This time of year is always kind of a drag.
For the first time in three years, the Huskers aren't preparing to challenge a behemoth from south of Kansas for a conference title and 'shake up' the BCS. They are chilling, waiting for the bowl possibilities to be revealed and resting up, healing, or maybe playing some X-Box.
The conference championships range from the sublime to the ridiculous. The best to watch should be the B1G Championship, and that is said without bias. Sure, neither team is in the Top 10, and it is a re-match, which everyone hates, right? It is easily the closest match-up of any championship game and Whisky wants to avenge their heartbreaker loss to Sparty. If Whisky wins, they get to make amends for their egg-laying in the Rose Bowl, last year. If Sparty wins, they get to go to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1988. Wow.
The most important championship game is the SEC's. LSU has to win in order to go to the NCG, but could still get in with a close loss. Georgia has a puncher's chance, but if LSU plays at the level they have all year, then it should be pretty cut-and-dry. This could very well be the best LSU team, ever. Even when they won the NC in 2007 (Bo was DC), they lost two games. If they beat Georgia, and then Alabama (again) they will be 14-0, coming out of the toughest conference in the country. I have been hearing that they might even be better, next year.
The Big 12 has a de facto championship game with the 'Bedlam' game between Okie and Okie light. Their should be over 100 points scored between these two. Both have high-octane offenses, OU's is like 87-test and OSU's is 98, but since neither team defends the pass, the game will be a basketball score.
Out on the left coast, the Pac-12 'championship' needs to remain in quotes. From the North, you have Oregon, who lost one conference game, to USC. From the South, you have UCLA, who is there with a 5-4 record, and a 50-0 loss to the aforementioned USC (who is ineligible for post-season play). Add to that that their coach, Skippy Neuheisel, will coach the game despite having been fired. If Oregon doesn't win this by half-a-hunnert, it's only because Coach Kelly doesn't want his starters getting hurt.
Over in the ACC, Virginia Tech is set for revenge against Clemson, their only loss on the year. VTU is playing lights-out, right now and Clemson has lost three of their last four. If VTU wins, they are the only team that I can make a strong case for facing LSU, rather than Alabama in the NCG. If VTU wins, they will have avenged their only loss of the season, and played an extra game. 'Bama's only loss was to LSU, at home, and the old arguments that hounded Nebraska in 2001 should re-surface. They couldn't win their division, how can they play for the National Championship?
I submit that the case for Alabama is still strong. Over the course of the year, Alabama and LSU have been the best two teams. Both defeated every opponent by 30 points a game, except when they played each other, and that went into overtime. Alabama has the best defense in the country, LSU, the second. If you simply want the best game for the NC, can you honestly say that a Virginia Tech-LSU game in New Orleans would be better than an SEC revenge game?
As for Nebraska, it could be the Capitol One ($4.6m), Outback ($3.5m), or Gator ($2.7m) bowl. All in Florida, and all against an SEC team. The projections have Arkansas, Auburn and South Carolina as potential opponents. Ideally, Nebraska gets the Capitol one against South Carolina, but I think it will be Outback against Arkansas.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Post Iowa and a few picks
Watching the Nebraska-Iowa game, yesterday, was like watching two exhausted boxers in the 12th round of a fight. No belts on the line, a decent undercard, but not a main event. Yesterday was no Ali-Frazier, it was more like Jerry Quarry v. Jimmy Ellis.
It also had an old-school feel to it that I dig. I-Backasaurus Rex led an attack that was like five-yards-and-a-cloud-of-rubber, but I like that. I actually do enjoy watching the offense grind away at a team, at any moment a play could pop for a huge gain, but the steady erosive nature of the attack did wonders for a defense that was probably still trying to recover from last week.
Speaking of the I-Backasaurus, he gets my nod for offensive MVP. The team MVP is obviously Lavonte David, but Rex has been the go-to guy all year long. Excellent story to emerge from the game; Rex had tied the school record for carries in a game with 37 (again), the o-line convinced him to come out and take the last snap in 'victory' formation so he would get one more official carry, and the record. I have heard that it was Yoshi that convinced him to do it, saying that the o-line wanted him to get it, and that they wanted to be a part of it. Pretty cool, huh?
It also had an old-school feel to it that I dig. I-Backasaurus Rex led an attack that was like five-yards-and-a-cloud-of-rubber, but I like that. I actually do enjoy watching the offense grind away at a team, at any moment a play could pop for a huge gain, but the steady erosive nature of the attack did wonders for a defense that was probably still trying to recover from last week.
Speaking of the I-Backasaurus, he gets my nod for offensive MVP. The team MVP is obviously Lavonte David, but Rex has been the go-to guy all year long. Excellent story to emerge from the game; Rex had tied the school record for carries in a game with 37 (again), the o-line convinced him to come out and take the last snap in 'victory' formation so he would get one more official carry, and the record. I have heard that it was Yoshi that convinced him to do it, saying that the o-line wanted him to get it, and that they wanted to be a part of it. Pretty cool, huh?
(It's unclear what T. Rex's exact speed was, but it could run down all other animals in its ecosystem)
Taylor had a pretty decent game, and passed Tommie Frazier on the passing yards list. He tweaked an ankle, early in the game, which limited the playbook for him. He did get lucky on one pass that should have been picked, and had a couple of attempts that went off of defenders faces at the line. All in all, a decent game. Kenny Bell looked like he has shaken off his issues of the past couple of games, and really stepped up. Jamal Turner got into the game, which shows some improvement for him. Kyler Reed finally got a touchdown reception.
Let's hear it for the o-line. A battered, beat-up bunch of dudes who gave a gutsy performance when they really needed to. Speaking of o-line, Mike Caputo must have jilted the umpires daughter or something, two clipping/crack-back block penalties against a guy who has had zero all year, neither of which should have drawn a flag. Caputo, Yoshi, Jones, Choi, Long gave Rex the room he needed to do what he does. Let's also hear it for Sirles, who came in when Jones went down and filled in, nicely. I think there is a pipeline getting built in Nebraska, and it doesn't end in XL.
The Blackshirts did what was expected of them. They shut down the run, and Alfonzo took their best receiver out of the game, again. Lavonte David was here, there, and everywhere; hitting dudes, covering the tight end, getting a sack and stripping a fumble. I still want to see that holding penalty in the end-zone, again. The series that Iowa scored on was one of the weirdest I've seen. I don't think the Iowa receiver caught the ball in-bounds at the three, and no-one sought to review it. I hate to play the fake injury thing, (that's not true, I loved it when Joe Nash, and his bum knee, did it to Cincinnati back in '88) but we should have a flopper to buy more time to get plays reviewed. It took Iowa four plays and three penalties to get into the endzone after a first and goal from the three, to take away the shutout.
(Carl just wanted me to tell you thanks for keeping him employed)
Just wanted to drop a few quick notes and picks for yesterday and today.
Leroix picked LSU, trust me. He also has Alabama in the Iron Bowl, and Virginia Tech over Virginia. Bubba is Enjoying the week off. Marcus says Stanford should beat Notre Dame.
Lloyd says Ohio State will beat Michigan, making Huskerfan say 'Whaaaaa'? Northwestern will play Sparty tough, but not tough enough. Illinois will lose to Minnesota, costing Ron Zook his job.
Granny is taking whisky, and is picking the Stinking Badgers to beat Penn State. Indiana and Purdue are playing for the 'Old Oaken Bucket', proof that some of these B1G trophies are just stupid. Purdue will win.
Time to kick back, relax, and get healed up for the bowl game. It appears to be either the Insight.com Bowl or the Outback Bowl. Insight.com pays $6.7m and the Outback $7m, so we're in for some decent cash. I've seen one projection that puts us in the Outback with South Carolina. It would be nice to take on pickle-puss Steve Superior, again.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Nebraska, Iowa and Corn
The atmosphere at "Our Lady" was somber for a gameday. Distraction seemed to be the pervading theme. Fans distracted by the madness that consumed the "Black Friday" shoppers that besieged low-end retailers like a horde of ravenous zombies. The girls, distracted by the early start time and the patrons that wandered in like refugees, seeking shelter from the madness or just coming down from the L. tryptophan overdose.
The four of us were distracted by the heavy events of the day before. To be fair, Lloyd didn't seem any more distracted than usual. Lloyd, Cassandra, Preacherman and I had gathered for the season finale. This year it is the rivalry game that almost seems forced. Like laughing at a boss's joke, even though you've not only heard it three times already, but watched the show he got it from.
This whole Iowa thing as our chief rival just doesn't seem to work for me. I get all the reasons why we get told that it works; geography, corn, lifestyle, corn, Omaha v. Des Moines, corn...did I say corn? I still would like to suggest that instead of a lame trophy, that the loser of this annual battle be forced to administer Council Bluffs. 'Heroes' game just sounds so contrived. Anything else would be contrived, too, but Corn Trophy or Corn Cup or Giant Golden Cob are worse so I guess we're stuck. I wouldn't mind the Kinnick Trophy, Iowa's only Heisman winner who was from Omaha would be fine with me.
"Lloyd. How is the offense going to do against these Hawkeyes?" I asked.
"They should be OK, I think," he replied. "The huskers should be able to move the ball pretty well on the ground. Iowa's defense isn't anything to write home about. They also won't have the luxury of keying on one guy, now that Taylor has developed into an efficient, if not scary weapon. Burkhead should get back into his groove. The O-line needs to establish its nastiness early and help propel the offense to an early lead."
I nodded, not really surprised, and not really hearing anything I didn't expect. "Preacherman. How about the defense?" I had to kind of shout since Preach was a little distracted.
"They got to stop the run. Marcus Coker is averaging over 100 yards a game, and is a big, physical running back. They need to stop the run, but need to do it without loading up the box. Vandenburg is a good enough quarterback to hurt a defense if they try to bring a safety up in run support. They were embarrassed last week, and wrung out. Those guys were on the field all day long, I hope they bounce back after a short week and I hope the offense lets them spend a lot of time on the sideline."
I turned to Cassandra. "How do you think special teams will do?"
She rolled her eyes. "The Law of Averages would suggest that they have to do better than last week. That was literally the worst half of special teams play I have ever seen. This week has to be better. It's probably good that Iowa isn't known for their special teams threats, either on returns or blocking kicks."
"Intangibles?" I asked the assembly.
"Senior Day," said Lloyd. There are 21 seniors who are playing their last home game for the Huskers. Guys like Austin Cassidy, Mike Caputo and LaVonte David. They will step up and be the vocal leaders the Huskers will need today for that last, final push to a decent bowl."
"Bounce-back," added Preach. "After the other two losses this year, the defense has responded with a really good game. I think today will be no different.
"Home cookin'," Cassandra added. "I don't mean the officiating, 'cause we never get the right calls at home, either. I mean getting to sleep in your own bed, do your own thing with your own comfort level. Both of Nebraska's big losses came on the second weeks of consecutive road games. Iowa is in that situation this week, and had to deal with a short week. Nebraska did too, but has been doing it for years with the Colorado game. They have a schedule in place."
I sat back and watched one of the dancers listlessly maneuver through a set with 'If you want Blood' by AC/DC. I pondered what I though the final score would be. Lloyd was furiously tapping at his screen as I pronounced "24-14, Huskers."
Lloyd looked up from his toys. "I just got a text from a buddy in LPD. it read 'John Doe shot yesterday. Coma."
Comatose. That means even if they bring charges against Lt. Moore, which will be hard to stick, Mr. Alan Davison is still alive, and if he wakes up, he will be able to offer his testimony. "Moore can't let that happen, but he won't be able to do anything about it. Or will he?"
The four of us watched the clock edge closer to game time. Kickoff should give us at least a temporary respite. I hope the Huskers win.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
The four of us were distracted by the heavy events of the day before. To be fair, Lloyd didn't seem any more distracted than usual. Lloyd, Cassandra, Preacherman and I had gathered for the season finale. This year it is the rivalry game that almost seems forced. Like laughing at a boss's joke, even though you've not only heard it three times already, but watched the show he got it from.
This whole Iowa thing as our chief rival just doesn't seem to work for me. I get all the reasons why we get told that it works; geography, corn, lifestyle, corn, Omaha v. Des Moines, corn...did I say corn? I still would like to suggest that instead of a lame trophy, that the loser of this annual battle be forced to administer Council Bluffs. 'Heroes' game just sounds so contrived. Anything else would be contrived, too, but Corn Trophy or Corn Cup or Giant Golden Cob are worse so I guess we're stuck. I wouldn't mind the Kinnick Trophy, Iowa's only Heisman winner who was from Omaha would be fine with me.
"Lloyd. How is the offense going to do against these Hawkeyes?" I asked.
"They should be OK, I think," he replied. "The huskers should be able to move the ball pretty well on the ground. Iowa's defense isn't anything to write home about. They also won't have the luxury of keying on one guy, now that Taylor has developed into an efficient, if not scary weapon. Burkhead should get back into his groove. The O-line needs to establish its nastiness early and help propel the offense to an early lead."
I nodded, not really surprised, and not really hearing anything I didn't expect. "Preacherman. How about the defense?" I had to kind of shout since Preach was a little distracted.
"They got to stop the run. Marcus Coker is averaging over 100 yards a game, and is a big, physical running back. They need to stop the run, but need to do it without loading up the box. Vandenburg is a good enough quarterback to hurt a defense if they try to bring a safety up in run support. They were embarrassed last week, and wrung out. Those guys were on the field all day long, I hope they bounce back after a short week and I hope the offense lets them spend a lot of time on the sideline."
I turned to Cassandra. "How do you think special teams will do?"
She rolled her eyes. "The Law of Averages would suggest that they have to do better than last week. That was literally the worst half of special teams play I have ever seen. This week has to be better. It's probably good that Iowa isn't known for their special teams threats, either on returns or blocking kicks."
"Intangibles?" I asked the assembly.
"Senior Day," said Lloyd. There are 21 seniors who are playing their last home game for the Huskers. Guys like Austin Cassidy, Mike Caputo and LaVonte David. They will step up and be the vocal leaders the Huskers will need today for that last, final push to a decent bowl."
"Bounce-back," added Preach. "After the other two losses this year, the defense has responded with a really good game. I think today will be no different.
"Home cookin'," Cassandra added. "I don't mean the officiating, 'cause we never get the right calls at home, either. I mean getting to sleep in your own bed, do your own thing with your own comfort level. Both of Nebraska's big losses came on the second weeks of consecutive road games. Iowa is in that situation this week, and had to deal with a short week. Nebraska did too, but has been doing it for years with the Colorado game. They have a schedule in place."
I sat back and watched one of the dancers listlessly maneuver through a set with 'If you want Blood' by AC/DC. I pondered what I though the final score would be. Lloyd was furiously tapping at his screen as I pronounced "24-14, Huskers."
Lloyd looked up from his toys. "I just got a text from a buddy in LPD. it read 'John Doe shot yesterday. Coma."
Comatose. That means even if they bring charges against Lt. Moore, which will be hard to stick, Mr. Alan Davison is still alive, and if he wakes up, he will be able to offer his testimony. "Moore can't let that happen, but he won't be able to do anything about it. Or will he?"
The four of us watched the clock edge closer to game time. Kickoff should give us at least a temporary respite. I hope the Huskers win.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sexy Sixy
Things have been rough, lately. Lloyd has gone into a funk that George Clinton and Parliament would be inspired by. I tried to ask him about the Michigan game. He gave me his Bo look and said "A season's worth of special teams mistake in one half. How do you think it went?"
Point taken.
Speaking of Bo, it seems like the media is starting to gather kindling for the hot seat. In both Lincoln and Omaha fish-wraps, the terms 'honeymoon is over' and 'bloom is off the Pelini rose' have been used. Sippy over at the LJS even went so far as to compare Pelini's win-loss and blowout losses (apparently, 27+ points is what qualifies as a blowout) to T.O.'s. Yeah, Sip, that seems fair. Compare the coaching job of T.O., who inherited a national championship-caliber team, to that of Bo, who inherited a program that was dangerously close to foundering.
Lloyd was hot and dug up some stats on his tablet that he said he was going to e-mail to Sipple. Four years previous to T.O.'s take-over (69-72), 42-4-2, .896; four conference championships, four bowl wins, two national championships, and a Heisman Trophy winner.
In the four years prior to Bo's arrival (04-07), 27-22, .551; no conference champs, one bowl win, no national championships, no Heisman winners.
