tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61963814576275314472024-02-20T13:42:52.780-08:00Football BlogBlogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-84231277951464230572012-11-20T14:40:00.001-08:002012-11-20T14:40:47.533-08:00Big 20<br />
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This week's top 20:</div>
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20. The Big 14 (and counting)</h3>
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Ever play "Risk?" It's a board game (remember those?) where the object is to conquer the world. It's a lesson in strategy, geography and choosing your battles.</div>
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The Big Ten looked at the college football (and basketball) map and realized it was in danger of being outflanked. So it rolled the bones and added Maryland on Monday and Rutgers on Tuesday.</div>
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The Terrapins and Scarlet Knights aren't sexy choices, but they're effective ones. True, there is nothing Midwestern about the two newest members of the Big Ten. They're the plaid shirt to the Big Ten's striped pants.</div>
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But this wasn't about finding the perfect eHarmony date. It was about finding the perfect safe harbor. Rutgers and Maryland give the Big Ten geographical protection. They give the conference entry into the New York and mid-Atlantic cable markets.</div>
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19. The Big 14 (and counting), Part II</h3>
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Think of the Big Ten as Five Guys. It just opened a franchise directly across the street from McDonald's (the ACC) and Burger King (the Big East).</div>
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In essence, the Big Ten just told the ACC, "You want to brawl, we'll brawl." It told the Big East, "We didn't start this, but we'll finish it if we have to."</div>
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The expansion and realignment arms race has begun again. The Big Ten had watched the ACC use the Big East as its own personal chop shop and decided it had to act. It couldn't allow Penn State to be isolated by ACC members Boston College, Pittsburgh and Syracuse (and maybe UConn soon enough).</div>
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The ACC's alliance with Notre Dame certainly had an effect on the Big Ten's strategy, as did the collapse of the Big Ten/Pac-12 collaboration.</div>
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There's a turf war going on in college sports. It is survival of the fittest and right now, the Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Pac-12 and, OK, the Big 12 look pretty healthy.</div>
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The Big East? On its last legs.</div>
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18. Vote of confidence</h3>
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USC has lost three of its past four. It just got full nelsoned at the Rose Bowl by UCLA, 38-28. Trojans coach Lane Kiffin is in all sorts of Barney, right?</div>
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<a class="enlarge" credit="Harry How/Getty Images" href="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_g_kiffin1x_400.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">[+] Enlarge<img alt="Lane Kiffin " border="0" height="300" src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_g_kiffin1x_200.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 200px;">
<cite style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #ababab; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harry How/Getty Images</cite>Lane Kiffin could lose five games this season after starting the year off at No. 1 in the AP poll.</div>
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Actually, no.</div>
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The Los Angeles Times' Bill Plaschke got some quality phone time with USC athletic director Pat Haden, who recently confirmed that Kiffin is as safe as a kitten for now.</div>
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"Lane is my head coach, 150 percent, now and hopefully for a long time," Haden told Plaschke. "I see the future. I see the potential. I know what he's been fighting through and I like what he's done."</div>
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And then this from Haden:</div>
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"Were our expectations too high? Maybe. But I see a lot of positives, a lot of things to build on, and I hope Lane and I are together a long time."</div>
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And this:</div>
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"Coaches live and die with wins, but athletic directors look at everything. Lane has graduated 83 percent of his seniors so far. He has committed no NCAA infractions. He's recruited tremendously. He's been fantastic in many ways."</div>
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The Trojans are 7-4 and unranked. They began the season No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. <i style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fantastic</i> is not a word you'd use to describe USC's season.</div>
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Maybe that's why Haden mentioned that Kiffin is going to "evaluate" his coaching staff. In other words, Kiffin's dad, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, might not be DC next year. Or maybe he's gone altogether.</div>
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17. Heisman Trophy race</h3>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Seated in the front row at Best Buy Theater:</b></div>
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<a class="enlarge" credit="Jeff Hanisch/US Presswire" href="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_u_miller1x_600.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">[+] Enlarge<img alt="Braxton Miller " border="0" height="200" src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_u_miller1x_300.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></a><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 300px;">
<cite style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #ababab; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeff Hanisch/US Presswire</cite>Has Braxton Miller quietly moved up to front of the Heisman race?</div>
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• Ohio State quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/512838/braxton-miller" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Braxton Miller</a> -- You think a big game against Michigan on national television might help his chances? And just think if the Buckeyes win to finish the regular season undefeated.</div>
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• Texas A&M quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/517475/johnny-manziel" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Johnny Manziel</a> -- Johnny Football is going to be Johnny Times Square if he keeps this up.</div>
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• USC wide receiver <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/513334/marqise-lee" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Marqise Lee</a> -- It's not his fault the Trojans haven't won more games. Not even quilts can cover him.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Keep a coat and tie handy:</b></div>
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• Notre Dame linebacker <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/517633/manti-teo" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Manti Te'o</a> -- The ND-USC game will give voters the perfect excuse to fall in love with Te'o and the idea of a defensive player winning the trophy.</div>
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• Wisconsin running back <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/482389/montee-ball" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Montee Ball</a> -- Have you seen how hard this guy is running the ball? Did you see he nearly had 200 rushing yards against Ohio State? Did you see that he needs only one more touchdown run to break the all-time major college record?</div>
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• Kansas State quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/381823/collin-klein" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Collin Klein</a> -- From Heisman favorite to clinging to Heisman life.</div>
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• Northern Illinois QB <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/482142/jordan-lynch" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Jordan Lynch</a> -- Take a minute and go look at his season numbers. Wow.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks for stopping by the booth:</b></div>
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• Oregon running back <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/379309/kenjon-barner" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Kenjon Barner</a> -- Blame Stanford, not me.</div>
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• Oregon quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/511459/marcus-mariota" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Marcus Mariota</a> -- Next year, buddy.</div>
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• USC quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/480322/matt-barkley" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Matt Barkley</a> -- A senior year to forget.</div>
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16. The picks</h3>
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Not only didn't I see Stanford over Oregon or Baylor over Kansas State, I didn't see UCLA over USC, Utah State over La. Tech, Mississippi State over Arkansas, or Vandy over Tennessee.</div>
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Gruesomely bad week for BMOC prognosticating.</div>
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This week's choices:</div>
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Mississippi State over Ole Miss, Texas over TCU, Kent State over Ohio, Syracuse over Temple, Arizona over Arizona State, Tennessee over Kentucky, Georgia over Georgia Tech, Ohio State over Michigan, Oregon over Oregon State, Florida State over Florida, Oklahoma over Oklahoma State, Stanford over UCLA, Texas A&M over Missouri, South Carolina over Clemson, Notre Dame over USC, San Jose State over La. Tech.</div>
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(Last week's record: 11-6. Overall: 148-50.)</div>
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15. Why Vegas sends a limo for me</h3>
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As Oklahoma's Bob Stoops says in that AT&T commercial, "Hello."</div>
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Hello to a few long shot picks that panned out. Hello to respectability (for one week). Hello to this week's picks.</div>
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Just so you know, I took San Jose State over BYU and won. I took Ohio State over Wisconsin and somehow snuck away with an OT victory there. And I took Texas Tech over Oklahoma State, which just goes to show why you should never make picks after getting stuck behind the diesel fumes of a school bus.</div>
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This week I thought hard about:</div>
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Wisconsin over Penn State (taking a flier on the Badgers being able to bounce back on the road after OT loss to Ohio State) … Iowa State over West Virginia (if it happens, the Mountaineers will still be bowl ineligible after a 5-0 start) … Texas Tech over Baylor (because I'm nuts) … Indiana over Purdue (absolutely no reason why).</div>
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Went with: Going for the foursome.</div>
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(Last week's record: 2-1. Overall: 5-11.)</div>
