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.
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