stringertom
Bionic Poster
Soccer team tryouts ASAP..
College Football 2017: The Road To Atlanta
- Thread starter stringertom
- Start date
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
I'm live from the Cal USC game today, boys and girls. I'm the lone Southerner and ACC/SEC guy in my wife's family of Cal and USC grads. [emoji3]Can't wait to see big Sam D up close but hoping for a Cal upset.
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stringertom
Bionic Poster
Hope you run into @Mike Bulgakov ! You won't know it if you do...he's a little on the spooky side.
r2473
G.O.A.T.
If you see Iowas pride from the rose bowl a few years ago, let me know
Edit: Forgot it's UCLA that plays in the Rose Bowl stadium
Last edited:
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Went to ND MSU tonight. Really disappointing game. I really expected a competitive game, they usually are in the rivalry. I knew the rebuild was still in full swing for MSU but this really damages the confidence of said rebuild. Just completely blown out tonight.
Did not expect that game to be so bad I would be dipping early.
Plus side is I got the tickets for free from work. That's about where the fun ended lol.
Did not expect that game to be so bad I would be dipping early.
Plus side is I got the tickets for free from work. That's about where the fun ended lol.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
I'm really disappointed with FSU's supppsedly strong defense that cost them the chance to eke out a win with a true freshman QB. Blackman did his part after looking shaky at the start. The defense gave up way too many big plays and Derwin James let a big play turn into a scoring play with a feeble attempt at an open field tackle that a place kicker might be expected to fail with a whiff. No excuses, just try and he could have brought the receiver down.
r2473
G.O.A.T.
Damn!!
mikeler
Moderator
Well, you have a scrimmage with Wake before two more tough games with Miami and the undefeated Dukies.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
We'll have a betterer chance on the hardwood.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Throwing shade on the Fedora, are we? As bad as FSU is this year, he could probably coax another last second FG FTW as a repeat for 2016.
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
Coming in with a late reply. Who knew the Bay Area had such poor cell service? 
No kidding, inside Cal's stadium and ZERO service in most spots. Thanks a lot, Silicon Valley!
Not impressed with USC seeing them up close. Two weeks in a row of slow starts and uninspired offensive play. There goes my preseason pick. Darnold was less than impressive. Recaps I've read are praising USC's D and the 6 forced turnovers but Cal's QB Bowers absolutely killed them with 4 interceptions. I'll give him the one tip but one was a bad read/poor decision and two were to areas without a receiver in sight. USC's walk on kicker absolutely kept them in the game. Cal was moving the ball well with a solid running game right down the throat of the USC D line. If Cal's running attack looks that good, what will USC do against the Bamas and Clemsons of the world? Not much. Game was dead even after 3 quarters but really bad INT's killed Cal. Interesting side note. Cal was down 17 late in the fourth...the official spread was 16.5...Cal gets a garbage time TD with just a few minutes left. Hmmmmm. Time of possession and total yards were nearly identical late in the fourth.
Take aways:
1. Cal Memorial is a great place to watch a game. I was in the 12th row around the 10 yard line but walked around a bit and there's not a bad view in the house. It's positively quaint compared to most of the ACC/SEC/Big 10 stadiums I've been in. Certainly not the near religious/Euro soccer experience you get at an SEC or Big 10 game (or bigger ACC schools).
2. USC might be moving ahead of Ohio St fan and Georgia fan for most annoying on my list. Chardonnay predominated at tailgating...WTF!? This is college football in 'Murica, Jack. A LOT of trash talking the Cal fans, who would probably rather be home on their Iphones anyway. I started talking smack because my father in law wouldn't. It was really fun reminding USC fans they didn't win those titles a few years back and that Clemson or Bama will make them look like a JV squad if they make it to the playoffs. The older fans would then tout USC's academic reputation, then I would remind them that when they went to USC the rep wasn't there and the joke was you might be handed a degree if you walked too slow through campus. It was great fun. The stadium was nowhere near full, even with USC in town, and it was darn near a 50/50 split in the crowd.
3. Though USC fan is annoying, female USC fan is quite easy on the eyes...generally speaking.
4. The USC band is something to behold. Cal's band is well regarded but the cheers were limited to "C...A...L...let's go Cal!!". USC has an elaborate production. It was a little bit of a mismatch.
In other news, r2's Hawks also let me down. What a great game but gutted Iowa couldn't pull it out.
Va Tech rolls against ODU and sets up the battle of the ACC undefeateds with Clemson. I still don't think my Hokies can score with Clemson and will likely lose by 10-13 points.
Big Blue Nation heartbroken again. We keep hearing that this is the year we'll finally beat Florida. Had 'em by the short and curlies in the 4th and couldn't close the deal. Stoops just can't win the big game so far in Lexington.
