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17 Nov 2012
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If Maryland Leaves… the ACC NEEDS to Placate Florida State!

The Atlantic Coast Conference leadership must walk into Florida State’s athletic department and ask them who the ACC should add.  If Florida State says “Louisville,” then the ACC needs to go for it.  If Florida State says “Boise State,” then the ACC needs to do it.  If Florida State says “Gardner-Webb,” then the ACC needs to do it.  If Florida State says “Betty White and 70 other 70-year olds,” only then should the ACC pause for a moment before agreeing.

You see… this next move MUST… repeat…. MUST be about football.  The conference needs to do whatever is necessary to keep Florida State happy.  Nobody else is walking out the door if Florida State does not.  Keep Florida State happy and the conference is safe.

Sure, UConn has the coastal location and basketball pedigree.  But they are not a football draw.  And, frankly, Louisville and Rick Pitino are every bit the basketball program that UConn is in the post-Calhoun era.  The ACC should have taken West Virginia along with Pitt and Syracuse.  That would have left the spot for Notre Dame and given the league a football power (WVU), a basketball power (Syracuse), and a little of both and the glue between them (Pitt).

If the ACC thumbs its nose at Florida State again, it might as well start writing its obituary.  Maybe the ACC will survive in the same way that the Big East survives to this day.  But it will never be the same.

ACC… please keep Florida State happy!

 

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Conference Realignment, Football and tagged , , ,
17 Nov 2012

The Confidential’s College Basketball Top 25 & Bottom 5: Week 1

Each week, the Confidential will provide its ranking of the top 25 teams in College Basketball, as well as the Bottom 4 major conference teams.  Here is the Week 1 version, with analysis of the top 10 and bottom 4:

  1. Duke (2-0): The Blue Devils beat Kentucky.  Who has beaten a better team yet this year?
  2. Syracuse (1-0): The Orange have beaten San Diego State in San Diego.  Aircraft carrier or not, that’s worthy of #2.
  3. Indiana (2-0):  The Hoosiers have not been tested yet, but they will be soon enough.
  4. Louisville (2-0).  These are good times in Louisville, with both major teams ranked.  May be outgrowing the Big East.
  5. Michigan (3-0): It’s hard to be fully sold on the Wolverines, but they are beating their cupcakes.  Better than losing to them.
  6. Gonzaga (2-0): Gonzaga obliterated a good West Virginia team.  That gets them higher in the Confidential’s eyes than in the polls.
  7. Connecticut (3-0):  This will not last.  But the Huskies have beaten MSU and Wake Forest.  Can anyone top that?
  8. Michigan State (1-1): Tom Izzo is a favorite of the Confidential.  Who else has the courage to open a season with UConn and Kansas?
  9. Florida (2-0): The Gators have already beaten a tough Wisconsin team.  Nice for the strength of schedule.
  10. Kansas (2-1): Losing to MSU by 3 is more impressive than beating Southwest State A&M or any other cupcake.  Kansas will be there at season’s end.
  11. Kentucky (2-1).
  12. Arizona (2-0).
  13. North Carolina (2-0).  Note: At time of publication, the Tar Heels were leading Long Beach State by one at halftime.
  14. Missouri (2-0).
  15. North Carolina State (3-0).
  16. UNLV (1-0).
  17. Ohio State (1-0).
  18. Baylor (3-1).
  19. UCLA (3-0).
  20. Wichita State (1-0).
  21. Notre Dame (2-0).
  22. Wisconsin (1-1).
  23. Creighton (2-0).
  24. San Diego State (1-1).
  25. Alabama (4-0).

* * *

300. Purdue (1-3).  The Confidential understands that the Boilermakers have played some tough games already.  But three losses in mid-November is three losses.

