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CFTT Top Ten Week 4

September 20, 2011 By toddler Leave a Comment
Kyle Field

photo by Ed Schipul

It’s about week 3 that we begin to realize we really don’t know much about teams yet.  However, that’s never stopped us from predicting and having a pre-season poll.  I digress.

So, I decided Florida State is better than I thought and Boise is definitely a top level team this year.  Or, maybe it’s that Ohio State is not.

1. Alabama–No doubting this one.  They cruised over North Texas and the Mean Green has already shown improvements from the past few years under new coach Dan McCarney.  The Tide clash with the Razorbacks this coming Saturday at Bryant-Denny.

2.  Oklahoma–The Sooners one the way you win big games on the road, by doing enough.  OU took Florida State’s best shot but reminded them why they are not quite in the Sooners’ league.

3.  LSU–The Tigers jump the Cardinal in my poll because they won a tough game on the road against a good team.  One day, LSU is going to have to score more than 19 points to win a game.  Well, maybe not in the SEC.  The Tigers may have to do it without Jordan Jefferson, but Jarrett seems to be doing just fine, thank you.

4.  Standford–The Cardinal is good, but they suffer from playing weaker competition in the Pac 10, something the cannot do anything about.  It might cost them come time to hand out championship game opponents.

5.  Wisconsin–I think that the Badgers are good, but it is hard to really tell.  They have soundly beaten all comers so far this season.  Unfortunately, none of them are ranked, and they only have two ranked teams on their schedule (at this point).  The first being in a couple of weeks when they host the Cornhuskers (October 1st).

6.  Texas A&M–The Aggies roll.  They are looking more than good so far this season.  Back-to-back games against ranked opponents Oklahoma State and Arkansas should tell us more.  However, I see them as the favorite in both of those games.

7.  Nebraska–The Cornhuskers have looked vulnerable the past couple of weeks giving up 29 and 38 points respectively.  What happened to those blackshirts?  They better hope they have the ready for Wisconsin.

8.  Arkansas–The Razorbacks were cruising against Troy when somebody forgot tell the Trojans they were supposed to go away.  The Hogs got punched in the mouth and had to come back fighting to hold Troy off.  Troy is a good team.  This was the best thing to happen to the Hogs.  They travel to Tuscaloosa to play the Tide this Saturday.

9.  Boise State–The Broncos are good, but we will never really know how good.  They have put big wins on two teams, both games on the road.  Unfortunately, they have only one ranked opponent on the schedule.

10.  Oklahoma State–The Cowboys keep putting up lots of points, but have failed to put the breaks on their opponents giving up an average of 27 points per game.  They get their shot at the Aggies this week.

Filed Under: 2011, Top Tens Tagged With: , ,

CFTT Top Ten Week 3

September 13, 2011 By toddler 1 Comment
Bryant-Denny Stadium

Bryant-Denny Stadium, Flickr: dressler.michael

It was a red, white and blue weekend for teams as they honored the September 11 attacks that took place ten years ago.  We all remember, and suffer.  Nevertheless, we came out and enjoyed football which is in defiance of what our terrorist enemies would want.

It’s still early in the season and week two is rarely the place to make a statement.  Two teams really impressed and that was Alabama who won at Penn State and Wisconsin who blanked Oregon State

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CFTT Top Ten Week 2

September 5, 2011 By toddler 2 Comments
University of Oklahoma

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/plmccordj/

I don’t really like preseason polls.  In the past, I have refused to do them.  The bottom line is we really don’t know about teams, and I sure didn’t.  My top ten is going to get blown up.

We’ve learned a few things about some programs.  For instance, this won’t be another magical run for TCU in Fort Worth.  They are, after all, breaking in a new quarterback along with a whole lot of other key positions.

And then there’s Auburn.  We knew last year’s team was special, but wow.  They may upset someone this year, but because of how the first game went, it will be an upset.  And, Oregon disappointed.

1.  Oklahoma–We don’t know much about Oklahoma, except that they might go to the Pac 10.  They whipped an instate “little brother” in Tulsa which they usually do, so we will have to wait.  Until September 17 when they go to Florida State.

2.  Alabama– They are good, but their win was against Kent State.  They go to Happy Valley to take on the fighting Paternos next week.

3.  Stanford–The Cardinal doesn’t play a ranked team until late October.  In the mean time, Andrew Luck will just pad his Heisman lead.

4.  Nebraska–The Cornhuskers took care of business.  They will be zeroing in on their future matchup with Wisconsin.

5.  LSU–I had Oregon number one and the Tigers dismantled them without their starting quarterback.  I hate to say it, but Les Miles has himself a great team.

6.  Texas A&M– The Aggies pretty much mopped the field with SMU.  The Mustangs beat themselves, but the Aggies had a whole lot to do with that.  The offense looks on target while the defense needs a little improvement.  Back-to-back games against Oklahoma State and Arkansas will tell us what we need to know.

