Turkeys vs Rams

Without a doubt, this weekend's North Carolina vs Virginia Tech football game is high on the priority list for discussion. And we'll get to that. But first, your national news spin, courtesy of The Blue Team.

This commercial is no longer as funny to me.

Ok, and with that, we leave the financial crisis analysis to the people who actually know what they're talking about. Back to sports.

As a Carolina grad and Virginia Tech athletics employee of sorts, this Saturday's football game ranks high on the interest scale. Quick thoughts:

• Virginia Tech has the advantage of experience in games like this. The Hokies are great at going on the road and pulling the rug out from under an opponent. Over-hyped home teams and fans are a tasty treat to the Hokies. In my two previous years here, VT is 7-1 on the road in the league, including defeats at Wake Forest (prime-time ESPN2 game in 2006), at Clemson (ditto last year), and at UVA (last year for the ACC Coastal Division title). Though this year's squad is young, Tech has a culture about it that embraces a road game challenge. The last time Carolina played a home football game with legitimate hype on behalf of both teams (i.e. Carolina was not a huge underdog and pulled off an upset) was November 8, 1998 vs #2 FSU (I'm not counting the VT game in 2004 because the Heels were still a significant underdog in that contest).
• On the flip side, I think the Tar Heels have more margin for error. VT does not move the ball consistently and is still adjusting to having Tyrod Taylor in the backfield. There will be a number of new wrinkles this weekend I'm sure, but the Hokies do not have the ability to put a ton of points on the board with methodical, 80-yard touchdown drives. Carolina will have the home crowd amped up, and always has the ability to strike quickly via punt return, long pass, or Brandon Tate levitating.
• Turnovers will, as in every ball game, be vital in this contest. I'll go ahead and say the team with fewest turnovers wins the game, period. However, I have the feeling that this game will end up being a bit one-sided. Somebody will crack under pressure, cough the ball up, set up short field for the opposition, and give up easy points. Given the over-hyped home team, that might not bode well for Carolina.
• Special teams will also be a factor, as always when playing Virginia Tech. Macho Harris and Brandon Tate are two of the best return specialists in the nation and both teams have shown a penchant for blocking kicks this year (something Carolina has not done in ten years).
• Summary: Hokies win if they do not turn the ball over, control the clock with their ground game, keep Tyrod Taylor healthy and on the field, and get a defensive/special teams score. Heels win if they do not turn the ball over, contain Taylor and Evans running the football, use the running game to effectively set up the play-action pass, and feed off a sellout crowd in a positive manner.

Personally, I'll be wearing white. Totally neutral. But if you really want to know my allegiance, ask me to moon you.

Final Score: 26-13.

It's Gotta Be the Pants

So I just moved to a new residence across town here in quaint Blacksburg, VA. I met my neighbors the other night briefly, all young folks and very nice at that. There are not too many unfriendly people around our little college town anyway. I briefly wondered to myself after meeting them what they thought of me. Polite, sarcastic, educated...but not insane. However, after three hours of me whoopin' and hollerin' last night, I feel their opinions might have moved toward insanity. You see, I had very little feel for what to expect during the North Carolina football game at Rutgers Thursday evening. Will they be competitive? Can we stop the run? Can we run? Is Brandon Tate human? But beyond my wildest dreams, we got 44-12 and this. Don't you know his mama is so proud.

At one point last night, as Bruce Carter was at about the fifteen yard-line on his way into the endzone off a third quarter interception, I went over the back of the sofa, spun around, yelped some more, and chest-bumped a column in my living room. Then, crouched on my knees and said aloud, "what team am I watching? Who IS this?" You see, we fans of the Tar Heels do not know this feeling very well. Sure, we have had some big wins in the last few years, against much better teams than Rutgers. But at no point have the Heels dominated a quality opponent in that fashion since my freshman year, 2001, at home against Florida State (41-9, rushed the field, hung from the goal posts, etc).

Now I personally have no idea how good this team really is; no one does frankly. And it worries me that this victory excited me that much last night, because I tend to not get excited about too many victories that do not end with a banner of some sort being hung from the rafters in Dean's little building. If I'm excited, where does that leave most of our fanbase?

All that being said, it was a great performance by a good football team...and a bad performance from a pretty bad football team. Rutgers looked awful. Fans filing out with 6:51 to play in the 3rd quarter. Heck, I made phone calls to friends and family during the second half, I never do that for fear of losing focus.

This morning, my phone rang at 9:01 am. SturgeMuffin had a request: tell me what was wrong last night. I saw all of these good things happen and got real darn excited, but I know we had to be bad in some areas. So tell me what they are. Glad you asked buddy. Paging Debbie Downer:

1. Pass rush. The front four did not succeed in pressuring the quarterback without the aid of a blitz. Playing in a fairly soft defense anyway, the back seven are just supposed to sit back in space and hit people. This can be exploited by wideouts sitting down in the zone (as Jesse Palmer and Craig James pointed out). However, if this supposedly talented defensive line can generate some pressure, the Heels will not have to rely on a skiddish quarterback throwing crushing INTs all the time to end drives. One sack is not going to cut it.

