Brian Bald
Nov 06, 2008

This blog is dedicated to promoting the ideas of the unqualified and under-informed. With that in mind, “12 Angry Homers” is a weekly feature highlighting the rants and raves of a graduate from each of the 12 ACC schools (note: eventually…we are a few homers short at the moment) as their beloved teams make their way through the football & basketball seasons…

Homer #1: E-Dubs

I pretty much nailed the analysis last week of the BC game and CJ Spiller’s impact on the team. That guy is amazing, and I hope he comes back next year because we are a different team with him.
As far as the game goes, Clemson tried to blow it in the 4th quarter again after another terrible interception by Harper and a blocked punt. However, Spiller put the entire program on his back and got us back into the game with a huge kickoff return that set up an Aaron Kelly touchdown. I have to applaud the defense for a terrific showing once again. The only time BC scored was due to a blocked punt and an interception that gave them a short field.

Looking forward to the showdown in Tallahassee this weekend. I hope Willy Korn gets more looks at QB since Cullen Harper looks to be digressing as the season goes on. Cullen has been staring down wide receivers and throwing into double coverage which led to 3 turnovers last week. We cannot do that against a FSU team that can turn interceptions and fumbles into easy points. This weekend will be about ball control and time of possession. I am very comfortable about the way our defense is playing, and GT proved that you can score a lot of points on FSU’s defense. Both programs have very young O-lines and the ability to put in multiple QB’s to confuse the defense. Clemson has a big advantage at the RB position with Spiller and Davis, and I believe FSU has a few injured players at that position. Both teams have great # 1 receivers in Carr and Kelly but the Tigers have more depth and speed at that position.

This game is on the road in FSU, and the match up has developed into quite a rivalry in the past few years. Clemson has won 3 times out of the last 4 meetings so expect FSU to be fired up. I expect the stadium to be very loud and difficult for our young O-line, and I foresee several penalties. In order for Clemson to win this game, Davis and Spiller need to finally have a breakout game together allowing Clemson to eat up the clock and wear down that athletic defense. I feel this will be a very close game with some explosive plays due to the caliber of athletes on the field. If Clemson can win the turnover margin in this game, they will leave Tallahassee with a win. Clemson 28 FSU 27…take the points at +6.

Homer #2: Moncrieffe

What a rough week. We lost, they won. I just don’t get it. With the game in hand, I was always taught that you keep the ball in the hands of your play makers. Why did Marcus Sims have the ball to begin with? I mean it’s not that Marcus sucks (though, he’s definitely not good). Didn’t he fumble against VT last week? Sure, it wasn’t ruled a fumble on review but I’ve seen the play many times and I know he fumbled that ball. He’s just not the guy I wanted with the ball at the end of a hard fought game. I mean I get it, Antone’s hurt and Thomas is exhausted, but couldn’t we have tried a bootleg giving Ponder the run-pass option that he plays so well? We still had a timeout and were in more than good enough position to take a sack and still be able to kick the FG for overtime. We should have made a better play call.
But it’s not all Sims’ fault; he was just the nail in the coffin. Sloppy defense and turnovers once again have cost us a game. GT played their option against us like we were their practice team and they definitely deserved their win on Saturday.
This type of performance will not exude confidence next week against Clemson. They always play us better than themselves or their record looks. I just hope we can get it together. On a brighter note, at least we weren’t kicked out of the BCS. Now at #22 but still ranked nonetheless. And in case anyone is keeping count, its now 3 QB’s in 2 games. I wouldn’t mind keeping this rolling right through the UF game.

Homer #3: Benz

The future is so bright in Atlanta that it won’t even rain.  Every Atlanta team has a new attitude and that attitude is winning.  Tech beats a strong FSU team scorching the opponents tenacious D for 145 yards rushing in the first half followed by 141 yards in the third quarter alone.  Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson is tied for third in most victories by a coach by his 12th season with his 114th career win.  The Atlanta Falcons demoralized the Raiders by scoring 3 straight touchdowns.  And the Hawks are 2-0 after an incredible comeback.

So Florida State brings the best run-stop defense conceding only 77 yards per game and allowing only 17% of third downs to be converted.  Tech tops 288 yards rushing and scored 21 points in less than five minutes at one point in the 1st half.

The win puts Tech alone atop the Coastal division in the ACC with 3 other teams with only 2 loses.  Hard to guess who’s going to be there at the end.  The conference games are tremendous and always nail bitters.  Who was punting the ACC?

Homer #4: Beef & Charlie Chalupa

Somehow, are in first place.  HUUUUGE game Thursday against VT.  Much more next weekend

Homer #5: Krystal

So Miami has always been known as a 2nd half team. Well, after their big win over Virginia, I am starting to believe that again. Miami started off the game like most other Saturdays and were down 17-10 at the half.

Our defense couldn’t tackle worth anything. Yet we only managed to give up 17 points. But we couldn’t get that much going on offense. At the start of the 4th, I was ready for another defeat. But somehow, Miami managed a long drive down the field, and Harris completed a 26 yard pass to Byrd for the TD. We were tied with the team on top of the ACC! Miami managed to get the ball back, but Bosher missed a 51 yard field goal that sent us into OT. Still, Miami’s spirits weren’t down and on the first possession in OT, Harris found Johnson for another TD. VA got the ball back, but our defense managed to strip the ball out of the RB’s hands, old-school style. GAME OVER! Miami is right back in it and are now bowl eligible! Again, it’s the little things in life.

And with this win and the Phillies winning the WS, everything is right in the world again! Well for this week anyway….

Homer #6: Ned Ryerson

Bye week

Homer #7: The Steve Smith

Bye week

Homer #8: 46 East

They are who we thought they were!! They are who we thought they were!!!!!! 

Yes, no surprises this week in C-ville.  The Hoos are who we thought they were.  The Hoos aren’t as terrible as we thought two months ago, nor were they ever going to be playing in the Orange Bowl in two months.  We should have won this game against Miami, we didn’t take advantage of Miami handing us the game, and thus we let them hang around and eventually we lost.  Simple formula.  No surprises there.  The key during such weeks is that when you are not emotionally invested, such as I am not in this latest Wahoo bunch, the loss just rolls off your back. 

Not being emotionally invested allows me to spend more time focusing on the rest of my life.  I work out more now.  I check ESPN 30 times a day now, instead of the previous 20 times I used to before because I had to check Rivals.com 10 times a day.  Those extra 10 stops to ESPN.com allowed me to learn of the Phil Fulmer firing and the Iverson to Detroit trade before Hannah Storm did.  I also have become much better at terrorizing the city of Richmond with my friends.  Saturday night we brought back the often overlooked Mind Eraser, and we must have erased the minds of half the people hanging at Racine.  Strangely, all this free time has not opened up any time for prepping for the MPRE exam next weekend.  Guess that’s the way it goes.

Up next: Hoo cares

Homer #9: Benny-Who!?!??

Bye week…Terps Thursday night!

Homer #10: Erik the Red

Homer #11: _________

Do you know someone who went to Boston College? Because I don’t. If you, or someone you know, wants to be the BC Homer, e-mail thebaldspot@inrich.com

Homer #12: ________

Even Duke grads admit they do not pay attention to football. I doubt anyone wants to read about Blue Devil football any more than anyone wants to write about it. So, we will spare everyone involved and hold this space open for b-ball season.