You know... the stuff that just kind of falls out when the party's over.
Big 12 Defenses Are Downright Offensive (Part 2)
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the Kansas State defense. (93 points scored in that game, an Oklahoma victory)
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the Kansas defense. (84 points scored in that game, a Texas Tech victory)
Okay, I know this gets repetitive. But this WILL come back to haunt the Big 12 champion if they get to the BCS Championship game. Texas is the only one of the ranked teams in the league that plays some semblance of defense, and, for that, they deserve some credit. I suppose.
Do the Lions Really Bite?
I watched Penn State beat Ohio State Saturday night. National media pundits are lining up to support JoePa, and boost them into the BCS Championship game with their best wishes. Sure, it was a hostile environment. But, if you watched the game, really watched the game, you know that Ohio State just isn’t that good. The key play – early in the fourth quarter, with the Buckeyes nursing a 6-3 lead in a ferocious defensive struggle, quarterback Terrelle Pryor carried on a third and 1 from their own 38 yard line. With the middle of the line clogged, Pryor slid to his right, and caught a glimpse of the Penn State endzone in the distance. Trying to make the big play, he forgot to secure the ball. Penn State defensive back Mark Rubin punched the ball loose, and linebacker Navorro Bowman fell on it. Given a short field, Penn State scored the game’s only touchdown and held on to win.
Pryor explained after the game, ''I just didn't hold the ball. I saw the end zone. It was there and the ball just fell out. I thought I was on my way to a touchdown but I just lost the ball. As soon as I fumbled it, I knew they would score.''
What is the point of all this, you ask? Ohio State is 95th in the nation in total offense, and I just don’t think they are very good. Penn State did what they needed to do, but that one play really changed the game. What if Pryor had held onto the ball, turned upfield and scampered all the way down the field for a touchdown? We’d be talking about how over-rated Penn State was. So, let’s keep this in perspective. They won. But they’re still over-rated.
The Burning Sunday Question
Is it wrong to wash down vitamins with beer?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 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.
So I’m a bit late getting these picks done this weekend. Hey, I have a life. What’s your excuse? Don’t worry. I made these picks early, and I have witnesses.
Virginia Tech @ #25 Florida State
Florida State is 5-1 and continuing to improve. Virginia Tech is 5-2 and in need of a win to keep pace in the race for the Coastal Division of the ACC. Unfortunately, this is just the kind of game the stinking Seminoles win.
Kentucky @ #10 Florida
Florida’s offense seems to be clicking, and Kentucky, after starting the season 4-0, has been riddled with injuries as they hit the meat of their schedule. Florida, at home, is too much for the Wildcats.
#2 Alabama @ Tennessee
Tennessee is not very good. They are 3-4, and haven’t beaten a ranked team this year. They need to win 3 of their remaining 5 games just to be bowl eligible. Alabama won last year in Tuscaloosa, but haven’t beaten the Vols in consecutive years since ’91-’92. Amazingly, second ranked, unbeaten Alabama is only a 4 point favorite. I’m going to roll with the Tide.
#7 Georgia @ 13 LSU
This is a tough gamed to call. A loss for either team will all but eliminate them from the national championship race, and damage their hopes for a division title. LSU’s defense is allegedly loaded with superior athletes, but they haven’t been playing like it. Georgia coach Mark Richt is 28-3in games away from Athens. As much as it pains me to admit it, that’s pretty impressive.
#3 Penn State @ #9 Ohio State
Penn State is 8-0, and has all the alleged experts wetting themselves over the resurgence of JoePa. The Nittany Lions haven’t beaten Ohio State in Columbus in the seven times they’ve played since joining the Big 10 in 1993. On the other hand, a win in this game would go a long way toward restoring Ohio State’s tarnished reputation. Logic would say pick Penn State. So I’m taking Ohio State.
#5 USC @ Arizona
Arizona is 5-2, and their 42-27 pounding of Cal last week has given rise to renewed optimism in Tucson. The Wildcats are ninth in the nation in scoring, and think they might be able to keep up with USC. The Trojans are heavy favorites in this one. I hate USC, but I think they win this one.
So I’m a bit late getting these picks done this weekend. Hey, I have a life. What’s your excuse? Don’t worry. I made these picks early, and I have witnesses.
