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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 19, 2005 16:21:44 GMT -5
Well, it's not exactly Pro Sports, but there are obviously a few Hoyatalkers out there interested in the major gridiron action, and there's no other category that fits this thread, so I thought I'd start this up.
A couple thoughts to begin the discussion:
1. Wisconsin is flying under the radar. Barry's team competed last season, yet was left out of this year's preseason AP rankings. A comeback against Bowling Green, blowout against Temple, and win over UNC later, they sneak in to the coaches' poll at 24. Badgers get Michigan at Camp Randall next weekend for what should be a real test if the real Chad Henne shows up. Possibility for an upset?
2. Notre Dame will finish the season in the Top 25. Irish have shown they can be competitive against upcoming opponents USC, Tennessee, Purdue. Remaining games should be W's for 'Domers. Fine by me, because a good Notre Dame team is good for College Football.
3. An undefeated season for West Virginia? Not probable, but possible. Mountaineers get Pitt, Va Tech and Louisville in Morgantown, rest of schedule is a joke.
4. The transitive property doesn't apply in College Football, but Texas A&M and Miami both played close games against Clemson. 'Canes can demonstrate that the Big 12, and not Kyle Brady, is overrated when Colorado visits the Orange Bowl this weekend.
Matchups of the Week: Iowa at Ohio State (OSU unimpressive against SDSU: can the Bucks avoid losing twice at the Horseshoe before October?), Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (a GT win in Blacksburg would make 'Jackets truly legit), Tennessee at LSU (Vols need a win, Tigers want a win in first game back at home stadium)
Feel free to chime in with reactions, predictions, etc. For the record I root for the Longhorns on Saturdays, and no, I don't think anyone can beat USC.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Sept 19, 2005 21:23:50 GMT -5
Texas is going to go undefeated, beat out Louisville for the #2 BCS Spot, then lose badly to USC in the National Champ game.
USC can be beat -- their defense is very mediocre this year, and the offense will have a bad day. But even if it happens (this week versus Oregon or versus rival UCLA), they are the best team and it isn't close. It is the one thing I hate about college football is that the national champ is quite often not the best team. And it is so hard to recover from a loss. Every league has years where the best team doesn't win, but college football is different.
What else?
Cal is an overrated 3-0. UCLA is probably legit. Notre Dame is for real. Penn State is passable, but Michael Robinson? They finally have weapons -- three stud freshmen -- but he's not reliable.
Big East sucks. WVU will go down hard to Louisville. FSU will annoy me all season.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Sept 20, 2005 0:46:59 GMT -5
USC's defense is not that good-it's just that their offense is so good they get to play one dimensional teams who have to pass to play catch up. You know they'll have a close game or two--and remember they almost lost to Stanford and UCLA last year--as well as Cal. Everyone has at least 2/3 games a year they could lose.
With all of that said, USC's offense is fun to watch and best I've seen in CFB. They have so many weapon and strengths. If Texas is to win a National Title, they need to see someone else in Pasadena--they can play with other teams, but USC is a terrible matchup for any team and especially those in Big XII/Big 10. SEC team or a Miami/FSU can slow them down with athletes but couldn't beat them--they'd need USC to help them.
Kyle Wright's going to only get better and I expect Canes to rout Colorado--if not, then Austin, I'll be pumping some sunshine up the Big XII's rear ;D
Iowa will be in a game against Ohio State because they can pass and OSU and Tressel play not to lose. Buckeyes should win this game by at least 10 as Iowa's DT's are undersized and bad which should neutralize their LB's but Troy Smith blows as a passer so he'll run his single wing QB Sweeps. YUCK!!!!
A team I think could be trouble for USC or anyone is UGA. They are only going to get better and they have some serious talent everywhere. Could it be the "Tee Martin" type of thing where everyone was touting them a year too early because of "stars" in Greene who was always overrated, and Pollack??
Horns should roll through Big XII but their showdown against Texas Tech will be a tough game and OU will be simply because they'll be trying to win a game they haven't and all the pressure is on them because OU is young and inexperienced.
Wisconsin will choke--Alvarez teams get worse as season goes on and look at last year as perfect example.
I know the Canes haven't set the world on fire but I expect to see them gain a lot of confidence starting this weekend and they'll be creeping into picture come November. It's a team that nobody will want to play come January too. Wright's going to be a Star.
