sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Nachos Day!
Nachos are celebrated today! They trace their roots to the border of Mexico and Texas. One day in 1943, the wives of ten U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Duncan in Eagle Pass, Texas, crossed the border into Piedras Negras, Mexico. When they stopped in to eat at Club Victoria, chef Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya threw together a snack to give them and called it "Nachos Especiales". In 1954 his recipe was published in St. Anne's Cookbook, by the Church of the Redeemer in Eagle Pass.
There are many variations of nachos. "Ballpark nachos"—covered with jalapenos and melted cheese—were invented by Sal and Margarita Manriquez, and are now popular at sports stadiums. Sal Manriquez started selling them as "Margarita's State Fair Nachos" at the State Fair in Dallas in 1964, and in 1975 asked to sell them at Arlington Stadium, where the Texas Rangers then played. Manriquez was turned down and later found out that the stadium was selling a version of his nachos anyway.
SU News
Roth: Firing defensive coordinator not enough to save Syracuse football's lost season (D&C; Roth)
If nothing else, Syracuse University football coach Dino Babers is intensely loyal.
In eight seasons as a head coach on three campuses, he had never fired an assistant, reported Nate Mink of syracuse.com. But a 3-6 record, a crash-landing after winning 10 games a year ago, will make a guy develop a stomach for such things.
In a move he had to have agonized over, Babers cut loose Brian Ward, his long-time defensive coordinator/linebackers coach who was fired in a five-paragraph news release on Sunday following a 58-27 loss to Boston College at the Carrier Dome.
After watching BC roll up a school-record 691 yards in offense and the Orange yield a school-record 496 yards rushing, Babers was asked about “maintaining the family values of the program’’ heading into a bye week.
Syracuse head coach Dino Babers reacts on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's 58-27 loss to Boston College last Saturday. Babers fired defensive coordinator Brian Ward the next day. (Photo: Nick Lisi/AP)
It was like asking a father how he planned to proceed after the kids held a party that ransacked the house.
“We’re going to always do that,’’ said Babers of the LaFamilia Ohana he preaches from his Hawaiian playing days. “That’s something we are not going to get away from. But as we go into this bye we are constantly working and looking to get better. I’m not going to sit up here and try to paint it a different way. We are going to really find something out about ourselves, and as iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another, we are going to need all the men in the family to keep everyone sharp.’’
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Was Syracuse football’s offensive line better against Boston College? (what we learned) (PS; Bailey)
Sometimes, a football game is simple.
There were no groundbreaking takeaways in the re-watch from Syracuse football’s 58-27 loss to Boston College. The Eagles ran the ball down SU’s throat while sprinkling in well-timed play-action calls. The results were staggering.
While we’ll go over some of the finer points the BC offensive performance that preceded Brian Ward being fired as the Orange’s defensive coordinator, we’ll focus mostly on the Syracuse offense.
SU finished with its highest point total against a Power-Five opponent this year, and could have sent Andre Szmyt out for three second-half field goals if the game wasn’t a blowout. But the trademark signs of the SU offense at its worst – stuffed inside runs and ineffective perimeter passes – reared their heads in the second quarter.
As we’ve discussed ad nauseam, much of the offense’s production hinges on the front five. So let’s go over how the spotlighted offensive line performed on Saturday.
The good
Let’s start with the simple numbers: three sacks, zero false starts, 3.8 yards per carry.
...
Graham: It won’t always be this bad, but Syracuse football is middling out (DO; Graham)
After Boston College stretched Syracuse’s losing streak to four games, kept the Orange winless in conference via a 58-27 thrashing and came four rushing yards shy of 500 on the day, head coach Dino Babers settled into his seat at the folding table in front of the media. He adjusted his microphone and like a metronome on a beat delivered what’s become his stump speech.
“Obviously extremely disappointed about the outcome of the game. I think the young men did play hard, obviously the score did not indicate that,” Babers said. “We’ve got to find something to hang our hat on, we’ve got to get into this break and dig deep and find out about ourselves.”
