SportsNation Blog Archives
Oregon Ducks
- Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
- Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson
It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).
LeGarrette Blount must be thanking his lucky stars today. After his widely-seen postgame punch landed him a full-season suspension, Blount's athletic career looked to be over. There were questions about his character even before the incident, and he needed to make an impact in his senior season to have any chance of being drafted. Now, he'll get that chance.
Oregon has reinstated Blount for the remainder of the season. At the time the suspension was announced, SportsNation thought that Blount should have been punished severely. Later, after the emotion of the moment faded, fans were willing to reinstate Blount. Oregon apparently agreed, although a surprising upset at the hands of Stanford may have factored into their decision-making.
“Good to hear. Thought it was a little too much to begin with. Hope that he makes the most of his opportunity. Good luck LeGarrette; I know I'm not the only Boisean that thinks this is a good thing and will be pulling for him.
” -- bsublue44
“Maybe next time he'll just gouge someone's eyes instead. Then he won't have to worry about being punished so severely.
” -- 89canes
- Your Rankings: Where do you place Oregon in this week's top 25?
- Vote: Get an early start picking next week's games, including Oregon at Stanford
- Monday's chats: ACC blogger Heather Dinich | SEC blogger Chris Low | Mark Schlabach
Boise State just can't win. Or it can't just win. Something like that. Already facing SportsNation criticism for a weak schedule and weak margins of victory against teams like Tulsa, the Broncos now aren't even getting credit for their best win.
Boise State sits at No. 7 in this week's BCS standings, putting it last among the remaining unbeatens. But at least it remains a spot ahead of Oregon in the official tally. SportsNation isn't nearly as generous. Despite the small matter of Boise State's 19-8 win against Oregon to open the season, voters have jumped the Ducks ahead of the Broncos in this week's early balloting and contend, by a two-to-one margin, the Pac-10 team is simply better.
In last week's chat, BCS guru Brad Edwards broke down what may need to happen for Boise State to make another BCS appearance.
Will (Houston)
At the end of the day, what are the odds that a BCS bowl does what is right and picks a second non-AQ team when it's going to be held accountable by their advertisers and sponsors?
Brad Edwards
I don't think it'll have anything to do with advertisers, but it could happen this year. There's a chance that TCU and Boise State could both finish in the top 5 or 6, and if TCU comes out ahead and gets the automatic bid for the non-AQ teams, Boise has a realistic chance to be offered an at-large bid. There are four at-large spots into the BCS. In this scenario, TCU would have one of them. Odds are good that the SEC and Big Ten will get two of the other three. But if Notre Dame loses again and doesn't finish in the top 14, that gives Boise State a legitimate shot. The Big 12 might not have another team that could be considered, and the ACC and Big East might not have a second team that has a history of selling lots of bowl tickets. That would leave it as Boise State against the second team from the Pac-10, and depending which team that is, BSU would have a chance.
USC fans still have BCS hope, but know their team can't lose again. Boise State, Cincinnati and Iowa fans wonder what more their teams can do, besides pray for a loss by one of the top 3.
Now that Ohio State has two losses SportsNation thinks Ohio State is using Terrelle Pryor incorrectly. Fans, however, still think Sam Bradford is a first-round pick.
Florida State kicked off Week 8 with a needed win, and Alabama, Florida and Texas face opponents they shouldn't overlook.
- Vote: "GameDay" Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big games: Tennessee at Alabama | Texas at Missouri
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- Other wraps: Brad Edwards | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel | Pat Forde | Mark Schlabach
“Mark Ingram is a good reason for [Alabama's] passing to be less of a factor. Wait until next year for any shot of a Vols upset.
” -- Beano Cook
“I pick Florida to win this game, but to be seen as legitimately No. 1, the Gators should win convincingly, even more so than against Arkansas.
” -- IdahoanTyke
“My ranking: 1. Iowa; 2. Florida; 3. Alabama; 4. Texas; 5. Virginia Tech; 6. TCU; 7. Boise State; 8. USC; 9. Oregon; 10. LSU.
” -- CheezusCrust
Fan blogger predictions for Week 8: nunyabiz81 | jodiemeeks23ppat54 | dfpsports | IdahoanTyke | codywin25 | gbirkem2 | utesfan2 | Sportsguru6
Thanks to longhorncutie07 for a little perspective during Red River Rivalry week. If you can't hang out with the fans of your least favorite opponent, you might have a problem.
