Don't Bet On It!: Week Three College Football National Game of Disinterest
by T Kyle King on Sep 16, 2010 5:45 AM EDT
in Football
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PrintTogether, we have traveled around the SEC and surveyed the national games of interest, which leaves us with only one remaining game of note, which warrants mention due solely to the totality of the extent to which it does not warrant mention, if you catch my drift.
I am speaking, of course, of the national game of disinterest, the lone college football contest played each week that is so lacking in compelling storylines, competitive drama, or other redeeming characteristics that I refuse on general principle to predict the winner, for fear that offering a forecast would obligate me to find out afterward what the final score was.
This week’s national game of disinterest is . . .
As college football rivalries go, "University of [Name of State]" and "[Name of Same State] State University" typically produce a winning formula. Colorado and Colorado State. Florida and Florida State. Iowa and Iowa State. Michigan and Michigan State. Mississippi and Mississippi State.
Ohio and Ohio State, though? Not so much.
Ohio University, so called because "University of Ohio" might have led to the that school’s misappropriation of the the about which Ohio State University is so inexplicably and pathetically territorial, shares a sports mascot with the junior high school I attended, and, frankly, it is difficult to think of a MAC member institution as being appreciably different from a middle school. Why, then, are the Buckeyes playing the Bobcats?
Yes, I know, Ohio has more middling college football teams than Georgia has military bases, making the Buckeye State the Louisiana of the Midwest in that respect. However, it isn’t as though Ohio State couldn’t have an in-state rival if it really wanted one. In fact, a legitimate candidate for that role is playing this very evening, as the Cincinnati Bearcats’ trip to face the N.C. State Wolfpack very nearly qualified as this week’s national game of disinterest.
At least Cincy is going on the road to take on a team from an automatically-qualifying conference, though. Ohio State isn’t even troubling to take on a team from a probably-qualifying conference like the Mountain West or the WAC. Granted, the Buckeyes hosted the Miami Hurricanes, but since when did a spent volcano from the moribund ACC count as much more than schedule fodder with better name recognition?
The phrase "Ohio at Ohio State" looks like it denotes a legitimate battle for in-state supremacy, when, in reality, it’s a rent-a-win payday game disguised by a misleading nomenclature. Where are the Congressmen fretting over deceptive branding in college football when you need them?
Go ‘Dawgs!
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I wouldn't go off on OSU too hard...
Its only a matter of time before Georgia schedules Georgia State’s new program.
Nah...
… we’ll wait until the Kansas State Kennesaw State Fighting Owls start up their program. Until then, we’ll settle for the quadrennial date we have with our friends from Statesboro.
I’m just waiting for the day Georgia Tech schedules an away game at Georgia State so they can strike a deal to share the ticket revenues.
by vineyarddawg on Sep 16, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Really?!
You’re knocking the Buckeyes because they play Ohio University in a NCG, even though they just played Miami and the Dawgs have Big Boys like Louisiana-Lafayette and Idaho State on your schedule? Oh right, you also have that great in-state rivalry with Georgia Tech, excuse me while I hop into my DeLorean and travel back to 1990 when people actually cared about that game.
On your way maybe you could stop by the 93 Citrus Bowl.
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
ooo, ya got me
it’s only been 17 years
by luckynewman13 on Sep 16, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd usually agree
But when you lose to Ray Goff, long term ridicule is just part of the deal.
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
Lighten up, Francis.
It’s a joke. Bring your sense of humor.
(By the way, you did get the cognitive dissonance of praising the act of playing ACC also-ran Miami, which hasn’t been relevant for nearly a decade, while dismissing the act of playing defending ACC champion Georgia Tech, didn’t you? By the way, you know who else the Bulldogs have on their schedule? SEC teams. Seeing as how Ohio State is winless against the Southeastern Conference in bowl games and Georgia hasn’t lost to a Big Ten team since 1957, you’ll have to pardon me if I think the distinction between conference affiliations counts for something.)
Go 'Dawgs!
