Posts Tagged ‘Teams’
Article by Ed Bagley
Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley
Unbeaten Iowa suffered the greatest reduction as one particular of six AP Top 25 groups to be upset for the duration of higher education football’s 9th week of competitors. The other folks were Oregon, Penn State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and California.
The 8th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (now nine-1) had their thirteen-game winning streak—second longest in the nation—come to a crashing halt at property soon after dropping their quarterback Ricky Stanzi to a second-quarter ankle injuries as an upstart Northwestern crew ground out a methodical 17-10 upset victory.
Iowa had been making a career out of launching comebacks and winning close games all year it appeared only a matter of time prior to they would get located out. Who recognized it would be Northwestern to get the job accomplished? For the 6-four Wildcats, the win over a Prime-ten opponent was their 1st because knocking off No. six Ohio State 33-27 in overtime 5 many years in the past, and their victory above Iowa created them bowl eligible this time.
Northwestern led 14-10 at the half and added a 4th-quarter area aim as the Iowa offense never did get going soon after shedding Stanzi. The Hawkeyes, who had climbed as higher as 7th in the AP Leading 25 Poll, slipped to 13th.
No. 7-ranked Oregon’s 47-20 upset win about 4th-ranked Southern California previous week that vaulted the Ducks (now seven-2) into the countrywide title photo, was short lived as they had been upset at residence 51-42 by the Stanford Cardinal (6-3), who grew to become bowl eligible in the Pac ten contest. Despite the upset win, Stanford could not climb into the AP Top 25, and Oregon slipped to sixteenth.
Oregon misplaced due to the fact it ran into a runaway diesel locomotive named Tony Gerhart, Stanford’s senior managing again who rushed for a college-document 223 yards and scored three touchdowns. Gerhart is a battering ram about to transpire he can run through tacklers.
No. eleven-ranked Penn State (eight-two), a 5-position preferred at home, was upset 24-7 by 15-ranked Ohio State, putting the Buckeyes into a initial-spot tie with Iowa at five-one in the Big 10 Conference race.
No. 19 Notre Dame (6-3) was upset at house 23-21 by 41st-ranked Navy (seven-three). Navy led 21-7 right after three quarters, and two 4th quarter touchdowns by the Fighting Irish was not sufficient to defeat the loss against the Midshipmen.
No. twenty Oklahoma (5-four) suffered a humbling ten-3 upset loss at the hands of the 35th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-3), who became bowl eligible. The Sooners have had a huge drop from the leading this year, shedding also to Brigham Younger, Miami (FL) and Texas. There is difficulty in Soonerland.
No. 23 California (6-three) was favored at residence but accomplished in 31-14 by the Oregon State Beavers (six-3), who grew to become bowl qualified in the procedure. California in no way fails to disappoint the Bears, who are constantly predicted to be much better than they are, continually lose at the incorrect time, numerous occasions to the mistaken staff.
Eight other ranked teams continued to move on by winning games on-the-road.
No. 5 Boise State (9-) remained unbeaten by winning 45-35 above 96th-ranked Louisiana Tech (3-6). No. 6 Texas Christian (9-) also remained unbeaten by scoring at minimum two touchdowns in 3 of four quarters in a 55-twelve drubbing of 95th-ranked San Diego State (4-five). No. 12-ranked Southern California (seven-two) won 14-nine in a near contest with 53rd-ranked Arizona State (four-five).
No. thirteen-ranked Houston (8-one) managed to win a close 46-45 victory above 92nd-ranked Tulsa (four-five). The Houston Cougars have the 2nd very best significant school scoring offense in the region (41ppg), but have completely no defense, allowing opponents like Tulsa to operate up big scores and make video games close. No. eighteen-ranked Oklahoma State (seven-two) won 34-8 more than 73rd-ranked Iowa State (five-5).
No. 22-ranked Virginia Tech (six-three) won sixteen-three about 67th-ranked East Carolina (5-4) to become bowl eligible. No. 24-ranked Wisconsin (seven-2) won on a discipline aim 31-28 above 91st-ranked Indiana (four-6). No. 25-ranked Brigham Youthful (7-2) notched a 52- shut out more than 108th-ranked Wyoming (4-5).
9 other ranked teams kept shifting on by winning property games. They included:
No. one Florida (nine-) remained unbeaten as the Gators took treatment of business with a 27-3 victory about 119th-ranked Vanderbilt (two-eight). No. two Texas (nine-) also remained unbeaten with a dominating 35-three victory over 83rd-ranked Central Florida (5-4).