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14. Flop of the week</h3>
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The finalists:</div>
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-- Kansas State.</div>
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It wasn't just that the then-No. 1 Wildcats lost, but that they lost to unranked Baylor. And not by a little, but by a lot (52-24).</div>
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-- Oregon.</div>
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Actually, I don't think the Ducks did a belly flop -- at least, not in the traditional sense. Instead, I think Stanford had a clever and well-executed game plan. I also think that Oregon tightened up when it became apparent that Stanford wasn't going anywhere.</div>
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-- Tennessee.</div>
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Vanderbilt 41, Tennessee 18.</div>
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--Texas Tech.</div>
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Another game against Oklahoma State, another blowout loss.</div>
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-- USC.</div>
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The Trojans lose to former crosstown nonfactor UCLA. And they lose Barkley too.</div>
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And the flopper is … Kansas State.</div>
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I was pulling for the purple lugs, but there's no way around it: K-State played like a team that felt the pressure of No. 1.</div>
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13. Coach of the week</h3>
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<a class="enlarge" credit="AP Photo/LM Otero" href="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_a_brilesa_400.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">[+] Enlarge<img alt="Art Briles" border="0" height="300" src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_a_brilesa_200.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 200px;">
<cite style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #ababab; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">AP Photo/LM Otero</cite>Art Briles pulled off the upset of the weekend when his Baylor team beat Kansas State.</div>
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The finalists:</div>
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-- Stanford's David Shaw.</div>
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In a profession filled with its share of egos, Shaw is a refreshing alternative. I'm not saying he doesn't have an ego, but when you introduce yourself to him, he says, "Hi, I'm David." Some coaches expect you to genuflect. His work against Oregon was top drawer.</div>
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-- Baylor's Art Briles.</div>
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K-State still doesn't know what hit it. But go figure: Briles lost to the Wildcats last season with RG3.</div>
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-- UCLA's Jim Mora.</div>
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The Bruins are going to the Pac-12 championship game and maybe the Rose Bowl. Mora's nine wins are the most by a first-year UCLA coach since 1976. And he's only the third Bruins coach to beat USC in his first season in Westwood.</div>
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-- Ohio State's Urban Meyer.</div>
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It's no accident that the Buckeyes win all these close games. The latest: the OT victory at Wisconsin.</div>
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-- San Jose State's Mike MacIntyre.</div>
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Because the 9-2 Spartans deserve love too, especially after the win against BYU.</div>
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And the winner is … Briles.</div>
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12. Player of the week</h3>
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The finalists:</div>
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-- Temple running back <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/380803/montel-harris" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Montel Harris</a>.</div>
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I know Army isn't Alabama, but still: 351 rushing yards and seven touchdowns? Is that possible?</div>
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-- Clemson quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/480221/tajh-boyd" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Tajh Boyd</a>.</div>
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An ACC-record eight touchdowns (five passing, three running) in the win against North Carolina State. Boyd passed for 426 yards and rushed for 103.</div>
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-- Northern Illinois's Lynch.</div>
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In the win against Toledo, which extended NIU's home winning streak to an FBS-best 21 games, Lynch threw for 407 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 162 yards. I don't even drive my car that far.</div>
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-- Stanford's defense.</div>
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Ask Oregon about it.</div>
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And the winner is … Harris.</div>
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11. Ohio vs. that team up north</h3>
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Just got back from Columbus, where The Ohio State's players, coaches and staff are working their way into a Defcon 1 state of readiness for Saturday's game against The Michigan.</div>
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<a class="enlarge" credit="AP Photo/Cal Sport Media" href="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_a_meyeru_400.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">[+] Enlarge<img alt="Urban Meyer" border="0" height="300" src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_a_meyeru_200.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 200px;">
<cite style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #ababab; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">AP Photo/Cal Sport Media</cite>Urban Meyer has a chance to finish off a perfect season by beating "that team up north."</div>
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Walk down any hallway of the Buckeyes' football facility and you'll see sign after poster board-sized sign heralding the football rivalry between the two programs. Except that on every sign, the M-word (Michigan) has been blacked out or covered in athletic training tape. In it's place is the handwritten, <i style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That Team Up North</i>.</div>
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There is a NASA-like countdown clock at the end of one hallway, measuring the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the noon kickoff at Ohio Stadium. There is another countdown clock in the Buckeyes' massive weightroom, as well as rivalry banners on the second-floor railings. Every plasma screen in the weightroom has Michigan-Ohio State programming on a continuous loop.</div>
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See Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler scowl. See stadium tunnel dust-ups. See black-and-white footage of old-timers. See crushing tackles that make your teeth hurt. See anger, football hatred and, yes, respect.</div>
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"I just knew since the day I was born in the state of Ohio, it was made very clear who the enemy was," said Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer. "The enemy's up north, a little bit west."</div>
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This isn't a 2 percent milk rivalry. There's nothing diluted about the way the Buckeyes feel about the Wolverines, and the Wolverines feel about the Buckeyes. They won't even speak each other's name. In fact, I'm not sure Meyer will let his team see the remake of "Red Dawn." (Why? The freedom fighting heroes call themselves "Wolverines.")</div>
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On Monday I saw Meyer semi-playfully (I think) question a TV producer's choice of shirt color.</div>
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The producer was wearing blue -- one of Michigan's colors.</div>
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"It's the best rivalry in all of sports," said Buckeyes linebacker <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/377882/etienne-sabino" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Etienne Sabino</a>.</div>
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This rivalry has a mean streak to it, but not poison-a-tree kind of meanness. There isn't an absolute out-of-whack viciousness to it that, say, Auburn-Alabama has.</div>
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Don't get me wrong -- I love that Bama-Auburn rivalry. But there's nothing healthy about it. It's a guilty pleasure, like washing down large fries with a chocolate shake while watching a Judge Judy marathon.</div>
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10. Ohio vs. that team up north, Part II</h3>
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It is only right that Michigan is the team that separates Ohio State from an undefeated season and, who knows, a chance at a split national championship.</div>
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There is a lot to like about these Wolverines, especially their talent and their resolve. But no team in the country has shown the kind of resolve that Ohio State has. (Check that -- Penn State has.)</div>
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Because of NCAA sanctions (how'd that cover-up work out, Jim Tressel?), the Buckeyes are ineligible for the postseason. They got Leaders Division champion hats and T-shirts (whooee!) and Meyer says they're getting rings too.</div>
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But no BCS standings. No BCS bowl. No possibility of a Notre Dame versus Ohio State national championship game.</div>
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This is Ohio State's bowl game. It's Ohio State's everything for 2012. To go undefeated under these circumstances -- and to win that final game against your archrival -- would make it impossible not to have Meyer on the shortest list of Coach of the Year candidates.</div>
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Just for the record, Michigan has ended Ohio State unbeaten seasons in 1969, 1973, 1993, 1995 and 1996.</div>
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"All year you work every game, you want to win every game," said Sabino. "But in the back of your mind you know you have that team up north that you need to play at at the end of the season. To beat them, it makes your season."</div>
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And if you lose?</div>
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"It will haunt you all year," he said.</div>
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9. Quote of the week</h3>
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"Just so you know, I'm proud of those men. How fricking easy it would have been to say, 'It's their night.' How f------ easy. Excuse my language.</div>
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"A spectacular group of men! You go find them, you throw your arms around them and you give them a big kiss on the mouth -- if you're a girl.</div>
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"Wow, what a game! Are you kidding me?"</div>
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--LSU coach Les Miles (who else could it be?) during his stream of consciousness postgame news conference after the Tigers scored 21 fourth-quarter points to overcome Ole Miss at Death Valley 41-35. The truth is, we ought to retire this category to the Mad Hatter. Or name it after him.</div>