Virginia Tech @ #25 Florida State
Florida State is 5-1 and continuing to improve. Virginia Tech is 5-2 and in need of a win to keep pace in the race for the Coastal Division of the ACC. Unfortunately, this is just the kind of game the stinking Seminoles win.
Kentucky @ #10 Florida
Florida’s offense seems to be clicking, and Kentucky, after starting the season 4-0, has been riddled with injuries as they hit the meat of their schedule. Florida, at home, is too much for the Wildcats.
#2 Alabama @ Tennessee
Tennessee is not very good. They are 3-4, and haven’t beaten a ranked team this year. They need to win 3 of their remaining 5 games just to be bowl eligible. Alabama won last year in Tuscaloosa, but haven’t beaten the Vols in consecutive years since ’91-’92. Amazingly, second ranked, unbeaten Alabama is only a 4 point favorite. I’m going to roll with the Tide.
#7 Georgia @ 13 LSU
This is a tough gamed to call. A loss for either team will all but eliminate them from the national championship race, and damage their hopes for a division title. LSU’s defense is allegedly loaded with superior athletes, but they haven’t been playing like it. Georgia coach Mark Richt is 28-3in games away from Athens. As much as it pains me to admit it, that’s pretty impressive.
#3 Penn State @ #9 Ohio State
Penn State is 8-0, and has all the alleged experts wetting themselves over the resurgence of JoePa. The Nittany Lions haven’t beaten Ohio State in Columbus in the seven times they’ve played since joining the Big 10 in 1993. On the other hand, a win in this game would go a long way toward restoring Ohio State’s tarnished reputation. Logic would say pick Penn State. So I’m taking Ohio State.
#5 USC @ Arizona
Arizona is 5-2, and their 42-27 pounding of Cal last week has given rise to renewed optimism in Tucson. The Wildcats are ninth in the nation in scoring, and think they might be able to keep up with USC. The Trojans are heavy favorites in this one. I hate USC, but I think they win this one.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Afterbirth (Week 8)
You know... the stuff that just kind of falls out when the party's over.
Patting Myself on the Back
This week I was 8-2 on my Crystal Ball picks. Last week I was 8-2. The week before that I was 10-0. That brings my season total to 52-19, and I don't pick any easy ones. I'm saying that's pretty freakin' good. Hey, if I don't pat myself on the back, who else will do it?
There Are Some Things You Just Can't Hide
Sometimes you can hide things. Sometimes you can't. If you're a defensive coordinator in the Big 12, I'm thinking you can't really hide the gaping holes in your defense.
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the Missouri defense. (87 total points scored in that game, a Texas victory)
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the Kansas defense. (76 total points scored in that game, an Oklahoma victory)
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the Texas Tech defense. (68 total points scored in that game, a Texas Tech victory)
Stop me if this gets repetitive.
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the…
Okay, I’ll stop. But, hopefully, you get the point. I think we can now confirm that they do not play defense in the Big 12, and I’d be shocked if it doesn’t come back to bite them in the ass if one of their teams should somehow earn the right to play in the BCS Championship game.
Pre-Game Meal Not Enough?
I'm not sure what to say about this, other than the fact that Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel probably had a hard time getting his girlfriend to kiss him after this video hit the internet...
Patting Myself on the Back
This week I was 8-2 on my Crystal Ball picks. Last week I was 8-2. The week before that I was 10-0. That brings my season total to 52-19, and I don't pick any easy ones. I'm saying that's pretty freakin' good. Hey, if I don't pat myself on the back, who else will do it?
There Are Some Things You Just Can't Hide
Sometimes you can hide things. Sometimes you can't. If you're a defensive coordinator in the Big 12, I'm thinking you can't really hide the gaping holes in your defense.
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the Missouri defense. (87 total points scored in that game, a Texas victory)
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the Kansas defense. (76 total points scored in that game, an Oklahoma victory)
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the Texas Tech defense. (68 total points scored in that game, a Texas Tech victory)
Stop me if this gets repetitive.
You and me and 9 guys from the nearest pub could score a touchdown on the…
Okay, I’ll stop. But, hopefully, you get the point. I think we can now confirm that they do not play defense in the Big 12, and I’d be shocked if it doesn’t come back to bite them in the ass if one of their teams should somehow earn the right to play in the BCS Championship game.
