THURSDAY THROWDOWN 11/20/08: RIVALRY EDITION

Scoops McCracken: High School question here to start things off: How is it that Cretin, with their endless supply of talent, has only won 1 state football title?
Peoria Pliers: I don't know, but my guess is that their endless supply is relatively limited to very top end talent...I think depth is probably an issue for them since they have to recruit kids and they don’t have 3000 kids to choose from.
Scoops McCracken: I think it has to do with the fact that when they actually get in a tough situation, they buckle like a belt. I think toughness has more to do with it than depth.
Peoria Pliers: That and the fact that Joe Mauer hucked a ball across his body 30 yards into the secondary in 2000 to seal the deal. That cost them.
Scoops McCracken: Well, at least it was the last bad throw he's made at the Metrodome since.
Peoria Pliers: That is true. So what’s the story with Rivalry week this year? No Iron Bowl? No Cal/USC? What gives?
Scoops McCracken: Iron Bowl is next weekend....and I'm pretty sure Cal & USC already played, didn't they? I think the USC/UCLA game is now usually the same day as the SEC title game. Probably smart since the Big Ten shuts everything down by Thanksgiving and it shows come bowl time. Question for you. You attend an Ivy League game or two.....does Harvard & Yale & the ivies play in the 1-AA tournament or not?
Peoria Pliers: No they do not, they disqualify themselves for some reason
Scoops McCracken: I guess I'm just trying to prepare for the cluster-F that's about to occur should Texas Tech lose either this weekend or against Mizzou and Alabama loses to Florida. And was wondering why the academic card isn't played in terms of the 1-AA tourney.
Peoria Pliers: Well Alabama WILL lose to Florida, which is certain if you ask me. It would be nice to see a bunch of cluster-F to push the pro-playoff agenda on Obama. I'm not sure that is why they don't participate, but it certainly takes the wind out of that argument
Scoops McCracken: Last week, we had some differences (I think you had all of them right, by the way). This week, we had some similar picks.
Peoria Pliers: This week seems like an easier week of picks...which usually means I'm about to go 0-8, but I do like where we agree. Northwestern is going to beat Illinois since they are, along with Tennessee, in full Tail Spin mode
Scoops McCracken: Tennessee lost to freaking Wyoming. That was as bad as it gets. And the funny thing is: who would want that job? The recruiting base sucks; you're competing against Richt & Meyer every single year, not to mention Saban & Miles in the other division. And they expect you to be in the national title hunt with those others their lurking. I'd much rather take the Clemson job.....they'll pay what an SEC school pays, and it will be easier to beat a bunch of basketball schools.
Peoria Pliers: You must have read the Mandel Mailbag too. Tennessee’s program is in deep trouble. That stadium is going to look really funny with 50,000 fans in it instead of 117,000. Not much pressure at Clemson
Scoops McCracken: Some pressure, but definitely not as much as Tennessee, and it will be easier to succeed. So what was your favorite Metrodome memory?
Peoria Pliers: Well, let me count them...
5. Getting run over by Mike Lehan during the old Classic Lake Dome game
4. Gene Larkin stepping on home plate
3. Watching the Vikes beat New Orleans 43-3 when I was like 7 years old
2. Rhys Lloyd sprinting to the BADger bench to take the Axe back
1. The Call by Jack Buck when Kirby hit the walk-off, "...And we'll see you tomorrow night!"
Maybe I was just supposed to name Gopher moments....but I only have the one. Sorry. So is Texas Tech/Oklahoma going to be the game of the year, or did we already see it with the Texas/Texas Tech game?
Scoops McCracken: It's asking an awful lot for the Texas Tech/Oklahoma game to top the TT/UT game. My guess is it won't be just because rarely do big games live up to the expectations. Off hand, what games have? 2006 Rose Bowl with Texas & USC. 2003 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State & Miami. 1988 Notre Dame & Miami. 1991 & 1992 Miami & Florida State. What game was better? 2007 Fiesta Bowl between Boise State & Oklahoma or 2006 Rose Bowl?
Peoria Pliers: 2006 Rose Bowl if you ask me. Just as much drama, no upset value, but SO MUCH on the line
Scoops McCracken: That had more on the line, but the Fiesta Bowl was a chalkboard come to life. The Oklahoma comeback to tie it, the INT for a pick 6, hook & latter, AP's final college carry being a filthy powerful 25 yard TD run, plus the HB pass & draw. Probably the most exciting 15-20 minutes in sports history minus the last 15 minutes of 1980 USA-CCCP
Peoria Pliers: That might be correct...I'd agree that the last ten minutes were amazingly exciting...but watching Vince Young literally carry his entire team down the field against one of the greatest college football defenses of all time and top it off with a winning score for the Nat'l Championship tops the list for me. Of course if Beano Cook were here, he'd tell you all about the 1949 Notre Dame squad and how great it was. Or the epic 1946 game versus Army...Zero to Zero.
Scoops McCracken: I always love that stuff.....Army in 1940 was the greatest team of all time. I know you have to be relative to the time period, but 1940 would have lost to the 2005 Music City Bowl runner-up Golden Gophers by 20+ points. Ole Beano.......what a classic.
Peoria Pliers: My unofficial count puts FIFTEEN players on the 2005 USC team in the NFL right now. And that does NOT count shoe-ins like Rey Maualuga and Mark Sanchez
Scoops McCracken: You want to see talent on a field....watch early 90s & early 00s Miami & Florida State. I think it was an upset that Nebraska was within 50 points of Miami in the 2002 Rose Bowl
Peoria Pliers: Yeah those are great ESPN classic moments. I caught the Miami team with Warren Sapp AND Ray Lewis on it...and Lewis had that bad-ass jersey on with his stomach showing...that usually looks REALLY gay. But when Ray Lewis does it, you get a little scared for your personal safety
Scoops McCracken: That was my favorite part about mid 80s to early 90s college football......the short jersey with the bare stomach showing.
Peoria Pliers: Wow, I just pulled up the 2002 hurricane roster...that is scary. Very, very scary. Dorsey, Davenport, Portis, Shockey, Johnson, McKinney, Joaquin Gonzalez, McDougle, William Joseph, DJ Williams, Jonathan Vilma, Mike Rumph, Ed Reed, Phillip Buchanon....wow.. My head is spinning. They also had Frank Friggen Gore! And Willis McGahee, if I'm not mistaken? I want to say that there are like five Pro-Bowlers in that mix
Scoops McCracken: Don't forget the late Sean Taylor as all, who was probably the biggest badass of them all.
Peoria Pliers: My God. That is so scary. I remember when Reed left, everyone talked about how it might be an upgrade...I thought they were crazy...but they were right. Taylor was a TERROR in college
Scoops McCracken: If you want good stuff, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9od2uODVeoU&feature=related CBS Intro, Clemson vs. Florida State, 1988.
Peoria Pliers: it's amazing that the song hasn’t changed in 20 years
Scoops McCracken: It was cool then and it's still cool even now. You don't try to chizzle for a diamond when you have a huge golden nugget right in front of you.
Peoria Pliers: You sound like a post game Bobby Bowden press conference. "Our team looks like a coon-hound with peanut butter on it's nose and a couple'a ice skates on its feet...lord knows we cant find where we want to go, but even if we did, we would slip and fall anyway"
Scoops McCracken: Speaking of Bobby Bowden, not as good, but the NBC Intro to the Notre Dame-Florida State 1993 game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cipJq3ZhuuQ And the best of them all: 1986 Miami vs. Oklahoma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qUakS5BG2M&feature=related
Peoria Pliers: Brent Musberger is my idol. And nothing says Bad Ass Miami/Oklahoma football quite like Phil Collins...
Scoops McCracken: He has kept it in 5th gear for over 20 years for sure.
Peoria Pliers: What did he do to get fired from CBS anyway? As we both scramble to Wikipedia to figure it out...good news...He did get into a fistfight with Jimmy the Greek! Now he really is my idol!
Scoops McCracken: I thought it was for pissing in public at first. Funny, Greek failed to mention that to me during his interview.
Peoria Pliers: He was probably too embarrassed
Scoops McCracken: Since we're on a youtube kick, here's a great Musburger one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pj2zV5FdYU
Peoria Pliers: That one is classic...that girl ended up in Playboy a while back. She had the goods, I'll give her that
Scoops McCracken: I want him to do play-by-play at my funeral. Think of the into before the casket is brought down the aisle........
Peoria Pliers: Well the intro HAS to be done by Ron Franklin. Musburger can do the Eulogy
Scoops McCracken: Depends if music is involved or not......Franklin can set the stage great when it's just him waxing nostalgic with the history angle, but Musburger is throwing 99mph fastballs for 8 innings in those CBS 80s intros.
Peoria Pliers: So what song would be your funeral background intro for Musburger?
Scoops McCracken: I think a CBS college football theme with pictures of past Scoops as a youngster with Musburger doing his thing: "In 1978, Scoops McCracken started his hard hitting, no non-sense style that showed no signs of slowing down" Back to football: Pliers' BCS crystal ball says what?
Peoria Pliers: Hmmmmmmmmmm....I see....I see.....Florida and.....hhmmmmmm....Texas Tech! I have no idea. Who you got?
Scoops McCracken: Florida & Oklahoma in the title game. Penn State & USC in the Rose. Georgia Tech & Utah in the Orange. Alabama & Texas in the Sugar. Cincinnati & Ohio State in the Fiesta
Peoria Pliers: I would love to see a Ga Tech/Utah game. Alabama getting pounded by Texas in New Orleans would be awesome. That is a dream BCS outcome, really....what happens to Texas Tech? You sayin' they get left out in the cold? They're the odd man out....if Oklahoma wins this weekend, they probably move up to the title game.....and I'm guessing they'll take Texas because of who they are.
Scoops McCracken: Texas Tech then either wins by 100 points in the Holiday Bowl or loses because they don't care about being there.
Peoria Pliers: That makes this weekend even more important for Tech...I like 'em to win
Scoops McCracken: Bob Stoops' home record is 59-2!
Peoria Pliers: About to be 59-3. The Mad Bomber is in town. Plus, doesn’t Jesus love an underdog?
Scoops McCracken: Jesus was the original underdog. And Jesus vs. Satan was the original rivalry with a trophy. Only fitting that He be fired up for Rivalry weekend!

