Here we go for another week.
NCAA
JR: CLEM, OHIO, OLE, RUT, A&M, TROY, ULL, SOMISS, GEO, HAW
JG: OKST, FSU, BC, MN, FIU, MIZZ, NW, PSU, UCLA, KST
MR: OKST, IOWA, MISST, TT, MIZZ, TCU, PSU, UTAH, KAN, KST
MK: CMU, COL, USF, OHIOST, IOWA, PSU, A&M, UCLA, NTEX, STAN
AW: BUFF, BC, IOWA, ARK, OK, NILL, WIS, PUR, GEO, KST
GR: CMU, COL, BOISE, IOWA, OK, ND, PSU, RUT, BYU, STAN
MH: BOISE, OHIOST, IOWA, ND, WIS, IND, PSU, ORE, TEX, STAN
MC: BALLST, AKR, KENT, OHIO, UCF, ECU, BYU, UTAH, LT, SOMISS
NFL
JR: CAR, IND, WAS, MIN, NE
JG: MIA, BUF, TB, STL, HOU
MR: IND, MIN, NO, CHI, HOU
MK: CAR, IND, DET, PHI, HOU
AW: CAR, IND, SF, MIN, PHI
GR: IND, GB, PIT, CIN, PHI
MH: IND, MIN, NO, ARI, PHI
MC: CAR, IND, WAS, MIN, ATL
Short on time unfortunately...so here's some quick notes on these games:
COL-OKST
I think OKST might roll these guys tonight. Robinson might not play, but COL is a lost cause at this point. This line has creeped as high as 19-20, so that might change the pick a bit...but I'll take OKST -14.5
BOISE-UTST
Call me crazy, but I'm still betting against BOISE. They will be looking ahead to their NEV showdown next week, and I think UTST catches them here and makes it a decent game. UTST covers!
NC-BC
Really wanted to take NC here, I thinh they are better and getting over 3 makes it a nice pick. But I'm too hesitant to bet against BC at home.
OHIOST-MICH
The whole world is waiting for this beatdown...which usually means it won't be. OHIOST wins easily, but MICH covers...28-20.
VIR-CLEM
VIR = done. coach is dead and team is terrible.
CLEM = looking to clinch and cracking heads w/GT for a BCS bid...also the outside Heisman hopes of Spiller against an inferior team...I feel a beatdown coming in favor of CLEM.
NCST-VT
I also like NCST this weekend to keep it close. They can score on most anyone, but stop nobody...19.5 is too much.
DUKE-MIA
I picked MIA, but I'm not real sure on this one. DUKE is sneaky when you totally count them out.
MISST-ARK
HOGS! They've been great when they haven't had to play ALA or FLA...they win handily over MISST.
FIU-FLA
I thought we'd have more takers on this (-43!!). Almost have to bet the dog, right? Even 1 TD might seal the deal for you. Basically the bet is: will FIU score Y/N?...I say YES.
OK-TT
No idea what happens here. OK has been routed in Lubbock a couple of times before, but I have been believing in this team all year. I'll pick the Sooners on D alone once again.
ISU-MIZZ
Clones go down big, should have put this one on my list. I think MIZZOU rolls.
UCONN-ND
People are saying that the world will end if UCONN wins this game...I think they might. They have a knack of hanging around in EVERY game they play and might be one of the best coached least talented teams around...the opposite of ND I guess. At +6 I'm taking UCONN, but I wouldn't bet on it because rule #1 for NCAA betting is never bet on a UCONN game...ever!
WIS-NW, PUR-IND, PSU-MSU
The B10 triple header at 2:30. I think WIS has to roll through NW without a doubt, IND surprises PUR in the rivalry game and wins at home as a DOG, and PSU puts Sparty in their place because they can't compete with JoePa.
LSU-OLE
LOVE OLE MISS - they are figuring it out, LSU is trending the wrong direction...LOVE OLE MISS!
RUT-SYR
How is this only at 8? This seems to be a lock unless RUT only brings like 6 guys...if they have 8 or more it a no-brainer. SYR has been losing a guy per day for like the last 2 weeks...bad to worse for coach Marrone.
BAY-A&M
Why do I pick A&M every week? I keep thinking they can score a bunch, which they do sometimes, but their D is sucky. BAY...well, everything about BAY is sucky so only giving 7.5 for a team that can score 50 on any given day is an easy win...right?
ARMY-NTEX
LOVE ARMY! Why? Not 100% sure, but I think this is a lock underdog win this week.
FAU-TROY
TROY at home - mark it down...W. 17 is not a problem, they roll every SBC opponent at home.
ORE-AZ
This could be a good one, but I'm still not an AZ believer. I think ORE comes out scoring and doesn't stop scoring for the entire game...Ducks roll 47-31
KAN-TEX
KAN is a mess right now, TEX is absolutely cruising. But 27 points against a team that can score at least a little? I'll probably regret it, but I'm calling for a KAN resurgence and cover at TEX.
ULM-ULL
Didn't think you'd get another SBC preveiw did ya? Well, I'm loving ULL this week as a home DOG...they are a much better team than ULM and are getting points!?! What am I missing?