No. three Alabama remained 1 of only six unbeaten teams with a 24-fifteen signature win about No. nine-ranked LSU (seven-two). A 73-lawn touchdown reception-and-operate by sophomore receiver Julio Jones in the 4th quarter didn’t damage a lick. Alabama is now 9- for a second consecutive period, which hasn’t happened considering that the glory teams of 1973 and 1974.
The victory for Alabama, which was favored by 7.five points, was large in that the Crimson Tide continues on a crash program with No. 1-ranked Florida (9-) for the SEC Championship and a spot in the Countrywide Championship Sport, probably towards Texas (nine-) if the Longhorns continue to be unbeaten.
No. four Cincinnati (9-) remained undefeated with a narrow 47-45 win above 52nd-ranked Connecticut (four-5). The Huskies scored three touchdowns in a 4th-quarter comeback attempt but it was not enough. No. ten Georgia Tech (9-1) required a 30-27 overtime victory to flip back 55th-ranked Wake Forest (four-6). No. 14 Pittsburgh (eight-one) scored in each quarter to win 37-ten about 93rd-ranked Syracuse (three-six).
No. sixteen Miami of Florida (7-2) scored at least two touchdowns in 3 of four quarters to win 52-17 over 65th-ranked Virginia (3-six). No 17 Utah (eight-1) won 45-14 above 164th-ranked and winless New Mexico (-9). No. 21 Arizona (6-two) became bowl eligible with its 48-seven stomping of 115th-ranked Washington State (1-8). The Wildcats led 34-zip at the half, and went even though the motions in the second half rather than enjoying harder and winning even larger.
Eight more unranked groups became bowl eligible this week. They included Mississippi, Clemson, Air Force, Fresno State, Northern Illinois, Kansas State, Middle Tennessee and North Carolina.
Mississippi (6-3) won 38-14 about 109th-ranked, one-AA Northern Arizona (five-four). Clemson (6-3) won 40-24 above 39th-ranked Florida State (four-5), hastening an finish to Bobby Bowden’s storied career with the Seminoles. If Bowden doesn’t bow out this 12 months, they may possibly kick him out. Air Force (6-4) set a 35-7 stomping on 144th-ranked Army (3-6). Fresno State (6-3) won 31-21 over Idaho (seven-3). A 14-stage surge in the very last quarter was not sufficient for the Vandals to pull out one more victory.
Northern Illinois (six-three) put a 50-6 beating on 179th-ranked and winless Eastern Michigan (-9). Kansas State won 17-10 about in-state rival Kansas (five-4). Center Tennessee (6-three) came up with a 48-21 win about 138th-ranked Florida Global (2-7). North Carolina (six-3) won 19-six about 69th-ranked Duke (five-4).
4 other groups were worthy of noting. Temple (seven-2) won its 7th consecutive sport 34-32 above Miami of Ohio (1-9). Troy (7-two) won 40-twenty about 182nd-ranked and winless Western Kentucky (-nine). Western Kentucky is the worst major school group this yr the Hilltoppers (now Bottom Droppers) are so negative you can smell them in Idaho.
Auburn (seven-3) scored a blowout 63-31 win about bad, 168th-ranked, 1-AA Furman (4-5) to climb into the AP Poll at No. 25. Southern Methodist (5-4 and ranked 80th) climbed about the.500 mark with a near 31-28 house victory above 165th-ranked and winless Rice (-nine).
About the Writer
Check out “Ed Bagley’s Leading twenty five Poll” for Week ten and uncover out why honesty and a minor humor can make studying Top 25 polls so much far more pleasant.”College Soccer Wrap-Up – Week 9 – Oregon, Texas & Iowa Notch Vital Wins in Countrywide Title Chase”http://www.edbagleyblog.comhttp://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html
This year the series of Tri Nation International has again come with a bang. This series has always been successful in bringing good quality rugby sports for all the rugby lovers. Each year, the series capture more and more spectators towards this sport. This series has really taken up the level of this sport. Rugby is one of the most famous sports. People love to watch the matches of this sport. This series is held every year between the national teams of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The three of these teams are also known as the Wallabies, the Springboks and the All Blacks respectively. In the year 2009 this tournament is again back with a bang.
This tournament has been arranged by the consortium called SANZAR, formed by the rugby union bodies of the three countries. The success of this tournament lies behind the efforts laid by this consortium and due to the skills and efforts of the three national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This tournament has been started from 18th July and will continue till 19th September. Each of the three countries will play three home matches and three matches away from their home grounds. The rugby lovers are really looking forward to all these fixtures and hoping that their favorite team will win this tournament.
