The College Football thread

“Don't know why page 13 goes back to one, but I just can't stand it.”

“Nobody can fuel a controversy like Steve Spurrier. Here we get ESPN's take on the matter ESPN

A good article on the whole. Steve really does wear his emotions on his sleeve. The fact that Graham got all fired up, got Steve going. But what really got him POed was when Grossman's parents called Sandy D'Alemberte (FSU's president) from Illinois to complain about what they saw on TV. It appears as if Darnell Dockett (FSU lineman) intentionally tried to step on Rex Grossman's hand. At least it appeared that way enough for the Grossman's to complain to FSU's president. After reviewing the tape and listening to his players, Steve went ballistic.

I'm laughing about the tact that the ESPN article takes. They pillory Spurrier as the worst offender in the whole mess because he had the poor judgement to make derogatory comments about Bobby Bowden.

FSU's history of cheap shots is well documented. In 1996, every Florida fan was screaming about the late hits that Florida State so obviously put on Danny Wuerfufel and which were seldom called. It was obvious to my friends who aren't Florida fans as well. Nothing ever came of the official protest. Sort of a "boys will be boys" attitude prevailed. Don't want to rock the boat for that swell guy Bobby Bowden. FSU's been doing it for years.

Let me see now. A player has been accused of intentionally trying to injure someone. Bobby Bowden says that Steve Spurrier is lying, that nothing bad happened. Steve Spurrier insults Bobby Bowden's integrity in public (pillory). And Steve Spurrier becomes the bad guy in the press.

No problem if the allegations are unfounded. Steve should be reprimanded in such a case. I wonder if the press will tell a different story about who is the "bad guy" if the allegations are proven correct. Want to bet on it? That's why I'm laughing. Sometimes people can be soooo predictable.

I think that Spurrier was completely out of line if his intention was to accuse Bobby of instigating such tactics. But there is absolutely no doubt that Bobby has encouraged this behavior over the years with either his approval or by his silence.”

“Hey kleetn, UW Huskies SUCK BIG TIME. They Suck, SUCK, SUCK!”

“Hope all you Tennessee fans are worked up over what should be a great day of football on Saturday. Tennessee says they're bringing their "A" game. Florida and their fans will bring their "A" game. By my math, that's adds up to an A+ game!


Any ideas about these picks?

Colorado getting 9 from Texas.

Auburn getting 7 from LSU.

Miami giving 13 to Va. Tech.

Army giving 2 to Navy.”

“arc, if Tennessee brings their "A" game it should be one of the better games of the year,,,if Tennessee brings their "Kentucky" game,,,it could get boring very early. We should have a good idea by the middle of the second quarter.”

“If Florida brings their "A" game, it will be the first "A" the football players will have ever seen.

Spurrier is a punk!”

“Do not read these predictions, Arc!
I am going to cheer for a Texas win, even though it goes against my better nature. If Colorado wins, there is no chance for the Big 12 to get a shot at the Rose. I think, even if Va. Tech pulls it off, they would not put Colorado in the championship game.
I wonder how well Texas would do against either Fla or Miami. Nebraska might have dashed the hopes of the best league in the nation.
Here's the winners.
1. Texas
2. Auburn
3. Va Tech
4. Navy....is anyone going to watch this game?”

“Now, now, Buddah, no reason to get road rage just because your Nuts didn't win their PUNK conference.

Yeah chili, I believe the second quarter will tell the tale. The key for Tennessee will be to shut down Florida's running game. Our running game hasn't been particularly good this year anyway. Now that Ernest Graham is out, we'll have to find some real inspiration to move the ball effectively on the ground to keep The Tennessee defense honest.

The good news for Florida is this: Emmitt Smith is the all time leading rusher in Florida H.S. history (and we all know that Emmitt played at Florida). Number two and three on the all-time Florida H.S. rushing stats are both playing for Florida now. Ran Carthon (#3) may get some playing time this week. He's a sophomore. Willie Green (#2) may see some time as well. He's a Freshman. The future of Florida's running game looks good.

Thanks again, Dunadan. College football is so unpredictable, that I may listen to you this week (at my own peril of course). There may be future hope for the big 12 yet. They're beginning to eat their own now.

I still think Miami is the best team in the nation. So if the BCS national championship can't belong to the best league in the nation (SEC), then at least it can belong to THE BEST STATE IN THE NATION!”

“What the hell were the pollsters thinking when Nebraska is still in the top 5?”

“arc, you're right, Miami is going to be tough to beat. I would certainly like to see a SEC team get the chance though.”