Pop quiz, who had the easier job? The guy who had to feed the beast, or the guy who had to go out, re-assemble the beast and bring it back to life?
That being said, in the first four years of each coach's tenure, T.O. went 37-10-2; no conference champs, three bowl wins, no national champs, no Heisman winners. Bo, if he can manage a win against Iowa and in a bowl, will have gone 39-15, no conference champs, three bowl wins, no national champs, and no Heisman winners. So, you tell me, is Bo just as good, or just as bad as Osborne over the same period?
Cassandra dropped her rankings on me before making arrangements for a big-time deal involving Lt. Moore, Mr. Davison and oddly enough, the State Patrol. More about that, later.
She's got Okie State at number six. They are still theoretically alive for a shot at the Big One, but it would take LSU to beat Arkansas, Auburn to beat Alabama, Notre Dame to beat Stanford and a Virginia Tech loss in the ACC Champ in addition to beating OU to get there.
Stanford is number five, she hasn't taken Luck back, despite his begging (according to her), and just has a Notre Dame game to worry about. They could still get a BCS bid and not have to play in the Pac-12 champ game. They actually have a better chance at getting into the Big One than a lot of contenders. If they beat the Irish, and the SEC goes all sectarian, let's say LSU beats Arkansas, and then loses to Georgia in the SEC champ. Alabama beats Auburn, and Virginia Tech loses to either Virginia or Clemson. Stanford and Alabama could be in the Big One, even though neither team won their conference.
Virginia Tech is number four. They have to handle Virginia, then Clemson in the ACC champ. Let's say they do that, LSU handles Arkansas but then chokes in the SEC champ. You could have The Hokies and Alabama in the Big One.
The SEC West is 3-2-1. If I hear correctly, it is the first time a conference has been 1-2-3 since 1971, when the Big 8 did it with Nebraska-Oklahoma-Colorado. Arkansas is at three. If they upset LSU and Georgia, they could meet up with Alabama, again, in the re-match no one outside of Dixie would care about.
Alabama is number two, and in the perfect position. They win and they're in, and only need to beat Auburn. I say 'only' with the full knowledge that to minimize the 'Iron Bowl' in Alabama is tantamount to suggesting that Bear Bryant and J. Edgar Hoover slow-danced to 'Sentimental Journey'.
LSU is number one. No pressure, beat Arkansas, who has scored at least 29 points in every game (except for Alabama). What should make LSU fan nervous, though, in the last five years (including this one) LSU has lost 13 games. Three of them to Arkansas. Alabama, Mississippi and Florida have each topped them only twice. In the last five years, the widest margin of victory for either team was 8 points. Then they have to take on Georgia, in Atlanta, for the SEC champ. Georgia hasn't lost since week two and has just been finding ways to win. If they win those two games, LSU more than likely has a re-match with Alabama for the National Championship. If they win those three games, they deserve it.
To get back to Lt. Moore. I placed a call. Cassandra placed a call. I arranged to meet Mr. Davison to make a proposal. He was to meet me at the Capitol Inn, out on West O. We had a little back and forth, but in a nutshell (no pun intended), I was going to tell him how Lt. Moore had broken me, thanks to the heat that came down as a result of Mr. Davison stirring up the pot. I was pulling up stakes, quitting the biz and heading for a cabin on the Olympic Peninsula to hole up and await the zombie apocalypse.
I placed a call and told Lt. Moore that we had his doll-maker and that he was available for discussion at the hotel. I told him that once he had his man, we were done, I wanted nothing more to do with him, and however he wanted to handle his 'confidential informers' was up to him. He was in control and I would keep to my side of the turf.
Lloyd placed a call to a guy he knew at State Patrol. Their Office of Professional Standards had been hearing a lot of rumors about Lt. Moore, and had been preparing a file on him. The investigation had not been requested yet, so they were sitting on their hands for the time being. Lloyd told them to get ready. Some serious stuff was about to go down.
Lloyd and I set up across the street from the hotel. We watched as Lt. Moore, Mustache and Hands tromped up the stairs heading for Mr. Davison's room. He had the room at the end of the row on the second tier. That's usually known as coffin corner, since it is the furtherst from help, but the quietest, too.
As soon as they hit the second level, I nodded at Lloyd. He pulled out a cheap-ass disposable cell-phone. He punched send, and as soon as contact was established, he started in. "Hello? 9-1-1? I heard shots fired at the Capitol Hotel on West O...Ohmigawd, I see three guys with guns! Send help! Please oh please they're looking at me!"
Click. Toss. "Let's roll," he said, a lot less panicky than a few moments before.
Lt. Moore and his pals had smashed in the door, playing up the gorilla act. I'm still not sure exactly what went down, but as we were pulling away, we could hear the sirens of the approaching police cars.
That's when I heard four distinct shots. A short pause, and then one more shot.
When I last saw Lt. Moore in the re-view mirror, he and his pals were standing at the rail, badges out and weapons holstered. The LPD guys had their Beretta's out and were taking tactical approaches to secure the three supposed suspects.
"Damn, man. I didn't expect actual gun-play," I said. "I just thought there wouldn't be enough to explain what an IAD guy was doing there and start the ball rolling on a State Patrol investigation into the LPD's Internal Affairs arm. Lloyd, what did we just do?"
Lloyd looked at me, completely inscrutable. "We took care of some bad guys. That's what we do. Didn't you know that Moore carried a throw-down piece?"
"No. What do you mean?"
"He had a snub-nosed .38 in an ankle rig. That way he can leave it -- throw down-- at the scene if he needs to 'justify' a shooting. If things went they way I think they did, Mr. Davison has four itty-bitty holes in his chest, and four big chunks out of his back. And there is a .38-caliber bullet in the hotel wall."
"Lloyd. Serious question now. Did you set me up, too?"
"Plausible denability. No direct links. We didn't pull the trigger. We didn't tell anyone to kill anyone else. We also helped to clean up the dirtiest cop that has ever roamed the streets of this town."
"That's fine, I have no problem with taking out Moore. We didn't get him killed. I have no problem with wrecking his career and life, he deserved it. Can you tell me that Davison deserved to die?"
"No. I can't tell you that. But think about all the crap he's pulled and all the misery he's dropped on other people that wanted nothing to do with him. I'm not just talking about us. Look at the smuggling flights. Look at his super creepy treatment of that working girl, just to mess with you. Look at how he somehow just slid out of situations that seemed way to hinky for their own good. Maybe he didn't deserve to die for what he did to us. But I guarantee that he had a huge Karma bill to pay. It caught up with him today. That, and you don't know that he's dead."
Lloyd can be scary when he gets like this. Too serene, too calculating. It's almost like he just doesn't care. All I know is that I still want him on my side.
"You still up for the game, tomorrow?" he asked. Back to his usual, easy-going, Lloyd self.
"I don't know, man. This will take some time to sort through in my head."
"Suit yourself. Cassandra, Preacher and I are setting up at Our Lady. You should come. I'll buy you an Oppenheimer."
"That sounds good, Lloyd." I said. "A few of those might just take the first layer off my conscience."
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Point taken.
Speaking of Bo, it seems like the media is starting to gather kindling for the hot seat. In both Lincoln and Omaha fish-wraps, the terms 'honeymoon is over' and 'bloom is off the Pelini rose' have been used. Sippy over at the LJS even went so far as to compare Pelini's win-loss and blowout losses (apparently, 27+ points is what qualifies as a blowout) to T.O.'s. Yeah, Sip, that seems fair. Compare the coaching job of T.O., who inherited a national championship-caliber team, to that of Bo, who inherited a program that was dangerously close to foundering.
Lloyd was hot and dug up some stats on his tablet that he said he was going to e-mail to Sipple. Four years previous to T.O.'s take-over (69-72), 42-4-2, .896; four conference championships, four bowl wins, two national championships, and a Heisman Trophy winner.
In the four years prior to Bo's arrival (04-07), 27-22, .551; no conference champs, one bowl win, no national championships, no Heisman winners.
Pop quiz, who had the easier job? The guy who had to feed the beast, or the guy who had to go out, re-assemble the beast and bring it back to life?
That being said, in the first four years of each coach's tenure, T.O. went 37-10-2; no conference champs, three bowl wins, no national champs, no Heisman winners. Bo, if he can manage a win against Iowa and in a bowl, will have gone 39-15, no conference champs, three bowl wins, no national champs, and no Heisman winners. So, you tell me, is Bo just as good, or just as bad as Osborne over the same period?
Cassandra dropped her rankings on me before making arrangements for a big-time deal involving Lt. Moore, Mr. Davison and oddly enough, the State Patrol. More about that, later.
She's got Okie State at number six. They are still theoretically alive for a shot at the Big One, but it would take LSU to beat Arkansas, Auburn to beat Alabama, Notre Dame to beat Stanford and a Virginia Tech loss in the ACC Champ in addition to beating OU to get there.
Stanford is number five, she hasn't taken Luck back, despite his begging (according to her), and just has a Notre Dame game to worry about. They could still get a BCS bid and not have to play in the Pac-12 champ game. They actually have a better chance at getting into the Big One than a lot of contenders. If they beat the Irish, and the SEC goes all sectarian, let's say LSU beats Arkansas, and then loses to Georgia in the SEC champ. Alabama beats Auburn, and Virginia Tech loses to either Virginia or Clemson. Stanford and Alabama could be in the Big One, even though neither team won their conference.
Virginia Tech is number four. They have to handle Virginia, then Clemson in the ACC champ. Let's say they do that, LSU handles Arkansas but then chokes in the SEC champ. You could have The Hokies and Alabama in the Big One.
The SEC West is 3-2-1. If I hear correctly, it is the first time a conference has been 1-2-3 since 1971, when the Big 8 did it with Nebraska-Oklahoma-Colorado. Arkansas is at three. If they upset LSU and Georgia, they could meet up with Alabama, again, in the re-match no one outside of Dixie would care about.
Alabama is number two, and in the perfect position. They win and they're in, and only need to beat Auburn. I say 'only' with the full knowledge that to minimize the 'Iron Bowl' in Alabama is tantamount to suggesting that Bear Bryant and J. Edgar Hoover slow-danced to 'Sentimental Journey'.
LSU is number one. No pressure, beat Arkansas, who has scored at least 29 points in every game (except for Alabama). What should make LSU fan nervous, though, in the last five years (including this one) LSU has lost 13 games. Three of them to Arkansas. Alabama, Mississippi and Florida have each topped them only twice. In the last five years, the widest margin of victory for either team was 8 points. Then they have to take on Georgia, in Atlanta, for the SEC champ. Georgia hasn't lost since week two and has just been finding ways to win. If they win those two games, LSU more than likely has a re-match with Alabama for the National Championship. If they win those three games, they deserve it.
To get back to Lt. Moore. I placed a call. Cassandra placed a call. I arranged to meet Mr. Davison to make a proposal. He was to meet me at the Capitol Inn, out on West O. We had a little back and forth, but in a nutshell (no pun intended), I was going to tell him how Lt. Moore had broken me, thanks to the heat that came down as a result of Mr. Davison stirring up the pot. I was pulling up stakes, quitting the biz and heading for a cabin on the Olympic Peninsula to hole up and await the zombie apocalypse.
I placed a call and told Lt. Moore that we had his doll-maker and that he was available for discussion at the hotel. I told him that once he had his man, we were done, I wanted nothing more to do with him, and however he wanted to handle his 'confidential informers' was up to him. He was in control and I would keep to my side of the turf.
Lloyd placed a call to a guy he knew at State Patrol. Their Office of Professional Standards had been hearing a lot of rumors about Lt. Moore, and had been preparing a file on him. The investigation had not been requested yet, so they were sitting on their hands for the time being. Lloyd told them to get ready. Some serious stuff was about to go down.
Lloyd and I set up across the street from the hotel. We watched as Lt. Moore, Mustache and Hands tromped up the stairs heading for Mr. Davison's room. He had the room at the end of the row on the second tier. That's usually known as coffin corner, since it is the furtherst from help, but the quietest, too.
As soon as they hit the second level, I nodded at Lloyd. He pulled out a cheap-ass disposable cell-phone. He punched send, and as soon as contact was established, he started in. "Hello? 9-1-1? I heard shots fired at the Capitol Hotel on West O...Ohmigawd, I see three guys with guns! Send help! Please oh please they're looking at me!"
Click. Toss. "Let's roll," he said, a lot less panicky than a few moments before.
Lt. Moore and his pals had smashed in the door, playing up the gorilla act. I'm still not sure exactly what went down, but as we were pulling away, we could hear the sirens of the approaching police cars.
That's when I heard four distinct shots. A short pause, and then one more shot.
When I last saw Lt. Moore in the re-view mirror, he and his pals were standing at the rail, badges out and weapons holstered. The LPD guys had their Beretta's out and were taking tactical approaches to secure the three supposed suspects.
"Damn, man. I didn't expect actual gun-play," I said. "I just thought there wouldn't be enough to explain what an IAD guy was doing there and start the ball rolling on a State Patrol investigation into the LPD's Internal Affairs arm. Lloyd, what did we just do?"
Lloyd looked at me, completely inscrutable. "We took care of some bad guys. That's what we do. Didn't you know that Moore carried a throw-down piece?"
"No. What do you mean?"
"He had a snub-nosed .38 in an ankle rig. That way he can leave it -- throw down-- at the scene if he needs to 'justify' a shooting. If things went they way I think they did, Mr. Davison has four itty-bitty holes in his chest, and four big chunks out of his back. And there is a .38-caliber bullet in the hotel wall."
"Lloyd. Serious question now. Did you set me up, too?"
"Plausible denability. No direct links. We didn't pull the trigger. We didn't tell anyone to kill anyone else. We also helped to clean up the dirtiest cop that has ever roamed the streets of this town."
"That's fine, I have no problem with taking out Moore. We didn't get him killed. I have no problem with wrecking his career and life, he deserved it. Can you tell me that Davison deserved to die?"
"No. I can't tell you that. But think about all the crap he's pulled and all the misery he's dropped on other people that wanted nothing to do with him. I'm not just talking about us. Look at the smuggling flights. Look at his super creepy treatment of that working girl, just to mess with you. Look at how he somehow just slid out of situations that seemed way to hinky for their own good. Maybe he didn't deserve to die for what he did to us. But I guarantee that he had a huge Karma bill to pay. It caught up with him today. That, and you don't know that he's dead."
Lloyd can be scary when he gets like this. Too serene, too calculating. It's almost like he just doesn't care. All I know is that I still want him on my side.
"You still up for the game, tomorrow?" he asked. Back to his usual, easy-going, Lloyd self.
"I don't know, man. This will take some time to sort through in my head."
"Suit yourself. Cassandra, Preacher and I are setting up at Our Lady. You should come. I'll buy you an Oppenheimer."
"That sounds good, Lloyd." I said. "A few of those might just take the first layer off my conscience."
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Into the Big House
We couldn't get away for the game. The whole Lt. Moore thing had us pretty much tethered to town. I was bummed, but it would have been tough to get tickets, anyway, I don't have the contacts in the D-Town area like I do in the major metros of the Big 12. Did I just say major metros and Big 12 in the same sentence? Wow, talk about a shift in perspective.
Additionally, Cassandra had called to say that she had a lead, but it would take some time to sort out. She said she didn't want to overplay her hand, so to wait for her while she tidied things up.
Lloyd was looking distraught. It was almost as if he couldn't get any bars on any of his devices. "What's your deal," I asked him, not exactly pleasantly.
"This game. There are so many elements to it that don't play to the Huskers' advantage, that it makes me nervous, jumpy even," he almost twitched out the last sentence.
"Break it down for me. We've got nothing to do but chill while we find out why Cassandra wanted us here."
"Shoelaces."
"Shoelaces?" I repeated, wondering if he had finally gone off the deep end."
"Dennard Robinson. Shoelaces is his nickname, he never ties them in the game. Anyway, he is the kind of mobile quarterback that Nebraska tends to have a hard time containing."
"I get that, but how's his passing?" I asked. "It's not just the mobile quarterbacks, it's mobile quarterbacks who can throw well."
"That's his big flaw," Lloyd conceded. "It's almost like we'll have to dare him to throw the ball, in order to take away his big play ability. He can go yard at any time."
"Who has beaten Michigan, this year?"
"Michigan State handled them, and Iowa, but both were on the road, and Michigan beat Northwestern."
"I'm not too worried about playing in the Big House," I said. "Nebraska has got a good road warrior mentality, and they got a nice rehearsal last week, dealing with a huge crowd in a much crazier situation."
