While Clark tackles the pressing political dilemmas of our nation with candor and something akin to logic, I will attempt to make sense of the more pressing and controversial issue America currently faces, the race for the BCS championship.
After Texas's close win over undefeated Oklahoma St Saturday, the Longhorns clearly control their own destiny to the title game. Their biggest hurdle left may be this weekend in Lubbock as they face undefeated Texas Tech and their unstoppable offense, in what is likely the biggest game ever on Texas Tech's campus. The winner of this game will take control of the Big 12 South, though Texas still has to play Kansas and Tech still has to tangle with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Methinks the Longhorns will win another shootout, this time on the road as their defense will do just enough to stop Graham Harrell and the Red Raiders 44-37. This will pave the way for Texas to win out, beat Missouri in a Big 12 title game rematch from a few weeks ago and play for the national championship in the Orange Bowl against............Florida.
The Gators have their game of the year this Saturday against Georgia and will seek revenge for UGA's end zone stomping celebration a year ago. Other than last year Florida has owned this rivalry of late and a win here coupled with a win over Alabama in the SEC title game (we're calling them to make it with a 2 game lead after LSU's loss) will vault Florida up the board to #2. Alabama will have their shot but will fall either to LSU or in the SEC title game, still a great season for the Tide. Penn State (after eliminating Ohio State from contention) will get upset at Iowa in 2 weeks looking ahead and, USC will get left out with 1 loss despite an impressive win over Notre Dame on national tv to end the year. Sorry, if you're in the Pac-10 you gotta go undefeated despite how much ESPN wants you to make it. Of course now that we have predicted these finishes, everything will go the opposite way and we will see you back here next week predicting a whole new list of challengers. Make sure your DVR is on and the remote control batteries are fresh for Saturday... oh and make sure you get and out vote next week as well.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Sarah Palin Sucks
Sadly, I don't say it from personal experience. Apparently, the difference between a hockey mom and a wolverine is not just lipstick; it's also a $150,000 style makeover. I must say, however, that Sarah Palin does resemble a (Michigan) Wolverine, in that she's got no chance of winning anything any time soon. You know what I love? I love the answers McCain gives when he's asked about her qualifications. She's a reformer, she stood up to her the party leader in AK, and she's the most popular governor in America. Wait. The most popular? Since when has that qualified anyone for anything other than Homecoming Queen? Isn't this the same guy who slammed Obama for being a celebrity with no real experience? No better way to run a campaign than to choose a running mate who embodies all the characteristics you claim are your opponent's weaknesses.
I know it sounds like I'm banging the liberal drum here, but I'm really just stating basic logic. McCain's campaign has been run about as well as a Mike Davis offense. There's no real structure, everyone seems to be doing their own thing, and it's all counterintuitive. If the Republicans hadn't wedged their heads firmly in their own asses 3 months ago, ol' John might actually have a shot and we might not be looking at a scenario in which the Dems controlled the government. Super-bitch Nancy Pelosi and uber-liberal Harry Reid running alongside the Prez is a scary thought.
Oh, and finally, the whole thing about Palin being the most popular governor is stupid for another reason: she's only the most popular because she was chosen as McCain's running mate! Any one of 50 state leaders chosen to run on the ticket would be immediately be vaulted to the position of most popular. Good rationale, John. Real winning argument.
I know it sounds like I'm banging the liberal drum here, but I'm really just stating basic logic. McCain's campaign has been run about as well as a Mike Davis offense. There's no real structure, everyone seems to be doing their own thing, and it's all counterintuitive. If the Republicans hadn't wedged their heads firmly in their own asses 3 months ago, ol' John might actually have a shot and we might not be looking at a scenario in which the Dems controlled the government. Super-bitch Nancy Pelosi and uber-liberal Harry Reid running alongside the Prez is a scary thought.
