Redskins Rehash-- the pendulum swings again.

The odyssey that is the 2010 Redskins road to reality takes another turn with an underwhelming 17-13 loss to Minnesota. An afternoon of limitations and missed opportunities... a day of costly penalties and a running game that never got in gear plus a defense that played well until they needed to make a crucial fourth quarter stop. One week after an emotional victory on the road, the pendulum swings back the other way as playoff hopes are dealt a major blow-- they trail the division co-leaders by two games...and are two games behind three 7-4 teams for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Not that Redskins Nation ever thinks accelerates expectations regarding postseason play.

Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb threw for 211 yards and a touchdown plus an interception that hit Santana Moss's hands and chest...and that's not including the other passes dropped. #5 must be more accurate in the future.

Began with a Bang only to end with a whimper-- if you saw the opening drive, there's no way you would have thought that would be the only touchdown of the day... McNabb hit 8 of 8 passes for for 84 yards and a 10-yard scoring toss to Fred Davis. So much for setting the tone.

Running aground-- 13 carries for 29 yards... so not what you dream about in the Haven of the Hogs. No Portis or Torain means James Davis and Keiland Williams were front and center-- and the tandem tallied less than two yards a carry.

Second half? You can have it-- with dropped passes and lack of holes up front... it's no surprise the offense spent 70% of the second half on the sidelines. The Vikings had the ball for 21 minutes after intermission as the Skins offense gained just 66 yrds after scores and highlights from around the league. How bad was the third quarter? The Skins were outscored 10-0 and outgained 99-3 as the near-knockout blow... it's a credit to this team that they bounced back and didn't let things get ugly.

Scheduling Snafu-- Shame on you FOX. As it stands next Sunday's 4:15 national games will be Indianapolis-Dallas and Tampa Bay-Atlanta. The Buccaneers-Falcons clash will be for the NFC South lead while the Colts-Cowboys battle will be a drama-filled duel... I wish they'd move one or the other to 1pm to give both the huge audiences they deserve (more than Skins-Giants).

Hold the Line-- not only did the Skins have issues running the ball, the offensive line gave up four sacks... opponents are averaging just under three sacks a game against this makeshift unit.

Third and not so forever-- after having problems moving the chains all season, the Redskins converted 7 of 15 third downs against the Vikings... but just 1 for 6 after halftime. Defensively the Skins held Minnesota to 6 of 15 on third down-- but when they needed to get the ball back in the fourth quarter allowed an 8 yard pass on third and five, and a ten yard scramble (with Brett Favre it looked more like a stagger) on third and eight.

Dissecting the Division-- Despite Philadelphia's loss, the Eagles remain atop the NFC East standings due to their win over the Giants (thanks, Washington Post for going alphabetical instead of by tiebreakers-- I expect better from the paper of Woodward & Bernstein)... currently owning the #3 seed while the Giants are 6th as of this moment due to better conference record and strength of victory than Tampa Bay and Green Bay. The Skins are currently 9th in the NFC-- and wasted an early-season advantage with three straight conference losses. Dallas? The Cowboys are 12th if San Francisco beats Arizona in Monday Night Football, 13th if the Cardinals prevail.

Want excitement? Banks on it-- Brandon Banks returned one kickoff back 65 yrds to help set up a Redskin score... and had a punt return go for a touchdown that was called back. After years of almost expecting nothing from the return game it's nice to have a difference maker back there.

What's a Haynesworth-- one tackle and half a sack for the 100 million dollar man...upping his total to 16 stops and 2.5 QB drops over eight games.

College Football Corner-- bloated bowl blowout...

I'm all for kids following their dreams and watching their hard work pay off. I'm all for college football's extended bowl season. But I'm not for allowing teams with .500 records play postseason games. I remember a day when Syracuse at 7-4 missed postseason play (1995)... and I was hurt but fine with it. Now again, I'm not in favor of turning back the clock to 1968 when there were only a handful of postseason games and some leagues only sent champions to bowl games (Big Ten and then-Pac 8), but what lesson is learned by 6-6 North Carolina going bowling? Especially when you factor in a win over an FCS school... so essentially we're looking at 5-6 schools squaring off. I know-- Syracuse at 7-5 has two wins over FCS teams... and as tough as it sounds, I wouldn't be hurt if the Orange were left out of the postseason parade. But now with 35 bowls (thank you Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium) needing 70 schools, 6-6 dreck will be front and center. Eat up...

