HELLO LITTLE BROWN JUG!!!
Congrats to the Gophers
and the BTFF Gopher 3!
Saturday, October 08, 2005
FIRE MASON NOW, wait, I NEED A NEW TEAM, wait, how about
Congrats to the Gophers
and the BTFF Gopher 3!
Game of the century, part deux!
With the first place Farmers facing the second place Goodgers, this game match-up promises to more exciting than the first one. The Fighting Farmers, like the Gophers, are also susceptible to late season swoons. Even though the Farmers have started off with a band going 5-0 and winning the total point pool 4 out of 5 weeks, that could easily turn around with a key injury, or poor personnel moves. The Farmers don't intend to let this game be "the one that got away" either. In this historic game, an immovable object meets an irrestibable force. The outcome could well determine the BTFFL champions. The game some view as a sideshow vaudeville act also has more importance than the arm-chair fan realizes. The game between the Spitfires and the orange bloated glowing pumpkin phantoms could ceil the coffin on the Spitfires and elevate the Goblins to contention for second place. The game could also relegate the Goblins to an also-ran if they loose and possibly position the Spitfires for a run at third place.
Farmers starting line up;
Powers
Kirsch
Calhoun
P Thomas
Avant
A special helmet will be worn to commemorate this intense rivalry game. May the Fighting Farmers bring victory for all Minnesotans today.
Looking Backward -- The Draft, Part II
Worst 10 Picks
10 AJ Jimmerson, 12th Round (Andy). Jimmerson not a bad risk at the point he was taken in the draft. No Running Back of significance was selected after Jimmerson except one. And that’s what makes AJ a bad pick, Matt took the other MSU freshman back, Javon Ringer, in the same round, 3 picks later.
9 Austin Scott, 10th Round, (Shawn). Another pick that doesn’t have a massive impact, Scott has done almost nothing as Tony Hunt has maintained his solid BTFF RB role.
8 Brandon Roberson, 5th Round, (Shawn). This is also a bit unfair. Roberson was the unquestioned starter for NW at the start of the season and the unquestioned consensus RB with value going into the draft. There is no reason to believe he would not have been very productive (a scary thought given Shawn’s early dominance) but an early injury has made him useless. Perhaps the greater sin was not backing him up and letting Sutton slip away.
7 Shonn Greene, 9th round (Jay). The first of several bad RB picks largely because Tyrell Sutton was available. Greene backs up Albert Young, not bad insurance but not the value of the 2nd highest scoring RB in the league.
6 Kevin Grady, 9th round (Andy). Like Greene, Grady taken before Sutton. Worse still, taken before Sutton and Gary Russell. Again, all three on the day of the draft were back ups but Grady the wrong bet – although with Hart’s early season injury, that not as obvious as it may be now.
5 Rashard Mendellhall, 8th round, (Matt). The worst of the Tyrell Sutton Effect Backs, Mendelhall drops this far because he’s on a terrible team and can’t get significant playing time behind Pierre Thomas and EB Halsey. May still have long term value but right now, he’s dead weight on a roster.
4 and 3 Ed Hinkel, 7th round (Shawn) and Kyle Ingraham, 6th round (Shawn). If there was a Tyrell Sutton Effect, then the next two picks are products of the Jason Avant Effect. Hinkel and Ingraham picked before Avant, the number 1 fantasy WR this season. Hinkel and Ingraham blips on the fantasy map so far this season.
2 Brandon Kirsch, 2nd round (Shawn). One of Shawn’s “free” picks, Kirsch has been a fantasy disappointment. But worse, he has scored less than Breet Basanez (6th round), Michael Robinson (7th round), Tim Brasic (10th round) and Blake Powers (15th round). That leaves Kirsch outperforming only Brian Cupito, Anthony Morelli, and undrafted John Stocco among QBs available in the draft. Another player that could turn his season around but he has been a bust so far.
1 Maurice Wells, 5th round (Jay). Not much to say here. Cut Tony Hunt to get this pick, he sucks, he can not beat out Tony Pittman, a pick of no value to the team. His 5, that’s right, 5 fantasy points on the season put him ahead of injured Roberson, not playing Demetrius McCray, Maquess Simmons, and Red Shirt Jay Thomas! This is not what to do with your first pick in a fantasy draft.
Not quite bad enough or not enough fantasy impact to make a difference:
Ray Williams (just missed)
John Goss
Marc Philmore
Anthony Morelli
Jamil Walker
Eric Haw
Jakeen Gilmore
Pierre Thomas
10 AJ Jimmerson, 12th Round (Andy). Jimmerson not a bad risk at the point he was taken in the draft. No Running Back of significance was selected after Jimmerson except one. And that’s what makes AJ a bad pick, Matt took the other MSU freshman back, Javon Ringer, in the same round, 3 picks later.