Pliers' Picks - 11/20/08 - Week 13

Well Huzzah Huzzah! I actually made some decent picks last week, so I'm hoping to ride that momentum like street luge competitor in San Francisco. This week is a big Rivalry Week, so I'll keep my editorializing to a minimum since we should have a spirited Throwdown today. My picks follow.

Last Week - 7-1
YTD - 43-47-1

VANDY by 3 vs. Tenneseee. Balloo is outski, and Vandy is fighting for better bowl position. Who would have thunk that these two programs would be moving in such different directions? In your face, Knoxville. Vandy 31, Vols 17.

Washington by 7 at WASHINGTON ST. This game should be called the Applesauce Cup, considering how ground up these two rosters are. Stat of the week - Wazzu's top QB so far this year: Lopina, Kevin. 118 Att, 68 Comp, 57% Comp, 11 INT, ZERO TD. Wow. I am betting that Ty gets his final win as a Husky AND covers the spread, just to stick it to the clowns in Pullman. Huskies 31, Wazzou 10.

LSU by 3 vs. Mississippi. Am I reading this right? Sure, Mississippi did knock off the Gators a few months ago, but LSU is a top 15 team. They win big. Clearly. Tigers 35, Rebels 14.

Michigan State getting 14.5 at PENN STATE. Everyone knows I love Joe Pa, their offense, and their attitude. But Javon Ringer is awesome, and Penn State lost a LOT of swagger against Iowa. Michigan State is an insidiously good team, and they oughta keep this one real close. No upset special since the game is in Happy Valley though. Spartans 24, Nittany Lions 31.

MINNESOTA getting 6 vs. Iowa. Total gomer pick here, and to be honest, I can't really lose. I like Ferentz and I want to see Shonn Green get more Heisman pub, and if they win this game that can't hurt his chances. However, it would be nice to have ONE of the trophies here in Minneapolis over the winter, and I really feel like Floyd could use a more cosmopolitan abode instead of the sty he is forced to deal with in Iowa City. Either way, the reality is that neither of these two teams are terribly good...Iowa won't blow anyone away, and Minnesota's offense has been stuck in neutral. This should be a PICKEM choice if you ask me, so I'm taking the points. Minnesota 24, Iowa 23.

NORTHWESTERN getting 3 vs Illinois. The Zooker still couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag, and P-Fitz has his guys clicking again after a big win against Mighty Mighty Michigan. I really think Northwestern is a good, disciplined team...and considering Juice was benched last week for a while, I like NU in this game, especially at home. Wildcats 34, Juicers 24.

The OVER at 63 on the Boise St./NEVADA game. Boise has been running over people like a dump truck driven by Earl Campbell lately, and Nevada can score at will. The final score of this game last year? 67-69. Yeah. I love the OVER.

Texas Tech getting 7 at OKLAHOMA. I hate this pick, but I have to take a stand here since I refuse to pick OSU/Michigan. This might be the most fun game to watch in recent history...I can't wait. Now I just have to hope that Crabtree and Co. can pull one out in Norman. COME ON BISCUITS...err...RED RAIDERS! Tech 49, Sooners 38.

SCOOPS' PICKS: TRINKET GAME TROPHIES NOT INCLUDED!

Last Week: 3-5
Season: 59-55
Net Gain/Loss: + $133.50

“We let ‘em off the hook!”

Was that Denny Green or Tim Brewster at the press conference microphone? Anyway, a just below .500 weekend lost me some money, but didn’t kill me, so it looks like even a 0-fer weekend will put me the plus money category until bowl season (closed circuit to all readers: Scoops will be absent from his picks during Thanksgiving Weekend & conference championship weekend and will not be back until bowl season).

It’s rivalry weekend! I love rivalry weekend. It makes a game between Washington & Washington State seem like they’re playing for something other than each team’s quest for it’s 1st win over a Division I opponent in 2008. It allows for Vanderbilt to show their intelligence over rival Tennessee. It allows for Cal & Stanford to wax intellectually over if it’s really more difficult to get into Stanford but it takes more work & effort to receive a degree from Cal due to all professors handing out A’s at Palo Alto like they were hooker ad cards on Las Vegas Blvd.

MINNESOTA (+6) over Iowa: The pig…..the pig…..the pig, the pig, the pig. Mostly, it’s the last college football game at the Metrodome unless General Mills or Target start up the Mall of America Bowl before the Vikings build a new retractable stadium or they blow up the dome. Minnesota had a bit better OL protection last week in Madison, which allowed the offense to move the ball a bit. Iowa is similar to Wisconsin in that they don’t blitz a whole lot, so Minnesota should be able to move the ball a little. Iowa’s 23 year old RB should keep his streak of 100 yard games because they’ll feed him & feed him and nobody’s stopped him yet. Here’s not only what to expect, but what you can count on. A last Metrodome loss by the Gophers that defies all logic and reason. I’m thinking an Overtime game in which Iowa misses a FG or has a turnover with the first possession in OT and Minnesota, only needing a point of any kind, has a handoff go off somebody’s helmet right into the hands of a streaking CB for Iowa to win on a defensive TD in OT? Or a fair catch punt on the last play of regulation allowing for a free kick? Or a game winning drop kick by Nile Kinnick? The possibilities are all there. Either way, it will be a gut wrenching Gopher loss by 3 points that makes all Gopher fans want to set torch to the dome immediately as soon as the game ends. I will be the one with the pitchfork and gas can helping accelerate the blaze.
SCOOPS’ PICK: IOWA 30, MINNESOTA 27

OVER (+/- 41.5) IOWA @ MINNESOTA: The OL seems to have figured a few things out for Minnesota, which should allow them to get into the 20s. And Iowa’s been in the 20s for many weeks now.

NORTHWESTERN (+130) over Illinois: Bowl position is at stake here: Illinois just wanting to become bowl eligible & Northwestern wanting to gain a better bowl position even though they’ll probably get passed over due to their small little elite alumni “rah” section. Juice Williams is not playing so hot right now, and Northwestern should be a bit crisper on offense than they were in the snow/rain in Ann Arbor. But Zook’s got a top-10 recruiting class coming in, so it’s all good for Illinois, right?
SCOOPS’ PICK: NORTHWESTERN 27, ILLINOIS 24

OHIO STATE (-20.5) over Michigan: Does Michigan’s defense have the heart to make one final emotional game? Perhaps. But Michigan’s offense, on the other hand, will have a big batch of turnovers making it easier for Ohio State to score.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 37, MICHIGAN 13

Michigan State (+14.5) over PENN STATE: Penn State started out a bit flat last week, probably to the emotional let down of the Iowa loss. Michigan State is on a mission to show that the pasting they took from Ohio State was a fluke. Ringer & the Spartans make it interesting, cover the spread, but PSU locks up their Rose Bowl bid with the win.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PENN STATE 34, MICHIGAN STATE 24

PURDUE (-12) over Indiana: Swan song for Joe Tiller. I thank you for getting to watch Billy Dicken, Drew Brees, Brandon Vance, Kyle Orton, Brandon Kirsch and Curtis Painter shred the Gopher defense over the past 11 seasons. I thank Indiana for nothing other than the fact that I get to laugh at their basketball band for wearing vests & bow ties during all games.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PURDUE 38, INDIANA 20

ARIZONA (-2.5) over Oregon State: Two games away from a disgusting re-match between Oregon State and Penn State. My theory here is that God is a football fan. He enjoys a warm grill, a few burgers & other fine animals on his plate, a frosty root beer, and a game on the best HD imaginable. And he usually allows games to take their course, allowing the fine student-athletes decide the outcomes on the field. But he’s stepping in here knowing that this is probably the best shot for a Beaver trip up. God wants a USC-Penn State game in the greatest football setting He created. God’s stepping in on this one, for all of mankind.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ARIZONA 27, OREGON STATE 24

Clemson (-2.5) over VIRGINIA: Quietly amongst the coaching change, Clemson has started putting up points. Of course, when the BCS bowl expectations have fallen by the wayside and there’s no pressure.
SCOOPS’ PICK: CLEMSON 41, VIRGINIA 30

Texas Tech (+7) over OKLAHOMA: The big one that will decide how a lot of the puzzle pieces fall into place. Offense should be the name of the game. It what should be a classic due to the fact that you have two outstanding QB’s playing, I shall be DVRing this one while I’ll be setting torch to the dome.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OKLAHOMA 45, TEXAS TECH 42

Thursday Throwown...posted on Friday...but still... 11/13/08

Scoops McCracken: Throwdown, Bitch!

Peoria Pliers: So I have to hear your opinion on the murder of the LSU or Alabama fan...what's Scoops' take? Does that type of stuff fly in your world? Just "boys being boys" or what?

Scoops McCracken: I saw that. Honestly, as much as I love college football, they take it to a new level down there and WAY to f-ing seriously. My brother was in town last weekend from Birmingham and all he could do was keep himself glued to Verne Lundquist calling the game.I see the guy twice a year, and he didn't say a word only wanting to watch Bama & LSU. And those are two of the "special" fan bases, if you get what I'm saying. I'd have to go to wikipedia to see if either university has produced anything of substance other than a defensive back, linebacker or defensive lineman.

Peoria Pliers: I think there are more than a few decorated members of the Klan from Alabama, so that's something

Scoops McCracken: But at least I know that I need to pack a glock if I go to a bowl game involving an SEC team in the near future.

Peoria Pliers: No, I think you would be fine. You still have all your teeth...that's how they know you are a Yankee and a non-entity to them.

Scoops McCracken: What I was surprised at was: didn't it start with a phone call and giving shit to each other? I'm surprised they had phone lines that worked. I figured the pony express would have had to relay messages back & forth.

Peoria Pliers: Well I hear that the Pony Express is having trouble, and with the increased costs of Aluminum these days, they couldn't afford to string two cans together. The phone was a logical choice, but I believe one of them was quoted as saying that they were afraid of the "Devil's Scream" when it rang. If I was the judge, I'd make the accused have to get season tickets to a MAC school and attend every game for 20 years so they then understand that it's just a game. And they have to show up for all games, including the Wednesday night game on the deuce.