Last year, in 2008 Tri Nation International Series, the team of New Zealand won this tournament. If we look back into the results of all tournaments that were played from the year 1996 onwards, the team of New Zealand has been the champions, but now the other two teams have also started to give tough competition. New Zealand has been dominating the other two national teams since years. It is because of their team spirit and the skills of its players. The teams of South Africa and Australia will face each other on the field of Newlands Stadium, Cape Town. The match is going to be played on 8th August, 2009. This match will start at 15:00 according to the local time. The rugby match results will be displayed on internet. South Africa will be playing this match on the home ground. This stadium has the capacity 51,000 spectators. Everyone is looking forward to this match.
The fans of both the teams will come to the stadium to encourage their favorite teams. They are hoping to see their favorite team winning the match. Both the teams are really going to play a tough game and will put in their 100% effort to pull down their opposing team on the field. The teams of the Wallabies and Springboks will enter on the field will flying colors and will play with positive spirit. Both the teams will prove as stern opponents to each other. In this way they are going to display a lovely match for the spectators. If you want to see your favorite team winning, then you should get your tickets for this match and encourage your favorite team. The rugby live scores will be displayed online. These live rugby scores will keep the rugby fans updated on the developments of this match.
While a lot of people may contest and debate the five greatest NFL teams in the history of football as listed here, everyone will agree that these were awesome teams that deserve the honor and accolade one way or another.
1985 Chicago Bears
The 1985 Chicago Bears was a phenomenal team composed of a mismatched group with raw and exciting energy and interesting personalities. They were great and they knew it, recording their championship video, “The Super Bowl Shuffle” even before playoffs started. Led by the Mohawk-wearing quarterback Jim “Punky QB” McMahon and an impenetrable running and defense line, chief of them William “The Refrigerator” Perry, Super Bowl MVP defensive end Richard Dent, and NFL Defensive Player of the Year Mike Singletary, the Bears finished the season with a 15-1 record and scored a total of 456 to 198 points. During the playoffs they won 21-0 against the giants and 24-0 against the rams for the NFC title. They won the Super Bowl, scoring 46-10 over the Patriots.
1972 Miami Dolphins
The 1972 Miami Dolphins is the only NFL team that ever had a “perfect season,” with a season record of 17-0. This is also the reason why they are considered as the greatest NFL team of all time, particularly by the documentary America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions, produced by the NFL Network. Their undefeated team was led by coach Don Shula and football greats such as Earl Morrall, Bob Griese, and Larry Csonka. They won all three playoff games and finally won the Super Bowl VII against the Redskins. Some argue however that the ’72 Dolphins had the advantage of playing one of the easiest schedules in the history of modern NFL, and this when equally matched with the ’85 Bears, they were no contender.
1962 Green Bay Packers
A dream team consisting of a list of football hall of famers including Paul Hornung, Max McGee, Jim Taylor, Boyd Dowler, and Vince Lombardi, the 1962 Green Bay Packers set a 13-1 record earning them a first place at the Western Conference. In the NFL Championship Game, they won 16-7 against the New York Giants, marking the Packers’ 8th NFL Championship.
1991 Washington Redskins
The 1991 Washington Redskins topped the NFL in two important stats: the yards gained per pass and yards allowed per pass, with star player Mark Rypien averaging a whopping 8.5 yards per attempt, gaining a total of 1,340 yards on 70 receptions. The additional contributions of Redskins’ Ricky Ervins and Earnest Byner with a combined 1,708 yards make their stats legendary. Even with a tough schedule, they were able to outscore their opponents 485-224.
1999 St. Louis Rams
One of the most exciting personalities in the 1999 season was then barely-known night-shift grocery-clerk and St. Louis Rams’ star quarterback, Kurt Warner who led the Rams to a record of 13-3 in the regular-season. He was both NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP. The Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans in the Super Bowl XXXIV with a score of 23-16, and claimed their 1st NFL World Championship since 1951.
Rugby is a sport of strength and vigilance. This sport really demands effort of all the players. It is a sport of strong and energetic players. There are lots of chances to get hurt in this game. Therefore, this play is full of fight, strength and quickness. Everybody loves to watch this interesting game. For rugby lovers, this sport has a charm and excitement of its own kind. This year as always the series of Tri Nation International is going on with full spirit. This international series has been successful in bringing good quality rugby matches for the rugby lovers. Every year large number of audiences faces towards the fields on which these matches are played. These series are held with brightening colors and have always been successful in attracting rugby lovers.
