2007 LSU Football Schedule Toughest Ever & SEC Dominance 2007

The rankings are what they are. You can't pick and choose which teams you want or don't want to see. There's a reason why it's more important to evaluate SOS at the end of the season. Some teams will have dropped out and some teams will have joined. Did I mention there was another ranking that had Nebraska, Oregon State and UCLA in their Top 25? So according to at least one additional source, USC will still be playing 3 Top 25 teams based on preaseason rankings. And keep in mind, we are returning 18 players....the same 18 who also happened to spank 2 other OOC ranked teams last year in Arkansas (on the road) and Michigan.

I didn't merely suggest the West Coast is loaded with talent, I proved it with facts. What any schools do with those players is up to them and no, I can't prove why that talent hasn't turned into any NC's. Belotti, Erickson, Doh-rell, and Tedford might be able to help you there. And yes, I did acknowledge that MS and LA have more talent per capita than Cali. Read carefully.

Where did I deny that the Los Angeles market is the 2nd largest media market in the country? Can't help where USC plays football. UCLA plays just 20 minutes away and they only managed to score a few games on Versus Channel for next season. Let me bring you back to the 90's when USC was at the bottom of the Pac10. We had NO games on the big networks and sometimes didn't even make the Saturday Game of the Week on local cable. Winning has much more to do with TV coverage. You've seen yourself the favorable results as LSU has continued to win over the last few years.

I made no claims to be a Mensa member.

Where did I say Joe selected USC solely because of academics? I did suggest that the beach, bling-bling, and Hollywood had about as much to do with it as the California wine industry. Here's a list of some reasons in no particular order why Joe chose USC.

1. He's been a USC fan since before 2003
2. He wanted to be showcased
3. He wanted to compete for a NC during his entire college career
4. He formed a close bond with Coach Ken Norton Jr.
5. He wants a degree in Broadcast Journalism
6. He wants to play in the NFL

Can we stop now with the side handed comments about my intelligence/lack thereof, my supposed colored glasses, and any other overused references?

 

I truly hope that Joe McKnight does receive a degree as I believe "student athletes" should be students first followed by being an athlete. If he did go to USC for their Broadcast Journalism Department then I hope he learns to do a better job than he did after announcing his commitment. Divulging your source only to realize that you just admitted a violation and then lying about it is something he'll have to overcome before earning his degree. Come to think about it, I guess USC is the best school to learn to do that.

I like the way you refer to him simply as "Joe". Good to see you guys are already buds.

You mentioned SOS and that we should wait until the end of the season. Did you happen to listen to ESPN and other boneheads last year when they tried to convince the nation that USC deserved a shot at the title because of their SOS? USC...SOS???? In the Pac 10?...let's get real! LSU played four Top 10 teams on the road and some in the media wanted to give the nod to USC.

As I mentioned and you don't want to hear...USC has EARNED much of what they have but also are the recipient (just as Notre Dame) of unearned praise due to the population of California and lack of quality teams out west. It reminds me of Affirmative Action. If you find the best person in a minority group they become the poster child because you don't have much else to showcase.

We (as in the top football conferences) have to share the spotlight because there are many quality teams. Who does USC have to share the spotlight with out west? Idaho?, Nevada?, Montana?, New Mexico? UTEP?, San Diego State? Other than the Pac 10, you have VERY little to choose from. Without USC's resurgence, stations like ESPN would have nothing to talk about outside the Eastern and Central time zones.

Yes, winning has much to do with exposure but market size has just as much to do with it as well. Why do you think the NFL desperately wants a team in L.A.? Because the fans are great?...:hihi: Because the fans are real knowledgeable about football?...:hihi: :hihi: Because they have a great stadium?...:lol: :lol: :lol: NO...they want to be there for the television market.

Has the NFL offered incentives to L.A. that they haven't offered elsewhere?...YES and the reason is due to population. This is the same reason USC and Notre Dame get more attention than they deserve. Argue all you want but those are the facts.

Jealous?...No I have a remote and simply change the channel. I may watch USC versus Nebraska or even Cal. Other than that their games aren't very appealing. Sorry but I would rather lose 1-2 games with an occasional chance at the title than to play mediocre teams and claim we're the greatest of all time.

 

Should I have called him Mr. McKnight? Can you really find nothing else to pick on?

The end of the year IS the right time to evaluate SOS. You made my point by looking at LSU's schedule. At the time you played Auburn, they were ranked 3rd, ended up at 9th. At the time you played Arkie, they were ranked 5th, ended up 15th. At the time you played Tennessee, they were ranked 8th, ended up 25th. You have every right to claim Florida as the pisser that got away. Consequently, USC ended the season having beaten the #8, 14, 15, and 17th ranked teams. Look at both polls, and you'll see LSU finished ranked ahead of USC. Show me the media bias please.

Interesting tidbit. In 4 years, the only non Pac10 team to beat SC was Texas. Traveling a bit for OOC is tough. I don't think Georgia has done it yet but feel free to look it up. Ask bama about the Islands in 2003. And you have to admit that it came down to amazing special teams work for your Tigers to get past ASU a few years ago and ASU was no better than the #5 Pac10 team at the time.

A little note for the Lady Tiger fans on the board. When it comes to academic progress and athletes, since 1997, 70% of NCAA Div1 female athletes on schollie graduated compared with 55% of the men. :thumb:

 

Considering the circumstances surrounding the game, I'll take it. A win is a win. Do you not remember that the same ASU team, after suffering more losses, were up 21-3 on the vaunted USC Trojans and choked it away?

 

I agree. A win is a win. I have MANY memories of that USC/ASU game including Brandon Hancock's first college TD and Leinart playing with a concussion. ASU's QB choked a bit but SC stepped up to take it. And in 4 years, Texas is STILL the only non Pac10 team to beat USC.

 

A little note for the Lady Tiger fans on the board. When it comes to academic progress and athletes, since 1997, 70% of NCAA Div1 female athletes on schollie graduated compared with 55% of the men. :thumb:[/quote]


Of course women are smarter than men. Fortunately for us though, there are more women than men so we can still have our pick of the litter! :wink:

I wouldn't mind playing more games against the Pac 10. I believe we've won the past nine games including a 23-3 win in L.A. over USC. If nothing else it would be nice to have 1-2 bowl matchups between the SEC and Pac 10. It probably won't happen but it would be nice and I think it would help the Pac 10 to become stronger conference. Don't get me wrong, I believe they're already a good conference. I just don't believe they're in the top three or four.

I'm sure we would rarely see USC as they should easily win the conference and head to a BCS bowl. Having Cal, Oregon State, or Arizona State play against Arkansas, Alabama, or Kentucky would be nice but I think our big bowl tie-ins would prefer an opponent from the Big 10 or Big 12.

Anyway...enjoy the upcoming season (and excessive preseason hype) and good luck to your team. If you find the time, come down to Baton Rouge and experience Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Leave your money at home and bring an appetite for food, fun, and great football! :lsup: :usaflagwa :laflagwav :geauxtige

 

Of course women are smarter than men. Fortunately for us though, there are more women than men so we can still have our pick of the litter! :wink:

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So women are smarter but we're apparently cats, dogs, or pigs? :lol: The ratio of women to men in America is pretty close to 50/50. It matters not for smart women............WE are the ones who have OUR pick.

Were I to be so lucky as to spend a Saturday night in Death Valley or any time at all in NOLA, the last thing I'd do is leave my money at home. I love to "enjoy" my travel and support local businesses. It will be tough to pack a suit of armor though. :hihi: