Gang, it was a light week for Rushmores with two. Here are our views:
Rushmore of Eddie Murphy vehicles - Trading Places, Raw (single funniest stand-up ever, and Delirious may be No. 2), Coming to America, SNL. (Yes, it's tough leaving off Beverly Hills Cop and 48 Hours, but wow, that's some elite stuff. And yes, OG, was right that it has been a tough couple of decades for Eddie, although he was great in Shrek.)
Rushmore of double number athletes - Gretzky (99), Emmitt Smith (22), Hank Aaron (44), Kareem (33), and yes, it's tough leaving off Bird (33), Tony Gonzalez (88), Red Grange (77), Mario Lemieux (66), and Mark Messier (11).
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From Scott
Man, I have been reading all week expecting something on the Falcons. What's the deal?
Scott -
Thanks for the email and for the chance to respond.
Falcons, eh?
OK, in looking forward we always try to classify what we know and what we think.
We know Matt Ryan-to-Julio Jones is a combination that can produce great things. (Side note: Did you see the story earlier this preseason that every player Cleveland acquired with the package the Falcons sent to get Julio Jones has been released or traded? Yeah, pretty safe to say the Falcons won that deal since Julio is one of the five best WRs in a pass-happy league.)
We know that Dan Quinn knows what he's doing defensively.
We know that Quinn has a defensive asset in two corners that could be special.
We know the offensive line is awful.
And that last one is the thing that will make or break this bunch.
No matter the assets the glaring weakness across the offensive front - and the potential that Ryan could be maimed -tapers any high hopes of the new regime.
That said, it's a wide open division that really could be won by anyone.
Falcons, eh? We'll say 7-9 and we still think Vic Beasley as a defensive end (at 245 pounds) was a reach with a top-10 pick. Hey, we hope dude develops into the difference-making pass-rusher the club has craved since John Abraham was wreaking havoc, but we just don't see it.
Thanks for the question.
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Tennessee coach Butch Jones speaks to the offense during this past Saturday's season opener against Bowling Green at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The Volunteers' offensive line expects a tougher test Saturday when 23rd-ranked Tennessee host No. 19 Oklahoma at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.From FE Chancellor
Question for the Mail Bag: 10 Ring, how far back do you have to go to name four higher ranked opponents from outside the SEC that succumbed to the Volunteer Army at Neyland Stadium?
FE to the C -
Wow. Let's do some research.
We know Cal came calling ranked No. 9 in 2006 and left with a spanking. And from there we have to start dialing it backward.
Washington State was No. 17 when Tennessee beat them 10-9 in Knoxville in 1994.
UT tied No. 10 UCLA in the season opener in 1985 and tied a then-No. 12 ranked UCLA in the 1974 opener in Knoxville.
In 1979, 13th-ranked Notre Dame lost 40-18 in Knoxville.
In 1975, 14th-ranked Maryland lost in Knoxville 26-8.
In 1972, No. 6 ranked Penn State lost 28-21 in Knoxville.
In 1971, UT beat No. 5 Penn State 31-11 to close the regular season in Knoxville.
It's been a while and Saturday could be a monster brick in Butch's process.
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From Chuck
I enjoyed the article outlining your picks, factoring in the betting lines, and look forward to these the rest of the season. Last week's was missed, I may have to go back and read it.
You picked favorites in all 5 games. Is this to continue?
Keep up the great writing.
Chuck -
Thanks.
We normally go with the favorites, because we stay away from underdogs unless we believe they can win the game - like we did last week with BYU.
Here's hoping we stay hot - and remember, these picks are for entertainment purposes only.
Here are the Fab 4 (plus 1) picks again, but if you want the complete breakdown, it's herehttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/columns/story/2015/sep/11/greeson-fab-4-picks-plus-tennessee-leads-sec/324494/.
We have Ohio State minus-40 over Hawaii, Louisville minus-13 over Houston, Arkansas minus-21 (and buy the half of course) over Toledo, Clemson minus-17 over App State and Notre Dame minus-12 over Virginia.
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UTC defensive backs Oscar Prado (13) and C.J. Fritz, right, tackle Jacksonville State running back Troymaine Pope during the Mocs' season-opener football game against Jacksonville State at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn.From JMC
This "may" read laughable but still would like your serious input on the topic via the mailbag.
As it stands right now, Jacksonville State appears to be the undisputed FCS version to the big bros in Auburn and Tuscaloosa. Does it make them giant killers a la North and now South Dakota State? Probably not.
However, given the property damage "that Pope kid" caused the Mocs secondary, how will the Gamecocks fair this Saturday against a certain sports writers alma-mater down in da' JH (Jordan-Hare)? In other words, typical FBS blowout or Jax State loses by less then 10 respectfully?
JMC -
Jacksonville State surprised the 5-at-10 last week. We all knew the Gamecocks were good and were going to give the Mocs a fight in what was a coin-flip-type game between two teams that likely will be playing well into December.
That said, we did not expect them to throttle the UTC offense like they did. That was overpowering.
Still, like any meeting between power 5 powerhouse and even the best FCS programs, the divide in talent is too great to expect much in the way of a competitive contest.
It likely will be a three-touchdown win for Auburn, at least, and if it's closer than say 20 points it would be on Auburn not coming to play, which is a distinct possibility considering LSU is on the horizon.
Think of it this way, if you were to rank the top 30 players on the field, at least 27 of them are going to be in AU helmets.
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From Spy
Hey, 5, is it too early for a too early coaches hot seat list?
Spy -
Never too early.
Let's do it on a scale of 1 (Nick Saban's cool and comfortable chair in his Little Debbie filled office) to 10 (the scorching seat that Brian VanGorder used for one forgettable season in Statesboro).
Here's the top five rocket-fueled recliners:
Derek Mason - 10+ and we all know Vandy has to be looking around now to strike quickly.
Paul Petrino - 9+ dude is 2-22 at Idaho; yes, it's Idaho, but apparently he's also a jackwagon who yells at everyone. Know this if you lose you will get fired. That's the way it works. If you lose and you're a jackwagon, you will be fired quicker.
Mike London - 9 and could be a 10 after Notre Dame drops the hammer on them this weekend.
Mike MacIntyre - 9 and could be rising since coming to Colorado he's 6-19 in year three after losing as a seven-point favorite at Hawaii last weekend.
Charlie Strong - 8 and it's only that low because of the buyout and it's still only year two at Texas, but the Longhorns can't afford to be mediocre.