Football (real)

[strike wolf]

A major problem I saw with GT though was that they looked way too much like a one trick pony. They'd keep going to the option over and over again with no luck whatsoever.

[joe cool 360]

Excellent topic, I must contribute.
My NFL wild card predictions:

Indianapolis over San Diego
Miami over Baltimore
Atlanta over Arizona
Philadelphia over Minnesota

[oVo]

interesting indeed...

Falcons over the Cardinals Arizona 30 Atlanta 26

Bolts over the Colts in OT 23-17
One of the worst NFL pass defenses holds off Peyton Manning.

Dolphins over the Ravens . . . even though I expect Baltimore to prevail,
an underdog nod to the home field advantage and appreciation of their rebound from last year's 1-15 record

Eagles over the Vikings
if they can maintain the intensity and focus of last week it will be a tough outing for Minnesota

[SEAsportsfan]

Colts over Chargers- Colts are going to surprise in the playoffs, they are better than their record indicates

Baltimore over Miami- I really like Miami, but Baltimore is another surprising team.

Philly over Minnesota- Philly is another team that is better than their record, but they are very on and off. If Philly's O clicks, they'll win. If not, they'll lose

Atlanta over Cardinals- Cardinals are pretty bad (many of their wins come from SF, SEA and STL) and Atlanta is pretty underrated.

Now, I know I picked all away teams, but I think that the seeding in this year's playoffs has been the worst I've seen

[oVo]

Speaking of "wierd ones"... Vandy sneaks past Boston College with special teams play,
two timely interceptions, dumb penalties that generated the Commodore drive
that led to the game winning field goal... and their punter was named MVP.

[strike wolf]

Speaking of "wierd ones"... Vandy sneaks past Boston College with special teams play,
two timely interceptions, dumb penalties that generated the Commodore drive
that led to the game winning field goal... and their punter was named MVP.

And rightly so. That punter had the game of his life. Even if the Commodore offense had been able to generate yardage on their own, I think the punter still should have gotten MVP.

[strike wolf]

Excellent topic, I must contribute.
My NFL wild card predictions:

Indianapolis over San Diego
Miami over Baltimore
Atlanta over Arizona
Philadelphia over Minnesota

I agree.

Colts should be a close tough game, but they'll prevail in the long run.

Miami should have no trouble continuing their winning streak into the first round of the playoffs even against a good Baltimore team.

Atlanta will roll over the Cards by playing their best game since defeating the Panthers a few weeks back.

Philadelphia will be able to get past Minnesota.

[strike wolf]

I"m going to go ahead and call the Orange Bowl. I think Cinci will win. I feel that in most cases when two teams who are not very familiar with each other meet up, it favors the offense and since that is Cinci strength, they will pull out a victory. I would also look for most of the scoring to come in the first half before they can make adjustments.

[Quirk]

Georgia 24
Michigan State 12

We played the same way we have all year. Making plenty of penalties and turn-overs but still winning in the end. Now we have to wait and see if Stafford and Moreno are staying with us for next season.

[oVo]

Cincy v VaTech should be a good matchup... both teams have good speed,
I'm pulling for the Bearcats, but the Hokies' special teams skills just might
be the determining factor in this one if it stays close.

The run for the Roses has begun... and maybe a share of the National Championship?

This game was almost dead even in all stats... including the score at the end of one quarter,
but the Trojans really came to life before the half. Ouch.
Halftime: USC 31 Penn State 7
Hats off to a gutsy Nittany Lions team for their second half effort...
Final: USC 38 Penn State 24
as they actually had several opportunities to really make this close in the end.

[strike wolf]

Georgia 24
Michigan State 12

We played the same way we have all year. Making plenty of penalties and turn-overs but still winning in the end. Now we have to wait and see if Stafford and Moreno are staying with us for next season.

This was a bit different. Georgia actually played well in the second half (probably the first time since before losing to Florida) and deserved the victory hands down. The first half was a bit pathetic. Though for once our defense put in a solid game of work.

I still think we need to fire Martinez and our special teams coordinator though.

Did you see Moreno in the second half though? He may not have picked up a whole bunch of yards but he had an intensity to him that he hadn't had all season. I really hope he comes back next year to give that same kind of effort.

I was thinking that Stafford was going to leave this year but after this last game I'm not so sure. I really think he could go either way.

[strike wolf]

Cincy v VaTech should be a good matchup... both teams have good speed,
I'm pulling for the Bearcats, but the Hokies' special teams skills just might
be the determining factor in this one if it stays close.

The run for the Roses has begun... and maybe a share of the National Championship?

