SEC's Top 10 games for 2008

With football just over a month away, I decided to take a look at the SEC schedule this year for the most exciting games. Here are my top 10 games.

(10) Auburn v. LSU- Should be the SEC West game of the year.

(9) Ole Miss v. MSU- AHHH revenge is sweet.

(8) Tennessee v. UCLA- Tennessee is making it's California rounds.

(7) Alabama v. Tennessee- Usually an exciting game.

(6) Arkansas v. Texas- Arkansas and Texas bring back the old SWC rivalry.

(5)Alabama v. Auburn- Will Saban stop the Tommy Curse?

(4)Georgia v. Arizona State- This will be a good SEC- Pac 10 matchup.

(3)Florida v. Georgia- This will be the game of the SEC East this year. I'm just glad that we only have to play one of them this year.

(2) Auburn v. West Virginia- One of the SEC's big boys plays THE Big East Big Boy.

(1) Ole Miss v. Arkansas- This will be billed as Houston Nutt's homecoming. Even if both teams haven't won a game this will be exciting.

Disagree? What's your Top 10?

Ole Miss fans discuss the ACC

Ole Miss fans, in response to the ACC fans who shared their feelings about Ole Miss, answered a few questions about the ACC. Most Rebel fans feel that the ACC is a respectable football conference and the best basketball conference. It was also interesting to see how many Ole Miss fans disliked Miami. I wonder if other ACC fans feel the same way?


(1) What do you think of the ACC in general?


I think some of the ACC programs have a great tradition - Clemson, Virginia, Florida State, Georgia Tech, even BC. The past few seasons however, they have underperformed. I'm still waiting for the ACC to emerge as the all-powerful conference so many experts predicted five years ago. With that being said, I definitely look forward to watching some ACC football this fall and expect to see some great games.-Minnow123

Second best football conference in the land.-MarshallReb

Basketball conference, but somehow their attempts to strengthen football seem to be backfiring. Who'da thought FSU and Miami would suck and WF would be good? With BD at UNC and O'Brien at NC State, they could end up giving the SEC a pretty good run for its money if the traditional ACC powerhouses get it together. -PiedmontRebel

I usually don't, but of course, the basketball conference stereotype still jumps right out. -GeorgiaRebz

Basketball. Absolutely my favorite basketball conference. The level of play, tradition and rivalries aren't matched anywhere. A few very high quality baseball teams and some very good football, although for some schools it will always take a backseat to basketball.-r3b3l_fan

Solid all around conference in the big 3 - baseball, basketball and football.-goldengoat

I think the ACC is great conference overall. I think they have some good football and baseball programs and the ACC is probably the best basketball conference.-jacopass

I have a favorable impression of the ACC in general. The basketball is unparalled and it is a mixed conference in identity with everything from hockey to golf and some pretty good football.-sampath

I'm surprised to see the recent drop-offs of former powers like Florida State and Miami. Right now, they're probably the fifth best overall conference. That shouldn't last long, though.-YeeOleMiss5

Good football conference and great basketball conference. Nothing beats Tobacco Road basketball.-Alry45

Lately it's a SEC-wannbe conference. Lot's of southern US schools but basketball definitely rules there, even though they've added some real football schools with Miami and Fla State. Still not enough to match us. -Greyman

Basketball/baseball conference with a few power football teams sprinkled in.-Pettey

ACC seems to be down from what it used to be.-shaunp38

ACC-good basketball conference but not as good as what people think. I would say 3rd best football conference. The ACC in general usually doesn't bring a lot of attention to themselves. You never really hear about them until basketball.-Reb08

Average fan probably still thinks of them as a basketball conference but now they are much more balanced-rogertheshrubber

I enjoy watching the ACC teams play as much as anybody outside of the SEC. I think that the ACC is a solid conference but seems to be down lately in respect to their historic programs in football.-RebelCrispy

I think the ACC goes back and forth between the 2nd and 3rd best football conference. FL State and Miami being down has hurt. They need to pick it up or the Big East may pass them.-chumanfu2000

A good all around conference, but not great conference... Football has improved a lot, but basketball has declined.-formtackler

One of the top Basketball conference, underrated baseball conference, great campuses, great fans, great academics, good rivalries, my 2nd favorite conference.-NeverQuit38

They need to stick to basketball....Great confrence for Basketball.-mustang37205

Basketball Duke vs. UNC. Football, since the new teams joined the conference, it is very balanced. When Wake can win the ACC something is up. That would be like Vandy winning the SEC.-ChuckNorrisReb

It's a good basketball conference.-CTREB

Basketball comes to mind at first, but probably the third best in football (SEC #1, Big XII #2). Great baseball conference too!-TurfReb

3rd best football conference from top to bottom, best basketball conference, second best baseball conference. -teejovitch

Good conference. Better than the all but the SEC top to bottom, though their big dogs have been down the last couple of years.-DannyPRebel

Excellent conf. Great sports (basketball and quality football) great education, beautiful locations for the most part (UVA is about as beautiful as you will find on a fall afternoon, second to Ole Miss, of course)-RebInLorton

I like the ACC. Being largely rooted in the South, it's more like the SEC than any other conference. -MakersMarkReb

Pretty solid overall conference. Probably the best basketball conference and does very well in baseball. Football hasnt done as well as expected since taking in BC, Miami, and VaTech. I like the schools in the ACC though, and they are great to visit on road trips.-CapitolReb

2nd Favorite conference to watch...I love UNC(2nd to Ole Miss of course), almost went to school there.-SuaveRebel

Much more respected now that Miami and VT are in it. But I like a lot of them. But I still don't think they are as "big-time" in football as the SEC is, although I think they think they are.-MississippiKite


(2) What team would you want to schedule for an upcoming football series?

BC or Clemson-Minnow123

VT, would love to go to a game in blacksburg-MarshallReb

We've already got WF and GT and Clemson (I think)-PiedmontRebel

I do believe we'll be adding Georgia Tech, and then Clemson over the next 5 years? Of course, we're going to W.F. this year. I'd like to play Miami in a home & home. It would get national t.v., and we always seem to be in a recruiting war or two with a top ranked player with Miami. It would be good to have a couple of wins against them to use when recruiting.-GeorgiaRebz

UVA - I grew up close to Charlottesville and I'd love to go see Ole Miss play a game there.-r3b3l_fan

Miami, VaTech or Duke (want to wear the "A Cut Above" T-shirt)-goldengoat

Probably Virginia Tech, but it would be fun to take a trip to Miami.-jacopass

North Carolina, Miami, and Boston College would all be great games.-sampath

Since we're playing Clemson and Georgia Tech, I'd like to schedule Miami or Boston College. If I wanted an easy win, I'd go with Duke or NC State (right now, that is).-YeeOleMiss5

FSU-a lot of my friends go there and I would love to have a crack at beating them.-Alry45

