tudorstake

ECU will be an immediate plus for Big East

caultontudor — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:10:06 -0500

By the time ECU begins play as a Big East football member in 2014, the league will resemble the Conference USA of 2012.

It turns out that the Pirates will be changing addresses while maintaining much the same competitive company. But be that as it may, the school and its thousands of loyal, long-suffering fans won with Tuesday’s news of the pending relocation.

To have been left behind in the gutted Conference USA lineup when Central Florida, Houston, Memphis, Southern Methodist and Tulane were moving on to the Big East would have been demoralizing and costly.

Big East television money will be considerably less than the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC but still more than ECU could have made as the primary bread winner in the diluted Conference USA.

And as much and as often as the Big East has shunned ECU over the years, the league will benefit more from the Pirates’ football presence than any of the other Conference USA newcomers.

Cable television market size and ESPN are the driving forces behind all expansion and realignment, which is why ECU has been skipped over so many times.

But at some point the college football business model has to place at least a degree of emphasis on the actual product and game atmosphere. That’s where ECU will bring more to the Big East table that it takes.

The Pirates will arrive with the Big East’s largest fan base, the league’s best traveling fans and a program that should win seven or more games each season even while tackling aggressive non-league schedules.

For now, ECU athletic director Terry Holland faces the challenge of finding homes for other sports, but that problem could be resolved easier than it sounds now. If _ as expected _ the Big East loses Louisville, Cincinnati and Connecticut to other leagues, an all-sports option could fall ECU’s way fairly fast.

In a perfect world, federal and state lawmakers would have enough common sense to restore geographic and academic sanity to college sports and conference affiliations nationwide.

The current dynamic works in such a manner that taxpayers are bankrolling athletic plants that are being used by television companies to rake in billions of dollars.

No school or group of fans have been more abused by those strong-arm conference and cable networks over the years than ECU.

Tuesday, the Pirates finally caught a long overdue break.

Tudor: 919-829-8946

Week 12 picks: Heels up, Pack down

caultontudor — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:18:35 -0500

•UNC (6-4) at Virginia (4-6), Thursday 7:30

The ACC really wants Virginia to win this game and go to Virginia Tech next week with a chance to fill a bowl slot. But since the ACC wants a Virginia win, the only logical conclusion is that it won’t happen.

Heels, 28-24.

•N.C. State (6-4) at Clemson (9-1), Saturday 3:30

The ACC really needs Clemson to win this game and stay alive in the chase for a second BCS big-game spot. In this case, the ACC will get what it needs _ in part because State ruined Clemson’s 2011 hot run.

Tigers, 42-28.

•ECU (6-4) at Tulane (2-8), Saturday 3:30

Was upsetting Houston two weeks ago in Greenville a defining moment for Pirates in the Ruffin McNeill era? Very possible. An 8-4 regular season and mid-level bowl bid is there for taking and the future with Shane Carden at quarterback suddenly looks promising. But the defense still has to show up.

Pirates, 34-24.

•Duke (6-4) at Georgia Tech (5-5), Saturday 3:30

Vad Lee played the role of Vlad the Impaler at UNC but won’t lead a 68-point output two straight weeks against teams from his hometown area. The good news for the Jackets is that 68 won’t be needed.

Tech, 31-24.

•South Florida (3-6) at Miami (5-5), Saturday 3

Skip Holtz’ stock is slipping fast, but Miami may have lost its will to fight after the stinging loss at Virginia. A win over the Hurricanes isn’t a big deal any longer, but USF fans might still find it marginally impressive.

Bulls, 17-14.

•Wake Forest (5-5) at Notre Dame (10-0), Saturday 3:30

The Irish will be looking ahead to Southern Cal (for the third straight week), but it won’t help the Deacons any more than it did Boston College.

Irish, 28-10.

•Central Florida (8-2) at Tulsa (8-2), Saturday noon

A Tulsa win keeps ECU mathematically alive in the Conference USA East. But barring help from the NCAA and/or Alabama-Birmingham, the Pirates will have to sit home and watch a repeat of this meeting on Dec. 1.

Tulsa, 38-35.

•Rutgers (8-1) at Cincinnati (7-2), Saturday noon

Cincy isn’t ranked and Rutgers is only 22^rd, but what wouldn't the ACC give to have a late-season game this interesting? What’s more, Louisville is still the likely Big East favorite.

Bearcats, 28-27.

•Last week: Ouch. 2-3. Season 47-19.

Week-11 picks: Heels, Pack, TCU

caultontudor — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:16:03 -0500

•Florida State (8-1) at Virginia Tech (4-5), Thursday 7:30

Too bad we can’t turn the clock back to August. This looked like a heck of game back then. Now the Hokies can hope to spoil a party and stay alive in the bowl hunt. They are 4-0 in Blacksburg, but that’s 4-0 going on 4-1.

Noles, 24-14.

•Georgia Tech (4-5) at UNC (6-3), Saturday 12:30

The Tar Heels had an open date to prepare for the dive, keep, pitch, end-around routine. Meanwhile, the Jackets don’t execute the deep seam and flag pass routes that have punished Carolina’s defense.

Heels, 28-20.

•Wake Forest (5-4) at N.C. State (5-4), Saturday 3

You have to assume it’s now or never time for the Wolfpack. Next, you have to assume Wake has spent the week preparing a cover-4, umbrella defensive backfield scheme. Finally, you have to assume State has spent the week devising a mid-range passing strategy to combat cover-4.

So, it comes down to which team can do just enough in the run game and shows up with a pulse.

I’ve got to believe State will hang on at least for one more week. Pack, 24-21.

•Miami (5-4) at Virginia (3-6), Saturday noon

The Hurricanes aren’t very good and may never be again but I don’t think they’re going to lose another regular-season game and will wind up facing Florida State in Charlotte unless they declare themselves ineligible.

Miami, 27-17.

•Kansas State (9-0) at TCU (6-3), Saturday 7

Wildcat quarterback Collin Klein is from Loveland, Colo., which may explain why Heisman voters are falling in love with his season. It’s been a heck of a ride, but he's banged up and logically the Wildcats just cannot be a 12-0 team.

