Jim
10-19-2009, 08:21 PM
Surprise! Surprise!
Well, I fell back under the .500 mark. No real surprise. Now if Blue Hen took my advise and employed the ever-successful “RJ” he went 7-5. But something tells me he did very well this weekend because he stuck with South Carolina and Arkansas. I had dropped Cincinnati, South Carolina and Arkansas myself but, alas, because of my dedication to those who employ the “RJ” had to drop them and pick up genuine losers. Hopefully you all partook of expensive cigars, good rum and a lot of table dances in your celebratory antics on Saturday night. On a very sad and serious note a University of Connecticut cornerback died in Storrs, Connecticut early Sunday morning as a result of what some are now thinking was a hit job. Some coward with a knife. Now if he had engaged in some good old boxing, the would-be murderer would probably have been hauled off after having his bell rung. A truly terrible night in Storrs.
This week can best be called a week of “humbling”. “Who the hell do you think you are” Arkansas came into the Swamp and actually started trying on alligator shoes. Alabama finally got the top spot as they won a very hard fought game vs. South Carolina in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide is the most balanced and complete team in America. They just took over the #1 position in my polls. Ordinarily a guy is the champ until he is actually dethroned. Well, The Holy and Mighty Saint Timothy saw a bunch of brazen pigs make his evening just about as miserable at it could be with him still surviving it. Florida will probably win the SEC East and Alabama will probably win the SEC West. I also feel that the mighty Crimson Tide of Alabama will win the SEC championship and defend that position in the BCS National Championship game. Expect a 13-0 Alabama to be ultimately be ranked BCS #1 and absolutely deserving of that role. In this case the BCS will have definitely got it right as the Crimson Tide will be the crowning jewel of 2009 Division IA Collegiate Football. These guys are scary awesome.
I was shocked to see Oklahoma, with an offense that became depleted midway through the first quarter perform as well as they did against Texas. With three lost fumbles, two picks and over 100 yards in penalties, some following successful third down stops by the Sooner defense, the Pride of Oklahoma challenged the high octane Longhorn offense and stuffed them repeatedly. Even with second half adjustments, OU continued to shut down Texas even when they had or could gain a lot of momentum. Even when the game ended and Oklahoma lost 16-13, I was immensely proud and felt that barring two fumbles and a couple of key penalties, they could have won. Even in their last two drives ending with picks. The Sooners were actually in a position to win despite the inconsistent offensive play. This was a game and Texas players were probably falling to their knees and thanking God that it was over because the Sooners kept hammering them for 60 minutes. Congratulations to both teams for not quitting and carrying their state’s/school’s banners proudly for four full quarters.
Virginia Tech fell. I’m actually surprised. Last week the Yellowjackets beat Florida State 49-44. Now how many times can a tam say we’re going to score 44 points and still lose? How many can say we’re going to give up 44 and win??? WTF!!! Georgia Tech clearly didn’t display a defense against Florida State yet it showed up when it absolutely required they bring one to the game. I didn’t watch the game sorry. I had other issues to deal with on Saturday afternoon following the Oklahoma vs. Texas game.
Penn State shut out Minnesota, Iowa assumed the leadership role in the Big Ten with a 20-10 win at Wisconsin. I still regard the Hawkeyes as suspect and a game where they get it handed to them will be arriving. I don’t believe Iowa is going to get it done. Ohio State losing to Purdue has to be as much of an upset as Arkansas hanging with Florida. Who or what were the Buckeyes thinking about. Even a less than totally prepared Buckeye team should had ample time to shake their collective heads and get their act together. This outcome proves that anybody can beat anybody when one team is ready to play and the other one isn’t. Each team boasts those 6’5 300 lb. sledgehammers, fleet footed defenders and skill players. The fundamental idea is either throw the ball or run the ball and for somebody to clear out a path, just a smidgin’, to get that one step advantage. Regardless of how highly you were recruited or what accolades the local paper or ESPN lays on you, you must perform. There really isn’t that much of a difference between the best in a conference and damn near the worst in a conference. That was clearly demonstrated in West Lafayette.
