RockRaines

QUOTE (SoxPride56 @ Dec 2, 2010 -> 01:35 PM) I would go with: Pierre Ramirez Rios Dunn Quentin Lee AJ Beckham Morel Anyway you slice it, it is a better lineup then last year...now how possible is it? I like yours too. It could always be tweaked. As far as how possible is it? It depends on what the player's agents accept. This is definitely a lineup that KW has thought about. If Dunn is signed by the Sox, you'll see alot more cards fall into place and I believe one of them is saying goodbye to Konerko.

Pierre Beckham Dunn DLee Rios Quentin Alexei AJP Morel

Insanity made me not able to walk tis morning. Nice.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 10:34 PM) Has anyone noticed how similar Ohio State and Florida's schedules are thus far?!?!: Florida North Carolina-Wilmington Ohio State North Carolina A&T Morehead State Florida Atlantic Florida State Ohio State North Carolina A&T Florida North Carolina-Wilmington Morehead State Miami (OH) Florida State The first 3 were part of a tournament.

Alright Illinois, step up.

QUOTE (chimpy2121 @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 08:15 PM) Yep, not even 20 fouls for the game. The basket interference makes up for Miller being "out of bounds". I wish we could score, but that's not what a Hamilton team does... I thought he called that he jumped from out of bounds in to grab the ball. Not sure I've ever seen that called. At first I thought he called a phantom over and back. Just weird officiating all around.

Well freshman, theres your physical road game experience. Refs put the whistles away at weird times during that game. Ticky-tack here and then no calls for minutes. Looked almost like a Big Ten tourney game.

And another basket interference

Buckeyes will have 20 fouls this half.

QUOTE (kjshoe04 @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 07:41 PM) Just started watching for it and Sullinger for ohio state has been in the lane for over five seconds on two of the last 5 possessions. Good, if they arent calling it he should be.

Yes, "theres one" where you can clearly see Sully getting hacked.

GT cant handle Crawford at all. NW can give you absolute fits if you arent ready for them.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 06:47 PM) do they call 3 seconds in the lane in college anymore? Ohio State camps 2 guys in there for about 5 seconds. Havent seen that happen even once. The Noles play ridiculous D. Hopefully this gives the Bucks a taste of what its going to be like soon enough in conference against teams like ILL.

