In no particular odor...
*Per Sagarin's computer ratings system, Baylor has played the 102nd toughest schedule in the nation. They must run the table to make the CFB playoffs, IMO, due to their shitty OOC scheduling.
*While on the subject, here are Sagarin's top 10 toughest schedules to date in order FWIW... 10) Southern California; 9) Utah; 8) Alabama; 7) France; 6) North Avenue Trade School; 5) Washington; 4) Arkansas; 3) Iowa State; 2) Tennessee; and 1) Tejas.
*More...only 2 Big Ten teams are in the top 25 in strength of schedule per Sagarin's. They are Maryland (17) and Northwestern (18). The ACC-Coastal is ahead of the SEC-East, both Big Ten divisions and the ACC-Atlantic in Sagarin's conference strength rankings.
*The Cesspool has played 2 road games this season to date. They looked like crap in winning at Vandy in Week 2 (up by 10 with 2 minutes to go in the game). And, they stayed within 7 pts in a loss at Tennessee thanks to a missed clipping call on a punt return TD and another one of those goofy 95+ yd kickoff returns for TD ala the GT game last year where they came out of a scrum with the ball. They leave Hell for the 3rd time this season to play only their 2nd ranked team on their schedule so far. I like the Gators to rip them a new one just like last year and easily cover the field goal spread. Sagarin's rates their SOS at 52nd so far.
*Want to know something that really pisses me off? Offensive (pun intended) coordinators who insist on calling running plays straight up the middle inside the 3 yard line when the opposing defense is loading the box with 10 or even all 11 guys. Pitch the dang ball out and let the RB take his chances one-on-one on the outside against a smaller DB or often just walk into the endzone. And, if you have the luxury of a mobile QB, fake the run up the middle and let the QB race to endzone. I've watched a lot of FB this year at both collegiate and NFL levels and the play calling in these situations just boggles my mind more often than not.
*Something else that pisses me off is more about offensive (pun intended) coordinators - mostly at the NFL level - who outsmart themselves with making things far more difficult than they need to be. All this specialization sucks these days. Maybe Admiral Johnson being old school has had an effect on me, though I don't think that is the case on this, but give me a running back who plays all 3 downs. A guy who pass blocks. A guy who catches passes as well as runs the ball. Give me a running back who can and will tote the rock 25 times if needed. Running backs need time to feel the game and find their grooves. They get taken out so often that is very difficult these days (less the special ones like Adrian Peterson and a very few others).
*Has there been a worse return on investment for the ACC than inviting Miami to join? They have contributed a few decent-to-good seasons in men's hoops (1 ACC title in fact). Beesball is normally solid. Same for women's hoops, tennis and other women's sports. But, let's not kid ourselves. They were viewed sexy due to their football prowess. They may be in our league, but we aren't in theirs? Remember that?
*Speaking of, has Miami and UNC's severe cheating just been completely swept under the rug?
*At the near halfway point to the NFL season, the playoff picture is actually quite easy to forecast at this point IMO...
NFC In (4): Green Bay, Carolina, Atlanta, Arizona
NFC East (1 of 4): Any of these 4 crappy teams may wind up 7-9 and win the division...Giants appear to be the healthiest and best well-rounded team but their schedule is brutal...Cowpunks missing Romo and their schedule is brutal...Eagles are schizo...Skins are not good, yet after a bye week and loss at NE in Week 10, their schedule eases up significantly
NFC Out (4): Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco, and Tampa Bay have no shot
The Rest (4): Seattle, Minnesota, St. Louis, New Orleans...Vikes may have the easiest schedule left
AFC In (3): New England, Cincinnati, Denver
AFC Looking Good (1): NY Jets
AFC South (1 of 4): Worst division in the NFL...yes, even worse than the NFC East...Colts draw the toughest schedule and are probably the best team in the division, but they'll struggle to get to 7 or 8 wins
AFC Out (4): Cleveland, Baltimore, Kansas City, San Diego
The Rest (4): Pittsburgh, Miami, Buffalo, Oakland...AFC East is by far strongest division in my eyes so road will be tough for the Fish and Bills...Steelers getting Big Ben back will be key...Raiders are a longshot but have the easiest schedule most likely
My picks:
NFC: 1) Green Bay; 2) Carolina; 3) Arizona; 4) Philadelphia; 5) Atlanta; 6) Seattle
AFC: 1) New England; 2) Denver (great defense!); 3) Cincinnati; 4) Indianapolis; 5) NY Jets; 6) Pittsburgh
Super Bowl: Green Bay vs New England
Super Bowl Champs: New England repeats
*Per Sagarin's computer ratings system, Baylor has played the 102nd toughest schedule in the nation. They must run the table to make the CFB playoffs, IMO, due to their shitty OOC scheduling.