I'll try to get a better sense of humor, Sarah
Typical SEC homer answer, I was actually attempting top take an objective approach to this season, not bringing past victories/losses into a discussion that doesn’t warrant one. What does the Big 10 record against SEC teams have to do with this year’s NC scheduling? What I find funny is that you dismiss the Miami game and hold up the Georgia Tech game…who did they just lose to this year? The soon-to be last place Big 12 Team, Kansas? You can point to GT being the “reigning ACC champ” all you want, I think everyone knows its far more likely that Miami will win it this year, but admittedly any ACC team could. You play SEC teams do you? I see on your schedule here that you completely miss Alabama…great, you’re signature victory could be against a Florida team with no offense. Make fun of the Big 10 teams all you want, but Ohio State still plays Wisconsin and Iowa on the road (two top ten teams…Iowa um BEAT GT if you remember) and then play Penn St. and a resurgent Michigan. I know you’ll just scoff, because the “Big 10 sucks” and SEC fans will never even think of changing their perspective on that, but—on paper at least—the Ohio State schedule blows Georgia’s out of the water, especially if you add Miami to the list… if you guys make it to the SEC championship game and actually play Alabama, we’ll have something to talk about. But in the future, before you rip someone else’s schedule, make sure yours is tougher…and when someone calls you out, I’m sure you can do better than “well we play in the SEC, so there!”
by luckynewman13 on Sep 16, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
yes, I do
I start work at 4 in the morning
by luckynewman13 on Sep 16, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Then please get a good night's sleep before making an ass of yourself here.
I’ve sent you a warning, but I’m glad to see someone got the “Stripes” reference and realized that “Francis” is the masculine form of “Frances.” That “Sarah” nonsense came from nowhere, and you can lose that and lose the attitude, or you can vamoose.
If you want to stick around, develop a sense of humor and trying hunting through the archives. Try starting here and here. If you think I’m what you define as a typical SEC homer, you haven’t done your opposition research.
Go 'Dawgs!
"joke" or no
If you can’t take criticism that’s your problem…if being called “Sarah” is enough to make you take your ball and go home that’s fine. But don’t put up a BS article, then start freaking out when you get some backlash. My comment was hardly offensive, I guess I should watch Stripes again…its true I didn’t get it, but you clearly started it and I used nothing but valid arguments in my post…perhaps someone should grow up.
have a great day
by luckynewman13 on Sep 16, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Oblig.
Trolling the proprietor is not recommended.
by vineyarddawg on Sep 16, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Translation
“Don’t question anything the writer posts, because we can’t handle dissenting opinions here in Georgia”
by luckynewman13 on Sep 16, 2010 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Once again, please bother to learn something before reaching conclusions.
Go read this and see (a) whether longtime and first-time commenters at the site felt free to question what I wrote and (b) whether their dissenting opinions were tolerated.
I can take criticism just fine. There’s a right way and a wrong way to offer it. I’m not taking my ball and going home; I am home. I’m simply suggesting that, if you plan to be a frequent guest here, you work on your manners. If I couldn’t handle constructive criticism, I’d have banned you. I didn’t because I didn’t think that was, and don’t think that is, warranted. Consider that, for what it’s worth.
Go 'Dawgs!
this is a continued failure I thought you would get over
The article is on a UGA blog, not an OSU blog. It is also intended for humor. It is done every week with a lot of teams. In fact, T Kyle made fun of Clemson recently, and he REALLY wants to play Clemson annually. You appear either very young, or very immature. You are taking things personally, and responded with personal attacks. You in fact made it personal, then got upset about it.
Break down some facts why don’t you.
Furthermore – playing Ohio U is weak, and boring. If you said playing Louisanna Lafayette was weak and boring – I would say “well, you’re right.”. Claiming the Big 10 schedule is tougher than the SEC will get you very little play most anywhere.
I wish posters like you could bring in good, non emotional arguments and not have personal attacks. Grow up.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
sorry, but the situation is there for everyone to see
If you simply scroll up all I did was question the article’s main point, and then TKing here recognized that I was a Bucks fan and then proceeded to rip apart OSU for no reason whatsoever, not because it had anything to do with what I was talking about, but because I had the audacity to come on a another team’s blog and try to engage. I believe I was the recipient of name calling first, its there plain as day… I’m sorry I’m not up to date on all my 1970s Bill Murray comedies. Once again, sorry for the “Sarah” thing, but it seems obvious to me who is overreacting in this situation… and it ain’t me. If you just want a forum for UGA fans, meet in a bar in Athens and get off the internet.
by luckynewman13 on Sep 16, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
In fact, that is not all you did.
