Amphibious Sports Duo

Friday, August 29

Projecting the American League Playoffs

As baseball enters the final month of the regular season, playoff races are (mandatory cliché) heating up. Focusing on the American League, all six potential playoff teams have series with major implications starting this weekend. Yes, even the Angels and yes, six means the Yankees are included. With 23 of 29 remaining games against playoff teams, the Toronto Blue Jays are in prime position to be the biggest spoiler in the league. With quite a bit of disparity between schedules, a lot of shuffling of the standings remains.

Note: When using the term “playoff teams” it refers to all six teams potential playoff teams remaining in the hunt. Parentheses for remaining games are ( X home / X Away)

Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have 30 games remaining and a 4.5 game lead in the East. Sixteen of their remaining games are against playoff teams, six against both the Yankees (3H/3A) and the Red Sox (3H/3A) and four at home versus the Twins.

Biggest Concern: Close the season playing eighteen games in seventeen days, including their last eight on the road. The silver lining is those eight are against Baltimore and Detroit and the Rays are a combined 11-3 against them.

Potential Spoiler: Baltimore Orioles. Almost a quarter of Tampa’s remaining games are against the Orioles. This season Baltimore has not won more than a single game in a series against the Rays. The one consistent threat to Tampa has been Aubrey Huff, as he’s been a big part of all three Oriole wins.

Make or Break Stretch: Sep. 15 – 21. Seven game home stand against Boston (3) and Minnesota (4). The Rays will be coming off a nine game road trip, with the final six against Boston and New York. If their lead shrinks it will be heading into this home stand. Their final home stand will be their last games against playoff teams and should solidify their spot in the playoffs.

Verdict: Tampa Bay will win the east, but finish behind the Angels for the best record in the league.

Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have 29 games remaining, currently trail the Ray by 4.5 games and have a 2.5 game lead in the Wild Card standings. Twelve of their remaining games are against playoff teams, six against the Rays (3H/3A), and three against the White Sox and the Yankees, all at Fenway.

Biggest Concern / Possible Spoiler: Excluding the health of Josh Beckett, it’s their performance against Toronto. They are 4-7 against the Blue Jays this year, with seven games (4H/3A) remaining to be played this season. The good news: Boston will face both AJ Burnett and Roy Halladay only one time.

Make or Break Stretch: Sep. 26 – 28. The last weekend of the season, the Red Sox welcome the Yankees to town. If the Red Sox make a push for the division, they’ll need these three games. If the Yankees claw their way back in, they’ll need these three games. If Boston’s going for the wildcard, the Red Sox will need these games to hold off or catch either Central team, both which enjoy easier schedules.

Verdict: It’s hard to pick against the Red Sox, but Beckett’s injury has implications for the rest of the season and beyond. If this was written 48 hours ago, the Red Sox would be the pick, but Boston limps to the line, and out of the playoffs.

New York Yankees
The Yankees have 29 games remaining, 10.5 games back in the East and are currently 6 games out of the Wild Card race. Sixteen of their remaining games are against playoff teams, six against Tampa (3H/3A), four at home against the White Sox, and three against the Red Sox and Angels, all away.

Biggest Concern: The hole they’re in. They have the toughest schedule remaining, and will face the tandem of Burnett and Halladay this weekend. They are 6-6 against the Blue Jays so far, but Burnett and Halladay are a combined 6-1 against the Yankees this season.

Possible Spoiler: Toronto again, but in their last 3 game set, the Yankees will avoid Halladay.

Make or Break Stretch: Sep. 12 -21. New York may be done before their final home stand ever in Yankee Stadium, but whether they’re dead or still kicking, this set of games will have major implications. They open with three against the Rays, then four against the White Sox, and finally three to close the stadium against Baltimore.

Verdict: Why include the Yankees just to leave them out? If the schedule had broken differently, the Yankees may not have been out, but too many games against too many teams that need wins will leave the Yankees on the outside.

Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have 30 games remaining, 1.5 game lead in the Central, and 1 game back in the Wild Card (if needed). Thirteen of their remaining games are against playoff teams, four at the Yankees, three against each the Red Sox (A), Angels (H), and the Twins (A).

Biggest Concern: Their schedule is second to only the Yankees in terms of toughness. Ten of their remaining games against playoff teams are on the road. They also stand to face Cliff Lee twice, as well as Burnett and Halladay.

