2011 College Football

[Abagadro]

Who or what is the target of the FBI investigation?

[HaemishM]

Now seriously why would a guy who has a squeaky-clean image, stellar graduation rates, and the respect of all of college football throw it all away?

I don't follow college football, and even I can't be convinced he was a squeaky-clean guy. I've considered him as dirty as you can get since at least what would have been Clarett's sophomore season.

[Montague]

Who or what is the target of the FBI investigation?

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2011-05-27-edward-rife-ohio-state-memorabilia-charged_N.htm?csp=34

Edward Rife, the owner of the tattoo parlor that was at the center of the OSU tattoo scandal.

[Montague]

Now seriously why would a guy who has a squeaky-clean image, stellar graduation rates, and the respect of all of college football throw it all away?

I don't follow college football, and even I can't be convinced he was a squeaky-clean guy. I've considered him as dirty as you can get since at least what would have been Clarett's sophomore season.

And after a thorough investigation from the NCAA and intensive media coverage the number of NCAA violations found to have been committed over that entire fiasco was zero. Not one. Not even a minor one.

Look, every college football fan views their coaches with rose-colored glasses, so me spieling about every heart-warming Tressel story I've heard won't really count for much. However, as a rebuttal of sorts to the UM fan site piece, I submit a blog post by Ramzy, a guy who used to work with the OSU Rivals site. Warning, it's pretty damn long but it about sums up what OSU fans are going through:

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2011/05/the-man-who-wasnt-there

Yet for all of that and the countless other stories of the positive impact Tressel has had on people's lives, he was caught red-handed committing a major NCAA violation, after the NCAA itself called OSU a "model of compliance". So it's like... WTF? Was the guy a master manipulator who meticulously crafted this moral persona, was an expert at dodging NCAA sanctions, yet somehow forgot to delete incriminating emails? Or was he an honest, morally upright guy with the most secure job in college football who finally decided to cheat just this one time for an inconsistent prima donna quarterback, a slow but sure-handed wideout and a thoroughly average running back? Neither makes much sense.

[Paelos]

I don't buy the Federal investigation bluff. It's a nice scapegoat for Tressel to blame when things hit the fan. Also, you think because the NCAA hasn't talked about it that they haven't found other things?

Or did you miss the part in 2009 when they reported that Ohio State had the most violations of any team since 2000?

I think your bias is getting in the way of understanding how your program operates.

[Montague]

I don't buy the Federal investigation bluff. It's a nice scapegoat for Tressel to blame when things hit the fan. Also, you think because the NCAA hasn't talked about it that they haven't found other things?

Or did you miss the part in 2009 when they reported that Ohio State had the most violations of any team since 2000?

I think your bias is getting in the way of understanding how your program operates.

And the very next line of that article says most of them are minor and self reported. I'm not the only biased one here.

[Paelos]

And yet, still the MOST IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

You think other schools don't have the majority of their violations as minor and self-reported? Let me clue you in on that, they are. The only difference is that Ohio State has more than anybody else. Nobody in the SEC, nobody in the ACC, nobody in the PAC-10. It's Ohio State, at the top, under Tressel.

Put whatever spin on it you want, you're first in violations. You want to tell me that you're doing things right? Do you want to tell me that others are covering up better and you're gallantly reporting YOUR violations. Because I think we've proven that's not the case given that you got caught red-handed doing the exact opposite. Oh and then petitioning to let your violating players into the bowl game was a lovely touch. Yeah, nice "suspended" sentence there.

I'm just a guy from the SEC who thinks the high and mighty shit yall like to espouse is simply crap. You're no better than any of the SEC schools I heard your fans constantly looking down their nose at for their underhanded ways. That must be why they kept beating you, because they were cheaters.

Welcome to reality. Everyone's cheating. You're cheating hard and fast like everyone else, AND losing when you get on the big stage.

[ghost]

AND losing when you get on the big stage.

 

[Azuredream]

I'm just a guy from the SEC who thinks the high and mighty shit yall like to espouse is simply crap.

 

I know it's not what you meant, but the SEC loves to beat its chest in terms of on-field play.

[Merusk]

I'm just a guy from the SEC who thinks the high and mighty shit yall like to espouse is simply crap.

 

I know it's not what you meant, but the SEC loves to beat its chest in terms of on-field play.

It's certainly had me rolling on the floor as he spews his self-righteous crap.

[Paelos]

Really? Because I know we're dirty. I accept it. If they wandered into UGA tomorrow and wanted to nail us to the wall, they could.

Just like USC.
Just like Texas.
Just like OSU.
Just like Notre Dame.
Just like some school in FBS that was worth a damn.

We're all cheating. Everyone. The rules are ridiculous so we're all doing it. If your program thinks it better than that, you're an idiot. If you get caught, you're gonna get shit on by the NCAA. Accept it, admit it, and don't try to make up a whole bunch of BS crying about how everyone else is doing it and you're a victim. Or that it was just this one time. Or that it was just this one coach. It's not.

