A brief observation on the Thursday game...
I'd like to know who it was that thought Pittsburgh could win the Big East. Whoever said that, wrote that, or even thought that, please raise your hand and be recognized as an imbecile.
Miami is nowhere near "back" - as last Saturday's game at Ohio State clearly demonstrated. Tonight, Jacory Harris has thrown two interceptions (that makes six already this year), and the Canes have had a punt return for a touchdown called back by penalty. But they're still beating Pitt easily.
Note to Pittsbugh offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr: when your offensive line is being dominated by the defensive front seven, don't call plays that take three to five seconds to develop. It's just... um... dumb.
As I write this, the Panthers are 3 for 14 on third down, and have committed nine penalties (Miami has been whistled for seven penalties - the last two of which, true to the U form, have been personal fouls). The score is 24-3, and let's hope it mercifully ends that way. Soon. It's ugly.
So, for now, the Pittsburgh resume consists of a 38-16 win over the Wildcats of New Hampshire, to go along with losses to Utah and Miami. If the Panthers somehow manage to win the Big East this year, it will have less to do with their capabilities, and more to do with the woeful state of football in a basketball league.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Upon Further Review (Week 3)
I know, I know. I just posted my Week 2 Review and Week 3 is already gone. Sue me. Or, better yet, pay me the big bucks to write these things and they'll always be on time. Or, almost always.
Don't Forget. I Was Right
It is the solemn duty of every alleged sports writer to remind his faithful readers every time his predictions come true, and to never again mention the predictions that backfire. Since I believe in solemn duties, I am choosing now to remind you that, when I discussed (here) the fact that the alleged Notre Dame Mystique no longer exists, I challenged readers to try to convince me that Notre Dame would start the season off with anything better than a 3-3 record.
Well, the Fleeing Irish are now 1-2, and the next three weeks have them playing #16 Stanford and then at Boston College, followed by a home game against Pittsburgh. You do the math.
Just remember I told you so...
Baby Gators
Since I have a strong University of Florida heritage, you'll get a moderate dose of Gator news here. Hey, if you don't like it, find a Seminole blog somehwere. Surely, there are at least one or two of them that know how to spell.
Anyway...
As if any of you need another reason to worry, here is something that should scare everyone but Gator fans.
As I pointed out here, the Gators played more freshman in their first game than any other team in the country.
Here is some complicated math courtesy of the Gainesville Sun following the Tennessee game:
Of the 70 players who made the trip to Knoxville 43 are underclassmen, 21 were on their first road trip and 19 played in their first road game.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel did the math this way: 41% of the players standing on the Florida sideline in Neyland Stadium were either freshman or redshirt freshman.
Note to the rest of the nation: this Gator team may struggle to get victories this season, but they'll get a bunch. Next year, watch out.
Conference Call
You'd pretty much have to be an idiot to think that there is a better college football conference in the land than the SEC. There is just too much evidence - objective, subjective and circumstantial.
ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel recently wrote a little more about that subject here. But there is a subtle nuance that often goes unmentioned, although I'm sure the athletic director at every SEC school knows all about it. Maisel points out that there are seven SEC football stadiums with a capacity of over 80,000 (no other conference has more than four stadiums that big), and those stadiums are filled to an average of 98% of capacity on game days. Think of all those seats, all those fans, paying for tickets.
When you combine that with fanatical booster support, merchandise and licensing income, TV revenues, and the payouts the league has collected from having put teams in BCS bowl games eighteen times since 1999, what that means is, in addition to speed, skill and talent, SEC teams have lots of money for nice things. Nice things attract new recruits. And new fans. And new TV contracts. And on-the-field success. And more national championships. And, thus, the cycle repeats itself.
Instant Chuckle:
Don't Forget. I Was Right
It is the solemn duty of every alleged sports writer to remind his faithful readers every time his predictions come true, and to never again mention the predictions that backfire. Since I believe in solemn duties, I am choosing now to remind you that, when I discussed (here) the fact that the alleged Notre Dame Mystique no longer exists, I challenged readers to try to convince me that Notre Dame would start the season off with anything better than a 3-3 record.
