CFB Week 6 (9/30-10/4) Picks and News

[RJ Esq]

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</td><td class="cc c">4:34 AM (1 hour ago)
Separating USC past from USC present

from Conquest Chronicles by Paragon SC
One thing that has been interesting to watch in the past week or so has been all those who were previously in awe of USC that have either jumped off the bandwagon and run or jumped off and then started throwing dirt onto USC as if they were dead and buried. Ratings and readership is what it’s all about…taking the contrarian point of view AFTER you have seen the results, for those of us on the outside, is always a sight to behold. Earlier in the week it was Tom Dienhart and last Friday it was SI.com's Austin Murphy.

As I mentioned last weekend the one pundit that stood out was of course Kirk Herbstreit, he bashed USC mercilessly on College GameDay last Saturday suddenly jumping on the Florida Bandwagon only to then see the Gators go down in flames. I like Herbstreit, I don’t always agree with him, but for the most part he has been pretty even handed in most of his analysis but this was just unreal. For all of his “knowledge” Herbie couldn’t get off SC bandwagon fast enough and made rats jumping off a sinking ship look slow.

Doc Saturday is the latest to say good-bye. And while I have no problem with his judgment of this years team there is a fundamental flaw in some of his reasoning...

One more note on the fallout from USC's sky-opening loss at Oregon State. There's a fine line between a good team and a legendary one, and the L.A. Daily News' Scott Wolf was reminded just how often Reggie Bush singlehandedly erased that line in the Trojans' championship seasons:

Instead of fretting a loss to Oregon State, perhaps USC fans should instead look back at the number of times the Trojans could have lost but didn't simply because of Reggie Bush.
The Stanford game in the 2004 unbeaten season is a prime example, with Bush's 33-yard zig-zagging punt return setting up the winning touchdown in a 31-28 victory. He also scored a touchdown on a 17-yard run in the first half.
That same year, USC held off UCLA 29-24 with Bush gaining 204 yards and touchdown runs of 65-and-81 yards.
USC coach Pete Carroll did not deny Bush erased a lot of shortcomings on Sunday night.
"We were so dynamic offensively it made up for problems,'' Carroll said. "A lot of it was Reggie.''
​

You can expand this "great man" argument beyond Bush -- does USC have anyone now who could haul in a 60-yard audible on 4th-and-9 with the game on the line, on the road? -- but it gets right to the core of USC's persistent upset issues over the last three years: the recruiting stars have completely failed to yield not only another Bush, but any truly reliable playmaker on offense.
​

I see where Doc Saturday is trying to go and I realize that that those are Pete Carroll's words, but to me that is a big exception not a rule. As I said the other day, regardless of talent there is no way this 2008 team is as good as the 2004 team if for no other reason than the loss to OSU last Thursday. The problem is that most of the pundits and analysts have spent the past two and a half seasons comparing the talent we have now to the talent of 2004/05.

That would be a mistake.
Talent is one thing, results are something else entirely.
To me Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart are untouchable from a pure football stand point, they more than proved themselves on the field and I will defend their performance like you have never seen. On the other hand as great as Jarrett was in 2004/05 his decline in 2006 really left a bitter taste in some peoples mouth.

There are no Reggie Bush's or Dwayne Jarrett's on this team...not yet and probably not ever. The fact is I don’t think we will see another collection of offensive talent like we saw in 04/05. While the 2004 team, on offense, was essentially the same as 2005. The defense of 2004 when compared to 2005 or even 2008 may not have been as deep or as feared but their accomplishments were incredible. Personally, I think that 2004 team was so under the radar that no one really knew just how good they were…and we all know that Oklahoma never saw them coming.
But where some miss the boat is that Reggie Bush could not have been as successful as he was without LenDale White. The power running game that White provided was the perfect compliment to Reggie's flash-and-dash highlight reel type of play. Jarrett had the benefit of having Steve Smith and Dominque Byrd on the field to help stretch out opposing defenses that enabled him to make some great plays. Go back and watch the tape of that 2005 Orange Bowl...that was a team firing on all cylinders it wasn't just one guy. Sure Reggie made some dynamite plays but it couldn't have been done without other effective weapons making plays on the field.
See for yourself...
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aw4_4H83Pok&hl=en&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="never" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344">Popout I WILL NEVER GET BORED WATCHING THOSE HIGHLIGHTS!!...NEVER
But, there has to be a disconnect, I can see comparing 2006 to 2005 but not to 2007 or 2008 this a totally different crew. It's time to put the 2004/05 teams in the past, they gave us great memories. The 2006/07 teams had some incredible talent but they didn't live up to the expectations. The jury is still out on the 2008 team though the loss to OSU doesn't help their cause but again there is some tremendous talent.
USC in 2006/07/08 has been, voluntarily or involuntarily, riding the coattails of USC 04/05 and that has to stop. This current team has their own identity, good or bad, and they need to be separated from the past and judged on their own results.







