You know... the stuff that just kind of falls out when the party's over.
Quickies
I hate to say this, because I think, in terms of class and character, that the Miami Hurricane football team resembles a work release program from the county jail. But their defense is excellent. Based on what we’ve seen from the ACC so far this season, the ‘Canes might be among the league’s best. If they find some offense to go with that defense, they could find themselves paying for the league title.
Suddenly, I’m a Pirate fan. In consecutive weeks, East Carolina has upset Virginia Tech and laid waste to West Virginia. Could they be the next BCS party crasher?
The Big Least
How bad is the Big East? In the first two weeks of this season, Louisville was handled by Kentucky, Fresno State won at Rutgers, Bowling Green beat Pittsburgh, Syracuse was pummeled by Akron (Akron!?) and East Carolina squashed West Virginia.
Who Knows What Evil Lurks...?
I don't know what to think of USC yet. I'm sure they're good. They should be. They're well-paid. If you think Reggie Bush was the only Trojan ever to receive improper benefits, I've got some swampland in Nevada to sell you. But I wanted to puke when the national media crowed about USC's 52-7 drubbing of Virginia last week. Virginia is a lousy team in a lousy league. Yesterday, the Cavs led Richmond, yes the mighty Richmond Spiders, by a score of 3-0 until there was 7:30 remaining in the 4th quarter. USC may beat the hell out of Ohio State this Saturday, but don't try to convince me that they're good based on a lopsided victory over Virginia. At this point, I'm not even sure a win over Ohio State will be all that impressive. If Ohio U hadn't turned the ball over 5 times against the Buckeyes, the outcome of that game could have been different.
For the record, I hate USC. And I hate Ohio State worse.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
My Crystal Ball Says...
...that I know what will happen in this week's key games. Always remember that I'm right, and your team sucks.
#24 South Carolina @ Vanderbilt
Does South Carolina have a genuinely good defense? Or is NC State just that bad? It’s hard to tell after last Thursday’s game. But I think Bobby Johnson is a good coach, and has the Commodores playing as well as they can be expected to play.
Georgia Tech @ Boston College
These are two teams that are shells of their former selves, and both are coming off lackluster victories over outmanned opponents in their season opener. All other things being equal, I’ll take the home-standing Eagles.
Cincinnati @ #4 Oklahoma
Oklahoma is 27-2 in non-conference home games since Bob Stoops took over in 1999. But Cincinnati has become the type of scrappy team that makes these games a bit more interesting. I’d love to see an upset here. I’ve never found a reason to like Oklahoma. But I think they have too many horses for the Bearcats.
Oregon State @ #22 Penn State
If I’m reading this crap right, it looks like Penn State is a 2 touchdown favorite in this game. I know they scored 66 points in this first game, but… it was Coastal Carolina for Christ’s sake. Any team called the Chanticleers shouldn’t even be allowed to play football. The Beavers led the nation in rushing defense last year, but has only three starters returning to that unit. After a disappointing road loss to Stanford in their opener (a game in which the mighty Cardinal rushed for 210 yards), this appears to be the recipe for Oregon State to start the season 0-2.
Mississippi @ #23 Wake Forest
It’s hard not to like Wake Forest. After years of being everybody’s Homecoming opponent, Jim Grobe has the Demon Deacons playing efficient offense and tough defense. Mississippi performed well in their first game under coach Houston Nutt – a 41-24 win over a scrappy Memphis team. I’ll go with the home team.
#19 South Florida @ Central Florida
I’ve never liked UCF. Their fans have all the attitude of Miami fans, and none of the history. They built a nice, new on-campus stadium which turns out to be just another place for them to lose. South Florida has had some big wins in the last few years – key triumphs that kept us from being saddled with an unbeaten Big East team pretending to be a BCS championship contender. I’ll always love them for that.
Miami @ #5 Florida
This is Florida’s chance to show that they have addressed the defensive woes that occasionally plagued them in 2007. These are two teams that don’t like each other, and the Gators feel like they have something to prove. Miami is still in re-building mode under 2nd year coach Randy Shannon. Or maybe they are in holy-God-I-hope-we’re-not-sliding-backward-mode. This game will tell us which team is moving up, and which team isn’t.
#24 South Carolina @ Vanderbilt
Does South Carolina have a genuinely good defense? Or is NC State just that bad? It’s hard to tell after last Thursday’s game. But I think Bobby Johnson is a good coach, and has the Commodores playing as well as they can be expected to play.
Georgia Tech @ Boston College
These are two teams that are shells of their former selves, and both are coming off lackluster victories over outmanned opponents in their season opener. All other things being equal, I’ll take the home-standing Eagles.
Cincinnati @ #4 Oklahoma
Oklahoma is 27-2 in non-conference home games since Bob Stoops took over in 1999. But Cincinnati has become the type of scrappy team that makes these games a bit more interesting. I’d love to see an upset here. I’ve never found a reason to like Oklahoma. But I think they have too many horses for the Bearcats.
