To All,
First and foremost, I'd like to thank all of you who took the time out to tune into our program yesterday to catch our highly anticipated sit-down with Seton Hall Men's Basketball Head Coach Bobby Gonzalez. We at WSOU Sports greatly appreciate our listeners and do apologize for not being able to come through on our scheduled interview. Unfortunately, the situation was out of our control. For those of you that submitted your questions to our department via e-mail or Piratecrew.com. I want to thank you for your time and effort.
As the season quickly approaches, please note that that in the next two weeks, we will have our official WSOU Sports Men's Basketball Preview show complete with student-staff picks on Nov. 2nd, as well as an interview with Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.net and SNY on Nov. 9th. Both will be airing from 7-8 p.m. on Pirate Primetime.
Please be aware that at this time, there is no rescheduled date for yesterday's missed interview. If one becomes available, I will personally post all necessary information both here and on Piratecrew.com. Please check these resources at your leisure for updates. Again, thank you for tuning in and to those of you who called in to voice your opinions. Don't forget to tune into Pirate Primetime throughout the season to SHU Hoops. Our number, as always, is (973)-761-9768....don't hesitate to call.
Best,
Jeremiah Sullivan
WSOU Sports Director
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Last Game At Shea: How A Marlins Fan Saw It
By Pat McCabe
Let me start this post by saying that I bleed Marlins’ turquoise and silver, and have being proudly doing so since 1993. Sure, I was just a little kid who liked the team because the logo was really cool, but the connection I have with the Marlins quickly developed, and I have been locked in for the entire ride. I’ve seen the best and worst of times, and as any true Rays fan can tell you, seeing your team on the brink of the World Series after having the worst record in baseball a couple of years ago gives true meaning to the phrase “die-hard fan.”
Now, all that being said, this die-hard Marlins fan has to confess that for one day (and one day only!) I had to go against my Marlins. I needed time since September 28, 2008 to decide why I was rooting against the Marlins, but finally, I’ve got it. Now, its not my extreme hatred of those Philadelphia Phillies, nor is it the fact that roughly seven of the Marlins on the field during that game won’t be back next season, but it comes down to the fact that, because I live in New Jersey, Shea Stadium is the stadium I’ve called home. For my entire life.
The last game at Shea was certainly an example of the hardnosed, spikes up approach that the Marlins have played the Mets since they came into the league. The games are close, high intensity, and always end with a bang. Sure, I loved seeing Wes Helms and Dan Uggla club back-to-back jacks and take the lead, but when Matt Lindstrom retired the last Mets' batter, I realized that the stadium I have been to the most in my life is now...gone.
Now, a Mets victory wouldn’t have kept the stadium open for more seasons, but had the Mets made the playoffs, Shea would have received a fitting end to its long run. This idea holds true for the Yankees as well...both New York teams deserved to retire their stadiums after one final season of October baseball
Next year, when the Mets open their beloved Citi Field, I hope the Marlins come into town and win the game 10-0. But for one game, that last game at Shea, hearing the phrase, “Goodbye Shea,” will stay with me much, much longer than a Gary Cohen letting “the Marlins win" close out SNY's last ever broadcast from Shea.
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
Let me start this post by saying that I bleed Marlins’ turquoise and silver, and have being proudly doing so since 1993. Sure, I was just a little kid who liked the team because the logo was really cool, but the connection I have with the Marlins quickly developed, and I have been locked in for the entire ride. I’ve seen the best and worst of times, and as any true Rays fan can tell you, seeing your team on the brink of the World Series after having the worst record in baseball a couple of years ago gives true meaning to the phrase “die-hard fan.”
Now, all that being said, this die-hard Marlins fan has to confess that for one day (and one day only!) I had to go against my Marlins. I needed time since September 28, 2008 to decide why I was rooting against the Marlins, but finally, I’ve got it. Now, its not my extreme hatred of those Philadelphia Phillies, nor is it the fact that roughly seven of the Marlins on the field during that game won’t be back next season, but it comes down to the fact that, because I live in New Jersey, Shea Stadium is the stadium I’ve called home. For my entire life.
