Daily Blog • Saturday, November 28th	Blog Archives

GAME DAY NEWS & NOTES

WAC Notes
Hawaii - QB Bryant Moniz missed last week with bruised ribs but is expected back this week.

Idaho - Starting QB Nathan Enderle is expected to be back in action and to start this week after missing the last two games (both losses) with a rotator cuff injury.

New Mexico St - NMSt snapped a 20 quarter TD drought on offense by scoring two TD’s in the 4Q against Nevada last week.

RB Seth Smith is being bothered by a shoulder injury. Backup Tony Glynn is expected to see an increase in his carries. HC DeWayne Walker said he expects Smith to play the rest of the season but stated, “I knew this probably could happen earlier in the year. We just ran him to death, and rightfully so. He’s just going to have to battle through it to try and get through the season.”

San Jose St - RB Patrick Perry is expected to get the start this week over Lamon Muldrow after Muldrow fumbled late in the 4Q last week with the Spartans having a chance for the win.

DT Adonis Davis is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a sprained ankle against Hawaii last week.

Utah St - While the record may not indicate it, the Aggies are an improved team over last year. Last season Utah State finished 3-9 and this year the Aggies are 3-8 with one game remaining. However, USU has played in five games decided by one score or less this year but went 1-4 in those contests.

SEC Notes

FLORIDA – Head Coach Meyer has never lost to FSU and if they win this week he can become just the 2nd coach to win 5 in a row vs Bobby Bowden (other coach is former Miami HC Coker). It would be Florida’s 6th straight win over FSU.

Georgia - HC Richt said he is hopeful to get WR Green (9 starts, 47 rec, 16.0) back from a shoulder injury and backup Safety Rambo (21 tackles, 5 pbu, 2 interceptions) back from a concussion after both missed last week. Green is a game time decision.

KENTUCKY - UK has never finished #2 in the SEC East since they expanded to 12 teams and has a chance to do that if they beat Tennessee this week.

LSU – Head Coach Miles took the blame for the clock mismanagement, but said after the game that he didn’t know who called for QB Jefferson to spike the ball on the last play. TV replays show Miles making the spiking gesture on the sidelines.

SOUTH CAROLINA - DE Cliff Matthews (10 starts, 41 tackles, 6 sacks) will be close to 100% from a dislocated shoulder he suffered on 10/31. He will undergo surgery after the bowl.

TENNESSEE - Kiffin said they lost 14 kids that were on scholarship (dismissed or left team) plus had 6 season ending injuries so they are 20 scholarships short at this point.

VANDERBILT - RB Warren Norman passed former Georgia RB Herschel Walker for the most all-purpose yards by a frosh in SEC history. He also set VU’s record single season all-purpose yards with 1,941.

SBC Notes

Arkansas St - QB Corey Leonard (ACL right knee) is out for the season. He was injured last week at Middle Tennessee. Redshirt frosh Ryan Aplin will start.

Western Kentucky - Willie Taggart, 33, was named new head coach Monday, Nov 23. He is a former WKU QB (1995-‘98) and most recently (2007-‘09) was RB coach at Stanford. He was an assistant coach at WKU 1999-‘06.

Florida Atlantic - Schnellenberger called last week’s 47-21 loss to Troy “an embarrassment for our program.” Two weeks after allowing a school-record 622 yards to UAB, the Owls extended that record to 651 yards vs Troy.

Troy - A win this week and the Trojans would be the first SBC team to go 8-0.

Louisiana - TE Ladarius Green and QB Brad McGuire returned from injury to play last week. Both had missed the past 3 games. Green set career highs with 7 receptions for 131 yards, and McGuire ran 7 times for just 11 yards, but twice for touchdowns.

ULM - Starting WR LaGregory Sapp (arm) is out for the season.

Middle Tennessee - MT can win a share of the SBC Title with a win and a loss by Troy. MT can set a school FBS record with its ninth win.

MWC Notes

BYU - Mitch Payne is 1 PAT away from breaking the MWC record for PAT’s held by his older brother, Matt.

For the 1st time all season Pitta wasn’t double and tripled team - the result was his 1st 100 yd game of the season.

Utah - Players spoke freely about rivalry game. LB Mike Wright said “we’re going to show them what’s up this upcoming weekend.” BYU is staying mum.

