TCU is getting their heads handed to them in the second half by Texas. It's now 27-10 in the 4th quarter. TCU's defense put up a great effort in the first half, and the Frogs led 10-0 at the half. But, the Frog defense was on the field way too long in the 3rd quarter, and wore down. Texas has benefited from some questionable calls and Horned Frog turnovers. Texas looks like they'll be undefeated when they meet OU on October 6.
I tried to get too cute on picks this week. Another school making me look like a big dope is Virginia Tech. LSU is taking them to the cleaners, as it is 24-0 early in the 2nd quarter. LSU is the real deal. This also happens to be the year that the Sugar Bowl hosts the BCS national championship game, just down the road from Baton Rouge. The last national championship game held in New Orleans was won by LSU.
South Carolina got a huge SEC win, winning at Georgia 16-12. That will help them later in the year. The 'Cocks remain in the hunt for an SEC East championship.
Iowa State is another school that made me look foolish. I had a feeling Northern Iowa might have a better team, but I gave ISU of the Big 12 the benefit of the doubt. I was wrong, as UNI handled ISU, 24-13.
Food for thought: Michigan has now lost four games in a row. The Wolverines have not won a game since the death of Bo Schembechler last November.
More later...
Saturday, September 08, 2007
More Ramblings...
I was wrong in giving Michigan the benefit of the doubt. They're not that good. Right now, they're not good at all.
Oregon 32, Michigan 7 in the 2nd quarter.
Does Lloyd Carr get fired after the game? Does he get fired at halftime?
Poor Michigan.
Oregon 32, Michigan 7 in the 2nd quarter.
Does Lloyd Carr get fired after the game? Does he get fired at halftime?
Poor Michigan.
College Football Ramblings, Early Games
As I hoped, Oklahoma took Miami behind the woodshed. The Sooners won 51-13, and it wasn't even that close. Sam Bradford threw five touchdown passes, including three to Malcolm Kelly. In two games, the Sooners are averaging 65 points per game. OU is loaded.
Elsewhere, West Virginia got a scare for a time in the Friends of Coal Bowl, before pulling away to defeat Marshall 48-23 in Huntington. Marshall led 13-6 before the Mountaineers found another gear in the second half and pounded the Herd. Friends of Coal is a good idea. Here in Texas, we need something called Friends of Oil.
Nebraska went on the road and held off Wake Forest, 20-17. Wake Forest had their chances to beat the Huskers, but couldn't pull it off. The Huskers now get ready to host USC.
Minnesota has a hard time with the Mid-American Conference. For the second week in a row, the Gophers struggled against a MAC team, but won in triple overtime over Miami (Ohio), 41-35. I heard the MAC was looking for a new member.
Speaking of the MAC, Temple must be really, really bad. They were pasted by Buffalo, 42-7. That is awful. Buffalo is glad someone else now gets to dwell in the basement of the MAC. Plenty of good seats available at the Linc for Temple football.
The biggies are tonight, including Texas vs. TCU and LSU vs. Virginia Tech.
More comments later.....
Elsewhere, West Virginia got a scare for a time in the Friends of Coal Bowl, before pulling away to defeat Marshall 48-23 in Huntington. Marshall led 13-6 before the Mountaineers found another gear in the second half and pounded the Herd. Friends of Coal is a good idea. Here in Texas, we need something called Friends of Oil.
Nebraska went on the road and held off Wake Forest, 20-17. Wake Forest had their chances to beat the Huskers, but couldn't pull it off. The Huskers now get ready to host USC.
Minnesota has a hard time with the Mid-American Conference. For the second week in a row, the Gophers struggled against a MAC team, but won in triple overtime over Miami (Ohio), 41-35. I heard the MAC was looking for a new member.
Speaking of the MAC, Temple must be really, really bad. They were pasted by Buffalo, 42-7. That is awful. Buffalo is glad someone else now gets to dwell in the basement of the MAC. Plenty of good seats available at the Linc for Temple football.
The biggies are tonight, including Texas vs. TCU and LSU vs. Virginia Tech.
More comments later.....
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Don't Forget Your Power Towel
This is Kansas State's attempt to involve their students in their games.
