Bowl EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello All,

After turning down the Arizona State and UCLA head coaching jobs (ZING!), Stein on the Sidelines is back to bring you the third annual Bowl Predictions Blog.

Sadly, Miami will not be in a bowl this year. Although, let’s be real, is it that sad? I know the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is a game filled with tons of history and tradition, but the matchup with 6-7 UCLA probably would have just been…ironic? Sad? Not really sure what to call it. Just wouldn’t have felt right without Troy Aikman’s ankle to snap (HEY-O!).

(For the record, that is two UCLA jokes already and we are just getting warmed up.)

Anyway, on to the bowls, where yes, we have to watch Louisiana Lafayette play even though we no longer will get to watch the East Dillon Lions play. Sad times.

Season record coming in: 68-28. What up.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl- Temple over Wyoming

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl- Utah State over Ohio

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl- San Diego State over Ooh La La (I mean Louisiana Lafayette)

So glad we have this many bowl games, otherwise we wouldn’t get to watch games sponsored by potatoes and played in such exotic locales as Albuquerque.

Quick, what does Gildan make?

*Types it in to Google*

Give up?

Gildan is, as far as I can tell from looking over the top results on the internet, a company that makes t-shirts which you can buy and customize. Yep, there are so many bowls that they are able to sponsor one. Glad we did this.

Speaking of Google results, did ANYone else here know that the top result when you type in Craig James on Google is “Craig James killed 5 hookers”? Not kidding. Look it up. Before you even get to "Craig JA" it pops up. Try it. Right now. Do I believe that CRAIG JAMES KILLED FIVE HOOKERS? Not at all, but is it really that far out of the question? F you Craig James, f you. I hope you win your senate seat and I never have to listen to your bullshit again. F YOU.

Beef O’ Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl- FIU over Marshall

Everyone wins here. T.Y. Hilton has a solo stage on ESPN for the last game of his career, which I am willing to bet he will gain 400+ yards in. Marshall gets a trip to beautiful St. Petersburg (they’re from effing West Virginia, lay off). Miami fans get to watch a future Hurricane head coach in Mario Crisotbal (who I am pretty sure will one day look like the Most Interesting Man in the World). Win-win-win in the words of Michael Scott of a show that I used to watch called The Office. I recommend people check it out. Kind of a cult classic, had a good few seasons and then just disappeared.

Oh wait, The Office is still on? This is awkward. Gotta love NBC though. The UCLA of broadcasters.

San Diego Credit Union Poinsiettia Bowl- TCU over Louisiana Tech

I literally fell asleep on the keyboard while typing the name of that game and had to delete 4 pages of “hhhhhhhhh” before I posted this.

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl- Boise State over Arizona State

So let me get this straight. Boise loses one game to a top 15 team (TCU) on a last second field goal. They beat Georgia, the winner of the SEC East (might as well be God because, you know, it is the SEC). They have a quarterback who, save for three missed field goals, would have finished his career undefeated (Kellen Moore) in 9 years as a starter. Let’s be clear: that is a better resume than Arkansas. And yet, here they are, in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl. Against 6-6 Arizona State, losers of 5 straight and playing without a coach. BCS! BCS! BCS!

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl- Nevada over Southern Miss

After costing Conference USA the $10+ million that would have come with Houston’s birth in the Sugar Bowl, Southern Miss loses their coach but gets a trip to Hawaii. They will lose this game, but they might run in to Stein on the Sidelines top 4 woman on Earth Grace Park. Google her. Trust me, it is a better use of your time than reading this meandering blog post.

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl- UNC over Mizzou

This game used to be a good one. I think. Maybe. Seems like it should have been, right? Anyway, I don’t know why I am picking UNC. Call it a hunch. Although Mizzou is a new member of the SEC (yeah, it IS weird) and this is smack dab in the middle of the bayou. I don’t know. Who cares?

Little Caesars Bowl- Purdue over Western Michigan

And we have reached that time where we talk about the best songs of the year. This one is simple. Who didn’t love “Rolling in the Deep”? Find me one person. You know who didn’t love that song? Qaddafi. Bin Laden. Look what happened to them. All I’m saying.

Album of the year: Watch the Throne. This was not only a well constructed album but also a bit of a social movement (hell of a lot better than OWS too).

Other gems from the world of music this year, and keep in mind that Stein on the Sidelines is oftentimes late to the party with music:

Dog Days Are Over- Florence + The Machine
The Brothers Album- The Black Keys
Finally Famous- Big Sean
R.E.D- The Game
Dirt Road Anthem- Jason Aldean
Take a Back Road- Rodney Atkins
The Zac Brown Band
The Band Perry
Hell on Heels- Pistol Annies

This was a bad year for music. Lil’ Wayne and Drake both dropped shitty albums that we waited a long time for. Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift still exist. The chick who sang “Friday” became a national sensation. The Grammy’s, for whatever reason, did not nominate Kanye’s Dark Twisted Fantasy for ANYTHING.

(That’s right. Maybe the best album since his debut for the most talented man working -yes he’s an asshole but I don’t care- didn’t get a sniff. I hate everyone.)

Music really just kind of blows right now. Turn on the radio (which I do for about 2 full hours every day) and it is seemingly the same techno beat over and over again with usually a generic rapper trying to SING over it. However, amid the interminable dross, there is always something good to find. And I would always rather talk about this than Purdue or Western Michigan. Unless I was talking to Bobby Knight. Because he is “sick of losing to FUCKIN PURDUE” and I laugh every time I hear him say it.

The Belk Bowl- Louisville over NC State

Yes, Belk now has a bowl game too. And great deals on Seersucker Blazers this weekend I heard.
Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman- Air Force over Toledo

I will be watching this game actually. I don’t know why, but this game mildly excites me.

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl- Texas over Cal

This game used to mean something. BYU won a national title in this game one time. Now it means watching a mediocre team play an underachieving one. I am noticing a theme here…

Champs Sports Bowl- FSU over Notre Dame

By a lot. Loser has to settle for a Top 10 pre-season ranking (again) and only getting a hand jibber from Mark May. Winner gets a Top 4 pre-season ranking (again) and a full on beej from Lou Holtz. Hopefully no one shreds their knee on the shitty Citrus Bowl turf. Although on the other hand…no. Bad Dan. Do not wish harm unto others. Whoooooo saaaaaaaaa…

Valero Alamo Bowl- Baylor over Washington

We are starting to hit our stride here. Love RG3. Keith Price might be next year’s version. Lots of points will be scored. Baylor will win. And this might be the most intriguing non- BCS game.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forced Bowl- Tulsa over BYU

Insert Mitt Romney joke. Or a UCLA joke. We haven't had one in a few paragraphs.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl- Rutgers over Iowa State

Gift basket for both teams provided by Derek Jeter. The greatest man in the history of men.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl- Mississippi State over Wake Forest

S-E-C! S-E-C! S-E-C!

Insight Bowl- Oklahoma over Iowa

And we are back in a rut of endless bullshit.

Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl- Texas A&M over Northwestern

The Aggies overcome their lack of a head coach (and a team in the second half) and are buoyed by the home crowd to a win.

Hyundai Sun Bowl- Utah over Georgia Tech

And in a weird twist, CBS gets fewer viewers for this year’s game than last year’s Miami vs. Notre Dame matchup. Who’d have thunk it?

AutoZone Liberty Bowl- Vanderbilt over Cincinnatti

S-E-C! S-E-C! S-E-C!

Kraft Fight Hunger- 0-0 Draw between UCLA and Illinois

HERE WE GO! I…just…wow. Both teams finished with at least 6 losses. UCLA finished with 7 and then begged their way in to a bowl game anyway. They will surely lose this game if either team actually scores. They will then be 6-8…and Pac 12 South Champions. Gotta feel good about that conference.

These teams are both so wretchedly bad that NEITHER will have their coach for this game. Yep. Both teams fired their coach. It is a remarkably awful matchup. It is Bizarro World Rose Bowl.

Here are things I would rather do on New Year’s Eve than watch this game (which I am sure I will watch anyway, like a car crash):

Sleep
Gargle Bombay Sapphire Gin
Eat a cilantro pizza (I effing hate cilantro)
Sit through “New Year’s Eve” in theaters
Watch Western Michigan vs. Purdue
Sleep
Sleep
Sleep

THIS is the reason we have too many bowl games. Blood is on your hands NCAA.

Chick Fil- A Bowl: Virginia over Auburn

Because one of these teams is replacing two coordinators and their top player on offense. And that team is not Virginia.

Ticket City Bowl- Houston vs. Penn State

Nice consolation prize for Houston. Sure, they don’t get the national media exposure and payout of a BCA game, but they still get to beat the hell out of Penn State, which let’s be real, is high on everyone’s list right now.

Outback Bowl- Georgia over Michigan State

Despite Drew Stanton’s dazzling blue eyes.

Capital One Bowl- Cackalacky over Nebraska

Does anyone else confuse this game with the Outback Bowl?

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl- Ohio State over UiF

I’m just saying it would not be the worst thing ever if someone cut the brake lines on these team buses. Sad? Of course. But I would recover.

Rose Bowl- Oregon over Wisconsin

Oregon is REALLY fast. I mean REALLY fast. Fast like a Wisconsin player running from a marijuana screening (hey-o!).

Fiesta Bowl- Oklahoma State over Stanford

The winner of this one will give the winner of the other semi-final, LSU vs. Alabama, a hell of a game. Oh wait, that’s right. Silly me.

Sugar Bowl- Michigan over Virginia Tech

Hmmmm…I don’t have anything witty to say here. We must be nearing the end.

Cotton Bowl- Arkansas over Kansas State

Some things change, but at least Bobby Petrino will always be a dickhead.

BBVA Compass Bowl- SMU over Pitt

As Pitt struggles to find its 4th coach in just over a year. Wait, 4 EFFING COACHES?! That can’t be right.

*Looks it up*

Nope, it’s right alright. Jackie Sherrill is disgusted somewhere as he dives headfirst in to a pile of prostitutes.

GoDaddy.com Bowl- Northern Illinois over Arkansas State

As I like to call, the “Turd in the Punch” Bowl. Can we combine the UCLA and Illinois teams and instead of having a football game have a three way, Hell in a Cell cage match?

"Oh my God, that's Kevin Prince's music!!!"

BCS National Title Game- LSU over Alabama

For some strange reason, I feel like we have seen this game before.

Go to Vegas and bet the money line on all these games as I advised. If you’re an idiot.

Always guard the inbound passer.

End of a 'Potential' Era

Hello All,

The end of the Jacory Harris-Sean Spence Era at the University of Miami came to a screeching halt on Friday evening, and much like the rest of it, it was quite disappointing.

This is the part of this post where I should say something cliche about how Jacory throwing interceptions on 4 of his last 17 career attempts was a microcosm of his career, or how the team falling short at home against a team it was supposed to beat by multiple touchdowns was a microcosm of their tenure.

However, everyone else and their fucking mother has taken that angle and quite frankly it is annoying.

I will say this: I thoroughly enjoyed Jacory Harris and the rest of his class. They were fun. Sure, they played some dreadful football at times. But I watched these kids grow up on a football field, and I thought they did alright, given what was put in front of them. They will not go down as the class that restored us to greatness. They were not champions. They lost a lot of winnable games and seemingly always managed to be beating themselves just as much as the opponent.

But at the end of the day they were 'Canes, and they fought. Maybe their burden was unfair. Maybe 5 star recruiting and high school national championships...GASP...do not matter once you get to college. Maybe to expect Ken Dorsey was just a mirage that the media and fanbase ran with, when in reality Jacory Harris had a hard enough time just being Jacory Harris. The fan base fell in love with potential. Potential is maybe the dirtiest word in college football, the type of word that gets college kids booed and coaches fired.

I said in my last post that the signing day class of 2008 was the one that was supposed to bring us back. It in many ways was the biggest reason I advanced at the school paper. Those kids

seemed to lift everyone up. Energy on campus was electric for the first semester they were there, because damn it, they were winners and we were sick of losing.

Now most of that class has moved on. They will be in the NFL or grad school or the work force or wherever these kids go. It seems fitting to take a look back at the expectations these kids had and where they ended up. Maybe I just like doing these run downs. Maybe this is like going to a funeral, something which is supposed to be a celebration but really mostly seems like self torture. Maybe I am just bored on my couch, watching Big Blue close out Ohio. Doesn't matter.

Ladies and gentlemen, with the aide of hindsight, here is the revised breakdown of the class of 2008, which came in as the #1 class in the nation and perhaps the highest ranked in the history of the program:

QB

Jacory Harris

Harris came in as the leader of the Northwestern 8, the captain of their offense and the future of our program. He was set to battle with Robert Marve for the quarterback job and eventually take it over from him. He was the next Ken Dorsey, the guy who just knew how to get the ball to his playmakers and win the game.

I have written a ton about him; his career was obviously uneven. When he was good he was great, when he was bad he was dreadful. He was always a fun kid who handled himself with class. He took an unfair amount of the blame and never got enough of the credit. All in all, his will be a career of unfulfilled potential.

Taylor Cook

The big Texan was a project type who was supposed to battle for playing time after a couple of years in the system. Clearly had the best tools of any QB on the roster but the least polish. Hope was that with time he could be Ben Roethlisberger.

In reality, he transferred after one year to Rice, where he never played quarterback and was moved to tight end.

Cannon Smith

Smith was never supposed to be anything other than a depth chart guy, a career backup. Most, including me, didn't really get why we signed him.

Well, he was bad and then transferred to Memphis, where they made him the slowest safety in the history of football.

RB/FB

Pat Hill

Hill was a bowling ball from junior college and the guy who was supposed to just clear out holes for our running backs and destroy linebackers.

Spent three years clearing out holes and destroying linebackers. Was the man and completely underrated.

