Yanks27Sox9
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BOL with the plays, RJ. With u on a couple of them.
Week 4 (9/20-22) CFB Picks and News
- Thread starter RJ Esq
- Start date
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Thank you sir and I appreciate your concern on the ones you're not on.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
JCSPN: The Worldwide Leader in Undeserved Hype
You guys will love this fark site.
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You guys will love this fark site.
View attachment 8635
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Penalties fit the crime in Cats' mistake-filled loss to Lobos
By Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.17.2007
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Stand up and put one foot in front of the other. Walk exactly 288 steps in one direction. Turn around and look at the gap.
That very distance — 96 yards — was the difference in Arizona's 29-27 loss to New Mexico on Saturday night. The difference between responsibility and recklessness, legitimacy and laughability.
The UA football team was assessed nine penalties for — you guessed it — 96 yards in Saturday's nonconference finale.
The fouls ran the gamut from false starts and holding calls to offsides and late hits. Arizona coach Mike Stoops was cited for unsportsmanlike conduct following a sideline tantrum in the second quarter.
As far as respectability goes, Britney Spears had a better week.
"We made mistakes early in the game and couldn't recover because of a lack of focus," linebacker Ronnie Palmer said. "A loss is a loss, but when mental errors cause the loss, it's more difficult."
There was enough blame to go around. The defensive line couldn't handle UNM's hard counts, defensive backs were duped twice for deep touchdowns and tackling was a problem again.
Offensively, quarterback Willie Tuitama and tailback Chris Jennings both fumbled in the red zone. Anthony Johnson dropped a half-dozen passes. Rob Gronkowski (two catches, 13 yards) was a nonfactor. Even the UA special teams, typically a strength, struggled. Kicker Jason Bondzio missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.
Stoops, meanwhile, lost his cool. Arizona's leader took the blame for the Wildcats' lack of discipline. He even announced that four yet-to-be-named players have been suspended indefinitely for breaking team rules.
"We did not play disciplined," Stoops said. "We didn't coach as well as we need to, and obviously, the discipline and the coaching starts with me."
Arizona (1-2) could not have picked a worse time to implode. The Wildcats will open Pac-10 play with a game at No. 6 California on Saturday. The Golden Bears have started the season 3-0, and look very much like a contender for the conference title. Arizona's players know they must play mistake-free to have a chance from this point on.
"We need to get our swagger back and let this loss go," wide receiver Mike Thomas said. "The Pac-10 is coming and people say that's what counts."
Three scary thoughts
• Technically, the Wildcats were better a year ago. As bad as Arizona was in 2006, it at least entered conference play with a winning record. This year's UA team will head into Pac-10 play with losses to BYU and New Mexico on its record. Where's Stephen F. Austin when you need it?
• The Pac-10 is up — and Arizona is down. A quick look around the country on Saturday showed that USC and California are as good as advertised, Washington can compete with some of the nation's best teams, and that Oregon State and Washington State can pile on points with the best of them. Even woeful Stanford won, prompting the question: Just who can Arizona beat?
• Cal is torching people. The Wildcats will open conference play on Saturday against a California team that has been enjoying a once-in-a-generation surge. The Golden Bears' 42-12 win over Louisiana Tech over the weekend was their ninth straight at Memorial Stadium.
Three silver linings
• At least the Air Zona offense seems to be working. Arizona is averaging 26.3 points per game, up nearly 10 points from last season. Quarterback Willie Tuitama has thrown for eight touchdowns in the last two games, and is on pace to smash Marc Reed's 41-year-old school record for most TD passes in a season (20). Tuitama threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's loss, a mark that is good for second on Arizona's single-game yardage list.
• Cam Nelson is fitting in. The Wildcats sophomore was third on the team with seven tackles in Saturday's loss. The defense's lone newcomer is fourth on the team — behind Spencer Larsen, Ronnie Palmer and Antoine Cason — with 17 tackles.
• The Wildcats are due for an upset. The UA has pulled off at least one Top 25 upset a year since Stoops took over in 2004. Given the Pac-10's success this season, the Wildcats will play plenty of ranked teams.
For more on the Wildcats season, visit azstarnet.com/wildcats
By Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.17.2007
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>OAS_AD('300x250_1')</SCRIPT>
Stand up and put one foot in front of the other. Walk exactly 288 steps in one direction. Turn around and look at the gap.
That very distance — 96 yards — was the difference in Arizona's 29-27 loss to New Mexico on Saturday night. The difference between responsibility and recklessness, legitimacy and laughability.
The UA football team was assessed nine penalties for — you guessed it — 96 yards in Saturday's nonconference finale.
The fouls ran the gamut from false starts and holding calls to offsides and late hits. Arizona coach Mike Stoops was cited for unsportsmanlike conduct following a sideline tantrum in the second quarter.
As far as respectability goes, Britney Spears had a better week.
"We made mistakes early in the game and couldn't recover because of a lack of focus," linebacker Ronnie Palmer said. "A loss is a loss, but when mental errors cause the loss, it's more difficult."
There was enough blame to go around. The defensive line couldn't handle UNM's hard counts, defensive backs were duped twice for deep touchdowns and tackling was a problem again.
Offensively, quarterback Willie Tuitama and tailback Chris Jennings both fumbled in the red zone. Anthony Johnson dropped a half-dozen passes. Rob Gronkowski (two catches, 13 yards) was a nonfactor. Even the UA special teams, typically a strength, struggled. Kicker Jason Bondzio missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.
Stoops, meanwhile, lost his cool. Arizona's leader took the blame for the Wildcats' lack of discipline. He even announced that four yet-to-be-named players have been suspended indefinitely for breaking team rules.
"We did not play disciplined," Stoops said. "We didn't coach as well as we need to, and obviously, the discipline and the coaching starts with me."
Arizona (1-2) could not have picked a worse time to implode. The Wildcats will open Pac-10 play with a game at No. 6 California on Saturday. The Golden Bears have started the season 3-0, and look very much like a contender for the conference title. Arizona's players know they must play mistake-free to have a chance from this point on.
"We need to get our swagger back and let this loss go," wide receiver Mike Thomas said. "The Pac-10 is coming and people say that's what counts."
Three scary thoughts
• Technically, the Wildcats were better a year ago. As bad as Arizona was in 2006, it at least entered conference play with a winning record. This year's UA team will head into Pac-10 play with losses to BYU and New Mexico on its record. Where's Stephen F. Austin when you need it?
• The Pac-10 is up — and Arizona is down. A quick look around the country on Saturday showed that USC and California are as good as advertised, Washington can compete with some of the nation's best teams, and that Oregon State and Washington State can pile on points with the best of them. Even woeful Stanford won, prompting the question: Just who can Arizona beat?
• Cal is torching people. The Wildcats will open conference play on Saturday against a California team that has been enjoying a once-in-a-generation surge. The Golden Bears' 42-12 win over Louisiana Tech over the weekend was their ninth straight at Memorial Stadium.
Three silver linings
• At least the Air Zona offense seems to be working. Arizona is averaging 26.3 points per game, up nearly 10 points from last season. Quarterback Willie Tuitama has thrown for eight touchdowns in the last two games, and is on pace to smash Marc Reed's 41-year-old school record for most TD passes in a season (20). Tuitama threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's loss, a mark that is good for second on Arizona's single-game yardage list.
• Cam Nelson is fitting in. The Wildcats sophomore was third on the team with seven tackles in Saturday's loss. The defense's lone newcomer is fourth on the team — behind Spencer Larsen, Ronnie Palmer and Antoine Cason — with 17 tackles.
• The Wildcats are due for an upset. The UA has pulled off at least one Top 25 upset a year since Stoops took over in 2004. Given the Pac-10's success this season, the Wildcats will play plenty of ranked teams.
For more on the Wildcats season, visit azstarnet.com/wildcats
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
From thewizardofodds.blogspot.com:
Monday, September 17, 2007
Name Games
We now understand why some coaches prefer not to have player names on jerseys. Check out the image below, posted on Mister Irrelevant, of West Virginia defensive linemen Johnny Dingle and Scooter Berry grabbing some bench.
We've seen these frightful arrangements before. There was this Arkansas trifecta ...
... and this classic from Marshall.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Name Games
We now understand why some coaches prefer not to have player names on jerseys. Check out the image below, posted on Mister Irrelevant, of West Virginia defensive linemen Johnny Dingle and Scooter Berry grabbing some bench.
We've seen these frightful arrangements before. There was this Arkansas trifecta ...
... and this classic from Marshall.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=storytitle colSpan=3>Cavalcade of Whimsy - The Irish Futility </TD></TR><TR><TD class=primaryimage vAlign=top>
</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="60%" bgColor=#f5f5f5 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=center noWrap>By Pete Fiutak
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Sep 18, 2007
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This hasn't just been a bad start for Notre Dame, it's been a whole different level of bad. How did this all happen? The Irish futility, along with ten of the biggest disappointments to start the season, in Fiu's Cavalcade of Whimsy.
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[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]Fiu's Cavalcade of Whimsy[/FONT]
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a.k.a. Frank Costanza's Festivus Airing of the Grievances [/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2]
By Pete Fiutak
What's your beef? ... E-mail with your thoughts
Past Whimsies [/SIZE][/FONT]2006 Season | Preseason Part One, Part Two | Week 1 | Week 2
<TABLE id=table3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ffff99>If this column sucks, it’s not my fault … after three horrendous weeks, Charlie Weis declared that I need to go back to training camp and that my season is starting over. Unfortunately, my lines are worse than Notre Dame's.
You think you hate it now, but wait ‘til you read it … I like the unifying look when everyone in the stadium is wearing all one color, like the Penn State White Out vs. Notre Dame, the current Nebraska all-red, and freakiest of all, the occasional South Carolina Black Out. In an attempt to create an intimidating environment for the reader, I'll use the official column colors in the C.O.W. Inaugural Metallic Pea Out.
And if you say it again, you have to sit through a traditional Latin Mass … Over the last few weeks, various scouts, coaches, and media types, as they’re searching for answers and making excuses, have done everything short of actually saying the words, “you can’t recruit at Notre Dame.” Yeah, it must be tough. If only the football program had some history to fall back on, a recognizable brand name, exposure from a national TV contract, an elite educational experience, several classic movies cheering her name, a few legendary figures to wake up echoes, and every conceivable break in the book when it comes to the BCS rules, then maybe, just maybe, Weis and his staff would have a chance to bring in some decent talent.
That George O’Leary résumé doesn’t seem like that big a deal anymore … The world is having a grand old time piling on Notre Dame, and rightly so considering the futile start is an all-timer. This is a Charlie Weis offense. This is the guy who made Tom Brady, Tom Brady (before Brady went off on his noble pursuit to join forces with the hot women of the world to create a generation of pretty people), and turned Brady Quinn from a nice third round prospect into a first round draft pick. 115 yards per game. 119.7 passing yards. Two points per game generated by the offense. This is a really, really big deal, and it could be argued that it trumps the Appalachian State win over Michigan as the signature storyline of the season so far.
Upon further review, number crunching and analysis, we've found one basic problem: they stink ... New England has spent some draft picks on shoring up the offensive line, but for the most part, the team's philosophy has been to piece together a front five and spend the most time, energy and money elsewhere. That doesn't work in the college game. ND's offensive line has been miserable for the last two seasons, while the defensive line gets shoved all over the place. Until the Irish are btter on the lines, the Jimmy Clausens of the world won't matter.
And no, they're not the ones who make sure the socks are the right length … Reason No. 307 why college football is better than the NFL. Frequency coordinators. Hopefully you lead an interesting enough life to not have any clue why they’ve suddenly become a relevant part of our bizarre sports culture.
But through the magic of videotape, there’s historical footage of Notre Dame's offense scoring a touchdown ….Because we’re all adults of reasonable intelligence, we all realize just how full of bull muffins New England head coach Bill Belichick is, and we all know that the videotaping of signals in the win over the New York Jets wasn’t an isolated incident. So the question has to be raised; just how far did the apple fall from the cheat? Isn’t at least worthy of discussion to wonder if Notre Dame under Weis has learned more from New England than how to make LaDainian Tomlinson mad?
At least Pacman got to make it rain before he got in trouble … Dog the NFL and its fascist regime all you want, but at least those kids don’t joke around when it comes down to meting punishment. You want to stop cheating on the college level? Start fining the coaches when something goes wrong. It might not be fair, but watch how fast that “lack of institutional control” issue goes away.
And on the flipside, the NFL should’ve taken a page from the NCAA. Fining and taking away draft picks was a start, but if Generalissimo Goodell really wanted to make the cheating stop, he should make New England vacate its win over the Jets.
And no, it’s not because Northern Illinois is playing Temple … Here’s just a little something for you to look forward to: October 6<SUP>th</SUP>. It’s a dog week of games overall, with a few notable exceptions. Nebraska travels to Missouri for an interesting Big 12 North showdown, but it might be just a wee bit overshadowed by Oklahoma vs. Texas down in Dallas. While the Red River Rivalry is big, it’s nothing this year compared to Florida at LSU in a battle of true heavyweights for the number two spot in the polls.
Put 'em on the Glass, Part One … Notre Dame might have problems right now, but Navy lost to Ball State and is playing no defense whatsoever. November 3rd will be the real test to see how far the Irish have fallen. If the 43-game winning streak over the Midshipmen ends this year, then watch everyone really start to roar.
Put 'em on the Glass, Part Two … It’s a long season and several things are certain to change, but if Auburn keeps playing the way it’s playing, and Alabama keeps playing the way it’s playing, watch the Tide fans’ lovefest for Nick Saban to come to a quick stop if the Tigers’ five game Iron Bowl winning streak doesn’t come to a screeching halt.
However, if she’s unable to fulfill her duties, or if we find hot lesbian photos of her taken when she was young and needed the work, the first runner-up shall assume the crown … Oh sure, it’s college football politically incorrect to call a FCS team D-IAA, and a D-I team FBS, but what about the D-II and D-III teams? Where’s their confusing designation? aren't they special? How come they don’t get to be counted in the AP Poll? Now that the NCAA has created this goofy madness, wouldn’t D-II technically get to move up and become D-I?
And of course, the people who voted for Louisville over Kentucky need to go somewhere speical, too ... Appalachian State got 19 votes yet again in the AP poll. You have to be the house, the car, the kids, and your virtue; do you take ASU over Cincinnati, Florida State, Kansas or Purdue (who were all ranked below the Mountaineers)? Of course not, but then again, you've probably seen those teams play this year.
Of course, you're basing your ranking on the 48-7 win over Lenoir-Rhyne ... O.K. you pretentious AP voting fops who've suddenly become the champion of the D-IAAers (oops, I've been bad), who'd Appalachian State beat last week? Uh huh. I'm waiting. It was Northern Arizona, 34-21. But you already knew that.
He looks like a 39-year-old man, and apparently he has the knees of one, too … First of all, stop comparing Greg Oden to Sam Bouie just because they’re both big and they were each drafted early by Portland. Oden has a knee injury, it’ll get fixed, and he’ll be the NBA’s next big thing. Bouie had a foot issue that wasn’t going to go away, and he was a limited talent. With that said, to all the sure-thing multi-millionaires currently shortening their NFL playing life by sticking around the college game and working (it's not play for you right now) for free, take a look at Oden’s situation. He’s currently hurt, can’t play this year, and he’s getting paid gobs and gobs of money. Had he stayed in school, he'd be going to class, wouldn't be playing this year, and he wouldn’t be getting paid gobs and gobs of money.
Halfway through the column, and still no Notre Dame offensive touchdowns.
“Weather. I don’t need weather. Weather doesn’t do it for me.” … No more rain/weather delays. If I can borrow a Dan Hawkins voice, THIS IS FOOTBALL. Oh sure, at any time a player can break a bone, dislocate something valuable, or heaven forbid, have his spine snapped in two, but ooooooh, watch out for the scary clouds and the big rain drops. The fans have nowhere to run and hide if a tornado hits; they’re sitting ducks. If they’re in the elements, then get out there and play. Lightning hits? Shake it off.
“Do you gamble?”
“Every time I order out.”
“You do speak French?”
“Unfortunately, no. But I do kiss that way.” … Not sure when this will come up again, but check out this little mini-trend. Outside of Boston College's win over NC State (which seemed to be a specific case of the Eagles needing to be impressive in conference play), for whatever reason, superior teams don’t seem run it up on teams with coaching ties to the school. For example, FIU head coach Mario Cristobal is a former Miami Hurricane. Randy Shannon’s Canes, a 33-point favorite, beat the Golden Panthers 23-9. Idaho head coach Robb Akey took the job after years as an assistant at Washington State. The Vandals were 26-point underdogs, but only lost to the Cougars by 17. USC defensive coordinator Nick Holt was the head man at Idaho two years ago. The Trojans were 45-point favorites in the opener, and only won by 28.
There hasn’t been a less intimidating bodyguard since Ricky Linderman … Do the coaches really feel safer walking off the field with Barney Fife running behind them? Until a coach rents out S1W to hang in the background while he talks to Holly Rowe about why his team sucked in the first half, there’s just no practical need for the protection, is there? Double that if the cop is shorter and smaller than the coach, like the officer running off the field behind Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema at halftime of the Citadel game.
The Non-Sexual Man Crush Of The Week Award goes to … it’s a tie. Boston College’s Matt Ryan against Georgia Tech, and Alabama’s John Parker Wilson against Arkansas. Ryan is a true veteran college quarterback. He’s the type of experienced leader who makes everyone around him better, and is the difference between BC being a top 25 team and something truly special. If you somehow have a chance, watch Wilson’s final drive against the Hogs. He stood in the teeth of a good pass rush time and again and was a stone-cold killer. Considering the moment, you won’t see a better ball thrown all year than the loft to Matt Caddell for the game winner.
Nuggets for the upcoming week, now made with white meat, at participating restaurants …
- Tulsa won’t beat Oklahoma on Friday night, but watch out for the Todd Graham-led Golden Hurricane to provide a stiff test for at least a half. Paul Smith is by far the best quarterback the Sooners have faced, and the Tulsa defense has a little bit of a pass rush to generate some pressure on Sam Bradford.
- Watch out for Purdue’s Curtis Painter to flirt with 500 passing yards against Minnesota on Saturday night. So far, the Gopher secondary has allowed 412 yards to Bowling Green, 418 to Miami University, and 463 to Florida Atlantic.
- Tennessee had better not start thinking about Georgia, or Arkansas State could make things very interesting. Coming off a blowout loss to Florida, and needing a win over the Dawgs next week to stay alive in the SEC race, the Vols are certain to be looking ahead. ASU played Texas tough in week one and blew out SMU. Now, with QB Corey Leonard and RB Reggie Arnold each playing well, UT could be in for a battle.
The C.O.W. airing of the grievances followed by the feats of strength
Taking the obvious, Michigan and Notre Dame, out of the equation, here are the ten ways the world has disappointed me over the first few weeks of the college football season (and with a long way to go, the way things can be turned around).
10. The WAC
Considering the MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt have all come up with good wins over BCS Conference teams, the WAC hasn’t exactly set the world on fire. Boise State’s run ended at Washington, Hawaii hasn’t played anyone, and was lousy in a near-miss against Louisiana Tech, Nevada lost in the final seconds to Northwestern, and Fresno State did what Fresno State does, coming close, but losing, to Texas A&M before getting blasted by Oregon.
How it can turn things around: Hawaii still gets to play Washington, while Boise State can establish some conference pride with a win over Southern Miss.
9. TCU
There was talk about the BCS, being this year’s Boise State, and possibly taking a major step forward for a program that’s been on the verge of big things for several years. With top RB Aaron Brown hurt, there’s been no punch to the running game, the supposed brick wall of a defense has been merely above average, and after losing to Air Force, there’s work to be done in Mountain West play.
How it can turn things around: Get Aaron Brown healthy, start to get more big plays out of the superior defensive line, and start winning Mountain West games. The defense has to be the TCU defense everyone was hoping to see.
8. Oklahoma State
Where’s the speed and explosion? Where’s the team with all the returning skill talent that was supposed hang 50 on the board against everyone in its path? The Cowboys could still show up and be a Big 12 factor, and everything could change this week against Texas Tech, but a quarterback shuffle, a few injuries, and little from the defense has led to a 1-2 start. Things aren’t going well when you lose to Troy 41-23.
How it can turn things around: Start winning in the Big 12. Beating Texas Tech and Texas A&M would make everyone forget about the Troy loss.
7. The Departed
Overwritten, overacted, overrated. GoodFellas worked as well as it did because no one had really heard of Ray Liotta. In The Departed, it’s just a bunch of superstars reading lines before they go have a beer together. It’s on the movie channels now; check it out again and try not to see Jason Bourne, or Colonel Jessup, or Jack Dawson, or Dirk Diggler, or Jack Ryan, or Jed Bartlet.
How it can turn things around: Do the GoodFellas/Casino double feature, and then if you need your fix of bad Boston accents in a terrific movie, do Thirteen Days.
6. Wisconsin’s defense
The Badgers were among the best in America last year defensively, and were tops against the pass. There’s no pass rush, there are way too many problems against quick teams working wide, and no one seems to be tackling. This was supposed to be a brick wall, and was why the ranking has been so high.
How it can turn things around: Avoid spread offenses, get more big plays from the ends, stuff Iowa in the Big Ten opener.
5. Arizona
Basically, the Wildcats have proven to be no better than a mid-range Mountain West team after losing to BYU and New Mexico. The one win came over Northern Arizona … yippee. Even with All-America CB Antoine Cason in the secondary, the Cats are giving up 267 yards per game, and haven't been remotely consistent from drive to drive. The new-fangled spread offense bombed away New Mexico, but there was no running game, and only 32 yards on the ground against BYU.
How it can turn things around: Start to D up. After 3+ years, it’s time Mike Stoops to produce on the side of the ball he’s supposed to be a wizard at. A win over California this week would jump-start the program.
4. Tennessee vs. California, Miami vs. Oklahoma, Virginia Tech vs. LSU, USC vs. Nebraska
Virginia Tech vs. LSU was supposed to be a titanic defensive battle worthy of the BCS Championship game. Unfortunately, it was worthy of the national title game; the Florida – Ohio State version. Nebraska had been talking about the USC game being the pivotal moment in the once-proud program’s recent history, and then it forgot to defend the run. Overall, the big-time non-conference games were big-time duds.
How it can turn things around: A good Texas A&M – Miami game would be a start, and then hope the league games can be as strong as they’ve been so far (at least in the SEC).
3. Texas
The Longhorns are 3-0. Considering how many other name teams have been upset, 3-0 is 3-0 is 3-0. But it hasn’t been pretty. The offensive line has been average, though it was better against UCF, the linebacking corps has been a disappointment, and the receiving corps full of NFL talent has decided to take the first few weeks of the season off.
How it can turn around: Beat Kansas State, beat Oklahoma, be in the national title hunt.
2. Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State offense
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. FSU was hoping for a running game and a more balanced offense under new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, and so far, it’s gotten the latter, currently ranked 75<SUP>th</SUP> in the nation in rushing and 76<SUP>th</SUP> in receiving. Fisher made a big point of wanting more big plays from the attack, and they haven’t been there.
How it can turn things around: The O line has to be better. It might not seem like it, but the skill players are there. They aren’t getting any time to work.
1. The USA Today/Coaches’ Poll
I know I’m a broken record when it comes to the polls, but no one else is taking the polls to task for being wrong every single week. Along with the upcoming Harris Poll, the Coaches’ Poll is determining your national championship matchup, and it continues to be lazy and uninformed. How are we supposed to believe that the coaches really know that USC is one, LSU two, Florida three and Oklahoma four, when Louisville is 19th and Kentucky 23rd? UK's win over the Cardinals was one of the highest profile games of the week, with an ending that was featured on all the highlight shows, but the coaches (along with the AP) still got it wrong. Auburn was ranked ahead of South Florida last week, and only dropped lower after losing to Mississippi State. Wisconsin and Texas might be better than California, but no one who’s seen every game all three teams have played would rank the Bears behind the Badgers and Longhorns right now. Again, this is everything to college football. Everything that’s happening on the field, doesn’t seem to matter, because it’s not reflected properly where it should be.