Insanity week. Core cardio and power SUCKS. Make plyo look like a jog.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 04:38 PM) So basically, what you and others are going to argue, is that no matter the data presents, no matter what actual mathematical formulas and statistics we present which state that schools like Boise and TCU can hack it against the best football programs in the country, you are going to respond that they are "flawed" because your eyes tell you otherwise? Because their uniforms happen to say Indiana on them instead of Fresno State, and you see them on Saturday mornings getting their asses kicked by the likes of mediocre Penn State teams, and you don't see Fresno State playing solid football, because you are in a bar drunk with your fraternity brothers by then, that we should just buy your argument? That because some of these power conference schools get the leftover athletes from bigger high school programs in bigger football regions, guys that have shown up on the top 50 recruiting lists at their positions instead of lesser known players from small towns out west, that they must be better, stronger programs simply by default. That because they go 3-5 in their conference play or 2-6, but beat Morehead State and Delaware Tech and finish 6-5 and are bowl eligible, they must indeed be better than teams from lesser conferences that finish 9-3. Ok then. Wow, no need to get personal. Maybe if you and your small school lovers werent too busy sitting on the curb drinking your vodka out of paper bags......... FYI, I went to a small school, I've watched more MAC football than most people on this board. You clearly dont understand my argument. And I still havent seen your statistical analysis except for SOS which is universally known as a flawed statistic. And by no count am I saying that BSU and TCU cannot compete with other large programs across the country, this is what you are clearly misunderstanding. I am simply pointing out that week in and week out the players and teams they face in conference arent as tough as schools with similar records in the B10 or SEC, which SOS doesnt completely factor in. And the fact that you completely discount the difference in the quality of players clearly shown by both recruiting rankings (also flawed) and the number of NFL players currently playing from those schools. The schemes and "team" aspect of a team goes a long way in the quality of the program, but at some point there is a talent gap at the player level that has to be taken into account on the differences between playing a WAC schedule and playing an SEC schedule regardless of the record of the teams they play. If you have a mathematical formula that tells me that Louisiana Tech is the same quality team as a team with a similar record in the B10 such as Illinois then I would love to see it. I will tell you that if they have the same record I look at the quality of players in that program to show me how they play, with what speed and physicality to determine who i think is best. I am lucky enough to have several family members who played at one of the best college football programs in the country in Mount Union and I can empirically say they could stick with several bigger schools during a one game contest, but over the course of the season, the talent level and size difference would really take its toll. And since I am clearly striking a nerve with you, I'll back off this subject moving forward.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 12:48 PM) WTF are you even arguing? Are we arguing that Boise has more talent, player for player, as any of these big conference schools? Is that what we are all supposed to be cheering for? You keep bringing up size and quantity of NFL prospects, as if that is what we should be judging these teams on, rather than their ability to play the game of football. I could care less about whether or not Ohio State has more NFL prospects than Boise. I can care less what the average size of their offensive lines are. All I care about is who plays the game of football the best. Why the hell even bother to play the games if we're going to measure by the criteria you continue to bring up? Oh, and btw, more than half of TCU's starting defense will probably play in the NFL, so should they be ranked higher than Auburn? Because I can guarantee you TCU will send more players from this class to the NFL than Auburn will. Secondly, this is not a "woe is Boise" argument. Not ONE f***ing person has argued that Boise should be playing for a championship, or even in a BCS bowl. What is being argued is that the loss to Nevada does not prove they aren't a good enough team to deserve a shot, had they not lost to Nevada. Actually yes, there has been an argument that Boise should be going to a BCS bowl, read above. And you keep going back on which "team" plays football better. My point is that 6-6 teams in the WAC vs 6-6 teams in larger conferences are not the same quality of opponent regardless of record. This is clearly seen in the quality of players on those teams that make up the opponent. Its easy for smaller schools to run through their conferences because of a system or because of one or two standout players, in larger conferences those talent and scheme matchups become less of an advantage because of increased level of talent. If you dont think thats important than thats your prerogative. I've seen it first hand when my Redhawks DOMINATED their opponents for the most part in 2003 including a very good Louisville team in a bowl game because of their scheme and a standout QB, however their one loss that season was to a much more physically dominating team in Iowa. If you dont think a talent difference means anything in football, well then there is nothing I can say that you will take seriously. And you really think half of TCU's defense will play in the NFL? They have 11 alumni in the NFL at the moment, you are projecting a 50 percent increase in that number on defensive players alone? I'll go with Auburn and take that bet.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 12:51 PM) You're ignoring the fact that Boise actually played some tough teams. And it's not like Ohio, Western Michigan, Marshall, Indiana, Minnesota, etc are SO much better than the WAC teams. GMAB dude. My argument is that the differences aren't as big as you seem to think. Do BCS schools have more talent? Sure. Does that mean they're automatically better teams. Hell no. No, but those MAC teams are just as good if not better than the bottom tier WAC teams that are conference games for BSU. Next the bottom tier B10 and SEC teams are as good as most of the other teams in that conference. There is a much tougher road for B10 and SEC, B12 teams just playing conference games than BSU has playing in conference and they dont really add much more than opponents as good as the top tier teams in the big conferences when they play OOC games. My point is overall its a much tougher road throughout the season week after week than BSU will ever see playing their current schedule regardless of what the flawed SOS says.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 10:42 AM) You don't think that all evens out? A 6-6 bcs team will have (likely) 3 horrible non-bcs games (worse than the WAC), a couple of top 25 games, and then middle of the road games. That's the same schedule as Boise. You're letting your major conference fandom cloud your judgment here. We have upsets every single year in college football. The level of play from BCS to non-BCS programs isn't THAT dramatic (especially the top non-bcs schools). And the number of NFL players means nothing to this argument about which TEAM is better. Ask Oklahoma from 2005 if it mattered. No it doesnt even out at all. And NFL players DOES add to the argument. Thats exactly like saying 1-A undefeated high Schools teams are on the same talent level as an 8-A team loaded with D-1 players. The WAC teams that BSU plays week in and week out have almost zero players that will play on sundays, zero. If you dont think that makes a difference well then you will never see through your underdog glasses. And the fact you have to go back 5 years to find an example of an upset that doesnt come close to proving your point, well then there you go. Any team can upset another team in any one game. Going through a conference schedule filled with much more size, speed and skilled players is harder than a lesser conference. Lets put this in perspective: Bottom half of WAC: Louisiana Tech 5-6 Idaho 5-7 Utah State 4-7 New Mexico State 2-10 San Jose State 1-11 Bottom Half of B10: Illinois (tied with PSU) 6-5 PSU 7-5 Michigan 7-5 Northwestern 7-5 Purdue 4-8 minny 3-9 Indiana 5-7 Bottom Half of SEC: Bama 9-3 Miss St 8-4 Tenn (3 way tie) 6-6 Georgia 6-6 Kentucky 6-6 ole Miss 4-8 Vandy 2-10 Do you really think that the teams in the conferences are equal in terms of talent and difficulty to play week after week? You can look at SOS all you want, the roads for BCS conference schools like the B10 and SEC are harder week after week than any team in the WAC.

