Friday, December 03, 2010

Merry Wrenmas

The stockings are hung in lockers, the training tables trimmed with all manner of liniments, the uniforms pressed with care. For Futile Superfans, tonight's a holiday eve.

We'll begin opening our presents at noon when Tony Shaver's Wrens head to Richmond to open their CAA schedule against VCU. W&M heads into the game with a 3-4 record, a dreadful turnover percentage, and a questionable ability to put the ball in the basket. Shaka Smart's Rams have beaten UCLA and Wake Forest (not that this means anything - here's winking at you, kid) and nearly toppled Tennessee. VCU's also coming off an overtime loss to South Florida that likely still rankles. Add to the mix the Tribe's 2009 conference-season-opening win over VCU, and we've got the makings of an unpleasant early afternoon for the good guys. MGL thinks the Rams win by 20, and we're not creative enough to come up with a better answer.

But the hoops game is merely the stocking stuffer; we get to open the big box gifts at 1:30 when the second-seeded Tribe hosts Georgia Southern in college football's most important championship tournament. W&M rose to the nation's top spot earlier this season before stumbling against James Madison, but Jimmye Laycock's boys still won Division 1-AA's* most difficult conference. Both W&M and GSA boast stout defenses, ranking 5th and 11th respectively in scoring defense. Both teams nearly beat D-1 opponents, with the Tribe narrowly losing to North Carolina and the Eagles falling by 6 to Navy. W&M's won 19 straight against 1-AA opponents, and 11 in a row in the cozy confines of Zable Stadium. We'd tell you more, but we're up against a deadline.

* - yes, we know

Oh, and did I mention that I'll be watching my daughters dance in the Nutcracker (twice!) instead of viewing either of the abovementioned contests. Merry Fucking Wrenmas to you, too.

125 comments:

T.J. said...

Merry Fucking Wrenmas to all...and to all, a good fucking night.

Shlara said...

You're a good dad to make that sacrfice Rob.

TR said...

Rob - my day will be just as dreary. I'll be in my town's public library all day doing a work project. Why the library? Because my kids are f'ing animals. The three year old tries to commandeer laptops in the hopes of finding Black Eyed Peas videos on YouTube and my one year-old has an arm like Randy Johnson and likes to throw things at my head from a foot away.

All work and no TV on mute makes Tim a dull boy.

Greg said...

I think I'm Big Meech!!!....Larry Hoover.

Danimal said...

Igor or anyone else heading to the game?

Mark said...

Rob - I think it's time you had a word with your daughters' dance instructor(s). If I remember correctly, you had to miss out on at least one of the past two SEC Championship games because of this fucking nutcracker. Can't they move this shit back a week?

Dave said...

i rather recently learned that the nutcracker is actually about a literal nutcracker. still haven't seen it, but it can't be good.

zman said...

Atrocious.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/46909/

Danimal said...

oh my. i see those things on the girls and i just want to pull my few hairs out. i just don't get it. and now brady is going to wear and endorse...holy schneiky.

rob - isn't each nutcracker showing a solid 3 hours or so?

and teej...how do we get a taste of future radio sit-ins?

TR said...

Any chance of watching Tribe football on the interweb?

zman said...

Girls wear Uggs in Florida?

Danimal said...

Yes they do z. They'll do so when its 90 degrees outside which vexes me even more.
Listening to 883 on did TV....think I'll pour a Guinness.

rob said...

tribe hoops is on several of the regional comcast stations.

Danimal said...

Did TV, direct TV....whichever.

T.J. said...

GO BEAVERS!

GO COCKS!

TR said...

Thank you, Robbie!

T.J. said...

GA Southern runs the triple option? Fuck.

Clarence said...

Tribe out to a 19-14 lead. Like sobriety on a Saturday, this shall be fleeting.

Danimal said...

Igor-are you at one of your games?

Clarence said...

So no Tribe football on TV at all?

