Getty ImagesThree weeks into the 2012 season, Florida State, Notre Dame and Ohio State are a combined 9-0 and ranked fourth, 11th and 16th, respectively, in the latest Associated Press poll.
As should have been expected, the talk has turned to, especially as it pertains to the Seminoles, whether the three traditional powers are we-really-mean-it-this-time back. Of course, the early-season schedule has played a significant role in the unblemished marks, with just one win over a ranked opponent (the Irish over then-No. 10 Michigan State and victories over the likes of two FCS-level programs (FSU), Miami of Ohio (OSU) and winless Navy (ND).
All told, the threesome’s 2012 opponents are a combined 11-14.
On Thursday’s NBC Sports Talk program, host Erik Kuselias discusses with the New York Times‘ Pete Thamel the very headline of this post: are Florida State, Notre Dame and Ohio State back?
Does it really matter if they’re back? None of them is in the SEC and none of them have a snowball-in-hell’s chance of beating Alabama. For that matter, Im convinced no one in the SEC has a chance of beating Alabama and they’re going purposely run the score up on everyone so there aren’t any questions about it. The video and the question is a moot point, sorry. What we should do is enjoy the entertaining football games being played (aka the ones where Alabama is NOT playing) and watch the season unfold for whomever is going to finish 2nd.
I know hope springs eternal with the Notre Dame fans. It almost is that way with the Seminoles and Buckeyes. No doubt all teams have improved, but it is too early in the season to evaluate those three teams at this time, as it is too early to rank the best team in the nation. Perhaps about the time BCS actually starts ranking (mid-October) is about the right time to have enough quality games played to see the relative strengths of each team.
News media and pundits seem to try each year to find some “darlings” which they say will end the SEC hegemony on the national championship. This year the pre-season “prima donna” was Southern Cal. How did that go for them?
Don’t know if these 3 are pretenders or the real thing yet, and we won’t know until some better quality opponents are played week in and week out, about 3 more weeks should do for at least getting an idea.
Tlmoon- Do not look part lsu. They are just as talented, and have a chip on their shoulders. Not to mention, if you don’t execute, any team can beat you. Lets suit back and see how it plays out.
Wow, SEC thread hijacking. That didn’t take long……
OSU is not all the way back. They’ll have two losses this year.
I don’t think ND is back either. They’re still Notre Dame and the 80s ended a few decades ago.
I’m a Buckeyes fan and quite honestly, we are far from back. We can put up a tough game, but there is a lot about our game planning that looks tragically flawed. Nd looks good right now, but to the prestigious level some of us grew up hearing about? not even close. FSU to me looks the best of these three schools, they look tough, act tough and will, more than likely, have the chance to prove they are tough.
I wish OSU was back, more than anything, but what I see in the offense on saturdays, doesn’t look like “real” football to me, its fine to use the option style, but at somepoint your QB should look like a QB, not a running back throwing a ball.
FSU – probably, we’ll find out for sure against Clemson
OSU – no
ND – no
Norm – even if LSU beats Alabama by some miracle, do you really think we’ll have a repeat of last year where they allow the losing team from the regular season a rematch in the BCS Champ Game? I dont and they shouldnt….it wasnt right then and it wouldnt be any more right this time. Just like Danielson said on the telecast last Saturday “Saban is going to keep his foot on the gas”…..this season is over. Just my opinion though.
By the way, just to show that I am being fair-minded, as a life long Gator fan I cannot stand when people ask if we are “back”. It drives me insane. I want my guys to play like they are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Act and play like underdogs, its the best way to get better.
Oh my…what a joke of an article.
OSU is not even CLOSE.
Notre Dame is the same…you’ll see this week.
FSU *always* finds a way to blow it…ESPECIALLY in the years when the *do* have a great team, like this year.
Are the Buckeyes back? When did they leave? You have one bad season, and all hell breaks loose, and you’re on a slide… I’m sure there are many, many teams that would consider over a 10 year period having a record of 105-24, 7 conference championships, 8 times appearing in a BCS bowl, 3 NC appearances with one win pretty successful, and that’s with 2 bad years thrown in there (even taking into account the vacated season, it’s still pretty successful). Michigan last year, that is a team you could ask if they are back or not – before last year, their last good season was what, 2006?
Florida State – yes
Notre Dame – too soon to tell, but a convincing win on Saturday will tell us something
Ohio State – how can we possibly know? It’s a weak non-conference schedule & weak Big 10 from top to bottom
Ohio State never really left. They are only one season removed from a 12-1 season and BCS win and were arguably the best team over the last decade (most BCS wins, best winning percentage, NC, etc).
ND and FSU have both been pretty irrelevant for the last 10 years.
I couldn’t agree more with Sorgipet’s comments. How many teams can say they have had only one seven loss season since 1897? Last year was a fluke. It was a direct result of a very poor offensive coaching staff.
Are you kidding me? To answer your question..No. Notre Dame has Michigan this week. Notre Dame is not back.
