NCAA Week 4 Discussion

[miami_fan]

The Buffs and the Canes in the OB

[Joe]

no cable=the sux0rs. but at least i still get to watch Iowa-OSU

[Icy]

no cable=the sux0rs. but at least i still get to watch Iowa-OSU

I'm watching it too.

[jbmagic]

Northwestern is killing Penn state 23-7 with 6 mins left in the 2nd quarter.

[sovereignstar]

Gophers-Purdue shaping up to be a good one. 10-7 at the half. Maybe this is why Glen Mason needs to go. Just stupid coaching.

Purdue has the ball around midfield, 4th and 3, 26 seconds left in the half. Both teams have timeouts. Hey Glen, call a fucking timeout. He doesn't. Pudue takes one with 3 seconds left and get a chance at a hail mary.

How do you not see that coming? Where is that coaching application for Florida again.

[dawgfan]

Washington hosts Notre Dame in a couple of hours as Ty Willie faces the school that cut short his stay. Much as I wish this were the year that Washington could erase their embarassing 0-5 mark against the Irish, especially given the circumstances, it would take a major upset to do so. I'll be in Husky Stadium doing everything I can to give my boys the benefit of a full homefield advantage, but I have the feeling the beer I'll be having after the game will be to drown my sorrows rather than celebrate...

[cartman]

I'm wondering if Texas Tech will score 100 tonight. They are playing a Div. 1-AA school that lost earlier this season to a NAIA school. It is going to be ugly.

[MJ4H]

Alabama 7, Arkansas 3 at half. Good game so far.

[Noop]

Ping The Miami Swagger You Are Needed At The Orange Bowl.

[sovereignstar]

I'm making the call right now. Glen Mason will NOT be coaching the Minnesota Gophers in 2006.

[Joe]

cupito=worthless. bring back Asad Abdu Khaliq

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Purdue / Minn game and PSU/NW are pretty close and have been entertaining so far.

[Passacaglia]

Gophers took too much time off the clock.

[Schmidty]

MSU is proving they are no fluke and leading the Illini 61-14 with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

Look out U-M.


edit to reflect score.

[sovereignstar]

MSU is proving they are no fluke and leading the Illini 59-14 with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

Look out U-M.

You're playing a Div I-AA team. Are you seriously that happy with a win over the Illini.

[Passacaglia]

Gophers took too much time off the clock.

Never mind.

[sovereignstar]

Time to step it up, 'D'.

[Schmidty]

You're playing a Div I-AA team. Are you seriously that happy with a win over the Illini.

I'm happy to be 4-0 and to be emphatically 4-0.

[miami_fan]

Ping The Miami Swagger You Are Needed At The Orange Bowl.
These are your kinder gentler Canes. They have been told that having swagger is a very bad thing. :D

[Schmidty]

Come on Purdue, show the Nophers where they belong.

[sovereignstar]

I look forward to the day that Passacaglia makes you his bitch on this board.

[sovereignstar]

wooooooooooooo!!!

[miami_fan]

Arkansas 13 Alabama 17 about 7 minutes left The Hogs are trying to make a comeback

[Passacaglia]

Can't we all just get along and be Big 10 fans? :)

[Schmidty]

I look forward to the day that Passacaglia makes you his bitch on this board.

Obviously you aren't man enough to.

[Schmidty]

Can't we all just get along and be Big 10 fans? :)

Yes, as long as MSU beats your guys. ;)

[sovereignstar]

It'll be interesting to see what the playclaying for Minny will be on offense.

[Passacaglia]

Yes, as long as MSU beats your guys. ;)

Yeah, I didn't think we could.

[miami_fan]

Please local ABC affiliate. Show the GT-VT game!

[sovereignstar]

Gophers have got to go for two if they pound it in here.

[sovereignstar]

Fuck you, Glen.

[Joe]

At least Giannini picked a good week not to miss any extra points. So far anyway.

[sovereignstar]

here we go, mofos!!!

[sovereignstar]

yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

[Joe]

woohoo!!!

[Joe]

but I still hate Cupito.

[NoMyths]

Grrrr. :mad:

Terrible defensive playcalling. Props to Minnesota's offensive line...they were spectacular today.

[sovereignstar]

but I still hate Cupito.

I hear ya. It's like you know he's gonna cost the Gophers a game sooner or later.

Grrrr. :mad:

Terrible defensive playcalling. Props to Minnesota's offensive line...they were spectacular today.

Didn't know you were a Purdue fan. That's cool. Never seen one of them around here. :)

[WSUCougar]

UW Dawgs giving a strong effort versus Notre Dame through one quarter. Tough break on the one yard line or they'd be up 7-3.

[Schmidty]

TD Irish!!!!! :D

[Joe]

I hear ya. It's like you know he's gonna cost the Gophers a game sooner or later.



Games

[jeff061]

I hate Notre Dame. I love Charlie Weiss. It's a paradox that could kill a man!!!

[WSUCougar]

That's two killer red zone turnovers for the Huskies. Other than that, they have looked really spunky. I like what their QB is doing, overall.

[NoMyths]

Didn't know you were a Purdue fan. That's cool. Never seen one of them around here. :)Been around here since before I went to grad school at Purdue (and thus at the time was more of a K-State fan), but have cheered the Boilers on since 2000 or so. But yeah, you'll find less of them around than most of the other Big 10 teams. :)

Stupid defensive playcalling. :(

[cthomer5000]

poor, poor Kentucky. Florida is delivering a massive beat-down. 42-7 with 2 minutes to go in the first half...

[Logan]

You're playing a Div I-AA team. Are you seriously that happy with a win over the Illini.

That statement really infuriates this Rutgers fan.

[JeeberD]

There are only three non-BCS teams that remain undefeated and two of them meet tonight when the 3-0 University of New Mexico Loblows faces 2-0 UTEP in the Sun Bowl. Both teams have high octane offenses and some special players on defense...this one is gonna be close. I have the Miners winning by ten, the 50,000+ crowd in El Paso will be the difference.

