A blog for the FHS Advanced Topics in Literature: Sports class. This blog is an open, moderated, opportunity for students of the class to share their feelings on modern topics in sports literature and beyond.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Overrated Teams
Many sporting teams either professional or collegiate are often giving a lot of respect because of their name. Which teams get the most unearned respect and why?
Michigan State sports especially football and basketball are always overrated in pre-season polls because in football they spend so much money and get supposed top recruits yet are unable to produce a good product and constantly lose bowl games to sub-par teams. In basketball, they win blow off tournaments early against mid-majors, then they get a moral victory by losing closely in the Big 10 ACC challenge, and finally peak in Big 10 play but still ride their early success to the tourney
THE Ohio State University - This year espically, considering Boise State was undefeated heading into bowl season and Ball State was 12-1 (I know they play in the MAC but still). OSU shouldn't have played in the Fiesta Bowl this year and they shouldn't have played in the national championship last year either.
San Diego Chargers - The talent is definitly there, but they have yet to make the jump to being elite. They have a very nice offense with Rivers, LT, Chambers, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, Craig Davis etc. and they have cornerstones on defense in Shawn Merrimen, Luis Castillo, Cromartie, and Stephen Cooper but they need to perform better than 8-8.
New York Mets - Obviously a talented team. They have solid vets, a decent farm system, and differences makers like Reyes, Wright, and Santana, but with the way the media (mainly ESPN) covers them, you would think they have won three or four straight World Seires titles. Of course, that is because of the east coast bias.
The Yankees define the term over rated. I agree with the PAC 10 and ND call
I feel the Indianapolis Colts are overrated every year, they make the playoffs every year and have one ring to show for. They play the regular season well, but the super bowl is a whole new season and that's where they fall.
I feel that ACC basketball could be categorized in that group, also. Though they do have strong teams at the top, the bottom of the conference is as bad, if not worse than, as the lower teams of other conferences. Opposed to the Big East and Big Ten where almost all of the teams have decent seasons. (Give the bad Big East teams a break, they played a schedule full of ranked teams, when they really aren't that bad)
For NASCAR the Roush Team. The owner is such a sore loser. He is not very friendly and he treats his team like crap. The only thing I don't get is how that team is one of the best teams, next to Hendrick Mortorsports?
MSU football ben? the only time they ever get hype is a product of them beating overrated ND. they havnt had much hype or gotten consistently great players since the 60's.
In basketball they've made 4 final fours in 10 years, something that is really impressive. every player that izzo has recruited has made a final four, not many coaches can say that. granted they havn't won the big ten in a while, it's still a sport defined by the tourney and no one has done better.
for the rest-
As much as you may hate the Yanks, they've made the playoffs 12 out of the last 13 years and won 26 world series.
ND will always be no matter what just because of the massive following across the country.
I think the Cowboys as a team talent wise are overrated but judging by ratings, they still do have the biggest national following
and with the Colts, I don't think they can be called not a great team because they don't make the super bowl. making the playoffs every year is still an impressive feat in itself in the NFL. It's the same situation with the Braves of the 90's, I do not think they can be called overrated because they only won one in 95.
Michigan State sports especially football and basketball are always overrated in pre-season polls because in football they spend so much money and get supposed top recruits yet are unable to produce a good product and constantly lose bowl games to sub-par teams. In basketball, they win blow off tournaments early against mid-majors, then they get a moral victory by losing closely in the Big 10 ACC challenge, and finally peak in Big 10 play but still ride their early success to the tourney
ReplyDeleteTHE Ohio State University - This year espically, considering Boise State was undefeated heading into bowl season and Ball State was 12-1 (I know they play in the MAC but still). OSU shouldn't have played in the Fiesta Bowl this year and they shouldn't have played in the national championship last year either.
ReplyDeleteSan Diego Chargers - The talent is definitly there, but they have yet to make the jump to being elite. They have a very nice offense with Rivers, LT, Chambers, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, Craig Davis etc. and they have cornerstones on defense in Shawn Merrimen, Luis Castillo, Cromartie, and Stephen Cooper but they need to perform better than 8-8.
New York Mets - Obviously a talented team. They have solid vets, a decent farm system, and differences makers like Reyes, Wright, and Santana, but with the way the media (mainly ESPN) covers them, you would think they have won three or four straight World Seires titles. Of course, that is because of the east coast bias.
Notre Dame-both basketball and football
ReplyDeleteLos Angeles Angles of Anaheim
Any NY team, Cowboys, Suns, Notre Dame (good call CV), PAC 10 colleges, any Big Ten team (any sport), and Nebraska football.
ReplyDeletePac 10 basketball is so bad, yet people still think they're good.
ReplyDeleteThe Yankees define the term over rated. I agree with the PAC 10 and ND call
ReplyDeleteI feel the Indianapolis Colts are overrated every year, they make the playoffs every year and have one ring to show for. They play the regular season well, but the super bowl is a whole new season and that's where they fall.
Yeah, I agree with Ethan.
ReplyDeleteI feel that ACC basketball could be categorized in that group, also. Though they do have strong teams at the top, the bottom of the conference is as bad, if not worse than, as the lower teams of other conferences. Opposed to the Big East and Big Ten where almost all of the teams have decent seasons. (Give the bad Big East teams a break, they played a schedule full of ranked teams, when they really aren't that bad)
New York Yankees - They have some of the best talent in the league but they don't have a good team chemistry
ReplyDeleteChicago Cubs - Face it they suck and won't win it like everyone says every year
Notre Dame is always overrated in every sport
Dallas Cowboys - "America's Team" isn't "America's Team" anymore
For NASCAR the Roush Team.
ReplyDeleteThe owner is such a sore loser. He is not very friendly and he treats his team like crap.
The only thing I don't get is how that team is one of the best teams, next to Hendrick Mortorsports?
MSU football ben? the only time they ever get hype is a product of them beating overrated ND. they havnt had much hype or gotten consistently great players since the 60's.
ReplyDeleteIn basketball they've made 4 final fours in 10 years, something that is really impressive. every player that izzo has recruited has made a final four, not many coaches can say that. granted they havn't won the big ten in a while, it's still a sport defined by the tourney and no one has done better.
for the rest-
As much as you may hate the Yanks, they've made the playoffs 12 out of the last 13 years and won 26 world series.
ND will always be no matter what just because of the massive following across the country.
I think the Cowboys as a team talent wise are overrated but judging by ratings, they still do have the biggest national following
and with the Colts, I don't think they can be called not a great team because they don't make the super bowl. making the playoffs every year is still an impressive feat in itself in the NFL. It's the same situation with the Braves of the 90's, I do not think they can be called overrated because they only won one in 95.
Kent, if you dont do anything int he playoffs, it doesn't mean anything. You make teams to win championshops, not to just make the playoffs.
ReplyDelete