Another week - another Miracle Finish. This time it's clouded in controversy.
With six seconds left in the game, Duke scored a go ahead TD. They squibbed kicked it and this happens
With six seconds left in the game, Duke scored a go ahead TD. They squibbed kicked it and this happens
Incredible!!
An 8 lateral kick off return for the winning TD!
Except Duke thought they were robbed. First - who overall rules a penalty "Upon further review"?
Turns out that the block in the back was indeed a block from the side. But aside from targeting which is specifically sent upstairs for review - I don't recall a penalty being overturned.
No matter - they did and Duke fans are complaining. That said - there was a block in the back that wasn't called.
But the same thing applies - if you can't overturn a penalty, you certainly can't call a penalty upon review. That would be chaos. There's a penalty on just about every kick off return - probably just about every play too.
Now where Duke fans really have a legitimate gripe is on the fourth lateral - Miami player #1 Mark Walton appears to be down at the 25 prior to lateraling the ball. Check out the high res picture.
An 8 lateral kick off return for the winning TD!
Except Duke thought they were robbed. First - who overall rules a penalty "Upon further review"?
Turns out that the block in the back was indeed a block from the side. But aside from targeting which is specifically sent upstairs for review - I don't recall a penalty being overturned.
No matter - they did and Duke fans are complaining. That said - there was a block in the back that wasn't called.
But the same thing applies - if you can't overturn a penalty, you certainly can't call a penalty upon review. That would be chaos. There's a penalty on just about every kick off return - probably just about every play too.
Now where Duke fans really have a legitimate gripe is on the fourth lateral - Miami player #1 Mark Walton appears to be down at the 25 prior to lateraling the ball. Check out the high res picture.
The refs huddled for 10 minutes after the play and somehow missed that he was down. They overturn a penalty but missed that. Granted they didn't have such a great picture to look at. They had the TV feed which wasn't as clear.
But go back and watch the video. Is he down? Is it enough to overturn the ruling. Don't look at the photo above - you don't have that available.
There is also a controversy regarding this Miami player running onto the field without a helmet while the play is still going on!
But go back and watch the video. Is he down? Is it enough to overturn the ruling. Don't look at the photo above - you don't have that available.
There is also a controversy regarding this Miami player running onto the field without a helmet while the play is still going on!
Go ahead and celebrate Miami - you deserved it Sorry Duke fans, running onto the field, with or without your helmet, without interfering with the play is a dead ball foul. The TD would have stood.
On Sunday, the ACC suspended the refs and the review team and declared that Watson was down. Duke should have won.
Too bad. I like my storybook endings. A week after Miami hit rock bottom by getting blasted by Clemson - they pull off the return of the ages.
If some stuffed shirt wants to come down after the game and say the refs blew it - most likely based on evidence the refs didn't have - well shame on the shirts.
Refs are trained and paid to make split second difficult calls. Better training? yes. More review angles? Sure. But don't go around second guessing them and saying the other team really should have won.
And to make the ACC back office look even more ridiculous - the Miami player who scored the TD, Corn Elder, was awarded special teams player of the week. On a play they should not have counted!
To make matters worse, Duke HC Dave Cutcliffe now wants the ACC to overturn the result of the game and declare Duke the winner. NFW!!
Can you imagine if games were reviewed for days after the end to see if the other team won. What a disaster.
And imagine what would happen in Vegas. You would have to wait a week for the reviews and, don't think it wouldn't happen, appeals,to play out (keep in mind that, shades of MSU Notre Dame, there were several suspect pass interference calls that went against Miami including on the final go ahead drive) before some star chamber declares a team the absolute, official, no more talking about it - winner. Ugh
Nope, I'll stay with the original fairy tale. Miami got the win and deserved the win.
On Sunday, the ACC suspended the refs and the review team and declared that Watson was down. Duke should have won.
Too bad. I like my storybook endings. A week after Miami hit rock bottom by getting blasted by Clemson - they pull off the return of the ages.
If some stuffed shirt wants to come down after the game and say the refs blew it - most likely based on evidence the refs didn't have - well shame on the shirts.
Refs are trained and paid to make split second difficult calls. Better training? yes. More review angles? Sure. But don't go around second guessing them and saying the other team really should have won.
