2012 College Football

[ghost]

I really doubt that a huge number of people say FUCK YEAH I WANT TO LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM. The appeal of Alabama is not the where, it is the perception that it is a fast track to the NFL.

Also: Kansas State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Louisville, Cincinnati, Boise State, Iowa State, all in the BCS top 25 standings. Half of those are in Big 10 areas geographically, the rest are in places more or less as unappealing to live in.

And I didn't even mention the Texas schools. 

Also it has to be pointed out that Ohio State *would* be in the BCS top 25, if they were not on probation.

Yes, but you're missing part of the reason.  If you have to choose between the traditional powerhouses of Alabama, Florida, Texas A and M or Texas, USC, USC Jr., etc. versus Happy fucking valley or Columbus or Ann Arbor, there's no comparison.  And that's why you're starting to see more success from the south.  There's nobody in the North/Northeast that is worth a fuck any more and it's because of the migration of "cool" and money to the south and west.  Also, kids don't want to play in the cold weather any  more than they have to, so that factors into the equation. 

[Ingmar]

The south has always been successful in football, I don't think there's any new trend there. USC also. But then - the Florida schools are worse lately than they have been for years? And UCLA hasn't been good for years now, despite being in a much nicer part of LA. By this theory those places should be generally thriving, along with the rest of the ACC. I'm very skeptical of any broad single reason killing football forever in the Midwest in favor of those places.

I don't know if you've ever been to Eugene, by the way, but there is nothing about Oregon that is going to magically attract athletes either. Unless they really like coffee houses, or they're hipsters.

[Paelos]

The answer as to why there are more kids going to Southern schools has a lot to do with where they are growing up. There has been a largescale migration of the black population in America back to the South. The NY Times covers some of it in this article which details that the black population in the south is at it's highest in over half a century. Michigan and Illinois have been losing ground in this regard, even though they were long-held traditional black communities. Younger black people especially are moving down to the South in favor of the northern communities.

Basically, the South is becoming a more integrated place, and with that integration comes a more robust college-eligible community. Considering the percentage of black athletes at top schools, it makes sense that the overall demographic shift in America mirrors the demographic shift of power in college football. The best recruits in the nation are coming out of the South. Just look at the top 10 on ESPN's recruiting boards. They are all young black kids, and 8 out of 10 of them play in the South for high school.

[01101010]

The answer as to why there are more kids going to Southern schools has a lot to do with where they are growing up. There has been a largescale migration of the black population in America back to the South. The NY Times covers some of it in this article which details that the black population in the south is at it's highest in over half a century. Michigan and Illinois have been losing ground in this regard, even though they were long-held traditional black communities. Younger black people especially are moving down to the South in favor of the northern communities.

Basically, the South is becoming a more integrated place, and with that integration comes a more robust college-eligible community. Considering the percentage of black athletes at top schools, it makes sense that the overall demographic shift in America mirrors the demographic shift of power in college football. The best recruits in the nation are coming out of the South. Just look at the top 10 on ESPN's recruiting boards. They are all young black kids, and 8 out of 10 of them play in the South for high school.

Sad to say that the public school systems in the South are also some of the worst in the nation. Might only be corollary, but conclusions will be made on that and probably right most of the time. 

[ghost]

And they're moving why?  Because of the economy. 

[Paelos]

And they're moving why?  Because of the economy. 

Certainly part of it. Another part is that the stigmas of the 1960s are dead. There are black leaders in city governments, black community leaders, and black artists/moguls/athletes that choose to live in the South. It's a Renaissance of sorts, culturally.

Also, many of the Southern states have no income tax or a very small one. Many of them provide more opportunities for better housing and cost of living decreases. Plus the weather isn't brutal.

Demographers can't agree with all the who's and why's, but the facts are there that the numbers are shifting, and with a more robust black population comes better football players.

[ghost]

There's also the factor that kids can practice longer in the South due to the weather. 

[ghost]

Huh.  I've never had a double post issue here.  It must be because I'm so fucking sleepy from making nocturnal babies.  


Here, I'll make it useful-  Not looking really great for Mack Brown, when he has to start justifying his existence. 

"I'm way too competitive and have way too much pride to leave something bad," the Texas coach said. "I'm going to get this fixed."

It's the same mantra that brought Brown back after 2010. After that 5-7 season, Brown changed his staff, bringing in two young coordinators (Bryan Harsin on offense and Manny Diaz on defense) and new coaches on both sides of the line (Bo Davis on defense and Stacy Searels on offfense). Darrell Wyatt came on as the wide receivers coach, and Bennie Wylie became the strength and conditioning coach.

[Paelos]

Brown should be fired. They haven't beaten anybody ranked since 2009. Sorta like Richt.

At some point you have to ask yourself if any other coach could do he's doing. I think yes. They have the most fertile recruiting ground in the region. They have the most money of any college program in the region. They have a national brand. They have legions of supporters.

There's no reason why they shouldn't be beating ranked teams.