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8. Quote of the week runners-up</h3>
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"We beat the socks off these guys."</div>
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-- Baylor defensive back <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/502259/ahmad-dixon" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Ahmad Dixon</a> (to the Waco Tribune's John Werner) after the unranked Bears upset No. 1 Kansas State.</div>
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"I went up to him and put my arms around him, I looked him right in the eye and said, 'It's time to grow up. I don't want to talk anymore about how talented you are -- make the kicks."</div>
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-- Stanford's Shaw (to the Eugene Register-Guard) on what he told <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/505326/jordan-williamson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Jordan Williamson</a>shortly after the Cardinal place-kicker missed a 43-yarder that would have cut Oregon's fourth quarter lead to 14-10. Williamson is the same guy who missed a pair of field goals in the Fiesta Bowl overtime loss to Oklahoma State last season.</div>
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"I wasn't praying Jordan would make the kick. I was praying about everything Jordan's been through. He's such a sweet kid and everything that happened at the Fiesta Bowl, and all that. I prayed to God, thanking him for bringing Jordan through all the turmoil the way the kid came through it."</div>
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-- Stanford's Shaw (to Portland Oregonian columnist John Canzano) on what he was doing just before Williamson converted the game-winning 37-yarder in overtime to beat the No. 2 Ducks.</div>
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7. Quote of the week honorable mention</h3>
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"I was on the bench talking to somebody and I heard the crowd go crazy and I thought, 'Am I missing something on the field?"'</div>
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-- Oregon State coach Mike Riley (to the Oregonian) on the reaction from the Beavers' home crowd when news of Stanford's upset of the Ducks was shown on the Reser Stadium jumbo screen.</div>
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6. In</h3>
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Notre Dame ... Syracuse (bowl eligible for only the second time in eight seasons) ... Bill O'Brien's Penn State offense (have you seen how he's transformed quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/386880/matthew-mcgloin" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Matthew McGloin</a>?) ... <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/534669/todd-gurley" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Todd Gurley</a> (first Georgia true freshman since Herschel Walker in 1980 to rush for 1,000 yards) ... Rivalry games (Florida vs. Florida State, Auburn vs. Alabama, Clemson vs. South Carolina, Michigan vs. Ohio State, Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State, Georgia Tech vs. Georgia, Notre Dame vs. USC, Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma, Arizona vs. Arizona State, Oregon vs. Oregon State, Purdue vs. Indiana, Virginia vs. Virginia Tech, Tulane vs. Houston (just seeing if you were paying attention) ... The poignant, heart-searing story of Wake Forest assistant coach Tom Elrod and his family's seven-day love affair with his infant son who died of a brain tumor (producer Sarah Burlingham's College GameDay piece is a must-see) ... Football weather ... Heisman drama ... Les Miles and YouTube ... Big Ten expansion ... the chances of other conferences following the Big Ten's lead ... the chances of Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick sending Baylor's Briles and Stanford's Shaw a basket of fine meats and cheeses ... the chances of Bama, Georgia, FSU doing the same thing ... really good redshirt freshmen quarterbacks ... Clemson's Boyd (hello, New York?) ... Northwestern winning a close one.</div>
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5. Out</h3>
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Kansas State and Oregon ... Derek Dooley at Tennessee ... Jeff Tedford at Cal ... Les Miles' mind ... USC owning L.A. ... Johnny Football kicking PATs in blowouts (don't do that -- it's a bit disrespectful) ... Maryland and the ACC, Rutgers and the Big East ... Warm and fuzzy postgame handshakes between Wisconsin's Bret Bielema and Ohio State's Meyer (don't get me wrong, they were professional at midfield, but ...) ... Louisiana Tech quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/385667/colby-cameron" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Colby Cameron</a>'s NCAA-record streak of 445 passes without an interception comes to an end in 48-41 OT loss to Utah State ... <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/511464/de'anthony-thomas" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">De'Anthony Thomas</a> as a downfield blocker ... Southern Mississippi (0-11, with one last chance at a win: at 3-8 Memphis Saturday) ... UTEP coach Mike Price (announced his retirement Monday) ... All that midseason mojo about Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have lost three of their past four (and yet I keep picking them), face Baylor at home and are fresh from another hellish experience against Oklahoma State (the Cowboys have beaten Tech by a combined 125-27 during the last two meetings) ... Big Ten security leaks. Man, those guys can keep a secret. They almost pulled this off without anybody finding out before the big announcement.</div>
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4. Rocky days on Rocky Top</h3>
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It isn't an exaggeration to say that Tennessee is about to make perhaps the most important coaching hire in the history of the school. Screw this one up and the Vols' program could become a football dust bowl.</div>
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<a class="enlarge" credit="Jim Brown/US Presswire" href="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_u_dooley_400.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #999999; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">[+] Enlarge<img alt="Derek Dooley" border="0" height="300" src="http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1120/ncf_u_dooley_200.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a><div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 200px;">
<cite style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #ababab; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jim Brown/US Presswire</cite>Derek Dooley won just four SEC games in his three years in Knoxville.</div>
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Tennessee was once a national and SEC superpower. Now it's Belgium. It scares no one.</div>
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Phillip Fulmer had his flaws, especially late in his coaching tenure there, but he cared about his alma mater, about the tradition of the place and about winning championships. He won a national title in 1998, but was eventually forced out in 2008, only a year removed from a 10-4 record. Fulmer won as many games in his last two seasons at UT as the recently canned Derek Dooley did in almost three complete seasons (Dooley isn't coaching Saturday's game against Kentucky).</div>
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If you're doing the tick-tock of Tennessee's football demise, start the clock with the hiring of Mike Hamilton as athletic director in 2003. That was the first mistake.</div>
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The second mistake was giving him the power to fire and hire coaches. Hamilton was a gifted fundraiser, but a lousy personnel evaluator. He hired Lane Kiffin as Fulmer's successor and did so for all the appropriate reasons (Kiffin could recruit, Kiffin could run an offense, Kiffin could bring his old man Monte along as defensive coordinator).</div>
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But Hamilton forgot to ask Kiffin a simple question before he hired him: "What happens if USC calls?"</div>
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USC called at the end of Kiffin's spectacularly bizarre first and only season (7-6) in Knoxville. Kiffin was gone faster than you can spell U-T.</div>
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Then Hamilton hired Dooley, who was so far in over his head that he needed a snorkel. Dooley's numbers were more gross than Smokey's jowl drool: 15-21 overall record, 4-19 vs. SEC teams, 0-15 vs. Top 25 opponents. And did I mention that Dooley presided over the Vols' first loss to Kentucky in 26 years, and that his final game was fittingly a 41-18 loss to the University of Buster Olney (Vanderbilt)? It was the first time Tennessee had lost to Vandy in Nashville since 1982.</div>
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3. Rocky days on Rocky Top, Part II</h3>
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Anyway, Hamilton resigned in July 2011. He is a nice enough man who has since become president of a nonprofit dedicated to addressing water crises and HIV/AIDS in Africa.</div>
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But when it came to hiring football coaches, Hamilton was a disaster area. A guy selling hair extensions at a shopping mall kiosk could have done better.</div>
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Anyway, Fulmer is gone. Kiffin is gone. Hamilton is gone. And now Dooley is gone.</div>
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Dooley actually leaves the program in better condition than he found it, but that's only because it was at ground zero after Kiffin's departure. Not even Dooley's most loyal supporters could make a compelling argument for a fourth year.</div>
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So he's history. And Tennessee football will be too if it doesn't get this one right. Athletic director Dave Hart surely has a wish list prepared. And here's guessing back-channel inquiries already have been made.</div>
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If I'm making the calls, I contact Jon Gruden first. If he says no, he says no. But you've got to at least try.</div>
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I'd call Stanford's Shaw. He has IT. And, by the way, Stanford isn't known for breaking the bank for coaches.</div>
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I'd call Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy, though you probably don't want to get into a money-whipping contest with OSU patriarch T. Boone Pickens.</div>
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And even though it makes absolutely no sense on about 100 different levels, I'd call Mike Holmgren. Hey, Bill Walsh went from the San Francisco 49ers to Stanford, so there's precedence.</div>
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That's my short list.</div>
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As much as I admire the job Jim Mora has done at UCLA, it would be hypocritical to rip Kiffin for leaving after one season and then endorse a plan that would ask Mora to do the same to UCLA.</div>
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Mississippi State's Dan Mullen is someone to think long and hard about, as is Baylor's Briles, Louisville's Charlie Strong, Florida State's Jimbo Fisher and, wait for it, Vandy's James Franklin. And just watch, somebody is going to hire Texas A&M offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. He's a keeper.</div>
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2. If there were a playoff</h3>
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(And there will be in two more years …)</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Shoulder Pad Bracket:</b></div>