Just remember I told you so...
Baby Gators
Since I have a strong University of Florida heritage, you'll get a moderate dose of Gator news here. Hey, if you don't like it, find a Seminole blog somehwere. Surely, there are at least one or two of them that know how to spell.
Anyway...
As I pointed out here, the Gators played more freshman in their first game than any other team in the country.
Here is some complicated math courtesy of the Gainesville Sun following the Tennessee game:
Of the 70 players who made the trip to Knoxville 43 are underclassmen, 21 were on their first road trip and 19 played in their first road game.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel did the math this way: 41% of the players standing on the Florida sideline in Neyland Stadium were either freshman or redshirt freshman.
Note to the rest of the nation: this Gator team may struggle to get victories this season, but they'll get a bunch. Next year, watch out.
Conference Call
You'd pretty much have to be an idiot to think that there is a better college football conference in the land than the SEC. There is just too much evidence - objective, subjective and circumstantial.
ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel recently wrote a little more about that subject here. But there is a subtle nuance that often goes unmentioned, although I'm sure the athletic director at every SEC school knows all about it. Maisel points out that there are seven SEC football stadiums with a capacity of over 80,000 (no other conference has more than four stadiums that big), and those stadiums are filled to an average of 98% of capacity on game days. Think of all those seats, all those fans, paying for tickets.
When you combine that with fanatical booster support, merchandise and licensing income, TV revenues, and the payouts the league has collected from having put teams in BCS bowl games eighteen times since 1999, what that means is, in addition to speed, skill and talent, SEC teams have lots of money for nice things. Nice things attract new recruits. And new fans. And new TV contracts. And on-the-field success. And more national championships. And, thus, the cycle repeats itself.
Instant Chuckle:
Monday, September 20, 2010
Upon Further Review (Week 2)
I hate sportswriters and broadcasters. Really. This week in college football gives us the perfect example why.
Every one of these idiots wants to write off Boise State already because Virginia Tech lost to James Madison. The argument is that this loss diminishes the importance of the Broncos win over the Hokies. Anybody who actually watched both games knows this is absolutely garbage.
First of all... As I have discussed before, transitivity doesn't apply in college football. The fact that Team A beat Team B, and Team B beat Team C doesn't mean that Team A can beat Team C.
Let me give you an example. In 2007, circumstances and the stars aligned in just the right way for Appalachian State to beat Michigan 34-32 at home in the season opener. Two weeks later, Appalachian State lost to Wofford College. If Wofford College had been scheduled to play Michigan later in the season, which one of you would have bet everything you own on the Terriers beating the Wolverines?
To further illustrate my point, which one of you - after Appalachian State's win over Michigan - would have picked the Mountaineers to beat Florida, the defending national champion? None? Obviously. But that same Michigan team that lost to Appalachian State went on to beat Florida 41-35 in the Capital One Bowl at season's end.
This is where things get tricky. Just because one team beats another on a given Saturday doesn't necessarily mean that team is better than the other, it just means they were better than the other team on that day. By the time you get to the end of a season, you can judge a team based on its complete body of work, but, on any given day, anything can happen. That is what makes college football so much fun. Every Saturday, there are different issues to be considered. Fatigue, injuries, weather and other physical and psychological factors can play a significant role. Home field can be a huge advantage. But the big thing - and this is what really separates college football from the pros - is emotions. This is why you hear the classic cliches about the "look ahead" game or the "letdown game."
Secondly... In my view, Boise State has done everything they need to do to establish BCS credibility. Before you start telling me how bad the WAC is, I'd like to point out the fact that the league contains Fresno State, Nevada and Idaho - teams that have had some measure of success in recent years. Could Boise State hold up to the week in week out punishment of the SEC or the Big 12? I don't know. Nobody knows. But they sure hold up now.
