Author: robc

Here is sloopy’s mandatory link.

Dubious Rivalry of the Week

Akron @ Toledo, Toledo, OH

Zips vs Rockets.  I was expecting this to be a real rivalry, but they have only played 19 times.  Toledo leads 10-9.  This didn’t play between 1947 and 1992.  I am sure there is a reason, but I don’t care enough to look it up.  Akron led 6-2 before the hiatus, but Toledo has won 9 of the last 11.

Tailgate of the Week

Fresno St @ San Diego St, San Diego, CA

After last week’s boozy punch, I am going cold turkey and talking beer only.  So San Diego was an easy choice for the week.

Beer:  I was going to list them, but a link is easier.  Enjoy.

Game of the Century of the Week

USC @ Notre Dame, Sound Bend, IN

This has been a big game in the past and is again, because Notre Dame has decided not to suck this year.  I think both are overhyped, but the winner is still around for discussions of the playoffs for at least another week.

Notre Dame leads the all time series 44-36-5.  Instead of alternating between October in Indiana and November in California, they should reverse it.  I would like to USC playing in northern Indiana in late November.

Top 25

And like every other ranking system, Alabama is now #1.  I can’t explain Florida, they moved into the to 25 with a loss.  **shrug** Computer systems, watcha gonna do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Falling out:  Maryland, Texas Tech, UCLA, Navy.

Here is sloopy’s mandatory link.   I have nothing witty to say.

Tailgate of the Week

 New Mexico St @ Georgia Southern, Statesboro, KY

I have been waiting all year to do this one, but this is GaSo’s first weekend home game.  The Eagles are having a very bad year [0-4].  This is appropriate.  Their fans want the coach fired and a Johnson disciple hired.  When they are running the triple option, they win.  When they aren’t, they tend to crash and burn.  Six FCS national titles in the first 19 years of the program’s restart (They didn’t have a team between 1941 and 1982) sets expectations.

Beer:  Eagle Creek Brewing Company appears to be the only local option, so it wins!  The video on their home page is all about Eagle football and tailgating so that gets bonus points.

Booze:  This is the closest FBS city to Savannah, and I wasn’t going to cover a game at a school (Savannah St) that is dropping to D2.  So this recipe goes here.

Chatham Artillery Punch

2 cups sweet red wine
2 cups strong tea
2/3 cup rum
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup rye whiskey
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup gin
1/3 cup brandy
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 bottle dry champagne

Mix all ingredients except champagne. Cover and refrigerate for several days. Stir in champagne just before serving.

Some recipes suggest burying in the ground for a few days to a few weeks.  This recipe dates back to the Revolutionary War, so refrigeration may be an appropriate substitution.

Game of the Century of the Week

Georgia Tech @ Miami, Coral Gables, FL

This series is tied at 11-11 all time, but that isn’t the important stat.  What is important?  Remember how the ACCCG was originally played in Jacksonville, then Tampa, because FSU and Miami were going to be in it all the time?

Number of ACC titles since the split into divisions:  GT 1, Miami 0.  Number of Coastal division title:  GT 4, Miami 0.

Top 25

The rankings are starting to look more like the traditional ones, with a few obvious exceptions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Falling out:  Oregon, Wake Forest, Oklahoma, Duke.

Losers from last week, look at the rankings. This is what you have made me do. It is all your fault. Think about it. And here is sloopy’s mandatory link.

Dubious Rivalries of the Week

Old Dominion @ Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

The commonwealth throwdown. The Battle for Madison’s Shoe. The Founding Fight. This rivalry has many names, which is amusing as they have never played in football. Here is hoping that “The Battle for Madison’s Shoe” catches on.

ODU didn’t play football between 1940 and 2009, so at least it is understandable.

Tailgate of the Week

Kent St @ Louisville, Louisville, KY

My old stomping grounds. Tailgating at the actual game isn’t anything special, but I know the spots to booze up around town. Also, Louisville punches well above its weight when it comes to the restaurant scene. And its relatively cheap.

I will be eating here this Saturday. I haven’t tried it before, I will let you all know how it goes.

Beer: In my opinion, the best beer bar in the USA is Holy Grale. Built in a former Unitarian Church, it has a great selection of craft beers that you probably won’t see many other places. Plus a great burger.

Booze: Mint Julep Recipe – Henry Watterson

Pluck the mint gently from its bed, just as the dew of the evening is about to form on it. Select the choicer sprigs only, but do not rinse them. Prepare the simple syrup and measure out a half-tumbler of whiskey. Pour the whiskey into a well-frosted silver cup, throw the other ingredients away, and drink the whiskey.

