Week 4 picks

Man. I know I said the same thing last week when it was Week 3, but I still can't believe its already Week 4 of the season...

Speaking of Week 3, we couldn't quite break loose with our weekly picks as we ended up going 25-26-1 against the spread. That drops our season record to 66-69-1 ATS. We'll look to do a better job this week and get this operation running smoothly for you. I know, I know. Its bullshit Beav. Get your shit together. I hear you, I'm trying guys...

Live Action Recap:

As you know last week we took a road trip to Syracuse for the Northwestern/Syracuse shootout. It was one of the best, if not the best, live college football game I have ever been to. If you can get your hands on a replay of the game via the Big Ten Network or other online source please let me know, as I am looking for a replay source from the game.

With a 7:00 kickoff on the horizon, Saturday was wide open for catching games on tv and pregame tailgating. Armed with the 12:00 tv games under our belts, my cousin and I headed for the Carrier Dome to do some pregaming and such. Our first stop was a familiar parking garage where we knew we'd see a few familiar faces and get in some early heckles. After a couple of beers we took to the streets and began mingling with the crowd to get a feel for how folks thought the evening would play out. Most were preoccupied with drinking and grilling, as is often the case, however we managed to sneak in a few game takes from Orange fans by using the magical powers of the high five.

On the whole, I'd say the feeling on campus was that the Orange needed a win in a big way. And as a mere 3 point underdog, there was a belief that SU could break the seal in the Doug Marrone Era. Local media dubbed it a "must-win" game. When considering the Orange's upcoming schedule- Maine, followed by the Big East slate- I had to agree with their assessment. See, a loss to Northwestern would all but kill the hopes of a successful 2009 campaign since a Maine win was expected and the Orange has been dominated in Big East play as of late. So basically the fans needed a confidence booster, a reason to believe. And that's exactly what they got. More about that in a minute.

As kickoff neared, my cousin and I found ourselves making two quick bar stops to catch up on some of the day's scores, slam some pizza, and fine-tune our operation (read: drink one for the road). So with our good luck shots still settling, we left the bar scene and made our way to the stadium.

The game started on a high note for the Orange. But after jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the 1st quarter, Syracuse yielded 3 quick scores to Northwestern to go down 21-17 in the 2nd quarter. From that point on it was back-and-forth scoring with the Orange eventually intercepting inside 2:00 remaining and kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired.

During the game the 40,200+ fans on hand kept up a respectable energy level in support of the hometown team. On every crucial 3rd down situation with the Syracuse defense on the field the crowd rose to the challenge and created a noisy, rowdy environment that would trouble any collegiate offense. The magnitude of the crowd's energy was easily the highlight of the whole day's atmosphere. Well, unless you are a sucker for the token "tough guy" fake fight at a game. In that case you would have enjoyed being in the row behind us during the 3rd & 4th quarters. I wasn't aware that Johnny Toughguy and Joey Baggadouche were going to be seated next to each other at the game, so it came as a surprise when the two had words over some spilled beer. And in case you're scoring at home, Baggadouche had a backwards hat (check) and Johnny T. had a shaved head with a goatee (check, check).

Anyway, the post-game celebrations were extended well over an hour after the game with the band playing in the streets until after midnight, and the faithful Orange followers on hand acting as if they'd just witnessed a Rose Bowl win. After finishing our first "Victory Beer" of the season and soaking in some more of the post game antics, my cousin and I eventually called it a night and headed for home just in time to catch the 4th quarter of the UCLA-Kansas State game.

Weekly picks:


Here they are for Week 4. Home team in CAPS; Beav's pick in bold.

Thursday Sept 24

Ole Miss 3.5 SCAROLINA: Spurrier's gang will be tough at home on a Thurs night prime time. Get ready for a fight, Johnny Reb.

Friday Sept 25

Missouri 7 NEVADA: Wolfpack have underachieved so far; Missouri by 2 scores.

