College Football Week

The 2007 Texas Longhorn football team kicksoff to the University of Oklahoma Sooners at the Red River Shootout 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First I want to say a big Happy Birthday to my six year old- he’s spending the day with his Sessy and Dude-and while mommy and daddy go to C’ville to drink, be merry, and hopefully watch UVa beat Maryland.

But with the busyness of the birthday I didn’t want to leave my Gals and Pals hanging with so many good football match ups today.

Red River Shootout– oh no Rivalry

This one irks me just a bit. The Red River Shootout Rivalry is the annual rivalry game between Big 12 foes Oklahoma and Texas. This game goes all the way back to 1900 and its it one of the best rivalries in all of sports. The teams meet during the State Fair of Texas because it is halfway between both schools. And both teams travel well.

So why does it irk me? Not the actual rivalry itself, its fantastic. No it’s the re-naming of the Red River Shootout to the Red River Rivalry because of corporate sponsorship pressure not to promote gun violence. Really? Y’all do realize this game is in Texas and I’m pretty sure between Texas and the great state of Oklahoma there are happy, responsible gun owners. But whatever you call it, it is still one of the best atmospheres for college football and a prime example why I LOVE the sport so very much.

So what about the 2012 edition to the history books? Will the Longhorns prevail with their young offense after a loss to the Geno Smith show from WVU? Or will OK be okay in putting up numbers?

Both teams are 1-1 in the Big 12

The Longhorns rank sixth in the nation for scoring with 46.8 points per game.

The Sooners have Laundry Jones who comes to the Red River Shootout Rivalry after an impressive win over Texas Tech. And they’ve won this game the past two years.

In my opinion I like Texas but I think given Jones’ experience I think he can put some points on the board- and after last week’s game we all know Texas is not equally defense right now.

I’m taking the Sooners to win.

Notre Dame goes for 6-0

I want everyone to take a deep breath because my goodness the last time my house hold was this excited about Notre Dame football my tiny human was still inside me. Now with five impressive wins- fun fact this season the Fighting Irish have never trailed in a game.

Its all about the D for Notre Dame- they have only allowed three touchdowns this season- three touchdowns that’s incredible. But this week they face the attack from a qualified team in Stanford.

Stanford’s QB Josh Nunes is having a great season, and it is surprising given he is following in Andrew Luck shoes. Last week he threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns.

But he hasn’t faced a defense like Notre Dame. Just ask Miami who only scored a field goal last week against them.

I am not picking- though I think it’s pretty obvious who the Gal Pal is routing for.

Gamecocks want to prove they belong with the SEC elite

Wow South Carolina- y’all know how to put on a show. 6-0 for the season and 4-0 in the SEC after a dominating game last week at home to then No 5 Georgia. The final score 35-7.

Now they head to Death Valley with an LSU team still chopping at the bit to move past a disappoint loss to Florida last week. Plus this team has a 22 game winning streak at home.

I’m taking LSU- I think that Les Miles will have his team prepared and their defense ready.

Finally…

Dear Hokie and Wahoo Nations,

This has been a tough season thus far. The Big East and Triangles respectively have beaten us and damaged our spirits.

I want to remind the Wahoos that we have a young squad and things will get better- though I plan to be incredibly “marinated” for the start of our homecoming game. Plus its Maryland- please don’t let us lose to Maryland and their stupid, ugly helmets. (Though executives at Under Armor for the right price I am willing to put as much of your stuff on the blog). If nothing else basketball, lacrosse, and finally baseball are all moment away.

Hokies, I hate to say it I am finding a bit of joy in your troubles. Y’all are not a humble fan base and have been hiding your mediocrity from yourselves through 10 win seasons. Gang, you play in the ACC and your out of conference schedule is a joke. You have a 0-13 record against top ten teams. And I won’t mention your bowl game win percentage.

And yes when a Wahoo says these things you get to say “well what have y’all football team done?” Oh I don’t know, bridge the gap between recruiting, and we consistently produce high caliber NFL talent. Plus our fans are not crazy like you are. All you are is football- we are balanced, and according to Playboy have way more sex than you.

This season is a gift… because in order for y’all to fill that empty trophy case you need different coaching. And I am not alone thinking this- Hokie Nation is starting to question Beamer and his need to keep an old fashion safe offensive scheme. And what happened to Beamer Ball- special teams used to win games. (Side note if you’re on twitter follow me @SportsGalPal but you all should follow @EmptyTrophyCase who is hilarious as the day-to-day life of that poor case which has a sign saying Reserved for National Championship)

So rings your keys Hokies, cause your season is way more disappointing than your fellow Virginians in C’ville. Take advantage of the weakness and demand more from your coaching staff- if Wahoos can keep our president certainly you can pressure the athletic department to make changes.