QUOTE (MuckFinnesota @ Nov 25, 2010 -> 01:16 PM) Since junior year of high school, I started running after school on my own on a route without keeping track of time or distance, but it was safe to say I did about 40 minutes. I run five days a week for cardio and to stay in shape so the distance is irrelevant to me. In 2009, I completed the Chicago Marathon after running the 20 mile run along the lake front and several 10 mile runs at Waterfall Glen and 5ks at the Jim Bonfield Run in Downers Grove on Thanksgiving Day. I imagine that I finish 5ks in 20-25 minutes, 10 miles at 1:21.48 and my marathon time was 4:00.32. EDIT: How often do you buy new shoes, what makes you want the shoes (light on your feet, good feeling, good mileage), and what brand do you like best?) I use Brooks shoes almost exclusively now. I need a decent amount of support since i have been a heel striker lately after a broken big toe injury. They are the only shoes that have proven to alleviate my shin splints. Nikes used to kill my shins. I do have a pair of cushioned Sauconys that I will use on occasion with speed work or plyo.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 01:46 AM) a few months ago i mentioned that Rose and Westbrook have the same physical attributes and abilities, but yet westbrook is far more aggressive in terms of playing lock down defense, getting into the passing lane for the steal, being a great rebounder for his position, and when you actually watch the game, you will see westbrook is always hustling for the lose ball. Rose has the ability to do all those stuff, but he just doesn't do it often enough. That's why I mentioned Rose should learn from westbrook in this department, but most people on this board didn't seem to agree. Rose is a great player right now, but if he can use athleticism to get more rebounds, steals, get to the line more often, and play lock down defense, he will very soon be the best pg in the league. Derrick is having an unbelievable season so far, and being a bulls fan, i want to say he is playing better than westbrook right now, but objectively, i think the opposite is true, for two reasons. Rose has improved a lot of defense, but on some nights, he still look like his old self and doesn't seem to engage in that side of the ball. Westbrook is still better on that side of the ball. Also, Westbrook is scoring 23-24 points a night, despite playing along side the best scorer in the league, because he is efficient with his opportunities and get to the line more often and hits the free throws. Rose on the other hand is a volume scorer and shot taker, and when boozer comes back, his shot attempts will almost certainly reduce, and so will his PPG. both will average around 23-8 per game, but westbrook has the complete game besides scoring and passing. I'd take either one of them to be honest. It will be interesting to see how Rose adjusts with Boozer beside him since that will be his first real go-to teammate. Westbrook does have the pleasure of playing beside probably the best player in the game though I dont know how much that really affects his game since we havent seen him without Durant.

I still cant believe that Gopher loss at home last night. That was a lock IMO. Hoping for a better result from the B10 tonight.

So beyond the woe is me discussion on Boise. Big Ten post season awards came out. I will tell you right now that it would be difficult to field a better first team defensive line than the one that was picked. Kerrigan Watt Clayborn Heyward All of those guys should play prominent roles on Sunday.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 09:06 AM) This argument is just getting stupid. Team A's w/l record isn't as bad as it seems. Team B's record isn't as good as it seems. GMAB. Boise State played a schedule that puts them in the middle of the Big Ten, but better than BCS-likely teams Ohio State and Wisconsin. You can ignore that objective measure if you like, but that's the situation. To complain that they play lesser opponents is dumb. Over the course of the season it evens out. Here's the big ten strength of schedule (key number in parenthesis): Here's Boise State: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbc10.htm I don't think anyone is arguing that Boise should be playing for the championship. They screwed that up by losing to Nevada. But I do think there's a legit argument to be made that they should be looked at equally (in terms of football accomplishments) as Ohio State, which will get that 2nd BCS bid. I'm fine with it, cuz it's all about money and viewership. But stop this ridiculous "they don't play anyone, my team plays everyone" nonsense. Boise State is a great program and in the discussion for top ten in the country right now. If you don't agree you're just ignoring reality. First of all the reason they arent getting a BCS bid is when they lost not who they lost to. Bring up money all you want, it has nothing to do with that. Secondly, SOS only tells a fraction of who a team plays since its heavily weighted by record. If you think a 6-6 non-ranked BCS team is the same as a 6-6 non ranked WAC team, then thats your problem. There is a clear difference not only in the size of players but the overall talent of players that they play week in and week out. Above everyone was jumping on Iowa as a team that would get rolled by Boise. Iowa will put more players in the NFL this season than Boise and Nevada combined, there is a significant talent difference between even the top WAC schools and a second tier Big Ten or SEC team.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 29, 2010 -> 08:48 PM) You do have to recognize that Boise tries to put together the strongest non-conference schedule possible, but most BCS schools will not schedule them. This is bulls*** BTW. Boise asks for money to play BCS schools, which is exactly what BCS schools DONT do. This is the reason nobody schedules them. OSU reached out to them for a home and home and they wanted a pay out richer than most MAC schools want. Thats not called trying to put together a strong non-con schedule, thats called treating your own team like a second tier program.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 29, 2010 -> 09:18 PM) No, the point is that Boise built a program over time, just as Gonzaga did in basketball, that is producing better players, that is attracting top-tier recruits, that is proving itself more and more on a national stage. Since the win over Oklahoma several years ago, they have really taken big steps to improve their program. Leave bball out of this. Second, Boise hasnt been attracting top tier recruits at all. They are never ranked in the top 50 as far as team rankings and havent improved as far as players signed in the last 5 years at all. They've had 2 4 star recruits in the last 10 years, not exactly "top tier" talent as you said above. They've put less players in the NFL than Baylor among others. I dont see where you get that they've built this powerhouse program other than the fact they have learned to dominate a seriously sub par conference.