Official College Football Thread

[WilliamTell]

Now they're done for sure. Valient effert by Fresno.

[Fotop]

I think the Fresno/USC game confirmed a large belief I've had (as well as many others) about USC all year: Reggie Bush differentiates them from the rest of the college football world.

 

Fairly obvious I know, but really when you think about USC's body of work think about how many times Reggie Bush has singlehandely won them the game. In his three years at USC, there's more than a handful of games that he has basically carried USC on his back. He truly is an amazing player, a rare talent that doesn't come along very often. Sp once he's gone, how are you going to replace him? You can talk about top recruits all you want, but really there hasn't been someone like Bush since he hit the scene. He is a once in a decade type of talent.

 

In my mind, USC is going to fall back to earth without him...but I think it's going to be a lot harder than most think. This also has a lot to do with leinart not leaving (could have broken in a qb while bush was still there...much easier), but they're going to be an entirely different team next year. It easy to say all of this since USC has set the bar so high, but really 2-3 losses...maybe more next year is not out of the question.

 

And I really think tonight's performance solidified this thought as well as the thought that Reggie Bush is probably one of the greatest college players of all time. So I hope USC and it's fans enjoy this while it lasts, because their reign is soon going to come to an end (hell it might even be this year).

[whitesoxfan101]

Will the media suck up to Fresno for ALMOST beating the mighty USC like they did to Notre Dame? (and mind you, unlike Notre Dame, Fresno didn't have home field). Of course not, and since they are Notre Dame, they will get an at large BCS bid that really they should not get due to losing at home to Michigan State, who isn't even going bowling.

Edited November 20, 2005 by whitesoxfan101

[whitesoxfan101]

I think the Fresno/USC game confirmed a large belief I've had (as well as many others) about USC all year: Reggie Bush differentiates them from the rest of the college football world.

 

Fairly obvious I know, but really when you think about USC's body of work think about how many times Reggie Bush has singlehandely won them the game. In his three years at USC, there's more than a handful of games that he has basically carried USC on his back. He truly is an amazing player, a rare talent that doesn't come along very often. Sp once he's gone, how are you going to replace him? You can talk about top recruits all you want, but really there hasn't been someone like Bush since he hit the scene. He is a once in a decade type of talent.

 

In my mind, USC is going to fall back to earth without him...but I think it's going to be a lot harder than most think. This also has a lot to do with leinart not leaving (could have broken in a qb while bush was still there...much easier), but they're going to be an entirely different team next year. It easy to say all of this since USC has set the bar so high, but really 2-3 losses...maybe more next year is not out of the question.

 

And I really think tonight's performance solidified this thought as well as the thought that Reggie Bush is probably one of the greatest college players of all time. So I hope USC and it's fans enjoy this while it lasts, because their reign is soon going to come to an end (hell it might even be this year).

 

Agreed on all counts. USC would have lost at ND, and really might have been blown out tonight at Fresno without Bush on the field. The Arizona State game w/o Bush might have also been a problem (although White went nuts too that day).

[nitetrain8601]

That was a damn good game last night. Great effort by Fresno State. I expected them to get blown out in the 3rd and never get within 3 TD's by the end of the quarter.

[Palehosefan]

In my mind, USC is going to fall back to earth without him...but I think it's going to be a lot harder than most think. This also has a lot to do with leinart not leaving (could have broken in a qb while bush was still there...much easier), but they're going to be an entirely different team next year. It easy to say all of this since USC has set the bar so high, but really 2-3 losses...maybe more next year is not out of the question.

 

Don't be so sure. USC's recruiting the past few years has been at a level thats never been seen before. In 04, they actually had 19 recruits with an AVERAGE ranking of 4 starts, thats absurd. JD Booty, has played in over 10 games in his career, going 33-53 for 412 yards and 3 TD's. He has all the tools and was the number 1 QB recruit in the nation in 2003 and has had 2 years to learn the system from Leinart. He's still likely going to have Lendale White and Desmond Reed in his backfield. Those two have combined for 1182 yards and 20 TD's themselves.

 

Dwyane Jarret will be returning as possibly the best WR in the nation, Steve Smith will also possibly return as another almost 1,000 yard receiver. Patrick Turner and Fred Davis will also be returning, they have the same size as Jarret and had the same accolades coming out of high school. Jimmy Miller a back-up TE was all-everything coming out of high school and will be ready to step in for P/T in Byrd's place.

 

Desmond Reed will also be back like I said, and he might has been amazing on kick-off returns, averaging 38.8 in his 5 tries. The Ting twins will also be returning, as well as alot of the front 7 will be back, with unbelievable talent backing them up. Also, they have commitments from two of the top 4 safety recruits in the nation to possibly take some of Bing's vacant P/T. They are also in the mix for guys like CJ Spiller, Vidal Hazelton etc, some of the top 50 recruits in the nation at RB and WR to step in for Bush.

