COLLEGE FOOTBALL: WHAT I WILL BE WATCHING AND PREDICTIONS

Noon: Maryland at Clemson-Last year the Tigers got 100 plus rushing yard performances from their Thunder and Lightning combo and easily handled the Terps. This year the Tigers are preparing Tommy Bowden for another year of not competing for the ACC Championship. I'm taking the Terps in the upset...31-28

12:30: Ole Miss at Florida-The Gators survived the Rebels last year behind a brilliant performance from Tim Tebow in the Grove. I expect the Gators to win this game but that 22 point spread looks a little too large and I think Jevan Snead and Ole Miss can hang with a soft Gator's defense. Florida wins 38-24

3:30: Turdue at Notre Dame-The Fighting Irish better be ready to "Crank Me Up!" and come out of the tunnel ready to destroy the Wilford Brimleys. A beautiful day awaits in South Bend today as the Irish beat up on their redheaded stepson as Jimmy Clausen finally chopped his Thuderlips-look away and is ready to lead the good guys to victory. ND wins 27-20

3:30: Tennessee at Auburn-The Vols were my pick as a sleeper in the SEC but so far they have been sleeping ever since they traveled to LA. Auburn still has the team to compete for a SEC Title and I think they prove it today by winning another competitive SEC battle. Auburn wins 20-13

7:00: TCU at Oklahoma-For some reason I have a feeling we could be in for an upset. TCU has the nation's top rated defense and are huge underdogs in this game. They know they can beat the Sooners like when they bottled up Adrian Peterson and won in Norman in 2006. No other visitor has won since, a streak of 19 straight Sooner home victories. TCU with the shocker...26-23

7:45: Alabama at Georgia-The game of the weekend matches two undefeated, top 10 teams in Athens. The Crimson Tide have been cruising so far as they have dominated the line of scrimmage in every game so far. Georgia is playing the nation's toughest schedule and Mark Richt has an ability to get the Dawgs focused and ready for big time games. This is a huge game as College Gameday finally comes back to Athens and isn't disappointed. Georgia goes back to #1 after this battle. Georgia wins 35-21

The beers of choice today are NewCastle Brown Ale and Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat.

TROJANS STILL GETTING SCREWED BY THE BEAVERS

You thought it ended last night after the Beavers of Oregon State ripped apart the leaky Trojan's defense but no my friend...it was just a precursor of things to come the rest of the evening....


May God have mercy on any pollster's soul if they keep USC in their top 10. They lost to a team who was 1-2, unranked and got blown to pieces by Penn State and lost to Stanford. There are no excuses for this paper champion which USC has become in the media's black eye.

GO BEAVERS! FUSC!

We are due for some upsets in college football, so why not tonight?

HAHAHAHAHA....BEAVERS POUND THE TROJANS! 27-21

Have fun in Corvalis tonight Beavermeisters!!!



SHIRT AVAILABLE HERE!

HAND OF GLUE

The Sporting Blog has this video of a wide receiver from Morgan State making an insane catch against Winston-Salem State last Saturday. I'm still not sure how he could manage to grab the football so well unless he has hands the size of Shaquille O'neal or was using some serious stick em or pine tar on his gloves. Either way it's a hell of a play and one that I hope to see out of WR's Michael Floyd and A.J. Green this weekend. And I say that because I have a lot of $$ riding on it. Get it done freshmen. I would really love to keep my other pinkie toe for at least another week if you catch my drift.

BEST BEER COMMERCIAL EVER

Big ass HT to best bud Andrew for sending me this video. I will never think of Guinness the same way again. In fact just seeing someone drink a cold, soothing Guinness might get me all hot and bothered from now on. Just a warning but I might start mimicking my black lab Soco and start hip thrusting when ever I see something I like.

INTERESTING LICENSE PLATE

FanIQ has the picture of this Washington Redskins fan displaying his love and admiration for Mr. Jessica Simpson in Dallas. I got to say it gets the message across about his true feelings. But it made me wonder... what if sports celebrities could pick whatever they wanted to say on their license plates and not worry about people judging them? I think some of them would look like this...

