The 2009 Official College Football Thread (post-season -- BIG 12 IMPLOSION!!!)

[aria]

So where's Arizona's Willie Tuitama? Serving wings at BW3s... no, serious:

09.21.2009
Patrick Finley : Waiting tables, hoping for a call
Opinion by Patrick Finley
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

The conversations started with a whisper. A customer in the sports bar would ask his waiter if the employee across the room — the guy who looked eerily like the Arizona Wildcats' all-time leading passer — really was Willie Tuitama.

Inevitably, the waiter would nod. The customer would approach Tuitama, once the UA's star quarterback and now Tucson's most famous waiter.

"It was actually kinda fun," he said. "It's nice to be able to talk to fans, to give them the time.

"I'm sitting there with the time to listen."

If it was anything Tuitama, 22, had, it was time.

After all, Saturday marked the first time since 2004 he had been apart from the Arizona Wildcats on game day.

After being named MVP of the Las Vegas Bowl, the Wildcats' first bowl game in a decade, Tuitama didn't get within a Hail Mary pass of the NFL.

He went undrafted, weeks after being arrested on suspicion of extreme DUI — he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI in June — and didn't go to an NFL camp.

It was stunning for someone who, at 18, was touted by quarterback guru Roger Theder as being able to "throw with anybody in the NFL right now."

Tuitama went home to Stockton, Calif., for the summer. He returned to Tucson to take four fall semester classes and even got a job at Buffalo Wild Wings on Irvington Road near I-19.

"It's weird," Tuitama said of the transition from BMOC to an employee at BW3. "You have so much time on your hands when you're used to having such a strict schedule. When you go to not having to do that, at first you get lazy — because it's so easy to."

It was ironic, he remembers. For years, football practice felt as if it would never end.

"When it finally does," he said, "you don't know what to do."

He spent his free time throwing to friend Xavier Smith, a former UA player, at the park or even in a parking lot. Sometimes, Tuitama would throw into a net.

He spent the UA's first two games on the sideline, running the plays in his head while quarterback Matt Scott did the real thing.

"It's definitely a different experience, when you're so used to being out on the field, being a part of it," he said.

He watched Saturday's game at Buffalo Wild Wings with Smith — even though he wasn't working.

Tuitama certainly isn't the first college quarterback with gaudy numbers to be all but ignored by the NFL.

Just ask Corby Jones. The star quarterback, who was a contemporary of mine at Missouri, hosted trivia night at the local Chevy's between stints in the Canadian Football League and enrolling in law school.

Unlike 20 years ago, when NFL quarterbacks came from a select few schools, they come from all over these days. This year, only four schools have more than one alumnus starting in the NFL.

USC has three — Carson Palmer, Matt Cassel and Mark Sanchez — though Cassel, famously, never started for the Trojans.

The other three schools? Purdue, Boston College and Marshall.

Which is to say that college success — even 9,211 passing yards and 67 touchdowns — doesn't guarantee an NFL contract, much less a starting gig.
Tuitama learned that in the spring, but might not be done yet.

He thinks he will hear about a pro opportunity this week, though doesn't want to jinx it by elaborating.

Arizona's best passer ever is willing to leave school, his job and his all-too-normal life for another shot at playing.

Even if it's on a wing and a prayer, it beats Buffalo-style.

 

[aria]

There's some commentary wondering why OU gets better treatment than Ohio State when both have the same habit of winning their conference and then laying an egg in the BCS bowl they go to. Just look at the polls now. And, if anything, OU looks all the worse after what happened to BYU.

While it's not a fair comparison:

• Miami beat Florida State
• Florida State trashed BYU
• BYU beat Oklahoma
• now Miami plays Oklahoma... uh oh.

Of course, this will probably be completely irrelevant, but its fun to notice.


BTW: Oregon's Chip Kelley had the balls to do this:
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday...ly-is-a-man-of-his-word-seriously/#more-12246

 

[OmegaSaber]

Ridiculous to post bowl projections after week 3? Maybe, but I love this one as a UC fan: http://scout.com/a.z?s=341&p=2&c=901289

I hope they keep rolling for the shear fact that they're finally beginning to get some respect. The "who's the best college team in Ohio?" debate is raging full force here, it's great.

 

[Hidden Character]

Ridiculous to post bowl projections after week 3? Maybe, but I love this one as a UC fan: http://scout.com/a.z?s=341&p=2&c=901289

I hope they keep rolling for the shear fact that they're finally beginning to get some respect. The "who's the best college team in Ohio?" debate is raging full force here, it's great.

