Trash Talk – Post Throwdown Action
Okay, we shot our wad a little early this week with the special Thursday Throw Down. But man, what a game. J – E – T – S Jets, Jets, Jets! Okay, enough of that; the Pats will be back, and the Jets have to deal with masaccio’s Titans next week, so it is a temporary euphoria. Let’s get down to bizness; down the rabbit hole we go!
NCAA: randiego swears the Texas Tech Red Raiders are da bomb. But not this week, they have a bye and won’t face battle until November 22 when they travel to Norman to beat meet Freep’s Boomer Sooners. That leaves the big game of the day as the Ole Ball Coach and his South Carolina Gamecocks invading the Gators down in the Swamp.
Florida already has wrapped up the SEC East, but needs a win to keep its BCS title hopes alive. It will be the second trip back to Florida Field for South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, the former Gator coach and Heisman Trophy winner who guided the Gators to their first football national title in 1996. The Gamecocks head to Gainesville with a lot of confidence after winning six of their last seven. Both teams are ranked for the first time since Spurrier took over in Columbia. It’s a classic matchup of the SEC’s top defense (South Carolina) against the SEC’s highest-scoring offense (Florida). Florida has averaged 46.5 points per game during its current five-game winning streak. Quarterback Tim Tebow has been running the ball better of late since suffering a hyper-extended knee against Arkansas. Tebow has rushed for five touchdowns in his last two games. Wide receiver Percy Harvin is third in Southeastern Conference in touchdowns with 12 (five rushing, seven receiving). The Gamecocks lead the SEC in total defense (256.5 yards per game) and rank third in points allowed (15.6 per game). LB Eric Norwood is coming off a three-sack performance, and South Carolina picked off a season-high three passes a week ago. Tebow exploded on South Carolina last season. The defense needs to find a better way to corral him or South Carolina will suffer a similar result.
Other games of note include: Oklahoma State at Colorado; Ralphie and the Buffs are tough at Folsom Field, but they don’t have enough for OSU this time. Boston College at Bobby Bowden just got a lot harder for FSU since they just suspended their entire receiving corps. Southern Cal is going to piss on the Stanford Tree; Harbaugh used up his magic last year, not gonna happen again this year. Keep your eye on Boise State and Utah too; they are both still undefeated; should still be so after this weekend, they are each clearly better than their respective foes, but their games are always a lot of fun.
NFL: There are maybe more glossy games, but I think the most interesting may be a good old fashioned Black and Blue Division matchup of Da Bears at Le Cheeseheads. Just doesn’t seem right to be talking about this game in the middle of November, in Green Bay, and not have Brett Favre in the mix. But Brett’s a Jet now, so it’s Aaron Rodgers against a gimpy Kyle Orton. Better than Rex Grossman though. Da Bears are 5-4 and the Pack are 4-5; if the Bears win, they have the upper hand and the momentum for the division and the Pack is slack. But if the Cheesers put on a good show and nail down a solid win, all bets are off and the division is up for grabs with the Vikes in the mix too. Pack sack Da Bears.
The next curious game is teh Bolts at the Stillers. San Diego is an enigma; no clue what their bag is. The Stillers looked for the first six or seven weeks like one of the three or four best teams in the league; then injuries set in and they went a little wobbly. I guess there is a chance that the Chargers pop out of their doldrums and crank out a win; but I’ll leave my chips with Big Ben, wounded wing and all.
Titans go big game hunting for Jaguars in Jacksonville. Normally I would pick the Jags for the upset because they always give the Titans fits. But I am tired of predicting the Oilers, er Titans, to lose every week and having masaccio chime in with the latest win total. Titans win this one. Also, the ‘Boys go after Skins in DC. The return of Romo. If he leaves Jessica back at Southfork, his return will be enough juice to gin the ‘Boys up for a much needed win. Also Ray Lewis and the Ravens visit the Gents. I think Ray Ray is going to go wild and it will be a lot closer than most think; not enough though, and there will be enough Good Eli to pull out a close win.
Well, that’s the roundup for this weekend. Hoop it up, and trash the joint; and, find somebody to love, will ya?
Jets/Pats definitely the new Yanks/Sox. The largest of all the Wholefoods in my piece of the BlueState was empty on Thursday night. Empty of staff too.
Cashier who has been there for years attributed it to game.
Never, heresy, life begins on opening day (135 days and counting)
at the produce stand
a kid with a baseball
places catch with the awning,
or for Bmaz
law office picnic
the ump consults
his blackberry
From Baseball Haiku
Interrogatory?
“The question to ask, Ryan sayeth, “Is how was Dustin Keller left completely, totally, and utterly alone on third and 15 from the Jets’ 15 when a stop would have put the Patriots in a great position to win the game?
