Thursday, September 30, 2004

Football Fix

ESPN CALLS GT/MIAMI "TRAP GAME"
From ESPN Insider - paraphrased

The Yellow Jackets are fickle. GT followed up Clemson victory with a downright depressing performance against UNC. But GT has enough offensive firepower to give Miami a test. Miamia is one of the elite defenses in the nation, but the offense is a different story. Berlin continues to struggle and there is no bigtime playmaking WR.

Miami should eventually wear down GT with F.Gore and T.Moss. But Gailey's team should give them a scare.


CHAN GAILEY & HIS COMEDY CAREER
This is pretty funny:
WISE GUY: If he had a choice, Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey was asked this week, would he like to play the Miami Hurricanes every year?

"As opposed to what?" Gailey said. "Playing the Steelers?"

Starting next year, Georgia Tech and Miami will be in the same division of the ACC, so they'll meet annually whether Gailey likes it or not. The Yellow Jackets (1-1, 2-1) play host to the fourth-ranked Hurricanes (1-0, 3-0) on Saturday afternoon. It will be the first ACC road test for Miami, which joined the league this year.

ESPN ON GT CAMPUS THIS WEEK
ESPN is filming for a show called "The Season", where they follow around ACC programs. This week they are in ATL. Reports from the Hive are that they attended and filmed some team meetings, staff meetings, the radio broadcast and some players were followed around campus. One Hiver reported that they were filming Eric Henderson in a Statistics class. Supposedly it will be broadcast next Thursday 12am on ESPN2. If I confirm, I'll let you know.

WOODS READY FOR CHANCE TO START
Hey I like Woods, but I will feel SOOO much better with PJ taking most of the snaps. From the article it sounds like Woods might try to move away from his speed game and try to bang it, due to Miami's defensive speed.

TV / RADIO COVERAGE FOR THE GAME
Of course you will be there, right? I will!!!! Yeah baby!!

MIAMI PRACTICES OUTSIDE

ATLANTA CARRIES SPECIAL VALUE
...for the 'Canes. Won't this be pitiful if true:
The Canes are now a household name, their trademarked split U and Ibis logo as recognizable nationally as the Miami Dolphins' leaping mammal. When Miami plays in Atlanta on Saturday against Georgia Tech, a sold-out crowd will be rooting for the Hurricanes as much as the home team.

It wasn't that way the last time Miami played in Atlanta. In 1980, the Hurricanes went 8-3 and it looked as though they would spend the holidays at home. Then-coach Howard Schnellenberger did one of his best sales jobs with the Peach Bowl committee, and after a series of late negotiations and promises to buy 10,000 tickets, Miami was invited to its first bowl since 1966.

Miami's 20-10 victory against Virginia Tech at Fulton County Stadium is looked by many as the turning point in the program. Since then, the Hurricanes have only had one losing season and have been to bowl games 19 times -- including all the majors.

''It was the launching pad to the success of our football team,'' said Schnellenberger, now the coach of a 3-0 Florida Atlantic team. ``After that, we continued our assault on No. 1. It was like climbing a mountain, and that game was the first step.''

QB'S COMING UP SMALL IN ACC
The offense is not the star in the ACC so far this season - defense rules. This article talks about the mediocre QB performances. This on Reggie Ball:
Florida State's Chris Rix? See Berlin. North Carolina's Darian Durant? He's thrown more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4). Georgia Tech's Reggie Ball has made some clutch throws, but he's hardly All-ACC worthy.

NCST SITE ON THE GAME
On Miami / GT:
1. Miami: Canes get first ACC road test in Atlanta. (But which Georgia Tech team will show up?)
Miami at Georgia Tech: The Hurricanes go into a hostile environment for its first ACC road game. The "U" needs a solid, mistake-free performance from Brock Berlin. Tech needs a superhuman performance from Reggie Ball.

SO FAR, DEFENSES DOMINATING
Only one ACC team is averaging more than 230 passing yards per game - Maryland. In fact, the ACC has 5 teams ranked in the top 15 in defense. NC ST is 1st, Miami 3rd, FSU 4th, UVA 11th and VT 15th.

DEFENSES NOT IN GENEROUS MOOD
More of the same.

THE REAL ACC-OPENER FOR MIAMI
Read the article further down about how this game could be considered the real ACC opener for Miami.

GORE TO START / FULLBACK CAREER OVER?
Man, injuries are tough, but it looks like Gore will be starting, while fullback Kyle Cobia may have taken his last snap ever.

CFN'S GAME OF THE WEEK
Well, everyone thinks we will give them a game.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW - STEVE BROOME
Interesting story about this guy, who played football at GT when an on-field injury led to him finding out he had testicular cancer.

EYE ON THE ACC - QB'S
On Reggie Ball:
Not every ACC quarterback is paying his fraternity dues this season, though. Georgia Tech's Reggie Ball, North Carolina's Darian Durant and Wake Forest's Cory Randolph have been steady and shown improvement from last season.