Friday, October 29, 2010

Take Duke lightly, no way say Mids.

It would be easy for Navy to take Duke lightly on paper. Afterall, the Blue Devils are 1-6. They played Miami tough two weeks ago, put up 48 against Wake Forest and threatened late at Maryland before losing by five.

They are also the same Duke team that gives up over 200 yards a game on the ground and this is the same Navy offense that just ran for 367 on Notre Dame. I did have that capped except Notre Dame is only 4-4.

"They do have some athletes and they have played better than the record,'' Navy Defensive Cooridinator Buddy Green said.

Nose guard Chase Burge and Jordan Marks have done a great job filling in for the injured Shane Bothel and Burge knows this team can't take anyone lightly.

"We know that we have to be focused. we have to put last week behind us and concentrate on our assignments this week,'' Burge said.

Last week's 35-17 win over the Fighting Irish was a sight to behold.

75,000 people saw it in person, a ntional TV audience, and Notre Dame fans watching outside the interview rooms and cheering Navy Coach Ken Niamatalolo and his players as they stepped down from the podium.

No, this wasn't Dr. Lou's 1988 National Title team, but, its still Notre Dame. People noticed.

"We had lots of messages and e-mails, and kids requesting to come visit so it was was very big day from that perspective,'' Niamatalolo said.

Navy's recruiting during the triple-option era has been off the chart for Navy Football. Never, could Navy have withstood losing six senior starters during the course of the season and still managed to not only compete but still WIN against Notre Dame. Navy now has 18 wins against BCS teams since 2002, the most by any non-BCS school.

WHY? Navy started Sophmore Devon Richardson in place of Emmett Merchant, Alexander Teich in place of Vince Murray, Burge for Bothel, Doug Furman/Brandon Turner/Matt Aiken for Mike Shupp, Ryan Bassford for Matt Malloy and kicker Jon Teague for Joe Buckley. Keep in mind too Marks was in on the goal-line stand on Notre Dame's first drive also. Hello?

The Mids have gone into places like Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina and convinced kids this is a great place to play football and set yourself up for life. Coaches have truly coached them up and just when you thought this program may fade to black after the loss to Air Force, think again. Just ask Notre Dame.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Not afraid to show you my Harris Poll voting

As a voter in the Harris Poll which helps determine the National Championship Game teams, I, for one, am not afraid to show you my poll and why.

I wrestled with the last couple of spots. I think Butch Davis is doing the best job in college football this season, I just gave a slight edge to the SEC and Mississippi State right now. Virginia Tech was top-five early this season and his rounding into form.

Here's how I voted and why..

1. Oregon- I voted them there last week and they didn't play this week, so no need to move them.
2. Boise State- The beat everyone they play to a bloddy pulp. No fooling around.
3. TCU- I wavered here since Oklahoma is looking good and so is Auburn, but why penalize the Horned Frogs for killing people too.
4. Oklahoma- No Bradford, No problem and a seriously good running game too.
5. Auburn- Please welcome Cam Newton to the Heisman conversation.
6. Alabama- I still think they are the best team in the country on a neutral field.
7. LSU- Unbeaten, but better than Bama?
8. Michigan State- Wicked circumstances with their coach, yet still impressive each week.
9. Ohio State- You can be crtical of Pryor and the O but none of them play D.
10. Iowa- A couple of goofy things at Arizona away from being possible top-five team.
11. Nebraska- ? unexplainable. Youth can be good and bad.
12. Wisconsin- Only loss is to #8. Powerful performance against Buckeyes.
13 Oklahoma State- Not even the best in their state...for now.
14. Utah- Still the biggest question mark overall in top-15 to me, but when I see them they dominate their opponents and program has earned its place.
15. Stanford- IMHO they would beat a couple of the teams ahead of them on a neutral field.
16. Missouri- I saw the beatdown by Navy in person. Their coaching staff has learned its lesson and Blaine Gabbert keeps getting better and better.
17. Florida State- Loss to Oklahoma doesn't look so bad now and neither do the Noles.
18. South Carolina- They tried to win the game, isn't that what Herm Edwards once told us?
19. Arizona- Thought about putting Texas here, who do you like on a neutral field?
20. Arkansas- Was that an EA Sports simulation yesterday against Auburn?
21. Texas- Mack Brown and crew too good to keep losing, but I don't think anyone expected that yesterday.
22. Virginia Tech- I don't know what Tyrod Taylor will play in the pros, but in college he's growing on me.
23 West Virginia- BIG East? This is the lone team that can hang with many outsiders they have ridiculous speed.
24. Michigan- Their only losses are to #8 and #10. A must win at Penn State next week to hang around.
25. Mississippi State- Edge out Carolina for my final vote because the ACC is better than SEC and Dan Mullen has done a great job getting Bulldogs competitive again.