The Trojan (Mystique) Broken Again

Every man's nightmare, but every USC fan's reality. Time and time again, we here how USC is the most talented team in CFB, how this could be one of the all-time great teams, we buy into the hype (myself included, see last post) and proclaim them the Kings of College Football. Well, we've seen this script before, the kings are really queens, with their dynasty once again taken down by a lesser advisary (this one happening to be a beaver). While every sports reproter in the nation criticizes Ohio State for their recent meltdowns, we hear nary a peep about the Condoms continuing their yearly ritual of buying into their own greatness, only to see a dream season wiped away by a bottom tier Pac 10 program.

For argument's sake, lets say the Pac 10 and Big 10 are equally difficult conferences. Now look at the losses over the last 3 years for OSU and USC. OSU: Florida (NC Game), Illinois (went to Rose Bowl), LSU (NC Game), USC (greatest team of all-time). USC: Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford, Oregon (the only respectful lose amongst the bunch), Oregon State. Yet USC is the media anointed Kings of College Football. Anyone can get up for the big games (well, anyone except OSU I guess), but it's consistency that makes a champion. Year after year, USC sits back in their posh digs provided by slimey agents and even slimier boosters, hearing how good they are after an early season demolition of a marquee opponent(Arkansas, Nebraska, OSU), and they buy into it all. Inevitably, this program will continue down this path until some measure of discipline is instilled, and I don't think Sneakey Pete is going to be laying down discipline anytime soon. This shakes up the CFB world, and I'm sure fans in Norman, Baton Rouge, Gainsville, Austin are excited...oops, I broke into my best Craig James there. Anyways, here's to the Trojans being put into their place by OSU, even if it was the one with beavers instead of nuts.


OSU (the one with Nuts)
3 things that really excited me from Saturday (lets be honest, barely handling Troy doesn't produce much more than 3 excitable moments):

1) Seniors, have a seat. I love the fact that the Vest pulled the trigger on Pryor. I wanted him to be ready for Wisco, and it looks as if lack of playing time will definitely not be an issue. TP looked great, should have had another TD (why are the senior WR's not being shown the bench?), and had great poise and presence. I have to keep reminding myself that he's still a frosh, but that game was awfully VYesque, right down to the terrible throwing mechanics. In addition to TP, nice to see the 1st member of Block O crack the starting line-up, impressive to see Sabino move in to the 2-Deep, but please, get Posey and Flash Thomas some run time.

2) Bold moves on the O-Line. We took out (well, by injury) our fattest, slowest, dumbest lineman, replaced him at guard with a much quicker (albeit slightly undersized) former C, and insterted a true freshman in to handle the the snapping. I love it. I love getting quicker up front. I love putting Brewster at C after I'm sure he and TP took tons of reps together in pre-season, I love thinking about a more athletic line blcoking for Beanie and TP. Great move.

3) The Glenville Pipeline. They just keep churning out stars, and it looks like the latest may be Jermale Hines (I really wish he was #57). The kid has some unreal football instincts, can lay the wood, and fits that hybrid LB-S role that teams need to combat the spread. He's going to be a star.

Gopher Hunting
No, not what the crew will be doing down in Bloomington this weekend, but hopefully what the OSU defense will be doing Saturday. I still didn't see the emotion and nastiness out of this team that they need to win the big games. Here's hoping that the start of conference play awakens the sleeping giant, that or they can clone various forms of Malc Jenkins prior to the game. While I still agree with the Boom and Zoom statement from last week, there's no getting around my giddiness for the return of Beanie. How do you stop TP and Beanie running an option? The playbook will be conservative this week, but I'm looking for all the stops to be pulled out a week from Saturday.

SOA (Sons of Anarchy for you tv novices)
Watch it. Seriously. It's the best new show of the fall. How can FX get away with the content though? When I hear a basic cable station touting nudity amongst it's content warnings, it blows my mind. In the last 3 weeks alone, we've seen a dude go Mike Tyson all over a carnie's ear, a child molester get his junk cut off and then the junk got mailed to the girl's father, an axe to the back of the dome, strippers, a doberman on meth, more strippers...it's amazing. Enough to make me contemplate starting a biker gang in Bucktown, which would no doubt be fierce.

Hurricane's
They come in with such anticipation, leave devastating destruction in their path, and then are forgotten about weeks later...sounds like any scandal invovling a White House intern. America is one big country of ADD.

My Living Situation
Out of fear that during a drunken rambling I may slip something out about the fact that I have a blog, I'm going to abstain from commenting publicly on this.

Last Thoughts
Someone fix Jesse Palmer's fucking tie!!!!
Why do people feel the need to wear a jersey to a sporting event of a team not even involved?
I wish they'd set up an emergency loan program for recent college graduates, "Um, yeah, I ended up dropping a $500 dollar bar tab last night, not sure I'm going to be able to pay my cable bill this month, and I sure would miss HBO, Showtime, Encore, Skinemax and my DVR...can I get $1000 to tide me over to next paycheck?"
Lastly, when will going back for a weekend at college not be one of the highlight's of my year? I'm guessing not for a while.

A Game of Substance

Beam Team

Yesterday I was awash with uncertainty as the announcement came over the wire that the Nebraska v. Mizzou game had been moved to ESPN primetime. My mind immediately wandered to last years debackle; a painful day that laid the foundation for an even more painful and empty conference season. Today, I'd like to say that Im more certain about the saltyness of the 2008 'Skers and their ability to overcome not only this weeks foe, but to hand Mizzou a loss. But the reality is that I'm still not over yesterdays flashback. I tremble with trepidation when I feel, not just remember, but feel the sting of last years game. In my youth I cried over Husker losses. The raw emotion was too overwhelming for a 21, eh, I mean 11 year JuDa. Last year I treated my pain with wine, or women (which is a great way to deal with big losses); but this year I planned on using wine, or women as celebratory enhancements, and not loss-therapy. I hope yesterdays moment of uncertainty is exclusive to this sad, sorry excuse for a fan, and isnt shared by Bo's Boys. If so, we're in for a long evening Oct. 4th.

On to VA Tech. Beamer Ball is fun to watch, and his always-salty squad rolls into Lincoln off consecutive conference wins against well coached teams. They toppled GA Tech two weeks ago, and then came from behind to punch Butch Davis in the mouth and steal a win in Chapel Hill last Saturday. Tyrod Taylor is the teams offense, a dynamic QB he is a Mike Vick clone. What he does behind a veteran offensive line dictates the tempo for the offense. The blight on the team is inexperience at both RB, and WR. Last years leading rusher, Brandon Ore, and his back-up Jahre Cheeseman, are no longer viable options in Blacksburg, and the receiving corps features a 5-10 white-boy starter. Yeah, you read that right, and No its not Wes Welker.