[MacroGuru]

BYU is up on TCU 24 - 16

Their offense is moving the ball quite well, but they gave up a 100 yard KR for a TD...and 1 stupid turnover by Watkins....as it looks....I expect TCU to come out slugging in the 2nd half like they did against Utah.

[MacroGuru]

There are only three non-BCS teams that remain undefeated and two of them meet tonight when the 3-0 University of New Mexico Loblows faces 2-0 UTEP in the Sun Bowl. Both teams have high octane offenses and some special players on defense...this one is gonna be close. I have the Miners winning by ten, the 50,000+ crowd in El Paso will be the difference.
I find it funny you use the phrase High Octane with the Lobos Offense

[JeeberD]

UNM is averaging about 35 points per game...wouldn't you call that high octane?

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

ND v. UW 12-3 At halftime.

[MacroGuru]

UNM is averaging about 35 points per game...wouldn't you call that high octane?

<TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=600 border=1><TBODY><TR bgColor=#cccccc><TD>Mon</TD><TD>09/05/05</TD><TD>UNLV</TD><TD>University Stadium</TD><TD>ESPN2</TD><TD width=100>W, 24-22

Recap (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090505aaa.html) | Final Stats (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2005-2006/nm-lv.html) | Quotes (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090505aad.html) | Notes (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090505aac.html) | Gametracker (http://javascript<b></b>:window.open('http://livestats.golobos.collegesports.com/livestats/data/m-footbl/345082/','mfootblGameTracker','toolbar=no,resizable=no,scrollbars=no,width=780,height=540');%20void('');)
</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD>Sat</TD><TD>09/10/05</TD><TD>Missouri</TD><TD>Columbia, Mo.</TD><TD>TBA</TD><TD width=100>W, 45-35

Recap (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091005aaa.html) | Final Stats (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2005-2006/nm-mu.html) | Quotes (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091105aad.html) | Notes (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091005aae.html) | Gametracker (http://javascript<b></b>:window.open('http://livestats.golobos.collegesports.com/livestats/data/m-footbl/326969/','mfootblGameTracker','toolbar=no,resizable=no,scrollbars=no,width=780,height=540');%20void('');)
</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#cccccc><TD>Sat</TD><TD>09/17/05</TD><TD>New Mexico State</TD><TD>University Stadium</TD><TD>KRQE delay</TD><TD width=100>W, 38-21

Recap (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091705aaa.html) | Final Stats (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2005-2006/nmsu-nm.html) | Quotes (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091805aaa.html) | Notes (http://golobos.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091805aab.html) | Gametracker (http://javascript<b></b>:window.open('http://livestats.golobos.collegesports.com/livestats/data/m-footbl/332383/','mfootblGameTracker','toolbar=no,resizable=no,scrollbars=no,width=780,height=540');%20void('');)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Out of their 3 games...their only solid win is against Missouri.....UNLV....cellar dweller in the MWC and I thought New Mexico State was a high school team....

Please....UTEP should hand them their ass tonight...if they don't, you owe me a beer....:D

[Z²+]

PITTSBURGH 41
Youngstown State 0

It was a perfect practice exercise for our next I-AA opponent, Rutgers :p


Note to Walt Harris: It is, in fact, possible to score an offensive touchdown vs. a Sisters of the Poor Branch Campus, you dolt.

[Noop]

Virgina Tech is the #2 team in the country I think they can play with anyone and beat any team except USC who I would make a 7 point favorite. I mean wow those guys are a very good team. Everyone on that team knows their role and does it well.

Josh Portis Florida's backup QB is young but you can see that potential for him and Urban's offense. I know Kentucky sucks but man he looks like a player...

I am not much of an Irish fan but I will give credit when credit is due those guys will compete every game. Charlie is out coaching everbody and he should be considerig he has a couple of superbowl titles to his credit. Two years from now they will be unstoppable unless a NFL team scoops him up.

[JeeberD]

Please....UTEP should hand them their ass tonight...if they don't, you owe me a beer....:D

So do you owe me one if we blow them out? Oh, wait, they don't have any beer in Utah, huh? ;)

Any time you can go into a Big 12 team's stadium and put up 45 points it's a pretty big deal (unless it's against Baylor, of course :D ). UNM had a QB who can both throw the ball and run really well, they have a big, strong, soft handed WR, and Dontrell Moore is a player, and their o-line averages 320lbs. Their offense could be tough to stop...especially since our corners are young and our d-line is beat up right now.

However, our offense is even better than UNM's. We can beat you deep, we can beat you short. We can beat you with the pass, we can beat you with the run.

Should be a really fun game to watch. :)

[sovereignstar]

ND v. UW 12-3 At halftime.

Does that constitute a ND route? ;)

[VPI97]

Quote of the day:

My wife on Reggie Ball - "If this is him at 100%, then he sucks out the ass"

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Does that constitute a ND route? ;)
Lat week was a bad week for me. ;)

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Now the rout is on. 36-10 Notre Dame.

[MacroGuru]

So do you owe me one if we blow them out? Oh, wait, they don't have any beer in Utah, huh? ;)

Any time you can go into a Big 12 team's stadium and put up 45 points it's a pretty big deal (unless it's against Baylor, of course :D ). UNM had a QB who can both throw the ball and run really well, they have a big, strong, soft handed WR, and Dontrell Moore is a player, and their o-line averages 320lbs. Their offense could be tough to stop...especially since our corners are young and our d-line is beat up right now.

However, our offense is even better than UNM's. We can beat you deep, we can beat you short. We can beat you with the pass, we can beat you with the run.

Should be a really fun game to watch. :)
Dontrell Moore has a glass body...he breaks easy....I will send you some of the 3.2% beer we have here, it tastes like shit.

