Category: College Football (Page 76 of 296)

      2010 College Football Week 9 Picks

      October 29, 2010 /
      Oct 16, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) gestures during the game against the California Golden Bears at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated California 48-14. Photo via Newscom

      I hung onto my winning record in college football with another .500 effort in Week 8. Utah and UAB hit, but North Carolina never showed up in Miami and I fell into the trap that was Oklahoma at Missouri.

      That 4-0 weekend continues to elude me…for now.

      No. 5 Michigan State @ No. 18 Iowa, 3:30PM ET
      This game and the one I picked below it have trap written all over them, but I have a rule about not picking against underdogs in the top-10. Teams that have climbed into the top-10 got there for a reason and Michigan State is no different. While they very easily could have lost in Northwestern last week, the Spartans are on a mission and they know that if they beat Iowa on Saturday, they have a clear path to a Big Ten title. MSU has a reputation of slipping up every season, but this Spartans team has a different feel to it. Thanks to Edwin Baker, Sparty has the 28th ranked rushing offense in the nation and are 22nd in scoring. They face a stiff test this weekend going up against the No. 8 run defense in the country, but this one will be close. I’m taking the points with MSU.
      THE PICK: MICHIGAN STATE +6.5

      No. 6 Missouri @ No. 14 Nebraska, 3:30PM
      See above. Ever since I watched San Diego State nearly beat the Tigers in Missouri roughly a month ago, I haven’t been a backer of MIZZOU. Yet they keep on winning. Beating Oklahoma was a huge accomplishment and lucky for them, they have no time to celebrate with a trip to Lincoln coming up this Saturday. Nebraska’s defense shouldn’t have as much trouble with Missouri as it did last weekend against Oklahoma State, but they’ll still be challenged by the 16th-best passing offense in the nation. Again, I don’t make it a habit to pick against teams in the top-10 and while I fully admit I may be falling into a second trap (along with Michigan State), I like MIZZOU to cover.
      THE PICK: MISSOURI +7.5

      No. 2 Oregon @ USC, 8:00PM ET
      The idea of backing USC’s defense when it has the task of trying to slow Oregon’s explosive offensive attack makes me want to puke. But the Ducks embarrassed the Trojans last year in Eugene and now USC has a chance to return the favor. The Ducks are averaging 44.3 points per game on the road this year, which is still a lot, but not compared to the 55.1 PPG they’re averaging at home. They’re also allowing almost a touchdown more per game on the road than they are in Eugene and this USC team can score thanks to QB Matt Barkley. Oregon is just 2-5 against the number in its last seven meetings with USC and while I don’t think the Trojans win outright, I like them getting points at home in prime time.
      THE PICK: USC +6.5

      No. 17 Oklahoma State @ Kansas State, 12:00PM ET
      I’ll be honest, this pick was made for me the moment head coach Mike Gundy suspended receiver Justin Blackmon after the receiver was arrested on a DUI earlier this week in Dallas. Blackmon leads the nation in touchdowns and could have done some serious damage against a slow K-State defense. But you take him out of the equation and while the Cowboys’ offense is still chockfull of playmakers, I like the Wildcats’ chances of keeping things close. But they need to keep the ball on the ground with Daniel Thomas (the Big 12’s leading rusher) and keep Brandon Weeden off the field in order to have a chance. I think we see a much slower pace to OK State’s offense this weekend and K-State squeaks out a cover.
      THE PICK: KANSAS STATE +5

      Season Record: 13-11

      College Football, External Sports

      Notre Dame student killed after video tower collapses during football practice

      October 28, 2010 /
      Mar 26, 2010 - South Bend, Indiana, USA - University of Notre Dame football players gather in a huddle Friday during the first spring practice as head coach Brian Kelly officially takes over after Charlie Weis was fired last fall.

      In tragic news, a Notre Dame student who had been videotaping a football practice was killed after the tower he was standing on collapsed due to a strong gust of wind.

      From FOX Sports.com:

      Declan Sullivan, a 20-year-old junior from Long Grove, Ill., died Wednesday at a South Bend hospital after the hydraulic scissor lift he was on fell over at the LaBar practice complex. Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick promised there would be a full investigation, but did not say who was responsible for allowing the student to use the lift.