The last game at Shea was certainly an example of the hardnosed, spikes up approach that the Marlins have played the Mets since they came into the league. The games are close, high intensity, and always end with a bang. Sure, I loved seeing Wes Helms and Dan Uggla club back-to-back jacks and take the lead, but when Matt Lindstrom retired the last Mets' batter, I realized that the stadium I have been to the most in my life is now...gone.
Now, a Mets victory wouldn’t have kept the stadium open for more seasons, but had the Mets made the playoffs, Shea would have received a fitting end to its long run. This idea holds true for the Yankees as well...both New York teams deserved to retire their stadiums after one final season of October baseball
Next year, when the Mets open their beloved Citi Field, I hope the Marlins come into town and win the game 10-0. But for one game, that last game at Shea, hearing the phrase, “Goodbye Shea,” will stay with me much, much longer than a Gary Cohen letting “the Marlins win" close out SNY's last ever broadcast from Shea.
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
Monday, October 13, 2008
Coach Gonzalez to Appear as Guest on Pirate Primetime
By Jeremiah Sullivan
On Oct. 26th, Men's Basketball Head Coach Bobby Gonzalez will be appearing on WSOU's Pirate Primetime, which airs every Sunday night from 7-8 p.m. Known as your home for all things SHU Athletics, Primetime will be kicking off its preseason look at the upcoming 2008-2009 SHU Hoops season with this special broadcast.
Although callers will not be accepted due to time constraints, hope is not lost. We want to hear from you the fans! You the students! You the alumni! and You the station and University staff.
All questions can be emailed to our department email address, wsou.sports@gmail.com until Oct. 24th. After that date, ALL questions will be compiled and the tops will be directed during our Q&A session LIVE on the air. Please include your name and where you are from with each question sent.
Be sure to tune into 89.5 FM'S Pirate Primetime on Oct. 26th to catch all the action.
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
On Oct. 26th, Men's Basketball Head Coach Bobby Gonzalez will be appearing on WSOU's Pirate Primetime, which airs every Sunday night from 7-8 p.m. Known as your home for all things SHU Athletics, Primetime will be kicking off its preseason look at the upcoming 2008-2009 SHU Hoops season with this special broadcast.
Although callers will not be accepted due to time constraints, hope is not lost. We want to hear from you the fans! You the students! You the alumni! and You the station and University staff.
All questions can be emailed to our department email address, wsou.sports@gmail.com until Oct. 24th. After that date, ALL questions will be compiled and the tops will be directed during our Q&A session LIVE on the air. Please include your name and where you are from with each question sent.
Be sure to tune into 89.5 FM'S Pirate Primetime on Oct. 26th to catch all the action.
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
Friday, October 10, 2008
College Football: Week 5 and Week 6 Round-Up with Da' Whiz
By Brian Wisowaty
I wrote only two short weeks ago that this college football season was becoming bland.
Then, the Beavers struck.
Perhaps Oregon State read the WSOU Sports Blog and thought it was absurd to declare Southern Cal the runaway national title favorites after only five short weeks. Their stunning upset of the (at the time No. 1) Trojans, 27-21, has opened up the door for many programs across the land.
The problem with USC may not be that they have been overrated or overhyped, but rather that the Beavers play them extremely close in Oregon State. Consider the two most recent scores for Beavers/Trojans matchups in Corvallis, excluding this year:
Oct. 28, 2006: OSU 33, No. 3 USC 31
Nov. 6, 2004: No. 1 USC 28, OSU 20
Aside from the win/loss split, the Beavers rose to the occasion against the Trojans in both meetings, despite being big underdogs against a highly-ranked team. Impressive to say the least. So, here we are in early October with Southern Cal playing catch-up. Oklahoma will prove whether or not they are for real with Saturday’s Red River Rivalry game versus Texas.
And, if the Longhorns follow suit like Oregon State, my two “solid” predictions may be shattered.
Time to restore some credibility around here and reexamine the national title picture. In doing so, we’ll be able to see how exciting of a college football ride is coming up.
