November 14, 2005
Flag on the Play: Big 'L' Edition
After this weekend's games, it seems that a lot of the focus isn't on who won, but rather who lost. Being no stranger to the unexplainable, unfathomable, gouge-out-my-own-eyes, painful loss (especially in recent years), I think the pundits are overlooking something that goes beyond just a single loss on the scoreboard.
This weekend's wins by the two South Carolina schools over FSU and Florida may have tilted the balance for years to come. In one weekend, the Gamecocks & Tigers may have just completely altered the recruiting food chain by exposing the "mighty" Florida schools as all bark, no bite.
The Seminoles are in a complete meltdown - the offense is awful and the defense has simply quit trying to bail them out. FSU can potentially finish with a six loss record and hasn't shown anyone that they are close to figuring it out this year (or next year, for that matter). FSU rewrote the offensive playbook in the off season, but as best I can tell, FSU only uses three plays: screen pass, run it up the middle, and throw an interception. While the 'Noles have struggled with the first two, FSU has gotten a lot better at the latter. The Seminoles may even be trading their BCS birthright for a December bowl game. Yikes.
For it's part, Florida has only an Urban Meyer cereal box to show for all their pre-season hype. Worse, the Gators have now given one of the SEC's best recruiters & visor-tossers some big ammo to use against them. And after spending the entire year with Meyer pointing & gesturing, the Gators are no closer to knowing what formation they'll line up in week to week. All the evidence to date shows that Meyer's spread is dead in the SEC, and he's not having much success with the traditional sets, either. And no one seems to have the answer at UF, not even Meyer, who said, "That's an open-ended question. I can't answer that now.'' The Gators are now nothing more than a Music City or Independence Bowl team. Ouch.
Meanwhile, there's a little private school down south that's kicking everybody's can. Miami - number three in the BCS - is looking more like the Hurricanes of old, and that can't be good news for the 'Noles and Gators. Can you say, "Bye, bye, blue chippers"?
OK, so losing prospects to Miami is understandable, right?
But FSU & UF should now expect to start hemorrhaging recruits to their conference masters, too. Clemson's beaten FSU two out of three - why not sign with the Tigers, little FSU prospect?! And despite all his text messaging, Meyer can only promise recruits that UF will play offense, since he himself hasn't figured out the how. Meanwhile, 'Bama's on the uptick & Spurrier's team could go to the SEC title game if Kentucky beats Georgia.
But it gets worse for the Seminoles & Gators: If I would have told you that two Florida schools would have be in the BCS, who would have thought that I was talking about the Miami Hurricanes and the USF Bulls?!
Make all the jokes you want about the "Big Least", South Florida got it's signature win this year against a top-ranked Louisville squad and may parlay that into the big show. Fans have done such a good job of selling the Big East as soft that even the recruits are starting to believe it. If the Bulls can get into the big dance year after year, why wouldn't you sign in Tampa rather than Tallahassee or Gainesville?!
Yes, it was only one loss for both the Gators and the 'Noles. But if these games tilt the balance in the recruiting wars, this weekend was a big, big win for more than just the Tigers & 'Cocks - it would be a big win for a lot of teams.
Comments:
robert said:
posted on November 14, 2005 3:37 PM — 69.160.228.170 — link — abuse?
I have a conspiracy theory. When was the last time FSU lost to Clemson? It was when Tommy Bowdens job was in jeapordy. I just think that it is a hell of a coincedence that FSU had nothing to gain, and played like it. Clemson becomes Bowl eligiable. Why else would you run a draw on third and long when the game was still winable. Yes I have the spelling of a 4 year old retarded child.
caned and unable said:
posted on November 14, 2005 3:52 PM — 66.83.63.250 — link — abuse?
nice try, and i wish it were true. current standings on rivals.com do not support this. granted, they were before this weeekend, but if you read some of the 5 star recruits that FSU has already gotten verbals from, they will tell you they have been fans of those programs ( FL and FSU ) for years. aside from that, there is too much talent in the state to feed only two schools ( UM and USF ) and many kids want to play near home. Bowden is a true closer as he stole away UM's top RB ( Atone Smith ) prospect last year on signing day.
being a UM fan, i wish this article were true and UM grabbed more of the in-staters, but the truth is most kids seem to sign on irrespective of thier chosen programs' season records. this includes Miami, who until recent weeks had been in a sort of "downturn" since 2002.
Jay said:
posted on November 14, 2005 4:22 PM — 24.88.81.105 — link — abuse?
