Interesting Fact - Conventional wisdom states whoever wins the turnover battle usually wins the game...that has not been the case the last two years...Michigan has not committed a turnover in the last two games against Ohio State while the Buckeyes have committed 4 turnovers...
This will be Jim Tressel's eighth game against Michigan as head coach of Ohio State...as is widely known, Gentleman Jim is 6-1 against the Wolverines...believe me, I know a win is a win, and the point of this post is not to slam any of his 6 wins...the point of this post is to show how close Michigan came in those games...a turnover here and a play there and Jimmy Boy could be 4-3...let's take a look at these games (the ranking and record is what each team was coming into the game)...
2001 - Ohio State 26-20 - Ann Arbor #11 Michigan (8-2) vs. NR Ohio State (6-4) - Michigan took Tressel lightly...this was Lloyd Carr's fault...I later read in The Wolverine that some of the Michigan players thought they would easily handle this former I-AA coach...Ohio State jumped out to a 23-0 lead at halftime...after getting knocked on their asses, the Wolverines played better in the second half but fell just short of making a complete comeback...I could still see the play when Marquise Walker dropped a sure touchdown....
2002 - Ohio State 14-9- Columbus #2 Ohio State (11-0) vs. #11 Michigan (9-2) - Ohio State was perfect and one win from the Fiesta Bowl against The U...Ohio State had freshman sensation Maurice Clarett at running back...this was Michigan's game...three times they drove deep into Ohio State territory but ended up settling for field goals...the Michigan defense shutdown Clarett and the Buckeyes until the last drive...even with about a minute left on the clock, QB John Navarre drove Michigan to the Ohio State 19-yard-line with one second left...Michigan still had a chance to win, but Navarre's pass to Braylon Edwards in the endzone was intercepted...once again, Gentleman Jim escapes...
2003 - Michigan 35-21 - Ann Arbor #4 Michigan (9-2) vs. #6 Ohio State (10-1) - This was the 100th meeting and Michigan dominated from the beginning...Ohio State made a push late in the third quarter, but Michigan maintained their poise as RB Chris Perry scorched the Ohio State defense for 154 yards and Braylon Edwards caught 2 TD passes...
2004 - Ohio State 37-21 - Columbus #7 Michigan (8-2) vs. NR Ohio State (6-4) - This was Tressel's only dismal year at Ohio State...just one week earlier the Buckeyes lost at Purdue and were staring at a sure loss to the Wolverines...Michigan's young team led by freshman QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart already sewed up a trip to the Rose Bowl prior to the game...their freshman inexperience showed...Michigan held a 14-7 lead after the first quarter...it was all downhill thereafter as Troy Smith shredded Michigan...Ohio State dominated as they made the Wolverines look slow and out-of-shape...
2005 - Ohio State 25-21 - Ann Arbor #9 Ohio State (8-2) vs. #17 Michigan (7-3) - This may have been the most bitter loss...Michigan led 21-12 with 7:45 to go...a loss would have sent Ohio State to the Capital One Bowl...victory seemed so close for Michigan...once again Jim Hermann's defense could not finish as Troy Smith made every crucial big play over those last 8 minutes...Antonio Pittman scored the winning touchdown with 23 seconds left...the Buckeyes headed to the Fiesta Bowl to take on Notre Dame...
2006 - Ohio State 42-39 - Columbus #1 Ohio State (11-0) vs. #2 Michigan (11-0) - Bo Schembechler died the day before...it was a perfect storm...but once again the Michigan defense could not stop Ohio State...Michigan's offense poured through the Buckeye defense as Mike Hart was a beast in running the ball...but the Michigan defense could not make a third down stop throughout the game...in the end, Ohio State always stayed one step ahead of Michigan...
2007 - Ohio State 14-3 - Ann Arbor #7 Ohio State (10-1) vs. #21 Michigan (8-3) - Henne and Hart stayed for their senior year just for this game...they were 0-3 against Ohio State...coming into the game, Henne was nursing a separated shoulder and Hart was still not 100% from a high ankle sprain...Chris Wells scored the second of his 2 touchdowns on the second play of the 3rd quarter to put Ohio State up 14-3 in the steady November drizzle...Mario Manningham did not help as he dropped two crucial passes when Michigan started to get a bit of momentum...knowing that Hart and Henne were not 100%, Tressel went conservative and ran the ball the rest of the game to kill the clock...
The following is a 5 minute clip of the 2001 game...
Michigan Camp Chris Lau of the Detroit Free Press writes how this week's game is Michigan's bowl... "The players already knew they won't play in a bowl game for the first time in 34 seasons. And they had just lost their eighth game of 2008, most in a season in program history. But they have one more game this year, against archrival Ohio State, which has beaten U-M (3-8, 2-5 Big Ten) six of the past seven meetings." ...
John Heuser of the Ann Arbor News writes how Michigan still does not have a #1 QB heading into the Ohio State game... "In his second straight start, Nick Sheridan bore no resemblance to the poised passer who led Michigan to victory last week at Minnesota. He completed 8 of 29 passes for 61 yards and was pulled in favor of Steven Threet." ...
Ohio State Camp Ken Gordon of the Columbus Dispatch writes how one big win against your rival can make a bad team a bit better... "OSU coach Jim Tressel is 6-1 against his arch rivals, and the Buckeyes have won four straight. Ohio State (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) has never won five in a row in the series. With all the motivation on the Buckeyes' side, that would seem to make the outcome a no-brainer." ...
Doug Lesmerises of the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer writes how this year's Rose Bowl will feature the Big 10 and PAC 10 champs... "If Penn State loses to Michigan State and Oregon State loses to someone, the Buckeyes and Trojans would wind up meeting three times in a year. They would sandwich a Rose Bowl between their home-and-home series, with USC coming to Columbus on Sept. 12, 2009." ...
