September
17, 2002
UNSTOPPABLE
FORCE vs. IMMOVABLE OBJECT
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an
immovable object?
This week’s marquise match up between Texas
A&M and Virginia Tech is shaping up to be
just that, as the Aggies are currently ranked
#1 in the nation in rushing defense while giving
up only 33.5 yards per carry. The Hokies are currently
ranked #3 in the nation in rushing offense while
racking up 283 yards per game on the ground. If
this humdinger in College Station doesn’t
get your curiosity aroused…nothing will.
MARYLAND
FOOTBALL DOESN’T GET IT
Our annual NationalChamps.net Tailgate Extravaganza
III took place in College Park, MD for the Florida
State game Saturday night on prime time ESPN.
Although this campus is not exactly well known
for its tailgating atmosphere, the fact that most
major institutions like Maryland have adopted
policies that attempt to take the fun out of the
pre-game experience is absurd. The parking lots
would not open until 2:00 pm on game day, and
dedicated season ticket holders who showed up
at noon to root on their Terps were simply told
by Joe Security Guard to “just drive around
for an hour or two” until the lots do open.
Hmmmmm, drive around and see what, the gridlock
of traffic that prevents you from driving around?
If your reasoning is that too many people will
become overly intoxicated with such a long day
of tailgating, well it seems to us that the time
lost to most booze hounds was made up by guzzling
faster. Don’t let a few bad apples ruin
the enjoyment for everyone. We called the UMD
Parking services a few days prior to the actual
game and asked what a person with an RV could
do to find accommodations for Saturday. The response,
“What is an RV?” Get on the Division
I-A ball people.
KANSAS
STATE ENTRY EXAMS
This team from Manhattan is moving up in the charts.
After huge home wins over Western Kentucky, Louisiana-Monroe,
and Eastern Illinois - a common Bill Snyder technique,
Kansas State has moved all the way up to #23 in
the Coaches Poll. College football broadcasting
newcomers TBS will be in Manhattan this Saturday
for a big time showdown with USC. For those purple
and white fans that may be confused, USC does
not stand for the University of Sweet Cupcakes.
KEEPING
IT LEGAL IN HOLLAND
The “Keep An Eye On This Player” Award
for this week goes to backup freshman QB Justin
Holland from Colorado State. After starter Bradlee
Van Pelt threw his second consecutive interception
against Louisville this past Saturday, a pick
that went for a touchdown, Holland replaced Van
Pelt on the next series and moved the Rams quickly
for six points. While playing high school football
for Bear Creek in Lakewood, CO, Justin broke the
state records for passing yards (10,567) and touchdowns
(108). He was the Colorado H.S. Gatorade Player
of the Year in 2000. He is one of only five players
in national prep history to throw for more than
10,000 career yards and was a member of the national
honor society with a 3.8 GPA. He can throw a 50-yard
rope. Watch out for this youngster, the only First
Team Parade All-American CSU has ever signed.
CALLING
ON BOWLING GREEN
On one of our NationalChamps.net radio breakdowns
this past week we mentioned how the 2-0 Missouri
Tigers, after big wins against Illinois and Ball
State, were going to be in for a major tussle
with the Bowling Green Falcons. Bowling Green
spoiled Gary Pinkel's debut as Missouri's head
coach a year ago by defeating the Tigers 20-13
in Columbia. The Falcons showed that win was no
fluke as they made it two in a row over Missouri
with a 51-28 victory. On defense, Missouri gave
up 375 yards passing and 202 yards rushing to
a Bowling Green team that scored 41 points in
the game's first 37 minutes. Keep an eye on this
Falcon team who looks to be the favorite at this
point to win the MAC West.
ANN
ARBOR ANALOGY
How can you have a team that leads the Big Ten
Conference in sacks (15) for 2002, but still only
ranks 9th in the conference in pass defense? Michigan
fans may still be wondering. Maybe the question
should be posed to Notre Dame QB Carlyle Holiday,
who seemed to time and time again find receivers
wide open in their 25-23 victory over the Wolverines
in South Bend this past Saturday.
COMEBACK
KIDS
After trailing 24-7 at halftime, Iowa State scored
29 straight points in the second half of its showdown
against Iowa, as Seneca Wallace threw for 361
yards to turn a 17-point deficit into a 36-31
victory. Some folks may remember the 17-point
deficit Iowa State reached against Florida State
in the Eddie Robinson Classic, only to fall short
in the end 31-38. This victory marked the fifth
straight time the Cyclones have beaten the Hawkeyes.
Somebody put Wallace on the Heisman Candidate
Board please.
CONTRASTS
OF THE WEEK
Marshall and Louisville BCS hopes
Terrapin Dedicated Second Half Fans
Maurice Claret’s Inexperience
Colorado’s Top Ten Ranking
Nebraska’s Domination Days
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