Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Enjoy this slate of impactful games. One week until conference championship games; we're stoked.
(All rankings from Pigskin Podcast's NFL and college rankings.)
Beginning Thursday midday, we're off for the Thanksgiving holiday, and we hope all of our listeners and readers have a fantastic holiday.
Additionally, we'd again like to thank each and every one of you: What started as a fun thing to do has turned into a wildly successful, at least by our standards, venture in which we've had our voices heard all across the country and parts of the globe.
Through Wednesday, our November numbers have far surpassed our best month, September: We've had 4,917 unique visitors, by far eclipsing our previous high of 3,568.
Again, thank you and please keep listening and telling your friends!
By Bruce Hammond
The Pigskin Podcast
No, not Christmas.
It's playoff time in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), Division II and Division III. It's the right way to finish off the season -- on the field.
On Tuesday's edition of "Pardon the Interruption" co-host Tony Kornheiser said the great thing about the Bowl Championship Series is that every game counts and is extremely exciting right now in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A). I despise this argument, because playoffs just make it MORE exciting; they're one and done.
We've got a consensus!
The Giants, with another impressive win -- on the road at Arizona -- and Tennessee's loss to the Jets, garner all seven first-place votes this week. The Jets are the week's big mover, from No. 7 to a tie for third.
Meanwhile, what do the Falcons have to do to get some love around these parts? A whipping of No. 7 Carolina didn't do it.
By Ian Guerin
The Pigskin Podcast
The Missouri Tigers made it easy for the national pundits to forget about them.
They lost to Oklahoma State during Mike Gundy's coming-out party. Then, a week later, coach Gary Pinkel and star quarterback Chase Daniel might as well have not been in Austin, Texas, for the Longhorns' Tiger-clubbing party.
Missouri has tried to climb back into relevance by winning four straight heading into this weekend's regular-season finale against Kansas, wrapping up the Big 12 North Division title and handing Pinkel a monster contract extension.
It's been a tough year for Nick Seuberling - if you discount having healthy and beautiful twins - and it's no different in this here picks contest. He's 14th overall, but you'd never know from this week: Seuberling dominated the field with 11 points, including the Jets, Raiders and Saints.
"What else am I supposed to do after changing a diaper at 3 a.m.?" Seuberling asked in jest.
Good work, Mr. Seuberling.
We return to our roots on our only show of the week, as Nick, Andy and Joel fly solo and hand out game balls and penalty flags from the weekend, answer e-mail and make their picks for the top games of this Thanksgiving weekend in college and the NFL.
Mailbag topics include Donovan McNabb, the Patriots, Charlie Weis and Virginia Tech's Bud Foster.
Be sure to tune in, and have a great holiday week!
By Erik Bell
EBell@pigskinpodcast.com
This is the final installment of my three-part series about the Browns. After focusing on the past and present the past few weeks, it's time to look into the future.
After watching Sunday's mess -- which was supposed to be a football game -- and all of the other ridiculous things that happened last week, I don't know where to begin. I guess I'll say this, which is about all you can say at this point: The Cleveland Browns organization is a mess. It is dysfunctional from top to bottom, from the owner to the players, and they are not a good football team, period.
We hold these truths to be self-evident:
One of our voters is insane, voting LSU No. 14.
Michigan sucks.
Graham Harrell's Heisman hopes are dead. RIP.
Plenty of impact games, especially in college, where there could be plenty of change in the BCS rankings come Sunday evening with Texas Tech and Utah losses.
It all leads up to a smorgasbord of Thanksgiving-weekend activity, for which I'll be planted in front of a television to witness, and which is followed by championship weekend to open December.
I'm giddy. Let's get right to your weekend preview. (All rankings based on the Pigskin Podcast's college and NFL rankings.)
On today's weekend preview show, David Fucillo from Niners Nation joins Nick, Erik and Brian to gauge the progress of the San Francisco 49ers, who this year have seen some turmoil in their locker room but seem to be, temporarily of course, on something of a right track.
David breaks down the Vernon Davis situation and forecasts what might be on the horizon for the team's quarterback situation, while our crew offers fantasy advice and makes their picks for the weekend's top college and pro games.
By Ian Guerin
The Pigskin Podcast
Questioning why Will Muschamp is going to be patient enough to wait eight years or more to become a head coach?