ESPN's Chris Fowler gives his thoughts about the red-hot Florida Gators... "Meyer can see the prize (or prizes) ahead. He knows his Gators are peaking. They have achieved a rare chemistry that he said "borders on phenomenal." ...
- Over the last 3 years, in games in weeks 10-13, Dallas is 6-1 against the spread and 8-0 straight up - Over the last 3 years, in games in weeks 10-13, Washington is 2-5 against the spread and 1-7 straight up
What the experts say The Gold Sheet - Dallas 26-23 Pointwise - Dallas 26-23
Dallas Cowboys (5-4) - Head Coach Wade Phillips Tim MacMahon of the Dallas Morning News writes about Marion Barber's woes against the Skins... "Marion Barber has averaged 3.3 yards per carry against the Redskins during his career. He has 63 yards on 29 carries (2.2 ypc) against Washington with Garrett calling the plays." ...
Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News writes about the Cowboys underachieving season... "This team has dramatically underachieved, however, even with the injuries. At some point it has to be held accountable. But by whom? Phillips?" ...
Washington Redskins (6-3) - Head Coach Jim Zorn Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog writes how Fred Smoot is encouragining kids to hate the Cowboys... ""This week we come back and play the Cowboys, so you know what time it is," Smoot told the elementary schoolers. "I'm gonna teach y'all at a young age to hate the Cowboys." ...
Matt Mosley of ESPN Blog Network writes how former Skins coach Joe Gibbs is cheering them on... "Gibbs said he's thoroughly enjoyed seeing his former players have success under Jim Zorn, but he thought it was important to distance himself from the organization for a while." ...
I came across this photo of country singer Randy Travis and his wife at yesterday's CMA red carpet gala....what in the world happened to his head???...he looks like freakin Beavis!!!!...he is all forehead!!!...
The Akron Rubber Bowl is closing down after tonight's game between Akron and Buffalo...the time has come for the old dingy stadium to be closed down...but there were some great memorable games played there - especially high school playoff games...
Everyone in the Youngstown-Warren area will never forget the 1973 football championship between Youngstown Cardinal Mooney and Warren Western Reserve...Mooney was coached by Don Bucci and their lone defeate came earlier in the year to the Raiders...the Raiders were coached by Joe Novak...I-76 from Youngstown to Akron was lined with cars heading to the rematch...in which Mooney won 14-3...
The very next year, I got my first taste of The Rubber Bowl...not even five-years-old yet, my dad came home after work and took my mother and me to see the championship game between Warren Harding and Upper Arlington...it was a driving snowstorm that day and the field was entirely covered in white...I can still remember my mom going to the concession stand for hot chocolate...Harding won the game 41-8...
Another game I remember going to with my dad was in 1994 when Massillon Washington took on Canton McKinley...the two teams played the week before in which was their 100th meeting...a total of 34,208 people packed the place for the rematch as Canton beat Massillon 27-20...
Check out the following articles that appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal...
Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal writes about the memories of The Rubber Bowl... "Frye has fond moments tucked away, too, like seeing his family sitting in the same spot by the tunnel. Or a rainy Saturday afternoon against Buffalo when the crowd was barely 1,000 and he could hear his mother, Sally, yelling when he was sacked and another man saying, ''Throw it away.'' ...
Rubber Bowl Fact The stadium once held two "home" games in 1952 for the NFL's franchise, the Dallas Texans. In the second game they hosted the Chicago Bears and won, 27-23, for the franchise's only win in history.
#6 USC @ Stanford Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 7:00 EST Stanford Stadium - Palo Alto, California USC -23
Summary These two teams first met in 1905 in which USC leads the all-time series 58-25-3...but last year's contest may have been the biggest upset of all the games as Stanford beat USC 24-23...the Cardinal were a 39 point underdog...five USC turnovers doomed the Trojans...USC passed for 364 yards while Stanford had a measly 149 yards...
This will mark Pete Carroll's 100th game as head coach of the Trojans...unbelievably he is 25-0 in November games as head coach of USC...QB Mark Sanchez has tossed 24 TDs and 7 INTs this year...their rushing attack is a 3-headed monster of C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson, and Joe McKnight...incredibly, McKnight does not have a rushing TD all year...
When accepting the job at Stanford, head coach Jim Harbaugh all but guaranteed a win over USC...Stanford has shown marked improvement this year...they have lost by 7 points or less in their last three losses (Notre Dame by 7), (UCLA by 3), (Oregon State by 7)...
Tavita Pritchard is the QB...he is consistent as he has thrown 9 TDs to go with 9 INTs...Toby Gerhart leads the rushing attack with 932 yards and 13 TDs...his stablemate Anthony Kimble has 650 yards and 5 TDs...
When looking at scoring by the quarter, Stanford has scored 107 points in the second quarter - the most of any quarter for them...however, the defense also allows the most points in any quarter with 92...
Quick Numbers Offensive Numbers USC - Rushing per game - 201 yards Stan - Rushing per game - 207 yards
USC - Passing per game - 253 yards Stan - Passing per game - 135 yards
- Over the last 3 years, USC is 3-2 against the spread when favored by 21.5 to 31 points - Over the last 3 years, USC is 1-2 straight up when favored by 21.5 to 31 points - When playing at home, Stanford is 4-4 against the spread vs. USC since 1992
What the experts say The Gold Sheet - USC 27-15 Pointwise - USC 40-10
USC Trojans (8-1) - Head Coach Pete Carroll Here are the USC game notes for the Stanford game...
Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times writes how USC QB Mark Sanchez is focused on throwing INTs... "Sarkisian, however, would like Sanchez's completion percentage to be near 70% by the time the Trojans finish the regular season. USC plays Stanford on Saturday and then has a bye before playing Notre Dame and UCLA." ...
