THIS & THAT..........WEDNESDAY
Former Mizzou All-Big-12 tight end, Martin Rucker, was cut Tuesday night by the Cleveland Browns. He was replaced on the roster by Greg Estandia. The former UNLV Rebel is a pretty decent blocker & this was always Rucker's shortcoming. But as a catch-first tight end, I imagine he will be claimed by another team.
Two starters at linebacker for Penn State might not be able to go on Saturday for their game with Iowa. Sean Lee is still hobbled by a sprained knee & Navorro Bowman still hasn't practiced in 3 weeks since suffering a strained groin muscle. Iowa upset the Nittany Lions last year in Iowa City.
Oregon alum & booster, Tony Seminary, was so upset with the Duck loss & subsequent post-game debacle with RB LeGarrette Blount, that he wrote a letter to head coach Chip Kelly itemizing his travel expenses to Boise & requesting a refund. He knew he'd never get one, he just had to get some stuff off his chest. Two days later, Seminary received a note from Kelly that had only three words "what's your address'? Seminary sent Kelly his address & a few days later, he received a personal check from Kelly for the $439 on his itemized statement. Needless to say he was shocked but he sent the check back. He now wants Kelly to be the Ducks coach for life.
Any BCS busting may be down to one team by this Saturday night. With Utah & BYU losing last weekend, It's basically down to Boise State, Houston & TCU. Houston plays Texas Tech Saturday night in what could be a track meet. TCU plays at Clemson in what figures to be a low-scoring contest. Boise State doesn't really have any games down the road to fear, they've already beaten Oregon & Fresno State. But the Broncos lost their starting tailback, D.J. Harper, for the season. Jeremy Avery is a proven producer, but his diminutive size doesn't allow 25-30 carries a game. When he was platooning with Harper, both getting 12-15 carries, they were both very effective. Even if TCU whips Clemson, they still have Utah & BYU left on the schedule. Houston has Tulsa & Southern Mississippi left after their shootout with Tech.
The California Golden Bears have their season on the line the next two Saturdays with a trip to Eugene to play Oregon & back home for what may become the game for the PAC-10 title. If Cal looses either game, I think you can pretty much write off the PAC-10 for any shot at the BCS Championship game. Losing WR Nyan Boateng for 4-6 weeks with a broken foot might make the Bears a little too one dimensional with all-world running back, Jahvid Best. Coach Jeff Tedford has a history of choking in big moments. Winning last weekend in Minnesota might have gone a long way to boost the confidence of his team.
I heard Gary Pinkel's news conference today & he made it clear his team understands the hill his Mizzou Tigers will have to climb Friday night in Reno. Nevada was shutout in their opener with Notre Dame & lost at Colorado State last week. Pinkel knows the Wolfpack's season could be salvaged with a win on national TV Friday. This team has a lot of firepower & it's a game I've worried about since I saw the schedule. Being on ESPN only makes it tougher. Tune it in & see sophomore sensation Blaine Gabbert.
Other college games that peek my interest this week include:
#4 Ole Miss at South Carolina
Check out Rebel defensive end Greg Hardy & QB Jevan Snead
Fresno State at #14 Cincinnati
Pat Hill's "anyone, anytime, anywhere" Bulldogs try to ruin the Bearcats' season. QB Tony Pike to WR Mardy Gilyard is the main hookup for Cincy.
#6 Cal at Oregon
A win by the Ducks here could heal a lot of wounds from the Boise State game. You should be able to see this one or the following game on ABC at 2:30 CDT.
#9 Miami at #11 Virginia Tech
Miami's 3rd straight game verses a ranked opponent. The Hokies pulled a miraculous escape last Saturday against Nebraska. They'll have to play a hell of a lot better against the U.
#15 TCU at Clemson
Clemson disappoints year after year, so looking for the upset here might be too optimistic. Look for defensive end Jerry Hughes for the Horned Frogs.
Iowa at #5 Penn State
This didn't look to be a tough one for the Nittany Lions to handle until their best 2 linebackers both went down. But Iowa is without their starting tailback, so I can't see an upset again. Saturday night on ABC.
