Smurfs like freedom.The Third Day of September in the Year of our Lord two thousand and nine is finally our reality. No longer shall we be forced to dignify our evening's cocktails with "but it's college football-eve-eve-eve!". Instead, "but it's Hawaii-Lousiana Tech" will be our venerable Black Card of fine living capital.
In spite of 51.4% of this weekend's contests involving a competitor from the conference formerly known as Division 1-AA, this slate is your first six-pack of Fat Tire after 5712 hours of being only allowed to tailgate with nothing but fermented Kikkoman.
National Games
South Carolina at North Carolina State, 7:00PM Thursday - ESPN
Ordinarily I'd start with something to the effect of "let's take a minute to disregard last season's thoroughly unwatchable 34-0 shutout and equally failosophically rich 3-0 first half (seriously, North Carolina State's Cerberus of quarterbacking shame were a combined 5/20 for 49 yards, 0 scores, and 2 INTs)", but these are real flesh and blood human beings playing real collegiate football of consequence. It doesn't hurt that both teams evolved beyond a showing that would make the Miami-Florida State Monday Night opener of yesteryear (good news! They made it into a trilogy!) blush to both make bowl games. Did we mention this is REAL, LIVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL?
#16 Oregon at #14 Boise State, 10:15PM Thursday - ESPN
Purchase those two 5-Hour Energy's now, because you're most assuredly going to need them Friday morning. The 14th ranked Broncos finally manage to secure a return trip from a BCS club, their Pacific Northwest neighbors the 16th ranked Oregon Ducks. Former New Hampshire head coach and renowned offensive guru coach Chip Kelly makes his debut as the Ducks' head coach, as Chris Peterson and co. look at their only real chance to make a legitimate claim to a BCS worthyness. Boise State's second most high profile opponent could wind up being Nevada. For the Ducks, an impressive road win over a perennial non-BCS conference darling could help fast track the Ducks for a quick sprint up the polls.
#11 Georgia at #9 Oklahoma State, 3:30PM - ABC (Regional)
Will Zac Robinson start? (Yes.) Will Georgia look anything like the team picked by many to win the national title in 2008 without any proven playmakers outside of A.J. Green? (Probably not.) Can Oklahoma State play a lick of defense under new coordinator Bill Young (late of Miami 08, Kansas 07)? (We hope?) Any game with this many questions going into it will likely be ripe with football MSG (see: leaving you hungry an hour later), though given Dawg fan's Bollman-like hate for defensive corodinator Willie Martinez and Mike Gundy's career body of Leachian defensive stylings, this one could wind up with shootout potential. Certainly worth the majority of your attention in the vaunted late afternoon block.
#20 Brigham Young vs. #3 Oklahoma, 7:00PM - ESPN
Another team with Cinderella designs take their spreadtastic stylings east to Jerryworld to battle last season's national runner ups (and alleviators of much national criticism from all things scarlet & gray) the Oklahoma Sooners. Bob Stoops' M.O. in these early season out of conference contests is typically to destory the opposition mercilessly, leaving much false hope on the horizon, however, should Bronco Mendenhall and co. escape Arlington with more than just some quality Xbox 360 time, their chances at a BCS payout would be sure to increase a hundredfold. Senior quarterback and dark horse Heisman candidate Max Hall will get to match wits with defending stiff-arm trophy holder Sam Bradford in a game in which we should get to see how a prolific passer fares with 5 near complete strangers attempting to defend him from the opposing defense.
#7 Virginia Tech vs. #5 Alabama, 8:00PM - ABC
For the second straight year Nick Saban (hint: everyone else in conference who's school name's don't rhyme with Boredya) walks willingly into a nationally televised primetime kickoff weekend game against a preseason top 10 opponent from the ACC, this year Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech Hokies. Alabama's Greg McElroy sees his first action as the Crimson Tide stater, while Tyrod Taylor tries to improve upon his 2 TDs in 2008 (you read that 100% correctly). As much as I keep trying to logical fallacy myself into taking the Hokies, reason (and the 'Bama D) leave me with little other recourse except to expect another SEC out of conference reason for bragging rights.
