Very OT: An Open Apology to Patrick Mucci

[T_MacWood]

OJ Simpson did not play for USC in 1969.

[Tom Huckaby]

OJ Simpson did not play for USC in 1969.

Of course he didn't.  Who ever said he did?  Hell I was 6 at the time.  Mucci was probably his agent.

 

[T_MacWood]

This is an interesting thread...its pretty easy to determine who are the true college football fans and who are the bandwagon jumpers. The latter typically talk a lot of smack, the others take a lower profile knowing how unpredictable and cruel the college game can be.

[Tom Huckaby]

This is an interesting thread...its pretty easy to determine who are the true college football fans and who are the bandwagon jumpers. The latter typically talk a lot of smack, the others take a lower profile knowing how unpredictable and cruel the college game can be.

OK, that's an interesting observation.  And while I am certainly no bandwagon jumper - having rooted for one team and one team only my entire life, through a lot of bad times - well... I am talking a lot of smack.

But then so is MUCCI.  There is absolutely no way you can say he is taking a low profile.

So hell, I'll live happily with however you want to classify me... you just simply have to, logically, put Mucci in the same class.  And that to me is delicious.

 

By the way, do you have a team?  Ohio State perhaps?  If so, I know why you are lying low.  You sure do not want to get into any conversation involving anything other than the games played this year.

 

[Greg Tallman]

"That being said based on their schedule I'd be shocked if USC was not in the championship game...hopefully against TOSU, although I think our youthfull defense combined with our schedule might be too much. Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, Auburn, LSU and Florida will all probably have at least one loss and an undefeated team from the Big East (WVU or L'Ville) will  end up in that game...which will be a joke IMO."

Tom MacWood - The joke will be when the winner of our Nov. 2 game(Anyone care to join me at Cesar's Indiana before and after the game?) goes on to win the national title. Anyone who has watched either team knows each belongs in the discussion.

YOU GUYS BELIEVE THE PRESS WAAAAAYYYYY TOO MUCH.  Reports of the demise of the Big East have been GREATLY exaggerated. How many conferences with at least 2 teams in top 10?

[Tony_Chapman]

Huck - We could take this offline if you want, but there have been many here who hope this series today signifies what it meant to us in 1969 and 1970. USC was, of course, THE barometer in those days. Didn't they win it all in 1968?

The loss in Lincoln during the '69 season most say was one of Devaney's finest moments of glory. Taking the Trojans deep into the fourth quarter before they pulled away. Then, the trip to LA for the tie was the Huskers only blemish (if you call it that) in an undefeated national championship season. Followed by another one in 1971.

[Tom Huckaby]

Aha... my bad, I see Mr. MacWood is on record as an Ohio State fan... no wonder he's stayed out of the conversations regarding student-athletes and graduation rates and the like.  

In any case, I too will be surprised if USC fails to go undefeated prior to the bowl games, but it's not due to schedule... it's due to the Trojans being damn good.  Of course anything can happen.... But before you denigrate the schedule, do you fail to notice the Trojans play FOUR ranked teams still?

Cal
Arizona State
Oregon
ND

If that's easy, well then you have too much Big 10 on the brain.

TH

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Greg, The Big East does have 2 very good teams this year and I think Pitt can be pretty good. I want a 16 team playoff and let the bowls fill the rest with 1st round losers and the rest of the top 25.

[Tom Huckaby]

Huck - We could take this offline if you want, but there have been many here who hope this series today signifies what it meant to us in 1969 and 1970. USC was, of course, THE barometer in those days. Didn't they win it all in 1968?

The loss in Lincoln during the '69 season most say was one of Devaney's finest moments of glory. Taking the Trojans deep into the fourth quarter before they pulled away. Then, the trip to LA for the tie was the Huskers only blemish (if you call it that) in an undefeated national championship season. Followed by another one in 1971.

That is all right on and a damn good observation, Tony.  This 2006-07 renewal is looking a lot like 69-70.  USC as in the midst of a great run then, just like now.