To Babers and his players’ credit, they haven’t made excuses this season — one in which Syracuse (3-6, 0-5 Atlantic Coast) has yet to beat a Power 5 opponent as the calendar turns to November. But the frustrating truth remains: That after a 10-win season, Syracuse regressed badly. And though 2019 is a harsh example of what SU can expect in the ACC, it’s a more realistic future expectation than 2018’s double-digit wins.
Syracuse’s regression in areas it excelled in 2018 — turnover margin, sacking opposing quarterbacks while protecting its own and penalties — was expected. But the differentials have been brutal.
The offensive line issues are well documented and with a quarter of the season left, the numbers paint a bleak picture. Syracuse’s surrendered the most sacks (45) in Division I football, eight more than the Orange did in 2018.
...
Syracuse Offensive Lineman Matthew | CitrusTV (citrustv.com; video)
Matthew Bergeron is just the fourth offensive lineman to start for Syracuse since 1986. Here’s how the Quebec native found his way to Central New York
The Syracuse Football Team Try To Keep Their Bowl Game Hopes Alive Agaist Boston College (waer.org; Elique)
After another ACC loss, the Syracuse Football team looks to bounce back against Boston College in the Dome. Both teams have lost three of their last five games and need to win this game to keep their bowl-game hopes alive. The Eagles are 4-4 on the season and the Orange 3-5.
The player to watch for the SU offense is Trishton Jackson. Jackson has recorded over ten yards per catch in the games against Pitt and Florida State. Both of these games ended in losses but Jackson proved to be a reliable receiver. Even though Jackson has made some big plays these last two games, he has been shut out of the end zone. As one of Tommy Devito’s favorite deep threat targets, Jackson will probably see a lot of red-zone targets in this must-win game. The sack leader for the Eagles only has 2.5 sacks. This may, finally, give the subpar offense a break and give Devito enough time to make accurate throws down the field.
AJ Dillion is the key for the BC offense. Dillion already has over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Half of these touchdowns came through the air. He is most dangerous as a factor in the ground game but does not count him out when he comes out of the backfield as a receiver. In Boston College’s last five games, Dillion has rushed for over 100 yards in every game except last week against Clemson. Just the week before, he rushed for over 200 yards against the NC State defense.
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ACC power rankings: Wake Forest 1 step from major showdown with Clemson; Miami moves up (C-J; Keepfer)
The pecking order in the Atlantic Coast Conference has become a bit more defined – namely, there are three teams at the top, three teams at the bottom and eight teams in what might be best described as, well, the “Mediocre Middle.”
At the top, unbeaten Clemson remains the class of the league, but an interesting Atlantic Division showdown could be in the offing. If Wake Forest can win at Virginia Tech this week, the Demon Deacons will head to Clemson on Nov. 16 at 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the ACC with a legitimate shot at unseating the Tigers.
At the bottom, Syracuse, Georgia Tech and North Carolina State continue to flounder, although Syracuse – on the strength of a decisive defeat at Boston College – has displaced Tech at the bottom of the rankings.
In the middle are eight teams clustered so tightly that it’ll take a late-season streak or swoon to create some separation.
1. Clemson (9-0, 7-0 ACC)
Last week: No. 1
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says his team has entered the “championship phase” of its season. Funny, but it seems as though the Tigers have been in championship phase for about five years now. A victory at North Carolina State on Saturday will push Clemson another step closer to a fifth consecutive Atlantic Division title.
Up next: Saturday at North Carolina State, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
2. Wake Forest (7-1, 3-1 ACC)
Last week: No. 2
Wake Forest has beaten only one team with a winning record this season, but the Demon Deacons could be bound for an Orange Bowl berth if they continue to post victories. Wake should get a good test this week – on the road at Virginia Tech – then will get a chance to prove its worth at Clemson.
Up next: Saturday at Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network.
