After 60 minutes with his disciples, he ascended.Welcome to the Merriweather Post Pavillion/Bitte Orca/Veckatimest of the 2009 college football season. This weekend's games, much like those albums, likely will fall on deaf ears (or blind eyes as it may be) to many of your worldlier friends. To the truly open minded souls, the folks really willing to dig deep and expand their horizons, where some may perceive dissidence or irregularity, you find gold.
So while your wife gives you a puzzled look when you tell her brunch is out of the question with Purdue/Minnesota kicking off at high noon, or your buddies from your club soccer team give you grief for turning down the bar in favor of Michigan/Iowa, you aren't being antisocial or out of touch - you're just ahead of the curve.
Last weekend's update marked our debut of lines to use (and lose by), as well as yours truly making a half hearted attempt at guessing what would take place. After going 6-2, I'm playing with house money. Bet against me accordingly.
National Games
Thursday - #18 Nebraska at #20 Missouri (+1) 9:00 p.m. - ESPN
Two thirds of the compelling component of the Big 12 North race, Gary Pinkel's surprising Tigers look to prove their legitimacy against Bo Pelini's Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Huskers, much like the Buckeyes, are one botched drive from an undefeated record and a ranking 6-8 spots higher. While Blaine Gabbert is doing a far better job replacing Chase Daniel than anyone could've possibly imagined, the Tigers undefeated start comes to an end as Nebraska takes it 31-28.
#1 Alabama at #23 Mississipi (+5.5) 3:30 p.m. - CBS
A game some heralded as a kind of play-in game of sorts for the SEC Championship Game back in preseason, this contest has lost much of its luster with Alabama looking every bit a legitimate threat to Florida's SEC crown and Mississippi looking anything but ready to compete for the SEC West crown. Jevon Snead's looked far more akin to his freshman year at Texas than last season's inaugural campaign as the Ole Miss starter. Pending him suddenly channeling a Manning or an epic performance for the ages from Dexter McCluster, look for Saban and Greg McElroy's squad to take it in a less close than it appears 24-13 affair.
#2 Florida at #4 LSU (+11.5) 8:00 p.m. - CBS
Like many indie rock outfits, it's difficult to get a feel as to whether this game has contest of the year potential, or is all hype with little actual substance. LSU's rivaled Ole Miss for paper tiger of the year in the early going, though their defense seems capable of pitching a perfect game if everything clicks just right. I think it goes without saying that Meyer will play Tebow, ready or not, and it'd be surprising if Tebow brought anything but his absolute best. In lieu of a Vegas line that seems to echo with the mixed sentiments of the Bayou Bengals, I'll say Florida takes a close one with the Tigers covering 24-17.
Arizona at Washington (+2.5) 10:00 p.m. - FSN (Regional)
Hold off on the head scratching: this game has legitimate bearing on the Pac 10 race. Arizona, coming off a solid performance in Corvalis, has a real chance to buck the conventional notion that "all Mike Stoops does is lose football games". Washington and Steve Sarkisian look to bounce back from consecutive losses to Stanford and Notre Dame. Despite Jake Locker's potential as a top 10 pick in 2 seasons, 'Zona keeps their undefeated Pac-10 run alive taking this one 33-30.
Big Ten Games
Michigan State at Illinois (+4) 12:00 p.m. - BTN (Regional)
The first thing that jumps out about this one is just how little faith the Vegas oddsmakers have in Sparty. Wasn't last weekend's had it-almost lost it-had it performance against an up and coming Wolverines team grounds enough to think that maybe Dantonio's bunch could handle their business against Eddie McGee's debut as the Illini starter? While Vegas may not be particularly bullish on the Spartans, I'm more than confident that a change at signal caller won't be enough to save Illnois' season (nor likely the Zookster's job) as MSU rolls 37-17.
