Well, the Yankees have done it again. I mentioned last week after the signing of CC Sabathia that the Yankees are what is wrong with baseball. I realize that they are not doing anything against the rules, however this off season is the perfect example of the need of a salary cap in Major League Baseball.
With the signing of Mark Teixeira for $180M over the next 8 years the Yankees have now spent just under $430M in the past month. Let's look at that number again, $430,000,000.00.
So, that got me wondering and I hit the research lab. Here are some tidbits that I came up with:
* With $430M dollars the Yankees could purchase nearly one quarter of General Motors, and help the entire US economy by doing so.
* The Yankees now have the rights to the four highest paid players in baseball, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia. They owe those players $805M dollars throughout the life of their contracts.
* The Yankees just received a $26.9M bill from commissioner Bud Selig for the luxury tax the Yankees owe from the 2008 season. That is more than the entire Florida Marlins team salary last season.
And the tough one for any Pirates fan to read...
* Through the Pirates current streak of 16 consecutive losing season the team has spent a TOTAL of $478.2M in salary over those 16 seasons. The Yankees spent nearly that much in the past few weeks.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
THE TROUBLE TRACKER
It was a big week for The Tracker. This week we add a coach for the first time in Tracker history.
The Coach:
The head coach of the Ole Miss basketball team, Andy Kennedy, had a very rough trip to Cincinnati this past week. While he accompanied his team he assaulted a cabbie in the Queen City. He is accused of punching the cabbie and calling him “bin laden”. To make matters worse he then coached his Rebels to a 77-68 defeat against Louisville in the Big East / SEC Challenge.
The Football players:
Michigan State joins Michigan in beating up its own schools hockey players this season. Two Spartan freshman, Glenn Winston and Mitchell White, face misdemeanor charges for assault after hospitalizing a Spartan hockey player after an altercation at a house party in East Lansing.
SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 5
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
the Ohio State University - 2
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Michigan State - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
Texas Tech - 1
UCONN – 1
Kansas – 1
Syracuse - 1
Ole Miss - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 5 schools (45% of schools in conference)
SEC - 4 (33%)
Big XII - 3 (25%)
Big East - 3 (19%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
The Coach:
The head coach of the Ole Miss basketball team, Andy Kennedy, had a very rough trip to Cincinnati this past week. While he accompanied his team he assaulted a cabbie in the Queen City. He is accused of punching the cabbie and calling him “bin laden”. To make matters worse he then coached his Rebels to a 77-68 defeat against Louisville in the Big East / SEC Challenge.
The Football players:
Michigan State joins Michigan in beating up its own schools hockey players this season. Two Spartan freshman, Glenn Winston and Mitchell White, face misdemeanor charges for assault after hospitalizing a Spartan hockey player after an altercation at a house party in East Lansing.
SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 5
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
the Ohio State University - 2
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Michigan State - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
Texas Tech - 1
UCONN – 1
Kansas – 1
Syracuse - 1
Ole Miss - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 5 schools (45% of schools in conference)
SEC - 4 (33%)
Big XII - 3 (25%)
Big East - 3 (19%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Friday, December 19, 2008
A TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
VS
#7 Richmond Spiders (12-3) vs #4 Montana Grizzlies (14-1)
Four former WPIAL players have a chance at winning a REAL college football national championship tonight. The Richmond Spiders are playing Montana in the D-1AA (also known as the Football Championship Series) Title game in Chattanooga, TN.
D-1AA is the highest level of collegiate football that plays a playoff to determine their champion. Imagine that, a playoff determine the true champion. Richmond and Montana would have both been left out of this game had it been set up with the BCS system that ruins the current system of college football. Montana entered the 16-team playoff as the #4 seed and Richmond as the #7 seed. Both teams had huge upsets along the way. Montana defeated top-seeded James Madison last Friday in the first semifinal, while Richmond has defeated two top teams each of the last two weeks. Richmond defeated third seeded Northern Iowa last Saturday, one week after beating 3-time defending champion and Big Ten runner-up last season Appalachian State. Richmond held the high-powered Mountaineer offense to just 13 points, matching the lowest output they scored all year. The other time they scored that few came against LSU, the defending BCS Champion. The Spiders also forced star QB Armanti Edwards to throw five interceptions. He had thrown just four all season prior to that game.
The Spiders have a little Western Pennsylvania flavor on the team. Four players on the Richmond roster hail from the Greater Pittsburgh area including three players that see the field quite a bit. On offense starting LG Matthew McCracken (Mt. Lebanon) and TE Joe Monteverde (Chartiers Valley), lead the way, while red-shirt freshman OL Jason Sakoian (Upper St. Clair) has also gotten reps during the year. On defense starting LB Jordan Shoop (Knoch) ranks fifth on the team with 63 tackles, he also has 3.5 sacks and 2 interceptions on the season.
The Spiders have certainly had their struggles this season starting the year 4-3 after a heart breaking loss to James Madison where Richmond allowed 15 points in the last :59 of a 38-31 loss to the top team in the nation. After that game, the chances of the Spiders even making the playoffs seemed bleak, let alone making it all the way to the title game tonight. From that point forward, though the Spiders defense has led this team on an incredible run. They have won eight straight games allowing only 13.25 points per game during that span. To put that in perspective, if they had done that all year, they would rank fourth out of 118 teams in the FCS in scoring defense.
The Spiders play in the CAA, which is basically the SEC of D-1AA. Five of the 16-playoff teams selected came from this 12-team conference. Maine was seeded 14th to begin the playoffs and lost in the 1st round to Northern Iowa 40-15. Villanova, which beat Richmond early in the season, was seeded eighth and lost to James Madison in the 2nd round. New Hampshire was the six seed and they also lost to Northern Iowa, this came in the 2nd round. James Madison also plays in the CAA and as mentioned above lost last week to Montana.
You can watch this National Championship game live tonight on ESPN2 at 8pm.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Just Syracuse Being Syracuse
Last night Cleveland State shocked the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome with a 60 foot buzzer beat to beat the Orange and hand them their first defeat, 72-69. However this is nothing new to the Syracuse teams in recent history. Losing at home, early in the season, is almost a given for Syracuse now-a-days. Since winning the National Title in the 2002-03 season Syracuse has lost at home to a no-name, automatic win on the schedule every year but one.
You know the old saying, "Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence and anymore is a problem." Well, maybe that isn't the exact quote but you get the picture. While most of these teams that beat the Orange put together good seasons, they should never be on the level as a program like Syracuse. Take a look at some of the games the Jimmy B and the Orange have lost int he past few years:
Nov 26 2003:
96-92 loss to Charlotte - The 49ers had just lost to George Washington nine days earlier.
Nov 22 2005:
74-69 loss to Bucknell - Bucknell lost to Santa Clara and N.Iowa that year, but beat Syracuse.
Dec 19 2006:
84-79 loss to Drexel - Drexel were coming off back to back losses to Penn and Rider before beating Team Boeheim.
Nov 28 2007:
107-100 loss to UMASS - The Minutemen followed that game up by losing to IUPUI
Dec 8 2007:
91-89 loss to Rhode Island - Rhode Island finished the year 21-10
MONDAY:
72-69 loss to Cleveland State - The Vikings were 6-4 going into that game beating 6 nobodies.
Here is the last shot again!
You know the old saying, "Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence and anymore is a problem." Well, maybe that isn't the exact quote but you get the picture. While most of these teams that beat the Orange put together good seasons, they should never be on the level as a program like Syracuse. Take a look at some of the games the Jimmy B and the Orange have lost int he past few years:
Nov 26 2003:
96-92 loss to Charlotte - The 49ers had just lost to George Washington nine days earlier.
Nov 22 2005:
74-69 loss to Bucknell - Bucknell lost to Santa Clara and N.Iowa that year, but beat Syracuse.
Dec 19 2006:
84-79 loss to Drexel - Drexel were coming off back to back losses to Penn and Rider before beating Team Boeheim.
Nov 28 2007:
107-100 loss to UMASS - The Minutemen followed that game up by losing to IUPUI
Dec 8 2007:
91-89 loss to Rhode Island - Rhode Island finished the year 21-10
MONDAY:
72-69 loss to Cleveland State - The Vikings were 6-4 going into that game beating 6 nobodies.
Here is the last shot again!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Congratulations Darrelle Revis
Former Aliquippa and Pitt star Darrelle Revis was named to the NFL Pro-Bowl today in just his second season in the league. Revis was named as a reserve DB to the AFC team. Revis was selected 14th overall after the Jets traded up to pick him in the 2007 draft.
I sat down with Darrelle Revis right before that draft and was at his house for the draft. Here is one of my first interviews for this site, with Pro-Bowler Darrelle Revis.
Other Pittsburgh related players to make this years Pro Bowl include Steelers, James Harrison and Troy Polamalu, both of who will start, as well as James Farrior who was named as a back-up. A Jet teammate of Revis' and former Steeler Alan Fanaca was selected as a starter. Former Pitt standout Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald was also named a starter for the NFC team.
Here is a complete list of players to make the 2009 NFL Pro-Bowl.
I sat down with Darrelle Revis right before that draft and was at his house for the draft. Here is one of my first interviews for this site, with Pro-Bowler Darrelle Revis.
Other Pittsburgh related players to make this years Pro Bowl include Steelers, James Harrison and Troy Polamalu, both of who will start, as well as James Farrior who was named as a back-up. A Jet teammate of Revis' and former Steeler Alan Fanaca was selected as a starter. Former Pitt standout Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald was also named a starter for the NFC team.
Here is a complete list of players to make the 2009 NFL Pro-Bowl.
TROUBLE TRACKER
What happens when you give an Ohio State player an extended period of time off?
They show up on the Tracker.
Freshman defensive lineman Nathan Williams was arrested last Wednesday for shoplifting shirts from a Macy's department store in the Dayton area. He entered a plead of not guilty today.
This is just another reason the Big Ten should extend its regular season to fit with every other conference in America. The Big Ten ends their season every year before Thanksgiving, forcing the teams sometimes up to 6 weeks between the end of the season and their bowl games. This also allows players at these Big Ten schools (which lead all other conferences in getting in trouble this season) that much more time to go out and do something stupid.
SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 5
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
the Ohio State University - 2
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
Texas Tech - 1
UCONN – 1
Kansas – 1
Syracuse - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of schools in conference)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big XII - 3 (25%)
Big East - 3 (19%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
They show up on the Tracker.
Freshman defensive lineman Nathan Williams was arrested last Wednesday for shoplifting shirts from a Macy's department store in the Dayton area. He entered a plead of not guilty today.
This is just another reason the Big Ten should extend its regular season to fit with every other conference in America. The Big Ten ends their season every year before Thanksgiving, forcing the teams sometimes up to 6 weeks between the end of the season and their bowl games. This also allows players at these Big Ten schools (which lead all other conferences in getting in trouble this season) that much more time to go out and do something stupid.
SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 5
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
the Ohio State University - 2
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
Texas Tech - 1
UCONN – 1
Kansas – 1
Syracuse - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of schools in conference)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big XII - 3 (25%)
Big East - 3 (19%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Friday, December 12, 2008
America's Former Pastime
The New York Yankees gave baseball fans across the country 161 more reasons to hate the Yankees on Wednesday.
The Yankees have received nearly $850M in taxpayer investments from the city and state of New York and have recently asked the city taxpayers to pitch in another $259M to complete the new teams new stadium. Then the next day the team goes out and out-bids only themselves to offer free agent pitcher CC Sabathia a record contract of $161M over seven years.
Something needs to be done in baseball to change these spending methods, not just by the Yankees but all teams. Sabathia will make more per year in this deal than the entire Florida Marlin team made last year.
