T1B

That 13th game against a top notch team ALWAYS helps - period. The Big 12 figured it out a few years back. That's one reason you're seeing the Big 12 and SEC in a lot of the NCG's....

The Big-12 North has been absolutely horrible for the majority of this decade. How is the Big-12 south winner benefiting from playing a mediocre Big-12 north opponent in the conference championship game? The SEC, I do agree with you. But not the Big-12......or the ACC. It doesn't matter who comes out of the Big-12 North this year, again, because it will be a 7-5 football team. Won't hurt their reputation and computer rankings by winning the game, but it certainly won't do much help to it either.

when the Big XII formed Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas State were all top 25 type teams. the Big 8 was a tough conference, even with OU down in the Boo Blake years.

now, the North is a joke...minus the minor Mizzou and KU uprisings of the last 3-4 years. and population density says it's not a marketable league. that's where honking Houston and Dallas fit in.

Killian wrote: Question for you. I'm sure you aren't expecting Kelly to stick around Cincy forever. What do you think of him as a coach? More specifically, how do you feel he's done on the recruiting side of things?

Killian, I think he is an excellent coach. I honestly wouldn't trade him for anyone. His game preparation is amazing and his adjustments during games are outstanding. All you have to do is look at the USF game where we lost Pike for the second half. He TOTALLY changes the offensive gameplan when moving to Collaros and USF just didn't have an answer for it. The players at UC love Kelly not just because of what he has done for the program but because they know they'll get a chance to show what they can do. So many guys have stepped forward and contributed because they got the chance to do it and not just because of injuries. As for recruiting, I'm thrilled with what he is doing. I'm not a big believer in the class rankings and all that crap but if you're into that, his first class was ranked like 80th, next one was something like 65th, and this year's is #41. I prefer to look at what his recruits are actually doing on the field. He really does a good job of finding those players that have been kind of overlooked. I also like the fact that he wants to schedule aggressively. Dantonio was the same way and because of those two guys we have OOC games on our schedule like Oregon State, Ohio State, NC State, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Regarding him leaving, I'm not so naive as to think it can't happen or won't happen but I'm not convinced it will. It's obviously going to take a very special job to lure him away. As you've stated, Tennessee (which is a DAMNED good job) and Washington came calling and he turned them away. He squashed Michigan rumors immediately. There aren't too many better jobs than those three. He truly loves the Cincinnati area and is happy here. He's paid quite well and the university is building an indoor practice facility for the team and stadium expansion plans are being worked right now. He truly feels he can win a national championship here and I agree. He's already been to the Orange Bowl and he is proving that he can put UC in a position to be in the championship game. In addition, the Cincinnati area is extremely rich in HS football talent and he's really starting to tap into it. If Kelly were to leave UC, the next coach will likely be Kerry Coombs who is currently the assistant head coach. If Kelly were to leave and go to ND, it would be like winning the lottery for you guys. I predict he'd win a national championship within 3 years of arriving in South Bend.

Thanks man, I appreciate your answers. Obviously you knew where I was going with that. ND fans are basically split down the middle on him. The biggest arguments against him are/were his background and the fact he hasn't coached under any big names the way an Urban Meyer has, and his staff and their ability to recruit. It seems as if Kelly and his staff haven't had to go against the elite programs very often for recruits, which he would be doing for every player he would recruit at ND. Anyone who had any doubts about his actual coaching accumen have basically shut up after this season. I love him as a coach, but my biggest concern would be the recruiting side of things and his loyalty to some of his assistants. Finding the diamonds in the rough is a great ability, but the hit rate on those kids isn't so high. Being able to attract elite talent to ND on a constant basis would be a concern.

Either way, I hope you guys win out and he keeps performing well. Same with ND.

Papa Willie wrote:God damn - it just never fails to amaze me about how almost every thread ends up bitching and moaning about the SEC. :D

The facts are in evident in OOC scheduling though. There are very few SEC teams that travel to play OOC and those that do rarely travel outside of their state, or region.

SEC honks like to use the defense that their conference is strong and teams beat one another up during conference play, yet when the same thing happens in a different league SEC honks claim it is because those teams aren't good.

Mace brings up a good point about how many games a team plays against BCS opponents. There aren't many SEC teams who would go over 9 games. Van's point about every PAC 10 team playing at least 10, and in most cases 11, is pretty telling at how that league does not back away from playing tough OOC games.

