Labor Day Games Open Thread
On tap for later tonight is the big one, Boise State vs. Virginia Tech. Right now Maryland is leading Navy 14-0.
I've liked Navy but have not been as big a believer in them as many others. Most of their wins come against the bottom third of 1-A competition. However, most people thought Maryland would be in or close to the bottom third of 1-A teams. The only reason they weren't firing Friedgen is for money reasons.
I know it's early in the game and the season, but is Maryland not going to be terrible this year?
My ESPN Streak for the Cash pick said that Navy would win by more points than Maryland scores TDs + FGs. We'll see how that works out.
September 6th, 2010 at 4:41 PM ^
Pulling for BSU to win big.
September 6th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
of hearing how VT is going to bust out. Every year, they have "all the pieces finally together" and they blow several important games. Until they prove me wrong, I'm ready for the team that actually has an impressive resume (in recent years, at least) to blow Tech away big-time.
September 6th, 2010 at 5:16 PM ^
The mid-major thing is getting annoying. These teams beat somebody good out-of-conference, then all they have to do to make the BCS is beat the 7 or 8 cupcakes on their league schedule. If they start off the year with a high-ranking then a top-10 finish is practically a self-fulfilling prophecy.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^
[Repost of my response from another BSU discussion]
Sure, but the Broncos still might just be one of the best teams in the country.* They are doing all that they can in scheduling two OOC games with good teams in VT and OSU (NTOSU), and moving to a better conference.
Because they have done so well recently, teams are not lining up to play them (same chance of losing as against other top programs, without the cachet of beating a Florida or a Texas). Also, because of their small stadium (about 36K, looking to expand into 50-60K), home-and-home games are not very appealing to big time programs.
People also forget that while it is true that they don't play as many quality opponents, they also have a far smaller margin of error in getting to the BCS. A Big Ten, SEC or Big 12 team can lose one or sometimes two games and still play for the NC. BSU has to be undefeated and win convincingly every game.
Just some food for thought.
* - In the interests of full disclosure, I just moved to Boise about 6 months ago, so it is hard not to pull for BSU.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:05 PM ^
I live in Northern Virginia and I'm surrounded by Tech fans. TV Casters and newspaper writers are usually gaga over Tech, but this year I think they've mellowed out. Even my fan friends, for the most part are expecting Tech to lose. But, I'm tired too of Virginia Tech being perenially overrated.
September 6th, 2010 at 7:51 PM ^
I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great football team the Boise State Broncos have. I'm sick and tired of hearing about their cupcake, creampuff schedule.
On the other hand VT is 1-25 or something against Top 5 opposition. The only win was at home against Miami. All-time, away from Lane Stadium, VT is 0-22.
VT has been notorious for that choke that ends their national championship hopes...but the real reason I want BSU to lose other than being a VT alumnus...if they win this game, and beat Oregon State, you can circle them in for the National Championship. And that's something I do not want to see. I don't want to see them just glide into the championship because they scheduled cupcakes and went undefeated.
So today is a huge chance to knock Boise State off that championship talk early. :)
September 6th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
I always have loved me some triple option. Such a powerful offense when ran properly. There are only a few head coaches in football that still run it so it is generally very effective and fun to watch.
September 6th, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^
in the 3rd/4th? there was a botched play where both RBs cut in for the ball and only one came out with it but it was too much cooks in the kitchen and they got bunched all together and lost a yard once the ball emerged.
September 6th, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^
Saw that play from behind - was the only time I recall any confusion
September 6th, 2010 at 5:05 PM ^
Well that was an awful way to end a great drive. Terrible playcall on the goal line there.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:10 PM ^
What the hell happened there? I looked away and next thing I saw coach Ken (of Navy) was screaming in the face of the official in the tunnel. Not near his face, in his face, nose to nose.
September 6th, 2010 at 5:33 PM ^
I would love to see BSU win by one and both teams then run the table. If everyone else has two losses, the BCS could be stuck with a rematch for their MNC game. Why would I love to see this? Because there would probably be at least a "plus one" by next year. After a "plus one," it's only a matter of time before a real playoff and a real champion.
September 6th, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^
I have been surprised by the speed of the backs on both sides. Been an exciting game so far
I thought that 3rd and 18 conversion with the fullback was loltastic
September 6th, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^
What did most people choose for tonight's Pick4? Interception or no?
