Rex Hudler

QUOTE(ilsox7 @ Jan 3, 2006 -> 06:35 AM) Nope, we won't agree tonight. MSU was putting up big numbers against horrible teams. Before ND, MSU killed Hawaii and Kent. They then beat ND and UIUC and there only other win was against IU. I just don't consider killing Hawaii and Kent to be much of a barometer for a team. And Michigan was mediocre. They struggled (and lost) to bad teams and gave good teams a game. That makes for mediocrity, IMO. I give tOSU plenty of credit. They are one of the 5 best teams in the country. They also should have won tonight by 4 TD's. ND is a good team. But they did nothing to prove they are one of the best 6 or 7 teams in the country. Again, their biggest accomplishment this year was taking USC to the wire on their home field after a bye week. Sure, it's nice they proved they could stay on the same field with USC, but having to hang your hat on a loss is not the best thing in the world. The best ND result outside of that game was beating Michigan. It was very interesting to watch the WVU-Georgia game right after the tOSU-ND game. To me, it was obvious that was a game between two very good teams. I'd take both of those teams in a heartbeat over this edition of ND. And ND most definitely deserved to be in this game b/c by the rules of the BCS, they earned their spot. In the BCS, it's not about who is the best team. It is about who qualifies according to certain rules. Then, if an at-large spot is available, it's about who brings the most fans. So BCS aside, what team should have been in the game instead of Notre Dame? Oregon? They didn't do anything to prove that point. Auburn? They didn't help their cause today either?

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jan 3, 2006 -> 06:33 AM) Great post, can you please post the records of these "good" teams MSU and Michigan. Saying the team was good at the time is a cop out. Might as well just post their records on grass compared to turf to talk about how good they are. You cant just take out the second half of the season and say, they are a good team, just played bad at the end. So what, that means that overall, they were NOT GOOD. MSU and Michigan are mediocre, this is one of the worst UM teams in a long time. Seriously, even the commentators were saying that their schedule doesnt look that hard now. Bulls***.... you can and should say that MSU was a good team when they played ND. How MSU played six weeks later is immaterial to what happened on the field that day. This isn't rocket science. Yes, ND should have won that game, but to lump what MSU did against several teams weeks after playing ND and say that is the same team ND beat is just ignorance. Whether it is injuries or whatever, teams often change. I would say the opposite if MSU lost all of those games early and then won at the end of the season. It's not a cop out, its reality!

QUOTE(ilsox7 @ Jan 3, 2006 -> 05:51 AM) I think the reason most folks, including myself, think ND was overrated is b/c they simply did not beat anyone good. Their biggest accomplishment this season was arguably taking USC to the wire. That game came after the bye week, giving Charlie plenty of time to plan. By that logic, Fresno would also get a feather or two in their cap for giving USC a game. Outside of the USC game, ND lost to a s***ty MSU team and a very good tOSU team. Their best win came against a mediocre Michigan team. I give credit to both ND and Charlie as they were better than most expected and made great strides in the program. That said, I never viewed them as a top 5 team and I think tonight it was proven they were not a top 5 team. We're just not going to agree on anything tonight. MSU was not a s***ty team when Notre Dame lost to them. MSU's season went downhill after they lost to Michigan, but if you know anything about football you would know MSU was playing damned good football early in the season. And calling Michigan mediocre doesn't fly either. While Michigan this year could not put teams away, they played everyone close including Ohio State. Hell they SHOULD have beaten OSU, but once again couldn't put them away. Notre Dame was not overrated (they weren't favored in this game). OSU was just better, period. They couldn't handle OSU's speed today and OSU played them very well defensively. Give OSU credit. Notre Dame had a nice season. It wasn't their fault that MSU tanked their season, that Michigan struggled to put teams away and that Tennessee sucked this year. Before everyone starts screaming that they didn't belong in this game, let's not forget that the two other teams most people felt could have deserved the bid instead both lost their bowl games (as favorites) too!