Big Ten Games
Illinois vs. Missouri, 3:30PM - ESPN
If anything can steal your attention from Georgia-Oklahoma State, it's this annual early season border state rivalry. Juice Williams and Regis Benn look to assert themselves as back to their 07 form early and often against a Gary Pinkel coached team looking for an identity post-Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin. Yeah...
Minnesota at Syracuse, 12:00PM - ESPN2
GREG PAULUS. You hated him at Duke; now you can hate him as the Orange begin their unofficial audition to join the Big Ten, battling the the Fightin' Brewsters and Nittany Lions in consecutive weeks. The former Blue Devils starting-point-guard-turned-pine-spiritual-leader makes his much anticipated collegiate football debut, a full 5 years after being tossed around as one of the best quarterback prospects in the country can now look forward to being tossed around by athletic large men 3-times his size in maroon and gold. Tim Brewster returns for his 3rd season as the Golden Gophers headman and gets a righteous slow motion jumping high five for actually having the audacity to open his team's season on the road.
Northern Illinois at Wisconsin, 7:00PM - Big Ten Network
The Badgers, unlike certain members of the conference (THIS MEANS YOU SPARTY, HAWKEYES, HOOSIERS, WILDCATS) get our hat tip for actually scheduling FBS opposition in their opener. This game should be interesting to see where John Clay and Bret Bielema's '09 Badgers are at, particularly after a dissappointing '08 which included a should've lost game to FCS Cal-Poly. The Huskies premiere new head man Jerry Kill just brought upstate after a thoroughly successful tenure at Southern Illinois.
Western Michigan at Michigan, 3:30PM - ABC/ESPN2 (Regional)
This week can't get any worse, can it? Can it?
Comments
Fat Tire. Mmmmmm....
Two things:
#1. Great article on Francis Schmidt in the Dispatch.
#2. Art Schlicter is going to be on ESPN First Take during the 10-12 show - it then repeats from 12-2. If anybody catches it please update on what he had to say.
Fat Tire. Mmmmmmm....
noon=== OSU
3:30 Flip between Illinois / Mizzou and Mich/ W. Mich... Michigan cant lose can they?????
8pm... Hokies and Bama.... go Hokies...
Saturday is gonna be a great day... welcome back college football.
I also saw a little bit of his Outside the Lines on ESPiN. I didn't catch all of it, but what I did see was pretty nuts. He was incredibly addicted to gambling. He said he has stolen somewhere in the ballpark of $1-1.5 million over his lifetime to cover his gambling debt.
My favorite Brutus.
I hope the Illini hype machine can live up to expectations vs. the mighty BIGXII.
As for Michigan....if they don't win we might be seeing Rich Rod crying again.
"...Tyrod Taylor tries to improve upon his 2 TDs in 2008..."
That's funny stuff. Of course, when you pair that with his 7 interceptions, you can see why the Hokies are a top-10 team.
Best. Beer. Ever.
Georgia and Alabama will be fun to watch.
Went to visit my old town in Illinois this weekend and the hotel I stayed at had Fat Tire on tap, got the whole family drinking them. That is the first time I have seen it East of Colorado.
Best Beer ever=Yuengling
.....one can only hope that Dick Rod gets his ass handed to him Saturday (probably won't)... and I want Illinois to win.... Big Ten needs to win Marquee games.
Killian's Red!
I think that Georgia/Oklahoma State game looks like a good one. I kind of hope the Ducks lay a smack down on Boise State. I'm so tired of hearing how they get shafted. I know they win all the time and tough teams don't want to play them, but jeeze they lost their bowl game and to me that shows they would've got smoked in the BCS to Texas.
I had a friend who used to drive to Pennsylvania for Yuengling because it isn't sold in KY. I saw it somewhere in Tennessee and ordered it, and to be honest, I was quite disappointed.
I agree with an Oregon victory tonight. If Boise wins, they don't play another tough game until November 27th against Nevada (unless you consider the trip to Bowling Green Ohio in a few weeks tough). If Boise goes undefeated, we very well may see them in the BCS title game...ugh!
