Jan 17 2013
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Life

It’s Not Easy Being Orange

Where to begin? The new semester kicked off this week, and it’s been great so far. I’m really enjoying all of my classes and professors, and I’m even surviving without the usual 2 to 3 day basketball turnaround. It’s been great to see everyone after being home for a month, and I’m slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things on the hill. In terms of SU Athletics right now, though…”curled up in a ball” doesn’t even begin to describe me.

It all started at the women’s basketball game last Sunday…at halftime I looked down at my phone to see that Zach Allen had de-committed from Syracuse to enroll at TCU. It took about six hours to actually process the news, and I was just so bummed. I get why he did it. It doesn’t make it any easier to accept, but I get it and I honestly wish him well. I just wish he hadn’t climbed on the rooftops to shout his loyalty and commitment to the program 48 hours before…but I guess the timing just goes to show how much of a catch Nate Hackett really is in the coaching world. Ugh. And before I get irrational about it all, I have to remind myself of the “it’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all” concept…that offense this year was amazing, and reminded me why I never stop believing in Syracuse football. Thanks Nate. You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. :(

I was feeling great about Shafe early in the week, even if I was still anxious about the OC hire. I really do think he’ll be great for this program, and with a great staff there to back him – plus hearing of all the players loving him – I started to feel much better about it all. And then…that staff? It disappeared. One by one, they started dropping like flies. It’s become the new daily routine, the new joke around the dinner table. “Maybe we should just transfer to UB.” “Where’s ____? I don’t know, probably in Buffalo.” “I wonder if the Bills will go to the Pinstripe Bowl next year.” Joke all you want, but I don’t even know what to say. Maybe I’m naïve, but never in a million years did I imagine this happening – in my happy little head, Marrone would stay on our sidelines until his hair turned white, and his whole staff was along for the ride. I’m such a what-iffer, which makes it so much harder to accept everything, from Marrone to Hackett to Zach Allen leaving.

Once Marrone had left, I kindof braced myself for Hackett’s departure, and even Donnie Henderson’s. What I did NOT see coming was our recruiting gems – Tyrone Wheatley, Greg Adkins, John Anselmo – and our freaking QC guy, Jason Rebrovich, AND strength and conditioning director Hal Luther, leaving to join Marrone. It shouldn’t surprise me, I guess. I’m trying to embrace the whole “perspective” thing…they’re his guys, and if he trusts and believes they will be the best fit for the job, why wouldn’t he take them? As a mature football fan who gets that it’s a business and is happy to see these guys advance their careers, I’m sitting here a little dazed, but I’m happy for Marrone and I’m not panicking.

At the same time, the rabid Syracuse fan in me is screaming like a banshee: “I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO HELP THE PROGRAM? AND SUPPORT IT? SO YOU GO AHEAD AND TAKE NOT JUST OUR KICKASS OC OR A COUPLE ASSISTANTS, BUT OUR RECRUITING COORDINATOR AND THE CONDITIONING GUY WHO HAS BEEN A ROCK FOR THIS PROGRAM, PLUS OUR FREAKING QC? WHAT’S NEXT, THE SECRETARIES???” The hardest part is I can’t just be mad or just be sad or just be hopeful/optimistic and a little terrified…I’m everything, all at once. It’s rough. And as if this wasn’t enough to freak out about for the week, the disgusting Roger Springfield scandal surfaced AND James Southerland got suspended – allegedly not just for current academic ineligibility, but improper benefits AND as a result of a legitimate NCAA investigation into the academics of our basketball program in general. AWESOME. So we can’t just be concerned about losing football recruits or just our video guy putting a secret camera in the showers or just about academic issues in basketball…each of which is awful…nope, it’s everything all at once. It’s not easy being orange, man.

On the bright side, I am really excited about the QB coach (Tim Lester) and OC (George McDonald) hires. They make me feel a lot better about the state of everything, from recruiting to rushing yards…sounds like we’re getting some up-and-coming coaching stars. And I’ve seen the new juco transfers with my own eyes already, so I know for a fact they’re in it for the long-haul. And I do believe in Shafe. And our athletic department did the right thing right away so Springfield was promptly fired, and hopefully – fingers crossed – James will figure this all out and return to the court soon. Every cloud – and by cloud, I mean monstrous, dark, looming, terrifying cloud; multiple clouds, even – has a silver lining, right? ;-)

You just gotta believe. What else can ya do? Even if the list of football coaching staff on the SU Athletics website right now consists of 75% secretaries and communications people, the sun will still come up tomorrow. It’s only a little terrifying to think that in 8 short months we will enter a completely new conference with a completely new staff. Everyone’s saying our program is in such a better place during this coaching change than it was during the last one…and to that I say, obviously it’s true, but where are all the guys who led these players to turn it all around and get it to this precisely better place? OH WAIT. THEY’RE IN BUFFALO. You can take the girl’s coaching staff out of CNY, but it doesn’t mean she’ll be happy about getting to call Buffalo “Syracuse West” from now on. >:-(

Then again, the cornerstone of every program is its players. And the guys we have here are not only motivated and hungry and passionate, but they’re also really damn talented. Let’s not forget that. So maybe this will be amazing and a great fresh start and we’ll take all the ACC doubters by surprise. Or maybe we will struggle, and it will take some time to figure everything out. I just have to keep reminding myself, football is a game. It’s a really special game, but it’s a game nonetheless. It’s funny, because I’ve always struggled with that concept — it’s why I’m always so crushed after losses and upset over the little things. But if I’ve learned anything this season from some of these guys, it’s that what goes on during those 4 hours every Saturday (the outcome of which has determined my weekly moods for the past eight years) really is just a bunch of guys having fun after working their asses off all week. There are bigger things in life, even if my little fraction of the world feels like it’s currently crumbling. Anything could happen. Maybe this new staff will be legendary. Maybe Austin Wilson will be our new superstar QB. Maybe Shafe will be a lifer. Only time will tell, but until then you gotta believe.

And hey, on the bright side, I literally can’t think of a reason not to be a Bills fan now (once I get over my grudge against DM…which, let’s face it, was gone before it started because I love him too much regardless of the “coach poach” issue). It’s hard to think a handful of our guys won’t get a shot to be on that team…YAY!! I can feel the roadtrips already. So this isn’t all bad. Also, back on the Syracuse side of things, THANK YOU GOD for Rob Moore and Tim Daoust. Oh, and all I want to say to Steve Morrison and anyone else who’s still here right now (anyone? anyone? Buelllllller? ;-) ) is this.