It's not Hot, Hot, Hot, but it's pretty cheesy.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
NFL Picks, Week 1
The National Football League gets an early start, with the Thursday night season kickoff in Indianapolis. The Colts open defense of their Super Bowl championship with a home game against the Saints. With that being said, it's time for an early set of picks for the first weekend of games in the NFL.
NY Giants at Dallas: The Sunday Night game pits the Giants and the Fighting Tony Romos. The Giants play their first regular season game without retired RB Tiki Barber. Dallas continues to be a good place for ribs, if Tony Romo has his way. Of course I'm picking the Cowboys. Pick: Dallas
New Orleans at Indianapolis: America's two darling teams collide in Naptown. Pick against the Colts on the night they get their Super Bowl rings? Come on.. Pick: Colts
Kansas City at Houston: Not much is expected from the Chiefs this season. Not much is ever expected from the Texans. The Chiefs were once known as the Texans. The Dallas Texans, that is. Larry Johnson rolls over the Red, White, and Blue. Pick: Kansas City
Miami at Washington: Stink Bowl. Neither of these teams are very good. I'm glad I won't be stuck watching it. Pick: Washington
Denver at Buffalo: Broncos are glad they are making this trip in September and not December. Denver has more talent. Pick: Denver
Carolina at St. Louis: Which Panthers team shows up this year? Which Rams team shows up this year? When in doubt, go with the latest version of the high-flying Rams. Pick: St. Louis
Pittsburgh at Cleveland: The Steelers have a new coach for the first time since Theodore Roosevelt was president. The Mike Tomlin Show gets off to a good start against the hapless Browns. Pick: Pittsburgh
Atlanta at Minnesota: Two very unpredictable teams. Falcons look to struggle this year as their franchise quarterback gets ready to spend at least a year as a guest of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Pick: Vikes
Tennessee at Jacksonville: Vince Young and the Titans visit Jacksonville in what promises to be a wild one. Can the Titans renew the momentum of last year's fast finish? I don't know. Pick: Jacksonville
New England at NY Jets: Pats have reloaded for a Super Bowl run. Jets will be representative, but unable to keep up with New England. Pick: Patriots
Philadelphia at Green Bay: Reggie White played for both of these teams. That has nothing to do with the 2007 matchup. The Eagles are a little better than the Pack. Pick: Philly
Detroit at Oakland: Stink Bowl II. Forget that, this is the Suck Bowl. Detroit is bad, but showing signs of improvement. Oakland is pathetic. One of these teams will be 1-0. Pick: Detroit
Chicago at San Diego: The Bears will be good again, but so will the Chargers. The Chargers will be on a mission. Pick: San Diego
Tampa Bay at Seattle: Did you know that these teams entered the NFL together in 1976? Bucs are struggling. Seattle is favored to win the NFC West once again. Pick: Seattle
Baltimore at Cincinnati: First of a Monday Night doubleheader. Ravens' defense vs. Bengals' offense. Bengals will bounce back this year, and it will start Monday in the 'Nati. Pick: Cincy
Arizona at San Francisco: The Niners showed a lot of improvement last season. The Cardinals broke a lot of hearts, as usual. By Monday night, I'll be back in the Eastern time zone. I won't feel like staying up for this one. Pick: San Francisco
NY Giants at Dallas: The Sunday Night game pits the Giants and the Fighting Tony Romos. The Giants play their first regular season game without retired RB Tiki Barber. Dallas continues to be a good place for ribs, if Tony Romo has his way. Of course I'm picking the Cowboys. Pick: Dallas
New Orleans at Indianapolis: America's two darling teams collide in Naptown. Pick against the Colts on the night they get their Super Bowl rings? Come on.. Pick: Colts
