|
Post by thetruth on Dec 1, 2015 11:08:44 GMT -8
Every game matters. Nobody has ever said anything differently, including Rocky.
Not targeting every practice towards prepping for your opponent doesn't mean you're not taking it serious or that you don't want to win.
It baffles me how people don't get that every coach wants to win every game, and how that's the same thing with the players. It also amazes me that people think you can't have fun at a bowl and you can't develop younger players, given 15 practices.
If every bowl game only allowed 5-6 practices, like the national championship game, that'd be a completely different scenario. They have zoo tours, big dinner events and parades for a reason at bowls, and EVERY team also participates in those for a reason.
Every day I'm stunned by some people on this board (not meant towards you andre).
I love how instead of addressing the concern ( Rocky playing the game just for fun) you throw out how I and other just don't understand college football and practice time before a bowl game. Saying you are playing for fun is much different than saying we are going to lay it all out on the field and do anything to win. I am certain that the Boise teams that won bowl games in the past didnt just show up and play for fun. I do understand that the extra practice time is huge for developing players. On the other hand, SDSU MUST grow the name and brand. Setting a culture of winning EVERY game does that, not "playing to have fun". If we were already in a P5 conference I would likely feel differently, but with ever changing landscape of college football I know that SDSU needs to do everything possible to justify it's existence. Hopefully that existence is in a new and better conference. Well said, and spot on!
|
|
|
Post by legkick on Dec 1, 2015 11:14:32 GMT -8
I love how instead of addressing the concern ( Rocky playing the game just for fun) you throw out how I and other just don't understand college football and practice time before a bowl game. Saying you are playing for fun is much different than saying we are going to lay it all out on the field and do anything to win. I am certain that the Boise teams that won bowl games in the past didnt just show up and play for fun. I do understand that the extra practice time is huge for developing players. On the other hand, SDSU MUST grow the name and brand. Setting a culture of winning EVERY game does that, not "playing to have fun". If we were already in a P5 conference I would likely feel differently, but with ever changing landscape of college football I know that SDSU needs to do everything possible to justify it's existence. Hopefully that existence is in a new and better conference. Yep, you're still misinterpreting or more likely selectively interpreting, AND you didn't quote the complete sentence. The very phrase before he says the team will "practice hard". Why would the team "practice hard" if they were only playing for fun? You also might want to go back and bone up your Boise State history. They didn't become "good" until 1999, and they didn't beat a P5 in a bowl game until 2002 (a mediocre 7-7 Iowa State team), didn't beat a good P5 team in the regular season until 2006 (10-4 Oregon State), and didn't beat a good P5 team in a bowl game until the Fiesta Bowl game against Oklahoma (New Years 2007). It took them a long time, seven plus years, to get from "good" to national consciousness. SDSU hasn't even hit the "good" stage by Boise standards, yet.
|
|
|
Post by thetruth on Dec 1, 2015 11:34:42 GMT -8
Legkick and or Coug,
Humor me, and counter my tongue in cheek thoughts below...
Games played in front of national audiences aren't important, or that more eyes aren't on a Bowl game than the sum total of all of our MWC victories this season.
The few times that SDSU is matched up against a P5 team, it really doesn't matter whether we win or lose.
The results of being on a national stage has no impact on local and national perception.
