Tag: BCS

Locker Talk Episode Eight : College Football Thursday! (11/1/2012)

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

The Lady Sportswriter Kim Nash joined me on Thursday for our weekly discussion about all things College Football. Take a listen as we reviewed the biggest match-ups this weekend, BCS possibilities, last weekends ramifications on the title picture, and if Aaron Murray really is the ONLY option worth considering at Georgia? Join us every Thursday at 1 pm and call in at (773) 897-6129.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelocker/2012/11/01/locker-talk-college-football-thursday

Locker Talk Episode Five! (10/18/2012)

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

Football Thursday is upon us again! The Lady Sportswriter Kim Nash stopped by as always and discusses her thoughts on yesterday’s show regarding Andy Reid and Russell Wilson’s real issues. We also discuss the first BCS rankings of the college football season, talk SEC, and her upset pick of the week. BYU fans definitely wanna tune in for that. Give it a listen!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelocker/2012/10/18/locker-talk-football-thursday-with-the-lady-sportswriter

“Locker Talk” Podcast debut!

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

The Locker now has an accompanying Podcast! Locker Talk debuted this afternoon and it will be a twice a week discussion on all things sports, music, entertainment and more. Give it a listen! It will be co-hosted by my good buddy Baden Bagley and feature insight from other writers and (hopefully) sports figures. The first features The Lady Sportswriter blogger Kimberley Nash and I discussing College Football, the SEC, Top-10 teams, most overrated and underrated and the big top-10 matchup between the University of Georgia and the University of South Carolina. Listens appreciated, feedback always welcome. Enjoy!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelocker/2012/10/04/locker-talk

Things I Took Away From The Weekend That Was In College Football

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

College footballs National Champion was crowned meaning the real fun begins for programs across the country (recruiting!). Here is a look back and a few thoughts from the weekend (week) that was in college football.

  1. Alabama is the no-doubt-about-it best team in the country: What I witnessed last night was a demolition. Nick Saban put together a game plan that not only beat LSU, but broke down every facet of their game and made it look as though the number one team in the country didn’t belong. I joked with a friend of mine that people on Twitter were talking about LSU like you would an Ole Miss. Think about the numbers: one penalty, two third down conversions allowed, and almost four times the yardage (384-92). 92 yards of total offense for the Tigers. unreal performance. Was it the shootout that most in the ESPN era want? No. but if you appreciate great defense (and trust me it wins championships) then this was something to behold from Alabama last night.
  2. No one was beating either of these teams last night: I’ve seen Mike Gundy changing his tune a bit about playing for the national title. he went from saying they were the most deserving teams to play for it to saying I think we could have scored on them. Okay that is fair, maybe Oklahoma State could have scored on them. But notice he didn’t say “I think we could have beat Alabama” only “we could have put up “some” points against them. That’s how good these teams are. The challenge is no longer “could we beat them” but “can we score on them.” Folks, fans talk like that. I used to always wonder “could I score a point on Roger Federer?” Maybe, but as an athlete at the highest level is it more important to get there and have your kicks with a score or win the whole thing? Would fans have been happier seeing LSU or Alabama play someone else and made the game look easy? I promise you this: Stanford, Oklahoma State, Oregon, West Virginia, Georgia Southern, Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams it doesn’t matter. Last night the two best teams in the country played for the title and the winner put on a show. Plus one’s and playoffs are fun for argument sake, but realistically if you look back at the last seven years the SEC has won who has a legitimate gripe that the deserving team from that conference didn’t earn it? If you do, let me know. I am ready with stats in hand. Which brings me to my next point…
  3. Does anyone have a legitimate shot at stopping the SEC in 2012-2013: I know a guy right now that if he is reading this his grin is more of an ear-to-ear smile. One of my dark horse picks for the national title next year is USC. They have everything you need to keep up with the big boys down South. They have a defense that is just as strong and just as fast. They have an offense that can compliment that defense and keep the opposing team off the field for a while. Matt Barkley had a stretch at the end of last season against Oregon, Stanford, Washington, Colorado and UCLA where he threw for 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He’s good and only going to be better. Outside of USC I can see an improved Oregon team as well as West Virginia if they continue their ascent. Outside of those teams you will be hard pressed to find a program that can take on anyone from dixie.

