Senior Day

Hello All,

Well, this is kind of strange. We have reached the end of another season, and this one seemed to go by faster than any in history.

It is not time for final reflection yet, as there is still more football to be played.

However, I think it is safe to say that the depression that is my life for 8 months a year with no ‘Canes football has begun to set in.

Win or lose, the ‘Canes give me something to look forward to every week. Watching these kids go out and compete and grow is my favorite thing.

One of my co-workers was talking to me the other day and said “You should be glad you have your thing. You are more passionate about the ‘Canes than anyone in this office is about anything. It keeps you going. I can’t honestly say I have a thing and that is kind of sad.”

She was absolutely right. But before this turns into a cry fest, it is time for final reflection on one group of players.

Saturday is the last home game for a Miami senior class that has actually turned into The U’s best in five years.

Roll Call

Damien Berry, RB – Berry has been my favorite player for 4 years. He initially came in as a safety and played injured his freshman year, making a contribution only on special teams. After a mostly non-descript sophomore season he made the switch to running back, where most thought he would get lost on the depth chart. Instead, Berry became UM’s best runner since a healthy, in-shape Tyrone Moss and will leave as a fan favorite after two seasons of hard-nosed, take no prisoners running.

Graig Cooper, RB – Coop is another personal favorite who was derided by fans for years for no reason. He made plays, ran hard and did the best with what he was given. Sometimes he danced too much, and his speed wasn’t all that was advertised. Still, he was an all everything recruit that stuck by his ‘Cane commitment when everything was going wrong. He played hard despite being surrounded by mediocre talent for two seasons and will end up a Top 5 statistical player in the history of the program that will stick with an NFL team.

Leonard Hankerson, WR – What can I say about Hank that hasn’t already been said this season? The kid was labeled a bust after two seasons. I wrote that “there is no point in having a receiver that cannot catch the ball…move him to linebacker” back when I was writing my column in the school paper. Boy did he prove us all wrong. He committed himself through tireless work in the offseason and has now put together arguably the strongest two year statistical stretch of any receiver in program history. He still drops some easy ones but has become UM’s Go-To Guy in almost every situation and has positioned himself as a high draft pick. He will do great things and will probably be the most missed of all the seniors next season.

Allen Bailey, DL- The Freakshow seems like he just got here from his Island home in Georgia. He lost his freshman year to an ill-advised experiment at Middle Linebacker and was learning on the fly his sophomore year. After being shuttled back and forth between tackle and end for the last two seasons, it seemed like Bailey was always on the verge of a massive breakout where he put together 2 or 3 dominant games in a row. It never happened, and he is one of those guys you wish you could have for a couple more seasons. He is a member of the All Time Freak team for Miami and will be a first round pick based solely on potential. He showed glimpses throughout his career; hopefully some position stability will allow him to reach his Suh-like potential.

Matt Bosher, K/P- Bosh was the toughest kicker I have ever seen. He was also damned good. A little streaky as a placekicker but phenomenal as a punter, Bosher will forever be remembered for his willingness (eagerness?) to not only come up and tackle but also come up and lay the wood; this was important, given our coverage teams’ complete inability to cover kicks lately. My favorite moment will always be when he recovered his own onside kick in the Champs Sports Bowl (which I prefaced by saying “the only way we will recover this is if Bosh gets in there because he’s all we got”) that lead to my brother saying “If we had a sister Bosher could definitely f*ck her right now”. Others include his personal foul penalty for body slamming an FSU kick returner and his going down into the scrum to rip away an onside kick recovery in a doomed comeback attempt against Virginia this year. I never thought I would be this invested in a freakin’ kicker, but this is not a normal kicker.

Colin McCarthy, LB- If you can get past expecting him to be Dan Morgan (just because he is white and plays the same position and wears the same number) then he had a pretty damned good career. Was a little slow and not great in coverage, but the guy was mean and nasty and played with a chip on his shoulder. Also holds the current heavyweight title belt for banging slutty Delta Gammas and D Phi Es. Another likely 3rd-5th round pick that will make an impact somewhere in the league.

Orlando Franklin, T- Franklin was a three year starter at guard and then moved to left tackle. He will be a guard in the NFL, where his size will play well and his semi-slow feet can be hidden. I loved Franklin at guard but have been disappointed this year with his mental game at tackle, as he has repeatedly false started and been called for holding. Franklin will be missed more than some folks think, and he has certainly been a program leader. He will most likely be a mid round pick in the draft and will one day be saying “The U” on Sunday Night Football.

Pat Hill, FB- One of my favorites because of his unselfishness. Was very content with blasting linebackers for three years and clearing the way for other guys to get stats. Hill will be hard to replace, as was evident last year when the running game slumped after he was hurt.

DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB- A great cover corner who almost never got beat but also had NO ball skills. Is in the same camp with Coop when it comes to uncalled for personal attacks by fans. Will not be drafted but his speed will get him a shot and he might be this year’s Sam Shields if he can learn to tackle.

Joel Figeuroa, OL- Good guy, good run blocker, that’s about it. Wish him well.

Ryan Hill, CB- This was the ultimate company man. Moved from DB to WR as a highly touted frosh because we needed bodies. Made some big catches but was too inconsistent, so switched back to DB halfway through his career. Worked for two years and finally got on the field for his senior season, where he won a starting spot and…gasp…made some plays on the ball. Also, as an aside, was a very nice guy and my roommate Graham’s favorite player.

Josh Holmes, DT- Role player who really never lived up to his potential as an inside pass rusher. Most of his time was spent as a body in the rotation, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Kylan Robinson, LB- Came in as a record setting running back but could not gain any traction and was moved to linebacker. Career highlight was starting this year’s season opener. Really, that was about it.

JoJo Nicolas, S- He might be back next year, I am just putting him on here as wishful thinking. Nothing personal, he’s just not good at all and takes minutes from young guys for some reason.

Richard Gordon, TE- Freak show that looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. Was a good run blocker but looked about as coordinated as a giraffe trying to take a piss while walking on a frozen pond when going out on a pass route.

Jared Campbell, S- Not sure if he is a senior but this was a guy who maxed out his minimal talent (which still didn’t lead to much production) and was a benefit to have on the scout team.

Corey Nelms, DB- Walk on special teams guy who made an impact with some big hits over his career and shows the value of working in conjunction with the track team.


To each of them, I thank you for your time in a transitory phase of the program and wish you the best of luck.

Quick Picks (Doing these early Friday morning):

‘Bama over Auburn
West Virginia over Pitt
Nebraska over Colorado
Oregon over Arizona
Ohio State over Michigan
Michigan State over Penn State
Kansas over Mizzou (Upset Special!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Arkansas over LSU
The SAT over UiF and FSU
Utah over BYU
Wisco over Northwestern
Clemson over The Real USC
Oklahoma over Oklahoma State (BEDLAM!!!!!)
The Meteor over Notre Dame and USC (I can hope, right?)

Duke Preview

Hello All,

This has been a ridiculously long week for every 'Canes fan and now it is time to move on from the debacle.

The 'Canes look to get back on track this weekend against a Duke team that will put up more of a fight at home then you probably think. As Don Bailey Jr. said yesterday on Sid Rosenberg's (The Carpetbagger as I like to call him) radio show, Duke is licking its chops. They have nothing to lose and see a Miami team coming off a major beatdown that might have its head elsewhere.