Frogmen, 42-38.

•Last week: 5 up, 2 down. Season 45-16.

Week-10 picks: Pack, Pirates, Bama

caultontudor — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:43:51 -0400

•Virginia (2-6) at N.C. State (5-3), Saturday 12:30

It’ll be interesting to check the pulse of all things Wuf _ fans, players, coaches, administration _ in Carter-Finley.

At UNC last week, Tom O’Brien asked his team “Are you finished?” The same question indirectly will be put to the fans.

Mike London and his staff have had an extra week to get ready and it should show, but it’s difficult to imagine that Virginia’s offense has been fixed so fast. State, 28-20.

•Houston (4-4) at ECU (5-4), Saturday noon

It’s not surprising that the Pirates are an underdog to a team that started the season 0-3, but ECU coach Ruffin McNeill might consider staying in the locker room if his team loses its second straight in Greenville.

Pirates, 37-28.

•Clemson (7-1) at Duke (6-3), Saturday 7

A problem for Duke might be N.C. State. It was in November of last year that the Tigers arrived in the Triangle on a hot streak and overlooked the Wolfpack.

Clem&kid, 42-27.

•Virginia Tech (4-4) at Miami (4-4), Thursday 7:30

It’s the Bummer Bowl for the Beamers, who are nose to nose to nose with Michigan and Arkansas as the most disappointing team of the season to date.

With Florida State up next, VT is looking at 6-6 with a loss to the Tropical Depressions. No way. Hokies, 27-24.

•Boston College (2-6) at Wake Forest (4-4), Saturday 3:30

If the Deacons can’t stop the nosedive in this one, they probably won’t win again this season. Wake, 24-14.

•Alabama (8-0) at LSU (7-1), Saturday, 8

Bama’s offense gets more dangerous by the week, primarily because AJ McCarron (high on my Heisman list) has not thrown an interception all season. Meanwhile, it’s hard to forget that 10-6 loss that the Tigers suffered at Florida.

Tide, 24-21.

•Oregon (8-0) at Southern Cal (6-2), Saturday 7

Southern Cal’s defense simply has to be better than it played last week (39-36 loss at Arizona), which Oregon shut out (49-0) on Sept. 22.

It makes sense to pick the Trojans, but I’m just not sold on Lane Kiffin. Quack Quack, 28-27.

•Last week: 6 up, 2 down. Season 40-14.

Week-9 picks: Heels finally end drought

caultontudor — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:31:39 -0400

•CLEMSON (6-1) at Wake Forest (4-3), Thursday 7:30

In preseason, this game had upset written all over it. But between injuries and suspensions, the Deacons are drifting aimlessly. Wake keeps it interesting for a while but not all night. Tigs, 34-24.

•N.C. STATE (5-2) at UNC (5-3), Saturday, 12:30

Larry Fedora’s been counting the days. More pertinent is the likelihood that Gio Bernard’s been counting the ways to the end zone.

Don’t expect a series instant classic but do expect the law of averages to finally come into play. Tar Heels, 27-21.

•NAVY (4-3) at ECU (5-3), Saturday 3:30

If it turns out to be a field-position, slugfest sort of game, the Pirates will lose. Navy has too many wishbone rushing options and punter Pablo Beltran (46-yard average) may be the best in the nation.

But since the game is in what’s left of Dowdy-Ficklen, ECU should be able to set the tempo. Bucs, 28-24.

•DUKE (6-2) at FLORIDA STATE (7-1), Saturday 3:30

FSU’s offense wasn’t overwhelming with Chris Thompson averaging 7.5 yards per rush. It’ll be outright average without him, but not enough to give the Bowl Devils a serious upset shot.

Noles, 31-14.

•FLORIDA (7-0) vs. GEORGIA (6-1), Saturday 3:30

Is the SEC really going to have two undefeated teams in the league championship game?

After the World’s Largest blah blah, the Swamp People have Missouri, Louisiana-Lafayette, Jacksonville State and a trip to FSU. It’s time for dem Dawgs to take a bite out of Mike Slive’s ego. UGa, 24-23.

•NOTRE DAME (7-0) at OKLAHOMA (5-1), Saturday 8

Were this game in South Bend, the Irish would be favored with only Pitt, Boston College and Wake Forest to play before going to Southern Cal.

But at night in Norman, it just doesn’t compute. Sooners, 28-20.

•OHIO STATE (8-0) at PENN STATE (5-2), Saturday 5:30

If Bill O’Brien wins this game, which is very possible, he won’t have to worry about finding another job the moment the season ends. Lions give it a go but come up short. TOSU, 23-17.

•MISS. STATE (7-0) at ALABAMA (7-0), Saturday 8:30

Tide’s due for a scare and with LSU and Bama playing next week in Baton Rouge, the timing’s near perfect for the Bulldogs. It’s tempting but it’s also in Tuscaloosa.

Tide, 20-14.

•Last week 6 hits, 1 whiff. Season 34-12

Tudor: Week-8 picks _ Duke, Pack, Pirates

caultontudor — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:39:15 -0400

•UNC (4-2) at Duke (5-2), Saturday 7 p.m.

Almost everything, including the betting line, points to the Tar Heels. But strange as it sounds, this feels like a statement game for Duke.

Duke. Statement. Football?

I’m going with a hunch on the Blue Devils, but it’s more like a flying leap. If the offensive line can’t give Sean Renfree and/or Anthony Boone time to hunt, Carolina’s defensive front will crash and trash. On the other hand, the Heels have to cover Connor Vernon and Jamison Crowder.

The Cameron Crazies venture outside for air and Duke responds, 28-27.

•N.C. State (4-2) at Maryland (4-2), 3:30 p.m.

The Bill Parcells Rule holds that you are what your record says you are, but that just doesn’t sound right when you say it about the Terps.

Give Randy Edsall credit for finding a way, but the way has been found against William & Mary, Temple, Wake Forest and Virginia.

