Week one record: 3-9
Week two record: 4-5
Week three record: 5-9
Week four record 8-2-1
Week five record 5-8
25-33-1 isn't where you want to be but let's hope for a strong finish. Very short on time today so not much analysis but wanted to get the picks up.
WVU -3 My typical homer play. USF is free-falling in October as ususal. Perhaps we finally play a complete game.
FSU -9 How in the world did the pack beat Pitt? That win in Chapel Hill last week may turn around the Noles season and how good does it look after what the Tar Heels did in Lane Stadium last night?
Cincy -14.5 Self Explanatory
Ohio -6.5 Large. This is a gift. A solid MAC team against a dreadful one.
Indiana +18 Weekly fade of Iowa here. Honestly though for a team that plays down to poor competition and barely beat Northern Iowa and Ark St how could anyone take the Hawkeyes here?
Auburn +5 At home looking to get well against the Rebs who have to be the biggest dissapointment in the SEC this year.
Georgia +15.5 Large Ahh yes the cocktail party. Yet again Florida never covers these numbers. Add in 2 weeks to prepare for the Dawgs in an emotional rivalry and this oe may go to the wire.
Miami -7 It will be interesting to see how they respond to the stunning home loss to Clemson. If they are ready they should be able to do whatever they want to very average Wake squad.
Duke +7 Don't look now but the Devils are 4-3 and full of confidence. UVA was broought back to reality last week against GT.
South Carolina +6.5 Cocks have been very steady and will face an improved UT squad. Would have loved to get this at 7 but I still like it.
Okie St +9 Large Love a capable home night dog in this spot
Oregon +3 Huge Like this as much as I liked Oregon State last week. Autzen at night will be rocking
Marshall +6
We love football, We love betting, We live tailgaiting.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Marshall's Philanthropy Picks Week 5
Week one record: 3-9
Week two record: 4-5
Week three record: 5-9
Week four record 8-2-1
You mess with the bull, you get the horns, or in this case, hooves as well. While an overall record of 20-25-1 is not where you want to be through four weeks of posted plays, we did win back nearly half of what we lost over the preceding three weeks with our ridiculous onslaught on the books this past Saturday. However, any idiot can have a good week. The name of this game is consistency and I hope to find some as we trudge past the halfway point of the college football season. With that in mind, feast your eyes on 13 plays for your gambling enjoyment.
Oregon St +21 This is my favorite play so far this season. First of all Oregon State has beaten the mighty Trojans two out of the last four years. The Beavers always start out slow and mold into form perhaps because they play so many juco-transfers. Regardless Mike Riley's team always hits its stride in the second half of the season and it appears that's starting to happen this year as well. The Beavers are always well coached and seem to get more out of what they have than anybody else in the Pac 10. The Trojans are very much like Alabama in that they can always get up and perform well in the big games, but just can't seem to muster the same kind of emotion and and mental edge the following week to back it up. We've already seen this once this season with an emotional at Ohio State followed by a faceplant at Washington the next week. I don't have to remind avid college football fans of the distasters against Oregon St and Stanford in prior years. This is a classic sandwhich game for the men of Troy, just after the ND game and just before the Oregon game that could decide who goes to the Rose Bowl. Peeking ahead? I think so. The Beavers may not win but I think they will be safely inside this number.
Miami -4.5. My hard on for the Canes is reaching epic and dangerous proportions but color me confused with this line. Clemson always underachieves and I'm not sold that a 38-3 thrashing last week of a pretty mediocre Wake Forest team is any indication they can come on the road against a top 10 team like Miami and keep the game competitive into the 4th quarter. Mark Whipple has the Canes offense moving. Look for that to continue on Saturday as they roll to a relatively easy win.
FSU +3.5 I like the Noles in the battle for who has had the most disappointing season in the ACC (with apologies to NC State) Florida State has been great offensively and can obviously score with most teams. Their defense is where they have had problems. I just don't believe UNC has the tools to exploit that weakness. The Tar Heels might be the worst 4-2 team in the country (with apologies to Rutgers). Take out their I-AA games against The Citadel and Georgia Southern and they have averaged a whopping 13. 25 points a game. That won't be enough to get it done on Thursday night.
Army +10.5 Army has already upset Vanderbilt this year on the banks of the Hudson and I'm not sold Rutgers is much better than those Commodores. The Scarlet Knight defense is rounding into form but they are still maddeningly inconsistent on offense. I'm also a sucker for the triple option offense Army has gone back to under their new coach, which is always hard for any defense to prepare for. Add in a rare ESPN national televised visit to Michie Stadium on Friday night and I think the Black Knights of the Hudson can keep this one close.
USF +7 I feel like Pitt is just barely playing well enough to win games and eventually that has to catch up with them. I understand that most logic points to fading the Bulls during their annual October swoon but something tells me that their fast D-line gets to Bill Stull early and often while containing Pitt's Dion Lewis on the ground. Hopefully B. J Daniels is a week older and wiser this Saturday as he continues to develop and get comfortbale with his new starting role. If he takes care of the football and the defense plays as they know how, The Bulls will be right back in the Big East race.
GT -5 I'm really bucking the trends here backing USF in October and fading the Woos during thier annual save Al Groh's job campaign. I just think this Jacket team is a different animal and they are highly motivated after beating VT to get right in the thick of their division race in the ACC. Granted this is a bit of a letdown spot and the Cavs have relied on a nasty defense, giving up just a shade over 6 points per game during their 3-game winning streak. However, having not faced an offense like GT's I think you can throw that out. I like the Jackets to win comfortbaly.
WVU -7 More than a couple of knowledgeable people have expressed concerns over this game. Not me. While it's impossible to predict how Uconn will react to the horrible tragedy that has befallen them, the X's and O's are in our favor. The Huskies strength is running, which we have proven we can stop, and they lack the weapons to test our pass defense. While JB's injury is a concern, if he plays I expect the offense to not miss a beat. If there is any doubt, Gino will start and he's proven quite competent in his own right. I like us by around 2 TDs
Tenn +15.5 Ahh yes the traditional third Saturday in October game. Not a lot of analysis here. It's obvious the Vols are getting better as evidenced by their blowout against UGA in which the normally moribund Jonathan Crompton looked more like the second coming of Peyton Manning. Offense aside, the UT D is just plain nasty, and with Bama, by it's nature having a conservative run the ball offense, this number just simply looks too high.
Mich St +1.5 Man, how much more cash would we have if I didn't fade Iowa every week? Plenty more. Oh well, call me stubborn but a I like Sparty here. I won't bore you with my Hawkey analysis, it's very very well documented. This play is all about Mich St. It appears outlasting the Wolverines in overtime gave them the confidence needed to save their season. They have backed it up with wins over Illinois and Northwestern, not exactly juggernauts but wins nontheless. These teams are excruciatingly boring and predictable in their play calling, I like the Spartans to finally expose the Iowa charade at home at night for the pleasure of the dozens of Big 10 network viewers watching worldwide.
Miss St +23 First of all UF rarely covers these large numbers. The cowbells will be rocking in Starkville for a rare home night game and the Bulldogs have proven to be a pesky opponent for the Gators in the past. Add in Dan Mullen's familiarity with the Gator offense and this looks to be a fairly competetive game.
Auburn +8 Auburn stumbles into this tilt after two very dissapoointing losses and Tiger stadium at night is no place to head licking your wounds. Add in that this is a mad Tiger team looking to avenge their loss to Florida two weeks ago and you might like the other side. I just can't shake the fact that LSU is just plain inept on offense. They were damn lucky to beat Miss St, damn luckier to beat UGA and then got beat by UF. If they were stumbling in themselves after 3 straight losses what might this line look like? It was a couple plays from happening. I like the Auburn to get their offense in gear and score enough to make this a final possession type game.
Michigan +4.5 This is another team I've been consistently backing with very little success this year. However, aside from last year the Victors have just owned Penn St and especially at the Big House. Add in the fact that PSU is just 3-7 against the number in their last 10 and I have to take the team getting points at home.
