Thursday, October 28, 2010

Pick submission designs of the week

Week 9's contenders for best designs of the week when submitting picks for the top five games. Vote for your favorite.

Submitted by Jeremy P.

Submitted by DJ U-Explicit Johnson

Submitted by Chris O.B.

Submitted by Robyn E.

Submitted by Richard B.

Live Fan Feedback: Week 9

Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.

Continually updated throughout the day...

Georgia over Florida - and who would have thought at the beginning of this season that each of these teams is now genuinely happy to be playing the other this weekend! Oregon over USC - Lane Kiffin and his undermanned team is sick and tired of losing, which does not count for squat when your opponent has feathers on its shoulder-pads. -- Glenn B.

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A sad time for me last Saturday
As I watched my Longhorns give it away.
The offense sucked, the defense too.
Even the special teams made me blue.
But a 5 and 0 week would be good don'tcha know
And keep the wife beatin' to an all-time low.
-- Danny K.

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Regards from Big O:

Sure got my comeupance last week so I'll try to curb my naturally adventuresome picking of winnwers -- emphasis on "try". Beating LSU had its advantages... absolutely no one this week has mentioned the refs at Auburn, although the group we had last weekend were rather questionable as well. The one applicable trueism is that good teams seem to overcome whatever the challenges, and we have so far. This week's game with many of our posters' former favorite Hog coach has "trap game" written all over it, especially with what has happened to recent frontrunners. AU, by all appeareances to those ITAT insiders I tend to trust, seems to be taking these lusty heights one game at a time. If they do it on the field next Saturday evening, it looks like they will definitely (with Chattanooga next) achieve the expectation I had for them this year, namely 10 wins during the season. But with me, as with most of our fans, we're beginning to believe this team may be something really special... and we know Cam is now and Michael will be barring injury. Well, enough of that; here are my picks for this weekend: 1) Florida State (actially Jimbo has done a rather good job and I expect him to continue, even away from home); 2) Georgia (this is a really hard one, but assuming most of UGA's parolees are cleared to make the trip, they seem to be getting better week by week -- I expect them to give us all we want at home in early November); 3) Nebraska (especially playing at home, I'll have to go with the favorite here, based upon comparative defenses); 4) Iowa (although their inconsistency could hurt them even at home against a good Big 10 -- if there is such a thing playing a good outsider -- team with some speed); and 5) USC (based solely on home field advantage and the fact that Oregon -- as so when USC was the lead dog in the past -- always seems to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory). 'Nuff said. Onward Saturday morning to the lovely Oxford with intent to deal a death blow to the Right Reverend whom I really find distasteful. War Cam Eagle, Run Michael Run and Sack Fairly Sack!

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Faldon's Other Five Thoughts:

Florida State - The Seminoles are graduating 64 percent of their football players. Arkansas is graduating 55 percent of its football players, who have thought Arkansas would have a better graduation percentage than SEC percentage at this point of the season?

Georgia — So the hip trend among the kids is Four Loko? (For the Dean of Arkansas sportswriters, an explanation: It's a alcoholic drink loaded with caffeine that comes in frou-frou flavors like watermelon, cherry and others designed to appeal to underage kids, college girls and men who have zero self-esteem.) I don't understand the appeal of combining booze and caffeine. Have a few Jagerbombs (Red Bull and Jagermeister) and try to sleep. You wind up staring at the ceiling as the booze wears off and the hangover begins. Or so I've heard.

Missouri - Solely for the bonus points.

Iowa - Again, solely for the Hawkeyes classic uniforms. They look like champions, even if they don't play like them.

Oregon - Redwoods > Hollywood

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The line on the Oregon-USC game is only 7? Are you kidding me? It should be 37!!! Here's to another 1-4 week! ("If everything instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right." - Jerry to George.) -- Alex Player

I think I'm heading for 0-5 this week. You are picking some really good games. Well done! -- SHM III

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Jeff G's Weekly Analysis

NC State – I think the Pack has something this year.

UGa – I’ve been burned by UGa many times in the past but I keep coming back for more. What’s that definition of insane? Something about doing something over and over but expecting a different result?

Nebraska – I know nothing about the Big 12 so I’m going with the homer. Again. Like OSU last week. See note above.

MSU showed me something last week coming back from 17-0 in Evanston. Previous teams would have fallen apart. After Iowa, MSU plays Minnesota, Purdue and Penn State. So this might be for the Big Ten. My father-in-law, probably in a drunken boast, promised to take my wife and brother-in-law to the Rose Bowl if MSU ever got there. We’ll see.

Oregon – can’t say I know anything about the Pac-10 either. Which makes me wonder if I know what I’m talking about at all. One thing I do know: USC Song Girls.

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Seminole Prognosticator's Winning Picks:

I may start slow, I may be slow, but, well, er... Ok I am slow but I am coming on and the Seminole Prognosticator will not be denied this year!! Yes, Florida State seems to be regaining a bit of the Glory Days (humble tribute to The Boss) but NC State seems to cause us fits over the last couple of years..... BUT NOT THIS YEAR!!!

Florida State

What am I to do.... a loyal Seminole contemplating the Gagtors for an unpset.... decisions, decisions...

Florida (Ugggh, I have to go wash my hands, I feel so dirty)

I was shocked at Missouri against OU, normally would have to pick the Huskers but not this week...

Missouri

MSU has made a believer outta me!!

Michigan State

Oregon - USC (Unless Mitch Mustain's mom comes out of the stands and blasts Kiffen for not starting her son in this game. Is Mustain still at USC? What if Mustain's mom started at quarterback? (Read this in your best Southside Chicago accent... If there were two hurricanes and one was named Mustain's mom and one was named Ditka, who would win?..... DITKA!!)

Another No.1

For the past three weeks, the No.1 team in the polls or BCS has gone down. Lets keep up the same tradition this week.

Curse of Number one
Hope Auburn suffers the same
Very overrated.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Epic radio rant at Arkansas State game

Seems there was a helmet-to-helmet hit in the ASU-Florida Atlantic game on the FAU quarterback. That inspired the FAU radio guy to eventually challenge the other folks in the press box to fight.

