Editor's Note: This article was submitted for posting prior to Thursday night's game between USF and Cincinnati. The Bearcats beat the Bulls by the score of 34-17 to eliminate USF from The Short List.
As we reach the halfway point of the 2009 college football season, the Shortlist to the San Fernando Valley has been pared down to the magic number of 25 teams. I rank them as follows, by order of worthiness:
Florida, Alabama, Iowa, Texas, Cincinnati, TCU, Kansas, Boise State, Miami (FL), Virginia Tech, Louisiana State, South Carolina, South Florida, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Auburn, Southern Cal, Missouri, West Virginia, Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Rutgers.The only caveat I would admit to above is that I am slightly more impressed with Alabama's season so far than I am with the defending champion Florida Gators, but when the defending champion is in possession of the longest win streak in the nation and taking every team's best shot, they get the benefit of the doubt in my book.
Three teams lost games last week that result in their exclusion from the Shortlist that I didn't call for, with the final three to fall out of the last 25 teams as follows:
1) Ole' Miss keeps turning the ball over as a rivalry game they were so desperate to finally win gets away from them in Oxford 22-3 to Alabama. One thing this fan-base can always relate to now applies to the Rebels, it's time to wait for next year, again.
2) UCLA melts down in the second half in the Rose Bowl and falls to Oregon 24-10. No Ducks were assaulted in ugly on-field incidents after this heated loss in a shocking turn of events for Pac-10 competition.
3) Arizona goes on the road and gives Washington it's first win since the upset of the Trojans almost a month ago by a 36-33 margin. Topping eight wins for the Wildcats now seems like a pipe dream now and they still won't be playing in a Rose Bowl for those of you wondering if this was finally their year.
Only one team wins a game last week that I called for them to lose and be eliminated from the Shortlist to the San Fernando Valley as a result and the lucky winner is;
1) Georgia Tech adds another log to the flame under Bobby Bowden's seat in Tallahassee with a road victory by the score of 49-44. You reap what you sow, isn't that a Bible verse? I would say that Bobby Bowden has finally learned the truth to that one after 34 long years. Does Jeff Bowden still get paid for not coaching this year? I've lost track of the length of that particular golden parachute canopy.
I expect seven teams to lose games this week and find themselves off the Shortlist thanks to those defeats:
South Carolina, South Florida, Wisconsin, Missouri, Virginia Tech, Southern Cal, Rutgers.
Shortlist elimination games abound this week, as Virginia
Tech, Southern Cal, and Rutgers all face challenges from fellow Shortlist teams
Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh respectively. Each of the losers of
those tilts will find their championship dreams extinguished for 2009 while the
winners will live to see next week here on the Shortlist to the San Fernando
Valley.
Enjoy all the games this week on the richest week of competition this year so far and join me back here next week as the list of teams left grows ever shorter and the competition to stay alive ratchets up another level here on the Shortlist to the San Fernando Valley.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com
No way.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 16, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Way
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Would anyone like a beverage? What's your poison OGV?
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:02 PM
4th?
Posted by: raizecane | October 16, 2009 at 06:06 PM
anotherone
peace
Posted by: solarcane | October 16, 2009 at 06:06 PM
OGV,
I like Alabama a little more each week also, All the VT vs the ACC Hocus Pocus will be done with one way or the other this week.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | October 16, 2009 at 06:11 PM
i could go for a apple martini 86. you know...what real men drink.
Posted by: Esteban | October 16, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Good read as always
I see Wisc. putting an L on Iowa
Since Big Flop Bob didnt have more then a week to get ready, that gives the Spooners a better chance to beat Texas
Posted by: Sebastian | October 16, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Ketel rocks for me 86
Posted by: shwarma | October 16, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Mary, Let Sebastian know I will see him Sat. Nice cupcakes. GO Canes!
Posted by: Mom | October 16, 2009 at 04:22 PM
haha, will do! LOVE YOU MOM!