"Michigan's defense allows fewer than sixteen points a game. They are not the inept defense that we've seen over the past three years."
"That's a padded stat," I said, dismissively. "They gave up 20+ points to four teams, only one of which is currently ranked. Most of their low-scoring points allowed games cam against lesser quality opponents. There are two directional Michigan schools and San Diego State in there. They gave up 31 to Notre Dame, and quality opponents have been able to score on them."
"So I guess I'm worried about nothing, huh?"
"Not at all. Be worried, but I think that Martinez has developed enough into a versatile quarterback that defenses have to respect his passing. It's almost to the point where defenses can't just load up the box to stop the run, and challenging him to throw it. If the receivers had avoided the dropsies, Martinez would have even better numbers."
"How are the Blackshirts going to stop Robinson?"
"If Carl is smart, and I'm pretty sure he is, he'll look at how Michigan State did it, and how Iowa did it. Michigan State got a huge assist from the wind, which Robinson can't throw in, and I hear it is windy in Ann Arbor. One other thing, Robinson's wrist is hurt, I'm willing to bet that they don't risk further injury with a lot of designed runs for him. The Blackshirts need to seize control of the ground game and stop Toussaint, who has gouged opponents over the last three weeks. Hmm, sounds like we heard the same thing about Silas Redd, last week."
"Trench warfare, again?" Lloyd asked expectantly.
"Yep, the fuglies on both sides of the ball win this one. Maybe with an assist from Maher on tilting the field position with his punting."
"Ok, let's have it. What do you think the final score will be, because despite your attempts at re-assuring me, I'm thinking Michigan will win it, 27-24."
"I think this is going to be another 'build up the lead and hold on' game," I said. Maybe kind of tight at the half, 17-7, a couple of scores after the break, Michigan pulls Robinson, and they make it interesting in the fourth quarter. Nebraska 27-21 over Wolverhampton."
Lloyd was at least attempting to relax.
Cassandra came hustling into the room. "I found her!"
"Who?"
"The model for the doll that got sent to Lt. Moore."
"Well, template more than model. She had no idea about the doll, or that Moore is trying to cover his ass."
"How do you know it was her?"
"I tailed Moore and his cronies one night. As he made his rounds, he stopped to 'chat' with this girl. She looked like the doll. After they left I asked her if she'd like to get out from under his thumb. I told her we could pull it off. She's way out on a limb, here."
"Ok, I get it. But what's the connection."
"You'll love this. She told me she had this weird John take her to a nice hotel. He dressed her in clothes like the ones on the doll, and took a bunch of pictures."
"Not too weird, considering her line of work," Lloyd chimed in.
"That's not the weird part. The weird part is that he didn't even want sex, and after about an hour he broke down in tears, sobbing about how no-one called him on 9/11, even though he was a pilot, and that he had insight, and on and on."
Goody, I thought. Mr. Davison is back. He's really starting to irritate me, getting me mixed up with Lt. Moore.
"Anybody up for a double reversal take-down?" I asked.
Lloyd and Cassandra's hands both shot up.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Additionally, Cassandra had called to say that she had a lead, but it would take some time to sort out. She said she didn't want to overplay her hand, so to wait for her while she tidied things up.
Lloyd was looking distraught. It was almost as if he couldn't get any bars on any of his devices. "What's your deal," I asked him, not exactly pleasantly.
"This game. There are so many elements to it that don't play to the Huskers' advantage, that it makes me nervous, jumpy even," he almost twitched out the last sentence.
"Break it down for me. We've got nothing to do but chill while we find out why Cassandra wanted us here."
"Shoelaces."
"Shoelaces?" I repeated, wondering if he had finally gone off the deep end."
"Dennard Robinson. Shoelaces is his nickname, he never ties them in the game. Anyway, he is the kind of mobile quarterback that Nebraska tends to have a hard time containing."
"I get that, but how's his passing?" I asked. "It's not just the mobile quarterbacks, it's mobile quarterbacks who can throw well."
"That's his big flaw," Lloyd conceded. "It's almost like we'll have to dare him to throw the ball, in order to take away his big play ability. He can go yard at any time."
"Who has beaten Michigan, this year?"
"Michigan State handled them, and Iowa, but both were on the road, and Michigan beat Northwestern."
"I'm not too worried about playing in the Big House," I said. "Nebraska has got a good road warrior mentality, and they got a nice rehearsal last week, dealing with a huge crowd in a much crazier situation."
"Michigan's defense allows fewer than sixteen points a game. They are not the inept defense that we've seen over the past three years."
"That's a padded stat," I said, dismissively. "They gave up 20+ points to four teams, only one of which is currently ranked. Most of their low-scoring points allowed games cam against lesser quality opponents. There are two directional Michigan schools and San Diego State in there. They gave up 31 to Notre Dame, and quality opponents have been able to score on them."
"So I guess I'm worried about nothing, huh?"
"Not at all. Be worried, but I think that Martinez has developed enough into a versatile quarterback that defenses have to respect his passing. It's almost to the point where defenses can't just load up the box to stop the run, and challenging him to throw it. If the receivers had avoided the dropsies, Martinez would have even better numbers."
"How are the Blackshirts going to stop Robinson?"
"If Carl is smart, and I'm pretty sure he is, he'll look at how Michigan State did it, and how Iowa did it. Michigan State got a huge assist from the wind, which Robinson can't throw in, and I hear it is windy in Ann Arbor. One other thing, Robinson's wrist is hurt, I'm willing to bet that they don't risk further injury with a lot of designed runs for him. The Blackshirts need to seize control of the ground game and stop Toussaint, who has gouged opponents over the last three weeks. Hmm, sounds like we heard the same thing about Silas Redd, last week."
"Trench warfare, again?" Lloyd asked expectantly.
"Yep, the fuglies on both sides of the ball win this one. Maybe with an assist from Maher on tilting the field position with his punting."
"Ok, let's have it. What do you think the final score will be, because despite your attempts at re-assuring me, I'm thinking Michigan will win it, 27-24."
"I think this is going to be another 'build up the lead and hold on' game," I said. Maybe kind of tight at the half, 17-7, a couple of scores after the break, Michigan pulls Robinson, and they make it interesting in the fourth quarter. Nebraska 27-21 over Wolverhampton."
Lloyd was at least attempting to relax.
Cassandra came hustling into the room. "I found her!"
"Who?"
"The model for the doll that got sent to Lt. Moore."
"Well, template more than model. She had no idea about the doll, or that Moore is trying to cover his ass."
"How do you know it was her?"
"I tailed Moore and his cronies one night. As he made his rounds, he stopped to 'chat' with this girl. She looked like the doll. After they left I asked her if she'd like to get out from under his thumb. I told her we could pull it off. She's way out on a limb, here."
"Ok, I get it. But what's the connection."
"You'll love this. She told me she had this weird John take her to a nice hotel. He dressed her in clothes like the ones on the doll, and took a bunch of pictures."
"Not too weird, considering her line of work," Lloyd chimed in.
"That's not the weird part. The weird part is that he didn't even want sex, and after about an hour he broke down in tears, sobbing about how no-one called him on 9/11, even though he was a pilot, and that he had insight, and on and on."
Goody, I thought. Mr. Davison is back. He's really starting to irritate me, getting me mixed up with Lt. Moore.
"Anybody up for a double reversal take-down?" I asked.
Lloyd and Cassandra's hands both shot up.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The picks are getting few
I had my hands full digging up all the crap Lt. Moore had been up to. He was on the pad from just about every branch of the vice squad, and no-one had been able to step up and take him down. The old phrase about the fox and then hen-house kept coming to mind. He was able to move with impunity because he was selective about his shake-downs. He didn't go after the biggest bookie in town, but numbers two and three were deep into him. He essentially sat on the board of an escort service, and maintained a network that kept an eye on the local force, always keeping an eye out for 'talent'. Mustache and Hands wouldn't be around for ever. Empire building within the structure. Just needed to find the one string to pull to bring it all down.
That's why helping him had such appeal. If he was interested in finding out who was shaking his cage, he must be scared. If he's scared, he might make a mistake. At least that's what I was thinking when the coffee wasn't warm and the bourbon wasn't working. The thing that really pissed me off, was that I wasn't getting paid. Stupid things said in the heat of the moment.
I did have an ace up my sleeve, but more on that later. Seeking momentary escape from the underbelly of town, I called a few friends to chit-chat about football.
"Leroix! My man, what have you got for me this week?" I called out, forcing enthusiasm.
"Hoo, cher. I gots four games to keep an eye on, but dey all pretty much decided befo' deh kickoff. Les Tigres L'Orange ar at Nort' Carolinah State. Clemson should handle dat pretty easy, say 45-21. Arkansaw gets to play Missippi State, which might be good for a half, Piggies 41-20. Deh Gumps have a tussle wit' deh mighty powerhouse of Geo-gia Southen, If Saban ain't restin' his starters after deh fust possession of deh second half, den he's a foo. Bama 56-13. Les Tigres have to all deh way to Oxford and play Missippi. Dey coach is resigning, and dey starting quarterback and running back done got suspended. I want to see deh thud string in by deh second quarter. LSU 63-7."
"I need you explain how Clemson gets into the National Championship Game."
"Sit back and relax, 'cause dis is intrestin', not plausible, but intrestin'. Clemson beats NC-State and Sout' Carolinah and win deh ACC Championship game. Den dey need help. USC beats Oregon, Auburn beats Alabama, LSU beats Arkansaw, and den loses in deh SEC Championship. Okie State beats OU in Bedlam, and dat would leave Clemson and Okie State in position to play for deh NGC...It could happen, right, cher?"
"Sure, Leroix. Enjoy the games."
My next call went out to Bubba Tataglia, who was in an irritable mood. "Bubba, how're you holding up?"
"I tell you what, I am worried as a cat in the toddler room of a daycare. The Baptists can't stop anybody, but they're weapon is the pass, which is the same thing that Tech killed us with. This will look like a basketball score, but as long as OU wins, I don't care. I'm thinking this will be 63-52, Sooners. Over in Stillwater, they got people just dying to spend cash on Big 12 Championship and National Championship T-shirts, and I can't say I blame them. They've got Iowa State, this week, who they will nuke like they did Tech, last week, I'm thinking 70-10, Cow Rapers. Then they get an extra week to prepare for my Sooners, who will go in without their best running back or receiver. Everyone Better get used to the idea of Okie State playing down in New Orleans."
Bubba's confidence in his team was less than contagious. I placed a call to Marcus, who had moved his VW Combie to Eugene, for the duration.
"How's life among the trees, Marcus.?"
"Dude, I can focus like a laser-beam on the Oregon game. No Stanford to worry about, no Boise State, just waiting for the University of Spoiled Children to show up and be the latest victims of the Quack Attack, dude."
"I take it you're expecting Oregon to win?"
"Dude, Trojan Man may be able to keep it within a couple of scores, but the Quackers are hot. I'm thinking 48-34, Quackers, dude."
I had to let Lloyd have his say, even though his games were not exactly earth-shakers. "Michigan State will handle Indiana, at home, and be within reach of going to Indianapolis. Sparty 38-21. Minnesota has to go to Northwestern, this will be the better game to watch, but The Wildcats pull away, late, 34-21."
That just left Grandma, who I was hoping had let some of her homicidal rage abate, since last week. "Granny, what have you got for me?"
"Wisconsin will handle Illinois, who has collapsed, 45-10. Iowa will be in a tussle at Purdue, but I don't think the Boilmakers will be able to sustain the emotion from last week, Iowa 27-24. In the Big Game this week, we have the poster children of corruption and avarice playing against each other. If I could, I'd have this game played on the ninth circle of Hell. Columbus is a close second. In a long-asses boring game, where the fans should be ashamed of themselves, but aren't, The Buckeys will prevail 13-10 over Pederast State."
"Thanks, Grandma."
I was reminded this week, that there is a quote that says in effect, 'For evil to flourish just takes good men to do nothing'. I was being pretty complicit in helping Lt. Moore, who was a local evil. He had Lloyd and I working to secure his position. He didn't know about Cassandra, and Edmund Burke never said anything about a good woman.
Plus I got a hold of some incredible footage of Joe Paterno's statue being removed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5zPMbPLxXk
My Bad. Wrong Joe.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
That's why helping him had such appeal. If he was interested in finding out who was shaking his cage, he must be scared. If he's scared, he might make a mistake. At least that's what I was thinking when the coffee wasn't warm and the bourbon wasn't working. The thing that really pissed me off, was that I wasn't getting paid. Stupid things said in the heat of the moment.
I did have an ace up my sleeve, but more on that later. Seeking momentary escape from the underbelly of town, I called a few friends to chit-chat about football.
"Leroix! My man, what have you got for me this week?" I called out, forcing enthusiasm.
"Hoo, cher. I gots four games to keep an eye on, but dey all pretty much decided befo' deh kickoff. Les Tigres L'Orange ar at Nort' Carolinah State. Clemson should handle dat pretty easy, say 45-21. Arkansaw gets to play Missippi State, which might be good for a half, Piggies 41-20. Deh Gumps have a tussle wit' deh mighty powerhouse of Geo-gia Southen, If Saban ain't restin' his starters after deh fust possession of deh second half, den he's a foo. Bama 56-13. Les Tigres have to all deh way to Oxford and play Missippi. Dey coach is resigning, and dey starting quarterback and running back done got suspended. I want to see deh thud string in by deh second quarter. LSU 63-7."
"I need you explain how Clemson gets into the National Championship Game."
"Sit back and relax, 'cause dis is intrestin', not plausible, but intrestin'. Clemson beats NC-State and Sout' Carolinah and win deh ACC Championship game. Den dey need help. USC beats Oregon, Auburn beats Alabama, LSU beats Arkansaw, and den loses in deh SEC Championship. Okie State beats OU in Bedlam, and dat would leave Clemson and Okie State in position to play for deh NGC...It could happen, right, cher?"
"Sure, Leroix. Enjoy the games."
My next call went out to Bubba Tataglia, who was in an irritable mood. "Bubba, how're you holding up?"
"I tell you what, I am worried as a cat in the toddler room of a daycare. The Baptists can't stop anybody, but they're weapon is the pass, which is the same thing that Tech killed us with. This will look like a basketball score, but as long as OU wins, I don't care. I'm thinking this will be 63-52, Sooners. Over in Stillwater, they got people just dying to spend cash on Big 12 Championship and National Championship T-shirts, and I can't say I blame them. They've got Iowa State, this week, who they will nuke like they did Tech, last week, I'm thinking 70-10, Cow Rapers. Then they get an extra week to prepare for my Sooners, who will go in without their best running back or receiver. Everyone Better get used to the idea of Okie State playing down in New Orleans."
Bubba's confidence in his team was less than contagious. I placed a call to Marcus, who had moved his VW Combie to Eugene, for the duration.
"How's life among the trees, Marcus.?"
"Dude, I can focus like a laser-beam on the Oregon game. No Stanford to worry about, no Boise State, just waiting for the University of Spoiled Children to show up and be the latest victims of the Quack Attack, dude."
"I take it you're expecting Oregon to win?"
"Dude, Trojan Man may be able to keep it within a couple of scores, but the Quackers are hot. I'm thinking 48-34, Quackers, dude."
I had to let Lloyd have his say, even though his games were not exactly earth-shakers. "Michigan State will handle Indiana, at home, and be within reach of going to Indianapolis. Sparty 38-21. Minnesota has to go to Northwestern, this will be the better game to watch, but The Wildcats pull away, late, 34-21."
That just left Grandma, who I was hoping had let some of her homicidal rage abate, since last week. "Granny, what have you got for me?"
"Wisconsin will handle Illinois, who has collapsed, 45-10. Iowa will be in a tussle at Purdue, but I don't think the Boilmakers will be able to sustain the emotion from last week, Iowa 27-24. In the Big Game this week, we have the poster children of corruption and avarice playing against each other. If I could, I'd have this game played on the ninth circle of Hell. Columbus is a close second. In a long-asses boring game, where the fans should be ashamed of themselves, but aren't, The Buckeys will prevail 13-10 over Pederast State."
"Thanks, Grandma."
I was reminded this week, that there is a quote that says in effect, 'For evil to flourish just takes good men to do nothing'. I was being pretty complicit in helping Lt. Moore, who was a local evil. He had Lloyd and I working to secure his position. He didn't know about Cassandra, and Edmund Burke never said anything about a good woman.
