The Short List To South Beach: Week 2

Last weeks opening slate of games is in the books and as usual, the attrition on the Shortlist to South Beach is wide ranging and includes some unexpected strike-throughs.  The following 39 teams find themselves taken out of the running for a national championship and for all intents and purposes, playing out the string on 2012 with 11 games to go:

Penn State, Colorado, California, Washington State, Pittsburgh, Boise State, Houston, Tulsa, San Diego State, Wyoming, Hawaii, Idaho, UNLV, Southern Miss, Marshall, UAB, SMU, UTEP, Rice, Tulane, Navy, Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Eastern Michigan,  Miami (Oh), Bowling Green, Buffalo, Akron, Massachusetts, Louisiana Tech, San Jose State, Texas State, UTSA, FIU, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama and North Texas.

In what has to be one of the worst opening weeks in Shortlist prediction history for me a whole seven teams won games last week I called for them to be taken out at the end of and they are:

1) Iowa State continues to exceed expectation under Paul Rhoads, as even a losing season thanks to last year's bowl loss can't dampen the good feelings of beating the best team in the nation for my money in Oklahoma State in 2011 or spoil the opener of this one, as they win 38-23 in Ames over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. I don't expect the Cyclones to last here on the Shortlist until the end of the month, but for the time being they remain the dominant weather pattern in the mid-west of the country thanks to the victory.

2) Colorado State sticks it to their 'older brother' Colorado in Denver 22-17.  The Rams and Buffaloes rivalry is one of the most underrated in all of college football and when they play at a neutral site like they did this year and often do, it's a fantastic atmosphere that really translates well even over the broadcast.  All you have to hear is the roar of the Rams partisans as the clock wore down during this game to realize just how much a win like this makes their season, anything else being just icing for them the rest of the way although now a bowl game is a distinct possibility for them.

3) Nevada turns up the tempature on California coach Jeff Tedford several notches by winning in Berkley 31-24.  Chris Ault is in the Hall of Fame for his coaching of the Wolfpack, Tedford won't be for his job with the Bears whenever it ends sooner or later.  Draw your own conclusions why this upset happened at Cal for only the second time in 109 years.

4) Ohio goes on the road and wins a game I spent a long time thinking about calling for them to win 24-14 against some state university once of great renown for playing football.  Frank Solich isn't winning at the clip he was at Nebraska but he's also not running just the triple option anymore with the Bobcats.  I'd also be hard pressed to name a more impressive win in his entire coaching career either, opponent defections be damned, and this year just might shape up now for an unlikely return to the BCS for the man who watched a national title get ripped from his grasp at the hands of the greatest college football team in history over a decade ago.

5) Louisiana Tech gets a hurricane assisted entry into this list although they only managed to not lose, instead of win, thanks to the postponing of their game at Texas A&M in a first for the Shortlist.

6) Texas State's sideline is where the latest Dennis Franchione career revival is taking place as it gets off to a flying start as they take out the once mighty Houston Cougars in Houston, 30-13.  Whoever says coaching doesn't matter has never tried to get a Bobcat to take down a Cougar successfully before, obviously, as in 2010 the final was 66-28 the other way.

7) University of Texas-San Antonio coach Larry Coker, you might remember him, joins Frank Solich as a Shortlist prediction spoiler in week one with a 33-31 nail-biter of a win against South Alabama in Mobile.  Say what you will about Miami's all time win percentage leader, who now boasts a career record in FBS play of 61-15, but building a program from the ground up is just the type of job his steady hand is best for and he now has a chance to stay on the Shortlist with the easiest schedule in the nation until the end of the month with this win.

In addition, 10 teams lost games last week that caused them to be taken out of Shortlist contention right away.  The out of the running programs are:

1) Penn State.  Good riddance.

2) Colorado.  Wow, the Pacific Athletic Conference sure got stronger by just going with two additions instead of actually adding the good teams from the Big 12, didn't they?  Once the Buffaloes fire Jon Embree maybe they can hire Kordell Stewart or Rashaan Salaam in a desperate attempt to recapture their relevance of a generation ago next?  No, I don't think that would work either, actually.

3) California.  On a personal level, my feelings about this school's football program are accurately summed up by the Latin saying from the third Punic War; California delenda est.  Why you ask?  Only the CEO knows and he isn't talking about it either.  Let's all just move along.

4) Pittsburgh wins the award for most embarrising first week Shortlist elimination of 2012 by paying Youngstown State a metric ton of money to come to Heinz Field and beat them 31-17.  Would Todd Graham fared any better than Paul Chryst?  Who cares, what I really want to know is just how much extra money is the ACC really expecting from adding these guys and Syracuse to the TV rights negotiations?  Right about now Dave Wannstedt looks like a good replacement in Pittsburgh, at least he got upset by FBS teams instead.