Potential Spoiler: Yankees. With a four game set in the last home stand in Yankee Stadium, whether the Yankees are in or out, they’re going to be playing with tremendous pride and fanfare. The White Sox could fall victim to the Pinstripe Lovefest that will be going on.

Make or Break Stretch: Sep. 15-25. Starting with the four game set in the Bronx, this ten game road trip ends with a three game series in Minnesota. This series will likely decide who wins the Central, and could knock either team out of the wildcard picture.

Verdict: The White Sox have been tremendous at home, but mediocre on the road. Unfortunately, with so many big road games this September, they will not win the Central, but will win the Wild Card.

Minnesota Twins
The Twins only have 28 games remaining, trail by 1.5 games in the Central, and 2.5 games in the Wild Card race. They have the second easiest road to the playoffs, with only seven games against playoff teams, four at Tampa and three at home against Chicago.

Biggest Concern: They’re just 3-5 on their current west coast swing. With three more games against Oakland, they need to stay close until they return home on the 5th.

Potential Spoiler: Kansas City has six games remaining against the Twins, but are 3-9 against them so far.

Make or Break Stretch: Sep 18-25. They have four games in Tampa, followed by three at home against the White Sox. The good news for the Twins is they get a day off in-between. Ideally, they’ll have recaptured the Central lead going into this stretch, otherwise the pressure on each game will ratchet up.

Verdict: Provided they don’t go into a complete tailspin on this current road trip, the Twins schedule sets up well. They get the final series against the White Sox in their building and should be able to claim the Central.

Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have 29 games remaining, and have a 16 game lead in the West. They have only six games against playoff teams, three at Chicago and three at home against the Yankees.

Biggest Concern: Home field advantage. With 20 games against the West, the Angels will be playing against the standings not their opponents on many nights.

Make or Break Stretch: Sep 5-10. The last games of note, LA plays Chicago and the Yankees back to back. Expect them to play both series tough, as they are potential playoff matchups.

Potential Spoiler: Texas. While the Rangers aren’t going to knock the Angels out of the playoffs, with nine remaining games, they could help knock LA out of that top spot. So far, the Angels are 6-4 against Texas.

Verdict: LA wins the west and the top seed in the playoffs. The biggest concern will be that after September 10, they will not play against a team that’s over .500.

Projected Playoff Picture:
Los Angeles Angels v. Chicago White Sox
Tampa Bay Rays v. Minnesota Twins

College Football Recap

A few things I observed and noticed from the action in the opening night of college football.

-Miami looked impressive. I don't care if it was only Charleston Southern, that was the most points they have scored against anyone since 2005. The good feelings will end quickly though next week in the swamp.
-Wake continues to have doubters, but they left no doubts last night clobbering Baylor. The Bears started the game with QB Kirby Freeman, a trasnfer from Miami who anyone in Coral Gables can tell you, is not a strong performer. He ended his day 4/11 for 31 yards, and 2 INTs. He also rushed twice for 0 yards.
-Riley Skinner remains a big reason why I picked the Deacons to win the ACC with his 27/36, 220 yard, 3 TD night.
-If you were wondering what conference the officiating crew for the NC St./S. Carolina game was from, look no further than a few bad calls early on...they were an ACC crew. They missed an early late hit on NC St. frosh QB Russell Wilson and gave a South Carolina DB a 15 yard penalty for doing a few push-ups after dropping an INT.
-Glad to hear Russell Wilson only had a concussion. For a moment it was feared there was some spinal damage. Big props to the blonde South Carolina fan that was doing the cell phone/wave to the TV cameras as they were bringing Wilson on a stretcher to the tunnel. You stay classy, Gamecock.
-The Wolfpack Defense played very well. Unfortunately the offense could not capitalize, especially once Wilson went out. A few horrid turnovers deep in their own territory got South Carolina the lead it needed. The weather was very muggy and once the Wolfpack D got tired, the old ballcoach found it necessary to show off. Good luck trying that in conference.
-The Stanford/Oregon State game proved to be the most entertaining to watch, despite the bizarre fumbles. It's early season football, there are going to be miscues.
-I hope the weekend provides us with more watchable games and it should, I'll be out of town, but Catfish may have a little something for posting.
-Also, I'm working on a Alma Mater form of fantasy football, we have compiled a list of fantasy players listed by school and conference and are working on throwing something together to see which conference/school can represent best in Fantasy land. Stay tuned, math is not my strong point. Have a great Labor Day and enjoy the football.

