Usually, I use the first 250-500 words of this weekly column to crack jokes, make fun of people and pretty much vent on anything and everything that I feel is wrong in the world of sports. This week, I won’t be doing that. Tuesday marked the six year anniversary of the horrific events of 9/11. I spent my day reflecting on something that I have found to be very interesting… the healing power of sports. If what happened at Virginia Tech taught us anything, it is that people look for normalcy in times of great sadness because they help the healing process, and usually that normalcy is provided by sports. The people of Blacksburg looked immediately to their home football opener to help the healing process, and after 9/11, many people did the same. Was there anyone in America who wasn’t a Yankees fan when they took the field in Chicago as the first New York team to return to action after the events? Was there anyone in America who wasn’t affected just a little bit when the greatest, most beloved Met of all-time stepped up to the plate and delivered a game winning home run against the hated Braves on September 21st, in the first sporting event played in New York City after the attacks? Yes, on that night, Mike Piazza was everyone’s hero.
It’s funny how six years later, things change, but they are eerily the same. Almost exactly six years after Mike Piazza’s heroic feat, Virginia Tech saw the same kind of performance from their football team. On the six year (to the exact day) anniversary of 9/11, the New York Mets played a game against those very same Atlanta Braves. Although almost every single person on the field or in the dugout for that game was different, the feelings around the stadium were the same. New York City is a town that is always split down the middle… Giants or Jets, Mets or Yankees, Rangers or Islanders… but once a year, for one night, they are simply New Yorkers. 9/11, the first Yankees game in Chicago and Mike Piazza’s home run will forever be linked by one single event. We Will Never Forget.
Week 3 News & Notes
Chink in Louisville’s Armor?
Everybody knows that Louisville has a high-powered offense (73 points against Murray St. and 58 against Middle Tennessee St. prove just that), but what about their defense? If there is one thing that can keep Louisville from winning the Big East, it is their suspect D. Last Thursday, MTSU put up 554 yards and 42 points on the Cardinals. If they cannot stop a team that is not nearly as talented as they are (this is not a stab at MTSU - they just aren’t on the same level… sorry), what will they do against a team like West Virginia or Kentucky or Rutgers that has genuine big-time playmakers? This will be something to watch as Louisville’s season rolls on.
South Florida Stunner
I was wrong. The Game of the Week wasn’t Virginia Tech at LSU, but instead was South Florida making the trip to Auburn. In what was arguably the best game of the week, the Bulls overcame 4 missed field goals by kicker Delbert Alvarado to shock the Tigers in overtime. The only thing that could have made this game better would be if Gus Johnson (THAT’S RIGHT… AFTER NEARLY SIX MONTHS, GUS JOHNSON IS ONCE AGAIN BACK IN OUR LIVES!!!) had the call of the game. I believe that this win solidifies South Florida as a legitimate Big East team, and puts them on the list of teams that could make a run for the conference title. South Florida is for real, and it is about time people took notice of that.
Packin’ It In? Michigan Football 2007
As a Penn State fan, it gives me great joy to write this next little news blurb. After having such high hopes for the 2007 season, Michigan now sits in a state of disarray. Quarterback Chad Henne will be out for this week’s game against Notre Dame, and may also miss the Penn State game next weekend, which leaves heralded freshman Ryan Mallett to make his first career start… Mike Hart is banged up with a deep thigh bruise… and the defense looks like it couldn’t stop a Pop Warner team right now. With all of this adversity, the question is this: Will Michigan be able to rebound and take some positives from a season that has already lost so much promise? If they do not beat Notre Dame this week (a big “if” because if there is one team playing worse than Michigan right now, it is Notre Dame), they could easily be 0-4 with games against Michigan St., Wisconsin and Ohio St. still on the schedule. If things don’t turn around very soon, this preseason National Championship favorite could miss a bowl game entirely.
Rules for Liking a College Football Team
In case you missed it, ESPN.com ran an article entitled “New Rules for College Fans to Live By”. I believe that these rules are the foremost authority on collegiate sports fandom from here on out. Let me now illustrate where my allegiances fit into these rules:
4. If you attended a lower-division or NAIA school, you're allowed to pick a D-I school of your choice. But you must consistently root for that school year in and year out, and it's preferred that the school be geographically close to you.