9 Austin Scott, 10th Round, (Shawn). Another pick that doesn’t have a massive impact, Scott has done almost nothing as Tony Hunt has maintained his solid BTFF RB role.
8 Brandon Roberson, 5th Round, (Shawn). This is also a bit unfair. Roberson was the unquestioned starter for NW at the start of the season and the unquestioned consensus RB with value going into the draft. There is no reason to believe he would not have been very productive (a scary thought given Shawn’s early dominance) but an early injury has made him useless. Perhaps the greater sin was not backing him up and letting Sutton slip away.
7 Shonn Greene, 9th round (Jay). The first of several bad RB picks largely because Tyrell Sutton was available. Greene backs up Albert Young, not bad insurance but not the value of the 2nd highest scoring RB in the league.
6 Kevin Grady, 9th round (Andy). Like Greene, Grady taken before Sutton. Worse still, taken before Sutton and Gary Russell. Again, all three on the day of the draft were back ups but Grady the wrong bet – although with Hart’s early season injury, that not as obvious as it may be now.
5 Rashard Mendellhall, 8th round, (Matt). The worst of the Tyrell Sutton Effect Backs, Mendelhall drops this far because he’s on a terrible team and can’t get significant playing time behind Pierre Thomas and EB Halsey. May still have long term value but right now, he’s dead weight on a roster.
4 and 3 Ed Hinkel, 7th round (Shawn) and Kyle Ingraham, 6th round (Shawn). If there was a Tyrell Sutton Effect, then the next two picks are products of the Jason Avant Effect. Hinkel and Ingraham picked before Avant, the number 1 fantasy WR this season. Hinkel and Ingraham blips on the fantasy map so far this season.
2 Brandon Kirsch, 2nd round (Shawn). One of Shawn’s “free” picks, Kirsch has been a fantasy disappointment. But worse, he has scored less than Breet Basanez (6th round), Michael Robinson (7th round), Tim Brasic (10th round) and Blake Powers (15th round). That leaves Kirsch outperforming only Brian Cupito, Anthony Morelli, and undrafted John Stocco among QBs available in the draft. Another player that could turn his season around but he has been a bust so far.
1 Maurice Wells, 5th round (Jay). Not much to say here. Cut Tony Hunt to get this pick, he sucks, he can not beat out Tony Pittman, a pick of no value to the team. His 5, that’s right, 5 fantasy points on the season put him ahead of injured Roberson, not playing Demetrius McCray, Maquess Simmons, and Red Shirt Jay Thomas! This is not what to do with your first pick in a fantasy draft.
Not quite bad enough or not enough fantasy impact to make a difference:
Ray Williams (just missed)
John Goss
Marc Philmore
Anthony Morelli
Jamil Walker
Eric Haw
Jakeen Gilmore
Pierre Thomas
Friday, October 07, 2005
Goodgers Starters
BIG GAME FOR BUCKY
Here come the Goodgers
QB Michael Robinson
QB Brett Basanez
RB Mike Hart
RB Albert Young
WR Dorian Bryant
WR Mario Manningham
WR Brandon Williams
K Josh Huston
QB Brett Basanez
RB Mike Hart
RB Albert Young
WR Dorian Bryant
WR Mario Manningham
WR Brandon Williams
K Josh Huston
Invitation
To the Farmer and the Goodger,
I am inviting you to my house tomorrow to watch some of the games. I am not equipped with the best TV system but the basics (ESPN, 2) are covered. I will throw in some chicken and other food products to keep you occupied during the commercials.
I have talked to the farmer -he's in- so I guess this is really targeted to the Goodger.
I am inviting you to my house tomorrow to watch some of the games. I am not equipped with the best TV system but the basics (ESPN, 2) are covered. I will throw in some chicken and other food products to keep you occupied during the commercials.
I have talked to the farmer -he's in- so I guess this is really targeted to the Goodger.
Big Ten Coaches
The coaches I would most like to play for in the BT if I were 15 years younger:
1 Kirk Ferentz ( it's hard to say it but I think he is a good recruiter and he seems to run a reasonable O and D scheme - everyone shares in the love)
2 Jim Tressel ( surprise! He just seems not to be a rah-rah guy and a jock head- although he probably is- and I thought he was a good coach until this year when he pulled superman from the Texas game (and it's not just b/c he is on my fantasy team). I guess its his apparent personality that attracts me more than his ability or lack there of.
3 Barry Alverez ( I don't like his personality but I think he knows what is going on and I would be confident that the team would always be competitive if not very good)
4 Ron Zook (I don't know much about him yet so that helps him - but he seems like a guy that will try new things especially on O and I like that in a coach)
5 Hoeppner (see comment on Zook)
6 Joe Paterno (he is really too old school and conservative for me but you know what you get from him and he has mellowed in his old age)
7 Randy Walker (he's a little too slick for me- he looks like an offspring of Gordon Gecko and plus he kills his players in the summer heat but he is a rather creative O coach and that sounds fun!)