And to make the ACC back office look even more ridiculous - the Miami player who scored the TD, Corn Elder, was awarded special teams player of the week. On a play they should not have counted!
To make matters worse, Duke HC Dave Cutcliffe now wants the ACC to overturn the result of the game and declare Duke the winner. NFW!!
Can you imagine if games were reviewed for days after the end to see if the other team won. What a disaster.
And imagine what would happen in Vegas. You would have to wait a week for the reviews and, don't think it wouldn't happen, appeals,to play out (keep in mind that, shades of MSU Notre Dame, there were several suspect pass interference calls that went against Miami including on the final go ahead drive) before some star chamber declares a team the absolute, official, no more talking about it - winner. Ugh
Nope, I'll stay with the original fairy tale. Miami got the win and deserved the win.
Norm got "lei'd" off And while Cane fans were celebrating late into the night - two more head coaches got the ax.
Norm Chow of Hawaii got pineappled after losing to Air Force at home 58-7. Chow was 2-7 this year and 10-37 overall, never winning more than four games in a year.
Don't be surprised if Hawaii just packs the program in and doesn't hire a new HC. They are facing severe financial hardship with travel and recruiting costs.
That makes three HC who have lost their jobs that were on the Big Book of Guesses Hot Seat prior to the year. Several more are on their way.
Not on the list but drifting that way for several years was Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech. Beamer decided to "retire" after the season is over. Right - like Frank was really looking forward to spending time with the grandkids.
No, he was a victim of his own making. He won big, he won often and when expectations kept increasing, he couldn't keep up.
Norm Chow of Hawaii got pineappled after losing to Air Force at home 58-7. Chow was 2-7 this year and 10-37 overall, never winning more than four games in a year.
Don't be surprised if Hawaii just packs the program in and doesn't hire a new HC. They are facing severe financial hardship with travel and recruiting costs.
That makes three HC who have lost their jobs that were on the Big Book of Guesses Hot Seat prior to the year. Several more are on their way.
Not on the list but drifting that way for several years was Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech. Beamer decided to "retire" after the season is over. Right - like Frank was really looking forward to spending time with the grandkids.
No, he was a victim of his own making. He won big, he won often and when expectations kept increasing, he couldn't keep up.
Frank bids the game adieu Beamer will be known for many things starting with:
What was that thing on his neck? The guy had a look even if it wasn't everyone's cup of tea.
Owning the special team phase of the game. So much so that it was known as Beamer Ball.
Just plain winning. Virginia Tech was a back water before Beamer.
Under him they:
Won 10 or more games for 8 consecutive years ending in 2012.
Overall, went 235-120-2
Won 7 conference championships
And who can forget the memorable 1999 season when, with a freshman Michael Vick under center, Va Tech played Florida State in the National Championship game.
That year he won just about every "Coach of the Year" award you could find.
Of the 18 season that Va tech ended up ranked at the end of the year, Frank was in charge for 16. He is and will forever will be Virginia Tech football.
Next stop - the College Football Hall of Fame.
Before I get into the results of the week - here is a great video on the SEC myth
Talk to your kids about the SEC Myth
What was that thing on his neck? The guy had a look even if it wasn't everyone's cup of tea.
Owning the special team phase of the game. So much so that it was known as Beamer Ball.
Just plain winning. Virginia Tech was a back water before Beamer.
Under him they:
Won 10 or more games for 8 consecutive years ending in 2012.
Overall, went 235-120-2
Won 7 conference championships
And who can forget the memorable 1999 season when, with a freshman Michael Vick under center, Va Tech played Florida State in the National Championship game.
That year he won just about every "Coach of the Year" award you could find.
Of the 18 season that Va tech ended up ranked at the end of the year, Frank was in charge for 16. He is and will forever will be Virginia Tech football.
Next stop - the College Football Hall of Fame.