Pre-Game Meal Not Enough?
I'm not sure what to say about this, other than the fact that Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel probably had a hard time getting his girlfriend to kiss him after this video hit the internet...
Friday, October 17, 2008
A Friday Night Thought
As I sat here on this Friday evening, waiting for another great weekend of college football, a thought dawned on me, and I decided I should share it with you. It's kind of one of those chicken or the egg things, but it actually has to do with football.
There is always talk about which of the major conferences is the best, and most people agree that the SEC, year in and year out, is the better league. There has been tons of talk about the offenses and the quarterbacks in the Big 12 this season. And rightfully so. Colt McCoy at Texas, Chase Daniel at Missouri, Sam Bradford at Oklahoma, Todd Reesing at Kansas, Graham Harrell at Texas Tech, and even the play of Zach Robinson at Oklahoma State, although their ground game powers their offense. The list goes on and on. Six Big 12 teams rank #21 or higher in terms of total offense. That's pretty impressive. Not surprisingly, none of their teams are in the top 21 in terms of total defense.
Then I looked at the SEC, where most people have the impression that the offenses are struggling this year. Wouldn't you know... No SEC team is ranked in the top 21 in terms of total offense. But seven SEC teams are ranked #21 or higher in terms of total defense.
So it makes me wonder. Are the offenses in the Big 12 really that good? Or are the defenses just that bad? And, conversely, are the offenses in the SEC really struggling? Or are the defenses just that good?
And it got me thinking about the end of the 2006 season, when Ohio State beat Michigan 42-39, and, essentially, secured their right to play for the national championship. Almost all of the experts called the game an instant classic, a stunning display by two great teams. But I remember clearly one voice - CBS color commentator Gary Danielson - who said, "To me it looked like two teams with lousy defenses."
What happened in the end? That Ohio State team, averaging 36 points per game in the regular season, scored a mere 14 points in the BCS Championship game - and 7 of those points came on the opening kick return - against SEC champion Florida, a team with a great defense.
It makes you wonder about the Big 12, doesn't it?
There is always talk about which of the major conferences is the best, and most people agree that the SEC, year in and year out, is the better league. There has been tons of talk about the offenses and the quarterbacks in the Big 12 this season. And rightfully so. Colt McCoy at Texas, Chase Daniel at Missouri, Sam Bradford at Oklahoma, Todd Reesing at Kansas, Graham Harrell at Texas Tech, and even the play of Zach Robinson at Oklahoma State, although their ground game powers their offense. The list goes on and on. Six Big 12 teams rank #21 or higher in terms of total offense. That's pretty impressive. Not surprisingly, none of their teams are in the top 21 in terms of total defense.
Then I looked at the SEC, where most people have the impression that the offenses are struggling this year. Wouldn't you know... No SEC team is ranked in the top 21 in terms of total offense. But seven SEC teams are ranked #21 or higher in terms of total defense.
So it makes me wonder. Are the offenses in the Big 12 really that good? Or are the defenses just that bad? And, conversely, are the offenses in the SEC really struggling? Or are the defenses just that good?
And it got me thinking about the end of the 2006 season, when Ohio State beat Michigan 42-39, and, essentially, secured their right to play for the national championship. Almost all of the experts called the game an instant classic, a stunning display by two great teams. But I remember clearly one voice - CBS color commentator Gary Danielson - who said, "To me it looked like two teams with lousy defenses."
What happened in the end? That Ohio State team, averaging 36 points per game in the regular season, scored a mere 14 points in the BCS Championship game - and 7 of those points came on the opening kick return - against SEC champion Florida, a team with a great defense.
It makes you wonder about the Big 12, doesn't it?
Thursday, October 16, 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.
#9 BYU @ TCU
Can you tell me the last time BYU lost a game? I’ll give you a hint. It was September 15, 2007. Okay. I gave you the answer. But they do own the nation’s longest winning streak at 16 games. Both of these teams have remarkable statistical stories to tell. BYU leads the nation in 3rd down efficiency (61%) and is 3rd in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (.33 per game). BYU is 2nd in the nation in scoring defense. TCU is 9th. TCU leads the nation in rushing defense, giving up an amazing average of just under 21 yards per game. What does all that mean? I have no idea. I’ll take TCU at home. Plus, how can you not like a team named the Horned Frogs?
