Week 12: NCAA Ruminations

As noted in my previous post, I sit here writing this on Thanksgiving eve, and thus, the theme for this week's edition of Ruminations:

Things that Ultimate Bill is thankful for:

1) On January 3, 2002, Nebraska was way-laid by the Miami Hurricanes in the national title game, held at the Rose Bowl, 37-14, and that score was not indicative of how badly the Cornhuskers were beaten. Of course, that kind of result could have been predicted considering that Nebraska's game prior to the title game was a62-36 beat-down by the Colorado Buffs. Yes, Nebraska, despite not even winning its own conference. somehow merited a seat at the national title table. Well, given the outcry over that, I for one, am thankful that rules were put in place that made it necessary to at least win one's conference to have eligibility for the title ga....what's that? Excuse me just a minute folks....

Scratch that one...

2) I'm thankful that, despite losing to Michigan State and Iowa, Michigan is still considered to be one of the potential BCS-at large candidates because it's just awesome that the fact that the Wolverines, if they beat Ohio State, will benefit from NOT playing in the inaugural Big 10 title game, thereby avoiding that whole need to prove itself worthy of the bid.

Scratch that one too...

3) I'm thankful that I do not possess a Heisman candidate ballot and the pressure that goes along with ignoring the actual intent of the award and simply picking Andrew Luck since every fan of every moribund NFL team believes that the Stanford QB walks on water. Were I to have that capability, I'd be able to ignore the fact that Baylor would probably be 3-7, versus 7-3, if Robert Griffin III wasn't under center.

Scratch that one too...

4) I'm thankful that USC is not eligible for post-season play and therefore not going to be matched with any of the SEC behemoths that, given its current level of play, it would likely beat. That will spare us the agony and suffering of our SEC fan-brethren. (Yes, I think USC could beat with anyone int he country right now - sayeth the SEC fans - "BUT THEY DON'T PLAY DEFENSE IN THE PAC-12!!!" Sayeth I, in response, but they play offense - a lot of it and with a lot more variety than the SEC. Perhaps Pac12 defenses look so bad because Pac 12 offenses are THAT good. Perhaps SEC defenses look THAT good because SEC offenses are THAT bad. The truth is somewhere in the middle of both of those statements but I maintain that the Trojans, Kiffin and all, are the VERY real deal.

5) I'm thankful that Virginia Tech somehow merits a #5 BCS ranking on the strength of losing to Clemson...apparently.

6) I'm thankful that the best record in the ACC isn't 8-3, as is the case with the Big East.

7) I'm thankful that last Saturday night - replete with 3 nail-biter finishes in three concurrently running games, brought my faith back in college football as a fantastic thing to behold.

8) I'm thankful for this...the funniest sitcom Thanksgiving episode ever:

9) And finally, I'm thankful for my faithful BUCFPites

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!