Normally, this would be a classic letdown situation for the Wolfpack, but the open date after the emotional experience against Florida State has to help. Pack, 28-17.

•ECU (4-3) at Alabama-Birmingham (1-5), Saturday 7 p.m.

ECU has to hope the Blazer team that scared Ohio State on Sept. 22 remains AWOL, but that’s likely.

Pirate quarterback Shane Carden has been sacked 18 times and has thrown five interceptions, but seems to be settling into the job. ECU, 24-21.

•Wake Forest (3-3) at Virginia (2-5), Saturday 12:30 p.m.

The ACC’s version of who’s on first pits two of the most confusing _ and internally confused _ teams south of the New York A-Rods.

Wake coach Jim Grobe virtually has had to purge his roster in a mid-season attempt to get the players’ attention, and Virginia’s Mike London has a clinical case of two quarterbacks = zero quarterbacks.

It’s more like a coin flip, but give me the Deacs, 20-17.

•Virginia Tech (4-3) at Clemson (5-1), Saturday noon

For an above-average team, Clemson is surrendering 203 yards rushing per game, which should give Frank Beamer and his peeps something to work with. But not enough.

Tigers, 35-28.

•Florida State (6-1) at Miami (4-3), Saturday 8 p.m.

If fans can’t find the Sun Life Stadium entrance for a shot at the Seminoles, maybe it’s time for Miami to start looking for a convenient sand lot in Coral Gables.

Seminoles win the game and the gate, 27-10.

•South Carolina (6-1) at Florida (6-0), Saturday 3:30 p.m.

At 5-0 in the SEC, the Gators can almost see Atlanta from their house and with non-league games remaining Louisiana-Lafayette and Jacksonville State, a 12-0 regular season isn’t totally out of the question.

But after coming close last week at LSU, it’s time for the Gamecocks to win a big one on the road. Visors 23, Gators 21.

•Last week 5 smiles, 1 frown. Season 28-11.

Tudor: Though only 30, Rivers looked old Monday in Chargers' collapse

caultontudor — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:39:38 -0400

At age 30 and in reasonably sound health by NFL quarterback standards, Philip Rivers should have four or five more productive seasons ahead _ if not with the San Diego Chargers, then another team.

But during the second half of Monday’s 35-24 loss to visiting Denver, the former N.C. State star for the first time looked old and uncomfortable on a football field.

Rivers always has thrown a lot of interceptions _ 20 last season, four Monday, nine so far this season and 86 during his 102 games as a Charger starter. But there was something about the way Rivers labored through the second half against the Broncos and Peyton Manning, 36, that went beyond turnovers, misreads and an oft-leaky offensive line.

With a 24-0 halftime lead and the hometown audience unusually upbeat, Rivers came across as being overwhelmed and wound up playing the worst game of his career and the team absorbing the most disappointing loss since Norv Turner was hired in 2007.

Now 3-3, the Chargers are 20-18 since winning the American Conference West in 2009.

The season’s not over nor the cause hopeless, of course. Ten other teams are 3-3 and there’s not a team with a winning record in the AFC West. But the fan base was souring on Turner even before Monday’s collapse.

And for the first time, Rivers looked more like a problem than a solution for a franchise suddenly facing the possibility of a fourth straight season out of the playoffs.

Week-7 picks: Heels, Hokies, LSU

caultontudor — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 10:38:01 -0400

•UNC (4-2) at Miami (4-2), Saturday 2:30

Assuming Miami is better than Duke _ hmm _ the Hurricanes can extend their ACC Coastal lead to something in the 4-furlong range with a win.

At 3-0 and with both Techs flunking chemistry in the same semester, the division is so lean and leaky that even with Florida State just ahead, the lame-duck Tar Heels could equate to Charlotte’s Welcome Wagon for Miami.

Even so, it’s difficult to imagine the Miami defense keeping Saint Bernard on the porch. Heels, 42-31. Would Al Golden think about giving his old buddy Al Groh … naw.

•Duke (5-1) at Virginia Tech (3-3), Saturday 12:30

As late as last year _ when the Hokies were almost the Hokies and the Blue Devils were the Blue Devils _ this series hasn’t exactly been a laugher for Virginia Tech.

Now that it looks a little bit different on paper, Frank Beamer will be able to get his players’ attention. Hokies, 28-13.

•Maryland (3-2) at Virginia (2-4), Saturday, 3:00

This one has a game/set/match feel for the lifeless Wahoos.

But here’s an interesting question: If Mike London isn’t for real and Frank Beamer is fading, who rules recruiting in northern and eastern Virginia? Certainly not Randy Edsall.

Cavs figure it out for at least one afternoon, 20-14.

•Memphis (1-4) at ECU (3-3), Saturday 4:30

The Pirates have a decent chance to go 5-1 on the back side.

And of course, they’re capable of going 1-5, too.

Either way, this one has to be a lock. Bucs, 30-14.

•South Carolina (6-0) at LSU (5-1), Saturday 8:00

As one former South Carolina coach _ Lou Holtz _used to say: “When all is said and done, there’s a lot more said than done.”

That line pretty much sums up Steve Spurrier’s SEC big-game pattern.

The good news this time is that Spurrier and the Gamecocks can lose this one and stay alive _ but only if they can win next week at (da-dum) Florida.

I think that’s the direction this road goes, too. Tigers, 17-16.

•West Virginia (5-0) at Texas Tech (4-1), 3:30

It’s got to be time for something really wild to happen in a West Virginia game.

R’Raiders, 45-44.

•Last week 4 hits, 3 misses. Season 23-10.

Tudor: Week-6 picks _ Duke wins, Duke wins

caultontudor — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:33:42 -0400

•Florida State (5-0) at N.C. State (3-2), Saturday 8 p.m.

Logically, this game is all for show from the Wolfpack’s perspective.

Barring a startling turn of developments, State’s season will hinge not on what happens against the Seminoles but what happens during the next four games against Maryland, UNC, Virginia and Wake Forest.

