Short List To The Superdome: Week 9

Week nine of college football brings the season two-thirds of the way done and now only a scant 14 teams are left in the running for it all in New Orleans.  The now truly Shortlist reads as follows in the order I would rank them:

Ohio St., Kansas, BC, Arizona St., Hawaii, LSU, Oklahoma, Missouri, USF, Oregon, VT, WVA, Southern Cal, and UConn.

The SEC now joins the Big 10 as conferences that are walking a fine line with only one team each left in the running.  Last year's title game was an undefeated Big 10 versus one-loss SEC blowout, will history repeat itself?  LSU has the talent to run the final month of the season undefeated, but will they even get an opportunity to play for it all if they do?

Two teams last week avoided eliminations that I called for:

1) Missouri rebounds from it's first loss of the season and gives the homecoming crowd something to get excited about by beating Texas Tech 41-10.  After a tough loss on the road in Norman, Oklahoma the previous week, Gary Pinkel circles the wagons and keeps his team in the running for the national title in style.  With a manageable slate the rest of the year, it's not inconceivable that the November 24th neutral site showdown with Kansas to finish the regular season could have major national title implications, an idea that would have gotten you laughed at at the start of September.

2) UConn piles on the misery in Louisville this year by also coming through for their homecoming crowd 21-17 in Storrs.  My cousin's alma matter has a better football team than mine so far this season.  Luckily we won't be sharing Thanksgiving dinner this year or I would never hear the end of it.  USF comes to Rentschler Field this week for a Shortlist elimination showdown and I expect the Huskies to end up gored when it's over.

A total of four teams, more than a fifth of the Shortlist from last week, dropped games that I didn't see coming and now find themselves looking to next year when talking about national titles.  The roll call of bitterness reads as follows this week:

1) South Carolina falls at home to Vanderbilt 17-6 in THE stunner of the Shortlist this week.  I have all the respect in the world for Steve Spurrier, but as this result shows, there are no off weeks in the SEC anymore. 

The Head Ball Coach will have his team back in top form sooner rather than later but a tough schedule the rest of the way could turn what was a dream season in Columbia up to this point into a nightmare in a blink of an eye.

2) Texas Tech as mentioned above can't muster enough offense to hang in with Missouri on the road.  In a clash of two unconventional offenses, Mike Leach ends up on the short end of the scoreboard this go round. 

The afterthoughts from Lubbock still have a string of big games left down the stretch and with the Air Raid offense, they still have the chance to play spoilers for Leach's old boss Bob Stoops to close out the year.

3) Cal falls in the Rose Bowl to UCLA 30-21.  Two losses in a row expose the Bears as a Pac-10 patsy yet again while Karl Dorrell quiets the critics in L.A. for at least another week.  Jeff Tedford can find some solace if he can knock ASU out of the ranks of the unbeaten on the road this week, but with that defense, the odds are slim he can get it done.  You just know Oregon is kicking itself all over again for finding a way to lose that nail-biter these two teams engaged in a month ago as the Bears are now 0-2 since then.

4) Cincinnati can't rebound from last weeks homecoming loss and falls to Pitt on the road 24-17.  In retrospect I called for the wrong dark-horse Big East team to drop from the Shortlist.  Maybe I'll learn my lesson, that Dave Wannstedt really did earn those Super Bowl rings for a reason, as results like this prove.  Or, maybe Brian Kelly's team feasted on cupcakes to open the year and it finally caught up to them as they looked ahead to a bye week before a game with USF.  Or maybe, the Big East is still just a joke, despite what my cousin with the UConn degree will insist.  Either way, I'm not chalking up a loss for Pitt right away despite them playing Louisville this week, there are no two teams more schizophrenic this year in college football than these two.

The teams I expect to fall of the Shortlist this week are as follows:

Virginia Tech, Southern Cal, West Virginia, UConn.

Oregon versus Southern Cal and USF versus UConn are Shortlist elimination games this week, but not all Shortlist elimination games are created equal. Virginia Tech versus Boston College also carries huge national implications as well as ACC implications in both divisions.

(Editorial note: In the Thursday night game on ESPN, BC rallied late in the fourth quarter to beat VT in Blacksburg 14-10.)

It promises to be an exciting and enlightening weekend of college football.  Enjoy the contest this weekend and I'll see you back here next week as we survey the fallout together on the Shortlist to Superdome.

Copyright 2007 Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.

Comments

[CanesgirlNC]

The NC State game is on ESPNU as of right now....You know what that means....COKERMANIA.

