Georgia's Isaiah Crowell, Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas were all suspended for this past weekend's game vs. New Mexico State...all of them tailbacks. Isaiah Crowell has now missed 5 quarters so far this year with suspensions. After Washaun Ealey was kicked off the team this past spring, then Caleb King was booted for being ineligible academically, there doesn't seem to be much discipline in UGA's backfield. In fact, there doesn't seem to be much discipline for any of the athletes: football, basketball, even the former athletic director.
Mark Richt is a stand-up guy. He's done a lot to help Georgia and their 'most-obnoxious-fans-in-the-SEC' tone down their rudeness, drunkenness, and outright stupid comments from occurring every minute to now just occurring every other minute. Richt is a strong Christian, a really good person, and one of the reason Georgia has picked up a few more fans and a few less haters in recent years. But even though he's tried to provide a fine example for his players, arrests and suspensions are all too common.
My reasoning for this: Athens, GA. To me, there are 3 different kinds of SEC college towns. 1. Preppie, clean-cut & southern (Ole Miss, MSU, Alabama, Auburn) 2. Drinking (LSU, Georgia, Florida) 3. Other (South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Arkansas) The common theme between the schools in category two is, they are in a relatively large town. Georgia is probably #1 when it comes to a drinking town. They are also artsy-which is dumb. I've been to Athens at least 5 times in the last decade...and I've been to Knoxville, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Baton Rouge, Oxford, Starkville, Nashville about as much (+ or -). Athens is just different. It's all about drinking, all the time. Seriously.
If you've been to Auburn and Athens, is it really any wonder why Auburn kids don't get arrested as much as Georgia ones? Not to say that the college students in my #1 or #3 categories do not party - but it's just not like Athens. When everyone around Crowell & Co. is drinking like fish and probably doing other things, what are the chances he will do it? Pretty good. That is why I think Georgia players have so many 'discipline' issues. I don't think Crowell is necessarily a bad kid, but he should understand the potential he has and if he wants to be successful he had better clean it up.
JB
Monday, November 7, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Led Zeppelin
My Top 10 Led Zeppelin songs:
10. "Heartbreaker", 1969
9. "Over the Hills and Far Away", 1973
8. "Ten Years Gone", 1975
7. "The Song Remains the Same", 1973
6. "When the Levee Breaks", 1971
5. "In the Light", 1975
4. "The Battle of Evermore", 1971
3. "Bring It On Home", 1969
2. "Stairway to Heaven", 1971
1. "Since I've Been Loving You", 1970
JB
10. "Heartbreaker", 1969
9. "Over the Hills and Far Away", 1973
8. "Ten Years Gone", 1975
7. "The Song Remains the Same", 1973
6. "When the Levee Breaks", 1971
5. "In the Light", 1975
4. "The Battle of Evermore", 1971
3. "Bring It On Home", 1969
2. "Stairway to Heaven", 1971
1. "Since I've Been Loving You", 1970
JB
Friday, November 4, 2011
Week 10 Preview
My complete breakdown of the LSU/Alabama game can be found in yesterday's post.
Vanderbilt at Florida - Could Florida really suck so bad they lose 5 in a row? Vandy has not beaten Florida since 1988....but this could be the year. A close call with Georgia, then again vs. Arkansas. One lingering problem though...Vandy is 4-2 at home including those two close ones and they've been outscored 45-3 on the road. Granted that was at South Carolina and Alabama. This game is in the Swamp. Florida is a 13.5 point favorite, which is a tad bit surprising. If both teams play like they did last week...Vandy gets it done. In '05 Jay Cutler to Florida into overtime in the Swamp, but lost. I like the moxy James Frnaklin gives the 'Dores. If UF loses they could be on their way to a losing record this year. Wow. I think that gives them a sense of urgency. Vandy hangs tight for 3 quarters, but Florida wins by 10 points.
New Mexico State at Georgia - UGA has suspended 3 running backs including Crowell and Samuel is out with an ankle injury. UGA wins easily though.
Ole Miss at Kentucky - The battle for the cellar. I've had these two ranked as #11 & 12 in the SEC since Week 2. Ole Miss should win this game. UK simply is not good. They have some players but are not well-coached at all. Ole Miss has more players and they are simply a mess, including very poor defensive coaching. Both teams rank near the bottom in every category in the SEC. UK's offense vs. Ole Miss' D should be a battle of ineptitude. I don't know who to pick, it's just so bad. But with Maxwell Smith showing he can take what the defense gives him last week vs. MSU, maybe he can do that here and score some points for the Cats. Extending Ole Miss' SEC losing streak couldn't make me happier, especially against a horrible team like Kentucky. UK 23 UM 20
MTSU at Tennessee - Quietly here in the background of the SEC the Vols desperately need this win. They have nothing going for them and haven't score a touchdown since the first half vs. LSU...that's 10 quarters! And they only scored 1 touchdown in that half...before that game they only scored one touchdown vs. Georgia. This is a chance to get right again. UT 31 MTSU 17
South Carolina at Arkansas - This is a huge game but no one is talking about it. For one, the LSU/Bama game is this week...and played at the same time. 2. USC is without Lattimore and ARK has played down to their competition the last two weeks. But not only is this game for #3 in the SEC, but South Carolina is still in the driver's seat in the East. I picked USC in this game before the season, but I can't stay with it without Lattimore or Garcia. In Fayetteville the Hogs are tough. UPig 35 USC 24
UT-Martin at Mississippi State - MSU 45 Skyhawks 10
Kansas State at Oklahoma State - This has got to be OSU's magical year, all their biggest games are at home. They win here by two scores.
