Three weeks left and Go Terps had his worst week all season with a seven point clunker. Not a lot of players took advantage. Although Weekend at Bernies did with a 12 point dynamo that got him into a tie for 2nd with Flutie Flakes. The no shows continued with a surprise edition in Swing and Swear. I don't think he's ever missed a week before.
Best Pick
UTK03, TenMoreYearsforJoePa, and The Ugly Mutt for Arizona State to cover Stanford.
Worst Pick
The handful of you taking Georgia. Come on now.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
NCAA Action for Week 11
I don't want to miss a week of blogging again so I've started this at 8PM Saturday night amidst a swirl of allegations...okay, that's Cam, I'm doing this amidst remnants of pizza, a nice cold Blue Moon with orange, and a freshly changed diaper on my son who's playing trampoline in his crib. Couple of observations to this point of the day:
1) Virginia Tech beats UNC. I know...I know...people care as much about ACC football as they do about the World Series but still, I pay attention. That gives the Hokies 8 straight wins since the 2 loss gem of a week that started the season. And all this means is this...people will say that the ACC is led by a team that lost to JMU. Forget the mediocrity of the Big 12 because, apparently the media has. Do remember the putridness of the Big East because, well that's undeniable. Ask yourself if the Big Ten's log jam at the top of the league is the mark of greatness or well, not so greatness. Ask yourself how any of the non-BCS big boys would fair playing a full ACC slate. I know...the ACC does not offer a national title caliber team, but is it all that bad really?
2) Auburn wakes up to dropkick the Dawgs as expected. Come on. You didn't really think Georgia had a chance did you? Maybe on the road - a place that Auburn never ever seems to play. Here is my completely unqualified take on the whole "Scam Newton" situation. Let's start with the truths:
a) Would it be at all surprising that a stud QB that cooled his heels behind Tebow at a national powerhouse like UF would simply choose Auburn over Mississippi State. Auburn is a few years removed from an undefeated season and is a legit national title contender and league competitor in most years. Mississippi State is, well road kill for the SEC elite (Florida not withstanding).
b) Given a), would it be all that surprising that Mississippi State, whose current coach was Cam's position coach in Gainesville, thought that they would be a shoe-in for the stud player?
c) Given a) and b) would it be at all surprising that the spurned program, that is always the underdog in the mighty SEC, might try to stir up a little trouble, and maybe bring in buddies from say, Alabama, along for the ride?
a), b), and c) are what I offer to suggest that maybe Cam Newton and his family are innocent.
d) says, this is the SEC and this is modern day college ball. I'm guessing the Newton's were up to no good.
3) Wisconsin drops 82 on Indiana. Clearly the Badgers are trying to beef up their Gator Bowl credentials.
4) Colorado beats Iowa State and Minnesota beats Illinois. These victories come shortly after the firing of their head coaches. That's gotta sting.
5) Ever pay attention to Auburn's schedule? Three games away from the plains this year. Miss St., Kentucky, and Ole Miss. One more road game - Bama. That will be interesting.
6) Pitt is 5-4. And still leading the Big East. Yes, you read that correctly.
7) And I thought Stinespring was bad. Florida, with uber-coach Urban Meyer, the best facilities, and GDP-sized dollars behind its program, still can't find a way to use its blue-chip laden talent on offense. In the loss...wait, to soft a term...throat-stomping delivered by South Carolina, the Florida coaches looked to be guessing.
8) BCS League Man sayeth "TCU ALMOST LOST TO SAN DIEGO STATE!!!" Dear BCS League Man, Oregon almost lost to California. In fact, if Cal's kicker hadn't gacked royally in the 3rd quarter, they would have lost....again....to California. Yep...same team that lost to Nevada. Love, Ultimate Bill
9) Long time players will remember this rule, as espoused by me...football players are stupid. Yep, two key Auburn reserves are suspended for the Alabama game for fighting at the end of the Georgia game.
10) Not to rain on the Gamecock's parade but how bad is the SEC East when Florida is still the second best team in the division?
1) Virginia Tech beats UNC. I know...I know...people care as much about ACC football as they do about the World Series but still, I pay attention. That gives the Hokies 8 straight wins since the 2 loss gem of a week that started the season. And all this means is this...people will say that the ACC is led by a team that lost to JMU. Forget the mediocrity of the Big 12 because, apparently the media has. Do remember the putridness of the Big East because, well that's undeniable. Ask yourself if the Big Ten's log jam at the top of the league is the mark of greatness or well, not so greatness. Ask yourself how any of the non-BCS big boys would fair playing a full ACC slate. I know...the ACC does not offer a national title caliber team, but is it all that bad really?
