It's Officially Weak 1

[xubrew]

Pun intended. It's great to see that college football is back, but this is a crappy first week of games, even by first week standards.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/scoreboard

This is the best the week has to offer, and it ain't that good. Nevertheless, I guess mediocre football is better than no football.

Villanova v Temple is always fun, but doesn't have a whole lot of national significance. It should be especially interesting this year. Temple blocked Nova from using Lincoln Financial, and Nova feels it was instrumental in them not being moved up to the Big East for football.

Wake v Syracuse could potentially have major Saint Petersburgh Bowl implications...or something along those lines

It'll be interesting to see how Youngstown does against Michigan State. I don't think they'll win, but they are a good FCS program. They may make them sweat for a quarter and some change.

Appalachian State is at Virginia Tech. Same scenario as above.

I am kind of curious to see what Houston looks like against UCLA, but beating UCLA is something that has been happening quite often these days, so it wouldn't exactly be a statement win for what should be a good Houston team.

I would not be surprised at all if Northern Iowa beats Iowa State. I love it whenever an FCS team wins.

I would not be surprised at all if Richmond beat Duke. I love it whenever an FCS team wins.

I think Georgia is a good team, but I think Boise is better and will win. After they do so, Boise won't get much credit. Instead, analysts will say that Georgia wasn't really that good anyway. I think Boise is legitimately one of the five best teams...and may be even better, but chances are they won't have the credentials, which sucks. In basketball, if you're better than you're credentials you get the chance to prove it. Not in football.

LSU will be without several star players, so the game against Oregon is now far less interesting.

SMU should be solid, but not solid enough to beat what could be a really good Texas A&M. I don't know if I think they're the 8th best team, but they are pretty good.


D2 football is already underway, so college football officially started last week.

[GoMuskies]

C'mon, man, that ESPNU doubleheader of Murray State at Louisville and WKU vs. UK (from Nashville) is pure GOLD!

Boise/UGA is really about the only interesting thing going on this weekend from my perspective. Well, at least until I start betting.

[Juice]

Baylor vs. TCU should be a pretty entertaining game. Robert Griffin is always fun to watch.
USF vs. ND should also be an entertaining game. And Miami vs. Maryland should definitely be interesting on Monday considering all the crap that is surrounding Miami.

I really don't think this weekend is that bad compared to Week 1 schedules in the past.

[xubrew]

Does anybody actually get the Longhorn Network out there?? They have the Rice v Texas game. It's not an interesting game, but it may be the first game in history that is broadcast, yet only seen by the guys working in the truck.

Murray v Louisville and WKU v UK isn't any worse than a lot of other games.

[kyxu]

I really don't care. College football is here and I could not be happier.

[xubrew]

I really don't care. College football is here and I could not be happier.

I generally feel that way about basketball season. I used to get jacked for football season, but not so much anymore. Living in the south will do that to a person.

[MuskieCinci]

I would not be surprised at all if Richmond beat Duke by only 3 touchdowns. I love it whenever an FCS team wins.



I fixed that for you.

[Porkopolis]

As a Marshall alum I hold out hope that the Herd will beat WVU Sunday afternoon. The Herd probably won't win much this year, but the combination of good young talent and a fun OOC schedule (WVU, Ohio, Virginia Tech and Louisville) should make the team interesting to watch. Doc Holliday has brought his magic recruiting shoes with him from Morgantown, now if he can just win with those players.

[paulxu]

I used to get jacked for football season, but not so much anymore. Living in the south will do that to a person.

What the....?
The SEC owns the last 5 BCS championships, and you can't get up for football in the South?
Brew, stop in down here in South Carolina and I'll buy you a bourbon and get you re-acquainted with good football.

[xubrew]

What the....?
The SEC owns the last 5 BCS championships, and you can't get up for football in the South?
Brew, stop in down here in South Carolina and I'll buy you a bourbon and get you re-acquainted with good football.

I like football. I always have, but I don't like it enough to be immune to over-exposure. That's what has happened to me in the South. I don't think I could ever suffer overexposure to basketball. It could be the topic of discussion all day and I'd never get tired of it.

[xudash]

Does anybody actually get the Longhorn Network out there?? They have the Rice v Texas game. It's not an interesting game, but it may be the first game in history that is broadcast, yet only seen by the guys working in the truck.

