Fanblogs.com - Latest Comments in Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

U.of S.C.1978 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:52:49 -0000

Ok, I'm done yanking chains. Of course it is not realistic to suspect that a conference of relatively small schools, will ever be able to compete evenly, year after year, with a conference of large universities, in football. There will not even be "cycles" between the two.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Ben Prather — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:14:15 -0000

Talent is not everything. Perhaps it is a difference in work ethic.

How often is it the case that dedicated individuals outperform those with superiour talents who don't exert themselves?

The Tourtus can beat the hare. GO TERPS!

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Tommy_Trojan — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:02:59 -0000

USC1978:

My "theory" is that the MAC does not have anywhere near the talent that the Big 10 teams do. They are not even in the same universe. Maybe, they might have better coaching though. That is a very hard intangible to measure. You could quite often believe, that a team that had superior talent and was upset, was flat out outcoached. I would have to say that Pete Carroll was definately outcoached by Jim Harbaugh on the day that USC lost to Stanford. So, how often are coaches and coordinators, gonna be rollin' with the "hot hand" against superior talent. Well, I guess it can happen once in awhile. Eventually, the pendulum will swing in the other direction. The MAC may not win one in the next fifty games against the Big 10. LSU had won 31 games in a row over Sunbelt competition going into the Troy State game. Troy almost pulled that off. But, LSU's superior talent got that job done. You might want to think that Les Miles might have got outcoached though. LSU was a heavy favorite. Nevertheless, LSU will probably go on to win another 30 in a row. Other Sunbelt teams have gotten a few wins over the SEC lately. It doesn't mean that they are on the verge of overtaking the SEC. It's not gonna happen.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

psux9 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:22:48 -0000

Dude, you're an absolute idiot. The MAC has teams like Temple and Toledo in their conference. Despite Michigan's loss to Toledo, you can't honestly believe that the MAC has outperformed the Big Ten. You have no college football knowledge if you honestly think that the MIchigans (Western, Central) and Ball State, let me repeat BALL STATE, can really compete against dynasties of the likes of Ohio State and Penn State

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

1Tomcat — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:35:59 -0000

They couldnt hang in the C-USA

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Regan — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:06:45 -0000

I have always thought that PSU not being in the Big East was a crime against nature - the Big East was the collection of the old Eastern Independent schools that by their very nature had rivalries with each other due to scheduling.

Big Ten expansion, I believe, would have to be eastward - the Big East; which seems to be the "treasure chest" for expanding conferences (sadly). PITT and SYR are the most likely candidates that way (SYR because of history and Market Area).

Westward, I have difficulty seeing any 12-team conference losing members due to the beneficial nature of such systems where they are being successful, especially the Big 12, but I would think that MIZZ would be the most likely candidate for Big Ten expansion if they ever did.

ND won't join the Big Ten in our lifetimes, or at least as long as Regis Philben and Rudy are alive.

When I look at the MAC, I just don't see any teams that the Big Ten would welcome that would match the "Big" Tradition-mindset that the conference has held.

Whereas the MWC has historically Tradition-heavy schools like BYU, Utah, and TCU, the MAC doesn't have any teams that could fit the high-tradition profile Big Ten, with the sole exception (I think) of Miami (OH)....but admittedly I don't know that region well.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Zac — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:25:15 -0000

Ya know whut, Tommy? Given the posts on here, I think you're the only one who actually came out and answered the question. By the way, personally, I think I'd rather be lucky than good; just me, that is, not my team.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Zac — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:23:02 -0000

Were Pitt to join the Big-Televen, I think the Pitt/WVU game would return to the last game of the season; just like GA/GA Tech, which may prove to be a decent game this year. What ever happens, I wish those involved would quit mulling it over and make a decision. The suspense is killing me!

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Tom_Blogical — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:52:38 -0000

Was Mayday the Michigan fan?

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Tom_Blogical — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:01:33 -0000

All good points, Zac, and I also think it would be best for the Big 10(11) to pick up Notre Dame, but their arrogance is still alive and well despite being pummeled into irrelevancy. Their fans still think wins over Army and Navy still mean something. I think the Big 10(11) and Notre Dame would definitely help each other.

Pitt/WV could keep the Backyard Brawl if they moved it to the first game of their seasons. Wouldn't that be a fantastic start to the new football season?

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Zac — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:38:15 -0000

This option really worries me. Not to mention, I'm amazed Joe Pa would be willing to endorse it, given Pitt's role in keeping Penn St out of the Big East many moons ago. While this is a viable geographic fit, and does force the renewal of the Penn St/Pitt rivalry, it threatens to dismantle the Pitt/WVU rivalry; one which has been around a lot longer.

What I would really like to see is for either ND to join the Big Televen (Re-name it the Conference of ND.), or for the Big Televen to drop Penn St and pick up MO & IA St. That 2nd option would allow for the Big East to finally include Penn St (among others), and the Big 12 could pick up any number of good teams (Air Force, CO St, TCU, etc.) to round back out to 12.

It really bumbed me to see the Big East lose VA Tech and the "Black Diamond Trophy" between Tech & WVU. I think I'd have to become an SEC fan if Pitt were to bolt for the Big Televen.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Zac — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:25:34 -0000

Yeah, and bring on your cats too! (It's from a mouse joke...oh, never mind.)

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

SirSmokeAlot — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:39:10 -0000

This is coming from a Big 10 (ILLINI) fan-Every damn conference and team goes through baddd times. The SEC deserves their acclaim, due to winning the Big Bowl Games. Personally I believe that the Big 12 is becoming the dominant conference. Big 10 is still a few years away from being dominant again.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

aVoiceInSC — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:02:38 -0000

No. Appalachian State would win the conference, as would James Madison.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

NMLSooner — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:51:13 -0000

I have a better question. Has the Sunbelt eclipsed Division 1-AA?

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Wardboy3 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:02:32 -0000

I agree with you also...people only remember the HIGH profile games. Nobody is trashing the SEC when they loose to WVA (ok, understandable) but it is not OK under any circumstance to loose to LA TECH & WYOMING.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Ben Prather — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:48:43 -0000

I think conference strength is cyclical and the Big 10 will be stronger next year.

Michigan will be back in the picture.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Mr2Bits — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:43:16 -0000

I think the article should have been directed at the Pac-10 seeing as how the Beavs are on the brink of chewing on some roses.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

U.of S.C.1978 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:17:24 -0000

So what do we assume if a similar weakness is anticipated before the start of next season?

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Tom_Blogical — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:53:19 -0000

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Ben Prather — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:06:05 -0000

The weakness of the Big 10 this year was anticipated before the season at Fanblogs.com.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Ben Prather — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:39 -0000

Have you considered a top MAC team??

Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Miami (OH)?

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

U.of S.C.1978 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:36:51 -0000

If you say so Ben. But tell me why it is even under discussion? So TT, your theory is that the MAC is just "lucky" these days?

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Kevin @ Fanblogs — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:36:37 -0000

Mayday - give it up, bro. Move along to another blog.

Re: Has the MAC eclipsed the Big 10?

Tommy_Trojan — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:21:05 -0000

The answer is a resounding NO! NO WAY! Luck doesn't mean good.