Gah. It’s just crazy to wrap my head around all of this. I’m trying to achieve more balance in life this year, and with this week’s events, I’m starting to think I really should just get into yoga. My brain hurts from a lack of sleep, starting classes, absorbing the news of the coaching carousel and everything else…I’m notorious for letting things like this get to me, and my attempt to change that isn’t easy. When you care about something so much, it’s hard to take things lightly. I’m concerned for my school, the program, the guys, everything. But I can’t control any of it — which I know is so obvious, but sometimes I forget it — and instead of binge-eating my feelings and laying in bed sulking, I need to get up and get on with it. Next week will be my own “fresh start” — I’m going to get reacquainted with the gym, vegetables and just general sanity. One step at a time. (No promises that the John Mayer music will stop, though — he’s helping me with his train metaphors about life).

My orange heart is hurting, but life will go on. And while I could just sit here twitching until August, there’s basketball and the senior bowl and the draft, oh my! :-D Don’t stop believin’.

PS: At least one our LBs have real girlfriends!!! ;-) Us: 1, ND: 0.

X’s and Oranges,

Meg

Jan 11 2013
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Football

Scott Shafer: Just What I Needed

Hi.

Do you have doubts about Scott Shafer?

Watch this.

Is it August yet?

(I’ll be singing along to this until then.)

X’s and Oranges,
Meg

Jan 10 2013
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Football, Life

The End of an Era

I can’t even believe the last time I wrote anything on here it was barely Thanksgiving . The guys were fresh off a great win to end the regular season at Temple and looking ahead to bowl selections, I was dreading finals and awaiting the promise of a month off from school…oh, how things change.

We’re almost two weeks into 2013 now, with memories of the Pinstripe Bowl still fresh (I’m starting to get the feeling back in my toes again) and a whole new semester of classes right around the corner. I’ve basically spent the last month in hibernation, snuggled up by my TV watching bowl games, eating Christmas cookies, and sleeping like a sloth. It was all happy, lazy and carefree until New Years Eve, when Adam Schefter reported that our beloved Doug Marrone was entertaining the thought of interviewing for the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills head coaching positions. To say I freaked out would be a bit of an understatement. But within two days of the news, I had completely talked myself down and begun to chant the word “leverage” in my sleep. I convinced myself this was all just a big act to scare Darryl Gross into making a beefy contract extension proposal complete with the promise of funds for a fancy new football facility and salary boost. Hello, denial!

By the time Saturday night rolled around, I was in full-blown panic mode. Marrone had interviewed with the Eagles, Browns and Bills by that point…and everyone seemed legitimately interested. I was convinced he’d be going to Cleveland as I went to bed late Saturday night. But whenI rolled out of bed at 6:30 AM Sunday and opened my eyes wide enough to scroll through twitter, I saw Schefter’s latest tweet and started shouting the word “NO,” scaring my family just a little: Marrone had agreed to a deal with the Bills as the next HC in Buffalo. If New Years Eve constituted a freak-out, this was grounds for all hell breaking loose. Luckily, I was really too groggy to even wrap my head around the whole thing at first, which limited my ability to break things/yell profanities. But by the time mass was over and I had consumed several glazed donuts, I started to realize the magnitude of the whole thing and it was just…BAD. I was so bummed. I am so bummed.

Doug Marrone was my guy. He’ll always be one of my favorites. I, like a handful of others, had envisioned him becoming the Jim Boeheim of Syracuse football. I realize now that was a pipe dream, but I really believed in him from the beginning and saw just how quickly he turned a struggling program into one with a will to win, a passion to fight on every down, and a habit of turning boys into men. I’ll never forget watching that opening press conference in 2008, or eating my uncle’s infamous hot peppers outside the Dome and discussing Marrone’s potential before the dome opener against Minnesota in 2009, or how I hung up a picture of him sitting at his desk getting ready to work on the very first day on my wall as inspiration for the start of a new era. The past four years — the all-too-short “Marrone Era” — have been a crazy ride. It definitely wasn’t all smooth sailing, but every season has its ups and downs, and Marrone/his guys led me to experience the magic of winning seasons, bowl games and an all-around hunger for victory for the first time in my life. It’s not that the G-Rob years were ALL bad – okay, for the most part they were awful, but for every terrible memory I have the ND win and Taj Smith’s 79-yard touchdown run off an Andrew Robinson pass on the first play of the Louisville game in 2007. The point is, those years had their moments, but overall they just kinda sucked. It was hard to stay positive and upbeat. I tried my best. So the Marrone hire was, for once, a welcome change in my book (me and change…we don’t do well together). But Marrone didn’t just instill a winning mentality in his teams and in the program – he allowed the fans to truly enjoy watching Syracuse football again.

I’ve grown up with a passion for Syracuse basketball in my veins, as has everyone born in this city. But when Marrone took the reigns, road trips weren’t just to Georgetown or Villanova anymore – they were to Akron, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Temple, Metlife Stadium and Yankee Stadium. I didn’t sit idly from March-December anymore, itching for hoops season to start up again…I started poring through recruiting news, heading up to Manley to watch spring practice, counting down the days til fall camp, and stocking up on football apparel as the season approached. People claim that we don’t have a real “football culture” here, but Doug Marrone’s tenure has undoubtedly started to change that tune. Don’t tell me that nine girls planning a dinner/”girls night” around the Syracuse-South Florida football game or a legitimate brunch around the Cincy game isn’t part of a “football culture.” Getting to home games an hour and a half before kickoff with signs in tow…getting five hours of sleep before hitting the road for a six-hour drive to New Jersey that ended in a tornado and a loss, but loving every minute of it anyway…sitting outside in the Bronx for four hours in the midst of freezing rain keeping warm with pure adrenaline and hand warmers…we may not be Alabama girls showing up to tailgate in sundresses, but we have a damn good sense of “football culture.”What I’m saying is, Doug Marrone picked us up, dusted us off, and got us back on track.

I hate the word “relevance” when it comes to college football. Saying whether a team is “relevant” or not seems pretty irrelevant to me when the entire system is run by computers and the stories are handpicked and framed just so by the media – yes, ESPN, I’m talking about the Geno Smith-centric SportsCenter feature after our bowl win that showed approx. two clips of PTG running and mentioned Ryan for .5 seconds despite the fact that WE DOMINATED GENO AND CO…ugh. So I hate when people say Syracuse football is “relevant” again. I don’t think were ever irrelevant, even if ESPN begs to differ. I get that we struggled, and the program hit some low points in recent years. I lived through it to tell the tale. But “relevance” isn’t the moral of the Doug Marrone story. What I know for sure is Doug Marrone changed the culture of this program. By changed, I mean RESTORED. I don’t just mean on the gridiron, either – hearing him talk about forming a leadership committee so guys could learn good manners and how to tie a tie…seeing them travel in suits…it was just a complete 180. Marrone just gets it. Robinson was a great guy, a nice guy…but that’s where the similarities end. Marrone is not only a standup guy, but also a hell of a football coach.