Idaho +16 Last but not least by a longshot let's put down a fistful of dollars on Rob Aikey's 6-1 Idaho Vandals. Who else is holding out for College Gameday in Boise Nov. 14 for 9-1 Idaho against 9-0 Boise St in the de facto WAC Championship game? Dare to dream my friends dare to dream. They only way it could be better is if the game were in Moscow and the show had to find a way to set up in Idaho's mini dome. In any even the Vandals have just found ways to win this year in turning around what had been just an absolutely dreadful program the last several years. While they may not be ready to compete for a league title yet, that same determination should allow them to keep this game relativly competitive.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Marshall's Philanthropy/Go completely broke before Thanksgiving Picks
Week one record: 3-9
Week two record: 4-5
Week three record: 5-9
Well folks it doesn't get any uglier than this. Over the last 3 weeks I've done my best to shed all credibility whatsoever while dropping units like Syracuse recievers drop passes. I limp into the fourth week of the picks with a 12-23 record. The first 3 weeks of the season feel like forever ago. Whatever, I'm going to turn it around eventually, might as well be this week. I'm short on time this week and I want to get these in before tonight's tilt between Boise and Tulsa. I apologize for less analysis and humorous banter this week. The humor really has been the only redeeming aspect of these picks. Here are 11 I like for what it's worth:
Tulsa +10 If Boise gets tested again this season it's going to be here. I'll take a capable home dog getting double digits on national TV every time.
Cincy -2.5 I have gone back and forth on this game a lot. My buddy contends that this is one of those games where USF really rises to the occassion and knocks a great team off at home at night. Part of me agrees but I just can't shake the feeling that Cincy is really a cut above in this league right now. They have responded to every challenge so far and looked pretty dominant in doing so. USF has played and embarassingly bad schedule consisting of two I-aa's, Western Kentucky, Syracuse, and a Florida State team that hasn't been this bad in decades. I like the Bearcats.
Texas -3 This game has lost some of it's luster with OU having two losses. The Sooners have struggled without Bradord and even struggled with him last week in unimpressively beating a Robert Griffinless Baylor team. Meanwhile, save for as bad first half against Colorado last week, the Horns have looked as good as advertised.
Wisconsin -2.5 I will continue to fade Iowa and Kirk until they lose. This week would do nicely. These are two identical teams. Run run run, play action, play good D, wait for the other team to make a mistake. I love short favs under 3.
WVU -20.5 Since this series resumed we've not won by less than 24. Marshall is better, but the strength of their offense plays into the strength of our D. Darius Marshall is great but our defense can contain anyone's run game, and Brian Anderson doesn't have the arm or the weapons on the outside to exploit our weak pass defense. Marshall's defense has improved but they won't stop our offense, assuming we hang onto the pigskin.
ND +10 I hate the Domers as much as the next guy but SC isn't blowing out decent teams this year and the Irish can score with anyone.
Georgia Tech +3.5 The triple option is nasty and the Jackets will be waiting to ambush the Hokies on Saturday night.
Miami -14 Seriously? Despite the 3-2 record the Knights are just bad. I know they'll be excited hosting one of the "big 3" but the best pre-game speech in the world goes out the window when the ball is kicked off and the athletes take over. Canes.......big.
South Carolina +17.5 I love to fade Alabama after a big emotional road or neautral site win when they return home. Saban has a great knack for getting them up for those big ones, not so much for the games in which they need to back it up at home. In addition South Carolina is 5-1 and not too shabby. Bama wins, but it will be much closer than expected.
Texas Tech +11.....They can and will score with Nebraska. Final posession type game.
Arkansas +24.5 The Hogs can supposedly score on anyone with their high powered offense. That will be put to the test this week against Florida's NFL caliber D. I like them to score just enough to get inside this number.
Best of Luck! I'd take 6-5 in a heartbeat at this point.
Week two record: 4-5
Week three record: 5-9
Well folks it doesn't get any uglier than this. Over the last 3 weeks I've done my best to shed all credibility whatsoever while dropping units like Syracuse recievers drop passes. I limp into the fourth week of the picks with a 12-23 record. The first 3 weeks of the season feel like forever ago. Whatever, I'm going to turn it around eventually, might as well be this week. I'm short on time this week and I want to get these in before tonight's tilt between Boise and Tulsa. I apologize for less analysis and humorous banter this week. The humor really has been the only redeeming aspect of these picks. Here are 11 I like for what it's worth:
Tulsa +10 If Boise gets tested again this season it's going to be here. I'll take a capable home dog getting double digits on national TV every time.
Cincy -2.5 I have gone back and forth on this game a lot. My buddy contends that this is one of those games where USF really rises to the occassion and knocks a great team off at home at night. Part of me agrees but I just can't shake the feeling that Cincy is really a cut above in this league right now. They have responded to every challenge so far and looked pretty dominant in doing so. USF has played and embarassingly bad schedule consisting of two I-aa's, Western Kentucky, Syracuse, and a Florida State team that hasn't been this bad in decades. I like the Bearcats.
Texas -3 This game has lost some of it's luster with OU having two losses. The Sooners have struggled without Bradord and even struggled with him last week in unimpressively beating a Robert Griffinless Baylor team. Meanwhile, save for as bad first half against Colorado last week, the Horns have looked as good as advertised.
Wisconsin -2.5 I will continue to fade Iowa and Kirk until they lose. This week would do nicely. These are two identical teams. Run run run, play action, play good D, wait for the other team to make a mistake. I love short favs under 3.
WVU -20.5 Since this series resumed we've not won by less than 24. Marshall is better, but the strength of their offense plays into the strength of our D. Darius Marshall is great but our defense can contain anyone's run game, and Brian Anderson doesn't have the arm or the weapons on the outside to exploit our weak pass defense. Marshall's defense has improved but they won't stop our offense, assuming we hang onto the pigskin.
ND +10 I hate the Domers as much as the next guy but SC isn't blowing out decent teams this year and the Irish can score with anyone.
Georgia Tech +3.5 The triple option is nasty and the Jackets will be waiting to ambush the Hokies on Saturday night.
Miami -14 Seriously? Despite the 3-2 record the Knights are just bad. I know they'll be excited hosting one of the "big 3" but the best pre-game speech in the world goes out the window when the ball is kicked off and the athletes take over. Canes.......big.
South Carolina +17.5 I love to fade Alabama after a big emotional road or neautral site win when they return home. Saban has a great knack for getting them up for those big ones, not so much for the games in which they need to back it up at home. In addition South Carolina is 5-1 and not too shabby. Bama wins, but it will be much closer than expected.
Texas Tech +11.....They can and will score with Nebraska. Final posession type game.
Arkansas +24.5 The Hogs can supposedly score on anyone with their high powered offense. That will be put to the test this week against Florida's NFL caliber D. I like them to score just enough to get inside this number.
Best of Luck! I'd take 6-5 in a heartbeat at this point.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
It looks to me, and I am a certified drunken expert, that the Big East race has boiled down to a three team race. Obviously Cincinnatti is the undisputed leader at this point, while USF and WVU have seemed to put themselves ahead of the rest of the pack.
Louisville and Syracuse are both awful. They have each had a few glimmers of hope this year, but they are about as close to winning a BE title as I am to winning a Pulitzer. Rutgers has played absolutely no one outside of the beat down they received from Cincy and UCONN appears to be the same ole team; a reliable, tough nosed squad, that cannot get over the proverbial hump.
I would include Pitt in the top three, but I am very skeptical with a few of their close wins and their collapse against NCST (who lost to Duke this weekend). I am a bit worried about their run game though.
We should be able to glean significantly more info on Cincy and USF as they go toe to toe on Thursday night. WVU appears to be a dominant team sans turnovers, which they finally achieved a positive TO margin this weekend vs Syracuse. If Cincy and WVU can both get past USF, and my fingers are crossed, November 13th is shaping up to be a special night.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Marshall's Philantrhopy Picks Week 3
Week one record: 3-9
Week two record: 4-5
Well at this point as you look at my 7-14 posted record many of you have got to be asking yourselves, how has this man ever made a cent in gambling? He may as well just light hundred dollar bills on fire. Hey, what can I say? Over the last two weeks you would be right. I did find a way to have winning weeks in the first three weeks of the season and have been utterly snake bit since starting my contributions to this fine blog. On the plus side my confidence is not shaken. I'm a grinder and I fully expect things to turn around.
