How about that Mr. Football II? The second team heavy blowout in Miami Gardens last week sets the stage for what for me is the game of the year in Gainesville this week as one of the nastiest rivalries in all of college football re-ignites for a rare showdown of Florida speed. This game pits a heavily favored Gator team against an unproven Miami squad that most are giving next to no chance of even staying close, much less pulling the upset.
I on the other hand are already on record and nothing I saw in week one has dissuaded me from standing by that prediction, I expect the Hurricanes to win a tight game in the final quarter of play by running the ball down a tired UF defense's throat as the Swamp gets eerily quiet. If Steve Spurrier was still tossing visors on the sideline with abandonment I would be worried but Randy Shannon has beaten Urban Meyer on the recruiting trail and in a similar game last year on the road at Tallahassee Shannon was able to get the best of a better head coach in Bowden.
After this week the score 48-0 is going to hurt a lot less for Hurricane fans while the number 23 will no longer signify the greatest basketball player ever for Gator boosters.
After one week of games, I'm proud to report that the following teams were correctly predicted by me as falling to the wayside in the race for one of the two coveted Shortlist to South Beach invites for the only game that matters in the new year:
Miami (OH), Middle Tennessee, Army, SMU, Hawaii, Ohio, UAB, New Mexico, ULM,
FIU, NI, WMU, ULL, FAU, UNT, Kent State, Idaho, Utah State, CSU.
Now that I've crowed sufficiently, I have to unfortunately report that I made an oversight last week and forgot to include another pick I had marked for exclusion, the Memphis Tigers. After dropping a heated rivalry game to the hated Ole' Miss Rebels the Tigers are off the Shortlist even if I somehow overlooked recording my pick against them last week. Regardless of my mistake, Houston Nutt knows what it takes to win in the SEC West and this rivalry game victory will keep the good feelings flowing in Oxford enough to drown out the bile being flung from Nutt's old stomping grounds following his acrimonious
departure there.
Seven teams beat the odds last week to stay on the Shortlist despite my calling for them to do otherwise. The magnificent group reads as follows:
Buffalo, ECU, Bowling Green, Utah, L-Tech, Ark. St., Fresno St.
These non-BCS schools find themselves in an enviable position, as they stay alive with their slim hopes of pulling off a miracle crashing of the most exclusive party of all, the BCS title game. But for every victor there stands a vanquished foe, which on the Shortlist to South Beach earns you a moment of infamy as you watch your championship dreams go up in smoke. The teams out of the running without me calling for them to be in one week this year are:
1) UTEP - Mike Price gets run out of town by Turner Gill's Buffalo Bulls in a game that should have been much closer. Price has rebounded from his exile by the Crimson Tide in El Paso with some impressive seasons, but his up and down career continues to see more reversals of fortune than that infamous
Scientologist John Travoltta's. I expect them to rebound but the lopsided result last week was less than encouraging for the Miners.
2) Virginia Tech - A HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! They suck, I hate this school, their players, it's fan-base, it's head coach, it's play calling, everything Turkey. I haven't had a Turkey on Thanksgiving or Christmas in I don't know how long out of protest and disdain for these jokers. I considered calling for their elimination last week for a long time only to talk myself out of it until they were scheduled to travel to Nebraska, but I've never been so glad to be so wrong. Good bye and good riddance to the most overrated "program" in college football. Looks like that empty trophy case on campus is going to stay that way for another year suckers!
3) Pitt - Another team that was overrated for doing not much of anything in hindsight finds an embarrassing way of the Shortlist by falling at home while falling apart in the second half. They play a power run game on offense that in theory should get stronger as the game grows longer but instead wilted when it counted. If the 'Stash finds away to keep from getting shaven by season's end
I'll be mildly surprised now.
4) Michigan - Another year, another week one elimination for the Wolverines. This is becoming a Shortlist tradition for these guys. At least this wasn't a complete shock this year as Utah is a legitimate BCS threat again to break through the glass ceiling for the second time. Rich Rodriguez suffered through a losing first season at West Virginia before putting the pieces together to
challenge for it all, given time he'll be able to do that again at the win-ingest school of all time by percentage, but the program might not be able to continue to claim that designation before that occurs.