Murray v Louisville and WKU v UK isn't any worse than a lot of other games.

Now that's funny.

Actually, the guys in the truck may put it on auto-pilot, run nothing but GEICO adds all day, and take a long smoke break in the parking lot.

[XUglow]

I am doing a double this week. Mississippi State opens at Memphis on Thursday night. BYU visits Ole Miss on Saturday.

I have good friends that do a huge tailgate thingy with Memphis in the Tiger Walk, and I intend to be there early and party. Memphis might be the worst team in D1 football, but it is D1 football. MSU is favored by 27.5, but I wouldn't touch an opening week game with a 10-foot pole. My MSU buddies aren't planning on going to the game because they are scared of the "locals" around the stadium. We play UMem down at the Fedex Forum which is a good 8 to 10% safer than the Liberty Bowl. No worries.

BYU has been practicing in 20% humidity up in UT. They play Ole Miss at 2:30 next Saturday, and the forecast is for 95F with high humidity. BYU melted down at FSU last September. They will be favored in the game, but they better have a big half time lead because I see them limping to the finish line. Personally, I may just stay in the grove with 50,000 other people that don't come for the game. The stadium may be too hot of a place to watch a game much less play one.

[paulxu]

Personally, I may just stay in the grove with 50,000 other people that don't come for the game. The stadium may be too hot of a place to watch a game much less play one.

Why Glow really stays in the Grove.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oQPm6ryPEz4/SzjTuY6bTPI/AAAAAAAAAs4/3MBtUomikDY/s400/ole+miss+poon.jpg

[xubrew]

Baylor vs. TCU should be a pretty entertaining game. Robert Griffin is always fun to watch.
USF vs. ND should also be an entertaining game. And Miami vs. Maryland should definitely be interesting on Monday considering all the crap that is surrounding Miami.

I really don't think this weekend is that bad compared to Week 1 schedules in the past.

Baylor v TCU normally is a good game. TCU crushed them last year and it wouldn't surprise me if hte same happened this year.

I forgot to mention Notre Dame. I'm not a fan, but I do get the feeling that they're going to have a huge year. I don't know much about South Florida. they looked much better down the stretch last year, but I don't know how much they have coming back. Notre Dame shouldn't have too much trouble either way, though.

[XUglow]

Why Glow really stays in the Grove.

...and...

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/09/29/travel/190_GROVE_4.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-Sv2MNQ8TuE/SOTbP_Vc7_I/AAAAAAAABUI/oZs4xpx1nwI/s400/OleMiss2.jpg

http://drunkentailgate.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ole-miss-hottie.jpg

[xubrew]

I'm less than two hours from Oxford. Screw it. I'm meeting up with Glow.

[Muskie]

http://www.xavierhoops.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=19505

For the XH college football pick em.

[paulxu]

I'm less than two hours from Oxford. Screw it. I'm meeting up with Glow.

Good call.
You'll notice the picture I posted came from GamecockCentral.com.
Obviously some of our fans made the long drive to Oxford and never made it out of the Grove either.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I think Georgia is a good team, but I think Boise is better and will win. After they do so, Boise won't get much credit. Instead, analysts will say that Georgia wasn't really that good anyway. I think Boise is legitimately one of the five best teams...and may be even better, but chances are they won't have the credentials, which sucks. In basketball, if you're better than you're credentials you get the chance to prove it. Not in football.

If Boise wanted to get more credit they would bail on that weak conference and move at least to the Pack 12 or Big 12. At this point, the want to schedule a big game at the start of the year then take an 11 game break and be completely healthy for a bowl game.

With new faster offenses you can really come out and beat a team for 60 minutes but it takes a deeper team to play in a BCS conference where the quality of opponents is higher week in week out.

Basketball is a totally different game. It's really just 5 on 5 and there is that 3 point line equalizer.

[GoMuskies]

If Boise wanted to get more credit they would bail on that weak conference and move at least to the Pack 12 or Big 12.

Wow, the miracle solution! Someone call the Pac 12 and Big 12 and let them know Boise is coming!

While you're at it, let the Big East know we're moving in.

You also may have missed Boise joining a MWC that was supposed to include Utah, BYU and TCU. One year of TCU is all they get instead.