I called it. The Gamecocks ROCK. If God keeps smiling on them you may just see them in Atlanta which will be the stepping stone they need for the big dance next year. USC Gamecocks established before USC Southern California may need to find three other letters.
posted on November 14, 2005 4:48 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
caned - I think you hit on it in your second paragraph. UM has been in a total down cycle and seems to be enjoying a resurgence this season. That *definitely* impacts recruiting - why do you think Bowden was able to swipe Smith? Because the 'Canes weren't on the big stage & there were question marks about the offense. Ya lost to freakin' North Carolina. Don't you think Bobby reminded him of that?!
These losses knocked FSU & UF down a peg, and that hurts in recruiting.
NOTaNOLE said:
posted on November 14, 2005 7:25 PM — 24.110.37.157 — link — abuse?
Kevin, in this state your either born a Gator, Nole, Or Cane. You don't decide which school you choose on signing day like the rest of the country. You go to the school you have been rooting for since birth, the one your mom and dad chose for you. That's why we take our football so seriously here, it's family. I'm not saying that other schools around the country don't do the same, but if your not from here you really wouldn't get it. We have 3 MAJOR fan bases and you don't swap somewhere around your 18th birthday, the decision was made way back when you put on your first jersey your dad bought you as an infant. Yes there will be some who are not true Floridians that it may effect, and USF and UCF will improve thier recruiting. But if your good enough to go to UF, FSU, or Miami and have a chance to play, you won't pick USF I promise you. Nice wishfull thinking though, luckily as down as we are right now (UF&FSU) We know better than to let this "OPINION" bother us more....
posted on November 14, 2005 7:49 PM — link — abuse?
Having grown up in Florida, I know exactly what you're alluding to, NOTaNOLE, but still - I think you're mistaken. Not every kid that grows up in FL has loyalties to the FL schools - many are "transplants" and love schools out west or up north.
And I also think you're overlooking the national signifigance. If FSU & UF are looked at as ho-hum schools elsewhere, that's going to impact recruiting, plain & simple.
I AM a 'Nole, but I can readily admit that FSU seems on the downswing and I'm very concerned that it's going to impact recruiting.
NOTaNOLE said:
posted on November 14, 2005 8:29 PM — 24.110.37.157 — link — abuse?
Sorry Kevin, I was sure you were implying that we would be losing our "blue chips" to the likes of Miami and USF. But in your last post you refer to those teams as " up north or out west" so I was really off I guess. And those "transplants" are exactley who I was refering to in the term " not true Floridians."So we agree on that part, but no Gator or Nole is gonna choose Miami or USF simply because of previous year rank. Our fathers taught us that if the family is in trouble, you go help the family!!
caned and unable said:
posted on November 15, 2005 9:13 AM — 66.83.63.250 — link — abuse?
Re: #6
I am not sure why Antone Smith switched the last day to FSU from Miami, but i would speculate that it was becuase the previous year Miami loaded up with three highly touted backs who were behind Tyrone Moss, so Antone probably knew his playing time was going to be limited. at FSU, both Washington and Booker will be gone soon so the need was there.another reason why i don't think the season record impacted that decision was the Miami's "downturn" was only a downturn becuase they didn't play for the National game, but DID win a BCS Orange Bowl agianst FSU. in fact until this year Miami had 6 straight vs FSU and three straight against the Gators and Smith still went to FSU. so i don't think that impacted recruiting away from any of the three programs.
lastly, Miami already landed the states best back this year in Javarris James ( Edjarrins younger ) despite Miami's first loss to FSU in 5 years and when Miami appeared to be on the losing track early this year.
having said all this, the record DOES help. a few althletes are swayed ( Willie Williams based his decision on the 2003 Orange Bowl outcome ) AND Miami just landed south floridas best athlete last week the following morning after the V-Tech game which was no coincidence.
a better question might be which trait influences recruiting the most: program tradition, season record, geographical location, coaches or just fanhood.
Bill Hartigan said:
posted on November 15, 2005 12:22 PM — 172.129.105.139 — link — abuse?
One stunning weekend for two Florida schools. Keep in mind, nine weeks ago FSU was on its way and UM in trouble, all due to a field goal. What's becoming more apparent is that FSU's slide is increasing in its slope. Florida's Meyer had better prove he can coach something other than his 'spread.' UM has put itself in position to be what it has claimed for the last 4 seasons. The overall tone of the game now shows a lot of the 'magic' luster off of the Sunshine State. That famous SI cover of years ago ain't coming back anytime soon. But UF and FSU will cycle through (UF quicker...awkward saying that Bowden is now a liability, but it's true). He'll still outrecruit them all until he goes, though!
