Championship Saturday Open Thread

I'm gonna go with Fresno, Pittsburg, Houston and Big Blue for the early slate. Today is like Christmas comin early. Already went to the gym and now I will be engulfed by the cushions of my sofa for the rest of the day. I really need a recipe for something I can snack on all day so if anyone could help me out I would appreciate it greatly.

My gawd, Millen is "color" commentator on another football game? Did he lose a bet? Did he make bad investments and he needs the money? He was on the NFL network on Thursday night, and is on every Saturday and Sunday.

What gives?

the Scarlet Knights. And I like Cincy over Pitt. Can't wait for Florida vs. 'Bama. I think 'Bama wins in a very close game. Interesting to see how they'll manage without Dunlap.

Too many games, not enough time. I want to see Case Keenum, his numbers are outrageous for Houston.

the turf at heinz field had to be replaced again. when are they just going to suck it up and put field turf in??? i think this is the 3rd year in row that it had to be redone to some extent.

Keenum goes over 5,000 yards passing for 2nd year in a row! (A lot of dink and dunk so far. One turned into 50 YAC.)

Cinci gets one gift wrapped....7-7

Dion Lewis is tearing Cinci up. If I'm Wannstead I don't throw a pass all day.

Ranking the top programs in each conference:

- I'm not talking about the best teams, I'm talking about the best PROGRAMS. The programs that are going to be the best. That are recruiting the best. And that have the best coaching staff's in place.

SEC: Clearly, the best league in the land.
1) Alabama
2) Florida - Tebow's last season = Meyer's last season on top.
3) LSU
4) Tennessee - I hate Kiffin, but he's recruiting.
5) Georgia
6) Ole Miss
7) Arkansas - Petrino's a dick, but a great coach.
8) South Carolina
9) Auburn
10) Kentucky
11) Mississippi State
12) Vanderbilt

Pac10: Having a second powerhouse in Oregon bumps them to #2.
1) USC - Still the best program in this league, by far.
2) Oregon
3) Stanford - On the rise with Harbaugh.
4) Oregon State - On the rise with Riley.
5) Cal - On the decline.
6) UCLA
7) Washington
8) Arizona - about to be overtaken by Neuheisel and Sarkisian.
9) Arizona State
10) Washington State

Big12: Pretty close to the big10, but their best team is way better than ours.
1) Texas
2) Oklahoma - Still the second best program in this league.
3) Nebraska - Getting back.
4) Oklahoma State
5) Texas Tech
6) Missouri
7) Kansas State
8) Iowa State
9) Texas A&M
10) Colorado
11) Kansas
12) Baylor

Big10: Still much, much better than the BigEast/ACC
1) Ohio State
2) Penn State
3) Michigan...on the rise...still behind the best teams in the league though.
4) Iowa
5) Wisconsin
6) Michigan State
7) Northwestern
8) Purdue
9) Minnesota
10) Illinois
11) Indiana

BigEast: Definitely a better league than the ACC right now.
1) Cincinnati
2) Pittsburgh
3) West Virginia
4) Rutgers
5) South Florida
6) UConn
7) Louisville
8) Syracuse

ACC:
1) Georgia Tech
2) Virginia Tech
3) Miami...on the rise.
4) North Carolina...on the rise.
5) Florida State...gonna get a great DC and take off.
6) Clemson
7) Boston College
8) Wake Forrest
9) Virginia...have to wait and see who they hire as HC.
10) Duke
11) NC State
12) Maryland

That has to be a td for Pitt. Was clear as day. How do 2 refs miss that?

Did my undergrad work at ECU. A little weird to have the hated Lou Holthz's son coaching my team... but I'm over it. (And also think he could be a sleeper candidate for the ND job.)

GO ECU! BEAT HOUSTON!

penalty on Pitt.

Someone teach these kids not to lead with their helmet.

I-form sets?

A shotgun look doesn't quiet fit on the two yard line.

the recruitment of Dion Lewis? He was the #150 running back....in Jersey alone, and the Pitt staff saw his tape and offered him. Now, they keep his chart around to remind them that rankings mean nothing and to go with your instincts. Coaching Staff>Recruiting sites

I love watching football played in weather like the Cincy/Pitt game.

Damn. That's one way to get back to the heaters on the bench quickly.

Whew, Jonathan Baldwin...what could've been...

Does the number of points being put on Kelly's team make anyone optimistic that ND's defense will continue to suck if he takes over as coach?

Cincy is in trouble here. If they don't score going into the half they're in deep doo doo given their less than stellar D.

Houston is hiking the ball with 20 seconds on the clock almost every time.

oops!
This game might be over right here if Pitt can maintain intensity. (and get a TD)

I really hate that punt formation. one man rushed and blocked it. they need to change the rules on that formation.

Brian Kelly vs Pitt < RR vs PItt

Wow, just wow. What's wrong with Cincy today? I don't really buy into the "Kelly is distracted by the ND coaching search" crap because I didn't with Rodriguez, but Pitt obviously really wants this win and Cincy just looks terrible. I think Kelly said the right things so far when asked about the job, enough at least that I don't think his players are necessarily quitting on him because they think he'll leave. But I don't think this is just a case of Pitt wanting it more.

EDIT: And of course as I say that, Cincy returns a kickoff for a TD. But the Cincy defense hasn't stopped Pitt yet, so my point stands.

OK. I take back the whole "this game is over" thing. Nice run back.

"Come on, butthead, complete the pass!" I'm definitely using that one next year...

Pitt has indeed lost intensity.

That was a dumb move by Saddler touching that KO as it went oob. Now Cincy has another shot at a score before half.

Back to back INTs! The Pitt/Cincy game is damn fun to watch!

What the hell is going on in this game? Does anybody want to do ANYTHING right? Special teams mistake, interception, interception...

Wow. This Cinn-Pitt game is crazy. Can't turn away for a second. Been more action in the last 3 minutes than most 1st halves.

If anyone can come back, it's Cincy. Pretty crazy bunch of
turnovers right before the half.