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Trick Or Treat: The ACC Division Standings

This feature was written for Canespace by CanesGirlNC...

Miami v. Wake Forest - October 31, 2009 at BB&T Field in Winston-Salem, NC.

TV Coverage - ESPN2\ABC @ 3:30 PM

ACC Standings as of October 31, 2009 before any games are played:

ATLANTIC DIVISION Conference Overall
Boston College 3-2 5-3
Clemson 3-2 4-3
Wake Forest 2-2 4-4
Florida State 1-3 3-4
Maryland 1-3 2-6
NC State 0-3 3-4

COASTAL DIVISION Conference Overall
Georgia Tech 5-1 7-1
Duke 2-1 4-3
Virginia 2-1 3-4
Virginia Tech 3-2 5-3
Miami 2-2 5-2
North Carolina 1-3 5-3


Last year, Miami ended the season with a thud, losing to NCST 38-28 on a cold, gloomy day in North Carolina in November.  I know, I was there (seen above).  This year the Hurricanes hope to finish strong and set up an exciting bowl game as a stepping stone to 2010 and the resurrection of their National Championship dreams.

For this game against Wake Forest, I just hope that the Canes do not jump offsides, forget their formations, run out of bounds when they shouldn’t, and have time outs left in the last 2 minutes of the game. Most importantly DO NOT forget the cheap shot of Joe Birdsong:

http://www.seventhfloorblog.com/2009/10/28/1105261/in-case-you-forgot


In the spirit of Halloween listen to the commentator of last year’s game as evidenced in these highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrcHTXApdU4

Or just watch without the volume.

The Short List: Week 8

Only 13 fortunate teams remain on the Shortlist to the San Fernando Valley as October comes to a close and the contenders for the 2009 National Championship read as follows:

Florida, Alabama, Texas, Iowa, TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State, Louisiana State, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Southern Cal, West Virginia, Penn State.

The eastern and western SEC powers continue to slug their way towards another pivotal SEC Championship game in less than impressive fashion but the level of play they face week in and week out is what separates them from the others in my book.  The six one-loss contenders still need a major dose of help to stay in contention as the final month concludes in the regular season, with several elimination games still left to play between other Shortlist schools but no guarantee of help from the outcomes for the outsiders.

Only one of the three teams I picked to lose last week bucked the trend and survived, in impressive fashion for a team that cannot afford itself any margin of error:

1) TCU goes to Provo, Utah and decimates the Cougars of BYU again this year by a 38-7 margin in a game I considered a toss-up but turned out to be a beat down instead.  Gary Patterson continues to amaze me with what he's down in Fort Worth as the best non-BCS conference team in America for my money continues it's run towards a well deserved BCS bowl berth and an undefeated season.  Now only one last difficult test against Utah remains for the Horned Frogs to finally achieve what they've always come just short of doing, breaking through on the national stage.  If they make it, I expect them to turn in a performance closer to Boise State or Utah, rather than closer to Hawaii when given the chance to play for the big money as this program's weight training and development of second tier prospects puts it head and shoulders above the average "have-not" of the college football world.

Only one team lost a game last week that I failed to call for and as a result finds itself removed from the Shortlist to the San Fernando Valley in 2009 as a result:

1) Miami loses in overtime to Clemson at home 40-37 as turnovers and poor execution in all three phases of the game doom Randy Shannon's Hurricanes to waiting until at least 2010 to reclaim their rightful spot atop the college football world.  Much like 2003, overtime against the Tigers ends any Hurricane hopes of a championship but unlike that year, this loss to me seems a harbinger of better days ahead instead of an ominous sign of bad days to come as it was in the Orange Bowl all those years ago.  In the end, I can't help but find a little irony in the fact that my Shortlist warning of a dangerous challenge last Saturday was removed by the operator of this blog in favor of one calling for Miami to play for it all instead just hours before the wheels came off that particular bandwagon.  Funny how life works out sometimes, isn't it?

Of course I'm now obligated to inform all new readers of the Shortlist this year that I always pick the Hurricanes to play for it all at the end of the year regardless of the preseason prognostication general consensus on their actual chances so while disappointing in the outcome of last weeks game, I remain quite satisfied with the progress the team has shown in getting back to playing actual competent football for the first time in over half a decade.  That doesn't change the fact I don't care one whit about an ACC title or the fact that 2009 will go down in Hurricane lore as a failure no matter what happens the rest of the way, but at least this year it looked like success was just around the corner instead of playing high-school ball somewhere in Broward and Dade county on Friday.

My fellow Canespacer Esteban "Breaks Down" this week's game against Wake:

I expect two teams this week to take the plunge out of contention for the title when the final gun sounds, they are:

West Virginia and Southern Cal

Both teams face schools with quarterback questions but I still feel that both schools, on the road, will find themselves overcome by the opposition and out of the running for the only bowl game that really matters this week in Tampa and Eugene respectively.  Enjoy the games this week, or at least try to if you can, and be back here next week as the Shortlist to the San Fernando Valley comes ever closer to the top 10 teams left on it in 2009.