67: 10-1, won rose bowl and national championship.
68: 9-1-1, lost in rose bowl
69:  10-0-1, won rose bowl
70:  6-4-1, fell back.

So those 69-70 games were huge for sure.... just like now.  Here's hoping for my sake that if it turns out that 69=06, 70 does not equal 07.

     

[Tony_Chapman]

Huck - Just so you know, my take is this: The NOTRE DAME factor is everything in college football. That's not bad - IMHO - college football is better when the Irish are good. But, THE Ohio State University is #1 ONLY because they beat ND in the Fiesta Bowl last year.

The Luckeyes will lose one. I don't know which, but I'd hate to go to Iowa City this year.

USC is the best team in the nation and anybody who has a brain that has watched them should know this. They have Sunday players riding the pine.

West Virginia is very, very good. They'll play USC for the National Title. It will be either a) an SC blowout, or b) much like last year's game with Texas because of WV's style, but my hunch is a blowout, because Texas had Sunday corners playing defense and the Mountaineers don't.

Darn Auburn and LSU and Florida are probably the 2nd, 3rd and 4th best teams in the nation, but nobody will get that because they play in the greatest league in the nation.

A playoff would probably give you SC against an SEC team.

[Tom Huckaby]

Tony - that all makes great sense to me.

As much as it pains me to admit, the game is better when ND is good.  Like GIb said, we need black hats.  

As for this year, well... I too believe USC is very strong... but of course we have to play the games and those who say we have an easy sked are just not paying attention.  I see 4-5 very loseable games... We'll be favored in all, for sure... But one does never know.  I hope you're right, of course.  I believe you are.

TH

[Mike Hendren]

Top 10 College Football Winning Percentages (1869-2005)

1. Michigan  74.4%
2. Notre Dame  74.3%
3. Texas  71.7%
4. Alabama 71.2%
5. Oklahoma 71.1%
6. Ohio State 71.0%
7. Nebraska 70.6%
8. Southern Cal 70.0%
9. Tennessee  69.5%
10.Penn State 68.7%

Six SEC teams are in the top 20, suggesting that Alabama is the greatest college football program of all time.

As for the last 100 years, the list shifts slightly:

1. Notre Dame
2. Michigan
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Oklahoma
6. Texas
7. Tennessee
8. Nebraska
9. Southern Cal
10.Penn State

Note:  Around 1970 Sports Illustrated published the fact that Tennessee was the all-time winningest program.  We made the awful mistake of hiring Bill Battle, an Alabama alum to coach the team and voila, we slid down the list.  We have no one to blame but ourselves

Also, congratulations to the Gators.  They ran the football and we could not.  They deserved the win.  No disgrace in losing to the #5 team by a single point.

Also, let me stipulate that the student athletes at the University of Tennessee are not rocket scientists.  Come to think of it, neither is the student body.  Neither am I.  Big Whoop.

Rocky Top.

Mike

I went to the Ohio State - Michigan game.
I was not impressed.
I'd rather watch two mules fight over a turnip.
-The Late Lewis Grizzard (Georgia alumnus)

[Mike Hendren]

The litmus test for "big-osity" in college football is easily determined simply by who calls the game. Keith Jackson is the voice of college football and the great one is always at his best when my Trojans take the field.

Gib,

Would that be the same Keith Jackson who has been quoted as saying that Tennessee - Alabama is the greatest rivalry in college football?

Mike

[T_MacWood]

Aha... my bad, I see Mr. MacWood is on record as an Ohio State fan... no wonder he's stayed out of the conversations regarding student-athletes and graduation rates and the like.  

In any case, I too will be surprised if USC fails to go undefeated prior to the bowl games, but it's not due to schedule... it's due to the Trojans being damn good.  Of course anything can happen.... But before you denigrate the schedule, do you fail to notice the Trojans play FOUR ranked teams still?

Cal
Arizona State
Oregon
ND

If that's easy, well then you have too much Big 10 on the brain.

TH

Since when did you become a college football fan?

#22 California, #18 ASU, #12 Oregon*, #13 ND all at home

Not exactly murders row...I may be wrong but I don't believe any of these teams play defense.