It’s clear now that the Wolfpack is going to have to play out its string using a base-to-base strategy. The defense is too porous to assume anything else is possible.

Noles, 34-17.

•Virginia Tech (3-2) at UNC (3-2), Saturday 12:30 p.m.

It’s possible the Hokies could go undefeated in the ACC and winless against the Big East.

It’s also possible _ unlikely as it sounds _ that the Hokies could have a miserable season on all fronts. After UNC and Duke next, the following three games are against Clemson, Miami and Florida State.

In other words, it’s must-win time and time again in Beamertown.

I just cannot bring myself to believe they won’t Tom-up. VaTech, 20-17.

•Virginia (2-3) at Duke (4-1), Saturday 3 p.m.

The most remarkable thing about the Blue Devils’ win at Wake Forest last week was that Duke was darn near handing out purple heart badges before the game started.

The most remarkable thing about Virginia’s 2-3 record is that it should be 1-4. The Cavs were freakishly fortunate in that 17-16 win over Penn State.

Duke, 31-30, and the Belk Bowl dream lives on.

•ECU (3-2) at Central Florida (2-2), Thursday 8 p.m.

The Knights obviously should win this one with ease, which is why they’re 14-point favorites.

But it’s not as simple as it looks and particularly by Conference USA standards. With the Pirate offense in a state of duh, the tempo could be more like the Big 10 of 1982 than the wacky arcade atmosphere normally associated with CUSA.

UCF still wins, 24-17, but only if the Pirates don’t get off to hot start. Bucs can take a huge East lead with a win and with UCF in NCAA jail.

•Wake Forest (3-2) at Maryland (2-2), Saturday 3:30 p.m.

OK, so here we are mid season and the Terps’ Randy Edsall, Duke’s David Cutcliffe and Miami’s Al Golden are the frontrunners in the race for ACC coach of the year.

Let’s see, Mike London of Virginia won last season …

Deacs, 28-24, even though Maryland did limit West Virginia to a lot less than 70 points.

•Miami (4-1) at Notre Dame (4-0), Saturday 7:30 p.m.

The craziest part of all this is that the Irish have a lot of winnable games ahead _ Stanford, BYU, Pitt, BC and Wake.

The hard outs will be at Oklahoma and at Southern Cal. Neither side can possibly be for real but Notre Dame is closer than the Canes. Gold Caps, 23-14.

•Georgia Tech (2-3) at Clemson (4-1), Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Stand by for one of the wildest games of the season. Tigs, 41-39

•Last week: 3 wins, 2 losses. Season 19-7.

Tudor: Week 5 picks _ Pack, Pirates, Deacs

caultontudor — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:40:04 -0400

•N.C. State (3-1) at Miami (3-1), Saturday noon

Last week’s win at Georgia Tech, coupled with Kansas State’s upset over Oklahoma, makes the Hurricanes look better on paper but doesn’t change the fact that they are giving up 452 yards per game.

The big question is whether State’s offensive line has improved enough over the past three weeks to allow Mike Glennon to find the openings that should be there.

Miami is favored by a few points, but I’m not a believer yet. Pack, 31-28.

•Idaho (0-4) at UNC (2-2), Saturday 3:30

Vandals vs. Scandals?

Actually, this is probably a fairly important dress rehearsal for the Tar Heel offense. Starting with Virginia Tech next week, the schedule obviously gets more demanding.

Heels, 45-14.

•Duke (3-1) at Wake Forest (3-1), Saturday 12:30

For all of the feel-good bowl chatter going on in Duke’s camp, the Deacons still should have a slight edge and could benefit from another near sellout.

There should be an over/under line on the number of combined catches by Duke’s Conner Vernon and Wake’s Mike Campanaro. Ten each wouldn’t be farfetched.

Assuming both offenses put up four touchdowns, it’ll likely be decided by special teams production.

Deacs, 34-31.

•Texas-El Paso (1-3) at ECU (2-2), Saturday 7

With losses to Oklahoma, Mississippi and Wisconsin, the Miners have faced a nasty non-league school.

The Pirates know the feeling on that front, but their effort at UNC last week was miserable. It was one of the program’s ugliest performances since the John Thompson disaster.

Meanwhile, UTEP put up 26 points at Wisconsin.

A loss in this one and the mates will be rumbling in the galleon.

Bucs get the benefit of the doubt _ for now. ECU, 23-21.

•Texas (3-0) at Oklahoma State (2-1), Saturday 7:50

This one could be a big step on the way back up for Mack Brown. The high-scoring Cowboys have won 20 of their last 25 Big 12 home games.

Texas’ next three games are against No. 9 West Virginia, No. 16 Oklahoma and No. 25 Baylor.

Logically, the Horns are still probably a year away but you have to assume Brown, at age 61, is floor-boarding it. Texas, 31-30.

•Last week 5 hits, no errors. Season 16-5.

Tudor: Week-4 picks _ Heels, Pack, Devils

caultontudor — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:58:20 -0400

•ECU (2-1) at UNC (1-2), Saturday 3:30 p.m.

If the pattern of the past two or three series games holds, the UNC players from east of Interstate-95 will have a big day.

The good news for the Pirates on that front is that the Carolina roster isn’t as packed with those eastern-bred players as usual. Even so, the Heels have enough _ Erik Highsmith, Kevin Reddick, Kareem Martin, Jonathan Cooper, Casey Barth and others.

And of all the teams on UNC’s schedule, Larry Fedora and his staff are more familiar with the Pirates than any of the others.

ECU’s defense seems to be a lot better and new quarterback Shane Carden probably has a high ceiling, but the Heels want to beat ECU a heck of a lot more than they care to admit. UNC, 27-21.

•The Citadel (3-0) at N.C. State (2-1), Saturday 6 p.m.

The Wolfpack’s offense can’t afford to be sluggish early. The best and surest way to derail a wishbone style attack is to force it to operate from a double-digit deficit.