Saturday Sept 26

N'WESTERN 2 Minn: Two evenly matched teams I've had the pleasure to see in person. Should be a great game. Gophers pull off the squeaker.
TEMPLE 2.5 Buffalo: Temple sucks. Seriously guys, do I need to make a case to bet against Temple as a favorite? Take the Bulls with the points.
GA TECH 2.5 Unc: Jackets bounce back at home. NC goes home disappointed.
CINCINNATI 16.5 Fresno St: Dogs chasing Cats all day. Closer game than Cincy wants.
MICH 21 Indiana: Reality finally sets in for the Hoosiers.
WISC 3 Mich St: Badgers escape with a win. Badgers grind it out, much like a fan trying to watch this game start to finish.
FLORIDA ST 14.5 So Fla: Take the Bulls with the points against in-state rivals.
KANSAS 13.5 So Miss: Kansas has looked solid so far. So Miss will be a challenge they overcome.
Lsu 12.5 MISS ST: Tigers too fast, athletic for Bulldogs to keep pace.
MEMPHIS 3 Marshall: Memphis running game beats down Marshall front.
BOSTON COLL pk Wake Forest: This is a tough call, as both programs have yet to impress. I'll take the Deacons based on a tougher schedule YTD.
AIR FORCE 16.5 San Diego St: Falcons soar past the Aztecs with explosive offense.
unlv 3.5 WYOMING: Rebs look the part, play the part while shitcanning the Cowboys.
CLEMSON 2.5 Tcu: Take the points with the Frogs- they're a better team top to bottom.
Rutgers 2 MARYLAND: Terps are as inconsistent of a program as you'll find in America. Don't turn your back on 'em.
CMICH 16 Akron: Zips show some life in conf match up, bounce back after Indiana loss.
NAVY 28.5 WKentucky: Too many points to lay with a running team. If WKU scores twice they cover.
ECU 10.5 Cent Fla: Pirates are the better squad, tough opening schedule will show in preparations.
NO.ILL 17 Idaho: Vandals have surprised twice this year. Make it 3 this weekend.
OHIO ST 14 Illinois: Stick with the Buckeyes in C-bus.
ALABAMA 17.5 Arkansas: The Hogs aren't getting much respect with that line. Take the points- they're a capable team.
Cal 5.5 OREGON: I haven't liked the Ducks yet, until I saw the win against Utah. Meanwhile Cal struggled at Minn.
NC ST 1 Pitt: Panthers will pound the run and chip away at a good D. NCST offense lets the Pack down.
Miami 3 VA TECH: Canes continue hot streak, light up Lane Stadium.
TEXAS 36 Utep: Take the points. Hope for rain, some running plays and sustained drives.
FAU 4 La-Monroe: Owls are a solid team, begin Sun Belt play with convincing win.
ARK ST 2 Troy: Troy pulls road upset after scoring the UAB win.
BYU 16.5 Colorado St: That's a lot of points coming off a loss. But Colorado State is no FSU.
Florida 21.5 KENTUCKY: Cats should gain some confidence after UT/UF game. Gators survive scare again.
TEXAS A&M 14 Uab: Aggies regroup, look more convincing this week against UAB.
NEBRASKA 27.5 La-Lafayette: Give credit to the Cajuns for their non-conf schedule. Should still lose but LSU game was good experience.
Boise St 16.5 BOWLING GREEN: Broncos outscored a tough Fresno team on the road last week, should have no problems repeating.
AUBURN 33 Ball St: Potential trap game here, at least ATS. Auburn should blow out Cards but they're distracted by looming trip to Knoxville.
Mid Tenn St 6.5 NTEXAS: Take the Green with the points at home. MTSU still living off Maryland win.
Toledo 2 FIU: Panthers have some playmakers. Toledo coming off shutout loss. Play the 'dog.
TENN 23 Ohio: Rocky Top welcomes back UT after strong road performance. Too much for Ohio & Co.
IOWA ST 9 Army: Cadets never cover on the road. Except at Eastern Michigan.
KENT ST 7 Miami OH: I'd be lying if I told you I knew something about either of these teams this year. I gotta hunch, how's that?
GEORGIA 11.5 Ariz St: Sun Devils hang in but lose a close one. UGA has bigger things on its mind, like SEC play.
UTAH 14 Louisville: Cards aren't as bad as betting public thinks. Utah is 0-3 ATS. Take the points.
Vandy 7 RICE: Owls had confidence booster after covering OSU game. Vandy coming off shitty loss to Miss St.
Notre Dame 6.5 PURDUE: Take the Boilers with the points- they can stand toe-to-toe with ND- I'm sold.
PENN ST 10 Iowa: Penn State is bad ATS this year, but they are great on the field. Look for a 20 point Lion win.
STANFORD 7 Wash: Huskies will be the trendy pick this week. Guess that makes me a trendy guy.
HOUSTON 1.5 Texas Tech: Cougs are for real. TT is regrouping. Look for a shootout, TT pulling off the upset late.
NEW MEXICO 10 New Mexico St: Local media has dubbed this game "The Biggest Game in New Mexico This Week." I say the Lobos win big.
USC 45.5 Wash St: Now how in the hell can you make the Trojans a 45 point favorite coming off a loss, when they're playing a team that won last week? Have them play Washington State, that's how. The points are too ridiculous to pass up. Take 'em.

FCS action to keep an eye on:

Brown @ Harvard- Friday night Ivy League play gets underway as Harvard hosts Brown at 7pm. If you're in the area make it a point to stop by the game for the Crimson's annual nighttime tailgating. Get there early though because once opening kickoff arrives security shuts down tailgating. Harvard 24-17.

Cornell @ Yale- Versus picked up the national telecast, meaning this is a huge game for people all over the country. OK, maybe not. But its a nice change of speed from some of the games ESPN forces down your throat. Yale 17-13.

Howard @ Georgetown- Why, you ask? Because somebody's gotta win, that's why. Both teams are averaging less than 10 ppg on offense and have yet to win. Also, this is one of the intracity match ups that we love here at Beaver Tales. So if you're in the DC area slide by the game. At least make an effort to see the Howard band play at halftime. That alone is worth the price of admission. G'Town 20-17.

Penn @ Lafayette- Leopards are expected to be a contender in the Patriot League race this year. This is the 1st of 4 Ivy League games in a row they will play before resuming conference action. Penn faced a potential National Champion in Villanova last week and lost 14-3. Eastern PA will be abuzz with the outcome of this game waiting to be decided. Lafayette 21-13.

Towson @ Morgan State- Another intracity rivalry we'd love to attend this weekend. This matinee is brought to you courtesy of the Tigers & Bears. Over the years Beaver Tales has enjoyed strong readership out of the greater Baltimore area. So we're calling all of you Charm City inhabitants to step up and support your local teams. I like the Tigers "on the road." Towson 30-28.

