-- AlNice article on the USNA football team in the paper this AM. The Middies are now bowl eligible for the 10th time in the last 11 years. Navy currently has an 11 game winning streak against Army and is 9-2 against Air Force in the same span. Navy's bowl teams have never snuck in the back door with a 6-6 record but have averaged 8 wins during this 11 year stretch. A really good record for an underappreciated program. As recently as 2001, the Middies were 0-10 but have done a complete reversal under former coach Paul Johnson (who went 45-29 at Navy) and current coach Ken Niumatalolo (who is currently 47-30). Navy may not have a Top 25 program but they are now consistent winners, and, after all, they do have other important factors to consider besides football. Go Navy! ^&grin^&cool -- Al
Well Chris, you can officially add me to the anti-Edsall brigade. I watched him blow the game against BC today and I have to say, it has been a while since I have been this mad over a UMd game. He tries that very questionable tactic of trying to ice the other team's FG kicker. Game came down to a 52 yarder. Hit it and win, miss and go to OT. Well, the BC kicker missed, barely wide-left, but no, Edsall called Time Out just as he kicked. The result was a second chance at glory and the kicker didn't miss twice. Fire Edsall now and save my blood-pressure from more abuse. That freeze-the-kicker stuff is just stupid.
One of the more remarkable games I've seen in a while. Bama blows a 21-7 lead, plus their kicker can't hit squat. I don't blame that kid for missing that last kick. Bama had no business even trying from that distance, 57 yards, when the kicker had already proved that he couldn't hit on this day. The chances of a successful attempt were nil and that left only OT, IF nothing goes wrong on the attempt. Saban is going to live with this one for a long time. What a terrible decision to flush your season down the drain on. Then again, it took a miracle to beat the best.{sm2} -- Al
Yeah, I didn't realize it was a different kicker. That's what I get for watching with the sound off.:redface2: I was hoping to see Bama-FSU as well. Too bad for Bama that the game came down to that lightning bolt. Should have been in the bag long before. A 21-7 lead squandered and 4 missed FG's. Just wasn't Bama's night. -- Al
As many obnoxious Bama fans I know down here, I have a hard time getting too critical of Saban. He clearly runs the best program in the country. If he was dirty I suspect they'd have turned something up by now. When you're on top a million darts are pointed at you.
The kid trying the long field goal was not the same kid who missed the other 3, I'm pretty sure. The coaches aren't stupid. He must be their "long kicker" and have hit plenty of 57 yarderd in practice or they wouldn't have bothered.
The number of games they've won under Saban is amazing, especially as it's not a patsy schedule like Ohio State.
In retrospect they made a number of mistakes but guess what, ain't no coaching staff infallible. They all screw up sometime. Still, I suspect Coach Sabans job is safe.
If anything it might be a blessing in disguise for Bama fans. Another national championship, pretty as you please, and Saban might have started itching for a new challenge sooner rather than later. A little humble pie can be invigorating and motivating. Wonder how many Auburn kids were shunned by the Bama coaches? Regardless, the myth of unbeatable Alabama has been broken, fair and square. Unfettered dominance gets a little old after a while.
Chris, the big game is nearly here and you and I both know that the season record means very little in the Army-Navy contest, but my take is that this year your prediction will be accurate. Navy has played some good ball while Army has faded. I'm Navy all the way but I watch for the tradition and pure fun of seeing the ground pounders and the swabbies play in this rivalry. Ultimately, with these two teams, you just never know who will win. Go Navy! ^&grin -- AlArizona St. gets another shot at Stanford this weekend and at home. The PAC 12 has been fading out but ASU has been on a killer roll (along with a resurgent USC) so Im looking forward to this one.
On a really sour note, Army got beat by Hawaii, as in previously 0-10 Hawaii. They started out pretty strong but just dropped some close contests and the season ended in disaster. Shame. Navy wins and wins big this year.
Arizona St. gets another shot at Stanford this weekend and at home. The PAC 12 has been fading out but ASU has been on a killer roll (along with a resurgent USC) so Im looking forward to this one.
On a really sour note, Army got beat by Hawaii, as in previously 0-10 Hawaii. They started out pretty strong but just dropped some close contests and the season ended in disaster. Shame. Navy wins and wins big this year.