Peoria Pliers: So here is the new slogan: SEC Football. When you got nothin' else to live for.
Scoops McCracken: It does make me hate the school more and appreciate schools like Texas & USC. I'm not naive; I know that half of their players get special treatment and aren't the normal student-athletes, but at least the institution actually enrolls other students who's only goal isn't just to come back 7 or 8 times in the fall and be an idiot. And the question is: these people probably have no relation to the university. They probably went to Beaver Creek Community College. They're very similar to Vikings fans. Hate life 6 days of the week and only live for home games so they can become an idiot and release themselves from their awful, awful lives. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Peoria Pliers: Good stuff, Forrest Gump.

Scoops McCracken: Question: Could you & I step in on the Gophers OL and not do any worse than some of the guys right now?

Peoria Pliers: Well I'm convinced that I could step in for Ryan Cook and do as good of a job as he is doing, so sure, I think that we would be commensurately bad as Gopher O-Lineman. So what's the problem with their line? Youth?

Scoops McCracken: Mostly youth. And still philosophy. None of the OL is a Brewster recruit, so they're still in the Mason/Gordy Shaw mold of being undersized. They'll get pushed back and will struggle with pass blocking. Plus, I don't know if they're that talented in the first place. There's three OL coming in next year that are 3* and they have a good shot at a stud from Phoenix area named Taylor Lewan.

Peoria Pliers: They signed some good kids this week...it doesnt look like they are going to have as star-studded a class this year as they did last year, but they look real solid

Scoops McCracken: None of their recruits last year were OL. They should be getting Rozelle Gayden, who was a greyshirt this year, from JUCO. And they add Carufel, the transfer from Notre Dame next year, who by all accounts, would be playing every single snap if he was allowed to. They have a very solid list thus far. Mason's classes were mostly 2 & some 3 stars....Brewster's is mostly 3 and some 4's.

Peoria Pliers: Out of respect for our readers, who couldn't give two shakes of a lamb's wang about the Gophers, I'll make this the last question about them...what do you think the odds are of T-Brew landing the house OL from Cretin next year?

Scoops McCracken: About 35-40%.....if USC comes calling, it will be hard for Brewster to get him. But Vince Young was a LSU & FSU lean until Mack Brown & Brewster closed on him, so you never know. But I'd put it at less than 50%. Kind of a slow week of games this week.
Peoria Pliers: Yeah, not too many exciting games...Arizona/Oregon might be a decent watch. You know who we haven't talked about much lately that deserves some pub? Dave Wannstedt

Scoops McCracken: He has turned it around. Are they in the drivers seat for the BCS berth or is it someone else. I must admit I don't follow the Big East.

Peoria Pliers: I believe they are, they are on something like an 8 game winning streak, thanks in most part to their stud RB

Scoops McCracken: They lost to Rutgers a few weeks ago, so I don't know if it's 8 games, but they did beat Iowa, which is looking better & better each week.

Peoria Pliers: Yeah it looks like they are fighting with Cincy for the top spot. What happened to South Florida this year? They were supposed to be all-world?

Scoops McCracken: Their QB has a chubby face....just like Georgia's.....no team can be all-world with a chubby faced QB.

Peoria Pliers: Ouch. Too bad for Grothe. I mean he does have a mohawk..doesn't that offset the chubby face?

Scoops McCracken: I'm more of a flat top fan than a mohawk. That way, teams can have a guy nicknamed "Flat Top" like in Necessary Roughness.

Peoria Pliers: I think that there should be some sort of nickname committee on every college football team comprised of one guy from each class, the special teams coach, and perhaps one of the stadium announcers. Kind of like Delta house

Scoops McCracken: I was reading on NFL Draft Countdown and they had Graham Harrell not as high. Call me crazy, but the NFL is so defunct of accurate QB's.....wouldn't he make a lot of sense for a team? I hearken back to Drew Brees. "Ah....he's a system QB. And he's not super tall." Yeah, but he can throw the ball where he wants to. At what point are some of the NFL personnel guys going to realize somethings.

Peoria Pliers: It's funny you say that...Zubar and I were talking about how important accuracy is in the NFL these days, as long as you don’t have a "puss arm"
Scoops McCracken: I totally am on the Graham Harrell bandwagon, just like Chase Daniel. These guys are going to go way too late and they'll have nice long careers.

Peoria Pliers: By the way, I think Jaworski is on the accuracy bandwagon as well. How tall is Harrell?

Scoops McCracken: I just pulled his recruiting class info.....he was a 4*, 6'2", 183 (obviously his high school size)

Scoops McCracken: I'm guessing his height hasn't changed too much since.

Peoria Pliers: 6'2" is plenty tall for the NFL if you ask me. It's tough to blame the NFL guys for being weary considering the irrelevancy of Kingsbury et. al.

Scoops McCracken: According to Wikipedia, he's 6'3" & 205 now. No, I get that...guys like Kingsbury & Sonnie Cumbie & B.J. Symons were system guys. But Harrell is different. He's been running this show for 3 years now. He wasn't just plugged in as the 1 year system runner. And the bottom line is that there are not that many typical NFL prototype QB's anymore in college. I think the system QB's will have to get a longer look now.

Peoria Pliers: Jaworski claimed that the Arena and Canadian leagues were going to be more important in the upbringing of QBs to the NFL since the spread has...well...spread. Your thoughts? It did work for Kurt Warner.

Scoops McCracken: I think the Arena league will because of the tightness....don't know as much regarding the CFL. The field is so damn big; lots of guys can succeed there. Ricky Foggie was a super-duper star in the CFL. But I can see the arena league being good, considering the timing that has to occur. What do you think?

Peoria Pliers: I'm not so sold on that since you can succeed in the arena with the aforementioned "puss arm"

Scoops McCracken: It obviously doesn't hold true for everyone. You still have to have the cannon that can throw the ball vertically and the ball to the sidelines in the NFL. But I'm a Harrell guy. Next week will be a good one with Tech & Oklahoma.

Peoria Pliers: with a few notable exceptions, of course (Phillip Rivers). I do think that arm strength is a bit overrated though. That is going to be a GREAT game, it's the #1 reason that I'm NOT going to the Gopher/Iowa game

Scoops McCracken: Did you read Mandel's mailbag this week? He was saying how it's going to be very difficult for Texas to get to the Big XII title game because Tech controls its destiny, and if Oklahoma wins, they'll probably win the tie-breaker with a higher BCS ranking. And if Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma after Tech loses to Oklahoma, Tech would still win the tie-breaker over Texas. All because of a backdoor fade with 1 second left! I love college football and how 1 play can change everything for lots of teams.

Peoria Pliers: Wow, what a kick in the nuts. Think of how great this would be...if we had a very simple 8-team playoff here are the teams involved: Alabama, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, USC, and either Penn State, Utah, Georgia, or Boise St. Tell me that wouldn’t be friggen awesome.

Scoops McCracken: 8 team, each with a conference representative and two at larges with preference given to Notre Dame or one of the non-BCS teams if their ranking is over a specific #.

Peoria Pliers: I was basing my list off of the BCS standings

Scoops McCracken: They say to have those all be bowl games, but my idea would be the first round is at the higher seeded team with at least 10,000 tickets automatically given to the visitor. Seeing USC travel to the Swamp? Oh my Lord!

Peoria Pliers: That would be sweet, although travel arragements on a week's notice would be very difficult for 10,000 people

Scoops McCracken: Somehow, NCAA basketball fans find a way to do it.

Peoria Pliers: That is a dream scenario. I wouldn't even mind if it were neutral sites, but at this poit ANYTHING is better than what we have

Scoops McCracken: I want to see an SEC team travel to the Horseshoe when Ohio State is a top 2 team!

Peoria Pliers: That is true, although for the most part, teams are seeded in regional areas that are typically close. That would be great to see. Or to see Penn State march into Alabama with their all-white uniforms. Awesome

Scoops McCracken: I think people would find a way. And what tickets aren't sold go back to the the host. That would create some incentive for the visiting fans.
Peoria Pliers: Good point. We really need to get the ball moving on this ASAP. You talk to your contacts in the NCAA, I'll talk to Barack, and we should be able to hammer this out by the end of the week.

Scoops McCracken: It's all about convincing the bow ties my good man!

Peoria Pliers: So the last NASCAR race of the season is this weekend. Who ya got?

Scoops McCracken: Uh....who are those two guys that pretty much get into a fight every race?

Peoria Pliers: Richard Petty and Cale Yarbrough? Or is it Cole Trickle and Rowdy Burns?

Scoops McCracken: I remember when Cale Yarbrough got caught in Rosco P. Coltrane's speed trap when passing through Hazzard County.

Peoria Pliers: So if you had to sit and watch three hours of continuous programming, which would you choose? 1. Dancing with the Stars 2. A NASCAR race 3. Campbell Soup Presents Passion On Ice With Scott Hamilton and Oksana Baiul 4. The 700 Club

Scoops McCracken: Well, the NASCAR race would probably be in HD, so I'd take that....then the figure skating (I actually don't mind figure skating), then 700 club and then dancing with the stars.

Scoops McCracken: Rank these 80s sitcoms in order of favorite to least: Facts of Life, Head of the Class, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss?, Family Ties

Peoria Pliers: Wait a minute...let's back up here. You'd take 3 hours of an aging, nonsensical Pat Robertson pontificating on the state of Israel instead of the pseudo-porn that is Dancing With The Stars? REALLY?

Scoops McCracken: For sure....it would be like re-living my college days of listening to mall preachers at the U.

Peoria Pliers: Wow. I'm amazed. Even I click Dancing With The Stars on when I see it on the guide just to get a peek at the dancers in their skimpy outfits. Good stuff. Frankly, I didn't watch four of those shows when I was a kid...just a little before my time. I always hated Kirk Cameron, so Growing Pains was out, Who's the Boss was over my head since I was a little tyke (but I always like Alyssa Milano), Head of the Class was just plain terrible, and Facts of Life was before my time. I did enjoy a little Family Ties every now and again. I've got a buddy who is going to end up looking JUST LIKE Michael Gross did in Family Ties someday. It's really something for him to look forward to. I'll say this about Fact of Life, though...great theme song. Who's the Boss is a close second for theme songs. Do you remember the show about the girl whose father was an alien and she could stop time at any moment? What was that show?