College football's best five games of Week 9

On the Poolsville Facebook group, there is something I like to call the Big Game Index. Click on the Discussions tab and then click the post for the latest week. Scroll to the bottom and you'll see the pool record of each team that has made an appearance in the pool so far. I think this is a good measure of a team's worth because it only looks at how they have performed in big games. Conversely, it is also a measure of how bad a team really is, and this Saturday in the "Florida vs. Georgia Football Classic," formerly known as the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, two teams with 0-2 records in the Big Game Index will be battling to see who can tie Notre Dame and vie for the Poolsville Skunk of the Year award (also won last year by Notre Dame). So good luck to the Bulldogs and Gators in their pursuit to stay away from this dubious honor, and if you are on Facebook and haven't joined the Poolsville group yet, we gon find you.

Florida State - NC State
6:45 p.m., Thursday, ESPN
Line: Florida State by 3

World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party
Florida - Georgia
2:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS
Line: Georgia by 2

Battle for the Victory Bell
Missouri - Nebraska
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC/ESPN
Line: Nebraska by 7
* Underdog worth three points

Michigan State - Iowa
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC/ESPN
Line: Iowa by 6
* Underdog worth three points

Oregon - USC
7 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Oregon by 7
* Underdog worth three points

Good luck.
****#****

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Project Playoffs:
Week 8 standings and seedings


If all was fair and right in college football, this is what the realigned conference standings would look like in Week 8 with seedings for a 16-team playoff. (Seedings are derived from the Massey Comparison Rankings, which take every poll and computer rating into account.)

First-round match-ups:

16 Navy at 1 TCU
15 Virginia Tech at 2 Boise State
14 Florida State at 3 Oregon
13 Stanford at 4 Auburn
12 LSU at 5 Missouri
11 Nebraska at 6 Alabama
10 Ohio State at 7 Oklahoma
9 Utah at 8 Michigan State

Click here for a full explanation of Project Playoffs.

Mid-South
1 TCU (8-0)
7 Oklahoma (6-1)
Oklahoma State (6-1)
Arkansas (5-2)
Baylor (6-2)
Texas (4-3)
Texas A&M (4-3)
Texas Tech (4-3)
Houston (4-3)

Northwest
2 Boise State (6-0)
3 Oregon (7-0)
9 Utah (7-0)
Oregon State (3-3)
Air Force (5-3)
Washington (3-4)
Fresno State (5-2)
BYU (3-5)
Washington State (1-7)

Southern
4 Auburn (8-0)
6 Alabama (7-1)
12 LSU (7-1)
Mississippi State (6-2)
Southern Miss (5-2)
Ole Miss (3-4)
Tennessee (2-5)
Vanderbilt (2-5)
Memphis (1-6)

Midwest
5 Missouri (7-0)
11 Nebraska (6-1)
Wisconsin (7-1)
Iowa (5-2)
Kansas State (5-2)
Iowa State (4-4)
Colorado (3-4)
Kansas (2-5)
Minnesota (1-7)

Mid-North
8 Michigan State (8-0)
10 Ohio State (7-1)
Illinois (4-3)
Michigan (5-2)
Notre Dame (4-4)
Cincinnati (3-4)
Louisville (4-3)
Purdue (4-3)
Indiana (4-3)

Southwest
13 Stanford (6-1)
Arizona (6-1)
USC (5-2)
California (4-3)
Hawaii (6-2)
Arizona State (3-4)
UCLA (3-4)
UTEP (5-3)
New Mexico (0-7)

Southeast
14 Florida State (6-1)
South Carolina (5-2)
Miami (5-2)
Florida (4-3)
Clemson (4-3)
Georgia (4-4)
Central Florida (5-2)
Georgia Tech (5-3)
South Florida (4-3)

Atlantic
15 Virginia Tech (6-2)
North Carolina State (5-2)
North Carolina (4-3)
East Carolina (5-2)
Maryland (5-2)
Kentucky (4-4)
Virginia (3-4)
Wake Forest (2-5)
Duke (1-6)

Northeast
16 Navy (5-2)
Pittsburgh (4-3)
West Virginia (5-2)
Penn State (4-3)
Syracuse (5-2)
Rutgers (4-3)
Army (4-3)
Connecticut (3-4)
Boston College (2-5)

Monday, October 25, 2010

Ramon's Escoblog: Week 8

The Awesome Meter: Rating the awesomeness of Week 8 -- Auburn jumps Oregon to No. 1 in the BCS standings: Rating 2 (Under Armour)... Impending e-mails about Auburn being No. 1 in the BCS standings: Rating 1 (Tony Barbee)... AP getting it right with Oregon No. 1 and Boise State No. 2: Rating 5 (Gregory Brothers)... Three No. 1 teams in a row going down to the underdog: Rating 4 (Haydenmobile)... Iowa clock management in the final seconds against Wisconsin: Rating 1 (Airliner closing)... Missouri's crowd sending Oklahoma and Stoops home Ramon style: Rating 5 (Dr. Ingenthron's lozenge)... Another Longhorn loss at home to ruin Sal's weekend: Rating 2 (Crazy Ed's missing clothes)... Oregon play-calling signs on the sideline: Rating 5 (Bundy is a Pig)... Oregon breaking out the volt uniforms on a Thursday night: Rating 5 (Ronaldinho dance)... Navy beating Notre Dame for third time in last four years: Rating 2 (The Dagobah system wasn't built in a day)... Ryan Mallett getting benched during the first rain delay: Rating 3 (Vratsinas Twitter posts on ethanol and soybeans)... Shiloh recruiting coordinator Jimmy Dykes getting 15 minutes of airtime during the second quarter: Rating 2 (Sol the clown)... Razorback fans' continued obsession with Houston Nutt: Rating 1 (Danny Ford)

Pick submission designs of the week

Week 8's contenders for best designs of the week when submitting picks for the top five games. Vote for your favorite.

Submitted by DJ U-Explicit Johnson

Submitted by Robyn E.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Live Fan Feedback: Week 8 Friday

Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.