Copyright 2009 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com

Mary Knows Football: Week 6

In light of recent events, I am changing the format of “Mary Knows Football” this week.

 

By “recent events” I mean the following: the Miami Hurricanes’ heartbreaking overtime loss to Clemson; ‘Canes “fans” throwing players and coaches under the bus; and in general, the type of fair-weather, bandwagon attitude that permeates the south Florida sports landscape.  All three are sickening. 

 

While I trust the ‘Canes will pull it together and finish the season strong, the remaining two issues are harder to remedy.  You see, there are two types of sports fans in this world: Karens and Gingers.  One you can trust, the other…well let’s just say, you don’t want to give them the key to your safe deposit box.

 

Who are Karen and Ginger, you ask?  Karen is Karen Hill, wife of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta = Miami Hurricane) in Goodfellas.  Ginger is Ginger Rothstein, wife of Sam “Ace” Rothstein in Casino. 

 

As you may recall, Karen meets Henry when they are both young, before he started making big money.  She puts up with Henry’s crap (not coming home at night, a car reeking of the late Billy Batts, and Janice Rossi), sticks by his side, and all she asks in return is a little shopping money so she can look nice for him and decorate their home with some tasteful animal prints.  When Henry is busted after an unfortunate misunderstanding at the Tampa Zoo, Karen stays with him and visits him constantly.  Indeed, she even smuggles salami and other goodies in during her visits to help Henry. 

 

When Henry is released, Karen is at the gates waiting for him, having made due raising his children in a one bedroom apartment while he was “in college.”  Later, when the cops are banging down their door, Karen flushes evidence and hides a gun in a precarious spot all to protect her man. 

 

On the other hand, Ginger meets Ace after he has been sent to Vegas to open up the casinos for the Midwest mob bosses.  Ace is already making money and Ginger latches on to him as a “sponsor.”  After they have a daughter and marry, Ace gives her more money, fur coats, and a beautiful home.  Things are good.  Ginger charms Vegas politicians and everyone loves her. 

 

Then, Ace starts having problems.  What does Ginger do? She cheats on Ace with her old pimp as well as Ace’s best friend, kidnaps their daughter, later ties her to a bed, drives her Mercedes through their front lawn, steals Ace’s money and jewels, and ends up never heard from again after taking a “hot dose.”

 

Karens are the type of fans who support their team whether irrelevant or on top of the rankings.  Karens will renovate an old van during the years of struggle, cover it in astroturf and ‘Canes upholstery, and name it “The ‘Cane Train.”  Karens create a blog devoted to the team and the fans of the team during some of the darkest years of the program.  Karens will tell you they were “about to go down in the elevator and get in that thing.” 

 

Karens are the type of people you can count on to hide a gun in their unmentionables and smuggle salami into prison for you. Karens aren’t calling for the coach’s head because of a three run drive, questionable clock management, or the lack of a blitz attack.  Karens aren’t going to say we need to bring Marve back because Jacory threw some interceptions.  Karens will be at UVA, Duke, and USF supporting their team, no matter what boneheaded decisions were made last week.  Karens will stand by their team.

 

Although the ‘Canes haven’t had to deal with the denial of a gaming license or extortion and narcotics distribution charges, they have experienced similarly devastating struggles over the last few years.  The only conciliation I have found in that struggle is that the Gingers were gone, having put on some jorts, cutting their hair in a mullet, and leaving us for north Florida.  On to the next winning team.  No loyalty.  Leaving our stadium empty and our team high and dry. 

 

After the Hurricanes’ success early in the 2009 season, the Gingers were upon us again.  You might have seen some Gingers spitting their prognostications on ESPN, or cheering “It’s Great To Be A Miami Hurricane” while exiting the Shark after we beat Oklahoma.  But did you see Gingers at Clemson?  Do you see Gingers now?  After last Saturday, I’m sure the Gingers are back to doing a Croc chomp or cheering “Roll Tide.”  Good riddance.  I don’t trust Gingers and find them as repelling as Sharon Stone’s hairstyle at the end of Casino. 

 

Gingers, if you are reading this:  the U doesn’t need or want fans like you.  In fact, when the ‘Canes and Karens make it back to the National Championship, you aren’t welcome at my tailgate. No jello shots for you.  Find another sponsor. 

 

So concludes my Martin Scorsese gangster movie wives/football fans metaphor.  Guard yourself against Gingers and cue Gimme Shelter.  “Oh, a storm is threatening . . .”

 

Here are my picks for the week.  Questions on my rationale?  Ask me on the live chat at 8 PM.

 

1 Florida vs. Georgia:  Georgia

10 Oregon vs. 5 USC: Oregon

North Carolina State vs. Florida State: Florida State

UNC vs. 13 VA Tech: VA Tech (but please please please prove me wrong, Butch!)