Upset of the week: Washington over Oregon, 27-24.
JB
Vanderbilt at Florida - Could Florida really suck so bad they lose 5 in a row? Vandy has not beaten Florida since 1988....but this could be the year. A close call with Georgia, then again vs. Arkansas. One lingering problem though...Vandy is 4-2 at home including those two close ones and they've been outscored 45-3 on the road. Granted that was at South Carolina and Alabama. This game is in the Swamp. Florida is a 13.5 point favorite, which is a tad bit surprising. If both teams play like they did last week...Vandy gets it done. In '05 Jay Cutler to Florida into overtime in the Swamp, but lost. I like the moxy James Frnaklin gives the 'Dores. If UF loses they could be on their way to a losing record this year. Wow. I think that gives them a sense of urgency. Vandy hangs tight for 3 quarters, but Florida wins by 10 points.
New Mexico State at Georgia - UGA has suspended 3 running backs including Crowell and Samuel is out with an ankle injury. UGA wins easily though.
Ole Miss at Kentucky - The battle for the cellar. I've had these two ranked as #11 & 12 in the SEC since Week 2. Ole Miss should win this game. UK simply is not good. They have some players but are not well-coached at all. Ole Miss has more players and they are simply a mess, including very poor defensive coaching. Both teams rank near the bottom in every category in the SEC. UK's offense vs. Ole Miss' D should be a battle of ineptitude. I don't know who to pick, it's just so bad. But with Maxwell Smith showing he can take what the defense gives him last week vs. MSU, maybe he can do that here and score some points for the Cats. Extending Ole Miss' SEC losing streak couldn't make me happier, especially against a horrible team like Kentucky. UK 23 UM 20
MTSU at Tennessee - Quietly here in the background of the SEC the Vols desperately need this win. They have nothing going for them and haven't score a touchdown since the first half vs. LSU...that's 10 quarters! And they only scored 1 touchdown in that half...before that game they only scored one touchdown vs. Georgia. This is a chance to get right again. UT 31 MTSU 17
South Carolina at Arkansas - This is a huge game but no one is talking about it. For one, the LSU/Bama game is this week...and played at the same time. 2. USC is without Lattimore and ARK has played down to their competition the last two weeks. But not only is this game for #3 in the SEC, but South Carolina is still in the driver's seat in the East. I picked USC in this game before the season, but I can't stay with it without Lattimore or Garcia. In Fayetteville the Hogs are tough. UPig 35 USC 24
UT-Martin at Mississippi State - MSU 45 Skyhawks 10
Kansas State at Oklahoma State - This has got to be OSU's magical year, all their biggest games are at home. They win here by two scores.
Upset of the week: Washington over Oregon, 27-24.
JB
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The National Championship Game
Well, really its LSU vs. Alabama, but isn't it the National Championship Game? These are clearly the two best teams in college football. Won't whoever makes it to #2 at the end of the regular season be a lesser team than either of these two? I think so. So this isn't a national semi-final. This is it. If the winner somehow gets upset during SEC play after this game..they should still make it to the BCS Title Game...because they have already won, this, the National Championship Game.
Here's how I see the matchups. When I say advantage, I only mean slight.