Thursday, August 28

An SEC preview Saved By the Bell style from Catfish via Friends of the Program. Anything involving SBTB on this site gets immediate glory from me.

The Fictional Quarterback Scouting Report

I was preparing to write some NFL Divisional previews, but I got distracted by this instead. This is off of memory so there might be some great fictitious QBs I’m leaving out but the question is always posed: who do you want to build your franchise around? Let’s examine the scouting report on these make-believe signal callers

Johnny Utah

College: Ohio State
Current Status: FBI Agent
Last Game: Football on the beach with Bodhi and the ex-presidents

Positives: The kid is a go-getter, he will risk anything to get the job done. Great arm. Tremendous athlete, he has been surfing to stay in shape so conditioning shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Also has great hair.

Negatives: The knee, oh those knee injuries. Latest blow was falling out of an airplane and pulling the parachute cord seconds before he landed. Amazingly he didn’t die even though he probably would have hit the ground at a tremendous speed, but sadly he did land on the knee. Would have to get him away from FBI, perhaps a trade could be worked out or some kind of buyout. Also, he was dating Lori Petty.

Outlook: The kid is tough; he has got the killer mentality but the control to be on the right side of the law. The knee is a huge concern though and with the damage done it is a huge risk to roll the dice on this guy as the QB of the future. But that arm, dude….whoa.

Paul Blake

College: Texas State University
Current Status: Sophomore
Last Game: Led TSU to a victory over the heavily favored number 1 Texas Colts.

Positives: He’s got experience, lots of experience. Heck, he has even traveled back in time and assumed the bodies of other people (including women) in order to rectify certain situations. He has the physical tools, and his body is not battered despite his age. He has been taking it easy on the farm but still throws the ball through his tire swing every now and then. He was also coached well at TSU by Ed “Straight Arrow” Genero.

Negatives: He is old, at 34 he only has a few more good years in him, unless he is Favre-like. The one season may have been an aberration as well. He also quit on the team halfway through the season, so he may have commitment issues.

Outlook: It may be a quantum leap for Blake to adjust to the NFL game, but with his experience he may be able to do it. It’s never bad to begin the franchise with a crafty veteran at the helm. He also was able to thrive despite having the female place kicker, clearly succeeding where Gary Barnett and Katie Hnida failed. Worse case he mentors the young back-up QB and can even serve as the back-up when the young one takes his place.

Joe Kane

College: ESU
Current Status: Senior
Last Game: Led ESU to a last second victory which made them bowl eligible.

Positives: Seems to be a theme with this list, but he’s got a great arm. He’s also mobile and has all the physical tools. Able to keep his head through a tough season and home situation, the kid is resilient.

Negatives: Well, the kid has a drinking problem; got busted for DUI this past season. Also may have a problem dealing with big time pressure. He threw an INT in the last minute to lose to Michigan and his heisman rival.

Outlook: Coach Sam Winters was the real glue that held that team together through the tough season, but Kane did the work on the field. This guy is definitely an unknown; he will either flourish or end up drunk in a ditch. Also, Kristy Swanson looks better with blonde hair.

Jonathan Moxon

College: Brown University (incoming freshman)
Current Status: High school senior
Last Game: Led the West Canaan Coyotes to the division title.

Positives: Intelligent, physically gifted, and a great leader. If only he could tell Joey how he feels and forget what was between her and Pacey…..sorry got off-track there. Mox is the kind of QB that cares about his teammates and stays cool under pressure because he does not take the game too seriously.

Negatives: He doesn’t want your life. Football seems to be secondary to his life aspirations. He wants to get out of small town Texas, but who doesn’t. May be questionable whether he plays at Brown or not and he only has one season as a starter under his belt.

Outlook: The kid has the guts to win the big game and to stand up to Bud Kilmer. If he can get his head straight at Brown and play football, he could develop into on of the best QBs ever to come out of the Ivy League and join his fellow Brown alums Zak DeOssie, Sean Morey, and Paul Raymond in the NFL. Also, Amy Smart looks better with blonde hair.