19 Miami vs. Wake Forest: Miami

A Few Good Men

If you ever find yourself looking for a few good men then there are three names that I would like to submit for your consideration:

Eddie Dunn

Bennie Blades

Steve Walsh 

Last Friday, these three Hurricane legends were inducted into the University of Miami Ring of Honor, and by anyone's definition or criteria, they are a few good men.

The Ring of Honor was established during the 1997 season as a way to recognize the outstanding players that have played for the Hurricane football program.  A total of 16 players have been inducted into the Ring of Honor, with the first class being selected in 1997, and subsequent classes in 1999 and 2008.  The three players chosen in 2009 comprise the fourth class of players to be inducted into this illustrious group.

The event, which was absolutely top shelf in every aspect, was held at the Four Seasons Hotel on Brickell Avenue in Miami.  Canespace was on hand to capture this prestigious gathering of Hurricane players and fans that was coordinated and sponsored by the UM Hurricane Club.  We met Amy Ferguson, the UM Assistant Athletic Director for Development, who was on hand to help make sure everything went according to plan. 

As a Hurricane fan and Hurricane Club member I have to say that this is a rare and special event that must be attended if possible.  We met UM Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt who welcomed everyone to the event, and WQAM radio personalities Joe Zagacki and Don Bailey Jr. who introduced the players and recounted the inductees' many accomplishments while playing at Miami.

At the event I was able to take photos and record the following quotes from Blades, Walsh and Gary Dunn (seen above) who accepted the honor for his father, Eddie Dunn, who passed away in 1980 at the age of 64.  Gary also played football at Miami from 1973-75 and went on to play 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he won two Super Bowl rings.

Here are some quotes from former UM Safety Bennie Blades' (1985-87) acceptance speech: 

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to stand before you today and receive such an honor.  I want to thank the University of Miami for taking a chance on some kid from Fort Lauderdale and giving me the opportunity to play football at Miami."  

"I also want to thank my brother Brian (who played WR at UM) who inspired me.  He gave me support and encouragment.  I would never have made it without Brian.  You see, I really wasn't the most talented athlete in the family, that was Brian.  "My parents even joked with me: "Now Bennie, now you might not make it as an athlete" [pause for laughter], but one thing they always did say was: "You better focus on your academics if you want a chance to play."

"I also want to thank my family.  Whenever the Miami game is on, they know not to say anything to me because I take it so seriously.  I have broken remote controls (throwing them), TVs and furniture from being so upset if UM is losing [more laughter].  They put up with me all these years so I want to thank them."

"I remember when I was playing ball at UM my teammate, Jerome Brown would always get me in a headlock in practice and tell me that during games I better make a play.  You see Jerome was a player who didn't want to stay on the field too long.  The whole defense wanted to get off the field quickly, but Jerome especially.  He would get me in a headlock and tell me: "Bennie, you better make a hit or get an interception and get us off this field."  Jerome was a big guy, so I tried to listen to him!"

"My grand kids think I'm old.  I'm only 43 but they think that's old.  They think there's no way I could have ever played football.  But now with my name up there on the stadium they will know that I did play some ball.  I can just point to it up there and say: That's me right up there.  You see I could play."

"I just want to say that wherever I go, I will always be a part of this U."

Quotes from Gary Dunn's acceptance speech on behalf of his father, former UM Running Back, Head Football Coach, Head Baseball Coach and Athletic Director, the late Eddie Dunn (1935-39):

"When Randy Shannon called me to tell me that my Dad was selected to be in the Ring of Honor, I told him to shut up. [pause for laughter]  No seriously I did.  I thought it was one of my friends trying to pull my leg.  He told me like four times before I finally said: It really is you Coach!"

"The first time my Dad played in a game (at UM), the first time he touched the ball on a kickoff return he scored a TD.  The next time he touched the ball as a running back he scored a TD.  Later in the game he threw a TD! That's how talented he was; he was a great, great player."

"In 1938 he played in the first ever game against the Gators.  For 10 years they wouldn't schedule Miami.  My Dad used to call them "The Damn Gator".  Anyway, he scored all three touchdowns in the game that Miami won.  Dad always hated The Damn Gator."

"My Dad was my toughest critic.  He would watch the games or film and break down what you did wrong.  He would always criticize me if I missed a tackle.  He used to tell me that he never missed a tackle during his entire career.  One year when the 1938 reunion team got together they played a highlight film of one of their old games.  And I saw him playing and I saw him miss a tackle (Dunn also played some defensive back at UM).  So I asked him: I thought you said you NEVER missed a tackle?  He looked me straight in the eye and said just as serious as he could:  "That's the ONLY one I ever missed". [loud laughter]

"My Dad was a true leader.  He taught me little things like you should always run onto and off of the football field, you never walk on the football field.  He fought for the orange, green and white.  He always said to me: "Love the U, lift up those that follow U."  My Dad was all about The U." 

