So here at the Says Things Blog, there will be a renewed emphasis on two things this fall. The first of which is actually blogging more frequently (than never) whilst the second is focusing on football. Or at least not making it completely secondary to basketball. Now that we are in the Under Armour Age (briefly the Edsall Era, formerly Fridge Fever until the Fever broke in about 2007), it's important to recognize the football team's greatness lest anyone think that we're jumping on the bandwagon when the teams wins its first BCS Title in 2014. So today I begin the weekly* ACC Power Rankings wherein you can track your favorite team in this sack of crap league known officially as the Food Lion Raycom Woodmen of the World ACC sponsored jointly by Bojangles and Havoline! (FLRWotW ACC sjbBaH~!)
*almost assuredly NOT weekly
1. FSU - They're the preseason favorite, and while they've played two directional schools so far, they've won convincingly (96-10 total), which actually counts for a lot in this league. EJ Manuel is the only QB in the league standing in DOB's path to the awards, and unfortately he's been awesome so far (581 yards). A win next week would probably make FSU a heavy favorite for the BCS Title game.
2. VT - Tech crushed App State the first week but struggled big time in a 17-10 win at ECU this saturday. It's a road win against a bowl team, but one that had maybe the worst defense in I-A last season. If the Pirates could have caught the ball they would have won handily. From what I saw they dropped two interceptions (one that would have gone for six) as well as an easy touchdown on a pass inside the redzone. Not that impressive for a possible the presumptive Coastal champ.
3. Maryland - Granted that Miami was without its starting QB and several other key players, Maryland largely dominated in everything but the score, getting two defensive TDs and making it into the red zone seven times in eight offensive possesions. The Terps, had they been a little bit more efficient in the RZ, could easily have scored 45-50 points.
4.Miami - The 'Canes are in disarray, but still managed to be a few minutes away from a win against the Terps on the road in a great atmosphere. This week will show a lot about them as they return home for a huge game against a very beatable Ohio State team (ask Toledo), one of four (WVU-MD, Auburn-Clemson, FSU-Oklahoma) huge nonconference games for the ACC against ranked teams. They do get their starting QB Jacorry Harris back, although realistically Morris could well be starting for them again by October.
5. North Carolina - This is mainly a default spot (though they could arguably have been ahead of Miami I suppose) for displaying mere competence in the first two weeks. They handled James Madison and slid by a bad Rutgers team at home. The main reason for optimism is a still exceedingly talented defense (even after losing Austin and Sturdivant) plus QB Bryn Renner who has been outstanding (42-49) so far this year.
6. Georgia Tech - Tech has smashed a I-AA team and a team from the Sun Belt in the first two weeks, a year after returning just 12 starters from a sub-.500 team. They may very well be a good team, possibly capable of contending in the Coastal this season, but I'll reserve some judgment until they show they can beat Kansas and North Carolina at home the next two weeks.
7. Virginia - The Cavs missed their third straight bowl last year, but they're 2-0 this season including a win at Indiana this week. Granted, Indiana might well be the worst team in the Big Ten, but Virginia failed to win a road game all last season, so that's big. That's particularly bad when you consider that they played Duke on the road last year - and allowed 55 points in a loss. The Cavs get UNC (road), Southern Miss and Idaho heading into their bye so 5-0 isn't off the table. But then, neither is 2-3, in reality.
8. Wake Forest - This is when you get into the bag of crap that is the ACC...even moreso. The good news is that the Deacs thoroughly outplayed Syracuse on the road and NC State at home for most of the game the first two weeks. The bad news is that the Orange came back to win that game and State almost did as well. Sophomore Tanner Price (586 yards) has been greatly improved so far as compared to last year when he led an aerial attack that generated more yards than only Georgia Tech's triple option attack amongst ACC teams.
9. Clemson - I'm inclined to think Clemson finishes a bit higher, if only because they do have more talent than several of the teams above them, and haven't failed to qualify for a bowl since the '90s. The year started off badly when they struggled with Troy, which wasn't so bad when you consider that they're the perennial Sun Belt champions. But struggling with Wofford, and only coming away with a narrow eight point win, is pretty bad. Seriously, Wofford? With Auburn, FSU and @VT the next three weeks, things could get really ugly for this team.
10. North Carolina State - Are you ready for another NC State coaching search? Chairman Yao may be leading another one, sure to be a roaring success, given the way that Tom O'Brien's team has looked, struggling with Liberty and playing a largely uncompetitive game against Atlantic bottom-feeder Wake Forest. Even worse for their delusion fanbase, this team could have contended had Heisman candidate Russell Wilson not transferred to Wisconsin (who themselves are now a National Title contender). NC State actually has to get to 7-5 to go bowling. That ain't happening.
