The Official 2011-2012 College Football Season Thread

[Wheelor]

Saw this and it made me chuckle

Of course Pac 12 country hated it and the SEC country loved it, while the rest of us though it was a good but boring ass game

http://i.imgur.com/LhGi7.jpg

Apparently Hawaii votes like the Midwest.

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

I suppose I can forgive you for speaking such doubtful heresy against LSU :P

I'd comment on your post, but I'm still in mourning.

[midor]

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...ap-byu-bigeast



additional:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...ma-realignment

[Southzen]

Saw this and it made me chuckle

Of course Pac 12 country hated it and the SEC country loved it, while the rest of us though it was a good but boring ass game

http://i.imgur.com/LhGi7.jpg

That is because the further west you go, the less defense you see.

[markatisu]

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...ma-realignment

booooo got to 12 now and get it done, unless next year they expect the big east to fold

[ksensor]

Can Alabama even play in the BCS title game against LSU or is it still against the rules to allow two teams from the same conference to be selected? I hope that is the case because I really don't want to see a rematch. Sure they may be the second best team in the country, but they had their chance at home and didn't look very good in losing even if it was a close game. Someone else needs to get a a shot even if that's an undefeated Boise State. This BCS system really drives me bonkers sometimes and I wish they would just revert to a playoff.

A playoff would be the best solution, no doubt. Every year around this time I start thinking about what an 8 team bracket would look like...

In the current BCS system, I agree with you. If you lose at home to an undefeated team, even if it's your only loss, why would you deserve to play them again on a neutral field?

I'd rather watch a new match-up anyway!

[Southzen]

A playoff would be the best solution, no doubt. Every year around this time I start thinking about what an 8 team bracket would look like...

In the current BCS system, I agree with you. If you lose at home to an undefeated team, even if it's your only loss, why would you deserve to play them again on a neutral field?

I'd rather watch a new match-up anyway!

Is Bama the second best team or possible the best team talent and coaching wise in college football, san special teams LOL, possibly. You can be the most talented team in the world, if you don't get it done, you don't deserve squat. I am tired of LSU Bama rematch articles. Time to move on. Bama would need LSU to lose TWO games to win their division to play for the conference championship. If you don't even win your division much more your conference, you shouldn't get to play for squat. Not even the Sugar Bowl, which if the SEC champ goes to the National Title Game, the loser of the SEC champ game by default gets to play for the Sugar Bowl.

[ksensor]

New York Times report: Joe Paterno's exit in the works

The fallout continues. Paterno's regular weekly press conference was cancelled by PSU's president (who's struggling to keep his own job).

Say goodnight, JoePa...
"The New York Times reported that Penn State's board of trustees has had discussions about how to manage the 84-year-old Paterno's departure. The newspaper, citing "two people briefed on conversations among the university's top officials," said that Paterno's exit could come within days or weeks."

[markatisu]

New York Times report: Joe Paterno's exit in the works

The fallout continues. Paterno's regular weekly press conference was cancelled by PSU's president (who's struggling to keep his own job).

Say goodnight, JoePa...
"The New York Times reported that Penn State's board of trustees has had discussions about how to manage the 84-year-old Paterno's departure. The newspaper, citing "two people briefed on conversations among the university's top officials," said that Paterno's exit could come within days or weeks."

I heard rumblings about that last night, I won't be shocked if the entire Penn St organization from top to bottom is fired and let go. It was a complete failure from reporting to action on their part.

It would be one thing if it was one isolated incident and the college looked the other way because there was not definitive proof, but the more info that comes out the fact this thing went from top to bottom over a number of years and nobody cared.

College Football has always had its fair share of scandals financially speaking, this though is looking to be the worst scandal that has ever happened

[Southzen]

I haven't really followed it too much. Are they 100% certain Joe Paterno knew of what was happening?

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

Very sad. I guess it's Unhappy Valley now.

I feel for JoPa, but I understand the situation. He didn't 'technically' do anything wrong. But there's a moral imperative here. We're talking about young, vulnerable people here. If Paterno knew something like this happened and didn't follow it to make sure steps were taken, then it's tacitly allowing of this person to continue that sort of behavior.

Again, it's regrettable and very sad, but I feel it's the right decision and I applaud Penn State for making this difficult decision and making a statement that children -- our most precious resource -- need any and all protections we can provide for them, including doing more than is just what is technically required.

[markatisu]

I haven't really followed it too much. Are they 100% certain Joe Paterno knew of what was happening?