The NC State game is the one to watch. Russell Wilson is the closest thing to Troy smith you'll ever see.
its funny though, that link says 'shittybeer.jpg
ill mainly be watching GA vs. Okie St. at 330, but flip to check on the other games
I noticed that after the fact. Rest assured I'm in the violently pro-FT bandwagon. A respectable nod of the hat to the fella that mentioned Yuengling though. If i could actually get any down here in Texas, it could've been my metaphor du jour.
I know Boise State plays good football, but when Oregon is your Marquis game, it's not syaing much in my opinion. I know you can only play the games you have and they win a lot of them, but I just don't think an undefeated BSU team last year was better than us at 2 losses. Everyone was crying foul because we got the nod in the BCS. I know it's the system we have, and a playoff would allow them to have an early exit, but every year we get to listen to Boise, Hawaii, Tulane, and TCU and the same old argument.
I highly doubt that if Boise goes undefeated they'd make the title game. I was watching ESPN last night and Herbstreit was on there predicting Penn State to win the big ten, and he was saying that they have a chance to go undefeated. Before you get crazy about that, you should get crazy about this: he stated he believes even if Penn State, or an Ohio State go undefeated, (he also mentioned OSU going undefeated if they beat Penn State) that he wouldn't be surprised if they were bumped from the title game for a 1 loss SEC or Big 12 school.
I can only laugh at this, because if that's the case the Big Ten might as well pack it in. Herbstreit has turned into a Big Ten hater. At least kick the dog snot out of USC. Injured or not, I want to see those blonde haired pretty surfer boys come to the midwest and get their asses handed to them.
I realize Herbie has to/tries to be objective, but I think he takes it one step too far. He should know the big 10 needs an ally, why shouldn't it be him? (DR Lou could do it, but that would only make thingsch worschshschs)
There aren't many blonde haired surfer boys on the usc team, just that pudgey frosh QB, barkley. I expect him to be on his ass most of the game next weekend. The Bucks better win, I can't take the SC arrogance out here anymore.
I do enjoy yueling, but I go in spurts. Sticking to one thing for a few weeks and then switching to something else. I'm on a Sam Adams Oktoberfest run right now.
Best Beer = Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Best Game This Weekend = Nevada at Notre Dame. LETS GO WOLFPACK!
Well I just mixed them all in, cause Barkley is blonde haired and then you got surfer Pete. I guess I just hate the whole culture of California. Whatever the case I'll wear scarlet that day, (no osu logos tho) cause I'll be watching it with some OSU fanatics. That Saturday will be a good day. UM vs ND (battle of the shit programs right now) and USC vs OSU.
at least you don't have to deal with the "culture" of California every day of the year. But hey, weather's great!
Did you see the billboard that someone is south bend put up?
Something along the lines of "Congratulations Charlie on your 5th year of your football coach internship". Made me laugh.
Yes, it was done by the Linebacker backers, or something along those lines. Basically, the Penn State alumni backers group. It was about 40 people who pitched in to pay for the billboard. Pretty shitty if you ask me. I understand it's his fifth year, but they are set-up nicely with their schedule to make a possible run at a BCS bowl. Hell Lou Holtz is proclaiming they can go undefeated (I know, I know he obviously is a homer).
Okla St pounding UGA = phase 1 of SEC demise
You have to agree if OkSt wins, the B12 is the best top to bottom. Id argue the top 3 B12 teams would beat the top 3 SEC teams on a nuetral field.
I'll even go on record that UF does NOT win the title this year. Too cushy of a sched, too much confidence, sound familiar?
BUT, ESPN will still plug the conference in which they are financially involved, no matter how bad they are.
Supposedly its brought the team together to rally around their beloved HC. I'll believe it when I see it.
Herbie is scared to death to promote any B10 team after the Florida debacle. UF fans gave him so much grief that he might as well sport a blue and orange shirt on gameday from now on.
I have vowed to only watch ESPN for games and news, I will turn the channel every time the predictions and opinions start.
He was a regular at Scioto Downs while he was at tOSU.
