What I'm Watching: Week 2

12:00 Miami (FL) vs. Oklahoma (ABC)- A rematch of what felt like every Orange Bowl in the 80's. It was a little bullshit Miami got to play for the National Championship on their home field so many times. Expect OU to extract revenge. Where are Barry Switzer and Jimmy Johnson? Well actually they're on Fox Pregame tomorrow.

2:30 North Carolina State vs. Boston College (ESPN 2)- In Boston, Tom O'Brien is a college football Johnny Damon. Which means everyone in the city read about his departure in the agate of the Boston Globe thought "what an asshole" then went back to watching Red Sox Extra Innings Extra Extra three hours after the game is over. For those in Boston who give a shit, the Eagles should light up their old coach's new team.

6:00 Notre Dame vs. Penn State (ESPN)- Now THIS is an old school college football game that will take us in the Northeast back to a point when most of our programs were relevant. Unfortunately this year at least, Notre Dame isn't. Penn State should win by a significant margin.

9:15 Virginia Tech vs. LSU (ESPN)- A 9:15 start time so I can watch this whole game with a Red Bull Vodka in my hand in the presence of horny single women...brilliant! Make this a tradition. Games that get done at 10:30 give me too much time I have to pay attention to my friends. This should be a defensive quagmire as both defenses are miles ahead of the offenses.

Pumpin for Thursday: Week 2

(Each Thursday I will make my spread prediction for the ESPN Thursday Night Game which I give weekly to my friend Josh
for his sportsbook account. As for you...all picks are for entertainment purposes only. You can't sue me to recover loss wagers)

Oregon State (-3.5) at Cincinnati, Over/Under=45.5



Vegas Algebra says: Oregon State 24.5, Cincinnati 21



My thoughts: Two Thursdays and so far two road favorites. Interesting although Vegas is really putting Nippert Stadium on a pedestal with this tight spread. Yvenson Bernard is a star whom the country may not get many chances to know. This is one of the few times he will be on a national stage. Sammie Stroughter is also expected to play for Oregon State returning from 'personal issues'. Cincinnati has a young team but they are capable of scoring too.



Suggestion: Learn two lessons from last week and take Oregon State. 1) Road favorites can cover on Thursday (LSU over Miss St.), 2) The mid-bottom of the Big East can't compete with the Pac Ten (Washington over Syracuse). I like the over, as I usually do on Thursdays and Oregon State. Speaking of LSU and Syracuse. I wonder what Joseph Addai and Marvin Harrison are upto these days?

Because I Promised It!

DeSean Jackson's 77 Yard Punt Return vs. Tennessee

Bowden Bowl IX: Florida State vs. Clemson Running Diary

Bobby Bowden (Head Coach of Florida State) and his son Tommy (Head Coach of Clemson) have been playing each other for nine years now. The luster of the father vs. son matchup has lost its shine a little. Still its an intriguing enough matchup that it took over the Miami/Florida State spot on Labor Day Monday. Like Miami, Clemson will probably underachieve as much as the Seminoles but for now this exciting rivalry is Running Diary worthy

First Quarter

-Clemson's touching of Howard's Rock and running into Death Valley is by far the coolest pregame introduction in all of sports. I won't debate this.

-Bobby and Tommy are the guest lineup introducers which is a great idea by ESPN for its showcase games. Although I probably would've chosen Jenn Sterger and Cameran from Real World San Diego.

-Death Valley is LOUD! Already causing Drew Weatherford to burn a timeout

-The new AT&T commercial with Roger Clemens' not able to hear his wife's displeasure at his comeback is perhaps the best of these spots yet, I have to admit.

-Clemson forces FSU to punt on its first drive. The Nole offense at least early on looks only marginally better.

-Clemson is using some Spread Option lining James Davis directly behind center. Davis runs for Clemson's first first down. Awesome play call!

-Clemson is forced to a punt after a good non-call after a hit almost out of bounds on Quarterback Cullen Harper

-Florida State goes three and out. So far the improvements from the new offensive staff have yet to be seen.

-Good to see former NC State coach Chuck Amato staying employed, even without shades

-I've come to realize that Mike Patrick is a fine announcer who up to this point has always been paired with annoying blowhards (Dick Vitale, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire) but he and Todd Blackledge are perfect for prime-time college football.

-How long does it take to body paint your whole body? I'm past the age where its acceptable but I'm just wondering.

