Short List To The Superdome: Week 13

Editor's note:  This edition of the Short List is late going to post as a result of the Thanksgiving Holiday.  It was written BEFORE Thursdays games but posted Saturday AM...

Three months into the college football season finds the Shortlist to the Superdome with the following schools counted among it's ranks:

Kansas, LSU, Hawaii, Missouri, West Virginia, Arizona State and Ohio State.

These seven teams have fought tooth and nail to stay in the running for a shot at National Championship glory with Ohio State ensuring a spot on the Shortlist once it's all over, no matter what, thanks to it's gritty rivalry game win. But a loss in mid-November is difficult to overcome without a great deal of help around the country, will the Buckeyes find a way to back in to play for it all two years in a row? Don't count out Jim Tressel's team just yet.

Both teams that I called to fall off the Shortlist survived last week to leave me with egg on my face:

1) Ohio State sends Lloyd Carr out to pasture with a 14-3 win on the road. For the first time in over forty years, the Buckeyes have won four straight in this rivalry. They now sit in the clubhouse with an impressive resume, but a loss at home is much more difficult to sweep out of sight when the time comes to compare one loss teams on the Shortlist. Still, what was supposed to be a rebuilding year in Columbus turned out infinitely better than anyone had expected at the start of the year, the Buckeyes are sure to be a pre-season favorite in 2008 assuming their early NFL entry losses don't pile up too much.

2) Hawaii escapes the Wolfpack of Reno, Nevada with a field goal late in the game 28-26. June Jones could see his BCS payday evaporating before his eyes, but backup QB Tyler Graunke drives the Warriors in the crunch time to save the perfect season on the islands. Boise State, unbeaten by the Warriors in all six conference contests between the two teams, comes to the islands this week for a showdown of top-25 teams. It should be a game filled with offensive fireworks all over the field Friday, but I expect the Warriors to pull out a close contest with another last minute score to stay on the Shortlist for at least another week.

Two teams I didn't see losing games last week fell off the Shortlist instead of the aforementioned survivors:

Oregon watches it's title dreams unravel like a Dennis Dixon knee ligament as they go down 34-24 at Arizona to the Wildcats. The Pac-10 now finds it's championship contention banner being flown only by Arizona State.

The Ducks meanwhile must regroup with a second string QB to maintain their chances at winning their conference. Mike Bellotti has his work cut out for him to finish this season off the right way in Eugene.

I said when Texas Tech fell off the Shortlist several weeks ago that the Air Raid offense would give Mike Leach's team a chance to play spoiler down the stretch and they did just that by knocking off Oklahoma 34-27 in Lubbock. Graham Harrell was the first big-time QB recruit to sign with Leach and has the offense down pat, now he and his eccentric coach have a signature win to build on. Another eight win season for Leach continues the solid coaching job he has turned in over the last eight years at a perennial also-ran school in the Big 12. Although the true breakthrough season has yet to arrive for Red Raider fans, you get the sense that it will arrive there sooner rather than later for the always quotable Leach.

I expect one team to fall from the Shortlist this week, one coached by a familiar face for Hurricane fans:

Arizona State.

The Sun Devils host Southern Cal on Thursday and despite coming off a bye, are beginning to hit the wall as a team in the waning part of their schedule. Pete Carroll can't afford another loss this year and will use this opportunity to reverse some of the downward spiral his program has found itself trapped on the last two years. Expect Dennis Erickson's team to go down with a heck of a fight, but ultimately succumb to Southern Cal's superior depth, leaving the Shortlist with only half a dozen names on it by Saturday.

The upsets continue unabated in this college season and the final weeks should muster up a few more unexpected surprises before it's all said and done. Enjoy the games this week and I'll see you back here next week as we reshuffle all the cards in the deck here on the Shortlist to the Superdome.

Copyright 2007 Christopher Whelpton for Canespace

Comments

[AngryCane]

1st!!!!

BOO-YAAA!!!!

[Big Moo]

Miami 24 BC 23

Coop and Baby J are going to bring it today and hopefully Nix lets KW know that BC just might blitz...

[canechic]

Canesgirl that is crazy! What a small world! She and I used to ride bareback, barefoot all over. Those were some fun rides and can't even imagine doing that now, she and I were young and stupid. But I have some great memories. Her parents had to sell their house and move to Weston because the crime down there was getting bad! Lots of cock fighting rings!

Go Canes beat BC! you know through all of our depression at the OB on Saturday, one thing went unnoticed: I think that UVA was very classy. No showboating, they won, they celebrated and went off the field, knowing that was a sacred game for the canes. I thought they were very kind and I was impressed.

[canechic]

Hey 86 is Midwest a new blogger? He is really bringing it, a good pickup!!! Go Canes!

[Big Moo]

Just heard the Saban soundbite about 911 and Pearl Harbor again...