301.  Georgia (1-2).  The Bulldogs are having a great football year.  Not so much on the hardcourt though.

302.  Mississippi State (1-1).  Losing to Troy is not a great way to start the season.  So it goes.

303.  Washington (1-1).  The Huskies lost to Albany.  The Great Danes traveled 3,000 miles and won.  Not good.

304.  Rutgers (2-1).  The Scarlet Knights have two wins.  But they lost to the St. Pete’s Peacocks.

These rankings are early and will certainly shake up as the season progresses.  Still, if you feel like debating, share your comments…

Posted by acaffrey in Rankings and tagged , , , , , , , ,
15 Nov 2012

ACC Football Predictions for Week 12

The Confidential’s football predictions for this week’s games featuring ACC teams.  The Confidential struggled to a 4-4 record, making the overall record to a less-respectable 72-28.  On to the week 12 predictions:

Thursday November 15, 2012

North Carolina (6-4) @ Virginia (4-6), 7:30 p.m.  Don’t look now, but Virginia is surging toward a possible bowl game.  After beating bowl-eligible North Carolina State and potentially bowl-eligible Miami, it remains a possibility.  North Carolina just gave up 68 points to Georgia Tech.  Football, not basketball.  Unreal.  The defense will be better this week.  Still, the home team has more to play for.  Prediction: Virginia 31, North Carolina 28.

Saturday November 3, 2012

#10 Florida State (9-1) at Maryland (4-6), 12:00 p.m.  Maryland is a feel-good story this year.  But they are playing with a 5th string QB.  Florida State simply cannot lose this game and be taken seriously as “back.”  Sure, the temptation will be to look ahead to the huge rivalry game with equally impressive Florida.  But these are the games that elite teams win in the first half.  Prediction: Florida State 38, Maryland 6.

Virginia Tech (4-6) @ Boston College (2-8), 12:30 p.m.  As much as Virginia Tech has struggled this year, they still have a chance at a bowl game.  It would be cool if Virginia Tech and Virginia are both 5-6 heading into the rivalry game.  It’s hard to see Boston College stopping the Hokies from being in that position. Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 10.

South Florida (3-6) @ Miami (5-5), 3:00 p.m.  The Bulls have struggled with BJ Daniels.  It is hard to see them getting better now that he is lost for the season.  Meanwhile, Miami remains a complete enigma.  A win would be expected here, a loss would not be the least bit surprising either.  But the absence of Daniels and the Hurricanes being at home justify the prediction here.  Prediction: Miami 31 , South Florida 24.

North Carolina State (6-4) @ #11 Clemson (9-1), 3:30 p.m.  The Wolfpack have already ruined Florida State’s national title aspirations; why not ruin Clemson’s BCS bowl hopes too?  Clemson cannot be looking ahead to its rivalry game against South Carolina either.  Much like the Seminoles, the Tigers have to prove that they are elite by avoiding upsets–like last year.  Clemson is rolling and at home.  Prediction: Clemson 35, North Carolina State 20.

Duke (6-4) @ Georgia Tech (5-5), 3:30 p.m.  Who would have thought that this game would have Championship Game implications?  If Duke wins, they will go to the ACC Championship Game.  If Georgia Tech wins, they are still in the hunt for the same opportunity.  Duke has not been a very good road team this year.  Georgia Tech seems to be turning things around.  Prediction: Georgia Tech 42, Duke 31.

Wake Forest (5-5) @ #3 Notre Dame (10-0), 3:30 p.m.  The Fighting Irish have been coasting to their game with USC.  Frankly, if they do not start playing better, they will lose that game.  Brian Kelly will have to get his team motivated for this home game against the Demon Deacons.  Nothing about Wake Forest’s season suggest that they can win this game.  However, teams seem to rise to the occasion when they travel to South Bend.  Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Wake Forest 16.

Syracuse (5-5) @ Missouri (5-5), 7:30 p.m.  The Orange scheduling is just absurd.  Three of the four OOC games were against bowl-eligible FBS teams.  The fourth was against an FCS team, Stony Brook, that is 9-2.  And now they play at Missouri, who is desperate for the win to get to bowl-eligibility.  The Tigers are healthy now too.  Syracuse has struggled on the road and has a more-winnable game looming against Temple next week.  The Confidential is pulling for the Orange, but skeptical.  Prediction: Missouri 28, Syracuse 24.

