your dream, but I can't see FSU being one of the top 4 teams. Their offense is so bad. 

I also don't think the SEC is getting two in. I think it's a tough argument to get one in this year. Michigan and Washington are locks. UT should be I think...and then I would say 'Bama...but they're not all that impressive this year.

Michigan appears to be the favorite, but this is going to be a year where none of the games are obvious locks. It should make for a more entertaining CFP. 

Honestly, OSU should have a better case for making the CFP than either of UGA or Bama.  1 close road loss in the last game of their season to what will be the top ranked team?

Also, I get that their qb is out with an injury, but FSU dominated LSU early in the season too.  An undefeated power conference champ has never been left out of the playoff, and that shouldnt start this year just because the SEC would be on the outside looking in.

[young guns]

I'm fully prepared for a Michigan Washington, Georgia, and bama getting in.  It's really a shame for the Florida St qb getting hurt cause I can see that keeping them out at least as an excuse to narrow it down.

[BrewerFan]

10 minutes ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

Honestly, OSU should have a better case for making the CFP than either of UGA or Bama.  1 close road loss in the last game of their season to what will be the top ranked team?

Also, I get that their qb is out with an injury, but FSU dominated LSU early in the season too.  An undefeated power conference champ has never been left out of the playoff, and that shouldnt start this year just because the SEC would be on the outside looking in.

I grew up a big FSU fan, so I'd like to see them in, but the committee's goal is to get the 4 best teams in. I don't believe most genuinely believe they are one of the best 4 teams at this point.  

As for OSU...I don't know if they have a much stronger case than the team that won the SEC beating a team that had won...what, 45 of it's last 46 and the last two NCs. But it's also not the same powerhouse SEC programs, so it's going to be interesting to see what they decide. It'll be hard to fault them if they go with FSU, 'Bama, Texas. 

It's a rare year where there isn't a truly dominant team. UGA has been #1 almost all year and they've lost a ton of talent the last couple years. 'Bama really came on with their QB, but they really should be out of it if Auburn didn't rush 2 on 4th and ~30 to win the game vs Auburn. 

There will be people upset no matter what direction they go. This would probably be the perfect year for 8 teams as I really think the top ~8 could win...save for FSU due to Jordan Travis. 

[igor67]

It would be easier if they hadn't expanded, the championship would be in the Rose Bowl on New Year's day nice and simple.

[Fear The Chorizo]

8 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

I grew up a big FSU fan, so I'd like to see them in, but the committee's goal is to get the 4 best teams in. I don't believe most genuinely believe they are one of the best 4 teams at this point.  

As for OSU...I don't know if they have a much stronger case than the team that won the SEC beating a team that had won...what, 45 of it's last 46 and the last two NCs. But it's also not the same powerhouse SEC programs, so it's going to be interesting to see what they decide. It'll be hard to fault them if they go with FSU, 'Bama, Texas. 

It's a rare year where there isn't a truly dominant team. UGA has been #1 almost all year and they've lost a ton of talent the last couple years. 'Bama really came on with their QB, but they really should be out of it if Auburn didn't rush 2 on 4th and ~30 to win the game vs Auburn. 

There will be people upset no matter what direction they go. This would probably be the perfect year for 8 teams as I really think the top ~8 could win...save for FSU due to Jordan Travis. 

I believe Ohio states 3 losses over the past two years were to undefeated MI twice and UGA in last year's semifinal - which was a game they were going to win until Harrison JR got knocked out.  They absolutely have the resume to be ahead of Bama and Georgia, but it's definitely a close call.

The SEC teams at the top of that conference aren't as dominant as they were in previous seasons, largely due to great players leaving for the NFL.  Between Bama and uga, they played one decent out of conference team on their schedules - and that was TX beating Bama in Tuscaloosa.  At some point the schedule manipulation the SEC does to prop up their best programs has to come back and bite them when there are other deserving teams.

