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Obviously, your eyesight is better than mine. Of course, I thought those little plates on the sides were slots for CD's. ;)
Have you ever seen that monstrosity? It looks like a CD holder you might buy @ Wal_mart. <g>
Hey, I'm not discounting anyone! Indiana cost us a chance to play in the NC game in '94 when we went undefeated. Joe let them score 2 TD's in the last couple minutes of the game making the score alot closer than it was & we slipped in the rankings. Super ouch.
I'm curious, what's the over/under in your game on Sat.? Gotta be close to 100. <g>
Now EZ, do you really think PSU could lose that game with the prestigious "Land Grant Trophy" on the line? ;)
Realizing full well there is still a lot of football in the next 4 weeks & a lot still needs to happen but I'm really liking this week's bowl projections:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowlprojection?season=2008&week=9
File this under "bite me, Tom Dienhart"! Lol!
October 25, 2008
Tom Dienhart
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Back and forth they went.
Ohio State pushed. Penn State pulled. And so it went, for more than three grueling hours.
Penn State's fortunes turned when Penn State's Mark Rubin knocked the ball away from Terrelle Pryor.
This was a roll-up-your sleeves, black-and-blue classic. It ended Penn State 13, Ohio State 6. It was Big Ten football, with plenty of old-fashioned blocking and tackling.
More important, it kept Penn State steaming toward an unbeaten season … and a date in the BCS title game.
And that's unfortunate.
It's foolish to think a Big Ten team has any business on college football's biggest stage. But the No. 3 Nittany Lions now are poised to play for the championship in Miami. After being off next week, they travel to Iowa, then play host to Indiana and Michigan State. A 12-0 regular-season record is well within reach.
Sure, Penn State's run to 9-0 looks good. The offense has been spectacular, showing balance and explosiveness. The defense is fast, aggressive and opportunistic. And these Lions are resourceful, winning Saturday despite starting quarterback Daryll Clark leaving early in the fourth quarter after getting knocked loopy.
Backup quarterback Pat Devlin engineered the game's only touchdown with 6:25 remaining, barreling through a pile of players on a 1-yard scoring plunge. What else would you expect in a game such as this?
Penn State's defense did its part, limiting the Buckeyes to 287 yards, including just 61 on the ground. And Penn State generated two turnovers, including a fourth-quarter fumble by Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor that the Lions subsequently turned into the touchdown.
This was Penn State's first win in Columbus since 1978. The Nittany Lions had been 0-7 at Ohio State as a member of the Big Ten. … Pryor passed for a career-high 226 yards, going 16-of-25 with a pick. … This was the first time this season Penn State was held to fewer than 20 points. … Ohio State has scored nine total points in its two losses. … This is the 10th time Penn State has started 9-0 under Joe Paterno. .. Penn State is off next week, then plays its last road game of the season Nov. 8 against Iowa. And then there's Joe Paterno. The coaching legend now weaves his magic from the press box. Maybe he's on to something. Could this unexpected run set up an unbelievable ending for Paterno – the 81-year-old winning his third national championship, then retiring? It would be a fitting bow around a career that has been more embattled than euphoric this decade.
But this team – and this conference – doesn't deserve another chance at college football's biggest prize. Besides, Paterno is used to fashioning an unbeaten team, then getting left out of the championship party. That has happened four times: 1968, 1969, 1973 and 1994.
So, please, don't give us Penn State on Jan. 8, 2009, in Dolphin Stadium. Give us life, give us liberty, give us hope for a good game. That means give us Texas, Florida, Alabama, Georgia or USC. Heck, we'll even take Texas Tech and its diabolical offense and kooky coach. They all have been more impressive than – and likely would beat – any Big Ten team.
Even a perfect Penn State.
We pray that America won't have to watch another Big Ten belly-flop in the BCS title game. The Buckeyes have perfected that dive the past two seasons.
Look at the hideous history. First, there was Florida 41, Ohio State 14. Next, there was LSU 38, Ohio State 24. There is no need for a trilogy. If you've seen one slasher flick, you've seen them all.
Need more evidence that the Big Ten doesn't belong? Have you watched this season? The Big Ten's best non-conference win was Wisconsin's 13-10 triumph over Fresno State. The league had one chance to show the world it was big time – and Ohio State was utterly annihilated by USC 35-3.