I understand that the Yankees are playing by rules and are not doing anything wrong. I understand that they have the money to spend, and that is exactly what they are doing. I do not understand two things about this. First, how can Major League Baseball can sit around, watch this spending, and not see anything wrong with it? Secondly, how are the taxpayers of New York not rioting in the streets about the Yankees asking them to pay more towards their new stadium, when the they go out and spend their money like they do?
This is not good for the people of New York. Yes, the Yankees ownership has the money and can afford to do this. I understand this. The Yankees ownership is also very dependent on the people of New York City to sell out the brand new, two billion dollar stadium that will open in April. Now not only do they want to the city to come up for more money, but they will also need them to by the tickets to their stadium, tickets that cost up to $2,500 a seat. In this current economic struggle that most of America is dealing with, this is a terrible message being sent by the entire Yankee organization.
Okay, let us move past the economy factor and look at why this deal is terrible for baseball.
Sabathia is from the west coast. He is currently building a house in southern California. The Angels, Dodgers, and Giants were all very interested in his services for the next few years. They were all offering him substantially less than what the Yankees originally offered ($140M). Yet, Sabathia considered these offers (the highest reported offer excluding the Yankees was $115M). Sabathia did not want to play in New York. He did not want to be a Yankee, but the Yankees upped their offer another $21M and he took it because nobody else stepped to the plate.
Can you blame Sabathia? Not at all, I do not think anyone can blame him. However, you can blame baseball.
Baseball has not been played on an even playing field since the 1994 strike. This move by the Yankees just shows how uneven that playing field really is. The story out of Las Vegas this week during the Winter Meetings was that GM’s were told to cut back because teams were cutting back their budgets due to the economy. Not the Yankees, they did not have any competition for Sabathia so they started out-bidding themselves. How can cities like Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Cleveland compete with a team like the Yankees unless Major League Baseball steps in and does something? Cleveland offered Sabathia a $72M deal for four years during this past spring training and he turned it down. Again, do not fault Sabathia, fault the system that he knew would allow him to make much more in the open market of free agency. These smaller cities just become farm systems for the bigger market teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox and Angels.
Look at the Pirates. This year will mark their seventeenth straight season with a losing record. This will set the all-time mark by any professional team in any professional sport. During this time, the Pirates lost players like Tim Wakefield, Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds, Doug Drabek, Jay Bell, Denny Neagle, Esteban Loaiza, Jason Schmidt, Jeff Suppan, Brian Giles, Oliver Perez, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady because they could not afford to sign them. All of these players have gone on to very successful careers for other teams.
A signing like the Yankees made with Sabathia give little to no hope to the smaller market teams and shows everything that is wrong with the game I love. And that is exactly the reason that baseball is no longer America’s Pastime.
The Yankees have received nearly $850M in taxpayer investments from the city and state of New York and have recently asked the city taxpayers to pitch in another $259M to complete the new teams new stadium. Then the next day the team goes out and out-bids only themselves to offer free agent pitcher CC Sabathia a record contract of $161M over seven years.
Something needs to be done in baseball to change these spending methods, not just by the Yankees but all teams. Sabathia will make more per year in this deal than the entire Florida Marlin team made last year.
I understand that the Yankees are playing by rules and are not doing anything wrong. I understand that they have the money to spend, and that is exactly what they are doing. I do not understand two things about this. First, how can Major League Baseball can sit around, watch this spending, and not see anything wrong with it? Secondly, how are the taxpayers of New York not rioting in the streets about the Yankees asking them to pay more towards their new stadium, when the they go out and spend their money like they do?
This is not good for the people of New York. Yes, the Yankees ownership has the money and can afford to do this. I understand this. The Yankees ownership is also very dependent on the people of New York City to sell out the brand new, two billion dollar stadium that will open in April. Now not only do they want to the city to come up for more money, but they will also need them to by the tickets to their stadium, tickets that cost up to $2,500 a seat. In this current economic struggle that most of America is dealing with, this is a terrible message being sent by the entire Yankee organization.
Okay, let us move past the economy factor and look at why this deal is terrible for baseball.
Sabathia is from the west coast. He is currently building a house in southern California. The Angels, Dodgers, and Giants were all very interested in his services for the next few years. They were all offering him substantially less than what the Yankees originally offered ($140M). Yet, Sabathia considered these offers (the highest reported offer excluding the Yankees was $115M). Sabathia did not want to play in New York. He did not want to be a Yankee, but the Yankees upped their offer another $21M and he took it because nobody else stepped to the plate.
Can you blame Sabathia? Not at all, I do not think anyone can blame him. However, you can blame baseball.
Baseball has not been played on an even playing field since the 1994 strike. This move by the Yankees just shows how uneven that playing field really is. The story out of Las Vegas this week during the Winter Meetings was that GM’s were told to cut back because teams were cutting back their budgets due to the economy. Not the Yankees, they did not have any competition for Sabathia so they started out-bidding themselves. How can cities like Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Cleveland compete with a team like the Yankees unless Major League Baseball steps in and does something? Cleveland offered Sabathia a $72M deal for four years during this past spring training and he turned it down. Again, do not fault Sabathia, fault the system that he knew would allow him to make much more in the open market of free agency. These smaller cities just become farm systems for the bigger market teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox and Angels.
Look at the Pirates. This year will mark their seventeenth straight season with a losing record. This will set the all-time mark by any professional team in any professional sport. During this time, the Pirates lost players like Tim Wakefield, Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds, Doug Drabek, Jay Bell, Denny Neagle, Esteban Loaiza, Jason Schmidt, Jeff Suppan, Brian Giles, Oliver Perez, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady because they could not afford to sign them. All of these players have gone on to very successful careers for other teams.
A signing like the Yankees made with Sabathia give little to no hope to the smaller market teams and shows everything that is wrong with the game I love. And that is exactly the reason that baseball is no longer America’s Pastime.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
TROUBLE TRACKER
TROUBLE TRACKER HITS THE HARDWOOD
As we finish the regular season in football, the Tracker moves indoors to the hardwood. We have had some incidents earlier in the season, but none to BCS conference programs. That is until now. Two incidents involving females get added to the Tracker this week.
#1) Markieff Morris, a freshman forward for the Kansas Jayhawks becomes the front-runner for the “Dumbest Thing You Could Possibly Do on a College Campus” Award. This happened in August, but his punishment has finally come down. Morris will have to serve 20 hours of community service after shooting a 47-year-old woman with a 3-foot long Air Rifle BB Gun. The female was hit in the arm as she walked through the campus courtyard. Morris was shooting the BB gun from the Jayhawk Towers on campus.
#2) Syracuse University disciplinary board has recommended that Eric Devendorf be suspended for the remainder of the academic year for allegedly hitting a female student in the face. Devendorf plans to appeal the ruling handed down by the school, which says he broke the Student Code of Conduct. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said that the appeal process can take anywhere from 15 to 20 days. He will remain a part of the team until the appeal is resolved.
SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 5
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
Texas Tech - 1
UCONN – 1
Kansas – 1
Syracuse - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of schools in conference)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big XII - 3 (25%)
Big East - 3 (19%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
As we finish the regular season in football, the Tracker moves indoors to the hardwood. We have had some incidents earlier in the season, but none to BCS conference programs. That is until now. Two incidents involving females get added to the Tracker this week.
#1) Markieff Morris, a freshman forward for the Kansas Jayhawks becomes the front-runner for the “Dumbest Thing You Could Possibly Do on a College Campus” Award. This happened in August, but his punishment has finally come down. Morris will have to serve 20 hours of community service after shooting a 47-year-old woman with a 3-foot long Air Rifle BB Gun. The female was hit in the arm as she walked through the campus courtyard. Morris was shooting the BB gun from the Jayhawk Towers on campus.
#2) Syracuse University disciplinary board has recommended that Eric Devendorf be suspended for the remainder of the academic year for allegedly hitting a female student in the face. Devendorf plans to appeal the ruling handed down by the school, which says he broke the Student Code of Conduct. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said that the appeal process can take anywhere from 15 to 20 days. He will remain a part of the team until the appeal is resolved.
SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 5
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
Texas Tech - 1
UCONN – 1
Kansas – 1
Syracuse - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of schools in conference)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big XII - 3 (25%)
Big East - 3 (19%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
T3R - Week 8
Do I think that the two best teams in the country are playing for the National Championship? Yes. Do I think that the BCS and college football in general got it right? No. My problem with all the pro-BCS commentators is that they all say that the season is the playoff in college football, and that is what makes every game so important. If that is the case, how in the world did Texas beat Oklahoma on a neutral field in October, yet OU is playing for the Championship and Texas is not? Last time I checked in the MLB playoffs, when a team loses they don’t get to play in the championship over the team that beat them.
This week is just rankings with the upcoming bowl game of each team. I will be doing bowl previews and predictions as we get closer to the start of the games.
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (12-1)
LAST WEEK: 31-20 win vs Alabama
BOWL GAME: Jan 8, BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME vs #2 Oklahoma
#2 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (12-1)
LAST WEEK: 62-21 win vs Missouri
BOWL GAME: Jan 8, BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME vs #1 Florida
#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 5, Fiesta Bowl vs #8 Ohio State
#4 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: 28-7 win @ UCLA
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Rose Bowl vs #6 Penn State
#5 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (12-1)
LAST WEEK: 31-20 loss vs Florida
BOWL GAME: Jan 2, Sugar Bowl vs #7 Utah
#6 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Rose Bowl vs #4 Southern Cal
#7 UTAH UTES (12-0)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 2, Sugar Bowl vs #5 Alabama
#8 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (10-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 5, Fiesta Bowl vs #3 Texas
#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (12-0)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 23, Poinsettia Bowl vs #17 TCU
#10 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 2, Cotton Bowl vs #18 Mississippi
#11 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (11-2)
LAST WEEK: 29-24 win @ Hawaii
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Orange Bowl vs #14 Virginia Tech
#12 GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 31, Chick-fil-A Bowl vs LSU
#13 OREGON DUCKS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 30, Holiday Bowl vs #19 Oklahoma State
#14 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (9-4)
LAST WEEK: 30-12 win vs Boston College
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Orange Bowl vs #11 Cincinnati
#15 PITT PANTHERS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: 34-7 win @ UCONN
BOWL GAME: Dec 31, Sun Bowl vs #20 Oregon State
#16 IOWA HAWKEYES (8-4)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Outback Bowl vs South Carolina
#17 TCU HORNED FROGS (10-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 23, Poinsettia Bowl vs #9 Boise State
#18 MISSISSIPPI REBELS (8-4)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 2, Cotton Bowl vs #10 Texas Tech
#19 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 30, Holiday Bowl vs #13 Oregon
#20 OREGON STATE BEAVERS (8-4)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 31, Sun Bowl vs #15 Pitt
This week is just rankings with the upcoming bowl game of each team. I will be doing bowl previews and predictions as we get closer to the start of the games.
