NFL/NCAA 2007 thread

**Aberdonian Stu** · 02/09/2007, 9:54 AM

Wow how about Appalachian State. The 1-AA champions overcame Michigan, ranked number in the US, in the Big House. The biggest upset ever in College Football.

**strangeirish** · 02/09/2007, 12:33 PM

Stunning upset indeed. They didn't look out of place either. Surely it's time for Carr to go now. At least I won't have to listen to a couple of Michigan employee's whine about not being selected to play for a national championship this year.

**Dodge** · 04/09/2007, 9:44 AM

Good news lads

"Also TV3 announces the return of NFL to terrestrial TV in Ireland with exclusive Irish rights to NFL coverage for the coming season including live coverage of the Superbowl from Phoenix, Arizona in February 2008."

http://www.tv3.ie/media.php?action=news&id=123

**Danny** · 04/09/2007, 11:29 AM

can someone explain to me how the NCAA divisions/bowls etc work in less than 100 words ?
only got NASN recently and began watchin it at the w/e

cheers

**Aberdonian Stu** · 04/09/2007, 11:40 AM

The champions of the six major conferences - ACC, Pac 10, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, Big East - each get one automatic bid to one of the 4 major bowls - Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange. There are two guaranteed 'at-large' bids for either a second team from one of these conferences, a winner of another conference or an Independent programme (basically Notre Dame) based on where they finish in the BCS polls.

The other 28 or so bowls are based on bids arranged between all the conferences at the start of the season and are assigned based roughly on where a team finishes.

The top two teams according to the BCS polls, which is based on a voting system, play in the BCS National title game which is the fifth BCS bowl.

Usually the two competitors are conference champions of one of the major conference. This means an extra 2 'at-large' bids are opened up for the other BCS bowls, bringing the total to four.

No one conference can send more than 2 teams to one of the 5 BCS bowls.

If this sounds arbitrary and confusing to you then you are perfectly correct.

**Dodge** · 04/09/2007, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Danny

can someone explain to me how the NCAA divisions/bowls etc work in less than 100 words ?

Nope. Stu's is nearly double that.

Its all about the polls.

Michigan (ranked 5th pre season) are already ****ed as a result of losing to Appalachian state (who can't receive a ranking as they're not involved in a bowl qualifying conference)

I've been in the US twice when the BCS (or its predecessor) teams have been announced and its always controversial

**Danny** · 04/09/2007, 12:30 PM

cheers lads, one fo the lads told me it was pretty confusing and they were right.

**OneRedArmy** · 04/09/2007, 12:54 PM

Warm weather cities host bowls aimed (and ultimately favouring) cold weather schools so lots of alumni can come and spend buckletloads of money at an otherwise quiet period for hotels and other tourist infrastructure.

The end.

EDIT: Bring on a proper playoff system ("academic concerns" my hole...........)

**Dodge** · 04/09/2007, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Warm weather cities host bowls aimed (and ultimately favouring) cold weather schools so lots of alumni can come and spend buckletloads of money at an otherwise quiet period for hotels and other tourist infrastructure.

Would definitely explain why schools from Texas, California and Florida dominate...

**OneRedArmy** · 04/09/2007, 1:17 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Would definitely explain why schools from Texas, California and Florida dominate...

Thats only in the last 10 years or so. Remember that the bowl system has changed a lot over the last few decades. My post above was only half in jest.

Having spoken to someone involved in one of the bigger bowls they'd much prefer to go back to at-large invites. Heat doesn't travel to heat.

Everyone wants Notre Dame/Ohio State/Michigan/Penn State. TV money makes a bit of a difference but trust me, the local committee groaned when Florida made the BCS bowl last season.

**Dodge** · 04/09/2007, 1:23 PM

Oh I know, I was just pointing out that its not completely true. And the SEC is by far the strongest conference. In real terms there's no way Notre Dame should've got a BCS bowl last year

**Aberdonian Stu** · 04/09/2007, 1:46 PM

The SEC is the strongest conference but no by far as so many of its proponents seem thing.

For all the sandal-wearing hippyness of it the Pac 10 is a decent second. As a Notre Dame fan it pains me to say it but USC, UCLA, Cal and Oregon State are powerful sides that command respect. Its opponents would point to the lower teams being worse with the likes of Stanford but they're no worse than Mississippi State. The middle is where the SEC wins out in the head to head between the two conferences.

These things are cyclical though.

**Dodge** · 04/09/2007, 1:49 PM

Agreed, and I think UCLA will improve on previous years. Absolutely loved them beating USC in the last "regular" game of last season

**max power** · 06/09/2007, 12:44 PM

anyone get a password for tickets to the game in wembley ?????

I got mine today and tickets go on sale at 10 next wen !

**Dodge** · 06/09/2007, 12:47 PM

Already have my tickets booked

**max power** · 06/09/2007, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Already have my tickets booked

git..

**OneRedArmy** · 06/09/2007, 1:29 PM

Haven't checked my email yet but not hopeful.

I think there's less than 10,000 tickets in this tranche and its first come first served so it will be fingers on buzzers.

Although I do have the Packers v Vikings to look forward to a few weeks later...

**SkStu** · 06/09/2007, 8:32 PM

any of you get to watch the CFL? I hear its on Setanta back home. Great game (slightly different to the NFL) and my local team (Saskatchewan Roughriders-been to a good few of the games) leading the Division at the mo.

Main differences between CFL and NFL is that there ae only 3 downs in CFL and only one foot needs to be in bounds on a catch. Its actually a lot faster and a bit better than the NFL in my humble and biased opinion.

**max power** · 06/09/2007, 9:52 PM

right just over 2 hours to kick off. Got my Reggie jersey on, colts glass in hand and colts slippers on..

Let the games begin and in 122 dys time i'll enjoy the Super Bowl on Miami !!!! But the Colts won't be in it

**Dodge** · 06/09/2007, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Its actually a lot faster and a bit better than the NFL in my humble and biased opinion.

The skill level is nowhere near as good but I find the CFL rules are far better. I watch quite a bit of it. Have kind of taken on the Rough Riders as my team (but dn't really care if you know what I mean...)