John Calhoun

Did not realize he was never redshirted and forgot to include him in the senior day write up. Oh well. He was a project that had no other offers and hopefully would develop in to a serviceable special teams guy and role player who at best would be a starting fullback.

That is exactly what he ended up being, and got his first start at fullback in his last game. Solid player who knew his role and stuck to it.

WR

Travis Benjamin

Was one of the least hyped of the receivers but everyone knew his speed. Was supposed to be the next Roscoe Parrish and a guy everyone thought was underrated.

Ended up the most productive receiver in the class and at times was an absolute game changer. Also had some total bonehead moments and again, never quite lived up to the hype.

LaRon Byrd

Byrd was a physical force from Louisiana who was a little below the radar as a recruit, but the coaches raved about him. One time he was compared to Terrell Owens.

Showed a lot of potential as a freshman but plateau'd afterward. Never could be the go to guy and disappeared for large portions of games and seasons.

Aldarious Johnson

Another Northwestern guy, he was a 5 star recruit, Jacory's go to guy in high school and the next coming of Andre Johnson with his size, speed and "glue hands".

Has a few big games and big catches but all in all was a bust because he lacked the speed to gain separation, was lazy and out of shape, and had a knack for dropping the easy ones. Was kicked off the team his senior year.

Tommy Streeter

Lower ranked than his high school teammate Johnson but had people inside the program more excited for his potential as a tall, lanky guy with room to put on weight and maintain his 4.4 speed and highlight reel body control.

Spent three years on the bench, either injured or in the doghouse. Broke out this season and is poised to become an All American candidate next season. Could go down as the best player in this class.

Thearon Collier

Collier was one of three guys from Booker T Washington in this class and was the lowest rated. Committed to Auburn before flipping to The U. Was a space player that you "couldn't touch in a phone booth."

Collier was a stud for two seasons. He was a nice little punt returner and a clutch receiver who always seemed a little overweight but always on the spot. He ran in to some personal issues, however, and transferred to USC after his sophomore year. He never saw the field there and has not resurfaced. This is a kid who apparently never could shake "the street"...hopefully the street doesn't come back and claim him, as is often the case.

Kendall Thompkins

the third Northwestern receiver in the class was supposed to be another pocket rocket that could make things happen in space. He did not have much hype but was easy to see as a difference maker when watching Northwestern play.

Still has one year left but his only real contribution so far has been as a special teams coverage guy. You hear about him in practice every spring and never during games. The type of kid you root for, even though you're not really sure why he stands out to you.

Davon Johnson

Collier's teammate in high school who was known for his blazing speed. Was highly recruited and was supposed to be yet another option on offense that made for nightmares for opponents.

Showed some promise as a freshman at receiver, then voluntarily took a redshirt as a second year guy. Didn't see the field much last year and then switched to DB this year. Saw special teams action but would not surprise if he chose to use his last year of eligibility elsewhere.

OL

Brandon Washington

Another Northwestern guy, was graded as an absolute mauler out of high school who could help our weak offensive line right away.

After prepping for a year, became an All ACC guard and then moved to left tackle. Will be back next year, most likely as the left guard next to Seantrel Henderson.

Ben Jones

Jones played defensive line at Northwestern but the big boys wanted him as an offensive tackle. He was highly regarded as an athlete more than as a football player.

Has not done much, and at this point, with one year left, seems like the type that will leave in the off season.

DE

Andrew Smith

One of the least regarded prospects in the class, Smith actually was fairly productive throughout his career and will leave as someone who made his fair share of plays and always seemed to be around the ball.

Marcus Robinson

Robinson was a highly rated outside linebacker and was recruited by every major program before deciding to stay home for the 'Canes. Had flashes of brilliance, including a three sack night against Virginia Tech as a freshman, and was a consistently solid performer as a senior. However, you always got the sense that he was best suited to be a stand up, pass rushing outside linebacker with his speed, and he never got a chance to be that. A team like the Steelers or Ravens will take a chance on him and might get a steal of player for their effort.

Gavin Hardin

Hardin was a standout linebacker in Mississippi that the Rebs, Bulldogs and the Tennessee Vols were in hot pursuit of before he chose Miami. Played fiery football and was a physical specimen, but had his career ended by a neck injury before he every got to play. He was the type of player that this program has been lacking for several years.

DT

Marcus Forston

Jacory's counterpart on the defnesive line, this was Baby Sapp. He was supposed to be the next great defensive tackle, that opened up the entire defense and allowed us to start ball hawking again. The number one tackle recruit in the country, according to some, and one of the linchpins of this class from Day 1.

He has been hurt most of his career, and the rest has been inconsistent. He has one year left and HAS to get in better shape. When he is in the zone he is very hard to block, and he and Curtis Porter give fans hopes of a dominant pair of tackles next season. However, they are both made of glass, and it is hard to rely on either.

Micanor Regis

Thought was that Regis was one of the most underrated players in the whole country and would form an All American duo with Forston.

Regis turned in to a solid guy in the rotation but never a star. Will be remembered for punching a Carolina receiver in the crotch.

Jeremy Lewis

Lewis was a guy who wreaked of potential on film and had a quick first step but clearly needed work and would take a few years.

Still hasn't made an impact and has rarely seen the field. Is now an offensive lineman and has one year left to make something out of his career.

LB

Sean Spence

The last of the Northwestern crew, Spence was the best player since the last of the champions in this program. Was considered undersized but from day one, it was clear he had something to him that few others did. There are certain guys that no matter the measurables, have always been the best player on whatever field they stepped on. Ed Reed was one. Anquan Boldin another. Spence is like that. That is the highest compliment you can get.

Arthur Brown

Nation's top linebacker recruit and in many eyes the top overall player.

Had a great spring game for the 'Canes and then disappeared, playing only on special teams for two years before transferring back home to Kansas State. Had a big season for them this year and contributed to their victory in Sun Life Stadium over the 'Canes in a big way.

Jordan Futch

Futch was supposed to be the big, bruiser at linebacker to compliment Spence. Another highly recruited, highly ranked player. Never did much.

Ramon Buchannon

Physical specimen who was a hot battle between Miami and the Gators before flipping back to Miami on signing day. Played safety for a year before moving down to linebacker. Was showing signs of a productive senior year before a season ending knee injury. Will be back next season, although his role will perhaps be minimized with the influx of young talent.

C.J. Holton

Came in as a highly regarded safety that we took from Florida State. Some silly folks threw the name Sean Taylor around as a comparison. Still hasn't done a dick damned thing and will most likely move on this off season.

Zach Kane

Sleeper who was arrested the summer before he enrolled, then tied up with the clearinghouse. Never made it to campus.

Antonio Harper

Tall, rangy guy from Memphis. Never made it to campus, ended up signing with Troy a year later.

Brandon Marti

Undersized kid with a bad attitude and a rumored drug problem. No one was really sure how he made it in to the class, and he fittingly was kicked off the team after one semester.