The defense is led by the teams best player, and in my opinion, the best defensive back in all of college football - Macho Harris. At 6-2, 210, Harris reminds me of Antonio Cromartie. He hits like Felix Trinidad, shuts down one side of the field, and runs like a gazelle. The defense takes their que from him. Look out for Macho on select offensive plays and returning kicks as well.

This game will be a hell of a challenge for the Big Red. Finally, a Game of Substance to alleviate my trepidations about our preparedness for Oct. 4th.

(Im having trouble maintaining focus right now because Michael Irving just came on ESPN radio

plugging his new afternoon show in Dallas. This man was/is an amazing addition to Americana pop/sports culture. If I had a Delorion, and a magic Geenie to grant me three wishes, my third and final wish would be to hang with Irvin, Nate Newton, Deion, Leon Lett, and the rest of the knucklheaded Cowboys at their "whitehouse," circa 1995. Deion, and Micheal are now outspoken Christians. Fellas, some of the shit that undoubtedly went down in that house simply cannot be forgiven). Oh, my first two wishes involve some combination of gummy worms, a bowling pin, one size 9.5 Chuck Taylor shoe, and my favorite WVU soccer player featured below.)

Slac 10

USC currently has ZERO ranked opponents for the remainder of the year. Their toughest opponent - Notre Fucking Dame. Pencil Petey C. in against (blank) for the NC in January. This boggles my mind. How can a region that feeds off California talent be so bereft of qaulity players. As it stands, I'd rather see USC play the Mountain West than line-up against the likes of ASU, Oregon, and Washington.

Big yEast Infection

I chose today to feature Miss WVU soccer to remind everyone why the Big East desereves a BCS bid. God knows their collective play has yet to merit anything other than ridicule, and a series of pre-christmas bowl births. This conference has a yeast infection... and its spreading. Remember when Louisville came into last season with bountiful promise, and WVU, along with Rutgers were all looked at as legitimate title contenders. What a sham. Last Thursdays Colorado blunder for the Mehtaneers is what we can expect from the worst conference in the game for the foreseeable future.

Ohio State Seniors, your legacy is at stake...

If you had to choose the most under-acheiving unit four weeks into the season the answer is clearly the Ohio State offensive line. What the hell happened to Alex Boone and crew? I know Chris Wells was a hell of a running back, and his loss was a detrimental blow to the running game. But against marginal competition OSU should manufacture 100 yard rushers. The OSU offensive line, and the entire Senior class for that matter, needs to wake-up and remind the Big Ten that they are the only true football factory left standing.

To All heading to Bloomington - be safe, and pour one out for JuDa!

Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes...

That's what the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Program is in for (or in one humble fan's opinion SHOULD be in for). Before I discuss what changes I want to happen and what changes I'm reading/hearing ARE happening, lets talk about why OSU fans shouldn't be jumping off bridges just yet.

1. USC is DAMN good. Not great, but an incredibly smart, well coached and composed football team who just isn't going to make mistakes or beat themselves. They have the best QB they've had there since Mr. OSU hater himself Carson Palmer, the most dynamic RB they've had since the Heisman tarnisher, an absolute stable of skill position players, big time defensive playmakers, and their line play is just solid at every spot. Could they have a slip up as past USC teams have been plagued by? Sure, but I don't see it happening. They have a pretty easy rest of the way, seeing as they play in the FOURTH best conference in CFB(one team does not make a conference, so the Big Ten is still 3rd by default).

2. Our best player, a sure fire all-american, and heisman front runner was out. Would we have won with him? Nope. Would we have lost by 32? Nope. Beanie takes the pressure of our happy feet QB, which is exactly why he looked like an all-conference QB for the first 8 games last year. TB reminds me of Ken Dorsey, everyone remember the pressure OSU put on him once Willis McgahKNEE got KO'd? Add to that the ability to actually run the ball in the red zone, and this game would have been dramatically different.

3. Just read the "Letter to Ohio State Fans" at the bottom of this link: http://cfn.scout.com/2/557922.html
This put a little charge in my step today, leading to me finally coming out of my Obama...er Osama like hiding to show my Scarlet (Letter?) and Grey pride. We are still a ridiculously talented football team, we have won 3 straight conference titles, we are STILL the best team in the Big Ten, and we can still go back to play in our 6th BCS game in the last 7 years. That's a pretty impressive, consistent run of stellar football.

4. Lastly, and this leads perfectly into the needed changes, we graduate a TON of seniors next year. Wait, how is this positive you say? Well, these seniors, many of whom have played vital roles in the last 3 "National Stage" nightmares, have psyche's as fragile as Brittany pre-VMA comeback or Lindsey Lohan pre-4th rehab stint. They EXPECT to lose in big games, and when the adrenaline wears off, all it takes is one stupid penalty (not one, but TWO holding calls negating huge plays Saturday), one botched play (Robo's drop in the LSU game ring a bell), or one fluke injury (Teddy Ginn) for these guys to completely unravel. It's time for a changing of the guard. The 2008 and 2009 classes will define OSU football for the next 10 years, lets hope they're up to they're up to the challenge. So what changes need to happen now to ensure these young Buckeyes are in the best position to continue the golden era of OSU football:

Get Pryor Ramped up for Madtown: He's getting 65% of the reps in practice this week, lets hope he gets at least 50% of the snaps Saturday, push him up to 80% next week, and be confident in the fact that when those crazy hippies start jumping around at the end of the 3rd Qtr (to support their marginal football program), TP will be ready to show everyone who's still king in the Big Ten.

If Beanie's not full go, it's Boom and Zoom Time: I want Beanie ready to go, and at some point this year I suspect he will be, but at what point is that? If you know he won't be ready for Madison, it's time to look towards the future. He's leaving after this year regardless, so it's time to get the Boom and Zoom show on track for next year. Unless Saine is injured worse than is being let on, he and Herron need to be getting ALL meaningul carries over the next 2 weeks.

No more seniority points: Sorry Todd, thanks for all you've done, here's hoping you get a NFL FA contract. Alex, if you want to keep getting beat off the line in huge games, then it's time to let the Block O get their feet wet. Steve, you're too fat to even move from your guard position, we'll draw from a hat to see which Block O memeber replaces you. Ross, you're just not a strong enough athlete to play LB for us, and we've go this freak of a freshman on the sidelines (from Florida, not Coldwater) who could be one of our best ever, good luck finishing your career at Mt. Union. Brians, we'll call you when we need a slot receiver to pick us up 4 yards.

New Coaching Blood: If Tress wants to keep calling the offense, then so be it. He adapted when we had Troy, he'll adapt again with TP. However, our "Offensive Coordinator" who is really a glorified o-line coach has to go. I'm not a technique guy, so I'm receiving this info from other sources, but I've read/heard that people are disgusted by the technique they see from our o-line. That's a coaching issue, and that signifies it's time for a change. Don't think I forgot about the defense. Remember when we were the "Silver Bullets"? Those nasty black shields on their facemasks, intimidators all over the field, no one every bringing up our lack of speed our toughness. Get back to that, we're not a finese team, we don't play zone, we blitz, we make the other team beat us. Time to get back to the intimidating days of Mike Doss, Big Kat, AJ, and Rob Reynolds choking Wisconsin's QB in the middle of a pile.