Klein writes how RB Joe McKnight has had a series of setbacks throughout the year... "McKnight's season has been stunted from the beginning. During training camp in August, he was one of many Trojans stricken with what players and coaches described as "jock itch." He also suffered a broken finger when a teammate accidentally slammed a door on his hand, and a hyper-extended elbow during a scrimmage." ...
Michael Lev of the Orange County Register writes about USC's newest horse in the backfield... "D.J. Shoemate doesn't care what position he plays; he just wants to contribute to the USC football program in any way he can." ...
Michelle Smith of the San Francisco Chronicle writes how both teams are downplaying last year's huge upset... "Interested in talking about Stanford's 24-23 upset of USC in Los Angeles last season and the Trojans' desire to get some payback for the historic defeat? Go ahead. Just don't ask the teams involved to contribute to the discussion." ...
Smith writes how Stanford QB Tavita Pritchard has not progressed after last year's upset of USC... "Pritchard has found living up to his first college start an impossible task. He was a sophomore in October 2007, an emergency fill-in for injured T.C. Ostrander, when he led Stanford to an improbable and historic 24-23 upset of USC." ...
The latest Stiles Points Top 16+1 has changed to the Stiles Points Top 8 (games through 11/9/08)...I have seen enough football this season and are ranking the teams to who I feel are the best despite their record...these are the 8 teams that I would have in a playoff if the season ended right now...
1. Florida (8-1) - this team is buzzing everyone since their loss at home to Ole Miss...this is the team to beat... 2. Texas (9-1) - yes, I know they lost to T2 on the last play...but when the season is over, Texas will be the better team and have the better record... 3. Oklahoma (9-1) - like Florida, the Sooners are one pissed off bunch since losing to Texas... 4. Southern Cal (8-1) - the best defense in the country...I don't care what happened at Oregon State... 5. Texas Tech (10-0) - the Red Raiders are a solid football team, but both key wins came at home with the support of the home crow...this team has to win in Norman, Oklahoma before they get my vote... 6. Alabama (10-0) - great defense, solid running game...a win against Florida in the SEC title game catapults them to the top... 7. Penn State (9-1) - that was an ugly loss to Iowa....Iowa!?!?!?!!?... 8. Utah (10-0) - this is where the drop off begins...the Utes do not impress me...
Games of the Week Stiles Points will be previewing the following two games this week: USC @ Stanford - the Trojans have been waiting for redemption after last year's disasterour loss... NFL Special - NFC East - Dallas @ Washington - Sunday Night...it doesn't get any better than this...
Jordan Blum of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes how LSU's Mike the Tiger (Mike VI) may miss the biggest game of the year when the Tigers play Nick Saban's #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide... "But for some reason he did not want to leave the night house, which attaches to his lush habitat, and enter his travel cage before the Georgia home loss two weeks ago. The same thing happened last week against Tulane." ...
#1 Alabama @ #15 LSU Saturday, November 8, 2008 - 3:30 EST Tiger Stadium - Baton Rouge, LA Alabama -3
Summary Satan returns...well that is how LSU fans view former Tiger coach Nick Saban as he returns to Baton Rouge with the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide...however, people forget that Saban has coached at Tiger Stadium since leaving LSU...after Hurricane Katrina shutdown the Superdome, the Miami Dolphins played the New Orleans Saints in Baton Rouge before a half empty stadium...so Saban has prowled the LSU sidelines since leaving...
This is the first time Alabama has been ranked #1 in the Associated Press poll since the end of the 1992 season...the Tide has a 19-5 record all-time as the nation's top ranked team...in this series, Alabama leads 43-23-5, but LSU has won the last five meetings...
Alabama is about the run...they average 205 yards/game while the Bama defense allows only 65 yards/game...Glen Coffee (photo, below) has rushed for 894 yards and 7 TDs and stablemate Mark Ingram has chipped in 533 yards and 8 TDs...they run behind a NFL caliber O-line which is led by future NFL first-rounder Andre Smith (6'5", 330) at left tackle...
Alabama has the second best run defense in the nation and fourth overall...the defense has allowed only 6 points in the first quarter all year...however, they do weaken a bit as the game progresses...interestingly, the Alabama offense also sputters as the game wears on...they scored 108 points in the 1st quarter, 90 (2nd quarter), 55 (3rd quarter), and 37 (4th quarter)...this was evident in the Georgia game as they led 31-0 at half and held on to win 41-30...
LSU is 6-2, but their 2 losses have been bad...they got thumped at Florida 51-21 and then belted by Georgia at home 52-38...the defense also gave up 21 points to then 9th ranked Auburn back in September...
LSU is ranked 29th in rushing offense and is led by Charles Scott (photo, below) with 889 yards and 11 TDs...the QB position has been a sore spot all year...combined, Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch have thrown for 14 TDs and 11 INTs...
ESPN College Gameday will be live in Baton Rouge...
Quick Numbers Offensive Numbers Ala - Rushing per game - 205 yards LSU - Rushing per game - 186 yards
Ala - Passing per game - 163 yards LSU - Passing per game - 218 yards
Matt Zemek of College Football News gives his perspective of the game... "It’s no secret that LSU fans hate Saban something fierce. Tiger partisans feel, with understandable justification, that on Christmas Night of 2004, the man whose last name is very close to that diabolical entity (just substitute a "t" for a "b" in the middle) got comfortable with evil." ...
