Conference teams that played 10 P5 opponents in 2022...

[osubuckeye89]

One season? Michigan plays Texas literally next year.

2 years in a row. Michigan's OOC this year is ass too. East Carolina, UNLV & Bowling Green

 

[WhosYourDawggy]

If you wanna go down that road, OSU came into the game down their top 3 RBs (one being a likely 2024 first rounder) and #1 WR, and by the end of the game they lost Harrison and their #1 TE as well.

But we can do the same thing ... in both NCs, we had a ton of people out, too.

Philosophically, Smart does the following ... he stresses team, not me. We haven't had a 1000 yard WR in 20 years. He wants 10 really good guys who are willing to block, play their role, and get 400+ yards. That's why when Pickens went down, and Ladd went down, we just said next man up because the next man up had also already played a ton. So, if you lose your WR1 and no one is able to step in and excel because they don't have the experience, that's on your strategy because injuries happen.

UGA rotates D players like no one else. Most games we play 20+ D players, and I am not talking garbage time. I am talking during the game when things are on the line. Same with WR. Wildly, last year we actually did that on the OL, something no one does and we had never done before. It was vitally important when we had some OL injuries. So this isn't just luck, it's planned. Sam Pittman tells a story about a pre-game meeting where Smart asked him what he was going to do if like 4 OL got injured. Pittman laughed until he realized that Smart was serious ... what are you going to do, he said. What's your 3 deep like and who goes in when and where.

I know it helps to have the best players. Less talented teams can't play 20+ D players, or 10 WRs as they don't have that depth. But that doesn't apply to Bama and tOSU. They have the depth and talent, it's just a decision that they didn't make.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

2 years in a row. Michigan's OOC this year is ass too. East Carolina, UNLV & Bowling Green

UCLA was a home and home that we canceled. We canceled one series and somehow that voids everything before and after?

 

[osubuckeye89]

But we can do the same thing ... in both NCs, we had a ton of people out, too.

Philosophically, Smart does the following ... he stresses team, not me. We haven't had a 1000 yard WR in 20 years. He wants 10 really good guys who are willing to block, play their role, and get 400+ yards. That's why when Pickens went down, and Ladd went down, we just said next man up because the next man up had also already played a ton. So, if you lose your WR1 and no one is able to step in and excel because they don't have the experience, that's on your strategy because injuries happen.

UGA rotates D players like no one else. Most games we play 20+ D players, and I am not talking garbage time. I am talking during the game when things are on the line. Same with WR. Wildly, last year we actually did that on the OL, something no one does and we had never done before. It was vitally important when we had some OL injuries. So this isn't just luck, it's planned. Sam Pittman tells a story about a pre-game meeting where Smart asked him what he was going to do if like 4 OL got injured. Pittman laughed until he realized that Smart was serious ... what are you going to do, he said. What's your 3 deep like and who goes in when and where.

I know it helps to have the best players. Less talented teams can't play 20+ D players, or 10 WRs as they don't have that depth. But that doesn't apply to Bama and tOSU. They have the depth and talent, it's just a decision that they didn't make.

This is true.

It pisses me off how Day refuses to let the backups actually do things when they do actually get into games. In the 2nd halves when we are up big on lesser teams. They get in but they just go through basic motion and kill clock, they aren't put into positions to really get any real experience.

Our lack of WR rotation especially is mind boggling. So much talent but its always the same 3-4 guys on the field, if you arent in that top 3-4 its rare you get any play.

 

[Across The Field]

But we can do the same thing ... in both NCs, we had a ton of people out, too.

Philosophically, Smart does the following ... he stresses team, not me. We haven't had a 1000 yard WR in 20 years. He wants 10 really good guys who are willing to block, play their role, and get 400+ yards. That's why when Pickens went down, and Ladd went down, we just said next man up because the next man up had also already played a ton. So, if you lose your WR1 and no one is able to step in and excel because they don't have the experience, that's on your strategy because injuries happen.

UGA rotates D players like no one else. Most games we play 20+ D players, and I am not talking garbage time. I am talking during the game when things are on the line. Same with WR. Wildly, last year we actually did that on the OL, something no one does and we had never done before. It was vitally important when we had some OL injuries. So this isn't just luck, it's planned. Sam Pittman tells a story about a pre-game meeting where Smart asked him what he was going to do if like 4 OL got injured. Pittman laughed until he realized that Smart was serious ... what are you going to do, he said. What's your 3 deep like and who goes in when and where.

I know it helps to have the best players. Less talented teams can't play 20+ D players, or 10 WRs as they don't have that depth. But that doesn't apply to Bama and tOSU. They have the depth and talent, it's just a decision that they didn't make.

I knew it would take time, but this is the hope at OSU with Knowles. It was a radical undertaking going from the completely directionless catastrophe of a defense we had in 2021 to the ultra-aggressive one we had last year, and we definitely needed to get some different personnel in there. I'm looking forward to the new defensive backfield; it used to be one of the strongest units in the nation but it's been abysmal the last two years. Once we get this taken care of, I feel confident we will win a title with our current staff.