VAN-TN
This might be the week where Vandy shows up...if it isn't, they'll have to wait until next year. Against a rival who is having as many issues as TN right now I think they might have a shot to cover.
CAL-STAN
Another rivalry game, LOVED STAN early this week but I've wavered on it. They are coming off 2 HUGE wins and CAL isn't a pushover at all. I think CAL comes in with some fire and STAN struggles...I have to pick STAN as I have been riding them all year, but not a lot of faith in this one.
TULSA-SOMISS
Tulsa is done. SOMISS is just getting fired up...I smell a killing in this one. SOMISS big!
UK-GEO
GEO may be turning the corner and possibly saving Richt's job...as crazy as that sounds. UK still isn't s good team and GEO will win easily.
KST-NEB
Who's excited for the B12 North showdown?!?! Nobody I guess. 15 pts is a little high for an inept offense like NEB, but I still have to pick them because they are a far superior team to KST...who because they have 2 FCS wins this year will lose this game and instead of going to the B12 Title game they won't even be bowl eligible. Gotta love the B12 North!
HAW-SJST
3.5, really? I don't think HAW is anything special, but how about SJST. They have broken 21 points one time all year, and give up 37/gm. One W is against Cal Poly...yep, 3.5 is too small for a team as bad as SJST. LOVE HAW!
NEV-NMST
NEV has been averaging 50 ppg over their last 6 (6-0) and absolutely destroying people with the run. NMST is one of the worst teams in the country. There last 4 games: 7-45, 3-34, 0-45, 6-24...31.5 might be covered in the 1st half. I think we may see NEV hit 100 points in this one.
NFL PICKS
Tonight I love CAR. No Ronny Brown to run the wildcat, so I think CAR runs wild and routes the shell-shocked Fins.
- IND over BAL might be the easiest pick of the year! BAL has regressed big time, INDY is playing so well and undefeated...but as a pick'em you have to think Vegas knows something.
- WAS covers 12 at DAL. The Boys looked awful last week and favoring them by 12 over anyone is too high.
- DET is a lock this week. Not very often you get to say that, but MK told me CLE has 5 offensive TD's in the last 15 games...wow. DET wins big?!?
- Liked SF earlier this week, but GB will probably crush them. They looked terrible and won against CHI last week, but the Pack is hitting their stride a bit and needs to keep winning so we have a little pressure on the Purple down the stretch run.
- BUFF should cover at JAC. New coach usually means a resurgence of energy, at least for one game. JAC will have 39 fans in attendance, so home field disadvantage will be in play as well.
- PIT is still a top 3 AFC team and KC is still a bottom 3 AFC team. I'll lay 10 pts without batting an eye.
- VIKES roll a horrible Seattle team this week. I think we worked out the kinks against DET and will look much better this week. We're covering machines!!
- NYG...WTF? Will they figure it out off the bye? Vegas is saying yes by making this a 7 pt line. No Michael Turner (think he's out) would lean me toward NYG, but I've lost too many times on this team...they need to prove it before I can pick them again. Go Falcons with +7!
- NO continues their non-covering ways and allow TB and the Josh Freeman experience a last second TD to cover.
- ARI rolls on the road again. STL still sucks, NO didn't play well last week so I still see no life in STL. I'll take ARIZONA and grocery-bagging Kurt.
- SD wins at DEN. Especially is Orton doesn't play, it could be ugly.
- LOVE NE this week! NYJ are showing everyone why they suck. PATS are coming in pissed and Belichick will be looking to make a statement about why he is still the smartest coach in the world. Pats 44-7
- CIN has to cover 9.5 at OAK, right? OAK is starting Bruce Gradkowski...yep. No need for any other info, but the sad thing is he'll probably be more effective than JaMarcus.
- PHI has to cover 2 in CHI, the Bears are terrible and this truly is their last chance!
- I'll take HOU on MNF...should be a high scoring affair and I think HOU passing game is the difference in slowing the MGray Sr. train down in TEN.
Finally...the 12th game of the year for your Golden Gophers...
MN at IOWA
Logic is out the window with this one. Iowa should be favored by more, so they should be the pick. They've trailed in every home game this year, and I think they will again on Saturday. JG is the only one who is going with blind faith and picking Timmy B this weekend. So the whole world loves Iowa this weekend. I started thinking, how have we done with overwhelming consensus picks this year in NCAA? Answer...17-24. So a good sign there. When do the Gophers play their best? When nobody expects it. WIS last year, Sparty this year, so this is a good sign because NOBODY is giving this team a chance this weekend. MGray is going to play more, this is a good thing. Iowa is still starting a RS Freshman at QB and has had NO running game all year...these are good things, too. What will happen?
GOPHERS score first, look like real-deal with a AWEB run for the 1st TD from 8 yards out...7-0 Gophers. Aaaaowa gets it and fizzles for the second drive in a row...they NEVER start fast at home in 2009. Gophers get crazy and play #5, he runs 5 times on the next drive for 50 yards and we end it with a Hoese TD run...14-0 Ski-u-mah! Varsity Blues guy throws a TD to McNutt (he's there best player IMO) 14-7...14-10 by half. At this point we're all just waiting for the collapse...and Timmy B and company don't disappoint.