Georgia Tech. -Greyman

I would love to Play UNC because of location and they're probably my favorite ACC team (also second best uni's in the country next tou ours) Would also love a chance at the powers...VT/FSU/Miami just for the fun of it (although it might not be that fun for the team)-Pettey

UNC. I've always enjoyed their fans and I think Butch Davis will have them competitive sooner than later.-shaunp38

I would definitely like to schedule Boston College. It would be really interesting to see how the city of Boston would handle Dixie being played in the North.-Reb08

Boston College---it would be different to see us freeze up there and them wilt down here-rogertheshrubber

Virginia Tech for sure. A home and home please because I am moving to Blacksburg and would love to see the Rebs play in Lane Stadium.-RebelCrispy

Va Tech they seam to be the best consistently.-chumanfu2000

Anyone for football or basketball.-formtackler

Since we already scheduled Wake, Ga Tech, and Clemson I'd say Florida State - easier drive than most, one of the best traditions in ACC, and a fun place to watch a game. I'd also love a home in home with Duke to bring Cutcliffe back to Oxford!-NeverQuit38

Virgina Tech and Georgia Tech would be the only ones i would care too see the Rebels play.-mustang37205

FSU or UNC (although Duke with Cutcliffe returning to Oxford would be interesting).-ChuckNorrisReb

Georgia Tech-CTREB

Virginia and/or Virginia Tech.-TurfReb

Miami- they're always overrated-teejovitch

I would love to play any ACC teams, as long as it included a basketball home and home in the deal.-DannyPRebel

UVA or UNC-RebInLorton

Well, we've got Clemson and GT scheduled in the next few years (both of which I'm looking forward to). So, I'd have to say UVA. I've always thought any of those three schools would make good non-conf. opponents.-MakersMarkReb

After Wake and upcoming series' with Clemson and GT, I would say that UVA would be a great team to schedule. Or it might be fun to revisit ol' Coach Cut at Duke..-CapitolReb

Miami because I would love to beat the U.-SuaveRebel

Virginia and Clemson and UNC. We already have Clemson.-MississippiKite


(3) If you could trade any SEC team for an ACC team which team would you trade and which team would you pick? Explain why.

I would trade Vanderbilt for Clemson. Vanderbilt seems more in line with schools like BC, Duke and North Carolina then the SEC schools. Clemson, on the other hand, seems like a nice fit for the SEC. -Minnow123

I would swap Vandy for Clemson. Vandy is all academics and clemson is a good athletic school with great football traditions.-MarshallReb

GT for Kentucky. Or one of the NC schools...maybe Wake. Makes more sense geographically.-PiedmontRebel

As much as I hate Mississippi State, and don't believe they'll ever be SEC quality, I would honestly trade Vanderbilt for Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech has some really historic rivalries with 'Bummer & Allbarn, and it would really be great to have UGA and GA Tech playing for an SEC game. Vandy would fit more into the basketball stereotype of the ACC, and of course, Ga Tech would bring us more revenue in the SEC. I would also consider Clemson. That would be good to have South Carolina to play their in state rivalry game as an SEC game, but it's still so damn hard to view the Gamecocks as an SEC team...even with Spurrier. I'd swap Vandy for Ga Tech. Of course, I'd take FSU before GA Tech, but trading Vandy for FSU just isn't a fair trade. You go from great academics in the SEC to the worst in the ACC. GA Tech would be an even trade for Vandy. -GeorgiaRebz

Clemson for Vanderbilt. Clemson is a solid athletic school all the way around, good baseball football and basketball, Vandy is out of place in the SEC, but It'd be hard to justify them geographically in the Atlantic Coast Conference.-r3b3l_fan

Clemson or GATech for Vandy. both good schools with sound academics and good athletics. good facilities, too. would add a level of competition to the east that has been missing since vandy joined the conference - football.-goldengoat

That’s a tough question. I would have to go with Vandy for Clemson or FSU. I think they both have good programs and traditions. I think both would be good additions to the conference.-jacopass

I would trade MSU for any of the ACC teams or even a just a couple of dirty towels and a dead mascot.-sampath

I wouldn't change anybody, but Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Clemson the best geographical choices if we had to.-YeeOleMiss5

Vanderbilt for Duke. Same academics but Duke is better in athletics.-Alry45

Arkansas "feels" like an SEC program. South Carolina still does not. I'd trade them for Georgia Tech in a flash. Besides, one maroon team in this conference is more than enough. -Greyman

I would trade Alabama I'm so sick of that fan base and the whining they do. They get everything and then cry that they got screwed. I would trade them for anyone but Miami (we've got enough criminals in this conference)-Pettey

I'd like to trade UT or Bammer for either Va Tech or Florida State. The upgrade in fans would be great and they're quality opponents pretty much every year.-shaunp38

I would definitely trade Vanderbilt and pick up Florida State. Or I would pick up Georgia Tech. Florida State or Georgia Tech would be a great addition to the SEC. Plus, Vanderbilt is the only team in the SEC that no one follows.-Reb08

Vanderbilt for Florida State. No offense to Vandy but...and Fla. State would really turn the SEC East into an even more major war with the Florida game looming huge-rogertheshrubber

I would trade Mississippi State because I would like to see what Ole Miss could do in the SEC if we were the only SEC team in our state and I would pick up Georgia Tech because of the same reason. I would like UGA to have to see what it is like to compete with another in-state SEC team. Either GaTech or FSU though.-RebelCrispy

Ga Tech they were in and it would make the most logical choice. Plus it would pet more pressure on the Bulldogs.-chumanfu2000

Clemson for USC for no other reason than USC just doesn't seem to feel like an SEC school IMO.-formtackler

I would trade Clemson for Florida or South Carolina for Florida State. Personally I feel like Clemson and Florida States campuses and fans fit into the SEC a little better than Florida and South Carolina. This could make the instate rivalries even more intense (if that's possible).-NeverQuit38

I would Trade Vandy for Georgia Tech...they use to be part of our proud conference!-mustang37205

Trade LSU and their fans. Take Clemson. Probably not possible, but the USC/Clemnson rivalry would get that much more intense.-ChuckNorrisReb

Georgia Tech for Vandy. I think Tech is a good all around opponent and should come back to the SEC.-CTREB

I'd trade Vandy and Mississippi State for Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and/or Georgia Tech. All 4 of those schools seem to have well balanced programs, and all four appear to be cleanly run.-TurfReb

Florida State for Alabama. I hate bammer with a burning passion.-teejovitch

I would get rid of either South Carolina or Vandy. I would say Mistake, but they'd never find their way that far to play an away game. I would love to add one of the Carolinas to increase the recruiting and TV base for the conference, or add one of the Florida schools to give UF more direct competition in state.-DannyPRebel

I would trade Arkansas for Clemson or GA Tech. This is due to the long history that Arkansas has with the old SWC and long rivals in the state of Texas and OK. I'll take the others to further enhance the rivalries within the states of SC & GA. OR maybe Louisville in KY.-RebInLorton