There is your cheesy intro and here is the breakdown:

QB

Call me crazy, but I thought Jacory was a bright spot last week. Improved decision making, pulled it down and ran a few times, managed the game well and did it while hurt. The problem is his receivers let him down again, dropping balls that hit them in the hands. Duke will start promising Sena Renfree, who is probably still a year or two away from being a major threat but can definitely sling it. EDGE: Miami

RB

Damien Berry quietly ran for 101 yards against FSU and ran hard all game. Miami compiled 185 total yards on the ground and seems to have made it more a priority of late to establish the run game, which will help Jacory out immensely. Duke's leading rusher is Desmond Scott. They don't run it much but he is a big play threat, bringing in an average of 5.7 ypc and a long run of 63 yards on the season. If Miami gets Lamar Miller back for this game it will be hard to decide who gets the secondary carries between Miller, Graig Cooper and Mike James, as each has had their moments. EDGE: Miami

WR

Leonard Hankerson is clearly Miami's go to guy, and the rest of the receivers have battled major inconsistency. I personally think it is LaRon Byrd's time to shine. I also think if I were Shannon I would send out freshman Allen Hurns and sophomore Kendall Thompkins for the first two series just to send a message. Miami is hurt by the lack of a viable threat at tight end. Meanwhile, Donavan Varner and Conner Vernon have been great in Duke's pass happy attack. Never thought I would type this...EDGE: Duke

OL

Miami on both talent and caliber of opponent this Saturday. EDGE: Miami

DL

Miami is more talented and if they play the way I think they will then they should have at least 5 sacks. Allen Bailey must make more of an impact. Duke brings back senior defensive ends that will put pressure on Jacory if allowed. EDGE: Miami

LB

Sean Spence is Miami's best player, but it is time for someone to step up and make plays aside from him. Colin McCarthy looks a step slow and out of position at middle linebacker, and Ramon Buchannan seems to take two steps forward and one step back. Shannon said he will work Kelvin Cain more into the mix, and if healthy, hopefully we will see more Jordan Futch as well too. Duke runs a 3-4, which means they will be attacking Jacory with blitzes all day in hopes of forcing a mistake downfield. EDGE: Miami

Secondary

Miami is more talented and is beginning to get a knack for turnovers. If they ever get a game where all four guys play well together then they will be a force. EDGE: Miami

Special Teams

Who knows at this point. Miami is too inconsistent in all phases, and yes, that includes you now Mr. Bosher (my man crush). EDGE: Even

OTHER PICKS

Last Week: 3-6

Season: 24-18

Upset Specials: 0-5

Texas over Nebraska (Upset SPECIAL!)

Cincy over Louisville

Auburn over Arkansas

Iowa over Michigan

Texas Tech over Okie State

Wisconsin over Ohio State (Hopefully the meteor though)

'Bama over Ole Miss Blackbears

And yes, don't worry, at some point soon I will definitely do something about the state of the program and the FSU loss. Still too soon. Just know that I am in the type of mood that I hope every team loses every week just so all fan bases are as pissed as me.

Also, turns out I have the ability to see what my readership is. All jokes aside, I am getting like 3000 reads per month, which is awesome and a little humbling. I also have readers in Europe, South America, Asia and Australia as well as North America. Shout out to you all, but most specifically those in Afghanistan and Iraq. I have a hard time believing any native Afghanis or Iraqis are reading this, which means that those readers are serving this beautiful country of ours and protecting the freedom of chuckleheads like me. Provides a lot of perspective when contemplating a win or loss. Thank you all very much and get home safe.

I love the 'Canes, but the only thing I love more is America.

Get Well Soon Frankie

Hello All,

Going with the no-frills approach here. My buddy Frank, or Fran as his friends call him, is recovering from having part of his intestinal tract and appendix out. And a catheterization (word?). Ouch.

Anyway, here's something to keep you occupied and on the mend buddy. Also, if it makes you feel any better, my buddy and I got stopped in the middle of hitting on a pair of chicks the other night and got asked if we were gay...in all seriousness. Dan Stein, ladies and gentlemen.

LINEBACKERS PREVIEW

The Season That Was: Colin McCarthy and Daryl Sharpton had good seasons. However, the ‘Canes found themselves thin at the position when Sean Spence, already struggling in a new role, went down for three games in the middle of the season. Jordan Futch, promising early in the season, also found himself out for the season after the first few games, and Ramon Buchannan only rounded in to form at the end of the season. At one point, Miami found itself using Randy Phillips as a nickel linebacker. Depth is of the utmost importance at this position. That, and the ability to cover a tight end, which has been missing from the linebacking corps for years. A better push from the interior linemen will make life A LOT easier for the linebackers, most of all Sean Spence.

What Was Lost: Sharpton was a fourth round pick by the Titans, and his play late in the season makes his loss even greater. Arthur Brown transferred after being mostly a non-impact guy in his two years. And folks, again, Romeo Davis is no longer here, which merits repeating every

year.

Roll Call

Colin McCarthy (Sr.) – The captain of the defense is being looked upon for lots of production in addition to leadership. He is big enough to play middle, but the coaches like him better at weakside. He is not great in space but is a wrecking ball against the run and more athletic than he gets credit for. Probably serves the team best at middle linebacker, but his roll depends on who does what in spring behind around him.

Kylan Robinson (Sr.) – Little used fifth year senior that is being given the first crack at the middle linebacker job. He is a converted running back, which implies a certain amount of athleticism, and his experience in the program would imply leadership. However, no one has any idea what he actually is, no matter what they say. He could end up being this year’s Tervarris Johnson/Marcus Maxey that comes out of nowhere to become a contributor as an upperclassman after being written off. Or he could end up on special teams, as per usual. Fall practice will tell. On the bright side, he is always good to throw the last, meaningless block on a punt return touchdown, a skill that not enough people recognize.

Sean Spence (Jr.) – Hard to believe he is already a junior. My personal favorite defensive player

on the team struggled a bit last year with a switch to the strong side. He is ideally used as a guy that is free to roam and blitz without having to cover tight ends that he routinely gives up 30-50 lbs to. He is also the team’s most versatile linebacker; will play weakside if McCarthy is in the middle of strongside if McCarthy is in the weakside. Will definitely play in nickel situations and hopefully will blitz more.

Jordan Futch (Jr.) – Futch was a special teams monster that was beginning to impact the defense last season when he went down with an injury. He is being counted on to win the third linebacker spot and ensure Miami gets their three most talented linebackers on the field. Futch is probably the best blend of size and speed at this position group and is a star if he can stay on the field, in my estimate.

Ramon Buchannan (Jr.) – Very athletic kid (high school long jumper) that was originally a safety and is competing with Futch to keep Robinson on the bench. Would be the ideal

strong side linebacker as a big kid that should be able to cover tight ends, given his background. I thought he looked better at the end of last season than the beginning (always a good thing), and hopefully he can carry it in to fall practice. Also is in all likelihood the least talkative player on the team, which gives me even more reason to root for him. Imagine Susan Miller Degman trying to pry information out of him so she can write her next hacky, cheesy, washed up, canned story for the Miami Herald. He would give her the look that Carlos Avion gave Turtle when Turtle said he wanted to bang his God-daughter.

C.J. Holton (So.) – Another converted safety who is trying to flatten the learning curve and insert himself in to the rotation. Like Buchannan, should be a good candidate physically for the strong side. Will be a special teams contributor regardless , but if he gets the mental part down he could be special. Holton, Futch and Buchannan are the guys that will determine whether this linebacking corps is special or mediocre.

Shayon Green (R-Fr.) – Missed the season last year with a knee injury and proved in spring to not be ready for the starting middle linebacker role. Has great size and straight line speed to go with his motor. Will need to prove he can play in space and learn the playbook if he wants to win the competition in the fall. I think he is a special teamer this season that will challenge for the starting role in 2011.

Tyrone Cornelius (Fr.) – Early enrollee who is very fast and athletic but also very small. Like Spence, could be a great blitzer and hitter if he is allowed to roam but will not, at his size, be effective covering a tight end. Hopefully a redshirt guy, but could play a lot on special teams depending on numbers.

Kevin Nelson (Fr.) – The Wildcard. Has talked a lot of smack to this point, and he has not yet taken part in an official team practice. No one is doubting his desire, but now it is time to see if he has what it takes to grab the middle linebacker job as a freshman or if he needs more time. I think he would be best off in an understudy role this season, seeing some game time as the games go on, unless he is clearly the number one middle linebacker in the fall. That being said, if it is a tie between Nelson and Robinson I think you play the freshman over the senior. Also worth noting that he called the Gators coaching staff grimy and essentially compared Urban Meyer to Fredo, which will score him points with Stein on the Sidelines (and hopefully all 8 readers).

Travis Williams (Fr.) – VERY talented, tall and lean. Hard hitter that can get after the passer. Great candidate for either outside linebacker spot, and has said that he likes covering tight ends (music!). Would be a missile on special teams but also could redshirt to gain weight (if he makes it in to school, that is).

Jimmy Gaines (Fr.) – Big kid who has room to put on weight and is young for his grade. Relative unknown in high school but could be groomed with Nelson as the middle linebackers of the future. Almost a definite redshirt.

Kelvin Cain (Fr.) – If he is on the roster (grades) will almost assuredly redshirt. Has the size to grow in to any of the three linebacker positions or defensive end. Long term development project, but could end up as a very good role player, which the team still needs a lot of.

