And then, there were five

Well, next year at least.

119 colleges in NCAA Division 1 (Bowl Subdivision). 5 coaches of African American heritage.

Here they are:

Ron Prince, Kansas State (on the hot seat)
Turner Gill, Buffalo
Sylvester Croom, Mississippi
Randy Shannon, Miami
Kevin Sumlin, Houston

Shameful.

Perfection to me is quite essential

Bonus points to whoever can identify the group that brought us today's posting title without clicking on it. Heck, I'm almost willing to give bonus points for anyone other than Michael, Paula, Dan, and I who leave a comment. Gotta' be honest here- it's been Homecoming week, and I'm a bit fried. So this might be shorter than usual. But, since not many people read it, I'm sure the outrage will be kept to a minimum.

But, I won't write any further without acknowledging double perfection from Dan and Cat. Amazing work, you two!

Onto the stuff you already knew about:

• In this weeks' Game of the Year, Pennsylvania native Terrelle Pryor's fumble was all it took for the defensive juggernaut to end and State Penn to continue their path to perfection.
• Texas also remained perfect, holding of a TBPU team that will be really good next year (if the money doesn't dry up).
• Alabama Man kept on winning. Why hasn't Fulmer been fired yet?
• Georgia also looked good, and for more reasons than just a shellacking of LSU.
• All is right with the world- Nebraska beat Baylor. Whew.
• APU had yet another second half collapse against Dixie "no, we're not in the South" State.
• Anderson fought valiantly, but were Defied from winning.
• Arkansas regretted their recent coaching decisions.
• Pirates over Fighting Manginos. Hooray (more on this later)
• Weiss hastened Willingham's firing for a second time
• The Juice Is Lose. Sorry, Zooks.
• Vandy lost to Duke in this years "Battle of the Braniacs". At least it was more interesting than other years. Good to see Methodists settling it on the field.
• Florida had a bye- or it just seemed that way against UK
• MACh1gAAn lost to little brother.
• Tuskegee wins the SIAC with a home victory over Kentucky State.
  

Now, onto the reasons you click the link thingy: this week's stats. You already know about "perfection squared":
But what's really interesting is that while we were all within a game or two of each other, the scores were all over the board:
For the record, I chose Texas Tech but the ESPN computers have me down for a "Kansas" pick. Ah well, the rules are the rules.

The gap is getting bigger at the top, as the leaders seem to be creating uncatchable odds. For a price, I'll call Dan's daughters and ask them to keep him from logging on one week, if you think that help. Given that he's in the 99.5 percentile, it might not help much.
Cat does her part in continuing our tradition of split championships with a slight edge in the "picks" realm. I just realized something- Zook goes from Florida to Illinois, and Cat the Illinois fan goes to Florida. Hmmm... Could she be the "player to be named later"?
This week's games include the "World's LArgest Cocktail PArty" (or whatever they're calling it now), as Georgia and Florida play for the SEC East Championship. Auburn plays the Rebels and their new coach, whild the 'Cats meet the Crooms. TBPU faces Iowa State (shudder), and UW hopes for an upset of biblical proportions against U$C. The Big 12 has two of the more marquee games, with Texas and Texas Tech meeting in Lubbock (the 4th straigth top 10 team the Longhorns face), and Nebraska travelling to Norman for a meeting that will probably not be as exciting as in the past (at least not for Janie and Carrie).

Small schools- APU hosts Central Washington (mmmm Ellensburg), and Anderson welcomes the Bluffton Beavers to Macholtz Stadium.

Obscure game of the week- Mount Ida at Galludet in Division 3. The Mustanges of MIC represent a school that began as an all girls highschool in Massachusetts, and only since the 1980s has the college been co-educational. Though miles from Japan, MIC is proud of their anime club. And why shouldn't they be?

As the best known school in the country for the hearing impaired, Galludet University in Washington DC has an amazing tradition of academics and athletics, especially football.

Really? You don't say...

From our friends in Oregon: The BCS isn't about the football

The clincher-

As members of the Pac-10, the Beavers get a chunk of Rose Bowl loot no matter how well they finish. As the BCS teaches us, it's not about the football. It's about the money.

Ah, but you knew that already.

Looking like a pattern

and not one that I'm excited about.

