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Ohio (+34) at Ohio State
The Buckeyes face the worst of all dilemmas: damned if they do (play everyone and risk further injury to key players), damned if they don't (play starters and risk getting out of sync before the trip to USC). The decision might not look such a lose-lose proposition under different circumstances, but with Beanie Wells' unfortunate injury last Saturday highlighting the potential losses, Jim Tressel likely wishes his team was... well, like the Trojans--off this week. What good news there is comes in the form of their opponent's incompetence, which should be magnified against athletes like the ones the Bobcats will face Saturday. If Ohio State's first choice Saturday would be a week off to rest and prepare, they should settle comfortably into the next best thing: a quick, big lead via the starters which allows the second through fourth strings to build experience and depth. Ohio State matter-of-factly dispatches the Bobcats, 41-6.
Georgia Tech (+6.5) at Boston College
I'm not sure people quite appreciate how strong a coach Paul Johnson has been thus far in his career. Consider the resume: 62-10 at Georgia Southern, where he won four straight IAA National Coach of the Year honoros, followed by a 45-29 record at Navy, including 5 bowls in 6 seasons. Sophomore tailback Jonathan Dwyer is going to look fantastic in this system. The Yellow Jackets scoff at Vegas with the "upset," 27-21.
San Diego State (+22.5) at Notre Dame
It's an interesting scene in South Bend this weekend, where the excitement for the return of football is muted somewhat by everyone's anticipation for next week's game with Michigan. Part of that is rivalry-fueled, but one senses the peering forward is at least partly PTSD-fueled phobia of a subpar showing against the Aztecs. After all, anything less than a blowout of a SDSU team which allowed 483 yards of total offense in a home loss to Cal Poly last week would mean... Well, it's just about unthinkable. I might look ahead to Michigan, too. Notre Dame eats the cupcake, 34-10.
Cincinnati (+21.5) at Oklahoma
With Cincinnati '07 breakthrough quarterback Ben Mauk's eligibility apparently exhausted, signal calling duties fall to senior Dustin Grutza, who accumulated nearly 600 attempts between 2005-07. He was certainly sharp in the Bearcats' season-opening 40-7 romp over Eastern Kentucky, but a trip to Norman will provide a real test of his mettle. In truth, Grutza's fate likely is in the hands of his offensive line, which average an impressive 6-4 and nearly 300 pounds; they'll have the unenviable task of trying to slow down the outrageous English-Granger-McCoy trio. If they can't, Grutza's finished before he begins, and Cincinnati will have no hope of keeping pace with a Sooner offense featuring Sam Bradford, Demarco Murray, Jermaine Gresham, and sixteen senior All-American offensive linemen. "BCS" Stoops and the Land Thieves wear down Cincinnati, 39-13.
Texas A&M (-2.5) at New Mexico
New Mexico has been bowl eligible for seven years running, so it's not like the Aggies get a free pass this week and land someone like... I dunno... Arkansas State. On the bright side, the Lobos were totally smothered by TCU last week in a 26-3 loss, so A&M shouldn't find itself in a run-n-gun shootout. For Farmer fans in this darkest of hours, the road forward is really a matter of sorting through and balancing the at turns morbid and bright side perspectives: Yes, Stephen McGee in Mike Sherman's system is something only an idiot could dream a good idea, BUT, that idiot is Bill Byrne, and this hire will prove his end. So chin up, Farmer: The Mike Sherman disaster should end within two seasons--three, tops--after which you'll be 3-5 years from Big XII contention again. Provided you get a good coach, of course. That's not so bad. 2014 is practically around the corner, when you think of time in a cosmic sense. I'll say the pain stops for one week with a 21-20 win over New Mexico.
0 recs | 62 comments
Is Crybaby gonna make the Lobo Field today.
It’s a new place to shed some tears.
whills - September 6, 2008
Ohio St. struggling early
7-6 Ohio leading.
goingforthecorner - September 6, 2008
Wisconsin trailing Marshall 14-7
Rough start for Big 10 today.
goingforthecorner - September 6, 2008
Can't forget the uber-exciting Temple-UConn game
Temple up 6-0 with 4 minutes til halftime. Temple looking for revenge after being totally and unfairly shafted in last year’s game. They’re dealing with Hanna right now, and it is ugly.
It’s fun to see Temple’s players and students have something to be happy about after being totally irrelevant for so long. And the rain gives me flashbacks to the ridiculous few minutes in the rain during last year’s KState game.
BigTexBD - September 6, 2008
aaaahhhh the horrors
Speaking of darkest hours, leaving the KState game in the rain last year was one of the lowest moments in my football life. Please be careful about bringing up that game. Bad memories. I hope that I never again see a slow POS white linebacker defending fast slot receivers again. Especially white linebackers with neuvo-mullets.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - September 6, 2008
Yeah, it’s soooooo horrible watching a white player successfully defend a fast receiver. Obviously a white person could never be fast.