7.  Wisconsin–The Badgers looked like a Wisconsin team, and their new QB impressed.

8.  Arkansas–The Hogs had a scrimmage Saturday and their defense looked really good.  However, they weren’t playing Alabama, whom they will in three weeks.

9.  Boise State–The Broncos still have Kellen Moore.  Moore carved up Georgia like Thanksgiving turkey.  We don’t know yet if Georgia is good, so we don’t know how good this win is.

10.  Oregon–They are fast and talented.  They just struggle when playing teams from the SEC, or was it inexperience?  Their November 12 match-up with Stanford is “must see” TV.

Filed Under: 2011, Top Tens

CFTT Preseason Top Ten 2011

August 31, 2011 By toddler 4 Comments

In case you haven’t noticed, the college football season starts this week!  You probably thought I had forgotten, didn’t you?  Well, I haven’t, I’ve just been a little bit busy.

Here is the 2011 Preseason Top Ten as I see it:

1.  Oregon– This is the best team returning the most talent.

Oregon's Fans

Flickr/davesmith1983

2.  Oklahoma– They are everyone else’s number one team, but they didn’t play in the national title game last year.  They did get their first BCS win since 1942 (well maybe just a few years).

3.  Alabama– They have enough talent alone to be a top 5 team, and that coach they have is pretty good.

4.  Stanford–  One name.  Andrew Luck.  They are breaking in a new coach, but if he will just follow the plans of Jim Harbaugh, they will be fine.

5.  Nebraska– The black shirts have returned.  Bo Pelini has this program rocking.  They just need a consistent offense.

6.  Oklahoma State– They are still the second (or maybe third) best team in the Big 12 South.  However, the offense has firepower that few other programs in the country has.

7.  Texas A&M– Ryan Tannehill made a difference for the Aggies last year vaulting them in to a top tier team.  He is back to be starter for a full year to see what Texas A&M can do and to show the SEC they belong in their conference.  They get that chance in Arlington, TX against Arkansas whom they have yet to beat since renewing the rivalry.

8.  Wisconsin– Forget the Rose Bowl loss, Wisconsin is still a great program.  They have a power running game, a solid defense, and a new quarterback with starting experience.  They win another 10 games (or more).

9.  Arkansas– What?  You thought I would include LSU?  In case you haven’t seen, they are having some off-the-field problems.  Meanwhile, the Hogs are coming off a BCS Bowl game, they have an experienced defense, the best receiving corp in the country and a quarterback who went toe-to-toe with Cam Newton last year when Ryan Mallett was injured.

10.  TCU– The Horned Frogs finished number 2 last year and were 12-0.  Obviously, it was the best season in several decades for the angry little frogs.  They also lost a bunch of their firepower from last year including QB Andy Dalton.  Enter Casey Pachall.  He was even more highly recruited than Dalton and played really well in the last game of the season when Dalton was injured.  They return their top backs and they will reload on the offensive line like they always do.  On defense, they will  reload which is what Gary Patterson does.  They have the best linebacking crew in the country in Tanner Brock and Tank Carder.

Filed Under: 2011, Top Tens Tagged With: , ,

Top Ten Lists

August 23, 2010 By toddler 1 Comment
August 16, 2010: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) dropping back to pass during the NFL preseason game between the New York Giants and the New York Jets at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants beat the Jets, 31-16.

Ten is a valuable number

Here I have dug through the archives and found all the different top ten lists I have published here at CFTT.  Take some time, grab a cup of coffee, and browse through some of these lists.  I would like to believe they were entertaining.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: 2010, Top Tens

Top Ten Offseason Stories

July 29, 2010 By toddler 3 Comments

For those of you have followed CFTT over the years, you know that I publish a Top Ten Offseason Stories.  I like top ten lists, and this list has been a fun one to do each year, depending on how the offseason goes.

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Filed Under: 2010, Top Tens Tagged With: , , , ,

Top Ten Heisman Trophy Candidates

July 11, 2010 By toddler 1 Comment

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Running back Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson talks to the media during a press conference after being named the 75th Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

The Heisman Trophy is really interesting dynamic.  The trophy is usually set to go to the nations top player at any position, but to win the trophy, it takes a combination of circumstances, hype and performance.  Rarely does a player come from nowhere to win the trophy, but often a player comes from nowhere to compete for the trophy.

In the end, it is always a player which has enough recognition that walks away from the trophy.  Who can forget the year that Sam Bradford won the trophy.  Sitting in the front were the top three candidates, Bradford, Tim Tebow (a previous winner) and Colt McCoy.  All of those players were high profile quarterbacks for high profile schools.

So, with all that said, here are my top ten candidates to win the Heisman Trophy.