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[RJ Esq]

UW band suspended, won't play Saturday's game

Mike Miller — <!--Tue., Mar 20, 2007 - 11:17 AM-->10/04/2008 7:28 am
University of Wisconsin band dirctor Michael Leckrone announced Friday that the famed UW marching band has been suspended for Saturday night's nationally television game against Ohio State and won't play again until an investigation into allegations of hazing and inappropriate sexual activity is finished.
Leckrone and UW Dean of Students Lori Berquam declined to say where the latest alleged incidents occurred or talk in specifics about the allegations, but Leckrone said they involved "inappropriate alcohol use, hazing and sexual behavior."
The band was put on probation by former Chancellor John Wiley following a Sept. 23 trip to Michigan in 2006. He issued stern warnings that continued bad behavior would result in more repercussions for the band, including possible loss of performances and travel privileges and possible suspension of the band.
Friday's suspension follows a trip by the band to Michigan for last week's loss to the Wolverines, but the officials gathered Friday night at a new conference to announce the suspension declined to say it involved that trip.
But Leckrone did say he found out about the latest allegations at 3:45 p.m. Friday. "I just thought the allegations were serious enough there needed to be action right away," he said Friday night.
The university has had a band since 1885, Leckrone said after the news conference, and the band has been playing at Badger home football games since the 1920s.

"It's my best guess," he added, that Saturday will be the first time since then that the Badgers take the field without the band members playing "On Wisconsin" and other traditional UW songs.
Leckrone said some band members might show up at the game, given that they have tickets, "but we will not be there as a group."
He said as soon as he learned of the allegations he informed the UW Dean of Students Office, and Berquam and other UW officials showed up at the band practice. Leckrone said at 4:30 p.m. he told the band members they would not be playing for the Ohio State game, and said many of them appeared to be genuinely shocked by both the news of more inappropriate behavior and Leckrone's decision.
"My feeling is I hit them between the eyes with a sledgehammer," he said.
Both Leckrone and Berquam emphasized the band would not be allowed to perform again until the investigation into the latest allegations are complete. "We will be practicing next Tuesday," Leckrone said, but added "we won't perform until this is cleared up."
Leckrone went through similar turmoil in 2006 when then Chancellor Wiley placed the group on probation for strikingly similar allegations during that year's trip to Michigan. At the time, Leckrone, who had then served the UW for 38 years, said he would seriously consider resigning if the band was caught in the same predicament again.
Friday night, however, he said he is not considering such a move. "I've changed my attitude a little bit," he said. "I'm a teacher, and I'm going to teach these people the way to go in life," he said.
Leckrone also said that when Wiley told him the probation for the band was over, he told the band that it was not the end of monitoring the group's behavior and said he has taken several steps to head off a repeat of the 2006 problems.
That, he said, caused him to be more disappointed this time around.

He also said it was extremely difficult for him to tell the 300-member band they couldn't perform at the Camp Randall on Saturday. "You don't have any idea of how hard it was," the veteran band leader said.
Although Leckrone and Berquam both declined to say how many band members were involved in the latest incidents, Leckrone said it was probably "a couple of hands full," of members.
Last year Casey Nagy, an executive assistant to Wiley, said the band appeared to be on better behavior.
"We will continue to monitor, but we think the message was well received and behavior modified," Nagy said then. "The band is back to being one of the great assets of the institution, which it should be."
Wiley called the band's behavior on that 2006 Michigan trip, "boorish to patently dangerous and unlawful." That included semi-nude suggestive dancing by some members, and women being forced to kiss other women to be allowed to enter bathrooms on the band bus. One student complained he had his head shaved during the trip.
A female band member complained of being forced to suck on a sex toy during a hazing incident, while other women complained of being forced to draw pornographic pictures for older male band members, and recite obscene limericks.
Others said they were ordered to read aloud to older band members explicit accounts of their sexual preferences composed by others for them to read.
While the trip to Michigan led Wiley to put the band on probation, he said other issues of questionable conduct had occurred in previous years.
In early 2007 Assistant Band Director Michael Lorenz resigned his post while under investigation for his role in the infamous Michigan trip, in which he was accused of engaging in "unwelcome, intimidating, and frightening" behavior involving a woman on the trip.