Quotes from former UM QB Steve Walsh's (1985-88) acceptance speech:

"Before I get started just let me say that the camaradarie here at Miami is unbelievable.  During my highlight film (they played before the players took the podium) Bernie Kosar was ripping me because they showed a screen pass.  Kosar said:  "That's your highlight film?  Is that the best you got?" [loud laughter]

"Talking about Bernie he inspired me in two ways.  The first time he inspired me was when I saw the UM vs Boston College game in 1984.  Even though Miami didn't win the game it was the passing attack and display of talent that day that made my mind up for me.  I said to myself: I want to go to a school that throws the ball like that." 

"The second time he inspired me was when I came to Miami on my recruiting visit.  I mean it didn't take much coming from Minnesota during the Winter with snow on the ground to convince me that Miami was for me. [laughter]   But I went to eat with Bernie and he showed me his National Championship ring.  I said to myself right then: I have to get me one of those!"

"I want to thank my high school coach up in Minnesota.  Not many schools go to Minnesota to recruit QBs, but my coach had a relationship with (UM QB Coach) Marc Trestman and that's how I got noticed and recruited to Miami.  I also want to thank Georg Mira Jr. who spent time watching me during and after practice.  He would always give me advice and tips on things technique wise that helped me.  He was very intsrumental to my development."

"When I enrolled at UM I became friends with Kenny Calhoun who tipped the pass that won the first National Championship in 1983.  He was the GA (Graduate Assistant) at the time and he would always tell me at practice and in the film room: "Throw it here, don't throw it there".   He was very helpful in my development and gave me the confidence that I could play at this level."

"Gary Stevens is another coach who played a big role in my development.  We would sit in offensive team meetings and it would be like a fire drill!  Vinny Testaverde was the starter when I arrived at UM and Gary would pepper him with a thousand questions: "What coverage are they in?  Where is the weakness?  Where do we want to throw the ball?"  I was overwhelmed, but Vinny would answer all the questions and that's how I learned how to be a QB." 

"As you know Jimmy Johnson was our coach at the time and he led the team.  He got all of the egos out of the way and started the whole "Big T, little me" slogan.  He always emphasized the team and he brought accountability to all of the players.  Jimmy was always known as a great motivator and the biggest thing that motivated me was that I didn't want to let my teammates down.  Compete, compete, compete.  Jimmy always drove that home."

Three good men.  Many more to follow...

Love Hurts

When U are getting older, but U are still completely in love with the Hurricanes and each other like Fran and his wife of over 40 years Jean (seen below with RandyCane at R at The Shark) you don't mind driving five hours from DeBary to get to the Stadium when the gates open four hours before kickoff.  Hard core UM fans are like that, and to them losing really losing hurts.  But even after the tough loss to Clemson they said that they will be back to see their team again soon, just as sure as they are married.

When U love your team more than life itself, it hurts so bad to lose.  After the game was over we found the JSQ in tears and threatening suicide (we think she was kidding about running out into traffic?).  Text message reports from her friends were that they had her on "close watch" and that it took "sight and sound supervision" to keep her away from the traffic flow headed out of The Shark.  Not even the now infamous orange and green jello shots were going to wash away her pain on this night. 

The word on the street is that the JSQ is scheduled to be released from the Crisis Stabilization Unit today at 4 PM with her new anti-depressant prescription.  Please whatever U do, no more sharp objects around her at the tailgate party!

When you hate losing more than death like me (#86) and Lamar Thomas (#36) do, then losing, like love, stinks.  Long time Canespacer Calvin can tell U that a few months ago when someone posted on the blog that the world was going to end on December 12 of 2012, I posted this comment: "As long as Miami wins one or two more national championships by then I'm cool with that."  I meant it too; every word of it.

When U bleed orange and green like MiamiMike01 and RandyCane (seen above, front C and middle C with Fran, Mitch, Money, MoneyGirl and Jean) U do what U can to support your Hurricanes.  They drove all the way from Jacksonville to attend the game only to see their U go down to the Tigers at the Shark.  After the game when we were back on the patio by the pool at the lovely Hampton Inn in Plantation, Mike and I tried to drink away the pain of losing with a bottle of Tequilla (Patron of course).  The remedy was only partially successful as we found out the next morning that the pain was still there, but had moved from our hearts to our heads.

When U follow the team with The U on their helmet for a living like AngryCane and Canechic do (seen above during happier times at the UCF tailgate party with daughter Nicole and friends), U have no problem making the four hour trip from Orlando for every UM home game since time began.  And, U would rather take a sharp stick in the eye than lose another ACC game at home.  Angry didn't get his name for nothing and after the loss he required a minimum safe distance of 6 feet.  Anything within in striking distance is at risk of serious, and at times even life threatening, injury.  Canespace is NOT responsible for any damages if U fail to follow safe handling instructions included with the blog.

