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The 'Savior' returns and lives amongst us! Tim Tebow is back and it appears Florida and Alabama are headed for a collision course to the SEC championship game.
This week we discuss if there was anything we saw in this weekend's games that changed our minds about who is the number one team in the country. We also answered the question - "Outside of 'Bama and Florida, who is the best team in the country?"
Also outside of the preseason favorites who is do we think has a chance at this year's Heisman?
A full preview of the Red River Shootout as well as USC @ ND, Va Tech @ GA Tech, and Cincy @ USF.
All of this is yours simply by clicking here, pressing play and listening!
While the College Football Guys may not have figured out if the BCS got the Big 12 South tie breaker right (find out what we think in this week's podcast tonight!). We still learned an awful lot this weekend in college football. Below is just a sample.
It is no wonder the Big 12 conference is getting so much love this year. Watching the end of a Big 12 game is like watching the end of a March Madness game. Both Kansas/Missouri and Nebraska/Colorado games were decided in the final minute. Kansas with a play from Todd Reesing that would make Flutie proud and Nebraska with a 57 yard field goal! One can only hope the Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship Game brings as much excitement.
How fast has the luster faded from the MIGHTY SEC? With a victory over rival FSU, Florida avoided an Almost College football Conference weekend sweep of the SEC. South Carolina, Georgia and the former darlings of Vanderbilt each lost their regular season finales. Their defeats brought the SEC's record to 6-10 vs. BCS programs this year and 4-6 vs. the ACC. Before Florida's victory on Saturday night the last BCS program the SEC defeated was at Arizona State on September 20th! Since that game the SEC has lost to Texas, Wake (twice), West Virginia, Duke, Georgia Tech, Clemson as well as non-BCS "powerhouse" Wyoming.
Notre Dame found out Saturday night who the true five star athletes are. USC's dominance of the Irish was not defined enough in the 38-3 score. The true stat is the 91 yards of total offense the Trojans held ND to. The Irish could muster only 9 yards in the first half and achieved their first, first down on the last play of the third quarter. NO ONE can argue that recruiting web sites and magazines have been inflating Notre Dame classes for years in an attempt to sell subscriptions and memberships. There isn't a single player on ND's roster that would start for USC.
The "Mad Hatter," Les Miles at LSU, was out "Hatted" this weekend by Arkansas. Razorback QB Casey Dicks threw a 24 yard TD pass with 22 seconds remaining to win the game for the Hogs. It is safe to say that the luck, er "great calls," of 2007 just weren't there for the Tigers in 2008.
Who says that Houston Nutt is the only "Right Reverend" in the SEC? Georgia coach Mark Richt sure looked like he was doing plenty of preaching on Saturday when he made his teamtake a knee and gather 'round after the third quarter. We all know the only reason teams go into the locker room at halftime is so the band can use the field.
Rick Neuheisel will start winning at UCLA when he finds a QB that throws more touchdowns to players in powder blue and gold than the opposition. Arizona State returned three Kevin Craft interceptions for touchdowns on Friday night (Craft's 17th, 18th, and 19th INT for the year to 7 TD's). Add the 71 yard fumble return for a touchdown you have an NCAA record for four defensive scores in one game. Remove the mistakes? UCLA wins 9-6.
Several uniform issues that came up this weekend. Since when did it become popular for kickers to color coordinate their shoes with their uniforms? Just goes to show that flipping through Eastbay catalogs takes up a majority of a kicker's practice/film study time. We wonder if these kickers ever get jealous of their girlfriends' shoe collection.
Seems that University of Missouri/Columbia researcher, David Brunsma findings were true in "that student uniforms have no direct effect on substance use, behavioral problems, or attendance." While he was talking about uniforms in the classroom of K-12 students he could have easily done his research on the results of college football programs wearing alternative uniforms. Especially ones that are piss yellow.
Another week, another dominating performance from Texas.
Another week of hearing "The Eyes of Texas." That thrilling song set to the tune of "I've been working on the railroad" and whose lyrics are a play on words from a saying Robert E. Lee had "The eyes of the south are upon you." Therefore it is in honor of this lack of originality that we bring you this equally creative blog entry.
