BUYS AND SELLS, WEEK TWO
by Orson on Sep 10, 2007 2:22 PM EDT
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PrintOrson's Buys:
BUY! BUY! BUY!Cincinnati: Budding Big East Bantam Bumps Beavers Brutally! The Bearcats benefitted immensely from OSU ineptitude at quarterback on and special teams, blocking punts and intercepting the two-headed mufflebuzz that is their quarterback. Brian Kelly may have installed the spread at Cincy, but that's not what should attract the eye from their defeat of Oregon State--what should is the line for OSU's beastly running back Yvenson Bernard, a measly 16 carries for 30 yards. Cincinnati in two games has displayed something the glamboy frontrunners in the Big East haven't: a defense. Show a knife in act one, someone's getting stabbed in act three--just like Rutgers did last year against the Bearcats.
They're entering a three game span featuring Miami of Ohio, Marshall, and San Diego State. They should be 5-0 going into their game with Rutgers, and should make the Scarlet Knights do something they won't have to do until that game: do something other than bludgeon people to bits with Ray Rice.
LSU The horrifying thing about their mangling of Virginia Tech was their offensive performance: balanced to the point of obscenity (301/297 passing/rushing,) productive, consistent, and so multiform it could have been designed by an IKEA engineer.
(Look! It's a table! It's a desk! It's a hedge trimmer! It fits in 435 square feet!)
The only guy who'll have actual game knowledge of Crowton's offense, Urban Meyer, has bupkis in the way of personnel to carry off the trick of stopping it this year from all current indications. Werewolf with a chainsaw for a dick--that's our summation until proven wrong.
USC Buy now--when they beat Nebraska at home (embedded predictions! Free with werewolf with dick references!) their stock will bounce back to the top of the blue chip honor roll following a week of luster loss due to LSU's high-profile devouring of the Hokies. (We mean on NU's homefield. In Lincoln. In Nebraska.)
Me no need offense!South Carolina An ugly, ugly win by South Carolina; like Brian Billick in the NFL, Spurrier seems to have jettisoned any pretense of bringing back the Fun 'N Gun for a 21st century renaissance in favor of bloody, minimalist defensive ball backed by an offense reliant on keeping the ball out of Blake Mitchell's hands and the gameplan out of his brain. The shocking and comforting thing for Cocks fans coming out of the game on Saturday was the performance of the offensive line, who pushed Georgia around like sleds during the fourth quarter and allowed the real backbone of the attack, running backs Davis and Boyd, to bow up and secure the win. One point, thirty points--it's a win, and it's the kind of win fate bent the other way for the Gamecocks in 2006.
Hannibal's Buys:
Oklahoma: Obviously. Miami's offense had to pull out every stop to score seven Saturday (the field goals were gifts off turnovers), which was predictable, but I had counted on Miami's defense giving hell to a redshirt freshman quarterback. Sam Bradford could have been about half as effective as he was – say, 125 yards, two touchdowns – and it still would have been considered a nice, mistake-free start for him under the circumstances. He completely shredded the 'Canes instead, and I can't really think of anything bad to say about this team. Other than peaking too early, I can only think of one possible caveat: Bradford's fed on a lot of short, really easy stuff the first couple weeks, and Miami's secondary really didn't play much better than North Texas' a lot of the time as far as being in position or taking the right angles to the ball. I would expect defenses at some point to start walking up on the receivers and challenging Bradford to beat them downfield.
Texas: UT was a firm 'sell' at halftime, but with their backs getting dangerously close to the wall, the Longhorns might have turned their season around with a dominant second half. They outscored a legitimately tough TCU team 34-3 in two quarters, and the momentum might be all downhill from there.
Arizona State: Any pick from the Pac Ten is inherently volatile because there is no mercy or consistency in that conference, but ASU responded from a 14-0 hole Saturday by obliterating Colorado with 33 unanswered points and has a well-suited schedule for a little run through October: the next five games are San Diego State, Oregon State, at Stanford, at Washington State and Washington. It's four straight ranked teams (Cal, Oregon, UCLA and USC) after that, but the Devils are dangerous on offense and could be 8-0 going into that stretch.
He's back, baby! Flyin' right intoooo the DAIN-JAH ZOOOONE!
Rutgers: I was pretty high on Rutgers coming into the season - the Kinghts can run the ball, they can stop the run, they can rush the passer - so they had very few questions to answer from where I'm sitting. The big one was quarterback, because they can't keep grinding through close games just hoping Mike Teel doesn't screw something up. So against Buffalo and Navy, it could have been two weeks of a low-risk Ray Rice Show. But even as Rice has earned his yards, Teel's been almost perfect: 30-42 for 594 yards, 5 touchdowns, no picks - almost 20 yards per completion and 14 per attempt, if you're doing the math. Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt look like legit receivers, which Teel did not have last year until Britt came on at the very end. This is a much more balanced offense and very much a Big East contender.