Michigan is a mess. Wisconsin is weak. Iowa and Illinois are iffy. Michigan State is mediocre. Northwestern? Minnesota? Please.
Now, because the Big Ten has returned to its own sand box – and it's a small one – we are supposed to believe the school that built the biggest sand castle in the Midwest deserves access to college football's VIP room?
Ohio State has proven that's not the case.
Penn State's mastery of the Buckeyes and a soft schedule shouldn't get them past the BCS bouncer.
Tom Dienhart is the national senior writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at dienhart@yahoo-inc.com.
Yeah, had to hit the snooze a few times this AM. I was so wound up after the game last night I couldn't get to sleep. It's been a long time since I've had that problem - welcome back. <g>
Lol! Ye Olde College Diner or New College Diner or whatever it's called now. What a classic place!
I guess you went to bed. Don't blame you if you watched the first half - that probably put a lot of people to sleep! <g>
Yep, I'm sure College Avenue is rockin' right about now too. They need to watch out for Iowa tho - that could turn out to be the "trap game".
Lol! I knew I'd get a rise out of you. <g> Actually, you guys do have a pretty good defense. It's the rest of the conference that's questionable. Of course, when you're scoring 50+ on offense, who cares? ;)
I love Arron Maybin. He's going to be an All-American @ DE. Kudos to both defenses tho - they all played great!
Who'd thunk it would end up to be a defensive struggle? I guess it wasn't real pretty but I will take it nonetheless! <g>
Defense rules! You got any in the big 12? ;)
Nice wins for MSU & Indiana - you've had a pretty good day today!
Great win, Hoagie - congrats! I couldn't get your game so I don't know exactly what happened but it appears the Cowboys are for real. Savor the victory!
Yep. I think MSU just wanted it more. I had heard that about his contract yesterday but I didn't want to mention it here - for obvious reasons. <g> Hey, he had a contract @ WVU too & look how that worked out. Don't give up hope!
Hope you are able to stay up for the game!
The BCS contenders seem to be playing for poll position today. Who will be the 1st to score 75 pts?!
Oops. <g> Good game in the 1st half. MSU is trying to give it away it seems.
Btw, Corso is an ass. He's no longer coaching for a reason. ;)
I agree but they can't make the mistakes they always seem to make @ the Horseshoe.
Awesome is an understatement! <g>
Bite your tongue! Should be a good close game. May the better team win unless it's the Buckeyes! <g>
And good luck to the Longhorns as well, Hoagie! I assume you will be going to the game shortly so have a great day and I hope Colt doesn't have an off day (which for him would be about 25/31!).
Hook 'em Horns
Go Blue
Go Spartys
Roll Tide (depending on what we do. ;))
and most importantly
WE ARE.....
PENN STATE!
Thank you, M'Lady! Looking forward to a great day of college football - this is what it's all about. Rainy here but it looks good for tonight in Columbus. Here's hoping Beanie stubs his toe early on! <g>
Who are you kiddin'? You probably won't be in any condition to even find that shirt! <g>
Yep, Joe can be overly loyal @ times. ;)
It could very well be a repeat unless Bradley plays the young LB'ers right from the get-go.
Atta girl - I knew I could count on you! I do think PSU has the better team but playing @ the Horseshoe could make all the difference for an upset. I think we're still favored by 2. It should come down to the fewest mistakes and the kicking game.
I'm thinking there will be some blue & white in there somewhere but I'll have a better idea on that sometime after 11PM this Sat. night.
I'll get back to you at that time. <g>
I'm sure they'll give it their best - hopefully that will be good enough!
Lol! I'm sure parts of it are already "happy" in that regard. <g>
Well, if he's going to go in drag, might I suggest Barney Frank instead? Much more fitting, IMO.
Not that there's anything wrong with that!
~Seinfeld
As well you should. <g>
Don't I know it! :(
I agree. Alabama should win but I expect it could be a very close game.
Lol! You're gonna get a response for that one!
From ESPN:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Opposing offenses won't have to scale Mount Cody to get through the middle of No. 2 Alabama's defensive line for a while.
