We Will Always Have Tempe: FanPosts

SB Nation Survey + Chance to donate $500 to a charity of this community's choice

2010-03-20T00:48:07Z

>> Take SB Nation Survey

Hello sports fans! We're always striving to provide you with the best experience possible and it's been quite some time since we checked in with you.

So we're rolling out this survey to learn more about you and your sports world. It should only take about 10 minutes to complete.

We really appreciate your time and this is also going to help make a donation to a good cause.

By next Thursday (3/25) at 11:59pm PST the site that has the highest percentage of their community filling out the attached survey about their sports interests and consumption will win $500 to donate to a charity of their choice. We will leave it up to the discretion of the community manager(s) of the winning blog to decide how to choose the particular charity.

You can take the survey HERE

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WYR2WQT

Thanks for your support!

OSU wins "Best of Big 10"/Big 10 Tour Complete!

2009-12-18T03:16:25Z

Greetings everyone,

Back in July, I decided to see what Big 10 football was all about... I put together a plan to visit every Big 10 school over 11 weekends as an unbiased spectator. I went from a naive/casual college football fan to becoming more addicted to this sport than ever before!

So all that being said, I've awarded my "Best of the Big 10 Awards." Clearly, I have no credibility on any of these subjects and I was likely influenced by the quality of the game, the weather, and the people around me. For what it's worth, here is what I thought was the best (http://www.thebig10tour.com/bests.html) in a variety of categories.

You'll see that via the link, OSU was named the greatest experience. Ohio Stadium is truely in a league of its own!!

As the grand finale to this tour, I am going to attend the Rose Bowl (http://www.thebig10tour.com/5/post/2009/12/i-want-the-rose-bowl.html). If any of you Buckeye fans are tailgating or want to share a beer in Pasadena, shoot me an email!

I am grateful to all of the OSU fans that I met in West Lafayette and Columbus. I've definitely made some lasting friendships with many Buckeye fans that you'll see throughout the blog (www.THEbig10tour.com) and I'll never forget how the OSU fans overshadowed the home crowd at Purdue on 10/ 17 and I hope to tailgate and share travel stories with the Buckeye fans next year!

Drew
11 stadiums/11 weekends
www.THEbig10tour.com

Ex-Buckeye talks Oregon's battle plan in Rose Bowl

2009-12-16T21:11:19Z

"I firmly believe that Jeremiah Masoli will have to make a handful of critical completions to keep drives alive."

Interesting to read the Masoli's arm might play a huge role in this one, with that crazy powerful run game they might not need the air attack!! I'm anxious to see if Ohio State's front four can slow down this read option offense. Not to mention if Ohio State's lethargic offense can actually score enough points!

Statistics, Or Why I Keep Telling Myself We Won't Get Clubbed Again

2009-12-15T00:16:38Z

(ed. note: This guy e-mailed me all this stat-wonk stuff the other day, and, rather than stealing it and labeling it as my own - like any good blogger - I recommended he post it as a fanpost. Well, he did, and I think it's a rather good yarn and a refreshingly fair (to both sides) departure from the YOUR CONFERENCE SUCKS / NO, YOUR CONFERENCE SUCKS crap that has permeated most discussions surrounding the Rose Bowl. Enjoy.)

As most everyone (last time I saw it, ESPN's poll had it ~75-25 in favor of Oregon) seems to be favoring Oregon, and as most of the arguments tend to run along the lines of: "Ohio State has never seen anything like Oregon's offense (did you know the BigTeleven sucks at offense?)" and the equally entertaining rebuttal of "well, Oregon has never seen anything like Ohio State's defense (your offense is only awesome because the Pac10 is terrible at defense)", I thought that it was time for some good old fashion statistics. Because, after all, statistics NEVER lie. Ever.

So, the method (all numbers from NCAA stats page, with games against FCS teams excised):

Offense- I removed Ohio State/Oregon's points and then recalculated the Scoring Defense value for each opponent (in ppg allowed). I then compared the points scored by Ohio State/Oregon to the season Scoring D value and averaged the % difference over the schedule. This gives a value of what, on average, the team did to their opponents compared to what all of the opponents' opponents did to the opponents. Or...something like that. Negative value means you scored less than expected, 0 means you scored the exact average, positive you scored more.

Results: Ohio State: +25.04%, or 1.25 times an opponent's Scoring D value

Oregon: +64.62%, or 1.64 times an opponent's scoring D value

So, as expected, Oregon appears to have a far more explosive offense. The problem for Oregon is when you try and do some extrapolating (which, with statistics, is always a great idea). Ohio State sports a stellar scoring D of 12.17 ppg, while Oregon's is a slightly less stellar 23.58 ppg. A little multiplication gives an expected game score (based on only Offensive Expected Output) of:

Ohio State: (1.25*23.58) = 29.475, or 29

Oregon : (1.65*12.17) = 20.081 or 20

And, all is well (from the Buckeye perspective). Since that went so well, why not the defense? Same method, just switch to opponent Scoring Offense and Ohio State/Oregon points allowed.

