Fridays With Jerry: Teams Nos. 50-35
By Ryan Myerberg // Jul 30, 2010
Jerry's just sitting there, looking out a window. God forbid he get going and do some work.
Jerry Garcia, late of the Grateful Dead — and the planet Earth — has blessed us with his take on each team previewed thus far on the Countdown. I’ll first list Paul’s prediction, followed by Jerry’s often musically-influenced point of view. You can’t blame Jerry: he’s been singing these songs so long they often slip into his everyday conversation. Do your best to follow; those familiar with the Dead will find the songs pretty easily.
We’re coming closer to the end of the line, folks. That’s good news. Jerry can relax and get back to doing what he does best — making great music — while the end of the Countdown means it’s time to start the college football season. Keep the faith, my friends. We’re just over a month away from the best five or so months of the year.
No. 50: Tulsa
Paul Barring injuries or an unexpected setback, Tulsa will enter the 2011 season — thanks to this team’s youth — as the leading contender for the conference crown. As for 2010, expect no less than eight wins. With an upset road win, the Golden Hurricane could battle for nine, perhaps even double-digit victories. Without question, Tulsa will be back.
Jerry Gotta go to Tulsa, first train we can ride. Time to settle one old score, one small point of pride. What point of pride is that? The one where people doubt the talent that the Golden Hurricane have. I think this is a heck of a football team, man. They score enough to steal your face right off your head.
No. 49: South Florida
Paul The Bulls aren’t a conference title contender; in a strange way, I think Rutgers — a team I have ranked behind the Bulls — more capable of exceeding expectations and challenging for a B.C.S. berth. Nevertheless, this is a clear bowl team, though a team that will occasionally stumble while growing accustomed to a new coach, a new voice and new standards. Not to mention new philosophies on both sides of the ball.
Jerry New ones coming as the old ones go. Sometimes you gotta turn the page on an old regime. Especially when that regime becomes a little too authoritarian for its own good. Kinda how I felt about Nixon.
No. 48: Air Force
Paul The pieces are very much in place to duplicate last season’s eight-win mark. Unfortunately, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy still goes through Navy. Is there a gap between the top three and Air Force? Yes. Still, in my opinion, the gap between Air Force and the rest of the Mountain West is larger.
Jerry It’s tough for the Falcons. You keep on trying but you, you can’t get through. I guess I’d like to know if a Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is more satisfying than a Mountain West championship. If it is, well, groovy man, you have a good shot at being happy this year. If not, well, I don’t know what to tell ya. Maybe start a bar fight? Used to be lots of cats in the service that would bust up a bar back when I lived in Frisco.
No. 47: Clemson
Paul The rest of the offense is not, to put it mildly. If Parker returns, the Tigers could have the offense to repeat as Atlantic division champs; the defense should be stout, even with its five lost starters. Clemson might have too many question marks to make a conference title run a distinct possibility. The Tigers are still a good team, one capable of winning eight games in the regular season. If they do, it will likely be due to the play of a potentially terrific defense.
Jerry I wish I had a dollar for every time Dabo Swinney’s been down that steep grade of a hill at Death Valley. Man’s paid his dues there and deserves the shot to take this program further than Tommy Bowden ever could. Will he? I don’t think so, but that’s just one man’s opinion. I know none of you ne’er-do-wells care what I think anyway.
No. 46: Arizona
Paul However, I don’t think the Wildcats have what it takes to play with Oregon or U.S.C. — I’m still including the Trojans in the conversation — and even lags behind Oregon State, whose final record, due to a tough non-conference slate, won’t reflect how good it can be. Instead, Arizona is stuck in a logjam in the middle of the Pac-10, whose denizens include the Wildcats, U.C.L.A, California and Stanford. I’ll hedge my bets by saying Arizona is certainly capable of finishing ahead of that latter trio; even as high as third, should the defense round into form. With their questions, however, this is a logical spot.
Jerry When things go wrong, horribly horribly wrong with you — 2009 Holiday Bowl bad, for example — it hurts me too. But I think this program is on the rise, my friends. What were growing pains, then adolescent instability, may finally have become a matured coach and team, ready to take the next step.
No. 45: Nevada
Paul So that’s where I stand: likely three, perhaps four losses in the regular season. Unfortunately, not many of the nine — perhaps 10 — wins will be much to write home about. But enough doom and gloom. Watch Nevada to see Kaepernick, the vastly underrated quarterback, play one last time. Stand agog at the Pistol at work. Cover your eyes when the opposition drops back to pass. And enjoy yourself: the Wolf Pack are a pleasure to watch. And they’re very good, too.