8 Lloyd Carr (he just seems dead to me- like a zombie- even his speech is haunting. Plus I think he is a bad coach and always has dog house players. I get the feeling he handles players poorly and would rather sleep than talk to someone about football. He just strikes me as kind of a wet noodle)
9 John L. Smith (this guy is a shit head. He runs up the score on teams, moves players around like they were his personal dolls and he acts like a flake and an ass all at the same time. He has turned MSU into a respectable team but that's all he's got.
10 Glen Mason (too many issues to write about here- maybe if he was in the MAC! )
11 Joe Tiller (if the straw in his mouth during the game doesn't scream stooge then I don't know what does. This guy is all gimmick and acts like it's all about him. His teams play dirty and I know he endorses it. I hate this guy)
1 Kirk Ferentz ( it's hard to say it but I think he is a good recruiter and he seems to run a reasonable O and D scheme - everyone shares in the love)
2 Jim Tressel ( surprise! He just seems not to be a rah-rah guy and a jock head- although he probably is- and I thought he was a good coach until this year when he pulled superman from the Texas game (and it's not just b/c he is on my fantasy team). I guess its his apparent personality that attracts me more than his ability or lack there of.
3 Barry Alverez ( I don't like his personality but I think he knows what is going on and I would be confident that the team would always be competitive if not very good)
4 Ron Zook (I don't know much about him yet so that helps him - but he seems like a guy that will try new things especially on O and I like that in a coach)
5 Hoeppner (see comment on Zook)
6 Joe Paterno (he is really too old school and conservative for me but you know what you get from him and he has mellowed in his old age)
7 Randy Walker (he's a little too slick for me- he looks like an offspring of Gordon Gecko and plus he kills his players in the summer heat but he is a rather creative O coach and that sounds fun!)
8 Lloyd Carr (he just seems dead to me- like a zombie- even his speech is haunting. Plus I think he is a bad coach and always has dog house players. I get the feeling he handles players poorly and would rather sleep than talk to someone about football. He just strikes me as kind of a wet noodle)
9 John L. Smith (this guy is a shit head. He runs up the score on teams, moves players around like they were his personal dolls and he acts like a flake and an ass all at the same time. He has turned MSU into a respectable team but that's all he's got.
10 Glen Mason (too many issues to write about here- maybe if he was in the MAC! )
11 Joe Tiller (if the straw in his mouth during the game doesn't scream stooge then I don't know what does. This guy is all gimmick and acts like it's all about him. His teams play dirty and I know he endorses it. I hate this guy)
Formula for victory
I have been giving the current gopher problems a lot of thought recently- too much actually- and I reached the conclusion that the only way the gophers are going to make it to a bowl game this year is if they take some risks on O and D. In other words, they must out-coach their opponent to make up for obvious personnel deficiencies. I know this is laughable considering Glen Mason is the coach and he is on record as saying "you live by the run and you die by the run." But I will offer my strategy for the gophers this week anyway.
First on the list of gopher problems is D, particularly D line play. The now 35 year (except rarely in 1998-1999) inability to get a spark of a pass rush dooms even the infrequent good performance they manage from time-to-time (see 2003 Michigan). Thus, this week aganinst Michigan, the priority must be getting heat on Henne. I still maintain that he is poor Q that benefits from a front line that rarely allows pressure on him. He cannot run well, he has a tendency to stare at one receiver, he holds the ball a long time and he is prone to fumbling. Consequently, the game plan should be to stay in a nickel package all game and blitz often. I do not mean send one or two LBs or a safety, Michigan is ready for that kind of blitzing and the last two years proves they pick it up well. No, I mean send one more guy than they can block to ensure a quick throw and maximum pressure. This is the only way Minnesota can get pressure and it requires gambling with single coverage on the wide-outs and possibly getting burned on the draw play. But I would put T Campbell on Avant and tell him to jam Avant - hold if necessary - and disrupt their routes. I expect that Michigan will have some big plays but we might also force some turnovers and some stops. Besides its to give up a big play for a score once in a while rather than watching Henne sit in a lawn chair and pick us apart on 10 play TD drives all day. It's true the gophers cannot allow Hart to beat them with 6, 8 ,and 12 yard runs, but the blitz should help take Hart out of the game and make Henne throw to win. I like my chances better against Henne than Hart.