Continually updated throughout the day...

Sue Everybody by Glenn B.

LSU dumps Auburn - Cam Newton is taught that even he is subject to the laws of nature and physics. LSU, on the other hand, is not.

Wisconsin over Iowa, only because I prefer cheese over corn.

Oklahoma State over Nebraska - the children of the corn continue to weep.

Miami over North Carolina - Miami wrote the book on recruiting violations and will not be upstaged by newcomer UNC.

Oklahoma over Missouti - not even close.

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An ode to my trip this weekend to see the Longhorns play Iowas State in Darrell K. Royal Stadium in God's Country.

I'm glad that I'll be out of town
when this week's Hog football goes down.
I just can't stand to hear one more whine
about the touchdown that wasn't, at the goal line.

-- Danny K.

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Jeff G's Weekly Analysis:

Nice jump up the standings for me last week.

The bad calls did not cost us the game – Auburn’s 65 points did. Speaking of bad calls, I might go 0-5 this week – these are tough.

Auburn – Another one where my pick would be different if it was at the other stadium.

Iowa – Wisconsin looked good last week, but I don’t think they can take that intensity on the road.

OSU – going with the ‘dog at home…and the bonus points.

UNC- I can’t stand Carolina and I really don’t know why I’m picking them, but here we are.

OU – Not sure what to think about this one either.

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How about we call the Bowden Bowl the "Uncomfortable Selection Bowl"? -- Robb O.

I find the more time I spend writing an antedote about how I made my picks, the worse I do in the results. -- Bizzy G

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Live Fan Feedback: Week 8 Thursday

Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.

Continually updated throughout the day...

Regards From Big O:

Seriously, anyone who blames the Hog's loss upon bad calls hasn't viewed the CBS frame-by-frame from two sides presented simultaneous as some of us have. At best, they were inconclusive and certainly did not present enough irrefutable evidence necessary to overturn the refs' calls. Incidently, where did those baffoons (especially Vern) calling the game get the idea none of the refs made the TD call? They all huddled before making their call ... as they should have. Also, the seperate frames show that the Hog's defender swung his hand from inside the goal line, downwards and toward the open field. Obviously, the ball was knocked backwards (the sideline TV view was completely blocked by your defender, incidently) and downward at an angle, striking perhaps 2 inches before the goal line, thus strongly suggesting that the nose of the ball broke the vertical plane before being jarred loose. Nevertheless, I personally observed right in front of my North endzone seats (and the replay on my 62 inhch TV verified) your Hog receiver pushing off (by fully extending both arms I might add) inside the 20 near the sidelines for one of your long TDs. Likewise, the Pass Interference call in our endzone (right in front of me also) was clearly bogus -- it is not a PI penalty for a defender to hand check a receiver so long as he dosen't hook him, grab him or push him. Besides the pass was at least 10 feet or more in front of and above the receiver, thus uncatchable. That set up a second TV as did the hoirrible spot the refs gave your receiver coming back for the ball outside the 30 yard line on that fourth down play ... that conversion also led to a TD. Another call that set up the short field for your first TD, nullifing a 25 yard pass completion for AU to mid-field was the phantom holding call on Ziemba when his block was picture perfect (per the replay), knocking your defensive end down and Lee falling on him. If that's a hold, these refs should get a good look at bammer's 10 game streak without a single hold. Regardless, we won by 22 points and Cam was virtually unstoppable except for some unfavorab le penalty calls. Bottom line, we had the better team last Saturday and the whinning by local news hacks and a lot of Hog fans smack of being delusional.

Be it what it is or, as Nicky would say, "It is what it is." It's indeed time to pick this week's picks, hopefully with the same skill demonstrated last week -- but doubtfully so. Incidently, I also was the winner over hundreds of posters on ITAT's 10 team picks last week ... guess I was just hot, at least for one week. Here goes: 1) Auburn (because we have Cam (with some pretty good receivers as well,) Michael's sore knee is better, and our coaching isn't just a lucky idiot); 2) Iowa (only because they are playing at home and Wisconsin is probably still celebrating last week's upset); 3) Oklahoma State (again it's a home game, they are better than anyone expected and the Huskers' QB was proved to be vulnerable last week); 4) Miami (because North Carolina doesn't travel well either); and 5) Oklahoma (because they've had their poor performance for this year -- at least prior to playing a SEC team in the bowl game).

That's it for another week. Sue, Trey and I are leaving Friday, corn dogs in hand, for the Promised Land again with 8 and 0 clearly in our sights before we travel the next weekend for Faulkner Land to play the ... ugh, Bears.

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Fun With Aubie Jones:

Auburn - I'm picking the "good" tigers even though I lack complete confidence in this game, LSU has dashed our hopes many times over the decades.

Wisconsin - Who is Iowa? I know the Cyclones had a big victory over Michigan last week though.

Nebraska - I really was torn on this one but OSU's D does not compare to Nebraska's.

North Carolina - Every time I pick Miami, they lose.

Oklahoma - as much as I want chOklahoma to lose, I think they win this one.

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LSU vs. Auburn... can they both lose? I guess I'll just go with the lucky hat. -- Brendan O.

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Faldon's Other Five Thoughts:

Auburn — It’s a mere 3.2 miles (says Google) from the Auburn University Regional Airport (yes, the school owns an airport) to Jordan-Hare Stadium. But from what I saw during a 30-minute van ride to the stadium, it might just be The Loveliest Village on the Plains. I’d like to spend more than seven hours there sometime.

Iowa - If only because I like their uniforms.

Nebraska - Bo Pelini is pissed.

Miami - Both teams fight to avoid further disappointment (just like Arkansas and Ole Miss).

Oklahoma - Will Rogers > Sklar Brothers (from ESPN).

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

College football's five best games of the week

OK, Razorback fans, it's time to stop blaming it on the bad calls and move on to the next Saturday. And luckily for you there is no Ole Miss-Arkansas game to worry about for pool points. Plenty of bonus points could be up for grabs this week in games featuring the favorite schools and alma maters of many people in the pool.