Follow the lead of the porn industry, at some point you have to put your stars from the golden era on the sideline (Jenna, Jill Kelly, etc) to make room for the new talent and maintain your stranglehold on society (aka the Big Ten and CFB).

Buckeye of the Week: TP, carpe diem young man, here's a Jameson to you.

Coming Friday: Thoughts on Sons of Anarchy (falls best new show), America's fascination with Hurricane's ("We got Ike'd!" t-shirst available soon across the country), the affects on the 25yr old male psyche by having a random female suddenly become your roommate, and a look ahead to a really solid weekend of God's Game.

Beyond the Preseason

Yeah boy thats my (song) girl!

~Weezy F. Baby

As if our friends in Columbus needed any further validation of SC's superiority let the Song girls seal the deal.

And thats the last of I'll speak of ESPN/ABC's "Game of the Century" that proved to be about as competitive as USC's trip to Idaho two seasons ago. Dont fret OSU, right in line with Juda's prediction, you basically lost by 35. And right in line with Juda's predictions, you still have a good chance to back-door the National Championship game. Consider this beleagured Buckeye: The Top 11 teams in the country, outside of SC, are either from the Big 12, or SEC, meaning attrition will rapidly change the current standings. And the other team from a non-dominant conference, Wisky, you get a crack at in Madison. All was not lost ... well accept a little pride. Oh well, atleast you didnt get 76 smeared all over your grill by the Jayhawks.

Baby 'Shirts

Through three games (v. 2 WAC opponents, and 1 MAC squad) the Bo Pelini cultural awakening seems to be more than just coach-speak and idol promise. If not for a fumbled snap by a Frosh QB working in mop-up duty, the Big Red would have pitched a shut out against one of the country's most talented QB's. For those keeping score, which includes any of our embarrassingly small catalogue or readers, the Nation of Bo is averaging roughly 40 points for, to just 10 points against through three games. That my friends, is marked improvement and reason to buy-buy-buy Nebraska stock. The games on the October docket, which include a home contest against the golden boy Chase Daniel, will feature an NU squad looked upon as distinct underdogs in games against Mizzou, and Texas Tech. While the current state of the game has both the Tigers and the Red Raiders positioned ahead of Grand ole' Red, this season is the final time that will hold true. Bo is about do to Nebraska what Tressel did at OSU, Meyer did at Florida, and Stoops did at Oklahoma... and thats dominate conference first, and then the national scene shortly thereafter. This is a two year turnaround my friends. With that as the caveat...

Big 12 Saltlick

Mizzou looks dangerously good on offense, and Lubbock, Texas is a scary setting for Husker fans that remember the last time we broke in a new coach in the arid Texas desert (70-7 ass kicking/Red air-Raid for those short on memory). What is more, Mizzou has a team that believes the hype and has bought into their abilities. They will ride a wave of confidence enough to subdue reminders of the thirty years that have elapsed since the last time Nebraska lost at home to a team from CoMo. I'm truly nervous about this game. The only saving grace is that Mizzou will have yet to leave the state of MO when they ride into Lincoln. But enough of the Tigers until the October.

Outside of the Tigers and Red Raiders the Big12 is the crazy with depth. What a strange turn of events in the Heartland. I can remember but two seasons ago when an average Husker squad cakewalked through Chase Daniel, Josh Freeman at KSU, and a Kerry Meier led J-Hawk team on the way to a seemingly pedestrian Big12 North title. These days winning the North is anything but pedestrian. And winning the Big12 all together, well that could qualify the winner for a spot in Miami. Oh conference, my conference how dirty thine has becometh! Which is fine, just fine as the wins that were once perceived walkovers will only serve to hasten the Big Reds ascent to National notoriety. The SEC aint got stuff on the Big12. Maybe the Big Ten Network should drop the conference tag, and embrace the Midwest's best conference.

Heismania

Wheres the love for my boy Mark - Vinny Chase - Sanchez. This dude puts Chase Daniel, and Sam Bradford to bed when it comes to talent, and he is finally getting it done on the field. One cannot help but question why Steve Sarkisian refused to replace J.D. Booty with Dirty Sanchez earlier in his career. Its not as if starting in Trojan land is any guarantee of NFL success - so he wouldnt have done his SR QB a disservice (I believe Matt Cassel is producing the best numbers of any Trojan in the League). Anyways my vote, after nearly a month of play, is for Mark Medellin Sanchez.

Lets get it done on Wednesday night K-State ... to kick-off a Big12 sweep of three hapless Big East squads this weekend.

Scarlet Good-Knight

My girl Goldie will tell you that cheering for Butch Davis' Heels in a place once referrenced as "hostile" was anything but on Thursday night. Apparently folks from Piscataway forgot that Ray Rice is their only notable contribution to God's Game in the past 75 years. If not, then last nights 44-12 back-to-reality moment was a less than subtle reminder. Getting bitch slapped in Thursday night action to a team that hadn't won outside of its home state since 2002 is quite the testament to the coaching prowess of Greg Schiano, and the overall strength of the Big Least. The ACC is down - but the Big East needs to be out. Let the rock-chalk echo loudly tonight for the fighting Mangino's to remind the world that USF is just as downtrodden as their Big East brethren. Cincy, West Va., Louisville, and now Rutgers x 2 have all lost face in the nonconference. I expect more of the same from the Bulls. One more note on Schiano - remember all the lauding of Schiano for his purported loyalty to Rutgers as he turned down coaching opportunities elsewhere time and time again? Am I the only one that thinks this dude was simply passed over for these jobs, and feigned Rutgers loyalty to simply save face? After an 0-2 start with losses to two also-ran programs this scenario appears much more likely.

Is there a game in LA Saturday?

Seriously - does USC play this weekend? The hype for this game has actually supplanted the Presidential election and Obama-Palin mania in the headlines this week. Shamefully, I was watching Lou Dobbs last night and the ticker broke-in with urgent information about Chris Wells status for Saturday... on CNN! I respect both of these programs but enough is enough. USC by 35, and OSU still backdooring the National Championship game seems likely at this point.

Feeling Bullish - or - Keep your racial slurs to yourself Bill Stewart

Trivial pursuit question; category Sports and Leisure: Were there games other than OSU v. USC on Saturday, 9/13/2008. Answer: Chris Wells Foot. Not to be confused with the other body-update-headline-grabber of the week, Tom Brady's knee.

The docket for the weekend is laden with games that will begin to clarify what we know about college football... and no, Missouri v. South Arkansas Institute for the Transgendered is not among them. Kudos Mizzou for another stellar non-conference slate. Lets take a look at what your weekend should consist of...

