McDonald's is holding it's annual "Monopoly" Contest-- and as I enjoy many a large orange juice (occasionally supplemented by an Egg McMuffin and Hash Browns) I'm sucked into the thrill of mixing and matching properties. As the area schools move around the board of their season each has a different portfolio: Maryland has had to mortgage a few of its properties and is having trouble building houses on Ventnor Avenue... Virginia looked bankrupt in the early going but the St. Charles Place block is paying dividends... while Virginia Tech has three railroads... plus houses ranging from Tennessee to Illinois Ave. The best news for all three schools: it's early enough in the game to erase first-month mistakes... but it's getting to a point in the game where your properties are just about set--for better or for worse. Just don't land on Chance.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse has the week off... and prepares for Akron in its final non-conference affair of the year (it's no walkover--SU lost to the Zips last year). Meanwhile, college basketball practice begins in earnest across the country this weekend with Midnight Madness-- and thank goodness, because most schools begin play by November 15th. November 15th? I love college basketball more than most, but can't we finish Closing Month on the college gridiron before focusing on the hardwood?
MARYLAND vs VIRGINIA-- two teams teetering between upside and uncertainty... both the Terps and Cavaliers are within a whisker of leading their division yet they both have losing records overall. Can a Terrapin defense that's allowing 36 points a game contain a hitting his stride Jameel Sewell? Will Chris Turner and the offense avoid turnovers and drive-killing penalties that have hurt them all fall? Most importantly, can UVa continue an October roll that defies all explanation from anybody who's seen this team play in any other month the past year and a half? Cavaliers have the calendar on their side and conquer in College Park, 23-21.
#4 VIRGINIA TECH at #19 Georgia Tech-- a fight for first place in the Coastal Division pits the Hokies against the Yellowjackets option offense... meaning discipline will reign supreme as GT quarterback Josh Nesbitt (843 yards passing and 4 touchdowns, 503 yards and 6 scores rushing) will try to use their speed and pursuit against them. Midway through moving month does Frank Beamer's bunch have the ability to stay among the national contenders? Hokies turn a blocked kick into a 19-17 victory.
Navy over SMU, Georgetown falls to Colgate... Richmond over Maine... James Madison slips to Villanova.
Last Week: 8-0. Overall: 28-13.
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