Picks Week 4... Put up or shut up

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

Gomer: As nice as it would be for the Razorbacks to pull the upset, the rushing attack of Alabama just is too much for Arkansas. Mark Ingram will re-assert himself onto the Heisman watch list and make everyone start to fear for Archie Griffin's ability to retain the ability to be the only player with 2 Heisman trophies. Bama: 34 -- Ark: 20

Chief: This very well may be the the Tide's toughest test in the regular season. They invade Fayetteville with the Razorbacks having dreams of upsets. I love the big armed (UM trasfer) Ryan Mallet and he has certainly looked good this year with one of the strongest arms since Mr. Purple Drank Jamarcus Russell. With that being said, I just don't see it. Bama is just too stacked on offense (McElroy, Ingram, Richardson, Jones, etc.) and their defense just reloads under Saban. I don't even know if the Hogs can keep it close. Bama: 27--Ark: 13

Stanford Cardinal vs. Notre Dame Fightin' Irish

Gomer: It should take a small miracle for ND Coach Brian Kelly to not start the season 1-3 and most of us in Ohio wouldn't mind seeing that. The Cardinal are a very well rounded team who are going to take a mammoth effort to knock off, even on the road. Don't expect Stanford to lose it now... Stan: 28 -- ND: 20

Chief: After getting punched in the gut last week by the OT loss to MSU, the Irish have to take on a very balanced Cardinal team (My preseason predicted Pac 10 Champ). Stanford is led by do-it-all QB Andrew Luck who has been phenomenal in every game thus far and looks to be the number 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft (if it happens). The Irish have a very nice receiving corps, but very little else. A young QB and questionable defense is just not enough for the Irish. Stan: 31--ND: 17

Oregon State vs. Boise State

Gomer: Blue turf, schmu turf. The Beavers will have a tough chance at coming away with a win in Boise regardless of what the Beavers prepare for. Frankly, this game shouldn't be good as the Broncos and ESPN would hope for, but should be entertaining regardless. OSU: 16 -- BSU: 37

Chief: Oh boy...another 'marquee' game on the blue turf. I'll give you the Ducks last year Boise, because they were actually good. The Beavers have 2 good players (the Rodgers's) but that's it. This game will most likely be a colossal disappointment. Oregon St. won last week over Louisville (bad)...at home...by 7. Boise is a solid top 10 team (not a National Title team) and should make easy work of the Beavers before entering High School (WAC) season. The Broncos will run it up as much as possible (and get way too much credit). OSU: 20--BSU: 48

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Louisiana State Tigers

Gomer: The Tigers may have a tough time against the speedy WVU 'neers but frankly, LSU shouldn't have a problem. This game will be interesting for sure but LSU's running game will help the Tigers prevail in this matchup, WVU: 20 -- LSU: 35

Chief: West Virginia has certainly surprised me this year, but I'm still not sold, especially not in Death Valley. Bill Stewart is massively overrated (by that, I mean, I'm surprised he's employed). LSU is not great, but Jefferson and 'The Hat' should make quick work of the Big East 'power'. Death Valley is never fun for opposing schools. WVU: 10--LSU: 20

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Auburn Tigers

Gomer: Somehow, someway the Gamecocks offense is gonna find a way to be productive. I don't know how, but a team as flakey as the 'Cocks aren't gonna let this one get away. I thought that Clemson would upset the Tigers at home, but no such luck. Auburn's inconsistency will catch up with them today. SC: 29 -- Aub: 23

Chief: This is a pretty nice game for this week. A very underrated SEC matchup should be a slobberknocker. Auburn showed last week that they hit extremely hard and pulled off the win over Clemson (mediocre ACC team)....at home...in OT...by a missed kick. Auburn is a decent team and the home field is a HUGE advantage, but I really like what I've seen out of South Carolina this year. Spurrier's defense has been surprisingly good like last year and the offense is getting better and better. Go Cocks for the SEC road upset after all the injuries/bruises for Auburn last week. SC: 13--Aub: 10

Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Gomer: Only the worst team in D-I over the last 3 seasons... if the Buckeyes struggle for a few minutes, don't be surprised. The Buckeyes should have no problems shooting down the Eagles and making a mockery of ESPN on ABC at 3:30pm. There is no reason for this game to even be worth watching other than taking stock of what's going on prior to Big Ten season. EMU: 6 -- OSU 48

Chief: This one...is going to be ugly. EMU hasn't won since the Reagan administration (give or take) and the Buckeyes are chugging along. Why is this on ABC? Ohio State should have Pryor and the starters out of pads by halftime. Very important for the Buckeyes to establish a running game and NOT SUCK ON SPECIAL TEAMS!!! Other than that, this is a glorified scrimmage. Should be a similar view for Ron English (EMU head coach and former Wolverine's defensive coordinator); being blown off the field by the Scarlet and Gray! EMU: 0 (calling it)--OSU: 51

Other Games to pick
Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati: Gomer: OU Chief: OU
Temple vs. Penn State: Gomer: PSU Chief: Temple
Austin Peay vs. Wisconsin: Gomer: Wisconsin Chief: Let's Go Peay!! (I pick UW)
Ball State vs. Iowa: Gomer: Iowa Chief: Iowa
Bowling Green vs. Michigan: Gomer: UM Chief: UM
Northern Colorado vs. Michigan State: Gomer: MSU Chief: MSU

5 Things We've Learned--Week 3

A few more interesting games than expected this week. Nothing ground-breaking this week, but I'll do my best.