Alma mater update-- another lackluster effort at home for the Orange, who drop to 2-4 at the Carrier Dome (with wins against Maine and Colgate) after slipping 16-7 to Boston College. One has to be happy with the progress made during the second season of the Doug Marrone era, but also recognize how far this program has to go... bring on the 9th ranked basketball team and multiple servings of chicken wings.

Uniform Department-- Ohio State wore 1942 vintage unis for its game with Michigan... major fashion faux pas. You don't wear your retro unis for your rival, you put them on for Northwestern or Youngstown State...somebody you beat by 30 points-- or win seven straight against. Umm, never mind.

Tailgating Note-- special thanks to Matt and Stacia Noble for letting a member of the media morph into their pregame festivities again this fall... with a nice bounce-back from serving Quiche in September. Upon further review, it was a non-conference affair against FIU-- and thus completely permissible under modern tailgating rules. Shrimp dip and Frito's forever.

Maryland came out flat and had to rally from a 14-0 first quarter deficit, holding off North Carolina State 38-31... the win keeps the Wolfpack out of the ACC Championship game, as instead Florida State will represent the Atlantic Division. Terrapin Triumphs-- a passing game that took things to the next level: Danny O'Brien passed for 419 yards and four touchdowns-- all to Torrey Smith who tallied 14 catches for 224 yards. A defense that woke up after allowing two early scores: an interception and a fumble recovery plus constant pressure kept Russell Wilson off balance all day. Terrapin Troubles-- a running game that went nowhere... managing minus-ten yards. A defense that slumped early and late (allowing touchdowns on NC State's first two and last two possessions).

Virginia Tech almost gave up another first quarter score, but a missed Virginia field goal ended the only chance the Cavaliers had to take the lead... as the Hokies humble their in-state rivals 37-7. In another ho-hum stat, VT notches its seventh straight double digit win season. For UVa, a fourth non-bowl season in five years.

Hokie highlights-- a double barrel running game behind Ryan Wilson and David Williams rambled for 201 yards--each scoring a pair of touchdowns... an error free game by Tyrod Taylor...and a defense that handcuffed UVa to the tune of 1-12 on third down. Hokie Humblings-- a missed extra point? Not exactly BEAMER BALL!... and VT didn't fare much better on third down... moving the chains 4 of 12 times.

Cavalier Congrats-- a nice foundation for Coach Mike London to build on... and a nice finish for senior Keith Payne in scoring a touchdown after missing the previous week and being banged up for chunks of the season. Cavalier Catastrophes-- the inability to run the football (70 yards on 34 carries) undercut the offense all afternoon...and allowing the Hokies to average 5 yards a carry is no way to stop an onslaught.

Presto's Picks-- Plenty to be Thankful For...

As we're in the holiday season, one of the most underrated Christmas movies of all time has to be "Holiday Inn"-- starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, this classic takes the backseat to other fare like "White Christmas" because it's in black and white... and there's a black-face scene during the "Lincoln's Birthday" sequence. (Artistic license aside-- let's trim the Lincoln song so we can show the Inn like there's no tomorrow) During the film there's a song about each holiday... "Easter Parade", "Sing it with Firecrackers", and of course "White Christmas". A hidden gem in the film is "I've got Plenty to be thankful for"... a Thanksgiving ditty that is played as Bing mopes about losing the girl to Fred. Two points...#1-- rent "Holiday Inn"--it's much better than "White Christmas"... and #2-- each of the schools in the area has plenty to be thankful for as the regular season comes to a close.

Maryland has a the quick maturation of redshirt freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien to be thankful for... as his handling of the position turned expectations from hoping to break even to being in ACC title contention until last week. Virginia Tech has to be thankful for their ability to bounce back-- from poor first quarters all season and an 0-2 start that would have sent lesser programs spiralling back into the atmosphere. And Virginia should be thankful for a new mindset in the program-- and one that will score more than a few blue chip recruits from the 757.

Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse goes out of conference with a game against Boston College... and although the Orange are assured of a bowl berth... just like Maryland 8-4 is much more attractive than 7-5. Meanwhile SU hoops is off and running to a #9 ranking... yet has had problems with more than a few of its early season opponents. Just like the new wing recipe at Sign of the Whale, I'm cautiously optimistic but definitely nervous watching this team.



Maryland meets #21 North Carolina State-- the Terps can spoil the Wolfpack's hopes for an ACC Atlantic Division title with a win (handing the division to Florida State)... and can also avoid sliding to Washington DC's Armed Forces Bowl. NC State boasts a solid quarterback (really, who in the ACC doesn't these days?) in Russell Wilson and a defense that's all about pressure. The Terps have to keep Danny O'Brien upright (they did a nice job in allowing just 3 sacks last week to the best pass rush in the conference)... and avoid mistakes (four in the loss to Florida State). Terrapins triumph, 24-20.