It's a cosmic phenomena that Rocky's bowl record is as as abysmal as it is when compared to his regular season overall record at SDSU
|
|
|
Post by whitehawk on Dec 1, 2015 11:46:17 GMT -8
Beating P5's either in Bowls or OOC is imperative. This is the recipe Boise State used to get national recognition. Beat the big boys and others will take notice. Sometimes that recipe involves some talent with A LOT of luck, and Boise State has had some talent with A LOT of luck in those games and seasons. Not so much this year. San Diego State has to dominate their own conference before worrying about dominating OOC P5 teams. It's a much more realistic path to be the best among the group of 5 teams versus making the goal to win one or two P5 OOC games per season and then going average in conference. It's a path though, and that path builds confidence within the program's players and coaches. If it took a Penn State shift at half, I'd take the streak over a Penn State win with a 4-4 or 6-2 conference record. This team is an 8-0 machine now. Last weekend I was shocked when I saw Nevada pass downfield so quickly in the 1st quarter. That's because the defense has told their past 8 opponents over the past 2 months, "If you're going to beat us, you need more than three touchdowns." And when teams do score, it has not been on the big play. More times than not, it was from a PI call or personal foul to give a team the drive momentum to score. I'd love to get a win against a P5 early in the season, but winning the conference championship is much more important in my opinion. Hosting the conference championship in your own city and in your own stadium is much more important in my opinion. Carrying that momentum into a bowl game with a shot at a P5 team is much more important in my opinion. TCU, BYU, Utah, and Boise State were winning some OOC games, but what did they do more of? They were a dominant force in their conference/league to be annually competing for the conference title. Then they got a P5 team in a bowl game with a shot at winning on a neutral field from the momentum they'd built in conference wins. Then they get the recruits. Then they start making goals the following year in getting wins over one or two P5 teams. I think if San Diego State wins the conference championship, their chances of winning their bowl game improves. If they win the bowl game, their chances for a deeper talent pool of recruits improves. Then that cog starts to turn a bigger wheel to move the machine in 2016. 1-3 was not good enough for a top 25 ranking, but going 8-0 has got this program closer to being ranked in a long, long time! GO AZTECS!!! WIN 20!!!
|
|
|
Post by Boise Aztec on Dec 1, 2015 12:04:03 GMT -8
Legkick and or Coug, Humor me, and counter my tongue in cheek thoughts below... Games played in front of national audiences aren't important, or that more eyes aren't on a Bowl game than the sum total of all of our MWC victories this season. The few times that SDSU is matched up against a P5 team, it really doesn't matter whether we win or lose. The results of being on a national stage has no impact on local and national perception. It's a cosmic phenomena that Rocky's bowl record is as as abysmal as it is when compared to his regular season overall record at SDSU I'll try... No doubt a lot of eyes are on a bowl game, especially if we get into the Cactus Bowl. It is more important than any single MWC game, but not more important than 9-0 with a win on the duece this Saturday. A win in a game like the Cactus Bowl should allow us to enter next season with a win against a P5 team, an 10 game win streak and likely an 11 game streak heading into a winnable game against Cal who will be breaking in a new QB. It always matters when we play a P5. It has to have an impact on perception. He may not be a good bowl game coach. Or it could just be sample size. After four games this year everyone would have said that we were terrible. Now, not so much. It could just be luck, that often clouds the true value/quality when you are looking at a sample size of like 8 games versus seasons of results that go in to his regular season record. Final thought, he may not be a good coach for a bowl, but it has nothing to do with thinking that the game is a reward for the players. There is no way it affects how they practice, game plan or how "up" they are for the game. As I have said before, I don't know if Rocky can get us to the level BSU and TCU have enjoyed over the last 10 years, but I am really enjoying the run we are on and the records we have set like winning every conference game by at least double the points scored by our opposition. Trying to parse words and bring down our MOJO is not really getting it done.
|
|
|
Post by legkick on Dec 1, 2015 12:07:05 GMT -8
Thanks, Boise, I try not to respond to trolls or other posters I have on ignore. Only time I see their posts is when someone else quotes them, and message board programming generally hasn't figured out a way to address that.
|
|
|
Post by sdcoug on Dec 1, 2015 12:20:54 GMT -8
Legkick and or Coug, Humor me, and counter my tongue in cheek thoughts below... Games played in front of national audiences aren't important, or that more eyes aren't on a Bowl game than the sum total of all of our MWC victories this season. The few times that SDSU is matched up against a P5 team, it really doesn't matter whether we win or lose. The results of being on a national stage has no impact on local and national perception. It's a cosmic phenomena that Rocky's bowl record is as as abysmal as it is when compared to his regular season overall record at SDSU Huh? Who's said they're NOT important? They are important. Every game matters.
Rocky's never said ANY game isn't important, including bowl games. He coaches every game to win. The only issue on THIS board is this belief that you can't have fun at the same time! You can!
