FanHouse

FanHouse Week 10 NCAA Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-11-07T11:45:00 00:00

For at least one Saturday, college football's prime time doesn't carry the headliner. Instead, it's the mid-day shift featuring games between LSU and Alabama and Ohio State and Penn State. Wouldn't you know, those overlap with our weekly FanHouse Saturday chat.

Elsewhere, its a quiet weekend at first glance but 11 ranked teams are on the road, something worth monitoring. So, swing on by and join us and our writers in an ongoing discussion through the middle of the the day. Chat (3 PM Eastern) application after the jump.

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Midweek College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-11-05T14:01:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: General CFB Insanity

In the middle of a troubled economic climate, most Americans aren't seeing green but the college football world definitely is after Oregon's complete destruction of once mighty USC Saturday night. Our daytime chat missed the wreckage but we're welcoming everyone back for a discussion of that seismic event this Thursday, starting at 2 PM Eastern. There's also this little matter of determining whether LSU is a legitimate stumbling block for suddenly shaky Alabama.

That may be the only marquee game of the weekend but overall this week eleven ranked teams will be playing on the road, an always dangerous event in the bloodthirsty fan atmosphere of college football. So please join us once again in our weekly Thursday discussion. Chat application after the jump.

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Oh, the Humility for Trojans

Brian Grummell — 2009-11-01T00:32:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: Oregon, USC, Pac 10, General CFB Insanity

There's no other way to put it. Oregon's football program unequivocally demolished longtime Pac-10 overlord USC 47 to 20 on Saturday, effectively putting the brakes on two major, likely never to be repeated feats the Trojans had accomplished.

USC's record streak of seven Pac-10 championships is likely done, as is its even more impressive run of never losing by more than 11 points in the Pete Carroll era (and never by more than seven points once things really got rolling in 2002).

The Ducks finished with a 27-point winning margin and it easily could have been more. It was a two-sided wholesale destruction few outside of Autzen could have reasonably anticipated given the nature of USC's run these last few years. As a USC guy I knew it had to happen eventually, but I was thinking something like a 14-point loss, something reasonable.

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FanHouse Week 9 College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-31T11:50:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: General CFB Insanity

Its the last major conference hurdle for two championship contenders -- USC and Texas. The Trojans are headlining with the Halloween frightfest at Autzen against resurgent Oregon. Texas must face Oklahoma State, the perennial challenger that has had Texas' number at times but failed to seal the deal in recent years. Something may just give and shake up the championship race.

The FanHouse crew will be around to discuss the mid-day action in our weekly Saturday chat, starting at 3 PM, Eastern. Chat application after the jump.

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Midweek College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-29T13:22:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: General CFB Insanity

College football has just slipped past its midpoint and finds itself with uncertain championship and Heisman Trophy races. With a scary slate of games scheduled for Halloween night it begs us to ask, is this a trick or a treat? Like that creaky floorboard and a rustling just outside your door, some of us perhaps cower at what might be around the corner -- Alabama's first Heisman? Texas and its impotent run game in the BCS Championship? Nooo, nooooo! we tremble.

But maybe its just a nightmare. A scary dream. We can only guess at the yet-to-be-revealed future. In the absence of a soothsayer, let's return to this weekly ritual and discuss matters some more inside the FanHouse Midweek College Football Chat, hmmm? Don't be afraid (mwahahahahhaha). Step right in at 2 pm ET today. Chat after the jump.

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Midweek College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-22T11:00:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: General CFB Insanity

So its week eight, and you've seen the initial BCS standings. If you're an SEC honk, its good times. If you're undefeated Iowa you're wondering why one loss USC is breathing down your neck. If you're USC, well, Pete Carroll's already had his say. But what about the rest of us? And does it matter since the only time it really matters is in the final standings once the entire regular season has played out?

As the character in the old Mike Myers Saturday Night Live skit would say ... discuss. Please join us in our usual midweek college football chat, starting at 2 PM Eastern. Chat application after the jump.

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FanHouse Week 7 College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-17T15:00:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, General CFB Insanity

Red. River. Rivalry. USC against Notre Dame. National title implications and plain old rivalry are at work in this great weekend for college football. Four of the game's biggest lightning rods headline the first two shifts. Oklahoma limps in but has a chance to regain its form in the face of recent losses to Texas and scuttle the Longhorns' championship dreams. Notre Dame's just looking for a big win, any big win, and what better trophy than rival USC which broke their heart in 2005 with the Bush Push?

There's other football to be played and to be discussed so please join us for FanHouse's college football chat. It'll commence at 3 PM Eastern while the Red River Rivalry is wrapping up. Chat application after the jump.

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Midweek College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-15T11:24:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, General CFB Insanity

Rivalry weekend doesn't usually happen until late November, but certain rivalries can clear that hurdle and give us a midseason treat. That time is now, with the annual Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma and the greatest intersectional (and lately, the only one) of them all, USC at Notre Dame just in time for the boys from California to avoid that wintery weather stuff most of the country suffers through.

