Spray Frequently

Coach Rob reminded his Hokies too late that they should have covered Lane Stadium in Raid prior to today's game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. GT downed VT 38-27. Ouch.

Commish Woody Apologises

I am sorry I put Coach GQ as having the Oregon Ducks this week. I apologize for not knowing our rosters by heart and failing to give 100% to the Football Pool Football Friday e mail.

Coach Bando's Birthday

Coach Bando, if you win this auction, we will drive you to Athens for the party. Of course, being married, all three of us will have to leave as soon as we drop you off. Go Dawgs!! :)

Getting cocky?

Don't be. Can the Gamecocks make Coach GQ cry tonight? Probably not, but trailing only 14-10 at halftime, they are making things interesting.

In scoreboard logic, South Carolina would now beat LSU 10-3.

Tonight's Special

Coach Woody's beloved Horned Frogs are getting spanked on the Frog Pond tonight. BYU leads TCU 31-10 with less than five minutes remaining. Can the Frogs channel their inner leprechauns and pull off a South Bend-style miracle??

Coach Bando's new landscaping

UT Adds Luxury Boxes

Thursday Night Lights!

Not one but TWO Thursday Night Lights games on Thursday!

Auburn vs. South Carolina

TCU vs. BYU

Updated Standings

Courtesy of Coach Woody, FP scribe.

The Brown Jug

Since Michigan and Minnesota play this weekend (9/30/06), I thought it would be fun to post a little history about the trophy they play for... The Little Brown Jug.

Shanna and I ate at The Brown Jug restaurant after the Michingan/N. Illinois game in 2005.

The Little Brown Jug

Minnesota (22) 1919, 1927, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1953, 1956, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1977, 1986, 2005
Michigan (63) 1909, 1910, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1926, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Ties (3)1903, 1933, 1950
The Little Brown Jug is a traveling trophy passed between the football teams of the University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers and the University of Michigan's Wolverines. It was created after the two teams met up on October 31, 1903. The earthenware jug, originally used by Michigan coach Fielding Yost, is painted with the victories of each team. The name most likely originates in the 1869 song of the same name by Joseph Winner.
After Yost took over coaching the Wolverines in 1901, the team went on to win 28 straight games. In the meantime, Minnesota assembled one of the best teams in school history, so Gopher fans were excited about possibly ending the Wolverines' streak.
As Yost and the team came into Minneapolis, student manager Thomas B. Roberts was told to purchase something to carry water. Yost was somewhat concerned that Gopher fans might contaminate his water supply. Roberts purchased a five-gallon jug for 30¢ from a local variety store.
20,000 fans watched the matchup between the two teams in an overflowing Northrop Field. Minnesota held the fabled "point-a-minute" squad to just one touchdown, but hadn't yet managed to score a touchdown of their own. Finally, late in the second half, the Gophers reached the endzone to tie the game at 6–6. As clouds from an impending snowstorm hung overhead, pandemonium struck when Minnesota fans stormed the field in celebration. Eventually the game had to be called with two minutes remaining. The Wolverines walked off the field, leaving the jug behind.
The next day, custodian Oscar Munson brought the jug to L.J. Cooke, head of the Minnesota athletics department, and declared in a thick Scandinavian accent: "Jost left his yug." Exactly how Munson came to possess the jug is a bit of a mystery. Some accounts say that Munson purposely stole the jug in the chaos that ended the game, although most believe it was accidentally left behind. Thomas Roberts, writing in 1956, stated that the jug had served its purpose, so he intentionally left it sitting on the field.
Still, Cooke and Munson were excited to have this little bit of memorabilia, proceeding to paint it brown (it had originally been putty-colored) and commemorate the day by writing "Michigan Jug – Captured by Oscar, October 31, 1903" on the side along with the score "Michigan 6, Minnesota 6". Of course, in the spirit of the moment, Minnesota's score was written many times larger than that of Michigan.
Later, Yost wanted the jug back, and sent a letter asking it to be returned. Cooke wrote in response: "We have your little brown jug; if you want it, you’ll have to win it." Michigan did exactly that when the teams met up again in 1909, and repeated the performance in 1910. Minnesota and Michigan met up again in 1919 after Michigan rejoined the Big Ten Conference, marking the first year that Minnesota won the Jug outright.
Michigan has mostly dominated the series, particularly in the last four decades where Minnesota has only briefly held the Jug. However, Minnesota can claim the most recent honors, having defeated Michigan 23-20 in a matchup in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on October 8, 2005.
There is a restaurant and sports bar called The Brown Jug on South University Avenue in Ann Arbor, just by the corner of the Diag, popular with Michigan students and football fans.

Hey LSU...

Enjoy!