How it can turn things around: Make the coaches accountable right now. Let us call out the coaches who picked Kentucky behind Louisville in the latest poll, and along the way, ask them to name the starting quarterback for 15 the top 25 teams.
Notre Dame just lost more yards on a ball snapped over Jimmy Clausen's head.
C.O.W. shameless gimmick item … The weekly five Overrated/Underrated aspects of the world
1) Overrated: The making out with Madonna Britney ... Underrated: The had fries with that Britney
2) Overrated: Jimmy Clausen … Underrated: Demetrius Jones
3) Overrated: Keyshawn Johnson, Emmitt Smith and Mike Ditka ... Underrated: Steve Young and Michael Irvin
4) Overrated: 37-year-old me pulling a hamstring playing shuffleboard ... Underrated: 59-year-old Sul Ross State LB Mike Flynt
5) Overrated: John C. McGinley ... Underrated: John C. McGinley as one of the Bobs My Heisman ballot this week would be (remember, this is assuming the season ended at this very moment based on what has happened) … 1) Matt Ryan, QB Boston College, 2) Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma, 3) Colt Brennan, QB Hawaii, 4) Pat White, QB West Virginia. 5) Steve Slaton, QB West Virginia
“You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools/But that's the way I like it baby, I don't wanna live forever” … The three lines this week that appear to be a tad off. (1-2 last week again, 2-4 overall, so as always, enjoy these just for pure amusement.) … 1) Miami University +13.5 over Colorado , 2) Penn State -2.5 over Michigan, 3) San Jose State +3.5 over Utah State
Sorry this column sucked, but it wasn’t my fault … After giving a pep talk to Michigan, Russell Crowe came over to try to fire me up to write. Unfortunately, I got the Mystery, Alaska version that was afraid of losing his woman to Hank Azaria.
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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="60%" bgColor=#f5f5f5 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=center noWrap>By Pete Fiutak
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Sep 18, 2007
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This hasn't just been a bad start for Notre Dame, it's been a whole different level of bad. How did this all happen? The Irish futility, along with ten of the biggest disappointments to start the season, in Fiu's Cavalcade of Whimsy.
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[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]Fiu's Cavalcade of Whimsy[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]
a.k.a. Frank Costanza's Festivus Airing of the Grievances [/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2]
By Pete Fiutak
What's your beef? ... E-mail with your thoughts
Past Whimsies [/SIZE][/FONT]2006 Season | Preseason Part One, Part Two | Week 1 | Week 2
<TABLE id=table3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ffff99>If this column sucks, it’s not my fault … after three horrendous weeks, Charlie Weis declared that I need to go back to training camp and that my season is starting over. Unfortunately, my lines are worse than Notre Dame's.
You think you hate it now, but wait ‘til you read it … I like the unifying look when everyone in the stadium is wearing all one color, like the Penn State White Out vs. Notre Dame, the current Nebraska all-red, and freakiest of all, the occasional South Carolina Black Out. In an attempt to create an intimidating environment for the reader, I'll use the official column colors in the C.O.W. Inaugural Metallic Pea Out.
And if you say it again, you have to sit through a traditional Latin Mass … Over the last few weeks, various scouts, coaches, and media types, as they’re searching for answers and making excuses, have done everything short of actually saying the words, “you can’t recruit at Notre Dame.” Yeah, it must be tough. If only the football program had some history to fall back on, a recognizable brand name, exposure from a national TV contract, an elite educational experience, several classic movies cheering her name, a few legendary figures to wake up echoes, and every conceivable break in the book when it comes to the BCS rules, then maybe, just maybe, Weis and his staff would have a chance to bring in some decent talent.
That George O’Leary résumé doesn’t seem like that big a deal anymore … The world is having a grand old time piling on Notre Dame, and rightly so considering the futile start is an all-timer. This is a Charlie Weis offense. This is the guy who made Tom Brady, Tom Brady (before Brady went off on his noble pursuit to join forces with the hot women of the world to create a generation of pretty people), and turned Brady Quinn from a nice third round prospect into a first round draft pick. 115 yards per game. 119.7 passing yards. Two points per game generated by the offense. This is a really, really big deal, and it could be argued that it trumps the Appalachian State win over Michigan as the signature storyline of the season so far.
Upon further review, number crunching and analysis, we've found one basic problem: they stink ... New England has spent some draft picks on shoring up the offensive line, but for the most part, the team's philosophy has been to piece together a front five and spend the most time, energy and money elsewhere. That doesn't work in the college game. ND's offensive line has been miserable for the last two seasons, while the defensive line gets shoved all over the place. Until the Irish are btter on the lines, the Jimmy Clausens of the world won't matter.
And no, they're not the ones who make sure the socks are the right length … Reason No. 307 why college football is better than the NFL. Frequency coordinators. Hopefully you lead an interesting enough life to not have any clue why they’ve suddenly become a relevant part of our bizarre sports culture.
But through the magic of videotape, there’s historical footage of Notre Dame's offense scoring a touchdown ….Because we’re all adults of reasonable intelligence, we all realize just how full of bull muffins New England head coach Bill Belichick is, and we all know that the videotaping of signals in the win over the New York Jets wasn’t an isolated incident. So the question has to be raised; just how far did the apple fall from the cheat? Isn’t at least worthy of discussion to wonder if Notre Dame under Weis has learned more from New England than how to make LaDainian Tomlinson mad?
At least Pacman got to make it rain before he got in trouble … Dog the NFL and its fascist regime all you want, but at least those kids don’t joke around when it comes down to meting punishment. You want to stop cheating on the college level? Start fining the coaches when something goes wrong. It might not be fair, but watch how fast that “lack of institutional control” issue goes away.
And on the flipside, the NFL should’ve taken a page from the NCAA. Fining and taking away draft picks was a start, but if Generalissimo Goodell really wanted to make the cheating stop, he should make New England vacate its win over the Jets.
And no, it’s not because Northern Illinois is playing Temple … Here’s just a little something for you to look forward to: October 6<SUP>th</SUP>. It’s a dog week of games overall, with a few notable exceptions. Nebraska travels to Missouri for an interesting Big 12 North showdown, but it might be just a wee bit overshadowed by Oklahoma vs. Texas down in Dallas. While the Red River Rivalry is big, it’s nothing this year compared to Florida at LSU in a battle of true heavyweights for the number two spot in the polls.
Put 'em on the Glass, Part One … Notre Dame might have problems right now, but Navy lost to Ball State and is playing no defense whatsoever. November 3rd will be the real test to see how far the Irish have fallen. If the 43-game winning streak over the Midshipmen ends this year, then watch everyone really start to roar.
Put 'em on the Glass, Part Two … It’s a long season and several things are certain to change, but if Auburn keeps playing the way it’s playing, and Alabama keeps playing the way it’s playing, watch the Tide fans’ lovefest for Nick Saban to come to a quick stop if the Tigers’ five game Iron Bowl winning streak doesn’t come to a screeching halt.
However, if she’s unable to fulfill her duties, or if we find hot lesbian photos of her taken when she was young and needed the work, the first runner-up shall assume the crown … Oh sure, it’s college football politically incorrect to call a FCS team D-IAA, and a D-I team FBS, but what about the D-II and D-III teams? Where’s their confusing designation? aren't they special? How come they don’t get to be counted in the AP Poll? Now that the NCAA has created this goofy madness, wouldn’t D-II technically get to move up and become D-I?
And of course, the people who voted for Louisville over Kentucky need to go somewhere speical, too ... Appalachian State got 19 votes yet again in the AP poll. You have to be the house, the car, the kids, and your virtue; do you take ASU over Cincinnati, Florida State, Kansas or Purdue (who were all ranked below the Mountaineers)? Of course not, but then again, you've probably seen those teams play this year.
Of course, you're basing your ranking on the 48-7 win over Lenoir-Rhyne ... O.K. you pretentious AP voting fops who've suddenly become the champion of the D-IAAers (oops, I've been bad), who'd Appalachian State beat last week? Uh huh. I'm waiting. It was Northern Arizona, 34-21. But you already knew that.
He looks like a 39-year-old man, and apparently he has the knees of one, too … First of all, stop comparing Greg Oden to Sam Bouie just because they’re both big and they were each drafted early by Portland. Oden has a knee injury, it’ll get fixed, and he’ll be the NBA’s next big thing. Bouie had a foot issue that wasn’t going to go away, and he was a limited talent. With that said, to all the sure-thing multi-millionaires currently shortening their NFL playing life by sticking around the college game and working (it's not play for you right now) for free, take a look at Oden’s situation. He’s currently hurt, can’t play this year, and he’s getting paid gobs and gobs of money. Had he stayed in school, he'd be going to class, wouldn't be playing this year, and he wouldn’t be getting paid gobs and gobs of money.
Halfway through the column, and still no Notre Dame offensive touchdowns.
“Weather. I don’t need weather. Weather doesn’t do it for me.” … No more rain/weather delays. If I can borrow a Dan Hawkins voice, THIS IS FOOTBALL. Oh sure, at any time a player can break a bone, dislocate something valuable, or heaven forbid, have his spine snapped in two, but ooooooh, watch out for the scary clouds and the big rain drops. The fans have nowhere to run and hide if a tornado hits; they’re sitting ducks. If they’re in the elements, then get out there and play. Lightning hits? Shake it off.
“Do you gamble?”
“Every time I order out.”
“You do speak French?”
“Unfortunately, no. But I do kiss that way.” … Not sure when this will come up again, but check out this little mini-trend. Outside of Boston College's win over NC State (which seemed to be a specific case of the Eagles needing to be impressive in conference play), for whatever reason, superior teams don’t seem run it up on teams with coaching ties to the school. For example, FIU head coach Mario Cristobal is a former Miami Hurricane. Randy Shannon’s Canes, a 33-point favorite, beat the Golden Panthers 23-9. Idaho head coach Robb Akey took the job after years as an assistant at Washington State. The Vandals were 26-point underdogs, but only lost to the Cougars by 17. USC defensive coordinator Nick Holt was the head man at Idaho two years ago. The Trojans were 45-point favorites in the opener, and only won by 28.
There hasn’t been a less intimidating bodyguard since Ricky Linderman … Do the coaches really feel safer walking off the field with Barney Fife running behind them? Until a coach rents out S1W to hang in the background while he talks to Holly Rowe about why his team sucked in the first half, there’s just no practical need for the protection, is there? Double that if the cop is shorter and smaller than the coach, like the officer running off the field behind Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema at halftime of the Citadel game.
The Non-Sexual Man Crush Of The Week Award goes to … it’s a tie. Boston College’s Matt Ryan against Georgia Tech, and Alabama’s John Parker Wilson against Arkansas. Ryan is a true veteran college quarterback. He’s the type of experienced leader who makes everyone around him better, and is the difference between BC being a top 25 team and something truly special. If you somehow have a chance, watch Wilson’s final drive against the Hogs. He stood in the teeth of a good pass rush time and again and was a stone-cold killer. Considering the moment, you won’t see a better ball thrown all year than the loft to Matt Caddell for the game winner.
Nuggets for the upcoming week, now made with white meat, at participating restaurants …
- Tulsa won’t beat Oklahoma on Friday night, but watch out for the Todd Graham-led Golden Hurricane to provide a stiff test for at least a half. Paul Smith is by far the best quarterback the Sooners have faced, and the Tulsa defense has a little bit of a pass rush to generate some pressure on Sam Bradford.
- Watch out for Purdue’s Curtis Painter to flirt with 500 passing yards against Minnesota on Saturday night. So far, the Gopher secondary has allowed 412 yards to Bowling Green, 418 to Miami University, and 463 to Florida Atlantic.
- Tennessee had better not start thinking about Georgia, or Arkansas State could make things very interesting. Coming off a blowout loss to Florida, and needing a win over the Dawgs next week to stay alive in the SEC race, the Vols are certain to be looking ahead. ASU played Texas tough in week one and blew out SMU. Now, with QB Corey Leonard and RB Reggie Arnold each playing well, UT could be in for a battle.
The C.O.W. airing of the grievances followed by the feats of strength
Taking the obvious, Michigan and Notre Dame, out of the equation, here are the ten ways the world has disappointed me over the first few weeks of the college football season (and with a long way to go, the way things can be turned around).
10. The WAC
Considering the MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt have all come up with good wins over BCS Conference teams, the WAC hasn’t exactly set the world on fire. Boise State’s run ended at Washington, Hawaii hasn’t played anyone, and was lousy in a near-miss against Louisiana Tech, Nevada lost in the final seconds to Northwestern, and Fresno State did what Fresno State does, coming close, but losing, to Texas A&M before getting blasted by Oregon.
How it can turn things around: Hawaii still gets to play Washington, while Boise State can establish some conference pride with a win over Southern Miss.
9. TCU
There was talk about the BCS, being this year’s Boise State, and possibly taking a major step forward for a program that’s been on the verge of big things for several years. With top RB Aaron Brown hurt, there’s been no punch to the running game, the supposed brick wall of a defense has been merely above average, and after losing to Air Force, there’s work to be done in Mountain West play.
How it can turn things around: Get Aaron Brown healthy, start to get more big plays out of the superior defensive line, and start winning Mountain West games. The defense has to be the TCU defense everyone was hoping to see.
8. Oklahoma State
Where’s the speed and explosion? Where’s the team with all the returning skill talent that was supposed hang 50 on the board against everyone in its path? The Cowboys could still show up and be a Big 12 factor, and everything could change this week against Texas Tech, but a quarterback shuffle, a few injuries, and little from the defense has led to a 1-2 start. Things aren’t going well when you lose to Troy 41-23.
How it can turn things around: Start winning in the Big 12. Beating Texas Tech and Texas A&M would make everyone forget about the Troy loss.
7. The Departed
Overwritten, overacted, overrated. GoodFellas worked as well as it did because no one had really heard of Ray Liotta. In The Departed, it’s just a bunch of superstars reading lines before they go have a beer together. It’s on the movie channels now; check it out again and try not to see Jason Bourne, or Colonel Jessup, or Jack Dawson, or Dirk Diggler, or Jack Ryan, or Jed Bartlet.
How it can turn things around: Do the GoodFellas/Casino double feature, and then if you need your fix of bad Boston accents in a terrific movie, do Thirteen Days.
6. Wisconsin’s defense
The Badgers were among the best in America last year defensively, and were tops against the pass. There’s no pass rush, there are way too many problems against quick teams working wide, and no one seems to be tackling. This was supposed to be a brick wall, and was why the ranking has been so high.
How it can turn things around: Avoid spread offenses, get more big plays from the ends, stuff Iowa in the Big Ten opener.
5. Arizona
Basically, the Wildcats have proven to be no better than a mid-range Mountain West team after losing to BYU and New Mexico. The one win came over Northern Arizona … yippee. Even with All-America CB Antoine Cason in the secondary, the Cats are giving up 267 yards per game, and haven't been remotely consistent from drive to drive. The new-fangled spread offense bombed away New Mexico, but there was no running game, and only 32 yards on the ground against BYU.
How it can turn things around: Start to D up. After 3+ years, it’s time Mike Stoops to produce on the side of the ball he’s supposed to be a wizard at. A win over California this week would jump-start the program.
4. Tennessee vs. California, Miami vs. Oklahoma, Virginia Tech vs. LSU, USC vs. Nebraska
Virginia Tech vs. LSU was supposed to be a titanic defensive battle worthy of the BCS Championship game. Unfortunately, it was worthy of the national title game; the Florida – Ohio State version. Nebraska had been talking about the USC game being the pivotal moment in the once-proud program’s recent history, and then it forgot to defend the run. Overall, the big-time non-conference games were big-time duds.
How it can turn things around: A good Texas A&M – Miami game would be a start, and then hope the league games can be as strong as they’ve been so far (at least in the SEC).
3. Texas
The Longhorns are 3-0. Considering how many other name teams have been upset, 3-0 is 3-0 is 3-0. But it hasn’t been pretty. The offensive line has been average, though it was better against UCF, the linebacking corps has been a disappointment, and the receiving corps full of NFL talent has decided to take the first few weeks of the season off.
How it can turn around: Beat Kansas State, beat Oklahoma, be in the national title hunt.
2. Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State offense
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. FSU was hoping for a running game and a more balanced offense under new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, and so far, it’s gotten the latter, currently ranked 75<SUP>th</SUP> in the nation in rushing and 76<SUP>th</SUP> in receiving. Fisher made a big point of wanting more big plays from the attack, and they haven’t been there.
How it can turn things around: The O line has to be better. It might not seem like it, but the skill players are there. They aren’t getting any time to work.
1. The USA Today/Coaches’ Poll
I know I’m a broken record when it comes to the polls, but no one else is taking the polls to task for being wrong every single week. Along with the upcoming Harris Poll, the Coaches’ Poll is determining your national championship matchup, and it continues to be lazy and uninformed. How are we supposed to believe that the coaches really know that USC is one, LSU two, Florida three and Oklahoma four, when Louisville is 19th and Kentucky 23rd? UK's win over the Cardinals was one of the highest profile games of the week, with an ending that was featured on all the highlight shows, but the coaches (along with the AP) still got it wrong. Auburn was ranked ahead of South Florida last week, and only dropped lower after losing to Mississippi State. Wisconsin and Texas might be better than California, but no one who’s seen every game all three teams have played would rank the Bears behind the Badgers and Longhorns right now. Again, this is everything to college football. Everything that’s happening on the field, doesn’t seem to matter, because it’s not reflected properly where it should be.
How it can turn things around: Make the coaches accountable right now. Let us call out the coaches who picked Kentucky behind Louisville in the latest poll, and along the way, ask them to name the starting quarterback for 15 the top 25 teams.
Notre Dame just lost more yards on a ball snapped over Jimmy Clausen's head.
C.O.W. shameless gimmick item … The weekly five Overrated/Underrated aspects of the world
1) Overrated: The making out with Madonna Britney ... Underrated: The had fries with that Britney
2) Overrated: Jimmy Clausen … Underrated: Demetrius Jones
3) Overrated: Keyshawn Johnson, Emmitt Smith and Mike Ditka ... Underrated: Steve Young and Michael Irvin
4) Overrated: 37-year-old me pulling a hamstring playing shuffleboard ... Underrated: 59-year-old Sul Ross State LB Mike Flynt
5) Overrated: John C. McGinley ... Underrated: John C. McGinley as one of the Bobs My Heisman ballot this week would be (remember, this is assuming the season ended at this very moment based on what has happened) … 1) Matt Ryan, QB Boston College, 2) Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma, 3) Colt Brennan, QB Hawaii, 4) Pat White, QB West Virginia. 5) Steve Slaton, QB West Virginia
“You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools/But that's the way I like it baby, I don't wanna live forever” … The three lines this week that appear to be a tad off. (1-2 last week again, 2-4 overall, so as always, enjoy these just for pure amusement.) … 1) Miami University +13.5 over Colorado , 2) Penn State -2.5 over Michigan, 3) San Jose State +3.5 over Utah State
Sorry this column sucked, but it wasn’t my fault … After giving a pep talk to Michigan, Russell Crowe came over to try to fire me up to write. Unfortunately, I got the Mystery, Alaska version that was afraid of losing his woman to Hank Azaria.
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RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Tues. Question ...I was right/wrong about ... [/FONT]<HR width="100%" SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Staff
CollegeFootballNews.com[/FONT]</TD><TD align=right>[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Sep 18, 2007[/FONT]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2>
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Tuesday Question ... Only three weeks into the season, I was dead-on right/wrong about ...[/FONT]
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<TABLE id=table2 cellSpacing=4 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffcc>Past TQs
- USC, LSU or Oklahoma?l- Was the App St win good or bad for college football?
- 3 Sleeper Teams
- Predicting the Season- 3 things we're sure of- What to look for on Signing Day
- Bears or Colts? - Early bowl surprises and trends- 3 things to look for from the bowls- Do you want the Alabama job?- What are the 3 best non-BCS bowls?- Who's 2nd in the Heisman race?- Michigan-OSU rematch?- Michigan or Ohio State?- Should Louisville be No. 3?- The nat'l title game will be ...- The best one-loss team- Rule changes to help the flow- The Midseason Stuff- The real top five ranking- The early coach of the year is ...?- These three teams are for real, these three aren't
- After 2 weeks, who's better, who's worse?
- 10 Greatest Quarterbacks of All-Time
- 10 Greatest Defensive Players of All-Time
- 10 Greatest Regular Season Games of All-Time
- 10 Greatest Playmakers of All-Time
- 10 Worst Heisman Winners
- 10 Greatest Bowl Games
- All-Time Offensive Team
- All-Time Defensive Team </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2]Pete Fiutak [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O
></O><O></O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O></O><O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]</O>Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about … Notre Dame
Set the dial to pretentious. Every once in a while there's a game that I consider a test. It's a game that all the research, analysis, and info being fed in is screaming one way, but just about everyone else is going the other. If we're doing our jobs correctly, we have this game nailed cold (and no, my ill-fated Nebraska over USC call wasn't in this category). For me, the Georgia Tech - Notre Dame game was that test. The Irish were two-point favorites, and I stuck my neck out and barked on all the radio and TV shows that Georgia Tech should be a double-digit favorite, and got the predicable batch of hate mail from the Irish faithful. Picking Nebraska over USC was an educated guess, while to me, Notre Dame being bad was an absolute. I believed the secondary wasn't better, the lines were worse, and the loss of the skill players was going to hurt more than anyone thought. And no, I didn't buy into the theory that Charlie Weis could take anyone and make them an immediate star. The Irish might turn it around, but over the first few weeks of the year, this was the one thing I got right.
Also right about: 2) Auburn being mediocre with no offensive playmakers, 3) Oklahoma's offensive line and secondary being the best in the nation, or in the top five, 4) BC being terrific, and 5) Purdue and Missouri being unstoppable
And dead-on wrong about … Michigan's offense making up for the defensive deficiencies
Set the dial to narcissistic. Missing picks and being wrong doesn't bother me, but being dumb, does. This was just flat-out, next level dumb. I never really believed in the Michigan defensive hype last year, and then ignored the obvious coming into this year. I assumed Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Mario Manningham and the boys would simply outbomb their way out of problems and would be right back in the BCS title hunt. And then, even after Appalachian State spread its way to a stunning win, I ignored the obvious again, even though I figured Oregon and its spread offense would provide problems.
Also wrong about: 2) Central Michigan picking up where 2006 left off, 3) the Texas linebacking corps being a sleeper unit and growing into something special, 4) Miami and Florida State taking a major leap forward (but I fall for this every year, and will do it again in 2008), and TCU being a juggernaut.
Richard Cirminiello[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O></O><O></O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O></O><O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]</O>Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about … Boston College. Just a few weeks ago, I remember saying something about there being really good karma around the Beantown sports world, and that Matt Ryan and Boston College were poised to flourish in Jeff Jagodzinski’s first season at the school. Through three weeks, the 3-0 Eagles, all wins in league games, are performing like the class of the ACC, and Ryan has parlayed a strong start into talk of a possible Heisman run. As good as the Boston College offense has been, the defense has been even better, creating turnovers and shutting down opposing running games as well as anyone in the country. With upcoming games against Army, Massachusetts, Bowling Green, and Notre Dame, the Eagles should be 7-0 and solidly into the top 10 by the time they visit Virginia Tech on Oct. 25.
And dead-on wrong about … Oregon. Okay, so it’s still too early to anoint the Ducks as one of this year’s mega-surprises, but I had them around 7-5 and in the middle of the Pac-10 which shows little sign of happening. I also remember repeatedly dogging as a lost cause Dennis Dixon, who’s made that prediction look silly through the first three games of the season. Dixon has played about as well as any quarterback in the country in blowouts of Houston, Michigan, and Fresno State, accounting for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns without turning the ball over. If Dixon and that Oregon running game keep churning out 40 points a game, the Ducks have every opportunity to win 10 games and contend along for the spot behind USC in the conference pecking order.