KU v. USF

I cant wait to see George Selvie, the self proclaimed baddest-man-in-college-football, struggle against the mediocre Jayhawk offensive line. Reesing is a Doug Flutie clone, and the 'Hawks linebackers are salty, but this team is simply below Big 12 standards in the trenches. Good thing for the Stay-Puffed-Mangino-Man that below Big 12 standards is still good enough for tops in the Big East. KU 45, USF 28.

Colorado v. West Va.

Hey Bill Stewart - ITS THE BIG 12 ... IT AINT INTRAMURALS BROTHER! Thanks coach Hawkins. You're a player, and I cant wait for you to roll some heartland/mountian football all over the Meth-aneers. I think a better bet than the outcome of the actual game would be how many Nbombs Bill Stewart drops to the number of actual bombs Pat White attemtps. How does a man once reprimanded for dropping an Nbomb on a player get a job in a major conference? Oh thats right, the Nword is in the West Va. constitution. Ralphie 31, West Va. 17.

NU v. NMSU

New Mexico State comes to Lincoln with a potential NFL'er at QB and a bastardized version of the spread offense. I will be interested to see how the baby-Shirts in the secondary and along the Dline manage to get pressure on Chase Holbrook and contain his speedy receivers. This one should keep me on my toes for the first, oh, 22 minutes of action... but I expect us to ring-the-alarm by the middle of the second quarter. Look for a resurgent rushing attack now that starting RT Murtha is back off the IR list, and starting RG Andy Christensen is back on the team after beating sexual assault charges (the Big Reds back baby! Somewhere Christian Peter is smiling). NU 38, NMSU 21.

Other games of note I am eager to see include Fresno State v. Wisco (beware of the valley), OU v. Washington (beware of the zebras), and Iowa State v. Iowa (beware of the levee). The dockets full ladies and germs - pop a top for your Boy!

Scared, Confused, Excited, Nervous...

If I sound like a 14yr old about to lose the v-card, then I've done an accurate job describing my feelings leading up to the biggest regular season game for OSU (and the Big Ten for that matter) in the last 3yrs. The added sense of urgency that has been generated from the last 2 NC Game performances is beyond the urgency from any other regular season game in recent memory (excluding any scUM games of course). It seems to me that these players realize they aren't only playing for redemption for OSU, but for redemption for the entire Big Ten. While I don't necessarily approve of this new phenomenan of rooting for your conference (SEC, SEC, SEC...), it's necessary in the BCS world, and even more necessary when you're the king of the mountain.

I've been going back on forth since Saturday on how I feel about this game, but the one good thing is I've continued to feel mo

re and more confident as the week has gone on. Why you ask?

Saturday was an abberation. It's shocking to see a Sweater Vest coached team look ahead, but I'm confident that's what happened. When they HAD to turn it on, they dropped 20 straight points. Did our offense look awful? Yes. Did the oline look slow? Yes. Did the receivers lack the ability to get separation? Yes. Those are all still huge concerns, but concerns I think we can overcome. The playbook has been vanilla, based on what I've read/heard from pre-season practices. It's time to turn the weapons loose. TP is going is going to be fully unleashed, Beanie sounds ready to go, Saine should be full steam ahead, the D is ready to knock heads. It's going to be a war, and our boys are ready to prove that they belong. Take the 10.5pt spread, USC mouthing off that this is just another game, and all the hype around the vaunted Condoms, and I smell an overconfident USC team.

Will it get ugly if we perform like we did last week? Yes. Is that going to happen? No. These seniors didn't pass up millions to go to LA and get smoked. Game time is less than 4 days away, the nation better get ready for a shocker (as it looks like those ASU girls already are).

OSU 31-USC 27

3 Low Points from last week:

1. We heard going in that officials were going to focus on celebration penalties more, but what happened to Jake Locker and UW was ridiculous. In fact, everything about the whole thing was ridiculous: the actual penalty, the justification from the officials and the Pac 10, our friend Mark May saying Locker just flipped the ball over his head, everything. Hopefully the scorn coming down from the media pundits will cause officials to use a little restraint when pulling out the yellow hankees when a teenage kid decides to celebrate.

2. Anyone who thinks ND's late rally to beat SDSU was a "good" thing for this team is really grabbing for straws. This kids aren't stupid, they realize they just beat a team who lost to CAL POLY the week before. Cal Poly, didn't they just play DeLasale HS on Friday night? Worlds collide saturday, should be a thriller! Go...scoreless tie?

3. Why is no one mentioning the fact that Urban Meyer's decision to tack on a extra 3 resulted in the Gators covering the spread on Saturday? Instead he's an ass who's just trying to run up the score (albeit while he's still able to) on Da U. Wrong, he's just an ass who's trying to make some dollars or save his knee caps from his bookie.

Buckeye of the week: Boom Herron. Future looks bright young man, but it's not your time Saturday. Beanie, got getcha Heisman Trophy. Lets paint the Coliseum Scarlet and Grey boys.

PS: This post sucked, I have no excuses other than I've spent the last few days finalizing my "divorce" papers.

Tuesdays Gone With the Wind...

Sun Devil-ed Egg on My Face

My apologies to Arizona State for suggesting that Stanford had the sand to give y'all a legitimate scare. Sorry for the misgivings ladies... although its still unclear how one gives the shocker to a Cardinal arbor (check the shirts). Two in the phloem, and one in the xylem? Or is it the other way around? I digress...

NU, Turner the Spurner

Saturday was yet another day of excitement, promise, and trepidation for Huskerdom. In sum, an anemic offense, seemingly prolific red-zone defense, and defensive line play that was as disruptive as Ive seen from the Shirts in a long time are fitting descriptions of what transpired on Saturday. Couple all of the above with a 4th quarter kick return for a score by Niles Paul (Ahman's lil' play cuzin), and a resurgent performance by Ndamakong Suh, Zach Potter, and Pierre Allen and the game is more or less encapsulated. Commentary skewed too much to the negative (see Tom Shatel, Omaha World Herald), or skewed too much to the positive (Sam Mckewon, Daily Nebraskan) this early in the season is just page-filler. The jury is still out on this years brand of 'Skers. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the hell out of the 21 unanswered we dropped in the final stanza... now get your popcorn ready for New Mexico State, and Chase Holbrook.

What we do know however is that the biggest blow of the day was the injury sufferred by DE Barry Turner. Turner, a player former DC Kevin Cosgrove compared to All-American Erasmus James at Wisconsin, was the nuts of this years Dline. His loss will be felt heavily against Mizzou, TTech, and OU - and thats not page filler, but a sobering reality that Husker nation needs to embrace. My zeal for those three games eroded when our best defender was sidelined for the season. "I like our starters on the D Line, but I say a prayer every night before I go to bed that no one gets hurt," Bo Pelini in late August. Like I said, get your popcorn ready for New Mexico State, because conference play promises to pull at the heart strings.

