[TreesAndBirds]

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-around-corn...29569.html

It is what it is, we all understand regardless of whether we agree, and could see it coming, but it takes away some of the fun of using bowl games as a chance to compare conferences if star players dont play.

[TreesAndBirds]

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-around-corn...29569.html

It is what it is, we all understand regardless of whether we agree, and could see it coming, but it takes away some of the fun of using bowl games as a chance to compare conferences if star players dont play.

[ColoradoTree]

Though I don't know why star players sitting out bowl games would be a factor that hits one conference harder than others, so I think using bowl records to compare conferences is still fair game (though it's not a great metric in the first place, given the disparity in bowl matchups and conference bowl affiliations).

Of course, even if every star player played in his team's bowl game, it still wouldn't make this bowl slate more watchable.  Aside from Stanford-TCU, there may not be a game I watch in its entirety.  Oh, I'll watch at least some parts of a few games: the Cotton Bowl (SC-Ohio State), the Fiesta Bowl (UW-Penn State), and probably the semifinal games.  I'll probably watch the national title game unless it's SEC vs. SEC, in which case I won't.  I mean, I'll check the scores of the Pac-12 games on my phone out of solidarity, and I reserve the right to switch on any game that is exciting late in the 4th quarter, but committing to 3-4 hours to watch Utah-West Virginia?  Nah, I'm good. 

[ColoradoTree]

Though I don't know why star players sitting out bowl games would be a factor that hits one conference harder than others, so I think using bowl records to compare conferences is still fair game (though it's not a great metric in the first place, given the disparity in bowl matchups and conference bowl affiliations).

Of course, even if every star player played in his team's bowl game, it still wouldn't make this bowl slate more watchable.  Aside from Stanford-TCU, there may not be a game I watch in its entirety.  Oh, I'll watch at least some parts of a few games: the Cotton Bowl (SC-Ohio State), the Fiesta Bowl (UW-Penn State), and probably the semifinal games.  I'll probably watch the national title game unless it's SEC vs. SEC, in which case I won't.  I mean, I'll check the scores of the Pac-12 games on my phone out of solidarity, and I reserve the right to switch on any game that is exciting late in the 4th quarter, but committing to 3-4 hours to watch Utah-West Virginia?  Nah, I'm good. 

[82lsju]

some others (all juniors)

Florida State safety Derwin James, Texas safety DeShon Elliott and Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams also will not play in bowl games this year.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/sto...oise-state

[82lsju]

some others (all juniors)

Florida State safety Derwin James, Texas safety DeShon Elliott and Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams also will not play in bowl games this year.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/sto...oise-state

[Phogge]

Patrick Laird sitting out the bowl games. So are the rest of his teammates.

[Phogge]

Patrick Laird sitting out the bowl games. So are the rest of his teammates.

[TreesAndBirds]

Though I don't know why star players sitting out bowl games would be a factor that hits one conference harder than others, so I think using bowl records to compare conferences is still fair game (though it's not a great metric in the first place, given the disparity in bowl matchups and conference bowl affiliations).

Over the long term I think you're right. But in any given season, some conferences are likely to be (perhaps significantly) harder hit than others. Just randomness. Kind of like injuries. But not a big point. And as you point out the disparity in match ups is probably a bigger factor. And if your conference goes to less prestigious bowls, probably more likely for star players to sit out, since games mean less.

[TreesAndBirds]

Though I don't know why star players sitting out bowl games would be a factor that hits one conference harder than others, so I think using bowl records to compare conferences is still fair game (though it's not a great metric in the first place, given the disparity in bowl matchups and conference bowl affiliations).

Over the long term I think you're right. But in any given season, some conferences are likely to be (perhaps significantly) harder hit than others. Just randomness. Kind of like injuries. But not a big point. And as you point out the disparity in match ups is probably a bigger factor. And if your conference goes to less prestigious bowls, probably more likely for star players to sit out, since games mean less.

