May 19, 2008
Ranking the 2008 schedules
Phil Steele has ranked the 2008 College Football schedules by opponents' winning percentage during the 2007 season (which should really only be one factor in determining strength of schedule, but I digress).
So who does Phil say has the most difficult schedule? Georgia
See if you can find a trend in Steele's top 10 difficult schedules:
1 - Georgia
2 - Florida
3 - Arkansas
4 - UCLA
4 - Alabama
6 - Auburn
7 - Ohio State
7 - Kentucky
9 - Colorado
9 - Baylor
9 - Washington
9 - Oregon State
Again, I don't think this is the proper way to rank strength of schedule, but... it's a Monday in May and ya take what you can get, ya know?
Comments:
Tomcat said:
posted on May 19, 2008 12:00 PM — 70.248.25.176 — link — abuse?
Ya Kev I agree strength of schedule cannot really be known basesd upon the previous seasons results.Every year is different and S.O.S. can really only be known at seasons end.
Kudos to the BU Bears for making the top ten list
Wash St,Wake F, UConn,TTech,OU, UT, Missu,Neb,OK st, Tex A&M, how could any team emerge from that schedule with a winning record? Much less the Bears coming of the XII south with new coaching staff.
BTW Where are the Longhorns?
Ark, Missu,KU,OU,TTech,Colo,Ok St, A&M
aint no cakewalk 3 top ten opponents from 07
Hookem-HornsGA DAWG said:
posted on May 19, 2008 8:49 PM — 68.184.132.158 — link — abuse?
Call me a homer if you want to, but I am sure if the DAWGS make it through this regular season and SEC championship game with 1 loss, they deserve to be in the BCS championship game no matter what other teams are undefeated (unless of course one of the undefeated teams is FLA or LSU.) I would say that 2 losses should get them in but barring any injuries to Stafford or Moreno prior to the season starting, I don't see 2 losses on the schedule. I said I wasn't going to get back on this site until closer to the season because I didn't want to go on and on about the DAWGS season coming up, but what the hell, this should be one great season. I should be as bad or worse that TE was last year in being a top rate HOMER! A full season breakdown coming soon.
GO DAWGS!
Zac said:
posted on May 20, 2008 1:00 AM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
I’ve read a couple of Phil Steel’s mags. For the most part, he’s been very informative with regards to statistics both current & historical. I just can’t get behind some of his conclusions. I think he’s one of those guys who looks upon a specific match-up that everyone else sees one way, and chooses the other way just to be contrary and (of course) to make a name for himself.
What gets me is, if a team is in the Top-5, they’re ranked there because they’re expected to be that good. So, if such a team is playing even as many as 6 pre-season ranked teams on its schedule, how is it that team’s schedule is tough, but the schedule of the cellar-dweller in the same conference is a cake-walk, if they’re playing practically the same teams? Think about it. If FL & GA (for example) are ranked the Top-2 teams in the SEC East, and Vanderbilt is at the bottom, isn’t it fair to say that Vanderbilt has the tougher schedule since everyone they play is presumably better than they are?
I agree with Baylor, and perhaps AR & WA, making the list. The others should be teams like Army, Buffalo, Duke, LA Monroe (They play 3 or 4 SEC teams this year.), NW, even Syracuse. Oh, and how could I forget, ND? They’re schedule is always tougher than everybody else. (Sorry, couldn’t help it.) Ahem, anyway, just my opinion.
Zac said:
posted on May 20, 2008 6:21 AM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
Tomcat, thanks for reminding me of Troy. They’re one of my favorite “up-and-comers”. The Bama TV market is said to be a good one for college football. Troy is a large school with a student population approaching 30,000. If the Big East commissioners are seriously thinking about Memphis as a prospective member, they should also consider Troy. Again, just my opinion.
dawgfan said:
posted on May 20, 2008 11:59 AM — 72.243.121.177 — link — abuse?
I don't understand how THE Ohio St. University can have the 7th ranked schedule in the country and that includes their game w/ USC trojans. The Big Televen has become like the Pac 10 (not including USC) to me. It's a bunch of teams that end up 8-4 b/c they play eachother when they would actually be 6-6 or 7-5 in the SEC. Am I missing something or does tOSU have another big game I don't know about. Even their game w/ UM should not be much of a test w/ UM not having the personnel to run Rich Rod's offensive game plan.
thebuckstopshere said:
posted on May 20, 2008 6:00 PM — 68.218.173.189 — link — abuse?
@11dawgfan.
Big Ten Conf. 07-08 Standings
Ohio State 7-1
Illinois 6-2
Michigan 6-2
Wisconsin 5-3
Penn State 4-4
Iowa 4-4
Purdue 3-5
Michigan State 3-5
Indiana 3-5
Northwestern 3-5
Minnesota 0-8Southeastern Conf. 07-08 standings
LSU 6-2
Tennessee 6-2
Georgia 6-2
Florida 5-3
Auburn 5-3
Arkansas 4-4
Mississippi State 4-4
Alabama 4-4
South Carolina 3-5
Kentucky 3-5
Vanderbilt 2-6
Mississippi 0-8Can you explain your asinine post to me, or should I just bank on the first three words from it, which conveniently were "I don't understand"?