Colorado St – Last week was CSU’s 8th straight loss, the longest single-season losing streak since 1981’s 0-12 disaster.

San Diego St - Ten minutes after the Utah loss, Sampson proclaimed that the basic difference between the Aztecs and the Utes was not athletes, but attitude.

TCU - With a win Saturday - this senior class will pass last year’s senior class for most wins (currently tied at 41).

TCU is off to best start since 1938 when the ‘38 team finished 11-0 and ranked #1 in AP final poll.

Wyoming - Carta-Samuels was pulled after throwing his 4th interception, but it was more about saving him for this week rather than his errant pass.

Big 12 Notes

Kansas - QB Reesing on the Texas loss, “This was really the first time we played a better team. … They outplayed us, and they were more talented today.”

HC Mangino is not commenting on the investigation involving his treatment of players at this point saying he’ll get back to it when it “plays out” and for now, “I’m doing my job to get ready for Missouri, that’s a big game, really important to our players, it’s important to our fans/students.”

Missouri - With a win vs KU will become the winningest 4 year group in school history, currently tied with last year’s squad at 37 wins

Baylor - “I don’t feel like we’re building a program, I feel like we’re fighting our tails off to make Baylor football respectable,” HC Briles said after last week’s loss which eliminated them from a bowl. “To me, that’s not building. That’s what you’re supposed to do”

Texas Tech - With last week’s win over OU, Leach passed Spike Dykes for the most wins as a Head Coach in school history at 83.

Oklahoma - OU surrendered a season high 32 FD’s & 549 yards offense (worst loss since 2005). Head Coach Stoops “That’s the first time the defense looked that way. Weren’t as sharp as they’ve been.” DC Venables said, “We didn’t play with the kind of discipline and purpose we have all year.”

Big East Notes

Syracuse - B Carter (#1 RB) said he sustained a neck stinger after being tackled in the second half he is questionable,

USF - Will be without RG Zach Hermann (neck).

Pac-10 Notes

Stanford - Starting DE Erik Lorig is all but guaranteed to miss again here with a knee injury. Lorig hasn’t played since week 4 and probably won’t be ready until their bowl game.

Washington St - Cougar HC Wulff said that he is cautiously optimistic that QB Jeff Tuel would be able to play this week. As of now it appears that he is gametime decision and Kevin Lopina will start again if need be. WSU had just 16,000 people in attendance in their FHG last week, the least amount since a makeup game vs Montana St (9/11 makeup game).

Washington - Starting DT Cameron Elisara hasn’t played since Oct 17th but did return to practice this week and may return. Starting LB EJ Savannah remains out (missed the last 2 weeks) with a hand injury. Unless there is a heavy run in ticket sales this week, this could be the 1st Apple Cup crowd under 70, 000 since Husky Stadium was expanded in 1987.

USC - Trojans have allowed just nine TD passes in 10 games.

UCLA - In win against Arizona State, Bruin defense forced six turnovers, including recovering five fumbles. That is the most fumbles recovered in a game by UCLA since 1998 (vs USC). UCLA's offensive line has improved this year. USC's front-seven has seemed to get worse. Both units have suffered significant injuries, but the Bruins seem to have been more resilient overcoming them.

Arizona - Starting RB Nic Grigsby will miss this weekend’s game with an ongoing shoulder issue that has either kept him out altogether or has forced him to leave after minimal playing time.

Arizona St - ASU will finish with back-to-back losing seasons for the 1st time since ’46-’47, and for the 1st time in Dennis Erickson’s 21 year coaching career.

ACC Notes

Clemson - RB C.J. Spiller set the ACC single-season record for all-purpose yards after rushing for 58 yards, grabbing 5 receptions (39 yards), gaining 17 yards on punt returns to raise his total to 2,066 yards, 12 more than the record all-purpose yards record set by UVA's Thomas Jones in 1999.

Duke - Starting DT Vince Oghobaase (7 starts, 33 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 2.5 sacks) remained out of the lineup and his college career might be over.

DC Mike MacIntyre has been named National Assistant Coach of the Year by AFCA.

Florida St - Starting LG Rodney Hudson (knee) won't play, costing FSU their top OL.

Georgia Tech - WR Demaryius Thomas leads the nation in yards per catch (24.4), which also is the best mark in Tech history.