The Game of the Week

OSU / USC will be covered so thoroughly that the game itself will disappoint. Outside of this certainty, not much else can be speculated. Did OSU struggle against Ohio - hell yes - and they needed a blocked kick to salvage momentum, and eventually the game. Does USC look dominant - also, hell yes - but when hasn't USC looked dominant over the last 6-7 years? Buckeye nation quakes at the thought of another primetime, uber-hyped nonconference affair that serves to remind the world that the Big Ten has fallen sluggishly behind teams from the warmer states. But to my pensive, and meek friends from the North I say do not write this one off the way the odds makers, and the media might have already. I was shocked to hear that the Bucks were a 10.5 point dog; 5-7 points seemed much more reasonable. And I will be shocked again if USC actually covers a double digit spread. So to ScarletandGray, and a nation on the verge of calling J. Tressel the next J. Cooper, I say temper your emotions and expect a good game. OSU is capable of stunning Petey C. the Trojan MC - but then again I predicted a Husker win in last years USC Nebraska game. Oh well, atleast we get to see the Song Girls in primetime.

Hating All Over Your Face

1. The new 90210.  Honestly, there have been 1400 new 90210s since the original one, and none of them had a problem making up a new name.  Honestly.  If there's a new Gossip Girls in 2024, I'll be glad I died young.

 

2.  Fantasy sports playoffs- You're telling me I spent 30 minutes everyday for a summer to get booted out in one week? Think of all the valuable porn time I wasted! 

 

3. Girls.  If you know sports, it doesn't impress us. If you can outdrink us, it doesn't impress us.  If you love porn and know rap lyrics, it doesn't impress us.  At least, not if we know you're not going to sleep with us.

 

4. The world.  Hey, things change, and I'll learn to adapt. Just realize, in 5 years, if I have to plug it in, if it takes more than a minute to load, or if I can't read it in bullet point form, I'm going to get angry. 
 

5. Juda's posts on anything other than college football.  If I wanted to hear an incoherent babble on politics I would go watch Charlie read his campaign speech on It's Always Sunny.  Do.  Good. 

Did Aquaman jump a shark?

Am I the only one dreading Entourage? I mean the first season was awesome - it was one of those shows that everyone checked out on their own, and then the phone calls would start coming - "Yo, dude, are you watching Entourage?" And we rejoiced.

And the second season was terrific and we started to fall in love with the characters. By this point, everyone had already assigned a friend the title of Turtle or Drama, and had taken E or Vince for themselves. And Ari, a more appealing ass than anything shown in a g-string bikini.

And then, slowly, things started to change. It turned from these four guys dealing with hollywood to ridiculous storylines that would result in some absurd, unrealistic fantasy.

The whole point of the show was that you could see yourself in this entourage - hey! this could happen to us! - and that was cool. But the show's appeal, much like that of its fictional star, had begun to fade.

And then chicks started digging it. Not to hate, but at no point in the show has there been a positive female character. If they aren't the object of some conquest, they are just straight bitchy - but it was cool, it was trendy and the guys loved it. So of course, it caught on.

And now, with the continuing onslaught of unnecessary celebrity cameos, the show continues its spiraling descent into mediocrity. And as it becomes as stale as a 6-day old box of wheat-thins, it may all be quite fitting. The show, about a bunch of guys who get caught up in the hollywood lifestyle, has indeed got caught up in the hollywood lifestyle. It will get fake. Its innocence stolen, it will get chewed up and spit out in exchange for something newer and younger and more appealing. Probably starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

And sure, I'll watch. Not cause of I care about the characters (Are they really that likable?). Not cause I'm a hypocrite- the girls are hot, the fantasy is fun and there's not much else going on. I'm just hoping for one of those hollywood resurgences - the possibility that at the last second, they turn things around, and end up with the VICTORY!

Lean wit' it, Rock wit' it...

I bounce in the club cuz the hos call me rock head!

Posted in the cut and Im lookn fo' a block head!

Thanks to Dem' Franchise Boys for the club popping anthem that spun through my head after watching Bo's boys Lean wit' it and play some defense. Surrendering 24 points to a formerly 5-7 MAC squad may seem only marginal on its face, but a perusal of the box score indicates that the Baby Blackshirts held a relatively potent offense to only eight rush yards. Allie Chase (my baby bro that fashions himself as a young Vinny Chase), failed to laud the most impressive Husker of the evening... That man Ty Steinkuhler recorded eight tackles, second on the team, from his 3-technique DT spot. Now thats how you eat up them trenches.

On the Bucknuts: Boekman wishes he had Joey Ganz stones! Joey Ganz wishes he had T. Pryor's cricket legs, play making ability and bounce on the field. The Herd's lobby for this Frosh was based in logic (although TP is not yet VY 2.0; let him do something on the field before annointing him the upgrade to a player good enough to make Mack Brown look like a big game coach) ... but Im with ScarletandGray regarding Pryor supplanting Boekman this early in the year. No true freshman, save maybe Mike Vick, could step on the field in LA and face down Rey Mauluga and his Trojan NFL defense. Sticking with Boekman is the right play; his game management should allow the Bucks D, and an inspired Chris Wells to steal the night from Rey and Dirty Sanchez.

Games of the week that catch the eye ...

For the Boomer Babydoll my game of the week features two of the top 10 coaches in the game: Cincy @ #4OU. Bob Stoops reps Youngstown O about as well as any (Bo P's coming for that number 1 spot Bobby), and Brian Kelly is one hell of a coach, and recruiter on his way to a big time payday. Before you snicker at the Kelly comments consider this - Cincy, a traditional basketball power is on the verge of running a BCS conference in football. If teams were sold as stock, I'd dump my cash into preferred Bearcat football securities. As for the game, Oklahoma is the best all around team in college football, and will likely win this game going away in the second half. But the line score will belie that this will be a hard fought, black-and-blue struggle against a coach that will have his team ready to test the Sooners saltyness.

Other games on the docket that should pique the interest of those with a keen eye for movers and shakers in the division formerly known as 1-A: Ole' Miss at #20Wake ~ more future NFL'ers than one would expect will take the field when the Rebels cotton swob the Mint Julepers on tobacco road. M.I.A. @ Florida ~ will Miami finally return from being AWOL? Not likely, but Freshman Arthur Brown is already one of the best LB's in the South, and he'll remind Tim Tebow why the Canes used to show up to National title games dressed in fatigues. And finally, a game that I never thought Id even notice on the ticker, Stanford @ #15 ASU. ASU has some playmakers, and the old man of college football, Rudy Carpenter (wasnt he Jeremy's pledge Dad at IU in 2001?), but Stanford is riding the high of a big conference win, and might have advantages along the O and D lines. Look out ASU, the school that produced Google is coming for you (somewhere Microsoft quakes!).