11. Boston College - OK, they're missing their top rusher, but they've now lost at home to Northwestern and gotten waxed by UCF (30-3) in their first two weeks. So, uh, yeah, congrats to all the Mensa members that picked them ahead of the Terps this season. Given that they were last offensively in the ACC last year, maybe this seasons early struggles should be expected without perhaps their best weapon. Next week they have Duke at home, and if they can't win that, well, that ain't good.
12. Duke - The answer here is Duke, Duke, a million times Duke. The fact that they only lost 44-14 at home the Andrew Luck and Stanford has to count as a success. They managed to lose to I-AA Richmond in week 1, which isn't so bad when you consider how good they are for a I-AA team. What is so bad is that this is the third time in six seasons that Duke has lost to Richmond. Maybe stop scheduling Richmond guys? Not that anyone in Durham or New Jersey really cares what Duke football does.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Maryland Football has Arrived
Since I first came to Maryland in 2005, there have only been two games at Byrd Stadium with close to the hype of last night's game against The U - the 2006 game over thanksgiving against Wake Forest and 2008 against FSU, both of which had divisional title implications. Last night's atmosphere was ridiculous, especially considering that the weather was awful and the game was on a Monday night. Add in that it was the first game of the Edsall era, and last night felt like a turning point for the program.
And oh yeah, there were THE UNIFORMS. After unveiling a whole new line of Under Armour unis two weeks ago, the team debuted an alternate before ever wearing any of the sixteen (!) new combinations. The team ran out of the tunnel wearing white on white - but with a twist. On one side of the helmet and shoulder yokes was the white and red cross of the state flag while the trademark black and gold bars of the other half of the flag adorned the other side. It was, in some ways, incredibly simple yet at the same time it broke completely new ground in uniforms.
We could debate the aesthetics of the uniforms (although not really because those who didn't like them are wrong), but what is certain is that they did their job, which was to get the Terps noticed. Needless to say we've all seen the reactions by now, much of which was negative. ABC asked if they were the ugliest uniforms ever on their national, prime time newscast. LeBron James took time out from being the most hated basketball player alive to tweet his disapproval. ESPN dedicated a large swath of SportsCenter following the game to the design. Carmelo, Deion Sanders and the Today Show chimed in as well.
When was the last time Maryland FOOTBALL was this relevant? Never. The reality is that Ralph Friedgen was fired not because he didn't win enough but because the program had stagnated to the point where even a 9 win season and a great freshman QB still resulted in dismal attendance and no buzz. Now the stadium is packed and people are talking about us. Even if they're talking shit, do we care? We're Maryland, and they're not. We're used to our role as the black sheep. Let's keep embracing it.
the Fighting Kevins, Anderson and Plank, have a threefold goal as it relates to athletic department as a whole and the football program in particular. One is to establish Maryland as the flagship Under Armour program and to reap the mutual benefits resulting. The second is to increase recognition around the program as a whole. The third is to rebrand the athletic department from a marketing standpoint as the school representing Maryland as a whole to increase pride in our teams everywhere from the mountains in Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. I'd say last night was a great first step. Go terps!
And oh yeah, there were THE UNIFORMS. After unveiling a whole new line of Under Armour unis two weeks ago, the team debuted an alternate before ever wearing any of the sixteen (!) new combinations. The team ran out of the tunnel wearing white on white - but with a twist. On one side of the helmet and shoulder yokes was the white and red cross of the state flag while the trademark black and gold bars of the other half of the flag adorned the other side. It was, in some ways, incredibly simple yet at the same time it broke completely new ground in uniforms.
We could debate the aesthetics of the uniforms (although not really because those who didn't like them are wrong), but what is certain is that they did their job, which was to get the Terps noticed. Needless to say we've all seen the reactions by now, much of which was negative. ABC asked if they were the ugliest uniforms ever on their national, prime time newscast. LeBron James took time out from being the most hated basketball player alive to tweet his disapproval. ESPN dedicated a large swath of SportsCenter following the game to the design. Carmelo, Deion Sanders and the Today Show chimed in as well.
When was the last time Maryland FOOTBALL was this relevant? Never. The reality is that Ralph Friedgen was fired not because he didn't win enough but because the program had stagnated to the point where even a 9 win season and a great freshman QB still resulted in dismal attendance and no buzz. Now the stadium is packed and people are talking about us. Even if they're talking shit, do we care? We're Maryland, and they're not. We're used to our role as the black sheep. Let's keep embracing it.
the Fighting Kevins, Anderson and Plank, have a threefold goal as it relates to athletic department as a whole and the football program in particular. One is to establish Maryland as the flagship Under Armour program and to reap the mutual benefits resulting. The second is to increase recognition around the program as a whole. The third is to rebrand the athletic department from a marketing standpoint as the school representing Maryland as a whole to increase pride in our teams everywhere from the mountains in Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. I'd say last night was a great first step. Go terps!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Like a Rock
24 hours ago, Maryland Basketball was rocked by the news of Jordan hiring an agent and staying in the draft. It hurt, but nothing could compare to the devestation that's spreading from Comcast Center this afternoon.
