College Football: Week 2 Discussion.....

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Here's the top 25 schedule. No matchups between ranked teams, though we do have 6 top 25 teams going on the road........

Central Michigan (1-0, 0-0 away)
(2) Georgia (1-0, 1-0 home)

Ohio (0-1, 0-1 away)
(3) Ohio St (1-0, 1-0 home)

Cincinnati (1-0, 0-0 away)
(4) Oklahoma (1-0, 1-0 home)

Miami (FL) (1-0, 0-0 away)
(5) Florida (1-0, 1-0 home)

Southeast Missouri St (1-0, 0-0 away)
(6) Missouri (1-0, 1-0 home)

Troy (1-0, 1-0 S. Belt)
(7) LSU (1-0, 1-0 home)

(8) West Virginia (1-0, 0-0 away)
East Carolina (1-0, 1-0 home)

Southern Miss (1-0, 0-0 away)
(9) Auburn (1-0, 1-0 home)

(10) Texas (1-0, 0-0 away)
UTEP (0-1, 0-0 home)

Marshall (1-0, 0-0 away)
(11) Wisconsin (1-0, 1-0 home)

(12) Texas Tech (1-0, 0-0 away)
Nevada (1-0, 1-0 home)

Tulane (0-0, 0-0 away)
(13) Alabama (1-0, 0-0 home)

Louisiana Tech (1-0, 0-0 away)
(14) Kansas (1-0, 1-0 home)

Stanford (1-0, 1-0 Pac-10)
(15) Arizona St (1-0, 1-0 home)

(15) Brigham Young (1-0, 0-0 away)
Washington (0-1, 0-1 Pac-10)

(17) South Florida (1-0, 0-0 away)
UCF (1-0, 1-0 home)

Utah St (0-1, 0-1 away)
(18) Oregon (1-0, 1-0 Pac-10)

Oregon St (0-1, 0-1 Pac-10)
(19) Penn St (1-0, 1-0 home)

Mississippi (1-0, 0-0 away)
(20) Wake Forest (1-0, 0-0 home)

UNLV (1-0, 0-0 away)
(22) Utah (1-0, 0-0 home)

Eastern Illinois (0-1, 0-1 away)
(24) Illinois (0-1, 0-0 home)

(24) South Carolina (1-0, 0-0 away)
Vanderbilt (1-0, 0-0 home)

[larrymcg421]

I'm afraid my Canes are going to get killed this weekend, but I'm hoping they can put up a good fight.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Blech. I see at least a slim chance of Miami/Florida being a game (rivalry & all), probably the best bet for a good game is WVU/ECU. Otherwise the only things I see would be oddball things like Stanford/ASU or OleMiss/Wake, which would likely be cases of teams not being as good as we thought instead of opponents being better than we thought.

[Dr. Sak]

I am really interested in that Ole Miss/Wake game

[Cuckoo]

Going to the OU/Cincy game. I think it's going to be a better game than the oddsmakers do. I still think OU pulls it out, but Cincy's not getting much love for a team that won 10 games last year (nearly beating WVU, if I remember right) and has plenty of talent, particularly on defense.

[Galaxy]

Pretty close to being a snooze fest. Miami/Florida may be the one game I'll watch closely.

[Vegas Vic]

I still think OU pulls it out, but Cincy's not getting much love for a team that won 10 games last year (nearly beating WVU, if I remember right) and has plenty of talent, particularly on defense.

They also demolished Oregon State last year and beat USF. They have one of the best defensive backfields in the country, including two corners who will be high NFL draft picks.

I expect this to be a very competitive game.

[JonInMiddleGA]

My Way - Sports News (http://sports.myway.com/news/09032008/v6069.html)
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -LSU has postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav rolled through Louisiana this week.

A person with direct knowledge of athletic scheduling at LSU told The Associated Press the Tigers' game versus the Trojans will be played Nov. 15. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not been formally notified yet.

LSU has scheduled a press conference for 3 p.m. EDT.

LSU's football team met at the Tigers' on-campus training center Tuesday afternoon, then went ahead with practice.

Gustav caused some damage at Tiger Stadium, including broken glass and torn awnings over club seats. Debris littered the stands and playing field.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm thinking of making the drive up to Beaver Falls, PA, to watch Seton Hill University play against Geneva College. The schools were NAIA foes, but SHU has moved on to NCAA D-II, and Geneva just joined NCAA D-III. It should be an interesting game, and it is a chance for the young SHU program to get some more respect in Pennsylvania.

OK, the real reason is that my life is pathetic, I'll be bored as shit, and the drive is only an hour and a half.

[wade moore]

I'm not going to make the drive for the W&M at NC State game, but I'll be listening and rooting my ass off.

[Wolfpack]

I'm not going to make the drive for the W&M at NC State game, but I'll be listening and rooting my ass off.

You might have a chance....

[Dr. Sak]

I'm thinking of making the drive up to Beaver Falls, PA, to watch Seton Hill University play against Geneva College. The schools were NAIA foes, but SHU has moved on to NCAA D-II, and Geneva just joined NCAA D-III. It should be an interesting game, and it is a chance for the young SHU program to get some more respect in Pennsylvania.

OK, the real reason is that my life is pathetic, I'll be bored as shit, and the drive is only an hour and a half.

They just beat Slippery Rock last week...that's a hell of a feat.

[Pumpy Tudors]

They just beat Slippery Rock last week...that's a hell of a feat.
That was epic. I wish I had been in town so I could've been there. Seton Hill has a winning record for the first time in its history!

[Swaggs]

Weather from Hannah (sp?) could have a pretty big effect on the WVU-ECU game this weekend. ECU, prior to last year, had played us very tough the last few seasons, so it should be a pretty good challenge.

[Celeval]

GT is heading up north to play Boston College - really no idea how this game will go. On one side, Tech played pretty well for their first game in a new system; on the other hand, BC is typically pretty solid against a run. I'm guessing it'll be a low-scoring game - both defensive lines are extremely solid, and while BC beat Kent State 21-0, the first two touchdowns were on short fields in the first quarter, and the last was very late. 17-14 game, but I'm not sure who will come out on top.

[duckman]

Going to the OU/Cincy game.
That's funny. I'm going to the game. We should hang out. :p

[JeeberD]

I don't care what happened last week, I think the Miners can keep this game decent. I think one of the reasons last week's game was so ugly was because CMP kept the offense very vanilla, and he'll open things up this week. We've also gained two defensive players who were just cleared to play by the NCAA Clearinghouse and have been practicing with the team all summer. Plus, of course, UT-Austin lost a defensive starter who was arrested and suspended...

The crowd is going to be HUGE and LOUD and will hopefully throw the Horns offense off some. Combine all these points together, and maybe the Miners keep it within two touchdowns? Please?

[Cuckoo]

That's funny. I'm going to the game. We should hang out. :p

Leave me alone stalker... :wagfingers:

[MacroGuru]

(15) Brigham Young (1-0, 0-0 away)
Washington (0-1, 0-1 Pac-10)


Here is a bit of scary trivia for you. BYU has not won a non conference game on the road since 2001 at Mississippi State.

That stat alone, with Washington now having a very big chip on their shoulder has me very concerned about this game.

[Dr. Sak]

I wish I would've known that stat last night!

Either way I think BYU wins by at least 17.

[MizzouRah]

Pinkel.. DO NOT PLAY MACKLIN THIS WEEKEND!!!

I mean.. it's SEMO for criminy sakes!

[dawgfan]

(15) Brigham Young (1-0, 0-0 away)
Washington (0-1, 0-1 Pac-10)


Here is a bit of scary trivia for you. BYU has not won a non conference game on the road since 2001 at Mississippi State.

That stat alone, with Washington now having a very big chip on their shoulder has me very concerned about this game.
I have little doubt that in terms of talent, UW is certainly capable of beating BYU - plus they are at home.

But that is counteracted in a big way by the UW's head coach. Advantage Cougars...

[Alan T]

GT is heading up north to play Boston College - really no idea how this game will go. On one side, Tech played pretty well for their first game in a new system; on the other hand, BC is typically pretty solid against a run. I'm guessing it'll be a low-scoring game - both defensive lines are extremely solid, and while BC beat Kent State 21-0, the first two touchdowns were on short fields in the first quarter, and the last was very late. 17-14 game, but I'm not sure who will come out on top.


I'll be quietly rooting, in order to not get beat up by BC fans.

