Football season!

[Jackrabbit379]

It's already here!
What do yall think?? As far as the NFL goes, I don't know what to think.. I've never liked preseason. It's hard not to take the preseason games serious. You think, alright!! Or you think, man, we stink!! Sometimes, the teams look really good, and they don't play worth a flop in the regular season, and sometimes teams look terrible during the preseason, and end up in the Super Bowl. It usually takes a couple regular season games to work the bugs out.

Boise St and Virginia Tech was a good one. I didn't see it, but I listened to it on the radio..
Did yall see LSU and North Carolina? That was a nail biter.
Last week, all the big boys played cupcakes, and for the most part, the cupcakes did pretty good . Florida looked like they were struggling a little against Miami OH.
I saw bits n pieces of the Texas/Rice game. Either Rice is gonna be good, or the Longhorns had a problem with a few bugs.
Utah St gave OU a run for their money.
Oregon beat, who was it, New Mexico? 70something to nothing??
Man!

This week aughta be good. Miami at Ohio St. That will be a good one.
Florida St at OU.
Penn St at Alabama.

Football season is already here, but I'm glad it's here.

[Mr. Ford95]

No clue when it comes to the NFL, too many of the guys who end up cut play in preseason so you can never really get a good gauge for the season. I know Miami was what, 4-0 last year in the preseason and they missed the playoffs so it just goes to show that the preseason don't mean jack.

I was shocked at the Oregon score since the supposedly lost their top QB in Masoli due to his off the field problems. I figured they would win 40-10 or something but 72-0?

Surprised by my UNC boys and how they banded together in the 2nd half to rally back and have not 1 but 2 legit shots at winning the game going away from the 6 yard line. I figured with 8 starters missing on D that we would get hammered all night long. We got lucky by getting our 2 MLB's back Saturday morning and so that helped a ton.

Florida and Texas could be in for a rough year. Florida looked horrible against a team that was nearly dead last in all catergories last year and finished 1-11. A lot of it was self-inflicted but if they can't get those problems fixed they will lose more than 2 games. Same with Texas, Rice fought with them hard.

How about the big upset's, North Dakota St and Jacksonville St, both 1-AA teams beat the big boys at the big boys house. Kansas lost to Dakota St and Ole Miss lost to Jacksonville.

[GMAN]

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see any of the games this week, but the Vols did very well under this new coach. 50-0. It wasn't a strong opposition team, but a win is a win. This one was a shutout. Hopefully, they will keep the momentum going. The next two games will give a better feel of what we can expect the rest of the season. Oregon comes up this week with Florida being scheduled for next week.

I don't like cold weather, but I do enjoy college football. I don't care much for the pro's. Why can't we have football when the weather is more temperate?

[Mr. Ford95]

I like Mid-October to early November for football, especially when it's in Chapel Hill, NC amongst the pine trees and oaks at Kenan Stadium. I only like cold weather football when it's snowing, when it's just blustery cold I hate it. Hated it when I was playing also because you had no way of staying warm. Now they have pads you can cool or heat as needed but not 10-15 years ago, the players would have to suffer.

[Jackrabbit379]

GMAN, some of the games that I remembered most were the coldest games.
I'm not from Tennessee, and I've never been a fan of Tennessee, but I've always liked to watch them. Does that make sense?? I like their traditions, and it seems like it's always a good game when they play at home, at night.
Personally, I think Tennessee has the best fight song. You can hear the whole crowd sing, "Rocky Top, you'll always be... home sweet home to me... good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee."
GMAN, Tennessee played a cupcake, but it is a win. Confidence builder.
I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan all my life. My dad, and his family have been Cowboys fans since they started. But, I've never gotten into other pro teams.

Mr. Ford, I forgot about Kansas and Ole Miss getting beat. That's what I love about college football; anything can happen!
You brought up a good point on the preseason. I remember in 1988, I think, (Tom Landry's last season) the Cowboys won every preseason game. They won only 1 game in the regular season, and that was against their rival, the Redskins. I watch the preseason, if I can, but I don't live by it. The Cowboys first team offense looks terrible, but it's preseason.