I've always sensed Clemson would fit right in with the rest of the SEC because of geography, tradition, passion, etc. I like USC and their fans I have encountered. But they - along with Arkansas - are still new members of the SEC relative to the other teams. So, I guess the easiest switch would be USC for Clemson . But if I could just summarily choose one team that doesn't belong in the SEC, I'd say Vandy. While they are a charter member and help skew some of the academic stats for the conference as a whole, anyone who has attended a game in Nashville can tell you it's just not SEC football. Despite the fact that they have become more competitive the last couple of years (They beat the Orgeron 2 out of 3 years...ouch), they still have a C-USA atmosphere. It's just not SEC football to me.-MakersMarkReb

Most are saying Vandy for Florida State. I say either Arkansas or South Carolina for either Fla. State or GT.-CapitolReb

I would trade Kentucky for UNC. Like I said, I love UNC. Plus they are a good school academically and Athletically. I would love a baseball series with them.-SuaveRebel

MSU, of course. But that has nothing to do with the ACC. LOL. Who would I add? Probably FSU. -MississippiKite

(4) If you had to choose a favorite ACC team, who would it be and why?

I would choose Virginia Tech, I like how all their fans are so loud and into the game, and their entrance(enter sandman).-MarshallReb

WF... lived in W-S for a long time.-PiedmontRebel

I would say Clemson. My soon to be wife graduated from Clemson, and we catch a game or two a year there. Living in Atlanta, we have been able to hit several ACC games. Clemson has a very nice campus, great facilities, and a lot of great tradition when it comes to football. They have a fantastic balance between historic game day festivities, with a lot of current day influence. I can just never let myself yell out, "Go Tigers". Not only that, but it just doesn't seem that Tommy Bowden will ever get them over "the hump". We'll find out this season with Clemson being pre-season ranked in the top 10.-GeorgiaRebz

UVA - I mentioned above that I grew up very near Charlottesville. They were my favorite school growing up and I have a picture of myself as a little kid standing next to Ralph Sampson.-r3b3l_fan

Don't really have one, but for the sake of the argument, VATech - always liked Beamer, a real stand-up type guy who could have looked for a more high profile job during his successful stint but has stayed in place...gotta respect Frank.-goldengoat

My dad, brother, and a lot of my extended family went to Duke, so I’m going to have to go with Duke as my favorite ACC team. -jacopass

I like Maryland because I used to play rugby against them and UVA. Both have beautiful campuses and one of the prettiest coeds I ever gazed upon was at Maryland. I like Boston College because Peter Kreeft is one of my favorite philosophers and Doug Flutie is one of my all time favorite players.-sampath

Florida State b/c of Bobby Bowden-YeeOleMiss5

NCSU. Grew up a huge fan, was at the game where NCSU beat FSU first in Carter-Finley and was at Doak when they beat FSU in 01. Loved Phil Rivers, Torry Holt, CC Harrison, Anthony Grundy, and Julius Hodge the list could go on.-Alry45

That would be Duke, because I really admire their basketball program. -Greyman

Favorite UNC. Nothing I dislike about them. Virginia would be next, love the town (best band ever is from there) campus and the history.-Pettey

Va Tech... good people, good school and a solid program led by a good coach.-shaunp38

Favorite team in the ACC is probably Florida State. I like the Seminoles.-Reb08

UNC. I like their uniforms and they don't have the thuggish reputation of some teams-rogertheshrubber

VT for sure. People in Blacksburg are really nice people, remind me a good bit of Ole Miss fans. I will be pulling for them in the ACC!-RebelCrispy

Virginia Tech I follow them and pull for them. I played for coach Beamer at Murray State many years ago and he was very good to me.-chumanfu2000

I don't have a favorite.-formtackler

Virginia - I really like their colors, logo, fans, facilities, and it's one of my favorite campuses in the country. It also resembles Ole Miss than any other school.-NeverQuit38

None really i am an SEC fan.-mustang37205

FSU. Have several friends who work there.-ChuckNorrisReb

I don't have a favorite.-CTREB

I wouldn't really have a favorite. I guess either Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and/or Georgia Tech-TurfReb

Florida State- HOT women everywhere, very much like Ole Miss in that respect-teejovitch

I don't know, maybe UNC. I lived in North Carolina for a few years, and followed them some.-DannyPRebel

UVA, due to outstanding academics (best state univ. in the country?) quality sports programs and beautiful location and history.-RebInLorton

Hmm. I've never thought about that. I guess I'd go with Clemson. I like their enthusiasm. For some reason, they've always reminded me of Auburn in many different ways. (I'm no fan of Auburn, but I do appreciate their town, campus, traditions and fans)-MakersMarkReb

Would come down to UVA and GT. Father went to GT and games are a good time. UVA is beautiful and Charlottesville is a sweet town. Both are great academic schools.-CapitolReb

UNC..Classy Fans and a great college town.-SuaveRebel

Virginia. Ole Miss' campus is modelled after theirs. And I toured their campus once. Very nice. They remind me of us.-MississippiKite



(5) Are there any ACC team you dislike? If so, why?

I'm not a huge BC fan because I don't like anything that has to do with Boston.-Minnow123

No not really-MarshallReb

VT. They're trying to supplant Miami for the title of ThugU, and they have a bunch of obnoxious walk-on redneck fans. At least they do here in Roanoke. -PiedmontRebel

Not really. I don't like many of them either. Miami just seems like it's run about as well as 'Bama when it comes to cheating. Still, Miami more leans towards the thug type of football that Mississippi State was really known for under that used care salesman coach they had before Croom. Jackie was a joke! I dislike WF I guess because we'll play them. The rest are an after thought until basketball. I tend to pull for Duke over UNC. -GeorgiaRebz

Georgia Tech - I can't explain this, I just don't like them.-r3b3l_fan

Never really liked NCstate or Maryland - very bland programs, look almost like twins.-goldengoat

Miami. I’ve always disliked their team and fans. They just seem like the most arrogant folks.-jacopass

Yes but it would be impolite and unjust to some students and alums to say which.-sampath

North Carolina b/c they don't understand that their basketball success doesn't equate success on the gridiron. Also, Miami's history of thugs kinda turns me off too.-YeeOleMiss5

North Carolina. Why? Because I do.-Alry45

Right now? That would be Wake Forest...-Greyman

Didn't have a problem with any until getting to know the Miami fan base. Don't understand how people could so arrogantly pull for criminals at a school they probably didn't even attend.-Pettey
Miami gets on my nerves...and especially when you consider how bad they've been lately. Clemson seems to waste a bunch of talent every year, but maybe Bowden will get a title eventually.-shaunp38

I really do not like Miami. There football program is way overrated. Everyone saw what happened to Miami, once they joined the ACC. They weren't playing cupcakes every week. All of those great Miami football teams would have probably been a middle of the road team in the SEC.-Reb08