T.J. said...

GA Southern threw all of 3 times, total, against Elon.

rob said...

if only you had a way to drive 45 minutes

Danimal said...

I'll take that as a NO

T.J. said...

Um, were those the Tribe dancers or the VCU dancers? 'Cause they are huuuurting.

zman said...

"Supercars" episode of "Top Gear" is on!

TR said...

Tribe up 3 at the half!

TR said...

I would think/hope that the Tribal Dancers herd would be kept home to graze for the football game. No need to transport the cattle for a less significant tussle.

Danimal said...

I'm not watching the game but I.will take an educated guess-tribe dancers

Jerry said...

The Tribe stream on NCAA.com is pretty decent. Just follow the link from Tribeathletics.com.

T.J. said...

Dagger three puts VCU up 3 with a minute to play.

Mark said...

TJ- Ga. Southern's been running the triple option for years. That's where your boy Paul Johnson got his start. Won a couple 1-AA titles there.

And, girls love Uggs in Florida. With skirts or short shorts. I'm okay with this. I like slutty looking girls.

Pretty sad that today is my last Saturday afternoon of the year with Verne & Gary. I'll manage though. It will be far less stressful with UF not playing in the SEC CG.

T.J. said...

Ah yes, Navy/Ga Tech Lite...

T.J. said...

That's a tough loss...can't kill McDowell for missing that FT as he was the Tribe's offense all night.

TR said...

Fred Hoiberg is Iowa State's coach!? Good to have the mayor back in our lives.

T.J. said...

Cincy's mascot got arrested for throwing snowballs. They had to send the understudy out in the suit for second half.

Jerry said...

This game is not looking great so far.

TR said...

So that's whay Georgia Southern never throws it. Huge pick-six for the Tribe

Jerry said...

Francks with a pick 6. Desperately needed. Tying 2pt try pending. We've got to make them throw. 2 passes so far - 1 pick, 1 near pick.

T.J. said...

OK, here it is...begin your mockery. I should be on as last or 2nd to last segment (and I'm a guest):

@BlueShorts1067: Here's my HD Show from last night: http://bit.ly/ecjoS0

zman said...

That isn't an exaggeration. Two pass attempts through 26 minutes of football.

zman said...

TJ took a guestie.

T.J. said...

Poor editing of my won tweet there - failure to toot my own horn. Failure Saturday continues.

TR said...

Tribe marching band appears to have 15people in it. Can't tell if they're still wearing t-shirts.

TR said...

Not even kidding with that estimate. They are all standing outside the hash mark on one side of the field, playing a mildly spirited version of Rolling on the River.

zman said...

To put that snarky aside in context, TR was always disappointed by the quality of the Tribe marching band.

Mark said...

Duke-Butler now on. This is a sneaky good sports Saturday, even without the rousing CAA action.

Tribe football update?

Mark said...

Apparently Oregon is going with silver helmets and pants today. I appreciate their complete disregard for their school colors. Reminds me of when my HS bball coach ordered black unis for us despite our colors being red and silver.

Jerry said...

Nice comparison of famous alums, Thomas Jefferson vs. the guy who plays Kenny Powers.

TR said...

The announcers just ran off the alum lists for the Tribe and Georgia Southern. They started W&M with Thomas Jefferson. They started Georgia Southern with Danny McBride.

Jerry said...

Down 21-15 in the 3rd and not looking great.

TR said...

Tribe getting beaten up in the 3rd quarter. Georgia Southern up 6 with the ball.

rob said...

oregon state's uniforms are spiffy

Danimal said...

Love the unis especially the helmets.

Danimal said...

For the record....Oregon's unis. Osu s OK

Jerry said...

Not getting the breaks so far. 50 yard pass called back for holding. Down 9 late in the 3rd.

zman said...

Who is Danny McBride?

zman said...

Oregon's helmets are cool, sort of a faux carbon fiber motif.

zman said...