Orson's Sells
Auburn: Brandon Cox could practically be heard screaming "RETREEEEAAAT" and "NOT IN THE FACE" during several throws against USF's defense Saturday night. We'd kill to have the video of this, but Cox actually made several throws with this head and eyes looking at his cleats--not checkdowns, mind you, but full blown throws into coverage. The possibly-game-killing pick, though? Never fear, Auburn fans. He made that one with his eyes open and his head held high, doing just what he did when he wasn't looking at his shoes: allowing the defense to see precisely who he was going to throw at that play.
(Cuddles Swindle theorizes he is Daniel Cobb with a forged birth certificate. Anything is possible through Bobby Lowder.)
Auburn, for the moment, is Virginia Tech with a running game. Arkansas and their blitz-freaky defense, coming up this weekend, surely took notes. Or perhaps more to Houston Nutt's liking, they texted back and forth about it frequently.
Ed. Incorrect! A pair of patsies (Miss. State, New Mexico State) sit between them and Florida before Arkansas. But they're all taking notes, we're sure. Hopefully, Florida's and Arkansas' will actually matter.--ed.)
Ohio State: Five turnovers against Akron, dull play from Todd Boeckman, and a blown assignment allowing a safety...this year screams of interregnum in the Big Ten, liberating the rest from Michigan/OSU domination. Though Tressel plays just well enough without a quarterback, or even an entire offense, really, Ohio State's neck hairs should be at full attention with fear thanks to a cross-continental trip to Washington, where they'll play the scariest thing a Big Ten defense can face, evidently: a budding spread offense with a mobile quarterback on their home field.
Nebraska: Much as with Auburn, the erratic play of the qb puts the 'Huskers on the sell block for the week, with Sam Keller throwing for only 2 tds to 3 ints on the year thus far. The learning curve with the West Coast offense remains notoriously steep, something Callahan's cagily hidden by running the hide off the ball, but Keller's third start in the system ideally would have come against someone a bit easier than the USC Trojans. Like the Atlanta Falcons, for example? Yes, that would have been pleasant.
Oregon State: A dark horse goes pale in the light of a foul loss to Cincy and a dismal struggle to the bottom for their qbs. Even the certified run game of Yvenson Bernard is stuttering at this point, and Sammie Stroughter, though back, fumbled a kick return and looked completely out of sync. A disjointed team at this point who needs to sit on the shelf until they figure out their supply chain for yardage and touchdowns.
Hannibal's Sells:
Hawaii: I don't know if Hawaii gains some kind of strength from the gods in Aloha Stadium or what, but they're not the same team on the mainland. Louisiana Tech was the worst defense in the country last year, without qualification, exception or debate, and needing overtime to win there is a decidedly mediocre, un-ranked sort of thing to do. Colt Brennan had 548 yards, but he threw it 61 times to get there. The defense is going to get this team beat.
Orson notes: If you didn't see the mediocrity in person, check out the summary below. We'd also like to note that Louisiana Tech under Derek Dooley is rapidly improving.
Texas A&M: I held back unloading on A&M after it gave up 400-plus to Montana State in the opener, but letting Fresno State up off the ground to come back from 19 points down in the second half is Strike Two, and I'm not waiting around for the kibosh. Fresno should have won this game in the first overtime: after holding the Aggies to a field goal, FSU completed a pass inside the five that could have been the winning touchdown, or set up the winning touchdown at the one or two, but the receiver fumbled trying to stretch the ball over the goalline. Pure luck for A&M, which still kept the game alive by roughing the passer, anyway. The offense remains very one-dimensional, and I have no confidence in the D.
Miami: If neither Freeman nor Wright is going to deliver at quarterback, I expected at minimum the defense would be strong with all the athletes and continuity back on that side. There's no excuse for some of the throws UM's secondary allowed to torch it against Oklahoma, especially against a redshirt freshman quarterback, no matter how sharp. Make the tackle at six or eight yards, at least. The defense would have to be almost perfect to keep a game like that in reach, though, so until there is some semblance of danger on the offense, Miami is out of the picture.
Virginia Tech: Again, we knew about the offense already. So if the Hokies can't play defense, either, there is no hope. Six-hundred yards? The level of the competition doesn't excuse that.
Orson's holds:
Florida: The 28 point second half and offensive lapses make parts of our brain go EEK! in most unpleasant ways. Andre Caldwell's out with an MCL, punt return phantom Brandon James is hurting, and as has been the case all year, the defense is a young, dazzlingly talented collection of individuals who together make a spotty, average whole. We had a nightmare last night that the Tennessee game ended with Tebow backed into our own endzone and throwing a pick under pressure from mean men in orange. Seriously, we did. This week and good health do not go hand in hand.
Louisville: Mmmm. Cotton candy defense meets hungry hyperactive kid this week as they take on Kentucky and Andre Woodson. If you had concerns about the defense after watching MTSU last week, just wait until the surgical Woodson and the Wildcats go fishing against the Cardinals. The over may be closed at the betting window before the week is over, if Gamblor has any sanity at all.
Michigan: They should smack the freckles off the Leprechaun this week out of anger and sheer physical superiority. Yet a team so thoroughly defeated cannot be overestimated--for an investor, this is the equivalent of buying stock in the American auto industry right now. Hey, it couldn't get any worse than horrible, right? Unless it gets fucking horrible, that is. Flee!
