joannes3000

Quote: Sounds like a good base for a big step up this year. Talk about a difference in talent from when you took over! How do you think your overall talent ranks for this season? Top 25? Since you asked... Here's my DIA preview for Rockne. We're just inside the top 25, checking in at #24. My Big East preview has us ranked the 3rd most talented team in the conference; behind only Syracuse and Pitt, and ahead of UConn.

After last season's small class of 8, we had a normal class size of 12 to recruit this season. Nothing out of the ordinary other than needing 3 WRs this season. I had recently been going with only 5 WRs on my rosters but have started passing the ball a little more, hence the need for an extra receiver. --------- Offense RB Gordon Walters has excellent speed and strength; above average work ethic, hands, and elusiveness; average stamina and technique; and below average athleticism. His SPD/STR combo is intriguing and makes him a blue chip recruit, but his elusiveness will limit his immediate impact. He projects to be an excellent starter in a few seasons. WR Edward Garza is a blue-chip former RB that will play receiver for the Owls. He has phenomenal speed and elusiveness; above average hands; average work ethic and stamina; and below average athleticism and technique. He's a natural burner and if he refines his technique he could be something special. WR Edward Hughes is another blue-chip receiver added to the passing game. He has excellent speed and hands; above average work ethic, elusiveness, and technique; average stamina; and below average athleticism. He's a classic possession-type receiver that will thrive in our offense. STUD. WR Henry McGowan is also a former RB that switched positions. He has phenomenal speed and elusiveness; excellent work ethic; average athleticism and hands; and below average stamina and technique. He won't be expected to contribute immediately and with his great work ethic, he projects to be an above average part of our WR rotation. TE Joe Walsh has phenomenal work ethic; excellent technique; above average strength, blocking, hands, and game instinct; and below average athleticism, speed, and stamina. He isn't much to look at now, and will never be a true dual-threat TE, but he projects to be a great blocker and a plus receiver. Call him a poor-man's version of Matthew Fontenot. OL David Bauer has phenomenal athleticism; excellent work ethic and game instinct; above average strength and blocking; and below average stamina and technique. He will get time in the rotation and projects to be an excellent lineman. OL Mark Clement has phenomenal athleticism and strength; excellent work ethic; and below average stamina blocking, game instinct, and technique. Clement is a road grader for sure, but he needs to work on technique big time. He projects to be an above average piece on the OL. Defense DL Richard Kelly has phenomenal stamina; excellent tackling; above average work ethic and strength; average athleticism; and below average game instinct and technique. Kelly projects to be an excellent DL, but right now he needs to work on his technique. DL Robert Stern has phenomenal athleticism and tackling; above average work ethic and strength; and below average stamina, game instinct, and technique. Stern projects to be an above average DL, but like Kelly he needs to work on his technique in the meantime. LB Manuel Jones has phenomenal speed and tackling; excellent technique; average athleticism, work ethic, and stamina; and below average strength. He is a former DB and will be a ballhawk at his position. DB Christopher Cantu has phenomenal speed and elusiveness; excellent technique; average work ethic; and below average athleticism, stamina, hands, and game instinct. Cantu has the physical gifts of an all-world DB but he needs to study the playbook like his life depends on it. DB Shane Dotson has phenomenal athleticism, speed, and work ethic; above average technique; average stamina and game instinct; and below average hands and elusiveness. Dotson is a stud in the making. Much like Cantu, as soon as Dotson gets a little smarter, he won't allow a lot of passes completed in his direction. --------- I thought last season's class was awesome and I think this class is right on par. We were able to recover nicely after watching several top recruits go to PSU and BC. Not only that, but Rutgers is human-coached this season, adding more competition in our recruiting area. I like that we landed some nice pieces on offense to compliment last season's defensive standouts. Here's how the pittsky and bhazlewood recruiting services ranked our conference: Syracuse - 46/32 Connecticut - 12/16 West Virginia - 29/31 Pittsburgh - 4/6 Rutgers - 38/36 Temple - 19/19 South Florida (sim) - 80/83 Marquette - 73/61 Cincinnati - 34/34 Colorado State (sim) - 99/90 Depaul (sim) - 109/111 Louisville (sim) - 114/109 That makes two consecutive consensus top-20 recruiting classes. Now let's see if I can keep my job...

