CFB Carousel
When will this ride ever stop? Hopefully never....
If you happened to catch the Rutgers/South Florida game then you were in for a treat - South Florida is the latest top 10 (hell, top 5 team) to go down. Here's a stat for you - Rutgers turned the ball over 3 times (2 on muffed punt returns) and had a huge delay of game penalty in the last minute that had them punting out of their own end zone with a 3 point lead...and they still won. USF did have a turnover, but not until the last play of the game on a hail mary. Ray Rice had 180 yards. Finally, USF was 2 of 14 on third downs - that's criminal. Several great trick plays in this game....great ones.
What a season this has turned out to be. You all know I'm one of those die-hard CFB fans, but if you can't get into this season than I don't know what to tell you - I mean, does the word underdog have any meaning at all this year? I think not.
So I could blow all of your minds with my insightful analysis of the big UT/Baylor matchup, but let's be honest - Baylor hasn't been relevant since the mid '90s when one Zach "Dragon" Butler was dominating the linebacker position in Waco. But since that's not the case anymore, we'll just call it this:
Texas - 66
Baylor - 12
Fun Longhorn Fact for the week - when Colt McCoy completes 20+ passes in a game, they're 5-0. In both losses this year, he completed 19. OUCH!
Texas Tech at Missouri:
This is a tough game for Tech and if this were any other year, I would literally take the deed to my house and put it on the Tigers 10 times over - especially coming off that ass whoopin' over the aggies. But not this year. No, I feel like these Red Raiders may surprise some folks and actually challenge those Sooners for the Big 12 south. We shall see, but with Harrell kicking it up a notch and young Crabtree blowing the doors off the record books, I just think they may be ready to break out of the Holiday/Texas/Independence/who knows what other bowl they usually settle for.
Missouri is tough and you know they're thinking what may have been last week - they were in the lead heading into the fourth quarter, but had 2 4th quarter turnovers that killed them. Of course, that's precisely why I'm picking Tech. Missouri's defense has improved over the past few weeks, but Tech's offense is a whole other story. And, the Tigers will be without their starting running back.
More on the big game of the weekend: http://fannation.com/blogs/post/69145
Texas Tech - 53
Missouri - 24
Michigan State at Ohio State:
9 times out of ten, I would pick OSU by a long shot. And you know what, they probably will win this game, but this starts the Buckeyes' stretch of real games. In case you haven't been paying attention, they have played NO ONE! And, I have the inside scoop from a bona fide Buckeyes fan that he guarantees the Buckeyes will lose at least one game this year - in particular their trip next week to Happy Valley. Following that they get Wisconsin and Illinois at home followed by the annual trip the Big House. Don't rule out the Wolverines in that one this year - Lloyd needs a swan song.
Look for OSU to come out and struggle early before pulling ahead to win a closer-than-it-should-be game.
Ohio State - 27
Michigan State - 20
Auburn at LSU:
The thing is, if this were any other year, LSU would be practically out of the title race - not this year...not by a long shot. With South Florida's loss tonight, LSU is primed to climb right back up into the top 2. A convincing win over Auburn would just about secure that. I do think Auburn will put up quite a fight, but LSU is just too good and they have to motivated knowing they're still in this thing.
I'm taking LSU in a big bounce-back win and ultimately climbing back into the top 2 or 3.
LSU - 32
Auburn - 19
Florida at Kentucky:
If there was ever a let-down game for Kentucky, this is it. You gotta remember that Kentucky isn't used to this kind of success on the gridiron - this isn't basketball. Florida has had a week to think about their tough loss to LSU and get ready to get back on track. Much like LSU, Florida can still climb back into this hunt - they may need a bit more help, but that doesn't seem to be a problem these days.
Keep an eye on Andre Woodson in this one - if he can lead the Wildcats to another big victory, he should propel himself to the top of the heisman race (more on this below). This should be a hell of a game, make sure you don't miss this one - or Tech fans make sure you tape it. I'm going with Florida here - Meyer will have these guys ready to play.
Florida - 28
Kentucky - 24
Texas A&M at Nebraska:
Rrrriiiiight. Here's a prediction for you sports fans. Let's just assume that one of these teams whips the you-know-what out of the other one. Should that happen, I'm betting the losing coach is gone within 72 hours.
What has happened in this conference where Nebraska (yea, Nebraska) and the Aggies are that bad??? The Aggies I can understand....they're aggies. But Nebraska? I just don't get it. Both of these programs have quite a long way to go to get back to prominence. I'm so curious to see what direction they go in heading into next year.