As for last week, the only real screw job came courtesy of our beloved Mountaineers. When Ryan Clarke burst into the end zone for what I was sure would be a backdoor cover I thought the gambling Gods had given me one, only to have Cody Hawkins march down the field in the final seconds against our non-existent secondary and rob me blind. As one of my buddies texted me : "Has there ever been a double backdoor?" Yes, yes there has been. Leave it to me to be on the wrong side.
A special thanks goes out to Syracuse and Louisville for sucking last week as well. Anybody want to set an over/under on total turnovers in the Dome Saturday? I say 6.5 and I'll take the under.
I have a card fatter than Charlie Weiss and Ralph Friedgen combined this week, serving up a whopping 14 plays for your gambling pleasure. Come along as I steal from the West Virginia taxpayer by taking up the last hour of my shift making these picks. Let us begin.........The Long Road Back.
Missouri +3.5 Let's get things started with perhaps the best Thursday night game in recent memory. The Tigers have been one of the nicest surprises so far this season. Blaine Gabbert is making fans in Columbia forget about Chase Daniel, as he currently stands at 4th nationally in pass efficiency and has yet to throw a college interception while leading the Tigers to a 4-0 start. Gabbert takes on a Nebraska team he verbally committed to in 2007 before doing an about face and heading to Missouri. Nebraska lost to Va Tech in the only test they have had this season. I like them to lose their second one as well. I'll take a very capable home dog at night on national TV every time.
Auburn -2.5 Does anyone know what the total for this game is? I don't because I don't play them but anything less than 70 is probably too low. Auburn continues to be efficient if not goddy offensively and Arkansas can score with anyone behind the strength of Ryan Mallet's arm and Bobby Petrino's outstanding playcalling (God I hate to admit that. There isn't a bigger prick in the sport). The difference here will be on the defensive side of the ball. Arkansas' non-existent defense made a suspect UGA offense look like world beaters. I think Aubirns defense is at least serviceable and they can get the few stops necessary to win the game. Watch out for the Tigers. As they continue to gain confidence, they could make the race in the West very interesting.
WVU -10 Homer play of the week. This is fairly simple. The special teams matchups are largely even, the defenses are fairly poor on both sides, the diffferences come on offense. Make no mistake Cuse is better and the Paulus to Mike Williams combo will move the ball on us and put up some points, however, it's far easier to slow down a couple players than it is the 5 or 6 playmakers the Mountaineers bring to the table. It would take WVU to beat WVU. If we don't turn the ball over this is a laugher, if we do, it could get interesting. I say we're long overdue to play a fundamentally sound game.
Illinois +4.5 The juice is loose!.........er not so much. I thought my love of black QBs would take a hit with the benching of Juice this week but lucky for me Ron Zook has the same obsession with black QBs that I do. Eddie McGee appears to be a capable replacement and this type of move can often galvanize a team and provide a spark. Add in the fact that MSU quite simply isn't very good anyway and that they are in a perfect letdown spot after beating Michigan and you have all the makings of an upset.
UGA +2 The wrong team is favored here. I realize Georgia is not as good as in previous years but we can at least concede that they have looked solid at times. Hell, they were a proposterous excessive celebration call away from beating an LSU team that I'm supposed to believe is #4 in the nation. How then are they an underdog at UT, a team who has nothing more than a loud mouth coach and one of the nations best safeties going for them? I mean seriously, the Vols best win is an 11 point conquest of Ohio U. At least UGA has wins over South Carolina and Arizona State to their credit. As an aside can anyone tell me how a school like UT gets stuck with Jonathan Crompton? This guy makes Brad Lewis and Chad Johnston look like the second coming of Joe Montana and Peyton Manning.
Bama -4.5 I would play this game up to -7. It is a big game, and save for last season's bowl debacle against Utah, Saban teams almost always step up to the plate in hostile enviroments in big games. The man lives to get his teams ready for these games. The Ole Miss offense simply has not gelled and you certainly don't want to be looking for answers against a Nick Saban defense.
Wisconsin +16 I love fading Ohio State but keep in mind I fully expect the Buckeyes to win this game. As bad as OSU is in big non-conference games, they are that good in big Big 10 games. However this number is just too large. The Badgers are a grind it out old school team, running an offensive that by its nature, shortens the game, taking time off the clock. I'm not smitten with this team at 5-0 but if they can value the ball and establish their run game they can get this game well inside 16 points.
Uconn +7.5 This opened at +10 and man did I drop the ball not getting it in at that number. However I still like the Huskies. Read above for for Wiscy write up, the same thing applies here. Uconn runs the football, doesn't turn it over, and plays very solid defense. Pitt counters with a fantastic run game of their own and they have the ability, unlike Uconn st stretch the field with Jonathan Baldwin and Oderick Turner. All that said this Uconn D will be the best they have faced, and the Huskies have had success at Heinz winning in their last trip. If this game is close in the end do you want Wanny, a guy that makes good players average, or Edsall, a guy that makes average players good? Give me Randy every time.
Indiana +7 Ahhh the month of October, the leaves start to turn, a crisp chill fills the air, and Al Groh somehow rises from the dead and saves his job. After losing to William and Mary, TCU and a bad Soiuthern Miss team, the Hoos inexplicably beat UNC last week. This madness has to end sometime and it will this week. How the hell is this team favored by a touchdown against anyone in a BCS league? After making fun of Indiana in this space 2 weeks ago, they were game against Michigan and not so much against OSU but their running backs are solid and they are decent defensively. I like them to win this one straight up and finally put Al Groh and the long suffering UVA faithful out of their misery.
LSU +8.5 This is another number I wish I had gotten earlier when it opened at +10. Tiger Stadium is without question the most intimidating nightime environment in all of college football. My logic is simple: I would take LSU as a +8.5 dog at home at night against the Dallas Cowboys. Period. I'll be the first to admit this LSU team isn't as strong as recent years but you know what, even with Tebow it appears Florida isn't either. They still have no every down back and thier passing game is still somewhat suspect. I just can't see LSU losing to anybody in this setting by more than a TD. If Tebow plays, UF escpaes with a close win, if he doesn't the national title race gets a little bit more interesting.
Michigan +8 I keep betting on the Wolverines and they keep losing me money. If I keep knocking on the door sooner or later I'm going to kick the sucker in right? Let's hope. If you've read any of my stuff you know by now I have a borderline obsession with the amount of money Kirk Ferentz makes relative to his mediocre results. I'll fade him til I go broke. The guy needed every play to beat both Northern Iowa and Arkansas State. It's the same shit every game. Play solid D and an excruciatingly boring offense and wait for the other team to mess up. I think Mich wins straight up but even if they don't I see it as a TD game.
FIU -5.5 Let's call this one the degenerate special. That's right folks I'm laying down a fist full of dollars on Mario Cristobal and his Florida International Golden Panthers. My friends it simply gets no better than this when 0-4 WKU entertains 0-4 FIU Saturday night in Bowling Green, KY. It's ashame someone has to win. I wish I had gotten this at -3 but I'll take it at -5.5. While both teams are winless the difference here is in competitiveness. FIU hung tough with Bama in the first half, nearly beat Rutgers, and hung tough with a Toledo team this is great offensively. WKU hasn't played a single game within 2 TDs and lost 28-7 at home against the mighty 1-AA Bears of Central Arkansas. This appears to be one of the rare off the radar games that the books aren't up to speed on.
Toledo -7.5 Not much analysis here. Western is flat out terrible while I would term Toledo as average. One thing we know is the rockets can score in bunches. That ought to be enough to cover this number.
Kansas -19.5 How happy must Gene Chizik be to be out of Aimes? While the Cyclones somehow sport a 3-2 record they lost to KSU last week. That's more than enough for me. Add in the fact the the minumum points scored by Kansas this season is 34 and I'm backing Rock Chalk Jayhaw.
There you have it. Best of Luck to all!
Week two record: 4-5
Well at this point as you look at my 7-14 posted record many of you have got to be asking yourselves, how has this man ever made a cent in gambling? He may as well just light hundred dollar bills on fire. Hey, what can I say? Over the last two weeks you would be right. I did find a way to have winning weeks in the first three weeks of the season and have been utterly snake bit since starting my contributions to this fine blog. On the plus side my confidence is not shaken. I'm a grinder and I fully expect things to turn around.