This tournament, which is played between the national teams of Australia (the Wallabies), New Zealand (the All Blacks) and South Africa (the Springboks), is held every year with the help of the consortium called SANZAR. This consortium arranges this most sought after tournament every year. This Tri Nation International series has been gaining popularity year by year. Rugby lovers from around the globe hit the stadiums for the matches, which are only played between the Springboks, the Wallabies and the All Blacks. The management of this series has been putting in a lot of effort to organize this series as successful as it has always been doing.
The series started on 18th July. There are a number of matches, which are going to be played between the three popular teams of the world of rugby. According to the statistics of International Rugby Board (IRB) the team of the All blacks is leading in the race and stands proudly at first position, this year. There is a match, which is going to be played between the teams of New Zealand and South Africa, on Saturday, 1st August 2009. This match will also be the part of this Tri Nation International series. The match, according to the local time, will start at 15:00. The match will be played in the ABSA Stadium, Durban.
It is expected that a large number of spectators will come to the stadium as always and the stadium is going to be jammed pack. Everybody is looking forward to this match. All the rugby lovers are hoping that the match is going to be as fierce as all the other matches. If we look back into the history of this prestigious tournament, then we will come to know that the team of New Zealand has been successful in winning most of the tournaments. Therefore, everyone is hoping that the Springboks will really need to fight for this game. The rugby match results will be displayed online. If you want to keep yourself updated on the developments of the match, then you can take a look on live rugby scores, which will be displayed on internet. If you want to see your favorite team winning this match, then you must get your tickets for this match and encourage your favorite teams playing in the field. The rugby live scores online will keep you updated on the match.
Copyright © 2010 Ed Bagley
The college football world was turned upside down this week as 7 Top 25 teams were upset, including No. 1-ranked Ohio State, and 3 of the 7 saw their unbeaten seasons ‘and national championship dreams – all but vanish before their eyes.
Throw out almost everything you thought you knew for sure. The good old boys from the south have choked on their chewing tobacco. The voters will now be embarrassed to put their undeserving, favorite team on top of the football polls. It is a new order of virtual parity at the top in college football.
The best realization of this is that it is impossible to just pencil in Alabama, Florida or Ohio State as the No. 1 team.
South Carolina knocked off then No. 1 Alabama last week, and this week the Wisconsin Badgers hosted No. 1 Ohio State and gave Ohio State a most unfriendly 31-18 whipping while completely dominating the Buckeyes, who came in with their privileged reputation and a 6-0 record.
Ohio State was ranked 6th nationally in scoring offense, and 6th in scoring defense. Someone forgot to tell Wisconsin’s players, who could give a flip about the Buckeyes stats. Wisconsin would rather smash you in the mouth, and they did.
The Badgers led 21-3 at the half, and the Buckeyes were wondering if they shouldn’t get on the bus home at halftime. Ohio State, favored by 4 on the road, failed to cover by 18 points. The defeat was so bad that the Buckeyes dropped to 11th in the weekly AP Poll.
Earlier in the season, then No. 1 Alabama put a 31-6 thrashing on the Florida Gators, who won the national championship two years ago and four years ago.
All bets are off now – the national championship race is wide open, and apparently getting wider by the week.
No. 5-ranked Nebraska fared no better. The Cornhuskers (5-0), who hosted Texas, are sorry they ever showed up. The Longhorns, who had previously lost to UCLA and Oklahoma, led 17-3 at the half and won, 20-13.
The fact that Nebraska was ranked 9th in scoring offense nationally, 7th in total offense, 4th in scoring defense and 12th in total defense, did not mean squat. Cornhusker coach Bo Pelini can obsess over those stats all he wants, it doesn’t matter, Nebraska, favored by 10, failed to cover by 18, exactly like Ohio State.
Nevada was the third unbeaten team to fall. The 19th-ranked Wolf Pack brought their perfect 6-0 mark to Hawaii, the land of pineapples and passes. The Warriors shut down Nevada’s 7th-ranked scoring offense (43 points per game) while winning, 27-21, after leading 17-zip at the half.
Hawaii also has a high-scoring offense, averaging 39 a game. The Warriors (now 5-2) had more total offensive yards and passing yards. Hawaii leads the nation in passing offense.
The loss was Nevada’s 6th straight at Hawaii. There is, of course, no truth to the rumor that Warrior players throw pineapples as well as passes, they just have a lot of very big, talented Samoan athletes on the island.
Now there are only 10 major schools that are unbeaten going into the 8th weekend of the season – TCU, Auburn, LSU and Michigan State all are 7-0, and Oregon, Boise State, Oklahoma, Utah, Oklahoma State and Missouri are all 6-0.
Besides Ohio State, Nebraska and Nevada, 4 other ranked teams lost – South Carolina, Florida, Air Force and Oregon State.