Posted by: JSQ (the blogger formerly known as PBCC) | October 16, 2009 at 04:37 PM
LOL Gotta change our slogan:
"Canespace: Where Friends Meet and Families Reunite"
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:17 PM
Shwarms...U want any tonic and lime or cranberry with the Ketel One or just nice over ice?
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Este...I've got Canechic and Angry at the patio bar mixing up the Appletinis, they are the experts there. Let me yell at her:
CANECHIC...one appletini for my man Esteban please!
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Red Death 86, or a Red Devil as it's called sometimes in LA. Of course the bartender at The Paladium was completely stumped on either one at the Bob Dylan concert I was at two days ago.
solar, I can't move UF down because that defense Charlie Strong is fielding is just so good right now it's unreal. Saban can coach a D but I think UF's just has more players to call on in key situations when they need a stop.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 16, 2009 at 06:22 PM
In case anyone still wondered if Team Shannon knows what they're doing, read this about the Gainesville studs we're taking right from Oscar's backyard.
>>>>>>>
By John Patton
High school sports editor
Published: Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:23 a.m.
This may be Gainesville, but Thursday night at Citizens Field was all about The U.
With his offense struggling to find the end zone and yet another loss to Buchholz looming, Gainesville High School senior linebacker/Miami commitment Kevin Nelson recovered a fumble and took it 41 yards for a touchdown and followed that up two-and-a-half minutes later with a 27-yard interception return for another score.
Both fourth-quarter touchdowns were enough, as GHS ended a 21-year drought as undisputed city champions by defeating the Bobcats, 14-9. It also marked the Hurricanes’ first victory against their archrivals since 2002.
“Good players put themselves in the right spot to make good plays, and that’s what he did,” Buchholz coach Jay Godwin said.
The other half of GHS’s “The U 2” tandem, cornerback Devont’a Davis, who committed to Miami less than two weeks ago, had two interceptions himself, and like Nelson, both of his forced turnovers came in the pivotal fourth quarter.
There, with NFL defensive lineman Kevin Carter among those in attendance, hard-luck Buchholz (1-4) entered with a 3-0 lead after a 22-yard field goal from Brad Phillips with 3:23 remaining in the third.
Led by their defense, the Bobcats did allow 132 yards on 16 carries from Walter Holsey, but stepped up whenever GHS threatened to score. That included a diving interception in the end zone by Kenneth Harper with 29.3 seconds left in the first half.
“They did a phenomenal job against us,” Hurricanes coach Ryan Smith said. “We had some opportunities, but they did a phenomenal job.”
Buchholz pulled within a touchdown with 8:08 to play on a 25-yard scoring pass from Aaron Grant to Marquis Noble, but Davis intercepted the two-point conversion attempt and then with three seconds to play, picked off another a yard outside of the end zone to close out the win.
Nelson said the victory had a great deal to do with a talk he had with Smith at the half when the game was 0-0.
“Coach told me the defense was going to have to win it,” Nelson said. “Our offense tried to get the momentum, but I told everyone to come with me.”
That included his current and future teammate.
“We told ourselves we had to fight to the end,” said Davis, who wore a UM eyeblack strip under his right eye. “This team has a lot of seniors and leadership and we did it.
“Words can’t express how I feel. I feel like we just won the Super Bowl.”
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 16, 2009 at 06:25 PM
Appetizers are on!
We got some hot wings, chicken strips w/ honey mustard sauce for dipping and some of those little meatballs over there.
We got a veggie tray with ranch dressing and a cold cuts and cheese platter next to it on the counter.
Oh yeah, and some chips, dips, chains and whips. Your standard party fare.
Beers are in the coolers: Bud and Coors Light on the right, Corona and Green Lizards on the left.
Help yourself, but DON'T fruit the beer!
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:27 PM
TAILGATE AT LOT GREEN B7 tomorrow from 2pm to game time. Look for the 35 foot silver RV with black trim.