 

 All that being said, that's a discussion they shouldn't even need to have with TX and FSU also deserving to be in the top 4.  FSU's defense is what can carry that team, and at least their primary backup qb should be healthy for the playoff.

[LouisEly]

Between Georgia and Alabama, they played one high quality non-conference opponent - Texas - and lost at home.  Georgia played one medium quality non-conference opponent - Georgia Tech - and won 31-23.  No impressive non-conference wins.

Florida State didn't play Georgia Tech, but beat SEC Florida on the road with a backup QB (Rodemaker).  Maybe their offense isn't playoff-caliber, but their defense sure is.

Looking at the top SEC teams, I don't see any wins over any high-quality non-conference opponents except for perhaps LSU and Ole Miss beating Tulane on the road, but Tulane isn't Power-5.  The top SEC teams played two highly ranked non-conference opponents and lost them both (Alabama at home to Texas, LSU blown out by Florida State on a neutral site).  There are no impressive non-conference wins by the SEC to suggest that the SEC is one of the best conferences.

I look at it like instant replay - if there isn't convincing evidence to keep an undefeated Power-5 conference team out, you keep the undefeated Power-5 conference team in.  Alabama had their chance at home against Texas and blew it.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Such a shame...Bama does not deserve to be in this season's CFP, and I don't even care if they wind up winning it all.

FSU got hosed - an undefeated power 5 conference champ should always make the playoff over any other conference's 1 loss champ, no matter who it is.  TX beat Bama head to head, so they deserve to be in over Bama.  That should have left Bama out no matter what if there's four spots to fill.

[HarryDoyle]

I'm becoming more and more disinterested with college sports, especially football. First it's athletes transferring left and right, then massive conference realignment, countless bowl games that nobody cares about, and now this CFP bs. The regular season needs to mean something. You think you're one of the best four teams in the nation? Then why did you lose to so and so back in September?

[LouisEly]

I don't know how anyone can say with a straight face that FSUs win over Louisville yesterday was less impressive than Alabama's hail Mary win over 6-6 Auburn two weekends ago or Alabama's 17-3 win over 6-6 AAC powerhouse South Florida.

[Fear The Chorizo]

So, apparently the CFP formula every early December Sunday pretty much is:

- Alabama, unless they have 2+ losses and there are 3 other undefeated power 5 conference teams....if there aren't, then a 2-loss Alabama can most likely make it in, too

- 2nd SEC team, unless there are three other undefeated power 5 conference teams, or it there's a 1 loss non-SEC team that beat Bama head to head + at least 2 other undefeated power 5 conference teams.

- Undefeated Big ten team, if there is one - if not take a long look at what resume of the best SEC team that didn't play its conference title game to see if they can squeeze a 3rd SEC team in the CFP.

- Undefeated Big 12 or Pac 12 team or undefeated ACC team....or in the event of a 1-loss Big 12 champ who beat Bama needing to be in the CFP with them, pick them + whichever undefeated Pac 12 or ACC team has the healthier starting quarterback.

Conference TV contract$, offseason recruiting class rankings, and preseason rankings continue to all hold more sway than onfield results in today's college football landscape do, and it really has soured me on watching the product.

[HarryDoyle]

This is just sad.

 

[OldHeidelberg]

I wonder if this may be the death blow to the ACC. FSU has been looking at their options already and didn’t want Stanford/Cal. Now they get left out unbeaten. I sort of thought Georgia was in no matter what but haven’t been paying close attention I guess. What a mess.

[MrTPlush]

Alabama beat the 12-0 #1 team reigning champ in football. Their only loss was Texas, a CFP team.

I get the nation hates Alabama, but that undoubtably makes them worthy of a spot. Really, if anything, I think FSU deserves Texas’ spot, not Alabama’s spot. But then people would cry over Alabama over Texas because of a H2H result from September.

I don’t think an undefeated record really should be some autobid if a 1-loss team has a good resume and said loss is a really strong team. Someone was bound to get a bit hosed in this situation.