Water Cooler: College Football Edition

The Geno Smith show is good on the Road

After yesterday’s win there is no contest- WVU‘s quarterback Geno Smith is your Heisman candidate. This year he has 1,996 passing yards, 204 attempts and the best stat ever no interceptions.

The game was a close one, all really coming down on a 41-yard field goal that Texas kicker Anthony Fera missed late in the fourth quarter. This is the same kicker who transferred from Penn St– and whose absence was most notable in the Penn St loss to UVa.

Also I must mention the WVU receiving duo Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin- wow. Bailey had three touchdowns and Austin another one plus 111 yards on kick returns.

What this game signifies is that WVU is the top dog in the Big12- nice for your first year.

Oklahoma bounces back

Keeping with the Big 12- OU came up with an impressive win against Texas Tech- 41-20. Landry Jones had 25 of 40 catches for 259 yards and two touch downs. Tech did have 271 passing yards but only 89 rushing yards.

Penn State comes from behind in the 4th to beat N’western

Trailing 11 going into the fourth quarter the Nittany Lions had to pull up their boot straps. They scores three times in the final 10 minutes of the game.

This happened after N’western has a 75 yard punt return for a touchdown late in the third quarter.

Stanford gets overtime victory

Andrew Luck who?

Stanford qb Josh Nunes had a career high 360 yards, threw two touchdowns and ran in for three more.

He was a scoring machine.

But Arizona looked good- they did get over 400 passing yards against Stanford something that hasn’t happened since 2007. But the defense couldn’t hang on.

Florida defends its Swamp for the Win

Oh my- now this was a football game. None of these basketball, let the quarterbacks throw until their arms give out. This was fought on the ground- and the Gators win.

Mike Gillislee ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns giving the Tigers their first regular season loss in 19 games.

South Carolina makes it an ugly day for UGA

Wow- 35-7 victory for the Gamecocks (try saying that name without a giggle- I bet you can’t). They not only got the win but stopped a Georgia team that had a league-leading 48.2 points and 536 yards a game offense.

Notre Dame easily withstands the Hurricanes

Back in the 1980s this was a great rivalry- and if you’re interested a wonderful book called “Perfect Rivals” by Jeff Carroll is an excellent read. This time the Irish has 587 yards total and 376 yards rushing.

This wasn’t even close- Miami only scored once a field goal in the first quarter and then the Irish led for three quarters without a single Miami score.

Did I mention the Irish are undefeated?

The Triangle is Evil and Should be Destroyed

Perhaps next week I won’t write about UVa and Va Tech and then maybe those team will win.

Of course actually playing defense would help as well.

UVa is a mess- but looking I should have expected this with the loss of Kris Bird and Chase Minnifield– it’s just hard to go from your first good season in so many years to a now four game losing streak. And to lose where you score no points in the second half. Grrrr

On the other hand we could be the Hokies who right now need to have a hotline set up to calm fans down. Seriously I was looking at the fan message boards and a scream of S.O.S messages make me wonder- what are y’all thinking? Calm down folks.

I guess when you’re used to winning consistently one bad season is a shock.

On the other hand let’s look at Duke and UNC- obviously Virginia and VT forgot it was football season and went straight to basketball season. I’m not going to look at the numbers- I don’t want to its too painful. Both teams were impressive- especially Duke’s defense. And UNC found many holes in VT coverage- I was shocked.

And no 4 FSU lost in the Triangle as well to NC State makes the Triangle and evil place for ACC football- evil.

So maybe there should never be all three teams having home football games because it caused a great disturbance in the force.

Related articles

• Week Six College Football Preview (sportsgalpal.wordpress.com)

Week Six College Football Preview

There is so much college football this weekend I just can’t handle it! If you are a college football fan get all your Saturday stuff done this morning then get your butt in front of the TV. If you are not a college football fan and you live with a college football nut then take one for the team and find something to do today. Here are the games the Gal Pal is most looking forward to!

Heisman front runner Geno Smith takes his show on the road to Texas

West Virginia vs Texas

This is one game I’ve been looking forward to since the Big 12 announced that WVU would be joining the conference. Both teams have offense for days- and Geno Smith is coming off a career performance against Baylor last week. The Longhorns just had a tough road victory.

Look for lots of scoring- think a basketball type score- it will be an entertaining game to watch.

I’m going to say Hook ’em horns– WVU traveling for the first time this season to a very hostile home crowd- the pressure will finally get to Geno Smith. Texas wins by 7.

Texas Tech vs Oklahoma

Yes there are other games playing in the Big 12- and Texas Tech has only allowed 3 yards a carry the 9^th ranked nationally and they are undefeated. Plus they are undefeated. Tech also leads the country in yards per attempt and passer rating. The Sooners have a weak offensive line and that doesn’t give the quarterback protection against the pass rush.