Defense: Ohio State: -54.62%, or 0.4538 times Opponent's Scoring O value

Oregon: -17.82%, 0.8218 times Opponent's Scoring O value

Again, the expected wins out and Ohio State appears to have the stouter D. Taking Scoring offense values for Ohio State (29.25) and Oregon (37.67) into account, the expected final score (D values only) becomes:

Ohio State: (0.8218*29.25) = 24.04, or 24

Oregon: (0.4538*37.67) = 17.09, or 17

So , either analysis predicts a close Ohio State win, with a combined average coming to:

Ohio State 26 Oregon 18

The idea with this was to come up with a way around the whole 'is the offense great because the defense sucks, or does the defense suck because the offense was great' rigmarole. In this method, I am not looking at strict rankings, but comparative measures. This allows for you to assume the crappiness of Big10 offenses (or Pac10 defenses) to your black heart's content. The point remains: even if offenses in the Big10 stunk, Ohio State still held them to less than half what everyone else held them to, on average. Conversely, even if Pac10 defenses were not so good, Oregon still blew them out of the water, and by far more than everyone else who had to good fortune to play them. Still, this isn't exactly gospel, seeing as I ignored all personnel match ups, special teams, and anything/everything else that plays a part in college football.

If anyone wants to see the actual charts, in all their number-y glory, please let me know. I also have similar data on rushing and passing attacks, but this was long enough already.

Go Bucks!

"Hello" from Eugene, OR

2009-12-07T08:06:53Z

I'm not here to trash talk, I'm actually here to discuss football! Crazy notion, eh? I'm hoping to shed some light on Oregon's team that Sam @ WWHAT didn't really explain to you all. By his post, it appears that he is going from what he has heard on ESPN and seen in statistics. Sam, I mean no disrespect by those statements, I just want to clear the air about Oregon's team.

Let's start with the notion that Oregon is a one-dimensional team. This is simply not true. Actually, Oregon has been so good running the ball through their zone-read that they simply haven't had to throw the ball that much. No one has really been able to "force" Oregon to pass, so, they continue to run the ball. Oregon's receiving corp might be the best blocking receivers in the country. Oreogn's OL is extremely quick and pulls to the outside much more effectively than Michigan was able to against you guys. Michigan has a long way to come to develop their offense to fit the scheme. Oregon is at the top of the pyramid in their ability to run the zone-read. I have never seen cameramen follow the wrong player so many times in one season. What tOSU is going to have to do is adjust to the zone read. You have to stay back on the play and not become too aggressive or Masoli will kill you. The thunder and lightening combination of LeGarrette Blount and LaMichael James is not easy to stop.

Next, let's talk about Masoli passing the ball. Masoli is actually extremely efficient and has simply gotten better and better as the season has progressed. His passing skills were the reason Oregon came back and beat Arizona with a 2-minute drive to send the game to OT. He loves to roll out and force defenders to come up on him and he will beat them over the top. The problem is, defenses try to keep him in the pocket and they learn that he stays very calm in the pocket and if needed, can still squeeze through small holes to escape pressure. He has much better cut skills and agility than Pryor and unlike Pryor, Masoli is small and compact at 5'11 and 220 pounds. Defenders have difficulty tackling him above the waist and it's not easy to get low on him because of his height. He also has a lot of "no-name" receivers who are very reliable and given far too little credit. His top targets are Jeffrey Maehl who is a 6'1 175 lb receiver with incredible hands and leaping ability and Ed Dickson who will be named 1st team all-Pac-10 at TE. He has 4.5 speed at 6'5 245 lbs.

Oregon's defense is incredibly fast. Their linebackers haven't been beaten by a running back all year besides Stanford. Stanford however has a QB, Andrew Luck, who has pinpoint accuracy with great receivers. As well, you don't have Toby Gerhart. From what I have seen, Ohio State's OL is not very impressive and I expect Oregon's speed at LB and DE to give Pryor fits. Oregon has had trouble in the secondary ever since our top corner and his backup were lost for the season to injuries, but they don't give up the big play. Oregon's defensive line is undersized, but has overachieved all season, beating up on USC's offensive line which many consider the best in the country. Watch out for TJ Ward at safety, he is a big hitter. As well, look for Casey Matthews at MLB. His brother CLay plays for the Packers and his Dad was an NFL pro-bowler. He is VERY tough up the middle.

Oregon has an automatic kicker, in Morgan Flint. Flint doesn't have great power, but phenomenal accuracy. He is 15/17 this year and has made 80 straight PATs. Oregon's kick-return specialist is Kenjon Barner and he is lightening.

Lastly, Oregon beats teams in the 2nd half. Oregon is VERY well conditioned. Chip Kelly has put them through an intense conditioning routine since the beginning of the fall camp. Oregon's run game takes advantage of it's quick play-calling and well conditioned offensive line to wear down opposing defenses.