      Speaking to reporters for the first time since the accident, Swarbrick described a normal practice that quickly became chaotic on Wednesday. He said he was walking along the football field when suddenly, the wind picked up and equipment began flying.

      Swarbrick said training staff, medical trainers, coaches, players responded to Sullivan, but after emergency workers arrived, the team went back to the field so the rescuers could help the student. Sullivan was taken to a South Bend hospital, but Swarbrick said he received a call from the ambulance before it arrived that Sullivan was no longer breathing.

      The National Weather Service said winds in the area were gusting to 51 mph at the time when the hydraulic scissor lift, which can be lowered or raised depending on needs, fell over. The football team had practiced indoors the day before because of the blustery conditions caused by a fierce storm.

      It was not clear specifically who authorized Sullivan to go up in the scissor lift to videotape Wednesday’s practice, but Swarbrick said it was the decision to practice outside was left up to individual programs at the university. As a student worker, Sullivan reported to a video coordinator associated with the team.

      According to the article, many media outlets reported that Sullivan sent out a tweet shortly before practice that said, “Gusts of wind up to 60 mph. Well today will be fun at work. I guess I’ve lived long enough.”

      Why was he up on the tower in the first place? If everyone knew the winds were that bad, then why didn’t someone think not to allow him to go up there? It just doesn’t make any sense and it’s sad that such a tragic accident could have been avoided had someone used their head. Obviously they were worried enough about the winds the day before that they had the football team practice inside, yet they didn’t think to keep the students off these towers with wind gusts of 60mph? Talk about irresponsibility.

      My thoughts go out to Sullivan’s family and friends.

      College Football, External Sports

      2010 College Football Week 9 Odds

      October 27, 2010 /
      EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Mark Dell of the Michigan State Spartans scores a touchdown in front of Justan Vaughn of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 18 Iowa, 3:30PM ABC
      After narrowly escaping Northwestern last Saturday, the Spartans once again hit the road this week to take on a Big Ten opponent looking to play spoiler. Given that they don’t have to play Ohio State this year, this will likely be Michigan State’s last big challenge in the conference. If they can beat the Hawkeyes, the Spartans have very winnable games against Minnesota and Purdue at home, as well as at Penn State in late November to wrap up the season. If MSU can get through Iowa, then the sky’s the limit.
      CURRENT ODDS: IOWA –6.5

      No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 14 Nebraska, 3:30PM ET ABC
      In beating long-time nemesis Oklahoma last week, the Tigers proved to the rest of the college football world that they’re for real. Of course, things don’t get any easier for them this week as they travel to Lincoln to take on a Nebraska team that rebounded from its loss to Texas two weeks ago with a win over Oklahoma State. Missouri has lost 15 in a row on the road against AP Top 25 teams, but they’ve won four of seven over the Huskers since losing 24 straight earlier in the series. A big road win would further cement the Tigers’ place in the top-10.
      CURRENT ODDS: NEBRASKA –7.5

      No. 1 Auburn vs. Ole Miss, 6:00PM ET ESPN2
      Dear, Barbara – how good is Cam Newton? Auburn’s Heisman Trophy candidate rushed for a career-high 217 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 win over LSU last Saturday. Those 217 yards gave him 1,077 for the year, which is the most in a single-season by a quarterback in SEC history. He and the Tigers have a tough task ahead of them this Saturday, as they look to avoid the fate that Ohio State and Oklahoma (previous No. 1-ranked teams) succumbed to in previous weeks. Auburn has the nation’s 10th-ranked offense and shouldn’t have a problem moving the ball against the SEC’s 10th-ranked defense. The Rebels have split their last six games against top 10 opponents, while the Tigers had won seven straight road games against Ole Miss before losing 17-7 in 2008.
      CURRENT ODDS: AUBURN –7

