That would be the same team that had 11 scholarship players quit the team since the new coach arrived. Any Volunteers?
Zac
· 6 months ago
Now, you cut dat out. You know Saban paid em to leave. Kiffen said so.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
And which team had the 2nd highest ranked recruiting class, despite the turmoil? Hmmm? Hmmm?
Cobia
· 6 months ago
Why the Auburn tigers of course.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
Finally!!!
Zac
· 6 months ago
Whut? U wuz spekt'n us ta skreem it frum da raftaz or sumpt'n?
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
STOP, Zac! This is like reading a Ginzo version of Huck Finn...
Zac
· 6 months ago
Waaaaaaaaaaaay too funny, WarEagle; way too funny!
Wait a minute. I thought Huck Finn was a Mississippi man.
Mountaineers51
· 6 months ago
Sorry, man I dont think Auburn will do better then 6 and 6 this year despute their recruiting. Think about who they have to play. WVU's one.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
You may be right, but WVU is still a break from our regular schedule...
oldschoolcalhoonfan
· 3 months ago
DAbo looks like old tommy on the sidellines he needs to check his attitude and have more fun
Cobia
· 6 months ago
WEA, I think you're onto something.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
It will be interesting to see which of these teams finishes the year with the best record, the highest ranking, and the most improvement from 2008. We'll have to check back in on this one at the end of the season.
My guess is Washington ends up the most improved, although that shouldn't be terribly difficult to achieve.
CouchQB
· 6 months ago
I think mathematically, if Washington wins one game next season their improvement is somewhere in the realm of infinity lol
Zac
· 6 months ago
Mathematically speaking, it would be much better to take into account the last 2 seasons. Otherwise, you have to apply l'Hôpital's Rule, which is a real pain in the a$$, if you ask me.
Ben Prather
· 6 months ago
LOL, but...
l'Hôpital's Rule only applies to continuous curves that don't behave properly on a few isolated points and W-L records are rather discrete. Personally, I like functions where this rule can be applied.
Seriously though:
I think if SDSU can not lose to Cal Poly that would be more improvement than Washington is likely to get. Wyoming might be good enough for a bowl game in 2010.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
You're right, as far as percentages go.
I meant moreso in the total number of wins in 2009 vs. 2008. Although, again, mathematically they have an advantage in that comparison.
Regan
· 6 months ago
I totally missed Bellotti leaving ORE; wow...
Zac
· 6 months ago
I thought he was gonna be their AD (not really leaving).
Keith Barnes
· 6 months ago
Mike Bellotti starts as the AD July 1st, 2009
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
Who the hell is this guy?
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
Did Bellotti kicked kicked upstairs or was this his idea. I gathered that it was his idea, but perhaps you can set us straight, Mayor.
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
His decision...
Zac
· 6 months ago
Here's Zac's take:
Auburn/Chizik: IA St got the better end of the deal. (Face it; some DC's & OC's are not cut out be HC's.
Army/Ellerson: He's got the pedigree and the record. Anything should be an improvement.
Ball St/Parrish: Great start (42-3-1); lousy finish (2-31-1). Maybe out of his league?
BC/Spaziani: Bout Time! Tech's loss, is BC's gain. BUT, great DC's have not often great HC's made.
Bowling Green/Clawson: At least his record improved with time. BUT, he didn't provide much "O" for the Vols. (I wonder what Don Nehlan thinks.)
Clemson/Sweeny: Not really that new; the jury's still out, especially following the loss to NE.
E. MI/English: Another good DC, w/no HC experience. Can you say (potential) "stepping stone" boyz & girlz?
IA St/Rhodes: See Auburn/Chizik. (I don't get it. This guy gets a job & Tuberville doesn't?)
KS St/Snyder: Sometimes ya just hasta return to that place where you did the most good.
Miami(OH)/Haywood: Good place to start over. (Betcha Weiss misses this guy…)
MS St/Mullen: (This is really a shame, as I feel Sylvester Croom is one hell-of-a-coach; not to mention a fine human being. Done is done.) YO! Gatormates!! Fess up!!! Up & comer, or what?!?
NM/Locksley: Heir apparent & great, great, great, great, great, great, great, (etc.), grandson of Robin Hood. Can he be a decent HC? We'll get Tim Tebow to weigh in on this one.
NM St/Walker: Good man, but an inconsistent DC. Last season UCLA gave up 150 pts in the 1st 4 games alone; not to mention, 168 pts in the last 5 losses. Yes, in 2006 he held rival USC to 9 points, and got 44 dropped on em in the Emerald Bowl by a sub-par FSU.
Oregon/Kelly: The Ducks like this heir-apparent/up-and-comer. Great OC, but can he handle HC at this level? Can't wait to find out!!!
There it is. I had it. You got it.
The_Central_Scrutinizer
· 6 months ago
Nice recap, but let's project drama for the upcoming season.
Episode 1: Tommy Tuberville rumors fly at every school that loses a few of its early games.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
I think Fulmer will be mentioned in the same breath for a lot of those same jobs.
