Each week I do this wrap up, and each week I include what happened in the Notre Dame game...I don't always lead with it, and I try to stay semi-objective, and not get to rah-rah, go Irish! But screw it...This week I may have to...I've heard, and read too much of people shitting on Notre Dame and their undefeated start to this season...People saying their schedule is weak...The same schedule that every publication, and every poll said at the start of the season was the toughest in the country...Who knew Michigan State was actually going to repeatedly blow games? Maybe it's time everyone realizes that preseason polls and rankings are mostly guess work...
Saturday's game in South Bend between #17 Stanford and the #7 Irish was hyped up all week...Everyone saying it's Notre Dame's biggest game...Their real test...Well, those Notre Dame kids know how to to take tests...Once again, the Irish defense lead by captain Manti Te'o, didn't give up a touchdown...That's right, four straight games without giving up a TD...The one Stanford got was scored by their defense on a sack/fumble in the end zone...And this was without a doubt, a defensive battle...Both teams were hitting hard...Both defenses causing turnovers...
Stanford was up 10-3 at halftime...But the Irish battled back, and with under a minute left, they knocked through the tying field goal...Then it was OT...The Irish scored first...Then the defense was pushed to the limit, but held their ground at the goal-line...Stuffing Stanford 4 times inside the 5...twice at the goal-line...Winning 20-13...
Yes, there are people saying the Stanford running back wasn't down on the last attempt, and eventually squeaked over the line...But the replay couldn't prove them right, because the refs had already blown the play dead before he wrenched himself over...The game was already over...Take your crying somewhere else...The Irish won...They are now 6-0...And they should be ranked in the top 5...You don't like it...Either beat them, or fuck off!
Here's the highlights...
The Big-12 had it's premiere game of the season...The infamous, "Red River Shootout"...Sadly, it wasn't the battle of two Big-12 powers that people were hoping to see...Instead it was a 63-21 ass beating of #15 Texas at the hands of rival #13 Oklahoma...And that score...Well, it wasn't even that close...The second week in a row that I was shocked by the lack of defense from Texas...
But there was a Texas team that finally showed up with some D...#5 West Virginia brought their high-octane offense to Lubbock, Texas to take on Texas Tech...I was expecting another Big-12 game full of all offensive highlights from both teams...Just like WV's games against Texas and Baylor...But Tech decided to mix in some D, in a game that Vegas had the "over" just under 80...
While WV's Geno Smith played well, he was not this week's star...Instead it was the Red Raiders' QB Seth Doege, who passed for 499 yards, and 6 TD's...Leading his team to a 49-14 win...Hey WV, maybe it's time you start practicing some defense, because hoping you can out dual everyone in shoot-outs isn't gonna cut it...
This game leaves #6 Kansas State at the top of the Big-12, after they won a close one with Iowa State...27-21...Again, it was QB Collin Klein leading the Wildcats to victory, and a 6-0 record...Klein passed for 187 yards, and rushed for 105yards and 3 TD's...But pay attention people...Iowa State, who no one expected to do much this year, is 4-2, and playing tough...
Now we get to the big prime-time match up in the SEC...#3 South Carolina at (shouldn't be) #9 LSU...LSU finally found some offense, mostly on the ground, gaining 258 yards rushing...While their defense, held Marcus Lattimore and the Gamecocks to just 34 yards on the ground...And yet, South Carolina had a 14-10 lead after 3 quarters...But LSU kept pounding, and eventually won 23-21...
The two biggest stats from this game, in my eyes are, Connor Shaw's two interceptions thrown, and South Carolina converting on only 3 of 13, 3rd downs...When they needed to burn clock, they couldn't...And they stalled on too many drives...LSU's defense is the key to their team...Will they be able to find a passing game to go along with their new found, power running?
In another good SEC game, Tennessee went to Starkville to take on #19 Mississippi State...While the Volunteers are now 3-3, they have shown improvement and toughness this year...The Bulldogs were ahead 27-14 at halftime...Half-way through the 4th quarter their lead was only 34-31...But Miss State QB, Tyler Russell and company were too much for the Vols, winning 41-31...Russell passed for 291 yards and 2 TD's...