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (12-1)
LAST WEEK: 31-20 win vs Alabama
BOWL GAME: Jan 8, BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME vs #2 Oklahoma
#2 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (12-1)
LAST WEEK: 62-21 win vs Missouri
BOWL GAME: Jan 8, BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME vs #1 Florida
#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 5, Fiesta Bowl vs #8 Ohio State
#4 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: 28-7 win @ UCLA
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Rose Bowl vs #6 Penn State
#5 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (12-1)
LAST WEEK: 31-20 loss vs Florida
BOWL GAME: Jan 2, Sugar Bowl vs #7 Utah
#6 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Rose Bowl vs #4 Southern Cal
#7 UTAH UTES (12-0)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 2, Sugar Bowl vs #5 Alabama
#8 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (10-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 5, Fiesta Bowl vs #3 Texas
#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (12-0)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 23, Poinsettia Bowl vs #17 TCU
#10 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 2, Cotton Bowl vs #18 Mississippi
#11 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (11-2)
LAST WEEK: 29-24 win @ Hawaii
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Orange Bowl vs #14 Virginia Tech
#12 GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 31, Chick-fil-A Bowl vs LSU
#13 OREGON DUCKS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 30, Holiday Bowl vs #19 Oklahoma State
#14 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (9-4)
LAST WEEK: 30-12 win vs Boston College
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Orange Bowl vs #11 Cincinnati
#15 PITT PANTHERS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: 34-7 win @ UCONN
BOWL GAME: Dec 31, Sun Bowl vs #20 Oregon State
#16 IOWA HAWKEYES (8-4)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 1, Outback Bowl vs South Carolina
#17 TCU HORNED FROGS (10-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 23, Poinsettia Bowl vs #9 Boise State
#18 MISSISSIPPI REBELS (8-4)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Jan 2, Cotton Bowl vs #10 Texas Tech
#19 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 30, Holiday Bowl vs #13 Oregon
#20 OREGON STATE BEAVERS (8-4)
LAST WEEK: OFF
BOWL GAME: Dec 31, Sun Bowl vs #15 Pitt
Friday, December 5, 2008
BLACK FRIDAY, Pitt Style
THE BACKYARD BRAWL
November 28th 2008
Forecast: HI-40, Low 29, scattered flurries
A Photo and Video Diary of the Backyard Brawl
Arrive at Jeremiah’s house at 7:30 am, he answers the door with his BIG CITY shirt on and the Pitt Fight Song going off in the back round.
Jer goes upstairs to get ready, I turn on last years 13-9 game.
Float and his buddy Matt arrive at Jer’s house, they drove in from Columbus for the game.
Pack the car, everyone comments on how it really isn’t that cold, and that we expected much worse.
Leave for the stadium
We arrive in GOLD LOT 2, and park in our now regular VIP spot, about a pitching wedge away from Heinz Field.
It is cold, really cold. Damn rivers and the wind blowing off them. Everyone puts on an extra layer, or five if you are Jer.
We decided early in the season that Old German Premium Lager was the only way to go for a game like today's!
We get the grill ready and debate on how we are going to make scrambled eggs with no bowls, forks, milk or frying pan. We improvise...
We are geniuses.
Matt takes over the grill as Float blast the Pitt Marching band CD from his car stereo to much displeasure of the WVU fans sitting about seven feet from us. The Pitt Fight Song and the band’s version of Thriller seem to be on repeat. How this CD didn’t go platinum amazes me.
Finish the breakfast portion of the tailgate and as more people arrive the anti-WVU signs go up.
We notice the Pitt team walking into the stadium, we go over and cheer them on.
We hear the Pitt band march down the street, we boo them because lets face it they are the band, and they never went platinum.
I get to my seat and see my dad already there with my funcle (fake uncle) Joe and Eli. Lil Eli is there too, (I guess he is my facousin??)
GAMETIME!
Pitt gets the opening kickoff and five plays later are in the end zone for a early 7-0 lead.
After that nobody scores for a while but Pitt pretty much dominates the play, especially the defense, in a completely different way then last year. Last year Pitt blitzed all day to shut down the running lanes for Pat White and Steve Slaton, this year they rushed their four down linemen every play and that was all. Pitt line dominated the WVU line and those 4 pretty much shut down the WVU rushing attack.
END of 1st QUARTER, 7-0 Pitt
Early in the 2nd quarter Pitt QB, Bill Stull gets sacked, fumbles and gives WVU great field position. After one first down, WVU has first and goal, they are held to a FG.
I turn to my cousin and say loud enough for the cheering WVU fans in front of me to hear, “If he would have done that last year WVU would have won.” It worked, one of them responded, “You won by 4 last year that was only worth 3” (the West Virginia Board of Education should be very proud with his math). “I’m pretty sure he missed 2 of those last year didn’t he,” I reply, “that totals 6 points.” He turns away confused and mumbles something under his breathe. I WIN!
Pitt gets the ball on the ensuing kickoff and drives 62 yards in 10 plays. They have 1st and goal at the 3 yard line, they hand it to the best back in the country, Shady McCoy, he gets a yard. 2nd and goal at the 2, a reminder, McCoy leads the nation in scoring this year, and he is still on the team and did not get hurt on the previous play. Time for Cavanaugh to get “tricky.” Cavanaugh calls for a fade pass to the corner of the endzone. This is a terrible call, but what makes it worse is that Stull throws it about 10 yards short for an easy INT. WVU ball, we get nothing out of it.
HALFTIME, 7-3 Pitt
WVU receives the opening kick of the 3rd quarter and moves easily down field. Once again, they are 1st and goal and once again they are held to a FG. I again, this time louder then the time before, say, “If he would have done that last year WVU would have won.” I get a look back, but no comment. I still rule the section!
Pitt goes 3 and out and WVU drives 81 yards in 4 plays capped off by a great 54-yard run by Pat White. I am now not as confident. Being a Pitt fan, I've seen this before. They play a great first half and then in the second half the WVU offense comes out and blows the doors off Pitt, these games never end pretty.
2003- 24-24 at halftime, WVU wins 52-31
2005- 21-13 WVU at halftime, final 45-13 WVU
2006- 27-24 Pitt at haltime, WVU wins 45-27
TODAY- 7-3 Pitt at halftime, BOOM! WVU goes 9-0 in the first 9+ minutes of the 3rd quarter. This is not good.
After a few 3 and outs for both teams the 3rd quarter ends.
End of 3rd Quarter, 12-7 WVU
Bill Stull once again makes a terrible throw, his 20th of the game. This one is picked off once again giving WVU great field position. Pitt defense holds them to another FG. WVU kid doesn’t look back at me and I say nothing, confidence is no longer high.
Pitt gets the ball, Stull makes his 21st, 22nd, and 23rd and final terrible pass of the game, and Pitt punts the ball away.
Pat White doesn’t do much better passing, throwing his next pass to a wide open Jovani Chappel, the only problem is he plays for Pitt. Chappel returns it to the WVU 16 yard line.
Stull still in the game, but with 9:41 left in the game Wannestedt and Cavanaugh realize something that most Pitt fans have known all season. Bill Stull cannot win a football game for you, but Shady McCoy can.
1st play, McCoy up the middle for 11 to the WVU 5.
2nd play, McCoy up the middle for 5 and a touchdown.
WVU 15-13 (Pitt threw the ball on their 2-point conversion try and failed, again McCoy was available).
Pitt defense holds for a 3 and out and the Pitt offense is on the field.
1st play, McCoy for 3 to the Pitt 44
2nd play, McCoy for 9 to the WVU 47
3rd play, McCoy for 14 to the WVU 33
4th play, LaRod for (-2) back to WVU 35. He can have a seat for the rest of the game, McCoy is back in.
5th play, McCoy for 16 to the WVU 19
6th play, McCoy for 2 to the WVU 17
7th play, McCoy for 6 to the WVU 11 (face mask penalty moves it to the 5)
8th play, McCoy for no gain
9th play, McCoy for 4 to the 1
10th play McCoy for 1 and a touchdown.
Pitt 19-15…ballgame!
McCoy finished with a career best 183 yards on 33 carries. He had 13 carries for 89 yards in the 4th quarter.
On to the post game celebration!
Back at the car, lots of bowl trip planning, and lots of the Pitt Band CD.
On the way home Floats car busts a hose somewhere creating lots of smoke, this probably isn’t good. He pulls over at Moore Park, they go to the auto repair store down the street to get a part, and Jer and I stay with the car, it is REALLY cold!
Car is fixed and we are on our way to the nightcap, Pitt hoops at Mr. D’s. Jer and I go to JR’s for a beer before the game.
Pitt wins easily against Texas Tech who started the game off with a whiteout.
Back to JR’s this time with the other Dugan brother Jason.
Stayed at JR’s til it closed celebrating the Trifecta of the day in sports (Pitt football win, Pitt hoops win, WVU football loss).
Life is good.
Hail to Pitt!!
November 28th 2008
Forecast: HI-40, Low 29, scattered flurries
A Photo and Video Diary of the Backyard Brawl
Arrive at Jeremiah’s house at 7:30 am, he answers the door with his BIG CITY shirt on and the Pitt Fight Song going off in the back round.
Jer goes upstairs to get ready, I turn on last years 13-9 game.
Float and his buddy Matt arrive at Jer’s house, they drove in from Columbus for the game.
Pack the car, everyone comments on how it really isn’t that cold, and that we expected much worse.
Leave for the stadium
We arrive in GOLD LOT 2, and park in our now regular VIP spot, about a pitching wedge away from Heinz Field.
It is cold, really cold. Damn rivers and the wind blowing off them. Everyone puts on an extra layer, or five if you are Jer.
We decided early in the season that Old German Premium Lager was the only way to go for a game like today's!
We get the grill ready and debate on how we are going to make scrambled eggs with no bowls, forks, milk or frying pan. We improvise...
We are geniuses.
Matt takes over the grill as Float blast the Pitt Marching band CD from his car stereo to much displeasure of the WVU fans sitting about seven feet from us. The Pitt Fight Song and the band’s version of Thriller seem to be on repeat. How this CD didn’t go platinum amazes me.
Finish the breakfast portion of the tailgate and as more people arrive the anti-WVU signs go up.
We notice the Pitt team walking into the stadium, we go over and cheer them on.
We hear the Pitt band march down the street, we boo them because lets face it they are the band, and they never went platinum.
I get to my seat and see my dad already there with my funcle (fake uncle) Joe and Eli. Lil Eli is there too, (I guess he is my facousin??)
GAMETIME!
Pitt gets the opening kickoff and five plays later are in the end zone for a early 7-0 lead.
After that nobody scores for a while but Pitt pretty much dominates the play, especially the defense, in a completely different way then last year. Last year Pitt blitzed all day to shut down the running lanes for Pat White and Steve Slaton, this year they rushed their four down linemen every play and that was all. Pitt line dominated the WVU line and those 4 pretty much shut down the WVU rushing attack.
END of 1st QUARTER, 7-0 Pitt
Early in the 2nd quarter Pitt QB, Bill Stull gets sacked, fumbles and gives WVU great field position. After one first down, WVU has first and goal, they are held to a FG.
I turn to my cousin and say loud enough for the cheering WVU fans in front of me to hear, “If he would have done that last year WVU would have won.” It worked, one of them responded, “You won by 4 last year that was only worth 3” (the West Virginia Board of Education should be very proud with his math). “I’m pretty sure he missed 2 of those last year didn’t he,” I reply, “that totals 6 points.” He turns away confused and mumbles something under his breathe. I WIN!
Pitt gets the ball on the ensuing kickoff and drives 62 yards in 10 plays. They have 1st and goal at the 3 yard line, they hand it to the best back in the country, Shady McCoy, he gets a yard. 2nd and goal at the 2, a reminder, McCoy leads the nation in scoring this year, and he is still on the team and did not get hurt on the previous play. Time for Cavanaugh to get “tricky.” Cavanaugh calls for a fade pass to the corner of the endzone. This is a terrible call, but what makes it worse is that Stull throws it about 10 yards short for an easy INT. WVU ball, we get nothing out of it.
HALFTIME, 7-3 Pitt
WVU receives the opening kick of the 3rd quarter and moves easily down field. Once again, they are 1st and goal and once again they are held to a FG. I again, this time louder then the time before, say, “If he would have done that last year WVU would have won.” I get a look back, but no comment. I still rule the section!
Pitt goes 3 and out and WVU drives 81 yards in 4 plays capped off by a great 54-yard run by Pat White. I am now not as confident. Being a Pitt fan, I've seen this before. They play a great first half and then in the second half the WVU offense comes out and blows the doors off Pitt, these games never end pretty.