 

[RJ Esq]

What to Watch: Week 6

from Bevo Sports by Matt

Texas vs. Colorado in the Big 12 Championship

Conference play is in full swing this weekend with many teams getting their first real test of the season. The Big 12 now has 4 teams in the Top 10, with all of them on the road. It will be interesting to see if they can all come out unscathed. If Texas and Oklahoma both win their Big 12 openers, they will face off next week in a possible #1 versus #5 match-up. Let’s take a look at a game in each of the big conferences. Remember, I did go 3-1 last weekend against the spread.
#13 Auburn at #19 Vanderbilt (+4) - 6:00 PM EST on ESPN. Vanderbilt is definitely one of the surprises of the season. And after last week their win against Ole Miss is looking that much better. Auburn has been anemic on offense and basically riding their defense to wins. With two weeks to prepare and home field, Vanderbilt has the advantage in this one. It will probably be close, but take Vandy to win.
#7 Texas at Colorado (+13) - 7:00 PM EST on FSN. There are a couple of things that worry me about this game. First, it is an almost night game in Boulder. The fans will be crazy (probably drunk) and it is tough to play with that thin air. Second, the last time we played Colorado we beat them 70-3 and knocked out their quarterback. I’m pretty sure Colorado is looking for a little revenge and will keep that previous game in mind. And finally, this game comes a week before the Red River Rivalry, so there is definitely a possibility that the Horns will be looking ahead. Now with all of that said, I still think Texas has too much offense for Colorado to handle. And with the improved defense I don’t see Colorado doing too much. Texas needs to jump out to a quick start to kill the hopes for the Buffaloes. If they do that they should roll.
#23 Oregon at #9 USC (O/U 57) - 8:00 PM EST on ABC. Everyone wants to see how USC will respond after getting smoked by Oregon State last week. I don’t expect to see a blowout or anything against Oregon, but I do expect to see USC’s A game. Both teams can score almost at will and this will probably be the typical Pac-10 shootout. Look for each team to score in the 40s and take the over in this one.
#14 Ohio State at #18 Wisconsin (+2) - 8:00 PM EST on ABC. Hardly anyone comes out of Camp Randall with a victory, with Wisconsin winning their last 16 at home and 27 of the last 28. Ohio State has now turned over the reigns to Terrelle Pryor, and with Beanie Wells back from injury their offense is heating back up. As long as their defense can do a decent job against the Badgers, Ohio State should be able to come out with the victory. Actually on second thought this game probably shouldn’t be on the “what to watch” list since it will probably be pretty boring. Just take Ohio State and cash-in in the morning.

 

[RJ Esq]