Their QB is looking impressive, but I feel you should win...

[MacroGuru]

41-36 for BYU with 6 minutes left in the game...We are trying to give the damn game away like Utah did.

Oh, and TCU has their backup Ballard in, and he looks a lot better than Gunn has in the past 3 weeks I have watched TCU....

[cthomer5000]

It was a perfect practice exercise for our next I-AA opponent, Rutgers :p
Pitt fans are in no position to be talking shit.

[MacroGuru]

BYU just gave up the lead with 1:41 left in the game......and they allowed the 2 pt conversion....

41-44 for TCU.....I am going to scream!

[JeeberD]

Gah...this is one of those games that I HATE both of the teams involved. Maybe Provo can just implode?

[Karlifornia]

PITTSBURGH 41
Youngstown State 0

It was a perfect practice exercise for our next I-AA opponent, Rutgers :p


Note to Walt Harris: It is, in fact, possible to score an offensive touchdown vs. a Sisters of the Poor Branch Campus, you dolt.


Pitt starts out 0-3, and they're still pissed off about the old coach. Stanford did beat Navy, while Pitt lost to Ohio...don't get so high and mighty now.

[dixieflatline]

And in the Big East today West Virgina sneaks past East Carolina by 5(20-15) at home. Someone here had mentioned that they would be the toughest competition to Louisville(who is losing 7-0 to USF right now) and if that's the case it will be sad.

Seriously, I think the big east teams will lose every bowl game this year and few will be close. This conference needs to lose its BCS slot.

What's worse was some guy on ESPN2(don't know his name) had mentioned that he had Louisville as the #6 team in the nation because they have a soft schedule. If the pollsters are rewarding teams in the polls because they have soft schedules now we truely have a problem(not saying they are but if they are).

edit: spelling is hard

[chinaski]

Go Ducks!

[Karlifornia]

Oregon is up 10-0 on USC in the 1st...probably won't last.

[MacroGuru]

Damnit BYU!

The lose in OT....because of a bad snap for the PAT......TCU takes it 51-50....

I am going to drown my sorrow tonight....

[mauchow]

Wisconsin's "O" sucks so far. Michigan pretty much man-handling 'em. *shrug* 13-3 at the half.

[bhlloy]

USC looking bad. Secondary is getting torched and offense is not clicking at all. This could be the mother of all shocks on the cards... still early though

[dixieflatline]

In the shadow of the USC game USF is clubbing Louisville 21-0 now. Da Bulls playing pretty well right now but Louisville does have the offensive weapons to come back.

[cartman]

I am going to drown my sorrow tonight....

I thought that was almost impossible to do it Utah?

:D

[miami_fan]

USC looking bad. Secondary is getting torched and offense is not clicking at all. This could be the mother of all shocks on the cards... still early though

I remember hearing something about USC only having three scholarship players in the secondary tonight. That might explain it. But on this occasion.........GO DUCKS! :D

[RPI-Fan]

Does anyone else have the Fox College Sports package on Timewarner Cable (or other providers)? If so, has it not been showing ANY college sports this weekend!!?!?!?!

[Passacaglia]

What's worse was some guy on ESPN2(don't know his name) had mentioned that he had Louisville as the #6 team in the nation because they have a soft schedule. If the pollsters are rewarding teams in the polls because they have soft schedules now we truely have a problem(not saying they are but if they are).


See: Purdue.

[Z²+]

Pitt starts out 0-3, and they're still pissed off about the old coach. Stanford did beat Navy, while Pitt lost to Ohio...don't get so high and mighty now.

I will always be upset with Walt Harris, the latest reason for leaving the program with not a single player that can even be generously referred to as "a lineman". Deal with his head-scratching game-day cluelessness for a few years, you will understand what I mean. And to think, you haven't even experienced the secret weapon of the genius Harris offense, the 3rd down quick kick. ;)

something about Pitt fans shouldn't be talking shit

Pitt has won 7 straight (if my preliminary check is right) and 19 of the last 22 vs. Rutgers. The next loss to RU will be the first I've seen during my time at Pitt.

But all joking aside, I'm curious to see a line for this game. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see a pick 'em, with Rutgers at home for a national TV audience. It should be a really competitive game, I'm looking forward to making a cold margarita and enjoying some Thursday night Big East Football :D

[miami_fan]

Does anyone else have the Fox College Sports package on Timewarner Cable (or other providers)? If so, has it not been showing ANY college sports this weekend!!?!?!?!

I know the FSN here was having problems with programming due to the main control facility being in Houston. At least that was the reason being flashed across the screen

[bhlloy]

I remember hearing something about USC only having three scholarship players in the secondary tonight. That might explain it. But on this occasion.........GO DUCKS! :D

At corner it's pretty much that bad. Senior John Walker is starting as Terrell Thomas is out and from what I hear on the forums he's just not quick enough to play the position.

Touchdown SC - about time. Next possession will be the key.

[dixieflatline]

You will need lots of these:

I'm looking forward to making a cold margarita

to do this:

enjoy some Thursday night Big East Football :D

[Ben E Lou]

An open letter to Mark Richt:


Dear Coach Richt:

I FORMATION
A good base for any running or passing attack. Slight emphasis on power running.Just wanted to make sure you were aware that this formation exists.

Respectfully,

Ben Lewis

[Ben E Lou]

Gee, imagine that. I-formation. Give to TB. 24 yards.

[Ben E Lou]

Double dola....and yet, somehow I am quite sure the next handoff will be that God-forsaken crap out of the shotgun.

[Z²+]

You will need lots of these:

***drinking margaritas***

to do this: *** watching Big East football


Your humor amuses me, that was good.

Big East is just in a rebuilding year :cool:

[Ben E Lou]

Is this announcer drunk? He just said the score is now 17-7. It is now 14-3. :confused:

[Mustang]

Wisconsin's "O" sucks so far. Michigan pretty much man-handling 'em. *shrug* 13-3 at the half.

