Looks like yelling uncontrollably DOES have its side effects. From Dicky V's personal letter:
After an examination, it was determined that I had lesions on my left vocal cord and that they should be surgically removed. Dr. Zeitels said his goal is to have me back sitting at courtside in early February. There is nothing professionally that I love better than sharing insights about the players and coaches that make college basketball so unique. I can't wait to get back with all my colleagues at ESPN. Visiting college campuses and interacting with the fans has kept me so young and energized. I can't wait to get back out there, having a blast with all of you, who are so vital to our game.
I really like Dick Vitale, so, it's sad to see him on the DL. I know many folks get annoyed with his quips and tone, but you can't deny him to be an important part of the college basketball community. Here's to a quick and safe, recovery, Dicky V.
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Championship Edition
#7 LSU vs #14 Tennessee 4:00 p.m., CBS. SEC Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. Story this week that is not being mentioned nearly enough: LSU's defense. I'll leave my Les Miles jokes out of a post for once (even though I said it frickin' WEEKS ago that he'd be gone). Look past the Overtimes and you'll see that LSU has given up more points than their "Rock Solid Defense" will admit to. If you really need proof...watch the drive from last weekend's game when Darren McFadden decided he was going to take control and run the show. Why were they still playing zone coverage with the backers when its obvious that the only passes will be misdirection plays and simple man would do from the secondary?
Ainge is not McFadden, in any capacity, way, shape or form. But the Tigers did let Alabama stay in the game far too long in last month's game of Nick Saban's century. I don't think an LSU is even close to inevitable, and I am contemplating picking the upset in this one. Either way, its a shoot out and a race for 35 points.
#1 Missouri vs. #9 Oklahoma 8:00 p.m., ABC Big 12 Championship, San Antonio, Texas Story this week that isn't being mentioned enough: Oklahoma's offense. Everyone keeps playing the revenge card (see, Championship, ACC VT vs. BC) but is missing that Oklahoma has been able to respond incredibly well on offense this year behind Sam Bradford (Who? Exactly). Don't look now: he's only one TD behind Chase Daniel and has two less interceptions. The only difference is the yardage gap between the two Qubes, something that the Sooners have made up with a dual-back running game. When the high-powered Tiger offense went to Norman, Boomer Sooner outshot them 41-31. How is this being missed?
This isn't even an upset call (OK is favored over Missou, don't forget). Oklahoma goes back to the Fiesta Bowl. And if they get a WAC team again, you better believe they'll be paying attention.
#12 Hawaii at Washington 11:30 p.m., ESPN2. Hawaii's BCS Playoff. Fine, here it is. Here's your moment. Colt Brennan is already a final-five for the trophy. The Warriors beat last year's BCS darling. I mean, no one will be watching because of my favorite rule (on ESPN2 and after 10 p.m.). But, you know, here's your chance to get the spotlight.
Why is Hawaii not Boise State from last year? Where's the running game and the clever coaching and the grizzled pack of seniors who dragged the program up from nothing. Will I be upset if they make the BCS? No. Accomplishments deserve rewards. But, as a Pac-10 lover and a homer, I hope they lose to Ty and the gang. Because I don't think they are nearly as good as last year's Boise State team and the amount of times we'll see that clip of the Statue of Liberty and "Is it their turn?" just won't do it for me come New Year's Day.
I haven't decided how I'll be doing some bowl predictions. Probably preview a few of each week's bowl games. Thanks for sticking through the gimmicks.
And, for my homer side, I am incredibly frustrated by the inevitable conclusion that BC has no chance this weekend. Everyone seems to forget a rainy night in Blacksburg. Sure, BC did slump a little after that, but you don't think the lack-of-respect (AGAIN) thing is not going to give them motivation? GO EAGLES.
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Les Miles = Blue. And maize.
Virginia Tech at Virginia Noon, ESPN2. The Commonwealth Cup is incredibly important to BC fans because they will face the winner next weekend in the ACC Championship. I am still massively skeptical about VT's offense, even if it did perform well against Georgia Tech and they put up 44 on Miami. Chris Long and the rest of the Cavaliers - at home, on Senior Day - will be looking to end a long losing streak against their intrastate rival. What's the best case scenario for BC? Good weather in Jacksonville and another team to show up. I avoid biases as much as possible, but, as a resident of NoVa myself, I feel more compelled to cheer for the 'Hoos than the Hokies. Since I can't endorse cheering for injuries (at least not openly), put this game in PIP during the BC-Miami game.
