Posted on 2007 under Pick Em Contest |
30
Nov
This is the last week of Operation Pick ‘Em for the regular season. After the bowl bids are all announced the 2nd Annual ITB Bowl Bonanza will kick off. Lorena looks like she already has the Pick ‘Em title wrapped up for this year.
Washington (7%) at Hawaii (93%)
-Hawaii knows what is on the line here and won’t let Locker ruin their dream season. -Brian Sakowski, In The Bleachers
-Hawaii just doesn’t seem to lose at home. -Greg Gowins, Average Joe
-Hawaii4BCS. Hawaii by 23. - Chris Mason, In The Bleachers
-Hawaii. Yes, I believed they tried to put together a more difficult schedule, and it’s not their fault 4-8 Washington is the best team on that schedule, but they won’t be tested until they play the SEC champion. - Jim Gindin, Football Frontier
- I think this will be a close game, but because they’re at home, I’m going with the Rainbow Warriors. -Adam Nettina, Pitch Right
-Washington - Locker is going to be a superstar next year. Tony, Sports Bone TV
-Hawaii’s going to make it into a BCS game, so just give it up for them. - Jon Johnston, Corn Nation
UCLA (7%) at USC (93%)
-Ohh Pete Carroll. the money you have cost me this year (I live in Vegas of course). damn you. -Tony, Sports Bone TV
-No way Pete Carroll allows what happened last year to happen again. -Adam, Pitch Right
-USC. Second in the country in yards per play allowed. They will want to impress people just in case there’s still a championship game berth at stake. -Jim, Football Frontier
-We got a glimpse last Thursday at the best team in the Nation had they stayed healthy all year. USC big. -Brian, In The Bleachers
-USC by 11. Chris, In The Bleachers
-Is this Dorrell’s last game as the Bruins head coach? - Greg, Average Joe
MAC Championship
Miami (OH) (15%) vs Central Michigan (85%)
-Central Michigan. You might wonder how 8-4 (6-2 MAC) Bowling Green was excluded from the MAC championship over Miami’s Redhawks (6-6, 5-2 MAC). It’s because overall MAC record is only a distant tie-breaker in the MAC. Miami finished tied with Bowling Green and Buffalo in divisional record, and won both head-to-head games. Yeah, I figured you really weren’t wondering. -Jim, Football Frontier
-I’ve only seen Central Michigan play, so I’m picking them. -Greg, Average Joe
-Central Michigan by 7. -Chris, In The Bleachers
-I’m not sold on either of these team’s, but having been in this position last year I’m going with Dan Lefevor and the Chippewas. -Adam, Pitch Right
-Central Michigan has a duel threat QB in Dan Lefevor and he’ll be the difference in the game. -Brian, In The Bleachers
Conference USA Championship
Tulsa (23%) vs Central Florida (77%)
-For as good as Tulsa is on offense, they are worse on defense. Kevin Smith will flirt with rushing for 200 yards against Tulsa and UCF will win the Conference USA title, mainly because they have a better defense. - Brian, In The Bleachers
-Central Florida. Easily the best Central team in the country. -Jim Gindin, Football Frontier
-Tulsa won’t be able to stop Central Florida’s ground attack. -Greg, Average Joe
-UCF by 12. -Chris, In The Bleachers
-Central Florida - I predict Tebow scores 7 more TD’s for Central Florida. -Tony, Sports Bone TV
ACC Championship
Virginia Tech (77%) vs Boston College (23%)
-I see a close, low scoring contest with a VT victory. -Greg, Average Joe
-VT by 11. - Chris, In The Bleachers
-Tech has a healthy Tyrod and a better defense. I think they avenge their earlier loss to the Eagles. -Brian, In The Bleachers
-Virginia Tech. Fourth in the country in yards per play allowed. They will want to impress people just in case there’s still a championship game berth at stake. -Jim, Football Frontier
SEC Championship
LSU (93%) vs Tennessee (7%)
-Tennessee - Les Miles already has his corner office at the Big House picked out. -Tony, Sports Bone TV
-Even with all of the distractions of Miles to Michigan, and a gimpy Flynn, I see the Bayou Bengals winning. -Greg, Average Joe