Soooo when I heard the news, I was obviously devastated. I was still on a high from the win two weeks before, and when I thought back to the beginning of the season and how far we’d come, I couldn’t do anything but smile. To see this team come so far after a less-than-perfect start, despite all the criticism and a city full of naysayers…to secure two phenomenal road wins with last-minute scoring drives, win 6 of their last 7, and not only make it to a bowl game, but absolutely CRUSH a highly-touted rival opponent…it was like everything clicked and things were finally right in the 315 again. My fear for the transition into the ACC was all but gone, even with losing so much talent and leadership from this senior class. And then, bam. Right when you start to get comfortable, life pulls the freaking rug out from under you. This time, it was Marrone leaving for the Bills and taking the mastermind of our offense, Nathaniel Hackett, with him. GAH. That high-flying, powerful offense that got so many people talking this season, the one that would get me through every school week as I waited to watch it again and again…its coordinator, head coach AND quarterback – not to mention key offensive linemen and receivers – were all gone. It’s been a few days now, and I’m back to breathing again, but still. GEEZE. I always say I hate change, but this brought that to a new level. It was hard to accept, much less embrace.

But…I’m working on it. The funniest thing is, I joked ALL SEASON LONG about “becoming a Bills fan”. Not even kidding. I have a couple of friends who have grown up diehard Bills fans, so I’d joke with them about how I didn’t really have an NFL team and how I always love rooting for an underdog (teams with less-than-stellar records have never scared me ;-) ). Plus, Buffalo is close enough for road trips (!!!). And as the season progressed and Ryan Nassib’s draft stock rose and rose, I started to think maybe he could end up there, which would make rooting for the guys in red and blue really easy. But now…how can I NOT be a Bills fan?!

It’s kindof impossible to be bitter about the whole thing, really. I love and appreciate Marrone too much, and I understand why he took the job. The head coach of an NFL team? Who turns that down? I get it. He’s a great guy and an even better football coach, and I sincerely hope he can turn the Bills around. And say what you will about him “poaching” Hackett from us, but I’m happy for him too. The guy is freaking 33 years old and he’s the OC of an NFL team. That is insane!!! I’ve come to realize life is too short and it goes by way too fast to say no to opportunities when they slap ya in the face like that. Hello! And with every door that closes…a window opens. Enter: HC Scott Shafer. HI SHAFE. I’m so pumped. I could not think of a better successor. I read about Cristobal and pondered Diaco, but I was really in the Shafer camp from the start. I’m psyched, and nothing but good things have been said about him – from the AD, coaches, current/former players, recruits, everyone. The only thing I’m real worried about now is the OC slot, but I trust Shafer (and Zach Allen for that matter) and if we keep running this system, I’ll be a happy little bee. Who knows who will anchor it — Charley, Kinder, Terrel Hunt, frosh phenom…only time will tell.

It’s just insane to think about, though. How fast things have been turned up and jumbled around and flipped over and begun to settle again, all in a matter of hours, really. It’s tough to take in. I am notoriously awful with change. Even when I know it’s coming, I fight it…but when it’s unexpected, it’s even worse. See: Eric Devendorf (among others) leaving school early. But since the days of shutting myself in my room and listening to Dashboard Confessional after reading the news of players (or in this case, coaches) leaving, I’ve grown up a bit (THANK GOD) and realized the beauty of a thing called perspective. When you try and look at the situation through the eyes of someone else – namely, the person actually going through it – everything starts to click. If I was an OL with an extra year of eligibility but with the opportunity to declare for the draft and make my dream come true without fear of getting hurt in my last year of college play…would I do it? Hell yes. Hello Justin Pugh. Same thing applies to Marrone and Hackett and everybody else who makes an unexpected change in their lives. So I get it. Live the dream. And even when the effects of people’s decisions start to leave a sour taste…there’s always  that silver lining – ahem, Scott Shafer. ;-)

While it’s not always easy being orange, I’ve begun to embrace the power of positive thinking. New Years kindof crept up on me and I didn’t make my traditional laundry list of resolutions (which is probably a good thing, in actuality), but I did sit down and try to figure out what was bringing me down sometimes. The funny thing was, a lot of it has to do with the media/internet. Not just in terms of SU athletics (although that is a big part), but just in general. Everyone is SO. NEGATIVE. Not like, “oh that’s the nature of the beast, the world is just a sad place” negative. But like, making a conscious choice to point out the worst part or potentially worst part of any given situation, hypothetical or real. It was driving me nuts. So I kindof “unplugged,” in a way. Not literally, but I did a “twitter purge” and unfollowed a bunch of bloggers and media types who did nothing but criticize/insult with every tweet posted. I also just stopped reading about the whole coaching debacle. I read enough to keep myself informed, but I stopped listening to people agonize over it and just tried to take it in stride. I also listened to some James Taylor, danced to the Dixie Chicks, did a little shopping, cleaned my closet, and downloaded the Bills mobile app. I listened to Marrone’s whole first presser (may or may not have teared up several times) and started looking up player info, schedule predictions and even did some window shopping via Victoria’s Secret PINK NFL collection (this is where the “don’t judge me” reminder comes in). I also had a fifteen-minute conversation with my dentist this morning about draft projections for our guys.

I’m slowly but surely starting to realize that life goes on…win, lose, stay, leave, whatever. The sun always comes up tomorrow morning. I’m going to approach this new year with positivity. And I can happily look back on my favorite season yet, while looking ahead to a future that, while full of the unknown, is also full of promise and potential. A new coach, a new conference, a new QB…it’s sad to move on from this year, but that’s college sports for ya. I’m also really excited to embrace my newfound NFL fandom. I now have actual reasons to root for a team!!! And after months of jokes and legitimate consideration of “becoming” a “baby bills fan,” it’s probably, actually happening. Now I’m just gonna bop around campus as I anxiously await the draft in April. Until then, it’s a whole new slate of classes, our farewell Big East basketball season (I’m mentally and physically preparing for campouts), the return of vitamin D to CNY (it was seriously 40 and sunny today!) and enjoying every second of being back with my friends at college. I’m also really psyched for the upcoming lax season, and I’m applying for a program to go abroad in May and for an internship this summer, so there’s plenty to keep me busy until next football season rolls around. ;-)

This novel is almost over, I promise…just have to share some photos/stories from the Pinstripe Bowl now.

It was such a fun trip and AMAZING Christmas present! We headed down to White Plains Friday afternoon and had dinner at a place on “Gedney Way” (not even kidding – what a good omen for a Syracuse football game). Then we just hung out at the hotel and watched bowl games for the night and got a good night’s sleep. Saturday morning we got up for breakfast and took the train into the city, marveled at Grand Central for .5 seconds and then it was off to the Bronx. Got heckled by/heckled some WVU fans en route, obviously. We got there pretty early and watched the guys warm up a little, and it. was. COLD. Not cold as in “chilly”…cold as in “I am not sure if I have circulation in my feet anymore” after the first quarter. I will never be more impressed than I was after watching our guys warm up in shorts and shirt sleeves and play without underarmour. INSANE.

