It Smells Like Football
Posted September 9, 2007, 9:43 PM ET

God Bless the Pig...Barbecue and football means that everything is right in the world. After the first full weekend stuffed with college and pro football, everything has returned to normal in the sports world. It was great to have football on the sports menu on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The Carolina Panthers had a perfect opening weekend. Not only did they win their opening game for the first time since 2003, but they also took over the NFC South lead by a game over their divisional rivals. Only the New England Patriots can make the same claim by leading their division, too, and anytime you're in their company that's a good thing.

After a suspect month of preseason football, the Panthers looked good on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Winning on the road is difficult in the NFL, and the Panthers' victory is a good sign that they may be returning to form. I know it's only one game, and you have to keep it in perspective, but given the uncertainty surrounding the franchise on and off the field, this was a good start.

I couldn't help but notice that the Panthers' rivals really struggled offensively in Week One. Not only did the Falcons, Saints and Buccaneers lose, but all three NFC South teams failed to score an offensive touchdown. The only folks that can appreciate that ineptitude would be Charlie Weis and Duke football....and they both should know something about sucking out loud.

I'm writing this blog as the Cowboys and Giants are playing in "Big Dump", but it's amazing that 5 teams in the NFL failed to score an offensive touchdown in the opening week....7 other NFL teams found the end zone only one time. Keep in mind, there are two more games (four teams) playing this Monday night.

Speaking of the Sunday Night game, it's official....I already hate Keith Olbermann's presence on the NBC pre-game coverage. Bob Costas is the very best sportscaster/host in the business....trust me, he's more than capable of taking care of business for the peacock network without that jackass and resident blowhard Keith Olbermann showing up and pretending to be so smart and clever. I refuse to watch the NBC coverage again until he's toast. He is so insufferable that he makes Cris Collinsworth seem like a humble guy.

By the way, after watching the plethora of NFL pre-game coverage on the networks, does it seem to you that every network now has at least a dozen suits on the set? My goodness; CBS, NBC, ESPN and Fox have more hairdos and talking heads in their pre-game coverage...it's enough to make you dizzy. Each network has gone so far beyond the call of duty in order to one-up their competition that they need more studio space just to fit in all the retired players and egomaniacs. I feel like I need a roster to keep up with all the action.

I want to move on to the college football weekend.....I had a great time this past weekend on the Sun Drop Southern Fried Football™ Tour as we visited East Carolina. The weather was hot, the barbecue simply fantastic (B's BBQ...absolutely sensational) and the coeds were appropriately dressed for a big rival showdown with the Tar Heels. I'm sure you can check out the pics on the Old Spice Babes Page at www.southernfriedfootball.com

The game was terrific and I'm sure the party is still rocking in Greenville after the dramatic 34-31, last second win. It was ECU's first win over UNC since 1975. The win by the Pirates confirms that Skip Holtz is building a solid program in the eastern part of the state. It was a signature win and should be helpful during the upcoming recruiting process. ECU fans love their football and it is only a matter of time until ECU is causing some serious problems in CUSA and for the folks on Tobacco Road.

Steve Spurrier pulled a Michael Vick and was caught dog-fighting....this time, at the expense of the Georgia Bulldogs. It was a huge win for the 'Cocks as they bolted into the Top 20. Since his arrival in Columbia, the Gamecocks now have victories over Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Clemson. Is there any question about his ability to win and coach on game days? The Old Ball Coach is tremendous and South Carolina fans are preparing for their shot at LSU in Baton Rouge in a few weeks. By the way, before they travel to Tiger Stadium, we'll see South Carolina this weekend on the Southern Fried Football™ Tour when they host S.C. State and the Marching 101.

I just mentioned LSU and Tiger Stadium....I wonder how my Hokie friends enjoyed their visit to the Bayou? The SEC is so much better than the ACC, it's not really worthy of a discussion. Virginia Tech is presumed to be the best the ACC has to offer, and they got a taste of the big-time when they traveled down to Baton Rouge. The Tigers punished anything that looked like a turkey, and proceeded to lay a 48-7 woodshed job on the boys from Blacksburg. I knew Sean Glennon was out of his league against the great LSU defense, but I didn't expect a proud, talented VT defense to give up nearly 600 yards of total offense.

The ACC had an awful weekend. Not only did the Hokies embarrass themselves and the league, but the other non-conference matchups proved how weak the league appears to be this season. The Hokies were blown out, Tar Heels beaten at ECU, Wake Forest was at least respectable in a home loss to Nebraska, and the new-look Miami Hurricanes lost by 38 points to Oklahoma. It might get worse before we get to the weekend.....Maryland plays West Virginia on Thursday.

If it looks bad for the guys on Tobacco Road, they can take heart in knowing that they don't feel as lousy as Lloyd Carr and Charlie Weis. How funny is it, that Michigan and Notre Dame play each other this week? Two of the proud, great football traditions get together to figure out who sucks more. I love the fact that the self-confessed "Offensive Genius", Charlie Weis, has yet to figure out how to score an offensive touchdown. That should change this weekend, I guess? Michigan is so pathetic, surely the Irish can somehow punch it in for six...I wonder if Charlie Weis is going to call Appalachian State's Jerry Moore for some insider information regarding how you score on and beat Michigan? Who am I kidding?...It's beneath Crewcut to ask for help...he invented football; just ask him.

It's a good thing Charlie didn't join us this past weekend on the Southern Fried Football™ Tour....I can only imagine how much B's BBQ he could swallow whole during a visit to Greenville.

God Bless the Pig!