vs.   

Game #8 : November 1 vs. Oregon (time and television TBA).

TwistNHook:  This Oregon-USC-OSU block could easily be the 3 toughest weeks of the schedule.  Oregon is the only game at home, so of the three, it's probably the one we need to win the most.  Oregon just lost many key players from one of the greatest seasons of offensive production in its history (and that's saying a lot).  Can they reload?  Will they rebound?  Which they restart?  How they rebuild?  When they something starting with the phrase re?

Yellow Fever:  I'll be honest; I'm not sure why they're ranked so highly.  They lost Dennis Dixon, they lost Jonathan Stewart, their wide receivers were all epically injured last year, and they have Patrick Chung back.  Who exactly is playing on the team this year anyway?

HydroTech:  I too am wondering why everyone is so high on Oregon.  Everyone else must know something that we don't.

Continue reading this post »

For YOUR California Golden Bears.  In addition, I have no idea how big we are or if I'm infringing copyright laws by copying excerpts relating to our favorite players, but don't be surprised if this entire post disappears without warning.

Kyle Boller: 281/478, 2605 yards, 11 TDs, 20 INTs; 36 rushes, 130 yards, 3 rushing TDs

Boller has been making incremental progress as a quarterback; by the time he's 35, he might be a pretty good starter for someone.  It doesn't look like it's going to happen in Baltimore, however, where in five years Boller has gone from being the next big thing to being the seat warmer for the new big thing, Joe Flacco.  Boller still has the physical tools to be a good player, but he is a robotic decision-maker who struggles in the red zone where quick decisions are necessary.  Boller has received a majority of the snaps in minicamp and is the favorite to be the Week 1 starter, but he's going to have to pull a Drew Brees-style breakout to hold onto the job past midseason.

Hmm.  "Robotic decision-maker"...where have I heard that before...

Continue reading this post »

Your intrepid East Coast correspondent is currently in the midst of a week long vacation, and decided to spend two of those days at Eagles training camp in Bethlehem, PA.  I kinda thought it was fitting that they hold their camp in Bethlehem, because going to training camp is like going to a pilgrimage for Eagles fans, except, you know, without all the religion and stuff.  And of course, there would be much love for THA1.

But first...

I'm being completely honest when I say that my girlfriend barely cleared Swoop's requirements.  The height requirement, not the age requirement.  You Chris Hansen lovers.

Continue reading this post »