The contenders:
Missouri
The Tigers have stars all over the offense and an easy end to regular season play. I still get worried about the Big 12 Title game, let alone the Oct. 18 date with Texas. Essentially, the fate of Missouri may lie with the Longhorns. If UT can beat Oklahoma on Saturday, they’ll be among the top in the nation and ready for Mizzou come the 18th. But if the Longhorns fall to the Sooners, they might be just in position for the “angry upset”. Regardless, I’ll go with Texas to get it done versus the Tigers.
Texas
As to not rehash the above, the Longhorns have two key tests coming up. Look for UT to split. (That essentially gives my Saturday pick away – I like OU to win the Red River Rivalry.)
Penn State/Ohio State
I combine both here because of their Big Ten status. The Nittany Lions may be for real, but the Buckeyes are not. Terelle Pryor has done a nice job under center for OSU, however the ground game has not been the same since Chris Wells was hit with injury. Penn State will be the best in the Big Ten at the end of November, and should avoid upset through the next two months. It won’t be easy though, at Joe Paterno’s squad will meet Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio State consecutively in October.
The SEC field
Florida proved they can be beat, as I mentioned, when QB Tim Tebow is pressured on defense and a coverage unit can lock down the speedy receivers for the Gators. Nicely played by Ole Miss.
Georgia looked like they left their poise on the team bus when Alabama drubbed them with over four touchdowns in the first half en route to a 41-30 win. You cannot take a national title with an effort like that, or lack thereof.
Alabama escaped by three over Kentucky last week. That’s a legit problem, but the Crimson Tide look defensively ready to be a national title and BCS player. They’re the best in the SEC overall and should win the conference.
LSU, too, has taken care of business despite a scare or two (see:Auburn).
Again, I cannot see one of these teams running the table completely in such a rough conference. The Gators and Bulldogs have fallen, and I see Alabama (at LSU on Nov. 8) and LSU (within the three game stretch of at Florida, at South Carolina, and vs. Georgia) picking up the proverbial “L”. Though the Crimson Tide might win the SEC with only one loss, that might not be enough to hoist the glass football in early 2009.
Brigham Young
They don’t deserve to be in the national title hunt because they play in the Mountain West. Going to Utah on Nov. 22 should make it official.
To reevaluate, I’ll take Penn State running the table of the Big Ten to be undefeated at year’s end. I’ll keep with Oklahoma, also without a loss, to meet them and win it all.
Then again, this weekend (for a second time) could change all that. The joys of college football: every week counts.
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
I wrote only two short weeks ago that this college football season was becoming bland.
Then, the Beavers struck.
Perhaps Oregon State read the WSOU Sports Blog and thought it was absurd to declare Southern Cal the runaway national title favorites after only five short weeks. Their stunning upset of the (at the time No. 1) Trojans, 27-21, has opened up the door for many programs across the land.
The problem with USC may not be that they have been overrated or overhyped, but rather that the Beavers play them extremely close in Oregon State. Consider the two most recent scores for Beavers/Trojans matchups in Corvallis, excluding this year:
Oct. 28, 2006: OSU 33, No. 3 USC 31
Nov. 6, 2004: No. 1 USC 28, OSU 20
Aside from the win/loss split, the Beavers rose to the occasion against the Trojans in both meetings, despite being big underdogs against a highly-ranked team. Impressive to say the least. So, here we are in early October with Southern Cal playing catch-up. Oklahoma will prove whether or not they are for real with Saturday’s Red River Rivalry game versus Texas.
And, if the Longhorns follow suit like Oregon State, my two “solid” predictions may be shattered.
Time to restore some credibility around here and reexamine the national title picture. In doing so, we’ll be able to see how exciting of a college football ride is coming up.
The contenders:
Missouri
The Tigers have stars all over the offense and an easy end to regular season play. I still get worried about the Big 12 Title game, let alone the Oct. 18 date with Texas. Essentially, the fate of Missouri may lie with the Longhorns. If UT can beat Oklahoma on Saturday, they’ll be among the top in the nation and ready for Mizzou come the 18th. But if the Longhorns fall to the Sooners, they might be just in position for the “angry upset”. Regardless, I’ll go with Texas to get it done versus the Tigers.
