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Vicarious Living: Championship Weekend Open Game Thread

Please sir, may I have another game?

Oliver! (via arion2006)

Well, that answers that.  Have a great weekend, enjoy the games, and leave any thought/observations here.

 

Poll
BCS conferences are supposed to represent the top 6 conferences in 1-A football. With that assumption, if you had the authority to enforce one of the following conditions for next year, which would it be?
Keep the Big East and ACC as BCS conferences.
36 votes
Keep the Big East, replace the ACC with the MWC.
4 votes
Keep the Big East, replace the ACC with the WAC.
1 votes
Keep the ACC, replace the Big East with the MWC.
27 votes
Keep the ACC, replace the Big East with the WAC.
12 votes
Replace both the ACC and Big East with the MWC and WAC.
18 votes

98 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 110 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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I love me some NAVY!!!

It doesn’t carry NCAA significance anymore, but I’ve always loved the Army-Navy game. Having both teams go old-school on their offense is a nice little binnie, too.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 12:28 PM EST reply actions  

I plan on being here for it.

I don’t know how many people will be commenting, but I’m game.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 1:03 PM EST up reply actions  

I'll be here

for the first hour anyway. Depending on the roads and some other factors, I may or may not disappear after that.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 6, 2008 2:50 PM EST up reply actions  

The ACC Championship

Is pathetic when Florida State’s not in it. The empty seats make it look like a mid-December bowl game.

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply actions  

Hey, Will

I had completely forgotten that it was on, even. I’m going to be very curious to see the ratings comparison b/w the ACCCG and the Army/Navy game.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 1:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Kindly request to ACCCG TV production crew:

Please don’t use the end zone camera anymore. That bounciness is only amplified by hi-def and the crack-fueled servos that move the camera.

kthxbai

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 1:17 PM EST reply actions  

I see that Corso gave 'Bama the kiss of death this morning

I still like them in this game, though, much as it pains me to say it.

Who does everyone else have?

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 1:20 PM EST reply actions  

If the Gators don't turn it over

It has to be Florida. Alabama’s never been behind – what happens if Florida gets up 14-0?

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 1:28 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm leaning toward Florida.

It could obviously go either way, but Florida is a far more physical team than people ever let on. Their line play is fantastic; there’s a reason that Tebow usually has all day long to make his decisions.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Agreed.

Maybe 37 overtimes? Just to give the NCAA something else to think over during the offseason?

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 1:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Leaning

I’m still leaning toward a FL blowout. Without Harvin and two linemen, I’m much more wary of this, but I just keep thinking about FL’s killer instinct. I just think they’re better and they milk their advantage better than most teams, I think. On the other hand, if the Tide can do the old school thing and milk the clock, they’d have a chance.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 6, 2008 2:53 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm torn between getting rid of the ACC or Big East in favor of MWC

I don’t think the WAC deserves to be in over either of those conferences though.

I really like the MWC. Undefeated against the PAC 10 this year, I think, which is more than we can say for the SEC :((((((((

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 1:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Well, Colorado State lost to California.

But that’s it. I’m a MWC homer myself, but a part of that is undoubtedly from having gone to Wyoming and having grown up in that area. I’m probably not going to vote in my own poll because of that.

But I’d like to see the MWC replace the Big East. The ACC has the potential to be very good, eventually. I just don’t see it in the Big East.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

ACC

Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech are both going to be very good next year…as Nessler said in the pregame, they’ve got 9 teams with 7+ wins right now, just need one or two of those to become 9+ win teams at the expense of one or two others.

I agree that the Big East appears to have no championship future – far cry from two years ago when Louisville and WV played “the biggest Thursday night game in college football history!”

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 1:38 PM EST up reply actions  

The problem with the Big East seems to be saturation.

Outside of them, you already have 3 big dog conferences east of the Mississippi. With 4 in the same area, somebody is going to be the odd duck out. The SEC tends to dominate the southern recruiting, the Big 10 tends to dominate the north, and the ACC tends to pick up a bit out of everything, plus all the top-notch kids that (for whatever reason) prefer to not play in the other two conferences. That leaves the Big East as picking up the trailings.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 1:50 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree

ACC appears to be much stronger than the Big East.

Ha, I started to list all of the teams in the conference who are poised for a breakout year any time now, and I ended up listing the entire conference! Woops.

Plus I want to see Duke do well. So go ACC!

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 1:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Hey!

