CBJ Board Other Sports Thread: Part VIII

[FANonymous]

I'm fine with punishing Woody Hayes for that player flipping the bird to the crowd. Let's suspend him for the rest of the season. And Tim May, Clay Hall, the BTN, that drunk UM coach who got fired, my buddy Leo the Michigan fan, my friend Tom who posted "Go Blue" on his FB page. Suspend 'em all.

Sounds good. Then maybe you all will stop crying about a meaningless gesture in one of the most storied rivalries in all of sports.

Probably not though.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Sounds good. Then maybe you all will stop crying about a meaningless gesture in one of the most storied rivalries in all of sports.

Probably not though.

I'm not "crying" about anything. I didn't see the gesture and I don't care whether or not he gets punished for it. But your position is hyperbolic and untenable - although I'm assuming you already know that. Which means you should probably suspend yourself.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Does it matter that the one loss was to a team that was beaten three times and that the last two victories were on the last plays of the games and contained more than just a little luck?

The BCS is a flawed system and it should not be expected to produce a true champion. Florida State's SoS is even worse than OSU, but nobody seems to be questioning their right to be in the championship game. Hell, Duke's been charmed, this year, I'd love to see them humble the Seminoles in the ACC title game!

OSU is 1 for 3 in title games under this format. How many other teams would wish to have that record of success? Michigan State will be a good test for them, as will Missouri for Auburn. Let the chips fall where they may and the arguments continue, ad nauseam!

According to one single metric (the Sagarin ranking), that is true. Even then, we're talking about #66 compared to #61. And if we're talking about Sagarin, we're also talking about someone who has OSU 7th, behind Florida State, Alabama, Arizona State, Oregon, Missouri, and Baylor. And if we're going just by his BCS-linked poll that he does, OSU is behind Northern Illinois.

This site uses the same formula for college football as the RPI in college basketball. That has Florida State at #94 in terms of schedule strength...and Ohio State 147th. It does have OSU ranked 2nd in the actual poll, behind only Florida State.

I don't know if anyone uses the original BCS schedule strength formula, which for years was an actual part of the formula until USC threw a screaming tantrum. I'd be curious to see how that ranks things; perhaps I'll put it together later and post the results (no matter what they may be).

 

[pete goegan]

I do not accept the idea that a senior in college is not responsible for flipping off the crowd because "The Game" has been built up to such a great degree by American football culture and all that surrounds it. He didn't choke anyone, but his actions should not be minimized, either. Such behavior is unacceptable in a public forum, it's another example of the "me first" attitude of self-expression that prevails in all areas of today's society. He missed the second half of the Michigan game, I'd like to see him suspended for no less than the first half of the MSU game.

 

[Mayor Bee]

I'm saying punishing the kid who flipped the bird alone, is the same as breaking up a dog-fighting ring and punishing only the dogs. It doesn't make any sense. You want to punish him? Fine. Just make sure you punish the media, coaches and fans who built this into what it is now as well, otherwise you're accomplishing nothing.

Better punish every other college football player out there as well; clearly they don't understand the game the way that only Marcus Hall and no one else does.

Why stop with the finger? He could've just whipped it out right there on the field and gestured toward (or with) it.

 

[Nanabijou]

Why stop with the finger? He could've just whipped it out right there on the field and gestured toward (or with) it.

Come on. As Joe Thornton knows, you can only do that if you score 4 times.

 

[blahblah]

The only thing making me laugh more than Hall flipping off that crowd is the discussion on here about it (mainly those upset by it).

I would have laughed if a hockey player did it to "me" at a hockey game. I'm sure any kids will have made it out unscathed.

The slippery slope to public nudity is funny.

 

[FANonymous]

I'm unhappy about something someone did!!! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE. I demand justice!!! But not from those ultimately responsible!!!! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE. It'd be hilarious if this was a sitcom rather than being pathetic that it is real life.

 

[Fro]

made up my mind...go Duke and go Sparty....mass hysteria and Iron Bowl II

 

[Sore Loser]

I'm unhappy about something someone did!!! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE. I demand justice!!! But not from those ultimately responsible!!!! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE. It'd be hilarious if this was a sitcom rather than being pathetic that it is real life.

and it keeps going. Perhaps throwing around personal insults will make you feel better about being wrong?

 

[EspenK]

Big 10 leans toward FanA's pov or at least didn't want to screw up its best chance for a national champ. I think the moral outrage around here was a bit much and seems like the "punishment" here fits the "crime".

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/02/big-ten-reprimands-ohio-states-marcus-hall-for-obscene-gesture/

 

[FANonymous]

and it keeps going. Perhaps throwing around personal insults will make you feel better about being wrong?

I wouldn't know, you tell me.

Edit:

I would also like to add, that I think the next thing that should be done [but almost assuredly WON'T happen] is some kind of discussion between Meyer and Hoke as to how to have a great rivalry built on respect rather than blind hate, and then somehow get that out to the media and the fans, likely through a press conference. Unfortunately OSU is going to be far too preoccupied with game preparations to do that at this point and within a few weeks, this whole situation will be forgotten, the opportunity wasted.