Weber State @ Portland State- The Vikings are still smarting after an ass-whooping from Big Sky powerhouse Montana, while the Wildcats come to town with their only losses being to FBS Colorado State and Wyoming by narrow margins. Look for Weber State to come away with a not-so easy road win in Portland, while the Vikes settle in for another mid-conference finish. But if Weber State should lose, it will open the door for Montana to run the table and earn the Big Sky automatic bid for the gazillionth time. Weber State 34-21.

Nut Kick Game:

Last week's Nut Kick Game of the Week winner was Miami's 33-17 win over Georgia Tech. The main reason this game was a kick in the nuts is because fans everywhere outside of Miami-Dade despise the Hurricanes. Sure, there's a few fans of The U here and there spread out across the country. But in general, it is pretty easy to find someone who hates Miami in college football circles. I cannot, however, say the same thing for Georgia Tech judging by my experiences. So with this highly-advanced method of determining football fans' allegiances I've decided that most of America was rooting against the Hurricanes. But not only did Miami win, they won convincingly. You got the feeling in the 3rd quarter that the game could have been a lot worse than the mere 16 point loss that it was.

Alas, the damage was done. Georgia Tech is a legitimate football team and they'll go on to have a good season. But the way the 'Canes disposed of the Jackets proved that The U is for real this year. And that proof, ladies and gentlemen, is what gives Miami reason to brag and be, well, Miami. Thus, the kick to the nuts.

That's all for now. Live games will be a game time decision this week. For now, we're eyeing the Brown @ Harvard game Friday night, but things could change. Rest assured you'll get a recap of whatever action we take in this weekend.

Beav

Old Mill vs Ole Miss

In the spirit of all of the hype that the Ole Miss football team has received this season, I figured we should provide you with a peek of the Rebels too, but with a twist. So we took a beer that doesn't get as much PR as the others and we're giving Old Milwaukee its due. Let's take a look at how Old Milwaukee and the University of Mississippi football team stack up head-to-head.

1. Bragging Rights: Ole Miss fans are the first to tell you about their beloved Grove. The Grove has been labeled the best tailgate in America by people all over the country. That's quite the compliment when you consider the competition and the sheer number of venues vying for the honor of best America's best tailgate. On the other hand, Old Mill has it printed right on the can that it is America's Best Tasting Beer. Touche. Impressive, indeed Mr. Old Mill. However, if we let common sense prevail I think we'd find that Old Milwaukee's proclamation may not carry the same weight as it did, say 30 years ago when the distinction may have been accurate. Score one for the Rebels, 1-0.

2. History: Both of these icons have been around a long, long time. Ole Miss has spent much of their history losing football games (their last SEC title came in 1963!). Old Mill has spent much of its history witnessing bar fights, listening to old timers' stories, and taking in drunken, moronic behavior. Chalk one up to Old Mill for always being there, through the good times and bad. 1-1.

3. Quality: Without a doubt Ole Miss has produced some quality players over the years. Archie and Eli Manning were Rebels, and more recently the likes of Michael Oher and Jevan Snead have made national headlines. But when you consider how long the Rebs have been playing football they just don't seem to match up with the year-in-year out quality that Old Mill yields. I'm not sure if that's a compliment to Old Mill or a knock at Ole Miss, but it is what it is. Point Old Mill for sticking to the basics and giving us a reliable product. 2-1.

4. Babes: Let's face it- if you're drinking Old Mill you're probably not roping in any new talent. You're either content to slam cheap beer for the night with the fellas or you're off the market. Maybe you're camping, maybe you're tailgating, maybe you're just enjoying a night on the couch one OM at a time. But one thing is for sure- you aren't fielding any offers from the coeds. A trip to Ole Miss, on the other hand, is said to provide some of the best scenery in America. Gotta tip my cap to the Southern Belles for putting on the cocktail dresses year after year despite having a shitty football team. Ole Miss takes this category in a landslide. Tie game 2-2.

5. Society & Culture: This is where the Rebels could stand to let go of some of their past. The fact that fans wave Confederate flags in support of Ole Miss really gives the Rebs a black eye. The Civil War is over, asshole. Put down the flag and relax. Moreover, Ole Miss has a reputation as being the snooty big brother to in-state rival Mississippi State. Given the Rebs' track record over the past century, I am not sure how they could look down their noses at any fan base. On the flip side, Old Milwaukee actually seems to have inexplicable binding powers. It is virtually impossible to look down your nose or discriminate while holding an Old Milwaukee. Even if you splurge for the bottled version you're still drinking Old Mill, Cletus. Tiebreaker goes to Old Mill for being "the great equalizer." 3-2 Old Mill.

So in a nutshell there you have it. A highly scientific, in-depth look at a couple of old time American classics. Remember to tune in for the Ole Miss @ South Carolina game tomorrow night as the Rebs get their first true road test in Columbia. And the next time your bartender asks "what'll it be" make it an Old Mill...Tell him Steve McQueen* sent you.

The Beav

*Late actor Steve "The King of Cool" McQueen's beer of choice was said to be Old Milwaukee.