Plus I got a hold of some incredible footage of Joe Paterno's statue being removed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5zPMbPLxXk
My Bad. Wrong Joe.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Magnificent Seven
I was just sitting there, eating my sandwich when Cassandra, looking quite irritated, stormed in and flopped into the booth opposite me.
"Hi," I said. "You're looking radioactive, today," hoping a little levity would cheer here up, a bit. It didn't work.
"What?" she demanded. "I have to be all sunshine and smiles all day, every day or something?"
"No. I was just--"
"Just what? Going to 'cheer me up'. Going to make fun? Take a piss? What?"
I sat back, pushing my back into the squishy vinyl of the booth. I picked up my coffee and stared at Cassandra through the wisps of steam. "Let it out. Unload. Someone pissed on your cheerios, and even though it wasn't me, you obviously need to vent, so, go for it."
"Andrew broke up with me."
"What?"
"By text, no less. How...what's the word I'm looking for? Infuriating!"
"Andrew who?"
"Luck."
"Andrew Luck?"
"Yes."
"Andrew Luck, the Stanford quarterback?"
"Yes. Have you been paying attention all year, or not?"
"Well, yeah. I just thought it was something you were just saying. Like when I see a Jaguar XKE and say 'Hey, who stole my car?'"
"No. He really WAS my boyfriend. Now he says he needs time to concentrate on his classwork."
"Ouch."
"Ouch is right. I'll bet it's that Chelsea bitch."
"Ummm, were rapidly falling into territory I have no knowledge or familiarity with--"
"You're right. I'm sorry. I should really be talking to someone who's capable of emotional engagement."
Smart kids are mean. "I feel you," I said, bristling and hoping she'd notice the choice of words. "Since I am obviously incapable of helping you, right now. Let's just go through you're rankings and then you can be on your way. I, on the meantime, will go find a support group to help me get in touch with my inner child, or some shit."
Sometime during the discussion, the waitress had arrived at the table, placed a coffee mug in front of Cassandra, filled it, and stood patiently waiting to take her order, pen poised over pad. She hit the gap in our conversation like a dogging linebacker. "Can I get you anything, hon?"
Cassandra looked up at her, smiled and said, "The Coffee's fine. I don't need anything, or anyone else."
Judy, the waitress, looked over at me. I waved her off and watched as she flipped her pad closed, turned on her heel and headed back to the kitchen.
"Shall we?" I asked.
"Fine. I'm down to seven teams that are worth a damn. Clemson is number seven. They have North Carolina State this week. They finish with South Carolina, which could be tough, and then the ACC Championship game, which will probably be a re-match with Virginia Tech."
"Who do you have at six?"
"Oklahoma. They have one loss, but it was at home, to a bad team. They have to go to Baylor this week, host Iowa State, next week, and then the Bedlam game with Okie State. They have injuries to major playmakers. Right now, I really don't see them beating OSU, but they could get into a BCS game, how about Oklahoma-Nebraska in the Fiesta?"
I kind of shuddered at that thought. "Who's at number five?"
"Arkansas. They'll pound Mississippi State, this week, and a showdown with LSU, next week. Get this, if Arkansas beats LSU, and Auburn upsets Alabama, Arkansas would be in the SEC Championship."
"That's a lot of ifs. I've also seen a bowl prediction with Arkansas and Nebraska in the Insight bowl. Who is in at number four?"
"Oregon. They obliterated my poor Cardinal. Made Luck look like the complete jerk he is, and moved into striking distance of a National Championship. They have to beat USC and Oregon State, and get some help, but it's possible. If LSU and Okie State both lose, you could be looking at a Oregon-Alabama National Championship."
"Is Alabama number three?"
"Yes. Bama has to beat Georgia Southern. You know, Nebraska should look into scheduling FCS games at the end of the season to catch a break, like the SEC does. They finish the season against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Check it, they could back into the National Championship game. If LSU were to lose in the SEC Championship, Alabama could slip in to play Okie State, even though both LSU and Alabama would have one loss, and LSU has beaten Alabama. Wouldn't that piss people off?"
"Speaking of Okie State, are they your number two."
"Ranked second, I think this may be the highest ranking OSU has ever had. I'd need to check, thoogh. They have an easy game with Iowa State, and an extra week to prepare for OU...get used to the idea of Oklahoma State with their Geritol swilling quarterback playing for a National Championship."
"Against who? Pray, tell."
"Louisiana State is number one. They will crush Mississippi, this week. Need to handle a game with Arkansas, and then probably Georgia in the SEC Championship. That will be a tough run, but worth it for a home game for the National Championship."
"What did you do with Boise State?"
"Dropped them off the map. The Broncos were an all or nothing deal. I had them at number one until they lost, and lost they did, at home, to a two-loss, unranked TCU team. Now that the bubble has burst, I don't think anyone could make the argument that BSU would survive a Big 10 or SEC or even Pac-12 schedule where you have to play a ranked team every other week."
"Thanks for the info," I said.
"I gotta go," she said. She left the coffee Judy had brought, untouched.
I paid and left a tip for two bottomless coffees.
Husk-husk and on the QB
"Hi," I said. "You're looking radioactive, today," hoping a little levity would cheer here up, a bit. It didn't work.
"What?" she demanded. "I have to be all sunshine and smiles all day, every day or something?"
"No. I was just--"
"Just what? Going to 'cheer me up'. Going to make fun? Take a piss? What?"
I sat back, pushing my back into the squishy vinyl of the booth. I picked up my coffee and stared at Cassandra through the wisps of steam. "Let it out. Unload. Someone pissed on your cheerios, and even though it wasn't me, you obviously need to vent, so, go for it."
"Andrew broke up with me."
"What?"
"By text, no less. How...what's the word I'm looking for? Infuriating!"
"Andrew who?"
"Luck."
"Andrew Luck?"
"Yes."
"Andrew Luck, the Stanford quarterback?"
"Yes. Have you been paying attention all year, or not?"
"Well, yeah. I just thought it was something you were just saying. Like when I see a Jaguar XKE and say 'Hey, who stole my car?'"
"No. He really WAS my boyfriend. Now he says he needs time to concentrate on his classwork."
"Ouch."
"Ouch is right. I'll bet it's that Chelsea bitch."
"Ummm, were rapidly falling into territory I have no knowledge or familiarity with--"
"You're right. I'm sorry. I should really be talking to someone who's capable of emotional engagement."
Smart kids are mean. "I feel you," I said, bristling and hoping she'd notice the choice of words. "Since I am obviously incapable of helping you, right now. Let's just go through you're rankings and then you can be on your way. I, on the meantime, will go find a support group to help me get in touch with my inner child, or some shit."
Sometime during the discussion, the waitress had arrived at the table, placed a coffee mug in front of Cassandra, filled it, and stood patiently waiting to take her order, pen poised over pad. She hit the gap in our conversation like a dogging linebacker. "Can I get you anything, hon?"
Cassandra looked up at her, smiled and said, "The Coffee's fine. I don't need anything, or anyone else."
Judy, the waitress, looked over at me. I waved her off and watched as she flipped her pad closed, turned on her heel and headed back to the kitchen.
"Shall we?" I asked.
"Fine. I'm down to seven teams that are worth a damn. Clemson is number seven. They have North Carolina State this week. They finish with South Carolina, which could be tough, and then the ACC Championship game, which will probably be a re-match with Virginia Tech."
"Who do you have at six?"
"Oklahoma. They have one loss, but it was at home, to a bad team. They have to go to Baylor this week, host Iowa State, next week, and then the Bedlam game with Okie State. They have injuries to major playmakers. Right now, I really don't see them beating OSU, but they could get into a BCS game, how about Oklahoma-Nebraska in the Fiesta?"
I kind of shuddered at that thought. "Who's at number five?"
"Arkansas. They'll pound Mississippi State, this week, and a showdown with LSU, next week. Get this, if Arkansas beats LSU, and Auburn upsets Alabama, Arkansas would be in the SEC Championship."
"That's a lot of ifs. I've also seen a bowl prediction with Arkansas and Nebraska in the Insight bowl. Who is in at number four?"
"Oregon. They obliterated my poor Cardinal. Made Luck look like the complete jerk he is, and moved into striking distance of a National Championship. They have to beat USC and Oregon State, and get some help, but it's possible. If LSU and Okie State both lose, you could be looking at a Oregon-Alabama National Championship."
"Is Alabama number three?"
"Yes. Bama has to beat Georgia Southern. You know, Nebraska should look into scheduling FCS games at the end of the season to catch a break, like the SEC does. They finish the season against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Check it, they could back into the National Championship game. If LSU were to lose in the SEC Championship, Alabama could slip in to play Okie State, even though both LSU and Alabama would have one loss, and LSU has beaten Alabama. Wouldn't that piss people off?"
"Speaking of Okie State, are they your number two."
"Ranked second, I think this may be the highest ranking OSU has ever had. I'd need to check, thoogh. They have an easy game with Iowa State, and an extra week to prepare for OU...get used to the idea of Oklahoma State with their Geritol swilling quarterback playing for a National Championship."
"Against who? Pray, tell."
"Louisiana State is number one. They will crush Mississippi, this week. Need to handle a game with Arkansas, and then probably Georgia in the SEC Championship. That will be a tough run, but worth it for a home game for the National Championship."
"What did you do with Boise State?"
"Dropped them off the map. The Broncos were an all or nothing deal. I had them at number one until they lost, and lost they did, at home, to a two-loss, unranked TCU team. Now that the bubble has burst, I don't think anyone could make the argument that BSU would survive a Big 10 or SEC or even Pac-12 schedule where you have to play a ranked team every other week."
"Thanks for the info," I said.
"I gotta go," she said. She left the coffee Judy had brought, untouched.
I paid and left a tip for two bottomless coffees.
Husk-husk and on the QB
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Hey, Nebraska won the Game.
I knew this was going to happen, but every story I've seen on Nebraska's win over Penn State has focused on Penn State losing, Penn State's rally falling short, or Penn State just not making the right plays at the right time. Outside of Nebraska, the Huskers aren't getting much credit for what they did. That's fine, we still get the win, Michigan's next.
I have to give credit where credit is due. Penn State's quarterback, Matt McGloin, played much better than I thought he would, and I do need to thank him for trying to test Dennard. I think Dennard got beat once, and that was for minimal damage.
The Blackshirts did a good job containing Silas Redd, who had gotten all the hype, but Stephone Green did more damage, both in terms of yards and scoring. All things considered the battle in the trenches was a pretty even match, and both sides acquitted themselves well.
All in all, this was a classic, old-school, smack-em-in-the-mouth kind of game. It was fitting that it was Nebraska and Penn State, two schools where the mere suggestion of altering the helmet is considered seditious. Both teams tried one razzle-dazzle play. Penn State's worked. Nebraska's didn't.
Check this out. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7224530
There were lots of isolations, and off-tackle and Nebraska ran the option a few times. Burkhead's touchdown was a classic. Credit Taylor with a perfect pitch, in stride, to Rex, as Taylor was getting tackled. On one other option, the refs needed to dust off their rule-books, or glasses or something. I've never seen a lateral called an incomplete shuffle/shovel-pass. It negated what would have been at least a positive gain for Rex.
The defense played well enough. They gave up some yards to an offense that's not very good, but when you get up by 17, the opposition starts taking bigger risks, and some of those risky calls paid off for Penn State. I have to say the old-school part of me loved the Battle of the Somme in the fourth quarter. Both teams combined for 8 running plays that netted 18 yards. Lavonte David came up huge, again, in stopping Penn State on fourth-and-one. It's too bad Rex slipped on the third-and-three play, because he had enough room to pick up the first down, had he kept his footing. Even though it didn't work out, I completely agreed with Bo's call to go for it on fourth down. I think I would have had Taylor run a run-pass-option and use his feet to the wide side of the field, but that's only because the play that got called got stopped.
One last note on the Husker game. How awesome is Bret Maher? He averaged 45 yards per punt, and tilted the field in the fourth quarter when the defense needed every yard of territory. His 40-yard field goal was pretty awesome too.
In the Big Ten, Michigan State surprised me by playing well at Iowa. We need to become huge Northwestern fans because Indiana isn't going to beat Michigan State, and we need Sparty to drop one of their last two. Michigan surprised me by handling Illinois with little problem. Wolverhampton is in the same boat we are. They need to win out and hope for a Sparty loss to get to the Championship. Purdue surprised everybody outside of West Lafayette, by slapping Brutus in the mouth.
Over in the LeaderS division, Penn State is still in the driver's seat. Wisconsin is in the thick of it, and Ohio State is on life support. It''s awesome, if Brutus wants to go to Indianapolis, OSU needs to beat Penn State and Michigan, and then hope that Wisconsin loses to Illinois and beats Penn State.
Yayyyyy, Boise State got dropped by TCU on a missed field goal. The best part is that BSU in the National Championship game discussion is on permanent mute.
Stanford got drilled by Oregon. Sloppy play and Oregon's speed killed the smart kids. I picked Stanford to win, but Oregon proved themselves, and pretty much secured home field for the Pac-12 championship. The Pac-12 south is up for grabs between USC, UCLA, and Arizona State. I need to do research. If USC is ineligible for post-season play, does that include the Pac-12 Championship game? If so, does the second place team go instead? Must find out.
Right now, Oklahoma State is the irresistable force, and LSU is the immovable object. LSU has to survive a test with Arkansas and Okie Lite has a game with OU that can't be overlooked. I'm kind of hoping both teams go undefeated. I want the National Championship to be a game of two teams enter, one team leaves. No, Houston doesn't matter, see the Boise State rule.
Need to get ready for Wolverhampton.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
I have to give credit where credit is due. Penn State's quarterback, Matt McGloin, played much better than I thought he would, and I do need to thank him for trying to test Dennard. I think Dennard got beat once, and that was for minimal damage.
The Blackshirts did a good job containing Silas Redd, who had gotten all the hype, but Stephone Green did more damage, both in terms of yards and scoring. All things considered the battle in the trenches was a pretty even match, and both sides acquitted themselves well.
All in all, this was a classic, old-school, smack-em-in-the-mouth kind of game. It was fitting that it was Nebraska and Penn State, two schools where the mere suggestion of altering the helmet is considered seditious. Both teams tried one razzle-dazzle play. Penn State's worked. Nebraska's didn't.
Check this out. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7224530
There were lots of isolations, and off-tackle and Nebraska ran the option a few times. Burkhead's touchdown was a classic. Credit Taylor with a perfect pitch, in stride, to Rex, as Taylor was getting tackled. On one other option, the refs needed to dust off their rule-books, or glasses or something. I've never seen a lateral called an incomplete shuffle/shovel-pass. It negated what would have been at least a positive gain for Rex.
(I'm a Therapod!)
(Photo from Huskers.com)
As for Taylor, he has continued to grow as a quarterback. In the past few weeks, he has made huge strides. He looks more comfortable in the pocket. He keeps his eyes downfield, keeping plays alive even though he could pick up yards with his feet. He has been going through his progressions much better. He will even throw the ball away to live another day. His numbers weren't awesome, but they weren't awful, either. He went 13-26, 143 yards, no TD's and most importantly, no picks. There were at least 6 drops by the receivers, a couple of blown routes and a couple of throw aways when the play wasn't there. The ball got mashed at the line, once, but there weren't any that were wildly off, or that were forced into spaces they shouldn't be. Dare I say it? Taylor is developing into a pretty decent quarterback.The defense played well enough. They gave up some yards to an offense that's not very good, but when you get up by 17, the opposition starts taking bigger risks, and some of those risky calls paid off for Penn State. I have to say the old-school part of me loved the Battle of the Somme in the fourth quarter. Both teams combined for 8 running plays that netted 18 yards. Lavonte David came up huge, again, in stopping Penn State on fourth-and-one. It's too bad Rex slipped on the third-and-three play, because he had enough room to pick up the first down, had he kept his footing. Even though it didn't work out, I completely agreed with Bo's call to go for it on fourth down. I think I would have had Taylor run a run-pass-option and use his feet to the wide side of the field, but that's only because the play that got called got stopped.
(Blackshirts doing a damn fine job)
(Photo from Huskers.com)
Give credit to Penn State's defense. They hung in there and could have folded their tents after going down by 17, but they kept swinging. Devon Still impressed the hell out of me. Dude manhandled the o-line on several plays, and forced the fumble with a great, instinctive gamble on the play. If he would have played it straight up, the way he's supposed to in that situation, Legate picks up an easy first down. As it was, Still followed the pulling guard into the backfield, gambled on hitting Burkhead before he could get started and disrupted the entire play, forcing the fumble. He was one of the few players from Penn State that I would have been willing to trade for.One last note on the Husker game. How awesome is Bret Maher? He averaged 45 yards per punt, and tilted the field in the fourth quarter when the defense needed every yard of territory. His 40-yard field goal was pretty awesome too.