[XUglow]

If Boise State wins, it will be a huge step for them. They are 0-4 against the SEC with the last game being a 48-13 loss to... Georgia in 2005. I think BSU will do it. I could be way wrong, but I just don't think UGA is going to be that good this year.

[GoMuskies]

Boise has grown in stature a bit from '05 to '11. A win for them here wouldn't be as big as the win over VaTech last year (as the hype for that game was otherworldly), but it would be a nice win for them.

I think Dan Hawkins decided to take the Colorado job in the first quarter of that Boise/Georgia game in '05. Best thing to ever happen to Boise.

[kyxu]

I think Dan Hawkins decided to take the Colorado job in the first quarter of that Boise/Georgia game in '05. Best thing to ever happen to Boise.

"go play 'inter'murals, brother"

[XUglow]

Boise has grown in stature a bit from '05 to '11. A win for them here wouldn't be as big as the win over VaTech last year (as the hype for that game was otherworldly), but it would be a nice win for them.

I think Dan Hawkins decided to take the Colorado job in the first quarter of that Boise/Georgia game in '05. Best thing to ever happen to Boise.

Sorry, but the VT big win was undone a week later when VT lost to JMU.

I respect Boise, but if they want the SEC'ers to give them respect, they are going to have to take down some SEC teams. Losing to a pretty average UGA team will set them back a few years.

BTW Go, Rick Reilly picked UArk to win it all this year. I think Petrino will light up the boards this year with that offense of his.

[GoMuskies]

Didn't VaTech go like 10-2 last year, though?

I'm not saying it's not a big game, but last year's BSU/VT game was hyped to the heavens. I haven't heard a soul mention the UGA game this year.

[xubrew]

If Boise wanted to get more credit they would bail on that weak conference and move at least to the Pack 12 or Big 12. At this point, the want to schedule a big game at the start of the year then take an 11 game break and be completely healthy for a bowl game.

With new faster offenses you can really come out and beat a team for 60 minutes but it takes a deeper team to play in a BCS conference where the quality of opponents is higher week in week out.

Basketball is a totally different game. It's really just 5 on 5 and there is that 3 point line equalizer.

They want to schedule a big game whenever they can. At minimum, they're facing a team coming off of a three-and-a-half week break going into their bowl game. Everyone going into a bowl game is rested.

If they called the Pac Twelve, Big Twelve, Big Ten or any other conference, they wouldn't be invited to join. You make it sound like all they'd have to do is sign up.

Teams duck Boise. It's not the other way around. The Georgia Dome always wants an SEC team in the season kickoff. Boise is there in 2014 again, but upon learning that, none of the SEC teams wanted to play. Alabama has no game scheduled that first week in 2014, but won't play Boise. Same with Arkansas (although they are playing both Texas and Texas A&M that year), Auburn, and Florida. As it turns out, they're slated to play Ole Miss....and that is in the SEC's back yard in a game that has ALWAYS featured a big time SEC team.

Nebraska had an open date this year on the same day that Boise did. Nebraska would not play them, even though they were offered a home game without a return.

I have no real ties or allegiance to Boise State, but I do understand their frustrations. They're criticized for not playing anyone, but whenever they pick up the phone, the same schools that criticize them won't play them. That sucks. It's not that easy to get individual games from major conference teams. It's damn near impossible to receive an invite to join a major conference.

[GoMuskies]

I thought Boise asked for a million bucks from Nebraska for the home and none. Still seems like a fair deal for Nebraska, but Boise wasn't quite so generous as your post implies.

[XUglow]

Didn't VaTech go like 10-2 last year, though?

I'm not saying it's not a big game, but last year's BSU/VT game was hyped to the heavens. I haven't heard a soul mention the UGA game this year.

The UGA game is being hyped 24/7 in SEC land. Don't know how it is being hyped outside of this area. It is second fiddle to LSU-Oregon, but it is still a big game in "these here parts".

[xubrew]

I thought Boise asked for a million bucks from Nebraska for the home and none. Still seems like a fair deal for Nebraska, but Boise wasn't quite so generous as your post implies.

For an FBS buy game, a million bucks is within the going rate.. That may be on the high end, but for a team like Boise that's not bad. Some teams get more than that, and they're not anywhere close to having the profile of Boise.