Paul Crewe (the real one)

College: FSU
Current Status: Prison
Last Game: Led the “Mean Machine” to victory over the prison guards

Positives: Another guy who has all the tools. He is incredibly tough but mentally unstable. Has learned to become a leader and the importance of the game, resisting another chance to tank a game.

Negatives: The point-shaving incident is hard to overlook. If he did it once, it may happen again. He also currently resides in prison. If he were to be brought out he would most likely be out of football shape.

Outlook: Since the warden is a big football fan, I’m sure he could be appeased and let Crewe out on time. Maybe give his prison guards a try-out or give him a luxury box. We don’t know how Michael Vick will do when he gets out of prison but this might be a good barometer, Paul should quickly get back in shape and the public seems like they might forgive him after the show he put on against the guards. He is a risk but the payoff could be huge.

Shane Falco

College: Ohio State
Current Status: Finished season as replacement player for the Washington Sentinels
Last game: Led the Sentinels to victory over the Dallas Ropers

Positives: Similar build to Johnny Utah, eerily similar. He, of course, has the tools, talent, and hair to lead the team to victory.

Negatives: Dude is a flip-flopper. Seems to shrink away in the big moment. Choked in the Sugar Bowl in college and failed in his first pro gig. He did win the big game against Dallas but how will he react if he ever makes the playoffs or Super Bowl?

Outlook: Doug Flutie, Steve Young were both able to come from non-NFL leagues and flourish (Young more so). So who’s to say Falco can’t. He may be a risk in big game situations though. Also, these Ohio State quarterbacks don’t seem to flourish in the NFL lately (I’m looking at you Herbstreit) unless Troy Smith can do it with the Ravens.

Steamin’ Willie Beamen

College: Houston
Current Status: signed free-agent contract with the San Diego Aztecs
Last Game: Lost in the Pantheon Cup Playoffs

Positives: Many, including film-maker Oliver Stone, liken his game to Jeff Blake. He is mobile and athletic. Has great ability to audible.

Negatives: He might just be a system QB under Coach Tony D’Amato, and his accuracy is suspect at times. He also has complained of shoulder soreness.

Outlook: With only half a season under his belt it is tough to judge his potential. Since he signed a new contract with the Aztecs it will be tough to lure him away to the NFL. I would put him low on the list of target quarterbacks.

Tami Maida

College: (still in high school)
Current Status: Homecoming Queen
Last Game: Lead Minnville High to the state championship

Positives: She’s tough, and she has a winner’s attitude. Great flexibility.

Negatives: Might be a negative psychological effect on the team by adding a female at the QB position. Unknown as to how tough Oregon high school football is, her level of success may be harder to come by in the NFL. It would be a media attention grabber and become a circus so bad Rachel Nichols might end of accosting her as she entered her practice car.

Outlook: She can’t be drafted until she comes of age, if there is a college that would give a shot to start, then she could be evaluated. She is a great story but I just don’t know if I’m mad about her.

Shawne Merriman Scoffs at Your Medical School Diplomas

The Chargers’ linebacker has decided against the advice of four doctors and elected to play this season with two torn ligaments in his left knee. Shawn says, “I just want to play football.” Noble words, but there is a fine line between bravery and stupidity and Merriman is lights out dancing down it. The Chargers are no doubt one of the favorites in the AFC this year, but after the way Philip Rivers was hopping around against the Seahawks, and the uncertainty of LT’s health this seems an unnecessary move. Antonio Gates is also returning from a toe injury and says he is not 100% yet either. Merriman may feel like this is San Diego’s year but he is 24 years old, should he really risk the rest of his career for one season?

The tears in his knee are the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. For you non-anatomy majors the PCL runs back across the knee and the LCL is located on the outside of the knee running from top to bottom. The ACL (anterior cruciate) is the cousin of the PCL, and it crosses over in front of the knee and is the one you hear most when it comes to knee injuries. The ACL is what allows the fast cutting and change of direction in the knee. The final ligament is the MCL (medial collateral ligament) which is located on the side of the knee closest to the middle of your body, so in this case the right side of Shawne’s left knee. The MCL is also most often injured because of the way the knee is built and the direction from which it takes collision.

In short, Merriman is fortunate in that the two of the four ligaments torn are the ones are the less essential to what he does on the football field. If his ACL was torn, there would be no way he could play. This does not mean he should run out there and play though. The knee is the most precarious and fragile joint of the body when it comes to sports. It is held together by these four ligaments, and two of Shawne’s are unstable. Yes at the moment he can play on them, but if he is hit the wrong way, it could blow his knee out completely. That would be the reason that the doctors have been saying that “career-ending” phrase to Merriman.