Quarterbacks: LSU
Runningbacks: Alabama
Receivers: LSU
Offensive Line: Alabama
Defensive Line: LSU
Linebackers: Alabama
Cornerbacks: LSU
Safeties: Alabama
Alabama's offensive line vs. LSU's defensive line: Alabama has the most experience, and best O line in the SEC...which means the country. LSU probably has the most athletic defensive line in the SEC. I won't say they are the most disruptive - I might give that to South Carolina - but they will present Bama's O line with their toughest challenge yet. Advantage: BAMA
LSU's offensive line vs. Alabama's defensive line: Bama's D-line is the weakness of their defense. That is to say their D-line is not the best D-line in the country. LSU's offensive line has performed extraordinarily well when you consider they lost Josh Dworaczyk before the season and have had plenty of nagging injuries since, and they are probably the 2nd best line in the SEC. Advantage: No one
Alabama's receivers vs. LSU's corners: If the Tide had Sammy Watkins and Justin Blackmon then they'd have the advantage. But they don't. If Tyrann Matthiu and Mo Claiborne are playing bump-and-run all night on Maze and Hanks, I'm not sure McCarron can get them more than 3 catches combined. I'm not sure, if I'm Bama's coaching staff, I even want to attempt throwing at them more than 10 yards downfield. Advantage: LSU
LSU's receivers vs. Alabama's corners: Bama has really good cornerbacks, Dre' Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie are good, real good. But LSU counters with Rueban Randle, Odell Beckham, and throw in Russell Shepard too. This one looks like a dead heat to me. Advantage: No one
LSU's QBs vs. Alabama's QBs: realistically it's Lee & Jefferson vs. McCarron, I doubt Sims gets in the game. LSU's QBs have been in and out of games for 4 years (Jefferson getting 60% of that time). McCarron has had this year and some garbage time last year. How many big games has McCarron played in? None. I can't count on my hands how many Lee and Jefferson have. There is no doubt LSU has the advantage here. Maybe McCarron will be much better than both of them combined in a year or two...but they are about the same right now, and LSU has more experience...and depth. If Lee or Jefferson goes down, the other one comes in. If McCarron goes down, Sims comes in for Bama, and he's a freshman with about 60 minutes of total playing time. Advantage: LSU
Alabama's offense vs. LSU's defense: You have to figure LSU is going to take away any kind of vertical passing game for the Tide. They've got lock-down NFL corners on both sides and Bama doesn't have the top flight receivers to flat out beat them. So you know Trent Richardson and Bama's offensive line is the key for them. I think Bama will win up front 50-60% of the time if the offense is balanced. If A.J. McCarron cannot throw the ball at all then LSU is going to bring their safeties up and not allow the running game to get more than 3 yards per carry. McCarron will have to hit the slot receivers dead on and hope for a 7 yard gain. Richardson will have to fight and claw to get close to 100 yards. And while the key to moving the ball is getting behind Richardson, the key to not losing the game is McCarron testing LSU's secondary downfield, getting it picked off and LSU taking it to the house for an unexpected score. Advantage: LSU
LSU's offense vs. Alabama's defense: In an unnerving outlook, I think LSU needs to throw the ball to move it rather than run like Alabama. I say unnerving because Alabama probably has about as good of a secondary as LSU, and we've all seen what Lee and Jefferson have done in past seasons. Can Ware or Ford be the workhorse to take a beating and keep on carrying the football? Randle and Beckham are major downfield threats and Lee has shown the ability to hit them downfield. On 3rd and long, will Miles take a shot deep knowing that a possible interception could be the same as a punt. Taking a chance on a big play could be a big momentum swing. On the other hand, I pretty much expect Bama to get a fumble or INT and either take it all the way back or give their offense prime field position. Advantage: BAMA
Trent Richardson is averaging 6.6 yards per carry and Eddie Lacy is averaging 8.0. Behind their offensive line, they know how to pound the football. I think LSU cuts those averages in half. LSU counters with Spencer Ware (4.0 YPC) and Michael Ford (5.6). Alabama is giving up 1.8 YPC...ouch.
Alabama has had some problems with slow starts and short kickoffs. The short kickoffs could loom huge if LSU is able to return the ball to the 50 and get a score out of it. Both of these defenses should win most of the time, even though the respective offenses are pretty good. I'm looking for a defensive score by each team...or at least a turnover that gives the offense very good field position. The game could be won on special teams...perhaps by who can make their field goals.
LSU looks like the tougher team who plays with reckless abandon. Alabama seems well coached, and performs like a well-oiled machine. This is a tough game to pick, and Bama seems like the logical choice being at home. Nick Saban is undoubtedly the better coach. Les Miles, though, might be the best coach for the guys he has.
LSU 17 ALABAMA 16
JB
Here's how I see the matchups. When I say advantage, I only mean slight.
