22 South Carolina @ 2 Alabama
Favorite: Alabama, -17
This in-conference game features what have become two defensive powers in college football, as SC has the 15th ranked defense, and Alabama has the 2nd. But both teams have also played well on offense, with Alabama putting up 37 points per game. Sc's offense has struggled at times, including in a 7-3 over NC State in Week 1. It will be that dominant defense and scoring offense that carries the day for 'Bama in this one.
Pick: Alabama 38 - South Carolina 24
20 Oklahoma vs 3 Texas (Neutral Site - Dallas)
Pick: Texas, -3
Despite losingthis game last year, Oklahoma went on to play for the BCS National Championship instead of Texas, and you better believe Texas remembers it. Both teams come into this game putting up huge points and allowing very few. Texas has blown through five straight unranked teams, outscoring them 236-75. And with the national polls dropping Texas one spot this week, they want to put up a big win to get back to second. Oklahoma has struggled on the big stage this year, already losing twice to ranked opponents. But QB Sam Braford was injured in the first loss, resulting in him not playing in the second. Still, BYU outplayed Oklahoma even before Bradford went down, and Texas will outplay them this week.
Pick: Texas 35 - Oklahoma 17
6 USC @ 25 Notre Dame
Favorite: USC, -10
The funny thing about big games is that they sometimes allow the lesser team to make a name for themselves. USC has simply dominated the Irish over the past couple years, and they spread would indicate people seem to think they still will. But with Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen in the Heisman running this year and a USC team that looks beatable, 10 points might be far too high a spread. In fact, the future of the Irish football program may hang in the balance of this game, as there has been speculation that if Charlie Weis can't win this game, he may be out as head coach. The key will be the Irish defense. If they can play like they did in Week 1, they'll win. If not, they'll lose, but it will be a close one.
Pick: Notre Dame 38 - USC 35
Pitt @ Rutgers
Favorite: Pitt, -3.5
Each of these teams have quietly put together strong, one-loss records this year. The result has been a wide-open Big East, with four one-loss teams and an unbeaten Cincinnati. Rutgers one loss, however, was in-conference against that Cincinnati team in Week 1. Both teams, then, com into this game needing a big win both for their national rankings and their conference standings. Both teams come in with a strong offense, and Rutgers appears to have the better D. But with Cincinnati still on their schedule to end the season, Pitt needs this game more, and they know it.
Pick: Pitt 31 - Rutgers 27
Showing posts with label Notre Dame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Notre Dame. Show all posts
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday Morning News - 9/21/09
Mark Martin has won the opening race of the Chase for the Cup. [Chicago Tribune]
Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a broken collar bone. [Seattle Post Intelligencer]
Chicago Cub Milton Bradley has been suspended the remainder of the season for conduct detrimental to the team. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner set an NFL record, completing 92.3% of his passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars. [Yahoo Shutdown Corner]
The 49ers have officially charged the NY Jets of tampering in their negotiations with WR Michael Crabtree, according to the NY Daily News. [NYDN]
Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck Left Sunday's game against the 49ers with a rib injury. He is expected to play next week. [Seattle Times]
Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a broken collar bone. [Seattle Post Intelligencer]
Chicago Cub Milton Bradley has been suspended the remainder of the season for conduct detrimental to the team. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner set an NFL record, completing 92.3% of his passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars. [Yahoo Shutdown Corner]
The 49ers have officially charged the NY Jets of tampering in their negotiations with WR Michael Crabtree, according to the NY Daily News. [NYDN]
Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck Left Sunday's game against the 49ers with a rib injury. He is expected to play next week. [Seattle Times]
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Sunday News - 9/13/09
NHL trade news: San Jose Sharks get Danny Heatley and a fifth round pick, Ottawa Senators get Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo, and a second round pick. [SI.com]
USC wins, Notre Dame loses, both on late TDs. [USA Today, Washington Post]
Denny Hamlin wins the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 and the Chase field is set. Kyle Busch tied Mark Martin for most regular season wins this year, but doesn't make the Chase. I thought they changed the rules so that sort of thing didn't happen? [Daily Press]
Serena Williams was eliminated from the US Open after being deducted a point for a profanity laced tirade at a line judge who called a foot fault on her. [MyFOXNY.com]
Theo Fleury, 41, has been reinstated by the NHL and invited to training camp by the Calgary Flames. [Chicago Tribune]
USC wins, Notre Dame loses, both on late TDs. [USA Today, Washington Post]
Denny Hamlin wins the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 and the Chase field is set. Kyle Busch tied Mark Martin for most regular season wins this year, but doesn't make the Chase. I thought they changed the rules so that sort of thing didn't happen? [Daily Press]
Serena Williams was eliminated from the US Open after being deducted a point for a profanity laced tirade at a line judge who called a foot fault on her. [MyFOXNY.com]
Theo Fleury, 41, has been reinstated by the NHL and invited to training camp by the Calgary Flames. [Chicago Tribune]
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Why Notre Dame Lost to Michigan
Michigan just beat Notre Dame 38-34 on a touchdown with 11 seconds left on the clock. But even before that last play, three things told me Notre Dame would lose this game. They are:
Tate Forcier
I admit I may have been wrong about this kid. ND threw pressure at him all day long, and with few exceptions, he went past it, around it, or over it. Its hard to stop someone when they can make a deep pass, break a long run with one cut, and drop a pooch punt inside the 5 yard line all in the same game.