Week 3 picks

Week 3 is upon us, ladies & gents. Here in the Northeast the weather has turned cool- not cold yet- and the leaves they are a-changing. I couldn't think of a better time of year than the present, as we now have a sneak peek at what the hundreds of football teams across the country have to offer (except for a few, like the Ivy League who open up play this weekend) for us this year. And yet we still have the majority of the season left to go. If I could be permanently stuck in one time frame now might be the one I choose.

Anyway, enough of the bullshit. Let's get down to what matters- picking some winners and dodging the "trap games." Action starts up tonight with Georgia Tech paying a visit to "The U" to take on the Hurricanes. Last week's Thursday night match up featured a thriller in GT/Clemson, let's hope this week's does the same. Personally, I like the way the Yellow Jackets showed some resilience after letting a huge lead slip away and then coming back for the win. The Hurricanes' week 1 win over Florida State looked impressive at the time and was certainly an entertaining game to watch, however I am not sure how impressive it is now that Florida State is coming off a squeaker win against FCS Jacksonville State at home. Tonight should tell us a little more about UM.

Thursday Sept 17
MIAMI 5.5 Ga Tech- Jackets look like the better team, will rely on the run.

Friday Sept 18
Boise St 7.5 FRESNO ST- Watch out for the Bulldogs- they're under the radar right now and could play the spoiler.

Saturday Sept 19
ARMY 7.5 Ball St- Did I read that right? Army is the favorite 2 weeks in a row, coming off a loss to Duke?? Take the Cards.
PURDUE 13 N Illinois- Boilers nearly topped the Ducks in Eugene- not an easy feat. Huskies still looking for their bite.
MICH 24 E Mich- Wolverines have gotta be charged up after ND win.
CLEMSON 7 Boston Coll- BC always plays Clemson tough. Look for an Eagles cover.
PENN ST 30 Temple- This one will get out of hand early.
KANSAS 22.5 Duke- Both teams coming off road wins, but Jayhawks are too much for Dukies.
Ohio St 20.5 TOLEDO- You kidding me? LOVE the Rockets here. OSU has a 'knack' for not blowing teams out and Rockets offense looks capable.
UNC 7.5 ECarolina- Heels escaped UCONN with a win; ECU is pissed about WVU loss- look for a better game from the Pirates.
Cal 14 MINN- Bears looking ahead, Gophers looking to go 3-0. Take the points.
KENTUCKY 14 Louisville- Wildcats will get a better game than they bargained for.
ALABAMA 38.5 NTexas- Tide rolls through North Texas.
COLORADO 7 Wyoming- You can't pay me to take the Buffs 3 weeks in a row even though I want to in the shadows of the Wyoming/UT massacre. Be careful here.
SO MISS 15.5 Virginia- Cavs look hopeless. But they show some fight for Groh even though he'll be gone by season's end.
MARYLAND 6 Mid Tenn- Tough call. Both teams are hit or miss. Go with the Terps at home.
TROY 6.5 Uab- Blazers may win outright. Take the points.
IOWA 5.5 Arizona- Hawkeyes in sync after blowout of ISU. Ride 'em.
AKRON 4 Indiana- Hoosiers upset the Zips, but Hoo cares?
Usc 18.5 WASH- USC is due for a steam rolling after last week's close win.
VA TECH 5 Nebraska- Hokies stop the Huskers in jacked-up Lane Stadium.
NOTRE DAME 10 Mich St- Both teams licking their wounds from Mich schools. Sparty's won 6 straight in South Bend.
FLORIDA 29.5 Tenn- Man that's a lot of points for an SEC rivalry. Says a lot about both schools. Tough call, go Gators.
OKLA 17.5 Tulsa- Sooners show there is life after Bradford.
OREGON 5 Utah- Both teams yet to cover, but Ducks have yet to impress.
So Methodist 6 WASH ST- Cougs have a chance to win this one, go with 'em.
San Diego St 3 IDAHO- What the hell, the Vandals have already covered once.
Nevada 3 COLO ST- Wolfpack get on track after rocky start @ ND.
BAYLOR 10.5 Uconn- Huskies will surprise the up-and-coming Bears.
RUTGERS 15.5 Fl Int'l- FIU has a couple of big-play threats. Panthers keep it close but lose.
PITT 7 Navy- Battle of running teams. Pitt comes out on top.
Cincy 1 OREGON ST- Rodgers brothers make this one a lot closer than the ass-beating Cincy planted on the Beavs 2 years ago. Cincy wins a close one.
N'western 3 SYRACUSE- Orange hungry for their first win. Tougher game than NU anticipates.
WMICH 16.5 Miami OH- Broncos hitting their stride, buck the Redhawks.
VANDY 9 Miss St- A must-win SEC game for both teams who struggle to find SEC victories.
Bowling Green 3 MARSHALL- Falcons are the better squad and Marshall looks confused so far.
OKLA ST 32.5 Rice- Cowboys got burned looking ahead. The effects still linger.
TEXAS A&M 19.5 Utah St- Battle of the Aggies isn't much of a battle.
Iowa St 3 KENT- Cyclones still dizzy after home ass-beating. Take the points.
BYU 7 Florida St- Cougs get the job done, send 'Noles packing.
SCAROLINA 20.5 Fl Atlantic- Owls catch a break with SC coming off heart breaker.
LSU 26.5 La-Lafayette- Cajuns had their moment in the sun against KState. Back to reality.
UCF 4 Buffalo- Bulls take it on the road and win.
Air Force 17.5 NEW MEXICO- Lobos catching a break with Falcons swooping after loss to Gophers.
AUBURN 7 West Va- Mountaineers may win this one outright folks. Take the points.
ARKANSAS 1 Georgia- This should be a great game. Tough call here, I'll go with UGA because of their defense.
Utep 13.5 NEW MEXICO ST- Miners haven't won a game- 13.5 is too much for an unproven team.
TEXAS 17.5 Texas Tech- TT's offense will find a way to keep it close.
STANFORD 17 San Jose St- Cardinal on the rise, looking for a big win.
ARIZ ST 19.5 La-Monroe- Warhawks take another road whoopin'.
UCLA 12.5 Kansas St- Bruins deserve this favoritism, K-state has sucked so far. Lock of the week, bitches.
UNLV 7 Hawaii- Runnin' Rebs finish the job this time.

