Dook +Addendum

Waiting for the Dook game. Kick off at 4 PM on ESPNU.

Dook is favored by 10 points. Incredible.

But – I’m not at all concerned. Even if we lose.

Here’s why.

When Kay Yow fired T’OB, she addressed the team and told them the what, when, where and why she fired T’OB. She included telling the team that this year would be a rebuilding year. In other words, she told them that they were appreciated, but, frankly, not the caliber of athlete that would be a top 25 contender – which is what she expects.

Enter new Head Coach Dave Doren.

He built up Northern Illinois to a top 10, BCS contender. (As an assistant, he helped do the same thing at Kansas). He left NIU Huskies in great shape and they are continuing this year to another top 10 stellar season (undefeated so far).

IF we had not hired Doeren, he would be THE leading candidate for the Texas job (Mack Brown (if he has any brains) will retire after this year. Or – he’ll be fired).

We’ve got a Head Coach that has proven he can build a top program without thuggery.

He will do it here at State. It will take about 2 or 3 more years for it to happen – but when it does – it’s going to be fun.

I wish Dook well. They deserve the recognition and season they are having. They worked hard for it over the last few years. They wanted to build a winning program – and they have.

State will too.

Addendum

With 3:30 left in the game - State scored the go ahead touchdown. State 20 - Dook 17.

Then - over the next 38 seconds, Dook scored 3 touchdowns. Yep - not a typo - 38 seconds.

Final score:  Dook 38 - State 20.

Kind of sums up State's season.

Smurfs Win

It’s been a really frustrating football season.

State is playing better than our record shows. Especially when considering the injuries our team has been dealing with.

Our high hopes, and probably too high expectations, are now looking like a losing season and no bowl game. With 4 games remaining – we have to win 3 to go 6 and 6 and become bowl eligible.*

At this point, we’re starting to play for ‘next year’.

However, for me – the bottom line is this –

NC State used to be –

James Oblinger – Chancellor

Lee Fowler – Athletics Director

Herb Sendek – Basketball Coach

Tom O’Brien – Football Coach

State is now -

Randy Woodson - Chancellor
Debbie Yow - Athletics Director
Mark Gotfried - Basketball Coach
Dave Doren - Football Coach

I'll take what we are now over what we used to be any day of the week and 6 times on Sunday.

*The 6 win rule should be changed. Back when the season was 11 games - 6 wins meant you had a winning season to be bowl eligible. A bowl loss - and you were no worse than an even record. The regular season is now 12 games. To be bowl eligible - teams should have at least a 51% winning record - which would mean 7 wins.

Weekend Update 10-27-2013

Let's see -

First, the hummingbird has finally (hopefully) migrated away. It hasn't been around for the last week so I'm hopeful it's headed to Mexico.

Work is good - way too busy and too much on my plate but that is certainly better than not enough work.

On the home front, learning to use the new range with the glass top that heats up instantly. I like it. Still, would have rather not had to spend the $.

And the truck is in the shop, car needs tires and I need to get some roof repairs, or possibly even a completely new roof. Sometimes it's never ending.

State Football

We've lost 4 in a row. Two we expected to lose (Clemson and Florida State) and two we should have won (Wake Forest and Syracuse). We are riddled with injuries but some players are starting to return.

Next Saturday UNC-Cheats comes over to our place. If we can beat them, that would help a LOT.

Q - What do you call a UNC-CH athlete in a three piece suit?

A - The defendant.

Last Week - Wake Forest. This Week - Syracuse.

The question, Alex, is - Games NC State should have won.

Week off - then at Florida State.

We'll be lucky to go 6 and 6.

Sigh . . . . . . .

Confused Hummingbird

I had about 4 hummingbirds this summer. They have left to migrate south for the winter. Except for one small one - a male I think. He didn't get the memo it was time to leave. I've seen him every morning and evening by himself for the last couple of weeks.

If he doesn't leave soon - he'll be stuck here for the winter.

I'll keep the hummingbird feeder full for as long as he's around. But I seriously doubt he can survive the winter here. Maybe if we were at the coast where it seldom gets below freezing - but here - I just don't think he'll be able to get past January and February.

I hope he takes off. Really soon.

Range

Had to buy a new range.

The computer control board in my original range malfunctioned - and Whirlpool quit making the replacement boards in 2011. So, I was forced to fork out about $1,500 for a new stove.

I went for the glass top one. So far, I really like it. Much easier to clean and the elements (small dots instead of coils) heat up instantly.

Nice range - but the older one was fine and I wish it had been repairable.

Wake Forest - Again

Work

Work has been real busy. It's fairly common for busy people to say they don't have enough time to get all their work done - it's a slight embellishment to emphasize how busy they are. But in my case - it's true.

I really am overloaded. It is making me late on some projects. And I do not like being late, or under undue pressure.

I'll just have to keep slogging on and one day I'll be caught up.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a  time.

Home

Visited the Space Aliens this week for an Anal Probe.

Had my first colonoscopy. Everything is fine. Did not like going through the preparation. Who does?

Football

This week I was looking at the odds maker Danny Sheridan predictions. State was favored over Wake Forest by 8 points. I was thinking - no way WF will be able to keep it that close.

There's a reason Danny Sheridan is the odds maker and not me.

Lost to Wake Forest at Wake Forest. Again.

I think we've lost to WF at Winston-Salem every time for the last 50 years. Well, maybe not - but it sure seems that way.

The real frustration is that we should have, could have won. WF played the perfect game to win. And we played with just enough lack of intensity and execution - to allow WF to win.

A couple of dropped passes and some really dumb ass penalties (at very inopportune times). Formation penalties and late unsportsmanlike penalties - just no excuse.

Defense allowed too much pressure on our QB. And speaking of our QB - well - let's just say - I'm looking forward to when Brandon Mitchell gets back into the game.