First, an update on the Big Ten:
THANK YOU, OREGON!!!!!!!
With the Ducks beating Oregon State, 65-38, expect Ohio State to now join Penn State in the BCS, with the Nittany Lions now playing USC in the Rose Bowl (assuming USC beats a horrible UCLA team next Saturday) and the Buckeyes either playing in the Fiesta or Sugar Bowls, depending upon whether or not the Fiesta wants to have Utah or Ohio State play a Big XII South team that doesn't play in the conference's title game next week.
(I know there is speculation right now about a 12-0 Boise State team getting a BCS bid instead of Ohio State. Uh, yeah, that WILL NOT happen. Look at the Broncos' schedule, then try to convince me. This garbage about Ohio State's reputation is just that because last year, and the year before, have absolutely NO BEARING on this year's team or its results. The Buckeyes' two losses are to teams playing in the BCS (probably against each other in the Rose Bowl). Unless Boise State could beat either Penn State or USC, this is a no-brainer to go with Ohio State, especially when you consider Ohio State has an enormous fan base that will travel ANYWHERE.)
With that, Michigan State now moves up to the Capital One Bowl to play Georgia in a battle featuring the two running backs who better be beaten out by Shonn Greene for the Doak Walker Award — Knowshon Moreno and Javon Ringer.
Then in the Outback, yes, Iowa will be picked before Northwestern. Sorry 'Cat fans, but a snowball has a better chance of remaining solid in hell than Northwestern does of being selected ahead of the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten's bowl pecking order (in fact, don't be surprised if the Alamo Bowl decides to exercise the clause in the Big Ten's contract that states that if the Big Ten has two BCS teams, the two-win rule doesn't need to apply to the decision-making done by the Outback or Alamo Bowls, meaning if the Alamo decided it wanted to have a 7-5 Wisconsin team instead of a 9-3 Northwestern team, it is allowed to pick the Badgers presuming that Ohio State is moved up to the BCS). If this happens, Northwestern would drop to the Champs Sports Bowl, which is where it would have gone anyway if Oregon State has won the Pac-10's BCS bid.
Then the fortunate ones (or unfortunate depending on how you look at it) are the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who now get to spend New Year's in Tempe, Ariz., at the Insight Bowl instead of Christmas in Detroit at the Motor City Bowl.
Assuming that Iowa does indeed go to Tampa (which is now what I'm expecting and will be shocked if it doesn't happen), the Hawkeyes are likely to play South Carolina. Even though the Gamecocks lost to Clemson and finished 7-5, the Outback Bowl usually takes an SEC East squad while the Cotton Bowl takes an SEC West team. Now assuming Georgia goes to the Capital One and Ole Miss, who is 8-4, goes to the Cotton Bowl, the Outback will choose between 7-5 South Carolina, 7-5 LSU, 7-5 Vanderbilt, and 6-6 Kentucky. Now South Carolina did lose to both LSU and Vandy this year. However, Vanderbilt hasn't been to a bowl since 1982 and I highly doubt they'd bring a ton of people to Tampa, and not only is LSU in the SEC West, but given how the Outback chose Iowa over Michigan in 2005 mainly because of a fear that Michigan wouldn't want to travel after a "disappointing" year following two straight Rose Bowl appearances, the same concern has to probably be in place for a team that won the national title last year, and had they not come from behind to beat Troy two weeks ago, would be sitting at 6-6 right now. Unless told otherwise, expect Kirk Ferentz to be matched up with the Ol' Ball Coach on New Year's Day at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
As for the games that did go on, here are my thoughts:
1. Texas SHOULD play in the Big XII title game...
But Oklahoma WILL. Based of what I've seen, I'd advocate for Texas because the Longhorns beat the Sooners head-to-head and are essentially one play away from being undefeated (not to mention Colt McCoy, in my opinion, has earned himself a Heisman Trophy). However, you have to put into account that the coaches (who make up 2/3 of the BCS standings) may not have even watched last night's Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game, but are going to look at that 61-41 score and say to themselves "Oklahoma did enough winning by 20 on the road" even though that game was a shootout that went down to the wire. If the AP had an impact, you'd probably see more people like myself siding with Texas here. Keep in mind that we're talking about head coaches who were hopefully watching both teams this week if they weren't coaching. Oh, and in regards to Texas Tech, the Red Raiders, I'm sorry, but they had no business winning that game against Baylor (and I'll add that Robert Griffin is one HELL of a quarterback!).
Keep one thing in mind though, regardless of whether it's Oklahoma or Texas playing Missouri on Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium: Yes, Missouri just lost to Kansas (in what I would argue was one of the best college football games I've watched in a long, long time), but the familiarity with playing inside that stadium, I think, could benefit the Tigers in the Big XII Championship, especially since it will be the second week in a row they've played there. Now it won't be the deciding factor, but if Mizzou were to pull an upset, just remember this, and you won't be as surprised.
I'll also say this as a segway: If Missouri does somehow beat either Oklahoma or Texas in the Big XII Championship, DO NOT BE SURPRISED NOW if USC, who unless it loses to UCLA is going to the Pac-10 outright now, ends up in the BCS title game. If the Big XII South team wins next week, then forget this. But if Mizzou wins, I think it's fair as long as USC beats UCLA and wins its conference. I'd have a bigger problem if we faced this while having Oregon State winning the Pac-10. The BCS' biggest f-ups came in 2001 and 2003 when there were teams playing in the national championship that didn't even win their own conferences (and notice how both those teams LOST those championship games). My personal belief is that if you can't win your own conference (and that includes tiebreakers), then you have no business playing for a national championship.
Now USC absolutely throttled Notre Dame. Charlie Weis is as good as gone now. You cannot convince me that Notre Dame is going to keep him around after what has taken place the last few weeks. Even if the Fighting Irish go to a bowl (watch, they will be the first 6-6 team chosen for an at-large, guaranteed), they'll probably lose that game like they do every other bowl game. I will also say this, going back to the Trojans: If there is one Big Ten team that could beat USC, it's Penn State. Remember that the Nittany Lions have WON bowl games the last three years. Joe Paterno knows how to utilize weeks off (unlike Jim Tressel), and assuming this Rose Bowl happens, Penn State might not beat USC, but will without question give them a much better game than Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, or Ohio State has over the last six-seven years. Trust me on that.
The ACC title game makes me want to puke. After watching Georgia Tech run all over Georgia, I was really hoping Virginia Tech would stumble so that way we'd have an exciting ACC Championship. Sorry, but as good as the Hokies' defense and special teams have been, their offense is pure garbage, regardless of who the quarterback is. They had three drives against the Cavaliers where they went 14 plays, 14 plays, and 13 plays, and came away with exactly 0 points. You do that against a decent team, like say, the Boston College squad they'll play in Tampa next week (who they've already lost to once this season, I might add), and you have no chance. I like BC winning that game, getting payback for losing to Virginia Tech in last year's game, and see the Eagles playing Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl. By the way, a little off topic, but the ACC has 10 bowl-eligible teams. Talk about mediocrity.
Going back to the SEC, I want to commend Casey Dick, a senior quarterback for Arkansas. His younger brother started on Friday against LSU, struggled, and when the Razorbacks were down 30-14, Casey Dick came in and led Arkansas to a come-from-behind win. Much like Todd Reesing did today for Kansas, Dick threw the game-winning touchdown pass on a fourth down play. Talk about a way to end your college career since the Hogs won't be bowling this season. Oh, and Les Miles, I know Colt David's a good kicker, but a 63-yard field goal, against the wind? Are you serious?