In the Big Ten, Michigan State surprised me by playing well at Iowa. We need to become huge Northwestern fans because Indiana isn't going to beat Michigan State, and we need Sparty to drop one of their last two. Michigan surprised me by handling Illinois with little problem. Wolverhampton is in the same boat we are. They need to win out and hope for a Sparty loss to get to the Championship. Purdue surprised everybody outside of West Lafayette, by slapping Brutus in the mouth.
Over in the LeaderS division, Penn State is still in the driver's seat. Wisconsin is in the thick of it, and Ohio State is on life support. It''s awesome, if Brutus wants to go to Indianapolis, OSU needs to beat Penn State and Michigan, and then hope that Wisconsin loses to Illinois and beats Penn State.
Yayyyyy, Boise State got dropped by TCU on a missed field goal. The best part is that BSU in the National Championship game discussion is on permanent mute.
Stanford got drilled by Oregon. Sloppy play and Oregon's speed killed the smart kids. I picked Stanford to win, but Oregon proved themselves, and pretty much secured home field for the Pac-12 championship. The Pac-12 south is up for grabs between USC, UCLA, and Arizona State. I need to do research. If USC is ineligible for post-season play, does that include the Pac-12 Championship game? If so, does the second place team go instead? Must find out.
Right now, Oklahoma State is the irresistable force, and LSU is the immovable object. LSU has to survive a test with Arkansas and Okie Lite has a game with OU that can't be overlooked. I'm kind of hoping both teams go undefeated. I want the National Championship to be a game of two teams enter, one team leaves. No, Houston doesn't matter, see the Boise State rule.
Need to get ready for Wolverhampton.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Into Ia Drang
I'm going to have to play this one straight up. Not any of my usual fantasist trips into places I've never been, like Poe used to do. I considered doing a Lovecraftian piece wrought with eldritch horrors and unspeakable monsters from beyond time and space, but even Lovecrafts monsters pale in comparison to the real monster that was allowed to roam free.
There has been a lot of chatter this past week. Play or not to play, that is the question, sorry, Bill. I understand the argument that to cancel the game, and all the other games for Penn State punishes the players, who had nothing to do with the case, and weren't even students when the crimes were being committed (allegedly). Neither does it do anything to show compassion or support to the victims. What it does do for the victims is send the message that it is business as usual at Beaver Stadium.
I have seen a lot of articles and heard a lot of radioheads suggesting that the game be played as a means of moving forward, beyond the controversy. That the purity of a college football can somehow wash away the collective sins that have come to light (I'm paraphrasing and editorializing at the same time). College football and purity? That hasn't been accurate in the last 40 years, if ever. I was amused that these same guys extolling the virtues of the purity of the game are the same ones who, a week before, could have been heard condemning the corruption of the game, and how the student-athlete is really an athlete student. They would rail against low graduation rates, and recruiting violations and pay for play, so please, don't try to sway my opinion by pointing to the 'purity' of college football.
My chief concern is for the Nebraska fans heading out to 'Happy Valley'. Penn State is notorious for how they treat visiting fans. Assaults, objects thrown, fluids thrown, bodily fluids thrown, abusive insults and vandalism occur so regularly that there is a student group that tries to 'police' the crowd to remind them how fans should behave properly. That shouldn't be necessary.
The Chancellor of PSU has had to write letters of apology to Ohio State fans and the University after abusive treatment at a game last year. That shouldn't be necessary.
A Penn State fan thought it would be funny to dress in Michigan gear as a joke for a game at Beaver Stadium. For his little joke, he was assaulted, and had to spend the night in the hospital with a broken nose. Yep, Penn State fans are classy.
Those same classy Penn State fans are the ones who have reacted to the firing/resignation/arrest of the football operational hierarchy with the unbridled rage of a three-year-old in the midst of a grand mal tantrum. They are a pissed of bunch, they feel cheated, and they feel that they are being punished.
Because of that, and because at the best of times, Penn State fans can be unmitigated jackass, I worry that Huskerfan will be the target of some venting.
Any Penn State fan that feels that JoePa got a raw deal, should read this. http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/Sandusky-Grand-Jury-Presentment-1.pdf
All that being said, and with the game proceeding, I guess I should add my take as to how I think the game will unfold.
Nebraska will not get credit for this game, other than the 'W' in the the win-loss column. Even if they drop half-a-hunnert on the Lions, and win it 56-0, the media response will be 'What did you expect? There was no way for the Penn State players to focus with all the controversy.' If Penn State manages to make it close, which I think they will, it will be spun as an 'Amazing testament to the focus and dedication of these athletes, especially amid all the controversy.'
Penn State has a salty, stingy defense that does not give up many points. They will load up the box, and force Taylor to go to the air. I just hope Beck goes the unexpected route and uses the pass to set up the run. I also want to see more of the Young Ones and less of Burkhead. I love I-backasaurus Rex, but he needs a bit of a rest, and this last three-game stretch is the perfect time to let the Young Ones emerge as viable back-ups.
The Nebraska o-line will have its hands full with the Penn State front seven. Luckily for the Huskers, Penn State is a big, straight-ahead defense, like Michigan State. This is the kind of defense that Beck likes to run straight at,, and impose his will on. I'm hoping he's more creative today. I expect Penn State to be on an emotional high to start the game. The sooner the Huskers can bring that emotion crashing down to earth, the better. A big play to start the game, a long pass or some razzle-dazzle will crush Penn State's spirits and their emotions will trough.
I want Carl and company to dare Penn State to throw the ball. Man-to-man on the corners, bring a safety into the box. Essentially make it a 5-2 front, with strong safety playing run support. The Penn State quarterbacks are awful, and have needed help to eke out wins over less than stellar opponents. The one game they can point to that has me concerned is that they dropped Northwestern 34-24, and we all know how well Nebraska did against the Wildcats.
It is vitally important to stop the run, Penn State has an excellent runner in Silas Redd, and if he gets going, it will be a long day for the Blackshirts.
Special teams will be important. In a huge, hostile environment, Taylor will be asked to manage the game. There will be times where the Huskers concede a first down in order to tilt the field with a punt. Abdullah will be extremely important in gaining field position with good return following the many Penn State punts.
Bret Maher will be huge, not only with his punting, but I think it will be his leg that wins the game for Nebraska. This game could easily go one of two ways. Either it will be a tough, hard-fought battle with Maher winning it with a last second field goal. Or, the emotional drain of the last week has the Lions come out flat, get down early, and allows Nebraska to roll up a huge, muti-touchdown win.
My bold prediction, the former. Maher hits a clutch 35-yard field goal to pull out a 16-14 win.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
There has been a lot of chatter this past week. Play or not to play, that is the question, sorry, Bill. I understand the argument that to cancel the game, and all the other games for Penn State punishes the players, who had nothing to do with the case, and weren't even students when the crimes were being committed (allegedly). Neither does it do anything to show compassion or support to the victims. What it does do for the victims is send the message that it is business as usual at Beaver Stadium.
I have seen a lot of articles and heard a lot of radioheads suggesting that the game be played as a means of moving forward, beyond the controversy. That the purity of a college football can somehow wash away the collective sins that have come to light (I'm paraphrasing and editorializing at the same time). College football and purity? That hasn't been accurate in the last 40 years, if ever. I was amused that these same guys extolling the virtues of the purity of the game are the same ones who, a week before, could have been heard condemning the corruption of the game, and how the student-athlete is really an athlete student. They would rail against low graduation rates, and recruiting violations and pay for play, so please, don't try to sway my opinion by pointing to the 'purity' of college football.
My chief concern is for the Nebraska fans heading out to 'Happy Valley'. Penn State is notorious for how they treat visiting fans. Assaults, objects thrown, fluids thrown, bodily fluids thrown, abusive insults and vandalism occur so regularly that there is a student group that tries to 'police' the crowd to remind them how fans should behave properly. That shouldn't be necessary.
The Chancellor of PSU has had to write letters of apology to Ohio State fans and the University after abusive treatment at a game last year. That shouldn't be necessary.
A Penn State fan thought it would be funny to dress in Michigan gear as a joke for a game at Beaver Stadium. For his little joke, he was assaulted, and had to spend the night in the hospital with a broken nose. Yep, Penn State fans are classy.
Those same classy Penn State fans are the ones who have reacted to the firing/resignation/arrest of the football operational hierarchy with the unbridled rage of a three-year-old in the midst of a grand mal tantrum. They are a pissed of bunch, they feel cheated, and they feel that they are being punished.
Because of that, and because at the best of times, Penn State fans can be unmitigated jackass, I worry that Huskerfan will be the target of some venting.
Any Penn State fan that feels that JoePa got a raw deal, should read this. http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/Sandusky-Grand-Jury-Presentment-1.pdf
All that being said, and with the game proceeding, I guess I should add my take as to how I think the game will unfold.
Nebraska will not get credit for this game, other than the 'W' in the the win-loss column. Even if they drop half-a-hunnert on the Lions, and win it 56-0, the media response will be 'What did you expect? There was no way for the Penn State players to focus with all the controversy.' If Penn State manages to make it close, which I think they will, it will be spun as an 'Amazing testament to the focus and dedication of these athletes, especially amid all the controversy.'
Penn State has a salty, stingy defense that does not give up many points. They will load up the box, and force Taylor to go to the air. I just hope Beck goes the unexpected route and uses the pass to set up the run. I also want to see more of the Young Ones and less of Burkhead. I love I-backasaurus Rex, but he needs a bit of a rest, and this last three-game stretch is the perfect time to let the Young Ones emerge as viable back-ups.
The Nebraska o-line will have its hands full with the Penn State front seven. Luckily for the Huskers, Penn State is a big, straight-ahead defense, like Michigan State. This is the kind of defense that Beck likes to run straight at,, and impose his will on. I'm hoping he's more creative today. I expect Penn State to be on an emotional high to start the game. The sooner the Huskers can bring that emotion crashing down to earth, the better. A big play to start the game, a long pass or some razzle-dazzle will crush Penn State's spirits and their emotions will trough.
I want Carl and company to dare Penn State to throw the ball. Man-to-man on the corners, bring a safety into the box. Essentially make it a 5-2 front, with strong safety playing run support. The Penn State quarterbacks are awful, and have needed help to eke out wins over less than stellar opponents. The one game they can point to that has me concerned is that they dropped Northwestern 34-24, and we all know how well Nebraska did against the Wildcats.
It is vitally important to stop the run, Penn State has an excellent runner in Silas Redd, and if he gets going, it will be a long day for the Blackshirts.
Special teams will be important. In a huge, hostile environment, Taylor will be asked to manage the game. There will be times where the Huskers concede a first down in order to tilt the field with a punt. Abdullah will be extremely important in gaining field position with good return following the many Penn State punts.
Bret Maher will be huge, not only with his punting, but I think it will be his leg that wins the game for Nebraska. This game could easily go one of two ways. Either it will be a tough, hard-fought battle with Maher winning it with a last second field goal. Or, the emotional drain of the last week has the Lions come out flat, get down early, and allows Nebraska to roll up a huge, muti-touchdown win.
My bold prediction, the former. Maher hits a clutch 35-yard field goal to pull out a 16-14 win.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Friday, November 11, 2011
West Coast Throwdown and a little thing called PSU
The weekly conference call took on a somber tone, this week. Sure, there are football games coming up, but are they really that important in the grand scheme of things? The greater the distance from the epicenter at Happy Valley you are, the more normal your football worldview is. I wager that every college football fan in the country is averring quite openly that they are glad it didn't happen at their school.
That being said, I will follow my instincts and try to keep an even perspective, and try to maintain an air of normalcy during what has been a horrendously abnormal week.
I got through to Leroix, still basking in the glory of LSU's 9-6 old-school cage match win over Alabama. "What's on the agenda this week, Leroix?" I asked.
"Not a whole Helluva lot. Ah got Les Tigres playin' Western Kentucky. We'd stomp all of Kentucky, so just dealing with the Western Half should be even less of a concern. Ah'm thinkin' that'll be 49-10 for Les Tigres and one step closer to deh National Championship game. Deh Gumps at 'Bammy get to play at Mississippi State. Deh Gumps is maaaaad and ready to take out some o' dey frustrations on deh poor, wittle Bulldogs. Ah'm bettin' that Nick Saban goes for it on every fourth down inside the 40, if dey even have one. Why risk the embarrassment of a missed field goal? Gumps 45, Bullpups 13. Deh only semi-interesting game ah got all week is Arkansas wit' Tennessee. Dis is deh most intrestin' game and it ain't all dat intrestin'. The Piggies are deh third best team in deh division, which is also makes dem deh third best team in deh conference. Tennessee is waaaaaay down from deh good ole' days. Piggies 42, Voles 17."
"Do you have any take on the situation up in Penn State?" I asked, wondering if he even cared about it.
"Deh big thing dat gets me about all of dis, is dat ain't no-one steppin' up and keeping deh victims in dey minds. Everything is revolving around JoePa and deh administration and who did or didn't do what dey should. Ain't no-one pointing out dat dere are at least 8, and maybe as many as 20 young-uns, dat have been scarred for life by dis scumbag (alleged) Sandusky. Ah don' know if it's dis me-first society we all done made for ourselves or what, but deh lack of compassion and humanity for deh victims is depressing. So, as I watch my games dis week, I got to think about what we, as humans, can do to make it a little bit better. I ain't got a solution, raht now, but gimme some tahm, and Ah'l t'ink of sometin'."
I had to call Bubba, who was also pretty much in a holding pattern, with only one game on his slate. "Bubba, tell me what for."
"I tell you what, I know two things for sure. One, I know that Okie State will pound Texas Tech like a circus tent stake, I'm thinking in the neighborhood of 45-24, just to show OU how it's done. The other thing I know, is that the one thing missing from anyone involved in the Penn State situation is courage. Where was the courage to step up and confront a man observed attacking a little boy? Where were the guts it takes to rise up and defend the defenseless? In my humble, unconsidered opinion, is that McQuarry cat is the biggest coward of them all. I can understand if JoePa and the AD and Spanier and anybody else that heard the story second or third hand didn't comprehend the gravity of the situation. I can see why they didn't understand the horror. What I don't understand is how someone could witness it, have the physical tools necessary to stop it, and then do nothing. How hard would it be to confront a naked, old man in the shower? The way we run things down here, there would have been a moment where I stepped in, told the kid to get a towel, hand him my cell phone, tell him to call 9-1-1 and request a cop and an ambulence, because in the next 5 minutes, there's going to be a lot of 'falling down' in the shower. But that's just me."
I called up Marcus, out on the Left Coast, somewhere. "You actually have some games of interest this week."
"Dude, I have THE game this week. I've got the game where Stanford finally gets through on the Oregon Trail. The game is down on the Farm, Oregon is a little banged up, and Luck is ready to step up in front of a big-time audience. It will still be a shootout, but the Hoover School of Public Policy has put together a think-tank that they think have determined a way to avoid a second half melt-down like last year. This one will be a shoot-out, Smart Kids 48, Quackers 45, dude."
"That's great, what about your other big game?"
"Oh, dude, this is the only chance anyone has at stopping Boise State. If TCU can't do it, then there will be a lot of whining about how Boise State deserves their shot at the National Championship, even if Stanford wins out or Okie State wins out. Those Bunco cats think they are on the same level as the big boys, but they won't find out how tough it really is for a couple of years. They get to keep whining, this year. The Buncos will beat the Horny Toads 31-28, dude."
I was finally able to get some attention on the B1G. Lloyd had his picks ready to go.
"The Wildcats over Rice, 42-21," Lloyd said. "The Stinking Badgers maul the Golden Rodents in Minnesota 48-10. Michigan State, who plays like crap on the road, goes to Iowa, who plays awesome at home. Hackneys 28-14."