But when U really love the Hurricanes, U will travel by air, water or even foot if U have to just to get to see them play.  Original Canespacer HurricaneMitch (he hardly ever blogs now, but he's still around) flew in from Nebrsaka just to see the Canes play live at The Shark.  Above U see him signing the famous Canespace banner at the tailgate party before the game.  The banner has been signed by hundreds of Canes fans from all over the Country and a few former players like Lamar Thomas #36 and Russell Maryland #67 and others.

So to U lazy fans out there who live within driving distance to the stadium and choose to sit at home to watch the game instead of going to The Shark like the REAL fans seen here, U are pathetic.  U simply don't love your team like we do.  No, U don't.  Get off the damn couch and get into the game. 

If we don't see U at The Shark for the next game I will have no choice but to send my boys AngryCane and his partner in crime MoneyCane (seen below) after your sorry azzes.  And it will NOT be pretty, trust me on this.

 

Shot Through The Heart And You're To Blame

U give love a bad name.

Miami's stunning, saddening loss to Clemson on Saturday at The Shark broke the hearts of Hurricane fans everywhere.  For those who made the trek from near and far to show their love for the team wearing orange and green, all they could do when the game was finally over was to file out of Landshark Stadium in shock (and some even in tears) after the overtime loss to the Tigers.

There is no need to rehash the sordid details of the game other than to say the Canes lost to another ACC opponent and most likely any chance for an ACC title in 2009.  Once again, when given an opportunity to take control of their own fate in the conference, Miami spit the bit and came up lame down the stretch in another important game at home.

Canespacers showed up in force to support the Hurricanes and each had their own view about the difficult loss.  Coaches, players, personnel decisions, play calling, penalties, turnovers and special team breakdowns all were pointed out as possible culprits for the loss.  But in the end all that mattered was that the team with the tiger paw on their helmet scored more than the team with the U.

Now Hurricane fans will need to find a way to keep faith, hope and love alive through the rest of the 2009 season.  All is not lost if the Canes can to regroup, refocus and regenerate the magic that led to huge wins over FSU, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma.  There is enough talent and almost enough depth to still finish 10-2 and make this season a major stepping stone towards a real run at the ACC title and more in 2010.

Frustration with inconsistent play is acceptable.  Disappointment with another ACC loss is certainly likely.  But be strong CaneNation, this too shall pass and right now is when your team needs U the most.

How Miami Gets To The BCS Title Game

I know it’s on all of our minds, if we win out can we actually play for the title? I bet it also reminds us of 2000 when we lost a close game up in Washington and it kept us out of the title game. That year some would also argue that Washington should play for the title since they had one loss and beat us.  Well this year our only loss is to a Virginia Tech team that has 2 loses and can’t jump us or even argue about it.

Some of us, including me, initially thought after the Virginia Tech and Oklahoma games that even if we win out we couldn’t play for the title because we may have lost the ACC. Well, according to the rules and a Georgia Tech win over Virginia Tech we are now in the driver seat to an ACC title game appearance.

With all that being said, our beloved Canes still need to jump 9 spots in the BCS standings to play for the title, and this is how I think it will happen.

First off, we need to take care of our business and win out. This will be easier said than done with a few tough ACC games remaining starting this Saturday with Clemson. We are better than all of our remaining teams, but we have to actually play like it. If we stay focused and healthy we should beat every team left on our schedule.

Those Who Will Cancel Themselves Out

Thanks to the remaining schedules of Florida, Alabama and LSU, along with the SEC title game, two teams are assured of a loss. First off, Alabama has to travel to LSU and play the #9 ranked Tigers. Second, assuming two of those three teams win out they will play each other for the SEC title, eliminating yet another team. So no matter who his all plays out, Miami should move up 2 spots, giving us just 7 more spots to go.

Boise St’s Schedule Will Help Miami

If you look at Boise St’s remaining schedule, there doesn’t seem to be any teams that will beat them, or even poise a threat, so they will most likely win out. The problem for them is the schedule they play, especially if Oregon loses another game or two. Boise St’s weak remaining schedule should allow Miami to jump them as the season progresses. This moves us up one more spot, giving us just 6 more sports to go.

Others Will Surely Lose

After checking out the remaining schedule of the teams currently ranked in front of Miami in the initial BCS ranking, one thing is clear…teams will lose. Here is a look at the toughest games left on each team’s schedule, not counting the teams mentioned above.

#3 Texas

Unfortunately for us, Texas toughest games may already be behind them, but that doesn’t mean they won’t lose. Texas needed a late pick to seal the win against OU and hasn’t exactly looked like the #3 team in the Country. They have three remaining games that provide a great opportunity for a loss. First they have to travel 4-2 Missouri and also have two other tough road games against #15 Okie State and #25 Kansas before possibly playing in the Big 12 title game.