Really, don’t drink that crap. If you have to adulterate your bourbon, I recommend ice. If you really, really need something else, make a Manhattan.

Game of the Century of the Week

Mississippi St @ University [sic] of Georgia, Athens, GA

After their thumping of LSU in this game last week, Mississippi St makes a surprising return. Here is hoping that they do the same this week, only more so. History suggests it is unlikely, as Georgia leads the all time series 17-6. That isn’t many games for two teams that have been in the same conference forever.

Top 25

1. Duke (3-0) 4.597 +3
2. Michigan (3-0) 4.490 +6
3. Iowa (3-0) 4.476 +10
4. Utah (3-0) 4.466 +1
5. Clemson (3-0) 4.444 +4
6. Mississippi St (3-0) 4.419
7. Maryland (2-0) 4.411 +10
8. Virginia Tech (3-0) 4.410 +11
9. Georgia (3-0) 4.393 +1
10. California (3-0) 4.390 -3
11. Southern Cal (3-0) 4.382
12. Georgia Tech (1-1) 4.352 +12
13. Oregon (3-0) 4.322 +3
14. Michigan St (2-0) 4.306 +9
15. Texas Tech (2-0) 4.300 -3
16. Alabama (3-0) 4.290 -1
17. Washington St (3-0) 4.246 +5
18. Miami FL (1-0) 4.235 NR
19. Vanderbilt (3-0) 4.233 +2
20. Wake Forest (3-0) 4.212 NR
21. Indiana (1-1) 4.209 NR
22. UCLA (2-1) 4.183 -21
23. Oklahoma St (3-0) 4.183 +2
24. Oklahoma (3-0) 4.165 NR
25. Colorado (3-0) 4.151 NR

Falling out: South Carolina, LSU, Ole Miss, Illinois, Tennessee. A bloodbath for the SEC, although 3 of the 4 were due to in-conference losses.

This is sloopy’s mandatory link

Dubious Rivalries of the Week

SMU @ TCU, Ft Worth, TX
Rice @ Houston, Houston, TX

It’s the dregs of the old SWC, metro-rivalry week. These four schools got left behind when the SWC merged with the Big 8 to form the Big 12. Baylor, on the other hand, got to go along. Why? Because Ann Richards is a Baylor alumnus. Hey look, it’s something approaching politics in the football preview. Let’s put a stop to that.

And I am not sure how Rice gets mentioned yet again.

Tailgate of the Week

I couldn’t find an interesting one this week. I have a great one waiting for a team to be at home, but could find nothing to compare. If anyone wants to make suggestions, this is the hardest section to fill in.

So, like many games this week, I am cancelling due to Irma.

Game of the Century of the Week

LSU @ Mississippi St, Starkville, MS

LSU leads this series 73-34-3. And 23-2 in the last 25. Why I am using this game? So I can link to this, the greatest sporting moment in Starkville history. That video doesn’t do justice to just how close MSU came to winning that game 4-3. I could have waited until Auburn-MSU week, but I think they are playing at Auburn this year, plus by the time that occurs, no one will care about either of those teams. In addition, the day of this post is the anniversary of the game.

Starkville is well named. No one wants to go there. Ever. I point to two pieces of evidence to prove the point. Between 1923 and 1982, LSU never played in Starkville. Between 1934 and 1957 they only played in Baton Rouge. When Mississippi St was able to actually get a home game vs LSU, they played it in Jackson.

The second piece of evidence? Despite being in the SEC from its founding until 1966, Georgia Tech never played a conference game vs Mississippi St. GT refused to play in Starkville, and MSU wouldn’t come to Atlanta without a return game.

Top 25

1. UCLA (2-0) 4.682 +5
2. South Carolina (2-0) 4.641
3. LSU (2-0) 4.615 -2
4. Duke (2-0) 4.586
5. Utah (2-0) 4.567 +7
6. Mississippi St (2-0) 4.553 -3
7. California (2-0) 4.498 +11
8. Michigan (2-0) 4.470 +5
9. Clemson (2-0) 4.470 -2
10. Georgia (2-0) 4.463 -1
11. Southern Cal (2-0) 4.450 NR
12. Texas Tech (1-0) 4.447 NR
13. Iowa (2-0) 4.446 +6
14. Mississippi (2-0) 4.424 -6
15. Alabama (2-0) 4.418 -4
16. Oregon (2-0) 4.404 +7
17. Maryland (2-0) 4.392 +7
18. Illinois (2-0) 4.347 +2
19. Virginia Tech (2-0) 4.346 NR
20. Tennessee (2-0) 4.343 +2
21. Vanderbilt (2-0) 4.336 NR
22. Washington St (2-0) 4.329 NR
23. Michigan St (2-0) 4.298 -2
24. Georgia Tech (1-1) 4.294 NR
25. Oklahoma St (2-0) 4.291 NR

Falling out: Auburn, Notre Dame, Arizona St, Nebraska, Boston College, Pitt, Syracuse.