Wright Thompson of ESPN the Magazine writes about the hatred Nick Saban will face at LSU... "The LSU fans will tell Saban just how much they hate him in person on Nov. 8, when the Alabama coach brings his top-ranked Tide to Baton Rouge. As a rule, LSU opponents must park their buses and walk into the stadium in open air, protected, sort of, by police barricades. LSU fans chant "Tiger bait" over and over. But when Saban and his team come to town, that walk will be more than scary, presuming local authorities allow it to happen at all. LSU police say they will have extra security at the stadium and along the Bama bus route. "It's gonna take the 82nd Airborne to get him into Tiger Stadium," the Big Ragoo says." ...
Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News writes how Saban's return is overshadowing Alabama's first week as #1... "I thought Alabama's ranking and the BCS implications of the upcoming game would win the day. I misjudged the demographic. Instead, Saban's return to Tiger Stadium was the landslide winner — even though it is peripheral to what the Crimson Tide is trying to accomplish." ...
Christopher Walsh of the Tuscaloosa News writes how LSU head coach Les Miles still has the shadow of Saban over him... "It’s especially true this week, with the coach he’ll always be compared to, Nick Saban, returning to Tiger Stadium for the first time with the University of Alabama football team, which just happens to be undefeated and ranked No. 1." ...
Jim Kleinpeter of the New Orleans Picayune writes how Miles denies calling Saban the devil... ""Are you kidding me?" Miles said during Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference when asked if he'd called Saban the devil. "No. Not in any way." ...
Zach at The Big Picture is famous throughout the sports blogosphere with his "Who Would You Do" Tournaments...after holding four 16-women tourneys, he has the "Ultimate Who Would You Do" Tourney in which the final four from each previous tourney face-off...
The one quarterfinal is a match-up of #3 Lindsay Soto vs. #14 Brittany Jackson...
#11 Texas Christian @ #9 Utah Thursday, November 6, 2008 - 8:00 EST Rice Eccles Stadium - Salt Lake City, Utah TCU -3
Summary Last season Utah beat TCU 27-20...despite only rushing for 107 yards, the Utes pounded the ball on the ground 50 times...turnovers were the key as TCU turned it over 4 times while the Utes did not have a miscue...
Coming into this year's game, TCU's only loss was 35-10 to Oklahoma...they pounded then-undefeated BYU on October 16 by the score of 32-7...
The Horned Frogs have the top rated rushing defense in the country as they only allow 39 yards per game...their pass defense is rated 22nd overall...over the last 29 games, TCU is 28-1 when allowing less than 333 yards of offense...the defense is led by DE Jerry Hughes who leads the nation with 14 sacks...
The TCU offense is led by QB Andy Dalton who has tossed 9 TDs...five of the 9 TDs have gone to Jimmy Young (photo, below) who has 43 receptions...Joseph Turner leads the team with 444 yards rushing...the Achilles heel of this team is penalties as they are the second most penalized team in the country...
Utah made a big splash with their opening game win at Michigan...Utah has won four games this season by 7 points or less including last week's 13-10 squeaker at New Mexico...the most dangerous player is kicker/punter Louie Sakoda (photo, below)...he has made 17 of 19 field goals...he has the leg to hit them from 50 yards plus...
The offense is lead by QB Brian Johnson who has tossed 14 TDs and 8 INTs...the running game is shared by Matt Asiata (102 rushes, 531 yards) and Darrell Mack (101-465)...Freddie Braxton and Bradon Godfrey are the top receivers with 37 receptions each...
The Utah defense has allowed only 19 points in the third quarter this year...that number shoots up to 55 points in the fourth quarter...
Utah is asking its fans to wear black for a "Blackout"...
Quick Numbers Offensive Numbers TCU - Rushing per game - 224 yards Uta - Rushing per game - 183 yards
TCU - Passing per game - 303 yards Uta - Passing per game - 418 yards
Mercedes Mayer of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes about TCU's good defense and sometimes too aggressive play... "The Horned Frogs are the most penalized team in the country with 83.7 penalty yards a game, but the Horned Frogs also have the No. 2 total defense in the country." ...
Mayer writes how TCU's Robert Henson draws strength from a family tragedy... "But the front of the house was engulfed in flames. That’s where his 10-year-old brother, Nicholas Sterling, slept. Henson couldn’t reach him. Eleven years later, he often relives the day his little brother died." ...
Gil Lebreton of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes TCU head coach Gary Patterson has kept his team focused on the big prize... "The season is long. The road too bumpy, even down a remote highway like the Mountain West Conference. But thanks in large part to their head coach, the TCU Horned Frogs took the journey one pothole at a time." ...
Lya Wodraska of the Salt Lake Tribune writes about how Utah must cut down on mistakes against TCU... "Utah coach Kyle Whittingham stressed Monday the Utes must cut down on penalties and turnovers against the Horned Frogs. Utah was penalized nine times for 79 yards and turned the ball over twice, once on a punt return and once on an interception in the end zone." ...
Wodraska writes about Utah's bookend defensive ends... "Misi and Kruger, Utah's defensive ends, have been putting that kind of squeeze on quarterbacks all season, as they've distinguished themselves as two of the best linemen in the Mountain West Conference." ...
Wodraska writes don't be surprised if Utah and TCU bring the bag of tricks on Thursday... "Thursday's game between Utah and TCU at Rice-Eccles Stadium features two teams that like the trickery. Utah uses running back Matt Asiata in the "Asiata formation" while TCU uses receivers Jeremy Kerley or Antoine Hicks in the Wild Frog." ...
Amber Lee Ettinger (aka Obama Girl) wants an invite to the Inauguration... "She declared her love, took off most of her clothes, and fought in Barack Obama's corner in an Internet video sensation. Now Obama Girl wants a little loving back." ...
Zach at The Big Picture is famous throughout the sports blogosphere with his "Who Would You Do" Tournaments...after holding four 16-women tourneys, he has the "Ultimate Who Would You Do" Tourney in which the final four from each previous tourney face-off...