Honestly, I take no offense to what he said, the same way I took no offense to K2's soilder rant, plain and simple its just football speak. What I take offense to is that no one else seems to find it offensive. For some reason its ok for a 50yr old man to compare his teams loss to 2 of the greatest modern American tragedies, but a cardinal sin when a 20yr old young man calls him self a soldier after a very emotionally charged football game...WTF!!!!! When the fck will that man run out of get out of jail free cards with the media?

[MidWestCane]

Good Morning - Legion, 86, and all.

Boy, I was so tiered last night - after all the excitement of the LSwho loss, the thought of Les Miles taking "the Miles to Meechigan", the playoff Blow Outs by MNW and BTW last nite, and our SIXTH National Championship Ring (Comming Soon!) - I just couldn't stand it anymore.

Hey, I wrote a post on the MNW Boys last night - Did yall read it? I'll post it again.

Nick Satin ranting again. Bama fans think he's Saint Nick - but they'll find out the Truth.

[canechic]

Big Moo, can you imagine if RS made those comments? The media loves to hate the canes. Honestly this current team needs a K2 someone to come out of the locker room screaming, at least we would know they had a pulse! Hopefully they come out with some fire today!

[MidWestCane]

41-0 and 40-14

Now, really, do anyone (in their right mind) think that these kids (RS Boys) are going to accept losing next year?

There is NO REASON not to be confident about our team's future; NONE AT ALL.

Because the very first day these players sute up for practice at THE U - these MNW and BTW men ain't having it. Do you hear me? They ain't going to try to hear any talk of "Now we'll probally win 7 games this year". What? They don't even know what it is to lose, - much less to accept losing. They just don't know how to do that. And of course, they won't be willing to learn. In their minds, they are "comming to take your position", Period.

That is one reason why Randy is doing some spring cleaning right now (meaning he's cleaning house thourally), so that none of the un-infected (new) players will be distracted by any of the INFECTED ONES. Because, usually and often, when MATTER meets ANTI-MATTER - there is an EXPLOSION. A winning mind set and a losing frame of mind have the same reaction towards each other. Boom! No Love.

Imagin a player, exactly like Ryan Moore, transferes to the MNW BULLS, and he continues to drop passes but still demands to play in the game. Lets say the coaches (by some act of God) let him start at WR, and he drop half of the passes thrown to him which causes them to LOSE A GAME. There would be plenty of fights (brawls) between him and the players from that point on. Its call "the Chemestry of Dissaster".

That's why, at "THE U", there isn't any reform in the making. But there's a REVOLUTION at hand. Just about all new players, all new coaches, and an all new attitude - is moving into Coral Gables (and in accordence with THE U's proven traditions).

But of course, if we're going to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons (meaning these Miami Boys) you must assemble a team of experts to handle these potentially unstable materials - as a result, the addition of possibly four ex-UM players, ex National Championship players, as coaches which inclued Roland Smith.

Now, there the makings of a National Champion.

So, sit back and relax, because this is only the calm before the storm. The Perfect Storm will be playing in a Theatre near you. And that Theatre,my friend, is you television or JRS (or whatever you so choose).

That's Right, THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED! So, stay tuned.

Posted by: MidWestCane | November 24, 2007 at 01:46 AM

[M.H.]

100 + yards rushing + no turnovers = WIN
REDEMPTION day for the SENIORS.
We are not going to rely, just, on the defense, today.
Tap your shoes 3 times Dorothy, we're going to the Emerald Bowl.
Go Canes!

[canechic]

Midwest - you are great addition to this blog! how long have you been blogging?

[86Cane]

Canechic...yeah, Midwest is a newbie here, don't know his blogging track record, but he does bring it. He's gotta learn to pace himself a little bit but he's a hard worker and does some good research around the Net to post here. We have officially welcomed him to the Canespace Family.

Now that Canesport has cut us off cold turkey (no Thanksgiving pun intended), we will all have to do more and better research to continue to bring the news we can use here to the blog.

Solar does a lot of that research from ACC web sites and othere blogs he reads living up there in ACC country. The rest of us will have to get busy!

[MidWestCane]

Hey canechic, I'm Just kidding.

(Not really)

Since I found Canespace.com about 3 months ago.

[86Cane]

Canespace HIGHLY recommends:

www.insidetheU.com

The Miami Herald's Eye On The U blog.

[MidWestCane]

What time do the Game start today?

[86Cane]

Mid...you need to check your email.

[MidWestCane]

Canechic and Angrycane,

You don't have to worry about me, I fell in love with Insanecane's discovery a few weeks ago.

http://miami.rivals.com/rfFan.asp?User=1000337

Posted by: insanecane | November 16, 2007 at 10:16 AM

Peace.

[86Cane]

From the UM web site www.hurricanesports.com:

Men's Basketball Returns Home to Host Morgan State

Miami-Morgan State scheduled to tip Saturday at 1 p.m.

Nov. 23, 2007

CORAL GABLES, FLA. - The University of Miami men's basketball team returns home to the BankUnited Center to play host to Morgan State on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m.