2003- 24-24 at halftime, WVU wins 52-31
2005- 21-13 WVU at halftime, final 45-13 WVU
2006- 27-24 Pitt at haltime, WVU wins 45-27
TODAY- 7-3 Pitt at halftime, BOOM! WVU goes 9-0 in the first 9+ minutes of the 3rd quarter. This is not good.
After a few 3 and outs for both teams the 3rd quarter ends.
End of 3rd Quarter, 12-7 WVU
Bill Stull once again makes a terrible throw, his 20th of the game. This one is picked off once again giving WVU great field position. Pitt defense holds them to another FG. WVU kid doesn’t look back at me and I say nothing, confidence is no longer high.
Pitt gets the ball, Stull makes his 21st, 22nd, and 23rd and final terrible pass of the game, and Pitt punts the ball away.
Pat White doesn’t do much better passing, throwing his next pass to a wide open Jovani Chappel, the only problem is he plays for Pitt. Chappel returns it to the WVU 16 yard line.
Stull still in the game, but with 9:41 left in the game Wannestedt and Cavanaugh realize something that most Pitt fans have known all season. Bill Stull cannot win a football game for you, but Shady McCoy can.
1st play, McCoy up the middle for 11 to the WVU 5.
2nd play, McCoy up the middle for 5 and a touchdown.
WVU 15-13 (Pitt threw the ball on their 2-point conversion try and failed, again McCoy was available).
Pitt defense holds for a 3 and out and the Pitt offense is on the field.
1st play, McCoy for 3 to the Pitt 44
2nd play, McCoy for 9 to the WVU 47
3rd play, McCoy for 14 to the WVU 33
4th play, LaRod for (-2) back to WVU 35. He can have a seat for the rest of the game, McCoy is back in.
5th play, McCoy for 16 to the WVU 19
6th play, McCoy for 2 to the WVU 17
7th play, McCoy for 6 to the WVU 11 (face mask penalty moves it to the 5)
8th play, McCoy for no gain
9th play, McCoy for 4 to the 1
10th play McCoy for 1 and a touchdown.
Pitt 19-15…ballgame!
McCoy finished with a career best 183 yards on 33 carries. He had 13 carries for 89 yards in the 4th quarter.
On to the post game celebration!
Back at the car, lots of bowl trip planning, and lots of the Pitt Band CD.
On the way home Floats car busts a hose somewhere creating lots of smoke, this probably isn’t good. He pulls over at Moore Park, they go to the auto repair store down the street to get a part, and Jer and I stay with the car, it is REALLY cold!
Car is fixed and we are on our way to the nightcap, Pitt hoops at Mr. D’s. Jer and I go to JR’s for a beer before the game.
Pitt wins easily against Texas Tech who started the game off with a whiteout.
Back to JR’s this time with the other Dugan brother Jason.
Stayed at JR’s til it closed celebrating the Trifecta of the day in sports (Pitt football win, Pitt hoops win, WVU football loss).
Life is good.
Hail to Pitt!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
TROUBLE TRACKER
We have two odd additions to the Trouble Tracker this week. The first is DB De’Shon Sanders from Texas Tech who was arrested earlier this morning with possession and intent to distributed 50 grams of cocaine. No, this is not odd due to the spelling of his name; his mother was just “creative”. This is odd because I did not think Texas Tech had any defensive players. I have watched them all season and never saw one player play defense, interesting.
The second one is a first on the Trouble Tracker; we have a mascot breaking the law. And where else, other than State College does this happen? Yes, the Nittany Lion, James Sheep (insert your own joke here), was arrested on a DUI charge. As punishment he could lose his scholarship, yes you read correctly, the Penn State mascot is on scholarship for dressing up as a furry. As for the rest of the football season, his status is in doubt for the Rose Bowl on January 1.
SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 5
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
Texas Tech - 1
UCONN - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of schoools in conference)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big East - 2 (25%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Big XII - 2 (16%)
The second one is a first on the Trouble Tracker; we have a mascot breaking the law. And where else, other than State College does this happen? Yes, the Nittany Lion, James Sheep (insert your own joke here), was arrested on a DUI charge. As punishment he could lose his scholarship, yes you read correctly, the Penn State mascot is on scholarship for dressing up as a furry. As for the rest of the football season, his status is in doubt for the Rose Bowl on January 1.
SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 5
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
Texas Tech - 1
UCONN - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of schoools in conference)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big East - 2 (25%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Big XII - 2 (16%)
FEAST WEEK
Contributed by: Jason Dugan
The first official week of college basketball has come and gone. ESPN refers to last week as Feast Week; I like to call it the Basketball Utopia. In my lifetime, there have been many great inventions and discoveries, but whoever came up with the idea or concept for ESPN is at the top of my list.
For Feast Week I worked the Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving, played cards for 8 hours, had family over for Thanksgiving dinner, spent time with my wonderful wife and son, and still found the time to watch some or all of 19 College Basketball games. Forget YouTube, Hybrid Cars or iPODs - the creation of ESPN is the greatest invention of my lifetime.
Here are some of my thoughts on those games:
Syracuse looked good. Johnny Flynn is a Big East POY guaranteed, but I still see Syracuse as a team lacking an identity. They have some good shooters, some good penetrators, good rebounding at times, but no inside scoring or mid-range shooters. Seven Big East wins, tops.
Wichita State is nicknamed the Shockers. I laugh aloud every time I hear it, and oh yea by the way, they can play. They showed lots of hustle and energy in their game against the hated Hoyas of Georgetown. For those of you that don't know what a Shocker is imagine if someone tried to use you as a bowling ball, and you liked it. I cannot wait until New Mexico State changes their nickname to the Dirty Sanchez’s’
Florida could be a really good team this year. Nick Calathes looked like the absolute best player on the floor in both games I saw him play, and reminded me a little of Larry Legend. The ability to dominate without jaw dropping athleticism, just really good at everything.
The mustache on Aron Baynes from Washington State, let's just hope that no children go missing in Washington because he now fits the description of the suspect. If he owns a van then it is certain that he will spend 48 hours in lockup answering questions.
The Washington Huskies play as if they just met each other 5 minutes before the game and called next. Their point guard is named Isaiah Thomas; maybe he will ruin the Washington program like his namesake has done everywhere he has been since retiring.
How does a team like Notre Dame gets one player that is willing to be physical and all of a sudden they are considered a "tough" team? If you start three players over 6'8" and only one of them averages more than five rebounds a game, and if only one of them shoots from the paint more than from behind the arc, you are not a physical team. Hey, these are not my rules, just the rules.
The best team by far was PITT. Name one other team that held an opponent to 100 points less than their early season best. You cannot do it.
The first official week of college basketball has come and gone. ESPN refers to last week as Feast Week; I like to call it the Basketball Utopia. In my lifetime, there have been many great inventions and discoveries, but whoever came up with the idea or concept for ESPN is at the top of my list.
For Feast Week I worked the Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving, played cards for 8 hours, had family over for Thanksgiving dinner, spent time with my wonderful wife and son, and still found the time to watch some or all of 19 College Basketball games. Forget YouTube, Hybrid Cars or iPODs - the creation of ESPN is the greatest invention of my lifetime.
Here are some of my thoughts on those games:
Syracuse looked good. Johnny Flynn is a Big East POY guaranteed, but I still see Syracuse as a team lacking an identity. They have some good shooters, some good penetrators, good rebounding at times, but no inside scoring or mid-range shooters. Seven Big East wins, tops.
Wichita State is nicknamed the Shockers. I laugh aloud every time I hear it, and oh yea by the way, they can play. They showed lots of hustle and energy in their game against the hated Hoyas of Georgetown. For those of you that don't know what a Shocker is imagine if someone tried to use you as a bowling ball, and you liked it. I cannot wait until New Mexico State changes their nickname to the Dirty Sanchez’s’
Florida could be a really good team this year. Nick Calathes looked like the absolute best player on the floor in both games I saw him play, and reminded me a little of Larry Legend. The ability to dominate without jaw dropping athleticism, just really good at everything.
The mustache on Aron Baynes from Washington State, let's just hope that no children go missing in Washington because he now fits the description of the suspect. If he owns a van then it is certain that he will spend 48 hours in lockup answering questions.
The Washington Huskies play as if they just met each other 5 minutes before the game and called next. Their point guard is named Isaiah Thomas; maybe he will ruin the Washington program like his namesake has done everywhere he has been since retiring.
How does a team like Notre Dame gets one player that is willing to be physical and all of a sudden they are considered a "tough" team? If you start three players over 6'8" and only one of them averages more than five rebounds a game, and if only one of them shoots from the paint more than from behind the arc, you are not a physical team. Hey, these are not my rules, just the rules.
The best team by far was PITT. Name one other team that held an opponent to 100 points less than their early season best. You cannot do it.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
T3R - Week 7
Okay, that is it. I am completely done with the video game offense hype that has been going around college football the past few years. I do not mind the scoring, but I want to see it backed up by some defense. I know that everyone loves the Big XII this year, but seriously guys, play some defense, PLEASE! Texas is the only team that ranks in the top 50 in the nation in total defense, and they rank 50th. When it comes to passing defense Colorado leads the way, they allow 215.33 yards per game and rank 73rd in the nation. That is right they rank 73rd of 119 team, but lead the Big XII in pass defense. By the way, USC and TCU both allow less TOTAL yards per game then Colorado does through the air. You will notice in this weeks rankings that I am taking a much closer look to see who plays defense and who just uses the time the defense is on the field as a rest period for the offense.
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: 45-14 win @ Florida State
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th vs #3 Alabama in SEC Title Game
Scoring Defense: 4th, 12.25 ppg
Total Defense: 7th, 275.67 ypg
The scary thing about this Florida team is that they are young. They have a total of ZERO starters on defense that are seniors. They showed last week that bad weather conditions would not slow down their offense. And nobody has found anything to slow down their defense. Up next, the fast surface of the Georgia Dome.
#2 TEXAS LONGHORNS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: 49-9 win vs Texas A&M
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
Scoring Defense: 21st, 18.58 ppg
Total Defense: 50th, 339.92 ypg
Texas does play a little bit of defense. They lead the nation with 3.67 sacks per game. They also have not allowed one opponent to score 40 or more against them this year. Yes, I realize that not allowing 40 points is not exactly great praise, but against these high-powered Big XII offenses that is pretty good. They have held seven of their 12 opponents to 14 points or less. That is impressive, no matter what conference you play in.
#3 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (12-0)
LAST WEEK: 36-0 win vs Auburn
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th vs #1 Florida in SEC Title Game
Scoring Defense: 3rd, 11.5 ppg
Total Defense: 3rd, 248.5 ypg
Alabama leads the SEC in Total Defense, Scoring Defense and Rushing Defense. They rank second in Passing Defense. They are going to have to bring that plus more to stop the Gators on Saturday. At stake? A trip to Miami for the National Championship.
#4 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 38-3 win vs Notre Dame
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th @ UCLA
Scoring Defense: 1st, 7.82 ppg
Total Defense: 1st, 210.55 ypg
USC has, without question, the best defense in the nation this year. This is probably the best Pete Carroll has had since taking over in LA. They manhandled Notre Dame last week holding them to nine yards in the entire first half and did not allow a first down until the last play of the 3rd quarter. I know that they play in the Pac-10 and those offenses are not as high-powered or dynamic and a lot of schools, but if you watch them you see how easily they are able to do it. I hope and pray that USC takes care of business this week against cross-town rival UCLA, because I cannot wait to see them line-up with Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Two of the best defenses in the nation, and each with a few play makers on offense too. I can’t wait!