Just take a key line from the news conference announcing the decision: "Other contract details are being finalized."
See, Muschamp, the current Longhorns defensive coordinator and head-coach-to-be, is already getting a significant pay bump -- from about $425,000 to $900,000. But sure as I can say Jimbo Fisher, Muschamp will be getting a whole lot more.
By Andy Barch
ABarch@pigskinpodcast.com
Some things never cease to amaze me. Many of us are turned away when we hear guys talking trash in the NFL these days, though there will always be a select few who enjoy the drama that it creates. I don't like it, but I can appreciate the fact that it gives me another excuse to exercise my anger and write about it.
Over the past few weeks, a couple of guys -- former first-round picks, but not Hall of Famers -- have made comments about their former head coaches. The commenters are essentially busts.
Music City Miracles' Jimmy Morris is the first non-Pigskin Podcast crew member to lead this little shindig this season, after a stellar week vaults him into a tie for first with our very own Andy Barch.
Sadly, my run at the top was short-lived; I picked five of 16 games correctly. Ouch.
By Bruce Hammond
The Pigskin Podcast
We all remember earlier this season when NFL official Ed "Muscles" Hochuli totally blew a call that cost the San Diego Chargers a win, allowing the Broncos to score the game-winning touchdown and two-point conversion.
This past weekend, another group of officials blew the call at the end of the Steelers/Chargers (coincidentally) game, calling an illegal forward pass that cost the Steelers' Troy Polamalu a touchdown as time expired.
I have to ask: Is the NFL becoming too fast for its part-time officials, and is that the reason there are so many bad calls happening.
Undefeated, undeschmeated.
The voters have spoken, and the Titans, despite their 10-0 record, are second in the Pigskin Podcast NFL Terrific 10, knocked from their perch by the New York Giants, whose railroading of Baltimore impressed four voters enough to put them in the top spot.
Meanwhile, all the drama over the worst team in football appears to be over, at Detroit has taken firm command of the No. 32 spot in our rankings.
This week, let's also look at how our rankings compare to the big boys' rankings.
By Joel Hammond
JHammond@pigskinpodcast.com
USA Today's NFL player salary database is loads of fun on a snowy Monday afternoon.
Last week, I referenced Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen's seismic $21.12 million contract, which makes him the second-highest player in the NFL this season.
Is he overpaid? You tell me: The Vikings' defense has carried the team, thanks to a one-dimensional offense (I know plenty about that; I'm riding running back Adrian Peterson, among others, to a top spot in one of my fantasy leagues): Minnesota's 5-5, and Allen and his mates are just 22nd in scoring defense.
We're in the mood for holiday shopping, so it's two for the price of one here on the Pigskin Podcast: We're joined by Greg Wallace from the Anderson Independent-Mail and Joel Hollingsworth from RockyTopTalk.com.
Tis the season for coach firings, as four bosses have already received their pink slips. Greg and Joel stopped by to talk about the head coaching vacancies at Clemson and Tennessee, respectively.
Erik, Brian and Nick also hand out their weekly game balls and penalty flags to help wrap the weekend that was in football.
Direct Download [4.6 mb]
By Erik Bell
EBell@pigskinpodcast.com
Last week, in the first part of my three-week series on the current state of the Cleveland Browns, I took a look at the past actions of the Browns' front office and how they are contributing to Cleveland's 3-6 record.
This week, let's keep it simple and take a look at the present. What has happened this season that has made the Browns, at 3-6, one of the NFL's biggest disappointments?
Not much change at the top of this week's poll, as few upsets took place; Florida did gain ground on the top two, though. Last week, the Gators were 12 points behind Texas Tech and six behind Alabama.
This weekend will have a major impact on the poll, with Texas Tech and Oklahoma tangling in Norman, and BYU/TCU, Michigan State/Penn State and Pitt/Cincinnati also clashing.
This is like the calm before the storm, at least in college football. Next weekend, the slate is chock-full of games that will have plenty to say about how the final bowl picture looks: Michigan State at Penn State; BYU at Utah; Texas Tech at Oklahoma; and Pitt at Cincinnati, to name a few.
So sit back, relax and enjoy a calmer weekend before the fecal matter really hits the fan.