QUOTE(ilsox7 @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 08:57 PM) I respect the opinion and used to think the same. I just feel with how big college sports has gotten that it needs to be public. The bigger problem, though, is that they are not full-time officials. This is a no-brainer, but again the NCAA cannot do most things right, so why would they do this right. I just think that when a crew has such an awful game, as they did today, that at minimum they need to release a statement saying that after reviewing the tape, they admit to missing several calls that should not have been made. You're just off on this one, I'm sorry. All of your posts are based on one assumption, that there is no accountability. Just because accountability and discipline is not make public, does not mean it does not exist. In fact, I guarantee you it does. There are several things you are missing here... 1. Making the officials full-time is not possible. How much are you going to pay guys that work maybe 14 football games a year? Are you going to pay them benefits? Do you really think you could pay them enough to keep them from other jobs? What do you do with them in the offseason if they do not double up on another sport? Right now these guys get roughly $250-$300 a game (assumptions based on reasonably reliable info, not direct information). These guys might make $4,000 - $5,000 bucks a year. How much better are they going to get if you pay them $40,000? $50,000? Plus benefits? It sounds good, but with logical thought it becomes obvious it is not feasible. 2. You keep talking about how the NCAA bungles things, but the NCAA does not hire the officials. The NCAA really has nothing to do with these bowl games. The BCS was created to make sure the money stayed with the schools, not going to the NCAA. Each conference hires its own officials and contracts with bowl games. The NCAA is not involved here. 3. You talk about discipline when a crew has an awful game like today. Yet, you admit that you didn't see the whole game. The offsides call was made by one official (maybe two), so acting as if the crew was terrible is thinking based on emotion not on logic. 4. Until you have been an official, you don't know that you don't get to see multiple replays from multiple angles. You see the play once, at full speed and have the risk of a player flying by in front of you blocking your vision at any moment. As fast as the players are, it is easy to miss things. Officials miss potential calls every play, but if they don't have an obvious impact or if the TV camera doesn't catch it, no one says a word aside from a pissed off coach sometimes. Walk in their shoes first. See the play from the angle THEY saw it, not what angles the TV shows you. 5. Lastly, officials critique themselves more than you could ever imagine. If a guy misses a call, he absolutely hates it and genuinely feels bad. He works to get better and learns from situations to not repeat mistakes. But like you, me and every one else in this world, we all have days when we aren't at our absolute best, just like the teams on the field. All you can do is ask that they take their craft seriously and work at it. If they consistently make mistakes, their assignments will reflect it, I guarantee it. Humiliating them publicly is just not a good idea. Think rationally, and emotionally, not emotionally. Publicly disciplining officials would only make matters worse.

QUOTE(ilsox7 @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 08:25 PM) I don't think anyone is saying the game was lost b/c of the officiating. Just like Michigan, Iowa pretty much sucked for most of the game. But blatant errors by officiating crews are all too common and they need to be held accountable for their erroneous actions. My suggestion is for you to start studying up and become an official. Raise the level by contributing to the cause yourself.

QUOTE(ilsox7 @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 08:03 PM) It's called being accountable. These guys are not being held accountable for their gross errors. They are officiating public games that bring in millions upon millions of dollars to these universities. To allow such errors to go unpunished is inappropriate. And because it is a public event, any consequences should be made public. Holding people accountable for their actions often makes for more quality work. Sorry, but I can't go with you on this. You are assuming that there is no accountability because the handling of officials is not public. That is the way it should stay. Officials are held accountable all the time based on what future assignments they get. Sure there are politics like there is with anything else, but mistakes certainly can affect the quality of games and official or officiating crew gets. Officials are fired on occasion. One was recently fired from the SEC as, I believe, was the supervisor of officials. One thing you have to remember is that these guys are being paid for a thankless job. They are part-time employess who have other full-time jobs. Officiating is basically a hobby for most of these guys... a way to make extra money. But they do it because they love the game. The money isn't great. Officials are under enough scrutiny as it is, with their names being shown on TV every game. Publicizing discipline issues amongst college football officials would do nothing but REDUCE the number of quality of officials. Many would decide it isn't worth it. More would not get into it from the beginning. You have to keep in mind, that while these guys are very much exposed in what they do, they are not treated nor paid as full-time employees. Handling things internally is the only proper way, in my opinion.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 06:06 PM) Can you say Texas football excitement? It's starting to build around here. Just starting? What the hell has everyone down there been waiting for?