No kidding, inside Cal's stadium and ZERO service in most spots. Thanks a lot, Silicon Valley!Not impressed with USC seeing them up close. Two weeks in a row of slow starts and uninspired offensive play. There goes my preseason pick. Darnold was less than impressive. Recaps I've read are praising USC's D and the 6 forced turnovers but Cal's QB Bowers absolutely killed them with 4 interceptions. I'll give him the one tip but one was a bad read/poor decision and two were to areas without a receiver in sight. USC's walk on kicker absolutely kept them in the game. Cal was moving the ball well with a solid running game right down the throat of the USC D line. If Cal's running attack looks that good, what will USC do against the Bamas and Clemsons of the world? Not much. Game was dead even after 3 quarters but really bad INT's killed Cal. Interesting side note. Cal was down 17 late in the fourth...the official spread was 16.5...Cal gets a garbage time TD with just a few minutes left. Hmmmmm.
Time of possession and total yards were nearly identical late in the fourth.Take aways:
1. Cal Memorial is a great place to watch a game. I was in the 12th row around the 10 yard line but walked around a bit and there's not a bad view in the house. It's positively quaint compared to most of the ACC/SEC/Big 10 stadiums I've been in. Certainly not the near religious/Euro soccer experience you get at an SEC or Big 10 game (or bigger ACC schools).
2. USC might be moving ahead of Ohio St fan and Georgia fan for most annoying on my list. Chardonnay predominated at tailgating...WTF!? This is college football in 'Murica, Jack. A LOT of trash talking the Cal fans, who would probably rather be home on their Iphones anyway. I started talking smack because my father in law wouldn't.
It was really fun reminding USC fans they didn't win those titles a few years back and that Clemson or Bama will make them look like a JV squad if they make it to the playoffs. The older fans would then tout USC's academic reputation, then I would remind them that when they went to USC the rep wasn't there and the joke was you might be handed a degree if you walked too slow through campus. It was great fun. The stadium was nowhere near full, even with USC in town, and it was darn near a 50/50 split in the crowd.3. Though USC fan is annoying, female USC fan is quite easy on the eyes...generally speaking.
4. The USC band is something to behold. Cal's band is well regarded but the cheers were limited to "C...A...L...let's go Cal!!". USC has an elaborate production. It was a little bit of a mismatch.
In other news, r2's Hawks also let me down. What a great game but gutted Iowa couldn't pull it out.
Va Tech rolls against ODU and sets up the battle of the ACC undefeateds with Clemson. I still don't think my Hokies can score with Clemson and will likely lose by 10-13 points.
Big Blue Nation heartbroken again. We keep hearing that this is the year we'll finally beat Florida. Had 'em by the short and curlies in the 4th and couldn't close the deal. Stoops just can't win the big game so far in Lexington.
mikeler
Moderator
Well KevinT did play college ball, so I'm trusting his pick of Clemson over VT. I'm concerned how much the BC game took out of our guys last week in a HOT game in Death Valley. We have had a brutal September schedule with Auburn and Louisville already, so a loss in a noisy VT environment would not be shocking. It would give us 2 months to work our way back up the rankings and if we can run the table on the rest of the year, then it would setup another rematch with VT on a neutral field. That rematch should happen regardless of the outcome Saturday.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
UVA? You're playing Hokies, not Cavaliers. I think you had a brutal day watching your Tigers.
Ban moderator.
mikeler
Moderator
I clearly said VT if you go back and look at my post and your quote. OK, I cheated...
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Moderator power to edit without proof of editing...ISWYDT!
#ScaryBigBrother
You won't be invited to play our parlor games, knowing you carry the secret whammy stick.
mikeler
Moderator
Very astute of you to notice that.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
FTFY. SexiSuri power!
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
I just can't see Clemson losing it...better yet, Va Tech's D holding Clemson to 20 or 23, which I think will be necessary given Va Tech's offensive capacity. It will be a great atmosphere and great game. I always liked Clemson's fans much better than Gamecock fans when I lived in SC...they were much more rational and realistic of their chances.
The fans in Blacksburg are always welcoming, so it should make for a great tailgating experience. Wish I was going to be there.
mikeler
Moderator
I just can't see Clemson losing it...better yet, Va Tech's D holding Clemson to 20 or 23, which I think will be necessary given Va Tech's offensive capacity. It will be a great atmosphere and great game. I always liked Clemson's fans much better than Gamecock fans when I lived in SC...they were much more rational and realistic of their chances.
As a Florida Gator and Clemson Tiger, I'll just tell you the truth. Florida fans are jerks. So are FSU and Georgia. South Carolina fans are a little delusional but for the most part not on par with the 3 schools I just mentioned. Clemson fans, I'm too biased to assess my own ilk. My experience with VT grads has just been totally cool. Light and fun trash talking but all in good spirit. So VT is just not a team I can bring myself to hate even though they gave Clemson a few beatings when they first came into the league. Let's hope for an entertaining game like last year. If Clemson is ultra-focused like Louisville, they have a great chance. If they lay an egg for 3 quarters like they did against BC, it will come down to the end.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Here's the gap in obnoxiously belligerent fan bases in Florida, starting from barely tolerable to respectable:
FLORIDA
MIAMI
FLORIDA STATE
10x bar fights in Gainesville on FSU weekend than in Tallahassee.