5) Memphis finds a way to lose to UT Martin, a team they beat handily in 2009 during a season they finished a whopping 2-10, 20-17 at home.  Now playing for their third coach in four seasons, this program is the definition of unsettled and still has light years to go to find any relief from the problems that plague it.

6) Houston, speaking of unsettled programs, sees their offensive coordinator resign after their loss to Texas State, no word on which type of gun was pointed at him while he submitted that piece of paper yet, however.

7) Tulsa's singular Hurricane loss leaves only the real Hurricanes on the Shortlist in 2012, which combined with the fake Miami's exit, means there's no confusion possible for the rest of the year when it comes to Miami Hurricane predictions here.  Now, about outlasting that other UM . . .

8) Idaho has seen some good days under coach Robb Akey at the Kibbie Dome, Thursday's opener was not one of them however as they lose 20-3 to Eastern Washington, their former Big Sky opponent.  No wonder they called off the series in 1995.

9) Middle Tennessee was supposed to be back near the form that won them 10 games four seasons ago, apparently McNeese State didn't get the memo as they spoil the opener in Murfreesboro for the home team, 27-21.  How Rick Stockstill's perennial league favorite responds from here is anybody's guess but you figure they still have to win more than the two games they did last year, right?

10) South Alabama proves they have a long way to go to join their SEC in-state brethren as football powers by losing at home in one of the most entertaining games on opening night.  This result should be the opening act of what will be the first losing season in school history, which will take away the only bragging point their fans have over their in-state brethren at this point.

There are a  total of 19 teams this week I'm predicting will be eliminated from the 2012 Shortlist, they are:

Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Syracuse, Nevada, Fresno State, Air Force, New Mexico, UCF, East Carolina, Army, Central Michigan, Ball State, Utah State, New Mexico State, Texas State, Louisiana, WKU, ULM and FAU.

Enjoy the games this week and join me back here next week as the Shortlist to South Beach continues to work its way to the halfway point of eliminations and the resulting jump from tracking the eliminated to following the favorites for 2012's national championship game.

Copyright 2012 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com

Comments

[Harry Miller]

Miami has a better chance of landing Ricky town than USC. I have known Ricky since he was 10 yrs old. We are making our second trip to Miami for the NC game. Believe me when I tell you this, Ricky Town loves Miami. What is important is that Al Golden
stays at Miami along with most of coaching staff.

[Ohio_Cane]

SMD - Confirmed: Canes DT Luther Robinson will not travel to Kansas State -- situation not good. http://bit.ly/NZ21DY

[j.w.]

Still getting used to typing on the phone, but at least I can follow the Space while working. Sucks hearing about Robinson. Who steps up in his absence? We needed to score a lot to win with him so in one sense nothing changes, but depth was already shaky at DT

[fran]

Thanks mister Miller. finally someone that has been a cane fan longer than me. 1950 was my first game.

[Ohio_Cane]

Savannah St is getting 70 1/2 points vs FSWho... LMAO!!

SEVENTY AND A HALF!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Bill Hass on the ACC: Miami's Denzel Perryman Has a Passion for His New Position -

http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090712aaa.html

[UMike]

What is bad about the Robinson situation is that the kid worked all off season to get in shape and get in the DT rotation, and after ONE game his dad start in..come on. Some times these parents need to let their kids grow up.

[CGNC]

I don't know about Luther, but I don't consider Porter a "servicible guy". When healthy, the kid balls out.

Posted by: CaneRock | September 07, 2012 at 11:40 AM

THIS

[CGNC]

Well if any of the Luther Robinson dad thing is true, I could only imagine some parent going up to Saban at Alabama with complaints.......

[CGNC]

Posted by: Harry Miller | September 07, 2012 at 12:08 PM

Welcome to Canespace. Wish Ricky good luck from us

[raizecane]

Savannah St is getting 70 1/2 points vs FSWho... LMAO!!

SEVENTY AND A HALF!!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | September 07, 2012 at 12:38 PM

*****************************************

If Mike Tyson saw that...his reply would be "That’s ludicrous"

[herbieibis]

Ok, maybe Porter is more than servicible but to be anything more he has to play. Granted the dude has had some bad luck but he like the rest of his defensive tackle co-stars on the de-line, can't see over the opposing offensive line to find the Qb. Luther might be our tallest DT @ 6'3 but he apparently has Daddy drama. He's had 4 years to figure this college thing out. You can't be a star unless you work at it, unfortunately for him or fortunate for him he has a coach that cares how he plays.