They "work hard in practice" and have a good time in the bowls. Nothing wrong with that. If you don't think the players are prepared & out there trying to win every game, including the bowl, you don't have a clue about college football players. You're doing them a major disservice. I guarantee our players are trying as hard as our opponents, and prepared just as well. Sometimes you just don't have the talent; others you just make a critical mistake at a critical time. It happens.
Rocky's bowl record at SDSU is 1-3, with 2 of those games decided by 1 play including a missed gimme FG. That's not a lack of prep or trying, that's just not executing on something you've done 100's of times. BYU was a better team, yet it was still a tight game in the 4th.
Sometimes your bowl record isn't about coaching. It's about playing better teams or not getting a break here or there. Rocky didn't miss the chippee against Navy last I checked. It was supposed to be a close game & it was. The kick decided it.
|
|
|
Post by whitehawk on Dec 1, 2015 12:31:59 GMT -8
I love how instead of addressing the concern ( Rocky playing the game just for fun) you throw out how I and other just don't understand college football and practice time before a bowl game. Saying you are playing for fun is much different than saying we are going to lay it all out on the field and do anything to win. I am certain that the Boise teams that won bowl games in the past didnt just show up and play for fun. I do understand that the extra practice time is huge for developing players. On the other hand, SDSU MUST grow the name and brand. Setting a culture of winning EVERY game does that, not "playing to have fun". If we were already in a P5 conference I would likely feel differently, but with ever changing landscape of college football I know that SDSU needs to do everything possible to justify it's existence. Hopefully that existence is in a new and better conference. Yep, you're still misinterpreting or more likely selectively interpreting, AND you didn't quote the complete sentence. The very phrase before he says the team will "practice hard". Why would the team "practice hard" if they were only playing for fun? You also might want to go back and bone up your Boise State history. They didn't become "good" until 1999, and they didn't beat a P5 in a bowl game until 2002 (a mediocre 7-7 Iowa State team), didn't beat a good P5 team in the regular season until 2006 (10-4 Oregon State), and didn't beat a good P5 team in a bowl game until the Fiesta Bowl game against Oklahoma (New Years 2007). It took them a long time, seven plus years, to get from "good" to national consciousness. SDSU hasn't even hit the "good" stage by Boise standards, yet. And if you asked people around the nation what they know Boise State by, they will tell you it was how this bowl game ended against Oklahoma in 2007 (including the random proposal): Also note how (on national TV with a big audience) it furthered the conversation to end the BCS game and provide a playoff. GO AZTECS!!! WIN 20!!!
|
|
|
Post by gigglyforshrigley on Dec 1, 2015 12:40:43 GMT -8
Legkick and or Coug, Humor me, and counter my tongue in cheek thoughts below... Games played in front of national audiences aren't important, or that more eyes aren't on a Bowl game than the sum total of all of our MWC victories this season. The few times that SDSU is matched up against a P5 team, it really doesn't matter whether we win or lose. The results of being on a national stage has no impact on local and national perception. It's a cosmic phenomena that Rocky's bowl record is as as abysmal as it is when compared to his regular season overall record at SDSU Huh? Who's said they're NOT important? They are important. Every game matters.
Rocky's never said ANY game isn't important, including bowl games. He coaches every game to win. The only issue on THIS board is this belief that you can't have fun at the same time! You can!
They "work hard in practice" and have a good time in the bowls. Nothing wrong with that. If you don't think the players are prepared & out there trying to win every game, including the bowl, you don't have a clue about college football players. You're doing them a major disservice. I guarantee our players are trying as hard as our opponents, and prepared just as well. Sometimes you just don't have the talent; others you just make a critical mistake at a critical time. It happens.
Rocky's bowl record at SDSU is 1-3, with 2 of those games decided by 1 play including a missed gimme FG. That's not a lack of prep or trying, that's just not executing on something you've done 100's of times. BYU was a better team, yet it was still a tight game in the 4th.
Sometimes your bowl record isn't about coaching. It's about playing better teams or not getting a break here or there. Rocky didn't miss the chippee against Navy last I checked. It was supposed to be a close game & it was. The kick decided it.
