tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post2894061684405567658..comments2024-03-22T05:48:26.129-05:00Comments on Braves & Birds: Random Thoughts on the BowlsMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-72559720917891420442010-01-04T13:05:19.756-05:002010-01-04T13:05:19.756-05:00You'll have plenty of opportunities to see Bri...You'll have plenty of opportunities to see Brian Kelly coach in BCS games in the very near future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-88597370634594464792010-01-04T10:02:39.079-05:002010-01-04T10:02:39.079-05:00I have to agree with your thoughts on the play in ...I have to agree with your thoughts on the play in bowls this year. There is just very little incentive for some teams to play top-notch in a non-BCS bowl game, especially with coaching and player changes so close on the horizon. From a "money" and recruiting standpoint, the schools probably don't make any less money or get less recruits based on how their team plays in "Independence" bowls, but the "lesser" school has a lot more opportunity to make their mark both in potential recruiting and in revenue.<br /><br />This is not to say that the top teams will or should "roll over", but there is a lot less motivation for players on a BCS contender to perform at their absolute best in bowl games that are potentially irrelevant to them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-3984687675888268692010-01-04T09:40:11.493-05:002010-01-04T09:40:11.493-05:00FYI: Florida looked a lot better in their bowl tha...FYI: Florida looked a lot better in their bowl than in the SEC championship for two reasons: <br /><br />1) Alabama's defense is much better than Cincinnati's defense. Cincinnati's scoring defense over their last four regular season games: 36.5 pts/game. Alabama's scoring defense in their worst four games of the season: (17.25, vs. VT, UK, AU, LSU) The numbers are similarly lopsided is you look at the full season or if you look at yards per play. <br /><br />2) Carlos Dunlap wasn't suspended for DUI. Brandon Spikes and <br />Major Wright weren't playing with minor injuries. Florida's defense is incredible when everyone is on the field and healthy.<br /><br />P.S.: I'm not saying that Florida would have beaten Alabama with their regular defensive unit but I am saying that the game would have been significantly closer 32-13 if Florida and Alabama are both at full strength for that game.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-64602590355529909372010-01-04T02:01:27.015-05:002010-01-04T02:01:27.015-05:00Drawing meaningful inferences from the slop in Orl...Drawing meaningful inferences from the slop in Orlando is a fool's errand. LSU will be a national title contender next year. While Crowton is dodgy, Chavis was a great hire. Because of Chavis, the offense only has to be good, not great. <br /><br />South Carolina shouldn't have been in a bowl. They got humiliated by a 3-4 Big East team in front of a stadium filled with 3/4 Gamecock fans. Conditions weren't a factor there, just mediocre coaching. They were so sloppy, disorganized, and clueless that it honestly looked like they were throwing the game. They showed up better under Holtz, no question.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com