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About The BCS, UM, MSU And Those Nutty Lions
Honestly, my initial thought when it was announced LSU would be facing Ohio State in the BCS national championship game, was now we will find out if Les Miles would have been any better in head-to-head competition with Jim Tressel than Lloyd Carr.
Can you imagine if LSU beats the Buckeyes, now that Miles isn’t coming to Ann Arbor? There will be an even more uneasy feeling about him turning down the Michigan job.
It has been, to say the least, a strange college football season. Normally it is relatively clear-cut who should play in the BCS title game - even last season despite all the unfounded laments by the Michigan Mafia that the Wolverines, not Florida, belonged in the title game. (You don’t hear them yapping about that any more, do you? Wonder why?).
In truth, though, it does seem like the BCS got it right. These are the two best teams. Certainly more so than if Missouri were facing West Virginia, which appeared like it was going to be the matchup until both those teams lost over the weekend.
LSU and OSU have superior athletes and are well-coached. I think Ohio State’s defense is one of the best I have ever seen, although I am perplexed how it was destroyed in that one game by Illinois. LSU’s defense has been exposed a couple times. It doesn’t seem like LSU has all that much overall team speed, particularly given the reputation of the SEC for speed. My early thoughts are that Ohio State will win this game. Now that would be redemption for the Big Ten, would it? Not to mention disconcerting for Michigan, if OSU wins a second national title under The Sweater Man.
Random Thoughts
- Michigan’s bowl matchup is going to be a difficult one the Wolverines. There isn’t a better running quarterback than Florida’s Tim Tebow. Urban Meyer must be licking his chops at the prospect of game-planning against U-M’s defense with his spread offense, which is the state of the art.
- As much as I would have liked to have seen Michigan State play in the Motor City Bowl, facing Boston College in Florida was clearly a better option for the Spartans. The only down side might come in the caliber of the opposition. Mark Dantonio better have his team ready to play or it will be embarrassed by a very good football team and a great quarterback - BC’s Matt Ryan.
And the Purdue-Central Michigan matchup in the Motor City Bowl is good one. So Detroit wasn’t left out in the cold by the Big Ten.
- It’s not just disturbing that the Lions have gone into the tank for this season, but it’s also that their future doesn’t look particularly bright. Matt Millen has drafted poorly and there seems to be no plan in place to build a championship-caliber roster. It get worse by the year, not better. And that is saying something when a franchise has already hit rock bottom. My column on the Lions loss Sunday at Minnesota is under "sports columns" at theoaklandpress.com. Please check it out.
Can you imagine if LSU beats the Buckeyes, now that Miles isn’t coming to Ann Arbor? There will be an even more uneasy feeling about him turning down the Michigan job.
It has been, to say the least, a strange college football season. Normally it is relatively clear-cut who should play in the BCS title game - even last season despite all the unfounded laments by the Michigan Mafia that the Wolverines, not Florida, belonged in the title game. (You don’t hear them yapping about that any more, do you? Wonder why?).
In truth, though, it does seem like the BCS got it right. These are the two best teams. Certainly more so than if Missouri were facing West Virginia, which appeared like it was going to be the matchup until both those teams lost over the weekend.
LSU and OSU have superior athletes and are well-coached. I think Ohio State’s defense is one of the best I have ever seen, although I am perplexed how it was destroyed in that one game by Illinois. LSU’s defense has been exposed a couple times. It doesn’t seem like LSU has all that much overall team speed, particularly given the reputation of the SEC for speed. My early thoughts are that Ohio State will win this game. Now that would be redemption for the Big Ten, would it? Not to mention disconcerting for Michigan, if OSU wins a second national title under The Sweater Man.
Random Thoughts
- Michigan’s bowl matchup is going to be a difficult one the Wolverines. There isn’t a better running quarterback than Florida’s Tim Tebow. Urban Meyer must be licking his chops at the prospect of game-planning against U-M’s defense with his spread offense, which is the state of the art.
- As much as I would have liked to have seen Michigan State play in the Motor City Bowl, facing Boston College in Florida was clearly a better option for the Spartans. The only down side might come in the caliber of the opposition. Mark Dantonio better have his team ready to play or it will be embarrassed by a very good football team and a great quarterback - BC’s Matt Ryan.
And the Purdue-Central Michigan matchup in the Motor City Bowl is good one. So Detroit wasn’t left out in the cold by the Big Ten.
- It’s not just disturbing that the Lions have gone into the tank for this season, but it’s also that their future doesn’t look particularly bright. Matt Millen has drafted poorly and there seems to be no plan in place to build a championship-caliber roster. It get worse by the year, not better. And that is saying something when a franchise has already hit rock bottom. My column on the Lions loss Sunday at Minnesota is under "sports columns" at theoaklandpress.com. Please check it out.
posted by Pat Caputo at
9:37 AM
11 Comments:
I really am dying to know why Kevin Jones suited up yesterday. It was clear from the get-go that he would see little to no action. Is this absurd playcalling of Mike Martz the result of a frustrated, stubborn offensive coordinator or simply that of a "genius" who has lost his touch? To have two games at any point in an NFL season in which you do not rush for over five yards is flat out embarrassing.
