Wild Wild Week
Last week the college football world realized that last year was NOT a fluke, and the parody in the game is more then ever. After last seasons crazy run of #2 teams losing, go figure that #2 is the only team in the Top 4 to win last week.
Alabama probably made the most noise but thumping Georgia in Athens then moving all the way up to #2 in this weeks rankings. But really, I think Georgia was kind of overrated, so this game didn’t surprise me at all (check out my UPSET SPECIAL last week). The games that did surprise me were Ole Miss beating Florida in the Swamp and last night Pitt beating South Florida in Tampa.
Anyone that believes, with 100% certainty that they can predict a college football season needs to be sent away. There is just no way of telling what will happen next. Will Vanderbilt beat Auburn this week and start 3-0 in SEC play? Was last week the coming out party for RichRod in Michigan, should Illinois be worried on Saturday? Will UCONN lose for the first time leaving just the Big Ten (2 teams), the Big XII (5) and the SEC (4) as the only BCS conferences with undefeated teams? Will USC bounce back, or will they lose to an Oregon school two weeks in a row? Is Terrelle Pryor ready to lead a team into Camp Randall?
I wish I could answer these questions, but I can’t nobody can, and that is why college football is so much fun.
THIS WEEKS PICKS:
4-1 last week, with yet ANOTHER one of my Upset picks hitting. For the season I am 18-6!
Florida State WINS @ Miami
Missouri POUNDS Nebraska in Lincoln for their first win there in 30 years.
Wisconsin upsets tOSU at Camp Randall
Oregon keeps it close, but USC WINS against the Ducks
UPSET SPECIAL:
Although technically both Florida State and Wisconsin would be upset picks, but I’m feeling extra generous today and I’ll give you a third upset pick of the week. I like Arizona State to go to Berkeley and upset the Cal Bears.
ENJOY YOUR FOOTBALL THIS WEEKEND!!!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wanny Wins a Big One, AGAIN!
Program Changing Win, Part II
The Pitt Panthers are 2-0 in their last 2 games against top 10 teams. The first one came in the 13-9 game against WVU to close the disappointing 2007 season, win 2 came hours ago as Pitt defeated 10th-ranked South Florida 26-21. The 2 wins both were big for the program, and both eerily similar.
Let’s take a closer look at how these 2 games break down. Since Dave Wannestedt took over Pitt he made it clear that he wanted his teams to be power teams that controlled both lines of scrimmage. Last year versus WVU, Pitt took on one of the best rushing attacks in football and out gained the Mountaineers on the ground 158-104. Against South Florida, a team that had held all 5 opponents to 76 yards or less on the ground this year, the Panthers out rushed the Bulls 146-116. When you control the trenches you also control the time of possession. Pitt was able to keep the high-powered WVU offense off the field last December, holding the ball for 36:19. The Bulls offense came in to the game against the Panthers as one of the most explosive in the Big East. Pitt managed to keep them off the field as well, controlling the ball for 36:54 of the game.
Shady McCoy was the workhorse in both these games as well. Against West Virginia McCoy ran 38 times for 148 yards. He carried the ball 28 times for 142 and 2 TD’s against USF.
But the biggest story of this game and the West Virginia game has to be the defense. The defense made play after play against West Virginia and did the same in Tampa versus the Bulls.
USF could have put the game away early after scoring a special teams TD, but the Pitt defense held tough. The next South Florida possession lasted all of 2 plays after Dom DiCicco intercepted Matt Grothe to stop any momentum the Bulls may have had after their first touchdown. The Panthers defense held tough the rest of the first half limiting South Florida, who came into the game averaging a Big East best 431ypg, to just 78 yards in the 1st half. The Panthers special teams also pitched in; by blocking a FG attempt in the 2nd quarter to help the Panther take a 17-7 lead into the half.
South Florida opened the 2nd half marching 76 yards for a touchdown to close the gap to 17-14, but the defense responded again. On the next 2 South Florida possessions they gained a total of –9 yards and were forced to 2 straight 3 & outs.
Dave Wannestedt clearly has a formula for winning and he used it to perfection again in Tampa. Pitt now is 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, and maybe the current favorite to win the Big East this season.
The Pitt Panthers are 2-0 in their last 2 games against top 10 teams. The first one came in the 13-9 game against WVU to close the disappointing 2007 season, win 2 came hours ago as Pitt defeated 10th-ranked South Florida 26-21. The 2 wins both were big for the program, and both eerily similar.