Classic Tribe letdown.

Mark said...

Both sets of unis are good. Nice contrasts. I feel like the Beavers went minimalist intentionally to create said contrast.

Mark said...

Danny McBride is the actor who plays Kenny Powers.

zman said...

Oh. He's famous. The matte black Beaver helmet is nifty too.

Danimal said...

Dukes win by one over joeja state....must have been a Good one.
Bet a coworker that tigger would be #1 greater than one half of 2011. Liking my chances.

zman said...

Jacquizz? I'm adding that to my list of baby names.

zman said...

Wrens getting doubled up by a team wtih 31 passing yards.

rob said...

merry fucking wrenmas, indeed

Mark said...

The helmets are indeed fresh. Jacquizz is a great name and an even better player. Warrick Dunn 2.0

Butler-Duke tied at half.

Mark said...

Didn't take Cam very long to get comfortable in the Georgia Dome.

Jerry said...

Bad matchup and the injuries caught up with us. We couldn't get anything down the field and weren't precise enough to put together enough long drives. Defensively, we're always going to have trouble with teams like that. We needed to score some points and take them out of their comfort zone. Didn't happen. Thoroughly outplayed. Good season. Bad ending. Although not as painful as 2004 and 2009.

T.J. said...

We're not celebrating Wrenmas next year.

Mark said...

Media seems to keep forgetting Auburn's secondary is awful. Spurrier hasn't. Carolina let one slip away earlier this year in Auburn. He'll be ready to exploit that D again today. Teams might combine for 70 pts.

Also, Florida blew it by not recruiting Patrick DiMarco. Florida's offense works best with a quality FB & DiMarco's an Orlando kid. Could've really used him.

Danimal said...

am tivo'ing auburn game...watching the osu/oregon game...but can't escape the highlights. good game here thus far. too good in fact, especially if "pulling" for oregon.

Mark said...

Two TVs, Dan. It's the wave of the future.

Danimal said...

got 'em...but focus isn't one of my strengths, nor is it possible with my 2 year old who i liken to both rogers brothers running around my family room.
love the wife - she just took him to store to get us a quick dinner

Danimal said...

depressing that this is the last wkd of college fball. seriously - who is going to replace verne lundquist? how many years does he have left?

Danimal said...

wonder how rob is doing in deez nuts cracker

T.J. said...

We're not celebrating Wrenmas next year.

Mark said...

Uh Oh. Danger time for the Cocks.

Danimal said...

got it. no wrenmas next year.

T.J. said...

Blogger fail.

Mark said...

Wait, Dan's kid is black and/or has dreadlocks? Progressive of him.

TJ feels very strongly about not celebrating Wrenmas next year. Can't say I blame him.

Danimal said...

there could be one or two out there...

Mark said...

Much like Bobby Humphrey and Jeff Blake, one of my kids plays for Auburn.

Danimal said...

blame it on the blogger..the guy who never ever defends himself.

Danimal said...

the teej...listening, right now....to your radio spot....

T.J. said...

Danimal, be brutally honest in the critique...

Mark said...

If the Beavers can muster some offense they might have a shot. Oregon's looking a little desperate (and flustered) right now.

Mark said...

I clearly jinxed Oregon State so let's give it another try. Wes Byrum doesn't miss often from that range and the Gamecock D looks like it's found it's legs. Their offense has to make something happen soon. Garcia looks rattled.

Mark said...

Game. On.

Nice ball plays drawn up by Spurrier there.

Mark said...

Holy Shit! I believe that is called a dagger.

rob said...

i'm once again at the nutcracker - what happened on that touchdown that ended the half?

Mark said...

55 yard heave, tip at front of endzone, ball goes backwards & ends up in the hands of Darvin Adams in the back of the endzone. 28-14, Auburn.