I can't believe Ohio State came back to beat LSU! They were down 10 or so with 4 minutes left. I saw them cut it to 6 and then had to go into the other room. Came back and saw they won by 2. Must have missed a good finish.

I definitely see Michigan State and Illinois as the two favorites going in with Indiana a step behind them. I think IU has the potential to be right up there, but they will have to prove it, playing tough teams every week.

You would think they could restrict it by zip code and limit ticket sales to only those within a certain mile radius. That would still piss some people off, but it would more fairly allow those who live close to purchase tickets. It just seems weird to me to limit it to Illinois. Do they think all of the brokers are in Indiana or other states and not in IL?

Don't make me drop the days of Keith Lee on you Aboz!

I didn't hear a lot of b****ing at all....

QUOTE(ilsox7 @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 03:18 AM) I'm really not sure. I think that Henne should be challenged though. If he depends that much on his RB to be good, then we have a problem. For all of the supposed talent that team had, they sure did suck. And part of that has to fall on the coaches, if not most of it. There is plenty of blame to go around. Let's keep in mind that in Alamo Bowl, Michigan started their 6th different combination on the offensive line. Anyone who thinks a lack of continuity on the offensive line will hurt a team on offense if overlooking a very important part of the game. Massaquoi was hurt for several games this year, including last night. Hart was hurt most of the year. The offense was adjusting after losing Braylon Edwards at WR. You could say that Steve Breaston never really stepped up as a WR threat to help that transition. Guys like Arrington, Tabb and Dutch never stepped up to play a significant role. When you are Michigan and you are playing at least four freshman significant minutes (three on offense) something isn't going right. They don't have the necessary depth at WR right now, when that looked like it was going to be a position of strength. They are losing their top two TE's. I don't think Henne is the big problem here. A lack of depth and injuries hurt this year as much as anything. I could be wrong here, but how many of the QB's in Michigan's "NFL Pipeline" started as a freshman and were expected to be a star as a sophomore. I would be willing to bet the majority of them were eased into the system much more than Henne has been. As frustrating as they were at times, growing pains from Henne should have been expected. Michigan's play calling will always be a bit conservative for me, but I'm no Offensive Coordinator so I won't claim to be an expert on offense. The biggest problem of all for Michigan this year was that the combination of all of the above kept them from developing an ability to put teams away, to win games they should win (Minnesota) and games they should have been able to win (Notre Dame, Ohio State and Nebraska) with less mistakes and taking advantage of opportunities.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 30, 2005 -> 01:56 AM) That game will be fun to watch, no doubt. I love watching UAB play every year. I know OK State is down this year, but UAB flat out killed them last night, 90-71.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Dec 29, 2005 -> 11:55 PM) I have them pegged for a second round exit when they face a fundamental team who capitalizes off of their mistakes. They will also have few challenges in the conference and I think they could get complacent if they blow every team they face out, which is a good possibility in Conference USA. I think the Memphis-UAB matchup will shape up to be an exciting game. I may have to check that one out in person.