1) There is a MAJOR lack of parity this year
Let's face it, there are 2 (maybe 3) good teams this year. Ohio State and Alabama are WAY ahead of the pack and to be honest, it will be a surprise if these 2 don't meet up in Glendale. Boise is trying their best, but with the schedule, there's absolutely NO way they just into the top two without some help (and that might mean 2 losses from the top). TCU is fine as well, but schedule is a problem there as well. With the Hawkeyes and Gators showing major chinks, the Bucks and Tide should cruise. Oregon and Texas could very well go undefeated as well(doubtful), but it just won't matter unless the preseason favorites keep winning.
Also, speaking of Boise, did you really need to throw that flea-flicker in on the 2nd possession against Wyoming? It's Wyoming. That's like OSU running a fumble-rooskie against EMU next week. I get it Boise, you need the limelight and no one believes you're deserving. Let me let you in on a little secret, you could win the rest of your games by seventy bajillion points and you won't sniff Glendale (for the Championship anyway) if Bama and OSU are undefeated. If you want to be one of the big boys, win it in a big boy way. No need to resort to tricks to show you can fool a middle/lower level Mtn West team. Boise looked like they could complete with VT but then again, so could JMU. Unfortunate, yes, but it is what it is. Joining the Mtn West is a good step, but you'll never reach the big time in a midmajor conference...and you'll never get into a major conference without improving other sports and, more importantly, your academics. Good luck against a middle of the road Oregon State...it's your last college opponent this year.

2) ESPN is relentlessly pushing their agenda
The SEC contract with ESPN is an absolute goldmine in more than just TV money. So far, College Gameday has been to 3 SEC games in 3 weeks. Week 1 was a big game and probably the best site so no complaints. Week 2, the UM-OSU rematch of the 2002 championship was bigger and had higher ranked opponents (PSU=bad) but Bama was 1 so whatever. Week 3, Auburn/Clemson? Really? Yeah, it went to overtime and was hard-hitting but the Iowa/Arizona game was bigger AND the teams were better AND it provided a nice spread of the country with a Pac 10/Big Ten matchup AND it was just as good of a game. The SEC gets the nod again because of the money ESPN has invested.
The SEC doesn't just reap the TV spotlight, it also gets a major PR boost. Again, everyone looks to the Worldwise Leader for their sports info so when Sportscenter says the SEC is leaps and bounds better than the rest, everyone believes it, including the AP voters, Harris voters, and coaches. This significantly skews the polls and therefore the shots at the national championship. Not only does ESPN push for the SEC, it also pushes the agenda of a college football playoff (which just isn't coming). Boise is put forward as the shunned 'little engine that could' that doesn't get a shot. They get shots, but winning the WAC is NOT ENOUGH to play for a championship. A one game season does not a champion make. The system we have is not perfect, but it is better than many of the proposed systems in the works. Lay off ESPN and cover the news, don't make it.

3) Coaches and players need to be help accountable for playing people with injuries/concussions
Ok. Let me make this clear. I do NOT support the NFL players and their quest for more money for 'playing injured'. This is a stupid argument. When you signed up to play football (for MILLIONS OF DOLLARS), you knew this involved getting the crap kicked out fo you by 350 lb men. That's why you were well compensated for the risk. If you don't like it, DON'T PLAY!! The league should, of course, protect players, but they're still getting blown up by 350 lb men!!!
What I'm talking about is taking players out of games when they're injured/concussed. I know that sounds crazy, but that's the simple answer. Jason Witten was benched in the Cowboys loss by the doctors and was visibly angry on the sideline screaming to get back into the game. The doctor made the right call benching him protecting the Cowboys investment.
Look on the flip side in the Clemson/Auburn game. The Clemson QB was knocked silly by the Auburn defense and had no clue where he was. He was in serious pain and could have been even more injured by reentering the game. What did Dabo do? Put him back into the hardest hitting game of the year. He was in serious pain on every snap that was immediately obvious to anyone watching the game. The outcome surely resulted in the greatest fallen warrior comeback story ever, right? Nope, Auburn won in OT despite the play of the 'courageous' (translated: stupid)QB. (Note: For those who don't know me, I HATE when sports commentators use the word 'courageous' in regards to sports--military personnel fighting for our freedom are 'courageous', single mothers working 4 jobs to feed her family while spending time with their children are 'courageous', trying to get a piece of leather across a line is NOT 'courageous') If coaches truly care about their players, they would never put a players career/future on the line to win a game NO MATTER THE COST. A coach who cares more about a player than winning is who I want coaching my kids some day, especially in college.