5) Miss St. - I love the job Sylvester Croom has done in turning around a program that had the wheels completely off when he arrived despite trying extenuating circumstances, but a futile second half on the road has his Bulldogs off the Shortlist at the hands of Louisiana Tech. I expect this fine head-coach
to have his Bulldogs back in the running to make some noise in his division but any hope for a championship will have to wait for the time being.
6) TAMU - This is the upset of week one. I thought A&M was in for a rough transition this year with their coaching and scheme changes, but to lose in College Station to Arkansas STATE by any margin is inexcusable. They are done and the Mike Sherman hire has more questions than answers in my book from here on out. They should have never forced out R.C. Slocumb but these wack-jobs have never been known for their sanity in their decision making process there, so you reap what you sow seems to be the lesson we can take from this.
7) Rutgers - Welcome back to the outhouse Greg Schianno, hope you enjoyed the view you almost got of the penthouse a few years ago because until your safely tucked away in Happy Valley you won't be seeing it again any time soon. Losing to Pat Hill's Fresno State Bulldogs isn't the worst thing that can happen to a head coach, Hill's beaten some great ones in upsets over the years, but this was the type of game that this version of Rutgers has to prove they can win as a favorite consistently to prove they aren't just a flash in the pan blip on the otherwise forgettable radar screen of the Scarlet Knight program history.
8) San Diego State - A last second field goal takes the Aztecs down at home to Cal Poly. They weren't going to last long on the Shortlist anyway but still this is an eye opening result as I wasn't sure Cal Poly actually played football in the first place.
My picks this week to fall off the Shortlist are as follows:
Ball St., Marshall, Temple, EMU, Southern Miss, San Jose St., BYU, Oregon St., Air Force, CMU, ECU, Buffalo, WSU, UCF, Tulane, L-Tech, Houston, Bowling Green, UNLV, Nevada, Toledo.
27 teams are out of the running for a title game consideration already. I expect them to almost double this week as the competition begins to filter itself out on the Shortlist to South Beach.
Copyright 2008 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com
Gator tail...ate some!
Posted by: Ocho Seis | September 06, 2008 at 01:02 AM
I really couldn't resist. JJ for Heisman.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | September 06, 2008 at 01:02 AM
DAMN YOU OCHO SEIS! Whoever you are.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | September 06, 2008 at 01:03 AM
CANES 35
GATORS 14
Posted by: BCS and NCAA | September 06, 2008 at 01:04 AM
First?
Posted by: D-Will | September 06, 2008 at 01:08 AM
I guess not. haha
Posted by: D-Will | September 06, 2008 at 01:09 AM
i might have to go the Cajun spot near my job and buy some gator.
i need them to do it differently from how they normally do it though. i've never had gator done how they do it...taste horrible.
Posted by: Esteban | September 06, 2008 at 01:19 AM
and go San Diego State!! i hope they kick Notre Dame's a$$.
Posted by: Esteban | September 06, 2008 at 01:20 AM
and just for reference. rainey ran a 10.74 at the sec championships for track and field...dvd ran 10.70. but jeff demps ran a 10.16 the day that tyson gay broke the 100 meter record. that 10.16 was a new record for a high schooler.
Posted by: Esteban | September 06, 2008 at 01:35 AM
Not so fast. I remember last year, we all counted out Va after a subpar first week, and they spanked us in our most important game. Don't get carried away with week one. We are not as good as week one, and I can assure you Fla is not as bad as week one.
I don't have a good feel for our game. I like that our players seem pumped but they will have to play discipled defense regardless of emotions in this game. I do have my doubts that ALL of our inexperienced players will do so. But to be honest, I have more concerns that even our Secondary with experience will do so. These are the same guys who didn't play the base defense against OU last year.
We will score, and alot. But I am concerned that our guys will break down when they are most needed...
Posted by: VaCanesFan | September 06, 2008 at 01:36 AM
Still - no Aqua?
WTF!?
The party can't be THAT good, 86 -- AKA Soup --
Unless---
Unless we gonna win (or for the gamblers, Unless we -- i.e. the U -- cover)
Fine -- throw down in the swamp ---
FYI, great blob -- well said...
Its
great
to be
a Miami Hurricane --
Said its great...
Posted by: darCANEgel | September 06, 2008 at 01:48 AM
throwing deep in the swamp will be done. will probably work at least once too. just definitely want to see lots of high percentage stuff though.