-Les Miles and Bo Pelini win their last game at LSU and the Tiger Nation wonders what if… -Brian, In The Bleachers
-Louisiana State. Third in the country in yards per play allowed. They will want to impress people just in case there’s still a championship game berth at stake. -Jim, Football Frontier
-LSU by 24. -Chris, In The Bleachers
Big 12 Championship
Missouri (77%) vs Oklahoma (23%)
-I was all ready to pick Oklahoma based on the fact that they’ve been here before, but they have some key injuries at RB and DE which will hurt them. Plus with Tony Temple back, the Tigers will be able to have a more balanced attack. Book your tickets to title game Mizzou fans! -Brian, In The Bleachers
-Missouri comes into this game hot. The earlier loss to Oklahoma came at Norman, with Missouri losing by only 10 after having four turnovers. Chase Daniel puts himself firmly into Heisman contention after this game as Missouri beats Oklahoma by double digits. -Jon, Corn Nation
-Oklahoma by 7. -Chris, In The Bleachers
-Missouri. 50th in the country in yards per play allowed. But Chase Daniel is the best player in the country. -Jim, Football Frontier
-Missouri - Chase Daniel steals the Hesiman from Tebow with this game. -Tony, Sports Bone, TV
-OU has been here before, Mizzou might be a bit overwhelmed. -Greg, Average Joe
The “Experts’” Picks for This Week’s Games
Bruce Feldman - Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Missouri
Brian Sakowski - Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Missouri
Charlie Swager - Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Oklahoma
Chris Mason - Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Oklahoma
John Radcliff - Hawaii, UCLA, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Oklahoma
Jon Johnston - Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Missouri
Adam Nettina - Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Tulsa, Boston College, LSU, Missouri
Mike Rizzo - Hawaii, USC, Miami (OH), Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Missouri
Jim Gindin - Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Missouri
Tony Delbusso - Washington, USC, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Missouri
Cyril Tircuit - Hawaii, USC, Miami (OH), Tulsa, Boston College, LSU, Missouri
Greg Gowins - Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, LSU, Oklahoma
Lorena The Dodgerchick -Hawaii, USC, Central Michigan, Tulsa, Boston College, LSU, Missouri
Posted on 2007 under Podcasts |
28
Nov
It is Championship Week in college football and the In The Bleachers podcast breaks down every conference championship game. In this show Brian is joined by Big Head, a Missouri blogger from the site Mizzourah. Big Head weighs in on Missouri’s chances this weekend in the Big 12 title game and puts his 2 cents in on the Games of the Week. This week’s games of the week are Army vs Navy
Washington @ Hawaii, UCLA @ USC, Miami (OH) vs Central Michigan, Tulsa vs Central Florida, Virginia Tech vs Boston College, Tennessee vs LSU, and Oklahoma vs Missouri. If you haven’t downloaded us via iTunes click here to download this show.
Remember, if you want the podcast you must subscribe to the Feedbuner but if you want to subscribe to the blog please use the RSS feed. This is for iTunes to be able to archive the shows. Enjoy this week’s episode of In The Bleachers and if you have any questions or comments to the show please email them to inthebleachers AT gmail DOT com.
Posted on 2007 under Bowl Games |
28
Nov
Bowl Bids for the majority of the teams will start going out next Monday or right after the BCS Bids are announced on Sunday night. A lot could change if Missouri, West Virginia, or both lose on Saturday, but here is how I think it would shake up right now. Thanks to everyone who commented last time, I tried a little harder to fit everyone in where they were suppose to go. The following teams have accepted bowl bids already: Navy, Memphis, Southern Mississippi, Houston, Air Force, and California.