The one quarterfinal is a match-up of #4 Meghan Vasconcellos vs. #13 Melissa Stark...
The latest Stiles Points Top 16+1 (games through 11/2/08)...this is the 5th week of the Top 16+1 and this will be the third new number 1 as Texas lost a heartbreaker in Lubbock...(note, the second number in parenthesis is the previous week's ranking)...
1. Penn State (9-0) (2) - look who is #1 at the young age of 81-years-old... 2. Texas Tech (9-0) (8) - T2 had an incredible win on Saturday...but they cannot party because Okie State is coming in... 3. Alabama (9-0) (3) - the Tide gets a break since the game in Baton Rouge is not being played at night... 4. Texas (8-1) (1) - the Longhorns are still a damn good team and still may end up winning the title... 5. Southern Cal (7-1) (4) - USC is quietly laying in wait...
6. Oklahoma (8-1) (5) - the Sooners smashed Nebraska...they are making their statement... 7. Florida (7-1) (6) - is this the best team in the country?...after the Ole Miss loss, the Gators are a pissed off team... 8. Oklahoma State (8-1) (9) - Okie State lost a tough one in Austin...they now get a second chance at another #1... 9. TCU (9-1) (10) - TCU ruined BYU's dream season....on Thursday they can do the same to Utah.... 10. Boise State (8-0) (12) - the blue carpet team looks like they are going to get into another BCS game...
11. Utah (9-0) (11) - Thursday night will be a big one against TCU....Utah is at home but they are a 2 point dog... 12. Georgia (7-2) (7) - Georgia should be ashamed of that performance against Florida... 13. Ohio State (7-2) (11) - were on a bye.... 14. LSU (6-2) (14) - LSU gets one more shot at a big win as Bama comes calling...Nick Saban's first game back on the Bayou... 15. Missouri (7-2) (NR) - the Tigers get back into the mix... 16. Ball State (8-0) (NR) - what the heck, might as well show the MAC some love... +1 - Arkansas - the Hogs get the +1 this week after taking out perfect Tulsa Golden Hurricane...last week I did a blog entry about Tulsa and posted it on a Golden Hurricane message board...the Tulsa fans were a bunch of idiots with their comments...Tulsa can now go back to being a nobody once again... Heisman Four Horsemen 1. Colt McCoy, qb, Texas - he is still the man in my book... 2. Tim Tebow, qb, Florida - Tebow is coming on strong of late and may defend his title.... 3. Graham Harrell, qb, Texas Tech - Harrell made the most of his national television debut... 4. Sam Bradford, qb, Oklahoma - he will rue the Texas game...
Games of the Week Stiles Points will be previewing the following two games this week: TCU @ Utah - TCU took care of BYU a few weeks back....is it the Utes turn? Alabama @ LSU - LSU would love to ruin Nick "the Trader" Saban's season... NFL Special - NFC East - New York @ Philadelphia- Stiles Points will always preview any NFC East match-up...
Other games to keep an eye on: Ohio State @ Northwestern - the Buckeyes had two weeks to stew about the Penn State game.... Cal @ Southern Cal - USC has been ripping anyone in their way...will it continue against a good Cal team?.... Penn State @ Iowa - Penn State must win and win impressively.... Oklahoma @ Texas A&M - the Sooners should take care of business, but they will be in for a battle against the Aggies...
Will someone please tell me why Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel will not pull Derek Anderson as the starting quarterback?...yesterday's fiasco against the Baltimore Ravens is just another misstep in a series of inconsistent play by Anderson which have cost the Browns another game...
Cleveland, who some were predicting for the playoffs, now stand at 3-5 and 1-3 within the division...with eight games remaining the season is not entirely lost...therefore Crennel must name Brady Quinn the starting quarterback for this Thursday's home game against Denver...
For some reason Crennel stands on the sidelines like a Shrek-like oaf who is determined to go down with Anderson as the captain of the ship...Anderson had a brilliant first half of the season last year...since then, he has become an inconsistent quarterback who does just enough to save his job...he is not the second coming of Tom Brady...
The quarterback position is not the only woe for this team...former Michigan All-American wide receiver Braylon Edwards has regressed in his maturation process...last season Edwards capped the year with 15 TDs and a spot on the All-Pro team...it looked like he was primed to become an elite receiver and be linked with Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, etc...but Edwards has been a huge disappointment...just as Anderson has been inconsistent, Edwards has been consistent in dropping catch able balls...he has dropped 12 balls so far this year...that is not acceptable for an NFL receiver...
General manager Phil Savage should hold a meeting with Crennel and encourage him to make the move to Brady Quinn...by starting him on a short week, it will allow him to get real game experience in which he will then have 11 days to learn from his mistakes...
Change is in the air with election day tomorrow...but will there be a change in Cleveland at the quarterback position before there is a change at the head coaching position?...
#5 Florida vs. #8 Georgia Saturday, November 1, 2008 - 3:30 EST - CBS Jacksonville, Florida - Gator Bowl Florida -6.5
Summary The "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" is once again in Jacksonville...this game alone pumps $25 million into the city's economy...the game has been played in Jacksonville annually since 1933 with the exception of two years in 1994-95...Georgia leads the all-time series 47-37-2...
After losing to Ole Miss on September 27th, the Gators are 3-0 and have outscored their opponents 152-33...we all know about the Florida offense with Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, and Jeffrey Demps (photo below)...here is an interesting note, Tebow did not throw a fourth quarter incompletion throughout the month of October...
The Gators defense has raised their level of play over the last three games...the defense is anchored by MLB Brandon Spikes
The Dawgs are led by RB Knowshon Moreno (photo below) who has rushed for 925 yards and 12 TDs so far this year...QB Matthew Stafford has thrown 12 TDs to 5 INTs...his favorite targets are senior Mohammed Massaquoi and freshman A.J. Green...combined, the two have caught 9 of Stafford's 12 TDs...
