Openly Rooting Against the Gators, Tebow

I admit it.  I can't stand Jean Shorts Jesus.  You may know him as the GPOOE, or simply Tim Tebow.  It's not just that he's a Gator.  Emmitt Smith, Percy Harvin, and Rex Grossman are all Gators, and I can tolerate them.  It's not just that he's a winner.  Matt Leinhart and Vince Young were winners, but I actually like both of them.  Maybe it's the d-bag coach corch.

Mostly, I think it's the constant media adulation.  Just as a sample, there's the GQ article, the GQ pictures, and of course the Thom Brennaman blowjob.  The apologists for Jean Shorts Jesus will say that we shouldn't hold the media attention against him.  They will tell you that he doesn't ask for all the attention.  Really?  So those GQ pictures were what?  How many GameDay interviews has he done?  Is that a guy that doesn't want attention?

Sure he's a great player.  He's the only sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.  He deserved it then, but now the media powers that be think the Chosen One is deserving of a second Heisman Trophy.  If the Heisman has become a career achievement award, then it has to go to either Tebow or Colt McCoy (you know, the QB with the most wins in NCAA history).  If, on the other hand, the Heisman goes to the year's best player, Tebow isn't even close.  He's 60th in passing.  He's 73rd in rushing.  He's 34th in total offense.  He's got 17 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing touchdowns.  That's 4 more total TDs than Toby Gerhart, and Gerhart doesn't touch the ball every play.

I have to pull for Alabama to win the SEC Championship game if for no other reason than I can't take another month of Tebow-love leading up to the BCS Championship game.  Please Alabama, for the sake of our sanity, beat Florida.  Your nation is counting on you.

-Dex

Aaron Murray Should Be UGA's Starting Quarterback

It's time for the Joe Cox era to end.  It won't, at least not this week, but it should.  It is time for Aaron Murray to start.

Mark Richt has decided that Joe Cox will start this week against Tennessee Tech because Cox "gives us the best chance to win."  First, just about anyone could play quarterback this weekend and UGA would beat Tennessee Tech.  While Richt's statement that Cox gives us the best chance to win against Auburn, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech is probably true, it doesn't matter.  The win against Tennessee Tech will get UGA bowl eligible.  Beyond that, what is left for this season? 

Every snap of experience Aaron Murray misses out on this year is a snap of experience he will have to get next year.  Is getting to the Music City Bowl instead of the Independence Bowl worth it?  Of course not.  The Bulldogs should not let loyalty to a senior quarterback this year cost them wins next year.  This is precisely what will happen though if Aaron Murray is not given the chance at significant playing time this year.  Ask yourself this:  would you rather have Aaron Murray play his first four games this year against Tennessee Tech, Auburn, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech, or next year against Louisiana-Lafayette, at South Carolina, Arkansas, and at Mississippi State.  Sure, the schedule next year isn't as tough as it has been the last two years, but that is all the more reason to get Aaron Murray his snaps now.  Those early games next year are winnable games, and there is no reason to risk losing one of them because of an inexperienced quarterback.

The SEC East will be wide open next year.  Florida will likely be the favorite, but that is really just by default.  They'll lose Jean Shorts Jesus and Brandon Spikes Your Eyes Out.  Tennessee also loses their best player in Eric Berry and will be breaking in a new quarterback of their own.  And South Carolina is South Carolina; they aren't winning the East.

Wanting to reward Joe Cox with playing time because he's a senior is short sighted and dumb.  It would have been nice had Joe Cox had a D.J. Shockley-like year.  He hasn't.  Richt should start Aaron Murray, and start him this week.  An inexperienced Aaron Murray will probably cost UGA a game or two (or maybe even 3) this year.  That is, however, infinitely better than an inexperienced Aaron Murray costing UGA a game or two (or 3) NEXT year when the Bulldogs will have more to play for than it does now.

BCS Busters Look Impressive

Will the real contenders please stand up?

The mighty Gators, and perhaps more importantly Jean Shorts Jesus, continue to look positively pedestrian.  The only game in which Florida has looked good against a real team was their 41-7 win over Kentucky.  Really.  Look at their schedule.  23-13 over Tennessee when the Volunteers weren't really trying to win.  13-3 over LSU.  While the headlines may have been about Tebow's magical comeback from the concussion, it was once again Florida's defense that won them the game.  We all know about the Arkansas game, and last night against the Bizzaro Bulldogs, they continued to struggle on offense.  While the statline shows Jean Shorts Jesus scored just 1 TD, he accounted for 3.  Don't worry though Gators, you're facing a defense that gave up this:

Image from Hey Jenny Slater

Alabama, a team that many think should be ranked number 1, hasn't looked good of late either.  If it weren't for a couple of blocked kicks courtesy of Mt. Cody, the Tide would have rolled right out of the top 10.

Texas is the only one of the big boys that looks like they want to play for the BCS Championship.  They destroyed Missouri, 41-7.

On the other hand, it was the smaller guys that played liked they wanted a chance at a BCS title.  Cincinnati, continues to look great, even with a backup quarterback.  They beat Louisville, 41-10.  Earlier in the year, they went out west and beat Oregon State, a team that nearly knocked of USC, in Los Angeles.  It remains to be seen if the Bearcats will get any love from the pollsters-human or computer.

TCU now has two impressive road wins after going to Provo, Utah and beating BYU 38-7.  They also traveled across the country earlier in the year and beat the bi-polar Clemson Tigers.  They've scored 30 or more points in 5 of their 7 games, while opponents are averaging just under 13 points against the Horned Frogs.  They may not be the media darlings that Boise State is, but to paraphrase Les Miles, that TCU team is a damned good football team, and they deserve serious consideration.

Other teams flying under the radar:  Oregon, Georgia Tech, Pitt.

Mythbusters: BCS Edition

Myth #377 about the BCS:  It makes the regular season better.

Reality:  The BCS gives the impression that every game in the season means something.  While this may or may not be true, schools perceive this to be true, and schedule accordingly.

In 1981, you know way back before the BCS existed, there were 16 non-conference games played between ranked teams.  In 1982 there were 18.  In 1983 there were 12.  In 1984, that number was back up to 18.  In 2008, there were 5.  That's right, just 5.  The BCS has taken away somewhere between 7 and 13 great games per year.  The big boys (like Florida and Texas) have absolutely no reason to schedule other big programs.  Instead, they end up with games against Charleston Southern or Louisiana-Monroe.

The BCS has created a system where it's more important to win against a patsy that to play a compelling matchup.  Wouldn't it be nice if we had a system that instead of rewarding the scheduling of a cupcake, rewarded Texas playing Auburn or Florida playing USC.  How many would like to see Oklahoma play Michigan instead of Central Michigan?

-Dex

Change We Can ALL Believe In

Well, it's happened.  There's a political action committee we can all get behind.  The PlayoffPAC will help to elect pro reform (that is, pro playoff) candidates.

The BCS sucks.  You know it.  I know it.  The whole word knows it.

Give early, give often; it's your duty as a college football fan.

Conspiracy Theorists Unite?

Ok,

So I like to think that I'm the kind of person who not just loves the Georgia Bulldogs but college football as a whole.  Nothing matches the pageantry, tradition, passion, meaningful games.....

Over the last few weeks frustrations have mounted as not only have the Dawgs been less than spectacular but a much deeper and more troubling thought has crept into my mind.