Quarterbacks: LSU
Runningbacks: Alabama
Receivers: LSU
Offensive Line: Alabama
Defensive Line: LSU
Linebackers: Alabama
Cornerbacks: LSU
Safeties: Alabama
Alabama's offensive line vs. LSU's defensive line: Alabama has the most experience, and best O line in the SEC...which means the country. LSU probably has the most athletic defensive line in the SEC. I won't say they are the most disruptive - I might give that to South Carolina - but they will present Bama's O line with their toughest challenge yet. Advantage: BAMA
LSU's offensive line vs. Alabama's defensive line: Bama's D-line is the weakness of their defense. That is to say their D-line is not the best D-line in the country. LSU's offensive line has performed extraordinarily well when you consider they lost Josh Dworaczyk before the season and have had plenty of nagging injuries since, and they are probably the 2nd best line in the SEC. Advantage: No one
Alabama's receivers vs. LSU's corners: If the Tide had Sammy Watkins and Justin Blackmon then they'd have the advantage. But they don't. If Tyrann Matthiu and Mo Claiborne are playing bump-and-run all night on Maze and Hanks, I'm not sure McCarron can get them more than 3 catches combined. I'm not sure, if I'm Bama's coaching staff, I even want to attempt throwing at them more than 10 yards downfield. Advantage: LSU
LSU's receivers vs. Alabama's corners: Bama has really good cornerbacks, Dre' Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie are good, real good. But LSU counters with Rueban Randle, Odell Beckham, and throw in Russell Shepard too. This one looks like a dead heat to me. Advantage: No one
LSU's QBs vs. Alabama's QBs: realistically it's Lee & Jefferson vs. McCarron, I doubt Sims gets in the game. LSU's QBs have been in and out of games for 4 years (Jefferson getting 60% of that time). McCarron has had this year and some garbage time last year. How many big games has McCarron played in? None. I can't count on my hands how many Lee and Jefferson have. There is no doubt LSU has the advantage here. Maybe McCarron will be much better than both of them combined in a year or two...but they are about the same right now, and LSU has more experience...and depth. If Lee or Jefferson goes down, the other one comes in. If McCarron goes down, Sims comes in for Bama, and he's a freshman with about 60 minutes of total playing time. Advantage: LSU
Alabama's offense vs. LSU's defense: You have to figure LSU is going to take away any kind of vertical passing game for the Tide. They've got lock-down NFL corners on both sides and Bama doesn't have the top flight receivers to flat out beat them. So you know Trent Richardson and Bama's offensive line is the key for them. I think Bama will win up front 50-60% of the time if the offense is balanced. If A.J. McCarron cannot throw the ball at all then LSU is going to bring their safeties up and not allow the running game to get more than 3 yards per carry. McCarron will have to hit the slot receivers dead on and hope for a 7 yard gain. Richardson will have to fight and claw to get close to 100 yards. And while the key to moving the ball is getting behind Richardson, the key to not losing the game is McCarron testing LSU's secondary downfield, getting it picked off and LSU taking it to the house for an unexpected score. Advantage: LSU
LSU's offense vs. Alabama's defense: In an unnerving outlook, I think LSU needs to throw the ball to move it rather than run like Alabama. I say unnerving because Alabama probably has about as good of a secondary as LSU, and we've all seen what Lee and Jefferson have done in past seasons. Can Ware or Ford be the workhorse to take a beating and keep on carrying the football? Randle and Beckham are major downfield threats and Lee has shown the ability to hit them downfield. On 3rd and long, will Miles take a shot deep knowing that a possible interception could be the same as a punt. Taking a chance on a big play could be a big momentum swing. On the other hand, I pretty much expect Bama to get a fumble or INT and either take it all the way back or give their offense prime field position. Advantage: BAMA
Trent Richardson is averaging 6.6 yards per carry and Eddie Lacy is averaging 8.0. Behind their offensive line, they know how to pound the football. I think LSU cuts those averages in half. LSU counters with Spencer Ware (4.0 YPC) and Michael Ford (5.6). Alabama is giving up 1.8 YPC...ouch.
Alabama has had some problems with slow starts and short kickoffs. The short kickoffs could loom huge if LSU is able to return the ball to the 50 and get a score out of it. Both of these defenses should win most of the time, even though the respective offenses are pretty good. I'm looking for a defensive score by each team...or at least a turnover that gives the offense very good field position. The game could be won on special teams...perhaps by who can make their field goals.
LSU looks like the tougher team who plays with reckless abandon. Alabama seems well coached, and performs like a well-oiled machine. This is a tough game to pick, and Bama seems like the logical choice being at home. Nick Saban is undoubtedly the better coach. Les Miles, though, might be the best coach for the guys he has.
LSU 17 ALABAMA 16
JB
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
GOP 2012 Part II
When I first spoke of the Republican race on June 7th, Rick Perry had not yet entered and I thought Tim Pawlenty had a chance. Well, Pawlenty dropped out rather quickly. And Perry was ahead in the polls for a while, but has since seen a sharp decline.
I said on June 7th that the ideal ticket for me would be Gingrich/Cain...and I still stand behind that. Of course, the actually likelihood may be a flipped version of that since Cain has basically doubled the support Gingrich has. I am surprised by how well Herman Cain has done. I really like him though.
There are 8 candidates right now that are at least getting one point in the polls. Of those, we can throw out Huntsman, Santorum, and Bachmann. I don't think any of them have made it to 5% yet, and I'm sure once the primaries start they will be quick dropouts. Ron Paul has more support, but he is almost un-electable so I don't think he stands a chance at getting nominated - but I guess you never know. So that leaves four candidates who I think stand a chance to get nominated: Cain, Romney, Perry, and Gingrich.