Who says Texas A&M is the only program with a 12th man? LSU just strategically places them on the field in spiffy pin striped suits.
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach didn't feel 36 points against A&M was enough to impress voters this week, so he had QB Graham Harrell sneak it in with 20 seconds left. This is about as classy as Red Raider fans. Think we are being a little hard? Then you haven't seen this video yet.
Virginia Tech might want to rethink its future travel plans to Boston College. Since joining the ACC the Hokies have won EVERY conference road game, EXCEPT the two against the Eagles in Boston.
Rece Davis, we get it! Pittsburgh's LeSean "Shady" McCoy is the real Slim Shady and all other Slim Shady's are just imitating. McCoy has stood up this season and carried the Panthers to a top 20 BCS ranking even after being embarrassed by Bowling Green week one.
According to one strategically placed sign, that was up for about 10 seconds on ESPN College Gameday before black clothed security swooped in and confiscated it - Chase Daniel has a FUPA. Who knew?
Tulsa's football team created a bit of Midnight Madness themselves hanging 77 on UTEP Saturday night. Practice should be interesting this week in El Paso with Mike Price carrying around that crazy pick axe of his. If we played on the Miner's D we would be a little scared...
At least Mike Price has one thing to be thankful for, he is no longer coaching at Washington State! The Cougars could possibly be the worst team in the HISTORY of NCAA Division 1-A football. Of the Cougars four Pac Ten games they have played this year, their opponents have scored no less than 63 points. Three of those loses have come at home. Never has this feat been accomplished in NCAA history. Two weeks ago the program held open tryouts for a quarterback! The student body might want to concider changing their mascot to the Pinatas.
Rubbing Howard's Rock and "the most exciting 25 seconds in college football" is no longer enough for Clemson's new coach Dabo Swinney. He added the "Tiger Walk" with players in suits and ties walking to the locker room and "All In", a team walk from the 50 yard line in. Even with these recently minted traditions the Tigers couldn't get out of their way against the "Ramblin' Wreck" of GT. It is going to take more than just new traditions to convince some die hard fans the move was right.
Go to about the :47 mark. Well worth it!
Dr. Lou is wishing he acted a little differently last week when he talked about Colt McCoy's chances of winning the Heisman. Think he has changed his mind after Saturday night's 29-32, 337 yds, 2 passing/2 rushing touchdown performance?
What an EXCITING weekend of college football! For those of us who are college football fans it doesn't get much better than the deep fried treat we were served all day Saturday. Games that actually lived up to their billing and the upsets that make the game great. Oh and we also learned some things along the way.
The NBA season is back. Never was that more evident than in the Red River Rivalry. We saw Colt McCoy take the flop twice on the Texas sideline and OU's punter earn a yellow card and a running into the kicker penalty with a couple of well timed flops.
Red River Rivalry is way harder to say than Red River Shootout.
Texas might be number one right now, however the Longhorn's remaining opponents will have something to say about that as they are a combined 53-4.
For those of you that enjoyed the end of the UNC/Notre Dame game you know that the Big East referees wanted you to learn that there is indeed 3,600 seconds in a college football game, not 3,598 seconds.
The Bayou Bengals of LSU may have lost their chance to be number one in the football polls, but at least their band has the best Indiana Jones rendition in the nation!
Speaking of bands, the Badgers proved against Penn State that indeed it wasn't just the band that was missing from Camp Randall last week. Seems there is more to the problem in Madison. Maybe "three yards and a cloud of dust" is about as outdated as Georgia Tech's option offense.
Speaking of GT's vaunted offense, coach Paul Johnson must have scooped up Auburn's former offensive coordinator Tony Franklin to run their offense this weekend. The Yellow Jackets had a scoring fest in their 10-7 victory over Division I-AA Gardner Webb. Who? Gardner Webb.
Speaking of Auburn, maybe Tommy Tuberville should have fired his defensive coordinator instead of his offensive coordinator. The Razorbacks 25 points in Saturday's victory over the Tigers was just 6 points less than the 31 total they scored in their last 3 games.
