Two-Minute Drill: Going After Barry Sanders - jmik58's Blog

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Two-Minute Drill: Going After Barry Sanders Stuck

Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:49 AM.

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College football randawesomeness packed into 120 seconds or less (reading levels not checked); getting you up to speed on the weekend ahead and dropping you off on a gravel road three miles outside of town.

"POUR SOME GATORADE ON ME"

If you're a fan of those who embrace their situation as a differently-abled person, take note. A school in Little Rock, Arkansas -- whether by pop culture genius or coincidental (mis?)fortune -- has forever latched itself in history to that of a legendary 1980's rock band. Now introducing, your Arkansas School for the Deaf Leopards. You have to like the boldness if nothing else. No really, the school is on Facebook -- "like" them.

IDIOT, LIQUORED-UP KICKERS

When kickers make the news it's not typically following anything positive. One particular kicker doesn't buck that trend, and rightfully so, as Geno Smith of West Virginia stole the show en route to a 70-63 victory over Baylor last weekend. But someone had to kick all those extra-points, right?

Right indeed -- all ten of them. West Virginia kicker, Tyler Bitancurt, successfully connected on ten extra-point attempts -- his only points of the day. Let that soak in a moment as you consider that the Mountaineers kicker went into the boxscore with ten points scored on the game; none via field goal -- the type of ridiculousness you expect to see on the second highest scoring day in college football history.

THREE DOWN, TWENTY-THREE TO GO

The weekly countdown continues as we inch closer to the teens for the number of teams left without a loss. Only three squads with perfect records fell off the wagon last week, and this time around the football Grinch is predicting more teams off a bye will result in under twenty surviving unbeaten squads.

#24 Northwestern may see their streak end at Penn State as they try for their first 6-0 start since the 1960's. Undefeated teams #4 LSU and #10 Florida face off for a forced-blemish matchup, as does #8 West Virginia versus #11 Texas, and #5 Georgia versus #6 South Carolina.

Keep your eye on TCU as they test their perfect record without suspended quarterback Casey Pachall against a one-loss Iowa State squad. Also in danger are the Texas Tech Red Raiders who welcome the Oklahoma Sooners to town. Hopefully the third time is a charm as I claim -- once again -- that this will finally be the week the total number of unbeaten teams finally dips below twenty.

TWO PLAYS FROM PERFECTION

As always I subscribe to the philosophy of slightly-above-average. Asking for anything more and you're bound to end up with a goose egg on the prediction board. Sure, I connected on West Virginia, Texas, and Georgia; but Virginia Tech and Michigan State -- ouch. Another field goal by Sparty and it's a different story; a Butch Davis secondary that acts like it's not lost against the Bearcats and we're eating steak.

This week features plenty of high-profile matchups between ranked opponents and a few others easily considered as coin-flip contests. I'm going with my gut and doing my best not to over-analyze this week realizing that sometimes you just can't predict a Hail Mary or a Big-Ten offense. I've got Air Force over Navy, #10 Florida beating #4 LSU, #11 Texas takes down #8 West Virginia, #24 Northwestern upends Penn State, and #6 South Carolina drops the #5 Georgia Bulldogs.

STEFPH-ON THE GAS

This year has certainly lent itself to passing exploits highlighted by the kings of the Big-XII. One team and one player, however, didn't get the memo that football has gone completely to the quarterbacks. Stefphon Jefferson of the Nevada Wolfpack (4-1) leads the nation with 877 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. At his current pace (175.4 ypg), Jefferson is headed for a total of 2,104 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.

While neither would set any national records, each mark would cement Jefferson's spot at third in each respective category. Only Barry Sanders (2,628) and Marcus Allen (2,342) have more rushing yards in a season. Also, Sanders (37) and Nebraska's Mike Rozier (29) would be the only players resting above that of Jefferson should he maintain and reach his current touchdown clip.

LONG SNAPPER SPOTLIGHT

Last but not least, welcome again to the caboose of TMD's football train. Whether for good or bad, long snappers need lovin' too.

This week's casualty story at the position comes via the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles. Who knew long snapping could be such a dangerous position, but Jon Dorenbos went down last week leading to the signing of Kyle Nelson. Previously I profiled Denver Broncos halfback Willis McGahee who was once the backup long snapper for the Baltimore Ravens. Like McGahee, Eagles tight end Brent Celek is the team's unofficial backup. Andy Reid, however, isn't too ambitious about testing out Celek's skills as the veteran tight end has never actually attempted a snap in a game.

Fortunately for Philadelphia, Nelson apparently did well in last Sunday night's game considering hardly anyone knew of his role with the team against the division rival New York Giants. Philadelphia pulled the minor upset 19-17 over the defending Super Bowl Champions thanks in large part to four field goals and four successful punts averaging 45.5 yards -- including two inside the twenty.

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @long_snapper

Comments

# 1 Bmore Irish @ Oct 5

I like your game predictions this week; goin with all the lower ranked teams. LSU and WVU are the two i've been sayin will go down.

# 2 jmik58 @ Oct 5

@Bmore Irish 69 ... I didn't even realize it was all lower ranked teams -- that's probably not a good sign. I picked Texas to win the Big-12 preseason so I have to be a homer to myself, plus I think they have an outstanding defense -- something the Mountaineers haven't seen and don't have. LSU may easily win but they've been trending downward for me lately. Of course, the Tigers could play up to the level of Florida just like they've played down to their last two opponents, but I'm going with the Gators just because I have a thing against teams that don't play to their potential each weekend.

# 3 Mrfrosty @ Oct 6

I agree on the LSU going down this weekend, even as a LSU fan it seems bleek. Although Kevin Smith feels robbed in your article in 2007 he ran for 2,567 yards and 29 TDs.

# 4 Bmore Irish @ Oct 6

yea i think you're right on the money with the picks though, and kirk herbstreit agrees lol. but i must correct myself, they're not all lower ranked teams, northwestern is higher then penn st.

# 5 jmik58 @ Oct 6

@Mrfrosty ... looks like I need new sources for my single-season records. At least I can blame it on the site I used in the link