Cain - He is a businessman who is a Washington outsider. That makes him appealing. I think he could beat Obama. For one, he is black...so that should take away at least some of the black vote. Liberals are puzzled at what they can do to him. The tea party, which they have labeled as racist, support Cain. A conservative black man? They don't know what to do.
Romney - Everyone says he is the most electable. So people are going to have to decide, do they want him to be the nominee because he's the most electable - and we'll just hold our noses and vote like we did for McCain, or should we nominate someone who will be a good president.
Perry - I like Perry, but I don't know if he can get past the bad debating. Perhaps he would make the best president. He is solid and has been a very successful governor. But Obama would torch him in a debate, and I think that would cost him the election. Obama has a way of saying a bunch of nothing, but making it sound like he said something...then making the other person look stupid. I don't know if Perry could handle it.
Gingrich - Policies, check. Resume, check. He's unquestionably the smartest guy among these four. He could debate Obama...and he would say a bunch of substance, and something the American people could buy into. But then there's his social past, and he's kind of a loose canon. So, not the perfect candidate...and I don't know if people think he'd be a good president as much as he is a lawmaker...but I do think he could win if nominated.
I think any of the above four could be nominated, and could win. Likelihood of winning the election if nominated: 1. Romney 2. Cain 3. Gingrich 4. Perry. Who would I like to be president: 1. Gingrich 2. Perry or Cain 4. Romney. There is no perfect candidate, but I think we've got enough good ones that would do a far superior job that Obama is. Hopefully the American people will see that.
I don't know how to create a link on here, but copy and paste this to your address bar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player
JB
I said on June 7th that the ideal ticket for me would be Gingrich/Cain...and I still stand behind that. Of course, the actually likelihood may be a flipped version of that since Cain has basically doubled the support Gingrich has. I am surprised by how well Herman Cain has done. I really like him though.
There are 8 candidates right now that are at least getting one point in the polls. Of those, we can throw out Huntsman, Santorum, and Bachmann. I don't think any of them have made it to 5% yet, and I'm sure once the primaries start they will be quick dropouts. Ron Paul has more support, but he is almost un-electable so I don't think he stands a chance at getting nominated - but I guess you never know. So that leaves four candidates who I think stand a chance to get nominated: Cain, Romney, Perry, and Gingrich.
Cain - He is a businessman who is a Washington outsider. That makes him appealing. I think he could beat Obama. For one, he is black...so that should take away at least some of the black vote. Liberals are puzzled at what they can do to him. The tea party, which they have labeled as racist, support Cain. A conservative black man? They don't know what to do.
Romney - Everyone says he is the most electable. So people are going to have to decide, do they want him to be the nominee because he's the most electable - and we'll just hold our noses and vote like we did for McCain, or should we nominate someone who will be a good president.
Perry - I like Perry, but I don't know if he can get past the bad debating. Perhaps he would make the best president. He is solid and has been a very successful governor. But Obama would torch him in a debate, and I think that would cost him the election. Obama has a way of saying a bunch of nothing, but making it sound like he said something...then making the other person look stupid. I don't know if Perry could handle it.
Gingrich - Policies, check. Resume, check. He's unquestionably the smartest guy among these four. He could debate Obama...and he would say a bunch of substance, and something the American people could buy into. But then there's his social past, and he's kind of a loose canon. So, not the perfect candidate...and I don't know if people think he'd be a good president as much as he is a lawmaker...but I do think he could win if nominated.
I think any of the above four could be nominated, and could win. Likelihood of winning the election if nominated: 1. Romney 2. Cain 3. Gingrich 4. Perry. Who would I like to be president: 1. Gingrich 2. Perry or Cain 4. Romney. There is no perfect candidate, but I think we've got enough good ones that would do a far superior job that Obama is. Hopefully the American people will see that.
I don't know how to create a link on here, but copy and paste this to your address bar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player
JB
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The Polls - Week 10
Well, this experiment, while not finished, should be concluded. The fact is, that it doesn't really matter where you start, you will end up in the right place. I still think the #1 team from the previous year should have to be knocked off their throne...but there's no sense in continuing this experiment any longer. So, that means this poll will reflect how I would vote for the Top 25.
