Author Topic: (American) College Football (Read 63175 times)

JackBauer · « **Reply #1320 on:** July 12, 2012, 04:58:32 PM »

The Freeh Report on Penn State was published today, and it is hugely damning of senior figures at the university including Paterno who all were complicit in covering up Sandusky's crimes. It's a pity the old bastard is not around to suffer the shame and condemnation he deserves.

Some excerpts from the accompanying press release:

Quote

Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare of Sandusky’s child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State. The most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized. Messrs. Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley never demonstrated, through actions or words, any concern for the safety and well-being of Sandusky’s victims until after Sandusky’s arrest.

Quote

Taking into account the available witness statements and evidence, it is more reasonable to conclude that, in order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at Penn State University – Messrs. Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley – repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky’s child abuse from the authorities, the Board of Trustees, Penn State community, and the public at large.

Quote

The evidence shows that these four men also knew about a 1998 criminal investigation of Sandusky relating to suspected sexual misconduct with a young boy in a Penn State football locker room shower. Again, they showed no concern about that victim. The evidence shows that Mr. Paterno was made aware of the 1998 investigation of Sandusky, followed it closely, but failed to take any action...In short, nothing was done and Sandusky was allowed to continue with impunity.

Quote

We never had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Paterno, but he did say what he told McQueary on February 10, 2011 when McQueary reported what he saw Sandusky doing in the shower the night before: “You did what you had to do. It is my job now to figure out what we want to do.” Why would anyone have to figure out what had to be done in these circumstances?

Quote

From 1998–2011, Penn State’s “Tone at the Top” for transparency, compliance, police reporting and child protection was completely wrong, as shown by the inaction and concealment on the part of its most senior leaders, and followed by those at the bottom of the University’s pyramid of power. This is best reflected by the janitors’ decision not to report Sandusky’s horrific 2000 sexual assault of a young boy in the Lasch Building shower. The janitors were afraid of being fired for reporting a powerful football coach.

Going to try and read the full report before I post any more, but it is rather long.

exiledintheusa · « **Reply #1321 on:** July 12, 2012, 08:37:42 PM »

So what should the NCAA do? I think this far outweighs anything they have ever had to deal with, the ybanned SMU from football for one season back in the 80's for far, far less. Kick 'em out.

jason23 · « **Reply #1322 on:** July 12, 2012, 08:43:08 PM »

Quote from: exiledintheusa on July 12, 2012, 08:37:42 PM

So what should the NCAA do? I think this far outweighs anything they have ever had to deal with, the ybanned SMU from football for one season back in the 80's for far, far less. Kick 'em out.

It is an awful situation where the desire to succeed has over-ridden common decency. I think they should suspend Penn State from NCAA Football for a few years but allow any current players to transfer to another college as they do not deserve to be punished...

Craigeth · « **Reply #1323 on:** July 12, 2012, 10:12:42 PM »

Let the players transfer to other colleges and disband the Penn State football program and take down the statue of Joe Paterno!

filopastry · « **Reply #1324 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:11:41 PM »

So Penn State have been fined $60m which has to be paid to external programs which are aimed at preventing child sexual abuse, 4 year bowl ban, they vacate their wins from 1998 and lose scholarships over a 4 year period.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8191027/penn-state-hit-60-million-fine-4-year-bowl-ban-wins-dating-1998

JackBauer · « **Reply #1325 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:25:00 PM »

It's a slap on the wrist as far as the PSU football program goes; they will suffer for a few years but after that they can just hire a big name coach for a hefty salary and recover fairly quickly like Alabama did.

The good thing about this is that it destroys the legacy of that morally bankrupt dictator Paterno, who has now been relegated to 12th places in the list of coaches with the most wins. They also took down his statue yesterday. The only pity here is that the disgusting old c*nt isn't around to see it.

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #1326 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:35:09 PM »

Quote from: filopastry on July 23, 2012, 03:11:41 PM

So Penn State have been fined $60m which has to be paid to external programs which are aimed at preventing child sexual abuse, 4 year bowl ban, they vacate their wins from 1998 and lose scholarships over a 4 year period.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8191027/penn-state-hit-60-million-fine-4-year-bowl-ban-wins-dating-1998

Was expecting their football program might get banned for a year or two. This is relatively light in comparison

Immoral King Brian Blessed · « **Reply #1327 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:38:43 PM »

Quote from: JackBauer on July 23, 2012, 03:25:00 PM

The only pity here is that the disgusting old c*nt isn't around to see it.

I was coming in to post exactly that. But I was going to call him a twat.

Mizerooskie · « **Reply #1328 on:** July 23, 2012, 03:52:18 PM »

Quote from: JackBauer on July 23, 2012, 03:25:00 PM

It's a slap on the wrist as far as the PSU football program goes; they will suffer for a few years but after that they can just hire a big name coach for a hefty salary and recover fairly quickly like Alabama did.

