[Kathy]

That was a damn fine clinic the Aggies put on for the Sooners in the 3rd. ;D

Anyone who thinks 'Bama is vulnerable because the Tide lost to A&M need only watch this game to see how the Ags were able to do that. Alabama isn't a weak team -- A&M is that good, and ND is not (and I won't even remind oman and fullmetal of their "new SEC patsy" prognostications from last summer -- well, not too often  ;)).

I hope Alabama crushes the domers. Then A&M would be the only team that has beaten the national champs.

Gig 'em!

[Kathy]

That was a damn fine clinic the Aggies put on for the Sooners in the 3rd. ;D

Anyone who thinks 'Bama is vulnerable because the Tide lost to A&M need only watch this game to see how the Ags were able to do that. Alabama isn't a weak team -- A&M is that good, and ND is not (and I won't even remind oman and fullmetal of their "new SEC patsy" prognostications from last summer -- well, not too often  ;)).

I hope Alabama crushes the domers. Then A&M would be the only team that has beaten the national champs.

Gig 'em!

[StannyBoy]

Wow, Texas A&M and Johny Football are legit. Very impressed with them (unlike with K-State and Klein, very disappointing). Alas, this means they might pass Stanford, especially if Alabama beats Northern Indiana Parochial College.

I know it's not a popular opinion here... but personally I hope the Irish win: It would make Stanford look better this year, give us a shot at top-5, and beating the National champion next year at the Farm would be sweet. Plus, I can't stand teams that disregard academics and sign 100+ players.

Teams that cover up rape are so much better...

[StannyBoy]

Wow, Texas A&M and Johny Football are legit. Very impressed with them (unlike with K-State and Klein, very disappointing). Alas, this means they might pass Stanford, especially if Alabama beats Northern Indiana Parochial College.

I know it's not a popular opinion here... but personally I hope the Irish win: It would make Stanford look better this year, give us a shot at top-5, and beating the National champion next year at the Farm would be sweet. Plus, I can't stand teams that disregard academics and sign 100+ players.

Teams that cover up rape are so much better...

[terry]

Reasons to root against NotreDame:

1. NotreDame is one of our main recruiting rivals. ND's success hurts Stanford on the recruiting front. We benefit from ND's failures. On the other hand, we recruit against Alabama infrequently.

2. We play NotreDame every year. Anything that helps the ND program get stronger makes Stanford's path that much harder. We don't play Alabama.

3. NotreDame fans are intolerable.

4. Lizzy Seeberg.

5. Declan Sullivan.

P.S. Stanford is not going to finish in the top 5, regardless of what ND does. After the Cotton Bowl, I expect Texas A&M to pass Stanford in the polls. Stanford probably will finish #7 in the AP poll and #6 in the coaches poll (which doesn't include Ohio State). It's possible that Stanford could up ranked #8 and #7 if the voters keep Florida ahead of us despite its bowl loss. That would be very annoying, but it's possible. In any event, the result of the Alabama-ND game will have no bearing on Stanford's ranking.

[terry]

Reasons to root against NotreDame:

1. NotreDame is one of our main recruiting rivals. ND's success hurts Stanford on the recruiting front. We benefit from ND's failures. On the other hand, we recruit against Alabama infrequently.

2. We play NotreDame every year. Anything that helps the ND program get stronger makes Stanford's path that much harder. We don't play Alabama.

3. NotreDame fans are intolerable.

4. Lizzy Seeberg.

5. Declan Sullivan.

P.S. Stanford is not going to finish in the top 5, regardless of what ND does. After the Cotton Bowl, I expect Texas A&M to pass Stanford in the polls. Stanford probably will finish #7 in the AP poll and #6 in the coaches poll (which doesn't include Ohio State). It's possible that Stanford could up ranked #8 and #7 if the voters keep Florida ahead of us despite its bowl loss. That would be very annoying, but it's possible. In any event, the result of the Alabama-ND game will have no bearing on Stanford's ranking.

[pincemob]

This game is darn close to a no-win situation.  To state the obvious, either it prolongs the perception that college football is the SEC + everyone else, or, it creates the perception that Notre Dame is an elite program.  I think the best case is something like last year, where the game is so dull and unwatchable that people conclude the best teams were not playing.  Some Oregon folks think they'll get some #1 AP votes if Alabama wins a close game, and I think they might.  I'm rooting for that, a 9-6 Alabama win with a lot of ugliness and preferably a close replay call that goes against the Domers.  Then I hope Saban gets hit with the Gatorade and it ruins his day, just like when they beat Texas without McCoy.