Before I get into the results of the week - here is a great video on the SEC myth
Talk to your kids about the SEC Myth
Zack Langer with the clinching TD In the final tune up before the GO JUMBO weekend the Doofus had a pretty good week The Big Book of Guesses went 30-21-1 Nice
The Doofus went 2-1 on the Mega Bets with:
Tulsa -3.5 @ SMU - SMU jumped out to an early 14-3 lead but I wasn't too worried. Tulsa scores in droves and it was still the first quarter. The Hurricane scored 3 TDs in the 2nd quarter to go up 23-21.
The teams kept trading TDs in the 3rd and 4th quarter leaving the spread at 2. I needed a TD or FG to get the cover.
Tulsa got it with a TD setting up a dramatic ending. I could afford a FG by SMU but not a TD. SMU marches down and goes for the FG - miss!
Tulsa punts SMU gets the ball back at their 10, 2:43 to go. If they get a TD I'm screwed.
The Mustangs march to the Tulsa 8 1st and goal. Oh no!
First down goal - incomplete
2nd down - SACK!
3rd and goal from the 20 - incomplete
So now its 4th and goal - 15 seconds left. If they get the TD I lose, I'm worried too because from Tulsa's persepctive it's a meaningless TD. They were up by 9. A score only meant something for bettors like me.
Miss it I win
Incomplete - Final score Tulsa 40 SMU 31 WIN
The Doofus went 2-1 on the Mega Bets with:
Tulsa -3.5 @ SMU - SMU jumped out to an early 14-3 lead but I wasn't too worried. Tulsa scores in droves and it was still the first quarter. The Hurricane scored 3 TDs in the 2nd quarter to go up 23-21.
The teams kept trading TDs in the 3rd and 4th quarter leaving the spread at 2. I needed a TD or FG to get the cover.
Tulsa got it with a TD setting up a dramatic ending. I could afford a FG by SMU but not a TD. SMU marches down and goes for the FG - miss!
Tulsa punts SMU gets the ball back at their 10, 2:43 to go. If they get a TD I'm screwed.
The Mustangs march to the Tulsa 8 1st and goal. Oh no!
First down goal - incomplete
2nd down - SACK!
3rd and goal from the 20 - incomplete
So now its 4th and goal - 15 seconds left. If they get the TD I lose, I'm worried too because from Tulsa's persepctive it's a meaningless TD. They were up by 9. A score only meant something for bettors like me.
Miss it I win
Incomplete - Final score Tulsa 40 SMU 31 WIN
App State won on a FG I needed 24 Appalachian State -24.0 vs Troy - App State was leading 17-10 at the half. I figured that App State was flat after their big win over Georgia Southern last week. But they did have the lead. If they get out of their funk they could still pull off the 24 point cover. The Mountaineers were going to get the opening kick off in the second half. Get a TD on the opening drive and let's get rolling.
What I didn't count on was Troy going for the win. The Trojans on side kick the ball and recover. Then on first down at midfield they throw a reverse double pass for a TD. All of a sudden we are tied. I knew then that App State was not going to cover.
So I started rooting for Troy. I was hoping that if App State loses this week they will be fired up for the GO JUMBO weekend.
The game goes into OT. We are tied at 31. Great game.
It took 3 OTs to settle the game. App State won on a FG 44-41 LOSS
Crap - after losing the cover, App State wouldn't lose the game.
Given I was giving 24 and it went into OT it was the worst loss of the year.
What I didn't count on was Troy going for the win. The Trojans on side kick the ball and recover. Then on first down at midfield they throw a reverse double pass for a TD. All of a sudden we are tied. I knew then that App State was not going to cover.
So I started rooting for Troy. I was hoping that if App State loses this week they will be fired up for the GO JUMBO weekend.
The game goes into OT. We are tied at 31. Great game.
It took 3 OTs to settle the game. App State won on a FG 44-41 LOSS
Crap - after losing the cover, App State wouldn't lose the game.
Given I was giving 24 and it went into OT it was the worst loss of the year.
Alex Smith rushed for 78 yards and 1 TD. The Lions rushed for 81 and 0 TDs Kansas City -3.5 vs Detroit in London - I followed my worst loss up with my easiest win of the year.
Detroit took their opening possession down the field and got a FG. I turned to Mrs Doofus and said, hey, the Lions are looking good.
Of course, this is the Lions we are talking about. KC takes their first possession to the house. Mrs Doofus was snickering - I thought you said the Lions were looking good?
