hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Sept 16, 2009 13:00:39 GMT -5
Florida wanted to play Miami every year but only if it included "neutral" games in Orlando or Tampa. Given that there would be nothing neutral about those games, Miami declined. Three quick comments/question on that: 1. I have heard that suggested by some and heard it refuted to a degree by both Miami and Florida. That was "one option" that was considered, was what both sides said. In any case, Florida wanted to play every year for a decade, Miami didn't. 2. That is how they decided on it anyway, with one game in G'ville (last year), one game in Miami and one in Tampa in coming years. 3. How is that not neutral? Orlando is about 2 to 2 1/2 hours from Gainesville and Miami is about 3 hours from Orlando. Granted, Tampa is further from Miami ... about 4 1/2 than it is from Gainesville -- about 2 1/2. But do you really think that distance makes it significantly favorable to Florida? Really? No, I didn't think so. Now what does make it "favorable" to Florida is that we simply have a much more significant fan base. But you can't blame Florida for that. If you want to say that Florida had an advantage playing Oklahoma in Miami last year, then fine. Even if you want to say that Florida has a significant advantage over Georgia playing in Jacksonville, then I can see that. Although it doesn't affect the game, it's certainly a lot easier on the fans to travel 1 1/2 instead of 5 hours. Still, the crowd is always virtually dead even, regardless of the teams' records that year. The point is that claiming that Orlando or Tampa are unfairly favoring Florida over Miami only serves to illustrate a "you" problem, with Miami being the "you."
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CTHoya08
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Post by CTHoya08 on Sept 17, 2009 21:13:37 GMT -5
The U is really taking GT to the Seventh Floor right now.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 17, 2009 22:30:46 GMT -5
I can't believe how Miami is opening up this season: @ FSU GT @ VT OU All ranked 18th or better. That is a a crazy ass start. And...the 'Canes are 2-0. Anyone think Shannon's squad can grab two more wins in the next two weeks? It's pretty much downhill for Miami after that.
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HoyaFanNY
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Post by HoyaFanNY on Sept 18, 2009 6:08:19 GMT -5
very impressed by the u last night. they abused tech right from the start.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Sept 18, 2009 11:00:00 GMT -5
Miami had a chip on its shoulder last night. GT just manhandled the Canes last year running the ball. I thought it was obvious that the Canes were offended from the start last night. I'm certainly not a Canes "fan," but I can appreciate their start this season. Of course, anyone who beats FSU is OK in my book. That being said, going into the year, everyone was focusing on Miami's brutal schedule, starting with the four games that Austin mentioned. As I recall, most of the pundits were suggesting that a 2-2 beginning would be a great start for Miami. I'm sure they don't think that right now. With Oklahoma having lost Gresham, and likely to still be without Bradford, I think that trip to Miami in a couple of weeks is looking very good for Miami. As for the Va Tech game, I would normally give the Hokies an edge, especially at home. If I had to call it right now, I'd probably still favor Va. Tech, but that game is certainly winnable for Miami. Shannon's very hot seat just might be cooling off before our eyes. And even as a Gator, I can't complain. He's a class act and what Miami needed, regardless of on field success.
Question for everyone here:
What are your thoughts on the Nebraska at Va. Tech game? I keep going back and forth on it. On one hand, I think that Va. Tech is a solid team and that their showing against Bama is more a statement of how good the Tide is rather than how weak the Hokies are. But on the other hand, the ACC has yet to show me much of anything. The Canes are certainly a surprise, but beyond them, the conference has really been substandard. Also, the Hokies could not stop the run. Nebraska isn't the same team it was under Osborne, but still, I would have to think that Nebraska might be able to run the ball against Beamer's crew. "But then again," the game is in Blacksburg, where the Hokies typically play very well. But then again ....
That's my point. I could see this going either way, and it is so early in the season, that it's difficult to evaluate teams. Thoughts???