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Filed Under: 2010, Top Tens Tagged With: ,

Top Ten Milkshakes

June 9, 2009 By toddler 1 Comment

I thought this would be fun. Milkshake is really a misnomer, as any good milkshake is made with ice cream, but ice cream, of course, is made with First McDonalds Franchise Recalls Fast-Food Giants Beginningsmilk.  So I guess it comes out in the wash.

This list, like so many here at CFTT, is subjective.  Since I have only lived in Arkansas and Texas, well, my milkshake consumption is limited.  Nevertheless, I have an idea of what MY top ten milkshakes are.  So, here goes.

10.  McDonald’s
The restaurant that started the hamburger craze also started the milkshake craze, I suppose.  They do have good milkshakes and they are nice to have on a hot day.

9.  Wendy’s
Few fast food restaurants have the thickness in their shake as the Wendy’s Frosty™.  It really is a creamy soft serve ice cream.  Dave Thomas would be proud.

8.  Jack in the Box
Try their oreo cookie ice cream shake.  Enough said.

7.  Whataburger
A Texas hamburger institution, and they have a great chocolate shake too.

6.  Seattle’s Best Coffee
They announce that they have the “world’s best coffee shake,” and I believe it too.  I’ve never tried anyone else’s, but SBC’s is pretty good.  They use real ice cream.

5.  Dairy Queen
I grew up being treated at DQ.  Great soft serve ice cream, and they are the first place that I realized could mix flavors.  I gained 5 pounds that week.  Peanut butter and chocolate together, wow!

4.  Fuddruckers
At least in our town, they use real Blue Belle ice cream to make their shakes and malts.

3.  Braum’s
Based out of Oklahoma, they have some of the best ice cream around.  A former boss also swore by their milk.  Oh, and they do make a good milkshake using that premium ice cream.

2.  Pappa’s Burger
One of the waitresses recommended a oreo-peanut butter milkshake and I tried it.  It was awesome.  She knew what she was talking about.

1.  Purple Cow
Based out of Central Arkansas (we have a few in the DFW area), they simply have a great milkshake.  I had a peanut butter-chocolate (are you seeing a pattern) and it was outstanding.  I couldn’t even slurp up the peanut butter with my straw as it was so thick.

Where do you get your favorite milkshakes from?

Filed Under: 2009, Top Tens Tagged With: , , ,

Top Ten Football Movies

May 6, 2009 By toddler 2 Comments

OK, I admit it, the title was a little bit of a tease.  I have an idea for the spring here at CFTT, and I need your help.  I want to create the top ten football movies of all time list.  Now, I know that is a daunting task, but I believe in my friends and readers at CFTT.Premiere Of Weinstein Companys The Longshots - Arrivals

I have started by brainstorming as many movies as I possibly could.  I got help from my friend Lee Cochenour of Celebrity Book Signings and my friend at the Chili’s on University Drive in Fort Worth.

I will start by compiling a list, as many as I can come up with.  Then, we will vote on the movies.  Then, I will seed the movies for a tournament based on the number of votes each movie received.  We will then pair off the movies in a tournament format narrowing it down to the final two where one movie will be declared the top football movie of all time.

During the process, we will identify the top ten movies.

I had help compiling the list from these sites:  www.bostonbaseball.com and www.sportsinmovies.com.

Here are the movies thus far.

  1. The Express
  2. Jerry Maguire
  3. North Dallas Forty
  4. Leatherheads
  5. Semi Tough
  6. Brian’s Song
  7. Gridioron Gang
  8. The Football Factory
  9. Little Giants
  10. Gameplan
  11. Angels in the Endzone
  12. We Are Marshall
  13. Paper Lion
  14. Jim Thorpe, All American
  15. Knute Rockne, All American
  16. Necessary Roughness
  17. Varsity Blues
  18. Any Given Sunday
  19. Friday Night Lights
  20. Remember the Titans
  21. Facing the Giants
  22. Air Bud: Golden Receiver
  23. All The Right Moves
  24. The Best of Times
  25. Code Breakers
  26. Comebacks
  27. Everybody’s All-American
  28. Rudy
  29. The Longest Yard (original)
  30. Invincible
  31. Wildcats
  32. The Replacements
  33. The Junction Boys
  34. Radio
  35. Heaven Can Wait
  36. Something Can Wait
  37. The All-American
  38. Crazylegs
  39. Footsteps
  40. Full Ride
  41. Fumbleheads
  42. Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon
  43. Glory Days
  44. Gus
  45. Halfback of Notre Dame
  46. Hometown Legend
  47. Johnny Be Good
  48. The Longshots
  49. Lucas
  50. The Program
  51. Quarterback Princess
  52. Saturday’s Hero
  53. School Ties
  54. Second String
  55. The Slaughter Rule
  56. That’s My Boy
  57. Two for the Money
  58. The Waterboy
  59. The Longest Yard (new)

If I missed a movie you think should be considered, send me an email, or respond in the comments.  Thanks.