Washington State University flag

As usual, there's a WSU flag flying on ESPN's College Gameday this morning, even though the broadcast location is 2,260 miles away from WSU's campus in Pullman, Wash.

The flag, also known as Ol' Crimson, now has its own booster club to ensure that the flag continues to be displayed in the GameDay audience each week. This guy and many others intend to keep displaying the flag until GameDay visits Pullman. I am convinced, though I haven't done any research on the matter, that there are GameDay virgin campuses that are more worthy for a visit than WSU, but here's some insight for unconvinced Cougar fans: You haven't hosted a game that was a candidate for the best matchup of the day since Drew Bledsoe was your quarterback, and you're not very good right now, either. The "Cougs," as they are called among the faithful, have posted back-to-back losing seasons (5-6 and 4-7). WSU is 17-16 since the flag was first raised at a GameDay location.

Here's another good reason, from last week's scoreboard, why GameDay is not coming to Pullman anytime soon: WSU 17, Baylor 15.

Ol' Crimson has also spawned copycats: I definitely saw an Auburn flag in the background today, and I think I saw LSU, too. Here's my theory for their presence: Those teams are ranked.

I'm being hard on the "Cougs," but I do think the tradition is creative and cool. My issue is with the insistence the GameDay come to their stadium when their team hasn't earned it. Resume--and continue--winning, and maybe you'll get your wish the next time you're in the top 25 and USC comes to town. Maybe.

VOL Index

Coach Rob is also pleased to announce the creation of the VOL (Volunteer Outrage Level) Index, a non-scientific determination of UT fans' anger over any of a variety of perceived slights and setbacks for the football program. The current VOL Index reading is indicated by the specific icon appearing at the bottom of the FP home page.

Following are the status indications for the VOL Index and their corresponding response recommendations:

• Hee Haw Cancelled (1): Insert earplugs, avoid local sports coverage
• Woodson Wins Heisman (2): Avoid Vol fans if at all possible
• Trailer Park Frenzy (3): Remove shoes and blend in
  
• No Respect from [name] (4): Refrain from all objective comments
  
• ESPN Conspiring against (5): No unusual activity
  

Wagon Watch

Coach Rob is pleased to announce the establishment of the Wagon Watch, a recurring assessment of Vol Bandwagon activity. The Wagon Watch level is indicated by the Wagon icon on the Wagon Watch meter (above).

Following are the warning levels for the Wagon Watch:

• Johnny Majors rehired (7): Consider joining monastery or cult organization
  
• Spurrier Leaves for NFL (6): Consider moving to Canada
• Great Pumpkin siting (5): Proactively shield eyes and ears when in public
  
• Give the ball to Jamal (4): Avoid talk radio whenever possible
  
• Citrus Bowl bound (3): Go about your business, but remain vigilant
  
• [Offensive coordinator] must go (2): Typical white noise and ground clutter
  
• Spurrier back in SEC (1): Relax, life is great
  

Each level corresponds to the current excitement elicited by Vol fans and is intended as a non-scientific assessment of "fair-weather fan" interest in the UT football program. The Wagon Watch will be adjusted on an as-needed basis.

Coach Bando Speaks!!!

Yes, it is true.  Coach Bando is finally posting a message on the football pool website.  The defending champion and only two time champion believes that quality is better than quantity when it comes to posting messages on the website.  With that said, Coach Bando wants to share some words of wisdom for the football pool.  Granted, these words of wisdom come from one of the worst football movies of all time (The Replacements).  "Pain heals, chicks dig scars and glory last forever!"  Coaches, it has been an honor to share the football pool field of battle with you and I look forward to many years of friendly competition in the future.  In addition, I have been amazed that the simple football pool that was designed by Coach Woody and myself many years ago has blossomed into the force that it is today.  Wow!  A website for the football pool.  Who would have thought?  Well, I guess the football pool has to keep up with the ever changing world of technology.  I am just curious to see what happens in the future.  On that note, Coach Bando must be going.  Good luck to all of the coaches this weekend and I hope you suffer many loses compared to my many wins.  Until the Vandy game.  Later --- Coach Bando 

Cavalier attitude

Did anyone remember to tell Virginia that the game was tonight? Georgia Tech finally surrendered points in the fourth quarter, but the Jackets are pummeling the Cavaliers 24-7. Good thing that Virginia isn't on any FP roster this season. Wow, are they bad.

Coach Bando is not watching the game tonight. He's watching his favorite Cavalier instead.

Updated Standings

This week's updated standings, courtesy of Coach Woody, FP Scribe.

MSU vs ND

Will Notre Dame repay the favor and plant their flag at center field in Lansing this weekend?
Go Spartans!