It is not even most of what you did; the bulk of your initial comment was devoted to insulting Georgia’s non-conference scheduling. (By the way, you missed the fact that the Bulldogs will be playing a road game at Colorado in a couple of weeks. In recent years and in upcoming seasons, Georgia has played or will play road games at Arizona State, at Oklahoma State, at Louisville, and at Oregon, in addition to renewing an out-of-conference rivalry with Clemson. Georgia also has attempted to arrange exchanges of games with Cincinnati, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Oregon State.)
Each week, I make a joke about the least compelling college football game in the country. Sometimes, it’s two teams no one cares about; sometimes, it’s a very good team playing a cupcake (as was the case this week); sometimes, it’s two good programs having down years at the same time. I don’t pick on any particular school, conference, or region. I just happened to pick on Ohio State this time. It was a joke. You’re the one who made it about which team had the tougher schedule, and I responded in kind.
Go 'Dawgs!
Not to mention that in the history of the feature...
This is the only time I can remember someone pitching a hissy fit about it.
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
once again, missing the point
when did I ever bring past/future schedules into the discussion. You attacked the buckeyes for their schedule this year, I called you out by atacking Georgia’s schedule, and you returned in kind by attacking the entire history of the Big 10 vs. SEC:
“(By the way, you did get the cognitive dissonance of praising the act of playing ACC also-ran Miami, which hasn’t been relevant for nearly a decade, while dismissing the act of playing defending ACC champion Georgia Tech, didn’t you? By the way, you know who else the Bulldogs have on their schedule? SEC teams. Seeing as how Ohio State is winless against the Southeastern Conference in bowl games and Georgia hasn’t lost to a Big Ten team since 1957, you’ll have to pardon me if I think the distinction between conference affiliations counts for something.)”
WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING I SAID. We’re talking about THIS year. THIS year. I don’t care who you try to schedule in the next five years. THIS YEAR.
by luckynewman13 on Sep 17, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
you didnt even read what i wrote obviously.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
Totally Surprised.
(see the pic I just posted at the bottom of the thread. We must have crossed in cyberspace.)
by vineyarddawg on Sep 17, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
and one more thing...
in terms of Big 10 vs. SEC big picture, you’re right…but Ohio State has a tougher Schedule than UGA this year…fact…sorry.
by luckynewman13 on Sep 16, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Please feel free to troll Phil Steele or Jeff Sagarin about this “fact”, as they have the audacity to disagree with you pretty strongly. Or just continue talking about how great it is that your team played Jacory Harris & the ACC Also-Ran Band (though I’m pretty sure Steele and Sagarin were aware of that). Either way, really.
Oh really?
Were Steele and Sagarin;s schedule rankings released before or after:
Colorado lost by 45 to UCLA?
before or after:
Georgia Tech lost to the soon-to-be last place Big 12 team, Kansas?
before or after:
Florida couldn’t put together a touchdown drive against two JV squads.
and let me just check one last thing…nope, Alabama is still not there.
With all due respect, you’re schedule looks pretty week today.
by luckynewman13 on Sep 17, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
your Alabama thing is ridiculous as well. Obviously you big ten folks are ignorant of 15 years of SEC schedules.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
as I said...
if you get to the SEC championship game, we can talk about who’s schedule is tougher, but seeing as how you could only score 6 points against the Ol’ Ball Coach, I think we both know that’s not going to happen. Your schedule is weaker this year than most years, that’s all I’ve been saying. Can any one of you on this site at least attempt to be objective and admit it?
by luckynewman13 on Sep 17, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll be happy to say our non-conference schedule this year is weaker than most years.
It is. I don’t think anyone’s denying that.
But that shouldn’t preclude the writer of an article (meant in humor) from poking fun at another team for scheduling a patsy. As previously stated, he does so every week with a different team (and this is the ONLY time anyone has ever made a big deal over it)
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
I already admitted playing Lafayette was weak. You also continue to make personal attacks, which you dont admit. UGAs schedule is about as demanding as it can get in the SEC. I am sorry your Big Ten schedule involves another patsy tomorrow.
and I am sorry OSU has to lose to us since forever, and blow it in so many Rose Bowls I lost count. It’s no wonder you are such a hater – you buy into media hype only to fail miserably so often. We Georgia fans dont live under such a sheltered umbrella.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
LOL
LOL LOL LOL
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
WAC a probably-qualifying conference?
