Play 13? I think so...

While we're waiting a few months for basketball season to start, the attention now turns to football. I enjoy college football and sometimes I enjoy Hoosier football, but since I started my freshman year at IU (1994), the team has finished with a winning record once --6-5 in 1994, but no bowl game. This is in stark contrast to my fiance, who went to Michigan. She sat in a stadium that fits TWO Memorial Stadiums in it and is part of a fan base that wants the coach fired because he can't beat Ohio State and has lost the Rose Bowl three years in a row. IU has only been to one Rose Bowl EVER.

IU has a lot of catching up to do. And this year is expected to be a step forward, at least in Bloomington. The death of Coach Hoeppner aside, the team still is talented and should have a shot at winning 6 games and qualifying for the post-season. Here is my prediction for what could be a fall to remember in Bloomington.

The key will be for the Hoosiers to win the games they are supposed to win. No hiccups like last year against Minnesota -- a 63-26 loss in Minneapolis. The Hoosiers were 5-4, one game away from the all-important 6th win, and would not get it. There also has to be some defense this year. Kellen Lewis and James Hardy will put a lot of points on the board, but the Hoosiers have to be able to hold them now and then.

• Week 1 IU v. Indiana State: The game is in Bloomington and Indiana State isn't even a Division 1A team. They are a D-1AA team, a member of the Gateway Conference. This game should be a laugher. The Sycamores won one game last year. They lost to Purdue that year 60-35. This game will be emotional, Hoep will be honored before the game. IU 42, ISU 17
• Week 2 IU v. Western Michigan: The Hoosiers begin their annual tour of the Mid-American Conference. This one will be tougher. It is on the road, and Western Michigan is coming off an 8-5 season. IU could have an advantage in this game. WMU plays #3 West Virginia on the road in its opener. That should be a thorough thrashing that could leave them in the dumps. Or it could be a rallying cry -- the team is expected to be among the best in the conference. WMU is experienced with 15 seniors, but IU beat this team in Bloomington last year. I'll give the edge to the Hoosiers, but it's a tight game. The defense will have to come to play. IU 24, WMU 21.
• Week 3 IU v. Akron: The Hoosiers are 2-0, and back at home after a big win against Western Michigan. The Zips can play too. But they will stumble into Bloomington after an expected beat down in Columbus against Ohio State. Akron was 5-7 last year will have 15 seniors and any Michigan fan will tell you they can play football in Ohio. The Hoosiers should win this game by a decent margin. IU 28, Akron 10.

Conference season is next...

Advice for the aspiring college athlete

If you want to play serious college basketball, you have to go to class...and study. That is the price you pay for the scholarship and a real shot at the NBA.

This news came out of Indiana University over the weekend, from the Indianapolis Star:

Ratliff to miss 1st part of season

Not the best thing to do when the best recruiting class in many years is beginning to practice and you are trying to secure a starting role in your senior season. Ratliff is a guard, which is prized freshman Eric Gordon's position. At least he still can practice.

Remember, it's about getting your education. You can't play basketball and shirk the academics.

GO TO CLASS. GO TO CLASS. GO TO CLASS.

Offense, offense, take that football all the way up the field

John Madden says there's nothing like a confluence, while speaking of the three rivers. It was a real show-stopper.

After a 6-yard run and bomb that is incomplete, it is 3rd and 4. The incompletion is tipped and Cedric Wilson has a chance at it, but it drops. Fourth down. The second punt is much better, about 40 yards, but the Eagles will start in Steelers territory.

Sorry fans, but I have to sign off. I need to hand over the computer. Enjoy the game. If you need a game-cast, you can get it here.

I would like to point out...

The NCAA still does not allow live blogging at its events. Why is that?

I'm having fun doing this. It is sort of an experiment for me. I may not go much longer though. My fiance is looking at me weird, like she wants the computer.

The second quarter is underway...

Ike Taylor limped off the field and is trying to walk it off.

The Eagles are moving the ball somewhat. It's 3rd and 4 after a 6-yard run, but the Eagles false start again. Now it's 3rd and 9. The penalties really have to hurt the play-calling in this situation.

The Eagles run it, but are 3 yards short. The punting unit comes out.

The punt is muffled and the Steelers start from the five.

First quarter stats...

are available here.

I'm not impressed with the offense. Two promising drives are thwarted by turnovers. Parker has five carries for 8 yards, not exactly stellar, especially from a fantasy perspective.

The defense, however, has looked good in spite of being backed up in their own end. McNabb has thrown for 75 yards and the team has 17 yards rushing. The two Steelers turnovers were killers. They should have at least 7 points, probably 10 or 14 if the first drive is allowed to continue. And the Eagles field goal came because a turnover.

After the fumble...

A Steelers player hit the official.

From the two, McNabb looks for the big play, but it is thrown too far.

My fiance just handed me a piece of beer bread. It is wonderful. Pretty good for her first attempt. I love bread that is still warm when you eat it.

Second down...a run to the six. It's a gain of four yards.

Third down and 6 ... a pass to Reggie Brown for about 8. First down.

On first down, Eagles are called for unnecessary roughness. Half the distance to the goal. The first quarter is over.

Offense knocking on the door...

The first quarter is almost over. On first down, Ben fakes the hand-off and gets forced to throw toward Miller. The rush was on that time.