What are the odds all four will be ranked when they play USC?

* currently under review

Tony
There are three primary reasons Ohio State was ranked number #1

* Experience QB who ended the season with big games against Michigan and ND

* Respect for Tressel

* There are no great teams

The problem with Ohio State is with their defense and you know what they say about championships. I still don't think there are any great teams this year, but that may change by the end of the year, time will tell, USC has the best chance. It seems to me there are still a dozen teams that could end up in the championship game...and Nebraska ain't one of them.

[Tom Huckaby]

Tom:

I've loved the great sport of college football all of my life.  I'd call four ranked teams pretty darn strong.  You can choose not to respect rankings... I don't lots of the time myself.  But for lack of a better way to show strength, this will do.

And just what tough teams are left for Ohio State to play, btw?  And why?  Well, I'll give you Michigan.. then there's Michigan.. and Michigan....

Here's hoping our two teams meet in the BCS Title game.  I do long for the days when that would have meant Rose Bowl...but if either of our schools end up in that this year, it will be a minor disappointment.

TH

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Tom, Please take back that Leinarts Dad can afford to pay his rent. His rent was $7,500.00 a month. That is before utilities, cable parking and fees. OMG how out of touch with reality is life in LA for that to be a normal anything in college. Even if the man could actually afford to give his child 10 to 12 thousand a month to go to college for spending money, who would actually do that? The Queen's grandkid did not live that good at St. Andrews. Oh by the by the 79 USC and Alabama teams were two of the 4 or 5 best college teams I ever saw play.

[T_MacWood]

The homesick crap does not wash either. Jarret was homesick his freshman year...not last year. By last year Jarret had won a national championship, become snoop dogs close friend, and had access to twelve months of unlimited....

[Tom Huckaby]

Tom, Please take back that Leinarts Dad can afford to pay his rent. His rent was $7,500.00 a month. That is before utilities, cable parking and fees. OMG how out of touch with reality is life in LA for that to be a normal anything in college. Even if the man could actually afford to give his child 10 to 12 thousand a month to go to college for spending money, who would actually do that? The Queen's grandkid did not live that good at St. Andrews. Oh by the by the 79 USC and Alabama teams were two of the 4 or 5 best college teams I ever saw play.

Tiger:  you have obviously never lived in CA.  Leinart's family could indeed afford that, and while it is somewhat excessive, it's surely not out of touch with CA reality.  I wish it were different.

So yes, it was not normal college living, for sure.  But man I had friends at SCU who lived similarly... of course it wasn't $7500 per month... but some did have lavish spreads.  Rich mommies and daddies remain a very nice thing to have.

And yes, the 79 USC-AL teams were fantastic.  But 1972 USC was the best team I ever saw... and I was 9 at the time.

 

[Tom Huckaby]

The homesick crap does not wash either. Jarret was homesick his freshman year...not last year. By last year Jarret had won a national championship, become snoop dogs close friend, and had access to twelve months of unlimited....

So Leinart was supposed to kick out a room-mate who had lived there for a year already?

Man you are harsh....

 

[T_MacWood]

Penn State
at Iowa (8pm prime time both team probably undefeated drunken crazy snake pit game)
at Michigan St
Michigan

I'll trade you.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Tom, You know I have a feel for life on the west coast. However, even in the rarified air of LA, the club of people who make 1.5 to 2 million or more a year is small. One needs to have that income to spend that high a percentage of after tax dollars on ones childs spending money. Then to let another child live there almost rent free, well it smells. It may not be proveable but it smelllllllllls. What does daddy Leinart do?

[Tom Huckaby]

Penn State
at Iowa (8pm prime time both team probably undefeated drunken crazy snake pit game)
at Michigan St
Michigan

I'll trade you.

I'll take that trade in a heartbeat.  No offense to my friend Kyle but Penn State is weak.  At Iowa is a tough game for sure.  At Michigan State - no big deal - certainly no tougher than any of USC's away Pac10 games.  Michigan will be a doozie.