#5 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: 61-41 win @ Oklahoma State
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th vs Missouri in BIG XII Title Game
Scoring Defense: 60th, 24.83 ppg
Total Defense: 66th, 359.5 ypg
I know that a few weeks ago that I was raving about how much I loved the Sooners offense, and I still do, but please start to play some defense! They are currently in the midst of seven straight games in which they have allowed at least 21 points. And they have allowed 31 in four of those games. Here is what is going to happen. OU will beat Missouri and play Florida or Alabama for the National Title. OU will get stopped a few times on offense and need a few stops on defense. Then what? Their defense can’t stop anyone. Bob Stoops who used to be a defensive guru is now running one of the most pathetic defensive units in the country, and his team is ranked 2nd? Please Bob, have your defense show up this week against Missouri. Win this game 28-20, it would do wonders for your teams reputation.
#6 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (11-1)
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Scoring Defense: 6th, 12.42 ppg
Total Defense: 5th, 263.92 ypg
Penn State lost probably their best defensive player for the season when LB Sean Lee tore his knee during spring football. They then had a huge hole on their defensive line when suspensions and injuries hit the team. They still managed to lead the Big Ten in Rush Defense, Scoring Defense and Total Defense. As I mentioned before, it will be fu to watch them match-up with USC in the Rose Bowl.
#7 UTAH UTES (12-0)
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Scoring Defense: 13th, 17.25 ppg
Total Defense: 18th, 295.92 ypg
Utah will be going to a BCS game once again this year and they did it with a little of everything, not just defense. The defense was what kept them in most games. The Utes did not win all shootouts like years past. They won twice in November when only scoring 13 points, why, the defense. Could be fun to watch them in the Fiesta Bowl with maybe Texas.
#8 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (12-0)
LAST WEEK: 61-0 win vs Fresno State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
Scoring Defense: 4th, 12.25 ppg
Total Defense: 15th, 294.5 ypg
Boise State has kept 10 of their 12 opponents to 16 points or less. Now the Broncos have to hope for some love from the BCS Bowl Committees. By rule, the BCS must take a non-BCS conference team if they are in the top 12 in the BCS rankings. If more than one team meets this requirement the highest ranked is selected. Right now, that is Utah. There have been rumors that Boise State would be the at-large team chosen in either the Fiesta Bowl to meet up with other non-BCS team Utah, or in the Sugar Bowl to meet up with what will probably be the loser of the SEC Title Game on Saturday.
#9 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (10-2)
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Scoring Defense: 7th, 13.08 ppg
Total Defense: 9th, 279.25 ypg
The Buckeyes just sit and wait right now. They could and probably will get into a BCS game as an at-large team, but if not, they would then go to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl. This is Ohio State’s worst possible nightmare. First, it would end a string of three straight years of making a BCS bowl. It would also match Ohio State up against the SEC conference for a third straight year, the previous two did not end kindly for the Buckeyes. In all likelihood Ohio State will be playing in the Sugar Bowl against the loser of the SEC Title game, which would once again put Ohio State versus an SEC opponent.
#10 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: 35-28 win vs Baylor
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
Scoring Defense: 69th, 26.25 ppg
Total Defense: 71st, 371.58 ypg
As Forrest Gump once said, “That’s all I have to say about that.”
#11 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (10-2)
LAST WEEK: 30-10 win vs Syracuse
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th @ Hawaii
#12 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (9-3)
LAST WEEK: 28-21 win vs Maryland
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (11-1)LAST WEEK: 45-14 win @ Florida State
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th vs #3 Alabama in SEC Title Game
Scoring Defense: 4th, 12.25 ppg
Total Defense: 7th, 275.67 ypg
The scary thing about this Florida team is that they are young. They have a total of ZERO starters on defense that are seniors. They showed last week that bad weather conditions would not slow down their offense. And nobody has found anything to slow down their defense. Up next, the fast surface of the Georgia Dome.
#2 TEXAS LONGHORNS (11-1)LAST WEEK: 49-9 win vs Texas A&M
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
Scoring Defense: 21st, 18.58 ppg
Total Defense: 50th, 339.92 ypg
Texas does play a little bit of defense. They lead the nation with 3.67 sacks per game. They also have not allowed one opponent to score 40 or more against them this year. Yes, I realize that not allowing 40 points is not exactly great praise, but against these high-powered Big XII offenses that is pretty good. They have held seven of their 12 opponents to 14 points or less. That is impressive, no matter what conference you play in.
#3 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (12-0)LAST WEEK: 36-0 win vs Auburn
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th vs #1 Florida in SEC Title Game
Scoring Defense: 3rd, 11.5 ppg
Total Defense: 3rd, 248.5 ypg
Alabama leads the SEC in Total Defense, Scoring Defense and Rushing Defense. They rank second in Passing Defense. They are going to have to bring that plus more to stop the Gators on Saturday. At stake? A trip to Miami for the National Championship.
#4 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (10-1)LAST WEEK: 38-3 win vs Notre Dame
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th @ UCLA
Scoring Defense: 1st, 7.82 ppg
Total Defense: 1st, 210.55 ypg
USC has, without question, the best defense in the nation this year. This is probably the best Pete Carroll has had since taking over in LA. They manhandled Notre Dame last week holding them to nine yards in the entire first half and did not allow a first down until the last play of the 3rd quarter. I know that they play in the Pac-10 and those offenses are not as high-powered or dynamic and a lot of schools, but if you watch them you see how easily they are able to do it. I hope and pray that USC takes care of business this week against cross-town rival UCLA, because I cannot wait to see them line-up with Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Two of the best defenses in the nation, and each with a few play makers on offense too. I can’t wait!
#5 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (11-1)LAST WEEK: 61-41 win @ Oklahoma State
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th vs Missouri in BIG XII Title Game
Scoring Defense: 60th, 24.83 ppg
Total Defense: 66th, 359.5 ypg
I know that a few weeks ago that I was raving about how much I loved the Sooners offense, and I still do, but please start to play some defense! They are currently in the midst of seven straight games in which they have allowed at least 21 points. And they have allowed 31 in four of those games. Here is what is going to happen. OU will beat Missouri and play Florida or Alabama for the National Title. OU will get stopped a few times on offense and need a few stops on defense. Then what? Their defense can’t stop anyone. Bob Stoops who used to be a defensive guru is now running one of the most pathetic defensive units in the country, and his team is ranked 2nd? Please Bob, have your defense show up this week against Missouri. Win this game 28-20, it would do wonders for your teams reputation.
#6 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (11-1)REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Scoring Defense: 6th, 12.42 ppg
Total Defense: 5th, 263.92 ypg
Penn State lost probably their best defensive player for the season when LB Sean Lee tore his knee during spring football. They then had a huge hole on their defensive line when suspensions and injuries hit the team. They still managed to lead the Big Ten in Rush Defense, Scoring Defense and Total Defense. As I mentioned before, it will be fu to watch them match-up with USC in the Rose Bowl.
#7 UTAH UTES (12-0)REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Scoring Defense: 13th, 17.25 ppg
Total Defense: 18th, 295.92 ypg
Utah will be going to a BCS game once again this year and they did it with a little of everything, not just defense. The defense was what kept them in most games. The Utes did not win all shootouts like years past. They won twice in November when only scoring 13 points, why, the defense. Could be fun to watch them in the Fiesta Bowl with maybe Texas.
#8 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (12-0)LAST WEEK: 61-0 win vs Fresno State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
Scoring Defense: 4th, 12.25 ppg
Total Defense: 15th, 294.5 ypg
Boise State has kept 10 of their 12 opponents to 16 points or less. Now the Broncos have to hope for some love from the BCS Bowl Committees. By rule, the BCS must take a non-BCS conference team if they are in the top 12 in the BCS rankings. If more than one team meets this requirement the highest ranked is selected. Right now, that is Utah. There have been rumors that Boise State would be the at-large team chosen in either the Fiesta Bowl to meet up with other non-BCS team Utah, or in the Sugar Bowl to meet up with what will probably be the loser of the SEC Title Game on Saturday.
#9 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (10-2)REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Scoring Defense: 7th, 13.08 ppg
Total Defense: 9th, 279.25 ypg
The Buckeyes just sit and wait right now. They could and probably will get into a BCS game as an at-large team, but if not, they would then go to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl. This is Ohio State’s worst possible nightmare. First, it would end a string of three straight years of making a BCS bowl. It would also match Ohio State up against the SEC conference for a third straight year, the previous two did not end kindly for the Buckeyes. In all likelihood Ohio State will be playing in the Sugar Bowl against the loser of the SEC Title game, which would once again put Ohio State versus an SEC opponent.
#10 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (11-1)LAST WEEK: 35-28 win vs Baylor
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
Scoring Defense: 69th, 26.25 ppg
Total Defense: 71st, 371.58 ypg
As Forrest Gump once said, “That’s all I have to say about that.”
#11 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (10-2)
LAST WEEK: 30-10 win vs Syracuse
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th @ Hawaii
#12 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (9-3)
LAST WEEK: 28-21 win vs Maryland
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th vs #19 Virginia Tech in ACC Title Game
#13 GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: 45-42 win @ Georgia
#13 GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: 45-42 win @ Georgia
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE:
#14 BALL STATE CARDINALS (12-0)
LAST WEEK: 45-22 win vs Western Michigan
NEXT WEEK: Dec 5th vs Buffalo in MAC Title Game
#15 IOWA HAWKEYES (8-4)
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
#14 BALL STATE CARDINALS (12-0)
LAST WEEK: 45-22 win vs Western Michigan
NEXT WEEK: Dec 5th vs Buffalo in MAC Title Game
#15 IOWA HAWKEYES (8-4)
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
#16 OREGON DUCKS (9-3)
LAST WEEK: 65-38 win vs Oregon State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
LAST WEEK: 65-38 win vs Oregon State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
#17 TCU HORNED FROGS (10-2)
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
#18 MISSISSIPPI REBELS (8-4)
LAST WEEK: 45-0 win vs Mississippi State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
#18 MISSISSIPPI REBELS (8-4)
LAST WEEK: 45-0 win vs Mississippi State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETE
#19 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (8-4)
LAST WEEK: 17-14 win vs Virginia
#19 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (8-4)
LAST WEEK: 17-14 win vs Virginia
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th vs #12 Boston College in ACC Title Game
#20 PITT PANTHERS (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 19-15 win vs West Virginia
#20 PITT PANTHERS (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 19-15 win vs West Virginia
NEXT WEEK: Dec 6th @ UCONN
TROUBLE TRACKER
The UCONN football team joins The Tracker on the last week of the regular season with an arrest from a drunken driving charge to RB Andre Dixon. Dixon was thought to be part of a two-headed backfield in Storrs this fall, but Donald Brown became the feature back during the preseason. Brown leads the nation in rushing with 1,633 yards this year, while Dixon has just 37 yards on 9 attempts.
THE SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 4
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of schools in conference)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big East - 2 (25%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Big XII - 1 (8%)
THE SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 4
Indiana - 4
WVU - 3
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of schools in conference)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big East - 2 (25%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Big XII - 1 (8%)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
T3R - Week 6
Last week we began to see the BCS picture a little more clearly. We know that Penn State is the Big Ten Champion and in all likelihood headed to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl unless all hell breaks loose and they somehow slip into the National Championship Game. We know that Cincinnati is a win over pathetic Syracuse away to going to their first ever BCS bowl, which will most likely be the Orange Bowl. We know that Missouri will be representing the Big XII North in the conference championship game. We also know that Georgia Tech is all but assured a spot in the ACC Championship Game. We know that Utah will get an at-large bid to a BCS bowl, most likely the Fiesta Bowl. What we do not know is how in the world the Big XII South and then the BCS Title game going to play out. That we will find out this week.
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 70-19 win vs The Citadel
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th @ Florida State
The Gators have already assured themselves a spot in the SEC Title game, but a slip up on the road against hated rival Florida State could cause them a shot at the National Championship. Florida has been the best team in the country over the past two months and I expect that to continue right on to the title game in Miami.