[JHandley]

(15) Brigham Young (1-0, 0-0 away)
Washington (0-1, 0-1 Pac-10)


Here is a bit of scary trivia for you. BYU has not won a non conference game on the road since 2001 at Mississippi State.

That stat alone, with Washington now having a very big chip on their shoulder has me very concerned about this game.

A friend of mine told me at the beginning of the season, the very worst thing that could happen to UW was if they went 6-6, 7-5 or 5-7. It needs to be one extreme or the other, or else the program will accept mediocrity. He didn't want them to finish last, again, but would rather that than sliding into a low tier bowl game.

After watching their performance against Oregon, he's not worried about 6 and 6 anymore. They just aren't good.

I wouldn't worry too much about UW being fired up for this game. UW has never lost to Oregon more than 4 times in a row in their history until last Saturday. If WSU is UW's #1 rival, then Oregon is definitely 1A. If that isn't enough to get the kids to play with intensity, this game won't be either.

[Dr. Sak]

I'll be quietly rooting, in order to not get beat up by the BC fan.

Fixed for you

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Pinkel.. DO NOT PLAY MACKLIN THIS WEEKEND!!!

I mean.. it's SEMO for criminy sakes!

I had heard they were sitting him out. Has that changed?

I'm inviting over 10 guys to play poker on Saturday and having them chip in on the PPV cost on the game so I only end up paying a few dollars. :)

[dawgfan]

A friend of mine told me at the beginning of the season, the very worst thing that could happen to UW was if they went 6-6, 7-5 or 5-7. It needs to be one extreme or the other, or else the program will accept mediocrity. He didn't want them to finish last, again, but would rather that than sliding into a low tier bowl game.
Agreed 100% - either Ty proves all of us doubters wrong in a big way with at least 8 wins, or he needs to flame out to make it crystal clear he needs to go and the UW doesn't wimp out again by not firing him. It actually wouldn't shock me if Ty were to offer his resignation if the team starts off 0-4. Losing the first 3 games won't be considered hugely surprising given the schedule, but losing to Stanford would and would underscore the tepid pace of improvement (if it even exists) under Ty compared to Stanford under Harbaugh.

What kills me is the lowered expectations that so many UW fans came to accept during Ty's time here. This is a program that fired Jim Lambright despite him never having a losing season, because the team dipped down to 6-6 under him. This is a program that, from 1977 to 2003, never had a losing record. A program that had consecutive losing seasons only 7 times in its history and only 1 instance of 3 consecutive losing seasons until Ty came along. And yet there are those that excuse Ty by claiming the UW was in the worst shape it's ever been when he took over and that it's completely unrealistic to expect him to turn things around quickly.

Bullshit. There are countless examples of other coaches at other programs that are down in the dumps turning things around in 2 years. We're now in year 4 of Ty, and things don't look much better than when he started.

[Dr. Sak]

I hope UW beats ND...that would be great.

[JHandley]

I'm not a UW fan, per se, but living in the area for 5 years now I've followed the program pretty closely. I was one of the Ty apologists because I felt the team he got from Gilbertson was one of the worst in the nation. However, you just can't do what he's doing.

You can't finish last, second to last and last. You can't lose to Oregon 3 times and carry on a tradition of losing to them 5 times in a row. You can't have your kids come out last week looking like they'd never met each other.

His time is done.

[dawgfan]

I hope UW beats ND...that would be great.
It would, especially considering the UW is 0 for Notre Dame.

[timmynausea]

Weather from Hannah (sp?) could have a pretty big effect on the WVU-ECU game this weekend. ECU, prior to last year, had played us very tough the last few seasons, so it should be a pretty good challenge.

I'm pretty concerned about this one.

[timmynausea]

Going to the OU/Cincy game. I think it's going to be a better game than the oddsmakers do. I still think OU pulls it out, but Cincy's not getting much love for a team that won 10 games last year (nearly beating WVU, if I remember right) and has plenty of talent, particularly on defense.

I'm intrigued by this game. My gut reaction is that Oklahoma will win huge, but for the reasons you point out I think it could end up being fairly close. If Cincy still had Mauk they might have a better chance, but I don't think their new starter is bad, either. Brian Kelley is a great coach.

[larrymcg421]

I'm hoping Jacory Harris gets alot of action in this one for the Canes. I'm still not convinced that Mavre is better than him.

[Galaxy]

Do you think Miami has the ability to get back it's old form with Shannon? With the top class, they seem to have the foundation for that.

[larrymcg421]

Do you think Miami has the ability to get back it's old form with Shannon? With the top class, they seem to have the foundation for that.

Shannon has proven that he can recruit. The jury is still out on if he can coach. The Coker teams that fell apart also had top classes. The recruits didn't stop coming until the last couple Coker classes, and even those were still top 20.

I do like Shannon alot, and think he deserves at least one season beyond this one no matter what. Still, I certainly hope we improve on last year's disaster and also beat FSU again.

[ntndeacon]

I am really interested in that Ole Miss/Wake game

I am really interesed in the Wake game as well. I am looking for a double digit win for Wake. I think the Tech-BC game has potential for being a great game.

[Noop]

I'm hoping Jacory Harris gets alot of action in this one for the Canes. I'm still not convinced that Mavre is better than him.

Actually Marve is called little Tebow by some of his teammates. From what I have been told Marve is the better of the two.

[timmynausea]

Kirk Herbstreit, Todd McShay and Trev Alberts have now all picked East Carolina over West Virginia. I actually think WVU has pretty vastly superior talent. I'm just concerned about playing in a hurricane with a young defense and some crazy stuff happening. If we played this one in a month it could be a lot like the 48-7 game last year. Right now, the pieces on defense are still coming together and it could be a close one.

[MizzouRah]

I had heard they were sitting him out. Has that changed?

I'm inviting over 10 guys to play poker on Saturday and having them chip in on the PPV cost on the game so I only end up paying a few dollars. :)

The last I heard, he was only playing if he was 100%, but I hope you are right. Heck, he could sit out the next 4 weeks if they really wanted him too.

I'm heading over to my dad's as he's buying the game. :)

[GrantDawg]

I'll be quietly rooting, in order to not get beat up by BC fans.


My wife's boss is flying up for that game. Hopefully he survives. :lol:

BTW, how in God's name does the Ole Ball Coach lose to Vandy two years in a row? I thought for sure this would be the year the Gamecocks start really competeing, but it seems they are the same team they always have been. They'll play ranked opponents rough, and even beat a couple, but then lose to vast inferior teams. I just don't get it. SC has the money, the fan-base, a strong recruiting ground, and has had some strong coaches, but just can't seem to turn the corner from being an also-ran.

[Alan T]

My wife's boss is flying up for that game. Hopefully he survives. :lol:

BTW, how in God's name does the Ole Ball Coach lose to Vandy two years in a row? I thought for sure this would be the year the Gamecocks start really competeing, but it seems they are the same team they always have been. They'll play ranked opponents rough, and even beat a couple, but then lose to vast inferior teams. I just don't get it. SC has the money, the fan-base, a strong recruiting ground, and has had some strong coaches, but just can't seem to turn the corner from being an also-ran.

Shouldn't be a problem for them really. I was talking mostly tongue in cheek. If he can survive going to UGA vs Tech games, or such, then this will be a breeze. For the most part, the Northeast seems far more apathetic about college sports than anywhere else I have lived. They seem much more into pro sports than college sports. I guess I would compare college sports fans here to be fairly equal to Falcons fans back home.

[Butter]

BTW, how in God's name does the Ole Ball Coach lose to Vandy two years in a row? I thought for sure this would be the year the Gamecocks start really competeing, but it seems they are the same team they always have been. They'll play ranked opponents rough, and even beat a couple, but then lose to vast inferior teams. I just don't get it. SC has the money, the fan-base, a strong recruiting ground, and has had some strong coaches, but just can't seem to turn the corner from being an also-ran.

Spurrier is not the coach he once was. His innovative offensive schemes are now standard if not behind the times. And his skills with kids have always been questionable.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The last I heard, he was only playing if he was 100%, but I hope you are right. Heck, he could sit out the next 4 weeks if they really wanted him too.

I'm heading over to my dad's as he's buying the game. :)

I saw a big donor post on the Rivals message board that Maclin has been cleared to play on Saturday, though no official announcement has been made. I hope they keep him on the sidelines.