Purdue at Minnesota (-4) 12:00 p.m. - ESPN2
Hope travels west to take on the Fightin' Brewsters in their pretty new digs. Purdue needs a win in the worst of ways after going down to Northwestern last weekend, where as Brewster's group looks to figure out how to get the ball to Eric Decker and get their 97th ranked nationally offense going. Since somebody has to win this one, I'll go with my preseason skepticism for all things Boiler and give this one to Minnesota 30-20.
Miami (OH) at Northwestern (-20.5) 12:00 p.m. - BTN (Regional)
What? Did you really think Eastern Illinois (and former Iowa QB/possibly secretly the kid from "The Phantom Menace" Jake Christensen) v. Penn State or Indiana v. Virginia would get the nod here? This game gets the spot, if nothing else, for the sheer incredibleness of the Wildcats being favored by almost 3 scores over anyone. Former demoted play caller under (not literally as the man wouldn't be with us today) Charlie Weis at Notre Dame Mike Haywood has brought an equally ineffective brand of X's and O's to Oxford. Though while the one may seem like a sucker bet, we'll go with the little Redhawks that could to pull off a stunning cover in Evanston, 44-28.
Michigan at #12 Iowa (-7.5) 8:00 p.m. - ABC
Despite the misfortune of having to go against the more hyped Florida-LSU game, this one could go down as the contest of the weekend.. Michigan seeks to reassert themselves in the top 25 discussion traveling to always tough Kinnick to go toe to toe with the suddenly dark horse national title contending Hawkeyes. While part of me wouldn't be terribly shocked to see Iowa stumble just two weeks after a seemingly huge victory in Happy Valley, the gaps between these two defenses is just too much for TSUN as Iowa takes it 28-17.
Comments
hahaha wow you guys are really pumping up your indie cred
I'll take Nebraska tonight. They should be two TD faves.
Also, give me Tidey, Husky, Sparty, Minny, Nerdy and Iowa-y.
As for LSU-Florida, I say they both win and here's why.
I think you'd better look up the word "worldly", my good man. If one is a fan of Vickatimest, College Football, obscure geographic regions, and Internet Esoterica, I think one fits the perfect dictionary definition of "worldly".
As to the picks:
Florida crushes LSU by 17+ and Jake Locker in the East doesn't play.
'Bama crushes Ole Miss by even more and Snead cries into his store-brand lucky charms after a 2 pick performance.
I like your Big Ten picks, but how dare you bet against Jake Locker, sir? Pistols at dawn, choose your second and we shall meet below the willow tree.
Final word, why the hell wasn't I informed of the Dirty Projectors' "Bitte Orca" before this post, Luke? You know I depend on you for relatively obscure indie-art pop albums.
I hate espn and the sec.
Luke! You totally were listening! Thanks!......and that picture and caption are HILARIOUS!
I missed last week because I was driving to Chicago so I'll thank you now.
I'll take Nebraska 34-21 over Missouri as that Illinois win looks less impressive each week.
Tide "rolls" 42-13 over the extrememly over-rated Ole Miss all the while gaining a kings ransom on the ground. (I would love to see Ole Miss win this, but I can't think of any reason that would happen).
I'm going to say that Tebow does NOT play......that said I still think LSU is over-rated and covers, but can't pull out the W. UF-23 LSU-17 (Another upset I would love to see happen.......but can't fathom how it would, even without Tebow.)
Washington is a hard place to play, and I'm drinking the Locker Kool-Aid.....so I'm going with UW-27 Arizona-24.