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Mountain West vs Navy/At Large
TCU vs Navy
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Sun Belt #1 vs C-USA #4
Troy vs Memphis
PapaJohn’s.com Bowl
Big East (or MAC) vs C-USA #3
Cincinnati vs Southern Mississippi
New Mexico Bowl
Mountain West vs WAC
New Mexico vs Fresno State
Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl
Mountain West #1 vs Pac 10 #5
BYU vs UCLA
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
C-USA #5 vs WAC
East Carolina vs Utah
Motor City Bowl
Big 10 #7 vs MAC
Indiana vs Central Michigan
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Big 12 #3 vs Pac 10 #2
Texas Tech vs Oregon
Texas Bowl
Big 12 #8 vs C-USA #6
South Carolina vs Houston
Champs Sports Bowl
ACC #4 vs Big 10 #4 or #5
Clemson vs Penn State
Emerald Bowl
ACC #5/6/7 vs Pac 10 #4
Georgia Tech vs California
Meineke Car Care Bowl
ACC #5/6/7 vs Big East #3
Florida State vs Connecticut
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
C-USA #1 vs SEC #6
Central Florida vs Arkansas
Alamo Bowl
Big 10 #4/5 vs Big 12 #5
Wisconsin vs Texas A&M
Petro Sun Independence Bowl
Big 12 #7 vs SEC #8
Colorado vs Alabama
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Mountain West vs Pac 10 #6
Air Force vs Purdue
Brut Sun Bowl
Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame vs Pac 10 #3
South Florida vs Oregon State
Humanitarian Bowl
ACC #8 vs WAC
Maryland vs Boise State
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
ACC #5/6/7 vs SEC
Wake Forest vs Mississippi State
Chick-fil-A Bowl
ACC #2 vs SEC #5
Boston College vs Kentucky
Insight Bowl
Big 10 #6 vs Big 12 #6
Michigan State vs Oklahoma State
Outback Bowl
Big 10 #3 vs SEC
Michigan vs Tennnessee
AT&T Cotton Bowl
Big 12 #2/3 vs SEC
Oklahoma vs Auburn
Gator Bowl
ACC #3 vs Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame
Virginia vs Texas
Capital One Bowl
Big 10 #2 vs SEC
Illinois vs Florida
International Bowl
Big East/Notre Dame vs MAC #4/5
Rutgers vs Bowling Green
GMAC Bowl
C-USA #2 vs MAC
Tulsa vs Ball State
Rose Bowl Presesented by Citi
BCS vs BCS (Big 10 vs Pac 10 champion if available)
USC vs Ohio State
Allstate Sugar Bowl
BCS vs BCS (SEC champion if available)
LSU vs Hawaii
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
BCS vs BCS (Big 12 champion if available)
Kansas vs Arizona State
FedEx Orange Bowl
BCS vs BCS (ACC champion if available)
Virginia Tech vs Georgia
Allstate BCS National Championship
BCS #1 vs BCS #2
Missouri vs West Virginia
Posted on 2007 under Coaching |
27
Nov
It is Championship Week but that doesn’t mean jobs are safe. The ink has hardly dried on some team’s seasons and a lot of coaches are looking for a new job, while some are trying to get their foot in the door at those jobs.
Big 12
Baylor- Baylor fired Guy Morriss after five seasons. In those seasons Morriss went 18-40 and the Bears have had a losing season for 12 years straight. Baylor wanted to at least get Mike Singletary in for an interview but he pulled his name from consideration.
Nebraska- After losing to Colorado, it was not a surprise that acting AD Tom Osborne fired Bill Callahan. In his four seasons, Callahan went 27-22 and led Nebraska to their only two losing seasons in 45 years. The embarrassing loss to Kansas seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. I expect the Cornhuskers to look at Turner Gill from Buffalo, Bo Pelini from LSU, that is if he does not get the LSU job. That’s assuming Les Miles leaves for Michigan. The man who has the plus on all of Nebraska football is Corn Nation.
Texas A&M- The Aggies had a package laid out and Dennis Franchione accepted it to resign from the program even after leading the team in consecutive victories against Texas. In his 5 seasons, Franchione went 32-28. Yesterday the Aggies hired former Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman.