Speaking of great offenses, you want to know how to stop the "high octane" spread offense? Run, run, run and run the ball some more. Stanford had the ball over 35 minutes and rushed for 286 yards in their 24-23 victory over the "Airzona" offense. Nebraska held the ball for over 40 minutes in their bid to upset Texas Tech. The Husker's mistake; they gave the Red Raiders extra time.
Instead of remodeling maybe Michigan should just rebuild the "Big House." The same end zone goal posts that gave App State their incredible victory also produced a favorable bounce for the mighty Rockets of Toledo.
Or, maybe it is time for a Coach Kevin Borseth intervention?
Adrian Grenier, Entourage's Vincent Chase = Mark Sanchez.
LSU defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois finds it easier to talk a big game than actually play in a big game. His words didn't seem to have much affect of Tim Tebow's Gators as they easily rolled to a 51-21 victory over the Bayou Bengals.
Speaking of a purple and gold loss, poor, poor, poor ECU. The Pirates have been beaten to a purple and gold pulp.
The ACC has saved their best "Little Sister of the Poor" for last. This weekend Georgia Tech will play their SECOND FCS school and that program is...wait for it...Gardner Webb.
Who?
Gardner Webb.
Don't know anything about them? We didn't either and one of the main reasons we started this thread of blog entries. We hope you enjoyed and thank you Almost College football Conference for giving America such solid entertainment. Fourteen FCS schools! Into the future don't be afraid to pick on someone your own size. On second thought maybe you already are...
Gardner Webb University Location: Boiling Springs, NC. Boiling Springs? Who says there isn't global warming? Founded: 1905 Mascot: Runnin' Bulldogs. I guess just plain Bulldog wasn't cool enough. Size: 4,000 Conference: Big South Famous Alumni: The "Man in Black" Johnny Cash received an honorary degree from the school. The "A-Train" Artis Gilmore - ABA and NBA great. Interesting facts: The school was chartered as Boiling Springs High School in 1905. It became an accredited four year college in 1971. In 2000 the Runnin' Bulldogs earned a bid to the College World Series. In November of 2007 Gardner Webbs men's basketball program dealt 22nd ranked Kentucky an 84-68 loss in Rupp arena in Coach Billy Gillespie's second game as head coach of the Wildcats. Who says the Bulldogs can't run with the big boys?: In 2002 the NCAA placed Gardner Webb on five years probation for "lack of institutional control." Apparently ordained minister and then president, Dr. Christopher White decided it would be OK to have a star basketball player's "F" changed to a passing grade in order to keep him eligible. Jealous Florida State?
This weekend marks the start of college football, FINALLY! It also marks the first weekend of our weekly blog entry, Meet the "ACC's Little Sister's of the Poor."
While we know that most schools schedule programs from the FCS, Division I-AA, ranks the Almost College football Conference takes the cupcake to a new level this year with a collective 14 on the schedule. (This count doesn't include the mighty Hill Toppers of Western Kentucky that still are in a transition between divisions). The next most is the SEC and Big 12 with 10, from there it is the Big Ten with 9, Big East with 7 and the Pac Ten with 2.
It might not be soo bad if it wasn't for the fact that the "leaders" in the conference, Clemson, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech are playing 2 a piece (if we count WKU). Compounding the issue is the fact that the conference coaches and AD's said no to playing a 9th conference game.
So in order to help drive some sort of TV ratings and interest the ACC's way allow us to introduce to you this week's "ACC's Little Sister's of the Poor."
Delaware Location: Newark, DE Founded: 1743 Mascot: Fightin' Blue Hens Conference: Colonial Athletic Association Size: 16,000 undergrads Most well known alumni: Rich Gannon - NFL Quarterback, George "Bad to the Bone" Thorogood Why you might know them: Not only do they share nearly the same colors as Michigan, they also have the same helmet look as the Wolverines. Something else they have in common with the boys in Ann Arbor, they couldn't beat App. State last year either.
McNeese St Location: Lake Charles, LA Founded: 1939 Mascot: Cowboys Conference: Southland Size: About 7000 undergrads Most well known alumni: Besides TCFG's co-host Ethan Bush, Joe Dumars - guard for the Detroit Pistons. Interesting facts: The Cowboys played in the inaugural Independence Bowl in 1976. In the early part of this decade the University of Wyoming sued McNeese for having similar looking logos. You can see that the school from Lake Chuck lost that match up.