2. Total defense. Rutgers outgained the Heels. Not as concerned with this stat, as the defense is indeed designed to bend, but not break. However, it might lead to pointing out more about the offense's ability to sustain drives. Which brings us to...

3. Sustaining offense. Carolina is very good with the Big Play. Long passes, punt returns, etc. But a methodical, 11-play, 6:52 drive will be needed at some point to run some clock and put some points on the board. Too many times, especially early in the game, a bad play on first down led to second and long situations. Before you knew it, three-and-out and a punt followed. Keeing a defense fresh and milking the clock are important traits to a winning football team.

I realize I'm nitpicking a bit here, but it is important to remember that this was game numero dos on the season. Other teams will see this game on film (if they were not already watching last night) and break down the weaknesses of the Tar Heel attack. No one will take UNC lightly, instead looking to pound a good football team. Next week's game with Virginia Tech looms large in the Coastal Division race, but also in establishing a culture within the ACC that says Carolina is a team to be reckoned with. Beating up on a below-average Big East team and defeating the league's recent resident Big Dog (I would know first-hand) are far different. In a lot of ways, Virginia Tech is what Carolina is trying to become: consistent, team-oriented, a winning culture. But, we'll see how that unfolds in ten days. For now, enjoy a nice win on a national stage and keep those expectations tempered. It's still a young football team with a lot of growing to do in order to consistently play at a high level.

With that being said, Brandon Tate for Heisman.

NFL Stands for "Not For Long"

The above quote was famously made by then Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville to an official after what he deemed to be a bad call. As in, "sir, this is the NFL, which stands for Not For Long when you make those kind of calls." It might be one of my favorites of all-time related to sports, up there for "we talkin' 'bout practice", "we didn't do diddly-poo", and "playoffs?!". I tell you all of this because I needed a creative title for an NFL Preview blog and that was the first thing that popped into my mind. Besides, I got to watch all of those classics while linking to them. With that being said, here is a list of some number of NFL thoughts, predictions, and ramblings. I'll decide how long the list is when I finish numbering it.

1. No one will go undefeated this season. I mentioned it following the Super Bowl, but as time has progressed, my disappointment in New England has grown. I am a fan only of the Independence High School Patriots, not the New Englanders. I do prefer them in general over the New York Giants, but would never lose sleep over them losing the the G-Men under normal circumstances. But I decided the other day that New England's Super Bowl XVIXXIVI loss is the most disappointed I have been in regards to the outcome of a game between two teams I do not have major rooting interest in. As in, I would not normally care that much who won, might have a slight preference at most. But to see NFL history of that magnitude pass us by is just really disappointing to me.

2. No one will go 0-fer either. Don't forget, through week 12 last season, the Fightin' Fish of Miami had not won a football game. Leave it to Baltimore to fix that for us. I don't think any team is quite that bad this year, but 2-14 is not out of the realm of possibility (Kansas City, I'm looking at you).

3. Chad "Ocho Cinco" might be the biggest idiot in sports history. He is a PR machine, but what do people really think about him? At least he has not gotten arrested or contributed to any major scandels thus far, which is saying something considering his surroundings in Cincinnati. Marvin Lewis should just get himself fired. You know, streak on the field during a game or something so that Cincinnati can talk about how "embarrassed" they are by his actions and are "forced to make a change". Do something memorable Marvin and then run after they release you from the hell that is that organization.

4. Did I just ask to see Marvin Lewis' junk on national TV? Oops. Wear a thong Marv, thanks.

5. The Colts are going to actually have to play an entire season. For the first time since 2000 or so, Indy will not have clenched their division or a playoff berth in November and will not be resting starters the last 3 games. Between Manning and Jeff Saturday (Tar Heel) dealing with injuries, plus a tough division, the Young Horses will have to fight for a post-season berth.

6. "Colts" has to be one of the wimpiest nicknames in professional sports. Check out the definition of colt. Would you want to be known as one of those? A compliment to a man is being referred to as a "stallion", not a "young, inexperienced person".

7. I like the 49ers this season. Last year, they were the trendy playoff team. This year, everyone assumes they are going to suck. Their defense is solid, Frank Gore is pretty good, and Mike Nolan needs a good season as coach. The problems are being in the first year of a Mike Martz offense (complicated), having below-average wide receivers, and DeShaun Foster is their backup running back. DeShaun is a great name. His game, not so much.

8. As much as I like the name "Lil' Kyle" for my son, I could be convinced of "DeKyle" as well. Make me a good argument on that one, I'll hear you out.