Kansas City at Houston: Not much is expected from the Chiefs this season. Not much is ever expected from the Texans. The Chiefs were once known as the Texans. The Dallas Texans, that is. Larry Johnson rolls over the Red, White, and Blue. Pick: Kansas City
Miami at Washington: Stink Bowl. Neither of these teams are very good. I'm glad I won't be stuck watching it. Pick: Washington
Denver at Buffalo: Broncos are glad they are making this trip in September and not December. Denver has more talent. Pick: Denver
Carolina at St. Louis: Which Panthers team shows up this year? Which Rams team shows up this year? When in doubt, go with the latest version of the high-flying Rams. Pick: St. Louis
Pittsburgh at Cleveland: The Steelers have a new coach for the first time since Theodore Roosevelt was president. The Mike Tomlin Show gets off to a good start against the hapless Browns. Pick: Pittsburgh
Atlanta at Minnesota: Two very unpredictable teams. Falcons look to struggle this year as their franchise quarterback gets ready to spend at least a year as a guest of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Pick: Vikes
Tennessee at Jacksonville: Vince Young and the Titans visit Jacksonville in what promises to be a wild one. Can the Titans renew the momentum of last year's fast finish? I don't know. Pick: Jacksonville
New England at NY Jets: Pats have reloaded for a Super Bowl run. Jets will be representative, but unable to keep up with New England. Pick: Patriots
Philadelphia at Green Bay: Reggie White played for both of these teams. That has nothing to do with the 2007 matchup. The Eagles are a little better than the Pack. Pick: Philly
Detroit at Oakland: Stink Bowl II. Forget that, this is the Suck Bowl. Detroit is bad, but showing signs of improvement. Oakland is pathetic. One of these teams will be 1-0. Pick: Detroit
Chicago at San Diego: The Bears will be good again, but so will the Chargers. The Chargers will be on a mission. Pick: San Diego
Tampa Bay at Seattle: Did you know that these teams entered the NFL together in 1976? Bucs are struggling. Seattle is favored to win the NFC West once again. Pick: Seattle
Baltimore at Cincinnati: First of a Monday Night doubleheader. Ravens' defense vs. Bengals' offense. Bengals will bounce back this year, and it will start Monday in the 'Nati. Pick: Cincy
Arizona at San Francisco: The Niners showed a lot of improvement last season. The Cardinals broke a lot of hearts, as usual. By Monday night, I'll be back in the Eastern time zone. I won't feel like staying up for this one. Pick: San Francisco
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
College Picks, Week 2
It's early for picks, but there are games on Thursday night, in addition to the beginning of the NFL season. Plus, I'm bored.
Last week: 17-3
Season: 17-3
Last week was a good week, helped by the proliferation of predictable Big 12 games. Absent from last week's list was Appalachian State-Michigan, but I did whiff on Notre Dame, Iowa State, and UMass-Dartmouth. And no, Lenoir Rhyne at Appalachian State isn't on this week's list.
Picks for this week:
Miami at Oklahoma: A generation of OU fans has waited 20 years for this one. From 1985-87, OU went 33-3. All three losses were to Miami, costing the Sooners two potential national championships. The guys playing Saturday were either in diapers or not born then. OU wins. I hope it's ugly. Pick: OU
TCU at Texas: Horned Frog fans wish this game was last week, when TCU cruised against Baylor and Texas played like dog poop against Arkansas State. TCU star DE Tommy Blake should be back for this one. The Horns have a lot to prove this week. They stunk last week. They won't be looking past the Frogs, but that may not matter. I'm going out on a limb. Frogs continue their winning streak against Big 12 teams. Pick: TCU
Nebraska at Wake Forest: Nebraska opened strong last week, hanging half a hundred on Nevada. Wake Forest lost QB Riley Skinner in their loss at Boston College. The game is down on Tobacco Road, but Big Red is starting to roar again. Pick: Nebraska
