Posted on 08/28/2008 1:16:26 AM PDT by GOP_Raider
Alright, that's it, I can't take it anymore. Maybe it's this whole election cycle or that I can't take any more of the Democrat convention, but it's time...you thought it would never come didn't you?
Forgive me for interrupting the current Messiah revival going on at Incestco Field at Pile High, we have actual college football games going on. Yes, tonight. Right now, this very day...
...Well, don’t just stand there, go order some pizza or maybe find a box of Franzia or something the college football season is here!! You’re in preseason form here…shame, shame shame.
Okay, let’s get to the opening slate of games starting with tonight…
#23 Wake Forest at Baylor (8:00 pm). I think this is the biggest matchup in Waco since Janet Reno brought in the ATF to defeat the Branch Davidians.
North Carolina State at South Carolina (8:00 pm, ESPN Regular). These are always fun little nonconference games that kind of get you by before conference play really gets going. Steve Spurrier and possibly Erin Andrews are involved, it’s what DVR’s are made for!
(for our UConn Huskies Biggirl and Man50D)Hofstra at Connecticut (7:30 pm) I know absolutely nothing about Hofstra, and I’m not about to pretend as though I do. Actually, that isn’t true, former New York Jets WR Wayne Chrebet played for Hofstra. But I’d start freebasing something very nasty if the Huskies were to not get victory #1 tonight.
Youngstown State vs. #2 Ohio State (High Noon, the Big 10 Network). The Penguins are a national power in the Football Championship Subdivision…alright, I’m sick of this, we were getting along just fine with I-A and I-AA, but oh no, we had to change it to “football bowl subdivision” and “football championship subdivision”. Could you imagine instead of calling Ron Jeremy a “chipmunk” you called him “body hair proficient?” But anyway, guess who has the highest win percentage in Youngstown State football history? If you guessed “Jim Tressel”, you’re not only right, you probably cheated and looked it up---well if you aren’t from the state of Ohio.
Akron at #13 Wisconsin (High Noon, the Big 10 Network). For those of you who think I’m rubbing it in with mentioning that the vast majority of Big 10 fans probably can’t even see their Badgers or Buckeyes or Illini and so on…well, I am. And for that I apologize. I am really curious about the Badgers this year they seem to me like a “wild card” candidate in the Big 10 this year. Maybe I’m wrong, but…
#17 Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina (at Charlotte, NC) (High Noon, ESPN Regular). Hey, any of you remember when East Carolina was on ESPN all of the time in the early 90s? I never understood why then I realized that the Pirates went 11-1 back in 1991 and they’ve had a few other solid years during the decade. Shows what I remember.
Coastal Carolina at #22 Penn State (High Noon, Big 10 Network). JoePa has won 372 games, some national titles, and has some things in State College, PA named after him, but he’s never beaten Coastal Carolina! (Yeah, he’s also never played against Coastal Carolina but you all want the whole specific truth, don’t ya?) Coastal Carolina likes to be called the Chanticleers, which is basically a rooster. If I were to say that the Chanticleers had a chance I’d sound kind of cocky.
(Thank you, I’ll be here all week.)
Bowling Green at #25 Pittsburgh (High Noon, ESPNU). Oh, the temptation here to gloat about the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. It’s right there and here I have to behave like one of those great imaginary moderates in political history. But should the Panthers win the Big East this year it’ll be much more…how should I put this?...competitive?
Georgia Southern vs. #1 Georgia (12:30 pm). Obviously this is a “warm up” game, the first of two before the Dawgs take on South Carolina in two weeks, but if last year is any indication, you never really can tell.
Hawaii at #5 Florida (12:30 pm). I’d like to thank the Hawaii Rainbows/Warriors for making complete Bidens of yourselves and setting back the lost cause of non-BCS schools at least 4 or 5 years over the course of last season. And now the Gators will get to toss you around like a well-worn prison inmate.