I can’t imagine why at 24 Merriman would risk the rest of his career. Perhaps it is that he feels the urgency of this being San Diego’s year, but with Brady and Manning standing there and the other fragile knees on the roster, I don’t get that one. Maybe it is that Shawne is willing to risk his football days being over because he wants to live the celebrity life. Everytime you turn around Shawne is on a different TV show. I was counting down the best beach bodies on the E! channel and then Shawne came in for analysis. He is co-hosting FSN’s Pro Football Preview show as well. He appeared on numerous spots on ESPN throughout the summer, maybe he should have been getting his knee checked out. His choice might just be based on arrogance, here is a person who got caught with steroids and didn’t flinch and created a ridiculous celebration dance anytime he makes a tackle. Whatever the case, it has many people in the football industry shaking their heads. If he makes it through the year unscathed and the Chargers get to the Super Bowl, then we doubters look the fool, but it may just blow up in his face like a block from Maurice Jones-Drew.

Seven Golds and One Silver: A Case for Instant Replay

Tonight, Major League Baseball will officially embrace instant replay, ending its long-standing resistance against introducing the technology. Even Commissioner Bud Selig is not excited to see the purists overruled, “My opposition to unlimited instant replay is still very much in play,” he said. “But when you look at the technology we have and you look at the new ballparks — and even some of the older ballparks that have been reconfigured — there’s no question that [these calls] were a challenge for the umpires and everyone else. Like so many times in life, you have to make an adjustment. And this seemed right for that.” Every sport has its need for technology. Tennis smoothly made the transition, Derek Fisher’s memorable .4 second shot against the Spurs states the case for basketball, and imagining football without replay seems archaic. The ultimate case for technology in sports, however, was made this year in Beijing.

It certainly was not in the National Indoor Stadium, where replay seemed to serve no purpose, other than to delay the proceedings. The case was made in the Water Cube. Everyone has been gushing over Michael Phelps’s eight gold medals, but consider this: If Michael Phelps was competing at the time of Mark Spitz (see note below), he would’ve had seven gold medals and a silver. Without the Omega touchpad timing device, no man, woman, or child would’ve correctly called the 100-meter Butterfly. Serbian Milorad Cavic would be the dragon-slayer, swimmings answer to the New York Giants. What everyone saw that night and what was right were different. If not for technology, Phelps’s hard work and dedication would’ve gone for naught. The world would’ve been robbed by one of the most impressive feats any of us have had the pleasure to see. Spitz would still be a record holder, but like Barry Bonds’s homerun total, it would’ve been a fraud.

During the 2004 ALCS it became clear that baseball needed instant replay. Even except for the Yankees and their fans were fortunate the umpiring crews got each call correct, but what it they hadn’t? Baseball would’ve lost out on the greatest playoff comeback in history. Human error remains a part of baseball, the ball will still roll through Buckner’s legs, curve balls will still hang, and A-Rod will still ground into double plays. The human error element will never be removed, it’s why we watch, but human error should never rob an athlete or a team of their achievements. The impact of this change may not be this year, but at some point a team’s success or failure will hinge on a call made right by instant replay. Purist or not, no one can argue when the calls are correct.

Note: I took a little bit of liberty with the facts. The touchpads used in the swimming pools were introduced in the 1968 Olympics, so Phelps’s results would’ve been correct. Before that, though, they used 3 men with stopwatches. So, if Michael Phelps was edging out Johnny Weismuller, there’s no way he wins the gold. Anyhow, you get the point. I just wanted to get the facts right, even if it took a little extra time to review.

Wednesday, August 27

Memo to London: Respond by 2012

Morning Govna! I have a message to whoever is heading the London Olympic committee. I’m sure you were watching the opening ceremonies at the Beijing games a few weeks ago, and while you no doubt were mesmerized like the rest of us, I’m sure you were thinking “Oh dear, how are we going to match this?” Well you most likely cannot. You don’t employ the same kind of method of funding and you style of government actually lets your citizens think for themselves. But considering your country’s empire once covered one-third of the globe, you need to show some source of pride and I think I know how you can make a memorable moment.

