As a qualifier - I didn't watch many of Miles' games while he was at OSU. What I saw of him last year was that he looked very conservative due to not having a very good QB. He always had very good running backs & used them as workhorses to gain the yards - the old fashioned & conservative way. As I mentioned I didn't watch him very often there, but I don't recall ever seeing him do any trick plays that he hasn't done something similar to (or equally risky) here. Before Miles started here, he said that he likes to occassionally use trick plays but only if they benefit the team in some way. At this point, I'd agree that he hasn't used them because he has been able to rely on the talent level of our team, but I think as he gets more comfortable here they will come when necessary.
I think Mark May is usually right on when he makes his football analysis. People may disagree with what he says once in awhile but he knows football. He has made Holtz look like an idiot on more than one occasion. Holtz has helped him do it though.
It has been a while since they haven't had a strong WO at OSU. Look up the Woods brothers that Miles just kept bring in. I believe they are on number 3 now. In 2002 Rashaun had 195 yards and 17 TD's (Over 100 receptions), in 2003 he had 1144 an 15 TD's Over 60 receptions). The 2004 team almost had less yards receiving (1722) than Woods did by himself in 2002. The only point being, when Miles had NFL WO talent at OSU, he got the ball to him and let him make the plays. Woods didn't play with a great QB, the ball was thrown in his area and Woods took it from there. Of course, big 12 pass d isn't quite the same as SEC defense.
From the OSU games that I saw the past few years, the playcalling has been quite a bit more conservative thus far. Playing to the strengths of his teams? In my opinion, he hasn't done that enough this year. They used to let it fly on a regular at OSU. Sure, we've had some dropped balls and invisible (to the QB) open recievers. But he's got way, way more speed and arm strength than he could ever imagine at OSU, and it seems to have been underutilized. I just can't see why he hasn't focused on the air-attack a bit more. I expected him to be going vertical a lot more that we are used to seeing this year. Instead, we keep throwing to the sidelines, where WO speed is negated.
Chaos that is exactly what i remember when watching Okie st play. He usually threw deep to a Woods and sometimes with a Woods at Qb. I really thought against Auburn we were going to open it up but we did not. I thought Miles and jimbo were not going to be able to sleep coming up with so many different plays this season. Well that has not happened to date. I think against Bama we are going to be very Vanilla so as not to make a mistake. I sure hope I am wrong.
I think the best way to find the true champion would be to put all undefeated teams left (from real conferences, not the sun belt) to play each other. If there are 3 undefeated teams like last year, have #3 play #2 with the winner taking on #1. Now, if there are 4 left, have 1 play 4 and 3 play 2 and the winners fighting it out for #1. If there are 5, 2 plays 5, 3 plays 4 with those winners playing for a chance at #1. If there are 6, well, let's just hope that doesn't happen!
Hmm.. seems like some of our cream puffs are ranked teams. Already took down a team that was at #5 this year.. guess we'll do it again
Oooh wait, don't forget the might Vols, who were preseason #3. That right there tells you how silly these early polls are. At any rate, this weekend will be a repeat of last weekend, where a #3 gets embarassed by a #5.
If there will be a playoff system for Division I, it would have to address the following arguments/concerns posed by those of power currently opposed: 1) Not extending the season to the detriment of the student athletes. 2) Limiting travel costs for teams and boosters. 3) Incorporating the current bowl financial infra-structure. 4) Allowing an opportunity for participation of all Division I conference champions. Currently, the BCS invites 6 conference champions and retains two at large slots, which can be earned by independents, champions of other Div. I leagues and/or highly ranked second place teams, based on human and computer polls. A proposal that includes all elements above: All conference play, including conference championships, will conclude by the first weekend in December. A playoff employing the current BCS eight team selection process would commence two Saturdays later (December 15th weekend) with the highest ranked team hosting team #8; #2 hosting #7; #3 hosting #6; and #4 hosting #5. The winners would play on New Year’s Day using two of the current four BCS bowls, with a third bowl used for the championship game. One bowl would rotate out each year or could be used to match up the 9th and 10th ranked teams as a game of “who-maybe-shoulda” received a bid. The BCS Championship game would be played no later than January 14th. Taking a shot at this year’s final BCS ranking: 1) USC 2) Texas 3) Miami 4) LSU 5) Penn State 6) Notre Dame 7) Alabama 8) West Virginia Dec. 15th: WV @ USC; Alabama @ Texas; Notre Dame @ Miami; Penn State @ LSU Going with all higher ranked teams on New Year’s: USC vs. LSU and Texas vs. Miami Wish this had been my idea… but… it is by far the best solution I have heard.