*While on the subject, here are Sagarin's top 10 toughest schedules to date in order FWIW... 10) Southern California; 9) Utah; 8) Alabama; 7) France; 6) North Avenue Trade School; 5) Washington; 4) Arkansas; 3) Iowa State; 2) Tennessee; and 1) Tejas.
*More...only 2 Big Ten teams are in the top 25 in strength of schedule per Sagarin's. They are Maryland (17) and Northwestern (18). The ACC-Coastal is ahead of the SEC-East, both Big Ten divisions and the ACC-Atlantic in Sagarin's conference strength rankings.
*The Cesspool has played 2 road games this season to date. They looked like crap in winning at Vandy in Week 2 (up by 10 with 2 minutes to go in the game). And, they stayed within 7 pts in a loss at Tennessee thanks to a missed clipping call on a punt return TD and another one of those goofy 95+ yd kickoff returns for TD ala the GT game last year where they came out of a scrum with the ball. They leave Hell for the 3rd time this season to play only their 2nd ranked team on their schedule so far. I like the Gators to rip them a new one just like last year and easily cover the field goal spread. Sagarin's rates their SOS at 52nd so far.
*Want to know something that really pisses me off? Offensive (pun intended) coordinators who insist on calling running plays straight up the middle inside the 3 yard line when the opposing defense is loading the box with 10 or even all 11 guys. Pitch the dang ball out and let the RB take his chances one-on-one on the outside against a smaller DB or often just walk into the endzone. And, if you have the luxury of a mobile QB, fake the run up the middle and let the QB race to endzone. I've watched a lot of FB this year at both collegiate and NFL levels and the play calling in these situations just boggles my mind more often than not.
*Something else that pisses me off is more about offensive (pun intended) coordinators - mostly at the NFL level - who outsmart themselves with making things far more difficult than they need to be. All this specialization sucks these days. Maybe Admiral Johnson being old school has had an effect on me, though I don't think that is the case on this, but give me a running back who plays all 3 downs. A guy who pass blocks. A guy who catches passes as well as runs the ball. Give me a running back who can and will tote the rock 25 times if needed. Running backs need time to feel the game and find their grooves. They get taken out so often that is very difficult these days (less the special ones like Adrian Peterson and a very few others).
*Has there been a worse return on investment for the ACC than inviting Miami to join? They have contributed a few decent-to-good seasons in men's hoops (1 ACC title in fact). Beesball is normally solid. Same for women's hoops, tennis and other women's sports. But, let's not kid ourselves. They were viewed sexy due to their football prowess. They may be in our league, but we aren't in theirs? Remember that?
*Speaking of, has Miami and UNC's severe cheating just been completely swept under the rug?
*At the near halfway point to the NFL season, the playoff picture is actually quite easy to forecast at this point IMO...
NFC In (4): Green Bay, Carolina, Atlanta, Arizona
NFC East (1 of 4): Any of these 4 crappy teams may wind up 7-9 and win the division...Giants appear to be the healthiest and best well-rounded team but their schedule is brutal...Cowpunks missing Romo and their schedule is brutal...Eagles are schizo...Skins are not good, yet after a bye week and loss at NE in Week 10, their schedule eases up significantly
NFC Out (4): Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco, and Tampa Bay have no shot
The Rest (4): Seattle, Minnesota, St. Louis, New Orleans...Vikes may have the easiest schedule left
AFC In (3): New England, Cincinnati, Denver
AFC Looking Good (1): NY Jets
AFC South (1 of 4): Worst division in the NFL...yes, even worse than the NFC East...Colts draw the toughest schedule and are probably the best team in the division, but they'll struggle to get to 7 or 8 wins
AFC Out (4): Cleveland, Baltimore, Kansas City, San Diego
The Rest (4): Pittsburgh, Miami, Buffalo, Oakland...AFC East is by far strongest division in my eyes so road will be tough for the Fish and Bills...Steelers getting Big Ben back will be key...Raiders are a longshot but have the easiest schedule most likely
My picks:
NFC: 1) Green Bay; 2) Carolina; 3) Arizona; 4) Philadelphia; 5) Atlanta; 6) Seattle
AFC: 1) New England; 2) Denver (great defense!); 3) Cincinnati; 4) Indianapolis; 5) NY Jets; 6) Pittsburgh
Super Bowl: Green Bay vs New England
Super Bowl Champs: New England repeats