As long as the Big East has Brian Kelly, they’ll be quality! (/dead joke)

by Chris Pendley on Dec 6, 2008 10:39 PM EST up reply actions  

BTW

Army’s camo unis are teh hottness. U CAN’T HIT WHUT U CAN’T CEE!!!

But seriously they are pretty cool.

by CornFromAJar on Dec 6, 2008 1:49 PM EST reply actions  

They are.

It would have been smart to let the Army players know about them before this morning, but hey. It’s not like it’s a big deal to have your qB accustomed to the way the receivers look or anything.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 1:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Uh oh

Where’s Graysnail? His UConn teams needs a pep talk.

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 1:58 PM EST reply actions  

I don't care about UConn, come on now.

They beat Cincy. They can take their pep talk and stick it where the sun don’t shine. :)

by Chris Pendley on Dec 6, 2008 10:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah

I realized later I had my teams mixed up.

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 10:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Man I'm bored

Someone entertain me! And order me a pizza!

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 2:02 PM EST reply actions  

Sorry.

Away from the computer for a while there. Not ignoring.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 2:47 PM EST up reply actions  

ConfUSA championship game looks to be ok

ecu 17 – tulsa 17

At least it’s close.

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 2:06 PM EST reply actions  

The ACC game is exciting...

…in a backwards sort of way. VT had first and goal and went holding, sack, interception. BC had a guy wide open at the VT 20 who caught it, then fumbled into the end zone and VT recovered.

Hokies need to start running clock.

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 2:10 PM EST reply actions  

Wow

That’s pretty special.

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

4 oclock

Please come sooner!!!

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 2:21 PM EST reply actions  

Darren Evans RB Virginia Tech

Remember the name. 17 carries, 80 yards mid third quarter against BC. Redshirt freshman. I saw him run for 253 against Maryland in Blacksburg earlier this year. He shies away from contact less than any back I’ve seen this year.

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 3:08 PM EST reply actions  

Check.

I’ve been glued to the A/N game, but it’s almost wrapped up. I’ll keep an eye for him.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 3:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Big East SHOULD NOT be a BCS conference.

by BigBeefe on Dec 6, 2008 3:22 PM EST reply actions  

It's the money behind them that's keeping them there.

If the Big East were replaced with the MWC, I wonder how much more damage to their play the Big East would experience due to the loss of bowl and advertising revenue. Not to mention the sales pitch of being a BCS school that you can give to recruits.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 3:28 PM EST up reply actions  

At 34-0, the A/N game was far more enjoyable than this.

Fewer penalties (I can only remember 1), fewer turnovers, more disciplined play.

The best thing the ACC could do for itself would be to jettison 1 team and get rid of their championship game. This dog is becoming an annual embarrassment to them.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 3:30 PM EST reply actions  

Yeah...

It’s like our title game, where when it was set up everybody thought “Hey, Tennessee vs. Alabama at a neutral field, won’t that be awesome!”…and it’s never happened. They put FSU and Miami in opposite divisions, and they can’t get there at the same time (Miami’s never been in 4 years).

FSU, Virginia Tech and Clemson have traveling fanbases, and that’s about it. And the Hokies have been there 3 times in 4 years, so it’s getting old and Tampa’s a long way from here. Any other matchup and you get the empty seats.

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 3:41 PM EST up reply actions  

John Parker Wilson has the best deep ball in the SEC?

Did he not see that one time that Crompton hit Moore :)?

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:06 PM EST reply actions  

yeah

Danielson is a bandwagon fan. Truly. Earlier this year Stafford was the best qb in the SEC

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions  

This game is sponsored by Dr. Pepper

It’s crimson-colored. It says slower is better. Omen for ’Bama?

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 6, 2008 4:06 PM EST reply actions  

More Bama smugness,

Or two national titles for Florida in 3 years?

What is a Vol fan to do?

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:09 PM EST reply actions  

I'm trying to watch this.

Really trying. But I realize in nine minutes of pregame coverage that no matter what possibly happens, I’m not going to like it.

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 4:09 PM EST reply actions  

Meanwhile...

We have our 7th turnover in the ACC Championship Game. These are your viewing options.

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 4:11 PM EST up reply actions  

yeah

Ugh. Threaten me with physical violence and make me choose, I choose Florida only because of Tebow.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 6, 2008 4:12 PM EST up reply actions  

Get ready for

Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow!

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:12 PM EST reply actions  

The dude who played David Palmer on 24

Just did a promo about Alabama without mentioning David Palmer.