Either way, it could be a long and sometimes painful ordeal for the State defensive front. Those guys will face a steady dose of angle blocking whether the Bulldogs are scoring or not.

Pack, 31-14.

•Clemson (3-0) at Florida State (3-0), Saturday 8 p.m.

The ACC Atlantic title likely goes to the winner.

Clemson has a lot of skill-position talent and the confrontation between the Tiger offense and FSU’s defense should be the primary game theme. But unless Jimbo Fisher pushes the wrong buttons on offense, the Seminoles should pull away in the second half. FSU, 35-21.

•Memphis (0-3) at Duke (2-1), Saturday 6 p.m.

There’s been some improvement from last season in the Memphis offense, but the Tiger defense still likely rates as the worst at the FBS level.

Blue Devils, 42-24.

•Army (0-2) at Wake Forest (2-1), Saturday 12:30 p.m.

After that miserable effort at Flordia State, the Deacons enter a four-game stretch that will determine their post-season fate.

After the Cadets, Wake has Duke, Maryland and Virginia before a visit from Clemson on Oct. 25.

Wake, 28-10.

•Last week 4 up, 2 down. Season, 11-5.

Tudor: Ex-Wolfpacker Brown caps memorable Giants' rally

caultontudor — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:34:50 -0400

Andre Brown’s first NFL touchdown is one New York Giants fans may remember for a long time.

The former N.C. State and Greenville Rose running back capped a memorable comeback Sunday by the reigning Super Bowl champs in a 41-34 win over visiting Tampa Bay.

Subbing for injured starter Ahmad Bradshaw, the 25-year-old Brown rushed for 71 yards on 13 carries and caught two passes for 19 yards.

Brown’s 2-yard TD run with 31 seconds left was the winning score but only after the underdog Bucs had raced to a 24-13 halftime lead.

Once the top-rated running back prospect in the state, Brown was injured much of the time during his college career. He wound up with 2,539 yards on 523 rushes in four seasons with the Wolfpack.

After going in the fourth round of the 2009 season to the Giants, Brown had brief stints with Denver, Indianapolis, Carolina and Washington before rejoining the Giants last season.

But until Sunday, Brown’s pro career had amounted to a couple of carries for no yardage.

During post-game interviews, the 6-foot, 225-pounder told reporters he expected to spend the afternoon concentrating on his special teams assignments.

“Ya’ll know my story,” he said. “Went active, inactive, cut 18 million times. And to finally get an opportunity like this, I’m playing this role like I’m chill right now, but you don’t know, man. I’m just excited.”

After the game, Brown needed IV fluids.

With Bradshaw out with a neck injury and Brown getting most of the carriers, Giants rookie David Wilson, last season’s ACC player of the year at Virginia Tech, got in for three rushes for six yards.

While Brown’s touchdown capped the Giants rally, the most important yardage producer other than quarterback Eli Manning was former UNC wide receiver Hakeem Nicks with 10 catches for 199 yards and a 23-yard TD.

The Gaints (1-1) have a quick turn-around with a Thursday 8:20 p.m. game in Charlotte against the Panthers (1-1). Bradshaw’s status for that game probably won’t be determined until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Week-3 Picks: ECU, Heels, Pack

caultontudor — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:54:58 -0400

•ECU (1-1) at Southern Miss (0-1), Saturday 3:30

This could wind up being the Pirates’ most important game of the season and among the most important of Ruffin McNeill’s coaching career.

With Central Florida ineligible for the C-USA East title, the Pirates-Eagles winner should assume the divisional favorite’s role. Southern is favored by 7-8 points, but the Bucs have much more on the line. It’s a real reach given the unsettled quarterback situation, but I think McNeill’s team will respond. ECU, 27-24.

•UNC (1-1) at Louisville (2-0), Saturday 3:30

The big variable is UNC’s health and Larry Fedora has emerged as the undisputed master of misdirection where injury discussion is concerned.

At full speed, the Tar Heels have sufficient talent to upend the 19^th-ranked Cardinals. But if running back Gio Bernard and quarterback Bryn Renner are below par, Louisville’s occasionally sluggish defense is good enough keep pace. Reach, Part 2. Heels, 30-28.

•South Alabama (1-1) at N.C. State (1-1), Saturday 6

The game’s outcome shouldn’t be much of a mystery, of course. State should win by 4-5 touchdowns.

As much as the scoreboard, State’s coaches and fans will want to keep track of the offensive line’s improvement over last week and the ability of the running backs to get into open space. Another couple of items for State fans to follow are The Citadel’s game at Appalachian and Connecticut’s trip to Maryland. The Pack beat UConn by three last week and will face El Cid’s wishbone next. Meanwhile, State 45, South Alabama 14.

•N.C. Central (1-1) at Duke (1-1), Saturday 7:00

Duke’s injury list is so long that the number of scholarship players available to play the game will be near even. The difference is the quality of those players.

Blue Devils, 42-17.

•Notre Dame (2-0) at Mich. State (2-0), Saturday 8

The ACC’s newest football first cousin will need a good deal of pass protection and run blocking against Michigan State’s massive defense. The unit held Boise State to 13 points and has the makings of the best defense in the Big Ten.

The Irish offense struggled throughout last weeks’s 20-17 over Purdue. One plus one in this case adds up to two. Spartans, 21-13.

•Virginia (2-0) at Georgia Tech (1-1), Saturday 3:30

If it’s not already over for the Yellow Jackets in the ACC Coastal, a loss to the Cavaliers will qualify as match point.

On paper, it’s the most intriguing game on the ACC schedule this week and should serve as an accurate gauge of Virginia’s real improvement since the arrival of Mike London. Having opened the season with an overtime loss at Virginia Tech, you gotta know Yellow Jacket coach Paul Johnson is properly furious with the scheduling. Look for the Wahoos to get stuck with the bill. Jackets, 24-21.

•Last week: 4 up, 1 down. Season: 7-3.

Tudor: Move should serve as bridge to Notre Dame one day playing ACC football

caultontudor — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:41:35 -0400

Notre Dame’s decision to become a part-time ACC member should serve as a bridge for the Irish to one day move to an all-in status.