Kansas and Nebraska both fell. Finally Coach Hawkins sat his son’s ass on the bench and handed over the reins of a pretty much inept Colorado offense to somebody who can get the job done. The result was a major shock in the Big 12 as the undefeated Kansa Jayhawks fell to Colorado who just notched their second win of the season. Happy times in Boulder. Probably short lived. Texas Tech, coming in a 10.5 point underdog to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, losers of only one game to very highly regarded VPI, got hammered by a backup QB for the Red Raiders. Even Zac Lee was getting a thumbs down from the always sportsman-like Husker crowd as the Husker offense continued to fail. Backup QB Green came in and led the Huskers to their lone TD in the 31-10 loss. Missouri fell to Oklahoma State convincingly in Stillwater. The Cowboys will be rocking it up with Texas and Texas Tech for the Big 12 south title this year. A few years back Mike Gundy tossed a bunch of problem children off the team and paid the price in 2006. He is an excellent coach and his philosophy and leadership as the head man is now paying off. And we have Kansas State, who got humiliated last week 66-14 by Texas Tech burying Texas A&M. And Griffin’s absence in Waco is proving to be hard to overcome as Iowa State defeated Baylor.
Notre Dame finally made Southern Cal work for a win. In recent memory the Irish have been nothing but a shadow of their former selves. It used to be that playing against Notre Dame was not only a marquis game but often the pinnacle of your season. That status may be making its way back into the phenomenon known as “Notre Dame” football. A solid game was played in South Bend with USC prevailing, 34-27.
Congratulations are in order for Kentucky, who beat Auburn for the first time since the early years of the Vietnam war, to Indiana, who is winning once again, the Cincinnati Bearcats who remain undefeated, Michigan State for notching their third straight Big Ten win, Pittsburgh in snapping their four game losing streak to Rutgers, California for finally figuring out what to do with their high octane offense, Navy’s continuing success as well as Central Michigan’s.
NC State is now in total collapse. Crushed by Duke last week and now by Boston College, NC State is now in total collapse. Their head man better updating his resume. Stupid move made when he left BC is now becoming very apparent.
So the BCS has Iowa and TCU placed high. Not so sure about Iowa’s lofty position but am rally tickled purple with the high regard TCU is receiving. My total WTF!!! with the BCS is Boise State being ranked 4th. I’m sorry but they are not better than most of those in the BCS Top Ten teams beneath them. So, there is my weekly rant. Here is my Top 25 and those trying to get there.
1 Alabama (7-0)– Wins what will be a major game against once beaten South Carolina.
2 Florida (6-0)–The Gators aren’t playing at the level they need to be for a #1 ranking.
3 Texas (6-0) – Barely hang on to the #3 spot as a very determined OU falls just short.
4 Southern California (5-1)– Win a hard fought game vs. Notre Dame on the road.
5 Louisiana State (5-1)– Took the week off. Host a shocked Auburn next week.
6 Boise State (6-0)– Struggled against Tulsa, 28-21. Others fates keep Broncos high ranked.
7 Miami, Fla. (5-1)– Defeat UCF, 27-7. Host Clemson next week. Critical game for both.
8 Cincinnati (6-0)– Pound an undefeated USF, 34-17, on the road. Host Louisville next.
9 Oregon (5-1)– Took the week off. Travel to a surprising Washington next week.
10 Iowa (6-0) – Defeat Wisconsin on the road. Now undisputed leader in Big Ten.
11 Texas Christian (6-0)– Destroy Colorado State. Critical game at BYU next week.
12 Virginia Tech (5-2)– Surprised by Georgia Tech. Major setback in national aspirations.
13 Penn State (6-1) – Shut out Minnesota. Critical game at Michigan next week.
14 Ohio State (5-2)– Buckeyes must be totally bewildered as to how lowly Purdue beat them.
15 West Virginia (5-1)– Win intrastate rivalry game vs. Marshall.
16 Oklahoma State (5-1)– Impressive win over Missouri in key Big 12 game.
17 Georgia Tech (6-1) – Major upset win over Virginia Tech. At Virginia next week.
18 Mississippi (4-2)– Take out frustrations on UAB. Host Arkansas next week.
19 Pittsburgh (6-1)– Snap 4 game losing streak to Rutgers. Host USF in major Big East game.
20 Kansas (5-1) – Colorado jumps on Jayhawks early and prevails in major Big 12 upset.
21 South Carolina (5-2)– Lose a very hard fought game to #1 Alabama. Host Vandy next.
22 Texas Tech(5-2) –Trounce second straight team. This time Nebraska on the road.
23 Brigham Young (6-1) – Pretty much off the radar but continuing to win.
24 Notre Dame (4-2) – Irish lose a hard fought game against arch-rival USC. Finally a good game.
25 Wisconsin (5-2)– Lose second straight. This time to league leading Iowa at home.
Teams receiving votes (Ranked 26-50): Auburn, Utah, Boston College, Nebraska, Missouri, California, Oklahoma, South Florida, Michigan, Arizona, Oregon State, Georgia, Houston, Arizona State, Tulsa, Navy, Arkansas, Connecticut, Central Michigan, North Carolina, Rutgers, Michigan State, Stanford, Rutgers, Tennessee, Air Force and Idaho.