The Broncos record so far this decade is 119-19. If you were surprised by their physical domination of Oregon last year, maybe you shouldn't be; Boise State beat the Ducks in Eugene in 2008. If you were surprised that the Broncos knocked off previously unbeaten TCU in last year's Fiesta Bowl, maybe you shouldn't be; Boise State beat the 11-1 Frogs in the Fort Worth Bowl in 2003. That same year, they beat BYU in Provo. In 2006, they beat Oregon State, and ended that season with the now-famous Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma. They have compiled a 51-4 record since the start of the 2006 season, and finished unbeaten in 2006 and 2009. What do they have to do? Win a Super Bowl?
Thirdly, the Virgina Tech squad that lost to James Madison bore little resemblance to the Hokies that played Monday night. I watched that game, and they looked as tough and talented as any team I've seen play so far this year. Saturday afternoon, they were demoralized by their hard-fought loss, playing with just four days rest in horrendous weather against a team that was sky high. If they played fifty more times, that would probably be the only time James Madison won.
I don't mean to take anything away from James Madison. Yes, they caught Virginia Tech at a time when the Hokies were extremely vulnerable, but the Dukes were good enough to take advantage of it.
But Boise State has been good enough to win most of the games they play each year, and twice been good enough to win all of them. Let's not take anything away from them either.
Every one of these idiots wants to write off Boise State already because Virginia Tech lost to James Madison. The argument is that this loss diminishes the importance of the Broncos win over the Hokies. Anybody who actually watched both games knows this is absolutely garbage.
Let me give you an example. In 2007, circumstances and the stars aligned in just the right way for Appalachian State to beat Michigan 34-32 at home in the season opener. Two weeks later, Appalachian State lost to Wofford College. If Wofford College had been scheduled to play Michigan later in the season, which one of you would have bet everything you own on the Terriers beating the Wolverines?
To further illustrate my point, which one of you - after Appalachian State's win over Michigan - would have picked the Mountaineers to beat Florida, the defending national champion? None? Obviously. But that same Michigan team that lost to Appalachian State went on to beat Florida 41-35 in the Capital One Bowl at season's end.
This is where things get tricky. Just because one team beats another on a given Saturday doesn't necessarily mean that team is better than the other, it just means they were better than the other team on that day. By the time you get to the end of a season, you can judge a team based on its complete body of work, but, on any given day, anything can happen. That is what makes college football so much fun. Every Saturday, there are different issues to be considered. Fatigue, injuries, weather and other physical and psychological factors can play a significant role. Home field can be a huge advantage. But the big thing - and this is what really separates college football from the pros - is emotions. This is why you hear the classic cliches about the "look ahead" game or the "letdown game."
Secondly... In my view, Boise State has done everything they need to do to establish BCS credibility. Before you start telling me how bad the WAC is, I'd like to point out the fact that the league contains Fresno State, Nevada and Idaho - teams that have had some measure of success in recent years. Could Boise State hold up to the week in week out punishment of the SEC or the Big 12? I don't know. Nobody knows. But they sure hold up now.
The Broncos record so far this decade is 119-19. If you were surprised by their physical domination of Oregon last year, maybe you shouldn't be; Boise State beat the Ducks in Eugene in 2008. If you were surprised that the Broncos knocked off previously unbeaten TCU in last year's Fiesta Bowl, maybe you shouldn't be; Boise State beat the 11-1 Frogs in the Fort Worth Bowl in 2003. That same year, they beat BYU in Provo. In 2006, they beat Oregon State, and ended that season with the now-famous Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma. They have compiled a 51-4 record since the start of the 2006 season, and finished unbeaten in 2006 and 2009. What do they have to do? Win a Super Bowl?
Thirdly, the Virgina Tech squad that lost to James Madison bore little resemblance to the Hokies that played Monday night. I watched that game, and they looked as tough and talented as any team I've seen play so far this year. Saturday afternoon, they were demoralized by their hard-fought loss, playing with just four days rest in horrendous weather against a team that was sky high. If they played fifty more times, that would probably be the only time James Madison won.
I don't mean to take anything away from James Madison. Yes, they caught Virginia Tech at a time when the Hokies were extremely vulnerable, but the Dukes were good enough to take advantage of it.