Quick Numbers Offensive Numbers Fl - Rushing per game - 196 yards Ga - Rushing per game - 172 yards
Fl - Passing per game - 214 yards Ga - Passing per game - 258 yards
Michael DiRocco of the (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union writes how Urban Meyer stresses blocked punts... "It's sort of a double "whump" - a football being kicked, immediately followed by it smacking against a hand, forearm, chest or stomach of a player. When his team is responsible for the second whump, Meyer loves it. It's when the Gators create the first whump that his stomach tightens and twists." ...
Robbie Andreau of the Gainesville Sun writes how Florida must stop Knowshon Moreno... "The spirited Georgia tailback ran all over the Gators last year. He ran around them, he jumped over them, he ran through them. He ran them into the ground, wearing them out with 188 yards rushing and three touchdowns on a whopping 33 carries in Georgia’s 42-30 victory." ...
Andreau writes how the Gators running back position has become a strength with the emergence of speedster Jeffrey Demps... "In Meyer’s first three seasons, the tailbacks were pretty much a drag on UF’s up-tempo, big-play offense. They were just sort of there, their contribution usually being an occasional 5-yard run or a fumble or a missed blocking assignment. At one point, Meyer grew so frustrated with the lack of production that he referred to his tailbacks as trash." ...
Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel writes how Georgia disrespected the Gators last season... "With that logic, Georgia wasn't too brilliant on two occasions in the Southeastern Conference in 2007, especially one. UGA's en masse celebration in the Gators' end zone on the first score of last season's 42-30 win on Oct. 27 has become the focal point of this year's heated rivalry." ...
Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes how neither team is talking about Georgia's "Stomp" last season... "The week of the Florida game, Richt said he told his offensive players on the field to celebrate enough after Georgia’s first touchdown to draw an unsportsmanlike penalty. Instead, all of his players sprinted from the sidelines to the end zone for a dog pile between screaming and clowning." ...
Thomas Stinson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes how Tim Tebow is still hurt by Florida's loss to Georgia last season... "Tim Tebow, who last month nearly broke into tears while trying to explain the Gators’ loss to Ole Miss, isn’t so sure that defeat was harder to take than last year’s 42-30 loss to Georgia." ...
Stinson writes about Florida's stellar defense... "Yet among the dozen subplots bubbling around Saturday’s Georgia-Florida game, the Gators’ celebrated defense poses the most intricate question. How well might it hold up against a quality quarterback? How will it react against a team like Georgia, which can run and pass with equal alacrity?" ...
Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald writes how Knowshon Moreno is quietly back in the Heisman race... "If Moreno can keep up his recent pace, he might have to figure out a way to thank his linemen for helping him get a December invitation to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist." ...
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants Sunday, November 2, 2008 - 4:15 EST - FOX Giants Stadium - The Meadowlands Giants -8.5
Summary Last season, the Dallas Cowboys won the two regular season games, however, when it counted the most, the New York Football Giants went into Texas Stadium and won the Divisional Playoff game 21-17...Dallas leads the all-time series 54-36-2...the Giants hold a 17-14 edge in games played at Giants Stadium...
As known, the Cowboys are a banged up bunch...they have the 21st ranked defense...they are ranked 17th in scoring defense (23.0 points/game)...on the offense, Dallas is ranked 2nd overall...they are 10th in the league in scoring offense (25.3 game)...the 120 yards per game on the ground ranks them 10th...
The Giants offense and defense are ranked in the top 10...on offense, the G-men are ranked 7th overall and have the number 1 rushing offense in the NFL with 157.3 yards/game...the Giants defense is ranked 3rd overall...they lead the league in sacks with 26 and have allowed only 3 rushing TDs all year...
Quick Numbers Offensive Numbers Dal - Rushing per game - 120 yards NYG - Rushing per game - 157 yards
Dal - Passing per game - 245 yards NYG - Passing per game - 221 yards
- Dallas is 20-20 over the last 3 years in all games against the spread...
What the experts say Power Sweep - New York 33-13 The Gold Sheet - New York 38-17
Dallas Cowboys (4-3) - Head Coach Wade Phillips Brian Davis of the Dallas Morning News gives his mid-season report card on the Cowboys... "Just like the Dow, the Cowboys have fallen from last year's highs. With eight games remaining, it's time for the team to start a rally in hopes of zooming up the standings and into the playoffs." ...
Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman writes about Dallas' win over Tampa Bay... "These are the new-look Cowboys. Led by a 40-year-old quarterback whose arm strength was questioned even when he was in his 20s; a head coach who seems to take more delight in opponent's missed field goals than his team's touchdowns, rare as they are these days; and joined by a Detroit Lions refugee wide receiver who is no stranger to this state but just plain happy to be here." ...
Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News writes how the Cowboys should play loose on Sunday since they are expected to lose... "Anyway, if the Browns can beat the Giants and the Chiefs can beat the Broncos and the Rams can beat the Cowboys ... you get the picture. Because the Cowboys are so universally expected to lose, they have nothing to lose. They can play without fear. If there are no consequences to actions, then mistakes are impossible." ...
Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News writes how Marion Barber is a workout freak... "Late in the morning, the Cowboys running back – and more than 30 teammates – showed up at Valley Ranch to get in a workout with Juraszek, the team's strength and conditioning coach. And on his other off day, Tuesday, Barber was back in the weight room." ...
