Arena 2025-26 NCAA Football Discussion

I see there isn't one and I know there should be one, so here is the place for all things NCAA College Football, with a natural slant toward Division 1a, though 1aa, 2 and 3 are welcome too.

I'll start with a question:
How about them Rutgers Scarlett Knights? Where did they come from?

And I am happy to see my USC Trojans back at number 3!

 

How about them Rutgers Scarlett Knights? Where did they come from?

Who knows, but if they beat WV they'll be looking at a BCS berth, and wouldnt that be shocking!

OSU-Michigan in 2 days, the battle to decide the regular season champion (if there was one). And I still think that the national championship game should be a rematch, assuming it is indeed a close game, no matter which way it goes.

 

If Michigan give OSU a good fight or wins, I agree with you. If OSU clobbers them, than I think not, as they have been nowhere near as dominant as the Buckeyes, though they look quite good (they were in a couple of close games, unlike OSU). That should be a great game though. It might be this year's version of last years USC vs. Notre Dame game (one of the best college football games of all time).

 

As I said in the JC thread, if UM wins, there shouldn't be a rematch, would be unfair to them after having won at OSU.

 

As I said in the JC thread, if UM wins, there shouldn't be a rematch, would be unfair to them after having won at OSU.

And if OSU wins, thats not unfair to them?

 

I agree with Rogue...Jedi: if it's close - rematch is acceptable.


Oh, and GO BLUE!

 

A rematch is only accepable if Rutgers loses a game. An undefeated team from a major conference should never be left out in favor of a one-loss team. Never*.

Having said that, if Rutgers loses, then the loser of the OSU-Michigan game should be compared to the other 1-loss on teams on the merits of their entire season. That means that losing your last game shouldn't count any more than losing your fifth game. You have to admit, the loser of this game can say something that no other 1-loss team can say: "My only loss is to the #1 team in the country". And that's hard to argue against.


*I would have made an allowment to this rule this year if Oklahoma's only loss had been the horrible blown call loss. But outside of circumstances like that, never.

 

Umm, unless I'm insane if Notre Dame runs the table and Michigan beats OSU that would mean ND's only loss also came against the number on team in the country. Factor in that the game was played in early September and the fact that ND will just be coming off an emotional victory against USC in LA and I think you've got a much better case for an ND/UM rematch than an OSU one.


No one is factoring in how difficult it will be for the UM/OSU loser to hold off the likes of the SEC champ, the winner of ND/USC, or an undefeated Rutgers. This is it for OSU/UM until January, they have nothing else to stock their resume and looking at OSU's schedule makes me believe they'll take a dive in the computer polls if they lose because they've played NO ONE all year.

That being said, Rutgers shouldn't be in the discussion because the Big East is not a major football conference. They do not play a major football schedule, and as such an undefeated record simply doesn't mean as much. Playing Howard and UConn don't really lend a lot of legitimacy to the team's abilities. I don't see human voters giving them the edge over the USC/ND winner even if they beat WVU. Remember, the USC/ND game will not be #3 vs #5 in the BCS. USC will undoubtedly move up to #2 and ND could move up to #4 is OSU loses. That's one helluva quality victory for either team that will be enough to propel them into the national title game. It's sealed and certain if Arkansas beats Florida, and still likely that ND would jump and maintain a BCS lead over the Gators if they win the SEC.


It's amazing how much Ohio State and Michigan have to lose in this game, but conversely how much Southern Cal and Notre Dame have to gain with their big matchup.

 

Totally agree on the Rutgers point but unfortuantley I think they will be overlooked but if they run the table they have to be in with the winner of the OSU/Michigan game.

 

On the contrary. Today's loser in finished in terms of the Title game. Whether Rutgers runs the table or not, too much has to happen to the other one loss teams, especially ND and USC. You'd need USC to lose to Cal and then beat ND. Nice thought but it's not going to happen.

 

I can't believe how poorly Penn State is playing right now. Four lost fumbles in the first half!

 

South Carolina game starts ugly, they give up a 74-yard TD pass on the first play from scrimmage to go down 7-0 but then come back to win 52-7, with the last two being a TD pass from Tommy Beecher (career stats now: 1-1, 3 yards, TD) and an 88-yard run from Bobby Wallace (3rd/4th string RB). Nice to see them getting some action.

Blake Mitchell: 21-28, 388 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT

 

Less than 3 minutes and Michigan has scored. Is this game supposed to be high scoring?

Wisconsin has finished the season with only 1 loss (to Michigan).

 

7-7 as of now... this should be a great game.

 

Looks like both team's defenses have woken up a little now. Should be good!

 

No doubt the OSU/UM game was the National Championship game.

 

QFT
What an amazing game.

Where can we lobby for a rematch?

 

dear God I wouldn't want to see them try to play Ohio State, after they struggled with Louisville who, while good, is nowhere near the top tier.

careful. sports history is littered with great teams that were beaten by huge underdogs.