Don't look now, but #10 Oregon State is 5-0 after rolling BYU 42-24 Saturday...And they did that with their backup QB, Cody Vaz, who hasn't started since high school...Vaz decided to make a good first impression by passing for 332 yards and 3 TD's...That's nice when the backup can put a game like that together...I'm just saying, if I see USC or Stanford ranked ahead of of the Beavers this week, in any poll, that poll has no credibility at all...
And this week's battle of no defense goes to Texas A&M and #23 Louisiana Tech...In a game that came down to the very end, Texas A&M squeaked out a 59-57 win...A&M put up 691 total yards, while Tech racked up 616 total yards...The Aggies offense was lead by QB Johnny Manziel who passed for 396 yards and 3 TD's...He added 3 more TD's and 181 yards on the ground...Tech's QB, Colby Cameron passed for 449 yards and 5 TD's...And his top target was Quinton Patton, who caught 21 passes for 233 yards and 4 TD's...
Second place for the no defense bowl this week was Ohio State and Indiana...I don't include Ohio State's ranking, because they aren't eligible for anything this year, so the ranking is voided in my eyes...The Buckeyes showed some big offense again this week, putting up 578 yards and 52 points on the Hoosiers...Hey, Indiana is a joke when it comes to football, so who's surprised by this? No one...It's the fact that Indiana hung 481 yards and 49 points on Ohio State...Yeah, the Buckeyes won, but they should slap the shit out of themselves for that defensive performance...
That's it for this week's wrap up...Feel free to leave the highlights of the games you were paying attention to...See ya Monday...
Well this week, I guess we have to start with Big-12 battle of no defense...Going into Saturday's game, the over was 82...#9 West Virginia and Baylor blew that out of the water, as these two high-powered offenses duked it out in a pass happy game...
West Virginia's QB Geno Smith passed for 656 yards and 8 TD's while leading his team to a 70-63 win...Baylor's Nick Florence did his best, throwing for 581 yards and 5 TD's...The Bears WR, Terrance Williams set a Big-12 record with 314 yards receiving, to go with his 2 TD's...Tough break for WV's WR Stedman Bailey, who had set the record earlier in the game, with 303 yards...He added 5 TD's...
Quite a switch from the defensive battle we saw last week with Kansas State and Oklahoma...#12 Texas and Oklahoma State tried to do their best to keep up with both their QB's putting up 300 yards each, and while putting up big points, they couldn't match WV and Baylor's output...
After Oklahoma State took 36-34 lead with two and a half minutes left in the game, Texas QB David Ash drove the Longhorns on a 75 yard game winning drive, capped off with a Joe Bergeron 2 yard TD run, with less than 30 seconds left...Texas wins 41-36...What a tough loss for Oke State....
Then there is the biggest full of shit team in College Football...# LSU...This week they took on another powerhouse in Towson...To no one's surprise, LSU won...But to their own disgrace, they didn't look like the dominating team that their fans think they are, as the final was 38-22...The great and mighty LSU Tigers gave up 22 points to Towson...22 points...22 fucking points to Towson!
Can we please drop LSU out of the top 10 already...This team is a fraud! I don't care that they play in the SEC...Their non-conference schedule is weak...Only 3 of their SEC opponents on their schedule this year should be a concern based on how grossly over-hyped this team is...
This week's big SEC game was between Tennessee and #5 Georgia...This was another offensive battle as Georgia put up 560 yards of offense while Tennessee put up 478...Yes, the trend of no defense continues as Georgia had to battle to win 51-44...
Ohio State fans are thrilled that their team has racked up a 5-0 record, after beating Michigan State 17-16 Saturday...But they shouldn't be that thrilled considering the other 4 teams they beat were Miami (Ohio), UCF, Cal (who gave them a scare), and UAB...
Then there was the Big-Ten prime-time game...A rivalry that the Big-Ten seems to be trying to force...#22 Nebraska and Wisconsin...Wisconsin and Montee Ball were suppose to be a running team, but while Ball had 90 yards on the ground, the team finished with a total of 56 yards rushing...Instead it was Nebraska that was running the ball, with Taylor Martinez getting 107 yards on the ground, and Rex Burkhead with 86...Martinez also passed for 181 yards and 2 TD's to go with his one rushing TD...