[Felipe]

That's absurd Ohio Cane.

So that's what the Tweet about someone sending Saban down to Vegas to freak out on people over the FSU-Savannah State line was all about.

[UMike]

Alabama commit arrested for rape and sodomy...yikes!

[Harry Miller]

Tanks, CGNC I will do that today.

[Hassan]

Ok, maybe Porter is more than servicible but to be anything more he has to play. Granted the dude has had some bad luck but he like the rest of his defensive tackle co-stars on the de-line, can't see over the opposing offensive line to find the Qb. Luther might be our tallest DT @ 6'3 but he apparently has Daddy drama. He's had 4 years to figure this college thing out. You can't be a star unless you work at it, unfortunately for him or fortunate for him he has a coach that cares how he plays.

Posted by: herbieibis | September 07, 2012 at 01:13 PM
-------------------------------------------

Briscoe is 6'5 Jelani plays mostly DE but is used at DT in spots is also 6'5

[UpNorthCane27]

That Alabama committ was just on ESPN playing with his highschool team the other day... No bueno young man!!

[herbieibis]

Hassan,
Did Briscoe even play? I'm talking about the ones that played. Grimble is 6'4 and Pierre is the same but both came in as DE's and didn't get to RS. We need some true bloods. Both Grimble & Pierre have put on close to 35 lbs since they arrived. I'm afraid that might be too much weight to quick and thus making them sluggish at times. To me if a tackle came in weighing 270 by the time he left school he should probably be no more than 310 after 4 years, unless he was a squatty nose-guard at 6'1 340.

[The Dude]

BC blew Robinson right off the line of scrimmage through most of last Saturdays game. My guess is that we wont miss him on the field.

[ScallopHead]

OGVYN, great article.

I love this place!

Go Canes!!!

[The Dude]

I understand where Robinson's family is coming from to a point. We all want to see our family members get more time because we feel like they can do things if only given the chance. But what they have to understand is that they have ZERO say and ZERO leverage with Coach. ZERO! Again ZERO! This isnt an 1st rounder or All-American or some freshman all world player that has eligibility left to go play somewhere else. Robinson compounds it by not practicing? Now you have to be disciplined. Now your kid isnt traveling Mr. Robinson. Smooth move. You probably just cost your kid the chance to even be drafted because lets face it, he was questionable at best before this happened.

[86Cane]

ScallopHead...The former NativeCane coming back as ScallopHead? LMAO!

[86Cane]

Miami has a better chance of landing Ricky town than USC. I have known Ricky since he was 10 yrs old.

Posted by: Harry Miller | September 07, 2012 at 12:08 PM

Ah-hem...now like I was jus sayin...LOL

[86Cane]

Welcome to Canespace. Wish Ricky good luck from us

Posted by: CGNC | September 07, 2012 at 1:09 PM

ALL BLOGGERS: Please take note THIS is how it is done around here. Where are your proper manners?

[solarcane]

big 12 game of the week

http://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/9/7/3300787/big-12-football-review-kansas-state-Miami-Hurricanes

[JameriCANE]

I have to go on the road this weekend. Anyone know how I can stream the game? The game is to be aired live on FX and Fox Deortes. I don't know where I can watch it online.

[solarcane]

espn3 probably

[solarcane]

jameri go here

http://www.theacc.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mfootbl.html?event=1111398&school=acc&sport=mfootbl&camefrom=&startschool=&

[Hassan]

Briscoe did not play, a few of our guys put on big weight and are playing slower. Aldarius Johnson did this in his career was running a 4.69 and ran a 4.42 at pro day this spring after he got back to his HS weight of 205.... Sometimes too much weight is not a good thing. Robinson is 288 kinda small for a DT but he had some quickness to get off the ball others did not show.
-------------------------------------------

Welcome to the Space new guy.

------------------------------------------

Bethune Tickets? how much are they how hard are they to get. I want like cheap seats lol I am driving down from Orlando.

[Ohio_Cane]

Wow, Saints bounty gate players won their appeal. No suspensions

[Old Skool]

ScallopHead LOL
I guess that makes me Pastabottom

Solar
I may go take a Wavewalk for a test drive tomorrow. Will let you know the results.

[86Cane]

Hassan...I'm sure UM would want you to buy them for $30 from the ticket office but you may want to just buy tickets outside the stadium when U get there, they should be aplenty. My buddy Kenny from Fort Myers may have two extra but not confirmed yet.