[XUglow]

Teams duck Boise. It's not the other way around. The Georgia Dome always wants an SEC team in the season kickoff. Boise is there in 2014 again, but upon learning that, none of the SEC teams wanted to play. Alabama has no game scheduled that first week in 2014, but won't play Boise. Same with Arkansas (although they are playing both Texas and Texas A&M that year), Auburn, and Florida. As it turns out, they're slated to play Ole Miss....and that is in the SEC's back yard in a game that has ALWAYS featured a big time SEC team.

What? UGA was signed up for the 2011 game with a TBD opponent. Ole Miss and Boise State were opening in Oxford in 2011. (Houston Nutt ties from his days at BSU.) The game organizers arranged getting Boise to play in Atlanta vs. UGA this year. They got BYU to replace Boise State in Oxford. They also gave Ole Miss and Boise State the game in the dome in 2014. Boise wasn't in the game looking for an opponent. It was a package deal for Ole Miss and Boise State.

[xubrew]

What? UGA was signed up for the 2011 game with a TBD opponent. Ole Miss and Boise State were opening in Oxford in 2011. (Houston Nutt ties from his days at BSU.) The game organizers arranged getting Boise to play in Atlanta vs. UGA this year. They got BYU to replace Boise State in Oxford. They also gave Ole Miss and Boise State the game in the dome in 2014. Boise wasn't in the game looking for an opponent. It was a package deal for Ole Miss and Boise State.

I was under the impression that it was Boise vs TBD in 2014.

My information was probably limited. I was getting it from the link below. At one point, it read TBD in Atlanta, GA. When I checked it today, it said Ole Miss while other teams had open dates. Sounds like you know more specifics than I do, but I still stand by my point that Boise is much more willing to play big time teams than big time teams are willing to play them.

http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/future_schedules/boisestate_future.htm

[GoMuskies]

UGA was supposed to play Louisville this week, and the organizers were able to put together a Louisville/UNC series to compensate Louisville for taking UGA off its schedule.

[XUglow]

I was under the impression that it was Boise vs TBD in 2014.

My information was probably limited. I was getting it from the link below. At one point, it read TBD in Atlanta, GA. When I checked it today, it said Ole Miss while other teams had open dates. Sounds like you know more specifics than I do, but I still stand by my point that Boise is much more willing to play big time teams than big time teams are willing to play them.

http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/future_schedules/boisestate_future.htm

Ole Miss got $900K from ESPN for dropping the Boise game this year. I don't know the other financials, but they were pretty compelling.

I don't know the Ole Miss AD, but I play golf with people that think they tell him what to do.

[XUglow]

If Ole Miss doesn't improve in the next year or two, ESPN will likely buy them out of the ATL game in time to schedule a different SEC team.

[X-band '01]

It's only fitting that an intra-state rivalry like Kentucky-Western Kentucky is being played in Nashville. (Yes, I know that Nashville is the closest metro area to Bowling Green, KY).

Still, that's like Toledo playing a home game against Ohio State at Ford Field in Detroit. What's the point?

[GoMuskies]

(Yes, I know that Nashville is the closest metro area to Bowling Green, KY).

Given this point, I'm not quite sure why you need any further explanation. UK certainly isn't going to Bowling Green to play the 'Tops.

It's too bad WKU's QB is so terrible. Would have been fun to see UK lose.

[Muskie]

Wisky looked impressive last night. Maybe I was expecting too much outta UNLV though?

[GoMuskies]

Wisconsin was good, but as you said, you can't take anything from a game against UNLV. I think they were 1-11 last year.

[XUglow]

Wisconsin was good, but as you said, you can't take anything from a game against UNLV. I think they were 1-11 last year.

Same comments on Mississippi State. They put up 59 pts and 645 yards in only 22 minutes of possession, but Memphis was 1-11 last year as well. Dan Mullen spent time working with Chip Kelly in the off season, and MSU ran that hurry-up offense the Ducks employ.

MSU ended last year beating Michigan 52-14 and started this year with a 59-14 win. Sylvester Croom's MSU teams had a tough time scoring 111 pts in a season.

[XUglow]

As a side note, I went down to check out The Peabody because that is where I intend to stay when we play Memphis. I was in the bathroom, and the guy that was washing his hands in the sink next to me looked awfully familiar, but I couldn't place a name with the face. When we were walking out, he told me that I looked familiar, and he asked me my name. I told him, and it didn't mean anything, and he introduced himself as Bill Bell. Ohhhhh... that probably doesn't mean anything to you, but if you go back and read all of the Cam Newton stuff, Kenny Rogers and Cecil Newton approached him about the $180K, and he is the one that recorded the phone call and turned them in.

