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I'm beginning to get concerned. Don't know why, but I'm getting worried about UCLA. EDIT: No offense Raisin. :D

Wow, just heard a resounding chorus of Rocky Top sung by Tennessee fans present at the Rose Bowl. I'm really getting fired up right now. Tennessee better not disappoint.

Double digits definitely. They'll dominate the second half. I'm hoping we don't have to show too much of Clawson's new offense tonight. We should be able to demolish a bad UAB team next week, so the more conservative we can be playcalling-wise the better - that much more surprise for Florida on the 20th.

:hello: Yeah, you guys are definitely best traveling non-Rose Bowl team since Alabama or Michigan early this decade (granted, UCLA generally hosts the likes of Fresno State or Utah this time of year :roll: ). Starbucks in Old Town was packed with orange this morning, and a few of them even smiled at me despite my UCLA hat. I'm really excited even though I'm expecting we get blown away. Last weekend was lots of fun but it's always better when your team finally starts playing. Keep in mind, a lot of seasons we're playing the likes of MTSU and UAB this time of year so it's exciting to get a prestigious (though down) team like UCLA this early. I'd say our fans are looking for a little revenge too, after struggling as bad as we did at Cal last year. We want to prove our superiority to you left coasters. :D And I am definitely read for college football to officially start tonight.

:hello:

=D> Terrific

Don't hate on my cats. 6-6 here we come. They had a bad '08 recruiting class, luckily '09 is looking much better. Losing Curtis Pulley really hurt, in my opinion. I honestly don't know a lot about Hartline, but I've always thought Pulley was pretty good. Am I out of line there? I'm pulling for Randall Cobb, by the way. I watched him absolutely run over one of the HS teams I cover for two years while at Alcoa and it'd be nice to see him do well in college (just not against Tennessee :wink: ).

Sucks for the kid because that was a terrific drive and comeback attempt by Oregon State. I tend to agree with the announcers, though, that it's hard to be pissed at the kid. It was a dumb play, but it was born out of an attempt at extra effort.

That's largely my stance. When Rome was on the air here, I didn't listen for his takes or the dumbass smack (though admittedly, there were a few diamonds in the rough). I listened because it was national sports talk and because Jim usually has pretty interesting interviews on. Rome generally asks good questions of his guests and gets good information from them. Obviously, given his style, he'll have a a few seconds of silliness with them, but overall he's a good interviewer. It's the primary reason I ever listen to him.

Herby might be my favorite television sports personality. it's really nice having him on the radio every day, even though it's just noon-2. He's usually on with Chris Spielman His radio show is of national quality. He's got an encyclopedic knowledge of college sports. I don't know if they still have this line-up or not but they use to have Chris Speilman on right before Herbstreet's show. Speilman was horrific but the mouth breathers in Columbus love him. he's actually on WITH Spielman now. I swear it was Herb I was listening to today, the the website says it was Scott Torgersen and Mike Ricordati. Herbstreit/Spielman/Hooley is on 4-6 The beautiful thing is NO Jim Rome. We get Mike & Mike, The Herd, Scott/Mike, Mike Tirico, then Herb and the gang. it would be beautiful-er if there was no colin cowherd. i think that guy is a bigger idiot than any other big-time sports talk host. I'm not a fan of his, but I'd take Jim Rome any day of the week over Cowherd. Rome's show is generally awful, but he's a very good interviewer. Cowherd has no good traits that I've found. Luckily, the local sports station here is taking Rome off the air next Friday and replacing him with a couple of good local guys. So I have no Rome or Cowherd on my 24-hour sports station. :D

Ankiel, Hart, AJP, Carlos Lee and Lohse Don't really hate any of the others - though I'm sick of hearing about Jeter and Manny.

Ahh, but the question is - would you vote for Curt Schilling?

Pat Hughes credits his radio abilities to the fact that he did years of broadcasting in the minor leagues with no color man. When you have to fill 3 hours of airtime on your own, I think it makes you a better pbp guy I agree. You definitely get lots of practice.

At least RichRod has a QB that'll fit his spread option offense. Even if Sheridan sucks, he'll be better than a good pocket passer running the offense as is.