Maryland - Maryland is headed for the first 10 loss season in school history.

Miami - Veteran starter LT Jason Fox is doubtful with undisclosed illness. Has only missed 2 games in his career.

NC State - OC Dana Bible has been diagnosed with leukemia. Starting LG Julian Williams, who found out just minutes before he faced reporters at Monday's press conference, said the rivalry with North Carolina just took on "10 times" more meaning.

Virginia - Virginia's run defense held Clemson senior star RB C.J. Spiller to 58 yards on the ground.

HERE ARE MY NFL SELECTIONS FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29TH

INDIANAPOLIS AT HOUSTON
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
INDIANAPOLIS	86	300	25	2	#28
HOUSTON	85	308	23	2	#11
The Colts are the 1^st team in NFL history to win 4 straight games after trailing in the 4Q & with a win can be the 4^th team since 1990 to win their division by their 11^th game. While they are 14-1 vs HOU the L3 games have been decided by 13 combined points. The Texans are coming off a tough loss to the Titans which put them at 1-3 in division play. Schaub gets a nice matchup here vs a Colts secondary that is giving up 307 yds (70%) with a 4-4 ratio the L3W. I think they can get enough out of Steve Slaton/Ryan Moats on sweeps & bubble screens to move the ball & take the pressure off Andre Johnson (58 rec 15.1). I think the Colts got a bit beat up after playing BAL LW & that the Texans can get their 2^nd win in the series here.
PHIL’S FORECAST: HOUSTON 28 INDIANAPOLIS 27

CHICAGO AT MINNESOTA
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
CHICAGO	50	205	16	2	#14
MINNESOTA	140	288	32	2	#5
With a win here the Vikings will have all but wrapped up the NFC North & this game will mean a little something to Favre who is 2-6 vs CHI since Lovie Smith took over. MIN will be very rested as this is their 3^rd straight home game since their bye week while CHI is off LW’s SNF loss to PHI & has to travel with a holiday week. I really like the matchup of the MIN #1 sack defense (36) vs CHI’s older OL & while it only has allowed 20 sacks so far (#12) they play a big part in Cutler’s 18 ints. Cutler’s body language in games tells me that he can frustrates easily & doesn’t fully trust his teammates yet. Favre is having a career season (248 ypg 70% 21-3), MIN has outgained foes 416-280 & have a reason to keep playing hard as they chase the Saints.
PHIL’S FORECAST: MINNESOTA 31 CHICAGO 13

MIAMI AT BUFFALO
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
MIAMI	163	165	25	1	#7
BUFFALO	85	218	16	2	#10
MIA throttled the Bills 38-10 with 250 yds rushing (5.6) in the 1^st meeting & have now won 3 straight vs the Bills. BUF overachieved LW under interim HC Perry Fewell losing by 3 with a 33 yd edge. I’m not as high on Fitzpatrick’s game (297 yds 58% 1-2) as the Jags are notoriously bad in pass defense. MIA has the rest advantage here after upsetting CAR 24-17 LW thanks to a great game by Ricky Williams. MIA could be without Ctr Jake Grove (ankle sprain) which is a big blow as this will be Henne’s 8^th start overall & 1^st at Ralph Wilson Stadium. BUF is one of the most injury depleted teams int eh NFL & will have their 7^th different OL combo in 11 games & lost both starting OG’s last week. Miami could be starting their 3^rd string NT here with Jason Ferguson (quad) going to IR & #2 Paul Soliai being unknown here. Miami is healthier, better rested, & more talented but keep an eye on the weather here.
PHIL’S FORECAST: MIAMI 16 BUFFALO 10

SEATTLE AT ST LOUIS
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
SEATTLE	131	198	20	2	#22
ST LOUIS	127	208	17	2	#18
Seattle is simply a weaker team when they get on a plane & going 0-5 on the road losing by a 32-15 avg score. I was skeptical about the Seahawks OL & run game going into the year & they are very 1 dimensional right now (#13 pass #32 rush) & RB Jones (bruised lung) will miss again. Mora noted that Aaron Curry has hit the rookie wall & he is going to reign him in a bit here. Marc Bulger (fractured kneecap) has probably played his last game for St Louis & the Rams will want to take a long look at Kyle Boller to see if he can be the transition QB for 2010. I like how St Louis has played hard the last two weeks but Steven Jackson (back) has missed 2 days of practice this week & St Louis could be without its RG & RT here. I think St Louis will do enough at home versus a Seattle defense allowing 267 ypg (73%) with a 12-1 ratio on the road this year.
PHIL’S FORECAST: ST LOUIS 26 SEATTLE 20