Oregon is not unbeatable by any means, I simply don't believe tOSU to have the tools to expose our weaknesses.

Week 14 and 15 Predictions

2009-12-02T00:14:46Z

As there are fewer gimmie games this week, let's see if I can still keep up my 75% clip. Am also picking the Army-Navy game a week earlier.

ACC

Wins: GA Tech

Losses: Clemson

Big12

Wins: Texas

Losses: Nebraska

Big East

Wins: UConn, West VA, Cincinnati

Losses: South Fla, Rutgers, Pitt

Independents

Wins: Navy

Losses: Army

Big10

Wins: Wisconsin, Illinois

Pac10

Wins: Oregon, USC, Cal

Losses: Ore St, Arizona, Washington

SEC

Wins: Alabama,

Losses: Florida

C-USA

Wins: Houston

Losses: East Carolina

MAC

Wins: Ohio U

Losses: Cent Mich

Sun Belt

Wins: Ark St, FIU

Losses: West Kentucky, FAU

WAC

Wins: LA Tech, Boise St

Losses: Hawaii, Fresno St, San Jose St, New Mexico St

Regular Season Done: BC, Wake Forest, NC, Virginia, Duke, Fla St, Maryland, NC St, VA Tech, Miami FL, Kansas, Kansas St, Colorado, Iowa St, Oklahoma, Tex Tech, Okla St, Tex A&M, Missouri, Baylor, Louisville, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Penn St, Ohio St, Mich St, Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota, Purdue, Michigan, Indiana, Stanford, AZ St, UCLA, Wash St, South Carolina, Vandy, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ole Miss, LSU, Arkansas, Auburn, Miss St, Georgia, South Miss, Marshall, UCF, Tulsa, Rice, SMU, Memphis, UAB, UTEP, Tulane, Buffalo, Temple, Kent St, Ball St, Bowling Green, Akron, Miami OH, West Mich, Nor Illinois, East Mich, Toledo, Utah, Air Force, UNLV, Wyoming, BYU, Colo St, New Mexico, SDSU, TCU, Troy, LA-Lafayette, Mid Tenn St, LA-Monroe, Nor Texas, Nevada, Utah St, Idaho

Visitor from Austin, TX

2009-11-25T21:33:59Z

Hey all,

I'm a senior at the University of Texas at Austin who is planning to spend my Thanksgiving and Christmas at Columbus, OH. With that said, exactly what is there to do in Columbus? I understand this is the wrong place to post this type of entry but I am quite desperate.

The idea of being locked inside my parents' house for 4 weeks sound quite hellish to me. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Week 13 Predictions

2009-11-24T23:02:40Z

With the Big10 basically done, here are this week's selections.

ACC

Wins: Miami FL, GA Tech, BC, Duke, NC, VA Tech, Clemson

Losses: Fla St, Maryland, Wake Forest, NC St, Virginia

Big12

Wins: Texas, Nebraska, Okla St, Tex Tech, Missouri

Losses: Tex A&M, Colorado, Oklahoma, Baylor, Kansas

Bye: Kansas St, Iowa St

Big East

Wins: Rutgers, Pitt, Cincinnati, UConn

Losses: South Fla, Louisville, West VA, Syracuse

Independents

Wins: Navy

Losses: Notre Dame

Bye: Army

Big10

Wins:

Losses: Illinois,

Bye: Penn St, Ohio St, Mich St, Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Purdue, Michigan, Indiana

Pac10

Wins: Stanford, Arizona, Washington, USC

Losses: AZ St, Wash St, UCLA

Bye: Oregon, Ore St, Cal

SEC

Wins: Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss, LSU

Losses: Georgia, South Carolina, Auburn, Kentucky, Miss St, Arkansas

Bye: Vandy

C-USA

Wins: Tulsa, Houston, East Carolina, UAB, SMU, Marshall

Losses: Memphis, Rice, South Miss, UCF, Tulane, UTEP

MAC

Wins: West Mich, Bowling Green, Akron, Cent Mich, Ohio U, Kent St

Losses: Ball St, Toledo, East Mich, Nor Illinois, Temple, Buffalo

Bye: Miami OH

MWC

Wins: Wyoming, TCU, Utah, UNLV

Losses: Colo St, New Mexico, BYU, SDSU

Bye: Air Force

Sun Belt

Wins: Ark St, LA-Monroe, FAU, Troy

Losses: Nor Texas, Mid Tenn St, West Kentucky, LA-Lafayette

Bye: FIU

WAC

Wins: Boise St, Idaho, San Jose St

Losses: Hawaii, Nevada, Utah St, New Mexico St

Bye: Fresno St, LA Tech

Week 12 Predictions

2009-11-15T08:06:52Z

Posting these a bit early. No games til Wednesday and finally no Sunday game.