That's a wrap for the FBS games this week. I'd also urge you to keep an eye on the following FCS games this weekend:

Thursday, ESPNU
Howard @ Florida A&M- Get a look at the Rattlers as they aim at 3-0 and a place in the top 25 tonight. Howard is coming off a season opener in which they got waxed by Rutgers. Be sure to catch the bands at halftime too- you won't be disappointed.

Saturday
Delaware State @ #19 Delaware- When you're talking rivalries in Delaware, this is where the conversation ends. Blue Hens win again but as usual its a bitter feud.
#14 Wofford @ Wisconsin- Traditional FCS power gets a crack at a big time FBS program on the road. It will be interesting to see if this ends up being a tight contest.
Harvard @ #22 Holy Cross- We gave you a piece of the Crusaders last week. Next week we'll be at the Harvard/Brown opener in Cambridge. Fitton Field should be a great place to be this Saturday if you're an FCS fan.
Old Dominion @ Jacksonville- 1st season ever for ODU football; this is their first game against a Division 1 school.
Rhode Island @ #23 UMASS- Rams look to keep this year's gridiron edition of Douchiest State in New England closer than years past.
#11 Elon @ Wake Forest- Can Elon take advantage of the Deacons' slow start?
#2 Villanova @ Pennsylvania- Quakers open their season with a bang as the 'Cats come rolling into Franklin Field. This could be a statement win for the Ivy, or a cross-town beat-down. Either way, if you're in the greater Philly area this weekend you should check it out (and send us a report on the tailgating).
Hofstra @ #1 Richmond- Spiders get their 3rd legitimate test in as many weeks. Let's see if they can keep the streak alive and remain top banana.
Portland St @ #5 Montana- Vikings take it on the road to open Big Sky play this year, at a very 'Grizzly' venue. Watch for the Grizz to win, but they'll have their hands full with a potent Portland State offense.


That's all I've got for you now. Be good.

Beav

Week 2 Recap; Fitton Field Memoir

We're back, bitches. The Beav had a winning weekend on the books, going 24-20 against the spread. This raises our season record to 41-43, almost out of the red. Let's try to put together a solid week 3 so we can move forward and bury the week 1 blues for good.

Nut Kickin' Good

This week's Nut Kick Game took place on Friday night, as the lone game of the evening could very well have served Dan Hawkins his walking papers. Hawkins' Colorado outfit failed to bounce back from their week 1 loss to Colorado State, yielding to Toledo 54-38 in the Glass Bowl. The Buffs have dropped to 0-2 overall, and still have a difficult Big 12 schedule to try to navigate their way through. Unless something major happens, Hawkins, who is already on the hot seat after leaving a Boise State juggernaut to take over a struggling Colorado program, could find himself out of work by season's end. Moreover, he has had to watch his former school enjoy success every season since he left. THAT, my friends, is a kick in the nuts.

Live Action Baby

The rainy New England forecast on Saturday found the Beav slipping into Fitton Field for the match up between #25 Holy Cross and visiting Sacred Heart. Due to the 1pm start time conflicting with the 12pm Syracuse/Penn State start time, we did not get to the game early for pre-game tailgating. We simply went straight into the game, which I typically don't like to do but will chalk it up as a necessary sacrifice in life. So after seeing the Orange put up a fight against a superior opponent, and then listening to the same game on the radio, the Beav & Co. entered Fitton Field hoping the Pioneers & Crusaders would bring us a fresh start. We had no such luck, however, as we were greeted by a 21-0 Holy Cross lead as we showed up early in the 2nd quarter. Minutes later the Crusaders tacked on another touchdown to make it 28-0. Then, with the Holy Cross 2nd team warming up and everyone in the stadium feeling an ass-whooping on the horizon, the Pioneers took the ensuing kickoff the distance for their first score. Capping the kickoff return in style, the returner planted a forearm shiver to the face of the Holy Cross kicker right in front of our seats.

With a renewed energy on their sidelines, the Pioneers defense held for a 3 and out and then drove to bring the game to 28-14 with a score. HC tacked on a field goal before the half, and the Crusaders took a 31-14 lead into the locker rooms.

At halftime the Beav's foursome had a chance to walk the stadium and check out what was going on. For my 3 cohorts, it was their inaugural trip to a HC football game. The last and only time I was at Fitton Field was for the Lafayette/HC game back in 2003. So halftime was a good opportunity for us all to get some better takes of this 85 year old facility, a true old timer of stadiums.