2) Auburn wakes up to dropkick the Dawgs as expected. Come on. You didn't really think Georgia had a chance did you? Maybe on the road - a place that Auburn never ever seems to play. Here is my completely unqualified take on the whole "Scam Newton" situation. Let's start with the truths:
a) Would it be at all surprising that a stud QB that cooled his heels behind Tebow at a national powerhouse like UF would simply choose Auburn over Mississippi State. Auburn is a few years removed from an undefeated season and is a legit national title contender and league competitor in most years. Mississippi State is, well road kill for the SEC elite (Florida not withstanding).
b) Given a), would it be all that surprising that Mississippi State, whose current coach was Cam's position coach in Gainesville, thought that they would be a shoe-in for the stud player?
c) Given a) and b) would it be at all surprising that the spurned program, that is always the underdog in the mighty SEC, might try to stir up a little trouble, and maybe bring in buddies from say, Alabama, along for the ride?
a), b), and c) are what I offer to suggest that maybe Cam Newton and his family are innocent.
d) says, this is the SEC and this is modern day college ball. I'm guessing the Newton's were up to no good.
3) Wisconsin drops 82 on Indiana. Clearly the Badgers are trying to beef up their Gator Bowl credentials.
4) Colorado beats Iowa State and Minnesota beats Illinois. These victories come shortly after the firing of their head coaches. That's gotta sting.
5) Ever pay attention to Auburn's schedule? Three games away from the plains this year. Miss St., Kentucky, and Ole Miss. One more road game - Bama. That will be interesting.
6) Pitt is 5-4. And still leading the Big East. Yes, you read that correctly.
7) And I thought Stinespring was bad. Florida, with uber-coach Urban Meyer, the best facilities, and GDP-sized dollars behind its program, still can't find a way to use its blue-chip laden talent on offense. In the loss...wait, to soft a term...throat-stomping delivered by South Carolina, the Florida coaches looked to be guessing.
8) BCS League Man sayeth "TCU ALMOST LOST TO SAN DIEGO STATE!!!" Dear BCS League Man, Oregon almost lost to California. In fact, if Cal's kicker hadn't gacked royally in the 3rd quarter, they would have lost....again....to California. Yep...same team that lost to Nevada. Love, Ultimate Bill
9) Long time players will remember this rule, as espoused by me...football players are stupid. Yep, two key Auburn reserves are suspended for the Alabama game for fighting at the end of the Georgia game.
10) Not to rain on the Gamecock's parade but how bad is the SEC East when Florida is still the second best team in the division?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Top Ten Reasons I've Not Been Around
Two weeks without any blog updates. Many things have happened since then. This list shall shed light on them for you. As you enjoy your reading, please remember to make your picks - unless you are Go Terps. Make your picks people! And without further adieu, I give you...
The Top Ten Reasons Ultimate Bill has been Blog-free since October 24
10. I've been busy working on that time machine. All I want to do is get back to Labor Day and tell Stinespring to RUN OUT THE %#)(*&^$# CLOCK!
9. I'm in the midst of a bidding war for my blog services. At the moment, Mississippi State is in the lead. For some reason, they keep telling me, we WON'T lose again. I remind them, each time, that it is going to take a LOT to get me to Starkville. (Perhaps a name change is in order for the homebase eh?)
8. I was born on November 4, 1970. I'm busy trying to come up with something to equal the awesomeness of Cale Gundy's speech when he reached the same age milestone:
7. I've been busy petitioning Webster's to change their definition of "indefinite" to include the following: adj. meaning "to suspend a player until said player is needed because your backfield is depleted" (see... Urban Meyer)
6. I've been recovering from a mental meltdown that resulted from my understanding that JoePa has averaged 10 wins per year for a number of years equal to the number I've been on this Earth. Sure, about 122 of those wins came against Temple, but still, it's impressive.
5. I've been too busy searching for my new man crush to replace the gimpy Denard Robinson.
4. I've been contemplating a move that would be financially beneficial to me and the family but go against the core of my being. After traveling to Blacksburg last week to see my beloved Hokies beat Georgia Tech, it occurred to me that I have a coaching opportunity. I'm considering approaching Paul Johnson about a position on his staff. My pitch would go like this: "Coach, I would be the "DON'T DO IT" coach. My role would be this, every time you call a pass, thereby bringing your 5 yards per down rushing game to a halt, my job will be to smack you upside your head and yell 'DON'T DO IT'." I'd do it on the cheap but AL Groh's on the staff too and you are going to have to pay a LOT of money for me to share space with that twit.