Always guard the inbound passer.

Fight Night

Hello All,

Yesterday was the first time that my brother, father and I attended a Miami Hurricanes game together.

This is actually a much bigger deal than you would think, seeing as we were raised from a very young age to be ‘Canes fans by our parents and my brother is almost 21 years old now.

However, we always had problems making it to games while living in places like Wisconsin and Texas until my brother graduated from high school. My brother and I were always on fall sports teams, so traveling down to Miami wasn’t much of an option. We would have loved to go and watch the ‘Canes play if they were in the area, but surprisingly, the ‘Canes don’t make many trips to Wisconsin (although the baseball team did come to Minneapolis for a tournament once; maybe the greatest weekend ever, as my brother and I got to batboy for the team that a couple months later won the College World Series).

My dad and I were finally able to attend a game together when I was a junior, but again, my brother attending Ole Miss presented a problem to him being able to join us.

Anyway, we were finally able to get to a game together in Tampa on Saturday. Let’s just say it was definitely worth it.

PRE-GAME

- We get in the car at 8:45 AM (yes, 7 hours before kickoff) and don’t stop until we get to Steak ‘N’ Shake. At 10:30 AM. When we step in, the host asks us if we’d like breakfast menus. Billy Stein, after looking confused for a minute, as if he didn’t understand the question: “No… we want a meal.”

- We get a nice view of Tampa from I-275. Billy Stein: “Gainesville, you’re f%&*#’ out. Tampa, you’re f$*#&#’ in. SUPERSTAR.” (I begin to realize my brother has become a combination of Kenny Powers and Stiffler…)

- We park and pull out the football…because that’s what you do at a football tailgate. Except, apparently, in Tampa, where footballs are not allowed. At a FOOTBALL tailgate. In a grass lot. Excuse me? The girl working the lot told us this was because of liability concerns. I would like to meet the doucher that sues a stadium when their car gets bumped by a football at a tailgate. Occupational hazard? I think so! Anyway, we put the football away.

- …That is, we put it away until the fun police walked away, at which point every single group in our row took their footballs out and started throwing them around. It was like when the teacher leaves her 3rd Grade classroom during a test. The second that door closes, all hell breaks loose.

- Some dude working for the stadium (with one of the worst ear piercings I have ever seen) comes over and says if we don’t stop throwing the ball he will take it away. Since we weren’t standing near our car (meaning he had no idea which one we were in), and because this guy was so annoying, my brother and I completely ignore him and keep throwing. When he stepped toward my brother to try and get the ball, Billy threw it to me. When he came toward me and tried to take the ball, I threw it to Billy. And so began the best game of monkey in the middle we have ever played.

- Sidenote: He never got the football.

- The tailgate lot was actually a lot of fun. We met up with friends and were surprised by how many ‘Canes fans there were. Dad: “It seems like there are more UM fans here than at a home game.” Sad, but possibly true. Also, props to Chris, Trent, Steve and Russo for making a tailgate that literally consisted of sitting around and drinking beer in to a kickass time.

- Another downside to the tailgate: big time lack of port-o-johns. This resulted in 20 minute lines to use the bathroom. Luckily, we were near some woods. I simply stepped behind the trailer located next to the woods and…well, you know the rest. Maybe the funniest scene of the day was ten random dudes (USF fans, Miami fans, we were all friends here) lined up on a fence giving each other “bones” before/after taking a pee and constantly checking over our shoulders for cops. Would the cops have really done anything? I don’t think so. But then again, they tried to confiscate our football.

- During warm-ups for the game, my brother and I managed to make either immediate friends or enemies of everyone in our section, depending upon what colors they were wearing. Maybe it was when the Bulls were singing their alma mater and we started a “ ‘Canes over here” chant. Maybe it was the sheer volume. But no matter what you want to call it, it was certainly fun.

- Official verdict on the new uniforms: I like them. I don’t love them, and I wish we would go back to the old school uni’s from the late 90’s. However, aside from the dumb threading on the shoulders and the dual-colored pant stripes, these looked great. The white shoes were a great touch. Also, they made the team look bigger and faster. Which is always a good thing.

- Also of note during warm-ups: Chris Hayes was in uniform for the game, which was awesome to see. And I must say I was impressed that the coaches, anticipating pooch kicks, had Daryl Sharpton, Jimmy Graham and John Calhoun in the kickoff returners-line.

1st HALF
- Miami starts with two big first downs to Hank and LaRon Byrd. The long first drive ends with a touchdown to Hank. (7-0 UM)
- Billy Stein, pissed off after an Ole Miss loss in the Egg Bowl and excited about the touchdown: “Big 4 my brown hairy ass!” to the lady in front of us booing. She deserved it.
- Miami forces a 3&Out
- Miami then stalls a productive drive and is forced to punt
- Sharpton, all of a sudden playing like a man possessed, forces a fumble on B.J. Daniels. Or as the Stein boys took to calling him, Willie Beamen.
- Baby J is running hard, and picks up a first down and then the touchdown. (14-0)
- Billy Stein decides that his new favorite thing is throwing the upside down horns to any USF fans in our vicinity. The best part is that they have NO comeback. Surprisingly gratifying.
- USF kicks a field goal (14-3)
- Miami brings in the sledgehammer, Damien Berry. So far, they have followed the game plan. Pound away and set up playaction. USF’s pass rush is great, but the middle of their D is soft. This is exemplified as Berry picks up 17 big yards. Two first downs later (big plays to Mike James and Aldarious Johnson), Berry rips off a 16 yarder to set up a Baby J touchdown. (21-3)
- Billy Stein just glares at the USF fans down if front of us. Honestly, it was little scary…I had never seen that look in someone’s eyes before.
- Brandon Harris gets a pick, but the offense can’t capitalize and goes 3&out. On the next USF possession, Miami gets big plays by Andrew Smith and Sean Spence (back from injury) to kill a drive.

HALFTIME
- Miami is executing their game plan flawlessly. They are establishing the run and then using it to set up the pass. They have completely stopped the Bulls running back, and most of USF’s yards have come on broken plays in which Willie Beamen just runs around until something happens. Let’s just say I am feelin’ prettaaaaayyyyyyy good.
- Also, a sign that you are an irrelevant football program: during every possible break in the game you are running promotions. Free movie tickets. Free appetizers. Free EVERYTHING. At one point they offered free tickets to the game we were ALREADY AT. It was like a minor league baseball game. Simply ridiculous.

2nd HALF
- USF comes out with a big drive, as expected, to drive down inside the five. Brandon Harris almost had a pick six on the first pass of the half after he jumped an out route, but he let the ball glance off his fingertips. As if poetically, Daniels then leads his team down the field.
- Miami’s D toughens up and stops USF cold on the first 2 plays from the two yard line for no gain. However, on third down, Daniels scrambles for approximately 10 seconds, avoiding multiple tackles and then delivering a strike in to the back of the end zone. (21-10)
- …we have to get a score here…
- Miami goes 3&out. Uh-oh…
- And right about this time, a common theme for the half begins. I turn around when I hear a scuffle going on a few rows back. A female USF fan is yelling something at a male UM fan. He is telling her to leave him alone. Her male friend (also a UM fan…yep, there was a fight between UM fans at an away game) comes down to make things worse. The second guy has his hat knocked off, which leads to the logical response of throwing a haymaker. So now we have a fistfight between two UM fans in the section. Fighter #1 shakes off Fighter #2, only to start being kicked in the back by the female fan that started this mess (she has lost her balance and fallen in to the row behind him). Of course, she is a woman so she is not supposed to be hit. Surprisingly, Fighter #1 shows amazing restraint and does not hit her. And this is why families like the one to my left, who had brought their four little girls to the game (they were buddies with me and Bill by the end thanks to their UM facepaint), avoid football games.
- Billy Stein during the melee: “HIT HER IN THE FACE!!!!!!!”
- Miami and USF exchange three straight 3&out until Miami gets the ball and Berry rips off a big run. Which leads to a 34 yard touchdown pass from Jacory to Dedrick Epps. It looked to me like he was actually aiming for Benjamin, in which case the pass was five yards underthrown. And there were three USF players and two Miami players in the area. But the pass dropped right in to Epps’s chest, and you really can’t complain about touchdowns. (28-10 UM)
- Colin McCarthy kills the next USF drive with a 13 yard sack on Beamen…
- DING DING DING…fight number two. This time, a real mountain of a man in a blue shirt got pushed by some other guy. Well, big man put an end to that pretty quickly, burying about 10 right crosses in to the other guy’s face. And here’s the best part: security let him stay after questioning (I suppose it was self-defense, but REALLY?!?!?)…and kicked out the guy who was busted open! Talk about getting the shaft.
- Coop rips off a big run…
- FIGHT #3! This actually just turns in to a shoving match which spills down the aisle, but the security guards (who are now an occupying force in our section) throw everyone involved out on their ass. And who said the cheap seats weren’t any good? I got three undercards to go with the main attraction!
- Anyway, not much else happened. Lee Chambers and Berry ran well, Bosher added a field goal (31-10) and the defense held strong. ‘Canes win! ‘Canes win!