I've been physically threatened by Gator fans even on neutral ground in Orlando and Daytona Beach just for wearing garnet and gold.
It all stems from being Big Bro for so long and then along came Schellenberger/Johnson and Bowden to show how to build a national champion-level program when Florida couldn't win a conference championship. Then when success came, they got even more bullyish.
I'm glad you've dumped them in favor of your other school. The few Clemson fans I've met seem cool. Last year's ACC Championship game here let me meet both Hokies and Tigers. Decent people.
mikeler
Moderator
I'll give you that Florida fans are more obnoxious than FSU but I've had plenty of negative experiences with FSU fans over the years. The Georgia fans (grown men) will get right up in your grill and bark at you. It was kinda scary the first game I went there just because you are not sure what their intentions are when someone gets in your personal space.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
How about a near brawl at Daytona International post-500 race in the infield while waiting for traffic to clear simply for wearing a Nole sweatshirt??? Mind you, this was in February, a full three months after FSU beat the Gators on the way to the national title. Never a hard feeling from reptiles.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Back to the games...a rare Friday Night Lights doubleheader featuring four unbeatens. Hope I stay awake for both...USC on the road in The Palouse vs WSU could be a gem!
mikeler
Moderator
How about a near brawl at Daytona International post-500 race in the infield while waiting for traffic to clear simply for wearing a Nole sweatshirt??? Mind you, this was in February, a full three months after FSU beat the Gators on the way to the national title. Never a hard feeling from reptiles.
Agreed, let's get back to the games. Can't wait for tomorrow night.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
FSU wins their first and avoids tying my senior year 0-11 record. It took a fourth quarter comeback engineered by true freshman QB Blackman to come from 3 down to win 26-19 with the winning 40-yard TD pass scored with just 53 seconds on the clock
Kevin T
Hall of Fame
Your boys look darn good, Mikeler! Absolutely stifled Tech on defense. That D line is a monster. I think u might have another title in your future.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
mikeler
Moderator
We won't have the number 1 defense on paper because we play the 2s and 3s so much having locked up so many games early. They obviously give up more points than the 1s but the valuable real game experience they are getting against the other team's 1s is worth much more than the stats. Now that we run the ball so much, the other offense has less time on the field as well which makes each possession that much more critical. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season now that hell month is over for us in terms of schedule.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
I'm not seeing much in the way of a tiebreaker third Bama/Clemson national title game. Fast forward to January, please.
ropinranger
New User
another good weekend of college football....could be a three-peat natty game, I hope not! I am ready for some other teams to get a chance. Georgia looked like the real deal, Penn st., ou, wash, all still look decent.
for this week, I just hope the AGGIES stay within two or three scores and don't get embarrassed like everyone else has against the tide...
for this week, I just hope the AGGIES stay within two or three scores and don't get embarrassed like everyone else has against the tide...
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Upset alert...Iowa State on the brink of taking down OU, 38-31 late in the 4th.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
The Cyclones pull it off!
Georgia thumps Vandy in the most convincing top 5 win today so they should move up. Penn State and Clemson were underwhelming. Bama and Washington play later.
Georgia thumps Vandy in the most convincing top 5 win today so they should move up. Penn State and Clemson were underwhelming. Bama and Washington play later.
mikeler
Moderator
Clemson plays their subs for a lot of the 2nd half in many games. They had it locked down early again. You get more playing time for the subs but those who don’t watch the game (and vote on rankings) think it is close.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Really? I could have sworn that was the first team out there that was stymied after the first two quick scoring drives in the first quarter. In fact, Bryant wasn't injured until midway through the third quarter.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Coach O's job in Baton Rouge is safe for a week...Auburn comes to town so there's no time to celebrate edging the Cardiac Gators in The Swamp 17-16.
Coach Jimbo may be their man if he wants to leave after this mess of a year. Giving up a TD from 23 yards out with six seconds left will not sit well in the Seminole chickee hut.
Coach Jimbo may be their man if he wants to leave after this mess of a year. Giving up a TD from 23 yards out with six seconds left will not sit well in the Seminole chickee hut.
mikeler
Moderator
Once we got up 21-0, they started putting some of the 2s in and at 28-0 some of the 3s started playing. Bryant got hurt with the score at 21-0. We have played a bunch of guys every game this year except Auburn.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Michigan LOL
-Reporting from the game lol
-Reporting from the game lol
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Fans of the Italian national football team won't like this but we could call the SDSU teams The Azzuri, no?
stringertom
Bionic Poster
And driving again.
jaggy
Talk Tennis Guru
About that
stringertom
Bionic Poster
What a jinx poast!
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
RIP Clemson
stringertom
Bionic Poster
The new #2???