One of the beauties of watching a game at Fitton Field is the fact that there is no replay board like there is in more modern stadiums. Because of this, it puts more responsibility on the fan to watch the game live rather than trying to rely on a replay monitor. Personally, I like this challenge. I feel like it probably weeds out some of your classic douchebag fans who go to games and sit around with their Ipod I-Touching themselves the whole time. And then when there's a big hit or big play they're the first to ask you what happened. Look, assholes, I'm not a play by play guy. Its not my job to watch the game and tell you about it as it unfolds. So for those of you out there who feel like you fit this mold I wouldn't advise a trip to Fitton Field.

Aside from the rustic feel, the stadium also suggests that there was a peak era in Holy Cross football and it has long ago passed. I've seen photos from the 1980s when the Crusaders played in-state rival Boston College and Fitton Field was packed. But as of late, the atmosphere at the 23,000+ capacity stadium has been a far cry from the old days. Saturday's attendance for the Sacred Heart game was just shy of 2,900 people. That said, the fans in attendance were a noisy sort who had lots of big plays and scoring to cheer about.

When play resumed in the 2nd half the Crusaders wasted little time getting on the board, as they padded their lead with another touchdown, making it 38-14 and virtually sealing the deal. The Pioneers fought hard, however, and answered with a touchdown of their own to make it 38-21. On their next possession the Pioneers turned the ball over with an interception that was returned inside the Sacred Heart 10. The Pioneer D held strong, forcing a field goal attempt that ended up wide left. As the third quarter neared an end the Pioneers drove the distance of the field, only to turn the ball over on downs as a big hit from the HC secondary jarred the ball loose, forcing an incomplete pass and preventing a Sacred Heart comeback for good.

From that point the Crusaders put their attack on cruise control and closed the game with a 52-21 win. All in all it was an entertaining contest, filled with athletic plays, hard hits, turnovers, and scoring. Holy Cross improved their record to 2-0 overall on the season, while Sacred Heart dropped to 0-2. In live games with the Beav, the Crusaders notched their first win to up their mark to 1-2 lifetime, while Sacred Heart sits at 0-1 after our first encounter.

Next up

This weekend will take us back to the Carrier Dome for the second time in 3 weeks to see the Orange take on the Wildcats of Northwestern. The 7:00 kickoff should allow for maximum tailgating and soaking in of the local atmosphere. It may even allow us to visit Dinosaur Barbecue for a pregame meal, we'll see.

Be sure to check back for our week 3 picks and key games to watch. Until next time take care.

Beav

Week 2 preview & picks

What up my hommies? I'm coming at you with a little extra zing in my zang this week, coming fresh off of an MC Hammer concert Sunday night. That's right, MC Hammer, bitches. Basically the Hammer took the first 45 mins/hour of the show and made us listen to the "stuff he's been working on" before he finished hard with his 2 or 3 hits that anyone who had a radio in the early 90s remembers. Fortunately I had my camera with me so I was able to take a couple of short videos of "2 Legit 2 Quit" and, of course, "U Can't Touch This." In the words of Hammer himself, 'its been 20 years and you STILL can't touch this.'.....Yeah, it was that kind of show. Equal parts awesome, cheezy, and forgotten star all on 1 stage.

Hammer Time

Speaking of the Hammer, yours truly got hammered by the boys in Vegas this weekend. We turned in an embarrassing 17-23 record against the spread. The silver lining was in the totals bets, where we went 2-1 with our Over/Under guarantees. Hopefully the ATS record was just a week 1 thing and we'll snap out of it in the long haul.

Nut Kick Game

If you read last week's blog about where I was headed to see live football then you can probably guess which game I'm giving the Nut Kick award to...Syracuse/Minnesota. Not only did our beloved Orange let one slip through their hands, but they were on a ferocious pace to go over the 47 point total line for the week before both offenses went to sleep in the 2nd half and settled in for a 23-20 final in OT. Honorable mention includes the Northern Iowa near upset of Iowa, where one could taste a Panthers victory only to have it denied on 2 field goal attempts with seconds remaining. And I have to acknowledge the Boise State/Oregon game while we're at it, since both teams played a sloppy game and it ended in chaos. Fans looking to start the season with a bang were ready for an instant classic game but the Broncs & Ducks flopped, giving us a low scoring nightmare. Props to the Boise State Defense, however, for being the lone bright spot in a game filled with errors and miscues.

Live action recap

Although it earned the NKG of the week, Saturday's tilt between the Golden Gophers and Orange in the Carrier Dome was a fun affair to be a part of. The Dome was alive and well with enthusiasm and a renewed hope that better things are to come in the Salt City. Tailgating was a bit peculiar- perhaps the most awkward experience I've had at an SU tailgate ever. Combined with the dreaded noon kickoff time, the pregame vibe was tough to put a finger on. My interpretation was that there was a feeling of anxiety, nervousness, and uncertainty in the air, as fans were not their typical loud and boisterous selves in the tailgating lots. That said, all bets were off once we entered the stadium. At that point the crowd could no longer contain the nerves, excitement, or whatever it was that was keeping them hush-hush in the tailgating lots. From the opening kickoff to the final whistle the crowd was cranking baby. It was the most jacked up Carrier Dome crowd I've seen in at least 5 years.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, I was surprised to hear fans remaining relatively upbeat after the game. It was almost as if fans could exhale now that the first game of the Doug Marrone Era is in the bag and it was competitive and showed signs of improvement from the last several seasons of SU football.