#2 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 65-21 win vs Texas Tech
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th @ #12 Oklahoma State
I know that Texas beat Oklahoma, and I honestly think that if it comes down to it that Texas should play fir the title ahead of Oklahoma, but that said, no way can I say Texas is currently playing better than Oklahoma. Oklahoma just had their way with the only team to beat Texas. The Sooners dominated Texas Tech in every way imaginable doing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Plus, I picked them in my preseason preview to play for the title, I got to pull for them, right?!
#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 27th vs Texas A&M
Texas is sitting pretty right now, just ahead of Oklahoma in the BCS (the tie breaker for the Big XII in a 3-way tie) and in line to play for the conference championship and maybe the national championship. The only thing that could hurt the Horns is Oklahoma plays a much better team and that could be enough to help the Sooners jump Texas in strength of schedule. The Longhorns need OU to win but to win ugly.
#4 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (11-0)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Auburn
Alabama has two games left to conquer a perfect season. First up is the Iron Bowl against hated rival Auburn. Auburn has been playing better (ask Georgia) and Alabama may be looking ahead to the SEC title showdown with Florida. Auburn beating Bama would send the BCS into complete shambles, ROLL TIDE!!!
#5 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Notre Dame
USC is in a very odd position. They are 9-1 overall and 7-1 in the Pac-10 yet do not control their own destiny. Even if USC wins out, they must hope that Oregon State loses on Saturday to Oregon. Otherwise, USC could win their final two games and if all the right dominoes fall into place have a chance to play for the title without even winning their own conference. USC should not have much of a challenge this week with Notre Dame and it would not be a surprise at all to see Pete Carroll and Co. run it up to make an impression on the voters.
#6 UTAH UTES (12-0)
LAST WEEK: 48-24 win vs BYU
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
The Utes have done all that was asked of them, go undefeated. They beat the likes of Michigan, Oregon State, TCU and BYU along the way and have all but secured a second trip to the Fiesta Bowl in the process.
#7 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: 49-18 win vs Michigan State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Penn State will be traveling to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the first time since 1994. The Lions surprised everyone this season with a high-powered offense and their typical shut down defense. At the Big Ten media day to kickoff the season the media only releases the top 3 teams in their preseason poll, Penn State failed to make that list. Now they finish in a first place tie with Ohio State but will head west for their bowl game after beating them head-to-head.
#8 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 65-21 loss @ Oklahoma
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Baylor
For as much good Texas Tech has done this season, it seems like nothing after that performance in Norman. The Red Raiders got beat in every aspect of the game and now have to hold it together to maybe get an at large BCS Bowl birth.
#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (11-0)
LAST WEEK: 41-34 win @ Nevada
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Fresno State
The Broncos just keep winning. Rival Fresno State is the last game on the schedule for Boise State then they hold their breath. One non-conference BCS team is guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl if they are ranked in the top 12. Boise State will be in the top 12 but Utah will most likely be ahead of them. Boise State has to hope for an at large bid, but that is unlikely considering the SEC and Big XII will almost assuredly get one each and either Ohio State or USC would probably seem like better draws for most bowls than Boise State. We shall wait and see, and so will the Broncos, if they beat Fresno that is.
#10 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (10-2)
LAST WEEK: 42-7 win vs Michigan
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
The offense is finally where everyone thought it would be all year, unfortunately the season is over. Ohio State may go to a BCS bowl, but then again they may turn down that opportunity considering what has happened the last two seasons in BCS bowl games. One thing is certain; Terrelle Pryor is a gamer. He performed incredibly well after being on campus for a month before the season began. A full year of practice and reps will make him and that offense scary good next year.
#11 MISSOURI TIGERS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Kansas
#12 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs #2 Oklahoma
#13 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 28-21 win vs Pitt
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Syracuse
#14 GEORGIA BULLDOGS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs #19 Georgia Tech
#15 BALL STATE CARDINALS (11-0)
LAST WEEK: 31-24 win @ Central Michigan
NEXT WEEK: Nov 25th vs Western Michigan
#16 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 24-21 win @ Wake Forest
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (10-1)LAST WEEK: 70-19 win vs The Citadel
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th @ Florida State
The Gators have already assured themselves a spot in the SEC Title game, but a slip up on the road against hated rival Florida State could cause them a shot at the National Championship. Florida has been the best team in the country over the past two months and I expect that to continue right on to the title game in Miami.
#2 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (10-1)LAST WEEK: 65-21 win vs Texas Tech
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th @ #12 Oklahoma State
I know that Texas beat Oklahoma, and I honestly think that if it comes down to it that Texas should play fir the title ahead of Oklahoma, but that said, no way can I say Texas is currently playing better than Oklahoma. Oklahoma just had their way with the only team to beat Texas. The Sooners dominated Texas Tech in every way imaginable doing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Plus, I picked them in my preseason preview to play for the title, I got to pull for them, right?!
#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (10-1)LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 27th vs Texas A&M
Texas is sitting pretty right now, just ahead of Oklahoma in the BCS (the tie breaker for the Big XII in a 3-way tie) and in line to play for the conference championship and maybe the national championship. The only thing that could hurt the Horns is Oklahoma plays a much better team and that could be enough to help the Sooners jump Texas in strength of schedule. The Longhorns need OU to win but to win ugly.
#4 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (11-0)LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Auburn
Alabama has two games left to conquer a perfect season. First up is the Iron Bowl against hated rival Auburn. Auburn has been playing better (ask Georgia) and Alabama may be looking ahead to the SEC title showdown with Florida. Auburn beating Bama would send the BCS into complete shambles, ROLL TIDE!!!
#5 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (9-1)LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Notre Dame
USC is in a very odd position. They are 9-1 overall and 7-1 in the Pac-10 yet do not control their own destiny. Even if USC wins out, they must hope that Oregon State loses on Saturday to Oregon. Otherwise, USC could win their final two games and if all the right dominoes fall into place have a chance to play for the title without even winning their own conference. USC should not have much of a challenge this week with Notre Dame and it would not be a surprise at all to see Pete Carroll and Co. run it up to make an impression on the voters.
#6 UTAH UTES (12-0)LAST WEEK: 48-24 win vs BYU
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
The Utes have done all that was asked of them, go undefeated. They beat the likes of Michigan, Oregon State, TCU and BYU along the way and have all but secured a second trip to the Fiesta Bowl in the process.
#7 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (11-1)LAST WEEK: 49-18 win vs Michigan State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Penn State will be traveling to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the first time since 1994. The Lions surprised everyone this season with a high-powered offense and their typical shut down defense. At the Big Ten media day to kickoff the season the media only releases the top 3 teams in their preseason poll, Penn State failed to make that list. Now they finish in a first place tie with Ohio State but will head west for their bowl game after beating them head-to-head.
#8 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (10-1)LAST WEEK: 65-21 loss @ Oklahoma
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Baylor
For as much good Texas Tech has done this season, it seems like nothing after that performance in Norman. The Red Raiders got beat in every aspect of the game and now have to hold it together to maybe get an at large BCS Bowl birth.
#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (11-0)LAST WEEK: 41-34 win @ Nevada
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Fresno State
The Broncos just keep winning. Rival Fresno State is the last game on the schedule for Boise State then they hold their breath. One non-conference BCS team is guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl if they are ranked in the top 12. Boise State will be in the top 12 but Utah will most likely be ahead of them. Boise State has to hope for an at large bid, but that is unlikely considering the SEC and Big XII will almost assuredly get one each and either Ohio State or USC would probably seem like better draws for most bowls than Boise State. We shall wait and see, and so will the Broncos, if they beat Fresno that is.
#10 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (10-2)LAST WEEK: 42-7 win vs Michigan
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
The offense is finally where everyone thought it would be all year, unfortunately the season is over. Ohio State may go to a BCS bowl, but then again they may turn down that opportunity considering what has happened the last two seasons in BCS bowl games. One thing is certain; Terrelle Pryor is a gamer. He performed incredibly well after being on campus for a month before the season began. A full year of practice and reps will make him and that offense scary good next year.
#11 MISSOURI TIGERS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Kansas
#12 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs #2 Oklahoma
#13 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 28-21 win vs Pitt
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Syracuse
#14 GEORGIA BULLDOGS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs #19 Georgia Tech
#15 BALL STATE CARDINALS (11-0)
LAST WEEK: 31-24 win @ Central Michigan
NEXT WEEK: Nov 25th vs Western Michigan
#16 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 24-21 win @ Wake Forest
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Maryland
#17 IOWA HAWKEYES (8-4)
LAST WEEK: 55-0 win @ Minnesota
LAST WEEK: 55-0 win @ Minnesota
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
#18 OREGON STATE BEAVERS (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 19-17 win @ Arizona
LAST WEEK: 19-17 win @ Arizona
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Oregon
#19 GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 41-23 win vs Miami FL
#19 GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 41-23 win vs Miami FL
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th @ #14 Georgia
#20 TCU HORNED FROGS (10-2)
LAST WEEK: 44-10 win vs Air Force
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
TROUBLE TRACKER
We have a few additions to the TROUBLE TRACKER this week. First straight out of Storrs, Connecticut we have a laptop thief in Gainesville, Florida. Cameron Newton, (no known relations to NFL convict Nate Newton) the back-up QB to Heisman Trophy winning Tim Tebow at Florida, has been suspended from the team after being charged with felony counts of burglary, larceny, and obstruction of justice. This roughly three years after the top two guards on UCONN's men basketball team were also charged with similar counts after stealing computers on campus. Amazingly in this situation the returning starting PG was only suspended for the preseason and back in time for the Big East schedule, however the other back-up guard missed the whole season. Newton shouldn't notice a drop in playing time from the sideline to prison because he wasn't playing anyway. For the second TROUBLE TRACKER the Rant to our favorite neighbors to the south and West Virginia. Walk-on running back Mark Robert Sampson, Jr. was dismissed from the Mountaineer football team after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman. Really though, lets be honest the guys name is Mark Robert, like that doesn't have "CONVICT" written all over it.
THE SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 4
Indiana - 4
West Virginia - 3
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of conferences schools)
SEC - 3 (25%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Big East - 1 (12.5%)
Big XII - 1 (8%)
THE SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
Florida State Criminoles - 5
The State Penn - 4
Indiana - 4
West Virginia - 3
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
Florida - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Nebraska - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of conferences schools)
SEC - 3 (25%)
ACC - 2 (16%)
Big East - 1 (12.5%)
Big XII - 1 (8%)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Weekly Thoughts, Predictions and Rivalry Trophies
This week is a very interesting and unique week when it comes to the college football season. This week kicks off a lot of the big time rivalry games. The great things about rivalry games are the incredible stupid names and trophies involved with them. So today, we will go through some of the better ones that are up for grabs this weekend.
THE BATTLE OF THE LAND GRANTS
Michigan State @ Penn State 3:30 pm ABC
This great rivalry dates all the way back to 1993, when Penn State joined the Big Ten. The Big Ten leads all other conferences in bizarre trophy games and wanted to make Penn State fit in as a new member so they completely forced this rivalry and made up this stupid title and trophy. These two schools were such fierce rivals before Penn State joined the Big Ten that they had not faced each other since Joe Paterno’s first season as head coach in 1966.
WINNER: Penn State
BIG GAME
Stanford @ Cal 3:30 pm ABC
This rivalry is best known for “The Play.”
In all honesty, though it is difficult to see how Cal could hate Stanford. The Stanford mascot is a tree and Cal students are almost all exclusively tree-huggers. And to top it off, this game is played for The Stanford Axe. Stanford has won this game last year and a total 55 times to 44 losses as this series dates back to 1892.
