Join jaguars.com senior editor Vic Ketchman as he tackles the fans' tough questions.
Thomas from Columbus, OH
To answer Brian from Jacksonville's question about why northern teams don't go south to play regular-season games, how are they supposed to go south when the south won't go north?
Vic: That’s why college football needs a playoff system. Nine of Florida’s 12 games this year will be played in Florida. The other three will be played in two states, Arkansas and Tennessee. Florida is a national program. It is one of college football’s premier programs, but that is not the kind of exposure befitting a national program. This is not a criticism of Florida. It’s a criticism of a system that allows this to happen; that promotes this kind of narrowness. If the Gators play their bowl game in Florida, which is likely, that’ll mean that 10 of their 13 games will have been played in their home state and that’s ridiculous. We need a playoff system that’ll require teams to travel into other regions of the country, to play on foreign soil and in varied weather conditions. We need a playoff system so that all of the important postseason games aren’t played in one or two regions of the country. Until that happens, major college football will always leave us with a sour taste in our mouths.
Mike from West Melbourne, FL
What do you think about the Jags being number five in the latest ESPN power rankings for 2008? I kind of dig it.
Vic: I think it’s a fair evaluation, in a meaningless sort of way. If I did a power rankings right now, it would look like this: Giants, Patriots, Chargers, Cowboys, Colts, Jaguars.
David from Savannah, GA
It is obvious that big-time football is a warm-weather sport. I don’t see the Super Bowl scheduling in Green Bay or Buffalo.
Vic: That is an amazing display of obtuse thinking. The two greatest title games in NFL history, the 1958 title game and the “Ice Bowl,” were played in New York and in Green Bay, and it was not warm on either day. The two most important, most dramatic and most memorable Jaguars games last season were played in Pittsburgh, and it was not warm on either day. The two conference title games were played at cold-weather sites without a problem and the Giants at Packers NFC title game is a classic. You don’t get it and I don’t think you ever will get it because your mind is being held prisoner by its regional bias.
Mike from Fruit Cove, FL
What did you think of the TPC? Also, what are your feelings toward the 17th hole and how some players call it unfair?
Vic: It was a great weekend of golf. I am still in awe of how the players were able to overcome the incredibly windy conditions, especially on a target-golf layout such as the Stadium Course. I love the TPC and I think the Stadium Course is the most visually stunning course I’ve ever seen. I like its looks more than Augusta. As far as the island-green 17th, I think it’s fair as long as everyone plays it in the same conditions. That’s where the fickle nature of the hole comes into play. I can understand claims that the hole might not be fair if the early tee times had to play it in high winds but the late tee times played it in calmer conditions. They call that rub of the green and it’s something we accept as part of the game. I’m actually starting to like the hole. I think it was visionary on Pete Dye’s part and I also think it’s made for better golf courses and better golfers as a result of its design concepts being applied in a broad-based way. I don’t think, however, that it was a good idea to make the 17th a playoff hole. I don’t think it lends itself to a playoff format because, as in Sunday’s case, Paul Goydos’ death was a bit too sudden. One and done ain’t my idea of a playoff. Seventy-two holes for that? I think they should’ve gone back to 18 and played. Then, if they were still tied, go ahead and go back to 17. I just didn’t like it in the position of ending everything with the first swing of sudden death.
Joshua from Jacksonville Beach, FL
What changes would happen in Jacksonville if the Jaguars won the Super Bowl?
Vic: That’s an interesting question that opens the door to a lot of thoughts. The team’s fan base would grow and demand for tickets would increase. I’d have to believe the Jaguars would instantly become sold out on a season-tickets basis. Stadium naming rights, if they weren’t decided by then, would likely sell quickly. All sponsorship inventory would sell more quickly. Jaguars merchandise sales would increase and that would make the Jaguars a more valuable property to the league. In other words, everything would get better. A Super Bowl trophy would put this franchise over the top. There is absolutely no question in my mind that it would. I think, as it stands, the franchise is close to getting over the hump and I think this is a franchise that, down the road, can become a monster. The question is: What’s going to put it over the top? Is it going to be one glorious season, or is it going to be time?
Josh from Savannah, GA
Why is it even considered fair that USC never has to play outside Pasadena in the Rose Bowl? It’s like a home game; just like Florida in the Orange Bowl.
Vic: I totally agree. Put the shoe on the other foot and see what you think. Why does Nebraska always have to play Miami or Florida State in Miami? Why does the Big Ten champion always have to play Southern Cal in southern California? It’s not fair. That’s why college football needs a playoff system: to find a true national champion according to a balanced elimination series that includes games all over America, not just in warm-weather sites.
Beau from Twin Falls, ID
Why do we refer to the Super Bowl winners as champions of the world?
Vic: I don’t. I prefer the term “Super Bowl champions.” What more do we need? In my opinion, the term “world champions” doesn’t fit a league that bills itself as being “national” in scope.