College Football - Week 5

So, I've gotten back on the right track, survived the past working weekend, and managed to see the second half of three decent games last week. Two of them I was happy about. The third...not so much. I went 3-1 again, with the incorrect pick coming when Iowa upset Penn State...at Happy Valley...at a White-Out! Not happy!

This week sees our first bye week for a team, as Arizona does not play this week. So, there will be two bonus games to compensate.

Now, let the games begin!

Washington at Notre Dame

The Irish are coming off an exciting last minute win over Big-10 Purdue. The Huskies are coming off a disappointing loss to Stanford. Notre Dame Junior QB Jimmy Clausen is still suffering from Turf Toe. Washington Senior QB Jake Lockner is in good form, especially after leading his team to a win over Pac-10 powerhouse USC. This game will come down to how well the QBs play.

The Irish, in another close and exciting game, win another game at Notre Dame Stadium.

#15 Penn State at Illinois

Penn State faced their first loss of the season last week at the hands of Iowa. Illinois is being Illinios. Penn State will look to silence their critics by beating up on a Big-10 school. Of course, this game won't help much, as they are Illinios.

The Nitany Lions beat the Illini big on the road.

Air Force at Navy

The first meeting of two service academies of the year pits the powerful triple option of Air Force against the wishbone option of Navy. Navy managed to give Ohio State all they could handle. Air Force beat SDSU last weekend. Navy has won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the past three seasons. As much as I'd like Air Force to pull this one out, I know better.

Navy continues it's resurgence in football and begins their quest for another C-in-C Trophy.

#8 Oklahoma at #17 Miami (FL)

Sooner Heisman Trophy winner and Junior QB Sam Bradford will still be out for this week's game at Miami. He did work out this week, but he also received a consultation from Dr. James Andrews (surgeon to athletes of all kinds). Miami is coming off an embarrassing loss to Virginia Tech. Miami is hungry to win this one and let America know that "The U" really is back.

The 'swagger' of "The U" overcomes the tenacity of the Sooners.

Last Week: 3-1 Season: 11-5

How do you connect a BYU student to a shot of whiskey without violating the BYU Honor Code?

So, I have a friend who turned 21 on Thursday. She's a junior at BYU. I wished her a happy birthday on Facebook, got a message back from her, and continued on with my day (I was in the office until 2345 that night). On my walk to my truck, I was talking with one of our consultants, he asked me what time last call was. By the way, it's 2 am. I mention to him that if he wants to raise a pint to Arthur Guinness, he still has time. I then think that my friend shares a birthday with Guinness Stout. I assume that this is the closest that she'll come to a beer on her 21st birthday. But, I think back to my mission. In my second area, we were close to a family who had a daughter that turned 21 while I was there. My companion had been in that city once before and was very close to the family. So, we got the daughter a birthday present and a card. When we were looking for a card, I noticed one that we ended up buying. On the front, there was a shot glass full of whiskey. The inside of the card said "Cake is for Wussies". The family thought it was my comp that picked it out. They were very surprised when he credited me with the selection. So, how am I tying this all back together? I thought, on my drive home, that if I had thought about it before hand, I could have found one of those cards, sent it to my friend, and then say that I bought a BYU student a shot of whiskey for her 21st birthday.

College Football - Week 4

So, Week 3 was a rough one on me. Arizona announced mid-week that Junior TE Rob Gronkowski would not play against Iowa, and then announced on Saturday that his season was over before it began. Notre Dame lost Sophmore WR Michael Floyd to a broken collarbone, which will keep him out until a bowl game, at the soonest. The scores didn't help my mood much either, as both Arizona and Utah let me down, with Notre Dame and Penn State picking up the slack. I went 2-2 last week, and hope to improve this week.

Arizona at Oregon State

Arizona will be utilizing Sophmore QB Nick Foles for the first time this week. The announcment, made mid-week, will put Matt Scott on the bench, where he can hopefully refine his technique for mobile passing. The Arizona offense has sputtered over the first three games, and that sputtering cost them at Iowa last weekend. Oregon State's Jacquiz Rodgers leads a dangerous Beaver offense that will give the Arizona defense a run for their money on Saturday evening.

Arizona in a defensive slugfest. But, slim margin.

Iowa at #5 Penn State

Penn State is looking for retribution. A loss at Iowa was the game that kept Penn State out of the BCS Title Game. Daryll Clark has played well, but still has room for improvement (especially as the Penn State O-Line improves). Iowa played well last week against Arizona, especially the defense stopping the running game of Arizona. Iowa has the defense to stall the Penn State offense, but I don't think that Iowa has the offense to score on the Penn State defense.