Pete Carroll: ILUV HUKERSPIT
O.J. Simpson: I DID IT
Allen Iverson: PRACTICE?
Tom Brady: MANGINA
Randy Moss: WEED
Brett Favre: INT
Knowshon Moreno: SPECIALK
Tim Tebow: TEBLOWS
Urban Meyer: URBANLYER
Charlie Weis: FUSC
Jimmy Clausen: THUNDERLIPS
Nick Saban: RESUME

Feel free to post your license plate suggestions for sports figures below.

PHIL FULMER IS NO LONGER WELCOMED IN KNOXVILLE

LoserswithSocks has this great picture of the Rock that sits on the University of Tennessee campus right next to the athletic center where all the football players study. This should do wonders for their recruiting...

Fulmer: "Son, we would love to have you here to enjoy our redneck anthem and our beautiful women while you play in front of 100,000 plus of the best fans in the world."

Recruit: "Sounds great Fat Phil, can I please have a bite of my sandwich now?"

Fulmer: "Oh yeah, sorry, I get hungry when I recruit. Actually I get hungry when I breathe. Let me show you our Athletic Center and our lovely rock of unification!"

Recruit: "Oh, you talking about that one over there?"

Fulmer: "Motherfucker! Best fans my ass!"

LOOKING TO BUY YOUR FAVORITE COLLEGE OR PRO TEAM HELMET?

If you are in the market to buy your favorite College or NFL football helmet whether it is authentic, replica or mini let me know. I can give you basically wholesale prices on the football helmets and remember that no true tailgate or football party is complete without at least a display of your favorite team's football helmet...and at least 4 cases of light beer to go along with it.

I will be launching a website soon selling football helmets that range from the early 1950's to the present. So whether you are looking for the specific helmet that Herschel Walker wore during his freshman season at Georgia or looking for the latest proline authentic helmet that the Notre Dame football players wear when coming out of the tunnel you won't be disappointed.

I will beat anybody's advertised prices.

For instance if you want to buy an authentic Joe Namath Alabama Crimson Tide helmet that retails for as much as $200 in some places I can get it for you at $140 total with free shipping.


Whether it be pro or college I can get them all. Most mini helmets sell for anywhere from $25-30 online or at retail locations but I can get them to you for $20.

Feel free to email me at matt@sportscrack.com if you need a quote on a helmet you are looking for. I will do my best to get them to you in a timely manner at a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere.

For instance this Notre Dame authentic helmet retails for as much as $320 in some places but I can sell it to you for as little as $160. All you have to do is email me at matt@sportscrack.com and tell me which specific college or NFL helmet you are looking for and I will get it to you for basically wholesale pricing.

MITCH MUSTAIN NOW #4 ON USC QB DEPTH CHART

If you want to know just how embarrassingly good the talent is on the USC football field just take a look at the revised QB and RB depth chart. QB Garrett Green was just promoted to #2 QB behind Mark Sanchez for the Thursday night battle against Oregon State.

This means Aaron Corp is now 3rd string and 5 star prospect/Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain now sits at the bottom of the totem pole at 4th string. I can't recall a situation where a 5 star QB who started 8-0 his true freshman season while playing in the SEC conference is now collecting the most splinters while riding the pine as the last possible guy to replace Sanchez. And to think that Mustain's mother couldn't wait to get her son out of Arkansas during his freshman season because her son wasn't starting at the end of the year. You have to wonder what Mustain thinks now as he stands and holds a clipboard knowing that Sanchez still has another year of eligibility after this season if he doesn't go pro and #1 incoming recruit Matt Barkley ready to join the Trojans in the spring to battle for snaps behind the center.

At running back 5 star prospect Marc Tyler can't even make the travel squad to Oregon State as a redshirt freshman. It is true Tyler had a horrific leg injury during his senior year in high school that required him to redshirt and rehab during his freshman season but he appears to be on the mend and ready to go and yet he still can't sniff a chance at carrying the rock. The same goes with Broderick Green, a 4 star prospect and highly regarded back from Arkansas. He can't even make the travel squad for the Oregon State game.

It is almost sickening how much talent and depth the Trojans carry into every game and yet they managed to lose to Stanford last season at home while the Cardinal had their 3rd string QB playing. Now that is funny and another reason why the media and fans need to stop thinking the Trojans are just going to walk through their schedule and play for the BCS Championship. I fell for it last year thinking they might be the best team ever with all their elite senior talent and depth on both sides of the ball and yet they lost two PAC-10 games and barely squeezed into the Rose Bowl.

