Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1455 of 1503)

On the request of Georgia President Michael Adams and Florida President Bernie Machen, the television crews that cover this Saturday’s Florida-Georgia game cannot refer to the contest as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” While the reference to the game has been around for decades, the two presidents are concerned about the two schools “promoting” binge drinking among the student body.

Guess what? It’s going to happen anyway fellas.

Now, I understand why the two presidents have come out and made such a request. In the past two years, two students have been killed at the gathering. In 2004, one student fell off a parking garage while in 2005 another was beaten to death after wondering away from his group of friends. If you’re a president of a school, it doesn’t bode well if you’re supporting more students cracking open adult beverages in the wake of two deaths.

However, a phrase uttered by a television host isn’t going to change the behavior of the students. Chris Fowler muttering “Cocktail Party”, on ESPN College GameDay isn’t going to influence anybody one way or another. And the fact of the matter is, there are thousands of college campuses around the US that are housing the same kind of tailgating activities.

Unfortunately, things happen. But things are going to happen whether a game is referred to as “The Largest Cocktail Party” or the “The Safest Party in America.”

With the new AP and USA Today Top 25 polls posting over the weekend, it’s time to take a look at the top 10 in college football.

Once again, the two polls disagree on what program should be ranked number two. Once again, I think the USA Today folks are a bit delirious to think Michigan couldn’t beat USC on natural ground right now. Although, given the Trojans schedule this year, USC would probably face the Wolverines at home, after an off week and after Michigan played Ohio State. Seriously, have you seen how USC’s schedule is set up?

Here is how I see the Top 10:

1. Ohio State (8-0)
Anybody who has a problem with this ranking can take it up with Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Antonio Pittman and Anthony Gonzalez…they’ll be right with you after they get done scoring on your ass.

2. Michigan (8-0)
Anybody who has a problem with this ranking (USA Today) can take it up with LaMarr Woodley, Leon Hall, Prescott Burgess and Shawn Crable…they’ll be right with you after they get done stuffing you like a turkey.

3. Texas (7-1)
Whoa Long Horns, you almost made me look bad with that game against the Cornhuskers – although hey, good teams find ways to win in the end. Nice individual effort by safety Aaron Ross in causing the turnover that allowed QB Colt McCoy (stud) and K Ryan Bailey to win the game for UT.

4. USC (6-0)
Oh, hey Trojans. Almost didn’t recognize you after the second off week you had this season. I don’t mean to hammer USC, because they do have a solid team. But after a couple of mini wins over inferior programs, I just don’t see the Trojans stacking up against the three previous ranked teams. And I wouldn’t be totally surprised if West Virginia knocked off USC either.

5. West Virginia (7-0)
I hear that sophomore QB Pat White is eligible for the NFL draft next April and is thinking about coming out early. Stay in school young man and polish your game. Unless you have enjoyed what NFL defenses have done with fellow quarterback’s Trent Green, Matt Hasselback and Ben Roethlisberger this season.

6. Auburn (7-1)
Nice game by RB Ben Tate and QB Brandon Cox over Tulane this weekend. It’s looking more and more every week that the Tigers just had a bad week against Arkansas a few weeks ago and deserves another shot. That, and the Razorbacks are still kicking ass and taking names, so it proves that ArKANSAS was no fluke.

7. Florida (6-1)
The Gators needed an off week didn’t they? This weekend “Cocktail Party” should be less daunting against a struggling Georgia program. But then again, I’m sure Urban Meyer’s bunch isn’t overlooking the Bull Dogs in the least.

8. Tennessee (6-1)
I’m telling you, Alabama is a tough program. The Tide gave everything they had against the Vols last Saturday and almost pulled off a nice upset. Erik Ainge (three interceptions) is allowed to have one bad day, isn’t he?

9. Louisville (7-0)
The big game between Louisville and West Virginia is finally on the horizon folks. One team will be considered legit, while the other will likely get bounced out of the top 10 due to its powder cake schedule. Is it just me, or do the Mountaineers seem far and away the better team? Something tells me that that game is going to be a dud.

10. Clemson (7-1)
I love it. I’ve been on the Tigers bandwagon ever since they rocked Bobby Bowden’s bunch way back in September. Clemson and its sacred rock deserve to be ranked higher than Notre Dame – I’m sorry. The Irish did have a nice moment in the last second 45 yard TD from Brady Quinn to Jeff Samardzija on Saturday, but the Tigers just have something special going this season.

Here are your college football players of the week. Remember, if you feel that another player was worthy of higher honors than the two I chose, post the athlete and let me hear why you think he or they were more deserving.

Remember though, the two athletes I pick are usually going to be on a team that played somebody other than the nerds from the Revenge of the Nerds movie.

That’s just how I roll – here are your top performers of the week:

Offensive Player of the Week:James Davis, RB Clemson
Stat wise, there were actually better performers than Davis (like Boise State RB Ian Johnson, who rushed for 283 yards and four TDs). However, teamed up with fellow back C.J. Spiller, Davis (216 yards and two scores) and the Tigers were able to trump then-13th-ranked Georgia Tech 31-7 in the big ACC showdown on Saturday. The win lifted Clemson into the top 10 in the AP poll and that my friends, is why Davis earns the OPOTW honors.

Defensive Player of the Week: Ameer Ismail, LB Western Michigan
Because of the school, Ismail probably didn’t stick out to college football fans over the weekend. However, Ismail stuck out like a sore thumb in the minds of Ball State. The linebacker had six sacks, which tied an NCAA single-game record, in the Broncos 41-27 win over the Cardinals. Ismail also took an interception back for a touchdown and added 13 total tackles. In short, the guy was the Broncos defense.