I know this sounds crazy but I'd love to see UM play USC in Rose Bowl because Miami craves that type of challenge and lives for having everyone against them. By season's end Canes will be ready for that type of Stage too. Just have a feeling it'll be Texas vs SEC team for some reason. Don't ask me why but USC will have breaks go against them or key injuries that will limit them. If they turn it over, they are in trouble because their defense isn't very good.
BTW, so nice of FSU to cheapshot the BC QB just to win a game---that was bush league. Rolling into his legs once is an accident, doing it over and over to force him out of the game is disgusting. They would fall to ground and barrel roll into the QB's legs because he got injured when their DT did it initially and he left game with BC ahead and BC never scored another point after he was knocked out.
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nychoya3
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Post by nychoya3 on Sept 20, 2005 9:32:09 GMT -5
I'm a huge Wisconsin fan, but they're a LONG way from talking about BCS games and the like. They lost so much on defense from last year, and the offense is better, but not hugely. Brian Calhoun is a horse, and is quietly announcing himself as one of the best backs in the nation.
No one can beat USC. They go 3 deep with NFL talent pretty much everywhere on offense, and their stars are incredibly good. If they lose, it's the upset of the century.
Louisville could easily go undefeated. Look at their schedule - the BE is awful. Is that enough to get them into a championship game if everyone other than USC losees at least 1? God, I hope not, but I don't know.
Miami looks like the Miami teams of the 1990s to me - which is both good and bad. They're hugely talented and fast, but they're so undisciplined. Watching the Clemson game, it looked like they were out of control sometimes. I dunno...I hope that outlaw atmosphere hasn't come back to UM. Coker doesn't impress me much as a coach.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Sept 20, 2005 11:46:52 GMT -5
Coker is "Grandpa Clappy" and he's just too nice and not strict enough with the team. Art Kehoe needs to quit living off his reputation as a great OL Coach and start coaching too. You are absolutely right about being undisciplined in terms of penalties but things off the field are in control and nowhere near the Dennis Erickson level of criminal behavior--that was lowest point as a Miami fan--even when they won it wasn't fun due to how out of control things were. When I criticize Clappy (named this for how he claps and pumps his fist during a game) I'm talking about on the field discipline not off the field stuff--Butch Davis did a great job getting things back on right track and Clappy has carried that on--very good job of taking good students/kids but just not demanding excellence from them and Miami should be dominating people, not playing squeakers every damn game. That's Clappy ball though.
I love Brian Calhoun as a back and he was a fine player at CU too. Glad to see he's shining in Madison now too. I also love that hiring of Brett Bielema and mutual friends who know him when he was at Iowa say he's a tireless worker and fine person/coach.
If Louisville/WVU or any Big East team get into a Title game ahead of other people, it's a joke. Ville is good, but let's see how they fare when facing a real challenge. They had trouble with Kentucky and look what Indiana did the Wildcats last weekend. I know it' dangerous to compare when it comes to rivalry games but made me raise some eyebrows after seeing how easily IU beat on Kentucky.
USC is one of the best teams I've seen, but never say a team can't be beaten---it'll happen. Injuries, fluke plays, turnovers, etc..... happen. If they get beat, they'll have to help the opposing team by self destructing but that CAN/WILL happen at some point so you can't say anyone is impossible to beat--look at Miami's team that had Dorsey and everyone else returning from National Championship Team--Ohio State had "no chance" and they beat Miami due to Canes playing worst game in 3 years, Willis McGahee getting injured, and OSU playing outstanding game. It can happen to anyone. That being said, I am really impressed with USC and love watching them play.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 21, 2005 16:41:16 GMT -5
I think Louisville is going to lose a game somewhere down the line. I know there's an oft-repeated saying that teams improve the most between their first and second games (and Louisville whomped Oregon State in its second game), but the Cards' close opening matchup with Kentucky was not impressive. Plus, Louisville had an extra week to prepare for the Beavers. I can see them losing to UNC at home or WVU in Morgantown. If they do end up perfect, it's because every other game on Louisville's schedule is a joke unless Wanny can turn Pitt around.
When listing tough games for Texas, don't forget the A&M game after Thanksgiving. It's in College Station, and the Aggies will be up for that game, particularly if the 'Horns are undefeated.
Only saw the end of the 4th quarter/OT of the Clemson-Miami game, and was flipping back and forth between that and the Notre Dame-MSU game, but I remember thinking "how did this game get to overtime?" Haven't really seen Miami play this season, but they obviously have the talent, problem has gotta be execution.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 26, 2005 17:04:54 GMT -5
Week 4 musings:
So much for Louisville.