As for Gophers fans, I did not see many, nor did their section make a lot of noise during the game. The few gentlemen I did speak to were polite, and had an expectation that was not arrogance, just confidence, that they would win the game. Turns out that they were right, though I'm sure the game wasn't what they had in mind.

Next up on the live circuit is most likely a trip to Worcester to see the Holy Cross Crusaders take on the Sacred Heart Pioneers. This is subject to change, as there are some other local MA & RI games that I could opt in for, but as it stands Holy Cross appears to be the Beav's destination on Saturday. Rest assured that wherever the weekend takes us you'll benefit from the live game coverage next week.

Week 2 Preview & Picks

Allright. We're moving on. Starting fresh. Its week 2 and last week is in the past. There is only 1 game this week that will pit two top 25 teams against each other, which is #3USC vs #8Ohio State. But before you get hard over this game try to remember that the preseason rankings we see are formulated before anyone sees a snap of football. So take them with a grain of salt, because there are some teams currently in the top 25 facing off against teams that are borderline top 25 material and some will make their way into the rankings as the season progresses.

Let's take a crack at some of this week's match ups. The action starts tonight when Clemson visits Georgia Tech. ACC backers are hoping for a good one here, as the always-hyped-rarely-delivering conference went just 4-6 in their non-conference games in week 1, including embarrassing losses by Maryland to Cal, Duke to FCS Defending champ Richmond, and Virginia to William & Mary. Georgia Tech is the favorite tonight but I am not sold as they looked unpolished in week 1 while Clemson had the look of a tightly-run operation.

Other games to keep an eye on are Syracuse @ Penn St (because I'll be talking about it on here so you might as well get used to it), Notre Dame @ Michigan (you'll be forced to hear about this one, like it or not), Vandy @ LSU (Vandy D gets tested in hostile environment), SCarolina @ Georgia (Spurrier's D vs a still-struggling UGA offense), ECU @ West Virginia (WVU seeking revenge from last year's loss), Richmond @ Delaware (Blue Hens look to return to glory but face defending champs), UNC @ UConn (UNC has lofty expectations, not the case for UConn but they could play spoiler), and Oregon State @ UNLV (Can the Rebs hang with the Beavs?).

Home team in CAPS; Beav's pick in Bold.

Thursday September 10
GEORGIA TECH 5.5 Clemson: Tigers looked better in week 1. Take the points.

Friday September 11
Colorado 4 TOLEDO: Take the Buffs- more pressure on them to win. Toledo coming off a drubbing from a questionable Purdue outfit.

Saturday September 12
PENN ST 28.5 Syracuse: Orange have improved; Penn St is a juggernaut but held back in 2nd half against Akron.
NORTHWESTERN 20 EMich: Eagles lost at home to Army. 'Nuff said. Cats claw the Eagles.
Pittsburgh 10.5 BUFFALO: Pitt running attack is too strong for Bulls.
INDIANA 1.5 WMich: Take the Hoosiers. Looked sloppy in week 1 but they got the W. Broncs just looked sloppy.
ARMY 1 Duke: Duke looks to redeem themselves, but I'm riding the Cadets' winning streak!
WAKE FOREST 3 Stanford: Cardinal looked good in week 1, catch the Deac's sleeping at home.
NCarolina 4 UCONN: Huskies nip the Heels in a tightly contested defensive battle.
MICH ST 14.5 CMich: Lefevour breaks out, Chips cover against in-state rival.
Iowa 6.5 IOWA ST: Cy-Hawk series has been lopsided for too long. Look for the Clones to stir things up in '09.
FLORIDA 36.5 Troy: Florida can tool on anyone from the Sun Belt right now.
VA TECH 19 Marshall: Hokies rebound against the Herd with better defensive performance.
BOSTON COLL 20.5 Kent: Both teams playing their first FBS contest; Kent is not prepared.
NEBRASKA 22.5 Ark St: Look for the Huskers to pound on another Sun Belt team at home.
WVU 6.5 ECarolina: Pirates cover, but fail to upset WVU in Morgantown.
Texas 33.5 WYOMING: Take the Pokes at home with all those points. It will take time for UT to find a rhythm in the Laramie altitude.
NAVY 7.5 La Tech: Middies roll the Bulldogs after near upset at the Horseshoe.
WASHINGTON 21 Idaho: Even after strong performance vs LSU 21 is a lot for Huskies. Idaho coming off a rare road win.
Notre Dame 3 MICHIGAN: Wolverines surprise pollsters, send Irish home with a loss.
Tcu 11 VIRGINIA: Eleven points should not be a problem for the Horned Frogs. Esp after UVA's season debut.
OKLA ST 15 Houston: Beware the letdown game, Cowboy fans. Houston can score in a hurry. I'm sticking with OSU, but be very cautious.
Byu 17 TULANE: Cougs will be the trendy pick this week, but I still say they can cover 17 against Tulane if they can beat Oklahoma.
UAB 12 So Methodist: Stick with the Blazers at home- they impressed vs Rice.
TENN 10 ucla: This isn't Western Kentucky, Lane. Better be ready for the Bruins.
TEX TECH 27.5 Rice: Public loves the Raiders. Beav does not. At least by 27.5.
MINN 3.5 Air Force: Minny glad to be home, but Falcons flying high after 72-0 win.
Hawaii 2 WASH ST: Road Warriors top the bottom of the Pac 10.
MIZZOU 20 Bowling Green: Nice win for the Tigs, but Illinois was unprepared. This week is closer.
Ohio 3 NTEXAS: Did Todd Dodge figure it out last week vs Ball St? I think so. Go Green!
MTSU 1.5 Memphis: Both teams licking their wounds. Memphis prevails.
Kansas St 7 LA-LAFAYETTE: K-State had a scare. This time Snyder's gang takes care of business from the start.
SO MISS 15 CFlorida: Expect big things from the Eagles' offense. 40+ big things.
LSU 14.5 Vandy: Tigers have a chance to silence critics with big win.
AUBURN 14 Miss St: Hopefully this game is better than last year's 3-2 snoozefest.
GEORGIA 7 SCarolina: Look for improved performances from both squads, and more 'hate' as they open league play.
Kansas 13 UTEP: Jayhawks will have no problem getting the job done in the Sun Bowl.
SFlorida 24.5 WKENTUCKY: Not fair. The Bulls kick the 'Toppers while they're down.
BOISE ST 37 Miami OH: We'll see an improved performance from Boise, but miscues need to be eliminated before I lay 37.
Tulsa 17.5 NEW MEXICO: Its a bad time to be playing football in the state of NM.
Usc 7 OHIO ST: Tough to go against the Buckeyes getting 7 in the 'Shoe. Even after the Navy Scare.
OREGON 12 Purdue: Really tough call. Was Purdue's 52-pt effort against Toledo for real? Will the Ducks look like a football team? Be careful with this game.
Utah 13.5 SJSU: I'll stick with the Utes this week even though they cost us last week.
Oregon St 7 UNLV: Look for a surprise game from the Rebs. Beavers caught sleeping makes for a close game, possible upset.