The school obviously wants to maintain its long tradition of football independency, but that may be impossible eventually.

A byproduct of the conference expansion movement by the ACC and other leagues has been to limit Notre Dame’s football flexibility in scheduling.

As the mega-conferences move to more league games, non-conference game dates have decreased. So has the philosophy of scheduling those non-league games by many teams. The most powerful coaches and programs can insist on an easy non-league slate comprised almost entirely of cupcake opponents.

By striking a deal to play five ACC games annually, Notre Dame increases its chances of lining up decent mid-season and late-season games.

But if the expansion wave is moving to an end game of only four 18-team leagues complete with a closed-door tournament, which many people believe, Notre Dame will have no viable choice except to play football in one of those leagues. The school no longer has the clout to continue to operate as an independent if the football framework is four leagues and an eight-team postseason playoff.

Week-2 picks: Heels and Pack

caultontudor — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:57:04 -0400

•ECU (1-0) at South Carolina (1-0), Saturday 12:20 p.m.

Although there’s some question about the health of Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw, it’s running back Marcus Lattimore and South Carolina’s defense that have to be more of a concern for the Pirates.

Last season in Charlotte, ECU led 17-0 before the Gamecocks could adjust to the fast game pace and eventually won 56-37. There won’t be nearly as many points scored in this one. Gamecocks, 31-17.

•UNC (1-0) at Wake Forest (1-0), Saturday 3 p.m.

If it turns out that the Tar Heels are as good as they looked against Elon and the Deacons are as bad as they looked against Liberty, Wake might as well sleep in.

More likely, there’s a mile of middle ground between the two extremes and Larry Fedora’s first ACC league game will be competitive deep into the fourth quarter. Even so, the Heels should have too many weapons. UNC, 31-23.

•N.C. State (0-1) at Connecticut (1-0), Saturday noon

The Wolfpack has lost this kind of game before and UConn is no doubt much improved over the team that went 5-7 last season.

But on their best day, there’s no reason to think the Huskies have the sort of explosive quickness State saw against Tennessee last week. Pack, 28-14.

•Duke (1-0) at Stanford (1-0), Saturday 10:30 p.m.

Lots of people believe Duke is ready to take down a ranked team for the first time in ages and the Blue Devils were impressive during most of last week’s win against Florida International.

Stanford will be fortunate to win more than seven games this season, but it’s difficult for me to believe Duke is really ready for prime time. Cardinal, 34-24.

•Miami (1-0) at Kansas State (1-0), Saturday noon

It may not look like much on paper, but this is a fairly big game for the already beleaguered ACC. The Hurricanes opened with a decent win at Boston College and K-State struggled for a while before finally overwhelming Missouri State last week.

There should be a way for Miami to make this happen, but the Canes still have enough name echo to get opponents’ attention. Wildcats, 21-17.

•Last week: 3 up, 2 down.

Lupica: North Carolina 'fertile' Major League Baseball turf

caultontudor — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:59:19 -0400

Popular New York Daily News sports columnist Mike Lupica was in the Triangle on Tuesday to promote his latest book “True Legend” _ a novel about the life and experiences of a high school superstar basketball player.

Lupica took time during his visit to The News & Observer to do a question/answer session:

Question: Will North Carolina one day get a Major League Baseball franchise?

Lupica: “It should, that’s obvious. I would hope they would look at the success of the (Carolina Panthers) and see the possibilities…

“Imagine if you took the Oakland A’s and moved them to this state and you get a real owner to go with this passionate sports fan base here and all of a sudden the owner doesn’t have to work with a $55 million payroll. “There are very few places left in the country that are fertile for Major League baseball. Very few. But I can’t imagine anywhere having the edge on North Carolina. Everything here is already in place _ weather, great baseball tradition, a sports loving population. It makes perfect sense.”

Question: Is the future of baseball viable? Can it compete long term for fans against the NFL and other professional sports?

Lupica: “At some point, they’ve got to find a way to speed up the games.

“But here’s something to consider that (ESPN’s) Adam Schefter said a few days back. We were talking about pro football and the head injuries and Adam said, ‘There’s one thing that could kill the golden goose of NFL football, and that’s a lot of these serious head injuries because if you get more and more parents seeing those injuries and they come to the conclusion that they’re not going to have their kids playing football, then everything changes fast.’

“Adam’s right. All of a sudden these athletes _ these high-end athletes _ would get pushed by their parents in other directions. Maybe that’s soccer, maybe something else, but it could be baseball.

“Here’s something else about baseball. We can talk about how slow the game is and long the games last and how much damage steroids have done to the image and a dozen other things. But from the time they open those gates on April 1 till the time they close the gates the last of October, a zillion people still go to baseball games in this country. They sit through those long games and pay whatever it is they have to pay for tickets and for parking and the extras. So the pull of baseball is still very, very strong.

“But if they could just make the game three hours, I know that would make a big difference.

Question: Will Alex Rodriguez and other steroid users get voted into the Hall of Fame?

Lupica: “He won’t get my vote. None of them will get my vote … But here’s the thing, he’s probably not going to come up for a vote until 2022 or so. By then, who knows? Attitudes can change.

“A-Rod’s version of his steroid use is completely preposterous _ that he only used for those three years. That’s like saying you had a headache for three years and you only took two aspirin.

Question: Do you think Seattle’s Russell Wilson will be successful in the NFL?

Lupica: “Oh my gosh, do I ever hope so.

“My favorite player of all time is Doug Flutie of Boston College. I believe if he could have ever gotten with the right coach who looked at the things he could do and didn’t obsess with the things he couldn’t do then he could have had a career south of the border of Canada like the career he did have in Canada.

“Now (Wilson) isn’t as small as Flutie, but he’s small. But the great thing here is that his size hasn’t in any way kept Pete Carroll from seeing the possibilities. And the Seahawks spent a boat load of money on Matt Flynn, so it that tells you how much they like Wilson.