Anyways, here they are:

ACC

Wins: Fla St, BC, Clemson, VA Tech, Miami FL

Losses: Maryland, NC, Virginia, NC St, Duke

Bye: Wake Forest, GA Tech

Big12

Wins: Okla St, Iowa St, Nebraska, Texas, Tex Tech, Tex A&M

Losses: Colorado, Missouri, Kansas St, Kansas, Oklahoma, Baylor

Big East

Wins: South Fla, Rutgers

Losses: Louisville, Syracuse, UConn

Bye: Pitt, West VA, Cincinnati

Independents

Wins: Notre Dame, Army

Bye: Navy

Big10

Wins: Wisconsin, Purdue, Penn St, Ohio St, Iowa

Losses: Northwestern, Indiana, Mich St, Michigan, Minnesota

Bye: Illinois

Pac10

Wins: Oregon, Stanford, AZ St, Ore St

Losses: Arizona, Cal, UCLA, Wash St

Bye: USC, Washington

SEC

Wins: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama, Tennessee

Losses: Miss St, Kentucky, LSU, Vandy

Bye: South Carolina, Auburn

C-USA

Wins: Houston, UCF, UAB, UTEP, SMU, South Miss

Losses: Memphis, Tulane, East Carolina, Rice, Marshall, Tulsa

MAC

Wins: Buffalo, Cent Mich, Bowling Green, Toledo, Temple, Nor Illinois

Losses: Miami OH, Ball St, Akron, East Mich, Kent St, Ohio U

Bye: West Mich

MWC

Wins: TCU, Air Force, Utah, Colo St

Losses: Wyoming, BYU, SDSU, New Mexico

Bye: UNLV

Sun Belt

Wins: Mid Tenn St, Troy, LA-Monroe

Losses: Nor Texas, FIU, Ark St, FAU, LA-Lafayette

Bye: West Kentucky

WAC

Wins: Boise St, Fresno St, Hawaii, Nevada

Losses: Utah St, LA Tech, San Jose St, New Mexico St

Bye: Idaho

Week 11 Predictions

2009-11-09T23:01:27Z

Another week done, another week of picks ... Thankfully only a few more weeks of gumming up WWAHT ;)

ACC

Wins: VA Tech, GA Tech, Clemson, Miami FL, Fla St, BC

Losses: Maryland, Duke, NC St, NC, Wake Forest, Virginia

Big12

Wins: Iowa St, Okla St, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas St

Losses: Colorado, Tex Tech, Tex A&M, Baylor, Kansas, Missouri

Big East

Wins: Rutgers, Cincinnati, Pitt, Syracuse

Losses: South Fla, West VA, Louisville

Bye: UConn

Independents

Wins: Army, Navy

Losses: Notre Dame

Big10

Wins: Minnesota, Ohio St, Penn St, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Mich St,

Losses: Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Purdue

Pac10

Wins: Arizona, USC, Ore St, UCLA, Oregon

Losses: Cal, Stanford, Washington, Wash St, AZ St

SEC

Wins: Arkansas, Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, LSU

Losses: Georgia, Ole Miss, Vandy, Miss St, South Carolina

C-USA

Wins: Houston, UAB, SMU, Tulane, Marshall, East Carolina

Losses: UCF, Memphis, UTEP, Rice, South Miss, Tulsa

MAC

Wins: Ohio U, Cent Mich, Bowling Green, Nor Illinois, Temple, West Mich

Losses: Buffalo, Toledo, Miami OH, Ball St, Akron, East Mich

Bye: Kent St

MWC

Wins: BYU, Air Force, TCU, Wyoming

Losses: New Mexico, UNLV, Utah, SDSU

Bye: Colo St

Sun Belt

Wins: LA-Monroe, LA-Lafayette, FAU, FIU

Losses: Troy, West Kentucky, Mid Tenn St, Ark St, Nor Texas

WAC

Wins: Boise St, Nevada, Utah St, Hawaii

Losses: LA Tech, Idaho, San Jose St, Fresno St, New Mexico St

THE t-shirts ??

2009-11-06T22:05:00Z

Hi Ohio State fans,

I'm looking for an Ohio State t-shirt for a friend of mine. He says they make have a shirt that just says, "THE" on it? I can't track one down on the web anywhere, but was hoping you guys would be able to help out ...

Any ideas? A link would be very helpful. And if they don't have these shirts ... why not make them? Pretty obvious who THE stands for!

Thanks,
Nate, Denver Stiffs.com

Bowl Guesstimates Post Week 9

2009-11-04T22:21:53Z

Doubtful I get half of these right, but oh well here goes my best guess as to where everyone plays this postseason.

Only 7 win team without a bowl would be Kent St at 7-5. The replacements are my best guesses for those conferences that cannot fill all their spots. I have no idea the pecking order of how those bowls would determine who goes where.