Texas
As to not rehash the above, the Longhorns have two key tests coming up. Look for UT to split. (That essentially gives my Saturday pick away – I like OU to win the Red River Rivalry.)
Penn State/Ohio State
I combine both here because of their Big Ten status. The Nittany Lions may be for real, but the Buckeyes are not. Terelle Pryor has done a nice job under center for OSU, however the ground game has not been the same since Chris Wells was hit with injury. Penn State will be the best in the Big Ten at the end of November, and should avoid upset through the next two months. It won’t be easy though, at Joe Paterno’s squad will meet Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio State consecutively in October.
The SEC field
Florida proved they can be beat, as I mentioned, when QB Tim Tebow is pressured on defense and a coverage unit can lock down the speedy receivers for the Gators. Nicely played by Ole Miss.
Georgia looked like they left their poise on the team bus when Alabama drubbed them with over four touchdowns in the first half en route to a 41-30 win. You cannot take a national title with an effort like that, or lack thereof.
Alabama escaped by three over Kentucky last week. That’s a legit problem, but the Crimson Tide look defensively ready to be a national title and BCS player. They’re the best in the SEC overall and should win the conference.
LSU, too, has taken care of business despite a scare or two (see:Auburn).
Again, I cannot see one of these teams running the table completely in such a rough conference. The Gators and Bulldogs have fallen, and I see Alabama (at LSU on Nov. 8) and LSU (within the three game stretch of at Florida, at South Carolina, and vs. Georgia) picking up the proverbial “L”. Though the Crimson Tide might win the SEC with only one loss, that might not be enough to hoist the glass football in early 2009.
Brigham Young
They don’t deserve to be in the national title hunt because they play in the Mountain West. Going to Utah on Nov. 22 should make it official.
To reevaluate, I’ll take Penn State running the table of the Big Ten to be undefeated at year’s end. I’ll keep with Oklahoma, also without a loss, to meet them and win it all.
Then again, this weekend (for a second time) could change all that. The joys of college football: every week counts.
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
Friday, October 3, 2008
2008 Regular Season MLB Stat Leaders
Although the 2008 postseason is well underway, here's a look at who finished tops in the Big Leagues this year during the regular season.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Batting Average: Joe Mauer, Minnesota, .330
Hits (tie): Dustin Pedroia, Boston, 213
Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle, 213
Home Runs: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit, 37
RBI: Josh Hamilton, Texas, 130
Stolen Bases: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston, 50
Wins: Cliff Lee, Cleveland, 22
ERA: Cliff Lee, Cleveland, 2.54
Strikeouts: A.J. Burnett, Toronto, 231
Saves: Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles, 62
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Batting Average: Chipper Jones, Atlanta, .364
Hits: Jose Reyes, New York, 204
Home Runs: Ryan Howard, Philadelphia, 48
RBI: Ryan Howard, Philadelphia, 146
Stolen Bases: Willy Taveras, Colorado, 68
Wins: Brandon Webb, Arizona, 22
ERA: Johan Santana, New York, 2.53
Strikeouts: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco, 265
Saves: Jose Valverde, Houston, 44
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Batting Average: Joe Mauer, Minnesota, .330
Hits (tie): Dustin Pedroia, Boston, 213
Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle, 213
Home Runs: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit, 37
RBI: Josh Hamilton, Texas, 130
Stolen Bases: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston, 50
Wins: Cliff Lee, Cleveland, 22
ERA: Cliff Lee, Cleveland, 2.54
Strikeouts: A.J. Burnett, Toronto, 231
Saves: Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles, 62
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Batting Average: Chipper Jones, Atlanta, .364
Hits: Jose Reyes, New York, 204
Home Runs: Ryan Howard, Philadelphia, 48
RBI: Ryan Howard, Philadelphia, 146
Stolen Bases: Willy Taveras, Colorado, 68
Wins: Brandon Webb, Arizona, 22
ERA: Johan Santana, New York, 2.53
Strikeouts: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco, 265
Saves: Jose Valverde, Houston, 44
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now ?