But Boise State has been good enough to win most of the games they play each year, and twice been good enough to win all of them. Let's not take anything away from them either.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Upon Further Review (Week 1)
Bronco Bandwagon
I have told you this before, but, in case you forgot, I'm officially on the wagon. That's right. The Boise State bandwagon.
If you're one of those casual fans that vaguely remembers the Boise State win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, you probably think the Broncos are just a collection of gimmicks and trickery. Well, think again.
[At this point, I am inserting the obligatory photo that includes Erin Andrews because, well, why wouldn't we want to include Erin Andrews?]
Anyway...
One game into their fifth season under head coach Chris Petersen, the Broncos have compiled a 50-4 record, including unbeaten seasons in 2006 and last year. That's not trickery. That's absolutely amazing.
Speaking of amazing, I was trying to resist the temptation to include this photo of a couple of Boise State cheerleaders, and then I thought, why resist?
Monday's victory over Virginia Tech was no fluke. Boise State dominated early, weathered a furious rally by a very talented Hokie squad, and, at a time when a lesser team might have folded under the pressure, scored the winning touchdown on their last possession.
All of this, mind you, was in front of a very pro-Hokie crowd at the ostensibly neutral site in Landover, Maryland.
This Boise State team could play with anybody in the country. And we'd better get used to the idea. They don't win with smoke and mirrors. They win with talent and guts.
I'm not convinced that I can watch too many games on the Smurf Turf without damaging my eyesight. But I'll be watching anyway. These Broncos have definitely gotten my attention.
Random Stat: Virginia Tech is now 0-22 in games away from home against top 5 teams.
Week 1 Surprises
This past Saturday brought us some interesting results.
Oklahoma managed to beat Utah State, but only by a mere seven points. Florida beat Miami of Ohio 34-12, but couldn't consistently get the shotgun snap into the hands of the quarterback. USC beat Hawaii, but saw their defense get shredded in a 49-36 shootout.
But there were two games that were particularly shocking: the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 49-48 upset of Mississippi,and the North Dakota State Bison's 6-3 win at Kansas.
Everything I have ever heard or read about Turner Gill tells me that he is a good guy. At Buffalo in 2006, he took over coaching a team that had gone 5-41 in its four previous seasons. In his first three years, he went 2-10, 5-7 and then 8-6 in 2008, including an upset of previously unbeaten Ball State in the MAC Championship game. That's about as good as you'll ever get at Buffalo, so it wasn't surprising when Kansas came calling last year after Mark Mangino was forced to resign amidst allegations that he verbally and physically abused some of his players.
But it's clear that Gill has his hands full with the rebuilding job in Lawrence.
The Kids Are Alright
Chris Low, the SEC beat writer for ESPN.com, pointed out some conference schools played lots of youngsters on Saturday. But Florida, as it turns out, played more freshman (15, to be exact) than any other school in the country. There is lots of talent in that locker room, but with so much youth on the field, the Gators may look a bit rough around the edges at times.
I have told you this before, but, in case you forgot, I'm officially on the wagon. That's right. The Boise State bandwagon.
If you're one of those casual fans that vaguely remembers the Boise State win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, you probably think the Broncos are just a collection of gimmicks and trickery. Well, think again.
[At this point, I am inserting the obligatory photo that includes Erin Andrews because, well, why wouldn't we want to include Erin Andrews?]
One game into their fifth season under head coach Chris Petersen, the Broncos have compiled a 50-4 record, including unbeaten seasons in 2006 and last year. That's not trickery. That's absolutely amazing.
Speaking of amazing, I was trying to resist the temptation to include this photo of a couple of Boise State cheerleaders, and then I thought, why resist?
All of this, mind you, was in front of a very pro-Hokie crowd at the ostensibly neutral site in Landover, Maryland.
This Boise State team could play with anybody in the country. And we'd better get used to the idea. They don't win with smoke and mirrors. They win with talent and guts.
I'm not convinced that I can watch too many games on the Smurf Turf without damaging my eyesight. But I'll be watching anyway. These Broncos have definitely gotten my attention.
Random Stat: Virginia Tech is now 0-22 in games away from home against top 5 teams.