"This whole Penn State thing really pisses me off," Lloyd expounded. "Actually, it's the reaction of the Students and the fans that gets me going. They are all whining about JoePa getting a raw deal, and getting fired even though he didn't do anything illegal. Illegal? No. Immoral? Not completely. Irresponsible? Oh, hell yeah! Pick up the damn phone, Joe. The biggest mistake he made was by passing the buck. Don't tell me he didn't know what was going on. This guy was the most powerful man in Pennsylvania, governor included. To think that he was 'out of the loop' and had no idea of what was transpiring, simply flies in the face of reason. It almost sounds like he wouldn't have called if Sandusky was raping a kid on Joes desk while he sat there lecturing a player on the importance of attending class. Sorry, I'm better, now."
My last call came from Grandma Gunn, who probably has a bit of a soft spot for the old guy. "Let me know who you think is going to win, Granny," I said.
"Michigan is spiralling out of control, and I think Illinois will win it at home in a close one, 27-24. THE Ohio State lances a few Boilmakers even though it's in Indiana, maybe 31-17. I can't stand by my old boyfriend. He's not as big of a monster as that Sandusky, but he's kind of like Renfield in Dracula, the human servant that allows the monster to feed. I just hope that when Sandusky is imprisoned, the guard yells 'short eyes!' as he makes his way through cell-block A. Either that, or I'd like to see the moms of the victims be given fifteen minutes alone with him and a supply of nail enhanced baseball bats. How's that, deary?"
"Not bad, Granny. Any other bold predictions?"
"JoePa will top himself within three months. His entire life, his entire being, and his entire reason for existing have all vanished in a puff of smoke. Compound that with the fact that he will never really be known as the winningest coach in football history, but known as the coach who did nothing to stop the sexual predation of little boys when he had every opportunity to do so will make a self-inflicted exit almost certain."
"Ok, Grandma, hope your day is a pleasant one."
Husk-husk and on the qb
That being said, I will follow my instincts and try to keep an even perspective, and try to maintain an air of normalcy during what has been a horrendously abnormal week.
I got through to Leroix, still basking in the glory of LSU's 9-6 old-school cage match win over Alabama. "What's on the agenda this week, Leroix?" I asked.
"Not a whole Helluva lot. Ah got Les Tigres playin' Western Kentucky. We'd stomp all of Kentucky, so just dealing with the Western Half should be even less of a concern. Ah'm thinkin' that'll be 49-10 for Les Tigres and one step closer to deh National Championship game. Deh Gumps at 'Bammy get to play at Mississippi State. Deh Gumps is maaaaad and ready to take out some o' dey frustrations on deh poor, wittle Bulldogs. Ah'm bettin' that Nick Saban goes for it on every fourth down inside the 40, if dey even have one. Why risk the embarrassment of a missed field goal? Gumps 45, Bullpups 13. Deh only semi-interesting game ah got all week is Arkansas wit' Tennessee. Dis is deh most intrestin' game and it ain't all dat intrestin'. The Piggies are deh third best team in deh division, which is also makes dem deh third best team in deh conference. Tennessee is waaaaaay down from deh good ole' days. Piggies 42, Voles 17."
"Do you have any take on the situation up in Penn State?" I asked, wondering if he even cared about it.
"Deh big thing dat gets me about all of dis, is dat ain't no-one steppin' up and keeping deh victims in dey minds. Everything is revolving around JoePa and deh administration and who did or didn't do what dey should. Ain't no-one pointing out dat dere are at least 8, and maybe as many as 20 young-uns, dat have been scarred for life by dis scumbag (alleged) Sandusky. Ah don' know if it's dis me-first society we all done made for ourselves or what, but deh lack of compassion and humanity for deh victims is depressing. So, as I watch my games dis week, I got to think about what we, as humans, can do to make it a little bit better. I ain't got a solution, raht now, but gimme some tahm, and Ah'l t'ink of sometin'."
I had to call Bubba, who was also pretty much in a holding pattern, with only one game on his slate. "Bubba, tell me what for."
"I tell you what, I know two things for sure. One, I know that Okie State will pound Texas Tech like a circus tent stake, I'm thinking in the neighborhood of 45-24, just to show OU how it's done. The other thing I know, is that the one thing missing from anyone involved in the Penn State situation is courage. Where was the courage to step up and confront a man observed attacking a little boy? Where were the guts it takes to rise up and defend the defenseless? In my humble, unconsidered opinion, is that McQuarry cat is the biggest coward of them all. I can understand if JoePa and the AD and Spanier and anybody else that heard the story second or third hand didn't comprehend the gravity of the situation. I can see why they didn't understand the horror. What I don't understand is how someone could witness it, have the physical tools necessary to stop it, and then do nothing. How hard would it be to confront a naked, old man in the shower? The way we run things down here, there would have been a moment where I stepped in, told the kid to get a towel, hand him my cell phone, tell him to call 9-1-1 and request a cop and an ambulence, because in the next 5 minutes, there's going to be a lot of 'falling down' in the shower. But that's just me."
I called up Marcus, out on the Left Coast, somewhere. "You actually have some games of interest this week."
"Dude, I have THE game this week. I've got the game where Stanford finally gets through on the Oregon Trail. The game is down on the Farm, Oregon is a little banged up, and Luck is ready to step up in front of a big-time audience. It will still be a shootout, but the Hoover School of Public Policy has put together a think-tank that they think have determined a way to avoid a second half melt-down like last year. This one will be a shoot-out, Smart Kids 48, Quackers 45, dude."
"That's great, what about your other big game?"
"Oh, dude, this is the only chance anyone has at stopping Boise State. If TCU can't do it, then there will be a lot of whining about how Boise State deserves their shot at the National Championship, even if Stanford wins out or Okie State wins out. Those Bunco cats think they are on the same level as the big boys, but they won't find out how tough it really is for a couple of years. They get to keep whining, this year. The Buncos will beat the Horny Toads 31-28, dude."
I was finally able to get some attention on the B1G. Lloyd had his picks ready to go.
"The Wildcats over Rice, 42-21," Lloyd said. "The Stinking Badgers maul the Golden Rodents in Minnesota 48-10. Michigan State, who plays like crap on the road, goes to Iowa, who plays awesome at home. Hackneys 28-14."
"This whole Penn State thing really pisses me off," Lloyd expounded. "Actually, it's the reaction of the Students and the fans that gets me going. They are all whining about JoePa getting a raw deal, and getting fired even though he didn't do anything illegal. Illegal? No. Immoral? Not completely. Irresponsible? Oh, hell yeah! Pick up the damn phone, Joe. The biggest mistake he made was by passing the buck. Don't tell me he didn't know what was going on. This guy was the most powerful man in Pennsylvania, governor included. To think that he was 'out of the loop' and had no idea of what was transpiring, simply flies in the face of reason. It almost sounds like he wouldn't have called if Sandusky was raping a kid on Joes desk while he sat there lecturing a player on the importance of attending class. Sorry, I'm better, now."
My last call came from Grandma Gunn, who probably has a bit of a soft spot for the old guy. "Let me know who you think is going to win, Granny," I said.
"Michigan is spiralling out of control, and I think Illinois will win it at home in a close one, 27-24. THE Ohio State lances a few Boilmakers even though it's in Indiana, maybe 31-17. I can't stand by my old boyfriend. He's not as big of a monster as that Sandusky, but he's kind of like Renfield in Dracula, the human servant that allows the monster to feed. I just hope that when Sandusky is imprisoned, the guard yells 'short eyes!' as he makes his way through cell-block A. Either that, or I'd like to see the moms of the victims be given fifteen minutes alone with him and a supply of nail enhanced baseball bats. How's that, deary?"
"Not bad, Granny. Any other bold predictions?"
"JoePa will top himself within three months. His entire life, his entire being, and his entire reason for existing have all vanished in a puff of smoke. Compound that with the fact that he will never really be known as the winningest coach in football history, but known as the coach who did nothing to stop the sexual predation of little boys when he had every opportunity to do so will make a self-inflicted exit almost certain."
"Ok, Grandma, hope your day is a pleasant one."
Husk-husk and on the qb
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Elite Eight
I was crashed out in the office, listening to Muddy Waters and contemplating just how far I would end up having to help Lt. Moore. Muddy sang about 'Iodine in My Coffee'. While Mr. Waters' song was about a woman who had done him wrong, the taste in my mouth following the Northwestern game fit Muddy's description quite well.
Effie let Cassandra in. She didn't even knock, it's not like she ever does. "He's been like this all day," Effie said, sounding like an indulgent school nurse who knew that my tummy-ache had more to do with failing a test than anything biological.
Cassandra came over and stood over me. Her hands were on her hips and she didn't look too happy. "Come on, Sparky. We need to get you up and about, time's a wastin'," she cajoled with all the enthusiasm of a jaded cheerleader who has seen the quarterback roughed up once too often.
"Deep down, I know I've got to get it in gear," I said. "I know that the B1G championship is still attainable, but this loss really kicked me in the teeth. I mean, we got beat...by the smart kids...in football."
"Watch that 'Smart Kids' crap. As a Stanford grad I take personal exception to that remark," she harumphed as she brought the coffee maker to life."
"Duly noted," I said as I sat up. "Hit me with your latest. There had to be an adjustment after this weekend."
"Oh, yes, indeed there was," she said as the coffee maker chuckled away, throatily. "I have Oklahoma at eighth. They are among the best one-loss teams but are seriously dinged up. If Huskerfan can take anything away from the Northwestern loss, its that it can happen to the best of them. OU crapped themselves, at home to Texas Tech, and has bounced back to dominate. Just keep that in mind."
"Fine, fine," I said. "It's not the end of the world, but it still bites."
"Mmm-hmm. Arkansas is seventh, and plays Tennessee, not much of a threat, but it is the SEC and the piggies handled South Carolina pretty well, last week."
"Who do you have at number six?"
"Oregon," she said, a cloud descending over her features. "The quackers have to go down to Palo Alto and play my boyfriend and the other 'Smart Kids' at Stanford."
I offered my hand up in surrender.
"I want to be objective about this, but it's tough, with Stanford being my number four team, undefeated, my boyfriend looking like his old self and with the game at home. What it comes down to is the Future Captains of politics and industry taking on the Future Cell-mates of D-Block."
"Yep, you're staying objective, all right. Who's number five?"
"Alabama," she said as she filled up my Husker coffee mug with some fresh Sumatra. "They are a decent kicker away from being a dominant team, just as long as they don't have to play LSU, again. They also have a game against Mississippi State in which to unleash the beast."
"Hit me with number three." The coffee went down good, and warmed me up from the inside out.
"Oklahoma State. They have the offense to out-score anybody, but their defense is still suspect. They've got Texas Tech and could be in a prime position to play for the National Championship if they win out. Only Oklahoma really stands in the way."
I nodded at this, and knew what was coming, next. "You've got LSU at number two, still?"
"Yes. They will be in the Championship game as long as they don't slip up. They have Western Kentucky, this week, so I don't think that will be an issue. Maybe in a couple of weeks, when they play Arkansas."
"You still have Boise State at number one?" I shook my head.
"Indeed I do, and this week is where they cross the last test off their list. TCU rolls into town, and all evidence points to a rout by the Buncos. Last year would have been fun, but they are on different levels. BSU should go undefeated and get a shot at LSU. TCU needs a win at Boise in order to claim a good season."
"There we have it," I said. "Hand me my coat, I need to go do some work. At least before Lt. Moore and Sergeants Hands and Stache come a'knockin."
"That's more like it," Cassandra said, a big smile lighting up her face.
From the main office, I heard Effie say, "Hey, you can't go in there!"
The door to my office whipped open. Lt. Moore stood silhouetted in the doorway.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Effie let Cassandra in. She didn't even knock, it's not like she ever does. "He's been like this all day," Effie said, sounding like an indulgent school nurse who knew that my tummy-ache had more to do with failing a test than anything biological.
Cassandra came over and stood over me. Her hands were on her hips and she didn't look too happy. "Come on, Sparky. We need to get you up and about, time's a wastin'," she cajoled with all the enthusiasm of a jaded cheerleader who has seen the quarterback roughed up once too often.
"Deep down, I know I've got to get it in gear," I said. "I know that the B1G championship is still attainable, but this loss really kicked me in the teeth. I mean, we got beat...by the smart kids...in football."
"Watch that 'Smart Kids' crap. As a Stanford grad I take personal exception to that remark," she harumphed as she brought the coffee maker to life."
"Duly noted," I said as I sat up. "Hit me with your latest. There had to be an adjustment after this weekend."
"Oh, yes, indeed there was," she said as the coffee maker chuckled away, throatily. "I have Oklahoma at eighth. They are among the best one-loss teams but are seriously dinged up. If Huskerfan can take anything away from the Northwestern loss, its that it can happen to the best of them. OU crapped themselves, at home to Texas Tech, and has bounced back to dominate. Just keep that in mind."
"Fine, fine," I said. "It's not the end of the world, but it still bites."
"Mmm-hmm. Arkansas is seventh, and plays Tennessee, not much of a threat, but it is the SEC and the piggies handled South Carolina pretty well, last week."
"Who do you have at number six?"
"Oregon," she said, a cloud descending over her features. "The quackers have to go down to Palo Alto and play my boyfriend and the other 'Smart Kids' at Stanford."
I offered my hand up in surrender.
"I want to be objective about this, but it's tough, with Stanford being my number four team, undefeated, my boyfriend looking like his old self and with the game at home. What it comes down to is the Future Captains of politics and industry taking on the Future Cell-mates of D-Block."
"Yep, you're staying objective, all right. Who's number five?"
"Alabama," she said as she filled up my Husker coffee mug with some fresh Sumatra. "They are a decent kicker away from being a dominant team, just as long as they don't have to play LSU, again. They also have a game against Mississippi State in which to unleash the beast."
"Hit me with number three." The coffee went down good, and warmed me up from the inside out.
"Oklahoma State. They have the offense to out-score anybody, but their defense is still suspect. They've got Texas Tech and could be in a prime position to play for the National Championship if they win out. Only Oklahoma really stands in the way."
I nodded at this, and knew what was coming, next. "You've got LSU at number two, still?"
"Yes. They will be in the Championship game as long as they don't slip up. They have Western Kentucky, this week, so I don't think that will be an issue. Maybe in a couple of weeks, when they play Arkansas."
"You still have Boise State at number one?" I shook my head.
"Indeed I do, and this week is where they cross the last test off their list. TCU rolls into town, and all evidence points to a rout by the Buncos. Last year would have been fun, but they are on different levels. BSU should go undefeated and get a shot at LSU. TCU needs a win at Boise in order to claim a good season."
"There we have it," I said. "Hand me my coat, I need to go do some work. At least before Lt. Moore and Sergeants Hands and Stache come a'knockin."
"That's more like it," Cassandra said, a big smile lighting up her face.
From the main office, I heard Effie say, "Hey, you can't go in there!"
The door to my office whipped open. Lt. Moore stood silhouetted in the doorway.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Northwestern Post-Game
Three years in a row, now, the Huskers have dropped a game, at home, that they had no reason to. In 2009, it was Iowa State, 7 turnovers and a 9-7 loss to an awful team, with their best two players hurt. Last year, it was Texas, who finished 5-7 as the Huskers had a virulent case of the dropsies. This year, it was Northwestern, their second and third string quarterbacks playing the Blackshirts like a virtuoso. It's almost like I wish Dan Persa hadn't gotten hurt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piVnArp9ZE0
No-one had better lay this on Martinez. He had an excellent game, 28-of-37 (.756 comp. pct.), 289 yards, 2 TD's (should have been three), and NO interceptions. Trying to recall all the incompletions: 2 Kenny Bell drops, one Brandon Kinnie drop, one Ben Cotten drop; the intentional grounding call (good call by the ref's), the interference call on the final TD drive, the go-route to Bell where he got tangled up with the db, and one PBU that should have been interference on Northwestern had the refs applied the same standard as the call against the Huskers in the first quarter; and one pass where Taylor got hit as he threw it on the final drive. Not a bad day's work, all in all.
For the first time since the Wisconsin game, I've been scratching my head about the play calls by Tim Beck. He ran a lot of read-option plays. The same kind of read-option plays Northwestern sees in practice every day. Northwestern showed up with a great game plan. Take Burkhead out and make Taylor throw. Taylor did throw, and threw well. Beck relied too much on the run, which played right into Northwestern's strategy. If anything, I think Beck stuck with the run too long. I almost got the sense that he felt that the Huskers would wear down Northwestern, and by the time he realized that wasn't going to happen, it was too late.