Let’s take a closer look at how these 2 games break down. Since Dave Wannestedt took over Pitt he made it clear that he wanted his teams to be power teams that controlled both lines of scrimmage. Last year versus WVU, Pitt took on one of the best rushing attacks in football and out gained the Mountaineers on the ground 158-104. Against South Florida, a team that had held all 5 opponents to 76 yards or less on the ground this year, the Panthers out rushed the Bulls 146-116. When you control the trenches you also control the time of possession. Pitt was able to keep the high-powered WVU offense off the field last December, holding the ball for 36:19. The Bulls offense came in to the game against the Panthers as one of the most explosive in the Big East. Pitt managed to keep them off the field as well, controlling the ball for 36:54 of the game.
Shady McCoy was the workhorse in both these games as well. Against West Virginia McCoy ran 38 times for 148 yards. He carried the ball 28 times for 142 and 2 TD’s against USF.
But the biggest story of this game and the West Virginia game has to be the defense. The defense made play after play against West Virginia and did the same in Tampa versus the Bulls.
USF could have put the game away early after scoring a special teams TD, but the Pitt defense held tough. The next South Florida possession lasted all of 2 plays after Dom DiCicco intercepted Matt Grothe to stop any momentum the Bulls may have had after their first touchdown. The Panthers defense held tough the rest of the first half limiting South Florida, who came into the game averaging a Big East best 431ypg, to just 78 yards in the 1st half. The Panthers special teams also pitched in; by blocking a FG attempt in the 2nd quarter to help the Panther take a 17-7 lead into the half.
South Florida opened the 2nd half marching 76 yards for a touchdown to close the gap to 17-14, but the defense responded again. On the next 2 South Florida possessions they gained a total of –9 yards and were forced to 2 straight 3 & outs.
Dave Wannestedt clearly has a formula for winning and he used it to perfection again in Tampa. Pitt now is 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, and maybe the current favorite to win the Big East this season.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
TBS Tries Baseball, Fails!
So I turn on Game 1 on the MLB postseason today to watch the Phillies and Brewers and see the newest of the garbage coverage we now have for sports on TV. David Aldridge is on the field interviewing Cole Hamels, which wouldn't be bad if it were a Sixers-Buck game, but it is not! David Aldridge is known for being one of the top NBA guys at ESPN. He even admittedly said on PTI yesterday that he felt uncomfortable doing baseball. This was their first choice?
So then after a very unprepared and awkward interview Aldridge throws it back to the TBS studio, to…Ernie Johnson??? Suddenly we can’t find any baseball minds? Wasn’t this the sport once known as America’s Pastime? The first 2 guys I see are basketball guys. The guests in studio must be better, right? Not a chance!
Dennis Eckersley and Cal Ripkin Jr. are both outstanding players and no question they are on my all-time team for their respective positions, but they bring nothing to the studio except the same style and wardrobe that Eckersley had for the A’s in the 80’s. I was somewhat hoping that the Team Turner would have just stayed with their NBA studio crew. Magic would appeal to the LA audiences for both the Dodgers and the Angles. Barkley would at least be honest with his opinions, rather then sugarcoating everything like Curtis Granderson (the 3rd member of this stellar studio crew) because he still plays and is “boys” with the players. With the TNT NBA crew in studio it would be much more lively and entertaining and probably just as insightful, as Eck saying, “CC Sabithia will be fine on 3 days rest again because he has broad shoulders.”
WHAT?!
If that isn’t bad enough, TBS has also employed Craig Sager, TNT’s top NBA sideline reporter and Ron Darling. The same Ron Darling that was SO talented doing baseball analysis that after one season working for the local telecast of the Washington National in 2005, he was not asked back for the following season. He can’t hold a local job, covering a terrible team, so TBS gives him the MLB playoffs, GENIUS!
I love baseball. By far my absolute favorite professional sport, and this is what I have to go through to watch good baseball. It is not bad enough that I have to sit through Pirates baseball for 162 games, but now when I do get to see good baseball I have to deal with these schmucks ruining it for me. I never thought I’d utter these words, but I can’t wait for FOX to pick up the games so I can hear, ugh, Joe Buck!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The Pitt - Syracuse Debacle (text by text)
The University of Pittsburgh football team traveled north this weekend to play Syracuse University in what was supposed to be a football game. I didn’t see it!