Point is, we're excited. Sure, there's other football but on Saturday these games are like the disproportionately hot girls in the room drawing in the boys. They've sure got nice assets. What? How can you not look longingly at those combined 21 Heisman Trophies. Or the combined 3,233 wins. So uh, lets talk about it. The FanHouse Midweek College Football Chat commences today at 2 PM Eastern. Be there. Chat application after the jump.

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FanHouse Week 6 College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-10T10:27:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: General CFB Insanity

If you can't enjoy this weekend, you can't enjoy college football. And that's a weekend without either USC or Notre Dame. Florida's trip to LSU and its dreaded night games in Death Valley is the clear headliner -- will he or won't he? - but there's much more to enjoy. Iowa and Michigan meet in a classic measuring stick game, same with Wisconsin and Ohio State. Georgia and Tennessee will likely engage in a slugfest. The Pac-10's 'muddled middle' sees Stanford facing Oregon State and Oregon facing UCLA. Lots to enjoy.

We'll try and keep you entertained during the middle swing of games today, with our FanHouse chat commencing at 3 PM Eastern. Chat application after the jump.

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Midweek College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-08T10:54:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: Florida, LSU, Texas, SEC, General CFB Insanity

If needless intrigue is your bag, college football's got it this week. Florida is dragging its feet on deciding whether to play concussed quarterback Tim Tebow whose Kryptonite was revealed last week as the meeting place between the back of his head and a teammates leg. Meanwhile LSU and coach Les Miles are saying all the right things, which doesn't come easy with that program. Weird. Very, very weird. I think Alabama's the better team right now anyway. A Florida defeat eases the dilemma.

There's other football to be played of course, other matters to be discussed (welcome back from your week off, Texas, you could be No. 1 after Saturday). Sooooo, let's talk about it like we do every Thursday. The FanHouse Midweek College Football Chat will commence at 2 PM Eastern. Chat application after the jump (we'll leave it open for folks to post comments and questions in advance, they need approval so won't appear until 2 PM but we'll see them, don't worry).

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Tim Tebow Returns to Practice

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-06T18:19:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: Florida, LSU, USC, Washington, SEC, Injuries

Its a simple headline but the implications are immense. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow returned to practice -- albeit in a limited manner -- Tuesday. This more than a week after a concussion against Kentucky left him a physical, hospitalized mess on national television. Florida has yet to publicly name Tebow's backup John Brantley the starter ahead of this week's game against LSU.

Its probably head games, but even if Tebow is 'cleared' Florida would have to be insane to play him. Head injuries are no joke and Tebow has well earned that baby rhinocerus nickname. Mix in his all-out style with LSU's terrific hitting and its an easy call: sit him. LSU is prepared for either quarterback and delaying only makes Meyer look desperate while potentially undermining Brantley before his first career start.

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LSU Fans Have John Brantley's Number

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-06T16:15:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, SEC, General CFB Insanity

Florida hasn't hit the field to play LSU, but already the Tigers have Gator quarterback John Brantley's number. His cell phone number, in fact. Yes, those crazy Cajuns have struck again, discovering the phone number of projected Gators starting quarterback John Brantley and doing pesky things with it like you'd expect an amateur fan base to do.

This is sort of old hat for LSU, as its fans also figured out how to reach out and touch opponents such as Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson and Georgia back Knowshon Moreno. They're rumored to have also discovered the numbers for several other Florida players and even coach Urban Meyer. At this rate they're probably not to far from reaching President Barack Obama with a different kind of 3 AM call if his health care push upsets them too much.

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USC Bores, Excels In New Identity

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-04T01:23:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: California, USC

When in doubt, play defense. That seems to be the philosophy right now at USC, which has taken an offense with nine returning starters and the nation's best offensive line and driven it into a ditch for large stretches of this season. And so it was on the road Saturday, the USC Trojans steadily outplaying the Cal Bears on the way to a 30-3 victory.

Mirroring last week's performance against Washington State, USC came out firing offensively in building a 20-0 second-quarter lead, eventually cooled, and still cruised to victory behind yet another dominating defensive performance. Strange days considering that defense was one of the best of this era last year and graduated the bulk of its talent to the NFL.

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A.J. Green Hero, Goat for Bulldogs

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-03T20:42:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: Georgia, LSU, SEC, General CFB Insanity

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for the nearly unstoppable force that is Georgia receiver A.J. Green. After scorching Arkansas (137 yards, two touchdowns) and Arizona State (153 yards, touchdown) in consecutive weeks, Green mixed in a third consecutive dose of awesome (99 yards, touchdown) in catching a leaping touchdown to give Georgia a 13-12 lead over LSU with just over a minute left on Saturday. Then, while being mobbed by teammates he somehow drew a celebration penalty, going 'Locker 2.0' on his teammates.

