On 31 Dec 2003 17:16:33 GMT, (ASCACHESS) wrote:


What was UCLA doing in a bowl game anyway?

It was either UCLA or the Washington Huskies, and UCLA beat UW, so
they got the first invite. They thought about turning it down, but
thought that Dorrell(the new UCLA coach this year) could use the extra
practice time with his team.

There have only been two upsets in the bowls so far and the PAC-10 has had both
of them.

Oregon is currently ahead of Minnesota, too.

Regards,
Don

There have only been two upsets in the bowls so far and the PAC-10 has had
both
of them.

Oregon is currently ahead of Minnesota, too.

Regards,
Don

You don't mean unranked Oregon (which beat Michigan) is beating ranked
Minnesota (which Michigan barely beat).

Could there be precedent for this conundrum?

Rp

"From the smoke and ashes will arise a new national champion not seen
for decades, LSU." (Bruce Draney)
==============
College football doesn't mean as much to me as it once did, but... this
year's LSU team is not even close to the Nebraska team that beat Florida in the
Fiesta Bowl. I think that was the best college team ever.

RSHaas

College football doesn't mean as much to me as it once did, but... this
year's LSU team is not even close to the Nebraska team that beat Florida in
the
Fiesta Bowl. I think that was the best college team ever.

RSHaas

OK, how many of those players are in the pros and who are they?

Rp

"OK, how many of those players are in the pros and who are they? (Rp)
==============
I don't follow it closely and can't answer your question. I just think that
particular Nebraska team was the best I'd ever seen.

RSHaas

On 01 Jan 2004 15:08:45 GMT, (ASCACHESS) wrote:

College football doesn't mean as much to me as it once did, but... this
year's LSU team is not even close to the Nebraska team that beat Florida in
the
Fiesta Bowl. I think that was the best college team ever.

RSHaas

OK, how many of those players are in the pros and who are they?

Richard,

I don't necessairly think that a great college football team means
they're loaded with future pros. The most notable from the Husker team
is probably Ahman Green, Grant Wistrom, but Green was 2nd string to
Phillips that year.

Look at the supposed "best teams ever", and you'll not find a roster
of all-pros. The closest might be Miami of 2001. But, Oklahoma and NU
from 71-72, NU of 95, some of the mid-80's Miami teams weren't loaded
with NFL talent. But. they did have a great all-around team

Regards,
Don

ASCACHESS wrote:

College football doesn't mean as much to me as it once did, but... this
year's LSU team is not even close to the Nebraska team that beat Florida in
the
Fiesta Bowl. I think that was the best college team ever.

RSHaas

OK, how many of those players are in the pros and who are they?

Rp

The answer is actually quite a few either are or were in the pros.
Remember this was 8 years ago, a long time by professional football
career standards.

Ahman Green was 2nd String. Tyrone Williams was a cornerback. Can't
remember if Will Shields was on that team or not, but that was the team
with the infamous Lawrence Phillips who played for the Rams and the
49ers, whose off field issues and not his lack of talent ended his
career. I believe Brenden Stai was on the team and plays for the
Lions. The Peter brothers who were also controversial were the anchor
of the defensive line and both had pro careers. Tommy Frazier of course
was never a pro, but it would be hard to find a greater option
quarterback in history in terms of leadership, option and running
ability and the ability to throw effectively when needed.

Schlesinger who still plays for the Lions was on the 1994 team and
scored two TDs against Miami in the Orange Bowl to clinch Osborne's
first title. I think Mike Minter was on that team and he was in the
pros. All pro defensive end of the Rams was also on this team.

Despite its off the field problems, this team on offense, defense and
special teams could be argued as one of the greatest if not the greatest
team in college history. It's closest game was 35-7 over Washington
State. It totally destroyed Texas A&M in the Big 12 playoff, and then
annihilated and embarrassed what many considered Spurrier's greatest
offensive team which had obliterated all competition in the normally
tough Southeastern Conference. The game was over by halftime at 35-7.
This Florida team by the way in addition to Danny Wuerffel at QB had
Jacques Green and host of professional receivers, most of whom never saw
much of the ball after the 1st quarter due to a withering pass rush by
the Nebraska defense.

Best Regards,

Bruce

http://usfdons.ocsn.com/genrel/041601aaa.html

Part of the article (BTW, Burl Toler's son is on current California team)

The Indomitable 1951 Football Dons By Ryan Callan, USF '01

It's a team somewhat forgotten in history, never mentioned among the great teams
of Notre Dame, USC, or Oklahoma. But it's possible that there never was a greater
college football team than the University of San Francisco Dons of 1951.

Nine players including seven of the graduating seniors that year went on to the
NFL. The nine players are Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, Ed Brown, Ralph Thomas,
Merrill Peacock, Louis Stephens, Mike Mergen, Bob St.Clair, and Joe Scudero. Five
of those nine players were selected during their professional careers to play in
the Pro Bowl. Three of those five players, Marchetti, Matson, and St.Clair have
been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the most ever from a single
college team. Two of the three inductees were inducted in the same year-1972,
their first year of eligibility-to become the only college teammates honored in
such a way. Additionally, members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee
selected Bob St.Clair, Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, and Dick Stanfel of the 1950
Dons football team to CBS.SportsLine.com's 1950's All-Decade Team.

These feats are even more impressive considering the fact that at that time there
were only 12 NFL teams with only 30 players to a team. Now, there are 31 teams
with nearly 50 players to a team. That's not all. One player, Burl Toler, who was
perhaps the best of them all, suffered a career ending injury while participating
in the 1952 College All-Star Game. However, Toler, still has spent the last 35
years working for the NFL, including the first 25 of those as the league's first
black official.

Another individual associated with that team who went on to make a name for
himself following his days at USF was a man named Pete Rozelle. Don Shennum
wrote:

On 01 Jan 2004 15:08:45 GMT, (ASCACHESS) wrote:

College football doesn't mean as much to me as it once did, but... this
year's LSU team is not even close to the Nebraska team that beat Florida in
the
Fiesta Bowl. I think that was the best college team ever.

RSHaas

OK, how many of those players are in the pros and who are they?

Richard,

I don't necessairly think that a great college football team means
they're loaded with future pros. The most notable from the Husker team
is probably Ahman Green, Grant Wistrom, but Green was 2nd string to
Phillips that year.

Look at the supposed "best teams ever", and you'll not find a roster
of all-pros. The closest might be Miami of 2001. But, Oklahoma and NU
from 71-72, NU of 95, some of the mid-80's Miami teams weren't loaded
with NFL talent. But. they did have a great all-around team

Regards,
Don

"The game was over by halftime at 35-7 " (Bruce Draney)
==============
After that game, Spurrier said, "We couldn't beat Nebraska if we had ten games
to try."

RSHaas