Really, who watches Thursday games? I always forget they’re on unless I’m channel surfing and pass ESPN. This week was no exception, but when I saw the game’s score, I was sad I had missed it. Unranked North Carolina topped #13 Virginia Tech 20 – 17, proving that the Hokies really were ranked too high (something I had muttered to a friend last week). Both teams are now 5 – 3, but this wasn’t just a lucky win for the Tar Heels. The UNC defense SHUT DOWN Virginia Tech, holding them to less than 100 yards rushing during the entire game.

The real hero of the night, however, was Casey Barth. With the last seconds running off the clock, he kicked a 21-yard field goal to win the game and the crowd at Lane Stadium began to file out to the parking lot with long faces.

Nobody knows the kicker's name...until you need him. Image: Newscom

Although they’ve lost some key games, I think UNC is better than most people think. Have they done enough to warrant a ranking in the AP top 25? Maybe. After all, Oklahoma was in the mix at #22, even though their record of 4 – 3 is less than mind-blowing. I think we’ll know more when the Tar Heels go up against Miami in two weeks, so I’ll look forward to that game.

A game that I did catch was last night’s #21 West Virginia at South Florida. Even though South Florida was unranked coming into Week Nine, I had a suspicion this would be an interesting game. Ultimately, the Bulls won 30 – 19, and once again, this game was all about defense. Noel Devine, the Mountaineers’ golden child in the world of rushing, couldn’t do anything the entire game. On the other hand, South Florida’s quarterback B.J. Daniels finishing the game breaking person records with 232 yards throwing, 104 rushing, and three touchdowns. There’s no doubt in my mind that this team should be ranked going into Week Ten. They may not be BCS bowl game contenders, but they’re a solid group who deserves some recognition.

Today, all eyes will be on the USC – Oregon game to see who will rule the Pac-10. Let’s not forget the other games, though. Week Nine has already show us that the ranked teams can fall, and with the lower have of the Top 25 being so shaky, it’ll be interesting to see who else tumbles and how it changes for next week.

Post from: EveryJoe

Two Top Teams Fall Before Sat during Week 9

I digress. Let’s check out the AP Top 10 this week:

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. USC
4. Alabama
5. Mississippi
6. Penn State (actually, they’re also #5, it was a tie)
7. BYU
8. California
9. LSU
10. Boise State

All of the top ten teams are still undefeated, but that’s not surprising since many of them had super easy games the past two weeks – or no game at all (Mississippi already had their week off).

I have to start at the bottom with Boise State at #10. I predict a win against Fresno State, with a score of roughly 51 – 34. Ok, that game was tonight. So, they remain undefeated – more on that when we review Week Three. Also significant: #20 Miami beat #14 Georgia Tech 33 – 17 on Thursday night. Again, we’ll talk about that more in a few days when I review the entire weekend, but damn. Where did this team come from?

So let’s see. #5 Penn State has a gimme, and #8 California should have too hard of a time at Minnesota. #4 Alabama plays North Texas at home. *shrug* And poor Washington is about to feel the wrath of #3 USC. Even #5 Mississippi is just playing Southeastern Louisiana (who?), and #9 LSU is playing Louisiana-Lafayette. Errr….scratch what I said about people playing real teams.

We aren’t totally without decent match-ups. #1 Florida finally plays someone we’ve heard of at least when they host Tennessee tomorrow afternoon. Can Kiffen and his boys pull off the upset? Highly unlikely, but you never know. Stranger things have happened. I think that it is more likely that Florida will run all over them. We’ll see I guess.

#7 BYU hosts Florida State later that evening. Now, if you would have asked me at the start of the season, I would have said that this would be an interesting game. Florida State has proven, however, that they were highly overrated coming into 2009. I mean, at least they won last week. There for awhile, it looked like they were going to lose to Jacksonville State.