This is sloopy’s mandatory link, I had hoped to replace it with “How many days since Indiana beat Ohio State” and link to a very small number, but then the second half happened.

Last weekend had some amazing games.  And no, I don’t want to talk about the last one.  This weekend won’t live up to it, but I could be wrong.  That is why they play the games.

Dubious Rivalry of the Week

Buffalo @ Army, West Point, NY

It’s the battle for NY state, except that part that Syracuse controls.  Buffalo leads the series 3-2.

Tailgate of the Week

Rice @ UTEP, El Paso, TX

This is Rice’s second trip to tailgate of the week, possibly because they are a nice side dish.

Sun Bowl Stadium is carved out of the rocks in El Paso, creating a free upper deck for fans willing to climb the hills.  And this section comes with special amenities you don’t find in most stadiums.

Beer:  Give Ode Brewing a try.  I would.

Booze:  Hand Job

1 oz Vodka

1 oz Tequila

1 oz Banana Liqueur

1 oz Irish Cream

Shake over ice, strain into cocktail glass.

Game of the Century of the Week

Auburn @ Auburn-With-a-Lake, Clemson, SC

Auburn and Clemson are the exact same school.   The only way to tell them apart is to see if you can spot the lake.  If so, you are in Clemson.

The all time record is a surprisingly unbalanced 34-14-2.  I would tell you who leads the series, but it really doesn’t matter as most of the games were played before 19-dickety-4.  Since Nixon’s reelection, they are an even 3-3.

I will point out that my choice last week was much better than the overhyped snooze fest that was being hyped by everyone else.

Top 25

 The “bug” last week was not in my software, but one of my orphans screwed up the data entry.  A few beatings took care of that and way are back to normal.

1. LSU 4.820
2. South Carolina 4.751  +1
3. Mississippi St 4.692  +1
4. Duke 4.672  +1
5. Auburn 4.646  +1
6. UCLA 4.629  +4
7. Clemson 4.618
8. Mississippi 4.595  +1
9. Georgia 4.594  +2

10. 

    Notre Dame 4.566  +2

11. Alabama 4.563  +2
12. Utah 4.561  NR
13. Michigan 4.504  +2
14. Arizona St 4.501  NR
15. Nebraska 4.498  +5
16. Boston College 4.495
17. Pittsburgh 4.481
18. California 4.472  NR
19. Iowa 4.471  +4
20. Illinois 4.469  +1
21. Michigan St 4.458  NR
22. Tennessee 4.457  -3
23. Oregon 4.454  NR
24. Maryland 4.451
25. Syracuse 4.450

Falling out: Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Purdue, Texas Tech, Texas

The real season starts this week, with mostly a whole bunch of crappy games against FCS teams. But there are some good ones too.

Dubious Rivalry of the Week

Vanderbilt @ Middle Tennessee State, Murfreesboro, TN

Vandy leads the all time series 14-3, winning the first 12 between 1915 and 1956. MTSU followed with a 3 game win streak from 2001 to 2005 before the Commodores won the last 2 years. This will only be Vanderbilt’s 3rd trip out to the suburbs, as most of the series has been played in Nashville.

Tailgate of the Week

LSU vs BYU, Houston, TX New Orleans, LA

This game has been moved due to sloopy spilling a Big Gulp outside his home, or something like that. Speaking of sloopy, here is my required link: [insert atrocity here]

Never bet against LSU on the tailgate. They know what they are doing. And now they are doing it on relatively home turf. On the other side, a BYU tailgate sounds awful. So hang out with the LSU guys.

Beer: Dixie got wiped out by Katrina and has been struggling along contract brewing since. The Saints owner has recently bought them and is rebuilding in New Orleans. Drink a Blackened Voodoo to celebrate.