LOL!!!

Local news station reported tonight that the Blazers will be bringing Rudy Fernandez over. They still need a vet PG, so let's make a deal with them!

One interesting thing of note regarding bowl bids this year is the fact that I got stuck with a level 3 bowl when I think I could've landed a level 4 bowl instead. Granted, it isn't very interesting due to the fact that I got stuck with a light OOC after I forgot to do the scheduling myself, and I scheduled a light OOC slate next season. What's interesting is that I got an unsolicited sitemail from a coach that I highly respect regarding my progress at Duke. Here's some snippets: "My theory is this. You're 11-2 and will only know how good you are by playing a better team in a level 4 bowl game. If you played 3 better teams in OOC play and finished 8-5, because you lost them. You atleast know you didn't belong in a level 4 bowl game and you will still be in a level 2. maybe even a level 3. If you go 2-1 in those games and finished 10-3. You are more than likely playing in a level 4 bowl game this year." "I have confidence in you. Don't sell yourself short." --------- Wow. The coach in question is one that I talk to on a fairly regular basis, but this is the first time I've gotten affirmation from someone I respect that I'm doing good things at one of my schools. This guy is a multiple NC winner with a career winning % over 80. It goes without saying that I don't ask coaches how I'm doing or what they think of my track record, so to get a message like this out of the blue did wonders for my confidence. I can't do anything about the patsy OOC schedule I have in place next season, but we'll be scheduling a lot of tougher games in the future, that's for sure.

From: John Baxter To: Coach joannes3000 Subject: Congratulations, Coach! Sent: 6/4/08 3:04PM I just got off the phone with the organizers of the Emerald Bowl and I've accepted their invitation. Great job this year, Coach. I think the exposure we will get playing in this game will really help out the program, not to mention recruiting next season. Keep up the good work! John Baxter Athletic Director Duke University ------ I was hoping our top 25 finish and 11-2 record would be enough for another level 4 bowl, but unfortunately it wasn't. Instead, we are in the level 3 Emerald Bowl against Toledo. Toledo went a very respectable 12-1 during the regular season and finished 2nd in the MAC West to eventual CC Ball State. ------ The tale of the tape: Duke OL vs Toledo DL - advantage Duke. Our OL BLK/STR/TECH/STA average is 85/87/69/61, while Toledo's DL TKL/STR/TECH/STA average is 83/88/59/56. We trade off advantages in STR and BLK but we have an overwhelming advantage in TECH as well as the advantage in STA. Duke rushing offense vs Toledo rushing defense - advantage Duke. Our advantage up front will put pressure on an average LB unit to step up. I don't think they will be able to hold us at bay for 4 quarters. Duke passing offense vs Toledo passing defense - advantage Duke. Toledo only has three DBs that are on par in terms of SPD with our WRs, so things could get interesting if we decide to open up the passing game on them. Duke DL vs Toledo OL - push. Our DL TKL/STR/TECH/STA average is 86/84/69/57, while Toledo's OL BLK/STR/TECH/STA average is 85/88/64/50. I think our STA advantage gives us a slight edge, but it will be up to our defense to make use of that advantage. In a drawn out game, I like our chances to get a key stop when we need one. Duke rushing defense vs Toledo rushing offense - push. Toledo has a 2000 yard rusher but that stat is deceiving, with the majority of his yards coming against sim teams or sub-par teams. Their running game will have to earn yards against our defense, who was really only beaten on the ground by one team - Miami and their Heisman-winning RB. Still, their OL stacks up well against DL, so it could go either way. Duke passing defense vs Toledo passing offense - push. Toledo has a stellar QB but he is only throwing to mediocre receivers. Our DBs are much quicker than their receiving counterparts, but aren't the smartest our soundest. ------ I think our advantages on offense will lead to a long day for the Toledo defense. Our defense should be able to keep their potent offense in check also, and I think their offense in general will be facing their toughest competition yet. Their lone loss was against Ball State, and quite frankly, we would smoke Ball State. With all that said, we never take a game against human competition lightly, let alone during the post-season. I'm 3-0 in bowl games with a very realistic shot at going 4-0 this season. That means a boost in recruiting next season, to go with bragging rights and reward points (free seasons for me).