The good thing about this is that it destroys the legacy of that morally bankrupt dictator Paterno, who has now been relegated to 12th places in the list of coaches with the most wins. They also took down his statue yesterday. The only pity here is that the disgusting old c*nt isn't around to see it.

I think you underestimate the effect the scholarship losses and bowl ban will have on the football program. These punishments likely killed the competitiveness on the program for at least 5 years.

exiledintheusa · « **Reply #1329 on:** July 23, 2012, 04:04:13 PM »

Quote from: rafathegaffa83 on July 23, 2012, 03:35:09 PM

Was expecting their football program might get banned for a year or two. This is relatively light in comparison

This actually has a 6-8 year effect on the program, players will start leaving the school in the next few days to find other programs, they as a school will have no competative edge till around 2020. Which is good, no punishment could ever do justice to the victims.

Mizerooskie · « **Reply #1330 on:** July 23, 2012, 04:58:56 PM »

Quote from: exiledintheusa on July 23, 2012, 04:04:13 PM

This actually has a 6-8 year effect on the program, players will start leaving the school in the next few days to find other programs, they as a school will have no competative edge till around 2020. Which is good, no punishment could ever do justice to the victims.

Exactly right. This isn't a situation like the one at Alabama. Nick Saban walked into a talented program. For all Mike Shula's faults as a coach, he was a very good recruiter. Saban was able to turn around that situation so quickly because he had that talent (along with the talent he brought in) and he's as good as it gets in terms of coaching ability. Even so, the program had a poor record in his first season (6-6)

Penn State will be a program bereft of talent by the time the bowl ban and scholarship losses expire. I'd be shocked if an significant coach would take the job before then. So even if you imagine the best-case scenario where the new coach is able to turn the program around on a Saban-like timeline, that's 5 years. More likely, it will take an additional 2-3 years minimum to build the talent level back up to a competitive level. That's a realistic minimum of 7 years, and that's only if they get the coaching hire right.

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #1331 on:** July 23, 2012, 06:18:19 PM »

Quote from: exiledintheusa on July 23, 2012, 04:04:13 PM

This actually has a 6-8 year effect on the program, players will start leaving the school in the next few days to find other programs, they as a school will have no competative edge till around 2020. Which is good, no punishment could ever do justice to the victims.

True, but if you look at the Southern Methodist University scandal in the 80's, teams have been seen their program suspended before. Perhaps the biggest difference here is that SMU brought in better athletes through their slush fund, while this has used the influence of the Penn State program for heinous off-the-field crimes. I do feel the scholarship issue is a shame, even though I understand why it's being put into their punishment; but at the end of the day, scholarships should reward academic performance more than anything else, but that's a debate for another thread.

JackBauer · « **Reply #1332 on:** July 23, 2012, 08:25:11 PM »

Quote from: rafathegaffa83 on July 23, 2012, 06:18:19 PM

Perhaps the biggest difference here is that SMU brought in better athletes through their slush fund, while this has used the influence of the Penn State program for heinous off-the-field crimes.

That is true, but a competitive advantage was also had due to the cover-up. There is no way they would have been able to recruit as competitively as they did had all this emerged at the time.

pied · « **Reply #1333 on:** July 24, 2012, 06:20:55 PM »

Texas(UT) fan here, just saying hi.

As far as PSU, there's no precedence or real comparison. SMU was average to poor for many years prior with 5 good seasons. They had been warned several times to stop paying players and they did not. Does not compare at all to this situation.

fatlip13 · « **Reply #1334 on:** July 25, 2012, 10:48:19 AM »

i hope this pushes the "win at all costs" mentality that exists in some schools back and that college is actually for education. these are young men who basically are professional for room and board. looking in from outside this does look like cheap labour, but that's another subject.
penn state have got the heaviest punishment given out so far and time will tell whether people feel it is justified. ncaa will be judged on how penn state recover but you can only judge the punishment today and say it was or was not enough. if penn state recover in 5 years, 10 years or 20 years that is not the for the ncaa to be judged on.
paterno dying in some ways was like oswald getting shot. the questions he needed to answer are now open to conspirisy theories both for and against. sandusky and the rest that knew need good long sentences to put the idea that anyone is above the law out of peoples minds.
sports in general need to remember that they are games and for enjoyment. they need to be moral, lawful and financially correct in their conduct

Terry_Tibbs · « **Reply #1335 on:** September 1, 2012, 02:14:43 PM »

Anyone watching the ND v Navy game from Dublin? It's on ESPN.