Nitany Lions begin the Big-10 season on the right note, avenging last year's loss.

Notre Dame at Purdue

The Irish are without WR Michael Floyd. QB Jimmy Clausen is hampered by Turf Toe. The game is in West Lafayette. This is a fierce and long-lived rivalry. It doesn't matter.

The Irish roll over the Boilermakers on the road.

Arizona State at #21 Georgia

Oh, this is just a glorified opportunity to smack ASU around a little bit more. ASU's season went downhill after back-to-back losses to UNLV and Georgia at home last year. Now ASU is going to have to travel east and play 'Between the Hedges'. There's no chance that ASU wins at Sanford Stadium.

UGA VI takes a bite out of Sparky, and Georgia wins big in Athens

Last Week: 2-2 Season: 8-4

What's better than one Perry? Two of them!

MTV Shows

When talking about the best guitarists of the last 30 years, Joe Perry must be included in the discussion. His classic riffs have made Aerosmith one of the most recognizable bands in the world for over 30 years. Katy Perry was the up and coming artist of the summer of 2008, and has continued her success in 2009. Plus, she's pretty hot. Together, performed an impressive entrance number to kick off this year's MTV Video Music Awards. I liked the video, so I'm posting it. Yeah, not a lot of deep meaning in this post, just my favorite guitar player and a hot singer. This is one of those days that I'm really not hard to figure out at all.

Thus Sayeth Your Haus

Drop the puck...

When the weather begins to cool off in Tucson, it's a sign that it's starting to really cool off north of the Mason-Dixon line, which means only one thing...Hockey Season! And, for someone who does enjoy the occasional video game, a new season means the release of new version of your sport's video game from EA (except baseball, but that's another story). Earlier this week, NHL 10 hit stores. I haven't played it yet, but the TV spot just looked really cool. So, enjoy this good, traditional hockey song. Maybe, if I can find it, I'll post another hockey song later. Oh, and before I forget, Go Bruins!

Thus Sayeth Your Haus

EA SPORTS NHL 10

College Football - Week 3

Last week was another 3-1 week, though I was two minutes away from a perfect 4-0 (thanks Michigan...jerks). The heartbreaking upset of my beloved Irish was the low point in last week's college football season. But, I remain undeterred and overall, very happy with my performance thus far this year. Kudos to UCLA for pulling out the win in the Deep South.

Now, on to this week.

Temple at #5 Penn State

Penn State has looked solid in their first two games. Senior QB Daryll Clark has lead this consistent and dangerous offense while the moniker "Linebacker U" has lived up to its defensive reputation. While Temple is an in-state rival, they're don't have anywhere near the same talent that Penn State has.

Penn State rolls over the Owls.

Michigan State at Notre Dame

The Irish return to the friendly confines of Notre Dame Stadium after losing a heartbreaker in The Big House. The offense had sparks of brilliance that were dimmed by moments or ineptitude. The Irish defense also played an aweful third quarter last week, which didn't help matters. If Notre Dame wants to overcome this talented Big-10 team, they will need a consistent defense, outstanding play from Clausen, and a solid running game to set up Jimmy. Of course, if they need any additional motivation, they can always look back to a recent Michigan State visit to South Bend.



Notre Dame defends the home field, in more ways than one, and beats the Spartans.

Arizona at Iowa

Arizona will be getting All-American Tight End Rob Gronkowski back in the line up this week after missing the first two games of the year with back problems. This is huge for an Arizona offense that has not been able to pass the ball effectively in their first two games (both wins), which has allowed defenses to focus on stuffing the run. Iowa is a talented Big-10 team that welcomes the challenge of playing a Pac-10 team during the season. With this game in Iowa City, they will think that they have a distinct advantage. I still like Arizona to pull out the upset on the road.

Arizona clips the Hawkeyes' wings in a close (and I mean close) game.

#18 Utah at Oregon

Oregon is trying to get back to being Oregon. They had high hopes coming into the season, even being one of four teams featured on the SI College Football Preview issue cover. But, after a loss at Boise State, the loss of their Senior RB Blount for the year due to suspension, and then a squeaker of a win over Purdue, the Ducks are looking to correct their course before they begin Pac-10 play. Unfortunately, they scheduled Utah. They are trying to become the BCS buster again and show that they are a superior team to their in-state rivals, #7 BYU. While Utah has played a relatively weak non-conference schedule, they are going to be ready when they travel to Autzen Stadium this weekend.

Utah puts the Ducks in a tailspin, wins big in Autzen.