Fresno State at Texas A&M: Dangerous game for A&M. Fresno will give the Aggies all they want. I'm tempted to pick Fresno, but I won't. Coach Fran survives this one. Pick: A&M
Missouri at Ole Miss: Mizzou survived a wild one against Illinois last week. They should be able to handle the Rebels down in the land of cotton, but nothing is a sure thing with either one of these teams. When in doubt, go with talent. Pick: Missouri
UTEP at Texas Tech: Tech went to Dallas and beat the stuffing out of SMU on Labor Day. The Miners won a defensive struggle against Los Lobos of New Mexico, 10-6. Tech outscores UTEP. Pick: Tech
Rice at Baylor: El Stinko Game of the Week. Rice lost to Nicholls State last week. Baylor got skunked by TCU. I'm glad I won't be at this game. It'll be ugly, one way or the other. Pick: Baylor
Florida Atlantic at Oklahoma State: Oklahoma Aggies were brought way down to earth by the Georgia Bulldogs. They look to bounce back against the Owls of Florida Atlantic. FAU is better than some give them credit for being. Nonetheless, OSU wins this one. Pick: OSU
Northern Iowa at Iowa State: There is no such thing as a gimme in college football, as Iowa State and Michigan both learned last week. UNI is a strong FCS program, and nearly knocked off the Cyclones last season. My gut says UNI, but my head says don't pick against the bigger program. Pick: ISU
SE Louisiana at Kansas: Puhleeze. Pick: KU
San Jose State at Kansas State: K-State nearly beat Auburn last week. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. K-State bounces back this week. Pick: KSU
Colorado at Arizona State: Colorado came from behind to beat cross-state rival Colorado State last week. Arizona State pounded San Jose State. Dennis Erickson has the Fighting Sun Devils loaded for bear. This week, they're also loaded for buffalo. Pick: ASU
Notre Dame at Penn State: Notre Dame royally stunk up the field last week in a 33-3 whipping at the hands of the Ramblin' Wreck of Georgia Tech. Penn State warmed up by pasting Florida International. It looks like a long year for the Irish. Penn State, and it might not even be close. Pick: PSU
Virginia Tech at LSU: Saturday night in Tiger Stadium is a tall order for anyone. This one would be worth paying to see. Hokies are good, and have gotten through their first game since the tragedy on their campus. LSU is deservedly ranked #2 in the nation. LSU is known for losing games they should win at home, in spite of their home field advantage. I'm going out on a limb, and picking the Hokies. Pick: VT
Oregon at Michigan: Oregon has a good team. Michigan is the laughing stock of the United States. The secret is that Michigan isn't that bad. Wolverines bounce back in the Big House. Pick: Michigan
South Carolina at Georgia: Steve Spurrier brings his Gamecocks to Georgia. When in doubt, go with the home field, especially as UGa always finds a way to beat the 'Cocks. Pick: Georgia
BYU at UCLA: The Y plays their second Pac 10 team in as many weeks, after beating Arizona last week. Bruins whipped Stanford. This is an underrated matchup. When in doubt, again, go with the home field. Pick: UCLA
South Florida at Auburn: What's the deal with Auburn? They scheduled not one, but two teams in non-conference that could beat them. USF will scare War Eagle to death. In the end, Auburn wins again. Pick: Auburn
North Carolina at East Carolina: Pirates played tough in loss to Virginia Tech last week. Tar Heels blasted James Madison. Butch Davis will turn the Tar Heel program around. This is a tough one to pick. The sky is Carolina blue. Pick: UNC
Malone (Ohio) at Azusa Pacific: Long, long trip for Malone to Azusa, California. They'll have a nice trip to SoCal, but Azusa gets their first win of the year. Pick: Azusa
Last week: 17-3
Season: 17-3
Last week was a good week, helped by the proliferation of predictable Big 12 games. Absent from last week's list was Appalachian State-Michigan, but I did whiff on Notre Dame, Iowa State, and UMass-Dartmouth. And no, Lenoir Rhyne at Appalachian State isn't on this week's list.
