2008 College Football

[Paelos]

Wow, Bama is now ranked #2 in the AP poll.

I think we started the season in the 30s.

Sorry, but now they are doomed. It's just the way it is.

[Nevermore]

No kidding.  How many #2s did we have last year?

[Abagadro]

Doubt anyone watched it, but that was a hell of a finish to the Utes game. Down 8 with 2 minutes to go and an offense that did NOTHING in the second half. Utes drive 80 yards to score in 42 seconds, convert the 2 point conversion, hold OSU to 3 and out, drive 30 yards and kick a field goal with 2 seconds left. First time I've ever been spontaneously bear-hugged by the guy sitting next to me in a football game. 

[Nevermore]

That sounds a lot better than how my team performed last night.  Apparently the Bulls decided it would be fun to completely embarrass themselves on national TV last night.

[Paelos]

My Dawgs are off this weekend, thank goodness. My upset picks for the weekend:

Purdue over Penn State
Vandy over Auburn
Virginia over Maryland

[Mortriden]

Doubt anyone watched it, but that was a hell of a finish to the Utes game. Down 8 with 2 minutes to go and an offense that did NOTHING in the second half. Utes drive 80 yards to score in 42 seconds, convert the 2 point conversion, hold OSU to 3 and out, drive 30 yards and kick a field goal with 2 seconds left. First time I've ever been spontaneously bear-hugged by the guy sitting next to me in a football game. 

Yeah, the ending to that game was complete craziness.  Utah's Offense was shit on a plate for most of the game.  OSU totally fucked the dog on the 3 and out + the shitastic punt.  I've never seen my dad so pissed about a game. 

Side note: the VS channel eats a dick, better than FSN, but only just.

[Abagadro]

Vanderbilt?  Really?


Anyways, that OU-Texas game next week should be good. 

[Raging Turtle]

My Badgers 

Every year we blow at least one huge game in the final quarter/two minutes... I was hoping we were done doing that after Michigan.

[Paelos]

My Dawgs are off this weekend, thank goodness. My upset picks for the weekend:

Purdue over Penn State
Vandy over Auburn
Virginia over Maryland

2 out of 3. Damn Purdue didn't even show up in that Penn State game. The lions looked like shit, too. Vandy was arguably one of the better games that day.

[CmdrSlack]

Meh, the Tide won, but it felt like a Cubs win and not a decisive Tide win.

Nick Saban needs to ride those kids harder or something....deciding you've won the game after the first quarter or half is just fucking stupid.

JPW was nowhere near as dominant, they woked Coffee to death, and even Cody was so over-played that he lost some of his speed and (relative) agility by the second half.

Our next game ain't gonna be pretty if we're playing like we did last night. yesterday (I watched it on the DVR.)

[SnakeCharmer]

I think they're just tired and beat up - mentally and physically, to be honest.  After the *huge* win over UGA, the UK game was a trap game anyway.  The bye weak came at just the right time.

[Rasix]

Went to the Arizona - Washington game.   That was a creaming.  We didn't even play that well. Take away that 60 yard bomb our DBs shit the bed on and we hold them under 200 yards total offense. Locker being out will probably hand them a 1 win season just because Washington State is pretty terrible also.

Somewhat of a bad time to be a sports fan up there in Washington. 

Arizona is looking like a bowl team this year, but we've got a stretch that could easily take us back to even. We're running well, Tuitama's accuracy this year has been really good, and we've likely got the best tight end in the nation.  Gronkowski is 3" taller version of Todd Heap that's faster, harder to bring down and with better hands.  Guy caught a middle screen where he out ran the entire Washington defense.  We haven't played anyone yet, but at least we're beating the teams we're supposed to (except for New Mexico.. gah).

[Paelos]

If Vandy wins against Miss St., which they should, they will come out guns blazing against UGA and will probably beat us. Last year, Georgia BARELY won with a FG as the final seconds ticked off the clock. The year before they beat Georgia. Georgia has to beat Tennessee, which we haven't done in two years, coming off a horrible horrible loss.

If the Dawgs drop one to Tennessee, our season is probably done before it's halfway over. A win means you basically get to live another week. At this point, I just don't see how they can pull it off unless a totally different team shows up for the Tennessee game.

[WayAbvPar]

Somewhat of a bad time to be a sports fan up there in Washington. 

Ya think? Sonics left, Mariners were historically bad, UW hasn't won yet, WSU beat a I-AA team for their only win, and the Seahawks have only managed to beat the pathetic Rams. Oh, and our junior hockey team has started 1-5.

