FIU-Miami Brawl: Penalties Appropriate?

[mr_pikachu]

Not just wagging the dog, but swinging a helmet, too


Those of you who follow college football (or watch Leno's monologues) must know about the brawl Saturday between Miami and Florida International.

There were a total of 31 suspensions due to the on-field incident. FIU threw two players off the team, and 16 others will serve indefinite suspensions. Miami safety Anthony Roddick will serve an indefinite suspension while 12 other Miami players will sit for one game.

The self-imposed penalties given by FIU and Miami are obviously very, very different. What is more correct? Was FIU too harsh in crippling its own team for many weeks to come? Was a stronger response than that given by Miami warranted? And what does the whole thing mean for college football? What do you think?

Discuss.

[dratinihaunter13]

The penalties are unfair, but they make perfect sense. I mean look at Florida International. When was the last time you heard that school and "bowl game" used in the same sentence? This team isn't going anywhere. So what if they suspend a truckload of their players, they've got nothing to lose. Now look at Miami, a respectable team every year, though this year has been a rough one already. You got the coach's job in jeopardy, a likely bowl game in their future, and a history of being THE school to produce NFL starters. They're #1 or 2 in players who've gone on to NFL careers. Do these players need the indefinite suspension to further hurt their chances with NFL scouts? Of course not. These kids got talent, this team's got talent, and for those reasons they are getting a much, much lighter punishment.

Miami has been a bitch of a team all year, already kicking up a fuss in the Louisville game, jumping all over their logo at the 50 yard line as a show of disrespect. Louisville went on to destroy them. You'd think this history would make the punishment more harsh - but no. Seeing the video, it looked like Miami was the team ganging up on the Florida kids. I saw a gaggle of 5 or 6 Hurricanes just brutally kicking a single Florida International guy who was curled up in the fetal position. And afterward, Miami wins the game and celebrates in the faces of the other team? Somebody put their foot down, admit a lost season with lost players, and re-establish at least some, SOME respectability to this program.