So here are the games for Week 8. For $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, named after that famous Missouri alumnus whose college roommate is currently tied for second in the standings, select your winners and e-mail them back to me by 5 p.m. Friday.


The Tiger Bowl
LSU - Auburn
2:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS
Line: Auburn by 6
* Underdog worth three points

Battle for the Heartland Trophy
Wisconsin - Iowa
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC/ESPN
Line: Iowa by 5
* Underdog worth three points

Nebraska - Oklahoma State
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Nebraska by 5
* Underdog worth three points

North Carolina - Miami
6:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN2
Line: Miami by 6
* Underdog worth three points

Oklahoma - Missouri
7 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Oklahoma by 3


Good luck.
****#****

Song Spoof Haiku

Since it was a screw up from one of the refs that contributed to Arkansas getting beat this past week, I decided to do a song spoof haiku from none other than the so-called lip synchers Milli Vanilli.

Blame it on the refs
Milli Vanilli song spoof
Now lets beat Ole Miss.

Faldon's Five Thoughts: Auburn Barn Burner

Five Thoughts

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

New Razorback theme song



Project Playoffs:
Week 7 standings and seedings


If all was fair and right in college football, this is what the realigned conference standings would look like in Week 7 with seedings for a 16-team playoff. (Seedings are derived from the Massey Comparison Rankings, which take every poll and computer rating into account.)

First-round match-ups:

16 West Virginia at 1 Oklahoma
15 Virginia Tech at 2 Boise State
14 Florida State at 3 TCU
13 Ohio State at 4 Oregon
12 Oklahoma State at 5 Auburn
11 Utah at 6 LSU
10 Michigan State at 7 Missouri
9 Stanford at 8 Alabama

Click here for a full explanation of Project Playoffs.

Mid-South
1 Oklahoma (6-0)
3 TCU (7-0)
12 Oklahoma State (6-0)
Texas (4-2)
Arkansas (4-2)
Baylor (5-2)
Texas A&M (3-3)
Texas Tech (3-3)
Houston (3-3)

Northwest
2 Boise State (6-0)
4 Oregon (6-0)
11 Utah (6-0)
Oregon State (3-3)
Air Force (5-2)
Washington (3-3)
Fresno State (4-2)
BYU (2-5)
Washington State (1-6)

Southern
5 Auburn (7-0)
6 LSU (7-0)
8 Alabama (6-1)
Mississippi State (5-2)
Southern Miss (5-2)
Ole Miss (3-3)
Tennessee (2-4)
Vanderbilt (2-4)
Memphis (1-6)

Midwest
7 Missouri (6-0)
Iowa (5-1)
Nebraska (5-1)
Wisconsin (6-1)
Kansas State (5-1)
Colorado (3-3)
Iowa State (3-4)
Kansas (2-4)
Minnesota (1-6)

Southwest
9 Stanford (5-1)
Arizona (5-1)
USC (5-2)
Hawaii (5-2)
California (3-3)
Arizona State (3-3)
UCLA (3-3)
UTEP (5-2)
New Mexico (0-6)

Mid-North
10 Michigan State (7-0)
13 Ohio State (6-1)
Michigan (5-2)
Notre Dame (4-3)
Illinois (3-3)
Cincinnati (3-3)
Purdue (4-2)
Louisville (3-3)
Indiana (4-2)

Southeast
14 Florida State (6-1)
South Carolina (4-2)
Florida (4-3)
Miami (4-2)
Georgia Tech (5-2)
Central Florida (4-2)
Georgia (3-4)
Clemson (3-3)
South Florida (3-3)

Atlantic
15 Virginia Tech (5-2)
North Carolina (4-2)
North Carolina State (5-2)
East Carolina (4-2)
Kentucky (4-3)
Maryland (4-2)
Virginia (2-4)
Wake Forest (2-5)
Duke (1-5)

Northeast
16 West Virginia (5-1)
Navy (4-2)
Pittsburgh (3-3)
Penn State (3-3)
Rutgers (4-2)
Connecticut (3-3)
Syracuse (4-2)
Army (4-3)
Boston College (2-4)

Friday, October 15, 2010

Pick submission designs of the week

Week 7's contenders for best designs of the week when submitting picks for the top five games. Vote for your favorite.

Submitted by DJ U-Explicit Johnson

Submitted by Chad C.

Submitted by Robyn E.

Submitted by DJ Jazzy Heif

Also submitted by DJ Jazzy Heif

Live Fan Feedback: Auburn Friday

Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.

Continually updated throughout the day...

The results of my experiment are: It takes six weeks until all hell breaks loose. -- Beth S.

Danny K: Pool Poet Laureate

I hope the teams I picked will win
I can't go one and four again.
A Texas win would sure be great
And so would one from Ohio State.
USC and Auburn too
Would certainly keep me from feeling blue.
A Hawkeye win would complete the week
And save my wife from a busted cheek.

Sidebar: When my son was about 6 or 7, Iowa was playing on TV and he walks by and said, "Daddy, is it the Iowa Hawk-Eyes, or the Iowa Hawk-Guys?" Ever since then, they have been the Hawk Guys around our house.

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Mallett better decide before tomorrow that he wants to be a smart quarterback or Auburn is going to dismantle him. -- John R.

I agree with you on Nebraska's strength of schedule. I hope Texas wins, even though not likely. The BCS system is a joke! -- Party P.

All hail the War Eagle! -- Trip

All nail biting, walk on the couch, scream at the TV match ups this week. I looked for inspiration and insight in the pages of ESPN, but their neutral styling of writing left me waiting and wanting for some Divine Intervention. Visualizations were very foggy on the Iowa-Michigan game so I went to the time tested, mother approved coin flip. Drawing a quarter from my pocket, I realized it was a State Quarter (from the popular State series). This one was minted in 2004 and represents the great Hawkeye State. Omens being what they are... I found no reason to even flip it. -- Bizzy G

Tell the Auburn contingent when they send their yearly emails back & forth about the slings & arrows they receive each year from the mean & hateful Hog fans to not hit "reply all" because some of us don't give a s##t about how hard it is to be an Auburn fan. And one other thing, lowly Arkansas has twice as many players in the NFL Hall of Fame as Auburn. -- Sir Thomas

Live Fan Feedback: Michael Dyer Thursday

Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.