Picks for this week:
Miami at Oklahoma: A generation of OU fans has waited 20 years for this one. From 1985-87, OU went 33-3. All three losses were to Miami, costing the Sooners two potential national championships. The guys playing Saturday were either in diapers or not born then. OU wins. I hope it's ugly. Pick: OU
TCU at Texas: Horned Frog fans wish this game was last week, when TCU cruised against Baylor and Texas played like dog poop against Arkansas State. TCU star DE Tommy Blake should be back for this one. The Horns have a lot to prove this week. They stunk last week. They won't be looking past the Frogs, but that may not matter. I'm going out on a limb. Frogs continue their winning streak against Big 12 teams. Pick: TCU
Nebraska at Wake Forest: Nebraska opened strong last week, hanging half a hundred on Nevada. Wake Forest lost QB Riley Skinner in their loss at Boston College. The game is down on Tobacco Road, but Big Red is starting to roar again. Pick: Nebraska
Fresno State at Texas A&M: Dangerous game for A&M. Fresno will give the Aggies all they want. I'm tempted to pick Fresno, but I won't. Coach Fran survives this one. Pick: A&M
Missouri at Ole Miss: Mizzou survived a wild one against Illinois last week. They should be able to handle the Rebels down in the land of cotton, but nothing is a sure thing with either one of these teams. When in doubt, go with talent. Pick: Missouri
UTEP at Texas Tech: Tech went to Dallas and beat the stuffing out of SMU on Labor Day. The Miners won a defensive struggle against Los Lobos of New Mexico, 10-6. Tech outscores UTEP. Pick: Tech
Rice at Baylor: El Stinko Game of the Week. Rice lost to Nicholls State last week. Baylor got skunked by TCU. I'm glad I won't be at this game. It'll be ugly, one way or the other. Pick: Baylor
Florida Atlantic at Oklahoma State: Oklahoma Aggies were brought way down to earth by the Georgia Bulldogs. They look to bounce back against the Owls of Florida Atlantic. FAU is better than some give them credit for being. Nonetheless, OSU wins this one. Pick: OSU
Northern Iowa at Iowa State: There is no such thing as a gimme in college football, as Iowa State and Michigan both learned last week. UNI is a strong FCS program, and nearly knocked off the Cyclones last season. My gut says UNI, but my head says don't pick against the bigger program. Pick: ISU
SE Louisiana at Kansas: Puhleeze. Pick: KU
San Jose State at Kansas State: K-State nearly beat Auburn last week. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. K-State bounces back this week. Pick: KSU
Colorado at Arizona State: Colorado came from behind to beat cross-state rival Colorado State last week. Arizona State pounded San Jose State. Dennis Erickson has the Fighting Sun Devils loaded for bear. This week, they're also loaded for buffalo. Pick: ASU
Notre Dame at Penn State: Notre Dame royally stunk up the field last week in a 33-3 whipping at the hands of the Ramblin' Wreck of Georgia Tech. Penn State warmed up by pasting Florida International. It looks like a long year for the Irish. Penn State, and it might not even be close. Pick: PSU
Virginia Tech at LSU: Saturday night in Tiger Stadium is a tall order for anyone. This one would be worth paying to see. Hokies are good, and have gotten through their first game since the tragedy on their campus. LSU is deservedly ranked #2 in the nation. LSU is known for losing games they should win at home, in spite of their home field advantage. I'm going out on a limb, and picking the Hokies. Pick: VT
Oregon at Michigan: Oregon has a good team. Michigan is the laughing stock of the United States. The secret is that Michigan isn't that bad. Wolverines bounce back in the Big House. Pick: Michigan
South Carolina at Georgia: Steve Spurrier brings his Gamecocks to Georgia. When in doubt, go with the home field, especially as UGa always finds a way to beat the 'Cocks. Pick: Georgia
BYU at UCLA: The Y plays their second Pac 10 team in as many weeks, after beating Arizona last week. Bruins whipped Stanford. This is an underrated matchup. When in doubt, again, go with the home field. Pick: UCLA
South Florida at Auburn: What's the deal with Auburn? They scheduled not one, but two teams in non-conference that could beat them. USF will scare War Eagle to death. In the end, Auburn wins again. Pick: Auburn
North Carolina at East Carolina: Pirates played tough in loss to Virginia Tech last week. Tar Heels blasted James Madison. Butch Davis will turn the Tar Heel program around. This is a tough one to pick. The sky is Carolina blue. Pick: UNC
Malone (Ohio) at Azusa Pacific: Long, long trip for Malone to Azusa, California. They'll have a nice trip to SoCal, but Azusa gets their first win of the year. Pick: Azusa
Sunday, September 02, 2007
College Football Ramblings
Some random thoughts while digesting the implications of Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32....
Lost in the shuffle was a game played last night on pay-per-view in Austin, as Arkansas State outplayed the Texas Longhorns, losing 21-13. Arkansas State outgained the Horns, and the Horns had more penalty yards. Texas has a lot to straighten out in a short amount of time, as the mighty TCU Horned Frogs visit the Forty Acres on Saturday.