Then there’s #2 Texas, who hosts Texas Tech this week. Texas Tech is 2 – 0, but they’ve played North Dakota and Rice…so they might as well be 0 – 0. What makes this game interesting is that last year, Texas Tech stop the Longhorns at the last second with a Michael Crabtree touchdown. This year, though, they have a brand new quarterback after losing Graham Harrell, and of course, Michael Crabtree is making NFL headlines instead of NCAA headlines. Texas? They still have Colt McCoy. Either Texas Tech is going to prove themselves in this game, or they’ll prove that their first two games really were just against horrible opponents. Texas is out for blood, having been denied the National Championship because of this game last year, so my prediction is that Texas will put them in their place.

McCoy and the Longhorns want a little revenge after last year. Image: Newscom

That covers the top ten, but there are a few other games worth mentioning. #19 Nebraska travels to #13 Virgina Tech, with kick off at 3:30. I think Nebraska has really been a sleeper team so far. Granted, like most programs, their first two weeks were basically not even games, but their offense is pretty strong. I’m looking forward to both teams showing what they got.

I’m also interested to see if Notre Dame bounces back from their loss last week to Michigan. They play one of their rivals, Michigan State, this week. Now, Michigan State isn’t the bottom of the barrel, but they aren’t good by any stretch of the imagination. Ya’ll know as well as I do, though, that college football is all about momentum. Notre Dame was thrown for a real loop last week, so we’ll see if they can spring back.

To be honest, not many games interest me this week. Penn State will be lucky if I roll out of bed in time to watch the kick off, and most of the top ten have easy weeks, once again. I know the major debate in college football is whether or not to have a playoff system, but maybe more important that this is the debate of changing scheduling rules. I mean, when a horrendous team plays a top-ranked team, it just looks bad for both schools.

Post from: EveryJoe

College Football Week Three 2009 Preview

Week One is usually not very exciting, unfortunately. My favorite team, Penn State, plays Akron, so although this game means they’ll likely be able to keep a high rank, it won’t actually be that fun to watch. Actually, I don’t even think the game is being televised… Maybe I’m selling Akron short. *shrug*

Can Kellen Moore take Boise State to a BCS Bowl this year? Image: Newscom

In any case, despite all of the easy non-conference games we’re seeing during Week One, there are some games to watch as well. The season officially starts on Thursday at 7:00 PM EST, when a number of teams kick off, but the real start to the season, in my opinion, is at 10:15 PM EST when #16 Oregon takes on #14 Boise State. The games on ESPN, and you bet I’ll be watching. Boise State has a lot more on the line than Oregon, since it will be harder for them to be bowl eligible as a WAC team than it will for Oregon as a Pac-10 team. It’s also at Boise State, and Kellen Moore is a solid quarterback, so I give them the edge in this game.

Another game to watch? San Jose State at #4 USC, with a kickoff at 3:30 PM EST on Saturday. Now, no one here expects this to be a close game. In fact, if USC doesn’t run all over San Jose State, I think you’ll have to pick my jaw up off of the floor. I want to see the freshman golden boy quarterback play, though. People put so much emphasis on Pete Carroll’s choice to play true freshman Matt Barkley instead of returner Aaron Corp. This game will really test him to see if he can handle the pressure of being the leader of such a popular team. Will Corp get any playing time at all? We’ll see.

The USC game isn’t nationally televised, so I’ll have to keep up with it online…but that’s ok, since my eyes will be glued to the 3:30 PM EST game on ABC: #13 Georgia at #9 Oklahoma State. My heart is with Oklahoma State on this one, but it isn’t going to be an easy game by any means. They’ve lost Matt Stafford, but if Joe Cox, their new quarterback, really steps up, they could be the surprise of the SEC this year. Florida who? This game is going to set the stage for Georgia for the entire season, so I feel like they’ll fight tooth and nail for it, but Oklahoma State isn’t going to just bend over and take it. They have a huge number of returning starters and are also looking to set the stage for a surprising season. Otherwise, they’ll never be competitive in the Big 12.