Virginia at #13 Virginia Tech-- the duel for the dominion has a little juice out of it... the Hokies have already wrapped up the ACC Coastal and the Cavaliers at 4-7 have not only no hope of reaching the postseason but avoiding a losing record. Keith Payne may be back in the lineup for UVa-- and that's a good thing as the Cavaliers ground game isn't the same without him-- and the Hokies remain a mystery in the first quarter. Was it a surprise to anyone they gave up a touchdown to Miami on their first drive? Really? Tyrod Taylor after a consistently uneven career looks to put the finishing touches on a spectacular senior season... there's always the chance of a big play on special teams (BEAMER BALL!)... and on the tailgating front, Kippy and Buffy's Gouda and Riesling are no match for Jeb and Irlene's Keystone Light and turkey leg--especially two days after Thanksgiving. Hokies allow the usual first quarter touchdown...and the concession stands run out of smoked turkey legs; somehow a new shipment of turkey legs arrives as the second quarter starts-- and VT recovers to crush the Cavaliers, 37-14.


Last Week: 5-2. Blast James Madison! For some reason I think I was able to correctly pick three of their 11 games this fall.

Overall: 48-24... and 15-4 during Closing month... thanks to Shelly Lavine for getting me the leads.

Redskin Rehash-- the more you know...

The less you know in the NFL. How else to explain the Redskins 19-16 overtime grind-it-out victory over Tennessee? Instead of looking for plots and notifying the next of kin, Skins nation has hope at 5-5.


Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb's wild ride continued with a 376 yard passing effort against the Titans...

Third and longer-- after converting a league-worst 21% of third downs through the first nine games of the season, the Skins moved the chains on 8 of 16 attempts...

Walking Wounded-- 7 of 22 starters were banged up and left the game... and with Clinton Portis now done for the season the roster regeneration continues...

Gano gone not yet-- the kicker missed a field goal the end of regulation, but remains in the good graces of the Skins Nation by booting the gamewinner in overtime. The goat-hero pendulum seems to be in Graham's favor once again...

Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's 27-17 victory over the New York Giants puts the Eagles in first place and the Eagles in first place... and the #2 seed in the NFC. The Giants are in 8th place in the conference (a game out of the wildcard)... while the Redskins at 5-5 are 9th in the NFC; Dallas' loss to New Orleans basically puts the Cowboys (14th) on life support.

What's a Haynesworth-- the 100 million dollar man made one tackle against his former team... increasing his total to 13 stops, 2 assists and a sack over seven games.

College Football Corner-- Closing time... for windows.

You struggle through summer and play through early autumn to have meaningful November games. Unfortunately sometimes when you get there your best isn't good enough... and your dreams of greatness shatter before your eyes. Closing month can be cruel-- as we've seen... and has one more weekend to issue "you're just not good enough" cards to more than a few schools. Until then, keep your hands off the windowsill.



Alma Mater Update-- armed with a home game and a shot at the Big East championship, Syracuse underperformed in a 23-6 loss to Connecticut. Many are trying to pin the loss on poor tackling and an offense that can't get out of its way-- bring on basketball.

Maryland had its Orange Bowl hopes dashed with a 30-16 loss to #25 Florida State... showing the 48,000+ at Byrd Stadium that this program has come a long way from 2-10... but still as a way to go before returning to January 1st. Terrapin Triumphs-- going toe to toe with a much more athletic opponent... keeping the best pass rush in the league at bay (only 3 sacks on 48 pass plays)... Da'Rell Scott and Davin Meggett combined for 159 yards on 21 carries... Terrapin Troubles-- third down problems persist (4-14)... three turnovers plus a special teams malfunction led to 13 FSU points... kickoff returns continue to be non-existent.
Next up: Saturday against NC State.


Virginia Tech wrapped up another trip to the ACC title game with another rally against an underperforming Miami team... the 31-17 victory gives Frank Beamer's bunch 9 wins for the seventh straight season. In a world where Miami and Florida State fans are waiting for a return to the glory days-- VT is enjoying a golden era. Hokie Highlights-- Ryan Williams rumbled for an 84 yard touchdown and totalled 142 yards on the ground. Six takeaways and getting off the field on 9 of 13 Hurricane third downs. Hokie Humblings--Okay, each week I point to how VT bounces back from allowing a first quarter score and how it will cost them one of these days... only to be proven wrong. Still... Next up: Saturday against Virginia.