Scoops McCracken: Were you a 90210 guy at all?

Peoria Pliers: Never. Nor Melrose Place.

Scoops McCracken: One of the things you'd never guess: in college...me & Grant Harlan were hardcore 90210 guys....we used to watch old episodes on tape. I'm sure he was baked when he did it, but whatever.

Scoops McCracken: I was never a Melrose Place guy though.

Peoria Pliers: You and the Sports Guy...big 90210 fans. Very strange.

Scoops McCracken: Loved it. And love the new 90210 too. But I'm a different cat.

Peoria Pliers: Yes. Yes you are.

Scoops McCracken: Shows how much we can talk college football when there's awful games on this upcoming weekend.

Peoria Pliers: Yep, it's just a horrible slate of games. Just horrible. Maybe I'll read a book on Saturday.

Scoops McCracken: But then you never know....wasn't a huge slate of games last weekend either and Iowa came out & beat Penn State. Could it be a Sly Croom day over Bama? Florida getting knocked off by Spurrier? You never know.

Peoria Pliers: I sure would like to see the crowd reaction if Spurrier beats Florida in the Swamp. That would make my weekend. Big Brock Lesnar fights on Saturday against Old Man Randy Cotoure...who ya got, Scoops? I think you have to get a Bert Sugar Fedora on your head before you answer.

Scoops McCracken: I'm not a UFC guy, but hasn't the knock on Lesnar been he doesn't know how to fight UFC style yet? If he's figured it out, I find it hard to find a human being being able to defeat him in hand to hand combat. Perhaps one of the guys on Mortal Combat or Tekken.
Peoria Pliers: That would be a dream matchup...Liu Kang or Sub-Zero vs. Brock Lesnar fighting in the Octagon. Lesnar would have to come out dressed as Shredder from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies though.

Scoops McCracken: I tihnk I've asked this question before: Would it be better to be an SCSU fan (moderate success in WCHA, but nothing great) or a UMD fan (awful team, but one good year where you blow your wad)?

Peoria Pliers: That's an easy question for me, although my response is based off of different criteria...namely that St. Cloud should be wiped off the face of the earth along with Osama Bin laden and the entire Philadelphia Flyer franchise...so I'd go with UMD. From a fan's standpoint, however, I will give SCSU credit for being amazing supporters of their team. And I do like Motzko.

Scoops McCracken: UMD has always had a hint of dirtier hockey, even before the former UND player became their coach. Even back in the Sertich days. SCSU isn't as dirty.
Peoria Pliers: Yeah I can agree with that. Now that the pumpkin-pie-haircutted-freak Dave Hakstol is leading the charge from the Pillbox known as the UND bench, however, UND has taken that meat headedness to the next level.

Scoops McCracken: They are a piece of work, I agree. Both Hakstol and Cary Eades.
Peoria Pliers: North Dakota Hockey - putting the "Fighting" back in "Fighting Sioux!" Those guys belong in the WHL coaching for the Vancouver Giants or something

Scoops McCracken: Signing Day: North Dakota has announced the signing of the following student-athletes: Dr. Hook McCracken, Olge Olgelthorpe, and the Hanson Bros.
Peoria Pliers: Hey man, your city produced their latest knucklehead in Finley. I still can't believe he got drafted in the 1st round.

Scoops McCracken: I have no defense for Edina. None.

Peoria Pliers: Yet another person failing to defend Edina. HA! Let them eat cake.

Peoria's Picks - 11/13

Ugh. 0-6 last week. Ugh. That's all I can say. I feel more downtrodden than Donald Rumsfeld at a peace conference. The scary thing is that none of my picks were even close. What a joke. Well, in honor of the GOP Governor's meeting in Miami this week, I'm gonna pick myself up off the tarmac and get back to work. Hopefully Sarah Palin or T-Paw can offer me a ray of hope this week and channel some of their undying positivity into my picks. I won't hold my breath.

Northwestern getting 4 at MICHIGAN. Yeah, so the Michigan defense looked decent last week, but I chalk that up to the Gophers loss of Decker and their amazing inability to adapt. I like NU's defense a lot, and Michigan's offense is still horrible, regardless of what they did against the Gophers. Northwestern sends the Wolverines packing, plus this is always a great trap game since Ohio State is looming on the horizon. Wildcats 21, Wolverines 17.

Georgia by 8.5 at AUBURN. Auburn's program is dying right before their eyes, and Georgia has shown that they are very good at blowing out mediocre opponents, even on the road. Frankly, I don't think this game is going to be close. I love watching Richt's squad this year since it is like looking into the next three years of the 1st round of the NFL draft - Stafford, Moreno, and A.J. Greene, who I still contend is better than Julio Jones. Anyway, UGA wins a landslide. Bulldogs 41, De-Clawed Tigers 17.

FLORIDA by 21 vs South Carolina. Florida is on an absolute rampage right now and I don't think they are going to be stopped. I'm slowly turning into a Tebow fan, and lord knows that Chris Smelley is still...well...Chris Smelley. The Gamecocks might have a fine defense, but let's not forget that the Gators hung 49 on Georgia and 51 on LSU. This is a HUGE spread for an SEC game not involving Vandy or Kentucky, but I like it. Gators 49, Gamecocks 17.

Minnesota getting 14 at WISCONSIN. I think Wisconsin wins this game, but by two TD's? Really? Sure they blew out Indiana, but who cares? They are INDIANA! Wisconsin still doesn't have a viable QB, and Travis Beckum is out for the season, which offsets the Gophers loss of Decker. I like the Gophers to bounce back on the merits of Mike Dunbar's game planning. Also, this is one of the fiercest rivalries in all of college sports...these games are usually not blowouts. The Gophers should be able to keep this one close. BADgers 31, Gophers 28.

Texas by 13 at KANSAS. Mangino's squad was exposed last week and they lost to a very mediocre Nebraska team. Thanks for the donk, asspipes, I had money on you guys. Anyhoo, I think Texas realizes that to get back in the mix they are going to have to hang lots of points on everyone from here on out. Quan Cosby is still my favorite receiver, and I think Reesing is going to take an absolute beating by the hogs on the UT defensive line. Texas 49, Kansas 21.

The OVER at 51.5 on the Nevada/San Jose St. game. I love the Pistol offense, and I need a random pick. Tah-Dahh! Mind you, I have not seen San Jose St. play a football game since I was watching my dorm-mate play as them during my freshman year of college...but I like their mascot and I like the fact that Nevada should score at least 42 points. Nevada 48, San Jose St. 21.

Uconn by 10 at SYRACUSE. THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE! Syracuse sucks. That's all I can say. This line seems too good to be true, so I am hoping that I am not about to step into another Akbar Trap, but screw it. I was 0-6 last week, there is only one way to go - up! Huskies 35, Orangemen 14.

The UNDER at 46 on the North Carolina/MARYLAND game. I had to pick one Under. This is it. UNC 21, Maryland 17.

SCOOPS' CFA PICKS: MID-NOVEMBER SLUMBER

Last Week: 6-4
Season: 56-50
Net Gain/Loss: + $158.50

My Gophers are in a complete Baloo/Kit Cloudkicker Tail Spin, and suddenly the most hated of all is waiting for them. Perfect. Why not just kick me in the groin, God, and call it a day? Nevertheless, not an outstanding slate of games this weekend as most rivalries begin next weekend and move into the Thanksgiving weekend.

WISCONSIN (-13.5) over Minnesota: And it pains me, but the only person in more pain than me watching my Gophers right now is Adam Weber. The problems of the OL have resurfaced to the max, and it’s affecting Weber in that he has no confidence in anything he does because he knows he’s going to get absolutely blasted. It will be interesting to see if Dunbar & OL coach Phil Meyer can come up with a way to scheme themselves out of this messy box that they’re in. 13.5 is a lot of points, especially with the defense the way they are, but Minnesota’s offense can’t sustain any drives. Losing Decker for the weekend hurts badly, and I expect the Wisconsin offense to keep the defense on the field for 35 minutes.
SCOOPS’ PICK: WISCONSIN 27, MINNESOTA 10

Indiana (+35.5) over PENN STATE: I know I’m bucking some “records against the spread” trends with this pick, but a 35.5 spread means that Penn State really can’t F-around at any point in the game. Everything needs to go right from the get go, and you still have garbage points to worry about. I like Penn State to win rather largely, but Indiana to maintain the cover.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PENN STATE 38, INDIANA 10

MICHIGAN (-3.5) over Northwestern: Michigan finally displayed the defense which was supposed to be able to keep them in games this season while the offense got a hold of themselves last weekend against Minnesota. I see a bit too much Michigan pride in wanting to close out their last home game with a win and a bit of momentum heading into Ohio State.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN 24, NORTHWESTERN 17

IOWA (-17.5) over Purdue: A lot of points for a team that still employs nothing more than the dreaded “game manager” at QB, but Iowa’s defense will keep Purdue down and the 27 year old Green should be able to hammer away at Purdue.
SCOOPS’ PICK: IOWA 38, PURDUE 13

Ohio State (-9.5) over ILLINOIS: Ohio State still is fighting for a BCS berth, and Illinois lost to a MAC team in front of 385 fans at Ford Field last weekend. Not to mention that one team is simply better than the other and the revenge factor from last year, and you have a Buckeye win.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 37, ILLINOIS 20

North Carolina (-2.5) over MARYLAND: About time I jumped on the Butch Davis ACC bandwagon. UNC is smelling a BCS bowl. I’d even watch this game if Juan Dixon & Chris Wilcox were playing on offense against Sean May & Tyler Hansbrough. And this allows me to speak of the great quote from Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams when on the Jim Rome Show years ago: “North Carolina is Carolina…..they’re on TV more than LEAVE IT TO BEVAAAAA!”
SCOOPS’ PICK: NORTH CAROLINA 27, MARYLAND 20

Mississippi State (+21) over ALABAMA: I read an interesting stat in which the Alabama offense hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown against Mississippi State since 2004. That doesn’t mean that much considering Nick Saban was still coaching LSU at the time, but you get the point. Sly Croom will keep it close.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ALABAMA 24, MISSISSIPPI STATE 10

Texas (-13) over KANSAS: Style points time. If Texas Tech does in fact lose to Oklahoma and all three are in a 3-way tie, the tiebreaker will be who has the higher BCS ranking. Right now, it looks like that team would be Oklahoma considering they would be adding wins against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Mack Brown knows this, and knows that it’s style points time. Look for Texas to blast Kansas straight into the Insight or Independence Bowl.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS 52, KANSAS 31

Thursday Throwdown! 11/6/08

Scoops McCracken: Throwdown Bitch!