Posted by: IN_Cane | October 26, 2007 at 10:55 AM

Doughhhhhhhh is all I can say to that

[canenexxus]

Thanx 86 I was bored.

[86Cane]

Nexxus...no problem, that's what Canespace is for!

Canespace: Putting and end to boredom at work all across the country!

[Esteban]

insidetheu.com has an article about Robinson saying his commitment to da U is solid. Good to hear.

[slim32]

VT defense laid back the last 5:00 minutes of the game. They should of kept on blitzing.

I hope the Canes (Walton) learned from the FSU game, that they need to blitz.....blitz...and blitz some more!

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 26, 2007 at 09:28 AM

Great obsevation!!!!!!!!
They gave him all the time in the world those last 2 drives.

[DallasTX Cane]

Pitt lost to Navy. I'm still convinced that Dave W is not a good HC. Like him though due to his ties to JJ. So, hope he does well...just wouldn't hire him if it were my decision...

What up CGNC?

[canenexxus]

That D was gassed at the end. The ends couldn't tackle and Ryan was running around people like Barry Sanders. He also made a couple of really great throws.

[CaneSniper]

Anybody know the status of Chaz Washington? They keep saying we're down to 3 DTs with Hendricks, Dix and Holmes out. Chaz used his redshirt last year so I wonder why he's not a factor.

[CanesgirlNC]

Hey DTC - just trying to catch up on the posts etc. I saw the end of that game last night looks like VT played soft on the last two BC drives, I mean Ryan scrambled but still looks like they could have brought more pressure

[Esteban]

i think VT didn't do a real good job of rotating their DL. they didn't need to blitz most of the game cause the front four was supplying enough pressure. but they looked tired at the end. they should have blitzed once they saw that their DL's legs weren't there anymore.

[canenexxus]

I think Chaz is playing left.... Left out and riding the pine. If you are a DT and a DE is taking all the minutes(Vegas Franklin) then you are waaaaayyy at the end of the bench.

[Esteban]

good bye OB.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/baseball/marlins/sfl-flspmarlins26nboct26,0,674223.story

[CanesgirlNC]

LOL 86 - were you watching last night the picture of the cold, rain soaked fans at Lane Stadium - hopefully when you and I and Mrs. 86 go, it won't be wet - zoiks

Aqua?

[Esteban]

alright, canenexxus beat me to it about them being tired.

[DallasTX Cane]

I watched the 4th quarter. VT's D dominated right up until that last 2 min. I agree with Este, they were gassed. Also, huge momentum shift with the onsides kick in terms of having energy to play when theres nothing left. Give BC credit too - they never gave up and kept fighting even after playing SO bad.

Maybe they are having a "magical" season?...

[86Cane]

Don't worry CGNC. Mrs. 86 ALWAYS brings great weather and a victory to the UM games she attends (see FSU).

The VT game will be no different! A cool, clear, crisp night and a Canes victory 27-20 is what we are looking for.

[DallasTX Cane]

Thanks for that link Este.

This has been such BS. If they're going to tear it down and build a soccer stadium or apartments, etc. Why couldn't they tear it down and build a new OB for the CANES to play in?? Could have been multi-use for soccer also.

[Blowfly]

Why is Virginia not on the shortlist?

[Blowfly]

Oh sweet, sweet Lord above....I ask that you allow Sean Glennon to be the head quarterback starter when the Gobbler of Virginia Tech play the football tackle match with the Hurricane of Miami.

Amen

[86Cane]

Blow...not sure why VA didn't make the list? Gotta ask OGV later.

[CanesgirlNC]

LOL 86 - I wasn't worried - I have ponchos and a great waterproof lined stadium blanket if needed ;-D Yea a crisp cool night in Blacksburg and a win are in order ;-D

[86Cane]

Nice! RoachCane77, his wife and a bunch of others will be joining us at the game in Blacksburg.

Roll call for VT! Who's in, who's out?

CaneVaStud last chance to dance. U gotta let me know by today if you are going to the game or your tix get sold to another Canespacer already lined up for them...

[Hey Aqua,]

"Don't Tase Me Bro"

[86Cane]

Aqua...U gettin' tased fo sho! Where U been hidin' bro?

[RayChanCaneFan]

I'm Back And On Fire...Whats good Legion...I moved to ATL and its gettin to be good out here...Doin the Library net so posts are gonna few for a while but no more OKC...I'm in ATL now shawty...lol
C
A
N
E
S
CANES....