Not to de-rail the thread too much but that gimme FG in the Navy game was definitely partly a coaching error. He should've still made the FG, but everyone in the stadium knew we should've centered the ball with a run (which also would've made it an even closer FG) instead of passing it. Everyone sitting around me was dumbfounded at the play calling (including some Navy fans who were laughing about it), and that wasn't the only shaky play call. If my memory serves me correctly we either went for it on 4th down in the red zone earlier in the game or we decided to pass on a 3rd and short in the redzone when we could've run it down their throats and it didn't work out well. Both of those were due to Toledo's play calling (not necessarily Rocky's fault) though
|
|
|
Post by sdcoug on Dec 1, 2015 12:42:07 GMT -8
Every game matters. Nobody has ever said anything differently, including Rocky.
Not targeting every practice towards prepping for your opponent doesn't mean you're not taking it serious or that you don't want to win.
It baffles me how people don't get that every coach wants to win every game, and how that's the same thing with the players. It also amazes me that people think you can't have fun at a bowl and you can't develop younger players, given 15 practices.
If every bowl game only allowed 5-6 practices, like the national championship game, that'd be a completely different scenario. They have zoo tours, big dinner events and parades for a reason at bowls, and EVERY team also participates in those for a reason.
Every day I'm stunned by some people on this board (not meant towards you andre).
I love how instead of addressing the concern ( Rocky playing the game just for fun) you throw out how I and other just don't understand college football and practice time before a bowl game. Saying you are playing for fun is much different than saying we are going to lay it all out on the field and do anything to win. I am certain that the Boise teams that won bowl games in the past didnt just show up and play for fun. I do understand that the extra practice time is huge for developing players. On the other hand, SDSU MUST grow the name and brand. Setting a culture of winning EVERY game does that, not "playing to have fun". If we were already in a P5 conference I would likely feel differently, but with ever changing landscape of college football I know that SDSU needs to do everything possible to justify it's existence. Hopefully that existence is in a new and better conference. Not if you understand college athletics. Do you actually believe the players are kicking back, having a drink on the sideline during bowl games & just laughing? Do you actually believe they don't want to win? Every game is about preparation. If you prepare well, it has NOTHING to do with whether a game is "fun" or not. The fact you actually believe that players aren't having fun while "laying it on the line" just confirms my point.
This week is like any other week when it comes to prep. The difference is in the MIND OF THE PLAYERS only, and that it's known this is for all the marbles. TONS of motivation on both side, whereas its tougher to get up for a Nevada when the division is already in the bag. This is the most important game they've played in, period.
A bowl game is very different. You don't need 3+ weeks to prepare for a team. You reward the players for all their hard work, and let them enjoy themselves. You still "work hard in practice", as Rocky specifically states, and you prepare to win. You're cheating your players if you don't, and Rocky's no different. But once the game begins it's about pride, and that's about the players. They play to win, and the coaches coach to win. But you have a damn good time doing so.
The only ones who get bent out of shape about it are the fans who don't understand how important football and winning is to the players and the coaching staff.
|
|
|
Post by Montezumas Revenge 88 on Dec 1, 2015 12:50:03 GMT -8
Yep, you're still misinterpreting or more likely selectively interpreting, AND you didn't quote the complete sentence. The very phrase before he says the team will "practice hard". Why would the team "practice hard" if they were only playing for fun? You also might want to go back and bone up your Boise State history. They didn't become "good" until 1999, and they didn't beat a P5 in a bowl game until 2002 (a mediocre 7-7 Iowa State team), didn't beat a good P5 team in the regular season until 2006 (10-4 Oregon State), and didn't beat a good P5 team in a bowl game until the Fiesta Bowl game against Oklahoma (New Years 2007). It took them a long time, seven plus years, to get from "good" to national consciousness. SDSU hasn't even hit the "good" stage by Boise standards, yet. And if you asked people around the nation what they know Boise State by, they will tell you it was how this bowl game ended against Oklahoma in 2007 (including the random proposal): Also note how (on national TV with a big audience) it furthered the conversation to end the BCS game and provide a playoff. GO AZTECS!!! WIN 20!!!I think its safe to say the play off will expand to six teams within the next three years!