Tennessee at Kentucky 1:30, CBS. If the Vols win, they get to play LSU. The question on that game, though, is which LSU shows up? Will they be inspired or will they quit on a lame duck coach (I'm still arguing hard that Les Miles is the choice for Michigan, in case you are wondering)? 12 hours ago, LSU lost their chance to play for the national championship at home and now is looking for what I assume will be a spot in the Roses or Fiesta (depending on what happens with the Big 12 Carousel these next few weeks). Playing in Pasadena doesn't have the lore for an SEC team that it does for the Pac-10 or BigTen. I'm giving this game to Tennessee and we'll see next week in Atlanta.
Kansas at Missouri 8 p.m. ESPN360. Yes, the game of the century isn't available on regular cable. Awesome. Let's break down some scenarios for the BCSCG. Kansas wins, beats Oklahoma next week, they go to New Orleans. Kansas wins, loses to Oklahoma next week, likely goes to the Orange Bowl after West Virginia goes to New Orleans. Missouri wins, beats Oklahoma, New Orleans. Missouri wins, loses to Oklahoma, its Ohio State-West Virginia in New Orleans; Oregon-LSU (last month's National Championship showdown) in Pasadena; Oklahoma-Hawaii in the Fiesta (have fun with the WAC, again, guys); ACC Champ-Kansas in the Oranges (I'm not gonna write it); Georgia/Tennessee-ACC Runner-up (if it's a BC-VT showdown in Jax) in the Sugar Bowl. Hawaii and the ACC Runner-up are the last two choices and could be flip flopped.
Oh, right, game analysis. Chase Daniel should win the Heisman if he can get to the National Championship, but I'm pretty sure the race is over after McFadden's performance last night. Tebow and McFadden are the two best players, but they haven't been able to guide their teams very far (neither will make a BCS, neither plays for the conference championship). Daniel has his team in the driver's seat with some impressive numbers. If he is the reason they win tonight, he's number one on my ballot. (Which I don't have)
I love this time of the Season.
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Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at H&L. We have been a bit slack during this tough work time for all of us, but expect some regular posting to return this weekend.
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Yes. I got mine last night, but I don't think I was wrong. With Dixon out there, the Ducks were playing just fine. It was once they brought it SOMEONE RELATED TO RYAN LEAF that the wheels fell off. Right before that last drive (which stalled because of A) a late throw that gave the secondary time to cover and B) UofA's phenomenal line play) Leaf was 5/12 for about 50 yards and a pick for six the other way. The Ducks still only lost by 10. I stand by my belief that, with Dixon, they were the best team in the country. Now? I have no clue.
Who's excited about a Kansas-West Virginia title game (because that is just as likely as anything at this point).
Rant over, here's three games to watch.
Kentucky at Georgia: 12:30 p.m., Gameplan. Georgia needs this win badly if they want to have a chance for the SEC East bid. That loss to Tennessee in the beginning of October is really making them play harder right now than they should need to. You have to believe that Tennessee will beat Vanderbilt this week, which would put the two teams in a hypothetical tie if the Dawgs win. Hypothetical because (a) the tiebreaker goes to the Vols and (b) the Vols travel to Lexington Thanksgiving weekend. So, to summarize: Kentucky still matters. They can take the mystery out of the team that everyone will pick to lose to LSU and I'll pick to upset (just to be obnoxious).
Missouri at Kansas State 12:30 So, here's the thing, with Dixon going down, the Heisman is going to be McFadden (3 losses), Tebow (3 losses) or, well, who? How about Chase Daniel? Why NOT Chase Daniel? Consider this: He has at least one game-of-the-century next week in Kansas City, then a potential championship showdown with the Sooners, then the National Championship. He has as good of a path as anyone to strengthen his resume on the way to the voting and lead his team to great things. His numbers aren't too shabby either. 3300 yards, 26 touches and 9 picks. You'd take that for your team any day.
West Virginia at Cincinnati 7:45 p.m., ESPN Cheer for the Bearcats like you've never cheered before. The worst thing that I think can happen this season is the existence of the Big East in the national championship game because, frankly, they have done nothing to deserve it. Good teams beating mediocre teams is nothing better than great teams beating each other up. I'd put a one-loss Ohio State or Arizona State in ahead of the Mountaineers if LSU stumbles. No one in the Big East has been able to load the defensive box with a front seven as strong as USF's because, well, they just don't have the talent. There are plenty of other teams who have the athletes to force WVU to go vertical where they will be beaten.
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I want to make a quick apology to all the pollers and "sponsors" of the BCRC/Bleachers Poll. Tragically, due to a massive workload, I was not able to crunch numbers this week and aggregate the Poll. So, I'm going to throw myself in front of the train and let you all pick apart my own Top Ten.