Well, I fell back under the .500 mark. No real surprise. Now if Blue Hen took my advise and employed the ever-successful “RJ” he went 7-5. But something tells me he did very well this weekend because he stuck with South Carolina and Arkansas. I had dropped Cincinnati, South Carolina and Arkansas myself but, alas, because of my dedication to those who employ the “RJ” had to drop them and pick up genuine losers. Hopefully you all partook of expensive cigars, good rum and a lot of table dances in your celebratory antics on Saturday night. On a very sad and serious note a University of Connecticut cornerback died in Storrs, Connecticut early Sunday morning as a result of what some are now thinking was a hit job. Some coward with a knife. Now if he had engaged in some good old boxing, the would-be murderer would probably have been hauled off after having his bell rung. A truly terrible night in Storrs.
This week can best be called a week of “humbling”. “Who the hell do you think you are” Arkansas came into the Swamp and actually started trying on alligator shoes. Alabama finally got the top spot as they won a very hard fought game vs. South Carolina in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide is the most balanced and complete team in America. They just took over the #1 position in my polls. Ordinarily a guy is the champ until he is actually dethroned. Well, The Holy and Mighty Saint Timothy saw a bunch of brazen pigs make his evening just about as miserable at it could be with him still surviving it. Florida will probably win the SEC East and Alabama will probably win the SEC West. I also feel that the mighty Crimson Tide of Alabama will win the SEC championship and defend that position in the BCS National Championship game. Expect a 13-0 Alabama to be ultimately be ranked BCS #1 and absolutely deserving of that role. In this case the BCS will have definitely got it right as the Crimson Tide will be the crowning jewel of 2009 Division IA Collegiate Football. These guys are scary awesome.
I was shocked to see Oklahoma, with an offense that became depleted midway through the first quarter perform as well as they did against Texas. With three lost fumbles, two picks and over 100 yards in penalties, some following successful third down stops by the Sooner defense, the Pride of Oklahoma challenged the high octane Longhorn offense and stuffed them repeatedly. Even with second half adjustments, OU continued to shut down Texas even when they had or could gain a lot of momentum. Even when the game ended and Oklahoma lost 16-13, I was immensely proud and felt that barring two fumbles and a couple of key penalties, they could have won. Even in their last two drives ending with picks. The Sooners were actually in a position to win despite the inconsistent offensive play. This was a game and Texas players were probably falling to their knees and thanking God that it was over because the Sooners kept hammering them for 60 minutes. Congratulations to both teams for not quitting and carrying their state’s/school’s banners proudly for four full quarters.
Virginia Tech fell. I’m actually surprised. Last week the Yellowjackets beat Florida State 49-44. Now how many times can a tam say we’re going to score 44 points and still lose? How many can say we’re going to give up 44 and win??? WTF!!! Georgia Tech clearly didn’t display a defense against Florida State yet it showed up when it absolutely required they bring one to the game. I didn’t watch the game sorry. I had other issues to deal with on Saturday afternoon following the Oklahoma vs. Texas game.
Penn State shut out Minnesota, Iowa assumed the leadership role in the Big Ten with a 20-10 win at Wisconsin. I still regard the Hawkeyes as suspect and a game where they get it handed to them will be arriving. I don’t believe Iowa is going to get it done. Ohio State losing to Purdue has to be as much of an upset as Arkansas hanging with Florida. Who or what were the Buckeyes thinking about. Even a less than totally prepared Buckeye team should had ample time to shake their collective heads and get their act together. This outcome proves that anybody can beat anybody when one team is ready to play and the other one isn’t. Each team boasts those 6’5 300 lb. sledgehammers, fleet footed defenders and skill players. The fundamental idea is either throw the ball or run the ball and for somebody to clear out a path, just a smidgin’, to get that one step advantage. Regardless of how highly you were recruited or what accolades the local paper or ESPN lays on you, you must perform. There really isn’t that much of a difference between the best in a conference and damn near the worst in a conference. That was clearly demonstrated in West Lafayette.
Kansas and Nebraska both fell. Finally Coach Hawkins sat his son’s ass on the bench and handed over the reins of a pretty much inept Colorado offense to somebody who can get the job done. The result was a major shock in the Big 12 as the undefeated Kansa Jayhawks fell to Colorado who just notched their second win of the season. Happy times in Boulder. Probably short lived. Texas Tech, coming in a 10.5 point underdog to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, losers of only one game to very highly regarded VPI, got hammered by a backup QB for the Red Raiders. Even Zac Lee was getting a thumbs down from the always sportsman-like Husker crowd as the Husker offense continued to fail. Backup QB Green came in and led the Huskers to their lone TD in the 31-10 loss. Missouri fell to Oklahoma State convincingly in Stillwater. The Cowboys will be rocking it up with Texas and Texas Tech for the Big 12 south title this year. A few years back Mike Gundy tossed a bunch of problem children off the team and paid the price in 2006. He is an excellent coach and his philosophy and leadership as the head man is now paying off. And we have Kansas State, who got humiliated last week 66-14 by Texas Tech burying Texas A&M. And Griffin’s absence in Waco is proving to be hard to overcome as Iowa State defeated Baylor.