For the second straight week, the majority of our group ended up in the 6-4 or 505 range. And it's not like there was a big set of upsets in the top 10 to explain it, either; the only surprise was when Doug's Frogs ruined BYWho's chances of being the BC$ spoiler for this year. Other than that, I can't really explain the poor showing on our part. After all, things happened as expected:

• Both Nebraska and tOSU won, so life in Duarte CA was good. The best part was that both games were on the idiot box, so we got to see the Pelini's and the Pryors. Oh, and the "Beanie Hop".
• Texas made Mizzou look lost, and looked like the #1 team in the country in the process
  
• State Penn toyed with MACh1gAAn before burying them in the second half
• toOSU beat up on Baylor, although BU's freshman QB still hasn't thrown an interception
• Georgia continued Vandy's slide. But, on a positive note, the 'Dores are probably going to a bowl game!
• Oklahoma beat their former offensive coordinator (his title, not a crack on him as a person)
• U$C played against a high school team. Did you know that Wazzou had open tryouts for a QB?
• Kentucky beat Arkansas. Wow, Paula, football and basketball. I guess you'll have to wait to get payback when we bet on track and field or something

Nope, the games that killed us were the Cal fold at Arizona and Rutgers' upset of UConn (Dan, I can't believe you didn't choose your dad's alma mater). Dan was the only person to correctly go with the WaHoos, though, so he earns some style points there. Only some folks picked the Directional School Game of the Week correctly, and got points for Central's upset of Western. For other folks, just remember this- Duke is the basketball school; Miami plays football.

Sadness in small schools- APU dropped a close 16-13 game to Southern Oregon on a last second field goal, while Anderson got smoked by Franklin at Homecoming (just like old times) . Loras also lost to Wartburg- The DuHawks must have been Don'tHawks. (thanks- I'll be here all night. Try the veal)

Video of the week comes from the "Are you sure my brother isn't officiating college football?" department. From the LSU and oUSC game:

Nice stick... I'm sure that the QB will not be made fun of this week in film study- that never happens. Wonder if there was a beer involved?

Like his Cowboys, Michael is making a run at the top of the standings, and won his first week!
Of course, he has to share with Dan, but that shouldn't be all that new. Aaron... uh, what happened?

Jake got some extra snuggle time with Abbie this week, and it led to a number one points finish.
Emily finished in third, so the real test will be to see if Carrie can improve next week after she visits the Gross family. Doug and Jordy finished near the bottom, in spite of their teams doing amazing this week.

Cat continues to make a push to the top of the rankings for picks:
No major changes in the points pantheon (word of the day calendar, thanks), but Dan is threatening to move up the bottom of the charts, in spite of "missing a week".

The big game this week will decide the Big T1e1n title and whether or not I get to spend Mihret's college fund on Rose Bowl Tickets (it's college football, so that's kind of educational, right?). State Penn travels to Columbus for a #3 and #9 matchup with the Buckeyes. As a reminder, the Nittany Lions have never won at the 'Shoe since joining the conference. Reminder number 2- last visit was not so good for Joe Pa. Reminder 3- There's a reason for the "State Penn" reference. Reminder 4- it also applies to their fans (coarse language).

OK, enough of that- Auburn has a great Thursday night game against WVU- I wonder if they miss their defensive coordinator yet. Illinois faces the shell of Wisconsin, Kentucky travels to Tebow's house, and Nebraska tries to get an INT from Baylor. Texas hosts toOSU with national title implications, and the Georgia LSU game might mean an SEC title. It's "little brother" time for Michigan State and MACh1gAAn, and payback time as Mississippi travels to Arkansas (say howdy, Houston Nutt). U$S tries to do what Cal couldn't but UCLA could, and Notre Ame will visit Seattle. I'm praying for a major upset.

It's homecoming at APU, and the Cougars host Dixie State (from Utah. Make your own judgements). Anderson looks to rebound against Defiance on the road. Our small school game of the week is a classic HBCU conflict between Kentucky State and Tuskegee.

Located in the state capital (no, it's not Lexington or Louisville) of Frankfort Kentucky, the Thorobreds call home a beautiful campus that was established in 1890 to prepare teachers to benefit the Commonwealth. as the 13th president of KSU, Dr. Mary Evans Sias has seen technology expand the campus boundaries and connect more students with the vision of the institution: "Inspiring Innovation. Growing Leaders. Advancing Kentucky"

Founded by the great Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee has a vast history that most Americans should be aware of. From the work of George Washington Carver (a funnier take can be read here) to the Tuskegee Airmen's dedication during World War II, members of the Tuskegee community have served their nation in ways that often have been overlooked.

Name that program

A little quiz for our readers. The prize, as always, is wisdom and satisfaction.

What program/team/coach is this?