Posted by: Esteban | September 06, 2008 at 02:51 AM
EVERYBODY will be watching us tonight. All the kids who aspire to be future Canes and the ones who chose to attend other schools but always wanted to be Canes. Its time to show everybody what time it is. Everybody has stolen our antics and shenanigans on the field, but they can have that psedo swag, because swagger can be copied and mimiced. "Everybody whats to be us..without being us." Our culture is domination and our aura is unmistakable. Its time to get our aura up, do what we've been trained to do, what we were bred to do, what we were born to do...no retreat...no mercy...its an animal thing.
IMO, this is nothing like the OU game from last season. This aint a plane ride to Norman, Oklahoma, this is a bus ride up I95 right? This is for Florida, against kids that wanted to be Hurricanes but were front-runners. This aint *all* about experience and supposed talent evaluations...somebody IS going to freeze up tonight..so you can forget all that shat. They are expecting us to whoop their a____ and we need to ablige! Believe me, they know deep down and they aint taking us lightly...thats fear talking. Lets take our state back Saturday, then raid the nation later.
UM 26 UF 24
Marcus Forston channels Warren Sapp tonight. Randy Phillips pulls a Ed Reed and Jacory will steady us like Dorsey.
Posted by: Zakkee | September 06, 2008 at 07:44 AM
Tonight is about Honor, Will, and HEART!
Posted by: Zakkee | September 06, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Can we win? Yes!
Then we will!!
Go 'Canes!!
Posted by: Sarasota 'Cane | September 06, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Off to Gainesville!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Carlos | September 06, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Big Daddy - I GOT THIS!!
I will walk into the swamp with my head high, swagger in my step and with the full confidence that the canes will win.
No more do I expect the team to keep it close or play to stay in the game or to stay close so they can show how they have grown. No they go in and play like the boys from the "U" play. Expecting to Win!!!
Now put away the women (except me of course) and children (exceept my kids of course) because the canes got some business to take care of, MIAMI STYLE!!!!!!
GO CANES!!!!!
Posted by: canechic | September 06, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Anyone have an xtra ticket or two?
Posted by: Big Moo | September 06, 2008 at 08:46 AM
That's all I need to hear Canechic. Good morning Canes ,boy it's going to be a great day to be a Cane!!!
Posted by: BIG DADDY CANE | September 06, 2008 at 09:21 AM
DarC...Aqua is alive and well, trust me, I saw it with my own two eyes. Keoki and the Gang too. Two parties in one night? OUCH!
Canechic...I'm glad U "got this" 'cause I still ain't feeling it. But the boyz from the Canespace gang are with U all the way!
Call me later, around 10:30-11. Hopefully,my head stops pounding then...
Posted by: Ocho Seis | September 06, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Moo...sorry can't help U, wish I could, but no can do.
Posted by: Ocho Seis | September 06, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Just wait for a frat guy to passout tailgating and take his ticket it happens all the time
Posted by: EmoryCane | September 06, 2008 at 09:59 AM
^^Emory Cane that is funny.
86 - your head is pounding?? LOL - silly rabbit - tricks are for kids ya know. Keep on the lookout for Canez1 - I got him his tix so he should be there shortly
Canechic - I think if the game stays close - we win.
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | September 06, 2008 at 10:07 AM
MORNING SPACERS!!!!!!! Today is the day people....its funny..noone is giving us a chance..saying we will get blown out..but yet its still the biggest game of the day..on front page of every sports page, game day is there...they love the U when it benefits them...we shock the world today..31-24..mark it down
Posted by: UMike | September 06, 2008 at 10:12 AM
We start with throwing to our backs, especially Coop. Short receiver screens. Then we hit the perimeters. We got to hold onto the ball in the yacs. Smash mouth will come later.
Posted by: mi@mic@9 | September 06, 2008 at 10:20 AM
if we break a long one on a short pass it will change the game.
Posted by: mi@mic@9 | September 06, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Sounds good ---
Hey, which one of U is holding up the "Thug U" sign behind the gameday set?
LOVE IT...
Oscar Meyer's gonna speak soon (everyone grab their bible). Now, unless he turned them down, Coach Shannon better get the same chance.
Canes, baaby
Posted by: darCANEgel | September 06, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Even Cryer admitted that he is at a disadvantage cause of southfla athletes.