Iowa dominates the 2nd half and wins the game 38-14. Brewster is fired. Everybody leaves, they fold up the program and call it a day. Super Joel gets a large loan from people with cash and goes out and entices his 2nd version of Tubby Smith to come and run the football progrum...Tommy Tuberville.
All of a sudden we're on the map. We have a real coach and we're comin'! we're comin'!
I'm not abandoning ship yet...but when even I can't come up with a positive outcome to the end of this season you know there's a problem. I'll keep supporting him until he's gone, which I didn't even think was a realistic possibility until this morning, but going out and getting a GREAT coach like Tuberville would be amazing. Then Gopher Nation would be out in full force and it would be a true resurgence.
God damn I hope we play well and win this weekend...but there's NO WAY I CAN CALL A GOPHER COVER.
Hoping I'm wrong for once.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Need Picks from...and Gopher News
ROE and HEINERT
Gopher News -
Sid posted an article this morning around a conversation with Maturi. I guess Joel "expects" Brew to be back next year but he is sending out the vibe that if we lose these last 2 his mind might change.
What?!?! How can you give a guy 3 years and done? Espeically a guy who you knew would need time to learn how to be a coach and improve the talent in the program. His recruits are all Sophs or RS Freshman and True Freshman right now...how can you not give him a 4th year, even at 6-7??
This is not the time for this kind of statement by our always moronic AD, let's hope to god that if a change is made we make it a wholesale one and send Jumpy Joel out the door with Brew. If Maturi has the job of finding the next coach this Winter, how can we like our chances any better than we did by sticking with Brew?
This leads into a lot of arguements I've been preparing for some posts that should have and would have come after the regular season and probably after the bowl game...but if Timmy B doesn't last that long then I guess we'll have to fire them up sooner than later. Sounds like a good project for the short T-Day week.
As soon as all picks are in I will send out the massively large, full update for Hate Week.
Go Gophs.
Gopher News -
Sid posted an article this morning around a conversation with Maturi. I guess Joel "expects" Brew to be back next year but he is sending out the vibe that if we lose these last 2 his mind might change.
What?!?! How can you give a guy 3 years and done? Espeically a guy who you knew would need time to learn how to be a coach and improve the talent in the program. His recruits are all Sophs or RS Freshman and True Freshman right now...how can you not give him a 4th year, even at 6-7??
This is not the time for this kind of statement by our always moronic AD, let's hope to god that if a change is made we make it a wholesale one and send Jumpy Joel out the door with Brew. If Maturi has the job of finding the next coach this Winter, how can we like our chances any better than we did by sticking with Brew?
This leads into a lot of arguements I've been preparing for some posts that should have and would have come after the regular season and probably after the bowl game...but if Timmy B doesn't last that long then I guess we'll have to fire them up sooner than later. Sounds like a good project for the short T-Day week.
As soon as all picks are in I will send out the massively large, full update for Hate Week.
Go Gophs.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Play Gray More...what?!?!
Apparently, Timmy B and Cousin Jedd had a revelation this week -
Marcus Fuller of the PiPress is reporting that #5 will see more action this week at QB and also more snaps than the usual in the Bowl Game.
Nice thought guys. I think the entire fan base has only been calling for this to happen since the SYR game. I wonder what put them over the edge? Is it that they wanted to lock up the bowl game before they took this huge "risk" or that they just were saving him for Iowa?
Either way - THANK GOD - maybe we're not as dumb as it has appeared throughout much of this year...but then again it's only a report so we'll see what happens on Saturday. As for the Bowl Game...why not start him? What's the difference? We're getting our share of the $$$ from the B10 pool so it's really a meaningless game. We've seen AWEB, so I think we could take a look at #5...then never see AWEB on the field again. Even if he's awful, it can't get much worse than AWEB this year.
My thoughts are starting to drift...-9.5 looked like an EASY pick earlier this week, but now....hmmmm. What has Iowa struggled with - mobile QB's. We'll have to let him throw to make it a threat, but I love giving him lots of time this weekend.
Let's pump it up....and we can build this dream together, standing strong forever....
Marcus Fuller of the PiPress is reporting that #5 will see more action this week at QB and also more snaps than the usual in the Bowl Game.
Nice thought guys. I think the entire fan base has only been calling for this to happen since the SYR game. I wonder what put them over the edge? Is it that they wanted to lock up the bowl game before they took this huge "risk" or that they just were saving him for Iowa?
Either way - THANK GOD - maybe we're not as dumb as it has appeared throughout much of this year...but then again it's only a report so we'll see what happens on Saturday. As for the Bowl Game...why not start him? What's the difference? We're getting our share of the $$$ from the B10 pool so it's really a meaningless game. We've seen AWEB, so I think we could take a look at #5...then never see AWEB on the field again. Even if he's awful, it can't get much worse than AWEB this year.
My thoughts are starting to drift...-9.5 looked like an EASY pick earlier this week, but now....hmmmm. What has Iowa struggled with - mobile QB's. We'll have to let him throw to make it a threat, but I love giving him lots of time this weekend.
Let's pump it up....and we can build this dream together, standing strong forever....