That St. Petersburg Bowl prediction is just what the doctor ordered to solidify a rivalry between Central and South Florida.

 

[Lets Gekiga In]

That St. Petersburg Bowl prediction is just what the doctor ordered to solidify a rivalry between Central and South Florida.

I wish we had a rivalry, unfortunately we don't play USF on our schedule anymore because USF thinks they're better off playing schools like Miami. What's funny is that was in 2008 and we already had Miami on our schedule.

 

[aria]

Old, but don't piss off Coach Mangino --if you score a 77 yd TD and get a questionable "celebration" call for jumping into the endzone, you're ass is fatburger:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmAYpAzNB34

Meanwhile members of the KU football and bastketball teams got in a fight. Guess which side suffered an injury. The skirmishes apparently continued, and then Mr. Dumbass posted how he got the dislocated finger on Facebook. Brilliant.

You have to love these:

"I got a dislocated finger ... from throwing a punch ... so don’t let the news paper gas yall up aite"
"real (racial slur)s do real things .. point plankn."
"keep my name out ya’ mouth for you get smacked in it"
"never get outta character .. I’m always a G about it."
"(racial slur)s be muggin me ..you know I’m mugging back."

Attention all opposing b-ball fans --set taunting on vicious.


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Meanwhile, for our Tennessee lovin' fans:

Jonathan Crompton is tied for 118th in interceptions. Only SMU has more.

 

[aria]

The College Football HOF is moving from South Bend to Atlanta

That's a good thing --the HOF is actually pretty fun, I went there on my way to the 2007 USC-ND game, but they just didn't get the attendance they were hoping for in BFE, Indiana.

The ATL, which its proximity to SEC/ACC fandom as well as a few bowls, is perfect. Just build it on high ground

 

[Hidden Character]

The College Football HOF is moving from South Bend to Atlanta

That's a good thing --the HOF is actually pretty fun, I went there on my way to the 2007 USC-ND game, but they just didn't get the attendance they were hoping for in BFE, Indiana.

The ATL, which its proximity to SEC/ACC fandom as well as a few bowls, is perfect. Just build it on high ground

The 2011 Chik-fil-A HOF Kickoff Classic, live from Atlanta, GA. It practically writes itself.

 

[aria]

"Ready or not, son, you're ass is starting"

(Carroll says Barkley will start at QB)

 

[aria]

Yeah... so much for #4 Ole Miss... I was just surprised to see them go down so quickly. They had a pretty bad face-plant this evening at South Carolina.

 

[lithy]

Man they really took a dive too. They were off the whole night and when it came down to it, they still had the ball with a chance to win at 2 minutes left.

Penalties, Snead was off all night, USCs (or SCAR according to ESPN) defense was on all night, but their offense certainly wasn't putting the game away even though they were solid. They looked like Tennessee in a lot of ways, afraid of the big play, because too often the big play means the big play for the other team.

 

[aria]

This is one Duck's version of voodoo for this weekend's game:

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Meanwhile USC and Texas and working on scheduling a home-and-home!!!

Too bad its for 2019/2020...

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Here's some creative ideas for a good-natured-but-bad idea by the managers of Kyle Field at Texas A&M:
http://barkingcarnival.com/2009/09/24/fun-with-gameday-texting/

 

[Hidden Character]

So I'm watching Miami-Virginia Tech on ABC and Beamer Ball's already up 14-0 in the 1st, sigh.

Also, if anyone's interested, The Atlanta Football Classic between my alma mater, Florida A&M, and Tennessee State is on Versus right now and if for nothing else, please do catch the halftime show between The Marching "100" and The Aristocrat of Bands.

 

[aria]

I watched some of the earlier games:

Fresno State did what Fresno State does and gave #14 Cincy a scare at home.
Michigan saved itself from embarrassment at home against Indiana, which hadn't won there in decades. GT embarrassed UNC. Florida State confirmed its schizophrenia by laying an egg at home against USF.

The most frustrating game? LSU escaped from Starkville --Mississippi State left a lot of points on the board, it was embarrassing: they had an unforced-fumble in their own 20, but were able to keep LSU to only an FG and a 2-pt lead. Then at the half they had a perfect FG attempt lined up but the holder fumbled the snap. LSU won by 4 in the final quarter. They had some problems with Vandy last week (at home) -- So yeah, consider that #7 ranking --umm-- tentative.

 

[aria]

The voodoo seems to be working:

Oregon is just stomping Cal well into the third quarter with a 29-pt lead --they're wearing the hideous throwback jerseys (while I like the new jersey combos, people don't seem to realize that UO's old jerseys were awfuL).