Peoria Pliers: BORING week this Saturday, whats your biggest non-Gopher matchup?

Scoops McCracken: Boring? Texas Tech/Oklahoma State should be a good one, and even though I like Bama to win, never count out drunk LSU fans when involved.
Peoria Pliers: OK, so there are exactly two other big games. Usually there are some better matchups than what this weekend offers, you gotta admit

Scoops McCracken: My only political observation question: Did Barack Obama's pro statement for a playoff play a part in him winning Pennsylvania because of the heavy PSU fan vote?

Peoria Pliers: That actually might have had some impact. Sounds like a perfect study for a PoliSci Grad Student

Peoria Pliers: If you assume that the BC/Notre Dame telecast will last exactly 180 minutes, how many minutes will you be watching?

Scoops McCracken: I'm not a big fan of either school. I hate BC and their slanted italic numbers.

Peoria Pliers: So what, 3 minutes? I mean they do call the game the "Holy War", that's gotta be worth something?

Scoops McCracken: I suppose a minute....I'll check the score if I'm flipping. Although I did end up watching all the OT's of the Pitt-Notre Dame field goal pillowfight. Are you hoping for Texas Tech and Alabama losing, creating Penn State and lots of 1 loss teams fighting it out?
Peoria Pliers: Yes, Yes I am, without a doubt. Joe Paterno is my favorite Republican, so I really have to root for him now considering the rough Republican road ahead

Scoops McCracken: For those wanting a playoff, this has to be a dream season. Can people honestly argue the virtues of USC, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Texas, & Alabama as deserving over each other?

Peoria Pliers: Of course not, but I think that the same thing happens EVERY YEAR...it's all about who peaks last and gets the favorable bounce for someone else's opponent. I know that there are tons of pundits who will say that the BCS gets it right, but the whole idea is ludicrous if you ask me, if for no other reason than there always going to be five or six teams that are immeasurable similar. Let me ask you this...Sen. Arlen Specter has threatened to revoke the non-profit status of the NCAA due to the fact that they seem to be more and more profit-driven, even in the face of situations like the BCS crapola. If that threat becomes a reality, does it really have the legs to motivate a football playoff, or would the old white guys running the colleges and conferences just go about their business as usual?

Scoops McCracken: It would be interesting to see. The NCAA could use a kick in the ass. But it's the college president's that are the ones that need the convincing. I honestly don't think it's a Myles Brand effort.

Peoria Pliers: I always TRY to see things from someone else's view, and with the college presidents, it must be tough given the skyrocketing costs of education and the downward spiral of government funding for said programs. I can only assume that most A.D.'s are given one directive - don't cost us anything. Beyond that, I don't think that most of the college presidents give a rats ass about athletics, which is probably the right attitude. The NCAA seems to have created this monster, much in the same way that pro sports franchises did by instituting government funding for stadiums. Why the F**K would taxpayers pay for a stadium? That seems as ludicrous as a taxpayer paying for a Wrestling mat or college baseball stadium, but that's the new status quo, which is probably wrong. But you can't put the genie back in the bottle...NCAA football is such a huge profit center and cultural icon that regressing to the days of it being an afterthought of academia is probably impossible

Scoops McCracken: You have lots of things for me to tackle, so I'll try my best.
Peoria Pliers: nice pun...tackle...

Scoops McCracken: The AD's have a difficult job, especially with the demand to fulfill title IX requirements. Their main goal is to make money. What I never have liked about the president's argument is they use the academic card.

Peoria Pliers: I think it depends on how it is used...whey they say that three weeks of games detracts from the player's academics, I think that is complete bull. When they say that they need higher profits to fund the athletic departments so that it doesn’t detract from the academic offerings of the school, that makes sense to me

Scoops McCracken: Here's a question I have: I've been watching women's field hockey on the Big Ten Network.....why does Minnesota not have a team? They'd probably be good at it, and #2: having the team would add female athlete #'s helping out with Title IX.

Peoria Pliers: That's a VERY Good question. Plus, if we had a field hockey team, then we would have hundreds of extra patients for the orthopedic center on campus...those poor women look like they are in pain at all times, running around bent over. I sound like an old man, but that just doesn’t look good. So you got the Horned Frogs or the Utes tonight?

Scoops McCracken: That's a good game......yeah, I think so. BYU got doggypounded by TCU, and I think Utah gets the same.

Peoria Pliers: Agreed, TCU is a good squad. How about Ohio State/Northwestern...do the Wildcats have a chance?

Scoops McCracken: I don't think they win, but I don't think it's a blowout either. OSU is having trouble scoring right now. I still think it's the right move to play Pryor because this season is pretty much a wash for them. They won't win a Big Ten title, can't win a BCS title, and are pretty much pegged into the 2nd Big Ten bowl slot. Start getting youngsters in there. The cats are better than I thought; I give them all the credit for the win over the Gophers.
Peoria Pliers: I think the Wildcats might win this one...I like their MOXIE. That's my upset special. I won't bet on it, but I like them to win

Scoops McCracken: I took them to cover.

Scoops McCracken: Is Harrell the front runner for the Heisman? I like the talk, even if the trophy is often times a joke.

Peoria Pliers: I have no idea since the popularity contest of the Heisman seems like a giant Wank to me, but yeah, I think after his performance in the big game last week, he's got to be the front runner. Colt McCoy's image in everyone's mind is now burned in as the "Oh my god, how did we just lose that game" face, so I think he has ZERO chance of winning it now. So considering our mutual hatred of the BC/Notre Dame matchup, what is your least favorite rilvalry game? What game really has the least reason to be a "big" game, a game that seems more popular than it should be?

Scoops McCracken: I would have said Alabama/Auburn, but with Saban & the Tide's resurgance, probably not so anymore. I'd probably say Florida State/Miami right now.

Peoria Pliers: I'm thinking of games like Notre Dame/Stanford. Florida St/Miami is a good example.

Scoops McCracken: USC/Notre Dame is there as well. Other than the '05 game, USC has been in dominating mode.

Peoria Pliers: Did you know that Cincinnati and Miami of Ohio have been playing since 1888, two years longer than Army-Navy and Minnesota/Wisconsin?

Scoops McCracken: I did not....I know that Mizzou/Kansas is up there with Minnesota/Wisconsin in terms of games played. You know, if Minnesota wins this weekend, you get the jug at the state fair in 2009, 2010, & 2011 guaranteed since Michigan goes off the schedule the next two years?

Peoria Pliers: WOW. Really? That is awesome, it makes the game even bigger than originally thought. Go Gophers. My buddy almost broke the Jug once; he was catering an event at the Alumni center and bumped the flimsy table the jug was sitting on. That may have sparked a new civil war

Scoops McCracken: I think there's actually more than 1 I believe but I'm not sure. Any Parting shots?

Peoria Pliers: YES WE CAN!!! That should be the battle cry of the Gophers vs. Michigan

Scoops McCracken: Yeah......Michigan. All those years of jacking around the Gophers........To quote the great Rev. eremiah Wright......."MICHIGAN'S CHICKENS............ARE COMING HOME.......TO ROOST!"

Peoria Pliers: There you have it, folks.

Pliers' Picks - 11/6/08

I'm not going to gloat for too long since my YTD record is still below .500, but I do want to bring up two quotes from my picks last week:

(On the Texas Tech/Texas game) - "I'm taking the Mad Bomber for the first time in my life for one reason and one reason only - Michael Crabtree. That guy is a FORCE, and I think he will be a diffrence-maker."

(On the Minnesota/Northwestern game) - "This pick pains me, but I really think that the Gophs are living and dying by the opprotunistic turnover at the right time, and that has to catch up to them eventually. I think the Gophs should score more points in the dome than they did outside at West Lafayette, but I am going to have to go with the upset special here."

I'll say this...after being so sucky for so long, it sure feels good to be right once in a while. Too bad about UGA, though...

Last Week - 4-3-1
YTD - 34-38-1

Texas Christian by 1 at UTAH. Continuing with the theme of taking Christian schools on the road (Thank You, Sister Helen Jean Moriarity), I think TCU wins this one BIG tonight. Utah has played nobody, barely squeaked by a bad Michigan team, and is 8-0, which puts tons of BCS-based pressure on them. TCU 31, Utah 17.

Georgia Tech getting 5 at NORTH CAROLINA. Georgia Tech is 5-1 ATS so far this year, they run an exotic and explosive offense that Butch Davis hasn't seen since he was coaching the J.V. squad at Oka Locka, and the Powder Blue Warriors are still missing their best QB and WR. Georgia Tech's defense won't allow more than 14 points, and I like the odds of the Dirty Bees putting up more than a handful on the Tar Heels. Georgia Tech 24, UNC 21.

Kansas by 1 at NEBRASKA. Sorry Bo, you just don't have the horses, even if this game in in your backyard. Funny story...I drove by the Richfield Football practice field the other day and I saw that the staff out there brought back the Blackshirts for the defensive players. I had heard that the "Blackshirts" were back...but if they can be back in Richfield, I don't think it carries much weight in Lincoln. Has Kansas really fallen off that much? I say no. Kansas 35, Nebraska 24.

LOUISANA STATE getting 3.5 vs. Alabama. I'm not going to make this about Saban/Miles. I'm not going to make it about whose state is more backwards. What I am going to make this game about is the fact that it is at Baton Rouge, that the Tide have a HUGE bulls-eye on their backs, and that the only game LSU was out of was against a surging Florida team. This game turns the SEC on it's head. LSU 17, Alabama 13.

Notre Dame by 3 at BOSTON COLLEGE. The HOLY WAR is shaping up between these two Catholic...err...powerhouses? This Holy War is more like a Holy Fistfight consdiering the stature of these two teams this year. I wish I could predict this game to end in a -1 to -1 loss for both teams, but in lieu of that, I think that Notre Dame showed enough against Pitt to prove they are worth more than 3 points against a decimated BC squad. Irish 34, Eagles 24.