She kept riding me the rest of the morning as KC blew out the Lions 45-10. WIN
I told her that is why I Mega Betted against Detroit. They suck and have given up on the year.
As much as I would like the Fords to fire Caldwell now and let DC Teryl Austin do an on the job season interview for the permanent position, it would be best if they didn't.
Because if he succeeds, then the Fords will keep the rest of the numbnuts in the back office and the futility will continue for another couple generations. My great grandkids will be left wondering what's wrong with the Lions?
Better that they clean house at the end of the year and bring in a HC that knows how to turnaround a franchise. Not some up and coming coordinator (Schwartz, Marrinelli etc.), not a high profile coach who won a Super Bowl despite his talent level (Caldwell) or because the teams talent level was already in place (Marriuchi).
No they need someone who will kick ass and instill a winning attitude. If he wants control of player personnel then give it to him. How much worse can he be then Mayhew? Mayhew has never understood the draft nor how to play with the salary cap.
But it's the Lions. They will get everyone excited with the next great hire and then....
Just make sure you have a good back up team to root for in weeks 7-17
Detroit took their opening possession down the field and got a FG. I turned to Mrs Doofus and said, hey, the Lions are looking good.
Of course, this is the Lions we are talking about. KC takes their first possession to the house. Mrs Doofus was snickering - I thought you said the Lions were looking good?
She kept riding me the rest of the morning as KC blew out the Lions 45-10. WIN
I told her that is why I Mega Betted against Detroit. They suck and have given up on the year.
As much as I would like the Fords to fire Caldwell now and let DC Teryl Austin do an on the job season interview for the permanent position, it would be best if they didn't.
Because if he succeeds, then the Fords will keep the rest of the numbnuts in the back office and the futility will continue for another couple generations. My great grandkids will be left wondering what's wrong with the Lions?
Better that they clean house at the end of the year and bring in a HC that knows how to turnaround a franchise. Not some up and coming coordinator (Schwartz, Marrinelli etc.), not a high profile coach who won a Super Bowl despite his talent level (Caldwell) or because the teams talent level was already in place (Marriuchi).
No they need someone who will kick ass and instill a winning attitude. If he wants control of player personnel then give it to him. How much worse can he be then Mayhew? Mayhew has never understood the draft nor how to play with the salary cap.
But it's the Lions. They will get everyone excited with the next great hire and then....
Just make sure you have a good back up team to root for in weeks 7-17
Matt Breida ran for 205 yards and 2 TDs for the Eagles The Mini Megas did all right going 4-3 with:
Oregon +3.0 @ Arizona State - A wild triple OT game that the Ducks pulled out 61-55 WIN
Georgia Southern -20.5 vs Texas State - Georgia Southern got out to a quick 14-6 half time lead and then blew out the Bobcats in the 2nd half. Final score Eagles 37 Bobcats 13 WIN
Miami +7.5 vs New England - Miami was pressuring Brady for a half but the offense didn't go anywhere. Finally the Fins wore down as the Pats dominated in a 36-7 win LOSS
Clemson -10.5 @ NC State - In an exciting game, Clemson got up 56-41 with 6 minutes to go. I could afford a Pack FG but not a TD
NC State drives to the Clemson 4, first and goal, 4 minutes left (for two teams that were supposedly good on defense there sure was a lot of scoring going on)
Clemson holds but goes 3 and out - 2:00 left. The punt is shanked. NC State gets the ball at the Clemson 38.
Don't blow it now Clemson.
The Tiger defense comes through. Four plays later the Pack turns ot over on downs. Clemson wins by the final score of 56-41 WIN
Oregon +3.0 @ Arizona State - A wild triple OT game that the Ducks pulled out 61-55 WIN
Georgia Southern -20.5 vs Texas State - Georgia Southern got out to a quick 14-6 half time lead and then blew out the Bobcats in the 2nd half. Final score Eagles 37 Bobcats 13 WIN
Miami +7.5 vs New England - Miami was pressuring Brady for a half but the offense didn't go anywhere. Finally the Fins wore down as the Pats dominated in a 36-7 win LOSS
Clemson -10.5 @ NC State - In an exciting game, Clemson got up 56-41 with 6 minutes to go. I could afford a Pack FG but not a TD
NC State drives to the Clemson 4, first and goal, 4 minutes left (for two teams that were supposedly good on defense there sure was a lot of scoring going on)
Clemson holds but goes 3 and out - 2:00 left. The punt is shanked. NC State gets the ball at the Clemson 38.
