Okay, before we get started on my weekly thoughts, it should be pointed out that Florida State has suspended five WR’s for tomorrow’s game against Boston College. The WR’s were reportedly in a brawl with some frat boys at the student union. This will get added to the next TROUBLE TRACKER.
REVENGE WEEK
There are not a ton of great games this week in terms of top tiered teams, however there are lots of good story line games, many of which have a revenge factor involved.
USC @ STANFORD
Last year Stanford pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football history by defeating the Trojans. USC was playing at home, where they had not lost since 2001, and were a 42-point favorite. Stanford scored on a 4th down play in the final minute of the game and then intercepted a last desperation pass by USC to seal the victory.
This year the Trojans are again a big favorite (23 points) and we be playing on the road. However, these Trojans have probably being replaying the last moments of that game in their head and will not let that happen again.
GEORGIA @ AUBURN
Last year Auburn complained after the game of the lack of sportsmanship Georgia showed during the 45-20 beating the Bulldogs put on Auburn. This came from the Georgia Bulldog fans and players dancing on the sidelines and even on the field.
Here is an idea for Auburn if they don’t want them dancing on the sidelines, STOP THEM! Don’t let them score. Don’t let them get momentum. Don’t let them have fun. To be completely honest though, if I were the UGA band director, I would be teaching the band this song and playing it all day long, just to piss off Auburn even more.
OHIO STATE @ ILLINOIS
Illinois went to Columbus last year and beat the then undefeated and #1 Buckeyes. At that time everyone thought it would knock tOSU out of the National Championship picture, we weren’t that lucky.
The Buckeyes are playing really well right now, and they should roll over Illinois this weekend.
RUTGERS @ SOUTH FLORIDA
South Florida started last season 6-0. They beat a top 5 WVU team. And were ranked #2 in the nation. Then they played Rutgers where nothing went right for the Bulls. USF committed 10 penalties and went 2-14 on 3rd downs. Rutgers pulled off the upset and handed the Bulls their first loss of the season. It would take USF a while to recover, as they would go on to lose the following two games as well.
It is Kind of a role reversal this year. USF is struggling big time and looking up in the conference standings to Rutgers. Both teams need a win to help their bowl chances. I think the Bulls get their revenge tomorrow.
NOTRE DAME @ NAVY
Navy defeated Notre Dame at Notre Dame last season. It was the first time since 1963 that Navy beat the Irish.
Both teams are much different this year. Notre Dame is a year older and getting better (although they need to fire Charlie Weis if they want to REALLY get better) and Navy is beat up and breaking in new guys this season to their triple option offense. Should be a fun one to watch, especially since it will be on CBS and you don’t have to deal with NBC and the terribly bad homer calls by the Notre Dame broadcast team.
MISSISSIPPI STATE @ ALABAMA
Alabama has lost the last 2 games played against Mississippi State and has not scored an offensive touchdown against them since 2004. If Bama wants to stay on top of the rankings they are going to have to beat a team that has been a thorn in its side the past few years.
UCLA @ WASHINGTON
Washington fired now UCLA coach Rick Nueheisel after the 2002 football season. In his time with the Huskies in the great northwest he went 33-16 and 23-9 in Pac-10 play. He also took them to and won the 2001 Rose Bowl against Purdue. Nueheisel is back at his alma mater now looking for revenge. Washington since Nueheisel left, ahh not so good. In fact the huskies have yet to win a game this season.
THIS WEEKS PICKS:
4-2 last week, but I’ll take those 2 losses considering it played into my Pitt Trifecta. A Pitt Trifecta is when in any given week Pitt wins, and both West Virginia and Penn State lose. That happened last week for the first time since September 13, 2003. On that date Pitt defeated Ball State, and Penn State lost to Nebraska while West Virginia lost to Cincinnati. For the season I am 42-19.
FLORIDA beats up on the Ole ball coach and South Carolina
And for the revenge games:
USC
the Ohio State University
South Florida
Notre Dame
Alabama
UCLA
For an upset pick I am going with Auburn over Georgia.
Have a great weekend and enjoy your football games!!!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
TROUBLE TRACKER
We have two new additions to the TROUBLE TRACKER today. Two new schools and two new conferences.
First, in the Big XII North we have Nebraska LB Cody Glenn, who is 3rd on the team in tackles, was suspended indefinitely by head coach Bo Pelini for violating team rules. The Cornhuskers play at Kansas State this week before concluding their regular season at home against Colorado the day after Thanksgiving.
Next up we head to to our friends to the south, Morgantown, West Virginia. No surprise here that it has taken 12 weeks for trouble to arise from WVU after Rich Rod left. If he were still in charge these two would have been promoted to captain rather then suspended. Two players from WVU were charged after patrons of a bar filed complaints saying they were attacked by the two on October 25th. The players, TE Maxwell Anderson and holder Jeremy Kash were charged with battery. Head Coach Bill Stewart said he will look into the situation before he determines the players fate on the team.