Arizona by 41 at WASHINGTON STATE. No explanation here other than that the Wazzu Watchdogs have been asleep at the wheel, mostly due to the fact that they are currently left with a QB that I believe was starting on the Spokane 9th grade team last year. They have gone through like 12 QB's in the past month. The white flag is out. Arizona 42, Wazzou 0.

OK, that is six, and I can't find anymore juicy picks...I'll update this tomrrow with some more flayva.

DOWN GOES SCOOPS!

Last Week: 2-6
Season: 50-46
Net Gain/Loss: + $142.50

Kind of a rough week with a bunch of misfires. It happens. It’s the reason why Venetian is building a second Plazzo tower and Mandalay Bay builds “The Hotel” as additions. They sometimes take you. But in an effort to sound positive after a rough election Tuesday for Scoops, the sun shines the next day.

MINNESOTA (-7.5) over Michigan: Steven Threet is listed as doubtful, but a backup QB didn’t help the Gophers’ D much last weekend. However, Northwestern was playing with overall more confidence, which may not be high for Michigan this weekend where they’re only playing for two things: the Little Brown Jug and beating Ohio State. If Michigan gets down quickly, it could be a Gopher blowout. I think the health of Eric Decker is what keeps this from being a runaway.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MINNESOTA 27, MICHIGAN 17

IOWA (+7.5) over Penn State: All of Iowa’s losses have been by less than 7 points. And the health of Darryl Clark may play a big part. With a jacked up crowd, Iowa keeps it close, but Penn State wins what should be their only possible trip up the rest of the way.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PENN STATE 31, IOWA 27

NORTHWESTERN (+11) over Ohio State: OSU doesn’t have the offense. Fitzgerald knows how to play it close and not give it away like MSU did to Ohio State.
SCOOPS’ PICK: OHIO STATE 27, NORTHWESTERN 17

MICHIGAN STATE (-9.5) over Purdue: No analysis provided.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN STATE 34, PURDUE 20

Illinois (-7) over Western Michigan: Why discuss a team I know nothing about?
SCOOPS’ PICK: ILLINOIS 30, WESTERN MICHIGAN 17

Wisconsin (-10) over INDIANA: As long as douche bag Bielema can keep his cool and his witty remarks to himself and not to officials, Wisconsin should win by double digits.
SCOOPS’ PICK: WISCONSIN 37, INDIANA 20

Alabama (-3.5) over LSU: LSU’s defense is struggling, and in every big game that Bama has played this year, they’ve jumped up big & quickly.
SCOOPS’ PICK: ALABAMA 34, LSU 19

TEXAS TECH (-3) over Oklahoma State: Tech is for real and I think it’s a good thing that a very good Oklahoma State team is their next test so they aren’t trapped.
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS TECH 38, OKLAHOMA STATE 30

Florida (-24) over VANDERBILT: Florida seems to be hitting their stride and they’re trying to earn style points in case a 1 loss team is invited to the big dance.
SCOOPS’ PICK: FLORIDA 48, VANDERBILT 10

USC (-18.5) over California: USC is also trying to earn style points.
SCOOPS’ PICK: USC 31, CAL 6

Friday Fistacuffs: 10/31/08

Peoria Pliers: How many points are scored tomorrow in the Metrodome?
Scoops McCracken: I think it's a lower scoring game....the Gophers aren't making mistakes, but they're not lighting it up either, and Bacher is out as is Sutton. I wouldn't go over 40 for an O/U. What do you think?
Peoria Pliers: 40 seems amazingly low for that game considering the offensive talent, but both teams have opprotunistic defenses...its either a 68 point day or a 30 point day, probably not much of a chance of middle ground there
Scoops McCracken: Will there be a taunting penalty in the Georgia/Florida game after a score?
Peoria Pliers: Heh. That's a very good question. I really can't see there not being one now that you said it. The real question is this: how many kids get suspended after the ensuing melee?
Scoops McCracken: Why? is the SEC saying that if anything happens, they're going to suspend guys?
Peoria Pliers: No, I'm just envisioning a worst case scenario like the South Carolina game a few years ago
Scoops McCracken: I don't think anything can happene because last year was a one time thing that had an affect. Anything now is just a copycat. Last year was so brilliant. It won't have the same affect this year. At least I think.
Peoria Pliers: Yeah, youre probably right, but a nice WHL-Style throwdown would be sweet with a bunch of SEC kids beating each others heads in. Fun times. Peoria Pliers says: So assuming that your pick is right and mine is wrong...and the Longhorns send the Mad Bomber packing, do they run the table the rest of the way?
Scoops McCracken: I think Texas does if they win....I still think Tech will trip up even if they win tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I think Tech is good and they're different than their usual Tech teams, but I just think Texas is a little better. And McCoy simply isn't making mistakes....the Texas defense will cause Tech to make at least a few. And the kicking situation will bite its ass in the form of having to go for a 4th & 7 from the 30 or 25.
Peoria Pliers: I agree that Tech probably doesn't have the depth to run the table, but it sure would be fun. OK, let's jump the gun two months early...who ya got in these potential BCS Championship game scenarios? Texas vs. Alabama
Scoops McCracken: Texas
Peoria Pliers: Texas vs. Penn State
Scoops McCracken: Texas
Peoria Pliers: Texas vs. Georgia
Scoops McCracken: Still like Texas. I like Texas over everyone right now. I think the big thing for them is Tech is really the last team of the big games the rest of the regular season, and the way they handled Mizzou, they can beat them again in the XII title game. Bama has to beat a very good Georgia again or a Florida team that seems to be cranking it up a bit. Your thoughts?
Peoria Pliers: So you think its a Bama/Texas championship game?
Scoops McCracken: I think it will be a Texas/Penn State title game. I think Bama slips either at LSU or in the SEC title game.
Peoria Pliers: OK, so let's say you are right...can PSU keep the Texas offense under 35 points?
Scoops McCracken: Probably not...I think both teams score in the 30s easily. You're looking at another 2006 Rose Bowl.
Peoria Pliers: Wow, that's a tall order. So then three years later are we looking at Colt McCoy being platered on the cover of SPIN magazine with coke up his nose and Daryl Clark blowing his brains out on an NFL sideline a la Leinert/Young?
Scoops McCracken: Nah, McCoy is too small town for that. And Daryl Clark will be a 3rd down back for the Chiefs.
Peoria Pliers: if that is the case, he will have the biggest cannon arm for a back of all time
Scoops McCracken: C'mon Pliers....you know as well as anyone: Afro-Americans can't play NFL QB. They can't read defenses. Did you see this? http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3674820. You can't make it up!
Peoria Pliers: Yeah I did see that...only in Georgia. The Education Commissioner must be proud.
Scoops McCracken: I'm sure Alabama is upset that they didn't think of this the Friday before the Iron Bowl. Any preditcions on the Gophers-MSU series this weekend?
Peoria Pliers: Hmm. Well I always pull for my Richfield boy Jutting, but I don't think they have a chance this weekend. I mean they did lose their best player Cole "The" Basset "Hound" a few years back so their program must be in pretty deep decline.
Scoops McCracken: Jutting's from Richfield?
Peoria Pliers: Oh yeah
Scoops McCracken: A cradle of hockey hotbed talent.
Peoria Pliers: We have our fingers in a surprising amount of hockey related things around Minnesota...Darby Hendrickson is the all-time leading scorer for the "Horrible Haircut on FSN North" series, Jutting leads a mediocre team an hour from the metro, and our hockey rink still houses Holy Angles. OH, and we have Hat Trick here too. Always a plus
Scoops McCracken: I guess I never thought of Holy Angels as "Richfield's"......they're kind of their own little world with tunnels to west Bloomington, Edina, Eden Prairie, & Prior Lake
Peoria Pliers: Hey, the school is in Richfield, and so is their hockey rink. I wish they would leave, but that's just me. Bunch of jerkoffs. So who is your pick for the first NCAA coach to jump to the NFL this year? Any worthwhile candidates, or is that influx of NCAA guys coming to an end with the Petrino disaster?
Scoops McCracken: I think the good college coaches are wanting to stay. I think Willingham finds himself on an NFL staff though. If someone did jump, I'd see it being a Richt or Meyer.
Peoria Pliers: I like Richt as an NFL guy, cool, calm, good hair. That didn't work so well for Mikey Nolan though. How long do you give Singletary before the entire locker room turns on him?
Scoops McCracken: His bit may be good for the fans, but it may wear out in another two weeks.
Peoria Pliers: especially if they don't win
Scoops McCracken: You know what I'm worried about with the Gophers tomorrow? This is always the point where the other shoe drops. This may be one of the most important games in the program, definitely since the 2003 Michigan game. They have expectations now and need to kick down the door.
Peoria Pliers: Yuuuup. See my picks and you can read how much I agree with you.
Scoops McCracken: Win and people will flock to the dome next week agianst Michigan....lose and it's "same old Gophers" all over again.
Peoria Pliers: I'm going to the Michigan game by the way. I just GOTTA see Threet!!!!
Scoops McCracken: Then again, it took Mason 9 tries to beat Purdue.
Peoria Pliers: HA! Let's just not ever compare anything to Glen Mason. Agreed? Unless it is fecal matter. Or Betamax. Both equally as worthless as Glen Mason coaching a football team.
Scoops McCracken: Also, at what point can Sam McGuffie's name be legally changed to "YouTube sensation Sam McGuffie?" That's all they talk about him regarding his HS youtube runs.
Peoria Pliers: That's a good question. Sounds like something The Sports Guy could spearhead...if he would watch anything other than the Pats, the NBA, and the BoSox
Scoops McCracken: Last Question: What 3 things are we talking about on Monday morning about what happened this past weekend over all else?
Peoria Pliers:
1. Some horrific injury in the Texas/Texas Tech Game
2. The future of either Mack Brown or Mike Leach and their impending contract extensions
3. The official "end of days" for West Virginia after they lose badly to UConn
Scoops McCracken:
1. Texas on track for BCS Title game after surviving in the west Texas plains.
2. Minnesota's turnaround conitnuing and possible New Year's Day bowl.
3. 1,456 people killed by empty bourbon bottles in Jacksonville, FL.
Peoria Pliers: That would be a great line in the Jacksonville Daily Newspaper: "Jack Daniels Murders 12 As Liquid Killing Spree Runs Rampant"

Pliers Picks - Week 10 - 10/29

Three weeks in a row of going 3-5 has put my confidence level somewhere between "Vince Young taking the ACT" and "Zac Effron having to do a scene where he kisses a girl". That is not a good range. Hopefully this Gopher Homecoming weekend can provide a ray of hope to me finishing the season strong. By the way, for all of the jerkoffs in the local media who played turd in the punchbowl about Tim Brewster...eff you. I haven't exactly been a driver of his bandwagon, but I've always thought that the biggest thing they needed was a recruiter, and now you see the results. I stil think they are going to lose a game they shouldn't, which brings me to...

