CFB Playoffs

[oldnotdead]

I've been a Husky fan since the mid 70s. Win or lose next week, this has been an incredible run since DeBoer and Penix arrived in Seattle. I was in Seattle when their coach was Don James. There was a bakery on 65th where I'd go for morning coffee and pastries and talk football with a couple of members of the staff. Seattle was different back then. Even back then we used to laugh at the Seachickens as we used to call them.

So yeah I'm very happy right now. Funny when we watched the game, my GF Maggie asked why the NFL refs weren't as good and professional as the college refs. I told her it's never been as bad as it is now. They don't even try to hide their corruption and you only hear crickets from the NFL. But she's right the refs in the Sugar Bowl were heads above the NFL in how well they conducted the game. Using replay to insure they got calls right. Getting the call right was more important than their egos.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Both games were really good.

I don’t watch a ton of college ball but I always come w an admiration of how quickly and accurately the refs call the game and review replays.

On a ref fan experience scale of 1-10, NFL is 4 and college is 9.

Agreed. I don’t see as many questionable calls either.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

It's going to 12 next year.

At least now we won’t have so many opt outs. PSU had 4/5 of their best players opt out and a few more decided to only play the first half of the game. That was very disappointing.

I feel bad for fans that paid to go to that game. They got ripped off.

 

[Merlin]

At least now we won’t have so many opt outs. PSU had 4/5 of their best players opt out and a few more decided to only play the first half of the game. That was very disappointing.

Yeah I have a lot of respect for the guys who played their bowl games even though they weren't in the playoffs. For example Nix. Never have been a fan of the guy but this season he's won a lot of respect from me with the way he's played and then how he handled that bowl game. Dude balled out for his team and wasn't done until late when the coach started feeling guilty and pulled him from the game. It was well done by him, and I wish him the best in his future.

Within reason of course. Long as he doesn't end up a certain somewhere.

 

[AZRams]

I was all set to be very pissed had Alabama held on to that 4Q lead. Michigan was the better team all day long.

Would have been a brutal loss if they hadn't come back to win.

 

[RamWoodie]

Going in, my only question was could Michigan offensively hang with Bama. I knew their defense was really good. Didn't really choose the Texas v Washington game...I just watched and it was a decent game.

Now...I think Michigan takes it over Washington...but I really like Washington's QB Penix...that guy is the 2nd coming of Warren Moon!!!

McVay ought to have his eye on that guy!!!

 

[WarnerToBruce]

Going in, my only question was could Michigan offensively hang with Bama. I knew their defense was really good. Didn't really choose the Texas v Washington game...I just watched and it was a decent game.

Now...I think Michigan takes it over Washington...but I really like Washington's QB Penix...that guy is the 2nd coming of Warren Moon!!!

McVay ought to have his eye on that guy!!!

Earlier this season, I was hoping Penix would have some time of minor injury keeping him out of the second half of the season so the Rams might have a chance to poach him in the draft. He'd be NUTS in this offense with McVay and co.

Now most people know of him, and this last performance will ensure he is grabbed early. I heard multiple sports pundits say he's a top 5 pick now...

 

[Rams8821]

Ill take the kicker from Bama....and I hate Bama.

 

[jrry32]

At least now we won’t have so many opt outs. PSU had 4/5 of their best players opt out and a few more decided to only play the first half of the game. That was very disappointing.

I feel bad for fans that paid to go to that game. They got ripped off.

If you're not in the playoffs, the bowls are as much about getting PT for the guys who will be on the team next year as actually trying to win. Just the reality of it.

 

[Memento]

If you're not in the playoffs, the bowls are as much about getting PT for the guys who will be on the team next year as actually trying to win. Just the reality of it.

Mizzou was different. Maybe that changes next year when Luther Burden III is in his junior year, but none of our guys left, and the ones who entered the portal were allowed to stay with the team for the game.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

If you're not in the playoffs, the bowls are as much about getting PT for the guys who will be on the team next year as actually trying to win. Just the reality of it.

Yes and no. It depends on the team and the situation. Ole Miss only had one player sit out the game.

Penn State had 4 starters, including their top two corners, edge rusher and OLT sit out. Then other key players like TE Theo Johnson, and Curtis Jacobs only played some of the first half.

Franklin said he was not aware of all of those players choosing not to play or only play part time, until a few days before the game. The common denominator is they are all headed to the draft. This seems like kids that wanted to play but agents convinced them not to.

I wonder if this will happen to some of the lesser teams in the top twelve playoff in the next few seasons. Maybe agents will tell them that if they are on a bottom 4-6 team then they shouldn’t risk injury, because they aren’t likely to win it all anyway, which would defeat the purpose of the expanded playoff. Agents are only thinking about the future profits from these kids. Injured players often drop in the draft, lowering the first 4-5 years of NFL income.

 

[Flatlyner]

Couple of outstanding games yesterday. Not having a dog in the fight made it even more enjoyable. I'd kind of like to see Washington win it for the final death throes of the PAC12. Penix is something else too. Dude just slings it directly into his WR's hands, even when they are 50 yards down field. One of the most accurate passers I've ever seen.