First off, if you travel through your history, it will pale in comparison. China has been around longer than you and its history is more artistic. But I’m sure some show of the grand history will be shown. It should be pretty awkward with the US sitting there though when you get to the revolution. But I digress; there is one thing you can do that will erase anything else, any other memory from your opening ceremony and possibly the entire games from a non-athletic standpoint: Bring the Beatles back to play the opening ceremony.

I realize that two of the fabulous four are no longer with us, but that can be amended. The Beatles are the greatest thing you have produced in the modern era, and their reach was global. There has been a backlash against them recently, a new generation is proclaiming that they are not as good as they were hyped to be and they are overrated. That is to be expected, their music is not transcendent, but it was the phenomenon of their move to America, of their status as deities that made them the cultural icons. All the cultural icons in popular music today can trace perhaps even the tiniest connection back to when the Beatles got things rolling.

The original Beatles sadly never got back together and when John Lennon was senselessly murdered in 1980, that chance was lost forever. With the recent loss of George Harrison it makes Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr the only two originals. I don’t care what you have to pay them, what they ask for, or whatever else; get them on stage. For the other two spots, I suggest John’s son Julian, the one who “Hey Jude” was written for. His other son Sean, looks too much like Yoko. Yoko Ono should be kept away at all costs, she has done enough damage already. To replace the great guitar playing of George Harrison, another famous British musician, Eric Clapton should suffice. The four of them, on stage in Olympic Stadium playing just before the torch is lit, would attract global attention and provide the lasting image of the games and one that everyone will be talking about.

Whatever it takes, however you have to get it done. How else are you going to come close to what the Chinese did? You have four years, get rolling old chaps.

ACC: Did You Know?

With college football finally arriving, previews are all over the internet, but here are a dozen things you may not know about each of the ACC teams and the upcoming season.

Not More of the Same – Miami has suspended seven players for the season-opener against Charleston Southern, but unlike past coaches, Randy Shannon made these decisions, not the school administration. The most notable suspended player is redshirt freshman starting quarterback Robert Marve. Marve’s suspension results from an incident on October 31 of last year, where he broke a car mirror following a fight with his girlfriend. Charges were dropped in March. Coach Randy Shannon was clear about the suspensions, "When I took the job at the University of Miami, I was going to hold everyone to a higher standard than the rest of the country (in regards to) academically, curfew, study hall and doing the right things in the classroom. We have some guys who won’t be (playing in) the game because of those reasons, and then we move forward.” Shannon’s refreshing stance shows his commitment to changing the program. Bobby Bowden would point out it’s easy to suspend players when you’re playing Charleston Southern, but Shannon has been resolute since becoming the head coach.

Out of Matty Ice – Boston College senior Chris Crane gets to attempt to fill the shoes of ACC Player of the Year, Matt Ryan. Crane has attempted just 40 passes in three years, including 4 attempts last year. While lacking experience, Crane should have good protection, as 3/5 of the offensive line that gave up a conference-low 1.56 sacks/game will be back.

Thunder Rolls – Running back James “Thunder” Davis, one half of Clemson’s “Thunder and Lightning” (is there any other name for RB pairs?) rushing tandem, sits at 35 career rushing touchdowns. He could surpass ACC leader, NC State’s Ted Brown, who rushed for 49. To catch Brown, Davis will have to return to his 2006 form (17 rushing TDs), which also be required if Clemson is to finally meet expectations. In two of Clemson’s three losses last year, Davis was held to a combined 19 yards on 18 attempts.

You’re Gonna Pay for That – Georgia Tech has had six chances in the last five years to avenge a loss of 21 points or more. They’ve won every game, including last year’s 13-3 upset over Clemson. Last year, Virginia Tech was the only team to beat GT by 21 or more. New coach, Paul Johnson, will look to extend his team’s revenge streak on September 13, but the game will be in Blacksburg.

Good, but not Great – The only team in the ACC that has never been ranked in the top ten: Wake Forest. Ironically, no North Carolina school has been ranked in the top 25 since 2003, except Wake. They will also be looking to extend their first ever bowl-streak to three.

Golden Power – Notre Dame will meet North Carolina on October 11th. The two teams first met in Yankee Stadium, back in 1949. Notre Dame has reeled off a 16-1 record against the Tarheels. Their last meeting in Chapel Hill was in 1975, when Joe Montana connected on an 80-yard game-winning touchdown pass with just over a minute remaining. UNC’s lone win in the series was a 12-7 win in 1960.