ATL - NYG Line...Vegas Gophers Love?
ATL
NYG -7
One other note on the Maroon and Gold.
Vegas started the line at IOWA -13...it has since shrunk to IOWA -10.
What do they know that we don't? I need to figure this out so I have a reason for taking the Gophers this weekend. Ideas? Let me know.
Still no line yet for SD at DEN.
NYG -7
One other note on the Maroon and Gold.
Vegas started the line at IOWA -13...it has since shrunk to IOWA -10.
What do they know that we don't? I need to figure this out so I have a reason for taking the Gophers this weekend. Ideas? Let me know.
Still no line yet for SD at DEN.
B10 vs. B12
JG brought this argument up this weekend via text, that I didn't check until early Sunday morning...but I needed more than a text to make a legit response to this. Basically, it read that some guy was trying to talk JG into the idea that the B10 is better than the B12.
Now the word "better" is not exactly clear...so let's look at it from a couple of different angles.
1) Best Team
Hands down, TEXAS. This arguement goes to the B12. Nobody in my favorite conference could play with this bunch - no chance.
2) Most Depth
This is debatable. The B10 has 4 teams that could finish with 10 wins...that's pretty solid. B10 also has a likely list of 7 bowl teams. As for the B12, only 2 teams have a legit chance at 10 win seasons (not counting bowl games or championship games). The B12 should have 8 bowl teams when it's all said and done...including one in the NC Game. One could argue that the B10 will have 2 BCS teams, but that's just a lack of other quality records around the country...I don't think the B10 sports 2 of the best 10 teams in the country, but 2 BCS spots counts for something.
Verdict on this one - B10 has more depth.
3) Non Conf Performance
B12
NEB playing close to VT, MIZZ crushing ILL, OKST beating GEO, ISU getting crushed by IOWA, OK losing to BYU and MIA, COL losing at WV...not a lot to hangt their hat on in out of conference play. The GEO win looks a lot less impressive right now than it did then, the VT close call is nice...but not a W. The MIZZOU win and ISU loss cancel each other out.
B10
IOWA beating AZ, MICH over ND, MSU losing to CMU and ND, MN over AF - this is a good win, WIS over FRES, PUR playing ORE and ND close, OHIOST losing to USC...again, NW losing to SYR. I don't see a W as impressive as the OKST over GEO in the B10 out of conf results. As a whole, more bad losses in the B10 than in the B12 and fewer big wins means the verdict on this one goes to the B12.
4) Head to Head (B10-B12 Challenge)
This is the most fun way to compare. Line 'em up, neutral field - who would win more games: (lined up according to Sagarin Ratings in USATODAY)
1. TEXAS vs. OHIOST = TEXAS 1-0 B12
2. OKST vs. IOWA = IOWA 1-1
3. OK vs. PSU = OK 2-1 B12, the D would eat up the poor OL of PSU
4. NEB vs. WIS = NEB is a pretty good team, if they can score they win NEB 3-1 B12
5. TT vs. MSU = TT is a better team this year. 4-1 B12
6. MIZZ vs. MN = Can't do it...MIZZ 5-1 B12
7. KAN vs. NW = KAN is better if they figure it out...6-1 B12
8. A&M vs. PUR = A&M wins a shootout...7-1 B12
9. KST vs. MICH = MICH can't beat anyone...8-1 B12
10. ISU vs. IND = IND should handle this one...8-2 B12
11. BAY vs. ILL = BAY is awful. B10 garbage is better than B12 garbage...8-3 B12
There you go...very subjective, but I think B12 wins this one in a land slide. Better offenses and some comparable defenses for most of the teams at the top.
B12 is "better"...at least for this year.
Let's hope we can settle it in the Bowls...well, one specifically...Tempe 12/31...
GOPHERS vs. CYCLONES - Game of the Year
Now the word "better" is not exactly clear...so let's look at it from a couple of different angles.
1) Best Team
Hands down, TEXAS. This arguement goes to the B12. Nobody in my favorite conference could play with this bunch - no chance.
2) Most Depth
This is debatable. The B10 has 4 teams that could finish with 10 wins...that's pretty solid. B10 also has a likely list of 7 bowl teams. As for the B12, only 2 teams have a legit chance at 10 win seasons (not counting bowl games or championship games). The B12 should have 8 bowl teams when it's all said and done...including one in the NC Game. One could argue that the B10 will have 2 BCS teams, but that's just a lack of other quality records around the country...I don't think the B10 sports 2 of the best 10 teams in the country, but 2 BCS spots counts for something.
Verdict on this one - B10 has more depth.
3) Non Conf Performance
B12
NEB playing close to VT, MIZZ crushing ILL, OKST beating GEO, ISU getting crushed by IOWA, OK losing to BYU and MIA, COL losing at WV...not a lot to hangt their hat on in out of conference play. The GEO win looks a lot less impressive right now than it did then, the VT close call is nice...but not a W. The MIZZOU win and ISU loss cancel each other out.
