We don't exist in a vacuum. Everything around us colors what we do in some way, shape or form. That's why in this week's college football picks preview, I'm talking 80's alternative rock and the parallel between a collapsing baseball team and a strummin' construction worker with anger issues.
REM called it a career after thirty years of pushing the musical envelope-- although many had written them off after Bill Berry left the band 15 years ago. I became aware of this foursome while at summer camp in 1986... and "Fall On Me" opened up a musical world in a universe dominated by heavy metal hair bands. Michael Stipe was the point guard of this team, pushing tempo with his voice and lyrics-- even if you couldn't understand what he was saying, you felt you understood him. Peter Buck's jangly guitar seemed smack out of the Beatles "If I Needed Someone"-- never overcrowding Stipe's voice, but always providing punch and momentum when necessary. Bill Berry's crackerjack drumming provided the foundation. And Mike Mills melodic bass (it felt like he channeled Jack Bruce at times) plus his occasional vocal turn gave the songs another dimension even most good music lacks. I read a post this past week saying it was a shame REM retires while Night Ranger still tours. I think it's par for the course. NR was a working band that is okay grinding out an existence-- while REM was something special that didn't want to overstay its welcome.
Red Sox as a 90210 character-- I guess the only way I can deal with the Red Sox historic collapse (9 game lead in September) is to paint it within the context of Beverly Hills, 90210. Some therapy. I take you back to the mid-90's, when the gang entered their sophomore year at California U. (go Condors!). Dylan was more of a mess than he usually was, Brandon and Kelly were an uninspirational item, Steve was not yet bald... and Donna (Tori Spelling) was showing her acting chops with a new love interest: Jamie Walters as Ray Pruitt. The down on his luck construction worker who sang lame acoustic tunes that would make Plain White Tees blush. Much like the Red Sox 2011 season, Ray began auspiciously as an angry construction worker. But after a 2-10 dramatic start, the Sox and Ray turned things around. Although one never felt comfortable with the Sox in the playoff cast or Pruitt in the Beverly Hills bunch, we accepted their upside (the lineup! He turned down Mrs. Martin's money to go away!) and played down their gaps (wow-- Lackey kind of sucks, and for a musician Ray seems to have a temper)... until the final month of episodes. Then the Sox stopped hitting and Ray started hitting. It wasn't an immediate collapse... but it was painful to watch. And it all ended on a Wednesday night in prime time. Just as I was glad to move on to a Peach Pit without Pruitt... I'm relieved I don't have to watch the 2011 Red Sox play another inning.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse after disposing of heavyweights Wake Forest, Rhode Island and Toledo over the last month (how did the Demon Deacons sneak onto this schedule?) prepares for the meat of its Big East schedule by hosting Rutgers. Now while I can imagine there's ill will from the conference brethren the Orange are abandoning, Rutgers is one of those schools that hopes to eventually make the jump to the ACC (UConn the other name bandied about)... making things kind of uncomfortable.
Maryland tries to turn its season around with a home game against Towson...fresh off a major drubbing by a school everybody thought wasn't in the Terps' class. Instead of gassing up for the meat of the ACC schedule, Terrapin Nation is wondering how low the floor is on this team. The Tigers are 3-0 and have outscored opponents on average of 38-10 this month-- but the Terps have the size advantage up front and that should be enough. Terrapins triumph, 28-13.
Virginia tries to end a two game losing streak as well... Idaho comes to Charlottesville Saturday. My mother is an alumnae of that fine school in Moscow, Idaho-- and gives me this sage advice: "the Vandals defense is ranked 102nd in points allowed (32+)... qb Brian Reader's been sacked 12 times this year and probably won't hold up against a Mike London defense... and whatever happened to that girl you sat next to in third grade? She was cute. You should call her." Thanks, Mom. Cavaliers come up huge, 40-17.
#11 Virginia Tech tangles with #13 Clemson in what serves up as the early season battle royale in ACC... Georgia Tech being the only other school still unbeaten. How good are the Tigers? They surrendered 27 points to Wofford and their two wins over ranked teams were against Auburn (who's looked shaky all September) and Florida State (who looks like they were overpriced at the beginning of the season). Frank Beamer's bunch, meanwhile, has staggered to victories over underwhelming opposition --apologies to Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Marshall and East Carolina, but the Mountaineers are an FCS school while the other three are a combined 4-7. While the Hokies have been able to run the ball effectively, Logan Thomas has looked so-so. Tough to be confident he can beat Clemson. Hokies fall on a last second field goal, 19-17.
Navy tops Air Force, Georgetown slips to Bucknell, Howard falls at Savannah State,
Richmond tops James Madison, William & Mary over Villanova.
Last Week: 3-4.
Season to date: 20-11.
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