Posted by: JameriCane | October 16, 2009 at 06:33 PM
I like cupcakes!! Now there are cupcakes and then there are CUPCAKES! I like the ones with icing on top.
Posted by: RandyCane | October 16, 2009 at 06:36 PM
Hey, CaneChic and 86, if you guys have any tailgates going on tomorrow, email me the location and time on my cell. [email protected].
Posted by: JameriCane | October 16, 2009 at 06:37 PM
Also, BRIGHTHOUSE to air the game on Digital channel 106 tomorrow.
Posted by: JameriCane | October 16, 2009 at 06:39 PM
JameriCane...Canechic, Angry, Raize, Rashad, Sarasota, Fran, myself and several others will be there. Here's the plan:
We are meeting at The Steak and Shake on University near the campus at 12:30.
We are convoying to the stadium and are going to park in blue or red. Canechic will be on later tonight to confirm.
GO CANES, BEAT UCF!
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:40 PM
Enjoying reading this article- Chris W. THX 86 for bringing well written articles to d' blog!
Need 2 for UCF... Anyone selling??
How about USF on 11/28?? (2) Anyone?
Posted by: Mrs. 86 | October 16, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Kevin and Devont'a are cool dudes. I'm getting to know them and their parents, and they are SPECIAL PEOPLE. I'm really impressed with both of these two young men.
More details to follow, Monday @ 7:00 PM...
Posted by: RandyCane | October 16, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Nope just rocks and a lime wedge 86
Posted by: shwarma | October 16, 2009 at 06:43 PM
yeah, what Randy said. UM is getting a pair of special players.
Posted by: mm01 | October 16, 2009 at 06:44 PM
I like cupcakes!! Now there are cupcakes and then there are CUPCAKES! I like the ones with icing on top.
Posted by: RandyCane | October 16, 2009 at 06:36 PM
Randy...cupcakes are always good, no doubt! Personally, I like mine with whipped creme on top. But hey that's just me.
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:50 PM
One thing I certainly trust is the recruiting abilities of our current staff. I don't care where Rivals has them ranked or where ESPN has them either.
High profile kids don't always pan out anyway and are more prone to having that premadonna mentality (thanks to the star system).
If our staff likes the kid then I like the kid.
Posted by: CanesAddiction | October 16, 2009 at 06:54 PM
MM01/Randy...love what U guys are doing for Da Space up there in Gainesville. Can't wit for Monday's feature and part II of "Going Deep".
See U at the Clemson game and The Hampton. Susan the Manager at The Hampton is going to the game with us and wants to tailgate with the Canespacers. How cool is that!
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:54 PM
Shwarma...double Ketel, rock and a lime wedge. Did U try the wings? They are smokin' hot. I'll set U up a water back.
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Macjones, those coaches need to stop worrying about Shannon and start plotting their next move and figuring out how to be the best at what they do. That's what Shannon would tell them.
Honestly, the person and career path they most need to emulate is OSCAR MEYER.
Winners attract attention but you have to take risks and take unsexy, unglamorous jobs to win and attract attention.
The Mark Richt's, Bob Stopps and Randy Shannons of the world are few and far between. So are the Jimbo Fisher's, and whoever the HC in waiting is at TX.
They need to look at Greg Schiano, Turner Gill, Bobby Petrino et al.
And if they're so worried about perception based on skin-color, wtf do they say about that 16-yr old looking pretender Dorell and the twice failed, good talker Ty Willingham, John Blake and that dude at K. St???
According to their/this idiotic formula, Ty and Karl did a great deal of harm to skin-color perception among major D-1 schools.
But did they?? Look who replaced them. Proven, NFL experienced, former HC Rick Neuheisel and very successful USC assistant Sarkisian. Oh and who did Neuheisel pick for his OC?? Norm Chow. lol And at K. St. they found the previously unknown but highly skilled OC from UTAH, who spanked Bama like they were his daddy.
So the point is clearly not skin-color. The point is experience and skill. Dorrell didn't have much and neither did Ty.