I can understand your concerns on the recruiting thing, Killian, but I think he answered some questions about that with his incoming class next year. Schools like Michigan, Miami FL, South Carolina, LSU, Ohio State, and lots of others either offered or were interested in several of our recruits. I think that will be even more prevalent if he stays at Cincinnati. You'll see him get more players who in the past would've gone to Ohio State, Michigan, or ND.

CintiBearcat92 wrote:I can understand your concerns on the recruiting thing, Killian, but I think he answered some questions about that with his incoming class next year. Schools like Michigan, Miami FL, South Carolina, LSU, Ohio State, and lots of others either offered or were interested in several of our recruits. I think that will be even more prevalent if he stays at Cincinnati. You'll see him get more players who in the past would've gone to Ohio State, Michigan, or ND.

That's good to know. He's likely going to take an offensive lineman that ND really wants in Matt James.

Killian wrote:Thanks man, I appreciate your answers. Obviously you knew where I was going with that. ND fans are basically split down the middle on him. The biggest arguments against him are/were his background and the fact he hasn't coached under any big names the way an Urban Meyer has, and his staff and their ability to recruit.

Of course, Meyer was something of an unproven commodity in '04 as well, although he had something of a pedigree that Kelly does not. The more I see of Kelly, though, the more I like him and the better I feel about the prospect of him coming to ND.

Either way, I hope you guys win out and he keeps performing well. Same with ND.

I'd like to see us win out, although that means that we definitely won't be getting Kelly, at least not next year.

As for Cincinnati, I'm beginning to think that our best chance of a BCS bid includes a Cincinnati loss to Pitt as their only loss of the year. And I'm beginning to root for a BCS bid. If we win out and miss the BCS, we're likely to wind up in either the Gator or the Cotton Bowl. In the BCS, we'd likely wind up in either the Fiesta or the Orange Bowl. There's a lot of football still to be played, of course, but I see our bowl opponent as one of the following:

Fiesta: Higher-ranked team from between TCU and Boise State
Orange: Winner of ACC championship game (likely Georgia Tech vs. Clemson)
Cotton: Winner of Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game
Gator: Miami or Va Tech, depending on outcome of ACC CCG (Miami if Georgia Tech wins, Va Tech if Clemson wins)

Given that a likely BCS opponent isn't really much, if anything, more of a tough out than would be the opponent in the Cotton or Gator Bowl, might as well get the money that comes along with the BCS, even though it ain't what it used to be for us.

Terry in Crapchester wrote:If we win out and miss the BCS, we're likely to wind up in either the Gator or the Cotton Bowl.

I thought it has already been determined that ND would be going to the Gator Bowl if there is no BCS bid?

I am really disappointed in the other OOC games on OSU's schedule in the coming years...

I mean this is bad in some respects

2010 - Marshall, Miami of FLA, Ohio U, EMU
2011 - Akron, Toledo, @ Miami of FLA, Open
2012 - Miami OH, Cincy, Cal, UAB
2013 - @ Cal is the only game right now
2014 - Navy, Cincy, Va Tech

so again in 2012 and 2014 ok...but Ohio U, EMU, ugh...and Akron...UGH...

Jsc810 wrote:Assessing the Darkhorses: Can Cincinnati play for the BCS title?

The Bearcats have no chance at the title game -- absolutely none whatsoever -- unless they finish 12-0, and they still face the two toughest games of their season, at home against West Virginia on Nov. 13 and at Pittsburgh for a possible winner-take-all game on the first Saturday in December. Cincy also has to deal with UConn, which dealt the Bearcats their only conference loss en route to the Big East title last year, and Illinois, which set itself up as a pending turnaround story with its first decent effort of the season in last Saturday's win over Michigan. ...

Not sure what point you're trying to make by cutting and pasting that part of the article. The article is very complimentary of the Bearcats and was a good read. Of course we can't make it without going undefeated. I would disagree that a home game against WVa is one of our two toughest games. I think our wins at Oregon State and at USF are both tougher games than WVa at home. I'll agree that the game at Pitt shapes up to be the toughest of the season. Illinois and UConn are dangerous games but both are at home so I'm more concerned about WVa and Pitt.