Virginia enjoyed its bye week between rivals Maryland and Virginia Tech by falling at Boston College 17-13. After much conversation with Kippy and Buffy the recommended wine/cheese pairing with turkey is riesling/goude. Who would have thought? Cavalier Congrats-- Marc Verica threw for 284 yards...albeit on 31 completions... just one turnover in 85 plays... 60 minutes of solid football despite having no postseason to play for. Cavalier Catastrophes-- allowing 218 yards on a 5.2 yards per carry clip... 9 penalties... and the ignoring of a Cab Franc. Come on Kippy, you know better... Next up: Saturday against Virginia Tech.

Presto's Picks-- Selling out Home Field.

College football is about being on campus for the big games... battling conference rivals in fair environments... and competing for greatness. Not so in the Big Ten, I mean eleven soon to be twelve (take that Nigel Tufnel)...where Penn State is playing a road game at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland against Indiana--and the Hoosiers are technically the home team. I guess. Shame on IU for selling out its football program for short money on a sweet payday. Shame on the Big Ten for letting this happen. Shame on Saint Joe Paterno for going along with it-- the bespectacled one is supposed to be better than this. Doesn't he live for the good of the game? How does Bill Lynch sell his program to kids around the midwest-- "yeah... we only play 3 conference home games some years-- the fourth we'll play at a neutral field on our opponents' doorstep...but in a different state". What's next, moving the Wisconsin game to Soldier Field? The Nebraska game to Kansas City? Thank goodness the Nittany Lions aren't in the Big Ten race- if they were, I'd be mad if I was Ohio State, Wisconsin or Michigan State that they got a defacto 5th home conference game. Even so, a Penn State win in this "road" environment could have a factor in the Rose Bowl race-- if Ohio State and Michigan State finish tied or there is a three way tie they go to BCS standings and wins over Penn State would be more valued if the Nittany Lions take this road trip.

Nittany Lion faithful, enjoy your beatdown of a cellar-dweller...

Alma Mater Update-- after reading about "surging Syracuse" in the papers this fall, I now know that it's without irony. The Orange have a shot at winning the Big East (I know that's not what it used to be 10 years ago or even last year)... with an evening affair against Connecticut that has won two games by five points in conference play. The dream continues for a BCS berth (SU needs Pitt to lose twice in order to claim the conference crown). Go Orange!

Maryland meets #25 Florida State-- this is the third time in five years the Terps have had a chance to win the ACC Atlantic with two games to play... and the previous results aren't pretty. Back to back losses to BC and Wake in '06 (allowing 38 points in each game), and a 37-3 humbling by Florida State in '08. But this is a different team, with a more mature coach... and a group that is on the road to redemption. Terrapins triumph, 31-29.

#16 Virginia Tech faces Miami in what used to be the Big East Championship but now stands for "guess who adapted to the ACC better" Bowl. While I've always been quick to jump on the Canes bandwagon the last few years, I've been sold on the Hokies early and often every year as the ACC's flag-bearer-- and Frank Beamer's bunch rarely disappoints...except when it comes to allowing first quarter scores. Hokies cough up 2 early touchdowns but survive, 24-20.

Virginia visits Boston College-- a non-divisional game as the Eagles conference finale? Somebody needs to slap somebody in the league office pronto. BC has won three straight and has one of the top runningbacks in Montel Harris-- yet has had many problems throwing the football this fall. The Eagles are fighting for bowl eligibility-- while the Cavaliers are thinking about Thanksgiving turkey. And brie. Cavaliers come up short, 27-21.

Elsewhere: Navy nips Arkansas State, Georgetown loses to Marist, Howard comes up short against Delaware State, James Madison slips at Maine.

Last Week: 6-0! Closing month reaches PP!
Overall: 43-22.

Redskins Rehash-- so not ready for primetime...

The beauty of the NFL season is that six days separation means there's a chance of little carryover... I know, try to explain that to Redskins Nation after a 59-28 loss to Philadelphia. This was a night where nothing went well on every level-- exposing a 4-4 contender as actually a 4-5 pretender. There's still a lot of football to be played but the window of opportunity that was there at 4-3 (4-1 NFC and 2-0 against the East) is gone.

Saving the Worst for the First-- trailing 28-0 after one quarter is no way to go through life, and the Skins allowed a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Ouch. Washington had the ball four times in the first quarter-- and gained 23 yards on 12 plays... the only non-three and out was an interception.