I think that Osbourne coming back to Nebraska (as interim AD) will help - I just can't imagine the Huskers losing ANOTHER home game, especially after getting embarrassed last weekend with the '97 championship team on hand to watch. I'm going with the home team here to win a big game.
Nebraska - 27
Texas A&M - 16
More College Football:
Well hell, I guess it's time to start talking about this again. Those of you who know me and have read my musings over time know how I feel about this award - it has become one of the biggest joke of an award there is in any sport at any level. Specifically, it's a beauty contest....period. Nothing more and nothing less.
With that said, you can't get into the heart of the CFB season without it coming up once, twice or a thousand times. So with that, I'm giving my picks for the top players so far this year.
Graham Harrell - I mean, are you kidding me with his numbers? Averaging over 400 yards/game and completing a sick 74% of his passes with 31 touchdowns to just 3 INTs. In all honesty, there isn't a player who comes close to touching this guy in terms of performance...and he's only a junior.
Michael Crabtree - Well, maybe this guy could be touching Harrell in terms of performance. This guy is on his way to shattering single-season records this year...as a freshman and if they can keep him around for 2 more years, he'll blow career records out of the water too. Class rules be damned - send this kid to New York or the powers that be will have officially ruined any last ounce of legitimacy this award may have.
Glenn Dorsey - This guy is ridiculous good. I know it's not cool to look at defensive players for the award, but this guy can single-handily dominate any offensive line. Even the games where he is held in check for 3+ quarters (Florida game), he still finds a way to make a big impact down the stretch. Without question the single best interior defensive player in the country...without question.
Tim Tebow - Dare I utter these words. This guy may be as good or as or even better than Vince Young when all is said and done. He needs a better running back to take the pressure off (and he'll get it next year in the USC transfer). Love him or hate him, he's very good.
Andre Woodson - His performance in the win over LSU put him up here. Another win over Florida this weekend and he'll climb this list by at least one. He's uber talented and a winner.
NFL Notes:
That's right, another rare coverage of this year's baseball playoffs.
That's right folks, college basketball. Bet you didn't see that one coming. Actually, I was sitting in an airport the other day watching ESPN News and they were covering Big 12 media day. Good stuff - here's a few highlights and look ahead to the upcoming season.
If you happened to catch the Rutgers/South Florida game then you were in for a treat - South Florida is the latest top 10 (hell, top 5 team) to go down. Here's a stat for you - Rutgers turned the ball over 3 times (2 on muffed punt returns) and had a huge delay of game penalty in the last minute that had them punting out of their own end zone with a 3 point lead...and they still won. USF did have a turnover, but not until the last play of the game on a hail mary. Ray Rice had 180 yards. Finally, USF was 2 of 14 on third downs - that's criminal. Several great trick plays in this game....great ones.
What a season this has turned out to be. You all know I'm one of those die-hard CFB fans, but if you can't get into this season than I don't know what to tell you - I mean, does the word underdog have any meaning at all this year? I think not.
So I could blow all of your minds with my insightful analysis of the big UT/Baylor matchup, but let's be honest - Baylor hasn't been relevant since the mid '90s when one Zach "Dragon" Butler was dominating the linebacker position in Waco. But since that's not the case anymore, we'll just call it this:
Texas - 66
Baylor - 12
Fun Longhorn Fact for the week - when Colt McCoy completes 20+ passes in a game, they're 5-0. In both losses this year, he completed 19. OUCH!
Texas Tech at Missouri:
This is a tough game for Tech and if this were any other year, I would literally take the deed to my house and put it on the Tigers 10 times over - especially coming off that ass whoopin' over the aggies. But not this year. No, I feel like these Red Raiders may surprise some folks and actually challenge those Sooners for the Big 12 south. We shall see, but with Harrell kicking it up a notch and young Crabtree blowing the doors off the record books, I just think they may be ready to break out of the Holiday/Texas/Independence/who knows what other bowl they usually settle for.
Missouri is tough and you know they're thinking what may have been last week - they were in the lead heading into the fourth quarter, but had 2 4th quarter turnovers that killed them. Of course, that's precisely why I'm picking Tech. Missouri's defense has improved over the past few weeks, but Tech's offense is a whole other story. And, the Tigers will be without their starting running back.
More on the big game of the weekend: http://fannation.com/blogs/post/69145
Texas Tech - 53
Missouri - 24
Michigan State at Ohio State:
9 times out of ten, I would pick OSU by a long shot. And you know what, they probably will win this game, but this starts the Buckeyes' stretch of real games. In case you haven't been paying attention, they have played NO ONE! And, I have the inside scoop from a bona fide Buckeyes fan that he guarantees the Buckeyes will lose at least one game this year - in particular their trip next week to Happy Valley. Following that they get Wisconsin and Illinois at home followed by the annual trip the Big House. Don't rule out the Wolverines in that one this year - Lloyd needs a swan song.