Oh, and finally, the whole thing about Palin being the most popular governor is stupid for another reason: she's only the most popular because she was chosen as McCain's running mate! Any one of 50 state leaders chosen to run on the ticket would be immediately be vaulted to the position of most popular. Good rationale, John. Real winning argument.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
In Response
In response to the previous posts, here are a few observations:
-The election occurring in less than two weeks is certainly a good thing. Both candidates talk about change and a new world but they both run negative ads constantly and bicker over extremely trivial soundbites and issues. At times this feels like third grade recess. McCain is definitely the safe pick and his supposed double digit deficit in the polls may be lessened considerably at the polls. We'll see how eager voters are to vote for someone like Obama who has never been a candidate for president before. An Obama victory would signal a big change in American society and for the entire world, as we are the last superpower and the world watches us and how we make decisions. A McCain victory would signal that we are focused as a nation on foreign events and that solid dependable decision-making is the number one focus on voters' minds. Whatever happens, we will all be happy when the election concludes. Maybe then Joe the Plumber will get expunged from the public's mind.
-The college football season has certainly been intriguing but the same BCS rules apply and most likely we will see the same controversies that occur every season in regards to the BCS. The title game will feature some combination of Texas, Oklahoma, OK State, Florida, Alabama, USC, Penn St., and LSU. My hope is that the Ball State Cardinals continue their strong push and make it all the way to a BCS game. I know that a MAC participant in college football's lucrative event seems a long-shot, but I don't really care what history says. My Cardinals (and I can say that as I am a soon-to-be alum of the university) feature a future NFL QB (Nate Davis) and solid playmakers all over the offensive line, receiving corps, defensive secondary, and special teams. I have counted at least seven legitimate pro prospects on this team. A game vs. Central Michigan in November seems to be the only obstacle in BSU's trek toward an unbeaten season. A win there should probably assure that undefeated season and BCS eligibility. They are already 20th in the rankings and moving up eight spots is certainly a possibility. It would be an amazing sight to see us in the BCS, especially after witnessing a blowout in West Lafayette against Kyle Orton and the Boilers in 2004, multiple 50 and 60 point losses to BCS schools in 2004 and 2005, the near miss against IU at home in 2006, and the heartbreaking loss to the #2 Wolverines in the Big House in 2006 (I was at that game). Cardinals in the BCS? Chirp chirp!!
-The election occurring in less than two weeks is certainly a good thing. Both candidates talk about change and a new world but they both run negative ads constantly and bicker over extremely trivial soundbites and issues. At times this feels like third grade recess. McCain is definitely the safe pick and his supposed double digit deficit in the polls may be lessened considerably at the polls. We'll see how eager voters are to vote for someone like Obama who has never been a candidate for president before. An Obama victory would signal a big change in American society and for the entire world, as we are the last superpower and the world watches us and how we make decisions. A McCain victory would signal that we are focused as a nation on foreign events and that solid dependable decision-making is the number one focus on voters' minds. Whatever happens, we will all be happy when the election concludes. Maybe then Joe the Plumber will get expunged from the public's mind.
-The college football season has certainly been intriguing but the same BCS rules apply and most likely we will see the same controversies that occur every season in regards to the BCS. The title game will feature some combination of Texas, Oklahoma, OK State, Florida, Alabama, USC, Penn St., and LSU. My hope is that the Ball State Cardinals continue their strong push and make it all the way to a BCS game. I know that a MAC participant in college football's lucrative event seems a long-shot, but I don't really care what history says. My Cardinals (and I can say that as I am a soon-to-be alum of the university) feature a future NFL QB (Nate Davis) and solid playmakers all over the offensive line, receiving corps, defensive secondary, and special teams. I have counted at least seven legitimate pro prospects on this team. A game vs. Central Michigan in November seems to be the only obstacle in BSU's trek toward an unbeaten season. A win there should probably assure that undefeated season and BCS eligibility. They are already 20th in the rankings and moving up eight spots is certainly a possibility. It would be an amazing sight to see us in the BCS, especially after witnessing a blowout in West Lafayette against Kyle Orton and the Boilers in 2004, multiple 50 and 60 point losses to BCS schools in 2004 and 2005, the near miss against IU at home in 2006, and the heartbreaking loss to the #2 Wolverines in the Big House in 2006 (I was at that game). Cardinals in the BCS? Chirp chirp!!