Posted by: mi@mic@9 | September 06, 2008 at 10:28 AM
NFL "U"
Posted by: mi@mic@9 | September 06, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Dacr - Ugh all those hyped up hillbillies - not sorry that I really didn't go - would cost me about $1,000 to go and be around jorts, mullets and lovebugs - thanks but no thanks!! LOL - will catch up with everyone up here in NC and down in Miami
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | September 06, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Got My Canespace.com shirt on..ready to go!
Posted by: UMike | September 06, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Right On, CG -- I'm wid ya. But hillbillies is almost too nice. Swampmonkeys...
Either way, F them.
Enjoy the day, amiga!
GO CANES
Posted by: darCANEgel | September 06, 2008 at 10:43 AM
OK, T bag is slow and He cant throw, theres no excuses.
Posted by: mi@mic@9 | September 06, 2008 at 10:44 AM
We play our clones today. They got a question that they want the real U to answer: Is it possible to take your mystique to Gainesville Florida? Can we be U without actually being (the) U? The answer is Nope! in a win or in defeat. The way we play goes a long way to reviving our aura.
We are the standard
Posted by: Zakkee | September 06, 2008 at 10:47 AM
We got to get penetration into their back field. We got to move the line of scrimmage.
Posted by: mi@mic@9 | September 06, 2008 at 11:03 AM
UF has a bad O-Line..and D-Line..we shouldnt have any problems
Posted by: UMike | September 06, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Can we be Gayturds, but feel like Hurricanes?....Nope!
In a game like this, a Hurricane feels like the grounds firmly under his feet and the wind is swift at his back.
Invincible.
Posted by: Zakkee | September 06, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Gettin' ready! Gettin' the storage bin out and decorating my place with all CANES stuff, baby!! Never been to Gainesville, and never want to go. Never tried gator meat, and never will. Stomp the Chomp!! GO CANES!!!
Posted by: MaryLouAlumni | September 06, 2008 at 11:09 AM
1-2-3 What??
Dominate!
Damien Berry understands this, he will lay somebody out and/or cause a fumble today. I'm thinking Brandon James or Deonte Thompson on a return attempt.
Posted by: Zakkee | September 06, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I called u ocho seis and you did not answer better get u a goody powder because we are coming to get you pumped up. We are leaving by 12:30. Which hotel do we meet at? Call me
Posted by: canechic | September 06, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Mary lou - good morning we gots some campaigning to do girl. I working the phones every night this week.
Posted by: canechic | September 06, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Its great to be on this page with other great canes fans. Lets go canes and beat those sorry gators. Miami wins!!!!!!!!
Posted by: CanesLegend | September 06, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Whats up with Chris Fowler talkin sh*t all show about the canes. I almost thought I saw his right hand under the table when Urban Crier was on there. What a twat.
Posted by: Gibby | September 06, 2008 at 11:51 AM
MaryLou...U go girl.
Shannon on ESPN.
It is gloriuos day here after the storm.
Posted by: Ocho Seis | September 06, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Met tons of Canes fans last night. Gave away and sold a bunch of t-shirts and Canespace Cards.
GO CANES, BEAT THE GATORS!!!
Posted by: Ocho Seis | September 06, 2008 at 11:56 AM
whats crazy is the nation believes the gators will blow us out. however i feel if we can control the LOS WE HAVE A CHANCE. we have the WR 2 attack uf secondary, 2. play the pound game, introduce the gators 2 g.coop & baby j. most importantly our defense needs 2 play PYHSICAL WITH THE GATORS.I LIKE UR CANES
Posted by: brett | September 06, 2008 at 11:59 AM
CORSO TAKE THE TURDS...
THE KISS OF DEATH!!!!
WE GOT THIS!!!!
C A N E S
CANES!!!!
Posted by: AngryCane | September 06, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Meant...
CORSO TAKES THE TURDS...
THE KISS OF DEATH!!!!
WE GOT THIS!!!!
Too much coffee this am... :p
C A N E S
CANES!!!!
Posted by: AngryCane | September 06, 2008 at 12:09 PM
CANESLEGEND...welcome to The Space!
Post here, post often....
Posted by: Ocho Seis | September 06, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Angry...see you and Canechic at 3 PM at the Hilton.
Corso is an idiot anyway. Last week he picks VT to win the ACC this week he says they are in serious trouble? He knows JACK!
Posted by: Ocho Seis | September 06, 2008 at 12:12 PM