Norfolk State has a daunting task on Saturday. The Division 1-AA Spartans travel to Rutgers to play the 2-0 Scarlet Knights, ranked No. 13 in this week's Associated Press poll.
The 3:30 p.m. game has Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian wishing for a lesser opponent -- like Michigan....
9/11/07
Cats Sleeping w/ Dogs...
Things are pretty wild in bizarro world when even the weak 1-AA teams are standing up and saying they want a crack at the Wolverines...
9/9/07
2007 Top 20 Performers v.1
Ranking teams by what they've done, not by what we think they can do...
1. LSU
Crushed what was supposed to be a good Va Tech and did just as well against what is supposed to be a weak conference opponent Miss State. 93-7 scoring edge so far.
2. Cal
2-0. Cruised by Tennessee. Things a bit closer than expected with Colorado State this week.
3. South Carolina
2-0. Beat Georgia in Athens.
4. South Florida
2-0. Beat Auburn in their house.
5. Oklahoma
Demolished Miami as easily as they demolished North Texas. Scoring edge thus far: 130-23.
6. Texas
Knocked down what should be a good TCU, but a mundane win against Arkansas State.
7. Washington
Downed Boise State and blasted Syracuse. Asked and answered every question put to them thus far.
8. Oregon
Cruised easily by Houston and then bombed the rubble to bouncing on the road in Ann Arbor.
9. Georgia Tech
Pounded Notre Dame almost as easily as they wiped out Samford. No tough questions posed to them yet, but resoundingly correct answers to what has already been asked.
10. Boston College
Two nice conference wins already over defending champ Wake Forest and NC State.
11. UCLA
Nice win over BYU, convincing win over Stanford.
12. Penn State
Two blowouts already, one against Notre Dame.
13. Clemson
Convincing win over Florida State, blowout of Louisiana-Monroe.
14. Rutgers
Convincing win against what may yet turn out to be a good Navy team. Blowout of Buffalo
15. Cincinnati
No touchdowns scored yet against these guys, including a blowout of Oregon State.
16. Florida
Defending national champs haven't played anybody worth a pulse yet, but the scores reveal nothing surprising.
17. West Virginia
Two convincing wins over non-BCS teams that may yet turn out to be some of the better teams in their conferences: Western Michigan and Marshall.
18. Arizona State
Two convincing win over San Jose State (a 9-4 team last year) and Colorado.
19. Nebraska
Narrowly beat defending ACC champ Wake Forest and blasted Nevada.
20. Ohio State
A bit closer against Akron than would be expected. An appropriate smashing of Youngstown State.
Why some others didn't make it...
Southern Cal
The pollsters' top team has done nothing so far except win safely against Idaho. Next week at Nebraska will be their resume builder.
Wisconsin
Lots of question marks is all we see so far. Consensus #7 in the nation has just finished a nailbiter against UNLV and otherwise has only a solid win against Washington State. Next up: The Citadel. Not much will be known about the Badgers for a while yet.
Louisville
Do these guys play defense? Everybody's #9 got into a highly revealing 100-pt shootout with seemingly mediocre Middle Tennessee State. Hasn't played any other Div 1-A opposition.
Texas A&M
Needed overtime to beat Fresno. No other Div 1-A opposition.
1. LSU
Crushed what was supposed to be a good Va Tech and did just as well against what is supposed to be a weak conference opponent Miss State. 93-7 scoring edge so far.
2. Cal
2-0. Cruised by Tennessee. Things a bit closer than expected with Colorado State this week.
3. South Carolina
2-0. Beat Georgia in Athens.
4. South Florida
2-0. Beat Auburn in their house.
5. Oklahoma
Demolished Miami as easily as they demolished North Texas. Scoring edge thus far: 130-23.
6. Texas
Knocked down what should be a good TCU, but a mundane win against Arkansas State.
7. Washington
Downed Boise State and blasted Syracuse. Asked and answered every question put to them thus far.