“I just love this story. It could be the best _ very best _ story in the NFL this season and for a lot of seasons to come. I’ll root so hard for this young man because it will be a great story if he makes it. People will love the way he plays.

“I know the Seahawks must have gone into this thing thinking ‘Please let Matt Flynn be worth what we paid him’ and along comes this little guy with great possibilities and just blew the doors off the whole thing. You just can’t ask for a better story than this.”

Question: Has UNC’s image been damaged on a national scale?

Lupica: “Oh yes, the image has been hurt. It’s just a matter of how much damage has been done and we may not know that for a while.

“You know, this reminds me of how Arthur Ashe once described John McEnroe’s tennis game: ‘A nick here and nick there and pretty soon you’re bleeding to death.’

“You take enough punches and pretty soon you’re knocked out and you even be knocked out standing. I’m not saying this will sink North Carolina. I’m not saying it’ll cease to be a great college. But at some point you have to say ‘enough, enough’ because it’s hurting your school brand, not just your athletic brand.

“I thought the football stuff was pretty damning but the academics stuff is a lot more serious.

“I told V (Jim Valvano) one time, and we were great friends. I loved the guy. But it applies to any school in his country _ you bring in enough marginal kids and they’ll get you fired eventually. It’ll catch up with you.

“At some point, schools just have to take a step back and ask the question ‘Does this young man belong in our college?’ And if that answer is obviously ‘no’ then you have to move on.

“It’s tough to do, though. I realize that. Look at Dez Bryant. But coaches and colleges and even the pros get blinded by the talent.

“No one ever thought they would see UNC in this sort of situation. But no one ever thought they’d see Penn State in such a mess. But bad things can and do happen when you take too many chances and look the other way too many times.”

Question: What kind of impact _ if any _ will Syracuse make on the ACC?

Lupica: “Well, they’re a great basketball school. I think they’ll enhance ACC basketball … But really, the ACC will help Syracuse a lot more than the other way around.

“Syracuse will get more visibility and probably have a chance to recruit better players in football eventually.

“But here’s what’s funny if you’re a Boston College alum, which I am. Look at all the bad things Syracuse said about BC when they went to the ACC. Now Syracuse is next to join up.

“And Connecticut. Jim Calhoun had a lot to say, too. But now, they’d kill to get in the ACC.”

Question: What do you think college sports will be like 10 years from now?

Lupica: “That’s one of the great, great questions in all of sports anywhere these days.

“It’s certainly the most compelling question out there, simply because these past five or so years have been so unpredictable and extraordinary in college football and to some extent college basketball. I mean something changes radically every few months or so.

“College sports is unlike any other sport with maybe the exception of thoroughbred horse racing. The horse gets no perks whether he’s a great horse or a slow horse.

“Eventually, college sports will have to change and have to find a way to pay the athletes for their time because college sports is bigger than it’s ever been. It’s bigger than anyone could have possibly ever guessed just 10 or 15 years ago. ESPN and television have just expanded the visibility of college football and basketball so much that it’s hard to comprehend. And there’s no reason to think it won’t keep growing – maybe growing a little slower but still growing in popularity and TV markets.

“One thing that has to happen _ and I don’t know how or who will do this _ but the NCAA simply has to find a way to get control over football. The BCS can’t run college football in the future. It’s led to a rogue situation. You’ve got this small group of people and schools in these powerful conferences that dictate everything up and down the line. It’s just crazy.”

Tudor: Ex-Pack star Clayton White on the other side Saturday at UConn

caultontudor — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 15:32:27 -0400

At Connecticut on Saturday, N.C. State’s football team will face one of its former fan favorites in Huskies assistant coach Clayton White.

A Harnett County product and ex-Triton High standout, White handles running backs and special teams for UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni.

At State, White was one of the program’s best linebackers during the late 1990s and played three seasons in the NFL.

White, 34, was among the youngest assistants Pasqualoni’s hired when he got the job upon Randy Edsall’s move to Maryland after the 2010 season.

Before going to UConn, White coached at Stanford and Western Michigan and spent a brief period in 2003 at Raleigh’s Sanderson High.

Pasqualoni, 63, was forced out at Syracuse even though his teams went 107-59-1 in 14 seasons. He seemed to have settled in to a career NFL assistant role until Connecticut offered.

The Huskies went 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the Big East last season but opened 2012 with a dominating 37-0 win over Massachusetts on Thursday.

Quarterback Chandler Whitmer, a transfer from Illinois, passed for 219 yards but had two interceptions in his first start for UConn.

During his tenure at Boston College, Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien went 3-5 against Pasqualoni.

• • •

North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner said Saturday that he’s benefited from advice and encouragement by St. Louis Rams rookie Austin Davis.

Davis was UNC coach Larry Fedora’s star quarterback in four seasons at Southern Miss. He signed as a free agent with the Rams, played effectively in preseason and won the back-up role to Sam Bradford.

“Austin knows everything about this offense,” Renner said. “It was great that he made the final cuts.”

• • •

ECU will be an underdog in all phases of the game at South Carolina on Saturday (12:20 p.m.), but the Pirates at least know what to expect from Gamecock running back Marcus Lattimore.

In last season’s 56-37 South Carolina win at Charlotte, the Pirates had a big early lead before a rash of second-half turnovers wiped out any chance of an upset.

But for much of the game, ECU’s defense did a decent job of stopping Gamecock quarterbacks Stephen Garcia and Connor Shaw.

The problem was Lattimore’s 112 yards rushing and three touchdown runs. It was a virtual duplicate performance of his 110 yards and two TD runs in Thursday's 17-13 season-opening win at SEC opponent Vanderbilt.

“I think we're in pretty good shape, but man I hope we can play a lot better offensively next week,'' Spurrier told reporters after the game.

Tudor's Week-1 picks: State, UNC, Pirates, Duke

caultontudor — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:53:58 -0400

The Picks * Week-1 *

•N.C. State vs. Tennessee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Atlanta

Why are the Volunteers favored by 3 points? Please spare me the Southeastern Conference explanation.