You could swap out the god awful teams in the SEC for the god awful teams in the BigTen and the mediocre for the mediocre and the good for the good and it wouldn’t change a thing about your perception of college football and your obvious bias.
dawgfan said:
posted on May 21, 2008 8:10 AM — 72.243.121.177 — link — abuse?
@ the buckstopshere #12. I believe I am also speaking for all of the gator, tigers (both), and all other SEC fans when I tell you that obvioulsy you couldn't swap the good for the good or tOSU would not have been out scored by abouut 40 or 50 points in the last to NC games combined. OSU was man-handled by UF and beaten pretty good by LSU. And don't give me anything about how those were isolated events b/c if you want to go that route then we'll have to call UM over UF in the bowl game what it was. Other than that you seem to not have the ability to look at anything other than records. As I stated in my previous post, you're right, the records indicate that they good in both conferences are equal, the avg are equal, and the below avg are equal, but I've got news for you...That just ain't how it is. As much as I don't like UF, LSU, and I dislike AU more than any team ever...ya'll please help me out and put this guy in his place.
thebuckstopshere said:
posted on May 21, 2008 1:08 PM — 75.242.85.101 — link — abuse?
@13 dawgfan.
How old are you? I've got a feeling your 14 maybe 15 am I right? And don't count on anyone putting me "in my place." They wouldn’t know where to start helping, you contradict yourself every other sentence in your post. You start out in your first post referencing records and then when I post the actual records, you tried to generalize to support your argument, you chastise me and say I don't have the ability to look at anything but records. I guess you don't either when the facts don’t help your cause, don't be mad at me when you make something up and I call you on it. You’ve got news for me huh? That just isn’t the way it is huh? Well, why don't you enlighten me please? You’re asking for help because you know you have nothing to back up your ignorant claim.
posted on May 21, 2008 1:25 PM — 68.211.170.52 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta
said:
Dislike Auburn more than any team ever? You dislike them more than Florida or Tech? What was it you wanted me to do for you again?
The only problem I have with the Big 10(11) is that they hold a slight advantage with not having a conference playoff game. That fact gives their best teams a chance to avoid that one last shot of getting 'eaten by their own'. Other than that, I like and respect the Big 10(11) just fine.
Clemson Joe said:
posted on May 22, 2008 9:51 AM — 165.166.31.249 — link — abuse?
thebuckstopshere:
dawgfan is saying that the teams Big Televen would win less games if they played in the SEC. See: "It's a bunch of teams that end up 8-4 b/c they play eachother when they would actually be 6-6 or 7-5 in the SEC."
I don't see how you can refute that claim by throwing up intra conference records. How they play in the Big 10(11) has nothing to do with what they would do in the SEC. I'm not saying that either of you is right or wrong, but you'll have to come up with a better argument than that. I also think belittling him by saying that he is a teenager and calling him ignorant is a bit harsh, especially given the gaping hole in your logic. Any responses to me can be simply directed to Charlie Bauman. Thank you.Tomcat said:
posted on May 22, 2008 8:13 PM — 70.248.25.176 — link — abuse?
#18 the buckstopshere I have no dog in the fight so to speak and I tend to agree somewhat with WEA. I'm a Texas Longhorn fan and the Horns are 1-1 verses tOSU,but I can understand were the Dawg gets his analogy- bias yes-why not he's intitled to beleive what he wants and I veiw this little rant fairly and objectively.
The B10/11 usually comes down to tOSU vs Mich and then theres no Conf Champ game-agree or disagree thats the way it looks or seems to the rest of the country. tOSU does have an advantage over teams from other conferences in reality.
Looking at the B-12 vs B10/11 over the past several years. Missu beat ILL, Missu beat KU and they won their bowl game. 2- loss 12 team.
What happened IA st vs Iowa ? a 3-9 12 team?
Mich your toughest opponent lost to Oregon & App
Not saying that the 10/11 is not tough, but sometimes a 2-loss 12 team or 2 loss SEC team could be just as good, if not better than the B10/11 champ and avoiding a champ game doesnt help the B 10/11 at all.
BTW I really enjoy the Alamo Bowl and the B-10 vs B12 matchups yall usually play the 4th or 5th place 12 team and I beleive the B10/11 is 5-7 vs the B12 in that bowl so far.
Cheers Adios Tomcat
Jackie Sherril say's who's Woody?
Tomcat said:
posted on May 22, 2008 8:21 PM — 70.248.25.176 — link — abuse?
Sorry correction-I typed it in wrong
its B10/11 7-5 vs B12 in the Alamo Bowl
My Mistake Didnt catch it before posting
congrats to Joe Pa and PSU 24-17 over Tex A&M
come on Aggies set new bowl records for turnovers and pentalies, you cant beat KSU witha lot of turnovers ha ha ha
Hookem-Horns
God Bless our TroopsAUtigerman said:
posted on May 23, 2008 9:58 AM — 129.61.46.16 — link — abuse?
I sort of enjoyed the early season rant of the OSU fan.
