04/27/24
November 07, 2011
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Thanks for that fine introduction rcade now get off my stage.
My original post, apparently placed prior to my being awake this morning, was a FPP not ment to be a FPP. There are more links to come if what is above seems 2 days too late. I just thought Id bring a little local (Tuscaloosa/Baton Rouge) flavor to a game that has to be the most overly hyped college football "game of the century" of the century. For those that only know the espn/mainstream national media side of the Alabama LSU rivalry, what you may not know is the fans of both schools not only have a mutual respect but actually like each other. We really do. Sure there are a few bad seeds on either side but it is rare in comparison, which is what the link above was ment to point out.
Comments from Tigers fans at Chimes in Baton Rouge LA. after the win.
Article with few comments From the Tide side. All I could find at the time.
I bleed Crimson Ill admit, always have always will, its a family tradition going back generations. As I have mentioned here before my grandfather and Bear Bryant were pretty close friends. Bryant, along with many of the players that stayed over in Birmingham after games played at Legion Field would attend services at the FUMchurch where my grandfather was pastor. But I digress.
My big take away from saturday nights game was WTF was Bama doing in OT? When Richardson and Lacy are your bread and butter you go with it 3 plays in a row in order to at least give yourself a shot at a field-goal if you don't get the first down. Seeing as you forgot to recrute a reliable kicker. And I'm still convinced the refs blew the call on the interception at the goal line. Every angle I've seen it still looks like the receiver is on his back on the ground, at best joint reception by the LSU defender. Until that is the LSU defender twisted and rolled pulling the ball loose. What happened to a tie goes to the offense? But hey it was reviewed and upheld, good on them.
And if another one of these Florida locals tells me how boring the game was I may just go all Maddox on um. Bored? Change the channel! Surely Alabama LSU wasn't the only game on tv saturday night.
So until the rematch on Jan. 09 2012... i kid, i kid no way that happens even in a BCS world
/Rant
posted by Folkways at 01:58 PM on November 07, 2011
It could be worse, Folky. You could be in Penn State fan's shoes right now.
posted by NoMich at 02:12 PM on November 07, 2011
Folkways -- I think the key aspect of that interception/not interception was how it was called on the field. I think if it was called either way (completion or INT), it was not going to be overturned by the officials -- simply no conclusive evidence to the contrary. Looked awfully close to a "tie"/simultaneous possession to me.
For all of those who do not see the beauty in a 9-6 game, I guess it just goes to show that it is always in the eyes of the beholder. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the game (but I am an LSU fan). Obviously not the most aesthetically pleasing game, but I really enjoyed seeing the intensity and controlled brutality of the two teams.
But folks that do not see SEC teams (and these two teams in particular) regularly should not think that the offenses are that bad. Both LSU and Alabama were averaging high-30s to low-40s in points scored on the season coming into this game. I think the offensive playcalling on both sides was a bit conservative because both coaches were freaked out about the other team's defense making a play to set up a short-field situation. Problem is, if you're going to do that, best have some good special teams play. LSU did and Alabama did not, and that was the game.
And Folkways -- if LSU wins out and Oklahoma State loses (most likely scenario would be to Oklahoma at the end of the year) and Stanford loses (most likely scenario would be to Oregon this week), I would not be surprised to see Alabama over an undefeated Boise for a rematch in the BCS Championship game. Not saying it should happen, but it well might (particularly with Alabama only dropping to 3rd in the latest BCS standings despite the loss).
posted by holden at 03:14 PM on November 07, 2011
Agreed holden, they called it wrong on the field ~(-:
As for a rematch, I for one would love to see it. And yea it can happen if the only team left undefeated is BSU. Hell im not sure an undefeated Stanford would jump the Tide. My concern here is if a one lose OK with a conference championship win/extra game Bama doesn't get to play would jump the Tide at that point.
If LSU wins out and really whose gonna beat them but themselves the rest of the year? Arkansas? Give me a break. There is IMHO no other team in the country that can even come close to beating them other than the Tide. I don't care how many records the QB holds or how many PPG they score the LSU D can shut them down.
Perhaps Ill see ya in New Orleans after all holden. Give the home field advantage to LSU in that venue.
posted by Folkways at 03:46 PM on November 07, 2011
Surely Alabama LSU wasn't the only game on tv saturday night.
For those who don't enjoy defense as much, there was OK State v. Kansas State. Two TV's = Best of Both Worlds (I have 3, and had the Sharks on, as well)
posted by tahoemoj at 04:18 PM on November 07, 2011
Folkways -- no need to worry about a one-loss OK team leapfrogging Bama due to an extra conference championship game, as the Big XII does not have a conference championship this year due to Colorado and Nebraska jumping ship before this year (and the NCAA rule that requires conferences to have at least 12 teams to have a championship game). This cuts both ways, those, because a conference championship game is one more opportunity for an undefeated team to stumble. I recall reading that Texas and Oklahoma were actually in favor of a conference without a championship game because they thought it was more of a detriment than benefit for getting in the BCS title game (which Ohio State can surely attest to).
