FLHoya
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Post by FLHoya on Oct 29, 2009 21:56:02 GMT -5
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kghoya
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Post by kghoya on Oct 29, 2009 22:11:58 GMT -5
i love when va tech loses.
they have been relevant for about 5 minutes on the national scene but their fans in this area seem to think that college football world revolves around their hokies
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Oct 29, 2009 22:14:54 GMT -5
kchoya wrote:
i kept seeing that score and wondering what was going on.
and please dont compare yourself to hifi
While it is really tempting to simply agree by reaffirming your conclusion that HiFi has no equal here, I will take the "Hi" road, by simply clarifying that Austin was merely preempting such future dialogue by recognizing that Tech and A&M discussions aren't exactly high on most people's lists ... at least in "these" parts.
All kidding aside, I do think that, while everyone "knew" that last year, even though many Big 12 teams/quarterbacks put up stellar numbers, the "reason" was that the defenses were so bad. This year, however, no one seems to be talking about any improvement defensively.
But Zach Robinson has spent some time on the sidelines, and more importantly, Dez Bryant has as well, and is likely done for the year. Similarly, Texas Tech is without it's "battery" for lack of a better term, and most obviously, Sam Bradford was on the shelf most of the season. And I'm not even mentioning Chase Daniel -- or was that two years ago? Either way, the point is that, as much as I knocked the defenses of the Big 12, it would seem that the transition of key players on the offensive side of the ball, are quite an important factor as well.
On Edit: I forgot to mention, I still can't figure the ACC out. Georgia Tech is a solid team. I said it earlier this season, although some (RDF in particular) disagreed. But, in any case, I thought that UNC was moving in the right direction. Even this year, which was dreadful before tonight, I thought they looked good against Ga. Tech, but shot themselves in the foot too often. Then they crapped their pants against FSU on Thursday night, giving up that big lead. Not to be "undone," they shocked me even more by winning in Blacksburg. What to think?
As for Clemson ... well, up and down/roller coaster is their style.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Oct 30, 2009 11:19:53 GMT -5
kghoya, not kchoya
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Oct 30, 2009 16:26:51 GMT -5
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kghoya
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Post by kghoya on Oct 31, 2009 23:23:40 GMT -5
i could watch usc lose like that every saturday and never complain
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Nov 1, 2009 3:44:26 GMT -5
i could watch usc lose like that every saturday and never complain ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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kghoya
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Post by kghoya on Nov 1, 2009 8:03:54 GMT -5
does rich rod get invited back if hes 6 and 6?
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adlai
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Post by adlai on Nov 1, 2009 13:26:33 GMT -5
does rich rod get invited back if hes 6 and 6? I sure hope so but I fear he will be under real pressure. Unlike the situation a few years ago in South Bend, the cupboard was actually empty when he arrived.
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kghoya
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Post by kghoya on Nov 1, 2009 19:40:45 GMT -5
does rich rod get invited back if hes 6 and 6? I sure hope so but I fear he will be under real pressure. Unlike the situation a few years ago in South Bend, the cupboard was actually empty when he arrived. there were some good skill position players but nothing on the offensive and defensive lines...same thing washington is dealing with but back to my original question, i think um keeps rich rod but 6-6 will be really, really hot on that seat
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Nov 1, 2009 20:47:13 GMT -5
Things kind of returned to normal in the Big 12 North this Saturday: Nebraska and Mizzou both won and Iowa, K-State and Colorado lost. The only semi-surprising-but-not-really-surprising result was KU's loss on the road to Texas Tech. It's looking like Nebraska will win the division, but K-State is still the division leader and technically controls its own destiny. The 'Cats showed guts yesterday in giving OU a late scare in Norman despite starting the game down 21-0. K-State has dropped three straight to KU, but expect a fight next weekend when the Jayhawks travel west to Manhattan. If the Wildcats reclaim the Governor's Cup and subsequently defeat Mizzou (led by Blaine Gabbert's gimpy ankle and Gary Pinkel's gimpy coaching), then they'll be playing for the Division championship when they head to Lincoln on November 21 to face the 'Huskers. Still, the ACC takes the cake for unpredictability, as Duke still has a shot at the Coastal