We could stop having our bands take pot shots at one-another every damn half-time show. Both bands are good enough to ramp up the crowd without resorting to lowest common denominator tactics [DAE hate our rivals?]. They could refer to the opposing school by their actual name. ****, as lame as it sounds, a handshake after the game between the teams would help raise respect [assuming we could keep it from erupting into another fight].

This kind of stuff that you all are upset about will just keep happening if the root causes of it are not addressed. Suspending an emotional kid responding to an ejection after a fight in front of a hostile crowd isn't going to stop this stuff from happening. That said, I wasn't against him being suspended, I was against him being suspended if the root causes aren't also addressed [which they most likely won't be].

 

[Mayor Bee]

Big 10 leans toward FanA's pov or at least didn't want to screw up its best chance for a national champ. I think the moral outrage around here was a bit much and seems like the "punishment" here fits the "crime".

The bolded is the only logical explanation.

The problem is that the B1G is led by a commissioner who, in previous dealings, has proven himself to be a petty jackass when it comes to relations with the SEC. In his open letter after OSU was destroyed by Florida, Delany accused the SEC of setting aside or ignoring both academic standards for entrance and maintaining standards upon a player's admission into the school. Basically, he was accusing others of selling out in order to genuflect at the altar of Lord Football.

By failing to suspend a player for giving a double finger to a crowd on national TV, Delany has done exactly what he accused others of doing. He's willing to sell out his sworn mission to uphold a particular set of standards in order to possibly get a kick in at the SEC. I can guarantee you that if #2 and #3 were both B1G schools, Marcus Hall isn't playing this week. If #3 was a Pac-12 school, Marcus Hall isn't playing this week. But the SEC? Undermine the integrity of the conference in order to take a shot.

So welcome, B1G, welcome to the dirty underhanded world of college football. We always knew that you were no better than us, but we didn't expect you to so transparently take that step.

(Don't worry, I haven't forgotten either about Delany lobbying to make sure that OSU's ineligible players could still play in the Sugar Bowl against....an SEC opponent.)

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

The bolded is the only logical explanation.

The problem is that the B1G is led by a commissioner who, in previous dealings, has proven himself to be a petty jackass when it comes to relations with the SEC. In his open letter after OSU was destroyed by Florida, Delany accused the SEC of setting aside or ignoring both academic standards for entrance and maintaining standards upon a player's admission into the school. Basically, he was accusing others of selling out in order to genuflect at the altar of Lord Football.

By failing to suspend a player for giving a double finger to a crowd on national TV, Delany has done exactly what he accused others of doing. He's willing to sell out his sworn mission to uphold a particular set of standards in order to possibly get a kick in at the SEC. I can guarantee you that if #2 and #3 were both B1G schools, Marcus Hall isn't playing this week. If #3 was a Pac-12 school, Marcus Hall isn't playing this week. But the SEC? Undermine the integrity of the conference in order to take a shot.

So welcome, B1G, welcome to the dirty underhanded world of college football. We always knew that you were no better than us, but we didn't expect you to so transparently take that step.

(Don't worry, I haven't forgotten either about Delany lobbying to make sure that OSU's ineligible players could still play in the Sugar Bowl against....an SEC opponent.)

I have rarely read anything full of more blunderbuss and tripe.

 

[EspenK]

After a good night 's sleep I have re-thought my position on this. If giving the finger warrants a game, Hall should have received 2.

 

[Fro]

nice to know Bettman isn't the only idiot for a commissioner out there in sports

commissioner of the MLS just said that supporters groups are a new phenomenon...

 

[Kev22]

nice to know Bettman isn't the only idiot for a commissioner out there in sports

commissioner of the MLS just said that supporters groups are a new phenomenon...

Wait, there's a soccer league in the United States.

 

[Kev22]

We could stop having our bands take pot shots at one-another every damn half-time show. Both bands are good enough to ramp up the crowd without resorting to lowest common denominator tactics [DAE hate our rivals?]. They could refer to the opposing school by their actual name. ****, as lame as it sounds, a handshake after the game between the teams would help raise respect [assuming we could keep it from erupting into another fight].

This is crap. Really, we're talking about the bands. These pot shots are all in good fun. It's not like they are marching into the formation of a middle finger with a Michigan logo. I hope you're not being serious with these comments.

As for the coaches not mentioning the other team by name, gamesmanship is part of the rivalry. Woody and Bo were better at it that anyone involved in this rivalry. They exchanged hellos once a year on the fifty yard line before the start of "The Game" and then didn't talk the rest of the year...for 10 years. Respect is part of what has made the OSU-UM rivalry so great. Saturday was an inexcusable "outlier" in the grand view of this rivalry. I think the Big Ten made the right call on this. The players that were most responsible for this becoming a bigger incident were penalized and ejected on game day. To me, I don't think these guys are known trouble makers, their emotions got the best of them, they've apologized, you move on.