Morale Conundrum Update

With an inspiring win the Bo Bombers took a tangible step towards a healthy non-conference record. Considering this I too have begun to posture myself to have options regarding the left-behind girlfriend of my well-regarded new friend that fled to the left coast. Girlie and I chatted it up for a good 15 after class last night ... not only did she know who I was, but she was familiar with my one-time cameo role in Indiana BOnes and the Temple of Poon (I was an extra in the scene where the Temple Shaman tried to pull [censored]). Stay tuned, because I think I heard her singing Jay-Z in my honor while she walked away ... "who you know fresher than J (uda), riddle me that!"

Get Out and Vote!

As the conventions come to an end, and election day nears - people all across this great land are encouraging Americans to get out and vote. After all, it is our most important right as citizens of this country- and if that isn’t reason enough, let us not forget the threat of Diddy. Vote or Listen to Danity Kane!!!!!

The horror. Well as we kickoff the campaign of the 2008 college football season, and as some candidates build hype and others mount concerns, it is important to keep it all in perspective- we haven’t even reached the primaries. Yes, this is the part of the year where many a front-runner emerges from the shadows, or cover of SI, and begin to make a name for themselves. Seven teams received first place votes.

The voting process- a unique device worthy of a separate discussion – isn’t a perfect system. It is nearly impossible to watch all the candidates show why they are worthy of your vote, so we are reduced to sound bytes, write-ups, recaps, highlights, box scores.

And therefore, to build momentum, the teams must make an impact, stir things up, get noticed. Yes, win, but more than that- you gotta wow ‘em! Run up the score! Make bold promises! Build a name brand! And make it look easy.

It’s a different time, the rules are different. The candidates are trying to line themselves up with the best resume possible, as they try to become the last man standing. The contenders? The pretenders? Too early to tell.

So enjoy this time- enjoy the creamy fluff of it all. Enjoy the enthusiasm, the bold predictions and promises. The hope. Don’t deny its importance, for a slip-up now could prove fatal. But remember- the race is just beginning, and every vote counts. Until a computer gets involved, and then, well, it gets complicated.

The So-Called "Experts"

Before we move on to some excellent insight and observations from so-called "experts" around the nation, lets take a quick look back at Saturday:


OSU (the observations below come from my rewatch of the game Sunday...Saturday=Foggy): Oh shit. That's all that ran through my head all day. Look, I love Brandon Saine, I think in due time Boom Herron will be a great back, but when you lose a guy people have compared to a young Jim Brown, it ain't good. Watching Beanie go down in a heap on the field is like walking in on your significant other getting a mustache ride from Ron Jeremy...just sickening (or possibly like naming your VP canidate only to have it come out days later her 17yr old daughter is knocked up...good times!). Well, the whole "no news" stand tOSU has taken this week hasn't calmed ALL my nerves, but everything indicated he should be ready to go for the Condoms. Other than that, the redzone offense was a disaster, and I was unimpressed with Mr. Happy Feet aka Todd Boeckman. Lets hope the majority of this is due to rotating through the o-line pretty significantly. On a good note, defense did what they do, LOTS of impressive freshman debuts (Pryor, Posey, Block O...lets hope some young ladies like the one on the left made their post-game celebrations just as memorable), some super subs stepping up when called upon (Jermale Hines, Chimdi Chekwa, Ty Moeller), and a strong special teams performance (hopefully that #82 is truely the NEW Ray Small). On to face the fighting Frank Solich's from Athens Ohio.


ACC and Big East: At first I felt bad that the Big 10 didn't really show up in their 3 marquee games...then I realized at least we aren't the ACC or Big East. Someone hand Wake Forest and WVU the crown (assuming the mighty ECU Pirates don't get in the way).


Upsets: They're the lifeblood of college football, and while I saw some coming (ECU over VT...how can you try for a coach who gave up on the season when he benched Tyrod Taylor), others were unexpected (Roll Tide...hey Tommy B, get your resume ready), and others just made me smile (Dave Wannstedt, see note above...and a congrats to my mom's alma mater, go Falcons!) Here's to some more big upsets this wknd!


On to some ranting. I want to touch on two completely asinine comments provided to us by some so-called experts regarding OSU. First, Todd McDouche from ESPN, who decided that Beanie's draft stock will be hurt due to his lack of toughness. That same lack of "toughness" carried him through last season playing with a broken wrist and breaking the Soph single season rushing record at OSU, over some guy who won back-to-back heismans. 1600 yards and 15 td, single handedly winning the Michigan game and basically keeping them alive in the NC Game (or at least providing the only excitement for OSU fans). Look, if you want to say that he seems to have some injury issues similar to Adrian Peterson, that's fine, I'll buy it. But to compare him to Chicago's favorite son Ced Benson...shut your trap you Mel Kiper wannabe.


Second, Colin Cowherd, who also happens to be from the World Wide Leader said that Pryor should be the starter, and should get 95% of the snaps in the USC game. WOW, he made quite the impression with his performance against 1-AA YSU (seriously, their nickname is the Penguins, take the whole team's performance with a grain of salt). I love Pryor, I have a #2 jersey, I think he's VY 2.0, but to say that b/c he ran for 50 yards/1 TD and threw for 40 he should start over a SIXTH year senior who led the Big 10 in passing efficiency (and was 13 Nationally, ahead of some kid named Chase Daniel) is just ludicrous. I'm all for outlandish comments to get viewers and boost ratings, but at least have SOME reasoning behind your statements.


Oh, and a quick shout out the my man Mark May, another fine employee of ESPN. Mr. May, when asked who was a team outside the top 10 that could make the jump this year, replied with his suck ass alma mater, Pitt. Well, as covered above, Mark May proved to be just as much the dbag homer that his slobering side kick is...well done sir.


Buckeye of the Week: Until we play someone worthwhile, I'm gonna keep throwing up some randoms, so this week let's go with the newest future Buckeye, Jaamal Berry...welcome aboard. Honorary Mention: all the freshman who played, nice to get your feet wet, now be ready for Sept 13th.