By Jeremiah Sullivan
Mets fans in and around the tri-state area are probably left asking themselves that question after an abysmal end to 2008. However, the one bright side of the weekend was Santana. Johan, thank you for that.
I checked my calendar three times during the latter part of the Mets'4-2 season-ending loss to the Florida Marlins on Sunday...just to make sure I was reliving a 'groundhog day' in 2007. There was no aging southpaw trying to paint the corners to no avail. Or an eight run deficit for a team to climb out of. Rather, it was a close game until the eighth, when the ball was handed over to the bullpen. Yikes.
The Mets have dropped the ball for a second year in a row. A new stadium is already being transitioned for next season; the former house being picked a part by wrecking-balls and scavengers. What's left of the '08 season is a bunch of...'overachievers'?
C'mon now, an organization calling such a large market home, combined with a hefty payroll and bills to pay thanks to the brandy-new Citi Field is going to call themselves overachievers ? For Mets fans across the country, that...is a slap in the face. Piece by piece, the Mets farm system has been depleted and necessary role players have been traded away in hopes of improving this team. However, far too often do the Mets find themselves in a position saying, 'Well if only we hadn't done that deal...'
A little late for that.
Does frustration begin to describe the feeling of Mets fans after the last game at Shea. How deflating an experience to splurge on tickets for the game, get the family out there, root your heart out...for a season-ending loss to a third-place team. The same team that beat you last year. In the same fashion. On almost the same day. Sure fans got to sit back afterwards and watch some of the Mets greats dance across the field. tipping their final cap to Shea before it comes crashing down.
But could they really, actually enjoy that type of ceremony? I know I watched it out of respect but did little to enjoy the moment. The sting of a deflating defeat after a promising season did enough damage. Hopefully SNY will replay the ceremony later in the week. Or later in the month. Or later in the year.
Why? Because quite frankly few actually know how long it's going to take to get over this one.
Your 2009 New York Mets
Ramon Castro
Brian Schneider
Jose Reyes
David Wright
Carlos Beltran
Johan Santana
Mike Pelfrey
John Maine
Nick Evans
Daniel Murphy
Jerry Manuel
Joe Smith
The rest are anyone's guess...
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
Mets fans in and around the tri-state area are probably left asking themselves that question after an abysmal end to 2008. However, the one bright side of the weekend was Santana. Johan, thank you for that.
I checked my calendar three times during the latter part of the Mets'4-2 season-ending loss to the Florida Marlins on Sunday...just to make sure I was reliving a 'groundhog day' in 2007. There was no aging southpaw trying to paint the corners to no avail. Or an eight run deficit for a team to climb out of. Rather, it was a close game until the eighth, when the ball was handed over to the bullpen. Yikes.
The Mets have dropped the ball for a second year in a row. A new stadium is already being transitioned for next season; the former house being picked a part by wrecking-balls and scavengers. What's left of the '08 season is a bunch of...'overachievers'?
C'mon now, an organization calling such a large market home, combined with a hefty payroll and bills to pay thanks to the brandy-new Citi Field is going to call themselves overachievers ? For Mets fans across the country, that...is a slap in the face. Piece by piece, the Mets farm system has been depleted and necessary role players have been traded away in hopes of improving this team. However, far too often do the Mets find themselves in a position saying, 'Well if only we hadn't done that deal...'
A little late for that.
Does frustration begin to describe the feeling of Mets fans after the last game at Shea. How deflating an experience to splurge on tickets for the game, get the family out there, root your heart out...for a season-ending loss to a third-place team. The same team that beat you last year. In the same fashion. On almost the same day. Sure fans got to sit back afterwards and watch some of the Mets greats dance across the field. tipping their final cap to Shea before it comes crashing down.
But could they really, actually enjoy that type of ceremony? I know I watched it out of respect but did little to enjoy the moment. The sting of a deflating defeat after a promising season did enough damage. Hopefully SNY will replay the ceremony later in the week. Or later in the month. Or later in the year.
Why? Because quite frankly few actually know how long it's going to take to get over this one.
