Tag Archives: Florida State

On any given College Football weekend, there are a plethora of exciting and meaningful games with BCS implications on the slate, and this weekend is no different.   What IS different, is that if you go to the "Pick of the Week" section of the Original Retro Brand website, you will receive 20%  OFF THE NORMAL RETAIL PRICE of the teams featured in this weekend's biggest games, by entering code RIVALS09 @ checkout.   And speaking of checkout, you'll want to see ORB's take on the top 5 games we're talking about featured below.  The action kicks in Thursday night.....

GAME 1:  Folks are taking a good Heisman look at # 8 Cincinnati (5-0) QB Tony Pike, as he leads the Bearcats against # 21 (5-0) U. of Southern Florida and  freshman sensation B.J. Daniels.  Pike is the 9th rated QB in the country and has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 15 straight games.  Daniels dismantled Florida State on the ground and in the air.   Pike too much for the Bulls as Cincy gets big road win.  Bearcats 28, USF 20.

GAME 2: The Texas Longhorns # 3 (5-0) should not be taking the Red River Rivalry for granted, facing a 2-loss # 20 Oklahoma Sooner (3-2) club at the Cotton Bowl.  Colt McCoy has done just enough to get it done so far against a somewhat light schedule (except for a tough win over Texas Tech).   The Sooners lost their 2 games to ranked teams (Miami and BYU) by just 1 point each, and now have QB Sam Bradford back.   Bradford quietly passed for over 400 yards in his return game against Baylor.  Sooners get back in the BCS picture (barely). Oklahoma  35, Texas 24.

GAME 3: Another defining moment arrives for # 25  Notre Dame (4-1) coach Charlie Weis, as he takes on # 6 USC (4-1).  He's got the nation's leading passer in Jimmy Clausen, but the Fighting Irish could easily be 2-3 instead of 4-1, barely squeaking out some nail biters.   Pete Carrol has USC back in step after losing to Washington , with crushing victories over Washington State and Cal respectively.   Despite that, I think Weis gets the hugest win of his career in an upset.  Notre Dame 32, USC 30.

GAME 4: I've learned my lesson (not really, but..).  Picked Miami AND Boston College to knock off the # 4 Hokies (5-1) and was not even close.  Virginia Tech has the # 1 scoring offense, and # 2 scoring defense in the ACC.   # 19 Georgia Tech (5-1) has the home field advantage and a potent running game, but the defense has been inconsistent.  VTech ruins Yellow Jackets Homecoming , and puts a virtual lock on ACC Coastal title.  Virginia Tech 42, Georgia Tech 28.

GAME 5: Previously unbeaten Wisconsin (5-1) got a wake up call at the "Shoe" last week at the hands of an inspired Ohio State team.  They will have their hands full again with the visiting unbeaten, and 11th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (6-0).   Iowa comes off impressive wins against Penn State on the road and Michigan.   The Hawkeyes have not started a season 6-0 since 1985, and the streak won't end in Madison:  Iowa 34, Wisconsin 24.

So there you have it.  If you're keeping score, my expertise on behalf of the ORB team has yielded a record of  3 wins and 4 losses.   I feel confident the record will be 8 wins and 4 losses after this weekend.  I also feel confident you will love the 20% off you will receive by entering code RIVALS09 @ checkout on the greatest, most comfortable, most retro shirts on Earth - Original Retro Brand!

In our 7th installment of College football's greatest players ever by position, we feature the Wide Receiver.   Soft hands, sneaky moves, and lightning speed were the tools of the ten listed below.  These are the guys who broke games open in a matter of seconds.   What is more scary for a cornerback,  to often face the fastest man on earth, one on one?    These guys left many a DB in cement shoes on their way to the end zone.  Be sure to click on the highlighted link of the college each player suited up for, to see the extremely cool Original Retro Brand shirt that represents those teams.

CARTER # 1, BUT NOT # 1

10. Don Hutson, Alabama: Hutson is the oldest on the list, playing for the Crimson Tide from 1932 -1934.  The All-American was famous for catching passes amid heavy traffic and bringing the "end-around" play to the forefront of college football.    The other receiver he played with was a guy named Paul "bear" Bryant.

9.  Michael Irvin, Miami: The Cane's all-time leading receiver in catches and touchdown receptions, Irvin led the "U" to the 1987 National championship over Oklahoma.

8. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech: Crabtree is the only player to win the prestigious Fred Biletnikoff award for college footballs' outstanding receiver in back to back years (2007 & 2008).  Perhaps his biggest achievement is getting the cover of EASPORTS XBOX 360!

7. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt:  He only played in 26 games for the Panthers, but he managed to haul in 161 receptions for almost 3,000 yards and a school record 34 touchdowns.   Fitzgerald holds the NCAA mark for consecutive games with a touchdown at 18.

6.  Anthony Carter, Michigan: This 3 time All-American was the first sophomore to ever be voted team captain for the Wolverines.  He finished in the top ten Heisman voting 3 times and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

5.  Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech:  Johnson is hands down the best receiver in the storied Yellow Jacket history.   Johnson racked up the ACC rookie of the year award, was a 3-time All-ACC team member including ACC player of the year in 2006, and winner of the 2006 Biletnikoff award.  Speaking of Fred Biletnikoff.......

4. Fred Biletnikoff,  Florida State:  You may have noticed that the award for outstanding college receiver of the year, is named after the Seminole receiver I rank as # 4.   He was the first consensus All-American Florida State ever had.  He was actually a two-way player, and had an interception return for 99 yards against rival Miami as a junior.  Biletnikoff was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

3. Lynn Swann, USC:  "Swanny" was a triple threat for the Trojans, effectively running and returning punts in addition to his receiving duties.   He was even voted to the All-Blocking team in 1973!

2. Tim Brown, Notre Dame:  "Touchdown Timmy," was a two- time All-American, and winner of the 1987 Heisman Trophy.  Brown packed on over 5,000 all-purpose yards for the Fighting Irish.

1. Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State: Before his mind boggling NFL career, Rice was busy putting up ridiculous numbers for the Delta Devils.  In 1982 & 1983,  he put together back to back 100+ reception season's.  He caught a whopping 24 balls in one game, setting an NCAA record, and had two games where he scored 5 touchdowns.

Before anybody freaks out on me, let it be known that Paul Warfield (Ohio State), Charley Taylor (Oregon), and Lance Alworth (Arkansas), all played halfback in college.  Ok, NOW you can rip into my list....

[poll id="13"]

"........But that was then and this is now, and despite the huge win last night, I see Miami finishing  a notch behind FSU.   And even though the Hokies dropped their opener to Alabama  I see Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech coming in the top two spots (Georgia Tech will beat FSU in the ACC Championship game)."     Yes, these words were written by yours truly just a few short weeks ago.  My, my, how I wish I can take them back....

Now that the Miami Hurricanes have knocked off state rival, and # 18 Florida State, and wiped out the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in old school fashion (i.e, a blowout dropping them  from # 14 out of the top 25.), the Canes seem poised to step back into an old familiar role of NATIONAL POWERHOUSE.

Their first big test will come this Saturday on the road in Blacksburg, against ACC Coastal division rivals, the Virginia Tech Hokies.   The Hokies lost a hard fought opening season game to Alabama and are coming off a stunning last second victory over a much improved Nebraska Cornhuskers team last weekend.

In a game that will feature two young QB's coming of age, the nod has to go to Miami's Jacory Harris, who has been named ACC Offensive player of the week twice already in this young season.    Along with a smothering  defense that held the highly touted Georgia Tech running game to a standstill last week,  the "U", should be able to silence the Virginia Tech faithful.

The Canes are certainly not looking ahead, but if they can knock off the Hokies, they will get to host the # 9 (USA TODAY) Oklahoma Sooners and the very likely return of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.   A win at home would put the Canes in the driver's seat to run the table and go unbeaten (....although the Tarheels are looking tough too..).

When was the last time a Miami team (or any team?) started the season by knocking off 4 teams ranked in the top 20?   I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, but I would imagine it could go back to the 34 game winning streak the Hurricanes put together in 2001-2002.   Remember back when the Hurricanes were always near the top?   They're back........and I believe if I need to pull any quotes from this post in 2 weeks, it will be to reiterate that the Canes will run the table!

In this, our 5th Original Retro Brand weekly installment of TOP TEN COLLEGE players by position, we will be listing the best kickers in College history.  Or as I say each week, MY FAVORITES!   No other position on the field can turn you into a hero or goat quicker than that of the placekicker.  Only those with the mental toughness to thrive under the pressure of deciding the outcome of any given game,and succeeding, make this list.  SO, here they are...

10. George Blanda, Kentucky: Mainly a Quarterback, he turned around a pathetic Wildcat club with his arm and foot.  Having Bear Bryant as a coach didn't hurt either!

9. Pete Gogolak, Cornell:  Was the first kicker to introduce innovative "Soccer Style" of kicking that is now the norm.  Gogolak would also introduce the style into the AFL- NFL, and thrived during a 10 year career.

8. Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State: The only kicker to win the coveted Lou Groza award for best College Placekicker twice in 1998 & 1999.  Despite his love of getting into fights off the field and the threat of deportation, he became only the 3rd kicker in NFL history to be drafted in the first round.