The traditionals are back in, with the 'Team of All Time' pretty much back in charge. A lot of "born in Florida" people never paid attention to USC until a few dozen months ago. Don't ever forget to watch when your state teams play each other, but the game that made college football 'the game' alternates between Los Angeles and a little town on the northern plains of Indiana. The good news .. both of those teams are quietly making inroads again back into this sunny part of the country. Soon, you'll be able to see a lot of your really talented neighbors playing all over the place.
Last weekend was little more than a calling card of the new order.
Cheer, cheer.
posted on November 15, 2005 4:12 PM — link — abuse?
Case in point, one of Florida's verbals dropped the Gators today in favor of Texas.
caned and unable said:
posted on November 15, 2005 4:14 PM — 66.83.63.250 — link — abuse?
Re: Bill Hartiganoh, please, give it a rest. new order? Lienart and Bush will be gone and they too, like the UM of 2000-2003 will have to rebuild. fortunately for them, they play in a cookie conference with no championship game after the regular season. thankfully Alabama lost so I can stop hearing about how they are "back"
let me guess, you are an older baby boomer pining for the good old days. keep wishing, since the population explosion here in Florida over the past 20 years, all three fl schools have risen. the talent is going nowhere, just look at this years recruits at rivals.com
and to top things off, almost half of UM's incoming classes are OUT-OF-STATE
anyway.funny how every year when a florida team loses, out of staters ( and in state out of thier minders ) start preaching the fall of Rome.
rshackbri said:
posted on November 15, 2005 4:37 PM — 71.28.193.172 — link — abuse?
If bowden would get rid of his blunder boy jeff the team might heal. Ever since Amato And Ritch left jeff has run the offense into the dirt. It is obvious nobody wants to play for him. Look how many times Bobby has had to take back the headphones to take over. The fans need to call for Bobby to dump his IDIOT SON !!!!!!
Jake Fegan said:
posted on November 21, 2005 5:49 PM — 208.48.238.22 — link — abuse?
I respect WVU and their program, but their game against USF (provided USF beats an underachieving UCONN in Storrs) has a lot of pressure attached to it. If USF wins and gets into the BCS dance, it could spell the end of the Big East's hold on a BCS bid.
Also, I like this idea: Add a fifth bowl to the BCS equation. Keep the 6 BCS conferences with the same bowl tie-ins the same. Add a 7th automatic bid to the non-BCS conference school with the highest BCS ranking. Right now, that would be Texas Christian at #13. Fresno State would be next at #19. Can anyone argue that Fresno State and TCU could give a game to the likes of West Virginia or even Penn State or Virginia Tech? There would then be three at large schools instead of two. I think the idea of a non-BCS school getting in EVERY year would generate fan interest and encourage the little guys to have tougher non-conference schedules to beef up their BCS standing.
ALSO: One last thing...barring some major upsets of Texas or USC, your two at large BCS berths are certainly going to go to Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Thomas Condon, MA said:
posted on October 8, 2006 6:51 PM — 198.145.97.51 — link — abuse?
It may escape the attention of the general public, but doesn't it seem that nationally ranked teams get the officials' favor in close contests? Case in point: USC/UW game of October 7, 2006.
Pat Carroll brought in a patently illegal sandlot play as a replacement for a field goal attempt in the first quarter. The officials never announced the player loitering on the sideline as eligible and that player was the happy recipient of the fake kick/pass that resulted in the first touchdown of the game.
Shame on the coach (Carroll) for the bush-league play and DOUBLE SHAME on the officials who allowed the play to stand.
Then of course, we come to the end of the game. The referees had spent the entire game admonishing the players to stand back and let the officials to get out of the way before they began the play and clock. Then, miraculously, they omitted that precaution and started the clock with the ref STANDING OVER THE BALL, which effectively barred the Huskies from going to a set position. Penalty? Two seconds lost that amounted to a Husky loss.
Why even have the two seconds count if the officials are in the way? Why not just call the game OVER if the clock is less than 5 seconds, as the referees can't get out of the way in time???
The referees were DEFINITELY on the Trojans' side for this match-up. Makes them look like the refs in the old days who were easily bought.
Shame on you.
USCLink said:
posted on October 9, 2006 4:55 AM — 208.179.110.78 — link — abuse?
Condon,
Yes, that would be why we had a td called back on a hold, Chauncey's 50 yard run called back on an illegal block in the back, and a personal foul for a late hit on UW's final drive when Taylor Mays was already in the air when Stanback decided to slide.
Yeah, those refs sure made life easy for us.
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G-MAN said:
posted on November 14, 2005 11:26 AM — 68.225.81.73 — link — abuse?I think the Bowdens are losing touch. I'm afraid it may be time for a change. The offensive play calling sucks. I'm tired of seeing a draw play on 3rd and long????????