Friday Foreplay: Texas Tech at Oklahoma (Open Thread)

*Fred Garvin*: Hey Copernicus....Get Your Guns Up!!! Texas Tech's offense is going to destroy OU! Get Your Guns Up!!! (Copernicus had to hear this endlessly on his 2006 Cotton Bowl Trip)


*Copernicus Lombardi*: Freddy G....Have you ever seen a Tech fan "get their guns up"??? It looks a lot like this:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/401386819_569b6ac419.jpg?v=0
Loser! Not sure what a "Sooner" is, or how it can "Boomer" someone, but at least they aren't walking around flashing the loser sign.


*Fred Garvin*: Hey Copernicus.....How come Texas will never fall into the ocean?
Because OU SUCKS!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLsw79LJZN0
I've never seen a clown like that at a Texas Tech game, but I've seen this guy (http://espn.go.com/media/ncb/2001/0323/photo/a_knight_ht.jpg) and he's pretty
damn cool! (http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/people/k/knight_bob/knight-reed2.jpg)


*Copernicus Lombardi: *Hey Garvin, don't show me a picture of Knight. Hey Knig.....(choking sound...choking sound....pain, lots of pain)
- 1 hour later -
Please forgive me, COACH Knight, for not using your first name. If you can forgive me for that, I can forgive you for crushing my trachea. To be a recent retiree, you sure as hell have a strong grip.
Now, let's all join together and enjoy another (lame) Texas Tech Red Raider tradition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-W4qhmJUoE


*Fred Garvin*: I hope that Coach Knight wasn't too hard on you. He wanted me to send you a link to one of his favorite traditions from his basketball games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7RiC3Dduhk
Coach Knight's favorite OU Football Tradition is the annual crashing of the Sooner Schooner:
http://www.truveo.com/Off-the-Wagon/id/2263206336
Ah yes.....the Sooner Schooner crashing and burning just like the OU Football team.

Pigskin Prognostications

As always, before we get to this week's picks, let's see how we did last week:

SEC Games: 5-1 - the miss was our Kentucky over Vandy pick. 10-2 straight up the past two weeks.

Other Picks --

The Good: Gambler's Special (Texas -13 vs. Kansas) - Final Texas 35, Kansas 7....and....

Almost Upset of the Week (Oregon State 34, California 30) - Final Oregon St. 34, California 21 -- Oregon State intercepted a pass and ran it back with 31 seconds remaining. Almost an upset.

The Bad: Upset of the Week was Louisville over Cincinnati. Final Cincinnati 28, Louisville 20.

The Ugly: Extra Almost of Upset of the Week Pick: I picked South Carolina to almost upset Florida. No dice, not even close. 56-6, Gators.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS:
SEC
Arkansas 27, Miss. State 13
Florida The Speed of Light, Citadel 0
LSU 27, Ole Miss 24
Vanderbilt 19, Tennessee 14

National Games:
Oklahoma 47, Texas Tech 34
Utah 27, BYU 20

Upset of the Week: Oregon State (+2.5) over Arizona

Almost Upset of the Week: Penn State 23, Mich. State 16

Gambler's Special: Arkansas over Miss. State (game is a PK)

Ridin' Dirty

How is this video either weather or sports related?

Well, it is quite similar to a Sylvester Croom coached offense: The two just don't seem to go together, but can be damn funny if you are completely removed from the situation.

A reminder about State's offensive rankings since Croom took over:
2004 107 out of 117 (303.18 YPG) (3-8, 2-6)
2005 113 out of 117 (276.18 YPG) (3-8, 1-7)
2006 103 out of 119 (286.83 YPG) (3-9, 1-7)
2007 113 out of 119 (297.15 YPG) (8-5, 4-4, Liberty Bowl victory)
-----------------------------------------
2008 111 out of 119 (284.71 YPG) - through 10/18/08 (3-6, 1-4) - through 11/01/08

Fire Croom.....just sayin'.

Serious Snow in Buffalo

Live from the Double Wide!

For anyone wondering what Copernicus Lombardi looks like, here is video of him during his latest radio show. (If anyone believes that guy knows who Copernicus or Lombardi were....or even spell Copernicus or Lombardi, then I've got some "offically" signed sports memorabilia to sell you!)

Somebody needs to tell this guy that both Alabama and Auburn have a bye week coming up, so the Iron Bowl isn't for another two weeks and not next weekend.

Pigskin Prognostications

Time for our second week of SEC picks, with a few national games of interest thrown in for good measure...

Before our picks, let's take a look back at last week:

In SEC Games.... 5-1 straight up, miss was the UT/Wyoming game.
Overall....6-3, misses were TCU over Utah and Penn St. over Iowa. Both games came down to the wire, and, against the spread, both would have been "correct." But, no excuses. I suck.