John Harris
Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about … Tim Tebow
I was dead-on right about Tim Tebow throwing the ball much better than people anticipated. The kid did break all the Florida High School passing records while he was in high school (since broken by Robert Marve). But, his motion this, his motion that, that’s all BS – Tebow finds open guys partly because he ran so well last year. This Florida offense is scarier than heck because of his ability to throw the ball downfield, especially off of play action.
And dead-on wrong about … UCLA
I was dead-on wrong about UCLA being the number two team in the Pac-10. This one is two-fold. One, Cal and Oregon are far and away the next tier in this conference. Two, UCLA is still a joke – giving up 30 points in the second half?!? To a Utah team that had lost its starting QB and RB?!? Why do I fall for this team nearly every year? Second place is Oklahoma State – TROY?!? No more chances for these two.Matthew Zemek[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O></O><O></O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O></O>
Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about …
3) Florida State. A shockingly large amount of people felt the Noles actually might contend in the ACC Atlantic. One coordinator does not an offense make.
2) UCLA. Can anyone explain why preseason hype was truly justified? Anyone who pumped up Karl Dorrell's club was engaging in wishful thinking. One rivalry game win (against USC) does not a program make.
1) Any of the several programs whom I criticized for unfairly and unwisely firing their coaches two to four seasons ago: Ole Miss, Syracuse, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh.
And dead-on wrong about …
3) South Carolina. I called them out, said they weren't ready to win. Then they beat Georgia in Athens.
2) Auburn. I didn't think they'd stink. With a senior quarterback?
1) Michigan. See Auburn, only exponentially more surprising.
<O>Michael Bradley Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about … Alabama
As soon as Nick Saban showed up in Tuscaloosa, I knew the Crimson Tide was going to get it rolling. Even though its first three wins haven’t exactly been over the best competition, last Saturday’s comeback victory over Arkansas was huge and establishes ‘Bama as the main competition for LSU. Granted, that challenge may not be too stiff, but how do 9-10 regular-season wins and a Cotton Bowl berth sound to you?
And dead-on wrong about … Notre Dame
Notre Dame wasn’t winning any national titles in my mind, but 0-3 and no offensive touchdowns? Come on. This team looks destitute. Worse, it appears unable to bring the effort necessary to compete. Charlie Weis may be a “genius,” but he sure doesn’t look like he knows how to run a program. ND won’t lose 10 games, but it’s going to need a Herculean effort to reach .500.
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CollegeFootballNews.com[/FONT]</TD><TD align=right>[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Sep 18, 2007[/FONT]</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2>
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]Tuesday Question ... Only three weeks into the season, I was dead-on right/wrong about ...[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][/FONT]
<TABLE id=table2 cellSpacing=4 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffcc>Past TQs
- USC, LSU or Oklahoma?l- Was the App St win good or bad for college football?
- 3 Sleeper Teams
- Predicting the Season- 3 things we're sure of- What to look for on Signing Day
- Bears or Colts? - Early bowl surprises and trends- 3 things to look for from the bowls- Do you want the Alabama job?- What are the 3 best non-BCS bowls?- Who's 2nd in the Heisman race?- Michigan-OSU rematch?- Michigan or Ohio State?- Should Louisville be No. 3?- The nat'l title game will be ...- The best one-loss team- Rule changes to help the flow- The Midseason Stuff- The real top five ranking- The early coach of the year is ...?- These three teams are for real, these three aren't
- After 2 weeks, who's better, who's worse?
- 10 Greatest Quarterbacks of All-Time
- 10 Greatest Defensive Players of All-Time
- 10 Greatest Regular Season Games of All-Time
- 10 Greatest Playmakers of All-Time
- 10 Worst Heisman Winners
- 10 Greatest Bowl Games
- All-Time Offensive Team
- All-Time Defensive Team </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2]Pete Fiutak [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O
></O><O></O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O></O><O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]</O>Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about … Notre DameSet the dial to pretentious. Every once in a while there's a game that I consider a test. It's a game that all the research, analysis, and info being fed in is screaming one way, but just about everyone else is going the other. If we're doing our jobs correctly, we have this game nailed cold (and no, my ill-fated Nebraska over USC call wasn't in this category). For me, the Georgia Tech - Notre Dame game was that test. The Irish were two-point favorites, and I stuck my neck out and barked on all the radio and TV shows that Georgia Tech should be a double-digit favorite, and got the predicable batch of hate mail from the Irish faithful. Picking Nebraska over USC was an educated guess, while to me, Notre Dame being bad was an absolute. I believed the secondary wasn't better, the lines were worse, and the loss of the skill players was going to hurt more than anyone thought. And no, I didn't buy into the theory that Charlie Weis could take anyone and make them an immediate star. The Irish might turn it around, but over the first few weeks of the year, this was the one thing I got right.
Also right about: 2) Auburn being mediocre with no offensive playmakers, 3) Oklahoma's offensive line and secondary being the best in the nation, or in the top five, 4) BC being terrific, and 5) Purdue and Missouri being unstoppable
And dead-on wrong about … Michigan's offense making up for the defensive deficiencies
Set the dial to narcissistic. Missing picks and being wrong doesn't bother me, but being dumb, does. This was just flat-out, next level dumb. I never really believed in the Michigan defensive hype last year, and then ignored the obvious coming into this year. I assumed Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Mario Manningham and the boys would simply outbomb their way out of problems and would be right back in the BCS title hunt. And then, even after Appalachian State spread its way to a stunning win, I ignored the obvious again, even though I figured Oregon and its spread offense would provide problems.
Also wrong about: 2) Central Michigan picking up where 2006 left off, 3) the Texas linebacking corps being a sleeper unit and growing into something special, 4) Miami and Florida State taking a major leap forward (but I fall for this every year, and will do it again in 2008), and TCU being a juggernaut.
Richard Cirminiello[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O
></O><O></O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O></O><O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]</O>Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about … Boston College. Just a few weeks ago, I remember saying something about there being really good karma around the Beantown sports world, and that Matt Ryan and Boston College were poised to flourish in Jeff Jagodzinski’s first season at the school. Through three weeks, the 3-0 Eagles, all wins in league games, are performing like the class of the ACC, and Ryan has parlayed a strong start into talk of a possible Heisman run. As good as the Boston College offense has been, the defense has been even better, creating turnovers and shutting down opposing running games as well as anyone in the country. With upcoming games against Army, Massachusetts, Bowling Green, and Notre Dame, the Eagles should be 7-0 and solidly into the top 10 by the time they visit Virginia Tech on Oct. 25. And dead-on wrong about … Oregon. Okay, so it’s still too early to anoint the Ducks as one of this year’s mega-surprises, but I had them around 7-5 and in the middle of the Pac-10 which shows little sign of happening. I also remember repeatedly dogging as a lost cause Dennis Dixon, who’s made that prediction look silly through the first three games of the season. Dixon has played about as well as any quarterback in the country in blowouts of Houston, Michigan, and Fresno State, accounting for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns without turning the ball over. If Dixon and that Oregon running game keep churning out 40 points a game, the Ducks have every opportunity to win 10 games and contend along for the spot behind USC in the conference pecking order.
John Harris
Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about … Tim Tebow
I was dead-on right about Tim Tebow throwing the ball much better than people anticipated. The kid did break all the Florida High School passing records while he was in high school (since broken by Robert Marve). But, his motion this, his motion that, that’s all BS – Tebow finds open guys partly because he ran so well last year. This Florida offense is scarier than heck because of his ability to throw the ball downfield, especially off of play action.
And dead-on wrong about … UCLA
I was dead-on wrong about UCLA being the number two team in the Pac-10. This one is two-fold. One, Cal and Oregon are far and away the next tier in this conference. Two, UCLA is still a joke – giving up 30 points in the second half?!? To a Utah team that had lost its starting QB and RB?!? Why do I fall for this team nearly every year? Second place is Oklahoma State – TROY?!? No more chances for these two.Matthew Zemek[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O
></O><O></O>[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2][/SIZE][/FONT]<O></O>Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about …
3) Florida State. A shockingly large amount of people felt the Noles actually might contend in the ACC Atlantic. One coordinator does not an offense make.
2) UCLA. Can anyone explain why preseason hype was truly justified? Anyone who pumped up Karl Dorrell's club was engaging in wishful thinking. One rivalry game win (against USC) does not a program make.
1) Any of the several programs whom I criticized for unfairly and unwisely firing their coaches two to four seasons ago: Ole Miss, Syracuse, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh.
And dead-on wrong about …
3) South Carolina. I called them out, said they weren't ready to win. Then they beat Georgia in Athens.
2) Auburn. I didn't think they'd stink. With a senior quarterback?
1) Michigan. See Auburn, only exponentially more surprising.
<O
>Michael Bradley Q: So far after three games, I was dead-on right about … AlabamaAs soon as Nick Saban showed up in Tuscaloosa, I knew the Crimson Tide was going to get it rolling. Even though its first three wins haven’t exactly been over the best competition, last Saturday’s comeback victory over Arkansas was huge and establishes ‘Bama as the main competition for LSU. Granted, that challenge may not be too stiff, but how do 9-10 regular-season wins and a Cotton Bowl berth sound to you?
And dead-on wrong about … Notre Dame
Notre Dame wasn’t winning any national titles in my mind, but 0-3 and no offensive touchdowns? Come on. This team looks destitute. Worse, it appears unable to bring the effort necessary to compete. Charlie Weis may be a “genius,” but he sure doesn’t look like he knows how to run a program. ND won’t lose 10 games, but it’s going to need a Herculean effort to reach .500.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></O
>
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Non-football related, but funny as hell.
This kid and his mom are bent out of shape because Yankees' rookie Shelley Duncan, when asked for an autograph from this clearly Red Sox partisan fan, provided the following autograph:
View attachment 8636
Ok, inappropriate and mean. But funny as hell.
This kid and his mom are bent out of shape because Yankees' rookie Shelley Duncan, when asked for an autograph from this clearly Red Sox partisan fan, provided the following autograph:
View attachment 8636
Ok, inappropriate and mean. But funny as hell.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Thanks James Henry, We are officially the new Miami
I can’t tell you how tired I am of reporting news like this. But yes, you guessed it, yet another Longhorn was arrested last night, charged with two felony counts of obstruction and tampering with evidence. Don’t have any details on what exactly this could be, but it sure doesn’t sound good.
This makes it the 6th Longhorn arrested since June, officially making Texas the new Miami. Seriously though, how hard can it be to stay out of trouble, especially when you know what has been going on in the program. The last thing I want to do is make a new category for this type of stuff, but I think that is exactly what I might have to do. We will have more details once they come in.
I can’t tell you how tired I am of reporting news like this. But yes, you guessed it, yet another Longhorn was arrested last night, charged with two felony counts of obstruction and tampering with evidence. Don’t have any details on what exactly this could be, but it sure doesn’t sound good.
This makes it the 6th Longhorn arrested since June, officially making Texas the new Miami. Seriously though, how hard can it be to stay out of trouble, especially when you know what has been going on in the program. The last thing I want to do is make a new category for this type of stuff, but I think that is exactly what I might have to do. We will have more details once they come in.
OBSTRUCT OR RETALIATION
3RD DEGREE FELONY — Cause Number: D1DC07302254
Bond:$20,000.00 ANY TYPE OF BOND
TAMPER OR FABRICATING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
3RD DEGREE FELONY — Cause Number: D1DC07302252
Bond:$10,000.00 ANY TYPE OF BOND
3RD DEGREE FELONY — Cause Number: D1DC07302254
Bond:$20,000.00 ANY TYPE OF BOND
TAMPER OR FABRICATING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
3RD DEGREE FELONY — Cause Number: D1DC07302252
Bond:$10,000.00 ANY TYPE OF BOND
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Henry suspended
By Suzanne Halliburton | Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 11:42 AM
James Henry has been suspended indefinitely from the team.
Texas coach Mack Brown issued a statement Tuesday morning, which said he wished that he’d been informed by police of Henry’s alleged involvement back when the incident happened in July.
“It’s unfortunate that we have just been informed of the situation or we would have been able to address it when it allegedly occurred in July,” Brown said. “We’ve talked with James and his family and have decided to suspend him indefinitely. He will not be involved in any team functions at this time, pending the completion of the legal process.”
Brown also added:
“I am really proud of the Texas football program and all it has stood for during our 10 years in Austin. We’ve built a great program within the rules with a foundation of integrity, hard work, academic commitment and winning. We unfortunately had a number of student-athletes who have been accused of making poor decisions this past summer, with James’ situation joining that group. Young people who do not obey the law, University or team rules will continue to be disciplined with a stern hand and we will move forward. We continue to have a zero tolerance policy in that regard. That said, I will put our long-term record of character up against anyone and that’s why these situations upset me so much. I am disappointed that our University has been publicly embarrassed because of off the field incidents, but I will not allow the actions of a few to detour from the positive accomplishments of so many in our program.”
By Suzanne Halliburton | Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 11:42 AM
James Henry has been suspended indefinitely from the team.
Texas coach Mack Brown issued a statement Tuesday morning, which said he wished that he’d been informed by police of Henry’s alleged involvement back when the incident happened in July.
“It’s unfortunate that we have just been informed of the situation or we would have been able to address it when it allegedly occurred in July,” Brown said. “We’ve talked with James and his family and have decided to suspend him indefinitely. He will not be involved in any team functions at this time, pending the completion of the legal process.”
Brown also added:
“I am really proud of the Texas football program and all it has stood for during our 10 years in Austin. We’ve built a great program within the rules with a foundation of integrity, hard work, academic commitment and winning. We unfortunately had a number of student-athletes who have been accused of making poor decisions this past summer, with James’ situation joining that group. Young people who do not obey the law, University or team rules will continue to be disciplined with a stern hand and we will move forward. We continue to have a zero tolerance policy in that regard. That said, I will put our long-term record of character up against anyone and that’s why these situations upset me so much. I am disappointed that our University has been publicly embarrassed because of off the field incidents, but I will not allow the actions of a few to detour from the positive accomplishments of so many in our program.”
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Arrest clears up an old mystery from July case
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 11:40 AM
The arrest of Longhorn football player James Henry may clear up one lingering question from our initial reporting of the July 27 arrest of teammate Robert Joseph.
That day, we reported that “police are still looking for a black man, described as 6-2 and weighing more than 220 pounds” in connection with the robbery that landed Joseph in jail. That description had come from an Austin police spokesperson and was not contained in court documents.
One week later, a warrant was issued for Longhorn defensive tackle Andre Jones, who at 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds is quite a bit bigger than the 6-foot-2 person described earlier.
That discrepancy led to some questions about possible mistaken identity regarding Jones in the days after his arrest.
Now it appears that police were looking for Henry, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds.
Henry’s arrest warrant affidavit says that, on the day of the robbery, Austin police detained Henry for questioning. He had been identified by the victims as an associate of the suspects in the robbery. Detectives interviewed Henry that day and then drove him home.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 11:40 AM
The arrest of Longhorn football player James Henry may clear up one lingering question from our initial reporting of the July 27 arrest of teammate Robert Joseph.
That day, we reported that “police are still looking for a black man, described as 6-2 and weighing more than 220 pounds” in connection with the robbery that landed Joseph in jail. That description had come from an Austin police spokesperson and was not contained in court documents.
One week later, a warrant was issued for Longhorn defensive tackle Andre Jones, who at 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds is quite a bit bigger than the 6-foot-2 person described earlier.
That discrepancy led to some questions about possible mistaken identity regarding Jones in the days after his arrest.
Now it appears that police were looking for Henry, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds.
Henry’s arrest warrant affidavit says that, on the day of the robbery, Austin police detained Henry for questioning. He had been identified by the victims as an associate of the suspects in the robbery. Detectives interviewed Henry that day and then drove him home.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
This July incident keeps lingering on and causing more problems. But now it makes a bit more sense.
Joseph, a DB, seems like the center of the problem. Somehow, Andre Jones, a freshman DT, gets roped into this after witnesses are show a team photo for the Longhorns. Jones doesn't fit the description as he is 3" taller and 75 pounds heavier than the unidentified suspect. Jones also doesn't fit the profile of a trouble maker since he was a team leader and model citizen from El Paso.
Then enters James Henry who has now gone to intimidate witnesses messing with Joseph. Henry is also a DB and fits the physical description more closely.
Hopefully this will let Jones off the hook and come back to the team. If Jones is innocent, it looks like an awful case of mistaken identity or manipulation by the police.
I blame Joseph for all of this.
Joseph, a DB, seems like the center of the problem. Somehow, Andre Jones, a freshman DT, gets roped into this after witnesses are show a team photo for the Longhorns. Jones doesn't fit the description as he is 3" taller and 75 pounds heavier than the unidentified suspect. Jones also doesn't fit the profile of a trouble maker since he was a team leader and model citizen from El Paso.
Then enters James Henry who has now gone to intimidate witnesses messing with Joseph. Henry is also a DB and fits the physical description more closely.
Hopefully this will let Jones off the hook and come back to the team. If Jones is innocent, it looks like an awful case of mistaken identity or manipulation by the police.
I blame Joseph for all of this.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
BUYS AND SELLS, WEEK FOUR.
Delayed by events unforeseen to us…this week’s Buys and Sells with Orson and guest editor Hannibal Montegna. Enjoy.
Orson’s Buys
Shiny enough! BUY!
Ohio State. Sell based on challenge of tough road trip and little proven offense last week; buy based on demonstrated existence of offense and superb performance of defense against Washington’s tricky spread led by Pacific Time Zone Tebow Jake Locker and his little sprinting midget friend Louis Rankin. Like a rich man in the realm of dating, it is not necessary for Ohio State to be good at scoring to get dates; we only need know that they can actually find the right slot for tab A when they need to to put them on the buy list, so shiny are their pants and Tag Heuer watch.
Even teammates seemed shocked by Boeckman’s sudden and surprising good-ness:
“Oh, man, I was really surprised. I’ve never seen Todd like that,” Wells said of the 23-year-old junior replacement for Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.
A ringing endorsement it is not, but it’s enough to put the IBM of college football back in the buy column. (Since the actual “Big Blue” is 1-2, its natural rival will have to suffice. That sound you hear are the scouring winds of infinity ripping through the fabric of reality. Pay them no mind.)
Kentucky. When Andre Woodson’s final bomb to Steve Johnson arced gracefully through a respectful audience of Louisville defenders, we thought to ourselves: my, that’s a great crowd. Really. Some venues the people are classless: talking over the music, answering loud cellphones, smacking their lips and bringing food into the show while calling out the requests for songs no one wants to hear. (Hey! HEY! PLAY “MY HUMPS!” I DON’T CARE IF THIS IS A DECEMBERISTS SHOW HIPSTER DICKFACES!!!!)
But Louisville…those people on the Cardinal defense are an audience: interfering with little, letting you the bits you like letting you string thing out, and finally, when you want to finish with a flourish, allowing you to do something that takes a while like a play-action pass for the win without so much as breathing on the artistes carefully going through the steps of the play. Just a great crowd to play with, them.
<EMBED src=""http://www.youtube.com/v/jm_VPjJV_sk width=425 height=350 type=application/x-shockwave-flash wmode="transparent"></EMBED>
We’ve typed two paragraphs of elliptical slagging of Louisville’s 30.7 ppg-allowin’ defense in order to say that yes, Louisville’s defense is in a shambles, and no, it doesn’t mean Kentucky won’t do very well in the SEC East, since no one else is playing much defense at all, and even if they are (South Carolina, Georgia) the offenses have succumbed to points anemia and given them little help. In the East, who scores wins, something Kentucky (48.7 ppg) can do in buckets.
Hannibal’s Buys
Boston College: BC’s schedule was set up backwards, giving the Eagles three straight conference games to open the year with the intent of killing Jeff Jagodzinski with worry – coaches are inherently neurotic and early tune-ups are valued as protection against a slow start submarining an entire season. Michigan is still alive for the Big Ten title, right?
If the Eagles opened up in the same fashion as the Wolverines against Wake Forest, N.C. State and Georgia Tech, they’d be dead ducks in the ACC. But Matt Ryan has been mostly terrific (two 400-yard games sandwiching a much weaker game in a defense-driven win over N.C. State), the run defense has been inpenetrable (40.3 per game against good backs) and all three games were decided by at least two scores. Now comes the soft part of the schedule: BC’s next four games are Army, UMass, Bowling Green and Notre Dame.
Florida: It is still possible that Tennessee is a bad team with untenable youth, but that would ignore the Gators’ own overwhelming youngsters – Tebow, his backup, Harvin, James, Fayson, one starting o-lineman (and the backup who replaced him), all three linebackers and the top three cornerbacks are all in their first or second year in the program. And they dominated their first test of the season. The defense may prove vulnerable at some point against an offense with a running game, which Tennessee definitely lacks, but who’s going to defend the offense? The Vols played well until Tebow started throwing it over their heads, then had no chance short, long, left, right, or anywhere in between.
Hannibal’s Sells
Brandon Cox shows the number of INTs he threw in the 1st qtr. Saturday.
Auburn: Can’t block, can’t throw. Can run a little, but not enough to overcome the fact a fifth-year senior is being lustily
booed in favor of an equally error-prone true freshman. Hey, at least he’s only a freshman!
But Auburn still has five SEC games in front of it that it would enter as an underdog right now, four of them on the road, all against currently ranked teams with established quarterback situations. I would describe the Independence Bowl at this point as “wildly optimistic.”
Washington: You could see the Husky fan base deflate when Ohio State opened up the second half Saturday by blocking a field goal, scoring on a bomb to Brian Robiskie, forcing a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and scoring another touchdown. It was visible: in about 40 seconds, an entire stadium sat down and grieved, “Oh shit, we’re still just an
annoying 5-7 team.” If UCLA doesn’t snuff out whatever embers remain this week, USC will next week.
Louisville: I held on the Cardinals last week because the atrocious defense against Middle Tennessee seemed like a first half aberration, and whoever has designs on beating them has to keep pace with Brian Brohm, anyway. Turns out, this is not such a chore when Louisville’s defensive backs repeatedly decline to keep pace with opposing receivers. Middle Tennessee, for the record, lost its opener to Florida Atlantic (though the Owls did shame Minnesota
Saturday, whatever that’s worth) and managed 90 yards total offense against LSU. Louisville’s offense has to go into every game expecting to need six touchdowns to win, and walking on such eggshells – even Brohm-backed eggshells – is no way to build a portfolio’s value.
Michigan State: This seems like about the time of year the Spartans nosedive in horrific,
psyche-scarring fashion. A loss at Notre Dame Saturday in any fashion would qualify as a catalyst.
Orson’s Sells:
Auburn: Seconded just so we can say that Brandon Cox has played the two worst games we’ve seen by a quarterback this year: the USF game was negligent, but the Miss State one was simply farce. 42 yards of passing and he keeps his job, meaning that freshman backup Kodi Burns, when asked for the salt at the table, tosses the ketchup through a nearby window in response.
Arizona. Ah, the whimsy of picking Arizona to “get over the hump” in year three! Fit existing patterns (year three is the big year for any new coach!) and a flashy new offense (Mike Leach-style five wide whizzbam!) into one Procrustean bed of optimism and you get a loss to UNM, an 1-2 record and an upcoming hammering at the hands of Cal this week, and little glee left in the tank.
Hannibal’s Holds
We’re feasting, Ted, right now. Feast. Mmm. Microphone.
Kansas: Statistically, KU has been amazing – the Jayhawks’ average score is 53-7; they’re fourth nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense. The skeptic: Mangino and Co. have been feasting on Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana and Toledo. The believer: a blowout is a blowout, and CMU and Toledo aren’t as bad as all that – both could be bowl teams.
And again, they were appropriately destroyed with such jowelly rage the athletic department face-stompers are determined to erase all evidence from the record. One more wipeout is on deck against Florida International, then a chance to build some real cred with the underbelly of the Big 12 slate: Kansas State, Baylor, Colorado. Could wind
up winning six again, or – because they miss Oklahoma and Texas from the South and play in the sickly North– could win ten.