Jerry I lit out from Reno, I was trailed by twenty hounds. I looked back again, and saw that it was twenty-two hounds. The starting offense and defense of Nevada coming at me. Then I changed my shorts.
No. 44: Temple
Paul If Temple does win 10 games, it won’t be the prettiest 10-win team — in terms of its resume — we’ve ever seen. For all its talent, Temple still doesn’t match up with Connecticut or Penn State, the two B.C.S. conference programs on the schedule. Not that it matters much. When it comes to the MAC, Temple is in a class by itself. If you saw this coming, raise your hand.
Jerry Look how young Al Golden looks. Young and able mama. That man can coach ‘em up. Just wonder if he’s long for Philly or if one of those big-money programs will snatch him away. I hope he stays, ‘cuz it’s just a great story what he’s done with the Owls. Free jello pudding pops for everyone!
No. 43: Cincinnati
Paul With its ranking in this spot, I’m projecting the Bearcats to pull in fourth in the Big East, close to the third-place team but not, in my mind, a conference title-caliber team. I’m thinking eight wins, with a difficult non-conference slate preventing Cincinnati from breaking into Big East play on its typical hot streak. In my opinion, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, even Connecticut are more viable contenders for the conference crown. Now watch Cincinnati prove me wrong, as the program often did under Kelly. Of course, it’s up to Jones to keep the Bearcats in title contention.
Jerry Don’t get in the way. There’s nothing you can say. Butch’ll do a good job following in Brian’s footsteps. And he’ll do a great job at Notre Dame when Brian’s done there. And he’ll do a great job for the Redskins after Brian’s done there too. And so on, and so on, and so on. And I’m also still having nightmares after seeing that picture of a bearcat. It keeps staring at me, man. Tell it to leave me alone!
No. 42: Northwestern
Paul The secondary must supplant three starters, but last season’s injuries allowed several of last season’s contributors — now starters — to earn valuable game experience. Most importantly, Northwestern is led by Pat Fitzgerald, perhaps the finest young coach in the country. This program continues to improve under his watch, developing overlooked prospects into solid Big Ten performers en route to developing into yearly bowl participants. For those unaware, it’s time to start respecting Northwestern; this is a good team — and a good program.
Jerry Well the first days are the hardest days, but don’t you worry any more. ‘Cuz when you have Pat Fitzgerald at the helm, Wildcat fans, it doesn’t matter if danger’s at your door. Think this through with me — let me know your mind — what I want to know is: will Northwestern someday win a national championship??
No. 41: Mississippi
Paul The weak schedule should allow the Rebels to ease their way into the season, a year that ramps into gear beginning with a trip to Tuscaloosa in mid-October. The Rebels should enter that game at 4-1, perhaps 5-0; the season will be made in SEC play. Don’t predict any miracles, and don’t think that Ole Miss, again an underdog, is capable of taking the deadly West division. The schedule should lead to eight wins, but this team has more questions than answers.
Jerry Well I married me a wife, and she’s been trouble all my life. You’d think Paul would rank Ole Miss higher to save me some grief in my own home but then he goes and drops ‘em at No. 41. Can’t wait to see the in-laws next. Thanks chief!
No. 40: U.C.L.A.
Paul Helping matters further are five Pac-10 games at home, as well as a road game against Arizona State, a game U.C.L.A. should win. Can we put U.C.L.A. in the same breath as Oregon, U.S.C. and Oregon State when discussing potential Pac-10 champions? No, not in 2010. But the Bruins are beginning to round into form, leading me to believe the future is bright.
Jerry I get so strange, peeking through that keyhole in your door, ol’ Slick Rick. I know your team is getting better, but given your track record, don’t that mean you’re doing somethin’ fishy, man? Speaking of fishy, best trick I ever pulled on Kreutzmann was the one time I left an open can of tuna fish under his bed in his RV that he rode to concerts in. Also left another can hidden inside the bass drum he kept in there as a spare. Took about 4 or 5 days in the Oregon summer heat before it really turned ripe. Kreutzmann starts sniffing around the place like a bloodhound in heat and finally finds the can under the bed. He lights some Dalai Llama-scented incense (we bought it on an alpaca farm near Walla Walla on the way down from Vancouver) and thinks everything’s good to go. We got down to Bakersfield before he found the second can. Kreutzmann started ragin’… ripped his shirt off like the Incredible Hulk. Took both Ram Rod and Kidd Candelario to subdue him. Good times, man. Good times.