Observations on the First Saturday

August 30th 2008... What day was that again? Oh yeah, the day that I was on my couch from the start of gameday to the late night post game show. I was taking in exactly what I; we, have been yearning for for the past 9 months. For some on this site, vengence was due, and the savior for future prominence goes by a simple, 'B-O.'
For others, declaration of a message that has failed to be heard around the country for the past 2 januarys looks like it might finally be knocked into some people's head, that is once they look up and see a 6'5 gazelle with a red jersey that simply says Pryor on the back trampling over them for 6.
This August day really breathed new life into a lot of people. Let me first start with the Buckeyes.
Saying new life has been breathed into these fans isnt entirely true. I meen, they have appeared in the National title twice in the past 2 years; that's pretty good as far as I am concerned. However, seeing Terrele Pryor's debut really made me, a husker fan, joyous for all the buckeye faithful across the land. And not only is it a static reassurance for these fans, but the fact that Rich Rodriguez' squad went down that hard, to a bunch of 'Utes", (Attempted My cousin Vinny reference) probably sends a gleaming smile that stretches from tressel's face all the way to chicago.
Now, success was clearly evident and expected for the buckeyes, so I am going to leave this topic alone, that is until the trojan hore comes rollin' their way. Theres a stampede awaitin on both ends, I just hope Chris Wells is back in time to hurdle over USC's amazing linebacking core.
Ahh, the huskers. Children of the Corn. THe Blackshirts...? Or at least thats what Pelini told us they would be.
Don't get me wrong, watching the run defense was absolutely stellar. Cody Glenn shocked many with his blazing quickness all around the filed. Zach Potter even stepped up and impress me. He reminded me of a certain Jay Moore that used to squat down on the very same line not to long ago.
However, i still see some holes that NEED to be filled, if this Defense even thinks about stopping #9 from te middle of nowhere missouri.
Just a guy by the name of Jeremy Maclin. No big deal.
Watching Matt O'Hanlon get used like a rag doll on a couple plays wasnt as depressing as watching Cody Glenn have to chase down a Bronco receiver, which was a blown coverage by Larry Asante. I have not seen much out of Asante in the past year, and yeah I know, it's only a year, but come on.
Growth buddy, growth.
Missed open-field tackles and blown coverages seem to be the name of the game Asante has been playing. He is my dissapointment of the week, which you will see at the bottom of my weekly opst every sunday.
Now I am not resting the entire 24 points in Asante's hands. My note is, this D-Line needs to put the pressure on.
Period.
Hiller had way to much time, which then created those 25+ yard receptions for the broncoes.
Watching Dillard bust through the line was aweosme, but why didnt we ever see Turner in Hiller's face?
Barry Turner is one player that I have not seen progress at all since his freshman year.
Freshman year, he was all over the filed. Ever since then, non-existent.
Enough of the Defense, we won, thats all that matters.
Now, let me avert your eyes and ears to the offense for a seond.
Passing Offense- Stellar.
Running Offense- Not so stellar.
I thought Lucky's performance was sparked here and there with what looked like an all american running back. However, there seemd to be nothin doin' for #5 for the majority of the game.
I am not to worried though, I am sure that Bo saw what he needed to see, and is changing stuff up for san jose state.

Player of the week: Joe Ganz
Dissapointment of the Week: Larry Asante
Surprise of the Week: Cody Glenn
Who I want to see more of: Menelik Holt.

Unfortunately I did not get soo the Ohio ST. game, so I am unable to provide valid input. AThat's all of my ramblings, It's now off to the John McCain rally for me.

-GO BIG RED- (Both of them)

Game Time

WOW, it's finally here, nice to get the blood flowing last night with some football (albeit poor quality) action. Random Observations from the evening:


1) Nice to have Ms. Andrews back

2) Was Jesse Palmer trying to pull an Ari Gold last night with the tie? Look, I'm not a fashion guru here, but if you've been on the bachelor, you think you'd know how to correctly knot a tie and not look like some dbag on national tv.

3) Lou Holtz=Jackass...how can ESPN not have a better studio crew than those 3? I really hope they hook the camera crew up with ponchos to avoid the spit flying from Lou, and all the gushing he does for Notre Shame.


Nice prelude to Saturday, which leads me to this...how can ANYONE put scUM in the top 25? I would expect this from some jerk off journalists who probably didn't even know Dick Rod left WVU, but from the coaches poll? Michigan, the team that is looking at starting a WALK ON qb, a white freshman running back, couldn't have a spring game b/c they didn't have enough oline to field a two deep, learning a whole new system (that doesn't work with slow white qb's) is better than 'Bama, South Carolina, FSU, Cal? This is why pre-season polls are f'd up, and why they should be completely taken out of the BCS equation. How about we just put some random guys in their mid-20's together who know more and watch more football than some dip shit coaches from the Sunbelt Conference and let them come up with a top 25, guarantee it's more accurate. Back to scUm, they're going to be this year's version of ND (and that's a glorious thing to see these two pompous ass programs get beat down like this). I've seen people throwing out 8, 9, even 10 wins for this team. Again, the offense is in shambles, and the supposed strength of the team gave up 34pts last year to a 1-AA school last year. Check the schedule, I see only 4 guaranteed wins. Again, how are they a top 25 team? When they finish 5-7, will Dick Rod be regretting leaving WVU, his $4 mill IOU, leaving behind thug life Noel Devine, leaving behind one of our favorite female athletes (you know drod was creeping on her in the training room). Oh, but he gets to wake up in the shit hole that is ann arbor everyday with his trailer trash, meth head wife he brought with him from Morgantown. F Michigan, F the coaches poll, and F Dick Rod. I want a bounce back year from the big ten, but will LOVE watching this snake suffer through a 5-7 year.


On another note, the 12wk binge of Saturday drinking begins at 8am at the casa. Juda, better hope there aren't any strange numbers in your call log, or waking up is going to be all that much tougher for you in the morning. Expect some drunken ramblings regarding my man crush on Terelle Pryor, Juda's love of Bo Pelini, and W just ranting about his favorite little gymnast, shawn john.

Buckeye of the Week: Justin Boren...since the games haven't started, lets go with a young man who made the greatest decision of his life and left the dark side. Here's a Jameson to you my friend.

OH MY GOD - The Season is upon us. To preface I'd like to extend well wishes to my Father whom will be in attendance for the season opener this Thursday night in Columbia, SC (the good Columbia). Apparently the gals in Cocksville deck out in prom dresses and stripper heels for gamedays; I prefer my babydolls to look like Ms. 12 ...

Did You Know: Mizzou has 13 Freshmen listed on their official - will-need-contribute - depth chart. Sounds like a team poised for a title run!?!? Go F yourself Bruce Feldman, Jason Whitlock, and every other frontrunnin' dick rider that cant even remember the last time the Tigers won a conference title. With this as the caveat, my upset special for the weekend is the Illinois front 7 over the moribund Tiger offensive line. Will this translate into an Illini victory, absolutely. Will Chase Daniel be relegated to eating his buggers in the medical ward, hopefully.

Tip of the Hat to: Western Michigan. Thanks for helping Big Red nation usher in the Bo Big Red era. Utah. Thanks for helping usher in the end of the Rich Rod era in Ann Arbor. Dan Hawkins. Steve Perry them hos! ... meaning dont stop believing if you're a supporter of Colorado football; Hawk will have this team playing stellar football sometime in 2008 - and the remainder fo the B12 will remember why Boulder was a feared destination for Big 8 foes in the early/mid 90's. Unlike Mizzou, and Kansas for that matter, this Buffs team doesnt have the big names toting the rock, flipping the rock, or catching the rock. But also unlike Mizzou, and Kansas for that matter, this Buffs team is stacked in trenches. They will eat up the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball ... Missouri and Kansas take notice: this game is still won and lost in them trenches. Goodluck with your Frosh (2 star) offensive and defensice tackles Tigerbeat and Chickenhawkers.