September 6th, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^
Are you kidding me? 3 fumbles for Navy from inside the 6? This is getting ridiculous!
September 6th, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^
Wow. Navy looks like it scored but WAIT, fumble at the goal line again. They have fumbled at the 6, 2 and now 1 yard line on their last three possessions. By that trend, the rest of their drives should end in a touchdown.
Maryland gets the ball on their 1 yard line.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^
Actually, according to the trend, their next drives will end at the 1/2 and 1/6 yard lines.
I was actually offered some tickets to this game. Kinda glad I didn't go...
September 6th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^
Well, I didn't want to get into the whole Lewis Carrol's Tortoise and the Hare thing. It's never actually possible to get across the endzone line...
Yeah, I thought this game would be exciting at least on the Navy side.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^
I'll be rooting for VT, but I don't think they'll win. They always lose games like this and apparently their D has been very suspect in practice. Boise State is pretty damn good.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^
Well at least Navy tied it, even if they should be up three TDs at this point.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^
LET'S GO NAVY! these turnovers are very unlike Navy, especially for Dobbs. Having said that, the guy should be a Heisman candidate at some point this year.
September 6th, 2010 at 7:02 PM ^
Isn't everyone a Heisman candidate? It's not like you need a nomination.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:29 PM ^
Two passes in a row for Navy. That is mostly unheard of for them. I think series on which they don't throw a single pass are more common than times that they throw twice.
September 6th, 2010 at 6:36 PM ^
First they ran the guy down returning the kick - huge - then get back a fumble. Looked like it just flew out of the Maryland QB's hand
September 6th, 2010 at 7:08 PM ^
Crazy game. No way did he get in though.
September 6th, 2010 at 7:10 PM ^
Poor Navy! 40 Min ToP and double the yards of MD but a loss none the less.
September 6th, 2010 at 7:13 PM ^
No he didn't get in - they destroyed that play. Would have liked to see get it wider to the left side but they obviously thought it would work.
September 6th, 2010 at 7:30 PM ^
...Middies. Now onto the main event.
Go Hokies (my son is a freshman at VT).
September 6th, 2010 at 8:01 PM ^
What's everyone's take on Musberger's average BAC? I'm going with .14, tipsy but not quite drunk.
Edit: Why are Herbie and Musky standing in front of a bluescreen introducing the game?
September 6th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^
They even adapted Enter Sandman for FedEx
Hahahahaha
September 6th, 2010 at 8:09 PM ^
and then flea flicker pass interference. jeez.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:09 PM ^
So who has the uglier uniforms? I'd say Boise, minus the helmet.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:12 PM ^
These uniforms look like they had a contest to see which 5th grader could come up with a new uniform design. Clearly there wasn't a winner.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:16 PM ^
I kind of like VT's helmets, but the rest of the uniforms are flat awful. There's something to classic, non-gaudy designs, that Nike seems to have forgotten.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:10 PM ^
what a bizarre series of three. Boise doesn't get called for an extremely late unsportsmanlike, VT sucks them in with a pass interference and then the fumbled snap gives it to BSU
September 6th, 2010 at 8:14 PM ^
Well, 3-0 BSU. The crowd sounds really loud.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:19 PM ^
VA Tech's o-line looks baaaaad.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:19 PM ^
Boise looks sharp defensively.
I'm a little worried.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:19 PM ^
BSU is all over VaTech. They are going to have to run some non-3rd down screens to counter some of this pressure,
September 6th, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^
Must be blinded by Boise's blue pants.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^
Good punt block!
September 6th, 2010 at 8:21 PM ^
Touchdown Boise.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
Boise looks good, 10-0 now. VTech's offense hasnt done anything
September 6th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
Now, will this turn into an ass-kicking or will VaTech settle it down here?
September 6th, 2010 at 8:23 PM ^
Hokies are going to have to start passing right about three minutes ago. Get Ryan out there in open space and let him do his thang.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:27 PM ^
VT needs a first down here.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^
This one could get ugly.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^
Wow. VT needs to take a man pill. Can't even get back to the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 1?
September 6th, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^
Wow. Ok. You guys posted at 8:21pm that Boise got a TD. It's 8:28pm here and they only just scored the TD. 7 minute delay? WTF? Didn't realize satellite caused that much of a delay. Remind me not to read the board while watching a Michigan game.
September 6th, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
Where are you at Rob?