Ok, since this was a good night for readership on the blog, I figure I would reward you with some college football press releases previewing the action for Saturday. I never seem to be able to go to sleep early for strange reasons so why not give you some release action while I can?
And I can keep my mind off that strange Balloon Boy story that paralyzed the country for four hours today.
We’ll start with CBS Sports hyping another game involving Florida for its SEC Game of the Week, plus analyst Gary Danielson talking about the BCS scenarios.
NO. 1 FLORIDA TAKES ON ARKANSAS AS “THE SEC ON CBS” CONTINUES ON SATURDAY, OCT. 17
AUDIBLES with CBS Sports’ Lead College Football Analyst Gary Danielson
CBS Sports’ coverage of SEC College Football continues on Saturday, Oct. 17 (3:30 PM, ET), with national coverage of Arkansas taking on *No. 1-ranked Florida
The CBS Television Network’s lead college football announce team of Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson call the action live from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Tracy Wolfson serves as lead reporter. Craig Silver, the Network’s coordinating producer of college football, produces and Steve Milton directs. CBS Sports’ broadcast of Arkansas-Florida also will be broadcast in high definition.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, starts the day on CBS Sports (3:00 PM, ET) with host Tim Brando, along with analysts Spencer Tillman and Tony Barnhart. COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY will keep viewers updated on all the games throughout the afternoon with scores and highlights. Vin DeVito produces and Linda Malino directs. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.
CBS College Sports Network’s SEC TAILGATE show is live from University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville, Fla. prior to the game. This week’s show is broadcast from just outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium between Gates 1 and 2. Former University of Florida wide receiver Reidel Anthony joins CBS College Sports Network as a guest analyst, along with Gainesville Sun sports columnist Pat Dooley. Veteran SEC announcer Dave Baker hosts SEC TAILGATE, and is joined by CBSSports.com’s Lauren Shehadi. Sam Ryan anchors coverage from New York with former Tennessee Head Coach Phillip Fulmer and Brian Jones serving as analysts.
The Arkansas-Florida game will be streamed live and free of charge on CBSSports.com. Each week CBS Sports’ “SEC Game of the Week” is available exclusively on CBSSports.com and also can be accessed through a link on the websites of all CBS affiliates.
After CBS Sports’ live SEC game coverage each Saturday throughout the season, CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK takes over with SEC POSTGAME SHOW (7:00-PM, ET), providing a recap of all the news, scores and highlights from around the SEC. Ryan serves as host along with Jones and
Fulmer. Stephan Van Engen produces.*AP Poll as of 10/12/09
AUDIBLES with CBS Sports’ Lead College Football Analyst Gary Danielson(On danger game for Florida): This is the game on the schedule that has always been a red-flag for elite teams. A couple of years ago LSU lost at Kentucky after they had the big win against Florida. And now after this emotional week with Tim TebowArkansas. No matter what you say, the Florida players are going to turn on that Alabama tape and they are not going to be impressed. That just happened to be Arkansas’ one bad game. And if they can get their quarterback hot, anything can happen. No matter how good your defense is, a hot quarterback can defeat it. It’s a danger game and it could be a lot of fun. and the head injury, the whole focus on LSU, now here sneaks in
(On Florida): I don’t know if I have seen a more mature team than Florida in all my years of covering college football. They have a lot of competition within the team and seem to be able to rise to the big game occasion better than any team I’ve seen. Florida is very balanced. They are deservedly ranked No. 1 and will be a very tough team to defeat because of the number of different ways they can beat you; with the pass rush, secondary, turnovers, punt returns, and kickoffs. They still have not shown the explosiveness of a year ago, and you wonder if they have it, after losing Louis Murphy and Percy Harvin. Everyone says they will do it when they need it. Well, they haven’t needed it yet, but there are questions on whether they even have it.
(On BCS): If Texas loses to Oklahoma this weekend, FloridaAlabama will not only be No. 1 and No. 2, they will have distanced themselves from the rest of the field. With the big game looming at the back end, the questions start. Who possibly deserves the third spot to play these guys? It can’t be Virginia Tech. Can it be a Big East Team? Can it be a Big Ten team? There will be a lot of talk about who should play the winner of the Florida-Alabama SEC Championship game. Some people will start to say the loser should still play in the BCS Championship Game. I am totally against that scenario because it is not fair for the winner to have to beat the loser two times in a row. What if one team loses the first game and wins the second game? They each win one game and the second game winner gets preference? There are really a lot of bad scenarios in front of that rematch formula. It might be great for the SEC, but it would be bad for college football. and
To CBS College Sports and a doubleheader preview.
CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK’S FOOTBALL ACTION FEATURES NO. 9 MIAMI AT UCF, AND NO. 23 HOUSTON AT TULANE
Audibles with Analyst Brian Jones
CBS College Sports Network broadcasts a primetime showdown on Saturday, October 17 (7:30 PM, ET), as *No. 9-ranked Miami takes on UCF at Brighthouse Networks Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Tom Hart calls the action with analyst Aaron Taylor.