DB

Brandon Harris

Was in my mind the biggest signing in the class. Was recruited by everyone out of high school at Booker T Washington and was one of the nation's top corner prospects. After Patrick Johnson left us at the altar and we whiffed on Janoris Jenkins (UiF) , T.J. Bryant (USC) and Travis Howard (Ohio), this recruitment took on extra significance.

Harris was a starter for three years and was a very good, if not great, player. Went pro a year early and probably regrets it. Now a member of the Houston Texans, but an extra year of school would have helped him a lot.

Vaughn Telemaque

VT was a highly regarded safety from Long Beach who spurned the Trojans for the 'Canes near the end of the recruiting cycle. Had solid moments through his first three seasons but was terrible for most of his junior year. Has one more season to put it all together, but Coach Golden can not be happy with his performance this year.

Joe Wylie

Patrick Johnson's friend who was very lightly recruited but was a great athlete. Lasted two seasons. Put on enough weight to look like a badass but ended up transferring to UT-Martin.

C.J. Odom

Odom was an athlete from Fort Myers that would have most likely been a safety. Grade issues sent him to prep school, where he clashed with the coach and went AWOL. Hasn't been heard from since.

K

Jake Wieclaw

The Claw looked like a lost cause for three years but had a big season as a junior and will be counted upon heavily as a senior.

Take a look at that list. Spence and Streeter are the only ones that lived up to or exceeded expectations, and even the guys who had solid careers like Brandon Harris or Jacory Harris are considered busts when compared to what they were supposed to be.

This is why we find ourselved in this precarious spot. The coach who pinned his future to this group was fired. The fans who boosted the expectations for this class in to the stratosphere are frustrated and cannot figure out why. But look at what I wrote. According to expectations, almost every one of them was told they were a stud from day one.

Maybe this case was an example of the worst part of fan-dom...proclaiming someone great without their proving it, and then being mad when they are not indeed great.

That is why I have learned my lesson. I will never again judge a class or a player by star ratings or what they have been labeled by the "experts". From now on you are what you show me. That is what gives me hope for this current class. Medium on stars, big on toughness.

We need more badasses. The funny thing is that Spence and Streeter, the two standouts from this class, were in the middle of the pack when it came to ratings for these kids. They have risen up through hard work and football intelligence.

They are the blueprint we have always lived on and thrived with. It is time to get back to it. Until we do, we are doomed to mediocre, overhyped football and football players. And more frustrating fades down the stretch.

Today is the end of not just a season, but an era. The Era of 'Potential'.

The nucleus of the past 4 years has now moved on. It is time to move on as fans. I am sad that the game is over, but at the same time, I am disgusted with the results we always seem to elude as of late. A new day is ahead, and I am just as happy to put this trainwreck of a season behind us as anything else. We will hold strong. We will be back. We are the Evil Empire. We are The U. We will always find a way, because that is what we do.

But until then, until potential turns in to production, we will have rough seas. Here is to next season being the one that we start playing the game the right way again. Physical. Violent. Smart. CONSISTENT. That is how you build a champion.

If you can find guys that do that, they don't have to be the number one recruiting class. Besides, we have all seen how that can play out.

Always guard the inbound passer.

Senior Day

Hello All,

This is a weird day in the history of Stein on the Sidelines. This is the last time I will write about a group of seniors that includes Sean Spence and Jacory Harris, two players that I have written about and watched play for so long and with such intensity that they practically feel like family to me. Not in a weird way. Okay, this already just got awkward.

When I was a student, the signing day class of 2008 earned me my first cover story at the paper. They represented hope, the return of Miami to the pinnacle. While I will write more in depth on this class and its legacy after the season is over, this is a sort of unofficial end to their era. There will be players left, but the nucleus of the team will shift after the season. In a way, I owe this group of players a lot more than they will ever know. While they never achieved the succes they seemed so sure to bring, they did bring a lot of good times to the lives of Miami Hurricanes fans.

This is also unfortunately the last pre-game blog I will get to post for this season as we near the season-finale against Boston College (and the 4807578923475776234785 replays of Doug Fucking Flutie we will get to watch).

This season has been one of the weirdest, most up and down times I can ever remember. It seems as though it was just yesterday that the ‘Canes were getting laced up to play Maryland. Think about how much has happened in that time.

Miami lost to Maryland in that opener. Maryland featured the ACC’s Top Returning Quarterback in Danny O’Brien and seemed poised to make a run to the ACC Title Game.

Maryland is now 1-6 in conference play and the fan base has seemingly already turned on first year coach Randy Edsall. O’Brien was benched. The program is a tire fire.

Meanwhile, Miami returned perhaps the conference’s shakiest quarterback in Jacory Harris and seemed poised to spiral out of control after Yahoo!Sports’ salacious allegations dropped two weeks before the season.

Miami was a handful of plays away from an undefeated season, improved every week and saw Harris have an ACC Player of the Year type of season.

While the season began with a loss, it will end with a self-inflicted bowl ban. The irony of this bowl ban is that the players who I feel the worst for, namely Jacory and Spence, are culprits in why it had to be done. They broke rules. I still love them, but the simple fact is that they cost the program and now have to sacrifice for the future of the program in order to make good upon their rule-breaking.

(Really hard for me to actually be mad at a kid for taking a free dinner here and there...let's not go there.)

Between the turbulent beginning and end of the season for Miami, college football enjoyed its usual madness:

Virginia was picked in the basement of the ACC; they now are playing a one game playoff with Virginia Tech for the ACC Coastal Division after knocking off Miami and Florida State in the same season.

USC struggled to beat Minnesota on opening day in a game I attended…they have since taken Stanford to triple overtime in a loss and beaten Oregon on the road, eliminating them from the BCS title picture.

Clemson started off 8-0 and then Clemsoned itself against North Carolina State and Georgia Tech. Some things will always be predictable I guess.

Oklahoma lost a home game in which they were a 39 point favorite to Texas Tech, who then lost to Kansas, a team so bad that they are about to fire their coach and currently stand at 2-9.

Wisconsin lost on a Hail Mary…two weeks in a row.

Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State. Nebraska lost to Northwestern.

Bob Davie got a head coaching job. Joe Paterno lost a head coaching job. It is a crazy world.

LSU beat Alabama 9-6 in overtime, and they are widely considered the two best teams in the country. However, Arkansas could beat LSU this weekend and force their way in to the SEC Title Game (even though they lost to Alabama, who would also have one loss, assuming they beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl) against Georgia, which means that one of LSU and Alabama would then be playing in the Cotton Bowl. Awwwww, the BCS Era, ladies and gentlemen.

There is a current 5 way tie for first in the Big East, and none of the 5 teams would be bowl eligible in the SEC. However, one of these teams will make the BCS ahead of either Houston or Boise State, the two best non-automatic qualifiers, both of whom arguably would have run the table in the Big East.

UCLA is 6-5 and still in the thick of things in the Pac 12 South.

The ACC now includes Pittsburgh and Syracuse…in Pennsylvania and upstate New York.

The SEC now includes Texas A&M and Mizzou…. neither of which is in the Southeast.