Your 2009 New York Mets
Ramon Castro
Brian Schneider
Jose Reyes
David Wright
Carlos Beltran
Johan Santana
Mike Pelfrey
John Maine
Nick Evans
Daniel Murphy
Jerry Manuel
Joe Smith
The rest are anyone's guess...
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
Catchin' Up with Gordon Klejstan on PPT
By Jeremiah Sullivan
Hey Pirate fans! This weekend on Pirate Primetime, be sure to tune in from 7- 8 P.M. to catch our analysts breaking down the wide-world of SHU Sports. Men's and women's soccer are both looking to get back to their winning ways as the teams battle neck-and-neck with the rest of the BIG EAST conference. Don't forget about Volleyball, Golf, as well as Track and Field.
This week, we catch up with former SHU men's soccer standout Gordon Klejstan,who now calls the New York Red Bulls home. To find out what Gordon's been up to, and his thoughts on his days here at the Hall, be sure to check it out right here on 89.5 FM WSOU.
Make Pirate Primetime your one stop for checking up on the blue and white. Don't forget to dial us up at (973)-761-9768 and get your opinions on the air!
Hey Pirate fans! This weekend on Pirate Primetime, be sure to tune in from 7- 8 P.M. to catch our analysts breaking down the wide-world of SHU Sports. Men's and women's soccer are both looking to get back to their winning ways as the teams battle neck-and-neck with the rest of the BIG EAST conference. Don't forget about Volleyball, Golf, as well as Track and Field.
This week, we catch up with former SHU men's soccer standout Gordon Klejstan,who now calls the New York Red Bulls home. To find out what Gordon's been up to, and his thoughts on his days here at the Hall, be sure to check it out right here on 89.5 FM WSOU.
Make Pirate Primetime your one stop for checking up on the blue and white. Don't forget to dial us up at (973)-761-9768 and get your opinions on the air!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The surprises are just about over – it’ll be USC and Oklahoma
By Brian Wisowaty
Has the 2008 college football season begun to lose its luster?
The feel-good story of my last post, East Carolina, seems to be no more. A dramatic 30-24 defeat in overtime at North Carolina State bumped the Pirates all the way out of the USA Today poll. Seemingly, a pretty harsh response to the team’s first loss of the season.
Now the eyes of the nation can shift to Brigham Young, the No. 11 team in both the AP Top 25 and USA Today poll. That victory for the Cougars over Washington on the heels of Jake Locker’s “excessive celebration” (and I use that term loosely) is now key as BYU preps for Utah State, New Mexico, and TCU in October.
In other words, we’re left with a BYU team that, at best, is questionably undefeated at this point.
Meanwhile, on the national title hunt, an injury and conference quality has almost trimmed the “legitimate contender” field down to two or three. Consider Ohio State, the clear class of the Big Ten. While that matchup at Southern California two weeks back would have been difficult no matter what, the loss of Chris Wells at halfback for the game made it a blowout.
Moving up and down the AP’s top ten teams, it can only be expected for LSU and Alabama to find out the hard way that the SEC is the toughest conference in the land. As happens every year, these teams will catch a hungry rival this fall, probably on the road, and get beat for the first time. In fact, it nearly happened to the Tigers the past week, just escaping Auburn with the 26-21 win.
I’m also not a big believer in the back end of that top ten, Wisconsin (No. 9) and Texas Tech (No. 10). The Red Raiders can score a ton, but do not belong defensively on the same field as many of the programs in front of them in the polls. And, the Badgers have not played anyone yet. Let’s see them get past back-to-back home contests versus Ohio State and Penn State in early October without a loss.
We are then left with the top tier of a few select programs and the teams chasing them.
Can Missouri stay on the field and compete with Oklahoma?
Will Texas be able to take their annual meeting with the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry game?
Again, I stand by the Sooners explosive offense and physical defense. The answer to both those questions: a resounding no.
Moving forward, can Georgia and Florida run the table in the SEC?
I really don’t think anyone can survive the overall top-to-bottom talent in that league. Florida is very good, but Miami (FL) proved that an effective blitz scheme can stop Tim Tebow in his tracks for a bit. The Gators can be beat. I’d go out on a limb and say it will be Georgia getting it done against the Gators with their November 1 matchup “between in hedges” in Athens.