Game 5: Morgan State (3-1) at Miami (4-0)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 | Time: 1 p.m. (EST) | Site: BankUnited Center
TV: None | Radio: 1360 AM | Internet Video: None
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) | Morgan State (www.morganstatebears.com)
Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES

Probable Miami Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
23 James Dews (G, 6-3, 203, So.) 12.0 3.3 1.8
33 Jack McClinton (G, 6-1, 185, Jr.) 14.3 2.3 2.5
32 Brian Asbury (F, 6-7, 223, Jr.) 11.3 4.0 2.0
00 Jimmy Graham (F, 6-8, 251, Jr.) 3.5 5.5 0.8
50 Anthony King (C, 6-9, 246, R-Sr.) 11.0 9.5 2.3
Probable Morgan State Starters
No. Name (Pos/Ht/Wt/Cl) Pts Reb Ast
1 Jerrell Green (G, 5-10, 170, Sr.) 9.3 3.0 4.0
53 Chris Moore (F, 6-9, 190, So.) 1.5 2.8 0.3
34 Jamar Smith (F, 6-3, 210, Sr.) 15.0 4.5 1.3
32 Marquise Kately (F, 6-5, 220, Jr.) 11.3 3.5 1.3
4 Boubacar Coly (C, 6-9, 220, Sr.) 9.0 9.8 0.5

[MidWestCane]

I'm there 86.

[86Cane]

Miami and Boston College will play at noon on ESPN.

[Big Moo]

Caneschic, I'd give my right arm for someone with half the spark of a K2. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. I can count 5 times, off the top of my head, where this team was losing and guys on the dfense were dancing around like they were already in the club. If S. Beach is on your mind on a Saturday, please please please turn in your shoulder pads and go take a fcking salsa lesson.

[Big Moo]

White on White!!!!

[SuperCane1]

We will win BIG today

Allen Bailey will finally get in at LB

DVD gets a pick

200 yards rushing....So who do we play in the emerald bowl?????

[Big Moo]

Ponder strips the ball...good omen

[Big Moo]

or not

[Big Moo]

Sharpton is playing a nice game so far

[caneluvr]

Another 3rd and long that they can't stop. They can't get off the damn field.

[SuperCane1]

Penalties are going our way so far, hopefully we take advantage

[Big Moo]

BC 1st and goal at the 37. CANNOT LET THEM OFF THE HOOK

[Alex D]

On that 4th and 2 when Miami had the ball if KW looked at all three receivers before the snap he would have noticed that the WR on top of the field had a DB playing 6 yards off him. Pitch and Catch for a 1st down, instead he tried to force a slant to Sam Shields.

[SuperCane1]

D.Sharpton is getting it done today

[caneluvr]

dodged a bullet.

[Big Moo]

Our d line takes awful lines when going after the QBs. If we keep on letting Ryan get outside of us, after we have a sack opportunity, this will be a long day.

Wide Right!!!

[norm]

Miami Defense is going to wear off if they keep playing the way they are playing. The offense better put a good long drive in this possesion.

[norm]

Big Moo, is not our line. It's Ryan that's what he does. He can scramble.

[Big Moo]

Wright has been watching Tbow highlights.

[SuperCane1]

Why is Kahlil Jones playing??
The ball was behind him but...

[caneluvr]

This is KW's legacy. 3rd and 7 and he throws a 4 yard pass.

[Chris]

Man..I cant wait until we get some legit receivers next year. It just amazes me that Jenkins is our only weapon at wr...come on Canes!

[Alex D]

Genius, you need 7 yards and you throw a 3 yard pass that is dropped by K. Jones, even if he catches it, he would have been tackled well short of the 1st down. Also, on 1st down I don't know if anyone noticed the BC corners were 10 yards off our receivers, pitch and catch for an easy completion if called.

[norm]

Come on, guys. We need a long drive so the defense can rest. Our offense it's really bad when the pressure it's on. It seem something always goes wrong. If they can't pick up the blitz, it's the receiver dropping the ball, or somebody else picking up a penalty.

[Big Moo]

norm, Ryan is excellent, but qbs have been getting outside of us all season. So I'll go out on a limb and say its both.

[Alex D]

Where has Luqman Abdallah been, this kid is playing well today?

[SuperCane1]

Ponder has hands like K. Jones...LOL

[caneluvr]

Who's #38? Is that Berry? Damn it, RS needs to be the names on the jersey's again.

[JesusIsaCorpse]

this female announcer doing the game is totally inept. holy crap is she embarrassing.

[Chris]

yo...we should just line up Cooper as a receiver! Why isnt he playing?

[SuperCane1]

38 is Berry

[RT6]

Other than the long 3rd down completion, I like the intensity I've seen from the D so far, particularly that D line. They are getting great penetration for only 6 men deep!!!

[caneluvr]

How did Ponder drop the INT?

[Big Moo]

Mccoy is a beast