I think in all my years of watching this rivalry, that's the first real incident I can remember. There's been some pre-game pushing and shoving, trash talking and I know that Charles Woodson and David Boston exchanged some heated shoves at one another in the 90's, but this rivalry has been based on respect for many years. These guys will often become friends once they are off the gridiron. While this was embarrassing, it's done. Move on.

 

[InauguralCBJFan]

The bolded is the only logical explanation.

Delany accused the SEC of setting aside or ignoring both academic standards for entrance and maintaining standards upon a player's admission into the school?

(Don't worry, I haven't forgotten either about Delany lobbying to make sure that OSU's ineligible players could still play in the Sugar Bowl against....an SEC opponent.)

That first part is half true. The SEC, in its entirety, holds a lower academic standard for entrance than a B1G school. Entrance to Alabama only requires a 3.0 (B average), and a 21 on ACT (when I was admitted to OSU it was a 3.3 and a 23 ACT. I believe they have since raised both, 3.5, 25 range). However, these only reflect the general population of students. As 2 division 1 powerhouses, both schools employ lenience in the admissions process of athletes. As for maintaining them, most student athletes take bogus classes (Helloooo Johnny Manziel and ALL his classes online) and they all get tutors. And last semesters tests. If you fail, it's because you are actually dumb. So yes, as a whole, the SEC doesn't maintain higher admission standards.

The second part - as a former Buckeye who attended while Pryor was quarterback - I might hate him more than Tom Brady. Just throwing that out there. I wish he would have rode the pine, then he wouldn't have a job.

 

[Mayor Bee]

That first part is half true. The SEC, in its entirety, holds a lower academic standard for entrance than a B1G school. Entrance to Alabama only requires a 3.0 (B average), and a 21 on ACT (when I was admitted to OSU it was a 3.3 and a 23 ACT. I believe they have since raised both, 3.5, 25 range). However, these only reflect the general population of students. As 2 division 1 powerhouses, both schools employ lenience in the admissions process of athletes. As for maintaining them, most student athletes take bogus classes (Helloooo Johnny Manziel and ALL his classes online) and they all get tutors. And last semesters tests. If you fail, it's because you are actually dumb. So yes, as a whole, the SEC doesn't maintain higher admission standards.

I'd never argue that the SEC maintains higher or even equal admission or academic standards. I had a kid about 10 years ago who was being recruited by the MAC, plus the dregs of the Big Ten and SEC. He was having a hell of a time even narrowing down his list, even as a senior. So he asked me for advice. Once he was willing to concede that the NFL was not in his future, I helped steer him away from the SEC (granted, it was Kentucky and Vanderbilt). My recommendation was one of the four Big Ten schools he was being recruited by, and after a year as a walk-on, he got on the scholarship list and has done quite well for himself since graduating.

My argument against Delany has nothing to do with whether it's factually true that the Big Ten has higher standards than the SEC. It has everything to do with the fact that a major commissioner decided that it was a good idea to lash out publicly in a manner more befitting a child who didn't get his way. I've been on the receiving end of a blowout (other guy kept his starters in all game), and had to stand there and shake hands and say "good game" despite wanting nothing more than to wring that guy's neck. Our head coach had the misfortune of being interviewed by the newspaper reporters, and had to stand there and do all of that "they outplayed us", "we just couldn't stop them", "give them credit for stopping our offense", and all of that. Once the doors to the coaches office were closed, he went completely nuts about...well, all sorts of stuff that he would never say to a reporter or to any player on the team.

I took issue, and still take issue with Delany because he took a private and totally irrelevant grievance public. If he'd said it in passing, it would be unfortunate. That's not what happened.

 

[Sore Loser]

This made me laugh...

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf...-tide-tip-auburn-server-172025904--ncaaf.html

Yes, in a restaurant in Alabama, a server named "Forrest" was left a rude tip.

 

[Mayor Bee]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf...-tide-tip-auburn-server-172025904--ncaaf.html

Yes, in a restaurant in Alabama, a server named "Forrest" was left a rude tip.

I'm both impressed that a Bammer knew how to write that, and also that the receipt wasn't laced with Spike 80DF.

 

[Sore Loser]

I'm both impressed that a Bammer knew how to write that, and also that the receipt wasn't laced with Spike 80DF.

It's funny, one of my new co-workers is from Oxford, and a huge Ole Miss fan ... worked with him since mid-summer. He transferred to another branch about 30 miles away, and called me today specifically to discuss the Auburn/Alabama game on Saturday ... and that he's surprised to see Ohio State in the top-2; wanted to know what my thoughts on that were.

The point of my post? I love talking to southern people

 

[EspenK]

Check this out. It is pretty funny.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24349790/photo-get-your-daylight-saban-time-shirt

 

[Mayor Bee]

I have rarely read anything full of more blunderbuss and tripe.

I was listening to the radio on the way home, and noted SEC fanboy (and enemy of all things OSU) Craig Krenzel said exactly the same thing I did right there.