Being that I went to a Division III school (Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham), for purposes of playing collegiate football, I AM ALLOWED to root for Penn State. I have rooted for them since I can remember, and would have gone to that school if I didn’t play college football myself. I also root for Rutgers under this rule because the school is 30 minutes from my house and I have a friend on the team.
10. Please observe the following age limits on male attire:
• 25-and-under: Team jersey or shirtless (body paint mandatory)
• 26-35: T-shirt, jersey, shirtless if you work out at least three times per week and/or have a BMI reading of less than "morbidly obese"
• 36-50: Polo shirt
• 51-75: Sweater vest with polo shirt underneath; sweatshirt from bowl victory two decades ago
• 75-over: Shirtless, alcoholic steam rising from graying chest hair
One more point that should be added to this rule: NEVER, repeat NEVER, tuck your jersey into your pants. This is a major pet peeve of my cousin Jerry, and it has really rubbed off on me. Obey this rule for two reasons: a) it looks plain stupid, and b) the only people who tuck in their shirts (polo, t-shirt, jersey, button down etc.) in non-dress-up situations are all over the age of 35. By rule, you are not allowed to wear jerseys anyway, so if you sneak one past us, don’t tuck it in - you will stick out like a sore thumb and any form of ridicule that you receive is well-deserved, take your medicine like a man, learn from your experience and don’t make the same mistake again.
21. You must know the rules of beer pong. Even if you're "retired."
21a. Dude, no one ever retires from beer pong.
This could be the truest rule in the entire bunch. If you have ever gone to college, you have played beer pong before (it is also known as Beirut, chandelier, and others). So, when asked to play, don’t get a stupid look on your face and pretend you’ve never seen it before (unless you are a current freshman and your “You’re not drinking at college, are you?” father is in the presence of your tailgate… this is the only time that it is acceptable). Also, don’t pull the “I don’t play anymore” act either - if you aren’t any good, just say it. It is more respectable to be honest about your sub-par ability and take your beating than to lie and be “that guy”. Also, what is so terrible about being bad? Are you actually complaining about having to drink beer at a tailgate? If you are, you don’t wanna win.
53. Never skip work the following Monday after your team loses a big game. Take your medicine like a real fan.
This rule fits in with the old schoolyard “Be a Man, Don’t Rub It” Rule. If your team loses, suck it up, be a man and take the verbal bashing that is allowed to be thrown at you by co-workers who are fans of rival teams (bashers, do not go overboard for fear that you may jinx your team and will be the bashee next week). You deserve it because your team is an extension of you, and you of your team… players still have to go to class on Monday (unless they play in the SEC), and the coaches still have to do their radio shows, TV appearances, press conferences etc., so why shouldn’t you have to show up to work? Be a man, don’t rub it.
Week 3 Top Games & Picks
(Each week, I will pick the top games to watch and give my take on what the final outcomes will be.)
After a wildly successful Week 1, I slipped a bit in Week 2 (should have gone out on that Costanza high note). Even with a 6-4 week, I am still 8 games over the .500 mark. This week has an interesting slate of games with some very difficult ones to pick. I am genuinely frightened right now.
#4 West Virginia (2-0) @ Maryland (2-0) – Thursday, 9/13, 7:45 PM, ESPN
Maryland is a good team, but West Virginia is one of the most talented teams in the entire nation. Steve Slaton, Patrick White and now freshman Noel Devine have the offense rolling for the Mountaineers. Holding this team under 35 points will be a difficult task for any defense. Maryland has some good players, but they don’t have the type of playmakers needed to hang with West Virginia.
The Pick: West Virginia
#22 Tennessee (1-1) @ #5 Florida (2-0) – Saturday, 9/15, 3:30 PM, CBS
This weekend, the boys from Old Rocky Top will go down to The Swamp to take on a Gator team that does not seem to have lost a step since last season. This is, however, Florida’s first real test of 2007. I think that Tennessee has a slight advantage because they are a more experienced team, and because they have already played a tough game this season (opening weekend against Cal). With that being said, I think that Florida will still win because they have better athletes overall than Tennessee does.