Staying in the SEC real quick, I cannot wait to watch Alabama and Florida play next week. One thing to keep an eye on for, again, is familiarity. Just like Missouri playing in the Big XII title game, Alabama has already played a game in the Georgia Dome this year (remember that beatdown in Atlanta the Crimson Tide laid on Clemson, when everyone like myself thought Clemson was a Top-10 team that would dominate the ACC?). Like the BIG XII, I'm not saying Alabama will beat Florida because of this, but if the Tide do win, don't think this wouldn't be a factor, especially since Florida hasn't played a game inside a dome yet this season.
Finally, I want to end on a sad note. There was news today that Mississippi State head coach Sylvester Croom has decided to resign. This is significant because now there are only three African-American head coaches, which is a shame. Now I know the Bulldogs put up a goose egg in their Egg Bowl game against Ole Miss on Friday, but still. Croom led them to an eight-win season last year (and won the Liberty Bowl over a UCF team that won C-USA, I might add), and he did manage to beat Alabama two years in a row during his tenure. Turner Gill at Buffalo is now the longest-tenured African-American coach at his current job, and he has been there three years. That's just amazing. You certainly hope things head in the right direction with this, and I wish Croom well as he tries to find his niche in coaching somewhere else.
I'll be back with more later, as some bowl bids are going to be handed down here in the coming days. Don't expect anything official with the Big Ten until after next Saturday's USC-UCLA game.
- Brendan
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
More bowl talk
Big Ten scenarios hinge on Oregon-Oregon State:
If Oregon State wins, expect the following:
Penn State to Rose
Ohio State to Capital One
Michigan State to Outback
Iowa to Alamo
Northwestern to Champs Sports
Wisconsin to Insight
Minnesota to Motor City
If Oregon wins, here's what could happen:
Penn State to Rose
Ohio State to either the Fiesta or Sugar (depending on if Fiesta wants to have Utah instead of Ohio State)
Michigan State to Capital One
Iowa or Northwestern to Outback
Iowa or Northwestern to Alamo
Minnesota or Wisconsin to Champs Sports
Minnesota or Wisconsin to Insight
To make a few things clear, I don't see the Hawkeyes jumping over Michigan State for a bowl. If the Outback chooses between Iowa and Northwestern, I think they'd choose Iowa, but stranger things have happened before. If Oregon State crashes the BCS party, there's no doubt in my mind Iowa would go to the Alamo over Northwestern.
If Oregon State wins, expect the following:
Penn State to Rose
Ohio State to Capital One
Michigan State to Outback
Iowa to Alamo
Northwestern to Champs Sports
Wisconsin to Insight
Minnesota to Motor City
If Oregon wins, here's what could happen:
Penn State to Rose
Ohio State to either the Fiesta or Sugar (depending on if Fiesta wants to have Utah instead of Ohio State)
Michigan State to Capital One
Iowa or Northwestern to Outback
Iowa or Northwestern to Alamo
Minnesota or Wisconsin to Champs Sports
Minnesota or Wisconsin to Insight
To make a few things clear, I don't see the Hawkeyes jumping over Michigan State for a bowl. If the Outback chooses between Iowa and Northwestern, I think they'd choose Iowa, but stranger things have happened before. If Oregon State crashes the BCS party, there's no doubt in my mind Iowa would go to the Alamo over Northwestern.
A few pre-Thanksgiving thoughts
1. Congrats to Ball State
The Cardinals won't be in the BCS, but finishing the regular season undefeated is pretty impressive, regardless of what conference you come from. The MAC has always had a decent reputation, so this should get recognition.
2. About another Indiana school
I understand that Notre Dame fans are frustrated with Charlie Weis and the Fighting Irish, but throwing snowballs at the team after its loss to Syracuse (I admit, that's a terrible loss) is inexcusable. Seriously. It's not like those guys wanted to lose to Syracuse. If anything, give the Orange credit for going into South Bend with a lame duck coach and finding a way to win. I'm going to leave the Weis topic alone until after the USC game (have a good idea what I'll say though since I think we all know what's going to probably happen at the Coliseum).
3. Bradford now the front-runner
With the beatdown OU laid on Tech, the Sooners are in a good position. First, in the case of Sam Bradford, if OU beats Okie State on Saturday and wins the Big XII title game, I think the Heisman's going to him over Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, and yes, Shonn Greene. As for the team, if the Sooners win in Stillwater, you can't convince me that they're not going to jump Texas, regardless of whether the Longhorns beat A&M or not. Factor in that outside the conference, Oklahoma has beaten a TCU squad that manhandled BYU and nearly upset Utah, and a Cincy team that could win the Big East and secure a BCS spot this weekend, edge goes to Bob Stoops here.
4. This weekend's games that matter:
Yes, Texas-Texas A&M and Oklahoma-Oklahoma State matter for obvious reasons, so does Baylor-Texas Tech, Florida-Florida State, West Virginia-Pittsburgh, Colorado-Nebraska, Fresno State-Boise State, Georgia Tech-Georgia, South Carolina-Clemson, Notre Dame-USC, and I could go on.
But the biggest games this weekend are actually the following:
ACC: Virginia at Virginia Tech and Maryland at Boston College
Here's why: ACC title picture - If the Hokies and Eagles both take care of business at home, they'll meet each other for the second year in a row in the ACC Championship Game, which is in Tampa next week. If the Cavaliers go into Blacksburg and upset Va. Tech, Georgia Tech would then win the ACC's Coastal Division and play in Tampa thanks to a head-to-head win last week over Miami. Likewise, if Maryland upsets BC, Florida State would win the Atlantic Division because of its win over the Terps last Saturday in College Park.
So to be clear, you'll have either BC-GT, FSU-GT, BC-VT, or FSU-VT next week. One of these four will play in the Orange Bowl, which is where the ACC champion is slotted to play.
BIG EAST: Syracuse at Cincinnati
Real simple - A Bearcat win or a West Virginia loss to Pitt on Friday sends Cincy to a BCS game, most likely the Orange or Sugar Bowls, thanks to a Nov. 8 win in overtime over the Mountaineers (on the road, I might add). However, if the 'Cuse were to pull a second straight shocker on Saturday, West Virginia would need to win the Backyard Brawl at Heinz Field on Friday and then win next week at home against South Florida, a team who has won two straight over the Mountaineers. Cincinnati's game at Hawaii is absolutely meaningless, regardless of what transpires.
PAC-10: Oregon at Oregon State
As far as fans of these two schools and the entire Big Ten conference (well, the seven teams going to bowl games, anyway), this is the ONLY game that matters. If the Beavers win the Civil War, they'll be smelling roses and will have a rematch with Penn State on New Year's Day in Pasadena. Because Oregon State beat USC head-to-head, that tiebreaker gives the Beavers the conference, and would send USC to either the Fiesta or Sugar Bowls (assuming it wins out against Notre Dame and UCLA). However, a Ducks win in Corvallis on Saturday will put USC in control of the Pac-10, and a win at UCLA next week would send the Trojans to their fourth straight Rose Bowl (and fifth in six years) to play JoePa's Nittany Lions. If this happens, expect Ohio State to move into the BCS with its 10-2 record and well-recognized fan base to either Tempe or New Orleans this coming January, and then every other Big Ten team will head to a better bowl game (sorry, Motor City).
As far as Iowa's bowl possibilities go, here's what I believe:
Oregon win = Outback Bowl in Tampa against most likely South Carolina
Oregon State win = Alamo Bowl in San Antonio against either Missouri, Nebraska, or Oklahoma State
I'll let you all be the judge here.
The Cardinals won't be in the BCS, but finishing the regular season undefeated is pretty impressive, regardless of what conference you come from. The MAC has always had a decent reputation, so this should get recognition.
