It was another wild week in the world of sports—one of the craziest in a while, as a matter of fact. In college sports, it was “upset city.” In the pros—“choke city.” But no matter what city you’re in, the tomatoes aren’t far away—take the following bushel—shipped straight to Upset City, USA.
Throwing Tomatoes Volume XVIII
USC
It wasn’t slated as a sexy matchup—the Beavers and Trojans. Keep your mind out of the gutter!
Sure, Oregon State deserves props, but on the USC side, this one has to fall on Coach Carroll. First conference game in a pumped up environment, and plain and simple, the Trojans didn’t appear ready to play. I guess team prep is what really is becoming “ridiculously difficult.”
Georgia
I heard Uga VII kept trying to lift his leg on the offense during the first half.
It wasn’t just a blackout for the ‘Dawgs, but more a black-and-blue-out. Give them some credit though, they fought hard in the second half, even after falling behind 31-0 to ‘Bama—and as tough as the SEC is, Georgia is still right in the thick of things.
Florida
Somewhere out there, Ed Orgeron is smiling.
Ole Miss is talented—just ask former head coach Ed Orgeron, who also had a hand in recruiting a lot of USC’s talent a few years back. With that being said, the Gators let this one slip away. I don’t agree with the fourth down call—either go for the 50-yard game winner or try a different play call—but that’s just me.
Wisconsin
Nine turnovers made this game messier than Charlie Sheen’s love life.
The Badgers just can’t find a way to beat the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Plain and simple, they shot themselves in the foot by settling for four-first half field goals after all those Michigan turnovers. The result—a huge win for Rich Rod and Michigan.
East Carolina
“Houston, we have a problem.”
It’s hard to believe this was the team that beat Virginia Tech and West Virginia to open the season. After dropping an overtime heartbreaker to N.C. State, the Pirates were beaten down by Houston. Yes, Houston.
Wake Forest
It was more sink than swim for Riley Skinner and the Demon Deacons.
Six turnovers and 43 yards rushing was all Wake Forest could muster in what ended up being Navy’s first win against a ranked team since 1985.
Clemson
Ouch!! I think I just sat in Tommy Bowden’s seat—or maybe it was Phil Fulmer’s…
The Terps are solid, and should be ranked after knocking off back-to-back ranked teams. Even so, Clemson is loaded—and continues to underachieve. With two losses already, Bowden and the coaching staff may finally pay the price.
Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week
Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition.
Duke—at Virginia, after a 31-3 win that ended a 25-game ACC losing streak.
Trimane Goddard—at Miami, after stealing a game-clinching interception on the final play.
This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… “Choke City” is just down the street—check it out.
16 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Edmon 9 months ago
Ouch man. I agree. Florida would have been better off with a different play call. Tebow/Harvin option, Harvin run pass option, etc. On fourth and game, you have to leave yourself an escape route. Of course, Tebow has to hit wide open Murphy and Harvin on first and second down. Turnovers kill and in this case, ruin a National Championship hunt.
I was watching the Trojans pound the Beavers on my computer, then I turned on the game. Hahaha...just couldn't resist.
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
OK, so I totally just replied with a whole new comment... my bad. Replying here so you get notified, and you can read what I said below - it's Monday... that's for sure. Ugh.
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
Ha ha, good one...
Yeah, tough I know... but I had to throw one at your boys. It certainly could happen that my boys will get one eventually too.
They're still in the hunt though... this season certainly looks like it is going to be a lot like last year... we haven't seen the last of the crazy upsets.
OK, so you agree on the play call - that it wasn't the right call. What about kicking the FG? Wasn't it like a 50-yarder? I thought I heard on the broadcast that the kid was kicking 60-yarders in pregame?
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Benjamin Crane 9 months ago
As far as the last play call, I don't know about Florida's kicker, but I do know that a lot more folks would be leveling the "questionable play calling" criticism on Urban Meyer if he puts the game in the "hands" (foot?) of a kicker at fifty yards when he has two of the most talented offensive stars in college football. Also recall that their extra point attempt had just been blocked, and long distance kicks are easier to block, since the ball has a lower trajectory.
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
Benjamin - that's a very fair point. Then again, if you're going to put the ball in the hands of Tebow, then why send up right up the gut, when you could do what Edmon mentioned by having him and Harvin involved in some kind of run to the left or right?
My point with the kicker was strictly to the point that they were saying he was drilling much longer kicks in practice...
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Edmon 9 months ago
Practice and real game are different, you and I both know that. I wouldn't put it on the kicker's foot w/ Harvin and Tebow...but run up the middle isn't going to cut it this year. Every team on Florida's schedule has no doubt ran countless of defensive drills to combat the Tebow right/left after seeing the success it had last year. Also, it was a yard and a half. That's a long way for an up the middle on fourth and game. I would have really have liked to see a run/pass option with Harvin taking the snap. Have a Hernandez or Murphy run a little under route about a yard past the first down mark. If Percy gets to the corner, no need to throw. If he meets a defender, he can attempt a pass. Sorry to hijack your Tomatoes with Gator talk.
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
So apparently I didn't reply to the comment again... I need to drink more coffee...
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
Dude no worries at all, I have no problem with Gator talk. No one else is talking here right now anyway - ha ha. I welcome your sports talk, because you know what you're talking about, especially with your Gators.
But yes, we both know that... and we both agree, that it should have been a less vanilla call on fourth down in that situation.
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Joel Harris 9 months ago
I don't know so much about Edmon's "ruin a national championship hunt" comment. The SEC is too tough to count 1 loss as a NC run killer. A solid performance by any 1 loss SEC Champ is going to make it into the NC game (or there is something seriously wrong with the world). UF has every chance to blaze through the rest of the regular season and take the East (unless Vandy pulls the Coup d'état of the millineium). Not that it will be easy, but it's possible. That gets them to Atlanta (where God willing, they'll meet there end at the hands of someone in a Crimson Jersey :P). Stay positive!
Roll Tide!
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
Hey Joel - thanks for stopping by.
This early in the season, some of the one loss teams are definitely still in it, including Georgia and Florida. To be honest, I also think Ohio State isn't out of it if they are able to run the table - and they're playing better with Pryor...
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Joel Harris 9 months ago
Personally, I hope to see Penn State take OSU out of it, and clean house up there in the Big 10. JoPa could do so, and show all the naysayers that he's still got it....who knows? maybe even retire on his own terms after the best season in a decade.
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
Well, I'm hoping for the same thing - as a fan and to be honest, I'm a Penn State grad. I'm going with the laid back optimism on it to be honest, because PSU has struggled in Columbus. They haven't won there since '78, and have been blown out just about every time there since joining the Big 10.
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Joel Harris 9 months ago
I'm with you bro, I'll try to dig up my best blue and white for that game. Give 'em hell!
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
Will do - same to you and your boys, though honestly, they already have!
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Isaac Luber 9 months ago
I agree. Good read, great article. The italicized sentences at the beginning of each statement are hilarious.
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
Thanks Isaac... I appreciate that - glad you liked it.
Here's to hoping that the Nits can play well at Purdue this weekend.
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