JoltinJacket
The Resident Stat Machine
Posts: 13,021
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation: 24
I Root For: Georgia Tech
Location: Atlanta, GA
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There are three teams out there - Alabama, Kentucky, and California - that are surprising the "experts" with a combined 8-1 record. Many expected Alabama to be 2-1 at this point, but what about 3-0 Cal and 3-0 Kentucky. The 'Cats haven't won their first three games since Tim Couch led them to 3-0 in 1998, while Cal hasn't been this hot since a 5-0 start in 1996 (BTW, Steve Mariucci was the HC back then).
The only problem is none of the 3 are eligible for postseason bowls becuase of probation. Only the Tide gets a "reward" - they get to end their season in Hawaii. We could have a situation where two or three teams have 8 or 9 wins, but get left out while 6-6 teams go bowling at the Allegra Sinus Capsule Bowl presented by Amazon.com (what a travesty <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> )
Only 3 teams in the last 14 years have been stripped of their bowl eligibility and still have enough wins to make the cut (the most notable being Auburn, who went 20-1-1 in '93 and '94, but was on probation). It's more than likely going to happen with at least 2 teams this year.
I think it's a credit to the coaching staffs on these teams to keep the guys focused when they "have nothing to play for". I don't believe there is ever a point when you have nothing to play for - everytime you put on that uniform, you better be playing for something (if only personal pride) or you can hit the road.
<small>[ September 18, 2002, 04:18 PM: Message edited by: JoltinJacket ]</small>
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09-18-2002 03:14 PM |
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