 

I don't even have time to go into the amount of talent they have, just as backups learning the system every year. Its just not fair.

[Fotop]

Don't be so sure. USC's recruiting the past few years has been at a level thats never been seen before. In 04, they actually had 19 recruits with an AVERAGE ranking of 4 starts, thats absurd. JD Booty, has played in over 10 games in his career, going 33-53 for 412 yards and 3 TD's. He has all the tools and was the number 1 QB recruit in the nation in 2003 and has had 2 years to learn the system from Leinart. He's still likely going to have Lendale White and Desmond Reed in his backfield. Those two have combined for 1182 yards and 20 TD's themselves.

 

Dwyane Jarret will be returning as possibly the best WR in the nation, Steve Smith will also possibly return as another almost 1,000 yard receiver. Patrick Turner and Fred Davis will also be returning, they have the same size as Jarret and had the same accolades coming out of high school. Jimmy Miller a back-up TE was all-everything coming out of high school and will be ready to step in for P/T in Byrd's place.

 

Desmond Reed will also be back like I said, and he might has been amazing on kick-off returns, averaging 38.8 in his 5 tries. The Ting twins will also be returning, as well as alot of the front 7 will be back, with unbelievable talent backing them up. Also, they have commitments from two of the top 4 safety recruits in the nation to possibly take some of Bing's vacant P/T. They are also in the mix for guys like CJ Spiller, Vidal Hazelton etc, some of the top 50 recruits in the nation at RB and WR to step in for Bush.

 

I don't even have time to go into the amount of talent they have, just as backups learning the system every year. Its just not fair.

 

I hate to simplify the situation because this a good post...but they don't have Reggie Bush next year. We can talk about stars and recruits all you want, but until you see someone as electrifying as Bush fill the void USC will be just other top program. Nothing wrong with that, I'm just saying they won't be setting the world on fire after this year.

[whitesoxfan101]

I hate to simplify the situation because this a good post...but they don't have Reggie Bush next year. We can talk about stars and recruits all you want, but until you see someone as electrifying as Bush fill the void USC will be just other top program. Nothing wrong with that, I'm just saying they won't be setting the world on fire after this year.

 

Yep. USC still recruits like mad, and still will have tons of great players, and Pete Carroll as coach.....but you can't just replace Reggie Bush, not many like him come along.

[Chisoxfn]

Plus Matt Sanchez (of Mission Viejo High) is a total stud at QB and they landed him last season as well. It was the 2nd straight year they landed the top qb recruit in the country.

 

And let me tell you, Sanchez is awesome.

[Palehosefan]

I understand that. But there has to be a national champion every year, and nobody, even without Reggie, has more talent than USC, even next year. I don't see a reason they can't continue to beat the UCLA, Cal, ASU's of the world.

 

2006

Date Opponent

Sept. 9 at Arkansas

Sept. 16 Nebraska

Sept. 23 at Arizona

Sept. 30 at Washington State

Oct. 7 Washington

Oct. 14 Arizona State

Oct. 28 at Oregon State

Nov. 4 at Stanford

Nov. 11 Oregon

Nov. 18 California

Nov. 25 Notre Dame

Dec. 2 at UCLA

 

I could see Notre Dame giving them problems again, but that will be at home. UCLA loses their star QB Drew Olson.

[THEWOOD]

I think all of you have forgotten that this year still is not over. USC still has to play UCLA and then win the National Chamionship game. Yes USC is an amazing team but I still do believe that Texas can and will (given the chance) beat USC.

[Palehosefan]

Not only that, but I'm picking Texas over USC in the championship game. UT's running attack will keep Bush and Leinart off the field more often than any other game this season that USC has played. Texas is one of the very few teams that can almost match them talent wise. My whole point was that without Bush, there's still not gonna be a USC demise in the cards, as long as Carroll is still there.

[ilsox7]

Chad "I can't hit an open receiver" Henne, hit 25 of 36 today.  Guess he didn't live up to his name, huh?

 

He has gotten better as the year grew older, but he still played way below expectations for this year. And he's missed plenty of open receivers this year to live up to the nickname, unfortunately.

[J-MAN]

Mich will play on New Years (I'm refusing to acknowledge they're being played on the 2nd).

Iowa could go the the Outback but it would be over Wisconsin, not Michigan.

I also think Minnesota will get to go to El Paso, just because nobody wants NW.

Who you crapping - we met most of the bowl representatives at our last home game and they all want NU!!!!

 

Since going to bowl games is still relatively new to NU fans they sell their ticket allotment and the NU fans spend money!!!!

[danman31]

Who you crapping - we met most of the bowl representatives at our last home game and they all want NU!!!!

 

Since going to bowl games is still relatively new to NU fans they sell their ticket allotment and the NU fans spend money!!!!

