tif (09/16/82)
The fact that a good team (ie Washington) can completely destroy a bad one (ie Texas El-Paso, which should probably let their track team play their football games for them) has never been in doubt. The article about the early dominance of defense this season applied to contests between GOOD teams. An example involving the Pac-10: the USC- Florida game (won by Florida 17-9). Sure, SMU crushed some poor team by 50 points (could have been 100). Washington State slammed some stiff by a bundle. But these are MISMATCHES, pitting power against wimpdom. And the western teams haven't scored any more points than the eastern ones. About the "West-is-better-than-East" thing: Washington has one hell of a team, there's no denying that. They may indeed be the best team in the nation (Pitt has always had good PLAYERS, but they seem to have trouble functioning under pressure (eg last years Penn State and Georgia games and this year's North Carolina match)). But eastern teams OVER-RATED? Shucks, they hardly get any respect at all. Pitt has a history of excellant teams, but only one National Championship (since the early twenties) to show for it; they're 33-3 the last 3 years. Penn State has NEVER been national champ, despite all of its success. Navy has had excellant teams of late, but has done no better than the cheap bowls. Hell, Rutgers went undefeated a few years ago (and beat some good teams) and didn't recieve a bid at all! Moving south, you find the ACC (from whence this opus is being generated). North Carolina, North Carolina State, Clemson, and Maryland have fielded good teams for years, with scarcely anybody noticing. Until last year, none had been of national championship calibre, but they didnt even recieve the recognition they deserved. Clemson was undefeated and ranked first at the end of last year, but they were still 4-point (and that my friends, is a large amount for a major bowl) underdogs to Nebraska. THAT'S overrated? Thank God they aren't UNDER-rated! I don't know, mabye western football IS exciting and better than the eastern variety. It would not exactly shock me into silence if I decided that article 6 was correct (it got the young man part right, anyway). BUT, I'd like to see some real evidence that this is the case (NOT in the form of mismatches or references to the most overrated team in this country next to Notre Dame -USC). Sure, Washington and W. State dont recieve the ink due them, but two teams do not a region make. Not to me, anyway. I probably should be afraid to sign my name but here it is Thomas I. Faison
mark (09/16/82)
Hey, I wouldn't exactly call USC overrated. After all, they've been to a bowl game every year since I can't remember when. Most of those bowls were the Rose Bowl, and most of the Rose Bowls they were in they won. (OK, so they're on probation and don't have much incentive the last couple years. You'll notice they aren't being rated very high either - 19th in the AP, ignored by UPI.) Sure, they cheat a bit to get the top quality players. (So do most of the major football powers.) But if you lived in the middle of Watts, you'd want some compensation.
tsd (09/17/82)
I too am slightly upset over the claim that USC is overrated. As Mark Horton
points out, they've struggled somewhat just lately, but if you attend the
school and realize how much they live for the Rose Bowl its definitely easy
to see how probation could affect their motivation. I'm especially concerned
with this recent wave of probation that their recruiting might suffer. By
the way how did the Florida game get on TV? Top quality players like big
time publicity which doesn't go to schools on probation.
I agree that some eastern schools have gotten shafted in the past,
especially Penn State (don't forget though THEY cooked THEIR OWN goose the
year they had it sewed up and choked against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl).
But, how can you label a school that has turned out O.J., (I'm not even
going to ramble on the tailback tradition) and tons of other players who
made it big in the Pros overrated. Even in these past lean years they've
turned out Ronnie Lott, Chip Banks, and Marcus Allen. All who should do
well in the Pros.
One final comment, where would Monday Night Football be without the
Giffer at least trying to keep Howard in line.
so on offense vs. defense,
This is in defense of the Trojans
Tim Davidheiser
CB BTL
nscs!tsd