About friggin' time
Herbie, Spiels and Hooley did a Q & A on the Buckeye cruise for Cancer. While he is first and foremost an employee of ESPN and must keep that in mind at all times, he was very candid about the Buckeyes and the Big Ten. He took some heat from fans who told him he should be more of homer to balance out the vitriol from other ESPN CFB "analysts"
I will going to Cols. for the Iowa game in Nov. Since I need a live CFB fix, I bought a ticket to the Rutgers-Cincy game. Who should I root for? Ohio is my home (Cols.) state and Rutgers if the state u. of NJ, where I live. Oh, Rutgers colors are Scarlett.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Baby cries every time the michigan fight song comes on. So funny!
okay, so 2 dumb questions, but I'm a teacher and i've been distracting myself with silly things like getting prepared for the start of school.
1. what time is the OSU-navy game?
2. anywhere in the chicagoland area carrying it? (jason, this one's for you!) Mcgee's? Morans? anywhere?
No worries dude, we know how busy you get in the big city :)
1. The game will start at 11am your time.
2. The game will be shown on ESPN and I think it is national coverage. Moran's is the official Buckeye bar in Chitown, so I'm sure there will be plenty of fans there and then you can take the train home.
Hope your doing well.
I personally can't stand Charlie Cheeseburger. the whole 10 year deal before he's even done anything has to be one of the dumbest contracts in college football history.
Fat Tire is great beer, as is Yuengling. I know I'll take shit for suggesting a MI beer, but Atwater Brewery in Detroit makes delicious beers, every one they make is great. Try em if you ever get a chance.
doing great, thanks for the info. my mind has been offically blown wide open with the approach of the school year. however, my school does have some MSU fans, so there will be plenty of big11 talk around the proverbial watercooler. I know moran's is fun, but I like mcgee's. right on depaul campus (which is very f'in weird for an OSU bar to be on another schools campus, right?), plus it's right off the fullerton bus, which is easiest for me. hit me up the next time you're in town!!
GO BUCKS!!
O H
No worries about the MI beers. I, myself, am a HUGE fan of Bells, out of kalamazoo. killer selection and great taste.
Sam Adams Summer, on tap is even better, it's so good you can only get it half the year.
I'll drink anything but Iron City.
/hates Pittsburgh.
not a big fan of the summer ale for some reason.
octoberfest is only available for like 3 months so by your reasoning it's even better!
With Earle.
the bar I go to here in Boone, NC has both Yuengling and Fat Tire on tap. It is heaven
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat on tap is incredible. There is a bar in downtown Pittsburgh that has it. But really, just about any of the Sam Adams beers are good.
thats good lol
I'm not buying the argument that he has to be objective. That network is full of people who are not objective at all. Lou Holtz and Beano picked Notre Dame to make the championship game for crying out loud. Chirs Fowler is always on the SEC also. I read an article where the interviewed Herbie and said what is your favoirte venue to visit. He replied, any SEC school is great to go to. The passion and tradition is unmatched. That is pretty telling about Herbstreit and his opinion about Ohio State.
I found that on si.com - scroll down on extra mustard and check the kid having a problem with bacon.
Notre Dame may be decent but they'll get thrashed in the BCS if they make it that far. I want to know why everyone just automatically assumes they are going to walk over Michigan State and Michigan for that matter. I'm not convinced they'll beat Nevada.
I don't know if the top 3 Big 12 teams would beat the top 3 SEC teams, but I think that Alabama, Georgia and LSU are very beatable and Ole Miss not sure which of those is considered to be 3rd. Florida is really tough and I think Texas would match up with them well. I think they would've matched up better in the championship game too, but anyway the big 12 is just as good as the SEC if not better top to bottom.
gag, too sweet for me. turns my stomach.
McGees is my favorite too, hope they are doing mugs again this year (it's like 4kegs all over again!). Casey Morans is fun but I feel like I am at a cubs game and it is always a complete clusterfuck, not that McGees is much better but hey.
I O
if im drinking a shitload of beer, which I will be Saturday, I prefer to stick with the old faithfuls: bud light or coors lite.
where are you guys gonna go to watch the game? I just moved to Chicago and am trying to decide what to do since I don't have a TV yet. I might just stream it on my laptop since it sounds like all the bars are packed for OSU games
McGee's has a cookout next Saturday ahead of the USC game from 12-3. I'll be stopping by for that.
Moran's is nice and closer to my place, but I'd have to give the slight nod to McGee's for Buckeye gameday experience in Chicago.