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Notre Dame vs. Oregon.</div>
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For this game, the Ducks would break out their new see-through helmets and day-glo green cleats that actually quack as the runner nears the goal line.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chin Strap Bracket:</b></div>
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Ohio State vs. Georgia.</div>
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When he was at Florida, Urban Meyer was 5-1 vs. the Bulldogs.</div>
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1. The BMOC Top 10</h3>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 10: Florida (10-1)</b><br />Next: at Florida State.<br />The Gators' offense is a work in progress. The Gators' defense is a work of art.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 9: Florida State (10-1)</b><br />Next: Florida.<br />The Seminoles need to beat an SEC team (the Gators) to make their ACC season mean something. Win in Tallytown on Saturday and FSU still has an outside chance at a BCS Championship spot.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 8: LSU (9-2)</b><br />Next: at Arkansas on Friday.<br />Do the BCS computers include SOPPC -- Strength of Postgame Press Conference -- in their calculations? If so, Les Miles is ranked No. 1. The Tigers could have lost to Ole Miss, but<a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/517215/odell-beckham" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Odell Beckham</a> channeled his inner Billy Cannon.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 7: Texas A&M (9-2)</b><br />Next: Missouri.<br />A wonderful week for the Aggies: they find AWOL freshman wide receiver <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/532115/thomas-johnson" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #225fb2; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">Thomas Johnson</a>safe and sound, and they cruise past No. 3-ranked FCS member Sam Houston State (up 47-0 late in the third quarter).</div>
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<cite style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #ababab; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ron Chenoy/US Presswire</cite>David Shaw has his Stanford squad in line for a Rose Bowl bid.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 6: Stanford (9-2)</b><br />Next: at UCLA.<br />Did you hear that primal noise late Saturday night? That was Cardinal alum and podcast bro Ivan Maisel cursing the football gods that I covered Stanford win over Oregon and he was in Waco for The Other Upset That Shook The World. Or maybe he was just clearing his throat. Anyway, the Cardinal defense was remarkable, especially when it came to funneling Oregon's Big Three (Barner, Thomas and Mariota) inside. The Ducks gained only 29 yards running outside the tackles, compared with a 103.4-yard average outside the tackles in their previous 10 games.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 5: Alabama (10-1)</b><br />Next: Auburn.<br />I am now going to list all the reasons how Auburn can upset Bama at home:</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 4: Oregon (10-1)</b><br />Next: at Oregon State.<br />The injury-depleted Ducks lost at home to then-No. 13 Stanford in overtime. Bama lost at home to then-No. 15 Texas A&M by five. So that's why I've got Oregon ahead of the Tide. The difference is that Bama has a much better chance of over-tipping the BCS bouncer and squeezing past the velvet ropes to Miami. Meanwhile, the Ducks don't even control their Pac-12 North destiny (Stanford does). Go figure.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 3: Georgia (10-1)</b><br />Next: Georgia Tech.<br />The Hairy Dawgs were sitting there minding their own business when suddenly they became a BCS National Championship contestant again. Chances are they'll have a chip in the big game if they beat Georgia Tech at home and then beat presumed SEC West entry Alabama in the SEC championship -- and UGA-friendly Atlanta-- on Dec. 1.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 2: Ohio State (11-0)</b><br />Next: Michigan.<br />Undefeated? Check. Ineligible for postseason play? Check. A shame that we can't have a BCS title game between two unbeaten Mt. Rushmore programs (Brutus vs. ND's leprechaun guy)? Check. The Buckeyes are 11-0 for the first time since 2006. Five of those wins have been by seven points or fewer, including two victories in OT.</div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.222222328186035px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. 1: Notre Dame (11-0)</b><br />Next: at USC.<br />Amaze your friends. Impress your It's Just Brunch blind date. Win money from perfect strangers. How? Simply ask them to name the last time Notre Dame was No. 1 in the BCS standings. And because you're a super-nice person, you'll even give a one-year cushion either way -- but only if they give you odds. It's a sucker bet, of course. The Irish have been the BCS No. 1 exactly zero times. In fact, they hadn't been No. 1 in the Associated Press poll since 1993 and hadn't finished a season unbeaten at home since 1989. If ND hopes to stay at No. 1 longer than K-State did (one whole week), it had better prepare for USC's best shot.</div>
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(Five on the fringe: Kansas State, Clemson, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon State.)</div>
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Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-22976881319389813752012-10-07T13:36:00.001-07:002012-10-07T13:36:03.529-07:00PITTSBURGH -- Thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers' 16-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles:
What it means: The Steelers avoided their first 1-3 start under Mike Tomlin with a sloppy yet dramatic win over the Eagles. Shaun Suisham's 34-yard field goal as game expired helped Pittsburgh improve to 2-2 and keep pace with the Ravens. Ben Roethlisberger led a 14-play, 64-yard winning drive in the fourth quarter, which came after Philadelphia took its first lead of the game. The Steelers are 5-1 under Tomlin following a bye and have won five straight home games.
Roethlisberger comes up big: Roethlisberger carried the Steelers once again and led them on a game-winning, fourth quarter drive. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 50 yards. His biggest play was converting a third-and-12 with a 20-yard pass to Antonio Brown.
Mendenhall makes his mark: Running back Rashard Mendenhall made an impact in his first game since ACL surgery in January. He jumpstarted one of the worst defenses in the NFL with 81 yards on 14 carries. He scored the Steelers' only touchdown on a 13-yard run (off a Roethlisberger lateral).
Not making the stop: The Eagles took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter because the Pittsburgh defense couldn't make the critical stop. The Steelers allowed Philadelphia to convert twice on fourth-and-short and gave up the two-yard touchdown pass to Brent Celek on third-and-goal.
Receivers don't step up: The Steelers had to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown on their final drive of the first half. Brown dropped a pass in the end zone, and Jerricho Cotchery stumbled after making a catch and fell two yards short of the goal line. A drop by Mike Wallace on third down ended a drive in the third quarter.
Penalties haunt defense: With the Steelers ahead 10-0 in the third quarter, the defense helped the Eagles to their first touchdown. Two 15-yard penalties were critical in the 80-yard drive. Ryan Clark was flagged for unnecessary roughness, and Ryan Mundy was penalized for a helmet-to-helmet hit.
Not cashing in: The Steelers defense got turnovers early, but the offense failed to capitalize. Pittsburgh scored no points off two Michael Vick fumbles, although one in the red zone stopped the Eagles from scoring. The Steelers only had three takeaways before this game.
Injuries continue to hurt Steelers: Safety Troy Polamalu left in the first quarter after re-injuring his calf, and linebacker LaMarr Woodley later went out with an injured hamstring. Both never returned. Polamalu missed the past two games with a calf injury, and Woodley was sidelined six games last year with a hamstring injury.
What's next: After having a bye, the Steelers play their second game in five days when they play at the Tennessee Titans.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-23135236157644317802012-10-07T13:35:00.003-07:002012-10-07T13:35:33.764-07:00Here are some thoughts on the Miami Dolphins' 17-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals:
What it means: The Dolphins were finally rewarded for their hard work and effort. Miami had been very close to victory the past two weeks but suffered back-to-back overtime losses. The Dolphins finally got over the hump by beating a solid Cincinnati (3-2) team on the road. The Dolphins snapped Cincinnati's three-game winning streak. Miami improves to 2-3 and has one more game before the bye week.
What I liked: The Dolphins stayed poised late in the game, which is something we haven't seen this season. Miami couldn't make plays in the fourth quarter of close games up until Sunday. But Miami's defense got big stops and turnovers and the offense did just enough to preserve the win. The Dolphins' defense continues to play well. Cincinnati's offense, particularly its passing game, is not easy to defend. But Miami did a good job of mixing blitzes with zone and man coverage to keep the Bengals guessing. Good defense helped Miami jump out to a 17-6 lead in the second half. That was enough to hold on.
What I didn't like: The Dolphins got away with some sloppiness in the first half. Miami turned the ball over once on special teams and fullback Jorvorskie Lane fumbled near the goal line in the opening period. But Miami's defense did a good job of holding Cincinnati to six points off Miami's two early turnovers. Miami's running game wasn't as stout as usual. The Dolphins as a team averaged just 1.9 yards per carry.
What's next: The Dolphins will return home for the first time in three games next week when they host the St. Louis Rams (3-2). St. Louis will have 10 days to prepare for the Dolphins. But this is a good opportunity for Miami get back to .500 before the bye week.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-61433264488826479592012-10-07T13:35:00.001-07:002012-10-07T13:35:14.427-07:00EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –- The New York Giants hadn’t even broken a sweat yet and found themselves down 14-0 to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. But once the defending champs got warmed up, they routed the winless Browns, 41-27.
What it means: The Giants took care of business and won a game they had to have with a brutal schedule ahead of them. The Giants are 3-2 through their first five games but their final 11 games are against either division foes or playoff teams from last year.
Bottom line, Giants had to win this one and they got the job done with several key starters or contributors out for the game.
Quick turnaround: There’s something about these 1 p.m. home starts for the Giants against an inferior opponent. Last season, the Giants struggled at home against Seattle, Washington and then-winless Miami.
On Sunday, the Giants fell behind 14-0 less than five minutes into the game. Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled on the first offensive play of the game to set up Cleveland’s first touchdown. And then Brandon Weeden hit Josh Gordon on a 62-yard touchdown bomb on middle linebacker Chase Blackburn.
But the Giants outscored Cleveland 27-3, including the last 20 points of the first half, to go into halftime up 27-17.
Salsa time: With Hakeem Nicks out, Victor Cruz picked up the slack, scoring three touchdowns.
In fact, the Giants receivers all stepped up. With Ramses Barden also out with a concussion, Domenik Hixon and Rueben Randle saw plenty of action. Randle had five receptions for 78 yards and Hixon had four catches for 48 in the first half, respectively.