[JohnR34231]

Interesting that Josh Rosen, who many seem to think is a self-centered jerk, has said he is looking forward to playing one more game with his teammates, even though he may well be the first QB picked in the draft.

[JohnR34231]

Interesting that Josh Rosen, who many seem to think is a self-centered jerk, has said he is looking forward to playing one more game with his teammates, even though he may well be the first QB picked in the draft.

[Langdude]

Interesting that Josh Rosen, who many seem to think is a self-centered jerk, has said he is looking forward to playing one more game with his teammates, even though he may well be the first QB picked in the draft.

Say what you want about that dude, but he loves to compete.

-m.

[Langdude]

Interesting that Josh Rosen, who many seem to think is a self-centered jerk, has said he is looking forward to playing one more game with his teammates, even though he may well be the first QB picked in the draft.

Say what you want about that dude, but he loves to compete.

-m.

[qwerty49]

Aside from Stanford-TCU, there may not be a game I watch in its entirety.  Oh, I'll watch at least some parts of a few games: the Cotton Bowl (SC-Ohio State), the Fiesta Bowl (UW-Penn State), and probably the semifinal games.  I'll probably watch the national title game unless it's SEC vs. SEC, in which case I won't.  I mean, I'll check the scores of the Pac-12 games on my phone out of solidarity, and I reserve the right to switch on any game that is exciting late in the 4th quarter, but committing to 3-4 hours to watch Utah-West Virginia?  Nah, I'm good.

Agree except I’ll go on record predicting both $C and U-dub win.

[qwerty49]

Aside from Stanford-TCU, there may not be a game I watch in its entirety.  Oh, I'll watch at least some parts of a few games: the Cotton Bowl (SC-Ohio State), the Fiesta Bowl (UW-Penn State), and probably the semifinal games.  I'll probably watch the national title game unless it's SEC vs. SEC, in which case I won't.  I mean, I'll check the scores of the Pac-12 games on my phone out of solidarity, and I reserve the right to switch on any game that is exciting late in the 4th quarter, but committing to 3-4 hours to watch Utah-West Virginia?  Nah, I'm good.

Agree except I’ll go on record predicting both $C and U-dub win.

[SamuelMcF]

Aside from Stanford-TCU, there may not be a game I watch in its entirety.  Oh, I'll watch at least some parts of a few games: the Cotton Bowl (SC-Ohio State), the Fiesta Bowl (UW-Penn State), and probably the semifinal games.  I'll probably watch the national title game unless it's SEC vs. SEC, in which case I won't.  I mean, I'll check the scores of the Pac-12 games on my phone out of solidarity, and I reserve the right to switch on any game that is exciting late in the 4th quarter, but committing to 3-4 hours to watch Utah-West Virginia?  Nah, I'm good. 

This is how I feel about the entire NFL. Unless it's a 1-score game in the 4th, I have better things to be doing with my time. Even in the playoffs.

With regards to college, I'll watch a major upset bid before any "big" matchup every time. Much more exciting.

[SamuelMcF]

Aside from Stanford-TCU, there may not be a game I watch in its entirety.  Oh, I'll watch at least some parts of a few games: the Cotton Bowl (SC-Ohio State), the Fiesta Bowl (UW-Penn State), and probably the semifinal games.  I'll probably watch the national title game unless it's SEC vs. SEC, in which case I won't.  I mean, I'll check the scores of the Pac-12 games on my phone out of solidarity, and I reserve the right to switch on any game that is exciting late in the 4th quarter, but committing to 3-4 hours to watch Utah-West Virginia?  Nah, I'm good. 

This is how I feel about the entire NFL. Unless it's a 1-score game in the 4th, I have better things to be doing with my time. Even in the playoffs.

With regards to college, I'll watch a major upset bid before any "big" matchup every time. Much more exciting.

[Trevmiesterj]

I am intrigued by this weekends Las Vegas Bowl, which a Duck friend is dubbing "The Payback Bowl".  Upon mentioning that Royce Freeman was sitting it out, his response was that he was looking forward to watching his backup Kani Benoit playing.  I think that's the best attitude to take in these situations.