Morale Conundrum: Just recently met this dude whose girlfriend is classmate of mine. Really good kid, about the same age and life stage as me, similar perspectives on life, ladies, ambition, etc. Old boy heard about my recent split with my holdover college girlfriend and expressed reservations about his own relationship. Dude is moving (or has moved since) to Berkley to start law school, yet his lady is staying in Chi City to finish her schooling ... you can see where this is headed ... Im thinking about parlaying my friendship with old boy, and the inside info he released to me in confidence, to take down his girlfriend while he's away. This girl is a dime piece baby-doll; all things being equal I should pursue this plan of attack. However my conscience, that part of me that I held funeral services for after the 7th time I cheated on a girlfriend, has arisen from the dead and is telling me this isnt the right play. Oh well, I guess if NU has a strong non-conference season I'll take her down; and if NU has a poor non-conference season I'll let it be. Come on Bo! Go get me some ass!

Official Pre-Season Predictions

Conference by Conference, with some bold predictions thrown in:

JuDa:

ACC
Top 3: Wake Forest, Clemson, VT
Sleeper: Da U
Big East
Top 3: WVU, UConn, 'Nati
Underachiever: South Florida
SEC
Auburn over UF in the title game
Upset Special: The Cocks down #1 UGA on Sept 13th (which has officially been declared a Holiday)
Pac 10
USC...even with QB struggles
Big Ten
Top 3: OSU, MSU, Wisconsin (aka Mr. Irrelevant)
Big 12
OU over CU in the title game
Sleeper: See above
Underachiever: Mizzou

Championship Game: OSU (11-1) vs. OU (12-1) with a recently upset OSU team sneaking in the backdoor (27-24 in East Lansing)
Heisman: Beanie, with Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow making guest appearances
Coach of the Year: Jim Grobe and his Top 10 Demon Deacons

Bold Predictions:
Texas has a surpise season, and grabs an at large BCS bid ... Illinois regresses this season ... IU goes bowln in consecutive seasons ... Purdue struggles to win two conference games ... Michigan misses a bowl ... Clemson, TTech, and ASU dissappoint ... South Carolina threatens to take the SEC ... Washington finishes 2nd in the Pac 10 ... ND grabs 8-10 wins ... Mike Gundy gets fired at Okie State ... OSU wins at SC.

ScarletnGray:

ACC
Top 3: Clemson, Miami, Wake
Sleeper: UNC
Underachiever: VT
Random Rant: How can a coach get away with red-shirting his best option at QB and basically sacrificing the season. VT fans should revolt, Tyrod Taylor should be your starting QB.
Big East
Top 3: WVU, USF, UC
Sleeper: UConn
Underachiever: Pitt (Mr. Wannstedt, paging Mr. Wandstedt, we have a coordinator's role open for you)
SEC
Florida vs. Auburn for the SEC Title, with the Tigers rolling on (thank you schedule makers)
Sleeper(s): Ole Miss and the 'Ol Ball Coach
Underachiever: UGA...pushing FSU of the late 90's for most arrests in a season
Pac 10
Top 3: USC, ASU, Washington
Sleeper: Arizona
Underachiever: Oregon
Big 12
OU vs. Nebraska with the Sooners in a blow out
UnderachieverS: Mizzou, Kansas, Texas Tech
Big 10
Top 3: OSU, Wisconsin, MSU
Sleeper: NW
Underachiever: Michigan...top 25, seriously? 10 starters back, slow white boy running the show at QB, top RB blowing 3 times the legal limit, DickRod for your coach!?!?!

Championship Game: OSU vs. OU...Buckeyes make the 3rd Time the Charm, 34-27.
Coach of the Year: Bo Pelini...Randy Shannon a close second at Da U
Heisman: Beanie, joined by Tebow and Pat White as finalists

Bold Predictions
Wisconsin finally makes a BCS game, BYU runs the table, Kirk Ferentz is done at Iowa (and not b/c of his record), the Canes win 9-10 games, Joe Ganz is a national name by the end of the year, Kansas, VT, Penn State and LSU are all huge dissapointments, ND struggles to win 7 with front butt coaching

and the SEC tries to sue the NCAA for not putting one of their teams in the championship game

Pre-Spring Picks

These literally took up 3hrs of my work day back on February 28th...enjoy:

JuDa's Pre-Spring picks:

Pac10 - ASU over SC (despite finishing lower than SC in the polls)
SEC - Florida over Georgia, and then over Auburn in title game.
Big12 - OU over Neb. in title game. KU, Mizzou will collapse. Texas has no offense, and TTech has no defense.
Big10 - OSU, with MSU keeping it close. Maybe taking the conference with an OSU loss to Mich.
BigEast - 'Nati, or Ptt. WVU is in for a down year, and Louisville, USF are outclassed by other coaches.
ACC - Miami over VT, and upstart Wake. The U is everybit of USC, only in South Florida.

NC - Boomer Sooner v. OSU

Winner: Boomer Sooner. The Big 8 doesnt lose in title games in Miami, w/ or w/o the Orange Bowl.

ScarletnGray's Pre-Spring Picks:

Pac 10 - USC (who will end w/2 losses b/c of qb play, but still beat out ASU)
SEC - UGA over UF; War Eagle over LSU; UGA over War Eagle (Tebow will get injured at some point this year; Stafford will have a great yr as UGA QB)
Big 12 - OU over UT (who's d was actually the issue ly); Mizzou over Nebraska; OU over Mizzou
Big 10 - OSU in a cake walk; I love your exubarance about MSU, but they're at least a year or two away from challenging for the title, I'll go Illini as runner-up
Big East - WVU; 'Nati would be my pick, but the qb (Mauk) got shot down by ncaa for his extra year request; Pitt solid runner-up
ACC - VT...barely edging out Clemson who will choke in at least one big game. Miami will have to wait until next year.

BCS Teams

USC
OSU
WVU
VT
UF
BYU
Clemson
Mizzou

UGA over OU for the championship.

Welcome

Welcome to the Buckeyes and Black Shirts Blog. We're aiming to provide you with completely irrelevant info pertaining to all things College Football. Our opinions will be completely biased and skewed towards Ohio State, Nebraska, the Big Ten and Big 12. We're hoping to keep this update with weekly posts, guest bloggers, incoherent/drunken Saturday ramblings, but most likely it will devolve into just the drunken Saturday ramblings.

If you want to comment on anything pertaining to the SEC or irrelevant football programs (Wisconsin, Mizzou, Kansas...more to come on this later), then fuck off, we're not interested.

It's the eve before kickoff, so get excited for Beanie stiff arms, dotting the I, TBDBITL, 3rd times a charm, the return of Husker Football and the Blackshirts, ESPN sucking off the SEC and Tim Tebow, front butt leading ND to another stellar season, Michigan staying home during bowl season, and the start of another season of Gods Game.