|
|
|
Post by rebar619 on Dec 1, 2015 13:11:32 GMT -8
I love how instead of addressing the concern ( Rocky playing the game just for fun) you throw out how I and other just don't understand college football and practice time before a bowl game. Saying you are playing for fun is much different than saying we are going to lay it all out on the field and do anything to win. I am certain that the Boise teams that won bowl games in the past didnt just show up and play for fun. I do understand that the extra practice time is huge for developing players. On the other hand, SDSU MUST grow the name and brand. Setting a culture of winning EVERY game does that, not "playing to have fun". If we were already in a P5 conference I would likely feel differently, but with ever changing landscape of college football I know that SDSU needs to do everything possible to justify it's existence. Hopefully that existence is in a new and better conference. Not if you understand college athletics. Do you actually believe the players are kicking back, having a drink on the sideline during bowl games & just laughing? Do you actually believe they don't want to win? Every game is about preparation. If you prepare well, it has NOTHING to do with whether a game is "fun" or not. The fact you actually believe that players aren't having fun while "laying it on the line" just confirms my point.
This week is like any other week when it comes to prep. The difference is in the MIND OF THE PLAYERS only, and that it's known this is for all the marbles. TONS of motivation on both side, whereas its tougher to get up for a Nevada when the division is already in the bag. This is the most important game they've played in, period.
A bowl game is very different. You don't need 3+ weeks to prepare for a team. You reward the players for all their hard work, and let them enjoy themselves. You still "work hard in practice", as Rocky specifically states, and you prepare to win. You're cheating your players if you don't, and Rocky's no different. But once the game begins it's about pride, and that's about the players. They play to win, and the coaches coach to win. But you have a damn good time doing so.
The only ones who get bent out of shape about it are the fans who don't understand how important football and winning is to the players and the coaching staff.
Again, you talk about how no one understands but you. I am going by Rockys own words and those alone. It is clear in the interview and prior interviews that he views the bowl as less important than the championship game. IMO they are equally important, especially when SDSU needs every opportunity to show they belong in a P5. I don't suggest that he doesn't want to win, though you could infer from his statements that is the case. My point is that his lower level of importance to a bowl game is an attitude that is not part of a dominant program. The players and fans pick up on attitudes like this.
|
|
|
Post by sdcoug on Dec 1, 2015 13:18:18 GMT -8
Huh? Who's said they're NOT important? They are important. Every game matters.
Rocky's never said ANY game isn't important, including bowl games. He coaches every game to win. The only issue on THIS board is this belief that you can't have fun at the same time! You can!
They "work hard in practice" and have a good time in the bowls. Nothing wrong with that. If you don't think the players are prepared & out there trying to win every game, including the bowl, you don't have a clue about college football players. You're doing them a major disservice. I guarantee our players are trying as hard as our opponents, and prepared just as well. Sometimes you just don't have the talent; others you just make a critical mistake at a critical time. It happens.
Rocky's bowl record at SDSU is 1-3, with 2 of those games decided by 1 play including a missed gimme FG. That's not a lack of prep or trying, that's just not executing on something you've done 100's of times. BYU was a better team, yet it was still a tight game in the 4th.
Sometimes your bowl record isn't about coaching. It's about playing better teams or not getting a break here or there. Rocky didn't miss the chippee against Navy last I checked. It was supposed to be a close game & it was. The kick decided it.
Not to de-rail the thread too much but that gimme FG in the Navy game was definitely partly a coaching error. He should've still made the FG, but everyone in the stadium knew we should've centered the ball with a run (which also would've made it an even closer FG) instead of passing it. Everyone sitting around me was dumbfounded at the play calling (including some Navy fans who were laughing about it), and that wasn't the only shaky play call. If my memory serves me correctly we either went for it on 4th down in the red zone earlier in the game or we decided to pass on a 3rd and short in the redzone when we could've run it down their throats and it didn't work out well. Both of those were due to Toledo's play calling (not necessarily Rocky's fault) though
I thought we should have centered the ball earlier as well, but I think the priority was on SCORING first. And let's not confuse things. We went 59 yards on 4 plays, all pass plays to get the ball in position for the FG. That was VERY good play calling and coaches to get us in position to win. Passing got us in position to win. If anyone was "laughing" at that type of play calling then the jokes on them.