The penalty was crucial, contributing to a lengthy kick return by LSU's superfast dwarf, Trindon Holliday. Holliday took the kick to the Bulldogs' 42 yard line, almost into field goal position. LSU back Charles Scott did him one better, shedding several tackles on the way to a 33-yard touchdown run several plays later for the eventual 20-13 margin. Effectively, that was ballgame despite Georgia thoroughly dominating the second half in escaping the hole of a nearly game-long 6-0 deficit.

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FanHouse Week 5 College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-03T11:30:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: General CFB Insanity

College football's early season is devoted to the unknown, teams figuring themselves out on the fly while playing unfamiliar foes in a mad scramble for positioning. But right around the start of October, things settle a bit and we enter the grind, the early rounds of conference play. Familiarity and rivalry collide for a different kind of battle, one that will carry us through the rest of the regular season.

We invite you to sit back and enjoy the slugfests with us and participate in the FanHouse Week 5 College Football Chat. We'll begin around 3 PM Eastern, but feel free to submit comments and questions in advance. Chat application after the jump.

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FanHouse Midweek College Football Chat

Brian Grummell — 2009-10-01T11:49:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: General CFB Insanity

So last week was a bit chaotic, no? Several top ten teams falling like it was 2007. That was fun for a while but we ended up with a two loss LSU crowned national champion, not sure if that's really what everyone should aspire to this time around. Fortunately college football royalty Florida, Texas and particularly Alabama seem to be on the right track while the masses stumble.

Fortunately for you we've got a midweek forum to talk about it, and anything else college football. Come join us in our midweek FanHouse college football chat, starting at 2 PM Eastern. The chat will go live immediately so feel free to post some questions or comments in advance, but discussion begins at two. Chat application after the jump.

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What Next For Stafon Johnson, USC?

Brian Grummell — 2009-09-29T22:00:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: USC, Injuries

Folks around USC are experiencing those classic feelings of relief Tuesday after senior back Stafon Johnson came out of surgery alive and with a good prognosis after his dramatic weight lifting incident Monday afternoon.

Johnson emerged from seven hours of complicated surgery conscious and cognizant, but unable to speak, communicating through writing and hand signals. He is expected to remain in the hospital for a while and will likely miss the rest of this season.

So, where does that leave his career? And how does USC move forward without its most effective short yardage runner since LenDale White? In the short term there's tremendous uncertainty for both although each has unusual resources at their disposal that could make for a special reunion if the parties can individually clear particular hurdles.

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Heisman Situation Suitably Uncertain

Brian Grummell — 2009-09-29T17:00:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: California, Florida, University of Miami, Oklahoma, Texas, Heisman

Crazy as it sounded but a few weeks ago, there is a chance neither Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford will win the 2009 Heisman Trophy. Maybe that's a good thing. Their journey of inevitability has taken on some water surprisingly early this year.

When BYU's Coleby Clawson slammed Bradford to the turf causing a shoulder injury, Bradford's repeat hopes were finished. He has still yet to play a down since then. Last Saturday against Kentucky, Tebow also sustained a concussion injury while being driven to the ground. It is unclear whether he will play Saturday against LSU in Florida's first real test this season.

Meanwhile, Colt McCoy already has five interceptions although he completed 80 percent of his passes Saturday against UTEP as the Longhorns appear to have turned a corner offensively in pouring 64 points on the Miners.

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Stafon Johnson's Season Likely Over After Serious Lifting Injury

Brian Grummell — 2009-09-28T18:48:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: USC, Injuries

Update: Stafon Johnson left surgery around midnight last night, after doctors worked on him for around seven hours. Johnson is expected to make a full recovery but is unlikely to play again this season.

Earlier: USC's official football blog says the bar slipped out of his right hand and fell at an angle onto his throat. He is now having surgery on his throat. USC says he had a spotter but it was an extremely unusual situation.

Earlier: ESPN's SportsCenter is reporting that USC tailback Stafon Johnson was hospitalized after a lifting accident. A bar apparently fell on Johnson's throat while lifting. Little else is known at this time. ESPN's Shelley Smith said Johnson was coughing up blood and bleeding from the nose, adding that his situation is "very serious" and that possibly he would need surgery.

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New Mexico Coach Mike Locksley Acknowledges Altercation With Assistant

Brian Grummell — 2009-09-28T18:24:00 00:00

by Brian Grummell

Filed under: New Mexico, General CFB Insanity

New Mexico coach Mike Locksley released a statement Monday acknowledging an altercation with wide receivers coach Jonathan "J.B." Gerald. Locksley allegedly punched him in the face during a team meeting last Sunday. ESPN says that a police report indicates that during the meeting Locksley grabbed Gerald by the collar, and then punched him in the mouth.

Gerald refused to press charges, but allowed the incident to be part of a police report. Locksley is a first-year coach, hired from Illinois to replace Rocky Long after he resigned following a 4-8 season. The Lobos are winless this year, and have struggled with Locksley's specialty, offense. The incident happened the day after a 37-13 loss to Air Force.

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