[MizzouRah]

I saw a big donor post on the Rivals message board that Maclin has been cleared to play on Saturday, though no official announcement has been made. I hope they keep him on the sidelines.

Oh no... seriously.. keep him on the sidelines!!!

[TazFTW]

Go Navy!

[Buccaneer]

I don't care what happened last week, I think the Miners can keep this game decent.

Good lord, are you still that delusional????

Only OSU-Ohio has a bigger spread and that's saying a lot since there are a lot of mismatches this week.

[MizzouRah]

My dad just called and told me he had something come up.. no game at his house. :(

Sucks that it's $30 to watch the game today.

[Icy]

As USF or MIA(fl) aren't playing early, which of this games to watch in 30 minutes? (probably can watch two at same time)

12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
College Football: Connecticut at Temple [16]
12:00 PM - 03:30 PM
College Football: Eastern Michigan at Michigan State [11]
12:00 PM - 03:30 PM
College Football: Georgia Tech at Boston College [4]
12:00 PM - 03:30 PM
College Football: Miami (OH) at Michigan [3]
12:00 PM - 03:30 PM
College Football: Marshall vs #11 Wisconsin [26]
12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
College Football: Ohio vs #3 Ohio St. [5]
12:30 PM - 03:30 PM
College Football: Soutern Mississippi vs. #9 Auburn [12]

[RPI-Fan]

Georgia Tech v. Boston college is a no brainer... then I'd also consider Miami/Michigan and SoMiss/Auburn fo rthe 2nd game.

[GrantDawg]

Tech moving the ball well. Big chunks on the ground and enough in the air to keep it rolling. Very nice series. 7-3.

[MJ4H]

So the guy that just kicked off for Southern Miss has the last name "BAREFOOT" on the back of his jersey. I'm sorry but that is just odd.

[hoopsguy]

Wisky is down 14-0 to Marshall.

I'm frustrated to be in Chicago and have my choice of watching Ohio State, Michigan, or Wisconsin, but no Illinois. This is not an example of the Big Ten Network working for me :mad: :banghead: :mad:

[Noop]

Boo Jackson with the great play for first down versus the Buckeyes.

[Noop]

Damn another great play by Jackson.

[Izulde]

Wisky is down 14-0 to Marshall.

I'm frustrated to be in Chicago and have my choice of watching Ohio State, Michigan, or Wisconsin, but no Illinois. This is not an example of the Big Ten Network working for me :mad: :banghead: :mad:

Yeah I noticed Everidge started off 0-4 and from what my dad was saying, the Badgers aren't rotating their backs enough. They need to get Johnny Clay some more touches... Maybe it's my Park High bias talking, but the kid can run in my opinion.

It seems like Wisconsin has one game a year where they just totally underachieve. Wonder if this'll be the game.

[Galaxy]

Damn another great play by Jackson.

He's pretty good.

[Galaxy]

Touchdown Ohio!

[hoopsguy]

Wisky on the board, 14-7 now.

The Ohio QB is making some big plays on this drive - OSU looks god-awful on offense without Wells so far. Very conservative playcalling, obviously not looking to show anything to USC. But the "throw the jocks on the field" approach isn't working so far.

TD Ohio - now up 7-3 on the Buckeyes, 7 to go in first half.

[mckerney]

14-10 now, Marshall needs to go right down the field for another TD here.

[hoopsguy]

I take back my criticisms of BTN, at least in this one instance. Found a link that helped me find the channel showing Illini locally. This one is going into my bookmarks.

Big Ten Network GameFinder & Coverage Maps - Big Ten Network (http://www.bigtennetwork.com/gamefinder/index.html)

[hoopsguy]

Illini with 250 rushing yards in first half, Juice Williams with 100 of them and two rushing TDs. 26-7, despite three turnovers.

Not that this was supposed to be a close game, but it is nice to see them bullying a weaker opponent - especially in comparison to what is happening early with a couple of other Big Ten teams.

[PurdueBrad]

I take back my criticisms of BTN, at least in this one instance. Found a link that helped me find the channel showing Illini locally. This one is going into my bookmarks.

Big Ten Network GameFinder & Coverage Maps - Big Ten Network (http://www.bigtennetwork.com/gamefinder/index.html)

Yeah, I've actually been quite impressed as I've got the main channel and four alternates so I can basically watch any Big Ten game going right now (including my Boilers).

[Jas_lov]

Ohio up 14-6 on Ohio State. Iowa is crushing FIU right now so I think I'll start watching this game.

[MylesKnight]

The Temple/UConn game on ESPNU is something to see. A frickin' monsoon in Philly this afternoon for this one.

Jeebs, good luck to the Miners tonight. Hope to see them represent CUSA well. UCF gets USF tonight, the Knights have a decent shot at this one.

[SFL Cat]

Even if they win, one gets the feeling OSU is going to drop in the polls a bit after this week.

[hoopsguy]

Even if they win, one gets the feeling OSU is going to drop in the polls a bit after this week.

Sure, but they are almost a sure bet to be #1 if they win at USC the following week. So I don't think it matters at all what happens this week, as long as they don't somehow find a loss.

19-14 Buckeyes now, 14 minutes to play, so there is still a very real chance that happens.

[hoopsguy]

Oh, and the Illini run defense terrifies me. The EIU halfback has 15 rushes for 183 yards. Suffice it to say that J Leman is missed, but the problems look to run a bit deeper than one guy.

[hoopsguy]

It seems like Wisconsin has one game a year where they just totally underachieve. Wonder if this'll be the game.

Nope, just one quarter based on the score. 38-14 Badgers now.

[RPI-Fan]

Just found out the GT game is on up here (on NBC WTF?) -- 19-16 JACKETS!!!!

[JonInMiddleGA]

RPI -- I thought that might be your local Raycom ACC outlet, but they don't list one in NY (although there are affiliates in Maine & Rhode Island). My next best guess would be that they're picking it up via some connection with ESPN's new regional network that'll launch next year full speed for the SEC games (when they replace Raycom).

[JonInMiddleGA]

Meanwhile, did anyone mention Va Tech leading Furman 3-0 at the half?

edit: GT holds and gets the ball on downs with 4:08 left, still leading BC 19-16. Despite having just 201 yds total offense so far and missing two field goals & losing three fumbles (BC has turned it over 3x themselves).

[VPI97]

Meanwhile, did anyone mention Va Tech leading Furman 3-0 at the half?
I consider it a successful first half considering we should be losing 7-3.

Our offense is a large, steaming pile of crap.

[RPI-Fan]

RPI -- I thought that might be your local Raycom ACC outlet, but they don't list one in NY (although there are affiliates in Maine & Rhode Island). My next best guess would be that they're picking it up via some connection with ESPN's new regional network that'll launch next year full speed for the SEC games (when they replace Raycom).

Live in Virginia now. :)

[Karlifornia]

Man....what is it about the Big-10 that I find so uwatchable? I wake up for the morning games, and all I can think is "I'm really tempted to go back to sleep".

[Recoil]

This Raycom broadcast has been horrible, but I'm glad to see the game.

Let's go Tech.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Live in Virginia now. :)

Sorry, my bad. I'm guessing it's WVIR-TV from Charlottesville that you're getting then. You should get a 1230pm ACC game most every week there then.
Next week it's NC State/Clemson, rest of the schedule TBA.

[GrantDawg]

Good win, Techies. I think that offense is only going to get better and give a lot of teams trouble.

[Tigercat]

Regardless of all the outcomes, a good weekend for all non-BCS schools. They are putting up fights left and right.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Dwyer & Nesbitt down the stretch made the difference, good win but hell, any win is a good win this year as far as I'm concerned.

[GrantDawg]

Dwyer & Nesbitt down the stretch made the difference, good win but hell, any win is a good win this year as far as I'm concerned.


Heck, as weak as the ACC is top to bottom, I'd say you guys have as much a shot to win the conference as anybody.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not exactly sure how they ended up with it, but UGA vs Central Michigan is apparently about to kickoff on FSN South (for those in their coverage area).

[GrantDawg]

Not exactly sure how they ended up with it, but UGA vs Central Michigan is apparently about to kickoff on FSN South (for those in their coverage area).


Me neither, but I'm glad I don't have to watch it again on ESPN 360. :)

[Swaggs]

Cincy vs Oklahoma about to kick off.

Could be a good measuring stick game for the Bearcats. Hopefully, they will play well, but I expect Oklahoma to be too physical for them.