From the 21, we then ran the ball ONCE for just 1 yard, on first down with under a minute to go. The play which put us out to the right was a PASS play to Pump, something that had worked 3 times on the drive already for big yardage. Even then, we're still in good position at the 17. If we're at the 5 & to the far right hash, THAT is a tough angle. From the 17, 34 yards, is less of an abrupt angle.
The debate is about what to do on 3rd & 6 with 28 seconds on the clock. That's the ONLY debate. Do you run to the left & center, improving your FG odds slightly but most likely giving up any chance of scoring. Or do you pass, which we'd done successfully all drive? Some would play conservatively; some would actually go for the win, NOW, rather than resting on the FG. We chose the latter. It's debatable, but there isn't a clear cut answer.
We missed.
I don't put that on coaching. That one play call is debatable, but no right/wrong answer. IMO the bigger factors was a) not executing on the initial running play that only gained 1 yard); and 2) missing the FG. The 2nd down pass call to DJ, which I believe was a check down, wasn't a bad call IMO. On 3rd, I can't recall if we had
Stepping back further, we had the ball with 6 minutes to go in the game AND the lead. On 1st down we ran for 14 yards. On second we ran for another 4 and were in Navy territory at their 45 only to have DJ fumble. Was THAT on the coaches? We were driving down the field with a chance to basically ice the game. Was that on Rocky?
To Navy's credit they took the ball & cashed in, despite a couple mistakes (2 penalties). They converted a 4th & 1 as well. They made their FG. And on that drive our coaches used their TO's wisely to give us time on the clock for the last drive.
Stepping back even further to address your point, we're up by 2 - 16-14, with 11 on the clock at around midfield. We drove the ball down to their 15. On first down we ran it to the 7, only to be called for holding. If we didn't hold, we're 1st & goal. Instead we're looking at 2nd & long, so we passed twice, the latter for 12 yards. We had 4th & 5 at their 12 with a 2 point lead. Debate time - play conservative & a FG puts us up by 5, forcing them to score (w/ plenty of time on the clock) OR go for the dagger. We went for the dagger. Worst case, they hve to go 87 yards. THAT was debatable. However, how'd that turn out? Did they score? NO! 3 & OUT, so we had the ball right back with ZERO harm done & at midfield. DJ proceeded to fumble on the 2nd play. That coaching decision didn't cost us; the fumble on the ensuing drive DID.
We see the game differently. I understand the debate about whether to center or not, but also see the desire to go for the win. I hate it when coaches "settle" for a FG late. Especially when they have the QB kneel 2-3 times or even sneak it a yard or two. I appreciate coaches who go for the jugular, as long as their QB is aware to throw it away if nothing is there. I see the game more as us making 2 critical mistakes - fumble & missed FG, and their players stripping DJ & making a FG. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't put that on Toledo or Rocky.
|
|
|
Post by Luchador El Guerrero Azteca on Dec 1, 2015 13:25:05 GMT -8
My favorite part of this thread is watching the Rocky Bowl supporters come up with excuses as to why Rocky's Bowl record is as bad as it is. (Terrible stemming call, terrible FG kicker, terrible venue), and why winning a Bowl isn't important. Keep telling yourself that games played in front of national audiences aren't important, or that more eyes aren't on a Bowl game than the sum total of all of our MWC victories this season. Believe that the few times that SDSU is matched up against a P5 team, it really doesn't matter whether we win or lose. Believe that the results of being on a national stage has no impact on local and national perception. Keep believing... No one is saying that. Everyone agrees the bowls are important. It's the conflating of the perception that Rocky doesn't care about bowls. He sees than as multi-purpose and have multiple benefits.
|
|
|
Post by sdcoug on Dec 1, 2015 13:27:33 GMT -8
Not if you understand college athletics. Do you actually believe the players are kicking back, having a drink on the sideline during bowl games & just laughing? Do you actually believe they don't want to win? Every game is about preparation. If you prepare well, it has NOTHING to do with whether a game is "fun" or not. The fact you actually believe that players aren't having fun while "laying it on the line" just confirms my point.
