Yet Another Trap Game

Hello All,

Two weeks in a row we have had long run-ups to gameday. Both weeks were national spotlight games with a lot of meaning attached; first the Labor Day game against Maryland (Al Golden’s debut) and then the Saturday night game against Ohio State (and everything that comes attached to it).

Those two games have helped get this program back to some kind of normal after a tumultuous spell.

(By normal, I mean message boarders calling for us to bench QB1 after a 24-6 home win over a ranked opponent.)

This week the ‘Canes host Kansas State. It will not be at night, and Kansas State is not a sexy opponent.

I can’t think of a whole lot to write about. There is, of course, the Brown Bros. story line as Bryce and Arthur return to Miami as enemies of the state.

(For those unfamiliar: Arthur Brown once upon a time was the #1 linebacker recruit in the country and chose Miami as part of the star studded 2008 recruiting class…he transferred to K State last year after 2 non-descript seasons in Coral Gables. Bryce is his younger brother, the #1 OVERALL prospect in 2009 who committed to the ‘Canes, then strung them along in a recruiting circus that lasted a month past signing day. He ultimately chose Tennessee after Randy Shannon told him to pound sand. He then transferred to K State at the same time as his brother. They are both from Kansas. They both have a real shady cat named Brian Butler that seems to run their lives. He is one of those preacher/mentor/trainer/former convict types that really is just an agent and a scumbag.)

There is the fact that K State comes in with the #1 ranked defense in the nation (against the little sisters of the poor).

There is K State’s mobile quarterback that could tear Miami apart, as many such quarterbacks have, if they do not stay disciplined.

Really, that is all there is to think about this matchup, and that means this is pretty much a meaningless opponent that could be subbed out for 100 others fairly easily.

And that is what makes me nervous about it. If I can’t find much to write about, I fear the ‘Canes won’t come out with the same head of steam they had against OSU*. Maybe it is 8 years of mediocre football and slow starts and playing down to the competition, but these games make me more nervous than the games against FSU and VTech.

Make no mistake, if Miami does not come to play against K State, the Wildcats are just good enough to beat our ass.

All the momentum that was gained last week against OSU*, all the good press we have gotten, will be out the window in 3 and a half hours on Saturday afternoon, because Bill Snyder will have his team ready to go. This will be a bigger game for Kansas State than for the ‘Canes, and if the energy is down to start the game, this will become a quagmire from which we most likely will not be able to emerge.

And therefore that is they key to the game (is this the key every week?). Talent-wise, there is no comparison between the two squads. Miami will have the advantage at every position. The pressure is therefore on Miami for the first time this season to simply hold serve.

That ability to take care of business has been lacking, and now we get to see how different this year’s team REALLY is. They should be 3-1 heading in to Blacksburg to take on Vagina…err, Virginia….Tech in a few weeks. Anything less would be a disappointment. This is the definition of a trap game, and the trap is certainly sprung at this moment.

Last week, I went 5-4 (damn it Tennessee)and stand at 14-10 on the season. This week’s picks, which are sure to be wrong:

Georgia over Ole Miss (+10)

Ole Miss…well, at least they will win the tailgate again.

Oklahoma (-22) over Mizzou

Mizzou covers...remember whent hey caught Oklahoma off guard last season?

Cackaclacky (-15) over Vandy

Don’t try and bring in that Transitive Property crap. Cackalacky struggled with Navy, Vandy is better than Navy, therefore Vandy will beat Cackalacky…FALSE.

GTech (-7) over UNC

Can’t wait until GTech comes down to Miami with an undefeated team and “Can Anyone Stop the Option?” headlines. Cannot wait.

Alabama (-12) over Arkie

Headline that every southern newspaper keeps handy, just in case:

ARKANSAS QUARTERBACK THROWS FOR 400 YARDS IN LOSING EFFORT

LSU over West Virginia (+6.5)

I would pay to see Les Miles beat a fan to death after someone throws, I don’t know, a full set of bleachers at one of his players.

Ps, this is the meeting of the two most racist, hypocritical fan bases not named Notre Dame (no good Big Ten games this week and Notre Dame SHOULD be in that conference, so that was my quasi-Big Ten joke of the week).

Oklahoma State over Texas A&M (-4)

Everything tells me A&M will win. They are the better team right now and they are at home. But for some reason, I like the ‘Pokes as my UPSET SPECIAL. Pretty weak, given they are the higher ranked team. I am ashamed….

Clemson (-2) over FSU

FSU is reeling after the home loss and is starting Cole Trickle…I mean, Clint Trickett…at quarterback, on the road. Clemson is flying high after putting an epic beatdown on Auburn behind Tahj Boyd and Sammie Watkins (best freshman in the country). I don’t think FSU covers.

Also, this allows us to talk about FSU for a sec. Yes, I know they were the GREATEST 4 LOSS TEAM OF ALL TIME last season. Yes, I know Jimbo Fisher is the NEXT BEAR BRYANT. Yes, EJ Manuel is CAM NEWTON PART TWO. Greg Reid is THE NEW CHARLES WOODSON. So, I wonder, will this be the greatest 2 game losing streak of all time if it goes down? Can we cancel the rest of the season and just declare FSU national champions if they win? Is it too early to induct Jimbo to the hall of fame?

Just asking.

Always guard the inbound passer.