1. Oregon
2. Kansas
3. LSU
4. Oklahoma
5. West Virginia
6. Missou
7. Ohio State
8. Arizona State
9. Georgia
10 Hawaii
Why Oregon? By knocking off USC a few weeks ago, Oregon finally ended the Trojan Dynasty. By beating the Sun Devils handily in Eugene, Dennis Dixon likely sewed up the Heisman and the Pac-10 crowd. The loss against Cal is looking more flukey every week and the Duck defense has responded to the way the Bears went over, around and through them. I think, you put any team on the field, neutral location, the Ducks should be favored. What else should it take to be number one?
Kansas over LSU I like playing this game to describe Les Miles's idiocy against Auburn. A frickin' FLY lands on the football and LSU is a two loss team. So, maybe Kansas hasn't played outside the state of Kansas, and if it was Ohio State, I'd be knocking them. But they are passing the tests as they come. But did you see the way the offense responded against Nebraska? Oklahoma State? This team could gun sling with anyone. I think that a Kansas-Oregon game would be just as competitive as a LSU-Oregon game. My verdict of the 'hawks over the Tigers is based on the impressive way that Kansas has not backed down. Plus, there is a little anti-SEC bias in my head, because I think that "they beat each other up" is not a justification for so many of them to be ranked.
Conference Strength Look, I have three Big 12 teams in the top ten and two SEC teams. I am really tempted to drop West Virginia, but, for some reason, I can't do it. The Big East has really shown their true colors this year, and I'm glad that everyone is finally not buying Tranghese's Kool-Aid. The ACC is definitely in waiting. VTech will continue to be good. Florida State and Miami will bounce back. Those three are locked in to be top 15 within the next few years, consistently.
What about BC? I don't know. I was sure three weeks ago that Jags was building this program past the hump and into the elite, but now I'm sitting watching his recruiting and wondering if we are going to get the defensive athletes we need to have a solid D. The injuries don't help, right now, but that can't explain 42 points to Maryland. Here's my BCS conference rankings:
1. Pac 10
2. SEC
3. Big 12
4. ACC
5. Big Ten
6. Big East
And I would put the Big East lower if I could. I'll actually get three games to watch up tomorrow, I promise.
Editor's Note: BC in fact DOES control its own destiny. Tied with Clemson for the Atlantic lead with a two game lead, a win this weekend and the Eagles gain the tie breaker over Clemson and Wake and will be locked into Jacksonville.
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All around, this was not a successful weekend for the Eagles of Boston College. Friday night, the Eagles blew a third period lead to tie a much weaker team. Saturday night, they might as well have been a high school team playing against an NHL team.
Friday night, the Warriors of Merrimack skated onto Kelly Rink at Conte Forum with nothing to lose. If they lose the game, it would be expected. That "nothing to lose" attitude helped them erase a third period deficit to tie the Eagles 3-3. The supposedly superior Eagles squandered many opportunities as they went only 2-for-10 on the power play. They also blew a 3-2 third period lead, a lead in which they had scored 3 straight goals to go ahead, with a little under 8 minutes left to play.
Squandering opportunities seemed to carry over to Saturday night's game in New Hampshire as the Eagles went 1-for-7 on the power play. The one power play goal actually could've sparked this team, but for some reason it did not. Four minutes into the third period, Ryan Hayes scored on a power play for the Eagles, tying the game at 2. Unfortunately, the momentum had not shifted as New Hampshire gained the lead back just over one minute later. Despite 11 penalties by the Wildcats, New Hampshire seemed in control almost from the get go, winning 5-2.
This clearly isn't the same team from the past couple of years, the team that has played its way into postseason after postseason. Or, maybe it is. Like past years, it is taking this team some time to gel. Give this team a little more time together and reserve your judgment until the end of January/beginning of February. Hopefully by that time we will see the same type of Eagles team as in the past.
For now, here is how the schools rank:
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll
November 12, 2007
1 University of Michigan (21) 9-1-0
2 Miami (Ohio) University (12) 9-1-0
3 Michigan State University (1) 8-1-0
4 University of Denver 6-2-0
5 University of North Dakota 5-3-1
6 University of New Hampshire 5-1-1
7 Colorado College 5-3-0
8 Clarkson University 7-3-0
9 Boston College 3-2-4
10 University of Wisconsin 5-3-0
11 University of Notre Dame 7-4-0
12 University of Minnesota 6-4-0
13 St. Cloud State University 6-2-2
14 University of Massachusetts 4-2-3
15 University of Minnesota-Duluth 4-3-1
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Well our boys looked phenomenally weak last night, and there isn't really one squad or another to blame. Both Offense (Running Game, OLine, 2INTs) and Defense (42 Points to MARYLAND?!) looked like they forgot how to play. Now at this point in the season, we are looking at BEST at a back door to the ACCCG (we no longer "control our destiny"). Lets just hope they can get it back together and stay above Boise/San Fran.
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