The biggest game of our season is the first game of divisional play, as we head off to Coral Gables for our growing rivalry against Miami. The first quarter started off with a bang, as both of us scored on our offensive possessions and we took a 14-7 lead into the second quarter. The second quarter didn't go so well, as Miami was able to score on both of their possessions but we were forced to punt on one of ours. What's worse is that our one score was a chip-shot FG because we ran just short of time before the half. We were in an unfavorable position going into the 3rd quarter, kicking to Miami facing a 17-21 deficit. Miami scored on their opening drive, and then things got ugly. After a solid kick return, we completed an 18 yard pass to get across midfield, but then coughed up the ball. Turnover. I was literally screaming at my monitor as I read that portion of the play-by-play. Miami took control of the ball and the ball-game by driving for another TD to take a 35-17 lead into the 4th. We finished off a drive that started late in the 3rd quarter by scoring an early TD in the 4th, bringing us back within 11 points. By the grace of God, Miami decided to throw the ball three consecutive times on their next possession and we were able to force a quick 3 and out, giving us a little bit of hope. Our next possession fizzled just inside the red zone, however, and we were forced to settle for a FG that brought us within 8. With just over 9 minutes remaining, Miami was driving across midfield when our defense stepped up. After a penalty that had Miami facing 2nd and 15, we executed a perfect blitz that left Miami facing 3rd and 19. On 3rd and long, Miami completed a 22 yard pass for an apparent conversion, but DB Richard Mosley OBLITERATED the receiver and forced a fumble! With 5 minutes to go, it was our offense's turn to step up, and they did just that. 4 minutes later we scored on an 8 yard TD pass and dialed up a run for the game-tying 2-pt conversion. With just over a minute left, Miami started chucking the ball down the field and got in range for a 45 yard field-goal. In fitting Miami fashion, the attempt was no good. We won the coin toss and started on defense in the first OT. It didn't matter, however, as Miami connected on a 25 yard TD pass on their first play. On 3rd and 5, our offense was unable to convert, but we came up with a clutch 4th down conversion to keep the game alive. 3 plays later we found the endzone. The second OT was similar to the first, with our offense completely sputtering. After a 4 yard run, we threw two straight incomplete passes and had to settle for a FG. Our defense was unable to come up with one more clutch stop, and we were left with our hearts broken for a second consecutive season. We ran for 139/1 and passed for 270/4/0, totaling 409 yards while our defense allowed 493 yards. Both of us turned the ball over once and punted once, and as you can see the game came down to us not having enough gas in the tank in the 2nd OT. Maybe next year. 45-49 (2OT) L Our home crowd against sim-coached Ga. Tech helped us forget the Miami loss a little bit, as did the dismantling of an inferior team. We ran for 375/2 and passed for 283/6, totaling 658 yards while our defense allowed 280 yards. 20-61 W North Carolina was next to come to town, and they brought their 8-2 (5-0) record and top 25 ranking with them. No matter, however, as we own the rivalry. We ran for 275/5 and passed for 176/1/0, totaling 451 yards while our defense allowed 357 yards. That's 8 in a row against the other team in our state, for those keeping track. 21-42 W Our final home game of the season is against abandoned Virginia. After going 15-0 and winning a NC just three seasons ago, Virginia has won 13 games combined over the past two seasons. We ran for 362/5 and passed for 190/2/0, totaling 552 yards while our defense allowed 256 yards. 14-49 W We cap off our regular season with a road game to Blacksburg to face sim-coached Virginia Tech. We ran for 359/6 and passed for 252/1/0, totaling 611 yards while our defense allowed 293 yards. 47-17 W ----------- I have to admit that after losing to Miami, I was in a bit of a funk the rest of the season since we didn't have a lot to play for after that loss, knowing we would be shut out of a CC bid. We handled business down the stretch, however, and managed to notch another solid regular season record. Our 11-2 mark matches last season's record and is our 3rd straight season of 10+ wins. One thing of note is that we opened up the passing game a little more this season and I like the results. Our running game is still the focus, and for the season we ran 560 times for 4380 yards (7.8 ypc) and 64 TDs. We also passed for 184/254, totaling 2613 yards and a 31/1 TD/INT ratio. We won't scare anyone with our passing attack, but as evidenced by some nice games during the season, you can't just sit back and play the run all game against us. This should bode well going into our bowl game and future seasons.