The last time the Cleveland Browns played, eight days ago in a gut-wrenching loss to the Denver Broncos, no one on defense could make a tackle.
On this episode of the Pigskin Podcast, Rick Grayshock from WaitingForNextYear.com attempts to tackle the issues surrounding the Browns. From Romeo Crennel's coaching to Brady Quinn, Rick does his best to solve the never-ending riddle that is the Cleveland Browns.
Additionally, this being a Friday, Andy, Erik and Nick played their version of "Fantasy Sit 'Em" and also picked their weekly winners from this week'scollege and pro slates.
Direct Download [6.5 mb]
(Editor's note: Nick, Brian and Erik will chat next week about the college coaching carousel and where they think the top candidates will end up and who else might be fired. Tune in!)
By Ian Guerin
The Pigskin Podcast
South Carolina fans should take a special interest in how Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong's defense plays against the Gamecocks this weekend.
Regardless of the effects of Saturday's game, there's a good chance South Carolina athletics director Eric Hyman will be looking at Strong as a possible replacement for Steve Spurrier. That in itself should put college football's coaching carousel in perspective for fans this season.
By Andy Barch
ABarch@pigskinpodcast.com
Don't let the title fool you; I'm all for a playoff in Division I college football.
I'm in the majority, as I've wanted it for a very long time. The lack of a playoff is one of the many reasons why college football will always take a backseat to the NFL in my world.
However, despite my bickering and bantering -- and everyone else's complaints on the issue -- I've come to accept the fact that I have a better shot at landing an evening out on the town with Jessica Alba than I do of seeing a playoff in the Football Bowl Subdivision anytime soon.
This is a little awkward this week, so let's just get right to the standings. If you think I'm going to fawn all over myself and tip my own cap and toot my own horn, you're out of your mind.
I mean, I only picked 11 of 14 games right; it's not like I was perfect. And it's not like I took the overall lead. So, no bragging here. Let's get right to the standings, upon the top of which I sit.
By Bruce Hammond
The Pigskin Podcast
One morning last week, Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, of "Mike & Mike in the Morning" fame, had an interesting discussion about overtime in college football, after the University of Pittsburgh had played a four-overtime game against Notre Dame. The game lasted so long that the sprinklers came on in Notre Dame Stadium.
Their argument: College football overtime is not real football because there is no running clock, and teams start with the ball in scoring position. I disagree.
What Mike and Mike said they'd want is another period -- either 8, 10, 12 or 15 minutes long, extending the game one more quarter to decide the winner. If the game is still a tie at the end, it ends in a tie.
We've got a real slobberknocker, if I can channel the great Jim Ross, on our hands for the top -- and bottom -- spot in our polls.
Some folks are coming around to the notion that the Giants, despite being 8-1 and not 9-0, like Tennessee, are the best team in the league; others are still impressed by the Titans' unblemished mark.
Meanwhile, Oakland and Detroit are in a dogfight for that bottom spot, which is likely to go down to the final week because both teams are putrid.
Without further adieu:
By Joel Hammond
JHammond@pigskinpodcast.com
If there's one thing I'm still surprised by after all these years of being a football fan, it's the amount of surprises each season brings.
You'd think that, after watching a New York Giants team left for dead after last season's first few weeks beat the undefeated New England Patriots in February's Super Bowl, I'd be immune to disbelief when it comes to the pared-down NFL.
It's crunch time in college football, and Florida is rounding into championship form at just the right time. Will it be enough for the one-loss Gators?
Ryan Ferguson from Orange and Blue Hue dropped by to give us some insight to Urban Meyer's crew, while Andy and Joel hit the mailbag and handed out their weekend awards.
(Editor's note: Stop by on Friday when we'll chat about the Browns and Brady Quinn's debut.)
By Erik Bell
EBell@pigskinpodcast.com
As a Browns fan, I'm fed up. I've had enough.
Nine games into a season in which the Browns were supposed to at least compete for a division title, the season is, for all intents and purposes, over. The Browns stand at 3-6 and have blown two consecutive home games -- in which they held double-digit leads in the third quarter.
Texas Tech becomes our sixth different No. 1 team on the strength of a 56-20 whipping of Oklahoma State, joining Ohio State, USC, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama in garnering the honor.