Charleston Southern Location: Charleston, SC Founded: 1969 Mascot: Bucky the Buccaneer Conference: Big South Size: 3,300 Most well known alumnus: Terry Mooney - You don't know who he is? Well he is one heck of a golfer because he won a "spiffy pre-owned Saturn sports coupe" at the 15th Annual Buccaneer Club Corporate Cup Golf Tournament. Interesting fact: CSU's enrollment is just about 1000 undergrads smaller than ACC member Wake Forest. At 4,300 the Demon Deacons have Division I-A's (FBS) smallest student body.
Jacksonville State Location: Jacksonville, AL Founded: 1883 Mascot: Gamecocks Conference: Ohio Valley Enrollment: 9,000 Most well known alumni: Randy Owen - lead singer for the country group Alabama. Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey - Co-hosts of the "Rick and Bubba: Morning Show" Why you might know them: On August 30, 2001, Ashley Martin became the first female football player to score a point in a Division I kicking 3 extra points in a 72-10 drubbing of Cumberland University. School set in the Appalachians of Alabama also happens to be the new school of former LSU QB, Ryan Perrilloux.
James Madison Location: Harrisonburg, VA Founded: 1908 Mascot: The Dukes, Duke Dog Conference: Colonial Athletic Association Size: 16,000 undergrads Most well known alumni: Charles Haley - LB/DE won 5 Super Bowls for Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. Scott "wide-right" Norwood - K, Buffalo Bills. Elliott Sadler, NASCAR driver. Why you might know them: Became a co-ed school in 1966 only 19 years after ACC member Florida State. In the fall of 2006 the JMU Board of Visitors received much attention and criticism for cutting 10 sports to comply with Title IX. Even a letter from the US Olympic Committee. Objectors felt it was unfair that football wasn't touched. Maybe they shouldn't have invited the boys to school in the first place?
Ever find yourself trying to figure out whether a team is in the Mountain West or the WAC? Have a hard time remembering what programs comprise the ACC Coastal or Atlantic Divisions? We here at The College Football Guys have found a solution to your problems.
When we were children our teachers taught us a handy system to remember our planets. Remember it? Sing together with me, "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza-Pies!" The system we learned is known as a first letter mnemonic device. A memory aid that relies on associations between easy-to-remember constructs which can be related back to the data that is to be remembered. In this case using a phrase whose first letters are associated with a list.
Since the Mountain West broke away from the WAC to form their own conference in 1999 it has been difficult for even the most diehard college football fan to distinguish the difference between the two. San Diego State is not even close to the "Mountain States" and TCU isn't near a mountain or even in the west. Go figure! Hopefully this mnemonic devices will help jog your memory.
Mountain - Mountain West Aged - Air Force Buffalo - BYU Can - Colorado State Not - New Mexico Swim - SDSU To - TCU Las Vegas - UNLV Under - Utah Water - Wyoming
Since WAC member Boise State installed their artifical blue turf there has been constant rumors about birds making their final flight into the Smurf Turf mistaking it for a lake. With this in mind the following poem should help you remember those crazy WAC programs. (The conference of the "State" schools)
WACky - WAC Birds - Boise State Fly - Fresno State Hard - Hawaii Into - Idaho Replica - Nevada-Reno Lake - La Tech Near - New Mexico State State - San Jose State University - Utah State
When looking at a map the divisions of the ACC makes little sense. There is no clean cut north/south, or even east/west border, rather the break up was done with vague locations, "Atlantic" and "Coastal." However these catchy phrases should help you remember the difference.
Atlantic - Atlantic Men - Maryland Never - NC State Boast - Boston College When - Wake Forest Farts - Florida State Converge - Clemson
Could - Coastal Virtual - Virginia (Tech) TECHnology - Tech Give - Georgia (Tech) My - Miami Dad - Duke Vicious - Virginia Nausea? - North Carolina
Think of anything better? We have placed our mnemonics that didn't make the cut in the comments section. Let us know what you got, or how you remember which teams are in which conference.