B10
IOWA beating AZ, MICH over ND, MSU losing to CMU and ND, MN over AF - this is a good win, WIS over FRES, PUR playing ORE and ND close, OHIOST losing to USC...again, NW losing to SYR. I don't see a W as impressive as the OKST over GEO in the B10 out of conf results. As a whole, more bad losses in the B10 than in the B12 and fewer big wins means the verdict on this one goes to the B12.
4) Head to Head (B10-B12 Challenge)
This is the most fun way to compare. Line 'em up, neutral field - who would win more games: (lined up according to Sagarin Ratings in USATODAY)
1. TEXAS vs. OHIOST = TEXAS 1-0 B12
2. OKST vs. IOWA = IOWA 1-1
3. OK vs. PSU = OK 2-1 B12, the D would eat up the poor OL of PSU
4. NEB vs. WIS = NEB is a pretty good team, if they can score they win NEB 3-1 B12
5. TT vs. MSU = TT is a better team this year. 4-1 B12
6. MIZZ vs. MN = Can't do it...MIZZ 5-1 B12
7. KAN vs. NW = KAN is better if they figure it out...6-1 B12
8. A&M vs. PUR = A&M wins a shootout...7-1 B12
9. KST vs. MICH = MICH can't beat anyone...8-1 B12
10. ISU vs. IND = IND should handle this one...8-2 B12
11. BAY vs. ILL = BAY is awful. B10 garbage is better than B12 garbage...8-3 B12
There you go...very subjective, but I think B12 wins this one in a land slide. Better offenses and some comparable defenses for most of the teams at the top.
B12 is "better"...at least for this year.
Let's hope we can settle it in the Bowls...well, one specifically...Tempe 12/31...
GOPHERS vs. CYCLONES - Game of the Year
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Week 12 Lines!
NFL Byes are over - final game of B10 season for Gophers...it's a big week.
BUFF
MIAOH 2.5 - WED
CMU
BALLST 17.5 - WED
COL
OKST -14.5 - THUR
AKR
BGU -13 - FRI
EMU
TOL -20 - FRI
BOISE
UTST 24.5 - FRI
MARY
FSU -17
LOU
USF -11.5
NC
BC -3.5
OHIOST
MICH 12
VIR
CLEM -19.5
NCST
VT -19.5
MN
IOWA -9.5
DUKE
MIA -17.5
MISST
ARK -10.5
FIU
FLA -43
OK
TT 4.5
KENT
TEM -12.5
MEM
HOU -23.5
ISU
MIZZ -13
NILL
OHIO 1
TULANE
UCF -19.5
TCU
WY 31
UCONN
ND -6
OREST
WASU 31
WIS
NW 6
PUR
IND 3.5
PSU
MSU 3.5
LSU
OLE -3
UAB
ECU -10
RUT
SYR 8
UTEP
RICE 6.5
BAY
A&M -7.5
AF
BYU -8
ASU
UCLA -4.5
ARMY
NTEX -2
SDST
UTAH -17
FAU
TROY -17
SMU
MARSH -3.5
ARKST
MDTN -12
LT
FRES -11
COLST
NM 5
ORE
AZ 5
KAN
TEX -27
ULM
ULL 2.5
VAN
TN -17
CAL
STAN -7
TULSA
SOMISS -7
UK
GEO -7.5
KST
NEB -15
HAW
SJST 3.5
NEV
NMST 31.5
NFL-------------------------------
MIA
CAR -3.5 - THUR
IND
BAL 0
WAS
DAL -12
CLE
DET -3.5
SF
GB -5.5
BUF
JAC -8
PIT
KC 10
SEA
MIN -11
ATL
NYG nothing yet - will update
NO
TB 11.5
ARI
STL 9
SD
DEN nothing yet - will update
NYJ
NE -10.5
CIN
OAK 9.5
PHI
CHI 2
TEN
HOU -3.5
BUFF
MIAOH 2.5 - WED
CMU
BALLST 17.5 - WED
COL
OKST -14.5 - THUR
AKR
BGU -13 - FRI
EMU
TOL -20 - FRI
BOISE
UTST 24.5 - FRI
MARY
FSU -17
LOU
USF -11.5
NC
BC -3.5
OHIOST
MICH 12
VIR
CLEM -19.5
NCST
VT -19.5
MN
IOWA -9.5
DUKE
MIA -17.5
MISST
ARK -10.5
FIU
FLA -43
OK
TT 4.5
KENT
TEM -12.5
MEM
HOU -23.5
ISU
MIZZ -13
NILL
OHIO 1
TULANE
UCF -19.5
TCU
WY 31
UCONN
ND -6
OREST
WASU 31
WIS
NW 6
PUR
IND 3.5
PSU
MSU 3.5
LSU
OLE -3
UAB
ECU -10
RUT
SYR 8
UTEP
RICE 6.5
BAY
A&M -7.5
AF
BYU -8
ASU
UCLA -4.5
ARMY
NTEX -2
SDST
UTAH -17
FAU
TROY -17
SMU
MARSH -3.5
ARKST
MDTN -12
LT
FRES -11
COLST
NM 5
ORE
AZ 5
KAN
TEX -27
ULM
ULL 2.5
VAN
TN -17
CAL
STAN -7
TULSA
SOMISS -7
UK
GEO -7.5
KST
NEB -15
HAW
SJST 3.5
NEV
NMST 31.5
NFL-------------------------------
MIA
CAR -3.5 - THUR
IND
BAL 0
WAS
DAL -12
CLE
DET -3.5
SF
GB -5.5
BUF
JAC -8
PIT
KC 10
SEA
MIN -11
ATL
NYG nothing yet - will update
NO
TB 11.5
ARI
STL 9
SD
DEN nothing yet - will update
NYJ
NE -10.5
CIN
OAK 9.5
PHI
CHI 2
TEN
HOU -3.5
Standings through Week 11 - what happens after football ends?