I mean I saw the game, but I just didn’t see much football being played, at least GOOD football.
Here is my text log during the game (WARNING, the use of profane language is strong, especially in the 1st half!) as well as my untexted thoughts.
The game started off fairly well. Pitt received the opening kickoff and moved the ball efficiently until Pitt got inside the 30. Inside the 20 is considered the RED ZONE by most in football, however the 10 yards prior to the 20 should be considered the BLACK HOLE for Panther fans. It is where every promising drive fades away to nothing. And that is exactly what happened here. 3rd and 6 from the 24, let’s throw for 1 yard to get our kicker a little closer, nice play calling Cavanaugh! PITT leads 3-0
Then it happens. Michael Holmes (a guy that if you search college football players at ESPN.com doesn’t even exist) suddenly looks like Rocket Ismail and goes 90 yards untouched on the kick return. CUSE 7-3
Pitt goes 3 and out, Syracuse marches right down field, scores on a 27-yard pass, capping off an 8 play, 55-yard drive. Cuse 14-3.
LET THE TEXTING BEGIN: (it may be difficult to follow along, but following Pitt is difficult too. The first three people that I texted were my overly loyal Pitt fan and partner in any Pitt road trip taken Jeremiah, my eternally pessimist Pitt fan cousin Pete, and another cousin Penn State Steve, clearly not a huge Pitt fan, but a big football fan.)
12:31
ME: I quit! This team f#cking sucks!
12:32
JER: Thanks Pete
12:33
ME: I’m serious, are u watching this?
Penn State Steve: I take it Pitt is losing?
Steve was on his way to Happy Valley to watch a real football team play, not watching the game.
12:34
JER: I started drinking it helps.
12:35
Ross: Ughh!
My buddy Ross feels for me when Pitt struggles. He is a Penn State grad, but a lifelong Pitt fan.
ME: 14-3…kick return for TD, then Pitt went 3 and out and they drove right down field for an easy score…it is painful to watch.
12:36
JER: Trust me it helps watching this team.
ME: Maybe I’ll do that!
PSS: Ouch! Come over to the dark side Luke!
12:37
ME: I’m thinking if I get in my car now, I can make it by kickoff no problem.
Steve had offered me a ticket to the Penn State game earlier in the week but due to my hectic week I turned it down, I was now reconsidering!
12:39
PSS: We are in Harrisburg and should be there by 2:30. Come on up!
12:50
JER: Stull has the arm power of a drunk at the carnival dunking booth.
ME: If that… I hate Cavanaugh!
This after time and time again Bill Stull throws behind his open receivers.
1:20
Gulish: Not looking good for your team.
Gulish is a college buddy of mine who loves Penn State and loves to take jabs at me about Pitt any time they struggle (basically the entire fall season).
1:22
ME: I’m like a battered spouse, no matter how bad it gets, I keep coming back for more…Watching this team has forced me to start drinking already today.
HALFTIME SCORE: Syracuse (maybe the worst team in 1A) 17, Pitt 13
1:24
ME: Has a coach ever been fired during halftime?
1:25
JER: They both should be.
1:27
ME: Cal-IUP is on Fox Sports, both these teams would give Pitt a game.
I was dead serious!
1:30
ME: Maybe they pull a Varsity Blues and the players overthrow Wanny and Cav during halftime.
1:32
JER: Wasn’t that against a good team?
1:34
ME: Yes, but the players still ended up as better coaches, could u see Cav calling a hook-n-ladder with the game on the line?
1:35
JER: Sadly, yes I could.
ME: Good point.
1:38
ME: If Pitt loses I probably won’t be out tonight, just an FYI.
Sent to the few different people that I had made plans on going out with Saturday night.
1:57
ME: Is it bad to hope your team loses and gets embarrassed so that they fire the entire coaching staff?
1:58
JER: No, not at all.
1:59
ME: Ok, good! By the way, the drinking thing isn’t helping much this is still painful!
2:00
JER: Try Drugs.
2:12
JER: I still have a feeling that the Q’s are going to implode.
2:26
JER: Go for 2!!
This is when you know it is bad, a point when the team clearly has to go for a 2-point conversion, yet we feel so insecure about who we have calling the plays that we feel we need to let it be known what the correct call is!
At 2:14 I let Jeremiah know that I was using these texts for my blog. He then tries to get funny; it didn’t work well for him!