As for the FCS spotlight, I'll give you guys a couple of predictions to whet your appetite. How does this sound? Holy Cross 38, Sacred Heart 14. One more for the road. Maine 27, Northeastern 17....Ahhh, what the hell. You West Coast readers want to know what happens in the Montana-UC Davis tilt? I'll tell you what happens. Montana kicks the shit out of them 41-13, that's what happens.

Allright ladies & gents, that's it for me. Enjoy the weekend of football that lies ahead. And remember, the NFL starts this week so don't forget that you'll have something to hold you over between Saturday and next Thursday's action.

Take care.

Beav

Day 1 in the books

Last night left me speechless. Not because the games were so out of this world that I couldn't get a hold on them, but more because of the underwhelming quality of play on display. Basically, I had the opportunity to flip between SC/NC State, North Texas/Ball State, and Eastern Kentucky/Indiana for the early session, followed by the sole 10pm east game of Oregon/Boise St. I can't speak for the North Texas game because I saw less of that game than the others, but SC, NC State, Indiana, Oregon, and Boise State all failed to impress. Boise should have won by 3 or 4 scores. Oregon looked pathetic and had the feeling that they weren't aware the season had started yet, as if the game were a scrimmage or tune up game before next weekend. Indiana could very well have lost to Eastern Kentucky, who turned in a gritty performance before time expired on their final drive. As for the Gamecocks & Wolfpack, they too have some wrinkles to iron out over the next few weeks on offense in the form of fumbled balls, missed assignments, etc.

So as we put Day 1 behind us I am letting out a sigh of relief- this weekend cannot be as ugly as last night turned out to be. The only way to go is up. Sure, we'll see a fair amount of games where teams come out rusty, unorganized, poorly prepared. But rest assured there will be some gems mixed into the first full Saturday of ball games. Thankfully this will allow us all to tune into another game if the one you're watching is crap. But man, I tell you, last night was tough to sit through. Thank God there will be more options tomorrow. I don't think I can sit through another round of Boise State not being able to seal the deal, or South Carolina special teams leaving points on the field.

On a lighter note the Philly Bowl between Villanova and Temple (which we told you to keep an eye on) turned out to be a dandy. To borrow a line from Rocky V, the Cats "put some hustle behind that muscle," giving some authenticity to their preseason top 5 ranking in the FCS polls.

Tonight's lone matchup in FBS features Tulsa and Tulane, which should be a blowout by my estimation. Fortunately I'll be domeward bound tonight for the Salt City, however that will prevent me from reviewing the "Tulsane" game for you guys. Hopefully you weren't banking on me. If you were, my bad. I'm sure I can make it up to you at some point this season.

Suspension?

Lastly, I wanted to chime in on the post-game skirmish from the Oregon/Boise State game. Here's my take: NCAA should suspend Blount for 1 game and place him on probation for the remainder of the season. Thanks to the numerous references ESPN gave us last night, it was obvious to all who viewed that there is currently some bad blood flowing between these two schools. The video of a helmeted Blount waiting for a Boise State player whom he'd been jawing with (forgive me for not having the name ready off the top of my head- I haven't watched any sports shows today though I'm sure its widespread by now) to turn his head, then sucker punching him in the jaw is grounds for a suspension, in my opinion. If the NCAA does nothing, it sends the wrong message. If they defer to Oregon to discipline Blount, they send the wrong message. The NCAA has a chance to make a statement after this incident- it will be interesting to find out what kind of statement they make.

That's all for now. Enjoy the long weekend.

Beav