“Well...all the big name coaches have taken their names out of the hat regarding the open position at Kansas. You can't blame them. I would probably run the other direction as fast as I could, also. We are now down to looking at Lou Holtz's defensive coordinator and Michigan State's defensive coordinator. Somehow, I am not excited.
The only proof of a benign god will be if Miami loses and Texas plays for all the marbles. Then, the most deserving conference, the Big 12, will vanquish the pretenders from the reptile state.”

“Getting Charlie Strong, Holtz's DC, might be a good move. He is very well respected in the SEC. That doesn't necesarily make him a good HC, but you never know.”

“Yeah, the Lou Holtz bloodline might help, too. There are many DC's that haven't translated into good HC's. However, if he could motivate like the Holtz-meister, I would take him in a second. Where is this guy from, originally?
Did you read about Howard getting spanked by the NCAA? Doesn't sound like they did anything much worse than the Tide. I think the NCAA likes to deal out the heavy blows to the smaller colleges. We will see....”

“I don't know where he's from. I did see them get spanked. I also read a half-a$$ article on espn.com about the Tide. They left off lots of info about how the whole current affair has been handled.

Hopefully the Tide will win tommorrow and be bowl eligible. Word is that if we win we're playing in the Music City bowl. Not real exciting, but the extra 3 weeks of practice time will be valuable for the new staff. I also like the way Coach Fran didn't waste time sitting out our RB who had the DUI. None of this Bowden stuff about looking the other way.

Good luck Sat. BobK”

“Nebraska had altitude sickness. I bet they pigged out and layed around on Thursday, then flew up Friday morning and didn't drink fluids because it was cold. And they certainly were not worried about Colorado! I'd love to see them in a playoff though!

I can't pull for Texas because I buy into the Chris Simms rich daddy conspiracy theory. I'll be surprised if he turns out to be a real QB; he's no Harrington.

So gloat away, arclite. This may be your year. It will be different next year......”

“I'm an Applewhite fan, mainly because his parents named him after a Bama player. Word is he wanted to come to Bama, but Dubose screwed it up. I don't remember the specifics.”

“The Reptile State...hmmm...I like it! It has a certain air of class and sophistication. Maybe we should put it up to a vote here. It'll probably only take us a year to figure out if the referendum passed at the polls after we do all the recounts.

You can't go wrong with a coach from the SEC, Dunadan. Just look what Bob Stoops did for that dust-bowl league.

Got to agree toejam. A friend of mine was all over me when we didn't recruit Chris Simms. Maybe Spurrier knows a thing or two about quarterbacks. As much as I've always liked Texas, I don't think Simms is very good. But I ain't gloatin', toejam. The GATORS got here by losing early which isn't fair to the late losers. We still have two games to go, which we can easily lose. And the prize at the end is a date with Miami. I believe the GATORS could easily lose that match-up. I'm not gloating, I'm cautiously optimistic.

The good news is that the GATORS are still mostly a very young team. We won't lose a lot of players to graduation or the NFL this year. I would love our chances for the next couple of years but our schedule is a killer. 2002 has Miami, Tennessee (at Tennessee), LSU, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida St (at FSU). during the regular season. GATOR HATERS will have plenty of teams to root for next year.

CHILI I'M GETTIN' PSYCHED! Tennessee is coming down here for revenge after they got ripped off by "THE CATCH" last year. That was a horrible call by the refs. You won't find many GATOR FANS who really believe that Gaffney had posession. Granted, it was only second down and we had a couple more shots, but it was a horrible call. Besides that, Tennessee dominated Florida during the game, except for that last drive.

As a side note, Gaffney taunted UT by running his finger across his throat after that touchdown was called. Spurrier suspended him for the next game. Steve runs a squeaky clean program and will suspend players even when the University doesn't. He may speak his mind, but he won't stand for taunting and trash talking. Of course, I am more than happy to pick up the slack!”

“I believe Stoops is actually an Oklahoma grad. Everything doesn't come through Florida.”

“Sing on arc. If I couldn't take the heat, I would leave the kitchen. I am looking for a great game Saturday and I hope the winner gets a shot at Miami. Florida has the edge being in the swamp, but Tennessee might have the "inspirational" edge. Then again, we have little to lose and all to gain.”