The Red Raiders have a week off before going to Norman to play No. 4 Oklahoma, and Baylor awaits before a possible berth in the Big XII championship game.
Meanwhile, check back Tuesday morning, when we'll ask Ryan Ferguson of Orange and Blue Hue, a Florida web site, if there's a chance No. 3 Florida can get into the national title game.
These become more fun to write as the weeks go by, as each game means just a little bit more.
Texas Tech, Southern Cal and the Titans and Giants aim to keep their momentum going, while LSU, Iowa and the Bears look to play spoiler.
Let's take a look at the week's top pro and collegiate matchups.
Andy, Brian and Erik wrap up our three-week series detailing future plans for three of the worst teams in the NFL -- the Chiefs, Bengals and Lions -- by chatting with Sean Yuille of Pride of Detroit.
Additionally, our trio gives fantasy advice and picks winners in the weekend's top games.
By Ian Guerin
The Pigskin Podcast
Joe Paterno doesn't understand the BCS.
Pete Carroll is boo-hooing because his team probably won't be in the national title game.
Heck, even the president-elect wants a playoff.
Oh, that wily Ian Guerin.
Guerin, a contributor to the Pigskin Podcast, dominated Week 9 action with 11 correct picks, two more than his closest competitors.
"I'm bringing the thunder -- ya'd better take cover," Guerin said.
Meanwhile, Erik Bell -- who rallied with a 15-1 Week 17 in last year's Hammond Bacon picks contest -- is back in the overall lead more than halfway through the season.
By Andy Barch
ABarch@pigskinpodcast.com
Now that we're just over halfway through the season and each team has played at least eight games, it's time for me to pass out my mid-season awards.
While some awards are pretty obvious -- coach of the year, for instance -- there are a few interesting races that will be a lot of fun to follow down the stretch.
By Bruce Hammond
The Pigskin Podcast
In case you missed one of college football's all-time great finishes, Texas Tech beat Texas Saturday night to continue the annual November tradition of No. 1 teams losing late in the season.
To which I say: So what? We're only in the beginning of November, which means that there is still an eternity left in the college football season.
For a recent example, look at Ohio State last year. The Buckeyes lost a heartbreaker to Illinois late in the season, but because of the turmoil and losses by other teams, they climbed their way back to No. 2 by season's end, and played in the national title game (a 38-24 loss to LSU).
While it's clear to our panel who the top team in the NFL is, there's still a fierce battle to determine which is the worst.
After a 24-0 loss to Atlanta, Oakland assumes the position this week, but with the way this bunch plays, there's not telling what might happen to this lowerarchy next week.
By Joel Hammond
JHammond@pigskinpodcast.com
Lost amid Monday's revelation of Phillip Fulmer's departure from the University of Tennessee -- not soon enough, eh Vols fans? -- the University of Toledo and football coach Tom Amstutz announced Monday that Amstutz, who's led the Rockets to four bowl games and two Mid-American Conference championships, would "step down."
Yes, the school and coach announced it jointly, which is kind of like my ex-girlfriends and I announcing jointly that we were amicably parting ways. As Mike Gundy once said, "That ain't true!"
By Erik Bell
EBell@pigskinpodcast.com
I attended the Florida-Georgia showdown on Saturday and before I get into the game, I want to comment on the atmosphere in Jacksonville on Saturday. Originally from Ohio, and having constantly heard about how the gameday atmosphere is different in the south, I wanted to experience that firsthand. This was the first Southeastern Conference game I had ever attended, and needless to say, I was impressed.
We arrived at Alltel Stadium around 10:30 a.m., and already most of the parking lots were at least half-full around the stadium. Any food imaginable was being cooked up throughout the area and even though we can no longer call it the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, believe me, it still is.
What a weekend in college football, with Saturday's top two games living up to the hype: Florida steamrolled Georgia, avenging last year's Celebration Game, and Texas Tech dominated Texas, let its lead slip away and found some last-second heroics to take the cake.
Later today, Erik Bell will have a first-hand account from Jacksonville, where he took in the Gators and Bulldogs, and we have a full schedule for you this week: Shows Tuesday and Friday mornings and blogs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and Thursday morning.
Stay tuned!