[ghost]

Hmm.  I wonder what the chances Mack Brown gets pushed out after this year are?  And who might they hire?  I could see them going after Peterson from Boise. 

[Paelos]

Hmm.  I wonder what the chances Mack Brown gets pushed out after this year are?  And who might they hire?  I could see them going after Peterson from Boise. 

Charlie Strong would be my choice.

[ghost]

Yeah, he would be reasonable as well, as would Dan Mullen from MSU. 

[ghost]

My upset of the week special is West Virginia over Kansas State. 

[Paelos]

My upset of the week special is West Virginia over Kansas State. 

West Virginia is favored. 

And at home.

[ghost]

Meh.  I'm just looking at the rankings.  Plus I got little sleep last night so give me a break.   

[Paelos]

I'm leaning towards Texas A&M over LSU as my upset special. Home dog against the favored #6 Tigers coming off their SC win.

[Ingmar]

Cal over Stanfurd, clearly.

[Paelos]

Cal over Stanfurd, clearly.

Thought about that. Then I guessed they are going to come off the ND game really pissed off.

[01101010]

I'm leaning towards Texas A&M over LSU as my upset special. Home dog against the favored #6 Tigers coming off their SC win.

I'd say lean even further. I don't think the LSU defense can completely shut down the Aggies and their offense sure as shit can't match the Aggies output. I give the Tigers credit for beating SC, but they didn't beat them comfortably.

[ghost]

Actually, I'm going to reverse my previous pick and go with K-State over WVU.  Because I'm stubborn.

[Paelos]

I'm leaning towards Texas A&M over LSU as my upset special. Home dog against the favored #6 Tigers coming off their SC win.

I'd say lean even further. I don't think the LSU defense can completely shut down the Aggies and their offense sure as shit can't match the Aggies output. I give the Tigers credit for beating SC, but they didn't beat them comfortably.

LSU absolutely cannot pass, so they will try to grind the ball on the Aggies and play ball control. Considering that I believe the worst part of the Aggies defense is their secondary (111th in the nation), and their run D is a solid #5 in the SEC, I think I'm going to go with it as my pick for sure.

LOCK IT IN! Aggies beat the Tigers this Saturday.

[01101010]

I'm leaning towards Texas A&M over LSU as my upset special. Home dog against the favored #6 Tigers coming off their SC win.

I'd say lean even further. I don't think the LSU defense can completely shut down the Aggies and their offense sure as shit can't match the Aggies output. I give the Tigers credit for beating SC, but they didn't beat them comfortably.

LSU absolutely cannot pass, so they will try to grind the ball on the Aggies and play ball control. Considering that I believe the worst part of the Aggies defense is their secondary (111th in the nation), and their run D is a solid #5 in the SEC, I think I'm going to go with it as my pick for sure.

LOCK IT IN! Aggies beat the Tigers this Saturday.

Which is astounding given Mettenberger was supposed to be a step up to the passing attack. Please can I have Jarrett Lee back - he was the only real serviceable arm we have had since Flynn.

[ghost]

Mettenberger seems like he is in slow-mo, for sure.  I'm not sure he's going to be the answer for LSU.

[Paelos]

LSU and Florida aren't for real in my book. The problem is they are so one-dimensional they NEVER pass well.  The bottom 4 teams in passing this year in the SEC? Kentucky, LSU, Auburn, and Florida.

Just think about that for a second.

[ghost]

That's interesting, because I consider Driskell to be competent at passing. 

[Paelos]

That's interesting, because I consider Driskell to be competent at passing.  

Yeah most people do until they dig on the numbers. He's completing things fine, but they are short, and it's not often at all. He's 74/111 for over 66% completion. He dinks and dunks with the best of them. Sounds good on paper, until you consider the fact that Florida is 117th in the nation in pass attempts. They've only thrown the ball 27 more times than Georgia Tech and Navy, the famed Triple Option schools.

[ghost]

Wow.  I still consider Florida a notch up from LSU.  They've got more offensive horses running the ball.  Driskell himself is a big threat.

[Chimpy]

Here's an upset pick for you: Illinois will not lose this week!

[ghost]

Playing BYE?

[ghost]

Oregon plays Arizona State tonight.  I'm thinking that Oregon may have a little difficulty with this game. 

[01101010]

Oregon plays Arizona State tonight.  I'm thinking that Oregon may have a little difficulty with this game. 

You had too many letters in your statement. I cleaned it up for you.

[Rasix]

ASU hasn't played anyone decent yet.  They lost to Missouri.

I think they'll put up some points on Oregon, because I don't think their red zone offense can be any more inept than Arizona's, and Oregon will give up yards.   I don't see them beating Oregon, but hey, weird shit happens in the PAC all of the time.

[Paelos]

I don't think they beat Oregon. I also don't think Oregon has faced anything that resembles a defense yet. Arizona State has a solid defense.

I'm taking the 8 points.

[ghost]

I don't think ASU will win, but I don't thing Oregon is going to mow them down by 60 points like they've been doing to everyone else. 

[Rasix]