In other words FUSC and all their riches of football talent and beaches and pretty California girls with their perfect bodies and tans. They can be beat....by themselves.

The FUSC shirt is available here. Wear it with pride and get it now before Mitch Mustain's mommy buys them all.

SPORTSCRACK TOP 10 CFB POLL

Photo courtesy of SI.com


1. Georgia Bulldogs-The Bulldogs arrived in Tempe and did what they were suppose to do: destroy Arizona State. The final score could have been much worse but the Dawgs are working on their young offensive line and are still missing key blocking fullback Brandon Southerland. Freshman sensation WR A.J. Green emerged into a go-to target for Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno was up to his Special K attributes of leaping over tall defenders. Georgia has no time to rest on their laurels and get a tough Bama team at night in a "Blackout" game in Athens.

2. USC Trojans-Pete Carroll and his Trojans had another off week to prepare for a road trip to Oregon State this Thursday night. The last time USC visited Corvalis they lost and have a history of always having a tough time there. USC should cruise considering the Beavers are not anywhere close to being a good team this year and Mark Sanchez should put up huge numbers against a soft Beaver defense. And by Beaver I mean vagina.

3. Missouri Tigers-The Tigers struggled a little bit against Buffalo but thanks to Chase Daniel's near perfect day (36-of-43 for 439 yards) the Tigers remain in my #3 spot. They get an off week to prepare for a trip to Nebraska in what will be the start of a tough Big 12 schedule for the Tigers.

4. Oklahoma Sooners-The Sooners enjoyed an off week and now face a ranked albeit marginal top 25 opponent in TCU. TCU has given Oklahoma fits in the past and are actually one of only two teams to have beaten Oklahoma in Norman in the last decade. If the Sooners don't come out focused and fired up they could be in for an upset. Chances of an upset are slim.

5. LSU Tigers-The Fear-Les Tigers jump to the 5th spot and slide past Florida after an impressive win at Auburn. These Tigers don't appear to be rebuilding and are still playing top defense while the offense reloads. The Tigers seem to be playing the no respect card as media pundits rarely mention them as a serious contender for the SEC. RB Charles Scott is playing his way into Heisman consideration and he should put up some impressive numbers this week against Mississippi State in what should be a blowout win for the Tigers.

6. Florida Gators-Something is missing on this Gator's team. Granted the blew out the Vols on the scoreboard in Knoxville but they still can't run the ball with any consistency and their defense looks as soft as Phil Fulmer's cheeks. The good part of their game is they still have Tim Tebow in one piece and their special teams excel in all aspects. Plus they have great coaching with Urban Meyer. They have Ole Miss this week in the Swamp in what could turn out to be one of the best SEC games of the week since the Rebels are no pushover.

7. Texas Longhorns-Colt McCoy had a great performance against Rice as he went 19-of-23 for 329 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 83 yards and another TD. They get their make up game against Arkansas this week in what should be a blowout by the 3rd quarter at the latest.

8. Penn State Nittany Lions-They destroyed Temple 45-3 despite fumbling the ball 4 times and allowing over 200 yards in kickoff returns. This Nittany Lions team is the most impressive since they went to the Orange Bowl a few seasons ago and right now appear to be the best team in the Big Ten. Illinois comes to visit Happy Valley in what should be an offensive explosion worth watching.

9. Alabama Crimson Tide-Bama has been more than impressive in Nick Saban's second year in Tuscaloosa and this week get to visit Georgia for a "Blackout" game. If Bama can control the line of scrimmage like they have the first few games then they have a legitimate shot at a road upset.

10. Auburn Tigers-I know it seems weird to lose a game and yet I bump them up to my top 10 but this Auburn team is really good and lost a last second contest to an equally good LSU squad. QB Chris Todd came into his own and should give Auburn fans hope of still competing for a SEC Title.

RUH ROH, ALABAMA COACH PROVIDES SOME FIGHTING WORDS

Paul Westerdawg of GeorgiaSportsBlog points out an Alabama assistant coach
using the Black out this Saturday as motivation for BAMA to bury the Dawgs. His exact words at the 1:03 mark in the video are this...