At least hes out of hybernation somewhat early this year. Most of the OSU fans I know still have there heads buried in the sand.An early season crushing at the hands of USC this year should end there season hopes unless they back in again while everyone else is playing a championship game.
TE
posted on May 23, 2008 11:21 AM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
I'm wondering just what it will take to finally nail the coffin shut on the Old Big 10...
Last year, we had "The KINGS of College Football" here in the offseason, and buckstopshere has evidently sat up off the coroner's slab, as well this year...
When will they face facts and realize their conference simply sucks?
dawgfan said:
posted on May 23, 2008 1:57 PM — 72.243.121.177 — link — abuse?
@ War Eagle Atlanta #15 - I grew up a Bama fan so my dislike for AU comes from that. Besides, the honest reason most UGA fans (b/t the ages of 10 and 35) hate UF is because of the inferiority complex that has developed over the last 17 or so years. Not to mention that, as I'm sure you're used to seeing it in ATL, there are almost as many AU fans in my home town (closer to AU than UGA in SW GA) as there are UGA fans. My wife graduated from AU though so I guess something good came from that school.
dawgfan said:
posted on May 23, 2008 1:58 PM — 72.243.121.177 — link — abuse?
@ War Eagle Atlanta #15 - I grew up a Bama fan b/f getting my degree from UGA so my dislike for AU comes from that. Besides, the honest reason most UGA fans (b/t the ages of 10 and 35) hate UF is because of the inferiority complex that has developed over the last 17 or so years. Not to mention that, as I'm sure you're used to seeing it in ATL, there are almost as many AU fans in my home town (closer to AU than UGA in SW GA) as there are UGA fans. My wife graduated from AU though so I guess something good came from that school.
posted on May 23, 2008 5:15 PM — 68.211.170.52 — link — abuse? said:
Thanks for telling us who wears the pants in your family, dawgfan... :-)
It seems that you would have learned some civility during your time in Athens. Auburn-Georgia is an intense, RESPECTFUL rivalry. Not like the hatred you grew up with...
thebuckstopshere said:
posted on May 23, 2008 5:28 PM — 72.154.98.80 — link — abuse?
@ 23 TE
I know you’re regarded as one of the more intelligent and creative posters at Fanblogs, so I'll give you a chance to retract your statement in hopes that it was a fleeting moment of incompetence. Not, that you’re not entitled to such an episode. After all, you do live in the south where the heat can drive one delirious.
Let me clear up a couple things for the rest of you. I don't want my statements misconstrued, even though the chances of which seem slim when you’re on Fanblogs.
1st. I never said the BigTen was better than the
SEC
2nd. I agree with the idea of a CCG for the
BigTen
3rd. I live in the south and the heat makes me
delirious
GA DAWG said:
posted on May 23, 2008 9:03 PM — 68.184.141.107 — link — abuse?
Dawgfan
What part of SW GA do you live in? I grew up in LaGrange and I couldn't wait to get out of that AU crowd. I live about 40 minutes from Athens now and it is almost all Dawg fans here. It's great to see the red and black everywhere you go around here.GO DAWGS!
Tomcat said:
posted on May 25, 2008 12:22 AM — 69.150.213.9 — link — abuse?
Hey buckstopshere Whats up dude after this TE guy runs your conference down-you suck up what gives man-come on you ought to be able to retort to that bayou bengal better than that.The heat makes you delusional-Do What??
It was over 100F today here and were just getting started.A regional putdown aint gonna suffice dude.
I try to be somewhat respectful with my post on this blog-take no offense
This guy TE worships the ground that Les Miles stands on always has an excuse for losses and near misses kinda like an Okie.I wont take nothing off of anybody anywhere and you shoudnt either.
He said the B 10 sucks!!!
I wouldnt say that, and I saw an LSU game one time in Houston.I kinda felt sorry for those Rice Owls. I dont remember the score, however I always kinda liked LSU till I read stuff from ole TE now I want to see them lose like the Sooners.
Adios Tomcat
God Bless our Troopsthebuckstopshere said:
posted on May 25, 2008 9:54 AM — 68.218.173.227 — link — abuse?
Tomcat
You can't get in a pissing match with a SEC fan, they drank the kool-aid the media put in front of them and there’s no looking back. Year after year their conference is the best bar none. But that's ok I don't need the safety net of possible excuses that playing in the supposable best conference affords you. I really could care less about conferences. The thing with the SEC is their fans ban together so when one team is down and sucks ass, they have the security blanket of playing in the toughest conference as an excuse. Here’s an example of the biggest difference in the mentality of SEC fan and most other fans. When appy. st. beat Michigan every Ohio St. fan around me was ecstatic, when Michigan played Florida I was doing the gator chomp and was pissed when the gators didn't come through. SEC fans always pull for their fellow SEC teams when they play out of conference. They value the perception of the toughest conference over their hatred for their rivals. So if that’s what it takes to be perceived as the best they can have it, I enjoy hating Michigan, Penn State, and Illinois too much.
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1st_and_NOLE
said:
posted on May 19, 2008 11:11 AM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?The SEC owns the top 3, 4 of the top 5, and 5 of the top 6... shocker!