#5 Cincinnati

Cincinnati has looked good against some questionable teams like South Florida and Fresno State, but has not played a solid team to date. They have three tough games remaining starting with a tough, emotional 4-2 UCONN team. They then finish the year with two tough road games against #23 West Virginia and #20 Pitt.

# 6 Iowa

Iowa might just be the most overrated team in the top 10. They needed two..yes TWO blocked field goals against Northern Iowa to save a 17-16 win to start the year. They beat Arkansas State and Michigan by a combined 5 points. Their only significant win came against another highly overrated team in Penn State. Although their three remaining games don’t look like much, neither does Iowa. They start with a tough game on the road against a pesky Michigan State team before traveling to the “Shoe” to play Ohio State. They finish the year with another tough game against Minnesota.

#7 USC

If you ask me, USC’s loss to 3-4 Washington should put them on the bottom of the 1-loss teams, especially since their only big win came against a team that just lost to Purdue. And a “big” win against an overrated, but decent Notre Dame team shouldn’t count for much. USC probably has one of the easiest remaining schedules, with only two potential pitfalls. USC has to travel to #11 Oregon who is playing outstanding ball as of late and then #22 Arizona, although a tough game against 4-2 Oregon State is also left.

#8 TCU
TCU has played some decent teams in Virginia, Clemson and Colorado State, but two of their wins are also against Texas State and Southern Methodist. TCU only has two potential road blocks, but their big ones. They have to travel to #16 BYU and then face #18 Utah.

So with TCU, USC, Iowa, Cincinnati and Texas all likely to lose a game or two, with the “LSU, Alabama and Florida” scenario some how knocking two more teams out and Miami jumping Boise State based on their cupcake filled remaining schedule, our beloved Canes will be poised for a title game appearance.

And what if…

Florida still has to play UGA and go on the road to play #24 South Carolina. It’s very possible they will lose a game before the big Alabama showdown. If this happens and LSU beats Alabama that could set up a Florida – LSU SEC title game. In this scenario, if Florida wins then Florida, Alabama and LSU will then be knocked out. Hey, it could happen.

My BCS Title Game Prediction – Alabama vs. Miami

The Short List: Week 8

After the wizard behind the curtain pulled the levers to prematurely drop the aspirant school in Florida from the Big East early, from 6th all the way to 13th, in my Shortlist to the San Fernando Valley without my knowledge, the Bulls of USF find themselves linked with the Kansas Jayhawks as the only two undefeated teams in the nation to lose their first game to another BCS school or Notre Dame and thus move down to the level of second tier teams in the national championship race.  The new rankings only include a select few of 14 teams who rank as follow:

Florida, Alabama, Iowa, Texas, Cincinnati, TCU, Boise State, Miami (FL), Louisiana State, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Southern Cal, West Virginia, Penn State, South Florida, Kansas.

Four teams lost games last week to find themselves off the Shortlist contention list for 2009 and at the top of it is the biggest pickle in the whole barrel of the history of college football:

1) Notre Dame along with Clausen, Weiss, a whole boatload of ghosts, the reanimated corpse of Lou Holtz, the entire state of Indiana spread throughout the world and a casts of millions I don't have the time or inclination to recite here, fall to Southern Cal in South Bend, 34-27.  The highlight of Weiss whole time at Notre Dame so far?  Breaking the bowl losing streak to Hawaii on the big island to pull to 14-15 all time in bowl games last year.  That about sums it up more than all the big pickle jokes I could throw in here combined for the Domers since they cheated Jimmy Johnson out of his back to back championships in 1988.  There may not be god, but there is justice in the universe somewhere, rest assured.

2) Nebraska gets shot out by Texas Tech 31-10 in Lincoln.  I understand the Red Raiders received a standing ovation from the Cornhusker fans as well.  Such rubes.  I'm contractually obligated at this time to also remind all the option-loving-migratory Lincoln-ites at this time who may be reading that the 2001 Miami Hurricanes would have destroyed the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers by double digits multiples.  Now go vote on an ESPN poll somewhere and leave the championship winning to a school that knows how to do it in the modern day game of throwing the forward pass regularly.

3) Auburn suffers a letdown for the second week in a row in Auburn and loses 21-14 to Kentucky, renown SEC football power that it is.  Before expansion in the 90's, there was two surefire ways to get fired in the South East of America as a football coach, lose to Vandy or the Wildcats regularly, or even worse, both in the same season.  Luckily expansion made sure that Auburn would almost never play both those schools in the same year virtually ever, so Gene Chizik is guaranteed with a win over Furman in a few weeks to be bowl eligiable which Tuberville didn't do in being forced out, but let's face it, Vandy last year might end up being better than Kentucky this year, at least Vandy was ranked.  For the Tigers in 2009, it's two in a row and off the Shortlist for rightful 2004 National Champs.