In addition, In order to win, the gophers will likely have to score in the 30s- even with my D strategy, therefore they need to get creative on Offensive. My first approach would be to come out in a no-huddle O, maybe even spread formation and throw the ball. I know, we have a bad Q and we want to bleed the clock and shorten the game..blah ...blah ..blah. Michigan is going to be posied to stop the run but if Minn comes out in a no-huddle with a spread look I promise you Michigan's D will be confused. Cupito may not be able to handle it but you have got to try it. Try to create match-ups where Wheelwright is lined up agains their smallest corner- let him use his size to catch passes and make their speed less effective. Also put Wallace on their saftey- in the slot- he has good speed and could give Barringer or whatever his name is trouble. Then send Maroney out wide to line-up against a LB and throw him the ball. By spreading the field we should be able to get some favoarble match-ups that will help us complete passes. If we can move the ball and score- even 3- on the first drive Michigan will be huddling on the sidelines trying to make adjustments. It is at that point that we can start to mix in runs. I want to keep their D front on the field and get them tired- they are big and will wear down. So under no circumstance do we let them sub. In the Purdue game Minn. began by running trap plays- something they had not shown in the non-conf play. This completely fooled PU - who had preared for the outside zone play- and it was successful for most of the game. We need to do that again only on a much larger scale. I think we should run the flea-flicker and the throw back pass - these plays will help keep the safeties back and should give us a chance to run the ball. The point is we must do something (many things) Mich is not prepared for and this will make them more cautious all game long and help nuetralize their speed. I also would not be afraid to go on 4th down anytime it is less than 3 yards or when we are their side of the field. Of course, the argument against this idea is that we should wait until the Wisconsin game when we are at home and try to surprise a Wisc. team that has a suspect pass D (Indy last week). But my feeling is that even if it doesn't work this week it will make Wisc. look at more film and give us some practice. If the gophers play their same old style this week they will lose for sure. Even if they play well they will still lose, just by fewer points. So this is the product of my day-dreaming and frustration- now I will imagine what it would be like to have a good coach.....
First on the list of gopher problems is D, particularly D line play. The now 35 year (except rarely in 1998-1999) inability to get a spark of a pass rush dooms even the infrequent good performance they manage from time-to-time (see 2003 Michigan). Thus, this week aganinst Michigan, the priority must be getting heat on Henne. I still maintain that he is poor Q that benefits from a front line that rarely allows pressure on him. He cannot run well, he has a tendency to stare at one receiver, he holds the ball a long time and he is prone to fumbling. Consequently, the game plan should be to stay in a nickel package all game and blitz often. I do not mean send one or two LBs or a safety, Michigan is ready for that kind of blitzing and the last two years proves they pick it up well. No, I mean send one more guy than they can block to ensure a quick throw and maximum pressure. This is the only way Minnesota can get pressure and it requires gambling with single coverage on the wide-outs and possibly getting burned on the draw play. But I would put T Campbell on Avant and tell him to jam Avant - hold if necessary - and disrupt their routes. I expect that Michigan will have some big plays but we might also force some turnovers and some stops. Besides its to give up a big play for a score once in a while rather than watching Henne sit in a lawn chair and pick us apart on 10 play TD drives all day. It's true the gophers cannot allow Hart to beat them with 6, 8 ,and 12 yard runs, but the blitz should help take Hart out of the game and make Henne throw to win. I like my chances better against Henne than Hart.
In addition, In order to win, the gophers will likely have to score in the 30s- even with my D strategy, therefore they need to get creative on Offensive. My first approach would be to come out in a no-huddle O, maybe even spread formation and throw the ball. I know, we have a bad Q and we want to bleed the clock and shorten the game..blah ...blah ..blah. Michigan is going to be posied to stop the run but if Minn comes out in a no-huddle with a spread look I promise you Michigan's D will be confused. Cupito may not be able to handle it but you have got to try it. Try to create match-ups where Wheelwright is lined up agains their smallest corner- let him use his size to catch passes and make their speed less effective. Also put Wallace on their saftey- in the slot- he has good speed and could give Barringer or whatever his name is trouble. Then send Maroney out wide to line-up against a LB and throw him the ball. By spreading the field we should be able to get some favoarble match-ups that will help us complete passes. If we can move the ball and score- even 3- on the first drive Michigan will be huddling on the sidelines trying to make adjustments. It is at that point that we can start to mix in runs. I want to keep their D front on the field and get them tired- they are big and will wear down. So under no circumstance do we let them sub. In the Purdue game Minn. began by running trap plays- something they had not shown in the non-conf play. This completely fooled PU - who had preared for the outside zone play- and it was successful for most of the game. We need to do that again only on a much larger scale. I think we should run the flea-flicker and the throw back pass - these plays will help keep the safeties back and should give us a chance to run the ball. The point is we must do something (many things) Mich is not prepared for and this will make them more cautious all game long and help nuetralize their speed. I also would not be afraid to go on 4th down anytime it is less than 3 yards or when we are their side of the field. Of course, the argument against this idea is that we should wait until the Wisconsin game when we are at home and try to surprise a Wisc. team that has a suspect pass D (Indy last week). But my feeling is that even if it doesn't work this week it will make Wisc. look at more film and give us some practice. If the gophers play their same old style this week they will lose for sure. Even if they play well they will still lose, just by fewer points. So this is the product of my day-dreaming and frustration- now I will imagine what it would be like to have a good coach.....