Danimal said...

the teej...listened to about 5 minutes then was "interrupted" with family stuff, such as poopy diapers, dinner, and xmas lights. it never ends. just listened to a bit more...1st off - kudos to gettin gtb some airtime. 2ndly...you were fine, the show itself though leaves a bit to be desired, or at least the hosts. they were a slight smarter version of wayne & garth. slightly. i just keep thinking they were in the frat house dorm room and got some air time by chugglin a pickle or two.

in non-related news - was in groc store this morning w/declanimal...looking to stock up w/assortment of brewdawgs. was trying to remember the beer you guys talk about. couldn't remember. made my own 6'r...one of those random jobs where you pick an assortment...get home and see one is an abita...then remembered...that's my story.

Danimal said...

am on some kind of crazy wagering streak...14-3 in last 17 bets. small bets but nonetheless. pretty soon i'll be out of the hole.

that's what she said.

Danimal said...

nice finish happenin at the cuse w/nc state...

erin andrews used to be so much hotter before she became erin andrews

and...glad there will be no bcs controversy this year

Danimal said...

did anyone see the vatech kickoff?

Danimal said...

guess not.
last wkd of cfb and danimal is all by his lonesome.

Mark said...

I'm with you Danimal. Just doing the Xmas party thing. Sitting with too many Noles for my liking. The whiskey's easing my pain though.

T.J. said...

I'm at a wedding reception. The theme to college gameday is currently being played.

Danimal said...

we're going to have a game here in dallas.
drinking a "long hammer" by red hook...great name for a pornstar...johnny longhammer.

out of a coffee thermos too.

Mark said...

I do believe Danimal got some love from Pat Forde tonight. Well done, sir.

Danimal said...

nice. would not have seen that if nothing said.
nebraska has totally given this game away..4 ot's yet still tied.
if cam newton didn't play today, game of the day would go to tire rod taylor

T.J. said...

So danimal was all my va tech radio talk for naught?

Danimal said...

yes and no...you called the win - they did it handily. but tyrod played the near perfect game, probably the best he's had ever while at vatech. sound man sound.

did those clowns really think vatech actually had a shot at the nat'l championship or was that just for their va radio audience? i was like....AS IF!

aww wtf...i'll have one more.

Danimal said...

did not know pellini and stoopy went to same high school...and pellini was class of '86. no need to calculate - i'll do it for ya. he's 42.

Mark said...

This Xmas party us dying. I need a bar...badly.

T.J. said...

I went home for papal elections.

Danimal said...

bobby (that's what my friends call me) deniro on snl...

T.J. said...

I'm watching USC/UCLA...well, halftime this moment...

Mark said...

I'm now home to TJ...watching this bullshit west coast matchup.

T.J. said...

Pac-10 poop.

rob said...

westbrook vs. the pack or green-ellis vs. the jets? help a brother out.

rob said...

listening to the teej on radio now. i enjoy the fact the the announcers are asking him questions as if he's an expert.

T.J. said...

Rob, I made one point emphatically just for you.

rob said...

nice segment, teej. well done. and i enjoyed your point of emphasis.

zman said...

I would go with the law firm of BenJarvis Green-Ellis.

zman said...

Moose decided to wear all three pieces of his suit today.

T.J. said...

Favre is done...Tavaris Time!

rob said...

done hurt, or done didn't start?

Dave said...

can i hear the teej on the radio?

Clarence said...

When asked for a Skins game prediction today, I said 35-6, GMen... with the 6 coming via a missed PAT by Gano. I think I gave the Redskins too much credit.

zman said...

You can hear the Teedge if you hold a seashell to your ear, no radio required.

Clarence said...

Ganope. Comically predictable.

The Skins seem to have one of these games against the Giants like every 4 years. Always fun.

zman said...

Tavaris Jackson is 10/12 with 2 TD and 1 INT through 19 minutes of play. The Bills can make anyone look good.

zman said...

Perhaps I should have picked up Sidney Rice.

zman said...

Is "McNabb" Gaelic for "washed-up"?