TCU toyed with Baylor on Saturday, beating the Bears 27-0. That score could have been a whole lot worse. Baylor has a Big 12 schedule to look forward to, and a probable coaching change after the season.
Kansas State whipped Auburn for 55 minutes Saturday night. Problem is, the game lasts 60 minutes. War Eagle scored a go-ahead touchdown with two minutes to go. The Tigers then forced a fumble then ran it back for a touchdown to ensure the final score of 23-13.
Another Football Championship Subdivision school scored a win over a Football Bowl Subdivision school Saturday night, as Nicholls State traveled to Houston and knocked off Rice, 16-14. There were two weather delays in this game, as lightning was detected near Rice Stadium. Rice could very well be reverting back to the same old Rice, after last year's bowl appearance.
The Mid-American Conference represented itself well over the weekend, as Kent State won at Iowa State, and Bowling Green won at Minnesota. The difference between the haves and have nots in college football is not as wide as the BCS system would suggest.
A school that will have a hard time getting a name opponent to visit is Wyoming. The Cowboys whipped Virginia, 23-3, in Laramie. Virginia will probably be changing coaches at the end of the season. They also have to be asking why they agreed to a home-and-home with Wyoming. That's a tough road trip for anyone, much less a school coming from the East Coast. Cowboy Joe rocks.
That's it for now. More thoughts later in the week...
Lost in the shuffle was a game played last night on pay-per-view in Austin, as Arkansas State outplayed the Texas Longhorns, losing 21-13. Arkansas State outgained the Horns, and the Horns had more penalty yards. Texas has a lot to straighten out in a short amount of time, as the mighty TCU Horned Frogs visit the Forty Acres on Saturday.
TCU toyed with Baylor on Saturday, beating the Bears 27-0. That score could have been a whole lot worse. Baylor has a Big 12 schedule to look forward to, and a probable coaching change after the season.
Kansas State whipped Auburn for 55 minutes Saturday night. Problem is, the game lasts 60 minutes. War Eagle scored a go-ahead touchdown with two minutes to go. The Tigers then forced a fumble then ran it back for a touchdown to ensure the final score of 23-13.
Another Football Championship Subdivision school scored a win over a Football Bowl Subdivision school Saturday night, as Nicholls State traveled to Houston and knocked off Rice, 16-14. There were two weather delays in this game, as lightning was detected near Rice Stadium. Rice could very well be reverting back to the same old Rice, after last year's bowl appearance.
The Mid-American Conference represented itself well over the weekend, as Kent State won at Iowa State, and Bowling Green won at Minnesota. The difference between the haves and have nots in college football is not as wide as the BCS system would suggest.
A school that will have a hard time getting a name opponent to visit is Wyoming. The Cowboys whipped Virginia, 23-3, in Laramie. Virginia will probably be changing coaches at the end of the season. They also have to be asking why they agreed to a home-and-home with Wyoming. That's a tough road trip for anyone, much less a school coming from the East Coast. Cowboy Joe rocks.
That's it for now. More thoughts later in the week...
NFL Predictions, Part 4
Lost in the shuffle of the exciting college football weekend are the last installment of NFL projections. These come from the AFC South and West divisions.
The Indianapolis Colts return as defending Super Bowl champions. They will wear a large target on their back. Nonetheless, they should overwhelm the other teams in the AFC South. Tennessee rode the legs of Vince Young to 8 wins last season, and look to finish just short of the playoffs this season, as well. Jacksonville is changing quarterbacks, as Byron Leftwich has been let go in favor of David Garrard. The Houston Texans aren't totally hopeless, but they are hapless until proven otherwise.
AFC South Projections
Indianapolis 11-5
Tennessee 10-6
Jacksonville 8-8
Houston 5-11
The AFC West is both a feast and a famine. On one end, you have the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers. Both teams look strong this season. On the other end, you have the atrocious Oakland Raiders, who are projected to win one game. The sorriness of the Raiders will help the records of the Broncos, Chargers, and Chiefs.
AFC West Projections
Denver 12-4
San Diego 12-4
Kansas City 10-6
Oakland 1-15
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