Illinois is BAD, plain and simple. It's not a change at QB they needed as much as a change at all O-line and D-line positions. Sparty-35 Illini-10
Minnesota needs to put up points.....and no one likes to give up points like Purdue. Minnesota-32 Purdon't-16
Although I agree that Miami's chances of wining are worse than the chances of Herbie NOT mentioning "SEC speed" during a bowl game this year, 20.5 is still a lot of points. Cats-38 Hawks-21
I think PSU is really over-rated so I think the victory is even less impressive. I also think Iowa has a good defense and no offense (hence every game is close). Likewise, I think UM has a good offense and no defense (hence every game of theirs is close)......so I think this game will be determined by a wildcard.... that wildcard is Tate Forcier......he has ice in his veins. UM-27 Iowa-24
love the Animal Collective reference.
i am now feeling obligated to listen to strawberry jam
You know looking at the games, I think Florida wins by 2 touchdowns against LSU. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just think LSU is not good. Yesterday, people seemed to have a problem with that, but I just don't see it being close. Bama will will win, but I'm thinking only by 10 or so. Alabama gave up 20 points to UK and I think Ole Miss can put up that much on them. I think Iowa beats Michigan by at 14 maybe 17. Michigan has played well against Notre Dame and similar defenses, but has yet to face a team with a good D. I think this will be a tough game for them. I will say I am influenced by the fact that I want Iowa to keep winning so that the tickets I have to the game will be a showdown between 2 top 10 teams on November 14th.
Excellent piece, RunTellMatt. I agree, totally. The relationship between ESPN and the SEC is getting progressively more unseemly (in the last few years, it's gone from PG-13 to NC-17). And very astute of you to draw the parallels to the other corporate mega-entities (like GE). There's some terminoloy for that stuff, I can't remember - vertical integration and whatnot.
Take this Saturday's Aub v. Ark game. That's the best game in the NOON time slot, but I might not watch it, just out of spite. I used to love watching those kinda SEC matchups for the sheer love of the game, but the eSECpn thing is ruining the fun. I now watch these games to root for the highest ranked SEC team to lose, or hoping for a really ugly, embarrasing display of football (which eSECpn will blame on SEC speed, anyway, which makes awesome football just seem ugly). I haven't yet reached boycott phase, but it's not far off.
On the bright side, I expect to see a nasty backlash against eSECpn in the coming years. Like, this year, one (not unlikley) scenario is the SEC champ has two losses and gets into the MNCG over a 1 loss BT, ACC, BE, Pac 10, or B12 team. Say, it's undefeated Boise, then a popularity contest between a 1 loss PSU (hope not) and a 2 loss Alabama. Who do you think would win that? If non-SEC fans begin to think that one slot of the MNCG is AUTOMATICALLY set aside for the SEC champ, that will contribute to the eventual backlash.
Depsite the regional population/economic shifts of the last 4-5 decades, still only (roughly) 15 percent of all tv sets located are in SEC country. If non-SEC fans start tuning out and/or protesting loudly enough, and there's sufficient pressure directed at the powers-that-be in the those regions with the real power/money, then the other major conferences will team up with the mid-majors, and eSECpn will be gutted. SEC football will go back to being a regional thing and it will be harder for them to hold onto most their talent, again. In other words, back to the good ol' days when us Yankees used to exploit those yokels for cheap labor and take the profits back home with us.
You could argue that the Big Ten Network sort of "started it," but sorry, I won't have any sympathy for the eSECpn when the backlash hits.
Speaking of Merriweather Post Pavilion, ( the actual place) I stayed in Columbia MD on a recent trip to Baltimore thanks to Hotwire and discovered a very interesting place. It's a planned community that seems like it is from the late 60's/early '70's that is like something that would have been designed by early '70's utopians...It's lacking almost completely in commercialism, and blends in, almost annoyingly, to the natural surroundings. Kind of like if the whole world is an office park, but not in a bad way. Just a very interesting, different place.
I actually think the setup of Columbia, MD is pretty cool (used to work there).
I'll never understand why an Arkansas (or insert any other SEC team that doesn't do well in a particular year) fan gets pride out of Florida winning the NC. I guess it's just because they want something to brag about and their own team can't get it done on the field.