[Trevmiesterj]

I am intrigued by this weekends Las Vegas Bowl, which a Duck friend is dubbing "The Payback Bowl".  Upon mentioning that Royce Freeman was sitting it out, his response was that he was looking forward to watching his backup Kani Benoit playing.  I think that's the best attitude to take in these situations.

[82lsju]

Stanford RB Bryce Love told me he expects to be at 100 percent for @valeroalamobowl against @HORNEDFROGFB. Said after playing USC it was “a little hard” getting out of bed the next day.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/stanf...4ast6q9XN/

[82lsju]

Stanford RB Bryce Love told me he expects to be at 100 percent for @valeroalamobowl against @HORNEDFROGFB. Said after playing USC it was “a little hard” getting out of bed the next day.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/stanf...4ast6q9XN/

[76lsjumb]

Stanford RB Bryce Love told me he expects to be at 100 percent for @valeroalamobowl against @HORNEDFROGFB. Said after playing U$C it was “a little hard” getting out of bed the next day.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/stanf...4ast6q9XN/

Say what you want about that dude, but he loves to compete... and NO ONE thinks he's a self-centered jerk.

[76lsjumb]

Stanford RB Bryce Love told me he expects to be at 100 percent for @valeroalamobowl against @HORNEDFROGFB. Said after playing U$C it was “a little hard” getting out of bed the next day.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/stanf...4ast6q9XN/

Say what you want about that dude, but he loves to compete... and NO ONE thinks he's a self-centered jerk.

[JohnR34231]

I know some people think it is such a certainty that there is no point thinking about it, but I wonder when he will be making the announcement about his plans for next year.

[JohnR34231]

I know some people think it is such a certainty that there is no point thinking about it, but I wonder when he will be making the announcement about his plans for next year.

[Mick]

[quote author=JPRI link=topic=18364.msg218313#msg218313 date=1513367065]
Interesting that Josh Rosen, who many seem to think is a self-centered jerk, has said he is looking forward to playing one more game with his teammates, even though he may well be the first QB picked in the draft.

Say what you want about that dude, but he loves to compete.

-m.
[/quote]

Kansas State has the #97 ranked NCAA defense, giving up 432 yards per game.  I imagine Josh is going to have a monster day.

We know he loves to compete, and we know that he's a first round draft pick.  At that level, every incremental pick is worth a lot of money.  The total contract of the first selection was $30.427 mms.  Each succeeding pick in the first five was about $1 mms. less than the others over the life of the contract, then a $3 mms. drop to #6, and another $2.5 mms. drop to #7 and a $2 mms. drop to #8 (CMAC).  The #10 selection got $16 mms., the #32 selection got roughly half of that.

I imagine Rosen wants to be in the top 1/3 very badly.  UCLA's passing offense is ranked fifth in the country behind (in order) Okla St, Wash St., Oklahoma (and Mayfield) and New Mexico.

Rosen's body of work this year was amazing.  No way he drops out of the first round.  But where he goes in the first round?  That's up to the GMs who will be watching his bowl game very closely.

[Mick]

[quote author=JPRI link=topic=18364.msg218313#msg218313 date=1513367065]
Interesting that Josh Rosen, who many seem to think is a self-centered jerk, has said he is looking forward to playing one more game with his teammates, even though he may well be the first QB picked in the draft.

Say what you want about that dude, but he loves to compete.

-m.
[/quote]

Kansas State has the #97 ranked NCAA defense, giving up 432 yards per game.  I imagine Josh is going to have a monster day.

We know he loves to compete, and we know that he's a first round draft pick.  At that level, every incremental pick is worth a lot of money.  The total contract of the first selection was $30.427 mms.  Each succeeding pick in the first five was about $1 mms. less than the others over the life of the contract, then a $3 mms. drop to #6, and another $2.5 mms. drop to #7 and a $2 mms. drop to #8 (CMAC).  The #10 selection got $16 mms., the #32 selection got roughly half of that.