These are our favorite photos uploaded this week. If any of the images makes you want to tell jokes about the intelligence of your biggest rival's fans, click them to view a larger picture and to comment. If you have a great picture or saw one you think the world should see, leave a brief description and a link in the Conversation section below.
As ESPN.com's Joe Schad reported Thursday, suspended Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount may be reinstated by coach Chip Kelly later this season. Such a move would seem to be a slap in the face to the university official who earlier effectively closed the door on reinstatement for Blount. Except that the official was Chip Kelly. Well, that's awkward.
As we talked about last week, Oregon's first-year coach had earned rave reviews for turning things around after Blount's punch and the Boise State mess -- sending an irate fan a refund and beating Utah, Purdue and Cal in successive weeks. So would supporting the running back's reinstatement, especially if it came before Oregon's game against USC, erase all of that good will? Or is compassion something to applaud?
- Vote: If Blount is reinstated, should it be after Oregon plays USC?
- Chat: Talk about lighter matters with Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg, 3 ET
“The fact this is such a big deal only proves how PC and wimpy our populace has become. After a very physical hard fought football game one player punched another one? NO WAY! How could this have happened??? Ban him for the rest of the year!
” -- LanceMick
“Its amazing what the faint smell of roses can do to an AD and Head Coach. Sorry Skip, I must of misunderstood you when you said, reinstatement wasnt an option. What are the chances hes back for to play against USC Oct 31st!! Everything youre praising this punk for is WHAT YOURE SUPPOSED TO DO, hes not doing anything above and beyond...
” -- swp8264
In the span of a month, Miami has gone from SportsNation's pick to finish fifth in the ACC to voters' overwhelming favorite to beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg this weekend. To all those gathered in Pittsburgh at the moment (be they world leaders at the G-20 or Pirates front office executives), that's how you orchestrate a recovery.
SportsNation blogger nunyabiz81 warned of a USC stumble in Seattle, so we yield the floor to him again. Only this week, he's squarely on the bandwagon.
"Everyone's in love with the U right now (except Florida State fans). We're ready to give the Heisman to Jacory Harris (except Cal fans). I think this is no contest. VT got lucky against Nebraska last weekend because of defense and Tyrod Taylor coming up big when VT needed him most. But, short of Harris going down, I don't see how they can win this. VT's defense might make this game more boring than it should be for two -- maybe three -- quarters, but I don't believe Miami's O can be stopped nor do I see VT having enough offense to get past the U's D." -- read the full post.
- Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25 | America's Vote
- Vote on big games: California at Oregon | Miami at Virginia Tech | Iowa at Penn State
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- More chat wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel
You can't blame fans like OleMIssOurYear for getting their hopes up. It's happened to us all (as has a game like the loss at South Carolina).
Next up for bubble popping? Maybe Miami. Maybe TCU. Maybe Cal. Maybe Houston.
Fans blogged their predictions for these and other games this week. Check out the voices and reactions of fans from across the country.
Week 4 predictions: awesomewes1 | uclabruin094 | Sportsguru6 | nunyabiz81 | spoofybeme2005 | jjreynoldsii | schubaka23 | utfan089 | tjroundup | SeAGoBLin15 | JoeRevs300 | D1Fortune
Rankings: sundevil22820 (No. 1 Florida) | canesinla (No. 1 Florida) | ADEVARTS (No. 1 Florida) | pnthrsfn1012 (No. 1 Florida) | randomdude21 (No. 1 Florida) | Slaton_20 (No. 1 Florida) | CheezusCrust (No. 1 Miami) | jjreynoldsii (No. 1 Alabama) | pigtailedtigerpiccolo (Overrated teams)
“This year, it's all different. Darryll Clark is a totally different quarterback and Penn State's defense is more ready than ever before. Ricky Stanzi will have do it all by himself. Penn State 25, Iowa 12.
” -- tjroundup
“The Frogs are an exceptional red zone team, both offensively and defensively, so you can expect Clemson's rushing TD drought to continue. ... The Frogs' balanced attack and athletic defense will get it done in the second half. TCU 31-20.
” -- bassmannash
“This is tough. It's in Blacksburg, but I'm not sold on Tyrod Taylor. Can Miami continue this magical start? I say no. Virginia Tech 20-13.
” -- spoofybeme2005
“Texas Tech-Houston: Texas Tech. Why: Houston strikes me as a similar 'BCS-buster' type as teams like BYU, Ball State and East Carolina have been the past couple years.