 

[WhosYourDawggy]

To go back to this, Florida has largely been a mess since Urban left.

I think people forget that Florida was in no way a historic blue blood before Steve Spurrier got there in 1990, they were mostly a middling average-below average program. They reverted back to being incredibly average under Ron Zook before Urban came in. Now they've once again reverted back to average (and downright bad at times)

It's possible that Florida having 2 generational coaches almost back to back in the 90s/2000s blinds us from what their actual long term sustainability is.

UF won their first SECC in the 1991. Seriously.

I grew up a Gator fan (my dad was a double Gator), so I was there when they always disappointed.

I think we give them the benefit of the doubt because of their recruiting territory. On the other hand, they have to compete with FSU and Miami, something no other team has to do. And never mind that UGA and Bama make Florida their recruiting playground.

 

[osubuckeye89]

I knew it would take time, but this is the hope at OSU with Knowles. It was a radical undertaking going from the completely directionless catastrophe of a defense we had in 2021 to the ultra-aggressive one we had last year, and we definitely needed to get some different personnel in there. I'm looking forward to the new defensive backfield; it used to be one of the strongest units in the nation but it's been abysmal the last two years. Once we get this taken care of, I feel confident we will win a title with our current staff.

I feel like we have not had a complete defense since Tressel. AT LEAST one level of the defense always seems like it is awful every year

 

[osubuckeye89]

UF won their first SECC in the 1991. Seriously.

I grew up a Gator fan (my dad was a double Gator), so I was there when they always disappointed.

I think we give them the benefit of the doubt because of their recruiting territory. On the other hand, they have to compete with FSU and Miami, something no other team has to do. And never mind that UGA and Bama make Florida their recruiting playground.

Bama and UGA being seemingly unstoppable juggernauts is definitely helping keep the Florida schools down.

You've also got the other decent southern region schools raiding Florida for recruits as well.

It's either going to take the other regional schools falling apart or one of the Florida schools landing a amazing coach who can get them to national title contention constantly before they start easily reeling those big time guys back in on he regular.

 

[WhosYourDawggy]

Bama and UGA being seemingly unstoppable juggernauts is definitely helping keep the Florida schools down.

You've also got the other decent southern region schools raiding Florida for recruits as well.

It's either going to take the other regional schools falling apart or one of the Florida schools landing a amazing coach who can get them to national title contention constantly before they start easily reeling those big time guys back in on he regular.

Yeah, everyone says, "UGA is the only P5 worth a shit in Georgia." Bullshit ... Clemson is about 10 miles from the Georiga border, Tallahassee is an hour away. Auburn a half hour. Knoxville an hour. Hell, UF is only a couple hours from south Georgia. We are literally surrounded by the most ugly color in the world - orange: Clemson, UTjr, Auburn, UF. They and the B1G schools all hit metro-Atlanta hard. So we go national, get what we can in Georgia which is normally really good. But we aren't like LSU ... we can't shut down Georgia to everyone else, even if we wanted to.

 

[WhosYourDawggy]

For those complaining about who we play, it doesn't seem to matter when it really matters.

For those not on Twitter:

In 2022, P5 champions and runners up of non-SEC teams went 0-6 against SEC not named UGA.

Including UGA, that number goes to 0-9 (1-9 if you consider FSU ACC runner up though lost division).

SEC #6 beat ACC #1
SEC #3 beat ACC #1 (31-14)
SEC #10 beat P12 #1
SEC #4 beat B12 #1 (45-20)
SEC #2 beat B10 div winner (63-7)
SEC #1 beat B12 #2 (∞-7)
SEC #1 beat P12 #2 (49-3)
SEC #6 beat B10 #5

Taking UGA off the top, and removing the worst at the bottom, the SEC went 13-6 vs P5 OOC. 4 of the 6 were against teams ranked higher than the SEC team. 2 of those 4 were with SEC starting QBs opted out (cause I know y'all are going to blame Purdue/LSU on opt outs).

In total, the SEC went 18-9 vs all P5 competition with 4 of those losses coming from Missouri and Florida.

 

[Jon Deaux]

I link please.

SEC plays the least amount and they also some teams that are not Division I. I think that is way the SEC always has trouble in the playoffs.

FBS teams are not allowed to play any football team that is NOT in Div. 1. Every team every FBS team plays in football is in Div. 1.
And, the SEC has had very few problems in the playoffs.. Some, but not much.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Yeah, everyone says, "UGA is the only P5 worth a shit in Georgia." Bullshit ... Clemson is about 10 miles from the Georiga border, Tallahassee is an hour away. Auburn a half hour. Knoxville an hour. Hell, UF is only a couple hours from south Georgia. We are literally surrounded by the most ugly color in the world - orange: Clemson, UTjr, Auburn, UF. They and the B1G schools all hit metro-Atlanta hard. So we go national, get what we can in Georgia which is normally really good. But we aren't like LSU ... we can't shut down Georgia to everyone else, even if we wanted to.