This game was almost dead even in all stats... including the score at the end of one quarter,
but the Trojans really came to life before the half. Ouch.
Halftime: USC 31 Penn State 7
Hats off to a gutsy Nittany Lions team for their second half effort...
Final: USC 38 Penn State 24
as they actually had several opportunities to really make this close in the end.

Their receiver might have blown it for them in the end. Tried to make a play down field instead of getting out of bounds like he was supposed to.

Also, maybe it wasn't their best game, but I didn't see anything that made the USC defense one of the "best of all time." They had a very good defense that's true but I've seen better over the last few years.

[strike wolf]

I just watched the Clemson game and I'm a bit pissed. On Clemson's last ditch effort to win. The DB was not only all over the receiver but he had his fingers in his face mask. Yet the ref who was standing right in front of them didn't call it. That could have easily been the difference in the game.

[oVo]

Ole Miss wins the final Cotton Bowlin Dallas.
Which comes as no surprise to me since I think they are one of the better teams out there
and Houston Nutt is a favorite coach of mine as well. Give him some talent to put on the
field and he knows how to get it done. The Rebels have won (and lost) some close ones
this season, but have hung tough in all their games against some of the best.

OK... I am surprised that Mississippi put 47 points on the scoreboard, but they got a bit
of referee love there at the end when an Ole Miss wide out shoved the Tech defender inside
the five yard line to make a fifty plus yard reception. It gave the Rebels a first and goal and
alterred another potential nail biting photo finish.

[SEAsportsfan]

Ole Miss wins the final Cotton Bowlin Dallas.
Which comes as no surprise to me since I think they are one of the better teams out there
and Houston Nutt is a favorite coach of mine as well. Give him some talent to put on the
field and he knows how to get it done. The Rebels have won (and lost) some close ones
this season, but have hung tough in all their games against some of the best.

I am very impressed by Ole Miss and I agree that Nutt is one of the best college coaches out there right now. But, I would also like to say that it seemed like something was bothering Tech during the game, and they seemed frustrated throughout. One of the worst games I've seen Tech play this year. Tech disappointed me.


I'm glad to see Peyton Manning get recognized this year. He put up a gutsy performance by coming back from some hardcore surgery and playing as well, if not better, as he usually does, even with his receivers having a "down" year.

Also, any early draft rumors? The analysts have been saying that the Seahawks might give Michael Crabtree a try. Wonder if the game will affect his draft stock?

[oVo]

I don't think this game will have any effect on Crabtree's draft status, should he go pro.
He played this game recovering from a high ankle strain... Harrell looked a little rusty,
but didn't seem to be hampered by the surgery on his broken left hand.

Nutt really had his team well prepared and the Red Raiders didn't seem to play with any
urgency until it was nearly out of reach. Maybe the early 14 point first quarter lead had
them overconfident and once Ole Miss gained some momentum in the 3rd quarter they
stayed aggressive and kept up the pressure on both sides of the ball for the remainder
of the game.

Also... Mississippi has been an excellent road team, beating Florida in the Swamp,
LSU in Baton Rouge and losing to Alabama by 4 points in Tuscaloosa.

East Carolina fumbles away the game and Kentucky wins 25-19.

The Utes' defense prevail and they remain a perfect 13-0.
UTAH 31 Alabama 17

[strike wolf]

Ole Miss wins the final Cotton Bowlin Dallas.
Which comes as no surprise to me since I think they are one of the better teams out there
and Houston Nutt is a favorite coach of mine as well. Give him some talent to put on the
field and he knows how to get it done. The Rebels have won (and lost) some close ones
this season, but have hung tough in all their games against some of the best.

OK... I am surprised that Mississippi put 47 points on the scoreboard, but they got a bit
of referee love there at the end when an Ole Miss wide out shoved the Tech defender inside
the five yard line to make a fifty plus yard reception. It gave the Rebels a first and goal and
alterred another potential nail biting photo finish.

It was over after the safety. Great game Ole Miss. Kept TT on their heels all game.

[strike wolf]

Ole Miss wins the final Cotton Bowlin Dallas.
Which comes as no surprise to me since I think they are one of the better teams out there
and Houston Nutt is a favorite coach of mine as well. Give him some talent to put on the
field and he knows how to get it done. The Rebels have won (and lost) some close ones
this season, but have hung tough in all their games against some of the best.

I am very impressed by Ole Miss and I agree that Nutt is one of the best college coaches out there right now. But, I would also like to say that it seemed like something was bothering Tech during the game, and they seemed frustrated throughout. One of the worst games I've seen Tech play this year. Tech disappointed me.


I'm glad to see Peyton Manning get recognized this year. He put up a gutsy performance by coming back from some hardcore surgery and playing as well, if not better, as he usually does, even with his receivers having a "down" year.