WINNER: Cal
BORDER WAR
Colorado State @ Wyoming 2:00 pm The Mountain Network
This is the lesser of the known Border Wars, the other will be played next week between Missouri and Kansas. This game dates back to 1899 and Colorado State leads the all-time series 54-40 and should add to that this year. The winner of this game takes home the Bronze Boot.
WINNER: Colorado State
FLOYD OF ROSEDALE
Iowa @ Minnesota 7:00 pm The Big Ten Network
These two schools have not had the greatest football success in history; maybe one of their problems is that their biggest goal every year is to win a golden pig. Hey, when you set your expectations low you tend to reach them more often, right? The trophy or idea of a trophy originated in 1935 when the states two governors bet each other on the games outcome. Minnesota won that game and the Minnesota Governor was presented with a full-blooded champion pig. They have since wised up and just bronzed a pig and pass that around now. It is much easier up keep.
WINNER: Iowa
HOLY WAR
BYU @ Utah 6:00 pm The Mountain Network
Urban Meyer, former Utah coach said last year when asked about The Holy War that he has never been involved with anything so intense his entire life. This game dates back to 1896 when BYU was actually BYA (Brigham Young Academy). Utah leads the all-time series 53-33-4. This rivalry has heated up even more recently with both teams stepping to the forefront of non-BCS schools and this game almost always now has BCS implications riding on it. Ten of the last 11 games have been decided by 7 points or less with each team winning five of those ten games. There is no trophy involved in this one, just state bragging rights for one year.
WINNER: Utah
OLD OAKEN BUCKET
Indiana @ Purdue NOON ESPN2
The battle between state rivals Indiana and Purdue normally have nothing on the line this late in the season except bragging rights. The two schools have been playing since 1897, but the Old Oaken bucket was not introduced until 1925. Since then Purdue has won the bucket 54 times.
WINNER: Purdue
SWEET SIOUX TOMAHAWK
Northwestern @ Illinois 3:30
This is the last game for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk as the two schools agreed to retire the trophy after this season due to what I am guessing some yanko that complained that it was not politically correct. It is not as if they are scalping each other after the games with it or anything. It is a damn trophy. Illinois leads the all-time series 52-44-5, but the trophy has only been involved since 1945. Illinois has gone 33-28-2 when the trophy is on the line.
WINNER: Illinois
The Game
Michigan @ the Ohio State University NOON ABC
This game has been for at least a portion of the Big Ten Title many times in the past, not this year. Although Ohio State can win a portion with a victory, Michigan lost that chance about week 4. Michigan has dominated the all-time series between these two going 57-41-6. However, Ohio State has owned Michigan recently. Michigan last beat Ohio State 1664 days ago. The series started in 1897 and there is no trophy on the line. On both schools websites when talking about the series they say the only thing on the line is pride.
WINNER: the Ohio State University
RIVER CITY RIVALRY
Pitt @ Cincinnati 7:00 pm ESPN 2
This is a bunch of bull if you ask me. The Big East was in need of desperate help when the ACC raid ended and needed to create rivalries with the new conference members, so they threw this one together. Yes, both teams are on the Ohio River, so I guess that works, but really? Come on. The two schools have played SEVEN times. How can that be a rivalry? And better yet, Pitt has never lost. This year’s game is a big game with the Big East Championship on the line for both teams. If Cincy wins all they have to do is beat Syracuse at home next week. If Pitt wins, they are in the drivers seat to win the title, but still have WVU and UCONN to go.
WINNER: Pitt
And now for the game of all games…
THE APPLE CUP
Washington @ Washington State 3:30
This game could set football back 50+ years. These are arguably the two worst teams in division 1 football right now. Washington comes into this game 0-10 and Washington State enters 1-10 with their only win coming against Portland State, a 1AA team. The NCAA keeps team stats in 17 different categories for the 119 D1 teams. The best Washington ranks in any of those 17 categories is 83rd in pass defense. They rank 100th or worse in 15 of the 17 categories. Washington State has its own problems. The Cougars have been shut out 3 of the last 4 games and rank 115 in rush offense, 104 in pass offense, 118 in total offense and 118 in scoring. Thank God that this game is not being televised anywhere.WINNER: Washington
THE BATTLE OF THE LAND GRANTSMichigan State @ Penn State 3:30 pm ABC
This great rivalry dates all the way back to 1993, when Penn State joined the Big Ten. The Big Ten leads all other conferences in bizarre trophy games and wanted to make Penn State fit in as a new member so they completely forced this rivalry and made up this stupid title and trophy. These two schools were such fierce rivals before Penn State joined the Big Ten that they had not faced each other since Joe Paterno’s first season as head coach in 1966.
WINNER: Penn State
BIG GAME
Stanford @ Cal 3:30 pm ABC
This rivalry is best known for “The Play.”
In all honesty, though it is difficult to see how Cal could hate Stanford. The Stanford mascot is a tree and Cal students are almost all exclusively tree-huggers. And to top it off, this game is played for The Stanford Axe. Stanford has won this game last year and a total 55 times to 44 losses as this series dates back to 1892.WINNER: Cal
BORDER WARColorado State @ Wyoming 2:00 pm The Mountain Network
This is the lesser of the known Border Wars, the other will be played next week between Missouri and Kansas. This game dates back to 1899 and Colorado State leads the all-time series 54-40 and should add to that this year. The winner of this game takes home the Bronze Boot.
WINNER: Colorado State
FLOYD OF ROSEDALEIowa @ Minnesota 7:00 pm The Big Ten Network
These two schools have not had the greatest football success in history; maybe one of their problems is that their biggest goal every year is to win a golden pig. Hey, when you set your expectations low you tend to reach them more often, right? The trophy or idea of a trophy originated in 1935 when the states two governors bet each other on the games outcome. Minnesota won that game and the Minnesota Governor was presented with a full-blooded champion pig. They have since wised up and just bronzed a pig and pass that around now. It is much easier up keep.
WINNER: Iowa
HOLY WARBYU @ Utah 6:00 pm The Mountain Network
Urban Meyer, former Utah coach said last year when asked about The Holy War that he has never been involved with anything so intense his entire life. This game dates back to 1896 when BYU was actually BYA (Brigham Young Academy). Utah leads the all-time series 53-33-4. This rivalry has heated up even more recently with both teams stepping to the forefront of non-BCS schools and this game almost always now has BCS implications riding on it. Ten of the last 11 games have been decided by 7 points or less with each team winning five of those ten games. There is no trophy involved in this one, just state bragging rights for one year.
WINNER: Utah
OLD OAKEN BUCKETIndiana @ Purdue NOON ESPN2
The battle between state rivals Indiana and Purdue normally have nothing on the line this late in the season except bragging rights. The two schools have been playing since 1897, but the Old Oaken bucket was not introduced until 1925. Since then Purdue has won the bucket 54 times.
WINNER: Purdue
SWEET SIOUX TOMAHAWKNorthwestern @ Illinois 3:30
This is the last game for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk as the two schools agreed to retire the trophy after this season due to what I am guessing some yanko that complained that it was not politically correct. It is not as if they are scalping each other after the games with it or anything. It is a damn trophy. Illinois leads the all-time series 52-44-5, but the trophy has only been involved since 1945. Illinois has gone 33-28-2 when the trophy is on the line.
WINNER: Illinois
The Game
Michigan @ the Ohio State University NOON ABC
This game has been for at least a portion of the Big Ten Title many times in the past, not this year. Although Ohio State can win a portion with a victory, Michigan lost that chance about week 4. Michigan has dominated the all-time series between these two going 57-41-6. However, Ohio State has owned Michigan recently. Michigan last beat Ohio State 1664 days ago. The series started in 1897 and there is no trophy on the line. On both schools websites when talking about the series they say the only thing on the line is pride.
WINNER: the Ohio State University
RIVER CITY RIVALRYPitt @ Cincinnati 7:00 pm ESPN 2
This is a bunch of bull if you ask me. The Big East was in need of desperate help when the ACC raid ended and needed to create rivalries with the new conference members, so they threw this one together. Yes, both teams are on the Ohio River, so I guess that works, but really? Come on. The two schools have played SEVEN times. How can that be a rivalry? And better yet, Pitt has never lost. This year’s game is a big game with the Big East Championship on the line for both teams. If Cincy wins all they have to do is beat Syracuse at home next week. If Pitt wins, they are in the drivers seat to win the title, but still have WVU and UCONN to go.
WINNER: Pitt
And now for the game of all games…
THE APPLE CUPWashington @ Washington State 3:30
This game could set football back 50+ years. These are arguably the two worst teams in division 1 football right now. Washington comes into this game 0-10 and Washington State enters 1-10 with their only win coming against Portland State, a 1AA team. The NCAA keeps team stats in 17 different categories for the 119 D1 teams. The best Washington ranks in any of those 17 categories is 83rd in pass defense. They rank 100th or worse in 15 of the 17 categories. Washington State has its own problems. The Cougars have been shut out 3 of the last 4 games and rank 115 in rush offense, 104 in pass offense, 118 in total offense and 118 in scoring. Thank God that this game is not being televised anywhere.WINNER: Washington
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
College Hoops Have Begun!
The 23 hours of college basketball ESPN had to tip off the season just ended and boy what a great start we had.
It started with Memphis, runner-ups last year, taking it to UMASS. We then saw the next small school phenom in Patty Mills at St. Mary’s in California, that kid is something special. That was followed by an OT game in Hawaii.
Tonight we saw UNC put on a show against Kentucky for the first ten minutes. I could not decide if UNC was that talented or Kentucky was that bad (they did lose at home to VMI already). The verdict came in that UNC was not that good and Kentucky was not THAT bad, as UNC basically kept that lead the rest of the game. I will say this though if Kentucky can go .500 this season Billy Gillispie should be inducted to the basketball hall of fame immediately. How Kentucky can have so little talent stuns me. It is Kentucky! That team is just BAD!
After that game got out of hand, I turned on ESPN2 to watch my man Stephen Curry drop 44 on Oklahoma in a losing effort. Blake Griffin had a monster game for OU with 25 points and 21 rebounds. But seriously 44 points? The kid is amazing. Granted he took 43 shots and was getting double and triple teamed at times, but he scored 44 points. You just do not see that often in a regulation college game. The best part about it was that the Oklahoma students were trying to be clever and started chanting “One Man Team” (clap clap…clap clap clap). Yeah he is a one-man team and your team STILL could not stop him.
That is all for now. Wow do I love college hoops!
It started with Memphis, runner-ups last year, taking it to UMASS. We then saw the next small school phenom in Patty Mills at St. Mary’s in California, that kid is something special. That was followed by an OT game in Hawaii.
Tonight we saw UNC put on a show against Kentucky for the first ten minutes. I could not decide if UNC was that talented or Kentucky was that bad (they did lose at home to VMI already). The verdict came in that UNC was not that good and Kentucky was not THAT bad, as UNC basically kept that lead the rest of the game. I will say this though if Kentucky can go .500 this season Billy Gillispie should be inducted to the basketball hall of fame immediately. How Kentucky can have so little talent stuns me. It is Kentucky! That team is just BAD!
After that game got out of hand, I turned on ESPN2 to watch my man Stephen Curry drop 44 on Oklahoma in a losing effort. Blake Griffin had a monster game for OU with 25 points and 21 rebounds. But seriously 44 points? The kid is amazing. Granted he took 43 shots and was getting double and triple teamed at times, but he scored 44 points. You just do not see that often in a regulation college game. The best part about it was that the Oklahoma students were trying to be clever and started chanting “One Man Team” (clap clap…clap clap clap). Yeah he is a one-man team and your team STILL could not stop him.