Before kickoff we had a late lunch at the steakhouse in Yankee Stadium (Hard Rock was filled to capacity and we wanted to warm up instead of getting food and eating in our seats…and of course this mysterious ‘steakhouse’ turns out to be a fancy shmancy restaurant with $62 steaks as the main course…so we all got salads and scarfed them down before running back to our seats in time for kickoff…classic Lane family move). By the time we sat down, the pretty snow had turned to a sort of freezing rain that entailed chunks of wet ice falling from the sky and into my hair. The underarmour and down coat were not even cutting it. We didn’t have bags to put over our signs, so they got soaked right through and we had crayola marker ALL OVER us, but it was worth it.

The game was amazing. After a rocky start, we just took the reins and absolutely dominated the mountaineers. It was the best. Especially after all the hype and talk of how they felt “disrespected” at getting picked to play us at the bowl game…to slap them right in the mouth and hold them to 14 points while running all over them all night was just great.  PTG and Rome kicked ass, Ryan was amazing as usual and despite the conditions kept everyone calm, cool, and collected (and got up and walked off after that hit like it was NOTHING…insane), and our defense was out to kill. Cam, Siriki, Brandon Sharpe…the tackles for loss were abounding and were those safeties not BEAUTIFUL?! Couldn’t even believe it. We had great seats around the 40 yard line and got to lean over the wall to congratulate the guys afterwards, before heading back to Manhattan to celebrate at our favorite pizza place down there. After missing several trains/getting off at the wrong stop by accident, we got back to White Plains and settled in for dry clothes and more bowl games. We headed back Sunday in the snow, singing a celebratory rendition of “Country Roads” along the way, and got back to Syracuse around dinnertime. It. was. amazing. Never have I been happier to stand out in the freezing, wet cold for four hours.

Basketball has been interesting of late…I’m starting to get a little nervous, but we’re taking it game by game. Temple was rough but a necessary wakeup call to say the least. We missed the Alcorn St. game because we were in New York, but I’ve trekked up to 900 Irving a few times since then and had pizza nights on the couch for road games too. There have been some ugly wins, but wins are wins. It’s been a good break. I’m psyched for Nova on Saturday – the Big East is about to be in full swing! March will be here before we know it. I’m off to research offensive coordinators, buy my books online and attempt to pack all my clothes up again before I head back this weekend. Thanks for reading this – I’ll be back soon with shorter updates, I promise!

PS: Ryan is playing in the Senior Bowl January 28!! SO excited – I usually never pay attention to games like that simply because none of our guys get invited, but this year it’s different. Deon Goggins is also playing in All-Star game soon. When your guys get invited to random post-season games and your coach is a hot NFL prospect…you know you’re moving in the right direction. Here’s to the wonderful memories of 2012 and to the promise of even more in 2013!!! Keep smilin’ :-D

PPS: Just because my mature side is working on perspective and rationally RE: the coaching situation/seniors leaving doesn’t mean I haven’t had my fair share of angsty music on sometimes…time to get metaphorical and emotional as always. VOILA:

Hootie

Andy Grammer 

Katy Perry (will now be referring to HCDM as “the one that got away”)

Bay City Rollers

Elton John

Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney again

Rascal Flatts

:’(

X’s and Oranges,
Meg

Nov 24 2012
2 Comments
Football, Post-game Juice

Post-game Juice: Temple (HELL YES)

HIIII! It’s late Friday night right now, and I’m absolutely wired…we got back from Philly around 9 but I haven’t stopped smiling since 2 PM!!! SO. PUMPED. What a wonderful day. 38-20!! Heeeeeey baby! Best birthday present I could have asked for.

CAME, SAW, CONQUERED

It started off at 4:30 AM with a wakeup call…none of us were really functioning until about three hours in, but we were blasting the fight song and flying our car flag high nonetheless. We stopped once for coffee en route once we got into PA, and we got to the Linc around 10. I love that within like two blocks there’s a professional sports complex for everything…gotta love the city of brotherly love. So many Philly accents, so many Pennsylvania people, and of course there were cheesesteaks to be had after the game (FIRST ONE EVER – YUM!!!). ‘Cuse fans were out in droves. The Pugh Crew was absolutely killin’ it…literally felt like they had more fans among themselves than Temple had altogether. That stadium is beautiful, and it was a sunny, brisk, perfect morning for some ridiculously early college football. We were lovin’ it.

Wooot!

The game was great. It started out a bit rough, but I seriously feel like it just took awhile to get adjusted/wake up (if they were feeling anything like I was). Tackling was ROUGH from the start, and the first quarter was just not fun and kindof crazy…turnovers on turnovers. You could tell guys were hurting – lots of guys coming in and out in the trenches, plus Rome was lacking his usual explosiveness at the start, and PTG was getting a lot more time than usual. Thankfully everything started looking up in the second quarter. It was interesting to see us turn to the running game after such a high-flying passing game last week, but it worked. Ryan finished with 215 yards on 16-28 with a TD – and I love that people can actually say that’s just an “okay” game for him based on how explosive the passing game has been this season. Can we talk about that block he made, too?! Golden. I love that we can have such a balanced offensive attack that adjusts itself as needed. The run game was working well, and as HCDM said, Nassib was key in leading us through some tough third-down situations with the pass all day long. TONS of credit to the O-line today…they won some huge battles and were the key to each and every one of our drives. Opening holes, making great blocks, playing smart. Love it. (Also loved that the Pugh Crew would hold their big head of Justin upside down whenever he got a false start — too great). Temple was all over Alec, but he made some plays and Marcus and Jarrod had some good receptions too. We finished with 260 rushing yards and three rushing TDs thanks to the “three-headed monster” of Jerome, PTG and Adonis Ameen-Moore (who was freaking ON FIRE today…hello, weapon of the future!).

Montel Harris got some good gains on our D at first, but we did a great job of plugging holes after giving up a couple big plays on that damn sideline at first. Granger went mobile and actually passed more than I thought he would, so our D was kept on their toes. They did an exceptionally good job after half. Tackling was better, we didn’t let them run all over us anymore, and things clicked. And the secondary was having a field day…passing wasn’t exactly Temple’s specialty, and Keon’s two picks were golden. I have to say, Temple was a much tougher team than I initially thought. Credit where credit’s due. That was a physical game. Addazio’s a good coach. It sucks that they’re stuck in the imploding Big East now, but kudos to them for a well-fought game. It was a battle out there. (Also, I’ve never felt better than I do right now about us leaving the Big East…basketball will be much more bittersweet, but just the football culture/lack thereof and some of the abominable calls made by those refs had me ready to start runnin’ to ACC town right away. Never thought I’d reach this point so soon. I’m psyched about the direction we’re headed.)