8. Oregon
Cruised easily by Houston and then bombed the rubble to bouncing on the road in Ann Arbor.
9. Georgia Tech
Pounded Notre Dame almost as easily as they wiped out Samford. No tough questions posed to them yet, but resoundingly correct answers to what has already been asked.
10. Boston College
Two nice conference wins already over defending champ Wake Forest and NC State.
11. UCLA
Nice win over BYU, convincing win over Stanford.
12. Penn State
Two blowouts already, one against Notre Dame.
13. Clemson
Convincing win over Florida State, blowout of Louisiana-Monroe.
14. Rutgers
Convincing win against what may yet turn out to be a good Navy team. Blowout of Buffalo
15. Cincinnati
No touchdowns scored yet against these guys, including a blowout of Oregon State.
16. Florida
Defending national champs haven't played anybody worth a pulse yet, but the scores reveal nothing surprising.
17. West Virginia
Two convincing wins over non-BCS teams that may yet turn out to be some of the better teams in their conferences: Western Michigan and Marshall.
18. Arizona State
Two convincing win over San Jose State (a 9-4 team last year) and Colorado.
19. Nebraska
Narrowly beat defending ACC champ Wake Forest and blasted Nevada.
20. Ohio State
A bit closer against Akron than would be expected. An appropriate smashing of Youngstown State.
Why some others didn't make it...
Southern Cal
The pollsters' top team has done nothing so far except win safely against Idaho. Next week at Nebraska will be their resume builder.
Wisconsin
Lots of question marks is all we see so far. Consensus #7 in the nation has just finished a nailbiter against UNLV and otherwise has only a solid win against Washington State. Next up: The Citadel. Not much will be known about the Badgers for a while yet.
Louisville
Do these guys play defense? Everybody's #9 got into a highly revealing 100-pt shootout with seemingly mediocre Middle Tennessee State. Hasn't played any other Div 1-A opposition.
Texas A&M
Needed overtime to beat Fresno. No other Div 1-A opposition.
9/8/07
History Makin'
39-7
Worst Michigan beat-down in Ann Arbor since 1967..
Michigan State 34
Michigan 0
Worst overall loss since 1968...
Michigan 14
Ohio State 50
Also: Michigan State won only three games that year...
Worst Michigan beat-down in Ann Arbor since 1967..
Michigan State 34
Michigan 0
Worst overall loss since 1968...
Michigan 14
Ohio State 50
Also: Michigan State won only three games that year...
9/5/07
Picks -- Week 2
Looks like I'm gonna have to make up the bulk of the posts while Masked Avenger tries to get the lyrics of Appalachian State's promo video out of his head.
The spreads are ESPN, as reported at 7pm this evening (Wednesday, Sept. 5).
Last week a mediocre 1-1. Charlie's Irish Angels didn't fail to fail. But in the theme of betting against over-rated coaching, I may have been early to the bar on Nebraska. As seen below, I've decided to stay for another drink...
Season score: 1-1
This week...
Nebraska @ Wake Forest +8.5
There are punishments for firing coaches at legendary programs who win 9-10 games every year. The Huskers will suffer in mediocrity until they turn on the interloper. I take Wake Forest and the points against Callahan's Crew, which is on it's way to an Alamo Bowl rematch against Michigan. This time, it's Lloyd Carr who saves HIS job with a win.
Navy @ Rutgers -16.5
No disrespect to Rutgers, but Navy is probably better than the 16.5 points and can keep it close. Like Rutgers, they have one of America's best coaches (also a former 1-AA national champ, IIRC). Watch out Irish....
Alabama @ Vanderbilt +3.5
Again, coaching... Nick Satan is special. Certain college fan bases just know this (Spartans, LSU, Toledo...). Not a ding on Vandy, but 'Bama will win this one by more than 3.5 points.