Notre Dame finally made Southern Cal work for a win. In recent memory the Irish have been nothing but a shadow of their former selves. It used to be that playing against Notre Dame was not only a marquis game but often the pinnacle of your season. That status may be making its way back into the phenomenon known as “Notre Dame” football. A solid game was played in South Bend with USC prevailing, 34-27.
Congratulations are in order for Kentucky, who beat Auburn for the first time since the early years of the Vietnam war, to Indiana, who is winning once again, the Cincinnati Bearcats who remain undefeated, Michigan State for notching their third straight Big Ten win, Pittsburgh in snapping their four game losing streak to Rutgers, California for finally figuring out what to do with their high octane offense, Navy’s continuing success as well as Central Michigan’s.
NC State is now in total collapse. Crushed by Duke last week and now by Boston College, NC State is now in total collapse. Their head man better updating his resume. Stupid move made when he left BC is now becoming very apparent.
So the BCS has Iowa and TCU placed high. Not so sure about Iowa’s lofty position but am rally tickled purple with the high regard TCU is receiving. My total WTF!!! with the BCS is Boise State being ranked 4th. I’m sorry but they are not better than most of those in the BCS Top Ten teams beneath them. So, there is my weekly rant. Here is my Top 25 and those trying to get there.
1 Alabama (7-0)– Wins what will be a major game against once beaten South Carolina.
2 Florida (6-0)–The Gators aren’t playing at the level they need to be for a #1 ranking.
3 Texas (6-0) – Barely hang on to the #3 spot as a very determined OU falls just short.
4 Southern California (5-1)– Win a hard fought game vs. Notre Dame on the road.
5 Louisiana State (5-1)– Took the week off. Host a shocked Auburn next week.
6 Boise State (6-0)– Struggled against Tulsa, 28-21. Others fates keep Broncos high ranked.
7 Miami, Fla. (5-1)– Defeat UCF, 27-7. Host Clemson next week. Critical game for both.
8 Cincinnati (6-0)– Pound an undefeated USF, 34-17, on the road. Host Louisville next.
9 Oregon (5-1)– Took the week off. Travel to a surprising Washington next week.
10 Iowa (6-0) – Defeat Wisconsin on the road. Now undisputed leader in Big Ten.
11 Texas Christian (6-0)– Destroy Colorado State. Critical game at BYU next week.
12 Virginia Tech (5-2)– Surprised by Georgia Tech. Major setback in national aspirations.
13 Penn State (6-1) – Shut out Minnesota. Critical game at Michigan next week.
14 Ohio State (5-2)– Buckeyes must be totally bewildered as to how lowly Purdue beat them.
15 West Virginia (5-1)– Win intrastate rivalry game vs. Marshall.
16 Oklahoma State (5-1)– Impressive win over Missouri in key Big 12 game.
17 Georgia Tech (6-1) – Major upset win over Virginia Tech. At Virginia next week.
18 Mississippi (4-2)– Take out frustrations on UAB. Host Arkansas next week.
19 Pittsburgh (6-1)– Snap 4 game losing streak to Rutgers. Host USF in major Big East game.
20 Kansas (5-1) – Colorado jumps on Jayhawks early and prevails in major Big 12 upset.
21 South Carolina (5-2)– Lose a very hard fought game to #1 Alabama. Host Vandy next.
22 Texas Tech(5-2) –Trounce second straight team. This time Nebraska on the road.
23 Brigham Young (6-1) – Pretty much off the radar but continuing to win.
24 Notre Dame (4-2) – Irish lose a hard fought game against arch-rival USC. Finally a good game.
25 Wisconsin (5-2)– Lose second straight. This time to league leading Iowa at home.
Teams receiving votes (Ranked 26-50): Auburn, Utah, Boston College, Nebraska, Missouri, California, Oklahoma, South Florida, Michigan, Arizona, Oregon State, Georgia, Houston, Arizona State, Tulsa, Navy, Arkansas, Connecticut, Central Michigan, North Carolina, Rutgers, Michigan State, Stanford, Rutgers, Tennessee, Air Force and Idaho.