POST GAME
- I will have more in-depth analysis of the team in the coming weeks leading up to the bowl. However, over cigars after the game, the three of us talked about how we thought that 9-3 was the ceiling for this team before the season. And that ain’t bad.

OTHER GAMES I WATCHED

- Texas vs. Texas A&M: This was one hell of a game and one hell of a performance from Colt McCoy. However, I do not know if it was any better than C.J. Spiller against Miami or Toby Gerhart against Notre Dame. They don’t give me a Heisman vote, but still, my current Heisman ballot:
o 1. Spiller
o 2. Mccoy
o 3. Gerhart
o 4. Tebow
o 5. Clausen
- Rutgers vs. Louisville: Really Louisville? Really? It is so embarrassing to think that we lost to this team in the last five years…
- Cincinnati vs. Illinois: The only noteworthy nugget for this one? ‘Cincinnati’ is really hard to spell. And here’s somethin’ else: I think that both TCU and Cincy (and maybe Boise) could beat UF. Or’Bama. Or Texas. They both play some hard nosed defense and explosive offense. Just puttin’ that out there.
- Ohio vs. Temple: Temple is 9-3?!?!?!?!?!!??!!?!?!?!? When did this happen?
- Auburn vs. Alabama: I swear to God, it is impossible for a team I like to run an effective two minute offense.The ‘Canes? Nope. The ‘Phins? Nope. Anyone playing Florida and Alabama? Nope.
- West Virginia vs. Pitt: Annnnnnd the ‘Neers singlehandedly save my picks for the week. And maybe their coach’s job.

Best Game: Stanford vs. Notre Dame

Best Uniform: The ‘Canes. I like the white shoes…

Game Ball Goes To: Gerhart and McCoy. Duh. NOT Mark Ingram.

Worst Uniform: LSU, for messing up a great helmet. Breathe easy, Mizzou.

Trojan Enz © Boner of the Week Award: Stanford, for almost letting Golden Tate (the same guy that had destroyed them ALL GAME) beat them by playing soft coverage on the final drive of the game. Luckily, they managed to hang on. But still. Big time mess up.

Non-BCS Name You Should Know: Al Golden, Temple coach. They’re 9-3?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Always guard the inbound passer.

Play Highsmith!...And Other Assorted Non-Sense

Hello All,

Well, I don’t know about you, but I am psyched for the roughly 323 “trick or treat” references the are sure to come during a game matching teams whose primary colors are orange and black AND after anything close to a trick play.

Speaking of excited, let’s take it down a notch on the message boards 'Cane fans. After the loss to Clemson, I learned that Randy Shannon will never be anything more than an 8 win coach, Sean Spence is too small and too slow to play linebacker, every assistant coach needs to be fired, Shannon is really just using the ‘Canes as part of his plan to become a highly paid defensive coordinator at a big-money school, Jacory Harris is the 5th best quarterback in the ACC and the ‘Canes are going to lose out. All of these taken directly from fan message boards…and these are the better boards that I read.

I think everyone is losing sight of the fact that Miami, while it did make a lot of mistakes, was beaten by three in overtime by a talented team, despite committing 4 turnovers and being without several key players. It was a bad loss, but it was not as terrible as it felt. It was the type of game that had the ‘Canes won those same message boarders would be writing about the virtues of Jacory’s calm under pressure and the development of Shannon as a head coach. Those three points, in the eyes of many fans, now serve as the difference between a young, promising program going nowhere but up and a program stuck in the mud.

The reality is that Miami has to put that gut punch loss behind it. The energy around the program turned sour very quickly thanks to the loss, and that is yet another problem to overcome. It is, after all, hard to win when even your biggest fans are telling you how much you suck.

Wake Forest is a tough, well coached team. This will not be a walkover for the ‘Canes, especially when you couple the discipline of the Deacons with their anger coming off two consecutive losses.

So here is the breakdown of what will be a tougher game then most people like to see, message board style.

Quarterback: A message boarder would say that Jacory is an overrated beneficiary of the U on his helmet and that Riley Skinner is by far a better decision maker and therefore quarterback. The reality is that Jacory has been outstanding. He has some turnover issues, but these are created by hanging on to the ball too long while he tries to get the ball downfield. It is a problem, but it is a better problem to have than, say, a quarterback with happy feet. Skinner is definitely solid, boasting a 16-9 touchdown to interception ratio and a ranking inside the Top 20 in national passer rating. EDGE: Miami

Running Back: A message boarder would say that Damien Berry is good and the rest of the backs suck. Bring on Lamar Miller! The reality is that Berry has been the homerun hitter, but both Coop and Baby J have been solid every down workhorses who have the ability to break off a long run. Coop will be the workhorse, as Baby J is out this week, but all three have played well and deserve the carries they will get. Berry , Mike James and Lee Chamber swill have to step up to fill the void. Wake Forest has a steady run game lead by Josh Adams and Kevin Pendergrass; Pendergrass can go the distance. EDGE: Miami

Receivers: A message boarder would say that the crew is underperforming. Why can’t LaRon Byrd who up every game? Why is Aldarious so fragile? Why is Hankerson so slow? Benjamin runs awful routes? This is called “not seeing the forest for the trees”. At least one receiver has been a stud in each game, and the fact that one has not been the clear cut go to guy is more a product of injuries and matchups than anything else. Strength in numbers is the takeaway lesson here. Wake’s Marshall Williams is their biggest homerun threat, and he will make some big plays. EDGE: Miami

Offensive Line: Message boarders would say that the whole group is terrible. In reality, there aren’t any individual studs, but the unit has played very well against teams like Oklahoma and Clemson, so it isn’t all bad even though it isn’t pretty. The problem is that they played down to the level of UCF. I have no idea what they will do this week, but I do know that Wake’s o-line is giving up 2.5 sacks per game and and their scoring offense ranks 83rd in the nation. EDGE: Even

Defensive Line: Message boarders would say that they are all too weak, get no push and should be replaced by true freshmen next year (great logic, right?). Reality is that while Bailey and Marcus Robinson have played well consistently, the line is not at a point yet where it can generate pass rush on its own on every play. It just isn’t. Wake, on the other hand, features John Russell on their line and that’s about it. EDGE: Even

Linebackers: Message boarders would say that Arthur Brown is a bust already (after just over 1.5 seasons) and the already overrated linebackers are screwed without Spence, who is the most overrated. Reality is that the ‘Canes are definitely hurt without Spence (a missile) and Jordan Futch (a crazy person) but will be alright if Ramon Buchanan and Brown can combine to be nothing more than effective taking Spence’s snaps. Wake is lead by Dominique Midgett, but Miami still has McCarthy and Sharpton to bang in the run game. EDGE: Miami

Secondary: Message boarders would say that this is the worst secondary in Miami history and that none of these guys have any business starting because they are not Ed Reed. Well, it is true they are not Ed Reed. It is ridiculous to expect that. Lost in the confusion last week is that the secondary played pretty well, and that it was the linebackers that got shredded in pass coverage. Brandon Harris is a stud, but the safeties have yet to be tested much in coverage (meaning we know NOTHING about their skills). Wake is lead by Kenny Okoro at corner and Cyhl Quarles back deep. They will, as always, be well coached and disciplined in their schemes. EDGE: Even

Special Teams: Message boarders would say we have no kicker and no coverage. True, the coverage sucks. But the kicker thing is ridiculous. Bosher is the best in the coneference if not the country when it comes to field goals, and he has been great punting as well. Not his fault he’s the best cover guy. BIG EDGE: Miami

Coaching: Grobe is a better gameday coach than Shannon at this point. EDGE: Wake

GUEST PICKER: Last week, Trent nailed it to give the guest two in a row. One more, that’s called a winning streak. It has happened before.