Miami. See #4 about thuggishness-rogertheshrubber

I really don't have any ACC team that I dislike that much.-RebelCrispy

Miami and Boston College both are always over rated and cocky.-chumanfu2000

Miami because they have traditionally been a rogue football program and have played virtual nobodies with the exception of a couple of games a season. It is easy for them to focus on those couple of games and get up for them due to the lack of competition that they had before they joined the ACC.-formtackler

Boston College and Miami - When I think of the ACC they are the last two teams that come to mind. From what I've seen their fans aren't as loyal as other ACC schools.-NeverQuit38

Have no feeling toward any of the schools in the ACC.-mustang37205

No-ChuckNorrisReb

I really dislike Miami and it's just because -- starting with its president on down the line! I also don't like Boston College -- they were dumb leaving the Big East.-CTREB

If I had to choose one it'd be Miami. There seems to be a lack of discipline there - from the players to the tv analyst.-TurfReb

Miami- I haven't liked Miami since the Jimmy Johnson days- they always seem to be loaded with thugs-teejovitch

Miami. Never liked them. Their good teams in the 80s and 90s always seemed to have a thug type of mentality.-DannyPRebel

Not really, no.-RebInLorton

Yes. Miami. Honestly, it probably just boils down to good ol' fashioned jealousy. I have to admit it ticks me off to see them enjoy so much success over the past 20 years considering they don't have much of a real, tradition-steeped, loyal fan base to speak of. When I think of schools like Clemson, Florida, UGA, LSU, Auburn, GT, Ole Miss, etc., I think "college football". When I think of a team like Miami, I think "semi-pro football". If you're going to enjoy the fruits of victory and success, you should be willing to endure the pain and suffering of failure. Before they became a semi-pro team in the early 80's, the interest in that program was so abysmal it was on the verge of getting axed completely. Think about that for a minute. No matter how bad things may get in the W/L column, can you imagine there ever being even a .00001% possibility of your entire program being abolished because of lack of interest? I can't.-MakersMarkReb

Probably Miami baseball right now. Maybe Duke and UNC basketball, but I'm probably just jealous.-CapitolReb

Dook!....They suck!-SuaveRebel

GT. Because I have heard they think they are better than us in some instances. Like, I think the reason they got out of the SEC 50 yrs ago was because they thought they were "above" the SEC and wanted to be the ND of the South. Like ND, they soon found out they are nothing without a conference. And I have heard that when we first approached them to play them a home-and-home and they said they'd play us, but didn't want to come to Oxford. Like they were above coming to Oxford. Don't know if that is true, as it was years ago, but it's what I heard. The nerve. Of course, we are playing them in the next couple of years, and they are coming to Oxford. So that could be not true.-MississippiKite

(6) Would you like to respond to any comments made by ACC fans about Ole Miss? If so, please list comments below.

Thanks to those of you who were well-informed in your responses. Those of you who said we shouldn't have fired Cut should look no further than his list of HC job offers and where he is now. That should tell you enough about why we fired Otis.-PiedmontRebel

Va Tech fans should be proud of their basketball support. That was one of the most exceptional game atmospheres I have ever witnessed, and it far exceeded what Ole Miss fans have provided their own basketball team at home. Even though we won the game(NIT), the fans could not have been any better. Ga Tech fans are about as lack luster as Vandy(which is why it's such a great trade). Watch out Winston-Salem! We're come'n to stomp some Demon Deacon a! Other ACC teams not mentioned, Boston College-Maryland-NC State-Virginia, are not worth mentioning.-GeorgiaRebz

A lot of comments seemed centered on the Rebel Flag and Colonel Reb and old negative southern stereotypes. I'm not going to say those things don't exist, but in the 15 years I've been in Oxford, things have changed dramatically. There are no longer Rebel flags at games and they are generally frowned upon in most circles. The Colonel Reb mascot is being phased out, much to the chagrin of many fans, and the University has worked hard to shake off the negative stereotypes while keeping the positives... hospitality, pretty girls, good food and, God willing, good football. C'mon down and visit, we'll feed you.-r3b3l_fan

Yes I would. The Duke fans are idiots or they were just being "mean" in their thoughts about Ole Miss. Another thing that drives me crazy is the whole race issue that is still associated with Ole Miss. We’re not all racists because we went to Ole Miss or because we’re from the south. My freshman year in college I went to a school on a lacrosse scholarship and about 95% of my team was either from Massachusetts or New York. I loved all the guys on my team, but they were the most racist bunch of folks I had ever met. I never met anyone at Ole Miss that was more of a racist that any one of those guys from the north. Just because we’re from the south doesn’t mean we hate anything that’s not white. That is just an absurd assumption. The large majority of the people I have met in Oxford, with the exception of the police (they just hate life and Ole Miss Students), have been the most considerate and outgoing people I have ever come across.-jacopass

To the guy who thinks we have skeeters in the Grove, I can only laugh. There may be some headaches the day after a game but it isn't from West Nile.-sampath

Yeah, those of you who associate Ole Miss with the Confederate Flag, racism, and goood 'ol boy networks need to get with the times. We lost in Vietnam, Armstrong landed on the moon, and the Cold War is over. Similarly, those negative stereotypes you bring up are in our past and in no way reflect the fact that Ole Miss has more black students than almost every public university in the nation. Your broad-sweeping, outdated generalizations anger Ole Miss fans abroad (both black and white).-YeeOleMiss5

Quit saying we shouldn't have fired Cutcliffe.-Alry45

Greyman -Greyman

Yeah I love the Col. Reb is racist idea...and they think Southerners are ignorant!-Pettey

I think it is completely ridiculous that people think of Mississippi in general as the most racist state ever. Most of the people that posted that, have probably never been here. You cant just say bad things about a place unless you have personally been there.-Reb08

I thought the comments were generally very respectful but it's even better at Ole Miss than most imagine-rogertheshrubber

I would have to second what other Reb fans have said about MS and Ole Miss being tied to racism. For one, it exists EVERYWHERE! Two, we as a state and University have worked hard to overcome our past and stereotypes. Come see for yourself.-RebelCrispy

I wish some of these folks could come to a game here and spend a week in Mississippi so they can see things are not like the media has lead them to believe. I spent some time in the north, Boston area specifically, And there is way more racism there than here, at least it is more in your face. People up there said and did things I have never seen in 40 some odd years here.-chumanfu2000

Overall I like the ACC and would enjoy playing any school in any sport.-formtackler

They would enjoy a gameday in Oxford a lot more than they think they would!-NeverQuit38

No most are fair opinions. Except ones that mention racism. If those people were to visit Oxford today, I'm sure they would change their tune.-ChuckNorrisReb

Athens pales in comparison to Oxford. What artists have come out of Athens? R.E.M? Wow. Nothing but unintelligible, pompous, pseudo intellectual, phony, vegan crap.-teejovitch