Florida State @ NC State
I hate Florida State. But NC State is 2-4, with their two impressive wins coming over William & Mary and an overtime contest against East Carolina. And Florida State’s offense seems to be coming around. The 'Noles win this one.
#21 Wake Forest @ Maryland
This is an interesting game. A Wake Forest win would leave them clearly in command of the ACC’s Atlantic Division race. It all depends which Maryland team shows up. The one that manhandled California and won at Clemson? Or the one that lost to Middle Tennessee State and got shut out by a pretty lousy Virginia team? If the first Terps team shows up they can win this game. And, after last week’s embarrassment in Charlottesville, I think they will. Wake Forest has been struggling to score touchdowns, and it’s got to come back and bite them soon, especially with reliable place kicker Sam Swank out with a bad leg.
#10 Georgia @ #22 Vanderbilt
I hope the Commodores enjoyed the 5-0 start and all the notoriety that came with it. ESPN Gameday in Nashville? Who would have thought? But now they’re into the meat of their schedule. If you had asked head coach Bobby Johnson, I’m sure he would have told you that, heading into the season, he had chalked last week’s game up as a win. But Vandy managed just 107 yards of total offense. And a struggling offense is not what you need when the Dawgs are coming to town.
Baylor @ #8 Oklahoma State
I’ve had a long-standing tendency to like Oklahoma State, and I’m not really sure why. I think it goes back to the times that the Cowboys snuck up and beat Oklahoma in ‘97 and ’98. And, just for the record, I hate Oklahoma. Will Oklahoma State have a letdown after their upset of Missouri? It seems likely. Is Baylor good enough to take advantage of it? Yes. Will they? No. By the way, in case you’re wondering when was the last time that Baylor beat Oklahoma State… it was on October 7th. In 1939.
#12 Ohio State @ #20 Michigan State
Wins over Minnesota and Wisconsin led people to believe that QB Terrelle Pryor really had injected some much-needed energy into the offense. Then came last week’s win over Purdue – a game in which the Buckeyes managed just 222 yards of offense against one of the nation's lesser defenses. Meanwhile, Michigan State has won 6 in a row after a season opening road loss to California, and RB Javon Ringer has been impressive. But the Spartan defense has been less than stellar. Still, I like the Spartans at home. And, for the record, I hate Ohio State.
#16 Kansas @ #4 Oklahoma
Oklahoma owns the nation’s longest home win streak. Their defense has been far from overwhelming, and now middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds, arguably their best defensive player, is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament last week against Texas. Kansas QB Todd Reesing is a great player, but I just don’t think the Jayhawks have enough offense to beat Oklahoma at home, especially with the Sooners coming off of last week’s upset loss to Texas.
#13 LSU @ South Carolina
When Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks have won this season, it has been, somewhat surprisingly, with defense. They are 3rd in the nation in total defense. If they can keep this one close, and keep the score in the teens, they’ll have a shot at the upset. But LSU still has the great athletes they’ve always had, and should be a bit fired up after getting trounced by Florida last week.
Michigan @ #3 Penn State
Lots of people are climbing on the Penn State bandwagon. I’m not ready quite yet. But, let’s face it, this Michigan team is surprisingly lousy. Their offense ranks 109th in the nation. Penn State has lost 9 in a row to Michigan, but I don’t expect the streak to reach 10.
#11 Missouri @ #1 Texas
This is an upset waiting to happen, isn’t it? Texas coming off a huge win. Missouri coming off a disappointing loss. Both offenses are excellent, but Missouri’s Chase Daniel isn’t likely to have two bad games in a row, is he? Not that he was BAD in the loss to Oklahoma State – he passed for almost 400 yards, but he threw three second half interceptions. Colt McCoy was brilliant in the Longhorns’ win over Oklahoma. Can’t you see the roles reversing this week? Can’t you?