Continually updated throughout the day...

I really wish the game was on any other channel - I will be using the mute button a lot if I watch. I love Verne but that other guy - come on, man - frosted hair and a fake tan? Are you trying out for "Dancing with the Stars" or are you calling a football game? $5 he mentions Alabama and Florida multiple times each during the game. He will definitely insult Arkansas multiple times. And he will miss key plays and penalties because he is yammering on about something or other. Thanks for the ominous warning about this week and your selection of games. I am using my mediocre record this season and hopefully reverse psychology of picking Auburn will throw some mojo the Razorbacks way - because they will need it. -- Kate D.

I think another prize up for grabs should be a "big war Eagle" - not sure what it is but wouldn't mind winning one. -- Tom Van Damme

IA (This is for GUS, I picked MI) -- Trip

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Regards from Big O:

Win or lose Saturday, my rescue/companion dog (definately half boxer and, per vet's guess, part Great Dame) "Rowdy" is built like a linebacker, quick as a defensive back and attacks like a defensive end...he will take on and defeat any dog owned by any of your pool members who chose, ill advised, to give me or any Auburn fan grief before or after the game Saturday. Incidently, my dog is bigger and tougher than Lee's boxer of a decade or more ago named after linebacker Tekeo Spikes (Rowdy continues Lee's or my tendency to name our dogs after AU sports persons, in this case Rowdy Gaines). Getting on with it, nothing really surprising about these picks: 1) Auburn (our 40th place defense nationally is based upon playing some rather good offenses compared to your Hog's higher ranking against lesser offensive minded teams, and we have a top ranking offense total yards wise that balances its attack); 2) USC (because they are playing at home the week and really mad -- embarassment does that to some -- after that agent exposed in SI how often their players are paid while still at college while also revealing how few buyable players play for Cal); 3) Iowa (because Michigan really, really isn't very good even at home); 4) Texas (shame over their earlier year performances coupled with the lure of bonus points over come the home field/better defense advantages for the Corn Huskers -- rather lame nickname if you ask me -- should lead to an upset); 5) Wisconsin (home field advantage coupled with the ability to defense OSU's QB coupled with the Buckeye's tendency to melt under fire from a decent team support this pick). Well, that's all folks until I return to LR Sunday either with my shield or on it. War Cam Eagle and unleash Big Michael!

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I will return to my tradition of not picking Razorback games this week after my brief hiatus. I definitely can't risk jinxing the Hogs this week. -- Brendan O.

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Fun With Aubie Jones:

Auburn - I have to pick Auburn but I seem to be more disappointed at the end of these games than not. Our defensive weakness is mainly with our db's so this game really has me nervous. It could be high scoring for sure.

USC - Lane Kiffen is the biggest douche bag in college football and I hope he loses this game but the talent is there regardless of his sorry coaching abilities.

Michigan - Who is Iowa??

Nebraska - The Horns suck. Nuff said.

Wisconsin - They will be "Jumping Around" in Wisconsin during and after this game. Hopefully.

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Man, you forgot the part where Trey bought Dyer some merchandise. Picking Auburn but would take Arkansas at Auburn if Nutt was still coaching the Hogs. -- Jerry W., 2010 World Cup Pool Champion (I got my only 5-0 in the history of the pool when I signed my picks that way. This is my new strategy.)

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Jeff G. Presents "How to go 2-3":

1) "I'm not going to fall of your temptations of bonus points this week."

2) "at first glance I would not be that surprised if USC pulled the upset. Then I watched that 'Bama/Florida game. One of the SI guys said it best when he characterized ‘Bama as the Death Star."

3) Miami beat the hell out of Pitt and I think Pitt is better than FSU. Add to that the history of this game and I think Miami takes this one easily.

SW Classic was cool. Hard to keep disciplined and watch the actual game instead of that giant screen, esp. when the resolution is so good that you could see the sweat on the cheerleader’s upper lips. Nice. Real nice.

Auburn – I don’t think we’re good enough. Not on the road. Hope I’m wrong.

USC – I wonder if we can play USC in Cowboys stadium. Big monitor + USC Song Girls = “What happened? Did someone just score?”

Iowa – I like Iowa’s D to bottle up UM. I don’t like Rich Rod.

NU – no exposure to Big 12 games this year, so I’m going with the homers.

The Cheese a/k/a Wisconsin – going with my gut. Hopefully this will not be another quote to prove how dumb I am.

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Faldon's Other Five Thoughts:

Auburn — Forget sports for a moment, did you see that mine rescue in Chile? More importantly, did you see Larry King's coverage of it? They're pulling these guys out, one-by-one, via a coffin-sized capsule. It took/takes nearly 20 minutes to pull them out. Yet what does King do? He brings on Mike Rowe, the very likable host of "Dirty Jobs." Because, I guess, Rowe was the only person in a 200-mile radius who has actually been inside a mine.I guess if there's a food shortage somewhere, King will bring on Padma from Top Chef. Anyway, I was disappointed King didn't bring on David Blaine to talk about what life was like buried alive. Oh, the game? I'm not convinced Arkansas can put up a 60-minute game. Didn't against Alabama. Didn't against A&M. Might not against Auburn.

California - Those hippies can still ball.

Michigan - Shoelace jumps back on top of the Heisman polls this week.

Nebraska - The Cornhuskers have pointed to this game since last year's Big 12 title game. Plus Texas isn't that good.

Wisconsin - Leinkugel's Brewery, Chippewa Falls > Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland

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Seems as if Wally is proud of Michael Dyer, he features his mug on front of sports page every other week. Mike Dyer SUCKS! -- David S.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Faldon's Five Thoughts:

Five Thoughts

Arkansas-Auburn Haiku

Since the Arkansas-Auburn game is this weekend, I had to make a haiku about it:

Big game this weekend
First Auburn loss in the air
That makes the fans cringe.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Project Playoffs:
Week 6 standings and seedings


Nebraska is ranked No. 4 in the USA Today poll. Please tell me how their schedule so far has been tougher than Boise State's. It hasn't. According to Sagarin, Nebraska's strength of schedule is No. 76, and Boise State's is No. 28. Yet you never hear Mark May or any of the other anti-Boise people complain about Nebraska being in the top five right now.

