2012-2013 NCAA Football Thread (National Signing Day)

[The Evil Genius]

Wow, I didn't realize how badly the Big Ten sucks this year. The highest ranked team is MSU and they're #18. Although, I guess Ohio State would be at #14 (as they are in the AP poll) if they were eligible.

I'm not sure how good tOSU is, anyway. Perennial bad on the road Cal gave them everything they could handle at the Horseshoe.

That said, I would love to them blow through their schedule and not be allowed to be ranked or go to a bowl game.



---------- Post added September-24th-2012 at 10:16 AM ----------

Am I the only one that remembers that WVU put up over 500+ yards against LSU last year? That was over 1/7 of the total amount of yards that LSU allowed in 14 games.

[Major Harris]

When discussing who has the better offense, the running game unfortunately for West Virginia, merits discussion.

is that what was being discussed? because the quote that started this was sparty saying clemson had (arguably) the best starting wr's in the country.

---------- Post added September-24th-2012 at 01:28 PM ----------

The WVU topic around here is funny. WVU has yet to play anyone with any regularity throughout the season when in the Big East to really warrant a good test of where they actually stand as a team and this season it will be very interesting to see how playing in a real conference and the toll it will take on their players.


I think we can all agree that the Big East is and has been for awhile now worse than the ACC overall (maybe we can't agree on this I don't really know).

not really. this year, no doubt. prior to the 2nd exodus, it was very, very debatable. fsu was horrible for several years. miami still is. vtech held it down but outside of that the conference was horrible. big east had much more success on the national level.

Anyhow as for the who's offense is better between Clemson and WVU I think it's far too early to tell but surely we can again agree it's too early because WVU hasn't played anyone. The one team they did play (Maryland) isn't that good and they struggled.

not sure they struggled...other than an anemic running game. geno still had over 300 yds w/ 3 tds and no picks...and tavon austin had 13 catches for 170ish and 3 scores. defense didn't do a good job of getting off the field..(our D is very suspect. we fit right in to the big12.)

Defense no question WVU is better which brings me to last season since it was brought up.

that says more about clemsons D than wvu's because our d is not very good.

Anyhow last season is last season and this season is this season. I will be pulling for WVU despite everything I've said because I have family from there but fans that are color blinded by their team make it so tough to talk football and enjoy it.

[/QUOTE]

there are very few fans not color blinded by their team at least somewhat. sparty is the most knowledgeable and objective fan we have here, and he is still color blinded.

[The Evil Genius]

I think the dynamic that Alston brings at RB also needs to be mentioned when were talking about WVU's run game this year. As a bruiser, his absence was severely missed during that game. Additionally, he keeps Geno clean when he pass protects.

He wasn't the only reason that the O struggled at times on Saturday, but it is and was a major factor to be acknowledged.

As for the D, WVU's transition to a 3-4 from the 3-3-5 will take some time..especially if they are going to blitz like they did (almost every play) on Saturday. They were in a position of "damned if they do and damned if they don't". If the blitz, the secondary gets hung out to dry if they don't get to the QB. If they don't blitz, the DLine wasn't getting much pressure and then the LBs and DBs are having to cover for too long.

What can you do...other than find pass rushing DLineman?

I will say this, MD's QB played better than he had all year. I don't know if that was a product of WVU's D or him growing into the role, or both. I guess we'll see as the year progresses.

A tough close win is always better than a loss.

[ClemsSC7Skinfan]

Am I the only one that remembers that WVU put up over 500+ yards against LSU last year? That was over 1/7 of the total amount of yards that LSU allowed in 14 games.

I don't see much of the relevance here with this statement it was 27-7 at half time in Mountaineer stadium, of course the entire second half would be throwing the pigskin all over the field racking up yards just not points since the game ended in a lopsided 47-21...at home.

