Weekend Update

Saturday

Sister (GH) and brother-in-law (AH) drove down from NoVa and went to the game with me and Nuke Saturday. State finally got their first win this year. Granted against a Division II (or whatever the NCAA is calling it this year) school – but a win just the same.

The offensive line finally opened some holes to establish a running game. Well see just how real the improvement is next week against Clemson.

State is going to struggle this year. Hopefully, new coach Tom O’Brien will build up the program into one that is consistently a solid top 25 contender.

Speaking of rankings – here’s a pet peeve.

Year in and year out - Notre Dame is consistently the most over rated football program in the country. Usually they are an average to very good program. But no where near good enough to have their typical pre-season top 25 over ranking. And certainly not good enough to justify an exclusive national TV contract with NBC.

Yesterday they scored 0 points in their loss to Michigan. ND is now 0 and 3.

So far this year, ACC football just isn’t what it could be. Teams that should be national powers (Florida State, VT, Miami) are just average at best. Teams that should be in a position (financially, fan base, program commitment) to be on the rise (NC State, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Carolina, Maryland) are bad to average.

Boston College (small school, small fan base, questionable commitment to football) is the front runner so far along with Clemson (big time program mentality – average results). It’s still early in the season so who knows how things will evolve?

State and Carolina have new coaches who’ve been successful at other schools. I firmly believe that we’ll both be joining the ranks of the top 25. Possibly top 10. But that’s a couple of years away if (when) it’s going to happen.

That’s the way college sports is. Every year there’s new kids – new learning – luck of the ball bounce. College sports are a lot of fun to watch.

Now if State could just pull off the upset against Clemson and Louisville in the next 2 weeks . . . . .

Sunday

Met up with GH and AH this morning and read the paper and had breakfast at their hotel. Later, we spent some time sight seeing around Pittsboro.

Did chores around the house this afternoon and evening. Later, I have to pack – I’m working out of town next week.

Just put out the food for the raccoons. They’ll be on their own next week while I’m away.

Nuke’em is headed back to Southport in the morning.

All in all – a very nice weekend.