As for our OOC games, here are the best of what is scheduled so far:

2010: Oklahoma, at NC State, at Fresno State
2011: at Tennessee, NC State
2012: VA Tech, at Ohio State
2013: at Illinois
2014: at Ohio State

There are others but they aren't impressive....Miami OH and a couple other cupcakes. Obviously there is more to be added for 2013 and 2014 and I'm betting that we'll add another BCS team in each of those years. I'm very happy with the quality of Cincinnati's OOC schedule.

MuchoBulls wrote:

Terry in Crapchester wrote:If we win out and miss the BCS, we're likely to wind up in either the Gator or the Cotton Bowl.

I thought it has already been determined that ND would be going to the Gator Bowl if there is no BCS bid?

Maybe you've heard something I haven't, but I hadn't heard that. Makes sense that the Gator Bowl might want ND, though, since it's the last year of their deal with the Big East.

The Cotton does have the option of taking ND over the Meatgrinder a maximum of once in any four year cycle. Assuming Florida and Alabama both wind up in the BCS and ND doesn't, this looks like the type of year where they might want to take advantage of it.

If ND has 7+ wins and does not go to the BCS, they will go to the Gator Bowl.

F U Bear CAT :D

OSU WILL REIGN HURTINGS down on your pathetic squad in 2012 and 2014

Killian wrote:If ND has 7+ wins and does not go to the BCS, they will go to the Gator Bowl.

ND shouldn't get a BCS invite with 7, 8, or 9 wins. And with 10 wins I'd still say ND shouldn't get an invite with the schedule they've played. 2 ranked teams, scabdick wins against MSU, Washington, and BC, and wrapping up the season with UConn and the Cardinal...fuck that! They shouldn't get a whiff even if they win out.

Uhh, asshat, Illinois is dangerous because they are between WVa and Pitt and could easily be overlooked. Kinda like alot of teams have done with some of the shit teams in the SEC over the years. Mississippi State can be dangerous if you play them between Alabama and Florida. Understand now?

Buckeye, I just wish we could get you guys back in Cincinnati for another game. I don't look for OSU to be interested in signing another contract with Cincinnati. Too much to lose for Ohio State and when they signed the current contract I'm pretty sure they never thought the day would come when the Bearcats would be in the top 5.

JMak wrote:

Killian wrote:If ND has 7+ wins and does not go to the BCS, they will go to the Gator Bowl.

ND shouldn't get a BCS invite with 7, 8, or 9 wins. And with 10 wins I'd still say ND shouldn't get an invite with the schedule they've played. 2 ranked teams, scabdick wins against MSU, Washington, and BC, and wrapping up the season with UConn and the Cardinal...fuck that! They shouldn't get a whiff even if they win out.

There's no shot of the BCS with less than 10 wins and even with 10, it will take some help.

Jsc810 wrote:Doesn't seem like LSU is avoiding OOC games.

LSU played at Washington this year.
Next year, LSU will play North Carolina in Atlanta.
2011, LSU at West Virginia
2012, no OOC yet
2013, TCU at LSU
2014, LSU at TCU
2015, Arizona State at LSU
2016, LSU at Arizona State
2017, NC State at LSU
2018, LSU at Oklahoma
2019, Oklahoma at LSU
2020, LSU at NC State

No return game with WVU, or is that a neutral site game?

LSU is one of a very select few in the SEC who have traveled out of their region to play OCC road games. The SEC West seems to do that more than the SEC East, where Tennessee is the only program who will travel to play OOC games consistently.

When are CFB fans going to learn that nobody plays anybody?? I've been saying this for years. When a team plays 4 Top 25 opponents out of a 12 game schedule, we consider that a brutal schedule. That's how sad CFB has become.

I don't care if you're Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Florida International, UCONN, Iowa, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, or California.........you don't play a tough schedule. You might play a TOUGHER schedule than some other teams, but nobody plays a tough schedule.

Nobody plays a tough OOC schedule either with the exception of USC on occasion or some of these directional schools that are looking for a paycheck.

We see a team schedule someone like Ohio State and we claim they really challenge themselves, yet we forget to mention their other opponents are a 1-AA school, Troy State, and Middle Tennessee State. So 3 of 4 are against joke teams. Wow, congrats to teams like this that schedule a whole 25% of their OOC games against non-pathetic football programs.

If you take the 6 BCS conferences from this year and add up their quality wins OOC, you get maybe 10. That's 60+ teams and they've got about 10 combined quality wins.

The Big-10's marquee win? Either Iowa over Arizona or Michigan over Notre Dame. Take your pick.

