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Shaking
the Southland Thanks to another gritty effort, the Carolina Panthers are still undefeated and off to an enjoyable start. Who says these guys can't win at home? Granted, the franchise snapped a four-game home opening losing streak and in the process made a statement to the rest of the NFC. With resident superstar Steve Smith suspended for the second straight game, the team has sent a message to the rest of the NFC that folks will have to deal with the new and improved Panthers. The way the team is playing without Smith, maybe he should sucker-punch another teammate this week? On second thought, that's a bad idea...the Panthers need him. If this team can continue to win at home, they will be in the playoffs in January. I know it's early into the season, but the Panthers have played well at the right times to forge their 2-0 start. They were sloppy and fell behind Chicago, but found a way. They played better in week one at San Diego, fell behind and then found a way. Jake Delhomme once again proved to his doubters that he makes big plays in the fourth quarter...it's called "winning football". While Julius Peppers remains quiet, there are a number of players stepping up and making great contributions. Jon Beason is on the verge of being a big-time NFL stud, but Chris Harris, Thomas Davis, Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble have been terrific. The offensive line has been completely retooled in the off-season and rookies Jonathon Stewart and Jeff Otah have been welcomed additions. John Fox and Marty Hurney went out of their way in the off-season to get back to basics. They want to pound the football...and so far, the experiment has been successful. With a trip to winless Minnesota, followed by home dates with awful Atlanta and equally inept Kansas City, there is reason for excitement in Charlotte. The Panthers have not been perfect, but their record is.....and at this stage of the game, that's all that matters. Ohio State...yOu SUck. After watching the latest batch of poisonous nuts get the living hell beat out of them, what else is there to say to the once proud tradition that is Buckeye football? After being embarrassed by the SEC in the last two national title games, I've listened to OSU fans non-stop since the LSU blowout and to a man they would tell you that this year would be different. They circled the date in September and claimed that they would regain their reputation as one of the nation's elite college teams when they traveled out to Los Angeles to play Pete Carroll's version of SEC football. The final score was 35-3...and amazingly, it wasn't that close. I was surprised that they only lost by 32 points. I turned it off in the third quarter and found something better to do with my time. The good thing about Ohio State games in prime time is that they last about 30 minutes....by halftime, it's over. What is scary is that if they played again tomorrow at the Horseshoe or in Jim Tressel's front yard, the Trojans would beat them to a pulp again. In a game such as this one, Ohio State is simply overmatched in talent, coaching and guts....other than that, they're fine. Unfortunately for the rest of America, the Buckeyes dropped only into the teens in the latest polls. It should be mandatory for every college football voter that the Buckeyes are not allowed to crack the Top 10 under any circumstance for the remainder of the season. Even if they somehow find a way to get past mighty Michigan and win out in their bogus football conference. There were some great quotes after the blood-letting, but my favorite came from "The Vest", Jim Tressel. The Buckeye leader of young men stated, "Had we got it to 14-10, it would have not ended up 35-3." Brilliant. This week, the Buckeyes make the transition from playing the "Men of Troy" to competing against Troy. I'm sensing that Troy will be more their speed...no pun intended. The Head Ball Coach at South Carolina will have nightmares about this one. The Georgia Bulldogs survived their trip to Columbia by finding ways to keep the Cocks out of the end zone late in the game. The fans in Columbia have to be going crazy watching this team. The South Carolina defense is big-time and legit and the offense is....offensive. How can a Steve Spurrier-coached team be so inept? The Cocks might be winless in the SEC and at the bottom of the SEC East, but their effort against Georgia was outstanding. It doesn't change the record or their position in the standings, but watching Spurrier grimace on the sidelines when his team has the ball is downright uncomfortable and uneasy on the eyes. It just doesn't seem possible. Back to reality...the Gamecocks have now lost 7 of their last 8 games and six straight conference games. South Carolina fans have waited for a bona fide winner for decades, and the loss on Saturday all but determined their SEC fate. With games remaining against powers like Florida, LSU and road trips to Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee...it could get ugly for a team that just can't score. You can only ask your defense to do but so much. Auburn 3, Mississippi State 2. Is that game in the top of the seventh inning? I know the SEC has 5 teams ranked in this week's AP Top 10, but that final score is comical. Supposedly the Buckeyes have contacted Mississippi State to see if they can schedule a game with them immediately....of course, the Bucks wouldn't want to play them in a bowl game. Despite the lack of offense, we'll have the chance to see the Tigers in action on Saturday when they host LSU. That is the game the fans have voted on for our Wildcard Weekend on the Southern Fried Football™ Tour. I haven't been back to the loveliest village on the Plains in quite some time, and I'm looking forward to the prime time SEC tilt this weekend. LSU @ Auburn beat out three other games in the voting: Virginia Tech @ UNC....ECU @ N.C. State....and Florida @ Tennessee. I know that ACC football has taken a beating (and rightfully so) after their pathetic start, but there a few conferences that are starting to make a case to challenge the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Big East has been embarrassing, despite UConn's 5 touchdown win over UVa. How
about the Pac 10? We all know that Southern Cal is the best team in
all the land, and the team to beat in 2008, but how about their weekend.... Thanks goodness Oregon rallied from 17 points down to defeat putrid Purdue, or the Pac 10 would have had one of the great weeks of all-time. Move over ACC...it looks like you have company. After watching football all weekend, I have a serious question to ask: What would you rather be... An Ohio State football fan, or Charlie Weis' crutch? After Notre Dame's uninspired win over hapless Michigan, Irish coach Charlie Weis was in a good mood. Despite blowing out Michigan and his own ACL and MCL, "Crewcut" chimed in the post-game news conference, "Tom Brady's got nothing on me." That's funny. I had the chance to experience the NHRA while the boys were in town at the Z-Max Dragstrip. I've got to tell you, it was awesome. There's nothing quite like watching somebody go 310 mph in less than four seconds. If you think the NASCAR boys generate some speed and noise, you ain't seen (or heard) nothing. The dragsters and funny cars completely body slam your senses. I was also amazed at the crowd. It is much more diverse and laid back than your typical NASCAR congregation. The drivers and crews are open and friendly and you can walk up and check out the cars all you want. I highly suggest that you check them out the next time they stop by Bruton Smith's latest marvel. The NHRA was certainly a pleasant surprise....and one more thing: bring your earplugs. |
Packman
on Sports Commentary
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