(Apparently the SEC was desperate for their own Clemson but didn’t actually want Clemson (located in South Carolina...parenthetical reference inside a parenthetical aside!), so they took the two closest things from the Big 12 and said “what the hell?”)

The Big EAST…the conference of New York City and New England… is expanding to Idaho and Texas.

The Big 10 has 12 teams and no plans to change the name of the conference.

(And still sucks)

The Big 12 has 10 teams. They want to add TCU in an attempt to save their conference, which is ironic, because once upon a time, when the Big 8 and Southwest Conference merged, TCU was one of the schools kicked to the curb (along with SMU, Rice and Houston).

Notre Dame is still independent and still overrated but expected to join the ACC soon, which makes sense, because South Bend, IN, has a gorgeous view of the Atlantic.

In other words, it has been business as usual this year in college football.

Miami is coming off a 6-3 win against USF that was not pretty but was ballsy as hell. I know that nothing is ever good enough for the Miami fan base, but to compose yourself to go on that game winning drive took a mature performance from the whole team, especially Jacory. All season we have been waiting for the team to show that killer instinct and bitching when they don’t; this week they did and it still isn’t good enough.

That is probably the theme for this senior class. Not good enough. Friday will be senior day against Boston College. As I do every year, it is time to pay tribute to those seniors that depart. In no particular order, thanks go out to:

Sean Spence, LB

Easily one of my five favorite ‘Canes of all time. This kid has been nothing but a beast since Day 1 and left it all out there on the field. Emerged as a leader…did everything you want in a ‘Cane. The difference when he was on the field was palpable. Of all the players leaving, he will be missed the most. The best compliment I can pay is that it got to the point at which whenever a play was made on defense, I assumed it was him making it and surprised when it wasn’t. This kid could play on any team in the history of this program and fit right in.

Jacory Harris, QB

It feels weird that this will be the last time we watch him. For all the crap he has taken, Jacory has quietly put together an ACC Player of the Year type of season…if the defense had held tougher in a few games and Jacory had gotten the extra inch against Kansas State, Miami is undefeated and Jacory is in the Heisman conversation. The evolution this kid has made this season has been one of the most uplifting things I have ever seen in this program. Before the season I said that if Jacory could have a Brock Berlin type of season I would take it. He has done that and more…there are few players I would rather have leading this team than number 12. I feel like Jacory has become family over these past 4 years, and it will be very weird to not have him on the squad next season.

Travis Benjamin, WR

TB3, the Blur from Belle Glade, was oftentimes lightning in a bottle. He was more than just a space guy, becoming a mostly reliable receiver as the years went by. Perhaps never fully realized his potential, but was a constant threat that defenses constantly had to monitor and will be a tough guy to replace. Will always be remembered for his freshman year torching of the Seminoles and his follow up in the season opener as a sophomore, when he scored the opening touchdown and made perhaps THE vital catch down the sideline, enabling the 'Canes to pull out a win on the road in Trailerhassee.

Jo Jo Nicolas, DB

If there was one player that I have done a complete 180 on it is Jo Jo. He was my whipping boy for three years, next in line after Lance Leggett and Romeo Davis. I thought he sucked and was a waste of a jersey. He was always out of position, couldn’t tackle and couldn’t catch. He was a talent blocker. And then this season happened. He made a believer out of me by playing the game hard and stepping up to fill al leadership void despite personal tragedy. When this team needed someone to stand up and take the reins, he and Tyler Horn were there to oblige. Not only that, he turned in to our most solid, consistent DB this year, highlighted by the Georgia Tech game when he picked off his second pass of the season and recovered a fumble for a touchdown. He should get a chance in an NFL camp and if he is unable to stick there, he is the type of kid I would want around the program as a graduate assistant. I rarely take a hardline, negative outlook on a player. When I do, I hope they prove me wrong. Jo Jo did that, and for that I thank him. Consider me the driver of the Jo Jo Nicolas bandwagon.

Tyler Horn, C

Horn was not the most talented, but he was always solid and lead the o-line. Not only that, but he became a point person that the coaches could go to during the turbulent time that was this season, and a leader that the players respected. Horn is one of those “glue guys” that you hear about oftentimes from cliché sports writers and bloggers; their value is only known when they are no longer around.

LaRon Byrd, WR

Always one of my favorites, even this year, when his role was diminished. Byrd was an unselfish player who did a lot of dirty work (blocking downfield, running clear out routes, playing special teams) and never lost his commitment. Expected a lot of himself and while his statistics never panned out, he worked his ass off. Something gives me the feeling that he will be more productive in the NFL than in college.

Marcus Robinson, DE/LB

Robinson was a solid player who had the talent to be elite in the right system. He was put on this earth to be a pass rushing flex end, and really only was able to do that this season. Made big plays but disappeared from a lot of games. On pro potential, see: Byrd, Laron.

Micanor Regis, DT

Regis is a guy who I thought could be a standout, a potential first rounder and the leader of the ‘Cane resurgence. He turned out to be a solid but unspectacular defensive tackle who had a knack for batting balls down.

Harlan Gunn, OG

I will miss the name; it is of the greatest we have ever had. 2 year starter. He was strong off the ball and, like Horn, a leader. Intelligent man and very well spoken. Doubt he has an NFL future but will be successful regardless.

Joel Figueroa, OL

I think I have written his tribute three times now. He is now done with his 6th season and he will be moving on, presumably with a PhD. I have nothing else to say except “good luck” and thank you for setting a good example your senior year.

Chase Ford, TE

Pretty much a non-factor for two years. Every now and then made a surprisingly solid catch, and spent the rest of his time blowing crucial blocks, dropping easy passes or on the sideline in pain. Worked hard and that’s about all you can say. Thanks for the contribution, and I hope you get a shot in the NFL.

Blake Ayles, TE

Blake, we hardly knew ye.

Jordan Futch, LB

Spent most of his career hurt. I was enamored with the potential, and I think that is why his career goes down as a disappointment: there was a lot expected of him and it was never delivered upon. Will get a shot in the NFL, if I were a betting man.

Andrew Smith, DE

One of the least impressive physical specimens we have ever had, he still managed to always be around the ball. Like Robinson, he was a tweener. Not really sure what else to say…this is awkward.

Mike Williams, CB

Had a mostly mediocre season in his one year with the ‘Canes, peppered with flashes of incompetence. Loved the way he plays. Kind of reminded me of one of those guys at the pickup basketball game that is slow and can’t shoot or play defense but talks so much shit that they convince you they are good.

Lee Chambers, CB

Chambers showed promise as a running back and as a defensive back, but was always too injured to get in a groove anywhere. Another sad case of what could have been.

Chris Ivory, LS

Ivory is a 4 year starter you wouldn’t know about if you weren’t a die hard. The fact you don’t know his name means he did his job as a long snapper.

Spencer Whipple, QB

Sucked hard at QB but…well, I guess he made me laugh one time when he ran down on kick coverage. And…yeah, that’s all I got.

