Around The Horn: 10/30/2007

I figure by now you're sick of watching the Democratic debate by now, and are instead hungry for the weekly roundup of other games and items of interest. (And of course checking out the YouTube thing in the side panel over there.)

But before I get into that, I cannot understand the latest Sports Network Poll, although it's worthy of mention that Holy Cross is on the brink of entering the poll in the "Others Receiving Votes" section (putting them, in effect at No. 27 in the nation). But how does undefeated Yale *drop* two spots by beating 1-5 Columbia by 21 points, yet Wofford *gains* one spot by squeaking by 1-6 Western Carolina by three points? It simply makes no sense.

Granted, Yale grants themselves no favors by being in the Ivy League, with only ten games and no playoffs. But Yale is one of the best teams in the country, and they could end up not even being in the Top 10 by the end of the year unless voters pick their heads up out of the sand. That's a travesty. I wish they could play in the playoffs to show exactly how good they are, but this year, they'll just simply have to blow out their competition and hope people wake up.

• Predictably, Fordham blanked Marist 33-0 last weekend, and equally as predictably, it was the least-well covered game of the weekend - all I have is the thin AP report on the game. Of course, the key here was that sensation sophomore QB John Skelton had a quick day, only going 5-for-11 passing - but with 175 yards and a touchdown. With the huge showdown coming up against Holy Cross against the Bronx, the Fordham Observer (finally) put something football-related in their sports section: this piece on Skelton. This quote, by junior WR Richard Rayborn, should have the whole league shaking: ""He's a lot more comfortable," Rayborn said. "He's making different reads against defenses and the team is gaining more confidence in him."
• Meanwhile, the Worcester press seems to be competing with each other for "biggest Ram bulletin-board material" in their take on the Crusaders' 45-21 thumping of Bucknell. I mean, really, leading with this? "Bucknell wore its blue jerseys (instead of white) when it hosted Holy Cross yesterday, so they couldn’t be taken off and waved in the air to surrender." Coach Gilmore, was more diplomatic and measured: “We came in and did what we had to do. This puts us in the position where we need to be late in the season, still in contention for the title.” Everyone in the league knows that junior QB Dominic Randolph is great, but what has to have Fordham really worried is junior RB Terrance Gass' recent emergence - this week, he got 125 rushing yards on 12 carries, with 2 TDs. If he can do that this weekend... Holy Cross could have the edge in the "Patriot League title game". It's going to be a great game in the Bronx this weekend - and I'm hoping to be there.
  
• Bucknell's take on the game? Pretty much shell-shock. Bison head football coach Tim Landis: "They are hitting on all cylinders. They are going to be very difficult to beat. They have the best offense I've seen this year. We didn’t have a lot of answers for them. We couldn’t get them off the field. They took the ball and kept it from us. It's a very formidable running game, so it's a double-edged sword. What do you try to stop?" Sophomore RB A.J. Kizekai was a bright spot as always for the Bison, with 102 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs - but he only touched the ball three times all game.
• Speaking of shell-shock, Lafayette scooted out to yet another lead - this one 21-3 over Colgate - but just like what happened versus Fordham and Harvard, the Leopards let it slip away in a tough 36-27 loss to the Raiders. This one is the third straight for the Leopards. Sophomore QB Rob Curley took the reins and did pretty well in getting the 21-3 lead, but ended 15-for-26 with 174 yards and 2 interceptions. Despite having the No. 1 rated defense in FCS, Colgate's star RB knew what to do: "They're a very fast defense and they run around a lot. But we felt that if they were challenged right into their blitzes, right into their schemes, we could be successful." The Leopards strike me as a team that is where Lehigh was last week: a pretty good team on a three-game losing streak who will have an opportunity to make things right next week at home versus Bucknell - and they should.
• Two individuals cast their shadow over the Lafayette game last week, and they will be the pillars which coach Coen will be hoping to topple next week. First, it's stoic head football coach Dick Biddle. Ed Laubach's column described him for the Lafayette game, but it really could be any game: " Biddle, hatless and wearing khaki trousers, strolled out casually, hands in pockets, well ahead of his players at the opposite end. Looking more like a greeter at WalMart than football coach, Biddle slowly made his way to the bench." The other pillar this year is junior RB Jordan Scott, who should remind Lehigh fans uncomfortably of Yale's junior RB Mike McLeod. Scott basically wore down the No. 1 defensive team in the nation last weekend, to the tune of 194 yards and 4 TDs. His 171.9 yards per game are second in FCS (no awards as to who's first), and he has 1,375 yards on 310 carries and 15 TDs. “It’s a tribute to him, because Jordan has fun playing football,” said Colgate head coach Dick Biddle. “Practice is not drudgery for him. It shows on the field.” How he can get 310 carries and still be upright I'll never know, but it's clear that Scott is a very special back that will be a challenge to stop.