CAROLINA AT NY JETS
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
CAROLINA	145	153	21	2	#32
NY JETS	163	183	20	2	#29
With a win here the Vikings will have all but wrapped up the NFC North & this game will mean a little something to Favre who is 2-6 vs CHI since Lovie Smith took over. MIN will be very rested as this is their 3^rd straight home game since their bye week while CHI is off LW’s SNF loss to PHI & has to travel with a holiday week. I really like the matchup of the MIN #1 sack defense (36) vs CHI’s older OL & while it only has allowed 20 sacks so far (#12) they play a big part in Cutler’s 18 ints. Cutler’s body language in games tells me that he can frustrates easily & doesn’t fully trust his teammates yet. Favre is having a career season (248 ypg 70% 21-3), MIN has outgained foes 416-280 & have a reason to keep playing hard as they chase the Saints.
PHIL’S FORECAST: CAROLINA 27 NY JETS 14

KANSAS CITY AT SAN DIEGO
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
KANSAS CITY	65	168	14	1	#9
SAN DIEGO	140	285	32	2	#13
The Chargers reclaimed the AFC West with a 32-3 thumping of the Broncos but they lost RT Clary (leg) & Turner isn’t confident that DE Castillo can play this week. KC pulled off the upset of the year by beating Pittsburgh in overttime last week despite being outgained 515-282. Statistically the Chiefs are a wreck with the #30 off & #30 def right now but they are playing smart minimizing their mistakes & capitalizing on other s (97 yd KR & 10 pts off 2 interceptions last week). San Diego has converted a very impressive 43% on 3^rd Dns on offense the L4W & I really like the matchup of their bigger receiving targets in Antonio Gates & Vincent Jackson vs the #28 pass defense. KC will keep it close in the 1^st half or so as WR Chris Chambers was cut by SD just a few weeks ago & they have lots of confidence after LW. Still the Chargers have huge talent edges here & should pull away in the 2^nd half.
PHIL’S FORECAST: SAN DIEGO 38 KANSAS CITY 21

CLEVELAND AT CINCINNATI
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
CLEVELAND	82	130	6	2	#3
CINCINNATI	165	260	27	1	#16
I refuse to overreact to Brady Quinn’s career day last week (304 yds 64% 4-0) as the Lions finished with the #32 defense in 2007, 2008 & are 31^st right now. CLE has been outgained 434-234 on the road TY & keep in mind in they had 35 total points in 5 road games prior to DET. CIN was embarrassed by a 20-17 loss to OAK last week as they were flat after their big win vs PIT the week before. I really like the matchup of the Bengals CB’s vs the inexperienced CLE WR’s here & expect them to play man to man & send an extra player against Quinn on every pass down. This is a very important game to the Bengals as they can sweep the AFC North here & look for them to reward the fans with a win here.
PHIL’S FORECAST: CINCINNATI 31 CLEVELAND 20

WASHINGTON AT PHILADELPHIA
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
WASHINGTON	99	173	13	1	#15
PHILADELPHIA	120	189	23	2	#26
The Redskins dominated the 1^st 57 minutes vs DAL but a missed FG gave DAL the ball on their 40. Romo then led DAL on a 9 play/60 yd drive for the win. Making matters worse for WAS is that they lost RG Chad Rhineheart (broken leg) & #2 RB Ladell Betts (torn ACL/MCL) & Clinton Portis was quickly ruled out for this game. While Philadelphia beat CHI last week on Sunday Night Football I am really not that impressed with their ability to sustain drives & they continue to rely on “explosive plays” to win games. That plays to the WAS defense who has only lost 1 starter this year & they continue to play good ball. Washington has pulled in 21 sacks the L7 games & the Philadelphia coaching staff has had to point out to McNabb that he’s not as spry as he used to be & he needs to start getting rid of the ball faster. I think this will be a closer than expected game as the Washington defense keeps them in the game.
PHIL’S FORECAST: PHILADELPHIA 20 WASH 14