This week is like any other week when it comes to prep. The difference is in the MIND OF THE PLAYERS only, and that it's known this is for all the marbles. TONS of motivation on both side, whereas its tougher to get up for a Nevada when the division is already in the bag. This is the most important game they've played in, period.
A bowl game is very different. You don't need 3+ weeks to prepare for a team. You reward the players for all their hard work, and let them enjoy themselves. You still "work hard in practice", as Rocky specifically states, and you prepare to win. You're cheating your players if you don't, and Rocky's no different. But once the game begins it's about pride, and that's about the players. They play to win, and the coaches coach to win. But you have a damn good time doing so.
The only ones who get bent out of shape about it are the fans who don't understand how important football and winning is to the players and the coaching staff.
Again, you talk about how no one understands but you. I am going by Rockys own words and those alone. It is clear in the interview and prior interviews that he views the bowl as less important than the championship game. IMO they are equally important, especially when SDSU needs every opportunity to show they belong in a P5. I don't suggest that he doesn't want to win, though you could infer from his statements that is the case. My point is that his lower level of importance to a bowl game is an attitude that is not part of a dominant program. The players and fans pick up on attitudes like this. This is exactly where we disagree. He's never said they're not important, or that they're even less important than most games. He's just said you approach them differently, and make the whole bowl game experience be more fun for all involved. Having it be fun doesn't make it less important or even imply they won't do everything they can to win. That's reading something into nothing, and doing our players a major disservice. But there's no denying THE most important game is your conference championship game, unless you're in the final 4. That's a FACT. It doesn't mean a bowl isn't important at all - it just points the arrow at THE big game.
Talk to him sometime about it. I have, as have others. Bowls are not life or death. They're a reward for a great season, and an opportunity to not only have fun, but to win another game. Everybody, including Rocky, wants to win another game. To think otherwise is simply inaccurate. To think that the players go into games thinking it isn't important is also doing them a major disservice.
BTW, winning or losing a bowl game has no bearing on whether or not we get into another conference. None. What does is getting into a bowl on a consistent basis, and having a program which is successful. We'll be successful this year win or lose either of the latter games. The only people who react to winning or losing a December bowl game are fringe fans. It's a great opportunity to get more of them on board, but beyond that it has no bearing on which conference we're playing in during the 2019 season (or whenever). TV market money does, as does the ability to compete. Those don't change based on 1 outcome.
|
|
|
Post by zed on Dec 1, 2015 13:38:53 GMT -8
at least give him a stern talking to. Listening to his interview on 1090 yesterday I was disturbed to hear him reiterate his position on bowl games that we have heard in the past. link (about the 9:30 mark) In short, Rocky feels that a bowl game is a reward for the players and that while they prepare his intent is for them to go out and have a good time rather than have the focus of a championship game. Basically he feels that the result of the game does not matter. This is complete and utter nonsense. A bowl game is extra exposure for the program before a national audience. I get that there are too many bowl games, but SDSU must take every bowl seriously to grow the fan base, impress network decision makers, and wow leadership in other conferences. Getting pasted by BYU or losing to Navy does nothing but set the program back by making SDSU FB look minor league. Hell, how do you sell alumni on spending their time and money to go to a bowl game when the head coach sees it as "play time" instead of time to finish work? If I am taking his words wrong feel free to say so. Unfortunately I don't think I am. In the event SDSU gets to play in the Cactus bowl, Sterk must let Rocky know this is a must win game. Otherwise this season and our program will be written off as a triumph over weak competition by an SDSU FB team that should forever be relegated to the ranks of the forgotten. You lost me at "Fire Rocky" !