For the past few seasons Tennessee has fit the ACC football profile a lot more than displaying any likeness to Alabama, LSU, Auburn, etc. Given enough time, Derek Dooley will make improvements but the Vols aren’t likely to challenge for a national championship for years.

If the Wolfpack’s largely rebuilt receiving corps can get open and make catches and the linebackers are ready, State should be fine. Pack, 30-21.

•Florida International at Duke, 7 p.m. Saturday

This isn’t the ACC vs. the SEC. It’s the ACC vs. the Sun Belt, and it is hardly a gimme.

While no one was watching, FIU closed 2011 by beating Central Florida (17-10), Louisville (24-17) and North Texas (41-16) and returns 18 starters.

I guess you have to give the Blue Devils some benefit of the doubt but not by much. Duke, 28-24.

•Elon at UNC, 12:30 p.m. Saturday

With the weather forecast calling for temperatures in the mid 90s, the Tar Heels’ fast-break offense may leave both teams breathless by the start of the fourth quarter.

Otherwise, the dawn of the Larry Fedora era should be a breeze. Tar Heels, 42-10.

•Appalachian State at ECU, noon, Saturday

The Mountaineers almost won the 2009 game in Greenville and no doubt will be a tough out again.

There’ll be a lot for Pirate fans to follow: new quarterback Rio Johnson, a defense billed as deeper and better and probably more emphasis on the run game. The 2011 offense attempted 397 rushes, compared to 524 passes.

If the Pirates fall, they’ll likely go 0-for-September. That shouldn’t happen, though. ECU, 35-21.

*Clemson vs. Auburn, 7 p.m., Saturday, Atlanta

If incentive decides the outcome, Clemson should win. Dabo Swinney and his players have had 8 months to live with that 70-33 Orange Bowl catastrophe against West Virginia.

On the other hand, Auburn has had 8 months to savor a 43-24 Chick-fil-A win over Virginia that took place in the Georgia Dome. What goes around goes around again. Sammy Watkins’ suspension will be obvious. Auburn, 38-28.

Tudor: ECU wise to select Steve Logan for Hall of Fame

caultontudor — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:49:51 -0400

A decade after being forced out as East Carolina’s football coach, Steve Logan has been elected to the school’s sports Hall of Fame.

The move is much deserved and long overdue. In my opinion, Logan still rates as the best football coach in ECU history and the school has had some good ones _ Clarence Stasavich, Pat Dye, Ed Emory and Skip Holtz among them.

Logan and his former quarterback David Garrard will be joined in the 2012 class by Michelle Ward (softball), John Williamson (baseball) and Amanda Duffy (soccer).

In 11 seasons, 1992 through 2002, Logan went 65-58 and took the Pirates to five bowl games, including a win over Stanford and a loss to Illinois in successive Liberty Bowl appearances.

After a 4-8 record in 2002, Logan resigned under pressure from the administration, particularly then athletic director Mike Hamrick, who hired Florida assistant John Thompson as head coach.

Within three years, Thompson and Hamrick were out. Hamrick’s successor, Terry Holland, fired Thompson after going 1-10 and 2-9 n 2003 and ‘04.

Since ’02, Logan has coached professional teams in Europe and for the NFL Tampa Bay Bucs and for two seasons at Boston College, where he helped groom Matt Ryan and eventual Pirate record-setting quarterback Dominique Davis.

Under Logan, the Pirates defeated Miami twice and routed Texas Tech in a 2000 bowl game. He still is on No. 1 on the school’s win list for football coaches.

At 59, Logan still has a lot of coaching miles to be used. It's still amazing to me that Arkansas _ just to cite one recent school with a sudden coaching vacancy _ hired John L. Smith when Logan was there for the taking.

Tudor: Wolfpack's Purvis needs an immediate ruling from NCAA

caultontudor — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 14:38:31 -0400

The NCAA is slammed. Anyone with a passing interest in college sports understands that much.

Coaches, players, agents, administrators, equipment companies _ the list seems endless _ are piling up misdeeds with such regularity that the Indianapolis CSI unit might have trouble juggling the case load.

That said, Rodney Purvis deserves an up or down thumb from the NCAA academic clearinghouse fast _ if not Monday, then Tuesday at the latest.

It’s not that N.C. State’s basketball program or its 2012-13 season hinges entirely on the NCAA’s ruling on the player’s academic qualifications.

Purvis, a guard from Raleigh’s Upper Room Christian Academy, very well could be the best freshman in the ACC. But whether he turns out to good, bad or average, the Wolfpack should have enough talent and experience to contend for the league title and a favorable NCAA Tournament seed.

The important issues in the matter are the Purvis’ peace of mind and ability to make a sound decision regarding his future if clearinghouse says he’s ineligible.

As of now, Purvis is not enrolled in school and probably won’t be until the NCAA finishes its review of Upper Room Christian Academy’s academic status.

When news of Purvis’ jam become known on Aug. 3, the NCAA’s Christopher Radford, an associate director of public and media relations, wrote an email to the News & Observer in which he said that Upper Room Christian is the subject of an “extended evaluation.”

Radford went to say that a part of the decision timetable would depend on Upper Room Christian’s cooperation.

OK, fine.

All of that makes sense, although it is reasonable to wonder why the eligibility of one of the nation’s top rated recruits didn’t merit some priority earlier.

Purvis was forced to stay home when the rest of the team recently went on a trip to Spain, a development that irked Wolfpack coach Mark Gottfried but the player seemed to accept with grace and understanding.

And if turns out that Purvis can’t play at all this season for State, so be it. But the very least he should expect from the NCAA is a yes or no that comes in time for him to think it through and then react.

Obviously, he could play for a junior college or perhaps even turn pro and play for an overseas team.

A lesson to be learned from the Purvis story may be that students should be completely certain about the academic credentials of their high schools long before the college application process begins. But the big picture, for now, isn’t the main concern.

The NCAA needs to let the guy get on with his life while there’s still at least a little time left from him to develop Plan-B.