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 4:13 PM EST reply actions  

Or good hands

Or maybe I missed that part.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 6, 2008 4:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Hey Saban did the smart thing!

And didn’t let Florida have the ball first. Imagine that.

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:14 PM EST reply actions  

Florida crowd is cheering

But the Bama Oline just got a big push against a Dline that had to have known the run was coming.

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:15 PM EST reply actions  

Make that 8 turnovers

in the ACC title game. VT should be taking knees before they make it nine.

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions  

Tebow got rocked

20 yard pickup for the other guy though

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions  

So....

Chuck Tebow, or Tim Norris?

Which would the announcers prefer?

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 4:21 PM EST reply actions  

*groan*

Danielson’s man crush on Tebow has reached an all time low.

You mean he chest bumped an OC to the ground? And headbutted a teammate into dizziness!

In the words of Lundquist, Oh my!

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:21 PM EST reply actions  

Jump pass

And another reference to Harry Gilmer.

Coming up.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 6, 2008 4:23 PM EST reply actions  

Oy.

So much for Cody/Hightower destroying the Florida offense. They’re going to need to figure that one out pretty quickly.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 4:26 PM EST reply actions  

Julio Jones

Scares me. 2 – 3 more years of this guy is going to be rough.

by rblakeh on Dec 6, 2008 4:28 PM EST reply actions  

speed

I was surprised by his ability to outrun the FL DBs.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 6, 2008 4:35 PM EST up reply actions  

In the other game

Having USC in color is kinda fun. I’m thinking the NCAA oughta lighten up on that white jersey rule for declared “rivalry” games.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 4:46 PM EST reply actions  

Wow. UCLA 7, USC 0.

At this rate, I might not win the Pickems.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions  

That's a good Aflac Trivia Question

Which two coaches led #2 teams over #1 teams twice?

by Will Shelton on Dec 6, 2008 5:17 PM EST reply actions  

I have no idea. But I like the question.

I’d guess Bryant for one. Perhaps Spurrier for the other.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 5:18 PM EST up reply actions  

It’d have to be somebody with a lot of good teams and a lot of wins, just to have the opportunity for that mark.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 5:19 PM EST up reply actions  

If you're Machiavellian about it, those horse collar tackles are worth the penalty early in the game.

That 15 yarder is probably less than the distance he would have gained otherwise. On top of that, you have the possibility of slowing down a fast guy, maybe even taking him out of the game.

Again, Machiavellian, not sportsman.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 5:23 PM EST reply actions  

The announcers need to reread the rules.

Intentional grounding requires no eligible receivers in the area, not prospective receivers.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 5:25 PM EST reply actions  

Florida struggles within the 10-yard line.

That’s where their team speed becomes less advantageous.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 5:27 PM EST reply actions  

I thought so too.

The only logic I could think of was that Florida didn’t want to use a timeout only to have Alabama go for it on 4th. Sketchy logic, but that’s it.

Well, that and Florida gets the ball back to start the second half.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 5:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Yay! Girl Throws!

[/ducks objects thrown by the Mrs.]

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 5:40 PM EST reply actions  

From the announcers:
The best football player I’ve ever seen play quarterback.

If that’s true, then why do so many quarterbacks win the Heisman?

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 6:58 PM EST reply actions  

11-point lead with about 3 minutes left.

You’ve gotta think this is just about over now. Alabama’s strength is the power game, but there’s just not enough time left on the clock for it. Jones will get double-covered and you’d have to expect some tricky blitzes to try to fluster Wilson.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 7:11 PM EST reply actions  

Well, this was a disappointing weekend.

The SEC game was a great one, but you had:

+ The ACC fiasco where the cameras were so busy trying to hide the empty seats that they accidentally showed the teams on the field. (Gah.)

+ The Big 12 blowout that ceased being suspenseful somewhere around the coin toss.

+ USC-UCLA, where the only question was when USC was going to stop kidding around and start playing.

+ Army/Navy, where Army has a long way to go before they run Navy’s offense as well as Navy does.

+ Tulsa/ECU, where – 7 turnovers later – Tulsa barely loses to a team they should have beat.

+ Pittsburgh/UConn, where it wasn’t even close.

+ Washington – whoever, where Washington completed the perfect season.

Oy. At least with the bowl games, the selection committees have some flexibility to choose potentially interesting matchups.

by David Hooper on Dec 6, 2008 11:05 PM EST reply actions  

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