New York Giants (6-1) - Head Coach Tom Coughlin Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reviews what happened in the Giants locker after the Steelers win and how Justin Tuck hates the Cowboys... "On their way into the visitors' locker room at Heinz Field, general manager Jerry Reese was there to shake the hand of every player and coach, saving a quick hug and hearty back-slap for a few select individuals. In every corner of the large room, the laughter and outward sense of accomplishment served as a reminder that even Super Bowl champions are capable of finding new mountains to climb." ...
Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News writes how the Giants have a golden opportunity to stick it to Dallas... "The Giants (6-1) could build a huge cushion over the Cowboys (4-3) with a win on Sunday that would make Dallas an afterthought in the NFC East race." ...
Matt Mosley of ESPN's blog network writes how the image of Eli Manning and Tony Romo have changed since their last meeting at the Meadowlands... "If someone told you on Nov. 11, 2007, that Eli Manning would be the MVP of Super Bowl XLII, you probably would've laughed. On that fall afternoon, Manning threw two interceptions and was sacked five times in a 31-20 loss to the Cowboys at Giants Stadium." ...
Steve Serby of the New York Post warns the Giants not to take the Cowboys lightly... "Don't you dare believe you are Supermen, immune to Kryptonite, who can strut onto your home field and wait for the wounded Cowboys to swoon at your feet. Don't believe the hype because this becomes a trap game if you do." ...
#1 Texas @ #7 Texas Tech
Saturday, November 1, 2008 - 8:00 EST - ABC
Jones AT&T Stadium - Lubbock Texas
Texas -6.5
Summary Texas leads the all-time series 42-14...last year, Texas won 59-43...Texas dominated the time of possession 40 minutes to 20 minutes...the Red Raiders only ran the ball 7 times for 10 yards, but passed for 466 yards...the Longhorns were more balanced as they had 283 yards on the ground and 268 through the air...the Red Raiders last win against Texas was in 2002...
Texas Tech, Penn State, and Utah enter the week with the nation's longest win streak at 10 games...
This will be the fourth in a string of four tough conference opponents for the #1 ranked Texas Longhorns...the Longhorns took care of business last week by beating a tough Oklahoma State team 28-24...QB Colt McCoy can basically secure the Heisman with another impressive performance this week...
The Red Raiders are led by Heisman hopeful, QB Graham Harrell...Harrell has thrown 28 TDs and 5 INTs this season...Harrell is fortunate to be throwing to maybe the best receiver in the nation in sophomore Michael Crabtree...Crabtree has 60 receptions for 794 yards and 14 TDs...Texas Tech's running game is led by Baron Batch (537 yards, 4 TDs) and Shannon Woods (481 yards, 10 TDs)...
Texas Tech made some headlines a few weeks back when they asked Matt Williams to joing the team...the Red Raiders were having an awful time in the kicking department and decided to ask Williams to be their place kicker after he won a halftime promotion during a game this season...
The Red Raiders pass defense is rated third nationally with 14 interceptions...Brandon Williams and McKinner Dixon are team leaders in the sack department...
Quick Numbers Offensive Numbers UT - Rushing per game - 183 yards
TT - Rushing per game - 138 yards
UT - Passing per game - 303 yards
TT - Passing per game - 418 yards
- Texas is 5-3 straight up in games played in Lubbock since 1992...
- Over the last 3 years, as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points, the Longhorns are 7-1 straight up...
Texas Longhorns (8-0) - Head Coach Mack Brown Here are the Texas game notes for the Texas Tech game...
Alan Trubow of the Austin American-Statesman writes about former running back, now DE Henry Melton... "Defensive end Brian Orakpo , the teacher, was wondering if his pupil, Henry Melton, could start over and succeed. The lessons were about how to become a good defensive end." ...
Tim Griffin of ESPN's blog network writes about the banged up Texas secondary... "The test for Brown mirrors that for the Texas defense, which will be challenged to stop a Tech offense that ranks first nationally in passing offense, second in total offense and third in scoring. The Red Raiders have scored at least 35 points in every game this season and feature a deep collection of playmakers besides Crabtree. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will attempt to counter that offensive firepower with an injury-riddled secondary." ...
Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman writes how the Longhorns will need to establish the run this week... "But if Texas is to get by an excellent Red Raiders team, it will have to devote itself to a clock-eating, chain-moving ground game. Not exclusively, but when it counts." ...
Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalache-Journal writes about the Tech defensive line... "Texas Tech defensive end Jake Ratliff has started every game this season, but when circumstances dictate he doesn’t mind deferring to McKinner Dixon and Brandon Williams. The latter two, statistically speaking, are among the top three pass rushers in the Big 12 Conference." ...
Adam Zuvanich of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal writes about Texas stud DE Brian Orakpo... "Brian Orakpo’s dream is to win the Heisman Trophy. Only one full-time defensive player has ever won the award - Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997 - and he also was a punt returner who played a little offense. Another obstacle to Orakpo’s Heisman hopes is teammate Colt McCoy, the Texas quarterback who is widely regarded as the frontrunner." ...
Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com writes how Texas Tech has a history of folding in big games... "Now is the time to prove the nation wrong. Under Leach, the Red Raiders are 10-26 against ranked teams, 63-11 against everyone else." ...
Tim Griffin of ESPN's blog network writes how Tech QB Graham Harrell is preparing for the biggest game of his career... "So much for worrying about satellite shoots, radio shows or teleconferences with the national media. If Harrell wins the Heisman this season he'll do it the old-fashioned way -- by earning it on the field with a big performance over No. 1 Texas and during the rest of the season." ...
The Associated Press caught up with New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter who is spending his first October not in the baseball playoffs... "It's seems like a long October for Jeter, whose Yankees missed the playoffs this year after a 13-season string of postseason appearances." ...
Stiles Points checked out some other blogs about Patti LaBelle's rendition of the national anthem at Sunday's World Series...the overwhelming majority had very negative responses to her performance...