[GrantDawg]

Hey, a quick punt by CMU! Hadn't seen that in a while.

[digamma]

Good win, Techies. I think that offense is only going to get better and give a lot of teams trouble.

Real trouble right now is on the interior of the offensive line. That was magnified today by the excellent BC DT's, but it was a problem against Jacksonville State also. But, Nesbitt and Dwyer have a ton of ability. It will be fun to watch them grow.

Fantastic win.

[MJ4H]

Wake Forest scored off of a muffed punt early, Ole Miss just answered and its 7-7 with 4 to go in the first.

[MacroGuru]

Its tied in Seattle 14 - 14 with 4 minutes left in the half and to be honest, it shouldn't be this close.

But that is why they play the game.

BYU better tear these guys up in the 2nd half.

[VPI97]

Dwyer & Nesbitt down the stretch made the difference, good win but hell, any win is a good win this year as far as I'm concerned.
I fully expect that VT loses by 20 to GT next week. Georgia Tech may have a new offense, but it sounds as if they execute it well. The Hokies have the same shitty offense we've always had, but with the abundance of freshmen and sophomores that dominate the depth chart, we don't have the playmakers we normally do that can cover up the crappy playcalling.

[Karlifornia]

PSU is splattering Oregon State.

[GrantDawg]

Is that a man with long hair doing the sideline reporting for the UGA game? I haven't had a good shot to look for the adams-apple.

[Karlifornia]

Ole Miss up a TD at Wake. Snead looking solid.

[Vegas Vic]

Oklahoma's kick coverage is horrible.

[JonInMiddleGA]

TD ECU on an 11 play/80 yd drive, 7-0 over West Virginia in Q1.

[MacroGuru]

Tied 21 - 21 and if BYUs defense doesn't pull it's head out they don't deserve this game.

[kingfc22]

Watching ND's comedy of errors is making my Saturday afternoon worthwhile.

[Vegas Vic]

Ole Miss up a TD at Wake. Snead looking solid.

What a shocker. A visiting, bottom feeding SEC team is beating the best team in the ACC.

[General Mike]

God damn rain.

[TazFTW]

Fumble by WVU leads to an East Carolina TD, 17-3 ECU.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Central Michigan scores to end the first half & again to start the second half, at least they're on the board vs UGA, now 28-14 Dogs early in the 3rd.

[Matthean]

Watching ND's comedy of errors is making my Saturday afternoon worthwhile.

This being one of their weaker opponents. If they lose this one, we are looking at another losing season and I'm really curious as to how the Irish fanboi's start to defend it. They all swore this year was going to be different because, you know, it was all Ty's fault and once Charlie got his recruits everything would be alright.

And yes, Lou Holtz said the Irish could go 11-1 this season.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Moreno busts a 52 yd run, now 35-14 UGA over CMU.
Wake takes the lead 20-14 over Ole Miss.

[MacroGuru]

28 - 21 BYU with 3:43 left...Time for the defense to buckle down.

[Karlifornia]

Wow....three overthrows and a drop by UW

[TazFTW]

Nice play by Locker to get the first.

[Karlifornia]

Locker=he can run

[JonInMiddleGA]

Heh. I'm getting a kick out of my son pulling for BYU ... because he uses them somewhat frequently playing his run & gun style on NCAA 2kwhatever.

[Karlifornia]

The refs are really going insane on the excessive celebration calls so far this season. I don't like it at all.

[Karlifornia]

That is absolutely disgusting what the refs just did to Washington.

[MrBug708]

Refs blew the UW game, badly

[digamma]

What a terrible call.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not much choice for the refs there, once Locker tossed it I knew the flag was coming. Nobody for Washington to blame for that one but themselves.

[Karlifornia]

Not much choice for the refs there, once Locker tossed it I knew the flag was coming. Nobody for Washington to blame for that one but themselves.

You're wrong.

[Noop]

How has Clausen looked for Notre Dame?

[Karlifornia]

Maybe you're not wrong...but we just got a great finish to a great game taken away from us as fans....that makes me mad.

[SFL Cat]

Looks like it might be a loooong season for the Mountaineers.

[MacroGuru]

Refs killed the ending of the BYU - UW game....

I have to say though...I can't believe we blocked that PAT!

[JonInMiddleGA]

You're wrong.

Obviously not, since I knew it was coming. And if I knew it sitting here, as an out of shape 40+ year old, then Locker should have known it too. Nobody to blame for that one but him & him alone.

[MacroGuru]

Also, if BYU plays like this next week on defense, we will get our first L

[JonInMiddleGA]

Richmond 1st & goal, trailing Virginia 3-0, with 8:52 remaining.

edit: Oops, make that UVA 1st & goal, leading 3-0. Uni's screwed me up there for a minute.
edit2: 10-0 Cavs

[MrBug708]

Also, if BYU plays like this next week on defense, we will get our first L

Here's hoping to them playing that way :)

I expect the LB'ers to be the key matchup vs UCLA as they looked a step slow all day. I expect Chow to exploit that matchup

[Karlifornia]

Obviously not, since I knew it was coming. And if I knew it sitting here, as an out of shape 40+ year old, then Locker should have known it too. Nobody to blame for that one but him & him alone.

Well, you're not going to convince me, and I'm not going to convince you otherwise.

Welcome to Hollywood.

[Karlifornia]

These guys for San Diego State (if they win), will be able to call their grandparents and amaze them by saying nothing more than "We just beat Notre Dame in South Bend"

[Karlifornia]

Get ready for some red-hot Skip Holtz to ND rumors.

[MrBug708]

SDSU gave up 200+ yards rushing to Cal Poly last week

[MacroGuru]

Here's hoping to them playing that way :)

I expect the LB'ers to be the key matchup vs UCLA as they looked a step slow all day. I expect Chow to exploit that matchup

Trust me, I know he will I count on the hostile environment helping us out against your offense...especially Craft.

[General Mike]

Complete satellite failure :(

[MrBug708]

Trust me, I know he will I count on the hostile environment helping us out against your offense...especially Craft.

I'm hoping that was just jitters and nothing more :) UCLA needs to slow down Unga this year

[sabotai]

Anyone else watching the WVU-E.Car game? East Carolina is just beating up WVU right now.

[hoopsguy]

San Diego State with a fumble heading into the end zone - so Irish get the ball on their 20, down 13-7, instead of looking at 20-7 with 12 to play.

[hoopsguy]

And is anyone else finding that they are way, way more likely to watch bad Notre Dame than good Notre Dame?

[MrBug708]

Get ready for some red-hot Skip Holtz to ND rumors.

Holtz or Brian Kelly I would imagine

[MacroGuru]

I'm hoping that was just jitters and nothing more :) UCLA needs to slow down Unga this year

In the past year you have slowed him down, at we are 1-1, it's not time for us to take it up a notch.

Our offense has to get rid of the ball quick to beat UCLA. Our defense, has to play like 10x better and I doubt that happens.

It's going to be another close game.

[digamma]

Obviously not, since I knew it was coming. And if I knew it sitting here, as an out of shape 40+ year old, then Locker should have known it too. Nobody to blame for that one but him & him alone.


The rule states:

"After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately
must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot."

The individual prongs of the rule further specify that the rule prohibits:

"(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the
field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.
(b) Spiking the ball to the ground [Exception: A forward pass to
conserve time (Rule 7-3-2-d)].
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air.
(d) Any other unsportsmanlike act or actions that delay the game."

He didn't spike the ball, kick it, spin it or carry it anywhere. It wasn't a particularly unsportsmanlike act. So, we're left with the "throwing" prong of a) and c). I'm not even sure what he did was an actual "throw." It didn't seem particularly high to me, so I'd rule out c). That means we're left with an official determining that he threw it sufficiently far so that the official had to retrieve it, thus not leaving it near the dead ball spot.

Point being, I don't think the interpretation in this case is so black and white--and in my mind, they blew the call.

[kingfc22]

And is anyone else finding that they are way, way more likely to watch bad Notre Dame than good Notre Dame?

This is going to be sad if SDSU can't pull this out.

[General Mike]

Anyone else watching the WVU-E.Car game? East Carolina is just beating up WVU right now.

Fire Bill Stewart?

[Buccaneer]

Go Aztecs.

[Buccaneer]

Then again, maybe not. :(

[JonInMiddleGA]

It didn't seem particularly high to me, so I'd rule out

That's probably the part where we disagree, seemed like more than enough.

