October comes to a close with only 20 teams remaining on "The Short List" having survived so far this season whereas the other 100 teams have fallen by the wayside.
The survivors still on the list are ranked in order of BCS championship contention worthiness as follows:
Alabama, LSU, Clemson, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Kansas State, Boise State, Houston, Michigan State, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Penn State, Oregon, South Carolina, Michigan, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Southern Cal and Cincinnati.
Two teams won games last week in almost diametric opposite fashions to stay on the Shortlist despite me calling for them to fall off and they were:
1) Michigan State avoids overtime with a last second batted ball Hail Mary touchdown that is reviewed onto the final scoreboard tally 37-31 in East Lansing against Wisconsin. Now if only they could have played like mythical Trojans instead of mere factual Spartans earlier this year against mythical Irish tending the end of the rainbow, they'd be at the top of the Shortlist instead of trailing the leaders.
2) Southern Cal wins a game that thanks to NCAA sanctions has absolutely no impact on the BCS but does keep them on the Shortlist for another week as they outpace the Irish in South Bend 31-17 for Lane Kiffen's signature win in his head coaching career to date. Yes, he's still that under-qualified for the positions he's had so far, no wonder there's an outcry on Wall Street over economic injustice going on in this country right now.
Two Big East teams lost last week without me calling for them to fall from Shortlist contention and the two programs were:
1) West Virginia gets completely exposed by an improving Syracuse team on Friday on the road 49-23. Being overrated is a Big 12 necessity for member institutions, they'll fit right in replacing Missouri.
2) Rutgers makes it two for two for Big East conference Friday Shortlist eliminations as they fall in Louisville to the Cardinals 16-14. Never one to miss an opportunity to use one of my favorite college football cliches when thoroughly appropriate I'll just sum it up with, "That's why you're Rutgers," and move on.
Only three teams this week should find themselves beaten off the Shortlist to the Superdome, they are:
South Carolina, Michigan State and Southern Cal.
As November dawns on 2011's college football season, the short list to the Superdome becomes more and more exclusive each week as elimination showdowns begin to develop for the teams listed on it.
Michigan State has a major bell to answer this week as they go from facing one loaded team to another on the road and will now have to win without the raucous home crowd that helped spur them on to upset victory just seven days ago.
Enjoy the games this week and join me back here next week as what is done in November will most certainly be remembered for a long time to come here on the Shortlist to the Superdome.
Copyright 2011 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com
Could it be????
Posted by: CGNC | October 26, 2011 at 01:01 PM
damnit
Posted by: canezilla | October 26, 2011 at 01:03 PM
Zilla - see what happens when you took the time to take off the "caps" lock - it is all part of the process....LOL!!!!
Posted by: CGNC | October 26, 2011 at 01:09 PM
4th, best ever
Posted by: longtimecanefan | October 26, 2011 at 01:13 PM
cinco
an OGV article without any digs at AG or staff?? Are dogs & cats living together in harmony? Have I been raptured? Is it the End of Days?? Mayan calendar over?
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | October 26, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Miller Time
Posted by: 3G Cane | October 26, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | October 26, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Back to back wins maybe?
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Zilla - see what happens when you took the time to take off the "caps" lock - it is all part of the process....LOL!!!!
Posted by: CGNC | October 26, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Process, thats funny lmao
Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | October 26, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Back to back wins maybe?
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Happy days are here again...
Oh wait. How many times have I hummed that tune over the past 5 years?!?
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | October 26, 2011 at 04:42 PM
All in all, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the direction this Thing seems to be heading in. I'll wait till the end of the season to get too pumped up tho - I've said the same thing so many years in a row now - about wanting/expecting to see the team come together and be playing better at the end of the season...momentum into the off-season...experience paying off, etc etc - only to have the opposite happen. So, I'm feeling gun shy.
But, I AM starting to believe.
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | October 26, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Anybody else think about how nice it would be to see Sean Spence and Arthur Brown playing linebacker together right now?
Posted by: hillviewcane | October 26, 2011 at 04:53 PM
HAHAHAH GCNC.YOU ARE RIGHT!!!U COMING TO ANY GAMES THIS YEAR?
Posted by: canezilla | October 26, 2011 at 05:12 PM
DTC, so you're saying that this would be a bad time to remind you that Shannon put together a five game win streak in 2008 with arguably a worse team on the field? Two games ain't dink to me as a coach for a win streak, no matter how charming your press conference is or isn't. Five games here would raise my eyebrow though, but let's not look ahead of ourselves too much.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2011 at 05:16 PM
In picking Miami to attend college, Melvin Johnson, the former Rice guard, weighed several factors.