On to this week's picks:

Alabama 24, Mississippi State 10
Georgia 21, Auburn 10
LSU 37, Troy 20
Ole Miss 27, Louisiana-Monroe 17
Florida 27, South Carolina 20
Kentucky 26, Vanderbilt 23

National Games Of Interest:

Upset of the Week: Louisville 30, Cincinnati 28

Almost Upset of the Week: Oregon State 34, California 30

Extra "Almost Upset of the Week" Pick: Florida/South Carolina

Gambler's Special - Lock of the Week: Texas (-13) over Kansas

Weather Babe Wednesday: Sugey Abrego

LSU Fan Brings a Pistol to a Shotgun Fight

The Mobile Press Register is reporting that a Football Dispute Leaves 2 Dead in Conecuh County, Alabama. Apparently Dennis Smith, a LSU fan, called Michael Williams, an Alabama fan, after Saturday night's game and an argument ensued. Dennis and Donna Smith then drove over to Williams' home and wound up in a physical altercation. The LSU fan retrieved a pistol from his vehicle and the Alabama fan armed himself with a shotgun, fired two blasts, killing Dennis Smith. Donna Smith then threatened Williams and he killed her as well.

Folks, I know that passions and rivalries run deep, but come on now. Although I think that at least two things here pretty much should be expected:

1. LSU is always willing to use a "Pistol"

and

2. Bama fans are willing to literally kill for their team

Mike Leach: Master of Sports, Weather, and.....Dating????

I never get tired of this classic video of Mike Leach doing the weather:




But how many people knew that Mike Leach is also a master on dating:




All I can say is that it sure would be fun to have Mike Leach coached offenses back in the SEC!!!

Touchdowns, Fumbles, and a Dirty Bellringer

Texas Tech pretty much throttled Okie State Saturday night by scoring touchdowns on 7 straight drives after fumbling the ball on their first possession. On their 9th possession Texas Tech fumbled the ball again, but TT returned to form on their 10th drive by scoring another touchdown. Texas Tech either reached the endzone or fumbled the ball on every single drive.

Live Blogging Saban's Return to Tiger Stadium

Major Hurricane Paloma

Hurricane Paloma is definitely a significant Atlantic tropical cyclone for the month of November having reached the 2nd highest intensity for that month.

Here are some stats of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes since reconnaissance began in 1944:

Lenny - 135 knots - November 17th, 1999

Paloma - 120 knots - November 8th, 2008

Greta - 120 knots - November 5th, 1956

Michelle - 120 knots - November 4th, 2001

Kate - 105 knots - November 20th, 1985

Of Cajuns and Corndogs

All I hear nowadays from most of the LSU crowd is how much they can't stand Nick Saban.... "Oh he's such a traitor!" I used to contest this openly, point blankly asking "Really? How so??"

I mean... did he leave LSU in the middle of the night on a plane bound for Tuscaloosa, after giving several inspirational speeches to his team about "holding the rope" being there for each other? Answer: No... That might apply to ex-Crimson Tide Coach Dennis Franchione (Emphasis on the "ex" part), who left in the middle of the night, bound for College Station and Texax A&M.

Did he commit to becoming the next LSU coach.. but, before beginning his first season, get caught at a strip club, shouting "GEAUX TIGAHS BABY!"..... Answer: No.... Perhaps they are confusing Saban with Alabama's shortest career Coach Mike Price. Remember this?.. "It's ROLLING BABY!"

Don't even get me started on the well-meaning (but ultimately terrible coach) Mike Shula.

My point is... Alabama fans from my generation have come to learn quite a bit about let-downs, disapointment, and even traitors.... (and I think we've finally learned not to hire anybody named "Mike" as our head coach).

Now... Nick Saban came to LSU and, before he was done, left that program with one more National Championship title than they had before he arrived. He then followed what, at the time, was his dream of coaching in the NFL. Despite his love for the team and fans at LSU (not to mention the location... His family LOVED it there), with a heavy heart, he accepted the position as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. However, it wasn't long before he realized how much he really missed coaching college ball. See the following blog/article recently sent to me by a good friend for more insight on this: http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2008/11/when_did_saban_realize_he_made.html . Yet, he stuck it out for two full years before deciding to make the move back to NCAA football. Alabama happened to be in desperate need of a solid, well-established coach at the time... and, well, the rest is history.

So... How is he a traitor again? This, I'll never understand. After losing such a catch, I can definitlely understand some of the sore feelings coming from the LSU crowd... If Saban were to leave Alabama tomorrow, I would feel an immense sense of loss for our program there. But, traitor?... I don't think so.

