The Short List To The Superdome: Week 12

Shocking finishes weren't just relegated to the Hurricane finale in the Orange Bowl Saturday night as now only two undefeated teams are left in the nation, one a surprise, the other an expected upstart.  We are down to single digits on the Shortlist to the Superdome as now only nine teams remain in the competition for a Blackwater assault team guided tour of New Orleans. 

The surviving roll call reads as follow:

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

Due to the propensity of Samoan cousins related to members of the Hawaii team I feel an explanation is in order, lest certain members of that genealogical bloodline take offense with me at the Warriors stalling out at number three. 

When LSU pounds Louisiana Tech 58-10 in Baton Rouge, the same Tech team that fell in overtime in week 2 to Hawaii by a single point, it's going to take a little help for your relatives to make it to the top spot all the way from the Big Island.  Not to mention the fact that I expect the Warriors to be gone from the Shortlist before kickoff Saturday, but more on that after we look at the one team that dropped I game I didn't see coming, falling from the Shortlist in meteoric fashion:

1) Boston College drops back to back games to close out the ACC's hopes for a National Champion, succumbing to Maryland 42-35.  The schedule finally becomes to tough for the Jeff Jagodzinski's squad, proving once again, that a steady on field diet of service academies and Notre Dame never pays off in the long run.

I expect two teams to be stricken from the Shortlist this week, one a guilty pleasure of mine, the other a perpetual nusciance:

Ohio State and Hawaii.

The Warriors are a West Coast football watcher's dream.  They kickoff at the end of the day during home games, are guaranteed to throw for 350 or more yards, put up 35 or more points, play serviceable to intimidating defense, and have some of the best uniforms in college football.  They also play either a feast or famine schedule, BCS traditional power opponents or WAC nobodies. 

Thus their are either in a underdog role or a high flying circus on turf which combined with their natural home field geography turning them into literal home warriors yet road weaklings gives them a niche appeal.  Unfortunately, they are off the island this week, QB Colt Brennan is trying to shake off a concussion and the Nevada Wolfpack is coming off a bye week.  All of this leads me to call for the Warriors to fall this week and pare the Shortlist of it's final non-BCS member school.

Meanwhile, Terry Porter's choice for the 2002 National Champs find themselves regrouping from a shocking loss at home to Illinois.  The game of the year in the Big 10 took a hit in prestige with Michigan's additional loss but this rivalry is one of the great spectacles of the college game and the contest will be hard fought as always. 

Ultimately, Michigan has more to play for this round, redemption, and that coupled with a home field advantage should be enough to allow the Wolverines to win if Mike Hart and Chad Henne are healthy. 

If they aren't, the Wolverines will still go down taking their best shot at their hated rivals and their overrated, sweater-vest sporting coach.  It should be a heavyweight encounter of grand proportion in Ann Arbour Saturday.

Enjoy the games this weekend, only three weeks remain in the wildest of college football seasons in recent memory and this weekend is almost certain to provide more of the same.  I'll see you all back here next week as we continue to thin the contenders away from the pretenders, on the Shortlist to the Superdome.

Copyright 2007 Christopher Whelpton for Canespace

Comments

[solarcane]

bam!

[solarcane]

its the juice soup
peace

[orange 'n green in the vein]

solar is GOD. Three guesses which team dropped a game this weekend that I didn't see coming on the shortlist, first two don't count.

[solarcane]

go warriors!
peace

[solarcane]

ogv,
If ever a quarterback was missed the big O's knows

your right on about Hawaii's uniforms, the same people that did the Seahawks designs must have hooked up
peace

[86Cane]

Solar...you are banned. You and Bonds, on the Juice!

Get off the blog and go to your room, NOW!

[solarcane]

deep down inside your saying to yourself....
maybe, just maybe he is that good

ogv gets my vote for the most consistent quality blog in a continuing circumstance
everyone has been fun to read.
peace

[orange 'n green in the vein]

And Cav, you could have that point about the entire Cane offense that you have with SS and still be right. It's like getting blown out in the worst bowl loss in the history of the program is supposed to back up the fact that you know what you're doing for these guys. I don't get it. Baby J was near tears at the end for the OB and all I could think of was, "This is nothing like that UCLA game you enjoyed so much in '98 as a 12 year old is it?" He gets it, he's one of the handful on that side of the ball that does, but there are others, there will be more next year. The Randy knows that when you're talking about changing the culture of a program, it's more than a one year thing, not to mention the fact that I don't think a lot of the losers want to change their ways.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

solar, this week was by far the hardest to write. 48-0 will do that to a guy apparently. How 86 continues on, I have no idea.