Yes they are certain he knew enough to at least bar the guy from having contact with youth in his facilities while it was being investigated. He reported it to the campus police and left it at that, but continued to allow his friend run of the facilities. Then a few years later allowed his friend to hold closed camps, the entire organization looked the other way instead of just playing it safe and telling the guy that it would be better if he found other arrangements for his foundation.

From Sports Illustrated

But someone did tell Paterno, and Paterno has admitted to that. According to the grand jury, Paterno testified that the graduate assistant reported seeing Sandusky "fondling or doing something of a sexual nature to a young boy." Those are the exact words from the presentment, but they are not an exact quote from Paterno. Grand jurors clearly came away thinking Paterno -- a man not known for mincing words -- had heard a report of sexual activity between a grown man and a young boy. Setting aside what the graduate assistant actually reported to the grand jury -- an act so heinous that the mere mention of it should cause any normal person to wretch -- exactly how extensive a report of sexual activity does Paterno need to do the right thing and make sure the report gets investigated thoroughly? No one gets a little bit fondled. Beyond that, a grown man and a young boy were naked together in a shower. That isn't normal. That requires an inquiry. Yet Paterno did nothing except kick the accusation upstairs. In this case, "upstairs" is a relative term. Curley was nominally Paterno's boss, but Paterno has long been the most powerful man on Penn State's campus. If Paterno wanted the claim investigated, he could have made an investigation happen. He didn't.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1d95nU58t

Very sad. I guess it's Unhappy Valley now.

I feel for JoPa, but I understand the situation. He didn't 'technically' do anything wrong. But there's a moral imperative here. We're talking about young, vulnerable people here. If Paterno knew something like this happened and didn't follow it to make sure steps were taken, then it's tacitly allowing of this person to continue that sort of behavior.

Again, it's regrettable and very sad, but I feel it's the right decision and I applaud Penn State for making this difficult decision and making a statement that children -- our most precious resource -- need any and all protections we can provide for them, including doing more than is just what is technically required.

Yeah they are really screwed because they can't keep things the way they are and expect to legitimately go to any 16-17yr old family and say "Hey come to Penn St and we will take care of your kids", because the family will turn on the news and think "like you took care of the boys raped in your locker rooms.

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

Yes they are certain he knew enough to at least bar the guy from having contact with youth in his facilities while it was being investigated. He reported it to the campus police and left it at that, but continued to allow his friend run of the facilities. Then a few years later allowed his friend to hold closed camps, the entire organization looked the other way instead of just playing it safe and telling the guy that it would be better if he found other arrangements for his foundation.



Yeah they are really screwed because they can't keep things the way they are and expect to legitimately go to any 16-17yr old family and say "Hey come to Penn St and we will take care of your kids", because the family will turn on the news and think "like you took care of the boys raped in your locker rooms.

I don't know that "they are really screwed", Mark. They made a terrible, terrible mistake and while it's true that the only reason they're acting is because of criminal proceedings, the fact is that they are acting. There is a case to be made for the fact that now that they are under scrutiny they will create safeguards and procedures to ensure this sort of thing doesn't happen again and perhaps Penn State will end up being one of the safest places for young people.

There's a great scene in the film BUGSY. After Ben Siegel brutally punishes an associate who has stolen from him, the associate swears he'll never commit the transgression again. Bugsy responds, "We'll see. Everybody deserves a fresh start every once in a while."

And it's true. Where would any of us be without a fresh start somewhere in our past? However, with regard to the protection of children and this univeristy, for me it's two strikes and you're out.

[markatisu]

I don't know that "they are really screwed", Mark. They made a terrible, terrible mistake and while it's true that the only reason they're acting is because of criminal proceedings, the fact is that they are acting. There is a case to be made for the fact that now that they are under scrutiny they will create safeguards and procedures to ensure this sort of thing doesn't happen again and perhaps Penn State will end up being one of the safest places for young people.

That is true but as a football program they are really screwed. You can't jettison a hall of fame coach, probably the entire coaching staff which in turn will lose you all the 3-5 star recruits you had incoming and claim to be A-OK

If things work the way it looks and there is the huge turnover, Penn St will be a safer place and will have done the right thing but yes Jack they will be screwed as a football program

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

That is true but as a football program they are really screwed. You can't jettison a hall of fame coach, probably the entire coaching staff which in turn will lose you all the 3-5 star recruits you had incoming and claim to be A-OK

If things work the way it looks and there is the huge turnover, Penn St will be a safer place and will have done the right thing but yes Jack they will be screwed as a football program

Okay. I didn't get that you were referring to the football program. I was addressing the university as a whole.