THE SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
The State Penn - 4
Indiana - 4
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
West Virginia - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Florida - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
Nebraska - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of conference schools)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big East - 1 (12.5%)
ACC - 1 (8%)
Big XII - 1 (8%)
First, in the Big XII North we have Nebraska LB Cody Glenn, who is 3rd on the team in tackles, was suspended indefinitely by head coach Bo Pelini for violating team rules. The Cornhuskers play at Kansas State this week before concluding their regular season at home against Colorado the day after Thanksgiving.
Next up we head to to our friends to the south, Morgantown, West Virginia. No surprise here that it has taken 12 weeks for trouble to arise from WVU after Rich Rod left. If he were still in charge these two would have been promoted to captain rather then suspended. Two players from WVU were charged after patrons of a bar filed complaints saying they were attacked by the two on October 25th. The players, TE Maxwell Anderson and holder Jeremy Kash were charged with battery. Head Coach Bill Stewart said he will look into the situation before he determines the players fate on the team.
THE SEASON STANDINGS:
The "U" - 7
The State Penn - 4
Indiana - 4
Tennessee - 2
MeCheatAgain - 2
West Virginia - 2
Mississippi State - 1
Florida - 1
the Ohio State University - 1
Nebraska - 1
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
Big Ten - 4 schools (36% of conference schools)
SEC - 3 (25%)
Big East - 1 (12.5%)
ACC - 1 (8%)
Big XII - 1 (8%)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
T3R - week 4
Thank you, thank you Iowa!!!! You have done everyone a favor by beating Penn State Saturday. With only two undefeated major conference schools left this is the first time this season when we didn’t have to worry about people complaining about the BCS rankings. Iowa every college football fan in America (minus the rather large number of Penn State alumni) is grateful for what you were able to do by upsetting Penn State. Nobody wanted to see another Big Ten team roll into the National Championship and lay an egg, so again Iowa, I thank you.
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (8-1)
LAST WEEK: 42-14 win @ Vanderbilt
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs #17 South Carolina
Florida keeps on rolling. They clinched the SEC East title and a meeting with Alabama on Dec 6th. The game last week versus Vanderbilt was the closest game the Gators have played since dropping one to Ole Miss in September and they don’t look to be slowing down. The Gators have a tough road ahead though with Florida State and Alabama in the SEC Title game on the slate to finish out the season.
#2 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (10-0)
LAST WEEK: 56-20 win vs Oklahoma State
NEXT WEEK: OFF
In case there was any doubt Texas Tech made an example out of Oklahoma State by absolutely dismantling them one week after their thrilling win over #1 Texas. The next big challenge for the Red Raiders is a trip to Norman to face the #4 Sooners. These two scores will certainly put points on the board (both rank in the top 3 in the nation in ppg). The big difference in this one will be which team can get the big stop. Originally I thought that Oklahoma would be the team to knock off Tech, but I am having second thoughts every time I watch this red Raider team play.
#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: 45-21 win vs Baylor
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Kansas
The Longhorns got out of the gates slow last week against Baylor with what might have been a little post-loss hangover, but Colt McCoy got the offense going to an easy win. Texas is in a difficult spot right now. They finish their schedule in a fairly easy fashion with only Kansas and A&M remaining. But Texas will have to root for Oklahoma to beat Texas Tech and then leave it in the hands of the BCS rankings to determine which of those three teams will represent the BIG XII South in the conference championship game. The problem with that is if OU beats Tech, they will probably jump ahead to Texas in the rankings and with two teams that won’t help their strength of schedule remaining Texas could be left watch at home.
#4 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: 66-28 win @ Texas A&M
NEXT WEEK: OFF
OU gets a much-needed week off to game plan on how to slow down the Texas Tech offense before their big showdown in two weeks. The Sooners are in the drivers seat in the Big XII South though actually. Based on their remaining schedule (Texas Tech and Ok State) if they win out, they should win the division and play for the conference title. However I don’t see that happening unless Bob Stoops tightens up that defense that has allowed 28 or more in five straight games.
#5 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (10-0)
LAST WEEK: 27-21 win @ LSU
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs Mississippi State
This was a very big, emotional win for Alabama that I should probably not punish them for, but I am. Bama was out gained, gave up over 200 yards on the ground and turned the ball over three times against the Tigers. Now, some may say that they proved they could win on a bad day. Yes, maybe, but I say you better not have bad days if you want to be in the national title hunt, ask Penn State. If they play like that against Florida for the SEC Title the game will be over by halftime.
