Saturday College Football Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 07:32:00 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

What are the big games today? An unemotional review would say that there are no big games at all. No big matchups against top teams. But we would not be college football fans if we were unemotional. So, in fact, there are a whole bunch of big games.

In South Bend today, Charlie Weis may be coaching for his job (in that his fate at the end of the season would be sealed) as Michigan State comes to town. Fun fact - the Spartans have won 6 straight in South Bend. The Irish are 10 point favorites. I like the Spartans with the points and I think they win outright.

Iowa plays Arizona today in a game that will determine if Iowa can continue its drive to be considered an elite team, when it hosts Arizona. I think Iowa wins and covers the 4 point spread. More . . .

Can Florida really score 100 on Tennessee? Actually no. Tennessee's defense is quite solid. Florida is a 29.5 point favorite over the Vols. How can they cover that spread? The key would be the Florida defense pitching a shutout. I think the hype and the line is too high. I like the Vols to keep it within 28 in the Swamp.

In other games, I like Va Tech (-5) over Nebraska, Cal (-13.5) over Minnesota, Auburn (-7) over West Virginia, Georgia (+2.5) over Arkansas, Florida State (+8) over BYU, Oregon State (+1) over Cincinnati, and Toledo (+21) over Ohio State.

This is an Open Thread.

< New Denials From Najibullah Zazi's Attorney | Zazi Ends Talks With FBI, Blasts False Media Reports >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Saturday College Football Open Thread | 71 comments (71 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

I caught one of... (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by kdog on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 04:17:28 PM EST

those Ollie North tagging along on a drug raid in Afghanistan segments on Fox News...I don't think its a good idea to have Ollie North in the same vicinity of a sh*tload of hard drugs...just sayin.

It could make him more palatable. (none / 0) (#46)
by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 04:47:16 PM EST

: Nah... (5.00 / 1) (#79)
by kdog on Mon Sep 21, 2009 at 10:27:39 AM EST

he's a smart international drug smuggler...don't get high on your own supply:)

BTD, I just want you to know that if (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by Teresa on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 06:28:18 PM EST

TN had any quarterback in the country other than the one we have, you would have lost today. :)

I don't like moral victories normally, but I'll take that one. Tebow is a monster player. Your buddy Kiffin said he's the best quarterback in the history of college football (and he's seen some good ones at USC) and I agree. I'm so glad he is graduating!

Good luck the rest of the year!

Doubtful (5.00 / 1) (#57)
by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 06:30:34 PM EST

But Florida has serious problems with its passing game.

And Tebow looks terrible this year.

That is as bad a game as he has ever played.

Florida is certainly NOT the best team in the country.

Doubtful that they are a top ten team right now.


: I noticed your passing game isn't what it (none / 0) (#60)
by Teresa on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 06:55:18 PM EST

usually is but when you compare it to what I see every week, it's not bad.
Tebow was awesome on that play we had him sacked and he got away for a 15 yard gain and you guys scored.
Give our D some credit because it's all I have for comfort! Plus, we self destructed so bad last year even a good defense left it a blowout. You guys will be fine I think. It's hard to tell if your defense is the best in the country because our offense is so bad.
I think the SEC looks down again this year so far. Or Georgia does anyway. I don't know who can beat you in the East and if you play Bama in Atlanta, I'll be a Gator for the night.

: Why can't you just admit they (none / 0) (#73)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 08:15:00 AM EST

played a top 10 defense who has a 30 offense??
If Kiffan can tweek a few knobs the rest of the season should be interesting.

Heh (none / 0) (#1)
by jimakaPPJ on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 08:04:49 AM EST

All true fans have false hopes and I would like to believe that we can skin a gator today.

But I just hope that we can send you guys forward with you understanding that you played a good team who knocked you down a few times and who will get a lot better as time goes by.

Here's looking forward to next year on the banks of the Tennessee.

Open thread non-football (none / 0) (#2)
by Molly Bloom on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 08:07:21 AM EST

Via Digby, Taylor Branch has written a book on President Clinton. There is an interview with Branch here. The book is to be released September 29, 2009.