I imagine Rosen wants to be in the top 1/3 very badly.  UCLA's passing offense is ranked fifth in the country behind (in order) Okla St, Wash St., Oklahoma (and Mayfield) and New Mexico.

Rosen's body of work this year was amazing.  No way he drops out of the first round.  But where he goes in the first round?  That's up to the GMs who will be watching his bowl game very closely.

[Goose]

We know he loves to compete, and we know that he's a first round draft pick.  At that level, every incremental pick is worth a lot of money.  The total contract of the first selection was $30.427 mms.  Each succeeding pick in the first five was about $1 mms. less than the others over the life of the contract, then a $3 mms. drop to #6, and another $2.5 mms. drop to #7 and a $2 mms. drop to #8 (CMAC).  The #10 selection got $16 mms., the #32 selection got roughly half of that.

Rosen has somewhat of a conflict of interest. On the one hand, he wants to make as much money as possible. On the other hand, he doesn't want to go to Cleveland  :). Probably no way to control his destiny here, unless he pulls an Elway somehow. Darnold is also an interesting case. Most people think he would benefit from returning to USC. However, that might put him in danger of being drafted by a real bad team the year after. Maybe if he goes this year he is the 3rd QB drafted and has some hope of not getting forced to play behind a real bad OL. How much is that worth? It will be interesting to see what he does as well.

[Goose]

We know he loves to compete, and we know that he's a first round draft pick.  At that level, every incremental pick is worth a lot of money.  The total contract of the first selection was $30.427 mms.  Each succeeding pick in the first five was about $1 mms. less than the others over the life of the contract, then a $3 mms. drop to #6, and another $2.5 mms. drop to #7 and a $2 mms. drop to #8 (CMAC).  The #10 selection got $16 mms., the #32 selection got roughly half of that.

Rosen has somewhat of a conflict of interest. On the one hand, he wants to make as much money as possible. On the other hand, he doesn't want to go to Cleveland  :). Probably no way to control his destiny here, unless he pulls an Elway somehow. Darnold is also an interesting case. Most people think he would benefit from returning to USC. However, that might put him in danger of being drafted by a real bad team the year after. Maybe if he goes this year he is the 3rd QB drafted and has some hope of not getting forced to play behind a real bad OL. How much is that worth? It will be interesting to see what he does as well.

[82lsju]

I know some people think it is such a certainty that there is no point thinking about it, but I wonder when he will be making the announcement about his plans for next year.

I would guess sometime after the bowl game and before the Jan 15 deadline for entering the draft.

[82lsju]

I know some people think it is such a certainty that there is no point thinking about it, but I wonder when he will be making the announcement about his plans for next year.

I would guess sometime after the bowl game and before the Jan 15 deadline for entering the draft.

[81alum]

My gut tells me Love stays.  His interest in medical school, his joy in being at Stanford and with his team, his understanding that a career in the NFL will be only for a few years, his decision to play in the bowl game, his maturity and lack of a self-absorbed ego--all prod me to thinking he stays.  He is not behaving as CMac did.  Of course, all of this is probably an example of motivated reasoning on my part!

[81alum]

My gut tells me Love stays.  His interest in medical school, his joy in being at Stanford and with his team, his understanding that a career in the NFL will be only for a few years, his decision to play in the bowl game, his maturity and lack of a self-absorbed ego--all prod me to thinking he stays.  He is not behaving as CMac did.  Of course, all of this is probably an example of motivated reasoning on my part!

[VFRing98]

[quote author=Langdude link=topic=18364.msg218316#msg218316 date=1513367979]
[quote author=JPRI link=topic=18364.msg218313#msg218313 date=1513367065]
Interesting that Josh Rosen, who many seem to think is a self-centered jerk, has said he is looking forward to playing one more game with his teammates, even though he may well be the first QB picked in the draft.