1. LSU, 8-0 (1): W vs. #3 Oregon, W vs. Northwestern State, W at #16 Mississippi State, W at #19 West Virginia, W vs. Kentucky, W vs. #22 Florida, W at Tennessee, W vs. #15 Auburn
2. Alabama, 8-0 (2): W vs. Kent State, W at Penn State, W vs. North Texas, W vs. #8 Arkansas, W at #17 Florida, W vs. Vanderbilt, W at Ole Miss, W vs. Tennessee
3. Stanford, 8-0 (4): W vs. San Jose St., W at Duke, W at Arizona, W vs. UCLA, W vs. Colorado, W at Washington State, W vs. #25 Washington, W at #21 Southern California
4. Oklahoma State, 8-0 (3): W vs. LA-Lafayette, W vs. Arizona, W vs. Tulsa, W at #11 Texas A&M, W vs. Kansas, W at #22 Texas, W at Missouri, W vs. #24 Baylor
5. Oregon, 7-1 (6): L vs. #4 LSU, W vs. #9 Nevada, W vs. Missouri State, W at Arizona, W vs. Cal, W vs. #19 Arizona State, W at Colorado, W vs. Washington State
6. Boise State, 7-0 (5): W at Georgia, W at Toledo, W vs. Tulsa, W vs. Nevada, W at Fresno State, W at Colorado State, W vs. Air Force
7. Arkansas, 7-1 (8): W vs. Missouri State, W vs. New Mexico, W vs. Troy, L at #6 Alabama, W vs. #13 Texas A&M, W vs. #9 Auburn, W at Ole Miss, W at Vanderbilt
8. Oklahoma, 7-1 (7): W vs. #24 Tusla, W at #14 Florida State, W vs. Missouri, W vs. Ball State, W vs. #12 Texas, W at Kansas, L vs. Texas Tech, W at #9 Kansas State
9. Clemson, 8-1 (11): W vs. Troy, W vs. Wofford, W vs. #1 Auburn, W vs. #14 Florida State, W at #9 Virginia Tech, W vs. Boston College, W at Maryland, W vs. North Carolina, L at Georgia Tech
10. Nebraska, 7-1 (9): W vs. Chattanooga, W vs. Fresno State, W vs. Washington, W at Wyoming, L at #5 Wisconsin, W vs. Ohio State, W at Minnesota, W vs. #10 Michigan State
11. South Carolina, 7-1 (10): W vs. East Carolina, W at Georgia, W vs. Navy, W vs. Vanderbilt, L vs. #14 Auburn, W vs. Kentucky, W at Mississippi State, W at Tennessee
12. Houston, 8-0 (14): W vs. UCLA, W at North Texas, W at LA Tech, W vs. Georgia State, W at UTEP, W vs. East Carolina, W vs. Marshall, W vs. Rice
13. Michigan State, 6-2 (15): W vs. Youngstown State, W vs. Florida Atlantic, L at Notre Dame, W at Central Michigan, W at Ohio State, W vs. #11 Michigan, W vs. #4 Wisconsin, L at #13 Nebraska
14. Virginia Tech, 8-1 (12): W vs. App. State, W at East Carolina, W vs. Arkansas State, W at Marshall, L vs. #11 Clemson, W vs. Miami (FL), W at Wake Forest, W vs. Boston College, W at Duke
15. Michigan, 6-1 (13): W vs. Western Michigan, W vs. Notre Dame, W vs. Eastern Michigan, W vs. San Diego State, W vs. Minnesota, W at Northwestern, L at #24 Michigan State, W vs. Purdue
16. Kansas State, 7-1 (17): W vs. Eastern Kentucky, W vs. Kent State, W at Miami (Fl), W vs. #12 Baylor, W vs. Missouri, W at Texas Tech, W at Kansas, L vs. #11 Oklahoma
17. Georgia, 6-2 (18): L vs. #9 Boise State, L vs. #22 South Carolina, W vs. Coastal Carolina, W at Ole Miss, W vs. Mississippi State, W at Tennessee, W at Vanderbilt, W vs. Florida
18. Arizona State, 6-2 (20): W vs. UC Davis, W vs. #17 Missouri, L at Illinois, W at #25 Southern California, W vs. Oregon State, W at Utah, L at #10 Oregon, W vs. Colorado
19. Southern California, 6-2 (21): W vs. Minnesota, W vs. Utah, W vs. Syracuse, L at Arizona State, W at Arizona, W at Cal, W at Notre Dame, L at Stanford
20. Wisconsin, 6-2 (19): W vs. UNLV, W vs. Oregon State, W at Northern Illinois, W vs. South Dakota, W vs. #10 Nebraska, W vs. Indiana, L at #16 Michigan State, L at Ohio State
21. Georgia Tech, 7-2 (22): W vs. Western Carolina, W at MTSU, W vs. Kansas, W vs. North Carolina, W at North Carolina State, W vs. Maryland, L at Virginia, L at Miami (FL), W vs. #4 Clemson
22. Auburn, 6-3 (25): W vs. Utah State, W vs. #14 Mississippi State, L at Clemson, W vs. Florida Atlantic, W at #15 South Carolina, L at #11 Arkansas, W vs. Florida, L at #1 LSU, W vs. Ole Miss
23. Penn State, 8-1 (16): W at Indiana State, L vs. #8 Alabama, W at Temple, W vs. Eastern Michigan, W at Indiana, W vs. Iowa, W vs. Purdue, W at Northwestern, W vs. Illinois
24. Southern Miss, 7-1 (NR): W vs. Louisiana Tech, L at Marshall, W at SE Louisiana, W at Virginia, W vs. Rice, W at Navy, W vs. SMU, W at UTEP
25. Texas, 5-2, (NR): W vs. Rice, W vs. BYU, W at UCLA, W at Iowa State, L vs. #2 Oklahoma, L vs. #9 Oklahoma State, W vs. Kansas
Cincinnati is ranked #23 and West Virginia is ranked #24 in the AP, but neither one of them has beaten anyone, and they were both demolished by SEC teams.
