From: billms@eecs.umich.edu (William Mangione-Smith)
Subject: Re: ND vs FSU vs Michigan
Organization: University of Michigan
	<BILLMS.92Sep11083217@z.eecs.umich.edu> <10699@sun13.scri.fsu.edu>
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 21:53:56 GMT

In article <10699@sun13.scri.fsu.edu> marsden@sync.cs.fsu.edu (Jonathan Marsden) writes:

   In article <BILLMS.92Sep11083217@z.eecs.umich.edu> billms@eecs.umich.edu (William Mangione-Smith) writes:
   >In article <10683@sun13.scri.fsu.edu> marsden@ioctl.cs.fsu.edu (Jonathan Marsden) writes:
   >>
   >>I often wonder why ND is afraid to play FSU on the road...  The same goes for
   >>previous powerhouses like Michigan and Nebraska.  Tallahassee isn't
   >>that bad of a place.  In any case, ND didn't agree to play the 'Noles in
   >>Doak-Campbell Stadium.  Instead, they will be playing in Orlando.
   >
   >I'll ignore the Michigan slam, since its so stupid.  Look at the success rate
   >in recent times.  Gotta try harder than that.

   Ok, I'd agree that Michigan is still a powerful team, but they (along with
   the rest of the Big-10) have lost something over that past five years
   (recent times?).  There is a new group of powerhouses in college football
   (e.g., FSU, Miami, Washington, Florida).  Because of Michigan's
   playing style, they can't surprise any of these top teams in the BIG games.
   Smashmouth football is passe.

Well, you've got a point here.  Pounding up the middle with Desmond and
Tyrone Wheatly won't get us past Washington.  And while Elvis is fantastic
running off tackle (hey, that is why he was selected america's favorite qb
last year, right?), he can't pass worth shit.

Take a look at the team before you start talking like an expert.  What do you
know: they even use the no huddle!  Is that also a cornerstone to smashmouth
football? 

Anybody know the average standing in the recent past, but longer than last
2-3 years?  How about last 5?  Mark M?  I'd bet you'd be surprised Jonathan
by the by where the finished.


   >The reason FSU came to Michigan in recent times is that the games were
   >scheduled 10-15 years back when FSU sucked and needed 
   >	A) the cash
   >	B) the exposure of playing a top school

   FSU played for the national championship in the Orange Bowl in 1981 (11
   years ago, hmmm).

Michigan played them last year.  Hmmm... just lost ~10% of your time frame.
I said 10-15 years was the typical scheduling lead time (I don't think this
is the case anymore).  You've managed to hit the outside.  I'm still pretty
convinced your wrong about the percieved FSU quality when the games were
scheduled, but the only way to find out would be to have somebody call up and
find out when those games were scheduled.  You wanna volunteer?  I've got
better things to do.

   >Take a look at recent (i.e. last 10 years) Miami games.  Neither of these two
   >schools had any leverage 15 years ago.  Now, if the games were scheduled,
   >things would be different. 

   The agreement with ND happened less than 2 years ago.  I think FSU was
   pretty good then...

What are you talking about?  Michigan and ND schedules go back much longer
than 2 years.  Or did you mean ND vs. FSU?  Maybe it wasn't clear: I don't
know whats going on with the Irish and was only talking about michigan.  

I've still gotta wonder why you think somebody is scared to come to play at
FSU.  The real issue is: does FSU want them to come play there, and do they
have the clout to make it happen?  Sounds to me, based solely on what you've
been saying, that they don't. 

Bill

--
-------------------------------
	Bill Mangione-Smith
	billms@eecs.umich.edu