Purdue: Kansas east, because they’ve played the same teams in a different order: Toledo, I-AA patsy, Central Michigan, all crushed by the Boilers in similar fashion as their prairie doppelgangers (save aslightly more forgiving defense as the blowout goes on in Purdue’s case). The next two weeks could be worth a couple more deceptively hollow runaways against
Minnesota and Notre Dame, either of which is capable of giving up 60 to this passing game if their starts are any indication. Reserve judgment until Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa and Penn State come in a five-game stretch.
Texas: I’d sell on a team with a weaker brand that had struggled to put away Arkansas State and Central Florida, as the Longhorns have now, in addition to trailing disappointing TCU 10-0 at the half. Essentially, UT has played one good half all season and five bad-to-mediocre halves. But Texas is also one of the very few teams with the talent to sleepwalk at times and turn nasty when it gets into conference games. This is not preferable, especially when the most obvious answer to mediocre play is that the team is just mediocre. The ‘Horns’ past success
has earned them a chance to improve before they’re dismissed - which will not be long if the questions linger.
UCLA: The Bruins were thoroughly routed by previously 0-2 Utah in the stunning score of the weekend (44-6) due to a barrage of mistakes and ill-timed misfortune. They moved the ball pretty effectively, though, so where this looks like the potential beginning of another downward spiral under Dorrell, LA should still have some confidence if it
hangs on to the ball.
Orson’s Holds:
Arkansas A team so unpredictable and unpredictably managed predicting how the name of the team will be spelled next week constitutes a gamble of sorts. “RAyz0rbax” for the internet age? Ray’s Oar Backs to endorse sculling accessories? Raze Our Backs, as put forth by internet wags bemoaning the continuing mania of the Nutt era in Fayetteville? Speculation is all you have with Arkansas, who hemmed and hawed about McFadden’s injury in the 4th quarter against Alabama and flipped lids by passing on their final third down of the game, nearly tossing a pick and stopping the clock in process–giving Bama the time they needed to win with 8 seconds left.
Still, they almost had the game in hand against a vastly improved Crimson Tide. Oh, and Houston Nutt’s crazy. This team could beat LSU. They could lose to Ole Miss. They could be at your door demanding cake and punch, for all we know. Avoid depending on them to even exist.
Georgia Tech. We would call them maddeningly inconsistent, but the enthusiasm needed to drive the whole bit up to maddeningly requires passion, something Chan Gailey football teams appear to lack. Their initial victory over Notre Dame holds little value as a quality win now; their loss to Boston College holds little in the way of hope of change, as Tech’s offense charged headfirst into a wall all night without adjusting and showed zero inclination to trust Taylor Bennett with the game, leaving the defense to blitz into the able hands of Matt Ryan again and again. From arched eyebrows of interest to “meh” flicks of the hand in a week: this is Georgia Tech football being put on the hold list, and this is how it usually happens.
Delayed by events unforeseen to us…this week’s Buys and Sells with Orson and guest editor Hannibal Montegna. Enjoy.
Orson’s Buys
Ohio State. Sell based on challenge of tough road trip and little proven offense last week; buy based on demonstrated existence of offense and superb performance of defense against Washington’s tricky spread led by Pacific Time Zone Tebow Jake Locker and his little sprinting midget friend Louis Rankin. Like a rich man in the realm of dating, it is not necessary for Ohio State to be good at scoring to get dates; we only need know that they can actually find the right slot for tab A when they need to to put them on the buy list, so shiny are their pants and Tag Heuer watch.
Even teammates seemed shocked by Boeckman’s sudden and surprising good-ness:
“Oh, man, I was really surprised. I’ve never seen Todd like that,” Wells said of the 23-year-old junior replacement for Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.
A ringing endorsement it is not, but it’s enough to put the IBM of college football back in the buy column. (Since the actual “Big Blue” is 1-2, its natural rival will have to suffice. That sound you hear are the scouring winds of infinity ripping through the fabric of reality. Pay them no mind.)
Kentucky. When Andre Woodson’s final bomb to Steve Johnson arced gracefully through a respectful audience of Louisville defenders, we thought to ourselves: my, that’s a great crowd. Really. Some venues the people are classless: talking over the music, answering loud cellphones, smacking their lips and bringing food into the show while calling out the requests for songs no one wants to hear. (Hey! HEY! PLAY “MY HUMPS!” I DON’T CARE IF THIS IS A DECEMBERISTS SHOW HIPSTER DICKFACES!!!!)
But Louisville…those people on the Cardinal defense are an audience: interfering with little, letting you the bits you like letting you string thing out, and finally, when you want to finish with a flourish, allowing you to do something that takes a while like a play-action pass for the win without so much as breathing on the artistes carefully going through the steps of the play. Just a great crowd to play with, them.
<EMBED src=""http://www.youtube.com/v/jm_VPjJV_sk width=425 height=350 type=application/x-shockwave-flash wmode="transparent"></EMBED>
We’ve typed two paragraphs of elliptical slagging of Louisville’s 30.7 ppg-allowin’ defense in order to say that yes, Louisville’s defense is in a shambles, and no, it doesn’t mean Kentucky won’t do very well in the SEC East, since no one else is playing much defense at all, and even if they are (South Carolina, Georgia) the offenses have succumbed to points anemia and given them little help. In the East, who scores wins, something Kentucky (48.7 ppg) can do in buckets.
Hannibal’s Buys
Boston College: BC’s schedule was set up backwards, giving the Eagles three straight conference games to open the year with the intent of killing Jeff Jagodzinski with worry – coaches are inherently neurotic and early tune-ups are valued as protection against a slow start submarining an entire season. Michigan is still alive for the Big Ten title, right?
If the Eagles opened up in the same fashion as the Wolverines against Wake Forest, N.C. State and Georgia Tech, they’d be dead ducks in the ACC. But Matt Ryan has been mostly terrific (two 400-yard games sandwiching a much weaker game in a defense-driven win over N.C. State), the run defense has been inpenetrable (40.3 per game against good backs) and all three games were decided by at least two scores. Now comes the soft part of the schedule: BC’s next four games are Army, UMass, Bowling Green and Notre Dame.
Florida: It is still possible that Tennessee is a bad team with untenable youth, but that would ignore the Gators’ own overwhelming youngsters – Tebow, his backup, Harvin, James, Fayson, one starting o-lineman (and the backup who replaced him), all three linebackers and the top three cornerbacks are all in their first or second year in the program. And they dominated their first test of the season. The defense may prove vulnerable at some point against an offense with a running game, which Tennessee definitely lacks, but who’s going to defend the offense? The Vols played well until Tebow started throwing it over their heads, then had no chance short, long, left, right, or anywhere in between.
Hannibal’s Sells
Auburn: Can’t block, can’t throw. Can run a little, but not enough to overcome the fact a fifth-year senior is being lustily
booed in favor of an equally error-prone true freshman. Hey, at least he’s only a freshman!
But Auburn still has five SEC games in front of it that it would enter as an underdog right now, four of them on the road, all against currently ranked teams with established quarterback situations. I would describe the Independence Bowl at this point as “wildly optimistic.”
Washington: You could see the Husky fan base deflate when Ohio State opened up the second half Saturday by blocking a field goal, scoring on a bomb to Brian Robiskie, forcing a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and scoring another touchdown. It was visible: in about 40 seconds, an entire stadium sat down and grieved, “Oh shit, we’re still just an
annoying 5-7 team.” If UCLA doesn’t snuff out whatever embers remain this week, USC will next week.
Louisville: I held on the Cardinals last week because the atrocious defense against Middle Tennessee seemed like a first half aberration, and whoever has designs on beating them has to keep pace with Brian Brohm, anyway. Turns out, this is not such a chore when Louisville’s defensive backs repeatedly decline to keep pace with opposing receivers. Middle Tennessee, for the record, lost its opener to Florida Atlantic (though the Owls did shame Minnesota
Saturday, whatever that’s worth) and managed 90 yards total offense against LSU. Louisville’s offense has to go into every game expecting to need six touchdowns to win, and walking on such eggshells – even Brohm-backed eggshells – is no way to build a portfolio’s value.
Michigan State: This seems like about the time of year the Spartans nosedive in horrific,
psyche-scarring fashion. A loss at Notre Dame Saturday in any fashion would qualify as a catalyst.
Orson’s Sells:
Auburn: Seconded just so we can say that Brandon Cox has played the two worst games we’ve seen by a quarterback this year: the USF game was negligent, but the Miss State one was simply farce. 42 yards of passing and he keeps his job, meaning that freshman backup Kodi Burns, when asked for the salt at the table, tosses the ketchup through a nearby window in response.
Arizona. Ah, the whimsy of picking Arizona to “get over the hump” in year three! Fit existing patterns (year three is the big year for any new coach!) and a flashy new offense (Mike Leach-style five wide whizzbam!) into one Procrustean bed of optimism and you get a loss to UNM, an 1-2 record and an upcoming hammering at the hands of Cal this week, and little glee left in the tank.
Hannibal’s Holds
Kansas: Statistically, KU has been amazing – the Jayhawks’ average score is 53-7; they’re fourth nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense. The skeptic: Mangino and Co. have been feasting on Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana and Toledo. The believer: a blowout is a blowout, and CMU and Toledo aren’t as bad as all that – both could be bowl teams.
And again, they were appropriately destroyed with such jowelly rage the athletic department face-stompers are determined to erase all evidence from the record. One more wipeout is on deck against Florida International, then a chance to build some real cred with the underbelly of the Big 12 slate: Kansas State, Baylor, Colorado. Could wind
up winning six again, or – because they miss Oklahoma and Texas from the South and play in the sickly North– could win ten.
Purdue: Kansas east, because they’ve played the same teams in a different order: Toledo, I-AA patsy, Central Michigan, all crushed by the Boilers in similar fashion as their prairie doppelgangers (save aslightly more forgiving defense as the blowout goes on in Purdue’s case). The next two weeks could be worth a couple more deceptively hollow runaways against
Minnesota and Notre Dame, either of which is capable of giving up 60 to this passing game if their starts are any indication. Reserve judgment until Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa and Penn State come in a five-game stretch.
Texas: I’d sell on a team with a weaker brand that had struggled to put away Arkansas State and Central Florida, as the Longhorns have now, in addition to trailing disappointing TCU 10-0 at the half. Essentially, UT has played one good half all season and five bad-to-mediocre halves. But Texas is also one of the very few teams with the talent to sleepwalk at times and turn nasty when it gets into conference games. This is not preferable, especially when the most obvious answer to mediocre play is that the team is just mediocre. The ‘Horns’ past success
has earned them a chance to improve before they’re dismissed - which will not be long if the questions linger.
UCLA: The Bruins were thoroughly routed by previously 0-2 Utah in the stunning score of the weekend (44-6) due to a barrage of mistakes and ill-timed misfortune. They moved the ball pretty effectively, though, so where this looks like the potential beginning of another downward spiral under Dorrell, LA should still have some confidence if it
hangs on to the ball.
Orson’s Holds:
Arkansas A team so unpredictable and unpredictably managed predicting how the name of the team will be spelled next week constitutes a gamble of sorts. “RAyz0rbax” for the internet age? Ray’s Oar Backs to endorse sculling accessories? Raze Our Backs, as put forth by internet wags bemoaning the continuing mania of the Nutt era in Fayetteville? Speculation is all you have with Arkansas, who hemmed and hawed about McFadden’s injury in the 4th quarter against Alabama and flipped lids by passing on their final third down of the game, nearly tossing a pick and stopping the clock in process–giving Bama the time they needed to win with 8 seconds left.
Still, they almost had the game in hand against a vastly improved Crimson Tide. Oh, and Houston Nutt’s crazy. This team could beat LSU. They could lose to Ole Miss. They could be at your door demanding cake and punch, for all we know. Avoid depending on them to even exist.
Georgia Tech. We would call them maddeningly inconsistent, but the enthusiasm needed to drive the whole bit up to maddeningly requires passion, something Chan Gailey football teams appear to lack. Their initial victory over Notre Dame holds little value as a quality win now; their loss to Boston College holds little in the way of hope of change, as Tech’s offense charged headfirst into a wall all night without adjusting and showed zero inclination to trust Taylor Bennett with the game, leaving the defense to blitz into the able hands of Matt Ryan again and again. From arched eyebrows of interest to “meh” flicks of the hand in a week: this is Georgia Tech football being put on the hold list, and this is how it usually happens.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Auburn adapts to two-QB system
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 5:57PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 5:57PM
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- The Auburn Tigers plan to divide snaps between quarterbacks Brandon Cox and Kodi Burns, but the players and coach Tommy Tuberville insist the move is not splitting the team into factions.
Desperate to salvage the season and spark the offense, the Tigers are adapting to life as a two-quarterback team and vowing that the move won't cause dissension and the players aren't choosing sides.
"They just want to win games," Tuberville said Tuesday. "They want to play well. These guys have had a tough two weeks. You can just look them in the face and they're looking for answers as we all are. It's been tough on them, but there's not a division."
Tuberville promised unspecified offensive changes this week, besides the most obvious and visible one at quarterback. What will they be? He's keeping that a secret.
The question of who will start and how snaps will be divvied up Saturday against New Mexico State and beyond haven't been answered publicly either. Tuberville said they won't likely alternate quarterbacks "every other play" or anything so dramatic but the Tigers are forcing defenses to worry about more than one system with the pocket passer Cox and the more versatile Burns, a freshman.
They have to give defenses something to worry about, after all.
Auburn (1-2) has an offense that ranks among the nation's least productive and most mistake-prone, and it has cost the team dearly in back-to-back losses. The Tigers rank 100th in total yards, 97th in passing and 93rd in scoring. And they have committed the most turnovers of any of the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
"We've been our own worst enemy," Tuberville said.
He made the quarterbacks off-limits to the media on Tuesday, though they did interviews two days earlier.
The differences between Cox and Burns are striking in experience, knowledge of the offense and styles.
But receiver Robert Dunn echoed Tuberville's sentiment that it won't cause strife in the locker room.
"The team's rallying around whoever's in the game," Dunn said. "It's not like the team's trying to divide the house. They're not pulling for one quarterback over another. Kodi and Brandon talk the whole time in practice.
"Brandon's pulling him along because Kodi's still the young guy and Brandon's still the leader of the team. I think that they're doing pretty good about the situation."
Cox, a fifth-year senior, leads the SEC's active quarterbacks with 20 career wins as a starter. Before the season, Tuberville was grumbling that his passer was left off preseason All-SEC teams.
He still thinks Cox can turn his fortunes around. Auburn just isn't banking its season on that happening, or on the supporting cast suddenly making dramatic strides.
"We have not given up on Brandon Cox," Tuberville said. "Brandon Cox is still going to be a quarterback. He could be at full-tilt this week, or next week, because he knows what we're doing and how to do it. He just needs some help around him.
"Kodi doesn't quite need as much help because of his athletic ability out of the pocket. I think Kodi's going to help Brandon and vice versa."
Center Jason Bosley also thinks it could benefit Cox, who has said he has been pressing too much at times. That might help explain his six interceptions and 49 percent completion rate.
"I think maybe it will take a little pressure off Brandon," Bosley said. "Maybe with him not having as much pressure on his shoulders, he'll be able to relax a little bit and get back to what he was doing."
Bosley and Tuberville have both taken offense at fans who booed Brandon following his second early interception in a loss to Mississippi State.
"Hearing those fans boo on Saturday was a killer," Bosley said. "That made me so mad. This is a guy that's won 20 games the past couple of years and done what he's done and fought through all he fought through last year, and to get booed like that blew me away. I told him as soon as it happened, 'Hey man, don't listen to that. We've got your back. You're our quarterback."'
TIGER TALES: Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite said he is "98 percent" recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him from the Mississippi State game. He expects to play against New Mexico State, a passing team that will force the Tigers to employ five or six defensive backs much of the game.
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 5:57PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 5:57PM
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- The Auburn Tigers plan to divide snaps between quarterbacks Brandon Cox and Kodi Burns, but the players and coach Tommy Tuberville insist the move is not splitting the team into factions.
Desperate to salvage the season and spark the offense, the Tigers are adapting to life as a two-quarterback team and vowing that the move won't cause dissension and the players aren't choosing sides.
"They just want to win games," Tuberville said Tuesday. "They want to play well. These guys have had a tough two weeks. You can just look them in the face and they're looking for answers as we all are. It's been tough on them, but there's not a division."
Tuberville promised unspecified offensive changes this week, besides the most obvious and visible one at quarterback. What will they be? He's keeping that a secret.
The question of who will start and how snaps will be divvied up Saturday against New Mexico State and beyond haven't been answered publicly either. Tuberville said they won't likely alternate quarterbacks "every other play" or anything so dramatic but the Tigers are forcing defenses to worry about more than one system with the pocket passer Cox and the more versatile Burns, a freshman.
They have to give defenses something to worry about, after all.
Auburn (1-2) has an offense that ranks among the nation's least productive and most mistake-prone, and it has cost the team dearly in back-to-back losses. The Tigers rank 100th in total yards, 97th in passing and 93rd in scoring. And they have committed the most turnovers of any of the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
"We've been our own worst enemy," Tuberville said.
He made the quarterbacks off-limits to the media on Tuesday, though they did interviews two days earlier.
The differences between Cox and Burns are striking in experience, knowledge of the offense and styles.
But receiver Robert Dunn echoed Tuberville's sentiment that it won't cause strife in the locker room.
"The team's rallying around whoever's in the game," Dunn said. "It's not like the team's trying to divide the house. They're not pulling for one quarterback over another. Kodi and Brandon talk the whole time in practice.
"Brandon's pulling him along because Kodi's still the young guy and Brandon's still the leader of the team. I think that they're doing pretty good about the situation."
Cox, a fifth-year senior, leads the SEC's active quarterbacks with 20 career wins as a starter. Before the season, Tuberville was grumbling that his passer was left off preseason All-SEC teams.
He still thinks Cox can turn his fortunes around. Auburn just isn't banking its season on that happening, or on the supporting cast suddenly making dramatic strides.
"We have not given up on Brandon Cox," Tuberville said. "Brandon Cox is still going to be a quarterback. He could be at full-tilt this week, or next week, because he knows what we're doing and how to do it. He just needs some help around him.
"Kodi doesn't quite need as much help because of his athletic ability out of the pocket. I think Kodi's going to help Brandon and vice versa."
Center Jason Bosley also thinks it could benefit Cox, who has said he has been pressing too much at times. That might help explain his six interceptions and 49 percent completion rate.
"I think maybe it will take a little pressure off Brandon," Bosley said. "Maybe with him not having as much pressure on his shoulders, he'll be able to relax a little bit and get back to what he was doing."
Bosley and Tuberville have both taken offense at fans who booed Brandon following his second early interception in a loss to Mississippi State.
"Hearing those fans boo on Saturday was a killer," Bosley said. "That made me so mad. This is a guy that's won 20 games the past couple of years and done what he's done and fought through all he fought through last year, and to get booed like that blew me away. I told him as soon as it happened, 'Hey man, don't listen to that. We've got your back. You're our quarterback."'
TIGER TALES: Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite said he is "98 percent" recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him from the Mississippi State game. He expects to play against New Mexico State, a passing team that will force the Tigers to employ five or six defensive backs much of the game.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Wake may get Skinner back this week
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 3:48PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 3:48PM
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- Wake Forest looks like it will get back one of the heroes of last year's surprise Atlantic Coast Conference title run just in time for a key stretch of league games.
Quarterback Riley Skinner, last year's league rookie of the year, is back at practice after missing two games with a separated right shoulder. Coach Jim Grobe said the sophomore could be ready to play in time for this weekend's game against Maryland, though it could be a gametime decision.
"My best guess is he'll be ready to play," Grobe said Tuesday. "How much, whether he starts and all those kinds of things will be determined by what we see in practice this week."
Skinner injured his throwing shoulder in a 38-28 loss at Boston College to open the season for the Demon Deacons (1-2, 0-1 ACC), then missed the loss to Nebraska the following week and last weekend's win against Army. Brett Hodges, a redshirt sophomore, has filled in ever since.
Skinner is listed as probable on the team's injury report while the two-deep depth chart lists Hodges "or" Skinner as the starter. His apparent recovery comes as the Demon Deacons prepare for a stretch that includes Maryland, Duke and Florida State -- games that could ultimately determine whether Wake Forest has any chance of defending its 2006 ACC championship.
"Riley would definitely be a confidence-booster for this team," fullback De'Angelo Bryant said. "But Brett Hodges has stepped in and done a tremendous job. Whichever guy is put into the action, we're going to roll with it. Both of those guys are great quarterbacks. Both of those guys are leaders, which is what we need."
Still, Skinner's return would be a huge boost for the Demon Deacons, who have had their ups and downs all season after a relatively mistake-free run to last year's league crown.
Hodges has thrown for 319 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions in his two-plus games of action, including his 9-for-12, 49-yard passing day in the 21-10 win against Army. Skinner had thrown three interceptions against the Eagles before his injury, but he had also passed for 236 yards with one TD and offers the Demon Deacons their best chance to get the offense moving efficiently.
Skinner's experience also could help the Demon Deacons cut down on their nine turnovers -- second-most in the league -- through three games. Last year, Wake Forest had 18 turnovers in 14 games.
"I think the spark would come from results, whether it's Brett or Riley," Grobe said. "If Riley were the quarterback and we were able to move the ball well, it would be a great spark for us. But no more than if Riley wasn't able to go or didn't have a good week of practice and Brett was the guy. If Brett has success, the guys will be fired up about that."
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 3:48PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 3:48PM
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- Wake Forest looks like it will get back one of the heroes of last year's surprise Atlantic Coast Conference title run just in time for a key stretch of league games.
Quarterback Riley Skinner, last year's league rookie of the year, is back at practice after missing two games with a separated right shoulder. Coach Jim Grobe said the sophomore could be ready to play in time for this weekend's game against Maryland, though it could be a gametime decision.
"My best guess is he'll be ready to play," Grobe said Tuesday. "How much, whether he starts and all those kinds of things will be determined by what we see in practice this week."
Skinner injured his throwing shoulder in a 38-28 loss at Boston College to open the season for the Demon Deacons (1-2, 0-1 ACC), then missed the loss to Nebraska the following week and last weekend's win against Army. Brett Hodges, a redshirt sophomore, has filled in ever since.
Skinner is listed as probable on the team's injury report while the two-deep depth chart lists Hodges "or" Skinner as the starter. His apparent recovery comes as the Demon Deacons prepare for a stretch that includes Maryland, Duke and Florida State -- games that could ultimately determine whether Wake Forest has any chance of defending its 2006 ACC championship.
"Riley would definitely be a confidence-booster for this team," fullback De'Angelo Bryant said. "But Brett Hodges has stepped in and done a tremendous job. Whichever guy is put into the action, we're going to roll with it. Both of those guys are great quarterbacks. Both of those guys are leaders, which is what we need."
Still, Skinner's return would be a huge boost for the Demon Deacons, who have had their ups and downs all season after a relatively mistake-free run to last year's league crown.
Hodges has thrown for 319 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions in his two-plus games of action, including his 9-for-12, 49-yard passing day in the 21-10 win against Army. Skinner had thrown three interceptions against the Eagles before his injury, but he had also passed for 236 yards with one TD and offers the Demon Deacons their best chance to get the offense moving efficiently.
Skinner's experience also could help the Demon Deacons cut down on their nine turnovers -- second-most in the league -- through three games. Last year, Wake Forest had 18 turnovers in 14 games.
"I think the spark would come from results, whether it's Brett or Riley," Grobe said. "If Riley were the quarterback and we were able to move the ball well, it would be a great spark for us. But no more than if Riley wasn't able to go or didn't have a good week of practice and Brett was the guy. If Brett has success, the guys will be fired up about that."