Say what you want about that dude, but he loves to compete.

-m.
[/quote]

Kansas State has the #97 ranked NCAA defense, giving up 432 yards per game.  I imagine Josh is going to have a monster day.

We know he loves to compete, and we know that he's a first round draft pick.  At that level, every incremental pick is worth a lot of money.  The total contract of the first selection was $30.427 mms.  Each succeeding pick in the first five was about $1 mms. less than the others over the life of the contract, then a $3 mms. drop to #6, and another $2.5 mms. drop to #7 and a $2 mms. drop to #8 (CMAC).  The #10 selection got $16 mms., the #32 selection got roughly half of that.

I imagine Rosen wants to be in the top 1/3 very badly.  UCLA's passing offense is ranked fifth in the country behind (in order) Okla St, Wash St., Oklahoma (and Mayfield) and New Mexico.

Rosen's body of work this year was amazing.  No way he drops out of the first round.  But where he goes in the first round?  That's up to the GMs who will be watching his bowl game very closely.
[/quote]

Do you really think GMs need a bowl game, or another game, to assess Rosen?

If his opponent’s pass defense is as bad as the stats indicate, the bowl game will illuminate nothing about his NFL potential.

[VFRing98]

[quote author=Langdude link=topic=18364.msg218316#msg218316 date=1513367979]
[quote author=JPRI link=topic=18364.msg218313#msg218313 date=1513367065]
Interesting that Josh Rosen, who many seem to think is a self-centered jerk, has said he is looking forward to playing one more game with his teammates, even though he may well be the first QB picked in the draft.

Say what you want about that dude, but he loves to compete.

-m.
[/quote]

Kansas State has the #97 ranked NCAA defense, giving up 432 yards per game.  I imagine Josh is going to have a monster day.

We know he loves to compete, and we know that he's a first round draft pick.  At that level, every incremental pick is worth a lot of money.  The total contract of the first selection was $30.427 mms.  Each succeeding pick in the first five was about $1 mms. less than the others over the life of the contract, then a $3 mms. drop to #6, and another $2.5 mms. drop to #7 and a $2 mms. drop to #8 (CMAC).  The #10 selection got $16 mms., the #32 selection got roughly half of that.

I imagine Rosen wants to be in the top 1/3 very badly.  UCLA's passing offense is ranked fifth in the country behind (in order) Okla St, Wash St., Oklahoma (and Mayfield) and New Mexico.

Rosen's body of work this year was amazing.  No way he drops out of the first round.  But where he goes in the first round?  That's up to the GMs who will be watching his bowl game very closely.
[/quote]

Do you really think GMs need a bowl game, or another game, to assess Rosen?

If his opponent’s pass defense is as bad as the stats indicate, the bowl game will illuminate nothing about his NFL potential.

[dabigv13]

I have a good feeling about him coming back as well. Just gut, but he didn't play this whole year as a guy who looked like he had his eye on the league.

[dabigv13]

I have a good feeling about him coming back as well. Just gut, but he didn't play this whole year as a guy who looked like he had his eye on the league.

[Langdude]

Who are all the guys who have left after their junior year? I am not talking about Andrew Luck or David DeCastro who left with a year of eligibility remaining but were academic seniors, but guys who left after their academic junior years... There haven't been a lot.

(Stars represent years lettered.)

Alex Carter***
Kwame Harris***
Austin Hooper**
Christian McCaffrey***
Andrus Peat***
Teyo Johnson**
Solomon Thomas**
Bob Whitfield***

Others?

-m.

[Langdude]

Who are all the guys who have left after their junior year? I am not talking about Andrew Luck or David DeCastro who left with a year of eligibility remaining but were academic seniors, but guys who left after their academic junior years... There haven't been a lot.

(Stars represent years lettered.)

Alex Carter***
Kwame Harris***
Austin Hooper**
Christian McCaffrey***
Andrus Peat***
Teyo Johnson**
Solomon Thomas**
Bob Whitfield***

Others?

-m.