The Officiating
Forgetting the clock situation at the end of the game, which was probably correct, the officials were blowing calls all game long, mostly in Michigan's favor. I'm not saying they were playing favorites or anything, because ND got some questionable calls in their favor, too, but multiple times Michigan should have been flagged for pass interference and it wasn't called. Its hard to get a passing game going when the defender has his arm wrapped around the receivers like they're dating.
Charlie Weis's Play Calling
Nothing doomed ND's chances more than this. ND went for the sideline pass all day, and it didn't work. Then, late in the game and trailing by 5, they went for it twice on back to back plays. Both times it didn't work, the second time ending with Michael Floyd, the teams leading receiver in the game, getting hurt. They would take a 4 point lead on the drive, and would get the ball back. Then, after Armando Allen rushed for a first down, Robert Hughes was stuffed on 1st down with less than three minutes left to play. On 2nd and long, they went for the sideline pass. It didn't work. The next play would also be an incomplete pass. The resulting punt would give Michigan good field position, more than 2 minutes left in the game, and 2 time outs. After the game, Weis was asked about the play choice on that last position, and he claimed that pass had been working for them all day. I'm sorry, but I remember it not working a lot more than it worked. I also remember inside running plays working late in the game. After Hughes was stuffed, Weis said he saw a change in the defense, that they were stacking the box to take away the run. I don't doubt him. However, theres no excuse for not at least calling an outside run there. In my opinion, giving Michigan the ball with that much time and two time outs was what ultimately led to ND losing this game.
Tate Forcier
I admit I may have been wrong about this kid. ND threw pressure at him all day long, and with few exceptions, he went past it, around it, or over it. Its hard to stop someone when they can make a deep pass, break a long run with one cut, and drop a pooch punt inside the 5 yard line all in the same game.
The Officiating
Forgetting the clock situation at the end of the game, which was probably correct, the officials were blowing calls all game long, mostly in Michigan's favor. I'm not saying they were playing favorites or anything, because ND got some questionable calls in their favor, too, but multiple times Michigan should have been flagged for pass interference and it wasn't called. Its hard to get a passing game going when the defender has his arm wrapped around the receivers like they're dating.
Charlie Weis's Play Calling
Nothing doomed ND's chances more than this. ND went for the sideline pass all day, and it didn't work. Then, late in the game and trailing by 5, they went for it twice on back to back plays. Both times it didn't work, the second time ending with Michael Floyd, the teams leading receiver in the game, getting hurt. They would take a 4 point lead on the drive, and would get the ball back. Then, after Armando Allen rushed for a first down, Robert Hughes was stuffed on 1st down with less than three minutes left to play. On 2nd and long, they went for the sideline pass. It didn't work. The next play would also be an incomplete pass. The resulting punt would give Michigan good field position, more than 2 minutes left in the game, and 2 time outs. After the game, Weis was asked about the play choice on that last position, and he claimed that pass had been working for them all day. I'm sorry, but I remember it not working a lot more than it worked. I also remember inside running plays working late in the game. After Hughes was stuffed, Weis said he saw a change in the defense, that they were stacking the box to take away the run. I don't doubt him. However, theres no excuse for not at least calling an outside run there. In my opinion, giving Michigan the ball with that much time and two time outs was what ultimately led to ND losing this game.
Friday, September 11, 2009
College Footbal Week 2 - Important Matchups
It is hard to call any game important this early in a season, but this week there are two games with some signifigance to them:
3 USC at 8 Ohio State
Favorite: USC, -7
Things in sports tend to be cyclical. Teams are usually great for a couple of years, then decent for a year, then bad for a couple years, then decent, and back to at least good. There are a couple of exceptions to this in recent years: the NY Yankees, the Indianapolis Colts, and, of course, USC football. The Trojans seems to always be in the top-5, and always in title talk, both before and after the season. This is in no small part thanks to Pete Carroll's scouting ability and pro-style schemes. One team that is not an exception is Ohio State. After having major success over the past decade(one undefeated season, a National Championship, and five Big 10 conference championships), the Buckeyes finally look like a team on the decline. Their weaknesses showed last week, barely beating Navy, 31-27. You can be sure Coach Carroll was paying attention.