Thursday, October 06, 2005
TRADE ALERT!
In the first trade of the 2005 BTFFL season, the Halifax Spitfires send WR Clinton Soloman (Iowa) to the Golden Goblins in exchange for WR Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State).
The Spitfires coach Carhart said, "Clinton is a talented player, but his career is coming to an end after this year and we needed to bring some young blood into our program."
The Goblins coach Carhart simply said, "Ted Ginn sucks."
The Spitfires coach Carhart said, "Clinton is a talented player, but his career is coming to an end after this year and we needed to bring some young blood into our program."
The Goblins coach Carhart simply said, "Ted Ginn sucks."
Gopher trivia
Can you name the number of big ten teams Minnesota has beaten in the Glen Mason era that have gone on to finish the season with a winning conference record? (1997-2004)
more trivia
Can you name the only player in history to win the coveted Nagurski award for best defensive player in the nation twice in back-to-back years? Obviously it was a Big Ten player.
Hint: it was not Bronko Nagurski
Hint: it was not Bronko Nagurski
week 2 pick'em games
Well, this week's slate looks to be tough. And I still do not have a good tie-breaker in mind. I do not want to use the BT games b/c that is likely to end in a tie as well. I thought about predicting the highest ranked team to lose but that has issues too. Maybe picking the biggest blow-out game among our group and then the person that picked the most lop-sided score wins the tie-breaker. I am not sure but that is where I am at for now. So here are this week's games:
Syracuse at Connecticut (Friday night)
Kansas at Kansas State
Central Michigan at Army
Oklahoma at Texas
Virginia at Boston College
Air Force at Navy
Baylor at Iowa State
Missouri at Oklahoma State
Georgia at Tennessee
Texas Tech at Nebraska
North Carolina at Louisville
Stanford at Washington State
Texas A&M at Colorado
Cal at UCLA
BYU at New Mexico
Oregon at Arizona State
plus the Big Ten games of course
Syracuse at Connecticut (Friday night)
Kansas at Kansas State
Central Michigan at Army
Oklahoma at Texas
Virginia at Boston College
Air Force at Navy
Baylor at Iowa State
Missouri at Oklahoma State
Georgia at Tennessee
Texas Tech at Nebraska
North Carolina at Louisville
Stanford at Washington State
Texas A&M at Colorado
Cal at UCLA
BYU at New Mexico
Oregon at Arizona State
plus the Big Ten games of course
I Know You Guys Don't Care...But
Here's my SEC Rankings:
1. Vanderbilt (The 'lovable loser' of the SEC)
2. Kentucky (Not a Confederate State)
3. LSU (I kind of like LSU, and it didn't bother me when they won the National Championship. Plus, you have to love both their colors and helmet...and the eye of the tiger on their field is sweet!)
4. Arkansas (I don't mind Arkansas that much...Bill Clinton)
5. Tennessee (Now we're into the teams I don't like, but Tennessee is the least objectionable...Al Gore)
6. Georgia (I really don't like Georgia at all, but I don't hate them either...Jimmy Carter)
7. Mississippi State (Prabably tied with Georgia, though they do suck....well, I'll leave them at #7 because it's Mississippi)
8. South Carolina (A state I hate with coaches I hate...Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier)
9. Alabama (Used to be #12 until I read 'Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer.' Oh, and the Gophers beating them in the Music City Bowl certainly helps.)
10. Ole Miss (Johnny Reb)
11. Auburn (Private school in Alabama...but that Auburn fan we met at the Music City Bowl seemed nice enough)
12. Florida (I hated the Gators with Spurrier and I hate them now...Jeb Bush, 2000 Election!)
It's Penn State!
Yep, as much as I hate to admit it, Shawn was right. Penn State is my new team for the rest of this season!
I really like Michael Robinson at Quarterback, and Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Justin King are fast recievers(my favorite kind) and fun to watch. Not to mention that I have Derrick Williams and Tony Hunt on the Spitfires, which also helps.
Of course....there's a distinct possibility that they'll lose to Ohio State this weekend and ruin yet another season for me. Whoaa, that would be something, I could say 'this year's over' twice in one season! Sweeeeet.
We Are...Penn State!
I really like Michael Robinson at Quarterback, and Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Justin King are fast recievers(my favorite kind) and fun to watch. Not to mention that I have Derrick Williams and Tony Hunt on the Spitfires, which also helps.Of course....there's a distinct possibility that they'll lose to Ohio State this weekend and ruin yet another season for me. Whoaa, that would be something, I could say 'this year's over' twice in one season! Sweeeeet.