Looking at the Badgers' schedule, I still think Wisconsin has a chance to do well in Barry's last year. No Ohio State and no Michigan State on the schedule, so games @ Minnesota and against Purdue and Iowa at home are the only tough games remaining. It'd be nice to see Barry go out with a bang. 10-2 or 9-3 in a competitive conference would give Badgers a shot at the conference championship.
No Oklahoma and no Michigan in the Top 25? What in the name of Walter Camp is going on here?
Looking at the Big XII standings is proof that the league collectively plays a weak OOC schedule. The league is collectively 31-5, with losses to Miami (FL), Clemson, UCLA, New Mexico, and TCU. The conference collectively has 1 win over teams that are currently ranked (though Iowa was ranked when ISU beat them) -- Texas over Ohio State. That is, unless you count teams that are ranked in the I-AA poll. Shameful. And it may come back to hurt my team in some of the computer polls.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Sept 27, 2005 11:18:18 GMT -5
Austin, really think the only team that is a threat to your computer ranking is Virginia Tech--they'd have enough games against top ranked teams to possibly jump Horns in standing should 3 teams finish undefeated, but have a feeling that won't happen--rarely does, but would be only possiblity I'd see if say USC, Horns, and Hokies finish undefeated--I'd say that SC and Tech would play in Rose Bowl due to Big XII's down year overall. Texas can only play who is scheduled and they played the most talented team in Big 10 which is a credit to them, but Tech has "name" teams like Miami and possibly FSU in a Conference Title Game that could elevate them--same with FSU if they somehow went undefeated but I don't see that happening.
OU is still a team to keep eye on--they looked better against UCLA and it's a team who will be respectable by season's end, but if they could beat KSU this weekend, they could be a tough opponent--realize it's a rivalry game and those are always tough, but Texas should/HAS to win that game this year or it'll be a disappointing season--no matter what happens after.
Michigan is victim of Lloyd Carr and his inability to put together a complete team. He's got talent, but the kids at Michigan often don't improve--especially on defense. They are same players as Jr's as they were when Frosh and they are getting nothing from Breaston who is in danger of the dreaded "Most Overhyped" player along with Miami's Devin Hester--who I love to watch run, but he's an athlete playing football, not a football player.
As for what happened against Clemson--all I can say Austin is GRANDPA CLAPPY. He just doesn't get what Miami football needs to be about on the field--it's about playing 60 minutes of big time football, not 58, not a Half and this team has a ton of talent and has chance to grow over next few weeks with games they'll win, but I'll be looking at HOW they win/play. If it's more of the same, it's a waste of talent. Clappy's got to get it going as Canes only need a few breaks to creep back into this picture--as they have Va Tech later on, and a possible chance to avenge a loss to FSU if they should meet again.
UGA is another team to watch. They are "sneaking" through some games and don't always look impressive but they'll get better and have a great looking team/roster of talent.
Good call by the guys on the site about Wisconsin--excellent analysis and you all said this before the game which earns my respect. Barry's got a shot to do some things, but I thought same last year and just not sure whether Stocco's good enough to do anything if he has to make a play to win game through air.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Sept 27, 2005 12:58:18 GMT -5
I understand that Louisville's coach decided to give the team last week off, and send an intramural all-star team in its place. Oops.
And how about that Tennessee comeback at Baton Rouge last night? When I left work last night, I heard the score was 24-7 LSU. When I arrived home, the game was in overtime. I'm not quite sure how this happened, but huge props to the Vols.
Looks like Iowa and Michigan were overrated, but the Big 10 looks ok with OSU, MSU and Wisconsin.
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Sept 27, 2005 13:04:22 GMT -5
What is everyone's thought on the National Championship - who does USC pound into submission this year?
Texas is my current favorite- their the only team in the Big XII that has proven it can play on a high level - I really don't see Oklahoma rerailing them this year nor does anyone in the Big XII look that tough to beat.