Watching College Game Day, it's funny how it's warm at the beginning, and later on, the guys have their heavy coats on. Sometimes, they are indoors, it's so bad.
I like watching games when it's snowing.

[GMAN]

Tennessee does have a lot of tradition, Jackrabbit. We have over 200 years of them. The University of Tennessee is one of the oldest universities in the nation. It was founded in 1794. That makes for a lot of tradition. There is nothing like being at Neyland Stadium with 106,000 of screaming fans. It is a stadium of orange at game time. I miss going to the games. I used to get season tickets until my wife's health got worse and I started traveling more. It is something to be at the stadium when they start singing "Rocky Top." I remember when I was still in Junior High School many of my classmates would go with their families to Knoxville for the games. They made a family outing on game day. Traditions start early.

The next couple of weeks should be more challenging. I believe we play Oregon on Saturday and Florida next week. Tennessee has gotten off to a good start with their win last week, even though it was not a major team. Like you said, it is a good confidence builder. Hopefully, this new coach will be able to at least get the team back into the top 10. It has been rare that Tennessee has not at least been in the top 10. Of course, win, lose or draw, fans still come out to support the Vols.

The cowboys are one of the few pro teams that I enjoy watching. I still remember Tom Landry and that signature hat he always seem to wear. In fact, I don't remember a time when I saw him without his hat. He was a real gentleman and a great coach. He and my father in law were friends. I still miss seeing him on the sidelines. Nothing seemed to rattle him.

[Mr. Ford95]

Outside of Ohio St, I'd say Tennessee has the best fans around. They live and die with their team but they will not jump ship, they will still support Big Orange through thick and thin.

[Jackrabbit379]

Texas A&M fans are also very faithful. A&M also has a lot of old traditions. Aggies are funny! They may not win a game, but according to the fans, they are going all the way!

I felt bad for Philip Fulmer, GMAN. One losing season in, what, 15 years (I can't remember how long he was there) and they fired him. Maybe there was more to it than I know. I was shocked when he got fired.

When I was a kid, I always thought Tom Landry was mad all the time. It seems like he didn't show much emotion. I just wished Jerry Jones would have given Coach Landry another year with Michael Irvin, and Troy Aikman. Anyway, it's in the past...
Tom Landry is one of the members of the Ring of Honor at Cowboys Stadium. There is a fedora hat beside his name.

[GMAN]

Texas A&M fans are also very faithful. A&M also has a lot of old traditions. Aggies are funny! They may not win a game, but according to the fans, they are going all the way!

I felt bad for Philip Fulmer, GMAN. One losing season in, what, 15 years (I can't remember how long he was there) and they fired him. Maybe there was more to it than I know. I was shocked when he got fired.

When I was a kid, I always thought Tom Landry was mad all the time. It seems like he didn't show much emotion. I just wished Jerry Jones would have given Coach Landry another year with Michael Irvin, and Troy Aikman. Anyway, it's in the past...
Tom Landry is one of the members of the Ring of Honor at Cowboys Stadium. There is a fedora hat beside his name.

My wife had a neighbor who was an Aggie. He actually had their war song for a door bell.

Yea, I really felt that Phillip Fulmer got a raw deal. He played football at Tennessee and went to work for the team. He worked his way up the ladder to be the head football coach. I don't think that he has had another job other than in the UT athletic department. The alumni association has not been happy with his performance for the last 2 or 3 years. They are used to having a winning team. Fulmer seemed to have lost heart the last couple of years. It is such a shame. I would have like for him to at least gone out with a winning season. He won't have to worry about money, but I don't think he was in it for the money. He just loved the game and UT. He and Bobby Bowden of Florida State were two of my all time favorite coaches. Both had an easy manner and NEVER criticized the other team. You never heard him say anything negative about his team or that of his competitor. He always had positive things to say about people. It was unusual for a college coach. Bobby Bowden was the same way.