"THEY ARE WEARING BLACK BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO A MOTHER F-ING FUNERAL!"

And so it begins.

I'm sure Georgia head coach Mark Richt can use this video as a little extra motivation for not only his players but his coaches to be ready to fight against Alabama. This is going to be one of those brutal slugfests with whoever wants the game more is going to come out with a victory in Athens. Alabama comes in high as a kite riding blowout victories including one over Clemson but have yet to play a top 5 team like Georgia currently is and I get this feeling Bama thinks they can come in and destroy the Dawgs. Their confidence or arrogance as some would point out is at an all-time high as it should be.

With that being said I think Georgia comes out with their ears pinned back and ready to maul Bama in front of a national audience. Alabama wants revenge for a losing a tight one in overtime last year in Tuscaloosa in which Mikey Henderson caught his first career touchdown catch from Matthew Stafford in a barn burner. These programs and their fans will be ready to fight starting at the morning tailgate with all the build up and hype of two top 10 teams battling it out with ESPN's College Game Day there.

I'm contemplating whether to make the trek up to Athens this weekend to see some of the fireworks. Granted I don't have tickets but I have a feeling some of the pregame festivities or tailgates as us drunks call them will look a lot like this...

HOT LSU POON LOVES THE POON OF THE SEC SHIRT

Yeah...go ahead and sniff her a little bit...nobody is looking! I figured this picture of hot unleashed LSU Tiger mating poon was the perfect time to introduce the new Poon of the SEC shirt. Sportscrack Tees has teamed up with HotSECPoon.com to unveil the new shirt for all the Southern Poon hunters and lovers out there. Go ahead and unleash your inner pooness by wearing this kick ass t-shirt.


Only $18, this shirt is sure to to be the talk of the next tailgate. Don't be that guy who misses a chance to hook up with some great SEC Poon. Wear the shirt and get the Poon, it's that simple. The Gamecock cheerleaders would be very disappointed if you were not seen with your Poon of the SEC shirt...


Come on..you are better than that, buy the shirt.

TEXAS TIGHT END BLAINE IRBY WANTS HIS KNEECAP BACK

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't ever remember hearing a coach in football say to "chop down those big trees" you need to take out somebody's leg like this. I know football injuries happen but to me this looks to be as dirty as an Auburn or Denver Broncos linemen performing a career ending chop block.

Blaine Irby will now be done for the season after undergoing surgery to fix a dislocated kneecap. Losing Irby is a huge blow to the Longhorns as he had emerged this season as a key target for QB Colt McCoy (2 TD catches) and provided some excellent blocking in his first season starting as a sophomore after replacing Jermichael Finley. More than likely he will be granted a medical redshirt and can come back with 3 years left of eligibility if he can in fact walk properly again. Expected to replace Irby is redshirt freshman tight end Ahmard Howard. If Texas is to remain a serious contender for the Big 12 title it will need Howard to step up and contribute much like Irby had in the first 3 games.

No truth to the rumor that Longhorn officials branded him afterwards and downgraded Irby to Grade C beef.

MCCAIN'S BRAIN ON THE VIEW

"28 years of listening to this hen cluck, blah blah blah, I should have civil liberties, gimme a good job...oh they let the color one speak, I didn't know that was allowed...excellent...forward progress...wonderful! As long as she still makes me a sandwich!"

I want to make love to McCain's brain. I want to cuddle with it and hold it oh so tight while we drink Sarsaparillas and reminiscence about the Great Depression.

SOME COLLEGE FOOTBALL THOUGHTS

-USC's victories over Ohio State and Virginia are looking less and less impressive considering how bad those programs are playing right now. Everybody wants to annoint USC as the clear #1 and they couldn't be more wrong. USC will go as far as QB Mark Sanchez takes them and this should bode well for the Trojans but I still think a SEC team like Georgia or LSU could beat them on an even playing field.

-Speaking of Georgia, you have to be more than impressed with their performance last night in Tempe. They destroyed a supposedly strong PAC-10 team in Arizona State with an offense that put up over 450 total yards on offense despite their offensive line starting a bunch of non-starters including two freshmen and a sophomore. Knowshon Moreno vaulted himself back to the top of Heisman conversation with a spectacular performance in front of a primetime national audience.