National Championship Game: Alabama 13-0 vs Texas 13-0 (BCS #1 vs BCS #2)

Orange Bowl: GA Tech 12-1 vs Cincinnati 12-0 (ACC #1 vs BCS [pick-Big East champ])

Fiesta Bowl: Penn St 11-1 vs USC 10-2 (Big 12 champ replacement vs at-large #1)

Sugar Bowl: Florida 12-1 vs TCU 12-0 (SEC champ replacement vs at-large #2)

Rose Bowl: Iowa 11-1 vs Oregon 11-1 (Big10 #1 vs Pac10 #1)

GMAC: Mid Tenn 8-4 St vs Central Michigan 11-2 (ACC #9 replacement vs MAC #1)

International: Rutgers 9-3 vs Ohio U 8-4 (BigEast #5 vs MAC #3)

Liberty: Houston 12-1 vs Ole Miss 7-5 (CUSA #1 vs SEC #6/7)

Cotton: Nebraska 8-5 vs Auburn 8-4 (Big12 #2 vs SEC #3/4 [West champ])

Alamo: Mich St 6-6 vs Okla St 9-3 (Big 10 #5 vs Big 12 #4)

PapaJohns: West Virginia 9-3 vs Miss St 6-6 (Big East #4 vs SEC #9)

Gator: Miami FL 10-2 vs Notre Dame 9-3 (ACC #3 vs Big East #2/Notre Dame)

Capitol One: LSU 10-2 vs Wisconsin 10-2 (SEC #2 vs Big 10 #2)

Outback: Ohio St 9-3 vs South Carolina 7-5 (Big 10 #3 vs SEC #3/4 [East champ])

Chick-Fil-A: Tennessee 7-5 vs Clemson 9-4 (SEC #5 vs ACC #2)

Insight: Iowa St 7-5 vs Northwestern 6-6 (Big 12 #6 vs Big 10 #6)

Sun: California 8-4 vs Kansas St 7-5 (Pac 10 #3 vs Big 12 #5)

Armed Forces: Air Force 7-5 vs Marshall 8-4 (MWC #3 vs CUSA #3)

Holiday: Oergon St 8-4 vs Oklahoma 9-3 (Pac 10 #2 vs Big 12 #3)

Texas: Texas A&M 7-5 vs Navy 9-4 (Big 12 #8 vs CUSA/Navy)

Humanitarian: Boise St 13-0 vs Northern Illinois 7-5 (WAC #1 vs MWC #5 replacement)

Sports: VA Tech 9-3 vs Minnesota 7-5 (ACC #4 vs Big 10 #4)

Eaglebank: LA-Monroe 8-4 vs SMU 7-5 (ACC #8 vs Army/CUSA #6)
Independence: Kentucky 6-6 vs Texas Tech 7-5 (SEC #8 vs Big12 #7)

Music City: Boston College 9-3 vs Georgia 6-6 (ACC #5 vs SEC #6/7)

Emerald: Arizona 8-4 vs Florida St 6-6 (Pac 10 #4 vs ACC #7)

Meinecke: Pitt 9-3 vs North Carolina 7-5 (Big East #3 vs ACC #6)

Pizza: Temple 9-4 vs Michigan 6-6 (MAC #2 vs Big 10 #7)

Hawaii: Idaho 9-3 vs East Carolina 7-6 (WAC #2 vs CUSA #2)

Poinsettia: Utah 9-3 vs Bowling Green 7-5 (MWC #2 vs Pac 10 #6 replacement)

Las Vegas: BYU 10-2 vs Stanford 6-6 (MWC #1 vs Pac 10 #5)

New Orleans: Southern Miss 7-5 vs Troy 8-4 (CUSA #4 vs Sun Belt #1)

St. Petersburg: South Florida 8-4 vs UCF 7-5 (Big East #6 vs CUSA #5)

New Mexico: Nevada 8-4 vs San Diego St 6-6 (WAC #3 vs MWC #4)

Had to slide Big East teams down one notch when Gator takes Notre Dame.

Big 10 Tour visits Columbus 11/14!!!

2009-11-04T18:47:19Z

Greetings OSU fans,

I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase “saving the best for last.”

Well over the past 10 weekends, I’ve been traveling to every Big Ten school in the nation to do some tailgating, watch a football game, see the sights, try the local fare, and more.

When building the schedule, I intentionally saved Ohio State for last

So while I only have 40 hours in Columbus, I’m looking for your suggestions – Where should I tailgate (& how much is it to tailgate there), what bars/restaurants should I stop in at, what sights should I get a photograph of/with, what traditions should I be watching for during the game?

To get a look at what we’ve accomplished to date, check this out: www.THEbig10tour.com.

Personally, I feel that Iowa is the most overrated team in college football and should NOT be representing the Big Ten in Pasadena, so I’ll be cheering for the Buckeyes!

Thanks a lot!

