Let's Get Weird

Hello All,

Things officially got weird on Thursday night.

It started with the uniforms.

It continued with the game itself.

And now it is reflected in the ACC standings.

Has there ever been an 18 point win the felt as shaky as this one?

Virginia Tech out ran the 'Canes. Virginia Tech out passed the 'Canes. Virginia Tech out third - downed the 'Canes. Virginia Tech out-goitered the 'Canes.

And yet, the 'Canes won 30-12...and it could have been worse.

You want to talk weird?

Miami was lead to victory by a SOFT defense that has 20 underclassmen in the 2 deep. Youngsters like Olsen Pierre and Eddie Johnson played key roles and...gasp...are gaining steam down the home stretch.

Curtis Porter, the very talented, very injured junior came back and saw his first action of the season...and provided consistent pressure from...gasp...the defensive tackle position.

Miami, playing Virginia Tech, the Kings of Beamer Ball, dominated on special teams. A blocked punt and a 81 yard kickoff return set up two first half scores, and turned the momentum on the game.

How's this for weird?

Miami was held without a third down conversion until the fourth quarter and won.

Miami had 4 consecutive 3 and outs in the 3rd quarter...and the score did not budge from 20-12.

Miami's 115th ranked defense forced 2 Red Zone turnovers.

Logan Thomas, minus one busted play up the middle in which he went for 73 yards and a touchdown, would have been held to 51 yards rushing on 21 carries. That is a pretty nice average. And minus that one busted play... Miami did not give up a touchdown.

Flying in the face of message board fans everywhere, these young 'Canes bellied up to the bar on Thursday night.

A defense that kept doing its job and giving the ball back to the offense never broke.

An offense that struggled all night planted the dagger with a prolonged, back breaking drive late.

A team coming off three straight losses and dealing with mounting injuries came together and pulled out an impressive win against a tough, albeit not as tough as usual, Hokies squad.

Now, how's this for REALLY weird?

In a season that was supposed to result in 4 or 5 wins, a team made up overwhelmingly of 19 and 20 year olds controls its own destiny. Win road games against perennial bottom dwellers Duke and Virginia and you go to the ACC Championship Game. Neither is a gimme, but you gotta like your odds if you're the 'Canes right now, right?

Let's say the 'Canes pull those two out. And assume FSU doesn't trip up again. All of a sudden, the ACC Title Game is a rematch of Miami - FSU. And this time, Miami would be coming off of 4 wins (presumably), not 2 tough losses.

Now, let's get really crazy. Say Miami is able to play the same type of defense as it did in the regular season meeting. And maybe Miami is able to hit on a couple of the big plays it missed by inches in the regular season meeting. Is it that hard to see Miami pulling off the upset?

And let's say Miami pulls it off. Now you are looking at a BCS Bowl that makes the decision to self-impose a bowl ban VERY, VERY difficult (for the record, I'd be against this).

You are looking at a team made up for freshmen and sophomores that is a conference champion (even at 8-4 or 7-5) and playing in a BCS game (maybe against Louisville and Teddy Bridgewater?)... 2 years ahead of schedule.

This is all a lot of speculation. And to be honest, I don't know if I trust the team to pull it off. Duke can throw the ball around with their high octane offense, and Virginia always plays us tough. Plus, going on the road ANYWHERE with a young team is unpredictable at best.

But these kids played like men the past few weeks, and finally got back in the winning column to show for it.

I love the way the team is playing, and eventually it will all come together. The offense will click, the defense will get them the ball and the special teams will make a big play or two.

And at that point, who is to say what is likely and what is not? It might not be pretty. But Miami's team of pups has officially made everything really weird, and that is a pretty cool thing to watch.

One side note: shut the fuck up Logan Thomas. You do not call out a team, then get your ass whupped by them, then duck the media after. Grow a set. If I am an NFL GM, you just came off my draft board.

-- --

Now, the picks.

Last week Big Stein went 5-3 straight up AND against the spread. While watching football all day with Kevin Frazier and Marcus effing Allen. Sometimes Los Angeles is ok.

Anyway, the season record is now 30-24 (24-26).

aTm over MISS STATE (+7)

WEST VIRGINIA (-5) over TCU

All my old rules seem to be out the window this year. Like "always take TCU and the points". Or "don't write a blog that might jinx the 'Canes".

Georgia (-14) over OLE MISS

Or "UGA might be a nice dark horse national title pick".

NEBRASKA over Michigan State (+1.5)

Ladies and gentlemen, the Big 10 Game of the Week!

TEXAS TECH (-7) over Texas

OREGON over USC (+8.5)

I will be in attendance. And yes, I will be rooting on the Trojans. Stein on the Sidelines is Latin for "glutton for punishment".

K STATE (-9) over Okie State

'Bama over LSU (+8)

And for the love of God, if betting, bang the under.