Donovan and Distance-- one week after being benched after going 17 of 31 for 210 yards over 58 minutes... Mr. McNabb went 17 of 30 for 295 yards-- and three interceptions (one set up the Eagles third score, the other was returned for a TD).

New weapons in the arsenal-- move over, MossCooley-- ArmstrongDavis is ready to take your place! On a night where Santana and Chris combined for 6 catches and 51 yards, Anthony and Fred tallied 4 receptions for 154 yards. So what if neither could find the end zone on long passes? It's just nice to see other receivers make plays-- now if they can do it before the team trails by 35...

Defending the defense-- yes, they allowed 59 points and 592 yards... but sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team that played extremely well. Michael Vick had a night very few have...and although the last in the league defense was exposed... you try to move on.

Third Down and Out-- the Skins suffered complete failure... going 0-10 when trying to move the chains; and allowing the Eagle offense to stay on the field 8 of 13 times. The Skins offense remains last in the NFL at 21.6%.

Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's win puts the Eagles in a first place tie with the New York Giants... and they currently own the common games tiebreaker with the Giants. The Skins hold down third and are in tenth place in the NFC standings... and Dallas is securely placed at 15th in the conference.

What's a Haynesworth?-- The 100 million dollar man notched one tackle in the loss to Philadelphia... but made headlines by lying down on the field after being blocked. Unfortunately, there were seemingly 15 cameras focused on Haynesworth and each showed him hanging out instead of getting back up in pursuit. Not awesome.

College Football Corner-- Playoff Possibilities...

Once again the college football season prepares to shift from the best regular season to the worst postseason. And although the BCS has gotten things right for the most part recently, one has to feel somewhat shortchanged. Schools that have played 12 games over 13 weeks will have to wait a whole month before playing a game that will largely determine how fans and alumni view the season. I still dream of a day where a 16 team playoff invites all I-A conference winners plus five wildcards...but I'll be more than happy to settle for a 4 or 8 team tournament with games staggered across December. Give each game a "Bowl Name" so the sponsors get something. Retain the old bowl names to pacify those folks. Watch the numbers spike.

Maryland faced Virginia... and put itself in position to be in position... the Terps rallied on the road to outscore Virginia 42-23. Coach Ralph Friedgen's team controls its own destiny-- two more wins and they're going to the ACC Title game... while UVa's outside dream of making a bowl is now officially a thing of the past..

Terrapin Triumphs-- the team outscored UVa 21-0 in the fourth quarter... DJ Adams tallied three touchdowns... and the Terps owned third down: moving the chains on 9 of 16 attempts and getting the D off the field 10 of 14 times. Terrapin Troubles-- eight penalties for 60 yards isn't going to make anyone excited... but it's alwasy nice to get out of Charlottesville with a win. Next Up-- Saturday against Florida State.

Cavalier Congrats-- Marc Verica had another productive day (265 yards passing)...Cavalier Catastrophes-- 16 penalties... and 4 of 14 on third down. Next Up-- Saturday at Boston College.



Virginia Tech once again gave up the customary first quarter touchdown... before outscoring North Carolina the rest of the way 26-3 to post a 26-10 victory. Orange Bowl, here they come. Hokie Highlights-- six takeaways... 249 yards passing by Tyrod Taylor...
Hokie Humblings-- what is it with slow starts and the Hokies? Nine penalties won't help come January, either... Next Up-- Saturday against Miami.

Presto's Picks-- SECandal...

There's always been an undercurrent of suspected shenanigans in college athletics... I'm sure from the time Rutgers was alleged to have offered Jonas O'Herlihy extra mustache wax to transfer from Princeton in 1870. Phantom jobs, ticket payouts, fancy cars, stereo systems, sweet clothes... the renegades have always been one step ahead of the NCAA (Except for the 80's when SMU and the entire Southwest Conference was put on probation). Another shoe (or 100,000 shoes) has dropped -- and this time in an SEC that no longer stands for "So Everyone Cheats". Cam Newton's been accused of getting a big payday at Auburn-- with his father demanding six figures in exchange for his son.

Just when you thought the unbeaten Tigers and their do-it-all QB (19 TD passes and 15 TD runs) was the feel good story, think again. A damning story if it's true-- as once again a stage parent gives everybody a bad name. Good for the University of Florida that Cecil Newton said "now it's not for free"-- the Gators program looks squeaky clean compared to the alleged cesspool up the road. What happens now with the Reggie Bush "return all the hardware and vacate the titles and awards" precedent? Sadly, the best case everybody's hoping for is that the Tigers lose-- shattering National title hopes and lose in a manner that torpedos Newton's Heisman candidacy... as if it isn't already. Makes you yearn for the good ole days when Oklahoma could go #1 in the AP while on probation...or Andre Ware could win the Heisman with Houston on probation.



