Ugly Game of the Week - Week 1 Edition
Hooray, it's finally September! I've been jonesing for football so bad that I caught myself watching the second half of last year's Michigan/Illinois game. And I knew what the final score was going to be!
The early season games are difficult to pick for this column, since last year's usual suspects could very well improve, or someone decent could fall on their face. So, without further ado and very litle research, let's get down to it.
Bowl Recap: Wyoming and Freson State played an entertaining 2OT game, with Wyoming coming from behind to win 35-28. Minnesota and Iowa Stateclunked around, with Iowa State winning 14-13. So Congrats to Minnesota for finishing sub .500 even with a bowl game. South Florida beat the crap out of Northern Illinois 27-3. When you have almost as many yards punting (233) as total offense (238), the fans are in for a long night.
But we're going to put the past behind us, and look forward to a bright, shiny, new 2010 season. Minnesota manages to get noticed again, mostly for starting on the road against Middle Tennessee. Middle Tennessee was 10-3 in the SunBelt last year, so this is no cupcake for Minnesota, who struggled with the #109th best offense last season. Bonus: it's on Thursday on ESPNU.
Also on the road, Arizona travels to Toledo. Arizona is probably still smarting after getting hammered by a pissed-off Nebraska team in their bowl game, but Toledo had the #13th overall offense last year, despite finishing 5-7. Toledo knocked off Colorado, and should be looking to do the same to Arizona.
Colorado versus Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown is nothing if not entertaining. Last year, Colorado lost to CSU again. This is the same CSU team that finished 3-9 and lost their last nine in a row, including such powerhouses as Wyoming, UNLV and San Diego State. Colorado looks to counter Dan Hawkins with returning talent at RB, but nothing can counter Dan Hawkins.
August 30th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
Thank you, Stubob! I guess we should keep this in the 1-A ranks, lest Presbyterian at Wake Forest gets a nod. Presbyterian goes by the name "Blue Hose". I wonder what their mascot looks like? Is it self reeling?
As far as ugliness is concerned, in a purely aesthetic sense, I'd go with Wazzou @Okie St. Neither of these unis are particularly hideous on their own (IMO, WSU has one of the better logos), but together it ain't pretty. If Boise played VaTech on the blue turf, that would get a nod too.
As far as ugliness is concerned, in a "It gon get ugly up in here" sense, I'd go with either Marshall @OSU or Texas versus Rice. Lopsided will be the name of the game
And as far as ugliness is concerned, in a bad football sense, Syracuse @Arkon. I wonder if the king will show up? Arkon went 3-9 and finished 106th in points for and 78th in points against last season. Syracuse went 4-8, finishing 99th in PF and 81st in PA. Not. Pretty. At. All.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^
F'n Zips!
I do wonder though if Sam McGuffie might help Rice keep things interesting against Texas (Interesting against the line that is).
August 30th, 2010 at 3:56 PM ^
Don't know if I can watch McGuffie take a beating as he tries to lead an inferior team against a much stronger opponent. Brings back too many bad memories of '08.
He might want to keep a cheat sheet in his sock so he can figure out what day it is in case he takes any head shots like he took in '08.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
1ug·ly
adj \ˈə-glē\Definition of UGLY
Speaking of Syracuse/Akron, I forgot that Paulus graduated, so their QB has to be really up in the air.
Maybe I should rename it to "Awful Game of the Week" if that would help.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
down to the Glass Bowl Friday night for the Toledo game. GO ROCKETS!
August 30th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
August 30th, 2010 at 1:14 PM ^
What is Arizona doing traveling 2,000 miles to play at a MAC school? They must have set up a 2 for 1 home and home deal.
August 30th, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^
Has to be San Jose State-Alabama. That game will be over when the teams get on the bus leaving the hotel.
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