The Bulldogs' loss can't be explained and all FSU fans are shocked by it. A lot of people have blamed it on accepting the Liberty Bowl invite two weeks ago and having nothing to play for. The only other thing I can point to is Pat Hill's scheduling philosophy. Hill points to the Bulldogs' non-conference games every year as the big ones and gets all Fresno State fans to believe a national championship is possible. The BCS schools probably think we're nuts, but Fresno State fans actually do believe the Bulldogs can win a national title in football. Hill schedules the powers on the road in non-conference play just so the 'Dogs can have a shot at a BCS bowl and national title if they go unbeaten.

There's a huge downside to that scheduling though. The WAC games look insignificant to the team. And especially if the team loses to a BCS opponent in non-league play, the general feeling among the team (and a lot of the fans) has been that the season is over. It's always been that way. In 2001, we won at #3 Colorado, at home vs. #10 Oregon State and on the road at #19 Wisconsin... and then promptly lost in WAC play to Boise State and Hawaii. The season was deemed a failure. Last season, the Bulldogs won at Washington and at #13 Kansas State to move up to the #17 spot in the AP poll and promptly lost to Louisiana Tech, UTEP and Boise in succession. And this year the Bulldogs were ranked #16 and leading USC with 6 minutes left in the game before collapsing and playing horrible in losses to Nevada and La. Tech.

The team can't handle success for some reason, and it's always been that way under Hill. Give the team a big-time opponent and we'll either win or lose a nailbiter, but give us the WAC teams and we'll finish 6-2 every season in league play. Trust me... Fresno State will beat Oregon next season in Fresno and then lose at least two WAC games. We've had that same pattern for years and if Pat Hill knew why, he'd do something about it.

Too bad Oregon's best win is looking less impressive after the last two weeks. Sorry. If I had my choice, the Bulldogs would have won both. At least the Ducks can go to the Holiday Bowl on an upswing and a winning streak.

[ December 03, 2005, 10:42 PM: Message edited by: TheOtherFSU ]

Well, can't help but be disappointed that Oregon isn't going to a BCS bowl. But, can't really get angry at Notre Dame or Ohio St. What sucks is that Florida State is going. That's the real problem with the BCS. If there are going to be 4 BCS bowls, then send the top 8 teams to play in them. That would have solved a few of the problems of the past couple of years.

I'm not generally one to get on the east-coast bias bandwagon, but have to point out that on the ESPN bowl announcement show, when they announced the Holiday Bowl, they rambled on about Oklahoma and showed various video footage of the team. They said one sentence about Oregon (No. 5 in the BCS) and showed NO video footage.

All I can say is that Oregon, UCLA, Cal & ASU better win their bowl games! I think Oregon/Oklahoma is going to be a great game!

I have no problem with Ohio State getting a bowl bid. It's the Notre Dame bid that's a bigger issue with me. But, with the losses by LSU & VA-Tech, Oregon's fate was sealed.

Edited to add: I take that back. Oregon's fate was sealed when the Cardinal defense choked and couldn't stop the Irish in the Stanford/Notre Dame game two weeks ago.

It still sucks that Oregon gets a Dec 29th game while 4-loss FSU & West Virginia get to go to a major bowl because of BCS contracts.

I do like the Oregon / Oklahoma match-up. I would have hated an Oregon / Colorado match-up.

No matter what the BCS does, it's still going to suck. The only solution would be to have a playoff system in place and even that would lead to pissed off teams.

[ December 05, 2005, 01:18 PM: Message edited by: Mariner Duck Guy ]

maybe Oregon should have beat USC to secure their BCS bid

or maybe they should have lobbied like Texas did last year

but please go on blaming two teams that made it because of contracts signed years ago

I am so sick of people whining because their team didn't make it and others did

And I thought we were on speaking terms.

Well, if you go 10-1, with your only loss being to #1 and defending champion USC, and lose your starting QB but still go on to be 10-1 in one of the major conferences and being ranked #5 in the nation and # in the BCS, you would expect to have an opportunity to go to a BCS bowl.

But I understand how it works. Contracts are signed, and I totally understand why Fiesta chose ND. Money talks and nobody can compete with ND in that regard.

As for the Holiday Bowl, the loser of the game will get a chance at a rematch on September 16, 2006 when the Sooners pay a visit to Eugene.

[ December 05, 2005, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: Mariner Duck Guy ]

You know that Oklahoma's not on the east coast, right?

For the sake of amity, I will assume you were teasing me with your remark.

Anyway, I always thought both Oklahoma and Texas were separate countries from the east and west coasts.

[ December 05, 2005, 05:14 PM: Message edited by: wilderblue ]

Here's an interesting story... Fresno State was attempting to schedule a 2007 game at USC and talks had been continuing during this season about a potential 2007 game in Los Angeles.

Well, following the 50-42 USC win over the Bulldogs on November 19 (a game Fresno State led 42-41 until 6 minutes remained), talks quickly broke off between the two athletic directors from the schools. And now USC is said to be close to a deal with another WAC school for its 2007 opening... that opponent? Idaho. The Vandals went 2-9 this season.

Hey Fresno.....I can feel the SC hater in you all the way down here in LA. Come on, go out, buy yourself a Trojan 3-PETE tshirt, put it on Jan. 4th and give us a all a big Fight On!

Be glad SC isnt going to play Fresno again.It saves you the hassle of spending a month on this board explaining Fresno's loss.