Week 1 Surprises
This past Saturday brought us some interesting results.
Oklahoma managed to beat Utah State, but only by a mere seven points. Florida beat Miami of Ohio 34-12, but couldn't consistently get the shotgun snap into the hands of the quarterback. USC beat Hawaii, but saw their defense get shredded in a 49-36 shootout.
But there were two games that were particularly shocking: the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 49-48 upset of Mississippi,and the North Dakota State Bison's 6-3 win at Kansas.
Everything I have ever heard or read about Turner Gill tells me that he is a good guy. At Buffalo in 2006, he took over coaching a team that had gone 5-41 in its four previous seasons. In his first three years, he went 2-10, 5-7 and then 8-6 in 2008, including an upset of previously unbeaten Ball State in the MAC Championship game. That's about as good as you'll ever get at Buffalo, so it wasn't surprising when Kansas came calling last year after Mark Mangino was forced to resign amidst allegations that he verbally and physically abused some of his players.
But it's clear that Gill has his hands full with the rebuilding job in Lawrence.
The Kids Are Alright
Chris Low, the SEC beat writer for ESPN.com, pointed out some conference schools played lots of youngsters on Saturday. But Florida, as it turns out, played more freshman (15, to be exact) than any other school in the country. There is lots of talent in that locker room, but with so much youth on the field, the Gators may look a bit rough around the edges at times.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Kickoff !!
It's Thursday and I'm watching college football! Someone pinch me. I might be dreaming.
It's finally here, and, as expected, the ESPN game - Southern Miss at South Carolina - was not the best of the night. Minnesota and Middle Tennessee were tied at 17 half way through the fourth quarter. The Gophers scored a late touchdown to get the win. Too bad the Blue Raiders had to play the game without their quarterback Dwight Dasher. Dasher was suspended for being an idiot. Last year, he passed for 2,789 yards and ran for 1,154. Do you think this team could have used him tonight?
Despite being ranked fifteenth, and being the overwhelming choice to win the Big East, Pittsburgh went to Utah as a three point underdog. I like the Utes. In my view, they've done everything they need to do to establish their football credibility. They've won BCS bowl games, and beaten BCS conference teams. They are the last team to beat Alabama. If you're lucky enough to have Versus on your cable or satellite package, you got to enjoy this game.
Here's a random statistic: The last time Utah lost a home game played on a Thursday was Thanksgiving Day. In 1954.
In this case, Pittsburgh kicked a field goal with three seconds remaining to force overtime, but the Utes prevailed 27-24, thus extending the Thursday home winning streak to thirteen games.
College football is here. Sweet...
New Resource for Info Buffs
I found a really cool online sortable set of college football data provided by - believe it or not - the Wall Street Journal. It's called The Whole Hundred Yards. The link is here. It's good enough that I think I will add it to my permanent set of links on the right side of this page.
Among the things I learned; the nation's heaviest offensive line belongs to... (drumroll)... Idaho. The Vandals average 333 pounds per man.
Despite being ranked fifteenth, and being the overwhelming choice to win the Big East, Pittsburgh went to Utah as a three point underdog. I like the Utes. In my view, they've done everything they need to do to establish their football credibility. They've won BCS bowl games, and beaten BCS conference teams. They are the last team to beat Alabama. If you're lucky enough to have Versus on your cable or satellite package, you got to enjoy this game.
Here's a random statistic: The last time Utah lost a home game played on a Thursday was Thanksgiving Day. In 1954.
In this case, Pittsburgh kicked a field goal with three seconds remaining to force overtime, but the Utes prevailed 27-24, thus extending the Thursday home winning streak to thirteen games.
College football is here. Sweet...
New Resource for Info Buffs
I found a really cool online sortable set of college football data provided by - believe it or not - the Wall Street Journal. It's called The Whole Hundred Yards. The link is here. It's good enough that I think I will add it to my permanent set of links on the right side of this page.
Among the things I learned; the nation's heaviest offensive line belongs to... (drumroll)... Idaho. The Vandals average 333 pounds per man.
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