That is all for now. Wow do I love college hoops!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
T3R - Week 5
Not much change in the rankings after a rather dull week in college football last week that included lots of blowouts and no upsets. That just gets everyone ready for a big weekend this week. Last week we had some high-ranking teams struggle to get up for lesser opponents before putting them away with easy in the second half. Alabama, Penn State and USC all looked a little sluggish out of the gates last week, but used halftime to turn things around and dominated the second half of their games. This week we have some big match-ups with lots of big bowl and conference championship implications on the line. Last week we had one match up of ranked teams (Florida destroyed South Carolina) this week we have four. And all four have conference championship ties to them as well. But back to last week…
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: 56-6 win vs South Carolina
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs The Citadel
Since losing to Ole Miss the Gators have outscored their opponents 101-0 in the first quarter of games. All of those games were against SEC teams too. The Gators are rolling right now and I do not see anyone stopping them. Not the Citadel this week, Florida State next week or Alabama in the SEC title game.
#2 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (10-0)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ #4 Oklahoma
The Red Raiders were coming off two highly emotional home victories into their bye week last week. Now they have to go on the road for their last big test in the Big XII South, playing in Norman against Oklahoma. Texas Tech beat then #4 ranked OU last year in Lubbock and controlled the entire game. Now they have to do that on the road. The Red Raiders have not beaten OU in Norman since 1996.
#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 35-7 win @ Kansas
NEXT WEEK: OFF
The Longhorns have one game remaining on their own schedule, but they have lots of other games they will be interested in over the next two or three weeks. Texas probably has no chance of winning the Big XII South due to the tiebreaker system that uses the current BCS Rankings. Most likely the winner of the TT-OU game will win the South, however the Longhorns are sitting pretty to slide into the National Title game if upsets occur in the last few weeks of the season.
#4 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs #2 Texas Tech
Last season, 52 weeks ago, Oklahoma ranked number four in the country with Texas Tech next on the schedule, they lost. This season, 52 weeks later OU is ranked number four in the country and Texas Tech is next on the schedule. The only differences this season is that the Sooners are at home and that this time something is at stake. Last year OU still went on to the Big XII Championship game. This season a chance to go back to that game and possibly a national title game after is on the line. Under Bob Stoops, the Sooners have lost twice at home, once to rival Oklahoma State in 2001 and the other time to start the season against TCU in 2005. Bottom line is the Sooners do not lose much in Norman. This game should be fun.
#5 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (11-0)
LAST WEEK: 32-7 win vs Mississippi State
NEXT WEEK: OFF
I say it repeatedly with this team. They just win. They do nothing pretty, but they always win. Bama struggled at home against Mississippi State last week, a team that had beaten them the past two meetings, but it never looked like they would lose. The Alabama defense is tough, but that offense is going to have to add some spark if they want to play on the same field as Florida in the SEC title game.
#6 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: 45-23 win vs Stanford
NEXT WEEK: OFF
It looked like Déjà vu all over again. Stanford playing with USC, what is going on? Then the Trojans defense arrived in Northern California and shut down the Cardinal. The vaunted USC defense looked like a peewee team out there for the first half as Toby Gerhart and the Stanford offense marched up and down the field. USC allowed two touchdown drives of 65+ yards in the first half, but shut the door in the second half. The Cardinal were forced to punt their first five possessions of the 2nd half and only scored on a 44 yard Hail Mary pass to end the game.
#7 UTAH UTES (11-0)
LAST WEEK: 63-14 win @ San Diego State
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs BYU
The Holy War will be played this week with a lot at stake. The Utes certainly did not look past San Diego State last week as some thought they might. They sent a message with a dominant performance. Utah controls it’s BCS destiny, if they win out they will almost certainly be the highest ranked non-BCS conference team, which assures them a BCS bowl game. BYU would like nothing more then to knock off their archrival and possibly jump into that BCS bowl themselves.
#8 MISSOURI TIGERS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 52-20 win @ Iowa State
NEXT WEEK: OFF
Missouri punched its ticket to the Big XII Championship game last week defeating Iowa State with ease. Winning the Big XII North was the easy part; the Tigers have not lost to a North team the past two seasons. Now though the Tigers have to wait and see whom they will match up against in the title game. The three possibilities are the Oklahoma (Mizzou’s only 2 loses last year), Texas Tech (has averaged 50+ ppg vs the North this season) or Texas (already beat Mizzou once this season 56-31).
#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (10-0)
LAST WEEK: 45-10 win @ Idaho
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ Nevada
Idaho scored on their first play from scrimmage last week against the Broncos, and then it was all down hill. Boise State is 58-4 all-time in the WAC conference and look to add one more W this weekend. The good thing about this game for Nevada is they can score with Boise State; they lead the conference with 38.5 ppg. The bad thing is that they cannot defend like Boise State. They also allow over 30 ppg. The Broncos allow 10.
#10 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 30-20 win @ Illinois
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs Michigan
Terrelle Pryor has been all that was advertised as a high school super star. He now gets a chance to go up against a guy that almost became his head coach. Pryor gets his first tOSU-Michigan experience this week and squares off with Rich Rodriguez who, I believe, had he stayed at WVU would be coaching Pryor in Morgantown this year. Lucky for the Buckeyes RichRod took over at Michigan and The Sweater got his QB for the future.
#11 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 30-17 win @ Colorado
NEXT WEEK: OFF
#12 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 34-7 win vs Indiana
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs #14 Michigan State
#13 GEORGIA BULLDOGS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 17-13 win @ Auburn
NEXT WEEK: OFF
#14 MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ #12 Penn State
#15 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 28-20 win @ Louisville
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs #17 Pitt
#16 BALL STATE CARDINALS (10-0)
LAST WEEK: 31-16 win @ Miami OH
NEXT WEEK: Nov 19th @ Central Michigan
#17 PITT PANTHERS (7-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ #15 Cincinnati
#18 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (7-3)
LAST WEEK: 27-17 win @ Florida State
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ Wake Forest
#19 IOWA HAWKEYES (7-4)
LAST WEEK: 22-17 win vs Purdue
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ Minnesota
#20 MARYLAND TERRAPINS (7-3)
LAST WEEK: 17-15 win vs North Carolina
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs Florida State
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (9-1)LAST WEEK: 56-6 win vs South Carolina
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs The Citadel
Since losing to Ole Miss the Gators have outscored their opponents 101-0 in the first quarter of games. All of those games were against SEC teams too. The Gators are rolling right now and I do not see anyone stopping them. Not the Citadel this week, Florida State next week or Alabama in the SEC title game.
#2 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (10-0)LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ #4 Oklahoma
The Red Raiders were coming off two highly emotional home victories into their bye week last week. Now they have to go on the road for their last big test in the Big XII South, playing in Norman against Oklahoma. Texas Tech beat then #4 ranked OU last year in Lubbock and controlled the entire game. Now they have to do that on the road. The Red Raiders have not beaten OU in Norman since 1996.
#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (10-1)LAST WEEK: 35-7 win @ Kansas
NEXT WEEK: OFF
The Longhorns have one game remaining on their own schedule, but they have lots of other games they will be interested in over the next two or three weeks. Texas probably has no chance of winning the Big XII South due to the tiebreaker system that uses the current BCS Rankings. Most likely the winner of the TT-OU game will win the South, however the Longhorns are sitting pretty to slide into the National Title game if upsets occur in the last few weeks of the season.
#4 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (9-1)LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs #2 Texas Tech
Last season, 52 weeks ago, Oklahoma ranked number four in the country with Texas Tech next on the schedule, they lost. This season, 52 weeks later OU is ranked number four in the country and Texas Tech is next on the schedule. The only differences this season is that the Sooners are at home and that this time something is at stake. Last year OU still went on to the Big XII Championship game. This season a chance to go back to that game and possibly a national title game after is on the line. Under Bob Stoops, the Sooners have lost twice at home, once to rival Oklahoma State in 2001 and the other time to start the season against TCU in 2005. Bottom line is the Sooners do not lose much in Norman. This game should be fun.
#5 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (11-0)LAST WEEK: 32-7 win vs Mississippi State
NEXT WEEK: OFF
I say it repeatedly with this team. They just win. They do nothing pretty, but they always win. Bama struggled at home against Mississippi State last week, a team that had beaten them the past two meetings, but it never looked like they would lose. The Alabama defense is tough, but that offense is going to have to add some spark if they want to play on the same field as Florida in the SEC title game.
#6 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (9-1)LAST WEEK: 45-23 win vs Stanford
NEXT WEEK: OFF
It looked like Déjà vu all over again. Stanford playing with USC, what is going on? Then the Trojans defense arrived in Northern California and shut down the Cardinal. The vaunted USC defense looked like a peewee team out there for the first half as Toby Gerhart and the Stanford offense marched up and down the field. USC allowed two touchdown drives of 65+ yards in the first half, but shut the door in the second half. The Cardinal were forced to punt their first five possessions of the 2nd half and only scored on a 44 yard Hail Mary pass to end the game.
#7 UTAH UTES (11-0)LAST WEEK: 63-14 win @ San Diego State
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs BYU
The Holy War will be played this week with a lot at stake. The Utes certainly did not look past San Diego State last week as some thought they might. They sent a message with a dominant performance. Utah controls it’s BCS destiny, if they win out they will almost certainly be the highest ranked non-BCS conference team, which assures them a BCS bowl game. BYU would like nothing more then to knock off their archrival and possibly jump into that BCS bowl themselves.
#8 MISSOURI TIGERS (9-2)LAST WEEK: 52-20 win @ Iowa State
NEXT WEEK: OFF
Missouri punched its ticket to the Big XII Championship game last week defeating Iowa State with ease. Winning the Big XII North was the easy part; the Tigers have not lost to a North team the past two seasons. Now though the Tigers have to wait and see whom they will match up against in the title game. The three possibilities are the Oklahoma (Mizzou’s only 2 loses last year), Texas Tech (has averaged 50+ ppg vs the North this season) or Texas (already beat Mizzou once this season 56-31).
#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (10-0)LAST WEEK: 45-10 win @ Idaho
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ Nevada
Idaho scored on their first play from scrimmage last week against the Broncos, and then it was all down hill. Boise State is 58-4 all-time in the WAC conference and look to add one more W this weekend. The good thing about this game for Nevada is they can score with Boise State; they lead the conference with 38.5 ppg. The bad thing is that they cannot defend like Boise State. They also allow over 30 ppg. The Broncos allow 10.
#10 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (9-2)LAST WEEK: 30-20 win @ Illinois
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs Michigan
Terrelle Pryor has been all that was advertised as a high school super star. He now gets a chance to go up against a guy that almost became his head coach. Pryor gets his first tOSU-Michigan experience this week and squares off with Rich Rodriguez who, I believe, had he stayed at WVU would be coaching Pryor in Morgantown this year. Lucky for the Buckeyes RichRod took over at Michigan and The Sweater got his QB for the future.
#11 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 30-17 win @ Colorado
NEXT WEEK: OFF
#12 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 34-7 win vs Indiana
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs #14 Michigan State
#13 GEORGIA BULLDOGS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 17-13 win @ Auburn
NEXT WEEK: OFF
#14 MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ #12 Penn State
#15 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 28-20 win @ Louisville
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs #17 Pitt
#16 BALL STATE CARDINALS (10-0)
LAST WEEK: 31-16 win @ Miami OH
NEXT WEEK: Nov 19th @ Central Michigan
#17 PITT PANTHERS (7-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ #15 Cincinnati
#18 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (7-3)
LAST WEEK: 27-17 win @ Florida State
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ Wake Forest
#19 IOWA HAWKEYES (7-4)
LAST WEEK: 22-17 win vs Purdue
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd @ Minnesota
#20 MARYLAND TERRAPINS (7-3)
LAST WEEK: 17-15 win vs North Carolina
NEXT WEEK: Nov 22nd vs Florida State
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