I do think if Stanford beats Oregon next week, they are going to leapfrog the Tide in the computer rankings due to strength of schedule and probably will maintain that as Stanford will also get a bump from the Pac 12 championship game.
Funny about LSU and New Orleans -- every four years, the BCS Championship Game is in New Orleans. Coincidentally, LSU's good seasons seem to coincide with that schedule. In the 2003 season, LSU beat Oklahoma in what was effectively a home game at the Superdome in the Sugar Bowl (which was the designated national championship game that year). In the 2007 season, LSU beat Ohio State in what was effectively a home game at the Superdome in the BCS National Championship Game (after the BCS switched to the 4 BCS bowls + one BCS championship game at one of the bowl sites format). In the 2011 season the BCS title game is again in New Orleans and . . . (here's hoping).
I actually am still scared about Arkansas (I think LSU can dominate whoever comes out of the East in the SEC Championship Game). This post-Thanksgiving fixture always is a little crazy. In 2007, all LSU had to do was win this one (and then the SEC Championship Game against a pretty mediocre Tennessee team) to go to the national championship game and instead Darren McFadden, Peyton Hillis and Felix Jones (man, was that team stacked in the backfield) and company edged the Tigers in 3OT. LSU still actually made it into the title game (with two losses, mind you) because WVU and Missouri choked away their opportunities, but the Arkansas loss felt like a backbreaker at the time. I will be at the Arkansas game this year; should be a good one.
posted by holden at 05:55 PM on November 07, 2011
Russian hockey coach attacks fans with stick, gets two-game suspension.
posted by rcade at 07:12 PM on November 07, 2011
Totally whiffed on the big 12 not having a conf championship game this year, hell I still call em the SWC most of the time. Can't seem to keep all these big, pac, enter your favorite # here conf straight.
Would like to see an LSU fan poll as to who they would rather face, Okst, Stanford, or Bama again.
posted by Folkways at 07:32 PM on November 07, 2011
Folkways -- without getting ahead of ourselves (as there are at least 3 and possibly 4 more games for LSU to play), as an LSU fan I would rather see any team other than Alabama. Some LSU fans might say they would want to beat the best again and on a bigger stage, but Alabama is such a good and well-coached football team that I think it would be a real challenge to beat them again. Of the other two, my personal preference would be Stanford, simply because they do not have the speed to match up with LSU on either side of the ball. Oklahoma State might be best viewing or best for neutrals, simply because it would be strength (OSU's offense) vs strength (LSU's defense).
posted by holden at 09:00 PM on November 07, 2011
Apparently the key for The Hoser is simple -- dont post my picks.
We were 12-2 against the spread this week and hit the Lock for the eighth time this season. St. Louis, which somehow managed to turn having a 42-yard game-winning field goal attempt into an overtime loss by a TD, cost us the Trifecta.
I guess it can't all be roses in the Lou.
posted by wfrazerjr at 12:22 AM on November 08, 2011
Well done fraze.
I knew there was a part of my Sunday morning missing, but I couldn't put my finger on it!
posted by tommybiden at 08:45 AM on November 08, 2011
holden--thanks for your input, have not seen Stanford play this year other than the Andrew Luck highlights, dudes good but I don't see LSU having a problem covering their receivers. And no way their D keeps LSU's O in check for 4 quarters. OKSt IMO matches up better with LSU and might give them a run in the first half.
Been nice having a civilized college football discussion for a change, something I have not found since I've been in P'cola.
Ok try this one. LSU/Alabama finish 1-2 in the BCS, they play for the NC as things are set in this system, -- but -- Boise St and Houston both finish undefeated, oh the outrage in some parts of the country. Houston has a huge tv market.
Even better Boise St and Houston are the only undefeated teams at the end of the season. The BCS really does suck for some people.
Take a giant SportsFilter or holden sign to the game and ill watch for ya on the tube Saturday.
posted by Folkways at 11:35 AM on November 08, 2011
$10 says if Boise St are the only 'title contender' unbeaten at the end of the season they'll get a BCS title game slot.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:53 AM on November 08, 2011
I'll take that bet, bill. The voters have already shown they would rather have a rematch than let Boise into the game. Their excuse will be the lack of quality wins, but the reason will be that they're not AQ.
posted by Etrigan at 12:22 PM on November 08, 2011
Etrigan, I base my guess on the several years of pressure on the BCS including lawsuits and senate hearings. A yet-again undefeated Boise St. missing out to two one-loss teams (not one but two) would probably be the final straw that pushed over the BCS's cozy little arrangement. At least it's likely enough that I don't see TPTB taking the risk.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:50 PM on November 08, 2011
Etrigan, I will also take your bet.
posted by bender at 06:29 PM on November 08, 2011
~ A yet-again undefeated Boise St. missing out to two one-loss teams (not one but two) would probably be the final straw that pushed over the BCS's cozy little arrangement. ~
We can only hope.
posted by Folkways at 09:50 PM on November 08, 2011
From Folkways: The party started early in Tuscaloosa for Alabama and LSU fans.