Idle: Pittsburgh.

The Confidential apologizes in advance for not picking your team.  A lot of close games here.  Feel free to share why we are wrong. 

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Football, Predictions and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
13 Nov 2012

ACC Basketball Rankings: Week 1

While there is plenty of football left to be played, basketball is now started.  Here are the Confidential’s ACC basketball rankings in Week 1:

  1. Syracuse (1-0).  With a win over ranked San Diego State, in San Diego, the Orange rightfully claim this spot.  For now.
  2. North Carolina State (1-0).  The Wolfpack destroyed Miami (Ohio), retaining the #2 position easily.
  3. Duke (1-0).  Duke beat a cupcake, but the polls had North Carolina leapfrog them.  Too soon for that.
  4. North Carolina (2-0).  Although North Carolina beat two cupcakes to Duke’s one, plenty of season left for a true justification to swap the two teams.
  5. Notre Dame (1-0).  The Fighting Irish struggled to beat Evansville.  But they won.
  6. Pittsburgh (2-0).  The Panthers are off to a good start.  Last year started strong too, until it imploded.
  7. Virginia Tech (2-0).  The Hokies are off to a 2-0 start, including a nice win over Rhode Island.  
  8. Miami (1-0).  Miami started the season with a struggle to beat Stetson.  Baby steps.
  9. Boston College (1-0).  This team had so much difficulty last year–every win is worthy of note. 
  10. Wake Forest (1-0).  The Demon Deacons are young, but undefeated!
  11. Georgia Tech (1-0). The Yellow Jacket’s season started nicely with a win over Tulane.
  12. Clemson (1-0).  The Tigers really took care of Presbyterian to start off the season.  Up next is Furman.
  13. Maryland (1-1).  The Terps played very well against Kentucky.  Look for this team to start rising up the rankings.
  14. Virginia (1-1).  No shame in losing to George Mason.  The defense is as good as ever.
  15. Florida State (1-1).  You cannot lose at home to South Alabama and expect to be ranked ahead of any teams.  Sorry Seminoles.

So there it is.  Agree?  Disagree?

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Basketball, Rankings and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
12 Nov 2012

ACC Football Rankings: November 12, 2012

This is particularly complex with Pitt and Syracuse not yet in the ACC, but it can still be done.  This is how the Confidential ranks the ACC football teams as of November 12, 2012:

1.  Florida State (9-1)–The Seminoles did not look great against Virginia Tech, but they got the needed win.  Up next is a trip to Maryland to face the undermanned Terps.

2. Clemson (9-1)–Clemson did what they needed to do against Maryland–take them out of the game early.  And now Clemson is set up nicely for its finale against the Wolfpack.

3. Duke (6-4)–Duke gets the nod here by beating North Carolina.  With Miami and Georgia Tech left on the schedule, anything from 6-6 to 8-4 is possible.

4. North Carolina (6-4)–The Tar Heels scored 50 points and lost.  That cannot happen–even to Georgia Tech.  Especially to THIS Georgia Tech team.

5. North Carolina State (6-4)–The state of North Carolina is playing some downright, slightly above-average football this year.  The Wolfpack took care of Wake Forest handily to get to bowl eligibility.

6. Syracuse (5-5)–The Orange have lost to 5 teams that are already bowl eligible.  The Orange have beaten a 9-1 team and are 4-2 in conference play.  They get the nod.

7. Georgia Tech (5-5)—The Yellow Jackets have the worst resume of the 5-5 teams.  But they are atop the Coastal division right now and playing quite well.

8. Miami (5-5)–At 5-5, the Hurricanes are simply impossible to figure out.  The loss to Virginia is very perplexing.  Up next is reeling South Florida though.

9. Wake Forest (5-5)–The Demon Deacons are going in the wrong direction at the wrong time.  Losing by 34 points to a struggling North Carolina State is Exhibit 1.

10. Virginia (4-6)–This team deserves credit for not letting its terrible start lead to a disaster of a season.  Bowl eligibility remains possible, with Virginia Tech and North Carolina both looking vulnerable.