Yes. I am from just outside of Washington DC and grew up here in VA. I went to Ole Miss on a visit and fell in love with the place immediately. However, most (99.9%) of people have never been to Mississippi and base all of their thoughts and opinions on hearsay and rumor, with no personal experience. It's like the running jokes on West Virginia here and inbreeding, marrying your sister, yada, yada, yada. The sad fact is many still see the state of Mississippi as if it were 1963 and not 2008. Yes, there are a lot of things that still need to be address, poverty being a main issue. However, I have seen a lot more racism here in the DC metro area than I did in MS. I strongly believe that a greater attempt has been made to correct the injustices of the past in MS than in many other, larger, more prosperous states, including those in the north. People must set aside their preconceived notions of Mississippi and actually take some time to research their facts, spend some time here and then make up their own INFORMED opinion. This almost never happens and people continue to speak from ignorance. In court, ignorance of the law is no defense or excuse. Nor should it be with respect to the south.-RebInLorton

It's been like a week since I read the comments. So, I don't remember much about them. I do remember they generally had a better appreciation for my school than most of the Big East fans did in the last survey. (Those Pitt fans really had a chip on their shoulder.)-MakersMarkReb

They seem to have an overall attitude that MS and the South in general is a hotbed for incest, bigots, and rednecks. They are correct. Just kidding; I don't really appreciate the stereotyping, and I wish y'all would come and see for yourselves before passing judgment.-CapitolReb

Yes. We are stronger academically then people think. Don't look at our admissions standards and judge us(we don't set them, our state board does). Only 7 public schools in the nation have more Rhodes Scholars than us. Our honors college is ranked top 3 in the nation. And oh by the way, We are Hosting the 1st of 3 Presidential debates. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't just give some low tier academic institution such an important event. Come check out our school, we can hold our own. 74 percent of the students that applied to med school were accepted (the national average is 41 percent.) We don't care about academics? That is incorrect my friends. -SuaveRebel




Posters from
RebelSports.net (Rivals)
Ole Miss Spirit (Scout)

What Ole Miss fans think about the Big East.

Over the past few days, each Big East football member's fans have discussed their opinion on Ole Miss and the SEC. It's now time for Ole Miss fans to share their feelings about the Big East and its football universities.

(1) What do you think of the Big East as a football conference?

In Football, I consider the Big East "top heavy" and #6 of the 6 BSC Conferences. Historically, I consider Syracuse, West Virginia & Pitt the top Football schools in the Big East. Louisville being the new kid on the block falls right behind those three. Again, Historically, Cincinnati, & Rutgers have not done that well, and South Florida and UConn are too new to Division I Football for me to really have an opinion.-SnapperReb

The Big East seams to be an up and coming conference. They have had a couple pretty good teams the last couple of years. They always seam to choke at the end though.-chumanfu2000

When I think of the Big East I think "the Big Joke." Their in-conference schedule is so embarrassing I can't believe that WVU was even considered for the National Championship game recently. All offense and absolutely ZERO defense (see Louisville last year). Go check their schedules and tell me that any single team plays more than three truly tough games a year. You can't, so don't bother trying.-MobTown Reb

I feel like it as known as the "Big Least" for a reason. I can't believe that they get an automatic bcs game with that kind of conference schedule.-smokerjoe

not a particularly strong football conference, but a few quality programs. I'm sure Big Easterners don't want to hear this but when I think of the big east as a whole, the only thing that really comes to mind is basketball.-KobanT...barian

When the Big East pops into my head I immediately think the "Big Least" since they've lost the only hopes of being considered with the big boys when Va. Tech and Miami left. The conference wasn't that great then. Look at what Miami's done since facing decent competition. Nothing. That said, there are some high quality teams/programs, just not enough of them. I have to admit that I've become a Rutgers fan with their emergence. Leonard and Rice are two of the most exciting players I've seen and I can't imagine having a more potent backfield duo. The Big East is a good conference, just not great. I hate to say it, but after the re-structuring, it is basically an upgraded C-USA with WVU's gimmick offense as an example. Basically, it's a C-USA/Big East/MAC hybrid. Kick out some of the C-USA teams, get Va. Tech and Miami back, and add Notre Dame and you'd be on par with the Big 10. Pitt messed up by not keeping Harris. USF will probably end up owning the conference with their ability to keep reeling in FL athletes.-whacko

Do they play football? Really? When did that happen?-72reb

USF and Rutgers being good last year. That just sounds weak.-Alry45

I think of how knowledgeless some of those people are. Big East has great Basketball, decent but still poor football, and bad baseball. Don't really give a flip about the Big East other than they need to understand their position, step-child.-Rebel5

Recent luck, but overall suck.-Rebsrockem

I think that SEC fans as a whole give the East as little credit as they can. It's a conference on the rise. WVU and USF are recruiting good speed out of the south and it's a matter of time before Cinci and UConn have good teams year in and year out. I think it steams a lot of SEC fans that the good teams in the Big East are the minority but I don't think that is anything that the fans can help. I think that it's a lot like the PAC 10 in that it is an offense based league with out a lot of defense unlike the SEC. They have some truly inventive offenses in the conference. -KentuckyReb

It is top heavy and has some good offenses with no defenses.-Indiana Rebel

Hard to judge base upon how bad we have been lately. We could have possibly lost to 5 of those teams last year in football. Appears to be a balanced conference. Would like to schedule West Virginia, Syracuse, and Pitt in football. Cincinnati, Louisville, and UConn are very good basketball programs.-GoodOReb

None of the other teams excite me in football. I'm not saying the other team are not "good enough", I would just rather play an ACC team given the choice.-2001OleMissGrad

Thursday night football helps me get through the week.-As I Lay Dying

Up and coming conference that seems to be innovative offensively. Not quite ready for the rigors of BIG league play week after week.-BobbyBacala

Weak conference that is getting better, but could not play with the big boys week in and week out.-tsreb

I will say that the Big East has definitely supplanted the ACC for the right to claim 5th best BCS football conference.-GroveReb84

I think it is is a pretty decent football league. There are some really good young coaches there(USF, Rutgers, Cincinnati). I do not think any of them will be consistently rated among the top 25, with the possible exception of Pitt and USF. Louisville has had some good teams in recent years, but I do not expect them to be that good year in, year out. There is simply not enough talent in Kentucky to keep them there, and it is not realistic to expect them to take elite prospects from surrounding states. USF is located in a goldmine for talent, and it would not be surprise me to see them hang around the top 25. What may really affect them is the re-emergence of Miami. Cincinnati have a good coach there, but play in the shadows of the Buckeyes. It is hard for me to see them much better than what they had last year. Pitt probably has the best chance to stay strong for the next few years. There is a lot of talent in Pennsylvania, and Penn State cannot sign all of it(although they will get the majority of it). Rutgers- I really like their HC. I expect them to stay in the upper half of the league, although some years will be better than others.WVA is on the upswing, but remind me a lot of Louisville in that there is not much high school talent to draw upon there. I expect them to remain competitive, but nowhere close to where the have been recently. Syracuse will likely have to make a decision on a coach after the year. I have enjoyed watching them in the past-especially when McNabb was there.UCONN- I think they are a solid team, and appear to be well coached, but fall in the same boat as the Cardinals and Mountaineers. All around a good conference that will have a lot of teams who will be up and down in the future.-zricz