As for last week, the only real screw job came courtesy of our beloved Mountaineers. When Ryan Clarke burst into the end zone for what I was sure would be a backdoor cover I thought the gambling Gods had given me one, only to have Cody Hawkins march down the field in the final seconds against our non-existent secondary and rob me blind. As one of my buddies texted me : "Has there ever been a double backdoor?" Yes, yes there has been. Leave it to me to be on the wrong side.
A special thanks goes out to Syracuse and Louisville for sucking last week as well. Anybody want to set an over/under on total turnovers in the Dome Saturday? I say 6.5 and I'll take the under.
I have a card fatter than Charlie Weiss and Ralph Friedgen combined this week, serving up a whopping 14 plays for your gambling pleasure. Come along as I steal from the West Virginia taxpayer by taking up the last hour of my shift making these picks. Let us begin.........The Long Road Back.
Missouri +3.5 Let's get things started with perhaps the best Thursday night game in recent memory. The Tigers have been one of the nicest surprises so far this season. Blaine Gabbert is making fans in Columbia forget about Chase Daniel, as he currently stands at 4th nationally in pass efficiency and has yet to throw a college interception while leading the Tigers to a 4-0 start. Gabbert takes on a Nebraska team he verbally committed to in 2007 before doing an about face and heading to Missouri. Nebraska lost to Va Tech in the only test they have had this season. I like them to lose their second one as well. I'll take a very capable home dog at night on national TV every time.
Auburn -2.5 Does anyone know what the total for this game is? I don't because I don't play them but anything less than 70 is probably too low. Auburn continues to be efficient if not goddy offensively and Arkansas can score with anyone behind the strength of Ryan Mallet's arm and Bobby Petrino's outstanding playcalling (God I hate to admit that. There isn't a bigger prick in the sport). The difference here will be on the defensive side of the ball. Arkansas' non-existent defense made a suspect UGA offense look like world beaters. I think Aubirns defense is at least serviceable and they can get the few stops necessary to win the game. Watch out for the Tigers. As they continue to gain confidence, they could make the race in the West very interesting.
WVU -10 Homer play of the week. This is fairly simple. The special teams matchups are largely even, the defenses are fairly poor on both sides, the diffferences come on offense. Make no mistake Cuse is better and the Paulus to Mike Williams combo will move the ball on us and put up some points, however, it's far easier to slow down a couple players than it is the 5 or 6 playmakers the Mountaineers bring to the table. It would take WVU to beat WVU. If we don't turn the ball over this is a laugher, if we do, it could get interesting. I say we're long overdue to play a fundamentally sound game.
Illinois +4.5 The juice is loose!.........er not so much. I thought my love of black QBs would take a hit with the benching of Juice this week but lucky for me Ron Zook has the same obsession with black QBs that I do. Eddie McGee appears to be a capable replacement and this type of move can often galvanize a team and provide a spark. Add in the fact that MSU quite simply isn't very good anyway and that they are in a perfect letdown spot after beating Michigan and you have all the makings of an upset.
UGA +2 The wrong team is favored here. I realize Georgia is not as good as in previous years but we can at least concede that they have looked solid at times. Hell, they were a proposterous excessive celebration call away from beating an LSU team that I'm supposed to believe is #4 in the nation. How then are they an underdog at UT, a team who has nothing more than a loud mouth coach and one of the nations best safeties going for them? I mean seriously, the Vols best win is an 11 point conquest of Ohio U. At least UGA has wins over South Carolina and Arizona State to their credit. As an aside can anyone tell me how a school like UT gets stuck with Jonathan Crompton? This guy makes Brad Lewis and Chad Johnston look like the second coming of Joe Montana and Peyton Manning.
Bama -4.5 I would play this game up to -7. It is a big game, and save for last season's bowl debacle against Utah, Saban teams almost always step up to the plate in hostile enviroments in big games. The man lives to get his teams ready for these games. The Ole Miss offense simply has not gelled and you certainly don't want to be looking for answers against a Nick Saban defense.
Wisconsin +16 I love fading Ohio State but keep in mind I fully expect the Buckeyes to win this game. As bad as OSU is in big non-conference games, they are that good in big Big 10 games. However this number is just too large. The Badgers are a grind it out old school team, running an offensive that by its nature, shortens the game, taking time off the clock. I'm not smitten with this team at 5-0 but if they can value the ball and establish their run game they can get this game well inside 16 points.
Uconn +7.5 This opened at +10 and man did I drop the ball not getting it in at that number. However I still like the Huskies. Read above for for Wiscy write up, the same thing applies here. Uconn runs the football, doesn't turn it over, and plays very solid defense. Pitt counters with a fantastic run game of their own and they have the ability, unlike Uconn st stretch the field with Jonathan Baldwin and Oderick Turner. All that said this Uconn D will be the best they have faced, and the Huskies have had success at Heinz winning in their last trip. If this game is close in the end do you want Wanny, a guy that makes good players average, or Edsall, a guy that makes average players good? Give me Randy every time.
Indiana +7 Ahhh the month of October, the leaves start to turn, a crisp chill fills the air, and Al Groh somehow rises from the dead and saves his job. After losing to William and Mary, TCU and a bad Soiuthern Miss team, the Hoos inexplicably beat UNC last week. This madness has to end sometime and it will this week. How the hell is this team favored by a touchdown against anyone in a BCS league? After making fun of Indiana in this space 2 weeks ago, they were game against Michigan and not so much against OSU but their running backs are solid and they are decent defensively. I like them to win this one straight up and finally put Al Groh and the long suffering UVA faithful out of their misery.
LSU +8.5 This is another number I wish I had gotten earlier when it opened at +10. Tiger Stadium is without question the most intimidating nightime environment in all of college football. My logic is simple: I would take LSU as a +8.5 dog at home at night against the Dallas Cowboys. Period. I'll be the first to admit this LSU team isn't as strong as recent years but you know what, even with Tebow it appears Florida isn't either. They still have no every down back and thier passing game is still somewhat suspect. I just can't see LSU losing to anybody in this setting by more than a TD. If Tebow plays, UF escpaes with a close win, if he doesn't the national title race gets a little bit more interesting.
Michigan +8 I keep betting on the Wolverines and they keep losing me money. If I keep knocking on the door sooner or later I'm going to kick the sucker in right? Let's hope. If you've read any of my stuff you know by now I have a borderline obsession with the amount of money Kirk Ferentz makes relative to his mediocre results. I'll fade him til I go broke. The guy needed every play to beat both Northern Iowa and Arkansas State. It's the same shit every game. Play solid D and an excruciatingly boring offense and wait for the other team to mess up. I think Mich wins straight up but even if they don't I see it as a TD game.
FIU -5.5 Let's call this one the degenerate special. That's right folks I'm laying down a fist full of dollars on Mario Cristobal and his Florida International Golden Panthers. My friends it simply gets no better than this when 0-4 WKU entertains 0-4 FIU Saturday night in Bowling Green, KY. It's ashame someone has to win. I wish I had gotten this at -3 but I'll take it at -5.5. While both teams are winless the difference here is in competitiveness. FIU hung tough with Bama in the first half, nearly beat Rutgers, and hung tough with a Toledo team this is great offensively. WKU hasn't played a single game within 2 TDs and lost 28-7 at home against the mighty 1-AA Bears of Central Arkansas. This appears to be one of the rare off the radar games that the books aren't up to speed on.
Toledo -7.5 Not much analysis here. Western is flat out terrible while I would term Toledo as average. One thing we know is the rockets can score in bunches. That ought to be enough to cover this number.
Kansas -19.5 How happy must Gene Chizik be to be out of Aimes? While the Cyclones somehow sport a 3-2 record they lost to KSU last week. That's more than enough for me. Add in the fact the the minumum points scored by Kansas this season is 34 and I'm backing Rock Chalk Jayhaw.
There you have it. Best of Luck to all!
Monday, October 5, 2009
4 weeks of observations.
Alright sports fans were are now 4 games into the 2009-10 season and here are some things that I noticed.