#3 USC at Virginia (3:30 pm, ABC and/or ESPN2). A lot of Pac-10 schools like to play road games like this, its just not all of them happen to be USC. It kind of reminds me while I was at a tailgate and I had the idea of having USC “barnstorm” throughout the Ivy League kicking the living snot out of all the Ivy League institutions on their home fields. Sure enough I played this whole thing out on a friend's XBox while tailgating. Call it “Revenge of the Jocks”…
Villanova at #8 West Virginia. (3:30 pm). From what little I’ve read on the Mountaineers this year, they’ll still be a powerful force on offense. That should get them by…for now.
Appalachian State vs. #7 LSU (5:00 pm, ESPN Regular) The FCS and BCS/FBS national champions together in the same game? Say what you will about one Les Miles, but even he can’t be susceptible to a I-AA ambush…right?
Northern Iowa vs. #16…ah, do I have to?
(yes, you have to!)
But I really don’t want to, it’s like you all hate me.
(just quit being a baby and get it over with!)
Fine…#16 BYU. Blechhh. Now I’m going to wash my mouth with Listerine. Yeah, the Parochial Stench really shouldn’t be ranked this high. Not that Northern Iowa will prove that to be wrong, but hey, we can always hold out hope. Top 25 is probably deserved, but not 16th. That’s just ridiculous.
Alright, this is really a preseason kind of week, and now I’m just irritated. I mean who just goes around ranking BYU that high? Let’s get to the “blowout games” while I’m at it:
Wouldn’t you know it, there’s even a few rivalry games this weekend:
Washington at #21 Oregon (10:00 pm). The Ducks want to rebound from losing Dennis Dixon and in turn crushing their national title hopes last season and the Huskies are hoping Jake Locker can bring them back to at least being more respectable than they have been the past few years. That and both Oregon and Washington just have so much in common…
Kentucky at Louisville (Sunday 3:30 pm, ESPN Regular). Last year’s game for the Governor’s Cup might have been one of the more underrated games of the entire season. That and UK needs to have some kind of ceremonial play for Jared Lorenzen…always liked him.
Colorado State vs. Colorado (in Denver, Sunday 7:30 pm). The Rams were downright terrible for most of last season. The Buffs are just about on their way back to being a competitive team again. All this is provided that by the time this post hits the bandwith that much of downtown Denver doesn’t all of the sudden ascend into the heavens along with the Messiah himself. Then I guess the two teams would have to play at Coors Field or in the parking lot of the Cherry Creek Mall or something.
And now, the marquee games:
#24 Alabama vs #9 Clemson (in Atlanta 8:00 pm, ABC). This is a good “measuring stick” for both teams. For the Tide to see if Nick Saban is righting the ship in Tuscaloosa, and for the Tigers, it really could be the start of a magical year. Maybe the Bama fans can help us out here, but were I a Bama fan I don’t think I’d have much confidence in John Parker Wilson. Maybe that’s just me though.
#20 Illinois vs. #6 Missouri (in St. Louis, 8:30 pm, ESPN Regular). I like this game, and these are two schools that ought to play each other every year, sort of like a Cubs/Cardinals of college football. I’m also glad I didn’t make any predictions like I did last year because I probably would have picked Mizzou QB Chase Daniel to win it this year and then I’d just feel like a big dope.
#18 Tennessee at UCLA (Labor Day, 8:00 pm, ESPN Regular). Strange as it may seem, these two schools have actually played each other 13 times. (The last time they played the Vols had some kid of Archie Manning’s playing for them. Boy I bet that’s a sore pill for the Ole Miss faithful to swallow losing that recruiting battle).
Anyway, enjoy your games this weekend and go forth and increase your carbon footprint.
I don’t see Obambi’s favorite teams here.... what happened to Columbia, HAHvahd, and Chicago???? :^)
[actually, U. of Chicago doesn’t even have a football team, IIRC]
.. GO CANES !
Every week I start the thread off with the Thursday and/or Friday night games and from the moment the games end the previous week, I have the games and marquee matchups for the next week already in my head. Now, I don't have a real method for selecting the games I "feature" per se. I try to get most if not all of the Top 25 featured but I like to throw in a few differences.
1. Rivalry games. I like rivalry games and you probably should too. Regardless of how bad or ignored one and/or both teams are going in, I feature it. Should a game have some kind of trophy involved, I'll even find a pic of the trophy.