Stevie Wonder: Starting in place of the injured Kenny Phillips (knee), Stevie Brown had quite a first half. He intercepted an overthrown pass by Weeden and returned it 46 yards to give the Giants the ball at the Browns’ 40. Two plays later, the Giants scored to tie the game at 17-17 in the second quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, Will Hill forced a Josh Cribbs' fumble and Brown recovered and took it to the Browns’ 29-yard-line. Eli Manning hit Cruz for the second time in the end zone to put the Giants up 24-17 with 1:10 remaining in the half.
Brown has done very well filling in. He had a pick against Carolina coming in for Rolle and should continue to start for Phillips, who could miss next week’s game with an MCL injury.
The Giants do have to make a roster move on Monday to make room for Tyler Sash, who's served his four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
Angry Ahmad: Bradshaw may have fumbled his first carry of the game but he ran angry and hard for not only his first 100-yard game of the season but a career-high 200 yards.
Andre Brown was knocked out of the game early with a head injury but Bradshaw had 80 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone. Bradshaw's neck looks just fine. And David Wilson scored his first touchdown in explosive fashion -- a 40-yard run spelling Bradshaw.
What’s next: It’s an NFC Championship game rematch as the Giants travel to San Francisco for a highly-anticipated reunion with the Niners.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-76461433417722077642012-10-07T13:34:00.003-07:002012-10-07T13:34:45.866-07:00LANDOVER, Md. -- Thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons’ 24-17 victory against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Sunday.
What it means: The Falcons are 5-0 for the first time in franchise history. They’re also high atop the NFC South standings. This was not a particularly pretty game, but there’s a nice trend developing. The Falcons, who many view as a “dome team," have won three outdoor games already this season. This one came on a day that was cool and rainy.
Play of the day: With the Redskins driving, cornerback Dunta Robinson saved the game for the Falcons with an interception with 1:53 remaining.
Hit of the day: Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon knocked Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III out of the game with a big hit in the third quarter. The Redskins said Griffin was “shaken up’’ and he did not return to the game. He was replaced by Kirk Cousins, who threw two fourth-quarter interceptions.
One thing I never want to see again: Joe Hawley attempting to catch a pass. With fullback Lousaka Polite out with an injury, the Falcons sometimes used Hawley as a blocking back. But with 5:50 left in the third quarter, the Falcons tried to throw a pass to Hawley. He was wide open, but the ball went right off his hands. When you have the talent at the skill positions that the Falcons have, Hawley should never be thrown the ball.
He never gets old: Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez has said he’s 95-percent sure he’ll retire after this season. He might want to re-think that. Gonzalez had a huge day, catching 13 passes for 123 yards.
Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-54638609714306780352012-10-07T13:34:00.001-07:002012-10-07T13:34:17.774-07:00PITTSBURGH -- A few thoughts on the Philadelphia Eagles' last-second loss to the Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday afternoon.
What it means: A taste of their own medicine, as the Eagles lost the close game this time after the Steelers one-upped them on fourth-quarter drives. It was a sloppy game all around, and a tough loss in a tough place to play. But if you were waiting for the day all of the Eagles' mistakes were going to cost them one of these one-point or two-point games, Sunday was the day. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was impressive late, but he was awful enough in the first half to dig the Eagles a hole from which they could not escape.
Tale of two QBs: Vick was 7-for-12 for 70 yards in the first half, and he also rushed four times for 11 yards and lost two fumbles. Philadelphia trailed 10-0 at the half, and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had just put on a clinic in responsible, efficient quarterbacking with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that took 7:21 off the clock. It was a study in critical contrast. But out of nowhere in the fourth quarter, Vick and the Eagles topped it with a 17-play, 79-yard drive that bled 8:18 off the clock and gave them their first lead of the game with 6:33 left to play. On the drive, Vick was 7-for-10 for 57 yards and the 2-yard touchdown pass to Brent Celek. The Eagles converted two fourth downs and two third downs on the drive, including the third-and-goal from the 2. Had they played offense this way all game, they may have actually won somewhat easily.
For the defense: Roethlisberger was able to find some things in the Eagles' secondary, showcasing what an important part pressure plays in the Eagles' defensive schemes. Nnamdi Asomugha is not winning consistently enough in man coverage, and Antonio Brown had some fun against the Eagles' defensive backs. Philadelphia also struggled to contain Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall in his first game of the season, and they were unable to make the stops they needed to make on the drive that moved the Steelers into field goal range at the end of the game. For the second game in a row, the Eagles did not record a sack.
What's next: The Eagles host the Detroit Lions at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The Lions are 1-3, have lost three games in a row and are coming off their bye week. It will be the second consecutive week in which the Eagles' opponent was off the week before.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-2603968877493851762012-10-07T13:05:00.003-07:002012-10-07T13:05:33.570-07:00Even as he has dazzled with his play throughout the first month of his first NFL season, Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III has engendered one common concern in those who have watched him -- a fear that, based on the manner and frequency with which he runs the ball, he's exposing himself to too many hits, or one very big one.
In the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons -- a game in which the Redskins' defense has played extremely well and kept them in it against one of the league's two remaining undefeated teams -- Griffin took a shot from Atlanta's Sean Weatherspoon and was knocked out of the game. Fellow rookie Kirk Cousins took over at quarterback on the Redskins' next offensive series while Griffin was taken to the locker room for treatment.
Cousins went to work right away and completed a 77-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss to give the Redskins a 17-14 lead with 12:24 left in the game.
Officially, the Redskins announced that Griffin was "shaken up" and questionable to return in the fourth quarter. That could mean a concussion, which could put his status for next week's game in jeopardy. We will, obviously, keep you posted.
Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-42988737873469380482012-10-07T13:05:00.001-07:002012-10-07T13:05:10.845-07:00FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Chris Kuper will make his season debut Sunday.
Kuper is active and is expected to start at guard for Denver at New England. Kuper is one of the better interior offensive lineman in the NFL. He broke his left forearm during training camp in August.
Kuper practiced fully this week and he was listed as probable to play. Manny Ramirez took Kuper’s place in the first quarter of the season. Ramirez often struggled, so Peyton Manning will surely appreciate the return of Kuper.
Also, Denver running back Knowshon Moreno is inactive for the third straight game. Rookie Ronnie Hillman will continue to take his place. As expected, New England tight end Aaron Hernandez (ankle) is not active.
There has been light rain here Sunday, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to impact the playing field at this point.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-86469631514087292872012-10-07T13:04:00.001-07:002012-10-07T13:04:50.514-07:00SAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Jacobs' regular-season debut with the San Francisco 49ers will wait at least another week.
The team named Jacobs among its inactive players against Buffalo on Sunday.
Jacobs isn't really needed at this point. So, even though he's healthy enough to practice following a knee injury suffered in August, the veteran running back will sit out this game. His former team, the New York Giants, visits Candlestick Park in one week.
Receiver A.J. Jenkins and running back LaMichael James are also inactive. The 49ers haven't needed their rookie draft choices to this point. Having Ted Ginn Jr.Jr. healthy at receiver allows the 49ers to keep active five veteran wideouts with starting experience, including two with considerable recent experience as returners (Kyle Williams, Ginn).
Also inactive for the 49ers: guard Joe Looney, nose tackle Ian Williams, safety Trenton Robinson and quarterback Scott Tolzien. Veteran nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, sidelined by a knee injury recently, is active. He might not be needed much, however, because the Bills play primarily with three-plus wide receivers at a time. As a result, the 49ers' base defense might not play much.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-20884517461286319152012-10-07T12:31:00.001-07:002012-10-07T12:31:10.081-07:00New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez returned to practice for the first time this week since suffering an ankle injury last month. But Hernandez isn't ready to return to game action just yet. He is inactive for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.
Hernandez could return as early as next week. The Patriots are rolling offensively but can still use their most versatile weapon. Hernandez can play all over the field and has the ability to stretch the field. He is a wild card who opens things up over the middle for teammates Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker.
The Patriots are 2-2 and looking to win at Gillette Stadium for the first time this season.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-88290302373343194402012-10-07T12:07:00.001-07:002012-10-07T12:07:18.873-07:00Good morning and welcome to Week 5 in the NFC North. I'll soon be heading down to the Metrodome, now that the Twin Cities Marathon has cleared out of downtown Minneapolis. But first, a few random notes and thoughts here for your Sunday morning consumption:
As ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best will undergo tests this week to determine if he's any closer to being ready to be activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and thus cleared for full contact. Best isn't eligible to begin practicing until after next Sunday's game at the Philadelphia Eagles and couldn't play before the Oct. 22 Monday night game at the Chicago Bears. There have been no hints about Best's progress, or lack thereof, meaning his future is no less clouded at this point.