Fantasy Football
I am better at fantasy football than you are. Unless, of course, you happen to be really, really good at fantasy football. Across my 6 teams, I'm 24-17 and that's counting the floating turd of a team that's currently 1-6 in an ESPN league. I was going to go into a whole long diatribe about exactly how I'm better, but it would be pointless. A) only 2 other people will see this, and B) both of them are in leagues with me; also, C) one of them is competing against me in the league in which I'm 1-6, so my words would probably fall on deaf ears. Or, since I'm actually typing this and not speaking, my words would probably fall on blind eyes.
Politics and baseball
I just want them both to be over. I couldn't care less about either team in the World Series and I hate reading all of the vitriolic rants from both sides of the fence that inevitably appear after any polictical article. My Cubs got railroaded out of the playoffs because they all suck. Apparently, the myth about women living in proximity having their meunstral (sp?) cycles synching up is true, because the entire team seemed to having vaginal problems against the Dodgers. Oh well.
If I turn away from sports, the only thing left is the upcoming election. Rednecks are afraid that Obama is going to proclaim us a Muslim nation and take their guns away. Idiot right-wing radio hosts like Mancow are claiming that Israel is going to bomb Iran if Obama is elected because the Israelis believe he's Muslim. And then you have a whole lot of people who are going to come out of the woodwork to vote for Obama, not because they believe in his platform, but because he's going to give them a free pass if he's the Prez. What really kills me though is the legions of idiots who go online, read an article (or watch a recap of the SNL episode w/ Sarah Palin), and then shoot off at the mouth. I'm reasonably sure that everyone who posts a comment online in response to an article is either a hilljack or hippie. Seriously, none of these people have an ounce of sense and they all eventually resort to name-calling. If there's one thing I learned from growing up in an area densely populated by hilljacks, it's that they don't know how to argue. "You're stupid," "You're gay," or "You're a f#@*ing fag" are the strongest munitions in their arsenal and they fire them at every opportunity. It's funny how quickly even a nimble-minded reader can be dragged down to the level of double-wide dwelling dufus when reading some of the tripe that's out there online. Almost as bad, but more well-written, are the retorts from the elitist posters who wax poetic about their knowledge of issues and love to talk about how right they are and why exactly they harbor that particular point of view.
I've gone on way too long here; I started out wanting to say that baseball sucks right now and politics are pissing me off. But the World Series will be over soon, and the election shortly after that. And then I can have more free time to tinker with my fantasy football teams and write blog posts that no one will read.
If I turn away from sports, the only thing left is the upcoming election. Rednecks are afraid that Obama is going to proclaim us a Muslim nation and take their guns away. Idiot right-wing radio hosts like Mancow are claiming that Israel is going to bomb Iran if Obama is elected because the Israelis believe he's Muslim. And then you have a whole lot of people who are going to come out of the woodwork to vote for Obama, not because they believe in his platform, but because he's going to give them a free pass if he's the Prez. What really kills me though is the legions of idiots who go online, read an article (or watch a recap of the SNL episode w/ Sarah Palin), and then shoot off at the mouth. I'm reasonably sure that everyone who posts a comment online in response to an article is either a hilljack or hippie. Seriously, none of these people have an ounce of sense and they all eventually resort to name-calling. If there's one thing I learned from growing up in an area densely populated by hilljacks, it's that they don't know how to argue. "You're stupid," "You're gay," or "You're a f#@*ing fag" are the strongest munitions in their arsenal and they fire them at every opportunity. It's funny how quickly even a nimble-minded reader can be dragged down to the level of double-wide dwelling dufus when reading some of the tripe that's out there online. Almost as bad, but more well-written, are the retorts from the elitist posters who wax poetic about their knowledge of issues and love to talk about how right they are and why exactly they harbor that particular point of view.
I've gone on way too long here; I started out wanting to say that baseball sucks right now and politics are pissing me off. But the World Series will be over soon, and the election shortly after that. And then I can have more free time to tinker with my fantasy football teams and write blog posts that no one will read.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Bob Loblaw's College Football mid-season report
No it’s not 1985 or 1977 for those of you shocked that the current top 3 are old school powers, Texas, Alabama, and Penn State. Yet another season of upsets, surprises, disappointments, and questions continues on. Having no idea what is going to happen next makes it so much fun to follow doesn’t it? So without further ado we will go ahead and rate the best/worst, most surprising and most disappointing teams, coaches, and players from each of the conferences at this point as if the season ended today. We will also attempt to peer into our crystal ball and see who will win each league and play for the national title. As you may guess the crystal ball is often flawed and if you read the preseason predictions article, you will see that some of the predictions by this great panel were in fact, shockingly, incorrect. But things always have a way of evening themselves out like they did for Jerry Seinfeld in the “even steven” episode.