We Are...Penn State!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Another Wednesday, another set of scores
Illinois 34
Indiana 27
Iowa 28
Purdue 35
Minnesota 17
Michigan 31
Wisconsin 34
Northwestern 21
Ohio State 24
Penn State 14
Indiana 27
Iowa 28
Purdue 35
Minnesota 17
Michigan 31
Wisconsin 34
Northwestern 21
Ohio State 24
Penn State 14
Time for the ACC
Sorry if this is boring you , but It's the only thing I can think of to kill time.
The ACC is a really tough conference for me because I really don't have any strong feelings about any of these teams. But...I'll give it a shot.
1. Boston College (not even close, the only Northern team is #1...Doug Flutie! I like BC alot.)
2. Maryland (more lovable losers...mid-atlantic states are better than Southern states)
3. Georgia Tech (urban Atlanta school, kinda cheer for 'em)
4. North Carolina State (meh, no strong feelings...terrible terrible helmets)
5. North Carolina (one of the best uniforms in college football....hate them for basketball though)
6. Clemson (one of the best uniforms in college football....private school though)
7. Wake Forest (meh, dont really like them)
8. Virginia Tech (meh, dont really like them. It's really a tie w/Virginia...I don't care.)
9. Virginia (meh, dont really like them)
10. Duke (they're terrible , so I often find myself cheering for them, but I can't get past basketball....and a private school)
11. Florida State (really hate 'em)
12. Miami (Really fuckin' hate 'em)
The ACC is a really tough conference for me because I really don't have any strong feelings about any of these teams. But...I'll give it a shot.
1. Boston College (not even close, the only Northern team is #1...Doug Flutie! I like BC alot.)
2. Maryland (more lovable losers...mid-atlantic states are better than Southern states)
3. Georgia Tech (urban Atlanta school, kinda cheer for 'em)
4. North Carolina State (meh, no strong feelings...terrible terrible helmets)
5. North Carolina (one of the best uniforms in college football....hate them for basketball though)
6. Clemson (one of the best uniforms in college football....private school though)
7. Wake Forest (meh, dont really like them)
8. Virginia Tech (meh, dont really like them. It's really a tie w/Virginia...I don't care.)
9. Virginia (meh, dont really like them)
10. Duke (they're terrible , so I often find myself cheering for them, but I can't get past basketball....and a private school)
11. Florida State (really hate 'em)
12. Miami (Really fuckin' hate 'em)
Looking Backward -- The Draft
Top 10 Best Picks:
10 Matt Trannon, 18th round (Shawn). He’s not great, but the fact that he is even productive makes it a very good pick in the draft’s last round.
9 Jared Ellerson, 13th round (Matt). Another modest fantasy point producer but more fantasy points than Kyle Ingraham and Ed Hinkel, taken in the 6th and 7th round of the draft.
8 Javon Ringer, 12th round (Matt). Decent in 2005 – looks to be the long term answer at MSU.
7 Jeremy Scott, 16th round, (Matt). 6th highest scoring receiver, consistent production, a bargain in this round.
6 Blake Powers, 15th round (Shawn). I still think he’s going to fall off the face of the Fantasy earth but even if that happens, as the last QB selected and in the 15th round, a great pick.
5 Brian Calhoun, 1st round (Shawn). First player selected still a low price to pay for the #1 fantasy back.
4 Derrick Williams 11th round (Andy). This guys is going to be a Heisman candidate, could produce like no other WR in BTFF history.
3 Gary Russell, 9th round (Shawn). 14th RB taken, more than a viable starter now, hard to imagine not the future in MN. Some taken ahead of him: Maurice Wells, Rashard Mendelhall, Kevin Grady.
2 Jason Avant, 8th round (Shawn). Number 1 Fantasy WR. 30th player overall (includes keepers), 17th player selected, 5th WR taken.
1 Tyrell Sutton, 9th round (Matt). More than a little luck involved here but Matt took him when he wasn’t a starter and he’s one of the best backs in BTFF and he’s just a freshman.
Several that just missed the cut:
Kory Sheets
Tony Pittman
Albert Young
Jason Teague
Kyle Brown
Mario Manningham
10 Matt Trannon, 18th round (Shawn). He’s not great, but the fact that he is even productive makes it a very good pick in the draft’s last round.
9 Jared Ellerson, 13th round (Matt). Another modest fantasy point producer but more fantasy points than Kyle Ingraham and Ed Hinkel, taken in the 6th and 7th round of the draft.
8 Javon Ringer, 12th round (Matt). Decent in 2005 – looks to be the long term answer at MSU.
7 Jeremy Scott, 16th round, (Matt). 6th highest scoring receiver, consistent production, a bargain in this round.
6 Blake Powers, 15th round (Shawn). I still think he’s going to fall off the face of the Fantasy earth but even if that happens, as the last QB selected and in the 15th round, a great pick.