Oregon @ Michigan -8
This line actually moved UP from -6.5 as the week went along. Normally in this situation, I blame Michigan fans for stupidly betting their team above its potential. But it defies reason that they would be so inclined this week. Michigan will be very happy to win this narrowly, if at all, and I am far from convinced that they can. Oregon, getting the points, is a steal. They are a good team and would have looked like a good challenge for Michigan if Appalachian State had gone home on the other side of a 30pt beat-down.
Charlie's Angels vs Penn State
This line is off the charts... Something like 17 pts favoring Penn State. Not biting. But if anybody is taking action on when the 'Domers officially start turning on Charlie, then I'm willing to take after/if Tyrone Willingham upsets Boise State.
The spreads are ESPN, as reported at 7pm this evening (Wednesday, Sept. 5).
Last week a mediocre 1-1. Charlie's Irish Angels didn't fail to fail. But in the theme of betting against over-rated coaching, I may have been early to the bar on Nebraska. As seen below, I've decided to stay for another drink...
Season score: 1-1
This week...
Nebraska @ Wake Forest +8.5
There are punishments for firing coaches at legendary programs who win 9-10 games every year. The Huskers will suffer in mediocrity until they turn on the interloper. I take Wake Forest and the points against Callahan's Crew, which is on it's way to an Alamo Bowl rematch against Michigan. This time, it's Lloyd Carr who saves HIS job with a win.
Navy @ Rutgers -16.5
No disrespect to Rutgers, but Navy is probably better than the 16.5 points and can keep it close. Like Rutgers, they have one of America's best coaches (also a former 1-AA national champ, IIRC). Watch out Irish....
Alabama @ Vanderbilt +3.5
Again, coaching... Nick Satan is special. Certain college fan bases just know this (Spartans, LSU, Toledo...). Not a ding on Vandy, but 'Bama will win this one by more than 3.5 points.
Oregon @ Michigan -8
This line actually moved UP from -6.5 as the week went along. Normally in this situation, I blame Michigan fans for stupidly betting their team above its potential. But it defies reason that they would be so inclined this week. Michigan will be very happy to win this narrowly, if at all, and I am far from convinced that they can. Oregon, getting the points, is a steal. They are a good team and would have looked like a good challenge for Michigan if Appalachian State had gone home on the other side of a 30pt beat-down.
Charlie's Angels vs Penn State
This line is off the charts... Something like 17 pts favoring Penn State. Not biting. But if anybody is taking action on when the 'Domers officially start turning on Charlie, then I'm willing to take after/if Tyrone Willingham upsets Boise State.
9/4/07
9/3/07
Unique Thoughts -- Wk 1
Unique thoughts = tryin' to say what hasn't been said already...
How about San Diego State in 2004, destined for a disappointing 4-7 season, coming into Michigan Stadium and narrowly losing 24-21? Michigan finished that season 9-3, barely lost to Vince Young's Texas in the Rose Bowl, and wound up ranked #14.
In other words, look to the big picture. In the last three weekends of college football, going back to last season, we have seen the supposed underdog Boise State shock Oklahoma, Florida defying the odds and blowing out Ohio State, and now the Appalachian State surprise. It seems that odds and rankings and especially computer rankings don't mean a whole lot when you actually put the teams on the field.
Giving a team a chance to win a game on the field doesn't always produce the expected results. While the Appalachian State game surely says something about this year's Michigan team as we begin the season, I'm more interested in what it says about the BCS system at the end of the year.
One win in two years vs. teams finishing in the Top 25 (Penn State, #24 last year)?
Two roastings in bowl games?
As the Tyrone Willingham recruits cycle out at Notre Dame, and the Charlie Weis guys come in, the results are pointing in an eerily familiar direction. I have to think that the Appalachian State story is the best thing that could have happened to Charlie Weis. The media can only ruminate on firing one coach at a time, and didn't have time to dwell too much on the offensive genius that wasn't Charlie Weis.