[Old Skool]

Vilma gets to play again.

A three-member appeals panel has overturned the player suspensions in the Saints bounty case, according to a source familiar with the ruling.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/09/07/saints-nfl-suspensions-appeal/index.html#ixzz25oijtLts

[Ohio_Cane]

DVD signed with the Steelers

[Felipe]

Vilma gets to play again.

A three-member appeals panel has overturned the player suspensions in the Saints bounty case, according to a source familiar with the ruling.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/09/07/saints-nfl-suspensions-appeal/index.html#ixzz25oijtLts

Posted by: Old Skool | September 07, 2012 at 04:18 PM

Love it!

[86Cane]

READ THIS AND BE READY TO LOL. WE BEEN HACKED!

http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=205681286

[Ohio_Cane]

READ THIS AND BE READY TO LOL. WE BEEN HACKED!

http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=205681286

Posted by: 86Cane | September 07, 2012 at 05:12 PM
-------------------------------------

I'm confused of what's funny and who's been hacked?

[LB]

"Raize...do not be surprised. Jus sayin."

We've had success nabbing California QB's before. Winning cures all, and UM's program is second to none. If memory serves, his dad was very impressed with UM, the fans, and the entire atmosphere. I'd like to have Town. A lot. He also seems like a head on shoulders person, which is exactly what we need.

Tell the Towns they've got me on their side.

"Savannah St is getting 70 1/2 points vs FSWho... LMAO!!

SEVENTY AND A HALF!!"

I hope FSU loses by 1,000. It serves them right to play the Unemployed Blockbuster Clerks one week, the Fighting Tito Jacksons the next, and Wake Forest the 3rd. Pathetic.

[4-Real]

Whaddup UpNorth!! Really appreciate that shout out brother!!! U & Herbie r the illest, 4-realist canesters around. The CEO would never give me a shout-out like that! Hell, even Cocane & Ogv have admitted 2 writing my name on their toilet paper!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Please 4-Real, I'm as close to a fan on here as you have, well, other than UpNorth who got you on that banner of his.

Hassan, you can find a ticket for $15 including fees here; http://www.stubhub.com/miami-hurricanes-football-tickets/miami-vs-bethune-cookman-9-15-2012-4043268/

I'm thinking it's not going to be a sellout so if you drive down, you can save five to ten of that probably shopping outside the stadium like the CEO advises.

I'll say this about ScallopHead, not only does he know where to find the bivalve mollusk, he was right about the team from what I saw in the BC game, better conditioning and better attitude. Two recruiting classes ago would have packed it in down 14 on the road, one recruiting class ago would have half the team trying to get back and win the game before falling just short due to poor nutrition and training in the off-season while the other half imitated soaring eagles on the sideline or some other dumb crap to entertain themselves instead of caring about the final result.

[86Cane]

I'm confused of what's funny and who's been hacked?

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | September 07, 2012 at 05:16 PM

They borrowed our idea and our exact words from the blog article for their title. That's what is LOL funny. Our article ran on 9/4 and theirs ran today on 9/7.

I'm jus sayin...

[LB]

"They borrowed our idea and our exact words from the blog article for their title. That's what is LOL funny. Our article ran on 9/4 and theirs ran today on 9/7.

I'm jus sayin..."

Great minds "think alike."

:)

[4-Real]

Food 4 thought..... Checking out tos and a blogger listed k-state's starting front 7 on defense. Could be wrong but their biggest & bestes d tackle is only 290! They get much smaller after that!

[WWIN]

Somebody had asked for the custom stadium sounds for ncaa 13, this might help

http://www.gamerosters.com/ncaa-football-stadium-sounds.html#acc

[4-Real]

Armwood takin a beetdown from American heritage.

[solarcane]

pastabottem,

good deal get a boat for cripes sake lol!

[Ohio_Cane]

@ByCasagrande: Miami volleyball stuns No. 6 Florida State, 3-1.

It's always great to beat Florida State!!

[solarcane]

I'm confused of what's funny and who's been hacked?

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | September 07, 2012 at 05:16 PM

They borrowed our idea and our exact words from the blog article for their title. That's what is LOL funny. Our article ran on 9/4 and theirs ran today on 9/7.

I'm jus sayin...

Posted by: 86Cane | September 07, 2012 at 07:02 PM

ujmmm heres a behind enemy lines from them on august 30th

http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=205671740

im jus sayin

[solarcane]

soup,
last time you came up what was your approx driving time, and would mine be about the same going south to your house?

[solarcane]

man when your qb's real name is Chucky Cheese how real do other teams take you?