Sports Crossfire » Game of the Week http://sportscrossfire.com/blog If it didn't matter, we wouldn't keep score! Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:54:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Kansas – Missouri battle for 2nd slot http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/262/kansas-missouri-battle-for-2nd-slot/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/262/kansas-missouri-battle-for-2nd-slot/#comments Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:36:42 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/262/kansas-missouri-battle-for-2nd-slot/ In August, no one was writing about the two Big 12 teams that would be battling it out for a slot in the National Championship Game.  If anyone had, they certainly would not have been writing about two teams out of the Big-12 North and Kansas would not have been either of them.

But here we are and more importantly here undefeated Kansas and Missouri with one loss to Oklahoma are, five days before the most important game in the schools football history.  Two high powered offenses will meet to see who goes into the Big-12 Championship game as the Number 2 Team in the nation.  Who knows, the way this season has gone, Arkansas could spoil LSU’s Friday and the winner may be ranked 1st in the championship game.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/262/kansas-missouri-battle-for-2nd-slot/feed/ 0 The hex of number 2 http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/256/the-hex-of-number-2/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/256/the-hex-of-number-2/#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:37:15 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/256/the-hex-of-number-2/ As top 10 teams continue to fall the number 2 spot seems to be the most likely culprit. USF fell to Rutgers last Thursday night and the Hoakies cannot fail to see the similarities as they host Boston College this week on none other than Thursday nite. In this week’s game of the week two top ten ACC powers meet with the winner likely to be in the ACC finals come December. The Eagle are ripe for a setback. They get it done with a 27-21 win in Blacksburg.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/256/the-hex-of-number-2/feed/ 0 Game of the week http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/255/game-of-the-week-5/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/255/game-of-the-week-5/#comments Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:14:45 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/255/game-of-the-week-5/ Oh what a difference a week makes.  We could be looking at two games featuring undefeated top 10 teams this week, but Colorado, Kansas State and Auburn took three of these four teams down last week.  With all three looking for redemption the stakes are possibly even higher for all.  We will pick the SEC showdown in Baton Rouge as the #2 Tigers take on Florida in what has to be a must win game for the Gators to keep a slim chance at defending their national championship.  LSU can take a commanding lead in the SEC title hunt by whipping the Gators and go a long way to avoiding having to beat them again for the SEC title.  LSU’s defense frustrates the Gators with a 9 point win.
Don’t dismiss the Dallas beat down.  One of these teams will keep BCS hopes alive while the other will have to look toward other incentives to call this season a success.  We pick OU bouncing back and winning by 4.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/255/game-of-the-week-5/feed/ 0 LSU hosts Virginia Tech for the Game of the Week http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/253/lsu-hosts-virginia-tech-for-the-game-of-the-week/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/253/lsu-hosts-virginia-tech-for-the-game-of-the-week/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:10:45 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/253/lsu-hosts-virginia-tech-for-the-game-of-the-week/ The Hokies come into Tiger Stadium ranked 9th in the AP poll and sporting one of the best defenses in the country.   They hope the second ranked Tigers’ offense starts as lackluster as they did last week against Miss. State.  LSU’s shutout and 6 interceptions showed they know how to defend the endzone.  We pick LSU at home 13 to 6.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/253/lsu-hosts-virginia-tech-for-the-game-of-the-week/feed/ 0 Week 1 Roundup http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/252/week-1-roundup/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/252/week-1-roundup/#comments Mon, 03 Sep 2007 19:36:19 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/252/week-1-roundup/ Twenty-two of the Sportscrossfile.com Top 25 take care of business. Appalachia State carried the 1AA title into Ann Arbor, and stunned Michigan allowing critics to suggest the Big Ten would have trouble competing in that division. Our hats are off to the football players and coaches of Appalachian State University.

Clemson welcomed Florida State into Death Valley for Bowden Bowl 9 and stunned Dad and company through the beginning of the third period.  By the time the Seminoles realized this was a real game, the time remaining was too little to complete the comeback.  They join Michigan outside this week’s top 25.