This plan would settle it all on the field instead of in the media, coffee shops, and message boards. If all was fair and right in college football, this is what the realigned conference standings would look like in Week 6 with seedings for a 16-team playoff. (Seedings are derived from the Massey Comparison Rankings, which take every poll and computer rating into account.)

First-round match-ups:

16 West Virginia at 1 Boise State
15 NC State at 2 TCU
14 Arizona at 3 Oregon
13 Michigan State at 4 LSU
12 South Carolina at 5 Nebraska
11 Missouri at 6 Ohio State
10 Stanford at 7 Oklahoma
9 Auburn at 8 Alabama

Click here for a full explanation of Project Playoffs.

Northwest
1 Boise State (5-0)
3 Oregon (6-0)
Utah (5-0)
Oregon State (3-2)
Air Force (5-1)
Washington (2-3)
Fresno State (3-2)
BYU (2-4)
Washington State (1-5)

Mid-South
2 TCU (6-0)
7 Oklahoma (5-0)
Oklahoma State (5-0)
Arkansas (4-1)
Texas (3-2)
Texas A&M (3-2)
Baylor (4-2)
Texas Tech (3-2)
Houston (3-2)

Southern
4 LSU (6-0)
8 Alabama (5-1)
9 Auburn (6-0)
Mississippi State (4-2)
Southern Miss (4-2)
Ole Miss (3-2)
Vanderbilt (2-3)
Tennessee (2-4)
Memphis (1-5)

Midwest
5 Nebraska (5-0)
11 Missouri (5-0)
Iowa (4-1)
Wisconsin (5-1)
Kansas State (4-1)
Colorado (3-2)
Iowa State (3-3)
Kansas (2-3)
Minnesota (1-5)

Mid-North
6 Ohio State (6-0)
13 Michigan State (6-0)
Michigan (5-1)
Illinois (3-2)
Notre Dame (3-3)
Cincinnati (2-3)
Louisville (3-2)
Purdue (3-2)
Indiana (3-2)

Southwest
10 Stanford (5-1)
14 Arizona (4-1)
California (3-2)
USC (4-2)
Arizona State (3-3)
UCLA (3-3)
Hawaii (4-2)
UTEP (5-1)
New Mexico (0-6)

Southeast
12 South Carolina (4-1)
Florida State (5-1)
Florida (4-2)
Miami (3-2)
Georgia Tech (4-2)
Central Florida (3-2)
Georgia (2-4)
Clemson (2-3)
South Florida (3-2)

Atlantic
15 North Carolina State (5-1)
Virginia Tech (4-2)
North Carolina (3-2)
Maryland (4-1)
East Carolina (3-2)
Kentucky (3-3)
Virginia (2-3)
Wake Forest (2-4)
Duke (1-4)

Northeast
16 West Virginia (4-1)
Penn State (3-3)
Navy (2-2)
Syracuse (4-1)
Pittsburgh (2-3)
Connecticut (3-3)
Army (4-2)
Rutgers (3-2)
Boston College (2-3)

Friday, October 08, 2010

Pick submission designs of the week

Week 6's contenders for best designs of the week when submitting picks for the top five games. Vote for your favorite.

Submitted by DJ U-Explicit Johnson

Submitted by Chuck F.

Submitted by Aggie Mark

Submitted by Robyn E.

Live Fan Feedback: Friday style

Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.

Continually updated throughout the day...

WOO-PIG!!! Go Hogs! What better way to come off a loss to the #1 team in the nation than to have an off week and come back refreshed and fired up! This should be an exciting week! The hogs can go to Cowboy Stadium and live the dream of playing in an unbelievable facility and beating the home team! If I know Bobby, he will have the boys prepared to play ball tomorrow! I fully expect to see Ryan staying calm when making throws, the offensive line standing firm on the ball to protect their QB so we can make some plays and share the clock with our defense, the defensive line to push through and make some big plays!!! Can't wait to watch!!! -- Randi P.

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This Weeks Poem, a Haiku:

Big football surprise.
Austin is happy this week.
The Longhorns won't lose.

-- Danny K.

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These seem too easy. I expect a 2-3. -- Mark H.

Actually kinda wishing this series was a home-home arrangement. Would be cool to see Ags in Fayetteville or LR. Although, you can't get $11 beers at campus stadium. -- Aggie Mark

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Regards from Big O:

Having relearned an old lesson when it comes to picking winners based in part upon your additional points, here are my picks for this week: 1) Michigan (based upon past experience with Michigan State only surprising the talking jocks once out of every two opportunities); 2) Arkansas (yes, I've resisted the urge to pick A&M when I know most pool members will go with the home team with the added possibility for extra points because the Hogs demonstrated they could play at least 3 quarters against the last mythical national champions and they are a good SEC team); 3) Alabama (sigh, I refuse to make the same mistake that I have made two times this season although I will still be pulling for the "old ball coach" to awaken some of his distant magic with a team that "could" at home expose the Tahd for the pretender it really is this year...aw heck, my Tigers will just have to do that the Friday after Thanksgiving); 4) Florida (because I fully expect that miserable excuse for a head coach at the Red Stick to screw up so bad even the luck of the Irish can't help him beat a less than stellar shell of the Gator's old self...as one of the comments on our AU website correctly observed last week, LSWho's bozo could aim a rifle at his foot and bag a 12 point buck); and 5) Florida State (because I still don't really believe the Hurricanes are that good, even playing at home, and I think FSU's talent is equal coupled with a better coach). Well, there's my picks, and I better do better than last week if I hope to stay ahead of the remaining Davis/AU clan! Again, War Cam Eagle!!!

Thursday, October 07, 2010

From the Champagne Room with Shane Champagne



No matter what you think of Brett Favre's decision making ability, you gotta give it to him on this: He couldn't have chosen a much hotter girl to risk his marriage and career on. Brett Favre's Cellphone Seduction Of Jenn Sterger? (Video at link is NSFW. Unless you work at a strip club, adult book store, or advertising agency.)