Why would you say that? If nothing else is on, I'll put on the Dodgers game on Extra Innings just to listen to Vin. His voice is just so... baseball. I miss the days when Vin would do national broadcasts. he's easily one of my all-time favorites. I think he's terribly overrated. It could be because I don't like the one man gig though. I normally don't like one-man gigs because very, very few announcers can keep the broadcast interesting doing it that way. Vin Scully is one of those extreme few who can pull off a one-man gig very well. I'd listen to more Smokies games on the radio, but I can't stand listening to only Mick Gillespie. Nothing against him as I think he's a pretty good announcer, but he shouldn't be in a one-man booth.

absolutely not a surprise, as it follows Paterno's 40 year track record of never starting an underclassman over a senior regardless of talent (see: Zach Mills over Michael Robinson). That's what I was thinking. Is Clark really that much worse than Devlin? Seems like even if Clark were a worse passer, he'd make up at least a little by being fairly mobile. I don't know much about either QB, though, so I can't say anything for sure.

For Derwood, PriorPower, Truffle and all other Penn State fans or others interested: JoPa named Daryll Clark the starting QB for Penn State, citing his experience and preseason performance as why he didn't go with Pat Devlin. Not sure if this is a surprise to anyone, but I figured I'd mention it.

Weaknesses: Offense, secondary (except for Verner). Strengths: Front 7, kicking game. Players to watch: Defensive tackles Brian Price (Tennessee will have to double team him) and Brigham Harwell, middle linebackers Reggie Carter and cornerback Alterraun Verner. If the OL gives them anything, the top 3 running backs are very talented (Kahlil Bell, Raymond Carter and Aundre Dean). The offensive line is awful. Inexperienced, full of positional converts and injuries and the depth is so poor there are only 3 backups for the whole line. UCLA is already on the 3rd string QB and it sounds like the only reason he's starting is because he's older and more experienced...i.e. he's not that talented. I'd be ecstatic with 4 or 5 wins this season. You're a great man Raisin! I knew you had a stud DB, but wasn't sure who. I didn't, though, know your DTs were great - that'll be interesting to see how the UT O-line handles them. Is the starting QB a JUCO? I heard some random UCLA fan on the radio talking about how he was very talented, but I suspected he was full of crap. Indeed, he's a JUCO transfer by the name of Kevin Craft. Started a couple games as a freshman at San Diego State, transferred to Mt. San Antonio College (JUCO in suburban LA) and ended up at UCLA this season. He's sounded very inconsistent and only beat out two freshmen due to experience. Sophomore DT Brian Price is likely a future first rounder and the only recruit UCLA has ever beaten Pete Carroll to. He was being doubled teamed in the second half of his first collegiate game last year. Interesting. I heard Craft put up some impressive numbers either at SDSU or Mt. San Antonio College, of course opposition's talent level must be factored in. As for Price, it'll be an interesting matchup inside. Tennessee's strength this year on the line (the whole thing is good) will be the inside with guards Jacques McClendon and Vlad Richard (both are a couple of the strongest players ever at UT) and center Josh McNeil. Should be a fun facet inside the game to watch.

Weaknesses: Offense, secondary (except for Verner). Strengths: Front 7, kicking game. Players to watch: Defensive tackles Brian Price (Tennessee will have to double team him) and Brigham Harwell, middle linebackers Reggie Carter and cornerback Alterraun Verner. If the OL gives them anything, the top 3 running backs are very talented (Kahlil Bell, Raymond Carter and Aundre Dean). The offensive line is awful. Inexperienced, full of positional converts and injuries and the depth is so poor there are only 3 backups for the whole line. UCLA is already on the 3rd string QB and it sounds like the only reason he's starting is because he's older and more experienced...i.e. he's not that talented. I'd be ecstatic with 4 or 5 wins this season. You're a great man Raisin! I knew you had a stud DB, but wasn't sure who. I didn't, though, know your DTs were great - that'll be interesting to see how the UT O-line handles them. Is the starting QB a JUCO? I heard some random UCLA fan on the radio talking about how he was very talented, but I suspected he was full of crap.

Raisin, If you get a chance, could you give me a quick rundown of UCLA? Basically strengths, weaknesses and players to watch. I've got a pretty good idea, but figured I'd turn to the expert on the matter to know for sure. :D

Hit the nail on the head, my friend.

Ichiro is having an awful year, by the way, does anyone know why? He's 34 and was vastly overrated in his prime anyway? Ichiro fans claim he can't be overrated because he makes every person with any Asian heritage whatsoever watch every Mariners game and cut the Mariners a $100,000 check every year. Apparently it's like the Mormons and their tithe. A career .295 EqA isn't good? He's also had three seasons over .300 EqA, topping out at .312 and never dropping below .285. I don't know a lot about stats, but I'm pretty sure that's good.

If they do, hopefully it's in the 21st inning.

I hate the Pirates right now... ](*,)

Weeks pops out to send the game to extras.