3. I've been working with private equity funds to raise enough money to have replay cameras installed at THE ACTUAL GOAL LINE on every college football field. If I hear "we don't really have a good angle to see if he crossed the line..." ONE MORE TIME....
2. I've been actively been petitioning ESPN to replace Jesse Palmer with this much more lively ball of lint:
1. True story: I've been nominated to serve on the Gator Bowl Association committee. It sounds nicer when you say it like that versus the "we want to pressure you to help us sell tickets." There are some perks that go with the position, should I make the grade. One of those perks is going on scouting trips. A scouting trip for a bowl committee member is when you go to a game of a potential participant for your bowl (the Gator is now aligned with the Big Ten and SEC) and hob nob with ADs etc. What you would actually report back to the Gator Bowl uppity ups is a little cloudy to me at this point. Presumably, the ADs will want to impress. This means that someday, fingers crossed, I'll get to sit next to the Wisconsin AD and make his life a living Hell for three hours...to wit, I shall order a nice hot beverage, sip it, and...
Mr AD, are you not aware that I get farty and bloated with a foamy latte?
Have fun spending your New Years in Detroit Mr. Badger, because I can tell you this, they KNOW foamy lattes in State College!
The Top Ten Reasons Ultimate Bill has been Blog-free since October 24
10. I've been busy working on that time machine. All I want to do is get back to Labor Day and tell Stinespring to RUN OUT THE %#)(*&^$# CLOCK!
8. I was born on November 4, 1970. I'm busy trying to come up with something to equal the awesomeness of Cale Gundy's speech when he reached the same age milestone:
7. I've been busy petitioning Webster's to change their definition of "indefinite" to include the following: adj. meaning "to suspend a player until said player is needed because your backfield is depleted" (see... Urban Meyer)
6. I've been recovering from a mental meltdown that resulted from my understanding that JoePa has averaged 10 wins per year for a number of years equal to the number I've been on this Earth. Sure, about 122 of those wins came against Temple, but still, it's impressive.
5. I've been too busy searching for my new man crush to replace the gimpy Denard Robinson.
4. I've been contemplating a move that would be financially beneficial to me and the family but go against the core of my being. After traveling to Blacksburg last week to see my beloved Hokies beat Georgia Tech, it occurred to me that I have a coaching opportunity. I'm considering approaching Paul Johnson about a position on his staff. My pitch would go like this: "Coach, I would be the "DON'T DO IT" coach. My role would be this, every time you call a pass, thereby bringing your 5 yards per down rushing game to a halt, my job will be to smack you upside your head and yell 'DON'T DO IT'." I'd do it on the cheap but AL Groh's on the staff too and you are going to have to pay a LOT of money for me to share space with that twit.
3. I've been working with private equity funds to raise enough money to have replay cameras installed at THE ACTUAL GOAL LINE on every college football field. If I hear "we don't really have a good angle to see if he crossed the line..." ONE MORE TIME....
2. I've been actively been petitioning ESPN to replace Jesse Palmer with this much more lively ball of lint:
1. True story: I've been nominated to serve on the Gator Bowl Association committee. It sounds nicer when you say it like that versus the "we want to pressure you to help us sell tickets." There are some perks that go with the position, should I make the grade. One of those perks is going on scouting trips. A scouting trip for a bowl committee member is when you go to a game of a potential participant for your bowl (the Gator is now aligned with the Big Ten and SEC) and hob nob with ADs etc. What you would actually report back to the Gator Bowl uppity ups is a little cloudy to me at this point. Presumably, the ADs will want to impress. This means that someday, fingers crossed, I'll get to sit next to the Wisconsin AD and make his life a living Hell for three hours...to wit, I shall order a nice hot beverage, sip it, and...
Mr AD, are you not aware that I get farty and bloated with a foamy latte?
Have fun spending your New Years in Detroit Mr. Badger, because I can tell you this, they KNOW foamy lattes in State College!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Week 8 NCAA Fluffery
Quick Hokie update.
Six straight wins now. JMU just added it's 3rd loss of the season.
Quick Cal Update
Cal either gets beat like a dog or delivers a beating like Michal Vick. This weekend, Arizona State got the Bad Newz treatment.
Boise St.