If the election goes south I will be trying to fit my big toe into the trigger guard of a 12 gauge.

[CmdrSlack]

Somewhat of a bad time to be a sports fan up there in Washington. 

Ya think? Sonics left, Mariners were historically bad, UW hasn't won yet, WSU beat a I-AA team for their only win, and the Seahawks have only managed to beat the pathetic Rams. Oh, and our junior hockey team has started 1-5.

If the election goes south I will be trying to fit my big toe into the trigger guard of a 12 gauge.

Become a Cubs fan, that plus the craptacular fall/winter weather will seal the deal for you. 

[Paelos]

I have a few more upset picks this week, so let's see how these go:

Minnesota over Illinois
Colorado over Kansas
LSU over Florida (Florida is favored for some reason; I'll chalk it up to dumbasses liking Tebow)
OK State over Missou

Feel free to call me crazy now.

[Paelos]

I have a few more upset picks this week, so let's see how these go:

Minnesota over Illinois
Colorado over Kansas
LSU over Florida (Florida is favored for some reason; I'll chalk it up to dumbasses liking Tebow)
OK State over Missou

Feel free to call me crazy now.

2/4 on the weekend. The Florida game was embarrassing for LSU. The dominos continue to fall at the top with 1, 2, and 3 going down in a row.

Does this remind anybody of last season?

[Nevermore]

1, 3, and 4.  Vandy lost, too.

[Paelos]

1, 3, and 4.  Vandy lost, too.

The polls aren't weren't in agreement there. AP had 1, 3, 4 and USA Today had 1, 2, 3.

Either way, the new AP is out, and I'm already pissed off. Florida goes from 11th to 5th. USC goes from 9th to 6th. Georgia DOESN'T move. What? Florida lost to an unranked Ole Miss team as their one loss. USC lost to an unranked Oregon State team. Georgia lost to what is now the #2 team in the nation, but somehow we are 10th. Sure, Florida was more impressive in their win, but you can't take one game and slingshot them past teams with the same or even better records. That's just batshit crazy in my book.

[Nevermore]

You should be even more upset at #17 Oklahoma State jumping past Georgia all the way to #8 in the AP, good win over Mizzou notwithstanding.

[Paelos]

You should be even more upset at #17 Oklahoma State jumping past Georgia all the way to #8 in the AP, good win over Mizzou notwithstanding.

Why? They beat a #3 squad and have a better record. Look, if you have an undefeated record, unless you play in one of the second tier conferences then nobody should be ranked in front of you. Oklahoma State has a solid undefeated program in probably the 2nd toughest conference, plus they knocked off a top 5 team. To rank Georgia ahead of them wouldn't be fair, because Georgia lost.

[Abagadro]

Good evidence this week that BYU has basically reached its limit in the polls. They have played absolutely no one and should not be that high period, but at least they won't sneak their way up into the top 5. Things still on track for undefeated Utah and BYU to meet on the 22nd for a BSC bid.

[CmdrSlack]

Well, I'm glad that the polls didn't bump Alabama up from 2nd during a bye week. A buddy and I were discussing it at work today, and he was convinced it was entirely possible. I'd rather we stay in 2nd until our next conference game (I'm looking at you, Vols.) Maybe Saban is tearing the team a new asshole for letting up on GA at the half and squeaking one out against Kentucky.

They need to be hungry and tough as we head into the harder part of our schedule.

[SnakeCharmer]

@ Paelos - Not sure what to make of UGA not getting some loving in the polls.  They looked good (though not great) against Tennessee, but it's still a win in the SEC.

@ Aba - BYU is going to be this years Boise State; the fly in the BCS ointment.

@ CmdrSlack - I actually thought they would drop to 3 in the AP and stay 4 in the USA poll given the losses of the top couple of teams and the showing that UT and Penn State put up.  This weekends game against Ole Miss scares the absolute poo out of me.  The Nutt always pulls a couple games out of his ass (see: Florida) for 'signature' wins.  I'm trying not to get ahead of myself, but man - our schedule is looking better and better.  LSU looked like the overrated team I thought they were, Tennessee can't do anything on offense, and el oh el at Auburn.  IF Alabama stays healthy (the biggest key since they are so thin), and IF Saban keeps them focused.......Man, oh man...We've GOT to learn to keep the throttle down, though.  All that said, I STILL don't want to play UGA (again) in the SEC championship.  They scare me more than Florida.