“Tennessee Volunteers
AT Florida Gators

(9-1, 4-0 road)
(9-1, 6-0 home)

Date: Saturday, 4:30 p.m., CBS
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla.
Weather: Partly cloudy; high of 76 degrees

All-time Series: Tennessee, 16-14
Last 10: Florida, 8-2


Michael Bradley
For The Sporting News


WHY TO WATCH

If you thought this was a biggie back in September, get a load of it now. The Vols and Gators each have one loss, and thanks to last week's top-10 upheaval, can still harbor some serious BCS title game hopes. At immediate stake is a berth in the SEC championship game, opposite the LSU-Auburn winner.

Win both games, and the Gators/Vols would be in great position to line up against Miami on Jan. 3 in Pasadena. This is the time of year for games like this, not the third Saturday in September. Perhaps the SEC schedule makers will see that and make the appropriate change.


ANALYSIS


Tennessee game keys


Slow it down. If this gets to be a shootout, Tennessee is in big trouble, because the Gators average 539.6 yards and 45 points per game. There is no way the Vols can keep up in a track meet.

Pass efficiently. QB Casey Clausen has been fairly consistent this year, but he's facing a pass defense that has allowed just four touchdown passes all year, tied for best in the nation. If he tries to do too much, the Gators will pile up the interceptions.

Stuff the run. The Gators will be without top rusher Earnest Graham, so it is imperative that the Vols do what Auburn did in its win over Florida -- eliminate the Gator ground game. Do that, and UF QB Rex Grossman might not seem so superhuman.

Florida game keys


Four to score. Tennessee's imposing front four of DTs John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth and DEs Will Overstreet and Bernard Jackson may be the nation's best. The Gator line has played better since the Auburn loss, but it will need to take it up another notch to handle UT.

Air Raid. Grossman's four interceptions against Auburn are the lone blemish on an amazing season. Even though he won't have the greatest ground support (TB Robert Gillespie has gained just 374 yards this year and Ran Carthon and Willie Green have played sparingly), Grossman does have WRs Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell and Taylor Jacobs, who have combined for 150 receptions and 29 touchdowns.

Limit mistakes. Florida lost to Auburn because of turnovers and struggled against Georgia because of turnovers and penalties. If the Gators get sloppy, Tennessee will make them pay.

**Sportingnews.com**

Arc, what is the spread?”

“Dave Hart, Florida State athletic director, responding to charges by Florida Coach Steve Spurrier that FSU promotes dirty play: "It would probably be good if somebody just spanked him and put him to bed and hope he wakes up all grown up."

Spurrier's reply? Spank you very much: "Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn't it? That's all I can say. ... But I don't know, that's good that they're thinking. What did Sun Tzu say? Better your enemies talk evil of you than not at all."

Not much danger of the latter happening. At $10 a whack, the SEC could retire the national debt in a week if it set up a Spurrier spanking stand.”

“Hey, Dundadan, you guys looking for a new coach? We got one for ya. He even comes with his own color-coordinated sweater vests!”

“Retire the national debt, shore up social security until the year 3000, and completely fund the war on terrorism, kleetn.


18 POINTS, CHILI!

If that doesn't fire the VOLS up, nothing will. But I'm an idiot. I'm betting that game anyway.


This week's picks:

Florida giving 18 to Tennessee

Colorado getting 8.5 from Texas

Auburn getting 7 from LSU


Hey, I'm six games up on my opponent. I can afford to make stupid bets.”

“arc, I wouldn't describe the bets as "stupid",,but they are bold.”

“Hey, if ya wanna call me stupid after the game, I won't mind chili. I'll just ask walkindude to help rad and me throw you in the swamp in ONF.

The way I figure it, either the VOLS will be highly motivated and either win the game or make it close, or Florida will make a statement like Miami has been doing. The stadium has probably never been as loud as it will be Saturday. Our ears will probably hurt just watching it on TV.”

“I would be inclined to agree arc, either it will be close,,,,or a blow out. No in between.”

“The SEC is having it's own final four this weekend. LSU-Auburn for the west and Florida-Tennessee for the east. Now that's the way it should work!

Miami-Va. Tech. may not be a bad game either.

There are some other games too but does anyone really care about Army-Navy, the ACC, or the big-12?”

“Hey, if you SEC fans weren't so tightly inbred, I could explain what real football is.
Sorry, Kleetn, that is one coach that I don't want to see around here. I just don't see why he left his alma mater if he is such a great coach. OK, I do understand it. They let him raid the state treasury. Nice sweaters, though.”

“I knew I could flush you out of your hiddey-hole, Mr. Dunadan!

Dayhiker, Stoops is originally from the big-12. I'm not sure where he graduated or coached before he came to Florida. But his advanced degree in football came from Florida, from where all good things flow....DOWNHILL OF COURSE!”