As a life long ND fan, I have become a realist since the 80′s. The Irish have stunk up the field like my Chicago Cubs. I bought an ND flag about 15 years ago, and have been too embarrassed to ever display it. I do not know if they are any good, but if they can with the next 3 games, I might feel a little better about this team, this year; but, I am not holding my breath.
Sorgipet is obiously an Ohio State fan…Anyone get any tattoos lately? Michigan is for real. You guy smell
Not an OSU fan but please stop with the “Michigan is for real” BS after you stank up Jerry Jones’ house against Alabama. Thanks.
Tlmoon2012 hahahaha! Jerry Jones house? Wait wait…. Are you the dude tha wiped his glasses off for him a few weeks ago in the suit? Hahahaha nice! Gotta do better then that son!
Embarrassed to fly your ND flag? Take it back then. I don’t know if they “are back” but the (finally) attention to defense is something that has me excited. The front seven is very good. This wasn’t even supposed to be a year when people are talking about them considering they are playing a new QB, have a thin secondary, and lost Floyd. They also play one of the toughest schedules in CFB. So far, they are playing over their heads, gameplanning well against each opponent. They have Michigan this week, and even though they have had the better team the last few years, they’ve found ways to lose. They need to win this week before I start drinking the kool-aid.
Sorry Friar, but you should never be embarrassed about being an Irish fan. They continue to do it the right way (unlike the $EC) and will hopefully be rewarded for it.
Do you know who is not back? Tennessee. Another year of watching crappy football
Oh Vols, I feel your pain. Yet, we continue to watch. As an ND fan, we can both take pleasure in watching Kiffin unravel. The guy is going nuts, right?
who has FSU beaten? Murray State, Savannah State, and Wake Forest. Tough schedule they have had.
@thraiderskin …
Haven’t yet seen Ohio State in action this season and it’s too soon to make grand predictions for 2012. Like you, I prefer a traditional pro offense to Urban’s options. However, he’s good at what he does, and is a great recruiter and motivator. They may not be all the way back yet, but I expect your Buckeyes to return to dominance in the Big 10.
Too soon to tell for FSU and Notre Dame, too. This week’s contests with Clemson and Michigan will tell us whether they really have something going or are just benefiting from soft schedules.
It is too early to answer that question, my guess is no to each one of them. Each team, however, is improving and on their way up. My guess is both O-state and F-state are in better position for long term success.
To you SEC fans, yes your conference is the best in the country, just like the SEC was in the 60′s, Big 8 was in the 70′s, Miami itself was in the 80′s and the Big 12 was in the 90′s.
Are your teams beatable? Yes
Would I bet against them? No.
But I would recommend showing a little more class since nothing lasts forever.
“who has FSU beaten? Murray State, Savannah State, and Wake Forest. Tough schedule they have had.”
You’re right. They need to schedule a tough club like West Virginia and test their mettle. What’s the worst that could happen, right?
Idiots.
Ohio State sucks this year. The big 10 sucks
Your mom sucks.
Hehateme is by far the coolest name on this board.
I think you can’t really say Ohio State is back they aren’t that far removed from BCS yrs I think that ND is again deserving of being talked about you can say its to early to tell but they did just take down the then number 10 team in the country in michigan state if they win this week I think you can def say that they are at least a top 15 team Florida state is interesting because they haven’t really played anyone yet they have done exactly what they were supposed to do against lesser competition; completely dominate them. Lets be real that defense is for real and will keep them in any game I believe Florida State and Alabama have the 2 best defenses BY FAR IN THE NATION the difference is I believe Alabama is light yrs ahead on offense. Not because of talent but because of experience yes Florida State as E.J Manuel but the offensive line starts all true sophomores. while Alabama has an offensive line that many believe to be the best in the nation. Florida stat is a player the talent says so I believe if they beat clemson no one stops them in the acc and for the guy that said schedule wv WV was scheduled and WV at the last minute pulled out of the game so ask the frightenedneers whoops I meant Mountaineers whats the worst that can happen. In short Ohio state (rebuilding yr) Notre Dame (at least a top 15 team) Florida State (potential to be bcs bound) for sure the latter 2 are if not back very close to it
In a sense, the fact that these three are being talked about being back means they either are, or on the way. Extra attention leads to increased recruiting, as long as the coaches don’t mess it up.
Very true
The question is relative, and quite irrelevant. It’s really obvious that LSU and Alabama are a cut above the rest of college football. If someone else runs the table, they’ll get their shot at one of them over the SEC West loser, but if not, a rematch of last year’s championship would again be the country’s two best teams. Not what I would like, but IS.
Florida state!!!!! Anymore questions?
Ohio state looked woeful today Florida looked good notre dame bra an over hyped michigan team but they are scary on that front seven on d…. Florida state once they figured out Clemons smoke and mirrors game was OVER very fast
In short Florida state is definatly back don’t believe me? Just ask Clemson
OSU will definitely be back in 2013 or 14, once Urban starts getting his guys. They will be very hard to beat then.