The Green Bay Packers added defensive end Mike Neal to their active roster Saturday, and he will be in uniform Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie defensive lineman Mike Daniels was among the Packers' Sunday morning deactivations. That list also included running back James Starks and cornerback Davon House.
Starks is once again a healthy scratch. It's pretty amazing that a player who entered the preseason as the Packers' No. 1 running back can't get onto the field now that he has recovered from a turf toe injury. The Packers are going to ride the Cedric Benson Express, it appears.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-37037164188549633212012-10-07T12:06:00.009-07:002012-10-07T12:06:57.848-07:00SAN FRANCISCO -- Good note from the San Francisco 49ers this morning: Aldon Smith needs 1.5 sacks against Buffalo to break Reggie White's sack-era record for fewest games to reach 20 career sacks.
White needed 22 games. Smith has 18.5 sacks in his first 20 regular-season games.
Smith, who led the 49ers with 14 sacks as a rookie in 2011, had one sack wiped out by penalty in Week 4. He has 4.5 sacks through four games this season, putting him on pace for 18 sacks over a 16-game season.
Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has taken only four sacks in 136 drop backs this season.
Additional Bills-49ers notes, from ESPN Stats & Information:
Fitzpatrick's 12 touchdown passes are a franchise record through four games.
Fitzpatrick has thrown all seven of his interceptions against teams sending four or fewer pass-rushers. The 49ers have picked off 21 passes since the beginning of last season when sending four or fewer, third-most in the NFL. Opposing defenses have sent five or more against Fitzpatrick on 35 of 136 drop backs. The 49ers have sent added pressure 20.7 percent of the time since the start of last season, the second-lowest rate in the NFL. That includes 27.1 percent this season.
Fitzpatrick completed only 2 of 10 passes when targeting Stevie Johnson in Week 4. Fitzpatrick and Johnson have the lowest completion percentage in the NFL this season among QB-WR combinations with at least 20 targets.
The 49ers have 386 yards rushing outside the tackles, most in the NFL by 83 yards. They average 7.9 yards per carry on these rushes, third-best in the league. Their 18 rushing first downs on these runs rank first in the league. The team gave left tackle Joe Staley a contract extension in 2009, after Staley's second season. Right tackle Anthony Davis, who appears to be playing at a high level, is already in his third season. Not that agents would ever think of such things.
Alex Smith's 29-yard pass to Vernon Davis in Week 1 stands as the 49ers' longest completion in 2012. San Francisco and Minnesota are the only teams without a 30-yard pass play. Smith had 15 such plays last season. The Bills have allowed three.
Aldon Smith has recorded 18 of his 18.5 sacks when the 49ers sent four or fewer pass-rushers. No player has more on such plays.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-75925113977799936482012-10-07T12:06:00.007-07:002012-10-07T12:06:40.495-07:00Steelers safety Troy Polamalu lasted one quarter before reinjuring his right calf against the Eagles on Sunday. Pittsburgh announced that his return is questionable.
Polamalu had missed the past two games with a right calf injury and decided to return after full participation in every practice leading up to this game.
He said he injured his right calf the week leading up to the season opener in Denver. The injury was aggravated in the game.
The right calf has been a troublesome injury for Polamalu. It's the same calf he hurt in the playoffs last season. A tender right calf kept him out of practice leading up to the divisional playoff game at Denver.
Leading up to this game, ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell told me that it would be easy for Polamalu to have a setback considering the injury. "Not only do you have the inability to function or push off well, you run the risk of it being a bigger tear and a bigger injury, knocking you out for multiple weeks," she said.
Ryan Mundy, who had started the past two games for Polamalu, has replaced him again.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-14492790161011425822012-10-07T12:06:00.005-07:002012-10-07T12:06:27.847-07:00LANDOVER, Md. -- The Atlanta Falcons are struggling as they try to start the season 5-0 for the first time in franchise history.
They’re tied, 7-7, with the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Falcons put together a nice drive at the end of the first half and Matt Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez with 1-yard touchdown pass.
But Ryan didn’t have a great first half before that. He made two uncharacteristic mistakes.
Ryan had a pass intercepted by Ryan Kerrigan, who returned it for a touchdown with 10:11 remaining in the second quarter. Ryan and center Todd McClure also botched a snap with 4:56 remaining in the second and the Redskins put together a nice drive, but didn’t come away with any points as Billy Cundiff missed a field goal attempt.
Atlanta has played well on defense, but the Falcons need to get their offense going in the second half if they want to stay undefeated.
I'll be back with a Rapid Reaction soon after the game ends and a full column a couple of hours after that.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-21876632610207030952012-10-07T12:06:00.003-07:002012-10-07T12:06:15.499-07:00Even the best teams tend to have cracks.
Arrive at the wrong matchup against an opponent equipped to exploit it, and a top team can lose even if it plays well.
The 4-0 Houston Texans are not invincible as they prepare for "Monday Night Football" at MetLife Stadium against the Jets.
The teams they’ve beaten are a combined 5-11. If the Texans dispatch the Jets, that combined record will be 7-14.
How should the Jets take aim at the Texans?
There are not a lot of obvious avenues, but here’s what I would try.
Attack the middle of the defense: No, the Jets don’t have a guy with the potential of running back Chris Johnson. But Johnson got almost all of his 141 rushing yards last week between the tackles. The Texans showed a soft spot there.
While the Texans like defensive tackle Shaun Cody, he’s probably the weakest part of their excellent defensive front. Inside linebacker Bradie James also doesn’t qualify as a strength.
Use formations and blocking schemes that give you a chance to isolate and go after those two guys.
“I think the NT position is weak and they might be susceptible to an interior power running game,” ESPN.com's Matt Williamson said. “I also think you want to do everything possible with personnel, formations and motion to get their OLBs in coverage-against whoever.”
I’d rather see the Texans in their base defense with James than in nickel with Brice McCain in the mix.
Test Kareem Jackson: The Texans' No. 2 cornerback has gotten a lot better. But he’s been a better zone defender than man defender in his time with the Texans.
He jumped a route and returned an interception of Matt Hasselbeck 63 yards for a touchdown last week. Make Jackson show he’s up for the task again.
The Jets may not have high-quality wide receivers without the injured Santonio Holmes, but they should scheme to get Jackson in man situations and test him.
“I know that Kareem Jackson has improved quite a bit this season, but he is the guy to target rather than Johnathan Joseph for sure,” Williamson said.
Don’t let Houston get an early lead: Houston’s outscored opponents 31-8 in the first quarter, and once the Texans have the lead they can really do some damage. With a lead, they can dedicate time to the run and work the play-action and the bootleg scheme that spins off of it.
“They rarely play from behind -- and I don’t think they are real adept at doing so,” Williamson said. “Getting up early is key.”
Fare well in these three departments and the Jets will have a chance. But they may not have the personnel or capacity to do it all.
“[The Texans] are a really tough team to play against,” Williamson said. “You know they want to run, so I think you dedicate your D to stopping that -- even at the expense of Andre Johnson maybe blowing up. I think you want Matt Schaub throwing the ball a ton…
“But overall, best of luck with all that.”Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-48840915576768798412012-10-07T12:06:00.001-07:002012-10-07T12:06:01.965-07:00PITTSBURGH -- Honestly, 30 of the worst minutes of professional football I've ever watched. The Pittsburgh Steelers lead the Philadelphia Eagles 10-0 at halftime of a game of which neither side should be proud and for which Eagles quarterback Michael Vick should be getting screamed at by teammates and coaches throughout the intermission.
Vick has fumbled the ball away twice in the game, raising his personal turnover total for the season to 11 and the team's to 14. Both fumbles were on runs up the middle on which he chose not to slide and demonstrated a continued refusal to prioritize protection of the football. Earlier in the drive that resulted in the first fumble, he made a rotten decision to throw a ball up in the air and nearly saw it intercepted, and he fumbled on another run only to have the play overturned when it was ruled that a Steelers player had touched his foot while he was on the ground. More than once, he has thrown deep downfield into double coverage, and in general he has looked nothing like the responsible quarterback who went turnover-free in last Sunday night's victory over the Giants.
Each team has been penalized five times -- the Steelers for 56 yards and the Eagles for 35. But the difference in the score (which could have been worse, had Jerricho Cotchery not fallen down just short of the goal line on a catch he made just before the half) is the two turnovers and the mastery of the quarterback position the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger showed while orchestrating a 12-play, 75-yard, 7:21 touchdown drive in the second quarter. Roethlisberger was ducking blitzes, faking pitches and managing to keep plays alive while also appearing to play under control and managing to read the field and the difference. If Vick was taking notes, he could come out and be a different guy in the second half. And if the Eagles' defense can keep the score close, it would give Vick a chance to win the game with his fourth fourth-quarter comeback of the season. But the way he played in the first half makes it feel as though the Eagles are very far from being able to even hope for such a thing.