There is always a few good teams, but top to bottom, its not very strong. -Reb4DaleMurphy

The Big East is a conference trying to redefine itself. If this were the the NBA the Miami, VaTEch and BC for UConn, S Fla, Cincy and Rutgers trade would have never been approved. Those three defections nearly killed the conference.-IronCityReb

The Big East took a big blow when it lost Miami, V Tech and BC, but it's on the rebound. This is not just a one-team conference as some may think. However, WVU is the only team that can consistently compete with the bigger BCS programs right now. Being a BCS school, however, the Big East will eventually bring up some of these former mid-major schools it now has and make them future title contenders. Right now, however, there is no doubt they are the weakest BCS conference.-YeeOleMiss5

I think the Big Least should stick to basketball. WVU is the only team capable of going toe to toe with the top 5 teams in our conference and they may have lots of trouble with them too. Add in a coaching change and there goes your best team. When BC, Miami, and Va. Tech left the automatic Big Least bid should have been revoked.-ozzy2378

A great basketball conference that is starting to have an impact in football. I'd play any of them any time, any where. -mredge

(2) What's the first thing that comes to mind when I mention the following teams and what general impression do you have of each team? Also would you like to play each team in football?

(a) Cincinnati

Struggles to find Football Identity. When I was in school they were everyones Homecoming Opponent. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb

What can you say about Cincinnati. They are doing an alright job of trying to be a 1A team. Still have a long way to go. We used to play them when I was playing at Murray State. They were still 1AA then. Hope they have have put a lot of money into the stadium there, it was a rat hole then.-chumanfu2000

Bob Huggins-smokerjoe

Cincy-Bob Huggins-surprisingly good last year in football. Thanks for letting us have Andy-don;t have much desire to play them in football-KobanT...barian

Cincinnati nothing comes to mind-72reb

Bob Huggins, don't really feel one way or another. I guess I wouldn't mind if we played them in football, my jaw wouldn't drop if I saw them on the schedule.-Alry45

I hope they enjoyed Andy, goofed by not hiring him. Impression is better than good. Yes in football. Go Bearcats!-Rebsrockem

Good coach in football. Team on the rise. Thanx for Andy Kennedy.-KentuckyReb

Had a huge win a few years back (I think Ohio State but I'm not sure) really a BBall school.-Indiana Rebel

Steve Logan is/was an animal -As I Lay Dying

Not much in the way of football. Tough traditional basketball school. I wouldn't mind playing them.-BobbyBacala

They have a good year about every five. Defenses have been pretty good at times. Commuter school.-tsreb

They were stupid enough to fire Andy Kennedy and allow us to hire him-Reb4DaleMurphy

The Wake transfer, Mauck, comes to mind. He definitely helped that team post a record that many would have said would be unrealistic. I'd love to play them in football.-YeeOleMiss5

Cincinnati? I didn't even know they had a football team.-ozzy2378

They face a tough row to hoe since they are in a NFL market-mredge

(b) Louisville

Up and coming Football school where Hoops still is priority. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb

Louisville has been pretty consistant the last few years. They always seam to have a good QB. When I was going to school in Kentucky the people from the Ville always seamed cocky and wanted people to think Louisville was like a New York or Chicago or something.-chumanfu2000

Rick Pitino-smokerjoe

Basketball-Notorious trash talkers with little to back it up. Patrino. had a brief run of success that allowed them to escape the black hole that is CUSA. I've been to Louisville and it reminded me a lot of millington and frayser. don't care much about playing them in football-KobanT...barian

Louisville Petrino gave them the shaft-72reb

Rick Petino. Im seeing a trend that Big East basketball coaches come to mind before anything related to football. I would like to play them, they have been fairly solid the past couple of years.-Alry45

Over.......Rated. Almost as arrogant as Alabama, without the history. They are equal to Moo U (Miss. State) of the SEC. They have a great baseball coach. Impression is not good. Bring them on in football.-Rebsrockem

lived there for five years. Fans are some of the biggest bandwagoners I've ever been around. They have the biggest chip on there shoulder as far as football I have ever seen, which can be a good thing. I think this is caused by the local UK fans.-KentuckyReb

Good offenses and QB's. Kind of a comuter school.-Indiana Rebel

Birds-As I Lay Dying

Riding a pretty good wave of success the last few years in football. I still think of them as a basketball school first. Denny Crum was one of the best coaches in NCAA history. Would love to get a series going with them in both sports.-BobbyBacala

Really had a couple of good years, but no real history. Help prop up their conference-tsreb

Dan McDonnell coaches there, they have one of the best AD's in the country. Recently have had good teams in all 3 sports.-Reb4DaleMurphy

Oy, oh, boy...did Louisville ever find out that a BCS conference is much harder than C-USA. I usually cheer for them, though, b/c my father took some crime prevention technology courses there. Too bad they have to admit they were ever associated with that slime bag, Petrino. I'd play them in a heartbeat.-YeeOleMiss5

They're ok but like another poster said they found out pretty quick that beating up on the Conference of Unwanted Schools of America is a lot easier than playing BCS level opponents (If you can call Big Least conference games "BCS level"-ozzy2378

Excellent AD who seems to make all the right moves. I'm not sure about the present head coach, but the AD will not let a loser hang on too long.-mredge

(c) West Virginia

Traditionally a tough Football team. We owe them one from the Music City Bowl. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb

They have been the best for the longest of the whole Big East bunch. Always do pretty well. I remember a few years ago they played Florida in the sugar bowl and I got to go with a Gator uddy of mine. They scored first then Florida drove down and scored with out even throwing a pass. I told the guys in front of us it was going to be a long day if Spurier could move the ball without throwing it. The gators went on to low them out.Maybe this is when some of the WV fans grew the hate they seam to have for the SEC. Probably my 2nd Favorite BEC team behind S Florida.-chumanfu2000

Don Nalen and our matchup in the Music City Bowl-smokerjoe

party school that lights couches on fire. helped Marshall out of a tragic situation. got shafted by Rich Rod I would like to play them mostly because I have friends who attended WVU and I'd imagine it be fun to burn a couch or a mattress.-KobanT...barian

West Virginia nothing comes to mind-72reb

Kevin Pittsnogle and Rich Rod. I would love to play them in football. Love the offense they run.-Alry45

Recent success in football, speedy team. Impression is good. Yes in football.-Rebsrockem