The Pick: Florida
Notre Dame (0-2) @ Michigan (0-2) – Saturday, 9/15, 3:30 PM, ABC
Coming in to 2007, who thought that this game could be given the nickname “The Toilet Bowl” and it wouldn’t have just been a joke. Notre Dame is one of the worst offensive teams in the nation (they still haven’t scored an offensive touchdown in ‘07), and Michigan is just plain bad right now. This game will be interesting to watch, simply for the fact that whichever coach loses might have a heart attack in frustration.
The Pick: Michigan
FIU (0-2) @ Miami (FL) (1-1) – Saturday, 9/15, 3:30 PM, ESPNU
Even though this game will be a rout anytime that there is a possible riot as an underlying story line to a football game, that is something that you have to watch. We all remember what happened last season, so this game will be interesting in ‘07, even though Miami may win by 50 points.
The Pick: Miami (FL)
#16 Arkansas (1-0) @ Alabama (2-0) – Saturday, 9/15, 6:45 PM, ESPN
Arkansas comes into Alabama looking to continue on their way to an SEC Title, and Darren McFadden is looking to move one step closer to the Heisman. Nick Saban has the Crimson Tide going in the right direction, but I believe that D-Fad and the rest of the Razorback offense will be too much for ‘Bama.
The Pick: Arkansas
Fresno St. (1-1) @ #19 Oregon (2-0) – Saturday, 9/15, 7:00 PM
Fresno St. is coming off of a tough, hard-fought loss at Texas A&M this past weekend, and Oregon is returning home from a HUGE victory in the Big House. The Autzen Zoo is a very tough place for a visiting team. Oregon is positioning themselves for a huge push in the Pac-10 this season, and I think that the Ducks will win this one easily.
The Pick: Oregon
#9 Louisville (2-0) @ Kentucky (2-0) – Saturday, 9/15, 7:30 PM, ESPN Classic
There is nothing like a good ol’ fashioned rivalry game in the Bluegrass State. Louisville comes into Lexington with a huge offense and some question marks on defense, while the Wildcats are looking to get a big win before SEC play begins. This could be one of the more interesting and fun to watch games of the week - it just stinks that it is on ESPN Classic and not a network that everybody has access to. This is a tough game to call because I believe that with Louisville’s lack of defense, Kentucky can surprise the Cardinals - but in the end, I have to go with the team with the best overall talent.
The Pick: Louisville
#21 Boston College (2-0) @ #15 Georgia Tech (2-0), Saturday, 9/15, 8:00 PM, ESPN2
The ACC Game of the Week features two teams looking to be playing for the conference title come December. This is an important game for each of these teams and should provide for some good action, yet it is another tough game to pick. BC’s offense is clicking right now, and Matt Ryan is looking very good. Tashard Choice is pacing the Ramblin’ Wreck, and after dropping 33 on Notre Dame and 69 against Samford, I think that the only tiebreaker in this game could be the home field advantage of the Yellow Jackets.
The Pick: Georgia Tech
#1 USC (1-0) @ #14 Nebraska (2-0) – Saturday, 9/15, 8:00 PM, ABC
This week’s college football Game of the Week takes place in Lincoln in front of the Sea of Red. Last season, USC put a good ol’ fashioned (two “good ol’ fashioned” references in one article… gotta find a new phrase) butt whopping on the Huskers. This season, Nebraska is looking to avenge that loss and ruin the Trojans’ National Championship aspirations in the process. Nebraska’s famed Black Shirt defense is better than it has been in the last couple of years, but USC is still USC - until they are beaten, I cannot pick against them… this week at least.
The Pick: USC
#24 Hawaii (2-0) @ UNLV (1-1) – Saturday, 9/15, 9:30 PM
This game presents an interesting match-up between two very entertaining offenses. As we all know, Colt Brennan and Hawaii have that pass heavy Run-And-Shoot offense, and UNLV runs a spread option type offense. This game could end up with a score of 56-49 when it is all said and done. If it does become a shootout, you have to give the advantage to Hawaii.
The Pick: Hawaii
Last Week’s Record: 6-4
Overall Record: 13-5 |