Flashback:  LSU/UGA '09 playing in a barnburner.  UGA gets a TD to get lead and the ridiculous flag comes out.  You can say what you want but I am going to say there's a 10% chance LSU wins this game without the flag.  The kickoff strategy changes.  Even if LSU gets the ball after the same long kickoff they are at their own 45.  Starting at the 45, they don't run the ball and they don't pass all that well either so the game is much different.  However that's not the point.  The point is that LSU/FL was the next weekend, and if LSU loses, college football loses a huge spotlight game.

With that thought in mind, I turn to Saturday night.  I watch Arkansas go ahead with 6 minutes or so to go.  Florida is driving, which is expected, but as they get closer to the red zone Arkansas' defense stiffens. 
First, an AWFUL pass interference call where the ref was looking right at the guys.  The defender never even touches the freeking guy.  Right after that there is this WRETCHED personal foul call where the DL from Ark was being charged by the OL from UF and he gets flagged for defending himself!!! 

Florida of course goes on to score.  Technically you can't blame the refs right?  The defense still has a chance to stop them, they missed a field goal, bla bla bla.  Look, I get the argument but it's a lousy one.  Each play hugely impacts the game down the stretch so a free 30 yards is completely unacceptable and a major, major gamechanger.   

So looking down the road....UF and Bama #1, #2 in the SEC championship?  Talk about some serious dollars at stake.  What if UF loses against Arkansas and then someone else and say South Carolina goes to the SECC?  MILLIONS of dollars are lost on that one.

Am I just a pissed off Dawg fan this year?  Perhaps.  But this horrid officiating on "judgment" calls has got to stop.  There has to be some serious accountability for this nonsense.   Otherwise more and more people are going to hop on the conspiracy bandwagon and it takes decades to overcome that.

-Docta D


Oh, and it would be really nice to see Senior Tebow get a flag for acting like a little punk after something good happens.  The rest of the players have to deal with it... quit giving special treatment to the kid because he cuts off foreskins of Filipinos!

Should Sylvester Croom be Georgia's Next Defensive Coordinator?

Over at Dawg Sports, there is a movement afoot to bring Sylvester Croom back to the SEC as Georgia's new defensive coordinator.

First, it should be noted that the Georgia Bulldogs do not have a current opening for defensive coordinator.  However, if we look at the last 12 games (a season's worth), UGA opponents have scored 30 or more points 7 times.  In that same time, Vanderbilt has only given up 30+ points once.  I'm not any sort of job security expert, but it seems likely that the Dawgs will have an opening for defensive coordinator sometime between now and January.

Croom is an interesting choice.  He has experience in the SEC, having been a position coach at Alabama for 11 years, as well as his 5 year stint with the Bizzaro Bulldogs.  His tenure at Mississippi State was a mixed bag, having won SEC coach of the year in 2007 after going 8-5, but was 13-33 in his other four seasons in Starkville.  By many accounts, including this one, Croom is a great guy.  He would probably fit right in with Mark Richt's staff.  While he didn't seem to be an all-star recruiter at Mississippi State, he was after all at Mississippi State.  The Georgia Bulldogs have lots of advantages not enjoyed by the Bizzaro Bulldogs: lots of money, lots of home grown talent, and a history of winning.  Besides, Georgia's problem isn't recruiting.

Here's the biggest problem with hiring Croom as the next defensive coordinator at the University of Georgia: he hasn't coached defense since 1986.  By next year, there won't be a single defensive player at Georgia that was even alive the last time Croom coached defense.  That's not to say that Sylvester Croom wouldn't be a great defensive coordinator.  He is however, a bit of an unknown commodity as a defensive coordinator.

Croom has great intangibles and would bring a lot of excitement to the Georgia Bulldog's football program.  However, his appointment to the defensive coordinator position should be conditioned on his affirmative responses to the following questions:  Are you willing to make changes when what you are currently doing stops working?  Can you adapt your defensive scheme to changes in the opposing team's offensive schemes?  Will you blitz, at least occasionally in 3rd and long situations?  Will you commit to turning the defensive players into mean, hard hitting dudes, like this:


Notice the blitz, too.

-Dex

The Times, They Should be a Changin'

When the season started, some Dawg fans thought that Joe Cox could pull a D.J. Shockley and lead Georgia to the SEC Championship game.  While Joe Cox has had his moments this season, the Georgia Bulldogs are not going to play for the SEC title this year.  To be clear, Joe Cox and the play of the offense is only part of the problem with UGA this season.

Although the defense had some good games against LSU and Arizona State, they have otherwise looked pretty bad.  The Dawgs are giving up 377 yards per game, and nearly 31 points per game.  This Georgia Bulldog squad is giving up about the same number of points as such storied sorry programs as Louisiana-Lafayette, Bowling Green, and San Jose State.  Under Mark Richt, this is not the company the Dawgs are used to keeping.

When you make 3 SEC title game appearances in your first 5 years, expectations go up.  The comparisons to the Ray Goff and Jim Donnan eras are irrelevant.  Do you think that if the Texas Longhorns start the year 3-3, Texas fans would say, "well, at least this isn't the John Mackovic era."  Of course they wouldn't.  Since Mark Richt arrived at Georgia, only 5 teams have a better win percentage.  Richt and his coaching staff has had a top 10 recruiting class every year since he has been in Athens.  This is why a 45-19 loss to a Tennessee team not quaterbacked by Peyton Manning is so shocking, and so frustrating.  Dawg fans simply aren't used to seeing a Mark Richt coached Georgia Bulldog team look so bad.

Mark Richt will have to take a long, hard look at his coaching staff.  Being a head coach means making the tough decisions.  That's going to include firing coaches that you care about.  Willie Martinez may be a nice guy, but his defense is simply not getting the job done.  The players clearly have talent, but they are often out of place, which is a coaching problem. 

For me, the play that epitomized the Willie Martinez defensive play calling came early in the first quarter against Tennessee.  The Volunteers had the ball, 3rd and 9 at their own 30.  Instead of putting pressure on a quarterback that has looked completely lost this season, Martinez decides to rush only 4.  With what seemed like a good hour's worth of protection (it was probably closer to 4 or 5 seconds), Crompton was able to find an open Luke Stocker for a 26 yard completion.  3rd and 9 against a below average quarterback should be an automatic blitz situation.  Somehow, Willie Martinez has not figured this out.

It's time for accountability.  A team that has been as good as the Georgia Bulldogs have been over the past 8 years, a team that is as talented as the Dawgs are simply should not lose 45-19 to anybody, let alone a team that is in rebuilding mode.

-Dex

Upset Alert, Week 6

Last week I said that there would be few upsets, and that turned out to be right.  The exception was Oklahoma, going down to Miami.  This week doesn't present many upset opportunities either, but these are the three that I think we should keep an eye on:

1. #12 Iowa (vs. Michigan).

Michigan has had some pretty inconsistent play from their defense (sound familiar Dawg fans?).  The Wolverine offense on the other hand has been nearly unstoppable under the leadership of freshman quarterback Tate Forcier, averaging about 34 points per game.  Iowa looked great against Penn State, but has barely escaped against I-AA Northern Iowa and Arkansas State, a team that isn't very good even by Sun Belt standards.  This game is being played in prime time, and Forcier is looking to make up for throwing an INT in overtime against Sparty.  Michigan's defense will keep Iowa in the game, but look for Forcier to make a play late.

2. #1 Florida (at #4 LSU).