You know what separates dirty teams in a dirty league? Wins. That's it. The rest of it is just wishful thinking. <cue picture of Al Davis>

[Azuredream]

The rules are ridiculous so we're all doing it.

I agree. I hope the NCAA addresses itself at some point but I'm not holding my breath.

[SnakeCharmer]

I'm just a guy from the SEC who thinks the high and mighty shit yall like to espouse is simply crap.

 

I know it's not what you meant, but the SEC loves to beat its chest in terms of on-field play.

Considering that since the inception of the BCS, the SEC has won 7 of 13 championships by 5 different teams, I'd say it has the SEC has the right to be more than a bit smug about it 

Or to put it another way, records by conference:
SEC:  7-0 (1.000)
Pac 10:  1-1 (.500)
ACC:  1-2 (.333)
Big East:  1-2 (.333)
Big 10:  1-2 (.333)
Big 12:  2-5 (.286)

But Paelos is absolutely right.  Over the years, everybody else wants to point at the SEC and say "Well, you're a bunch of cheaters that's why you win".  But when the NCAA comes swinging down on their respective schools, y'all still turn a blind eye to it and think you're somehow above it.

Wrong.

Welcome to reality. Everyone's cheating. You're cheating hard and fast like everyone else, AND losing when you get on the big stage.

That's just cold, man.  That's cutting somebody in the leg and pouring salt on it, then rubbing it in with golf spikes.

[caladein]

Cheating and winning against other cheaters still leaves you cheating.  No one should be smug about that.

These past few months have made college football a more hateful institution than the NFL when they've got me stuck looking at footage of Jerry Jones entering and leaving meetings about a labor dispute.  Now, making me dislike anything more than Jerry Jones is a fucking achievement to feel smug about.

[Montague]

I'm just a guy from the SEC who thinks the high and mighty shit yall like to espouse is simply crap.

 

I know it's not what you meant, but the SEC loves to beat its chest in terms of on-field play.

Considering that since the inception of the BCS, the SEC has won 7 of 13 championships by 5 different teams, I'd say it has the SEC has the right to be more than a bit smug about it 

Or to put it another way, records by conference:
SEC:  7-0 (1.000)
Pac 10:  1-1 (.500)
ACC:  1-2 (.333)
Big East:  1-2 (.333)
Big 10:  1-2 (.333)
Big 12:  2-5 (.286)

But Paelos is absolutely right.  Over the years, everybody else wants to point at the SEC and say "Well, you're a bunch of cheaters that's why you win".  But when the NCAA comes swinging down on their respective schools, y'all still turn a blind eye to it and think you're somehow above it.

Wrong.

Welcome to reality. Everyone's cheating. You're cheating hard and fast like everyone else, AND losing when you get on the big stage.

That's just cold, man.  That's cutting somebody in the leg and pouring salt on it, then rubbing it in with golf spikes.

I would just like to point out that not once did I mention SEC cheating. Fuck it, I'll just drop it. Though now I hope even more the NCAA adds nothing to the vacated wins simply to see Paelos rage even more 

[Paelos]

PAELOS SMASH! 

[SnakeCharmer]

53 days until kickoff.  Can't get here soon enough.

[ghost]

I can't wait.  Hopefully the conversation around here will be even better after the season starts and we get more cheaters to pick on.   

[Paelos]

I wish they would bust my program and force Richt to retire. 

[sigil]

*big sec dick waving spiel*

And there, in the corner, sits Vanderbilt.

[Paelos]

Btw, here's some more fun!

ESPN just sued Ohio State for not giving them public documents

Here's ESPN's memo:

For the last century, the Ohio State University football team has been a state and national institution. Autumn Saturdays in Columbus and beyond are dominated by Buckeye football. Ohio State coaches - Paul Brown, Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel - are as well known as the Governor. Players such as Archie Griffin, Kirk Herbstreit and Terrelle Pryor are equally as well known. ...

The events surrounding the Ohio State football program in this past year should sadden not only football fans, but anyone concerned with collegiate sports, academic integrity and accountability. But that sadness does not mean that the events should be secret. This court should join with courts from around the country in sending an unmistakable message to collegiate athletic departments - do not attempt to cover up your misdeeds behind FERPA and honor your obligations under the PRA. And it should do so by granting ESPN's petition for a Writ of Mandamus

[Montague]

Btw, here's some more fun!

ESPN just sued Ohio State for not giving them public documents

Here's ESPN's memo:

For the last century, the Ohio State University football team has been a state and national institution. Autumn Saturdays in Columbus and beyond are dominated by Buckeye football. Ohio State coaches - Paul Brown, Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel - are as well known as the Governor. Players such as Archie Griffin, Kirk Herbstreit and Terrelle Pryor are equally as well known. ...

