Thursday, September 16, 2010

Week 3's Burning Questions and Much More


Inspired by James Madison's full-frontal exposure of Virginia Tech this past Saturday, the CFRT has decided to open up the email bag to expose the most burning questions heading into week 3.


From: WACky Bob
"CFRT, why does most of the country hate on my Boise State Broncos so much?"
Dear WACky Bob,
The better question might just be: Why in the world isn't everyone more up in arms about TCU than the Broncos?
While No.3 Boise State has drawn the lion's share of non-BCS backlash for having the audacity to threaten to bust the BCS, No.4 TCU has quietly and comfortably flown under the radar.
When in fact, the Horned Frogs actually have a worse strength of schedule than the boys from the Smurf Turf.
For some reason, most people just assume Boise State is the scourge of the BCS busters because of their ridiculously weak schedule.
Well, don't look now, but in the latest Sagarin Strength of Schedule Ratings, the Broncos' "sched-cred" is a respectable 37 out of 120 Division I-A teams.
TCU's? Uh....try 111th.
So, theoretically, the Horned Frogs have a better chance of crashing the big boys' party. 


From: Stiff-Arm Steve
"CFRT, should Reggie Bush have given his Heisman Trophy back?"
Dear Stiff-arm Steve,
Absolutely not, but not for the reasons most would think.
It is CFRT's contention that, although he was probably the best player in the regular season of 2005, Bush probably shouldn't have even won the award if the Heisman was given out when it should be given out - after the completion of the season, that is (more on this subject later).
After receiving the Heisman that December, Bush was grossly outplayed in the head-to-head match-up with Heisman runner-up Vince Young and the Texas Longhorns in the BCS Championship game.
Bush not only had an inexplicable game-changing fumble (lateral to nowhere) in the Trojans' loss to Texas, he wasn't even the best tailback on his own team that night - statistically speaking (LenDale White actually had 124 yards on 20 carries compared with Bush's 82 yards that night).
Meanwhile, VY single-handedly dominated the come-from-behind national championship victory over USC, passing for 267 yards and rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead game-winner with 19 seconds remaining.
CFRT asks you Stiff-Arm Steve, who would you have voted for the next day?


From: Atop the Michigan Bandwagon
"CFRT, can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't think my Wolverines are back?"
Dear Atop the Michigan Bandwagon,
Absolutely not.
But I can give you multiple reasons why you shouldn't get too far ahead of yourself.
First of all, when the Wolverines jumped out to a 4-0 record last year - ironically including a thrilling win over rival Notre Dame led by their fleet-footed young quarterback (Tate Forcier) - Michigan caught a case of the Big Blues, losing seven of their next eight games to finish 5-7.
And, while Denard "Shoelace" Robinson certainly looks like a shoe-in for an invite to the Downtown Athletic Club in New York in December, many thought Forcier was the Pat White Wolverines' coach Rich Rodriguez had been sorely missing.
Forcier is now riding the pine behind Robinson.
Also, you have to wonder just how Michigan would have fared had Notre Dame's Dayne Crist had been able to play the entire game.
After leading the Irish to a 7-0 lead, Crist left the game following their opening drive, complaining of problems seeing out of his right eye on his TD keeper 3:41 into the first quarter.
Robinson then rallied Notre Dame to a 21-7 halftime lead.
But, when Crist came back in the third quarter, he promptly led the Irish to two TDs and a field goal and a 24-21 lead.
It took Robinson's last-second heroics to pull out the 28-24 Wolverines' win.
If Big Blue expects a Heisman effort by Robinson to bail them out every time, the losses will come.
Hey, you asked...

CFRT's Pick 6

(Tonight)
Cincinnati at NC State
Despite the dreadful college football conference impersonation the ACC pulled last week, the Wolf Pack's 28-21 win at UCF was one of the bright spots for the so-called league. And, if there is a conference looking to rival the ACC in an ugly contest, it's Cincy's Big Least. NC State, 35-24.

(Saturday)
No.12 Arkansas at Georgia
Has there ever been a team that received so much love in the preseason be so quietly 2-0 like Arkansas? UGA actually played South Carolina better than the score looked last week, but the Dawgs' best receiver AJ Green is still sitting while the Razorbacks and QB Ryan Mallet won't be intimidated on the road (see Florida game in '09). Arkansas, 31-17.

No.10 Florida at Tennessee
These two couldn't have gone in more opposite directions in the second half of their games last week. After playing No.7 Oregon to a 13-all tie at the break, UT was outscored 35-0 in the second half (48-13). Florida was lucky to be tied 7-7 with South Florida, but dominated the final two quarters by a 31-7 burst (38-14). Gators, 27-10.

Clemson at No.16 Auburn
The good news for Clemson is they've outscored their first two opponents 93-31. The bad news is, that was against North Texas (0-2) and Presbyterian (0-2). Cam Newton-led Auburn is already battle tested. War Eagle, 24-21.

No.3 Boise State at Wyoming
If there is a trap game for the Broncos this would be it. The Broncos can't look ahead to the following week's match-up with Oregon State against a sneaky good Cowboys team. Boise State, 42-17.

No.9 Iowa at No.24 Arizona
UPSET ALERT!
Something has to give here. The Hawkeyes' defense is eighth in the nation in points allowed (7 points per game), Arizona's D is 2nd (4 points per game). Both have excellent under-rated quarterbacks. And, even though CFRT has lost both Upset Alerts this season, this one's tempting. Wildcats, 24-21.

Last week: 4-2
Season: 8-4


Your Saturday "Couch Schedule"


Can't figure out which games to watch?
At what time?
Don't worry, we've got you covered.
CFRT believes in making your game day viewing experience as efficient as possible - even if the only quality time it creates is between your backside and your couch.
Here are the games to watch and when.

"Early Game"
No.12 Arkansas at Georgia at noon on ESPN

"Remote Control Roulette Game(s)"
No.10 Florida at Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. on CBS
No.8 Nebraska at Washington at 3:30 p.m. on ABC

"Night Game"
No.9 Iowa at No.24 Arizona at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN







1 comment:

  1. Good point about TCU sneaking under the radar. Must say, Boise State's win against VT isn't looking so impressive now. I like your picks, but I think Georgia may pull off the win against the Razorbacks as they try to bounce back. No, A.J. won't help their cause!

    ReplyDelete