Is there a more exciting and fun place to be on Saturday night than LSU's Death Valley?  It's a night game; the fans in attendance will have spent all day consuming various brands of bourbon, and oh yeah, it's a match up of two top 5 teams.  Even if you don't believe LSU is really a top 5 team, you know they're going to be pumped up to play this game.  Last week ESPN showed a statistic that LSU has won something like 23 straight night games.  Even if Jean Shorts Jesus rises from the figurative ashes, is he really going to be able to pound the ball the way he normally does?  Also, I make no secret of my dislike for Florida, so while Drew may prefer an LSU blood letting, I prefer a Florida blood bath. 

3. #3 Alabama (at #20 Ole Miss).

Alabama has looked great this year.  They haven't just been beating people, but beating them down.  The quarterback and offensive line were supposed to be question marks this year, but both may be better than last year.  McElroy could start to get some Heisman consideration with a big time performance in this game.  I list this game not because I'm especially convinced that Alabama is going to be in danger of the upset, but what fun is picking Kentucky to beat South Carolina?  Besides, isn't this the spot where everyone says Houston Nutt is at his best?  After forgetting to show up against South Carolina, the Rebels have been more or less forgotten about nationally.  Ole Miss has the talent to play with Alabama, but they're going to have to play their best game of the year if they want a shot at knocking off the Tide.


-Dex

Tebow Uses Powers to Smite

It's unclear if Tim Tebow used his God-like powers to exact retribution, or if Corch Meyers ordered a hit, but Florida left tackle Matt Patchan is now out for the season. 

Patchan, the backup left tackle, was playing and missed the block on Kentucky defensive end Taylor Wyndham who delivered the hit on Tebow.

I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.


-Dex

Week 5 Most Surprising Results

1. Almost Everyone Agrees that the Excessive Celebration Penalty was Excessive 

Everyone from Mike and Mike in the Morning to Mr. College Football to Douche McDoucherson himself has spoken out against the awful call on AJ Green at the end of the Georgia/LSU game. Tim Brando went on one of his tirades and basically said that SEC refs are racists and that they only throw excess celebration flags against black players. Shockingly, even the SEC issued a statement saying that they screwed up. I don't remember many instances where the league has issued a statement at all regarding a call in the game, let alone an admission that they got it wrong. It's kind of nice and refreshing to see people come to UGA's defense on this one - the last time we got this much national media attention was when people were railing us for what indeed actually counted as "excessive celebration ."

Ironically, the only person who is being a Negative Nancy about the call is Vince Dooley, who went out of his way to defend the existence of the rule instead of agreeing with everyone that, yeah, it was a bullshit call.

On Sunday I was concerned about the long-term ramifications that the incident might have. Our 2009 team is so young and prone to mood swings that, much like 2007, we need to maintain the passion and intensity level as much as possible. Would there be a negative effect on our guys' effort if they knew that after an amazing play they had to walk on eggshells? Who is able to turn off their motor that quickly? It's just not human. But after this firestorm I think the SEC has no choice but to calm the f*** down on calling these things. Because this is a conversation that Tim Brando does NOT want to have, but damnit he will if he has to!


2. Check Out the Teams at the Top of the ACC Standings 

Oh, Maryland and Virginia, you crazy ACC teams you. You spend the month of September competing for "worst BCS team outside of Washington State" but then somehow after last week you're both undefeated in conference play.  And Maryland, explain to me how you're actually leading the ACC Atlantic, aka the most ridiculously wide open division in all of college football. It makes about as much sense as that guy who thought he could get away with blackmailing Letterman. Really, 2 million doesn't even seem like it's worth the trouble and the certainty that you'll go to jail. Letterman makes like 30 million a YEAR, you would think if the guy was gonna go through with this idiotic scheme he would have at least asked for a Dr. Evil over-the-top type figure.

3. Florida State fans in Meltdown Mode

So after listening to Florida State fans complain on talk radio for two straight days about the assistant coaches that Bobby Bowden has hired this decade, I can certainly empathize with them ( cough John Fabris cough). But I still think that Bobby and Joe Pa have earned the right to go out on their own terms.

Every power program has gone through some lean years...Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Tennessee, and even Miami have all had worse seasons and reached lower depths than Florida State in this decade!  Alabama was like a yo-yo before Nick Saban got there, and in 2007 they actually did lose to a Jacksonville State type school, whereas Florida State just flirted with it this year. USC, Oklahoma, and Texas were kind of irrelevant for most of the 90s. And from 2000-2004 while Bobby was winning 3 ACC titles,  Joe Pa and Penn State were suffering through 4 losing seasons.

Just because other teams imploded is it OK for yours to suck? Of course not. But it's unrealistic for Florida State to sustain the level of dominance that they achieved for 14 years ( in other words, as dominant as Pete Carroll has been this decade he's only halfway there). Florida State won the ACC as recently as 2005 and they probably still have a shot at it this year ( see #2 above). Bobby Bowden is the third greatest college football coach of all time. If you don't think he's quite able to guide Florida State back from the abyss like Joe Paterno did at Penn State earlier this decade, he's at least earned the right to try.

If I'm an FSU fan, the biggest problem I have is not with Bowden but with coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher. What has this guy done to inspire confidence, when all of FSU's glory years were before he got there? Since Jimbo Fisher arrived in 2007, Florida State has been an anemic 80th and a mediocre 54th in total offense. That sounds even worse when you consider that Jimbo Fisher is FSU's offensive coordinator. Obviously the coach-in-waiting thing is not working out, and I think that situation is to blame for all the turmoil and unrest. If FSU was free to go pursue Cincinnati's Brian Kelly or whoever the hot commodity is whenever Bobby retires, I doubt that FSU fans would be as concerned or alarmed as they are now.

4. Oklahoma is the first "Double Elimination" team to be Eliminated 

As my colleague Dexter so astutely pointed out, there are certain teams in college football, like Boise State and Cincinnati, that can't afford to lose a single game if they want to play for the national title. Other teams like Ohio State can possibly afford one slip-up and yet still reach the title game. However, there are three "double elimination" teams that one cannot rule out of the national championship game until they have 2 losses: Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas. This rule could potentially work for any SEC or Big 12 Champion, but it's hard to imagine voters giving Kansas, Missouri, or Ole Miss the benefit of the doubt like they do the Big 3.

So with their 2nd loss this past weekend, we bid adieu to the Sooners' title chances. It's probably the earliest this decade that they've been removed from the discussion. Oklahoma has played in the national championship game 4 times this decade, more than any other team.

Of course if the "fit hits the shan", as it does in Toby Keith's new song, and every other team has at least two losses, then Oklahoma will of course be the first two-loss team to be considered. It's pretty sickening.

# 5 -  There were only 4 Surprising Things this Week

I've scoured over the results from this past weekend and I can't find a damn thing to write about for #5. Dex you got anything?

-Drew

A Dawg Fan's Perspective on the Florida-LSU Game

As Georgia fans, who should we hope loses the Florida/LSU game. I know that sounds like a trick question because of course normally I think we all want Florida to go 0-12.  In '02, '03, and '05 we were good enough and Florida was bad enough that we still won the SEC East despite losing to the Gators.

But there's no way that's possible this year. There's no outcome in this game that changes the fact that we still have to beat Florida. Florida could beat LSU by 50 or lose to LSU by 50 and it just wouldn't matter; the Cocktail Party would still decide everything.

Some concerns if LSU wins:

1. Tebow gives some bullshit speech like he did last year after the Ole Miss game. The last thing I want is for another plaque to go up inside their stadium.  Tebow copied Varsity Blues in his BCS halftime speech and I don't even want to find out what he would copy this time.