• Storied program, goes through difficult stretch, hires young coach outside of "family"
• In second year, Coach wins national championship against favored Florida team
• Since that time, program is 1-4 in BCS games
• Two of those losses were in back to back BCS Championships- one being a 30 point blowout
• One of the other losses is considered one of the greatest upsets of all times
• The other was a blowout against a team that was a significant underdog
• Coach and program are 1-3 against top rival in the last four years

Guesses? Nope, not Ohio State. Try the Oklahoma Sooners of Bob Stoops. Here's what it would look like if we were talking about the Buckeyes:

• Storied program, goes through difficult stretch, hires young coach outside of "family"
• In second year, Coach wins national championship against favored Florida team
• Since that time, program is 2-2 in BCS games
• Two of those losses were in back to back BCS Championships- one being a 30 point blowout
• Coach and program are 6-1 against top rival in the last seven years, and has won last 4 in a row
  

And yet, you never hear people talking about how the Sooners don't belong in National Championship or BCS consideration. Nope, that honor only goes to Tressel's team.

Interesting.

Stuff of nightmares

Wow. 6-4 won the week. 30 points won the week. Wow. I keep thinking I'll wake up and it will be over.

So, how did we get here? Well, thanks to our good friends...

• Vanderbilt, who spit the bit against Sly Croom
• Zookster, who proved that you DO need a defense to win in the Big T1e1n
• Arkansas, who forgot that they were supposed to lose to Auburn
• Texas, who illuminated the huge holes in Oklahoma's offensive scheme (more on this later this week)
• Missouri, who forgot to play defense when they faced a team that knew how to
• Texas Tech, who almost did the same thing
  
• Stanford, who forgot they were Stanford
  
• Kentucky, whose cakewalk schedule and one loss just got exposed
• Wisconsin, who played like they had never been ranked in the top 10
• TCU, who only managed 13 points but looked better than
• tOSU and their inability to score an offensive TD
• Michigan State, who did the same to Northwestern's undefeated season
  
• Florida, who realized that they have more athletes on the field than anyone in the country (other than U$C- different payroll, I guess)
• MACh1gAAn, who... no, I can't stop laughing- let's go to the video of the weak, uh, week:
  

There were some really good things that happened this week, though- Anderson won on a late field goal, APU didn't lose (BYE must really stink), Nebraska looked decent, PACE held off Assumption, and we managed to have some new names at the top of the leader boards:

Even though her Illini folded, Cat's transfer to Florida is showing that she knows how to win. You should have quit your job a while ago, huh?

Major commendations to Michael for his solo pick of the T. Boone Pickens Cowboys, to Jordy/Paula for the Gopher upset, to Terry/Jake for Stanford's win, and to Cat/Jake for Texas' victory. Jake can call the upsets, but why is he still going 4-6?

Nolan's Dad text messaged me the following: "2-8? You'd really have to try to be that bad." Yeah, and if it wasn't for my loathing of all things Weiss related, I'd be right there with you.
Cat continues to creep upward, Joe and Jake battle it out in a "Peanut Butter- BUTT" match. Why does that sound so wrong?
Emily and Jake will be arguing this week over who gets to let Abbie Jane pick for them. Paula, just think how amazing you'd be doing if you hadn't missed a week?

This week, APU finally gets to travel to Ashland Oregon (sorry for last week's confusion), while Anderson hosts Franklin. tOSU travels to Michigan State for what may be the first of several losses, while TCU tries to play BCS spoiler against BYU. Oklahoma looks to rebound against the fighting Manginos, Nebraska has a bye week against Iowa State (I kid...). The eyes of Texas are on Chase Daniels- will the Tigers rebound after a heated loss to Oklahoma State? The Cowboys will be hosting Baylor... yup, another bye week. Arkansas travels to Kentucky, and Illinois hosts Indiana. MACh1gAAn prepares for their beating at "Happy" valley, and the Beavers and Huskies get it on in Seattle.

Obsure game of the week has the Loras College Duhawks traveling away from the Rock Bowl to meet the Wartburg Knights. Founded in 1839, Loras College has assumed several names as this Catholic institution in DuBuque sought to fulfill it's values of Truth, Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, and Service. Their mascot, the Duhawk, comes from a really boring story that you can read if you want to. It's nowhere near as interesting as the mascot and story I was hoping Loras to have.

Located in Waverly Iowa, Wartburg students seek to transcend their University's unfortunate name and live up to the vision of being challenged and nurtured. Also having moved around the state frequently, its name has been constant- Wartburg is the castle where Luther translated the New Testament, and the Knights have permission to visit anytime.

Hmmm... Catholics and Lutherans. Yeah, that's always worked out well.

A Team By Any Other Name...

When they lost to Appalachian State, they became Mich1gAAn.

Today, that changes. They are now MACh1gAAn.


Good times, especially if you know your history.

And AWAY we go...

Wow- Tough week to be a home team, huh? Let's start with the ones who WERE able to take care if their bidness in the flippityfloppityfloop.