My first reaction was that it's better to have Gary go out on his own terms, rather than having the press and some terrible fans asking for his resignation during the epic 15-12 season that is facing the Terps this season.
But then I watched this video. 5 times in a row. Tell me it doesn't give you goosebumps and bring a tear or two to your eye. Or this one...
Thank you, Gary for 22 amazing years. You took the program from its darkest hours to the top of the college basketball world, and always brought a tremendous amount of passion and dedication to campus every day. You have been the face of Maryland basketball for years and your retirement will be felt by all Terp fans. In other words, you will be missed. In this lig, there were none classier, and none who I'd rather have on the sidelines of Comcast. *FIST PUMP!*
My first reaction was that it's better to have Gary go out on his own terms, rather than having the press and some terrible fans asking for his resignation during the epic 15-12 season that is facing the Terps this season.
But then I watched this video. 5 times in a row. Tell me it doesn't give you goosebumps and bring a tear or two to your eye. Or this one...
Thank you, Gary for 22 amazing years. You took the program from its darkest hours to the top of the college basketball world, and always brought a tremendous amount of passion and dedication to campus every day. You have been the face of Maryland basketball for years and your retirement will be felt by all Terp fans. In other words, you will be missed. In this lig, there were none classier, and none who I'd rather have on the sidelines of Comcast. *FIST PUMP!*
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Awards Season, Part One
It's that time of the year. As the college basketball regular season has ended and the postseason is gearing up, the individual hardaware is being handed out. All-Conference selections have been made, and national awards like the Wooden and the Naismith are still pending. Here at the Says Things blog, we're starting our own tradition by handing out some alternative awards to honor those who may have been overlooked by the various media and coaches that dole out the usual honors.
Bob Wade Achivements in Coaching Award - Sidney Lowe, NCSU
In the end it was a tough choice between Lowe and Jeff Bzdzelik of Wake Forest. Lowe gets the nod because whereas Wake Forest was historically terrible, at least they were expected to be awful having lost so much from last year's tournament team. This - in year 5 of the Sidney Lowe era - was supposed to be the turning point, fueled by a great recruiting class. Despite that, it ended in just another 5-11 season. [Ed. Note: Sidney Lowe has since resigned as NCSU head coach]
Exree Hipp Senior of the Year Award - Cliff Tucker, Maryland
Named in honor of the Maryland wing (Hipp's scoring average dropped from 13.6 to a four year low of 6.8 in his senior year), this award honors another Maryland player. Tucker averaged 11.7 points a night over the team's first twenty games, but finished out the season scoring just 5.4 over the final 11 as as the team lost 6 of those games.
John Calipari Award for Audacious Cheating - Bruce Pearl, Tennessee
It's bad enough to cheat. It's even worse when you cheat despite having gained notoriety in the basketball world as a snitch (whistleblower if you so choose). It takes things to another level when you cheat AGAIN four days after giving a tearful apology in re: your prior transgression. Even Cal shakes his greasy head at the balls on his cheating SEC East brother.
John Goldsberry Random Turd Award - Rion Brown, Miami
You may remember Goldsberry from the Terps' first round victory over UNC-Wilmington in 2003 a.k.a The Drew Nicholas Shot Game. Goldsberry sank 8 of 8 threes despite averaging just 5 points a night that season. Brown came into the Canes game with the Terps averaging less than 4 per game having not scored in double figures since a November tilt against McNeese State. Naturally, Brown would score 19 on 6-7 shooting from deep on a night where Gary Williams inexplicably zoned Miami well past the point of futility.
Jim Valvano Never Give Up Award - Wake Forest Basketball
It's one thing to be bad, but this bad? Wake Forest lost 15 times in an ACC that was realtively weak by its own standards, and as if that weren't bad enough, it lost 14 of those games by 14 points or more. The season was punctuated by going 0-4 with an average margin of defeat of 26.8 ppg against the next two worst teams in the conference (Georgia Tech and NC State).
AC Green Abstinence Award - Brigham Young University
I suppose I can respect sticking to your principles. On the other hand, as a sports fan, it's insane to suspend your third leading scorer for having some consensual extracurriculars with a coed, particularly when you're a mid-major with the best player in the country and a legit shot at a Final Four or more. Tough lost, mormons.
Schadenfraude Award - Korie Lucious, Michigan State
Korie you really screwed me over good with that fucking buzzer beater. But now that you've found yourself charged with a DUI, kicked off the Michigan State team, and transferring to Iowa State, I can't help but smile even though that makes me an abysmal, soulless person. Godspeed playing in the cornfields.