There’s not even that much to really analyze…our guys were clearly banged up and exhausted, but they let their drive and will to win take over and just punched it in. I love that this team can get down by 3 or 7 or 10 at the start and I don’t really even start to worry anymore…they always find ways to get ‘er done and bounce back, as they did today. It was a classic game of physical football – not always pretty, but certainly effective and still so much fun to watch. I’m so happy for the guys, especially the seniors, and the coaching staff too. What a year, man. 7-5 regular season and 5-2 in the Big East. As much as it kills me to think of all the close games that were SO SO SO close and we just ended up on the wrong end of the scoreboard, I really couldn’t have asked for more this season. This group never gave up, kept fighting, and won FIVE OF THEIR LAST SIX GAMES. All those times I smiled at my friends, pumped my fist and yelled “let’s win out!!!”…it wasn’t so far-fetched, I’m tellin’ ya. 7-5, baby. Winning season. But it’s so much more than that…our schedule this year was a BEAST. Only one bye week and it was early on, tough out-of-conference matchups throughout, consecutive road games, playing some Big East beasts…this was no “let’s pack the sched with FBS cupcakes” year. (And for the record, Stony Brook was no cupcake). I’m so happy for Marrone, proud of the team, excited about the program – where it stands and where it’s going – and I just love that they went out and proved everyone wrong at the end of the day, week after week. Those brothers stuck together and it showed. AND we aren’t done yet, boys!!! WE GOIN’ BOOOOWLIN’.

Future bowlers

I literally can’t wait. All I want for Christmas. I’m good with wherever, whenever, whoever…just the fact that we get another month of football prep and another game to compete in is enough. Nothing like the post-season, baby. Pinstripe would be fun (COLD but fun), and a nice opportunity for fans (love NYC, and we are “New York’s college team,” after all)…I’m hearing Belk is definitely a possibility (and for the record, I’ve never been to North Carolina and I’m vitamin D deficient – no literally, welcome to the life of a Syracusan – so I’m all for that) and even the Russell Athletic in Orlando could happen (FLORIDA IN DECEMBER?! HEY HI COUNT ME IN). Is there anything better than the combination of sunshine and Syracuse football? Wooooot. Now is the best part. We get to rest up for a week, then get some practice in, focus on getting and staying healthy, and then it’s go time. College football in December. It’s just the best.

I’m headed back to the hill Sunday and kindof dreading the next three weeks with all my might…the workload is about to go full-force. Tests and presentations and projects, oh my. I’m not complaining, though. Just gotta keep pushing through. 2 weeks of class, a couple exams during finals week, and I’m homefree. It’s weird to think Christmas is just around the corner! Also, basketball will be picking up now…yay! Games will be a nice diversion from schoolwork. I’m not sure how much blogging will be going down in the next few weeks, but keep your eye out. And as usual, the daily antics (and there are antics) are always visible @mglane. Hope everyone’s Thanksgiving was wonderful! Stay warm, keep smiling, and GO ORANGE :-D

PS – I literally don’t think I’ll stop smiling for a month. Over a month, actually. Recently the end of the regular season has been depressing…from ending on a down note and having to wait and wait and wait for the bowl game with a sour taste in your mouth (although don’t get me wrong, I was lovin’ it and 2010 was probably my 2nd favorite on the all-time favorite seasons of my lifetime list) to the rough ending last year and no post-season. I also hate having to see seniors end on low notes, and the thought of them leaving just makes me more sad…but right now, things are different. Now, we’re flying high as kites, pumped to keep rollin’, and I will be the happiest girl on the hill as I wait for bowl news. ‘Cuse football, baby. Life is good.

PPS –

I love you, Philly.

#Beat_____ ;-)

X’s and Oranges,

Meg

Nov 22 2012
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Football, Life

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving, pals!!! I’m ready for a full day of food, family, and football – three of my absolute favorite things in life. Break has been flying, but it’s been so nice to relax. My master plan to get a ton of homework done early on sortof failed, and I will be paying for it at some point this weekend when I get back to campus…yikes. Ah, well. The work can wait – right now, it’s time to sit back and count some blessings. Without getting too mushy, I just have to say I’m so thankful for all of the people I’ve encountered along this crazy road called life thus far…I’m only 18 (almost 19!) years in, but y’all are pretty special. Special shout-out to the parentals, who have put up with my shenanigans for this long and still keep the door unlocked for me at the end of the day. And to my brother and future sister-in-law, who popped into ‘Cusetown for a visit this week after spending 2 months backpacking across Spain! It’s so nice to be home with everyone.

That said, I’m absolutely ITCHING to get to Philly tomorrow!!! SO excited. We’ll be hitting the road around 5 AM…my body hates me as I type this…but it will be SO worth it. I sent my luck along to Philly with the O-line last night when I saw them on Marshall St. after the basketball game, so we should be good to go ;-) Kickoff’s at 11 – yes, you read that right – on ESPN2. Look out for the crazy screaming girls with the sign, as always! I’ve got a feeling we’ll be bringing back a W from the Linc this weekend. I hate that the media/a lot of people in general are completely overlooking this Temple team…sure, they’ve struggled all year and we’re absolutely gelling right now, but this is college football. Anybody can beat anybody, any time, any way. No question about that. Still, I believe our team is so focused and ready to go right now that there’s not a chance in hell they’ve taken this week lightly. Let’s get it.

Now onto a few things I’ve been reflecting on this week as I remember to be thankful for those little moments…can we step back to last Saturday for a sec. There were three HUGE moments that all fit together like a beautiful little puzzle and sealed the deal for us at Mizzou…and without all three, we probably wouldn’t be sitting here 6-5 and bowl eligible right now. The win was a culmination of stellar O-line play, accurate passing/receiving, strong D when it counted most, success on special teams, and more…but three moments stuck out to me. Here goes:

  1. Siriki’s monster tackle on 3rd and 1 after the INT toward the end of the fourth. It was for a three-yard loss on the SU 25, so Mizzou had to kick a FG and give us the ball back with just under 2 minutes left. THANK. GOD. I was reading all the P-S game recap stuff on Sunday and it just really hit me…if he hadn’t made that hit, they would have continued driving and either scored a TD or kicked a last-second FG to win it after running the clock out…or if that plan failed, we would have gone to OT, and who knows what would have happened…what I’m saying is, THANK YOU MR. DIABATE.
  2. That 4th and 10 play on the last drive. I swear that thing was a dream. I’m still pinching myself. Easily top 10 favorite moments in the ‘Cuse football archive of my brain. I was literally pacing around my basement, afraid to look as that dreaded third down incompletion came…then, FOURTH AND TEN…no looking back…go-time…and BAM. Freaking Ryan Nassib to Alec Lemon for the first down like it was NOTHING. Just another day at the office. Calm, cool, collected…CLUTCH.
  3. Obviously, the game-winning TD was amazing. Ryan’s wheel route to Alec, who was so wide open I had to double check if Mizzou actually had 11 players out there at that point…damn. So freaking clutch. Nothing like a last-second TD after a phenomenal last-minute drive. THIS TEAMMMM. It’s my favorite.