This weekend they will break out the black uniforms for Alabama in what should be another big game in Athens with the College Gameday crew showing up. If Georgia lays it on Alabama then I believe a lot of the voters will rethink their vote of USC as #1.

-Javon Ringer of Michigan State looked like the Heisman Trophy winner yesterday by pounding the ball 39 times for over 200 yards rushing on Notre Dame. Unfortunately for Ringer this will be his highest rating for the Heisman all season. The Spartans are notorious for fading big time after wins against the Irish and yesterday they managed to ride Ringer to a victory but in the process put a lot of wear and tear on their best player. Without Ringer the Spartans are just an average to bad team nationally. With that being said if the Spartans win 9 games or more this season then it will be because of Ringer and he should be a finalist for the award.

-Speaking of the Irish I can't ever remember taking a loss in stride as well as I did yesterday. As a fan I can be irrational a lot when it comes to Notre Dame football and want to blame coaches or players or officials for a loss. Yesterday I thought the Irish came out with a horrible gameplan of trying to run the ball when their strength is Jimmy Clausen's arm but they could have easily won yesterday's game without the turnovers. Turning it over twice in the red zone will almost always result in a loss (ask Phil Fulmer)and if the Irish can eliminate those mistakes then they should win the majority of their games. The future is bright with the Irish when the majority of their star players are either freshmen or sophomores. With that being said the Irish are still not close to being a top 25 team until both their offensive and defensive lines improve. This week against Purdue should be a good test to see if the coaching staff can make adjustments and capitalize on their strengths (secondary and passing game) instead of trying something that clearly isn't working (running game).

-Chase Daniel is the best quarterback in college right now. He is completing over 75% of his passes and is on pace for a 36 TD to 3 INT season. Those are Tom Brady type numbers. If you get the chance watch Mizzou because they might be the most entertaining team with future NFL stars like Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman catching bombs from Daniel.

-As much as I hate Nick Saban I have to admit he is doing a hell of a job at Alabama so far. BAMA rolled all over Arkansas and now might be the second best team in their division behind LSU. If they can beat Georgia this week then you have to consider BAMA a serious contender for a SEC Title this season. Saban has them playing discipline ball and it helps with an underrated senior QB in John Parker Wilson leading by example. I can't wait to see Julio Jones and A.J. Green battle it out for best freshman WR bragging rights in Athens this week.

-The beer of choice this weekend was Red Stripe. Hooray for beer.

"ALL THE WAY"-A CHICAGO CUBS TRIBUTE BY EDDIE VEDDER

Apparently "Loser" was already taken by Beck. Here are the lyrics from Eddie Vedder...

Don't let anyone say that it's just a game.
For I've seen other teams and it's never the same.
When you're born in Chicago, you're blessed and you're healed.
First time (every time!) you walk into Wrigley Field.

Our hero's wear pinstripes; hero's in blue.
They give us the chance to feel like hero's too.
Whether we'll win, and if we should lose,

We know someday we'll go all the way.
Yeah! Someday we'll go all the way.

We are one with the Cubs, with the Cubs we're in love.
Yeah hold our head high as the underdog.
We are not fair weather but foul weather fans!
We're like brothers in arms in the streets and the stands.

There's magic in the ivy and the old scoreboard.
The same one I stared at as a kid keeping score.
A world full of greed I could never want more.

Someday we'll go all the way.
Yeah! Someday we'll go all the way.

[Instrumental bridge]

And here's to the men and the legends we've known.
Teaching us faith and giving us hope.
United we stand and united we'll fall
Down to our knees the day we win it all.

Yeah Ernie Banks said, "Oh let's play two."
Or did he mean 200 years?
In the same ballpark, our diamond, our jewel.
The home of our joy and our tears.

Keeping traditions and wishes made new.
The place where our grandfathers' fathers they grew.
A spiritual feeling if I ever knew.
And if you ain't been I am sorry for you.

And when the day comes, when that last winning run,
And I'm crying and covered in beer.
I'll look to the sky and know I was right.

To think someday we'll go all the way,
Yeah! Someday we'll go all the way.

TRUE STORY: GEORGE BRETT SHAT ON HIMSELF

Hall of Famer George Brett is an American icon after telling this story. Anytime one can admit they Hershey creamed themselves while in a public place, notably the Bellagio Casino, deserves to have two plaques in the Hall of Fame in my book.