The_Central_Scrutinizer
· 6 months ago
Yeah - that'll be the story arc* for Episodes 2-7.
*Brought to you by Foster Farms, the folks what brung you Jumbo Honey Crunchy Corn Dogs, Fillup Fullmer's favorite corn dog food product.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
Now that actually caused me to laugh out loud. Nice.
You're right though. As soon as one of the bigger programs starts to falter a la Clemson/Auburn/Tennessee 2008, Tuberville's name be thrown out there, and I'm sure Fulmer's will be sure to follow. I'm curious to see if anyone will mention Tommy Bowden. I personally believe that he's done coaching, but we'll see.
I think the potential candidates for that conversation early in the season are Louisville, Colorado, Virginia, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame. I'm sure none of these are a surprise to anyone, and I think Louisville has the best chance to be brought up for a coaching change especially with games 2 - 4 being @ Kentucky, @ Utah, and home for Pitt, they could easily end up 1-3 at the beginning of October.
Zac
· 6 months ago
CJ, how would you fell about a different Tommy running the show, and ole (rather young) Dabo running the "O" (doubling as WR's coach)? I think that would be a fantastic HC, HC-In-Waiting...waiting to happen. Just a thought.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
I really don't want anyone else in command right now. I'm 100% pleased with Swinney so far. I'm just excited to get the season underway to see how it translates on the field.
RazzMaTazz
· 6 months ago
It's hard to imagine Dabo accepting a demotion.
TigerEducated
· 6 months ago
Tommy Tuberville-allegedly-has a really, REALLY bad back. Like, a degenerative condition type bad back...
Methinks he's done for good...
Zac
· 6 months ago
I hope for his sake you're wrong. I have two weak disks (L-4, L-5). Prior to decompression therapy, I can't describe the pain to you. Occasionally one or both will flare-up. That's no fun either. Tommy (...can you hear me?), you're now the subject of my prayers. Do get well soon.
Timothy35089
· 6 months ago
Well tubberville stated when he was doing the espn show . he would like to coach in the pac 10 ... something tells me he has had enough of the SEC where wins come hard. every week you have to show up and play your best to win.
Timothy35089
· 6 months ago
I personal don't see auburn doing as bad as some say/hope . Just hope they make it out of 2 a days with every one intacted ready to play.... it will be nice to see running the ball with play action passing back on the plans.. out of what every formation.. spread or I. i am giving chizik a pass on year one . maybe he is a better fit at Auburn that up north.
fosterkeats
· 6 months ago
I've looked over all the schedules, and I think Oregon will be the only team with a new coach that wins more than 8 games...
Auburn: 5-7 Army: 2-10 Ball St: 6-6 Boston Coll: 6-6 Bowl Gr: 5-7 Clem: 7-5 E Mich: 2-10 Ia St: 3-9 Kan St: 5-7 Mia Oh: 3-9 Miss St: 3-9 New Mex: 4-8 New Mex St: 3-9 Oregon: 9-3 Purdue: 6-6 San Diego St: 3-9 Syr: 3-9 Tenn: 5-7 Toledo: 2-10 Utah St: 2-10 Wash: 3-9 Wyoming: 4-8
Looking back at the '08 new coaches, there were a few that exceeded expectations:
Ark: 5-7 Bay:4-8 Col St: 7-6 Duke: 4-8 Ga Tech: 9-4 Haw: 7-7 Hou: 8-5 Mich: 3-9 Miss: 9-4 Navy: 8-5 Neb: 9-4 No Ill: 6-7 SMU: 1-11 So Miss: 7-6 TxA&M: 4-8 UCLA: 4-8 WVA: 9-4 Wash St: 2-11
Zac
· 6 months ago
Much as I hate to say it, if you base this on the pre-season polls, WVU underachieved Big Time. However, if you took into account the shape of the team over the entire season, they actually did well. I still maintain the big disapointment was the offensive line.
fosterkeats
· 6 months ago
Proponents of preseason polls use the logic of how a team was playing at the end of the last season + bowl game. Sometimes they factor in returning starters and at what critical position they are returning...
And you're right, WVA was in everyone's Top 5 preseason in '08, but they still finished 9-4... I bet they won't be as high this season b/c of Pat White, but they will probably exceed expectations this year b/c they'll be #15 preseason and then finish 10-3 annd in the top 10... And how is that any different from last season??? B/c these douche bags determine where the Mountaineers start from...
But what's the alternative???
How do we change it???
Zac
· 6 months ago
I'm with you. Pre-season polls are like horses a$$es; good for hot air and a lot of manure. They do bring about a few benefits: Most are blog sites like this one, where we can gleefully debate why the polls are wrong, biased, or even where they've gone right.
The alternative? How to change it? Sadly, that falls outside of the limits of my imagination. While I'm OK with a pre-season poll for reasons stated, if I was going to change something, I'd recommend the polls NOT come out until the last week of practice. Then, the polls would update after every 3rd or 4th game, with the final poll coming after the NC game.