Vernon Gholston, DB

Walk-on. Thank you for the hard work on the practice squad and special teams young man. Make us proud as a future engineer.

Miles Levine, LB

Great story, felt worthy of a mention here. Came from out of nowhere and was on the field for one career play, but his is the type of story that make college football great. And if you don't believe me, Google it.

With that, we say good luck from the bottom of our hearts here at Stein on the Sidelines to all the seniors, and any underclassmen who may move on (I see you Lamar Miller...although PLEASE GOD stay around). You have each made your impact in some way, shape or form.

This week’s Rivalry Game picks, after my 2-4 week sent me to 52-26 on the season:

Texas over Texas A&M (-8)

That is the most ridiculous line I have ever seen. Just wow.

LSU (-12.5) over Arkansas

Here’s a little secret: Arkansas hasn’t beaten anyone except for South Carolina, the week after they lost their starting quarterback for the season. Ole Miss? Crap. Miss State? Crap. Auburn? Pretty crappy. Tennessee? Crap. If they were in ANY OTHER CONFERENCE the Boise State Corollary would apply. Here’s another secret: Boise has as many quality SEC wins as Arkansas. So…yeah. Just sayin’.

Georgia over Georgia Tech (+6.5)

Clean, Old Fashioned Hate! Great name for a mediocre rivalry.

Ohio State Fighting Urban Meyers over Michigan (-7.5)

Kentucky (+9) over Tennessee

Armageddon for Vols Nation. Kentucky wins the jug for the first time in roughly 118 years. That number may be an approximation. However, it does not change the fact that they play for a jug. Really, the more important issue here is that Kentucky still champions that hillbilly fire water they call bourbon over the smooth, superior, gentlemen’s Tennessee sour mash. Ingrates.

‘Bama over Auburn (+20.5)

The Iron Bowl! Spread seems a little big...rivalry game...

VPI over Virginia (+5.5)

So, yeah, this is what the ACC has become.

Wisconsin (-14.5) over Penn State

The Big 10 still sucks.

Mizzou over Kansas (+23.5)

The Border War! And by the way, this game is called that because these two territories LITERALLY fought a series of battles over the issue of slavery. If that does not make for a good rivalry, well, screw you.

Oregon over Oregon State (-28)

The Civil War!

The Meteor > FSU > UiF (+2.5)

Miss State (-17.5) over Ole Miss

The Egg Bowl! However, there is now way in hell the Dogs are 17.5 points better than the Rebs. They both suck, but they suck about equally as bad.

Washington (-6.5) over Wazzu

The Apple Cup!

Clemson over Cackalacky (-4)

I don’t know why this game doesn’t have a better name. The Palmetto Bowl is what I have heard it referred to as. Really? Sounds like some bullshit if you ask me. How do two programs that seemingly care not have a cool name for this game? Proposal….let’s call it...The Battle for Lee’s Saddle or The Stonewall Game. Done.

Stanford (-6.5) over Notre Dame

Notre Dame blows.

USC over UCLA (+14.5)

I like what they do with the uniforms here. Really all there is to say about it.

Also, not this week, but coming up, I like Oklahoma over Oklahoma State in Bedlam, West Virginia over Pitt in the Backyard Brawl and Navy over Army in my favorite non- Miami game of the year.

Always guard the inbound passer.

Trial By Fire

Hello All,

No, I am not dodging the FSU loss. Yes, I am busy at work and quite frankly the amount of money I make off this blog is small (read: non-existent). So it had to wait.

I don’t know how many times I can type “at a loss” in one season but I am certainly there yet again.

We’ve all rehashed it. Penalties. Benjamin muffing a punt. Hurns dropping a two point conversion. Jacory throwing a pick.

It was yet another agonizing loss. However, here is the play I will always remember:

Kacy Rogers II in the end zone angling in on a floater from E.J. Manuel to Rodney Smith, and then pulling up before either picking it off and going the other way OR blowing up the receiver and disrupting the play.

It was this team in a nutshell.

They knew what had to be done: you had to punch in this game. The more physical team was going to win. Rogers saw what every defensive back dreams about unfolding in front of him…and for whatever reason, he came up short. He had never been there before, and it showed. He didn't have it in him to get it done.

Like 4th and Goal against K State….and coming up an inch short.

Like 4th and 1 against UVa…and blowing a block.

Like 4th and 1 against the VTech offense…and allowing a touchdown.

This team constantly lives every kid’s dream scenario, but they always seem to come up short.

I spent most of my free time between the ages of 8 and 12 playing driveway basketball or backyard football or playground baseball.

How did it always end?

“3…2…1…he made the shot!”

“Bottom of the 9th, full count, bases loaded, Stein at the plate…and it’s gone!”

“It all comes down to this folks, one play to win the game…Stein drops back in the pocket, he’s got his receiver downfield…touchdown!”

The good guys always won. I always handled the pressure. If I didn’t, I stayed outside until I did. Eventually I got a lot better at it. It was through repetition that I improved.

In real life college football, it is the same thing. Repetition is what turns a player to iron and turns their blood cold under pressure.

The difference is that my mistakes were not aired on national television. I was not under the constant fire of 1,000 message boarders and reporters and columnists.

This current ‘Canes team is going through the same sort of learning process, but without the same benefit that I had.

I guess that is what this season has become: one long, very public, trial by fire.

It has been frustrating and hard to deal with at times. Several times I have literally had ZERO idea what the hell I was watching.

5-5 blows. There is an old saying in football: you are what your record is.

But let’s not forget the circumstances around this team.

There is a new coaching staff. There is a new training program. The 2 Deep is filled with guys who never played much before this season (Feliciano…Dye…Clements….Hurns…Perryman…Chickillo….Williams….Chambers…etc.). 8 players were removed from the roster by Coach Golden between spring ball and the start of the season. 8 more were suspended at the outset of the season. NCAA Investigations have surrounded the program, as has uncertainty. The Penn State allegations have lead to even more uncertainty, as players can’t help but see Golden’s name connected to the job opening in the press.

None of this is an excuse for muffing the punt or pulling up lame on the interception opportunity.

There are no moral victories. Al Golden is certainly not happy with 5-5, and neither should be the fans.

But despite all this uncertainty and turmoil, this team has not once quit. Not once. Can you say that about last season?

This team very realistically could be undefeated. Think about it:

Brandon Linder penalty gets a long run called back against Maryland and we settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown that very well could have sealed the win. Instead we lose.

Jacory Harris is stopped a foot short against Kansas State.

The defense buckles on 4th and 1 for the win against VTech.

Chase Ford misses a block against Virginia.

The aforementioned mistakes against FSU…and we only lose by 4.

This team might finish with the same record (or worse) than last year’s.

However, you measure growth by comparing a season against the previous.

And even though the result might be the same, anyone who tells you this season’s squad is the same as last year’s clearly hasn’t been watching.

I hate 5-5. I hate losing winnable games. As encouraged as I am by the close results, I am equally as frustrated.