Offense:
To be honest I think our offense is looking damn good so far JB is throwing the ball around and Devine is racking up some big yards, and hey our recievers are doing thier jobs as well. With Ryan Clarke is appears as if we have a solid short yardage back that will put his head down and run some people over. I also like the pistol formation that we have been using to keep defenses from loading up on one side. With having that said here comes the rant about TURNOVERS! Lets face it these turnovers were having is killing our offensive production right now, we are moving the ball consistantly down the field untill we either throw and ill advised pass or fumble it away. Three times against CU we gave up the ball on what should have been a scoring drive (twice inside the 20 and once inside the 40). I don't even have to mention the Auburn game which we dominated and lost, but its hard to win with 6 turnovers. However when we don't turn the ball over our drives look smooth and usually result in points. So to state basic football knowledge hold on to the ball and rack up some points.
Defense:
Well it seems to be another year of bend dont break D for our beloved Mountaineers. As always our rush defense is solid allowing 87 ypg up to this point and we held Auburn to 100 yards which no one else has came close to doing. Then there is our secondary........umm yeah about that. Well its hard to defend a ball when you can't see it coming (cough, cough Hogan). Bill said that Hogan was going to have to compete for his job but it did not appear that way last Thursday. It seems like every passing TD thrown against us goes right past his ear-hole. We need to find a solid shutdown CB to throw in there and well shutdown big WR's (enter Pat Miller next season). Some of these problems could be resolved if we would wouldn't allow 10 yard cushions on 3rd and 4, seems like we get picked apart on short routes all day. As for our linebackers I think we are ok they aren't missing tackels and are playing tough on short dump passes. Our D line could stand to get more pressure on he QB which could also help the secondary but as of now were tied for 23rd in the nation with sacks. With this defense though as always we will get better as the season goes on and maybe one sweet day we'll get a shutout (I wouldn't hold your breath).
Special Teams:
Kicker is good. Punter is good. Coverage is bad. Althought its not as bad as it was last year we cannot affored to let opponents start with the ball on the 35-40 yd line over and over. We need to find some players that are willing to go all out, get down the field, bust through blocks and take heads off. Untill we do that the 35 will have to do. As a side note our KO coverage against Auburn was pretty good.
I would also like to add a few thoughts on aggression: Our whole team from top to bottom needs to be more aggressive b-e-a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e. To some extent that goes for individual players but mostly the coaches, when we get up 14 points dont take your foot off the gas!!!!!!! If were up 14 then lets try to go up 21 or shit maybe even 24, dont change your play calling just because your winning. This has been very aggrevating to watch we start out and take shots downfield then bust a big run then we start with shorts routes and conservative running plays and allow teams to crawl back in.
Even though I just made it sound like we are 1-3 instead of 3-1 I still think we have a good shot of winning a Big East Title because I'm a Mountaineer fan and hopefully our coaches wont allow this turnover shit to continue. So with having said that we got SU in the dome sat and I'm waiting for us to finally unleash.
LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!!
Offense:
To be honest I think our offense is looking damn good so far JB is throwing the ball around and Devine is racking up some big yards, and hey our recievers are doing thier jobs as well. With Ryan Clarke is appears as if we have a solid short yardage back that will put his head down and run some people over. I also like the pistol formation that we have been using to keep defenses from loading up on one side. With having that said here comes the rant about TURNOVERS! Lets face it these turnovers were having is killing our offensive production right now, we are moving the ball consistantly down the field untill we either throw and ill advised pass or fumble it away. Three times against CU we gave up the ball on what should have been a scoring drive (twice inside the 20 and once inside the 40). I don't even have to mention the Auburn game which we dominated and lost, but its hard to win with 6 turnovers. However when we don't turn the ball over our drives look smooth and usually result in points. So to state basic football knowledge hold on to the ball and rack up some points.
Defense:
Well it seems to be another year of bend dont break D for our beloved Mountaineers. As always our rush defense is solid allowing 87 ypg up to this point and we held Auburn to 100 yards which no one else has came close to doing. Then there is our secondary........umm yeah about that. Well its hard to defend a ball when you can't see it coming (cough, cough Hogan). Bill said that Hogan was going to have to compete for his job but it did not appear that way last Thursday. It seems like every passing TD thrown against us goes right past his ear-hole. We need to find a solid shutdown CB to throw in there and well shutdown big WR's (enter Pat Miller next season). Some of these problems could be resolved if we would wouldn't allow 10 yard cushions on 3rd and 4, seems like we get picked apart on short routes all day. As for our linebackers I think we are ok they aren't missing tackels and are playing tough on short dump passes. Our D line could stand to get more pressure on he QB which could also help the secondary but as of now were tied for 23rd in the nation with sacks. With this defense though as always we will get better as the season goes on and maybe one sweet day we'll get a shutout (I wouldn't hold your breath).
Special Teams:
Kicker is good. Punter is good. Coverage is bad. Althought its not as bad as it was last year we cannot affored to let opponents start with the ball on the 35-40 yd line over and over. We need to find some players that are willing to go all out, get down the field, bust through blocks and take heads off. Untill we do that the 35 will have to do. As a side note our KO coverage against Auburn was pretty good.
I would also like to add a few thoughts on aggression: Our whole team from top to bottom needs to be more aggressive b-e-a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e. To some extent that goes for individual players but mostly the coaches, when we get up 14 points dont take your foot off the gas!!!!!!! If were up 14 then lets try to go up 21 or shit maybe even 24, dont change your play calling just because your winning. This has been very aggrevating to watch we start out and take shots downfield then bust a big run then we start with shorts routes and conservative running plays and allow teams to crawl back in.
Even though I just made it sound like we are 1-3 instead of 3-1 I still think we have a good shot of winning a Big East Title because I'm a Mountaineer fan and hopefully our coaches wont allow this turnover shit to continue. So with having said that we got SU in the dome sat and I'm waiting for us to finally unleash.
LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
WVU-Colorado Running Diary, In HD!
6:28 – Michael Wilbon picks WVU “big” over a “terrible Colorado team. It’s an hour before kickoff and I’m already nervous. Chris Fowler picked us on the Cowherd show saying, “no one has stopped that WVU offense this season and they would have rolled Auburn if they hadn’t self-destructed with 6 turnovers on The Plains. The fans in Morgantown have all day to get ‘lubed up’ for these night games and if the Mountaineers score quick a couple times early, this place [Mountaineer Field] will be rocking.” This preceded Mike Ricordati and Scott Torgerson (a.k.a. “Common Man and The Torg”) picking WVU to annihilate Colorado. All that’s missing is a stroll through Gethsemane and a Lou Holtz Buffalo Pep Talk.
6:29 – I open beer #1. I realize that have not “started in the morning.”
6:47 – LPGA golf coverage on Sportscenter.
6:48 – I open beer #2. This is NOT a coincidence.
6:57 – Erin Andrews states that the big key for WVU is “don’t turn the ball over.” Thanks for that newsflash hot stuff. You do better work with your clothes off. Also, keys for the Buffs: “don’t give up the big play,” “run to the ball” and simply “tackle.” The Dan Hawkins Era is really turning things around in Boulder.
A side note: in the background, you can overhear the PA announcer at Mountaineer Field trying to “instruct” fans on the Let’s Goooooooooooo… Mountaineeeeeeeeeeeeers! cheer. Andrews takes it upon herself to not only comment on this, but she and Dari Nowkhah make an indictment on the intelligence of Mountaineer fans.
#1: Is it necessary for the PA Announcer to instruct us on this? Haven’t we all been doing this since, like, age 5?
#2: Must we still take jab at West Virginia in the national media? I guess things won’t change until we see espnmorgantown.com become a reality. Shame…
7:26 – Argument AGAINST a Playoff System in college football: we hear so much about “let them settle it on the field,” but really… in this week’s USA Today Poll, Iowa is ranked #17, Penn State #13… didn’t we JUST SETTLE THIS ON THE FIELD? This might be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen, and I’m not talking about Iowa being ranked #17, I think that is pretty accurate, but have we not established by now that Penn State, who lost IN Happy Valley, is NOT THAT GOOD? What do you retarded voters need to understand this?
7:32 – Chris Fowler says the Mountaineers feel like they should be undefeated and still are the team to beat in the Big East. Jesse Palmer and Craig James agree… they think. Oh well, I’ll take these three clowns over Mark Jones and Bob Davie.