Blessing or Curse – Duke returns ten of eleven defensive starters, the most of any school in the conference. The defense, however, was the worst in the ACC allowing over 5000 yards and 45 touchdowns, ten more than any other school in the conference.

Red (Zone) does not mean Stop – NC State converted on 29 of 41, or a conference worst 71.7%, of their red zone opportunities last season. With 6 red zone interceptions, they had twice as many as any other school.

31 and counting – Florida State has had a winning record for the last 31 seasons. Their last losing season was head coach Bobby Bowden’s first. In that year, 1976, the Seminoles had six losses, the same number of defeats they’ve had in both of the last two seasons. When FSU and Miami face off on October 4th, Bowden will coach in his 500th game, becoming just the third man to reach that milestone (Joe Paterno and Alonzo Stagg).

Bring a Sack Lunch – Virginia Tech’s offense needs a lunch pail. Last season they gave up 54 sacks, which amounted to 297 yards lost. When upright, QB Sean Glennon will be throwing to a receiving corps that has a combined zero career receptions. On the other side of the ball, VT loses seven starters, but they’ve got the lunch pail and special teams to lean on.

Poll Position – Virginia meets Southern Cal on Saturday, and it will be their first matchup against a non-conference opponent ranked in the top 5 since 1989, when they lost 36-13 to a #2 ranked Notre Dame. The highest ranked non-conference opponent the Cavaliers have beaten was ranked 12th, which they did twice, West Virginia in 1984 and Penn St. in ‘89. UVa’s only two wins against a top 5 team were both against Florida State, in 1995 and 2005. Both Florida State and Georgia Tech have the potential to face the number one team in the country in their last games of the season (Florida and Georgia, respectively). If either team does, it will the first time an ACC school has met the number one team since Virginia Tech lost to USC in 2004.

Never Heard of ‘Em – Last year football fans were impressed by the 22 touchdown receptions of Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree. Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey had a whopping three. Both young men are 6’3” with blazing speed, and Heyward-Bey had a higher yards per catch average last season. Crabtree benefited from a system where his QB threw almost 50 TDs while Maryland had a conference-low nine passing TDs. Injuries plagued the Terrapins all season, and with a new offensive philosophy look for Heyward-Bey’s numbers to jump.

To explain the image way back at the top, I’m finally on board with the Clemson bandwagon. Two of their losses, last year, were directly due to special teams failures. Against Georgia Tech had a blocked punt and four field goals missed by Mark Buchholz, who converted on a conference worst 62% of his FG attempts last season. This season, Buchholz is back, but he’s on the list for the Lou Groza award, so he must’ve improved! Against Virginia Tech, Clemson allowed a punt and a kickoff return for a touchdown. The only loss where they didn’t have a special teams collapse was against Matt Ryan and the Boston College Eagles. I’m buying Clemson, but with their first game against Alabama, I recognize it could blow up in my face faster than a Cuban martial artist. I'm also hopeful for the Tarheels, it's time to bear the fruit of hiring Butch Davis. If, however, they lose to this guy and Notre Dame, I'm officially fast forwarding to basketball season.

Monday, August 25

Deoderant, check, Toilet paper, check, playbook... check?

This picture has nothing to do with the post, but it's the most incredible sewing project I've seen and I wanted to share.

Some people may hate it, others love it, but virtually everyone has gotten something from Wal-Mart. With football season fast approaching Western Carolina has decided to start shopping for new plays. Fans will be able to submit a play at the local Supercenter and one play will be picked for each home game, including the game against 3-time defending National Champion Appalachian State. I’m not sure where this ranks in terms of admitting your program is a joke, but it has to be just above fielding seven players and wearing flags.

As the Mike Martz of Tecmo Bowl, I feel compelled to help. After scouring my playbook, which makes War & Peace look like a pamphlet, I have settled on one:

The key to this play is giving to ball to number 34. For Western, that will mean freshman linebacker Ricky Schwarz. For this play to work it will be mandatory that they switch into black and silver uniforms. From the snap, Schwarz needs to run up and down (sideline to sideline) and I will guarantee a touchdown, even if the other team knows its coming. The results speak for themselves.

