You're right, it isn't anything new, it happens all the time. What doesn't happen all the time is one team suspending 14 players for one game, which is right around 20% of the roster.
How will the Big 12 do in Bowl Games
- Thread starter Cyrocks
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You're right, it isn't anything new, it happens all the time. What doesn't happen all the time is one team suspending 14 players for one game, which is right around 20% of the roster.
And I totally disagree with that. "A" game vs "A" Texas easily beats all three IMO.
I understand your opinion, since you are a big 10 guy.
Backups already know how to fill their roles, they practice them everyday and get limited playing time in their roles.
Assistants have to fill new roles.
*This argument could go on forever, I honestly don't know which has a bigger effect and neither do you. The point remains that you cannot use that as an excuse to write off a loss, especially when the other team has a similar amount of distractions/adversity to overcome.
It happened to FSU a couple years ago, I think* they still won their bowl game.
How many times does a team's head coach get fired right before a bowl game?
Face it. Both teams had a mountain of adversity to overcome.
They did, but Tech still had their whole roster, and was playing what was basically a home game. The Tech players all knew Ruffin, and obviously had/have a great deal of respect for him.
In the end, it was an 8-4 team from the Big 12 going up against a 6-6 Big 10 team. Sparty gave a good account of itself, but I think that even if you take all the BS away from both teams that Tech still wins by about the same margin.
Yes they do, but that doesn't mean that they're going to be effective when they're in a game for the first time. Look at Vandenberg in the NW game. Look at the kid for Texas last night.
Same can be said about the coaches filling new roles.
Look, all I said is one cannot ignore the hardships of one team while using hardships of another as an excuse.
I don't think SH is poo-pooing the Leach firing, what I think he is saying that Ruffin (who has been at Tech for quite a while) knew what was required of him for the the role he was stepping into - it was an easy transition.
Not so for the 7 newbies who had to take the place of suspended starters for MSU.
I was actually just stranded in WI as well. Got back to Iowa just in time to enjoy this balmy weather.
Although it worked out in the end, I thought Ruffin made some boneheaded moves during the game.
The transition for Ruffin may have been easy, but what about the domino effect (who filled in for Ruffin, etc)?
SI has once again derailed a thread of HOW THE BIG 12 WOULD FARE IN BOWL GAMES, with a Big12 vs Big10 debate. I understand the debate here, but it's deserving of another thread in another category.
Thanks for calling me out, but it wasn't my derailment. Go ahead and read the start of the thread.
Actually that honor goes to clonehomer or climbiowa, depending on how you define the derailment.
Thanks for your contribution SI though.
I read the beginning of the thread earlier today, but regardless of who derailed, it doesn't mean you need to keep the pedal on the floorboard. Now care to contribute to the actual thread intent without mentioning Iowa or the Big 10? Personally, I thought the Big 12 had a middling performance overall showing that overall the conference strangth was enhanced with wins from ISU, Nebraska, and Tech. I don't count the OK win since they're still a premier program that played a lesser program. Texas played well for McCoy going out and made a respectable showing and reason for a #2 ranking.
So others can mention Iowa and the BT, but I can't, because...??
But back on subject, I felt this was a mediocre season for the Big 12, as was proved in the bowl season. Texas was solid, but nothing great, as Nebby and Alabama showed us.
So down 3 in the final three minutes to a team that demolished the reigning National Champions and has the current Heisman winner toting the rock for them with a true freshman who had a total of 26 pass attempts for the season mediocre? Clearly my definition of mediocre is much different than yours. Nebraska proved to have one of the best defenses in the nation and one of the best d-lineman to play in the last decade.
I question your definition of great and solid:
- kNebraska at the end of season > than anyone of us wants to admit (Yes, I am serious, and I don't like it)
- Texas hung with Alabama with a true freshman backup QB. Yes, it is part of the game.
Unrelated side note: I don't think we saw the real Florida in the SEC title game. I truly their "A" game is better than Alabama's "A" game. Of course, Alabama's "B" game is better than Florida's "B" game. Confused? good.
Wait, I thought the backups are capable of just stepping in and minimalizing the impact of losing the starter?
And I don't agree about Nebraska. Their best win of the season before the bowl game was against a depleted OU team. After that they beat 3 teams with losing records.