If only that were true. NU just isn't big enough to compete with Iowa, OSU, and Michigan in terms of drawing,

[Texsox]

Not only that, but I'm picking Texas over USC in the championship game. UT's running attack will keep Bush and Leinart off the field more often than any other game this season that USC has played. Texas is one of the very few teams that can almost match them talent wise. My whole point was that without Bush, there's still not gonna be a USC demise in the cards, as long as Carroll is still there.

 

I am certainly biased because I see a lot of Texas coverage and games, but I honestly think this season, based on what has happened on the field, Texas would be ranked #1 *if* USC did not have the steeak going from last year. I also agree that USC should have to lose on the field before dropping from the #1 perch.

 

Baring some monumental upset, it should be one great lead up to the game. But doesn't it always seem to go that a big, huge match up like this is over by halftime?

[greasywheels121]

B-Nutz, from South Side HS in Fort Wayne is going pro. I have his autograph in my yearbook.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/stor..._len&id=2232567

 

Pollard to leave after junior year

By Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

 

Purdue University strong safety Bernard Pollard, one of the top junior secondary players in the country, will forgo his final season of college eligibility to enter the 2006 NFL draft, ESPN.com has confirmed.

 

Pollard is the second Purdue underclass defender in two days to opt for the pro game. Defensive end Ray Edwards said Sunday he will bypass his senior year for the draft.

 

While scouts are precluded from addressing a prospect's potential until they officially file paperwork with the NFL and are cleared for the draft, the consensus is that Pollard will be an early-round selection. Some scouts surveyed on Monday evening by ESPN.com assessed that Pollard could be a first-round choice but also cautioned that the evaluation process is still in its early stages.

 

A big, physical hitter with solid range, Pollard (6-feet-2, 226 pounds) recorded 92 tackles in 11 games for the Boilermakers this season. He also had three interceptions, three passes defensed, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick.

 

In three seasons, the Fort Wayne, Ind., star had 254 tackles, including nine tackles for losses, four interceptions, nine passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two recoveries. Projected more as an "in the box" safety, Pollard nonetheless has improved his coverage skills every season.

 

Scouts also like the fact that Pollard, while physically mature, is still young by NFL standards and won't turn 21 until next month.

[ZoomSlowik]

If only that were true. NU just isn't big enough to compete with Iowa, OSU, and Michigan in terms of drawing,

 

Actually, they're fans do travel pretty well, even to Detroit. They sellout their allotments of tickets rather easily, something that the bigger schools don't necessarily do if they are in a smaller bowl game. The difference is that they don't have the TV ratings of larger schools. I don't think that Iowa does much better than we do, and OSU isn't really an issue since they will probably be in a BCS bowl. The teams that will be bigger factors in us sliding down the bowl list are Wisconsin and Michigan.

[danman31]

Actually, they're fans do travel pretty well, even to Detroit. They sellout their allotments of tickets rather easily, something that the bigger schools don't necessarily do if they are in a smaller bowl game. The difference is that they don't have the TV ratings of larger schools. I don't think that Iowa does much better than we do, and OSU isn't really an issue since they will probably be in a BCS bowl. The teams that will be bigger factors in us sliding down the bowl list are Wisconsin and Michigan.

NU is already behind Wisconsin and Michigan. That's a no doubter in my mind. It's unfortunate, but a lock.

[Pierzynski 12]

Buckeyes #7

[Gene Honda Civic]

Actually, they're fans do travel pretty well, even to Detroit. They sellout their allotments of tickets rather easily, something that the bigger schools don't necessarily do if they are in a smaller bowl game. The difference is that they don't have the TV ratings of larger schools. I don't think that Iowa does much better than we do, and OSU isn't really an issue since they will probably be in a BCS bowl. The teams that will be bigger factors in us sliding down the bowl list are Wisconsin and Michigan.

Iowa played the top rated non-BCS bowl last year.

[Chisoxfn]

Iowa played the top rated non-BCS bowl last year.

What a game it was too. I'm still in semi shock at how we won. Its a good thing we beat LSU too, because the Hawks dominated that game start to finish (although they damn near blew it).

[Gene Honda Civic]

The last two games Iowa finally looks like how I expected them to look this season. They still haven't cracked the top 25, and are easily one of the most underrated teams in the country now. I can name only a handful of teams who I don't think they could beat.

 

USC

Texas

Ohio State

Texas Tech (just a bad matchup. They could outscore them though)

Notre Dame (if they don't pressure Quinn, he'd tear them up)

Virginia Tech

 

I'd love to see them get a match up against a top 15 team in whatever bowl they're in. Head in being touchdown underdogs, and win going away.

[Chisoxfn]

What day are the new years bowls going to be played? New Years eve or will it be done on January 2nd (I'm asking that since the NFL is gonna be playing its games on New Years).

[Gene Honda Civic]

the 2nd