Like I said, I don't know why people compare so much to what was done last season to this season. Yes you can forecast some things but top 25 isn't one until about October or week 4 in general. Secondly you can't predict how good offense's are exactly nor defense's without seeing them play within their conference which again typically doesn't happen until week 4 and beyond. I don't know why this is hard to digest. Yes WVU is good, dang good, but we don't really know how good until they play someone (Marshall, JMU certainly don't count.....Maryland does and it didn't look that impressive).

On that same token, Clemson was overrated at #10 big time with the D we have, Ball State smoked us on plays and you wouldn't know it looking at the box score so needless to say when we played FSU I already knew it would be quite a hill to overcome but we gave it our best shot.

i remember....LSU won that with the honey badger and their punter.

I remember a lot of turnovers as well

[Major Harris]

Am I the only one that remembers that WVU put up over 500+ yards against LSU last year? That was over 1/7 of the total amount of yards that LSU allowed in 14 games.

i remember....LSU won that with the honey badger and their punter.

[The Evil Genius]

i remember....LSU won that with the honey badger and their punter.

I thought that was 2010.

I don't see much of the relevance here with this statement it was 27-7 at half time in Mountaineer stadium, of course the entire second half would be throwing the pigskin all over the field racking up yards just not points since the game ended in a lopsided 47-21...at home.

Like I said, I don't know why people compare so much to what was done last season to this season. Yes you can forecast some things but top 25 isn't one until about October or week 4 in general. Secondly you can't predict how good offense's are exactly nor defense's without seeing them play within their conference which again typically doesn't happen until week 4 and beyond. I don't know why this is hard to digest. Yes WVU is good, dang good, but we don't really know how good until they play someone (Marshall, JMU certainly don't count.....Maryland does and it didn't look that impressive).

It's relevant to compare since WVU returned all of their skill position players on offense. And because Dana's history shows that QB's improve 15-20% stats wise in their 2nd year under his system. Far and away, this is a better offense than last year. Especially when Alston is healthy and can start at RB (as he did in Week 1).

But I agree, the true test will come in conference play. Especially against Texas's and KSU's D.

---------- Post added September-24th-2012 at 10:59 AM ----------

BTW - Oregon's team speed amazes me. I'm not sure there is a quicker team in the country. Watching their games (and highlights) looks like they are playing in fast forward.

[Major Harris]

I thought that was 2010..

i don't remember the '10 game very much, so it could've been 2010 also...but last year, honey badger made a huge play at the end of the first half that gave their offense first and goal at the 1. we were down 20-7 with the ball close to midfield....he was blitzing off the edge, read the wr screen, knocked the pass in the air and returned it to the 1.

their punter pinned us inside the 10 five or six times.

[pjfootballer]

I'll just have to say, I'm proud of the Terps for fighting hard and keeping it to a 10 point game and keeping WVU to under 50 points, hell, 40 points.

[The Evil Genius]

I'll just have to say, I'm proud of the Terps for fighting hard and keeping it to a 10 point game and keeping WVU to under 50 points, hell, 40 points.

I thought MD played a good game. Especially on offense (again I'm not sure if that's the freshman QB maturing or WVU's D or both).

That said, if Geno makes all the correct throws (like he almost did against Marshall), I think WVU adds a few more TD's. They were there for the taking.

Good luck to the Terps the rest of the year. I'm hoping that this game is a step in the right direction for your program.

[Major Harris]

I'll just have to say, I'm proud of the Terps for fighting hard and keeping it to a 10 point game and keeping WVU to under 50 points, hell, 40 points.

If I were a terps fan I would've been very happy with their performance on Saturday

[The Evil Genius]

One thing is certain, WVU cannot play that way against Baylor on Saturday.

[DCranon21]

Michigan is the first casualty of Notre Dame's new arrangement with the ACC.
The Fighting Irish notified the Wolverines that they are exercising a three-year out in their series contract, meaning the last meeting between these two historic rivals will occur in 2014.

Through a Freedom of Information Act request, The Associated Press obtained a letter Tuesday from Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick to Michigan AD David Brandon, canceling the games from 2015-17.