SEC Power Rankings:
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. South Carolina
5. Georgia
6. Auburn
7. Florida
7. Mississippi State
7. Vanderbilt
10. Tennessee
11. Ole Miss
12. Kentucky
Expansion: I say forget Missouri. They can't make up their mind about whether or not they really want to be in the SEC, then revoke the offer. I understand the reasons why Mike Slive wants Mizzu, but they are not a cultural fit and they would rather go to the Big Ten. I think the best choice in this situation is Virginia Tech. They make perfect sense to me. An SEC-like school, which ventures the SEC into a new state. No, they don't have two major markets like Missouri, but who cares. The problem is, I don't know if they could be taken away from the ACC. But if they could, I think that is the best choice to make since Florida and South Carolina are against adding Florida State and Clemson.
JB
1. LSU, 8-0 (1): W vs. #3 Oregon, W vs. Northwestern State, W at #16 Mississippi State, W at #19 West Virginia, W vs. Kentucky, W vs. #22 Florida, W at Tennessee, W vs. #15 Auburn
2. Alabama, 8-0 (2): W vs. Kent State, W at Penn State, W vs. North Texas, W vs. #8 Arkansas, W at #17 Florida, W vs. Vanderbilt, W at Ole Miss, W vs. Tennessee
3. Stanford, 8-0 (4): W vs. San Jose St., W at Duke, W at Arizona, W vs. UCLA, W vs. Colorado, W at Washington State, W vs. #25 Washington, W at #21 Southern California
4. Oklahoma State, 8-0 (3): W vs. LA-Lafayette, W vs. Arizona, W vs. Tulsa, W at #11 Texas A&M, W vs. Kansas, W at #22 Texas, W at Missouri, W vs. #24 Baylor
5. Oregon, 7-1 (6): L vs. #4 LSU, W vs. #9 Nevada, W vs. Missouri State, W at Arizona, W vs. Cal, W vs. #19 Arizona State, W at Colorado, W vs. Washington State
6. Boise State, 7-0 (5): W at Georgia, W at Toledo, W vs. Tulsa, W vs. Nevada, W at Fresno State, W at Colorado State, W vs. Air Force
7. Arkansas, 7-1 (8): W vs. Missouri State, W vs. New Mexico, W vs. Troy, L at #6 Alabama, W vs. #13 Texas A&M, W vs. #9 Auburn, W at Ole Miss, W at Vanderbilt
8. Oklahoma, 7-1 (7): W vs. #24 Tusla, W at #14 Florida State, W vs. Missouri, W vs. Ball State, W vs. #12 Texas, W at Kansas, L vs. Texas Tech, W at #9 Kansas State
9. Clemson, 8-1 (11): W vs. Troy, W vs. Wofford, W vs. #1 Auburn, W vs. #14 Florida State, W at #9 Virginia Tech, W vs. Boston College, W at Maryland, W vs. North Carolina, L at Georgia Tech
10. Nebraska, 7-1 (9): W vs. Chattanooga, W vs. Fresno State, W vs. Washington, W at Wyoming, L at #5 Wisconsin, W vs. Ohio State, W at Minnesota, W vs. #10 Michigan State
11. South Carolina, 7-1 (10): W vs. East Carolina, W at Georgia, W vs. Navy, W vs. Vanderbilt, L vs. #14 Auburn, W vs. Kentucky, W at Mississippi State, W at Tennessee
12. Houston, 8-0 (14): W vs. UCLA, W at North Texas, W at LA Tech, W vs. Georgia State, W at UTEP, W vs. East Carolina, W vs. Marshall, W vs. Rice
13. Michigan State, 6-2 (15): W vs. Youngstown State, W vs. Florida Atlantic, L at Notre Dame, W at Central Michigan, W at Ohio State, W vs. #11 Michigan, W vs. #4 Wisconsin, L at #13 Nebraska
14. Virginia Tech, 8-1 (12): W vs. App. State, W at East Carolina, W vs. Arkansas State, W at Marshall, L vs. #11 Clemson, W vs. Miami (FL), W at Wake Forest, W vs. Boston College, W at Duke
15. Michigan, 6-1 (13): W vs. Western Michigan, W vs. Notre Dame, W vs. Eastern Michigan, W vs. San Diego State, W vs. Minnesota, W at Northwestern, L at #24 Michigan State, W vs. Purdue
16. Kansas State, 7-1 (17): W vs. Eastern Kentucky, W vs. Kent State, W at Miami (Fl), W vs. #12 Baylor, W vs. Missouri, W at Texas Tech, W at Kansas, L vs. #11 Oklahoma
17. Georgia, 6-2 (18): L vs. #9 Boise State, L vs. #22 South Carolina, W vs. Coastal Carolina, W at Ole Miss, W vs. Mississippi State, W at Tennessee, W at Vanderbilt, W vs. Florida
18. Arizona State, 6-2 (20): W vs. UC Davis, W vs. #17 Missouri, L at Illinois, W at #25 Southern California, W vs. Oregon State, W at Utah, L at #10 Oregon, W vs. Colorado