Great one last night! Anyone watch. I saw about 10 minutes worth and all of the scoring. Nice choice ESPN...thanks.
OVERALL
MR 87 78 52.7%
MC 86 79 52.1%
GR 85 80 51.5%
JR 83 82 50.3%
JG 81 84 49.1%
MK 81 84 49.1%
MH 79 86 47.9%
AW 78 87 47.3%
This happens every year as we approach the stretch run...Mike Roe begins his domination.
NFL
JR 28 22 56.0%
GR 25 25 50.0%
MR 25 25 50.0%
AW 24 26 48.0%
MH 22 28 44.0%
MK 22 28 44.0%
MC 21 29 42.0%
JG 21 29 42.0%
I dominate the NFL! Don't look at the next set though...
NCAA
MC 65 40 61.9%
MR 62 43 59.0%
JG 60 45 57.1%
GR 60 45 57.1%
MK 59 46 56.2%
MH 57 48 54.3%
JR 55 50 52.4%
AW 54 51 51.4%
MC at an impressive 62%...pretty awesome. Maybe we should follow suit and all just bet on SBC and MAC games! It's working for him. It is pretty amazing that nobody is under .500....yet. I still have plenty of time to sink even further!
So I've had a few questions about what happens next in the Football Challenge...you ask and I deliver:
1. College has about 4 weeks left, most are partial weeks with a smaller schedule and limited games. If there are less than 10 games to pick we will start adding in more NFL games to make up the difference.
2. Once NCAA regular season and championship games are over, we will be picking NFL games only for about 3 weeks I think. Once the NFL season is over we will determine our winner for the Football Challenge 2009.
3. But it doesn't end there. Part 2 of the Challenge ($20/guy will be needed for this challenge if you want in) begins with the Bowl Games right around the 2nd or 3rd week of DEC. Here's how it plays out:
- We pick all the bowl games ATS, the games are worth different amounts of points (the bigger games are worth more) but we pick them all and they all count.
- We add your final score in the bowl challenge to an NFL Playoff pool which is ranked very similar (early rounds worth less, Super Bowl worth most)
- Weighting will be similar to our regular season challenge...2/3 on NCAA, 1/3 NFL. (although after my performance in each this year I might have to consider changing this ;) )
We'll get into more details as we get closer, but this is the gist of it. In case you're wondering here is the payout for regular season: $280 to winner, $40 to 2nd...tie breaker is best NCAA record for season, 2nd tiebreaker is biggest total single week performance in entire year (MC current leader at 12-3 in wk9).
We'll deal with this when we get to it. I'll send out the week 12 lines...in 5, 4, 3, ..., ... (you didn't say 2 or 1...you don't say 2 or 1...why not?...you just don't mmmkay)
OVERALL
MR 87 78 52.7%
MC 86 79 52.1%
GR 85 80 51.5%
JR 83 82 50.3%
JG 81 84 49.1%
MK 81 84 49.1%
MH 79 86 47.9%
AW 78 87 47.3%
This happens every year as we approach the stretch run...Mike Roe begins his domination.
NFL
JR 28 22 56.0%
GR 25 25 50.0%
MR 25 25 50.0%
AW 24 26 48.0%
MH 22 28 44.0%
MK 22 28 44.0%
MC 21 29 42.0%
JG 21 29 42.0%
I dominate the NFL! Don't look at the next set though...
NCAA
MC 65 40 61.9%
MR 62 43 59.0%
JG 60 45 57.1%
GR 60 45 57.1%
MK 59 46 56.2%
MH 57 48 54.3%
JR 55 50 52.4%
AW 54 51 51.4%
MC at an impressive 62%...pretty awesome. Maybe we should follow suit and all just bet on SBC and MAC games! It's working for him. It is pretty amazing that nobody is under .500....yet. I still have plenty of time to sink even further!
So I've had a few questions about what happens next in the Football Challenge...you ask and I deliver:
1. College has about 4 weeks left, most are partial weeks with a smaller schedule and limited games. If there are less than 10 games to pick we will start adding in more NFL games to make up the difference.
2. Once NCAA regular season and championship games are over, we will be picking NFL games only for about 3 weeks I think. Once the NFL season is over we will determine our winner for the Football Challenge 2009.
3. But it doesn't end there. Part 2 of the Challenge ($20/guy will be needed for this challenge if you want in) begins with the Bowl Games right around the 2nd or 3rd week of DEC. Here's how it plays out:
- We pick all the bowl games ATS, the games are worth different amounts of points (the bigger games are worth more) but we pick them all and they all count.