The schools had extended their contract in 2007, taking the series through the 2031 season. But it was on a three-year rolling basis, giving either side the chance to opt out with three years' notice.

Notre Dame and Michigan announced this summer that a two-year break is coming in the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, but that they intended to resume the series in the years following.

"The decision to cancel games in 2015-17 was Notre Dame's and not ours," Brandon said in a release. "We value our annual rivalry with Notre Dame but will have to see what the future holds for any continuation of the series. This cancellation presents new scheduling opportunities for our program and provides a chance to create some new rivalries."

The Irish beat the Wolverines 13-6 over the weekend in the latest game of a storied series that dates to 1887. They've played every year since 2002 and regularly since 1978 after not meeting from 1944-77 or 1910-41. Michigan and Notre Dame were scheduled to take a hiatus during the 2018-19 seasons.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/...gan-wolverines

So ND AD decided just to end it. Terrible.

Oh wait check this statement out:

Swarbrick said then that he hoped the football scheduling agreement could begin in the 2014 season, and he stressed that Navy, Stanford and USC were the rivals he felt were most important for the Irish to keep on an annual basis.

"While this move is a necessary precaution as we begin the process of meeting our new scheduling commitment to the ACC," Swarbrick wrote in his letter to Brandon, "please know that Notre Dame very much values its relationship with Michigan we look forward to working with you to ensure that our great football rivalry can continue."

I understand USC and know the history between Navy and Norte Dame back in the early 1900s where Navy saved their football program(hence the same color helmets). But Michigan is not an important rival. Just say it, you want to cut all ties with the Big 10.

---------- Post added September-25th-2012 at 12:10 PM ----------

Michigan is the first casualty of Notre Dame's new arrangement with the ACC.
The Fighting Irish notified the Wolverines that they are exercising a three-year out in their series contract, meaning the last meeting between these two historic rivals will occur in 2014.

Through a Freedom of Information Act request, The Associated Press obtained a letter Tuesday from Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick to Michigan AD David Brandon, canceling the games from 2015-17.

The schools had extended their contract in 2007, taking the series through the 2031 season. But it was on a three-year rolling basis, giving either side the chance to opt out with three years' notice.

Notre Dame and Michigan announced this summer that a two-year break is coming in the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, but that they intended to resume the series in the years following.

"The decision to cancel games in 2015-17 was Notre Dame's and not ours," Brandon said in a release. "We value our annual rivalry with Notre Dame but will have to see what the future holds for any continuation of the series. This cancellation presents new scheduling opportunities for our program and provides a chance to create some new rivalries."

The Irish beat the Wolverines 13-6 over the weekend in the latest game of a storied series that dates to 1887. They've played every year since 2002 and regularly since 1978 after not meeting from 1944-77 or 1910-41. Michigan and Notre Dame were scheduled to take a hiatus during the 2018-19 seasons.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/...gan-wolverines

So ND AD decided just to end it. Terrible.

Oh wait check this statement out:

Swarbrick said then that he hoped the football scheduling agreement could begin in the 2014 season, and he stressed that Navy, Stanford and USC were the rivals he felt were most important for the Irish to keep on an annual basis.

"While this move is a necessary precaution as we begin the process of meeting our new scheduling commitment to the ACC," Swarbrick wrote in his letter to Brandon, "please know that Notre Dame very much values its relationship with Michigan we look forward to working with you to ensure that our great football rivalry can continue."

I understand USC and know the history between Navy and Norte Dame back in the early 1900s where Navy saved their football program(hence the same color helmets). But Michigan is not an important rival. Just say it, you want to cut all ties with the Big 10.

[The Evil Genius]

---------- Post added September-26th-2012 at 10:56 AM ----------

The over/under for the WVU/Baylor game this weekend is 79 1/2.

I'm not sure if that is even enough.

[Spartacus87]

Very arguable

Well arguable does leave room for debate of course, and it is a fun topic to play around with.