(All rankings and lists are to this point, not a season ending prediction)
ACC:Best team so far: Atlantic: Boston College, the Eagles have been surprising with Chris Crane often looking like Matt Ryan. Coastal: Georgia Tech, Paul Johnson’s new offense has the Jackets a 3 point loss away from being undefeated.
Biggest surprise: BC and Georgia Tech, BC lost so many players, GT has a new coach and offense. Also Maryland has played well after a slow start.
Biggest disappointment: Clemson, starting the season in everyone’s top 15, and firing your coach by week 7 will usually give you a strong chance to win this category. Once again this program has underachieved regardless of what happens from here on out, and this time it finally cost Tommy Bowden his job.
Player of the Half Year: Chris Crane, Boston College
Coach of the Half year: Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
Hot Seat: Bobby and Tommy Bowden, with Tommy already having taken the plunge.
Predicted Championship Game: based on remaining schedules, Maryland vs. Georgia Tech with Tech winning the league title with the triple option offense.
BIG EAST:
Best Team: South Florida, despite the loss to Pitt, they have a big win over Kansas and are clicking on offense right now.
Biggest Surprise: Louisville has gotten off the mat and can reach a bowl after last year’s disappointment with a solid finish to the season
Biggest disappointment: West Virginia’s national title hopes were short lived after 2 early losses, but they can still win the league title. Rutgers at 2-5 has looked awful.
POHY: Matt Grothe, USF Pat White and Leshon McCoy will challenge by the end, but right now it is Grothe.
COHY: Dave Wannstedt has kept Pitt together to win 5 straight since an opening loss and is in position to contend for a Big East title.
Hot Seat: Greg Robinson, Syracuse-no longer a matter of if but when.
Predicted Champ: South Florida will win in Morgantown on Dec. 6th and go to the BCS for the first time.
Big 10-
Best team-Ohio State until they are knocked off, which Penn State will have a chance to do this week. The winner of the showdown will win the title.
Surprise: Northwestern and Minnesota are both 6-1 and headed to bowls.
Biggest disappointment: Purdue and Wisconsin both have yet to win a league game. Wisconsin has not been the same since the comeback loss to Michigan; Purdue is not sending Joe Tiller out in style. Michigan has also been disappointing, more based on tradition and history then actual on the field play in an obvious rebuilding year.
POHY: Daryll Clark, QB Penn State. Chris Wells or Terrelle Pryor can take this away if they outplay Clark and OSU beats PSU.
COHY: Tim Brewster, Minnesota, from 1-11 to 6-1.
Hot Seat: Bill Lynch, Indiana 5 losses in a row will keep the Hoosiers from another bowl and start the grumbling. Rich Rodriquez has the most pressure, but is not going anywhere yet.
Predicted Champ: Ohio State will beat Penn State in Columbus 23-17 and go on to become the first ever outright Big Ten champion 3 years in a row.
Big 12:
Best team: Texas, but a tough schedule could derail the Horns.
Surprise: Oklahoma State is in the top 10 for the first time since the days of Barry Sanders. They will need to step it up to beat Texas and contend in the South.
Disappointment: Really can’t pick one, this league is too good. Many thought Missouri would be undefeated but they have lost to 2 good teams.
POHY-Colt McCoy has been huge in the big games and outplayed Sam Bradford in the Red River battle.
COHY-Mike Gundy Oklahoma State
Hot Seat: Maybe Ron Prince if Kansas State doesn’t make a bowl again, but really nothing burning yet in this league.
Predicted Champ: Texas vs. Missouri in the title game. Texas wins 38-23 and goes on to play for the National Title even if they end up with 1 loss.
