Monday, December 31, 2007

High notes

NEW ORLEANS — Managed to cross a couple items off my New Orleans To Do List last night.
While the Lower Ninth Ward and Gentilly sections of New Orleans are still trying to rebuild from the post-Katrina devastation, the pulse of the city remains strong thanks to the bustling Bacchanalian heedlessness of the French Quarter, the quiet beauty of the Garden District, the spice of the city’s cuisine and the dulcet tones of its musicians.
You can't walk 10 steps without hearing jazz music in this town, although there's some variance in the quality. Thankfully, I managed to walk into the right establishment Sunday night.
The Blue Nile, a great club frequented mostly by locals, featured local jazz trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and his wonderfully-named band, the Barbecue Swingers.
They produced a sweaty, rollicking show packed with impressive solos and Creole flavor. Didn't know much about Mr. Ruffins before last night, but I'm now a fan.
A 2001 New York Times article described him as ''an unabashed entertainer who plays trumpet with a bright, silvery tone, sings with off-the-cuff charm and never gets too astruse in his material.''
Don't know what ''astruse'' means, but I'm in agreement with the rest of it.
The real question now is how to spend the night before the Sugar Bowl.
It'll either mean watching the Chik-fil-A Bowl on TV somewhere packed with drunken New Year's Eve revelers or heading to the House of Blues to hear five-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy.
The HOB is asking $88 a ticket for Guy, which might work out to a dollar for every year he's been alive.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

The Big Greasy

NEW ORLEANS — The best part about Georgia and Hawaii conducting closed practices today is that it essentially leaves a sportswriter with a getaway day.
As in: Get away from the computer and the media hotel and go see the city.
Having been to New Orleans a number of times in the past for business (previous Sugar Bowls) and for non-business (getting plastered at Mardi Gras), I have formulated a New Orleans To Do list to be completed between now and the time I leave Wednesday morning.
1. Read the paper over coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde.
2. Drive the entire length of St. Charles and stare in wide-eyed wonder at all the mansions I will never be able to afford. Award myself bonus points for identifying the home of author Anne Rice.
3. End the St. Charles tour with a bowl of gumbo and a cold Abita at Cooter Brown's.
4. Walk. A lot. Preferably around the French Quarter.
5. Consume a Moonsoon at the Port O’ Call. Let the tourists from places like Omaha and Dubuque have their hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s.
6. Lunch at Praline Connection, a creole comfort food haven in the Fauburg Marigny district. Remember to pick up a take home box of their delectable pralines so my wife will forgive me for not having taken her to New Orleans.
7. Listen to jazz at Snug Harbor.
8. Use the hotel gym to work off the beignets, pralines and meals like the one I ate upon arriving in town Saturday. Went to Parasol's in the Garden District and treated myself to a roast beef po boy (with gravy) and an order of their gravy cheese fries.
9. Pray that my arteries haven't constricted since that lunch.
10. Learn the haka, the Polynesian-inspired war chant and dance the Hawaii football team does before its games.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Forecasting the bowls

Remember when bowl games were viewed as a reward for good college football teams?
These days, you get in simply for passing the breathe on a mirror test. That’s where are now with 32 bowl games cluttering the postseason landscape. This year, seven teams with 6-6 records will play in bowl games. Another three will play despite performances that resulted in their head coaches either being fired or forced to resign. You also have to take into consideration the fact that several of those bowl-eligile 6-6 and 7-5 records were achieved at the expense of Division I-AA cupcakes.
So, in essence, we can have more than half the teams in Division I-A playing in mostly meaningless bowl games but we can’t have an eight-team playoff.
That’s college football, but we still love it anyway. That’s why we’ve taken the trouble of projecting how all 32 bowl games will turn out.

Thursday

Poinsetta Bowl
NAVY (8-4) vs. UTAH (8-4)
Former Navy head coach Paul Johnson recently set up shop at Georgia Tech, but the Midshipmen will remain consistent in their approach. The Midshipmen led all Division I schools in rushing yardage (4,218) and touchdowns (51) this season. Utah, a winner of its last six bowl games, will have a hard time stopping the triple option.
Prediction: Navy 41, Utah 35

Friday

New Orleans bowl
FLORIDA ATLANTIC (7-5) vs. MEMPHIS (7-5)
Central Florida and South Florida rose from the mid-major ranks to become football programs of consequence. It looks as if Florida Atlantic isn’t too far away from doing the same.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 24, Memphis 20

Saturday

Papajohns.com Bowl
CINCINATI (9-3) vs. SOUTHERN MISS (7-5)
Southern Miss could rally around outgoing head coach Jeff Bower, who issued what amounted to a forced resignation in November after 29 years at the school. Still, Cincinnati possesses a hard-nosed defense and the Big East’s most efficient passer in Ben Mauk (2,787 yards, 27 TDs, 6 INTs).
Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Southern Miss 21

New Mexico Bowl
NEW MEXICO (8-4) vs. NEVADA (6-6)
It must be nice for New Mexico to know that it has its own bowl game to play in if a better offer doesn't come along. The Lobos went 5-1 in Albuquerque this year.
Prediction: New Mexico 31, Nevada 28

Las Vegas Bowl
BYU (10-2) vs. UCLA (6-6)
These teams played each other earlier in the season and it wasn't particularly interesting. Why should we think it will be any different this time?
Prediction: BYU 38, UCLA 23

Sunday

Hawaii Bowl
BOISE STATE (10-3) vs. EAST CAROLINA (7-5)
A 39-27 loss at Hawaii in late-November ended Boise State’s hopes of earning a BCS bowl bid for the second straight year. Quarterback Taylor Tharp and tailback Ian Johnson should ensure a much happier outcome on this return trip.
Prediction: Boise State 34, East Carolina 21

Dec. 26

Motor City Bowl
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8-5) vs. PURDUE (7-5)
Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour might be one of the best players you’ve never heard of. Purdue will certainly get to know LeFevour, who passes for 3,360 yards and rushed for another 1,008 this season.
Prediction: Central Michigan 28, Purdue 23

Dec. 27

Holiday Bowl
ARIZONA STATE (10-2) vs. TEXAS (9-3)
Defense probably won't be a very high priority for either team. Texas allowed 275.5 passing yards per game this season, which bodes well for Arizona State QB Rudy Carpenter (3,015 pass yards, 23 TDs).
Prediction: Arizona State 36, Texas 31

Dec. 28

Champs Sports Bowl
BOSTON COLLEGE (10-3) vs. MICHIGAN STATE (7-5)
Boston College might have difficulty summoning much motivation since it once thought it was on its way to the Orange Bowl. Even so, the Eagles still have super-productive quarterback Matt Ryan.
Prediction: Boston College 21, Michigan State 13

Texas Bowl
HOUSTON (8-4) vs. TEXAS CHRISTIAN (7-5)
Houston coach Art Briles exited to do the college football equivalent of repeatedly pounding your forehead against a cement wall (ie. coach at Baylor). Texas Christian won its last two games to get bowl-eligible.
Prediction: Houston 24, TCU 19

Emerald Bowl
OREGON STATE (8-4) vs. MARYLAND (6-6)
Maryland beat a pair of top-10 teams this season, but struggled down the stretch.
Prediction: Oregon State 28, Maryland 14

Dec. 29

Meineke Car Care Bowl
CONNECTICUT (9-3) vs. WAKE FOREST (8-4)
Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe has seemingly been mentioned for every available job vacancy this offseason, and with good reason -- he’s winning at Wake freaking Forest.
Wake Forest was smart to lock him into a 10-year contract extension.
Prediction: Wake Forest 17, UConn 13

Liberty Bowl
MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-5) vs. UCF (10-3)
Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom was an easy choice for SEC Coach of the Year honors given the turnaround he’s engineered. This could be a surprisingly good bowl matchup with Croom’s physical defense facing UCF tailback Kevin Smith (2,448 yards, 29 touchdowns).
Prediction: UCF 20, Mississippi State 16

Alamo Bowl
TEXAS A&M (7-5) vs. PENN STATE (8-4)
Joe Paterno will coach in his 500th game as the Nittany Lions’ head coach. Gary Darnell will be working his first and only game as Texas A&M’s head coach following Dennis Franchione’s resignation. Advantage JoePa.
Prediction: Penn State 16, Texas A&M 10

Dec. 30

Independence Bowl
ALABAMA (6-6) vs. COLORADO (6-6)
Alabama’s last victory came on Oct. 20 against Tennessee. Since then, the Crimson Tide has been reeling from the suspension of players for improper receipt of textbooks, head coach Nick Saban’s 9-11/Pearl Harbor comments and a sixth straight loss to Auburn. While a strong incoming recruiting class will help down the line, the Tide needs to avoid a losing season to improve perception now.
Prediction: Alabama 17, Colorado 14

Dec. 31

Armed Forces Bowl
AIR FORCE (9-3) vs. CAL (6-6)
Cal appeared to be on course for a major bowl after early victories over Tennessee and Oregon, but lost its way in losing six of its last seven games.
Prediction: Air Force 28, Cal 27

Humanitarian Bowl
FRESNO STATE (8-4) vs. GEORGIA TECH (7-5)
It’s unclear if Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta, the interim coach for the Yellow Jackets in this game, will be asked to remain on incoming coach Paul Johnson’s staff. A shut-down effort by his defense in this game couldn’t hurt his cause.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 19, Fresno State 13

Sun Bowl
SOUTH FLORIDA (9-3) vs. OREGON (8-4)
Both teams were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country before falling back in the pack. Had Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon not torn knee ligaments late in the season, the Ducks might have been playing for the national title.
Prediction: South Florida 23, Oregon 21

Music City Bowl
FLORIDA STATE (7-5) vs. KENTUCKY (7-5)
Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has been named the successor-in-waiting for head coach Bobby Bowden should he ever decide to retire. That may or may not be a good thing seeing as how the Seminoles ranked 86th nationally in total offense. The ’Noles may lack more punch than usual since an academic cheating scandal will force some key players to miss this game.
Prediction: Kentucky 21, FSU 17

Insight Bowl
OKLAHOMA STATE (6-6) vs. INDIANA (7-5)
Mike Gundy’s ‘‘I’m a man! I’m 40!’’ rant had such a galvanzing effect on Oklahoma State that the Cowboys actually played their way into bowl eligibility. Consider that one giant step for Mankind.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 27, Indiana 20

Chick-fil-A Bowl
AUBURN (8-4) vs. CLEMSON (9-3)
Auburn owns one of the nation’s best defenses, allowing 298.3 yards and 16.7 points per game. The Tigers will have to be particularly stingy against a Clemson team that features a productive tailback tandem in James Davis and C.J. Spiller.
Prediction: Clemson 20, Auburn 14

Jan. 1

Cotton Bowl
MISSOURI (11-2) vs. ARKANSAS (8-4)
Missouri should be primed to prove a point after being shut out of a BCS bid, but the Tigers will still have a tough time slowing down Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden.
Prediction: Arkansas 28, Missouri 24

Outback Bowl
TENNESSEE (9-4) vs. WISCONSIN (9-3)
Wisconsin tailback P.J. Hill may not play, which would certainly make Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer happy.
Prediction: Tennessee 24, Wisconsin 16