2nd half.. roles reversed...

16-13 WI...

[HomerJSimpson]

Double dola....and yet, somehow I am quite sure the next handoff will be that God-forsaken crap out of the shotgun.


If i never see another handoff out of the Shotgun...

[Mustang]

Rathering ho hum game has turned interesting in the 4th.. MI 20-16

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm a Georgia fan and I wish this announcer would stop jerking off Shockley. He misses a reciever by a mile and we get "man this kid has a good arm!"

[Schmidty]

Hopefully U-M wins. I want to beat them when they're 3-1, not 2-2.

[Ben E Lou]

If i never see another handoff out of the Shotgun...I really don't get it. It is one thing if you have a young and/or untalented o-line. However, when you have one of the best 6 or 8 offensive lines in the nation, just challenge their manhood, smack 'em in the mouth, and do it again the next play.

[Buccaneer]

GO BRAHMANS!!!!!!!!!!

[Celeval]

Quote of the day:

My wife on Reggie Ball - "If this is him at 100%, then he sucks out the ass"
I'm glad we played like this against VPI. With EH out and Ball sick as a dog, I'd rather lose to VT at VT then lose to Duke or something. We couldn't have beaten anybody today.

Ah well, we've got almost two weeks to get healthy before NC State. And that was a hell of a catch by Calvin.

[HomerJSimpson]

I really don't get it. It is one thing if you have a young and/or untalented o-line. However, when you have one of the best 6 or 8 offensive lines in the nation, just challenge their manhood, smack 'em in the mouth, and do it again the next play.


No kidding. Plus, Shotgun is a passing formation for a flippin' reason. If your running about 50-60% out of it, IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE!!! How many tackles for loss do they need to prove that?

[TroyF]

Ir Oregon doesn't keep USC out of the end zone here, the route might be on.

Oregon just shut it down offensively after those first couple of series. They went from an uptempo, run up to the line type of offense to an offense that doesn't look like it has a brain.

As I type this, USC is now down to the four yard line. I'll watch one more horrible Oregon series before I write down game over and watch something else.

[dawgfan]

Things you can't do as a big underdog and expect to win:

- Fumble on the opponent 1-yard line on the first drive of the game, especially after starting on your own 18-yard line and having an otherwise impressive drive;

- When your down 9-3 in the 2nd quarter and you've just completed a 69-yard bomb to put you deep in enemy territory, you can't throw an ill-advised interception in the end zone on 2nd and goal after getting flushed from the pocket

Things you can't do when down 23-3 in the 4th quarter and trying to make the game respectable:

- Execute a trick play beautifully with a former H.S. QB now playing WR in college taking a lateral pass and seeing another WR streaking downfield wide open, with nobody within 20 yards, only to have the ball overthrown, blowing a ridiculously easy TD opportunity;

- Then on the next play, have your TE streaking downfield wide open for at least 5 seconds before your QB finds him only to overthrow him to miss another easy TD

---------------------------

Overall, a very nice gameplan by the Husky offense and aside from the first 2 issues noted above, very good execution. But those mistakes were huge - convert on those and the game would've been 13-12 or possibly 17-12 at halftime in favor of Washington. Even if that had happened there's a good chance Notre Dame still wins due to their huge edge on both the offensive and defensive lines, but at least Washington would've given themselves a chance.

It kills me just how lacking in physical players this team is. We can't run on any halfway decent offense, and we can't stop a halfway decent running team or get heat on the QB. Our LB's whiff on way too many tackles, taking bad angles and not wrapping up. Same with our safeties. Almost nobody on our defense can lay a lick on an opponent - instead of hard hits, we get poor form hang-on-for-dear-life wrap tackles (when they don't whiff the tackle altogether).

It's too bad, because we have a hell of a playmaker at QB in Stanback and some good WR's, especially Chambers. We have a couple good RB's in Rankin and James, but they just aren't getting much in the way of holes to run through.

The 3 positives I can take from this game:

- Those Irish players that looked so good against us were Ty recruits, so I don't wan't to hear any B.S. about how he can't recruit;

- Our gameplan was outstanding - it was lack of execution and physical limitations that killed us, not the play calls. If Tim Lappano had been Ty's Offensive Coordinator at Notre Dame, he'd probably still have his job there;

- The Huskies showed a lot of spark and energy, and took it right at the Irish in the first half. Missing out on those early opportunities was huge, but they played hard until simply running out of gas in the 2nd half and getting physically overmatched;

[HomerJSimpson]

Ir Oregon doesn't keep USC out of the end zone here, the route might be on.

Oregon just shut it down offensively after those first couple of series. They went from an uptempo, run up to the line type of offense to an offense that doesn't look like it has a brain.

As I type this, USC is now down to the four yard line. I'll watch one more horrible Oregon series before I write down game over and watch something else.


Did you really believe Oregon ever had a shot? When they took the early lead, I knew it wouldn't last.

[Schmidty]

TD Wisky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[miami_fan]

Hopefully U-M wins. I want to beat them when they're 3-1, not 2-2.

Looks like you wont't get you wish.

[sovereignstar]

See: Purdue.

Uh.. Purdue started the season as the #15 team in the nation. And they only played two games which brought them up to #12 or #11 (I forget).

I don't see how their soft schedule did anything for them. People just think they're a good team and indeed they are.

[miami_fan]

Ummmm maybe not!

[Schmidty]

Looks like you wont't get you wish.

17 secs left and they're at the 50......

[bhlloy]

Oregon had a shot alright... there were 3-4 horrible SC possessions where Leinart couldn't complete anything (not helped by a horrible go for it on fourth and ten call) and Oregon were driving at will at one point. They had to settle for 2 FG's when it looked like they would get the TD's. 21-0 midway through the second quarter would have been a completely different ballgame and I think the defense might have folded.