You may recall I'm often critical of the celebration calls we see each week but this one seemed awfully obvious & I'm downright amazed that not only did the (godawful, maybe some of the worst I've ever heard btw) announcers on the game gripe but so did folks here.

[JonInMiddleGA]

WFU gets a field goal with :03 left to go up 30-28 on Ole Miss.

[digamma]

That's probably the part where we disagree, seemed like more than enough.

You may recall I'm often critical of the celebration calls we see each week but this one seemed awfully obvious & I'm downright amazed that not only did the (godawful, maybe some of the worst I've ever heard btw) announcers on the game gripe but so did folks here.


Just saw the replay from an angle I hadn't seen, and I can buy off on the height of the toss being enough to justify a penalty.

[MJ4H]

Good to see Houston Dale still has it. Break someone else's heart from now on baby.

[Vegas Vic]

Terrible performance by OU in their 52-26 win over Cincinnati. The special teams and defense were horrendous. Props to the offense, who put up almost 600 total yards against a Bearcat defense that returned 10 starters from their #13 nationally ranked 2007 defense. To add insult to injury, the defense let Cincinnati score on the last play of the game.

[JPhillips]

Can E. Carolina be a BCS team? They have a long way to go, but looking at their schedule, they could run the table.

[Vegas Vic]

Can E. Carolina be a BCS team? They have a long way to go, but looking at their schedule, they could run the table.

If they run the table, they will most certainly get an at-large BCS bid.

[Buccaneer]

That would be cool.

Any team that can beat WVU is one of my favorites.

[miami_fan]

That's probably the part where we disagree, seemed like more than enough.

You may recall I'm often critical of the celebration calls we see each week but this one seemed awfully obvious & I'm downright amazed that not only did the (godawful, maybe some of the worst I've ever heard btw) announcers on the game gripe but so did folks here.

Funny, I agree but probably for different reasons. To me , it seemed like the perfect time the refs to interject themselves into the game with that type of penalty. What makes this so egregious is this was the exact opposite of the usual complaints for player celebrations. It was not planned, it was not intended to draw attention to himself, and it was not done after a meaningless play with 10 minutes to go in the 1st quarter or when they were getting blown out with 2 mins. left in the game.

[MJ4H]

Arkansas looking much better on both sides of the ball so far. Drove right down the field twice and blew two easy field goals. Fantastic. Playing a better team and looking much better, but I don't what the fuck was with those two field goal attempts.

2 mins to go in the first and no score. ULM no first downs and about 5 yds on 3 plays. Arkansas has moved down the field at will until a penalty slowed the first drive and a failed 3rd and goal on the second drive. 0-0.

[Vegas Vic]

I didn't see the end of the BYU/Washington game, so I'm a bit confused.

I'm reading that the officials made a terrible call at the end of the game, but wasn't it the blocked extra point that cost Washington the game?

[digamma]

I didn't see the end of the BYU/Washington game, so I'm a bit confused.

I'm reading that the officials made a terrible call at the end of the game, but wasn't it the blocked extra point that cost Washington the game?

The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved the extra point back to the 18.

[MJ4H]

Casey Dick 4-7 for 52 yards, Michael Smith 9.8 avg yds per carry. No points in the first quarter. ULM 6 plays, 3 and out twice, about 5 total yards. Sigh.

[Vegas Vic]

The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved the extra point back to the 18.

I understand that, but it's not like the kicker barely missed it wide left/right. It was blocked.

[MJ4H]

TOUCHDOWN ARKANSAS

and he missed the extra point

WHAT THE FUCK

[MJ4H]

Our kicking game is a fucking circus.

[digamma]

I understand that, but it's not like the kicker barely missed it wide left/right. It was blocked.

Of course, Washington could have and should have executed in the situation, but I think the argument would go something like the penalty sufficiently changed the kick (either by changing the angle of the kick, flustering the snapper/holder/kicker, or making it a more difficult kick). And yes, they should have still executed.

[MJ4H]

Apparently the kicker Tejada has some knee issue going on. 3 straight missed kicks, two of them from inside the 5. Meanwhile, someone had the brilliant idea for him to do the ensuing kickoff and after a delay of game he kicks out of bounds, giving them the ball at midfield. Two good offensive calls later and its 1st and goal, and despite outgaining this team about 200-5 in the first quarter, Arkansas now fucking TRAILS 7-6. God DAMMIT.

[Galaxy]

No Erin Andrews for this game? Damn she's hot.

[MJ4H]

Now a 3 and out, the picture on my $30 PPV broadcast freezes on Casey Dick being sacked and the punt is blocked in the audio as the picture is frozen. I swear to god Id rather gnaw off my arm than endure this.

[JonInMiddleGA]

MTSU 10-7 over Maryland about the middle of Q2. The score alone isn't quite as stunning as the disparity in the boxscore.

First downs: 14-1 MTSU.
Time of Poss: 20:49 to 4:44 in favor of MTSU
Total Yards: 239 to 80 MTSU

Terps have run 11 plays so far, one was a 63 yd TD run the other ten have produced a combined 17 yards.

[wade moore]

W&M for the most part has outplayed NC State, but finds themselves down 21-3...

Ohwell - we had a shot to win this one and our defense that let up 35+ points a game last year has looked very, very good (well, sounded by the radio) against a division I-A team.

[wade moore]

As I say that the Tribe score a TD, w00t!

21-10 in the 3rd.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Northwestern leads Duke 14-10 late in the 1st half.
Florida just went up 7-0 on Miami with about 3 mins played so far.
Cal is embarassing Wash St 42-3 as halftime approaches.

[MJ4H]

Got to love a field full of freshmen. Catching the kickoff at the 5 yard line instead of letting it go out of bounds and then stepping on the sideline at the 6. SIGH.

[wade moore]

Meh.. sounds like what often happens with I-AA teams playing I-A teams is happening - W&M defense is getting tired and NC State is starting to really move the ball.

[Matthean]

How has Clausen looked for Notre Dame?

Oddly enough the Irish looked completely tame until they got the gift call at the goal line. Irish get it and cruise down the field in a "Where has this team been?" type fashion.

Holtz or Brian Kelly I would imagine

Just not Kelly because I actually like him and don't want the evil empire getting him. I think the Irish will limp to a mediocre season which will be enough improvement that the Irish would look bad for getting rid of Charlie that quick. There looks to be 5 more possible wins in that schedule (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teams/schedule?teamId=87) so I just don't see the Irish canning a coach after rebounding from that season to a bowl game.

[MJ4H]

Arkansas down 10-6 at half.

[MJ4H]

217-100 total yards in Arkansas favor. 3 turnovers. 19:00-11:00 time of possession for Arkansas. And behind.

[Vegas Vic]

Is Bobby Petrino still at Arkansas?

[MJ4H]

He will be here 5+ years, and I'd bet money on it. (edit-if I had any)

[Galaxy]

Why the QB sub at Miami?

[MJ4H]

17-6 ULM.

[MacroGuru]

In the 2nd Q Utah is down 7 - 0 to UNLV

[miami_fan]

Why the QB sub at Miami?

It was part of the plan going into the game.

I have to say I am liking what I am seeing from the Canes so far. I expect the Gators to pull away at some point but I finally see some potential for the future.

[miami_fan]

Damn. Unorganized there.

[Galaxy]

It was part of the plan going into the game.

I have to say I am liking what I am seeing from the Canes so far. I expect the Gators to pull away at some point but I finally see some potential for the future.

They need to open it up and mix it up more with the offensive play-calling.

[Matthean]

'Bama's inexperience is showing as it's mailing in it's game so far. 13-3 with Tulane driving.

[Izulde]

MJ4H, how are you watching the game? I just discovered ESPN360 and am watching it there.

....And of course the connection craps out on 3rd and 1.

[MJ4H]

PPV on dish.

[Izulde]

PPV on dish.

Bleh. Fucking Cox. Why they can't show the Hogs on cable TV? :mad: ESPN360 keeps flaking out every two minutes.

[Vegas Vic]

Bleh. Fucking Cox. Why they can't show the Hogs on cable TV?

Because it's on ESPN Gameplan.

[MJ4H]

Touchdown Arkansas. Offense doing fine. If we wouldn't dig a hole with the stupidest series of bullshit penalties and special teams gaffes, we would never be in these damn situations.

[MJ4H]

I think maybe the worst thing about this is my mother-in-law is over here and attempting to speak authoritatively about every aspect of this game and getting exactly zero things even remotely correct.