ESPN released this week, its "Outside the Lines" report on Penn State's criminal issues the past couple years.
Every day there is a new report of football player's getting in trouble.
All of these issues has caused us to ask, "If we were wardens for a state prison system, or a football coach with low morals at a division III program, what is the best team we could build with 2008's suspended/dismissed players?" So that brings us to The College Football Guys', First Annual, Preseason All-Jackass Team.
Offense
QB Ryan Perrilloux - LSU. This was an obvious choice. Destined to be the athletic QB to take the helm of the defending champs only to throw it all away with academic issues, numerous accusations, giving Les no choice but to say goodbye. Dismissed and transferred to Jacksonville State
RB Brandon Ore - Virginia Tech. This star runningback's poor attitude was deemed detrimental to the team by coach Beamer. I guess he finally got tired of suspending him for just one quarter or half a game. Why not just go for it all? Dismissed from program.
RB Lance Smith - Wisconsin. Had the chance this year to compete as PJ Hill's backup and plenty of playing time. Now attending court hearings. Suspended off and on last year. Failed certain requirements of the first offender program for assaulting his girlfriend; suspended indefinitely just last week.
WR Preston Parker - FSU. Because many athletes on the Tallahassee campus enjoy cheating on tests Parker is not the only player missing early season contests. Called by many the most talented player on the Seminole roster, Parker was charged with a misdemeanor for carrying a concealed weapon and marijuana. Suspended for the team's first two games.
KR/WR Harold Howell - Minnesota. Promising 2007 recruit that played in 10 games last year, averaging 23.1 yards per kick return. Harold violated academic and team guidelines; dismissed from team.
OG Andy Christensen - Nebraska. Three game starter in '07 before season ending injury. Thought it would be OK to reach up a woman's dress at a local bar. Sexual assault charges have been filed against him. Maybe he should have taken this test The College Football Guys learned of earlier this year. Might have kept him out of trouble... Suspended indefinitely.
OT Michael Brown - Mississippi State. The Bulldogs best returning offensive lineman, starting 18 of the 19 games since being eligible, after transferring from Florida. Possible NFL prospect who was pictured on MSU's spring training, media guide. Brown and teammate Quinton Wesley were involved in an altercation that began off campus, but ended up with them firing guns in the air around the dorms. Charge and convicted of felony possession of a handgun and aggravated assault. Dismissed from team.
Defense - Where all the crazies play!
DE Michael Lemon - UGA. Played in 8 games for UGA last year as a sophomore. Planned to have a greater role with the defense this year until he punched a fellow student. Well actually punched him over 5 times, in the eye. Enough to give him a blowout fracture. All resulting from an altercation at a summer BBQ in an off campus apartment complex. Dismissed from team.
DT Justin Francis - Rutgers. Robbed a man for his cell phone in a university parking lot and then threatened student with an air pistol. "You'll shot your eye out!" Suspended indefinitely.
CB Jerrard Tarrant - Georgia Tech. Highly touted recruit out of Georgia and expected to start as a red shirt frosh this year. Charged for an on campus rape. Dismissed from team.
LB Jimmy Johns - Alabama. Though not as famous as the sandwich shop that carries the same name, Jimmy is one of many off the field issues at Alabama this off season. Arrested on 5 felony drug distribution charges and a 6th for possession when cocaine and ecstasy was found at his home. Allegedly breeding pit bulls to sell and possibly fight. This web site, www.jimmyjohnspitbulls.com is as popular now as "Bad Newz Kennels." Dismissed from team.
LB Kevin Garrett - Oregon. Penciled in as the Duck's starting weak side linebacker, Kevin was pulled over and cited for the following; failure to obey a traffic control device, making an improper right turn, driving with a suspended license, driving uninsured and failure to carry registration. Officers then found open containers of alcohol in vehicle and cited the 19 year old for minor in possession and a DUI. Suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules.
S De Andre McDaniel - Clemson. Accused of assaulting his girlfriend by throwing her down a flight of stairs and attempting to choke her with a comforter. The accuser is not backing down. Appears he too should have taken our little test. His status for August 30th's season opener against Alabama is still up in the air.