Cal looks to be SOL. Dammit, USC sort of needed Cal to be highly ranked for our showdown next week. The Bears let us down again. We wanted to be the ones to reveal them as pretenders.

 

[Hidden Character]

I watched some of the earlier games:

Fresno State did what Fresno State does and gave #14 Cincy a scare at home.
Michigan saved itself from embarrassment at home against Indiana, which hadn't won there in decades. GT embarrassed UNC. Florida State confirmed its schizophrenia by laying an egg at home against USF.

The most frustrating game? LSU escaped from Starkville --Mississippi State left a lot of points on the board, it was embarrassing: they had an unforced-fumble in their own 20, but were able to keep LSU to only an FG and a 2-pt lead. Then at the half they had a perfect FG attempt lined up but the holder fumbled the snap. LSU won by 4 in the final quarter. They had some problems with Vandy last week (at home) -- So yeah, consider that #7 ranking --umm-- tentative.

That LSU-Miss State game was a humdinger and either LSU is showing signs of wear and tear (which they definitely don't want to have before facing both Georgia and Florida) or Mississippi State can really hang.

As for USF, this will do wonders for their in-state recruiting next year beating Florida State and I'm sure folks back in Tally will be calling for the Ol' Ball Coach to hang it up this year is this keeps up.

Right now, Miami is down 31-7 against VA Tech and Beamer Ball and, truthfully, it's our fault (the fans and the media) for boosting Miami up 11 spots to #9 instead of honorably climbing up the ranks up 2 or 3 spots.

 

[aria]

Yeah, Miami wasn't doing itself any favors in the second half.


Meanwhile, Oregon owes Minnesota a nice letter thanking them for the great game film that I assume they used to completely shut down the Cal offense. Jahvid best had 16 carries for 55 yards. Either Oregon has suddenly rediscovered its offense or Cal's defense is horrific. I think Cal just completely let themselves down --just in time for the Duck's adjustments.

Oregon upsets #6 Cal, 42-3.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cal ends up in the low 20s, but they might be in the teens.

Dunno about where Miami will end up.

 

[aria]

The 1st quarter isn't done, and Florida is already up 17-0 over Kentucky.

I don't think anyone would've thought the USC-Cal game would be between teams that are 0-1* in the conference.


*USC still has a late game against Wazzu, which the announcers at the Oregon-Cal game said "might be rated TV-MA" because its going to be ugly when USC takes out frustration on the hapless Cougars.

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I just watched the final interception that ended the Michigan-Indiana game, it was bullshit and I can see why the Indiana coach was going apeshit. It was Indiana reception. (the two players had a hold of the ball when they went ball, which goes to the offense, but then --after they were down-- the Michigan player ripped the ball away, with the refs later agreeing. I would be pissed if I were a Hoosier right now!

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Ohio State has been scary since the USC game.

 

[Hidden Character]

I'll give it up to 80% Beamer Ball-20% wet weather and Miami today looked like the team some experts predicted at the start of the season. Maybe they'll drop to #15-17, where they should've been to start this game.

I refuse to watch Florida-Kentucky, so I guess it's Iowa-Penn State tonight, unless I get lucky and go out on a date.

 

[Arcademan]

California just became the new USC

Now I'm waiting for the next PAC-10 team to get a high ranking only to get trampled on.

 

[aria]

California just became the new USC

Now I'm waiting for the next PAC-10 team to get a high ranking only to get trampled on.

At least we lose better (its been over 8 years since USC lost by more than 7 points)

I refuse to watch Florida-Kentucky, so I guess it's Iowa-Penn State tonight, unless I get lucky and go out on a date.

Well, the only thing of interest is Tebow went out with his "bell rung" (read: Concussion).

 

[Arcademan]

South Florida going to Florida State and coming out with a 17-7 win.

And right now, Arizona State's playing Georgia tough. The Bulldogs are winning but not by much 14-10 in the 3rd.

 

[Nesagwa]

Go Bulls man. Fuck FSU and the Vols.

 

[Arcademan]

And the Sun Devils take a 17-14 lead, returning an interception for a TD

 

[aria]

South Florida going to Florida State and coming out with a 17-7 win.

And right now, Arizona State's playing Georgia tough. The Bulldogs are winning but not by much 14-10 in the 3rd.

I'm on my way to a sports bar to join the newly formed USC Alumni club out here, I'll be keeping an eye on that game. Needless to say, the talk will surround the Cal implosion.