11. Maryland (4-6)—The Terps were last year’s disappointment.  This year, they have shown the heart of a champion.  But not enough talent (especially at QB right now) to prevent this slide down the standings.

12. Virginia Tech (4-6)–The Hokies have likely bottomed out, with Boston College next up and a home game against Virginia remaining.  No excuse for not bowling this year.

13. Pittsburgh (4-6)–At 4-6, Pitt can still get to a bowl.  It will need to beat 8-1 Rutgers and then travel to South Florida and defeat the Bulls. 

14. Boston College (2-8)–At 2-8, Boston College is playing for 2013.  Or should be, anyway.  They acquitted themselves well against Notre Dame, despite losing.

Do you agree with these rankings?  If not, let us know.

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Football, Rankings and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
08 Nov 2012

ACC Football Predictions for Week 11

The Confidential’s football predictions for this week’s games featuring ACC teams.  The Confidential rebounded with a 6-1 record, improving the overall record to a respectable 68-24.  On to the week 11 predictions:

Thursday November 8, 2012

#10 Florida State (8-1) @ Virginia Tech (4-5), 7:30 p.m.  Last week, the Confidential held out hope that Virginia Tech would put it together.  Now?  The Hokies are under .500, with just three games left in the season.  Even if they lose this game, though, winnable games against Boston College and Virginia might allow Va Tech to back into a bowl.  If Florida State loses THIS game, not sure what else can be said about failing to live up to expectations.  The Kings of college football beat 4-5 teams.  Prediction: Florida State 37, Virginia Tech 17.

Friday November 9, 2012

Pittsburgh (4-5) @ UConn (3-6), 8:00 p.m.  Pitt has rallied nicely from that terrible 0-2 start to have a chance at a bowl game.  The schedule is favorable, with road games against the two worst teams in the Big East, UConn and USF.  Gotta get this win.  For UConn, it is unclear whether they will win again under Coach Paul Pasqualoni.  Teams have dominated UConn’s offense in the second half of games.  Pitt’s defense can do the same.  Prediction: Pitt 24, UConn 10.

Saturday November 3, 2012

#9 Louisville (9-0) at Syracuse (4-5), 12:00 p.m.  Want to know the last time Syracuse won a noon game?  1987 maybe.  The Orange simply cannot play well at the noon hour for some reason.  Meanwhile, Louisville presents a matchup that Syracuse will have trouble stopping–a mobile QB and good running backs.  Not that Syracuse cannot win.  It is just not likely enough to be worthy of a prediction.  Prediction: Louisville 34, Syracuse 15.

Miami (5-4) @ Virginia (3-6), 12:00 p.m.  Miami is a tough team to predict.  Just when you give up, they win.  When you buy in, they lose.  Meanwhile, Virginia was left for dead and destroyed North Carolina State.  Virginia has to win out to go to a bowl game. A very tough one to predict.  Prediction: Miami 22, Virginia 14.

Georgia Tech (4-5) @ North Carolina (6-3), 12:30 p.m.  To qualify for a bowl, Georgia will have to beat two of Duke, North Carolina, and Georgia.  Given that Georgia is a top 8 team, this week’s game is a must win.  Meanwhile, North Carolina has nothing to play for except pride.  The Confidential trusts the home team in this game.  Prediction: North Carolina 28, Georgia Tech 24.

Wake Forest (5-4) @ North Carolina State (5-4), 3:00 p.m.  This game is a North Carolina battle for a bowl.  With Notre Dame and Vanderbilt looming, the Demon Deacons need this one.  North Carolina State still has a game against Boston College.  A little less desperate.  The Wolfpack rebound this week.  Prediction: North Carolina State 28, Wake Forest 20.

Maryland (4-5) @ #13 Clemson (8-1), 3:30 p.m.  The Confidential is proud of the job that Maryland has done this year.  And the QB situation is surreal.  But Maryland just does not look capable of playing with Clemson.  If this is close, shame on the Tigers. Prediction:  Clemson 45, Maryland 10.