Hannibal's Holds:
Washington I said last week I'd bit if the Huskies came out of the for-game stretch starting with Boise State at 2-3. So I lied: I like Jake Locker and I like this team just fine, but not enough to jump on the bandwagon with Ohio State, UCLA and Southern Cal immediately in front of it.
Nebraska Significant regression at Wake Forest. Part of my distaste for the Huskers' game Saturday may reflect my very low opinion of Wake, but the Deacons' running game covers the entire field and in some cases Nebraska was just outrun; it probably doesn't win if the freshman quarterback on the other side doesn't trump Sam Keller's bonehead interception with a bonehead pick of his own into double coverage with a chance to tie. That is a problem with USC coming in, though I do expect being at home for a big game will be worth an adrenaline point or two. Are they awarding points for adrenaline yet?
Michigan State Held off Bowling Green. Simmering until the inevitable collapse at some point over the next month. At the point the Spartans really start to look like a 'buy,' unload them. Fast.
Louisville Thursday night was the Cardinals' worst defensive game in years, and I'm willing to count it as a mulligan because a) it was such an extreme aberration (550 yards, 42 points and no sacks against Middle Tennessee State?) and b) the UL defense significantly improved at halftime, giving up just one touchdown in the second half. Still, the Cards suddenly look they could fall any time, even if I probably have less faith in Kentucky's defense this Saturday. Brian Brohm is a reliable trump.
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Do you mean if USC beats Nebraska in Lincolin or in L.A.? That’s a road game for the Trojans. (Of course, you’re right; they’ll be vaulted back to the top after beating a Husker team that should have run up a higher point total on Wake.)
by Signal to Noise on Sep 10, 2007 2:25 PM EDT reply actions
Bama host Arkansas, Auburn host MSU. Right on with the comments about Cox.
by Frank on Sep 10, 2007 2:27 PM EDT reply actions
hate to be the asshole to point out mistakes, but – the War Tiger/Eagles play Miss State this week, while Houston Nutt brings his traveling circus into Tuscaloosa
by mp on Sep 10, 2007 2:28 PM EDT reply actions
Pfft. This is the USC high-point. Their stock will plummet as the season progresses. Then again, I thought Georgia was a good buy last week, so what the fuck do I know.
by Biggus Rickus on Sep 10, 2007 2:29 PM EDT reply actions
Ar-Kansas would have been taking notes on bammers win over Vandy. Hogs and Tigers don’t play until October 13. (Thank God)
by JeffAU on Sep 10, 2007 2:29 PM EDT reply actions
I guess I should have specified that I was referring to the fake USC, and not the one with all the good football players.
by Biggus Rickus on Sep 10, 2007 2:30 PM EDT reply actions
I was at Wake.
Huskers were still the better team on the field.
Sticky Road Games (everyone gets the bug).
Neb 36 USC 33
(2-min drill with 1:12 to play and it’s tied.)
by 'BoroHusker on Sep 10, 2007 2:35 PM EDT reply actions
Corrected, corrected. We blame society for the errors.
by Orson Swindle on Sep 10, 2007 2:38 PM EDT reply actions
What about GT? Waiting to see the results of the upcoming BC game?
by Techie on Sep 10, 2007 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
That’s it! I’m calling it right now, Nebraska will STUN USCw this week.
How do I know? I figure since Wake and USC are both reigning BCS conference champions, they are pretty much the same team.
Believe me, NO ONE else will make this pick and I’ll look like a got damn genius if I’m right. If I’m wrong, who cares what ol’ PW says anyway?
by PW on Sep 10, 2007 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
Buy BC. Lousy ND on the road, mediocre-to-lousy FSU and Miami at home and a remaning non-conference slate of Army, UMass and Bowling Green + Only real tests being road games at GT and Clemson = BC having a very good shot at winning the ACC and going 10-2 at worst.
I’m not a BC fan. I’m just sayin’.
TCU just didn’t have the depth to play four quarters with Texas this weekend. Congratulations to the Horns. Next time (if there is a next time), we’ll try to have some sort of offense. Asking a RS-FR QB playing in his second college game to win in Austin was just too much, especially with no running game of any kind to back him up. Alas! We’re not a top-10 program, but I’m hoping we’ll be top-25 again by season’s end.
How is Virginia Tech still ranked?
by Boston Frog on Sep 10, 2007 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
Can anyone find me Nutt’s cell #?