- We add your final score in the bowl challenge to an NFL Playoff pool which is ranked very similar (early rounds worth less, Super Bowl worth most)
- Weighting will be similar to our regular season challenge...2/3 on NCAA, 1/3 NFL. (although after my performance in each this year I might have to consider changing this ;) )
We'll get into more details as we get closer, but this is the gist of it. In case you're wondering here is the payout for regular season: $280 to winner, $40 to 2nd...tie breaker is best NCAA record for season, 2nd tiebreaker is biggest total single week performance in entire year (MC current leader at 12-3 in wk9).
We'll deal with this when we get to it. I'll send out the week 12 lines...in 5, 4, 3, ..., ... (you didn't say 2 or 1...you don't say 2 or 1...why not?...you just don't mmmkay)
Monday, November 16, 2009
ND Coaching Situation & Gopher Crap
This seems to be top of mind for the world of College Football, and even though Chuck has a giant buyout I really think they'll be looking for a coach this offseason. So here are the names being floated around, thoughts?
1. Urban Meyer
Proven his worth in a big way at FLA, has said that ND is his dream job, cupboard won't exactly be bare at UF after this year but he'll be "re-loading" in 2010 and really what does he have left to prove? We'll see how the year turns out for the Gators (i'm guessing a NC Game loss) but I think this might be the guy as crazy as it sounds.
2. Bob Stoops
Rumors are that he would listen and be interested. His OK run has been great, but I could see him leaving for a gigantic payday. Does it happen if Meyer doesn't work out...I doubt it.
3. Kirk Ferentz
This is a legit rumor once again since iOWA won 9 games this year. He would instantly climb my "most hated ever" list if he coaches both iOWA and ND in his career, but I would be pulling for this one because he's a good coach so he doesn't belong at iOWA.
Speaking of coaches, here's who else I have on deathrow right now:
ACC
Bowden
Friedgren
Groh
B12
Hawkins
Big EAST
Kragthorpe
B10
Zook
DickRod
P10
Wulff
SEC
Spurrier
MICH would be the biggest job available outside of ND. Spurrier would likely have to retire and not be fired. DickRod would get another chance as early as next season, but he needs to find more of a nitchey progrum like WV to succedd. I don't think he cares for the pressure that he's faced at MICH. COL maybe?
I've gone over some stats for the Gophers under Brew...here's what I discovered:
- If you can believe it, our offense is actually BETTER this year than in 2008 while the D, in terms of points allowed, is slightly worse
- Unless we run for another 250 yards this year it will be our worst rushing performance of the Brew tenure...Pound the Rock!
- Unless we throw for another 650 yards in the final 2 games it will be our worst passing yards performance under Brew in 2009
- TD:INT is 14:14 this season, even in AWEB's freshman year when he threw 19 picks he made up for it with 25 TD's. If he breaks 20 this year we'll be 8-5.
- In Brew's 1st year we were 2nd least penalized team in B10, last year and this year we have the most penalties in the entire conference.
- 2007 we were a -15 in TO MGN...last year we were +12, kind of fluky...this year we are -2 so far...is this improvement? Kind of? Less lucky and less opportunistic I guess.
- Remember how horrible our D was in 2007, well opponents converted 44.3% of the time on 3rd down against them....2009 = 47.3% wow. We were epically bad in 2007 and this year is actually worse on 3rd dwn. 38.9% LY
- Offensively we've gone from 42.6% to 34.6% to 37.4% in 2009. Horrible.
- 2007 we were obviously 11th in total D, last year we moved to 10th, this year we ae 8th. This is progress! Woo-hoo! Next year we crack top 5! But if you can't score what does it matter.
- Offense has gone from 6th in 2007 to 10th to 11th in 2009. YPG was 407 to 323 to an embarassing 304 this year...worst in the B10 by far.
- Finally in 2007 we only allowed 12 sacks! wow, best in the B10! Last year we allowed 29, 11th in B10. This year we have already allowed 33...again, worst in B10.
Our OL sucks a lot. YPC, SACKS, RUSH YDS have all gone steadily down hill throughout his tenure. I think our D has been steadily improving throughout the Brewster regime, and even though we are replacing 9 starters next season I think we can continue our upward trend...but we have to get some offense. At the beginning of this year I said that the offense was a mystery but it couldn't possibly be any worse...I think I may have misspoke. An improved offense in 2010 (hell, even the last 2 of 2009) could really help our D rankings and make this a better team. I don't think it's a revelation that this is the problem, but it's kind of surprising how much we've continually regressed over the last 3 years. I guess we are stubborn to let #8 play out the season...isn't this the definition of insantiy?...doing the same thing over and over again even though it isn't working. Is Brew holding Gray back because he can't play? Well, he can't be worse than AWEB. Is he holding him back to hold on to some hope for the fans so we all continue to believe that it will get better? How can you literally put your career on the line by NOT playing "your guy" who you recruited and continuing to sputter on offense as bad as we haved in 10 of our 11 games this season? Optimist guy says, new OC will for sure be better in Y2 once every one is familiar with the system and the kinks have been worked out. I'm not sure I can buy that. The OL might be completely made over...again. It's full of Jr's, but they clearly don't get it so I don't know if you can keep rolling with this pathetic unit for the 3rd year in a row. I definitely have hope, but I fully expect 2010 to be Brew's last year with the squad. But that's a discussion for another day - I need to figure out what the hell we're going to do against iOWA and maybe the Clones in the Bowl Game. Nothing to lose this weekend, so if you don't let it all hang out and play better this weekend somebody might come up with the necessary funding to end the Brew experiment before the calendar hits January. Stay tuned.