2:27
ME: This is painful…We are clearly 20 points better then this team, f*cking conservative coaching is killing them, I hate Cavanaugh!!
2:29
JER: Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, but it is a great way to go through Saturdays.
Cedric McGee makes an attempt to catch a terribly underthrown ball from Bill Stull, luckily he happened to bump into Nico Scott who had absolutely no idea where the ball was. Pass Interference.
2:39
JER: That play had all the finesse of 2 morbidly fat people f*cking.
2:40
ME: Yeah, good thing they called pass interference, no chance he would have actually caught that pass.
After one of the dumbest timeout calls by Syracuse. Pitt actually looked confused and Syracuse must have just wanted to help them out.
2:42
JER: WTF? Good time out? He should be fired for that! If I were a Q’s fan I would kill myself.
How bad must it be to be a Syracuse fan, if Pitt fans have pity on you?
2:45
ME: So do you even want to waste time watching them at JR’s Thursday?
JER: Yes, I have 2 chips.
2:47
ME: Good point I have some too.
Pitt takes the lead 27-24, and 4 plays later, Syracuse QB gets sacked and fumbles.
2:49
ME: Well called on the Q’s collapse.
JER: Told ya!
2:52
JER: I love hearing the house announcements during the commercials.
2:54
ME: I know, I love it…it is the full “in game” experience, the Big East Network doesn’t f*ck around!
For whatever reason the field mic’d audio was up during all of the commercial breaks. You could hear the Syracuse PA announcer over top of the dumbest Golf Digest commercial ever created. That, plus the terrible picture and not making the game available in HD made the experience that much more enjoyable. Great job by those guys running the Big East Network!
3:05
ME: It is finally over, thank god!
3;06
Pete: Score?
Pete missed the game (lucky him) flying to San Diego.
3:07
ME: 34-24 winners, ugly!
3:25
PSS: With that comeback, the staff deserves an extension.
3:26
ME: I’d prefer a pink slip or 2!
3:27
ME: They absolutely dominated the game, but kept making stupid mistakes over and over again to keep Syracuse in it…so frustrating! I hate Cavanaugh!!
Well there you have it, the less painful reenactment of the Pitt – Syracuse football game, if you want to call it that.
I mean I saw the game, but I just didn’t see much football being played, at least GOOD football.
Here is my text log during the game (WARNING, the use of profane language is strong, especially in the 1st half!) as well as my untexted thoughts.
The game started off fairly well. Pitt received the opening kickoff and moved the ball efficiently until Pitt got inside the 30. Inside the 20 is considered the RED ZONE by most in football, however the 10 yards prior to the 20 should be considered the BLACK HOLE for Panther fans. It is where every promising drive fades away to nothing. And that is exactly what happened here. 3rd and 6 from the 24, let’s throw for 1 yard to get our kicker a little closer, nice play calling Cavanaugh! PITT leads 3-0
Then it happens. Michael Holmes (a guy that if you search college football players at ESPN.com doesn’t even exist) suddenly looks like Rocket Ismail and goes 90 yards untouched on the kick return. CUSE 7-3
Pitt goes 3 and out, Syracuse marches right down field, scores on a 27-yard pass, capping off an 8 play, 55-yard drive. Cuse 14-3.
LET THE TEXTING BEGIN: (it may be difficult to follow along, but following Pitt is difficult too. The first three people that I texted were my overly loyal Pitt fan and partner in any Pitt road trip taken Jeremiah, my eternally pessimist Pitt fan cousin Pete, and another cousin Penn State Steve, clearly not a huge Pitt fan, but a big football fan.)
12:31
ME: I quit! This team f#cking sucks!
12:32
JER: Thanks Pete
12:33
ME: I’m serious, are u watching this?
Penn State Steve: I take it Pitt is losing?
Steve was on his way to Happy Valley to watch a real football team play, not watching the game.
12:34
JER: I started drinking it helps.
12:35
Ross: Ughh!
My buddy Ross feels for me when Pitt struggles. He is a Penn State grad, but a lifelong Pitt fan.
ME: 14-3…kick return for TD, then Pitt went 3 and out and they drove right down field for an easy score…it is painful to watch.
12:36
JER: Trust me it helps watching this team.
ME: Maybe I’ll do that!
PSS: Ouch! Come over to the dark side Luke!
12:37
ME: I’m thinking if I get in my car now, I can make it by kickoff no problem.