Texas Tech at #17 Houston
Two high-powered offensive teams, Tech trying to get back on track after losing at Texas last week. Houston tries to remain unbeaten & still relevant in the BCS 'at large' picture. This might be a high scoring game. Saturday night on ESPN2.
Two starters at linebacker for Penn State might not be able to go on Saturday for their game with Iowa. Sean Lee is still hobbled by a sprained knee & Navorro Bowman still hasn't practiced in 3 weeks since suffering a strained groin muscle. Iowa upset the Nittany Lions last year in Iowa City.
Oregon alum & booster, Tony Seminary, was so upset with the Duck loss & subsequent post-game debacle with RB LeGarrette Blount, that he wrote a letter to head coach Chip Kelly itemizing his travel expenses to Boise & requesting a refund. He knew he'd never get one, he just had to get some stuff off his chest. Two days later, Seminary received a note from Kelly that had only three words "what's your address'? Seminary sent Kelly his address & a few days later, he received a personal check from Kelly for the $439 on his itemized statement. Needless to say he was shocked but he sent the check back. He now wants Kelly to be the Ducks coach for life.
Any BCS busting may be down to one team by this Saturday night. With Utah & BYU losing last weekend, It's basically down to Boise State, Houston & TCU. Houston plays Texas Tech Saturday night in what could be a track meet. TCU plays at Clemson in what figures to be a low-scoring contest. Boise State doesn't really have any games down the road to fear, they've already beaten Oregon & Fresno State. But the Broncos lost their starting tailback, D.J. Harper, for the season. Jeremy Avery is a proven producer, but his diminutive size doesn't allow 25-30 carries a game. When he was platooning with Harper, both getting 12-15 carries, they were both very effective. Even if TCU whips Clemson, they still have Utah & BYU left on the schedule. Houston has Tulsa & Southern Mississippi left after their shootout with Tech.
The California Golden Bears have their season on the line the next two Saturdays with a trip to Eugene to play Oregon & back home for what may become the game for the PAC-10 title. If Cal looses either game, I think you can pretty much write off the PAC-10 for any shot at the BCS Championship game. Losing WR Nyan Boateng for 4-6 weeks with a broken foot might make the Bears a little too one dimensional with all-world running back, Jahvid Best. Coach Jeff Tedford has a history of choking in big moments. Winning last weekend in Minnesota might have gone a long way to boost the confidence of his team.
I heard Gary Pinkel's news conference today & he made it clear his team understands the hill his Mizzou Tigers will have to climb Friday night in Reno. Nevada was shutout in their opener with Notre Dame & lost at Colorado State last week. Pinkel knows the Wolfpack's season could be salvaged with a win on national TV Friday. This team has a lot of firepower & it's a game I've worried about since I saw the schedule. Being on ESPN only makes it tougher. Tune it in & see sophomore sensation Blaine Gabbert.
Other college games that peek my interest this week include:
#4 Ole Miss at South Carolina
Check out Rebel defensive end Greg Hardy & QB Jevan Snead
Fresno State at #14 Cincinnati
Pat Hill's "anyone, anytime, anywhere" Bulldogs try to ruin the Bearcats' season. QB Tony Pike to WR Mardy Gilyard is the main hookup for Cincy.
#6 Cal at Oregon
A win by the Ducks here could heal a lot of wounds from the Boise State game. You should be able to see this one or the following game on ABC at 2:30 CDT.
#9 Miami at #11 Virginia Tech
Miami's 3rd straight game verses a ranked opponent. The Hokies pulled a miraculous escape last Saturday against Nebraska. They'll have to play a hell of a lot better against the U.
#15 TCU at Clemson
Clemson disappoints year after year, so looking for the upset here might be too optimistic. Look for defensive end Jerry Hughes for the Horned Frogs.
Iowa at #5 Penn State
This didn't look to be a tough one for the Nittany Lions to handle until their best 2 linebackers both went down. But Iowa is without their starting tailback, so I can't see an upset again. Saturday night on ABC.
Texas Tech at #17 Houston
Two high-powered offensive teams, Tech trying to get back on track after losing at Texas last week. Houston tries to remain unbeaten & still relevant in the BCS 'at large' picture. This might be a high scoring game. Saturday night on ESPN2.
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