Capital One Bowl
No. 12 FLORIDA (9-3) vs. MICHIGAN (8-4)
Incoming Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez wouldn't mind having a QB like Heisman winner Tim Tebow to run his version of the spread. The Wolverines, who closed the season with consecutive losses, will have trouble dealing with Florida’s team speed.
Prediction: Florida 42, Michigan 20

Gator Bowl
VIRGINIA (9-3) vs. TEXAS TECH (8-4)
Virginia features one of the best defensive linemen in the nation in Chris Long, but Texas Tech’s quick-fire spread offense should neutralize him.
Prediction: Texas Tech 31, Virginia 21

Rose Bowl
USC (10-2) vs. ILLINOIS (9-3)
Fleet-footed Illinois quarterback Juice Williams will have difficulty getting loose against Southern Cal’s fast defense.
Prediction: USC 27, Illinois 17

Sugar Bowl
GEORGIA (10-2) vs. HAWAII (12-0)
Georgia might well be the hottest team in the country, while Hawaii should be steamed that it took it so long to get noticed. Those factors guarantee an entertaining game and a contrast in style. Look for Georgia’s tailback tandem of Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown to give the Bulldogs the advantage.
Prediction: Georgia 37, Hawaii 28

Jan. 2

Fiesta Bowl
OKLAHOMA (11-2) vs. WEST VIRGINIA (10-2)
West Virginia might still be reeling from the loss of head coach Rich Rodriguez and its stunning loss to unranked Pittsburgh. In contrast, Oklahoma proved it’s as good as anyone else in the country with a 38-17 thumping of Missouri in the Big 12 title game.
Prediction: Oklahoma 31, West Virgina 24

Jan. 3

Orange Bowl
VIRGINIA TECH (11-2) vs. KANSAS (11-1)
Kansas led the Big 12 in scoring with an average of 44.3 points per game, but the Jayhawks undoubtedly benefited from a soft schedule.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Kansas 24

Jan. 5

International Bowl
RUTGERS vs. BALL STATE
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano briefly flirted with Michigan, but he’s got a good thing going in Jersey. Tailback Ray Rice should run wild against Ball State.
Prediction: Rutgers 34, Ball State 26

Jan. 6

GMAC Bowl
TULSA (9-4) vs. BOWLING GREEN (8-4)
OK, how did this game wind up as the final appetizer before the BCS national championship?
Prediction: Tulsa 41, Bowling Green 34

Jan. 7

BCS National Championship Game
OHIO STATE (11-1) vs. LSU (11-2)
Ohio State has allowed just two rushing touchdowns all season, but a 28-21 home loss to Illinois showed the Buckeyes remain vulnerable to versatile offenses with speedy skill players. Ohio State was exposed as a fraud by Florida in last season’s BCS title game. While the Buckeyes appear more deserving of a title shot this season, they’ll still find themselves at a deficit in the category of team speed.
LSU’s defensive front will be tough too to block while receivers Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd will prove difficult to cover.
Prediction: LSU 31, Ohio State 24

Saturday, December 08, 2007

What’s next for Vick, Falcons?

Anybody out there interested in owning the former home of Bad Newz Kennels?
The 15-acre estate and 4,600-square foot home owned by Michael Vick will be auctioned off next Saturday in Surry, Va., according to the Newport News Daily Press. Just show up at 1915 Moonlight Road at Noon, but don’t forget the $10,000 deposit required of all potential buyers or a letter of credit from a reputable bank.
The home, appraised at $750,000, features a media room, wet bar, large bedrooms and a backyard full of doghouses and kennels. Rape stands and pry bars are sold separately.
The status of the property that housed a dogfighting operation for nearly six years won’t be the only issue settled soon. Come Monday, Vick will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson for his role in the illegal enterprise.
Hudson’s decision will determine far more than Vick’s immediate future.
It will also force the Atlanta Falcons to make a decision about their own.
Vick is under indefinite suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, which has prevented the Falcons from cutting ties to their embattled quarterback. Federal prosecutors recommended a sentence for 12 to 18 months for Vick, who entered a guilty plea in August, but Hudson is not required to adhere to their suggestions. He could impose a sentence of up to five years if he sees fit.
Hudson’s treatment of the co-defendants in the case, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, may indicate that he’s leaning toward something a little stiffer than the federal sentencing proposal. Peace received an 18-month sentence, while Phillips will serve 21 months. Hudson, a dog owner, called their actions ‘‘very callous and cruel.’’
While Vick lacks a previous criminal record, he owned the property and provided the bankroll for the activities that took place there.
When Vick entered his guilty plea in August, Hudson informed him that he couldn't count on leniency.
‘‘You're taking your chances here,’’ Hudson told him.
If Vick serves a sentence on the low end of the federal guideline, there remains a possibility that he could eventually resume an NFL career. That’s assuming Goodell lifts his suspension down the line and that an NFL team would be willing to take a chance on him.
It’s doubtful the Falcons will gamble on a Vick resurrection even though a significant number of their season ticketholders would likely welcome him back. They are a franchise in disarray at the moment, saddled with a 3-9 record heading into Monday night’s home game against New Orleans. When they take the field in the Georgia Dome on Monday, they will do so with their third different starting quarterback this season in former third-stringer Chris Redman.
Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich have flopped, although the team’s troubles transcend one position.
There are problems on the offensive and defensive fronts and there’s an overall lack of quality depth.
The one bright spot for the Falcons is the possibility of prime draft position if the misery continues. While winless Miami will almost certainly have the No. 1 pick locked up, the Falcons could land the second or third overall pick.
Reckon they’ll take a quarterback?

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Coach Watch 2007

After a week of silence fueled speculation that he might be testing the job market, Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville finally made an emphatic statement about his intentions Tuesday night.
In agreeing to a two-year contract extension, a $200,000-per-year pay raise and a buyout of $4 million for the final four years of the contract, Tuberville finally acted like a man who intends to stay put.
Tuberville said he neither received contact nor expressed interest in openings at Arkansas and Texas A&M, although some overzealous media reports had him accepting the Razorbacks’ head coaching job last week. His uncharacteristic silence even motivated a handful of reporters to stake out the Opelika-Auburn airport in an attempt to catch him on his return from a hunting trip to Arkansas, but Tuberville dodged the welcoming party.
Tuberville could easily have put an end to an unnecessarily volatile situation by making one statement: I'm not interested in any other jobs and plan to remain at Auburn.
Instead, he maintained silence until after LSU coach Les Miles announced he wouldn‘t be interviewing for the Michigan job. It’s worth wondering if that, rather than undying love for Auburn, prompted Tuberville to turn his attention to the contract Auburn put on the table.
His coy behavior cloak gave rivals ample material to use on the recruiting trail. Ultimately, it may have also eroded some of his support base at Auburn.
Fans and boosters don‘t like to be jerked around.
* Tuberville wasn’t the only coach who may have used Arkansas’ job opening as negotiating leverage. Clemson’s Tommy Bowden accepted a raise and contract extension from his school after the Razorbacks came calling.
Bowden’s bow-out leaves Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English and Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as the most prominent candidates.
Yes, that’s the same Gus Malzahn who clashed with former head coach Houston Nutt while working as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator for one season.
* Georgia Tech still doesn’t have a head coach in place, but that could change soon.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Navy head coach Paul Johnson was in town to interview for the opening on Wednesday.
Tech officials would be wise to make an offer.
Johnson, who owns a 107-39 record in 11 years as a head coach, specializes in turnarounds. He inherited a 1-10 Navy program in 2001 and built a 10-2 team from such rubble in 2004.
Georgia Tech would offer far better raw material with which to work.
As for concerns about Johnson’s preferences for an option-based offense, look around college football.
Several prominent programs succeed with a spread-based version of the option.
They can’t all possibly be wrong.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Pigskin Picking

Given the holiday timing of this particular college football blog, I’m envisioning a football-themed Thanksgiving Day Turducken comprised of an Oregon Duck, a Stanford Cardinal, Boston College Eagle and Kansas Jayhawk.
I suppose that dish would be a Turduckinaleagawk.
Upon further review, I’ll stick with the turkey.
Your favorite football blogger went 13-5 last week, bringing the season total to 120-50.
If this week’s picks go awry, I’ll blame it on the flu virus that announced itself with an FM radio station of a temperature yesterday (100.6).
But I’m feeling confident about my predictions. This is my 100th blog post, after all, so I want it to be special.

NATIONAL GAMES OF NOTE

Today

No. 11 USC (8-2) at No. 7 Arizona State (9-1)
USC could find itself slumming in El Paso for the Sun Bowl if it loses to the Sun Devils. As for Arizona State, is it too early to start looking forward to next season’s game against Georgia? It could feature two national title contenders.
Prediction: Arizona State 34, USC 31

Friday

No. 13 Texas (9-2) at Texas A&M (6-5)
Texas hasn’t lost since Oct. 6, while Texas A&M hasn’t one since Oct. 20.
The Aggies have an excuse for their drought — four consecutive opponents ranked 13th or better in the top 25.
It has been widely speculated that Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione is done regardless of what happens in this game.
Prediction: Texas 34, Texas A&M 17

No. 17 Boise State (10-1) at No. 14 Hawaii (10-0)
Hawaii hasn’t faced particularly stiff competition this season, but the Warriors’ perfect record becomes more impressive when their frequent flyer miles are taken into account. Hawaii has covered more than 24,000 miles heading to and from the mainland this season. If the Warriors beat Boise State, they’ll have one more long trip ahead of them: New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
Prediction: Hawaii 42, Boise State 38

Saturday

No. 20 UConn (9-2) at No. 4 West Virginia (9-1)
West Virginia quarterback Pat White’s two fumbles allowed Cincinnati to hang around until late in the game last week. The Mountaineers are capable of putting away UConn early if they limit turnovers.
Prediction: West Virginia 31, UConn 20

No. 3 Missouri (10-1) at No. 2 Kansas (11-0)
Let’s see. Kansas hasn’t faced Oklahoma, Texas or Texas Tech this season. Gee, do you think that has been a factor at all in the Jayhawks’ 11-0 start.
Kansas has an excellent football team, but Missouri has more than enough offense to keep pace in an up-tempo game. The curse of the No. 2 ranking will continue.
Prediction: Missouri 45, Kansas 38

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

Friday

Ole Miss (3-8) at Mississippi State (6-5)
I caught a lot of flak from Ole Miss fans before the season when I placed Ed Orgeron 12th in my preseason ranking of SEC coaches. I haven’t heard much from them since the Rebels 0-7 league start.
Ole Miss’ struggling offense will find its problems compounded by a Mississippi State defense that features defensive end Titus Brown (8 sacks) and linebacker Jamar Chaney (73 tackles).
Prediction: Mississippi State 17, Ole Miss 13

Arkansas (7-4) at No. 1 LSU (10-1)
Which coach is more likely to be gone at the end of the season?
LSU coach Les Miles to Michigan or Arkansas coach Houston Nutt to the unemployment line?
It’s possible that Nutt should have gotten more out of an offense that features stud running back Darren McFadden (138.1 rushing yards per game), but yardage will be tough to come by against LSU.
Prediction: LSU 35, Arkansas 20