Alma Mater Update-- the Orange try to bounce back against Rutgers-- I'm concerned with the fact that for the first time in over a month SU will not be playing at noon... I don't know what ESPN8 (THE OCHO!) will do without its flagship school. And how about the dreck that is the Big East-- Pitt losing to UConn means the league leader is 5-4... while the school with the best overall record (SU) isn't even bowl eligible (2 I-AA wins). In fact, the Big East and the Sun Belt are the only two leagues without a Bowl-Eligible team. Conference USA has five! Thanks again, ACC for stealing three name programs to make your league great-- scratch that.


Maryland at Virginia-- the Terps remain in control of their Division hopes... a sweep of the Cavaliers, Florida State and North Carolina State delivers the division... while UVa needs a sweep of the Terps, Boston College and Virginia Tech to become bowl-eligible. Buffy and Kippy's Tailgate notwithstanding, Virginia's owned this series recently (14-4 with one loss at home in that span)... but the Terps have earned the mantle of the team that beats those lesser while losing to its betters-- and they're a better team than the Cavaliers. Plus, Scooter ran out of Horseradish Chedder and Cab Franc... forcing Winnie to serve pepperjack (what is this--Harrisonburg?) and Malbec. Terrapins Triumph, 25-22...and the brie stands alone.



Virginia Tech visits North Carolina-- the Tar Heels feel like trouble. Six of their nine games have been decided by less than a touchdown... wipe out their eligibility explosion in September and they're playing as good as anybody outside of VT... and the Hokies still have a nasty habit of letting teams put points on the board in the first quarter (69 of 181 total points allowed)... we're talking giving up early TD's to the likes of East Carolina and Central Michigan.
In this topsy-turvy ACC season, the script seems to call for the Hokies to stub their toe in Chapel Hill against Butch Davis' bunch... but this isn't Butch Davis leading Miami circa 2001; like the Randy Shannon-led Hurricanes, UNC is turning into the giant that not only is sleeping-but snoring loudly and drooling all over the pillow. Hokies win a thriller after allowing a touchdown, field goal and a safety in the first quarter... 16-15.


Navy routs Eastern Michigan, Howard falls to Bethune-Cookman, Georgetown loses to Lehigh, James Madison slips to William & Mary.



Last Week: 4-2.


Overall: 37-22.

College Football Corner-- Confounded Confluence...

College football deserves November. Sport's most important regular season has earned the spotlight for this month (aka Closing Month). Instead, college basketball opens this week with games that nip at one's heels like a pesky puppy. I'm fine with college hoops once Thanksgiving gets here, but pre-Veterans Day? I love college hoops-- but early November games just don't move the meter for me... especially with division and conference races on tap. This also further blows up the first semester for student athletes as well. It's bad enough they have to deal with mid-week games all January and February, can't they be given somewhat of a break in the fall? What-- Sean Mosley hit a three? Never mind.

Alma Mater Update-- no joy in the Salt City as Syracuse lost at home to Louisville 28-20. The Orange had a chance to retake the lead in the second half but back to back passes to the goal line were dropped... and the lack of solid tackling resurfaced. On the plus side-- the wings were delicious... although I need a bucket of Bleu Cheese.


Maryland allowed a 35 yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds remaining at Miami... falling to the Hurricanes 26-20. On an afternoon when Florida State and North Carolina State fell, the Terps missed a chance to take first place in the ACC Atlantic- starting to resemble the NFC Central circa 1980. Terrapin Triumphs-- two interceptions by Alex Wujiak...one run 60 yards back for a touchdown. Travis Baltz continues to pull double duty... kicking a pair of field goals (he's 9 for 11 and 35 for 35 on extra points) and averaging 47.5 yards over six punts against the Hurricanes. Terrapin Troubles-- up 14-12 in the second quarter and with the ball at the Miami 2, Jamarr Robinson was shuttled in for one play... where he lost the snap and lost eight yards. Third down continues to be a problem-- the offense went 3 for 12 while the defense stopped Miami on 8 of 17 tries. Next up: Saturday at Virginia.