7:34 – The wisdom of “Sweet” Lou Holtz rears its ugly head for the first time tonight, this oughta be good…
7:43 – Bill Stewart has a sweater vest!? Holy Cow! That smirk on his face makes me think he’s seen that video of her… ah, maybe not…
7:46 – KICK IT OUT OF BOUNDS! Okay boys good coverage…
7:52 – Text message from my friend Chris the Buckeye Fan, “Bill Stewart with a sweater vest?” I knew this was coming almost 10 minutes ago. Julian Miller is on the ground in obvious pain and we’re breaking for an injury timeout commercial. If our suspect defensive front is going to do anything the remainder of this season, we cannot afford to lose this guy. He’s on his feet on the sidelines when we return from break.
7:56 – Wide left. That might be the spark in the powder keg or the Mountaineers’ Defense tonight.
7:57 – How do you overthrow that ball? Fuck! Missed a quick 7 points by a foot. Making that play would have blew the roof off Mountaineer Field.
7:58 – Nevermind.
This just in to ESPN… Noel Devine is F-A-S-T and its 7-0 in a hurry. 77 yards to paydirt on the 2nd play offense play of the game. Our offense looks to be picking up where they left off before the brain farts on The Plains. It appears that the only team in America that can stop this West Virginia Offense is… the West Virginia Offense.
8:07 – Our defense does not look good thus far tonight. 7-7 after a rushing TD by Colorado. Officials are reviewing something, but not sure what.
8:14 – 3-and-out for the Mountaineers and an opportunity for the Buffaloes to really put WVU in a spot.
But that will be a little difficult after a phenomenal punt by Scott Kozlowski.
8:16 – Should have been a touchdown on the deep pass to Simas. Alligator-armed and it goes of the fingertips. Keith Tandy continues to rise up my shit list as this season wears on.
8:19 – Can we talk for a moment about ball security?
Dear Jarrett Brown,
You CANNOT hold the football like it is a loaf of bread.
Sincerely,
Aaron
How do you fumble the ball by carrying it so carelessly? This coaching staff is mind-numbing sometimes. BALL SECURITY!
8:23 – Aric Goodman’s FG is wide left again, this time off the post. For once this decade we are getting a few breaks off opponent miscues.
8:25 – Long run by Brown while I scream “TUCK THE BALL!” and simultaneously experience heart palpitations and light-headedness. My neighbor bangs on the wall between our apartments…
8:28 – BALL SECURITY! FUCK!
Another Mountaineer turnover on the Starks fumble. Please excuse me while I leave my computer to gouge my eyes out with a shrimp fork. Seriously, I think I’m going to vomit.
8:39 – A Papa John’s commercial where a group of 14 year old girls are going crazy for pizza is on. When did Papa John Schneider turn into Beatlemania?
8:40 – Text message from my Dad, says we need to get the ball to Jock Sanders.
8:45 – BALL SECURITY!!! FUCK!!!
Jock Sanders puts the ball on the turf. It is amazing that this is still a tie game. The Colorado Buffaloes are who we thought they were: a terrible football team. Its official: I am not going to have enough beer to finish this game. I may have to start drinking whiskey. I hope my Dad is happy though…
8:47 – What is ESPN/ABC’s obsession with the Dave Matthews Band this season? At first I thought, eh, its just to help them promote their new CD, but hell, they are playing Ants Marching during promos, which is circa 1997. What is the connection between Dave Matthews and College Football? I just don’t see it.
8:52 – Interception by JT Thomas and… SURPRISE! A WVU fumble. Is this a fucking joke?...
BALL SECURITY!!! FUCK!!!
9:02 – FG by Aric Goodman makes it 10-7 Buffaloes. This is unbelievably embarrassing. I’m glad this game isn’t on national TV…
…what? Oh fuck!
9:04 – Holding call on the kickoff return backs our offense up even more. Shot of Bill Stewart on the sidelines. He is still trying to figure out where the hell he is at. “Get off the lawn! Damn kids!”
9:05 – Devine bails out the Special Teams with a 56-yard scamper up the left side.
9:08 – Jock Sanders’ 6-yard TD makes it 14-10 with 1:21 left in the 1st half. WVU drive is 5 plays for 80 yards Maybe they should let my Dad coach.
9:10 – A long pass by Hawkins to McKnight leads the Buffs to a chance to score before the half on a VERY tired WVU defense. That is the problem when your scoring drives only last 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
9:15 – Bill Stewart screaming and yelling at Erin Andrews on the way to the locker room. If he takes a Viagra at halftime, she’d better watch herself when he comes back out of the locker room.
*** *** *** ***
So, after 30 minutes of football, here are my impressions. Going to the locker room up 14-10 to this terrible Colorado team should be an embarrassment. If I were a player on this team I’d be downright angry at our offensive execution, not “laughing and joking on the sidelines” as was reported earlier in the half by Andrews.
The Defense played terrible on the first 2 or 3 possessions of the first half, but have since stood up tough and tall. When your defense is on the field almost 19 minutes of the first half, they are going to give up some yardage. Four lost fumbles (3 by the offense) is unacceptable and as Coach Stew alluded to, “that’s not Mountaineer Football.”
The offense is having their way with the Colorado defense, as we’re on pace for over 500 total yards again. Only 82 yards through the air on 9 of 14 passing by Brown who has shown he’s not the least bit gun-shy after the interceptions at Auburn. Noel Devine is averaging a video-game-like 17.8 yards-per-carry (8-142-1) aided by runs of 77 and 56 yards.
Jock Sanders needs to play a larger role in this offense for the Mountaineers to continue to be successful in the Big East this season, and a few touches for Tavon Austin would also be a huge help.
Not much else to say on the offensive side of the ball, except for speculation, since the offense has only run 28 plays in the half (versus 46 for the Buffaloes).
Defense needs to continue to stand tall and get a little more pressure on the quarterback. A holding call on the Colorado right Tackle would help this, as he’s been guilty of “habeas grabis” on at least 4 occasions. Really, its BAD.
Go Mountaineers, and for the love of all that is Holy… HOLD TO THE BALL!
*** *** *** ***
9:35 – Here’s more Dave Matthews Band! Nothing makes me think of College Football quite like a little “Two Step”…
9:39 – Our first Ryan Clarke sighting on a one-handed catch for the first down.
9:39 – Beautiful run after catch by Bradley Starks to finish a 5-play, 75-yard TD drive. Plays like this highlight what makes the Mountaineer offense so good, they can make a guy miss and its daylight in a hurry.
9:47 – The “bend-don’t-break” defense is starting to get a little frustrating to watch. What would a high-octane offense like Cincinnati do to this defense?
9:54 – Let’s try something new on our kickoff returns. When our kick returner catches the ball, don’t run directly at the defenders. Oh nevermind, the block in the back would negate it anyways.
10:03 – 3rd and 22 for Colorado. Have you ever seen and team look so desperate and hopeless in a 4-point game? Interception by Sands at midfield. If we can hang a quick 7 here and force a, *gasp*, 3-and-out, -17.5 could still have a chance to be good.
10:06 – Jarrett Brown overthrows a wide-open Austin. I’m getting my wish to see him with some 2nd half touches. Brown follows that up with consecutive sacks/steaming piles of shitty decision-making to lose 28 yards. We’ll punt from inside our 10. Terrible.
The Boo Birds make their first appearance of the night as Colorado has a chance to actually take a lead in this game. Does Jarrett Brown remind you a little of Jamie Foxx in “Any Given Sunday” almost like if someone didn’t remind him to take his helmet onto the field, he might forget it. He plays incredibly lackadaisical football.
10:21 – The Pistol Formation makes an appearance this evening. Devine and Brown make this formation look almost unfair it works so well. It’s hard to question the offensive play-calling in any way tonight, but it would be nice to see this formation a few more times a night.
10:23 – It seems like every time Ryan Clarke motions right from TE to FB, we’re going to give to Devine on a handoff a run directly behind him. Can please diversify this a little bit? If I am starting to queue on things like this, after sitting on my couch drinking beer for 4 hours, defensive coordinators who breakdown film certainly will.
10:24 – Craig James and Jesse Palmer slam Devine, who, in their “expert opinion” have no chance at success at the next level. They may be right, he just doesn’t have the NFL body to be an every down back, but I think there’s a place on someone’s roster for a guy with his moves.