Anywhichwayucan · « **Reply #1336 on:** September 1, 2012, 02:21:35 PM »

Not sure how I've not seen this thread, before now, at least I don't recall seeing it.

Wolverines FTW!

Heighwayondawing · « **Reply #1337 on:** September 1, 2012, 02:38:08 PM »

Quote from: Terry_Tibbs on September 1, 2012, 02:14:43 PM

Anyone watching the ND v Navy game from Dublin? It's on ESPN.

Yes! The Aviva is a brilliant stadium isn't it? So far Notre Dame looks to have the same issues they've had for years, bad secondary play and bad kicking game.

PortlandRed · « **Reply #1338 on:** September 4, 2012, 07:29:45 AM »

The Oregon Duck Gangnam Style!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDpgzn7KuzE

Go Ducks!

scoobs · « **Reply #1339 on:** September 4, 2012, 08:08:18 AM »

Quote from: PortlandRed on September 4, 2012, 07:29:45 AM

The Oregon Duck Gangnam Style!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDpgzn7KuzE

Go Ducks!

Not a fan of the Pac 12 but anyway I hope you guys beat USC.

scoobs · « **Reply #1340 on:** September 9, 2012, 04:21:13 AM »

Wow Arkansas drop to LA Monroe. Thats a pretty big upset.

scoobs · « **Reply #1341 on:** October 13, 2012, 06:43:24 PM »

What a depressing performance from Texas. One first down in a half. No defence. Disgusting performance.

**Glenn** · « **Reply #1342 on:** October 13, 2012, 06:50:33 PM »

Game over. Shame, looked as if it was going to be a good game being #13 and #15.

scoobs · « **Reply #1343 on:** October 13, 2012, 07:01:58 PM »

Oh well. Get to see West Virginia and Geno Smith against Texas Tech. Should be a good game.

**Glenn** · « **Reply #1344 on:** October 13, 2012, 08:37:19 PM »

Embarrassing for Texas.

MidwestWool · « **Reply #1345 on:** October 13, 2012, 09:04:01 PM »

Is there any team that can challenge Bama? Apart from the obvious Oregon shouts.

scoobs · « **Reply #1346 on:** October 13, 2012, 09:10:33 PM »

Maybe South Carolina? I guess we'll see what they're made of later when they play at LSU. Mushchamp has done a good job at Florida but I doubt they could beat the Tide. The Ducks do look the best bet at this stage but they really haven't played anyone decent yet.

MidwestWool · « **Reply #1347 on:** October 13, 2012, 10:13:08 PM »

Gators and Gamecocks have a shot, I would agree. As much as I love Oregon and their offence, they always end-up toothless when they play anyone decent.

Let me re-phrase my question: Who will be Bama's opponents in the Natl title game? I think Bama win it again this year.

scoobs · « **Reply #1348 on:** October 30, 2012, 12:13:49 AM »

Its going to be a shame if Kansas State win the Big 12 undefeated and then misses out on a National Championship game to Notre Dame. I can see it happening after the Irish beat Oklahoma. No way the humans pick K State ahead of an undefeated Notre Dame. or for that matter Oregon. Both Big 10 and Pac 12 are garbage this year. I don't think this Notre Dame schedule is anywhere near as good as people are making out.

Alabama at LSU this weekend. The Tigers haven't lost at Death Valley in like 20 odd games. Should be a proper football game not like the basketball scoreline that Oregon and USC will put up.

jason23 · « **Reply #1349 on:** October 30, 2012, 10:33:46 PM »

Quote from: scoobs on October 30, 2012, 12:13:49 AM

Its going to be a shame if Kansas State win the Big 12 undefeated and then misses out on a National Championship game to Notre Dame. I can see it happening after the Irish beat Oklahoma. No way the humans pick K State ahead of an undefeated Notre Dame. or for that matter Oregon. Both Big 10 and Pac 12 are garbage this year. I don't think this Notre Dame schedule is anywhere near as good as people are making out.

Alabama at LSU this weekend. The Tigers haven't lost at Death Valley in like 20 odd games. Should be a proper football game not like the basketball scoreline that Oregon and USC will put up.

I think that if Notre Dame and 'Bama stay undefeated then that will make for a good National title game. If KState do go unbeaten I think they would struggle against the Tide....

exiledintheusa · « **Reply #1350 on:** October 30, 2012, 10:40:48 PM »

Quote from: scoobs on October 30, 2012, 12:13:49 AM

Its going to be a shame if Kansas State win the Big 12 undefeated and then misses out on a National Championship game to Notre Dame. I can see it happening after the Irish beat Oklahoma. No way the humans pick K State ahead of an undefeated Notre Dame. or for that matter Oregon. Both Big 10 and Pac 12 are garbage this year. I don't think this Notre Dame schedule is anywhere near as good as people are making out.