-Last 9 plays for FSU, 3 yards. Maybe Jeff Bowden wasn't the problem. Maybe Drew Weatherford has been.

-Jacoby Ford on a reverse off a GREAT block by the receiver to the FSU 25

-James Davis makes a great cut block for C.J. Spiller. If Clemson doesn't get 6 here it might be a deflator for this crowd, which is jacked right now.

-TOUCHDOWN Harper to Tight End Brian Linthincum. Good catch! Extra point makes it 7-0. FSU NEEDS to respond because this game is already in danger of getting away from them. 7-0 Clemson.

-We need a cease and desist on the use of "Zombie Nation". I'm dead serious.

-Fumble recoverd by Clemson! Oh boy...

-James Davis immediately cashes in for a TOUCHDOWN! on an impressive run. I think I'm live blogging a possible blowout. 14-0 Clemson.

-Its almost frustrating that Clemson looks like a National Championship contender right now, and their running game and defense are of that caliber. But Harper and the passing game are going to have to win one or two games on their own and history says that doesn't happen for Clemson.

-20 yard completion gets negated by an Illegal Motion penalty. Bobby Bowden can't be having fun right now.

-First Quarter recap. Clemson's defense is pushing FSU's offense around. Clemson is dominating on the ground but Harper is having trouble getting going. Florida State looks lifeless and Death Valley is still loud. Florida State 0, Clemson 14.

Second Quarter

-TOUCHDOWN! Cullen Harper to Aaron Kelly on a receiver screen. Clemson's tiger needs to bulk up, lift some weights or something. My high school spends more money on their mascot outfit. Yeah this game's about over. 21-0 Clemson.

-Blackledge points out how tired the 'Nole defense looked on the Kelly touchdown. Hard to imagine that they couldn't be with the offense only giving them 5 minute breaks.

-Another three and out for Florida State. Jimbo Fisher's play calling isn't the most creative when behind.

-Okay a fake punt looks to be stuffed by Clemson but the punter gets the kick off JUST behind the line of scrimmage. Punt only goes for 18 yards though.

-A fumble by CJ Spiller gives Florida State something to build on. What the offense can do afterwards at this point, I don't think anything.

-Incomplete pass to my friend Josh's favorite player De'Cody Fagg.

-Gaines Adams on the sidelines Holly Rowe asks him "How hard are you working right now getting used to the NFL"...Right now? Not very.

-Why do I have a feeling "Good Luck, Chuck" isn't going to get many good reviews?

-Ray Ray McElrathbay is out for the season but his little brother Fahmarr is doing very well and not asking for an allowance. Ray Ray got custody of Fahmarr from his mother who has a drug problem. Touching story even for cynical types like me.

-Clemson's running game is doing what it wants to do against Florida State's winded defense.

-Super Blue-Chip Florida State CB Myron Rolle is featured. He's a world traveler and a bookworm. He received his first A- last semester. I don't think I ever got an A- in college. The picture of him riding a camel should be his Facebook picture.

-Florida State BLOCKS a punt! Now if the offense can get a first down they could cut into this Clemson lead.

-Clemson is having a great tackling day. Many impressive open field tackles. Florida State needs a touchdown here. Nothing less.

-4th and 8, Florida State makes a FIELD GOAL. Considering the field position they got after the blocked field goal, this drive is yet another disappointment from the offense. 21-3 Clemson.

-ESPN chooses the skycam angle for CJ Spiller's 52 yard kick return. I think the opinions on "skycam" run 50-50. Thumbs down here.

-A bomb threat reportedly was called in to an administration building early today. Are kids trying to get out of exams already? Are there exams for students to try and get out of already?

-The injured tackle for Clemson majors in "Workforce Training", as in getting a job? In what?? Although I probably shouldn't make fun. I should've minored in "Workforce Training".

-Clemson gets a FIELD GOAL by kicker Mark Fuckholes. At least that's what I think his name is. 24-3 Clemson.

-I will have an RV someday. You can just about guarantee that.

-Oh oh oh oh...Oh oh oh oh..Oh oh..Oh... Oh oh...Oh oh...

-Florida State is more or less running out the clock on the First Half. Check that they pass a few times but have to punt over to Clemson who will likely kneel on the ball to go into the locker room after an impressive first half.