Now back to your regularly scheduled football game whilst I ponder whether or not a note can be severed from a mortgage and the mortgage still be forecloseable.

I'll probably check out (none / 0) (#31)
by brodie on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 02:04:10 PM EST

the book when it's released but refrain from buying. Last I left off with Branch was years ago in vol 2 of his MLK Years trilogy which I abandoned, on hearsay and ethical grounds, about a third of the way through. But then I'm not a great fan of massive narrative history which is long on mind-numbing detail and short on analysis.

Well, at least this time Bill has the actual tapes in his possession to check for any inaccuracies. And in any case TB, given his access to Bill, would seem to be inclined to render a favorable judgment of the Clinton Years. But I'm guessing there might be some disagreement over how to weigh in the overall presidency the unfortunate events of 1998.


You do whatever it takes to (none / 0) (#55)
by SOS on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 06:27:20 PM EST

stay afloat regardless of anyone's opinions. Corporate America (opposing team) is not a friend, and will screw you (sack-interception) every chance they get. You, in turn, must use the laws (refs) to benefit your survival. No one is looking after you except yourself.


: The question had to do with part of my practice (none / 0) (#72)
by Molly Bloom on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 07:25:28 AM EST

not my staying afloat.

It looks like PA will finally have a budget, (none / 0) (#3)
by andgarden on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 08:14:31 AM EST

though it's apparently the last state in the nation to get one.

I'm tickled by the fact that a state that was, to my understanding, the heart of the temperance movement in the northeast, will now be allowing table games in casinos. This is a state that still requires all alcohol except for beer to be purchased through state stores.

But I will say that I'm impressed with Ed Rendell. He got the Republicans to concede to tax increases and several hundred million dollars more funding for education.

virginia (none / 0) (#11)
by cpinva on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:03:39 PM EST

requires all but beer & wine to be sold through state owned/operated ABC stores.


: The PA Liquor Control Board (none / 0) (#13)
by andgarden on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:08:26 PM EST

is one of the largest purchasers of wine and liquor in the world.

If you're worried at all ... (none / 0) (#40)
by kdog on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 03:59:18 PM EST

about the poor gambler, table games offer far better odds than the slots, especially blackjack.

And far far far better odds than state lottery games.

Good to see PA give the gambler a fighting chance by allowing blackjack and the like..wish my state would follow suit, but at least I don't have to deal with the state-run liquor store nonsense...win some lose some:)


Oh, I agree (none / 0) (#41)
by andgarden on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 04:05:11 PM EST

I'd sooner throw my money into a fountain than a slot machine. But I can have some fun playing blackjack.

Our state stores are not as terrible as they used to be. . .


Are the state stores... (none / 0) (#44)
by kdog on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 04:21:36 PM EST

conveniently located or is it a hike?


: In my experience, they're pretty convenient (none / 0) (#45)
by andgarden on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 04:37:41 PM EST

They also tend to be well-lit and well-stocked. You can get pretty interesting variety when you're the second biggest buyer of wine and booze in the world (after Ontario IIRC).

BTD is such a panderer! (none / 0) (#4)
by Steve M on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 08:42:02 AM EST

if quizz is healthy (none / 0) (#5)
by Turkana on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 08:53:40 AM EST

oregon state wins. interesting second tier matchup.

Iowa probably will win today (none / 0) (#6)
by Exeter on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 10:06:35 AM EST

and then dive into the soggy cereal pool that is the Big 10 and probably go undefeated until they face Ohio State... and will be considered an elite team... but they don't have the horses to be an elite team.

If the Hawks are undefeated... (none / 0) (#9)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 11:27:22 AM EST

...going into OSU, Hawkeye Nation will be one very happy place as it will mean they bested PSU in Happy Valley (next week) and then Wisc. in MadCity and MSU in E. Lansing in back to back road games.