19. Southern California, 6-2 (21): W vs. Minnesota, W vs. Utah, W vs. Syracuse, L at Arizona State, W at Arizona, W at Cal, W at Notre Dame, L at Stanford
20. Wisconsin, 6-2 (19): W vs. UNLV, W vs. Oregon State, W at Northern Illinois, W vs. South Dakota, W vs. #10 Nebraska, W vs. Indiana, L at #16 Michigan State, L at Ohio State
21. Georgia Tech, 7-2 (22): W vs. Western Carolina, W at MTSU, W vs. Kansas, W vs. North Carolina, W at North Carolina State, W vs. Maryland, L at Virginia, L at Miami (FL), W vs. #4 Clemson
22. Auburn, 6-3 (25): W vs. Utah State, W vs. #14 Mississippi State, L at Clemson, W vs. Florida Atlantic, W at #15 South Carolina, L at #11 Arkansas, W vs. Florida, L at #1 LSU, W vs. Ole Miss
23. Penn State, 8-1 (16): W at Indiana State, L vs. #8 Alabama, W at Temple, W vs. Eastern Michigan, W at Indiana, W vs. Iowa, W vs. Purdue, W at Northwestern, W vs. Illinois
24. Southern Miss, 7-1 (NR): W vs. Louisiana Tech, L at Marshall, W at SE Louisiana, W at Virginia, W vs. Rice, W at Navy, W vs. SMU, W at UTEP
25. Texas, 5-2, (NR): W vs. Rice, W vs. BYU, W at UCLA, W at Iowa State, L vs. #2 Oklahoma, L vs. #9 Oklahoma State, W vs. Kansas
Cincinnati is ranked #23 and West Virginia is ranked #24 in the AP, but neither one of them has beaten anyone, and they were both demolished by SEC teams.
SEC Power Rankings:
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. South Carolina
5. Georgia
6. Auburn
7. Florida
7. Mississippi State
7. Vanderbilt
10. Tennessee
11. Ole Miss
12. Kentucky
Expansion: I say forget Missouri. They can't make up their mind about whether or not they really want to be in the SEC, then revoke the offer. I understand the reasons why Mike Slive wants Mizzu, but they are not a cultural fit and they would rather go to the Big Ten. I think the best choice in this situation is Virginia Tech. They make perfect sense to me. An SEC-like school, which ventures the SEC into a new state. No, they don't have two major markets like Missouri, but who cares. The problem is, I don't know if they could be taken away from the ACC. But if they could, I think that is the best choice to make since Florida and South Carolina are against adding Florida State and Clemson.
JB
Monday, October 31, 2011
Halloween
I don't get into Halloween. I think it is pretty silly for a grown man or woman to dress up or decorate their house. I don't mean carving a pumpkin with your kid or trick or treating. But putting spider webs all over your yard and dressing up to pass out candy?
If you're going to a costume party...ok. But aren't you a little old for a costume party past college? Maybe it's just me, I haven't wanted to dress up for Halloween since I was a kid. Even in high school, I wouldn't even think about what to wear as a costume to school until the night before...and I would just give up and wear a flannel shirt to say I was a lumberjack. But really I wore flannel a lot anyway.
The dumbest thing to do is dress as a witch, or some other morbid thing. I don't know what the exact origins of Halloween are, but it's pretty synonymous with death, black magic, etc. Call me a square, but I'm not going to let my kids dress like the devil, or a witch or the grim reaper. I'm not into making Halloween an excuse to get weird.
JB
If you're going to a costume party...ok. But aren't you a little old for a costume party past college? Maybe it's just me, I haven't wanted to dress up for Halloween since I was a kid. Even in high school, I wouldn't even think about what to wear as a costume to school until the night before...and I would just give up and wear a flannel shirt to say I was a lumberjack. But really I wore flannel a lot anyway.
The dumbest thing to do is dress as a witch, or some other morbid thing. I don't know what the exact origins of Halloween are, but it's pretty synonymous with death, black magic, etc. Call me a square, but I'm not going to let my kids dress like the devil, or a witch or the grim reaper. I'm not into making Halloween an excuse to get weird.
JB
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