I understand that at this point in time ESPN has basically bought the SEC, but who's to say they stop there. If it weren't for the Big 10 Network coming along, ESPN would've made that deal with the Big 10 first. Big 10 fans are literally everywhere. I think the deal with the SEC is just the first one. ESPN wants to be the Wal-Mart of sports. They want to crush any competition they have and dominate all sports. The Big 12 or ACC will be next. Honestly, the big 10 network sucks. The coverage of the games suck, it's fine to watch classic games and their shows, but the games are terrible.
Exactly Buckeye, I'll never be happy if Michigan wins the NC. I could care less if anyone else in the Big 10 does either.
I'm not sure that the ESPN will just be able to automatically lock up the Pac 10 and Big 12. These conferences have other relationships that extend into the future - I don't know how long. I'm also not sure that ESPN can give adequate love and attention to, say, the SEC and Big 12 at the same time. The SEC might have agreements with ESPN that spell out which slots they get, etc. If the Big 12 then came in, they might get sloppy seconds.
ESPN can try to be the Walmart of sports - doesn't mean it's going to happen. Btw, Walmart has not been doing very well with their grocery side of the enterprise.
More than likely, ESPN will focus its main attention on the SEC for the next 3-5 years and, during that time, eSECpn will pay a high price for its all-in wager.
Off topic, but this video segment is pretty moving, even though it involves a Wolverine....
http://www.espn.go.com/video/c...
You can see ESPN creeping in on other areas though that are knocking off smaller sports outlets. The new ESPN sites that are specific to cities, like ESPN Chicago, it's going to trickle into other cities. That will jeopardize local news coverage, and blogs as well. I'm on saying ESPN will one day just eat every one up, but in a slow progression, I wouldn't be surprised if you see them take in other conferences along the way. It's probably fair to say the ESPN already covers more big 10 games than the Big 10 Network. It's just moving toward the schools having to get on their chanel. There is too much money and exposre to not be on their chanel.
I have to take LSU's defense to stop the wishbone-shotgun offense of the Gators. If the Lord God plays, I think the concussion effects will cost him at least 2 int's.
I have to be honest. I am hoping Christ All Mighty gets hit so hard, he never plays football again. What a tragedy that would be. The lilly-white, clean cut, preacher's boy's career ends on a third and long blindsider.
Hey, then ESECPN might have to pay attention to all the other "leaders" around the country. Who themselves also take all the balme for losses and go to church on Sundays.
Would Tebow get the same attention if he was black, had dreadlocks like Rolle, and his name was Jamaal or something like that? I think not.
Screw Tebow.
I can agree that he probably wouldn't get the attention if he didn't look like the so called Kid Next Door. There are a lot of kids out there who are really good players and good people too. I do think it's way overdone, and Jesus certainly wouldn't gator chop in opponents faces or taunt other teams the way Tebow does. However, I do believe he is a probably a good kid, and I would hate to see him get hurt in a way that would jeopardize his future in both football and life. If Urban Meyer elects to play him, which he probably will, it just goes to show that he is a scumbag that only cares about one thing, Urban. He gets a lot of great press for being the best coach do ever walk the sideline, but I say they can have him. The guy is always running his mouth in the media, he's a douche. I do want Florida to fall on its face, and I do not want Tebow to win the Heisman, but I don't wish him to be hurt.
Plus, it's bad Karma, inevitbly I'd agree and say I hope he gets his head ripped off and TP will blow out his ACL the same day.
I think I was going for the "of or concerned with material values or ordinary life rather than a spiritual existence" definition.
My bad on Dirty Projectors. If you don't get your hands on a copy between now and me getting off work, I'll be sure to share the love.
CFN/Scout is taking Wiscy this weekend 20-17. For the most part they are unbiased in their assessement of the Buckeyes, but for some reason I'm not too worried about this game. Hines blows up Clay for a fumble and Coleman returns it for 6.
Looks like Michigan State will get 2 wins in a row.
Unless it's against an SEC team, of course, which it would almost have to be.
Speaking of Pitchfork, they just recently released their top 200 albums of the decade:
http://pitchfork.com/features/...
There are some great albums in that list if you want to try out some new music.