[86Cane]

Oregon is HISTORY!

[solarcane]

ogv,
JJ is a Cane, fo sure.
I'm thinking Saturday right around 30 seconds after the second KW pick, the camera pans to the sidelines just in time to se DJ's foot vanish up Kyles azz.
peace

[solarcane]

"Solar you write like a man who's never had his accounts frozen or his wages garnished. If and when that ever happens, tax invasion will become a reality."

Old Skool,
so far so good, I've overpaid my taxes since I was 14, I think I have about a 60% stake in the space shuttle program.
appreciate your concern, my brother in law had his wages garnished for 3 years, not much fun
peace

[M.H.]

This is going to be the most physical game we play all year. Look what VT did to FSU. I think they have about a half a dozen players injured.
But if it's just going to be smash mouth, than we're going to give as good as we get.
But just in case...Who's our third string Quarterback?

[86Cane]

Our third string QB is...

CanesGirlNC!

[AvaCane96]

make her the starter!!

[86Cane]

AVA...CGNC can start alright, the question is can she finish?

The problem is if she started, the players would want to stay in the huddle too long. They would never get any plays off!

We could put in Canechic but then you have the same problem...

[AvaCane96]

LOL

[PLAY THE FRESHMEN!!!]

Taxes do not invade you.

The IRS does.

Taxes were born as a one time thing and has evolved into the monster that it is today. Everytime you see corruption, lobbying, campaign funding etc, it is all tax related.

We are being bled for our money, and it won't stop until this country faces another major inflation disaster (depression era)

Election year is coming up. I GUARANTEE that gas prices will be lowered before election month and the stupid voting public will vote for the same numbnuts that have become rich out of gas prices.

It is better to discuss taxes than the canes.....nowadays!!

[solarcane]

I say we take all the gas stations and dump them in the harbor!!

give me Little E or give me Depp!
peace

[solarcane]

tazmanians without recreation is tiring

peace

[orange 'n green in the vein]

The only way Miami wins this game Saturday is if Baby J goes all original J and puts up 200+ on the ground. Oh and the Bust can't have more than a single turnover. That right there is why we have no shot. Is it too early to start getting wasted for this game?

[solarcane]

"We don't want the teams with the most wins, we want the teams with the most fans."
Nike

It is ALWAYS about the dollar
peace

[86Cane]

OGV...never too early.

Baby J gonna leave a mark on them VT boys you just watch.

And Kyle is gonna have game this ONE time.

Says here the Canes win...

[86Cane]

OGV and all...check the new photos of the Zooker and the Fridge on the blog.

The Zooker rocks! The Fridge just eats!

GO CANES, BEAT VT!

[solarcane]

Shannon told them to have fun with it.
Nothing would be more fun than to stun VTech while they are daydreaming about Virginia

peace

[solarcane]

Robert Marve,
calm, smooth, aware

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjOhVCKaW_U&feature=related

peace

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Is it just me, or does Morse sound like Butters from South Park? You know, if Butters grew up to be 300 lbs, played O-line for the Hurricanes and gave a damn about the well being of the program, of course.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Jordan Futch: "One family, no mercy."
Jordan, keep talking like that and you're going to usurp Clinton Portis as my favorite Hurricane ever.

[solarcane]

Very cool G Cooper site

high school pics, looks like he is just building this site, its not myspace but his own domain name

http://www.graigcooper.org/

peace

[solarcane]

some Coop high school hilite vids there also
peace

[solarcane]

solar is gonzo
peace

[OBCane2K]