Last Week: 3-1 Season: 6-2

College Football - Week 2

A recap of Week 1 - The Haus went 3-1. This occured due to the unexpected departure of Sam Bradford from the BYU/OU game. A good game to watch, but the wrong outcome for my mood.

In a non-talked about game last week, Boise State defeated Oregon on the Smurf Turf in Boise. BSU controlled most of the game, yet did not fare well in the post-game impromptu boxing match. If you didn't see OU's (former) starting RB Blount take a sucker punch at a BSU player, than I'd point you to ESPN.com's video section. It's there. Good for Oregon for suspending this guy for the rest of the season. Blount's actions give the game of College Football a black eye.

Now, on to this weeks games.

#18 Notre Dame at Michigan

The Irish are coming off an impressive 35-0 will over Nevada. The Irish defense was able to contain the dangerous Colin Kapernick (sp?) and the Irish offense looked better than it has at any time over the past two years. Michigan spent their opening weekend with a typical FCS opponent (and this year managed not to get upset by them) in Western Michigan. Michigan has announced that their freshman phoenom Nate Forcier will start at QB. Notre Dame has announced that RB James Aldridge will sit after being injured against Nevada.

This boils down to one thing...this is a big rivalry for both schools. This is one of college football's oldest rivalries. These guys want to beat each other into a pulp, and then keep beating them.

The Irish will 'Rise and Strike', pulling out a 'Victory' (see above video) in the Big House and avenging the defeats of the past two years.

Northern Arizona at Arizona

This is Arizona's yearly FCS opponent. While NAU should not be overlooked, this game will not be nearly as close as last weeks game was against Central Michigan. Newly minted Arizona Sophmore QB Matt Scott looked good in the pocket, but has work to do on the move. Also, Scott needs to learn to slide feet first. Arizona's defense looked like it was in midseason form. Any improvement on last weeks effort will be warmly received, especially as the Pac-10 season draws near.

Arizona sends the Lumberjacks north emptyhanded.

Syracuse at #7 Penn State

The Nittany Lions rolled the 'Mightly Zips' of Akron, earning Senior QB Daryll Clark Big-10 Offensive Player of the Week honors. Syracuse had a close game with Minnessota, coming up just short behind the valiant effort of former Duke Basketball player Greg Paulus.

Linebacker U. gives the Dukie trouble all...day...long, and wins in a game that's over by the end of the 3rd quarter.

And, a 'for the fun of it' pick (this way I have four games each week)

UCLA at Tennessee

UCLA beat SDSU at the Rose Bowl, despite the impending fires throughout Los Angeles. Tennesse beat up on Western Kentucky. UCLA plays a team with a shot at an upset, Tennessee rings in the Lane Kiffin era with a cupcake. And, as I recall, UCLA found a way to beat Tennessee last year at the Rose Bowl (a nice way to ring in the Rick Neuheisel era). The Vols are favored by 8 in what will be a closely played matchup.

UCLA finds a way to pull the upset over Tennessee in Lane's first real NCAA test.

Last Week: 3-1 Season: 3-1

Capt. Paul D. Raymond, USAF

On 5 Sept 1967, 1Lt Paul Raymond and his navigator Capt. Donald Downing were flying in their F4 Phantom over the Yuang Binh Province of North Vietnam. Their F4-C Phantom crashed 10 miles north of the city of Vinh Linh. Both men were classified as 'Missing in Action'. In the time since that crash, Lt. Raymond was promoted to Captain and Capt. Downing was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Capt. Raymond graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1965. He had a wife and a son. His hometown was Deposit, New York. He was a father, a son, and a husband. He was an athlete and a man of faith. Now, he is one of 1731 servicemen and DoD civilians that is still unaccounted for.

During my junior year at UA, I received a POW/MIA bracelet. My bracelet has Capt Raymond's name on it. I have worn this bracelet since I received it. I'm sure most people have noticed it. Some has asked me what it is, some have recognized what it is and asked me if I knew of the person (either by relation or by him being a family friend). I didn't ask for Capt Raymond's name, members of my family didn't know him (that I know of). In fact, my dad didn't enlist in the Air Force until a year after Capt Raymond's crash. But I have worn this man's name on my wrist every day for nearly four years, and it is a constant reminder of the price that some have paid so that I can enjoy the freedoms that I enjoy.

42 years ago today, this man was doing his job defending our nation. Now, to all too many, he's merely a name on a list, and that list is looked at as merely a concept. It's sad that these people are not remembered more often than they truly are. We should each take a moment to remember those who have sacrificed all so that we may enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy, and many times take for granted.

Capt. Paul Darwin Raymond, You Are Not Forgotten.