Oregon State @ #22 Penn State
If I’m reading this crap right, it looks like Penn State is a 2 touchdown favorite in this game. I know they scored 66 points in this first game, but… it was Coastal Carolina for Christ’s sake. Any team called the Chanticleers shouldn’t even be allowed to play football. The Beavers led the nation in rushing defense last year, but has only three starters returning to that unit. After a disappointing road loss to Stanford in their opener (a game in which the mighty Cardinal rushed for 210 yards), this appears to be the recipe for Oregon State to start the season 0-2.
Mississippi @ #23 Wake Forest
It’s hard not to like Wake Forest. After years of being everybody’s Homecoming opponent, Jim Grobe has the Demon Deacons playing efficient offense and tough defense. Mississippi performed well in their first game under coach Houston Nutt – a 41-24 win over a scrappy Memphis team. I’ll go with the home team.
#19 South Florida @ Central Florida
I’ve never liked UCF. Their fans have all the attitude of Miami fans, and none of the history. They built a nice, new on-campus stadium which turns out to be just another place for them to lose. South Florida has had some big wins in the last few years – key triumphs that kept us from being saddled with an unbeaten Big East team pretending to be a BCS championship contender. I’ll always love them for that.
Miami @ #5 Florida
This is Florida’s chance to show that they have addressed the defensive woes that occasionally plagued them in 2007. These are two teams that don’t like each other, and the Gators feel like they have something to prove. Miami is still in re-building mode under 2nd year coach Randy Shannon. Or maybe they are in holy-God-I-hope-we’re-not-sliding-backward-mode. This game will tell us which team is moving up, and which team isn’t.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Afterbirth (Week 1)
You know... the stuff that just kind of falls out when the party's over.
Quickies
I didn’t put the Illinois vs Missouri game on my picks for Week 1, but I should have. I admit it, I was a slacker. Going into the game, I had a hard time deciding which team to pick. In retrospect, when in doubt, always pick against the team that is coached by Ron Zook.
Is Alabama that good? Or is Clemson that bad? Alabama’s defense held the Tigers to 188 total yards, including – get this – 0 net yards rushing, while the Tide ran very well behind a mammoth offensive line. QB John Parker Wilson looked calm and relatively efficient (22 of 30 for 180 yards and two TD’s), and the Tide held the ball for more than 41 minutes. Seriously, is that the best that the ACC has to offer?
Tennessee should be ashamed of themselves for playing vanilla defense in the second half against UCLA, and making Kevin Craft look like Johnny Unitas. They should have attacked the young quarterback fiercely, repeatedly, and not let him get hot and build his confidence. Even I know that.
Isn't That Special?
How ironic that the team known, above all else, for special teams play, was victimized by a special teams breakdown. East Carolina blocked a Virginia Tech punt with 1:52 left in the game and returned it for a touchdown to seal the victory in one of the weekend's big upsets.
The Two Utes
Other than the Vols and the Bruins, the best game on TV was Utah's win over Michigan. Why didn't I have the stones to pick the Utes? And can anyone say "Utes" without thinking of this moment from My Cousin Vinny?
Quickies
I didn’t put the Illinois vs Missouri game on my picks for Week 1, but I should have. I admit it, I was a slacker. Going into the game, I had a hard time deciding which team to pick. In retrospect, when in doubt, always pick against the team that is coached by Ron Zook.
Is Alabama that good? Or is Clemson that bad? Alabama’s defense held the Tigers to 188 total yards, including – get this – 0 net yards rushing, while the Tide ran very well behind a mammoth offensive line. QB John Parker Wilson looked calm and relatively efficient (22 of 30 for 180 yards and two TD’s), and the Tide held the ball for more than 41 minutes. Seriously, is that the best that the ACC has to offer?
Tennessee should be ashamed of themselves for playing vanilla defense in the second half against UCLA, and making Kevin Craft look like Johnny Unitas. They should have attacked the young quarterback fiercely, repeatedly, and not let him get hot and build his confidence. Even I know that.
Isn't That Special?
How ironic that the team known, above all else, for special teams play, was victimized by a special teams breakdown. East Carolina blocked a Virginia Tech punt with 1:52 left in the game and returned it for a touchdown to seal the victory in one of the weekend's big upsets.
The Two Utes
Other than the Vols and the Bruins, the best game on TV was Utah's win over Michigan. Why didn't I have the stones to pick the Utes? And can anyone say "Utes" without thinking of this moment from My Cousin Vinny?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
My Crystal Ball Says...
...that I know what will happen in this week's key games. Always remember that I'm right, and your team sucks.
Hawaii @ #5 Florida
At the end of last season, even with Colt Brennan and their top 4 receiver, the Warriors couldn’t keep up with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Do you really think that, without those players and with a new coach, they can keep up with Florida in the Swamp?