MERIWEATHER LEARNING, YEARNING

By CHRISTOPHER L. GASPER Globe Staff

BC-FBN-PATRIOTS-MERRIWEATHER-BOS
(FOR USE BY NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE CLIENTS)
c. 2007 The Boston Globe
FOXBOROUGH - James Sanders knows what Brandon Meriweather is going through. The frustration, the disappointment, the seemingly never-ending learning curve.
The safety lived it the first two years of his career before hitting his stride this season. Heading into tomorrow's game against the Bills in Buffalo, Sanders has started all nine games and leads Patriots defensive backs with 41 tackles.
Meriweather, meanwhile, who was taken with the 2007 first-round pick the Patriots received for trading Deion Branch to the Seattle Seahawks (No. 24 overall), has had minimal impact and playing time.
Meriweather, who has seen time at cornerback and safety since training camp, played just one snap out of 65 - including plays that were wiped out by penalties - in the Patriots' 24-20 win over the Colts Nov. 4, even though starting safety Eugene Wilson was out with an ankle injury. The Patriots instead went with fourth-year safety Rashad Baker, an undrafted free agent, in their dime package (six defensive backs). Baker played 17 snaps against Indianapolis.
"I talk to Brandon all the time," said Sanders. "I tell him, 'I know exactly how you feel right now. If anyone knows on this team, it's me.' I just tell him, 'All you can do is go out there and work hard each and every day and eventually, hopefully, the cream rises to the top and you get out there and you get a chance to show everyone what you can do."'
An All-American at the University of Miami, expectations were high for Meriweather, who drew comparisons to another Miami safety who was taken 24th overall - Ed Reed of the Ravens. In training camp, with Asante Samuel sitting at home, Meriweather was seeing time as a nickel cornerback.
Right now, Meriweather, who has been active for every game, is largely a special teams player. His 10 special teams tackles are second on the team to linebacker Pierre Woods (11) and match the defensive tackle total he's been credited with by the coaches. Meriweather has yet to record an interception.
Some of his peers from the class of 2007 have enjoyed early success. Reggie Nelson of the Jaguars, whom Meriweather was compared with leading up to the draft, has started eight games, has two interceptions, and has been credited with 43 tackles. Tanard Jackson, who was taken in the fourth round (No. 106 overall) by the Buccaneers and converted from cornerback to free safety, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in nine starts.
In Meriweather's defense, he has been asked to learn multiple positions - slot corner, outside corner, strong safety, free safety - in a system that is vastly different than the one he played in with the Hurricanes and far more complex and variable than what the Jaguars and Buccaneers run.
Defensive coordinator Dean Pees said the Patriots' scheme is often difficult for veterans to grasp.
"I don't know a lot about the University of Miami's scheme, I just know our scheme, and I know that it's not easy sometimes even for a veteran defensive back coming from another professional team to our team to always just grasp everything that we do on defense," said Pees. "So, I think it's even harder sometimes for a college guy to do that.
"I think he's progressing, he's working hard - that's all we can ask of him - and he's ... trying to get better every day. So, at this point in time, I'd say he's getting better all the time and we'll keep playing him more as we see fit to do that."
It's far too early to tag Meriweather "El Busto," as former NBA coach Dan Issel once creatively coined center Tony Battie, or even the next Chris Canty. Sanders said it took until the Colts game for him to feel like he was playing on instinct like he did in college. Defensive end Ty Warren, a 2003 first-rounder, was written off as a disappointment after his rookie season, but now is Pro Bowl-caliber player.
Still, it's tough for Meriweather to go from the man at Miami, where he set the school record for tackles by a defensive back and intercepted seven passes, to a seen-but-not-heard-from rookie with the Patriots.
There were character concerns surrounding Meriweather coming out of Miami, stemming from his role in the Orange Bowl brawl with Florida International, but they haven't surfaced here. Pees said the defensive back hasn't sulked over his lack of playing time.
"I don't think it's been a problem with him at all," said Pees. "Bill ((Belichick)) mentions it to them the first day they walk in the door: Everybody was a star. It's the same thing when you were a star in high school and you go to college. All of a sudden you're not the star for a while.
"You're starting all over when you come up here and I think the guys realize that and understand it, and I think the veteran players kind of tell those guys sometimes in the locker room that they went through it too. I think our guys handle it pretty well."
Meriweather already has made one adjustment from Miami. In accordance with the Patriots' preferred code of conduct for rookies, he's staying silent. So far, he hasn't had much to talk about. But that can change quickly. Meriweather only has to look a few lockers down to Sanders for inspiration.
"Being a young guy on this team, you go through some things," said Sanders. "You take a lot of lumps, but if you keep striving and persevere through it, it's just going to make you a better football player in the end."

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Hawaii kicks a last second field goal to win by two. SOB. Brennan went 2/2 for 27 yards. He's no Kirby Freeman when he's concussed is all I can say.

[E K]

Always hoping and believing. Canes Win
27-17

See y'all at the victory party.