The Future of VU Football...

Coach Woody and Coach Rob's future as Vanderbilt Football Fans is on the line tomorrow night. If TSU defeats the Dores, no money from either Coach's pocket will ever go to the Vanderbilt Athletic Department ever again. What does the future hold, see you tomorrow night at 6PM to find out...

Orange Crush

Since the fall of 2004, the FP has celebrated the elimination of the hated UT Vols from contention for the national championship. This celebration has taken the form of an enthusiastic toast by all four FP members. The toast is made with Orange Crush(ed), which is purchased early in the season in the anticipation of the Vols' second loss. While the FP relishes every UT setback, the second Vol loss during the season virtually guarantees that UT will not play in the BCS Championship game.

Coach Rob is happy to report that the Orange Crush for the 2006 season has been purchased and is currently chilling in his refridgerator while waiting for the Vols to stumble a second time on the gridiron this season. The most likely dates for this defeat are currently Oct. 7 (at Georgia), Oct. 21 (Alabama) and Nov. 4 (LSU), but the FP would be perfectly happy to celebrate early if the Marshall Thundering Herd can pull the upset this weekend.

It ain't gonna happen, but a coach can dream.

Say it ain't so, Glo!

Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine, Larry Coker, Sebastian and Coach Bando are reeling this week because the Miami Hurricanes have dropped out of the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls after Coach Woody's Louisville Cardinals whipped them 31-7.

It's hard to say what fate holds for the mighty Canes or for Coach Bando, but I'll say this much: I would not want to be Houston, North Carolina, Florida International or Duke (Miami's next four opponents). Nonetheless, the temperature is much hotter down in Coral Gables than it was this time last week. Pack the sunscreen, Bando.

Vandy and Wake Forest - Season Finales

Don't go anywhere for Thanksgiving weekend next year! The Dores host the Demon Decons of Wake Forest on November 24! Check out this article from Si.com yesterday. Cool! I'm excited about late November home games.

Wake, Vandy agree to 7-game series
Posted: Monday September 18, 2006 3:54PM; Updated: Monday September 18, 2006 3:54PM

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- Wake Forest and Vanderbilt will begin a seven-game series beginning in 2007, the schools announced Monday.
The Demon Deacons and Commodores will play each year through 2014, except 2009, and the matchup will be the regular-season finale for both teams.

"This is a natural series for us," Wake Forest athletic director Ron Wellman said. "Vanderbilt plays in a major conference, the SEC, and they are a similar institution to us. They are also close enough for our fans to travel to the games played in Nashville. This could develop into an excellent rivalry."
Vanderbilt holds a 7-3 lead in the series, which began in 1964. The Commodores won the most recent meeting 24-20 in the 2005 season opener in Winston-Salem.
"We were able to accomplish several scheduling goals with this series," Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. "We are creating an important non-conference relationship with a university that holds similar ideals as Vanderbilt. At the same time, coach (Jim) Grobe and the entire Wake Forest football staff do a great job with their program."

Bandwagon Blues

Let the falling off begin for Vols and Irish fans. I'm most excited to see the Vols tumble after the rednecks began getting excited when Coach GQ's Bears couldn't handle the pressure in Knoxville, but I'm not crying over the at least temporary pause in the "Charlie Weis is God" campaign.

The Orange Crush watch has begun. The magic number is one!

Go Auburn Tigers

Victory is sweet.

Go Big Blue! UM 47-ND 21

I didn't see the rear-end whooping coming, but am happy about it. Another coaches #1 team better watch out at the end of the season.

OSU we're coming for YOU!

Gators Chomp on Rocky Flop

Even this guy couln't believe that the Vols let their 17-7 lead slip away and once again the Vols fell to Rob's Gators 21-20. Coach Woody will post more pics in the days to come.

Prime Time

Coach Rob's Florida Gators and USC Trojans are on in prime time tonight. Can the hated Vols and Coach GQ's Huskers spoil CoachRob's evening?

Meanwhile, Coach Woody's Florida State Seminoles are trailing early, beisbol style, against Clemson.

Tiger Time

Coach GQ is sitting pretty after his Tigers bested Coach Bando's 7-3 today. Nice first round pick, coach! Coach Bando, meanwhile, has taken it on the chin for the second time this afternoon.

CoachBando is reeling...

... and George Stripling and the Cards are why. These guys from LSU are right, but they're losing, too! :O

Caught napping?

Coach Woody's Irish trail Coach GQ's Wolverines 34-14 at halftime in what has been a stunner so far. GQ has his eyes closed above, but will Woody be the one out cold after the second half??

Well Said

He may be an Arkansas fan, but I can't argue with him.
(Dude, here's a hint: It was Jesus.)