#17 Virginia Tech vs East Carolina (Charlotte)
Virgina Tech won 17-7 last year in Blacksburg, and this year’s team is only a shell of its former ACC championship self. It should be another very interesting game, but I’m not sure the Pirates will have enough to pull off the upset.
Utah @ #24 Michigan
This game reminds me of the Virginia Tech/East Carolina game. There’s a part of me that thinks Utah can win, but the rest of me had a hard time imagining the Wolverines losing this one at home – despite having a new coach and a re-tooled offense.
#21 Oregon @ Washington
Despite having the worst possible luck at the QB position, losing potential Heisman winner Dennis Dixon to a knee injury late last year, and then losing this year’s projected starter Nate Costa just before the start of the season, Oregon looks better than Washington.
#18 Tennessee @ UCLA
First year coach Rick Neuheisel has some work to do at UCLA, but I think they’ll be better than expected. I still think Tennessee should be able to handle them, and they’ll certainly want to avoid a repeat of last year’s West coast embarrassment at Cal.
#24 Alabama vs #9 Clemson (Atlanta)
I’m not really sure why Clemson has gotten so much hype this year. I think they may be the best team in a lousy league. And look for Alabama to be much improved in the second year under Nick Saban.
This season has already gotten off to an interesting start.
LOTS of people had Miami (of Ohio) beating Vandy, but the Commodores pulled it off, on the road no less. NC State and South Carolina looked pretty lousy on Thursday night, but, in the end, the Gamecocks were less lousy. I think the ACC is going to be only slightly better than a good high school league this fall. And who wasn't surprised when Stanford recovered a late goal line fumble and held on to beat the Beavers (ok, I always snicker when I say that) of Oregon State?
Hawaii @ #5 Florida
At the end of last season, even with Colt Brennan and their top 4 receiver, the Warriors couldn’t keep up with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Do you really think that, without those players and with a new coach, they can keep up with Florida in the Swamp?
#17 Virginia Tech vs East Carolina (Charlotte)
Virgina Tech won 17-7 last year in Blacksburg, and this year’s team is only a shell of its former ACC championship self. It should be another very interesting game, but I’m not sure the Pirates will have enough to pull off the upset.
Utah @ #24 Michigan
This game reminds me of the Virginia Tech/East Carolina game. There’s a part of me that thinks Utah can win, but the rest of me had a hard time imagining the Wolverines losing this one at home – despite having a new coach and a re-tooled offense.
#21 Oregon @ Washington
Despite having the worst possible luck at the QB position, losing potential Heisman winner Dennis Dixon to a knee injury late last year, and then losing this year’s projected starter Nate Costa just before the start of the season, Oregon looks better than Washington.
#18 Tennessee @ UCLA
First year coach Rick Neuheisel has some work to do at UCLA, but I think they’ll be better than expected. I still think Tennessee should be able to handle them, and they’ll certainly want to avoid a repeat of last year’s West coast embarrassment at Cal.
#24 Alabama vs #9 Clemson (Atlanta)
I’m not really sure why Clemson has gotten so much hype this year. I think they may be the best team in a lousy league. And look for Alabama to be much improved in the second year under Nick Saban.
This season has already gotten off to an interesting start.
LOTS of people had Miami (of Ohio) beating Vandy, but the Commodores pulled it off, on the road no less. NC State and South Carolina looked pretty lousy on Thursday night, but, in the end, the Gamecocks were less lousy. I think the ACC is going to be only slightly better than a good high school league this fall. And who wasn't surprised when Stanford recovered a late goal line fumble and held on to beat the Beavers (ok, I always snicker when I say that) of Oregon State?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Leave off the "S"
Here's a fun thing to do when you have time to kill. I usually do this while sitting at my favorite pub, which means I usually end up racking my brain and scribbling names on a cocktail napkin.
Of the 119 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football teams, there are twelve teams whose team name does NOT end in "S." Can you name them?
When you give up, scroll down...
Stanford (Cardinal)
Notre Dame (Fighting Irish)
Syracuse (Orangemen)
Illinois (Fighting Illini)
Tulane (Green Wave)
North Texas (Mean Green)
Alabama (Crimson Tide)
Marshall (Thundering Herd)
Navy (Midshipmen)
N.C. State (Wolfpack)
Nevada (Wolfpack)
Tulsa (Golden Hurricane)
Of the 119 Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football teams, there are twelve teams whose team name does NOT end in "S." Can you name them?
When you give up, scroll down...
Stanford (Cardinal)
Notre Dame (Fighting Irish)
Syracuse (Orangemen)
Illinois (Fighting Illini)
Tulane (Green Wave)
North Texas (Mean Green)
Alabama (Crimson Tide)
Marshall (Thundering Herd)
Navy (Midshipmen)
N.C. State (Wolfpack)
Nevada (Wolfpack)
Tulsa (Golden Hurricane)
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