As it is I think the three peat is looking incredibly shaky. Can't believe there aren't at least 5 better teams in the country based on this showing.

[Schmidty]

I'm so torn....I want U-M to lose, but I want them to win......this is tough. But I hate them, so:

Go Badgers!!!!!!

[HomerJSimpson]

...based on this showing.


And you'll say that even if USC wins by 21 tonight? The best teams ever have had all had bad quarters. It means nothing compared to complete games and the level of domination this team has shown.

[Schmidty]

Hahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!! He fell like an old lady in the bathtub!!!!!!! :D

[TroyF]

Did you really believe Oregon ever had a shot? When they took the early lead, I knew it wouldn't last.


Actually, yeah, I did. I'm still not impressed with this USC defense. They are going to have a game this year where they just get lit up. I'm talking 35-45 points lit up. The secondary is horrible and the LB's aren't nearly what I expected.

They are aggressive and force turnovers. Instead of using that to their advantage, Oregon has went into a shell. They aren't calling any pass play over five yards. Instead of the unpredictable offense I saw in the first quarter, they are being incredibly predictable. I haven't seen more than a quarter of an Oregon game this year, and I've been calling their plays in the second half.

I'm not saying they were going to win the game. I had no doubt USC would turn it up on offense and Oregon would have issues. But to have 13 points at this point in the third against this defense is unacceptable and it's really teh result of a scared coaching staff.

[Schmidty]

U-M. 2-2.

MSU. 4-0.

How fast will all of the Wolverine fans jump off the bandwagon and pretend like they don't care for football? My guess: 2 seconds after the Spartans woop um next week.

[Mustang]

Looks like you wont't get you wish.

Nope.. It's over... have to beat a 2-2 team...

[cartman]

Is this announcer drunk? He just said the score is now 17-7. It is now 14-3. :confused:

Brent Musburger is calling the game???

:D

[Solecismic]

U-M. 2-2.

MSU. 4-0.

How fast will all of the Wolverine fans jump off the bandwagon and pretend like they don't care for football? My guess: 2 seconds after the Spartans woop um next week.


Classy. Kick someone when they're down.

To answer your question, Michigan fans stick with their team. Yeah, our quarterback isn't very good, and State should win by a couple of touchdowns, but the games still get played and we stick with them.

We might be in uncharted territory here. Michigan's last losing season was in 1965. I really hope Carr gives Gutierrez a shot next week, rewards him for sticking with the program when a lot of guys would have quit.

[Schmidty]

Classy. Kick someone when they're down.

To answer your question, Michigan fans stick with their team. Yeah, our quarterback isn't very good, and State should win by a couple of touchdowns, but the games still get played and we stick with them.

We might be in uncharted territory here. Michigan's last losing season was in 1965. I really hope Carr gives Gutierrez a shot next week, rewards him for sticking with the program when a lot of guys would have quit.

Damn you and your guilt-trip. :(

I feel bad now.

[-Mojo Jojo-]

Muahahahaha! Suck it, Michigan :)

Go Bucky! It's been a long wait. Wish I was in Madison tonight, the place has to be goin' nuts. Stocco is still a hack, but what sweet redemption for him at the end.

[Ksyrup]

This USF game is amazing. Louisville is getting completely dominated, and committing penalties you see once a year (TD called back on a receiver stepping out of bounds). Figures it would take a program that hasn't been around for 10 years to avenge FSU's loss a couple of years ago.

[miami_fan]

South Florida 38 Louisville 7

OUCH!

[HomerJSimpson]

Anyone watching Georgia....is it just me, or does Shockley seem to do the same thing every third down? He back drops like he is going to pass and then immediately pulls the ball down and tries to run. I would love to know if that is a called draw, or if he just not even trying to make reads on his recievers.

[cartman]

Actually, yeah, I did. I'm still not impressed with this USC defense. They are going to have a game this year where they just get lit up. I'm talking 35-45 points lit up. The secondary is horrible and the LB's aren't nearly what I expected.

I'm hoping that happens to them in the Rose Bowl against Texas!

:D

[Joe]

it sucks to know that even if Michigan is 2-3 going into the game with the Gophers, they will still kick our ass :(

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm hoping that happens to them in the Rose Bowl against Texas!

:D


VT.

[bhlloy]

And you'll say that even if USC wins by 21 tonight? The best teams ever have had all had bad quarters. It means nothing compared to complete games and the level of domination this team has shown.

Yup. Oregon is a good offensive team but a great team will absolutely light the defense up - complete agreement with TroyF on this one. It could happen against UCLA or ASU. Less likely against Cal now they have lost their starting QB. But if it doesn't happen until bowl/national championship game it will sure happen against the offense of say Texas or Virginia Tech.

Oregon's defense is average at best (secondary poor - worst in the Pac 10) and they showed with some good gameplanning they could neutralise SC's vaunted offense for a while. The talk coming into this was SC putting 50-60 up with complete ease.
The only way to win a third title is to outscore whoever is infront of us and after the first half I'm way less confident that is a given.

Didn't say it was impossible, just on shaky ground.

[Buccaneer]

South Florida 38 Louisville 7

OUCH!
As I said, GO BRAHMANS!

[dawgfan]

South Florida 38 Louisville 7

OUCH!

I just saw that score - wow.

[Buccaneer]

Anyone watching Georgia....is it just me, or does Shockley seem to do the same thing every third down? He back drops like he is going to pass and then immediately pulls the ball down and tries to run. I would love to know if that is a called draw, or if he just not even trying to make reads on his recievers.
Reads on his receivers??????? In Georgia?????

[HomerJSimpson]

Reads on his receivers??????? In Georgia?????


We aren't talking about Vick this time. You can calm down.

[Ksyrup]

South Florida 38 Louisville 7

OUCH!
USF about to score again.

It was 24-7 at the half, then USF ran the 2nd half kickoff back for a TD, caused a fumble on Louisville's next possession, and ran a trick play where a receiver threw a TD, and that was all she wrote.