Since Ferentz coached teams usually stumble early and come on strong at the end of the season, we'll gladly take being 9 and 0 going into the Big Horseshoe. Elite or not, that's a great year and the faithful will get their trip to somewhere nice and warm.


: Iowa's (none / 0) (#61)
by Exeter on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 07:57:05 PM EST

Defense is top notch, no doubt about that. Offense needs work, though. Could Stanzi telegraph anymore passes?!?

The BIG GAME today is: (none / 0) (#7)
by steviez314 on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 10:25:55 AM EST

Princeton vs. The Citadel in a rematch.

I'm taking the Princeton Band and laying out 6 points of outrage.

Oh No (none / 0) (#8)
by Militarytracy on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 10:50:43 AM EST

Jeralyn is carrying an ad for Smashbox cosmetics. I've been living in the stix and doing so good! I only trek to Dothan for the occassional Elizabeth Arden and Clinique gift set. Sinning will be too easy now.

Hmmm, too easy you say. (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:10:26 PM EST

I'm trying to imagine what life would be like if sinning was too hard.

Can't decide between a little on the dull side (everyone a little too pious) or very, very interesting and probably equally dangerous (the concept of no sins).


I just spent ten minutes trying... (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by kdog on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 04:12:12 PM EST

and I can't imagine a world without sin, my version of the classic scripture versions.

Without sinners there would be no saints...just can't imagine it. And no free will, shudder that thought.


: Obviously neither one of you has (5.00 / 1) (#80)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 08:34:48 AM EST

a cosmetic binging problem :)

OK, this makes no sense. (none / 0) (#10)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 11:56:40 AM EST

ABC is showing the Nebraska v. Virginia Tech and not the Arizona v. Iowa game in Colorado?

That's not right. Talk about your East Coast bias.

Go Hawks!

Milehigh-- (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by rdandrea on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 03:29:05 PM EST

Iowa-Arizona is on ESPN2 right now.


Got it--thanks! (none / 0) (#39)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 03:40:25 PM EST

Wearing out the edge of my seat right now. All sharp objects safely stored and heart meds close at hand...


: Dawgs up by 3! (none / 0) (#49)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 05:26:42 PM EST

Could they be back? This would be a huge win for the program.

sorry but, ummmmmmmmmm (none / 0) (#12)
by cpinva on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:06:23 PM EST

Iowa? they grow corn there, don't they?


The best corn. Ever. (none / 0) (#20)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:36:18 PM EST

And darn tasty piggies too. Bonus points to you for not confusing Iowa and Idaho!

Speaking of corn and pigs (mmmmmm, bacon)--here is an article on slow money that was an interesting read.

The crux of the movement is persuading investors to put some of their assets into businesses they can see, smell and even taste -- to measure growth not by the flashing numbers on a stock ticker, but by the slow ripening of a tomato.
That isn't dramatic. But Mr. Tasch argues that investing in sustainable local agriculture will yield an enviable return -- just not the type of return many are used to.

Corn in Iowa? (none / 0) (#26)
by Molly Bloom on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 01:17:41 PM EST

Corn in Iowa... you don't say....


I'll see your Henry A. Wallace... (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 02:02:43 PM EST

...and raise you a Norman Borlag

Borlaug was among the most honored Americans, beginning in 1970 with the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in Mexico that led to dramatic improvements in wheat yields. Because of this work, which he later repeated in India and Pakistan, nations that once faced widespread famine were transformed into net food exporters.
In his lifetime, Borlaug received many more awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal - putting him in the unique group, including Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela, who received all three honors.

: But the true mark of a great American (5.00 / 2) (#32)
by Steve M on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 02:33:25 PM EST

he had an obit in Sports Illustrated!

Oh what might have been ... (none / 0) (#59)
by brodie on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 06:50:32 PM EST

if FDR had been inclined or been politically able to keep HW on his 1944 ticket.

The most left-leaning president in history -- though the inevitable clashes with his own party, the political DC establishment, Congress, the Pentagon, would have been fierce.