#4 Notre Dame (9-0) @ Boston College (2-7), 8:00 p.m.  Once upon a time, a terrible Syracuse team coached by Greg Robinson. who was fired earlier in the week and allowed to coach out the season, walked into Notre Dame and upset the Fighting Irish.  Boston College has not put its coaching staff in the same position.  Most importantly, it is Brian Kelly coaching Notre Dame, not Charlie Weis.  It should be ugly. Not close.  Best case scenario is looking ahead too much to Southern Cal.  Prediction: Notre Dame 28, Boston College 9.

Idle: Duke.

The Confidential apologizes in advance for not picking your team.  A lot of close games here.  Feel free to share why we are wrong. 

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Football, Predictions and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
06 Nov 2012

Preseason ACC Basketball Rankings!

While there is plenty of football left to be played, basketball is ready to get started.  With that, here are the Confidential’s preseason ACC basketball rankings:

  1. Syracuse.  With apologies to North Carolina State, Duke, and North Carolina, Jim Boeheim has another great team.  And his best coaching jobs are when he has a young team that will listen to his advice.
  2. North Carolina State.  The Confidential is buying the hype.  If Florida State can win the ACC, why not the Wolfpack?  Looking forward to that early season tilt against Michigan too.
  3. Duke.  With the football team headed to a bowl game, fans have a reason to not pay full attention to the hoop squad.  But Dick Vitale will be smiling… Duke is loaded again.
  4. North Carolina.  Not many teams in college hoops have more talent than the Tar Heels.  #4 could be #1 if it all goes well.
  5. Florida State.  The Seminoles are looking to build off last season’s great finish.  These are good times to be a Florida State fan.
  6. Notre Dame.  If we are including Syracuse and Pitt, no reason not to include the Fighting Irish.  Mr. Brey has himself a decent squad again this year too.
  7. Miami.  Like Florida State, Miami is starting to take advantage of its ACC membership on the hardcourt.  Recruiting to Miami cannot be that hard, can it?
  8. Pittsburgh.  Last year has to be an anomaly, right?  Jamie Dixon is too good a coach to have two straight seasons without the Big Dance.
  9. Virginia.  Virginia’s unusual defensive schemes give offenses fits.  As the talent ramps up, this team will give many teams fits.
  10. Maryland.  The Terps have some talent and they certainly have a talented coaching staff.  Time to start winning more games.
  11. Virginia Tech.  The Hokies have a new coach, which could mean that they take a step back or a step forward from this projection.
  12. Georgia Tech. Things have to be better for the Yellow Jackets this year.  A new home arena should help juice the program up a bit.
  13. Clemson.  The Tigers are young.  But they have the depth to make some games very interesting this year.
  14. Boston College.  This team had to deal with youth last year.  This year will be a stepping stone to good things in 2013-2014.
  15. Wake Forest.  The Demon Deacons are very very young.  Going to be a long season, most likely.

So there it is.  Soon enough we’ll all find out whether the Confidential was on target.

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Basketball, Predictions, Rankings and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
05 Nov 2012

ACC Football Rankings: November 5, 2012

This is particularly complex with Pitt and Syracuse not yet in the ACC, but it can still be done.  This is how the Confidential ranks the ACC football teams as of November 5, 2012:

1.  Florida State (8-1)–The Seminoles had a week off to prepare for Virginia Tech.  Although the Hokies lost again, they are usually tough at home.

2. Clemson (8-1)–Clemson obliterated Duke, raising serious questions about the Blue Devils.  It also answered a lot of questions about Clemson.

3. Duke (6-4)–The Blue Devils have been handled easily in their four losses.  Still, one cannot put any other ACC team ahead of them right now.  Sadly.

4. North Carolina (6-3)–The Tar Heels had a week off to prepare for the Yellow Jackets.  Georgia Tech finally got a win, making it a lot more likely to be competitive.