This week, I’m stayin’ in the family and giving my little brother Billy (who is in a frat) another shot at picking the game. Take it away Billy!

"We, the readership, have eagerly waited; actually that may just have been me, but finally Stein on the Sidelines comes back to it roots. Its very simple big brother, when I put a prediction in the universe, it comes into fruition (like when he picked Ole Miss to steam roll South Carolina).

Auburn, Alabama: A border town of nice boutiques, Atlanta’s finest co-eds who are incapable of garnering acceptance into UGA (naturally creating a jealous hatred of the black and red), and a football program that ranks second in Alabama in everything.

Auburn is steeped in culture nonetheless. They are so close to Ole Miss in off field tradition, in fact, they even stole a back stabbing, c#$% sucking coach from us . They do it right there, from the barbecue to frocketed t-shirts.

Now let’s get down to the facts. The two are coming into this game on opposite ends of the “We need to win this game to prove something” spectrum. Auburn is riding a three game losing streak after starting out 5-0. Ole Miss, on the other hand, has won their last two .

A month ago I would have realistically given Gene Chizik’s squad the upper hand over the Rebs. However, these are both completely different teams from a month ago.

Last weekend The Tigers were incapable of running the football against the Tigers. Chris Todd was intercepted twice, and the Tiger defense was incapable of stopping Jarrett Lee from taking their last drive to the house.

Bayou Cajuns pucker your butt hole: I’m sorry, but Jarrett Lee? I thought he was run out of Red Stick permanently after the "Magnolia Bowl Blunder" last season (I am not even sure what he means by that, but whatever blows his little skirt up).

The Rebels are back on the road for the first time since the Vanderbilt game. I’m sorry to say I can’t recap that one; I hid the TV clicker so no one could interrupt me watching Miami beat Oklahoma (BOOM). But the Rebels have looked sharp the last two games after suffering an embarrassing loss to Alabama at home.

I anticipated an offensive outpouring against Alabama-Birmingham, which is exactly what I got. Note to Heisman voters: UAB’s quarterback has mine, that guy is impossible to take down.

Everybody finished chuckling? I figured that would be nicer to them than saying the token UAB fans in Oxford were very possibly ugliest couple I have ever seen.

In real games, the Ole Miss offensive line finally gave Snead time to throw the ball, and when he has time, he can make things happen. Coach Nutt finally used Dexter McCluster in his proper all-purpose role, gaining about half of our 550 offensive yards himself.

The Hungry Landshark D is the X-factor for the Rebels. They’re too fast and too stout for The Auburn offense. In order for Auburn to win the War Eagle better clip Greg Hardy during its flight; he’ll most assuredly hurt something enough not to play. Since I don’t reckon that’ll happen, the boys from Dixie are coming into town and there is blood in the water.

Ole Miss 27- Auburn 20

Side note: There was never a need to rename the rivalry game between Ole Miss and LSU the “Magnolia Bowl.” The most important game of our season now makes us sound like a floral company. I know the guy who headed the committee to change it; I can only guess by now he’s been killed in action by his own troops (well constructed reference, Billy, well constructed). Hotty Toddy."

MY PICKS: Last week I went 6-5 to up the record to 23-28. I also missed my sixth straight upset special. I think we showed signs of progress. We just have to keep practicing hard and build from week to week.

Virginia Tech over UNC: Well, the Heels couldn’t hold a three score lead at home vs. Florida State in primetime. Do I think they will beat the Hokies on the road in primetime? No.

West Virginia over USF: Screw your USF. Two weeks in a row. Screw you.

Georgia Tech over Vanderbilt: Do I think that they are the best team in the ACC? No. Am I pumped to watch them destroy and SEC team? Hell yes.

Tennessee over South Carolina: Tennessee by a field goal. Also, I am smirking to myself as I write this.

Duke over UVA: Don’t laugh, Duke is playing good football and Virginia is beat up after that game against Tech.

USC over Oregon: Too much hype around the Ducks. Let's not forget what happened to the Ducks when they played a fast, talented, physical Boise State team. If I were the Trojans, I'd stay away from the postgame handshake. Sorry Tim.

Oklahoma State over Texas: Upset special number one; call it Upset Special Lite. Oklahoma State will do just enough to knock off a Texas team that is begging for it on the road at night.

And here it is…the UPSET SPECIAL: Georgia over Florida

Wishful thinking? Definitely. Unlikely? Well, it wouldn’t be the upset special if it weren’t. But Florida is not playing well on offense, and Georgia ain’t Arkansas or Mississippi State. If Georgia can score a few touchdowns, watch out. Sports Illustrated cover: TRICKED!


Guard the inbound passer.

Kicked in the Nuts

Hello All,

Let’s just get right in to it. Back in the Sports Den for the first time since the Oklahoma game, here comes the running diary for the Clemson game. As always, this is taken from notes I made as the game went along, and unless otherwise noted I have recopied them as they were taken.

PRE GAME• Well, at Noon all three pickers on College Gameday picked us to win. Not a great start to the day. Really, that’s always a no-win situation. If they pick against us, I get mad that we get no respect. If they pick us, I get mad and think that they jinxed us. It really is a terrible way to go through life.
• From my friend who knows things: “Coop says he is feeling 100%.” We shall see…
• And on the call today, Dave Lamont and Brian Griese. Wait, Brian Griese?!?!? When did this happen. Also, he literally sounds exactly like his dad. If they did the Pepsi Challenge with those two voices, I honestly would not be able to tell them apart at all. It is almost creepy.

1st QTR• Miami manages to avoid disaster on the kickoff, where Jacoby Ford and C.J. Spiller, the final two legs of Clemson’s 4x100 relay team, await. Exhales all around.
• And Clemson marches right on down the field, aided by Miami’s refusal to blitz. Again. This is getting to the point of being ridiculous. Let’s go through this logically. John Lovett and Randy Shannon probably think that it is too risky to blitz because our corners cannot be trusted to cover on an island. Ok, fine. That means that you believe your front four can get pressure on its own. In fact, for this to work, the front four HAS to get pressure on their own. Otherwise, the quarterback sits back for as long as he wants and the corners, who are not on an island, have to cover a receiver for 4-8 seconds. Without drawing a pass interference call. The problem: OUR FRONT FOUR DOESN’T GENERATE PRESSURE. EVER. Both coaches should have to write this on the blackboard 100 times before every game. It is the most inherently flawed defensive strategy I have ever seen. One of the basic tenets of football is that in order to win defensively, you have to pressure the quarterback. Look at the FSU game, where Christian Ponder dissected us for 59 minutes, until we sent three straight blitzes on the goal line and he couldn’t complete the game winning pass. Or the UCF game, where every time we sent a blitz we got a sack or forced an incompletion (with one exception). Kyle Parker is a good quarterback, but he is a freakin’ first year starter. Remember how lost Marve and Jacory looked last year against the blitz? Well, I don’t think that this kid is too much better than either of those guys. And yet, he looks like John Bleepin’ Elway with five seconds to sit in the pocket on every play. This is going to bite us in the ass. Big time.
• Clemson finishes the drive with a missed field goal. My excitement over this is immediately quelled when ABC announces Daryl Sharpton as an impact player for Miami. Really? This guy is too slow to do anything but play up in the box against the run. He can’t cover. He doesn’t go sideline to sideline well. And yet, he is an impact player? I am so confused it hurts. That’s not to say he isn’t very good in his role. But I just can’t fathom choosing him as an impact player over Allen Bailey, Colin Mccarthy, Sean Spence or even Joe Joseph.
• Miami starts with the ball and Leonard Hankerson makes a spectacular one handed catch. That is three highlight reel catches for him so far this season. Who’d have thunk it? Hankerson then makes a big catch to convert a third down. Jacory goes back to Hank on another third down, only the pass is off target, Hank tips it, and Clemson picks it off. Well, so much for all that momentum.
• Miami goes offside twice on the same drive, and probably three times (Olivier Vernon got away with one at one point). However, they rebound, and a series of penalties and bad plays puts Clemson in to 3rd and 49.
• Miami gets the ball back and Thearon Collier sets up a Bosher field goal. (3-0 UM)