2. About another Indiana school
I understand that Notre Dame fans are frustrated with Charlie Weis and the Fighting Irish, but throwing snowballs at the team after its loss to Syracuse (I admit, that's a terrible loss) is inexcusable. Seriously. It's not like those guys wanted to lose to Syracuse. If anything, give the Orange credit for going into South Bend with a lame duck coach and finding a way to win. I'm going to leave the Weis topic alone until after the USC game (have a good idea what I'll say though since I think we all know what's going to probably happen at the Coliseum).
3. Bradford now the front-runner
With the beatdown OU laid on Tech, the Sooners are in a good position. First, in the case of Sam Bradford, if OU beats Okie State on Saturday and wins the Big XII title game, I think the Heisman's going to him over Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, and yes, Shonn Greene. As for the team, if the Sooners win in Stillwater, you can't convince me that they're not going to jump Texas, regardless of whether the Longhorns beat A&M or not. Factor in that outside the conference, Oklahoma has beaten a TCU squad that manhandled BYU and nearly upset Utah, and a Cincy team that could win the Big East and secure a BCS spot this weekend, edge goes to Bob Stoops here.
4. This weekend's games that matter:
Yes, Texas-Texas A&M and Oklahoma-Oklahoma State matter for obvious reasons, so does Baylor-Texas Tech, Florida-Florida State, West Virginia-Pittsburgh, Colorado-Nebraska, Fresno State-Boise State, Georgia Tech-Georgia, South Carolina-Clemson, Notre Dame-USC, and I could go on.
But the biggest games this weekend are actually the following:
ACC: Virginia at Virginia Tech and Maryland at Boston College
Here's why: ACC title picture - If the Hokies and Eagles both take care of business at home, they'll meet each other for the second year in a row in the ACC Championship Game, which is in Tampa next week. If the Cavaliers go into Blacksburg and upset Va. Tech, Georgia Tech would then win the ACC's Coastal Division and play in Tampa thanks to a head-to-head win last week over Miami. Likewise, if Maryland upsets BC, Florida State would win the Atlantic Division because of its win over the Terps last Saturday in College Park.
So to be clear, you'll have either BC-GT, FSU-GT, BC-VT, or FSU-VT next week. One of these four will play in the Orange Bowl, which is where the ACC champion is slotted to play.
BIG EAST: Syracuse at Cincinnati
Real simple - A Bearcat win or a West Virginia loss to Pitt on Friday sends Cincy to a BCS game, most likely the Orange or Sugar Bowls, thanks to a Nov. 8 win in overtime over the Mountaineers (on the road, I might add). However, if the 'Cuse were to pull a second straight shocker on Saturday, West Virginia would need to win the Backyard Brawl at Heinz Field on Friday and then win next week at home against South Florida, a team who has won two straight over the Mountaineers. Cincinnati's game at Hawaii is absolutely meaningless, regardless of what transpires.
PAC-10: Oregon at Oregon State
As far as fans of these two schools and the entire Big Ten conference (well, the seven teams going to bowl games, anyway), this is the ONLY game that matters. If the Beavers win the Civil War, they'll be smelling roses and will have a rematch with Penn State on New Year's Day in Pasadena. Because Oregon State beat USC head-to-head, that tiebreaker gives the Beavers the conference, and would send USC to either the Fiesta or Sugar Bowls (assuming it wins out against Notre Dame and UCLA). However, a Ducks win in Corvallis on Saturday will put USC in control of the Pac-10, and a win at UCLA next week would send the Trojans to their fourth straight Rose Bowl (and fifth in six years) to play JoePa's Nittany Lions. If this happens, expect Ohio State to move into the BCS with its 10-2 record and well-recognized fan base to either Tempe or New Orleans this coming January, and then every other Big Ten team will head to a better bowl game (sorry, Motor City).
As far as Iowa's bowl possibilities go, here's what I believe:
Oregon win = Outback Bowl in Tampa against most likely South Carolina
Oregon State win = Alamo Bowl in San Antonio against either Missouri, Nebraska, or Oklahoma State
I'll let you all be the judge here.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Ties are stupid
In all honesty, I can't think of a better title.
If tying in sports is supposed to be like kissing your sister, then the Eagles-Bengals game in Cincinnati on Sunday was about as close to incest as you'll find in the NFL.
I thought Bud Selig had problems when the 2002 All-Star Game in Milwaukee ended in a tie. My god. Whoever decided that NFL games should end in a tie ought to be shot. Seriously.
First of all, let's look at the context of this game. Because this crapfest ended without a winner, the Eagles are going to have a much more difficult time trying to gain ground on the wild card, and it pretty much kills any hopes of a miracle run to a division crown with the Giants sitting there at 9-1.
For the Bengals, who came in 1-8, this tie could eventually cost them the No. 2 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft (I think it's safe to say that Detroit can already go on the clock.)
Aside from professional soccer, can you think of any other pro sport where two teams will settle for a tie? Baseball, you have extra innings. Basketball, you keep playing and playing. Hell, the NHL even has shootouts now during the regular season (although I will say the points system and the fact there's such a category as overtime losses is beyond moronic). Only in the NFL this happens.
There would honestly be nothing wrong with having a second overtime if need be. Just look at the playoff game in 2003-04 when the Panthers got a Steve Smith touchdown in the second OT to beat the Rams, as they inched closer to Super Bowl XXXVIII. That's exciting to me.
In high school and college football, they keep playing until there's a winner on one sideline and a loser on the other. Why can't the NFL? These guys are grown men making millions of dollars. Don't stop giving 100 percent until the final whistle has blown (or in this case, they should have kept playing beyond the whistle).
Not to mention this is a rip-off to Cincinnati fans. They're already miserable because they waste so much money to watch a garbage football team. Making them sit through 75 minutes of "WTF?" and NOT have a winner is absurd.
Roger Goodell, if you're reading this, the first thing you need to change in the off-season is getting rid of ties. They're pointless and only wind up making the playoff picture and ensuing draft order more confusing to dissect.
- Brendan
If tying in sports is supposed to be like kissing your sister, then the Eagles-Bengals game in Cincinnati on Sunday was about as close to incest as you'll find in the NFL.
I thought Bud Selig had problems when the 2002 All-Star Game in Milwaukee ended in a tie. My god. Whoever decided that NFL games should end in a tie ought to be shot. Seriously.
First of all, let's look at the context of this game. Because this crapfest ended without a winner, the Eagles are going to have a much more difficult time trying to gain ground on the wild card, and it pretty much kills any hopes of a miracle run to a division crown with the Giants sitting there at 9-1.
For the Bengals, who came in 1-8, this tie could eventually cost them the No. 2 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft (I think it's safe to say that Detroit can already go on the clock.)
Aside from professional soccer, can you think of any other pro sport where two teams will settle for a tie? Baseball, you have extra innings. Basketball, you keep playing and playing. Hell, the NHL even has shootouts now during the regular season (although I will say the points system and the fact there's such a category as overtime losses is beyond moronic). Only in the NFL this happens.
There would honestly be nothing wrong with having a second overtime if need be. Just look at the playoff game in 2003-04 when the Panthers got a Steve Smith touchdown in the second OT to beat the Rams, as they inched closer to Super Bowl XXXVIII. That's exciting to me.
In high school and college football, they keep playing until there's a winner on one sideline and a loser on the other. Why can't the NFL? These guys are grown men making millions of dollars. Don't stop giving 100 percent until the final whistle has blown (or in this case, they should have kept playing beyond the whistle).