5. Miami (5-4)–The Hurricanes are impossible to figure out.  But after beating up on Virginia Tech, it is clear that Miami cannot be overlooked.

6. North Carolina State (5-4)–With four games left, the Wolfpack blew a win against what should have been an easy one–struggling Virginia.  And they lost big too.  Only so much room to drop though.

7. Wake Forest (5-4)–At 5-4, the Demon Deacons can show that they deserve the #6 spot on the field this week when they play NC State.  Wake took care of Boston College over the weekend.

8. Syracuse (4-5)–The Orange lost, but moved up in the standings somehow.  Syracuse has been doing a lot of good things, with wins coming when they can avoid doing bad things.

9. Pittsburgh (4-5)—The Panthers season turned around with a win over Virginia Tech.  The loss to Syracuse keeps them at #9 right now, despite playing Notre Dame very tough.

10. Virginia Tech (4-5)–The Hokies are struggling in a very odd way.  No chance at another 10 win season.  A bowl game is looking “iffy” right now.

11. Georgia Tech (4-5)—The Yellow Jackets finally got a win, albeit over Maryland and its 5th string QB.  Still, they’ll take what they can get.

12. Maryland (4-5)–Give the Terps credit, they have played tough this year.  And they played admirably with a QB that was never likely to see the field at his real position.

13. Virginia (3-6)–At 3-6, Virginia gets out of the basement and back up to #13.  The team can still win out and go bowling, but those wins will have to come against Miami, North Carolina, and rival Virginia Tech.

14. Boston College (2-7)–At 2-7, there will be no bowl for Boston College.  Again.  And a coaching change is likely.

Do you agree with these rankings?  If not, let us know.

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Football, Rankings and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
01 Nov 2012

ACC Football Predictions for Week 10

The Confidential’s football predictions for this week’s games featuring ACC teams.  The Confidential limped to a 4-3 record, making the overall record a respectable 62-23.  On to the week 10 predictions:

Thursday November 1, 2012

Virginia Tech (4-4) @ Miami (4-4), 7:30 p.m.  Well, who the heck knows?  Will it be the Virginia Tech team that took care of business against Duke or the one that lost to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati?  Will it be the Miami team that has won 3 conference games or the one that has been blown out by Notre Dame and Kansas State.  Actually, those two teams are pretty good, as are North Carolina and Florida State.  Miami has lost to the better slate of opponents.  Been a long long time since Frank Beamer was below .500 this late in the season.  In fact, it was 1992, the last time the Hokies did not win 7 or more games.  Again, this one could go either way.  Edge to home team.  Prediction: Miami 27, Virginia Tech 24.

Saturday November 3, 2012

Syracuse (4-4) @ Cincinnati (5-2), 12:00 p.m.  Want to know the last time Syracuse won 3 conference games in a row?  2001.  That was Syracuse’s last 10-win season.  In fact, Syracuse has only one 3 games in a row three times since that season.  In 2002, Syracuse beat Rutgers, Central Florida, and Virginia Tech.  In 2006, Syracuse beat Illinois, Miami (OH), and Wyoming.  In 2010, Syracuse beat Maine (FCS), Colgate (FCS), and South Florida.  Cincinnati’s schedule is the reason they are 5-2, but the Confidential cannot help but note that it is not 2014 yet.  There will not be a 3-game winning streak for the ‘Cuse.  Prediction: Cincinnati 24, Syracuse 17.

Georgia Tech (3-5) @ Maryland (4-4), 12:30 p.m.  Before the season, the Confidential would have predicted a 30-point win for the Yellow Jackets.  If Maryland had a QB, the Confidential would predict a win for Maryland.  Using a linebacker–even a struggling Georgia Tech team HAS to be able to win this game.  If not…. wow.  Prediction: Georgia Tech 24, Maryland 10.

Virginia (2-6) @ North Carolina State (5-3), 12:30 p.m.  Well, it is safe to say that Virginia has not lived up to expectations.  North Carolina State is right where it always seems to be–too good to look past, too bad to assume a win.  The Wolfpack have to be able to take care of a struggling Virginia team though.  That 6th win is sitting there hoping to be achieved.  Prediction: North Carolina State 28, Virginia 15.