No. 39: Connecticut
Paul More so than any Big East team that has come before them on the Countdown, however, UConn is a very realistic Big East contender; this team, thanks to its returning talent and nice schedule, could sneak into the back door of the B.C.S. — ahead of its more highly-regarded rivals in Pittsburgh and West Virginia.
Jerry Fare you well Jasper, fare you well. Your teammates love you more than words can tell. Nothing brought more emotion to this ol’ road-weary guitar man than watching the Huskies rally around your memory. My deepest condolences to Randy Edsall and his kids. We’re all rooting for you guys in 2010 and beyond.
No. 38: Texas Tech
Paul The big question, and one whose answer we’ll know more about come the end of 2010, is whether Tuberville can match — or even exceed — his predecessor’s success. Here’s what we know: he’s won before. Until proven otherwise, there’s no reason to believe he won’t do it again. How will an SEC mentality play in the Big 12
Jerry Actions speak louder than words, my friends, and Tommy Tuberville is man of great experience. He may not be the biggest mouth — at least compared to the last coach in Lubbock — but he wins games. And winning, last time I checked, is the name of the game. I think Tech will still have a very good squad. But they’ll lag behind the Sooners and Longhorns again this year.
No. 37: Michigan
Paul Put together extended periods of stellar play, as it did last September, and this is an eight-win team. Don’t, and U.M. is staring at another difficult season. When all is said and done, I’m intrigued by this team’s potential, confident in its ability to turn things around, and excited — yes, still excited — about what the program is capable of achieving when Rodriguez has the tools to run this ship at full bore.
Jerry Let me in baby, I don’t know what you’ve got. But you better take it easy ‘cuz this place is hot. Where are we exactly? Rich Rodriguez’s seat? Oh, I get it…
No. 36: B.Y.U.
Paul Even with the lost talent, B.Y.U. has a better, deeper, more athletic roster than all but two teams in the Mountain West; those two teams, of course, are T.C.U. and Utah. I don’t think these Cougars are capable of beating either team, particularly with both games coming on the road; all bets are off in the Holy War, however. With that pair and a tough first month, it’s going to be very difficult for B.Y.U. to again reach double-digit wins during the regular season. In fact, I’m more likely to predict B.Y.U. to lose four games than win 10. This is another solid team, but an 8-4 finish, with the potential for 9-3, doesn’t warrant inclusion in the Top 25.
Jerry Won’t you try just a little bit harder, men of Provo. Won’t you try just a little bit more. Get a little bit further this season than you done before. I know it’s a tough conference and all, but your fans have watched arch-rival Utah do some B.C.S. bustin’. Maybe it’s time for the Cougars to get involved this season.
No. 35: California
Paul The good news is that Cal has players ready to step up; along the line, for instance, Cameron Jordan is poised for a big season. Until it shows improvement, however — and we might not be able to tell until the heart of Pac-10 play — the defense remains a concern. Altogether, Cal is very good team, one easily capable of landing a spot in the Top 25. Much, if not all, depends on how the Bears fare during their tough stretch of Pac-10 road games from late September through early November.
Jerry California. I’ll admit, I never went to college, but I guess the Bears were my hometown team when I was living in The Haight so I’ve got a soft spot for ‘em. The past couple of years I kept thinking they were knockin’ on the golden door. But they never quite got over the hump, man. And now? No. 35 on the Countdown. We’re regressing, man, plain regressing.
Tags: Air Force, Arizona, B.Y.U., California, Cincinnati, Clemson, Connecticut, Jerry Garcia, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Northwestern, South Florida, Temple, Texas Tech, Tulsa, U.C.L.A.
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Paul, you and Jerry are both in hot water for your Ole Miss ranking. 41? Really? That’s going to be hard to explain when you’re in the Grove…That is if you’re still invited.
Think this through with me — let me know your mind — what I want to know is: will Northwestern someday win a national championship??
No.
I’d settle for winning a bowl game for the first time since 1949.
National Championship? Well, when Coach K took over at Duke, I don’t think anyone could have predicted his level of success there, even though the Devils made the 1978 National Championship Game before he arrived, losing to Kentucky. Northwestern has a similar academic profile to Duke, and it’s just a matter of time before Coach Fitz starts locking down Chicago-area talent in the recruiting wars. This program is on its way up.