 

[oldnotdead]

I'm hoping against hope that Snead pulls out all the stops and trades up high enough for Penix. As I've been saying and you guys now got a look, Michael is a perfect fit for McVay's offense. He's a full field read, pocket passer with the ability to move in the pocket to extend plays, with excellent arm talent.

The only other QB that is a fit is Bo Nix and IMO he isn't on the level of Penix. That said give Nix a redshirt year to be mentored by Stafford and he has the talent to become a very good QB1. IMO Nix is another Goff type QB in terms of talent. The difference between Goff and Nix is that Bo tends to be more of a gunslinger type mentality than Jared, making him a better fit.

I honestly think Les and McVay will target these two.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Couple of outstanding games yesterday. Not having a dog in the fight made it even more enjoyable. I'd kind of like to see Washington win it for the final death throes of the PAC12. Penix is something else too. Dude just slings it directly into his WR's hands, even when they are 50 yards down field. One of the most accurate passers I've ever seen.

Yeah, I’m rooting for Washington too, but that Michigan defense looks really tough.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

I think Washington is going to have a hard time stopping Michigan's running game. But if Michigan makes as many mental mistakes as they did last night the Huskies could pull it off.

 

[PhillyRam]

I'm hoping against hope that Snead pulls out all the stops and trades up high enough for Penix. As I've been saying and you guys now got a look, Michael is a perfect fit for McVay's offense. He's a full field read, pocket passer with the ability to move in the pocket to extend plays, with excellent arm talent.

The only other QB that is a fit is Bo Nix and IMO he isn't on the level of Penix. That said give Nix a redshirt year to be mentored by Stafford and he has the talent to become a very good QB1. IMO Nix is another Goff type QB in terms of talent. The difference between Goff and Nix is that Bo tends to be more of a gunslinger type mentality than Jared, making him a better fit.

I honestly think Les and McVay will target these two.

I dont see a QB before rd 4 this year. With the way Stafford has played I think they focus on just continuing to build a great OL around him so he can play another 3 or more yrs.

Maybe next yr they grab a developmental guy a little earlier, but I don't see the need right now. Would be a waste of a top 40 pick to grab a QB now when they have a shot of really contending the next 2 years.

 

[PhillyRam]

I have Alabama and Texas winning today. How do you see it going down?

Nailed it!

 

[oldnotdead]

I dont see a QB before rd 4 this year. With the way Stafford has played I think they focus on just continuing to build a great OL around him so he can play another 3 or more yrs.

Look at Stafford's contract. Both 2025 & 2026 are basically void years to spread his cap hit. By the structure of the contract he was not expected to play beyond 2024 by both the Rams and Stafford when he signed the deal. Last year he said explicitly he's got a retirement plan and he's sticking to it. It's not a matter of how good his arm is. It's what he promised his family. That estate he just purchased is the type of home you buy to retire in. He's also got 2 other homes where IMO he's probably moved his family and his wife's family.

In 2025 he will have money, and fame and still young enough to enjoy life with is wife and kids. He would be a fool to risk everything to extend in search of more glory. He came to LA to get at least one ring. Well mission accomplished and as they say in Vegas he's been playing with house money ever since. Like a good gambler he knows when to get out and I see no reason he won't stick to his original plans.

Fans will want him to keep playing but it's not their life and health at risk is it? Me I will just thank him for the great football he brought to LA as well as the at least one Lombardi.

If Les misses on their targeted players I shudder to think that Wentz would be their fall back.

 

[Ramhusker]

Look at Stafford's contract. Both 2025 & 2026 are basically void years to spread his cap hit. By the structure of the contract he was not expected to play beyond 2024 by both the Rams and Stafford when he signed the deal. Last year he said explicitly he's got a retirement plan and he's sticking to it. It's not a matter of how good his arm is. It's what he promised his family. That estate he just purchased is the type of home you buy to retire in. He's also got 2 other homes where IMO he's probably moved his family and his wife's family.

In 2025 he will have money, and fame and still young enough to enjoy life with is wife and kids. He would be a fool to risk everything to extend in search of more glory. He came to LA to get at least one ring. Well mission accomplished and as they say in Vegas he's been playing with house money ever since. Like a good gambler he knows when to get out and I see no reason he won't stick to his original plans.

Fans will want him to keep playing but it's not their life and health at risk is it? Me I will just thank him for the great football he brought to LA as well as the at least one Lombardi.

If Les misses on their targeted players I shudder to think that Wentz would be their fall back.

That’s the key to all of this isn’t it? I’m sure the Rams already know or will be pressing to know right after the season is done. If Stafford plans to retire after next season, they will try and make a move for their future QB. If not, they’d probably be smart to build around him this draft for the upcoming three year run or so. I like the strategy of filling holes this draft and putting all eggs in the basket for the future QB in the 2025 draft.

 

[Corbin]

Going in, my only question was could Michigan offensively hang with Bama. I knew their defense was really good. Didn't really choose the Texas v Washington game...I just watched and it was a decent game.

Now...I think Michigan takes it over Washington...but I really like Washington's QB Penix...that guy is the 2nd coming of Warren Moon!!!

McVay ought to have his eye on that guy!!!

That's actually a pretty good comp for Pennix!