Probably the closest to SEC fans that I have been around outside the SEC. I am going up there for the Auburn game this year with my father and can't wait. I will never forget Kevin Pitsnoggle (sp?) Quite possibly the ugliest bball player i've ever seen. ha. And also the ass whoopins ya'll have put on UGA, Ok, us, MSU etc. Very good team that SEC fans don't want to acknowledge as good. -KentuckyReb

Great running backs. Great people and like to burn crap when they win a big game!-Indiana Rebel

Pitznogle-As I Lay Dying

Really good football tradition. Hard nosed. Would love to avenge the Music City Bowl. A win over WVU would be a big win.-BobbyBacala

The only team in the conference that is really legit lately. Strength of their conference.-tsreb

They've been a good football team recently, will be interesting to see them without Rodriguez. I thought they would have gone out and hired someone better-Reb4DaleMurphy

Best team in the Big East; needless to say, they definitely carry the conference banner proudly. Nonetheless, USF's defensive coordinator seems to have found their offensive secret to success. Oh, and if Eli Manning would have started that Music City Bowl, they wouldn't have won. They couldn't stop him. I wouldn't mind playing them, but I'd rather it be a few years from now since they just played State (sorry for you having to meet their toothless fans, by the way).-YeeOleMiss5

Played a great quarter against UGA in the Sugar Bowl and beat an overrated Oklahoma team. Brightest star in an otherwise dull conference sky.-ozzy2378

Best football tradition in the Big East. -mredge

(d) Syracuse

Traditionally a very tough Football team with lots of history. They've dominated their Conference over the years. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb



They are a fine basketball school, not so much in football. They have always seamed to be pretty good against the spread at home tough. -chumanfu2000


Jim Boeheim -smokerjoe


a once good team that has fallen a LONG way-indifferent about playing them.-KobanT...barian


Syracuse nothing comes to mind-72reb


Jim Boeheim. You guys should probably just stick to basketball. No I wouldn't want to play them in football because I know they would want to play one game up there and who wants to travel all the way up to New York just to watch a bad Syracuse team.-Alry45


That big orange walkin' around aimlessly. Impression is fair. Yes to football.-Rebsrockem


Used to have cool unis. Good basketball school. -KentuckyReb


Basketball and Donavan McNabb-Indiana Rebel


D. McNabb & need new uniforms badly-As I Lay Dying


I think of Boeheim and the great basketball teams first, but the 'Cuse did produce Jim Brown and John Mackey, two of the greatest at their positions of all time. Would love to play them.-BobbyBacala


doormat of D1 football. I get the impression that football here is just something to do until basketball season.-tsreb


That big orange globe mascot thing they have-Reb4DaleMurphy


Donovan McNabb, Carmelo Anthony... I'd play them in football, but wouldn't expect them to be nearly as competitive against us as their old teams would have been.-YeeOleMiss5


Haven't been worth a crap since Donovan McNabb and still weren't that great with him.-ozzy2378

Very much like Ole Miss. Their best days were decades ago. They may face an even tougher struggle to come back than Ole Miss.-mredge

(e) Pitt

Fairly tough Football team that is trying to regain their old form. The Panthers have some good Football history. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb



Pittsburg has more tradition than any of these other BEC schools. Marino and Dorsett put them on the map then they went away for a long time kinda like Ole Miss in the 80's. I think they tend to be overrated by the east coast media when they do have a decent season. I think Wanstadt (sp) will have some wins if he stays very long.-chumanfu2000


Wannstedt's struggles-smokerjoe


another team with sporadic periods of success- overshadowed by Penn St. I have tons of family in Pittsburgh and love the city-playing them would be fun for me but I doubt many other rebel fans would care much.-KobanT...barian


Pitt Jackie Sherrill cheating big time-72reb


Dave Wannstedt. No real feelings about Pitt. Wouldn't mind playing them one way or another.-Alry45


Dave W. and Tony Dorsett. Impression is fair. Yest to football.-Rebsrockem


There post on your blog made them come off as a bunch of a holes, but hell Im sure ours will portray the same image. Larry Fitzgerald was good but other than him in the last 2o years nothing to write home about. -KentuckyReb


Will show up every so often with a good year, The great receiver that played there and now plays for the AZ Cardnials I believe.-Indiana Rebel


Waiting for them to return to the scene-As I Lay Dying


Makes me think of Hugh Green first and foremost. Dan Marino next. Good history, tough school. Would love to play them and beat them because it would be like sticking it to Jackie Wayne again.-BobbyBacala


Best history of the league. Had a couple of flash in the pan teams lately, but I don't think they will stick as a good team. Maybe I'm wrong, and I hope that I am.-tsreb


They have always have a good hoops team. Football they've stuggled recently-Reb4DaleMurphy


My boy, Dan Marino, and that turd, Mark May. My girlfriend's from there too. I honestly didn't expect Wannstedt to do as well as he has, but they've got a long way to go. Funny thing is...I read where some Pitt fans talked trash about Ole Miss, but have nowhere near the same history. Some of their fans are just like many people around the nation: they forgot that Ole Miss was a mainstay in the postseason before Orgeron got here a few years ago. I'd love to play them. A win would give me bragging rights over my girlfriend's family.-YeeOleMiss5


Can they rewind to the 70s? Does Marino or Dorsett have anymore eligibility? -ozzy2378

Another school whose best days are in the past. In addition, they are in an NFL market which makes creating a strong fan base tough.-mredge

(f) Rutgers
"Flavor of the month." They appear to have a good young coach. They've been tough recently, but can the continue to win? Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb



Rutgers has had a couple of good seasons the last 2 years. I'm anxious to see what they do this year. They are also overated by no fault of their own, the media from New York wants them to be good really bad to give that area some kind of presence on the college football world. We will see what they do now that Ray Rice is in the NFL.-chumanfu2000


Women's basketball and the Don Imus story-smokerjoe


Hardly knew they played football a few years ago, and now they're a power team in a minor BCS conference. chop wood. - Love their coach but don't have any real desire to play them.-KobanT...barian


Rutgers nothing comes to mind-72reb


Nothing comes to mind really when I think of Rutgers. I guess I would like to play them in football since they have been decent recently.-Alry45


Over.......rated, but not quite as bad as U of L. Impression is fair. Yes to football.-Rebsrockem


Wow, what a turnaround this program has done in recent memory. I can't think of a school that has done a better 180 than Rutgers-KentuckyReb


The huge upset win they had a few years ago when they flooded the field after the game & a great football coach.-Indiana Rebel


DC Jefferson-As I Lay Dying


Good run lately. Not much tradition. Had a physics instructor that graduated from there. He was a jerk. Why not play them?-BobbyBacala


Had the best teams in their history by far the last couple of years. Being in the Big East as it is now should help them remain respectable records.-tsreb