3. Virginia (6-3, 4-2 ACC)
Last week: No. 4
The Cavaliers moved up a spot after winning at North Carolina, a victory that has given them the inside track to the Coastal Division title. If they can accomplish that, they’ll become the seventh different Coastal Division champion in as many years.
Up next: Saturday vs. Georgia Tech, 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network.
4. Louisville (5-3, 3-2 ACC)
Last week: No. 3
Louisville has gained no small measure of respect by defeating Wake Forest and Virginia and can put another feather in its cap with a victory at Miami (Fla.) this week. After winning only two games a year ago, the Cardinals’ rebuilding effort is way ahead of schedule.
Up next: Saturday at Miami (Fla.), 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2.
CRUNCH TIME: Louisville in good health entering a crucial final third of season
Read this: Louisville football set to split kicking duties between Ryan Chalifoux, James Turner
5. Virginia Tech (5-3, 2-2 ACC)
Last week: No. 6
The Hokies deserved to move up in the rankings despite losing last week. That’s what happens when you push Notre Dame to the limit in South Bend before losing by a point in the final minute. Virginia Tech has been mercurial throughout the season but can make another statement by knocking off Wake Forest.
Up next: Saturday vs. Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network.
6. Miami (5-4, 3-3 ACC)
Last week: No. 9
Given up for dead following a home loss to Georgia Tech a few weeks ago, Miami has righted the ship in a big way. “I think we’re starting to find ourselves,” coach Manny Diaz said following the Hurricanes’ 27-10 win at Florida State. That would appear to be the case. Miami’s defense had 16 tackles for loss, including nine sacks, against the Seminoles, and it only gets easier from here with Louisville, Florida International and Duke remaining on the schedule.
Up next: Saturday vs. Louisville, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2.
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Notre Dame at Duke football game won't be available on Comcast (wndu.com)
When the Notre Dame football team takes the field against Duke in primetime Saturday, many Michiana fans won't be able to watch the ACC Network game.
The ACC Network is not available through Comcast, which has just over 100,000 subscribers in Michiana.
Fans who subscribe to the following cable, satellite and streaming providers will have access to the ACC Network: AT&T U-verse, DirecTV, Dish, YouTube TV, Sling, AT&T TV NOW and Hulu + Live TV.
Coverage of Notre Dame at Duke will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Notre Dame leads the series 3-2, but Duke beat the Irish 38-35 when they last played in 2016.
On Wednesday, the Fighting Irish men's basketball team starts their season at North Carolina on the ACC Network. Coverage begins at 7 p.m.
Swinney calls out difference in ACC and SEC schedule rhetoric (tigernet.com; Hood)
for gbo
Clemson’s football schedule is taking a beating from the national media ahead of this week’s initial release of the College Football Playoff rankings and head coach Dabo Swinney came to the ACC’s defense in a big way Tuesday. After all, why doesn’t Alabama get dinged for all of the bad SEC teams?
The national narrative is that Clemson’s schedule is weak because of the Atlantic Coast Conference – there are no dominant teams and just one is ranked (Wake Forest) this week. Swinney was asked about that during his Tuesday press conference and he hit back at those who scoff at the Tigers’ schedule.
“As I said the other day that rhetoric is the same. We played the same schedule since I’ve been a head coach here,” Swinney said. “We play eight conference games. We play two SEC teams, unless it’s a Notre Dame year. We play one other division one, and we play an FCS from the state. That’s what we’ve done. And every year - we don’t play anybody. In the beginning of my career, it was well, there will never be an ACC team in the playoff because they don’t play anybody. Well then we become a dominant team in the postseason and now we only win Swinney defended his team's schedule during his Tuesday press conference because we don’t play anybody. It used to be where we couldn’t match up in the postseason. I just laugh. I mean it just it’s just the same old spin.”
Swinney then used the example of Alabama, which rolled through a weaker SEC last season but was given the benefit of the doubt before getting blown out by Clemson.
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Happy Anniversary, College Football! (RX; HM)
Happy Anniversary, College Football!