Saturday

Alabama (6-5) at No. 25 Auburn (7-4)
Thanks to Alabama head coach Nick Saban, we now know that a loss to Louisiana-Monroe ranks slightly behind Sept. 11 and Pearl Harbor in the pantheon of American catastrophe.
If, for some reason, the Crimson Tide was to lose a sixth straight game to Auburn, we can only hope he resists the urge to liken it to the Trail of Tears or Gettysburg.
The better team normally wins in this rivalry, although there may be marginal separation now that -- miracle of miracles -- a handful of Alabama players suspended for improper receipt of textbooks have been cleared to play.
Prediction: Auburn 20, Alabama 16

No. 6 Georgia (9-2) at Georgia Tech (7-4)
A win would likely confirm Georgia for a reservation in the Sugar Bowl.
On the flip side, this game would mark the last stop on the Chan Gailey Farewell Tour. Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich has declined to discuss the future of the Yellow Jackets’ head coach, but let’s just say it’s in doubt.
Georgia has won the last six games in the rivalry.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Georgia Tech 17

No. 19 Tennessee (8-3) at Kentucky (7-4)
A win sends Tennessee to the SEC championship game. The Vols’ charmed run toward Atlanta continued thanks to a missed field goal by Vanderbilt in the last minute of regulation last week.
Tennessee has won 22 straight in the series, the second-longest winning streak over a single opponent in Division I-A.
Prediction: Tennessee 23, Kentucky 21

Wake Forest (7-4) at Vanderbilt (5-6)
This game could easily be referred to as the Brain Bowl.
Vanderbilt, which is trying to make itself bowl-eligible and end a quarter-century-long postseason drought, has experienced more than a few narrow losses this season. Look for that pattern to continue.
Prediction: Wake Forest 24, Vanderbilt 20

Florida State (7-4) at No. 12 Florida (8-3)
Is there anything Florida quarterback Tim Tebow can’t do?
Last week, he became the first player in Division I-A history to run and pass for 20 or more touchdowns in the same season. The Heisman Trophy candidate's dual threat capability should allow the Gators to win four straight in the rivalry for the first time since 1983-86.
Prediction: Florida 38, Florida State 28

No. 21 Clemson (8-3) at South Carolina (6-5)
Clemson lost a heart-breaker to Boston College, but the Tigers are fortunate to face a South Carolina team that is tanking. The Gamecocks have lost four straight. South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell has completed 84-of-138 passes for 970 yards and four touchdowns in his last three games.
Prediction: Clemson 30, South Carolina 27

ACC

Maryland (5-6) at N.C. State (5-6)
Both teams have missed prime opportunities to make themselves bowl-eligible in the last few weeks.
Prediction: N.C. State 24, Maryland 17

No. 8 Virginia Tech (9-2) at No. 16 Virginia (9-2)
Virginia Tech has owned this series of late, but Virginia has been surprisingly good this season thanks to its outstanding defense, clutch special teams and habit of winning close games.
Virginia defensive lineman Chris Long might prove to be better than his father, Howie, a former Oakland Raiders star.
Virginia Tech freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s mobility will come into play.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 21, Virginia 17

Miami (5-6) at No. 15 Boston College (9-2)
Boston College QB Matt Ryan added to his list of Doug Flutie moments against Clemson last week. It’s doubtful he’ll need fourth quarter dramatics against one of the worst Miami teams in recent memory.
Prediction: Boston College 41, Miami 24

Duke (1-10) at North Carolina (3-8)
North Carolina coach Butch Davis could be a short-timer in Chapel Hill given Nebraska’s reported interest in him. If Davis bolts for Lincoln, they’ll always have the Duke game as a memory.
Prediction: UNC 27, Duke 13

Monday, November 19, 2007

Just another manic Monday

A lot has happened in the last few days, and not all of it was good.
Ole Miss put 20 of its football players on probation for stealing items from the team hotel on two occasions, the Atlanta Falcons are still dreadful, Barry Bonds finally got pinched by the feds and the Atlanta Braves turned to one of their aces from oh, about 15 years ago, to help them recapture their lost magic.
Let’s attack these topics in order:
* A little advice for the Ole Miss football team: Those robes that they put in the bathrooms? They’re supposed to stay behind when you go.
Ole Miss announced Sunday that it was putting 20 of its players on probation (the fact it was announced must mean it's not double-secret) for stealing items from the team hotel on two occasions.
School officials said the purloined items, including pillows and clock radios, ranged in price from $15 to $40. The university’s statement said the players have made restitution.
Here’s what’s more shocking: The players, who have yet to be identified, will apparently be allowed to participate in Friday’s game at Mississippi State.
So the message that head coach Ed Orgeron is sending is that crime may not pay, but crime it will still allow you to play.
Lovely.
The one positive is that Ole Miss will be traveling to Starkville. There aren't any decent hotels in Starkville. I know because, having traveled around the league all these years, I've found that the best lodging option in the quaint little hamlet has a Waffle House next door. Plus, if memory serves, the clock radio at the Days Inn was bolted to the end table.
* That bug on the windshield of the Tampa Bay Bucs would be the Atlanta Falcons.
Sifting through the rubble of the 31-7 corporal punishment the Falcons received, it's impossible to avoid comparing the statistics of quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and Joey Harrington.
Leftwich: 15-of-28, 106 yards, two interceptions, two fumbles (one lost) and a chorus of boos.
Harrington: 16-of-20, 139 yards, one touchdown in garbage time and something resembling appreciation when he entered the game.
While Harrington obviously has limitations when it comes to actually getting his team into the end zone, it was hard to believe that head coach Bobby Petrino thought an injury-plagued Leftwich would give his team a better chance to win.
Even more glaring was the fact that Harrington had to learn of his demotion to second team status from a reporter.
Petrino should have told him up front. Even high school coaches know that.
This team may have two quarterbacks who are in over their head, but it’s stuck with a coach who has apparently lost his.
* I’m not a fan of Barry Bonds. He’s arrogant and surly. If he lied to a grand jury, then he should deal with the consequences.
But his federal indictment for perjury seems a little late.
Cheater or not, he’s got the all-time home run record. Hank Aaron, a good man who played clean, is in second place.
If the feds have had evidence of positive drug tests by Bonds during the season, it sure would have been nice if they’d delivered their indictment sooner.
I don’t defend what Bonds may have done, but Major League Baseball bears some responsibility for the epidemic proportions of performance enhancing drugs. MLB officials should have been asking tough questions when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa started hitting baseballs to Jupiter.
Instead, they looked the other way and watched the money pour into their coffers.
* The Atlanta Braves made a good decision signing Tom Glavine to a one-year, $8 million contract on Sunday. Yeah, he’s 42 years old and made his first start for the Braves 20 years ago, but Atlanta doesn’t need much out of its third starter.
As long as John Smoltz and Tim Hudson remain healthy and productive, the Braves can contend for the NL East pennant as long as the No. 3 can supply 12-15 wins. The pre-Glavine options can’t do that.
So a one-year contract for a 303-game winner with two Cy Young Awards is worth a gamble.
However, if Braves GM Frank Wren suggests Dale Murphy to replace Andruw Jones ...

Friday, November 16, 2007

Pigskin picking

Anybody catch Arizona’s upset of second-ranked Oregon Thursday night?
The only thing more impressive than Arizona cornerback/punt returner Antoine Cason (two touchdowns) was the remarkable restraint shown by AU students after they began spilling out of the stands and on to the sideline in the final few minutes. With several thousand rabid -- and more than a few liquored-up -- students ringing the field, security could have been overwhelmed. But they waited until the clock expired before charging the field.
Can’t wait to see which ranked team gets toppled this weekend.
I actually nailed last week’s seismic upset -- Illinois over Ohio State -- to highlight a 12-6 week.
My record now stands at 107-45 by the grace of frequent appearances by Louisiana-Monroe and similar teams on the SEC schedule.
Here’s how I think it will go down this week ...

Tonight

No. 13 Hawaii (9-0) at Nevada (5-4)
The last two games will determine whether Hawaii winds up with an at-large bid to the Sugar Bowl. Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan (3,296 yards, 28 TDs) needs just one touchdown pass to break the all-time Division I career record he shares with former BYU star Ty Detmer (135 career TDs). While Brennan was knocked out of last week’s game and missed Monday’s practice, he insists he’ll be back. Nevada, which lost 69-67 to Boise State last month in a four-overtime game, could provide a lot of resistance.
Prediction: Hawaii 51, Nevada 44

SEC

No. 22 Kentucky (7-3) at No. 8 Georgia (8-2)
Not sure what more Georgia coach Mark Richt can do to motivate his team, but this should be enough: If the Bulldogs win out, they’ll likely land in the Sugar Bowl.
Prediction: Georgia 28, Kentucky 24

No. 1 LSU (9-1) at Ole Miss (3-7)
LSU has won the last five games in the rivalry, but all but one of those victories were decided by three points or less. The Tigers hung on for a 23-20 overtime victory last season.
Prediction: LSU 21, Ole Miss 17

Louisiana-Monroe (4-6) at Alabama (6-4)
Last week’s loss to Mississippi State had to be demoralizing for the Crimson Tide, but it will have an opportunity to get back on track before the Iron Bowl.
Prediction: Alabama 24, Louisiana-Monroe 10

Vanderbilt (5-5) at No. 19 Tennessee (7-3)
Vanderbilt continues its quest for bowl eligibility for the first time in a quarter century. Tennessee, which has been up and down all season, appears to be over its inconsistency now that an SEC championship game berth is in sight.
Prediction: Tennessee 31, Vanderbilt 21

Mississippi State (6-4) at Arkansas (6-4)
Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden, who topped the 1,400-yard mark last week, continues to be effective despite the Razorbacks’ lack of a fearsome passing game. While Tennessee limited him to a pedestrian output last week, he should be able to get back on track against the Bulldogs.
Prediction: Arkansas 27, Mississippi State 24

Florida Atlantic (5-4) at No. 14 Florida (7-3)
Florida QB Tim Tebow has accounted for 42 touchdowns rushing and passing. He could have half that many by halftime.
Prediction: Florida 49, Florida Atlantic 17

ACC

North Carolina (3-7) at Georgia Tech (6-4)
Georgia Tech struggled to put away Duke last week, but the Yellow Jackets can depend on a healthy and productive Tashard Choice. They are a different team without him.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 21, UNC 16

No. 18 Boston College (8-2) at No. 15 Clemson (8-2)
Clemson hasn’t won an ACC title since 1991, but the Tigers are poised to end that troublesome drought this year. A win over slumping Boston College would send the Tigers to the league title game.
Prediction: Clemson 27, Boston College 23

Miami (5-5) at No. 10 Virginia Tech (8-2)
Virginia Tech freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor brought the Hokies back from a seemingly impossible deficit against Florida State last week. Taylor could make a clean sweep through the state of Florida, which used to be an impossible task.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Miami 14

Maryland (5-5) at Florida State (6-4)
Maryland upset Boston College last week. The Terrapins seem to thrive as underdogs.
Prediction: Maryland 20, Florida State 17