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Sept 27, 2005 13:06:43 GMT -5
OU is still a team to keep eye on--they looked better against UCLA and it's a team who will be respectable by season's end, but if they could beat KSU this weekend, they could be a tough opponent--realize it's a rivalry game and those are always tough, but Texas should/HAS to win that game this year or it'll be a disappointing season--no matter what happens after. I just can't see OU competing with Texas. I see them having problems with A&M, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State this year - their QB is too young, the offense is one dimensional, and the defense isn't nearly as tough as it has been in years past.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 27, 2005 17:24:45 GMT -5
Yeah, think you're right on the Hokies, RDF. Heck, if Va. Tech blows out a few more ranked opponents, they may become a threat to Texas' human ranking as well.
Watched the Tennessee-LSU game last night and wasn't all that impressed with either team. The real story is that the Bayou Bengals simply shut down in the second half and beat themselves. Liked Tennesee's running back, but the Vols QB situation is terrible -- Clausen wasn't much for downfield passing accuracy last night and Ainge looked downright goofy in the starting role. Don't want to make a call too early but unless the Vols improve they might lose in South Bend. For LSU, JaMarcus Russell is a tremendous athlete but the coaching staff has got to get him the right plays. Don't know why Les Miles wants to keep him in the pocket. Speaking of Miles, I watched the game with a dude from Baton Rouge who said nobody was really enthusiastic about the Miles hire and now they'll probably be calling for his head. Guess that's what happens when you have to fill Nick Saban's shoes.
St. Pete, I'd make the same call on the BCS championship game, but I don't want to jinx the team like all these idiots who are already buying plane tickets from Austin to L.A.
If the Longhorns should fail to beat the Sooners this year I guarantee Greg Davis will be run out of town. Don't think that will happen, but I am going to try to be at the State Fair to witness the outcome.
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nychoya3
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Post by nychoya3 on Sept 27, 2005 19:51:30 GMT -5
Saban is one of the better coaches on the planet. I'm a Dolphins fan, so I couldn't be happier. And how about that Russell kid? He may have no idea what he's doing out there, but he chucked the ball more than 75 yards in the air on the last play of the first half, and it didn't look that tough for him. I don't know if I've ever seen that - maybe Dante Culpepper.
I was SO jazzed about Wisconsin. They could easily be sitting 6-0 in a couple weeks, but it'd take an act of god for them to win the league. They just aren't that talented. If they get double digit victories, Brian Calhoun should get the heisman. I can't believe Colorado wanted to make him a wide reciever.
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FormerHoya
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Post by FormerHoya on Sept 28, 2005 12:48:37 GMT -5
Why is this thread under Pro Sports? It doesn't seem to be limited to the SEC
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 29, 2005 15:51:22 GMT -5
Time to make some calls on this week's big games:
Virginia Tech @ West Virginia: As much as I want the 'eers to pull the upset, gotta go with the Hokies. But predict the 'eers will cover in a close game in Morgantown. (If WVU wins, expect Morgantown to be set on fire -- again.)
Michigan @ Mich. St.: Spartans put up 40+ points and keep the Wolverines' downward spiral spinning.
Florida @ Alabama: Shula gets outcoached by Meyer in another close game.
USC @ Ariz. St.: Trojans. Do I have to explain?
Notre Dame @ Purdue: Like the 'Boilers bouncing back from last week's OT loss in this one.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Sept 30, 2005 12:10:02 GMT -5
Va. Tech MSU Florida USC Domers
PS: Go Arizona State (he wrote resignedly).
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Oct 9, 2005 1:52:32 GMT -5
Austin, congrats on win over Sooners. Still not sold on Big XII Football as I watched and really wondered how good this league is and how good UT is--especially after this game--they did all they could to keep OU in the game and Sooners were INEPT offensively. Happy for you that your team won but still don't see any Big XII team doing much in BCS and to be honest I'm pulling for anyone but that league to get in the Championship game after ruining it the past few years. Wisconsin "gag" job starts earlier than last year. Just Edited poor and nothing else to say. I mentioned it above and it's Alvarez gag job starting up. I do hope he beats the Gophers though since Lloyd "Box" Carr couldn't get it done and now the morons up here are giddy/cocky again. Penn State and Ohio State was like watching a car rust due to "Tressel Ball" and fact that QB's couldn't hit the broadside of a barn, but PSU is winning and that coke-bottled fossil has them on right track again. Nebraska will actually play a road game at some point this season--I think. Rumor is they lost their "road" uniforms and have to stay in Lincoln--it's October 8th and still no road game from them?? GEEZ UGA keeps plugging along--they are a much better team than anyone knows due to USC, UT, Va Tech hype right now. Keep an eye on them as season progresses.
