College Football Week 5

Big brother is ad savvy

I know what you are thinking.  Idaho University has had two glaring wadrobe malfunctions this season AND are one of the worst teams in all of D1A.  But before we get into that, let’s just get back on this whole bullshit FBS and FBC blasphemy.  FBS or Football Bowl Subdivision is less simple than D1A, and might say less in fact.  In the whole of the NCAA, everything is written as Division I, Division II, or Division III.  Lucky for us, the powers that be (possibly sponsors and higher ups in charge of making money) have decreed that we can no longer refer to football the same way we refer to the rest of college athletics.  I guess it is pointless to discuss the merits and detractions of this argument, but at the same token why confuse the American public that is already engrossed in your product?

I guess the answer is simple, separate your product in a market which is highly influenced by fans, alumni, students and families of students.  While these same groups would be thrilled to hear that Baylor University, for example has had all-american track and field sprinter, it doesn’t quite hold the same weight as saying that Baylor’s new quarterback is breathing life into a once morbid football program.  The answer dear sheep is marketing, albeit stupid marketing which we seem to be buying into.  While it certainly is obvious that FBS isn’t nearly as cool a name as FCS (Football Championship Series), I guess it doesn’t matter because while the public/media outcry for a playoff system is growing, the conference commisioners and bowl sponsors have yet to find a lucrative enough deal that will allow everyone to be happy.

While John Q fan doesn’t understand why, Jim Delany, the Big Ten Commissioner gets it.  According to an article in Rivals.com in 2007 written by Josh Peter; 

Polls show more than 50 percent of college football fans favor a playoff. Those percentages figure to spike now that undefeated Ohio State will play in the BCS title game against one-loss Florida rather than Boise State, which improved to 13-0 after its remarkable, highlight-heavy victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

Eventually the consumer will get what he demands, Delany said. But he cites TV ratings and attendance figures as evidence that the consumer has yet to truly demand change.

Defending his assertion, Delany said revenue from college football has grown to $900 million from $200 million since 1990; average attendance for Big Ten games has increased to 71,000 from 58,000 over that same period; and the rising TV ratings and sponsorship dollars suggest the game is as healthy as ever.

“There’s probably more of an outcry than there was 15 years ago for something different. I don’t disagree with that,” Delany said during a recent interview in Chicago. “But what I’ve also seen simultaneously is the growth in interest in the BCS and the regular season.

“If the public walks away from our games during the regular season and walks away from television during the regular season and walks away from the bowls, they’re saying, We won’t support this anymore. We want something else.’ But I don’t see them walking away from anything.”

Well, if revenues are up, fan attendance are up, and no one who actually matters cares about the public outcry then nothing will change.  Granted, there are plenty of sponsors and bowl sites that have over estimated the revenue that a post season game will give to their company or city, but until there is something out of the ordinary the band will play on and we are stuck with FBS and FCS and our only true champions will be in Division II and Division III, and of course all the other Division I teams in all the other college sports.

But now back to Idaho.

First there was this:

Idaho removed a white “I” with black script “vandals” from the posterior of their pants which was a black sploch which looked like each player was given an official turd from the NCAA which was crushed in the back of their pants prior to each pregame match-up to evoke something for some reason.

Then there was this matter to be resolved:

So apparently there was an uproar from alumni???? who were upset that these women were dressed in “revealing” outfits?   This is a problem why?  I am sure The Worldwide Leader could put together a great Outside the Lines piece on such an issue and interview women from various women’s rights groups which would clammor about the objectification of women, let’s not forget these women chose to wear there “outrageous” unifroms.  The good news is that Shelly Robinson, an advisor to the cheer squad assured us that the university is not “full of prudes” and that “not every one is a size zero.”  Well with such a ringing endorsment of someone who understands women’s rights I am glad there is not more public outcry.

Look, with gas prices, terrorism, special needs babies, abortion issues, gun control, “bridges to nowhere,” and other important political issues at an all time high, why would anyone force this modest university home to hockey moms everywhere to worry about this extra cash on new unis when the economy is in the pits. 

 

My vote is if you lose 70-0 against Arizona of all schools, why do you care what your pants look like?  If you such that much atleast you should be viewing the cheer squad!  Man I hate politics.

Let’s Recap:

While everyone is talking about Chase Daniel’s 400+ passing day and his 20 completetions in a row, no one seems to remember that BUFFALO was driving in Missouri territory with a chance to take the lead in the middle of the thrid quarter.  The drive unfolded in true Buffalo fashion:  Incomplete pass, illegal chop block, four yard gain, incomplete pass, punt.  Buffalo covered by over two TDs though.

Northwestern wins but can’t cover a spread, which is far from surprising.  I am certain that Baylor has an actual future with true freshman Michael Griffin at the helm.  Baylor only lost to the Huskies because their defense blows and the team isn’t used to winning.

Fresno State likes to say, “anyone, anytime, any place.”  Maybe this is true since they won 55-54 over Toldeo but this bullshit prhase obviously doesn’t apply to their ability to cover the spread against a far inferior team.  Come on you a-holes.

If East Carolina would have covered the spread instead of allowing a late TD, then losing in overtime because their quarterback Patrick Pinkney decided that ball security is not important in overtime when you are ranked inside the top 15 teams in the country.  Any other outcome assured me a 130 dollar pay day.  Damn you Pinkney.

According to his bio, Patrick ran a 4.6 40 yard dash, earned four varsity letters in basketball and baseball, and led his team in fumbles which resulted in losses for intelligent gamblers.  Can you pick out the lie in the above statements?

Picks

1.  UConn @ Louisville -3.5:  Hunter Cantwell is looking better and UConn is only maybe as good as advertised. I think Steve Kragthorpe may be starting to hit his groove as the UL coach…. at least at home. 

Louisville 35 – UConn 28

2.  Tennessee @ Auburn -7:  Tennessee blows, I hope they don’t “get up” for this game considering Auburn can’t score for shit.  What then can do, however is play defense.  While the over/under has not yet been posted, I assume it will be about 35 points.  I’ll probably be taking the under as well.   

Auburn 20- Tennessee 7

And now for my

Alabama @ Georgia -7

Well, I think Alabama is still a year away from being ready for this game.  10 points might suffice, but 7 is not enough. 

Georgia 24-Alabama 14

Buffalo @ CMU -7:  Buffalo is going to lose this game.  CMU features “Tebow-light” at QB, this will give UB fits. 

Buffalo 10 – CMU 24

TEASE ME (6 points):

Michigan State -2.5

Oregon -15

South Florida -3

Bets:

100 on Georgia

50 on Auburn

20 on UL

10 on CMU

10 on the teaser

Results

3-1

Overall:  8-8-1

W/L imaginary $$:  -150

Overall W/L imaginary $$:  745