While I’m at it, I have to say how happy I am with Hackett’s adjustment of the game plan – AKA stop trying to make the run work (because it just wasn’t) and just letting it fly – and how well it worked. It’s those situational offense decisions that can make or break us…and oh, how it made us that night. I’m so pumped for Doug Marrone, too. That guuuyyyy. Check this out for a giggle…watching his post-game reaction in the locker room after the Mizzou win might be the best thing you’ll do all week. LOVE.

This is a special team, and they’re not done yet. I’m thankful for you, Syracuse Football, and all of the crazy miles, smiles, tears, high blood pressure and general emotional instability you’ve brought me this season.  From that first heartbreaking loss to Northwestern  (ONE. FREAKING. POINT.) that had me leaving the Dome in tears…to the craziness/weather delays/roadtrip stories from USC at MetLife…to an ugly win over Stony Brook, followed by an even uglier loss at Minny…to crushing Pitt under Friday Night Lights at home…to a 4:45 AM wakeup, sunny roadtrip/tailgate, subsequent sunburn and frustrating L at Rutgirls…to killing UConn and literally dancing in the Dome…to my all-time favorite game of my life thus far (I AM SO NOT KIDDING) at USF with that phenom comeback that I celebrated in silence due to a sleeping baby (and did not stop smiling about for a week after)…to a tough one to swallow at Cincy…to a memorable, wonderful, dominant senior day vs. Louisville…to that insane last drive and an SEC road win on their senior day at Mizzou…to say it’s been a wild ride is an understatement, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I knew from the start this team was something special, and they haven’t proved me wrong once. Even in the ugliest of losses, they never gave up the fight. There’s always blood, sweat and tears left out on the field each weekend…there’s so much talent on this team, but even more hard work and discipline and leadership and determination and drive. So proud. You know that gut feeling you get when something’s just right? All well, good, fun, smile-inducing, headed in the right direction, etc? I’ve got that. And it’s not something I’ve always had in years past, especially at this point in the season. When I think back on the past 8 or 9 years that I’ve been spending Saturdays in the Dome, I have to say without hesitation that this has been my favorite. You might roll your eyes seeing as about 75% of those were spent in a less-than-lovely era on the hill (hey G-Rob waddup), but I’m serious. I’ve spent a lot of hours watching SU football and as frustrating as it’s gotten sometimes, it’s seasons like this and teams like this and character like these guys have that remind me why I do it. Oh, Syracuse Football. Thank you. What would I do without ya?

PS- I know I’m sounding like the season’s over…BUT IT’S NOT!!! We’re comin’ for ya, Owls. And then…prepare for the giddiest you’ve ever seen yours truly. There is literally NOTHING quite like the college football post-season for me when we’re involved…it also conveniently coincides with Christmastime, making it truly and undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the year. I. CAN’T. WAIT.

PPS- I’ve been trekking up to the Dome for basketball this week, and it’s been fun…but my brain just can’t process it for real yet. James was absolutely KILLING it out there last night – 22 points!!! – and I’ve got some early opinions about everything (ie, Dajuan as a work-in-progress, Mike in transition, Trev issues, etc)…but I can’t really articulate them right now. So even though I’m not writing about them, don’t think I’m not cheering them on and loving every minute!! This gridiron girl just has a one-track mind at the moment. That’s what happens when there’s still reg season football to be played and WE GOIN’ BOWLIN’, BABY. ;-)

PPPS- Happy Thanksgiving!! Check out @mglane for some roadtrip antics Friday morning! I’m really trying to curb the swearing habit, but things can get vulgar during gametime…try and bear with me (and the refs). You can’t take the 40-year old man’s angry football mouth out of the 18-year old girl. I’m tryyyyin. Over the river and through the woods, to the Linc we go!!!

#BeatTemple

X’s and Oranges,

Meg

Nov 18 2012
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Football, Life, Post-game Juice

Post-game Juice: Mizzou (ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS)

…is a booooowl babaaaay!!! Thanks, Santa! ;-) (I generally try to save the Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but this is just too good to pass up right now. I’m jammin’. Memories of the Pinstripe Bowl are flooding my mind. AHHH.)

HIIIII!!! WE’RE GOIN’ BOWLING, BABY!!! I can’t stop smiling right now. I had a feeling tonight would be fun, but I had no idea just how much. Absolutely DYING right now. That was freaking INSANE. Could this team be any more clutch?!?! “Run the 2 minute” is my new favorite phrase of the season! I don’t even know where to begin. All I can think about is A) we’re 6-5!!! B) We’re going bowling!!! and C) Temple on Friday is going to be freaking icing on the cake!!! Ahhhhh. Who woulda thunk it. What an amazing ride this season has been – and now we’ve still got two games to go! SO EXCITED.

We started out slow, but Missouri looked beatable from the beginning. Franklin was making plays and their D was plugging holes, but nothing was too overwhelming…it just took time for us to figure it all out. Our defense struggled at first – tackling was a legitimate ISSUE there for awhile – and our offense just couldn’t find a real rhythm. We got that first field goal after a solid drive, but overall the first half was full of quick possessions that ended in punts…with the exception of that beautiful drive and rushing TD before half :-D Perfection. PTG, baby! Our drives looked damn good. Marcus Sales was on fire in the first, Ryan was throwing the ball well, and the line play was improving by the minute. Despite what seemed like a bit of a first half meltdown on D, we had some good stops and held them to a FG after a pretty nice drive, so that was good. Going into half down 7, I had a pretty good feeling about the way things would turn out…momentum for us was on the upswing and it was time for things to start clicking.

Of course, being the Domebodies that we are, Lis and I jumped in the car and got cookiewiches from Byrne Dairy during halftime. And that was AFTER we downed half a Twin Trees pizza. Carb loading for ‘Cuse…it’s what we do best here in the 315. Initially, I was nervous about watching the game at home due to the curse of my house…but we quickly solved that problem by setting up camp in the EDLL, AKA the basement. The orange walls just felt like a good omen (despite the fact that it was approx 14 degrees in there…we were bundled up but it was worth it).

Gametime in the Legends Lounge

Anyway, finally the second half rolled around…and that was when the magic started to happen. The beginning of the third quarter had me worried…offense was getting stifled and kept punting, plus I didn’t want D to get too tired and lose focus…but that beautiful TD to tie it up just before the start of the 4th had me smiling. Gotta love the Cardiac ‘Cuse. Fourth quarter pretty much went like this: Mizzou drive/missed FG, we scream in excitement. ‘Cuse drive/punt, we freak out. Mizzou drive/ TD, we freak out again. ‘Cuse drive/ TD, we scream and do laps around the room in excitement. They drive/punt, we smile in confidence and get ready to rumble with amazing field position practically in their territory already…then we start to drive/pass gets tipped off of freaking Beckett’s arm resulting in INT and leading to a FG…we absolutely FREAK OUT. At the time of the INT there was barely 5 minutes left, so their little skidaddle down the field ate up a nice chunk of clock…aaand let the flashbacks of the USF game commence! Those memories made me realize that we really could pull it off, and I actually felt really good after we got the ball back with almost 2 minutes left. I swear that last drive in the USF game made me appreciate time (and our ability to do so much with so little of it) SO much more than I ever had before.