Wilder....be careful with that invitation.....I spend a lot of time in NorCal!

GO MATT!! GO REGGIE!!!
GO GAMECOCKS!!!!

LittleCock, you are just sad. Very sad.

Nevermind her...she "adopted" a program at a school she never attended. Loyalty, for some, can be traded away for a few pieces of silver.

Well, if you're ever in SF, I'll be happy to buy you a cocktail. We can celebrate Oregon's win over Oklahoma! But, if that school you like beats that other big school from that country south of Oklahoma, the drinks (lots of them) are on you!

[ December 21, 2005, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: wilderblue ]

An interesting stat: Cal finishes the season 8-4 after its bowl victory over BYU, yet the Bears did not beat a single team that finished with a winning record.

I imagine most Bears fans are wondering how the season might have been different if Tedford had tried Levy out at quarterback a few games earlier.

Hertig...go back to your SEC thread and dont preach to me about loyalty. Why the smack?

My "unloyal" self traveled from CA 3 times this year to the east coast to see my Gamecocks play (Class of 92) and will be in Shreveport on Friday.

AND I will be back here in LA to attend the Rose Bowl to see the Trojans (where I am currently in grad. school) play for the 8th time this year.

Shame on me and my "unloyal" self.

Hey wilder...props to the Duck fans.....I saw alot of yellow and green on the 405 yesterday driving south through LA. Hope you guys whip the Sooners.

GO DUCKS! I wore my O cap to work today.

I'm sure there will be a very strong Thunder Green/Lightning Yellow contingent at the game. Duck fans travel well. As soon as I get home, I'm donning my Duck cap.

GO DUCKS GO GO

Damn, they almost pulled it out after totally disappearing in the 3rd quarter.

I thought the biggest mistake that the Ducks made was switching to Leaf after Dixon drove the team down the field for their first td. The change in QB halted any momentum the Ducks had with Dixon at the helm. The second mistake was giving Leaf the first series in the second half. That first series set the tone for the 3rd quarter.

And Enoka better learn how to snap the ball.

Overall, it was a good game. The game felt a little flat after Oklahoma went on their mini run, but the energy picked up again late in the 4th quarter.

I agree about the quarterback switch thing. It completely changed the momentum. And that 3rd quarter? What happened there? It was horrible.

Dang dang dang!

[ December 30, 2005, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: wilderblue ]

2004 Cal = 2005 Oregon?
2004 Texas Tech = 2005 Oklahoma?

"I can't believe that (fill in the blank Pac-10 school) was shafted by the BCS...we sooo deserve a BCS berth!"

"The Big 12 is weak! I can't believe our 1-loss (fill in the blank Pac-10 school) has to play a 4-loss (fill in the blank B-12 school)!"

I eagerly await the 2006 Holiday Bowl, in which (fill in the blank 1-loss Pac-10 school) will once more fall on its face against a tepid, mediocre, multi-loss (fill in the blank B-12 school).

There's a reason why the media and fans outside of the west coast disrespect the Pac-10. Last night was a reminder. Your best team can beat anyone, but your 2nd best is no better than a mid-range squad from any other conference.

It's awfully quiet in southern California today.

Well said, HT. Although even their best team can't beat the Big XII's best. :cool:

Nor Cal...et tu Husker? I thought we were buds
Kidding. I know you love me wink

While on one hand I wanted USC to win, the other hand didn't want them because I really dislike them. But I should root for the Pac-10.

I was all ready and psyched to watch the game last night. Got home, changed, but then the neighbor came over. They got evicted from their house (the bak foreclosed) and had to be out by today. So, I spent the evening being a good neighbor and helped them move their stuff to storage. They have so many issues and problems (plus they have nowhere to move to) that by the time I was done, I was in no mood to watch the game.

I think the Pac-10 was down this year. Especially the defense. Oregon should be near the top of the Pac again next year because they only lose someting like 12 players...but it will be more like 13 since Haloti Ngata will probably turn pro. Dixon & Leaf should battle it out for the starting QB position. They will be juniors. My pick would be Dixon. 6'4 with speed. If he can bulk up his 190# frame, watch out. The Holiday Bowl was his 5th start of the year(splitting time with Leaf in each game) so I am exctied to see how much he improves over the off season. Next year's schedule includes a rematch with Oklahoma in Eugene and a trip to Fresno. And if sophomore Jonathan Stewart can hang on to the ball, they will have a nice running back.

Even though the ducks lost to Oklahoma, they still finished the year 10-2. I'll take that. It was a nice turnaround from a horrible 2004 campaign. I still think they deserved a BCS bid, but the way the games worked out and agreements made by all, there were no at-large bids available.

And if you didn't already know, on the first day of school, they hand out poker chips and then the students are instructed to put the chip on their shoulder. Then thay are told by the seniors, "Get used to that chip being on your shoulder because for one, you're at Oregon and most importantly, your mascot is Donald Duck for chrissakes!" wink Kidding. Go Ducks.

[ January 05, 2006, 05:50 PM: Message edited by: Mariner Duck Guy ]

This is so sad. Oregon star defensive tackle Haltoi Ngata's mother passed away. She was only 44 years old. Ngata recently declared himself eligible for the draft and should be a first round draft pick. He left Oregon because he wanted to support his family. His father died a few years ago in a truck accident. Just a tragic story.

Ngata mother passes away

This forum is a ghost town. C'mon people!