Drew Cieszynski

Some of our previous stops:

http://www.thebig10tour.com/penn-state.html

http://www.thebig10tour.com/minnesota.html

http://www.thebig10tour.com/northwestern.html

http://www.thebig10tour.com/illinois.html

http://www.thebig10tour.com/iowa.html

http://www.thebig10tour.com/michigan-state.html

http://www.thebig10tour.com/purdue.html

http://www.thebig10tour.com/michigan.html

Week 10 Predictions

2009-11-02T21:09:33Z

And onto another week of picks. More midweek games starting this week and through the end of the season. Also, seems to be Sunday games the next few weeks. That really makes my "rankings" a bit more difficult, so I may have to wait until Sun nite to crank those numbers instead.

ACC

Wins: VA Tech, GA Tech, NC St, Clemson, Miami FL, NC

Losses: Wake Forest, Maryland, Fla St, Virginia, Duke

Bye: BC

Big12

Wins: Tex A&M, Okla St, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas

Losses: Colorado, Iowa St, Baylor, Nebraska, Kansas St

Bye: Tex Tech

Big East

Wins: Cincinnati, Pitt, West VA

Losses: UConn, Syracuse, Louisville

Bye: Rutgers, South Fla

Independents

Wins: Notre Dame

Losses: Navy, Army

Big10

Wins: Wisconsin, Mich St, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Penn St

Losses: Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio St

Pac10

Wins: Washington, Arizona, Oregon, Cal, USC

Losses: UCLA, Wash St, Stanford, Ore St, AZ St

SEC

Wins: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Miss St

Losses: LSU, South Carolina, Vandy

Bye: Ole Miss

C-USA

Wins: UAB, SMU, UTEP, Houston

Losses: East Carolina, UCF, Memphis, Rice, Tulane, Tulsa

Bye: South Miss, Marshall

MAC

Wins: Bowling Green, Temple, Nor Illinois, Kent St

Losses: West Mich, Buffalo, Miami OH, East Mich, Akron

Bye: Ball St, Ohio U, Cent Mich, Toledo

MWC

Wins: Air Force, BYU, TCU, Utah, UNLV

Losses: Wyoming, SDSU, New Mexico, Colo St

Sun Belt

Wins: LA-Monroe, Mid Tenn St, Troy, LA-Lafayette

Losses: FAU, Nor Texas, FIU, West Kentucky, Ark St

WAC

Wins: Boise St, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada

Losses: LA Tech, Utah St, Fresno St, San Jose St

Bye: New Mexico St

Week 9 Predictions

2009-10-27T22:15:53Z

A few tough matchups this week.

Would love to see Georgia pull of the upset (not that I picked that) and I did take Oregon at home vs USC which will probably come back to bite me.

Onto the picks ......

ACC

Wins: VA Tech, Fla St, Clemson, Miami FL, Virginia, GA Tech

Losses: NC, NC St, BC, Wake Forest, Duke

Bye: Maryland

Big12

Wins: Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa St, Tex Tech, Oklahoma, Okla St,

Losses: Baylor, Colorado, Tex A&M, Kansas, Kansas St, Texas,

Big East

Wins: West VA, UConn, Cincinnati, Louisville

Losses: South Fla, Rutgers, Syracuse

Bye: Pitt

Independents

Wins: Navy, Notre Dame

Bye: Army

Big10

Wins: Ohio St, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Penn St, Mich St

Losses: Purdue, Indiana, Illinois, Northwestern, Minnesota

Pac10

Wins: Cal, Ore St, USC

Losses: Wash St, AZ St, UCLA, Oregon

Bye: Arizona, Stanford, Washington

SEC

Wins: Auburn, Florida, Arkansas, Miss St, Tennessee, LSU

Losses: Vandy, Ole Miss, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina

Bye: Alabama

C-USA

Wins: East Carolina, Houston, SMU, UTEP, Marshall

Losses: Tulane, Memphis, South Miss, Tulsa, UAB, UCF

Bye: Rice

MAC

Wins: Cent Mich, Ohio U, Nor Illinois, Kent St, Toledo,

Losses: Temple, East Mich, Ball St, Akron, West Mich, Miami OH,

Bye: Buffalo, Bowling Green

MWC

Wins: Air Force, TCU, SDSU, Utah

Losses: Colo St, UNLV, New Mexico, Wyoming

Bye: BYU

Sun Belt

Wins: LA-Lafayette, FAU, Nor Texas, Troy

Losses: Ark St, FIU, Mid Tenn St, West Kentucky, LA-Monroe

WAC

Wins: Boise St, Nevada, Idaho, Fresno St

Losses: New Mexico St, San Jose St, Hawaii, LA Tech, Utah St

Week 8 Predictions

2009-10-20T19:27:14Z

Not a whole lot of upsets to choose from this week. But that probably means there will be a lot more and my numbers will suffer because of it.

C'est la vie ...