Faldon's Five Thoughts: Better late than never, right?

I was so worried about Matt's mental state after Little Rock finished 220nd in the list of Best Sports Cities, I forgot to post yesterday ...

Faldon's Five Thoughts

Live Fan Feedback: Thursday prediction line

Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.

Continually updated throughout the day...

"And That's the Way it is Today" by Moose:

1) I was flashed by a couple of girls on Hwy 55 while driving to New Oleans today. They were from Michigan! - WooHoo Michigan!

2) Hattan left a nice stain on the back of my shirt during a round of the traditional IC grade school game of "Buns Up" in 5th grade, not normal. - Arkansas BEAT Aggies!

3) My old boss was a dick. He was a Gamecock fan, too. Go figure. Hmmmm, Go Bama!

4) Did I tell you what happened to me on my way to New Orleans today? I'm thinking LSU.

5) I know that the huricane season is not over, but a low pressure system is dominating Florida this weekend, Florida State that is!

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Five for Five with Mickey D:

Go Blue, of course! (I will be in Ann Arbor at this game cheering for U of M and hoping DRob can hang 500+ in offense on Sparty; However, DRob will never compare to Cryin Mallett as Mallett is the front runner for the Heisman (in delusional R-Kansas' fans minds only));

R-Kansas (As much as it pains me to pick the Hogs, their trip to Jerry World will be rewarding as A&M just doesn't have the firepower to match up; Sherman should go back to the pros as a coordinator. How can you have 3 straight top 20 recruiting classes and still suck?!?);

Gotz to go with the GUMPS (The ole Ball Coach hitched his wagon to Stephen Garcia who is more concerned with drinking alcohol and sniffing cocaine. Satan wins another tough one on his way to the easy part of the schedule);

Florida (Clock management appears to still be an issue with Michigan Man Les Miles. They must not have offered that class in Ann Arbor when he was in school?); and

Miami (Can you say WIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE RIGHT!!??)

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Faldon's Other Five Thoughts:

Michigan - Denard "Shoelace" Robinson has a great nickname. Whatever happened to athletes having great nicknames? The Galloping Ghost, the Yankee Clipper, Oil Can Boyd and Mean Joe Greene nod with approval at Shoelace.

Arkansas - Which sets up a top-10 game against Auburn next week, and we all know how Arkansas does in those.

Alabama - The Ole Ball Coach might pull the upset though.

Florida - If only because Urban Meyer won't have 37 players on defense on the final play of the game.

Miami - South Beach > State Capitol

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Jeff G's Weekly Analysis:

I'm going to be at this A&M game this weekend. First time to see the new Jerry Jones Shrine. You’re right about those 6-point spreads - somebody knows something. I'm not going to fall for your temptations of bonus points this week.

MSU - Gotta keep riding the Spartan train.

Hogs - I like the idea of the SW Classic. It's good to relive old hate. And you know how much I love hate.

'Bama - at first glance I would not be that surprised if USC pulled the upset. Then I watched that 'Bama/Florida game. One of the SI guys said it best when he characterized ‘Bama as the Death Star.

Florida - not sure how long LSU can go on living on the edge. If this was in Baton Rouge I would have taken the Tigers though.

Miami - Miami beat the hell out of Pitt and I think Pitt is better than FSU. Add to that the history of this game and I think Miami takes this one easily. Jinx.

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This is an easy week. But, we'll run the model anyway. Norman - your days are numbered. -- Sal

I need about five straight 5-0 weeks. How embarrasing. Stanford, too smart for its own good... -- Dean of Sportswriters

It's eerie how well you know me. The celebratory bonfire following the Ags win over the Hogs will surely sear the eyebrows of every young Cub Scout in attendance at our campout. And, since my wife is a Mizzou grad, we did have to name one of our pets after Truman the Tiger, much to my dismay. Everything else is spot on. -- Aggie Mark

Gotta try to make up some points this week. There is no way Beranek should be that far ahead of me. Go Hogs, don't let me down! -- Tom Van Damme

Regarding your reference to "Gig'em", is this related to a "gig line" as in the allignment of shirt to buckle to fly on military uniforms (which of course stays with us for a life time when dressing for whatever)? If so, I assume it comes from the A&M military students. Just curious. -- Big O

Memphis -- So as I wait for my flight to Boston I ponder some cosmic irony. After three Saturdays of consecutive college football for at least thirty hours of TV watching, this Saturday will be football free as we wander the highways and biways of scenic Vermont and New Hampshire for a full day of leafing. The things we men do. As a special bonus she's picking. Wish her luck. -- Jeremy P.

You should have gone with the Tennessee/Georgia game and made it an underdog pick. That would have been like being back in college, being drunk at a party somewhere, and trying to decide between going home with a fat chick or taking it home "solo." -- DJ U-Explicit Johnson

I'll take UM cause the criminals are playing at home -- their players don't have to worry about leaving the county and violating probation. -- Steve N.

The Luck of Les Miles - LSUFreek

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

College football's best five games of Week 6

Aggie Mark was once a normal high school student who enjoyed such normal activities as sneaking beer into horror movies and coughing loudly to mask the sound of opening the can. But then he went to college at Texas A&M and things started to change. Now, he only wears white short-sleeved jumpsuits and whenever something good happens he does six pushups and kisses the person next to him. He answers every phone call with "Howdy" and ends every conversation with "Gig 'em" and a thumbs up. His pets are named Reveille I, Reveille II, and Reveille III. At midnight before each Aggie home game, he goes outside in his front yard and holds a one-man yell practice. And on Saturday while on a kids' camping trip instead of at the Southwest Classic, he plans to build the biggest bonfire those kids have ever seen to celebrate A&M's win over Arkansas. Could it happen? It's one of four bonus-point games with puzzling six-point lines that kind of make you wonder if somebody out there knows something.

For $800 and the Ramon Escobar Trophy, select your bonus-point winners and e-mail them back to me by 5 p.m. Friday.

Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy
Michigan State - Michigan
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC/ESPN
Line: Michigan by 4

The Southwest Classic
Arkansas - Texas A&M
2:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Arkansas by 6
* Underdog worth three points

Alabama - South Carolina
2:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS
Line: Alabama by 6
* Underdog worth three points

LSU - Florida
6:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN
Line: Florida by 6
* Underdog worth three points

Florida State - Miami
7 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Line: Miami by 6
* Underdog worth three points

Good luck.
****#****

Razorbacks Dallas Bound

Since the Razorbacks are playing in Jerry World on Saturday, I had to include it in a haiku.

Big game in Dallas
Being played in Jerry World
Houston won't be there.

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Project Playoffs:
Week 5 standings and seedings


If all was fair and right in college football, this is what the realigned conference standings would look like in Week 5 with seedings for a 16-team playoff. (Seedings are derived from the Massey Comparison Rankings, which take every poll and computer rating into account.)

First-round match-ups:

16 Penn State at 1 Alabama
15 Virginia Tech at 2 Oregon
14 Oklahoma State at 3 Boise State
13 Auburn at 4 TCU
12 Nebraska at 5 Ohio State
11 Stanford at 6 Arizona
10 Iowa at 7 Oklahoma
9 Florida at 8 LSU

Click here for a full explanation of Project Playoffs.

Southern
1 Alabama (5-0)
8 LSU (5-0)
13 Auburn (5-0)
Mississippi State (3-2)
Southern Miss (4-1)
Ole Miss (3-2)
Tennessee (2-3)
Vanderbilt (1-3)
Memphis (1-4)

Northwest
2 Oregon (5-0)
3 Boise State (4-0)
Utah (4-0)
Air Force (4-1)
Oregon State (2-2)
Fresno State (3-1)
Washington (2-2)
BYU (1-4)
Washington State (1-4)

Mid-South
4 TCU (5-0)
7 Oklahoma (5-0)
14 Oklahoma State (4-0)
Arkansas (3-1)
Texas (3-2)
Baylor (4-1)
Texas A&M (3-1)
Houston (3-1)
Texas Tech (2-2)

Mid-North
5 Ohio State (5-0)
Michigan (5-0)
Michigan State (5-0)
Notre Dame (2-3)
Illinois (2-2)
Cincinnati (1-3)
Indiana (3-1)
Purdue (2-2)
Louisville (2-2)

Southwest
6 Arizona (4-0)
11 Stanford (4-1)
USC (4-1)
California (2-2)
UCLA (3-2)
Arizona State (2-3)
Hawaii (3-2)
UTEP (4-1)
New Mexico (0-5)

Southeast
9 Florida (4-1)
Miami (3-1)
Florida State (4-1)
South Carolina (3-1)
South Florida (3-1)
Georgia Tech (3-2)
Clemson (2-2)
Central Florida (2-2)
Georgia (1-4)

Midwest
10 Iowa (4-1)
12 Nebraska (4-0)
Missouri (4-0)
Kansas State (4-0)
Wisconsin (4-1)
Iowa State (3-2)
Colorado (3-1)
Kansas (2-3)
Minnesota (1-4)

Atlantic
15 Virginia Tech (3-2)
North Carolina State (4-1)
North Carolina (2-2)
Maryland (4-1)
Kentucky (3-2)
East Carolina (2-2)
Virginia (2-2)
Wake Forest (2-3)
Duke (1-4)

Northeast
16 Penn State (3-2)
West Virginia (3-1)
Connecticut (3-2)
Pittsburgh (2-2)
Navy (2-2)
Syracuse (3-1)
Boston College (2-2)
Army (3-2)
Rutgers (2-2)

Monday, October 04, 2010

Ramon's Escoblog: Week 5

College Football Weekend in Review
(in hashtags!)

Alabama 31, Florida 6
(#brandoisrightboisewouldwintheeast)

Oregon 52, Stanford 31
(#3behindohiostate?hahahahalolz)

Iowa 24, Penn State 3
(#howdoyouputupwiththisstyleofballvratsinas)

LSU 16, Tennessee 14
(#missingvernelundquistsayingWHATARETHEYDOING)

Colorado 29, Georgia 27
(#sorrydemillos)

Ole Miss 42, Kentucky 35
(#uhohupsetbrewingsomewhere)

Notre Dame 31, Boston College 13
(#ohsureNOWyouwinone)

Oklahoma 28, Texas 20
(#/"\)

Friday, October 01, 2010

Houndstooth Wedding Cake


An Auburn grad and an Alabama grad recently got married.
The groom (Alabama) requested that his cake be hounds-tooth (typical).
The Auburn bride was obviously disappointed, but they honored his request.
The bride’s parents (Auburn) had the cake made, and when the groom cut it at the reception, he had a little surprise….

Live Fan Feedback: Friday

Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.  

Continually updated throughout the day...

Here are my picks with commentary (only because it appears to bring me 5-0 results):

1.) Chokelahoma (always bet the QB and in this instance the Chokelahoma QB is better than Texass');

2.) Wisky (Talk about choking..Not even Dumbtino in the press box can help Sparty);

3.) Bama (Roll Tide, just because R-Kansas fans think they are as good as Bama and got screwed by the referees (like they always do in a big game.  Totally overlooking the fact that Cryin Mallett threw 3 picks);

4.) The Nike Ducks (As a Michigan grad I would like to go with Harbaugh and the Bo Schembechler offense but just can't.  Have to go with the point a minute offense of the 21st century); and
5.) Iowa (Not because Kurt Ferentz is a good coach but because Joe Pa has a freshman QB.  Ferentz's claim to fame... Beating a Sabanless LSU team in 2003. Let's give him multiple extensions!)


-- Mickey D


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You would assume that Texas will bounce back from last week... and you would be wrong Winner = OK. I need points, got to (sorry Mr. Wells) pick my spots -- Winner = Stanford. -- David M.


Vird out did himself with the haiku this week. It's a thing of beauty. Here's my haiku.  Hide ur kids! Hide ur wife!  I'm back close to the lead again. -- Hinch