Tennessee, the other top 25 to begin 0-1, put up 31 on California yet gave up 45 points including a punt return for a TD in the loss. Auburn survives a scare from Kansas State scoring with 2:01 left in the 4th quarter to take the lead. The remainder of the Top 25 took care of business mostly with lopsided scores. Here are some notables or should we say embarassments for both the losers and those setting the schedules:

Penn State 59 – Florida International 0
Oklahoma 79 – North Texas 10
Nebraska 52 – Nevada 10
Hawaii 63 – Northern Colorado 6

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/252/week-1-roundup/feed/ 0 How about a rematch? http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/219/how-about-a-rematch/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/219/how-about-a-rematch/#comments Sun, 19 Nov 2006 00:45:14 +0000 dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/219/how-about-a-rematch/ Don’t want one.  Yes, the game would be another classic with enough hype to match the USC – Texas match-up of a year ago.  Why not a playoff?  And if you agree in a college playoff, you have to use the conference championships as one level of elimination.  If you only had one or two rounds, then only the conference champions would make the cut.  Michigan had their shot, give someone else a shot.

Yes, I would like to see these two play each other again.  But I would prefer they spend the next 50 days playing 2 or 3 rounds of games to get to that final game.  If they both win 3 more then suit ‘em up.  I got 50 days 23 hours and 11 minutes before the championship game.  It is a damn shame we won’t see this Ohio State team play a down during that time.  Presidents, come off it and figure out a way to put a playoff in.  The BCS is not working for the fans or the teams.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/219/how-about-a-rematch/feed/ 0 Game of the Week, maybe Year http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/218/game-of-the-week-maybe-year/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/218/game-of-the-week-maybe-year/#comments Thu, 16 Nov 2006 04:03:08 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/218/game-of-the-week-maybe-year/ The much anticipated clash between Big Ten upbeatens in Columbus in now upon us. This should be an epic game and many think will decide the natiional championship. It will select one team to play for the title and disqualify the other.

At Sports Crossfire, our Top 25 and Computer Polls are split with the Computers picking Michigan, while our human pollsters put Ohio State on top. Florida, USC and Notre Dame round out the top 5 in both polls. With USC and Notre Dame playing, we could have 3 strong one loss teams (including the loser this weekend in Columbus) with legitimate arguments to play on Jan. 7th.

We pick it Ohio State 24 Michigan 17.

Here are the stories we are following:

ESPN’s video game simulation picks Ohio State

The big game debate had Ohio State with a slight edge

SI picks Ohio State Cheerleader of the week

And, of course the Horse Shoe, Lego style

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/218/game-of-the-week-maybe-year/feed/ 0 Longhorns, Bears and Tigers Out of Title Consideration http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/217/longhorns-bears-and-tigers-out-of-title-consideration/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/217/longhorns-bears-and-tigers-out-of-title-consideration/#comments Sun, 12 Nov 2006 23:56:49 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/217/longhorns-bears-and-tigers-out-of-title-consideration/ Turning to head down the home stretch, every team in the BCS hunt needed to take care of business. Auburn loses a second home game, this one at the hands of the Georgia Bulldogs. Falling behind early, it looked a lot like their earlier loss to Arkansas. Texas got beaten in a high scoring contest by Kansas State. A few trick plays in the third quarter put the Wildcats in the lead and they were able to hang on. Against Cal, with 12:39 left in the game, Arizona returns an interception for a touchdown and the win.

Ohio State and Michigan remain unbeaten heading into their matchup next week. Game of the week, you think? Notre Dame and Arkansas win big. Florida squeaks by South Carolina at home. The Gator offense is simply not getting the points necessary to move them up in the polls.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/217/longhorns-bears-and-tigers-out-of-title-consideration/feed/ 0 Game of the Week http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/213/game-of-the-week-3/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/213/game-of-the-week-3/#comments Mon, 06 Nov 2006 01:45:57 +0000 dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/213/game-of-the-week-3/ The Game of the Week stays in the Big East and on Thursday night as the Louisville Cardinals face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Piscataway , NJ. The Big East Title would all but be wrapped up with a win by the Cardinals and put them in position to claim a right to play for the national title. A Scarlet Knight victory would put destiny control firmly in their hands as they head into their final three games capped off with a visit to West Virginia.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/213/game-of-the-week-3/feed/ 0 Game of the Week http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/210/game-of-the-week-x/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/210/game-of-the-week-x/#comments Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:22:42 +0000 dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/210/game-of-the-week-x/ With another great week of top 25 and conference match-ups on tap, this will be a terrific weekend of college football. The weekend starts early with the undefeated Big East teams of Louisville and West Virginia meeting for conference leadership.

In the Big 12, Missouri travels to Nebraska while Oklahoma visits Texas A&M. The ACC has Boston College visiting Wake Forest. Tennessee hosts LSU in the top SEC showdown.