Don't blow it now Clemson.
The Tiger defense comes through. Four plays later the Pack turns ot over on downs. Clemson wins by the final score of 56-41 WIN
It was the Virginia defense that was swarming Georgia Tech -5.5 @ Virginia -Tech tried to make a game of it. After trailing 27-14 they scored a TD to make it 27-21 with 1:41 left
They kick the on side and get it! Could it be another miracle for the Jackets?
Nope.
On 4th and 4 at the UVA 34, the pass is incomplete. The Hoos win 27-21 LOSS
After the game the Sax Man texted wanting to know if we should invoke a Little Al Rule such that there is no betting on the Jackets. I'll try it this year but everyone else can do what they want.
San Diego State -3.5 @ Colorado State - San Diego State is catching fire. They won their fifth straight game in a 41-17 slamming of Colorado State WIN
Florida International -2.5 @ Florida Atlantic - Be careful betting on rivalry games. Florida Atlantic had lost three straight games but fired up when Fla International came to town. They dominated the Panthers 31-17 LOSS.
The Point Whore Parlay went 1-2 with"
Rutgers +20.5 @ Wisconsin - As soon as Rutgers announced WR Leonte Caroo would not play, I knew this bet was toast. With no Rutger's offense, Bucky kept the ball and kept scoring in a 48-10 rout LOSS
UTEP +24.5 @ Southern Miss - In honor of Halloween, Southern Miss wore all black while UTEP wore all orange. The All Blacks won but not by enough to cover 34-13 WIN
Vandy +12.0 @ Houston - I thought Vandy's defense would keep it close. Turns out the Houston defense was the better as the Cougars shut out Vandy 34-0 LOSS
All in all a nice little profit for the week.
On Sunday Woz texted to say that he can't wait for GO JUMBO to start. He was 14-2 on his picks. WOW
Of course I have no idea what his picks were and the results are unverified. As far as I know it could be on Glee reruns.
But if they are legit, I'll be sure to borrow a few.
Remember - the GO JUMBO weekend is this weekend at the Westgate Resort
See you there
They kick the on side and get it! Could it be another miracle for the Jackets?
Nope.
On 4th and 4 at the UVA 34, the pass is incomplete. The Hoos win 27-21 LOSS
After the game the Sax Man texted wanting to know if we should invoke a Little Al Rule such that there is no betting on the Jackets. I'll try it this year but everyone else can do what they want.
San Diego State -3.5 @ Colorado State - San Diego State is catching fire. They won their fifth straight game in a 41-17 slamming of Colorado State WIN
Florida International -2.5 @ Florida Atlantic - Be careful betting on rivalry games. Florida Atlantic had lost three straight games but fired up when Fla International came to town. They dominated the Panthers 31-17 LOSS.
The Point Whore Parlay went 1-2 with"
Rutgers +20.5 @ Wisconsin - As soon as Rutgers announced WR Leonte Caroo would not play, I knew this bet was toast. With no Rutger's offense, Bucky kept the ball and kept scoring in a 48-10 rout LOSS
UTEP +24.5 @ Southern Miss - In honor of Halloween, Southern Miss wore all black while UTEP wore all orange. The All Blacks won but not by enough to cover 34-13 WIN
Vandy +12.0 @ Houston - I thought Vandy's defense would keep it close. Turns out the Houston defense was the better as the Cougars shut out Vandy 34-0 LOSS
All in all a nice little profit for the week.
On Sunday Woz texted to say that he can't wait for GO JUMBO to start. He was 14-2 on his picks. WOW
Of course I have no idea what his picks were and the results are unverified. As far as I know it could be on Glee reruns.
But if they are legit, I'll be sure to borrow a few.
Remember - the GO JUMBO weekend is this weekend at the Westgate Resort
See you there