But Sammy Watkins will likely be a 1st round pick in a couple of years. And he's one of only a few true freshman to make the All-American list, ever (joining Adrian Peterson and Herschel Walker as the other guys to have that career distinction). He's just an animal.

And Nuke is far from a slouch either - he could easily be a 2nd round pick.

As much as I appreciate Tavon Austin and how absolutely disgusting he is as a slot WR, I'd give the edge to Clemson almost on the merit of Watkins alone.

426 yards given up against the only real tem they have played. Make excuses all you want, but you have played 1 real team.

Murray St - 156
Savannah St - 28
Wake Forest - 126
Clemson - 426

FSUs defense made its numbers against Savannah St. Clemson put up 31 points. Last year, you mocked the VT D for letting Clemson score 23. Then they bet you and magically you stopped referring to Clemson. Dominant defenses don't give up 426 yards and 31 points

Could you just cut to the punch line of this absurdly drawn out joke already?

Yes, shame on FSU for giving up 426 yards to one of the best offenses in the country, which relied on trick plays to score its initial points.

And then when it counted, from the middle of the 3rd quarter through the end of the game, and when Clemson was out of trick plays, FSU was gaining over 11 yards per play while holding Clemson to about 2 yards per play.

FSU's defense was one of the top 5 best in the country last season. They're easily one of the best again this season.

This is only a crazy concept to you because you can't stand the idea that FSU could possibly be this good. Your deep seeded bias is the mental barrier here.

But when you spend the last three years landing top 5 recruiting classes and your defensive 2-deep is nothing but 4 and 5 star recruits who are all very well coached, that's typically a process which breeds success.

So let's hear it: who do you think is the best defense in the ACC?

(Keep in mind that VT gave up 537 yards to Pitt)

[Popeman38]

Could you just cut to the punch line of this absurdly drawn out joke already?

Yes, shame on FSU for giving up 426 yards to one of the best offenses in the country, which relied on trick plays to score its initial points.

And then when it counted, from the middle of the 3rd quarter through the end of the game, and when Clemson was out of trick plays, FSU was gaining over 11 yards per play while holding Clemson to about 2 yards per play.

FSU's defense was one of the top 5 best in the country last season. They're easily one of the best again this season.

This is only a crazy concept to you because you can't stand the idea that FSU could possibly be this good. Your deep seeded bias is the mental barrier here.

But when you spend the last three years landing top 5 recruiting classes and your defensive 2-deep is nothing but 4 and 5 star recruits who are all very well coached, that's typically a process which breeds success.

So let's hear it: who do you think is the best defense in the ACC?

(Keep in mind that VT gave up 537 yards to Pitt)

It really burns our ass that you have been pimping FSU as taking over the ACC for the last 4 years. Every year, we have to hear about how this is the year FSU reassumes it's rightful place as king of the ACC and reserving a spot at the table of the National Championship contenders. EVERY YEAR. And you know what happens every year? Excuses. A redneck, small town school in the foothills of the New River valley has actually owned the ACC during these years. And has won 10 games each year for the last 8 years. So I am gonna say it: you wanna be king again? Earn it. Come knock us off the mountain. There have been 7 ACCCGs. VT has played in 5. FSU in 2. VT had been in the ACC for 8 years. They have won the conference championship 4 times. Those are facts.

I have no hate for FSU. They were head and shoulders above the rest of the ACC before VT joined the conference. You talk about me having a bias. What about your homer bias?

VT fell on their face against Pitt. I said that THE DAY OF THE GAME in this thread. Right now, FSU has the bet D in the conference. But they gave up 31 and 426 to Clemson. And that is the only legit team they have played. Cupcake city as Dickie V says.

EDIT: I watched every play of the first half. Clemson didn't run a single trick play. They ran their typical read option and some end around off that. They ran a poor mans Statue of Liberty, but they ran that a bunch last year. When you run that offense every game, it isn't a gimmick.