The events surrounding the Ohio State football program in this past year should sadden not only football fans, but anyone concerned with collegiate sports, academic integrity and accountability. But that sadness does not mean that the events should be secret. This court should join with courts from around the country in sending an unmistakable message to collegiate athletic departments - do not attempt to cover up your misdeeds behind FERPA and honor your obligations under the PRA. And it should do so by granting ESPN's petition for a Writ of Mandamus

Associated Press did the same thing to Auburn. If it gets rid of Gene Smith more power to em.

Heh, speaking of Auburn...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/sports/ncaafootball/ncaas-investigation-of-auburn-isnt-over-yet.html?_r=2

[Paelos]

Yahoo Sports is holding a story about an SEC West team that's supposed to be hot shit. I believe it's either about LSU or Auburn, and my money is on Auburn.

They should be raked over the coals if they bought a championship.

[ghost]

Yahoo Sports is holding a story about an SEC West team that's supposed to be hot shit. I believe it's either about LSU or Auburn, and my money is on Auburn.

They should be raked over the coals if they bought a championship.

Don't rule out one of the Mississippi schools, which are terribly dirty despite not winning much or Bama, which has a lot of fanatical boosters.

[SnakeCharmer]

Don't  e v e n  mention Bama.  Things are going great (despite us getting decimated at RB) and we don't need any bad joojoo by mentioning us and the NCAA in the same breath.

I'll cut you.

[HaemishM]

I'm pretty sure most of the SEC teams are going to be dirty in some way if you look hard enough. OSU or USC dirty? Don't know, depends on how much money is involved in the program. But if I had to wager a guess, I'd put LSU or Bama ahead of any of the Mississippi schools just based on their recent success.

[Paelos]

I'm pretty sure most of the SEC teams are going to be dirty in some way if you look hard enough. OSU or USC dirty? Don't know, depends on how much money is involved in the program. But if I had to wager a guess, I'd put LSU or Bama ahead of any of the Mississippi schools just based on their recent success.

Oh yeah, totally dirty. Thing is when you get caught you have to just put on your big smile, say OK YA GOT ME <puts hands up jokingly>, take the sanction and move on. Bama did that after the 2002 hammer fell, and they moved on with their lives.

You can't lie though. You can't sign papers to the NCAA lying either. They really frown on that shit.

[01101010]

I'm pretty sure most of the SEC teams are going to be dirty in some way if you look hard enough. OSU or USC dirty? Don't know, depends on how much money is involved in the program. But if I had to wager a guess, I'd put LSU or Bama ahead of any of the Mississippi schools just based on their recent success.

Oh yeah, totally dirty. Thing is when you get caught you have to just put on your big smile, say OK YA GOT ME <puts hands up jokingly>, take the sanction and move on. Bama did that after the 2002 hammer fell, and they moved on with their lives.

You can't lie though. You can't sign papers to the NCAA lying either. They really frown on that shit.

Or stuff your mouth with grass and mumble like a crazy person... Can't break the rules if you appear silly enough.

[ghost]

Don't  e v e n  mention Bama.  Things are going great (despite us getting decimated at RB) and we don't need any bad joojoo by mentioning us and the NCAA in the same breath.

I'll cut you.

 

[ghost]

And.........Georgia Tech gets four years probation.   

Pretty much everyone is going to be on probation soon.  This one stems from basketball and football.  GT didn't lose any scholarships nor were they prevented from participating in postseason play.  And the university apparently wasn't very cooperative with the NCAA.  This would be an example where I feel that the NCAA was too lenient as compared to other schools that have had similar problems. 

[01101010]

And.........Georgia Tech gets four years probation.   

Pretty much everyone is going to be on probation soon.  This one stems from basketball and football.  GT didn't lose any scholarships nor were they prevented from participating in postseason play.  And the university apparently wasn't very cooperative with the NCAA.  This would be an example where I feel that the NCAA was too lenient as compared to other schools that have had similar problems. 

Wow...

Well at this rate, the BCS will be played by the only two schools allowed a post season. That's one way of doing it I guess.

[Paelos]

Considering we have like 36 bowls and how many teams are on probation, I'm waiting for the inevitable "5-7 team makes a bowl!" that's going to be coming down the pipeline.

[ghost]

When Kentucky has made it to 5 bowls in a row you know that most bowls are shite.

[Montague]

Well, to put the Tressel thing to bed:

http://www.registerguard.com/web/sports/26558079-46/tressel-ncaa-ohio-state-geiger.html.csp

Andy Geiger rated Tressel's compliance "Unacceptable" in written reviews. It also puts Geiger's resignation after the Clarett fiasco in another light. So slimy manipulator it was then. 

[Paelos]

Sort of also puts having the most violations in the NCAA in another light when the AD is complaining you don't self-report enough violations.