He thought of the new coach, Jim Larranaga, and liked his close ties to New York. He considered his potential role in the Miami offense, and was attracted to the uptempo style. He thought about the charges of widespread corruption that were laid bare in a Yahoo! Sports report about the athletic department, and was hopeful it wouldn’t affect his time there.
But perhaps the deciding issue that shaped Johnson's decision to attend Miami was the familiarity of a former Rice student, who helped put him at ease when he visited the school on Sept. 16.
Durand Scott, a junior guard on the Hurricanes and former Rice standout who was the Daily News Player of the Year in 2009, hosted Johnson during his stay, and the ease with which the two talked about Miami, Rice and everything in between, crystallized for Johnson why Miami was a good fit.
Johnson verbally committed on Sunday, announcing his decision on Facebook.
“Talking to Durand had a huge impact on me,” said Johnson, a 6-3 guard with a knack for scoring. Johnson was a freshman at Rice when Scott was a senior.
“He told me the truth about the city, about the program there, what to expect, not just basketball stuff,” Johnson said of Scott. “And we talked a lot about Rice. In fact, the first thing we talked about when I got there was what happened with Rice.”
The Harlem institution closed its doors in June because of poor finances, forcing students to look for a new school. Johnson, now a senior, found a home at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, where he lives in a dorm, rises before 7 a.m. every morning and lives what he described as a regimented existence, apart from his mother and 9-year-old sister in the Bronx.
He continues to work out with former Rice coach Dwayne Mitchell, and he's in contact with ex-Rice teammates Jermaine Sanders (Cincinnati) and Emmanuel Andujar (Manhattan). Johnson chose Miami over Virginia Tech, Georgetown and Dayton, among others.
"It's a great fit for him," said former Rice assistant Kimani Young. "I think his best basketball is still ahead of him, and he's going to be a key in helping to rebuild that program."
He is the second recruit by Larranaga, a Molloy HS product who led George Mason to the Final Four in 2006 and was hired at Miami in April. Shane Larkin, a transfer from Dr. Phillips High School in Florida, was Larranaga’s first pick-up.
“I’m just happy the process is over with and I get to concentrate on school,” Johnson said. “I really liked the program and the coaches at Miami. I feel excited to start my college career.”
Posted by: SlingBlade | October 26, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Melvin Johnson decided to become a Hurricane.
The 6-3, 188-pound guard verbally pledged to Miami Sunday, choosing the Hurricanes over Georgetown and Dayton.
"I felt very comfortable and I'm a competitive player who can score and make other players better," Johnson told Fivestarbasketball.com.
Johnson left Rice High School in Manhattan after the school closed last year, and is now part of a deep backcourt at St. Benedict's in Newark, New Jersey, that includes junior point guard Tyler Ennis and freshman combo guard Isaiah Briscoe.
Despite the controversy swirling around the Miami athletic program, Johnson has no second thoughts about picking Miami.
“They explained what happened to them and what’s their consequences or whatever,” Johnson previously told SNY.tv. “It’s not too big of a deal on a basketball standpoint, just a past thing. And it’s a new coaching staff.”
Johnson's ranked No. 51 nationally at the point guard position by ESPNU and becomes Miami's first 2012 commit for coach Jim Larranaga.
“His scoring ability is unbelievable,” St. Ben's coach Mark Taylor told SNY.tv in late September. “At times, I’ve never seen anybody that I’ve coached score the way he can score in bunches. Melvin needs to get a little bit better handle, a little bit better defensively. I think Melvin at some point, with development at the right school, could be a pro.”
Posted by: SlingBlade | October 26, 2011 at 06:57 PM
...looking for 3 tickets lower bowl tomorrow....anyone selling out there.
if so email me por favor
[email protected]
thanks
Posted by: Drtycane | October 26, 2011 at 07:06 PM
This is going around the web. It's too good not to share ...
My hair is too shiny and Giselle is horny again!
#TomBradyProblems
Posted by: Old Skool | October 26, 2011 at 07:07 PM
2 tickets.....tick tock tick tock
[]_[]
[email protected]
Posted by: Drtycane | October 26, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Anybody????????????????
Where can i get a canes baby pacifier?
Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | October 26, 2011 at 07:18 PM
All in all, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the direction this Thing seems to be heading in.
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | October 26, 2011 at 04:46 PM
It is not a "Thing", it is a Process.
That is all.
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 07:21 PM
looking for 3 tickets lower bowl tomorrow....anyone selling out there.
if so email me por favor
[email protected]
Posted by: Drtycane | October 26, 2011 at 07:06 PM
I have two upper deck, but if you want lower bowl just show up and buy them on site. Tickets are ALWAYS available from the hustlers in the parking lot at a decent price.