Second Quarter Recap: Florida State has lost this game. They simply don't have the offense to come back 3 touchdowns. They are getting beat up on the line of scrimmage. Clemson is running all over their defense that can't get off the field. Florida State 3, Clemson 24

Third Quarter

-Jacoby Ford looks dead as he's getting carried into the locker room with an apparent shoulder injury. Yuk, that was ugly.

-Cullen Harper eludes a couple tackles and makes a first down on 3rd and 16, everyone is running on Florida State. The spot helped but you're going to get the benefit of the doubt when your opponent is tackling like Florida State is.

-Florida State eventually forces a punt which is poorly played and goes into the end zone.

-Florida State finally gets a drive going when Drew Weatherford overthrows his receiver on 4th and 4. A holding penalty on the Left Tackle would've negated a catch anyway. The Left Tackle Rose is getting grilled by his Offensive Line Coach. The rant was properly muted.

-"Todd's Taste of the Town" is Mac's Drive-In in Pendleton, SC. He got the cheeseburger steak with gravy, fries and sweet tea. That sounds like a tasty heart attack.

-Bad snap on the punt and the Clemson punter Jimmy Maners, is smart enough to run it out of bounds for an intentional SAFETY. 24-5 Clemson.

-Anyone else surprised Penn State vs. Notre Dame isn't on ABC?

-Antoine Smith to the Clemson 1. Hmmmm.

-TOUCHDOWN Antoine Smith! All of a sudden this is a game. Florida State is inexplicably going for two. They aren't getting three possessions in the Fourth Quarter. The difference between a 12 point and 11 point deficit is irrelevant. The conversion fails. 24-11 Clemson.

Third Quarter Recap: Some bad special teams play. Stops on defense and a newfound running game have Florida State back in this one. Tommy Bowden is starting to look like his father was in the First Half. Florida State 11, Clemson 24.

Fourth Quarter

-Florida State has good field position again. Inside the Clemson 35. Fagg blows a sure touchdown with a drop.

-On 4th and 2 Weatherford completes to greg Carr. 1st and 10 at the Clemson 15. I'm starting to feel happy I did this.

-Fagg gets a hand on a ball and takes it to the Clemson 10. 3rd and 5.

-Delay of game penalty on Florida State takes it back to the 15. Patrick blames the Freshman center. Freshmen get blamed for everything.

-TOUCHDOWN! Weatherford to Goodman. Camera pans to a Jenn Sterger wannabe. Ladies and Gentlemen this somehow became a VERY good game. 24-18 Clemson.

-Clemson is mounting a drive into Florida State territory as the heat is causing Spiller and others to come off the field with cramps.

-Drive stalls but the punt back spins and goes out of bounds at the 4 yard line. This likely means this will be Florida State's last chance to come back and win this game.

-Florida State goes 3 and out as the toss is behind Fagg. Clemson and Spiller and Davis can run out clock and do so in Seminole territory.

-Clemson fails to close out Florida State and the Seminoles will get the ball back. No confirmation if Meineke Car Care bowl officials are already at this game scouting both teams.

-Weatherford to Antoine Smith for a 28 yard game and then again for 9 yard gain.

-Smith runs again for 11. He has really led this surge in the second half. Imagine if he showed up in the first.

-Incomplete pass intended for Fagg but he had a man all over him.

-Corner blitz forces 4th and 10. This is your ball game...

-SACK! Clemson ball. 2:24 left. Can they screw this up again? If anybody can at this point. It might be Tommy Bowden. Ok Tommy you have two runningbacks, and your opponent has one timeout left. No need to get cute. And my cute I mean pass.

-Davis and Spiller can't get a first down and Florida State will get the ball ONE MORE TIME. Clemson is in no rush to punt and takes a timeout. I feel better and better about picking Georgia Tech to win the ACC.

-Florida State ball with :29 left. Weatherford sacked AGAIN! A FSU baton twirler is still cheering. Apparently she doesn't know in football the lower score loses.

-Weatherford almost completes a pass but the ball is knocked away and we have a final...wait we have a review. Hilarious scene as students dumb enough to storm the field on the first game of the season, not from Appalachian State are being called back off the field, then run back on and are called off again.

-The call stands, incomplete pass, game over. Idiot students can storm the field in the first game of the season. I have a feeling they won't have too much to celebrate if Clemson can't close out opponents like they almost couldn't tonight. I think I just blogged a game between two mid-level bowl teams.

Final Score: Florida State 18, Clemson 24.