Sooo we’ve got 1:52 left, down 3…go-time. Ryan was right on the money and Alec was absolutely feelin’ it, so despite my pacing/sweaty palms, I knew those guys could orchestrate a comeback. That fourth down…THAT FOURTH DOWN. INSANITY. Fourth and ten. And we just took care of it like it was nothing. So calm, cool, collected, confident…it was amazing. I was so nervous…seriously got down on my knees and watched it through my hands after saying “SEASON-DEFINING PLAY RIGHT HERE RYAN” and praying that we’d get it…and bam! Piece o’ freaking cake. I generally yell during games as opposed to scream…but that was an occasion for screaming. Even my dog was going nuts. It looked like pure chaos there, but our guys kept their cool and just executed like it was nobody’s business. The last drive was smooth and SO clutch.The boys in orange were feelin’ it tonight. That game-winning TD pass to Alec – WIDE OPEN – was amazing. Wheel route…HELLOOO! (By the way, is that “HELLO” commercial not the best thing you’ve ever seen? Love it!!) And then…bam! It was over. Bowl eligibility, a road win in the SEC, shifting the W column so we’re 6-5…it was a wonderful night.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I keep getting sidetracked and thinking about something else or like breathing or eating or blinking, and then it hits me all over again – THIS TEAM IS GOING BOWLING IN DECEMBER. It’s the best Christmas present ever, wrapped up with a bow a month early. Plus, this means Temple on Friday is going to be relatively stress-free!!! Not to take them lightly, especially after reading the stats on their game today (holy moley, offense!!), but it’s just nice as a fan to go into that game already bowl eligible. It’ll be a lot of fun. An opportunity to finish the regular season strong and put some icing on the cake, if you will. Can you imagine? We could be 7-5 again in a week. EEK. I’m so happy. This team deserves it more than anything. Especially the seniors. And Doug!!! Teach me how to Dougiee!!! Ahhhhhh. SO PUMPED FOR HIM. These guys — players, coaches, staff, everyone — work so hard day in and day out, and I can’t wait to see them go bowling again. The Pinstripe Bowl of 2010 was one of my favorite ‘Cuse memories ever. Not just the game, but all of the prep and excitement and anticipation…and all the fun stuff leading up to it that week…it just doesn’t get any better. I’m completely and totally 358% okay/happy/satisfied/thrilled with whatever bowl we go to. Everyone’s saying Pinstripe, but we could end up going to Florida or NC or even Bama for all we know…only time will tell. I’d love a little warm weather for a post-Christmas vaca, but nothing beats NYC during the holiday season, and our fan base would be lovin’ that. So until we find out where we’re heading, I’ll just sit here and quietly radiate happiness. 

So many guys stepped up big time today. Obviously, Alec and Ryan were the stars of the show. That 17-yard TD pass for the win was the highlight of the night!! Nassib finished with 385 yards (26-40, 2 TDs, 1 INT (but that little thaaang was just a fluke off a tipped pass so let’s not even think about it)) and Lemon with 244 (12 receptions, 2 TDs)…and no, those are not typos. AMAZING. Jerome and Prince both made some great plays when we needed it, but the passing game was our saving grace tonight. Al was en fuego. Marcus had a solid 85 yards on 8 receptions. David Stevens, Beckett Wales and even Chris Clark got in there for a couple catches, too. Ross came through for every XP and that FG (PS THANKS CHARLEY YOU’RE GREAT). Offensive line was a gem tonight. NO SACKS ALLOWED. So key. Macky, Pugh, Chibane, Sean Hickey, Trudo, Andy Phillips…all those guys who came in…they don’t get enough credit. That Mizzou D line was beefed up, man. We won some major battles in the trenches tonight. Even Rome had some great blocks for Ryan! Teamwork, baby. All we do is win.

D was ugly for awhile there, but they came up huge in the end. Cam Lynch was an absolute beast. Markus Pierce-Brewster made some great plays, Brandon Sharpe and Jay Bromley were instrumental in pressuring Franklin (and the blondie backup), and despite some rough going in the secondary for awhile there, they came through when it counted. And Keon’s last-minute INT was a nice little cherry on top.  Special teams looked good! Like, GOOD! Not “not bad”…good. Fish had some good punts and Ritchy had some good looks on coverage! Wooooot. Happy times.

I can’t even think straight right now…all I know is that that was a freaking beautiful game of football and it ended right where we wanted it – with us on top and on our way to a pretty little post-season romp. This means an extra MONTH of football in my life. That’s like giving a caffeine addict four extra shots of espresso with little advanced notice. I’m psyched. And as if my little orange heart wasn’t happy enough, there’s a basketball game in the Dome in 12 hours! Yayayay. I’ll probably be wearing football apparel…girl can’t help it. Go ‘Cusey, beat Wagner! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, let me know your bowl predictions/hopes/dreams, keep smiling, and let’s get ready to ruuuumble vs. Temple! Short week, but I couldn’t feel any better about it right now if I tried. We got this. Roll Orange Roll ;-)

PS- All-around CRAZY night in the college football world…#1 and 2 going down? My ND friends are dancing in the streets. But I refuse to bow down to a computer…ugh. Just discussing the BCS grinds my gears. I’m happy in my little orange bubble over here. Philly, here we come!

PPS- How can’t you love this football team? I AM SO EXCITED. It’s times like these when I remember just how worth it it is to hang with these guys through thick and thin. All of the traveling and the heartbreaking losses and the tears and the almosts and the frustrations…it’s always worth it. Always. Syracuse football. Doling out high blood pressure and huge smiles on a weekly basis. What would I do without ‘em? Thanks boys!!

#BeatTemple

X’s and Oranges,

Meg 

Nov 17 2012
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Football

Anything Could Happen

Get inspired, yo.