I think the Red Raiders take this one.

Northwestern vs Penn State

Northwestern is undefeated- and at the tops of the Big 10 ranks. I know it sounds like bizzaro football world but its true and they have a chance to keep their undefeated ranking- but they face the Nittany Lions at home. Northwestern ranks 2^nd in the Big 10 in rushing, but Penn State’s defense is improving so this will not be an easy road test. Plus did I mention that Northwestern has lost five straight to Penn State.

I hope Northwestern can pull out a W.

Arizona vs Stanford

The Cardinals need to have a good game to bounce back from losing to Washington last week. Arizona is trying to survive this stretch of really good opponents- the last two have been ranked and the next four are too.

I think Arizona is too new under the Rich Rod system- I’m going with Stanford.

LSU vs Florida

The Tigers are looking for a win in the Swamp- but Florida at home is no cupcake. The Gators are coming off of a week off and LSU’s offense allowed an FCS school to score 22 points. The key to the game running- whichever team can get a running game going will win.

I’ll take LSU by 3

Georgia vs South Carolina

A BIG SEC MATCH UP! Georgia is ranked number 5 and SC is ranked 6- yay for football fans. The Gamecocks are looking for a third straight victory against the Bulldogs. Both teams are undefeated and both want to go to the SEC championship game.

I think Georgia has the edge- a bit stronger defense and bit more to prove.

Miami vs Notre Dame

Welcome back undefeated Irish and taking on the Hurricanes of Miami who despite have major sanctions are 4-1. Notre Dame, please for the sake of my household please win this game because my husband loves you. The Irish defense should hold Miami back.

Also this is another rivalry game for the Irish- they have like a zillion of them. This time it’s played in Chicago at Soldier’s Field.

UVa and Va Tech head to the Triangle

And finally because I’m a glutton for punishment I’m going to mention that the Wahoos and Hokies are invading the Duke and UNC campuses for much needed road wins.

My Hoos are finally starting Phillip Sims (thank God!) but Duke is 3-1. Please come back with a win I don’t care how close but a win please.

The Hokie Nation is dealing with much as they are not sure what to do- could there finally be a season when they don’t win 10 games. If there is this is it because y’all face UNC, FSU, and Clemson- good luck with that schedule.

I will not pick winners in either game because deep down you know whom I’m rooting for.

Go Hoos!

Water Cooler Talk- College Football Edition

Let’s Re-cap those college football games I was on the lookout for.

Longhorns win on the Road

It was a solid effort from the Texas quarterback David Ash- who was 30 of 37 for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Ash, a sophomore, is starting to really find his rhythm- and keeping his cool during critical plays like a 4^th and 6 on the final drive to seal the victory.

Oklahoma State held its own by running for 275 yards. New QB J.W. Walsh threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

University of Virginia No 1 Playboy Party School and Worse in the ACC Coastal Division Right Now!

It was a story of two halves- the first Virginia took the ball and ran keeping – Michael Rocco threw for 265 yards in the first half but was so terrible in the second that he was replaced by Alabama transfer Phillip Sims- who almost saved the game except for the last drive which deserves its own blog post- lets just save UVa‘s biggest problem was defeneding against the screen and penalties- 16 in all for the entire game which cost them 145 yards.

UVa, who went to the Chick-fil-a Bowl last year has so much work to do it hurts. The performance was so bad most of the student sectioned emptied before the beginning of the 4^th quarter- I guess they decided to start celebrating their number one party school ranking from Playboy early.

With big Big 12 debut- WVU QB Geno Smith looks like favorite for Heisman

The final score of the Baylor vs West Virginia game was 63-70 and did I mention it was a football game and not basketball?

Smith had a record breaking game- going 41 of 51 throws for 656 yards, eight touchdowns, and no interception. He had more total touchdown passes than incompletions and it is performances like that which make Heisman Trophy voters get all kinds of excited.

Next week WVU goes down to take on the Longhorns.

Oregon State wins close game against Arizona

With beating Arizona 38-35 on Saturday the Beavers are now 3-0 and are the only team in the nation to have beaten only ranked or previously ranked opponents.

With being the little brother to No 2 Oregon- Oregon State fans should be excited about prospect of their sophomore quarter back Sean Mannion. Last season Mannion threw 18 interceptions- this year with only three games he is 67% pass completion for 363 yards.

O-H-I-O gets Big 10 Opener win on the road

Such a close, tight game- just what you should expect from two nationally ranked teams. Newly installed Ohio St coach Urban Meyer got his fire Big 10 win and despite having three turnovers QB Braxton Miller has a signature road win.

Michigan St start running back Le’Veon Bell only had 17 carries for just 45 yards.