More like probably-not-a-conference in a few years. They weren’t/aren’t near the qualifying status with Boise State. They’ll be further from it without BSU. And they won’t have enough teams to field a conference according to the NCAA when Nevada and Fresno State leave.
True, but, as luckynewman13 so ham-handedly pointed out, . . .
. . . we’re talking about this year. My point (which I think everyone except luckynewman13 recognized was made in the course of a joke, anyway) was that, in 2010, the Mountain West champion and the WAC champion both will be better football teams than the MAC champion.
Anyway, I was making fun of Ohio (Ohio). That was really about the extent of what I was trying to accomplish.
Go 'Dawgs!
OSU required to play Ohio schools
FYI, OSU hadn’t played an Ohio school since 1934 until the Board of Regents required them in 1990 to play at least one Ohio school a year starting in 1992 so the Ohio schools would get the big payout instead of an out of state school (usually Pitt, WV, or Syracuse). But OU is better than La-La and Idaho State isn’t even Div I-a (FBS). Colorado got blown out by Cal and GT just lost to Kansas! I wouldn’t be throwing stones.
Agreed.
For the record, though, I wasn’t throwing stones. I was making a joke. I didn’t start throwing stones until luckynewman13 started throwing them at me.
Go 'Dawgs!
Is today Ohio State fan signup day at SBNation?
You’ve written quite the incendiary blurb Kyle. You should be getting some cash for all these new users you’re getting to sign up. Have you become SBNation’s own version of Lil’ Jeffy Schultz? Inquiring minds want to know.
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
by RedCrake on Sep 16, 2010 6:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
SB Nation postings show up on the pertinent Sports Illustrated team pages.
It’s on the SI Ohio State page.
For what it’s worth, I regret the “Stripes” reference, which I took to be one of those cultural comedic touchstones that transcend generations. I don’t have to explain “Toga! Toga! Toga!” or “So I’ve got that going for me,” and those are from comedies from the same era. Admittedly, “Stripes” is not on the same level as “Animal House” or “Caddyshack,” but I thought it was close enough that “Lighten up, Francis” didn’t need further explanation. My bad.
Go 'Dawgs!
Don't feel the need to apologize...
… just because a random guy teenager on the internet is a jerk.
I see no need to reduce the amount of lighthearted humor in a week when we Georgia fans, of all people, really need it. The offending commenter above just proves John Gabriel’s Greater Internet (expletive) theory. (I’ll just link to it instead of posting the picture here, due to the strong language. Warning: Strong Language.)
When people get to enjoy the anonymity of the internet combined with a large audience, the civility-o-meter tends to disappear faster than a Heisman Trophy winner in the NFL. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy this site so much, in fact… you and MaconDawg go out of your way to foster an atmosphere of civility and decorum at all times. Such a thing is exceedingly rare on the intertubes, especially in the sports world, and it’s a refreshing change of pace from “everybody else” that’s out there.
by vineyarddawg on Sep 17, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
please...
…point to where I used expletives to question TKing, I already apologized for the “Sarah” comment before you even posted this. So now who isn’t being civil? Other than using the word “Sarah”, my posts have been nothing but factual and on point, if you’re too scared to actually attack my argument point by point that’s fine, but don’t lie and say I’m being unreasonable when those "Stones’ (sorry TKing, but true) were thrown my way first. If I’m a teenager, you should have no problem ripping me apart, so grow a pair and try.
by luckynewman13 on Sep 17, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
"grow a pair and try" - another PERSONAL attack. you, sir, have the weak arguments.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
No one said you used expletives.
The point of the internet (expletive) theory is that anonymity plus an audience makes people act ways they often wouldn’t otherwise. I don’t know… maybe you’re like this off the internet.
But this is about looking at your argument point by point. Aside from listing the non-conference schedules of both teams (fact), here are the points you’ve made:
- Nobody has cared about the Georgia Tech/Georgia game since 1990
- Kansas will finish last in the Big 12
- Its far more likely that Miami will win the ACC Championship than Ga.Tech ("I think everyone knows" this).