Session 9! Wait till it's dark and try to watch it by yourself.

Ok, time to get serious. The first conference game of the season has us in Tallahassee to face elite FSU. My power rankings has FSU at #56 (we're #29), but it's mainly due to FSU having a few sim recruits. We're making no mistake about it - we're in hostile territory against a strong opponent. FSU took the lead early as our initial possession ended in a punt - not how I want to start any game. Our next possession didn't go any better, as we coughed up the ball inside our 30. FSU punched the ball in again but missed the xp, and I started getting concerned. Our 3rd possession was the charm, as we finally had a sustained drive that resulted in a TD. We opened the 2nd quarter with a big defensive stand that resulted in a punt for FSU. We were driving with a full head of steam into the redzone, but FSU forced another fumble and killed the momentum we had going. Our defense picked us right back up, though, forcing another punt. Our offense made good on our next possession by taking the lead on a TD with about a minute until halftime and we went into the break with a 14-13 lead. The crucial opening possession belonged to FSU, and it was a gut-wrencher. Facing 3rd and 3 from our 37, we stopped them short. FSU went for it on 4th and 1, however, and converted. Then we had FSU looking at 3rd and 7, but they called a gutsy pass play out of their run formation and converted again to get into the redzone. Again, on 3rd and 4 from our 10, we stopped them short only to give up another critical 4th down conversion. Two plays later, FSU took a 20-14 lead with a TD. Not to be outdone, our possession featured a 4th down conversion as we rumbled into the endzone to end the quarter. FSU was at it again to start the final quarter. We stopped them short on 3rd and 3, only to give up 3 yards and a 1st down on 4th and 2. Three plays later they converted on 3rd and 6, and I was giving my DC the business on the sideline. Just outside of the redzone, we stopped FSU short on 3rd down again, but you know what was coming. 4th and 2, FSU lines up in their run formation. Hand-off to the RB, who is STOPPED SHORT!!! We took control of the ball with 9 minutes to go from our 20 and it was now our game to lose. We immediately faced a 4th and short situation at our 29 and we shut up all of Tallahassee when we ripped off a 10 yard run for the conversion. We had another key 3rd down three plays later that we converted with ease as we headed into the redzone. With just over 2 minutes to go, we drove a nail into the coffin with a TD to take a 28-20 lead. FSU wouldn't go down without a fight, obviously, as they converted yet another 4th down on their drive. With just over a minute remaining, FSU was facing 4th and 6 and our defense was ready. It was strength on strength, as they lined up in Trips and we countered with our Nickel package. Did our revamped defensive scheme pay off? Yes indeed, as our secondary came up with an INT. Two kneel-downs later, we walked off the field victorious. We ran for 189/4 and passed for 158/0/0, totaling 347 yards while our defense allowed 293 yards. We overcame 2 turnovers (-1 for the day) and 4/5 4th down conversions by the opposing offense by playing just enough defense when the game was absolutely on the line. We also forced one more punt which negated the extra turnover we gave away, and our offense was clutch down the stretch in scoring the last 14 points of the game. Big time win for the Dookies. 28-20 W We came home to a sold out home crowd to face sim-coached Wake Forest and they got steamrolled. We took a 35-7 lead into halftime and handled business. We ran for 417/5 and passed for 223/3/0, totaling 640 yards while our defense allowed 272 yards. 13-56 W WARNING - TRAP GAME AHEAD Clemson is our final interdivisional game and it's a trap game at it's finest. We're still high from our win over Florida State (and I don't count sim-coached WF as a game) and they're our hurdle before our CC showdown against Miami. We took a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter thanks to some sound defense that forced Clemson to punt on their two possessions. The 2nd quarter was much of the same and we went into halftime with a comfortable 28-0 lead. The game was over by the start of the 4th, where Clemson scored a trio of garbage TDs when they started chucking the ball downfield. We ran for 426/7 and passed for 187/1/0, totaling 613 yards while our defense allowed 313 yards. 29-56 W -------- With interdivisional play now complete, it's showdown time against The U. Both of us are undefeated in the conference thus far, and we're both likely to win out the final 4 games. One thing to note is that North Carolina is putting on another good showing this season, narrowly losing to #17 TCU (35-42) and #11 Auburn (24-30). UNC is also undefeated, but I'd be surprised if they were able to beat us or Miami. They have a solid team but, much like FSU, they have depth issues that I can exploit. -------- 5/30/08 at #4 Miami (FL) 5/31/08 Georgia Tech 6/1/08 North Carolina 6/2/08 Virginia 6/3/08 at Virginia Tech

