Week 8 Musings

It looks like there might be a few kids at Rutgers who might be skirting their obligations of attending class in the morning. Despite the best efforts of Tim Brown, the bone-headed punt returner who set up South Florida TWICE in primo field position with his ham-fisted buffoonery, the Scarlet Knights started off the musings in a positive fashion. Hopefully, we can build on the 7-4 effort from last week. For the year, we're at 45-33 for a 57.6% clip. The goal is 60%, so we have some work to do. Can I say something? Is anyone else having as hard a time as I am trying to watch Monday Night Football these days? I've concluded that listening to that booth(despite the presence of the acceptably pleasant Ron Jaworski) is the most excruciating, nails-on-the-chalkboard 3 hours I've consisitently spent in my lifetime. We owe this condition to Tony Kornholer, er Kornheiser. His role in the booth apparently is to bring up the"underlying story", i.e., whatever player "stinks", or whoever the fans of whatever team want to string up. If that doesn't work, he breaks out his amatuer stand up act. In any game, we're destined to hear about whatever topic has already been beaten to 45 deaths. For example, in a Bears game, we're going to have him bring up how Rex Grossman sucks, and how there could be a huge uproar in Chicago after he throws a pick, and we have to dissect "what that means" or a bunch of crap like that. In this Monday's shitfest between the Falcons and the Vagiants, we have to hear about the "pressure" Eli Manning is under, and if he can live up to the standard set by Peyton, blah blah blah blah puke. Last note for ESPN. If I'm watching the football game, please don't feel compelled to provide me with additional peripheral entertainment. I just want to watch the fucking game, ok? I don't need some yahoo from whatever ABC show you need to promote, so you don't have to dig up the chump who plays the plumber with the 2 day old stubble on Desperate Housewives, to force an inane, mind-numbingly awkward back and forth on me. I don't give a shit that he grew up a huge Steeler fan in Harrisburg PA, or wherever. ESPN has pretty much taken the most elementary form of entertainment, a football game, and made it unwatchable. I literally had to mute the game. Then, after that became a pain in the ass, I just pulled a David Puddy and stared at the wall. All you had to do was just televise the game. About the only "enhancement" I need is the first down line. That's it. Just shut the hell up. Ok, on to week 8. 2. @Indiana +7 v Penn St: This is a classic sandwich game for Penn St, and I don't think they're good enough on the road to overcome a lackluster effort against a legit Indiana squad. The Nittanies are coming off a pasting of Wisconsin, which isn't as good of a win as it seems because Illinois physically mauled the Badgers the week before, making a bad situation (back to back roadies) much worse. They have Ohio St coming to Happy Valley next week, and they just noticed that Michigan St absolutely violated Indiana last week. Despite the mauling, Indiana is pretty good on offense, and they've played pretty well at home. One other factor is that believe it or not, IU leads the nation in sacks, which is not good news for the motionless Anthony Morelli. I can see a stiff, uninspired effort from Penn State here, and if that happens, Indiana can certainly win outright. 3. Michigan St +19 @Ohio St: Here's another look ahead culprit. The Buckeyes are coming off a 48-3 pasting of Akron, but they actually were quite fortunate to have such a blowout, as Akron only was outgained by a few yards at halftime, but found themselves down 35-0, thanks to some special teams scores. Offensively, Michigan St can definitely run it, and the passing game is competent as well. Head Coach Mark Dantonio is a former OSU DC, so they might have a game plan that makes sense, something they haven't had provided to them under John L Smith. 19 is a lot of points for a decent team with a capable coach. Teams in the top 5 haven't had good luck with these types of games lately, either. 4. @Navy +3 v Wake Forest: The "fade Wake as a favorite" rule applies here for sure, but I also think you can make a case for Navy even if Wake didn't constantly shit the bed in this scenario. There's no doubt that they'll be able to run on Wake, and Wake's offense is the kind of offense that Navy can match up with. The misdirection stuff works on the coked up/undisciplined/forget to keep contain types in college football. Well, that just about covers everyone. Except maybe the service academies. It's actually a pretty good matchup for Navy. 5. @Oklahoma St -2 1/2 v Kansas St: K St is getting nice consideration with this spread here because they worked Texas in their last road game. This spot might be a tough one for them, though. Oklahoma St is a very good offensive squad, and they have a balanced attack, capapble of passing or especially running the ball. Plus they have a coach who can scream really loud. K St is more of a ball control offense, not really explosive at all. In addition, Oklahoma St has been successful in stopping the run, and should match up well with a team that uses more of a grind it out method. 