The battle of the unbeaten Big East teams is our pick of the week. West Virginia’s speed takes care of the Cardinals 27-20.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/210/game-of-the-week-x/feed/ 0 Games of Week 8 http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/204/games-of-week-8/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/204/games-of-week-8/#comments Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:43:07 +0000 dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/204/games-of-week-8/ Two matchups pit top 20 teams and conference contenders against each other in what will help define the conference playoff teams for the Big 12 and ACC.  Number 5 Texas goes to Lincoln to face the 17th ranked Cornhuskers.  This could be a preview of the Big 12 conference championship game.  Texas wins big, 31 – 17.
In the ACC, the two surprise conference leaders, Clemson ranked 12th and number 13 Georgia Tech, will meet in Death Valley.  The winner takes the leadership position in the ACC and will likely crack the Top 10 within the next 2 weeks.  This is the more difficult of the two games to call as each of the last 5 meetings have been decided by 5 points or fewer.  This one may be as close.  We call it Georgia Tech 20 Clemson 13.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/204/games-of-week-8/feed/ 0 ESPN Gameday Doubles Down on Gators http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/197/espn-gameday-doubles-down-on-gators/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/197/espn-gameday-doubles-down-on-gators/#comments Mon, 09 Oct 2006 06:15:22 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/197/espn-gameday-doubles-down-on-gators/ Florida GatorsAfter snubbing the SEC earlier in the year, the crew at ABC are keeping their trucks in the Southeast for this week’s game featuring the number 2 team in the nation. It will be the Gators ranked Number 2 this week as the Auburn Tigers fall from 2nd to 11th with their loss to Arkansas.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/197/espn-gameday-doubles-down-on-gators/feed/ 0 Game of the Week III http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/185/game-of-the-week-iii-2/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/185/game-of-the-week-iii-2/#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2006 03:59:02 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/185/game-of-the-week-iii-2/ LSU visiting Auburn is our pick for the Game of the Week, in what may be the Week of the Year. No fewer than seven games across the nation pit two Top 25 teams against each other. And no other game will dictate a conference race more than the Tigers on Tigers clash this Saturday. Auburn’s at home with the better defense. We give them the nod in a close one. Auburn 17 LSU 14.

There may be a few SEC fans who thing a more important meeting takes place in Knoxville where the Gators come calling. Yes, this too will go a long way in shaping the outcome of the SEC East. In other Top 25 action, Michigan goes to South Bend, Oklahoma will meet Oregon, Miami and Louisville square off as does TCU and Texas Tech. Oh, and father faces son in Clemson vs. Florida State.

Hold on to your boots! It’s gonna be a good weekend.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/185/game-of-the-week-iii-2/feed/ 0 Game of the Week II http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/178/game-of-the-week-2/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/178/game-of-the-week-2/#comments Wed, 06 Sep 2006 07:23:09 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/178/game-of-the-week-2/ The undisputed Game of this Week has Texas ranked number 2 playing host to Ohio State ranked first. This early season showdown in Austin will give us some insight into how these teams have replaced the key players they lost last year. Ohio State has 9 defensive players to replace, while Texas has the very big shoes of Vince Young.

In week 1 games, the Longhorns hit their stride early and seem to be right on track to push for a repeat. Ohio State struggled early but won handily as their offensive stars connected later in the game.

Pick for this game: Ohio State 17 Texas 10

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/178/game-of-the-week-2/feed/ 0 Game of the Week I http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/173/game-of-the-week/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/173/game-of-the-week/#comments Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:18:58 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/173/game-of-the-week/ The Sports Crossfire Game of the Week, Notre Dame at Georgia Tech. Notre Dame coming off of an outstanding turn around year and ranked high in all pre-season polls will be tested by one of the best defenses in the ACC. Expect pressure to come early and often as the Yellowjackets’ defensive coordinator, Jon Tenuta, will look to surprise and confuse the Irish in this season opener. “In my whole career, I’ve always believed in being aggressive and attacking,” Tenuta said. “It has always worked.”

Notre Dame will look to their head man, Charlie Weis, to put his much improved quarterback in a position to make things happen. And it is the cool head and accurate arm of Brady Quinn that will decide if the Fighting Irish will enter the 2006 season living up to the hype. Will he take up where he left off last year? Most pollsters say yes.

A close second to this weeks top game is the perrenial showdown between Florida State and Miami. Both teams are coming off sub-par years and will look to start the season by beating a top 20 team and getting halfway to securing the bragging rights for Florida.

Another good match-up has the USC Trojans visiting the Razorbacks or Arkansas. With 19 starters returning at Arkansas, the Trojans better bring a revamped offense and leave the misques in LA. Look for a tight one which just may go to the Hawgs.

Hold on to your boots, the 2006 season is here.

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