Here's a bit of reprieve from CS: 5/24/2008 10:19 AM Customer Support If you win a bowl game, you are automatically safe. My best guess is that if you finish in the top 25, you'll be safe as well. Thanks. ------- Maybe I should throw a bunch of games and win only 8 so I can back into a level 1 or 2 bowl. Almost seems better to do that and get a favorable matchup. Could you imagine my reaction if we win 10 games, get into a level 3 bowl, get matched up with a 2nd-tier BCS school like UCLA, lose, and finish just outside of the top 25? And for the record - no, I will not be throwing games.

With our GM in place, it will be interesting to see what starts to surface from both the Blazers and the Sonics. I'll keep this thread updated as I hear/read anything from my neck of the woods.

Quote: Can it help us get a for real GM???? Lol. I don't know if all the computing power in the world could manage that for the Hawks. I saw that we hired Sund today as GM and wasn't terribly moved. Glad we don't have a vacant GM position at the very least.

You know, I'm getting real tired of this crap. Much like last season's inexplicable loss to Navy, we blew a completely winnable game early in the season. We headed out west to California for our season-opener and Cal absolutely murdered our defense, especially through the air. We only gave up 252 passing yards, but we allowed them to complete 9/10 3rd down conversions; a lot of them were of the 3rd and medium/long variety. I actually sent out sitemails to several reputable coaches asking for advice on pass defense. More on that later. The result? We allowed a game-tying FG with 5 seconds remaining and ended up losing the game in OT. We ran for 251/4 and passed for 134/1/0, totaling 385 yards while our defense allowed 419 yards. Again, the most telling stat was the fact that we allowed 9/10 3rd down conversions. We literally couldn't get a stop when we needed one, and it cost us. 41-45 (OT) L Fired up after our season-opening loss, we came home to face sim-coached Marshall. We were 27.5 point favorites and showed why. We ran for 437/6 and passed for 114/2/0, totaling 551 yards while our defense allowed 224 yards. 0-54 W We stayed at home for game three, this time to face Illinois. I thought this game would be much closer and it was for one half. We took a 21-10 lead into halftime and then blew the doors off in the 3rd quarter. We rattled off 21 unanswered points in the 3rd and cruised from there. We ran for 319/4 and passed for 146/3/0, totaling 465 yards while our defense allowed 262 yards. 16-49 W Game 4 was once again at home, this time against a Western Michigan team that is in year one of a rebuild. Once again, we were huge favorites (30.5) and we more than covered the spread. We took a 49-3 lead into halftime and didn't let up in the second half. We ran for 424/9!!! and passed for 178/2/0, totaling 602 yards while our defense allowed 228 yards. 6-77 W Our final OOC game was yet another home affair, this time against sim-coached Buffalo. We were 33.5 point favorites and had the spread covered before the end of the 2nd quarter. We ran for 407/6 and passed for 302/5/1, totaling 709! yards while our defense allowed 250 yards. 17-76 W --------- As disappointed as I was with our opening loss to Cal, I think it led to some much-needed enlightenment regarding my approach to defense. After tweaking my defensive settings a little bit, I think I have things dialed in pretty well. Against Marshall we only allowed 2/10 3rd down conversions and forced 2 INTs. Against Illinois we allowed 8/15 3rd down conversions. Against Western Michigan we allowed 4/13 3rd down conversions and forced 4 INTs. Lastly, against Buffalo we allowed 3/10 3rd down conversions and forced 1 INT. Granted, this was against talent significantly worse than that of Cal, but the results still give me hope that we've found something that works a lot better than before. The true test will come against our conference foes. I'm hoping that we've got things dialed in pretty well, because we start conference play against FSU. --------- 5/27/08 at Florida State 5/28/08 Wake Forest 5/29/08 Clemson