[Hey Aqua,]

86, Gotta a bum wheel. Pain meds got me thinking hazy. Did BC really win? Man they slow, Calais and Moncur are gonna kill BC's freshman tackle. I hope they're undefeated when we play them. We Ready, We Ready....

[deadmanwalking]

Not CANES news But Miami news.... Ricky Williams might be receiving his re-instatement to the Dolphins, Camy has no comment on whether he will take him back or release him. Hey whatever it takes to get at least 1 win!

[86Cane]

RCCF...good to see you back! Since U are in Hotlanta now we will be hangin' at your place next year for the GT game so be ready for the Canespace Crew coming through. Post here, post often.

[NovaCane]

RayChan, I used to live in the ATL, They grow em big down there, must be something in the water, so watch out for the tap water.
Try to get down to Stone Mountain and watch some Stephenson High Football, They are almost the MNW of GA. Or hop on over to College Park and check out Darrell Simmons from Banneker High. We are recruiting him hard, you will see why. The kid reminds me of Ed Reed.

[RT6]

Check out this Myspace page....U think he is solid?
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=115458534

[SOUP]

Sad story of a Florida HS star and former Gator who may have made some bad choices that led to his tragic death...

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-bk-atkinsdeath102607,0,3306909.story

[SOUP]

RT6...SOLID AS A ROCK!

[NovaCane]

Simmoms: "I'm strong and very athletic. I have great instincts and am a natural athlete. I'm like Sean Taylor Washington Redskins free safety). He was my size in high school and I think I play a lot like him.

[SOUP]

Article from the SS about the FSU AD leaving December 31. This means that UM will not be the only school in the market for a new AD after this year is over.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/college/seminoles/orl-fsu2607oct26,0,1766298.story

[SOUP]

Kicker gets off bench, makes points with arm
By Shandel Richardson | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

October 21, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Miami Hurricanes kicker Francesco Zampogna experienced the highs and lows of being a football player.

This week he was benched in favor of Daren Daly for poor performance, but came up with one of the biggest plays in Saturday's 37-29 victory against Florida State. Zampogna completed a 26-yard touchdown to tight end DajLeon Farr on a fake field goal in the third quarter.

"I did lose my kicking job, but I knew I had one responsibility," Zampogna said. "I just took care of the one thing I was responsible for."

The play, which had been practiced the past few weeks, came when the Hurricanes needed a spark. They were trailing 23-17 and lined up for the field goal. FSU failed to notice Zampogna, not Daly, was on the field. Holder David Strimple flipped the ball to Zampogna, who threw a wobbly pass to a wide-open Farr for the score.

"I was thinking to myself, 'I hope they don't catch on,'" Farr said. "They didn't and the play worked out. What can you say? I can't complain."

[YoungChris757]

Not sure if it was posted or not, but Dr. Krop (Miami,Fl) Cornerback Travis Howard commited to the Buckeyes.

Looks as if thats where Sabino is headed as well

[3-0-Cinco]

Canes lose out on Sabino, Howard

Our Barry Jackson is reporting that the two top Miami Dr. Krop High prospects, linebacker Etienne Sabino and cornerback Travis Howard, have decided to cross the University of Miami off their list.

Howard, considered one of the top defensive backs in the state, said he orally committed this afternoon to Ohio State. "The atmosphere, the fan support, everything at Ohio State was awesome," he said. "I considered Miami very hard. But I did not want to be in Florida. I wanted to accomplish new things and meet new people."

Sabino informed UM that he is no longer considering the Hurricanes. Sabino, rated the 17th best player in the country by ESPN.com, has now narrowed his choices to Ohio State and USC.

Posted by Manny Navarro at 02:49 PM on October 26, 2007

[SOUP]

Most of us here had predicted that Sabino was NOT going to be a Cane anyway, so no surprise there. Howard sounds like he wants to get out of town and go somewhere out of State.

Canespace wishes them BOTH the best of luck, until they play against the Canes of course!

[Esteban]

I didn't want Sabino for us as a LB. Rather have the guys we have committed. I did want him as a DE though. And Travis Howard wasn't a necessity with Johnson, Harris and maybe Bryant on the way. Still sucks that the Buckeyes might get them both. I'm hoping they get swayed away by another team.

[tjl]

I wish them luck as well. We can't get-em all! Were going to be fine with what we have coming in..What's the news on TJ Bryant?