The Steelers get the ball back to start the second half, but Vick will get it back eventually. The difference in this game might come down to whether he's able to keep it.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-77173813219304230222012-10-07T12:05:00.001-07:002012-10-07T12:05:40.821-07:00PITTSBURGH -- Some thoughts at halftime, where the Steelers lead the Eagles 10-0:
The Steelers' defense is getting turnovers, but the offense isn't capitalizing. Pittsburgh scored no points off two Michael Vick fumbles. The Steelers only had three takeaways before this game.
Ben Roethlisberger is carrying the offense once again. He's 15-of-25 for 137 yards in the first half and hasn't received much help. Center Maurkice Pouncey has snapped the ball over his head twice in shotgun. Antonio Brown has dropped two passes including one in the end zone.
Injuries continue to hurt the Steelers. Safety Troy Polamalu left in the first quarter after re-injuring his calf, and linebacker LaMarr Woodley hurt his hamstring. Both are questionable to return.
Rashard Mendenhall made an impact in his first game since tearing his ACL in the 2011 season finale. He scored on a 13-yard run (it was a lateral from Roethlisberger) for the Steelers' only touchdown of the first half.
The Steelers dominated time of possession in the second quarter. Their two scoring drives in that quarter were both 12 plays and went for more than 70 yards. They combined to take 9 minutes, 49 seconds off the clock.
Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-51169244469528478202012-10-05T02:57:00.003-07:002012-10-05T02:57:45.774-07:00With two marquee matchups in the SEC this weekend, the question has to be asked: Can any of these teams stop mighty Alabama?
From the way the top-ranked Crimson Tide has looked through its first five games of the seasons, many think it'll be tough for any team not named Alabama to stop this squad. But no team is truly unbeatable and Alabama has its weakness, even if they are very small.
Which SEC team can stop Alabama?
9%
Florida
24%
Georgia
13%
LSU
24%
South Carolina
30%
None of the above
(Total votes: 8,743)
Still, someone from this weekend has to stand a chance, right?
With No. 4 LSU taking on 10-ranked Florida and No. 5 Georgia battling No. 6 South Carolina, the winners have to get a little more respect when it comes to taking on the Tide.
Will it be LSU? The Tigers haven't looked the part in their last two outings, but stopping the Gators in the swamp would go a long way to rejuvenate this team. If LSU can put together its most complete game of the season, the Tigers should top Florida and regain some of that lost luster. That means getting more production from quarterback Zach Mettenberger and his receivers. LSU then takes on South Carolina at home and Texas A&M on the road before hosting Alabama after a bye week.
Can the Gators take down the Tide? This team is probably getting the least amount of love in this group, but the Gators have shown some mettle this year with back-to-back SEC road wins in hostile environments. They were also trailing in the second half in both games. But Florida has been dominant in the second half and has yet to allow any points in the fourth quarter this season. A more balanced offensive attack and better quarterback play have gone a long way. The Gators get Georgia and South Carolina in the state of Florida, but still have to travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to take on Florida State at season's end.
Georgia could do it, right? The Bulldogs own the SEC's best, most balanced offense. But that defense looked shaky against Tennessee. Still, if this team can put everything together against a very talented South Carolina team, the Bulldogs might go on a run similar to last season. They don't play Alabama or LSU during the regular season and a trip to Jacksonville, Fla., to take on the Gators will be their toughest game after Saturday. The talent is championship-worthy, but that schedule makes things even smoother for the Dawgs.
And what about South Carolina? The Gamecocks might have the toughest running back in the league in Marcus Lattimore, and have been able to be quite balanced on offense with Connor Shaw playing some solid ball at quarterback. But Georgia's defense will bring a lot of heat Shaw's way and is on a mission to finally stop Lattimore, who has gutted this defense in the past. Plus, South Carolina's secondary better grow up in a hurry with Aaron Murray's passing attack headed to Columbia, S.C. The Gamecocks play at LSU and Florida in back-to-back weeks after this weekend, so they have the toughest road to Alabama.
Or will no one challenge the Tide? Is this team just too good and to complete to be tested? Maybe ...Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-43517093845342432882012-10-05T02:57:00.001-07:002012-10-05T02:57:06.704-07:00There are plenty of young kids across the league making a big impact. Here are the league's best through the first month:
Devonte Fields, DE, TCU: Fields was forced into action after a knee injury sidelined Ross Forrest for the season. So far, he's been unbelievable. Fields will be facing better offensive lines soon, but he's been the Big 12's most productive defensive lineman to this point. TCU's nonconference schedule has been about as good as anyone's in the league, too. Fields, a 6-foot-4, 240-pounder from Arlington, Texas, is leading the Big 12 with 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
J.W. Walsh/Wes Lunt, QBs, Oklahoma State: You can't really separate these two, but they've both excelled so far this season, giving Cowboys fans plenty of hope that Brandon Weeden's old spot will be filled admirably for the next four years. Walsh ranks fourth nationally in passer rating after filling in for Lunt, who suffered a knee injury in the Cowboys' third game. He's thrown for 797 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Lunt, meanwhile, has completed 68 percent of his passes for 588 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Lunt's expected to take the job back over when he gets healthy.
Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor: Art Briles decided to put his faith in a redshirt freshman, enlisting Drango to protect Nick Florence's blind side. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder beefed up in his redshirt season, and it's already paying off. Baylor ranks second nationally in scoring offense and total offense, ranking second nationally in passing offense. The offense also ranks 44th in rushing offense.
Isaiah Bruce, LB, West Virginia: Bruce made a big splash in his first start, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 1 against Marshall. He's only continued to be productive after that 16-tackle performance. He's second in the Big 12 with 43 tackles, four tackles for loss and returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown in that Marshall win.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma: Shepard had to fight for playing time early on, but in just his first start, he showed a ton of promise, leading the Sooners in receiving against a good secondary in Kansas State. He hardly played in the opener, but he caught three passes for 48 yards against Florida A&M, and his breakout game against the Wildcats featured seven grabs for 108 yards and his first career touchdown.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-73139302593536982802012-10-05T02:56:00.003-07:002012-10-05T02:56:33.699-07:00The way Kyle Flood sees it, too much has happened to cloud Rutgers' memory since its 2011 loss to Connecticut. There has been a bowl game, spring practice, training camp and four more games this season. There is also a new head coach, too, along with different players in different spots.
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Chuck Cook/US Presswire
Kyle Flood's unbeaten Scarlet Knights will host Connecticut on Saturday at noon.
"I think what motivates our team is the opportunity to be 1 0 this week," Flood said during his weekly Monday news conference. "If you string together enough of those 1 0s, you have got an opportunity to play for a championship.
"So every week in the Big East conference, because we don't have a conference championship game, every week is a Big East championship game. So for us to continue moving toward our goal, our motivation is simple: We want to be 1 0 this week."
That conference title Flood speaks of was taken away from his Scarlet Knights last season when, with a chance to clinch a share of their first Big East championship, they were routed at UConn, 40-22, in their regular-season finale.
At 4-0 and ranked 22nd in the nation going into this year's contest with the Huskies, Rutgers has big dreams on the line again, in Flood's first season. But coaches and players insist they are not getting ahead of themselves after just one month.
"We actually live off of that," running back Jawan Jamison said of the past. "We realize what happened in the past, and we're just trying to build off of that for the future, not let it get to us at all. Our coaches do a pretty good job of keeping us humble and keeping us grounded."
Rutgers had actually won five of its previous six meetings with UConn before last season, and the Scarlet Knights had won the three prior meetings by four points or less.
That made the deal even sweeter for the Huskies, who boast the Big East's top defense after five nonconference games. Rutgers is second.
"It felt good last year because we had been in so many close battles with them in the years before, and they had always beaten us by three or two points here and there," UConn linebacker Jory Johnson said. "So it was good to come out and start fresh against them last year and really have that game in control the whole time. This year they're playing really well, their offense is clicking.
"It's going to be a big game, going on the road and playing in a hostile environment. But that's something that we look forward to. We're looking forward to going on the road and playing a big-time opponent, because now we can really show how good our team is."Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-9497235178883128272012-10-05T02:56:00.001-07:002012-10-05T02:56:16.342-07:00It's already been a rocky start to SEC play for Missouri, and now this.