1. Urban Meyer
Proven his worth in a big way at FLA, has said that ND is his dream job, cupboard won't exactly be bare at UF after this year but he'll be "re-loading" in 2010 and really what does he have left to prove? We'll see how the year turns out for the Gators (i'm guessing a NC Game loss) but I think this might be the guy as crazy as it sounds.
2. Bob Stoops
Rumors are that he would listen and be interested. His OK run has been great, but I could see him leaving for a gigantic payday. Does it happen if Meyer doesn't work out...I doubt it.
3. Kirk Ferentz
This is a legit rumor once again since iOWA won 9 games this year. He would instantly climb my "most hated ever" list if he coaches both iOWA and ND in his career, but I would be pulling for this one because he's a good coach so he doesn't belong at iOWA.
Speaking of coaches, here's who else I have on deathrow right now:
ACC
Bowden
Friedgren
Groh
B12
Hawkins
Big EAST
Kragthorpe
B10
Zook
DickRod
P10
Wulff
SEC
Spurrier
MICH would be the biggest job available outside of ND. Spurrier would likely have to retire and not be fired. DickRod would get another chance as early as next season, but he needs to find more of a nitchey progrum like WV to succedd. I don't think he cares for the pressure that he's faced at MICH. COL maybe?
I've gone over some stats for the Gophers under Brew...here's what I discovered:
- If you can believe it, our offense is actually BETTER this year than in 2008 while the D, in terms of points allowed, is slightly worse
- Unless we run for another 250 yards this year it will be our worst rushing performance of the Brew tenure...Pound the Rock!
- Unless we throw for another 650 yards in the final 2 games it will be our worst passing yards performance under Brew in 2009
- TD:INT is 14:14 this season, even in AWEB's freshman year when he threw 19 picks he made up for it with 25 TD's. If he breaks 20 this year we'll be 8-5.
- In Brew's 1st year we were 2nd least penalized team in B10, last year and this year we have the most penalties in the entire conference.
- 2007 we were a -15 in TO MGN...last year we were +12, kind of fluky...this year we are -2 so far...is this improvement? Kind of? Less lucky and less opportunistic I guess.
- Remember how horrible our D was in 2007, well opponents converted 44.3% of the time on 3rd down against them....2009 = 47.3% wow. We were epically bad in 2007 and this year is actually worse on 3rd dwn. 38.9% LY
- Offensively we've gone from 42.6% to 34.6% to 37.4% in 2009. Horrible.
- 2007 we were obviously 11th in total D, last year we moved to 10th, this year we ae 8th. This is progress! Woo-hoo! Next year we crack top 5! But if you can't score what does it matter.
- Offense has gone from 6th in 2007 to 10th to 11th in 2009. YPG was 407 to 323 to an embarassing 304 this year...worst in the B10 by far.
- Finally in 2007 we only allowed 12 sacks! wow, best in the B10! Last year we allowed 29, 11th in B10. This year we have already allowed 33...again, worst in B10.
Our OL sucks a lot. YPC, SACKS, RUSH YDS have all gone steadily down hill throughout his tenure. I think our D has been steadily improving throughout the Brewster regime, and even though we are replacing 9 starters next season I think we can continue our upward trend...but we have to get some offense. At the beginning of this year I said that the offense was a mystery but it couldn't possibly be any worse...I think I may have misspoke. An improved offense in 2010 (hell, even the last 2 of 2009) could really help our D rankings and make this a better team. I don't think it's a revelation that this is the problem, but it's kind of surprising how much we've continually regressed over the last 3 years. I guess we are stubborn to let #8 play out the season...isn't this the definition of insantiy?...doing the same thing over and over again even though it isn't working. Is Brew holding Gray back because he can't play? Well, he can't be worse than AWEB. Is he holding him back to hold on to some hope for the fans so we all continue to believe that it will get better? How can you literally put your career on the line by NOT playing "your guy" who you recruited and continuing to sputter on offense as bad as we haved in 10 of our 11 games this season? Optimist guy says, new OC will for sure be better in Y2 once every one is familiar with the system and the kinks have been worked out. I'm not sure I can buy that. The OL might be completely made over...again. It's full of Jr's, but they clearly don't get it so I don't know if you can keep rolling with this pathetic unit for the 3rd year in a row. I definitely have hope, but I fully expect 2010 to be Brew's last year with the squad. But that's a discussion for another day - I need to figure out what the hell we're going to do against iOWA and maybe the Clones in the Bowl Game. Nothing to lose this weekend, so if you don't let it all hang out and play better this weekend somebody might come up with the necessary funding to end the Brew experiment before the calendar hits January. Stay tuned.
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