[SOUP]

Great photo gallery of UM-FSU through the years from the SS:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/college/hurricanes/sfl-umfsu-pg,0,536312.photogallery?coll=sofla_sports_college_hurricanes_xpromo

[Calvin]

Well one thing is for sure, tressel is no stranger to recruiting around Miami, i had a partner play for tressel at youngstown st., started at linebacker the year they beat alcorn st with steve mcnair at the helm, i believe i mentioned that b4, and howard did say from the beginning that he more than likely would leave the state, once agin, i'm just glad another kid from Miami got a chance to pick the college of his choice.

Howard will do well up their in buckeye land, and while i'm glad for him: 4 reasons stated earlier, that still doesn't negate the fact that, you either sign with us, or get beat by us. The run is coming, now with howard out the picture, freddie hammnods signing with the gators, that leaves the door wide open for travis bejamin and bradon harris and tj bryant to come in, and by theway, the only reason i wouldn't mind tj bryant coming to Miami from tallahassee is because his momma went to central back in the day, so we know what kind of stock he came from.

Otherwise i'd want him to go to Fsu so we could play against him. If we can get patchan, goodman, d.scott, of course harris and tj bryant, that'll set me str8 right their. The throw ins would be karnell hatcher, and it also seems like cj holton may bail out on Fsu come signing day, he may close his eyes and send his letter to Miami. Either way it goes, if we get 85% of this class to sign, it's successful, by the way, we told preston parker, either sign with us, or get beat by, lesson 1 down for him, who wants to be next.

[SOUP]

I know it is still early, but so far, here is the POTD:

"By the way, we told Preston Parker, either sign with us, or get beat by. Lesson 1 down for him, who wants to be next?"

Posted by: Calvin | October 26, 2007 at 03:54 PM

[thirstybuzzardcane]

I feel a lot better about PJ commitment after seeing his my space page.

[SOUP]

That's right buzzard, could it be any clearer? RT6 was on the job!

Here is a nice article from Manny at the MH:

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/285117.html

[KillerBeez41]

the only reason i wouldn't mind tj bryant coming to Miami from tallahassee is because his momma went to central back in the day, so we know what kind of stock he came from.Posted by: Calvin | October 26, 2007 at 03:54 PM

LMAO, You a damn clown man.

[Zakkee]

Davon Johnson's myspace is decked out in orange & green as well.

I said Tressel or Butch would land Howard and Sabino yesterday.

[SOUP]

From www.hurricanesports.com:

Men's Basketball Season Ticket Prices Announced: Season Tickets are available for as low as $99.

Oct. 9, 2007

Coral Gables, Fla. (www. hurricanesports.com) - - The University of Miami Athletic Department has announced that men's basketball season ticket prices for the 2007-08 season will not increase for any section and will be lowered in some areas of the BankUnited Center.

Some highlights of the new ticket pricing are: There is no price increase in any section of the arena. Total prices (including season ticket and required donation) have been reduced in the following prime side-court areas:

1. PLAYERS--$623 per seat to $295 (this category no longer requires a donation)
2. ALL-STAR--$878 per seat to $480
3. CHAMPIONS--$1,184 per seat to $650

General Admission seating has been reduced more than 50 percent, from $199 to $99 per seat. The amount of persons included in a Family Plan, priced at $475, has increased from two adults and two children to two adults and three children.

"The intention of our season ticket pricing is to allow even more fans to be exposed to ACC basketball," said UM Athletic Director Paul Dee. "The ACC offers the best of college basketball and our goal is to enhance awareness of the men's basketball program and introduce our product to more people."

Head Coach Frank Haith added, "Fan support is vital to the success of any team. We are excited about the upcoming season and are looking to build on the success we had at the ACC Tournament. With the maturity of our returning players, the return of Anthony King from injury (wrist) and the early performance of our newcomers, I am confident we can put a very competitive team on the court."

Miami will host Barry Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in an exhibition game before officially kicking off the 2007-08 season at home Friday, Nov. 9 against Florida Southern at 7:30 p.m.

Other home games highlighting this year's schedule include a match-up with 2007 ACC Tournament Champion North Carolina (Jan. 23) as well as games against 2007 NCAA Tournament participants Georgia Tech (Jan. 12), Duke (Feb. 20), Maryland (Feb. 23), Virginia (March 1) and Boston College (March 5).

Season tickets may be purchased online at hurricanesports.com, at the Hecht Athletic Center ticket office or by calling 305-284-CANE in Miami-Dade County or 1-800-GO-CANES outside of Miami-Dade.