Used to be terrible, but have turned it around recently-Reb4DaleMurphy


Intriguing program, Tony Soprano, etc. all come to mind. Oh, and you're welcome for Eli. Rutgers fans have popped from out of the woodwork the last few years. They are putting together an excellent recruiting class, though. So, while losing Ray Rice may hurt them now, they will compete again in a couple of years. I'd like to play them, but don't really desire a trip to Jersey. Come to the Grove! We'll treat you right.-YeeOleMiss5


one good season in a long line of bad ones. I bet they'd love to have homestate phenom Knowshawn Moreno.-ozzy2378

I don't know how these people can say Rutgers doesn't have a great football tradition. That maybe true lately, but they did happen to play in the FIRST college football game with Princeton.-mredge

(g)South Florida

Not a lot going for them on the gridiron. HUGE school (enrollment wise...over 45,000), but they get lost in the Florida Football mix with Florida, Florida State and Miami. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb



South Florida set the CFB world on fire early last year and tanked. That want happen often in a conference like this. They will be the USC of this conference very soon. To much talent n this state not to. They have only been playing 1A ball afew years and look where they are now. WOW! I pull for them above all the others in the BEC.-chumanfu2000


Don't know much, overachieving football team last year-smokerjoe


USSF good team but like most Big East teams I don't follow them much and playing them would just be another game to me.-KobanT...barian


nothing comes to mind-72reb


Tampa Bay. Really becoming a player in Florida recruiting, just look at their commits right now. Id like to play them in football, who wouldn't want to take a road trip down to south Florida for a game?-Alry45


Luck will run out, but welcomed surprise. Impression is good. Yes to football.-Rebsrockem


People better watch out because there location will alow them to recruit the one think that not many teams up north have. Speed, speed and more speed. This team is the next WVU. -KentuckyReb


School on the rise. They have had great recruiting over the past few years. They were fun to watch last year.-Indiana Rebel


non-qualifer/partial qualifer U-As I Lay Dying


Too new to have much of a thought one way or the other. They have the money and location to be a player in the future. Look out for them. I say play 'em.-BobbyBacala


This team has the potential to really skyrocket. They have a great recruiting area and are starting to get some respect. The rest of the Big East may soon come to regret letting them in.-tsreb


Up and comer in the football world. Have a huge talent base-Reb4DaleMurphy


USF, Grothe, and their incredible DE, Selvie--who had 31.5 TFLs and 14.5 sacks last year--are showing they are here to stay. I'd be thrilled to play them.-YeeOleMiss5


Had a good year last year. Believe the Auburn game would rarely turn out the way it did last year for South Florida. Rising star but keep proving it to me. I'm not convinced.-ozzy2378

Right now they are #4 in Florida but they are about to kick some one to the curb. I wonder whether it will be Florida State or Miami-mredge

(h)UConn

Won some games they probably should not have won, but still too new to Big Time College Football. Also very much a Hoops school, moreso then Louisville. Yes, I'd like to play them.-SnapperReb


UCONN is another basketball school. They did have a good year last year or the year before. ESPN loves them cause they are from the same state. Do not really know much about them.-chumanfu2000

basketball, basketball, basketball-smokerjoe



Uconn-basketball-KobanT...barian


nothing comes to mind-72reb


Basketball being king. Suprised about their good year in football last year. Wouldn't want to play them in football because it's way too cold up there and its too far to get in a car to drive.-Alry45


Basketball school and a darn good one. Impression is good. Yes to football.-Rebsrockem


Another team that is going to be a player in the next ten years. I went to school with a girl from Boston who now works in their AD and she says that they are tirelessly doing everything that they can to build something special in there football program.-KentuckyReb


Basketball school period, and pretty good at that.-Indiana Rebel


Liked watching there football team play last season-As I Lay Dying


Basketball all the way. Could have moderate success in football. Why not?-BobbyBacala


Waiting for basketball. Their football history is awful, but a couple of pretty good teams recently. No big wins.-tsreb


Basketball school, getting better in football -Reb4DaleMurphy


Need to stick to basketball...I don't expect them to even repeat their moderate success of last year b/c the rest of the teams in the Big East (save Syracuse) are passing them by. I don't see what we'd gain out of this game. A historically strong SEC team on the verge of the top 25 in all-time victories (that has 30 bowl appearances) vs. a traditional basketball school. We are currently bringing our program back up, and it will again resemble our teams of the '90s and early 2000's. How bad would our OOC schedule look with UConn on it when we had a winning record against teams like LSU in the 90s?-YeeOleMiss5

stick to basketball-ozzy2378

I just don't see football as happening big here.-mredge

Other comments:

I would not mind playing South Florida, West Virginia or Pitt 1 for 1 in football. Although I see no reason to do it after September, its to cold in Pitt and WV, Now a trip to South Florida would be great late in the season. Don't care who we play in Basketball even though Coach K will have a really good team in the next couple of years.-chumanfu2000



I don't feel strongly about playing any of these teams in football. I guess I would like a chance to get back at WV for that bowl game loss they gave us a few years ago.-smokerjoe


Don't care. It may give us exposure in a new part of the country, but I can't really get excited about playing any of those teams.-72reb


I would love to play any of the Big East teams as long as it was home and away for both football and basketball.-tsreb


I'd like to play any of these schools in football. I like playing teams we don't usually play. -Reb4DaleMurphy


Cincy, Pitt and UConn are all urban schools and have a lot of difficulty filling up their stadiums. If it weren't for Notre Dame and and West Va, Pitt would average less than 25k per game. Louisville gambled on Schnellenberger and hit a home run. Their Fiesta Bowl win over Alabama put them on the map. Then they got lucky with Indiana and Kentucky. Both of those schools were terrible in ALL phase of the game. Bad athletes, bad coaches and even worse recruiting. Louisville was in the right place at the right time. If Kentucky has a resurrgence and if Indiana improves only marginally, then Louisville will suffer. Rutgers will collaspe when Schiano(sp) leaves for Penn State. Syracuse is nearly as bad as their uniforms are ugly and as long as they are in upper state NY they will never recruit well. West Virginia has it figured out and is dialed in for long term success. They would be a very nice addition to the SEC. THey are the only Big East team to consistantly sell out every home game.I would love to play Pitt on a regular basis. There is a glut of talent in Western Pa. There are over 180 football playing high schools in the WPIAL. At one time there were 240 school but many consolidated. Ole Miss could go into that area and clean house. I was dissapointed when we had an opportunity to sign Bill Stull but then passed on him. I thought it would have been a good strategic recruiting move had he been able to win a starting spot at Ole Miss. -IronCityReb


Bottom line. Big Least has 2 teams that MAY be able to compete against the likes of UGA, LSU, Auburn, and either UTrash or Bama. Compare that to the SEC having 3 or 4 other teams not listed that can beat their top teams and the Big Least is less than impressive. Did I mention they need to have their auto-BCS bid revoked?-ozzy2378





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