On a side note, I’ll also be checking in with the 3:40 game, Missouri versus Illinois. The teams aren’t ranked, but I think it will be an even match up and a good game. Big Ten love!

Sam Bradford is back, hoping to lead the Sooners to a National Championship game again. Image: Newscom

At 7:00 PM, another possibly great game hits ESPN – #20 BYU versus #2 Oklahoma. Ok, I may be going against the grain a little here when I say that I think BYU is overrated. I do love that they’re helping to make a name for a non-BCS conference, which pushes the issue of a playoff system. Do they have a good enough offensive line to beat Oklahoma? What about receivers? They may have the defense they need to keep Oklahoma’s numbers down, even though OU has some amazing returners like Sam Bradford, but you can’t win if you don’t put any points on the board. My vote for winner definitely does to Oklahoma. Sorry, BYU, better luck next year.

Just an hour after the BYU-OU game starts, #5 Alabama meets #7 Virginia Tech on the field, the game televised on ABC. This is a tricky game to predict, in my opinion. The Hokies may take the ACC, and Tyrod Taylor is back at quarterback. Is that enough to top Alabama? The Crimson Tide are replacing great offensive players like Andre Smith, and they have a new quarterback, but players like Mark Ingram could make the difference in this game. Like with Georgia, Alabama needs to win this game to set the stage for the season if they’re going to be competitive in the SEC.

It’s going to be a great Week One – better than we’ve seen in quite a few seasons. I’ll also be interested to see how Notre Dame does against Nevada – an easy win for the Fighting Irish, maybe, but I want to see is quarterback Jimmy Clausen can really put up numbers. Also on my radar is Maryland at #12 California, which starts late Saturday night and Miami at #18 Florida State which is on ESPN at 8:00 PM EST on Monday.

Post from: EveryJoe

College Football Week One 2009 Preview

USC vs. UCLA

Today at 4:30, UCS and UCLA meet at Rose Bowl. The Bruins are 4-7 this season, so to them, this game is all about pride. Even if they win it, they won’t be bowl eligible.

For USC, today is a nail-biter. If they lose to UCLA – which isn’t likely, but is possible – they’ll be completely out of the running for the Rose Bowl. They’ll be in a three-way tie for the Pac-10 title, and due to past games, Oregon State would win that tie and go to the Rose Bowl against Penn State.

If USC wins, though, they aren’t even automatically going to the Rose Bowl. Why not? Well, depending on how other games do this weekend, they could actually go to the National Championship Game. That isn’t likely…but is possible, and you better believe that Petey and his boys would be pushing hard for that vote.

I’m routing for UCS in the Rose Bowl. Penn State already beat Oregon State, and while that isn’t a guarantee again, they have something to prove. I think UCS-PSU will be a much better game.

Alabama vs. Florida

Another important game this afternoon is Alabama vs. Florida at 4 pm. This is the first time that the 1 and 2 teams have played for a conference title. The result here is simple – the winner will go to the National Championship Game and the loser will, in all likelihood, play in one of the other BCS bowls.

Do I care who wins? Actually, yes. I 100% believe that Alabama deserves it more. Whatever happens today, Alabama has been a much more solid team all season, and if this was a conference that didn’t have a title game, they’d already be going to the BCS title game.

Oklahoma vs. Missouri

The Big 12 title game starts tonight at 8 pm. We’ll see the one-loss Sooners play Missouri, which is a good team, but just ranked #19. In other words, they aren’t playing for the title, or, in all likelihood, a BCS Bowl. If Oklahoma wins, they’ll play either Alabama or Florida.

If they don’t win…eek. That opens a can of worms, because tons of teams will try to claim the top spot. Hell, the SEC champ loser will likely even make a bid for a rematch! Should they lose, my hope is that Texas will play for the title, but at this point in the season, I think that Oklahoma deserves it more.