[Firefly]

My guess is that they'll let Paterno finish the season out. I've viewed Paterno as more of a figure head in his later years than a head coach. In some of his pressers after games he has sounded more like somebody that should be in a nursing home than coaching a major football power. No one wanted to be the person to force him out, but now this controversy will lead to his exit.

[Southzen]

Yes they are certain he knew enough to at least bar the guy from having contact with youth in his facilities while it was being investigated. He reported it to the campus police and left it at that, but continued to allow his friend run of the facilities. Then a few years later allowed his friend to hold closed camps, the entire organization looked the other way instead of just playing it safe and telling the guy that it would be better if he found other arrangements for his foundation.

I guess it can be argued that the police department and justice system didn't do its job. IMO, Paterno did what any teacher etc is required to do, report it. How is it his fault the police department didn't arrest the guy to begin with? Who is to say that the university didn't want Paterno to fire the man to further hide the incident? It is hard to convict others of another's accused, I say accused because has the man actually been found guilty yet, crimes associated because you don't know the details. I don't condone if he actually did it; I find the act repulsive. Something tells me after 10 or so years, enough of the details have been muddled, tampered, bought, bribed, etc by all involved that we will never know the exact truth of others involved.


Okay, I'd like to drop the Paterno discussion as everyone has their last say on it in the next few post. I would rather not taint one of my favorite past times with further talk of it and have the thread locked down. I am as guilty as any turning this tread into something that it shouldn't be.

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

I heard rumblings about that last night, I won't be shocked if the entire Penn St organization from top to bottom is fired and let go. It was a complete failure from reporting to action on their part.

It would be one thing if it was one isolated incident and the college looked the other way because there was not definitive proof, but the more info that comes out the fact this thing went from top to bottom over a number of years and nobody cared.

College Football has always had its fair share of scandals financially speaking, this though is looking to be the worst scandal that has ever happened

I agree. And I completely disagrees with Penn State letting JoPa "retire" at the end of the year. It's a cop-out rather than saying he's been put of the program because of an error in moral judgement.

They could have taken the high ground on this, accepted responsibility and made terminations. Instead they choose terms like "retire". I see tributes to him coming when he should have, instead, been chatised publicly.

End of my comments on the matter. I agree. Let's get back to football. (Although the case can be made that this thread is about the 2011-2012 season and this terrible matter is definitely an important part of the season.)

[Greyskull09]

Penn State cannot be the only coach that has assulted boys cheerleaders or what not. Its just this ones a rare case of a sick man under a historic collage football coach. What should be done is all collage coaches need screened and pass a pscological test. If anything Penn state just was able to sweep it under the rug.
I think its cry out that all collages need to hire better and not just because there buddies the head coach

[ksensor]

I guess it can be argued that the police department and justice system didn't do its job. IMO, Paterno did what any teacher etc is required to do, report it.

I think the outrage stems from Paterno's lack of action. Sandusky was seen in the Penn State weightlifting facility last week. Read Paterno's testimony - his own description of what was reported to him in 2002. Then ask yourself if Paterno did enough. He notified the AD a day after he found out, but he never called the cops. Even after the AD and the witness/grad assistant finally met (10 days later) - nobody at Penn State had called the cops yet! But that was good enough for Joe. Like the police said, just pick up a phone and call the cops. Like a responsible adult. That's not too much to ask.

Penn State Abuse Scandal: A Guide And Timeline

Oh, and there's this "heartwarming" quote from Paterno last night, "I want to say to the kids who were the victims, or whatever they want to say, I think we ought to say a prayer for them because they were ... tough life, when people do certain things to you, but anyway, you've been great."

Wow. Out of touch with reality until the end.

Penn State cannot be the only coach that has assulted boys cheerleaders or what not. Its just this ones a rare case of a sick man under a historic collage football coach.

The man is accused of raping at-risk boys under the age of 13. The initial count was 8 boys, a ninth has since come forward. I don't think the "everyone is doing it" defense is going to work here.


For those of you who are tired of hearing about this case, you're just going to have to deal - this story isn't going anywhere. Especially with Penn State's cowardly announcement that Paterno will be allowed to finish coaching the season. If Penn State wins their half of the Big10 (they have a two game lead over OSU and Wisconsin) it will be the story of the Big10 championship game. And if they win that, Paterno will get to be the face of the conference at the Rose Bowl where this story will dominate the coverage again.