4) In West Lafayette, Indiana, Ohio State falls to Purdue 26-18.  Excuse me while I rejoice at Jim Tressel coming up just short in another one of his inexcusably close games against an outmatched opponent.  This man owes so much to Terry Porter than I just can't ever get enough of him losing by one possession or less, where conceivably even the worst officiating in the history of college football could have provided the final outcome with a different winner if one play could have been changed.  The fact that such a horrible flag wasn't on hand here for the Buckeyes as it was in Tempe on the Night of Infamy that shall not be replayed ever again made my week such a sublime experience that I hope in a tear stained sweater-vest later, Jim called and asked Terry is the money could be returned and the record changed appropriately to relieve him on his guilt so he could coach better in these types of situations again in the future.  I hope Terry said he's keeping the money and that Jim will just have to resign in shame and come clean about the whole Maurice Clarrett situation in hopes that he'll learn the valuable lesson Notre Dame did in 1988 finally.  Tressel is just John Cooper with a better comb-over when you really look at them close.

Only one of the teams I called for last week won and survived to see another week still on the outside looking in of the two top spots on the exclusive Shortlist:

1) Southern Cal outlasts Notre Dame and keeps the Pac-10's national championship flame alight a little longer.  Sneaky Pete Carroll finds a way to make beating Notre Dame appear to mean something again, will people remember they were wrong when Boston College does the exact same thing this week as well when they forgot to in 2005?  I doubt it if it were to happen, but Los Angeles is Los Angeles exactly because they tell people what to unthinkingly believe for maximum entertainment as it's cottage industry so I'm not surprised that's what this victory is being perceived as similar to the 2005 paid player pushing daddies little rule breaker in the end-zone fiasco.

I expect three of the 14 teams on the Shortlist be gone by next week, they are:

Kansas, USF, and TCU.

Pittsburgh and USF stage a Shortlist Elimination game again this week in the Big East as that conference filters out it championship contender long shots.  The Horned Frogs travel to Provo Utah to face BYU in the toughest game of there remaining schedule.  A win there would leave only a home game at Utah as a final hurdle of an unbeaten regular season for what I believe is the best non-BCS team in America.  Will the Mormons return the receipt on their wrecked BCS dreams from last season at the hands of the Frogs in 2009? 

But more importantly to me, can the Miami Hurricanes avoid a letdown at home against what may actually be the Atlantic divisions best team in a crucial ACC inter-divisional game?  The Tigers have talent everywhere and the type of running back that can change a game in C.J. Spiller.  With the injuries they have sustained on the defensive side of the ball this year, a thin depth chart could mean trouble late in the 2nd half for the Hurricanes.  The offensive line will face on it's toughest challenges this season as well and the margin for error is non-existent now. 

If the Hurricanes are going to take the next step from promising to good, or even great, they must overcome the late season collapses that have become their trademark in this decade and there's no time like the present to to make a statement about who will own the ACC in years to come than by destroying it's traditional "power," such as Clemson is.  Steve Spurrier in South Carolina has to beat Clemson any way he can to keep the fan-base appeased in Columbia, Rand Shannon in Miami Gardens needs beat Clemson impressively this week to open some straying eyes around the nation.

Enjoy the games this week and come back here next week as the Shortlist to the San Fernando Valley creeps closer and closer to only two handfuls of teams left in the running in 2009.

Copyright 2009 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com

Mary Knows Football: Week 5

Before I get to my picks, I have to address a nagging problem facing Central Florida residents, especially those around the I-4 corridor: what to do with all of those discarded pre-made UCF victory t-shirts? 
 
Here are ten practical recommendations:

(10) Door mat
(9) To blow your nose
(8) Place under your car to soak up any oil leaks
(7) Use in place of newspaper to house train your puppy
(6) Cheer up your FSWho friends by reminding them there is one team left in Florida more pathetic than the Criminoles
(5) Burn to keep warm for the duration of the "cold front" in Florida (brrr! upper 70s! where’s my parka?)
(4) Tie at end to get makeshift barf bag for inexperienced UCF tailgaters
(3) Out of bags on a walk with your dog? Use your UCF victory shirt to pick up Fido's "presents!"
(2) Send up to Gainesville for use as a giant tissue to be shared by Urban and Saint Timmy after the next Floriduh loss
(1) Use as dust cloths for cleaning Miami's vast collection of trophies.  That should take care of a few dozen shirts, easy.
 