Wisconsin was up 20-10 at Halftime, and then came right out in the second half and went up 27-10...After that, it was all Nebraska fighting back, to tie the game at 27 at the end of the third quarter...With just over 9 minutes left in the game, the Cornhuskers kicked the go-ahead filed goal, and then kept playing hard-nosed defense to hold on to the 30-27 win...
It what was premiere match up in the CAA, New Hampshire looked to bounce back from their tough 64-61 loss to Old Dominion, as undefeated Delaware came to visit the Wildcats...
After being down 7-0 at Halftime, UNH Quarterback, Andy Vailas got the wildcats on track, passing for 315 yards and 2 TD's, while also rushing for another TD and 36 yards, leading UNH 34-14 victory...
Good too see these guys come back strong after last week...
In case you missed it...ESPN once again put Penn State on the air...All 5 of Penn State's games have been televised on ESPN/ABC...And none of these games were against "Big Time" opponents...They opened against Ohio U. with all the post Sandusky/Paterno scandal and punishment hanging over the campus...ESPN hyped it for days...It bothered me, but didn't surprise me...The best part wast the Bobcats winning 24-14...
Then they went to Virginia and lost 17-16 because their kicker couldn't hit water if he fell out of a fucking boat...Then they got their first win against Navy...That was disappointing...Then they beat Temple...I would hope so...And Saturday they beat Illinois...Illinois, which is one of the Big-Ten's embarrassments to football...The others being Indiana, and Minnesota...
I'm sorry, but clearly ESPN signed a hush-hush deal to try and keep PSU Football in the public eye, hoping that when their penalties are over and done with, that they won't be completely irrelevant...(this is just my theory, backed up by nothing but my hatred of ESPN and Penn State...
And finally, the late game that should have been on major network...A big PAC-12 battle between Arizona, and Pac-12 surprise team, #18 Oregon State...Yet again, we had another big offense game...The Beavers put up 612 yards of total offense, while Arizona put up 545, in a back and forth battle that was finally settled when the Beavers went 75 yards in 10 plays to score the game winning TD with just over a minute left...Then iced it with a interception, winning 38-35...
With all the games in College Football, who thought we'd be starting off with UL Monroe shocking #8 Arkansas? Yes, the Warhawks took down the Razorbacks in overtime, winning 34- 31...The star of the game was UL Monroe QB, Kolton Browning, who passed for 412 yards, and 3 TD's...He also racked up 76 yards and another TD on the ground...But the Warhawks defense needs some love too, as they knocked Arkansas' over-hyped QB, Tyler Wilson out of the game at halftime...Wilson was taken out after suffering a head injury, brought on by the numerous hits he was taking...Arkansas is going to be in for a long season going against SEC defenses, if they can't figure out how to block...
I'd like to thank the Razorbacks for showing us how useless the pre-season/early season rankings are...These guys were suppose to be the 8th best team in the land, and they just got taken to the wood shed by UL Monroe...
Another team not living up to their pre-season billing, was #13 Wisconsin, who went to Oregon State, and didn't get a very friendly welcome, as the Beavers defense smothered the Badgers...Wisconsin expected to use their ground game and start back Montee Ball, were shut down, Only gaining 72 yards on the ground...61 from Ball, who's 21 games with a TD streak was snapped...The Beavers were also blitzing QB Danny O'Brien non-stop...No one was expecting much from the Beavers this year...Should we be paying more attention?
My sleeper team, Kansas State destroyed Miami 52-13...And it wasn't even that close...One of my Heisman favorites, K-State QB, Collin Klein rushed for 3 TD's and 71 yards, while also passing for 210 yards and another TD...
Texas A&M and Missouri got a not-so friendly welcome to the SEC this week...A&M fell to Florida 20-17...The Aggies went to the half with the lead but got out played in the second half...&8 yards in penalties will never help your cause either...
Georgia paid Missouri a visit, and for 3 quarters it was a really good game...But Georgia took control in the fourth, and blew it open, winning 41-20...