PAC 10:
Best Team-USC-1 hiccup, as always, other than that, dominating when they play their best..
Surprise-Oregon St beat USC and is tied for first in the Pac 10.
Disappointment: Arizona State, high preseason hopes are gone after 4 straight losses.
POHY-Mark Sanchez if USC keeps on rolling
COHY: Mike Riley for keeping Oregon St in the championship race.
Hot Seat: Tyrone Willingham, 0-6 start has sealed his fate at season’s end.
Predicted champ: USC will go 11-1 and argue that they should be in the top 2.
SEC:
Best Team: Alabama, the Tide are the only undefeated team left in a league with 4 legitimate national title contenders.
Surprise: Alabama for being so good so soon, and Vanderbilt, on the cusp of a bowl game.
Disappointment: Auburn’s new offense has not gelled and Tennessee is a shadow of it’s once proud self.
POHY-Tim Tebow is still the best player in the league, Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford will have their say when Florida and Georgia meet on Nov. 1.
COHY-Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt or Nick Saban, Alabama
Hot Seat: Phillip Fulmer, how long will Rocky Top put up with the mediocrity?
Predicted champ: Florida vs. Alabama in the title game Florida wins 23-13 and plays for the National Title with 1 loss.
Other Teams with a Shot at the BCS:
Utah, Ball State, Tulsa, Boise State will all need to go undefeated and sneak into the top 12 to get a shot. Boise State looks like the best bet right now.
Current Heisman Trophy Standings:
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tim Tebow, Florida
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Dropped from the favorites list for now:
Chris Wells, Ohio State-due to injury
Pat White West Virginia-2 early losses
James Davis, Clemson-plays for Clemson
Chase Daniel, Missouri-last 2 weeks have lowered his stature in a league loaded with QB’s.
The ScrubSports college football department will stick by its preseason prediction that the Big 12 Champion and the SEC Champion will play for the National Title, we’ll tweak it and go with Texas over Oklahoma, but still pick Florida to win the SEC and the BCS Title for the second time in 3 years, this time in the Orange Bowl close to home. USC and Ohio State will both be left out with 1 loss and will get to play each other again in the Rose Bowl for the consolation bouquet of Roses. We will also predict that whatever hack announcing crew Fox assigns to the BCS title game will bore most of America as fans will be wondering where Ron Franklin and Brent Musberger are midway through the first quarter.
(All rankings and lists are to this point, not a season ending prediction)
ACC:Best team so far: Atlantic: Boston College, the Eagles have been surprising with Chris Crane often looking like Matt Ryan. Coastal: Georgia Tech, Paul Johnson’s new offense has the Jackets a 3 point loss away from being undefeated.
Biggest surprise: BC and Georgia Tech, BC lost so many players, GT has a new coach and offense. Also Maryland has played well after a slow start.
Biggest disappointment: Clemson, starting the season in everyone’s top 15, and firing your coach by week 7 will usually give you a strong chance to win this category. Once again this program has underachieved regardless of what happens from here on out, and this time it finally cost Tommy Bowden his job.
Player of the Half Year: Chris Crane, Boston College
Coach of the Half year: Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
Hot Seat: Bobby and Tommy Bowden, with Tommy already having taken the plunge.
Predicted Championship Game: based on remaining schedules, Maryland vs. Georgia Tech with Tech winning the league title with the triple option offense.
BIG EAST:
Best Team: South Florida, despite the loss to Pitt, they have a big win over Kansas and are clicking on offense right now.
Biggest Surprise: Louisville has gotten off the mat and can reach a bowl after last year’s disappointment with a solid finish to the season
Biggest disappointment: West Virginia’s national title hopes were short lived after 2 early losses, but they can still win the league title. Rutgers at 2-5 has looked awful.
POHY: Matt Grothe, USF Pat White and Leshon McCoy will challenge by the end, but right now it is Grothe.
COHY: Dave Wannstedt has kept Pitt together to win 5 straight since an opening loss and is in position to contend for a Big East title.
Hot Seat: Greg Robinson, Syracuse-no longer a matter of if but when.
Predicted Champ: South Florida will win in Morgantown on Dec. 6th and go to the BCS for the first time.