[Galaxy]

Jeez Miami...Stop using those time-outs so quickly.

[Swaggs]

West Virginia was horrendous today. I'm not really sure what to think. We got outmuscled, outdisciplined, and outcoached in pretty much all areas of the game.

I'm hoping that ECU is really, really good, but after today, I'm guessing we are going to be lucky to win 7-8 games.

[MJ4H]

ULM 27, Arkansas 21 6:33 to go.

[Izulde]

ULM 27, Arkansas 21 6:33 to go.

Come on Hogs!

[MJ4H]

Arkansas driving into ULM territory with 3:00 to play now.

[MJ4H]

um wow

[Vegas Vic]

UCF ties it up 24-24 with 1:40 left in the 4th.

[MJ4H]

TOUCHDOWN ARKANSAS

[miami_fan]

Tough call there

[General Mike]

He will be here 5+ years, and I'd bet money on it. (edit-if I had any)

I'd take that bet (if I had money)

[bhlloy]

I don't agree with that call. I don't see how the ball can be under control if it flies out of his hands on impact. It's like the refs were looking so close at whether any part of his body was in, they didn't look at the ball at all.

[MJ4H]

And surprise, Arkansas has allowed ULM a chance to win with a 45 yd field goal.

[MJ4H]

He missed it. Arkansas takes over, 28-27 with 36 seconds to go. My god this is going to be a crazy season.

[MJ4H]

I'd take that bet (if I had money)

I'll change my FOFC avatar to something of your choice if you win. :)

[miami_fan]

I don't agree with that call. I don't see how the ball can be under control if it flies out of his hands on impact. It's like the refs were looking so close at whether any part of his body was in, they didn't look at the ball at all.

I am not sure if the receiver has to maintain control all the way through as they do in the NFL.

[Vegas Vic]

USF shanks a last second FG, and the game goes to OT.

[Alan T]

Ugly win today for Tech, but I'll take an ugly win over an ugly loss.

[Buccaneer]

We were watching the exciting overtime with USF and on the 4th down play for UCF, they switched over to UT-UTEP. God, I almost threw up in my mouth. Good thing they switched it back. Bastards.

[Buccaneer]

Now the Texas is on. Guess they are making a game of it. Hmm...

[Celeval]

I understand that, but it's not like the kicker barely missed it wide left/right. It was blocked.

+1 - the refs didn't cost them that game. The call was borderline, but you've got to make that kick. It wasn't a barely-blocked one, either, by the looks of it.

[Karlifornia]

I'm pretty sure you guys would feel a bit differently had it been your alma mater on the receiving end of that call..I'm not a Washington guy, but I'd be heartbroken.

[Izulde]

He missed it. Arkansas takes over, 28-27 with 36 seconds to go. My god this is going to be a crazy season.

I'm thrilled we won, of course, but I take a much more pessimistic view.

We struggled to beat two teams we by all rights should've blown out of the water in terms of talent level. The season's going to take an ugly turn if things stay the way they are and the ugliness starts next week against Texas.

[MJ4H]

You do realize this is a near total rebuilding project, right? I'll take any wins we can get this season. To say Hootie Dale left the cupboard bare is a bit of an understatement.

[Izulde]

You do realize this is a near total rebuilding project, right? I'll take any wins we can get this season. To say Hootie Dale left the cupboard bare is a bit of an understatement.

Oh I know it's a rebuilding project. I have us tabbed for maybe 4 or 5 wins this year, with these first two games being half that total. Being bowl-eligible or getting to a bowl game would be a fantastic season.

[Vegas Vic]

I'm pretty sure you guys would feel a bit differently had it been your alma mater on the receiving end of that call..I'm not a Washington guy, but I'd be heartbroken.

Of course it was a bad call. So what? Line up and kick the extra point and go to overtime.

[miami_fan]

+1 - the refs didn't cost them that game. The call was borderline, but you've got to make that kick. It wasn't a barely-blocked one, either, by the looks of it.

I could be wrong but I don't think anyone said it costs them the game. Most just think it was a bad call.

[Buccaneer]

Middle Tennessee St. beats an ACC team??

[Karlifornia]

Of course it was a bad call. So what? Line up and kick the extra point and go to overtime.

Yes, Vic....I get it...they still had to kick the EP....But if you're telling me there isn't a difference (especially in college ball) between a 19 yard EP and a 36 yarder, then I guess we have different perspectives.

[Vegas Vic]

Yes, Vic....I get it...they still had to kick the EP....But if you're telling me there isn't a difference (especially in college ball) between a 19 yard EP and a 36 yarder, then I guess we have different perspectives.

The only case they could possibly have would have been if they barely missed the XP. It's not like the guy was kicking a 60 yard FG. BYU collapsed the line of scrimmage and blocked it. It wouldn't have mattered if the ball was snapped from the 3 yard line or the 15 yard line, they still would have blocked the kick.

[Karlifornia]

The only case they could possibly have would have been if they barely missed the XP. It's not like the guy was kicking a 60 yard FG. BYU collapsed the line of scrimmage and blocked it. It wouldn't have mattered if the ball was snapped from the 3 yard line or the 15 yard line, they still would have blocked the kick.

Who knows what happens if U-Dub is kicking it from the 3. Maybe the BYU block team isn't smelling blood in the water like they were on the actual EP...Maybe they take it to be more of a foregone conclusion, and don't push through. Maybe the kicker adjusts his kicking trajectory. Maybe a combination of both. Maybe not. Maybe it still gets blocked. I don't know, but the ref really didn't need to make that call. I personally think any celebration calls are ridiculous, but arbitrary limit rules on infractions that have zero effect on gameplay during key situations are a case of a ref trying to be the star of the show.

[BrianD]

How many years has throwing the football as part of a TD celebration been an unsportsmanlike penalty? 20? More? It is the same rule that hasn't allowed a spike in the end zone. It isn't like you can claim ignorance of the rule.

[Dr. Sak]

I don't know, but the ref really didn't need to make that call. I personally think any celebration calls are ridiculous, but arbitrary limit rules on infractions that have zero effect on gameplay during key situations are a case of a ref trying to be the star of the show.

It's a point of emphasis this year to NCAA officials so observers are watching it closely. If the guy doesn't make the call, he gets chewed out by his superior, maybe he never does another D-1 game. He wasn't trying to be the star of the show...he was enforcing the rule. He didn't miss the block that got the kick blocked. .

[Dr. Sak]

Just got back from the Penn State game. I thought they'd win, but not the way they did. I was very impressed at the way the defense played without Evans and Karoma. The offense opened up a little, and Clark threw the ball really nice. He has the ability of Robinson to run the ball, but I think he is a better passer.

With two games against Syracuse and Temple coming up next, we won't find out how good this team really is until they play Illinois at the end of the month.

[Noop]

Still complaining about that call eh? The ref called it by the book although in that situation I think an exception could have been made. That being said Washington's kick protection is the reason why they lost, not the ref.

[cartman]

Martinez of UTEP just tried a 65 yard FG. It was just short, and Texas had a guy camped under the goal post. He ran it out, and almost pulled a Devin Hester, getting the ball all the way back to the UTEP 35.

[BrianD]

Still complaining about that call eh? The ref called it by the book although in that situation I think an exception could have been made.

Could you imagine the outrage by BYU fans if that call isn't made? Very hard to justify not calling something that is spelled out explicitly in the rules.

[Cuckoo]

Terrible performance by OU in their 52-26 win over Cincinnati. The special teams and defense were horrendous. Props to the offense, who put up almost 600 total yards against a Bearcat defense that returned 10 starters from their #13 nationally ranked 2007 defense. To add insult to injury, the defense let Cincinnati score on the last play of the game.

Terrible? Nah... You're definitely right about the kick coverage. They certainly have to do something about that because it was really bad. And the defense was very mediocre in the first half. In the 2nd, though, they shut down Cincy's offense completely. The final score was pretty weak and came against the OU backups.

I was really impressed by OU's offense. They were methodical and just did whatever they wanted most of the day, surprising to me given the Cincy defense's reputation. On the flip side, Cincy's offense was better than I expected. It's too bad that QB got hurt because he has some talent and the backup looked really poor in the little action he had.

[Noop]

I hope OU has a good backup QB because Bradford is looking like a top 10 pick.