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 18, 2009 12:55:55 GMT -5
Nebraska - Va. Tech was a fairly close game in Lincoln last season (Pelini's first year). I think it's going to be close again -- I'm giving Va. Tech the edge b/c the game is in Blacksburg, but I wouldn't be surprised if Nebraska pulls the mild upset.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Sept 18, 2009 13:05:44 GMT -5
I still can't think of Miami as an ACC team. Hell, I can barely think of them as a Big East team.
Which is why I guess it doesn't really pain me to say that I'm rooting for them to run the table. Not "super cheering for them in every game" type of thing. It's just that I like it better when Miami is in the mix. Plus, either Miami or Florida State should always be able to be counted on any given year to show the rest of the ACC why their whole league sucks.
Personally, I DO think Va. Tech is way overrated. They are usually pretty good at home, that is true, but I think that's a little misleading. The past several years (and the first game of this season, of course), they've done well at home, but always lost their biggest marquee matchups at home, whether to BC, or Ga. Tech, or Miami, or whoever comes into town on a roll or with a high ranking.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Sept 18, 2009 13:48:45 GMT -5
I came away thinking 2 things:
1. Mark Whipple is the guy I'd rather have stay then Randy Shannon
2. GA Tech is vastly OVERRATED this year.
Miami won 2 games--against "name programs" who are ranked. I think we'll learn more about them against VA Tech--which I think has advantage of playing a legitimate team in Alabama and up and coming team in Nebraska.
Oklahoma's DL will be huge test for Miami. Harris hasn't received much pressure at all and Oklahoma's DL is best they'll face until UNC game later in year during regular season.
I still see 2-2 out of the 4 games--but if they win next week, I might start believing more. Just think the defense still isn't up to par--GA Tech left a lot of points on the field--that good teams who have balance will not.
Not a good sign when a running team (GA Tech) is SOFT. A lot of guys were leaving game last night due to poor conditioning or boo-boos and that isn't good if you build around a running game.
Jacory Harris is also key-if he gets injured--they can lose rest of their games due to QB situation behind him.
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tlphoya
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Post by tlphoya on Sept 18, 2009 17:00:33 GMT -5
Nebraska - Va. Tech was a fairly close game in Lincoln last season (Pelini's first year). I think it's going to be close again -- I'm giving Va. Tech the edge b/c the game is in Blacksburg, but I wouldn't be surprised if Nebraska pulls the mild upset. GO BIG RED!!!! I was born in Nebraska and my sister is a junior at UN now. I have a pretty good feeling about this game, Blacksburg will be tough, but I would expect a decent amount of UN fans in attendance. I'd be there if I hadn't committed to a charity event tomorrow. I should know better to check the sports schedules ahead of time.
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FLHoya
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Post by FLHoya on Sept 18, 2009 18:44:43 GMT -5
Miami won 2 games--against "name programs" who are ranked. I think we'll learn more about them against VA Tech--which I think has advantage of playing a legitimate team in Alabama and up and coming team in Nebraska. Oklahoma's DL will be huge test for Miami. Harris hasn't received much pressure at all and Oklahoma's DL is best they'll face until UNC game later in year during regular season. I still see 2-2 out of the 4 games--but if they win next week, I might start believing more. Just think the defense still isn't up to par--GA Tech left a lot of points on the field--that good teams who have balance will not. I tend to agree with this. To answer AustinHoya's question: before the season I thought Miami would be in good shape if they went 2-2 in the first four games. When I thought it out, FSU and Ga Tech were the two I saw Miami winning if this happened. So everything so far is "as expected" in the "good case scenario" (4-0 is the "unfathomable scenario") RDF brings up the same two unanswered questions I have about Miami: 1. The lack of pressure from FSU and Ga Tech on Jacory Harris was borderline absurd. There was a play last night when Harris couldn't have been more than two steps behind the line of scrimmage, about even with the right tackle, and he just stood there for 3-4 seconds with the ball and nobody got near him. Mark Whipple's looking like the smartest pickup