Happy weekend/gameday/Thanksgiving break!!! Wooooot. Life is good right now. I’m at home in my own bed with my dog curled up at my feet as I type this. Break is much needed and I’m so so so excited. I starting things off by watching the Zac Brown Band concert from the nosebleeds of the Dome last night…amazing!!! It was weird and sad to be there with no football field visible, though. Even though it’s 35 degrees out, I’m in pure gridiron mode right now. Can’t wait for tonight! Anyway…this week will be a blast. I’m forcing myself to be productive and get work done from Saturday-Monday, and then it’s time for some real fun. Seeing friends from high school, prepping for Thanksgiving, reuniting with some of the fam…it’ll be great. This is the time when all the complaining about never having any days off in the fall becomes worth it. And even though I’m home on my OG hill, I’ll be popping back to my other hill/ in and out of the Dome all week for some basketball! Yay. Then, Friday it’s time for our annual BIRTHDAY ROADTRIP!!! Woooooot. Lissa and my birthdays are a day apart (well really 364 days but still), and we’ve done joint birthday trips since junior year of HS (Tampa, Nova, Pitt for hoops/ football) so as an early joint birthday gift, to Philly we will go for the Temple game! My parents are seriously the best. EEK. I cannot wait. But first thing’s first: MIZZOU.

I jokingly tweeted the other day about my “day-mares” (read: nap stress dreams) re: Sheldon Richardson…and magically, about four hours later, I looked down at my phone during dinner and literally jumped up and yelled in excitement at the news I saw. He’s suspended for our game. For skipping class and refusing to pay the price (AKA do extra work after practice…really though?). Oooops. Sheldy Sheldy Sheldy. Basically, he is a truck. Really scary DT who will easily be drafted in the first round come April. Macky must be dancing in the streets right now. I know I am. Ahhhh. The thing is, I kindof hate when key players get injured/don’t play when we play ‘marquee’ teams, because when we win those games people almost discredit us/downplay everything due to their absence. Don’t get me wrong, I like it when we play a fully loaded team and beat ‘em fair n’ square. But this….THIS IS HUGE. I honestly think Missouri will be a great matchup for us, but Richardson undoubtedly gives them quite an edge – he is just too damn talented. I could just imagine him breaking straight through the line time after time, forcing Ryan to throw it away/run it…and burying Jerome before he could get anywhere…not good. Not that the rest of their line isn’t capable, but he’s truly an offense-stifler. So having him out is a nice little upside for us.

Let’s remember, this is still a talented SEC team on the road on their senior night. It’s also a “blackout”…(okay Mizzou). They’re not down for the count per se, but they’re already beat-up and probably slightly exhausted after a 4 OT game last weekend, so losing Richardson isn’t helping anything for them. He’s by far their best player on D, and arguably the one with the most impact overall. To top that news off, I saw today that kickoff/punt returner Marcus Murphy is injured and hasn’t practiced all week. Mizzou’s policy is no practice, no play, so it looks like he’ll be out for the game tonight too. Again, not that I’m happy about any college football players getting hurt or making stupid decisions, but…THIS IS OUR TIME TO SHINE, BOYS. If I didn’t have a good feeling about this already (and I’m me, so I did), I definitely do now ;-) Taking an offensive and defensive edge off of Mizzou should throw them off-kilter a little and give us some extra room to do our thing. The thought of a W tonight is exhilarating. Clinching bowl eligibility in a hostile environment…it doesn’t get any better than that, baby. And to think that the Temple game could just be an opportunity for icing on the cake rather than a “must-win” (not that I’m counting them out either way!!!) is just too much. I’m dying for kickoff. Is it 7 yet?!

It’s the same old song for us this week. We’re quite healthy (Broyld is a little banged up, so he’s a maybe/”emergency only” but we should be fine without him) and hungry for a W. I’ve been getting the “pumped up” vibes all week and confidence is high – but we’re not cocky. Just ready to go. Practice was outside for part of the week, and it’s bone-chillingly cold in ‘Cuse right now. Plus, it gets dark at about 3 PM (awesome, I know) so they’ll certainly be ready for the brisk night air and atmosphere. SEC football under the lights? LET’S DO THIS, ‘CUSE. All I can think of is how freaking happy the seniors would be to get this win. It’d mean a lot – not just for them, but for Doug Marrone, too. And to think that on top of a solid road win for the program, we could snatch bowl eligibility (and temporarily stifle their quest for it) in the process…yes yes yes YES. Mizzou is 5-5 as well and also looking for that clincher win, so there’s a lot on the line tonight. I’m weirdly excited to be home to watch – as much as I love roadtripping and being there in person, sometimes it’s nice to see everything from a different perspective and hear what guys have to say about our team (fingers crossed that these commentators are better than some of the past games this season…guh). I’m a little nervous about watching the game at home due to the unfortunate outcome of the past 2 road games watched at my house (Minnesota and Cincy)…options include biting the bullet/breaking the curse with confidence orrrr running far far faraway and watching at someone else’s house. It’s up in the air, but I’m a little nervous. I’ll do everything in my power to help my boys!!

I just can’t stop sighing with relief about the Sheldon Richardson thing. I think this will really give us an opportunity to explode in the run game, and to balance things out with some deep ball action too. Let’s just do what we did against Louisville all over again!! On D, we have to focus on pressuring James Franklin. He’s kindof got the hero/villain thing going at Mizzou…a mix of clutch passes at dire times and ugly turnovers at inopportune times…plus he’s been a little banged up. He does seem like an awesome, talented kid with a good head on his shoulders, though…when he’s feelin’ it, he’s a game-changer. Forcing them to run it and taking time away from him in the pocket so he has to make rushed decisions will be key. I made the mistake of listening to a 17-minute interview of him in which he discussed Disney movies, his faith and just continuously giggled for like four minutes when asked about the ceaseless criticism he’s received all season…it’s kindof hard to hate a guy like that. BUT this isn’t about hating anyone…it’s, like Ernie once said, all about forgetting the crowd/noise and just playing, you vs. someone else, to see who is the better man. Brandon Sharpe, you’re a good man. Soooo let’s see some Franklin sacks!! Woopwoop. Seriously though. I think we’re at the point in the season where everything is coming to a peak. Things are clicking…if we just stay focused and play the game, no penalties/turnovers/nonsense…take care of business…we’ll be golden. This could be a defining moment. And I have to say, I love where this team is going. I feel better about this offense than I can remember feeling about any offense in my life. Granted, I started watching games about when G-Rob arrived. But still. These guys are damn good. And if the defense just finishes what they start – and by that I mean effectively TACKLING – we stand a very good chance at beating a very good football team in a tough game on the road tonight. What better way to kick off break/Thanksgiving than with an Orange W? It’s just what the doctor ordered. I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but we can do it. And it’ll be fun out there. Anything could happen. Let’s Go Orange.

PS – I’m twitching. So excited for Temple. Car will be packed Thanksgiving night with coolers, signs and the infamous flag…departure before dawn on Friday. Thanks for the 11 AM tip, scheduling friends. It’s a good thing there’s nowhere I’d rather be than at a ‘Cuse football game before noon on Black Friday. Only my second time to Philly ever…NEED to be a real person and try a cheesesteak this time!!! I’ll keep ya posted on how that goes. Aaand now I’m hungry.

#BeatMizzou

X’s and Oranges,

Meg

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