[SOUP]

2007-2008 SCHEDULE
( Click on an event for complete event information )

Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result

11/06/07 vs. Barry (Exhib.) ! Coral Gables, Fla. 7:30 p.m.
11/09/07 vs. Florida Southern Coral Gables, Fla. 7:30 p.m.
2007 O'Reily Auto Parts ESPNU Puerto Rico Tip Off
11/15/07 vs. Marist San Juan, Puerto Rico 11:30 a.m.
11/16/07 TBD San Juan, Puerto Rico TBA
11/18/07 TBD San Juan, Puerto Rico TBA

11/24/07 vs. Morgan State Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
11/28/07 vs. Alabama State Coral Gables, Fla. 7:30 p.m.
12/02/07 vs. St. John's Coral Gables, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
12/08/07 at Florida International Miami, Fla. 7:00 p.m.
12/13/07 at Mississippi State Starkville, Miss. 8:00 p.m.
12/17/07 vs. Stetson Coral Gables, Fla. 9:00 p.m.
12/20/07 vs. North Florida Coral Gables, Fla. 7:30 PM
12/23/07 vs. North Carolina A&T Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
MetroPCS Orange Bowl Classic
12/29/07 vs. Winthrop Sunrise, Fla. 4:30 p.m.

01/02/08 vs. Penn Coral Gables, Fla. 8:00 p.m.
01/12/08 vs. Georgia Tech * Coral Gables, Fla. 2:00 p.m.
01/15/08 at Boston College * Chestnut Hill, Mass. 9:00 p.m.
01/19/08 at North Carolina State * Raleigh, N.C. 8:00 p.m.
01/23/08 vs. North Carolina Coral Gables, Fla. 9:00 p.m.
01/27/08 vs. Clemson * Coral Gables, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
01/29/08 at Wake Forest * Winston-Salem, N.C. 7:00 p.m.
02/02/08 at Duke * Durham, N.C. 3:30 p.m.
02/06/08 vs. Florida State * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:30 p.m.
02/09/08 at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Va. 2:00 p.m.
02/17/08 at Georgia Tech * Atlanta, Ga. 1:00 p.m.
02/20/08 vs. Duke * Coral Gables, Fla. 9:00 p.m.
02/23/08 vs. Maryland * Coral Gables, Fla. 2:00 p.m.
02/27/08 at Clemson * Clemson, S.C. 7:30 p.m.
03/01/08 vs. Virginia * Coral Gables, Fla. 2:00 p.m.
03/05/08 vs. Boston College * Coral Gables, Fla. 7:00 p.m.
03/08/08 at Florida State * Tallahassee, Fla. 12:00 p.m.

[SOUP]

2007 Summer Roster
Coaches | Alphabetical | Numerical

Alphabetical
No Name Pos Ht Wt Cl Hometown/High School/Last College
32 Brian Asbury G/F 6-7 214 JR Miami, Fla./South Miami
21 Dwayne Collins F/C 6-8 232 SO Miami, Fla./Miami Senior
23 James Dews G 6-3 198 SO Westchester, Ohio/Lakota East
45 Julian Gamble C 6-9 258 FR Durham, N.C./Southern Durham
10 Landon Glover G 6-2 185 SR Montclair, N.J./Montclair
00 Jimmy Graham F 6-8 245 JR Goldsboro, N.C./Charis Prep
42 Raymond Hicks F 6-7 238 SR Longview, Texas/Longview
1 Lance Hurdle G 6-2 180 JR San Diego, Calif./Helix/San Bernardino Valley CC
50 Anthony King C 6-9 242 RS SR Durham, N.C./Southern Durham
33 Jack McClinton G 6-1 185 JR Baltimore, Md./South Kent (Conn.)/Siena
20 Cyrus McGowan F 6-9 232 JR Brooksville, Miss./Meridian/Arkansas
22 Fabio Nass F 6-11 202 SR Santa Catarina, Brazil/Colegio Bom Jesus/Ft. Smith (Ark.) JC
5 Eddie Rios G 6-0 193 FR Miami, Fla./Miami Senior
25 Jonathan Stratton G 6-3 180 SR Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky
30 Adrian Thomas F 6-7 223 RS SO Pembroke Pines, Fla./Flanagan

Coaches

Frank Haith - Head Coach
Jorge Fernandez - Associate Head Coach
Jake Morton - Assistant Coach
Michael Schwartz - Assistant Coach
Mac Calloway - Asst. Strength & Conditioning Coach
Darren Cohen - Director of Basketball Operations
Toby Lane - Associate Dir. of Basketball Operations