ACC

Wins: NC, Miami FL, GA Tech, Duke

Losses: Fla St, Clemson, Virginia, Maryland, BC, Wake Forest

Bye: NC St, VA Tech

Big12

Wins: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas St, Nebraska, Okla St, Tex Tech

Losses: Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa St, Baylor, Tex A&M

Big East

Wins: Rutgers, Pitt, West VA, Syracuse, Cincinnati

Losses: South Fla, UConn, Louisville

Independents

Wins: Notre Dame, Navy,

Losses: Army

Big10

Wins: Indiana, Ohio St, Purdue, Penn St, Mich St

Losses: Northwestern, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa

Bye: Wisconsin

Pac10

Wins: Oregon, Cal, Arizona, USC, Stanford

Losses: Washington, Wash St, UCLA, Ore St, AZ St

SEC

Wins: Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, LSU, Florida

Losses: Ole Miss, Tennessee, Kentucky, Vandy, Auburn, Miss St

Bye: Georgia

C-USA

Wins: UTEP, Marshall, UCF, South Miss, Houston

Losses: Tulsa, UAB, Rice, Tulane, SMU

Bye: East Carolina, Memphis

MAC

Wins: Cent Mich, Nor Illinois, East Mich, Ohio U, West Mich, Toledo

Losses: Akron, Bowling Green, Miami OH, Ball St, Kent St, Buffalo, Temple

MWC

Wins: Colo St, Utah, TCU, UNLV

Losses: SDSU, Air Force, BYU, New Mexico

Bye: Wyoming

Sun Belt

Wins: LA-Monroe, Mid Tenn St, Troy, LA-Lafayette, Ark St

Losses: West Kentucky, Nor Texas, FAU, FIU

WAC

Wins: LA Tech, Nevada, New Mexico St, Boise St

Losses: Utah St, Idaho, Fresno St, Hawaii

Bye: San Jose St

Week 7 Predictions

2009-10-13T18:04:05Z

After a good week, that usually means a poor week the following. Let's see if I can change that.

Took GA Tech in the upset this week, just cause they are at home .... would love to see Oklahoma and Tex Tech pull off upsets, but no confidence in doing so .... I think Cincy exposes South Fla this week .... took Iowa on the road, but would not be surprised to see Wiscy win at home ... hopefully Cal rights their ship after a bye week and I am not convinced Stanford can win on the road .... for BCS chaos, we need Arkansas and/or South Carloina to step us this week.

ACC

Wins: Wake Forest, BC, Virginia, GA Tech, Miami FL

Losses: Clemson, NC St, Maryland, VA Tech

Bye: NC, Duke, Fla St

Big12

Wins: Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa St, Tex A&M, Missouri

Losses: Oklahoma, Tex Tech, Colorado, Baylor, Kansas St, Okla St

Big East

Wins: Cincinnati, Pitt, UConn, West VA

Losses: South Fla, Rutgers, Louisville

Bye: Syracuse

Independents

Wins: Army, Navy

Losses: Notre Dame

Big10

Wins: Mich St, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio St, Penn St, Indiana

Losses: Northwestern, Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois

Pac10

Wins: USC, Cal, Arizona, AZ St

Losses: UCLA, Stanford, Washington

Bye: Oregon, Ore St, Wash St

SEC

Wins: Georgia, Miss St, Ole Miss, Florida, Auburn, Alabama

Losses: Vandy, Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina

Bye: Tennessee, LSU

C-USA

Wins: East Carolina, Houston, South Miss

Losses: UCF, Marshall, SMU, UAB, Tulsa, Rice, Tulane, Memphis

Bye: UTEP

MAC

Wins: Bowling Green, Ohio U, Buffalo, Cent Mich, Kent St, Nor Illinois

Losses: Temple, Ball St, Miami OH, Akron, West Mich, East Mich, Toledo

MWC

Wins: Air Force, TCU, BYU, Utah

Losses: Wyoming, Colo St, SDSU, UNLV

Bye: New Mexico

Sun Belt

Wins: LA-Monroe, LA-Lafayette, Nor Texas, Troy

Losses: Mid Tenn St, Ark St, West Kentucky, FAU, FIU

WAC

Wins: Boise St, Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico St, Fresno St

Losses: Utah St, Hawaii, LA Tech, San Jose St

Week 6 predictions

2009-10-08T21:14:31Z

After my first difficult week, hopefully time for some bounceback.

Although i called the Troy game correctly (see Week 5 thread). Am switching my pick on Nevada/LA Tech game after seeing Nevada put up 60+ points last week.

Also, a few other comments ...

Took VA Tech at home, but BC is playing well and I think Fla St keeps sliding.... I think Nebraska, Tex A&M and Kansas are frauds so far, but I think Kansas squeaks one out this week.... welcome back to the living Mich St, lets see if you make it two straight (I knew I should have taken them last week, argh) .....also took Purdue in an upset .... I hope Stanford wins, but took the home team as Ore St plays well at home .... picked one upset in Tennessee over GA and am guessing Tebow doesn't play, so I took LSU.