Weekly bump. 17 days of crunching down with no issues.

The pittsky recruit rankings were super late, but they are here regardless. I've relisted the recruit rankings with the bhazlewood rankings first, followed by the pittsky rankings: Boston College – 87/106 (abandoned) Clemson - 77/73 Florida State - 40/21 Maryland - 69/70 NC State (sim) - 103/103 Wake Forest - 89/101 Duke – 12!/8 Georgia Tech (sim) - 109/111 Miami (FL) - 24/31 North Carolina - 71/75 Virginia – 94/88 (abandoned) Virginia Tech (sim) – 82/82 ------- The rankings are fairly close, although you see some big swings in the rankings of BC, FSU, Wake Forest, and Miami. Here's a nice breakdown of the top 50 FR in each conference, and you can see how well we did within the ACC, landing 7 of the top 10 recruits.

Quote: In terms of looking for alternative energies- why is that bad? That makes no sense. Yes the bio-fuel experiment is a disaster. But that is due to agribusiness insisting on using grain instead of stalks for the production of agrifuel. In other words, a good idea that got hijacked by greedy business interests. Brasil's ethanol production is the model we should follow. It's amazing how much more efficient (6x?) it is to harvest sugar cane instead of corn to produce ethanol. I was reading a stat about how Brazil's most efficient producers can churn out ethanol for 80 cents per gallon. Granted, ethanol is still roughly 30% less efficient than gasoline, but it's pretty evident which method (fossil vs agricultural) of fuel is cheaper overall.

Quote: Quote: I think gas is one of the major causes for our current recession, if not THE major cause. I would have to say the major cause of the recession is the housing market and the adjustable rate mortgages that people continue to foreclose on. Also the credit crunch has been a huge reason for recession. Gas prices certainly isn't the major factor, it is a factor but I believe you are overestimating its impact because it is probably a major factor for you right now. Agreed on the housing market being a bigger factor. At the rate things are going, I'm just biding my time before I buy up half of downtown Portland for pennies on the dollar. I'm going to be like the Donald, only with better hair.

Quote: And on a side note, I heard someone talk about how it is cheaper to eat out now because of rising grocery costs. I don't believe that it is true, I think they intended to say something like "if this continues at this current rate, in 6 months..." but I do see the intent. We may very well be better of to start going out to eat than going to our local Kroger for food. Maybe right now, but it's only a matter of time before rising costs hit the service industry as well. At my hotel, I see our in-house restaurant gearing more toward cheaper menu items. Not just to make things more affordable to the patrons, but also to make things more affordable for the restaurant. We used to have a couple of $30 items, but just this morning I noticed that we now have none. Speaking of food costs, I'm seriously looking at local farms for vegetables as well as starting a little garden of my own.