By Bob Beecher on October 26, 2008 11:58 PM She came up with an overlong rendition ... AND ... couldn't remember the correct lyrics!
She sang, "skylight's last gleaming," (instead of twilight's)
She sang, "through the perilous flight," instead of perilous fight.
Don't think so? Well, just like that mistaken "safe" call near third base, go back and check the tape!
By Jason on October 27, 2008 12:26 AM As a Canadian I was embarassed at that horrible rendition of a beautiful national anthem. It was a travesty and she is not the only one who does it. And for some reason the fans in the stands seemed to have loved it. Go figure!
By MaxCackle on October 27, 2008 12:31 AM Labelle's anthem performance was one of the worst I've ever seen. She screwed up the lyrics twice & the rest was sliced, diced & pureed. Note to all artists: stop trying to reinvent the wheel & just sing the song with a light touch of your own style. The girl who sang it before game 3 did a great job, however, and hers would be a good reference for all who sing it in the future.
By James on October 27, 2008 2:03 AM Oh patti...yikes that was so bad! Yes, I agree w/ the above poster the girl (taylor swift) who sang it Sat. nite did so much better!
As a native Philadelphian I was embarassed Sunday night and the group of people I was watching the game with all agreed that her take on the anthem was awful. Just sing it as it is please?
By Michael Crane on October 27, 2008 3:06 AM I was embarrassed to be an American while listening to that. People were mainly cheering that it was over and the game was finally going to begin. But that was about as bad of a rendition I've ever heard...
By Daniel Barrott on October 27, 2008 3:33 AM Currently I am living overseas in New Zealand. I am from America. We got game 4 of the World Series on T.V. here and I was embarrassed that the world had to watch a horrible attempt at the National Anthem. Our anthem is beautiful when song the right way with a little change from the artist. I wanted to mute the tv when she was singing.
By SKYYSYKO on October 27, 2008 8:11 AM DITTO DITTO DITTO.....I CANT AGREE MORE WITH THE FIRST THREE COMMENTS.THERE SHOULD BE GUIDELINES SET FOR THESE PERFORMERS.JANET JACKSON/JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE DEBACLE DOESNT SEEM SO BAD NOW
By steve on October 27, 2008 8:20 AM LaBelle's National Anthem was extremely hard to bear, painful to the ear, and extremely unpatriotic. Philadelphia should be ashamed of themselves for allowing her to butcher such a sacred song. It's a good thing Citizen's Bank Park doesn't have a roof because they would be repairing a lot of cracks in it this morning. If you're going to sing the National Anthem at America's greatest pastime, baseball's World Series...LEARN THE WORDS AND SING IT RIGHT!!! The National Anthem is a sacred song and should not be altered. Patti LaBelle is a discrace to the United States after what she did.
By James G on October 27, 2008 8:23 AM I can't believe that someone could actually enjoy that torrid performance. Melodically she was all over the place, the lyrics were slaughtered, and the song clocked in at what felt like 17 minutes. A terribly embarrassing showing.
By Jeff on October 27, 2008 10:00 AM "Not one (anyone) could have sung along with, but one that almost equalled the power of the accompanying fireworks."
That is the main point of singing the Anthem at a public event - to lead the crowd in the singing. If she wants to sing the Anthem that way, she should do it in her concerts. I feel this way for anyone doing the Anthem at an event – including Taylor Swift and the Backstreet Boys.
I think the vast majority of the people in this country know Patti LaBelle can sing. She has an amazing voice, IF she would just sing. I looked up some older clips of her on YouTube and she was spectacular. The older she gets, however, the more “dressing up” she does with her songs and it becomes difficult to listen.
I thought Los Lonley Boys did a superb job when they sang the Anthem and if Patti would just sing it the correct way, people would be mesmerized. She should realize that being asked is a huge honor and she should perform the song with dignity, not as if she’s auditioning.
By Barry Eynon on October 27, 2008 2:38 PM The third worst rendition of the National Anthem I have ever heard. Only Carl Lewis and Rosanne Barr did worse. Hopefully tonight we have a singer who wants to respect the anthem and not try to personalize a song that is meant for our nation and not for individual experimenataion.
By Joseph D. Marquis on October 27, 2008 3:16 PM That was probably the worst rendition of the national anthem I have ever heard. There have been other bad ones. Maybe they should have to audition before being allowed to butcher our national anthem on national T.V. A real embarrassment.
By cindy on October 28, 2008 8:47 AM It's not a matter of white or black. She butchered the song. Best rendition I ever heard was Whitney Houston's at the Super Bowl, maybe 15+ years ago. I'll never forget that performance!
So far, I was able to watch the pre-game ceremonies for Games 1 and 4 of this year's World Series between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia...I was totally appalled and disgusted with the singing of our country's national anthem during those games...
The Backstreet Boys sang in Game 1 and Patti LaBelle in Game 4...anyone, and I do mean anyone, who thought they did a good job in their rendition of the Star Spangled Banner has to be out of their mind...
Major League Baseball should be ashamed in having these artists perform during the World Series...the Boys and LaBelle changed the words, added words, changed the melody, rhythm, and/or everything else...in other words, it sucked and they should be embarrassed...both the Boys and LaBelle's rendition ranks up there with that of Carl Lewis and his off-tune hackjob...
The Star Spangled Banner should be sung with dignity and honor, not as a Top 40 Pop singles hit...this butchery of our song at sporting events must stop!!!... Below is a clip of the Backstreet Boys awful performance...
Interesting Fact - Conventional wisdom states whoever wins the turnover battle usually wins the game...that has not been the case the last two years...Michigan has not committed a turnover in the last two games against Ohio State while the Buckeyes have committed 4 turnovers...
