After almost a year, we're back, and we're hunks again. Under center. And other places too. Like that classy Joe Flacco.
I figured I'd start out this post by poking some fun at a baseball team that has had it worse than us O's fans in a way - The Chicago Cubs. Sure, they post winning record year after year and pretty much run their division, but at least we have seen a World Series victory in Charm City since 1908! (With that being said: Brian, Nick, Melvin, Jeremy, Orioles...lets put those SWEET new uniforms to some good use and bring home another, huh? Ok, sounds good. Thanks.) Who says that we can't be the Rays of 2009? O'Hawks anyone? I think Mark Teixeira and AJ Burnett would want in on that. Let's call them up and check.
Anyways, I had a big Astronomy exam bright and early this morning, and in my rush to put on some sloppy college guy clothes before the exam, I grabbed a Chicago Cubs hat that I got for Christmas a few years ago, because I didn't really feel like showering at this point in the day (I'd much rather burglarize a few sprays of my roomates cologne). It's a good looking hat; navy blue, classic 1914 logo. So I put the hat on, started to walk for the door, and then I stopped, and took the hat off and thought to myself, "It's been a really long time since anyone did anything good in Cubs hat. How could I almost make the mistake of taking an exam in a Cubs hat?! Take that, curse". I'm pretty sure I aced the bejeezes out of this exam, and I'm pretty sure it was all because I went to my closet and traded in my Cubs hat for an always fresh Natty Boh cap. Thank you Mr. Boh. You are my thinking cap, and a very fashionable addition to my occasional attire.
Anyways, onto the important stuff...like sports. Pretty much, both of the state of Maryland's beloved football teams are playing in some pretty important, and pretty exciting matchups this weekend.
Morgan State will take on South Carolina State in a game with high BCS implications, and Towson is traveling to Villanova where kickoff is set for 1PM, and everyone is meeting up at Pat's afterwards for Cheesesteaks and a Rocky movie marathon.
I kid, I kid. Mad props to Morgan State and Towson though. HUC loves you, and we will be rooting for you in your respective games this weekend. Fight on Towson Tigers.
In the actual big games this weekend for Maryland football teams, our Ravens are heading up to the Meadowlands to take on the reigning world champion New York Football Giants, and Chris Turner and the unpredictable but sometimes surprising Terps take on #16 North Carolina in an important ACC game in College Park this Saturday.
Let's start out wit 'dem Ravens hon. What an exciting game last week, huh? It is fun to watch Ravens football again, and the team is only getting better as the season goes on. Joseph Vincent Flacco is turning out to be a solid quarterback who can run our offense exactly the way that we want it to be run, all backed by our huge pickup in the coaching staff, Cam Cameron. I'll put a quote here that I heard Trent Dilfer (ever heard of him?) say on ESPN a few days ago. He said, "Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan are the two best rookies that I have seen in my 15 years in the league". I like it Trent. I like it alot, and I can't wait to see what Flacco will do for us the rest of this season, and in the future as he becomes an experienced NFL quaretback. The offense looks to be loving life the way that they are playing, and the defense has been playing solid too, and this is equalling a lot of success. I'm starting to think if even my kids will ever see a 100-yard rusher against this D. I hope I haven't spoken too soon, because this weekend the Ravens will face Brandon Jacobs, who outweighs every Ravens starting linebacker, and has the speed to beat a cornerback or safety if he gets into the open field.
My keys to the game for the Ravens are as follows:
1. Continue to stop the run - The Giants boast the NFL's best rushing attack with three exceptional runnings backs in Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw. The Ravens are #1 in the league in rush defense. What a matchup. The Ravens need to keep up the intensity, win the battle at the line of scrimmage, and stop Brandon Jacobs who will be looking to end the streak of games without a 100-yard rusher. A lot of non-Ravens fans (pretty much 96.3% of UMD and anyone in the national media) are saying that they think Jacobs can pass the century mark against Purple Pain this week. This matchup should be very interesting.
2. Get in Eli Manning's head - This may not be as easy as it used to, because he no doubt has gotten more confident after winning the Super Bowl last season and changing his status as the underachieving Manning; but it is possible to get under his skin. When Eli gets out of his comfort zone on the field, he is not the same quarterback. If the Ravens get at him, knock him down a few times and get in his head, this could work to their favor greatly because when Eli is on, Eli is ON; but when Eli is off, Eli is OFF.
3. Complement a vicious defensive attack with a safe but effective offense - The Giants can force turnovers on D. They wouldn't have won the Super Bowl if that wasn't the case. Flacco needs to be smart with the football, because even though the Giants are banged up, their defensive line will always bring the heat. The Ravens can't stop what they have been doing on offense and settle for trying to dink and dunk their way down the field. They have to come out like they have the past few games, with The "Suggs" Package, multiple attempts downfield, and a strong performance by the offensive line that helps Willis and Little Ray get into the open field and pick up chunks of yardage on the ground.
4. Shut down Plax - One missed coverage and he will make you pay. The Ravens secondary is going to need to step up big in order to win this game, and shut down Plaxico Burress.
I think that if the Ravens can do these four things, they will win this intense, hard hitting game. If they fail to do these things, they will lose the game. It's as simple as that. We're not in Houston anymore. These are the defending Super Bowl Champions.
With that being said, I'm going with our Ravens in this one. I think it will be a close one, with the Ravens coming from behind in the 4th Quarter to win by 4 over the champs. Lets see what Steve Young has to say about that.
RAVENS 27 GIANTS 23
Now for those up and down Maryland Terrapins:
My analysis for the Terps this weekend is simple, and just what I want to believe as a student at UMD. The Terps will win this game, for one reason: The ranking in front of North Carolina's name. Maryland can get shut out 31-0 by a lowly Virginia team, but they are 3-0 this season against ranked teams, and 5-0 in their last 5 against ranked teams, dating back to last year (big wins in the 2007 season against #10 Rutgers, and #8 Boston College). Look for Click Clack U to make that 4-0 this season when the #16 Tar Heels roll into town, and 5-0 next week when Florida State stops by. I don't see the Terps losing these next two games at home. They always find a way to play great football against ranked opponents in front of the home crowd, and although these two teams are playing better than the Terps right now, I think that they will win these next two weeks and take the ACC Atlantic Division (although the away game at Boston College on Nov. 29 scares me). Plus, no one comes into the snake pit known as Byrd Stadium and beats Maryland - they are 5-0 at home this season, and looking to make that 7-0 at home in the next two weeks.
I think Heyward-Bey is going to have a big game recieving and look out for him on a reverse here and there. Also look for Da'Rel Scott to get big on the ground again, and freshmen Davin Meggett to run hard and pick up some clutch plays when we need him to. Also, Linebacker Alex Wujciak has been a stud on defense this season (93 Total Tackles). He is literally everywhere on the field. Look for him to rack up over 10 tackles, and possibly his much anticipated first sack of the season. While the defense may give up a lot of yards, and maybe some points, I think the Terps as a team will play well enough to beat #16 UNC this Saturday.
TERPS 31 North Carolina 21
Potential for ESPN College Gameday at Maryland on Nov. 22 for the deciding game in the ACC Atlantic Division? Most likely not, Texas Tech and Oklahoma are playing eachother on that day as well. I think Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech would be a good fit for the Ravens. We'll have to see what happens in the draft, there are going to be a lot of quality wide recievers avaliable.
That's all I have for today. I will check back again before the Maryland and Ravens games this weekend. If your in College Park this weekend, hit me up in Lot 11 before the game and Section 11 at the game. I'll be the one wearing red.
Josh Ferguson
No comments:
Post a Comment