I will give everyone time to check out the movies (not literally) and decide which ones they like.  Next week, we will begin collecting votes for the movies.  The following week I will announce votes, etc.  and begin pairing off movies for the tournament.

Filed Under: 2009, Top Tens Tagged With:

Top Ten Moments in College Football in 2008

January 3, 2009 By toddler 2 Comments

It was another stellar sesaon in college football.  There were plenty of controversy, passion, and upsets to really keep the college football fan watching the game.  It might be even better if we had a true “post season,” but we had plenty of moments to keep things going.

1.  Alabama crushes Clemson
I don’t know if this game was a sign of things to come or not, but the Crimson Tide who was a paltry 6-6 the year before absolutely beat down the Clemson Tigers who was ranked number 9 in the preseason rankings.  The loss would eventually lead to the dismissal of Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden (see below).  ‘Bama’s win would lead to the Sugar Bowl.

2.  USC routs Ohio State
I think we were all waiting for this early season match-up of the two football behomoths.  Ohio State was fresh off of another loss in the BCS Title Game, and USC had what was considered one of the best defenses in a while.  Note even close.  It didn’t help the Buckeyes that “Beanie” Wells was hurt, but most people would have said that it didn’t matter.

3.  Oregon State upsets USC
It happens every year, or at least it seems like it does.  USC dominates, but

USC v Oregon State

they slip up against someone in the Pac-10 Conference.  The Beavers were rebuilding their front seven on defense and had gotten whipped by Penn Stae in Happy Valley.  The Beavers used a freshman running back by the name of Jacquizz to jump out to a big lead in Corvallis and hold off the Trojans for the first real shocking upset of the year.

4.  Texas Tech beats Texas on Crabtree touchdown catch
It is probably one of the more memorable plays of the year.  I can still hear Brent Musberger making the call, “Touchdown, Red Raiders, with a second to go!”  Graham Harrell to Micahel Crabtree.  How many times have they done that?  This time, it was to beat the number one team in the country.

5.  Toledo upsest Michigan in the “Big House”
Last year it was Appalachian State.  The first game of the year this year was Utah.  And, if that wasn’t enough, the Wolverines have lessened any intimdation factor it has at home with a loss to Toledo.  Coach Rod has a lot of work to do.

6.  Tommy Bowdon is fired (uh, resigned?)  mid-season
It was bound to happen.  Things just weren’t going very well at Clemson this season.  They started the season ranked number 9, and they were sporting expectations of an ACC Championship and BCS Bowl.  First they got whipped by Alabama, and it seemed to go down hill from there.  The mid-season firing definitely raised some eyebrows.

7.  Tommy Tuberville fires Tony Franklin in mid-season and then resigns at the end of the year
Well, the mid-season thing worked so well for Clemson that Auburn head

Georgia Tech v Auburn

coach Tommy Tuberville decided to relieve Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin of his duties early.  The “spread” thing just wasn’t working that well.  At the end of the year, Tuberville decided the whole thing wasn’t working that well.  Auburn missed the post-season and that was enough to inspire him to move on.

8.  Syracuse upsets Notre Dame and Buffalo upsets Ball State
These two upsets also “shook the earth” (see below, Utah).  It has been a tough tenure for Syracuse coach Greg Robinson, but he got a parting gift from his players as they knocked off Notre Dame late in the season.  Nevertheless, Notre Dame was able to improve on last year’s bowless season by making it to the Hawaii Bowl.  Buffalo was among the worst programs in NCAA Division I football when head coach Turner Gill arrived.  Just a few years later, the Bulls upset undefeated Ball State in the MAC Championship Game to win the title.

9.  Myron Rolle wins a Rhodes Scholarship and then plays in the Maryland game
Florida State Safety Myron Rolle is not just a smart guy, he is a brilliant guy.  On the day of November 22, 2008, Rolle interviewed for and won a Rhodes Scholarship, and then he received a police escort to Byrd Stadium to help his team beat Maryland.  He had a long day, and he deserved the next day off.  This only happens once in every other generation.  We should enjoy Myron’s success on and off the field.  He has a tough choice to make after school:  the NFL, or Oxford.

10.  Utah upsets Alabama in the Sugar Bowl
My original list did not include this, but it is well worth the inclusion.  Utah, the original BCS Buster, knocked out Alabama on Friday night January 2, 2009 for one of the most “ground shaking” upsets of the year.  The Utes, who is not a flashy team, plays very “blue collar” like.  Take away a punt return by Alabama in the second half and the score is 31-10.  There will be arguments for Utah to be national champions.

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