Riz,
I'll be heading up to Blowing Rock in a few weeks to do some camping/hiking.
Any suggestions on food, trails, entertainment?
Oregon kicks BSU's ass on the smurf turf tonight, we won't hear about them the rest of the year thankfully. I'm definitely watching that game tonight when I get home from work.
Georgia and Ok. State will be a good game as well. Hopefully The Pokes take care of business.
And of course I'll try to catch U$C vs the juggernaut that is San Jose State so I can get a glimpse of the fresh meat in the backfield. Helps that I get FSNWest here in LA-LA land.
I say we get a collection to send Carson Palmer, Keith Rivers and Maualuga to the Shoe next weekend to bask in the awesomness that is OSU football. Remember his comments from last year.
they can pay for their own tickets,
besides, wouldn't be surprised to see them on the sidelines
we still win though, LeBron should be there, as well as Eddie.
hey all, i am hoping to be @ McGee's for the game, but may have to set some things up in my classroom before kickoff, which i may miss. Still, if anyone in the chicago land area would like to get a 11w board meetup thing going, i'm down. Nik, COB, if you're not doing anything, i would definitely suggest McGee's. I think it has the best atmosphere of the 3-4 OSU bars I've been to, hands down. Plus, all the ones in wrigleyville, you will compete with cubs fans during this time of year. I almost got into a fight last year during the playoffs with some knucklehead who was whining that he couldn't hear the cubs game b/c the wisco game was being broadcast throughout the bar.
anyway, I will be at mcgee's by halftime at the latest, if anyone wants to meet up!
go bucks!!
Thats a toss up Pam, but ever since UC laid claim to being "Ohio's BCS team" last year, I wouldn't mind seeing them take a good ol' fashioned butt whippin' to bring them back to earth. On the other hand, I have some old buddies that went to UC and I usually root for them, I don't really want to let a few morons ruin the whole thing for me. So I guess you'll have to form your own opinion, me I'll pull for UC and wait til we play them in 2012 to remind them who their daddy is.
Excellent article Luke. The photo of Zooker is priceless.
I was headed in the UC direction. It is interesting that both schools are opening with conference play. I think the stadium expansion at Rutgers is the reason, they can MAYBE get to capacity. I bought the ticket last week!
IBall-
Dude, thats ALOT of man to rally around, wouldn't be suprised wif they need some of the practice squad to get that one done..........
How can you say that?!?! Mark May is going to poop in your bed now. haha
Giggity....after 3-4 Redbull & Vodkas that is
They always have the USC game on FSN even here in Albany NY too dude. Def. gonna check that one out
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
didn't know that. I don't remember watching them play when I was still in Columbus. Of course, that may have been by choice.
Gracias, sir.
/11Wsecrethandshake
Hope I executed that puppy right...
All I was saying is, it's hard to dispute Florida is number one, so I'm not sure that the top 3 in the big 12 can take them easy. I think the rest of the Big 12 against the rest of the SEC Matches up very well for the big 12.
But yeah, since ESPN bought the SEC pretty much, they are going to push them all the time. I heard 3 times in the first quarter of the NC state game that South Carolina is one of those fast SEC defenses. They were super fast against Iowa.
what?!?! espn has nothing to gain here!!! they wouldn't do that!!!
(i heard jesse palmer mention something about SEC vs ACC garbage btw)
I just finished watching the game had to work and i am telling anyone and everyone Tressel is a not a big time coach. I am sick of the talent we have then we always look like a Big East team people can say what they want Tressel gets slaughtered every big game. Tressel is the reason the Big Ten is hated on and 2002 was a long time ago and several field goals ago. I just always here Tressel this Tressel that he coached Division 1aa for a reason. Hell i wish we had Mike Price aleast he has a personality and his teams never underachieved year after year. I am just pissed i know next week will be Big Ten bashing after we get thumped i will be rooting for us but i am a Tressel hater and for good reason its getting old watching 1970 football note USC, Florida, Alambama etc. coaches with personality and a true coaching mind and there teams do well against elite teams. I just know we have the talent to compete just our coaching is horrib le you argue all you want watched to many games i know better Tressel needs to retire and do TV like Copper.
Impostor!