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 07:24 PM
It's a process that once it gains traction, allows you to win multiple games in a row, it should be noted.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2011 at 07:25 PM
Anybody else think about how nice it would be to see Sean Spence and Arthur Brown playing linebacker together right now?
Posted by: hillviewcane | October 26, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Uh..YEAH! Oh well the new mature AB#11 is better than the young immature AB#11 that was @ Miami. As OGV says OFTEN some players just take more time to get their heads and attitudes right and develop physically.
Can U say: "Sam Shields"? I thought so!
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 07:27 PM
Zilla...I got U some new Canespace Swag for your do-rag application for tomorrow.
Checking email now for wurd on Da Skreetz.
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 07:29 PM
UVA-MIAMI CONNECTIONS
• Miami head coach Al Golden was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Virginia from 2001-2005.
• Three players on the Cavaliers’ roster hail from the state of Florida - Robert Randolph (Naples, Fla.), Michael Strauss (Key Biscayne, Fla.) and Pablo Alvarez (Coral Gables, Fla.).
• Miami assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio was an assistant coach at Virginia from 2004-05.
LONDON FACING THIRD FORMER COLLEAGUE IN AL GOLDEN
• UVa head coach Mike London has faced two head coaches this season (Jimmye Laycock of William & Mary and Tom O’Brien of NC State) that he has formerly worked with. Miami’s Al Golden and London were assistant coaches together at UVa from 2001-2004.
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 07:50 PM
MORE ON THE UVA-MIAMI SERIES
• The first match-up occurred in the 1996 Carquest Bowl at Joe Robbie Stadium.
• That game was the final collegiate action for several notable Cavaliers, including Tiki and Ronde Barber, James Farrior, Jon Harris and Jamie Sharper.
• In addition to this Cavalier quintet, the game featured a large number of future pros.
• Of the 44 starters in the game, 20 were drafted by the NFL (11 UVa, 9 Miami). The group of NFL draftees including nine first-round picks. Twenty-one Cavaliers and 22 Hurricanes went on to play in the NFL.
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 07:53 PM
AB is kind of a small town guy it seems, sometimes you take a young man from Kansas who's never been to the big city, drop him in the middle of the urban jungle of a major metro area and it will overwhelm him and shut him down mentally. Toss in some girl problems on top of it all and that will send him running home to the security of Nowheresville. Physically he was good from day one, but in terms of handling adversity in a foreign environment mentally . . . total headcase.
I'm marginally surprised Byrd hasn't gotten the Shields WR/DB switch treatment this year with Hurns coming on strong and stealing his thunder, he's not in Sam's speed range but he's not slow either and has a bigger body to defend with and better hands for picking off under-throws than Sam did at this point in his career.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2011 at 08:00 PM
OGV...Byrd is the MYSTERY man this season. Talk about falling off of a cliff, the guy has all but disappeared???
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Hey SOUP, checl ur email i sent you my info...ill probably be heading to the game about 4pm...anyway..im pumped..also word on the street im friends with someone that knows Deon Bush he would have committed long time ago, only sanctions have held him back..and we dnt have too much to worry about he is all cane :)..barring a payment from someone else...lol
Posted by: DeeCane | October 26, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Hey SOUP, check ur email i sent you my info...ill probably be heading to the game about 4pm...anyway..im pumped..also word on the street im friends with someone that knows Deon Bush he would have committed long time ago, only sanctions have held him back..and we dnt have too much to worry about he is all cane :)..barring a payment from someone else...lol
Posted by: DeeCane | October 26, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Dee...just sent U an email. We are ALL set!
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 09:00 PM
WURD ON DA SKREETZ IZ...
1. Datboi Bunche best ball out Thursday, dats one of my lock NFLU young bucks on this team.
2. Yo bruh, theres nothin dat gets ballahs more cranked then seein Wale and Trel hittin da pit. Those bois go straight violent on each other. Might not be the most yapped bout returns to da roster but those 2 kick those practices on point. Sh#$ goes silent mode when they called to dat pit.
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Zilla...I got U some new Canespace Swag for your do-rag application for tomorrow.
Checking email now for wurd on Da Skreetz.
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 07:29 PM
IIIIIIIIIGHT THANKS SOUPY,JUST LOOK FOR THE 3 FLAGS FLYING HIGH.OR THE FREAKISH 6-5 NICA(THE VILLAGE GIANT)
Posted by: canezilla | October 26, 2011 at 09:23 PM
Ohio, iz we still recruiting Tavadis Glenn? Gotta good feeling bout that Goldman kid & Nick James if dey vizit.