Booze: Hurricane

2 oz light rum
2 oz dark rum
2 oz passion fruit juice
1 oz orange juice
Juice of ½ lime
1 tbsp simple syrup
1 tbsp grenadine

Shake over ice, strain into Hurricane glass. Garnish with fruity bits.

 

Game of the Century of the Week

West Virginia vs Virginia Tech, Landover, MD (Sunday)

What, you were expecting something else? This game will decide once and for all which is worse: West Virginia or Western Virginia. Let the redneckery begin!

Homer section, with bonus history

Georgia Tech vs Tennessee, Atlanta, GA (Monday)

This is a neutral site game, no really, stop laughing. It will be the first real game in the new Mercedes Benz Stadium downtown. The Falcons have played an exhibition and there has been soccer and I understand some lower division teams are playing there on Saturday, but those don’t count.

Bobby Dodd was a QB great at UT under coach General Neyland, for whom their stadium is named. Bobby Dodd coached at GT from 1945 to 1966 and continued as AD after that. And our stadium is named for him. His long running feud with Bear Bryant led directly to GT leaving the SEC and foreshadowed oversigning arguments of today. As AD he nearly destroyed GT athletics, but in retirement he made one final great decision. In 1986, Coach Bill Curry was offered the Alabama job and asked Dodd (who he had played for) for advice. Dodd told him to take the job. This led directly to Tech winning the national title in 1990 and Alabama sliding into a tailspin. One last dagger into the Bear!

Nothing really changed with the Top 25 with so few games, will update it next week. Plus, I think I found a bug in it.

It isn’t the real start of the season, that is next weekend. But there are five games being played this weekend in FBS, so might as well get started. Like the short week itself with a lack of interesting games, this preview is mostly dull, too. It will get better next week, honest.

Rivalry of the Week

Hawaii @ UMass, Amherst, MA

These border states (I am standing by it. If you go the correct Northwestish angle from Hawaii, the next state you hit is MA) have played a total of **ONE** time previously, with Hawaii winning 46-40 in 2016. Stubhub has seats starting at $15, so you better get on it.

Tailgate of the Week

Stanford vs Rice, Sydney, AU

Kangaroos, Koalas, Drop Bears, and college football. This location has everything you would expect from an opening weekend. Stanford and Rice kick off their seasons in the land of poisonous beasts and plants. My understanding is that normal college football rules will be used in the 1st and 4th quarters, but Aussie rules will be used in quarter 2 and Rugby League rules in quarter 3.

Rice leads the all-time series 3-2, but Stanford has won the last two, dating back to 1964.

Brewpub: Redoak Boutique Beer Café looks like a good spot to hit before or after the game, but I will let our locals throw in their two cents? pence? pesos? worth.

Booze: The 1778

50ml Gin
10ml Apple Schnapps
30ml Wild Hibiscus and Rosella Syrup
10ml Lime Juice
1 Finger Lime, Muddled
Wattle
Chill a martini glass with ice.
In a mixing glass, muddle finger lime. Fill with ice then add all ingredients and stir until chilled. Discard ice from martini glass. Fine strain the mixture into Martini glass. Garnish with wattle. What the hell is a wattle? The chicken neck thing?

Game of the Week

Oregon St @ Colorado St, Ft Collins, CO

There are only five FBS games this weekend, so this is the best I can do.

Not that anyone cares, but the series is tied at 1-1, with the last game played in 1975.

Preseason Top 25

1. LSU 4.790
2. South Carolina 4.731
3. Georgia Tech 4.722
4. Mississippi St 4.657
5. UCLA 4.646
6. Duke 4.645
7. Auburn 4.626
8. Texas A&M 4.622
9. Clemson 4.617
10. Notre Dame 4.591
11. California 4.570
12. Mississippi 4.568
13. Georgia 4.541
14. Alabama 4.510
15. Purdue 4.502
16. Utah 4.496
17. Michigan 4.489
18. Oregon 4.479
19. Texas 4.478
20. Boston College 4.471
21. Tennessee 4.470
22. Pittsburgh 4.468
23. Nebraska 4.467
24. Texas Tech 4.466
25. Arizona St 4.454

Methodology: The rating is calculated assuming that the team in question (let’s say, LSU, for this example) wins the rest of their games. Which, at this point, means they go undefeated, but the rest of the games go according to projections (the projections are just based on end of 2016 rankings). The rating numbers of these hypothetical undefeated teams are then used to compute the rankings. So, at this point, it is basically a ranking of Strength of Schedule. As the season goes on, future schedules will become less important and results of games actually played will become more important.

Editor’s note: Link included at the request of a founder