“"Now I'm going to tell you something I've kept to myself for years. None of you ever knew George Gipp. He was long before your time, but you all know what a tradition he is at Notre Dame. And the last thing he said to me, 'Rock,' he said, 'sometime when the team is up against it and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. (pause) I don't know where I'll be then, Rock,' he said, 'but I'll know about it and I'll be happy.'"

--Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien)”

“Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top,,,Ain't no telephone bills
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top Half bear, other half cat,,,
Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop,,,I still dream about that

Rocky Top, you'll always be Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top Rocky Top, Tennessee,,,, Rocky Top, Tennessee

Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top Looking for a moonshine still
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top,,,Reckon they never will
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top,,Dirt's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top,,,Get their corn from a jar *

Refrain

I've had years of crimped up city life, Trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life Can't be simple again *

Refrain”

“Gosh that makes me tear up.

I can't believe that another season has almost come to an end. Time flies when you're mouthing off. It has been so much fun to play this silly game with you folks. Everybody knows that it's just a game, right?

In the spirit of good sportsmanship, for which Knute Rockne is known, I would like to wish you all a glorious bowl game win for your teams and a hearty GOOD LUCK NEXT YEAR!

And now, some sentimental thoughts of my own-


How many Rutgers freshmen does it take to screw in a light bulb?

None, that’s a sophomore course at Rutgers.



In Kansas, matching luggage is two brown bags from the same grocery store.



How many Ohio State fans does it take to change a light bulb?

Three- one to change the bulb and two to talk about how great the old one was.



How do you get a Washington Huskies fan off your front porch?

Pay him for the pizza.



Two Auburn Alumni, one carrying a sack, happen upon each other.
“Hey, Billy-Bob whatcha got in the bag?” one says.
“Jus’ some chickens.”
“If I guess how many they are, can I have one?”
“Shoot, ya guesses right and I’ll give you both of ‘em.”



How do you know a Tennessee Vol invented the toothbrush?

If anyone else had invented it, it would have been called a teethbrush.”

“arc, you were on a real roll there until you got to the last line,,,LOL”

“I heard there's no icewater on the sidelines at Gator games 'cuz the guy wif da recipe done graduated.

And I hear Dutch Boy is bringing out a new line of paint honoring Gator cheerleaders: it's cheap, not too bright....and easily spread!”

“good job kleetn,,,,,”

“kleetn, that's what made my college years so great!”

“You made the icewater?”

“no, the cheerleaders!”

“I heard Florida was gonna replace the grass in their stadium with Astroturf to keep them cheerleaders from grazing at halftime, raddy.”

“A Kansas general contractor was walking through a clients house while they chose colors for the different rooms. As they walked into the living room the couple saind they would like a light biege. The contractor walked to the window, opened it and yelled, "Greeen side up!".
Then they proceeded to the dining room where the clients said they were looking for an ice-blue color. Again, the contractor walked to the window, opened it and yelled, "Green side up!".
After they walked into the master bedroom and chose a color, the contractor began to walk toward the window, when the couple stopped him and asked why he kept yelling that out of the window.
"Well, you see, I have several Florida graduates laying sod on your lawn.”

“Too bad for the Thundering Herd.
OK, you Texas loud mouths, now is the time to back up all of that hot air and beat Colorado. Give us the chance to uphold the dignity of the Big 12 against whichever team from the pollop hanging off the bottom of the USA gets to the Rose Bowl.”

“Purdue vs. Notre Dame today...I don't see the Gipper around. I believe it is nationally televised.

I know there are a few of us Boilermakers around, are there some Irish that lurk about here?”

“Go Irish!”

“Bummer - They are broadcasting the Oregon vs. Oregon St. game here instead of Purdue-Notre Dame. I am listening over the internet instead.

17-9 in 3rd quarter. Lots of missed opportunities so far. Purdue is going to really to feel bad if they lose this one.”

“mooooooHAHAHA”

“Not a bad sports day, today. Who do you think the computers will place in the "championship" game with Miami?
Brigham Young?
Oregon?”

“How about them Gators!!!!!!!!!!!!


Go Vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Dunadan, Miami and Tennessee (assuming the Vols don't fall down against LSU).

How 'bout them Vols!!!!!!”

“Darn! Miami squeaks by V. Tech, and U.Texas don't sqeak by Colorado!”

“The one time I was cheering on a Tejas team and they get spanked. I have learned my lesson.
Whoa, I thought V-Tech was gonna send it to OT, but, no cigar.
Yeah, it will probably be Tenn-Miami. In that case, I will be a Volunteer.”