9. Dallas is either going to be really, really good or implode. I vote for the former.

10. Whale's Vagina is going to sleepwalk through another season and still be 12-4 or so. San Diego has enough talent to do that. The bigger issue is that I just wasted 20 minutes watching Anchorman clips on YouTube as a result of that joke.

11. And now, so did you. What a classic.

12. Living in Blacksburg, with a ton of Northern Virginia (Nova) transplants, there is a huge Redskins' following. There also used to be a large Atlanta Falcons following as well until DoggyGate. Anywho, I will say that Skins fans are loyal and loud. I will also say that this season, they will be disappointed. 6-10 disappointed.

13. Brett Favre has slight indigestion from the chicken burrito he had for dinner last night and ESPN has Wendy Nix on site to report on his condition. Turning it over to Wendi:

"Yes, it appears that Brett Favre did indeed consume a chicken burrito last evening. According to sources close to the situation, he was dining with his wife, Deanna, and actually ate the entire burrito in five minutes, twenty-seven seconds. It appeared to have been topped with sour cream, but no cheese since he no longer lives in Wisconsin and has to eat cheese on everything. Following the burrito, approximately forty-two minutes later, Favre was seen clutching his upper stomach and burping slightly. Thankfully, a couple of TUMS alleviated the pressure and Favre was able to sleep well throughout the night. ESPN will have a Town Meeting, an E:60 story, two SportsCenter features, a six-pack of questions, and Lou Holtz "Dr. Lou" segment, and of course its own Bottom-Line caption to update fans on the situation. Pedro Gomez will also shadow him moving forward, and Chris Berman will be by to blow Brett...I mean, lend his support. Now, back to the studio."

14. I am hopeful for the Panthers this year, but a number of things have to fall right: better secondary play and pressure on the quarterback leading to an increase in opposing teams' turnovers, Jake Delhomme's arm not falling off, and using the 2-RB system correctly. Williams and Stewart seem to be the kind of guys that are looking to make an impact in any way possible and do not care about the spotlight right now. A two-headed rush monster is just what this team needs. I can really see 10-6. But...

15. My theory is that each season, 75% of NFL teams have the ability to finish 10-6 or 6-10. Not somewhere in between, but those exact records. For example, I can talk myself into a 6-10 Carolina Panthers season just as easily as 10-6. This is also a league where every team has hopes of the playoffs each year (again excluding a handful - KC, Miami, Atlanta, and probably Baltimore), which is why the NFL is the most popular in pro sports: every fan feels like this could be their team's year.

16. AFC Playoff teams - New England, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Jacksonville, Indy, Tennessee (same 6 as last year which means it won't happen; don't believe in Cleveland; Houston, the Jets, and Buffalo are all 8-8 or 9-7 though)

17. NFC Playoff teams - Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carolina, Philadelphia (no Giants which was tough; Seattle finally misses; and not buying the Minnesota hype).

18. I talk myself into: Carolina is 10-6 and Jon Beason becomes a household name.

19. I will win at least one fantasy football league this year. I am in three, just like last season. Last year, I finished 2nd in two leagues and dead-freakin-last in a co-ed league that I co-founded and commish. How embarrassing is it to lose to your girlfriend, two female cousins, a school teacher, and a pharma-to-be who paid no attention all season? Pretty bad. But, shout out to cousin Car battling through freshman year of college, cousin Whitney battling through senior year of college, and cousin Lindsey for getting knocked up (by her husband, cousin-in-law Jason) and being preggers with "niece" numero uno. Quasi-Uncle Kyle is stoked. Anyway, the Hokie Thugs are determined to bring home a victory in one of these leagues in 2008.

20. Also, a shout out to Miss Angela - keep fighting, you are always in my prayers.

21. The Tar Heels were awful against McNeese State, but you knew that already. Maybe the team will use the extra rest this weekend to improve the run game and pass rush (fat chance on the second one) and the parachuters can practice landing at the correct stadium. My advice: remember that Kenan Stadium is the one with people actually in it to watch the game.

22. The Hokies hope to get well against the Purple Paladins of Furman this weekend. I had a friend in high school who wore a Furman University hat all the time because it said "FU" on it. Rutledge, if you're reading this crap for some awful reason, congrats on your recent tying of the knot. The Hokies, meanwhile, are switching back to using Tyrod Taylor at quarterback in some capacity, which has been the talk of Blacksburg this week. I did overhear a conversation this week about how it was stupid to waste Taylor's redshirt because "our season is already F-ed up anyway". Glad to know that a close loss in your first game to a good non-conference foe on a neutral field ruins the season. Moron.

23. It's time. All my rowdy friends are coming over tonight: Super Bowl XLIII Pittsburgh 31 Dallas 17.