ACC

Wins: VA Tech, NC, NC St, Wake Forest, Miami FL, GA Tech

Losses: BC, Virginia, Duke, Maryland, Fla St

Bye: Clemson

Big12

Wins: Missouri, Okla St, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tex Tech, Texas

Losses: Nebraska, Tex A&M, Iowa St, Baylor, Kansas St, Colorado

Big East

Wins: West VA, Rutgers, Pitt

Losses: Syracuse, UConn, Louisville

Bye: South Fla, Cincinnati

Independents

Wins: Army, Navy

Losses:

Bye: Notre Dame

Big10

Wins: Indiana, Northwestern, Purdue, Penn St, Mich St, Ohio St, Iowa

Losses: Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan

Pac10

Wins: Oregon, AZ St, Ore St, Arizona

Losses: UCLA, Wash St, Stanford, Washington

Bye: USC, Cal

SEC

Wins: Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, LSU

Losses: Vandy, Arkansas, Georgia, Miss St, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Florida

C-USA

Wins: South Miss, Houston, Tulane, UTEP, East Carolina

Losses: Rice, Marshall, Memphis, SMU

Bye: UCF, Tulsa, UAB

MAC

Wins: Cent Mich, Temple, Buffalo, Kent St, Ohio U, West Mich

Losses: Miami OH, East Mich, Ball St, Bowling Green, Akron, Toledo

Bye: Nor Illinois

MWC

Wins: Wyoming, Utah, TCU, BYU

Losses: New Mexico, Colo St, Air Force, UNLV

Bye: SDSU

Sun Belt

Wins: Troy, FIU, LA-Lafayette

Losses: Mid Tenn St, West Kentucky, Nor Texas

Bye: Ark St, FAU, LA-Monroe

WAC

Wins: Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico St, Hawaii

Losses: LA Tech, San Jose St, Utah St, Fresno St

Bye: Boise St

Week 5 Predictions

2009-09-30T04:42:10Z

I really, really have little confidence this will turn out to be a good week results wise. It seemed to me at least 75% of the favored/higher ranked team are on the road this week. Home teams always sneak out a few wins here and there.

I honestly don't think Mich St is all that bad, but until they win a game, I can't pick them anymore.

ACC

Wins: Clemson, VA Tech, NC, Fla St, Wake Forest, GA Tech

Losses: Maryland, Duke, Virginia, BC, NC St, Miami FL

Big12

Wins: Oklahoma, Kansas St, Tex Tech

Losses: Colorado, Iowa St, Baylor, Tex A&M

Bye: Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Okla St, Missouri

Big East

Wins: West VA, Pitt, South Fla, Cincinnati

Losses: Louisville, Syracuse

Bye: Rutgers, UConn

Independents

Wins: Army, Notre Dame

Losses: Navy

Big10

Wins: Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa, Penn St, Ohio St

Losses: Mich St, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, Indiana

Pac10

Wins: Stanford, AZ St, Cal, Oregon

Losses: Washington, UCLA, Ore St, USC, Wash St

Bye: Arizona

SEC

Wins: Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Auburn

Losses: Miss St, Kentucky, LSU, Vandy, Tennessee

Bye: Florida

C-USA

Wins: South Miss, East Carolina, UCF, Tulsa, Houston

Losses: Tulane, UAB, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, SMU, UTEP

MAC

Wins: Kent St, Toledo, East Mich, Cent Mich, Nor Illinois, Bowling Green

Losses: Miami OH, Ball St, Temple, Buffalo, West Mich, Ohio U

Bye: Akron

MWC

Wins: Air Force, TCU, BYU, Wyoming, UNLV, Colo St

Losses: New Mexico, SDSU

Bye: Utah

Sun Belt

Wins: LA-Monroe

Losses: Ark St, FAU, FIU

Bye: Troy, LA-Lafayette, Mid Tenn St, Nor Texas, West Kentucky

WAC

Wins: New Mexico St, LA Tech, Boise St

Losses: Utah St, Nevada, Idaho, Hawaii

Bye: Fresno St, San Jose St

Thank You Thank You Thank You

2009-09-28T21:09:59Z

There is no point to this post, as far as actual discussion. I haven't actually posted on SB before, but I just gotta say, Malcolm Jenkins is the man.

I'm a Saints fan. This kid has already been worth the pick on special teams alone. I had dreams of getting him before he decided to return for his senior year, and it was one of those things where as a fan I was thinking "yeah right, we'll never get that lucky. The perfect player to improve our shitty secondary? Right..."

But he fell to us a year later, because people care about 40 times too much. Through three weeks he's got two forced fumbles on spec. teams, chased down a possible return to the house, and completely shut DeSean Jackson down. He just makes plays. Smart, and incredibly sound on fundamentals.

I just had to say this somewhere, so I tracked down the blog. Jenkins is filthy good. Thank you.