2nd QTR• Clemson starts marching again, except Colin McCarthy (the defensive MVP of the first half) rips through the line, destroys Spiller and seperates him from the ball, which Andrew Smith recovers. First down ‘Canes!
• Miami goes 3 and out, and Clemson responds by marching down the field and scoring a touchdown on a pass to their tight end. (7-3 Clemson)
• Miami then gets the ball back and drives down the field, highlighted by a big Hankerson catch on 3rd down which then sets the ‘Canes up to score moments later on a Damien Berry run. (10-7 UM)
• Two notes on this. First, I love that they are recognizing Berry’s talents and making him the short yardage go-to back. He has a burst unlike that of Cooper and James, and he has a nose for the end zone. Second, this is when I should have gotten the feeling that this was going to be a bumpy, roller coaster ride. But I didn’t. It took me until after the following play…
• C.J. Spiller returns the kickoff, which was supposed to be squibbed, for a touchdown. (14-10 Clemson) That makes every game this season that Spiller has had a play of at least 55 yards. And that’s who we let beat us. The one guy that we couldn’t let beat us. And the frustrating part. After the game, we learned that Shannon had actually called the squib and Alex Uribe just forgot to squib it. YOU FORGOT?!?! Excuse me? Your one job is KICKOFF specialist. How do you forget to squib it??????
• Inside of a minute in the half, Coop rips off a long run and puts Miami in field goal range. Now, Miami can spike the ball, take a couple shots at the touchdown and still kick the field goal if worst comes to worst, all because they have a timeout left…
• Which Whipple promptly takes. This was a bad enough timeout call that Shannon, king of the bad timeout, has words with him on the sideline. Yikes.
• Jacory misses Jimmy Graham in the end zone, then, on the last shot before the field goal try, does the unthinkable and throws a terrible interception. Snarl.

HALFTIME
• Up to this point, the offense has been very blah. I have to imagine that this is Whipple lulling everyone to sleep so that he can hit ‘em hard in the second half. I hope.
• The defense, as I have said, is fine except for the lack of blitz. It is ridiculous how much better this d is when we send one extra guy. It goes from 0% effective to about 90% effective with one blitzer. ONE.
• Special teams…well…not very special.

3rd QTR• Miami gets the ball to start the second half and begins driving. Two big plays by Epps set up a Hankerson TD! (17-14 UM) Now that’s more like it. Miami looks like they are going to come out and stomp on Clemson’s throat early. Bring it on.
• Sharpton makes a big play on D (just to make me look dumb). Miami then gets the ball back and punts. On Clemson’s drive, the refs miss a terrible block in the back on a reverse before Parker finds Spiller WIDE OPEN down the sideline for a 60 yard touchdown. (21-17 Clemson) Spiller beat Sean Spence on the play, who was injured early in the game and limping on this play. Well, that’s twice their stud has beaten us for long scores. And Spence looks like he’s hurt pretty good. What a Shit Burger of a play that was.
• Miami gets the ball back, and Thearon Collier makes another nice play before trying to do too much and fumbling it back to Clemson. Fantastic stuff.
• Clemson is driving when Allen Bailey busts through the line for something like the 147th time this game and forces a fumble…which Marcus Robinson scoops up…and returns for a TOUCHDOWN! (24-21 UM)
• That was the play of the game. It had to be. There is no way Clemson bounces back from that. Oh, and this is interesting. Randy Phillips got flagged for taking his helmet off. Fifty yards behind the play. As he walked on to the sideline. Think that would happen to Major Wright? I say nay.
• Clemson then marches right back down the field and nearly goes back ahead, only a wide open running back drops a pass near the goal line. Clemson kicks a field goal after a big pass breakup by Brandon Harris. (24-24)

4th QTR• Miami starts with the ball and converts a 3rd and 14 on a great route by Laron Byrd for 15 yards. He is easily Miami’s best receiver. Easily. And yet that is his only catch of the day. I have given up on figuring this team out.
• Baby J then rips off a 45 yard run. However, the drive fizzles and Bosher kicks a field goal from 51 yards out. (27-24 UM)
• I officially am ready to be done with this game. I have had more ups and downs than the Lohan family up to this point. Seriously. Stop the ride, I want off.
• Arthur Brown makes a great play in kick coverage to pin Clemson at about the 15 yard line.
• Clemson hits a screen to their tight end, who then gets crushed on the play. Seriously, Sharpton hit him so hard while he was airborne that his body went completely rigid mid air. This is the type of hit that makes you forget how good a game it is and just pray the kid is able to function the next day. Also, it is a mark of just how good the game is that his teammates, huddled around him on the ground, are watching the JumboTron to make sure that he was down before the ball popped out (which he was).
• Miami gets called for their 4th offside penalty of the game before making a big stand and forcing the punt.
• Jacory decides it would be too easy to actually put some distance between the two teams and throws a Pick 6. (31-27 Clemson)
• My stomach is angry with me for picking this team to root on. Very angry.
• Jacory comes back out for the next drive and immediately hits Travis Benjamin for a 69 YARD TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (34-31 UM) And this is why we love this kid… it’s like he thrives on this. Also, this is something like the 34th lead change of the game.
• Spiller rips off a 48 yard run. Stein on the Sidelines sees his house of cards crumbling.
• DVD makes a big hit (what?!) and then Randy Phillips does the unthinkable and picks off Parker in the end zone!!!
• Clemson only has one timeout left. All Miami has to do is pick up one first down and this thing is essentially over. So what does Miami do? Obviously, they pull Patrick Nix out of the unemployment line for this drive and run up the gut to minimal effect three straight times. Great. Almost no time off the clock, no first down, and punting back too an offense that has moved the ball at will. Where was Berry on this drive? If you’re going to run, don’t you think you should be running with the most explosive guy on your roster this late?
• Clemson predictably marches down the field, converts a 4th and 1 and kicks the field goal to send it in to overtime. I am actually relieved that they didn’t score a touchdown. (34-34)

OVERTIME
• Clemson wins the toss and elects to go on defense. Literal reaction in the Sports Den: “F#################KKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!”
• Coop rips off a 19 yard run on the first play of overtime. First and Goal on the 6. This is exactly what we wanted. Whipple is made for this.
• Two terrible run plays and a dangerous, “what was Jacory thinking” pass later, Bosher kicks a field goal. (37-34 UM)
• The defense valiantly puts Clemson in 3rd and 11…before Parker finds Ford (from Belle Glade) for the winning touchdown on a slant route into the gaping hole in the middle of the field. Marcus Robinson is held on the play, but it isn’t called. Clemson wins, 40-37

The Day After• Yep, it still hurt when I woke up. This was the ultimate “kicked in the balls” loss. I can’t even begin to describe how spent I am, mostly emotionally. so many times this game should have been won, and yet Clemson kept sticking around. And just when it looked like Miami might claw their way out of this thing...boom, right in the nuts.
• This game was lost by the coaches, and I rarely say that. They played not to lose, as opposed to playing for the win. The lack of blitzing is the reason Clemson stuck around, as they were able to continually march on the defense. Listen, the D showed a lot of heart and made some huge stops. But they were on the field for entirely too long, and they were forced to sit back and react to what was happening as opposed to forcing the issue, which is what this defense really excels at.
• The specific point where Miami lost was after the Phillips interception, when Whipple called a run play on 3rd and short that got stuffed. No play action? No roll out? No misdirection? No anything? That was the point where you put the ball in the hands of your best player, Jacory, and tell him to go win. And Whipple choked.
• The players actually seemed like they could have done more if the staff had let them; they played with a lot of heart. McCarthy was everywhere, yet we rarely blitzed him. Jacory had time to throw all day, mostly because the o-line was great. And yet, we chose to run both late in regulation and in overtime. Again, this one goes on the coaching staff.
• This was especially tough because it was the first game of its kind all season: Miami expected to win against a good team. It’s the type of game that elite teams find a way to win. At the beginning of the season, I thought Miami was a 3 or 4 loss team. But I guess I got sucked in by the early success and raised my expectations. This is both a good and bad thing. It’s good because Miami should be expected to contend for titles every year. It is bad because it makes you lose sight of the fact that this is still a young, thing, injury-ridden team. There were a lot of positives in this game, but it is hard to recognize that when you should have won the game and didn’t. Miami now has two options. Win out, play in a decent bowl game against a decent opponent and prepare for a big run next season. Or, they can do what most ACC teams do and play mediocre football, play in a mediocre bowl and have mediocre expectations for next season. Honestly, I am not sure what will happen. The overreaction is that this team is terrible and Randy Shannon should be fired. There will be plenty of that. The under reaction is that everything is just fine and Clemson just got the better of us. There will be plenty of this as well. Personally, I think that this is still a good team with good coaches who have some adjustments to make. Winning out is totally doable, with some tough road tests left along the way that will test the young team’s mettle. There is a lot of talent here, and eventually the coaches will figure out how to best use it game in and game out. However, the players cannot lose sight of the fact that every week is a test, and they have no time to stay down about this loss because next week Wake Forest is going to be ready for a dogfight. As Shannon said today, it is up to the coaches to pick the team back up from the aftermath of this game and get them re-focused on the task at hand.