2. Teams of specific FReepers on the list. Last season, a few FReepers asked me to feature their team/school/alma mater at the top of each weekend's thread and I oblige them. It helps me learn about their team and it's sort of a conversation piece. I had a few last year and if you were among the featured last year and want to be again, let me know via FReepmail and I'll accommodate it. Please try to keep it within reason though. I'd love to feature Chadron State or West Tennessee A&M Tech or whatever, but try to keep it at least D-IA.
Each game I feature I try to have a signature flair to it. Example:
UTAH vs. Michigan (3:30 pm ABC and/or ESPN2). Here is where I make a profound, obscure, or simply a wiseass comment on the game and then you either get to say "oh, really I didn't know that?" Or maybe you'll say "wow, that was hilarious, you should be a comedian and play some state fairs and Indian casinos!".
During the weekend--and specifically on Saturday--I'll ping the list three times: once on Thursday to commence, once at around 11am or noon Eastern (or earlier if I'm not trying to make out with the single women of southwestern Idaho), again sometime around 2 or 3 Eastern for the nationally televised games, and once more for the evening games (this will usually be once the marquee afternoon games have ended). Typically, score updates are posted, stats are shared, people's mama's are made fun of, a good time is basically had by all.
As I mentioned before, I like to showcase some creativity with this thread because I don't want to make it monotonous. So instead of simply team logos for the entire year, I'll throw in mascots, "old school" team logos, university seals, one week I posted pics of each team's cheerleaders, which is amazing since I waited 12 weeks to do that. Even my occasionally precise mind has its limits, so if you have a picture you want posted when I perform my initial ping, I'll be more than happy to use it. It could be anything just make sure its somewhat college football or college related.
One more thing...I am a University of Utah season ticket holder and a few weeks throughout the year I'm in Salt Lake at the Ute game and I don't have internet access. So there will be weeks where I may not ping the list as often, and its due to not being anywhere near a computer. So if you want to take the initiative and ping the list yourself, feel free to do so. FReeper scott says is usually good about doing that, but in case he's out living the dream himself, it's nice to have a bench to go to.
So that's how it works. I'm looking forward to chatting with some of you again this year and for the newcomers I'm looking forward to getting to know you this season. And of course...GO UTES!!!
It’s CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!! GO APP STATE.
VS. 
Monday 9/1 Labor Day - #25 Fresno St. Bulldogs (WAC) at the Big East Rutgers Scarlet Knights - Regular ESPN 1pm PDT (4pm EDT)
Look for Fresno St. to win at least one vs. the BCS caliber part of their schedule (Rutgers, Wisconsin, and UCLA).
Hmmmm, would Northwestern have been included in that or are they some kind of Ivy League elitist wannabe school?
I probably should have mentioned the Fresno St game, they come here to The Boise the day after Thanksgiving. Ought to be a good one...
Smurf Turf!! {grin}
“Smurf Turf” is fightin’ words to a lot of locals...it’s consider a term of derision.
(So feel free to use it for agitation purposes) :)
O Lord, my God, you have answered the prayers of your servant, Bat_Chemist, and allowed me to see the dawn of another College Football Season. Bless and be with Bobby Bowden and the ‘Noles this year.
Amen.
RichRod will be doing the "Victory Walk" with the team before the game--the bus will stop 200 yards short of The Big House and the team will walk with the band and fans the rest of the way.
I hope they don't get confused and have the band play the game and the team sit in the stands...
Thanks for the ping looks like some great games are on tap for the weekend.
I’m sending this link out there to members of The Bulldog Nation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w9I9Ce2IPc
Why did you neglect the greatest school in our land, and perennial football juggernaut, the Texas Longhorns?
Hookem
What kind of Nutt posted that picture?
Go Blue!!!
2 Grandkids U of M students!!
Love the idea of the “Victory Walk”
The SEC only placed 4 teams in the Top 10? Hmmm. Must be a rebuilding year. Wonder if Tebow is limbered up after circumcising baby boys in Africa and digging ticks out of his backside?
