Man...  who cares.  The guy said something silly/stupid several years ago and we continue to obsess over it.  People say stupid stuff -- Harbaugh far more than the average person.

I get that we should keep an eye on our rival and all.  But we already kicked their ass.  It's abundantly clear that Michigan, Harbaugh, etc. aren't in the same stratosphere as OSU when it comes to talent, coaching, etc.  Let's focus on bigger prizes and let them jockey for an Outback Bowl bid.  Something about lions and the opinions of sheep...

Also, isn't No Michigan Friday a thing?

Sorry for pissing in the Cheerios.  But this is, like, the 1,000th post about Michigan since we turned them into the college football equivalent of Hiroshima last weekend.    

At this point, it's not worth the full day commitment of driving up from Cincinnati for anything but the biggest games.

Yup.  To be honest, when I drive up for a game, it's usually about more than the game, itself.  It's more intended to see old friends, walk around campus, etc.  Add in the excessive cost, inconvenience, etc., and it's really no wonder that people are choosing to stay at home. 

To be fair, LSU's WR class is arguably more impressive than ours based on position rankings.  But yeah, dude isn't coming here.  Nor is that a problem for us.

I'll withhold judgment on Jordan.  He's a 4th-Round rookie playing next to a bunch of chumps.  Give him a minute before writing him off.

But yeah, as for Price.  He's not good...

Bengals insiders said they are in evaluation mode for a total rebuild. Finley was actually so bad it made it impossible to evaluate other offensive players.

This is my take as well.  Finley was so horrific that they needed to do something.  I get that arm strength was his biggest knock.  But when Dalton (not known for elite arm strength) comes in and, comparatively speaking, it looks like he's launching footballs out of a literal rocket launcher, you know you shouldn't have drafted Finley.

Interestingly enough, I think the o-line thing is a bit overstated.  Williams will be back next year -- who should be plug-and-play at LT.  Draft the best T left on the board with a 2nd-Round Pick (or move up into the 1st, if necessary) to takeover at RT.  And the interior isn't quite as big of a mess as the Ts.

That said, everything else you said is true.  Burrow can have a successful career here -- see Dalton and Palmer.  But he'll never be playing for AFC Championships and/or Super Bowls.

After following the team for years, I don't think they really care about having the overall top pick. Not really sure they care about winning at all to be honest.

Agreed.  Brown cares about winning in the same way that I care about having chiseled, 8-pack abs.  They'd be nice to have.  But I'm still going to eat chicken wings.  Similarly, while Brown would prefer to win big, sticking to his way of doing things is more important to him.

In reality, I think Brown just wants to do the bare minimum necessary to prevent an actual fan revolt.  If necessary, make 2-3 isolated moves to appease the fanbase, because the simpletons in the mob can be satisfied by seeing a head or two roll.  But never even bother thinking about bringing the franchise into the 21st Century -- or, hell, even the late 20th Century.

I also think Brown is just vastly unqualified for his role, making it difficult to distinguish between culpability and mere incompetence.  Nothing that he has done in his tenure -- of, what, 3+ decades? -- leads me to believe he's anymore qualified than a random person off of the street.  Except for record-setting futility, his "accomplishments" seem to be: (1) letting actual experts make a few football-related decisions once in awhile; (2) not bankrupting a team in a league in which it's virtually impossible to fail; and (3) following his lawyers' advice in screwing Hamilton County on the Stadium Deal.  Kudos.

Anyways, rant over.  Sadly, Mike Brown is Billy Madison, and the Bengals won't be competitive until the Browns no longer own the team.  And if that happens, the team will probably move to a different city.

Of all the idiots in the idiot universe, Travis is at least close to peak idiocy.  Nobody should pay any attention to the guy.

^ This.  LOL.  "Most talented" 'Bama offense, absolutely.  Team overall?  Nah.

Fair enough.  I must be thinking of the AP.  

Regardless, if LSU looks reasonably impressive against UGA (i.e., wins by at least 7-10), I wouldn't be at all shocked if they jumped to No. 1.  On paper, they'd have at least 2 wins better than OSU's best.  

I'm not as certain as everyone else that OSU holds the No. 1 spot, even if everything goes as planned this weekend.  The Committee (and everyone else, really) seems to have overvalued TA&M all season -- which LSU beat by about a million this past weekend.  And if LSU beats UGA -- especially if it's by multiple scores -- that'll indisputably be a far more impressive win than us beating Wiscy for a second time.  I wouldn't be shocked at all if LSU jumped us for No. 1.