- Florida has no offense
- The Ohio State schedule blows Georgia’s out of the water
You’ve repeatedly stated that you are simply presenting facts. These aren’t facts. They are opinions. You’re welcome to yours but if you think you didn’t initially present them in a confrontational way, you’re incorrect <—- That is a fact (I can support it with sources and everything)
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
you forgot we dont play Alabama which is weak
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
I was trying to stay away from the conference schedule issue as much as possible
Because there is no middle-ground to be found between Big 10 and SEC fans in this area and the original argument was about non-conference scheduling (for the most part).
When the Big Tweleven is split into conferences they’ll understand the rotating schedule.
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
*split into divisions
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
He acts like UGA didnt schedule Alabama on purpose. But, rotating schedules is a complex formula for a weak conference. Wierd, because everyone is moving to what the SEC has done for 1.5 decades.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
what?
I understand rotating schedules, the Fact is YOU don’t play Alabama this year. The cause of this? YOUR schedule is weaker this year.
Why is this so hard to grasp for some people? This article is about how weak Ohio State’s schedule is THIS YEAR, well THIS YEAR, Georgia’s schedule is weaker.
by luckynewman13 on Sep 17, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
fine, those are conjecture...
but THAT’S ALL THERE IS TWO GAMES INTO THE SEASON.
Nobody outside of georgia care about the UGA-GT game, prove me otherwise.
Kansas will finish last place in the Big 12: they have a new quarterback, new offense, new defense, new coach…seems like a pretty good conclusion to draw there.
Florida has no offense…this is where I use game evidence, are you going to tell me that this Florida team is anywhere NEAR the Florida of the past five years.
Ohio state has a tougher schedule, if you want to argue this…fine. But GT…lost to Kansas…Colorado lost by 45 to Cal. and then u play LouLa and 1-AA Idaho State. While Ohio state played Miami, (take it for what its worth) plays two top 10 teams on the road and currently still has two top 20 teams left to play at home. Georgia still doesn’t play Alabama. Seems pretty obvious here who is using “evidence”. Maybe when I used the word “fact” it was incorrect…because everything at this point in the season is conjecture. All I ask is that one of you start being objective about your team and admit that maybe—GASP, just maybe— your SEC schedule isn’t as daunting as it has been in the past couple years.
by luckynewman13 on Sep 17, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
YOU ARE SO RIGHT! UGA DOESNT HAVE ALABAMA ON THE SCHEDULE! YOU ARE SO BRILLIANT.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
sarcasm, great!
way to not address anything I typed! Good job!
by luckynewman13 on Sep 17, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
You weren't wrong...
It transcends generations. I wasn’t even born when it came out and I got the reference. I shudder to think what might’ve transpired if you’d made reference to the recruitment center scene.
And Stripes most certainly is on the same level as those films…. for the first 45 minutes.
"I want anything wearing red and black to tear the head off anything that isn't." - Lewis Grizzard
Also, Kyle, I forgot to post this earlier in the thread. Not sure why...
by vineyarddawg on Sep 17, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
For what it's worth, I received an e-mail from a fellow at Ohio University.
He used his real name, asked politely whether I thought it was fair to compare MAC teams to junior high school teams, and respectfully noted several specific instances in the last four or five years in which the Ohio Bobcats had either beaten AQ conference teams or played them close on the road.
I wrote him back, thanked him for his measured tone, explained politely what the bit was all about, acknowledged that it was not fair to compare MAC teams to junior high school teams, indicated that this particular bit of exaggeration was intended to underscore the humorous intent behind the posting, admitted that Ohio-Ohio State (while a mismatch) was not as extreme as (for instance) Georgia-Georgia State would be, thanked him for his e-mail, and wished him good luck on Saturday.
I mention that to illustrate that someone from Ohio managed to state his objections reasonably, rationally, and respectfully, which resulted in a reasonable, rational, and respectful response.
Regrettably, not everyone with a stake in Saturday’s outcome in Columbus appears capable of such behavior. As a consequence, I will be closing down the comments on this posting forthwith.
Go 'Dawgs!
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