#6 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (8-1)
LAST WEEK: 17-3 win vs California
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs Stanford
THE RE-MATCH! Stanford defeated the 42-point favorite Trojans last year and destroyed any hope of a national title for USC, now the Trojans get revenge. QB Matt Sanchez needs to start playing better if USC wants to be considered for the BCS Title if everything gets crazy in the last few weeks (like it has in the past few years.) The defense is the best in the country and probably the best since Pete Carroll took over in LA. But the offense needs to score and stop relying on the fact that the defense is going to not allow any touchdowns (they have only allowed one in the past 23 quarters).
#7 UTAH UTES (10-0)
LAST WEEK: 13-10 win vs TCU
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ San Diego State
Just when you count them out the Utes fight back and get a win. Utah needed a TD with 48 seconds left to beat TCU and stay undefeated. Down 10-0 in the first quarter, Utah regrouped and shutout the Horned Frogs the remainder of the game and squeezed out 13 points of their own. Also I loved the BLACK OUT uniforms sported by Utah for this one.
#8 MISSOURI TIGERS (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 41-24 win vs Kansas State
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Iowa State
Oh yeah, that other BIG XII team. Missouri is the likely opponent for which ever team wins out in the Big XII South for the conference title game. With games against Iowa State and Kansas remaining, Missouri should be in that game as the spoiler, just as Oklahoma did to them in last years championship game.
#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (9-0)
LAST WEEK: 49-14 win vs Utah State
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Idaho
Talk about balance, the Broncos had four different players throw touchdown passes last week, throw in a Ian Johnson run and a defensive touchdown and you get the 49 Boise State put on the board. The Broncos will probably be left out of a BCS bowl even if they go undefeated simply because their resume isn’t as impressive Utah, the other non-BCS conference team that is available. That isn’t stopping Boise State of putting up big numbers and running up the score to make a statement though. Look for them to continue it this week against Idaho, a team that ranks in the bottom 10 nationally of every single defensive category.
#10 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (7-2)
LAST WEEK: 28-7 win vs Georgia Tech
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Maryland
Someone from the ACC has to step up and I think that Butch Davis and the Tar Heels are finally that team. Davis worked miracles getting the Miami program back to the top quickly and is trying to do the same in Chapel Hill. If Davis’ old team knocks off Virginia Tech on Thursday then the Heels control their own destiny in the ACC. Win out and play in the conference championship game.
#11 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 56-20 loss @ Texas Tech
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Colorado
#12 GEORGIA BULLDOGS (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 42-38 win @ Kentucky
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Auburn
#13 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 45-10 win @ Northwestern
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Illinois
#14 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: 24-23 loss @ Iowa
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs Indiana
#15 MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 21-7 win vs Purdue
NEXT WEEK: OFF
#16 FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (7-2)
LAST WEEK: 41-27 win vs Clemson
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs Boston College
#17 SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS (7-3)
LAST WEEK: 34-21 win vs Arkansas
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ #1 Florida
#18 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (7-2)
LAST WEEK: 26-23 win @ West Virginia
NEXT WEEK: Nov 14th @ Louisville
#19 TCU HORNED FROGS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 13-10 loss @ Utah
NEXT WEEK: OFF
#20 BALL STATE CARDINALS (9-0)
LAST WEEK: 45-14 win vs Northern Illinois
NEXT WEEK: Nov 11th @ Miami OH
#1 FLORIDA GATORS (8-1)LAST WEEK: 42-14 win @ Vanderbilt
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs #17 South Carolina
Florida keeps on rolling. They clinched the SEC East title and a meeting with Alabama on Dec 6th. The game last week versus Vanderbilt was the closest game the Gators have played since dropping one to Ole Miss in September and they don’t look to be slowing down. The Gators have a tough road ahead though with Florida State and Alabama in the SEC Title game on the slate to finish out the season.
#2 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (10-0)LAST WEEK: 56-20 win vs Oklahoma State
NEXT WEEK: OFF
In case there was any doubt Texas Tech made an example out of Oklahoma State by absolutely dismantling them one week after their thrilling win over #1 Texas. The next big challenge for the Red Raiders is a trip to Norman to face the #4 Sooners. These two scores will certainly put points on the board (both rank in the top 3 in the nation in ppg). The big difference in this one will be which team can get the big stop. Originally I thought that Oklahoma would be the team to knock off Tech, but I am having second thoughts every time I watch this red Raider team play.
#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (9-1)LAST WEEK: 45-21 win vs Baylor
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Kansas
The Longhorns got out of the gates slow last week against Baylor with what might have been a little post-loss hangover, but Colt McCoy got the offense going to an easy win. Texas is in a difficult spot right now. They finish their schedule in a fairly easy fashion with only Kansas and A&M remaining. But Texas will have to root for Oklahoma to beat Texas Tech and then leave it in the hands of the BCS rankings to determine which of those three teams will represent the BIG XII South in the conference championship game. The problem with that is if OU beats Tech, they will probably jump ahead to Texas in the rankings and with two teams that won’t help their strength of schedule remaining Texas could be left watch at home.