10:25 – Ryan Clarke slams in for a 2-year TD to cap a 14-play, 69-yard drive. Well done Mountaineer offense, I’m amazed that you managed not to fumble that many plays in a row.
10:29 – More ugly special teams by the Mountaineers, and the Buffs will start on their own 39.
10:32 – Glover misses a 2nd pick by a fingernail. The noose is tightening on Colorado right now.
10:37 – Outstanding job by the Mountaineer Defense of standing up when it counts most. Ovid Goulbourne picked the perfect time to pick up the first Mountaneer sack of the evening, which should take them out of any conceivable field goal position.
10:38 – I stand corrected. Dan Hawkins, the tricky devil, is going to try the 57-yard FG. Wide left, and not sure if it would have even had the leg.
10:40 – After a missed Goodman FG from somewhere near Osage, Mountaineer fans finally have some breathing room. nd Noel Devine has set a new personal best for rushing yards in a game with 207 yards on 21 carries.
10:41 – Noel Devine exits for what looks to be the game. Just checked the stat sheet and he finished with 220 yards on 22 carries. Wow, finally it looks like Devine has broken loose on a national stage.
10:43 – Ah yes, I forgot who we were watching here… BALL SECURITY!!! FUCK!!!
10:46 – Thank you Bill Stewart, punting the ball away will not help you cover. 7 points will. The betting interests of TeamMVPTailgatesHere desperately needs a turnover here. Can anyone say pick six?
10:49 – Pat Miller, squeeze the ball son. There was your chance at a pick six and a cover folks. Forget it.
10:50 – 4th and 2… Hawkins’ pass to Geer is broken up by Reed Williams, who has played an unbelievably gutsy, and over-shadowed game tonight. This game is over, but with 2:47, can we punch it in? I’m sure Al and the rest of his EFAs are thinking the same thing.
10:51 – Ryan Clarke seals the deal on a 2-play 15-yard drive with an 8 yard TD run to give the Mountaineers a 17 point lead with the PAT to come
10:52 – The PAT by Tyler Bitancurt makes the dreams of EFAs everywhere come true capping an 18-point Mountaineer victory, and a presumed cover, barring a total natural disaster by Cody Hawkins and the rest of the Knot Hole Gang.
But let us thank the man who has contributed most to this achievement, CU Kicker Aric Goodman and his 3 missed FGs! Congratulations!
10:56 – Is Colorado trying to get the ball down the field and score here? I don’t believe this…
10:59 – With :03 seconds left to play, Hawkins completes a pass to Markques Simas in the end zone to crush the our dreams. DAMN YOU DAN HAWKINS! Pardon me while I drink my hemlock iced-tea.
11:02 – Colorado nearly recovers the meaningless onside kick, which fully enrages me.
11:03 – Jarrett Brown finally takes the knee to end this debacle.
11:07 – Coach Stew gives another great on-field interview to Erin Andrews. Blaine Stewart gets to be on TV meet Erin Andrews ("I am NEVER going to wash this hand!")
I can’t lie. This game was not a pleasure cruise to watch. This football team has a long time to come this year, but I still believe we can be a major player in the Big East. Need to fix the mental lapses and hold on to the ball.
It was fun, maybe we’ll do this again?
Go Mountaineers!
Twitter: twitter.com/ultimatemale66
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6:29 – I open beer #1. I realize that have not “started in the morning.”
6:47 – LPGA golf coverage on Sportscenter.
6:48 – I open beer #2. This is NOT a coincidence.
6:57 – Erin Andrews states that the big key for WVU is “don’t turn the ball over.” Thanks for that newsflash hot stuff. You do better work with your clothes off. Also, keys for the Buffs: “don’t give up the big play,” “run to the ball” and simply “tackle.” The Dan Hawkins Era is really turning things around in Boulder.
A side note: in the background, you can overhear the PA announcer at Mountaineer Field trying to “instruct” fans on the Let’s Goooooooooooo… Mountaineeeeeeeeeeeeers! cheer. Andrews takes it upon herself to not only comment on this, but she and Dari Nowkhah make an indictment on the intelligence of Mountaineer fans.
#1: Is it necessary for the PA Announcer to instruct us on this? Haven’t we all been doing this since, like, age 5?
#2: Must we still take jab at West Virginia in the national media? I guess things won’t change until we see espnmorgantown.com become a reality. Shame…
7:26 – Argument AGAINST a Playoff System in college football: we hear so much about “let them settle it on the field,” but really… in this week’s USA Today Poll, Iowa is ranked #17, Penn State #13… didn’t we JUST SETTLE THIS ON THE FIELD? This might be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen, and I’m not talking about Iowa being ranked #17, I think that is pretty accurate, but have we not established by now that Penn State, who lost IN Happy Valley, is NOT THAT GOOD? What do you retarded voters need to understand this?
7:32 – Chris Fowler says the Mountaineers feel like they should be undefeated and still are the team to beat in the Big East. Jesse Palmer and Craig James agree… they think. Oh well, I’ll take these three clowns over Mark Jones and Bob Davie.
7:34 – The wisdom of “Sweet” Lou Holtz rears its ugly head for the first time tonight, this oughta be good…
7:43 – Bill Stewart has a sweater vest!? Holy Cow! That smirk on his face makes me think he’s seen that video of her… ah, maybe not…
7:46 – KICK IT OUT OF BOUNDS! Okay boys good coverage…
7:52 – Text message from my friend Chris the Buckeye Fan, “Bill Stewart with a sweater vest?” I knew this was coming almost 10 minutes ago. Julian Miller is on the ground in obvious pain and we’re breaking for an injury timeout commercial. If our suspect defensive front is going to do anything the remainder of this season, we cannot afford to lose this guy. He’s on his feet on the sidelines when we return from break.
7:56 – Wide left. That might be the spark in the powder keg or the Mountaineers’ Defense tonight.
7:57 – How do you overthrow that ball? Fuck! Missed a quick 7 points by a foot. Making that play would have blew the roof off Mountaineer Field.
7:58 – Nevermind.
This just in to ESPN… Noel Devine is F-A-S-T and its 7-0 in a hurry. 77 yards to paydirt on the 2nd play offense play of the game. Our offense looks to be picking up where they left off before the brain farts on The Plains. It appears that the only team in America that can stop this West Virginia Offense is… the West Virginia Offense.
8:07 – Our defense does not look good thus far tonight. 7-7 after a rushing TD by Colorado. Officials are reviewing something, but not sure what.
8:14 – 3-and-out for the Mountaineers and an opportunity for the Buffaloes to really put WVU in a spot.
But that will be a little difficult after a phenomenal punt by Scott Kozlowski.
8:16 – Should have been a touchdown on the deep pass to Simas. Alligator-armed and it goes of the fingertips. Keith Tandy continues to rise up my shit list as this season wears on.
8:19 – Can we talk for a moment about ball security?
Dear Jarrett Brown,
You CANNOT hold the football like it is a loaf of bread.
Sincerely,
Aaron
How do you fumble the ball by carrying it so carelessly? This coaching staff is mind-numbing sometimes. BALL SECURITY!
8:23 – Aric Goodman’s FG is wide left again, this time off the post. For once this decade we are getting a few breaks off opponent miscues.
8:25 – Long run by Brown while I scream “TUCK THE BALL!” and simultaneously experience heart palpitations and light-headedness. My neighbor bangs on the wall between our apartments…
8:28 – BALL SECURITY! FUCK!
Another Mountaineer turnover on the Starks fumble. Please excuse me while I leave my computer to gouge my eyes out with a shrimp fork. Seriously, I think I’m going to vomit.
8:39 – A Papa John’s commercial where a group of 14 year old girls are going crazy for pizza is on. When did Papa John Schneider turn into Beatlemania?
8:40 – Text message from my Dad, says we need to get the ball to Jock Sanders.
8:45 – BALL SECURITY!!! FUCK!!!
Jock Sanders puts the ball on the turf. It is amazing that this is still a tie game. The Colorado Buffaloes are who we thought they were: a terrible football team. Its official: I am not going to have enough beer to finish this game. I may have to start drinking whiskey. I hope my Dad is happy though…
8:47 – What is ESPN/ABC’s obsession with the Dave Matthews Band this season? At first I thought, eh, its just to help them promote their new CD, but hell, they are playing Ants Marching during promos, which is circa 1997. What is the connection between Dave Matthews and College Football? I just don’t see it.