In regards to the Bulldogs, the SEC Title game can be what hurts their national title hopes most. It’s a tough spot, especially if Georgia goes in undefeated against a one-loss, angry conference foe trying to play spoiler. Nonetheless, prior to postseason play, I’d keep an eye out for Bulldogs’ November 15 game at Auburn as a legit chance for a regular season loss. We’ll learn a lot about Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno and company on that day. I’m not confident enough in the Tigers that late in the season to call the upset, but it will be close no matter what.
That leaves the Trojans all alone at the top. Enjoy the Pac 10, no conference title game, and talent far better than Oregon has. They will cruise to the BCS Championship Game.
The Sooners will also have enough to join them there. No national title “BCS-busters” this year. For better or for worse, a big element of this college football season is simply waiting for the SEC to catch up with Georgia and Florida, respectively.
The opinions mentioned here are solely those of the author of this post and are not shared by other posters on this site or the site creator
Has the 2008 college football season begun to lose its luster?
The feel-good story of my last post, East Carolina, seems to be no more. A dramatic 30-24 defeat in overtime at North Carolina State bumped the Pirates all the way out of the USA Today poll. Seemingly, a pretty harsh response to the team’s first loss of the season.
Now the eyes of the nation can shift to Brigham Young, the No. 11 team in both the AP Top 25 and USA Today poll. That victory for the Cougars over Washington on the heels of Jake Locker’s “excessive celebration” (and I use that term loosely) is now key as BYU preps for Utah State, New Mexico, and TCU in October.
In other words, we’re left with a BYU team that, at best, is questionably undefeated at this point.
Meanwhile, on the national title hunt, an injury and conference quality has almost trimmed the “legitimate contender” field down to two or three. Consider Ohio State, the clear class of the Big Ten. While that matchup at Southern California two weeks back would have been difficult no matter what, the loss of Chris Wells at halfback for the game made it a blowout.
Moving up and down the AP’s top ten teams, it can only be expected for LSU and Alabama to find out the hard way that the SEC is the toughest conference in the land. As happens every year, these teams will catch a hungry rival this fall, probably on the road, and get beat for the first time. In fact, it nearly happened to the Tigers the past week, just escaping Auburn with the 26-21 win.
I’m also not a big believer in the back end of that top ten, Wisconsin (No. 9) and Texas Tech (No. 10). The Red Raiders can score a ton, but do not belong defensively on the same field as many of the programs in front of them in the polls. And, the Badgers have not played anyone yet. Let’s see them get past back-to-back home contests versus Ohio State and Penn State in early October without a loss.
We are then left with the top tier of a few select programs and the teams chasing them.
Can Missouri stay on the field and compete with Oklahoma?
Will Texas be able to take their annual meeting with the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry game?
Again, I stand by the Sooners explosive offense and physical defense. The answer to both those questions: a resounding no.
Moving forward, can Georgia and Florida run the table in the SEC?
I really don’t think anyone can survive the overall top-to-bottom talent in that league. Florida is very good, but Miami (FL) proved that an effective blitz scheme can stop Tim Tebow in his tracks for a bit. The Gators can be beat. I’d go out on a limb and say it will be Georgia getting it done against the Gators with their November 1 matchup “between in hedges” in Athens.
In regards to the Bulldogs, the SEC Title game can be what hurts their national title hopes most. It’s a tough spot, especially if Georgia goes in undefeated against a one-loss, angry conference foe trying to play spoiler. Nonetheless, prior to postseason play, I’d keep an eye out for Bulldogs’ November 15 game at Auburn as a legit chance for a regular season loss. We’ll learn a lot about Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno and company on that day. I’m not confident enough in the Tigers that late in the season to call the upset, but it will be close no matter what.
That leaves the Trojans all alone at the top. Enjoy the Pac 10, no conference title game, and talent far better than Oregon has. They will cruise to the BCS Championship Game.
The Sooners will also have enough to join them there. No national title “BCS-busters” this year. For better or for worse, a big element of this college football season is simply waiting for the SEC to catch up with Georgia and Florida, respectively.
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