How about ESPN's favorite program...Penn State was trying to bounce back from their loss to Ohio University last week...And wow, they really miss their kicker who transferred to Texas right now...The Nittany Lions place kicker, Sam Ficken missed 4 field goals Saturday at Virginia, in what must have been a real mother fucker for PSU fans to watch, losing 17-16...Guess what...As much as ESPN is rooting for you, the rest of us aren't!
And since I brought up the Ohio Bobcats...They won again Saturday, beating New Mexico State 51-24...Ohio QB, Tyler Tettleton passed for 257 yards and 2 TD's...Running back Beau Blankenship picked up where he left off, putting up 168 yards, and 2 TD's on the ground...
The Nebraska/UCLA game ended up being better than I expected...Nebraska put up 439 yards of totall offense...You'd think that would be good against UCLA, which hasn't been much to write home about for more than a few years now...Well then the Bruins go ahead and put up 653 total yards of offense...WTF!?! And somehow UCLA only won 36-30....Well they did have 126 yards in penalties...We've all headed into the season only really looking at USC and Oregon out of the Pac-12...With what the Beavers and Bruins did Saturday, maybe we need to look deepr...
Then of course there the Fighting Irish, taking on Purdue...
The Irish pulled out the20-17 win with a late field goal, after a drive lead by Tommy Rees...Tommy Rees...No! Coach Kelly said Everett Golson's hand was dinged up, and was having trouble gripping the ball...I hope that's the truth, and it wasn't a lack of confidence, for a late game drive...I want to see Golson get that experience...The kid is a real talent...Plus I hate Rees, who was a turnover machine the last couple seasons...Plus I would have thrown him off the team after he took a swing at a cop...Kelly also said after the game that, "Golson is still our starting Quarterback."
The Irish struggled to get their running game going all day...Notre Dame had no trouble running the ball against Navy last week...But there's a difference when you face a front seven that has some real size...The O-line wasn't blowing Purdue off the line the way you'd like to see...Better get to work on that, since the schedule gets tougher next week...
Here's the ND highlights...
That's it for this week...See ya for Monday moaning!
Yeah, that's the best thing you're going to see at a Arizona State game this year!
So this is my predictions for how the conferences will shake out this season in college football...This is based entirely on my own opinions, from my years of sitting on my ass and watching football, as well as sitting on the toilet and reading up on as much college football news as I can...
Let's start with the Big-Ten...
No, it won't be Ohio State and Michigan...Ohio State isn't even eligible for the Big-Ten Championship...Penn State is also ineligible...First we'll start with the "Leaders" division...Yes, the Big-Ten named their divisions, "Leaders" and "Legends"...I had no idea Twats and Douchebags was already taken...
Leaders 1. Wisconsin 2. Ohio State 3. Illinois 4. Penn State 5. Purdue 6. Indiana
Wisconsin has the most talent, right now and their division is weak...Ohio State will do okay, but will still be adjusting to Urban Meyer football, which is a lot different from Jim Tressel ball...Well, except for the criminals, and cheating parts!
I have to say this...I can't wait for Saturday, to watch the Ohio University Bobcats beat up Penn State in not-so-"Happy Valley!"
Seriously, why are they still playing football at Minnesota? That program is a joke...The most important game on the schedule is Michigan at Nebraska on October 27th...The winner of that game will take the division, and I'm putting my money on the 'Huskers...And I'll take Nebraska over Wisconsin in the conference Championship game...
Okay, this conference is in a sad state...This is the year B.J. Daniels and USF put it all together...Louisville heads to Rutgers the last week of the season...That will decide 2nd place, and I'm taking Rutgers D over Louisville's QB Teddy Bridgewater, who is getting a bit of hype...Syracuse will be up slightly, while Pitt slides...Temple, UConn, stick to Basketball.
Moving from the Big lEast, will go next to the slightly better, ACC...
Atlantic 1. Clemson 2. Florida State 3. Wake Forest 4. NC State 5. Maryland 6. Boston College
Yep, I'm taking Clemson over the over-hyped FSU...Clemson is loaded at the skill positions, and has a solid defense...Wake Forest will be up this year...Boston College is clearly focusing solely on Hockey...