In his fourth to last game before getting fired, Tyrone Willingham beat Tennessee, a team that finished that year 10-3, finished ranked #14, and won the Cotton Bowl. There were several such wins in the years prior to that for Willingham at Notre Dame. Charlie Weis, beginning his third season, has given new birth to the trademark 30-pt Willingham defeats, but still hasn't gotten a signature win to rival that Tennessee game at the end, or the Michigan win the same year by Willingham, or several others.
Both Michigan and Notre Dame could easily get to Sept. 15 with 0-2 records. If that happens, get ready for the "Jobs Bowl" in Ann Arbor. The presidents of the respective schools might not think so, but the fans of an 0-3 football team are not likely to be silenced.
- Any Given Saturday
How about San Diego State in 2004, destined for a disappointing 4-7 season, coming into Michigan Stadium and narrowly losing 24-21? Michigan finished that season 9-3, barely lost to Vince Young's Texas in the Rose Bowl, and wound up ranked #14.
In other words, look to the big picture. In the last three weekends of college football, going back to last season, we have seen the supposed underdog Boise State shock Oklahoma, Florida defying the odds and blowing out Ohio State, and now the Appalachian State surprise. It seems that odds and rankings and especially computer rankings don't mean a whole lot when you actually put the teams on the field.
Giving a team a chance to win a game on the field doesn't always produce the expected results. While the Appalachian State game surely says something about this year's Michigan team as we begin the season, I'm more interested in what it says about the BCS system at the end of the year.
- The Jobs Bowl
One win in two years vs. teams finishing in the Top 25 (Penn State, #24 last year)?
Two roastings in bowl games?
As the Tyrone Willingham recruits cycle out at Notre Dame, and the Charlie Weis guys come in, the results are pointing in an eerily familiar direction. I have to think that the Appalachian State story is the best thing that could have happened to Charlie Weis. The media can only ruminate on firing one coach at a time, and didn't have time to dwell too much on the offensive genius that wasn't Charlie Weis.
In his fourth to last game before getting fired, Tyrone Willingham beat Tennessee, a team that finished that year 10-3, finished ranked #14, and won the Cotton Bowl. There were several such wins in the years prior to that for Willingham at Notre Dame. Charlie Weis, beginning his third season, has given new birth to the trademark 30-pt Willingham defeats, but still hasn't gotten a signature win to rival that Tennessee game at the end, or the Michigan win the same year by Willingham, or several others.
Both Michigan and Notre Dame could easily get to Sept. 15 with 0-2 records. If that happens, get ready for the "Jobs Bowl" in Ann Arbor. The presidents of the respective schools might not think so, but the fans of an 0-3 football team are not likely to be silenced.
8/30/07
NEW SEASON PICKS
All picks against ESPN's Spread. Here's the bets I like and why:
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame -3
A 9-4 team returns 15 starters and nearly beat 10-3 Notre Dame last year. Now Notre Dame returns 9 starters and is the favorite at home. No Calvin Johnson? How about no Brady Quinn, no starting receivers... That's a lot of "no." GT covers and maybe even wins.
Nevada at Nebraska -19.5
A tale of two coaches. Nebraska fired it's coach in 2003 -- a year the team won 10 games. Three years later, they still haven't gotten back to that level. Nevada, on the other hand, has been steadily getting stronger during the same period after a coaching change. I think these teams are more even than a near-20 point spread would justify.
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame -3
A 9-4 team returns 15 starters and nearly beat 10-3 Notre Dame last year. Now Notre Dame returns 9 starters and is the favorite at home. No Calvin Johnson? How about no Brady Quinn, no starting receivers... That's a lot of "no." GT covers and maybe even wins.
Nevada at Nebraska -19.5
A tale of two coaches. Nebraska fired it's coach in 2003 -- a year the team won 10 games. Three years later, they still haven't gotten back to that level. Nevada, on the other hand, has been steadily getting stronger during the same period after a coaching change. I think these teams are more even than a near-20 point spread would justify.
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