One more?

Yes, there is one more game that matters. Right now, #17 Boston College is playing #25 Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game, and the winning team gets an automatic berth in the Fiesta Bowl. That’s bullshit. With so many other good teams, having a team that isn’t even ranked in the top 15 play is a fucking insult to my intelligence. That’s how it is, though…so I guess this game does matter.

Post from: EveryJoe

Today’s Important Games

I can’t watch every game, and there are tons not on TV every week. So, instead of blogging about every game, I’ll link you to the people who are talking about it (by conference). If I missed your link, leave a comment!

Virginia Tech 23, #23 Maryland 13

• VIRGINIA TECH 23, #23 MARYLAND 13 at Today\’s ACC Headlines
• Virginia Tech Hokies Dominate Maryland Terrapins at Fire Bryan Stinespring
• What is that French word? at Turtle Waxing

#19 North Carolina 28, #20 Georgia Tech 7

• Tar Heels Defeat ACC Rival Georgia Tech, 28-7 at North Carolina Football News

#22 Florida State 41, Clemson 27

• Postgame report card: Florida State 41, Clemson 27 at Chopping Block
• Clemson vs. Florida State Football Game Notes at Clemson Tigers News

North Carolina State 27, Duke 17

• NC State 27, Duke 17 at Statefans Nation
• Keys to the game revisited: NC State at Duke at NC State Wolfpack

Wake Forest 28, Virginia 17

• Quick Kicks: Virginia vs. Wake Forest at inRich Sports Main
• Wake Forest vs. Virginia at Sam Smith\’s Blog
• Wake vs. Virginia: The other side at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Boston College 17, Notre Dame 0

• The Fate of Notre Dame at Raidersaint\’s Weblog
• Eagles Shut Out Notre Dame, 17-0 at Boston College Football News
• Boston College 17, Notre Dame 0 at Dueling Couches

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 11: Blogging about the ACC

North Carolina 45, Boston College 24

• Boosterism at Triangle Offense
• BC vs UNC: The Recap at The Fifth Corner

Miami-FL 16, Wake Forest 10

• FSU UPDATE: Miami 16, Wake Forest 10 at The Word
• Miami Hurricanes 16 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 10 at Miami Sports

Duke 10, Vanderbilt 7

• Big Day for Duke Sports at Zach Dotsey
• Tough defense drops Vanderbilt 10 – 7 at Blue Devil Nation
• LIVE! UPDATE: DUKE 10, VANDERBILT 7 at Moral Victory

Virginia 24, #18 Georgia Tech 17

• Survival! Terps Now 6-2! at Turtle Soup
• Virginia Georgia Tech at We Are SC

#25 Florida State 30, Virginia Tech 20

• Quick thoughts: Florida State 30, Virginia Tech 20 at Chopping Block
• Postgame React: Virginia Tech Hokies @ your Florida State Seminoles at Tomahawk Nation

Maryland 27, North Carolina State 24

• Benjamin 3; Maryland 27, NC State 24 at Shine Silently
• Keys the game revisited: NC State at Maryland at NC State Wolfpack

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 9: Blogging about the ACC

Florida State 26, North Carolina State 17

• FSU 26, NC State 17 at Section Six
• Postgame report card: Florida State 26, NC State 17 at Chopping Block – Seminoles Blog

Maryland 26, #21 Wake Forest 0

• Navarre breaks through vs. Wake Forest at Maryland Terrapins Football & Basketball
• Football: Maryland Terrapins vs Wake Forest at One Game at a Time

Georgia Tech 21, Clemson 17

• Georgia Tech Edges Clemson at Bored Sports
• Clemson Loses To Gerogia Tech 21-17. at faniq Blog

Virginia 16, #18 North Carolina 13

• Virginia Beats North Carolina at NCAA Football fanhouse

Miami-FL 49, Duke 31

• There are no moral victories: Miami 49, Duke 31 at Triangle Offense
• Miami rolls past Duke 49-31 at WSJ Sports
• Gameday blog: UM 49, Duke 31 (F) at Eye on the U