[Ksyrup]

45-7

Most amazing thing was Louisville going for it with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter around the 50 yard line on 4th-and-19. Ha!

[Solecismic]

it sucks to know that even if Michigan is 2-3 going into the game with the Gophers, they will still kick our ass :(

They have a lot of questions on the defensive line and the linebackers tend to overpursue. Obviously, they'll key on the big running back, like they did with Calhoun today. But Calhoun still got his yards. It came at a big cost.

I don't think this is a great matchup for Minnesota, but it should be a close game.

2-3. I don't know if they've ever been 2-3 in my lifetime.

[dawgfan]

2-3. I don't know if they've ever been 2-3 in my lifetime.

I can dig. I never thought I'd see the day when the Huskies would finish a season 1-10, and that I'd be so happy for a win over Idaho. Idaho!

I doubt Michigan will ever fall that far, but it's a shocker when a team that always wins suddenly doesn't any more.

[-Mojo Jojo-]

They have a lot of questions on the defensive line and the linebackers tend to overpursue. Obviously, they'll key on the big running back, like they did with Calhoun today. But Calhoun still got his yards. It came at a big cost.


It seemed like the Michigan defense got ground down by the running game in the 4th quarter. That's always Wisconsin's game plan, but I've never seen it happen against UM. Calhoun didn't do anything flashy (I don't think he had a run longer than 15 yards), but he had more success than I can recall Ron Dayne, Michael Bennett, or Anthony Davis ever having against Michigan...

[dixieflatline]

Classy. Kick someone when they're down.

To answer your question, Michigan fans stick with their team. Yeah, our quarterback isn't very good, and State should win by a couple of touchdowns, but the games still get played and we stick with them.

We might be in uncharted territory here. Michigan's last losing season was in 1965. I really hope Carr gives Gutierrez a shot next week, rewards him for sticking with the program when a lot of guys would have quit.

You mean the classy Michigan fans that threw garbage on the field not once but twice in the ND game?

Seriously, if UM doesn't get their act togather they might not be going bowling anywhere this year. MSU, OSU, Iowa, Minny still on the schedule 5-6 is a possibility.

[TroyF]

USC just got the call of a lifetime. Oregon scores a TD and they call a crackback block that was made after the guy was already in the end zone.

If I'm playing USC this year, I want uptempo offense. I want my guys running to the line, calling plays at the line and I want to do everything I can to expose them.

Texas very well might do it. Tehy have the athletes on defense to keep up and contain USC and their offense would simply blow these guys away. A note here: I'm not talking about the back 4. I understand USC has a couple of issue there, but those won't go away either.

When I say they'll get lit up for 35-45 points, they still may win the darned game. The offense is just incredible. I'm not sure how you can dream of stopping it.

There is one team on USC's schedule that just may give them fits. The Irish. Quin should have a field day on that one.

One more thing. I've watched USC twice this year (Hawaii and this game) and in both Reggie Bush has started taunting guys in the first quarter after running out of bounds. It hasn't been called in either game. If I'm an opposing coach, I'm going to make darned sure the officials know about it and see if I can get a cheapie on them.

One last, last thing, Bush just made a Marcus Allen type of run that should have got called back on a clip but didn't. Incredible freakin run though, no matter what penalties were made on the play.

[dawgfan]

I'm sticking with my call that if USC goes down, it'll be to Cal - I just think they have the best combination of talent and coaching to do it. But Notre Dame may give them a run, and UCLA and Arizona State have enough talent and offense to win a shootout as well.

Then again, USC may just outscore everyone on their way to the Championship game, at which point they might finally meet their match. Or not - if they go undefeated, that'll put a kink in that old adage that "Defense wins championships"...

[Joe]

They have a lot of questions on the defensive line and the linebackers tend to overpursue. Obviously, they'll key on the big running back, like they did with Calhoun today. But Calhoun still got his yards. It came at a big cost.

I don't think this is a great matchup for Minnesota, but it should be a close game.

2-3. I don't know if they've ever been 2-3 in my lifetime.


True, maybe closer than previous years but Cupito will end up giving the game away. If there are questions on defense for UM that is good for us, as we ran for over 300 yards against Purdue, who had the #1 rush D in the country coming in, 16 ypg. Although it was early in the season and they were overrated a bit.

[cartman]

45-7

Most amazing thing was Louisville going for it with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter around the 50 yard line on 4th-and-19. Ha!

If you look at the stats, and not the score, it would appear that Louisville was cruising to another win. How can you throw for 350+ yards, and only have one touchdown to show for it?

[Ksyrup]

USF got inside the 5 yard line with 4 minutes to go and ran the ball 4 straight times, leaving it on the 1 for Louisville. They just picked one off and took it back inside the 5 again. As bad as this beatdown looks on the scoreboard, it could be even worse.

[TroyF]

Nomination for the dumb announcer quote hall of fame:

Watching the New Mexico/UTEP game. UTEP trailing 10-7. They go three and out and New Mexico starts driving. Then the NM QB throws an INT that gets taken 68 yards for a TD. Quote before the extra point:

"That may have been the play that UTEP needed to get back in this football game"


Ummmm. . . wow, just wow.

[Schmidty]

Nomination for the dumb announcer quote hall of fame:

Watching the New Mexico/UTEP game. UTEP trailing 10-7. They go three and out and New Mexico starts driving. Then the NM QB throws an INT that gets taken 68 yards for a TD. Quote before the extra point:

"That may have been the play that UTEP needed to get back in this football game"


Ummmm. . . wow, just wow.

That's hilarious. :D

[Swaggs]

I was feeling kind of down about WVU's 20-15 win over ECU, but after watching some of the upsets today, I guess I should just be thankful for the win.