I want to talk shit via text. That’s how he prefers it.
by Bully Van De Graaff on Sep 10, 2007 2:52 PM EDT reply actions
Don’t fret, Orson. I also had a dream about this week’s Tennessee game, and in that dream we won. For the record: I dreamt the eventual outcome of the 2005 USC-Notre Dame game, and before our season last year I dreamt we would play either Michigan or Ohio State in our bowl game. I feel pretty good about this one.
by GatorAM on Sep 10, 2007 2:54 PM EDT reply actions
Spread for ND Michigan was at Mich -9 last I checked. I would still bet on Michigan if it were double that. Nonetheless, GO IRISH!
by Domer Guy on Sep 10, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
yes unfortunately los chronicos is stumbing into t-town this weekend. the tide will find out if sabanology has really taken hold on defense, or if it just looks really nice against wcu and vandy.
i just want to see dmac and rmac (rolando mcclain if your nasty) collide at full speed.
by gerry dorsey on Sep 10, 2007 2:59 PM EDT reply actions
Great game, Boston Frog. It was similar to our RS-FR QB playing Ohio State in his second college game last year was asking too much. I hope TCU wins the rest of their schedule (and with that defense they’ll do quite well).
by Orangeblood on Sep 10, 2007 3:01 PM EDT reply actions
Seriously, GatorAM. It was 44-38ish and we were hopeless in our own endzone. We woke up at 4:43 this morning dreaming about this.
We hadn’t felt so helpless since the 2002 LSU game.
by Orson Swindle on Sep 10, 2007 3:01 PM EDT reply actions
I, as an Oklahoma fan and alumn, say hold on OU. This is reminding me way too much of 2003-4. New (to an extent) quarterback, just lost a great tailback (then Q. Griffin, now AD), and have steamrolling through other teams like a cornucopia of carnage. Then, when nobody’s looking…bam. With overblown competition that has name-brand appeal but isn’t nearly as good as that name-brand (Miami, a weaker than you think Texas no dominant run game and a defense that isn’t all that great, an average at best Ok. State, and a terrible A&M), this team isn’t going to face anything great, aside from MAYBE texas, untill bowl season. I don’t say sell, because there is also the distinct feeling of 2000. The team is young enough to stay away from not thinking, but knowing, how good they are. ‘03 wasn’t, though the departure of Mike Stoops right before KSU couldn’t have possibly helped at all. I do say buy on Nebraska. They’re not all that great, but aside from USC they don’t really have any glaring losses on the sched. They will either be this year’s version of the ‘03 KState debacle for OU or Stoops will break Callahan’s face. Either way, I’m pulling for LSU to lose one. I want to see Pete McAsshat Carrol get dominated by Oklahoma. Badly
by them oklahoma on Sep 10, 2007 3:03 PM EDT reply actions
My buy for this week is the vote of confidence that Lloyd Carr is about to get.
by Southern Papa on Sep 10, 2007 3:03 PM EDT reply actions
to suppliment #19- I’m really concerned about the run game between the tackles for Oklahoma. It could be that Miami’s run D (and, from the stands, it did appear that Miami’s plan was to focus completely on stopping the inside run game with alot of man-cover2/1 and hense-forth a bounty of malcolm kelly with a safety behind or beside him and a corner eating grass) is as good as advertised. I’m not sold yet. If the run isn’t there for Oklahoma come bowl time, Lester Miles and/or Pete Carrol will be sporting shit-eating grins.
by them oklahoma on Sep 10, 2007 3:08 PM EDT reply actions
“They’re entering a three game span featuring Miami of Ohio, Marshall, and San Diego State. They should be 5-0 going into their game with Rutgers . . . .”
With all due respect, Mr. Swindle, FUCK THAT. There are (were) only three things in Cincinnati worth preserving — Camp Washington Chili, Graeter’s, and the red canvas Johnny Bench model Keds I got for my fifth birthday. Clifton is a sewer, and, as my compatriots at MHT are quick to note, you can’t spell “sUCks” without U-C.
The Victory Bell belongs in Oxford, and we’re taking it back on Saturday.
by DevilGrad on Sep 10, 2007 3:10 PM EDT reply actions
I would buy the Big East whole (and yes I’m a homer but) because there are at least 6 decent teams. The Holy Trinity (Lville, WFVU, Rutgers), two up & comers in Cincinnati and South Florida and a Pittsburgh team that should be good. Watch out if Pitt beats Michigan State this week. Syracuse is a joke and UConn doesn’t play an OOC team with a pulse, UVA included.
Louisville may not lose this year if they stay healthy. They may give up 50 a game but you don’t lose when you average 60+ a game. West Virginia is different because they seem to go into funks while Louisville’s offense never stops.
I’m looking forward to Bama/Arkansas this week. The two craziest programs in the country with the two craziest fanbases and maybe the craziest coaches. Houston Nutt reminds me of a Homer Simpson line about George W. Bush.
“What will he do next? Who knows with Commander Kuckoo Bananas in charge!”
by Edsall is God on Sep 10, 2007 3:13 PM EDT reply actions
What happened to “buy low and sell high”? Most of your buy teams have saturated the market. I think this is the perfect time to buy Louisville and Ohio State.
by Matt on Sep 10, 2007 3:14 PM EDT reply actions
22 -
Now THAT was a mean-spirited post about a rival. Well done, sir.
by Edsall is God on Sep 10, 2007 3:14 PM EDT reply actions
I hate the spread offense. Fuck you UNLV.