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nychoya3
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Post by nychoya3 on Oct 9, 2005 8:32:18 GMT -5
Don't be too hard on Wisconsin. They lost most of their defensive line, which was already young, to injuries. And the defense is just too young and not good enough. And they got torn up by a pretty good quarterback. They can't stop a passing play. The offense did their job, and Calhoun was even more amazing then usual.
However, the decision to onside kick it with 3 minutes to go and a time out was pretty questionable, and ended with them getting pinned inside the 5.
Also, don't blame it on Alvarez...by pretty much all accounts, he hardly coaches the team anymore. He doesn't call plays, and seems to mainly be there to scream at referees.
Bottomline, this is a marginal team they're fielding this year that's very young and perhaps not that talented on defense. To be 5-1 now is actually pretty good. I'm sure the Minnesota game will be close, it always is.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Oct 10, 2005 2:21:03 GMT -5
Austin, congrats on win over Sooners. Still not sold on Big XII Football as I watched and really wondered how good this league is and how good UT is--especially after this game--they did all they could to keep OU in the game and Sooners were INEPT offensively. Happy for you that your team won but still don't see any Big XII team doing much in BCS and to be honest I'm pulling for anyone but that league to get in the Championship game after ruining it the past few years. Not sure Texas "...did all they could to keep OU in the game." I was at the Cotton Bowl, and this contest was a no-doubter after the first half. Here's an OU drive summary for the second half: Start of 3rd Quarter (score 24-6): 1. Start @ OU 19. Result: 3 plays, -8 yards, Punt. 2. Start @ OU 13. Result: 6 plays, 9 yards, Punt. 3. Start @ OU 42. Result: 7 plays, 18 yards, INT Start of 4th Quarter (score 31-6): 1. Start @ TX 37. Result: 5 plays, 37 yards, TD 2. Start @ TX 49. Result: 6 plays, 17 yards, OU fumble returned for a TD by Texas 3. Start @ TX 39. Result: 10 plays, 13 yards, OU missed FG OU couldn't move the ball in the third quarter and didn't do much better in the fourth, when the game was already a laugher. The only negatives in the second half were bad kick coverage and penalties. On penalties, 65 yards worth came in the fourth quarter. Not excusing penalties, but's it's possible the 'Horns just got excited and jumpy since the game was already over and UT hadn't beaten OU in five years. On kick coverage, well, it's been bad all year. No excuse for that either but it was to be expected. Bottom line is that the 'Horns made plays on both sides of the ball when they were needed. Yeah, there was some sloppiness, but like I said, the game was over by the end of the first half. I'll also note that USC has played sloppy for the last three weeks, but they're still #1 in both polls. As much as I'd like them to, Texas is never going to play picture-perfect football, so I'm going to concentrate on the final score more than anything else. I will grant you that OU is a mediocre team that struggled offensively. Not having Peterson healthy really did hurt them, and Bomar couldn't have hit water from a ship with his passes. I'll also grant that the Big XII is down this year and if Va. Tech or UGA goes undefeated they deserve to be in the national title game. Computers are going to hate Texas in the first BCS, especially with Ohio State losing. (If the season ended tomorrow, Texas Tech would be the highest-ranked team on Texas' schedule, and Tech hasn't played ANYONE yet.) Right now my dream scenario is for USC to lose at Notre Dame next weekend and Texas to take over the #1 spot in both human polls. Otherwise UT is going to need some help from Miami-FL, Auburn, Michigan, etc. Can't really comment on the other games, as I was at the State Fair Saturday morning and drinking margaritas in Highland Park Saturday night, but I will say it's not looking good for my "Wisconsin could be competitive for the Big Ten title" prediction above. Not ready to slam the door shut on the Badgers yet, especially because I didn't see the game, but letting Northwestern through the gate like that doesn't bode well.
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Oct 10, 2005 12:50:32 GMT -5
Hey Austin - congrats on the win - The Texas State Fair is incredible - although the Cotton Bowl itself needs to be torn down - it is possibly one of the worst stadiums that I have ever seen a game in. I honestly think that UT is going to live and die by the Human Polls because there are a lot of football writers in Texas and the region in general that are keeping UT in 2nd with their first place votes. The computers should hate on them because. like you said, there are a ton of really bad teams in the Big XII this year - i.e. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa State, Colorado, Nebraska - its actually a real shame that Texas' only challenge this year will be Tech and that the Big XII championship will be a waste of 3 hours to watch.
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