Tyler Hansbrough "Player of the Year Award" - Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame
Remember back in 2008 when PSYCHO T won the Wooden Award (among several other national POY honors) over Kevin Love and Michael Beasley, despite either of the two being clearly better by most metrics? Somehow his brother may have one-upped him this year by winning the Big East Player of the Year Award. Not only did the younger Hansbrough beat out Marshon Brooks (24.6 ppg, second nationally) of Providence, he beat clear favorite Kemba Walker of UConn (8 games of 30+ points). Seriously? That's worse awards voting than when the Big East decided to name a ten man "All Conference" team because of the outlandish size of the conference.
Please stay tuned for the Postseason Awards, coming to this blog early next month!
Bob Wade Achivements in Coaching Award - Sidney Lowe, NCSU
In the end it was a tough choice between Lowe and Jeff Bzdzelik of Wake Forest. Lowe gets the nod because whereas Wake Forest was historically terrible, at least they were expected to be awful having lost so much from last year's tournament team. This - in year 5 of the Sidney Lowe era - was supposed to be the turning point, fueled by a great recruiting class. Despite that, it ended in just another 5-11 season. [Ed. Note: Sidney Lowe has since resigned as NCSU head coach]
Exree Hipp Senior of the Year Award - Cliff Tucker, Maryland
Named in honor of the Maryland wing (Hipp's scoring average dropped from 13.6 to a four year low of 6.8 in his senior year), this award honors another Maryland player. Tucker averaged 11.7 points a night over the team's first twenty games, but finished out the season scoring just 5.4 over the final 11 as as the team lost 6 of those games.
John Calipari Award for Audacious Cheating - Bruce Pearl, Tennessee
It's bad enough to cheat. It's even worse when you cheat despite having gained notoriety in the basketball world as a snitch (whistleblower if you so choose). It takes things to another level when you cheat AGAIN four days after giving a tearful apology in re: your prior transgression. Even Cal shakes his greasy head at the balls on his cheating SEC East brother.
John Goldsberry Random Turd Award - Rion Brown, Miami
You may remember Goldsberry from the Terps' first round victory over UNC-Wilmington in 2003 a.k.a The Drew Nicholas Shot Game. Goldsberry sank 8 of 8 threes despite averaging just 5 points a night that season. Brown came into the Canes game with the Terps averaging less than 4 per game having not scored in double figures since a November tilt against McNeese State. Naturally, Brown would score 19 on 6-7 shooting from deep on a night where Gary Williams inexplicably zoned Miami well past the point of futility.
Jim Valvano Never Give Up Award - Wake Forest Basketball
It's one thing to be bad, but this bad? Wake Forest lost 15 times in an ACC that was realtively weak by its own standards, and as if that weren't bad enough, it lost 14 of those games by 14 points or more. The season was punctuated by going 0-4 with an average margin of defeat of 26.8 ppg against the next two worst teams in the conference (Georgia Tech and NC State).
AC Green Abstinence Award - Brigham Young University
I suppose I can respect sticking to your principles. On the other hand, as a sports fan, it's insane to suspend your third leading scorer for having some consensual extracurriculars with a coed, particularly when you're a mid-major with the best player in the country and a legit shot at a Final Four or more. Tough lost, mormons.
Schadenfraude Award - Korie Lucious, Michigan State
Korie you really screwed me over good with that fucking buzzer beater. But now that you've found yourself charged with a DUI, kicked off the Michigan State team, and transferring to Iowa State, I can't help but smile even though that makes me an abysmal, soulless person. Godspeed playing in the cornfields.
Tyler Hansbrough "Player of the Year Award" - Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame
Remember back in 2008 when PSYCHO T won the Wooden Award (among several other national POY honors) over Kevin Love and Michael Beasley, despite either of the two being clearly better by most metrics? Somehow his brother may have one-upped him this year by winning the Big East Player of the Year Award. Not only did the younger Hansbrough beat out Marshon Brooks (24.6 ppg, second nationally) of Providence, he beat clear favorite Kemba Walker of UConn (8 games of 30+ points). Seriously? That's worse awards voting than when the Big East decided to name a ten man "All Conference" team because of the outlandish size of the conference.
Please stay tuned for the Postseason Awards, coming to this blog early next month!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
ORLY
Things I did tonight:
a) watched an NIT Selection Show on ESPNU
b) sat in disbelief as I realized that Maryland was not even good enough to make the NIT.
17 straight years of postseason play. With 100 teams making the NIT or NCAA Tournament, Maryland was not one of them. Thankfully I just turned to CBS College Sports just in time for a Seth Greenberg interview.
a) watched an NIT Selection Show on ESPNU
b) sat in disbelief as I realized that Maryland was not even good enough to make the NIT.
17 straight years of postseason play. With 100 teams making the NIT or NCAA Tournament, Maryland was not one of them. Thankfully I just turned to CBS College Sports just in time for a Seth Greenberg interview.
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