Coastal 1. Virginia Tech 2. Georgia Tech 3. North Carolina 4. Miami 5. Virginia 6. Duke
No surprise here...VT is always in it...UNC has some good talent, but they're still learning about football there...Duke, still hasn't figured it out! Tech will take the conference Championship game, well, since Clemson never seems to win a big game.
Well, now we should get to the most loved, and hated conference out there...
The SEC...
Oh, were looking for some Southern Fried Hottie...Sorry about that...I just thought in this world of hyped QB's, people should get use to seeing AJ McCarron...McCarron will be leading Alabama to the SEC Championship game...There's no doubt the West will be a battle between 'Bama and LSU...The Tide have the better all-around team, and the better QB...It's theirs to lose...
West 1. Alabama 2. LSU 3. Arkansas 4. Auburn 5. Miss State 6. Texas A&M 7. Ole Miss
East 1. Georgia 2. South Carolina 3. Missouri 4. Florida 5. Tennessee 6. Vanderbilt 7. Kentucky
Georgia is loaded, and there toughest competition is South Carolina, which they'll take care of, because Spurrier seems to find ways to lose...Mizzou, Florida, Tenn, and Vandy are in a log jam...Kentucky...Another Basketball school still trying to figure out this pesky Football...I'll take Alabama over Georgia in the Conference Championship game.
Now it's time for the Big-12...
1. Oklahoma 2. Kansas State 3. Texas 4. TCU 5. West Virginia 6. Oklahoma State 7. Baylor 8. Texas Tech 9. Kansas 10. Iowa State
To me, Oklahoma is a no-brainer...Just a loaded team...2nd and 3rd will be decided December 1st when Texas visits K-State...Texas' defense will keep them in the hunt this year, but I'm gambling on Collin Klein and Kansas State to shake things up...West Virginia will realize they're not in the Big East anymore...
Now, we'll end with the Pac-12...
North 1. Oregon 2. Washington 3. Stanford 4. Washington State 5. California 6. Oregon State
You can't go against Oregon and their high-octane attack...They're loaded with talent on both sides of the ball...Washington is going to compete, and scare some people...Washington State is going to surprise people, and if they get a bit of luck, they could pull out an upset or two...
Yeah, I hate USC, but you gotta except that they're a powerhouse...The rest of the division, flip a coin...It's just a bunch of average, with the exception the steaming pile of crap known as Colorado...Sad what has happened to that program...
The Pac-12 is a two team race, and it looks to be the same two teams for awhile...Oregon and USC just keep reloading, and the rest of the conference can't keep up...As good as I know USC is, I'm going to put my money on Oregon, in the conference championship game...Hopefully Notre Dame LB, Manti Te'o will take Matt Barkley out on November 24th, to help out the Ducks...
I know the smaller conference fans will give me shit if I don't give them love, so real quick here...Boise State takes the Mountain West...Fresno State, and Wyoming will push them, and we'll see major improvement from Colorado State...
Ohio will take the MAC East, while Bowling Green gives them a good push...Toledo will take the MAC West in a tight battle with Western Michigan...The OU Bobcats will beat the Rockets in the Championship game...
Houston will take the Conference USA Championship after beating UCF...Tulsa is the only other team with a shot, except they have to deal with Houston's non-stop offense...And we'll give the Sunbelt to Arkansas State...Does anyone follow the Sunbelt?
Hello Gabbers and welcome to another Wednesday of deep thoughts. It is official, the dog days of summer have arrived....and mercy is it hot! The baseball races have also begun to heat up and we are seeing some really great games currently. If your team is still in contention, congratulations! For me, I have begun to turn the sports page and hopefully fall will follow my lead. Even though it is hot, hot, hot...high school football has begun in Texas. Westwood began their practice this week and I have a few pictures to share.