Still, I'd like to think he would have taken a much more forceful public approach to battling the emerging rabid anti-commie Repub elements like McCarthy. Truman with his politically motivated Edgar Hoover-enabling Loyalty Act basically caved to the crazies -- didn't want to get into the gutter with Joe, he said.

Oh what might have been (for HCR among other issues) if HW biographer John Culver had kept his senate seat in 1980, instead of losing to that weasel Grassley ...


Big 12 game (none / 0) (#18)
by rdandrea on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:29:30 PM EST

CU's conference.


CU has a football team? (none / 0) (#22)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:39:16 PM EST

Who knew! (Kind of like their basketball team).


Not this year (none / 0) (#23)
by rdandrea on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:40:41 PM EST

n/t


#11 Ohio State is crushing the same .... (none / 0) (#25)
by magster on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 01:13:47 PM EST

...Toledo team that crushed CU last weekend. It's hard to believe that once upon a time CU was the national champion.


I expect Wyoming to crush CU this week too. (none / 0) (#27)
by rdandrea on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 01:27:59 PM EST

Let the record reflect... (none / 0) (#67)
by rdandrea on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 09:10:35 PM EST

That I was wrong about CU-Wyoming.

Big time.

Darn it, I hate when CU wins. My daughter went to CSU.


CU won? (none / 0) (#69)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 09:36:48 PM EST

Wonder of wonders.

How are the Rams doing today? Also winning, I hope.


: CU beat Wyoming 24-0 (none / 0) (#75)
by rdandrea on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 09:16:35 AM EST

And CSU beat Nevada 35-20.
Air Force beat New Mexico 37-13.
UNC lost to Eastern Washington 16-0.

CU... (none / 0) (#29)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 01:56:06 PM EST

...is undoubtly the 3rd best major college team in the State this year. And I wouldn't be surprised if UNC couldn't beat them too.


Health care and SFC (none / 0) (#15)
by magster on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:22:12 PM EST

Yesterday I asked whether progressives should mobilize to block the SFC (BaucusCare) from reporting out of committee, or if that would do more harm then good.

Kagro posted a long piece on Kos that basically decides to block the SFC.

Frustratingly, he comes to no conclusion (none / 0) (#16)
by andgarden on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:27:38 PM EST

My instinct is that Jay and Chuck should not give in to BuacusCare. Take control of the situation, and procedure will follow.


"decides" isn't the right word... (none / 0) (#19)
by magster on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:32:29 PM EST

in my comment, "leans towards" is more accurate.


: I would offer an amendment (none / 0) (#21)
by andgarden on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:37:15 PM EST

to roll back all of the Bush tax cuts and make that the price of voting out a bill with no public option. Afterwards, I would expect the public option from the House to be included.

There are 543 amendments so that alone (none / 0) (#17)
by JSN on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 12:28:59 PM EST

may be enough to block the digestive system.


He also (none / 0) (#24)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 01:05:44 PM EST

considers Rhandi Rhodes and Bill Maher the media.

I saw that, laughed and didn't finish reading.


: lol - didn't realize Rhandi still even had a show (none / 0) (#35)
by ruffian on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 03:21:30 PM EST

since my XM radio mercifully dropped her show.

Huh? (none / 0) (#28)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 01:52:22 PM EST

A politicians who negotiates?

Clinton is "tough-minded," said Gates, a Republican and holdover from the Bush administration. "Her general approach on issues is that anytime we make a concession on something, that we get something for it. . . . . Which is very much in tune with my view."

Wouldn't it be nice to have a president like that?

Heh . . . (none / 0) (#33)
by nycstray on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 02:41:08 PM EST

"I'd say she likes plain speaking," Slaughter said. "She is impatient with language that obscures rather than tells you what she means, and she is impatient with symbolism for symbolism's sake."

Ahhh (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 03:14:26 PM EST

I repeat: Wouldn't it be nice to have a president like that?