Not to mention this is a rip-off to Cincinnati fans. They're already miserable because they waste so much money to watch a garbage football team. Making them sit through 75 minutes of "WTF?" and NOT have a winner is absurd.
Roger Goodell, if you're reading this, the first thing you need to change in the off-season is getting rid of ties. They're pointless and only wind up making the playoff picture and ensuing draft order more confusing to dissect.
- Brendan
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Giants-Eagles glog
7 PM: So I'm in the newsroom awaiting to have my two stories from yesterday's Iowa-Penn State game edited (I'll have more on this later), and I got NBC on to watch the Giants-Eagles game. I'll tell you what goes on around here late at night while watching the game. By the way, I'm still ticked the Bears couldn't be like Iowa and beat an unbeaten this weekend. Oh well. Bob Sanders is now being interviewed as I type.
7:05 PM: Listening to Football Night in America's "Sounds of the Game," I wanted to puke when I heard "Touchdown Titans!" Ugh!
7:06 PM: OK, LT is one of my favorite players in the league not playing for the Bears, but we're already getting overload on the LT commercials. First Chunky Soup, now Nike. What's next, Vizio?
7:08 PM: I hate being tied for first with Minnesota, but nonetheless, I'm glad the Vikings beat the Packers today. I'd rather be tied with a team we've already beaten. Oh, and watching Jets-Rams highlights, I miss Thomas Jones.
7:10 PM: Anyone else looking forward to this potential Thanksgiving match-up: An undefeated Tennessee Titans against a winless Detroit Lions? Oh, and Mason Crosby, ha ha.
7:12 PM: Can't blame Herm Edwards. After all, "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!"
7:13 PM: Why do I get the feeling the Giants are going to roll Philly and Eli is going to have a monster game? We'll see if that holds up.
7:17 PM: Watching Faith Hill's intro, if you're seriously watching a football game on your cell phone, that's pretty depressing. Al Michaels looks decent in his attire. Glad the Eagles are sticking to their regular home jerseys for this game. Madden looks like his usual self. Talk about finishing, please finish talking so the game can start, John. Thanks.
7:21 PM: I never thought I'd say this, but I just heard a bottle of syrup talk. Freaky.
7:27 PM: Wow. Eli just threw a pick to a d-tackle.
7:34 PM: I'm back. Just had to write an e-mail to some people on my staff. That was a nice touchdown by DeSean Jackson. He's had a solid rookie season for the Eagles.
7:39 PM: Nice touchdown by Plexi-glass. My question regarding Chris Snee is this: What would create more animosity - getting divorced, or getting cut by your father-in-law?
8:12 PM: Sorry about that. I was getting two stories edited that are running in Monday's paper. 17-7. Yeah, it's starting to get ugly like I thought it might.
8:34 PM: Nice touchdown by Jason Avant. Philly inching closer back. I'm starting to get bored down here.
8:38 PM: Congrats, Eagles fans. The new vice president is one of you. The new president, however, is one of us. HA HA HA HA HA!
8:44 PM: Kung Fu Panda is the No. 1 DVD in America? Really?
8:51 PM: So I'm at the cubicle with Alex Johnson and our boy Jeff Pawola while the Eagles' conduct their two-minute drill. Good times.
8:54 PM: It's halftime. One of my best friends just called me to talk about yesterday's game. God, that was awesome.
9 PM: One of our editors just need some clarification on why Iowa only had 101 yards rushing. In case you're wondering, it's net total. Stanzi lost 16 yards on the ground.
9:15 PM: So I guess Jason Avant is going on the horse trailer, huh? What a catch he made for the touchdown.
9:15 PM: They just showed cannolis. I love those things. I get them every time I go back to Long Island to visit my extended family.
9:18 PM: And this is where I talk about how I can't stand those Kay jeweler commercials.
9:19 PM: I was asked before who I thought Shonn Greene reminded me of. How about Brandon Jacobs?
9:22 PM: Somewhere in LA, the USC fight song is being played after Steve Smith caught that pass for a first down. Seriously, which fight song is more annoying to hear, "Fight On," or Oklahoma's "Boomer Sooner?" God, I'm thinking about that Orange Bowl from 04-05, and I thought my ears were going to bleed as I kept hearing those two songs. And I wasn't even AT THAT game.
9:23 PM: Dear Lowes, let's get to Thanksgiving before we start talking about Christmas. I think my parents still have Halloweed candy at their house. I'll have to check when I go home.
9:24 PM: Bruce Springsteen for Super Bowl halftime. Solid choice. I don't know who will play in it, but I'm guessing a running back will be Super Bowl MVP, just so that way Chris Berman can say he was "born to run."
9:27 PM: So let me get this straight — if I have a Sprint phone, I can get NFL Network, but if I have Mediacom cable, I'm screwed? What the hell?
9:29 PM: A penalty on Philly, and the crowd thinks the refs are from the other side of New Jersey. Figures.
9:29 PM: Asante Samuel — signed with the Eagles determined not to let Plaxico turn him into his personal you-know-what like he did to Al Harris in the NFC title game last year.
9:30 PM: Which now makes me wonder (if there are any Cheeseheads, feel free to chime in), which moment of Packer playoff misery was more enjoyable — last year at Lambeau when the Giants officially nixed the whole "Frozen Tundra" mantra, or "4th and 26." Tough call here. Sorry, this is the Bears fan in me talking. I'm already jacked up for next Sunday's game in "that state up north." (Woody Hayes referred to Michigan this way, this is how I refer to the Packers).
9:32 PM: Seriously. Any woman who finds a caveman attractive needs to go back to the stone ages and have a rock thrown at their head. Those GEICO commercials are so annoying.
9:34 PM: And now I want a Samsung HD. That's a thing of beauty.
9:34 PM: Memo to Al Michaels — any head coach who doesn't know the rulebook shouldn't be a head coach. Thank you, Captain Obvious. BTW, that's a good reversal by that official.
9:35 PM: I don't know why, but I just remembered that John Madden's the same guy who thought the Patriots should run out the clock and take their chances in OT against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He, and every other St. Louis fan remains baffled to this day.
9:38 PM: Term that annoys me: "the naked eye." So does that means my eyes are fully clothed when I'm wearing my glasses? Jeez.
9:41 PM: Two broken hands, and Fred Robbins is still playing? BTW, if the Giants had six defensive backs on three Eagle receivers, then how did McNabb find an open receiver? Granted, the throw was a little off. And that was a dumb play on special teams by the home squad.
9:43 PM: I find it hilarious that Greg Lewis "illegally touched" him without actually using his hands.
9:44 PM: Yeah, that "phenomenal" Eagle defense has given up 27 points, John. And they just got called for a 15-yard personal foul face mask. Great timing on your part.
9:45 PM: Whoever decided there should be no such thing as a "five-yard face mask penalty," that guy should never have to buy a beer for the rest of his life.
9:47 PM: Kevin Boss just showed "The City of Brotherly Love" who the real "Boss" is in this game. WOW!
9:48 PM: Note to the G-Men: STOP MAKING UP STUPID NICKNAMES FOR YOUR RUNNING BACKS! Seriously, we've gone from "Thunder" and "Lightning" to now "Earth, Wind, and Fire." What kind of nickname is "Earth" for a running back?
9:50 PM: Middle-aged women gambling. Oh, goody!
9:50 PM: Everyone can afford a Ford today? Even with the economy as crappy as it is?
9:52 PM: Someone on the Eagles just tried his best "LaVar Arrington" there, and failed miserably.
9:53 PM: Could you draw up a HB draw any crappier than that? WOW.
9:53 PM: Man, I haven't heard Matchbox Twenty in a long time.