But I am not drinking the Kool-Aid yet. Not by a damn sight. This team stands tall and fights to the end. We owe it to them to do the same as fans…because eventually they will get it turned around.

Before Ed Reed was a monster he got torched for the game winning touchdown as a freshman against Penn State.

Before Ken Dorsey was unflappable, he threw a game away on the road against Washington.

Before Willis McGahee was robbed of a Heisman, he was so far down the depth chart that he almost quit.

Before Cortez Kennedy was a Hall of Famer, he was “Two Play Tez”.

Players get better. Teams learn to win. It all comes from repetition.

Always guard the inbound passer.

Quick Picks (3-2 last week; 50-22 season):

VTech (-11) over UNC
Nebraska over Michigan (-3.5)
Ohio State (-7) over Penn State
LSU over Ole Miss (-29.5)
Oklahoma over Baylor (+15)
Oregon (-15) over USC

Mutual Respect

Hello All,

As a Miami fan, there are plenty of teams I hate.

UiF…well, I don’t really need to go in to it. No one likes a pansy. This is undisputed, pure hatred.

Ohio State…they robbed us of a national title and represent everything that we hate about “The Establishment” of college football.

(As a matter of fact, we hate any team that is part of "The Establishment" and look down on any one who isn't...the Virginias and Georgia Techs and BYUs...as teams that don't belong on our field. We are unique and maybe have created a self fulfilling prophesy.)

Virginia Tech…they beat us too often and have stupid looking uniforms.

Notre Dame…they represent everything we hate about humanity AND they took us off their schedule after starting that “Catholics vs. Convicts” crap.

Penn State…they molest children (required parenthetical note: ALLEGEDLY molest children).

However, the only team that can truly be counted as a legitimate rivalry game in this day and age is Florida State.

Look at the list above. Only Virginia Tech plays us every year, and that is really the only reason they are a rival. We are in the same division of the same conference and both play at a high level (work with me people). Take away the requirement to play every year and I would go on living my life and not miss the game for a second. It is not a rivalry that stands on its own.

Florida State is the opposite.

For years we were in different conferences and yet still played every year. As of now we are in the same conference, but in opposite divisions.

This was arranged in 2004 so that the ACC could get two TV dates a year out of this rivalry: the regular season matchup and the conference championship game. They started playing the game on Labor Day oftentimes in order to ensure that whoever lost then had the rest of the season to work their way back in to the national championship conversation.

Obviously these plans have not come to roost. Both teams have struggled, for largely the same reasons. Lackluster player development and bad quarterback play have submarined both programs for almost a decade.

However, think about those plans in a vacuum. These two programs demand such respect that the conference structured its entire divisional setup and oftentimes its conference schedule to ensure that two teams who seemed to have a birthright to the BCS would be allowed to flourish unfettered.

It seems as though Miami and Florida State are forever linked. Both rose to prominence in the 80’s. Miami once won 58 straight home games and 34 straight games overall (at different times). Florida State finished 14 consecutive seasons in the top 5 of the AP Poll.












The two teams recruit the same players and have rosters full of kids who are not only friends, but sometimes family. They never stopped playing each other, even when non-conference scheduling became more about preserving your record than testing your team. Miami invented swagger; Florida State gave us Deion “Primetime” Sanders.

When it comes to Florida State, I have vitriol. I can’t stand their fans. I hate their mascot and I hate their fight song and I resent their inclusion in the Good Ol’ Boy network. I hate that they can finish a season 9-4 and be ranked #4 to start the next season EVERY YEAR. I hate that they seem to be above the law. I hate the money they have to throw around while Miami maintains mediocre facilities and a lifeless stadium 45 minutes from campus.

But at the end of the day, I respect them. They not only always play us, but they always play us tough.

These games have given us Wide Right 1, 2 and 3. They gave us Wide Left. They gave us the 2009 season opener that ended on a low pass from Christian Ponder. They gave us the 2003 Monsoon Bowl. They gave us the 2008 Monsoon Bowl. They gave us Kirby Freeman’s Drive in 2007. They gave us the overtime thriller of 2004.

Whether it is Irvin’s catch or McGahee’s run or Dorsey- to- Shockey or Sean Taylor’s Pick 6 or Ed Reed’s speech, the stars come out during Miami-FSU.

This rivalry can not only create heroes, but forever ruin seemingly talented players (I see you Chris Rix).

It is a battle for livelihood; lose this game and you have a year of living in your rival’s shadow in the national media, the local media, the ACC and in the recruiting battles of Florida, the nation’s biggest recruiting war.

The uniforms clash, as do the student bodies. It doesn’t matter what the records are. Either team could finish 1-11; as long as the 1 win was over the other, that’s a year of happiness.

It is a perfect rivalry, right up there with Alabama-Auburn and Michigan-Ohio State.

Ladies and gentleman, this is Florida State week.

Time to get the big boy pants out.

Last week I went 0-1. I am now 47-20 on the season. This week’s quick picks:

Nebraska over Penn State (+3.5)

If anything is just in the world Penn State gets crushed by about 50. I won’t go in to this because enough good takes have been offered, but the fact that Paterno is coaching this game is a traveshamockery.





NOTE: I wrote this before the fired JoePa and were still planning on having him on the sideline for the game. He obviously has been fired, and with good reason. I genuinely feel bad for the Penn State students, fans and players. I am confused as to why McQueary kept his job, but that is an entirely different blog post.





As a final point, I must say that I have never been this upset about a sports story except for the Bryan Pata / Sean Taylor killings. I legitimately have been filled with some sort of weird rage about this story the past few days. I feel like I am on a high horse, but I don't know if that is possible in this case. I may not be a father, but I have people that I love and am protective over. I can't even imagine what a parent would feel during all of this. The whole lot of these guys deserve to be run up the flag pole as high as it goes, and I don't care how old they are or how many games they've won.

USCE (-3.5) over UiF

USCW (-11.5) over Washington

Auburn over Georgia (-13.5)

UPSET SPECIAL

Boise State (-15.5) over TCU

With that, I am back to work as the hours move extra slow during this week, which might as well be the week before Christmas for a ‘Canes fan.













Can't wait to see these teams take the field Saturday. Winning is pure ecstasy. Losing is pure misery. And the best part about it? We know we'll see them again next year.

Maroon shirts and yellow britches, go to hell you sons of bitches.













Go ‘Canes, beat the hell out of FSU.

Homecoming

Hello All,

That deafening silence is the sound of me ignoring the game that was played last Thursday night. I am not even going to name which specific game I am talking about. I am burying my head in the sand, refusing to acknowledge it and moving on.

This is a shorter post than usual, because I am prepping for Homecoming weekend in Miami, which means I will be attending my first ‘Canes game since the Champs Sports Bowl in 2009.

Hopefully this is less embarrassing.

For all of those reading this that I am in contact with, get ready for a wild weekend.

For all of those reading this that I am not in contact with (I assume not many)…holler at me if you want some beer and ‘Canes talk this weekend.

I see you Miami.

Last week I was the definition of mediocrity at 5-5. That brings my season record to 52-24.