      No. 2 Oregon vs. USC, 8:00PM ET ABC
      While No. 1 in the AP Top 25 polls, the Ducks are currently No. 2 behind Auburn in the BCS Standings, which is further proof how screwed up college football is when it comes to its rankings. The last time these two teams met Oregon handed USC a 47-20 loss, which was the Trojans’ worst defeat since 1997. That victory catapulted the Ducks to a Pac-10 championship, ending the Trojans’ seven-year title run. This year, it’ll be USC’s turn to play the role of spoiler, as Oregon continues to make its claim to play in the national title game. Opponents that have tried to get into a shootout with Oregon this season have suffered a miserable fate, but with Matt Barkley under center, USC certainly has the tools to go toe-to-toe with the Ducks’ high-powered offense. This should be one of the most entertaining games of the season.
      CURRENT ODDS: OREGON –6.5

      2010 College Football Week 9 Opening Odds:

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      College Football, External Sports

      Oklahoma State’s leading receiver Justin Blackmon arrested for DUI

      October 26, 2010 /
      STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Bulldogs 24-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

      After losing to Nebraska last Saturday, No. 20 Oklahoma State could have used a stress-free week as they prepare to face Kansas State this weekend.

      So much for that.

      Justin Blackmon, the Cowboys’ leading receiver, was arrested for driving under the influence in Texas early Tuesday morning after attending the New York-Dallas NFL game Monday night. Of course, that’s not the only problem though. The other issue is that he isn’t 21 yet.

      From ESPN.com:

      Blackmon, who is not 21 years old, and three friends were returning to Oklahoma after attending the Dallas Cowboys game in Arlington, Texas, when they were pulled over for going 92 mph in a 60 mph zone, the newspaper reported. Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant plays for Dallas.

      “There were field sobriety tests given on the side of the road,” Dustin Bartram, the public information officer for the Carrollton Police Department, said, according to the Tulsa World. “The officer determined that there was a detectable amount [of alcohol] on [Blackmon].”

      In Texas, if authorities deem that a minor has been drinking any alcohol and driving, that person is considered to be driving under the influence.

      Blackmon posted a $375 bond and was released at 8:06 a.m. CT, according to the newspaper. The passengers in the car were not arrested.

      No word on whether or not Blackmon will face K-State this Saturday but chances are he won’t. How could head coach Mike Riley allow one of his under-aged players drove home drunk on a school night? Blackmon is having a monster year (62 receptions, 1,112 yards, 14 TDs) for Riley, but the head coach will certainly be criticized if he didn’t discipline the sophomore wideout.

      More to come.

      College Football, External Sports

      Auburn, Michigan State and Missouri make moves in latest coaches poll

      October 24, 2010 /
      AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Cameron Newton of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Brandon Taylor of the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

      The latest USA Today/ESPN coaches poll is out, and once again an upset near the top has forced some movement.

      Oklahoma lost to Missouri in primetime, and tumbled from No. 3 to No. 11. That means there will be a new BCS No. 1 when the standings are released tonight. The most likely candidate is Oregon, which remained a very strong No. 1 in the poll, receiving 50 of the possible 58 first-place votes.

      One team that could jump the Ducks with the computers’ help, however, is Auburn. The Tigers have the best resume with wins over LSU, Arkansas and South Carolina. They jumped over TCU from fifth to third after Saturday’s win against LSU, and I’d be surprised if the Harris Poll didn’t mirror the coaches. Because, well, Harris Poll voters are lemmings (and I really don’t have a problem with Auburn jumping to No. 3).

      Michigan State moved into the top five with its squeaker against Northwestern. It’s a curious time to move a team ahead of Alabama, but it’s a big thing for the Spartans, who face their stiffest remaining test next week. A win over Iowa sets the Spartans up for an unbeaten season, and it would be tough for pollsters to move a one-loss team — even Alabama — over a major conference unbeaten. It would have been easier to keep Alabama ahead, if that makes any sense.

      The poll’s biggest mover was Missouri, which catapulted to No. 8 from No. 16 after beating Oklahoma. The Tigers and Utah remain the only undefeated teams who are behind Alabama. The most surprising move of the week: Michigan moving back into the top 25 after a bye week. Apparently the voters not getting a chance to see Michigan’s defense allow 500-plus yards and 30-plus points was enough to bring back the just-lost-two-home-games-in-a-row Wolverines.

      College Football, External Sports

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