I am glad to hear that about Tom Landry, but I would also have liked for them to have kept him for a while longer. Funny how some people just stick out in your mind.

[Jackrabbit379]

My wife had a neighbor who was an Aggie. He actually had their war song for a door bell.

That's crazy. I can't quote the lyrics of the song, but it sure shows that they aren't too fond of the Univeristy of Texas.

On a side note, I'm watching Houston and UTEP play, and Houston ran a beautiful Statue of Liberty play. Man, it was pretty!

[GMAN]

That's crazy. I can't quote the lyrics of the song, but it sure shows that they aren't too fond of the Univeristy of Texas.

On a side note, I'm watching Houston and UTEP play, and Houston ran a beautiful Statue of Liberty play. Man, it was pretty!

The Longhorn and Aggie rivalry is comparable to Alabama and Auburn or Tennessee and Florida.

[Jackrabbit379]

Oh yeah. It's huge! There is so much hatred between the two.
Speaking of rivalries, Georgia and Florida. My wife is from south Georgia. I always knew the cocktail party was a rivalry, (like the ones you mentioned) but I didn't realize how much hatred there was. The first year we were married, I was watching Florida and, I believe it was Ole Miss. My wife went through the roof!! She said, "Why are we watching Florida?!?!?! I said, "Well, it's an SEC game. SEC games are always good games." She said, "The only time I want to watch Florida, is when Georgia is kicking their butts!!!" She also said, "I hate Florida. I detest them, and it makes me puke every time I see them." I just sat there, I didn't know what to say! We found another game to watch. Right then, I figured out that Georgia and Florida was more than just a good rivalry.
I guess it's kinda like my mom. She cannot stand Texas. She's from Fort Smith. and I guess, I've got the same genes.
I've always had 3 favorite teams. My mom's side of the family is from Fort Smith. Arkansas is my one of my teams. (I guess that's why I've never liked LSU) My dad's dad was from Oklahoma. OU is my other team. My dad's older brother went to Baylor, so my dad has always liked Baylor. I'm not as big of a Baylor fan as my dad, or my uncle, but I've always rooted for them when they play. Especially, Texas.

GMAN, you mentioned Bobby Bowden the other day..
I was listening to Tim Brando yesterday. He had Coach Bowden on his show. One thing I remember in the show. Coach Bowden said, "One thing I've always told the kids, is when you hit somebody, undress em. Hit em hard enough to knock off every stitch of their uniform." Then he said, "Somebody asked me one time, 'how do you say that, and be a Christian?' well, I didn't tell em to make an illegal hit. I just said hit em hard."

[Jackrabbit379]

I was listening to another show yesterday, and a couple of guys were talking about Notre Dame. One of the guys said, "How many times do you go to a restaurant, and there is a sign that says, 'Under new management?'" He also said, "You go inside, and the food is no different, the service is as bad now as it was before. That's the same way with Notre Dame. They have a new coach, but it's still the same team. They're not going to be a top ranked team anytime soon."
I thought, how sad

I was watching Alabama and Penn St. I figured Penn St would have kept the game tight. James Madison snuck in on Virginia Tech. I guess the Hokies never got over from Boise St. How bout South Dakota? They beat Minnesota. I know Minnesota isn't a top ranked team, but still..
I also saw Miami and Ohio St. Looked like the Canes couldn't get it together. Kept shooting themselves in the foot. Their special teams are still hot. Man!

[GMAN]

We have seen quite a few changes in the game the last couple of years. I was not able to see Tennessee play this last week. It is probably just as well with the performance they gave. Our big game with Florida is this week. It should be a good game. All of the SEC teams are very competitive. I think the main reason most of us detest Florida is their attitude. They seem to always want to rub your nose in it. I remember one year when Steve Spurier was still coach. Florida had just beaten Alabama in a close game. I never will forget how he berated his own team for not running up the score. They not only want to beat the other team, but humiliate them. That attitude is probably most responsible for the way most of the other SEC teams and fans see Florida. Phillip Fulmer never tried to run up the score, even when he could. I always respected him for that. Had he done that we would probably have done better with some of the BCS rankings. We have a strong rivalry with Georgia, but it isn't as strong as Florida. I have close ties with Georgia and Tennessee.