Now for the picks:
 
8 TCU vs. 16 BYU: BYU

 

Did anyone else do a double-take when seeing TCU ranked #8 in the BCS this week? Yes, they are undefeated.  Yes, the whooped Colorado State last weekend 44-6.  However, they barely won against Air Force before that and arguably the best team they have played is Clemson.  I guess that whole “strength of schedule” thing is out the window this year in the BCS (cough *Floriduh* cough).   BYU is the first true test for the horned frogs.  BYU’s defense needs to be ready for QB Andy Dalton and his three or four receiver sets plus RBs Joseph Turner and Ed Wesley.   BYU no slouch, however, coming in at No. 7 in the nation in total offense at 469 yards per game and is 31-of-33 in the red zone, scoring 94 percent of the time.  This is the most TCU has seen all year and despite the horned frogs’ ranking at 25th in the nation in red zone defense (holding opponents scoreless in the red zone 25 percent of the time), I predict BYU scores big and knocks TCU off.

1 Florida vs. Mississippi State: Florida

I'm going to give my Croc co-workers and national pollsters the benefit of the doubt this week.  Perhaps Urban Cryer is holding back the "good stuff" on their offense, just to unleash it at the end of the season (this is one Croc co-worker's theory – shout out to Jaime!) or perhaps I am just watching different games than everyone else.  I think Floriduh's defense might be the best in the country when Brandon Spikes is playing - yet, he could be benched for Miss. St. after sustaining a groin injury against the Hogs.  The Croc's offense?  I don't get it.  This is the number 1 team?  Seriously?!  Just the one dude quoting the Bible on his eye black?  Really?!  Despite the one-dimensional offense,  I still think the Crocs pull it off because of their D.  Although Florida’s former offensive coordinator Dan Mullen is their new head coach, I don't think Miss. St. has talented enough personnel (yet) to execute a strong enough offense to put the Croc D on its heels.

12 GA Tech vs. UVA: GA Tech

Wow, UVA sits at the top of the ACC Coastal rankings, huh? Not for long. Yes, the Cavaliers have a  3 game winning streak. Very impressive!  Yes, the Jackets haven't won in Charlottesville since 1990.  That’s nice!  Now prepare to be flattened by the triple option, UVA, and watch yourself fall down to second to last in the division over the remaining weeks of the season.  There’s no love lost with me and the Cavaliers after how they disrespected our goodbye to The Old Girl, and as far as I’m concerned, they need not win any games again (unless it helps the U).  In the words of Forrest Gump, “that’s all I have to say about that.”
 
Florida State vs. UNC: Florida State

I know, I know.  I just can't help myself.  FSWho is like the screw-up younger brother you make fun of all the time but deep down, really want to succeed – just not as much as U.  And I really think they can do it this time! Really! Why?  Well, UNC isn't that good either, and the Criminoles can score at will, like taking candy from a baby, or passing a Florida State music theory exam.  Tarheel defense should provide some challenge to QB Christian Ponder, but the question is whether UNC can get something going on offense, even against FSWho’s non-existent D.  Perhaps, but I don’t think they will be able to outscore Ponder and the ‘Noles O.  The biggest factor?  Bobby needs this victory to make it through the season, much less see another year in Trailerhassee.  I hope the pep talk I gave him in my “thinking of you” card pumped him up.

 
10 Miami vs. Clemson: Miami

Clemson is coming off a huge win against Wake Forest last week.  And ‘Canes fans, after RT  Pipho's performance last week, we have every reason to fear Clemson's dominating front 7.  If our O-line plays like that again against a real opponent (yeah, you heard me, UCF Knights, a REAL opponent), we will lose.  I think the O-line issues will be addressed this week.  We have yet to see a unit play horribly two games in a row.  Our next concern? His name is CJ Spiller matched with our decimated D.  We need to stop the run and force ineffective QB Parker to throw.  Make no mistake, 'Canes fans, this is not going to be a cake walk.  Indeed, I'm making cookies this week for the tailgate instead of cupcakes (that's how I show respect).   Why will the 'Canes win?  Coaching.  Last time Pipho had a bad game (you know, the one in Blacksburg with the rain where he looked like a turnstile), he rebounded the next game.  Coaching.  We were concerned about our defense against UCF and they shut down the Knights offense.  Yes, the Tigers are not the Knights, but I believe the U can get the job done.  Coaching.  Randy, Whip, and Lovett are not going to let this team overlook any opponent.  They will be ready and Jacory and the boys will light up the scoreboard at The Shark.  In Randy We Trust.  GO 'CANES!!! 

Canespace TV: Break It Down

Here on Canespace we are always looking for innovative ways to bring you the news U can use.  Recently, we introduced a new concept on the blog called Canespace TV and a weekly feature titled: Break It Down. 

This feature is written, produced, directed and edited by blogger Esteban who also happens to be one of the Original 10 Canespacers.  The "10" have been around since the blog was launched in June, 2007 and have made significant contributions to our success.  Since the first episode ran a few weeks ago, Esteban has been compared to Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and some hard core Rapper if you know what I'm sayin'!

This week Esteban breaks down the ACC match-up between Clemson vs Miami and their showdown at The Shark on Saturday (ABC, 3:30 PM).  So grab a cold beverage some chips and dip and sit back and watch another short episode of Canespace TV.  And whatever U do, don't change the channel...