Sour grapes, but why does a fucking coin flip determine the game?
Change is required, no?
Boston College will lose by 55 points. I hate, loathe and despise
the Golden Eaglets…
Especially since Brett ALWAYS goes to his Tight End in such situations. Was there no film from any of his games with Bubba Franks?
And Mark Chmura too until the hot tub incident
The key to beating the Ol’ Ball Coach is Scoring First. For whatever reason, that instantly puts him in ’catch-up’ mode, and he becomes turnover-prone, which then tends to give Wings to the Visor.
Unflappable Gators 49 Chickendicks 3
I don’t think the Gators will have much trouble with South Carolina this afternoon. They are really playing well and shouldn’t have to rely on something like this to win this time, like they did two years ago. Here’s the story of that block. It turns out Charlie Strong wanted to pull Moss and put in Harvey for the play, but Moss argued to stay in and promised to block the kick.
radiofreewill: I agree somewhat in that I never felt Spurrier was all that good at in-game tactics if his original gameplan is shown to have some flaws. Bowden beat his butt many times by making much better adjustments at halftime. Meyer, on the other hand, just seems to get the very best out of his players by sheer force of will. He also puts every one of them in the position where they can best help the team. I don’t know if the score will be that lopsided, but it very well could be.
My Jayhawks are probably going to be embarrassed again today by Texas.
Thanks for the songs, bmaz. Is it just me, or was Grace missing a few words in that performance of “White Rabbit”?
30% chance of snow on the Tundra tomorrow–we’re finally getting into football weather.
I’m gonna vote for Ray Lewis in an upset. Mostly because that’s what I do–root against the Manning boys (though, as I’ve long said, I’ll be happy to start rooting for good Eli as soon as Coughlin hands the team over to Spagnuolo).
Snow forecast on the mountain tonight, too. We’ll see if the connection holds up.
…..Francisco Franco is still dead…. and Michigan is still not bowl eligible……
Crikey Marcy, even the people from the University of Buffalo, who’s greatest bowl game was the one they didn’t go to, are ripping hard on the Wolverweenies. Ouch.
Thats not true. I’m still wondering what exactly I’m going to do on New Years day.
Of course Michigan does have some payback coming to them.
From the New York Times October 27, 1901
Yes, it is so hard to watch the Big-whatever (10, 11, how many teams without offenses they got anyway?) fall on such hard times. I am, of course equally troubled by the struggles of Notre Dame.
And, just to be completely fair, y’all have noticed how little i have mentioned the Sun Devils this year haven’t you?? That is because they suck too. Bleeccch!
good thing the usc game is at stanford. we have fire #3 going, this one in corona. air quality is getting ugly, and they’re warning of rolling blackouts due to power transformers getting burnt up in the sylmar fire.
ah, l.a. in november.
make that #4. new one in Yorba Linda.
Of course, LA is experiencing the downside of living here… more than 600 homes burned is the current total.
The High Pressure creating the Santa Ana is perched over Idaho, so it’s the LA Basin and coastal mountains north of there that are getting the brunt of it. When the Highs move east and south over 4-corners area is when the SD region gets it bad.
i have to give credit to our celebrity police chief bill bratton for one thing: he took the media to task for the tone of its reporting on the loss of 500 homes at Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar. we use the phrase “trailer park” so lazily sometimes to confer a status of ‘less than’. bratton made clear these 500 families’ pain & loss was as real and devastating as any other’s.
almost makes up for the amount of time he spends jet-setting around the globe…
That has always been the curious Bill Bratton; but his good seems to usually far outweigh the shaky. We have the diametric opposite here, with a publicity hound, Joe Arpaio, whose bad is infinitely ahead of the microscopic amount of good he does. and, yeah, have you seen some “mobile homes” lately? Some of them are actually spectacular.
It seems Emptywheel is mighty quiet about Big Blue’s impending demise in the Big House…! The Wildcats prevail…
Go ‘Cats!
Uh Oh. Michael Wilbon will be insufferable for a week. Where is Miss Ann Arbor anyway?? Solace is spelled Beamish methinks.
It gets worse for EW.
Over at FDL, Howie’s chatting with Mary Jo Kilroy (a big OSU fan) on his Blue America thread.
Oh my.
Okay, I’m back after a morning trip for some waves and ceviche in Mexico.
Did I mention it’s 92 in SD today? Man, I love living here.
evidently the vaunted #1 defense in the SEC is employing a rope-a-dope strategy for the first half.
Wow, what a great bunch of games this week!
First we have the Bolts and Stillers – low 30’s and a chance of snow at game time ~ Football weather!