8:52 – Interception by JT Thomas and… SURPRISE! A WVU fumble. Is this a fucking joke?...
BALL SECURITY!!! FUCK!!!
9:02 – FG by Aric Goodman makes it 10-7 Buffaloes. This is unbelievably embarrassing. I’m glad this game isn’t on national TV…
…what? Oh fuck!
9:04 – Holding call on the kickoff return backs our offense up even more. Shot of Bill Stewart on the sidelines. He is still trying to figure out where the hell he is at. “Get off the lawn! Damn kids!”
9:05 – Devine bails out the Special Teams with a 56-yard scamper up the left side.
9:08 – Jock Sanders’ 6-yard TD makes it 14-10 with 1:21 left in the 1st half. WVU drive is 5 plays for 80 yards Maybe they should let my Dad coach.
9:10 – A long pass by Hawkins to McKnight leads the Buffs to a chance to score before the half on a VERY tired WVU defense. That is the problem when your scoring drives only last 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
9:15 – Bill Stewart screaming and yelling at Erin Andrews on the way to the locker room. If he takes a Viagra at halftime, she’d better watch herself when he comes back out of the locker room.
*** *** *** ***
So, after 30 minutes of football, here are my impressions. Going to the locker room up 14-10 to this terrible Colorado team should be an embarrassment. If I were a player on this team I’d be downright angry at our offensive execution, not “laughing and joking on the sidelines” as was reported earlier in the half by Andrews.
The Defense played terrible on the first 2 or 3 possessions of the first half, but have since stood up tough and tall. When your defense is on the field almost 19 minutes of the first half, they are going to give up some yardage. Four lost fumbles (3 by the offense) is unacceptable and as Coach Stew alluded to, “that’s not Mountaineer Football.”
The offense is having their way with the Colorado defense, as we’re on pace for over 500 total yards again. Only 82 yards through the air on 9 of 14 passing by Brown who has shown he’s not the least bit gun-shy after the interceptions at Auburn. Noel Devine is averaging a video-game-like 17.8 yards-per-carry (8-142-1) aided by runs of 77 and 56 yards.
Jock Sanders needs to play a larger role in this offense for the Mountaineers to continue to be successful in the Big East this season, and a few touches for Tavon Austin would also be a huge help.
Not much else to say on the offensive side of the ball, except for speculation, since the offense has only run 28 plays in the half (versus 46 for the Buffaloes).
Defense needs to continue to stand tall and get a little more pressure on the quarterback. A holding call on the Colorado right Tackle would help this, as he’s been guilty of “habeas grabis” on at least 4 occasions. Really, its BAD.
Go Mountaineers, and for the love of all that is Holy… HOLD TO THE BALL!
*** *** *** ***
9:35 – Here’s more Dave Matthews Band! Nothing makes me think of College Football quite like a little “Two Step”…
9:39 – Our first Ryan Clarke sighting on a one-handed catch for the first down.
9:39 – Beautiful run after catch by Bradley Starks to finish a 5-play, 75-yard TD drive. Plays like this highlight what makes the Mountaineer offense so good, they can make a guy miss and its daylight in a hurry.
9:47 – The “bend-don’t-break” defense is starting to get a little frustrating to watch. What would a high-octane offense like Cincinnati do to this defense?
9:54 – Let’s try something new on our kickoff returns. When our kick returner catches the ball, don’t run directly at the defenders. Oh nevermind, the block in the back would negate it anyways.
10:03 – 3rd and 22 for Colorado. Have you ever seen and team look so desperate and hopeless in a 4-point game? Interception by Sands at midfield. If we can hang a quick 7 here and force a, *gasp*, 3-and-out, -17.5 could still have a chance to be good.
10:06 – Jarrett Brown overthrows a wide-open Austin. I’m getting my wish to see him with some 2nd half touches. Brown follows that up with consecutive sacks/steaming piles of shitty decision-making to lose 28 yards. We’ll punt from inside our 10. Terrible.
The Boo Birds make their first appearance of the night as Colorado has a chance to actually take a lead in this game. Does Jarrett Brown remind you a little of Jamie Foxx in “Any Given Sunday” almost like if someone didn’t remind him to take his helmet onto the field, he might forget it. He plays incredibly lackadaisical football.
10:21 – The Pistol Formation makes an appearance this evening. Devine and Brown make this formation look almost unfair it works so well. It’s hard to question the offensive play-calling in any way tonight, but it would be nice to see this formation a few more times a night.
10:23 – It seems like every time Ryan Clarke motions right from TE to FB, we’re going to give to Devine on a handoff a run directly behind him. Can please diversify this a little bit? If I am starting to queue on things like this, after sitting on my couch drinking beer for 4 hours, defensive coordinators who breakdown film certainly will.
10:24 – Craig James and Jesse Palmer slam Devine, who, in their “expert opinion” have no chance at success at the next level. They may be right, he just doesn’t have the NFL body to be an every down back, but I think there’s a place on someone’s roster for a guy with his moves.
10:25 – Ryan Clarke slams in for a 2-year TD to cap a 14-play, 69-yard drive. Well done Mountaineer offense, I’m amazed that you managed not to fumble that many plays in a row.
10:29 – More ugly special teams by the Mountaineers, and the Buffs will start on their own 39.
10:32 – Glover misses a 2nd pick by a fingernail. The noose is tightening on Colorado right now.
10:37 – Outstanding job by the Mountaineer Defense of standing up when it counts most. Ovid Goulbourne picked the perfect time to pick up the first Mountaneer sack of the evening, which should take them out of any conceivable field goal position.
10:38 – I stand corrected. Dan Hawkins, the tricky devil, is going to try the 57-yard FG. Wide left, and not sure if it would have even had the leg.
10:40 – After a missed Goodman FG from somewhere near Osage, Mountaineer fans finally have some breathing room. nd Noel Devine has set a new personal best for rushing yards in a game with 207 yards on 21 carries.
10:41 – Noel Devine exits for what looks to be the game. Just checked the stat sheet and he finished with 220 yards on 22 carries. Wow, finally it looks like Devine has broken loose on a national stage.
10:43 – Ah yes, I forgot who we were watching here… BALL SECURITY!!! FUCK!!!
10:46 – Thank you Bill Stewart, punting the ball away will not help you cover. 7 points will. The betting interests of TeamMVPTailgatesHere desperately needs a turnover here. Can anyone say pick six?
10:49 – Pat Miller, squeeze the ball son. There was your chance at a pick six and a cover folks. Forget it.
10:50 – 4th and 2… Hawkins’ pass to Geer is broken up by Reed Williams, who has played an unbelievably gutsy, and over-shadowed game tonight. This game is over, but with 2:47, can we punch it in? I’m sure Al and the rest of his EFAs are thinking the same thing.
10:51 – Ryan Clarke seals the deal on a 2-play 15-yard drive with an 8 yard TD run to give the Mountaineers a 17 point lead with the PAT to come
10:52 – The PAT by Tyler Bitancurt makes the dreams of EFAs everywhere come true capping an 18-point Mountaineer victory, and a presumed cover, barring a total natural disaster by Cody Hawkins and the rest of the Knot Hole Gang.
But let us thank the man who has contributed most to this achievement, CU Kicker Aric Goodman and his 3 missed FGs! Congratulations!
10:56 – Is Colorado trying to get the ball down the field and score here? I don’t believe this…
10:59 – With :03 seconds left to play, Hawkins completes a pass to Markques Simas in the end zone to crush the our dreams. DAMN YOU DAN HAWKINS! Pardon me while I drink my hemlock iced-tea.
11:02 – Colorado nearly recovers the meaningless onside kick, which fully enrages me.
11:03 – Jarrett Brown finally takes the knee to end this debacle.
11:07 – Coach Stew gives another great on-field interview to Erin Andrews. Blaine Stewart gets to be on TV meet Erin Andrews ("I am NEVER going to wash this hand!")
I can’t lie. This game was not a pleasure cruise to watch. This football team has a long time to come this year, but I still believe we can be a major player in the Big East. Need to fix the mental lapses and hold on to the ball.
It was fun, maybe we’ll do this again?
Go Mountaineers!
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