The Rest of College Football

[THE_WIZARD_]

Yep.

Now STFU.

[lineygoblue]

Ohio State returns 7,000 of their 20,000 ticket allotment for the Rose Bowl. Don't tell me that the CFP doesn't affect the other bowls.

https://detroitsportsnation.com/ohio...3/2021/265457/

The old bowl system is dead. Somebody, somewhere in the NCAA still seems to think that the bowls can be important, and still exist with the CFP going on. It really can't. The only way the current major bowls can be saved is to include them in an expanded playoff system. Four teams just isn't enough.

[Jeff Buchanan]

The rap Harbaugh gets for being "stubborn" and calling plays that run into "brick walls" is unjustified at this point. Maybe early in the season but JH's penchant to run the ball, control the game, play to his defense and STs while burning clock is a hallmark of his coaching career. He has a terrific W/L record in both CFB and the pros and he rode that approach to the 2021 CFP.

This is the first time in over a decade, I've seen an M football team improve on both sides of the ball throughout the season with an 11-1 record ending with a blow-out of an admittedly "bad" (only in relative terms b/c it was still a good football team) osu team. Let's just use that game as representative of how M's offense evolved in 2021. There were more run plays/yards in that game and the balance between the two elements of the offense remained about the same all season. Players and coaches just got better at execution. Importatnly, M's 40 point + games came from big plays mixed in with efficient red zone numbers. I'd say that M's wins relied on those two factors more than grinding it out - although they did that some.

So, to say Harbugh is stubborn and runs too much just isn't accurate in 2021. This team, the coaches and players optimized Harbaugh's offensive, defensive and special teams approach to CFB. A lot of people call that approach antiquated. Well, it's not and especially not when it wins championships. It has been an evolution, IMO, a planned and calculated one that sets HARBAUGH!!! at the top of all this season's head CFB coaches.

[klondike]

I agree with what you said... but... I don't know if you fully comprehend how good or potentially good the Bulldogs' defense is(can be). I am a skeptic by nature and usually take the worst case scenarios. I'm expecting with a month to prepare, the wolves will face the best defense in quite a while.

I too can appreciate Jimmy being patient with the run game and having it pay off in the 4th. It has worked so far but I just can envision this game where Ga. is in beast mode all game against the run. I'm sure they feel the same with stopping UM's run game at all costs.

I was horribly wrong about the OSU game so hopefully I'm wrong again.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl both cancelled per rumors

[Jeff Buchanan]

Re the Fenway Bowl cancellation rumors. Yes it's cancelled. BC's coach, Jeff Hafley said, "he couldn't field enough players and the BC AD chimed in add added, " 40 players were unavailable due to COVID-19, injuries, opt-outs and transfers." There were reports of COVID + tests among the Cavaliers team but no numbers.

Hey, how many players, coaches and staff had COVID? Fuck if I know but the headline reads cancelled due to COVID.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Miami Hurricanes pull out of Sun Bowl due to "Covid Protocols." No numbers given. Miami would have played Washington State in El Paso. Miami fired Manny Diaz and the left overs were charged with getting the team ready to play.

How convenient.

[CGVT]

I am trying hard to remember when a team backed out of a bowl game. There are coaching changes, injuries and opt outs every year, but I can't come up with any instances.

I wonder what is different this year?

[Mike]

Would be interesting to know the numbers.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Would be interesting to know the numbers.

Yep.......there is no reason to not reveal these numbers. I'm at the very least skeptical but willing to give these teams a pass believing thier reasons for pulling out are honest and straight forward.

As long as a school isn't attaching player's names to the numbers, it's legal which leads me to doubt that COVID is entirely behind these cancellations.

[CGVT]

That is ridiculous.

Why would they be canceling? They never have in the past. I guess this year they don't need the money?

[Mike]

I never thought I'd see the day when players opt out of playing in the Rose Bowl and other major bowls. That just started about 5 years ago with Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffery now it's standard practice. Things change. I'm not claiming that Miami and BC don't have Covid issues but the BC AD added the statement "40 players were unavailable due to COVID-19, injuries, opt-outs and transfers." I'd just be curious how that breaks down, that's all.

[iam416]

Nick Bosa opted out of almost the entire season. Well, at least half of it. He was healthy and able to play with about 5-6 games left.

[lineygoblue]

I could understand the opt-out thing if we were talking about potential first round draft picks. Not wanting to risk a freak injury in practices or a meaningless bowl game is understandable. A fellow like Jake Butt comes to mind. However, some of the guys who are opting out may not even be drafted. Seems like a good performance in a bowl game would enhance their draft status, rather than hinder it.

Some teams have varying policies regarding transfer portal players. At MSU, the billion dollar coach is letting guys play who have already entered the portal. But over at Pitt, Narduzzi is not allowing portal players to play at all. I have no idea why portal guys would want to play for a team they are leaving.

[iam416]

I totally understand high draft pick players sitting out. I watched Jaylen Smith tear his ACL against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl in some season that was more failure than success. I totally get it.

Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave aren't gonna play in the Rose Bowl, IMO. And I don't think they should. They are first round picks. They have first round money coming their way if they're healthy. Why on earth would you risk that for some bullshit loser game against fucking Utah? Seriously.