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

I guess it can be argued that the police department and justice system didn't do its job. IMO, Paterno did what any teacher etc is required to do, report it. How is it his fault the police department didn't arrest the guy to begin with? Who is to say that the university didn't want Paterno to fire the man to further hide the incident? It is hard to convict others of another's accused, I say accused because has the man actually been found guilty yet, crimes associated because you don't know the details. I don't condone if he actually did it; I find the act repulsive. Something tells me after 10 or so years, enough of the details have been muddled, tampered, bought, bribed, etc by all involved that we will never know the exact truth of others involved.


Okay, I'd like to drop the Paterno discussion as everyone has their last say on it in the next few post. I would rather not taint one of my favorite past times with further talk of it and have the thread locked down. I am as guilty as any turning this tread into something that it shouldn't be.

I tend to think ksensor's right about this story continuing to play in this thread and as the creator of the thread I don't think it's something that is derailing it. This thread's about college football and so is the story.

Btw, ksensor, I thought the other points you made in your post were particularly well made, incisive and illuminating. Well done.

[markatisu]

Well one things for certain its going to make for an interesting matchup this weekend between Nebraska and Penn St

Does Penn St get distracted by the media hoopla and investigation? Does Nebraska sense they might not be on their game and go for the kill to keep themselves in the hunt for the Big 10 Title?

One thing is for sure, the Huskers are now going to be the best friends of the Iowa Hawkeyes as they need them to beat Michigan St (which I think they can do)

And I agree, this story is not going to go away. If Penn St was mediocre then it might take a backpage but you are potentially talking about the Big 10 Champion who will be playing in the Rose Bowl...sorry if that makes some people unhappy but it is what it is

[Heeeere's Olesker!]

Well one things for certain its going to make for an interesting matchup this weekend between Nebraska and Penn St

Does Penn St get distracted by the media hoopla and investigation? Does Nebraska sense they might not be on their game and go for the kill to keep themselves in the hunt for the Big 10 Title?

One thing is for sure, the Huskers are now going to be the best friends of the Iowa Hawkeyes as they need them to beat Michigan St (which I think they can do)

And I agree, this story is not going to go away. If Penn St was mediocre then it might take a backpage but you are potentially talking about the Big 10 Champion who will be playing in the Rose Bowl...sorry if that makes some people unhappy but it is what it is

I'm not even saying the H-word for another week. I'm still sulking, tail firmly planted between my legs in humiliation.

Northwestern! Jees!

[Greyskull09]

I think the outrage stems from Paterno's lack of action. Sandusky was seen in the Penn State weightlifting facility last week. Read Paterno's testimony - his own description of what was reported to him in 2002. Then ask yourself if Paterno did enough. He notified the AD a day after he found out, but he never called the cops. Even after the AD and the witness/grad assistant finally met (10 days later) - nobody at Penn State had called the cops yet! But that was good enough for Joe. Like the police said, just pick up a phone and call the cops. Like a responsible adult. That's not too much to ask.

Penn State Abuse Scandal: A Guide And Timeline

Oh, and there's this "heartwarming" quote from Paterno last night, "I want to say to the kids who were the victims, or whatever they want to say, I think we ought to say a prayer for them because they were ... tough life, when people do certain things to you, but anyway, you've been great."

Wow. Out of touch with reality until the end.



The man is accused of raping at-risk boys under the age of 13. The initial count was 8 boys, a ninth has since come forward. I don't think the "everyone is doing it" defense is going to work here.


For those of you who are tired of hearing about this case, you're just going to have to deal - this story isn't going anywhere. Especially with Penn State's cowardly announcement that Paterno will be allowed to finish coaching the season. If Penn State wins their half of the Big10 (they have a two game lead over OSU and Wisconsin) it will be the story of the Big10 championship game. And if they win that, Paterno will get to be the face of the conference at the Rose Bowl where this story will dominate the coverage again.

Its not a defense because you cannot tell me in the history of all collage sports that this was only incident . I am saying that all schools need to look more carefully at there programs

[Southzen]

No, this thread is becoming about rape and molestation NOT about the actual game college football. It just happens to include a football program. And that is fine. If all you want to do is crowd over the complete sickness of the situation that is fine. I'm out!

Edit: I will leave the last bit on Penn St/JoPa (Personally, he gets on my nerves, I can't stand the man): I find it disgusting that the district attorney hasn't press chargers against anyone knowing what happened and didn't report it. When this thread actually gets back to talking about college football and not the shame at Penn St, I'll join back in. It is enough it is in the news no matter where I turn; I don't need it one a place where I come to escape too. I find the whole situation grotesque, and being a father, as well as having a brother who is a starting dt in high school being recruited, I really don't want to dwell on it any more than I have to.