It really was a fun season. As always it was full of debates, great plays and cool moments. Of course college football (like any sport) never really ends but I will say I can’t wait until kickoff next August. 

Five Things I Took Away From The Weekend In College Football

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

Some of my thoughts on College Football’s happenings this past weekend:

  1. LSU is the slam dunk #1 team in the country: I don’t think there is anyone who can argue that sentiment as they not only ran the table in the SEC, but they also beat the top teams in the SEC (three times), Pac-12 (Oregon), and the Big East (West Virginia). They did it in such a convincing fashion that few can see any way they lose the National Championship to Alabama. Which brings me to my next point…
  2. Alabama should not be playing for the National Championship: Yes they are probably the second best team in the country. Yes they did go 11-1 this year with their only loss being to the aforementioned juggernaut from Baton Rouge. but they failed to do two things. Win their division and/or conference. Oklahoma State is the deserving participant to play against LSU in the Superdome in January. People who scream that Alabama is the clear number one be careful what you say. looking at the top offenses in the country Oklahoma State played three of them and held them to a combined 63 points. And although their only loss came to Iowa State, something should be said for their efforts against the top teams. 
  3. Georgia has the potential to be scary good in 2012: I’m allowed to show a little home state love to the Dawgs. After all their defense, which is ranked fourth nationally, held the number one team in the country to ZERO first downs or scores for an entire half. LSU’s offense looked so bad that should missed scoring opportunities by Malcom Mitchell and Tavarres King not been floundered LSU is looking at a switch in quarterbacks, a 21-or-24 to nothing deficit and all of a sudden a run first team is forced to pass their way out of trouble. That being said Georgia is returning a plethora of their defensive stars next year, including Bacarri Rambo, Alec Ogletree, John Jenkins, Jarvis Jones, and Cornelius Washington. On offense Aaron Murray knows what he has to do in the off-season and that is, work on his accuracy. The Sophomore who threw for 32 touchdowns is all upside, and with the potential number one running back in the country set to sign and possibly pick Georgia they’re looking like the sexy pick to return, and possibly win, the SEC.
  4. Virginia Tech belongs anywhere but a BCS bowl: By my calculation Virginia Tech lost to Clemson by a combined score of 61-13 in their two meetings this year, didn’t win the ACC title and narrowly escaped the jaws of defeat against East Carolina, Miami, Georgia Tech and UNC. For that they are rewarded the Sugar Bowl? The reason “they travel well” tells me all I need to know about the decision to place them there. The BCS has no idea either. TCU, Boise State, Kansas State, Georgia, and Michigan State all deserved that bid before Virginia Tech. In that order. So the fact we will be seeing “Beamer ball” on New Year’s day doesn’t sit well with a very large portion of the country.
  5. Has anyone laid a bigger egg than Houston?: You have to wonder what is going through the mind of sixth-year eligible Case Keenum right now. You’re (12-0) and steam rolling to a BCS bowl and your draft stock is rising with each record breaking yard. Then you have a fall so hard the onle person who could possibly understand is Colt Brennan. BCS glory, conference millions, and personal fortune all had to be weighing on his mind during that 49-28 drubbing at the hands of Southern Mississippi. 
  6. **Extra thought** On Pac-12 championship: I’m 99 percent sure that when they drew up this situation they weren’t envisioning the first Pac-12 championship game to be such a mismatch as to render it more of a forgone conclusion than a contest. While UCLA gave it their best shot, Oregon proved too much for the Bruins to handle. Two things are very obvious: UCLA has a long way to go before it can be considered a conference contender again; and LaMichael James might very well be the most exciting player in college football. Period.