Also, not dropping 6 passes, 4 of which would have been first downs on 3rd down, would be nice. Just sayin’.
by Rabid Badger on Sep 10, 2007 3:16 PM EDT reply actions
Cincy isn’t the only team that plays D in the Big East. I think USF is starting to look like a legit contender for that conference title.
by Eric on Sep 10, 2007 3:20 PM EDT reply actions
Re #25: Believe it or not, Miami vs. UC is one of the oldest rivalries in college football. For Miami fans with southwestern Ohio ties, it’s the biggest game of the season.
For me, it’s just an hors d’ouerve for our biggest game of the year, but I’m likely to froth copiously at the mouth about that later in the season, so I’ll spare you the gory details today.
For now, remember this: UC folks think they’ve got a great football program, but the best coach they’ve had in my lifetime left — voluntarily — to take a job at a nonscholarship I-AA school
by DevilGrad on Sep 10, 2007 3:23 PM EDT reply actions
Ahh, good ole’ Gamblor, haven’t heard that name in a while. Our future (well for me) children will likely be unable to communicate with us due to a lack of inane inside jokes and Simpsons references.
by Brian on Sep 10, 2007 3:32 PM EDT reply actions
Uh, the Pittsburgh team that’s supposed to be getting better is coached by Dave Wannstedt.
Florida only let the Men of Troy East score 24 in the second half. Silly Orson, panic is for Dawgs.
by Renegade Gator Bait on Sep 10, 2007 3:48 PM EDT reply actions
I want some f’ing respect! We beat an obviously tremendous FSU squad, and the 3 days later turned around destroyed the best team in Louisiana, the Warhawks from Monroe.
Fine, fine, we don’t get any mention in the national discussion.
However, I would like to remind whomever that the La-Monroe RB averaged 140 yards against Arkansas, Alabama, and Kentucky last season.
The other RB who picked up 100 against us, I cannot account for.
Perhaps this is why drinking seems appealing on a Monday afternoon.
Myself, I like to think we will follow the South Carolina model, and follow up a lackluster game versus a former directional Louisiana school with a beating of highly ranked and touted… Furman.
by Coop on Sep 10, 2007 3:53 PM EDT reply actions
This week’s lock of the week is USC against Nebraska. I don’t care what the spread is. I don’t care if SC is favored by 30. You know Pete Carroll has been whipping those guys into a frenzy for two weeks because of the Idaho game and all the respect OU/LSU/others are getting. It’s called a statement game I believe. And the statement will be, “We’re still USC and we’re better than you.”
USC 50, Nebraska 14. See USC’s early season games against Arkansas and Auburn in the past few years.
by Edsall is God on Sep 10, 2007 3:55 PM EDT reply actions
31- Remember, the Paladins (Furman) plays in the Southern Conference. Same league as App State and Wofford (almost as good as App State)
by Okie on Sep 10, 2007 3:56 PM EDT reply actions
The Paladins lost to Hofstra on Saturday. Clemson would have to revert back to Tommy West horrificness to lose to the ’Dins and their fat fullback.
by Eric on Sep 10, 2007 4:06 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks, Orangeblood (no. 17). And thanks to UT fans for being the best group we’ve had on our message board in a long time.
Dalton’s going to be a great QB barring injury, maybe the best TCU has had in decades. His struggles vs. UT did make me think of Colt vs. Ohio State last year. It was just too much too fast. If Dalton ends up this season being half as good as Colt was last year before he got injured, we have a good shot at winning 10 games again. We need a workhorse back, though, and I’m still not sure whether Aaron Brown (who didn’t even play in Austin) is that guy.
I still think we’ll be a top-25 program this year, but it’s clear that UT is top 10 and we’re not. (On a positive note, I’ll be glad to see the BCS hype—the vast majority of which we don’t generate ourselves—go away for the year.) Whether we’ll ever get there is hard to say; we face a lot of obstacles as a small, non-BCS, private school. But we’re better than we were 10 years ago, and I have to believe that we’d at least be competitive in the Big 12.
I’ll be a UT fan for the rest of the season. I think your guys woke up on Saturday in the fourth quarter in a big way. (It was always coming—it was just a matter of time.) I see no reason why you shouldn’t be able to win the Big 12 again, despite how good OU has looked so far. Just keep Colt healthy. I don’t have to tell you how important he will be…
by Boston Frog on Sep 10, 2007 4:06 PM EDT reply actions
“the performance of the offensive line, who pushed Georgia around like sleds during the fourth quarter…”
You obviously did not see quarters 1, 2, or 3.
by Kanu on Sep 10, 2007 4:07 PM EDT reply actions
GT not a buy??? I’m no insect fan but that might be Pepper Rodgers in a Chan Gailey disguise.
The jury is out on Clemmons & BC until a later date.
To my disgust, Satan will beat UPig this weekend and become a buy.
by yoyofutbawl on Sep 10, 2007 4:09 PM EDT reply actions
Only a moron would think that ANYONE in history would drop 50 on Nebraska in Lincoln. Hell, USC only dropped 28 on Nebraska last year in LA, against a worse Neb team.
NU may not win, but they will at least cover.
by AustinHusker on Sep 10, 2007 4:13 PM EDT reply actions
37 – Wait, is the implication that Pepper Rodgers was a good coach?
by Biggus Rickus on Sep 10, 2007 4:20 PM EDT reply actions
What’s worse than “sell?”