9:54 PM: Coors Light's only commercial featuring Dennis Green ought to be from his famous rant two years ago.
9:54 PM: And we need to get a Wendy's in downtown Iowa City like there was one in the Ped Mall when I was a kid. I wouldn't necessarily get the double stack burger they just advertised, but it sure sounds good.
9;55 PM: NO MORE TURDUCKEN FROM JOHN MADDEN? AAAHHHH!!!! THE WORLD'S COMING TO AN END! GOD, HELP US ALL, ESPECIALLY THAT "PHENOMENAL" EAGLE DEFENSE THAT HAS NOW GIVEN UP 30 POINTS TONIGHT.
9:58 PM: Man, I'm glad Westbrook didn't play against us back in September.
9:59 PM: What a bad ass name for a punter — Sav Rocca. And just as I say that, Hixon takes on to the house, and just as I say that, the return gets called back. Damn.
10 PM: It's 10 o'clock. I need to go get a Diet Coke. I'm hitting up the library because that vending machine in AJB is still a piece of crap.
10:04 PM: And I'm back from the library. Word of advice: Never walk outside in this weather without a jacket (or at least a vest). I just made that mistake and am beginning to thaw back at my cubicle in the newsroom. Speaking of the paper, did I mention that tomorrow's paper is going to be BAD ASS! Pick up your copies before I steal them all for clips. Ha ha ha.
10:06 PM: So KCRG just reminded me of the days when I played junior high and high school football and we had to do stadium clean-ups at Kinnick Stadium every Sunday morning after an Iowa home game. Glad those days are far behind me. Those mornings sucked. Especially if it rained. But somebody had to do it.
10:09 PM: It's days such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow that make me absolutely love what I do for a living. I really mean that.
10:11 PM: Al Michaels, it's called taking risks. Every coach does it. Don't whine when it doesn't go their way. Jacobs scores again, and is looking like he might replace Jason Avant on the horse trailer tonight.
10:12 PM: My initial thought: He just broke the plain of the goalline literally a millisecond before the ball gets stripped from hm. That should be a New York touchdown.
10:15 PM: Good call. Refs not popular in Philly. What else is new? Dumb idea going for two there, actually.
10:17 PM: Basic math: 9-0 better than 8-1. Tennessee better than NY Giants. I will say, however, that I believe, as I even said back in the fall, that the Giants will at the very least, repeat as NFC Champions. This team is fun to watch. And with all due respect to Peyton, Eli is the better Manning RIGHT NOW.
10:18 PM: I feel for Brian Westbrook. A shot to the groin is never pleasant.
10:22 PM: Usually, John, when you don't blitz, you EXPECT great coverage from your defense. Just a thought.
10:23 PM: Delay of game. One of the most, perhaps the most, inexplicable penalty in all of football. Donovan McNabb is better than that.
10:24 PM: Whenever this game is over (or out of reach realistically), I'm going to be editing some slide show cutlines. I encourage all of you to check out dailyiowan.com and check out the photos we got from football and both basketball games today.
10:25 PM: That call by Andy Reid took you-know-what. Nice call.
10:26 PM: Symbicort — first drug ad I've ever seen where they don't list side effects. Even if I did have asthma, I don't think I'd want to take that stuff.
10:27 PM: Ad for Monday night game says "First place Cardinals." Unreal, huh?
10:29 PM: "Every Hedgecock should be from Nebraska." Perhaps the dumbest sentence ever uttered out of the mouth of John Madden. If my last name was Hedgecock, I'd start a petition to get Madden fired from NBC. That's almost as bad as Sarah Palin saying certain parts of America are the real America. By the way (only political thing I'll say aside from the Biden/Obama reference I made earlier), thank God she's not our new vice.
10:32 PM: Madden said the offsides on Philly is a bad penalty. John, EVERY PENALTY IS A BAD PENALTY! EVERY PENALTY IS, AS YOU SAY, A STUPID PENALTY! I've never seen a smart penalty in all the years I've watched football. Wow.
10:33 PM: Before this game concludes and I sign off, I just want to say that one way of the other, I'm glad there will be a good ending to it and that it was a close game.
10:37 PM: New rule — two-minute warnings should last two minutes, not one commercial.
10:40 PM: Biggest pet peeve in football for me: If it's third down, run a play that gets you the first. Don't be stupid. They f-ed up on 4th and 1 and deserve it because they didn't go for the first down on third down.
10:41 PM: No reason to watch Eli take a knee. I'm done. Had a blast doing this. Looking forward to reading the comments. Time for me to look at some slide shows before they hit the web. Peace.
7:05 PM: Listening to Football Night in America's "Sounds of the Game," I wanted to puke when I heard "Touchdown Titans!" Ugh!
7:06 PM: OK, LT is one of my favorite players in the league not playing for the Bears, but we're already getting overload on the LT commercials. First Chunky Soup, now Nike. What's next, Vizio?
7:08 PM: I hate being tied for first with Minnesota, but nonetheless, I'm glad the Vikings beat the Packers today. I'd rather be tied with a team we've already beaten. Oh, and watching Jets-Rams highlights, I miss Thomas Jones.
7:10 PM: Anyone else looking forward to this potential Thanksgiving match-up: An undefeated Tennessee Titans against a winless Detroit Lions? Oh, and Mason Crosby, ha ha.
7:12 PM: Can't blame Herm Edwards. After all, "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!"
7:13 PM: Why do I get the feeling the Giants are going to roll Philly and Eli is going to have a monster game? We'll see if that holds up.
7:17 PM: Watching Faith Hill's intro, if you're seriously watching a football game on your cell phone, that's pretty depressing. Al Michaels looks decent in his attire. Glad the Eagles are sticking to their regular home jerseys for this game. Madden looks like his usual self. Talk about finishing, please finish talking so the game can start, John. Thanks.
7:21 PM: I never thought I'd say this, but I just heard a bottle of syrup talk. Freaky.
7:27 PM: Wow. Eli just threw a pick to a d-tackle.
7:34 PM: I'm back. Just had to write an e-mail to some people on my staff. That was a nice touchdown by DeSean Jackson. He's had a solid rookie season for the Eagles.
7:39 PM: Nice touchdown by Plexi-glass. My question regarding Chris Snee is this: What would create more animosity - getting divorced, or getting cut by your father-in-law?
8:12 PM: Sorry about that. I was getting two stories edited that are running in Monday's paper. 17-7. Yeah, it's starting to get ugly like I thought it might.
8:34 PM: Nice touchdown by Jason Avant. Philly inching closer back. I'm starting to get bored down here.
8:38 PM: Congrats, Eagles fans. The new vice president is one of you. The new president, however, is one of us. HA HA HA HA HA!
8:44 PM: Kung Fu Panda is the No. 1 DVD in America? Really?
8:51 PM: So I'm at the cubicle with Alex Johnson and our boy Jeff Pawola while the Eagles' conduct their two-minute drill. Good times.
8:54 PM: It's halftime. One of my best friends just called me to talk about yesterday's game. God, that was awesome.
9 PM: One of our editors just need some clarification on why Iowa only had 101 yards rushing. In case you're wondering, it's net total. Stanzi lost 16 yards on the ground.
9:15 PM: So I guess Jason Avant is going on the horse trailer, huh? What a catch he made for the touchdown.
9:15 PM: They just showed cannolis. I love those things. I get them every time I go back to Long Island to visit my extended family.
9:18 PM: And this is where I talk about how I can't stand those Kay jeweler commercials.
9:19 PM: I was asked before who I thought Shonn Greene reminded me of. How about Brandon Jacobs?