S Brett Lockett - UCLA. This article wouldn't be complete without a mention of a "Slick Rick" player. Lockett is the Bruins starting safty and has been suspended from the team for at least their Sept 1st season opener against Tennesse. Violations of team policy regarding academics.
Dishonorable Mention
S Xavier Hicks - Washington State. Pulled over by police and cited for driving on a suspended license on his way home from spending 45 days in jail. Had just concluded his sentence for stealing a debit card and putting rubbing alcohol in his roommate's contact-lens case. Suspended for the first three games of the season.
WR Marques Wade - Arkansas. Marques' arrest for drunk driving marked the 5th arrest by an Arkansas player this off season, however the events leading up to this arrest may have been the most entertaining. Marques sped through a parking lot, slid through a turn and nearly hit another police car. The report doesn't say what type of car he was driving, but this college football guy isn't ruling out the possibility of an orange, 1969 Dodge Charger. He will be suspended for the first two games of the season.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know. There were MANY to choose from.
With the release of The Dark Knight today we wanted to take a moment to use superheroes to introduce you to the ACC. Currently the ACC stands for Almost College football Conference, however with the power and recognition of these heroes we hope that this conference becomes relevant once more.
Florida State - Superman. Once the gold standard in college football and in the hearts of all children. The use of kryptonite by their arch rival makes them blow it in the last minute. Every super hero dies eventually. Seminole fans hope that new coach will revive program as new technology revived hero.
Miami - Lex Luther. Both wear classic trademark characteristics on their heads, baldness and "the U." Successful and hated by many. Serves as Superman's arch enemy. It is rumored that his kryptonite made Superman's kicker go "wide right," even "wide left."
NC State - Planet Krypton. Much like the terrestrial sphere once Superman, or Philip Rivers, left they exploded and now cease to exist! Not even the squeaky voice of "offensive genius" Chuck Amato could elevate this program to real superhero status.
UNC - Hancock. A team so terrible and disrespected that they had to go out and find someone to right the ship. We will see if Butch Davis will be this program's Ray Embrey.
Boston College - Spiderman. Without a uniform this program, school and hero is overlooked in its own town. This smart, nerdy, small kid has proven himself with some Herculean, dare we say, "Heavenly" achievements. Hail Flutie anyone?
Duke - Invisible Woman. Have an affinity for the color blue. Just as the super hero, Duke football is invisible on a campus that has other "fantastic four" members - men's basketball, lacrosse, and women's basketball. It would take a brilliant Duke grad to truly figure out the depth of their powers. Unfortunately Cutcliffe went to 'Bama.
Wake Forest - Daredevil. Disabled by a lack of tradition, small student population and living in basketball country, yet they still found a way to win the ACC championship and a BCS bid. Just proves the old saying true, "even a blind squirrel, or superhero, finds a nut every once in a while."
Maryland - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We recognize that this is not a traditional superhero, however is Maryland really a traditional football school? New coach/movie have tried desperately to revive program. Just take a moment out of your day and think about what Ralph "The Fridge" Friedgen would look like in a turtle costume.
Virginia Tech - X-Men. Like the X-Men, "Hokie Nation" have their own professor in Frank Beamer. It is rumored he has an extra brain. A brain so powerful and telepathic that it can predict the offenses' next move. Success lies in capitalizing on the strength of their defense.
Clemson - Two Face. The fan favorite to win at the beginning of the year, but in the end they come up bad. When faced with a difficult opponent it seems they flip a coin to determine how well they are going to play.
Virginia - Ironman. Educated, rich, well dressed. What else would you expect from Jefferson's school? Spend copious dollars on equipment, coaches and facilities, but just can't get it put all together to become THE superstar.
Georgia Tech - Underdog. Not as popular as the real "Dawgs" in GA, but at least they have TV "redneck" Earl as their voice over. Paul Johnson's option offense is taking the team back to a time when they were both once relevant.
BONUS! Army - Captain America. Rooting for them makes you feel patriotic. Extremely relevant in the 40's and 50's, now nonexistent. Out of date attacks (throwing a shield/option offense) don't work against this eras opponents. Captain America, "Where is your movie?"