[Cuckoo]

I hope OU has a good backup QB because Bradford is looking like a top 10 pick.

They have a young kid named Landry Jones that was somewhat highly-touted and has plenty of ability.

But honestly, I'd be surprised if Bradford leaves early. He's a lifelong OU fan and a really humble, almost meek kid. I think he plays four years and gains some necessary strength in the process.

[Vegas Vic]

For you diehards, there's one more televised game getting ready to start -- Weber State at Hawaii on ESPN Gameplan. This one is worth watching just to listen to the two Hawaii announcers. These guys are hilarious.

[Lathum]

The UW loss can't be blamed on the refs but is still heartbreaking. Locker is viewed as a savior up here and this win would have been his signature win to hopefully get the program started in the right direction. It was also a win Ty needed, it is devestating for the program the way it happened, they would have been better off losing 35-7.

[kingnebwsu]

Crazy day of college football.

As an OSU fan, I'm freaking out pretty hard about next week's game at USC. USC is scary good, but I think barely winning today will have some positive effect for this week's practices. I still don't think it will be enough, but we'll see. At least everyone all week will say that USC is better than the SEC teams that romped Ohio State and that USC will win by 8 TD's in the first half. That will help motivate Ohio State. Still, I pick USC 27-13. Hopefully OSU pulls out the win though ;)

Bummer about the BYU/UW ending. Terrible call to make...but it was the right call. They should change the rule if it's really that egregious. Or say "no celebration penalties under 2 minutes" or something. Those are the options, but as the official said in the press release...it wasn't a judgment call.

Miami hung with Florida for more than a half. Then UF took over. The Gators are going to be a scary team this year. I think Miami has a chance to steal the ACC in what is a bigtime down year for the conference. Look for Miami to win 10+ games in 2010.

East Carolina is scary the last 2 weeks. It's tough for any team to go undefeated, but they have a chance. If you're a fan of WVU, are you questioning your choice of head coach more than you were 24 hours ago? That was the big thing I was thinking as I watched ECU dominate WVU. ECU should be in the top 10 based solely on quality of wins. I'll make sure to put them there in my vote of the FOFC top 25 ;)

[cartman]

As I put in the other thread, Arkansas State is looking tough for a Sun Belt team. They beat Texas A&M last week, and laid a big boy school style beat down on FCS Texas Southern 83-10.

[mckerney]

Efficient outing by Adam Weber in Minnesota's win, 22-26 for 233 and 3 TDs with another rushing TD, along with no turnovers. Him holding onto the ball with the defense forcing a couple turnovers seems to be the biggest difference. Good to see Weber appears to be progressing as a sophomore, hopefully it continues. But for now it just feels good to be 2-0 after last season.

[Vegas Vic]

huh-WAH-ee goes up 21-17 on Weber State in the 3rd quarter (phonetic pronunciation there for the home grown announcers).

[Karlifornia]

I can't believe the amount of heartless pricks there are in college football...but what do I know? I'm just a Stanford supporter...I'm like a Marlins fan. I don't know shit.

[MacroGuru]

The ref for the UW/BYU game was quoted as saying it wasn't a judgment call, the minute the ball went up in the air like that he had to throw the flag.

Ty has admitted the flag had to be thrown.

Still, I truly feel we kept Washington in that game with the piss poor defense we played. I wouldn't have been shocked of leaving Washington with the loss.

it sucks, it's the rule and the refs are getting lambasted constantly on t.v., internet message boards, email chains and diners right now. It's crazy.

Lets face it, the Pac 10 officiating is not the greatest out there and has messed up some serious games over the years.

[SFL Cat]

The ref made the right call in the BYU-Wash game, but I do feel for the Huskies. Football can be such an emotional game, and in the heat and excitement of the moment, I can't say a lot of people wouldn't have done the same thing...and it wasn't too outrageous, especially compared to some of the stuff we've seen in the NFL. Still, as someone else has said, its been the rule for next to forever in college football. And there was no more pressure on that kick than there would have been if it was a regular field goal to tie or win the game. I bet Locker never makes that mistake again.

[BrianD]

I can't believe the amount of heartless pricks there are in college football...but what do I know? I'm just a Stanford supporter...I'm like a Marlins fan. I don't know shit.

I think the difference is deciding if this was a bad call or a bad rule. There shouldn't be any debate about this being a bad call since it is explicitly stated in the rules. It wasn't something similar to wording in a rule, it was a perfect match.

What is up for debate is whether this rule makes sense and should be in the books. I hate excessive celebrating at any level and would love to see it all stamped out. One moment of truly excited action hardly seems to qualify as excessive celebration. I don't know where you draw the line, but that is where the debate can come in.

Bottom line, leave the refs alone, yell at the NCAA rules committee.

[Swaggs]

East Carolina is scary the last 2 weeks. It's tough for any team to go undefeated, but they have a chance. If you're a fan of WVU, are you questioning your choice of head coach more than you were 24 hours ago? That was the big thing I was thinking as I watched ECU dominate WVU. ECU should be in the top 10 based solely on quality of wins. I'll make sure to put them there in my vote of the FOFC top 25 ;)

I think most WVU fans think that Coach Stewart is a great man, but we are/were in a wait-and-see mode. The motion changes and move to a more passing offense made me nervous, as we returned White, Devine, and all 5 OL starters (and 2 of 3 top backups) from an 11-2 team. I wasn't sure that moving to a more balanced offense would be a great move this season with that type of experience and talent returning. I think we also miss FB Owen Schmitt, in the running game, a lot more than people realized. The defense lost a lot in the front 3 and the top 3 CBs and it certainly shows. I have more faith that the offense can/will get on track than the D.

I'm still in wait-and-see mode. I think our staff (minus the HC, of course) is much better than it was last season, but if we keep playing like this, during Pat White's (+ 80% of the OL's) senior season (this team has won 11 games for 3 straight seasons), it will be hard to think that things will not get much, much worse.

[molson]

Could you imagine the outrage by BYU fans if that call isn't made? Very hard to justify not calling something that is spelled out explicitly in the rules.

Nobody would have noticed.

There was nothing remotely unusual about that. If someone isolated every touchdown of the the last College Football season, you would see dozens of TDs ending with more of a throw than that and no flag.

"By the book" there would be a penalty after almost every touchdown, and after most plays. "the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an an official or leave it near the dead ball spot".

Immediately means immediately. You better not take one step with the ball. No wasted motion. Don't even hold it over your head or anything. That rules is broken constantly.

The press release that this was not a "judgment call" was just silly.

And this sentiment of "So what? Line up and kick the extra point and go to overtime" is one of the most annoying things in sports, like when someone says, "Don't like that he's celebrating - stop him from scoring". I mean, why didn't Washington just score a TD on every play yesterday? None of this would have mattered.

[Logan]

Could you imagine the outrage by BYU fans if that call isn't made? Very hard to justify not calling something that is spelled out explicitly in the rules.

Nobody would have noticed.

100% in agreement. I've seen plenty of TDs scored against Rutgers, but even a nut like me (I'm the guy in the section yelling for holds, clips, blocks in the back) has never yelled for or sought out an excessive celebration penalty.

That being said, it was the right call unfortunately, and I'm glad Willingham didn't use that as an excuse.

[CU Tiger]

How many years has throwing the football as part of a TD celebration been an unsportsmanlike penalty? 20? More? It is the same rule that hasn't allowed a spike in the end zone. It isn't like you can claim ignorance of the rule.

If you think anyone is *thinking* of rules or anything for that matter, I'm seriously going to question if you have ever competed in anything more serious than pick up go fish games as a child. There is no thought, he didnt start dancing the Macarena, he flung his arms in the airand let go of the football.

Of course it was a bad call. So what? Line up and kick the extra point and go to overtime.

Ok, but what about the fact that no one on the kicking team was prepared because the plan was to go for two?

And BTW, most kickers do use a different kick for EP than any other kick. On an EP many kickers will simply chip under the ball to pop it up as high as possible, since distance andd aim arent real important.

All that said, I am most disappointed because Ty didnt have a chance to go for two, fail miserably, and let us have a great debate about whether or not he should be fired and if he was fired by ND because he is black....the refs robbed that from us.

100% in agreement. I've seen plenty of TDs scored against Rutgers, but even a nut like me (I'm the guy in the section yelling for holds, clips, blocks in the back) has never yelled for or sought out an excessive celebration penalty.

That being said, it was the right call unfortunately, and I'm glad Willingham didn't use that as an excuse.