2. How many games are the Gators gonna lose? Is there anyway they lose two games? If they only have one loss in them, then it has to come against us. The worst case scenario would be if last year's script repeats itself where Tebow rallies the troops after a loss and they go on a tear.

3. How amazing and epic would it be to knock off Tebow, Curch Meyers, and the #1 Gators ourselves? It would still be sweet to beat the #8 ranked Gators or whatever, but see 1 and 2, above. Would that be less likely to happen?

4. I know I shouldn't let this get in the way for my hatred of Florida, but I seriously hate LSU right now. I want them humbled. I want a team to "not turn their back" on LSU the entire game so that they do get blasted by 100 points. I want smug, goofy-ass Les Miles fired before Richt, and I say that not as a slam to Richt but in hopes that he really can turn things around.
The only advantage I see if LSU does beat Florida is that it would allow us to slip up against Auburn and still go to the Dome. But again it doesn't change the fact that we still have to beat Florida...and I want whatever outcome in the LSU/Florida game is gonna help make sure that happens.

What do you guys think? How does the concussion play into all this? Is Urban more likely to play a not-fully-recovered Tebow since LSU did beat us and now the spotlight is a little brighter? Does the outcome on this game have any bearing on what happens on Halloween? Who do you hope loses??? This is almost like a Florida/Ohio State or Florida/Oklahoma game for me, I will get no pleasure at all out of the outcome.
 
-Drew

Upset Alert-Week 5

While last week saw a flurry of upsets from Columbia, South Carolina where Ole Miss couldn't beat the Cocks, to Eugene, Oregon where the Cal Bears got absolutely embarrassed.  This week presents fewer upset opportunities.  While teams in the top 10 may lose, some may not really be an upset.  LSU for example is ranked number 4, but is a 3.5 point underdog to the #18 Dawgs.  So, while I don't think there will be any big time upsets this week, these are the leading candidates:

1. #8 Oklahoma (at #17 Miami).

The Sooners are a 7.5 point favorite, probably due to Miami's poor performance last week in the rain at Virginia Tech.  However, the Canes find themselves at home this week, and the forecast is free of any precipitation.  The U also catches a bit of a break with Sam Bradford's absence.  While Landry Jones may be a fine QB, he remains unproven.  Sorry, but Idaho State and Tulsa don't count.  Jacory Harris has looked pretty good thus far for Miami, and he'll have to have another great game if his team is going to pull the upset.

2. #9 Ohio State (at Indiana).

Indiana played Michigan tough in Ann Arbor last week, and the Hoosiers will have to have another strong performance if they want to hang with the Buckeyes.  Being at home, Indiana is in more friendly confines this week, but it will be interesting to see how they respond after coming this close last week.  While Terrelle Pryor will be the most talented guy on the field Saturday, that doesn't mean he'll play like it.  Pryor continues to be inconsistent, living up to the hype at times, and falling flat at times.  If the good version of Terrelle Pryor show up, Indiana probably will not win.  However, if the Hoosiers can keep Pryor under wraps, they have the offense to pull off the upset.  By the way, OSU is an 18 point favorite.

3. #7 USC (at #24 Cal).

Okay, so after last week there is really no reason to believe that Cal is capable of beating a Pop Warner squad, let alone the defending (for 7 years now) Pac-10 champion Trojans.  Almost no reason.  First, Cal is at home, and most teams play better at home.  Second, Cal is still a really talented team, with perhaps the best RB in the country in Jahvid Best.  Finally, USC has been less than impressive so far this year, whether their QB is Aaron Corp or Matt Barkley.  They are averaging only 28 points per game, along with the likes of FSU and LSU, two teams thought to have bad offenses.  If the Trojans continue their offensive struggles, don't be surprised if Cal pulls the stunner.

-Dex

Notre Dame May Not Sell Out Home Game?

From the files of "headlines you thought you'd never see," it seems that the Golden Domers still haven't sold out this Saturday's game against the upstart Huskies from Washington. 

Fear not though, it seems that the lack of a sellout is the result of U-dub returning some of their ticket allotment, not a lack of interest from Fighting Irish fans.

Dawgs Can Re-Define Season Against LSU

For Georgia, there were a lot of unknowns coming into this season.  Would Joe Cox be an adequate replacement for Matt Stafford?  Would the King-Samuel-Thomas RB triumvirate be able to match Knowshon's production?  Could the defense get off the field?  Would the penalties and turnovers stop (or at least slow down)?

Many in the Bulldog Nation thought that the opening game against Oklahoma State would go a long way in answering those questions and defining this year's team.  As we all know, the Dawgs ended up losing 24-10.  Georgia turned the ball over 3 times, with 2 of those leading to 10 of Oklahoma State's 24 points.  The final turnover, a Joe Cox interception, would be the final time UGA would touch the ball.

The game was marked by inconsistency for the Dawgs.  Offensively, the first drive looked great.  The offense marched the ball right down the field, with Richard Samuel seemingly picking up where Knowshon left off.  The next 4 possessions resulted in punts, including one 3 and out.  The two fumbles came when Thomas (the first fumble) and Cox (the second) failed to protect the ball, despite the obvious imminent contact.  The interception was a forced throw that didn't need to be made.

The defense was likewise inconsistent.  While going into the game, it was the Cowboy passing attack that everyone was talking about, it turned out to be the run game that hurt the Bulldogs the most.  Oklahoma State managed only 135 yards through the air, but gained 172 yards on the ground.  While Georgia limited Dez Bryant to just 3 catches on the day, 2 of those were for touchdowns, and the defensive backfield looked completely lost on the first of Bryant's TD catches.

The rest of Georgia's season has largely mirrored that first game against Oklahoma State.  The offense looked unstoppable at times against South Carolina, and especially Arkansas.  Yet, that unstoppable offense has continued to turn the ball over and put the defense in bad positions (Georgia currently ranks 95th in the country in scoring defense, surrendering nearly 30 points per game).  That same offense managed only 20 points against a middle of the pack Pac-10 team.  Fortunately for Georgia, the defense played very well against the Sun Devils.  7 of Arizona State's 17 came courtesy of a Joe Cox pick 6, and the other Sun Devil touchdown came on a 37 yard drive that followed a Caleb King fumble.

To this point, the Georgia season has been defined by its inconsistency.  However, the Dawgs have a great opportunity to redefine who they are as a team on Saturday against LSU.  The offense and defense have played well this year, just not in the same game.  The key for UGA will be to have both sides of the ball show up this Saturday.  Georgia is very fortunate to be 3-1, and 2-0 in the SEC.  They are two blocked kicks away from potentially being 1-3 and 1-1 in the SEC.  With a complete TEAM game against LSU, Georgia can go from an inconsistent and mediocre looking team to a serious SEC title contender, capable of going toe-to-toe with Florida.  To do this, the offense will have to stop turning the ball over, and the defense will have to get off the field before the other team puts points on the board.  And of course, it would be nice if the coaches continue to let Blair Walsh put kicks in the back of the endzone.