I have it on good authority that LSU’s quarterback has been arrest-free for nearly 4 months...for a change.
I saw Auburn play their Spring intrasquad game. The only player that looked like he belonged on a College gridiron was Wes Byrum, the placekicker.
I know nothing about Georgia’s team or capabilities but they must have impressed someone.
Thanks for giving a good opening game prediction GOP_Raider. GO UCONN!!!! Have a GREAT SEASON!!!! See Yous at the Rent. :) =^..^=
The UConn Huskies since last year have been doing a walk into the Rent Stadium as a team.
The Huskies are as ready as they are going to get for the start of a new season. They will build on last year’s achievements. I am now listening to Scott Gray of WTIC AM radio. He gives great commentaries. GO UCONN HUSKIES!!!!!!!! :) =^..^=
As a Big East fan I see that conference making big strides in college football this season. The SEC better be prepared to take on college football in its finest.
Texas vs Florida Atlantic Sat. 6:30 Austin,TX.
HOOKEM Horns!
Thanks for the good laugh. Ummm, I believe the SEC owns both the current Heisman and BCS trophies.
“Thanks for the good laugh. Ummm, I believe the SEC owns both the current Heisman and BCS trophies.”
Hmmm,with a good morning laugh, that was then, it was last season. Tonight, this weekend, all the teams are equal, starting off fresh. :)
Plus the Big East very interesting teams this season.
U of C's football team is D-III.
What college did Sen.McCain attended? Thanks for the response.
He went to Navy, right? Even though Paul Johnson has left for greener pastures, it’s safe to say that Navy would still clobber U of C.
Many people forget that at one time the Academies had very respectable football programs. For example during McCain's time at the academy Navy went 27-7-2, while also going 2-2 against Notre Dame. They also produced two Heisman winners in the years soon after he left.
Last season Navy did go to one of the bowls if my memory is correct.
Please add this Purdue alum to the ping list!
I lived in Hawaii when my Dad was stationed there, and Hawaii was the first college football team I followed and rooted for.
But that was then, and this is now - Go Gators!
After the Tigers flop, and knowing Michigan football teams, I've just got one question...is it hockey season yet?
Not that I’m against cheering for one’s team but could you downplay it a bit on this one? Miami plays Charleston Southern tonight ( ESPN 360 ). It seems a bit overkill as it reminds me of the pee wee hockey team playing the Detroit Red Wings on “South Park.” We know Miami will win big just by how much is the only question.
LSU won the BCS with two losses last year. I gaurantee they can't repeat with a loss to APP STATE.
My guess is Miles has shown the Tigers hours of post-game TV reports from the APP STATE - Michigan opener last year.
The Tigers won't be just geauxing through the motions.
Not to put to fine a point on it, but McCain didn't attended any college.
His dad was CINPAC so he was appointed to the Navel Academy but finished 2nd to last in his class.
I often wonder who was last...
I’ll get to it sometime today, if you could send me a private reply so I don’t forget, I’d appreciate it.
This is why I shouldn’t write the threads at 3:30 am. But trust me, you’ll see your Longhorns enumerated here as the season goes along.
I think that both Northwestern and Columbia at different times have rivalled each other for the title “longest losing streak in the history of college football.”
Don’t remember the details but both have had losing streaks of around 32 or more games extending across multiple seasons.
So, officially, they have football teams, but both have been total jokes for as long as I can remember.
OK, but I’m pretty sure that’s a recent development — I remember in the 1980s academics talking about U of C as one of the few sizable universities with no football team at all...... because profs at U of C were very proud to teach at a university with no football program! Academic snobs, you know.......
I remember the days in the old WAC when Hawaii ran the option—I think Bob Wagner was the HC back then after Dick Tomey left to coach at Arizona. Michael Carter and Garrett Gabriel are two guys that get very overshadowed when it comes to the QB position in the “good ol’ days” of the WAC. UH was pretty fun to watch even back then. I think they were the first Non-Parochial Stench WAC team to win the Holiday Bowl, too.
Much appreciated!
Very nice post #4, GOP_Raider. Outstanding job altogether.
Thanks! And thanks for stopping by...
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