Sigh, I found some foreshadowing here (none / 0) (#64)
by FoxholeAtheist on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 08:28:03 PM EST

in this section:

Clinton said she feels an urgent need to help explain to Americans -- "somebody who is an unemployed autoworker or a family worried about losing their home or a small-business person struggling with health-care costs" -- why it is important to spend money on curbing maternal mortality or improving girls' education overseas.
"We have got to take a hard look and be very honest about what we do right and what we don't do so well," Clinton said. "I don't want to be sitting here talking to you in a year or two years or how ever long I am around . . . and say we saw these problems, we deplored them, we regretted them, we fulminated about them and we are still living with them."

Doesn't that give the impression that, unless Obama starts to do something right, she may not even stick around till the end of his first term.

Frankly, once she's done with this gig, she might be of greater service to the world as a private citizen - in the tradition of Gore and Bill. Electoral politics is BROKEN for the foreseeable future.


I think we need her in political life.... (none / 0) (#66)
by sallywally on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 08:44:51 PM EST

To plagiarize: Wouldn't it be nice to have a president like this?


: I often agree with you sallywally... (none / 0) (#70)
by FoxholeAtheist on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 04:20:19 AM EST

and yes it would "be nice to have a president like this"?

I can't help but think that it must (none / 0) (#68)
by Anne on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 09:11:45 PM EST

be making her crazy that there is such a dearth of leadership at the top.

I'm at the point where I would love to have her on the outside driving the issues where they need to go; someone has to do it, and who better than Hillary?

I try not to think about what isn't, but can't help thinking about how much more effective she could be without being handcuffed and muzzled by having a position within the administration (which was exactly what the administration wanted - a neutralized Hillary).

Well, pardon my French, but F**K that.


: I have that same sense of Hillary actually (none / 0) (#71)
by FoxholeAtheist on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 04:26:08 AM EST

being limited by her role as SOS - unless there is something magnificent happening behind the scenes that we don't know about.
However, I've come to the conclusion that most (if not all) of what's happening behind the scenes is a helluva lot worse than what's in plain view. So, regarding Hillary, I'd like to see her be a free agent.
BTW, I love your French Anne.

Go Big Red! (none / 0) (#48)
by phat on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 05:15:54 PM EST

Come on!

: Ouch! (none / 0) (#62)
by phat on Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 08:12:08 PM EST

h/t

Obama Asks Paterson Not To Run Again (none / 0) (#74)
by daring grace on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 08:53:18 AM EST

for governor according to today's NY Times.

Not a huge surprise to anyone, given Paterson's abysmal standing in the polling. Still, the Times acts as if a president engaging in politics with a sitting governor of his own party is unusual. What would seem unusual to me would be if he did not.

The Times article has some interesting summing up of the strained relationship between Obama and Paterson as well as some background on what Andrew Cuomo has had to overcome among NY Dems (particularly in the AA community). Hint: Carl McCall.

I don't know what they're saying about Giuliani running downstate but political observers up here think he's only potentially a winner against Paterson. Agreed. Andrew would wipe up the floor with him IMO. So I doubt he would try against Cuomo. UNLESS...Cuomo wins through a bruising potentially racially divisive primary against Paterson.

Why does the Times think that? (none / 0) (#76)
by nycstray on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 09:22:29 AM EST

He's been messing in our politics since day one, lol!~

Why can't Rudy just go to Fla and retire?


Rudy (none / 0) (#77)
by daring grace on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 09:55:02 AM EST

The knowledgeable folks upstate that I heard talking about this pointed out how long it's been since Rudy won an election and how unsuited to tough campaigning (and mercurial) he seems.

But he's the only one with enough oomph on the Repub side who seems possible to step up at this point and they need someone like that to GOTV.

I agree with you. Florida's loss would be our gain. I think Rudy's 30 seconds are up myself.


: But Then Again (none / 0) (#78)
by daring grace on Sun Sep 20, 2009 at 09:58:14 AM EST

I would never underestimate the ability of the NYS Dems in Albany to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Paterson's unfortunate ascension to gov and the inept nonsense in the senate leadership this year have really etched an image in peoples' minds.