The trickle down effect is what's going to kill us. It's bad enough that I have to pay upwards of $1.50 for a loaf of bread, but at least I have the means. There's already a lot of impoverished countries that are getting hammered by the escalating cost of goods and as that cost gets worse, the isht will just continue hitting the fan in larger amounts. Some folks are thinking that we're nearing the peak of gas prices, but to me that seems more like nervous optimism than anything else. I hate to think of a Katrina situation that will put the U.S. in a bind and further drive up demand. I'm just hoping that we can start earnestly investing in alternative fuels sooner than later. None of this ridiculous fuel-efficient SUV garbage, which is nothing more than a nice way for car manufacturers to get extra money to produce more gas-guzzlers.

Option 3. I just got mugged the other day at the gas station, at the tune of $3.98 9/10 per gallon. Gas should hit the $4 mark in my area this holiday weekend, if it doesn't do so today. Alternative fuel options, FTW.

Just got done reading today's local paper and listening to some local sports radio. Thought I'd share a few random nuggets, although they're nothing terribly enlightening. First, the Blazers, along with nearly every other lottery team (Seattle also), wouldn't mind trading their pick. Not to suggest that we swing a deal, but I keep hearing that the Blazers are interested in Bibby to be their PG. Speaking of the Blazers and PGs, I heard some talk about Rudy Fernandez this morning and it's all positive. "NBA-ready" type of talk. Wonder if they'd be willing to trade him along with matching contracts for Bibby and/or Marvin. The two biggest areas the Blazers are looking to address are PG and SF, so you know, let's make a deal! Just some food for thought.

Well, here we are at season 6. There is quiet optimism on campus that last season wasn't a flash in the pan. For all of our success, this is still uncharted territory for me, so until I've had a few nice seasons under my belt I'm taking a cautious approach to the beginning of each season. I completely forgot to schedule any OOC games so I'm working with what the sim scheduled for me. We got 3 human teams and 2 sims; 2 BCS schools and 3 non-BCS. The toughest game will be our season-opener on the road against a solid Cal team that I have ranked 24th in my power ratings. Beyond them, we shouldn't be challenged until we head into conference play. I think we go 4-1 at worst. Interdivisional play has us on the road against FSU and we play host to Clemson, with a sim game against Wake Forest in between. Again, I think at worst we lose 1 game and go 2-1. Divisonal play should be exciting as usual, this time with us traveling to Miami to start divisional play. A CC bid could be locked up as early as week 9, as I don't see us stumbling against anyone else within our division especially with Virginia taking on a bunch of sim recruits for the 2nd consecutive season. 4-1 is the mark we're likely to achieve here. Add it all up and it's looking we have a reasonable shot at a 10-3 season. If we can pull the upset against Miami, we could be in the CC, although the road game against FSU could prove to be difficult. I like our chances at another 10+ wins this season and at least a level 3 bowl bid. ---------- 5/22/08 at #24 California 5/23/08 Marshall 5/24/08 Illinois 5/25/08 Western Michigan 5/26/08 Buffalo

Try dealing with Paypal on a disputed transaction.

Quote: The sim program with the ADs is really unreasonable. You took over a team that won 0 games and have them at a level 3 bowl in 4 years. Looking at a school like Kentucky, they would be thrilled with that progress. Instead, it is like you are being evaluated with the expectations that apply at a real football school with a history of double digit wins. Yeah, the job security aspect of GD is officially getting on my nerves. If I end up going down with the ship, I don't know what I'll do. I talked to the former Cincinnati coach and he said he can still see decent BCS job openings, so my outlook is a little better if I get fired. I don't plan on getting fired, however. We're going to win 10 games. End of discussion.

The Marquette job officially opened up at the 2:30 am PST cycle, and after a lot of serious thinking I've decided not to apply for it. I think I have entirely too much talent and carryover money to just walk away. After talking to some respected coaches, the thought is that a 10 win season will keep me from getting fired and I think I can get that before my bowl game.