Virginia watched its postseason hopes take a major blow-- losing a basketball -like tilt with Duke 55-48...with the two teams combining for 41 fourth quarter points. Although sometimes last winter 48 points felt ambitious for Tony Bennett's team. Cavalier Congrats-- Keith Payne rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns while catching a TD pass from Marc Verica... Verica threw for 417 yards and four scores... Dontrelle Inman notched 10 receptions for 239 yards-- but alas there is no fantasy college football. Or is there? Cavalier Catastrophes-- 504 yards allowed. 11 penalties for 103 yards... three interceptions thrown by Verica. And the Brie didn't transfer well down to Durham. Next up: Saturday against Maryland.


Virginia Tech continues to play the best football in the ACC... thanks to a late kickoff return (BEAMER BALL!) in a 28-21 win against Georgia Tech... one wonders if they wrap up another conference title how high up the BCS pecking order they'll finish-- and if they'd get a rematch with Boise State (perhaps they could get a road game next year against James Madison). Hokie Highlights-- hello David Wilson! The sophomore not only posted the winning touchdown with a 90 yard kickoff return, but he helped knot the score up with a 15 yard TD run... one has to be pleased with just a pair of penalties. Hokie Humblings-- the first quarter follies continued... VT allowing two early touchdowns. And 346 yards rushing? Ouch. Next up: Saturday against North Carolina.

Presto's Picks-- Coffee (and November) is for Closers...

If September is Show Me Month and October is Moving Month, that means November is Closing Month. Contenders decide on the field who gets to play in the various conference title games and bowls... and the road to the national title game makes its final twists and turns. All three area ACC teams are in postseason contention entering Closing Month... and while the Hokies have a conference title in their sights, the Terps are looking to advance to their first ever championship game and the Cavaliers are simply hoping for bowl eligibility (which after starting 2-4 would be an achievement in and of itself). Duke, Wake Forest and Boston College--PUT THAT COFFEE DOWN!



Virginia Tech plays Georgia Tech in a Thursday night showdown between the defending Coastal Division champ and the school that's owned the division since expansion. What is it about Thursday that turns Blacksburg into Title Town (Boston College under Matt Ryan the exception)? The Yellowjackets have been consistently uneven this fall while Frank Beamer's bunch is playing the best football in the ACC. Plus you can't discount the Smoked Turkey Leg Factor at the stadium. Hokies roll, 31-22.



Maryland meets Miami as I'm tempted to bury the Hurricanes. They've disappointed me big-time in the big spotlight, losing at Ohio State and getting gobsmacked by Florida State- plus their quarterback Jacory Harris is a question mark after getting banged up against Virginia.
Still, they're the Canes... they've got all that speed... and don't forget the freshest uniforms in the ACC. Terrapins triumph, 23-21.


Virginia visits Duke as the Cavaliers path to the postseason enters Durham... and while Wallace Wade Stadium will never be confused for Tallahassee, Mike London's team has yet to win on the road this season. While the Blue Devils that beat Navy last week they haven't been able to stop anybody this fall (even allowing 27 points to Elon). UVa needs three wins to qualify for a bowl (because Richmond and VMI are both non I-A schools) and this is a necessary get for them to continue to dream. Cavaliers come up short, 31-24.



Elsewhere:
Navy slips to East Carolina, Howard is humbled at South Carolina State, Georgetown loses to Lehigh, JMU falls at Richmond.



Last Week: 3-3. Overall: 33-20... with an 8-11 mark the last three weeks. My moving month went the way of Shelly the Machine Lavine-- and now I need those November leads!

Redskins Rehash-- another one under the bus...

The first half of the Redskins season ended not with an exclamation point, but with a huge question mark. Yes, there was the 37-25 come from ahead loss at Detroit-- a team that seemingly owns the Skins up there-- but the quarterback quandary will overshadow just about everything else during the bye week.

Replacement Rex-- most were surprised to see #8 on the field with under two minutes remaining and the Skins down six... and a fumble by Grossman on his first snap of the season was returned for a game-clinching touchdown. Coach Mike Shanahan then explained in this postgame press conference they lifted McNabb because they felt more comfortable with Grossman during the hurry-up/two-minute offense. But wait-- this would change.

Donovan and Distance-- until he was yanked from the lineup, Mr. McNabb completed 17 of 30 passes for 210 yards, but just 7 of 15 after halftime and 2 of 6 in the fourth quarter. Is that where the fatigue factor entered the mind of the coaches Shanahan?

McNabb II--Electic Boogaloo-- Coach Shanahan said that McNabb wasn't completely on track with the language and tempo regarding the two-minute drill, so the logical decision was to send in turnover machine Rex Grossman? Has he not seen what this man is capable of?