Now, they get "The Incredible Hulk" instead.
With mammoth nose guard Terrence Cody out for at least two games with a knee injury, musclebound Josh Chapman will start for the Crimson Tide Saturday at Tennessee.
What that means for opponents: They will face Alabama's strongest player instead of the biggest. The 6-foot-5, 365-pound Cody is expected to miss at least the next two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
Coach Nick Saban is hoping Cody will return in time for the Tide's game at LSU (No. 13 BCS, No. 11 AP) on Nov. 8.
The junior college transfer has been a formidable presence manning the middle of the Tide's defensive line all season, earning the nickname "Mount Cody" and becoming a fan favorite.
"The impact was obvious," cornerback Javier Arenas said. "Losing him won't be so obvious, because we've got a guy stepping in who's just as capable, a tad bit smaller. We'd really love to have Cody in there, as any team in the country would. We've just got to adapt and play our game."
Chapman, a 6-1, 305-pound sophomore, has been a regular presence on Alabama's defense, too. He has typically rotated in for a few snaps every five or six plays.
Cody has 15 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss. Chapman has six tackles, three of them behind the line, but knows he doesn't quite present the same intimidating sight to opposing linemen.
"I think any opponent would be glad to see me instead of Cody," he said. "That's a whole big load."
Both have been important fixtures in the league's No. 2 rush defense, which has allowed only one touchdown on the ground in seven games.
"He plays with strength," coach Nick Saban said of Chapman. "He's got good power. He plays run blocks very well. He's a true nose guard for what we want. He's played all year. It's not like you haven't seen him. He's out there on probably a third of the run down plays in every game."
Whereas Cody has been notable for his size and impressive agility, Chapman's strength is what draws attention from his teammates. He bench presses 485 pounds, squats 600 and draws a crowd in the gym whenever it's time for the Tide strength coaches to measure how much each player can lift.
That's why Arenas calls him "The Incredible Hulk" in the weight room.
"We don't have enough space on the bar to put another weight on when he gets on it," Arenas said. "When we're maxing out everyone crowds around him. He's a monster."
Chapman said he benched 315 pounds as a ninth-grader at Hoover High School, when Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson was a senior at the state powerhouse.
Wilson saw him play whenever he went to see his little brother, Ross, play in Hoover games and said Chapman was already the Tide's strongest player as an incoming freshman.
"He's not as big as Cody but I think he's stronger than him," Wilson said. "I don't think we'll fall off much at all. He lifts more than anybody on our team and an absurd amount of weight. The bar starts bending. He squats more than all my lifts combined."
Behind Chapman, Saban said defensive end Lorenzo Washington could at times move over to the position he manned last season. Sophomore Nick Gentry is a smaller (254 pounds), quicker player at nose guard who has mostly played special teams and doesn't have a tackle this season.
Saban indicated he might even consider taking the redshirt off freshman Damion Square.
Chapman, meanwhile, is drawing unfamiliar attention in his role replacing Cody, who even lined up as a lead blocker on a touchdown run against Mississippi.
"I guess I could try to bring the same things he brings," Chapman said. "He brings a lot of energy out there. Like him being big and funny; he's a funny guy. I can throw a few little jokes in there for the team."
He said coaches replayed a scene where Cody jumped on a celebratory pile a couple of times. Chapman isn't likely to try to match it.
"Not like he did," he said. "The way he jumped on the pile was like a frog out there. A big frog."
And when he's not doing that, Arenas said it's fun to stand even with the line of scrimmage on the sideline and watch Cody work.
"If you watch from the sideline, you will see two guys on the line get pushed back 3 or 4 yards and there's really nothing they can do about it," Arenas said. "All-America, All-Globe, I don't care what they are. It's fascinating to watch them get pushed back because they're huge but then you've got this huger guy putting them in the quarterback's lap."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
How to win friends & influence people. ;)
Hey, if ksquared were living next door to me, I'd have a better neighbor! <g> For sure more classy than what I got now.
Blue country has moved east this year - or is it white country? <g>
Lol! I like that better. I imagine he'll be upstairs for this one also. I'm hearing he'll have to have a hip replacement in the off season - that's too bad. I know my sister had troubles for over a year after her's. They can be nasty.