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
LSU linebacker Odom arrested again
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 3:53PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 3:53PM
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- LSU linebacker Derrick Odom was arrested for the second time in less than a month and given a misdemeanor summons by LSU Police for damage to property.
Police say Odom, a freshman from Jackson, Miss., and Xavier Carter, a former LSU football player and track star, are facing charges stemming from damage caused to the car of LSU student Maria Bruton at the West Campus Apartments on Sept. 1.
Carter, a professional track athlete, is believed to be out of the country now, but police said they have issued an arrest warrant for him on a felony count of simple criminal damage to property.
Odom is accused of ramming Bruton's 2002 Cavalier with his 6-foot-2, 212-pound body, according to Lawrence Rabalais of LSU Police.
"Odom attempted to kick in the window of the victim's car," Rabalais said Tuesday.
Rabalais called LSU football administrative assistants Mack Butler and Sam Nader Monday night and asked that they get Odom to come to the LSU Police office.
"He was here within an hour, and he cooperated," Rabalais said. "He was fine. He understood what had to be done."
As of Tuesday Odom was still on the LSU football team, according to Sports Information director Michael Bonnette.
Nathan Fisher, who has been representing Odom since his previous arrest, said he had not yet talked to Odom on Tuesday and would be looking into the situation.
On Aug. 23, Baton Rouge Police arrested and briefly jailed Odom on misdemeanor chargers after he allegedly drove his shoulder into an apartment door of an LSU student, damaged that student's vehicle and threatened the student and the student's father during an altercation in July.
Miles suspended Odom shortly after that arrest on Aug. 23.
On Aug. 27, Odom apologized to the victims of this first incident and agreed to pay restitution, and the victims requested to the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's office that the charges be dropped.
Odom has paid the victims more than $700, Fisher said. The District Attorney's office has not yet dropped those charges, however, and is looking into having Odom perform community service for the first arrest.
Miles lifted Odom's suspension on Sept. 10 and said on Sept. 12 that his decision was based on "research on his specifics and his background and what's gone on in those incidents that he was involved in."
That research did not uncover the second incident on Sept. 1. Rabalais said Bruton at first did not want to pursue charges. She did not decide to do so until Sept. 11.
Carter played on LSU's football team in 2004 and 2005 before deciding to turn pro in track as a sprinter.
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 3:53PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 3:53PM
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- LSU linebacker Derrick Odom was arrested for the second time in less than a month and given a misdemeanor summons by LSU Police for damage to property.
Police say Odom, a freshman from Jackson, Miss., and Xavier Carter, a former LSU football player and track star, are facing charges stemming from damage caused to the car of LSU student Maria Bruton at the West Campus Apartments on Sept. 1.
Carter, a professional track athlete, is believed to be out of the country now, but police said they have issued an arrest warrant for him on a felony count of simple criminal damage to property.
Odom is accused of ramming Bruton's 2002 Cavalier with his 6-foot-2, 212-pound body, according to Lawrence Rabalais of LSU Police.
"Odom attempted to kick in the window of the victim's car," Rabalais said Tuesday.
Rabalais called LSU football administrative assistants Mack Butler and Sam Nader Monday night and asked that they get Odom to come to the LSU Police office.
"He was here within an hour, and he cooperated," Rabalais said. "He was fine. He understood what had to be done."
As of Tuesday Odom was still on the LSU football team, according to Sports Information director Michael Bonnette.
Nathan Fisher, who has been representing Odom since his previous arrest, said he had not yet talked to Odom on Tuesday and would be looking into the situation.
On Aug. 23, Baton Rouge Police arrested and briefly jailed Odom on misdemeanor chargers after he allegedly drove his shoulder into an apartment door of an LSU student, damaged that student's vehicle and threatened the student and the student's father during an altercation in July.
Miles suspended Odom shortly after that arrest on Aug. 23.
On Aug. 27, Odom apologized to the victims of this first incident and agreed to pay restitution, and the victims requested to the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's office that the charges be dropped.
Odom has paid the victims more than $700, Fisher said. The District Attorney's office has not yet dropped those charges, however, and is looking into having Odom perform community service for the first arrest.
Miles lifted Odom's suspension on Sept. 10 and said on Sept. 12 that his decision was based on "research on his specifics and his background and what's gone on in those incidents that he was involved in."
That research did not uncover the second incident on Sept. 1. Rabalais said Bruton at first did not want to pursue charges. She did not decide to do so until Sept. 11.
Carter played on LSU's football team in 2004 and 2005 before deciding to turn pro in track as a sprinter.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Four Arizona Wildcats Arrested
Posted Sep 18th 2007 7:04PM by Scott Olin Schmidt
Filed under: Pac 10, NCAA FB Police Blotter, Arizona Football
Mike Stoops has more to worry about than just his job. Four of his players have been arrested for underage drinking.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, "Tyler Lyon, 20, a redshirt freshman and third-string quarterback who played at Hart High of Newhall; Saugus High product Kyle Monson, 18, a defensive back; and Cole Graybill, 20, a linebacker were arrested on suspicion of being under age with liquor in their systems."
Craig S. Sedoris Jr., 19, was driving. The four were caught Friday morning in a pickup truck with two women in Tucson.
Stoops has suspended four unnamed players for violating the team's behavioral guidelines.
Filed under: Pac 10, NCAA FB Police Blotter, Arizona Football
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, "Tyler Lyon, 20, a redshirt freshman and third-string quarterback who played at Hart High of Newhall; Saugus High product Kyle Monson, 18, a defensive back; and Cole Graybill, 20, a linebacker were arrested on suspicion of being under age with liquor in their systems."
Craig S. Sedoris Jr., 19, was driving. The four were caught Friday morning in a pickup truck with two women in Tucson.
Stoops has suspended four unnamed players for violating the team's behavioral guidelines.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Ole Miss QB situation cloudy
Adams hurt; Schaeffer may face Gators
By Scott Cacciola
<!-- End .byline -->Tuesday, September 18, 2007
<!-- End dates -->
<!-- End story_meta -->OXFORD, Miss. -- The entire sequence took less than a minute to unfold at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday. There he was, Brent Schaeffer, suddenly emerging from pigskin purgatory to take the field after Seth Adams, Ole Miss' starting quarterback, pulled himself from the game in the fourth quarter, his sprained right shoulder forcing him to the sideline.
Schaeffer, a former top-shelf recruit who once upon a time -- last year, to be exact -- had been heralded as the savior of Ole Miss' flagging fortunes, had been criticized over the offseason by coach Ed Orgeron for his inconsistent work ethic, his poor study habits and his inexact passes, in no particular order. And so, predictably, he had lost his starting job in fall camp to Adams, a former walk-on who proceeded to play well in Ole Miss' first two games of the season, a victory over Memphis and a loss to Missouri.
But against Vanderbilt, Orgeron turned once again to Schaeffer, a move born of necessity. And so what does Schaeffer do? The first time he touches the ball all season, he unleashes a 54-yard pass to Mike Wallace, who streaks untouched along the right sideline for a touchdown.
For Ole Miss (1-2, 0-1 SEC), which has the unenviable task of trying to recover from two straight losses by playing host to third-ranked Florida (3-0, 1-0) on Saturday, this has been the story line that will not die -- a quarterback saga worthy of daytime television, one that took another turn at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday morning.
Though Adams said he expects to play against Florida on Saturday, Orgeron said he plans to wait and make a decision later in the week.
"I don't think Seth's going to practice for most of the week," Orgeron said. "I really think it's going to come up to game time. We'll try Brent and Michael Herrick and see. Probably Brent would be the starter. But he's going to have to have a good week of practice."
Adams, who completed 10-of-17 passes for 154 yards in Saturday's 31-17 loss, said he sprained his right acromioclavicular joint, which connects the top of the shoulder to the collarbone. Adams said he suffered the injury scrambling for a first down late in the first half, then aggravated it when he was sacked in the fourth quarter.
"I just couldn't get much on the ball," he said. "I was hurting."
Schaeffer played the final three series, and the latter two were not productive. After the long touchdown pass, Schaeffer tossed four incompletions and the Rebels netted a total of 3 yards. In his defense, he was cold coming off the bench. Schaeffer was asked after the game if he felt he had given the coaches something to think about.
"I don't know," he said. "I'm just doing what I'm told."
The fact remains that neither Adams nor Schaeffer is a linebacker. The Rebels could have Joe Montana, circa 1984, crouching behind center, but they still need to unearth some folks who can make tackles, a shortcoming that has emerged as the team's most pressing concern.
After giving up 383 yards to Vanderbilt, Ole Miss ranks 104th among 119 Bowl Subdivision teams (formerly Division 1-A) in total defense, yielding 466 yards per game. Florida, meantime, ranks 12th in total offense (521 yards per game) and second in scoring (55.7 points per game).
"They look like the best team we've played since I've been here by far," said Orgeron, in his third season at Ole Miss. "Fastest team. Best coached team. They are very, very talented. But we're up for the challenge. It's why you coach in the SEC. That's why I came here."
At the same time, Orgeron said his team has gotten "a little too vanilla" on offense. He said he wants to change some things up against Florida, be more playful and creative, a little looser. Whether the Rebels will do that with Schaeffer remains to be seen, though Orgeron did praise him for the first time in months.
"I'm just talking class attendance, doing the things we expect our quarterback to do," Orgeron said. "He's been almost 100 percent since we've gotten back. So his attitude has changed. And I'm very proud of him for changing his attitude towards the class work and the things we expect him to do."
Like Orgeron, offensive coordinator Dan Werner said he wants to see how Adams recovers this week. Adams said he has a full range of motion with his throwing arm.
"I can move it around," he said. "It feels good, just have to rehab it."
Schaeffer completed 47.1 percent of his passes last year, and criticism -- from coaches, from fans, from columnists -- mounted each week. But with one long heave against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Schaeffer seemed to rekindle the hopes he generated when he arrived on campus last fall. Can he somehow resuscitate his career, long thought to be dead?
"Hopefully," Schaeffer said. "If you do hear from me, I'm going to try to make it good for y'all."
Adams hurt; Schaeffer may face Gators
By Scott Cacciola
<!-- End .byline -->Tuesday, September 18, 2007
<!-- End dates -->
<!-- End story_meta -->OXFORD, Miss. -- The entire sequence took less than a minute to unfold at Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday. There he was, Brent Schaeffer, suddenly emerging from pigskin purgatory to take the field after Seth Adams, Ole Miss' starting quarterback, pulled himself from the game in the fourth quarter, his sprained right shoulder forcing him to the sideline.
Schaeffer, a former top-shelf recruit who once upon a time -- last year, to be exact -- had been heralded as the savior of Ole Miss' flagging fortunes, had been criticized over the offseason by coach Ed Orgeron for his inconsistent work ethic, his poor study habits and his inexact passes, in no particular order. And so, predictably, he had lost his starting job in fall camp to Adams, a former walk-on who proceeded to play well in Ole Miss' first two games of the season, a victory over Memphis and a loss to Missouri.
But against Vanderbilt, Orgeron turned once again to Schaeffer, a move born of necessity. And so what does Schaeffer do? The first time he touches the ball all season, he unleashes a 54-yard pass to Mike Wallace, who streaks untouched along the right sideline for a touchdown.
For Ole Miss (1-2, 0-1 SEC), which has the unenviable task of trying to recover from two straight losses by playing host to third-ranked Florida (3-0, 1-0) on Saturday, this has been the story line that will not die -- a quarterback saga worthy of daytime television, one that took another turn at the Indoor Practice Facility on Monday morning.
Though Adams said he expects to play against Florida on Saturday, Orgeron said he plans to wait and make a decision later in the week.
"I don't think Seth's going to practice for most of the week," Orgeron said. "I really think it's going to come up to game time. We'll try Brent and Michael Herrick and see. Probably Brent would be the starter. But he's going to have to have a good week of practice."
Adams, who completed 10-of-17 passes for 154 yards in Saturday's 31-17 loss, said he sprained his right acromioclavicular joint, which connects the top of the shoulder to the collarbone. Adams said he suffered the injury scrambling for a first down late in the first half, then aggravated it when he was sacked in the fourth quarter.
"I just couldn't get much on the ball," he said. "I was hurting."
Schaeffer played the final three series, and the latter two were not productive. After the long touchdown pass, Schaeffer tossed four incompletions and the Rebels netted a total of 3 yards. In his defense, he was cold coming off the bench. Schaeffer was asked after the game if he felt he had given the coaches something to think about.
"I don't know," he said. "I'm just doing what I'm told."
The fact remains that neither Adams nor Schaeffer is a linebacker. The Rebels could have Joe Montana, circa 1984, crouching behind center, but they still need to unearth some folks who can make tackles, a shortcoming that has emerged as the team's most pressing concern.
After giving up 383 yards to Vanderbilt, Ole Miss ranks 104th among 119 Bowl Subdivision teams (formerly Division 1-A) in total defense, yielding 466 yards per game. Florida, meantime, ranks 12th in total offense (521 yards per game) and second in scoring (55.7 points per game).
"They look like the best team we've played since I've been here by far," said Orgeron, in his third season at Ole Miss. "Fastest team. Best coached team. They are very, very talented. But we're up for the challenge. It's why you coach in the SEC. That's why I came here."
At the same time, Orgeron said his team has gotten "a little too vanilla" on offense. He said he wants to change some things up against Florida, be more playful and creative, a little looser. Whether the Rebels will do that with Schaeffer remains to be seen, though Orgeron did praise him for the first time in months.
"I'm just talking class attendance, doing the things we expect our quarterback to do," Orgeron said. "He's been almost 100 percent since we've gotten back. So his attitude has changed. And I'm very proud of him for changing his attitude towards the class work and the things we expect him to do."
Like Orgeron, offensive coordinator Dan Werner said he wants to see how Adams recovers this week. Adams said he has a full range of motion with his throwing arm.
"I can move it around," he said. "It feels good, just have to rehab it."
Schaeffer completed 47.1 percent of his passes last year, and criticism -- from coaches, from fans, from columnists -- mounted each week. But with one long heave against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Schaeffer seemed to rekindle the hopes he generated when he arrived on campus last fall. Can he somehow resuscitate his career, long thought to be dead?
"Hopefully," Schaeffer said. "If you do hear from me, I'm going to try to make it good for y'all."
E.T.G.
One of trus baby mommas
Do you see any reason to play Army in this game? I am thinking something like 42 - 10. I just don't want BC to feel sorry for Army cause it is a service academy.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Jackets have rushing options, if Choice remains out
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 8:10PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 8:10PM
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Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice, the ACC's leading rusher, is nursing a strained hammy.
Andy Altenburger/Icon SMI
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</TD><TD class=cnnstoryclpad></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>ATLANTA (AP) -- If Tashard Choice's hamstring injury keeps him out of Saturday's game at Virginia, Chan Gailey has several options to replace his star running back.
"We've got four tailbacks that can play, so when you have injuries, you're fortunate to have that," Gailey said Tuesday.
Choice, a transfer from Oklahoma who was the ACC's leading rusher last season, said he has a strained hamstring and he's day-to-day.
"I won't go on the field to practice or play if I feel I can't give 100 percent," said Choice, whose streak of nine straight 100-yard games was snapped against Boston College last week. "We have a lot of guys who can do the job at running back. It's a long season. You're going to need everybody."
Georgia Tech has three backup tailbacks and each could make a legitimate claim to being the logical choice to fill in for Choice:
--Freshman Jonathan Dwyer is second on the team with 23 carries for 181 yards rushing, and he leads the team with five touchdowns -- one more than Choice.
--Senior Rashaun Grant is listed as Choice's top backup, though a hamstring injury kept him out the first two games. Grant returned to rush for 23 yards against Boston College.
--Sophomore Jamaal Evans is small (5-foot-8, 196 pounds) but quick. He has 16 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown and is dangerous as a return specialist. He began the season as Choice's top backup.
"I think it would be running back by committee, and I'm not ready to say who would take the first snap," Gailey said about replacing Choice.
Guard Nate McManus said Georgia Tech's running game should not suffer if Choice can't play.
"I don't believe so," McManus said. "Jonathan Dwyer has proved himself more than once over at this point. He is an incredible running back. Rashaun Grant. Jamaal Evans. It's not going to be the end of the world."
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 8:10PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 8:10PM
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Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice, the ACC's leading rusher, is nursing a strained hammy.
Andy Altenburger/Icon SMI
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"We've got four tailbacks that can play, so when you have injuries, you're fortunate to have that," Gailey said Tuesday.
Choice, a transfer from Oklahoma who was the ACC's leading rusher last season, said he has a strained hamstring and he's day-to-day.
"I won't go on the field to practice or play if I feel I can't give 100 percent," said Choice, whose streak of nine straight 100-yard games was snapped against Boston College last week. "We have a lot of guys who can do the job at running back. It's a long season. You're going to need everybody."
Georgia Tech has three backup tailbacks and each could make a legitimate claim to being the logical choice to fill in for Choice:
--Freshman Jonathan Dwyer is second on the team with 23 carries for 181 yards rushing, and he leads the team with five touchdowns -- one more than Choice.
--Senior Rashaun Grant is listed as Choice's top backup, though a hamstring injury kept him out the first two games. Grant returned to rush for 23 yards against Boston College.
--Sophomore Jamaal Evans is small (5-foot-8, 196 pounds) but quick. He has 16 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown and is dangerous as a return specialist. He began the season as Choice's top backup.
"I think it would be running back by committee, and I'm not ready to say who would take the first snap," Gailey said about replacing Choice.
Guard Nate McManus said Georgia Tech's running game should not suffer if Choice can't play.
"I don't believe so," McManus said. "Jonathan Dwyer has proved himself more than once over at this point. He is an incredible running back. Rashaun Grant. Jamaal Evans. It's not going to be the end of the world."
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Utah may continue short-term plan of alternating QBs
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 7:49PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 7:49PM
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah quarterback Brian Johnson is throwing passes again, more than two weeks after a shoulder injury, but the Utes' big victory over UCLA may allow him extra time to mend.
Tommy Grady threw three touchdown passes Saturday in a 44-6 upset of the then-No. 11 Bruins.
"Tommy's play gives us a luxury to bring (Johnson) back conservatively," coach Kyle Whittingham said. "We want to bring him back as soon as possible, but we don't want to compromise him."
Johnson was injured in the opener against Oregon State. The Utes were 0-2 before the victory against UCLA.
Johnson missed the 2006 season while recovering from knee surgery.
"It feels good and has been getting better every day," Johnson said of his shoulder. "I'm ready to get back on the field."
Posted: Tuesday September 18, 2007 7:49PM; Updated: Tuesday September 18, 2007 7:49PM
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah quarterback Brian Johnson is throwing passes again, more than two weeks after a shoulder injury, but the Utes' big victory over UCLA may allow him extra time to mend.
Tommy Grady threw three touchdown passes Saturday in a 44-6 upset of the then-No. 11 Bruins.
"Tommy's play gives us a luxury to bring (Johnson) back conservatively," coach Kyle Whittingham said. "We want to bring him back as soon as possible, but we don't want to compromise him."
Johnson was injured in the opener against Oregon State. The Utes were 0-2 before the victory against UCLA.
Johnson missed the 2006 season while recovering from knee surgery.
"It feels good and has been getting better every day," Johnson said of his shoulder. "I'm ready to get back on the field."
E.T.G.
One of trus baby mommas
any thought on the 1st half if it is -14 or less? Think the Matt Ryan show gets started early.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
I'm not doing so hot on 1H plays, so I'm the wrong person to ask....but, if you want to look at BC vs. Army or another bad team (Buffalo) take a look at the boxes the last few years.
BC doesn't let up.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
BC vs. Buffalo:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/boxscore?gid=200610280010
BC vs. Army 2005:
http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=252530103&confId=null
BC vs. Army 2001:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?confId=10&date=20010929&gameId=212720103
BC vs. Army 2000:
http://espn.go.com/ncf/2000/20000909/boxscore/bbfaaq.html
I think both BC 1H and game are potentially solid plays.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/boxscore?gid=200610280010
BC vs. Army 2005:
http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=252530103&confId=null
BC vs. Army 2001:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?confId=10&date=20010929&gameId=212720103
BC vs. Army 2000:
http://espn.go.com/ncf/2000/20000909/boxscore/bbfaaq.html
I think both BC 1H and game are potentially solid plays.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Cal's defensive injuries: merely flesh wounds.
Malele, Davis’ foot injuries not serious
<SMALL>Posted by Eric | September 18, 2007 at 5:22 pm | In Players/Alumni | No Comments</SMALL>
Great news: the foot injuries sustained by DT Matt Malele and DE Rulon Davis are far less serious than originally suggested.
It was feared after the Louisiana Tech game that Davis had a stress fracture in his foot and Malele tore his plantar fascia tendon. Yesterday’s MRIs must have been negative, as Jon Okanes reports: “Malele has a strained muscle in his foot while Davis has a sprained foot.”
Losing these two for the season would have been devastating to the Bears’ defensive line unit. Instead, they are now day-to-day but it is not certain whether they will be playing on Saturday against Arizona. Hopefully they will recover speedily and be ready at least by the time Cal visits Oregon on the 29th.
Also, LB Zach Follett remains day-to-day with a neck stinger and WR/PR DeSean Jackson is still struggling with his sprained thumb. According to Coach Jeff Tedford, Jackson “probably won’t catch a pass in practice this week to preserve” it.
Malele, Davis’ foot injuries not serious
<SMALL>Posted by Eric | September 18, 2007 at 5:22 pm | In Players/Alumni | No Comments</SMALL>
Great news: the foot injuries sustained by DT Matt Malele and DE Rulon Davis are far less serious than originally suggested.
It was feared after the Louisiana Tech game that Davis had a stress fracture in his foot and Malele tore his plantar fascia tendon. Yesterday’s MRIs must have been negative, as Jon Okanes reports: “Malele has a strained muscle in his foot while Davis has a sprained foot.”
Losing these two for the season would have been devastating to the Bears’ defensive line unit. Instead, they are now day-to-day but it is not certain whether they will be playing on Saturday against Arizona. Hopefully they will recover speedily and be ready at least by the time Cal visits Oregon on the 29th.
Also, LB Zach Follett remains day-to-day with a neck stinger and WR/PR DeSean Jackson is still struggling with his sprained thumb. According to Coach Jeff Tedford, Jackson “probably won’t catch a pass in practice this week to preserve” it.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=storytitle colSpan=3>Quick Outs ... The Weekend's Big Moments </TD></TR><TR><TD class=primaryimage vAlign=top>
</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="60%" bgColor=#f5f5f5 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=center noWrap>By Richard Cirminiello
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Sep 18, 2007
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A Review of the Past Weekend’s Games and Gamebreakers
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Sept. 16 Quick Outs: A Review of the Past Weekend’s Games and Gamebreakers By Richard Cirminiello
E-mail Richard Cirminiello
The Lead Story of Week 3 (in 25 words of less): Troy rises, protects its No. 1 ranking with a 49-31 husking of Nebraska in Lincoln.
Summa Cum Laude
Florida – Just in case anyone forgot, the Gators spent their Saturday afternoon reminding the rest of the nation that they’re still the reigning national champs until being dethroned. At the expense of rival Tennessee, Florida gashed the Vols 59-20, getting touchdowns from the offense, defense, and special teams in a coronation game for QB Tim Tebow and a young defense that’s replacing nine starters. The Gators have just 10 seniors and 11 juniors on the roster, wonderful news for the rest of the SEC.
2. USC – Do you think the Trojans heard this past week’s debate over whether LSU or Oklahoma is the real deal No.1 team in the country? After a slow start, USC dominated Nebraska in a 49-31 statement win that was far more lopsided than the final score might indicate. The cruel irony for the home team? Troy looked an awful lot like a vintage Tom Osborne team, rolling up 313 yards and five touchdowns on the ground and dominating along the line of scrimmage.