“Disavow all knowledge of?” “Burn in a trash can?” “Kill, then reinvigorate in 2 seasons?”
That’s Miami.
by The Great Barstoolio on Sep 10, 2007 4:38 PM EDT reply actions
The proprietors better hope that UK does not beat Louisville next week…because if they do, you will see the shocking naivete and blissfully football-unaware arrogance of Kentucky fans in their full glory. They will start calling out Florida and LSU immediately. The same ugliness you last saw run Tubby Smith out of town will re-emerge, this time without any foundational tradition or logic. Just warning y’all.
by SDF fan on Sep 10, 2007 4:38 PM EDT reply actions
Good call on the Cincinnati Bearcats. And, it’s one of the few college stadiums that still sells beer!
I’d list the Buckeyes as a hold. Under Tressel they’re notorious for playing to the level of the competition. I know they scored more against Y-State last week, but you only hurt the one you love.
by OhioDawg on Sep 10, 2007 4:40 PM EDT reply actions
Pepper Rodgers?
Methinks one wanted to say Bill Curry.
by Techie on Sep 10, 2007 4:45 PM EDT reply actions
Edsal – Words of wisdom, my friend. Words. Of. Wisdom.
by Unhappy Monkey on Sep 10, 2007 4:50 PM EDT reply actions
Big East isn’t as bad as the Big 10 right now, but their top three (Louisville, WV, and Rutgers) are displaying what can only be described as disturbing behavior, i.e., giving up many many points to teams that shouldn’t be scoring. MTSU hanging 42 does not equal undefeated season.
And Sparty is gonna give Pitt the ol’ Number 9 this weekend, simply by exhibiting something the Panthers haven’t seen much of this year: competence.
by spartymike on Sep 10, 2007 4:58 PM EDT reply actions
Furman has a history, 1982 versus South Carolina, 1984 & 1985 versus NC State, 1986 or 1987 versus Tech, of beating, or in Tech’s case, tying Division I programs.
Alas, this Furman team bears no resemblance to those Furman teams. The only similarity is that Furman head coach Bobby Lamb was the QB in ’84 and ’85, smile Wolfpack!
At any rate, if we don’t win by 30+, bad thoughts will ensue, and rightfully so.
by Coop on Sep 10, 2007 5:05 PM EDT reply actions
Orson,
So you’re already ready to sell a defense that held an opponent to 69 yards offense and forced 16 straight 3 and out series and 14 punts in a row.
But you don’t want to sell an SEC defense that gave up 38 points, 559 yards of offense; and a team that did little of nothing with 5 turnovers.
How bizarre, how bizarre….lol
by tOSUBuckeyes on Sep 10, 2007 5:05 PM EDT reply actions
43 -
Would that be the same Sparty that struggled with that mighty Bowling Green team on Saturday? I’m not a Pitt fan by any means. But Pitt should win that game based simply on all the players Wannstedt has recruited. They won’t because he can’t coach but they should. Or it could be a meeting of two 2-0 teams that actually suck.
But if Pitt wins…that means…Sept 22nd…under the lights….UNDEFEATED, 3-0 Pittsburgh….against UNDEFEATED, 3-0 UConn…in the Game of the Century. That’s all I really want. Go Pitt.
by Edsall is God on Sep 10, 2007 5:07 PM EDT reply actions
Against Akron and Youngstown State? Sure.
by Orson Swindle on Sep 10, 2007 5:07 PM EDT reply actions
For those of you around the country, I just tuned in to the Finebaum show and as expected I have already heard that Miles would be absolutely NOTHING without Saban’s players, Saban’s program, and Saban’s playbook…(Saban is so good that the players he recruited years ago are even better after he leaves – as if he coaches like a time-released capsule)…also heard that Auburn is finished, they have lost all of their recruits and will never win another game against Bama…also heard about how great of a recruiter Saban is and how much better Bama played in the 24-10 win over Vandy, despite JPW’s piss poor performance and Vandy not having anything other than a QB with a name.
Here’s a link if the rest of you want to partake in the delusions:
http://players.eonstreams.com/FastAim/Player/Player.php?PlayerID=801
by tOSUBuckeyes on Sep 10, 2007 5:11 PM EDT reply actions
51 -
Hmm, sounds about right to me. If you’re recruited by Saban, you are automatically on another level of existence than other players. Anyone can coach them to victories. But only Saban can take them to a national title. Duh.
by Edsall is God on Sep 10, 2007 5:13 PM EDT reply actions
What did happen at the UF-Troy game? Was the 2nd string defense out for the 2nd half? I know GT must have been 3 or 4 deep by the time Samford got around to scoring.