Also, any early draft rumors? The analysts have been saying that the Seahawks might give Michael Crabtree a try. Wonder if the game will affect his draft stock?

It wasn't the best game Tech played (not by a long shot) but I think that they played worse in their game against Oklahoma.

I was a bit surprised by them choosing Manning. I thought it was gonna go to Pennington. Mainly because despite winning 9 straight, the Colts did not get that much attention this year.

[strike wolf]

I don't think this game will have any effect on Crabtree's draft status, should he go pro.
He played this game recovering from a high ankle strain... Harrell looked a little rusty,
but didn't seem to be hampered by the surgery on his broken left hand.

Nutt really had his team well prepared and the Red Raiders didn't seem to play with any
urgency until it was nearly out of reach. Maybe the early 14 point first quarter lead had
them overconfident and once Ole Miss gained some momentum in the 3rd quarter they
stayed aggressive and kept up the pressure on both sides of the ball for the remainder
of the game.

Also... Mississippi has been an excellent road team, beating Florida in the Swamp,
LSU in Baton Rouge and losing to Alabama by 4 points in Tuscaloosa.

East Carolina fumbles away the game and Kentucky wins 25-19.

The Utes' defense prevail and they remain a perfect 13-0.
UTAH 31 Alabama 17

This was a very poor showing by Alabama. I'll give the Utes credit they played a great game but Alabama got lucky that they only lost by 14. They looked terrible on offense. Their offensive line which had been so great all season played terribly, Wilson was off on most of his passes, and the running game just wasn't there. On top of that, their defense struggled the entire game and got off to a simply horrible start allowing the Utes to score basically unchallenged on each of their first 3 drives and missed a whole bunch of tackles. By far the worst game Alabama played all year and as I said they are lucky it was this close against a Utes team that was playing some very good football.

[oVo]

If Oklahoma or Florida don't put up a dominant performance next week
is there a chance we'll see another split decision that generates
co-National Champions?

and Texas/USC is still out there too.

[strike wolf]

If Oklahoma or Florida don't put up a dominant performance next week
is there a chance we'll see another split decision that generates
co-National Champions?

and Texas/USC is still out there too.

I have to say that Texas's only shot is if Oklahoma beats Florida because if they don't than I can't see the AP justifying the results. USC has a shot just because everybody who's in the media or make the polls are in love with them. USC is a really good team this year but Oklahoma and Florida are better.

[oVo]

What I'm really wondering is if the AP Voters have the balls to give 13-0 Utah some #1 ballots after the thumping they put on Alabama. You said 'Bama didn't look sharp, but I want to give the Utes some credit for really taking it to 'em. It wasn't missed tackles that put the first 3 touchdowns on the board, it was excellent execution... and their quick defense posted 9 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble recovery, while surrendering only 1 offensive touchdown. If the Crimson Tide wasn't sharp to start this game, it was with the assistance of a well prepared Utah team. Their coaches certainly learned a lot watching the SEC Championship game and put it to good use. Much like Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl, they knew what they had to do and went out and got it done.

[strike wolf]

What I'm really wondering is if the AP Voters have the balls to give 13-0 Utah some #1 ballots after the thumping they put on Alabama. You said 'Bama didn't look sharp, but I want to give the Utes some credit for really taking it to 'em. It wasn't missed tackles that put the first 3 touchdowns on the board, it was excellent execution... and their quick defense posted 9 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble recovery, while surrendering only 1 offensive touchdown. If the Crimson Tide wasn't sharp to start this game, it was with the assistance of a well prepared Utah team. Their coaches certainly learned a lot watching the SEC Championship game and put it to good use. Much like Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl, they knew what they had to do and went out and got it done.

It was definitely enhanced by good execution, which is why Alabama was lucky to get away with only a 14 point deficit considering how poorly they played. Utah may actually deserve to get the split championship but it's not going to happen. If anyone gets it, it's going to be USC.

[strike wolf]

As far as bad games go, The Falcons definitely had one today. Despite catching fire in the second quarter, Ryan was off for most of the second half and Atlanta's offense had some real trouble with consistency. Their defense did alright considering how well the Cards were playing on offense but ended up giving up a stupid play in the end which cost Atlanta the game. Also very poor officiating in this game. missed the offsides call almost every time against the Cards and a few late hits as well.

Chargers snuck past Colts with a little help from the refs. The Colts kept the Chargers overtime drive alive more than once with penalties (though one should have been thrown against the Bolts not the Colts).

[SEAsportsfan]

Chargers snuck past Colts with a little help from the refs. The Colts kept the Chargers overtime drive alive more than once with penalties (though one should have been thrown against the Bolts not the Colts).

A Little?