Remember Marshall – I do

Last weekend was a blur. The daily double on Saturday started at noon in Ypsilanti at Eastern Michigan. We watched the Eagles seemingly get out played by Kent State for large chunks of the game but still manage to be up 21-0 when we left in the middle of the third quarter. It was off to Western Michigan where we were missed most of the first quarter, and, all of what looked to be, some raucous tailgating. And while the Broncos were able to get the game close in the fourth quarter, they ultimately faltered, unable to shake off the RedHawks. We left with about three minutes left in the game, disappointed that Broncos were not only going to lose, but not cover. It was not exactly a bad beat, but it wasn’t great either.

Things picked up on Sunday, where both the weather and the Cleveland Browns provided to be better than expected. Being a Steelers fan, there was a time I would only root against the Lake Pixies, but given their decades of poor play, they generally aren’t a threat to the Steelers. It was quite the roller coaster in the fourth quarter with Cleveland seemingly giving away a game where they had outplayed the favorite 49ers. A botched chip shot field goal by San Francisco with eight seconds left in the game lifted the Browns faithful from the depths of despair to a mountain of joy. It was easy and fun to get swept up in that wave.

This weekend, I am off to see my first cousin, once removed, wrap up his college football career at Marshall. (That’s my cousin’s kid for you non-professional genealogists.) I have seen the Thundering Herd at the ‘Joan before so the box is already ticked. It was one of my more memorable experiences if not the most enjoyable with a review that still makes me laugh. This week has the potential to be much better, with a red-hot JMU team coming in to play a Marshall team that needs to snap out of a two game losing streak.

Last Week: Still treading water

Eastern Michigan somehow managed to cover the spread thanks to a botched Kent State onside kick to open the game. As mentioned, this game was far closer than the 28 -14 score would indicate, I was very happy to walk out of that stadium and still get the win. Rutgers did beat Michigan State but only by three points. It was a very disappointing result. Troy dispatched Army with relative ease which made watching Western Michigan’s 4th quarter comeback fizzle less traumatic. So, once again, another 50/50 performance by me.

Other observations from Week 7

• No more Colorado comments for at least a month. Blowing a 29 point lead in the second half to a one win team will get you that.
• Lots of crazy finishes last weekend. If you bought the $2 ticket for the WVU – Houston game I highlighted last week, you definitely got your money’s worth. The Hail Mary alone was worth two bucks.
• Even wilder was CSU’s comeback against Boise State. The Broncos were up by twenty with six minutes to go. The Rams score a touchdown in two minutes, recover an onside kick, have their next touchdown drive extended by a 4th down pass interference call. Then, they get and then lose another onside kick. Boise can’t run out the clock. CSU, with 20 seconds left and on their own 10 yard line, go four plays and finish with a Hail Mary. Ball game – and a very nice Homecoming win for the Rams.
• Surprising: USC manhandled by Notre Dame. Not Surprising: Oregon – Washington game was everything it was cracked up to be.

Week 8 Picks

I am already in the hole thanks to Marshall losing to JMU. Pretty tough to mount any offense when your first five drives start from the 1,1,1,5, and 10. Yes, the field position was that bad for Marshall. I have to believe Iowa covers against Minnesota. That pick feels like lock. I feel less confident about Wisconsin covering against Illinois. It is not a positive vote for the badgers, but more me giving up on the Illini. I was not impressed by EMU last week even though they covered. It felt like they were very lucky to win that game. I am betting their luck runs out against NIU.

Other Week 8 Observations

• I want to PSU to beat Ohio State, but Franklin seems to be a better recruiter than game day technician. Until he proves me otherwise, I will take the Buckeyes.
• Air Force should beat Navy, but when two service academies meet you just never know.
• I wonder, is this the week Bama finally makes a statement? They should beat the Vols, but I wasn’t confident to put any money on that game.
• Utah and USC is the night game I will be watching. I like the UTEs to get more defensive stops than the Trojans. I’d like to see that game live, but it’s not happening.