Division crown. ABC/ESPN actually did something right this weekend in double-covering the two Saturday night games. Hopefully this pattern will repeat itself. My only complaint: I couldn't get SC-Oregon in high definition, and since I had previously set my DVR to record on ESPN2HD, I missed the entire first half. I corrected the problem at halftime of Texas-OSU, so I have the second half on tape, but haven't watched it yet. Coaches proving the media -- and me, in most cases -- wrong (at this particular point in time): Dave Wannstedt (he'll never turn it around at Pitt), Ron Zook (Illinois really scored by snatching up Florida's cast-off -- he took them to the Rose Bowl!), Kirk Ferentz (why was he even considered for the UM job?), Tom O'Brien (winner at BC, will make NC State a winner, too), Turner Gill (the next big BCS coach), Mike Sherman (Aggies picked below BAYLOR in the Big 12 South), Bill Snyder (too old). Butch Davis, you're close to being on this list, but I think your Tarheels may come roaring back to life. I think Iowa beats Northwestern next weekend, leaving Ohio State as the only real test remaining. I expect that game to look exactly like Iowa - Penn State: a defensive battle that comes down to turnovers. With Pryor in the mix, Iowa might have the edge. Unless it's windy. (It might help Iowa to straighten out the RB position before its trip to Columbus as well -- the backfield was pretty terrible for the Hawkeyes Saturday morning.) Speaking of the Big Ten, apologies to the Michigan fans. The defense is apparently still terrible, and I was wrong about Indiana being a bowl team. I still think the Hoosiers have talent, they just don't have any guts. To answer the above question re: Rodriguez -- OF COURSE he gets another shot next season if UM is bowl-eligible this season. Michigan is not the type of program that switches coaches recklessly. It's downhill from here for Texas. The only games left that concern me in the least are @tamu and the Big 12 championship. Depsite the final score last night, the 'Horns got a few big breaks early. The game should have been closer, but I don't think anyone can say OSU would have won if dropped balls and the refs hadn't helped Texas open a big first half lead -- the 'Pokes were definitely outmatched. The Texas offense has looked much better, but it's still a work in progress. I don't think it will get to 2008 great, but I'd feel more comfortable if it did. Obviously the defense is playing great ball, and I think Earl Thomas may be in line for the Jim Thorpe Award. I'm wondering how kc is currently handicapping Utah's game against Texas Christian -- the Utes needed OT to beat Air Force two weeks ago and pulled the starting QB against Wyoming on Saturday. That game's in Fort Worth, and it's really looking to me as if the Frogs are going to run the table as long as it doesn't snow when they travel to Laramie. This "Arizona back in the Pac 10 race" talk is BS. One word: Stoops. Not a lot of big matchups this weekend, and it will be more of the same next weekend. Expect something crazy to happen in an in-conference game.
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vcjack
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Post by vcjack on Nov 1, 2009 21:28:48 GMT -5
does rich rod get invited back if hes 6 and 6? 6-6 won't be easy for them to get.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Nov 2, 2009 11:18:01 GMT -5
I'm wondering how kc is currently handicapping Utah's game against Texas Christian -- the Utes needed OT to beat Air Force two weeks ago and pulled the starting QB against Wyoming on Saturday. That game's in Fort Worth, and it's really looking to me as if the Frogs are going to run the table as long as it doesn't snow when they travel to Laramie. I definitely think the game goes to TCU. However, you can tell Utah has reached a higher level based on this year's results. Clearly this was going to be a down year after the Sugar Bowl last year, losing Brian Johnson, Paul Kruger, and others. However, the program seems to have reached a point where the talent level is high enough that a "rebuilding" year will still see them go (probably) something line 10-2 with a decent bowl game. It's not like a lot of other mid-majors where there's a huge fall after the big season where everything comes together. That being said, as I indicated above, I think TCU wins this game by 10 to 14 points. They have a lot of talent and speed, and unlike past years, their offense is almost as good as their defense. Andy Dalton showed signs last year, but really has put it all together this year.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Nov 2, 2009 13:09:26 GMT -5
Breaking News:
Brandon Spikes was suspended for the first half of this week's game against Vandy. Apparently, Spikes gauged a Georgia player in the eyes. I was at the game and haven't seen any footage, but supposedly it was pretty obvious. That's certainly nothing to be proud of. While a couple of assistant coaches said that Spikes didn't go anything all that out ot fht eordinary and that there was assorted pinching, gauging going on all game. In my opinion, that doesn't make it ok. Did anyone see it and what were your thoughts?