Posted by: 4-Real | October 26, 2011 at 09:26 PM
TWITTER: "Deon Bush just got twisted around, drew a PI and gave up a TD. AJ Leggett looks slimmer and quicker this year."
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 09:48 PM
OR THE FREAKISH 6-5 NICA(THE VILLAGE GIANT)
Posted by: canezilla | October 26, 2011 at 09:23 PM
HE WILL BE THE TALLEST FAN THERE SINCE THE 6-6 OGV IS MIA FOR UVA.
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Posted by: SOUP | October 26, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Thats what we need tomorrow nite on the d... more pit bulls .. lol
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | October 26, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Golden headlines Yahoo news
Coach Al Golden has University of Miami fans flashing back to a bygone time when sports enthusiasts actually dressed up to attend games. The Hurricanes have been pretty average on the field, but at least their coach has dressed for success. Golden is one of a handful of coaches in big-time college football who wears a tie on the sidelines.
In a surprising development, the Miami coach's wardrobe style has become the prevailing taste for a number of Hurricanes fans. The Miami Herald reports Golden thinks "it's great" that the fans are imitating his appearance.
http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201110/college-football-coaches-wardrobe-choice-sparks-surprising-fashion-craze
Posted by: NativeCane | October 27, 2011 at 06:40 AM
GAME DAY
How does oUr 2011 team compare to last year's? Tonight's game will be a good barometer.
Posted by: 2002nemo | October 27, 2011 at 07:03 AM
"I felt like Ted Stryker trying to land a jet!"
That's great stuff!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Hermosa Cane | October 27, 2011 at 07:24 AM
New Raising Canes: Georgia Tech - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFemriExqgQ
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 27, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Rivals - "Miami will try to continue its Thursday night magic against Virginia. The Hurricanes have an all-time record of 15-2 in ESPN Thursday night games, including a 10-0 mark at home."
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 27, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Virginia is a tough team, lots of seniors on defense. They like to pound the rock and throw safe passes underneath. Their RB Perry has a lot of catches out of the backfield and one of the keys will be limiting those. However its at home on a Thursday night, so you know how that goes!!!
Canes for the WIN
Posted by: 3G Cane | October 27, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Let's go CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: jack | October 27, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Prediction: 31-10, C-A-N-E-S, CANES!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 27, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Zilla - no, doesn't look like I will have the shillings to come down for a game this year. I was really hoping that we could make it to the ACC Championship but since V-Tech has to lose twice and we have to win out I guess that probably will not happen
DTC - I am excited for tonight's game and it has been along time (it seems) since I have been looking forward to a game and not perpetually cringing every time we have special teams and offense on the field!
Posted by: CGNC | October 27, 2011 at 12:31 PM
CaneFreak2001 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_lZ2qAnWtU&feature=player_embedded
Best. Team. Ever.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 27, 2011 at 12:35 PM
DTC, so you're saying that this would be a bad time to remind you that Shannon put together a five game win streak in 2008 with arguably a worse team on the field? Two games ain't dink to me as a coach for a win streak, no matter how charming your press conference is or isn't. Five games here would raise my eyebrow though, but let's not look ahead of ourselves too much.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 26, 2011 at 05:16 PM
I was a huge Shannon supporter (on Omar's old blog) from the moment I lost faith in Clappy. But, in very obvious contradiction to U, I don't believe that support for Shannon must = automatic disdain and constant scorn for his replacement; which has been your attitude from Day 1.
Whenever U choose to remind yourself that in 4 years under RS, the best highlight U have to remember is a single 5 game winning streak; along with a long list of games where his team simply quit - well, maybe U will then take a rational attitude toward the new guy.
I agree tho...2 games aint dink. I just say, let's give the guy a few years - people hated JJ during and after Year 1...same for Butch.
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | October 27, 2011 at 12:43 PM
I hear ya CGNC! I'm SO pissed they postponed the World Series yesterday. CANES need a W tonight - guess that is stating the obvious! Thu night, CANES on TV...I'm ready to blow out of the office right now and hit the bar!
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | October 27, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Zilla - no, doesn't look like I will have the shillings to come down for a game this year. I was really hoping that we could make it to the ACC Championship but since V-Tech has to lose twice and we have to win out I guess that probably will not happen
* * *
Posted by: CGNC | October 27, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Don't be surprised if you do get to see the Canes play. I feel really good about the Canes chances to win out. The only team left of the schedule that will be favored over the Canes is FSU in Tally, and as the Canes continue to improve through Golden's "process," a victory in Tallahassee is very realistic.
VT has a few tough games left and their QB can be erractic. The Canes still have a shot at the Coastal.
Posted by: WindyCane-Forecast1 | October 27, 2011 at 12:54 PM