Alabama at LSU this weekend. The Tigers haven't lost at Death Valley in like 20 odd games. Should be a proper football game not like the basketball scoreline that Oregon and USC will put up.

What makes the PAC-12 garbage? I think the fact that so many ranked teams keep getting upset shows it to be a very competative division, seeing UDUB put Oreon St in their place or Arizona kicking the shite out of USC kind of proves the point.

scoobs · « **Reply #1351 on:** October 31, 2012, 12:08:23 AM »

I never said it wasn't competitive. Ok maybe not garbage, thats a bit harsh (I stand by what I've said about the Big 10 though). But USC and Stanford were a little overated and overranked to begin with - yes I'm an after the fact master! I hate to compare results of completely independent games as barometer of different teams relative strengths but I'm going to do it anyway. Washinghton beat Stanford and pushed USC close but had 40 points put on them by an offensively challenged LSU team.

Regardless, I can't see an undefeated Oregon going to the BCS title game ahead of an undefeated Notre Dame. Thats not necessarily my opinion its just how this crock of shit BCS formula works - the possiblity of Alabama and Notre Dame contesting a title game? Sadly can't see anyone else getting a look in.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Ducks in there if they went undfefeated and K State didn't. But I do believe the SEC and Big 12 are the clear top conferences and if K State and Bama win out then they should contest title game. Of course this is all based on the assumption that Alabama wins the SEC undefeated and there is only 1 spot open - so yeah LSU will probaly make a fool of me this weekend.

MidwestWool · « **Reply #1352 on:** October 31, 2012, 01:17:23 AM »

So we're looking at a Bama-Ducks Championship game, provided USC don't cause an upset.

Liquorice · « **Reply #1353 on:** October 31, 2012, 02:04:28 AM »

Any ideas who is going to win the Heisman Trophy now Matt Barkley has fallen from his pedestal.

scoobs · « **Reply #1354 on:** October 31, 2012, 07:16:23 AM »

Quote from: MidwestWool on October 31, 2012, 01:17:23 AM

So we're looking at a Bama-Ducks Championship game, provided USC don't cause an upset.

Nope if Bama, Oregon, Notre Dame and Kansas State are all undefeated after regular season then I think it should be Bama and K State. But I think Notre Dame jumps ahead of K State if they beat USC last game of season where K State doesn't have to play in a championship game. Only way Oregon gets in if 2 teams out of the SEC, Big 12 champion and/or Notre Dame drops a game and Ducks go undefeated.

If Bama and K State win out then no debate whatsoever they should play the championship game provided the polls pick on merit otherwise they're picking on name only and there isn't 2 bigger names in college football than Alabama and Notre Dame. Fact.

Quote from: Liquorice on October 31, 2012, 02:04:28 AM

Any ideas who is going to win the Heisman Trophy now Matt Barkley has fallen from his pedestal.

Collin Klein and Manti Te'o are a good shout. I think AJ McCarron is also a possibility, an outside chance. Barkley and Geno Smith will suffer because their teams haven't lived upto the hype.

scoobs · « **Reply #1355 on:** November 4, 2012, 03:46:40 AM »

Wow that was huge from Alabama with 50 seconds to go.

jerseyhoya · « **Reply #1356 on:** November 4, 2012, 03:57:25 AM »

Les Miles gambles all game, then doesn't go for it on 4th and 6 when it could've iced the game. Instead tried a 45 yarder (longer than his kicker has ever made) that only would've put him up 6.

HATE when coaches don't know when to take appropriate risks

jason23 · « **Reply #1357 on:** November 4, 2012, 11:36:47 AM »

Quote from: scoobs on November 4, 2012, 03:46:40 AM

Wow that was huge from Alabama with 50 seconds to go.

That was some drive - The Drive. Fair play to LSU they kept themselves in it and kept the Tide in check but some strange (well not really as it is Les Miles after all

) calls cost them the shot at the win. I half expected that first fake field goal but 'Bama were more than ready for it and stuffed it. Can Yeldon run his way to the National Title?

Also well done Notre Dame. I have to say that when I saw the early score and saw them down heavily, I thought that they were done but they pulled it of the bag at the death.

The defences had a night off at the Coliseum as Oregon won the shootout against USC and the Ducks stay unbeaten and K-State hold off the Cowboys to also stay undefeated.

Still think there are some twists and turns left in this season....

Trev20 · « **Reply #1358 on:** November 4, 2012, 01:46:27 PM »

Just watched the lsu alabama game, best of the season by a mile...wouldn't mind watching it again but that's not going to happen, instead we'll have to watch Alabama stuff Oregon in the championship game...

MidwestWool · « **Reply #1359 on:** November 4, 2012, 04:08:19 PM »

Dat Oregon offense.