5 Brian Calhoun, 1st round (Shawn). First player selected still a low price to pay for the #1 fantasy back.
4 Derrick Williams 11th round (Andy). This guys is going to be a Heisman candidate, could produce like no other WR in BTFF history.
3 Gary Russell, 9th round (Shawn). 14th RB taken, more than a viable starter now, hard to imagine not the future in MN. Some taken ahead of him: Maurice Wells, Rashard Mendelhall, Kevin Grady.
2 Jason Avant, 8th round (Shawn). Number 1 Fantasy WR. 30th player overall (includes keepers), 17th player selected, 5th WR taken.
1 Tyrell Sutton, 9th round (Matt). More than a little luck involved here but Matt took him when he wasn’t a starter and he’s one of the best backs in BTFF and he’s just a freshman.
Several that just missed the cut:
Kory Sheets
Tony Pittman
Albert Young
Jason Teague
Kyle Brown
Mario Manningham
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
pick'em winners
After this week it is clear that we need a tie-breaker
By the way could last weekend's results have been any worse. The gophers get crushed, Iowa and michigan win, Iowa State loses in OT and Vandy has a game winning field goal blocked - needless to say I was close to suicide Saturday night but don't worry I have recovered to mere deep depression now. I can't wait until saturday when I can inflict more torture on myself.
Results:
Andy missed 8 games
Jay missed 8 games
Matt missed 8 games
Shawn missed 10 games
note: these include the Pitt/Rutgers game
How are we going to split a quarter 3 ways?
P.S. You will note in my selections that I actually said that I thought Rutgers and Alabama would win which really makes me the clear and technical winner this week.
it's all about the glory - so honor me!
By the way could last weekend's results have been any worse. The gophers get crushed, Iowa and michigan win, Iowa State loses in OT and Vandy has a game winning field goal blocked - needless to say I was close to suicide Saturday night but don't worry I have recovered to mere deep depression now. I can't wait until saturday when I can inflict more torture on myself.
Results:
Andy missed 8 games
Jay missed 8 games
Matt missed 8 games
Shawn missed 10 games
note: these include the Pitt/Rutgers game
How are we going to split a quarter 3 ways?
P.S. You will note in my selections that I actually said that I thought Rutgers and Alabama would win which really makes me the clear and technical winner this week.
it's all about the glory - so honor me!
Ranking the Big 12
I'm so bored right now I think I''l have to give my rankings of my favorite Big 12 teams. Can you see it yet, I'm going to get to all the conference by the time the season's over....I know you're all anticipating that Sun Belt ranking.
1. Iowa State (far and away #1)
2. Colorado (had a tough time deciding between Buffaloes and Mizzou)
3. Missouri (Cool stadium)
4. Kansas State (again, had a tough time between the 2 Kansas schools, but went with K-state because I hate KU's basketball program)
5. Kansas (Glen Mason...groan)
6. Oklahoma State (no feelings about OSU either way)
7. Texas Tech (no strong feeling, but Knight in basketball...and it's in the state of Texas)
8. Baylor (meh, it's a private school)
9. Texas (hate Texas, but not as much as most...it is in Austin)
10. Texas A&M (Bush's!)
11. Oklahoma (2 of my most hated in college football)
12. Nebraska
1. Iowa State (far and away #1)
2. Colorado (had a tough time deciding between Buffaloes and Mizzou)
3. Missouri (Cool stadium)
4. Kansas State (again, had a tough time between the 2 Kansas schools, but went with K-state because I hate KU's basketball program)
5. Kansas (Glen Mason...groan)
6. Oklahoma State (no feelings about OSU either way)
7. Texas Tech (no strong feeling, but Knight in basketball...and it's in the state of Texas)
8. Baylor (meh, it's a private school)
9. Texas (hate Texas, but not as much as most...it is in Austin)
10. Texas A&M (Bush's!)
11. Oklahoma (2 of my most hated in college football)
12. Nebraska
Monday, October 03, 2005
Changing Teams
I decided today that I can no longer be a Gopher Football fan. They will never be a good team, and I can't stand cheering for a loser year after year and feeling dejected every Sunday.
The only thing left to do is become a fan of team that can actually win! So I'm moving on to my other favorite team so I can actually see a winner.....Go Iowa State!.....ummm, maybe thats not the right team.....
OK, Minnesota and Iowa State both suck. I know, I'll cheer for a team that I like and that plays in the South, where good fooball is played, and it is actually important to the population of the state. Hey, I'll even cheer for a SEC team. Lots of national championships from that conference. Alright, Go Vanderbilt! .....well, wait a minute, maybe thats not such a good idea either...
Ahha! I've got it. I have to cheer for a team that has a history and tradition....and I'm not talking Gopher like tradition from the 40's and 60's, I'm talking a team that has won a national championship in the past 20 years. The Washington Huski......no wait, this isnt going to work either.
