GarageGabs

Latest Sports Desk Entry

I wanted to save the above photo. It’s on the front page of ESPN.com as I type. Appalachian State stunned number 5 Michigan this afternoon, 34-32. The national media are calling it the biggest upset in college football history. I had the pleasure of watching the game at my Uncle’s house. My Uncle has been touting the Mountaineers for quite a few years now. Trying to get us all to “ride up to Boone, NC and check out some real football”.

Did you know you can actually walk out onto Appalachian State’s field and toss football? It’s field turf, and it’s very nice, yet the school is still small town/local enough that you can toss football on it. Anyway, today I finally took my Uncle up on an App. State offer. I figured we’d watch the first half and then head out….as Michigan hammered App. St.

That’s not exactly how it went down. The Mountaineers actually dominated the entire first half. In my opinion, their skill players were BETTER than Michigan’s. Appalachian State looked faster, more prepared, and more creative. Michigan clawed back into the game in the 3rd and 4th quarters, and finally took the lead very late in the game, 32-31. Things then got crazy as App. State drove down and kicked a go ahead field goal with 26 seconds to play. My Uncle and I sat in amazement as Appalachian decided to kick on first down rather than milk clock.

That strategy should have burned them as Michigan hit a long pass putting them in FG range but ended up having the FG attempt blocked as time expired.

I really just wanted to give a big CONGRATULATIONS to Appalachian State & all their fans who have been telling us they were the best team in North Carolina. Way to represent guys!

Read more

I’m not going to write yet another long article on how bad the BCS is screwed up. Honestly, how many ESPN analysts do you need to tell you the system sucks? We all know that, and we all know how to fix it. I will go over yesterdays games, 2 of which I BOMBED on.

1. USC 9 @ UCLA 13- I had the Trojans in this game, and seriously contemplated picking an upset. I really expected USC to be able to run the ball on the USC defense….they had barely any success, only picking up 53 yards on the ground. The benches clearing when the QB got hit hard was a joke. Anyway, I’m actually glad I was wrong, not a lot of love for USC here, and I love seeing the BCS look bad.

2. Wake Forest 9 Georgia Tech 6- Jeez, I’m so sorry I jinxed the Yellow Jackets Jeff, but I know I did. SIX freakin points?? Was this NC State? Honestly, the ACC goes to all the trouble to get powerhouse teams in the conference and this is the ACC Title game we end up with? A 9-6 sleeper where conference doormat Wake Forest wins and will represent the league in the Orange Bowl? It does give hope for the rest of the league, and Jim Grobe is a FANTASTIC coach. I was at the Canes game last night and HOCKEY fans were laughing at the mediocrity of the ACC. How’s that feel? Also, most in the building cheered when the board showed that Wake Forest won…..everyone cheered when it showed the USC loss. I give a big CONGRATS to Wake Forest, I will be cheering for them in the Orange Bowl, although I’m sure I’ll pick them to lose.
Now the games I got right

3. Florida 38 Arkansas 28- I finally got one right. I was right about Casey Dick not being able to get much going vs. the Florida defense, I was right about an awakening Florida offense. Finally, all I gotta say is this. You heard it hear FIRST, on November 12th!

4. Oklahoma 21 Nebraska 7- I figured Nebraska would have lots of trouble scoring on this defense.

5. Army 26 Navy 14- Navy is in a different class that Army. Army played em tough though.

6. West Virginia 41 Rutgers 39- Well, I called the right team, and figured this would be a good game, but not 3 OT’s good! Louisville is handed the Big East Title with the Rutgers loss. Congrats to Rutgers on a great season….might be a long time before it happens again.

So, I went 4-2 on the day, not bad, but I really wish I had picked UCLA. Whatever on the Wake Forest thing.

Finally, on to a game I didn’t pick, but I’m throwing this in for my Uncle Paul’s sake.

7. Appalachian State 38 Montana State 17 App. State, the defending IAA National Champions got 131 yards rushing, and 4 TD’s from Kevin Richardson to advance to the semi-finals of the NCAA Division IAA playoffs. Get it? PLAYOFFS!? What!? Yeah, these guys do it right, allowing the teams to play to see who the champion is.

Here is a quick roundup of all the IAA action