[pincemob]

This game is darn close to a no-win situation.  To state the obvious, either it prolongs the perception that college football is the SEC + everyone else, or, it creates the perception that Notre Dame is an elite program.  I think the best case is something like last year, where the game is so dull and unwatchable that people conclude the best teams were not playing.  Some Oregon folks think they'll get some #1 AP votes if Alabama wins a close game, and I think they might.  I'm rooting for that, a 9-6 Alabama win with a lot of ugliness and preferably a close replay call that goes against the Domers.  Then I hope Saban gets hit with the Gatorade and it ruins his day, just like when they beat Texas without McCoy.

[Leftcoast]

The SEC dominance of the title game is bad for the sport as a whole ..... So Go <gulp> Domers!  And now that I know about 1 pt safeties I can hope regulation ends in a one point tie forcing the Domers to win after another undeserved replay call in OT.

[Leftcoast]

The SEC dominance of the title game is bad for the sport as a whole ..... So Go <gulp> Domers!  And now that I know about 1 pt safeties I can hope regulation ends in a one point tie forcing the Domers to win after another undeserved replay call in OT.

[CowboyIndian]

This game is darn close to a no-win situation.

I'd like it if that meant neither of them could win.

[CowboyIndian]

This game is darn close to a no-win situation.

I'd like it if that meant neither of them could win.

[OutsiderFan]

The lower Stanford's ranking the better for Stanford, IMO.  Because despite what David Shaw says about not paying attention to rankings, it's pretty evident he is driven by the lack of respect he feels his program receives.  The polls are where this respect is demonstrated most demonstrably.

With that in mind, here is my revised predicted end of season rankings:

AP
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Notre Dame
4. Ohio State
5. Texas A&M
6. Georgia
7. Stanford

Coaches
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Notre Dame
4. Texas A&M
5. Georgia
6. Stanford

[OutsiderFan]

The lower Stanford's ranking the better for Stanford, IMO.  Because despite what David Shaw says about not paying attention to rankings, it's pretty evident he is driven by the lack of respect he feels his program receives.  The polls are where this respect is demonstrated most demonstrably.

With that in mind, here is my revised predicted end of season rankings:

AP
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Notre Dame
4. Ohio State
5. Texas A&M
6. Georgia
7. Stanford

Coaches
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Notre Dame
4. Texas A&M
5. Georgia
6. Stanford

[Spiny_Norman]

Reason #44 to root against Notre Dame - Chase Thomas really does not like the Irish.

http://www.790thezone.com/podcasts/Episo...x?PID=2610

[Spiny_Norman]

Reason #44 to root against Notre Dame - Chase Thomas really does not like the Irish.

http://www.790thezone.com/podcasts/Episo...x?PID=2610

[fullmetal]

I think I read something about a ND player gouging his eye and scratching his cornea...dirty.

[fullmetal]

I think I read something about a ND player gouging his eye and scratching his cornea...dirty.

[Oasis]

Lou Holtz was praising Oregon and talking about how the Ducks could beat any team out there...and then he said this.

"It's a shame that the field goal went through by Stanford."  --Lou Holtz

Usually Holz talks through his nose.  Sometimes he talks out of something else.

[Oasis]

Lou Holtz was praising Oregon and talking about how the Ducks could beat any team out there...and then he said this.

"It's a shame that the field goal went through by Stanford."  --Lou Holtz

Usually Holz talks through his nose.  Sometimes he talks out of something else.

[fullmetal]

The only saving grace was how despondent Holtz sounded during the whole post-game about how this Oregon team was better than the one that played Auburn a few years ago and how this team could beat any team in the country...well, almost any team.

I do acknowledge that Oregon was missing starters like Stanford was last year.  I guess it works both ways. 

[fullmetal]

The only saving grace was how despondent Holtz sounded during the whole post-game about how this Oregon team was better than the one that played Auburn a few years ago and how this team could beat any team in the country...well, almost any team.

I do acknowledge that Oregon was missing starters like Stanford was last year.  I guess it works both ways.