Boston College (2-6) @ Wake Forest (4-4), 3:00 p.m.  Boston College got a win!  Boston College got a win!  Remember, this team closed strong last year.  But winning on the road, even against a vulnerable Wake Forest team, seems unlikely.  It’s games like these that may get the Demon Deacons a bowl.  And if they lose this one, they do not deserve a bowl.  Prediction: Wake Forest 20, Boston College 13.

Pittsburgh (4-4) @ #3 Notre Dame (8-0), 3:30 p.m.  On paper, Notre Dame has one big game left–its tilt against rival Southern Cal.  On paper, Pitt, Wake Forest, and Boston College do not pose a threat.  On paper, the favorite always wins.  In real life, the favorite occasionally gets upset.  But there is something about a Notre Dame coach named Kelly proving that the Fighting Irish are “back.”  They might not go undefeated, but this one seems to easy to predict an upset for Notre Dame to be looking past the Panthers.  Prediction:  Notre Dame 27, Pitt 17.

#13 Clemson (7-1) @ Duke (6-3), 7:00 p.m.  The ACC game of the week.  This is two weeks in a row for the Blue Devils.  Last week was terrible.  This week may be terrible again.  Clemson is not that much inferior to Florida State.  However, Duke is at home for this one–unlike its losses to Stanford, Va Tech, and FSU.  So Dick Vitale will not have to close his eyes during this game–it will be closer.   Not close.  Closer.  Prediction: Clemson 38, Duke 21.

Idle: North Carolina & Florida State

The Confidential apologizes in advance for not picking your team.  A lot of close games here.  Feel free to share why we are wrong. 

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Football, Predictions and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
31 Oct 2012

OSHA to Investigate the Maryland Quarterback Position

The Maryland Terrapins were awful in 2011.  Despite the 4-4 record in 2012, things have gotten worse, or at least weird, in Maryland.  As noted by ESPN, it began when its starting QB transferred, it got worse when the next guy in line tore an ACL in August, and then it got surreal when the next two guys in line each got hurt against North Carolina State on October 20.  So that left Maryland down to its 5th string QB, true freshman Caleb Rowe.  Rowe suffered a season-ending ACL injury this past Saturday, leaving Maryland to suit up a linebacker and tight end this week.  If you are keeping score at home, that is four quarterbacks suffering serious injuries in less than two months.  The federal government is keeping score–the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has ruled that it will begin investigating the Maryland Terrapin quarterback position.

For those who do not know, OSHA is tasked with making the workplace safer for Americans.  OSHA notes as follows regarding an employer’s obligation to provide a safe workplace:

Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all OSHA safety and health standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. OSHA further requires that employers try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than just relying on masks, gloves, ear plugs or other types of personal protective equipment (PPE).

OSHA further notes these awful statistics: “An average of 12 Americans are killed on the job every single day of the year. In addition, tens of thousands die every year from workplace disease and over 3.3 million workers each year are seriously injured on the job.”  Fortunately, none of the Maryland quarterbacks have been killed.

Well, with quarterbacks dropping like flies in Maryland, OSHA is not going to wait for a fatality before stepping in.  The official commentary of OSHA on the situation is as follows: “It is not enough to just provide quarterbacks with a helmet and pants–the Maryland athletic department has a duty to eliminate or reduce safety hazards.  We think it is incumbent on the Maryland football team to do something to protect its quarterbacks.  If the State of Maryland is not going to get involved, we will.  And, by the way, those ugly uniforms are dangerous too.”

However, it is unclear exactly what OSHA can do.  Maryland’s offensive line coach, Tom Brattan, has been with the program since 2001.  The University of Maryland even boasts that the “Maryland offensive line has been one of the team’s strengths since 2001 . . . .”  Well, tell that to the injured quarterbacks.  Here is hoping someone can figure out a way to keep these kids safe.

 

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Football, Sarcasm, Satire and tagged , , ,

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