Second down, Parker gets stood up at the goal line. The Eagles run an apparent fumble back about 30 yards and an official is pummelled. As Parker is hit, he drops the ball. The Eagles get it inside the five.

Steelers offense is back for drive three

This drive starts well, with Ben hitting Krieder for a big gain of about 20. Ben hits Parker on a screen for about four. Ben seems a little sharper on this drive, but they are in much better field position than on the last drive. A run for a yard makes it third and five. Ben from the shotgun hits Heinz Ward for 13 yards and the first down.

From the Eagles 34...the Steelers false start. That makes it first and 15.

Heath Miller makes a great catch for a 38 yard gain and is tackled at the one. He fumbles the ball, but is ruled down. Miller looks great on the play, he makes the catch as the defender hits him hard and bounces off. Miller watched as the smaller defender hits the ground, then turns and runs to the goal line.

Steelers-Eagles...defense second drive

The Eagles end up with a chip shot field goal. That could be considered sort of a victory. It's 3-0 Eagles now.

Steelers-Eagles...offense second drive

Three runs equal a net loss of 4 yards. And the punt was awful. The Eagles are inside the 20 after a couple runs.

Steelers-Eagles...defense first drive

McNabb zips one out to the outside for about 11 yards on first down. They were giving the receiver a big cushion.

Westbrook doesn't get much on the second play of the drive. On 2nd and 8, another pass--looks like a screen, which goes for 9.

First down again, and the Eagles run for about 4 yards. On second down, Clark Haggans forces a fumble on a near sack, but the Eagles recover it. Nice pass rush that time, and it's 3rd and long.

Eagles false start to make it 3rd and 18. Polamalu and two other Steelers blitz and get the sack, taking the Eagles out of field goal range. Nice play and nice recovery following the lousy start.

Eagles punt and it is fair-caught at the 5. But the Eagles are flagged for an illegal formation and must re-kick. This time, another flag, this time the Steelers are offsides. The Eagles decline the penalty and the Steelers start at their 9 yard line.

Steelers-Eagles...defense first drive

Coach Tomlin challenged whether the Eagles could advance the ball on the interception. The call is reversed and the ball is spotted near mid-field. It looks like on the replay that Ben's throwing hat was hit as he tried to throw it. Steelers defense is now on the field.

Steelers-Eagles...first drive continued

Ben's first pass is a check-down to Parker. He is free for a big gain because the linebacker slipped. A good-looking play.

Ben make a HUGE HUGE mistake on first down. Ben is under pressure and nearly in the grasp, tries to throw it away and it goes right to the Eagles.

Steelers-Eagles...first drive

Steelers offense on the field first...starting from the 20. Ben is expected to play about a half.

First play--end around the Cedric Wilson for 9 yards. Not bad, but the play was almost blown up in the backfield. Parker runs for up the middle about 7 to get the first down.

Greatest ever?

Does the Aaron Boone home run to beat the Red Sox in the 2003 ALCS rank among the greatest home runs in MLB history? I don't think so.

It got the Yankees to the World Series, which they lost to the Marlins. I don't think it carried the significance of the others on the list, such as Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series or Roger Maris hitting number 61.

It looked like that one was a tip to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry more than it was a significant home run. I'm not even sure the Buckey Dent home run deserves to be on the list. Can you think of any that are more deserving?

One I could think of:
--Joe Carter wins the 1993 World Series over the Phillies
--Scott Podsednik homers to win Game 2 of the 2004 World Series, his second of the season

Coming up...

The Steelers play the Eagles at 8 p.m. You can watch it on NBC or here if you are confined to the Internet. I'll be offering some opinions while the starters are in.

NFL Experiment solved

Here is a response from Lake Affected on the infamous green dot:

The green dot is the in-helmet communication link between the QB and the offensive coordinator.I heard it was brought about because the Seahawks also used backup QB Seneca Wallace as a wide-out on occasion and when they did, both he and Hasselback had in-helmet communications on the field at the same time.Only one player is allowed to have the earpiece on the field at a time.

Thanks for the tip Jason.

A new NFL experiment?

Maybe I just missed the explanation on this...What is with the green dot on the back of the NFL quarterback's helmet? It is easy to spot if you watch the TV coverage. In most cases it is just above the bottom of the rear of the QB's helmet. All QBs seem to have them, even the back-ups and third stringers, and I haven't seen any other position players (running backs, receivers) with them.

My guess is the dot is supposed to show up on video for some reason. But I have yet to see a broadcast where they have explained it.

Can anyone help me with this?

Will we see it? Part II

Week one is down the tubes. Check out this article from the Detroit Free Press. There now is little chance Comcast and the Big Ten Network will have an agreement before the first week of the college football season.

"At this point, I can tell you we will not have agreement before the first weekend of games." Bob Thompson of Fox's national cable sports networks, which is working with the Big Ten for the network.

I'm not worried about missing the IU-Indiana State or the Michigan-Appalachian State games, but I'm going to be really annoyed when IU is playing for a bowl bid and there is no way to watch it in my own home. I guess I'm going to have to get a reserved seat at a local bar really soon...or take over the home of one of my friends with satellite TV.

There will be a lot of highly irritated people in Indiana and other states if the basketball season is lost except for a few ESPN broadcasts because these two can't make a deal, even if it is to put it on the sports tier.