Two thoughts for the day:

One, we play Va. Tech next week in Morgantown. After last week's win over Maryland, I felt pretty confident that we could give them a run for their money. After the combination of our game vs ECU and then watching their defense completely dominate Georgia Tech, I'm not particularly looking forward to the game. I think our defense will be able to hold them under 20, but our combination of young/inexperienced QBs going against that defense has me worried, as does their always frightening special teams.

The Louisville loss is a total shock and probably the worst thing that could have happened to the Big East conference. Yes, it was a nice win for S. Florida that might bump their program up from a 6-win team into a 7-8-win team, but the Big East really needed for Louisville and WVU to be 10-win teams this year. Now, that is all but impossible. As a Big East fan, I'm sick over this game and what it does to the conference.

[Buccaneer]

I still wish SU could've gotten out of the Big East. Being a poor stepchild in a better conference is worth more than being mediocre in a shitty conference. I hate the Big East and would even wish SU to be an independent again in football like they were in the old days.

[MacroGuru]

I thought that was almost impossible to do it Utah?

:D
Close but if you import the good stuff when you travel...or go to the state run liquor store...it's all good.

[dixieflatline]

As a Big East fan, I'm sick over this game and what it does to the conference.

I can understand that from a big east fan but from a WVU fan I would have expected you to be pretty happy about the USF win. This has to open the door for WVU to go BCS. That is unless ND gets that slot. As a college football fan I am pretty excited about this because I didn't want to see Louisville sneak into the title game. USC is probably going to beat whoever they play but there is a better chance for a good game if it isn't against Louisville.

[Swaggs]

I still wish SU could've gotten out of the Big East. Being a poor stepchild in a better conference is worth more than being mediocre in a shitty conference. I hate the Big East and would even wish SU to be an independent again in football like they were in the old days.

I'm still hopeful that the Big East can turn into the clearcut fifth best conference in college football, but my optimisim has gone down a great deal during the first four weeks of this season. I think the Big East has 4-5 core schools that are as good as the other core schools in BCS conferences, but not having an anchor school is absolutely killing it. I had been hopeful that a Louisville, WVU, Pitt, or Syracuse (or down the line UConn) could develop into that program in a hurry, but I no longer see that happening.

Syracuse, in their current state, would only lessen their program if they decided to become an independent. With no recent successes in football, having no BCS tie-in would kill them with recruits.

[Swaggs]

I can understand that from a big east fan but from a WVU fan I would have expected you to be pretty happy about the USF win. This has to open the door for WVU to go BCS. That is unless ND gets that slot. As a college football fan I am pretty excited about this because I didn't want to see Louisville sneak into the title game. USC is probably going to beat whoever they play but there is a better chance for a good game if it isn't against Louisville.

Normally, I would be happy to see another "good" Big East team get upset, as it would help us out in the standings and give us a little room to breathe. But, in the big picture, the Big East needs to keep its highest team ranked in the top 12 or it will lose its BCS bid sooner, rather than later. Realistically, WVU is now going to have to beat VPI (which it probably has something like a 1 in 20 or 1 in 30 chance, if that, of doing) and then win out to get into the top 10. And then, it will have to win its BCS game to finish in the top 12. Maybe WVU can work through a loss to VPI and still manage to find itself in the top 12, but that is banking on a lot of other teams losing and expecting a whole lot of a team with very inexperienced quarterbacking. Louisville, with its high preseason ranking, had a little more wiggle room. WVU probably will not be ranked this week (and probably doesn't deserve to be higher than somewhere between 26-30), unless some of the voters want to make the WVU-VPI game look a little more important.

After Pitt began so terribly and UConn lost last week, it became pretty clear that it would be up to WVU and Louisville to finish with 10 or 11 wins to lend the Big East any type of credibility this season. After the way both teams played today, I'll be real surprised if either team wins more than 9.

[Wolfpack]

Ah well, we've got almost two weeks to get healthy before NC State.

Though I didn't witness the game personally, the apparent suckfest against UNC today has pretty much convinced most of the State fanbase (at least on the internet) to give up the season as a lost cause. Some are now looking forward to basketball season, but that causes consternation with others (who would rather take a sharp stick in the eye and a bat to the groin than watch a game coached by Sendek), so generally everything is just a f'ed up mess right now.

They're ready to hang Chuck by his thumbs (and other prominent body parts) right now. While I'm not getting to that level of hate, the crap that's gone on for over a year now (stupid penalties, stupid turnovers, etc) has pretty much burned all the collateral he earned with the 2002 season. If the season ended today, I believe I'd have to side with those who want him ousted, which is a startling transition from the start of 2003 when it seemed to be blue skies in every direction for the program. Can he redeem the season? I don't know, but I'm beginning to think he may not get beyond this season if we tailspin in from here. It's a distinct possibility as we have to go to Tech (and Tech has whipped us every year but 2000 lately) and then have to host Clemson. Wake's after that, but that's never a gimme game for State. It's a distinct possibility with road games at BC and FSU that we're looking at 4-7 or even 3-8 (I'm reasonably sure we'll beat MTSU and probably USM, but if this rectal sucktitude continues, we're toast in most of the other games left).

[cthomer5000]

I think Swagg's take is pretty accurate. West Virigina at least has to play an extremely tight game with Va Tech to not lost too much steam in the polls. Louisville or West Virginia will have to win out after the WVU-VT game to finish in or near the top 12.

[ISiddiqui]

The USF game MAY have been a overlooking by Louisville, and they could run the table the rest of the way (a big wake up call for Louisville).

Though USF looked really good. If they can keep the game close with Miami, they may be this year's Louisville, even though they've beaten up on tiny schools so far (and lost to undefeated Penn State).