3. Kentucky – In one of the most thrilling games of the young season, Kentucky got a 57-yard touchdown pass from Andre Woodson to Steve Johnson with under a minute remaining, snapping a four-game losing streak to rival Louisville. The win propels the ‘Cats into the Top 25 for the first time under Rich Brooks, and may have stamped Woodson a legit Heisman contender.
4. Utah – Given up for dead after losing to Oregon State and Air Force, the Utes shook off injury problems to destroy No. 11 UCLA 44-6. The Utes got three touchdown passes from backup QB Tommy Grady and picked off Ben Olson three times for a shocking upset win.
5. Alabama – While it may not have been a blueprint win for Nick Saban, he’ll certainly take it in his first really big game with the Tide. ‘Bama got out fast on Arkansas, blew a lead, and finally won 41-38 on a John Parker Wilson pass to Matt Caddell with eight ticks left on the clock. Is the Tide back? Not all the way, but Saturday night’s win over the Hogs was a giant step in the right direction.
Summa Cum Lousy
Notre Dame – Losers of three straight to start the season, Notre Dame has become Stanford with a major TV deal. The Irish lost to previously downtrodden Michigan 38-0, failing to score an offensive touchdown or rush for positive yards for the third straight game. Is it finally time to stop faulting this mess on Ty Willingham’s final recruiting classes, and place the blame on a coaching staff that appears overwhelmed at this stage?
2. UCLA – It was only a matter of time before the Bruins made the pollsters look silly for ranking them so high to start the season. UCLA did more than just lose to a Utah team that was without four injured starters on offense, getting embarrassed in Salt Lake City, 44-6.
3. Auburn – Losing to South Florida is one thing, but dropping a home game to Mississippi State is a whole other level of lousy. There could be a new era on the Plains after senior QB Brandon Cox was benched in favor of true freshman Kodi Burns in the first half of the loss.
4. Oklahoma State – A very trendy choice to be one of this year’s sleepers, the Cowboys were in a catatonic state throughout last Friday night’s 41-23 loss to Troy. The Trojans rolled up 562 yards on Oklahoma State, and had five pivotal takeaways.
5. Arizona – Maybe things just aren’t going to get much better under Mike Stoops in the desert. The Arizona pass defense was just plain awful in a 29-27 home loss to New Mexico that’ll make it that much tougher for the program to get enough wins to finally become bowl eligible.
Offensive Coordinator of the Week: Gus Malzahn, Tulsa. Just two games into the Hurricane’s experiment with Malzahn’ hurry-up, no-huddle offense, it’s sixth in the nation in passing and fourth in total offense. Behind the passing of Paul Smith, Tulsa laid 595 yards on BYU in a 55-47 upset victory.
Defensive Coordinator of the Week: Frank Spaziani, Boston College. QB Matt Ryan is going to get most of the headlines following Saturday’s win over Georgia Tech, but it wouldn’t have been possible if Spaziani’s defense didn’t completely shut down the Jackets. Boston College shut out Tech for the first three quarters, and became the first team in almost a year to hold Tashard Choice below 100 yards rushing.
The three best hours of the weekend: Alabama’s 41-38 win over Arkansas. It was vintage SEC football, as the Tide sent the home crowd into a state of euphoria on a John Parker Wilson touchdown pass to Matt Caddell in the waning seconds of a sensational slugfest. The win will go down as Nick Saban’s coming-out party in Tuscaloosa.
The three best hours of the weekend II: The showdown between Kentucky’s Andre Woodson and Louisville’s Brian Brohm was as good advertised with both hurlers having huge nights. The last of Woodson’s four touchdown passes came with half a minute left, and gave the Wildcats its biggest win in years. The game was played on ESPN Classic, an apropos network for this 40-34 rollercoaster rise.
The three most disappointing hours of the weekend: USC at Nebraska. The most anticipated game of Week 3 entered garbage time midway through the third quarter with the Trojans rolling to an easier than expected win. This is becoming a trend with Tennessee-Cal, Virginia Tech-LSU, and now USC-Nebraska failing to live up to expectations in primetime.
If BCS invites went out today, the recipients would be …West Virginia, Boston College, LSU, USC, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Ohio State, and Cal. Say buh-bye to Louisville, which lost to Kentucky, and got replaced by Ohio State, a 33-14 winner at Washington. Boston College displaces Virginia Tech as the ACC’s best option following an impressive win over Georgia Tech. Penn State and Rutgers give the BCS a potential Eastern presence that would be very appealing to the bowl games and Fox.
If Heisman votes were cast today, the winner would be …Arkansas RB Darren McFadden. Even in a losing cause, McFadden showed why he may be the best all-around player in America, running for 195 yards and two scores to spur a comeback at Alabama. In reality, you’ll get five different favorites from five different voters, namely McFadden, West Virginia’s Steve Slaton, Rutgers’ Ray Rice, Hawaii’s Colt Brennan, and possibly USC John David Booty. Florida’s Tim Tebow, Boston College’s Matt Ryan, and Kentucky’s Andre Woodson made really strong pitches for consideration on Saturday.
Who could have imagined …that Texas would be severely tested in all three games against Arkansas State, TCU, and UCF? The ‘Horns may be 3-0 and No. 7 in the country, but all of this living dangerously versus vastly inferior competition is going to catch up with them before long.
Start buying shares in …LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux. Perrilloux may not be the starter until 2008 when Matt Flynn graduates, but as an emergency replacement on Saturday he was near flawless. With Flynn resting an injured ankle, Perrilloux lit up Middle Tennessee State on 20-of-25 passing for 298 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 37 yards on eight carries. Although it wasn’t against an SEC opponent, the sophomore gave a strong sign he’ll be ready to perform if pressed into action later this year.
Start dumping …Iowa. The Hawkeyes have too many holes on offense to be considered a darkhorse contender in a wide-open Big Ten race. Saturday’s unacceptable 15-13 loss came against an Iowa State team that had lost its first two games to Kent State and Northern Iowa.
Bucking for a promotion: Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun. Charged with the unenviable task of replacing legendary coach Fisher DeBerry and bringing the Falcon offense into the 21st century, the 39-year old Calhoun has Air Force 3-0 courtesy of surprise wins over Utah and TCU.
Needing a vote of confidence : Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer. For some Volunteer fans, the only good news to come out of Saturday’s 59-20 loss in Gainesville is that they have more ammunition to run Fulmer out of Knoxville at the end of the season.
Needing a vote of confidence II : Arizona head coach Mike Stoops. There is enough talent for the Wildcats to be unbeaten after three games. Instead, they’re 1-2 after inexplicably losing to New Mexico in Tucson on Saturday night. How many more years does Stoops get to turn things around at a once-proud program that hasn’t bowled since 1998?
Can I be your agent …Andre Smith? The blueprint for what the NFL looks for in a left tackle, the Alabama sophomore is already one of the best in the country at his position. A brick wall in pass protection, he moves like a tight end down the field despite being all of 6-4 and 350 pounds. He’ll have a tough decision to make about his future after the 2008 season.
Start designing the Fathead of …Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis. Big games, such as the one the Buckeyes just played in Washington, seem to bring out the best in Laurinaitis. The junior spurred an Ohio State win Saturday afternoon, making eight tackles and a sack, and picking off two of Jake Locker’s passes to squelch any threat of a Husky upset.
The Danny Almonte He-Can’t-Be-As-Young-As-He-Says Award: USC C Kristofer O’Dowd. Pressed into action after Matt Spanos was injured, the true freshman performed like an upperclassmen on the road at Nebraska. O’Dowd did his part to spark a Trojan offense that ran for 313 yards and did not allow a sack.
The Danny Almonte He-Can’t-Be-As-Young-As-He-Says Award II: West Virginia RB Noel Devine. Steve Slaton must have a stunt double because Devine looked an awful lot like No. 10 last Thursday, using his warp speed to bolt for 136 yards on just five carries. Expect to see more of the true freshman as the season develops.
The Jerry Falwell Moral Victory Award: UCF. The Knights christened a new ballpark, Bright House Networks Stadium, on Saturday, and darn near pulled off the biggest win in school history before dropping a 35-32 nail-biter to heavily-favored Texas.
The Jerry Falwell Moral Victory Award II: Temple. Looking to take a swipe at its old conference, Temple got jobbed at Connecticut on Saturday. The four-touchdown underdogs appeared to have taken the lead with 40 seconds left on a Bruce Francis touchdown catch, but officials refused to overrule the call on the field, ending any chance for a comeback and a statement win for the Owls.
It’s time to give more pub to… the Purdue offense. Yeah, we need to see more now that a soft non-conference schedule has almost ended, but Curtis Painter and the rest of the attack have been unstoppable through three weeks of action. Painter has thrown 13 touchdown passes to no interceptions, and his supporting cast is as fast as any in the Big Ten.
It’s time to give more pub to… Washington State QB Alex Brink. Few Pac-10 quarterbacks in recent history have done more on the field with less attention. Closing in on becoming the school’s all-time leading passer, he’s thrown nine touchdown passes in the last two games, including four on Saturday to hold off a challenge from Idaho.
Message to … Rutgers. If you really want to earn national respect, start limiting yourself to one exhibition game a season. Beginning the year with visits from Buffalo, Navy and Norfolk State is an absolute joke. Oh, and you might want to start learning how to handle success in a classier fashion. The chants of “FU Navy” out of the students section a week ago were disgraceful.
This just in: Duke has won a football game. Yes, it’s been a long time, almost two years to the day, but the Blue Devils have ended their nation’s-longest 22-game losing streak with a 20-14 win over Northwestern.
Random thought with no heading: It’ll no doubt get lost in an otherwise eventful weekend, but Stanford’s 37-0 rout of San Jose State is a sign that brighter days lie ahead for the Cardinal under Jim Harbaugh. This is the type of game that the program might lose in the past, but instead, it out gained the Spartans 506-163 and pitched a shutout for the first time in 11 years. Baby steps.
Going wacky for John Mackey: Missouri TE Martin Rucker caught 11 passes for 115 yards in the Tigers’ 52-24 win over Western Michigan. The 11 grabs were a career-high for the 6-6, 255-pounder, and the second time in three games that he’s gone into double digits.
Going wacky for John Mackey II: Texas A&M TE Martellus Bennett had six catches for 98 yards against Louisiana-Monroe, showing off some of the playmaking potential that could make him the first tight end chosen in either 2008 or 2009.
Non-BCS Player of the Week: Tulsa QB Paul Smith. Running the Hurricane’s new offensive system as if he’d been playing in it for four years, Smith scorched BYU for 454 yards and five touchdown passes on 21-of-35 passing Saturday night. A visit from Oklahoma, and a chance to really make headlines, awaits this Friday night.
Non-BCS Team of the Week: Florida Atlantic. In the biggest win in program history, the Owls shocked Minnesota 42-39, getting 463 yards and five touchdown passes from unheralded Rusty Smith. While it wasn’t exactly South Florida over Auburn, it is the type of game that Howard Schnellenberger can point to when he hits the recruiting trail later this season.
Stats Amore: Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree had 11 catches for 244 yards and three touchdowns against Rice.
Louisville WR Harry Douglas caught 13 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kentucky.
SMU S Bryce Hudman had 26 tackles in the loss to Arkansas State.
Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell went 28-of 37 for 414 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in a win over Rice.
Michigan RB Michael Hart went for 187 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries in the win over Notre Dame.
Cal RB Justin Forsett ran for 152 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries in the blowout of Louisiana Tech.
Baylor QB Blake Szymanksi finished 30-of-50 for 411 yards, five touchdowns and two picks in the win over Texas State.
Wisconsin RB P.J. Hill ran for 168 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries, adding a touchdown reception, in the defeat of Citadel.
Indiana QB Kellen Lewis went 19-of-24 for 137 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, while running for 199 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the win over Akron.
In a loss to Tulsa, BYU QB Max Hall finished 34-of-57 for 537 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
New Mexico State WR Chris Williams caught nine passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns in a win against UTEP.
Iowa State K Bret Culbertson kicked five field goals, including the game-winner in the upset of Iowa. Minnesota WR Eric Decker had 12 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown in the Gophers’ loss to Florida Atlantic. Start clearing next week’s schedule for… South Carolina at LSU. The SEC game of the week also happens to be Saturday’s overall headliner in an otherwise decrepit Week 4 schedule. If Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks can win a second enormous conference road game in three weeks, start seriously considering them one of the surprise league favorites. A second LSU win over a ranked team in three weeks solidifies its case to be the nation’s top-ranked team
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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="60%" bgColor=#f5f5f5 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD vAlign=center noWrap>By Richard Cirminiello
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Sep 18, 2007
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A Review of the Past Weekend’s Games and Gamebreakers
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Sept. 16 Quick Outs: A Review of the Past Weekend’s Games and Gamebreakers By Richard Cirminiello
E-mail Richard Cirminiello
The Lead Story of Week 3 (in 25 words of less): Troy rises, protects its No. 1 ranking with a 49-31 husking of Nebraska in Lincoln.
Summa Cum Laude
Florida – Just in case anyone forgot, the Gators spent their Saturday afternoon reminding the rest of the nation that they’re still the reigning national champs until being dethroned. At the expense of rival Tennessee, Florida gashed the Vols 59-20, getting touchdowns from the offense, defense, and special teams in a coronation game for QB Tim Tebow and a young defense that’s replacing nine starters. The Gators have just 10 seniors and 11 juniors on the roster, wonderful news for the rest of the SEC.
2. USC – Do you think the Trojans heard this past week’s debate over whether LSU or Oklahoma is the real deal No.1 team in the country? After a slow start, USC dominated Nebraska in a 49-31 statement win that was far more lopsided than the final score might indicate. The cruel irony for the home team? Troy looked an awful lot like a vintage Tom Osborne team, rolling up 313 yards and five touchdowns on the ground and dominating along the line of scrimmage.
3. Kentucky – In one of the most thrilling games of the young season, Kentucky got a 57-yard touchdown pass from Andre Woodson to Steve Johnson with under a minute remaining, snapping a four-game losing streak to rival Louisville. The win propels the ‘Cats into the Top 25 for the first time under Rich Brooks, and may have stamped Woodson a legit Heisman contender.
4. Utah – Given up for dead after losing to Oregon State and Air Force, the Utes shook off injury problems to destroy No. 11 UCLA 44-6. The Utes got three touchdown passes from backup QB Tommy Grady and picked off Ben Olson three times for a shocking upset win.
5. Alabama – While it may not have been a blueprint win for Nick Saban, he’ll certainly take it in his first really big game with the Tide. ‘Bama got out fast on Arkansas, blew a lead, and finally won 41-38 on a John Parker Wilson pass to Matt Caddell with eight ticks left on the clock. Is the Tide back? Not all the way, but Saturday night’s win over the Hogs was a giant step in the right direction.
Summa Cum Lousy
Notre Dame – Losers of three straight to start the season, Notre Dame has become Stanford with a major TV deal. The Irish lost to previously downtrodden Michigan 38-0, failing to score an offensive touchdown or rush for positive yards for the third straight game. Is it finally time to stop faulting this mess on Ty Willingham’s final recruiting classes, and place the blame on a coaching staff that appears overwhelmed at this stage?
2. UCLA – It was only a matter of time before the Bruins made the pollsters look silly for ranking them so high to start the season. UCLA did more than just lose to a Utah team that was without four injured starters on offense, getting embarrassed in Salt Lake City, 44-6.
3. Auburn – Losing to South Florida is one thing, but dropping a home game to Mississippi State is a whole other level of lousy. There could be a new era on the Plains after senior QB Brandon Cox was benched in favor of true freshman Kodi Burns in the first half of the loss.
4. Oklahoma State – A very trendy choice to be one of this year’s sleepers, the Cowboys were in a catatonic state throughout last Friday night’s 41-23 loss to Troy. The Trojans rolled up 562 yards on Oklahoma State, and had five pivotal takeaways.
5. Arizona – Maybe things just aren’t going to get much better under Mike Stoops in the desert. The Arizona pass defense was just plain awful in a 29-27 home loss to New Mexico that’ll make it that much tougher for the program to get enough wins to finally become bowl eligible.
Offensive Coordinator of the Week: Gus Malzahn, Tulsa. Just two games into the Hurricane’s experiment with Malzahn’ hurry-up, no-huddle offense, it’s sixth in the nation in passing and fourth in total offense. Behind the passing of Paul Smith, Tulsa laid 595 yards on BYU in a 55-47 upset victory.
Defensive Coordinator of the Week: Frank Spaziani, Boston College. QB Matt Ryan is going to get most of the headlines following Saturday’s win over Georgia Tech, but it wouldn’t have been possible if Spaziani’s defense didn’t completely shut down the Jackets. Boston College shut out Tech for the first three quarters, and became the first team in almost a year to hold Tashard Choice below 100 yards rushing.
The three best hours of the weekend: Alabama’s 41-38 win over Arkansas. It was vintage SEC football, as the Tide sent the home crowd into a state of euphoria on a John Parker Wilson touchdown pass to Matt Caddell in the waning seconds of a sensational slugfest. The win will go down as Nick Saban’s coming-out party in Tuscaloosa.
The three best hours of the weekend II: The showdown between Kentucky’s Andre Woodson and Louisville’s Brian Brohm was as good advertised with both hurlers having huge nights. The last of Woodson’s four touchdown passes came with half a minute left, and gave the Wildcats its biggest win in years. The game was played on ESPN Classic, an apropos network for this 40-34 rollercoaster rise.
The three most disappointing hours of the weekend: USC at Nebraska. The most anticipated game of Week 3 entered garbage time midway through the third quarter with the Trojans rolling to an easier than expected win. This is becoming a trend with Tennessee-Cal, Virginia Tech-LSU, and now USC-Nebraska failing to live up to expectations in primetime.
If BCS invites went out today, the recipients would be …West Virginia, Boston College, LSU, USC, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Ohio State, and Cal. Say buh-bye to Louisville, which lost to Kentucky, and got replaced by Ohio State, a 33-14 winner at Washington. Boston College displaces Virginia Tech as the ACC’s best option following an impressive win over Georgia Tech. Penn State and Rutgers give the BCS a potential Eastern presence that would be very appealing to the bowl games and Fox.
If Heisman votes were cast today, the winner would be …Arkansas RB Darren McFadden. Even in a losing cause, McFadden showed why he may be the best all-around player in America, running for 195 yards and two scores to spur a comeback at Alabama. In reality, you’ll get five different favorites from five different voters, namely McFadden, West Virginia’s Steve Slaton, Rutgers’ Ray Rice, Hawaii’s Colt Brennan, and possibly USC John David Booty. Florida’s Tim Tebow, Boston College’s Matt Ryan, and Kentucky’s Andre Woodson made really strong pitches for consideration on Saturday.
Who could have imagined …that Texas would be severely tested in all three games against Arkansas State, TCU, and UCF? The ‘Horns may be 3-0 and No. 7 in the country, but all of this living dangerously versus vastly inferior competition is going to catch up with them before long.
Start buying shares in …LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux. Perrilloux may not be the starter until 2008 when Matt Flynn graduates, but as an emergency replacement on Saturday he was near flawless. With Flynn resting an injured ankle, Perrilloux lit up Middle Tennessee State on 20-of-25 passing for 298 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 37 yards on eight carries. Although it wasn’t against an SEC opponent, the sophomore gave a strong sign he’ll be ready to perform if pressed into action later this year.
Start dumping …Iowa. The Hawkeyes have too many holes on offense to be considered a darkhorse contender in a wide-open Big Ten race. Saturday’s unacceptable 15-13 loss came against an Iowa State team that had lost its first two games to Kent State and Northern Iowa.
Bucking for a promotion: Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun. Charged with the unenviable task of replacing legendary coach Fisher DeBerry and bringing the Falcon offense into the 21st century, the 39-year old Calhoun has Air Force 3-0 courtesy of surprise wins over Utah and TCU.
Needing a vote of confidence : Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer. For some Volunteer fans, the only good news to come out of Saturday’s 59-20 loss in Gainesville is that they have more ammunition to run Fulmer out of Knoxville at the end of the season.
Needing a vote of confidence II : Arizona head coach Mike Stoops. There is enough talent for the Wildcats to be unbeaten after three games. Instead, they’re 1-2 after inexplicably losing to New Mexico in Tucson on Saturday night. How many more years does Stoops get to turn things around at a once-proud program that hasn’t bowled since 1998?
Can I be your agent …Andre Smith? The blueprint for what the NFL looks for in a left tackle, the Alabama sophomore is already one of the best in the country at his position. A brick wall in pass protection, he moves like a tight end down the field despite being all of 6-4 and 350 pounds. He’ll have a tough decision to make about his future after the 2008 season.
Start designing the Fathead of …Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis. Big games, such as the one the Buckeyes just played in Washington, seem to bring out the best in Laurinaitis. The junior spurred an Ohio State win Saturday afternoon, making eight tackles and a sack, and picking off two of Jake Locker’s passes to squelch any threat of a Husky upset.
The Danny Almonte He-Can’t-Be-As-Young-As-He-Says Award: USC C Kristofer O’Dowd. Pressed into action after Matt Spanos was injured, the true freshman performed like an upperclassmen on the road at Nebraska. O’Dowd did his part to spark a Trojan offense that ran for 313 yards and did not allow a sack.
The Danny Almonte He-Can’t-Be-As-Young-As-He-Says Award II: West Virginia RB Noel Devine. Steve Slaton must have a stunt double because Devine looked an awful lot like No. 10 last Thursday, using his warp speed to bolt for 136 yards on just five carries. Expect to see more of the true freshman as the season develops.
The Jerry Falwell Moral Victory Award: UCF. The Knights christened a new ballpark, Bright House Networks Stadium, on Saturday, and darn near pulled off the biggest win in school history before dropping a 35-32 nail-biter to heavily-favored Texas.
The Jerry Falwell Moral Victory Award II: Temple. Looking to take a swipe at its old conference, Temple got jobbed at Connecticut on Saturday. The four-touchdown underdogs appeared to have taken the lead with 40 seconds left on a Bruce Francis touchdown catch, but officials refused to overrule the call on the field, ending any chance for a comeback and a statement win for the Owls.
It’s time to give more pub to… the Purdue offense. Yeah, we need to see more now that a soft non-conference schedule has almost ended, but Curtis Painter and the rest of the attack have been unstoppable through three weeks of action. Painter has thrown 13 touchdown passes to no interceptions, and his supporting cast is as fast as any in the Big Ten.
It’s time to give more pub to… Washington State QB Alex Brink. Few Pac-10 quarterbacks in recent history have done more on the field with less attention. Closing in on becoming the school’s all-time leading passer, he’s thrown nine touchdown passes in the last two games, including four on Saturday to hold off a challenge from Idaho.
Message to … Rutgers. If you really want to earn national respect, start limiting yourself to one exhibition game a season. Beginning the year with visits from Buffalo, Navy and Norfolk State is an absolute joke. Oh, and you might want to start learning how to handle success in a classier fashion. The chants of “FU Navy” out of the students section a week ago were disgraceful.
This just in: Duke has won a football game. Yes, it’s been a long time, almost two years to the day, but the Blue Devils have ended their nation’s-longest 22-game losing streak with a 20-14 win over Northwestern.
Random thought with no heading: It’ll no doubt get lost in an otherwise eventful weekend, but Stanford’s 37-0 rout of San Jose State is a sign that brighter days lie ahead for the Cardinal under Jim Harbaugh. This is the type of game that the program might lose in the past, but instead, it out gained the Spartans 506-163 and pitched a shutout for the first time in 11 years. Baby steps.
Going wacky for John Mackey: Missouri TE Martin Rucker caught 11 passes for 115 yards in the Tigers’ 52-24 win over Western Michigan. The 11 grabs were a career-high for the 6-6, 255-pounder, and the second time in three games that he’s gone into double digits.
Going wacky for John Mackey II: Texas A&M TE Martellus Bennett had six catches for 98 yards against Louisiana-Monroe, showing off some of the playmaking potential that could make him the first tight end chosen in either 2008 or 2009.