Other Games I Watched- UTEP vs. Tulsa: This just made Boise look pretty bad. Not as bad as UTEP’s uniforms, however.
- UNC vs. FSU: Great finish for FSU, let’s hope they can build on it, save Bowden’s job and beat Florida.
- Rutgers vs. Army: Army has a 6’10”, 285 lb receiver. Let me repeat: Army has a 6’10”, 285 lb receiver. Is it any wonder the lose?
- Ohio State vs. Minnesota: I feel like I have watched every Minnesota game this season. Thanks ESPN!
- Ole Miss vs. Arkansas: To reiterate a previous point: Arkansas blows. They are terrible. Their receivers suck. Their quarterback sucks. Their coach sucks. They just suck. Also, reverse jinx accomplished.
- Virginia vs. Georgia Tech: Well, at least Tech keeps making us look good for beating them.
Best Game: Miami vs. Clemson

Best Uniform: LSU white on yellow.

Game Ball Goes To: C.J. Spiller.

Worst Uniform: Mississippi State. All maroon. Yikes.On a related note, I saw "Milk" for the first time this weekend. Brilliant movie about a brilliant man. And Anita Bryant? Scary. That was only thirty years ago. REALLY scary.

Trojan Enz © Boner of the Week Award: Mark Whipple

Brian Rolle “Should’ve Been a ‘Cane” Award: Jacoby Ford. Need I say more?

Non-BCS Name You Should Know: The 6’10”, 285 lb. ARMY RECEIVER! If only I could remember his name…

And, as always, remember to guard the inbound passer.

Clemson: Kind of Like That Chick From Entourage

Hello All,

Welcome to what is possibly the most confusing week of any team’s season: the week they play Clemson.

Clemson is kind of like the Alexis Dziena of the college football world. Every time I see Alexis on the screen, I have an internal debate. I know she is supposed to be hot; otherwise, she wouldn’t be on screen. Half the time she is gorgeous. However, the other half the time she is debatably attractive; some might say categorically unattractive. Sometimes, she looks like the freshman in high school who has potential but hasn’t realized her potential yet so she dates down to raise her self esteem. That, in a nutshell, is Clemson: Great one week, unfulfilled and kind of trashy the next.

Example: Clemson struggled to beat Middle Tennessee State, fell behind three early scores to Georgia Tech only to rally for the near-win, beat Boston College, lost a close game to TCU, lost to Maryland, and then beat Wake Forest.

In their two marquee games, they played well but lost. They beat BC and Wake, but there’s also the loss to Maryland. That makes them 2-1 in the games they were supposed to win and 0-2 in the ones they weren’t supposed to. They are more unpredictable than Zeta Tau Alpha.

Why is this confusing? Because I have watched them play and they are undeniably talented. They hit big plays and have two of the nation’s elite playmakers in Jacoby Ford and C.J. Spiller. They are the underdog in this one, and they have not won in that role yet; however, they have acquitted themselves well by keeping it close with Top 15 programs. They always play Miami tough; Miami, however, has responded remarkably well in the spotlight this season.

Miami is 2-0 in the games they were supposed to win and 3-1 as an underdog. However, they have played every game under the lights but the Virginia Tech game, and we all know how that turned out.

Like I said, confusing.

The game plan to beat the Tigers seems to be to force quarterback Kyle Parker to beat you. He is completing less than 50% of his passes, and as many have said, is overly reliant on the big play. Further, Clemson has struggled to get Ford and Spiller the ball at times, and that cannot happen if they want to win.

On defense, their front seven is fast and physical. Here is another area of confusion: Miami stood up very well to Oklahoma’s vaunted front 7 but struggled last week with UCF’s blitz. Clemson is closer to Oklahoma, but HAD to have seen the Knights tape. Again, I am absolutely at a loss as to my expectations.

And, as we seem to say every week, the game could come down to special teams, where the Tigers have Ford and Spiller lurking and the ‘Canes have struggled in coverage.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Clemson Week!

BREAKDOWNS:

QB: Jacory has been great, but cannot turn the ball over here. He will be seeing man coverage, which will be easier to pick apart than the zones he has struggled at times to beat. Parker is struggling for Clemson, and if John Lovett is smart, Miami will be blitzing early and often. EDGE: Miami

RB: Stats may not say it, but Javarris James, Graig Cooper and Damien Berry have taken turns as highly effective runners for Miami. Clemson features the duo of Spiller and Ellington, both of whom are explosive. They also have former Miami recruit Jamie Harper in reserve. Spiller reminds me a lot of Michael Goodson from the 2007 and 2008 Texas A&M teams, who Miami was able to contain reasonably well. EDGE: Even

Receivers: Ford is explosive, but Parker is erratic. The ‘Canes, on the other hand, will have all hands on deck and ready to go with the return of Aldarious Johnson. EDGE: Miami

Offensive Line: Matt Pipho will struggle for the ‘Canes against the Clemson front, so the key will be helping by chipping with either a tight end or a fullback when the ‘Canes pass. Again, just like Oklahoma, the ‘Canes should be in max protect, as the receiving corps will be able to get open against man coverage (meaning the use of three receivers instead of five is just fine). EDGE: Clemson

Defensive Line: The Tigers feature DeQuan Bowers and Ricky Sapp, two elite defensive ends. The Hurricanes have plenty of good players but have been hit by the injury bug and have not been as productive as might be hoped. EDGE: Clemson

Linebacker: Both teams have solid units. Sean Spence and Colin McCarthy are playing like men on a mission for the ‘Canes, and Clemson is lead by Brandon Maye. EDGE: Even

Secondary: Miami is at an advantage because Parker struggles, but look for Ford to make a big play or two (unless Brandon Harris plays the best game of his career). Meanwhile, the Tigers are taking their man coverage against a quarterback with deadly accuracy and an arsenal of receivers. EDGE: Miami

Special Teams: Ford and Spiller have the Tigers in the Top 10 in the nation in both kick and punt returns. ‘Nuff said. EDGE: Clemson

Coaching: Shannon and crew actually have a pretty solid edge over Dabo Swinney and staff. EDGE: Miami

THIS WEEK’S GUEST

After Rachel broke the streak last week, I present to you Trent Mullins, born and bred Southerner who will try and keep the ball rollin’:

"As one of the 6 people who read this blog, let me just first and foremost express what an honor it is to be selected to make the celebrity pick this week for Stein on the Sidelines. I know he typically calls it a “guest” pick, but not this week.

Not many great matchups on the slate this week in CFB. College GameDay is in Provo for the TCU Horned Ladainian Tomlinson Went Heres vs. the BYU Big Love Morman Weirdo Cougars….Herbstreit could/should have 6 new wives by the time he leaves.

Needless to say, I think that Auburn v. LSU may actually be the best matchup of the week. I have been a resident in SEC country my entire life, and it is by far the best football conference in America. From the tailgates all the way to the radio shows. It’s not even close. Seriously. Sorry Stein on the Sidelines.

Before I make a pick and throw a score out there, let’s take a look at the recent history of the matchup and some fun facts
• Both schools share the Tiger as their mascot. Auburn for some reason also has a “War Eagle” as their mascot. It’s been explained to me as “Dude, the Tiger is our mascot but ‘War Eagle’ is our battle cry”….I guess that makes sense to them.

• Either Auburn or LSU has won at least a share of the SEC Western Division championship for five of the last six years

• The home team won every game from 2000-2007, until LSU beat Auburn on the road last year

• This has been one of the best games in the SEC the last 2 years. With both being decided by game-winning TDs in the waning seconds. Both by LSU.