4) Michigan...THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGH THEY WERE
Thank you Wolverines for proving my point. Mediocrity looks to be right around the corner. Yes, Denard Robinson is explosive and exciting, but there's no way he can carry them on his back the whole season. The defense is atrocious and once opposing defense realize that they're playing 11 on 1 (Robinson), it's just going to get easier and easier. UMass (yeah Div 1-AA--yeah I said it) just gave a blueprint on how to beat Michigan. It may not happen next week (Bowling Green), or the next (Indiana), but the writing is on the wall. Looks like we're getting more of the same from good ole Rich Rod.

5) The MAC is really, really bad (really)
I was at the massacre in the Shoe on Sat and it was just as ugly as it appeared on TV. Ohio was completely drubbed up and down the field. Their last minute touchdown (I think) was against our 9 (yeah we didn't put a full 1 out) best towel boys. It was just embarassing--I really started feeling (a little) bad for them at the end of the 1st half. Toledo (blown out by Arizona at home), Kent State (shut out by PSU), directional Michigans--tune in next week for those Eastern Michigan Eagles and their crapulence, NIU, Buffalo,... the list goes on and on and it's just horrible. It's looking like Temple (yeah, Bill Cosby's alma mater) could run away with the conference under RB Bernard Pierce (pun intended). This one could come down to the wire for the coveted Motor City Bowl berth. Maybe that's why they suck, no one in their right mind would consider a trip to Detroit something for which to strive.

Grading the Bucks--Ohio U (week 3)

Another shellacking but still some critical comments for the Scarlet and Gray

Offense: B+
Again, 34 in the 1st half? What do they need to do to get that coveted A??? This offense certainly clicked through the air this week and Pryor was solid for the first 28 minutes. I can't give an A to a team that has yet to establish a running game. Against OU, the Buckeyes should have run it right through them, but it just didn't happen. The interior line seems fine on pass protection, but not nasty enough to run it down their throats. Also, Pryor's INTs were, plain and simple, bad. He lofted them up into coverage which is a no-no. I understand the game was over, but the offense was way too 'bored' in the late 1st and entire 2nd half. Regardless of the score, the offense needs to play with a sense of urgency at all times.

Defense: A
Another great game by the Silver Bullets. Total 1st half dominance exhibited in which I don't think Ohio broke the 50. Also, 5 more turnovers to add to the total. I know it was Ohio, but that's quality no matter who it's against. Not too much to complain about here other than the garbage touchdown at the end. With our DLine, we still need a little more pressure on the QB when we enter Big 10 play. Little concerned about the injuries to the Buckeye secondary but I think we'll be ok.

Special Teams: C-
Nothing special about our return teams but nothing wrong there either. The coverage teams were much better this week but don't forget that OU returned a kickoff (thanks to some blocks in the back). Even with penalties, you cannot let OU (or anyone) return kicks. It was of course called back, but the refs miss those often so need better coverage. The placekicking was fine so no complaints. The big mark on this unit is a blocked punt....against Ohio. Are you serious? Buchanan actually punted pretty well, but the protection scheme is terrible. Tressel needs to fix these special teams gaffes as we go forward.

Coaching: B
Ok OSU coaches. You listened to me with regard to Stoneburner and started using the spectacular TE, and for that, I thank you. I have one major problem with the playcalling in that the Buckeyes refused to establish a running game. I know we started a bit slow on the ground, but it seemed like Pryor passed 4 times more than he handed off (I'm not counting the scrambles since those were called passes). The defense seemed to sit back a bit but no complaints on the defensive playcalling, but the offense played a little too much of a run and shoot style rather than a Big Ten, Woody Hayes, 3 yards and a cloud of dust style. Note, I love the pass and don't think we need to regress back to the ages of run run run, but you need to mix it up. When the foes are stronger, you can't throw all day with the threat of the run or they'll spy Pryor and drop the rest into coverage. This is a big point of concern for the Bucks.

Once again, great game by the Bucks. Next week will probably be far uglier. Eastern Michigan is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad. Until then, GO OHIO, BEAT THE EAGLES!

Random thoughts (week 3)

I needed to say a few things about this weekend and I didn't know where to put them.
1) Why do I listen to others and not my gut?
I had Arizona over Iowa all year, but I heard some good points about the Arizona OLine and their collapse vs. Neb in the Holiday Bowl which swayed me. I need to learn to go with my gut. I had Arizona at 2 in the Pac 10 (behind Stanford or tied) and I knew this would be a heck of a game.
2) Mark Dantonio's call was not that gutsy...in fact, it was the right call
Before the sack on 3rd down, the kick was absolutely the correct call. Always go to 2OT when you have a chip shot and you're at home. When Cousins was sacked, the FG went from a chip shot to shaky range. The kicker was young, the kick was long, and the situation was ripe for a fake. I give the man credit for making the call, but it wasn't that big of a stretch. No one blames the coach (rightfully so) when the kicker misses the kick (cough...Clemson). It was the right call any way you spin it. Hats off to Sparty!