[86Cane]

From Shandel at the SS:

The Hurricanes have lost four of the past five games and are coming off a 48-0 loss to Virginia in their last game at the Orange Bowl. With a strong recruiting class, fans have pointed to next season.

But the Hurricanes are not ready to say goodbye to 2007.

"It's very important," receiver Kayne Farquharson said of reaching a bowl game. "I love being around my teammates. I love being around my coaches. So it will give us the extra time to bond more."

The Hurricanes last year finished 6-6, then defeated Nevada in the MPC Computers Bowl. They are counting on two victories to help them end the season in a place more exciting than Boise, Idaho.

The Hurricanes need to step up their play to have any chance of reaching that goal. Coach Randy Shannon used a different approach in practice this week. Shannon, who is tough on players, allowed the team to relax. The atmosphere was more laid-back, with players joking after practices.

"I can't change the past," Shannon said. "I can mope around and feel bad and yeah, I'm disappointed. If I keep dwelling on that loss we had in the Orange Bowl, I'll go out there and do a bad job of coaching. ... It's part of what we've got to get done. You just can't hold your head down."

Shandel Richardson can be reached at [email protected]

[E K]

86,

You know that I won't let you forget this weekend especially when we win, right?

Once again, Thanks.

I'll be taking off around 9am, and I'm like a little kid who barely slept waiting for Christmas morning to come.

[86Cane]

EK...good deal. Take photos, tell everyone about Canespace and bring home the W.

Big game today in Blacksburg. GO CANES, BEAT VT!

[86Cane]

Hawaii kicks a last second field goal to win by two. SOB.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | November 17, 2007 at 03:00 AM

OGV....one thing I have to say is it is a good thing you are NOT a betting man!

[mi@mica@ne]

OK, We need the endorphins today. Since Coop is out we need Kyle's long ball. We need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for the entire game for once this yr.That is , seeing a real push up field. Its always a fact that if you hit with more force than the opponent then you will have less chance of being injured.

Still waiting for a game changing hit.

[Big Moo]

Gameday vs Va Tech and we talking about taxes...taxes? we're sittin here talking about taxes? not the game, not the game....taxes.

86 are you sticking with your guarantee of a Canes win?

I still believe that the TEAM that beat FSU and A&M is there (somewhere) and will win today. If they do, The U and I are bowl bound!

[86Cane]

BIG...The win was only guaranteed if Mrs. 86 was in attendance because she has a perfect unbeaten record. She refused to go to the game at VT and put her perfect win streak on the line after the 48-0 debacle at the OB last week (which she wisely did not attend). And who can blame her?

We had four tickets and were supposed to meet CGNC, Roach, CaneVAstud and others there but I was forced to sell them to EK who is there on behalf of Canespace along with CGNC and RoachCane77.

I am still predicting a Canes victory 24-17 but it is NOT guaranteed.

[86Cane]

Still waiting for a game changing hit.
Posted by: mi@mica@ne | November 17, 2007 at 09:18 AM

MIA...I'm still waiting for a Special Teams score. Today is the day! Watch...

[canechic]

Good morning guys! Nick and Nicole's HS team lost last night in their first playoff game at home by one point. It was a mess the kids totally underestimated their opponant. But their coach made no adjustments and called some serious bone head plays. I was screaming in the stands and I told the dads around me I was ready to rundown to the feild and call some plays. Crazy these kids played so hard this year and to this point only lost one game in overtime to a talented Apopka team and the coach lost this one for them. That just makes me insane!!!! By the way lee corso's son is their offensive coach!!

Anyway I am so sick of disappointment this year!! Go Canes beat up those Hokies or chickens or hens or whatever the he!! they are!!!

[Zakkee]

A hit can't/won't be gamechanging without an offensive response to follow it.

KP had a gamechanging hit on a OU RB after halftime(3rd quarter), but the offense couldn't sustain the momentum. We weren't down by much at that point.

[Zakkee]

KP forced a fumble on the play and we recovered it in OU territory.

[HurricaneMitch]

86, are we going to have a play by play for the game today? I think regional coverage is going to see to it that I can't watch the game. You can never start drinking to early.
GO
CANES!

[TICAL]

Canes fans holding a poster of The U behind the desk on college gameday at the Ohio State / Mich game

[canechic]

hurricanemitch you can buy the game with ESPN gameplan. Did you guys just see CORSO's prediction Canes 7 VT 38? Anyway kirk says our future is bright, no sure however about the heart of this team!

[canechic]

Tical I saw that, you are up early!