This week there is only one game that matters enough for me to pick it. Maybe you have heard it is being played:

Georgia over New Mexico State

...Kidding...

Alabama over LSU

Clearly the two best teams in college football. Both could probably beat the Dolphins. I like Alabama in a close one, which given this rivalry will probably be decided on a fake punt touchdown run on 4th and 17 late in the 4th quarter.

LSU’s defense is nasty, but here’s a little secret…so is Alabama’s. And Alabama is at home under the lights.

And yes, I am all for a rematch in the BCS Title Game. And no, I do not love the SEC.

Always guard the inbound passer.

I Love This Game

Hello All,

Last night I was driving home from softball on the 110 Northbound “freeway”.

As people familiar with the city of Los Angeles know, as you reach downtown on the 110-N you reach a crossroads that looks just like the heart of any highway interchange in any major city. The 10 shoots off to the east and west. The 101 shoots off at a diagonal to connect you to Hollywood.

Last night I looked at this interchange and wanted to stop my car, grab my nine iron out of the trunk (I guess at this point it is a mythical nine iron) and go straight Johnny Drama on the first car I saw. To me, last night this interchange represented nothing but another example of the malaise that living in a big city can be.

As I stewed silently, I began to think back to a simpler time, when I was a little guy who lived in the sticks of Wisconsin, or Texas, or Tennessee, or wherever we lived at the time.

When we used to go on our summer roadtrips as a family, nothing got me more excited than the first time we saw another highway go over the top of our car.

Signs that said things like “Chicago City Limits” or “Downtown Miami 12 Miles” would get me more excited than I can say. Every city was a new adventure. They were foreign and full of all the things I wanted but couldn’t find in DePere or Laredo. The trips were rather infrequent, and therefore every time was more exciting than the last. The final ten miles or so of any trip into the city saw the sudden progression of countryside to city décor, from my real life to the life I always read about and envisioned as an escape from the boredom.

Obviously living in the city strips away the excitement. The Walk of Fame is a really cool place to visit for an afternoon, but to live a half block away from there turns it in to the personification of all things bad about this town.

Things like traffic go from minor inconvenience to life-altering force. It is just the way it works. It takes a trip out of town to relax and recharge before you are re-awakened to the things that make a city cool.

(LA is an immensely diverse place, filled with talented people bordered on two sides by mountains and on one by an ocean. It is an outdoorsy city that has a culutral event seemingly every night. It is still the hub of the music scene, although Austin does at this point churn out better musicians in my opinion. And 78 and sunny with a breeze is damn tough to beat.)

The reason I am writing all this is because we have now passed the halfway point in the college football season.

I was talking to a certain someone from Chicago that shall remain nameless the other day on the phone and I asked her what she thought about the crazy Michigan State-Wisconsin game from the night before.

This is a girl who I have attended MULTIPLE live sporting events with. I know for a fact she knows what she is talking about. She is a good fan and a better ‘Cane. I would not hesitate to invite her over to Casa de Bro for any football game, and once there she would not receive any restrictions on her participation.

(Watching at Casa de Bro is an intense experience, so yes, there are restrictions on who is allowed to attend.)

She said “Dan, I haven’t watched really any football all weekend”.

This is not a girl who needs to have her fanhood called in to question. She’s a busy person who is doing wonderful things to better herself and the world which she occupies. But it did get me thinking about what I miss out on every Saturday when there is no college football to watch. This is not a piece directed at her, therefore, but a post that she inspired.

During the summer months, when the season is getting ready to start, we always feel like we are about to enter the city for the first time in months. Everything feels new and exciting. Training camp reports start to come in. The countdown to gameday goes below one month. Position battles get determined. Like CITY LIMITS signs and highway overpasses used to get me excited on the drive in to the city, every little nugget of information about the upcoming team gets me increasingly excited during the build up to the season.

Then the season gets going and we fall in to a routine.

Not only does it become routine, but all the things you don’t like about it get brought back up. The media suckfest with the SEC. The BCS. The NCAA and its blatant corruption. Nick Saban. The Gators.

It makes it easy to forget the goose bumps you get every time the ‘Canes run through the smoke.

The stadium coming to life on 4th & 1 in the 4th.

The Grove at Ole Miss.

Callin’ the Hogs at Arkansas.

The USC Song Girls.

The feeling of pure elation after a victory over a rival, a feeling only outmatched by the feeling of despair after any loss.

The rise of a true freshman (Sammy Watkins) or the resurgence of a fallen star (Jacory Harris) or the long awaited breakout of super talented recruit (Tommy Streeter, Arthur Brown).

“Enter Sandman” at Virginia Tech.

LSU vs. Alabama.

The Big Ten sucking.

Army vs. Navy.

Oregon’s terrible uniforms.

A southern team whuppin’ a northern team in the title game.

The taste of the first beer around the grill on gameday.

(sub in Mimosa if so inclined)

The Cocktail Party.

Red River.

Kirk Cousins going in to the stands to celebrate with his fellow students after taking down Wisconsin.

Les Miles, the Mad Hatter.

Yell Practice at Texas A&M.

The colors…oh the colors. Oranges and greens and yellows and blues and reds clashing in beautiful contrast.

The sound of a stadium falling silent when the road team goes ahead.

Sitting in my apartment alone on Saturday night because I can’t peel myself away from a game between two teams I dislike, and then screaming for five straight minutes “IT’S A TOUCHDOWN!” when the Hail Mary is completed and under review.

Swagger.

These are the things we miss during the summer. Then we move in to the season and can lose sight. I am guilty of it myself, and I don’t think anyone would ever say I am not a fan.

But every now and then, all you need to do is take a step back and think about how awesome this stuff really is.

I hope my friend in Chicago gets to watch some ball this Saturday, because it really is pure, unbridled emotion. It is all the things listed above and so much more. It is one of the few things left in this world that gets me as excited as the drive in to the city used to.

And there are only a couple more months of it left before another LONG break.

Last week I went 7-2 to extend the season record to 47-19. And yes, the Big Ten still sucks. But what a hell of a game that was in Lansing, huh?

Michigan State over Nebraska (-4)

aTm (-11) over Mizzou

UGA over UiF (+3)

My dream of a UiF 0-October comes to roost. I am happier than a pig in shit.

Wake over UNC (-7)

UPSET SPECIAL.

Oklahoma over K State (+14)

K State will cover.

Auburn (-11) over Ole Miss

Ole Miss wins the party again.

USC over Tennessee (+4)

Stanford over USCW (+8)

Clempson over GTech (+4.5)

Rutgers (+7) over WVU

Former Knight Eric LeGrand is leading them on to the field for this one for the first time since being paralyzed. Yeah, I think there will be a little emotion there.

To my friend in Chicago, watch this weekend (and of course this Thursday night) for your sake, because if you don't, our Sunday phone chat will once again be filled with half-comprehensible ramblings and exclamations from me that I am sure make either your head or your ears hurt, and probably both.

God I love college football.

Always guard the inbound passer.