Shannon had a great deal.
Hell, even Arkansas broke the bank to grab a proven winner, from the NFL no less, just like UNC and Bama.
So these men need to follow Oscar Meyer's lead, not Shannon's.
Take some small-time D-1 or D-11 school to the top then do it again. Then if need be go to the NFL as an OC or DC. And prove you're the best there. Then watch how the offers come in, from the NFL and colleges.
They may not come from the SEC, for obvious weirdo reasons but they'll come, and when you get that K. St, Tulsa, Tulane or San Diego State job and you start whoopin' a few majors, like Boisie, watch those perceptions and issues change. hahaha
If Boisie can do it, ANYONE can do it. So stop all the friggin whining and hand-wringing and try your damndest to beat Shannon's azz.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 16, 2009 at 06:17 PM
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 16, 2009 at 07:03 PM
86 whip cream is good!!!
See you at Clemson and the Hampton, looking forward to tailgating with Canespacers
Posted by: RandyCane | October 16, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Thanks 86
Posted by: shwarma | October 16, 2009 at 07:10 PM
So how do you do the picture thing again?
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 16, 2009 at 07:12 PM
How many appletinis?
Este is first
Posted by: canechic | October 16, 2009 at 07:19 PM
GO CANES!
Posted by: canechic | October 16, 2009 at 07:29 PM
I'd like triple screw (it's the light beer @the Titanic)
Posted by: Aquaman | October 16, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Haha, a triple screw is what I meant to write
Posted by: Aquaman | October 16, 2009 at 07:33 PM
ill be at the steak and shake 2morrow at 12:15 cant wait for this!!!
Posted by: canezilla | October 16, 2009 at 07:34 PM
i was just kidding on the apple martini...i'll drink them if they are free tho.
Posted by: Esteban | October 16, 2009 at 07:35 PM
I'm going to the game too. Gonna wake up butt-azz early and drive up. 86 I'll hit u up when I hit town. I might have an extra ticket.
Posted by: Aquaman | October 16, 2009 at 07:37 PM
which steak and shake is it? what road
Posted by: canezilla | October 16, 2009 at 07:39 PM
86 has all the info but here it is:
http://411.yellowpages.com/info-22534580/Steak-N-Shake/maps?back_to=%2Finfo-22534580%2FSteak-N-Shake
Posted by: canechic | October 16, 2009 at 07:48 PM
Me and Randy want avatars. Please post again how to do so. Thanks.
Posted by: RandyCane | October 16, 2009 at 07:50 PM
86 whip cream is good!!!
Posted by: RandyCane | October 16, 2009 at 07:10 PM
That's what she said, trust me, she did.
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 07:54 PM
34-13, UM
Posted by: mm01 | October 16, 2009 at 07:55 PM
All this time even 3 years ago Randy was sayin:
"The other coaches aren't gonna say here comes minority Randy, they going to say hey here comes Coach Shannon"
Sadly I guess we are all wrong about how it's not always about color
Minority Barak must just shake his head and say I feel you Randy.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | October 16, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Randy
login to type pad
register your nick go to your profile page upload a photo and stick it in
peace
Posted by: solarcane | October 16, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Me and Randy want avatars. Please post again how to do so. Thanks.
Posted by: RandyCane | October 16, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Just above the comment section click on the TYPEPAD link.
Click on Open a FREE account.
Enter your info with your blogger name and password.
They will send U an email with info on how to develop your personal ID and avatar.
Log into your account from the email link and they will walk U thorugh it.
Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2009 at 08:00 PM
just do it the way i said its faster lol
peace
Posted by: solarcane | October 16, 2009 at 08:01 PM
First and SECOND day without a check received since receiving the first one.
Make check to: Tom Popadak
Send to:
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Posted by: solarcane | October 16, 2009 at 08:04 PM
there U go...
Kevin and Randy, flashing the U
Posted by: RandyCane | October 16, 2009 at 08:19 PM