6. @Nebraska -1 1/2 v Texas A&M: This is dangerous, since Nebraska's players may have thrown in the towel after getting their asses handed to them last week, but I have a feeling they have a nice performance in them. Many times, you'll see teams have a nice bounce back performance the week after getting embarrassed on their home field in front of their fellow students and fans. I think A&M gets Nebraska's best effort, and that will come against a defense that doesn't apply any pressure, which will make things easier for Sam Keller.A&M also will have to ratchet it up for their second straight road game, a tough situation for sure. 7. @Washington +13 v Oregon: This is without a doubt the most likely game on Oregon's schedule for a lacluster effort. They are off a dominating performance against new village idiot Bill Doba and WAZZOU, and they have USC and Arizona St back to back after this one. Oregon's offense is perhaps top 5 in the country, but they will have to play well defensively to cover 13. I think the Dawgs can hold their own on their home field, and after the precision that the Ducks showed last week, they are due for something less than a 100% effort. 8. @Maryland -4 v Virginia: Stupid Virginia. If they cover last week, we're 8-3. Too bad their kicker missed a 35 yard FG in the last minute...stupid jerk. Anyway, Al Groh has major problems on the road, so a reasonable number for a decent team should be good enough.. Maryland has played well defensively, and Virginia can't get out of it's own way without their starting RB Peerman, who it appears will be a game time decision.. As long as Jordan Steffy remains concussed, the Fridge will have to use that Napolean Dynamite look alike in this game. He's decent, a far cry from Steffy. 9. Iowa +7 @ Purdue: Purdue is in dangerous territory right now. They got off to a 5-0 start thanks to a creampuff/doughboy schedule, and after a 2 week nightmare of Ohio St followed by Michigan, Purdue fans have received a cold reminder of their lot in life. They better not get too chippy about having to go to all these 3rd tier bowls and start asking for Joe Tiller to hit the road, because if they do, they'll soon be fighting it out with Minnesota for Big Ten doormat status. Don't forget where this program was before Tiller, people. Yeah, he's not been great lately, but you're Purdue...you didn't make a bowl when Jim Everett and Rod Woodson were there. Enjoy the fact that you sort of matter now, and realize how quickly you'll be back to 2-10 again if you get too greedy. You know, like Minnesota. Anyway, Purdue's 2007 edition has proven that they are the Yoda Hollings of college football. Fearsome bully to the weak, but if David Bibbs shows up and slaps him around, he slunks back into whatever shack he rolled out of that morning. Notre Dame outgained these guys, and even held their offense in check for most of the second half. Purdue's defense isn't as bad as it's been, but it's not very good either, so Iowa might have some success moing the ball, especially on the ground after gaining some confidence last week against Illinois. 7 is way too much for Purdue to lay right now, especially against a team that can show some gumption. 10. @LSU -10 v Auburn: I went back and forth on this, because I'm tired of swaeting out these sizable favorites, but I think people are asking too much of Auburn to hang with LSU this week.(+10) They have done an admirable job lately, but playing two tough, physical road games in a row (9-7 win at Arkansas last week) might be too much to ask. This remains an offensively limited team with a banged up defense. They should be commended for their performances lately, but I think they'll get beaten soundly by LSU. Others: I've been impressed with Kansas..you really can't argue with their numbers. However, they have to lose at some point, right? Colorado is getting 3 1/2 at home, which is an overreaction to last week's games. Colorado actually played a much closer game with K St than the score indicates. I really think Kansas is due for a cbit of a clunker, and Colorado is definitely capable of beating them......I'll be on Bama as well in a pick em game with Tennessee.. These teams are evenly matched, but I think the defensive edge goes to Bama, and UT has played well enough in the last couple weeks to get the public behind them.... I think ND might be a good play getting 17 at home. USC has shown no indication that they can score with any regularity, and with the QB change, at least ND has a kid that can complete something other than a sideways pass under center...could be a close game. Stanford travels to arizona getting 12 1/2, but I have a feeling it won't be enough. Arizona has taken well to their new spread offense, and Stanford is giving up huge chunks of yardage in the passing game. people are still giving Stanford props in the line based on that game that couldn't have actually happened a couple weeks ago. .....I'll be taking a flier on San Diego St as a home dog as well. They've been getting better, and they face a New Mexico team coming off a satisfying road win at Wyoming. I like the Lobos, but 9 points might be a bit much... Finally, a MAC game. Toledo has been terrible this year, but their offense is finally coming around. The play at home laying only 1 to an offensively challanged Ohio team that has had trouble stopping people on the road. If they can't defend the home turf, Tom Amstutz might drown his sorrows in a bathtub filled with sausage gravy.....I also have a feeling that Texas Tech(+3 1/2) might benefit from a bit of a letdown from Missouri after the Tigers game with Oklahoma. I really don't see much chance for either team to stop the other, but I think Tech's defense is better. This would be a great one to watch, but I have a feeling that tech wins this one outright...That's it for this week. Good Luck and Go Illini!. That's it for this week. Good Luck and Go Illini!