Gator Country

maleko83 · 01-01-2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

Utah was pretty damn good that year.

And if the bowl games aren't good indicators then what is? Nearly half of a conferences real OOC games for a season are bowl games.

OOC games during the season. If you asked me which game, UF-FSU or UF-Louisville, would be more representative of how our defense plays at its best, the answer is unquestionably UF-FSU.

orangeblueorangeblue · 01-01-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleko83

OOC games during the season. If you asked me which game, UF-FSU or UF-Louisville, would be more representative of how our defense plays at its best, the answer is unquestionably UF-FSU.

I would agree only if our team plays extraordinarily well, as I think Louisville is sort of a 2nd tier team. Not exactly the case when you're talking SEC v B10.

Matthanuf06 · 01-01-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleko83

OOC games during the season. If you asked me which game, UF-FSU or UF-Louisville, would be more representative of how our defense plays at its best, the answer is unquestionably UF-FSU.

Your point? So we just toss out the games that we want? By your logic Clemson was LSUs toughest OOC opponent, what does that mean?

I'm not saying bowl games are all that matters, but they do matter in terms of evaluation. It's a factor. It's around half of the relevant OOC sample size and should be weighed accordingly

lean_gator · 01-01-2013, 04:42 PM

Somebody is trying waaaayyyyy to hard.....

maleko83 · 01-01-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

Your point? So we just toss out the games that we want? By your logic Clemson was LSUs toughest OOC opponent, what does that mean?

I'm not saying bowl games are all that matters, but they do matter in terms of evaluation. It's a factor. It's around half of the relevant OOC sample size and should be weighed accordingly

And by your logic (which I can extend beyond the SEC), Georgia Tech's defense in a 21-7 win over USC should be given equal weight to their 49-28 loss to the juggernaut that is Middle Tennessee? A USC that, mind you, could barely get their players off Twitter long enough to be the city of El Paso's public enemies number 1. USC has zero desire to go to the Sun Bowl, and it showed.

Of all the OOC games that you should consider in your analysis, bowl games should get the least amount of weight, if any.

orangeblueorangeblue · 01-01-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleko83

Of all the OOC games that you should consider in your analysis, bowl games should get the least amount of weight, if any.

Why? Just 'cause?

Matthanuf06 · 01-01-2013, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleko83

And by your logic (which I can extend beyond the SEC), Georgia Tech's defense in a 21-7 win over USC should be given equal weight to their 49-28 loss to the juggernaut that is Middle Tennessee? A USC that, mind you, could barely get their players off Twitter long enough to be the city of El Paso's public enemies number 1. USC has zero desire to go to the Sun Bowl, and it showed.

Of all the OOC games that you should consider in your analysis, bowl games should get the least amount of weight, if any.

USC is terrible and was playing their back up QB. Good analysis factors that in, yes.

maleko83 · 01-01-2013, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

Why? Just 'cause?

The bowl game, by its inherent nature, lends itself to incredibly fluky outcomes. Anywhere from 3-5 weeks to prepare for one opponent, study nothing but their film, have your scout team run their offense, etc. And these kids aren't professionals. There is no incentive for them to win this game, especially seniors who have pro potential who care alot more about not getting injured than being the Gator Bowl MVP. Personally, I would have no problem (assuming the kids are of legal drinking age) if the players from Georgia and Michigan went out to Ybor the night before and enjoyed their NYE the proper way. Playing in the game is a privilege they earned, and only the conferences benefit financially from a W.

Not saying all teams are like this. But I have no problems enjoying the games today for what they are: exhibition games that mean nothing. And because I think they mean nothing, reading into the play on the field to be representative of a season's worth of stats and "eye tests" is ludicrous.

maleko83 · 01-01-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

USC is terrible and was playing their back up QB. Good analysis factors that in, yes.

That backup put up more points against the number 1 team in the nation.

rserina · 01-01-2013, 05:00 PM

Well, of course it is easier to prepare more and make more adjustments prior to a bowl game as opposed to during the season, which in turn makes it easier to install new things offensively and do some self-scouting to break tendencies. It sort of stands to reason that offenses will prevail in bowls rather than defenses, not to mention the fact that intensity is never there during bowls (outside of the title game) the way it us during the regular season.

Regardless, anemic SEC offenses like SC and UGA just put up some of their best performances of the season and LSU only lost when its top defensive linemen got hurt and Les Miles did his typical "let me go against all convention just to be different" coaching job. Hardly sounds like a resounding failure to me.

GatorLaw · 01-01-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

Your point? So we just toss out the games that we want? By your logic Clemson was LSUs toughest OOC opponent, what does that mean?

I'm not saying bowl games are all that matters, but they do matter in terms of evaluation. It's a factor. It's around half of the relevant OOC sample size and should be weighed accordingly

Bowl games are very important, just ask UGa and USC.

gatorinmi · 01-01-2013, 05:01 PM

Well it's not like the SEC defenses that played today were really that dominate. Some games they looked like world beaters and they stunk in others. They've all given up more points this season than they did today, and the same with LSU last night.

**gatordee** · 01-01-2013, 05:08 PM

Ask the rb's for Michigan if the SEC D is over rated. lol

killercroc_UF · 01-01-2013, 05:08 PM

All that matters is that UF an UA win an we still claim the best conference.

orangeblueorangeblue · 01-01-2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleko83

The bowl game, by its inherent nature, lends itself to incredibly fluky outcomes. Anywhere from 3-5 weeks to prepare for one opponent, study nothing but their film, have your scout team run their offense, etc.

This applies to both teams. I posit they are less fluky than mid-season games wherein there are injuries, etc.

maleko83 · 01-01-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeblueorangeblue

This applies to both teams. I posit they are less fluky than mid-season games wherein there are injuries, etc.

I understand your point, including the logic to it, but I don't agree. See USCe without Lattimore and USCw without Barkley. Injuries are part of the game, and test the depth of a team's roster.

I would argue injuries during the season where the player comes back for the bowl game could mess with team chemistry a bit. For example, let's assume RoPo was healthy for the bowl game, started and played. Then UF gave up a ton of points and rushing yards to Louisville, and Powell clearly showed some rust. Do you think less of our team defense as a result?

While the individual injuries are fluky themselves, injuries and their relevance to a team's offensive and defensive reputation established over the course of a season isn't as significant.

PrimeTime · 01-01-2013, 05:38 PM

Is the OP related to MattOhio?

JerseyGator01 · 01-01-2013, 05:58 PM

SC's D didn't look that bad to me. They just were on the field for most of the game. Michigan has a lot of good players at the skills positions and they were contained for the most part.

SC had a slew of big plays on O and ST to keep them on the field too. Crazy game with a capital C.

Swampmaster · 01-01-2013, 06:13 PM

Most overrated d-coordinator in the sec- Todd grantham

maleko83 · 01-01-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swampmaster

Most overrated d-coordinator in the sec- Todd grantham

I think overrated is a little strong, but this is a good example of a game where they didn't play up to expectations and talent level (although I wonder how much of that had to do with no John Jenkins). Nebraska had 3 TD drives of 75+ yards. After watching that D in the SEC Championship, I wasn't shocked Georgia gave up alot of points. To their credit, they didn't give up a score the last 20 minutes of the game. But definitely not their finest game.