Look for OSU to come out and struggle early before pulling ahead to win a closer-than-it-should-be game.
Ohio State - 27
Michigan State - 20
Auburn at LSU:
The thing is, if this were any other year, LSU would be practically out of the title race - not this year...not by a long shot. With South Florida's loss tonight, LSU is primed to climb right back up into the top 2. A convincing win over Auburn would just about secure that. I do think Auburn will put up quite a fight, but LSU is just too good and they have to motivated knowing they're still in this thing.
I'm taking LSU in a big bounce-back win and ultimately climbing back into the top 2 or 3.
LSU - 32
Auburn - 19
Florida at Kentucky:
If there was ever a let-down game for Kentucky, this is it. You gotta remember that Kentucky isn't used to this kind of success on the gridiron - this isn't basketball. Florida has had a week to think about their tough loss to LSU and get ready to get back on track. Much like LSU, Florida can still climb back into this hunt - they may need a bit more help, but that doesn't seem to be a problem these days.
Keep an eye on Andre Woodson in this one - if he can lead the Wildcats to another big victory, he should propel himself to the top of the heisman race (more on this below). This should be a hell of a game, make sure you don't miss this one - or Tech fans make sure you tape it. I'm going with Florida here - Meyer will have these guys ready to play.
Florida - 28
Kentucky - 24
Texas A&M at Nebraska:
Rrrriiiiight. Here's a prediction for you sports fans. Let's just assume that one of these teams whips the you-know-what out of the other one. Should that happen, I'm betting the losing coach is gone within 72 hours.
What has happened in this conference where Nebraska (yea, Nebraska) and the Aggies are that bad??? The Aggies I can understand....they're aggies. But Nebraska? I just don't get it. Both of these programs have quite a long way to go to get back to prominence. I'm so curious to see what direction they go in heading into next year.
I think that Osbourne coming back to Nebraska (as interim AD) will help - I just can't imagine the Huskers losing ANOTHER home game, especially after getting embarrassed last weekend with the '97 championship team on hand to watch. I'm going with the home team here to win a big game.
Nebraska - 27
Texas A&M - 16
More College Football:
- Upset Special: Look out for Oregon traveling to Washington. The Huskies got a lot of early hype and may have the toughest schedule this year outside of the SEC. Don't be surprised to see them knock off the ducks this weekend.
- I'm still sticking with OU and LSU playing for the national title
- Look out for USC visiting Notre Dame this weekend - I can't wait to not watch that game
- Kansas visits Colorado this weekend....the winner will have the outright lead in the Big 12 North division - what the hell is going on in this conference?
- If I'm the Texas A&M AD, I'm aiming VERY high for my next coach and I'm sure as hell keeping ALL options open - didn't believe they passed on Kubiak then and really can't believe it now. What a missed opportunity.
- Franchione on the other hand...I'll be very interested to see where this guy goes.
- How about this for some pub for the Crabtree fellow: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/13/sports/ncaafootball/13tech.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin
Well hell, I guess it's time to start talking about this again. Those of you who know me and have read my musings over time know how I feel about this award - it has become one of the biggest joke of an award there is in any sport at any level. Specifically, it's a beauty contest....period. Nothing more and nothing less.
With that said, you can't get into the heart of the CFB season without it coming up once, twice or a thousand times. So with that, I'm giving my picks for the top players so far this year.
Graham Harrell - I mean, are you kidding me with his numbers? Averaging over 400 yards/game and completing a sick 74% of his passes with 31 touchdowns to just 3 INTs. In all honesty, there isn't a player who comes close to touching this guy in terms of performance...and he's only a junior.
Michael Crabtree - Well, maybe this guy could be touching Harrell in terms of performance. This guy is on his way to shattering single-season records this year...as a freshman and if they can keep him around for 2 more years, he'll blow career records out of the water too. Class rules be damned - send this kid to New York or the powers that be will have officially ruined any last ounce of legitimacy this award may have.
Glenn Dorsey - This guy is ridiculous good. I know it's not cool to look at defensive players for the award, but this guy can single-handily dominate any offensive line. Even the games where he is held in check for 3+ quarters (Florida game), he still finds a way to make a big impact down the stretch. Without question the single best interior defensive player in the country...without question.