When Nebraska hasn't performed well, there has been plenty of room under the bus for Taylor, Beck and even Bo. I've heard a lot of 'take the black shirts away', 'make them wear pink shirts', etc., etc. I'm pretty mystified, too, as to how a great performance against Michigan State was followed up by such a bad performance against Northwestern. Some of it was injury, there were guys in at defensive tackle that hadn't seen any game time until Northwestern. There were obvious communication problems all day, guys were hurrying onto the field as Northwestern switched out their personnel packages. the linebackers were looking at each other...a lot, and didn't seem to know what their responsibilities were. The same went for the DB's at times. Northwestern receivers were getting between defenders, and between responsibilities. Add in the fact that the Northwestern QB's all were making their throws, and the Blackshirts wore out by the end of the game. It is rare, but I saw it yesterday, the other team out-muscled the Huskers in the fourth quarter.
On the back breaking play, the 81-yard touchdown pass, Ciante Evans got beat on an inside move and Cassidy played the wrong receiver, coming up to cover the receiver running the fly route. He was out of position to help Ciante. The Northwestern quarterback hit the receiver in full stride and he never lost any energy having to change direction. Perfect execution by Northwestern.
I have nothing but admiration for Northwestern. They came in with a great game plan, handled all sorts of adversity, and adjusted on the fly way better than Nebraska did. Just Nebraska's luck that the Northwestern defense gelled for a whole game at the worst time for Nebraska, but at just the right time for them.
Getting ready for Penn State, which may have been where the team's head has been, all week, anyway. No way to be sure, but it's the feeling I got. That, and a bit of over-confidence. There are no off weeks in the Big Ten. Iowa, who lost to Minnesota, beat Michigan. Minnesota took Sparty to the fourth quarter. Indiana took Ohio State into the fourth quarter as well. That being said, even if Nebraska sweeps their last three opponents, they now need help to get to the Championship game. If Nebraska wins out, and doesn't get help, the likeliest scenario is Sparty playing Penn State in Indianapolis. That would really stick in Huskerfan's throat, to see the Big Ten decided by two teams that the Huskers beat. That's why it's so important to take care of business.
National picture time. LSU beat Bama. Yay. There is still plenty of football left, but I think we have one opponent for the National Championship game set. Good thing for Les Tigres that Bama's kicker was terrible. The three remaining "BIG" games that will shape the picture for the other half of the National Championship. TCU at Bosie State: BSU should win, finish the season undefeated, but will probably get left out in the cold. Oregon at Stanford: De Facto Pac-12 Championship game. Leaning toward Stanford, right now. If they finish the season undefeated, they will have a strong case for going to the big show. If Oregon wins out, they will still be behind the 8-ball, since they already lost to LSU. Oklahoma at Oklahoma State: Despite OU throwing up on themselves against Texas Tech (much like Nebraska did, against Northwestern), I was leaning toward the Sooners winning the Bedlam game, knocking the Pokes out of contention. Then Ryan Broyles got hurt. The Sooners are an excellent offense with a good overall defense that is vulnerable to the pass. Now they are down their best running back and best receiver, and have to play a team that throws the ball all over the field and more often than has ever been seen.
If I were to make a snap pick, right now, I would say that the National Championship will be LSU and Oklahoma State. Oddly enough, Boise State and Stanford could both finish the season undefeated and not even get a shot at the title.
Oh well, bring on Penn State, but leave your teenage boys at home if you know what's good for you. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/sports/ncaafootball/former-coach-at-penn-state-is-charged-with-abuse.html?_r=1
Husk-husk and on the qb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piVnArp9ZE0
No-one had better lay this on Martinez. He had an excellent game, 28-of-37 (.756 comp. pct.), 289 yards, 2 TD's (should have been three), and NO interceptions. Trying to recall all the incompletions: 2 Kenny Bell drops, one Brandon Kinnie drop, one Ben Cotten drop; the intentional grounding call (good call by the ref's), the interference call on the final TD drive, the go-route to Bell where he got tangled up with the db, and one PBU that should have been interference on Northwestern had the refs applied the same standard as the call against the Huskers in the first quarter; and one pass where Taylor got hit as he threw it on the final drive. Not a bad day's work, all in all.
Taylor scores a two point conversion
(photo courtesy Kim Adams Johnson)
I don't really think one can blame the turnovers, even though both of them happened inside the Northwestern 20, including Rex's fumble at the one. The Huskers won the turnover battle with two interceptions and a fumble compared to two fumbles.
Rex fumbles at the one (we still love you, Rex)
(photo courtesy of Kim Adams Johnson)
There were some penalty issues, but none were really game-changing except for the interference call in the first quarter. From where I sat, it looked like the defender made a play on the ball, and actually touched the ball before he touched the receiver. That changed a defensive stop, that would have forced a field goal attempt, into a first and goal from the three that resulted in a touchdown.For the first time since the Wisconsin game, I've been scratching my head about the play calls by Tim Beck. He ran a lot of read-option plays. The same kind of read-option plays Northwestern sees in practice every day. Northwestern showed up with a great game plan. Take Burkhead out and make Taylor throw. Taylor did throw, and threw well. Beck relied too much on the run, which played right into Northwestern's strategy. If anything, I think Beck stuck with the run too long. I almost got the sense that he felt that the Huskers would wear down Northwestern, and by the time he realized that wasn't going to happen, it was too late.
When Nebraska hasn't performed well, there has been plenty of room under the bus for Taylor, Beck and even Bo. I've heard a lot of 'take the black shirts away', 'make them wear pink shirts', etc., etc. I'm pretty mystified, too, as to how a great performance against Michigan State was followed up by such a bad performance against Northwestern. Some of it was injury, there were guys in at defensive tackle that hadn't seen any game time until Northwestern. There were obvious communication problems all day, guys were hurrying onto the field as Northwestern switched out their personnel packages. the linebackers were looking at each other...a lot, and didn't seem to know what their responsibilities were. The same went for the DB's at times. Northwestern receivers were getting between defenders, and between responsibilities. Add in the fact that the Northwestern QB's all were making their throws, and the Blackshirts wore out by the end of the game. It is rare, but I saw it yesterday, the other team out-muscled the Huskers in the fourth quarter.
One of those 747-sized holes (as one friend put it)
(photo courtesy of Kim Adams Johnson)
Which brings me back to Carl. If Husker Nation expects Tim Beck to own up for calling a bad game, then it is only fair that it does the same when Carl does it. He looked like a freakin' genius, last week, against Sparty. This week, his play calls looked lost. He called the same defense on first down, most of the game. That's fine, if it's working. It wasn't. Northwestern consistently picked up positive yards on first down, leaving them with 2nd and manageable most of the day. They played like champs in the second quarter, forcing three straight 3-and-outs. On the possessions following those 3-and-outs, the Huskers lost two fumbles and got stopped on fourth down. It went downhill from there.On the back breaking play, the 81-yard touchdown pass, Ciante Evans got beat on an inside move and Cassidy played the wrong receiver, coming up to cover the receiver running the fly route. He was out of position to help Ciante. The Northwestern quarterback hit the receiver in full stride and he never lost any energy having to change direction. Perfect execution by Northwestern.
I have nothing but admiration for Northwestern. They came in with a great game plan, handled all sorts of adversity, and adjusted on the fly way better than Nebraska did. Just Nebraska's luck that the Northwestern defense gelled for a whole game at the worst time for Nebraska, but at just the right time for them.
Getting ready for Penn State, which may have been where the team's head has been, all week, anyway. No way to be sure, but it's the feeling I got. That, and a bit of over-confidence. There are no off weeks in the Big Ten. Iowa, who lost to Minnesota, beat Michigan. Minnesota took Sparty to the fourth quarter. Indiana took Ohio State into the fourth quarter as well. That being said, even if Nebraska sweeps their last three opponents, they now need help to get to the Championship game. If Nebraska wins out, and doesn't get help, the likeliest scenario is Sparty playing Penn State in Indianapolis. That would really stick in Huskerfan's throat, to see the Big Ten decided by two teams that the Huskers beat. That's why it's so important to take care of business.
National picture time. LSU beat Bama. Yay. There is still plenty of football left, but I think we have one opponent for the National Championship game set. Good thing for Les Tigres that Bama's kicker was terrible. The three remaining "BIG" games that will shape the picture for the other half of the National Championship. TCU at Bosie State: BSU should win, finish the season undefeated, but will probably get left out in the cold. Oregon at Stanford: De Facto Pac-12 Championship game. Leaning toward Stanford, right now. If they finish the season undefeated, they will have a strong case for going to the big show. If Oregon wins out, they will still be behind the 8-ball, since they already lost to LSU. Oklahoma at Oklahoma State: Despite OU throwing up on themselves against Texas Tech (much like Nebraska did, against Northwestern), I was leaning toward the Sooners winning the Bedlam game, knocking the Pokes out of contention. Then Ryan Broyles got hurt. The Sooners are an excellent offense with a good overall defense that is vulnerable to the pass. Now they are down their best running back and best receiver, and have to play a team that throws the ball all over the field and more often than has ever been seen.
If I were to make a snap pick, right now, I would say that the National Championship will be LSU and Oklahoma State. Oddly enough, Boise State and Stanford could both finish the season undefeated and not even get a shot at the title.
Oh well, bring on Penn State, but leave your teenage boys at home if you know what's good for you. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/sports/ncaafootball/former-coach-at-penn-state-is-charged-with-abuse.html?_r=1
Husk-husk and on the qb
Saturday, November 5, 2011
It's Good That we Still get to Play Purple Pussies
I got a call from Precherman, which is weird in itself. That he wanted my help was even weirder. He set up a meeting for a crappy little apartment building at the corner of 27th and X, his home turf, this had to be bad news.
I gathered up Lloyd, who didn't really want to go, "It's all icky, there," he whined. He whined, but got into the car.
"I don't like it either," I admitted reluctantly. "Preach called me, it must be something important. He usually handles his own issues internally. If he's calling us, it's because he doesn't want to raise his profile."
"Either that, or it's something that involves crossing a line that he's not prepared to cross."
Lloyd is good. He's probably right, which made me a little more nervous than I had been as we reached the meeting site.
My hinky-detector started to throb as we got to the apartment. Top floor, farthest from the stairs. Dead-man's corner. I knocked. Preach opened the door. His eyes shifted quickly to the right, but it was too late. An enormous pair of hands grabbed my coat and hauled me into the apartment. The arms those hands were attached to, flung me across the room. The dry-wall smelled damp and old. I know because my nose nearly became integrated with it at a significant velocity.
One of those enormous hands pressed into my back, pinning me to the wall. The other enormous hand reached into places all over me, and into some places I'm reluctant to touch, myself. "He's clean," a voice just behind my ear stated ever so matter-of-factly. Good thing I left my Nerf blaster at home.
Lloyd and Preacherman were sitting side-by-side on a cheap ratty-assed couch that looked like it had been upholstered in the late 70's during a bad microdot trip. Looming over them was a guy in a cheap three-piece suit, bad hair, and porn-star mustache. He held a gun on Lloyd and Preach. He looked like he knew what he was doing. That was actually reassuring.
Mr. Big Hands had his gun pressed up to my ribs. He didn't vibe nervous, either. Good.
The door slowly closed. The closer had an authoritarian air about him, which made it almost funny to watch him look around outside, as if trying to determine how the weather looked as he sealed us in. He actually looked pretty decent in his suit, which just meant that it fit well enough to conceal his shoulder rig. His shoes were good, and well-kept, which meant he didn't run in them, and his coat was an obligatory trench affair, open, but with the belts tucked away. He liked to appear bigger than he was. All of which was fine, since I knew who he was.
"Detective Lieutenant Moore," I said. "So nice to see you, again. It's been what, five years or so?"
"Cut the chatter," he growled. "You know what this is about."
"You want to chat? Put the guns away," I said. "We're not packing and there's no threat from any of us."
He gestured to his two goons, who seemed disappointed as they holstered their weapons.
"I repeat, you know what this is about."
Interesting. Statement, not question, this could get really hot, since he was already assuming things that I didn't have a clue about. "Unless you're here to grill me an how the Huskers' only real problem on offense is to see that the Young Guns get an equal number of carries in order to give I-Backasaurus Rex a break, I have no idea."
"Trying to play it cute, huh?"
"Not at all. That would be like Northwestern trying to play anything that even resembled a defense. The let Penn State score 34 on them. Penn State! The Knitting Lions celebrate getting into the endzone as often as Republicans hold office in Chicago, and they scored at will on Northwestern. Rex, Taylor, Kenny and company should have no problem dropping 50+ on the Purple Pussies."
Lt. Moore slammed his hand down on the table, "Shut it!" he shouted. "You need to tell me why you did this," he said as he tossed me a small bundle.
I caught the bundle and unwrapped it. It was a photograph, or rather a series of photographs printed on one sheet. The showed a very interesting tableaux of Lt. Moore and a pretty well-known "Lady of Negotiable Affections" engaged in a sequence that when viewed in a certain angle, at a certain light, would place Moore in a very bad way. The sheet had been wrapped around a Barbie doll that someone had taken extreme pains to dress exactly like the woman in the picture. I had no idea they made tube-tops that small. "Look, Moore, I already know you're on the take." he bristled. "The thing is, I don't care. It works to my advantage, sometimes. I've got no reason to pressure you."
"Speaking of pressure," Preach chimed in. "The defense is gonna have a good old time with Dan Persa and Northwestern. He is a good, accurate passer, and they run a spread offense. This will be like the good-old days for the Blackshirts. They've been shutting down this stuff for three years, and are now playing with more confidence than they have all year. Throw in the fact that Persa is a bit gimpy and you can pretty much take the runningback on any zone-read plays. Where Persa is really dangerous is when he keeps a play alive with his feet, and then finds a receiver who has improvised on his route. I don't think he'll get that sort of time, today."
"I don't know, man, he rambles sometimes, but in this case, he makes sense." I tossed the bundle back to Moore. "This isn't my style, anyway. The last thing I need is a bunch of cops making life difficult for me. They tend to rally for each other, which is good. I even think they would rally around you, even though you're Internal Affairs. A dirty cop in IA is just too delicious an irony for me to ruin it with a silly, stupid, poorly thought-out blackmail play."
"I could run you in and play some 48 hours of grilling to 'check your story'," he said as he held out his hands to make the air quotes sign.
Lloyd found his voice. "You could do that, and we would endure the 48 hour no charges exercise. Then I, for one, would go to the press. Get the word out on Lieutenant Moore and his 'Rotten to the Core' squad." Lloyd played air quotes, too. "How soon until not one or two, but dozens of the shakedowns start coming forward, hmm?"
Moore looked flustered. None of his usual threats and intimidation were working. You could see the wheels in his head turning as his support staff looked to him to make the call.
"One more thing, Moore," Lloyd added. "The only thing that has me concerned, right now, is that this might be a trap game for Nebraska. Just after a huge win, and just before a big game against an opponent that has this week off. The team might be looking ahead, and not paying attention to the here and now. By all accounts, Nebraska should roll, but even the best of us can fall into a trap."
Lloyd was right, and stared right at me as he spoke. He does have a way of making you feel like crap. Especially when he's right about who made the mistake.
Moore got up. "Right. This wasn't you?" he asked shaking the bundle at me.
"Nope."
"Then you need to find out who did it, who's out to destroy me."
I knew I had to make my decision on the spot. I don't like the guy. I don't even respect him. Throw in the counter-argument that I was bored, and I was resting on quite the dilemma. "I'll tell you what, Moore. I think Nebraska is going to beat the Purple Pussies by the score of 56 to 14. More than enough to cover the spread, which is 17 1/2. If the Huskers cover, I'll find out who did this, on the clock, expenses included. If they fail to cover. I'll do it for free. If they lose, you're on your own, because I'll be too depressed to do anything productive."
Moore looked us over, nodded and pointed at the door. Mustache and Big Hands headed for the exit. Moore came right up to my face, "You think you know where my boundaries are, but trust me, you don't," he whispered in a voice that was almost intimate. With that he spun on his heel and headed for the door.
I looked over at Lloyd. "You know what we have to do now, don't you?"
"Indeed. We need to watch some football. Then I need to make sure the micro-transceiver in my tie-tack picked up the whole conversation. I'm using the Darth Vader flash drive, too."
"Anyone up for some tailgating?", I asked the room. Lloyd and Preach nodded.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
I gathered up Lloyd, who didn't really want to go, "It's all icky, there," he whined. He whined, but got into the car.
"I don't like it either," I admitted reluctantly. "Preach called me, it must be something important. He usually handles his own issues internally. If he's calling us, it's because he doesn't want to raise his profile."
