Oregon looks dark and cold right now

ESPN GameDay is at U of O today -- and boy does it look disgusting out there. It's raining, it's dark, and it's 7:30 a.m. Probably not inspiring people to think differently of our state.

Anyway, here's what we're looking at today:

#3 Texas v. #14 Oklahoma State
#5 USC v. $10 Oregon


First, I admit I don't know much about Texas or Oklahoma State, but I do believe that these two teams play in the top conference in the country. As a result, probably a good game, and probably a good look at teams that are going to dominate a bowl or two.

But I have to tell you, I really despise Colt McCoy and his googly eyes. I feel like he's the kind of kid who has been on Texas for 7 years. He just won't go away.

The game I actually care about is USC v Oregon. Here are my thoughts -- the Trojans are not as good as they've been in past years, and are definitely beatable. I mean, based on what I've seen out of Notre Dame the past month or two, if Southern Cal can't beat up on them, then the Trojans are potentially in trouble today.

Oregon has surprised me since their first game debacle, with the ridiculous punch and the getting wiped by Boise State. They've looked quite good, actually. I lost almost all of my (very small amount of) respect for the Ducks when they decided that maybe they'd let LaGarrett Blount play after all, even though they'd said publicly he was done for the season.

But while everyone talks about home field advantage, I will say this: I don't think it's super scary to show up at Autzen Stadium looking for a win. It's not that big a stadium, and even if it was, it's filled with Oregonians. We're not that serious. So I doubt that USC is going to worry about coming into Oregon's territory.

One other note. Best name ever for a college football rivalry? The world's largest outdoor cocktail party -- Florida v Georgia. I mean, I would KILL to have thought that up.

I'm baaaaack...

Did you think I'd forgotten you? Never.

I have just returned from Chile...I was able to catch one half of the Notre Dame - Boston College game and one half of the Alabama game while abroad. Unfortunately, I had been a bit overserved, so I don't remember much except the shouting at the 40 Irish fans in the bar.

See there's this thing called the Terremoto in Chile. It's a troubling drink -- a scoop of pineapple ice cream, a 16-ounce Solo cup of white wine topped with some Fernet. So those are the main reason I am a little fuzzy on the details.

But I will say this: of what I remember, it was a hideously ugly game, and since Notre Dame won and BC had 5 turnovers, I almost feel glad I missed the majority of it.

Anyway, here's where we stand in Week 9.

There are a surprising number of undefeated teams, including Iowa, Cincinnati and Texas Christian. I'm not as surprised by the other teams, like Alabama and Florida, or even Boise State. But Iowa, from what I hear, is expected to hang in there and be ranked near #1 for the rest of the season. I have a feeling Cincinnati will be beaten by West Virginia or Pitt or someone, and Texas Christian? I have to tell you the Horned Frogs don't really register for me.

Looking at their schedule, there are wins over Clemson (embarrassing, BC!) and Virginia (embarrassing that they're even in the ACC). But other than that and the win over BYU, I'm not too impressed.

Which brings me to a question: does an undefeated season matter if there aren't many worthy opponents? Boise State is a perfect example. They've complained for years that they don't get any respect because they have 10- or 12-win seasons every year and until recently weren't ranked highly. And yes, they're pretty good, but their talents aren't tested very often.

This year the pollsters and coaches and AP writers seem to be paying more attention than ever to lower-level teams. But I think that 9 times out of 10, Florida or Alabama are going to beat the ever-living shit of TCU and Cincinnati.

Anyway, these are my thoughts.

Just kidding

I failed you. I didn't even watch the Mizzou - Nebraska game. I shouldn't even have a damn blog.

Anyway, I'm going to Chile now.

See you in a couple weeks.

Go Eagles, Go Irish (except when they play the Eagles on the 24th) and Go Va Tech (except when they play the Eagles tomorrow)!

WARNING

I have to warn all 11 of the people who read my blog.

I'll write after tomorrow's game...but after that, I'll be in CHILE for two weeks and will miss probably three full Saturdays of football.

I apologize.

So much QB discussion!

Tebow is a game-time decision. Because he almost threw up his brain after a concussion (and "respiratory illness"a couple weeks ago...

Bradford (he's adorable) plans to play this weekend, after he injured himself in the first game of the season (it looked like he broke his collarbone but he just sprained his shoulder).

And Oregon's QB, who really is named Jeremiah Masoli, may be back for this weekend's game, as though anyone really cares. I'm just throwing it out there, but I believe that Oregon will get stomped by Oregon State this year. The Beavers are going to be angry about the Ducks' time in the spotlight.

That's really all I have -- except that I think tomorrow night's matchup looks interesting. Nebraska plays Missouri, and in a shocking twist, both of these teams are actually in the top 25 right now. Nebraska has stunk for several years, so I'm interested to see if they can stick with it this year. And Mizzou, well, I have to be honest, I know nothing about. I guess they're undefeated, and they have beaten mighty Nevada (who as we all know got it handed to them by Notre Dame), and the also serious Illinois. Who knows?

I go with Nevada, but only because my 29-year college football history tells me to never believe the Huskers.

Now that I'm lucid again...

I really appreciate that after Boston College beats your mediocre team, NOW you're calling for your coach's head. After literally 30-odd years. It isn't as though the Eagles have never beaten the Seminoles before -- you know, we did it last year. And Bowden hasn't known the names of his players for years, so why NOW? It's wonderful to me that a loss to BC is what really offends FSU fans, not the loss to South Florida. (Which to be fair is 5-0. But still.)