Big 10-
Best team-Ohio State until they are knocked off, which Penn State will have a chance to do this week. The winner of the showdown will win the title.
Surprise: Northwestern and Minnesota are both 6-1 and headed to bowls.
Biggest disappointment: Purdue and Wisconsin both have yet to win a league game. Wisconsin has not been the same since the comeback loss to Michigan; Purdue is not sending Joe Tiller out in style. Michigan has also been disappointing, more based on tradition and history then actual on the field play in an obvious rebuilding year.
POHY: Daryll Clark, QB Penn State. Chris Wells or Terrelle Pryor can take this away if they outplay Clark and OSU beats PSU.
COHY: Tim Brewster, Minnesota, from 1-11 to 6-1.
Hot Seat: Bill Lynch, Indiana 5 losses in a row will keep the Hoosiers from another bowl and start the grumbling. Rich Rodriquez has the most pressure, but is not going anywhere yet.
Predicted Champ: Ohio State will beat Penn State in Columbus 23-17 and go on to become the first ever outright Big Ten champion 3 years in a row.
Big 12:
Best team: Texas, but a tough schedule could derail the Horns.
Surprise: Oklahoma State is in the top 10 for the first time since the days of Barry Sanders. They will need to step it up to beat Texas and contend in the South.
Disappointment: Really can’t pick one, this league is too good. Many thought Missouri would be undefeated but they have lost to 2 good teams.
POHY-Colt McCoy has been huge in the big games and outplayed Sam Bradford in the Red River battle.
COHY-Mike Gundy Oklahoma State
Hot Seat: Maybe Ron Prince if Kansas State doesn’t make a bowl again, but really nothing burning yet in this league.
Predicted Champ: Texas vs. Missouri in the title game. Texas wins 38-23 and goes on to play for the National Title even if they end up with 1 loss.
PAC 10:
Best Team-USC-1 hiccup, as always, other than that, dominating when they play their best..
Surprise-Oregon St beat USC and is tied for first in the Pac 10.
Disappointment: Arizona State, high preseason hopes are gone after 4 straight losses.
POHY-Mark Sanchez if USC keeps on rolling
COHY: Mike Riley for keeping Oregon St in the championship race.
Hot Seat: Tyrone Willingham, 0-6 start has sealed his fate at season’s end.
Predicted champ: USC will go 11-1 and argue that they should be in the top 2.
SEC:
Best Team: Alabama, the Tide are the only undefeated team left in a league with 4 legitimate national title contenders.
Surprise: Alabama for being so good so soon, and Vanderbilt, on the cusp of a bowl game.
Disappointment: Auburn’s new offense has not gelled and Tennessee is a shadow of it’s once proud self.
POHY-Tim Tebow is still the best player in the league, Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford will have their say when Florida and Georgia meet on Nov. 1.
COHY-Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt or Nick Saban, Alabama
Hot Seat: Phillip Fulmer, how long will Rocky Top put up with the mediocrity?
Predicted champ: Florida vs. Alabama in the title game Florida wins 23-13 and plays for the National Title with 1 loss.
Other Teams with a Shot at the BCS:
Utah, Ball State, Tulsa, Boise State will all need to go undefeated and sneak into the top 12 to get a shot. Boise State looks like the best bet right now.
Current Heisman Trophy Standings:
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tim Tebow, Florida
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Dropped from the favorites list for now:
Chris Wells, Ohio State-due to injury
Pat White West Virginia-2 early losses
James Davis, Clemson-plays for Clemson
Chase Daniel, Missouri-last 2 weeks have lowered his stature in a league loaded with QB’s.
The ScrubSports college football department will stick by its preseason prediction that the Big 12 Champion and the SEC Champion will play for the National Title, we’ll tweak it and go with Texas over Oklahoma, but still pick Florida to win the SEC and the BCS Title for the second time in 3 years, this time in the Orange Bowl close to home. USC and Ohio State will both be left out with 1 loss and will get to play each other again in the Rose Bowl for the consolation bouquet of Roses. We will also predict that whatever hack announcing crew Fox assigns to the BCS title game will bore most of America as fans will be wondering where Ron Franklin and Brent Musberger are midway through the first quarter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)