SJS College Football Extravaganza
The Browbeater's Beat

The Browbeater's Beat With the start of the season I felt it was time I chimed in with some of my brow- beating commentary.  Some of the prognosticators have grown to love my style while others think I am just an HTJ (inside joke). I also thought this would be a good week to fill in, since Steve was busy with administrative duties.  However, I do not want my ideas to be confused with Steve�s or John�s.  Read, enjoy, and have a few laughs at my particular brand of written jackosity.  Well it�s that time of year again.  The time when the northerly winds start to blow, and we start preparing for the ensuing winter months.  On the SJS home page that means College Football.  However, in the animal kingdom it is time to prepare for hard times to come, with the lack of abundant food supplies and summer warmth, it is feast or famine.  Just as our animal brethren struggle to stay alive, so do all of the emerging college football teams on their opening days.  Especially now with the mythical BCS computations factoring strength of schedule, and losses.  A team�s football season could be over on opening day. Therefore a college football teams chance of surviving to the bowl season are on par with a squirrels chances of surviving to the next fun-filled summer. Which means that many of the college games this week can be described in squirrel terminology.    Now on to what we have all been waiting for, ROBERT�S top 4 picks of the week.  Note: All statistics are taken form CBS Sports Line.  John thanks for the quick editing job.
Marshall Thundering Herd	at	Clemson Tigers
Tommy Bowden�s Clemson Tigers get the four paws up award because the squirrel will be buried 8 feet after the Thundering Herd comes through Death Valley.  With 19 starters coming back and quarterback Chad Pennington leading the air assault Marshall will continue a winning tradition.  However, look for receivers Rod Gardner,  Brian Wofford, Mal Lawyer and Jackie Robinson of the Tigers to put up a fight if Bowden can find an appropriate arm to serve the offensive attack.   The Thundering Herd is the team to pick if you want to increase your percentage in the SJS picks contest this season.   They are ROBERT�S bandwagon team for 1999.    Head-to-Head       Marshall   Clemson       OFFENSE  DEFENSE    Scoring Points 357 272 Points/Game 29.75 24.7   Yards Total yards 5222 3523 Avg. per game 435.17 320.3 Total plays 889 742 Avg. per play 5.9 4.75   Passing Yards 3514 2373 Avg. per game 292.83 184.36 Attempts 445 327 Completions 286 160 Completion % 64.27 52.84 Interception 9 7   Fumbles Fumbles 8 11     Clemson   Marshall   OFFENSE  DEFENSE    Scoring Points 218 207 Points/Game 19.82 17.3   Yards Total yards 3352 3811 Avg. per game 304.73 317.6 Total plays 712 866 Avg. per play 4.7 4.40   Passing Yards 2028 2300 Avg. per game 184.36 292.83 Attempts 299 356 Completions 158 187 Completion % 52.84 64.27 Interception 14 17   Fumbles Fumbles 15 12

Kentucky Wildcats 

Head-to-Head     Louisville   Kentucky

Kentucky

Louisville

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 

 

Head-to-Head     Texas A&M   Louisiana Tech

 

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

 

Scoring
Points	321	402
Points/Game	24.69	33.5

 

Yards
Total yards	4056	4828
Avg. per game	312.00	402.3
Total plays	856	873
Avg. per play	4.7	5.53

 

Passing
Yards	2071	2784
Avg. per game	159.31	429.83
Attempts	262	375
Completions	137	212
Completion %	52.29	66.89
Interception	5	14

 

Fumbles
Fumbles	10	8

 

Louisiana Tech

Texas A&M

 

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

 

Scoring
Points	493	190
Points/Game	41.08	14.6

 

Yards
Total yards	6452	3761
Avg. per game	537.67	289.3
Total plays	891	871
Avg. per play	7.2	4.32

 

Passing
Yards	5158	2179
Avg. per game	429.83	159.31
Attempts	598	374
Completions	400	208
Completion %	66.89	52.29
Interception	13	15

 

Fumbles
Fumbles	6	16

 South Carolina Gamecocks  at North Carolina State Wolfpack 
N.C. State Wolfpack vs. South Carolina Gamecocks: All I have to say about this is that it seems that a blind squirrel can find two nuts some times!!!   Yes, you heard it right.  NC State found their first nut with the Texas Longhorns, and now they are going to find another.  Lou Holtz can�t raise the �Cocks from turkey status in one season. These birds are going to get their gooses cooked. Traditionally, the Wolfpack plays some of its best games at home, which is going to make it tough for South Carolina.  If you question this just ask a Seminoles fan.   I hope we don�t see Lou Holtz dolls hung in effigy on the ESPN highlights.

Head-to-Head     North Carolina State   South Carolina

 

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

 

Scoring
Points	343	330
Points/Game	31.18	30.0

 

Yards
Total yards	4851	4365
Avg. per game	441.00	396.8
Total plays	812	732
Avg. per play	6.0	5.96

 

Passing
Yards	3392	2397
Avg. per game	308.36	231.18
Attempts	404	298
Completions	209	177
Completion %	51.73	51.95
Interception	11	5

 

Fumbles
Fumbles	9	10

 

South Carolina

North Carolina State

 

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

 

Scoring
Points	207	306
Points/Game	18.82	27.8

 

Yards
Total yards	3907	4119
Avg. per game	355.18	374.5
Total plays	798	756
Avg. per play	4.9	5.45

 

Passing
Yards	2543	2271
Avg. per game	231.18	308.36
Attempts	385	314
Completions	200	164
Completion %	51.95	51.73
Interception	15	19

 

Fumbles
Fumbles	13	6