Northwestern getting 7 at MINNESOTA. This pick pains me, but I really think that the Gophs are living and dying by the opprotunistic turnover at the right time, and that has to catch up to them eventually. I think the Gophs should score more points in the dome than they did outside at West Lafayette, but I am going to have to go with the upset special here. Wildcats 31, Gophers 28.

Pittsburgh getting 5.5 at NOTRE DAME. The Beano Cook wetdream pick of the week! Since I've been wrong EVERY TIME when picking against Catholic schools...I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on. I love Pitts running game, and while I am afraid of the UND passing attack these days, the reality is that Notre Dame has beaten NOBODY of consequence. Washington, Stanford, Purdue, Michigan, and San Diego State are not exactly "quality wins". Pitt 34, Notre Dame 28.

GEORGIA getting 6 vs. Florida. I think I've been wrong on every Florida pick this year, too. Eff it, I'm picking Georgia. Their defense is coming into form and they are finally figuring out that chucking the ball to A.J. Green is almost always a good idea. Let's just hope that Richt doesn't go Mike Tice on us and start creating an "A.J. Ratio." Oh yeah, and I like the fact that Florida blew Kentucky out last week...it should hurt their motivation, and UGA has lot's of confidence after pushing Florida out of the BCS race last year. Georgia 24, Florida 21.

SOUTH CAROLINA by 6 vs. Tennessee. Did anyone see the Tennessee QB performance last week against Alabama? Their QB situation is more of an abomonation than Ann Coulter being impregnated by Keith Olbermann. All I have to say is this: when Chris Smelley is the best quarterback on the field, the opposing team is in TROUBLE. 'Cocks 28, Vols 10.

TEXAS TECH getting 5 vs. Texas. YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!!!!!! I'm taking the Mad Bomber for the first time in my life for one reason and one reason only - Michael Crabtree. That guy is a FORCE, and I think he will be a diffrence-maker. I don't think Texas is stopping the Red Raiders in Lubbock, especially in perfect weather. Hopefully the Techies can channel a little bit of Zach Thomas this weekend and knock off the Mack Brown All-Stars for the first time since 2002. Red Raiders 52, Texas 42.

IOWA getting 3 at ILLINOIS. Ron Zook as a field general is a little like Alberto Gonzales as the Attorney General. Everyone knows he is unfit for the job, but nobody can really do anything about it. Add that predicament to the fact that Ferentz is the next Joe Paterno when it comes to playing team football AND that the Iowa RB is making a Heisman push, and I think it equals an upset win at Champaign. Who would have thought that the Illini would end up having a sub .500 record in the Big Ten before the season started? Iowa 24, Illinois 17.

Colorado getting 4 at TEXAS A&M. A rare Big XII pillowfight. I like Hawkins a helluva lot more than Mike Fricken Sherman. I know the Buffs got blown out last week, but that was Missouri. This is a totally different animal, and Colorado is fighting for a bowl spot. Did I mention A&M SUCKS? Yeah, I did. I think I do every week. Colorado 28, A&M 21.

MICHIGAN STATE by 4.5 vs Wisconsin. It sure is fun to pick agains the BADgers. A-holes. I think that Javon "The Wringer" Ringer is going to run roughshod over that BADger defense. If I were Bret Bielma, I might start worrying about my job...oh yeah, thats right, you are Barry Alvarez's love-child. No worries for Bret, I guess. Spartans 31, BADgers 14.

Last Week - 3-5
YTD - 30-35-1

SCOOPS' PICKS: 11/1/08 "AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!"

Last Week: 4-6
Season: 48-40
Net Gain/Loss: + $187.50

You can’t win ‘em all. I knew the “all road favorites” was going to roll last weekend in the Big Ten, but sometimes you have to lose money until you’re shown with your own eyes. Kind of like how St. Cloud State could have the greatest hockey team and be undefeated going into the NCAA’s. I’m still not going to wager on them until they prove they have the ability to not choke in an NCAA game.

MINNESOTA (-6.5) over Northwestern: If you would have told me before the year that Minnesota would go to Purdue and not give up a TD, I would not only have taken that bet, but probably put my left testicle as the wagering stick. Don’t know what I could have gotten in return, but clearly I would have lost. Now, Minnesota has confidence and Northwestern is banged up with Sutton out the rest of the season and Bacher having a bum hamstring if he is able to go, which will hurt his mobility and take a big part of what he adds to the Northwestern offense.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MINNESOTA 27, NORTHWESTERN 16

PURDUE (-2) over Michigan: Personally, I think both teams should just kick each other in the nuts and call it a day. The reason I go with Purdue is, despite the stats saying how bad they are, I was impressed with Purdue’s defense, particularly their DL. And I don’t get the stats. They say they’re awful, but they didn’t give up an offensive TD at Ohio State, held Penn State to 20 points, and had Oregon down for a long time. I suppose it just takes a few games like Notre Dame & Northwestern to ruin a stat sheet. Anyway, Michigan was lucky to be within 2 TD’s of Michigan State last week. I give the edge to the defense I like and the home crowd.
SCOOPS’ PICK: PURDUE 20, MICHIGAN 17

Iowa (+125) over ILLINOIS: Clearly, Illinois misses Mendenhall as they don’t have a running game which Juice feeds off of, and he’s forced to make plays through the game. He’ll get yards, but he’ll also make mistakes if he has to do it through the air. Meanwhile, Iowa is simply getting better, they have a solid defense, and a running game that is hammering teams right now.
SCOOPS’ PICK: IOWA 23, ILLINOIS 20

MICHIGAN STATE (-4.5) over Wisconsin: Will there be a letdown against Wisconsin this week for Sparty On? I think they’ll build off of it since they won. Meanwhile, although Wisconsin won, things aren’t all rosey as Beckum was lost for the season. The Badgers have TE depth, but it’s not explosive enough. And the road environment won’t be kind to Dustin Sherrer.
SCOOPS’ PICK: MICHIGAN STATE 27, WISCONSIN 17

INDIANA (-3) over Central Michigan: Not much to say about this one, other than Indiana is coming off a Big Ten win and the offense showed a bit of life. With a defense that isn’t completely inept, that should be enough to beat a MAC team.
SCOOPS’ PICK: INDIANA 30, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 24

Texas (-4) over TEXAS TECH: The Showdown in the Big XII. I correctly thought Texas Tech would walk Kansas and they are a different Tech team than the usual bunch, but Texas can score and be efficient as well. They’ve seen Daniel & Bradford and were able to fend off a good Oklahoma State team. Plus the walk-on kicker that won the kicking contest is a great story (my dream actually), but it’s the kind of thing that doesn’t help you in a game against the #1 team in the country. Make sure all the bulbs in the scoreboard are working!
SCOOPS’ PICK: TEXAS 48, TEXAS TECH 41

Georgia (+6) over Florida [@ Jacksonville]: I think they officially disallowed it to be called the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party due to the apparent nature of college football fans in the south enjoying alcohol. Either way, we return to the scene where one year ago Mark Richt challenged his team to show some emotion and they acted with the greatest post TD celebration in the history of mankind where the entire team stormed the field after the Dawgs took a 6-0 lead early in the game, saying “hell with the 15 yard penalty,” which caused Urban Meyer a great deal in anger simply because he hadn’t thought of this brilliant idea first. Georgia’s offense got on track at LSU, but so did Florida’s two weeks prior to against LSU. Two damn good teams, and just going with the points in this case.
SCOOPS’ PICK: FLORIDA 20, GEORGIA 17

OLE MISS (-6) over Auburn: Wow did Auburn look awful last Thursday night at West Virginia. They are a program in turmoil and usually you go one of two ways: rally around the coach or fold up and get taken doggy. In the SEC, rarely do you right the ship simply because you want it more. Lots of angry men running around a football field down there. I say I say….emancipate from Tommy Tuberville!
SCOOPS’ PICK: OLE MISS 31, AUBURN 17