Now... Let's get serious. Personally, I think the real reason that Saban left LSU was because of the constant pervasive smell of corndogs emanating from many of the fans who lived in and around Baton Rouge. Yes, you heard me.... "CORNDOGS!". The first time I read about this... I laughed heartily.... but it's true.... THEY SMELL LIKE CORNDOGS! I first read heard about this from an MSU (of the Mississippi variety) message board a few years ago.

The poster advised his audience NOT to let on if you were aware of the corndog smell, as LSU fans know about their condition and are very sensitive about this. Well... I didn't believe it myself... until this one day.... Well.. I'd really rather not go into detail. Just know that I wish I had heeded the advice of that wise message board poster. You see.... It is true that the LSU fan-base is very conscientious about their... shall we call it..... colorful fragrance.... Ah heck.. Why sugar coat it?! .... CORNDOG SMELL! But... many of these Cajun Corndog people aren't of the little fairy cupcake variety... so, if you happen to go to the game tomorrow.. and you sit near one of them...whatever you do... DON'T MAKE A FACE about the smell... Don't even say the words.. "Does anyone else smell corndogs?".... Don't even come up with a code word for "corndog"... Trust me ... they are on to all that. I know, because I tried to beat the system and use code words such as, "maize-weenies", "cocktail-doggies", and even "triscuit bunnies"... They were on to ALL of that. The best thing you can do is just... Take It!. ...Just sit there and take it. Don't even get up and act like you have a bladder infection and make several trips to the bathroom just to catch a breath of "relatively" fresh-air. THEY KNOW... and they'll be waiting for you outside the stadium if you try any of that. Now.. don't get me wrong... Corndogs are fine part of the American experience.. and I don't mean to bust on them at all. But I mean... when your very own body odor reeks of it... That is a bit much. But please keep in mind.. they can't help it.

That's all I feel comfortable saying about that.

Peace out Football Party People,
Johnny Red

Pigskin Prognostication

Welcome to the first Pigskin Prognostication - it's just like the GFS, except not as accurate. It's also not a model. Nor does it attempt to simulate the weather. But, other than that, it's pretty much just like it.


SEC GAMES

Alabama 26, LSU 24, OT

Auburn 31, Tenn-Martin 0

South Carolina 22, Arkansas 19

Tennessee 33, Wyoming 6

Florida 31, Vandy 14

Georgia 28, Kentucky 13



OTHER GAMES OF INTEREST

Upset Special....TCU 27, Utah 24 (Thursday)

Texas Tech 44, Ok. State 37

Almost an Upset Special.....Penn State 24, Iowa 21

Fulmer agrees to step down as Vols coach

ESPN is reporting that multiple sources indicate Phillip Fulmer has agreed to step down as head coach of the University of Tennessee Volunteers at the end of the season.

Sources indicate that an announcement is being planned for Monday at Neyland Stadium and that a mutual agreement has been reached that it would be best for all parties did not return next season.

As stated on this blog last week, let the speculation about his replacement begin!

Weekend Musings

+ Think LSU fans want this one? It's Bama. It's Nick Saban's first game back. It's a #1 team playing in Baton Rouge. It could clinch the SEC West. Wow. If Saban owns any Kevlar, this might be a good week to break it out.

+ Saturday sealed Phillip Fulmer's fate, in our humble estimation. It wouldn't surprise me if the school announced his retirement later this week. If not now, then soon; it's just a matter of time. Chance Fulmer returns: 5%

+ Still interested to see how Auburn finishes - the loss to Ole Miss was devastating. After a gimme this weekend against UT-Martin, they close with games vs. Georgia and at Alabama. They must pull an upset in one of those to become bowl eligible. At this point, I think Tuberville is safe if he can beat UGA or especially 'Bama. If they lose both of those to go 5-7, it gets very dicey for Tommy. Chance Tubby returns: 30%

+ Is there a bigger asshat in sports than Urban Meyer? Calling timeouts to rub UGA's face in it? Really? And I love their pathetic effort to get Tebow back in the Heisman race by floating this "he had a knee injury" crap. Lame.

+ Early Prediction: Florida sure is playing great right now. They've crushed LSU, mashed UGA, and are on a serious, serious roll. They've basically wrapped up the SEC's Eastern Division, and they have a cake-walk to Atlanta, right?

Wrong.

I'm not sure if South Carolina can beat UF, but they will give them fits. Look for South Carolina to push Florida to the brink, perhaps even win the game.

Dawgzillatron Unleashed!!!

Mississippi State University debuted its new $6.1 million HD video board on Saturday. The new video board measures 152' wide by 135' 6" wide, with a true HD screen that measures 111' wide by 44' high, which makes it the largest true HD board in the Southeastern Conference and the second largest in all of college football to Godzillatron at the University of Texas.

Now if only State could get a head coach and an offense.