I think this blowout at the hands of a superior Vikings team can finally put playoff hopes to rest for the Detroit faithful. This team is clearly not ready to compete, even in the lowly NFC. To watch a team such as Arizona, one that has essentially matched the Lions in the futility department, pass the Lions for that last playoff spot will be a bittersweet end to a disappointing season.
Book,
Looking forward to the BCS game. I like the spin of seeing Miles face the Buckeyes.
I'm used to saying "go Tigers".
If I have to see Roy Williams do his little "I caught it for a fist down" squat-n-point again when we clearly out of the game ....
The Lions.
The wrong cats.
When the Lion's were 6-2, I said they probably should have been 4-4 Tampa Bay and Chicago beat themselves not the Lion's. 4 games later my point is prooven. They didn't just get bad, they just stopped getting lucky, look at the teams they beat the first 1/2 of the season, and the record now shows that, they were all bad teams, beat by another.
Hi Pat
The Lions remain a horrible team. It's been my mantra this year, and it has served me well.
We all knew that their famed "electric football" defensive scheme would be exposed, but I am disheartened with the offense. Killer reported that they weren't running screens because of execution - defenses were sniffing them out. Maybe they aren't running because they can't execute a pass block scheme? Isn't this 101 stuff for any football team, let alone the pro's?
The really sad thing is it's hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel. There isn't much positive to build around. Flashy receivers make nice hood ornaments, but they sure don't power the car.
Allan
Bryan152,
Mike Martz has turned out to be a diaster as an O-coordinator. I know Minnesota is stout against the run, but that was ridiculous - again. If I were Jones, I wouldn't be happy. Neither if I were an o-lineman because the d-lineman know they are going to pass every player and just rush upfield.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
Roy Williams' act is wearing thin. It's one thing to have fun out there, another to bush league. Sometimes he comes across as bush league. I think OSU and LSU will be an entertaining game.
Caputo
Ed753,
You are proving to be right. At the time, I discounted that theory and said it was progress the Lions were winning close games they used to lose. But as time goes on, and the losses mount, it appears they were more fortunate than good.
Caputo
Allan,
I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel, either. What the Lions have done the last four weeks has been, to say the least, disappointing and discouraging for their fans.
Caputo
I think the BCS did get it right. I wouldn't close the door completely on Miles. He is going for a national title of course he isn't going to tell his team he is leaving or put anything like that out in teh press. At the same time if it is the case. I am curious to see Michigan's options.
I think Michigan turned up a loser in it's bowl game. I just think they got the matchup they didn't want and it will be a bad way for Carr to go out as I think they will get romped. As for MSU i actually like the matchup and I think it favors MSU. BC really hasn't played all that well and were in a lot of close games. If MSU doesn't shoot themselves in the foot like they have most of the year they have a good shot at winning this. I actually got my money on them.
As for the lions. It's funny people talk about the genious that of Mike Martz. I will puke if I keep hearing that. Man look at the 2000 St. Louis Rams roster. Compare that to the Lions current Roster. If you have even a brain the size of a pea it should only take you 2 seconds to figure what the difference is. TALENT!!! If the lions had that offensive line I bet this offense would be just as good, but people forget Warner and Bulger both took a beating in that offense. ONly difference is they worked to what the defense gave them. thus Faulk had a zillion (keyword) combine yards from scrimmage. You notice theo ne play that has consistantly worked but we only use it 2 or 3 times a game. That is that pass to the halfback coming across the middle. that is a 15 yard gain. Personalyl i like Kevin Jones. I think Kevin Jones would start on a lot of teams in the NFL. How can we blame the guy when he only gets 2 carries a game. Bottom line is you can only go through so many coaches. As long as millen is in charge this team will lose. This is his team. All the peices here are his. The worse part about the lions is their effort. That does fall into play with the coaches.
Is it me or am I the only one a little dissapointed with the Tigers offseason this far? Is Kenny Rogers and Todd Jones really addressing needs? Was that really the best they could do? I know Maybin is good and Miller had a good upside. But Dan Haren isn't old. Why not give up Miller or Porcello for Haren or if not one of them why not Maybin?
Maddog152,
I don't see Miles changing his mind. He would look like a total fool if he ever did that. I agree Michigan could be in trouble in this bowl. Tim Tebow would have a field day. I kind of think Jones is a pretty good running back, too, but was drafted by the worst possible team for his career.
Caputo
I don't know look at all the crap Saban pulled before. Next thing you know he was at Alabama. In today's age with money nothing surprises me. Yeah you are probably right his UM connection is over, but there is always that small crap in the window that I still hold open. know what I mean.
Book let me ask why are the Tigers so stuck on not thinking they need to make any other significant moves especially with some pretty good names being dangled out there? Do they really think a Maybin, and Miller or Porcello can be a better value then a Haren? Is there anything else at all taht we could throw Oaklands way? or is our so called once stacked minor league system spent?
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