/disgust
burntorangehorn - September 6, 2008
Easy killer.
Scott Derry never successfully defended a fast receiver in his life. I think GBR was trying to narrow it down without calling Derry out by name, not make a blanket statement on the speed of those of the caucasian persuasion.
ctex80 - September 6, 2008
Then why comment on the race? I actually thought he was talking about a particular (white) linebacker for K-State who was covering a Longhorn in the slot, which happened a couple of times over the past two years.
burntorangehorn - September 6, 2008
dangerous assumption
A&M would need to have a president with the gumption to fire Byrne. I’ve heard Elsa Murano speak about Byrne, and it sounds to me like she’s buying right into $Bill’s bullshit. I don’t think he’ll be fired under her watch; conference titles in women’s sports are just too important [/sarcasm]
Beergut - September 6, 2008
[shrug]
I tried.
Peter Bean - September 6, 2008
And, Bill Byrne
is a bad thing?
edsp - September 6, 2008
well OSU
was my favorite to win in the USC OSU game in the summer, but from what Ive seen these 2 weeks, OSU doesn’t stand a chance. The same problems Ohio St had last year are still apparent, WR’s can’t get seperation from DB’s, too one dimensional on offense, run, run, play action, run, Inability to defend on 3rd down. Now with Wells not 100%, they have nothing except a nice defense. Last week against Youngstown st, the scoreboard looked nice, but If you look at the boxscore, OSU settled for 5 or 6 field goals. USC meanwhile looks deadly. Virginia is a midrange ACC team, but no cupcake by any means. And give Pete Carrol a week off to gameplan and the result is already in the bag. USC wins big over OSU next week, by 2 TD at least.
owenh - September 6, 2008
I still expect OSU to win today though
owenh - September 6, 2008
jumping ahead on OSU-USC
When the Big Ten meets the Pac-10, what usually happens?
Course, not to be evil, but what happens when the Big Ten plays the SEC?
Or Notre Dame plays anybody with decent talent?
It’s called speed. The Midwest doesn’t produce enough.
edsp - September 6, 2008
Elusivityboo.
Odd to see Ohio run for 10 yards up the gut on tOSU.
whills - September 6, 2008
TD OHIO!
Off a fumble from Beckman in the endzone!
goingforthecorner - September 6, 2008
Now that's a revolting development! nt
whills - September 6, 2008
big televen choking
OSU down 14-6 to Ohio (AT HOME) with 9 left in the 3rd; Michigan up 10-6 in the Big Houseover Miami (O), 4 left in 3rd and Miami getting the ball back at own 20.
BigTexBD - September 6, 2008
oy vey
Nebraska is battling in a close one to SAN JOSE STATE. They’re up just 14-12 with 12 minutes left in the game.
BigTexBD - September 6, 2008
and then
Braska proceeds to return a kickoff for a td. 21-12.
BigTexBD - September 6, 2008
Oklahoma...
…is scary good. Scored in under 2 minutes (going about 90 yards) in maybe 5-6 plays.
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
very scary
the sooner machine is rolling.
clra2 - September 6, 2008
Yea...
Less than 7 minutes in, Bradford has over 100 yards passing and 2 TD.
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
Damn, PB
you’re scaring me with that GT over BC prediction. Too bad I didn’t change my pick.
Visor Boy has the burglars firing on all cylinders. 14-0 with 8:26 to go in 1st.
horndude - September 6, 2008
Am I the only one who thinks DeMarco Murray really isn’t all that awe-inspiring? Seriously, what is it that makes that guy significantly better than Chris Brown or, last year, Allen Patrick? I really think the kid’s overrated as hell. I think Brown could run it every bit as effectively if he were to get the carries Murray gets.
But I’ll be damned if Gresham isn’t the smoothest receiver at tight end in a couple of years. It’ll be interesting to see how Muschamp decides to cover him. My guess is he puts whichever linebacker is playing the nastiest at the time on Gresham and challenges his physicality, which might be his one weakness in the 5-15yd. zone.
burntorangehorn - September 6, 2008
Agree on Gresham
Disagree on Murray; I think he’s pretty special. Not in his predecessor’s (AP) class, but frightening to me as an opponent nonetheless.
Peter Bean - September 6, 2008
I disagree as well...
..Murray is the only back from ou that I think could hurt us. His speed is undeniable, and I didn’t see anything impressive from Patrick.
vy til i die - September 8, 2008
Snead’s showing some good poise for Ole Miss. He threw a perfect pass early, I think on the first drive, but the receiver didn’t quite extend his arms enough, but Snead’s hitting his guys left and right today. Damn good passing; he just nailed a solid TD through coverage to finish off a very impressive drive. Houston Nutt has to be happy.
burntorangehorn - September 6, 2008
OU's having trouble with Cincy's kick returns.