9:22 PM: Somewhere in LA, the USC fight song is being played after Steve Smith caught that pass for a first down. Seriously, which fight song is more annoying to hear, "Fight On," or Oklahoma's "Boomer Sooner?" God, I'm thinking about that Orange Bowl from 04-05, and I thought my ears were going to bleed as I kept hearing those two songs. And I wasn't even AT THAT game.
9:23 PM: Dear Lowes, let's get to Thanksgiving before we start talking about Christmas. I think my parents still have Halloweed candy at their house. I'll have to check when I go home.
9:24 PM: Bruce Springsteen for Super Bowl halftime. Solid choice. I don't know who will play in it, but I'm guessing a running back will be Super Bowl MVP, just so that way Chris Berman can say he was "born to run."
9:27 PM: So let me get this straight — if I have a Sprint phone, I can get NFL Network, but if I have Mediacom cable, I'm screwed? What the hell?
9:29 PM: A penalty on Philly, and the crowd thinks the refs are from the other side of New Jersey. Figures.
9:29 PM: Asante Samuel — signed with the Eagles determined not to let Plaxico turn him into his personal you-know-what like he did to Al Harris in the NFC title game last year.
9:30 PM: Which now makes me wonder (if there are any Cheeseheads, feel free to chime in), which moment of Packer playoff misery was more enjoyable — last year at Lambeau when the Giants officially nixed the whole "Frozen Tundra" mantra, or "4th and 26." Tough call here. Sorry, this is the Bears fan in me talking. I'm already jacked up for next Sunday's game in "that state up north." (Woody Hayes referred to Michigan this way, this is how I refer to the Packers).
9:32 PM: Seriously. Any woman who finds a caveman attractive needs to go back to the stone ages and have a rock thrown at their head. Those GEICO commercials are so annoying.
9:34 PM: And now I want a Samsung HD. That's a thing of beauty.
9:34 PM: Memo to Al Michaels — any head coach who doesn't know the rulebook shouldn't be a head coach. Thank you, Captain Obvious. BTW, that's a good reversal by that official.
9:35 PM: I don't know why, but I just remembered that John Madden's the same guy who thought the Patriots should run out the clock and take their chances in OT against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He, and every other St. Louis fan remains baffled to this day.
9:38 PM: Term that annoys me: "the naked eye." So does that means my eyes are fully clothed when I'm wearing my glasses? Jeez.
9:41 PM: Two broken hands, and Fred Robbins is still playing? BTW, if the Giants had six defensive backs on three Eagle receivers, then how did McNabb find an open receiver? Granted, the throw was a little off. And that was a dumb play on special teams by the home squad.
9:43 PM: I find it hilarious that Greg Lewis "illegally touched" him without actually using his hands.
9:44 PM: Yeah, that "phenomenal" Eagle defense has given up 27 points, John. And they just got called for a 15-yard personal foul face mask. Great timing on your part.
9:45 PM: Whoever decided there should be no such thing as a "five-yard face mask penalty," that guy should never have to buy a beer for the rest of his life.
9:47 PM: Kevin Boss just showed "The City of Brotherly Love" who the real "Boss" is in this game. WOW!
9:48 PM: Note to the G-Men: STOP MAKING UP STUPID NICKNAMES FOR YOUR RUNNING BACKS! Seriously, we've gone from "Thunder" and "Lightning" to now "Earth, Wind, and Fire." What kind of nickname is "Earth" for a running back?
9:50 PM: Middle-aged women gambling. Oh, goody!
9:50 PM: Everyone can afford a Ford today? Even with the economy as crappy as it is?
9:52 PM: Someone on the Eagles just tried his best "LaVar Arrington" there, and failed miserably.
9:53 PM: Could you draw up a HB draw any crappier than that? WOW.
9:53 PM: Man, I haven't heard Matchbox Twenty in a long time.
9:54 PM: Coors Light's only commercial featuring Dennis Green ought to be from his famous rant two years ago.
9:54 PM: And we need to get a Wendy's in downtown Iowa City like there was one in the Ped Mall when I was a kid. I wouldn't necessarily get the double stack burger they just advertised, but it sure sounds good.
9;55 PM: NO MORE TURDUCKEN FROM JOHN MADDEN? AAAHHHH!!!! THE WORLD'S COMING TO AN END! GOD, HELP US ALL, ESPECIALLY THAT "PHENOMENAL" EAGLE DEFENSE THAT HAS NOW GIVEN UP 30 POINTS TONIGHT.
9:58 PM: Man, I'm glad Westbrook didn't play against us back in September.
9:59 PM: What a bad ass name for a punter — Sav Rocca. And just as I say that, Hixon takes on to the house, and just as I say that, the return gets called back. Damn.
10 PM: It's 10 o'clock. I need to go get a Diet Coke. I'm hitting up the library because that vending machine in AJB is still a piece of crap.
10:04 PM: And I'm back from the library. Word of advice: Never walk outside in this weather without a jacket (or at least a vest). I just made that mistake and am beginning to thaw back at my cubicle in the newsroom. Speaking of the paper, did I mention that tomorrow's paper is going to be BAD ASS! Pick up your copies before I steal them all for clips. Ha ha ha.
10:06 PM: So KCRG just reminded me of the days when I played junior high and high school football and we had to do stadium clean-ups at Kinnick Stadium every Sunday morning after an Iowa home game. Glad those days are far behind me. Those mornings sucked. Especially if it rained. But somebody had to do it.
10:09 PM: It's days such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow that make me absolutely love what I do for a living. I really mean that.
10:11 PM: Al Michaels, it's called taking risks. Every coach does it. Don't whine when it doesn't go their way. Jacobs scores again, and is looking like he might replace Jason Avant on the horse trailer tonight.
10:12 PM: My initial thought: He just broke the plain of the goalline literally a millisecond before the ball gets stripped from hm. That should be a New York touchdown.
10:15 PM: Good call. Refs not popular in Philly. What else is new? Dumb idea going for two there, actually.
10:17 PM: Basic math: 9-0 better than 8-1. Tennessee better than NY Giants. I will say, however, that I believe, as I even said back in the fall, that the Giants will at the very least, repeat as NFC Champions. This team is fun to watch. And with all due respect to Peyton, Eli is the better Manning RIGHT NOW.
10:18 PM: I feel for Brian Westbrook. A shot to the groin is never pleasant.
10:22 PM: Usually, John, when you don't blitz, you EXPECT great coverage from your defense. Just a thought.
10:23 PM: Delay of game. One of the most, perhaps the most, inexplicable penalty in all of football. Donovan McNabb is better than that.
10:24 PM: Whenever this game is over (or out of reach realistically), I'm going to be editing some slide show cutlines. I encourage all of you to check out dailyiowan.com and check out the photos we got from football and both basketball games today.
10:25 PM: That call by Andy Reid took you-know-what. Nice call.
10:26 PM: Symbicort — first drug ad I've ever seen where they don't list side effects. Even if I did have asthma, I don't think I'd want to take that stuff.
10:27 PM: Ad for Monday night game says "First place Cardinals." Unreal, huh?
10:29 PM: "Every Hedgecock should be from Nebraska." Perhaps the dumbest sentence ever uttered out of the mouth of John Madden. If my last name was Hedgecock, I'd start a petition to get Madden fired from NBC. That's almost as bad as Sarah Palin saying certain parts of America are the real America. By the way (only political thing I'll say aside from the Biden/Obama reference I made earlier), thank God she's not our new vice.
10:32 PM: Madden said the offsides on Philly is a bad penalty. John, EVERY PENALTY IS A BAD PENALTY! EVERY PENALTY IS, AS YOU SAY, A STUPID PENALTY! I've never seen a smart penalty in all the years I've watched football. Wow.