Third Down and Out-- the Skins ineffectiveness in moving the chains continued... this week the ugly number was 2 for 14, and the team currently ranks 31st in the NFL at 24%. But what's not said is the amount of third and longs they get themselves into.


McNabb Story, Mark III-- Monday the coach said they lifted their starting quarterback because of conditioning issues. He was around the entire spring and summer! Perhaps instead of Haynesworth they should have made their quarterbacks pass the test.

Ground Game Grounded-- with Ryan Torain sidelined for the second half with hamstring issues, the Skins running game managed just 80 yards on 19 carries. Take away Donovan McNabb's scramble for 36 yards and it's a Spurrieresque 18 carries for 44 yards.

McNabb IV, this time it's Personal-- ESPN reported Tuesday morning that the Shanahans had issues with McNabb's practice habits, particularly with the tempo at which he runs the offense. Other concerns may have been recent hamstring and quad injuries... as well as the type of Ben Franklin-type glasses McNabb wears during interview sessions.

No Case for the Defense-- the Skins allowed 30 points and 191 yards after intermission... perhaps this conditioning thing should include everybody.

Starting to recognize the undercarriage-- this isn't the first time McNabb has been somewhat thrown under the bus by his coach this year... after the loss in St. Louis, Shanahan credited Sam Bradford for moving the chains-- saying "that's where quarterbacks make their money". The Skins went 1-10 moving the chains that game.

Fly the Flag-- the Skins were penalized 10 times for 77 yards... increasing their total to 59 for the season (4th most in the league).

Dissecting the Division-- the Giants remain atop the NFC East at 5-2... with Philadelphia a half game ahead of the Skins at 4-3. The Eagles hold down 7th place in the conference (Tampa Bay and New Orleans the current wildcard leaders) while the Skins are 10th. And Dallas? Another embarrassing loss (35-17 to Jacksonville and it wasn't that close) means the Cowboys are 1-6 and assured of playing Thanksgiving Day in last place.


You mean there WAS baseball?-- Congratulations to San Francisco and their World Series win over Texas. But MLB needs to tighten up its postseason schedule a tiny bit-- they can't be playing WS games into November, and they can't be taking all of these off days during the early rounds. Momentum is something one feeds off of -- not bogs down.


What's a Haynesworth-- the 100 million dollar man posted four tackles and a sack...giving him a total of 11 solo stops, 2 assists and 2 sacks. Is he the second coming of Reggie White? N0--but he's not Kenneth Sims either.

College Football Corner-- BS I mean BCS...

What a weird Saturday-- all the major unbeatens were on the road... and a pair that had been flying under the radar this season (Missouri and Michigan State) were exposed while two others proved themselves to be the class of Division I (Oregon and Auburn). Lost in the shuffle as always are unbeaten but playing in minor conferences Utah, TCU and football's Butler/Gonzaga, Boise State. Instead of jockeying for the coolest tournament ever, schools and conferences are posturing on getting into the top two... and letting the rest of the college football world twist in the wind.

Maryland made mince-meat of Wake Forest, scoring four touchdowns in the third quarter to dispose of the Demon Deacons 62-14...as a happy Homecoming secures the coach Ralph Friedgen's team clinched bowl eligibility in October one year after a 2-10 campaign. Terrapin Triumphs-- 261 yards rushing... no turnovers...holding Wake to minus three yards rushing-one week after Josh Harris ran for 241 against Virginia Tech... a pair of pick-sixes... two blocked punts... a passing game taking things to the next level... the most complete victory in ACC play this team has had in some time. Terrapin Troubles-- under 40,000 in attendance at Byrd Stadium? For a 3:30 homecoming game? The only home game between October 3rd and November 19th?Shame on you, alums and students. Next: Saturday at Miami.


Virginia won for the first time in ACC play, almost wasting a 24-point fourth quarter lead before Miami remembered that trailing Virginia Tech by two in loss column makes for a much more intriguing November...as the UVa fans rush the field (let the record show Kippy and Buffy both rebelled as well-- sneaking Brie into the stadium underneath their argyle sweaters) in the wake of a 24-19 victory. Cavalier Congrats-- UVa knocked Jacory Harris out of the game but not before intercepting the Hurricane starter... they then picked off his backups twice each. Offensive balance reigned supreme= 185 yards rushing and 176 yards passing. Cavalier Catastrophes-- 11 penalties... OUCH. And nearly blowing a 24 point fourth quarter lead is not the kind of thing you can build on. Next: Saturday at Duke.