That said, I'm not sure I care all that much.  No. 1 would be preferable.  But I could think myself into believing that getting Clemson -- a far more complete team than LSU -- out of the way first would be preferable. 

Yeah -- that's where the soccer analogy fails most.  I've played both sports.  Getting beaten (even badly) is one thing.  Knowing that the best DL in the last decade or two is allowed to injure you within the bounds of the rules is quite another.  

Or maybe we've just been a significantly better team.  I want to say 'Bama has beat LSU, like, 8-9 of the last 10 games prior to this year.  I wouldn't say that is because they "care more."  They've just been better.  

Meyer's record against Michigan is 7-0.  Yeah...  I'm going to trust him on the subject.  Maybe leave it to the experts on this one.

^ This.  You can bet your ass the entire Michigan team will be amped up.  These are the types of games that you dream about playing in when growing up.  I've been on both good and bad teams.  Your prior record doesn't change how much your big rivalry game means to you.

Which is one reason I think bulletin-board material, "revenge" motives, "getting the rivalry," etc. is BS with respect to the players.  They'll be jacked-up regardless. 

Eh...  the point of language is communication.  I can understand everything the guy said.  People from different cultures, places, etc. sometimes say things differently. 

If anything, being overly obsessive about spoken language falling short of "proper" English perpetuates toxic social divisions -- here, the "hood" label.  Of course, the English language evolves with time.

I say this as someone who is required to obsess about spoken and written language for a living.  And, for the record, your post contains at least a handful of improper usages --  you refer to every player "that" (should be "who"), then use the pronoun "they" (should be "he").

Just let it go.

I really don't see how 'Bama has a path.

LSU wins the SEC and Utah loses.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Committee puts in 1-loss 'Bama over 1-loss Oklahoma, especially how crappy OU has been playing lately. 

If OU loses another game, and LSU wins the SEC, I'd virtually guarantee that 'Bama gets in.

Agreed, Brohio.  Last weekend was the first time that OSU looked anything but invincible.  Add in the fact that the Game is in AA, against a team that's improved drastically since the beginning of the season, I don't think this is one of the more ridiculous takes I've heard this year.

I mean, I still think OSU wins.  And that Shea should legitimately fear for his health courtesy of Chase Young.  But not the most ridiculous take out there.

Bingo.  Part of me respects Desmond's hustle.  Guy always backs his alma mater.  Ride or die mentality at its best.

Greenie knows jack shit about football -- or any other sport, for that matter.  He's the scrawny nerd who offers a different perspective for viewers.  Don't know why anyone takes his predictions seriously. 

This is a silly take.  Harbaugh has “lived” the rivalry far more than any of the people you reference — more than anyone I can think of, in fact.  How has that worked out for him coaching in the Game?

I agree. There’s no excuse for losing to an inferior team on the road or at home. So what’s Wisconsin’s excuse for losing to Illinois? That’s not a good team.

I respect your nuance, Navy.  But I'm not sure this dog hunts.  Is anyone -- literally anyone -- saying that Wiscy is in the Playoff hunt?  That's the issue.

FWIW, I think UGA's body of work is sufficient that, if they win the SEC, I'm fine with them being in.  But I don't think the analogy you're trying to draw is a parallel one.

The headlines are what build the narrative.

^ This.  Anyone who disagrees isn't paying any attention to anything.  

Yep.  I think Clemson's a more complete team that'll be ready to go.  I'd rather face them first, with plenty of time to prepare.  I think the championship will go through them, anyway.  

That complete destruction of 'Bama on a short schedule was pretty impressive.  I don't want OSU, with a first-year coach, having to match that.

Navy, that all sounds well thought out to me.  Fortunately, I don't think the debate over whether LSU's or OSU's schedule is tougher really matters.  Sure, it would determine No. 1 vs. 2.  But, after watching Clemson obliterate 'Bama last year, I'd rather play LSU (Coach O) on a short timetable than Clemson (Ol' Dabo).  I think coaching quality, experience, etc. matter most between that 1st and 2nd round.  

Could easily be two bigten schools if Ohio state gets upset in the bigten title by Wisconsin. Provided bama loses this week.

Yep; I could buy that.  I had to look at the B1G standings again.  I think the better chance would be if Minny wins the B1G (with one loss) and leaves a 1-loss OSU.  Not sure a 2-loss Wiscy gets in -- even with a B1G Championship.

That said, if Minny wins the B1G and they're OSU's only loss, OSU should still get in over 'Bama.  And I'm not sure it should even be close.