I'm a closet Penn State fan - well, more of a Joe Pa fan - so it's good to see them doing well. 

[CmdrSlack]

Shit. I coulda sworn this weekend was Tennessee. I guess it's not the third Saturday this weekend. Feels like it.

[Abagadro]

I'm not s sure on BYU as they haven't been tested much.  They needed a BS penalty call not to go into OT against what is turning out to be a horrible WSU team.  This Thurs against TCU on the road will be a big indicator.

[Paelos]

Tommy Bowden is out of Clemson. "He was not fired."

Right. The ACC is in bad shape this year, and this may be the first of many firings in that conference. Not one team in that entire conference is undefeated, and it's only been 7 weeks. Also, they have 10 out of conference losses. In contrast the SEC only has 5. However, they are still better off than the Pac-10 who has amassed a WHOPPING 15 out of conference losses. Yet, somehow USC is still ranked in the top 10 as a one loss team, while all the ACC one loss teams are in the 20s.

Go figure, the pollsters are idiots. I'll say it right now, I think Utah could beat USC. I think they deserve a top 10 slot. I also think Georgia, LSU, Michigan State, and Missouri could take them.

[Montague]

Tommy Bowden is out of Clemson. "He was not fired."

Right. The ACC is in bad shape this year, and this may be the first of many firings in that conference. Not one team in that entire conference is undefeated, and it's only been 7 weeks. Also, they have 10 out of conference losses. In contrast the SEC only has 5. However, they are still better off than the Pac-10 who has amassed a WHOPPING 15 out of conference losses. Yet, somehow USC is still ranked in the top 10 as a one loss team, while all the ACC one loss teams are in the 20s.

Go figure, the pollsters are idiots. I'll say it right now, I think Utah could beat USC. I think they deserve a top 10 slot. I also think Georgia, LSU, Michigan State, and Missouri could take them.

Remember the previous two teams to beat Ohio State by +20 points became NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! 

I dont think Michigan State is that good. I think OSU's defense puts the clamps on Ringer and the rest of the team falls unconscious by being forced to watch the OSU offense.

[Paelos]

USC can sleepwalk through the rest of their schedule. Only Cal is ranked at 25. The rest of the PAC-10 is absolute shit. They don't deserve a title shot, but they will probably get one against...

Penn State is probably the top possibility. The media loves them, and they only have to play 2 ranked opponents, Ohio State and Michigan State.
Texas is second. They haven't lost yet, but they will most likely drop one game to one of the four ranked teams they have to play.
Alabama is third. Due to the fact the SEC West is very weak, they only have to play one ranked opponent in the regular season. If they lose at all, they are out.
Florida/Georgia are tied at fourth. Whichever one wins the Georgia-Florida game has the only shot.
Texas Tech is 5th. They, like Texas, have to play four ranked opponents, and it's almost impossible that they will go undefeated. If they did though, they are a lock for the title shot. The games against Texas and OU will be the tests.

OU has no shot. They are highly ranked, but baring 2 Texas losses and them running the table, they can't win the Big 12 South, which means no title shot.

[Abagadro]

I'm not s sure on BYU as they haven't been tested much.  They needed a BS penalty call not to go into OT against what is turning out to be a horrible WSU team.  This Thurs against TCU on the road will be a big indicator.

And the indicator is that they suck!  Yes!

[Paelos]

I'm not s sure on BYU as they haven't been tested much.  They needed a BS penalty call not to go into OT against what is turning out to be a horrible WSU team.  This Thurs against TCU on the road will be a big indicator.

And the indicator is that they suck!  Yes!

Good call Ab. The truth is that the media has ZERO idea what's going on this year, so they are ranking people with what I can only assume are darts.

[Abagadro]

I was impressed by TCU. They have a good team. That game here in SLC on the 6th with be quite a game that I am unfortunately going to miss because I will be out of town. 

[Paelos]

Upset picks for this week:

Miss. State over Tennessee - Fulmer's on the ropes, and this will be the knockout blow.
Kansas over OU - OU has no defense. Kansas is all offense. In a shootout, I like Kansas.
Navy over Pitt - Navy is better this year than the record indicates. Coming off a bye, I think they come out strong.

[cmlancas]

I think your Pitt pick is out of control.  Did you see Pitt play USF?

[Nevermore]

That's not necessarily an indication that Pitt is all that good.  USF is guaranteed to play like complete ass at least once or twice a year no matter how much talent they have.