SEC
Arkansas- After a turbulent off season and in season, Houston Nutt resigned as the head coach of the Razorbacks. In his tenure at Arkansas, Nutt went 75-48 and in 2006 won the SEC West. A lot of names are being thrown around, but nothing of substance has come out yet. Tommy Bowden has expressed interest in getting back into coaching and other names I am hearing are Jim Grobe, Tommy Tuberville, and Brian Kelly seems to be the “hot” coach this offseason.
Mississippi - Only a day after losing to their rival Mississippi State, coach Ed Orgeron was fired as the Rebels coach. In this 3 seasons he went 10-25. Mississippi did not waste time as they hired ex-Arkansas coach Houston Nutt today.
ACC
Georgia Tech - Only one year after winning the ACC Coastal Division, Georgia Tech fired head coach Chan Gailey. Overall, Gailey’s record at Georgia Tech was 44-32, but he never beat their rival Georgia. A few names being thrown around right now are Rick Neuheisel, Randy Edsall, Paul Johnson, Jumbo Fisher, and Terry Bowden.
Duke- Ted Roof was fired yesterday as the Blue Devils coach. Roof has won just one game in two seasons and 6 overall in his years at Duke. This could be a job for Chan Gailey to get back into but other than that, I expect them to look at an offensive or defensive coordinator from a big name school.
Big Ten
Michigan- Immediately after the loss to Ohio State, Lloyd Carr did what everyone expected him to do a week earlier, he retired. Carr was 121-40 in his 13 seasons and that included a split national championship. It is rumored that Kirk Ferentz has been offered the job, but Iowa is denying that they were ask permission to speak with Ferentz. Other names being thrown around are the obvious Les Miles and Brian Kelly.
Pac 10
Washington State - The Cougars fired Bill Doba after he had amassed a career record of 30-29. In his first season WSU did well going 10-3, but it was all downhill after that. Not much is being said about who is the front runner, but Ed Orgeron, John L. Smith, and Chris Petersen are names being thrown around.
Non-BCS Schools
Northern Illinois - After seven straight winning seasons, Joe Novak resigned from the Huskies’ job. In his career he went 63-75, but built this program into respectability. Scott Shafer, Mike Hagan, and Mike Locksley are names being mentioned for the job.
Southern Mississippi - Jeff Bower was fired from the Southern Miss job even though he led the team to their 14th consecutive winning season. He was 119-82-1 in his career with the Golden Eagles. Names being thrown around are Larry Fedora, Will Muschamp, and former Texas QB Major Applewhite.
SMU - Phil Bennett was fired way back on October 28 after going 18-48 in his years as a Mustang. This is another job where Terry Bowden could possibly get back into the coaching ranks. A good recruiter could really build this program with all of the talent that is in Texas.
Colorado State - Sonny Lubick announced he would not return next year. No word on possible candidates.
Posted on 2007 under College Football News |
26
Nov
USA Today Coaches Poll
1. West Virginia (37) 10-1
2. Missouri (17) 11-1
3. Ohio State (6) 11-1
4. Georgia 10-2
5. Kansas 11-1
5. Virginia Tech 10-2
7. LSU 10-2
8. Oklahoma 10-2
9. USC 9-2
10. Hawaii 11-0
11. Florida 9-3
12. Boston College 10-2
13. Arizona State 9-2
14. Illinois 9-3
15. Tennessee 9-3
16. Wisconsin 9-3
17. Clemson 9-3
18. Texas 9-3
19. Brigham Young 9-2
20. Oregon 8-3
21. Auburn 8-4
21. Virginia 9-3
23. Boise State 10-2
24. Cincinnati 9-3
25. Arkansas 8-4
Others Receiving Votes
Texas Tech 116, South Florida 100, Connecticut 54, Air Force 31, Penn State 19, UCF 18, Michigan 17, Wake Forest 7, Rutgers 6, Mississippi State 4, Oklahoma State 4, Michigan State 3, TROY 3, Tulsa 2, Houston 2, Fresno State 1.
Dropped From Rankings
Connecticut 21, Texas Tech 24.