ARIZONA AT TENNESSEE
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
ARIZONA	101	298	28	2	#8
TENNESSEE	165	208	24	2	#27
This is promises to be a good game with the Cardinals winning all 5 road games & the Titans having won 4 straight off an impressive win on Monday Night football. The Titans defense has gotten healthy & deep since their meltdown vs NE allowing 213 ypg (60%) with a 6-7 ratio the L4W. ARZ had a 21-3 lead & 299 yds before Kurt Warner left last weeks game with a blow to the head but he’s fully expected to play here. In the 1^st 7 games ARZ averaged 42 pass att’s per game but with the growth of Chris Wells & the run game (162 ypg 5.4) they’ve trimmed to 34 pass att’s. I think that being benched was the best thing to happen to Vince Young. It allowed him to mature & OC Mike Heimerdinger to fully grasp his athleticism & develop plays for him instead of fighting his ability & forcing him into something he’s not. Both teams have strengths that counter each other but I’ll lean with Jeff Fisher who traditionally does well hosting NFC teams & has his team playing very well.
PHIL’S FORECAST: TENNESSEE 24 ARIZONA 21

TAMPA BAY AT ATLANTA
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
TAMPA BAY	108	185	18	2	#1
ATLANTA	185	233	33	2	#6
I have serious concerns about TB HC Raheem Morris as he has replaced both coordinators this year with well respected DC Jim Bates being demoted after last weeks 38-7 loss to New Orleans. Morris named himself the DC & is going to take the team back to the Cover-2 as the base defense. ATL starts a 3 game homestand here after being in 4 road games in 5 weeks. As with most QB’s Ryan is better at home where ATL has an 11-1 record. RB Jerious Norwood is expected to start while Michael Turner is a gametime decision with his ankle sprain. Freeman had his 1^st bad game as a starter last week (126 yds 52% 1-3) & while he has looked promising I want to see how he rebounds here. Atlanta is 5-1 versus teams that have a losing record right now, TB has been outgained 392-268 on the road (0-5) & while I think Tampa Bay can make some plays versus a weaker Atlanta defense the Falcons are simply a better team here.
PHIL’S FORECAST: ATLANTA 37 TAMPA BAY 20

JACKSONVILLE AT SAN FRANCISCO
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
JACKSONVILLE	107	210	17	1	#20
SAN FRAN	94	275	26	2	#12
The 49ers are perplexing to me. They started out being a very straight forward power run team on offense but the strengths of Alex Smith & Michael Crabtree are in spread styles. The OL isn’t stout enough to at the point of attack & they are playing without their starting OT’s which causes problems in pass protection. SF’s defense has fallen fast as in the L6 games they have been outgained 395-288 & minus the Cutler meltdown they have allowed a 7-1 TD/Int ratio. What really alarms me is that they are allowing 47% on 3^rd Dns in that span. JAX at 6-4 has a shot at a Wildcard spot but the fact they’ve won their L3 games by 3 pts or less vs similar talent level & now travel out West is a bit of a concern. JAX does have a leaky pass defense (#25 17-9) but SF is below avg at WR though Vernon Davis (51 rec 11.8) is playing at a Pro Bowl level. JAX is playing much better & in a better frame of mind than when they faced SEA & this will be a close game here.
PHIL’S FORECAST: SAN FRAN 17 JACKSONVILLE 14

PITTSBURGH AT BALTIMORE
	Rushing	Passing	Points	TO’s	ST
PITTSBURGH	97	200	15	2	#25
BALTIMORE	75	218	21	1	#4
Both teams enter this crucial game off tough losses. While PIT had a 515-282 yd edge in LW’s loss they set an NFL record by allowing a special teams/defensive return for a TD for the 8th straight game. BAL played tough with IND LW & int’d Manning twice but they couldn’t get the run game on track (98 yds 3.2) to open up the passing game. BAL will be without OLB Suggs again & Roethlisberger is expected to start as he’s been cleared of concussions. This game will have a playoff implications as barring a CIN collapse they are fighting for 1 of the 2 Wildcard spots.
PHIL’S FORECAST: BALTIMORE 20 PITTSBURGH 17