#9 BYU @ TCU
Can you tell me the last time BYU lost a game? I’ll give you a hint. It was September 15, 2007. Okay. I gave you the answer. But they do own the nation’s longest winning streak at 16 games. Both of these teams have remarkable statistical stories to tell. BYU leads the nation in 3rd down efficiency (61%) and is 3rd in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (.33 per game). BYU is 2nd in the nation in scoring defense. TCU is 9th. TCU leads the nation in rushing defense, giving up an amazing average of just under 21 yards per game. What does all that mean? I have no idea. I’ll take TCU at home. Plus, how can you not like a team named the Horned Frogs?
Florida State @ NC State
I hate Florida State. But NC State is 2-4, with their two impressive wins coming over William & Mary and an overtime contest against East Carolina. And Florida State’s offense seems to be coming around. The 'Noles win this one.
#21 Wake Forest @ Maryland
This is an interesting game. A Wake Forest win would leave them clearly in command of the ACC’s Atlantic Division race. It all depends which Maryland team shows up. The one that manhandled California and won at Clemson? Or the one that lost to Middle Tennessee State and got shut out by a pretty lousy Virginia team? If the first Terps team shows up they can win this game. And, after last week’s embarrassment in Charlottesville, I think they will. Wake Forest has been struggling to score touchdowns, and it’s got to come back and bite them soon, especially with reliable place kicker Sam Swank out with a bad leg.
#10 Georgia @ #22 Vanderbilt
I hope the Commodores enjoyed the 5-0 start and all the notoriety that came with it. ESPN Gameday in Nashville? Who would have thought? But now they’re into the meat of their schedule. If you had asked head coach Bobby Johnson, I’m sure he would have told you that, heading into the season, he had chalked last week’s game up as a win. But Vandy managed just 107 yards of total offense. And a struggling offense is not what you need when the Dawgs are coming to town.
Baylor @ #8 Oklahoma State
I’ve had a long-standing tendency to like Oklahoma State, and I’m not really sure why. I think it goes back to the times that the Cowboys snuck up and beat Oklahoma in ‘97 and ’98. And, just for the record, I hate Oklahoma. Will Oklahoma State have a letdown after their upset of Missouri? It seems likely. Is Baylor good enough to take advantage of it? Yes. Will they? No. By the way, in case you’re wondering when was the last time that Baylor beat Oklahoma State… it was on October 7th. In 1939.
#12 Ohio State @ #20 Michigan State
Wins over Minnesota and Wisconsin led people to believe that QB Terrelle Pryor really had injected some much-needed energy into the offense. Then came last week’s win over Purdue – a game in which the Buckeyes managed just 222 yards of offense against one of the nation's lesser defenses. Meanwhile, Michigan State has won 6 in a row after a season opening road loss to California, and RB Javon Ringer has been impressive. But the Spartan defense has been less than stellar. Still, I like the Spartans at home. And, for the record, I hate Ohio State.
#16 Kansas @ #4 Oklahoma
Oklahoma owns the nation’s longest home win streak. Their defense has been far from overwhelming, and now middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds, arguably their best defensive player, is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament last week against Texas. Kansas QB Todd Reesing is a great player, but I just don’t think the Jayhawks have enough offense to beat Oklahoma at home, especially with the Sooners coming off of last week’s upset loss to Texas.
#13 LSU @ South Carolina
When Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks have won this season, it has been, somewhat surprisingly, with defense. They are 3rd in the nation in total defense. If they can keep this one close, and keep the score in the teens, they’ll have a shot at the upset. But LSU still has the great athletes they’ve always had, and should be a bit fired up after getting trounced by Florida last week.
Michigan @ #3 Penn State
Lots of people are climbing on the Penn State bandwagon. I’m not ready quite yet. But, let’s face it, this Michigan team is surprisingly lousy. Their offense ranks 109th in the nation. Penn State has lost 9 in a row to Michigan, but I don’t expect the streak to reach 10.
#11 Missouri @ #1 Texas
This is an upset waiting to happen, isn’t it? Texas coming off a huge win. Missouri coming off a disappointing loss. Both offenses are excellent, but Missouri’s Chase Daniel isn’t likely to have two bad games in a row, is he? Not that he was BAD in the loss to Oklahoma State – he passed for almost 400 yards, but he threw three second half interceptions. Colt McCoy was brilliant in the Longhorns’ win over Oklahoma. Can’t you see the roles reversing this week? Can’t you?
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