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 13:47:48 GMT -8
Thread title = a bit strange... you want to fire Rocky (or give him a stern talking to) because you don't agree with words he uses in a press conference. Well, I guess maybe if you were the AD you could say that but I'm guessing you are not Jim Sterk (or I hope not anyway).
As for what RL said, well, it's very simple to me...
People play sports for FUN.
If it were not FUN they would not do so.
Being competitive is FUN.
You can both be competitive and have FUN at the same time.
It is more FUN to win than lose.
Therefore saying it is FUN for the players does not mean they are not trying to win.
In fact, as mentioned above, they will have more FUN if they win.
Pretty straight forward to me, although I know a few of you disagree. (Which is fine, we don't all have to have the same opinion.)
|
|
|
Post by rebar619 on Dec 1, 2015 13:51:08 GMT -8
Again, you talk about how no one understands but you. I am going by Rockys own words and those alone. It is clear in the interview and prior interviews that he views the bowl as less important than the championship game. IMO they are equally important, especially when SDSU needs every opportunity to show they belong in a P5. I don't suggest that he doesn't want to win, though you could infer from his statements that is the case. My point is that his lower level of importance to a bowl game is an attitude that is not part of a dominant program. The players and fans pick up on attitudes like this. This is exactly where we disagree. He's never said they're not important, or that they're even less important than most games. He's just said you approach them differently, and make the whole bowl game experience be more fun for all involved. Having it be fun doesn't make it less important or even imply they won't do everything they can to win. That's reading something into nothing, and doing our players a major disservice. But there's no denying THE most important game is your conference championship game, unless you're in the final 4. That's a FACT. It doesn't mean a bowl isn't important at all - it just points the arrow at THE big game.
Talk to him sometime about it. I have, as have others. Bowls are not life or death. They're a reward for a great season, and an opportunity to not only have fun, but to win another game. Everybody, including Rocky, wants to win another game. To think otherwise is simply inaccurate. To think that the players go into games thinking it isn't important is also doing them a major disservice.
BTW, winning or losing a bowl game has no bearing on whether or not we get into another conference. None. What does is getting into a bowl on a consistent basis, and having a program which is successful. We'll be successful this year win or lose either of the latter games. The only people who react to winning or losing a December bowl game are fringe fans. It's a great opportunity to get more of them on board, but beyond that it has no bearing on which conference we're playing in during the 2019 season (or whenever). TV market money does, as does the ability to compete. Those don't change based on 1 outcome.
I like your interpretation better than mine and hope for SDSU's sake you are spot on.
|
|
|
Post by rebar619 on Dec 1, 2015 13:53:54 GMT -8
Thread title = a bit strange... you want to fire Rocky (or give him a stern talking to) because you don't agree with words he uses in a press conference. Well, I guess maybe if you were the AD you could say that but I'm guessing you are not Jim Sterk (or I hope not anyway).
As for what RL said, well, it's very simple to me...
People play sports for FUN.
If it were not FUN they would not do so.
Being competitive is FUN.
You can both be competitive and have FUN at the same time.
It is more FUN to win than lose.
Therefore saying it is FUN for the players does not mean they are not trying to win.
In fact, as mentioned above, they will have more FUN if they win.
Pretty straight forward to me, although I know a few of you disagree. (Which is fine, we don't all have to have the same opinion.) I thought the title was appropriate in a tongue-in-cheek vibe given the knee jerk way it is thrown around in Aztecmesa.
|
|
|
Post by whitehawk on Dec 1, 2015 14:23:43 GMT -8
And if you asked people around the nation what they know Boise State by, they will tell you it was how this bowl game ended against Oklahoma in 2007 (including the random proposal): Also note how (on national TV with a big audience) it furthered the conversation to end the BCS game and provide a playoff. GO AZTECS!!! WIN 20!!!I think its safe to say the play off will expand to six teams within the next three years! I couldn't agree more. 6 will make it more of a playoff. And runner-up for the national championship game gets to go to Disneyland. Champions get to look into the TV and say, "I'm going for a Margarita!" GO AZTECS!!! WIN 20!!!
|
|