Steve had offered me a ticket to the Penn State game earlier in the week but due to my hectic week I turned it down, I was now reconsidering!
12:39
PSS: We are in Harrisburg and should be there by 2:30. Come on up!
12:50
JER: Stull has the arm power of a drunk at the carnival dunking booth.
ME: If that… I hate Cavanaugh!
This after time and time again Bill Stull throws behind his open receivers.
1:20
Gulish: Not looking good for your team.
Gulish is a college buddy of mine who loves Penn State and loves to take jabs at me about Pitt any time they struggle (basically the entire fall season).
1:22
ME: I’m like a battered spouse, no matter how bad it gets, I keep coming back for more…Watching this team has forced me to start drinking already today.
HALFTIME SCORE: Syracuse (maybe the worst team in 1A) 17, Pitt 13
1:24
ME: Has a coach ever been fired during halftime?
1:25
JER: They both should be.
1:27
ME: Cal-IUP is on Fox Sports, both these teams would give Pitt a game.
I was dead serious!
1:30
ME: Maybe they pull a Varsity Blues and the players overthrow Wanny and Cav during halftime.
1:32
JER: Wasn’t that against a good team?
1:34
ME: Yes, but the players still ended up as better coaches, could u see Cav calling a hook-n-ladder with the game on the line?
1:35
JER: Sadly, yes I could.
ME: Good point.
1:38
ME: If Pitt loses I probably won’t be out tonight, just an FYI.
Sent to the few different people that I had made plans on going out with Saturday night.
1:57
ME: Is it bad to hope your team loses and gets embarrassed so that they fire the entire coaching staff?
1:58
JER: No, not at all.
1:59
ME: Ok, good! By the way, the drinking thing isn’t helping much this is still painful!
2:00
JER: Try Drugs.
2:12
JER: I still have a feeling that the Q’s are going to implode.
2:26
JER: Go for 2!!
This is when you know it is bad, a point when the team clearly has to go for a 2-point conversion, yet we feel so insecure about who we have calling the plays that we feel we need to let it be known what the correct call is!
At 2:14 I let Jeremiah know that I was using these texts for my blog. He then tries to get funny; it didn’t work well for him!
2:27
ME: This is painful…We are clearly 20 points better then this team, f*cking conservative coaching is killing them, I hate Cavanaugh!!
2:29
JER: Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, but it is a great way to go through Saturdays.
Cedric McGee makes an attempt to catch a terribly underthrown ball from Bill Stull, luckily he happened to bump into Nico Scott who had absolutely no idea where the ball was. Pass Interference.
2:39
JER: That play had all the finesse of 2 morbidly fat people f*cking.
2:40
ME: Yeah, good thing they called pass interference, no chance he would have actually caught that pass.
After one of the dumbest timeout calls by Syracuse. Pitt actually looked confused and Syracuse must have just wanted to help them out.
2:42
JER: WTF? Good time out? He should be fired for that! If I were a Q’s fan I would kill myself.
How bad must it be to be a Syracuse fan, if Pitt fans have pity on you?
2:45
ME: So do you even want to waste time watching them at JR’s Thursday?
JER: Yes, I have 2 chips.
2:47
ME: Good point I have some too.
Pitt takes the lead 27-24, and 4 plays later, Syracuse QB gets sacked and fumbles.
2:49
ME: Well called on the Q’s collapse.
JER: Told ya!
2:52
JER: I love hearing the house announcements during the commercials.
2:54
ME: I know, I love it…it is the full “in game” experience, the Big East Network doesn’t f*ck around!
For whatever reason the field mic’d audio was up during all of the commercial breaks. You could hear the Syracuse PA announcer over top of the dumbest Golf Digest commercial ever created. That, plus the terrible picture and not making the game available in HD made the experience that much more enjoyable. Great job by those guys running the Big East Network!
3:05
ME: It is finally over, thank god!
3;06
Pete: Score?
Pete missed the game (lucky him) flying to San Diego.
3:07
ME: 34-24 winners, ugly!
3:25
PSS: With that comeback, the staff deserves an extension.
3:26
ME: I’d prefer a pink slip or 2!
3:27
ME: They absolutely dominated the game, but kept making stupid mistakes over and over again to keep Syracuse in it…so frustrating! I hate Cavanaugh!!
Well there you have it, the less painful reenactment of the Pitt – Syracuse football game, if you want to call it that.
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