-Dex

Coaches on the Hot Seat

We're 4 weeks into the season and teams are already playing their coaches onto the hot seat.  Here's the top three:

3. Al Groh, Virginia.  Groh seems to find himself on the hot seat more often than not, but has thus far managed to get his teams to do just enough to save his job.  This year, the Wahoos opened the season with a faceplant against William and Mary, a I-AA team.  They've also got a respectable loss to potential BCS-buster TCU and then a close road loss to Southern Miss.  Looking at their schedule though, Maryland and Duke appear to be the only winnable games left.  The one thing that may save Groh is the extension he signed in 2007, which would keep him around until 2011.  Virginia doesn't have the booster power that Auburn or Tennessee have, and may not want to pony up for a buyout.  Still, if Virginia really only beats Maryland and Duke this year, it is hard to imagine Groh will return in 2010.

2. Dan Hawkins, Colorado.  Sure they have a win, but it was against Wyoming.  The Buffs looked positively horrendous against Toledo in week 2.  The next 3 games are at West Virginia, at #2 Texas, and home against #18 Kansas.  That's not an easy stretch for a team that ranks 84th in total offense and 101st in total defense.  At this point, Hawkins has to be wondering what the hell he was thinking leaving Boise State.  Hawkins is looking at an 8 loss season, which means he may not be around to welcome the Dawgs to Boulder in the fall of 2010.

1. Charlie Weis, Notre Dame.  Before the season ever started, there was a billboard in South Bend wishing Weis the best in his college coaching internship.  Lou Holtz predicted the Irish would play for the national championship, and not to be outdone Beano Cook predicted they would win the BCS championship.  After opening the season with a 35-0 win over mighty Nevada, the pundits were ready to crown Notre Dame.  Since then, the Golden Domers have lost to Michigan, needed a last minute INT to beat Michigan State, and a boneheaded coaching move from Purdue to escape West Lafayette with the W.  Sure they're 3-1, but Notre Dame hasn't made that easy schedule look very easy, and they could just as easily be 1-3.  Washington, a team that despite losing to Stanford has looked good this season, visits South Bend this weekend before the Trojans visit next weekend.  Weis may very well be in must win mode.  He certainly cannot repeat last year's performance against USC if he wants to stick around for next season.

Dis-Honorable Mentions:  Mike Locksley, New Mexico State University, Ralph Friedgen, Maryland

-Dexter

Undefeated...for Now

There are 120 teams in Division 1-A, and 103 of them lost at least once in the month of September. Only 17 teams made it through to October unscathed. But how much longer will these teams stay perfect on the season? It's time to rank them based on when their first loss is most likely to occur: 

10/3

14 (tie). Texas A&M - When your opponents are New Mexico, Utah State, and UAB, you better be unbeaten. This charade ends quickly...as in this Saturday vs. Arkansas. 

14 (tie). LSU - The Bayou Bengals have been blown out in their last three games against Georgia. The Dawgs make it four in a row on Saturday. 

14 (tie). Wisconsin - The Golden Gophers still need a marquee win for their new stadium. They'll get it this Saturday against the Badgers. 

14 (tie). Michigan - This week the Wolverines play at Michigan State, where the Spartans will be trying desperately to save their season. Sparty will pull out a close one to avoid starting 1-4. 

10/10

12 (tie). Houston - The Cougs are rolling after wins over both Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. But I think they played with fire like BYU and scheduled one major conference team too many. If Mississippi State works on their goal line offense the next couple of weeks then the Bulldogs will be able to pull off the upset. 

12 (tie). UCLA - The Bruins could easily lose to Stanford on October 3rd,  but if they get past the Cardinal they'll definitely lose to Oregon the following week. This one could get ugly. 

10/15

11. South Florida - The Bulls host the Bearcats in a marquee Thursday Night game that's reminiscent of the epic battles the Big East waged on Thursday nights in 2006.  Cincinnati has too much firepower to lose in Tampa. 

10/17

9 (tie). Iowa - If the Hawkeyes are going to lose before their showdown with Ohio State on November 14th, it'll be home against Michigan on October 10th or at Wisconsin on October 17th. I probably have this one reversed, but the Badgers will end the Hawkeyes' undefeated season if the Wolverines don't. 

9 (tie). Missouri - I don't have any faith in the Tigers, but the underdog almost always wins the Thursday night game so look for them to squeak by Nebraska on October 8th. There's no chance they escape Sillwater with a win however. 

10/24 

8. Kansas - The Jayhawks are a gritty team but they'll be facing a ticked off Sooners squad that's coming off a loss to Texas. The undefeated season was nice while it lasted. 

10/31

6 (tie). Florida - The Georgia Bulldogs have an offense (see the South Carolina and Arkansas games) and a defense (see Oklahoma State and Arizona State). They just haven't appeared in the same game yet. That all changes against Florida. The Dawgs have a bye week to prepare for the Gators like they did in 2007 when they won 42-30. Tebow or no Tebow, the Gators dream of an undefeated season dies in Jacksonville on Halloween night, along with their SEC title hopes.

6 (tie). Texas - Forget trick or treating, haunted houses, and scary movies. Make plans to spend Halloween night in front of SportsCenter and GameDay Final to watch the chaos that erupts when #1 and #2 both go down. Oklahoma State and Texas have a history of playing some real barnburners, and this one should be no different..except for the outcome. Cowboy Up! 

11/14

4 (tie). TCU - The Horned Frogs will be in the BCS discussion for much of the season, especially after they rout BYU on October 24th. But look for them to slip up at home against the other team from the Beehive State. 

4 (tie). Auburn - Auburn has struggled against Arkansas for most of this decade, and this year's Razorbacks squad is certainly capable of beating the Tigers on October 10th. But if Auburn is able to survive its trip to Fayetteville, they should remain undefeated all the way to November 14th when they'll face A.J. Green, Orson Charles, Branden Smith, Joe Cox, Aron White, Michael Moore, Rantavious Wooten, Brandon Boykin, Richard Samuel,  Caleb King, a much improved O-line, and a jacked up Sanford Stadium crowd. 

11/27 

3. Alabama - The Crimson Tide will be #1 for most of November once Halloween claims both Texas and Florida. But then on Thanksgiving weekend Gus Malzahn, Auburn's offensive coordinator, will show what a true genius he is. Saban loses the one game that he has to have. 

Fall 2010 

2. Cincinnati - The Bearcats are going undefeated this year. They'll win whatever BCS bowl the system condescends to put them in, whether it's the National Championship Game or not. They might win all their games this year but they're destined to lose their coach. 

Maybe never 

1.   Boise State - The Broncos are one of the youngest teams in the country. They show no signs of losing this year and they'll be even better next year. I doubt the voters will ever allow a Cincinnati vs. Boise State game to happen, so the Broncos will have to settle for a #2 final ranking and dreams of a National Championship in 2010. 

 -Drew

Top 5 Most Surprising Results - Week 4

1. The Top 10 Continues to be a Revolving Door 

Penn State looked bad, and Cal, Miami, and Ole Miss looked even worse. None of them are in the Top 10 anymore after suffering their first losses of the season, mostly in train wreck fashion.  Cal dropped like a rock all the way from #6 to #24, and Ole Miss went from #4 to #21 after looking totally inept at South Carolina on Thursday night. Penn State drops ten spots from #5 to #15 after being bullied by Iowa. Miami took the shortest tumble, falling only eight spots to #17, but they were never competitive against Virginia Tech.

With all of this Week 4 carnage, several one-loss wonders find themselves back in prime position, including #6 Virginia Tech, #7 USC, #8 Oklahoma, and #9 Ohio State.