Non-BCS Player of the Week: Tulsa QB Paul Smith. Running the Hurricane’s new offensive system as if he’d been playing in it for four years, Smith scorched BYU for 454 yards and five touchdown passes on 21-of-35 passing Saturday night. A visit from Oklahoma, and a chance to really make headlines, awaits this Friday night.
Non-BCS Team of the Week: Florida Atlantic. In the biggest win in program history, the Owls shocked Minnesota 42-39, getting 463 yards and five touchdown passes from unheralded Rusty Smith. While it wasn’t exactly South Florida over Auburn, it is the type of game that Howard Schnellenberger can point to when he hits the recruiting trail later this season.
Stats Amore: Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree had 11 catches for 244 yards and three touchdowns against Rice.
Louisville WR Harry Douglas caught 13 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kentucky.
SMU S Bryce Hudman had 26 tackles in the loss to Arkansas State.
Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell went 28-of 37 for 414 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in a win over Rice.
Michigan RB Michael Hart went for 187 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries in the win over Notre Dame.
Cal RB Justin Forsett ran for 152 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries in the blowout of Louisiana Tech.
Baylor QB Blake Szymanksi finished 30-of-50 for 411 yards, five touchdowns and two picks in the win over Texas State.
Wisconsin RB P.J. Hill ran for 168 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries, adding a touchdown reception, in the defeat of Citadel.
Indiana QB Kellen Lewis went 19-of-24 for 137 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, while running for 199 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the win over Akron.
In a loss to Tulsa, BYU QB Max Hall finished 34-of-57 for 537 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
New Mexico State WR Chris Williams caught nine passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns in a win against UTEP.
Iowa State K Bret Culbertson kicked five field goals, including the game-winner in the upset of Iowa. Minnesota WR Eric Decker had 12 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown in the Gophers’ loss to Florida Atlantic. Start clearing next week’s schedule for… South Carolina at LSU. The SEC game of the week also happens to be Saturday’s overall headliner in an otherwise decrepit Week 4 schedule. If Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks can win a second enormous conference road game in three weeks, start seriously considering them one of the surprise league favorites. A second LSU win over a ranked team in three weeks solidifies its case to be the nation’s top-ranked team
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
What a bunch of dicks!
Notre Dame Won't Release Jones From Scholarship
Posted Sep 19th 2007 9:01AM by Brian Cook
Filed under: Notre Dame Football, Breaking News, Northern Illinois Football
Charlie Weis already jerked Demetrius Jones around by pretending he had a real shot at the starting job, then yanking him after a half and telling the media Clausen was the real starter all along, but apparently they're not done screwing with him:
Weis said he wasn't involved with the decision, but he also told the media he hadn't told his quarterbacks who would start the GT game, which was a lie, and that Jimmah Clausen hadn't had offseason surgery, which was also a lie. So take that with a grain of salt. Notre Dame is scheduled to play Michigan State this weekend; MSU is favored by almost two touchdowns.
Notre Dame Won't Release Jones From Scholarship
Filed under: Notre Dame Football, Breaking News, Northern Illinois Football
Demetrius Jones will have to pay his own way to Northern Illinois this year. The former Notre Dame quarterback will not be released from his scholarship, the school decided Tuesday.
"We don't believe that Demetrius' departure was handled appropriately," Notre Dame athletics director Kevin White said.
Maybe ditching the team midseason wasn't the right way to go, but it's not like ND's hands are clean here either. The bait-and-switch with Jones was a move designed to keep him on the roster until the season started so that he would remain an option in case of injury or poor play; if he was never going to be the starter ND should have told him that before so he could make an educated decision about his future. "We don't believe that Demetrius' departure was handled appropriately," Notre Dame athletics director Kevin White said.
Weis said he wasn't involved with the decision, but he also told the media he hadn't told his quarterbacks who would start the GT game, which was a lie, and that Jimmah Clausen hadn't had offseason surgery, which was also a lie. So take that with a grain of salt. Notre Dame is scheduled to play Michigan State this weekend; MSU is favored by almost two touchdowns.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Olson doesn’t practice
[COLOR=#333333! important]Dorrell says quarterback is suffering from headaches, and it isn’t clear if he will play this week.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#999999! important]By Chris Foster, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
9:27 PM PDT, September 18, 2007 [/COLOR]
UCLA's problems got a little worse Tuesday, as quarterback Ben Olson did not practice because of "headaches," Coach Karl Dorrell said.
Patrick Cowan was in charge of the first-team offense in his first full practice since returning from a partially torn hamstring. Whether Olson would be ready in time for Saturday's game against Washington is unclear. Olson was not allowed to speak with the media Tuesday and Dorrell was vague about the injury. Olson was battered repeatedly in Saturday's 44-6 loss to Utah.
"Ben has a headache and he's had this headache since Saturday night," Dorrell said.
Asked the headaches were from a concussion, Dorrell said, "That's not what I anticipate it being. But we just want to be smart because we had a rash of concussions lately."
On Sunday, Dorrell said Olson was OK and he did not include him in his injury report during a Monday news conference.
Last week, Dorrell said that linebacker Aaron Whittington was suffering from "nausea," then admitted Sunday that Whittington had suffered a concussion for the second consecutive week in the Utah game.
Olson missed the last eight games of the season in 2007 because of a knee injury. Cowan took over the team and led the Bruins to victories in the last three regular-season games, including USC.
Cowan said little about his chances of starting, other than "I'm preparing to play if needed."
Olson would have to practice by Thursday in order to play, Dorrell said.
"[Ben] feels better today and the doctors wanted him to stay out one more day," Dorrell said. "He feels good, but we'll see how he feels tomorrow."
The Bruins already will be without five starters: wide receiver Marcus Everett (ankle), guard Shannon Tevaga (knee), defensive tackle Brigham Harwell, defensive end Nikola Dragovic and Whittington. Fullback Michael Pitre has yet to play this season, meaning the Bruins could go into Saturday's game without seven of their 20 returning starters from last season.
-----------JIMDASH----------
Everett was on crutches Tuesday and ruled out for Saturday's game, two days after Dorrell said he had a sprained ankle that did not seem severe.
"He doesn't have a lot of swelling, but it's pretty tender," Dorrell said Tuesday.
Everett's injury opens a spot for sophomore Osaar Rasshan, who moved from quarterback to receiver this year.
Rasshan, who has shown the skill to develop into a quality receiver in practice, got into his first game at the end of the Stanford game Sept. 1, but did not catch a pass.
Still, he said, "That takes away the first-game jitters Right now, my focus isn't even on the game. My focus is on going into practice every day, making every catch to try to prove to the coaches I can do it on the field."
-----------JIMDASH----------
Brian Price, cleared by the NCAA on Monday to rejoin the Bruins, went through his first day of practice since Aug. 6 and was expected to get into Saturday's game on a limited basis. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Price is considered the Bruins' top recruit.
"He's quick and explosive," defensive line coach Todd Howard said. "We can use him this weekend as a pass rusher, then work him in as he gets in better and better shape.
"He is still catching up, but he's a smart kid and we'll have him ready to go this week. We'll have a package for him."
Besides, Howard said using Price in passing situations is easy: "You say, 'Go get the quarterback.'."
Gina Ferazzi / LAT
Quarterback Ben Olson might not play for the Bruins this Saturday.[COLOR=#333333! important]Dorrell says quarterback is suffering from headaches, and it isn’t clear if he will play this week.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#999999! important]By Chris Foster, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
9:27 PM PDT, September 18, 2007 [/COLOR]
UCLA's problems got a little worse Tuesday, as quarterback Ben Olson did not practice because of "headaches," Coach Karl Dorrell said.
Patrick Cowan was in charge of the first-team offense in his first full practice since returning from a partially torn hamstring. Whether Olson would be ready in time for Saturday's game against Washington is unclear. Olson was not allowed to speak with the media Tuesday and Dorrell was vague about the injury. Olson was battered repeatedly in Saturday's 44-6 loss to Utah.
"Ben has a headache and he's had this headache since Saturday night," Dorrell said.
Asked the headaches were from a concussion, Dorrell said, "That's not what I anticipate it being. But we just want to be smart because we had a rash of concussions lately."
On Sunday, Dorrell said Olson was OK and he did not include him in his injury report during a Monday news conference.
Last week, Dorrell said that linebacker Aaron Whittington was suffering from "nausea," then admitted Sunday that Whittington had suffered a concussion for the second consecutive week in the Utah game.
Olson missed the last eight games of the season in 2007 because of a knee injury. Cowan took over the team and led the Bruins to victories in the last three regular-season games, including USC.
Cowan said little about his chances of starting, other than "I'm preparing to play if needed."
Olson would have to practice by Thursday in order to play, Dorrell said.
"[Ben] feels better today and the doctors wanted him to stay out one more day," Dorrell said. "He feels good, but we'll see how he feels tomorrow."
The Bruins already will be without five starters: wide receiver Marcus Everett (ankle), guard Shannon Tevaga (knee), defensive tackle Brigham Harwell, defensive end Nikola Dragovic and Whittington. Fullback Michael Pitre has yet to play this season, meaning the Bruins could go into Saturday's game without seven of their 20 returning starters from last season.
-----------JIMDASH----------
Everett was on crutches Tuesday and ruled out for Saturday's game, two days after Dorrell said he had a sprained ankle that did not seem severe.
"He doesn't have a lot of swelling, but it's pretty tender," Dorrell said Tuesday.
Everett's injury opens a spot for sophomore Osaar Rasshan, who moved from quarterback to receiver this year.
Rasshan, who has shown the skill to develop into a quality receiver in practice, got into his first game at the end of the Stanford game Sept. 1, but did not catch a pass.
Still, he said, "That takes away the first-game jitters Right now, my focus isn't even on the game. My focus is on going into practice every day, making every catch to try to prove to the coaches I can do it on the field."
-----------JIMDASH----------
Brian Price, cleared by the NCAA on Monday to rejoin the Bruins, went through his first day of practice since Aug. 6 and was expected to get into Saturday's game on a limited basis. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Price is considered the Bruins' top recruit.
"He's quick and explosive," defensive line coach Todd Howard said. "We can use him this weekend as a pass rusher, then work him in as he gets in better and better shape.
"He is still catching up, but he's a smart kid and we'll have him ready to go this week. We'll have a package for him."
Besides, Howard said using Price in passing situations is easy: "You say, 'Go get the quarterback.'."
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
<TABLE cellPadding=8 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=articleTitle>Key injuries beset Stanford's offense and defense</TD></TR><!--subtitle--><!--byline--><TR><TD class=articleByline>By Darren Sabedra
Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News</TD></TR><!--date--><TR><TD class=articleDate>Article Launched:09/19/2007 02:01:43 AM PDT</TD></TR><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR><TR><TD class=articleBody>
Stanford routed San Jose State on Saturday but paid a price on both sides of the ball. Starting middle linebacker Fred Campbell suffered a career-ending fracture in his neck, and tailback Toby Gerhart has a knee injury that will sideline him for at least Saturday's game against 13th-ranked Oregon.
Gerhart said he has a partial tear in his left posterior cruciate ligament. He initially heard he could be out three to four weeks but will know more after meeting today with his doctor. He watched practice Tuesday while on crutches.
"You can't really put a time limit on it," said Gerhart, who rushed for 140 yards in a little more than a half Saturday against SJSU. "Once the inflammation goes down, it should strengthen a little bit. When I feel like I can run, I can run again. It's real disappointing."
Gerhart, a sophomore, said the injury will not require surgery. He believes he was injured while being tackled on a 48-yard run in the first half, although he didn't realize it until he made a cut midway through the third quarter.
Campbell was hurt while assisting on a tackle in the second quarter of the 37-0 rout. The third-year sophomore had the C-1 and C-2 vertebrae fused Monday during what Coach Jim Harbaugh described as successful surgery.
"He won't be able to play football, though," Harbaugh said. "I know Fred's very disappointed about that. But he's in great spirits and feels like he put everything into it that he had, and therefore he feels very good about what he accomplished.
"He was a starting linebacker for us who was well respected by our team, and he'll be a part of our team in the future - hopefully as a student-coach."
Although the surgery went well, Campbell will have "some limited mobility - about 50 percent of his range of motion in his neck," Harbaugh said.
Campbell said his neck felt sore at halftime - "much like 20 other guys during the game," Harbaugh said - and asked for Advil.
He then finished the game.
Sunday, however, Campbell alerted team officials that he could not move his neck. An X-ray showed an "abnormality," and a CT scan revealed the fracture, Harbaugh said. Campbell was immediately scheduled for surgery.
"We just keep him in our prayers, obviously," said nose tackle Ekom Udofia, Campbell's roommate last year. "We got to see him on Sunday and yesterday. We're just doing everything we can to keep his spirits high and make sure he's OK.
"You don't really move on. But we've got to focus on the next game. We want to do this for Fred, too, and carry him in our hearts when we go on the field the rest of the season."
Campbell is the second Stanford player this season and the third in a year to retire from football because of injury. Omeka Nnoli, expected to start at fullback, had to quit during training camp because of hip-related problems. Nick Frank, last season's starting fullback, retired after two games in 2006 because of a cervical spine condition. The loss of Campbell - coupled with Clinton Snyder's uncertain status - has left Stanford inexperienced at linebacker. Tuesday, freshman Chike Amajoyi and redshirt freshman Nick Macaluso joined junior Pat Maynor on the first team. Snyder left after one play Saturday because of a pinched nerve. He wasn't in full pads Tuesday but, Harbaugh said, "Knowing Clinton, I would expect him to play."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News</TD></TR><!--date--><TR><TD class=articleDate>Article Launched:09/19/2007 02:01:43 AM PDT</TD></TR><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR><TR><TD class=articleBody>
Stanford routed San Jose State on Saturday but paid a price on both sides of the ball. Starting middle linebacker Fred Campbell suffered a career-ending fracture in his neck, and tailback Toby Gerhart has a knee injury that will sideline him for at least Saturday's game against 13th-ranked Oregon.
Gerhart said he has a partial tear in his left posterior cruciate ligament. He initially heard he could be out three to four weeks but will know more after meeting today with his doctor. He watched practice Tuesday while on crutches.
"You can't really put a time limit on it," said Gerhart, who rushed for 140 yards in a little more than a half Saturday against SJSU. "Once the inflammation goes down, it should strengthen a little bit. When I feel like I can run, I can run again. It's real disappointing."
Gerhart, a sophomore, said the injury will not require surgery. He believes he was injured while being tackled on a 48-yard run in the first half, although he didn't realize it until he made a cut midway through the third quarter.
Campbell was hurt while assisting on a tackle in the second quarter of the 37-0 rout. The third-year sophomore had the C-1 and C-2 vertebrae fused Monday during what Coach Jim Harbaugh described as successful surgery.
"He won't be able to play football, though," Harbaugh said. "I know Fred's very disappointed about that. But he's in great spirits and feels like he put everything into it that he had, and therefore he feels very good about what he accomplished.
"He was a starting linebacker for us who was well respected by our team, and he'll be a part of our team in the future - hopefully as a student-coach."
Although the surgery went well, Campbell will have "some limited mobility - about 50 percent of his range of motion in his neck," Harbaugh said.
Campbell said his neck felt sore at halftime - "much like 20 other guys during the game," Harbaugh said - and asked for Advil.
He then finished the game.
Sunday, however, Campbell alerted team officials that he could not move his neck. An X-ray showed an "abnormality," and a CT scan revealed the fracture, Harbaugh said. Campbell was immediately scheduled for surgery.
"We just keep him in our prayers, obviously," said nose tackle Ekom Udofia, Campbell's roommate last year. "We got to see him on Sunday and yesterday. We're just doing everything we can to keep his spirits high and make sure he's OK.
"You don't really move on. But we've got to focus on the next game. We want to do this for Fred, too, and carry him in our hearts when we go on the field the rest of the season."
Campbell is the second Stanford player this season and the third in a year to retire from football because of injury. Omeka Nnoli, expected to start at fullback, had to quit during training camp because of hip-related problems. Nick Frank, last season's starting fullback, retired after two games in 2006 because of a cervical spine condition. The loss of Campbell - coupled with Clinton Snyder's uncertain status - has left Stanford inexperienced at linebacker. Tuesday, freshman Chike Amajoyi and redshirt freshman Nick Macaluso joined junior Pat Maynor on the first team. Snyder left after one play Saturday because of a pinched nerve. He wasn't in full pads Tuesday but, Harbaugh said, "Knowing Clinton, I would expect him to play."
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RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Arizona Football Is Torn
Posted Sep 19th 2007 2:20PM by Brian Grummell
Filed under: Pac 10, Arizona Football
Things aren't going so well in lovely (I guess ?) Tucson. Five full years after the end of the Mackovic era, the football team just can't seem to get its act together. Things are a little less mutinous, but there's that whole '3-8, 3-8, 6-6, hey let's open 2007 with losses to BYU and New Mexico' thing to deal with.
Head coach Mike Stoops is feeling the heat.
Cue the Natalie Imbruglia:
http://<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TJ3d1sSsaXw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TJ3d1sSsaXw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
</EMBED>
Nothing says we love you coach like three minutes of shots of the man grimacing, arguing with officials and popping veins, right?
Filed under: Pac 10, Arizona Football
Things aren't going so well in lovely (I guess ?) Tucson. Five full years after the end of the Mackovic era, the football team just can't seem to get its act together. Things are a little less mutinous, but there's that whole '3-8, 3-8, 6-6, hey let's open 2007 with losses to BYU and New Mexico' thing to deal with.
Head coach Mike Stoops is feeling the heat.
Cue the Natalie Imbruglia:
http://<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TJ3d1sSsaXw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TJ3d1sSsaXw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
</EMBED>
Nothing says we love you coach like three minutes of shots of the man grimacing, arguing with officials and popping veins, right?
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Gotta be fair and rip Texas too.
Hopefully posts like this will light a fire under Mack and the Horns.
UT Football: Recruiting Champions
Like most big-time college football programs, UT's season doesn't end after the final whistle blows on bowl season. From that moment on, Mack Brown's busy pressing palms with every blue-chipper across the state. Mack searches high and low for the best possible recruits, and isn't afraid to venture places other coaches might shy away from.
Having such a broad recruiting base does have its drawbacks, though. While other coaches might spend most of their time trying to convince stubborn parents to allow their kids to attend UT, Mack is busy trying to convince stubborn jurors to allow their kids to go to UT. Bet he wishes HE had a law degree from Pepperdine!
Mack does have some good selling points other universities don't. For instance, you'll never fly commercial to a game. Nothing but a private charter will do for the richest state's flagship university!
Hopefully posts like this will light a fire under Mack and the Horns.
UT Football: Recruiting Champions
Like most big-time college football programs, UT's season doesn't end after the final whistle blows on bowl season. From that moment on, Mack Brown's busy pressing palms with every blue-chipper across the state. Mack searches high and low for the best possible recruits, and isn't afraid to venture places other coaches might shy away from.
Having such a broad recruiting base does have its drawbacks, though. While other coaches might spend most of their time trying to convince stubborn parents to allow their kids to attend UT, Mack is busy trying to convince stubborn jurors to allow their kids to go to UT. Bet he wishes HE had a law degree from Pepperdine!
Mack does have some good selling points other universities don't. For instance, you'll never fly commercial to a game. Nothing but a private charter will do for the richest state's flagship university!
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
LOL.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Thursday Night Purgatory Wagering
By Markus, Petra, and Jorg
Welt Sexy Computerspielenhaus
Ja, Herr Alberts, we are back to provide you with the tantalizing point-spreads that only stereotypically vindictive Germans can bring to you in our haute couture of post-modern minimalism. Jorg has been toiling all season in his dungeon of computer wonderment, and now, we are prepared to unleash the abyss of nothingness upon the wagering public of the interconnectednets. How I long to hear the screams of torment echoing in the electric night. Behold!
Texas A&M (+2.5) at Miami(FL)
Ah, you didn't think we would not bring the "weak shit" into ze OB, no? What are you going to do with that as you drink your joy-joy brewdawgs in the local tavern hauses? You don't know what to do, for your are terribly perplexed by this line. It taunts you into actually believing the U is the favorite. Is this really a pick 'em at home? Which Miami team will show up? Even more interesting, which Aggie team will be present? Both teams have shown their flashes of volatile results, looking competent one day, and getting blown out by Oklahoma the next. Almost as humbling as taking Fresno State to extra periods.
So, even though mein fuhrer Trev has been mintzing abound with your so-called "American" computerspielienhauses, we bring this deadly line to you free gratis. Don't ever say us Germans are all black leather and nihilism.
Welt Sexy Computerspielenhaus is available for all of your fictional wagering needs. Please fake gamble responsibly.
By Markus, Petra, and Jorg
Welt Sexy Computerspielenhaus
Ja, Herr Alberts, we are back to provide you with the tantalizing point-spreads that only stereotypically vindictive Germans can bring to you in our haute couture of post-modern minimalism. Jorg has been toiling all season in his dungeon of computer wonderment, and now, we are prepared to unleash the abyss of nothingness upon the wagering public of the interconnectednets. How I long to hear the screams of torment echoing in the electric night. Behold!
Texas A&M (+2.5) at Miami(FL)
Ah, you didn't think we would not bring the "weak shit" into ze OB, no? What are you going to do with that as you drink your joy-joy brewdawgs in the local tavern hauses? You don't know what to do, for your are terribly perplexed by this line. It taunts you into actually believing the U is the favorite. Is this really a pick 'em at home? Which Miami team will show up? Even more interesting, which Aggie team will be present? Both teams have shown their flashes of volatile results, looking competent one day, and getting blown out by Oklahoma the next. Almost as humbling as taking Fresno State to extra periods.
So, even though mein fuhrer Trev has been mintzing abound with your so-called "American" computerspielienhauses, we bring this deadly line to you free gratis. Don't ever say us Germans are all black leather and nihilism.
Welt Sexy Computerspielenhaus is available for all of your fictional wagering needs. Please fake gamble responsibly.
AgainstThePublic
Master of the Pickle Tickle
Seriously, this thread is sick. Thanks for the information and GL this week. Liking most of your plays.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Decision near on Lester
Posted by [URL="http://blog.al.com/trackingtigersabout.html"]Phillip Marshall, The Huntsville Times[/URL] September 20, 2007 10:36 AM
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said Thursday morning that he hopes to get final word on tailback Brad Lester's status "in the next 48 hours or so."
Lester, expected to be Auburn's starting tailback, has not played this season because of what has been termed an academic issue. Tuberville said the decision is out of his hands. He said it would be a surprise if Lester is available for Saturday's game against New Mexico State at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
"I don't know if that's a reality, dealing with what we are dealing with," Tuberville said. "We'd like to get a little closure on it and give him some idea of what he's doing."
Tuberville said Lester is physically ready to play if he is cleared.
"He's practiced," Tuberville said. "He could play this afternoon. I don't know whether that is going to happen or not."
Tuberville said there is nothing more to do but wait for the final verdict.
"All we've done is do everything we can do and let the people who make the decision make it," Tuberville said.
Lester was suspended for last year's game against Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl and has remained suspended through games against Kansas State, South Florida and Mississippi State.
Posted by [URL="http://blog.al.com/trackingtigersabout.html"]Phillip Marshall, The Huntsville Times[/URL] September 20, 2007 10:36 AM
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said Thursday morning that he hopes to get final word on tailback Brad Lester's status "in the next 48 hours or so."
Lester, expected to be Auburn's starting tailback, has not played this season because of what has been termed an academic issue. Tuberville said the decision is out of his hands. He said it would be a surprise if Lester is available for Saturday's game against New Mexico State at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
"I don't know if that's a reality, dealing with what we are dealing with," Tuberville said. "We'd like to get a little closure on it and give him some idea of what he's doing."
Tuberville said Lester is physically ready to play if he is cleared.
"He's practiced," Tuberville said. "He could play this afternoon. I don't know whether that is going to happen or not."
Tuberville said there is nothing more to do but wait for the final verdict.
"All we've done is do everything we can do and let the people who make the decision make it," Tuberville said.