"Either that, or it's something that involves crossing a line that he's not prepared to cross."
Lloyd is good. He's probably right, which made me a little more nervous than I had been as we reached the meeting site.
My hinky-detector started to throb as we got to the apartment. Top floor, farthest from the stairs. Dead-man's corner. I knocked. Preach opened the door. His eyes shifted quickly to the right, but it was too late. An enormous pair of hands grabbed my coat and hauled me into the apartment. The arms those hands were attached to, flung me across the room. The dry-wall smelled damp and old. I know because my nose nearly became integrated with it at a significant velocity.
One of those enormous hands pressed into my back, pinning me to the wall. The other enormous hand reached into places all over me, and into some places I'm reluctant to touch, myself. "He's clean," a voice just behind my ear stated ever so matter-of-factly. Good thing I left my Nerf blaster at home.
Lloyd and Preacherman were sitting side-by-side on a cheap ratty-assed couch that looked like it had been upholstered in the late 70's during a bad microdot trip. Looming over them was a guy in a cheap three-piece suit, bad hair, and porn-star mustache. He held a gun on Lloyd and Preach. He looked like he knew what he was doing. That was actually reassuring.
Mr. Big Hands had his gun pressed up to my ribs. He didn't vibe nervous, either. Good.
The door slowly closed. The closer had an authoritarian air about him, which made it almost funny to watch him look around outside, as if trying to determine how the weather looked as he sealed us in. He actually looked pretty decent in his suit, which just meant that it fit well enough to conceal his shoulder rig. His shoes were good, and well-kept, which meant he didn't run in them, and his coat was an obligatory trench affair, open, but with the belts tucked away. He liked to appear bigger than he was. All of which was fine, since I knew who he was.
"Detective Lieutenant Moore," I said. "So nice to see you, again. It's been what, five years or so?"
"Cut the chatter," he growled. "You know what this is about."
"You want to chat? Put the guns away," I said. "We're not packing and there's no threat from any of us."
He gestured to his two goons, who seemed disappointed as they holstered their weapons.
"I repeat, you know what this is about."
Interesting. Statement, not question, this could get really hot, since he was already assuming things that I didn't have a clue about. "Unless you're here to grill me an how the Huskers' only real problem on offense is to see that the Young Guns get an equal number of carries in order to give I-Backasaurus Rex a break, I have no idea."
"Trying to play it cute, huh?"
"Not at all. That would be like Northwestern trying to play anything that even resembled a defense. The let Penn State score 34 on them. Penn State! The Knitting Lions celebrate getting into the endzone as often as Republicans hold office in Chicago, and they scored at will on Northwestern. Rex, Taylor, Kenny and company should have no problem dropping 50+ on the Purple Pussies."
Lt. Moore slammed his hand down on the table, "Shut it!" he shouted. "You need to tell me why you did this," he said as he tossed me a small bundle.
I caught the bundle and unwrapped it. It was a photograph, or rather a series of photographs printed on one sheet. The showed a very interesting tableaux of Lt. Moore and a pretty well-known "Lady of Negotiable Affections" engaged in a sequence that when viewed in a certain angle, at a certain light, would place Moore in a very bad way. The sheet had been wrapped around a Barbie doll that someone had taken extreme pains to dress exactly like the woman in the picture. I had no idea they made tube-tops that small. "Look, Moore, I already know you're on the take." he bristled. "The thing is, I don't care. It works to my advantage, sometimes. I've got no reason to pressure you."
"Speaking of pressure," Preach chimed in. "The defense is gonna have a good old time with Dan Persa and Northwestern. He is a good, accurate passer, and they run a spread offense. This will be like the good-old days for the Blackshirts. They've been shutting down this stuff for three years, and are now playing with more confidence than they have all year. Throw in the fact that Persa is a bit gimpy and you can pretty much take the runningback on any zone-read plays. Where Persa is really dangerous is when he keeps a play alive with his feet, and then finds a receiver who has improvised on his route. I don't think he'll get that sort of time, today."
"I don't know, man, he rambles sometimes, but in this case, he makes sense." I tossed the bundle back to Moore. "This isn't my style, anyway. The last thing I need is a bunch of cops making life difficult for me. They tend to rally for each other, which is good. I even think they would rally around you, even though you're Internal Affairs. A dirty cop in IA is just too delicious an irony for me to ruin it with a silly, stupid, poorly thought-out blackmail play."
"I could run you in and play some 48 hours of grilling to 'check your story'," he said as he held out his hands to make the air quotes sign.
Lloyd found his voice. "You could do that, and we would endure the 48 hour no charges exercise. Then I, for one, would go to the press. Get the word out on Lieutenant Moore and his 'Rotten to the Core' squad." Lloyd played air quotes, too. "How soon until not one or two, but dozens of the shakedowns start coming forward, hmm?"
Moore looked flustered. None of his usual threats and intimidation were working. You could see the wheels in his head turning as his support staff looked to him to make the call.
"One more thing, Moore," Lloyd added. "The only thing that has me concerned, right now, is that this might be a trap game for Nebraska. Just after a huge win, and just before a big game against an opponent that has this week off. The team might be looking ahead, and not paying attention to the here and now. By all accounts, Nebraska should roll, but even the best of us can fall into a trap."
Lloyd was right, and stared right at me as he spoke. He does have a way of making you feel like crap. Especially when he's right about who made the mistake.
Moore got up. "Right. This wasn't you?" he asked shaking the bundle at me.
"Nope."
"Then you need to find out who did it, who's out to destroy me."
I knew I had to make my decision on the spot. I don't like the guy. I don't even respect him. Throw in the counter-argument that I was bored, and I was resting on quite the dilemma. "I'll tell you what, Moore. I think Nebraska is going to beat the Purple Pussies by the score of 56 to 14. More than enough to cover the spread, which is 17 1/2. If the Huskers cover, I'll find out who did this, on the clock, expenses included. If they fail to cover. I'll do it for free. If they lose, you're on your own, because I'll be too depressed to do anything productive."
Moore looked us over, nodded and pointed at the door. Mustache and Big Hands headed for the exit. Moore came right up to my face, "You think you know where my boundaries are, but trust me, you don't," he whispered in a voice that was almost intimate. With that he spun on his heel and headed for the door.
I looked over at Lloyd. "You know what we have to do now, don't you?"
"Indeed. We need to watch some football. Then I need to make sure the micro-transceiver in my tie-tack picked up the whole conversation. I'm using the Darth Vader flash drive, too."
"Anyone up for some tailgating?", I asked the room. Lloyd and Preach nodded.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Friday, November 4, 2011
The Real National Championship Game
There hasn't been a lot going on at the office and the crew is having to find different ways to pick up the slack and defeat the boredom. Except for Leroix.
Leroix has got the biggest game of the year on his agenda. The game where the team that will win the National Championship will emerge. Sure, there's all sorts of what ifs, hypothetical and antithetical scenarios floating around out there, but for my money, this week's LSU at Alabama game is the game that is really for the National Championship.
Leroix called me from a place called "Bottomfeeders". He must have gone with a group, because he seemed to talking with a level of confidence when one isn't worried about being discovered deep in enemy territory.
"What's up, Leroix," I said, trying to match his level of enthusiasm.
"Whoo, boy. Ah'm deep in inside Gump-land, but I gots me some o' deh best fried catfish outside o' deh bayou, some spicy hushpuppies and a nice, cold beer."
"I'm surpised you aren't skulking around, trying to lay low until the game starts."
"Nah, nah, nah, cher. You can get into enemy territory pretty easy when you been workin' deh rigs wit' deh owners. Me and deh guy dat runs dis place spent many a day out in deh gulf. Now, ah know dat every other year ah have to stop in and take mah share of abuse from Nathan Bedford Forrest Jackson, and in return, Ah have to offer him safe passage when he comes down to Red Stick. In scientific terms, it's called mutualism."
I sometimes forget that Leroix has his B.S. "So who are you going to pick? As if I need to ask."
"Fust, I need to tell you about the South Carolinah-Arkansaw game. The Sooey pigs have made a habit out of comin' from behind, makin' deh game all excitin' and such. Dis time, dey gonna bite off more dan dey can chew. Deh Gamecocks got too good a defense to let deh piggies come back. Steve Superior has to win in order to punch his ticket for the SEC Championship. Cocks 23-Piggies 17."
"Now for the big one."
"Dis one goan be one for deh ages. Bot' teams got great defenses. Deh' Gumps have a better ground game, but Les Tigres got deh better passin' attack. Bot' teams got playmakers on deh special teams, and bot' teams got excellent coaches. What dis game will come down to, is dat it's in Tuscaloosa, and not Red Stick. Bot' teams will be in dey're best colors and under deh lights, just like Les Tigres love to play. Dat home field is what it will come down to. As much as I love Lee, and JJ, and deh Honey Badger, Ah t'ink dat deh Bama ground game will decide dis t'ing late. It ak-tchally hurts me to do dis...Gumps 28, Tigres 24."
The talk of Gumps reminded me that I needed to call up Bubba in the OKC. "How are things down in Okly-homa?" I asked.
"I've got two semi-intresting games, now that we are just biding time to the Bedlam game, in December. My Sooners get to trash, A&M, even though Tannehill is dangerous. The Gaggies till don't know how to put a complete game together. Sooners 45, Junior Brownshirts 27. Accross the way, the Cow Rapers are getting ready to thump K-State. This one might be closer than a lot of people think. OSU's offense will be all over K-State's defense, but OSU's defense is still awful, and Bill Snyder will try to play keep-away. I don't think he'll be able to keep it away that much, and the Cow Rapers will prevail 51-24 over the Purple Pussies."
I got a hold of Marcus, out west, and had to get his take on three games.
"Dude, I've got two duds, and one that might have the potential for an upset, Dude"
"Let me have them."
"Dude, Boise State will cruise all over UNLV, and then get to have a good time on the Strip. Buncos 49, Rebels 17. The Hoover School of Public Policy gets to travel to Corvallis, Oregon to work on a group thesis of 'Why does Corvallis even exist?' Mr. Luck gets back on track by playing a practice game, Stanford 56, Beavers 20, Dude."
"What's the potential upset?"
"Dude, Oregon has to go to Seattle and play in the last game in Husky Stadium in its current configuration. Washingto actually has an offfense this year, and Oregon has games where they have lapses. I don't hink the Quackers will hiccup, but it might be close. Let's say Quackers 42, Purple Puppies 35, dude."
I had to get Grandma and Lloyd in on their B1G picks.
"I'll just be passsing the time waiting for 'Bama and LSU," Grandma said, chuckling drily. "I've got the Hosers at THE Ohio State, and will watch Braxton Miller go all EASports on Indiana. Ohio State 47, Hosers 17. In my other boring-ass game, I have the Boilmakers going up to Camp Randall to play Wisky, and getting yet another beat-down. Stinking Badgers 48, Boils 14. One word of warning. My old boyfriend has been able to get a weeks worth of naps in, getting his guys ready for next week when Nebraska has to travel to Ia Drang. Just be ready, Huskerfan."
"Thanks, Grandma. enjoy the SEC show. Give me what you've got, Lloyd."
"Both Michigan schools playing the bottom feeders of the LegendS division. Sparty is hosting the Golden Rodents. With it being at home, the Thpartans should win it 30-13. Wolverhampton has to go to Iowa, but the Hackneys are a broken team. Shoelaces still goes crazy on them, Wolvies 35, Hackneys 14."
This week turned out to be all about football. The silence from our once and future friend was beginning to concern me. Not really. If Fun Boy Davison never turned up again, that would be fine for all of us.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
Leroix has got the biggest game of the year on his agenda. The game where the team that will win the National Championship will emerge. Sure, there's all sorts of what ifs, hypothetical and antithetical scenarios floating around out there, but for my money, this week's LSU at Alabama game is the game that is really for the National Championship.
Leroix called me from a place called "Bottomfeeders". He must have gone with a group, because he seemed to talking with a level of confidence when one isn't worried about being discovered deep in enemy territory.
"What's up, Leroix," I said, trying to match his level of enthusiasm.
"Whoo, boy. Ah'm deep in inside Gump-land, but I gots me some o' deh best fried catfish outside o' deh bayou, some spicy hushpuppies and a nice, cold beer."
"I'm surpised you aren't skulking around, trying to lay low until the game starts."
"Nah, nah, nah, cher. You can get into enemy territory pretty easy when you been workin' deh rigs wit' deh owners. Me and deh guy dat runs dis place spent many a day out in deh gulf. Now, ah know dat every other year ah have to stop in and take mah share of abuse from Nathan Bedford Forrest Jackson, and in return, Ah have to offer him safe passage when he comes down to Red Stick. In scientific terms, it's called mutualism."
I sometimes forget that Leroix has his B.S. "So who are you going to pick? As if I need to ask."
"Fust, I need to tell you about the South Carolinah-Arkansaw game. The Sooey pigs have made a habit out of comin' from behind, makin' deh game all excitin' and such. Dis time, dey gonna bite off more dan dey can chew. Deh Gamecocks got too good a defense to let deh piggies come back. Steve Superior has to win in order to punch his ticket for the SEC Championship. Cocks 23-Piggies 17."
"Now for the big one."
"Dis one goan be one for deh ages. Bot' teams got great defenses. Deh' Gumps have a better ground game, but Les Tigres got deh better passin' attack. Bot' teams got playmakers on deh special teams, and bot' teams got excellent coaches. What dis game will come down to, is dat it's in Tuscaloosa, and not Red Stick. Bot' teams will be in dey're best colors and under deh lights, just like Les Tigres love to play. Dat home field is what it will come down to. As much as I love Lee, and JJ, and deh Honey Badger, Ah t'ink dat deh Bama ground game will decide dis t'ing late. It ak-tchally hurts me to do dis...Gumps 28, Tigres 24."
The talk of Gumps reminded me that I needed to call up Bubba in the OKC. "How are things down in Okly-homa?" I asked.
"I've got two semi-intresting games, now that we are just biding time to the Bedlam game, in December. My Sooners get to trash, A&M, even though Tannehill is dangerous. The Gaggies till don't know how to put a complete game together. Sooners 45, Junior Brownshirts 27. Accross the way, the Cow Rapers are getting ready to thump K-State. This one might be closer than a lot of people think. OSU's offense will be all over K-State's defense, but OSU's defense is still awful, and Bill Snyder will try to play keep-away. I don't think he'll be able to keep it away that much, and the Cow Rapers will prevail 51-24 over the Purple Pussies."
I got a hold of Marcus, out west, and had to get his take on three games.
"Dude, I've got two duds, and one that might have the potential for an upset, Dude"
"Let me have them."
"Dude, Boise State will cruise all over UNLV, and then get to have a good time on the Strip. Buncos 49, Rebels 17. The Hoover School of Public Policy gets to travel to Corvallis, Oregon to work on a group thesis of 'Why does Corvallis even exist?' Mr. Luck gets back on track by playing a practice game, Stanford 56, Beavers 20, Dude."
"What's the potential upset?"
"Dude, Oregon has to go to Seattle and play in the last game in Husky Stadium in its current configuration. Washingto actually has an offfense this year, and Oregon has games where they have lapses. I don't hink the Quackers will hiccup, but it might be close. Let's say Quackers 42, Purple Puppies 35, dude."
I had to get Grandma and Lloyd in on their B1G picks.
"I'll just be passsing the time waiting for 'Bama and LSU," Grandma said, chuckling drily. "I've got the Hosers at THE Ohio State, and will watch Braxton Miller go all EASports on Indiana. Ohio State 47, Hosers 17. In my other boring-ass game, I have the Boilmakers going up to Camp Randall to play Wisky, and getting yet another beat-down. Stinking Badgers 48, Boils 14. One word of warning. My old boyfriend has been able to get a weeks worth of naps in, getting his guys ready for next week when Nebraska has to travel to Ia Drang. Just be ready, Huskerfan."
"Thanks, Grandma. enjoy the SEC show. Give me what you've got, Lloyd."
"Both Michigan schools playing the bottom feeders of the LegendS division. Sparty is hosting the Golden Rodents. With it being at home, the Thpartans should win it 30-13. Wolverhampton has to go to Iowa, but the Hackneys are a broken team. Shoelaces still goes crazy on them, Wolvies 35, Hackneys 14."
This week turned out to be all about football. The silence from our once and future friend was beginning to concern me. Not really. If Fun Boy Davison never turned up again, that would be fine for all of us.
Husk-husk and on the qb.
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