The Broncos had the weekend off in preparation for their Tuesday (you read that correctly) home game with La Tech. Because Mizzou upended the not-so-deserving #1 Oklahoma Sooners, the headlines were littered with "Open the Door for Boise" proclamations. I'm officially off the underdog wagon. Give Boise the Fiesta Bowl now and get that nonsense out of the way. As I watch Auburn go back-to-back with Arkansas and LSU (with suddenly dangerous Georgia and always dangerous Alabama still to come)...as I watch Mizzou, coming fresh of a win over #1 have to turn around and go to Nebraska...as I watch Oregon post Boise-like scores all over Pac-10 opponents and have to visit USC next weekend...as I watch Wisconsin beat Ohio State only to have to travel to Iowa (and win)...as I watch any assortment of the key players in the title race I get more and more annoyed with this:
New Mexico State, Toledo, San Jose State, Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, Idaho, Fresno State, Nevada, and Utah State.
That's Boise's remaining slate. Nevada is an okay team but basically on par with, say Vandy in the SEC or Texas Tech in the Big 12, or Illinois in the Big 10. A trap game potential but really not much.
I apologize on behalf of the entire Virginia Tech community for the Hokies allowing this charade to continue by losing in game 1.
Urban Blight
Apparently, A.C. Green means a lot to UGA. Since his return the Dawgs have looked like world-beaters. As they set to come down to my fair city to take on the Gators I see the very real possibility of Urban Meyer and his bungling squad netting a fourth straight loss. (Just to note, the same Mississippi State team that handled the Gators, struggled at home before finally putting away UAB)
Mad Hatter
I did not get to see all of the Auburn LSU game but I can only assume Les Miles did something stupid. He did didn't he? Or did LSU's pathetic backfield finally comeback to haunt it?
SEC West
Don't look - take a quick guess at which place Arkansas is among the SEC West division's six teams? What'd you guess? Wanna know the answer? Fifth. Mindblowing.
Open Letter to the Big East
Dear Big East, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your putridness, best evidenced by the fact that 4-3 Pitt is your league leader, puts the ACC on the back-burner of the "Conferences that Suck Eggs" debate. Love, The ACC
Dear Georgia Tech
You hired Al Groh. What'd you expect?
Six straight wins now. JMU just added it's 3rd loss of the season.
Quick Cal Update
Cal either gets beat like a dog or delivers a beating like Michal Vick. This weekend, Arizona State got the Bad Newz treatment.
Boise St.
The Broncos had the weekend off in preparation for their Tuesday (you read that correctly) home game with La Tech. Because Mizzou upended the not-so-deserving #1 Oklahoma Sooners, the headlines were littered with "Open the Door for Boise" proclamations. I'm officially off the underdog wagon. Give Boise the Fiesta Bowl now and get that nonsense out of the way. As I watch Auburn go back-to-back with Arkansas and LSU (with suddenly dangerous Georgia and always dangerous Alabama still to come)...as I watch Mizzou, coming fresh of a win over #1 have to turn around and go to Nebraska...as I watch Oregon post Boise-like scores all over Pac-10 opponents and have to visit USC next weekend...as I watch Wisconsin beat Ohio State only to have to travel to Iowa (and win)...as I watch any assortment of the key players in the title race I get more and more annoyed with this:
New Mexico State, Toledo, San Jose State, Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, Idaho, Fresno State, Nevada, and Utah State.
That's Boise's remaining slate. Nevada is an okay team but basically on par with, say Vandy in the SEC or Texas Tech in the Big 12, or Illinois in the Big 10. A trap game potential but really not much.
I apologize on behalf of the entire Virginia Tech community for the Hokies allowing this charade to continue by losing in game 1.
Urban Blight
Apparently, A.C. Green means a lot to UGA. Since his return the Dawgs have looked like world-beaters. As they set to come down to my fair city to take on the Gators I see the very real possibility of Urban Meyer and his bungling squad netting a fourth straight loss. (Just to note, the same Mississippi State team that handled the Gators, struggled at home before finally putting away UAB)
Mad Hatter
I did not get to see all of the Auburn LSU game but I can only assume Les Miles did something stupid. He did didn't he? Or did LSU's pathetic backfield finally comeback to haunt it?
SEC West
Don't look - take a quick guess at which place Arkansas is among the SEC West division's six teams? What'd you guess? Wanna know the answer? Fifth. Mindblowing.
Open Letter to the Big East
Dear Big East, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your putridness, best evidenced by the fact that 4-3 Pitt is your league leader, puts the ACC on the back-burner of the "Conferences that Suck Eggs" debate. Love, The ACC
Dear Georgia Tech
You hired Al Groh. What'd you expect?