10:33 PM: Before this game concludes and I sign off, I just want to say that one way of the other, I'm glad there will be a good ending to it and that it was a close game.
10:37 PM: New rule — two-minute warnings should last two minutes, not one commercial.
10:40 PM: Biggest pet peeve in football for me: If it's third down, run a play that gets you the first. Don't be stupid. They f-ed up on 4th and 1 and deserve it because they didn't go for the first down on third down.
10:41 PM: No reason to watch Eli take a knee. I'm done. Had a blast doing this. Looking forward to reading the comments. Time for me to look at some slide shows before they hit the web. Peace.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Projected Big Ten Bowls
Here's how I see things playing out in the Big Ten as of this moment. I have eight teams making games after Wisconsin's win over Illinois.
Penn State: 12-0, 8-0 (BCS National Championship) — Either Texas or Alabama will lose, which means an undefeated squad coached by JoePa won't have 1994 repeat itself.
Ohio State: 10-2, 7-1 (Rose Bowl) — I will guarantee this happening if the Buckeyes win out because Illinois was a full game worse both overall and in the conference last year, and the Rose Bowl still wanted the Big Ten/Pac-10 battle.
Minnesota: 11-1, 7-1 (Capital One Bowl) — If that one loss wasn't to Ohio State, the Gophers might be a BCS squad.
Michigan State: 9-3, 6-2 (Outback Bowl) — Should feel fortunate if this is how it indeed plays out.
Iowa: 7-5, 4-4 (Champs Sports Bowl) — This depends on who selects first. For now, I'll assume it's Champs Sports, but if it is Alamo, then put the Hawkeyes in San Antonio.
Wisconsin: 6-6, 2-6 (Alamo Bowl) — Remember, it isn't about records, but money. Wisconsin fans have gotten use to going to Florida routinely.
Illinois: 6-6, 3-5 (Insight Bowl) — Would be a sea of orange in Tempe.
Northwestern: 7-5, 3-5 (Motor City Bowl) — Not as big a fan base as Wisconsin or Illinois.
In case you're wondering: I have PSU, OSU and Minnesota all winning out, Michigan State beating Wisconsin and Purdue, Iowa beating Illinois and Purdue, Wisconsin beating Indiana and Cal-Poly, Illinois beating Western Michigan and Northwestern, and Northwestern beating Michigan. That's how I got to these respective records.
— Brendan Stiles
Penn State: 12-0, 8-0 (BCS National Championship) — Either Texas or Alabama will lose, which means an undefeated squad coached by JoePa won't have 1994 repeat itself.
Ohio State: 10-2, 7-1 (Rose Bowl) — I will guarantee this happening if the Buckeyes win out because Illinois was a full game worse both overall and in the conference last year, and the Rose Bowl still wanted the Big Ten/Pac-10 battle.
Minnesota: 11-1, 7-1 (Capital One Bowl) — If that one loss wasn't to Ohio State, the Gophers might be a BCS squad.
Michigan State: 9-3, 6-2 (Outback Bowl) — Should feel fortunate if this is how it indeed plays out.
Iowa: 7-5, 4-4 (Champs Sports Bowl) — This depends on who selects first. For now, I'll assume it's Champs Sports, but if it is Alamo, then put the Hawkeyes in San Antonio.
Wisconsin: 6-6, 2-6 (Alamo Bowl) — Remember, it isn't about records, but money. Wisconsin fans have gotten use to going to Florida routinely.
Illinois: 6-6, 3-5 (Insight Bowl) — Would be a sea of orange in Tempe.
Northwestern: 7-5, 3-5 (Motor City Bowl) — Not as big a fan base as Wisconsin or Illinois.
In case you're wondering: I have PSU, OSU and Minnesota all winning out, Michigan State beating Wisconsin and Purdue, Iowa beating Illinois and Purdue, Wisconsin beating Indiana and Cal-Poly, Illinois beating Western Michigan and Northwestern, and Northwestern beating Michigan. That's how I got to these respective records.
— Brendan Stiles
Monday, October 20, 2008
Other news from college football this past weekend
1. Colt McCoy is the front runner for the Heisman Trophy and anyone who questions this (cough, Lou Holtz, cough) is insane.
Did anyone else see he completed 29 of 32 passes against Missouri on Saturday? Any current or former player will tell you that is absolutely absurd. 29 of 32? And in a Big XII game? Geez.
Right now, Texas really does look like the best team, and I realize people will bring up how brutal the Longhorns' schedule is, but in all seriousness, do you really see a game on that schedule that they're going to lose? Granted, Oklahoma State has built a reputation on going up by 20 in the first half against Texas, only to lose by 20. Annually. Just look back at the last four seasons if you don't believe me. And keep in mind that if Texas is in the Big XII title game, the Longhorns can't play Oklahoma, so there will not be a game between now and December where they're not favored to win.
2. So USC won 69-0, huh?
Look, I know USC is a great team, but there's two things I need to say right now (one thing I said a month ago and will stick to): First of all, Washington State has to be the most garbage team in all of college football right now. Yes, I know Syracuse is terrible and the Cougars' Pac-10 rival, Washington, is winless at the moment, but just look at each of WSU's results. They're a joke. The one win is against PORTLAND STATE, for crying out loud, and the closest margin of defeat the Cougars have this year is 25 points against UCLA. Pathetic. Not only that, but last weekend's game against USC marked the FOURTH time this season already that WSU has surrendered more than 60 points to an opponent. How that defensive coordinator still has a job is beyond me. Bottom line here, this win for the Trojans is not that impressive.
Which leads me back to something I've said repeatedly: This Saturday, Tucson, Arizona will be the site of this weekend's biggest upset in college football. Yes, you heard me right, and feel free to hold me to this: The Arizona Wildcats are going to beat the USC Trojans.
I said before how USC has a tendency to lose games that are on the road, against a Pac-10 team it's clearly better than, and when the game is NOT being hyped up by ESPN or ABC. Guess what? This weekend's game AT Arizona is being televised by FSN. It's a 9 p.m. kickoff here in Iowa.
Before you continue to laugh and mock this prediction of mine, here's what you should know about Mike Stoops' squad: The Wildcats, just like USC, are 3-1 in the Pac-10 as we speak, and are coming off a win this past weekend at home over a ranked Cal squad. If Arizona wins, they get that abysmal WSU team and Oregon next on the road, then end the season with two home games against Oregon State and Arizona State. Aside from that Oregon game in Eugene, the Wildcats could easily run the table here. Can you imagine Arizona in the Rose Bowl? If they win this game, it's a real possibility.
Also keep this in mind: Stoops has a knack for beating Top 10 schools at home. Just look at the past three seasons - 2005, Arizona clobbered an undefeated UCLA squad, 2006, the Wildcats upset Cal right before the Golden Bears were going to play for a Pac-10 crown against USC, and just last year, when Oregon was No. 2 in the country, Arizona not only beat the Ducks and ruined their Rose Bowl/National title ambitions, but in the process, knocked out Dennis Dixon for good.
They say history tends to repeat itself, which is why I ultimately believe Arizona's coming out on top against the USC Trojans.
3. Ohio State has discovered an offense
It comes in the form of quarterback Terrelle Pryor. This kid has proven to be the real deal, and down the road, when he's a season veteran, Ohio State's going to be one scary team.
I had a feeling the Buckeyes would beat Michigan State in East Lansing last weekend, but never did I think it would be 45-7. Talk about a beatdown. The offense clicked, the defense clicked, Jim Tressel looks like a good coach again, and this week's game between Penn State and Ohio State is going to be a classic. Mark my words.