I agree with everything here 100%.

I think the call is debateable (was it exesivelly high? did it cause a delay in the ref retreiving it?) but in the end probably right.

That said the rule needs to be changed. I dont wwant to see any choreographed bullshit, but spontaneous displays of emotion need to be allowed. BTW watchin sportscenter I think I saw 9 plays yesterday where the scoring team should have been penalized.


OK, onto the local scene. GT is better than many anticipated and their running attack scares the beejeeezus out of me.

Clemson has a terrible O line, and their seconday was certainly not interested in the second half yesterday....NCSU shouldnt pose any problems next week , but GT, Wake and FSU scare me.... we need to grow up quick.

I think ECU is good, and I am not so sure Skip will leave next year. By all accounts he loves the beach scene and for any who have been to Greenville, it is the sort of town that would allow him many recruiting advantages....and no one will notice when thug players get arrested. ARRRGGHHHH could be a sound for a few years to come.

MTSU? Really? Really!? ....Ok fat man is done in Maryland.

Bill Stewart was the wrong hire, and WVU was never (this year) that good. BTW yesterday was the first time the mountaineeers were held w/o a TD since 2001...IOW the year before Rich Rod arrived.

Maybe Shannon is a better coach than most thought. The Canes certainly looked respectable early last night. To spin a popular game lately, The best team in the SEC sure seemed to have a tough time with the 5th or 6th best ACC team :D (OK Miami is better than 5th or 6th, and Florida may not be #1...and yes I admit the ACC sucks.)

[rowech]

Kick form on an extra point is completely different than on a field goal guys, less steps being the most important factor. It doesn't take nearly as long to get an extra point up as a field goal.

[timmynausea]

I think most WVU fans think that Coach Stewart is a great man, but we are/were in a wait-and-see mode. The motion changes and move to a more passing offense made me nervous, as we returned White, Devine, and all 5 OL starters (and 2 of 3 top backups) from an 11-2 team. I wasn't sure that moving to a more balanced offense would be a great move this season with that type of experience and talent returning. I think we also miss FB Owen Schmitt, in the running game, a lot more than people realized. The defense lost a lot in the front 3 and the top 3 CBs and it certainly shows. I have more faith that the offense can/will get on track than the D.

I'm still in wait-and-see mode. I think our staff (minus the HC, of course) is much better than it was last season, but if we keep playing like this, during Pat White's (+ 80% of the OL's) senior season (this team has won 11 games for 3 straight seasons), it will be hard to think that things will not get much, much worse.

The defensive problems are a much bigger concern, in my opinion, and we have the same DC over there. The guys just look like they are thinking way way too much and not attacking whatsoever. We're getting plowed over a lot more than we're delivering blows and WRs are running free on every pass play. We just look incredibly soft on D. You can chalk a lot of that up to inexperience, but the coaching deserves blame to look as bad as they did against Villanova and not get any of it corrected at all for ECU.

I feel like the offense never got a chance to get into a rhythm, so it's harder to judge. My primary concern is getting outhit and outhustled by ECU on both sides of the ball. That rarely happened over the last couple of years, but WVU has lost that hard edge that made us good seemingly overnight. We look soft. The lack of fire or anything other than "aw shucks" coming from Stew does make me wonder if we made a mistake.

[timmynausea]

BTW yesterday was the first time the mountaineeers were held w/o a TD since 2001...IOW the year before Rich Rod arrived.


That was RR's first year. We went 3-8 and it was our worst season since the late 70's.

[Swaggs]

The defensive problems are a much bigger concern, in my opinion, and we have the same DC over there. The guys just look like they are thinking way way too much and not attacking whatsoever. We're getting plowed over a lot more than we're delivering blows and WRs are running free on every pass play. We just look incredibly soft on D. You can chalk a lot of that up to inexperience, but the coaching deserves blame to look as bad as they did against Villanova and not get any of it corrected at all for ECU.

I feel like the offense never got a chance to get into a rhythm, so it's harder to judge. My primary concern is getting outhit and outhustled by ECU on both sides of the ball. That rarely happened over the last couple of years, but WVU has lost that hard edge that made us good seemingly overnight. We look soft. The lack of fire or anything other than "aw shucks" coming from Stew does make me wonder if we made a mistake.

Agreed on Stewart yesterday. He had that "deer in the headlights" look during the questionable fumble by White. I'm not sure what the appropriate call from the ref should have been, but it was close enough that it should have been reviewed and he looked like he didn't knokw what to do.

I think Pat McAfee was the only positive for us yesterday.

[BrianD]

If you think anyone is *thinking* of rules or anything for that matter, I'm seriously going to question if you have ever competed in anything more serious than pick up go fish games as a child. There is no thought, he didnt start dancing the Macarena, he flung his arms in the airand let go of the football.

I've never played college ball, but I've played plenty of high school sports and other lower-than-college levels of sports. I also played skill-positions in football, running back and split end. I also scored plenty of TDs. Care to guess how many times I had to think about what I could or couldn't do after a score? Yep, zero. After years of playing organized football, you know you can't spike the ball, you can't throw the ball, you can't do much of anything with the ball. This isn't a rule you have to think about because it is one you play with for years.

[timmynausea]

Agreed on Stewart yesterday. He had that "deer in the headlights" look during the questionable fumble by White. I'm not sure what the appropriate call from the ref should have been, but it was close enough that it should have been reviewed and he looked like he didn't knokw what to do.

I've had a hard time trying to get through with this on the WVU board, so I'll post it here. Here's the rule about when a loose ball is ruled out of bounds:

ARTICLE 3. a. A ball not in player possession, other than a kick that scores
a field goal, is out of bounds when it touches the ground, a player, a game
official or anything else that is on or outside a boundary line.

By my interpretation, if that is ruled a fumble by Pat White, then he is clearly touching it with his left hand while his right hand is touching OOB and the ball is considered OOB. If it's not a fumble yet, then he is ruled out as his right hand is touching out of bounds. It should've been WVU ball either way.

[MJ4H]

Posted in the Sun Bowl thread, too, but everyone might enjoy this.

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[BrianD]

Nobody would have noticed.

There was nothing remotely unusual about that. If someone isolated every touchdown of the the last College Football season, you would see dozens of TDs ending with more of a throw than that and no flag.

"By the book" there would be a penalty after almost every touchdown, and after most plays. "the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an an official or leave it near the dead ball spot".

Let me help you with the part you missed:

"This prohibits:
...
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air."

Argue the definition of "immediately" all you want. The action was explicitly against the rules and that is why it isn't a judgment call. Like was stated earlier, if the officials don't make this call...considering it is a point of emphasis this year...those officials may not be officiating D1 football anymore.

[BrianD]

By my interpretation, if that is ruled a fumble by Pat White, then he is clearly touching it with his left hand while his right hand is touching OOB and the ball is considered OOB. If it's not a fumble yet, then he is ruled out as his right hand is touching out of bounds. It should've been WVU ball either way.

This is a correct interpretation. A player is considered out of bounds if any part of his is touching the sideline. A loose ball that touches a player out of bounds immediately becomes dead as it too is out of bounds.

[miami_fan]

Then we can expect to see several new officials since, as stated earlier, similar celebration calls were not called.

[rowech]

Let me help you with the part you missed:

"This prohibits:
...
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air."

Argue the definition of "immediately" all you want. The action was explicitly against the rules and that is why it isn't a judgment call. Like was stated earlier, if the officials don't make this call...considering it is a point of emphasis this year...those officials may not be officiating D1 football anymore.

And this ball was "high" in the air? Did it ever go above the QBs head?

[timmynausea]

And this ball was "high" in the air? Did it ever go above the QBs head?

Did you not see the play? I'd say it went at least 20 yards in the air. It went out of the frame of the camera, so it's hard to say.

So yeah, it was high.

[larrymcg421]

We can argue over whether it was the right call or not (it certainly wasn't called the same in all games Saturday), but it's a fucking stupid rule. This is football, not a tea party.

[MJ4H]

And this ball was "high" in the air? Did it ever go above the QBs head?

Quite a bit above his head. It left the camera's field of view and the shot was still quite wide. I'd have to guess it went 20+ft into the air.

<object height="344" width="425">

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[Celeval]

And this ball was "high" in the air? Did it ever go above the QBs head?

Higher trajectory than most three-point shots.

[rowech]

Fair enough...better view than the views I had seen.