Pick: USC 31 - Ohio State 13
18 Notre Dame at Michigan
Favorite: Notre Dame, -3
The annual Week 2 meeting of these teams this year takes on added importance, as both teams now look like teams on the rise. Opening week blowouts for both teams have fans hopeful for the rest of the season. For Michigan, head coach Rich Rodriguez has been surrounded by controversy in the off-season, and has been feeling the pressure after going 3-9 in his first season with the Wolverines. The announcement he would rotate QBs throughout the game didn't win him any more fans, especially when coupled with the fact true freshman Tate Forcier would be the starter. The decision payed off, however, as all three QBs looked good as the team won 31-7 over Western Michigan. Notre Dame, however, seems to be a step ahead of Michigan. Last years 6-6 regular season record led to a 41-29 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl win over Hawaii. In that game, then-sophmore Jimmy Clausen and the Irish offense broke 9 Notre Dame bowl game records, including Clausen's 401 passing yards and the teams 478 yards of total offense. Those are stats ND, who started the season ranked 23, is looking to build on.
Pick: ND 31 - Michigan 21
3 USC at 8 Ohio State
Favorite: USC, -7
Things in sports tend to be cyclical. Teams are usually great for a couple of years, then decent for a year, then bad for a couple years, then decent, and back to at least good. There are a couple of exceptions to this in recent years: the NY Yankees, the Indianapolis Colts, and, of course, USC football. The Trojans seems to always be in the top-5, and always in title talk, both before and after the season. This is in no small part thanks to Pete Carroll's scouting ability and pro-style schemes. One team that is not an exception is Ohio State. After having major success over the past decade(one undefeated season, a National Championship, and five Big 10 conference championships), the Buckeyes finally look like a team on the decline. Their weaknesses showed last week, barely beating Navy, 31-27. You can be sure Coach Carroll was paying attention.
Pick: USC 31 - Ohio State 13
18 Notre Dame at Michigan
Favorite: Notre Dame, -3
The annual Week 2 meeting of these teams this year takes on added importance, as both teams now look like teams on the rise. Opening week blowouts for both teams have fans hopeful for the rest of the season. For Michigan, head coach Rich Rodriguez has been surrounded by controversy in the off-season, and has been feeling the pressure after going 3-9 in his first season with the Wolverines. The announcement he would rotate QBs throughout the game didn't win him any more fans, especially when coupled with the fact true freshman Tate Forcier would be the starter. The decision payed off, however, as all three QBs looked good as the team won 31-7 over Western Michigan. Notre Dame, however, seems to be a step ahead of Michigan. Last years 6-6 regular season record led to a 41-29 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl win over Hawaii. In that game, then-sophmore Jimmy Clausen and the Irish offense broke 9 Notre Dame bowl game records, including Clausen's 401 passing yards and the teams 478 yards of total offense. Those are stats ND, who started the season ranked 23, is looking to build on.
Pick: ND 31 - Michigan 21
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday Morning News
US Open upsets: 5 seed Andy Roddick loses to John Isner, 1 seed Dinara Safina loses to Petra Kvitova, Melanie Oudin wins again over Maria Sharapova. [Bloomberg]
More upsets: 3 Oklahoma loses to 20 BYU, 14-13. Heisman Trophy winning OU QB Sam Bradford suffered a sprained shoulder in the loss. He is expected to miss a few weeks, probably ending his chances of winning a second Heisman. [Ball Hype]
Notre Dame and Michigan, two schools whose teams haven't lived up to expectations in recent years, each had run-away victories Saturday, over Nevada and Western Michigan, respectively. They will face each other next week at Michigan. [Rivals.com]
Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra is the first filly to win the Woodward Stakes. At 8-0, she is so far undefeated for the year. [NYDN]
More upsets: 3 Oklahoma loses to 20 BYU, 14-13. Heisman Trophy winning OU QB Sam Bradford suffered a sprained shoulder in the loss. He is expected to miss a few weeks, probably ending his chances of winning a second Heisman. [Ball Hype]
Notre Dame and Michigan, two schools whose teams haven't lived up to expectations in recent years, each had run-away victories Saturday, over Nevada and Western Michigan, respectively. They will face each other next week at Michigan. [Rivals.com]
Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra is the first filly to win the Woodward Stakes. At 8-0, she is so far undefeated for the year. [NYDN]
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