College football turns 150 years old today.
According to the NCAA, what is considered to be the first American college football game ever played was New Jersey (what we now call Princeton) at Rutgers on November 6, 1869. The game was played on the site where Rutgers gymnasium stands today in New Brunswick, N.J. Rutgers in front of a crowd of about 100 people. Rutgers beat Princeton by 2 points.
Some things haven't changed much for the Scarlet Knights. They still deal with small crowds and they still struggle to beat FCS opponents - but hey, they're in the Big Ten now, so... money!
Since that small beginning, I think it's safe to say that college football has become quite a bit more popular, with home attendance at FBS games averaging 41,509 in the 2018 season. Three of Rutgers' fellow Big Ten teams (Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State) average well over 100,000 fans per home game.
__________
Since this is an ACC football blog, let's take this time to review national championships won (or at least shared) by teams currently in the ACC (including Notre Dame because 5/8ths). This is the official list kept by the NCAA:
| Season | Champion(s) | Selecting Organization |
| 2018 | Clemson | CFP |
| ... | ||
| 2016 | Clemson | CFP |
| ... | ||
| 2013 | Florida State | BCS |
| ... | ||
| 2001 | Miami (Fla.) | BCS |
| ... | ||
| 1999 | Florida State | BCS |
| ... | ||
| 1993 | Florida State | AP, FWAA,NFF, USA/CNN, UPI |
| ... | ||
| 1991 | Washington, Miami (FL) | FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI,AP |
| 1990 | Colorado, Georgia Tech | FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, AP, UPI |
| 1989 | Miami (Fla.) | AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI |
| 1988 | Notre Dame | AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI |
| 1987 | Miami (Fla.) | AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI |
| ... | ||
| 1983 | Miami (Fla.) | AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI |
| ... | ||
| 1981 | Clemson | AP, FWAA, NFF, UPI |
| ... | ||
| 1977 | Notre Dame | AP, FWAA, NFF, UPI |
| 1976 | Pitt | AP, FWAA, NFF, UPI |
| ... | ||
| 1973 | Notre Dame, Alabama | AP, FWAA, NFF, UPI |
| ... | ||
| 1966 | Notre Dame, Michigan St. | AP, FWAA, NFF, UPI, NFF |
| ... | ||
| 1964 | Alabama, Arkansas, Notre Dame | AP, UPI, FWAA, NFF |
| ... | ||
| 1959 | Syracuse | AP, FWAA, NFF, UPI |
Massey vs CFP Rankings - 11/6/19 (RX; HM)
Massey vs CFP Rankings - 11/6/19
The first College Football Playoff (CFP) poll is out, and it has the ACC's Clemson Tigers in 5th place... but that's not the only thing worth discussing.
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the Top 25 from the CFP Selection Committee poll versus the latest Massey Composite Computer Rankings. Guess what? They don't agree on several teams...
| Rank | CFP Poll | Massey |
| 1 | Ohio State | Ohio St |
| 2 | LSU | LSU |
| 3 | Alabama | Penn St |
| 4 | Penn State | Clemson |
| 5 | Clemson | Alabama |
| 6 | Georgia | Oregon |
| 7 | Oregon | Auburn |
| 8 | Utah | Utah |
| 9 | Oklahoma | Georgia |
| 10 | Florida | Oklahoma |
| 11 | Auburn | Baylor |
| 12 | Baylor | Michigan |
| 13 | Wisconsin | Florida |
| 14 | Michigan | Minnesota |
| 15 | Notre Dame | Wisconsin |
| 16 | Kansas State | Cincinnati |
| 17 | Minnesota | Memphis |
| 18 | Iowa | Iowa |
| 19 | Wake Forest | Notre Dame |
| 20 | Cincinnati | UCF |
Other
Local politicians share what pasta they would be to celebrate the 70th Election Day spaghetti dinner. The answers were revealing and delightfully bizarre. Video by Katrina Tulloch