Which brings me to my favorite statistic of the weekend: Greg Paulus (yes, the former point guard for Duke who now plays QB for Syracuse) threw five picks in one game against South Florida.

It's like the football equivalent of this:



And now for an I told you so: At the start of the season, I wondered why everyone thought this was UNC's breakout year. UNC is a basketball school, not a football school. And I have never been inclined to think that UNC is interested in being a football school. Yet, at the start of the season, the Heels were ranked #21. In the interim, they've lost to Georgia Tech (okay, I can accept that) and then to Virginia. UVA, I should point out, lost to William and Mary at the start of the year. Until I moved in with a W&M grad last year, I had no idea they even had a football team. The school's mascot is named Ebirt. It's this weird green monster. That's how bad UVA is: they lose to teams with mascots named Ebirt (which for those of you playing at home, is Tribe spelled backwards, which was the school's former, and way cooler, mascot).




One other thing. Look, I appreciate that Oklahoma's star QB is out right now. But let's look at this realistically: Oklahoma is 2-2. The Sooners have lost to both BYU and Miami -- and while this isn't how I like to look at rankings, BYU got its ass handed to it by Florida State (who just lost to BC) and Miami is pretty good but I'm not prepared to say the U is as good as everyone thinks. And yet Oklahoma is ranked #19. Riddle me that, Batman.

NO HELMETS

Well, his team lost to ND yesterday, but he is pretty much adorable.

Meet Jake Locker from the University of Washington; he's the quarterback and yesterday just wasn't his best day.

As my hangover slowly abates...

I will try to write a coherent entry here for y'all. Might have to stop though, if my memory comes back at any point.

First, those of you who watched the ND game will understand why I've taken several years off my life. OT last second victory over Washington. It shouldn't have been close; ND had 5 field goals because the Irish couldn't get the ball in the end zone. But they still managed to pull it out, and it was a thrilling game all around.

Boston College also won today, which is bizarre and wonderful. I didn't expect this team to win any games against ACC opponents. And here they are, Eagles on the warpath...

BC was the site of Game Day today, and isn't this incredible? Go on Mark Herzlich, go on!

Also, I'm psyched to see that an arrest has been made in the Erin Andrews nude video case.

In other news, Miami beat Oklahoma tonight, and everyone is all excited and believe this is proof Miami is back. But again, I'd like to point out that Sam Bradford is still not playing for Oklahoma, which I think makes it sort of a moot point.

And I'm guessing since USC whooped up on Cal tonight, that gets rid of the Bears Top 25 ranking.

Okay. I can't do anything else. I need to go to sleep and pretend the past two days never happened. I'll provide more thoughts once I have thoughts again.

I'm too hung over for this

I'm sorry. I can't do much today, because I am nursing the worst hangover I've had in like five years (which is saying something).

I'm watching Notre Dame try to lose to Washington right now, and can't find the BC game but I understand we're winning.

Here's one thing I have to say: got to love that when Oregon's other running back goes down with an injury, the Ducks all of a sudden think maybe they'll give Blount another chance. Can anyone say BULLSHIT?

Just don't say you're going to suspend the guy for a whole season; say indefinitely, say until further notice. But don't say the whole season and then go back on it. That's just weak.

I would also like to say that I enjoyed watching Tate Forcier and Michigan lose today. And I really enjoyed the Wolverines' fake punt at their own 10 yard line? What were they thinking?

Okay, I'll write more when I can breathe again.

NO HELMETS

Ladies, let me introduce you to Greg McElroy, the QB for Alabama. This is the best photo I could find of him, but I happen to think he's much cuter. I'm trying to add a little mix in here -- even gingerish boys deserve time in the spotlight.

Bottles of urine; or, why I'm not a big fan of WVU

I'm no big believer in the West Virginia Mountaineers. I never really supportd them when I was a student at Boston College, but my dislike wasn't really cemented until my sister-in-law, a Virginia Tech die-hard Hokie, told me about the time she'd had a bottle of urine thrown at her during a game.

She was probably wearing a Vick jersey, but still. In my many years of attending college football games, I've had pennies, marshmallows, and other small items thrown at me. I've watched fans at some games throw octopus, which frankly I wouldn't have enjoyed getting slapped with. But I would argue that a damn bottle of urine is officially over the line. Mostly because it is human waste.

Anyway, while I dislike West Virginia, I am currently watching the Colorado - WVU game right now, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't wish four turnovers in 1.5 quarters on very many schools. Frankly, I'd like to save that wish for Southern Cal or Michigan or someone along those lines.

But really, WVU? Colorado lost to Colorado State and Toledo. That's hard to do. And to be fair, I'm not a big fan of the Buffs either, mostly because I knew a couple real assholes from my rival high school who were recruited to Colorado by Rick Neuheisel, who I really really hate and who should totally be on that webpage about men who look like old lesbians. And I am a huge fan of lesbians -- just ask the Indigo Girls.

Anyway, the other thing I was going to mention here is that the Colorado QB is the coach's son. And I have always wondered how annoyed his teammates get about that.

OH! And I can't believe I forgot to point out that freaking disgusting USC weight room accident:

I seriously can't even deal with the details. They're that gross.

This is the guy who had a big huge weight fall on his neck and crush his larynx etc. Oh God I'm about to barf (like Tim Tebow) right now.