Virginia Tech is 0-2 in the Big East this season

During the second half of the La Tech vs UVa game the biggest cheers came from the out of town box scores when it showed Va Tech losing to Cincinnati- yes very un-sportsman like, I cheered too but when you’re team is consistently behind your rival well I’ll let you finish the thought.

Typically Va Tech defense is solid- but not that game especially in the last few minutes. Eerily similar to Boise State game – the Hokies only had to last two minutes to win the game. Instead Cincinnati wide receiver Damon Julien actually got behind cornerback Kyle Fuller and caught a 39-yard touchdown pass with only 13 seconds left.

What is more shocking is that Va Tech’s offense didn’t make a single first down in the game until very late in the second quarter.

This loss is not good for the Hokie faithful who have a tough slate of ACC opponents including Clemson and FSU.

Related articles

• Geno Smith: How WVU QB Compares to Former Heisman Winners (bleacherreport.com)
• Week 5 College Football (sportsgalpal.wordpress.com)

Week 5 College Football

Logan Thomas of Virginia Tech following his team’s loss to Clemson in October 2011. Will there be smiles after a win? (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This weekend is filled with so much college football the Gal Pal just can’t handle it! Here are the games I’m going to be on the lookout for- even while cheering on my beloved Wahoos, live at Scott Stadium tomorrow. If you want to meet up with the Sports Gal Pal she’ll be tailgating with the Camp Wahoo gang.

No. 12 Texas at Oklahoma State

This is a big road test for the Longhorns who are 3-0 leading up to this divisional match up with Oklahoma State.  Coming off an impressive win against SEC opponent Ole Miss, quarterback David Ash threw for 326 yards and had 4 touchdowns in the Longhorn win.

But don’t discount Oklahoma State whose QB J.W. Walsh threw for 347 yards and too had four touchdowns in last week’s match against Louisiana Lafayette.

I look for the Longhorns to come out of top for this match up- but look for a high scoring game for both sides.

Louisiana Tech at Virginia

Yay I get to talk about my Wahoos- and the fact that we could potentially lose tomorrow L

Louisiana Tech is being called a BCS killer for good reason, they are currently a 2.5 point favorite over the Wahoos and average about 55 points a game.  Right now Virginia is coming off of two awful road losses- Duke (3-1) has a better football record than us that isn’t good.

For Virginia to win the offense must do better than the short passing game plan- especially on 3^rd down!

In hate to say it but I think Louisiana Tech is going to win this one.

No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 West Virginia

Geno Smith seems to have everything going his way- and with Michigan and USC losing he just might be in the minds of Heisman Trophy voters too.

In their Big 12 debut I think West Va is going to have a great offense game and Baylor who seems to have a habit of digging into holes early isn’t going to be able to keep up.

The only reason to watch is it is West Virginia’s first round in the Big 12.

West Virginia wins easily.

No. 18 Oregon State at Arizona

Is Oregon State for real? After coming off of two losing seasons the Beavers are ranked 18^th and are 2-0.  But this will be a true road test for them as they face Arizona.

Under new coach Rich Rodriguez the Wildcats have been getting more media attention but there seems to be issue of a lack of depth- especially on defense that could give Arizona trouble.  But they are coming off of an embarrassing lost to Oregon 49-0 last week.

I’m going to give this one to the Beavers- I just don’t think that Arizona has the talent to keep up with an emerging offense.

No 14. Ohio State at No 20. Michigan State

ESPN’s College Game Day is making the trip out to East Lansing. Will it be the Buckeyes or can Sparta say victor in this Big 10 match up?

This could technically be the Big 10 Championship since the Buckeyes are still suspended from post season play- tattooing can be serious stuff kids.

I think the Buckeyes have a solid shot at a great road victory.  But they have been shaking barely getting by UAB and California.  Michigan State can win if they shake off the demons from two weeks ago with their loss to Notre Dame.

I can’t call this one- I think it is a toss up.  If Michigan St’s wide outs can stop dropping passes then they have a real shot.

Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati at Fed Ex Field

These former Big East rivals on a big stage- and the last time Hokies played at Fed Ex they lost to Boise State.  Will Beamer Ball be the winning ticket or will the Bearcat chop on some Turkey?

The Bearcats arrive undefeated and the Hokies are looking forward to not losing twice in a season to a Big East foe.  Interesting note that the last time these two teams played it was in 2009 at the Orange Bowl where Hokies shocked the world by winning a bowl game (come on I had to throw one in there).

If the Hokies can jam the offense then they could pull the win.  All the Bearcats have to do is stop Logan Thomas.

I’m not picking a winner because I don’t want to… and you can’t make me.

Related articles

• Week 5 College Football Picks: (ACC, Big 12, Pac 12) (thepigskinreport.com)
• BCS impact games, Week 5: West Virginia, it’s your time to shine (sbnation.com)