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Nov 2, 2009 13:58:00 GMT -5
I saw it live during the game (or on the replay right after). This stuff goes on all the time in football games -- it's usually just not this obvious. I think Spikes had to be suspended because of the "uproar" more than the actual act (not that I agree with it). Seeing as how UF plays Vandy, I think they'd be safe suspending him the entire game.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Nov 2, 2009 15:45:05 GMT -5
I saw it live during the game (or on the replay right after). This stuff goes on all the time in football games -- it's usually just not this obvious. I think Spikes had to be suspended because of the "uproar" more than the actual act (not that I agree with it). Seeing as how UF plays Vandy, I think they'd be safe suspending him the entire game. Since I posted the earlier announcement, it has gotten a lot of coverage down here. Supposedly, Spikes was retaliating for a Georgia player who gauged him in the eyes. I just don't know what to think. Hell, I played football some 25 years ago. Yeah, I know it's a dirty game. There was pinching, pulling etc... going on in every pile. Somehow though, this is different. We never got up around the eyes. I don't think it was anything taught, as much as it was almost instinctual. You simply don't get up around the eyes. We did have an assistant coach who taught us a few tricks of the trade. One of his tactics was to always, every single time, push yourself up by bracing yourself with your arms or elbows on an opponent. I'm serious, ever single play, he wanted anyone of us in the pile, to inflict a little more discomfort on an opponent -- such that if we didn't exersice an opportunity to do so, we would end up having to do some extra running. All of that being said, I remember the FSU game in 2001. That was the infamous Darnell Dockett game, where he intentionally sprained Earnest Graham's knee when a play was over. A day or two later, Joe Girvan -- the TV20 Sports guy at the time -- studied all the game films he could find and followed Dockett. He found 3 or 4 more obvious attempts to do nothing but injure an opponent. The most glaring was when he tried to stomp on Rex Grossman's hand. He wasn't even involved in the play. That was appaling. Here's a 250 pound guy trying to stomp on Grossmans outstretche throwing hand. That could easily break bones and even end his career. That has no business being in the game. The reason I brought that up however, is that a month or two later, Marcus Oquendo Johnson came into my store. I figured that there would be some sort of allegiance among the players -- a sort of unwritten code of ethics which, for lack of better terms, accepted those tactics intended on causing pain but frowned on dirty tactics desinged to cause injury. To my surprise, he didn't really have much to say about it. He said, "it's a dirty game. They're in there grabbin' at you, punching, biting ... grabbing your jewels ..." He did everything, except justify it as being a "part of the game."
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HoyaFanNY
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Post by HoyaFanNY on Nov 3, 2009 6:35:53 GMT -5
before the season, i expected 6 or 7 wins from michigan this year. the only way they get to 6 is to beat purdue this week. no way they win at wisconsin or beat osu the last game of the season. if they finish 6-6, it's not really 6 since one is against delaware state. everyone knew this team would struggle defensively given the lack of numbers depth wise, but the play of the oline has been terrible since molk was injured and the play calling is questionable at best.
the only way rodriguez doesn't come back next year is if the ncaa investigation comes up with some serious issues. i could be wrong, but i think there is a clause in the contract that allows michigan to void his deal if there are ncaa violations.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Nov 3, 2009 13:07:26 GMT -5
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Nov 3, 2009 13:45:47 GMT -5
Here's my question. Going at the head is usually frowned on in the unwritten codes of most sports. We all know that.
But does anyone else find it passing strange that a group of men have gotten together and said that while going after someone's head is off limits, on the other hand it is perfectly acceptable to hit them as hard as you want in the groin? Hockey, basketball, football scrums, it's all ridiculously common.
And this is not just limited to formal athletics. When I was in college, you knew you were in a fight if someone hit you in the head or face (not that I really got into fights). But if you could go home at the end of the day without having taken at least one shot to the groin from a friend, you'd consider yourself pretty lucky. Making people take a bow is just what you do.
I don't know why I thought of this, other than just to say that we are pretty stupid creatures.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Nov 3, 2009 14:13:58 GMT -5
Boz, it's funny that you worded it as you did. I said similar when I pointed out that for "whatever reason" we didn't go near the eyes. I honestly don't remember ever being coached to stay away from the eyes, nor do I remember any intentional eye gauging. Glancing blows going for a rebound or loose ball ... well, that's another story. But as you point out, those uncomfortable grabs in the pile were more the norm. That's what MoJo (Marcus Oquendo Johnson) meant when he said "they're grabbing at your jewels."
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