2. Oregon's Turnaround

Has there ever been a more dramatic turnaround in the month of September? The Ducks kicked off the college football season with an all-time implosion at Boise State but have somehow picked themselves off of the blue turf to resemble the team that many thought they would be. They made #6 Cal look like UC-Davis. Although their offense can't be maligned any more, many are still skeptical of their wardrobe choices. Personally I think the feathers are a hilarious addition, but the throw back uniforms certainly seemed to work for them this past weekend. However nothing can top the Marvin the Martian look from two weeks ago.

3. Florida State is Totally Schizophrenic

Who the hell knows why Game Day chose Florida State at Boston College this Saturday, but Corso and the boys could definitely use all two hours to analyze the Seminoles' first 2-2 start in 20 years. FSU has been all over the map both literally and figuratively. First they commit the cardinal sin of almost losing to a 1-AA team, then they blast #7 BYU in Provo, and this past Saturday they once again look anemic in a home loss to red-headed stepchild South Florida. If that pattern is any indication, look for them to win in Chestnut Hill by 50.

4. TCU and Houston Continue to Beat Big-Boy Teams 

Boise State appears to have the non-BCS BCS spot locked up, but TCU and Houston are worthy successors should Boise stumble. TCU has now beaten 2 ACC schools ( if Virginia still counts) and Houston has beaten two Big 12 schools ( including then-#5 Oklahoma State). Houston goes to Starkville in two weeks to play the Mississippi State team that almost shocked LSU this weekend. If Houston goes undefeated with three big-boy scalps on their resume, would the Cougars get a BCS invite in addition to Boise State?

5. LSU and Ole Miss are Possibly the Worst #4 Teams of All Time

We all knew that #4 ranking next to Ole Miss' name looked kind of funny, and Thursday night sure proved it. LSU is the next fraudulent team to wear the # 4 ranking. They've done nothing to impress four weeks into the season and are an inevitable blowout loss to Georgia away from dropping down into the twenties where they belong.

-Drew

Picture of the Week

From Detroit 4 Lyfe:

3 Teams on Upset Alert- Week 4

1.  Michigan (vs. Indiana)

Indiana is coming into this game 3-0, and has already won a road game.  More importantly, Michigan is starting to feel good about itself, and with a game next week against in-state rival Michigan State, this could be the classic trap game.  The offense is running well, but the defense has been suspect all season long.  Indiana hasn't won in Ann Arbor in 42 years.  While it probably won't happen this week either, don't be shocked if the Hoosiers pull the upset.

2.  Cal (at Oregon)

Autzen stadium is never an easy place to play, and Pac-10 road games are looking more and more difficult to win (just ask USC).  While Cal has a Heisman candidate at running back, Oregon of course lost their best player to "the punch."  If Cal struggles in the second half like they did against Minnesota, we could be looking at a second top ten team losing this week.

3.  Washington (at Stanford)

This is the classic let down game.  There is no way the coaches at Washington, no matter how good they are, can convince the Huskies to be as geeked emotionally as they were last week for the Trojans.  It's human nature.  Meanwhile, Stanford, in their two wins have put up 39 points, and 42 points.  The Washington defense will have to show up like it did last week, or the Huskies could end September with a disappointing loss.

-Dexter

Top 5 Most Surprising Results- Week 3

1. Tennessee is actually competitive against Florida

I admit, I was one of the many people that wondered if Tennessee was even going to be able to get a first down against the Gators. But the Vols held Florida in check so well that Urban felt compelled to cough up a few excuses, blaming everything from the flu to Lane Kiffin's conservative play calling.

Lane responded with a zinger of his own: "“I guess we’ll wait, and after [the next game], if we’re not excited about a performance, we’ll tell you everybody was sick."

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, you have got to let these two call each other names all year long! Don't tell them to stop...it's comedy gold.

2. USC excuses itself from the national championship race by losing to U-Dub

For the 4th year in a row, USC lost in shocking fashion to a Pac-10 team that it has absoutely no business losing to. This time the embarrassment was inflicted by Washington, one year removed from an 0-12 record and its worst season in school history. Whereas USC coach Pete Carroll is now reduced to blaming his own players for the loss, Washington is reveling in the midst of a remarkable turnaround. Under the guidance of new coach Steve Sarkisian, the Huskies end the nation's longest losing streak one week and then punk #3 USC the next. Only three games into his tenure, has Sarkisian already shown that he's the second hottest coach in college football?

3. Speaking of the hottest coach in the game, Brian Kelly continues to amaze at Cincinnati

In 2007, his first year at Cincinnati, Brian Kelly led the Bearcats to their first 10-win season since 1949. In 2008, he coached his team to 11 wins and the Big East Championship. And so far in 2009? The Bearcats have won 3 games, each one in eyebrow-raising fashion, to post arguably the best resume of any team so far this year.

They went to Rutgers, a team that many pegged to make some noise in the Big East, and won 45-17. They scored 70 points against their cupcake in Week 2. And then this past week, they went on the road and beat Oregon State, something that USC hasn't been able to do in its past two attempts .

Don't look now, but Cincinnati may have already played its way into the National Championship game. With all the chaos surrounding the preseason favorites, their path is becoming clearer and clearer each and every week.

4. Florida State obliterates #7 BYU to save us all from their BCS-title hopes

Who the hell does BYU think they are? They think they can come around once every 25 years and act like they belong at the big boys table? I don't think it works that way. Non-BCS teams have to earn their way into the discussion, just as Boise State has done by posting the best winning percentage of any team this decade. If any non-BCS team deserves a shot, it's the one that has proved itself year in and year out on the blue turf. And hey, BYU - don't think Boise St. is too impressed with your 14-13 win over Oklahoma. After all, they have a win over the Sooners of their own...you may have heard of it?

5. Georgia's offense is scary good but their defense is scary bad

The past two weeks have been pretty remarkable for the Dawgs. It's so rare to put up 93 points in consecutive weeks against SEC teams not named Vanderbilt and Kentucky. It's also uncommon for Georgia to be ranking dead last in the SEC in nearly every single defensive category. Will the Arena Football League/WAC/Big 12 shoot-outs continue this week for the Dawgs? As long as Joe Cox is our quarterback and Willie Martinez is our defensive coordinator, I say yes.

-Drew

Urban Meyer Once Again Reveals His Douchiness

If you talked to anyone who knew anything about college football before last Saturday, and asked them what they thought was going to happen in the Florida-Tennessee game, you no doubt would have gotten a response along the lines of "Florida will crush Tennessee; it won't be close, and Urban Meyer will take every chance he can to embarrass Lane Kiffin."

This would have been a pretty reasonable response given Urban's history of demanding his respect, be it the timeouts called against Georgia, the late field goal against Miami, or the extra touchdowns his teams would score when he coached at Utah. There were rumors that the Florida band was going to play Rocky Top, and it would haven surprised no one to see Florida try to hang 100 on the Vols.

Of course, the game turned out to be surprisingly close. Meyer, never one to be satisfied with a win, had this to say about Kiffin and the Vols:

"When I saw them start handing the ball off, I didn't feel like they were going after the win."

and

"It was unbelievable. They were taking their time snapping the ball when they could go win the game. There was no two-minute drill."

I don't get why Curch Meyer thinks that he has to do anymore than go out and win the game. Maybe his father never told little Urban that he loved him. Maybe he was picked on a lot as a kid, and calling timeouts with 39 point leads is his way of showing his elementary school classmates that he's not the pussy they thought he was. Whatever his motivation, accusing a team of not trying to win a game is not the mark of a great coach; it's the mark of a douche.