Also on Saturday, Oct. 17 (3:30 PM, ET), *No. 23-ranked Houston battles Tulane in a Conference USA match-up from the Superdome in New Orleans, La. Dave Ryan and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila announce.
INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL LIVE (3:00 – 3:30 pm, ET) brings fans the latest scores and highlights. Immediately following the Miami – UCF game, INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL EXTRA (11:00 – 11:30 PM, ET) wraps up the day’s action with news and analysis. Adam Zucker hosts, along with analysts Brian Jones and Phillip Fulmer.
CBS College Sports Network is available to fans across the country through various local cable operators and nationally via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 152. For more information about the Network and how to subscribe through your local cable operator, go to www.cbscollegesports.com.
*AP Poll as of 10/11/09
# # #
AUDIBLES with CBS COLLEGE SpORTS NETWORK STUDIO Analyst BRIAN JONES
(On Miami):
Randy Shannon and his staff have done a terrific job this season. I love what offensive coordinator Mark Whipple has done with Miami’s offense. They are balanced and utilize their playmakers brilliantly, led by Jacory Harris, who has matured and understands how to lead an offense. The Hurricanes defense has also been solid, led by coordinator John Lovett. They don’t have the dominant defensive linemen of years past, but are a very athletic and productive group.
(On USC – Notre Dame):
USC’s defense gets tremendous pressure on the quarterback, so it’s all about Notre Dame’s offensive line, which has gotten significantly better the past couple years. Jimmy Clausen is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and if they can protect him, he’s going to be able to put points on the board.
(On Texas – Oklahoma):
This game is eerily similar to last year’s match-up when you look at Texas. The Longhorns need to establish an identity running the ball. Last year they were able to run the ball in the second half and it opened up their passing game. For the Sooners, what better team to play spoiler against than your archrival. Sam Bradford showed no ill-effects from his injury last week and is going to sling the ball around. Texas’ secondary is better equipped than last year to handle Bradford and Oklahoma’s offensive attack.
And we get SEC Gridiron quotage from Fox Sports Net.
SEC Gridiron LIVE – Week Seven
In Case You Missed It…
SEC Gridiron LIVE analyst David Pollack, a three-time All American defensive end at Georgia, made good on his friendly wager with host Charles Davis by wearing an orange blazer – presented by Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl with a video introduction – to recognize the Volunteers’ upset victory over the Georgia Bulldogs (see attached photo). Pollack wore the blazer until the last segment of the show when it was given to Davis, a former defensive back for the Volunteers, who said, “David wanted to keep the jacket, but I said a Tennessee man needs to wear the Tennessee jacket.”
They Said It:
Charles Davis on Arkansas vs. Florida
“You gotta be able to pass protect for Ryan Mallett and give him time to throw the football. Michael Smith is a dynamic running back. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch these two teams spread it out and see those guys try to make those open field tackles. It won’t be easy at all.”
Randy Cross on Randall Cobb taking over at quarterback for Kentucky
“Could he do more? I guess he could play a little quarterback, a little wide receiver, mean running back, punt returner, I don’t know how he kicks. He’s a very versatile kid; I think he’s been fantastic. He can do it, plus he’s a lefty. Lefties will give most defenses, the first time they see them, a little bit of problems. No one’s had a better year for the Wildcats than him.”
David Pollack on Georgia’s play against Tennessee
“The offense has struggled and it hasn’t helped the defense, but let’s be honest, the pressure falls on the defense, as well. Jonathan Crompton – we’ve talked about his struggles; I’ve been one of his worst critics. They made him look like Peyton Manning.”
David Pollack on Alabama’s defense vs. Florida’s
“I know Florida’s good, but Alabama’s goooood. They’re going to hit you in the mouth. They’ve been turning the ball over and their level of competition has been slightly above Florida’s.”
Randy Cross on how Ole Miss needs to play moving forward
“They’ve just got to play a little looser. They’re playing like they expected that they should be undefeated and they should still be the number four team in the country. You’ve lost a couple now. Just chill out, take a deep breath and look at the next five games. You’ve got a really good defensive front seven. Do something with it, and start it this week.”
SEC Gridiron LIVE names the Top 5 “Plays from the First Half of the SEC Season”
5. Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon’s 50-yard touchdown run against Houston
4. The collision between Florida’s Tim Tebow and Tennessee’s Eric Berry
3. Georgia’s Brandon Boykin’s two hundred-yard kick-off returns
2. LSU’s Charles Scott’s game-winning touchdown against Georgia
1. Georgia’s AJ Green’s spectacular catches
Social Media Sound Off:
@BrianCriswell @SECGridironLIVE seeing David in that blazer makes me nauseous.That is the image of blasphemy.
Hayden Balgavy: Woo Pig Sooie! The defense is in sync now and the Hogs could go on a tear. Going to the Swamp will be a tough task this weekend, but I believe the Razorbacks will keep it close and make the Florida homecoming and nervous one. Ryan “Tusk” Mallett for Heisman!