Cincy’s had two good ones.
ajax77777 - September 6, 2008
News Flash: Notre Dame Still Sucks!
Down 7-0 to San Diego State with 5:32 left in the first half. Awesome.
billyzane - September 6, 2008
Wow.
I was about to come on here and post the same thing. You’d think that when you play a team that just lost to Cal Poly (not just lost but got lit up) there would be some hope, but Notre damn looks just as bad as last year if not worse.
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
Fumbled FG Snap
Still a joke.
JohnsonUT - September 6, 2008
East Carolina looking pretty good again.
Up 7-0. One more play left in first quarter.
JohnsonUT - September 6, 2008
ND gifted field position on SDSU's 13 yd line
due to a good punt return and a horse collar on the punter, and then proceeds to go three and out and then muff the hold on the field goal attempt. way to go domers. still 7-0 SDSU.
billyzane - September 6, 2008
A&M
up 14-7 at the end of the 1st. Looks like they’re getting outplayed (I’m not watching, just boxscores – they have less total yards at the moment) but New Mexico has 2 turnovers.
We’ll see what happens.
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
McGee got hurt
his backup is playing well.
billyzane - September 6, 2008
Ahhh
That explains a lot.
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
East Carolina up on another ranked team
They’re up 17-3 on #8 West Virginia. If they win this game, they deserve to be ranked next week.
goingforthecorner - September 6, 2008
Is it too early
to consider some sort of a BCS berth possibility?
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
Certainly possible
Though they’re starting from unranked, which makes it difficult. I don’t know how sexy C-USA looks to voters, either.
But if they managed to run the table, they’ll have a shot.
Peter Bean - September 6, 2008
A&M injuries mounting
McGee, Bennet, and now Goodson
JohnsonUT - September 6, 2008
that does not look good for goodson
not putting any pressure on his right leg while getting carried off the field.
billyzane - September 6, 2008
BYU just blocked PAT to win at Wash
Locker leads amazing td tying drive but sort of spikes the ball after he scores and is penalized. BYU blocks the 35 yd PAT and wins at Washington. WOW!
awiggo - September 6, 2008
BYU's defense is terrible
But I don’t know how they didn’t win that game by 20 – O-line was strong and they were moving down the field at will.
PSUhorn - September 6, 2008
That penalty will have big repercussions. nt
whills - September 6, 2008
you're right about that
First, it was a brutal call. Second, there’s no consistency to it. Sometimes you get nailed for one player jumping around. Sometimes, the whole team does it and no flag.
My view is if it’s the guys on the field and it’s not taunting, let ‘em go. But mark the ball for the PAT in a hurry; that’ll keep party time to a few seconds.
edsp - September 6, 2008
Just saw a comment from the ref.
He said that it is a mandatory call if the ball is thrown in the air, not a judgment call.
The dissent to his statement was that the intent of the rule(s) about scoring celebrations were for egregious actions, acts with intent to taunt, and acts that interfere with the game.
In that sense, I find there is a judgment as to whether the ball was really thrown. What if he had tossed in the air to a ref? Technically, that is an infraction, too. So, where do you draw that line?
When you have to dig deep into the rule book just to support an action that took the fate of the game out of the hands of the teams playing, then I think the basic judgment is flawed itself.
whills - September 6, 2008
East Carolina is for real
they are just out-physicalling* WVU all over the place.
[*note: not a word]
billyzane - September 6, 2008
Snead on ABC In Austin
Trying to bring miss back with 5 minutes left.
JohnsonUT - September 6, 2008
WOW, nice job of hanging in there by Snead
goingforthecorner - September 6, 2008
Nice play, but
wow did he look slow.
awiggo - September 6, 2008
Impersonation
It was Snead’s Impersonation of Colt doing a VY impersonation.
JohnsonUT - September 6, 2008
4th and 2 at goaline
Snead scrambles back and forth before making a possible game winning pass.
JohnsonUT - September 6, 2008
Under review now
JohnsonUT - September 6, 2008
wake has a 41-yd attempt to win the game coming up
after they ice their own kicker……
billyzane - September 6, 2008
Didn't matter
He nailed it
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
hell of a leg on that kicker
it;s good and it would’ve gone 60 yds.
billyzane - September 6, 2008
WVU, Ole Miss, and South Carolina
are messing up my picks for this week. And I thought I was so slick after my 7 on GT was good.
I feel so used.
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
jerrod johnson > stephen mcgee
billyzane - September 6, 2008
Couldn't agree more.
Losing McGee will be the best thing that happens to the Aggies this season… except of course if he comes back just in time to throw for 350 on Texas inexplicably.
Losing Goodsen? Worst thing.
Horn Brain - September 6, 2008
not to be an ass or spelling nazi
but it’s Goodson
Goodson came back and played a little in the second half.
Beergut - September 7, 2008
Smooth
on that second position.
HornPossessed - September 6, 2008
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