in college football this season, Miami's young receivers grew up pretty nice, and I'm sure the O-line is improved...but they're not gonna play A/A+ games until January like they have so far. We'll see if either Va Tech or OU (or for that matter, UNC who Miami plays on the road) presents a stern defensive test--my guess is both will. 2. There's something a little off about Miami's defense. Against FSU the front seven looked baaaaaaad against the run in the second half. Last night, I realize the game was in hand, but the secondary looked very suspect on some of the deep passing plays, and Ga Tech is a subpar passing team at best. I mean FSU's offense did score 27 on Miami and was one inaccurate goalline pass away from winning. I still think the degree of difficulty for the matchups increases each of the first four games for Miami. But I also agree with Boz--I never know what to think of Virginia Tech. Blacksburg can be a very difficult place (least the game isn't at night)...but Va Tech does have an egg-laying problem from time to time. Last time Miami visited Va Tech in a similar situation in 2005--decent team but a slight underdog--they punked Marcus Vick and a team that was, in fact, vastly overrated. Miami's ahead of the curve on the rebuilding for sure, and definitely a legit Top 25 team, but jury's still out on how good they are IMO.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Sept 19, 2009 11:35:16 GMT -5
For the record, I went with Nebraska after much deliberation. But "at least" I covered myself by making sure to blame it on someone else should Va. Tech win. But in all honesty, I really did like their reasoning. I asked the hosts of the local afternoon show about their thoughts on the game. The first, said that Va. Tech could absolutely not stop the run. Granted, Bama is a strong running team, but still, if you can't stop the run, you aren't going to win many games. The second guy simply said that until the ACC shows him something against an OOC team, he wasn't picking them again at all.
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vcjack
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Post by vcjack on Sept 19, 2009 18:01:52 GMT -5
Holy balls VT students are rushing the field.
Yes I know USC crapping the bed again is bigger news, but is there like brain cell killing toxic waste dump in Blacksburg?
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FLHoya
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Post by FLHoya on Sept 19, 2009 18:13:46 GMT -5
Well, it took two plays for Kirk Cousins to get himself un-invited from every keg party in East Lansing for the rest of the weekend.
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RusskyHoya
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Post by RusskyHoya on Sept 19, 2009 19:24:07 GMT -5
On the bright side, the Twerps get felled by the Sun Belt's finest for the second straight season. Coach Fridge may find himself on the hot seat soon.
As for USC/UW...Never underestimate Jake "The Hurt" Locker. By which I mean, count on USC to buy into their own hype and get brought back to earth at least once a year.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Sept 20, 2009 3:17:59 GMT -5
Well, it took two plays for Kirk Cousins to get himself un-invited from every keg party in East Lansing for the rest of the weekend. Try the rest of the year. Honestly, how do you throw that pass? MSU was in the catbird seat, with OT being the worst option available. And he screws the pooch on two straight plays.....
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Sept 20, 2009 3:37:55 GMT -5
UDub, UDub, UDub. ;D ;D ;D
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Sept 20, 2009 11:05:29 GMT -5
So how bad is Mitch Mustain?
Aaron Corp is awful -- USC wouldn't even throw the ball at the end. And Mustain is TWO spots down the depth chart from him? Arkansas fans owe Houston Nutt one more apology.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Sept 20, 2009 11:21:26 GMT -5
Thank you Florida State! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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PhillyHoya
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Post by PhillyHoya on Sept 20, 2009 11:31:39 GMT -5
That should shut up the Mountain West BCS people for at least one more season.
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Sept 20, 2009 11:57:44 GMT -5
That should shut up the Mountain West BCS people for at least one more season. Yeah, cause the Big East and ACC are so much ahead of the Mountain West. That's like saying Hawaii's loss to Georgia should've kept out non-BCS teams.
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