Freshman receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, the No. 1 high school prospect in the country last year, has been suspended along with four other freshmen for Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.
Green-Beckham, along with freshman receiver Levi Copelin and linebacker Torey Boozer, was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana, according to a report in The Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. The two other freshmen who were suspended, defensive lineman Harold Brantley and tight end Brandon Holifield, were also passengers in the car when the arrest took place, but they weren't arrested.
According to the Tribune's report, University of Missouri police captain Brian Weimer said an officer on patrol found the players at 11:49 p.m. in a white Lincoln Navigator in Lot G south of Memorial Stadium. Weimer said the officer detected the odor of marijuana and when the players got out of the car, the officer found marijuana.
Landing Green-Beckham was a huge recruiting coup for Missouri, which has lost its first two SEC games each by 21 points.
The Tigers have struggled to score points this season, and Green-Beckham had not been a big part of the offense until last week when he caught his first touchdown pass -- an 80-yarder in the 21-16 win over UCF.
Green-Beckham was the only one of the three arrested freshmen scheduled to play this Saturday. The other two were expected to redshirt this season.
Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-67599495904758484742012-10-05T02:55:00.001-07:002012-10-05T02:55:39.683-07:00We don't know how much Shawn Eichorst made as Miami's athletic director because Miami, as a private institution, doesn't release salary figures.
But it's safe to assume Eichorst's salary in his new job at Nebraska will go a little further.
Nebraska announced it will pay Eichorst a base salary of $973,000, as the school's athletic director. Eichorst resigned Thursday as Miami's athletic director and will join Nebraska's staff Tuesday as a special assistant to chancellor Harvey Perlman. He'll take over the athletic director position Jan. 1 when Tom Osborne retires.
Eichorst becomes the Big Ten's third highest-paid athletic director behind Ohio State's Gene Smith (base salary: $1,074,546) and Wisconsin's Barry Alvarez (total compensation: $1,040,800), whom Eichorst served under as Wisconsin's deputy AD from 2009-11. He'll be the sixth highest-paid AD in the country.
The next highest-paid Big Ten ADs are Michigan's Dave Brandon ($700,454), Illinois' Mike Thomas ($575,000) and Purdue's Morgan Burke ($505,918).
Osborne, conversely, had been one of the lowest-paid major-conference ADs at $277,969 annually, so this is a sizable bump. Not surprisingly, Eichorst's contract also has a large buyout, beginning at $2 million for his first year.
Perlman said he interviewed two external candidates for the job. Eichorst toured Nebraska's campus last month after coming to the Midwest for the Miami-Kansas State football game. Nebraska reached out to Alvarez during the vetting process and received a strong stamp of approval.
Eichorst obviously knows the Big Ten, and Perlman said league commissioner Jim Delany is very pleased with the choice.
Nebraska will introduce Eichorst at a news conference Tuesday in Lincoln.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-78544272816659716102012-10-05T02:54:00.001-07:002012-10-05T02:54:24.869-07:00Michigan State offensive lineman Jack Allen won't face a suspension or any other disciplinary action from the Big Ten after the league reviewed tape of a possible eye-gouging incident in last week's Michigan State-Ohio State game.
Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis released a statement Thursday that the league determined Allen didn't violate its sportslike conduct policy. Allen appeared to reach inside the helmet of Ohio State defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, and Ohio State sent tape of the play for the Big Ten to review.
"As athletics director, I had an opportunity to be involved in this review process and while his actions ‘weren’t a football play,’ this clearly wasn't an eye-gouging incident," Hollis said in a prepared statement.
While Thursday's news might surprise some, the Big Ten typically doesn't take action unless a blatant sportslike conduct violation has occurred, such as Illinois' Jonathan Brown striking a Northwestern player in the groin after a play or Michigan State's William Gholston intentionally twisting the helmet of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.
Some saw last Saturday's incident as blatant eye-gouging, but Hankins didn't have any immediate complaint and several players had their hands in opposing players' facemasks after the play. I'm not saying the league should have or shouldn't have taken action, but the situation didn't appear to be as clear cut as, say, the Brown or Gholston incidents from 2011.Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-32813301531215800082012-10-05T02:48:00.003-07:002012-10-05T02:48:40.051-07:00North Carolina did not get a real test last week, not against an Idaho team that is one of the worst teams in the country.
Given the 66-0 result of that game, and its 27-6 win over East Carolina the previous week, how much do we really know about the Tar Heels headed into their big showdown against Virginia Tech on Saturday?
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Cal Sport Media via AP Images
The Tar Heels' Giovani Bernard -- a threat to score on the ground, through the air and on special teams -- is healthy again.
"I think we'll know a lot about this football team after this game," coach Larry Fedora said. "Obviously, Virginia Tech is a very good football team. They've always been great on special teams. They're known for their defense and they're going to play hard-nosed football, be a physical team."
Here is what we do know about North Carolina. Running back Gio Bernard is back, and Fedora says his star player is back to 100 percent after a knee injury held him out of two games this season. Despite missing those games, Bernard has seven total touchdowns and is expected to see the field in a wide variety of ways Saturday.
The defense appears to be improved, and its play up front could be a huge advantage for the Tar Heels in this game. The Hokies have struggled all season on the offensive line, whether its been a failure to open consistent holes in the running game or being able to protect quarterback Logan Thomas. Teams have shown if you can pressure Thomas, you will increase your chances of winning.
North Carolina, meanwhile, is right behind Florida State in total sacks so far this season with 14. Defensive tackle Sylvester Williams leads the team and is No. 3 in the ACC in sacks with 4.5.
It is important to note that eight of those sacks came in the past two weeks -- seven against East Carolina. In its only ACC game against Wake Forest, North Carolina only had one. So either the pass rush has definitely come along, or it was helped along because the opponent was not as strong.
Assuming North Carolina can sustain its pass rush, it faces another challenge in actually taking Thomas down. Fedora says the only two players on his defense that will outweigh the 260-pound Thomas are his defensive tackles.
"When you go to get that guy down on a pass-rush or a sack, it's going to take seven or eight guys to get him down," Fedora said. "It's something we understand, our guys are going to have to fly to the football, we're going to have to get there, we're going to have to gang-tackle. That's what's going to have to happen. He presents a unique challenge for any team."Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196381457627531447.post-81295279032630982322012-10-05T02:48:00.001-07:002012-10-05T02:48:15.560-07:00Gene Chizik is hoping that his Tigers used their bye week to their full advantage.
With all the issues Auburn had through the first four weeks of the season, Chizik made sure players and coaches saw all the glaring mistakes that put his team in bad situations. He wanted them to see those mistakes and learn from them before the bye was over with.
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AP Photo/Dave Martin
Following his team's 1-3 start, Gene Chizik said there's an "urgency to win" around Auburn.
Changes and tweaks were made, and Chizik hopes they work on Saturday, especially against an Arkansas team that really has nothing to lose with its 1-4 record.
Chizik said his team knows where it stands with its own 1-3 record. Auburn is on the verge of being on the outside when it comes to the postseason. Chizik said neither he nor his team are running from the realization of how big Saturday's game against the Razorbacks is.
"There's an urgency around Auburn, without question, when you're 1-3," Chizik said. "And there's an urgency to win."
With a loss, Auburn will likely miss out on a bowl game for the first time since 2008 and it doesn't help that the Tigers own the SEC's worst offense (297.8 yards per game) and the third-worst defense (419.3).
But the defense looked much better against LSU last week, holding the Tigers to just 12 points and forced LSU into a handful of mistakes.
Chizik said his team was more than energized in that game, and the hope is that it carries over to this weekend.
"Our kids are hungry and they want to win," he said. "That's the expectation this Saturday as well."
He's even seen an increase in leadership. Guys like Corey Lemonier, Jeff Whitaker, Onterio McCalebb and T'Sharven Bell have all stepped up to guide this team. Having these vets step up will go a long way if they can really take hold of their teammates.
Even with all the issues Auburn has had, the Tigers have to feel confident facing the SEC's worst defense. Arkansas is allowing more than 500 yards and 40 points a game. Even Auburn's offense should be able to do something with that.
And a fast start against a reeling team is what Chizik said his team needs if it's going to pull out a must-win on the Plains. Arkansas' offensive talent can't be forgotten, and Chizik doesn't want to have to play catchup with the Hogs.
"Certainly for us, forget about the opponent, we need to have a great start," he said. "We need to have something good happen. We need to be able to get a little bit of momentum for our football team."Blogmemeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17579815378698864243noreply@blogger.com0