The Pac-10? USC over Ohio State and do they have any other? Then you've got USC over Notre Dame, followed by a UCLA over Tennessee.

The Big-12? Oklahoma State over a really bad Georgia team is the best win I can think of.

The SEC? I suppose you'd have to say Alabama over Virginia Tech. Off the top of my head, I'm having a hard time recalling any other big wins and that Virginia Tech win isn't that great. It's decent.

The ACC? Miami over OU is probably the marquee win. Not a great win, but a decent one even without Bradford. Florida State over BYU is okay. Va Tech over Nebraska isn't much to brag about.

I'm sure I'm missing a couple, but my point is I don't think people realize just how few impressive wins teams actually have anymore. You can win a national title with 2-3 nice wins if you're a big-time program. That's no joke. This is what CFB has become. It's sad.

Jesus assfuck, I agree 100% with a Jon post.

JMak wrote:

Killian wrote:If ND has 7+ wins and does not go to the BCS, they will go to the Gator Bowl.

ND shouldn't get a BCS invite with 7, 8, or 9 wins. And with 10 wins I'd still say ND shouldn't get an invite with the schedule they've played. 2 ranked teams, scabdick wins against MSU, Washington, and BC, and wrapping up the season with UConn and the Cardinal...fuck that! They shouldn't get a whiff even if they win out.

I don't know what kind of urban legends are out there amongst ND haters, but ND can't get a BCS bid with 7 or 8 wins. ND needs a Top 14 ranking to be eligible for a BCS at-large bid, same as any school in a BCS conference (by contrast, non-BCS schools can be ranked as low as 16 and still be automatic qualifiers to the BCS, provided that they win their conference, at least one BCS conference champion has a lower ranking, and no other non-BCS school is ranked higher). Used to be that 9 wins also was a minimum for consideration for the BCS. I think that rule has been abolished, but as a practical matter, the move to a 12-game schedule made it a superfluous rule anyway. There's no way a 4-loss team will find its way into the Top 14.

Killian's reference to 7+ wins was a reference to the Gator Bowl, which can't take ND if ND finishes 6-6.

As a practical matter, ND's only chance for a BCS bid this year is to win out, and even then, they'll still need some help to get to the BCS.

'Spray wrote:Try learning to accept random acts of truth and logic as opposed to licking the duckbutter off of dumbassitivity and fuckheadness for a change.

Colorful and sassy!

9.95!

(Woulda been a perfect '10' had you stuck the landing, by following up the correctness of 'dumbassitivity' with the correct spelling of 'fuckheadedness'.)

Too bad your shit team isn't worthy of being discussed on this board, assclown.

Papa Willie wrote:

CintiBearcat92 wrote:Too bad your shit team isn't worthy of being discussed on this board, assclown.

Auburn is still 5-3 on a BAD year. Wanna compare notes to schools, prostate tweaker?

Auburn has only played your team twice in 1984 and 1986, but won both 52-7 and 60-0.

http://football.stassen.com/cgi-bin/rec ... Cincinnati

Well Jesus - after I looked at that, I knew there was no need to carry this conversation any further.

God damn - what a sad program!

Fuckstick, it's too bad for you I guess that we're talking about college football NOW and not 25 years ago or even five years ago. Auburn is irrelevant this year and this is the year we're living in, shithead. As MANY of my previous posts have clearly stated, I don't give a shit about history or legacy. NOW is what matters. We're good now and you're not. We were in a BCS bowl last year and you weren't. We're in the top 5 now and you aren't. I'll bet you sit around in your trailer and watch reel-to-reel tapes of the good ol days when Auburn was relevant. Fortunately for me, Bearcat fans don't have to do that. We can just look at the CURRENT BCS standings and enjoy being relevant NOW, fag.

As if there could ever be any doubt, wrote:Charlie-fucked-a-pigeon Mother of Chinese-spitting fuck!

Go the fuck ON with your bad, random self!!

Just like I thought, nothing of value to say about that. Keep living in the past and I'll keep enjoying the present. Auburn=irrelevant.

Damn, how does one of the most corrupt programs in college football only go 5-3? I mean, if you're going to cheat at least do it well. Meanwhile, my team will continue to win and our graduating players will continue to be able to actually read. Later, hillbilly.

Papa Willie wrote:Auburn has only played your team twice in 1984 and 1986, but won both 52-7 and 60-0.

Spray, that's Milton-esq and you know it. Come on son!