7. Pete Stoyanovich, Indiana:  Considered the best 2-sport athlete (would you believe soccer?) the Hoosiers ever had.  The school's all-time leading scorer holds numerous Big 10 records.

6. Russell Erxleben, Texas: Set the record for the longest field goal in College history with 67 yarder against Rice in 1977 (tied 2 weeks later by Steve Little of Arkansas).  Erxleben would be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.

5.  Lou "The Toe" Groza, Ohio State:  Only played one year for the Buckeyes before being drafted into World War II.   Obviously he left a lasting impression as the annual award for the best kicker in College Football is named after him!     Was an All-Pro Offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns in addition to his kicking duties.

4. Chris & Matt  Bahr, Penn State:  Both Chris and younger brother Matt would follow almost identical career paths.  They were both All-American Soccer and Football stars while at Penn State, and would go on to lengthy NFL careers.  They even played short stints in the now defunct North American Soccer League.

3.  Pat Summerall, Arkansas:  Played Defensive End, Tight end and Kicker.  I grew up watching him on "This week in the NFL" on Friday nights, and he was the best announcer ever along with John Madden.

2. Morten Andersen, Michigan State:  Holds Big 10 record for longest field goal at 63 yards and was All-American in 1981.  He would go on to become the All-Time Leading Scorer in NFL History.

# 1 BUTLER

1. Kevin Butler, Georgia: Anybody that reads my blog (anybody?) knows I am a Georgia Bulldog fan (tough opening loss), and tend to favor all that is DAWG.  This case is no different.  Butler holds the NCAA record for highest pctg. of field goals made over 50 yards, and is the ONLY place kicker to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

If you think I left anybody off the list, please leave your favorite kicker in the comment section, and I'll make note of it on our Original Retro Brand Facebook Fan page!

A few weeks ago, the folks at Original Retro Brand picked a Purdue shirt (Purdue Pete) to feature as the "Pick of the Week."   That got me thinking of the BIG TEN, so I wrote a bit about the BIG TEN.   Well this week, an ACC shirt will be chosen (You'll just have to wait until tomorrow to find out which shirt, but know it is cool) so I am going to write another little  bit.

With one glorious weekend of College Football in the books, topped off by an amazing FSU-Miami match up last night, the ACC is fresh on the mind.  As long as I can remember, it's always been these two teams at the top of the heap.  Of Course the Canes were a part of the Big East when they won their 5 National Championships.  Names like Kosar, Testeverde, Irvin and Sapp come to mind, not to mention the Canes 58 home game winning streak - still an NCAA record.   But that was then and this is now, and despite the huge win last night, I see Miami finishing  a notch behind FSU.   And even though the Hokies dropped their opener to Alabama,  I see Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech coming in the top two spots (Georgia Tech will beat FSU in the ACC Championship game).

As I did with the BIG TEN a few weeks ago, I am simply going to list the teams in the order I think they will finish with my favorite player from the good ol' days next to the difference maker for the team this season, all linked to my favorite Original Retro Brand tee for good measure.

1. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets:  New, RB Jonathan Dwyer  Old School, (Not that old)  WR Calvin Johnson

2. Virginia Tech Hoakies: New,  RB Darren Evans   Old School, DE Bruce Smith

3. Florida State Seminoles: New, QB Christian Ponder  Old School,  WR Fred Biletnikoff.

4. Miami Hurricanes:  New, QB Jacory Harris Old School,  QB Jim Kelly

5. North Carolina Tarheels:  New,  KR Da'Norris Searcy   Old School, LB Lawrence Taylor

6. Clemson Tigers:  New, RB/KR  C.J. Spiller   Old School, WR: Perry Tuttle

7. Wake Forest Deamon Deacons: : New, QB Riley Skinner  Old School, RB  Brian Piccolo

8. Boston College Eagles: New, RB Josh Haden    Old School, QB Doug Flutie

9. Maryland Terrapins:  New, QB Chris Turner   Old School,  QB Boomer Esiason

10. North Carolina State Wolfpak:  New, QB Russell Wilson    Old School, QB Roman Gabriel

11. Virginia Cavaliers: New, QB Vic Hall   Old School, RB Tiki Barber

12. Duke Blue Devils:  New, QB Thaddeus Lewis    Old School, QB Sonny Jurgensen

Be sure to check out the blog tomorrow,  to see which Original Retro Brand shirt will be on sale for 25% off the normal price!   Here's a little hint on which ACC team will be featured:   The team won their first game this season.   Check us tomorrow and see if it's your team!

[poll id="11"]