4. OK, so my BCS predictions from a while back look awful
So here's what I'll say knowing what I know right now:
ACC - Right now, Georgia Tech looks like the only team that doesn't leave you scratching your head, but the Yellow Jackets don't own the tiebreaker against Virginia Tech in that division, so I'm inclined to say the Hokies emerge and will face Wake Forest in the ACC championship. If this is the case, I'm going with Va. Tech to repeat as conference champs.
BIG EAST - Dave Wannstedt? Really? After Pitt beat South Florida, the Panthers actually look like the team to beat in that conference, which is amazing when you consider Iowa literally gave that game to Pitt back in Sept. 20. Nice job though rebounding from that Week One loss to Bowling Green. That game has proven to be a fluke.
BIG TEN - I'm having a real hard time deciding on who will win Saturday's game at The Horseshoe (I promise to make up my mind on this real soon, however). Ultimately, I believe both the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes are going to play in BCS bowls, because after this week, I don't see either team losing any of its remaining game (Sorry, Iowa fans).
BIG XII - Texas. I don't need to say anymore other than "Damn you, Oklahoma, for making me look like an idiot."
PAC-10 - While I'm picking that big upset to happen this week, USC's still going to win the conference and play in the Rose Bowl. Let's not kid ourselves. If this does happen, I'll really want them to play Penn State instead of Ohio State.
SEC - My SEC West champion from the beginning of the year looks golden - Alabama, who is way better than I pictured them being, by the way - but I still believe Georgia can win the SEC title game, as long as the Bulldogs beat Florida next week. The winner of that game is winning the East Division, and while I don't see Georgia winning at LSU this week (that's the one game I always had the 'Dawgs losing because it's in Death Valley), don't forget Florida already lost to Ole Miss, so whoever loses next week's game in Jacksonville is really screwed.
BCS BUSTERS - If there is one, it will now be Utah ("Damn you, BYU!") My silver lining is I had the right state and the right conference, just the wrong team. By the way, how cool would a Florida/Utah BCS game be?
I'll stop here for now, but will continue to post down the road here.
- Brendan Stiles
Did anyone else see he completed 29 of 32 passes against Missouri on Saturday? Any current or former player will tell you that is absolutely absurd. 29 of 32? And in a Big XII game? Geez.
Right now, Texas really does look like the best team, and I realize people will bring up how brutal the Longhorns' schedule is, but in all seriousness, do you really see a game on that schedule that they're going to lose? Granted, Oklahoma State has built a reputation on going up by 20 in the first half against Texas, only to lose by 20. Annually. Just look back at the last four seasons if you don't believe me. And keep in mind that if Texas is in the Big XII title game, the Longhorns can't play Oklahoma, so there will not be a game between now and December where they're not favored to win.
2. So USC won 69-0, huh?
Look, I know USC is a great team, but there's two things I need to say right now (one thing I said a month ago and will stick to): First of all, Washington State has to be the most garbage team in all of college football right now. Yes, I know Syracuse is terrible and the Cougars' Pac-10 rival, Washington, is winless at the moment, but just look at each of WSU's results. They're a joke. The one win is against PORTLAND STATE, for crying out loud, and the closest margin of defeat the Cougars have this year is 25 points against UCLA. Pathetic. Not only that, but last weekend's game against USC marked the FOURTH time this season already that WSU has surrendered more than 60 points to an opponent. How that defensive coordinator still has a job is beyond me. Bottom line here, this win for the Trojans is not that impressive.
Which leads me back to something I've said repeatedly: This Saturday, Tucson, Arizona will be the site of this weekend's biggest upset in college football. Yes, you heard me right, and feel free to hold me to this: The Arizona Wildcats are going to beat the USC Trojans.
I said before how USC has a tendency to lose games that are on the road, against a Pac-10 team it's clearly better than, and when the game is NOT being hyped up by ESPN or ABC. Guess what? This weekend's game AT Arizona is being televised by FSN. It's a 9 p.m. kickoff here in Iowa.
Before you continue to laugh and mock this prediction of mine, here's what you should know about Mike Stoops' squad: The Wildcats, just like USC, are 3-1 in the Pac-10 as we speak, and are coming off a win this past weekend at home over a ranked Cal squad. If Arizona wins, they get that abysmal WSU team and Oregon next on the road, then end the season with two home games against Oregon State and Arizona State. Aside from that Oregon game in Eugene, the Wildcats could easily run the table here. Can you imagine Arizona in the Rose Bowl? If they win this game, it's a real possibility.
Also keep this in mind: Stoops has a knack for beating Top 10 schools at home. Just look at the past three seasons - 2005, Arizona clobbered an undefeated UCLA squad, 2006, the Wildcats upset Cal right before the Golden Bears were going to play for a Pac-10 crown against USC, and just last year, when Oregon was No. 2 in the country, Arizona not only beat the Ducks and ruined their Rose Bowl/National title ambitions, but in the process, knocked out Dennis Dixon for good.
They say history tends to repeat itself, which is why I ultimately believe Arizona's coming out on top against the USC Trojans.
3. Ohio State has discovered an offense
It comes in the form of quarterback Terrelle Pryor. This kid has proven to be the real deal, and down the road, when he's a season veteran, Ohio State's going to be one scary team.
I had a feeling the Buckeyes would beat Michigan State in East Lansing last weekend, but never did I think it would be 45-7. Talk about a beatdown. The offense clicked, the defense clicked, Jim Tressel looks like a good coach again, and this week's game between Penn State and Ohio State is going to be a classic. Mark my words.
4. OK, so my BCS predictions from a while back look awful
So here's what I'll say knowing what I know right now:
ACC - Right now, Georgia Tech looks like the only team that doesn't leave you scratching your head, but the Yellow Jackets don't own the tiebreaker against Virginia Tech in that division, so I'm inclined to say the Hokies emerge and will face Wake Forest in the ACC championship. If this is the case, I'm going with Va. Tech to repeat as conference champs.
BIG EAST - Dave Wannstedt? Really? After Pitt beat South Florida, the Panthers actually look like the team to beat in that conference, which is amazing when you consider Iowa literally gave that game to Pitt back in Sept. 20. Nice job though rebounding from that Week One loss to Bowling Green. That game has proven to be a fluke.
BIG TEN - I'm having a real hard time deciding on who will win Saturday's game at The Horseshoe (I promise to make up my mind on this real soon, however). Ultimately, I believe both the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes are going to play in BCS bowls, because after this week, I don't see either team losing any of its remaining game (Sorry, Iowa fans).
BIG XII - Texas. I don't need to say anymore other than "Damn you, Oklahoma, for making me look like an idiot."
PAC-10 - While I'm picking that big upset to happen this week, USC's still going to win the conference and play in the Rose Bowl. Let's not kid ourselves. If this does happen, I'll really want them to play Penn State instead of Ohio State.
SEC - My SEC West champion from the beginning of the year looks golden - Alabama, who is way better than I pictured them being, by the way - but I still believe Georgia can win the SEC title game, as long as the Bulldogs beat Florida next week. The winner of that game is winning the East Division, and while I don't see Georgia winning at LSU this week (that's the one game I always had the 'Dawgs losing because it's in Death Valley), don't forget Florida already lost to Ole Miss, so whoever loses next week's game in Jacksonville is really screwed.
BCS BUSTERS - If there is one, it will now be Utah ("Damn you, BYU!") My silver lining is I had the right state and the right conference, just the wrong team. By the way, how cool would a Florida/Utah BCS game be?
I'll stop here for now, but will continue to post down the road here.
- Brendan Stiles
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