The South Carolina Gamecocks, who had just upset Alabama to rise to 10th in the AP Poll, led unranked Kentucky 28-10 at the half, but were outscored 21-zip by the Wildcats in the second half as Kentucky held on to upend the Gamecocks, 31-28.
South Carolina just did not play the second half, and failed to finish off its opponent.
Florida, ranked 22nd, hosted Mississippi State, rated 33rd by Sagarin, and found itself on the short end of a 10-7 stick. The Gators offense has just collapsed; two weeks ago they only scored 6 on Alabama, and now they have just dropped out of the Top 25 with a 4-3 record following consecutive losses to Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State.
The Mississippi State loss meant that Florida coach Urban Meyer suffered 3 consecutive losses for the first time in his coaching career. Apparently, when there is no Tim Tebow, there is suddenly no Florida. That’s tough luck, for Florida, not Mississippi State.
Air Force, which debuted in the Top 25 last week at 23rd, took a flying leap back out of the poll this week after being beaten by unranked San Diego State, 27-25. The Aztecs, who led 10-6 at the half, made it official with the final score. The Air Force Falcons will have to regroup for some strategy.
The seventh team to miss victory this week was the 24th-ranked Oregon State Beavers, who were beginning to look for real. The Beavers paid a visit to the up-again, down-again Washington Huskies. They had won 6 in a row against Washington, and had won 7 of their past 9 Pac-10 road games.
That said, the Huskies have a real headliner in Jake Locker, who would be winning more games if his receivers would stop dropping passes, and his defensive teammates would start playing defense.
Locker threw a career-high 5 touchdown passes, including 2 to Jermaine Kearse in a double-overtime game, and Oregon State’s 2-point conversion attempt for a win in the 2nd overtime period fell incomplete as the Huskies beat the Beavers 35-34.
Washington needed a defensive stop at a critical moment and finally got one when the conversion pass to Joe Halahuni went through his hands as he was hit by linebacker Cort Dennison.
Locker was 21-of-35 passing (60%) for 286 yards and the 5 TD strikes. Locker also picked up 60 yards on 12 carries (5.0 ypc), and Chris Polk added another 105 yards. Kearse had 9 catches for 146 yards and his school-record 4 touchdowns came on 16, 45, 17 and 21-yard passes.
Both Oregon State and Washington are now 3-3 on the season.
Eight other Top 25 teams had great wins to keep moving onward and upward.
They included really good road wins by 3rd-ranked Boise State over San Jose State 48-zip, 11th-ranked Utah over Wyoming 30-6, 20th-ranked Oklahoma State over Texas Tech 34-17, and 21st-ranked Missouri over Texas A&M 30-9.
Great home victories included 7th-ranked Auburn outlasting 12th-ranked Arkansas, 65-43, in the game of the week that featured offense and no defense, 4th-ranked TCU over BYU 31-3, 6th-ranked Oklahoma over Iowa State 52-zip, and 13th-ranked Michigan State over Illinois 26-6.
In a side note, Auburn barely led Arkansas 37-35 after the 3rd quarter, but the Tigers outscored the Razorbacks 28-8 on some miscues in the last quarter to go on and win 65-43. Imagine for a moment a SEC game with 108 total points scored. Whatever happened to that thing called defense?
Six other top-ranked teams had much less impressive victories. They included 8th-ranked Alabama’s really lame win at home over 79th-ranked Mississippi 23-10, 9th-ranked LSU’s pathetic triumph over 149th-ranked, AA McNeese State 32-10, and 15th-ranked Iowa’s 38-28 victory over Michigan.
Also, 16th-ranked Florida State’s narrow 24-19 effort hosting 110th-ranked Boston College, 17th-ranked Arizona’s weak 24-7 win at Washington State, and 25th-ranked West Virginia’s 20-6 escape against 100th-ranked South Florida.
No. 2-ranked Oregon and No. 15-ranked Stanford were idle this week.
Seven other unranked teams deserve a mention.
Here are 3 thumpings – Georgia shutting out Vanderbilt 43-zip, USC taking it to California 48-14, and Kansas State ripping Kansas 59-7 after leading 52-zip after 3 quarters.
Here are 4 upsets – East Carolina, ranked 71st, knocking off North Carolina State 33-27 in overtime, 189th-ranked Eastern Michigan beating 124th-ranked Ball State 41-38 in overtime, 161st-ranked Rice nipping 77th-ranked Houston 34-31, and 159th-ranked UAB (Alabama-Birmingham) upsetting 112th-ranked UTEP (Texas-El Paso), 21-6.