-Dexter

Overreactions-Week 2

In what will be a semi-regular post at Dawg Dudes, we'll review some of the previous week's results and look at some of the overreactions based on those results.

First, the delusional overreaction. This is the one where after a single win, or a few good plays, the fans and pundits start to talk about how great the team has suddenly become.

This week, it has to be Michigan. The 38-34 win over Notre Dame has to be Rich Rod's signature win in his short tenure. However, we should be careful to anoint Michigan as as being "back." Sure the offense looked great, but the defense is extremely suspect. They gave up over 330 yards through the air, and if it wasn't for Charlie Weis' inability to manage the clock, Michigan would have a lot more questions this week. While it was a nice win for Michigan, they beat a Notre Dame team that not many thought was great, save for Lou Holtz and Beano Cook. If they continue to be great on offense, and can improve on defense before their showdown with Penn State, then we can start talk about Michigan being back. Until then, let's not overreact.

Now, for the Colin Cowherd myopic fan overreaction. This is the one where a poor performance, or a loss causes fans and pundits to overreact and pronounce the team dead.

This week, it goes to Ohio State. Sorry. THE Ohio State University. So pretentious. Anyway, OSU lost to a pretty good USC team. Plus, they weren't embarrassed like last year. It's progress, right? Fans in Columbus are wanting Sweater Vest to give up his play calling duties because he's "too conservative." Buckeye fans do realize that Tressel's play calling has given them 5 conference titles, and a BCS title. This isn't something Tressel started doing this year. Look, sometimes you lose some close games. During the 2002 season, tOSU won more than its fair share of close games thanks to the play calling that is now "too conservative." OSU played a great team, and they lost. Tressel doesn't need to change his style, and OSU's season isn't over. When they lose to Penn State, then the season will be over, but until then, let's not overreact.

-Dexter

Top 5 Most Surprising Results Week 2

1. 3 SEC teams now in the AP top 5 - In what may be an unprecedented feat, three teams from one conference are all ranked in the top 5 of the AP poll. No, Tennessee is not one of them.

2. Georgia's offense blows up - The game that everyone expected to be either 3-2 or at the most 10-9 turned into an offensive explosion. The Dawgs end up scoring 41 points against a stout South Carolina defense and prove that maybe their offense may not be a liability this season after all. In one remarkable week, the same Georgia team that many doubted could score a single touchdown against the Cocks is now expected to win another shootout, this time against Arkansas.

3. A top 5 team goes down for the 2nd week in a row - One week after #3 Oklahoma loses to BYU, #5 Oklahoma State gets pantsed at home by Houston. Is there any possible way for a top 5 team to lose again this week? USC plays at Washington, and both Cal and Oregon State can testify that USC has a history of struggling in their Pac 10 road openers. Texas hosts Texas Tech in a rematch of one of the best games of 2008 - could Mike Leach strike twice in a row? If USC and Texas both survive, then we may have to wait another week before any major shakedowns. Fellow top-5ers Florida, Alabama, and Ole Miss are virtual locks to win this Saturday.

4. The bottom falls out at Colorado - Their season started poorly with a home loss to Colorado State, but then the Buffs played at Toledo on a Friday night for some unknown reason and got blown out 54-38. Colorado was down 30-3 midway through the third quarter, and only a couple of "excuse me" touchdowns in the final 2:56 made the score as close as it was.

5. Charlie "Mr. Tactical Advantage" Weis fails to manage a game properly once again - Actually this one isn't too much of a surprise at all, but it is fascinating that people like Lou Holtz and Beano Cook haven't learned anything after watching the Irish stumble through the worst two year stretch in the program's history. How many more clock misadventures or horrible play calls or abysmal losses must there be before they stop picking Notre Dame to have wildly successful seasons?

-Drew

Top 5 Most Surprising Results - Week 1

Although it will be hard for anything to top the Appalachian State-fueled drama and craziness of Opening Weekend 2007, the first week of the 2009 college football season definitely had some memorable moments. A mega-upset, a total implosion, and some surprising blowouts all served to let us know that this season could feature more wacky turns and unexpected outcomes than what we had in 2008, a season that was as boring and by-the-books as they come. Here's hoping that the excitement and momentum generated this weekend will continue to build over the next few months into an all-out orgy of BCS chaos and debate.


1. BYU 14, Oklahoma 13

The Sam Bradford injury definitely helped make this upset possible, but BYU was playing Oklahoma toe to toe even before the 2008 Heisman winner got hurt. This upset is a total game changer for the 2009 season. It virtually ensures that OU won't back-door their way into the National Championship game for the third time in 7 years (or, if you're an Auburn fan, for the 4th time in 7 years). It gives hope to any number of teams that would have likely been barred from playing for the national title had the Sooners cruised through their schedule with the ease that was expected.

Along with Florida, Texas, and USC, Oklahoma was one of the 4 teams that seemed to start the year in a different stratosphere than everyone else, but it only took OU one week to find themselves back amongst the common folk. The same team that in 2008 scored the most points in NCAA history has now lost two games in a row (including the loss in the title game this past January) and has failed to score more than a couple of TDs in each one.  Bradford is projected to be back in as few as 2 to 4 weeks, but the fall-out from this loss is certain to last much longer than that.

2. Oregon's Implosion



I haven't seen anything like Oregon's deer-in-the-headlights performance since 2007, when Notre Dame started off 0-5 and looked magnificently bad in each loss. It's fascinating to watch a team coming off a successful season or two and with high expectations for the new year get suddenly and emphatically exposed. Oregon scored at least 31 points in 11 of 13 games last year, and with their QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB LeGarrette Blount returning,  there were murmurs that the Ducks could be the ones to finally end USCs seven-year Pac-10 reign.  However, in supposed-offensive guru Chip Kelly's first game as head coach, the Ducks failed to get one freaking first down until mid-way through the 3rd quarter and they ended up with fewer total yards than any Oregon team has gained in nearly 15 years. The Ducks looked totally out-classed, in spite of the fancy new feathers on their uniforms.

If Oregon hopes to rebound, they'll have to do it without Blount,  who was suspended for the season after losing his mind in a much more violent fashion than what you'll see whenever Lou Holtz brings the crazy.  Not only is he done for the year, but since he's a senior, his college football career is effectively over. To make matters worse...the dude rushed for minus 5 yards in the Boise State game after rushing for 1002 yards in 2008, his only year as a Duck. That means that he's no longer a 1000 yard rusher! His performance Thursday night brings his total career yardage at Oregon down to 997. It's rare that one mistake can screw up your past, present, and future, but, with his post-game antics, Blount managed to pull off the trifecta.

I honestly don't think Blount would have been suspended for the entire season if he had just punched the Boise player and his own teammate. but when he tried to go after fans, Oregon had no choice but to suspend him for the year. By the way, I love how Boise State coach Chris Peterson didn't even glance over at Blount even though the punch landed inches from his face.  He was totally unfazed. What a champ!

3. Train wreck teams somehow stay on the tracks

Would anyone have been surprised if Notre Dame and Michigan lost their openers? Would anyone have totally shocked if a Lane Kiffen-coached Tennessee team or a Gene Chizik-coached Auburn team bumbled and stumbled their way to closer-than-expected wins?  The real surprise lies in the fact that these four teams actually looked like they know how to play football. Granted, their competition this weekend wasn't the best, but especially in Tennessee's case I would think the fact that Kiffin was able to find his way to the stadium and the team knew how to line up correctly would make the first game a raging success... let alone them scoring 60 something points. Their game against Florida might actually be interesting for a series or two now...