N.C. State (5-5) at Wake Forest (6-4)
N.C. State has finally shown some life after an awful start.
Prediction: N.C. State 26, Wake Forest 24

Duke (1-9) at Notre Dame (1-9)
The loser of this game will stand alone as the worst team from a Bowl Championship Series conference. They’re evenly matched, at least. Duke lost 41-24 to Georgia Tech last week, while Notre Dame was a 41-24 loser against Air Force. The Fighting Irish could go winless at home for the first time since 1933 and only the third time in school history. It’s enough to make them nostalgic for the days of Dan Devine.
Prediction: Duke 19, Notre Dame 17

National games

No. 7 Ohio State (10-1) at No. 23 Michigan (8-3)
Both teams are bruised up: Ohio State emotionally after a loss to Illinois and Michigan physically. Michigan tailback Mike Hart is questionable due to a severe ankle injury, while quarterback Chad Henne’s status is in doubt due to a shoulder injury. There’s no doubt, however, about the Buckeyes’ motivation. Win and its on to the Rose Bowl as the Big 10 champion.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Michigan 17

No. 5 West Virginia (8-1) at No. 21 Cincinnati (8-2)
West Virginia has turned the ball over just 14 times this season, but Cincinnati is adept at forcing mistakes. The Bearcats lead the nation in interceptions (22) and takeaways (35). Of course, they can only force turnovers if they catch up to West Virginia QB Pat White and tailback Steve Slaton.
Prediction: West Virginia 34, Cincinnati 27

No. 3 Oklahoma (9-1) at Texas Tech (7-4)
While the Sooners can solidify their AP poll position, thanks to Oregon’s loss Thursday night, they rank fourth in the Bowl Championship Series standings. Texas Tech has lost three of its last four games.
Prediction: Oklahoma 38, Texas Tech 28

Iowa State (3-8) at No. 4 Kansas (10-0)
Kansas owns its highest national ranking since 1968 and a No. 3 ranking in the BCS ratings (which will surely improve with a victory).
Prediction: Kansas 41, Iowa State 27

No. 6 Missouri (9-1) at Kansas State (5-5)
Since Kansas State endured a 73-31 clubbing by a horrible Nebraska team, it makes you wonder what Mizzou will do. The Tigers already own a single-season school record with 411 points.
Prediction: Missouri 49, Kansas State 30

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Awards time

The Southeastern Conference won’t name its players and coach of the year until after the regular season.
So, short of steaming open the envelope, intercepting the official results before their announcement and bringing them to you early on the blog, we can always try the next best thing.
Guessing.
Here’s how the postseason awards ought to look:

Offensive player of the year:

Tim Tebow, sophomore quarterback, Florida
Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden, who has topped the 1,400-yard mark, might well be the best player in the country, but he doesn’t mean quite as much to the Razorbacks as Tebow means to the Gators.
Without a serious threat at tailback, Tebow IS Florida’s running game. He’s bowled over opposing defenders for 718 yards and 19 touchdowns despite playing the latter part of the season with a sore right shoulder. He’s not too shabby throwing the ball either, as evidenced by his 67.8 percent completion rate, 23-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 2,532 yards will attest.
The only real knock against Tebow would be the Gators' three losses, which are more easily attributable to a suspect defense.
As for Tebow's other selling points, consider his cult-like following. On the Web, at TimTebowfacts.com, there are colorful but dubious claims about the extent of his powers a la Chuck Norris.
Among the claims are:
‘‘Tim Tebow can't finish a 'color by numbers' because his markers are filled with the blood of FSU players. Unfortunately, all blood is dark red.’’
And ...
‘‘Tim Tebow has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1983 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoloy card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game UNO.’’

Defensive player of the year:

Glenn Dorsey, senior defensive tackle, LSU
It’s rare that a defensive tackle gets this kind of love, but Dorsey was a viable Heisman Trophy candidate for most of the season. Name another SEC defender who affects offensive gameplans and performance to such an extent. On a given pass play, Dorsey is likely to draw the attention of the center, an offensive guard and a running back left in the backfield to pass-block. He chokes up the middle of the field, occupies an inordinate amount of blockers and makes plays with quickness that belies his 6-2, 300-pound frame.
So far, 11.5 of his 53 tackles have been for lost yardage. He also shares the team lead with six quarterback sacks, a surprisingly high total for a down lineman.
It’s no wonder Auburn chop blocked him back in October. It might be the only way to stop him.

Newcomer of the year:

Knowshon Moreno, redshirt freshman tailback, Georgia
Moreno, who started the year sharing carries with Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin, has established himself as the most dependable component of Georgia's newly potent offense.
He will undoubtedly find himself among the early leaders for the 2008 Heisman Trophy based on how he's performed in big games this year. He gashed Florida for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries and shredded Auburn for 101 yards and two scores on 22 carries. In the last four games, Moreno has piled up 642 yards — an average of 160.5 yards per outing.
In his No. 24 jersey, the 5-foot-11, 207-pounder strongly resembles former Auburn star Carnell Williams. The season numbers -- 200 carries, 1,104 yards, 11 touchdowns -- are comparable to what Williams did for Auburn in 2004.

Coach of the year:

Sylvester Croom, Mississippi State
Croom inherited a horrible situation when he accepted the Mississippi State program. He took over a probation-strapped program with limited resources and recruiting presence, but the Bulldogs are bowl-eligible now for the first time since 2000.
The Bulldogs don’t play aesthetically pleasing football at all. Freshman quarterback Wesley Carroll isn't dynamic, but has been effective managing games, while defensive end Titus Brown is an absolute freak.
Mississippi State won at Auburn, knocked off a formerly-14th ranked Kentucky team on the road and clubbed 21st-ranked Alabama last weekend by forcing turnovers, controlling the line of scrimmage, pounding the run and playing good defense.
In doing so, Croom has proven that it's possible to win at Mississippi State without cheating.

Friday, November 09, 2007

Pigskin picking

If you’re looking for something more dubious than Hawaii’s 8-0 record, look no further than my weekend college football picks.
I went a ho-hum 9-5 last week, thanks to by ability to underestimate Arkansas and overstate the capability of Boston College. The season total now stands at 95-39.
But we’re moving on.
As Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey said following his team’s nationally-televised pratfall against Virginia Tech, there’s still a lot to play for.

SEC

No. 18 Auburn (7-3) at No. 10 Georgia (7-2)
You know how this rivalry is supposed to work. The visiting team wins. Auburn has won six of its last seven in Sanford Stadium.
Georgia has plenty of motivation to change that. The Bulldogs could play their way into the SEC East title and a Sugar Bowl berth. That's so powerful that head coach Mark Richt really shouldn't bother with the artificial emotion-producer of breaking out the black jerseys.
Still, historical trends mean something.
Prediction: Auburn 20, Georgia 16

No. 21 Alabama (6-3) at Mississippi State (5-4)
Mississippi State ranks second in the league in red zone offensive touchdowns and red zone defense. Don't be surprised if the Bulldogs make it interesting.
Prediction: Alabama 17, Mississippi State 13

No. 17 Florida (6-3) at South Carolina (6-4)
Tim Tebow gets all the love, but Florida wide receiver/tailback Percy Harvin has two straight 100-yard rushing performances to his credit. After watching what Darren McFadden and Felix Jones did to South Carolina last week, Florida coach Urban Meyer should let him have as many carries as he needs to get a third.
Prediction: Florida 28, South Carolina 20

Arkansas (6-3) at No. 22 Tennessee (6-3)
McFadden resurrected his Heisman Trophy hopes with an SEC record 321 yards against South Carolina last week. Felix Jones (114.3 yards per game) also has the potential to devastate a Tennessee defense that allows 412 total yards per game.
Prediction: Arkansas 35, Tennessee 24

Louisiana Tech (4-5) at No. 2 LSU (8-1)
LSU coach Les Miles can put away his horseshoe. The Tigers won’t need fourth quarter good fortune this week.
Prediction: LSU 42, Louisiana Tech 13

No. 25 Kentucky (6-3) at Vanderbilt (5-4)
The Vanderbilt Bowl Watch continues. The Commodores need just one more win to become eligible for postseason play for the first time in a quarter century.
Prediction: Kentucky 31, Vanderbilt 21

ACC

Georgia Tech (5-4) at Duke (1-8)
If Georgia Tech plays the way it did in last Thursday’s home loss to Virginia Tech, this won’t be a gimme.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 17, Duke 6

Florida State (6-3) at No. 11 Virginia Tech (7-2)
Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon has been solid of late, while Florida State QB Drew Weatherford and the Seminoles’ offense are starting to look alive.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 24, Florida State 21

No. 23 Virginia (8-2) at Miami (5-4)
Virginia might be the least impressive of the two-loss teams, but the Cavaliers find a way to get it done.
Prediction: Virginia 20, Miami 17

No. 8 Boston College (8-1) at Maryland (4-5)
Boston College QB Matt Ryan threw for 415 yards against Florida State, but Matty Ice’s teammates melted under pressure. The Eagles shouldn't have any trouble getting back on track this week.
Prediction: B.C. 31, Maryland 13

North Carolina (3-6) at N.C. State (4-5)
It doesn’t seem right, but UNC coach Butch Davis’ name is coming up as a candidate for various Big 12 job searches.
Prediction: UNC 20, N.C. State 13

Wake Forest (6-3) at No. 20 Clemson (7-2)
Clemson’s tailback tandem of James Davis and C.J. Spiller should provide the edge in a tough matchup.
Prediction: Clemson 27, Wake Forest 17

National games of interest

Texas A&M (6-4) at No. 7 Missouri (8-1)
Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne said recently that he would wait until the end of the season to decide the future of head coach Dennis Franchione. What's left to decide? The Aggies are a combined 2-12 against Big 12 rivals Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma under Fran’s watch. Consider this the continuation of his farewell tour.
Prediction: Missouri 41, Texas A&M 21

Texas Tech (7-3) at No. 15 Texas (8-2)
Texas running back Jamaal Charles has turned in monster performances the last two weeks. Texas Tech leads the nation in passing offense (482.1 yards per game), but the Red Raiders’ defense had better gang tackle Charles.
Prediction: Texas 34, Texas Tech 30

No. 5 Kansas (9-0) at Oklahoma State (5-4)
Best ESPN College GameDay sign seen so far this season: ‘‘Our coach can eat your coach,’’ which featured a mug shot of hefty Kansas coach Mark Mangino. He could singlehandedly star in the hit comedy ‘‘Two and a Half Men’’ by himself. The Jayhawks appear to have a similarly prodigous appetite for destruction as evidenced by their 76-39 rout of Nebraska last week.
Prediction: Kansas 49, Oklahoma State 28

No. 13 Michigan (8-2) at Wisconsin (7-3)
Wisconsin scared Ohio State for a little while last weekend. The Badgers have won 13 straight at home, but Michigan has been on a roll since opening losses to Appalachian State and Oregon. Michigan receiver Mario Manningham (59 catches, 949 yards, nine TDs) has been clutch of late.
Prediction: Michigan 21, Wisconsin 17