Boston College 28, #17 Virginia Tech 23

• Boston College getting it done, despite a turnover or five at ESPN’s ACC Blog

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC 

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 8: Blogging about the ACC

Clemson against #21 Wake Forest

• WAKE FOREST 12, CLEMSON 7 at Today’s ACC Headlines
• Clemson’s disastrous season just got worse at ESPN

Georgia Tech against Gardner-Webb

• Georgia Tech nips Gardner-Webb 10-7 at WSJ Sports
• Is anyone watching Georgia Tech? at ESPN
• Yellow Jackets Best Bulldogs, 10-7 at Rambling Wreck

Miami-FL against UCF

• Knights Fall Short at Miami at UCF Athletics
• Gameday blog: UM 20, UCF 14 at Eye on the U

#22 North Carolina against Notre Dame

• Notre Dame vs UNC: The Recap at The Fifth Corner
• Ugh at Rambles of a Crazy Coffin
• Irish lose in strange finish at Classic Ground

Virginia against East Carolina

• Virginia Tops ECU 35-20 at ECU Pirates
• It’s Gotten Bad Real Fast for ECU at NCAA Football FanHouse

Not playing this week:

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC (if the link you click isn’t working yet, stop back later)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 7: Blogging about the ACC

For recruiting at other schools, see THIS POST.

Currently all of the following players are verbally committed, but not signed.

The number after the player/position is their position ranking as compared to all over 2008 prospects

Offensive:
Tony Gregory, Running Back, 33
Ryan Williams, Running Back, 3 (57 overall)
Ben Barber, Wide Receiver, 97
Jarrett Boykin, Wide Receiver, not ranked
D.J. Coles, Wide Receiver, 36
Austin Fuller, Wide Receiver, 72
Derrick McCoy, Wide Receiver, 67
Eric Martin, Tight End, not ranked
Nick Becton, Offensive Tackle, 39
Bobby Massie, Offensive Tackle, 29
Vinston Painter, Offensive Tackle, 15
Michael Via, Offensive Lineman, 46

Defensive:
Isaiah Hamlette, Strongside Defensive End, 37
Antoine Hopkins, Strongside Defensive End, 23
Lyndell Gibson, Inside Linebacker, 31
Jake Johnson, Outside Linebacker, 48
Quillie Odom, Outside Linebacker, not ranked
Allen Stephens, Outside Linebacker, 51
Bruce Taylor, Inside Linebacker, 11
D.J. Thomas, Cornerback not ranked
Eddie Whitley, Safety, 53
Lorenzo Williams, Safety, 38

Special Teams:

Athletes:
Xavier Boyce, 63
Jeron Gouveia, not ranked
Kendrick Pressley, not ranked
Dyrell Robers, 32
Peter Rose, 80

Post from: EveryJoe

Current Virginia Tech Recruiting for 2008

Kansas didn’t have any trouble putting their left foot in…the end zone, that is. Since it was announced that the Jayhawks would be taking a place in one of the major bowl games, there have been critics. People jeered at that team, saying the Missouri was the better choice, and that Kansas’ schedule wasn’t up to par.

And I’m not saying that Missouri didn’t deserve to be in a bowl game. They did. But Kansas deserved it as well.

Last night, Todd Reesing (who looks more like a kicker than a quarterback) led his team to a FedEx Orange Bowl win 24 – 21. Don’t let that score fool you, either. If they would have played the last play of the game instead of letting the clock run out, they would have been up another touchdown – they were on the one yard line.

I appreciate the way Coach Mangino has turned this team around. It was a good game and a great win – something we all love to see in college football. Congratulations, Kansas Jayhawks!

Post from: EveryJoe

You Do the Hokie Pokie and You Beat them to the Ground…