4. Missouri somehow makes Gary Pinkel look good

I thought for sure once Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, et al. left town that Missouri would go back to being a middling team with a hot-seat coach. But the Tigers made sure that Zook sat his ass down in the hot seat instead.  Check out his "accomplishments" at Illinois: 3 losing seasons in 4 years, including a two-win season in 2005 (0-8 in the Big 10) and another two-win season in 2006 (1-7 in the Big 10). And this is the team that the Rose Bowl bastards thought they should match up against USC instead of Georgia in 2007??

5. Virginia loses to William & Mary by 12 points

Nothing short of an appearance in the ACC title game will save Al Groh's job now. Has a coach ever been fired after the first week of the season?

-Drew

3 Bold Predictions for the College Football Season

3.  Florida State will win the ACC.

This is really more of a no-confidence vote for Clemson and Wake than it is an endorsement of FSU.  The Seminoles have 3 tough conference road games:  UNC, Clemson, and Wake, not to mention at BYU and at Florida.  FSU can actually lose those 3 road games and still win the conference.  In 2005, they lost 3 conference games, yet still won the conference title.  Virginia Tech did the same last year.  Why not FSU this year?

2.  Alabama will only win 9 games.

Did you know that Nick Saban has never had consecutive 10 win seasons?  Although this was supposed to be "the year" that Saban put it all together in Tuscaloosa, the Tide are playing with an inexperienced quarterback and an unproven offensive line.


1.  Ohio State will play Texas in the BCS title game.

How can I pick against Jean Shorts Jesus?  Because I hate Florida.  Plus I think OSU will go undefeated and Texas will have better wins than THE MOST OVERWHELMING FAVORITE IN THE HISTORY OF COMPETITIVE SPORTS, thus eeking out a spot in the BCS title game ahead of Florida.  The fighting Sweater Vests have a tough game against USC, but they get the Trojans at home, and early in the season when Matt Barkley will still be getting his feet wet.  Also, as much as my hate for the Buckeyes doesn't want me to admit it, Terrelle Pryor is the real deal.  He's going to have a huge season and may even make some noise in the Heisman race.

-Dexter

Florida, Texas, Oklahoma Playing Double Elimination

Not only is Florida the Chosen One, led by Jean Shorts Jesus, but they, along with Texas and Oklahoma are playing double elimination this season.  The rest?  They're one and done.

If everyone (and by everyone, we of course are excluding teams from the riff-raff conferences) loses once, the BCS championship game will be Florida versus the winner of the Texas-Oklahoma game.  Of course, even if Florida, the winner of the Texas-Oklahoma game, and three other go undefeated, Florida will still play the winner of the Texas-Oklahoma game in the BCS championship game.

It wouldn't matter if the SEC and the Big 12 turn out to be the two weakest BCS conferences because Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma have been annointed as the best teams, even before a single game has been played.  It doesn't matter that Florida and Texas have two of the weakest schedules in the country.  Where Alabama has scheduled Virginia Tech, Texas will play Louisiana-Monroe, and where USC has scheduled Ohio State, Florida will play Troy.  So while USC, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Alabama and the rest of the field cannot afford to lose a single game, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma can.

-Dexter

The AP has Annointed its Chosen One

You’re probably aware that the AP poll came out on Saturday. How could you miss it, what with all the trumpets blaring and angels singing? The media did its best to make it sound as though the Gators are the only team in the history of football that’s ever been predicted to be kind of good.

Yet the dirty little secret that they didn’t share is that Florida is the “MOST PROHIBITIVE FAVORITE EVER” by a smaller percentage than the number of fans who actually liked those Dr. Lou segments.

The smart people over at the AP Poll Archive have posted the percentage of first place votes of every #1 team in the history of the AP preseason poll.  2007 USC received 62 of 65 first place votes, or 95.38%. 2009 Florida has received 58 of 60 first place votes, or 96.67%. The difference? A whopping 1.29%. This fact was buried in fine print this weekend if it was even mentioned in the orgasmic media coverage at all.

Although the media is presenting 2009 Florida as a foregone conclusion, the last two “sure bets” in college football, 2005 USC and 2003 Oklahoma, both met spectacular demises. OU’s epic flame out against Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game and USC laying out a red carpet for Vince Young and Texas are both the stuff of legend.

So even though the gators are a near unanimous number one, it's not as if this is without precedent. and we all know what happened to 2007 USC- they lost to a 40 point underdog. So...Vanderbilt, Kentucky, or Mississippi State...are you guys up to the challenge??

-Drew

The Best of Intentions...Or Why the BCS Isn't All Bad

Although the BCS has failed to provide a successful resolution to almost every controversy it has faced in its 11 years of existence, the system does deserve props for bringing an official national championship game to college football. Amazingly, the sport somehow went 129 years without one. It may seem infuriating that only two teams can play in this championship game, when there are usually several other squads that are just as worthy to participate as the ones that are selected. But the BCS does bring some semblance of consistency and authority to the selection of a national chamipon, a process that prior to 1998 was a total free for all. There were no guarantees in the pre-BCS era that the top two teams in the final regular season polls would play each other in a bowl game. In fact, up until 1968 for the AP poll and 1974 for the coaches poll, the national champion was selected prior to the bowl games. Not only was there usually no bowl game between the #1 and #2 ranked teams, if there was such a game then its result was irrelevant!

And once the bowl games were factored in, chaos still reigned. For example, Big 8 Champ Nebraska was 12-0 and ranked #1 at the end of the 1983 regular season and Southwest Conference Champ Texas was 11-0 and ranked #2. Because the Big 8 Champ was automatically slated for the Orange Bowl and the SWC Champ contracted to go to the Cotton Bowl, this would-be titantic clash was simply not eligible to occur. As a result, #5 Miami, a team that had already lost a regular season game by 25 points, was given an ear of corn with a Christmas bow around it and a chance to knock off the #1 Huskers. The Canes made the most of their opportunity and beat Nebraska 31-30. Their huge win became a National Chamiponship win since #2 Texas and #4 Illinois lost their bowl games. Even though #3 Auburn beat Michigan in the Sugar Bowl, they had the misfortune of being matched up against a team that was only ranked #8. Miami stole the spotlight, and the voters jumped the Hurricanes over the Tigers in the final AP and Coaches polls. This convoluted process, where your championship aspirations depended on your conference's bowl tie-in and the quality of your bowl opponnet, is certainly not any fairer than the BCS system that's used today.

The BCS has managed to shift the chaos to the regular season, making each and every week an epic battle in which teams jockey for position. Teams know that at the end of the season-long horse race only the first and second place spots are rewarded. The popularity of college football has risen to unprecedented levels as fans now pay rigorous attention to games from across the country that could have an impact on their team's ranking. Each Saturday has become a mini-Armageddon, with reports coming in from different precincts throughout the day to announce which teams have survived and which ones haven't. The BCS mantra is true: every game in the regular season matters.

The BCS biggest flaw is not that it selets only two teams to play for the national championship....that's actually its biggest strength.  Its problem is that it so rarely selects the right two teams. It has been presented with every situation imaginable and has failed to produce a reasonable result almost every single time. The BCS mission to pick the two best teams to play each other in a national championship game is sound. It's the fact that it's failed to carry out that mission in 7 of 11 years that has made it the object of scorn, ridicule, and hated from college football nation.


-Drew