QUOTE(White Sox Josh @ Dec 29, 2005 -> 09:26 AM) no i am not talking about the last play. This was the whole game. These were Sun Belt Refs. Michigan played a good game IMHO. Henne played well, Avant got to 1,000 yards, Mike Hart showed what he can do when healthy, the pass rush defense was scary good, and Lloyd coached a very good game. This was officiated like a junior high game. And this is the first time I have ever blamed the refs for a loss like this but it just makes me want to hurl. Michigan never established a ground game. They didn't score after Nebraska turnovers in their own territory. Michigan turned the ball over twice in the 4th quarter with the lead. The officials were terrible, but they did NOT cost Michigan the game. That game should never have been close. Michigan should have been up at least two touchdowns in the first half and running away with it. b**** about the refs all you want Josh, but Michigan did not play well and the referees were not the reason they lost.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Dec 29, 2005 -> 06:00 AM) Well, I had the seeds off... This site has them 5th, about as off as having ISU fifth as well. http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/ncaatournam...racketology.htm They also have Bucknell as a 4, and if these guys aren't lying, they've been accurate. I love mid-majors as much as the next guy, but Bucknell and Northern Iowa aren't 4-6 seeds. That, and I think McDermott's a prick. I'd say teams like Bucknell or Northern Iowa would be six seeds at the highest. UNI isn't going to go through the MVC unscathed enough to be a higher seed than that.

QUOTE(ilsox7 @ Dec 29, 2005 -> 05:56 AM) Yup. And that was par for the course this year. You could tell from the NIU game on that this team just didn't have it. No ability/willingness to put a team away. There was always something that kept them from finishing teams off.

Owens is NOT a CF, so none of this matters. Repeat after me.......... Jerry Owens is NOT a CF. Jerry Owens is NOT a CF.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Dec 29, 2005 -> 05:46 AM) I do wish everyone would stop fussing over Northern Iowa. They're not a 3-4 seed like everyone is projecting them to be. Who projected them to be seeded that high?

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Dec 29, 2005 -> 05:44 AM) Michigan did have guys on the field, but they were on the field after the entire Nebraska team stormed the field. And if anything those are offsetting penalties. That was easily the worst officiated game I have ever seen in any sport. Those officials consistently f***ed up the entire night and Michigan got screwed horribly. The officiating was indeed bad. But Michigan has no one to blame but themselves for the loss. They did not play well at all.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Dec 29, 2005 -> 04:19 AM) The Big 12 is so awful. Iowa State had way too much trouble with Tennessee State, Oklahoma trailed almost all game against Oral Roberts (who, although good, is still a Mid Con team). I honestly think the Missouri Valley Conference is better than the Big 12 this year. The Valley is really good this year and deep, as showcased tonight by undefeated Indiana State falling at home to now 9-2 Wichita State, Creighton beating up on Missouri State in a battle of 2 real good teams, and Bradley with an upset win in OT over Northern Iowa down in Peoria. As of last weekend, the MIssouri Valley was rated as the 3rd best conference based on RPI. That will change as the conference sched gets going, but that is a testament to the strength of the league this year. Being a top 8 league is very realistic, if not top 6 or 7.

QUOTE(THEWOOD @ Dec 29, 2005 -> 05:30 AM) Mr. Carr just lost his job... Not a chance

That game sucked! 1. It may have been the worst officiated game I have ever seen, from the officials on field to the replay officials. A team should not have to take two timeouts just to give the officials time to decide to review a critical play. The officiating was so bad it would take way too much time to itemize all of their f***ups. UGH 2. Tonight's showing by Michigan was representative of their whole season. Terrible officiating aside, Michigan should have won this game going away. They had chances to put Nebraska away in the first half and again in the second half when they were ahead 28-17. Michigan has no one to blame but themselves for losing this game, so please do not misconstrue my above rant on the officials as making excuses for the loss. The final play was certainly entertaining, but just as many Michigan players gave up on the play as did Cornhuskers. Overall, the game was hard-hitting and entertaining, but it was sickening to see Michigan blow so many opportunities to put this game away. Then again, they have been doing the same all year, as recently as the Ohio St game.

QUOTE(Steff @ Dec 27, 2005 -> 02:13 PM) No. I caught others. You knew I was being a smartass, right????