Week 6 Plays…

from underdogsofwar.com by horses
Some Mormon conspiracy sunk my BYU bet last nite…
Saturday
NC State +8 over Boston College: QB Wilson playing for the ‘Pack is the clincher for me; HC O’Brien has stated that the offense they designed is specifically slated for him, and you can tell they are much fluid with Wilson under center. Meanwhile, BC has a QB controversy, meaning they don’t have a QB. Very rare to see a somewhat capable team have two lousy home efforts in a row.
Texas Tech -7 over Kansas St: Potential trap game of the week, but I will jump in. At this point, I think we can safely assume that Prince’s efforts to recruit a ton of JC’s was an act of desperation. I question his coaching abilities and his defense. QB Freeman will due some damage, but they won’t keep up with Tech looking to make a statement in their conference opener.
Florida -23 over Arkansas: Posted this previously; as mentioned, ‘Hogs were down 28 at halftime to both ‘Bama and Texas; same story here versus a pissed off Gator squad.
Auburn -3′ over Vanderbilt: Three road chalks today not to mention the BYU debacle last nite; whatever…I see them and I play them…don’t worry too much about the type of plays. Auburn changed their offense up during the week and Tuberville said they had some of their most spirited practices of the year. Vandy is last in the SEC in both total offense and defense. Turnover margin is getting them by and that ends today in front of the College Gameday crew.
Notre Dame -6′ over Stanford: Fading Tree the 3rd week in a row, despite previous failures. Notre Dame offense looking more like the offense when former QB Quinn was at the controls. Irish have 3 legit wideouts that should have their way with the Cardinal secondary. Stanford leading WR from the last 2 years Sherman is still out and Tree is on their 4th roadie in 5 weeks. Notre Dame continues their march to 8 or 9 wins.
SMU +14 over UCF: Surprise! Not for the faint of heart, but nevertheless, I like the value. SMU offense is light years ahead of the Golden Knights, esp with their leading receiver out as well. Naturally, I will be taking my chances with their defense but I liked what I saw in the 2nd half of the Tulane game last Thursday.
…and of course, a small wager on the 6-team parlay.
Smaller Play:
Florida International/North Texas under 54; got this at 55 myself, but I like this total all they way down to 53. Also expect some decent wind for this game.
That’s all sluts, bitches and whores! Good luck to everyone today.

 

[RJ Esq]

Added:

Kansas -11 (-110)

 

[RJ Esq]

Kansas has given this game away. 3 1H TOs.

Writing it off. 0-2 to start the week.

 

[RJ Esq]

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</td><td class="cc c">10:31 AM (2 hours ago)
Texas at Colorado Predictions

from Bevo Sports by Brian
The Texas Longhorns were expected to have a down season (by their standards) but after four blowout wins the team finds itself setting ranked as one of the top five teams in the country. On FSN (and in HD) at 6:00 pm tonight the Longhorns will face their first conference opponent of the season in a 3 - 1 Colorado team. This is the first game before a tough four-game stretch against ranked opponents but the Longhorns can’t start looking ahead or things can come crashing down very quickly.
Will the Longhorns avoid the upset? Can the defense continue to get after the opposing quarterback? Read on to see what the editors of Bevo Sports and a guest from Buffs.tv think will happen today:
Brian - The Longhorns played their best game of the season last week and I think they step it up again against Colorado. They were ranked last week but other than a win over not as good as we thought West Virginia they haven’t been overly impressive. Texas’ special teams will be the key to avoid the upset. Colt McCoy will continue to impress and freshman running back Cody Johnson will get his first career 100-yard game. Texas wins by the same score they do every week… Texas 52 - Colorado 10
Matt - There are a couple of things that worry me about this game. First, it is an almost night game in Boulder. The fans will be crazy (probably drunk) and it is tough to play with that thin air. Second, the last time we played Colorado we beat them 70-3 and knocked out their quarterback. I’m pretty sure Colorado is looking for a little revenge and will keep that previous game in mind. And finally, this game comes a week before the Red River Rivalry, so there is definitely a possibility that the Horns will be looking ahead. Now with all of that said, I still think Texas has too much offense for Colorado to handle. And with the improved defense I don’t see Colorado doing too much. Texas needs to jump out to a quick start to kill the hopes for the Buffaloes. If they do that they should roll. Texas 45 - Colorado 20
Mike - The Longhorns face their first big test of the year on the road at Colorado to get Big 12 play started. Colorado has a solid team, and proved they could pull an upset by beating Oklahoma the week before last year’s Red River Shootout. Texas is on a roll and I don’t think anyone not wearing crimson and cream is going to slow the Horns down. Colorado wears black and gold. I may have started drinking the Kool-Aid on this one, but I think Texas wins and wins big. They dominate from the start and Colt McCoy keeps his Heisman hopes alive with another big game through the air and on the ground. The defense records over five sacks and two turnovers, and a running back will finally have a run over 30 yards. Texas 45 - Colorado 13
Marc from Buffs.tv - This game is going to come down to the trenches. Can the Colorado line hold off the Longhorns long enough for Hawkins down field? Can the Buffs get enough pressure on McCoy to force him into some bad decisions? If the Buffs can’t win at least one of these battles, winning the game will be very difficult. The good news is that the Buffs never give up in Boulder. This game will be decided in the fourth quarter. Texas 21 - Colorado 23






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[RJ Esq]

Adding:

Texas -12 (-110)