Illinois (7-3) at No. 1 Ohio State (10-0)
Ohio State’s defense has allowed just seven touchdowns this season. They’ll get tested by Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall (1,314 yards). The Illini’s defense, which has registered 34 sacks, could be a surprise. Got a hunch something crazy could happen.
Prediction: Illinois 21, Ohio State 20

No. 12 Southern Cal (7-2) at No. 24 Cal (6-3)
As good as this game could be, a better confrontation will occur outside the stadium. Cal officials will battle activists perched in a grove of trees slated for destruction.
Prediction: USC 27, Cal 20

Thursday, November 08, 2007

The waiting game

AUBURN, Ala. — One of the more interesting developments in all of this Tommy Tuberville-to-Texas A&M talk may be the populist outpouring it has spawned.
There’s actually a Web site — keeptommytuberville.com — and an Internet petition requesting Auburn officials grant Tuberville a 5-year contract extension.
Tuberville labeled all of the speculation about his future ‘‘good talk.’’
Here’s something worth talking about:
What if Auburn bombs these last two games against Georgia and Alabama?
What if the Tigers finish this season on a downer, with the same 7-5 record that nearly cost Tuberville his job in 2003?
Recent history proves this state can be a volatile place. The pendulum of public opinion can suddenly turn into a slingblade that lops off heads.
That’s not meant to suggest that a disappointing finish to the season would bring that sort of result for Tuberville, whose body of work over the last three full seasons has been outstanding.
But his constant candidacy (real or imagined) for jobs with the Dallas Cowboys, LSU, Arkansas and Miami could wear thin with some Auburn fans. If he milks the attention too much, especially in the wake of a down season, he runs the risk of alienating president Jay Gogue, athletic director Jay Jacobs and his most ardent supporters.
As good as the Tigers have been under Tuberville of late, and as chilly as it might feel in the shadow of Nick Saban, Auburn would have a hard time justifying a salary of more than $3 million per year for its head coach. Given the current price of crude oil, the presence of so many petroleum industry employees in and around College Station, Texas, and Texas A&M’s 2-12 record against Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M under Dennis Franchione, the Aggies probably wouldn’t hesitate to open the checkbook.
Lengthening Tuberville’s contract, bumping his pay to $3 million immediately and making his assistant coaches the highest-paid in the SEC (a status currently enjoyed by Alabama assistants) could allow Auburn to silence the Texas A&M talk.
Tuberville has to be rankled by the fact that Saban received a $4 million-per-year contract and sudden savior status despite being in the state less than five minutes and not yet having the opportunity to prove himself in an Iron Bowl.
Tuberville will make $2.8 million next season, then graduate to $3 million in 2009 unless his contract gets re-structured. For a coach who has won just one Southeastern Conference title in nine seasons, that’s a lot of money.
Granted, he inherited a dismal situation when he arrived after the 1998 season. But, Jetgate notwithstanding, his fanbase could reasonably expect more bang for the bucks.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Empty nesters

ATLANTA -- We’re eight minutes into the first quarter here at the Atlanta Falcons-San Francisco 49ers game, but there are plenty of seats available if you still want to come.
Yep, plenty of seats.
I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 15,000.
Looks like the Falcons’ streak of home sellouts will end at 56 games, which is a shame since it’s not like the franchise can look forward to a winning streak any time soon.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Walk it out, Tech

ATLANTA -- This is a bad sign for Georgia Tech’s football team.
The halftime entertainment played to louder cheers.
It was understandable given the Yellow Jackets’ 17-3 halftime deficit to Virginia Tech and the fact that Outkast performed at midfield.
Andre 3000 and Big Boi did their thing.
If Georgia Tech’s offense had near the rhythm of that duo, the Yellow Jackets wouldn’t be staring 5-4 in the face.
Wardrobe dysfunction

ATLANTA — In a move of generosity practically unheard of in college football, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets gave Virginia Tech the shirts off their backs.
Literally.
About 30 minutes before the scheduled 7:45 p.m. kickoff here at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Virginia Tech circulated a news release in the press box informing the media that four of its starters were missing their game jerseys.
Quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon, as well as defenisve backs Kam Chancellor and Brandon Flowers, wound up shirtless during a pre-game equipment check.
When members of the Virginia Tech equipment staff arrived at the stadium this afternoon, they noticed that the jerseys of the four players were missing.
‘‘The missing jerseys are a mystery at this point,’’ the Virginia Tech sports information department reported in a release. ‘‘There is no evidence of any break-in. A representative of both Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech looked over the video surveillance tape and saw nothing suspicious. All entrances to the locker room have either remained locked, manned by security or under video surveillance.''
So, if you happen to see any Virginia Tech game jerseys floating around on eBay, how about letting the school know, OK?
Virginia Tech’s clothing-deprived quartet received some assistance from their host in their time of need. Georgia Tech lent the Virginia Tech players white road jerseys for tonight's game. Only problem is that Virginia Tech wears burnt orange trim rather than black and gold. So Virginia Tech's equipment folks put tape over the Tech logos and the names on the backs of the jerseys. From the press box, it was tough to tell a difference.
Virginia Tech officials were hoping that replacement jerseys would arrive just before the game and in the midst of it.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Pigskin picking

You’ll have to excuse my 10-6 record of last week.
I lacked the proper focus and motivation.
To ensure I’m emotionally charged enough for this task, I’m going to leave the sideline and dance in the end zone after my first correct pick of this week.
Even if it means that my press box seat will be moved to the 8-yard line.
I’m 95-39 for the year, so I can afford an excessive celebration penalty.

Thursday appetizer

ACC

No. 11 Virginia Tech (6-2) at Georgia Tech (5-3)
Let’s see: Georgia Tech’s two best tailbacks are out with injuries. It can’t throw the ball. It’s facing one of the top defenses in the country. Sure, it makes perfect sense that they're 2.5-point favorites.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 20, Georgia Tech 13

Saturday main course

SEC

Troy (6-2) at No. 10 Georgia (6-2)
OK, based on the admonishment of SEC commissioner Mike Slive following Georgia’s end zone celebration against Florida, we probably won’t see Bulldogs offensive lineman Fernando Velasco doing a bump and grind dance on the goalpost after his team’s first touchdown against Troy. For that, we should be thankful. This has the makings of a trap game, but the Bulldogs should be motivated after last week. Plus, there’s a chance do-everything Troy QB Omar Haugabook won't play because of a hamstring pull. Don’t be surprised if the Trojans continue their habit of scaring the hair off Bowl Championship Series conference opponents.
Prediction: Georgia 38, Troy 27

No. 3 LSU (7-1) at No. 17 Alabama (6-2)
Alabama coach Nick Saban has spent most of the week denying there would be any trace of emotion when he faces off against his former team. Why is that so hard to believe? When has anyone seen Saban show a sappy, sentimental side?
Prediction: LSU 21, Alabama 17

Tennessee Tech (3-4) at No. 19 Auburn (6-3)
Auburn will momentarily interrupt its pattern of winning ugly and scoring as few points as possible.
Prediction: Auburn 42, Tennessee Tech 7

No. 23 South Carolina (6-3) at Arkansas (5-3)
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier can’t seem to settle on a quarterback. It’s Chris Smelley. No, it’s Blake Mitchell. No, it’s Smelley. OK, we’re in agreement. The revolving QB idea stinks. Fortunately for Spurrier, Arkansas coach Houston Nutt can’t figure out how to maximize the talents of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.
Prediction: South Carolina 21, Arkansas 17

Vanderbilt (5-3) at No. 18 Florida (5-3)
Don’t get too excited, but Vanderbilt could receive the stamp of bowl approval for the first time in a quarter century if it gets one more win. You don’t go that long between bowl berths without blowing a few opportunities along the way.
Prediction: Florida 26, Vanderbilt 20

Louisiana-Lafayette (1-7) at No. 24 Tennessee (5-3)
That coughing sound you heard late last Saturday night was a blown 21-point lead lodging in the throat of Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer. He can breath thanks to an overtime win over South Carolina that quieted rumblings about his job security (for now). This week, he can transport himself back to a happier time when he picked up his first career victory as a head coach. The year was 1992. The team was Southwestern Louisiana, which evolved in Louisiana-Lafayette.
Prediction: Tennessee 45, La. Lafayette 13

Northwestern State (3-5) at Ole Miss (2-7)
I got crucified by Ole Miss fans for ranking Ed Orgeron 12th in my preseason ranking of SEC coaches. That was August. Guess what I've heard from them during a run that includes zero SEC wins and a combined 11 points in the last two games.
This is the sound of crickets chirping.
Prediction: Ole Miss 23, Northwestern State 10

ACC

No. 21 Wake Forest (6-2) at Virginia (7-2)
If anyone has a chance to knock off Boston College before the ACC championship game, it’s Wake Forest.
Prediction: Wake Forest 24, Virginia 23

N.C. State (3-5) at Miami (5-3)
Miami has the chance to salvage something positive out of this season after storming back to beat Florida State last week.
Prediction: Miami 28, N.C. State 14

No. 25 Clemson (6-2) at Duke (1-7)
Clemson coach Tommy Bowden’s name continually pops up on various hotseat lists, but he always does just enough to keep his posterior out of the fire.
Prediction: Clemson 31, Duke 14

Maryland (4-4) at North Carolina (2-6)
Maryland has lost two games in a row.
Prediction: Maryland 25, UNC 21

Florida State (5-3) at No. 2 Boston College (8-0)
Boston College QB Matt Ryan didn’t have a particularly efficient game against Virginia Tech last week, but is there any doubt about his Heisman Trophy credentials? He’s proven to be Mr. Clutch.
Prediction: Boston College 34, FSU 24

Dessert

No. 6 Arizona State (8-0) at No. 4 Oregon (7-1)
It’s time to talk about Oregon as a possible BCS championship game sleeper.
Prediction: Oregon 38, Arizona State 31
Counterintuitive policy

Major League Baseball likes to flex its biceps and tell the masses that it has the toughest, most comprehensive drug testing policy in professional sports.
Maybe so.
But the primary focus of such testing, other than ensuring fairness in the game, should be catching steroid and performance enhancing drug cheats by surprise.
But, according to the New York Times, major league baseball has done everything but fly banner-dragging airplanes over ballparks with such pronouncements as, ''Drug testing on Friday!''
According to the Times, baseball franchises regularly receive a day or two of notice before a testing agent actually arrives to receive samples from players.
Home teams are notified in advance to leave stadium access and parking passes for testers.
So much for covert testing.
This amounts to Major League Baseball saying: ''Hey, guys, start taking those masking agents. You have two days.''
Here's an idea: Have the testing agents park a block or two from the stadium and walk. Have Major League Baseball grant them full season passes that are accepted in every stadium. And, here's a novel concept, have them show up with no warning.
Until all of that happens, Major League Baseball can boast of its exhaustive anti-drug policy.
But it can't be especially proud of its enforcement practices.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

This week’s pigskin picks

Weekends like the last one show me why I didn’t become an oddsmaker. I went an awful 8-8, bringing my season record to 85-33. Undaunted, I’m back for more punishment.