TH

[Tom Huckaby]

Tom, You know I have a feel for life on the west coast. However, even in the rarified air of LA, the club of people who make 1.5 to 2 million or more a year is small. One needs to have that income to spend that high a percentage of after tax dollars on ones childs spending money. Then to let another child live there almost rent free, well it smells. It may not be proveable but it smelllllllllls. What does daddy Leinart do?

It smells only if you want it to smell.  As I say, it ought to be against the rules due to potential for abuse, and USC was right to be sanctioned for this (that is, it was right to have Jarrett pay his share).  But you can look for smells, or you can believe one person is helping another with good intentions.  I choose the latter, in this case.

TH

[Gib_Papazian]

Why does it matter that Leinart's father got him an oppulent apartment? Do you want him to live in the dorms at Trojan Hall? And what is the relevancy of Bush living there with him? This is hardly a rich alumni taking care of an unrelated football player as a perk to come to the school.

This is his father. Hello!

Do we want Reggie Bush to live on campus because his parents don't have big jing? How stupid is that?

One more time for all you USC-Haters:

LEINART AND BUSH ARE NATIONAL CELEBRITIES.

There is no Sunday ball in LA, so what do you thinhk is going to happen? Should those two kids be subjected to constant distractions every second of every day? If I were Daddy Leinart and had the dough, I would make sure my son had a place to retreat from the mob.

And please, I do not want to hear about his one class - dancing lessons blah blah blah. If Leinart had bolted for the NFL, he would have been living a lot higher on the hog than he was and it says something about his love of school that he eschewed the money and stayed a Trojan one more year.

Maybe being from a rich family factored into the equation. I do not blame Reggie Bush for taking the money and entering the draft because running backs have about 7 years in the league and he is one injury from being worth zippo.

I would have counseled a different path, but I did not come from a poor family.

I also do not blame Reggie Bush - who was as popular as Leinart   - for taking advantage of nice digs with his best friend. Anybody who says they would have done different is either an idiot or hypocrite.

Those guys could not even go to the grocery store without drawing a crowd. Face it, there are certain situations where applying NCAA rules is pure stupidity.

Los Angeles is not South Bend. The spotlight is blazing hot and the idea either of those kids ought to live like college paupers is unrealistic.

College football would have been diminished if Leinart had bolted for the NFL after his Junior year. Just be happy he made the choice to stay in school - as I believe ALL kids ought to do if possible.

------------------------------------------------------------

On Notre Dame being poseurs: Look, they laid exactly ONE egg. It happens. Those kids are not professionals and Charlie Weis is just getting started with a new - and fairly complex - offense.

ND has talent. Lots of it. And as I stated earlier, they are the University of Football in the minds of everybody on that side of the Mississippi River and that is why their games are televised all over the nation.

I hope we beat them like a kettle drum, but you cannot deny the power and history of their program.

Years ago, when they ran off 13 in a row against us (including three miracles), I walked into the Olympic Club and sat down with the Irish mob, all of whom remain to this day a bunch of Catholic school snobs.

Finigan, Flanagan, Clair . . . . . O'Dockery etc.  Annoying ND fans except only one went to ND, the rest went to places like Santa Clara and St. Mary's.

One of the coterie pipped up - with a head full of Bushmills - just before the 1996 game:

"Hey Armenian, I got a riddle for you! . . . you see, there was this guy named Pat who had an Irish terrier and every time  Notre Dame beat USC, the dog did an Irish jig. . . . . so his friend Shamus asked him, 'what does he do when USC wins?' . . . Pat replies "I don't know, the dog is only 13 years old."  

Hahahahaha . . . . . Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho . . . Hee hee hee . . .

They've been a little quiet the last few years. . . . . .

[Brian Joines]

As an ND season ticket holder, I must say that was a painful game this weekend. I'm still feeling confident that we will have it fixed by saturday.

Not suprised to see so many USC fans on the board. I'm hoping for you to stay undefeated until the Irish come to town. That will make the win a lot sweeter! I already booked the flights and got the tickets so I can watch it first hand.