THURSDAY THROWDOWN: 10/23/08

Scoops McCracken: Penn State-Ohio State. Can PSU exercise the demons of the Horseshoe?
Peoria Pliers: I really want to say that they will, and I think they have looked AMAZING so far this year with their disciplined play and creative offense....but they have to lose one game before the end of the season, right? I mean that's a horrible reason to pick against them, but I think this very well may be game they lose since the Horsehoe is a as formidable a place as Sex Panther is a scent
Scoops McCracken: Ohio State completely boggles my mind. They look amateurish against Wisconsin & Purdue, but then absolutely gang rape Michigan State. They do the complete opposite of what I think they're going to do, minus the Minnesota game.
Peoria Pliers: So you're going with them to win then?
Scoops McCracken: I am, yes....but I wouldn't bring the deed to the farm with to the casino.
Peoria Pliers: true that. So do your knees hurt as bad as mine for jumping onto the Daryl Clark bandwagon?
Scoops McCracken: I've kind of liked him all year.....one benefit of the Big Ten network: getting to watch all the preseason camps. I liked PSU then....and remember, I did pick them to go to the Rose Bowl before the season.
Peoria Pliers: Oooooo, you sound like Beano Cook
Scoops McCracken: If I was Beano Cook, I'd be talking about the potential of a Notre Dame-Pittsburgh Orange Bowl as being the greatest BCS game ever.
Peoria Pliers: good point
Scoops McCracken: But what I would like is Bama to lose and PSU & Texas to run the table and end up playing in the title game.
Peoria Pliers: That would be AWESOME, I'd love to see that matchup, although I would have preferred Oklahoma or Mizzou instead of Tejas
Scoops McCracken: Perhaps, but I don't mind this Texas team. I have a soft spot for Mack Brown, and I'd much rather see Texas than Florida or Bama or some other SEC academic institution.
Peoria Pliers: In the heirarchy of coaching snakes, Mack Brown definately is lower on the totem pole than Urban Meyer
Scoops McCracken: I think Mack Brown knows what he's got and where he's at....and he doesn't need to be a snake oil salesman like Meyer or Saban. But I'm loving this season.....the Gophers are playing ok and Wisconsin is shitting the bed....I couldn't ask for much more. Speaking of which, big series down in Madtown this weekend for the hockey club. I know it's a football thing, but hockey gets the old gears cranking! Sioux suck, blog readers!
Peoria Pliers: Yeah I scored tickets to the Wild game tonight so I get to watch Vanek light it up like the olden days, which is sweet. Gotta love hockey season, no dobut. And yes, the Sioux do suck. Badly.
Scoops McCracken: Were you able to watch the Gophers against SCSU last weekend?
Peoria Pliers: I watched the first two periods of the game on Friday...they looked fast and small
Scoops McCracken: I don't want to get too off the football tangent here, but I think they do have a mix of decent size. I think they have crazy depth; depth we haven't seen since 2002 & 2003 where the 4th line dominates every shift. Hopefully that top flight go to guy can emerge though, like Pohl or Vanek back in those days. I'm surprised you didn't go after Texas Tech being a point underdog agaisnt Kansas this weekend.
Peoria Pliers: I'm done with Mike Leach and his Air Raid bull-honkey. His defense is like an air-leak, and they just don't have the consistency they need. I'm surprised you didn't make six MAC predicitons
Scoops McCracken: I usually make two invovling Bowling Green & Northern Illinois, but they're playing each other this weekend, hence just one pick. I did nail Toledo being given too much respect though.
Peoria Pliers: Totally agree with the Toledo pick, beating Michigan this year is like the Gophers sweep of St. Cloud over the weekend...be happy with it, but don't get too excited. So what did you make of the Tommy Bowden situation at Clemson and then resulting media circus created by Spiller and Harper? Their media strategy is as cohesive as a cluster bomb dropped from 95,000 feet....
Scoops McCracken: It's hard......I think Bowden read the writing on the wall and knew he was a gonner, so he wanted to get a jump start. But I'm not much for a coach quitting midseason on kids that they preach to all year long on never quitting. Lesson as always: Clemson is irrelevant.
Peoria Pliers: yeah you called it at the beginning of the year. I tried to go with that whole "they have so much talent" argument, but alas, I was wrong again. We nee to come up with a name for coaches like Tommy Bowden, Lloyd Carr, and Ron Zook whose teams constantly underachieve despite high levels of talent, something snazzy
Scoops McCracken: I don't know if I have a name for it, but I dubbed a few terms when our high school reunions came up. It was if a girl was a "Ryan Leaf" or a "Tom Brady." Ryan Leaf: the knockout girl in high school that is now way over the hill, a total slut, and her best days are past. Tom Brady: the under the radar girl that 10 years later is now a complete knockout.
Peoria Pliers: Yeah, we need something similar for these mediocre coaches. Something like the "Michael Brown" (FEMA guy) trophy, or something
Scoops McCracken: You remember Al Goins from the frat days? That could be for the guy that is brilliant at something, but too stupid to be successful because of their ego. Or Stephen Schuller?
Peoria Pliers: Al and Shuler were definately in that book, although illicit drugs played their part as well. How about the "Pat Sajak" award, or maybe the "Tim Matheson" award for biggest underacheiver in college football. Other classic underacheivers might be The Dude from the Big Lebowski, Michael Olowakandi, or Reggie Ball from Ga Tech a few years back.
Scoops McCracken: Or highly recruited guys that really weren't that good. Justin Zwick....Lorenzo Booker....
Peoria Pliers: I like it. I will submit the names to the Trophy committee and get back to you asap
Scoops McCracken: I think me & you should try to take over a football team at like South or Edison or something like that.
Peoria Pliers: I've been pushing that agenda with Marc for a few years now
Scoops McCracken: Run veer for a few years to get things under control, and then BLAMO.......spreadHD
Peoria Pliers: Spread HD huh. With a bunch of kids from Edison? I like it
Scoops McCracken: I still have the playbook I developed for the K-Sig football program "the West Bank" offense since I came up with it sitting in boring Sociology classes in Blegen Hall
Peoria Pliers: The West Bank offense is always a plus, unless you run into the Jihadist 4-6...then you are SCREWED
Peoria Pliers: So are you going to watch the Auburn/West Virignia pillowfight tonigth>?
Scoops McCracken: Yeah, I'll probably flip between that and the world series. Auburn's fun to watch defensively, and Pat White is still Pat White. Not as intriguing as if you would had told me about these two teams back in August, but I'll watch. How does Auburn fire an o-coordinator halfway through a year? Did Tuberville not think that there would be a rough patch?
Peoria Pliers: Here is what I think...the SEC has gone so far away from the "Glen Mason" theory of building a college football team that they are putting EVERY good athlete on Defense, so the games end up being these epic struggles of fast kids on Defense against slightly slower kids on offense...its like watching an NHL game...you just sit around for three hours waiting for the three mistakes that kill one team. And help the other. Tubberville is grasping at straws since his teams have been on the back end of those really close games, and who better to get rid of if you are trying to keep the boosters off of your back...send a message that things are changing, and fire you O-Coordinator. Seems like typical D-1 football B.S. to me
Scoops McCracken: I hear ya, but I think they're fools. 1 year? You have to expect when you're completely switching philosophies that you're going to struggle. Michigan is pretty much expected for me. I thought they'd have 1 or 2 more wins because of the athletes they could plug in, but it's expected.
Peoria Pliers: Oh yeah, they are total fools, do doubt. I'm just trying to say that it isn't a huge surprise. I often wonder how different things would be in Auburn had Tubberville and the Tigers not gotten JOBBED by the BCS a few years ago and he was able to bring home the Natl Championship
Scoops McCracken: I don't know if things would be different. You'd still have the Les Miles, Nick Saban & Urban Meyer's to deal with. Look at Tennessee. Not much has super changed for them since 1998.
Peoria Pliers: Agreed........but who is still coaching there???? Uncle Fester
Scoops McCracken: True, but he proved that even Uncle Fester can win a crystal football if things break your way.
Peoria Pliers: I totally agree with you there, and that's pretty much my point. Had Auburn gotten lucky a few years ago, then none of this hooey with O-Coordinators would matter
Scoops McCracken: Why does the Northeast produce zero football talent?
Peoria Pliers: That is a GREAT question, I never thought of that. If you discount Pennsylvania, there really is a talent vaccuum out there. I would guess economics have a lot to do with it....not many fields, most kids are either too poor to afford equipment or too rich and would rather play hockey?
Scoops McCracken: You'd figure with the success & popularity of the Giants & Patriots not to mention the love for the Bills & Jets that you'd hear about more guys coming from NY, Mass & the other NE states.
Peoria Pliers: I would prefer to think that most of the jokers out there are kinda wussies, like a bunch of Wayzata/Plymouth kids who are afraid to hit and would prefer less contact sports like Soccer and Basketball. I doubt that there are any stats to back me up on that, but I would like to believe it
Scoops McCracken: Yeah, but you even have nuggets of Wayzata/Tonka kids that like to hit, like both Barber's, Laurenitis, Joppru.......just a thought I guess.
Peoria Pliers: a few kids, sure, but not the bulk. And keep in mind that Barber and Laurenitis had top-end talent for parents. So does Texas really run the table this year?
Scoops McCracken: I don't know....they've gotten through two tough ones.....and I think they do fine this weekend against OSU.....I think the one will be the trip to Lubbock. You just never know.
Peoria Pliers: I just can't imagine anyone coming out of that conference unscathed, epecially with that conference title game. So out of the current crop of Big 12 QB's, who makes the best pro in 2012?
Scoops McCracken: I'd say Bradford....you?
Peoria Pliers: Tough choice, but I think I have to go with Chase Daniel, even though he is a little on the small side. He has that leadership quality and pinpoint accuracy...Bradford seems to have the mental edge but he is so protected by that monster O-Line of theirs that I doubt his ability under pressure. I'm really interested to see where they all go in the draft next April
Scoops McCracken: Well, Bradford's only a sophomore, so you get to wait on him another year. The question with Daniel is: is he just a system QB or could he be an NFL QB?
Peoria Pliers: That's always the million-dollar question, but as we have talked about before, there are fewer and fewer choices for the NFL these days since very few teams run pro-style offenses anymore. Accuracy is my biggest disqualifier these days for an NFL QB (other than a super-weak arm), and I think Daniel has the most accurate arm of anyone in the NCAA
Scoops McCracken: Mandel wrote a little bit about this in Urban Meyer possibly being the one that jumps to the NFL because the way offenses are run, the NFL is pretty much going to have to eventually run some type of sophisiticated spread offense just because of what the colleges are churning out right now. You know what I think about Urban Meyer and him being a so-called offensive genius though.
Peoria Pliers: Word up. I wonder what the next big thing is going to be once this spread craze runs out...you got any bets?
Scoops McCracken: Crazy formations where it's only a center with the OL wide out to the left or right with a RB behind it and a quick pass to one side or the other! In all seriousness, I see a cycle back to I-formation and pounding the shit out of smaller, faster teams. This more so than a wishbone, because defensive speed can neutralize an option attack, something the spread defenses are kind of equipped for doing already.
Peoria Pliers: I like the I-Formation idea...I have a cadre of braintrusts that always thought that nobody ever exploited the TE position well enough as a combo of blocker/pass catcher. And the TE's are the ones getting left in the cold with the proliferation of the spread
Scoops McCracken: That was always the secret weapoin of the I. Ohio State was the only one that came close when they had Ricky Dudley & John Lumpkin....but they didn't do it enough. The simple seam down the middle was good for 25-30 yards probably 75-80% of the time it was used.
Peoria Pliers: Ahhh, Rickey Dudley...that guy was a man amongst boys
Scoops McCracken: In college he was, at least.