Ah, the hell with it....
GO USC!
The only thing left to do is become a fan of team that can actually win! So I'm moving on to my other favorite team so I can actually see a winner.....Go Iowa State!.....ummm, maybe thats not the right team.....
OK, Minnesota and Iowa State both suck. I know, I'll cheer for a team that I like and that plays in the South, where good fooball is played, and it is actually important to the population of the state. Hey, I'll even cheer for a SEC team. Lots of national championships from that conference. Alright, Go Vanderbilt! .....well, wait a minute, maybe thats not such a good idea either...
Ahha! I've got it. I have to cheer for a team that has a history and tradition....and I'm not talking Gopher like tradition from the 40's and 60's, I'm talking a team that has won a national championship in the past 20 years. The Washington Huski......no wait, this isnt going to work either.
Ah, the hell with it....
GO USC!
Looking Backward -- The Keepers
Andy (Lawrence Maroney, Chad Henne, Ernie Wheelwright, Clinton Soloman and Chris Taylor) This is the foundation of a no win team at the halfway point. Maroney worth it, the rest have been mediocre, on the cusp of busts, but not quite there yet. Dropped Russell, Basanez and Void. (C-)
Shawn (Kept no one) Shawn’s decision to drop everyone to get Brian Calhoun is paying huge dividends. Had he kept his next three picks, all three players that had been on his 2004 roster, it would have been a good set of keepers although not great (Kirsch, Holmes, and Thomas). Jason Avant would have been the best pick/faux keeper but he got him back later anyway. Tony Pittman also could have been kept. (A)
Jay (Mike Hart, Drew Stanton, Dorian Bryant, Steve Breaston) Keeping Breaston, the only keeper cut this season, probably should drag this lower but Hart, Stanton and Bryant form the core of this second place team. Cutting down to 4 seemed a shrewd move on draft day but Mo Wells a terrible first pick. Keeping Tony Hunt would have made for a much stronger team. (B)
Matt (Ted Ginn, Jr., Troy Smith, Drew Tate, Marques Simmons) Simmons, the only keeper not to score a single fantasy point this season, drags this down quite a bit. Can’t be blamed for keeping Ginn, no one predicted such a terrible let down as we have seen. Troy Smith is fantasy gold, Tate decent when not hurt. One that got away: Albert Young . (C)
Shawn (Kept no one) Shawn’s decision to drop everyone to get Brian Calhoun is paying huge dividends. Had he kept his next three picks, all three players that had been on his 2004 roster, it would have been a good set of keepers although not great (Kirsch, Holmes, and Thomas). Jason Avant would have been the best pick/faux keeper but he got him back later anyway. Tony Pittman also could have been kept. (A)
Jay (Mike Hart, Drew Stanton, Dorian Bryant, Steve Breaston) Keeping Breaston, the only keeper cut this season, probably should drag this lower but Hart, Stanton and Bryant form the core of this second place team. Cutting down to 4 seemed a shrewd move on draft day but Mo Wells a terrible first pick. Keeping Tony Hunt would have made for a much stronger team. (B)
Matt (Ted Ginn, Jr., Troy Smith, Drew Tate, Marques Simmons) Simmons, the only keeper not to score a single fantasy point this season, drags this down quite a bit. Can’t be blamed for keeping Ginn, no one predicted such a terrible let down as we have seen. Troy Smith is fantasy gold, Tate decent when not hurt. One that got away: Albert Young . (C)
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Blue Ox Blog Power Rankings
1. Ohio State -- Would be undefeated if Troy Smith had started vs Texas
2. Wisconsin – Like to rank higher but beating Indiana no feat
3. Michigan – I’ve been saying all along this is a different team with Hart
4. Michigan State – Too bad for Smith, still a very good team
5. Penn State – impressive win in what was supposed to be a tough game
6. Iowa – Recovering but still shown nothing
7. Northwestern – Not playing can really help, enjoy 7 while it lasts
8. Purdue – Are they ready to give up on the option?
9. Minnesota – Question answered about MN PU result, they are both bad
10. Indiana – Will not win until 2006
11. Illinois –Indiana game can’t get here fast enough
2. Wisconsin – Like to rank higher but beating Indiana no feat
3. Michigan – I’ve been saying all along this is a different team with Hart
4. Michigan State – Too bad for Smith, still a very good team
5. Penn State – impressive win in what was supposed to be a tough game
6. Iowa – Recovering but still shown nothing
7. Northwestern – Not playing can really help, enjoy 7 while it lasts
8. Purdue – Are they ready to give up on the option?
9. Minnesota – Question answered about MN PU result, they are both bad
10. Indiana – Will not win until 2006
11. Illinois –Indiana game can’t get here fast enough
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)