Sunday Hangover...

Posting the Sunday Hangover early this week as I am currently at my Fantasy Football Draft. If you're curious my keepers are:

Larry Johnson, RB Penn State
Joseph Addai, RB LSU
Marvin Harrison, WR Syracuse
Phillip Rivers, QB NC State

Wish me luck adding to this corps. Okay onto my thoughts on as many of Saturday games as possible:

Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32- Sixth Thought: Appy State got $400,000 to travel to Ann Arbor (that whore) for this game. Thanks guys lets do that again. No?

East Carolina 7, Virginia Tech 17- An emotional day in Blacksburg obviously. The emotion made the Hokies a little tight in the first half. I had a feeling it would.

Western Kentucky 3, Florida 49- Couldn't Florida wait until WKU joined the Sun Belt before practicing on them.

Georgia Tech 33, Notre Dame 3- Quarterback by Committee...Brilliant! Tashard Choice had a huge game (196yds 2TDs) as I predicted

Tennessee 31, California 45- A very fun game to watch with all that speed on one field. Yes I'll have DeSean Jackson's punt return as soon as it hits YouTube.

Western Michigan 24, West Virginia 62- Western Michigan, you're no Eastern Washington.

Oklahoma State 14, Georgia 35- A surprise how lopsided this one was. I'll learn not to understimate Georgia early out of conference again.

Troy 26, Arkansas 46- Houston Nutt is just happy the season has finally started.

Youngstown State 6, Ohio State 38- The sweater vest beats his old school.

Florida International 0, Penn State 59- FIU needs to rethink having a football program, I mean really.

Washington State 21, Wisconsin 42- Strong showing from Tyler Donovan keeps the hype machine going.

Arkansas State 13, Texas 21- Arkansas State statistically won this game. This would've been a bigger upset than Appy State over Michigan.

North Texas 10, Oklahoma 79 In case you thought the Sun Belt was catching up to the rest of Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision).

Nevada 10, Nebraska 52 Sam Keller is very impressive against a Nevada team I thought was better than this.

Wake Forest 28, Boston College 38- Jeff Jagodzinksi takes a big step towards an ACC Atlantic Championship already.

Western Carolina 6, Alabama 52- Nick Saban trounces a school I didn't know existed for his first win in Tuscaloosa.

UCLA 45, Stanford 17- Karl Dorrell gets a conference win early in a game they were supposed to win by this much.

Appalachian State beats Michigan: Five Thoughts

If your fan enough of college football to read this blog, you know by now that Appalachian State beat Michigan today 34-32 in the biggest upset in college football history, at least in terms of stature of programs. I caught some of the game at Buffalo Wild Wings on my way to my fantasy football draft.

Here is the blocked field goal that won the game for Appy State:


The first thought is Chad Henne, Mike Hart (who had a monster game by the way), and Jake Long all passed up the NFL to come back to win a National Championship. That mission has been blown in the first week.

The second thought is why Michigan would schedule the Division I Football Championship Subdivision defending National Champions on the first game.

The third thought is the ridiculous term "Football Championship Subdivision" has gotten more play today than any other time since its inception.

The fourth thought is this was a great first game for the new "Big Ten Network" even if the Big Ten got a little embarrassed....okay very embarrassed.

The fifth and final thought is Hahaha!

Here is the moratorium at "The M Zone"

What I'm (or would be) Watching

Every Saturday I'll post here the games I plan to watch all day.

This weekend is my Fantasy Football Draft so I will be on the road much of the day. But if I were on my ass in front of the television here is what I'd be watching.

12:00 East Carolina vs. Virginia Tech (ESPN)- Go Hokies! Seriously. If one needs a reminder of the importance of college athletics to a university, tune in to see Blacksburg start to heel on the gridiron. No win will bring any of the victims back but a college and a community will cheer for a change.

3:30 Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame (NDBC)- And the Irish starter is...(drum roll) PRESSURED! early and often. The premiere of the Tashard Choice show.

8:00 Tennessee vs. California (ABC)- The one game Pac 10-SEC Challenge. If a pinky is serious, Erik Ainge or any self respecting man isn't going to admit it. I think we'll see our first Desean Jackson punt return TD tonight as well.

10:15 (after Tenn-Cal) Idaho vs. Southern California (FSN)- To see if Idaho is still on the field or if their coach pulled them off at the request of their parents.