Week 8 Pool Review
Thre players get 75% correct this week - that's just solid work. TBWOTG and Weekend at Bernies dropped 15, good for 4th and 7th in the current standings. Swingand Swear gave fifteen good picks to move from the near cellar to the far cellar. Go Terps rode his 13 point performance to the top spot. We had one no show in addition to Forgot to Pick - Junkyard Dawgs.
Best Pick
The handful to pick Mizzou to cover.
Worst Pick
Four poeple picked Northwestern to cover Michigan State. Sure, I know it is Michigan State and their annual gag is surely coming soon but still - Northwestern people.
Interesting Note Continued from Last Week
No push, giving us a push for 6 out of 8 weeks.
Best Pick
The handful to pick Mizzou to cover.
Worst Pick
Four poeple picked Northwestern to cover Michigan State. Sure, I know it is Michigan State and their annual gag is surely coming soon but still - Northwestern people.
Interesting Note Continued from Last Week
No push, giving us a push for 6 out of 8 weeks.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Week 8: Reminder and Quick Hit
Crazy week my little BUCFPites. I had a column half started to go over last week's action, upsets galore. I was also going to take a crack that is the madness of a ranking system that put Oklahoma at the top!?!?!?!? I got real busified this week though - my apologies. Let's see what happens after this weekend.
One item of note, a story this week pertains to Wisconsin Coach Brett Bielema's tattoo. THis week, Wisonson plays Iowa...here's a picture of the Badger coach's tat:
It seems the former Iowa player inked hisself during his days in Iowa City - this was overlooked during his interview.
The coach's openness about it makes me feel I should be more open to my faithful players for you see, I too, have a tattoo which brings me great shame. Back when I wasn't sure what college I wanted to attend, I was all riled up about a certain team that really found it's stride during the early 1980s. Yep, that's right, the Danny Ford era Clemson Tigers. Being but a young buck in high school at the time, my enthusiasm for the old Orange and Purple led to one particularly regretful evening at a shop on the seedy side of town. Here is the result:
See why I don't go to the beach anymore?
Don't forget to make your picks!!!
One item of note, a story this week pertains to Wisconsin Coach Brett Bielema's tattoo. THis week, Wisonson plays Iowa...here's a picture of the Badger coach's tat:
The coach's openness about it makes me feel I should be more open to my faithful players for you see, I too, have a tattoo which brings me great shame. Back when I wasn't sure what college I wanted to attend, I was all riled up about a certain team that really found it's stride during the early 1980s. Yep, that's right, the Danny Ford era Clemson Tigers. Being but a young buck in high school at the time, my enthusiasm for the old Orange and Purple led to one particularly regretful evening at a shop on the seedy side of town. Here is the result:
See why I don't go to the beach anymore?
Don't forget to make your picks!!!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
BUCFP Week 7 Pool Review
Some people just know what it takes to be a champion. In our own pool we have a couple of repeat champions, one of whom is Flutie Flakes, a two time winner. Halfway through our regular season and Flutie Flakes finds himself in a commanding lead after a week's best 14 point performance. His 75 points for the season to date gives him a 2 point advantage over Springfield Atoms and past champion Go Terps. In fourth place, just one point behind Atoms and Terps sits long time pool favorite The Ugly Mutt who checked in with 13 points, all while watching LSU struggle with McNeese State in the first half of that game.
On the opposite side, Forgot to Pick is taking his nome-de-pool WAY too seriously. And new Daddy Powerballer must be up to his eyeballs in diapers because he wasn't watching football action last week as demonstrated by his five point clunker.
Best Pick
Rod Us Again, Springfield Atoms, and yours truly were the only players to go with San Diego State.
Worst Pick
I make this list too. Aloing with all the other players that thought UVA would do anything against UNC.
Interesting Note Continued from Last Week
The Oregon State vs Washington game ended in a push, giving us a push for 6 out of 7 weeks.
On the opposite side, Forgot to Pick is taking his nome-de-pool WAY too seriously. And new Daddy Powerballer must be up to his eyeballs in diapers because he wasn't watching football action last week as demonstrated by his five point clunker.
Best Pick
Rod Us Again, Springfield Atoms, and yours truly were the only players to go with San Diego State.
Worst Pick
I make this list too. Aloing with all the other players that thought UVA would do anything against UNC.
Interesting Note Continued from Last Week
The Oregon State vs Washington game ended in a push, giving us a push for 6 out of 7 weeks.
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