[dixieflatline]

Normally, I would be happy to see another "good" Big East team get upset, as it would help us out in the standings and give us a little room to breathe. But, in the big picture, the Big East needs to keep its highest team ranked in the top 12 or it will lose its BCS bid sooner, rather than later. Realistically, WVU is now going to have to beat VPI (which it probably has something like a 1 in 20 or 1 in 30 chance, if that, of doing) and then win out to get into the top 10. And then, it will have to win its BCS game to finish in the top 12. Maybe WVU can work through a loss to VPI and still manage to find itself in the top 12, but that is banking on a lot of other teams losing and expecting a whole lot of a team with very inexperienced quarterbacking. Louisville, with its high preseason ranking, had a little more wiggle room. WVU probably will not be ranked this week (and probably doesn't deserve to be higher than somewhere between 26-30), unless some of the voters want to make the WVU-VPI game look a little more important.

After Pitt began so terribly and UConn lost last week, it became pretty clear that it would be up to WVU and Louisville to finish with 10 or 11 wins to lend the Big East any type of credibility this season. After the way both teams played today, I'll be real surprised if either team wins more than 9.


Interesting stuff. Thanks for the nice detail here swaggs. I think that even if WVU gets blown out next week if they would win out(including the BCS bowl) they would end ranked in the top 12. I feel for you and wanting the Big East to keep their BCS spot but things are going to have to turn around quick as a conference. The entire conference only has 3 wins against other BCS schools. Right now they are clearly the worst of the 6 BCS conferences and I'm not sure they are that much better than the MWC to be honest.

It's interesting what you say about the 4-5 core schools. I agree that teams like Pitt and Syracuse have the potential to be decent(big schools in areas where they should recruit well) but I really don't like the direction that those teams are heading. Pitt especially should have been building these last few years off some with some name players and a BCS spot with Penn State down but I just don't see it.

On a side note I am very curious to see where Louisville will be ranked next week. My guess is in the low teens but after such a bad loss against a team that really isn't any good there is a case for them dropping out completely.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Yuck. Somewhere back in the board, there should be a post by me saying something to the effect that "if Georgia Tech is a top 25 team, it's a sad indictment of the state of the rest of college football". Well, they may be one even after the latest debacle, but it's just an even sadder indictment of the state of college football. The game was over on the blocked FG, the rest was just punishment. It's pretty bad when you go into a game expecting your favored team to lose by 14-21 points and still come away disappointed.

re: UGA offense (for Skydog) -- coming back from hockey tonight I happened to catch Richt's postgame press conference. I'm paraphrasing here, but he basically said that he felt like they had to be 50/50 run-pass against MSU because he knew they couldn't run the ball against them. My question might be "couldn't"? or "wouldn't"?

re: Louisville vs USF: Where the fuck did that blowout come from?
re: Wisconsin: nice job Badgers.
re: Vandy: I don't care who you played today, congrats on 4-0 for the first time since I was in HS.
re: NCSU: thanks for providing some reason to hope that GT can win at least one more conference game this year. Some of the Wolfpack nation may want to hang the coach in effigy but it won't be easy ... the rest of the conference might just send bodyguards to protect him.

[Z²+]

It's interesting what you say about the 4-5 core schools. I agree that teams like Pitt and Syracuse have the potential to be decent(big schools in areas where they should recruit well) but I really don't like the direction that those teams are heading. Pitt especially should have been building these last few years off some with some name players and a BCS spot with Penn State down but I just don't see it.


I agree with you here, and with Swaggs earlier evaluation. The "core" schools are right on par with the other conferences, the Big East just lost it's lead team and hasn't had one step up yet. As for who can eventually step up, as Mark May said tonight on ESPN, it truly is wide open. After tonight's performance, you could even throw USF's name into the mix for argument's sake. With Temple out of the way, and Rutgers and UConn "on the rise" compared to recent seasons, anyone could take this year's birth (I know too little about Cincy to rule them out, but from what I've been told, they are a similar substitute to Temple).

I can't speak for other Big East recruiting, but as for Pitt, they absolutely should have capitalized on their recent success and NFL drafy day exposure. However, Walt Harris had an well documented, head scratching, strained relationship with Western Pennsylvania high school coaches. One of the things that struck me the most when Coach Dave was hired, was how much work he had to do to even get access to some local high schools, where the coaches didn't push Pitt as a viable option at all. Somehow, Harris alienated the local schools, and recuited poorly (with a few exceptions) from the area. It appears Coach Dave has started to correct this problems, and there has been much publicity given to the impoved relationship between Pitt and the local high school football scene. Whether these recruits actually make a difference is at least 2 years down the road, but i'm optimistic they will be impact players.

And, hopefully in the short run, teams like WVU and RU and UCONN and 'CUSE and others can continue to use the "easy route to a BCS" card and steal a few extra blue chippers from the bully conferences, and turn this thing around.

Or, it could just be 3:12 a.m. and I'm just overly optimistic after an evening of cold libations.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

At least Oregon still has the locker room that can talk :D .

[JeeberD]

Please....UTEP should hand them their ass tonight...if they don't, you owe me a beer....:D

We only beat them 21-13, and that was only because of great defensive and special teams play. I guess that means I owe you a beer. Enjoy... :D

http://www.shiner.com/beers/images/Bock.gif

[MacroGuru]

Sweet!

Gratz on the win...I am hurting from last nights attempt....

[Mr. Wednesday]

- Those Irish players that looked so good against us were Ty recruits, so I don't wan't to hear any B.S. about how he can't recruit;Most of those players are juniors and seniors, whereas he was getting knocked for his most recent couple of classes. I think they'll wind up being solid, anyway, if for no other reason than that good coaching should be able to make solid players out of any reasonable talent base, but aside from Walker I'm not sure we'll see any playmakers out of the group.

And don't forget about the pass defense, which is still really iffy... as much credit as you give Ty for recruiting the offense, he should get blame for recruiting the defense.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Dola, I wouldn't get too excited about that pass offense, either, not until ND shows that they can handle a good pass offense.

[TazFTW]

Hawaii got their first win of the season and they shut out Idaho. First shut out win for Hawaii since 1999.