All Comments
Wait a minute. I thought Huck Finn was a Mississippi man.
he needs to check his attitude and have more fun
My guess is Washington ends up the most improved, although that shouldn't be terribly difficult to achieve.
l'Hôpital's Rule only applies to continuous curves that don't behave properly on a few isolated points and W-L records are rather discrete. Personally, I like functions where this rule can be applied.
Seriously though:
I think if SDSU can not lose to Cal Poly that would be more improvement than Washington is likely to get. Wyoming might be good enough for a bowl game in 2010.
I meant moreso in the total number of wins in 2009 vs. 2008. Although, again, mathematically they have an advantage in that comparison.
Auburn/Chizik: IA St got the better end of the deal. (Face it; some DC's & OC's are not cut out be HC's.
Army/Ellerson: He's got the pedigree and the record. Anything should be an improvement.
Ball St/Parrish: Great start (42-3-1); lousy finish (2-31-1). Maybe out of his league?
BC/Spaziani: Bout Time! Tech's loss, is BC's gain. BUT, great DC's have not often great HC's made.
Bowling Green/Clawson: At least his record improved with time. BUT, he didn't provide much "O" for the Vols. (I wonder what Don Nehlan thinks.)
Clemson/Sweeny: Not really that new; the jury's still out, especially following the loss to NE.
E. MI/English: Another good DC, w/no HC experience. Can you say (potential) "stepping stone" boyz & girlz?
IA St/Rhodes: See Auburn/Chizik. (I don't get it. This guy gets a job & Tuberville doesn't?)
KS St/Snyder: Sometimes ya just hasta return to that place where you did the most good.
Miami(OH)/Haywood: Good place to start over. (Betcha Weiss misses this guy…)
MS St/Mullen: (This is really a shame, as I feel Sylvester Croom is one hell-of-a-coach; not to mention a fine human being. Done is done.) YO! Gatormates!! Fess up!!! Up & comer, or what?!?
NM/Locksley: Heir apparent & great, great, great, great, great, great, great, (etc.), grandson of Robin Hood. Can he be a decent HC? We'll get Tim Tebow to weigh in on this one.
NM St/Walker: Good man, but an inconsistent DC. Last season UCLA gave up 150 pts in the 1st 4 games alone; not to mention, 168 pts in the last 5 losses. Yes, in 2006 he held rival USC to 9 points, and got 44 dropped on em in the Emerald Bowl by a sub-par FSU.
Oregon/Kelly: The Ducks like this heir-apparent/up-and-comer. Great OC, but can he handle HC at this level? Can't wait to find out!!!
There it is. I had it. You got it.
Episode 1: Tommy Tuberville rumors fly at every school that loses a few of its early games.
*Brought to you by Foster Farms, the folks what brung you Jumbo Honey Crunchy Corn Dogs, Fillup Fullmer's favorite corn dog food product.
You're right though. As soon as one of the bigger programs starts to falter a la Clemson/Auburn/Tennessee 2008, Tuberville's name be thrown out there, and I'm sure Fulmer's will be sure to follow. I'm curious to see if anyone will mention Tommy Bowden. I personally believe that he's done coaching, but we'll see.
I think the potential candidates for that conversation early in the season are Louisville, Colorado, Virginia, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame. I'm sure none of these are a surprise to anyone, and I think Louisville has the best chance to be brought up for a coaching change especially with games 2 - 4 being @ Kentucky, @ Utah, and home for Pitt, they could easily end up 1-3 at the beginning of October.
Methinks he's done for good...
Auburn: 5-7
Army: 2-10
Ball St: 6-6
Boston Coll: 6-6
Bowl Gr: 5-7
Clem: 7-5
E Mich: 2-10
Ia St: 3-9
Kan St: 5-7
Mia Oh: 3-9
Miss St: 3-9
New Mex: 4-8
New Mex St: 3-9
Oregon: 9-3
Purdue: 6-6
San Diego St: 3-9
Syr: 3-9
Tenn: 5-7
Toledo: 2-10
Utah St: 2-10
Wash: 3-9
Wyoming: 4-8
Looking back at the '08 new coaches, there were a few that exceeded expectations:
Ark: 5-7
Bay:4-8
Col St: 7-6
Duke: 4-8
Ga Tech: 9-4
Haw: 7-7
Hou: 8-5
Mich: 3-9
Miss: 9-4
Navy: 8-5
Neb: 9-4
No Ill: 6-7
SMU: 1-11
So Miss: 7-6
TxA&M: 4-8
UCLA: 4-8
WVA: 9-4
Wash St: 2-11
And you're right, WVA was in everyone's Top 5 preseason in '08, but they still finished 9-4... I bet they won't be as high this season b/c of Pat White, but they will probably exceed expectations this year b/c they'll be #15 preseason and then finish 10-3 annd in the top 10... And how is that any different from last season??? B/c these douche bags determine where the Mountaineers start from...
But what's the alternative???
How do we change it???
The alternative? How to change it? Sadly, that falls outside of the limits of my imagination. While I'm OK with a pre-season poll for reasons stated, if I was going to change something, I'd recommend the polls NOT come out until the last week of practice. Then, the polls would update after every 3rd or 4th game, with the final poll coming after the NC game.