And to #24 — I don’t understand the buys and sells either. Maybe this is like modern “investing” when you rush out to buy GOOG because of their hot new map feature you discovered last Thursday.
by Tim on Sep 10, 2007 5:17 PM EDT reply actions
Kanu – glad they play 4 quarters then.
by Out of Conference on Sep 10, 2007 5:18 PM EDT reply actions
By the way, I think GT’s Tenuta let Samford score two touchdowns just to taunt Notre Dame even more.
by Tim on Sep 10, 2007 5:18 PM EDT reply actions
Bama fan just called into Finebaum show and said there’s no reason why Bama can’t win the SEC this year….lol. A win over Vandy and now Bama can win the SEC.
by tOSUBuckeyes on Sep 10, 2007 5:46 PM EDT reply actions
You laugh now but Vandy would beat Akron by more than 18.
Go Washington…..
Did you here KIrk H. say the Big tenleven was the sixth best conference…..wise man.
by CHARLIE MURPHY on Sep 10, 2007 6:00 PM EDT reply actions
Sorry, but I don’t see how TCU’s wholesale implosion on special teams equals texas finding themselves.
TCU’s QB sucks, and their best offensive player (Aaron Brown) never stepped onto the field. Facing no running game and no passing game, are we supposed to be surprised texas won this game?
texas’ secondary still can’t cover anyone, and they still have no linebackers to speak of.
OU is going to truck texas by 3 TDs, minimum, this season. Right now, the Big 12 is OU and then everyone else.
by Beergut on Sep 10, 2007 6:07 PM EDT reply actions
Okay, so last week I said I wasn’t sure about the Gamecocks. Lo and behold, I was wrong. A few other things I noticed:
(i) The Big Ten and Big XII are weak this year (excluding Oklahoma) Texas is looking to have another solid 9 win season in my eyes, but the fact is that these two traditional powerhouse conferences are both in the beginnings or the middle of a many year slump. Not as bad, though, as
(ii) the ACC, which seems to be officially terrible. Boston College has shown some distressing offensive numbers, and Georgia Tech has given up 362 yards of total offense in two games. That includes playing an entire half with third and fourth string defensive players who will likely never see another down of college football barring some horrific industrial accident involving Jon Tenuta, his first string, and road construction equipment wielded by U[sic]GA graduates. Clemson still looks okay, but their second half implosion against FSU raises questions. And what the hell happened to Miami? Last year their defense gave up 20+ points twice all year, and then they get lit up something terrible by Oklahoma. Never mind the fact that Frank Beamer’s Neck Brain is apparently on extended vacation in Aruba.
Speaking of Southern football
(iii) The SEC looks to be a bit down this year as well. Against, aside from LSU and a Florida team that I haven’t seen play yet, but the Cocks should not be beating UGA by running it up the gut. The SEC usually has four or five teams that seem like legitimate national championship contenders out of the blocks, but this year I only see Florida and LSU. Tennessee looked strong against Cal, but that loss kills their chances.
(iv) Les Miles should have just kept his mouth shut, because the Pac-10 has woken up and they are a mighty god who is fiercely provoked. From Oregon’s manhandling of a Michigan team that’s in the process of falling apart faster than a used Yugo, to Cal beating two impressive opponents, and even at the perennial bottom of the conference, the Pac-10 looks much improved.
(v) Speaking of enigmas, what the hell is going on in the Big East? West Virginia looked underwhelming against a Marshall team that made Miami’s offense look downright deadly in the first week, while CINCINNATI is winning. Is playing college ball part of Chris Henry’s parole or something?
At this point, predicting college football is stupid. I give up. All prognostication is futile. The traditional doormats have proclaimed their authority like a rape victim with a gun, the pimps are now the bitches, dogs and cats living together, MASS HYSTERIA!
by GTSteve on Sep 10, 2007 6:22 PM EDT reply actions
Don’t know about the sell on Ohio State.
Minus the 1st half of Akron, Boeckman’s stats would be pretty good (okay) for a first year QB.
Besides I’d still take Boeckman vs the Huskies D than Locker vs the Buckeyes D.
I should have known this was written by a Gator. What’s your number, cause I didn’t know “we” and “our” were part of the fan’s lingo.
by CMill on Sep 10, 2007 6:33 PM EDT reply actions
tOSU,
Thanks for the Finebaum play-by-play, but there’s a reason I’m here instead of listening to him.
Hey, are you that exterminator from Montgomery who calls that show every day?
by jaybuzz on Sep 10, 2007 6:45 PM EDT reply actions
But if Pitt wins…that means…Sept 22nd…under the lights….UNDEFEATED, 3-0 Pittsburgh….against UNDEFEATED, 3-0 UConn…in the Game of the Century.
I had to read that twice to determine if you were actually serious. Pitt, UConn, and the words “Game of the Century” do not compute. Maybe next century.
by Palouse on Sep 10, 2007 7:10 PM EDT reply actions
Attention Drunken Gamblers:tOSU is 0-2 in last two visits to Seattle (40-7 ’86, 25-16 ’94)
What does that mean? Nothing.
by Jorgé the Bass Player on Sep 10, 2007 9:58 PM EDT reply actions
I’d like to purchase 1000 shares of that Pac-10 index fund kthx.
by The Humanitarian on Sep 10, 2007 10:12 PM EDT reply actions
I’m confident at least one of you will name tOSU a buy after next week.
