Musical interlude that has nothing to do with this week’s TMQ. We just needed a musical interlude right about now, and we find this particular version of the song haunting. Yes, we’re in a mood.
This week’s column after the jump.
“Here’s what would happen if ESPN Grade were applied to the CFP: Right now, the top four seeds, in order, would be Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia and Auburn.” 570 words down. (If you don’t remember, ESPN Grade is TMQ’s combination of coaches polls and graduation rate. And by the way, the ESPN Grade figures in this week’s column are based on 2013 data, because the 2014 data wasn’t released until after TMQ published.)
We get to do the Lord of the I-Told-You-So Dance: “On a related point, the University of North Carolina scandal just keeps getting worse.” TMQ actually offers a pretty comprehensive rundown, for those who haven’t been following this particular story.
Last week, Lawrence questioned our assertion that this could be as big as, or bigger, than SMU. We agree with Lawrence’s point that as far as is currently known, no money actually changed hands (though we’re not ruling that out). But in terms of how long the scandal went on (roughly 10 years for SMU versus 18 for UNC), number of athletes involved (13 for SMU, 3,100 for UNC), and the violation of the school’s core mission, we think the comparison with SMU is defensible. We’re also, sadly, convinced that not a damn thing is going to come of this, other than what’s already happened; some lower-level folks got thrown to the wolves.
As we said, we’re in a mood.
“Great News — Jerry Jones Embarrassed in Prime Time”. We didn’t watch the game (for reasons related to having to work while it was on) but we’re inclined to think hanging close to a long-time division rival and losing in overtime is hardly “embarrassing”. If the Cowboys had lost to Oakland, maybe we’d give TMQ “embarrassing”. If the Cowboys had given up 22 points to Detroit, maybe we’d give TMQ “embarrassing”. This item comes across as TMQ being blinded by his dislike of Jerry Jones and a strange fondness for Colt McCoy.
A Griffin comeback would be a media circus, while Gruden can take credit for having the foresight to sign the unwanted McCoy last spring.
But did anyone expect McCoy to win in Dallas? Not that we recall. As we’ve said before, “The most dangerous man in the world is the one who has nothing to lose.” McCoy could play balls to the wall because there were no expectations; if he becomes the starter, then what happens?
Sweet: Pittsburgh. (“A ‘syrup’ block occurs when a lineman jumps onto a flattened defender — syrup on pancake!” Is Easterbrook just making stuff up here?) Sour: Cincinnati. Mixed: Seattle-Carolina.
Black holes, white holes. (Paging Martha and the Muffins.)
“The 100” is teen angst goes to outer space.
526 words down.
Linemen throwing. Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria.
TMQ touches briefly on Chicago’s admission that they shortened yellow light timing to make more money on automated tickets. However, he missed out on an interesting part of the story:
Saints-Packers. TMQ’s annual 1% basketball content. Except he’s devoted much more than 1% this season, what with all the odd NBA trades he’s covered…
The numerous NBA teams that are goin’ nowhere know who they are from the start of the season.
We just want to mention here that we really like the Philadelphia 76ers chances of setting a new record for futility this season.
“In the year 2014, the Chicago Blackhawks have more wins at Soldier Field than the Chicago Bears…” And both teams have more wins combined than the Oakland Raiders. The Charlotte Hornets are management heavy. But how does their “40 people to administer a team of 18 players” compare with other NBA teams? Bad blitzing: Philadelphia.
Jim Caldwell kicked down 21-0 and twice kicked on fourth-and-short inside the Atlanta 5-yard line. Yet conservatism kept the Lions close.
Bears repeating:
Detroit held 3 time outs and didnt use any at end of half — game only half over and already the Lions are phoning in.
— Gregg Easterbrook (@EasterbrookG) October 26, 2014
Speaking of goofy NBA trades. Houston-Tennessee. Speaking of goofy NBA trades again.
Lord of the I-Told-You-So Dance, reprise. You know, we’re starting to think we may actually have broken that toe.
NBA trade exceptions explained. Sort of.
With City of Tampa leading Minnesota 13-10, the Vikings had the ball on their 23 at the two-minute warning. The host’s cheerleaders ran onto the field, lined up almost in the Vikings’ huddle and began to shake their booties in hopes of distracting the visitors.
Is this legal? (Yes. We are old. Also, we’re in a mood.)
Dance dance interception. The 2014 United Nations Human Development Report. Sammy Watkins.
“…West Point wooed football recruits with alcohol, cash, a chance to rub shoulders with female cadets and cheerleaders on party bus that had a police escort.” Yes, this was an NCAA violation. But doesn’t “wooing football recruits” with “female cadets” also look pretty bad in light of the recent sexual harassment scandals at the military academies? TMQ totally misses that point.
E85 gasoline sucks. So do federal ethanol mandates in general. Yet another point TMQ misses: E85 is less efficient than straight gas.
Also worth noting:
Washington Post auto reviewer Warren Brown reports that in 1,500 miles of driving a 2015 Escalade, he “rarely” found a station selling E85 and had no choice but to fill the car with standard gasoline.
This seems strange to us. Here in Austin, there’s no shortage of E85 equipped stations.
We think New England can take Indianapolis, Detroit, and San Diego. Possibly Green Bay, but we’ll be pulling for the Pack.
Good sportsmanship: Mount Union. Bad sportsmanship, according to TMQ: TCU against Texas Tech. But one of TMQ’s commenters points out that TCU played third stringers and walk-ons the entire fourth quarter; what the hell else were they supposed to do, throw directly to the Tech defense?
“..soccer will never be more than the duke of sports.” Hmmm hmmm hmmmm.
There are special teams gods? And they chortle? What’s worse: the first set of Thursday night games, or this season’s London games?
The 500 Club. Wayland Baptist 26, Bacone 14. Mmmmmmmm. Bacone. By the way: Slippery Rock State University 31, Indiana University of Pennsylvania 21. You’re welcome.
And that’s a wrap. For once, TMQ Watch is up on Tuesday. Does once count as a streak? Tune in next week to see if we can make it two in a row.