Random thoughts from a cluttered mind...
JAGUARS Alright! This Jaguars team, which has become a totally unpredictable, yet fairly entertaining adventure of a group, comes home this Sunday to face the dreaded Colts. At 7-5, the Jags are right in the middle of the playoff hunt, but in a precarious position, in having to essentially win out to get in.
The victory over Miami was a strong showing for the Jags, in many ways. They picked up their passing game a tad, with David Garrard getting the ball to Matt Jones for once. The running game continued to show diversity, with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor getting good yards. And the defense did a good job in making stops when they had to.
Now this weekend, they have to do what they did last week, and combine it with some of the other strong showings they’ve given us this season at home against the Steelers and Jets. In playing the Colts, Jacksonville must move the ball effectively on offense, then stop Peyton Manning and his brethren with a good, solid, defensive performance. Indy comes off a loss to the Titans. They will want to make a nice rebound off that game by pulling off a win on Sunday.
And so, we’ll see what happens. It should be a good one, without question.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE As you know, the Jags are in a wild card horse race with four other teams, all who have 7-5 records. This weekend, the JETS, hosting Buffalo, and the BENGALS, hosting the RAIDERS, should have good wins and get to 8-5. But the BRONCOS, who are at San Diego, and the CHIEFS, who host the RAVENS, might have some trouble. The NFC has teams competing as well, although it seems mediocrity is quite prevalent. Obviously, these next four weeks will be closely watched, just to see who holds up and wins, and who falls off the wayside. When that happens, look for heads to roll, on the field AND on the sidelines.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL What I’ve been hearing and reading is how it isn’t going to be cheap to get out to Arizona for the BCS game with the Gators and Buckeyes. Only thing is, I don’t hear anyone complaining about prices, or who’s got tickets, or who ISN’T going. See, that’s the thing around here. To all Gator fans, including those who actually WENT to the college, and the many ignorants who think Florida is a professional franchise, money isn’t an issue with Gator football. Some fans are totally obsessed with the boys, and this BCS game to some is better than the best sex they’ve ever had.
On the other hand, Gator basketball is almost non-existent. Some Gator fans don’t even know the team has started their season already. Its almost a joke. I’m surprised Billy Donovan is still at the school, because there are at least twenty other programs around the country with a much stronger following of their team than Florida has.
And so, the next few weeks will be filled with discussion about practices, as the boys prepare for their game in Arizona on January 8th. And we can talk more about how there shouldn’t be nearly as many bowl games as there are. Excuse me. Did they play the ACC game? Did they pick the teams for the Gator Bowl? Is Clemson coming? How about Georgia, or perhaps South Carolina and Spurrier?
It seems the Gator Bowl is gonna have a tough time selling out their game on January 1st. There certainly won’t be a lot of Georgia Tech fans here. West Virginia does indeed have a decent following, but not enough to keep things exciting. And my guess is that most local fans are more interested in the Jaguars, Gators, and Bulldogs, then what will be happening in Alltel Stadium on New Years Day.
The Gator Bowl Committee certainly has some talking to do to get their alliance working the way they want it to.
Tom Weppel talks trash on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. on WIOJ-AM 1010, and on SportsAvengers.com 24/7.
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