Tonight

No. 2 Boston College (7-0) at No. 8 Virginia Tech (6-1)
All of the national coach of the year awards should be two-man races involving Boston College’s Jeff Jagodzinski and South Florida’s Jim Leavitt. Jagodzinski has been nothing short of remarkable in his first year as a head coach. Virginia Tech’s defense and special teams could contribute big plays, but the Eagles are solid in all phases.
Prediction: Boston College 24, Virginia Tech 16

Saturday

SEC

No. 20 Georgia (5-2) at No. 9 Florida (5-2)
If Georgia wins, it could sneak into the SEC championship game through the back door. That would have been a tall order with a fully healthy team. With so many injuries at running back, it will be next to impossible.
Prediction: Florida 30, Georgia 21

Ole Miss (2-6) at No. 23 Auburn (5-3)
An improbable last-second touchdown pass at LSU added to Auburn’s collection of kick-in-the-gut defeats started by South Florida and Mississippi State. The Tigers are, without argument, the best three-loss team in the country.
Prediction: Auburn 34, Ole Miss 14

No. 15 South Carolina (6-2) at Tennessee (4-3)
Which version of the Vols will show up? The fluid team that ground up Georgia or the timid bunch that curled up in the fetal position in Tuscaloosa?
South Carolina should be ready to release some anger after losing to Vanderbilt. If the Gamecocks win, it will magnify the issue of Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer’s job security.
Prediction: South Carolina 20, Tennessee 17

Mississippi State (4-4) at No. 14 Kentucky (6-2)
Andre Woodson threw for five touchdowns and no interceptions last weekend in Kentucky’s loss to Florida. What do you suppose he’ll do against a lesser opponent?
Prediction: Kentucky 41, Mississippi State 20

Miami-Ohio (4-4) at Vanderbilt (4-3)
The Commodores inch a step closer to bowl eligibility against the other Miami.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 34, Miami-Ohio 21

ACC

Clemson (5-2) at Maryland (4-3)
Clemson teams under Tommy Bowden always have the capacity to disappoint, but the Tigers’ defense can be smothering.
Prediction: Clemson 27, Maryland 17

No. 21 Virginia (7-1) at N.C. State (2-5)
The Cavaliers have one of the least productive offenses in Division I. How did Virginia get into the Top 25? We’ll have more time to ponder that question since they’ll stick around for at least one more week.
Prediction: Virginia 21, N.C. State 14

Duke (1-6) at Florida State (4-3)
Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi suggested this week that it might be time for Florida State coach Bobby Bowden to bow out gracefully and enjoy retirement. A loss to Duke might make him more inclined to do that.
Prediction: Florida State 31, Duke 10

North Carolina (2-5) at Wake Forest (5-2)
Is it basketball season yet?
Prediction: Wake Forest 23, North Carolina 17

Other games of interest

Troy (5-2) at Arkansas State (3-4)
Troy turned the ball over seven times last week against North Texas and still won 52-7. The Trojans’ level of firepower is especially frightening in such a weak conference.
Prediction: Troy 42, Arkansas State 17

No. 6 West Virginia (6-1) at No. 25 Rutgers (5-2)
Rutgers snatched the Cinderella slipper off South Florida’s foot a couple weeks ago. Tailback Ray Rice can be dynamic, but West Virginia features an inordinate amount of team speed on offense. Plus, the Mountaineers can work their way back into BCS title game contention -- assuming, there are more upsets.
Prediction: West Virginia 28, Rutgers 24

No. 11 South Florida (6-1) at UConn (6-1)
Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese actually called Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich to apologize for a series of botched calls that factored into UConn’s win over the Cardinals last week. South Florida may have to apologize for wiping its feet on a fraud 1-loss team.
Prediction: South Florida 31, UConn 20

No. 1 Ohio State (8-0) at No. 24 Penn State (6-2)
Ohio State won’t run the table, but it won’t pick up its loss in Happy Valley. The Buckeyes’ defense is playing too well to get jumped by a limited Penn State offense.
Prediction: Ohio State 20, Penn State 10

No. 12 Kansas (7-0) at Texas A&M (6-2)
Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione has been on the hotseat, partly because of the little $1,200 a pop newletter side business he had going. Problem is, how do you fire a coach who could guide his team to a nine-win season?
Prediction: Texas A&M 34, Kansas 28

No. 9 Southern Cal (6-1) at No. 5 Oregon (6-1)
Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon has played as well as anyone since its loss to Cal. Time for some new blood to replace the Pac-10 blueblood in the BCS.
Prediction: Oregon 27, USC 24

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Shameless self-promotion

We interrupt this day to bring you a frivolous exercise in ego-stroking.
The fine folks at Swampland.com, a Web site devoted to sports, music and other Southern cultural staples, asked me to participate in a series of interviews they’re doing with different sports writers and columnists in the region.
It can be found at:
http://www.swampland.com/articles/view/sports/450%20%20I%20think%20som
My interview covers some general background information as well as specific questions about our market and fan interests.
Speaking of which, I’m in the process of writing a column regarding the Georgia-Florida rivalry. Georgia coach Mark Richt was asked this week about the possibility of the game being rotated between Jackonville and another so-called neutral site (ie. Atlanta) in the not-too-distant future. The schools’ contract with Jacksonville will be open for re-negotiation after the 2010 game.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Raising the white flag

It’s fitting that Byron Leftwich had been designated as the Atlanta Falcons’ ‘‘emergency quarterback’’ after missing two days of practice with an ankle sprain before a Monday Night Football game against the Giants.
If ever there was an emergency, this is it.
The Falcons are 1-5.
They are ranked 27th in the league in total offense and 29th in scoring offense.
They have scored six touchdowns in six games.
So Atlanta head coach Bobby Petrino went to his bullpen Wednesday.
Leftwich will replace Joey Harrington as the starter for Sunday’s game against New Orleans.
Before you start reserving your playoff tickets, please understand that this won’t change much of anything.
The Falcons’ problems go well beyond one player or one position.
Besides, it wasn’t as if Harrington should have been seen as the primary problem here. He’s completed 123-of-195 passes for 1,279 yards and owns an 80.3 quarterback rating. There were plenty of seasons when Michael Vick didn’t come close to those numbers after six games.
But Harrington is no Vick when it comes to avoiding pass rushers. Thanks in part to Atlanta’s ineffective offensive line, opponents have piled up 22 sacks.
That trend probably won’t improve now that Harrington has been replaced by the less mobile Leftwich.
For this offense to have any semblance of upward mobility, it needs to become well acquainted with running back Jerious Norwood.
Yeah, you know, the guy who broke off the 67-yard touchdown run against the Giants the other night.
He might need to wear a name tag so the Atlanta coaching staff remembers him. They obviously forgot Monday night.
Despite providing his team’s one big play of the first half, Norwood carried the ball just six times for 87 yards.
But look on the bright side.
If Atlanta’s offense continues to ignore its best playmaker and play QB switcharoo each week, it will likely be in prime position to win the Andre Woodson sweepstakes.
This week’s Pigskin Picks

Got blindsided by Kentucky last week, but then again, so did LSU.
Still managed to go a sterling 10-2, bringing your college football oracle’s season record to 85-33.
Here’s how this week’s games should go down:

Thursday night appetizer

No. 2 South Florida (6-0) at Rutgers (4-2)
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing your fly in the 2007-08 Bowl Championship Series punch bowl ... the South Florida Bulls. The herd of undefeated teams thins out each week, but I like the Bulls’ chances of running the table. Defensive end George Selvie has been unblockable and there’s an abundance of speed on both sides of the ball.
Prediction: South Florida 34, Rutgers 28

Saturday

Southeastern Conference

No. 17 Auburn (5-2) at No. 4 LSU (6-1)
Auburn will go on the road as an underdog again, but the Tigers have won 14 of their last 15 SEC games away from home. Given the gusto with which Auburn plays defense, this should be a tight helmet-knocker of a game. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, whom an ESPN boom microphone caught praising his defense in technicolor speak (‘‘Boom! Knock those mutha(bleep)’s out!’’) after a crucial stop, should devise a way to frustrate LSU.
LSU’s passing game hasn't been especially fluid the last few weeks, so Auburn could engineer an upset if they make the Bayou Tigers one-dimensional.
I’m betting that it happens because Muschamp is proving to be one bad, strategic mutha-(what he said).
Prediction: Auburn 14, LSU 10

No. 21 Tennessee (4-2) at Alabama (5-2)
The Third Saturday of October doesn’t have quite the same allure. Attention will mostly be focused elsewhere (ie. Baton Rouge and Lexington), but this game will certainly factor into the SEC championship equation.
Alabama escaped plucky Ole Miss with the help of a controversial replay ruling, while Tennessee has quietly improved since its two early losses.
Prediction: Tennessee 24, Alabama 20

Vanderbilt (3-3) at No. 6 South Carolina (6-1)
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is known for offense, but the Gamecocks’ defense has been phenomenal this season. They rank third nationally in pass defense, allowing just 149.1 yards per game and a 49.3 percent completion rate.
Prediction: South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 13

No. 15 Florida (4-2) at No. 7 Kentucky (6-1)
Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson put himself back in Heisman Trophy contention with a stellar performance against formerly top-ranked LSU. The stat that mattered most from that game, however, was the absence of quarterback sacks by LSU. I think Florida could be the best two-loss team in the country, but Kentucky has momentum and confidence.
Prediction: Kentucky 27, Florida 23

Mississippi State (4-3) at No. 9 West Virginia (5-1)
Tempted to pick upset here, simply because Mississippi State has played everyone but LSU close this season. The Bulldogs have been pretty salty on defense, thanks to Titus Brown, but West Virginia’s spread option offense is always productive. Only South Florida has solved the puzzle this season.
Prediction: West Virginia 24, Mississippi State 13

Arkansas (3-3) at Ole Miss (2-5)
Arkansas has shown the repeated ability to lose-from-in-front, which has done nothing to endear head coach Houston Nutt to Razorback Nation. It’s odd that the defending SEC West champs would be 0-3 in the league at this point despite having the nation’s most productive running game.
Prediction: Arkansas 28, Ole Miss 20

Atlantic Coast Conference

Army (3-4) at Georgia Tech (4-3)
Georgia Tech has been all over the place this season. Just when they start to resemble Georgia Yech, tailback Tashard Choice bails them out with one of his patented 35-carry, 150-yard afternoons.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Army 13

Miami (4-3) at Florida State (4-2)
Remember when this game mattered?
Yeah, those images are starting to fade from my mind too.
Prediction: FSU 17, Miami 16

No. 19 Virginia (6-1) at Maryland (4-2)
People have been waiting for the wheels to fall off the Al Groh Express. We could see the lugnuts loosened this week.
Prediction: Maryland 23, Virginia 20.