#4 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (9-1)LAST WEEK: 66-28 win @ Texas A&M
NEXT WEEK: OFF
OU gets a much-needed week off to game plan on how to slow down the Texas Tech offense before their big showdown in two weeks. The Sooners are in the drivers seat in the Big XII South though actually. Based on their remaining schedule (Texas Tech and Ok State) if they win out, they should win the division and play for the conference title. However I don’t see that happening unless Bob Stoops tightens up that defense that has allowed 28 or more in five straight games.
#5 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (10-0)LAST WEEK: 27-21 win @ LSU
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs Mississippi State
This was a very big, emotional win for Alabama that I should probably not punish them for, but I am. Bama was out gained, gave up over 200 yards on the ground and turned the ball over three times against the Tigers. Now, some may say that they proved they could win on a bad day. Yes, maybe, but I say you better not have bad days if you want to be in the national title hunt, ask Penn State. If they play like that against Florida for the SEC Title the game will be over by halftime.
#6 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (8-1)LAST WEEK: 17-3 win vs California
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs Stanford
THE RE-MATCH! Stanford defeated the 42-point favorite Trojans last year and destroyed any hope of a national title for USC, now the Trojans get revenge. QB Matt Sanchez needs to start playing better if USC wants to be considered for the BCS Title if everything gets crazy in the last few weeks (like it has in the past few years.) The defense is the best in the country and probably the best since Pete Carroll took over in LA. But the offense needs to score and stop relying on the fact that the defense is going to not allow any touchdowns (they have only allowed one in the past 23 quarters).
#7 UTAH UTES (10-0)LAST WEEK: 13-10 win vs TCU
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ San Diego State
Just when you count them out the Utes fight back and get a win. Utah needed a TD with 48 seconds left to beat TCU and stay undefeated. Down 10-0 in the first quarter, Utah regrouped and shutout the Horned Frogs the remainder of the game and squeezed out 13 points of their own. Also I loved the BLACK OUT uniforms sported by Utah for this one.
#8 MISSOURI TIGERS (8-2)LAST WEEK: 41-24 win vs Kansas State
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Iowa State
Oh yeah, that other BIG XII team. Missouri is the likely opponent for which ever team wins out in the Big XII South for the conference title game. With games against Iowa State and Kansas remaining, Missouri should be in that game as the spoiler, just as Oklahoma did to them in last years championship game.
#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (9-0)LAST WEEK: 49-14 win vs Utah State
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Idaho
Talk about balance, the Broncos had four different players throw touchdown passes last week, throw in a Ian Johnson run and a defensive touchdown and you get the 49 Boise State put on the board. The Broncos will probably be left out of a BCS bowl even if they go undefeated simply because their resume isn’t as impressive Utah, the other non-BCS conference team that is available. That isn’t stopping Boise State of putting up big numbers and running up the score to make a statement though. Look for them to continue it this week against Idaho, a team that ranks in the bottom 10 nationally of every single defensive category.
#10 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (7-2)LAST WEEK: 28-7 win vs Georgia Tech
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Maryland
Someone from the ACC has to step up and I think that Butch Davis and the Tar Heels are finally that team. Davis worked miracles getting the Miami program back to the top quickly and is trying to do the same in Chapel Hill. If Davis’ old team knocks off Virginia Tech on Thursday then the Heels control their own destiny in the ACC. Win out and play in the conference championship game.
#11 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 56-20 loss @ Texas Tech
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Colorado
#12 GEORGIA BULLDOGS (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 42-38 win @ Kentucky
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Auburn
#13 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (8-2)
LAST WEEK: 45-10 win @ Northwestern
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ Illinois
#14 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: 24-23 loss @ Iowa
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs Indiana
#15 MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 21-7 win vs Purdue
NEXT WEEK: OFF
#16 FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (7-2)
LAST WEEK: 41-27 win vs Clemson
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th vs Boston College
#17 SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS (7-3)
LAST WEEK: 34-21 win vs Arkansas
NEXT WEEK: Nov 15th @ #1 Florida
#18 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (7-2)
LAST WEEK: 26-23 win @ West Virginia
NEXT WEEK: Nov 14th @ Louisville
#19 TCU HORNED FROGS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 13-10 loss @ Utah
NEXT WEEK: OFF
#20 BALL STATE CARDINALS (9-0)
LAST WEEK: 45-14 win vs Northern Illinois
NEXT WEEK: Nov 11th @ Miami OH
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