And to all those out you picking Washington, are you crazy? Tyrone Willingham over Tressel?
Let me clue you in; we’ve lost 3 games in our last 30.
1. Texas ’05 — National Champs, undefeated, Vince Young
2. Penn State ’05 — 1 loss team and eventual Orange Bowl winners (yes, the B10 won 2 BCS games AND Wisconsin humiliated Auburn in 2005-2006)
3. Florida ’06 — National Champs, 1 loss, phenomenal defense
So why are the doubters out in droves? Tressel has never made it a point to annihilate inferior opponents. He builds a product as the season progresses.
Mr. Locker, welcome to big-time college football. Over half the guys on our defense will play on Sundays. This isn’t high school. This isn’t Boise State.
by Sir Ginho of the 216 on Sep 10, 2007 11:26 PM EDT reply actions
The really sneaky thing about Cobb’s extra eligibility is that he’s now throwing left handed.
The NCAA never saw that one coming.
by NewAZTiger on Sep 11, 2007 2:19 AM EDT reply actions
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3-0 Pitt vs. 3-0 UConn, since UConn has the potential to end up 6-0 with a win because they have Akron & UVA following, would be the Game of the Century for the program. Granted, we’ve been real I-A for about five years but still.
by Edsall is God on Sep 11, 2007 9:39 AM EDT reply actions
hey tOSU, does your asshole still hurt from getting raped in the natl championship game? I’m just curious. Lets see how much you like Miles when he is coaching Michigan next year. If Miles wins a championship…he will get the respect of a championship coach. Until then, he isnt on Saban’s level.
by Nic on Sep 11, 2007 9:52 AM EDT reply actions
59, TCU’s QB was playing in his second college game. He doesn’t suck; he’s just inexperienced. The offense did suck as a result of his inexperience, though, and not having Brown hurt badly.
Nobody is surprised that Texas won. Texas was supposed to win. The point was that Texas scored 24 points in the fourth quarter—three points more than UT scored against Arky State, period. That’s the Longhorns finding themselves. TCU doesn’t play Arky State this year, but I’ll go out on a limb and say that TCU would be a favorite to win that game. So Texas put together a better performance against a better opponent.
And as inexperienced as TCU’s offense is, it at least managed 27 points vs. Baylor in Dalton’s first game. Sure, it was Baylor, but 27 points without Brown (who got hurt early) and with a brand-new QB is at least a sign of life.
Maybe OU will clobber UT this year. I don’t know. But I wouldn’t get too excited yet about a team that destroyed North Texas (a team 11 of my buddies and I could play straight up) and mediocre Miami in Norman.
by Boston Frog on Sep 11, 2007 10:51 AM EDT reply actions
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Let’s take a look at your out of conference schedule over the last 30 games or so, shall we?
In 2006 you had N. Illinois, Cincinnati, Bowling Green
In 2005 you had Miami, San Diego State
In 2004 you had Cincinnati, Marshall, NC State
This is excluding the games where you were actually compelled to play against a real team in a bowl game. I’ll note that In 2004 you beat a 7-5 Oklahoma State team in a bowl game, and in 2005 you beat Notre Dame in your bowl (but let’s face it, who hasn’t?).
So let’s pretend we’re starting to talk “last 30 games” as being after you dropped three straight to Northwestern, Wisconsin and Iowa in 2004. Your following losses have been to Purdue, Texas, Penn State, and Florida. So unless my counting is wrong (which it may be), that’s four. Including 2004 and on, your current record is 5-4 against opponents ranked at the time you played them (you get bonus points for teams like Penn State that started out ranked but quickly dropped off).
To compare, let’s look at Florida over the same time period. 7-7 against ranked opponents. Yes, not quite the same win percentage, and yes, same caveat about teams dropping off applies. But you’ll note that over the course of three years (‘04, ’05, ’06) Florida plays an average of 3 2/3 ranked teams a year, whereas you’re at about 3.
Florida’s out of conference schedule has included
2004 MTSU, FSU, Eastern Michigan
2005 Wyoming, LaTech, FSU
2006 UCF, Western Carolina, FSU
So the OOC is comparable, possibly a little harder because of FSU (Who was ranked each time they played), but their record over the same time period is 29-9 including bowl games, while Ohio State’s is 31-7. Comparable records (both averaging ten win seasons), but with Michigan falling and Wisconsin looking weak, those ten win seasons are starting to seem a little inflated.
The point I’m making here is that Ohio State typically has to play one less ranked opponent per year than someone (really anyone) in the SEC, and that can probably account for at least one loss every other year. The doubters are out because, especially this year, the Big Ten is exposed as the overrated conference that it is. People are beginning to realize that Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State and, yes, Ohio State have been overrated for the past few years, but it’s just now really beginning to show.
by GTSteve on Sep 11, 2007 12:39 PM EDT reply actions
We had a nightmare last night that the Tennessee game ended with Tebow backed into our own endzone and throwing a pick under pressure from mean men in orange.
Don’t be silly, Swindle.
They’ll be in white.
by Holly on Sep 11, 2007 12:39 PM EDT reply actions
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