Lester was suspended for last year's game against Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl and has remained suspended through games against Kansas State, South Florida and Mississippi State.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
<TABLE cellPadding=8 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=articleTitle>Wilner: Is the newly rebuilt Sparta crumbling?</TD></TR><!--subtitle--><!--byline--><TR><TD class=articleByline>By Jon Wilner
Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News</TD></TR><!--date--><TR><TD class=articleDate>Article Launched:09/20/2007 01:36:28 AM PDT</TD></TR><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR><TR><TD class=articleBody>
Dick Tomey has coached 27 games at San Jose State and lost 15 of them, but he has never had a loss like he did Saturday.
San Jose State 0, Stanford 37: The worst defeat of Tomey's tenure, and nothing comes close.
Nothing comes close because SJSU was supposed to be pretty good this season, maybe not nine-win good but possibly bowl-bid good.
Nothing comes close because it was Stanford, which had lost 14 of its previous 15 games.
Nothing comes close because the Spartans gained just 163 yards on a defense that yielded 624 the opening week.
But mostly, nothing comes close because of SJSU's woeful effort.
The Spartans played like they assumed victory. They played indifferently. They played soft.
"There's no excuse for being as uncompetitive as we were," Tomey said.
As a result, the Spartans are 0-3 for the first time in six years and facing a pivotal game Saturday at Utah State.
What has gone wrong?
The short answer: everything.
The not-quite-as-short answer:
• The departures of receivers James Jones and John Broussard, safeties Rakine Toomes and Chris Vedder and co-defensive coordinator Tom Williams have hit SJSU harder than expected.
Jones and Broussard were playmakers who bailed SJSU out of tough situations and made everyone around them better. (They're both in the NFL.) Toomes and Vedder were converted cornerbacks playing safety, which gave the Spartans a bevy of options for man-to-man coverage. Williams, now with the NFL's Jaguars, was a veteran playcaller whose fiery personality rubbed off on the defense.
• The schedule is brutal. SJSU is the only team in the country that opens with four consecutive road games. Playing Arizona State and Kansas State (combined record: 5-1) back-to-back took a physical toll on the Spartans from which they haven't recovered.
• Tailback Yonus Davis' sprained ankle, suffered on the first play of the season, left SJSU without its only playmaker and placed more pressure on the inexperienced receivers. No running game and no aerial threats explain why SJSU is 118th in the nation in scoring, ahead of only Notre Dame.
(Davis tweaked his ankle in practice Wednesday and is questionable for the Utah State game.)
• The Spartans didn't know how to handle success. They figured 2007 would be a continuation of 2006 and failed to realize that they'd have to work even harder because opposing teams would take them more seriously.
They didn't put forth the effort - in the off-season, in training camp and since the season began - to build on their success. And effort is what Tomey's all about, what his teams at Hawaii and Arizona and SJSU (until this season) were all about.
That's why, after the Stanford game, he called his players "a bunch of prima donnas" and ordered a 6:30 a.m. Sunday practice. Any players who were late would be cut, he warned, and any coaches who were late would be fired.
Why practice eight hours after the game ended? Tomey's reasoning was, Why not?
"If anybody can sleep after that," he explained a few days later, "they ought to go home."
It was an extreme step, to be sure, but one Tomey has taken before. In 1987, his first year at Arizona, the Wildcats got shellacked at Washington State in the seventh game of the season. The team returned to Tucson at 4 a.m. and was on the practice field a few hours later. The next month was Arizona's best of the season and included a two-point loss to Rose Bowl-bound USC.
"I had never seen it done before," Tomey said of the Sunday morning workout, "but it was all I knew to do. The players thought they were winners, and they weren't. But everyone was there, and we played some great games after that. The team changed a lot."
A dozen years later, still at Arizona, Tomey called a Sunday morning workout after a 52-20 home loss to Stanford. The Wildcats responded with three consecutive wins, including a victory over No. 22 USC.
Will the Spartans react in similar fashion? "We all felt better after getting up," Tomey said. That is, if any of them had gone to bed.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News</TD></TR><!--date--><TR><TD class=articleDate>Article Launched:09/20/2007 01:36:28 AM PDT</TD></TR><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR><TR><TD class=articleBody>
Dick Tomey has coached 27 games at San Jose State and lost 15 of them, but he has never had a loss like he did Saturday.
San Jose State 0, Stanford 37: The worst defeat of Tomey's tenure, and nothing comes close.
Nothing comes close because SJSU was supposed to be pretty good this season, maybe not nine-win good but possibly bowl-bid good.
Nothing comes close because it was Stanford, which had lost 14 of its previous 15 games.
Nothing comes close because the Spartans gained just 163 yards on a defense that yielded 624 the opening week.
But mostly, nothing comes close because of SJSU's woeful effort.
The Spartans played like they assumed victory. They played indifferently. They played soft.
"There's no excuse for being as uncompetitive as we were," Tomey said.
As a result, the Spartans are 0-3 for the first time in six years and facing a pivotal game Saturday at Utah State.
What has gone wrong?
The short answer: everything.
The not-quite-as-short answer:
• The departures of receivers James Jones and John Broussard, safeties Rakine Toomes and Chris Vedder and co-defensive coordinator Tom Williams have hit SJSU harder than expected.
Jones and Broussard were playmakers who bailed SJSU out of tough situations and made everyone around them better. (They're both in the NFL.) Toomes and Vedder were converted cornerbacks playing safety, which gave the Spartans a bevy of options for man-to-man coverage. Williams, now with the NFL's Jaguars, was a veteran playcaller whose fiery personality rubbed off on the defense.
• The schedule is brutal. SJSU is the only team in the country that opens with four consecutive road games. Playing Arizona State and Kansas State (combined record: 5-1) back-to-back took a physical toll on the Spartans from which they haven't recovered.
• Tailback Yonus Davis' sprained ankle, suffered on the first play of the season, left SJSU without its only playmaker and placed more pressure on the inexperienced receivers. No running game and no aerial threats explain why SJSU is 118th in the nation in scoring, ahead of only Notre Dame.
(Davis tweaked his ankle in practice Wednesday and is questionable for the Utah State game.)
• The Spartans didn't know how to handle success. They figured 2007 would be a continuation of 2006 and failed to realize that they'd have to work even harder because opposing teams would take them more seriously.
They didn't put forth the effort - in the off-season, in training camp and since the season began - to build on their success. And effort is what Tomey's all about, what his teams at Hawaii and Arizona and SJSU (until this season) were all about.
That's why, after the Stanford game, he called his players "a bunch of prima donnas" and ordered a 6:30 a.m. Sunday practice. Any players who were late would be cut, he warned, and any coaches who were late would be fired.
Why practice eight hours after the game ended? Tomey's reasoning was, Why not?
"If anybody can sleep after that," he explained a few days later, "they ought to go home."
It was an extreme step, to be sure, but one Tomey has taken before. In 1987, his first year at Arizona, the Wildcats got shellacked at Washington State in the seventh game of the season. The team returned to Tucson at 4 a.m. and was on the practice field a few hours later. The next month was Arizona's best of the season and included a two-point loss to Rose Bowl-bound USC.
"I had never seen it done before," Tomey said of the Sunday morning workout, "but it was all I knew to do. The players thought they were winners, and they weren't. But everyone was there, and we played some great games after that. The team changed a lot."
A dozen years later, still at Arizona, Tomey called a Sunday morning workout after a 52-20 home loss to Stanford. The Wildcats responded with three consecutive wins, including a victory over No. 22 USC.
Will the Spartans react in similar fashion? "We all felt better after getting up," Tomey said. That is, if any of them had gone to bed.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Under The Hood: Texas A&M at Miami
by HornsFan Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 11:08:57 AM EDT
It’s time to bring back the Under The Hood series, in which we take a closer look at the numbers behind some of the week’s biggest games. With only three weeks of football played, this data doesn’t tell us too much – the sample size is just so small. Still, it’s a nice snapshot of each team’s early season performance. These will provide more insight as the season goes on.
Our first guinea pigs for the ’07 season are Texas A&M and Miami, who meet tonight in the Orange Bowl. First, the charts, then a little commentary.
<CENTER>2007 Results To Date
</CENTER>
Texas A&M margin of victory: 24.3 points
Miami margin of victory: 1.3
Texas A&M's opponents have a combined record of: <INS>2-5</INS>
Miami's opponets have a combined record of: <INS>3-6</INS>
As another rough guide, Jeff Sagarin lists Texas A&M’s strength of schedule as 140th in the country and Miami’s as 104th. Sagarin rates 243 teams for his football ratings.
How are these two teams performing statistically? Below are tables of each team's season totals, with national rank in parentheses.
<TABLE width="100%" border=1><CAPTION align=top>Texas A&M By The Numbers: Offense</CAPTION><TBODY><TR bgColor=#660000><TH>Rush YPG</TH><TH>Rush YPC</TH><TH>Rush TD</TH><TH>Pass YPG</TH><TH>Pass YPA</TH><TH>Pass TD</TH><TH>QB Rating</TH><TH>Total Offense</TH><TH>Scoring Offense</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle>296.3 (5)</TD><TD align=middle>6.35 (6)</TD><TD align=middle>14 (2)</TD><TD align=middle>148.3 (107)</TD><TD align=middle>5.4 (107)</TD><TD align=middle>3 (91)</TD><TD align=middle>107.7 (96)</TD><TD align=middle>444.7 (32)</TD><TD align=middle>46.3 (12)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="100%" border=1><CAPTION align=top>Miami By The Numbers: Offense</CAPTION><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ff6633><TH>Rush YPG</TH><TH>Rush YPC</TH><TH>Rush TD</TH><TH>Pass YPG</TH><TH>Pass YPA</TH><TH>Pass TD</TH><TH>QB Rating</TH><TH>Total Offense</TH><TH>Scoring Offense</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle>172 (47)</TD><TD align=middle>4.49 (43)</TD><TD align=middle>4 (64)</TD><TD align=middle>130.7 (113)</TD><TD align=middle>6.1 (89)</TD><TD align=middle>3 (92)</TD><TD align=middle>104.4 (101)</TD><TD align=middle>302.7 (99)</TD><TD align=middle>22.3 (83)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<CENTER>***********************************************************************************</CENTER>
<TABLE width="100%" border=1><CAPTION align=top>Texas A&M By The Numbers: Defense</CAPTION><TBODY><TR bgColor=#660000><TH>Rush YPG</TH><TH>Rush YPC</TH><TH>Rush TD</TH><TH>Pass YPG</TH><TH>Pass YPA</TH><TH>Pass TD</TH><TH>QB Rating</TH><TH>Total Defense</TH><TH>Scoring Defense</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle>151.0 (57)</TD><TD align=middle>3.51 (49)</TD><TD align=middle>5 (83)</TD><TD align=middle>232.3 (70)</TD><TD align=middle>6.6 (59)</TD><TD align=middle>4 (67)</TD><TD align=middle>118.6 (53)</TD><TD align=middle>383.3 (75)</TD><TD align=middle>22.0 (53)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="100%" border=1><CAPTION align=top>Miami By The Numbers: Defense</CAPTION><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ff6633><TH>Rush YPG</TH><TH>Rush YPC</TH><TH>Rush TD</TH><TH>Pass YPG</TH><TH>Pass YPA</TH><TH>Pass TD</TH><TH>QB Rating</TH><TH>Total Defense</TH><TH>Scoring Defense</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle>108.7 (34)</TD><TD align=middle>2.86 (34)</TD><TD align=middle>0 (t1)</TD><TD align=middle>194.3 (42)</TD><TD align=middle>7.6 (89)</TD><TD align=middle>7 (100)</TD><TD align=middle>139.1 (87)</TD><TD align=middle>303.0 (26)</TD><TD align=middle>21.0 (47)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
All stats via CFB Stats
Charts? Charts!
So what can we draw from all this?
*It should be noted again that we can’t glean too much from this. A&M’s played two awful opponents, and one decent one. Miami’s wiped up two bad teams, and been hosed by a great one. Really, we find out about these teams tonight.
*Miami’s passing defense was positively shredded by Sam Bradford (22-28, 295 yards, 6 TDs), but the run defense performed pretty solidly against OU (2.85 YPA). This is a classic "something’s gotta give" matchup, as A&M brings their bulldozing rush attack against one of the better run-stopping units in the country. You think Randy Shannon will be trying to force Stephen McGee to win this game with his arm? I certainly do.
*On the flipside, Texas A&M would probably like Kyle Wright to have to beat A&M. The Aggies don’t have a tremendously athletic defense, and I’d expect them to spend as much capital as they dare trying to keep Miami from establishing a consistent running game. For both teams then, it’s a game of making the opposing quarterback try to play Division 1 football.
*Should we expect a low-scoring slugfest, then? I’d guess so. This looks like a made-to-order game of extreme rushing, ball control, and battle for field position. First to 13 wins! (Seriously, that might do it.)
*But hey – it’s football on a Thursday night. I can dig it.
by HornsFan Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 11:08:57 AM EDT
It’s time to bring back the Under The Hood series, in which we take a closer look at the numbers behind some of the week’s biggest games. With only three weeks of football played, this data doesn’t tell us too much – the sample size is just so small. Still, it’s a nice snapshot of each team’s early season performance. These will provide more insight as the season goes on.
Our first guinea pigs for the ’07 season are Texas A&M and Miami, who meet tonight in the Orange Bowl. First, the charts, then a little commentary.
<CENTER>2007 Results To Date
Texas A&M margin of victory: 24.3 points
Miami margin of victory: 1.3
Texas A&M's opponents have a combined record of: <INS>2-5</INS>
Miami's opponets have a combined record of: <INS>3-6</INS>
As another rough guide, Jeff Sagarin lists Texas A&M’s strength of schedule as 140th in the country and Miami’s as 104th. Sagarin rates 243 teams for his football ratings.
How are these two teams performing statistically? Below are tables of each team's season totals, with national rank in parentheses.
<TABLE width="100%" border=1><CAPTION align=top>Texas A&M By The Numbers: Offense</CAPTION><TBODY><TR bgColor=#660000><TH>Rush YPG</TH><TH>Rush YPC</TH><TH>Rush TD</TH><TH>Pass YPG</TH><TH>Pass YPA</TH><TH>Pass TD</TH><TH>QB Rating</TH><TH>Total Offense</TH><TH>Scoring Offense</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle>296.3 (5)</TD><TD align=middle>6.35 (6)</TD><TD align=middle>14 (2)</TD><TD align=middle>148.3 (107)</TD><TD align=middle>5.4 (107)</TD><TD align=middle>3 (91)</TD><TD align=middle>107.7 (96)</TD><TD align=middle>444.7 (32)</TD><TD align=middle>46.3 (12)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="100%" border=1><CAPTION align=top>Miami By The Numbers: Offense</CAPTION><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ff6633><TH>Rush YPG</TH><TH>Rush YPC</TH><TH>Rush TD</TH><TH>Pass YPG</TH><TH>Pass YPA</TH><TH>Pass TD</TH><TH>QB Rating</TH><TH>Total Offense</TH><TH>Scoring Offense</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle>172 (47)</TD><TD align=middle>4.49 (43)</TD><TD align=middle>4 (64)</TD><TD align=middle>130.7 (113)</TD><TD align=middle>6.1 (89)</TD><TD align=middle>3 (92)</TD><TD align=middle>104.4 (101)</TD><TD align=middle>302.7 (99)</TD><TD align=middle>22.3 (83)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<CENTER>***********************************************************************************</CENTER>
<TABLE width="100%" border=1><CAPTION align=top>Texas A&M By The Numbers: Defense</CAPTION><TBODY><TR bgColor=#660000><TH>Rush YPG</TH><TH>Rush YPC</TH><TH>Rush TD</TH><TH>Pass YPG</TH><TH>Pass YPA</TH><TH>Pass TD</TH><TH>QB Rating</TH><TH>Total Defense</TH><TH>Scoring Defense</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle>151.0 (57)</TD><TD align=middle>3.51 (49)</TD><TD align=middle>5 (83)</TD><TD align=middle>232.3 (70)</TD><TD align=middle>6.6 (59)</TD><TD align=middle>4 (67)</TD><TD align=middle>118.6 (53)</TD><TD align=middle>383.3 (75)</TD><TD align=middle>22.0 (53)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="100%" border=1><CAPTION align=top>Miami By The Numbers: Defense</CAPTION><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ff6633><TH>Rush YPG</TH><TH>Rush YPC</TH><TH>Rush TD</TH><TH>Pass YPG</TH><TH>Pass YPA</TH><TH>Pass TD</TH><TH>QB Rating</TH><TH>Total Defense</TH><TH>Scoring Defense</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle>108.7 (34)</TD><TD align=middle>2.86 (34)</TD><TD align=middle>0 (t1)</TD><TD align=middle>194.3 (42)</TD><TD align=middle>7.6 (89)</TD><TD align=middle>7 (100)</TD><TD align=middle>139.1 (87)</TD><TD align=middle>303.0 (26)</TD><TD align=middle>21.0 (47)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
All stats via CFB Stats
Charts? Charts!
So what can we draw from all this?
*It should be noted again that we can’t glean too much from this. A&M’s played two awful opponents, and one decent one. Miami’s wiped up two bad teams, and been hosed by a great one. Really, we find out about these teams tonight.
*Miami’s passing defense was positively shredded by Sam Bradford (22-28, 295 yards, 6 TDs), but the run defense performed pretty solidly against OU (2.85 YPA). This is a classic "something’s gotta give" matchup, as A&M brings their bulldozing rush attack against one of the better run-stopping units in the country. You think Randy Shannon will be trying to force Stephen McGee to win this game with his arm? I certainly do.
*On the flipside, Texas A&M would probably like Kyle Wright to have to beat A&M. The Aggies don’t have a tremendously athletic defense, and I’d expect them to spend as much capital as they dare trying to keep Miami from establishing a consistent running game. For both teams then, it’s a game of making the opposing quarterback try to play Division 1 football.
*Should we expect a low-scoring slugfest, then? I’d guess so. This looks like a made-to-order game of extreme rushing, ball control, and battle for field position. First to 13 wins! (Seriously, that might do it.)
*But hey – it’s football on a Thursday night. I can dig it.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Week 4 Money Picks
Posted on September 20th, 2007 by Shawn
Shawn (7-8)
1. Ball St. @ Nebraska -21.5 ***Nebraska***
2. Oklahoma @ Tulsa +20.5 ***Oklahoma***
3. Utah @ UNLV +8.5 ***Utah***
4. East Carolina @ West Virginia -24.5 ***West Virginia***
5. Marshall @ Cincinnatti -22 ***Cincinnati***
Anthony (6-9)
1. Oklahoma @ Tulsa +20.5 ***Oklahoma***
2. Ball St. @ Nebraska -21.5 ***Nebraska***
3. Florida @ Ole Miss +21 ***Florida***
4. Iowa @ Wisconsin -7.5 ***Wisconsin***
5. Army @ Boston College -28.5 ***Army***
Posted on September 20th, 2007 by Shawn
1. Ball St. @ Nebraska -21.5 ***Nebraska***
2. Oklahoma @ Tulsa +20.5 ***Oklahoma***
3. Utah @ UNLV +8.5 ***Utah***
4. East Carolina @ West Virginia -24.5 ***West Virginia***
5. Marshall @ Cincinnatti -22 ***Cincinnati***
Anthony (6-9)
1. Oklahoma @ Tulsa +20.5 ***Oklahoma***
2. Ball St. @ Nebraska -21.5 ***Nebraska***
3. Florida @ Ole Miss +21 ***Florida***
4. Iowa @ Wisconsin -7.5 ***Wisconsin***
5. Army @ Boston College -28.5 ***Army***
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Okay, Seriously, What Is Up With This Demetrius Jones Thing?
Posted Sep 20th 2007 1:37PM by Brian Cook
Filed under: Notre Dame Football, NCAA FB Recruiting, Featured Stories, Northern Illinois Football
So, so weird. And getting weirder.
1) In the story linked yesterday there was no mention of one salient fact in Notre Dame's decision not to release Demetrius Jones: NIU has no scholarships this year and was going to be paying his own way anyway:
2) Running back James Aldridge joins the 'Weis is a liar" team:
3) Weis says this won't hurt Chicago area recruiting:
Notre Dame's ship down to 1-7.
Meanwhile, Michigan State is favored by 12.5 virtually everywhere after the line opened at 4.5 earlier this week.
Filed under: Notre Dame Football, NCAA FB Recruiting, Featured Stories, Northern Illinois Football
1) In the story linked yesterday there was no mention of one salient fact in Notre Dame's decision not to release Demetrius Jones: NIU has no scholarships this year and was going to be paying his own way anyway:
He will not be able to receive an athletic scholarship from Northern Illinois this school year without the release-though a spokeswoman for the football program said it doesn't have a scholarship to give Jones anyway. But a lack of release should not preclude Jones from practicing with the Huskies once he clears various hurdles with the school, according to the spokeswoman.
Football scholarships are renewed on an annual basis, so Jones would not be stuck in football purgatory. He would be released from Notre Dame before next season and NIU could give Jones a scholarship at that time if it so chooses.
So the net effect here is zero. We can take back the nasty things said yesterday and replace it with a new question: why expose yourself to that crappy PR for no reason whatsoever? To "send a message"? What is that message? "We don't understand the way the media works?" "We hate the idea of recruiting Chicago?" "Our decided schematic advantage does not extend to the most basic PR concepts?"Football scholarships are renewed on an annual basis, so Jones would not be stuck in football purgatory. He would be released from Notre Dame before next season and NIU could give Jones a scholarship at that time if it so chooses.
2) Running back James Aldridge joins the 'Weis is a liar" team:
On Tuesday, Weis said he didn't know that Jones was leaving the team until 20 minutes before the team bus departed Friday for Michigan. Jones has said in published reports that isn't true, that Notre Dame coaches knew.
And Notre Dame running back James Aldridge said this: ''The coaches, they knew.''
Which is so bizarre. Why would Aldridge, still a member of the team in good standing, call out the coaches? And what is the point of the coaches lying about that in the first place? What is the possible motivation? None of this makes sense. Jones and Aldridge claim the coaches new; Weis claims they did not and the administration refuses to grant his release.And Notre Dame running back James Aldridge said this: ''The coaches, they knew.''
3) Weis says this won't hurt Chicago area recruiting:
"Anything that anyone wants to know, I have one of the greatest resources going, one of the most respected people to come out of the Chicago Public League," Weis said Wednesday. "I don't think we'll have any problems with the Chicago Public League."
Please note the "*I* have one of the greatest resources going." That's quintessential Weis. We'll see if either Darius Fleming or Stephen Filer bolt (I don't think Filer is in the public league, but he's a Chicago-area kid) as Weis takes Notre Dame's ship down to 1-7.
Meanwhile, Michigan State is favored by 12.5 virtually everywhere after the line opened at 4.5 earlier this week.
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
RJ Esq
Prick Since 1974
Sagarin vs. Vegas, weekly picks
For an explanation of the Sagarin System I am using, click this link. Vegas spreads are from Pinnacle Sports and are published here.
This week's picks (Note: the rest of the pics will be up later. I wanted to get this one up because the game is tonight.):
For an explanation of the Sagarin System I am using, click this link. Vegas spreads are from Pinnacle Sports and are published here.
This week's picks (Note: the rest of the pics will be up later. I wanted to get this one up because the game is tonight.):
Texas A&M at Miami (FL)
Vegas Favorite: Miami
Vegas Spread: 2
Sagarin Predictor Rating for Miami: 71.90
Sagarin Predictor Rating for A&M: 81.15
Sagarin Home advantage: 2.93
Sagarin Spread: A&M -6.43
Sagarin suggests: Take A&M and get 2 points
Vegas Favorite: Miami
Vegas Spread: 2
Sagarin Predictor Rating for Miami: 71.90
Sagarin Predictor Rating for A&M: 81.15
Sagarin Home advantage: 2.93
Sagarin Spread: A&M -6.43
Sagarin suggests: Take A&M and get 2 points