Utah held off the mighty Beavers with a valiant comeback, Georgia Tech ended the Duke Dream, Alabama avoided a let down against Kentucky, Auburn's trip to Nashville didn't work out well for them, U$C took care of the wacky Ducks, North Carolina finished UConn's undefeated season hopes, toOSU is still undefeated after aTm traveled to Stillwater, and Notre Ame managed to stop Stanford's rally attempts. Anderson beat Hanover as badly as I can remember them doing, and Humbolt continued the bleeding for APU, beating them 24-17.

Other than that, it's nothing but the "Hail to the Visitors". (no, "Visitors", not something else)

Carnegie's Mellons beat Kenyon, the Zooks took it to Mich1gAAn, Pitt upset #10 USF, BYU beat Utah State in "The Honesty Bowl", State Penn beat host Purdue, Florida pounded Arkansas in Little Rock, Oklahoma reminded Baylor who they were, and Texas did the same to Colorado. Missouri showed Nebraska that they're not quite there yet (even inspiring some controversy in the process), Kansas rallied to beat the Cyclones, the Red Raiders of Vince Gill destroyed the Little Apple, Florida State and Miami had a great game that ended with the visiting Seminoles on top. Hawaii upset Fresno State, and tOSU squeaked out a last second win against Wisconsin in a game that had some drama and some fun.

So, we're at week 7. What controversy (other than Willingham's imminent firing, Charlie Weiss' being overrated, and Pete Carroll's NCAA violations) can we talk about? How about re-visiting the clock changes? For the newbies, you may want to revisit our thoughts on the last time the NCAA made changes to "speed the game up". Go ahead. We'll wait.

So, this year, we're trying a little something like the NFL-

The old rule featured a 25-second clock that couldn't start until the referee signalled. The new rule has a 40-second clock that will start as soon as the umpire places the ball on the ground and steps away. The NCAA expects games that averaged three hours, 22 minutes last season to be completed in closer to three hours without reducing the number of plays run.

Even more significant, according to coaches across the league, is the game clock will now start after a play goes out of bounds as soon as the ball has been re-set. Under the old rules, the game clock would not start until the snap of the ball. That will still be the case in the last two minutes of each half but not during the rest of the game.

Working? Sort of. Games are shorter, but only because there are less plays. Same amount of commercials, though, which makes sense. Remember, folks, NCAA BCS football is about money. Nothing more, nothing less.

Well, except for our picks league! Great work on the part of three almost perfect games!

And just think what would happen if a certain someone didn't always pick against his team?
Cat is really looking consistent- I hope she doesn't forget us when she moves to Gainesville. Oh, and Emily? Nice name change.

Little movement at the top of the rankings...
with the exception of Janie, who pulls a Ball State and creeps to the upper tier. This would be a return to glory; she won our league in one of our first seasons out.

Nate- If you read this (and judging by the attendance, you're not), send me an email about the "Troll" thing. It's been two years, and I still can't figure it out.

Game of the week (and maybe of the year) is the Red River Shootout with #1 Oklahoma and #5 Texas. Good times at the Texas State Fairgrounds, folks. Other huge games are Wisconsin and State Penn, while LSU travels to Florida (who's got a little help). toOSU sees if they've got their defense figured out when they play Mizzou,

Things don't get easier for Nebraska, as Texas Tech is next on the schedule (yup, they play Mizzou, TT, Kansas, and Oklahoma). Michigan State faces off against undefeated (!) Northwestern, while Notre Ame finally plays a real team when they travel to UNC. The War Tigers look to rebound against Ms. Green's Hawgs, and the Zooks host the Gophers. Frogs and Rams, Bucks and Boilers, Devils and Trojans, Dores and Dawgs... All worth staying home to watch.

Small schools- Anderson travels to Mt. St. Joe (nice promotion), and APU continues their road trip of doom to Ashland to play Southern Oregon. I wonder if a victory is "to be..."

Obscure game of the week: Pace and Assumption. The PACE Setters (like a dog. seriously) suffer from having horrible helmets. PACE has two campuses- Pleaseantville NY and Manhattan (New York City?!?), and students can study at either or both of these using the free campus shuttle. They are known for their environmental law program, should you know a spotted owl that wishes to sue someone.

Assumption College is located in Worcester Mass, and has a 102 year history. It was founded and shaped by the Augustinians of the Assumption, a Catholic order that seeks to follow the Augustinian Rule. The Greyhounds are proud of their new Italian Studies major, which they hope will help students Learn, Achieve, and Contribute.

I'm pulling for Pace for two reasons. One, he's bigger than I am, and two, we all know what happens when we make assumptions.