And yes, there will be a shirt made about this story. You can't let a legendary tale like this just slide down your leg and not let people know about it. It's just wrong people.

Video HT: WithLeather via Deadspin

WORDS OF WISDOM

"I do believe that this football team has faced one of the most difficult stretches that any team has had so far this season," he said of losses to three ranked teams. "I do think we are a better football team and now we need to build on it and show it."

These are the words of one Tyrone Willingham after Oklahoma dismantled Washington, a once proud football school, 55-14 to give Losingham a record of 11-28 overall since he arrived in 2005. It's time for the Huskies and the rest of the nation(I'm looking directly at the media on this one) to admit that Willingham is an average at best coach who rode the coat tails of one fluke Stanford season in which USC wasn't the power they are now to a Rose Bowl appearance and future millions which are unearned.

With a new AD hired it's only a matter of time before Willingham is shown the door but I wonder how the media will react to this one. Will it be a call of racism on Washington's part for firing or forcing a coach to resign who had yet to fill his contract in the fact that his program had progressively gotten worse in his tenure or will it be a confession where they admit they were wrong in their prior convictions that Willingham was a helpless pawn in the Notre Dame coaching debacle since Lou Holtz left?

I'm going to say neither. No one ever wants to admit one's guilt, especially on national television or print, and this will be conveniently sweeped under the rug without a knowledge that yes, Pat Forde, Stewart Mandel, The Wizard of Odds Blog, Collegefootballnews.com, and many other national media members and blogs are about as smart as Gary the Retard on The Howard Stern Show.

Perhaps one of them can be his new offensive coordinator when he gets another job he doesn't deserve. George Bush has first dibs apparently.

HEADLINE OF THE WEEK

Kuntz is scaring children with his shaved look...Michael Jackson approves this message.

Via WithLeather via IrishIllustrated

SPORTSCRACK TOP 10 CFB POLL

1. Georgia Bulldogs-Okay, I know I'm going to get some shit for putting Georgia this high from some of you but listen up. Georgia went on the road and beat a tough South Carolina team in a defensive battle. A win is a win in my book and I fully expect the Bulldogs to beat Arizona State convincingly this Saturday night on national television.

2. USC Trojans-The Trojans look good, actually great so far. They destroyed the Buckeyes last week and part of that has to do with QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez is very poised and is light years ahead of JD Booty at this point in their careers. Whoever does their schedule deserves some serious props because they get a week off this week to mentally focus for Oregon State after all ready having a week off before the Ohio State game. Somehow they have another week off before the Notre Dame game too. Awesome.

3. Missouri Tigers-Chase Daniel is on top of his game and he should put up more Heisman worthy numbers this weekend against a horrible Buffalo team. Mizzou could put up 70 points by halftime.

4. Oklahoma Sooners-Listen, don't start jumping on their bandwagon for beating the bag out of a terrible Washington team. I learned last year this team can lose to anybody and they almost always seem to get crushed in big bowl games. If they beat Texas and look good while doing it in a few weeks then they will get more respect in my book. Right now this team reminds me of Ohio State. Great on paper until they actually play somebody good.

5. Florida Gators-Urban Meyer has a perfect record against the Volunteers and that will continue this week as Florida will come in and Swamp the Vols in Knoxville.

6. LSU Tigers-If they win at Auburn this Saturday night then this team is a serious contender for a repeat as National Champion. Expect a close game as 11 of the last 18 matchups have been decided by 7 points or less.

7. Texas Longhorns-They play a patsy this weekend against Rice. Yawn.

8. Penn State Nittany Lions-The JoePa's continued to roll and now are the favorite in my book to win the Big Ten after seeing the Buckeye's performance the last two weeks. Over/under on # of players arrested this week is 3 in case you were wondering.

9. South Florida Bulls-It kind of makes me sick to my stomach to put South Florida in the top ten considering they are a Big East team but they beat a good Kansas team last week and deserve some recognition. They should roll this week against Florida International.

10. East Carolina Pirates-They struggled with Tulane which was a letdown game after West Virginia. If they struggle against North Carolina State this week then I'm dropping them out.