My wife loves Texas. She is a 5th or 7th generation native. I would love for Tennessee and Texas to play some time. Two orange teams. Of course, the shades are different, but it could get a bit confusing. I would say that my wife and I would need to sit on opposite sides of the stadium should that happen.

[razorwyr]

First of all, I have to say GO GATORS!!! Ok, got that out of the way. Sure Florida doesn't look like the Florida of the last few years, but their entire team has been built around one man for the last fours years. Brantley is expected to be great, he did break all of Tebow's high school records. Sure he looks a little rough at the moment, but he will get used to playing on this level quickly. The team may have shot themselves in the foot a few times in the first few games, but despite that they won both by more than 21 points, which is a quality win, despite the fact they aren't SEC quality teams. The true test will be this coming weekend to see if they can play against the big boys. No offense to any Tennessee fans, but the program up there has dropped off a little over the last several years, so I think it will be a good introduction game for Gators into SEC play in this high expectation rebuilding year. Brantley is no where near the size of Tebow and therefore they have to completely change their school of thought down in Gainesville. Sure there have been a few kinks, but I truly believe they are working them out and this team will live up to what it is expected to do. Unfortunately, I do see them dropping the one in Tuscaloosa, but I don't believe either Urban Meyer or Nick Saban can win two in the same year against the other one. So when Alabama meets the boys in blue and orange in Atlanta....GAME ON. Again, this is unfortunate for both school and the SEC as a whole, because yet again the SEC will beat itself up and take all the teams in the South out of contention by the computers.

I believe Ohio State is a little over-rated this year and see them losing one if not two this year, leaving my prediction of a non-BCS BCS National Title game featuring TCU vs Boise State and the Broncos taking home the trophy to plant on their blue field.

[GMAN]

Unfortunately, Tennessee has been off the last few years. The program is in a rebuilding stage. There have been a lot of changes in the staff. This is the second coaching change since Phillip Fulmer. The current coach has high expectations. Tennessee alumni and fans are accustomed to having a strong team. I don't see the fans abandoning the Vols, but they are not going to be too patient if the team doesn't turn around soon. The alumni association was not at all happy with Fulmer the last 2 or 3 years of his tenure. The football team makes a lot of money for the university. Anyone who coaches is expected to function at a high level of competency. This weekend we will see how well they will likely perform the rest of the season. Several of the SEC teams are in a rebuilding mode. I am anxious for them to get back to the level of performance we expect of them.

[Roadhog]

Any team outside of Michigan... or Green Bay, Wizz, are nothing but a bunch of prancing Nancy's.


Sure... you win a few games, but your teams all act like a bunch of bitchy little girls...
and the fans whine like babies... whenever the temperature drops below 0.

[Sharlie]

Ohio State all the way this year! Their quarter back is talented, for sure.

Buckeye Baby all the way!

[Mr. Ford95]

Wasn't too impressed with OSU against Miami. Miami handed them the ball 6 times inside the 30 yard line, very short fields, and all OSU could muster was 2 TD's and 3 FG's. OSU's Special Teams gave up 2 TD's, 1 punt return and 1 kickoff return. Miami played right with OSU, they had 4 turnovers to OSU's 0 which is what cost them. OSU should have put them away the last 7 minutes of the 2nd quarter when they had the ball 3 times inside the Miami 28 yard line to start.

[Jackrabbit379]

I'm kinda thinking the same thing, Mr. Ford. I know Miami has one of the fastest defenses, but I figured Ohio St would have been up by 40 points at the half, from the way Harris was giving them the ball right back. You take away those picks that Harris threw, and it's a different ball game.

Georgia and Arkansas play this week. It's gonna be a house divided.
Texas, and Texas Tech play saturday night. That one should be interesting.