Wake Forest (4-2) at Navy (4-2)
Wake Forest has been stingy against the run, allowing 100 yards per game on the ground, but Navy's triple option will present some difficulties. The Demon Deacons have won four straight and could emerge as a spoiler in the ACC East.
Prediction: Wake Forest 31, Navy 27

Central Michigan (4-3) at Clemson (4-2)
Clemson represents the ACC’s most confounding team not named Georgia Tech. The Tigers’ special teams have been horrible at times this season, but their defense should be good enough to limit Central Michigan’s potent passing attack.
Prediction: Clemson 38, Central Michigan 21

North Carolina State (1-5) at East Carolina (4-3)
Do you think N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien regrets on bailing out at Boston College?
Prediction: East Carolina 24, N.C. State 14

Sun Belt

North Texas (0-6) at Troy (4-2)
Troy QB Omar Haugabook should pass for 300-plus yards against North Texas' inept defense.
Prediction: Troy 45, North Texas 10

National games of interest

Michigan State at No. 1 Ohio State
No, Ohio State really hasn’t played anyone especially good yet.
Yes, Michigan State’s offense could put some dents in the scoreboard.
No, an upset won’t happen.
But take heart, Buckeye-haters. A loss is bound to happen in a finishing run that includes Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois and a resurgent Michigan.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Michigan State 20

No. 24 Texas Tech (6-1) at No. 16 Missouri (5-1)
Texas Tech has won three straight games by a combined margin of 152-31. The Red Raiders are better on defense this year, but they’ll have to step it up against Mizzou QB Chase Daniel (345.5 passing yards per game). Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell should match him yard-for-yard.
Prediction: Texas Tech 42, Mizzou 38

Monday, October 15, 2007

Put down your dukes

Hearing reports from 44-year-old Evander Holyfield’s heavyweight title bout loss to 32-year-old Sultan Ibragimov in Russia over the weekend made me think of the movie ‘‘Rocky IV.’’
Unfortunately, it made me think of Apollo Creed.
Creed got killed in the ring by Ivan Drago, the half-man, half-cyborg heavyweight whose punches had the power to liquify internal organs and stop a charging rhinocerous. Anyway, given Holyfield’s age and his new diversion of following retired champ George Foreman into the indoor barbecue grill industry, I really worried that he would become another Apollo Creed.
He didn’t kiss the canvas on Saturday, but he lost a unanimous decision.
That makes him 5-5-1 since he last wore a championship belt in 2000, but all of his victories have come against no-names.
The writing should be on the wall, on large block letters.
Roger Mayweather, Ibragimov's trainer, and the uncle of unbeaten welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather, said after Saturday’s fight: "If he couldn't get past this shot, it's time to walk away. He's won the championship four times. What's left to prove?’’
Exactly. Holyfield owns a 42-9-2 record and four titles. He overcame a heart condition in the mid-1990s (he says a faith healer fixed everything) and he stood up to Mike Tyson (he has the gnawed-on ear to show for it).
There’s nothing more for him to do than rest on his laurels and sell his barbecue grills, but it doesn’t sound as if he’ll be content to do that.
‘‘My goal is still to be undisputed heavyweight champion of the world,’’ he told reporters after his fight.
If he really insists on continuing such a quixotic quest, he may become something else.
A once-great boxer who loses his health to such an extreme that he can no longer enjoy the riches he accumulated.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Pigskin Picking

I’m still waiting for the bruises to heal.
The crazy pattern of college football upsets continued with teams like Tennessee and Notre Dame swinging a pillow case full of soda cans and effectively beating the daylights out of my predictions.
I went 13-9, dropping me to 75-31 for the season.
Undaunted, I’m back to risk further punishment.
Let the picking commence ...

Southeastern Conference

Alabama (4-2) at Ole Miss (2-4)
Last week’s hold-your-breath 30-24 win over Houston demonstrates yet again that Alabama coach Nick Saban will need more time to get the Crimson Tide up to his standards. They’ll get pushed to the wall again this week.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Ole Miss 19

No. 24 Georgia (4-2) at Vanderbilt (3-2)
Let’s see: Georgia’s defense went AWOL at Tennessee last week, tailback Thomas Brown got injured and quarterback Matthew Stafford struggled mightily. As flawed as Georgia appears at this moment, head coach Mark Richt didn’t suddenly forget how to do his job.
Prediction: Georgia 21, Vanderbilt 10

No. 22 Auburn (4-2) at Arkansas (3-2)
Arkansas coach Houston Nutt will have some serious ’splain-in to do if the Hogs fall to 0-3 in the SEC despite having Darren McFadden and Felix Jones at their disposal. They have the motivation to pull an upset, but Auburn seems to have found its way.
Prediction: Auburn 27, Arkansas 17

No. 7 South Carolina (5-1) at North Carolina (2-4)
North Carolina coach Butch Davis sprang a huge surprise against Miami, his former team, last week. South Carolina hasn’t won in true Steve Spurrier fashion this season. They’ve relied on ball control and defense rather than big pass plays. Somehow, it works.
Prediction: South Carolina 31, North Carolina 13

No. 1 LSU (6-0) at No. 17 Kentucky (5-1)
LSU’s defense had some difficulty defending against mobile Florida quarterback Tim Tebow last week, but knuckled down in the second half. When push comes to shove, their defensive line gets the job done.
Prediction: LSU 34, Kentucky 20

No. 25 Tennessee (3-2) at Mississippi State (4-2)
Mississippi State’s defense has been respectable, allowing just 322 total yards per game, but the Bulldogs won’t be able to score enough to keep up against the Vols.
Prediction: Tennessee 24, Mississippi State 7

Atlantic Coast Conference

Georgia Tech (3-3) at Miami (4-2)
Miami offensive coordinator Patrick Nix goes up against his former employer. The Hurricanes were horrible against North Carolina last week, but Georgia Tech has been equally unpredictable.
Prediction: Miami 16, Georgia Tech 10

No. 12 Virginia Tech (5-1) at Duke (1-5)
Virginia Tech is much improved since its opening blowout loss against LSU. The Hokies’ special teams contributed kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns against Clemson.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 37, Duke 13

No. 4 Boston College (6-0) at Notre Dame (1-5)
Oddly enough, Boston College has won the last four games in the rivalry. Given the state of the respective programs today, No. 5 should be a mere formality.
Prediction: Boston College 34, Notre Dame 16

UConn (5-0) at Virginia (5-1)
Virginia actually could have been unbeaten heading into this weekend. A 23-3 loss to Wyoming represents the only blemish for a team that is surprisingly sitting atop the ACC Coastal Division. UConn is one of 11 unbeaten teams, but the Huskies’ most notable wins came against Duke and Pitt.
Prediction: Virginia 24, UConn 17

National games of interest

No. 6 Oklahoma (5-1) at No. 11 Missouri (5-0)
Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel has quietly put himself on Heisman Trophy watch lists. The Tigers thumped Nebraska last week, but will receive a much stronger test from Oklahoma's defense.
Prediction: Oklahoma 28, Missouri 27

Central Florida (3-2) at No. 5 South Florida (5-0)
Central Florida nearly toppled Texas earlier this season and features a darkhorse Heisman candidate in tailback Kevin Smith (860 yards, 11 TDs), but South Florida should be ready. The Bulls stuffed Auburn’s offense and shut down West Virginia scatback Steve Slaton earlier this season. South Florida’s magical ride continues.
Prediction: South Florida 26, UCF 17

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Schuerholz stepping aside

The artisan of the Atlanta Braves’ worst-to-first transformation put down his paint brush today.
General manager John Schuerholz stepped aside.
Schuerholz moved up the organizational chart and became the team’s president, turning his general manager responsibilities over to assistant Frank Wren.
Schuerholz’s accomplishments from 1991-2007 make him an excellent candidate for eventual Cooperstown enshrinement. The 67-year-old Schuerholz, who worked his way up the ranks after beginning his career as an administrative assistant for Baltimore in 1967, leaves his post as one of the most successful executives in professional sports history.
Jump into the time machine and go back to the beginning of his Atlanta tenure. The Braves, coming off a last-place division finish in 1990, won the first of 14 consecutive pennants in 1991.
The only real knock against Schuerholz, aside from the Braves’ postseason absence these last couple years (perhaps a symptom of its ownership as much as anything else), is their lack of World Series rings.
The Braves have only the 1995 World Series trophy to show for all of their sustained success. It should be noted that Schuerholz shared in the Kansas City Royals’ 1985 world championship, which makes him the only general manager to win titles with two different organizations.
How do you think Schuerholz’s career will be judged?
I’ll weigh in with a column that can soon be found at www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports, but I want to know what you think.
Do the Braves’ postseason failures tarnish his overall body of work?

Friday, October 05, 2007

This week’s college predictions

Weekends like the last one serve as the foundation for our college football addiction.
Just when you think the national picture is beginning to take form, some graffiti kid with a spray paint can comes along and defaces it.
The string of upsets sacked me for a 13-7 record last week, bringing my season total to 62-22. As always, feel free to dissect my picks and provide your own predictions in the discussion forum.

Southeastern Conference

No. 12 Georgia (4-1) at Tennessee (2-2)
Georgia has won three straight since a loss to South Carolina and has revenge on its mind after a 51-33 home loss to the Vols last season. The Bulldogs are accustomed to winning big games on the road, while Tennessee hasn’t exactly been at its best in games of consequence. The Vols allowed 104 points in losses to Cal and Florida.
Georgia tailbacks Thomas Brown and Knowshon Moreno will set the tone.
Prediction: Georgia 23, Tennessee 21

Vanderbilt (3-1) at Auburn (3-2)
Auburn’s offense seemed to finally gel last week against Florida. Quarterback Brandon Cox minimized his mistakes and tailbacks Ben Tate and Mario Fannin were effective behind an offensive line that started three freshmen. The return of top tailback Brad Lester from academic suspension can’t hurt.
Prediction: Auburn 31, Vanderbilt 20

Houston (2-2) at Alabama (3-2)
Alabama administrators punished a couple fraternities for a debris-throwing incident at the end of a home overtime loss to Georgia. Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, some of the frat boys seem to have more accurate passing arms than John Parker Wilson. Wilson ranks 91st nationally in passing efficiency after a lackluster outing against Florida State last week. Houston’s defense should provide ample opportunity for improvement.
Prediction: Alabama 24, Houston 14

No. 9 Florida (4-1) at No. 1 LSU (5-0)
Florida already had enough of a challenge getting off the deck after a surprising loss to Auburn. It didn’t need the distraction of defensive back and captain Tony Joiner getting arrested for allegedly breaking into an impound lot to liberate his girlfriend’s car. The charges were dropped Friday morning. The teams have comparable athletic talent, but LSU will be energized by its raucous home crowd.
Prediction: LSU 27, Florida 20

Louisiana Tech (1-3) at Ole Miss (1-4)
I received a deluge of e-mails from angry Ole Miss fans before the season. They couldn’t understand why I ranked Ed Orgeron last in my preseason ranking of SEC coaches. Getting the drift now, Johnny Rebs?
Coach O won’t look so overwhelmed this week.
Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Louisiana Tech 21

UAB (1-3) at Mississippi State (3-2)
Mississippi State has been surprisingly competitive this season, and it’s a wonder considering the Bulldogs’ injuries at quarterback.
Prediction: Mississippi State 17, UAB 9

Chattanooga (1-3) at Arkansas (2-2)
In spite of the talent of tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, Arkansas looks like a team on the verge of disintegrating. Fortunately, a I-AA opponent will delay the collapse another week or so.
Prediction: Arkansas 55, Chattanooga 10