If my play is selected I could win a 32-inch flat screen television. For mere play-calling mortals the following prizes are being offered:

Offensive Plays
• 0-3 yard gain = Western Carolina logoed t-shirt
• 4-10 yard gain = $25 gift card to Wal-Mart
• 11-19 yard gain = $100 gift card to Wal-Mart
• 20+ yard gain = 10 megapixel camera or gift card
• Touchdown = 32" flat screen television or shopping spree

Defensive Plays
• Less than 15 yard gain = Western Carolina logoed hat
• 0-3 yard gain = $25 gift card to Wal-Mart
• Tackle for Loss = $100 gift card to Wal-Mart
• Interception/Turnover = store selected home theater system or gift card
• Defensive TD/Safety = $1,000 shopping spree

Just a note: there is no mention of it needing to be an offensive TD to win the TV.

It will be unfortunate if the Cullowhee faithful are not creative with their choices. There is so much potential out there. If they don’t run a single play where they get an illegal procedure penalty, it will be sorely disappointing. If a player over 300 pounds is not on the receiving end of pass, it’s a failure. So, to encourage the new offensive coordinators for Western, we present a first here on ASD, a top ten list. The Top 10 Trick Plays!

Trick Plays have evolved in sports: from the dastardly fad that was the forward pass to flea flickers, from play-action pass to halfback passes. Reverses have become double reverses and the fumblerooski gets re-invented on a yearly basis. Baseball has the hidden ball and the fake to third, throw to first. Deception in basketball is also nothing new, from the wrong way inbound pass to the inbounds off the ass. It has become a mainstay in the Globetrotters routine and was a major factor in the recent And 1 phenomenon.
The Onion was nice enough to compile a list of seven plays that didn't quite make the cut. Trick plays should be fun, unlike this one. What a pathetic display by a pathetic human being. Now to the fun...

10. "Broken Mirror Play" - The angle of this video detracts, but the runner on 1st base runs at the pitcher while hollering, and the runner on 3rd takes home. The reaction of the pitcher is funny, but the fallout is pretty tame.

9. "Wrong Ball" - Either called Wrong Ball or Wet Ball, this play is the internet phenomenon trick play. Inspired by Youtube clips, coaches around the country have been employing it at all levels.

8. "Water Bucket Play" - A modern nod to one of the most innovative trick plays in football.

7. Reverse/Receiver Pass - Slotting this one at 7 may seem high, but Steve Spurrier has to make an appearance. To call this play, up seven in the fourth quarter, on a 3rd and 2 takes either a mad man or a genius. I may have also been motivated by enjoying Andre Ware's brilliant analysis.

6."McCluster Fluster" - After the rules were changed to stop Fumblerooski's, coaches had to get a little more creative.

5. Super Bowl XL - If it was not for the fact that this was in the Super Bowl it wouldn't even crack the list. Perhaps the most obvious trick play in the history of trick plays. Everyone was looking for a trick play, which had become a Steeler staple that season, everyone except the Seahawks. The first fifteen seconds of the video reminds us all how bad the officiating was that game.

4. Music City Miracle - The chain of events set off by this play may be unsurpassed. Bills coach Wade Phillips made a controversial decision to start Rob Johnson over fan-favorite Doug Flutie. Despite the bandana-sporting Johnson playing well enough to win the game, including a late drive to get the Bills into field goal range, the Miracle effectively ended both Phillips's and Johnson's careers in Bufflao. On the flip side, the Titans would go on to the Super Bowl, before ultimately falling a yard short. This video is worth a view just to listen to the flip flopping of the old Sunday Night Football crew. I had also forgotten that Phil Luckett was the referee of the game.

3. The Barking Dog Play - I was unable to find video of the often imitated, rarely duplicated Barking Dog play. This play employs the same tactic, but without the humiliation of one of your teammates, so it's not as good.

2. "Bee Play" - This one's a biased choice for sure. Cleet recently relayed a story where he was asked to get caught in a rundown to allow a run to score. Upon returning to the bench his teammates acted like he was an idiot, and his coach didn't "pick him up," resulting in emotional trauma that continues to this day.

1. 2007 Fiesta Bowl - Never has there been such trickeration on such a big stage. The combined body of work propels Boise State into the Number 1 spot. That 28 in maroon seems like he's pretty good, whatever happened to him?