• LSU had won 4,367 consecutive home night games before losing a tough one to Florida two weeks ago, and they should have lost to UGA the week before had the referees not intervened in one of the most heinously bad/unnecessary/WTF were they thinking calls I have ever seen.

• Auburn hadn’t had an impressive road W since 2007 until it beat Tennessee and Lane Kiffin (and his boner inducing wife) in Neyland Stadium 3 weeks ago…They have since lost 2 in a row, but they always play well in Baton Rouge.

I think the game is going to come down to QB play (like most games do). Jordan Jefferson and LSU certainly have more offensive weapons, but Jordan Jefferson is terrible. He is another perfect example of college coaches searching for the next Vince Young. This applies to Senator Tressel in Columbus as well. Just being big, black, athletic, and quick DOES NOT instantly make you a good quarterback. I’m sure Jefferson will have a fine career in Baton Rouge. He is still young. But as of now, I have to give the QB edge to Auburn and Chris Todd. 12 TDs v. 2 INTs. A certain upgrade from Brandon Cox and Kodi Burns. Auburn’s RB, Ben Tate, is no slouch either.

Now I’m going to completely contradict everything I just said and predict LSU the winner. And here’s why:
• Some of my friends (who happened to go to Auburn) made the journey to Baton Rouge in 2007 for the game. They are girls so they wouldn’t be able to tell me anything about the actual game itself, but they didn’t need to. I had heard enough. A 65 year old woman sitting in front of them, spent the entire game turned around in her seat heckling these poor girls with incoherent, Cajun, expletive laced tirades, all while throwing popcorn on them every few minutes. These are the grown-up LSU fans.
• Upon leaving the stadium after LSU’s late come-from-behind victory, they witnessed what is either the most hilarious or most horrifying thing I have ever heard of. I’ll let you be the judge. An LSU young fraternity man (Lets call him Jimbo), clearly excited about the game’s outcome, spots a 60-70 year old Auburn fan, holding hands with his wife, walking towards him. Clearly irate at the disrespect this old man was showing him by quietly walking to the car with his wife, Jimbo proceeds to walk in front of this couple take his Solo cup full of beer and chuck it at the elderly AU fans, striking the man upper chest/neck area, spilling beer all over them and yelling “F*** You!”….

4,367 consecutive home night games. Look it up if you don’t believe me. I think Jimbo’s a 7th year Senior this year. This one kicks at 7:30 PM…

LSU 17 – Auburn 10

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks Trent. However, here is where I have to disagree. I know the SEC is probably the best conference, but the fact that everyone considers it a foregone conclusion is ridiculous this season. I say this mostly because of the referees, which have completely taken away most of the conference’s credibility for this season.

Shall we take a look?

Warning, this will get lengthy.

Today the SEC suspended a referee crew based on their glaring miscues in two games. The two games were the matchups between Georgia and LSU and Florida and Arkansas.

In the Georgia/LSU game, the referees called a phantom celebration personal foul late with about a minute left on Georgia’s go-ahead score. The resulting longer kickoff meant LSU started with the ball at about midfield. Of course, LSU scored, won the game and preserved their undefeated record to set up a Top 5, marquee showdown with Florida 2 weeks later.

This was a bad call that changes the shape of the season for both teams. But it never had me questioning the legitimacy of the conference. Until I thought about it yesterday, after the SEC apologized for the SAME CREW’s mistake in the UF/Arkansas game I made fun of last column.

There were two bad penalties back to back, a personal foul called on an Arkansas lineman who was bracing himself from the charge a Gator lineman made at him (the one the conference apologized for) and a pass interference call which essentially hand delivered the Gators the score (admittedly, pass interference is the worst called penalty in sports and seems to always be made at the worst time, no matter the conference). This, coupled with the fact that Arkansas was called for 10 penalties compared to the Gators’ 3 (in a fast, physical SEC game) really got me thinking though.

Doesn’t it make sense for the SEC to have a bias toward their top 3 programs, which this year are Alabama, Florida and LSU? Don’t you think that the SEC officials probably are told ahead of time “if it’s close, lean toward the big guys”? This is the most corrupt conference in football at other levels, featuring pay-for-play scandals, street agents and felons playing for just about every team. The LSU win set up the marquee matchup two weeks later, and the Florida win kept the Gators the #1 team in the country.

Now think about this: what if those two borderline at best judgment calls don’t get made? Georgia and Arkansas both realistically win the games, as they had all the momentum to those points. After the LSU game, you would have Florida at 1, Alabama at 2 and the next best team, Georgia, right around 10th (assuming they would have moved up 7 spots, which seems to be the typical move for a win like that). Then, two weeks later Florida beats an LSU team probably ranked 11th or 12th, but a 10 point margin probably is not enough to keep them ahead of Alabama, who crushed Ole Miss, a Top 20 team at the time. Now you have Alabama #1, Florida #2 and the third ranked team as LSU, who is now probably right around #10 (remember, Georgia gets drilled by Tennessee…it wasn’t even close enough to think they might have won with the confidence built from the LSU win). Then, after Florida loses to Arkansas, they probably drop to right around 9 or 10. So you have Alabama as #1 (and rightfully so), LSU at #8 and Florida at #9. That is still the best conference in football, but how much better is it than, say, the ACC (a terrible conference in my opinion), who has Miami at #7 in this scenario, Georgia Tech at #10 and Virginia Tech at #14?

The scary thing is to think of all the close games in the SEC that may have been influenced one way or the other by questionable calls. The SEC is the best conference in the country, but if they use the referees to manipulate that ranking, will we ever know? The problem with conferences like the ACC and the Big East is that the teams cannibalize each other, and no one is immune. Well, if the refs in the ACC (who are terrible in every game anyway and usually err against Miami at the worst time possible) started protecting the interest of Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech (the three traditional ACC powers) in every close game, don’t you think they would be Top 10 teams every season?

I’m not trying to say that there is a conspiracy; merely, I am stating that it seems rather convenient the way things have played out in what has so far been a mediocre season of college football, even for the SEC. And maybe the SEC isn’t as great as everyone thinks.

MY PICKS

Last week was better, as I went 5-3 to improve to 16-23 (ouch). I also went to 0-5 in upset specials. Here is this week’s carnage:

Alabama over Tennessee: This will be closer than you would think, like the UF-UT game. But Alabama is just too much football team for anyone right now.

Florida State over North Carolina: On Thursday night, the ‘Noles finally will show up and win an ACC game. On the road. Against a better team. I have no rhyme nor reason for saying this. Is this a mercy pick? This might be a mercy pick. It feels like it is…is FSU really that bad? I’m not even upset. I feel bad for them. Wow. Well, at least I will want to murder every student at their school again next season. It’s the little things…

Georgia Tech over Virginia: In what has actually become an important game. I think the annual Al Groh “Listen guys, we need to win a lot of games or I am getting canned and don’t think that means that you will keep your scholarship because you probably won’t” Campaign stalls here. By the way, is the ACC the 2nd best conference right now (knock on wood knock on wood knock on wood knock on wood knock on wood)? The Big 12 sucks outside of Texas and the hard luck Sooners, the Big 10 always sucks, the Pac 10 is really only USC and Oregon, and the Big East is Cincinnati and a bunch of interchangeable parts. Who saw that coming? I still think the ACC champion, whoever it might be, will lose at least once more. But this is a weird season.

Arkansas over Ole Miss: Sorry Bill (a little reverse jinx perhaps?).

Boston College Over Notre Dame: They said more Hail Marys this week…ba dum cha!

Oklahoma over Kansas: In the least upsetting upset ever. I don’t like this Oklahoma team and don’t even feel bad for them for losing Bradford for the season (who I like). But does anyone really think they’re losing this game? Also, I just picked four straight road teams. I noticed this as I was typing. Maybe I should be the one saying the Hail Marys…

USC over Oregon State: They got their token loss to a weakling out of their system already.

Texas over Missouri: Because their defense is just too good to justify the upset special pick. But don’t worry, it’s coming.

USF over Pitt: Again, no clue why, I’m just going with my gut.

Wake over Navy: Because I know you all care. Wake wins just to make Stein on the Sidelines more nervous about next week’s game.

UPSET SPECIAL: BYU over TCU

Yes, it’s a cop out. Not that big an upset. Picking the home team. But I need to break the five game losing streak for my upset special, and I am sick of everyone talking about TCU and Boise State. So why not kill 1.5 birds with 1 stone?

Always guard the inbound passer.