Look at Florida this year

#1 committed to Ohio State #2 committed to Georgia #3 crystal balls point to Oklahoma not a good start for the Florida schools.

2023 8 of the top 10 went elsewhere

2022 8 of the top 10 went elsewhere

2021 7 of the top 10 went elsewhere

2020 7 of the top 10 went elsewhere

2019 6 of the top 10 went elsewhere

2018 7 of the top 10 went elsewhere

2017 7 of the top 10 went elsewhere

2016 6 of the top 10 went elsewhere

You gotta go all the way back to 2015 to find the last time over half of the Florida top 10 stayed in Florida, and 4 of those 6 guys went to FSU.

Yes Florida is very fertile recruiting land, but the Florida schools arent even near consistently enough bringing in those top guys.

 

[ericd7633]

I never said you could, I'm just stating an objective truth. The difference is when Urban left Florida, they immediately became shit and have stayed shit for the most part, while Ohio State is still among the nation's elite and is arguably a shanked FG away from being the defending champ right now. Ohio State's program is simply far above Florida's and has been for the majority of this century.

As far as michigan goes, they're not the second best program in the B1G. They finally woke up the last two years but they were outside the top 30 in the nation in wins the previous 15 years. Obviously recruiting plays a massive part in being a champ, but coaching is much more important. That's been Florida's issue since Urban left, it's been LSU/Auburn's issue for the better part of the last 15 years, and basically been michigan's issue since before 1950.

I guess that's the problem then. If we can't identify who the 2nd best B1G program is, is there really one of note then? You can talk about all the inconsistency's of lsu, Florida and Auburn the last couple of decades, but all of them have accomplished more than the B1G's 2nd best team.

 

[Jon Deaux]

14 team conferences playing 8 conference games?
Seems legit.

Seems legitimately stupid.
But so is a conference with more than 10 teams. If a conference can't play a round robin, it is too fucking big.
but money........

 

[osubuckeye89]

I guess that's the problem then. If we can't identify who the 2nd best B1G program is, is there really one of note then? You can talk about all the inconsistency's of lsu, Florida and Auburn the last couple of decades, but all of them have accomplished more than the B1G's 2nd best team.

Michigan, Wisconsin, Ped State & Sparty have all had claims to it, it seems to change every couple of years who the 2nd best program is. There's not a lot of consistency there, that's true. Right now Ohio State & Michigan are obviously 1/2 though Michigan is technically #1 seeing that theyve won the B1G 2 years in a row.

 

[Across The Field]

I feel like we have not had a complete defense since Tressel. AT LEAST one level of the defense always seems like it is awful every year

Our 2014, 2015, and especially 2019 defenses were the real deal. Any of those could win a championship. We likely would've repeated in 2015 if Urban would've made the switch to playcalling prior to the MSU game.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Our 2014, 2015, and especially 2019 defenses were the real deal. Any of those could win a championship. We likely would've repeated in 2015 if Urban would've made the switch to playcalling prior to the MSU game.

MSU always seems to be our worst losses

The 2013 B1G title game loss was criminal and the 1998 loss was death penalty worthy.

 

[Across The Field]

I guess that's the problem then. If we can't identify who the 2nd best B1G program is, is there really one of note then? You can talk about all the inconsistency's of lsu, Florida and Auburn the last couple of decades, but all of them have accomplished more than the B1G's 2nd best team.

I don't disagree in regards to national championships for sure. In the mid-2010s, Wisconsin was right there in terms of defense, OL, and RB play but they needed a playmaker at QB to take them that extra step. That should be Fickell's top priority. Penn State has also been very close, but they've had to deal with Ohio State and then michigan the last 2 years in their way. I said earlier, it wouldn't be shocking if they took that next step this year. The recruiting has picked up the past few years and 2024 looks like another top 5-7 nationally ranked class as well. Then there's michigan, who I think peaked these last 2 years.

 

[Across The Field]

MSU always seems to be our worst losses

The 2013 B1G title game loss was criminal and the 1998 loss was death penalty worthy.

2013 was beyond frustrating from a play-calling standpoint, and 1998 was just one of those 1 in 1000 type games where everything went right for MSU and wrong for us. It happens though. If there was a CFP in 1998 I have little doubt we don't win the NC.

 

[Voltaire]

Michigan, Wisconsin, Ped State & Sparty have all had claims to it, it seems to change every couple of years who the 2nd best program is. There's not a lot of consistency there, that's true. Right now Ohio State & Michigan are obviously 1/2 though Michigan is technically #1 seeing that theyve won the B1G 2 years in a row.

I guess you can make that claim, but we took a lot of ass-whoopings in a row for that claim to hold water. As much as I hate ohio state, I would still put Michigan behind ohio state ... maybe if we threepeat. It has returned to a good rivalry!!!!