Kevin Bearden: Auburn will take the field with a vengeance this Saturday night – to restore the belief in each other that was shaken last Saturday…War Eagle!
Panel Picks:
Miss. St. vs. Middle Tenn. St. – Charles/Middle Tenn. St., Randy/Miss. St., David/Miss. St.
UAB vs. Ole Miss – Charles/Ole Miss, Randy/Ole Miss, David/Ole Miss
Georgia vs. Vanderbilt – Charles/Georgia, Randy/Georgia, David/Georgia
Kentucky vs. Auburn – Charles/Auburn, Randy/Auburn, David/Auburn
South Carolina vs. Alabama – Charles/’Bama, Randy/’Bama, David/’Bama
Arkansas vs. Florida – Charles/Florida, Randy/Florida, David/Florida
SEC Gridiron LIVE presented by O’Charley’s airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET throughout the college football season to more than 24 million cable and satellite households on the FSN regional networks throughout the SEC territory – FOX Sports South, Sun Sports, FOX Sports Houston and FOX Sports Southwest. SEC Gridiron LIVE is hosted by Charles Davis with analyst Randy Cross and David Pollack and social media reporter Cassidy Hubbarth.
Last, but not least, NBC hypes one of the big games this week, the traditional rivalry between USC and Notre Dame. And Jimmy Clausen the best quarterback in the country? Um, no.
#6 USC AND #25 NOTRE DAME RENEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S GREATEST INTERSECTIONAL RIVALRY THIS SATURDAY ON NBC SPORTS
"The best quarterback in the country." - Hammond on Clausen
"They have yet to face a quarterback playing like Jimmy Clausen." - Haden on USC
NEW YORK - October 15, 2009 - The University of Southern California Trojans (#6) and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (#25) and will renew the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football this Saturday on NBC Sports. It is the first time both teams, who have identical 4-1 records, have met as ranked teams since 2006.
Coverage begins at 3:30 pm ET from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. with Tom Hammond handling play-by-play duties, Pat Haden providing analysis and Alex Flanagan reporting from the sidelines.
HADEN ON THE MATCHUP: "Jimmy Clausen, who is having a sensational year, has yet to face a defense like USC's, flip that around and it's the same for USC's defense. They have yet to face a quarterback playing like Jimmy Clausen. How well Notre Dame's offensive line protects Clausen could be the key to the game."
HAMMOND ON THE MATCHUP: "It's a great matchup with an interesting contrast, the best defense in the country that hasn't given up a touchdown pass all season against the best quarterback in the country and an offense that has proven it can score some points."
NOTRE DAME - USC HISTORY: This is the 81st meeting between the two historic schools, who have combined to win 13 national titles. Notre Dame leads the series, which began in 1926, 42-33-5. USC has won the previous seven games in the series, including the last three in South Bend. It is the Trojans longest winning streak in the series' history.
Both teams are coming off bye weeks and both won their last game on October 3. The Irish won, 37-30, in overtime against Washington, who, coincidentally, handed USC its only loss of the season. The Trojans won at Cal, 30-3.
ANNIVERSARY OF USC'S 'THE COMEBACK': This year marks the 35th anniversary of a game regarded as one of the best in Southern California history. In 1974, the Fighting Irish, who were the defending National Champions, led USC 24-0 late in the first half. But with 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Anthony Davis caught a touchdown pass from USC QB Pat Haden to put the Trojans on the board. Davis began the second half by returning the kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown, which was the beginning of a 35-point third-quarter for the Trojans. USC ultimately won 55-24.
NOTRE DAME ON NBCSPORTS.COM: For the biggest game of the season, Notre Dame fans can follow the action live online this Saturday. NBCSports.com will be streaming a unique, bonus camera feed for the duration of the game, marking the first time this season fans can also get an online-only complimentary experience to the broadcast of the game.
Additionally, NBCSports.com will once again offer a live post-game webcast, which will originate from Notre Dame Stadium and extend the NBC Sports television broadcasts by providing an unprecedented depth of Notre Dame coverage including live coverage of Coach Charlie Weis' press conference.
NOTRE DAME ON NBC SPORTS MOBILE: Notre Dame fans can get news and scores right on their cell phones with the NBC Sports Mobile Web site or the all-new NBC Sports iPhone app. Fans can also sign-up for exclusive text alerts with scoring updates and daily news. To find out how, users can just text the word ND to 51515 or visit http://mobile.nbcsports.com.
NOTRE DAME CENTRAL APP: iPhone and iPod touch can also get LIVE mobile access to every NBC Sports broadcast of Notr e Dame football games when they download the newly launched Notre Dame Central app on iTunes. Users can access live scores, stats, video highlights & archives, and much more. To find out how, text IRISH to 51515 or visit the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
Remaining Notre Dame on NBC Schedule (all games broadcast in HD):
Oct. 24 - Boston College, 3:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 31 - Washington State*, 7:30 p.m. ET
Nov. 7 - Navy, 2:30 p.m. ET
Nov. 21 - Connecticut, 2:30 p.m. ET
*From the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
I’ll do one more press release post after this and call it a night.