” -- nunyabiz81
“Jahvid Best has at least two TDs and those will be the difference when Cal comes out of Eugene with a win. If Oregon had LeGarrette Blount this would be a closer game. Cal 35, Oregon 21.
” -- awesomewes1
- Vote: Impressed by Chip Kelly? Tired of Urban Meyer and Lane Kiffin?
- Chats: Mel Kiper, 1 ET | Ivan Maisel, 2 ET | Big East blogger Brian Bennett, 4 ET
Short of having Redskins reserve Robert Henson as the team's official tweeter, Oregon coach Chip Kelly's debut couldn't have gone much worse. As you remember (unless you've taken any blows to the head recently), Kelly's ranked Ducks lost to Boise State, and then LeGarrette Blount made sure the entire nation noticed the result by decking a Boise State player.
Safe to say, Kelly had nowhere to go but up in his first year on the job, but he's been doing a Sir Edmund Hillary ever since. First came Blount's season-long suspension. Now everydayshouldbesaturday.com has the story of Kelly sending a check for $439 to angry -- and incredibly whiny -- Oregon fan Tony Seminary to cover his travel expenses to and from Boise. And hey, it doesn't hurt that he won the last two games.
Compared to Urban Meyer and Lane Kiffin's bickering, Kelly is welcome relief. But really, did Seminary deserve a refund or banishment from Duck Nation?
Two topics dominated college football fan blogs this week: resurgence and the Tennessee-Florida jawing.
Just about everybody outside of Knoxville wants the Gators to shut up Lane Kiffin. Just about everybody in Ann Arbor now believes. Just about everybody in the ACC is now afraid of Miami again.
Here are the voices and predictions and reactions of all the college football fans who blogged on ESPN.com this week:
“As a Vols fan, I have hope that the Big Orange can somehow win this game: hope and a prayer with a little luck sprinkled in.
” -- LANETRAIN09
“The only song Tennessee will be singing is Brahms' Lullaby after the Florida defense knocks them out. Florida 70, Tennessee 14.
” -- JoeRevs300
Nebraska-Virginia Tech: "The Hokies have one of the best dual-threat QBs in the nation. ... The Huskers have the difficult task of playing Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium, arguably one of the best home-field advantages in all of college football. FINAL SCORE: Virginia Tech 31, Nebraska 21." -- uclabruin094
Texas Tech-Texas: "Texas 45, Texas Tech 28. Texas is more experienced, has Colt McCoy, and has home field to boot." -- txtechjmacattack
Utah-Oregon: "Oregon's high-flying offense has scored only 47 points the last two games. How will the defense hold up against this Utah offense? Utah 31-18." -- tjroundup
Week 3 predictions: cardon032 | nunyabiz81 | utesfan2 | tjroundup | Sportsguru6 | uclabruin094 | pettyofficerkeller2 | codywin25 | spoofybeme2005
Fan rankings: pnthrsfn1012 | canesinla | sundevil22820 | Slaton_20 | theballguy (SEC) | pigtailedtigerpiccolo (overrated)
Heisman: NYJ111sbp
“Two weeks ago I was reading posts from Michigan faithful, that made them sound worse than Buckeye fans. ... So to all the posters throughout the country that constantly took shots at Michigan, I guess my question is 'what's up now?'
” -- debakes10
“The Miami Hurricanes are relevant again in college football and quite realistically in the BCS picture.
” -- SeAGoBLin15
“For Notre Dame and Coach Weis the questions have turned into demands from 'are we there yet?' to 'you better get us there and soon.'
” -- NDIrishof84
Big 12: AustinBrando (Texas) | katiec_6886 (Texas) | rgadawg (Texas) | txtechjmacattack (Texas Tech) | espnb12s
Big Ten: debakes10 (Michigan) | Lett08 (Michigan) | nunyabiz81 (Michigan) | bsharp0913 (Ohio State) | jahowell29 (Ohio State) | jonesc1906
MAC: Siltjade (Central Michigan)
MWC: GBU_12 (BYU)
Other: NDIrishof84 (Notre Dame) | dbm326 (parity) | JayBird 67 (rivalries) | bigpersian76 | pcbboy2002
Pac-10: Derek from Alabama (USC) | Thunderstruck126265
SEC: ottomason (Tennessee) | LANETRAIN09 (Tennessee) | bsharp0913 (Tennessee) | SeAGoBLin15
WAC: BalleR96734 (Hawaii)
Week 2 looking back: ADEVARTS | espnb12s | nunyabiz81 | afjumpman23