The Peabody was quite nice, btw. It is an old grand hotel within walking distance of Beale Street and the FedEx Forum.

[gladdenguy]

Notre Dame sucks.....what is new.

Auburn should have lost. Amazing when you don't blatantly cheat you can barely beat Utah St. at home.

I am sooooo happy Dick Rod is gone and defense has come back to Ann Arbor.

Better crush Notre Dame next week. They suck.

Buckeyes will contend for another Big 10 title. Them Wisconsin and Nebraska.

I hope Cowboys stadium blows up tonight. I hate LSU and Oregon. 2 scroungy programs.

Ahhh, glad to have college football back.

[QueensbridgeMF]

Love me some LSU football. Those UGA uni's are hideous, newer isn't always better.

[GoMuskies]

Boise's giving Georgia a good old-fashioned ass-kicking through three quarters in Atlanta. Huge mistake on that offsides penalty on the punt is really the only reason Georgia is still in it. Should be an interesting fourth quarter. Georgia has had no answer for Kellen Moore since very early on, and they'd better figure something out really, really quick.

[gladdenguy]

F&CK the SEC and their cheating arses.

Boise St. taking UGA to the head. BLOWOUT city.

[Masterofreality]

ATL Muskie is not a happy guy today.

UGA under Richt disappoints the Dawg followers again, and it's too bad- for him. I actually think Richt is one of the more solid and classy guys in the SEC.

Boise is pretty damn good, but the yeh-hoos down there in GA will probably want to run Richt out of town on a rail now.

[Masterofreality]

And in other news...

Your Richmond Spiders beat Dooooook. That's A-10- One, ACC- Zero.

I guess that the refs couldn't find any "charge and block" calls in the football rulebook to blow the whistles over.

Honestly, I'm not sure how Richmond does it. Supports a damn good D1AA football program and a respectable D1 basketball program with a total enrollment (undergrad and grad schools) of about 4,000 people.

[XUglow]

ATL Muskie is not a happy guy today.

UGA under Richt disappoints the Dawg followers again, and it's too bad- for him. I actually think Richt is one of the more solid and classy guys in the SEC.

Boise is pretty damn good, but the yeh-hoos down there in GA will probably want to run Richt out of town on a rail now.

UGA is coming off of a losing record, and they don't look like they have improved at all this year. Too bad for Richt. I don't think the will survive the season. If USC blows them out next week, the end may come sooner than the end of the year.

Congrats to Boise State. Even if UGA isn't that good, they finally beat an SEC team in SEC territory. That's something.

On LSU-Oregon, what happened last night is typical of LSU football. They are like a rising tide in a storm. They aren't flashy, but they are relentless. They pound, pound, pound, pound until they top the levee. I find it amazing that they cannot get better QB play. If they had a reasonably good QB, I would have them as easy favorites to win the BCS NC.

[paulxu]

I think whoever designed the Georgia uniforms had just come from seeing Iron Man and was going for that look.
The Cocks will go down there next week to try and make them 0 and 2.
BTW, I'm pretty sure the last time the Gamecocks played OSU in a couple of Outback bowls, that they won both of them.
Hard to go on about SEC cheating with a straight face if you are a Buckeye.
But it's good to have college football back.
Will be better when bball returns.

[GoMuskies]

Congrats to Boise State. Even if UGA isn't that good, they finally beat an SEC team in SEC territory. That's something.


There's a backhanded compliment if I've ever heard one. Nevermind that Boise hasn't PLAYED an SEC team in SEC territory since they've become a top-flight program.

[Masterofreality]

There's a backhanded compliment if I've ever heard one. Nevermind that Boise hasn't PLAYED an SEC team in SEC territory since they've become a top-flight program.

No one on this earth will live long enough to see an SEC team ever cross the Idaho border. :rolleyes:

Or a Big Eleven, err Twelve, errrr team or a Big Ten, errr Nine, errr .....jeezuz, I give up!

[X-band '01]

If Boise truly wants to act like a national title contender, they won't be doing cartwheels over such a win.

As for Richmond, I'd give the CAA more credit for that win. The A-10 doesn't even exist in football circles anymore.