The player in the red jersey is Westwood's senior QB Ben Johnson. Ben is a tremendous talent and this year has been eagerly awaited. Although Westwood lost two very good receivers from last year's team, they got a surprise when Coach Wyatt accepted the Longhorn receiver's coaching job. The surprise was his son enrolling at Westwood. I have watched many good high school receivers, but none are as polished as Dezmond Wyatt. If you think Steve Smith (the fast one) in high school you have an idea of what type of talent the kid is. Great routes and terrific hands set this player apart from his peers. I place the over/under for his TD passes this year at 20...seriously. Of course Ben has taken an instant liking to his new receiver and who can blame him I just found out today that this may be the last year that Mr. Johnson plays football. He has had visits to several schools looking at him to sign as a QB, Ben has verbally accepted an offer to play baseball next year at Texas. I really hope they let him play both sports, but that remains to be seen. Ben runs a 4.5 40...this is not hand timed, but an electronic timing. He is the real deal and I am excited at the prospect of this year.
Here is a short video of Saturday's scrimmage. If you watch closely, you will see Blake giving a sophomore wide receiver a welcome to varsity.
If we are talking football, we must include this weeks debacle in College Station. Although I am a Longhorn fan, I do not look down on the Aggies. Do you know why Aggies don't eat M&M's? Because they are too hard for them to peel. But seriously, I really feel for the Aggies and many other teams in the Big 12. I laugh when I hear folks say that they don't watch professional sports any longer because it is only about money. How can these same folks not see that the college game has become the same thing. Why does Texas need the Longhorn Network? I know that this made me uneasy when I heard that this was a reality. The Aggies have had their fill of being the step child in Texas sports. But, allowing word to leak of their impending move to the SEC only to be rebuked by the SEC is simply embarrassing. I know that the SEC is the power conference in football, but is this really the right move for a college that prides itself with a high standard for academics? I heard one Longhorn fan remark that the Aggies should just start their own TV network. In fact, I seem to remember seeing proposed programming for this channel? What bothers me tremendously is that everyone seems to overlook the importance of tradition. For fans in Texas, the Texas and A&M game matters. Do we really want to have 4 super conferences? Is the SEC better with 16 teams? There is so much that bothers me about this proposal that I am very much worried with the future of college football. The only bright spot that I can find is that at some point a playoff will become a reality.
I hate to leave this subject on such a somber note, so hear is another Aggie "story":
Two Aggies go on a fishing trip. They rent all the equipment - the reels, the rods, the wading suits, the rowboat, the car, and even a cabin in the woods.
The first day they go fishing, but they don't catch anything. The same thing happens on the second day, and on the third day. It goes on like this until finally, on the last day of their vacation, one of the men catches a fish.
As they're driving home they're really depressed. One Aggie turns to the other and says, "Do you realize that this one lousy fish we caught cost us fifteen hundred bucks?"
The other Aggie says, "Wow! Then it's a good thing we didn't catch any more!"
Here are a few more...
Why do Aggies always smile during lightning storms?
They think their picture is being taken.
A 2-seater plane crashed into a cemetery near College Station. The Aggie fire department uncovered 700 bodies.
Please Aggies don't leave...it just would not be the same without you...
I can always tell when football season is getting close because Fan begins to bash the Cowboys.
Although I feel good about the Cowboys this year, I really had to talk about Colt McCoy. I read an article this week that completely floored me. Colt described his season last year and how he was totally unprepared to lead his team. He was the third string QB and was treated as such. He was given the game plan on Wednesday and never got reps. He found out that he was starting his first game only minutes before the game. I watched this kid grow up while in Austin and I know the work ethic that he has. Did you know that during the lockout Colt called Brett Favre to try to get some information about the offense that he was expected to know this year. I was amazed to read this. Brett Favre picked him up at the airport and invited Colt to his home for a few days. Say what you will about Favre, that was cool. He had no reason to give Colt the time of day, yet he shared his knowledge with the young signal caller. Thankfully, Colt was able to use the temporary reprieve in the lockout to obtain a playbook. This will be a very interesting year as there are several young QB's expected to lead their teams this year. I would not bet against Colt...
That's all I have for this week, but I will leave you with a bit of Jack Handey to ponder:
Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over here, going through your stuff.
One good thing about Hell, at least, is you can probably pee wherever you want to.
Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a few deep thoughts of your own...