AP Poll
1. Missouri (45) 11-1
2. West Virginia (20) 10-1
3. Ohio State 11-1
4. Georgia 10-2
5. LSU 10-2
6. Virginia Tech 10-2
7. Kansas 11-1
8. USC 9-2
9. Oklahoma 10-2
10. Florida 9-3
11. Hawaii 11-0
12. Boston College 10-2
13. Arizona State 9-2
14. Tennessee 9-3
15. Illinois 9-3
16. Clemson 9-3
17. Texas 9-3
18. Oregon 8-3
19. Wisconsin 9-3
20. Cincinnati 9-3
21. Brigham Young 9-2
22. Virginia 9-3
23. Auburn 8-4
24. Boise State 10-2
25. South Florida 9-3
Others Receiving Votes
Arkansas 138, Texas Tech 119, Connecticut 41, Michigan 19, Air Force 19, Kentucky 13, UCF 11, Oregon State 5, Troy 3, Tulsa 1, Wake Forest 1, Penn State 1.
Dropped From Rankings
Connecticut 20.
BCS Standings
1. Missouri 11-1
2. West Virginia 10-1
3. Ohio State 11-1
4. Georgia 10-2
5. Kansas 11-1
6. Virginia Tech 10-2
7. LSU 10-2
8. USC 9-2
9. Oklahoma 10-2
10. Florida 9-3
11. Boston College 10-2
12. Hawaii 11-0
13. Arizona State 9-2
14. Tennessee 9-3
15. Illinois 9-3
16. Clemson 9-3
17. Oregon 8-3
18. Wisconsin 9-3
19. BYU 9-2
20. Texas 9-3
21. South Florida 9-3
22. Virginia 9-3
23. Cincinnati 9-3
24. Auburn 8-4
25. Boise State 10-2
Posted on 2007 under Podcasts |
26
Nov
In this episode of In The Bleachers Brian and his in studio guest Budd talk about all the happenings in the college football world over the Thanksgiving holiday. With one week left which teams still can play in the BCS title game and who is the front runner for the Heisman Trophy? You’ll find that and a lot more in this special edition of the In The Bleachers Podcast. If you haven’t downloaded us via iTunes click here to download this show.
Remember, if you want the podcast you must subscribe to the Feedbuner but if you want to subscribe to the blog please use the RSS feed. This is for iTunes to be able to archive the shows. Enjoy this week’s episode of In The Bleachers and if you have any questions or comments to the show please email them to inthebleachers AT gmail DOT com.
Posted on 2007 under Division III |
25
Nov
Mount Union won again to make it to the quarterfinals. Not many upsets this week in second round play.
Mount Union Bracket
New Jersey 7 at Mount Union 59
Curry 7 at St John Fisher 38
St John Fisher plays at Mount Union
Central Bracket
St John’s 7 at Central 37
UW-Eau Claire 12 at Bethel 21
Bethel plays at Central
Washington and Jefferson Bracket
North Carolina Wesleyan 0 at Mary Hardin-Baylor 64
Muhlenberg 21 at Wesley 38
Mary Hardin-Baylor plays at Wesley
UW-Whitewater Bracket
North Central 28 at UW-Whitewater 59
Wabash 38 at Case Western Reserve 23
Wabash plays at UW-Whitewater
Posted on 2007 under Division II |
25
Nov
Central Washington pulls the upset of the tourney so far beating the #1 overall seed Nebraska-Omaha, while Grand Valley State beats the last team to beat them two years ago. Another #1 seed, Chadron State needed 3 overtimes to defeat Abilene Christina.
Northwest Region
Central Washington 20 at Nebraska-Omaha 17
North Dakota 14 at Grand Valley State 21
Central Washington plays at Grand Valley State
Southwest Region
Abilene Christina 73 at Chadron State 76 3OT
West Texas A&M 28 at NW Missouri State 56
NW Missouri State plays at Chadron State
Northeast Region
Southern Connecticut State 7 at California (PA) 43
Indiana (PA) 34 at Shepherd 41
Shepherd plays at California (PA)
Southeast Region
Catawba 29 at Valdosta State 55
Delta State 17 at North Alabama 20
North Alabama plays at Valdosta State