Tim Tebow - Dare I utter these words. This guy may be as good or as or even better than Vince Young when all is said and done. He needs a better running back to take the pressure off (and he'll get it next year in the USC transfer). Love him or hate him, he's very good.
Andre Woodson - His performance in the win over LSU put him up here. Another win over Florida this weekend and he'll climb this list by at least one. He's uber talented and a winner.
NFL Notes:
- Speaking of Vince Young - he's had a couple of rough outings (3 INTs, 1 fumble and no TDs in past two games) including an injury last game. GASP, could it be the Madden curse? Doubt it. He goes to Houston this weekend where I suspect he will do what he does best - put a team on his back and win.
- I know Griese has thrown about the same number of INTs as Grossman, but he's moving the ball better and certainly gaining more yards. I think they made the right move, but at some point, that organization needs to pull the trigger on a franchise QB - they do not have one right now.
- I think the 5 or 6 best teams in the league are in the AFC. I suspect the Cowboys are probably the best team in the NFC, but they could play the Patriots 5 times and I don't think they would win any of them.
- Let's please chill out on the "will the patriots go undefeated" talk - it's WAAAY too early for that. I mean, 5 games into the season the talking heads are harping on this. We're 2 weeks away from the halfway point and the Patriots still travel to Indy, Baltimore and NY (for the Giants). When they're 11 or 12-0 then we can talk. Additionally, you look at that division right now and they'll clinch the division title within 3 weeks which makes you wonder if they may start holding back, especially in the last few games. They close out the year at the Meadowlands against the Giants and you can be damned sure that they will rest their stars in that cold weather. And you can also count on that game meaning something for the Giants. I predict a 14-2 season for those Patriots.
- Game of the week this week - Indy at Jacksonville. Good test with the Colts coming off a bye week where they should be back to full strength.
- Don't count out the Giants...I'm just saying.
That's right, another rare coverage of this year's baseball playoffs.
- I'm not a huge baseball fan, but you have to get excited about what the Rockies are doing - I mean, 21 of 22 games? That's crazy. I wonder how this layoff will affect them though.
- With the series going back to Boston, I'm going with the Sox to pull this one out.
- You know, a lot of folks really don't like the Yankees. I mean, really don't like them. After what the organization did with the Torre situation, I can finally get it. I've primarily been of the opinion of "who cares", but that more has to do with ESPN's constant coverage of a story that just wasn't there yet. But this, this is just a half-assed way of trying to look like you didn't fire the greatest manager of this generation. How do people like this get jobs like this? It's the same with Isiah Thomas - a true legend as a player, but completely and utterly incompetent as a general manager. I need that gig - you can have hundreds of thousands of dollars per year with no real accountability. And hey, if you don't do your job well, we'll fire you, but you get some wicked buy out. Shameful behavior by the Yankee organization - if I'm A-Rod I'm bolting faster than you can say Cubs.
That's right folks, college basketball. Bet you didn't see that one coming. Actually, I was sitting in an airport the other day watching ESPN News and they were covering Big 12 media day. Good stuff - here's a few highlights and look ahead to the upcoming season.
- Tough position for Kansas State's new coach (Frank Martin I believe) - following Huggins is tough anywhere much less following him a year after he turned the program around. They were right at or just below/above .500 for the past 5-7 years and they broke out last year and ended 4th in Big 12. They were able to keep their star recruit Beasley so they should have a solid lineup coming back. Gotta route for this guy in this very tough situation - his window of opportunity will be short.
- Oklahoma State was really decimated by departures - I'm betting they struggle quite a bit this year.
- So yes, I know, Kevin Durant has moved to the Pacific North West, but let's try and get past that folks. Seriously, if you look at this Texas team and, for just one second, forget that Durant was ever here - this team is stacked. The whole team will have to collectively step up to make up for KD's impact. We all know what DJ Augustine is capable of, but he went to the tank for the conference and national tournament last year - we can't have that. But the opportunity isn't larger for any returning player than Damion James. He was overshadowed by the big 3 last year (Durant, Augustine and Abrams), but if you remember, he showed flashes of greatness. I think he'll really step up big time this year - I'm hoping he'll be the player that we all hoped Mike Williams was going to be. I look for Texas to compete for the Big 12, but ultimately I'm going with Kansas.
- 2 of the most fascinating teams I'm looking forward to seeing: Kentucky and A&M. Specifically, how will that stacked Aggie team do with a new coach and how will Gillespie deal with the Kentucky pressure.
- My Big 5 for next season: Kansas, UCLA, Memphis (returning all starters), Tennessee (I just love Pearl) and UNC (like I'm not putting them in here somewhere).
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 11:21 PM
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