If we follow Charger Rules, we know they don’t travel to the East well. However, the game is at 1pm PST, so I’m predicting the gametime won’t be a factor this week. Another Charger Rule is that they play down (or up) to opponents – they play well in games they aren’t expected to. In this game the Stillers are favored by 5. I’m not predicting a win, but it will be a close game. Take the points.
Sorry Massacio, but I think THIS will be the week for the Titans to lose vs Jax. A division game on the road against a resilient team.
Denver goes into Atlanta where Michael The Burner Turner will turn their D into swiss cheese.
I like Green Bay against the Bears. Another division winner at home.
Another interesting game will be Arizona’s 6-3 Cards in Seattle, a very tough place to play. A division game on the road – we’ll see if the Cardinals with resurrected Kurt ‘Praise Jesus’ Warner are for real.
In another division game (anyone see a trend?) we have Dallas + Tony Romo vs. The Skins in DC. Go Skins!!
That’s it for me…
Ahem…
What happened to Turner’s afterburners? Btw, the Stillers over Da Bolts certainly improves my Broncs’ standings…!
Special teams are killing me. I’d be three for three (SC v Cal; 49ers v Cards; Pats v Jets) since last week if not for special teams touchdowns. 49ers played over their heads and got a KO return for a touchdown. I was all set to pick the Jets (who also had a KO return TD) over the Pats until I googled the weather and it said rain and 49, which made me think too much. And I totally screwed up and violated one of the NFL’s Commandments
Didn’t have time yesterday or this morning to say take the Horns to cover over Kansas but …
And I have no crystal ball and I’m not a psychic and without being able to predict special teams TD’s. Here goes
Miss. State v Tide
Line is -21 or -22 Tide
The line looks a little scary but Tide Rolls and covers
—–
Cal v Oregon State
Lat I saw the line was -3 OSU
This is the chess game of the week. This is the game other coaches will watch. Tedford and Riley are two of the best at game planning against their opponents weaknesses. This’ll come down to talent, which slightly favors the Beavers.
OSU covers
—-
Stanford v USC
USC is -24
This is another scary line. The Trojans have far superior talent and need to avenge last year, but this is the game of the year for the poor little rich boys in the South Bay.
Just a guess (not psychic), Trojans will win (probably 3 TDs) but the Cardinal keeps it within the spread (barely). Take Stanford and the points
—-
Oakland Raiders v Miami Dolphins
Dolphins are -10
This one’s a joke. Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano v ??? and ancient Al Davis. If the Pats have the best coaching staff in the NFL, the Dolphins are tied for # 2 with the Giants and Titans. Chad Pennington might not have the arm but he’s football smart. The Raidahs always lead the league with stupid penalties and Bill Calahan called the Raiders the dumbest team in football … nuff said.
Plus it’s on the East Coast
Dolphins cover by double digits
Worst loss of Spurrier’s career. Total domination by the Gators; over 500 yards total offense against the number 3 defense in the country. Now I have to root for Alabama and the Gators not letting down as they look ahead to the SEC Championship game.
stanford holding its own. 17-17 at the half.
Whoa. Troy State is killing LSU.
USC 24-17 over the Tree. What is the deal with the Tree anyway???
Alabama is not exactly destroying Miss State either.
“el palo alto” is not just a tree, it is THE tree. the stanford version prancing around the endzone is not to scale.
and come on, what kind of mascot do you expect for a team re-named after a freakin’ color.
After watching them with Plunkett’s big head stuffed in the helmet as the Stanford Indians, the Cardinal and the Tree have just never set right somehow….
Hot Wings! Peanuts! Popcorn!…Get your Hot Wings!
”Dad, could you book me a flight to Seattle tomorrow? I want to get in early and do some jersey shopping. Tony says we’re playing Washington.”
Hey! where did everyone go? Cheesers treat Da Bears like French Brie. Chewed up and spit out. Enough of the Good Eli to quoth the Ravens. Donks kick Dirty Birds.
I’m here but who do I root for?
Root for a scintillating 11-10 win by the Stillers.
Oh Randiego…….
man, what an ugly game. That’s pretty much the nail in the coffin for Los Cargadores.
On a positive note, the refs pulled that late TD off the board and the Chargers covered! Bookies rejoice!
bmaz, this wasn’t the week for Titan opponents. I’m home after traveling to find that the Nashvilles are now Ten and Zero. Apparently Collins can throw the long ball, who knew? It would be nice to get Chris Johnson some more yards, though. He and Lendale White have been pretty much penned up the last couple of games.
Yeah, well that is why I picked the Titans this week. Next week though, it is war. Because I have to take the Bretts.
Woof – I just read that Oklahoma is 59-2 at home under Stoops!
Can Tech do it?