Atlantic Coast Conference

Georgia Tech (3-2) at Maryland (3-2)
The Yellow Jackets have been absolutely schizophrenic, losing to Virginia but beating a more talented Clemson team. Go figure. That means they should now lose to Maryland, but that’s probably what they want us to think, which means ... oh, the heck with it.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 19, Maryland 14

N.C. State (1-4) at Florida State (3-1)
Florida State may have moved a step closer to continuity at quarterback during last week’s win over Alabama. Xavier Lee, a mobile player with a strong arm, made a couple big plays in the second half to break that game open. Why he didn’t win the starting job earlier is a mystery.
Prediction: FSU 37, N.C. State 16

Miami (4-1) at North Carolina (1-4)
New UNC coach Butch Davis gets reunited with his old team.
Prediction: Miami 28, UNC 14

Bowling Green (3-1) at No. 7 Boston College (5-0)
Boston College toyed around with determined I-AA UMass last week, but eventually pulled away. The Eagles should follow a similar script this week against a decent Bowling Green team.
Prediction: Boston College 42, Bowling Green 27

Wake Forest (2-2) at Duke (1-4)
I’ll care about this matchup when it’s basketball season.
Prediction: Wake Forest 24, Duke 17

No. 15 Virginia Tech (4-1) at No. 22 Clemson (4-1)
Offensively-challenged Virginia Tech won’t be able to count on Clemson making the mistakes it did against Georgia Tech. The Tigers missed -- count 'em -- four field goals against the Yellow Jackets.
Prediction: Clemson 21, Virginia Tech 20

Virginia (4-1) at Middle Tennessee State (1-4)
Virginia hasn’t been spectacular by any means, but the Cavaliers just keep plugging along.
Prediction: Virginia 38, Middle Tennessee State 27


Local interest

Tuskegee (4-0) vs. Morehouse (4-1)
Tuskegee has won nine of the last 11 in the rivalry, but should get pressed by a newly-confident Morehouse team. The Golden Tigers’ advantage will be QB Jacary Atkinson.
Prediction: Tuskegee 27, Morehouse 20

Sun Belt

Troy (3-2) at Florida International (0-5)
The Trojans should enjoy what amounts to an open date. Florida International’s misery can be measured in this season’s point differential. The Panthers have been outscored 210-28.
Prediction: Troy 47, Florida International 13

National focus

No. 20 Cincinnati (5-0) at No. 21 Rutgers (3-1)
Cincinnati is off to its best start since rolling out to an 8-0 mark in 1954. Rutgers inexplicably got punked by Maryland last week, but the Scarlet Knights have been successful in bounce-back games. Since 2005, they’re 5-1 in games following a loss.
Prediction: Rutgers 35, Cincinnati 34

No. 5 Wisconsin (5-0) at Illinois (4-1)
The Illini happen to be a slight favorite, which Illinois coach Ron Zook labeled ‘‘ludicrous.’’ It’s just as incredible to me that Wisconsin has remained unbeaten despite experiencing a handful of close calls.
Prediction: Wisconsin 28, Illinois 26

Notre Dame (0-5) at UCLA (4-1)
Notre Dame has lost each of its games by double digits and is allowing an unconscionable 33.2 points per game. The Fighting Irish should fall to 0-6 for the first time in school history.
Prediction: UCLA 31, Notre Dame 14

No. 4 Ohio State (5-0) at No. 23 Purdue (5-0)
Five the last six games in the series have been decided by a touchdown or less. Ohio State’s defense has been granite, but Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter (18 TDs, three INTs) manages a game as well as anyone. I’m thinking upset.
Prediction: Purdue 28, Ohio State 24

No. 10 Oklahoma (4-1) vs. No. 19 Texas (4-1)
Texas and Oklahoma both turned in horrible performances last week, so this amounts to an elimination game -- both nationally and in the Big 12 South. No Big 12 South team has ever won the division after dropping its first two conference games. Texas has looked vulnerable for weeks.
Prediction: Oklahoma 38, Texas 27

No. 25 Nebraska (4-1) at No. 17 Missouri (4-0)
Two mediocre defenses + two productive quarterbacks = a whole bunch of fun.
Missouri QB Chase Daniel has passed for an average of 327 yards per game, but the Tigers rank just 104th in defending the pass.
Prediction: Nebraska 30, Missouri 28

Oklahoma State (3-2) at Texas A&M (4-1)
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy made headlines a couple weeks ago for directing a tirade at a female newspaper columnist over a critical piece she wrote. Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione made them last Friday when the San Antonio Express-News uncovered a money-making enterprise he had going on the side. Franchione was charging a small group of boosters $1,200 apiece for a newsletter detailing ‘‘inside’’ information, including injuries.
OSU players and fans have rallied around Gundy, while Franchione is being asked whether he’ll resign. You do the math.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Texas A&M 28

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Pigskin Picks

Your college football oracle rebounded nicely this past week, going 13-4 to bring the season total to 49-15.
Here’s a look at the most compelling matchups of this week:

Southeastern Conference

Auburn (2-2) at No. 4 Florida (4-0)
Florida allowed 310 passing yards to Ole Miss last weekend, which should bode well for Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox. Cox looked sharp against New Mexico State last weekend, but, well, it was New Mexico State. Plus, the Tigers have to figure out a way to stop the one-man juggernaut known as Tim Tebow.
Prediction: Florida 31, Auburn 21

Ole Miss (1-3) at No. 15 Georgia (3-1)
Mikey Henderson picked a good time to collect the first touchdown reception of his Georgia career last week. Maybe he’s out to prove he can be more than a punt returner.
Prediction: Georgia 27, Ole Miss 16

No. 22 Alabama (3-1) vs. Florida State (2-1)
A compelling matchup between programs that should play far more often. It’s interesting to play the woulda-coulda-shoulda game and wonder about what might have been for both programs if Bobby Bowden had taken the Alabama job back in 1986.
Prediction: Alabama 21, Florida State 17

No. 2 LSU (4-0) at Tulane (1-2)
It will be interesting to see how LSU uses quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Ryan Perriloux from here on out. Flynn basically played on one foot in a win over South Carolina last week and Perriloux looked smooth running various option and QB draw plays when needed.
Prediction: LSU 49, Tulane 6

Mississippi State (3-1) at No. 16 South Carolina (3-1)
Bad news for South Carolina: Star linebacker Jasper Brinkley will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Good news for South Carolina: Mississippi State is playing a freshman quarterback.
Prediction: South Carolina 17, Mississippi State 13

Florida Atlantic (3-1) at No. 14 Kentucky (4-0)
Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger is a former UK letterman and a member of the school’s hall of fame. He also helped resurrect Louisville into a respectable program. As sharp as the Kentucky offense has been, there’s little expectation that Schnellenberger will rain on the Wildcats’ first top-15 ranking since the 1970s. Plus, UK quarterback Andre Woodson has thrown 11 TDs and not a single INT.
Prediction: Kentucky 37, Florida Atlantic 24

North Texas (0-3) at Arkansas (1-2)
Darren McFadden and Felix Jones both rushed for more than 100 yards last weekend in a loss to Kentucky. They could both threaten the 200-yard mark against North Texas' awful defense.
Prediction: Arkansas 55, North Texas 14

Eastern Michigan (2-2) at Vanderbilt (2-1)
This is the part of the season where Vanderbilt teases all of us with the potential for a bowl season.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 28, Eastern Michigan 14

Atlantic Coast Conference

No. 13 Clemson (4-0) at Georgia Tech (2-2)
Georgia Tech continued the up-and-down tilt-a-whirl ride that has defined Chan Gailey’s tenure at the school. A loss to Boston College was excusable, but the Yellow Jackets were knocked flat by Virginia. But, true to Georgia Tech’s puzzling pattern, they’ll probably pick themselves up off the deck at just the right time.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 22

North Carolina (1-3) at No. 14 Virginia Tech (3-1)
Pity new North Carolina coach Butch Davis, whose team has lost three in a row. It will likely get much, much worse with resurgent Virginia Tech starting a run that also includes Miami and South Carolina.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 23, North Carolina 9

Duke (1-3) at Miami (3-1)
Duke saw the potential for a second consecutive win slip out of its grip against Navy. Meanwhile, Miami's bruises have healed nicely since Oklahoma took a sledgehammer to its body.
Prediction: Miami 34, Duke 10

UMass (4-0) at No. 12 Boston College (4-0)
UMass is a credible I-AA program, but Boston College has been on cruise control this season.
Prediction: Boston College 38, UMass 17

Maryland (2-2) at No. 10 Rutgers (3-0)
Maryland coughed up a 24-3 lead against Wake Forest last week. The Terps will find themselves struggling to keep pace from the beginning against hard-charging Rutgers tailback Ray Rice.
Prediction: Rice 28, Maryland 20

Louisville (2-2) at N.C. State (1-3)
New Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe has some 'splaining to do after a horrible tank job against Syracuse. On a happier note, quarterback Brian Brohm has done nothing to threaten his status as a potential No. 1 NFL pick.
Prediction: Louisville 41, N.C. State 27

Pittsburgh (2-2) at Virginia (3-1)
Virginia coach Al Groh was up against the wall after the Cavaliers lost their opener to Wyoming. He's quieted the criticism with three straight wins.
Prediction: Virginia 19, Pittsburgh 10

Sun Belt Conference

Louisiana-Monroe (0-3) at Troy (2-2)
Troy’s rushing defense, already ranked last in Division I, didn’t improve its standing any after allowing 345 yards in a win over Louisiana-Lafayette. At the same time, Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook (297 passing yards, 89 rushing last week) has been explosive operating out of the spread offense.
Prediction: Troy 42, Louisiana-Monroe 28

National games of interest

No. 1 Southern Cal (3-0) at Washington (2-2)
USC has been frighteningly good running the ball so far this season. Worst of all for opposing defenses, it’s impossible to key in on one tailback. Between Chauncey Washington, C.J. Gable and Joe McKnight, the Trojans have an embarrassment of riches.
Prediction: USC 41, Washington 20

No. 3 Oklahoma (4-0) at Colorado (2-2)
Oklahoma’s lowest point total to date? Fifty-one points against Miami. A 3-1 Miami team at that. Quarterback Sam Bradford is slowly playing his way into Heisman consideration.
Prediction: Oklahoma 52, Colorado 13

No. 5 West Virginia (4-0) at No. 18 South Florida (3-0)
Could prove to be one of the more exciting games of the weekend. South Florida expects a rare home sellout. Both teams love to spread the field and use mobile quarterbacks to good effect. As good as South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe has been this season, West Virginia's Pat White has been a little better. White completed 18-of-20 attempts for 181 yards against East Carolina last week -- and he's supposed to be known as a runner.
Prediction: West Virginia 38, South Florida 35

No. 7 Cal (4-0) at No. 11 Oregon (4-0)
The Oregon Duck mascot returns to the sideline after serving a suspension for administering a beat-down of the Houston Cougar a couple weeks ago. The Duck performed beyond the normal mascot boundaries, delivering some kicks and punches and administering an atomic elbow drop. The way Oregon QB Dennis Dixon is throwing the deep ball, the Ducks should pile-drive Cal.
Prediction: Oregon 31, Cal 23